Sir Quinlan and the Swords of Valor Read Free Page A

scurried back and forth from one shoulder of the merchant to the other. It was as quick as a tree squirrel and as nimble as a monkey, with large, captivating dark eyes, a kitten nose, and dexterous little paws that workedlike hands. A furry tail two-thirds the length of its body swished from side to side, helping it keep its balance.

     
    Tav and Twitch couldn’t help but smile as they watched the little animal. It lifted itself high on the merchant’s right shoulder to get a better look at the knights, then flitted back down the merchant’s arm to stand in front of them.
    “What in the kingdom is it?” Tav asked.
    The creature tilted its head to the side as Tav spoke, then made its throaty chortling noises as if to respond to his question. Tav laughed and put his hand out to the critter. It sniffed his finger, then rubbed the back of its head against his hand much as a purring kitten would do.
    “This is the rare and exquisite paysonomus thapira, commonly known as a paytha,” the merchant said proudly. “There isn’t another merchant in all of Arrethtrae who can get his hands on one of these. You two are the first to see this little guy. I’m sure it will be gone as soon as I open my door tomorrow morning.”
    By now the furry little paytha had crawled up Tav’s arm and was flitting from shoulder to shoulder, seeming to enjoy its new perch. At one point it stopped near Tav’s neck and snuggled under his chin. Tav gently removed it and held it toward Twitch. Twitch stroked the back of its neck and it chortled warmly.
    “I think the paytha likes you. These little guys are extremely intelligent,” the merchant continued. “You can train them to fetch just about anything you want, as long as they can carry it. And once they know what you like, they will remember it forever.”
    “How big will he get?” Twitch asked.
    The merchant nodded and smiled. “Good question, sir, good question. The answer is … as big as you want it.”
    Both Tav and Twitch looked at the merchant quizzically.
    “What?” Tav asked.
    “These little critters can survive on almost nothing. A few kernels of corn a day would keep this little guy happy forever. But if you feed it more, it will never get fat—just bigger. You might want to train it to fetch your shoes or how to hunt—”
    “Hunt?” Tav and Twitch asked simultaneously.
    “As I said”—the merchant nodded toward the paytha, which was now sniffing the air and looking off into the distance—“this animal is extremely intelligent. To do a task that you’d like it to do, simply feed it until it’s big enough to do it.”
    “Mirya would love this little guy,” Tav said. “How much is he?”
    “The paytha’s not for sale,” the merchant said.
    Tav and Twitch looked straight at the merchant for the first time. His dark eyes and pleasant smile gave the impression you could tell him anything, just like a real friend.
    “What do you mean?” Tav said, disappointed. “I thought you said the paytha would be gone first thing in the morning.”
    “I did and it will, but it’s not for sale,” the merchant said. “My trade agreement with the supplier won’t allow a monetary exchange.” Then a broad smile crossed his lips. “But I can trade for it.”
    Tav smiled back and reached for a pocket in his doublet, but the merchant held up a hand.
    “Keep in mind, sir, this is a rare creature. Its worth is significant.”
    Tav stopped, then reached for the gold necklace that hung about his neck. He removed it and held it out to the merchant, who examined it and handed it back.
    “That looks like a fine piece, indeed, but I’m afraid I cannot accept it.” The merchant slowly shook his head and pointed toward the back wall of his tiny shop. “My specialty is armor and weaponry.”
    Along the back wall hung a variety of highly polished pieces—breastplates, helmets, shields, vambraces, gauntlets, and swords.
    “In this region of the kingdom, especially in Burkfield,