Cheating Death by Harukami (PG)

[tryfanstone.livejournal.com]

Fandom: SWORDSPOINT
Pairing: Richard/Alec
Length: one-shot, 1200 words
Author on LJ: http://Harukami.livejournal.com/
Author Website: http://harukami.hanashika.com/
Why this must be read:

To begin at the beginning, a moment Ellen Kushner has not written.

The Swordspoint reader comes to Alec and Richard at the start of the series, as established lovers. In Cheating Death, set before the series opens, Harukami describes this first meeting in words that capture Kushner’s sense of violence and beauty intertwined, and at the same time position the story within a landscape accessible to readers both familiar and unfamiliar with the city of Riverside.

‘The scholar looked at him mockingly. "Ah, Richard St Vier. I've heard of you. Don't do weddings, don't do women. I suppose your life is a dull tedious chore, and all you can do is long for something new and interesting to brighten your mockery of an existence."

Richard shrugged. "Yes," he admitted. "That and I like a challenge."

"I'm not one," the scholar drawled, and spread his arms. "But if you like, I can try to scream interestingly."

So. It was like that.

"Walk with me," Richard said.’

Cheating Death