Текст книги "Slathbog's Gold"

Автор книги: Mark Forman

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sorrow filled his heart and mind.

The bandits quickly changed their minds about the attack and turned their horses to flee. They let out another scream as they tried to make their escape. Skeld, Tayo, and Arconn were waiting for them, ready to attack them from behind. Again there was the sound of steel on steel as more bandits fell from their horses.

Alex rushed toward the remaining bandits he could see, slashing at them as they tried to break away. He felt a great heat inside his body as he attacked, swinging his sword wildly at everything on horseback. His movements were quicker now, and he could see his enemies clearly in the darkness, as if some strange light illuminated them. Running forward, Alex fought to stop the bandits from escaping, cutting down any who came near him.

As quickly as it had begun, the battle was over. Alex spun around, wildly looking for more bandits, but there were none left. The heat inside him began to cool quickly, and as it cooled, darkness clouded his vision.

“Are you all right, Alex?” asked Arconn, standing at a distance. “Is the heat leaving you?”

“Yes,” replied Alex, suddenly feeling tired and weak. “What . . . what happened to me?”

“It is the sword,” said Arconn, stepping a little closer. “Its power entered you, its master.”

Alex didn’t reply but looked down at the sword in his hand. The sword’s edges gleamed bright blue, as if tiny flames raced up and down the blade. It looked beautiful in the darkness, and Alex felt a surge of fierce pride that Moon Slayer was his sword.

“You didn’t tell me this would happen,” said Alex, his eyes turning to Arconn. “I mean, having the power of the sword enter me.”

“I wasn’t sure it would,” replied Arconn with a slight smile. “I have heard stories, but I have never seen it happen. At least, not until tonight.”

“We all saw it,” said Andy, coming up beside Alex. “It was amazing. If I hadn’t seen it myself, I’d never have believed it.”

“What did you all see?” Alex asked, fear growing inside of him.

“A strange, pale light,” Bregnest replied softly, watching Alex closely, a look of wonder on his face. “Like you were glowing. Not like a lamp, but like a beam of moonlight in the

darkness.”

“Indeed he was,” said Thrang, looking from Alex to Bregnest. “I’ve heard stories too, but never thought I’d see something like this.”

“What does it mean?” Alex asked in a troubled voice.

“The fire of a great warrior was lit inside of you this night,” replied Arconn. “The sword has chosen its true master, and now we all know why the sword was named Moon Slayer.”

“But I’m not a great warrior,” Alex protested.

“Tell that to the bandits,” said Skeld with a grim laugh.

Alex looked at the ground in surprise. Around him lay the bodies of the bandits he had killed. A spark of fear ran through him as he realized what he had done. Without thinking, he had rushed into the charging bandits and killed them. How many had he killed? He wasn’t sure.

What troubled Alex most was that now that the battle was over, he felt nothing toward the dead bandits. He had simply done what he had to do. There were no feelings of guilt or sorrow or even happiness. There was only the knowledge that he’d done what had to be done—he’d killed the enemy. The whole battle seemed like some half-forgotten dream.

“This can’t be,” said Alex, looking at his companions helplessly.

“It is,” said Arconn in a kindly voice. “It is part of what you are. You cannot change what you are any more than you can change the sun or the sky. You can only accept it, and learn to use your gifts wisely.”

Alex took a deep breath and let out a sigh. He knew Arconn was right and that the warrior inside him was a part of his true self.

“What now?” Alex asked, wiping Moon Slayer on the grass and returning it to his side.

“We’ll wait for daylight,” said Bregnest. “Then we’ll search the bandits for anything of value.”

“Isn’t that stealing?” Alex asked with a weak smile.

“They’re dead,” Skeld laughed. “And they are bandits.”

Alex knew the bandits would have killed them and stolen their things if they could have. He also knew from reading the Adventurer’s Handbookthat bandits fell into the same group of evil creatures as goblins and trolls. It wasn’t stealing, but Alex didn’t like the idea of searching the dead bodies.

Thrang relit their campfire and they gathered around the flames to wait for dawn. Thrang cooked breakfast, muttering to himself about Alex’s moonlight glow. He seemed amused by the evening’s events, even if Alex wasn’t. When the eastern sky started to grow light, Skeld and Halfdan rode off in search of the bandits’ horses.

