Cadoc's Contract by Chris Rosser

Author:Chris Rosser [Rosser, Chris]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Chris Rosser Publishing
Published: 2019-02-28T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIX

Kas Mendoc

THE CARAVAN RUMBLED into Kas Mendoc four days later. They entered via East Gate, greeted by the smell of the sea and rotting fish wafting from the estuary. Albin’s mood was as foul as the weather, and it got worse when the city’s guard exacted payment at the gate, citing some tax on imported goods. Cadoc mentally chalked it up as a bribe, but as they entered the city and rumbled towards the marketplace, he wasn’t so sure. In the year since he’d last set foot in the city, Kas Mendoc had suffered, and signs of hardship abounded. The streets were dirty, with refuse left uncollected in gutters, and lanterns were smashed while houses languished in ill-repair. There were more beggars than Cadoc remembered. Every other shop was boarded up, and when they reached the marketplace, they discovered it was devoid of stalls. Cadoc wondered how much profit the merchant would turn, and when he voiced his concerns, Albin swore bitterly. “Goddamned crusade has bled the place dry.”

“Aye,” Cadoc agreed in a rumbling monotone. “I wonder why you bothered after Pontoloc.”

Albin scowled. “Because I have a contract with the duke’s household, and besides, I take the chance to buy furs while I’m here to sell back east.”

This piqued Cadoc’s interest; he sniffed and swallowed. “Should have told me you buy furs. Most of what’s sold here usually come from my homeland.”

Albin’s gaze swept the empty marketplace. “Well, your kin had a poor year by the looks of things.”

Cadoc rubbed his beard, not quite sure what to make of it. By rights, the marketplace should have been filled with traders and other vendors, selling goods from the Cae and Mendoc valleys. Not just furs and hides, but honey, metals, timber, ironmongery and even precious amber. If money had dried up in Kas Mendoc, perhaps the traders had taken their business elsewhere. “What will do you?”

Albin sighed and shrugged his shoulder. “Not your problem, Captain. We part ways here unless I can convince you and your men to escort me back to Skelgard.”

Cadoc shook his head. “No, but my thanks for the offer.”

Albin eyed him a moment. “You certain? You’re a decent man, Cadoc, and a good soldier. Not many have the stones to speak their mind in front of me. I’d make you my personal guard and see you well provisioned.”

Cadoc shook his head, but less emphatically this time. “I need to get my men home.”

“And afterwards?”

Cadoc shrugged. “My brother will find some use for me.”

Albin hiked a thumb behind him. “Well, if you won’t accept my offer, at least take the bloody shrew off my hands?”

Cadoc snorted. “You mean Jewana.”

“Aye, I’ve had my fill of the bitch.”

Cadoc’s brow knotted. “I’d doubt she’ll bother you again. She’s taking service with the duke’s household.”

“She told you that?” asked Albin.

“You didn’t ask?”

Albin shrugged. “I didn’t care enough to bother. I’m surprised you did.”

Cadoc saw the lie for what it was. “We talked a few nights ago, what of it?”

Albin waved the comment away but hid his annoyance poorly.

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