Beyond the Edge of Dawn Read Free Page A

lap.
    Kavan wanted to agree, but circumstances were already different. His shoulder-length black hair swished softly against his neck as he shook his head. “Nay. For in those horrid eyes, I beheld emotions. It knew pain and fear and had cunning beyond measure. This beast wanted to die. It wanted me to kill it. Some foul purpose claimed that man and perverted him into a nightmare from legend.”
    “You speak ill tidings,” Chardis cautioned. “Word of this can’t get out to the people. There will be panic. A witch-hunt will ensue to find who did this. I suggest we leave that problem for another day.” He paused, carefully choosing his next words. “I suspect you’ll want your payment for the head in that bag?”
    “And to be shown a tavern where I may get my fill of ale and wenches.”
    Chardis smiled. He motioned Mun to open the small safe and handed Kavan a pouch of coins. The knight expertly weighted his palm before tucking the leather pouch away.
    “One hundred silvers as agreed,” Chardis told him. “A shame we had to do business in the first place, but I’m glad you finished it. Mun, mind the office. I think I could use a good ale as well.”
    Old Mun grumbled under his breath and went to stoke the fire again. He was just glad to be done with the Vengeance Knight. Times were troubling enough without one of them lurking about.
    Kavan and Chardis stood beside each other just outside the building. The air was crisp and chill with winter’s kiss. Their breath came out in thin plumes of steam. Spring was only a few weeks away, but this late storm refused to let go. The sky was clear and moonless. Kavan stared up at the purity of the night sky and marveled at the contrast of dark and bright. Thousands of stars winked at him. He was about to comment when the sky suddenly flared to life.
    Hundreds of streaking lights slashed across the sky. There were so many, they veiled the stars. More and more thundered down. Kavan’s mouth dropped open. He’d seen the occasional shooting star but never anything of this magnitude. Many cultures saw shooting stars as a foul event and shut the doors and shuttered the windows at the sight of just one. He was never one for superstitions, but his hunt of the werebeast left room for doubt.
    Chardis made a quick warding gesture and started to move. “This is not good.”
    The meteor shower continued. Neither man spoke again until they were inside the village tavern. Many of those gathered clearly had also borne witness to the celestial event, for the mood was dark, sullen. The gentle crackling of the fire overpowered what sparse conversation there was. Chardis led them to an empty table on the far side of the room.
    “What can I get you boys?” a serving maid asked as she walked up with a bright smile. Word of the storm had reached her and sent shivers of fear down her spine, but she was wily enough to capitalize on it.
    Kavan smiled back. He stole a glance at her supple form and felt familiar stirrings. She wasn’t the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen, but she was pretty and inspired a great many ideas. “What do you recommend, my dear? My friend and I are thirsty, and I’m paying.”
    Her eyes twinkled at the last. “The mulled wine is particularly good, I think. The ale is fine but not as strong as it should be. Don’t tell Harding I said so, Constable. I don’t think he’d appreciate me sabotaging his business, as it were.”
    Chardis waved off her concern. “No worries, Tarryl. I think the wine will do. Something to take the chill off is all we need.”
    “I’ll be right back,” she smiled and walked away.
    “Nice girl,” Kavan remarked.
    Chardis shook his head with a rueful glance. “What will you do now?”
    Kavan took his time to get his thoughts straight. “I really don’t know. As I stalked the beast, I thought of heading off to another village on another hunt, but the questions in my mind demand answers. I would know where this beast came