Page 23 (1/2)

Gradually the sun rose at our backs We were heading west at a slower pace than I wanted, but Mott insisted I preserve th and recover from the past several days Patience had never been a virtue that interested me, and certainly one I had never courted But for now, it was a necessary one When night fell, I arranged for an inn where we could spend the night with a good sleep With our black and red uniforave us a second look

I felt ed ato it in Avenia Once ere on the road again, Tobias asked, "Shouldn’t we turn farther south to reach Tarblade?"

"We have another stop first," I said

Mott groaned "You remember we’re deep in enemy territory, correct?"

"The people here aren’t e"

"Carried in the hands of an Avenian? Jaron, you ht not consider these people your enemy, but they won’t look so kindly upon you If you had a one with Harlowe yesterday"

"A fine idea, if I’d have thought of it yesterday," I snapped

We rode for another half hour before we cae of the thieves’ camp, the place where I had first been taken on my way to the pirates It had always been a bustle of activity, and I’d expected the same liveliness now

But it was different this time

I left my sword in place as we rode into camp, but had my hand ready, just in case The few reet us, but they looked ers than thieves A feere arnized a few men but most of them were new faces I had no friends here

"You’ve picked us over enough!" a drunken ht -- the last group of soldiers knew that and left us alone"

With some nervousness, Mott and Tobias looked at each other, and I remembered hoere dressed

"What happened to the others ere here?" I asked "Did they volunteer to fight?"

"Volunteered at the point of a blade," a ht be of use"

Anotherat me "How old are you, boy? You’re no soldier Or no leader ast Avenian soldiers, no" When I reh of a reaction that it was clear so of Carthya, king of the Avenian pirates, and a friend of Erick’s, as in charge here If you don’t wish to fight for Vargan, then join me now Ride with me and let’s leave this place"

"Or we could capture you and earn a lifetian," the man nearest to us said

I snorted "Don’t be ridiculous If you had the ability to capture ave up and half turned away fro back down beside his fire "We’ll stay here"

"As you wish But that’s a thin stew in your pot, and I can help thicken it If you’re hungry, I’ll pay your fastest rider to deliver a e back to Carthya for me"