Dragonbane by Brian D. Anderson & Steven Savile

Author:Brian D. Anderson & Steven Savile [Anderson, Brian D. & Savile, Steven]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Fantasy
Published: 2017-08-08T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

The town of Hart’s Cross was little more than a crossroads that occasionally doubled as a trading post for the few souls who stumbled across its dilapidated buildings and poorly maintained streets. It was a stark contrast from where they’d come. It was the poor cousin to the river towns, but every bit as much true business was conducted in places like this. A savvy merchant could unload an entire stock for good coin and pick up interesting wares for the return journey, saving themselves weeks of travel if they were lucky.

The streets were far from crowded, but the last business of the day and the promise of a long road ahead had a few deals still being thrashed out. It didn’t take long to find the tavern; all they had to do was follow the drunken revelry. A mean fiddler had whipped the crowd up into a storm of foot-stamping and bad singing. Akiri watched as men and women from all over the north bartered hard as they attempted to move their wares.

“The end of our particular road, my friend,” said Dema. From here you will need to ask around, but don’t be surprised if no one admits to knowing the name Yarrow. The closer you get to him, the more frightened those in his shadow will be.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Akiri said. “Won’t you be staying?”

“Not for all the gold in Mishna’s halls.” He cast a wary eye around the town. “I have a friend who owns a lodge, no more than half a day’s ride from here. And my home is only a couple of days further along the road. You know that you and the boy are welcome to join us.”

Akiri thought about asking Dema to watch after the boy while he settled this whole affair, but as though he were a mind reader, Hayes warned him against it. “You don’t want to put him in Dema’s hands; he’s a child himself.” It was hard to argue with that logic, but still he needed to find somewhere to put Seyla.

“Thank you, but no,” Akiri told the merchant. “The sooner I finish this business the better. But perhaps our paths will cross again.”

“If you need lodging, ask for Ferdin. He rents out rooms that are much more comfortable than those at the inn. Cheaper, too. Tell him you’re a friend of Hayes.”

Akiri raised an eyebrow. “Not a friend of yours?”

Dema gave an embarrassed smile. “He hates me. Loves Hayes, though,” he said.

“I wonder why that could be?” Hayes chimed in.

“That’s by the by,” Dema said, still smiling.

“I think I can guess,” Seyla piped up.

Akiri laughed at that. “I’m sure you can.” He nodded respectfully to both Dema and Hayes. “Farewell and safe journey.” He lifted Seyla down from the wagon and the two started toward the tavern.

As they walked, something struck Akiri as off. He tried to confirm his suspicions without giving himself away. He was right: while the traders seemed to be going about

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