Soulbinder (Book 3) Read Free Page B

glanced back over his shoulder at Talvik’s body. “They started it.”
    The beautiful redhead shouldered her longbow. “Why is it, Kendril, that you always manage to get into a fight in whatever town we visit?”
    “Hey,” said the Ghostwalker lightly, “this time it was Maklavir’s fault. I had nothing to do with it.”
    The diplomat’s face turned red. “It most certainly was not my fault,” he protested. “How can you—”
    “Guys,” cut in Kara in an exasperated tone, “drop it, all right? We have other problems.”
    Kendril’s face turned serious. “The furs?”
    The woman shook her head. “Not much. There’s hardly any game in the foothills around here. We got a few squirrels, some rabbits, and a fox or two.”
    “That’s not good,” said Kendril dully.
    “No,” said a new voice from behind them. “It’s not.”
    They turned to see Joseph walking up, leading two horses behind him. Flecks of snow stood out in his beard and on the red handkerchief tied around his neck. His brown greatcoat was covered with the stains of many long years of travel through the wilderness. At his side hung his simple rapier. A brimmed hat covered his head.
    “How much did you get?” asked Kendril.
    Joseph stopped, patting one of the horses on the forehead. “Fifteen coins. And that was after some hard bargaining.”
    Maklavir pulled back his feathered cap. “Fifteen coins? That’s hardly enough for supper and rooms tonight.”
    A shadow fell over Joseph’s face. “I know. I tried my best.”
    “Not your fault, Joseph.” Kendril turned, clapping the snow and ice off his gloves. “Let’s get you two something to eat.”
     
    The four weary companions sat together in the inn while Kara and Joseph ate their meals. A despondent silence hung over the group, and even the usually jovial Maklavir said nothing, dismally watching the fire with his arms crossed.
    As he finished his last bite, Joseph sat back with a sigh. “I suppose we should talk.”
    Kendril nodded grimly. “I suppose so.”
    Maklavir stretched out one hand towards the nearby warmth of the fireplace. “Give me another chance at the card table. I really think I can—”
    “The card angle didn’t work too well the last time,” broke in Kendril. “I think it’s time to face facts. We’re broke, and short of a miracle I don’t see how we’re going to get any fast coinage.”
     Kara pushed back from the table. “There were some pretty nice manor houses on the road coming in here.”
    Joseph looked over her. “Absolutely not, Kara. I told you, no thievery.”
    The redhead threw up her hands in exasperation. “For Eru’s sake, Joseph. You think those people got their titles and mansions by honest hard work? Most of them are just as much of a thief as a common highway bandit.”
    “And that,” said Maklavir with a smile, “coming from an ex -highway bandit.”
    Kara threw him a nasty look.
    Kendril folded his hands in front of him and settled back into his chair. “Anyone got any bright ideas?”
    There was silence as the other three avoided his glance.
    “Well then,” said Kendril, “I suppose this is where we part ways.”
    Maklavir looked up with a startled expression. “You’re leaving?”
    “He means all of us,” said Joseph glumly as he traced one of the cracks in the table. “The whole group.”
    “I don’t really see any other choice. No sense in us all hanging out and starving together.” Kendril caught the expression on Maklavir’s face. “Don’t look too stunned,” he said irritably. “We all knew this wouldn’t last.”
    “Still,” said the diplomat as he tapped the side of his water mug, “it makes for a rather inglorious end, don’t you think?”
    “You used to live in Valmingaard, didn’t you Maklavir?” Kara put her elbows on the table and leaned into her hands. “Surely you have some friends close by?”
    “Fewer now than one might think,” Maklavir returned with a sad smile. “I didn’t