Steel And Flame (Book 1) Read Free

received.  He wanted to make a clear example
of this outlander.  Too bad the intruder watched his surroundings intently,
alert to the forest’s trickery.  It would be better to return after dark for
the next attempt to drive the trespasser off.
    For now he must report to the village.  One last
glance at the man assured Colbey he was settling down for the long wait of the
hunter.  With that, he hurried along the branches of the Euvea Road, which no
outlanders ever walked.
     
    *        *        *        *        *
     
    Marik watched the wagon line trundle eastward along
the Southern Road from atop a hill beside the town of Tattersfield.  He could
see for quite a distance from his vantage point.  The Rovasii was a distant
smudge far to the south.  Caravan guards rode at the fore of the procession,
not yet spread across its length.  Bandits who would dare attack an assemblage
so large would never do so this near population.  Ten wagons with a dozen
guards and nearly as many drivers would keep the caravan safe from any but the
most organized raid.  Also, with the highwayguards constantly riding the roads,
the chances they would run into outlaws were very small.  Despite that, Marik
imagined the life a caravan guardsman led must be a far cry from his own.
    He led the caravan into a large inn yard at the heart
of the city.  After adjusting his sword scabbard and shifting his armor, he and
the other guards slid down from their saddles.  They gave their reins to an
assembly of eager stable boys.  A dirty, humble man in a stained apron appeared
from the kitchen door, greeting them with, “Good evening to you, men.  Putting
in for the night, are you?”
    “Pate!  You better have a good table and better food
ready for us.  It’s been a long ride!”
    “Is that you, Marik Railson?  Why, it has been a
time!  You haven’t been around since you ran the Black Hand Gang out of the
fourteenth district.  We thought you’d headed for distant lands to seek
adventure and fortune.”
    “Not until I finish up some business around here
first.”  The remaining wagons lined up by the yard’s outer wall.  Guards and
drivers gathered near the kitchen door.  Boys lingered near the stable doors to
hear what Marik, Bane of the Black Hand Gang, would say next.
    “Ellise,” Pate called to a serving girl.  “Clear out
the corner table and fetch a round of clean tankards.”
    “None of that watered down piss you call ale, Pate! 
I’m not in the mood.  Not after that group of cutthroats at the crossroads.”
    “Oh my, did you run into trouble, good sir?”
    “Nothing a few skewered bandits didn’t resolve.”  He
patted the large blade hanging at his side.  The stable boys’ eyes widened
while they whispered and stared at the mighty men.
    “Yes, I imagine such fools would not be much cause for
concern to one of your ability, Marik.  And you’re right, of course.  Ellise! 
Tell Miriam to tap one of the back barrels!  And roll out the best mead as well
for Marik and his men!  They deserve only our finest!”
    Ellise’s eyes widened at the name.  “Is it Marik?”
    “Yes, it’s Marik!  Now you move on girl!”  Turning
back, he added, “Before I forget, sir, a passing traveler left news with me for
you.  It’s about your good father.”
    “Really now?  Well, as I’ve said before Pate, if
you’re good for nothing else in the world, it’s collecting news and gossip! 
Come in and tell me about it!”
    He slapped the pot-bellied man’s back.  Pate bowed
obsequiously.  As they stepped inside the innkeeper fawned over him for the
privilege of taking his cloak.
    “It’s Marik,” whispered the cooks.
    “Marik!” echoed the servants.
    “Marik!”
    “Marik!  Gods damn it, boy!  You’re supposed to be
down at the mill helping Allen!”
    Marik jumped.  His foot caught on a tree root,
twisting his ankle and tumbling him to the ground.  And, naturally, once he