The darkness slowly changed to a dull gray as the sun came up behind the clouds. The air smelled like rain as Alex and his companions returned to the dead bandits. Alex wished it would rain and wash away the smell of death and the color of blood. He felt strange, going through the pockets of the dead bandits, but the others didn’t seem to mind at all. They placed everything of value they found, including weapons, near their fire pit. Then they piled the dead bandits downwind from their camp.

“Slim pickings,” commented Thrang, tossing a bandit onto the pile. “Bandits never have much of value.”

“Then why bother?” Alex asked, struggling to drag a body to the pile himself.

“You never know,” replied Thrang, helping Alex toss the dead bandit onto the pile. “You might find something wonderful from time to time. Besides, every little bit helps to build the fortune.”

Once they had piled the bodies, they gathered wood and put it on top of the stack. Thrang ignited the piled wood with his infernocommand, standing back to watch as the flames spread. Alex watched with Thrang as the fire consumed the dead men, and then he turned and walked back to the campfire. He tried not to think about the bandits burning a short distance away, but it was difficult not to. It was one thing to kill a troll and have it turn to stone, but this was something else.

“Not much,” said Bregnest, separating the small pile of treasure into eight smaller piles. “Though the horses will bring a fair price in Techen.”

“Techen?” Alex questioned.

“A small city, four or five days’ ride from here,” Bregnest answered. “I hadn’t planned to stop there, but if we have horses to sell, it will be worth it.”

“And we might be able to get some information about Varlo and the lands around it,” added Thrang.

“Varlo is the resting place of Slathbog,” explained Arconn before Alex could ask. “It was an ancient city, and very rich. Which is why the dragon came there, of course.”

“How much do we know about Varlo?” Alex asked.

“Little more than what Arconn has just said,” Thrang replied. “We do know there was a great castle, its foundation set deep in the mountain’s side.”

“And deep in the mountain is where the worm will be hidden,” said Tayo in a grim tone. “He’s not likely to leave his hoard above ground.”

Alex knew almost nothing about dragons and what they would or would not be likely to do. The Adventurer’s Handbooksaid little about dragons and nothing about Slathbog. He wondered how much more his companions could tell him about dragons, certain he would need all the information he could get before facing Slathbog.

Skeld and Halfdan returned with a string of twenty horses. The horses looked well cared for, which surprised Alex. He thought they would be unhealthy and uncared-for creatures, judging by what he’d seen of the bandits who had been riding them.

“We found these easily enough,” said Skeld with his normal smile. “The others have run further than we cared to

follow.”

“Anything in the saddlebags?” questioned Thrang.

“We haven’t looked,” Halfdan replied, glancing back at the horses. “Thought it best to come back with these than wait around for an arrow in the back.”

“You mean there are more bandits out there?” Alex asked in a concerned tone.

“If there are, they are few,” Bregnest replied. “And after last night’s events, they’ll stay well clear of us.”

Skeld and Halfdan dismounted and began taking the saddlebags off the captured horses. To Thrang’s delight, the contents of the saddlebags more than tripled the amount of treasure they had to divide. Alex hesitated, thinking that the bandits were men after all and not monsters.

“Don’t trouble yourself over them,” said Tayo, watching Alex’s face. “Once a man becomes a bandit, he is no longer truly a man.”

“I don’t understand,” said Alex.

“They become wild and cruel,” said Thrang, taking notice of the discussion. “Bandits don’t care about nothing but stealing and killing. In most lands there’s a bounty on them. They’re nothing more than a plague to all people.”

Alex nodded his understanding and took his share of the treasure, trying to forget his misgivings about the bandits being men.

“We’ll ride to Techen,” said Bregnest as they prepared to depart. “If the rains hold off, we should make it in four days.”

“And if the rains come, it will be five or six,” Skeld replied. “And the horses won’t look so good when we try to sell them.”

“Then I expect you to take care of them,” answered Bregnest with a smile. “And if they don’t fetch a fair price, you’ll make up the difference to us all.”

Skeld laughed loudly and Alex wondered if anything ever dimmed his happy mood. Skeld’s endless happiness made Alex’s heart feel lighter so he was glad that Skeld was with them.

The rains held off for two days as the company rode toward Techen and they made good time both days. The morning of their third day, though, the rain started falling, building into a terrific downpour before midday. Alex and his friends moved slowly along the muddy and slick road. The rain continued as they stopped to camp for the night.

“At least we can eat without getting any wetter,” Skeld laughed, shaking his head like a dog.

The company’s mood had darkened slightly because they were all soaked to the skin and unhappy about it. The muddy road had slowed their progress as well, and Bregnest said he thought it would be at least two more days before they reached Techen.

