Goblin Precinct (Dragon Precinct) Read Online Free Page A

much of an accomplishment.”
    Returning the grin, Danthres replied, “True.” She turned toward the body. “I have to say, Fanthral, that your conspiracy theory is looking less likely.”
    The elf now stood with his arms folded over his chest, regarding Danthres with unconcealed contempt. “And you have to say that, do you?”
    Ignoring the dig, Danthres continued. “Your notion is that lothSerra was found by enemies and framed by brigands determined to keep him from his rightful place as the subject of one of your Consortium’s trials, yes?”
    “I would not have used the term brigands , but that is what I believe happened.” He walked over toward the corpse as well. “He was no doubt hiding in this city-state, hoping to remain anonymous. People of every race pass through Cliff’s End, after all. One more elf would hardly cause comment, and most people here—especially in the poorer region where he was found—keep to themselves. But then he was found by someone working against the Consortium’s purpose, and they overfed him this drug you were speaking of, and they placed him in that alley.”
    Danthres looked at Torin. “Quite an impressive story.”
    Torin nodded. “It does have a certain ring to it, yes.”
    “But, unfortunately, it’s shit.”
    Fanthral sneered again. “Excuse me?”
    Smiling sweetly, Danthres asked, “Were my words not clear?”
    “Do not try my patience, halfbreed. I’ve come a long way to find—”
    “A beggar.”
    Thrown off by the interruption, Fanthral blinked. “A what?”
    “Look at the body, Fanthral.” Danthres was now pointing at the corpse. “That isn’t dirt and grime that someone put on him to make sure he looked the part. And these clothes, if you can call them that, were practically welded to his person. LothSerra wasn’t dressed up to look like a beggar, he was a beggar.”
    “Impossible.” Fanthral scoffed and turned away. “He was one of the highest ranking members of the Elf Queen’s court. He would rather die than live like that.”
    “Indeed,” Torin said. “Why else do you think he overdosed on Bliss? The drug is fairly new to the city, but from all reports it bestows euphoria upon one. What better pill for an elf lord who has lost everything to swallow?”
    Fanthral looked back at the body. “It couldn’t be that simple, could it?”
    “Yes, it could.” Danthres shook her head. “Torin and I have been doing this for some time. In our experience, the simplest explanation is more often than not the right one.”
    “Perhaps.” Fanthral strode toward the exit. “And perhaps not. Your pretty story is no more or less proven than mine, Lieutenants. I believe your captain instructed you to investigate lothSerra’s death, and you will do precisely that. Then we will learn which of our stories is the story and which is the truth.”
    Orvag watched as he departed. “He’s an emissary of the elves, eh?”
    Danthres nodded.
    “No wonder they’ve gone to shit.”
    At that, Torin and Danthres both laughed. The former said, “We’ll send some guards over for the body forthwith.”
    “Suit yourselves—I got me more people to burn up, eh?”
    “Better you than me,” Danthres said emphatically. “C’mon, Torin, let’s go so I can breathe through my nose again.”
     

THREE
    “YOU’RE KIDDING ME, YOU FOUND A BOAT?”
    “Maybe,” Hawk said cautiously at his partner’s query. “See, this is why I wasn’t gonna be tellin’ you. You’re always jumpin’ the gun on me, gettin’ all excited when it ain’t so yet.”
    Dru rolled his eyes. “C’mon, Hawk, you been talkin’ about getting a boat when you hit your twenty-five. You’re sayin’ you found one you can afford now ?”
    Hawk repeated, “Maybe. He said he could be givin’ it to me for two hundred gold, which is way less than what I thought I’d be payin’, and he’ll take half now and the rest next year.”
    Now Dru had a faraway look, and Hawk could almost see his cynicism