A Pehov Duet: The Snake; Battle of the Margend Horseshoe

By Alexey Pehov

Two original, exciting and engaging short stories from Alexey Pehov that feature master thief Shadow Harold, the protagonist of the Chronicles of Siala epic fantasy series.

In "The Snake", Harold, the most accomplished thief in the world (and reluctant hero of Alexey Pehov's award-winning series, Chronicles of Siala) may have finally met his match in what could prove to be his most dangerous escapade. A stand-alone short story appearing for the very first time.

"Battle of the Margend Horseshoe" is an additional scene from SHADOW BLIZZARD, Pehov's upcoming conclusion to the Chronicles of Siala. Harold and friends, old and new, prepare for a spirited offensive attack after cleverly cornering the Orc army at the Margend Horsehoe river bend. An exciting taste of the masterful battle scenes that are Pehov's forte.


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• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
• Release date: Jan 24, 2012
• ISBN: 9781466807211

Alexey Pehov

Alexey Pehov is the award-winning author of The Chronicles of Siala, a bestselling series in his native Russia. His novel Under the Sign of the Mantikor was named Book of Year and Best Fantasy Novel in 2004 by Russia's largest fantasy magazine, World of Fantasy.

Book preview

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Contents

I. The Snake

II. Battle of the Margend Horseshoe

Preview

I.

The Snake

An original story from Alexey Pehov

Well, what do you think, Harold? asked Gozmo.

I looked around the empty inn, bored, and said what I’d thought from the moment he proposed the job.

I don’t like it.

Come on! said the outraged old man. It’s an easy job, you won’t have to do a thing.

That’s what I’m worried about. My mood was somber, and I considered it my duty to impart this to others. When it looks too easy….expect trouble.

Did I ever once give you a rotten job?

Yes. I was relentless. In the last adventure there were the very large, fierce dogs; before that, there were the extra guards you neglected to tell me about…

Things happen unexpectedly, he dismissed me with a wave of his hand. We have to put up with that kind of uncertainty in this business.

Your proposal reminds me of banana bread. It looks smooth and round from the outside, but if you cut into it there are solid walnuts…and I hate walnuts.

Let’s be businesslike about this. Gozmo pursed his lips and squinted at me knowingly. Are you snuffing this because of the pay?

I shrugged. The innkeeper was wasting my time and he knew quite well how much my time mattered.

So I’ll get someone else. There are plenty of other thieves in Avendoom.

Come on, I said. Most of them are as stupid as Doralissians and the rest are barely able to steal an old lady’s purse."

I am talking about the master thieves, he sniffed.

Hmmm let’s think, who you can invite to this party? Shnyg and Nightingale don’t freelance any more, last week they became members of the Guild. Neik is resting in the Gray Stones, and unless he gets out before his ten years are up, you can’t count on him. Who else is available? Arlis? She isn’t very fond of you—and you know why—so you’re unlikely to make a deal with her. Shlok got in a fight with Urgez—very short-sighted in my opinion, since Urgez is the head of the Guild of Murderers. Now the poor man swims somewhere under the Piers. So apart from them you have no one else except me.

I can apply to the Guild, he said, though he himself did not believe it.

If you enjoy working with Markun, and you’re ready to put forty percent of the revenue in his greasy paws, then go ahead. I took a sip of beer.

Gozmo tapped his fingers on the tabletop. He did not want to go to the Guild and its greedy leader. That was clear from the onset, otherwise he wouldn’t have sought the assistance of a freelance thief like me.

You’re greedy, Harold. This is robbery.

No, old chap. This is a business relationship.

I offered you fifteen gold coins!

Sure, I’d get fifteen, then he would demand that I kick back two gold coins. Plus how does this rapscallion Gozmo suspect to receive payment from the employer? Sometimes I think I should have become a middleman; there’s minimal risk and decent money drips into your pocket. I said nothing to the innkeeper but sent him the most contemptuous look from my bottomless reserves.

How much? he surrendered.

Thirty.

Thief!

Exactly. I saluted him with a mug of dark beer.

Okay, it’s a deal.

I had no doubt that I would make this mutually beneficial for me and the old man.

For such a trifling matter you ask for a lot of money. What kind of times do we live in? grumbled Gozmo.

Hard, I immediately said back.

He looked at me and sighed, Do you understand what you have to do?

I pick up the goods, bring them to you and get my money.

Something like that. But you must do it tonight. The customer will be waiting for you here in the morning. Finish your beer and leave. I have to open the inn soon.

Not so fast, my friend. I haven’t heard the most important detail—what kind of goods will be in my bag?

The employer did not say.

Really…? It was my turn to frown. Immediately I felt a returned sense of foreboding. Why so secretive?

It’s not our business. We get paid by doing the job.

Well, suppose something goes wrong? I didn’t like Gozmo’s cavalier attitude. "The danger of being put behind bars is entirely my own. Captain Fragh Lanten and the city guards would like nothing better than to put me in the same cell with Neik. So from your side, it’s extremely shortsighted to not gather information. Or what if I carry the goods