“Remember, when we reach Techen, we are trading horses. Nobody is to speak of our goal to anyone,” warned Bregnest. “I will make a few inquiries about Varlo and see if there is anything I can learn.”

The company agreed with Bregnest’s plan, though Alex thought eight adventurers turning up and trading bandit ponies was sure to attract interest from the people of Techen. If anyone knew anything about Varlo, they would quickly suspect that Alex and his friends were headed there.

“Perhaps they will,” agreed Arconn when Alex spoke his mind that night during his watch. “But many adventurers come and go on different quests and most ask about Varlo.”

“If they’re on a different quest, why do they ask?” Alex questioned.

“For future reference,” replied Arconn. “Every adventurer dreams of one day seeking a dragon’s hoard, as that is one of the richest quests an adventurer can go on. So, many will ask, but few will ever attempt the challenge.”

“Is it really that dangerous?” Alex asked.

“It won’t be easy,” answered Arconn. “Though nothing of importance ever is. Bregnest is following a dream of his own, and a prophecy. Both will help us, I think.”

“Prophecy?”

“Yes, but it is not mine to speak of,” said Arconn. “We will discuss what I know of dragons tomorrow night during your watch. Though I know little enough, I may know as much as any other.”

“May I ask you something else?” Alex questioned.

“You should rest, your watch has passed,” said Arconn.

“It’s about my sword,” said Alex. “About the feelings I had when we were fighting the bandits.”

“Ah, I wondered how the sword might affect you,” said Arconn. “Many emotions are bound to the magic of your sword. Tell me, what did you feel?”

“It is hard to explain, but while I was using the sword, I felt almost like laughing out loud and crying at the same time.”

“And after the battle?”

“I didn’t really feel anything after. I just . . . well, I just knew that I’d done what was needed. I didn’t feel happy or sad or anything.”

Arconn looked into the darkness beyond the fire. “The elves who made your sword took great joy and pride in their work, yet they also had great sorrow because they were forced to create weapons of destruction. The magic they put into your sword holds both their joy and their sorrow. So when the magic enters you . . .”

“I feel their emotions as well,” said Alex.

“Yes. I would guess the joy was greater, as the sword was being used to destroy evil. Still, it is a terrible kind of joy, one tempered by much sorrow.”

“Yes,” said Alex. “It was a terrible joy.”

“Do not be troubled, Alex,” Arconn went on. “The emotions will always be there, but I think, in time, they will not trouble you so much.”

“Thank you for telling me what you know,” said Alex, bowing to Arconn and then making his way to his tent.

The next morning dawned bright and clear. The clouds had drifted away during the night, and the sun came out to dry the waterlogged land. They made good progress that day, but as night crept across the land, there was still no sign of Techen.

That night during his watch, Arconn told Alex all he knew about dragons, which was more than Alex would have guessed.

“Forgive me for saying so, but you seem to have great respect for dragons,” said Alex, as Arconn finished speaking.

“Indeed I do,” said Arconn with a slight smile. “They are powerful and magical creatures; some of them are very noble. It is said in some lands they are friendly to other races. Still, they are all dragons at heart.”

“And what does that mean?” Alex asked.

“As with all people, they are what they are,” replied Arconn, shrugging. “They have their own nature, and that is to be a dragon. Most dragons are considered evil because they lust for treasure and never seem to have enough. Some, however, have overcome that lust, or perhaps never had it. Those few dragons are very wise.” Arconn’s voice dropped to a whisper. “One last thing you should know about dragons—Never look a dragon in the eye unless you are sure you are stronger than it is.”

“Why?” Alex asked, wondering if anyone could really be stronger than a dragon.

“Dragons are magical. They have powers of their own that only they understand. If you look them in the eye, they can capture you in a spell.”

“Can the spell be broken?”

“It is said that once the dragon looks away, the spell will be broken,” replied Arconn. “Though I’ve never heard of anyone escaping a dragon once he had gazed into the dragon’s eyes.”

Alex considered everything Arconn had told him about dragons. He wondered what might be seen in a dragon’s eyes, and if it would be worth the risk of looking.

That night, Alex dreamed about dragons and the mysteries hidden behind their eyes. He dreamed that he could look into a dragon’s eyes without fear, but before he could look, it was morning, and time to ride on.

chapter eleven

Techen

It was almost noon the next day when Alex and his friends reached the city of Techen. It was not a large city nor was it a fair city to look at. Most of the buildings were short and brown, their walls cracked and bulging. The tallest buildings Alex could see were several towers built into the wall around the city. The towers were twice as high as anything else, and Alex was amazed they could stand so tall when they looked so close to falling down.

