“Good. Where do you think Swordsmen get money? You think we work a job on the side in between bouts of practising and killing?”
“Didn’t think,” said the girl, holding up a small and threadbare purse.
“Your lessons begin now,” said Wichtig. “What mistake did you make?”
Opferlamm stared at him, brow crinkling in thought. “I’m unarmed. I should have gone for the sword first. Got the purse second.”
Wichtig nodded in appreciation. The girl has potential. “Then get the damned sword.”
Opferlamm sheathed the sword in her old scabbard and eyed the far better one belted to the dead man’s hip. “I think—”
“Thinking is a Swordsman’s worst enemy,” said Wichtig. “We are creatures of action. Does this mean you should be a moron? No. You must be so clever thought is unneeded. In an instant you must see what needs doing and do it. If you chose wrong, tell everyone whatever happened was exactly as you planned it. Note how quickly I killed this man. No thought. I saw need and I fulfilled that need. Had I stood around thinking about it he might have stabbed me first, or even run away. And then where would we be?”
“Wearing a bed sheet?”
“Don’t be a smart arse. His horse and sword are yours. The boots, pants, and shirt are mine. As is that scabbard you’re eyeing. Now strip him.”
“There’s a hole in his shirt,” said Opferlamm. “And it’s covered in blood.”
Wichtig peeled away his bed sheet, letting it fall to the street. Subtly flexing, he stood naked, waiting. His face might be a mess, but he couldn’t help but grin at the way women stopped whatever they were doing to admire his body. Opferlamm stared for a moment before stooping to strip the corpse.
“At least it’s not my blood,” he said as she handed him the clothes. “Go get my horse. Once I’m dressed, we’re leaving this shite hole.”
Opferlamm left at a sprint and returned moments later with Bl?d, already saddled, in tow. The horse seemed happy enough until it spotted Wichtig.
How the hells can a horse scowl?
The two mounted their horses and left by the southern gate, riding for the capital of Gottlos. It wasn’t until Unbrauchbar dwindled from sight that Wichtig realized he forgot to ask around after Bedeckt. Stick it. The bastard would never stay in such a dump for long. The wealth and whores of the big city would draw the old goat like…well, like old men to whores. Anyway, Wichtig caused enough of a stir in Unbrauchbar that if Bedeckt was in the city, he’d come looking.
Would Bedeckt even accept Wichtig’s help? What if the old man thought he was better off dealing with Stehlen on his own?
“Stubborn bastard,” Wichtig muttered.
“Pardon?”
“Do you have friends?” Wichtig asked.
“There are some boys back in the town where I grew up.”
“Wrong.”
“Oh. Uh…” Opferlamm’s brow crinkled in thought.
The kid has too little control of her face. They’d have to work on that. Being a Swordsman wasn’t all killing idiots and bedding wenches. Manipulation was critical, and facial expressions were a big part of that. Wichtig scowled, feeling the still-healing wound slashing across his face stretch tight.
“I have one friend?” said Opferlamm.
“That sounded like a question.”
“I have one friend,” repeated the young Swordswoman.
“Who?”
“My sword.”
“Don’t be an idiot. Steel loves no one.”
“Is it me?”
“Was that a question?”
“It’s me.”
“Wrong. You are your enemy. You will get in the way of what you want to be.” Again Wichtig pinned the girl with flat grey eyes. “I am your only friend. I will look out for you. I will keep you alive until you are able to do that on your own. I will supply you with weapons and horses and wisdom.”
Opferlamm looked doubtful, which meant she wasn’t an utter moron. But the thought was planted, and for now that was all Wichtig wanted.
“What are you going to call your horse?” asked Wichtig.
“I…what? I should name my horse?”
“Of course you should name the damned thing.”
Opferlamm rode well, rolling with the stride of her horse, brow once again giving away her thoughtfulness. “Sturm?”
What a terrible name. “Perfect.”
“Where are we going?”
“Gottlos, the capital. We’re going to save an old friend’s life.”
“Was he your teacher?”
“Hardly.”
“But I thought—”
“What did I tell you about thinking? My lessons are not for people like me, they’re for people like you. The wise have no need for wisdom.” Wichtig nodded appreciation. That, he decided, sounded particularly wise.
“What are we saving him from?” Opferlamm asked.
Wichtig shrugged. “Not much.” He let the pause grow long before adding, “Just the most dangerous woman I ever met.” He grinned at the girl, baring broken teeth and feeling his face pull tight. It hurt but was worth it to see her face pale. “And a god,” he added. “We have to save him from a god.”
“Sounds like fun,” said Opferlamm.
“My apprentice,” said Wichtig, “I see great potential in you.”
“Are we going to practice with the swords soon?”
“No.”
“I really am quite good,” said Opferlamm
“Only brag to people who aren’t better.”