Frost by Mark A. Garland & Charles G. McGraw

Author:Mark A. Garland & Charles G. McGraw [Garland, Mark A. ]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy
ISBN: 0-671-31943-4
Publisher: Baen Publishing Enterprises
Published: 2000-10-07T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

The fire went out, kicked over with dirt, leaving Haggel and everyone else straining to see even vague shapes in the dark.

"Rather a secretive one, aren't you?" Tasche said, a distinct air of mockery in his tone.

"I am, that I am," the other replied, almost chuckling.

Already he sounded too arrogant for Haggel's tastes and he didn't like the look of this. He could tell the stranger—the informer—was not young and not a brute, and apparently alone, yet despite being outnumbered six to one he didn't seem worried. Likely that only made him a fool. But you never knew about these kinds, these supposedly clever kinds. You never knew what they might be thinking or plotting. Although, you could always ask. . . .

"Why go to the trouble? What are you afraid of?" the prince asked.

"It is for the best," the informer answered. "Best for all, that I remain a stranger. As for being afraid, I am afraid of the usual kinds of things, I suppose, but what can be done?"

"How can we trust information from one who will not trust us with his identity?" Haggel countered. "And another thing—what makes you think we won't just take you prisoner until we learn who you are?" Just the right question, Haggel thought, smiling to himself at the informer's silent pause.

"If you do that, you will not get the information you want. But if you simply pay me, listen to what I tell you, and then we go about our business, both our needs will be met, and you will learn soon enough that what I tell you is the truth. For now, you can call me Friend; I am the closest thing to that you will find in this land."

"Very well, Friend, let us do our business," Tasche said, cutting Haggel off before he could respond again. Which he was just about to.

"You offer a great price," their Friend said. "What would you know in return?"

Haggel stood silent, sorting things out. He still didn't know how to take this one. But this might go on all night unless they moved on. "Tell him, Tasche," he said.

"I was about to," Tasche said sharply. "We are in need of an adept," Tasche continued. "Not a trickster, mind you, but one with a true born talent. But not one so powerful or so well guarded as to be unreachable, or uncontrollable. We are prepared for most anything, but I do not want this to be any more difficult than it has to be."

"And what would you do with this . . . adept?" the other asked.

"That is none of your concern," Tasche said.

"It is if you want me to hand you such a person. I must know what is to become of him. I need to know if this person you seek will come to harm. I trade throughout the land, and I do not like to lose customers, or their mages. Besides, gold spends much better on a clear conscience."

Now he was talking nonsense.

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