“It’s not much to look at,” said Andy, riding next to Alex. “But if half the tales are true, the stop will be worth it.”

“Why?” questioned Alex.

“They say a feast in Techen is worth two in any other city,” Andy replied with a smile.

“It would have to be something special to make up for the city’s appearance,” Alex commented in a lowered tone.

“The food is supposed to be incredible,” Andy continued, taking no notice of Alex’s comment. “They say that this is where most of the really great ideas in food were started.”

“And Master Goodseed would know a bit about food,” Skeld laughed happily from behind Alex. “I’ve noticed he never gets enough of Thrang’s cooking.”

Skeld and Halfdan had been riding at the rear of the company, leading the bandit horses they had captured. Andy turned around quickly to reply to Skeld’s comment, but both Skeld and Halfdan were already laughing too hard to hear anything he had to say.

Alex smiled to himself but managed to keep from laughing as well.

He noticed Andy’s attention focus on the city as they approached the main gates, and he tried to see what Andy found so interesting there.

“Hold,” a voice commanded from the gate. “State your names and business.”

“Silvan Bregnest and company,” Bregnest replied loudly. “We have come to sell horses, if there are any here who would buy.”

“Indeed, yes, there are. We’ll have a look,” answered the voice.

A small door in the main gate opened and a short man with a round, good-natured face stepped out. He wore a black uniform with dark green edging on the cuffs and collar, and two rows of shiny brass buttons running down the front. Alex thought the man looked a little old to be a guard.

“These are not wild horses,” said the man, looking at the horses behind Skeld and Halfdan. “These are bandit horses.”

“You speak truly, sir,” said Bregnest, climbing off his own horse and walking toward the man in uniform. “We were attacked some days ago by bandits and captured these after the attack.”

“Well, then, that is something,” the man replied, looking closely at Bregnest. “I count twenty horses and only eight of you. How many of your company were lost in the attack?”

“None,” answered Bregnest. “We were fortunate; the bandits did not take us unaware.”

“Indeed,” said the man, a look of wonder on his face. “Most fortunate I should say, and very lucky as well.”

“Perhaps so,” Bregnest agreed. “Now, may we enter your fine city to sell these horses?”

“Oh, yes,” the man replied quickly. “My apologies, Master Bregnest. We have seen few travelers of late, and travelers with bandit horses to sell . . . well, that is something unheard of in years. I’m quite sure the magistrate will want to meet you.”

“We will be pleased to meet the magistrate,” said Bregnest with a slight bow. “But first we will need a place to stable these horses. Can you name where we can get a fair price?”

“Oh, yes, yes indeed,” the man beamed. “Tantic’s would be your best bet. Old man Tantic has a fine stable and is a good judge of horses. He also keeps a pleasant inn next to his stables so you and your companions can find a place to rest as well.”

“And where might we find Master Tantic and his inn?” Bregnest asked politely.

“Up the main street and left at the square,” the man replied. “Tell him Bartholomew the gatekeeper sent you. I’m sure he will be most helpful.”

“Our thanks,” said Bregnest, bowing slightly before returning to his horse.

Bartholomew called for the main gate of Techen to be opened. The few guards present watched as the company rode through the open gates, and then they quickly closed the gates.

“I’ll let the magistrate know you’re staying at Tantic’s,” Bartholomew called after Bregnest. “I’m sure he’ll be along directly to see you.”

Bregnest led the company up the main city street to the square. Alex thought the buildings looked even worse close up than they did from a distance. He was beginning to think Andy had been joking when he’d been talking about the excellent food because everything in Techen looked rather shabby and dull. He was about to say something to Andy when the smell of something delicious reached his nose.

“It seems the stories are true,” said Andy with a wide smile, before Alex could speak.

“Yes, it does,” Alex quickly agreed.

Alex let his attention settle on the wonderful smells filling the air. He had never smelled anything like it before, and his opinion of Techen went up with each new scent that reached his nose. He detected fresh bread and honey, roasted meats, spices, and surprisingly, chocolate. Alex tried to enjoy each individual scent, but with so many in the air it wasn’t easy to do. For a moment he thought he could smell caramel, but it was soon lost to a wonderful blend of maple syrup and sausages.

