The Cult of Sutek by Joshua P. Simon

Author:Joshua P. Simon [Simon, Joshua P.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781499598698
Barnesnoble:
Goodreads: 22305258
Publisher: Createspace
Published: 2014-04-30T23:00:00+00:00

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After their argument Rondel and Andrasta spoke little the rest of the day. He did manage to convince her that at least one day without travel was needed to reduce the likelihood of her leg re-opening. She spent that time alone on the edge of camp tending to her weapons and squeezing rocks for her grip.

While Andrasta sulked, Jahi returned with the mounts and supplies, Rondel took the boy to dispose of the bodies. Since they would be in camp for an extra day, he didn’t want other travelers to stumble upon them, raising more questions and possibly the ire of acquaintances.

And then there is the threat of animals. I can’t imagine having to face another wulfron.

He and Jahi worked silently. Rondel thought it best to give the boy time to his thoughts since it was obvious the events from the morning weighed on him heavily.

It wasn’t until they were done with the bodies and searching a nearby thicket for a particular herb to treat Andrasta’s wounds that Rondel attempted conversation. “You know I met a lot of interesting people in my younger days.”

“Hmm.” Jahi’s head was down while pushing aside tall grass in search of the leafy idichit.

“Did you know that many people consider idichit to be poisonous? I used to think the same until I did some traveling with a healer. She was a genius with non-sorcerous techniques. She explained that people thought idichit was poisonous because of a lack of knowledge in how to prepare the herb. It’s sad when you consider how abundant the herb is.”

“Interesting,” Jahi mumbled.

“I think so. I learned a lot of things like that over the years. Here’s another. I was traveling to Kurk with a small squad of mercenaries once and—”

“You? Mercenaries?”

“Yes. Why?”

“It’s just that . . . well, I could see you doing that now, but back then, all the stories I’ve heard of you said . . . I don’t know.”

“That I was a fop?”

“That’s not what I meant. It just seems strange that you’d be hanging around with mercenaries.”

“It’s all right. The thing is, mercenaries, thieves, and murderers are no different than merchants, nobles, and the upper class in that they all like to be entertained. A good bard learns to diversify. You never know who your audience will be. Saying the wrong joke or singing the wrong song could mean your end.” He paused, considering the first year of his life as a minstrel when he learned those lessons the hard way. “In this case, I needed an escort to Kurk. I met this squad at an inn. I overheard they were heading there due to rumors of war, hoping they could get on with someone’s army. I worked my way into their conversation with a few stories that would make a whore blush. After that, they didn’t mind me tagging along.”

“Oh.” Jahi paused. “You were going to say something else though before I interrupted you.”

“Yes. Travel to Kurk took weeks and I developed relationships with many of the soldiers.

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