No, she wouldn’t save Bedeckt’s life.
If I kill Bedeckt, he’ll have to serve me in the Afterdeath. And since the godling served him, she’d have control of the manipulative little bastard. Or would she? How did all of this work with Bedeckt having been returned to life? Did he no longer have power over the Geborene godling? She had no idea, the Warrior’s Credo never went into such detail.
“Do you want to pay him back for his thefts?” asked Morgen.
“You know the answer.”
“Will you kill him?”
“You know the answer to that too.”
He watched her, gaze flicking about as if searching for some hint as to her intent. Dream on.
“Promise me you’ll kill him,” said Morgen, “and I will return you to the world of the living.”
This time Stehlen did laugh. “My promises are worth shite.”
“Promise me anyway.”
“I will track down Bedeckt and kill him,” she said. “After I repay him for his betrayals.”
“Bedeckt is dangerous,” said Morgen.
She spat on the table in front of Morgen and he raised an eyebrow at the black-flecked yellow phlegm.
“Wichtig is the Greatest Swordsman in the World,” he said.
“So we won’t have a sword fight.”
“Promise me.”
“On one condition.”
Morgen frowned. “Yes?” he asked, tone guarded and suspicious.
She knew how much he disliked change. His control, his belief he could make the world a place that made sense, was purest madness.
“Lebendig comes with me,” said Stehlen.
Sitting back, Morgen examined her, calculating. Was that a hint of a smile at the corner of his lips, gone before it was really there? He nodded. “Fine.”
“I promise to kill Bedeckt,” said Stehlen.
“And Wichtig?”
“Definitely Wichtig.”
“Time is different here in the Afterdeath,” said Morgen. “Though Bedeckt and Wichtig left not long ago, they will have a day or more head start on you.”
Stehlen shrugged this away as inconsequential. “I’ll need money to buy horses and fund the hunt,” she lied, feeling the weight of Wichtig’s gold at her side.
Morgen dropped a pouch of coins on the table between them and she scooped it away without thought. She closed her eyes, thinking of Bedeckt, contemplating what he’d do if returned to life with a sack of gold and the knowledge she would come after him once she discovered his betrayal. Bedeckt—like all fat old men—enjoyed the soft trappings of civilization. He’d go east to Geldangelegenheiten, the only city-state that wasn’t a festering pit of shite and bile. And since he’d know she knew that, he’d go south. To Gottlos.
“What are the relations like between Gottlos and Selbsthass?” Stehlen asked.
“War is coming,” answered Morgen as if the question were expected. “I will crush them. They shall worship me. I will make this a clean and sane world, one city-state at a time.”
Pompous snot. “So, when I come riding out of Selbsthass…”
Morgen made a show of looking her up and down. “No one will believe you are one of mine.”
Because I’m not. “I suppose you’re right,” she said, hating the smug shite. I’ll drown your pretty theocracy in oceans of mud and blood. She flashed a sweet smile. It died when he paled and glanced away with a look of disgust.
“Fetch your friend,” said Morgen.
Stehlen stood and left the boy sitting alone.
She found Lebendig outside, still mounted. The Swordswoman smiled with her eyes and the slightest hint of a nod.
“Lebendig, my…” Stehlen wanted to say my love, but her throat strangled the word, “friend, I have a very special surprise for you.”
“Does it involve killing someone?”
Stehlen shot her a mock scowl. “Eventually.”
“Wichtig?”
“Among others.”
“I like it already.”
“There’s more,” promised Stehlen.
“More people to kill?”
“Well, yes, always. But that’s not what I meant.” She flashed a smile at the Swordswoman and her heart danced when Lebendig returned it. “Come inside. Don’t bother tying your horse, we won’t be coming back.”
“That sounds ominous,” said Lebendig, dismounting. She checked the draw of her matched swords and nodded.
“You won’t need those.” At least not yet. Stehlen held out a hand and Lebendig took it.
They entered the inn together and no one was stupid enough to say anything and spoil Stehlen’s good mood. She led Lebendig to Morgen’s table and they sat across from the godling, Stehlen grinning, Lebendig guarded as ever.
“We’re ready,” said Stehlen.
Morgen blinked, looking confused and maybe a little sad like he wanted to change his mind. She heard him mutter something about reasons.
CHAPTER SIX