Alex hardly noticed when the company turned left at the square and made their way to Tantic’s inn and stable. The yard around the inn seemed deserted however, and the stable was empty. Alex realized the only people he had seen in Techen were the gate guards and Bartholomew. Even the square had been empty as they rode past.

“Very quiet for so large a town,” commented Halfdan. “You’d think there would be someone about.”

“The people of Techen are suspicious of strangers,” said Skeld, his smile as bright as ever. “All the horses will make them more suspicious of us.”

“Hello, there!” a man called from the inn. “And what may I do for you?” Alex thought that the man’s tone of voice sounded like someone welcoming unwanted relatives who turned up unexpectedly and needed a place to stay.

“Perhaps a great deal,” said Bregnest. “Can you direct me to Master Tantic?”

“Indeed I can,” replied the man curtly. He was a short, balding man who looked a great deal like Bartholomew the gatekeeper. He wore a dark blue coat and black pants with high black boots. “And who might you be, and what reason might you have to seek Tantic?”

“I am Silvan Bregnest. The gatekeeper Bartholomew informed us that Master Tantic might be interested in buying some horses from us.”

The man looked from Bregnest to the horses behind Skeld and Halfdan. “Bandit ponies, I should say. They seem to have lost their masters.”

“Indeed they have,” replied Bregnest with a smile. “So we thought we should find them a new master.”

“There is wisdom in that,” said the man with a slight smile. “Well then, if that’s your business, I’ll speak more plainly. I am Tantic, and I am interested in buying horses. However, the day is growing warm and this is not the place to discuss business.”

“Then perhaps your inn is a better place,” Bregnest suggested. “We would spend the night, if you will have us.”

“Very well then,” Tantic replied, his tone becoming friendlier. “You’ll have to stable your own horses. The rest can go in the corral there.” Tantic motioned to the corral next to the stable, walking over to unlatch the gate.

“I suppose you’ll want to sell the saddles and trappings as well,” said Tantic, looking over the bandits’ horses.

“If that is acceptable,” answered Bregnest, dismounting and giving his horse’s reins to Arconn. “We have no need for saddles without horses.”

“No, of course not,” Tantic agreed, swinging the wooden gate of the corral wide open. “What would you want with

saddles and no horses? Common sense you’d want to sell

the saddles as well.”

Tantic watched the horses closely as Skeld and Halfdan led them into the corral. He seemed pleased with what he saw. He closed the gate behind Skeld and Halfdan, and then stood looking over the horses. Alex and the rest of the company dismounted and led their horses into the stable while Bregnest remained with Tantic by the corral.

Inside the stable, they found the stalls were empty, though there was a good supply of hay and oats. They quickly unsaddled their horses and made their way back toward the stable door. Alex lingered behind, making sure Shahree had plenty of food and water.

“A fine-looking animal,” said a thin, reedy voice. “Would you consider selling her?”

“Not for any price,” replied Alex, turning around to see an old man standing behind him.

“Then you are wise,” said the old man. “I see there is a bond between you two, and she would not willingly take another master.”

“You see much,” said Alex, feeling uncomfortable under the old man’s gaze.

The old man walked toward Shahree’s stall, moving slowly, his left leg dragging a little behind him as he moved forward.

“Tell your leader that I have information,” whispered the old man to Alex, looking over his shoulder to make sure they were alone. “I will speak with him, if he will allow it.”

“Information?” Alex could see the old man was excited and nervous. “What kind of information?”

“About Varlo,” the old man replied, looking over his shoulder again. “Information that may prove profitable.”

“I will tell him,” said Alex carefully. “However, I can’t say if he will speak to you or not.”

“I will come tonight, after you have eaten,” said the old man. “When the locals have left the inn, I will speak with your leader.”

“As I said,” Alex replied, turning to close Shahree’s stall. “I don’t know if he’ll talk to you or not.”

There was no reply to his words. When Alex turned around, the old man was gone.

Alex left the stable, worried by the old man’s words. He found the others waiting for him just outside the inn. Tantic and Bregnest were deep in conversation about the horses, and Alex knew he would have to wait before he could tell Bregnest about the old man.

“It’s true we have few horses these days,” Tantic said as Alex approached. “The city guards have taken most of them. They think they can catch the bandits if they have horses of their own.”

“And they have not been able to catch the bandits?” questioned Bregnest.

“They don’t know the land as well as the bandits do,” Tantic replied, spitting in the dirt. “And they don’t ride or take care of their horses as well either.”

“Then we have done a service to Techen,” replied Bregnest in casual tone.

