Golden Box Book Publishing GBBP Magazine, June, 2017 | Page 32

“It’s fine. Just didn’t expect to see anyone out here all alone.”
“If you’re heading into Valdar, would you mind taking me
with you?”
I scratched the side of my crooked nose. “That’s where hearth
and home await me. What the devil are you doing walking around
here at night?”
“My horse fell lame and I had to put the poor beast down —
with this.”
She reached inside her coat and produced a wicked-looking
dagger. Her free hand clutched the book even more tightly to her
small bosom. The look she gave me made it clear that she’d cut
off my frozen chestnuts if I laid one hand on her.
“My name’s Mikawber. Dorgo Mikawber.”
Hearing my name must have settled her nerves because she
smiled at me. “You’re the one folks call the Dowser?”
“Is there any other?”
She shrugged. “I don’t think so. But I know people who know
people who know you.”
“Ah, my infamy precedes me.” Even though I wore an old
leather overcoat and thick mittens, I shivered with cold. “Hop
aboard.” I held out a hand to help her.
She put away the dagger and climbed into the sled without any
assistance. I flicked the reins, Rora nodded and kicked up her
hooves, and we were on our way. Valdar, my city of thieves,
beggars, assassins, and women of easy virtue, was only an hour
away.
“My name is Miluva Zill,” the woman told me.
I noticed that the book had a silver clasp fastened to its red-
leather covers, preventing it from falling open; the pages had
black edges. Miluva held onto the book as if it meant all the
difference between life and death to her.
“That’s an interesting looking book,” I said.
Miluva moved it to the inside of her coat. I guess she didn’t
trust me. “I . . . I borrowed it from a friend.” She looked at me and
quickly turned away.
She was hiding something. That much was obvious.
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