Castle Perilous by John DeChancie

Author:John DeChancie [DeChancie, John]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2011-01-12T05:00:00+00:00

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“Yes. I am in search of a book of some repute, a work dealing with a certain aspect of the Recondite Arts.”

“Magic, is it?”

“More or less. Demonology.”

The book vendor looked thoughtful. “Ah.”

“Be you Durstin, the book vendor?”

“His honor knows of me? I am he.”

“I was told you possessed a copy of this particular work.”

“Does the honored sir know its title?”

“It is simply called TheBookofDemons .”

The book vendor’s eyes did not betray his surprise. “I have … heard of it. It is a rare item indeed. Very old.”

“Then you have a copy?”

“Regrettably, no. A thousand pardons.”

“A pity.” The man turned to go.

“I …”

“Yes?”

Durstin looked away. “I am curious as to who told the honored sir that I possess a copy of a banned work … an allegation which I most emphatically deny.”

“I was unaware that the book was proscribed.”

“It is indeed, and has been for centuries on the List of Forbidden Works. As I said, I am curious —”

“Khaalim sent me.”

The book vendor nodded. “There is an inn near the stockyards called the Pale Eye. Be there at sunset.”

“I have little time.”

“We can’t do business in broad daylight. Not this sort of business.”

“I will pay you double what the book would ordinarily fetch. Do you have it here in your stall?”

Durstin cast his eyes from one end of the bazaar to the other. “I have been hauled before the Suzerain’s magistrate on one previous occasion. The charge was selling vulgar and immoral literature. The scars still Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

twinge when the weather turns. For a work on the List —”

“I will pay you handsomely. I need it now.”

The book vendor was silent, still nervously looking about.

“Name your price.”

Durstin’s gaze swung round. He shrugged. “Say, fifty gold pieces?”

“I said I would pay you handsomely. I did not say I would deliver over the fortune of a king.”

“Forty, then.”

“I will pay thirty. Copies of this book are rare, but they do exist, and can be had elsewhere.”

Durstin smiled crookedly. “His honor said something about having little time.”

The stranger’s lips curled slightly. Then he said, “I will pay thirty-five, or I will make time.”

“Done. Pick up a book, any book, and ask the price.”

“Hm? Very well. How much for this?”

Raising his voice the book vendor answered, “Two silver, three brass, good sir.”

“That is all I have in my purse. Take it.”

Durstin caught the leather purse, hefted it, opened it and looked inside. Fingering the contents, he smiled and nodded. “And so you have. A protective sheath for the book, good sir? No charge.”

“Please.”

The book vendor retreated into the stall and slipped behind a flap of brightly colored cloth. Shortly he returned bearing a cheap cloth scroll sheath.

“Here you are, good sir. Blessings of the gods be with you.”

The stranger took the bundle and opened it, looked inside. He nodded and slipped it inside his tunic.

“Good day.”

The book vendor watched him go. The stranger left the bazaar area directly, not stopping at any other stalls. Durstin sighed.

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