[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
darkness. At the crest of the hill ahead he could see the tavern, an old
favorite haunt, and he stretched in the saddle, glad that the day s ride was
nearly ended.
He looked over his shoulder at the young acolytes who rode behind him. Though
tired, they chatted eagerly, for tomorrow they would reach the city. He half
listened to their prattle and boasts of what they would accomplish at the
Festival, what spells they hoped to win and the laurels of victory that they
would wear upon their brows when they next rode this way at the ending of
Festival time.
The old man listened, smiling to himself, able to do so since they could not
see him. He was, after all, the
Master, and they had never seen him smile, nor would they, at least until they
had won.
They rode into the courtyard of the tavern and the old man dismounted, his
joints creaking, cursing mildly at one of the young men for not being quick
enough to help him down.
He walked into the tavern and looked around cautiously. It was late at night,
but some travelers were still up, sitting by the fire, chatting. They looked
over their shoulders at him and grins lit their faces.
One of them, tankard in hand, walked toward him. He knew the type and waited.
So what are the chances this year?
The old man looked him up and down.
We ll win, he snapped, and his tone made it clear that he was not in the
mood to talk odds and fighting records, or who would be the final winner.
The man backed away and returned sullenly to his friends.
The old man looked over at the innkeeper.
See that my youngsters are fed and bedded down. Reaching into a purse which
was tied to the strap of his satchel, he pulled out a gold coin and tossed it
to the keeper.
Turning, he went back to the door.
Master?
The old man looked over his shoulder at the young woman who cautiously came up
to his side.
What is it?
Where are you going?
For a walk, some fresh air.
You shouldn t go alone.
The old man laughed.
I think I can take care of myself. Now get something to eat and go to
bed it s a long ride tomorrow to the city.
She hesitated.
We think there s something out there tonight, she whispered.
Page 172
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
Go on, child, I ll be all right.
Reluctantly she turned away and rejoined her friends.
Opening the door, he stepped out into the moonlight and walked out onto the
road.
The girl was right. There was something following them, he could sense that.
He had felt its presence all evening, drawing closer. It felt familiar
somehow and yet he could not be sure. If it boded ill, he wanted his young
acolytes out of the way. They were nothing more than first- and second-rank
fighters and would be slaughtered if it was a fight. But then again there
were precious few fighters aboard now who were anything beyond first or
second. Nearly all the rest had died in the Time of Troubles.
Slowly he walked back up the road down which he had ridden, finally reaching
the crest of the hill.
And then he saw them. Two riders, moving at a casual pace, as if they had all
the time in the world and there was nothing in it to fear.
The old man drew back into the shadow of the trees and watched them approach.
One of the riders slowed and the old man heard the snick of steel being drawn
and then there was a cool, distant laugh.
Old man, if you mean to fight, at least come out of the shadows and stop
skulking about.
He stepped into the road and looked up at the two riders, the moon behind him
drifting behind a cloud so that the land was plunged into darkness.
Who are you? one of the two asked, her voice cool and aloof.
Rather should I ask who are you? You ve been following me for several hours
now.
It s a free road. Now who are you?
The old man slowly extended his hands, ready to do battle.
Hadin gar Kan, Master of the House of Oor-tael.
The woman laughed softly and there was the sound of a blade returning to its
scabbard.
Going to Festival? she asked.
That was my intention.
Will you win?
Her tone was one of simple interest and Hammen relaxed slightly. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
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darkness. At the crest of the hill ahead he could see the tavern, an old
favorite haunt, and he stretched in the saddle, glad that the day s ride was
nearly ended.
He looked over his shoulder at the young acolytes who rode behind him. Though
tired, they chatted eagerly, for tomorrow they would reach the city. He half
listened to their prattle and boasts of what they would accomplish at the
Festival, what spells they hoped to win and the laurels of victory that they
would wear upon their brows when they next rode this way at the ending of
Festival time.
The old man listened, smiling to himself, able to do so since they could not
see him. He was, after all, the
Master, and they had never seen him smile, nor would they, at least until they
had won.
They rode into the courtyard of the tavern and the old man dismounted, his
joints creaking, cursing mildly at one of the young men for not being quick
enough to help him down.
He walked into the tavern and looked around cautiously. It was late at night,
but some travelers were still up, sitting by the fire, chatting. They looked
over their shoulders at him and grins lit their faces.
One of them, tankard in hand, walked toward him. He knew the type and waited.
So what are the chances this year?
The old man looked him up and down.
We ll win, he snapped, and his tone made it clear that he was not in the
mood to talk odds and fighting records, or who would be the final winner.
The man backed away and returned sullenly to his friends.
The old man looked over at the innkeeper.
See that my youngsters are fed and bedded down. Reaching into a purse which
was tied to the strap of his satchel, he pulled out a gold coin and tossed it
to the keeper.
Turning, he went back to the door.
Master?
The old man looked over his shoulder at the young woman who cautiously came up
to his side.
What is it?
Where are you going?
For a walk, some fresh air.
You shouldn t go alone.
The old man laughed.
I think I can take care of myself. Now get something to eat and go to
bed it s a long ride tomorrow to the city.
She hesitated.
We think there s something out there tonight, she whispered.
Page 172
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
Go on, child, I ll be all right.
Reluctantly she turned away and rejoined her friends.
Opening the door, he stepped out into the moonlight and walked out onto the
road.
The girl was right. There was something following them, he could sense that.
He had felt its presence all evening, drawing closer. It felt familiar
somehow and yet he could not be sure. If it boded ill, he wanted his young
acolytes out of the way. They were nothing more than first- and second-rank
fighters and would be slaughtered if it was a fight. But then again there
were precious few fighters aboard now who were anything beyond first or
second. Nearly all the rest had died in the Time of Troubles.
Slowly he walked back up the road down which he had ridden, finally reaching
the crest of the hill.
And then he saw them. Two riders, moving at a casual pace, as if they had all
the time in the world and there was nothing in it to fear.
The old man drew back into the shadow of the trees and watched them approach.
One of the riders slowed and the old man heard the snick of steel being drawn
and then there was a cool, distant laugh.
Old man, if you mean to fight, at least come out of the shadows and stop
skulking about.
He stepped into the road and looked up at the two riders, the moon behind him
drifting behind a cloud so that the land was plunged into darkness.
Who are you? one of the two asked, her voice cool and aloof.
Rather should I ask who are you? You ve been following me for several hours
now.
It s a free road. Now who are you?
The old man slowly extended his hands, ready to do battle.
Hadin gar Kan, Master of the House of Oor-tael.
The woman laughed softly and there was the sound of a blade returning to its
scabbard.
Going to Festival? she asked.
That was my intention.
Will you win?
Her tone was one of simple interest and Hammen relaxed slightly. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]