Slathbog's Gold by M. L. Forman

Author:M. L. Forman [Forman, Mark L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy, Fiction
Publisher: Deseret Book Company
Published: 2009-04-14T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Techen

It was almost noon the next day when Alex and his friends reached the city of Techen. It was not a large city nor was it a fair city to look at. Most of the buildings were short and brown, their walls cracked and bulging. The tallest buildings Alex could see were several towers built into the wall around the city. The towers were twice as high as anything else, and Alex was amazed they could stand so tall when they looked so close to falling down.

“It’s not much to look at,” said Andy, riding next to Alex. “But if half the tales are true, the stop will be worth it.”

“Why?” questioned Alex.

“They say a feast in Techen is worth two in any other city,” Andy replied with a smile.

“It would have to be something special to make up for the city’s appearance,” Alex commented in a lowered tone.

“The food is supposed to be incredible,” Andy continued, taking no notice of Alex’s comment. “They say that this is where most of the really great ideas in food were started.”

“And Master Goodseed would know a bit about food,” Skeld laughed happily from behind Alex. “I’ve noticed he never gets enough of Thrang’s cooking.”

Skeld and Halfdan had been riding at the rear of the company, leading the bandit horses they had captured. Andy turned around quickly to reply to Skeld’s comment, but both Skeld and Halfdan were already laughing too hard to hear anything he had to say.

Alex smiled to himself but managed to keep from laughing as well.

He noticed Andy’s attention focus on the city as they approached the main gates, and he tried to see what Andy found so interesting there.

“Hold,” a voice commanded from the gate. “State your names and business.”

“Silvan Bregnest and company,” Bregnest replied loudly. “We have come to sell horses, if there are any here who would buy.”

“Indeed, yes, there are. We’ll have a look,” answered the voice.

A small door in the main gate opened and a short man with a round, good-natured face stepped out. He wore a black uniform with dark green edging on the cuffs and collar, and two rows of shiny brass buttons running down the front. Alex thought the man looked a little old to be a guard.

“These are not wild horses,” said the man, looking at the horses behind Skeld and Halfdan. “These are bandit horses.”

“You speak truly, sir,” said Bregnest, climbing off his own horse and walking toward the man in uniform. “We were attacked some days ago by bandits and captured these after the attack.”

“Well, then, that is something,” the man replied, looking closely at Bregnest. “I count twenty horses and only eight of you. How many of your company were lost in the attack?”

“None,” answered Bregnest. “We were fortunate; the bandits did not take us unaware.”

“Indeed,” said the man, a look of wonder on his face. “Most fortunate I should say, and very lucky as well.”

“Perhaps so,” Bregnest agreed. “Now, may we enter your fine city to sell these horses?”

“Oh, yes,” the man replied quickly.

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