LITMIR.BIZ

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pointed to Tomas and said, ‘He guards the stuff I need to study. If we had another pair of sharp eyes and keen ears here, Tomas could return home and spend some time with his family.’

      ‘Dragon Lords have families?’ said Bek, a look of surprise on his face.

      Nakor grinned and almost giggled when he said, ‘Where do you think little Dragon Lords come from?’

      Tomas shook his head, but a warning glance from Nakor kept him silent. He didn’t know the Isalani gambler as well as Pug did, but over the years he had developed a respect for his instincts. If the little man wanted Bek to remain, there had to be a good reason.

      Bek laughed at Nakor’s joke. ‘What does it pay?’

      ‘Straight to the point,’ said Nakor. ‘I like that. We’re pretty out-of-the-way here, but as you’ve just demonstrated, sometimes things happen that you don’t anticipate. We’ll pay you handsomely.’

      ‘How handsomely?’

      ‘Two gold coins a day, plus food.’

      ‘For how long?’

      ‘For as long as it takes,’ responded Nakor.

      Bek lost his smile. ‘A few coins for a few days work guarding a cave from wild dogs and the occasional bandit is one thing, little man. But I wouldn’t welcome camping out here for longer than a week or so, even if I was paid three gold coins a day.’

      ‘You have somewhere else to be?’ asked Tomas.

      Bek threw back his head and laughed. ‘Not particularly, but I always find it difficult to stay in one place for very long. My father used to hunt me down and beat me when he found me.’

      Nakor’s eyes narrowed at the description. ‘You left home when you were, what? Thirteen, fourteen?’

      ‘Thirteen,’ said Bek, examining Nakor’s face. ‘How did you know that?’

      ‘I’m familiar with the story,’ said Nakor. ‘Would three gold coins a day make you a more patient man?’

      Beck shrugged. ‘For three, I’ll give you a month, but after that I’ll want to go somewhere with beautiful whores and good ale to spend it!’

      Nakor grinned. ‘Done.’

      Tomas said, ‘Nakor, a word if you please,’ and directed the little man to join him on the other side of the cave. Softly, Tomas asked, ‘Are you certain you wish to do this?’

      Nakor’s sunny expression vanished. ‘Not wish, must. This lad is … not ordinary.’

      ‘I cannot argue with that, Nakor. Of all the mortal swordsmen I have faced, he is easily the most dangerous. There is something supernatural about him.’

      ‘Exactly. His story sounded familiar because it is very similar to my own. I was that boy in a way. I had the same problems staying at home, and my father used to beat me too. I ran away when I was very young. It’s – it’s all the same!’

      Glancing at the young swordsman, then back at the little gambler, he said, ‘Not entirely the same.’

      ‘Granted, I became a card cheat and he became a bandit, but the point is we have much in common. And it’s the same story that Macros told of his youth. It’s too much to be a simple coincidence. I wish to explore that further.’

      ‘There’s more, isn’t there?’

      ‘You remember the old saying: “keep your friends close and your enemies closer”, Tomas?’

      Tomas said, ‘I remember.’

      ‘I think we want this lad to stay very close indeed. If my instincts are not playing me false and there’s an advantage to be had from this encounter, I’ll find it.’

      ‘No doubt you will. Now, what do you want me to do?’

      ‘Go home for a while. I’ll keep an eye on Bek and I’ll keep a watch on the cave until Magnus gets back from Kelewan. I have some ideas about how to control those things in there that I want to discuss with him.’

      Tomas said, ‘Very well. I am pleased to be returning to my queen so soon.’

      ‘Do you need an orb?’ Nakor asked as he pulled a shiny metal object from his rucksack and offered it to Tomas.

      ‘Thank you. I could call a dragon to take me, but it does attract notice. And anyway, this is faster,’ he said, pressing a button with his thumb before disappearing.

      Nakor turned to Bek and said, ‘Do you have any food in that saddlebag?’

      ‘Not really.’

      Nakor approached the young man and drew a round object out of his sack. Tossing it to Bek, who caught it in the air, he said, ‘Want an orange?’

      Bek smiled. ‘Love one.’ He began to peel it with his thumb. ‘What do we do now?’

      ‘We wait for some friends. You out here; me in there.’ He pointed at the cave mouth.

      ‘One thing,’ said Bek.

      ‘What?’

      ‘The three gold. It starts today.’

      Nakor shrugged. ‘OK, then make yourself useful and get some wood for a fire.’

      Bek laughed and turned to hunt firewood.

      Bek rose slowly in the darkness and moved without making a sound. He tiptoed around the fire, picking up a small brand of burning wood as he gave Nakor’s slumbering form a wide berth. He entered the cave and quickly saw there was nothing inside, save the narrow tunnel.

      He entered and quickly found his way to the ledge over-hanging the pathway down to the floor of the cavern. Even in the flickering light he could see the motionless Talnoy standing in their ranks.

      His eyes widened like a child’s as he looked over each black metal warrior in glee. He grinned and whistled softly. ‘What have we here?’

      Outside the cave, Nakor lay motionless. He had heard Bek enter the cave and knew that the young man would now be looking at the army of Talnoy.

      After a few more minutes, he heard Bek return. Nakor was ready to move the instant he felt threatened, and after having seen Bek battle Tomas, he knew there might only be a moment for him to employ his most deadly ‘tricks’ to protect himself.

      But Ralan Bek simply lay down on the other side of the campfire and quickly fell sound asleep. Nakor continued to lie motionless, but he was still awake when the sun rose the next morning.

       • CHAPTER EIGHT •

       Homecoming

      THE ROAD STRETCHED TO THE HORIZON.

      Once again, Tad and Zane rode in a cart, as they had almost half a year before. This time however, they were approaching the village of Stardock.

      Reaching Shamata, Caleb and the boys had found a shipment of goods that were being sent along the shore of the Sea of Dreams down to the Great Star Lake and the Academy. Caleb had volunteered to take the shipment and arrange for someone to return the wagon to the trading concern when they arrived. As the company was owned by his father, Caleb encountered no objection.

      He had told the boys that they would pass through Stardock on their way south, but that they would only stay for one night. Tad rode next to Caleb on the driver’s seat, while Zane sat in the back, behind the cargo with his feet hanging over the back of the wagon.

      It was late afternoon by the time they reached the outer boundary of Stardock Town. The first of its buildings heaved into sight along the shore of the lake

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