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.The hillman was slowly walking through the gates behind them, putting his sword and half-sword in his belt-sash.Martin said, “The Hadati?” When Jimmy nodded, the Duke said, “You’ve a quick eye.Is he following?”“He is.Shall we lose him?”Martin shook his head.“We’ll deal with him once we settle somewhere.If we need to.”As they rode up the narrow streets of the city, they were greeted by signs of prosperity on all sides, for shops burned brightly with lantern light as merchants showed their wares to those out shopping in the cool of the evening.Even at this early hour of the evening, celebrants were about in numbers, as guards from caravans and sailors in from months at sea were out in force, seeking whatever pleasures gold could buy.A band of rowdy fighting men, mercenaries by their look, pushed across the street, obviously working on a heroic drunk, yelling and laughing.One bumped against Laurie’s horse and, in a display of mock anger, shouted, “Here now! Watch where you’re pointing that beastie.Shall I teach you manners?” He feigned pulling his sword, to the delight of those with him.Laurie laughed along with the man as Martin, Arutha, and Jimmy kept an eye on potential trouble.“Sorry, friend,” said the singer.The man made a half-grimace, half-laugh as he again motioned as if to draw his sword.Another from the mercenary band pushed him roughly aside and said, “Go have a drink,” to his companion.Smiling up at Laurie, he said, “Still can’t ride any better than you can sing, Laurie?”Laurie was off his mount instantly and embraced the man in a bear hug.“Roald, you son of a whoremonger!”They exchanged backslaps and hugs, then Laurie presented the man to the others.“This black heart is Roald, a friend since boyhood and more than once a companion on the road.His father owned the farm next to my father’s.”The man laughed.“And our fathers threw the both of us out of home on almost the same day.”Laurie introduced Martin and Jimmy, but when he reached Arutha used the agreed-upon name of Arthur.“Pleased to know your friends, Laurie,” said the mercenary.Arutha cast a quick glance about.“We’re blocking the thoroughfare.Let’s find lodgings.”Roald waved a hand for them to follow.“I’m staying in a place the next street over.It’s almost civilized.”Jimmy spurred his horse forward and kept an eye on this boyhood friend of the singer, studying the man with a practiced eye.He had all the earmarks of a seasoned mercenary, one who had been earning a living with his sword long enough to be considered an expert by dint of his still being alive.Jimmy glimpsed Martin looking rearward and wondered if the Hadati still stalked them.The inn was called the Northerner, respectable enough for a place so near the docks.A stableboy roused himself from a sorry-looking meal to take their horses.Roald said, “Keep them well, lad.” The boy obviously knew him.Martin tossed the boy a silver coin.Jimmy watched the boy catch the coin in midair, and as he gave over his horse’s reins, he placed the thumb of his right hand between fore- and middle fingers, so the boy could see.A flash of recognition passed between them and the boy gave Jimmy a curt nod.When they were inside, Roald signaled for the serving girl to bring ale as he pointed to a table in the corner, near the door to the stable yard and away from the normal flow of customers.Pulling out a chair for himself, Roald discarded his heavy leather gauntlets as he sat.He spoke just loud enough for those at the table to hear.“Laurie, last time I saw you was what? Six years ago? You went riding off with a LaMutian patrol to look for Tsurani to write songs about.Now here you are with”—he indicted Jimmy—”this short thief here.”Jimmy grimaced.“Highsign?”“Highsign,” agreed Roald.When the other looked confused, Roald said, “This lad Jimmy gave the stableboy a sign so the local thieves will keep hands off his kick.Tells them a thief from another city is in town and respecting the conventions and should have the courtesy returned.Right?”Jimmy nodded appreciatively.“Right.It tells them I won’t.work without their leave.Keeps things civilized.The boy will pass the word.”Quietly Arutha said, “How did you know?”“I’m no outlaw, but I’m no saint either.Over the years I’ve kept all manner of company.Mostly I’m a simple fighting man.Up to a year ago I was a mercenary in the Yabonese Free Levies.Fought for King and country for a silver piece a day and found.” His eyes got a distant look.“We’d been on and off the line for seven years.Of the lads who signed aboard with our captain that first year, one in five was left.Each winter we d stay in LaMut and our captain would go out recruiting.Each spring we’d return to the front with fewer men.” His eyes lowered to the ale before him.“I’ve fought against bandits and outlaws, renegades of all stripe.I served marine duty on a warship hunting pirates.I stood at Cutter’s Gap when fewer than thirty of us held back two hundred goblins for three days until Brian, Lord Highcastle, could come fetch us out.But I never thought I’d live to see the day the bloody Tsurani would quit.No,” he said, “it’s glad I am to be standing guard on piddly little caravans the hungriest outlaw in the land wouldn’t bother with.My biggest problem these days is keeping awake.” The mercenary smiled.“Of all my old friends, you were the best, Laurie.I’d trust you with my life, if not my women and money.Let’s hoist a round for old times’ sake, then we can start telling lies.”Arutha liked the openness of the fighter.The serving woman brought another round, and Roald paid, over Laurie’s protest.“I’m in this very day with a great creaking caravan from the Free Cities.My mouth is caked with a month’s worth of road dust, and I’ll only waste my gold sooner or later.It might as well be now.”Martin laughed and said, “Only the first, friend Roald.The rest are our pleasure.”Jimmy said, “Have you seen a Hadati hillman around?”Roald waved his hand.“They’re around.Anyone in particular?”Martin said, “Green and black tartan on his plaid, white paint on his face.”Roald said, “Green and black’s a far northwest clan, couldn’t say which.But the white paint.” He and Laurie exchanged glances.Martin said, “What?”Laurie said, “He’s on a Bloodquest.”Roald said, “A personal mission.Some matter of clan honor or another.And let me tell you, honor’s no joke to a Hadati
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