The Tomni'Tai Scroll (Book 1) Read Free

and straightened his sword belt. He looked back to his reflection in the mirror and shrugged helplessly.
     
    *****
     
    Rain plitted off of Talon’s leather over cloak as he strode toward the Lonely Man Inn. Talon pushed open the creaky, wooden door and scanned the room.  He first saw John, the barkeep, standing behind the bar polishing a large glass mug. Then he saw an older gentleman dressed in woolen trousers and a green silk tunic, sitting at the bar and slurping soup from his bowl like an ill-mannered child. The rest of the tables were empty. A dying fire crackled in the hearth, with a large black kettle above it. Talon could smell the onions and beef.  It seemed that was all John ever cooked at the inn.
    Talon slowly removed his over cloak and hung it near the door. The older gentleman continued slurping his soup without bothering to look up when Talon approached the bar. Travelers at this inn usually knew better than to show any interest in other peoples’ business.
    “Good evening, John,” Talon greeted somberly.
    John nodded in return. He reached under the bar and retrieved a key. “Room three. It’s the second door on your left once you are up the stairs.”
    Talon raised an eyebrow as he took the key. He discreetly motioned to the older gentleman with his head. John smiled and nodded as he placed the polished –but still grimy—mug on the bar. He knew what to do.
    Talon turned without another word and went up the stairs. Thunder from the storm outside masked his steps on the old, wooden planks. He went straight to room number three, slipped the key in and opened the door. Inside he saw a wide eyed man sitting on the bed, with a small pile of coins in front of him, a map stretched out to his left, and a crossbow in his right hand.
    “I knew I would find you here, Raimus,” Talon said.  Raimus aimed and fired the crossbow, but the bolt went wide, missing Talon by a hand’s breadth. “You never were a good shot,” Talon commented dryly.
    Raimus jumped up from the bed and started for his sword which lay atop the table across the room. A throwing dagger sunk into his right leg, just above the knee, before he got far. Raimus flopped to the floor, screaming out in pain. Talon closed the door behind him and pulled his sword.
    “I, on the other hand, always hit my mark,” Talon noted with a wry smirk.
    “So, what will you do now?” Raimus asked, holding his leg and breathing heavily.
    Talon smiled, “You know what I will do,” he replied.
    Raimus nodded. “And what of John?”
    “John has not double crossed me, so he can live.”
    “I had to leave Talon. It was the only way. I planned on coming back for you, I swear.”
    “Save it, Raimus. I know you wanted me dead, and I know why. The power of the scroll is simply too much for a man like you to share with anyone else.”
    Raimus took a deep breath in and sat up, pulling his good leg in while leaving the injured one straight. “Well go on then, finish it,” Raimus said. His chest heaved up and down with each breath.
    Talon placed the tip of his sword against Raimus’ throat. “Where is the list?” Talon demanded.
    “I don’t have it with me,” Raimus sputtered.
    “No, I didn’t figure that you would be that stupid, but you do know where it is, and you will tell me.” Talon pulled out his dagger with his left hand and sneered at the man. He crouched low, keeping his sword steady with his right hand while he brought the dagger up to the side of Raimus’ nose.
    “Go on, Talon, do your worst,” Raimus said defiantly.
    “Oh no, old friend, I will do my best,” Talon’s sneer grew to a full smile. “And after you have told me everything I want to know, then I will release you from this world.”
    “It’s useless” Raimus said. “It will never work. Shausmat and Zinferth will combine against the threat of the scroll. You can’t expect to defeat both nations if they are united!”
    “That is why I will ensure the war continues to