“A great service,” Tantic agreed. “Though the magistrate will be suspicious of it. He won’t like the fact that you’ve done what his guards could not. I doubt he’ll offer you any reward.”

“But we were not chasing bandits. They came to us,” said Bregnest with a smile.

“True enough,” Tantic admitted, leading them all into the inn. “Still, the magistrate will not be happy about it. He’ll be even less happy when he finds out I’ve already bought the horses from you.”

“Then we must settle on a price,” said Bregnest in a more businesslike tone.

Tantic rubbed his chin, muttering numbers to himself. He seemed lost in his own thoughts, taking no notice of Bregnest or the rest of the company for several minutes.

“I’ll give you twenty-five gold for each horse,” said Tantic, a satisfied look covering his face. “Though I’ll tell you straight, the magistrate will pay me at least thirty.”

“Twenty-five for each horse?” Bregnest repeated, his tone uncommitted. “And for the saddles and trappings?”

“Twenty-seven for all then,” Tantic answered quickly. “And room and board for the night as well.”

Bregnest considered the offer for several minutes, watching Tantic closely, but the innkeeper did not fidget or change his offer.

“A fair price,” Bregnest agreed. “Shall we have a drink to seal the bargain?”

“Indeed, yes, my friends,” said Tantic, a broad smile on his face. “And a second drink to the magistrate’s unhappiness.”

Alex followed the rest of the company into the main bar, his thoughts still on the old man from the stable. He wanted to talk to Bregnest right away, but knew he would have to wait.

“The bargain,” toasted Tantic, lifting a glass.

“The bargain,” Bregnest and the rest of the adventurers repeated, raising their own glasses.

Alex swallowed the liquid from his glass and his throat began to burn. The drink was something he had never tasted before, and for a moment it took his breath away. His throat tightened and he had to struggle for a minute to catch his breath.

“To trouble for the magistrate,” said Tantic, raising his glass a second time.

Alex was unable to repeat the words because he couldn’t seem to find his voice, but he did manage to raise his glass.

“A strong brew,” said Skeld, slapping Alex on the back.

“Yes,” Alex managed to reply with a cough, his eyes watering.

“You should be more careful when you don’t know what’s in the glass,” said Skeld, laughing happily.

Alex nodded. He set his glass down and left the rest of the drink untouched.

“You seem troubled,” said Arconn, stepping up to Alex’s side. “And by more than the strong drink.”

“I need to speak with Bregnest,” replied Alex, lowering his voice. “There was an old man in the stable. He says he has information.”

“Hold your thoughts,” said Arconn. “I’ll let Bregnest know, and we’ll find a quiet place to talk.”

Bregnest collected their payment from Tantic and turned to face the company. As he turned, Arconn spoke softly into his ear. Bregnest nodded but didn’t look in Alex’s direction. He moved to a round table near a large fireplace and sat down. The rest of the company spread out around the main room, taking seats and ordering drinks for themselves.

Bregnest called them to him one at a time to give them their share of the payment, calling Alex last of all. As Alex approached Bregnest he noticed that Arconn remained seated next to Bregnest.

“Here you are,” said Bregnest, pushing a pile of coins toward Alex. “Sixty-seven gold and six silver. Not bad for so little work.”

“It seems a fair price,” replied Alex, taking a seat and putting the coins into the small pouch he’d bought in Telous.

“What do you have to tell me?” Bregnest questioned, leaning toward Alex and lowering his voice.

“There was an old man in the stable,” Alex reported. “He said to tell you he had information about Varlo, and that it would be profitable for you to listen.”

“It seems our adventure has been guessed by at least one,” Arconn commented softly.

“And profitable information is seldom free,” Bregnest added. “What more did this old man have to say?”

Alex thought for a moment, trying to remember the exact words. “He said he would come tonight, after we had eaten and the local people had left the inn. He said he would come and speak to you, Bregnest.”

“Did he call me by name?” Bregnest asked, concerned.

“No,” Alex replied quickly. “He said he would speak to the leader of our company. I tried to tell him that I didn’t know if you’d talk to him or not, but he didn’t seem to care.”

“Well, then, we can do nothing but wait,” said Arconn.

“We will wait,” Bregnest repeated. “And tonight we will see what this old man has to say.”

“He will want money, of course,” Arconn said flatly, echoing Bregnest’s own words. “Information is almost never free.”

“We will hear what he has to say before we agree to pay for anything,” replied Bregnest, a stern look on his face. “For now, let’s see what Tantic has for a midday meal.”