by Blink, Bob
Kaler thanked the sergeant, but once he had broken away he knew he would never return. The Regiment wasn’t for him. He made his way dejectedly back to the inn where he would have to decide what to do next.
Chapter 11
A week had already passed since Kaler had learned his dreams of joining the Royal Guard had been dashed. He was rapidly burning through his funds, and needed to make plans for his future. He’d felt lost, and had taken to spending much of his time in one or another of the taverns in the large square not too far from the inn. He gambled. At least at first. He played cards, but soon learned that he was inept at both Snakes and Lankers, the two popular gambling games that were in vogue. He was no better at dice, losing half of his coin in the first few days until he came to his senses. At this rate he would have to send a letter to his brother requesting additional funds, which would amount to all but admitting he had failed. After that realization he stopped playing, at least seriously, and was far more careful with his remaining money.
He hoped to meet someone who might be able to point him toward a temporary position of one sort or another until he could sort matters out. Many of the men who visited the tavern were not that different from himself, and they appeared to have money. Of course, some were mercenaries and were spending the gain from many months of service. Kaler also gradually realized that it wasn’t the same men each time. There was a flow of men that moved through the taverns he visited. Many came, lost what they had earned, and disappeared not to be seen again. Soon he was able to separate those who were frequent visitors. These he watched, and in several cases tried to get to know them. Several were the sons of minor Lords, and with their allowance, provided by rich fathers or uncles, always had coin for the games, the drink, and the women, both those who worked at the taverns or those who came seeking something else.
Kaler made a few friends. One of the young sons of a modestly well to do Lord became a frequent companion, and was more than willing to fund their drinking. Kaler generally restricted his alcoholic intake to bir, preferring the rich dark bir to the lighter pale variety that was served more widely. He stayed away from the hard liquors, drinking at most a hearty wine with his meals. The young Lordling promised to check with his father or his father’s friends to see if a man handy with a sword was needed. Frequently such men were hired to serve as protection. Kidnapping and theft were a constant problem for the wealthy. It was several weeks before Kaler realized his friend had no intention of following through on his promise. Perhaps this was because he was simply unwilling to approach his parent, he suspected the relationship there was strained, or perhaps the man simply feared of losing a drinking partner, which would happen if Kaler found employment. Whatever the reason, Kaler began to focus his attention elsewhere.
He eventually found work. It wasn’t what he wanted, and it wasn’t much fun, but it paid a bit and would help him become known by others who might have something better in the future. The task had taken almost six weeks, and had involved an extended trip to the southern port, providing guard for a local merchant. They had slept on the ground and endured rough country and poor food. Still, it had been better than spending all of his days in the taverns, and Kaler vowed those days were over. When he returned he decided he would find somewhere cheaper to stay, and focus all his energy on finding someone who would value his skills. First he had to briefly return to the King’s Land Inn to retrieve the rest of his possessions and his pack horse. He had arranged with the proprietor to care for them for him for a modest fee.
He arrived back in Pagner later than they had planned by more than a week. It was difficult to judge travel, and there had been delays. It was also late in the day when they were finally released and paid by their employer, leaving Kaler in a position where he would probably have to take a room at the inn for the night before moving on to someplace cheaper. He had just walked through the door and was making his way inside the inn when he became aware of loud voices raised in anger coming from the back. Instantly on the alert, he slowed his pace and advanced cautiously to see what was happening.
The innkeeper was on the floor, his hand to his mouth which was red with blood. His wife was kneeling next to him looking up at a trio of burly unkempt men. Two had their swords out, and the closer was clearly the cause of the innkeeper’s distress. The third man stood back a bit. He had a small dagger out and held it close to the neck of the innkeeper’s sixteen-year-old daughter. Kaler had talked with the girl from time to time. A real looker and well developed for her age, she was never allowed to work as a serving girl because of the kind of proposals that were often directed at the women. Kaler would learn later that the girl had passed through the dining area on the way to the kitchen and had been accosted by the men who decided she was to be their entertainment for the night. When the innkeeper had objected, the altercation had begun. Now, the third man held the terrified young woman at his side, his thick arm around her with his hand clamped onto her breast. The diners had pulled back, none wanting to draw the attention of men armed and obviously as determined as these three. Kaler suspected they had been drinking otherwise they would realize how untenable their situation was in the longer term.
“Let her go,” pleaded the innkeepers wife. “She is only sixteen and isn’t one of those who might agree to your wishes. She has never been with a man.”
“Time she learned,” the closer one said unperturbed by her pleas. “She is ripe enough and what we teach her will serve her well in the future.”
Kaler could see that the innkeeper was going to attempt once again to interfere. It was admirable, but foolish. He was outnumbered by men with swords. He was unarmed, and unskilled at this kind of thing.
As Kaler saw it, the problem was the man holding the girl. He could use the threat of harming her to force their wishes. That meant he had to go first. Then the others could be dealt with. Instinctively he drew the short belt knife. It wasn’t made as a throwing knife, but his uncle had insisted that he learn how to use it as such. Sometime the advantage gained by being able to strike at a distance was important. This was such a case. He had to hope it would go as he planned. Not every throw was correct, although he had practiced enough that almost every time he could stick the blade.
Tonight he was on target. The blade flew true and the point was forward as the knife struck solidly into the thick neck of the man holding the girl. He gurgled as the point struck deep, releasing the girl inadvertently who scurried away as he tried to reach the offending object. The other two turned to look at the sounds of distress from their friend.
As soon as the blade had been released, Kaler had drawn the short sword from his scabbard. The larger two-handed blade was too cumbersome for fighting inside and he left it in place on his back. He slammed his blade against the loosely held blade of the closer villain knocking it to the side and almost causing the man to lose it. His partner was quicker, and came at Kaler with a murderous look in his eye. Kaler had to block the man’s attack, which caused him to step back.
Now it was two against one. As Kaler and the two men battled, the innkeeper struggled to his feet, walked over to where the third man was stretched out on the floor and stepped on the handle of the knife, driving it deep into the man’s neck. He wouldn’t be a further problem.
Kaler had been able to back up into the front part of the large common room. That gave him more maneuvering space than had been available in the lobby area. He kicked aside a bothersome table as he blocked the attacks. He had already learned how the two men fought, and could see how to end this. Without warning he suddenly burst into a flurry of swings, his sword moving back and forth, hammering away at the two men. They gave ground, and when one stumbled briefly on an overturned chair behind him, Kaler moved smooth past the other, his sword moving horizontally under the blade of the other, cutting a huge gash in the man’s belly. He screamed and dropped his sword as he attempted to hold his innards in place.
Kaler turned to the third and final man who had recov
ered his balance and was charging straight at him. It was no longer a fair match. Kaler was so much more skillful than his remaining adversary that the outcome was certain. A half dozen blows were exchanged, and then, almost without effort, Kaler slipped his blade past the other’s defense, burying it deep in the man’s gut. He gave it a sharp twist, and pulled it back. The man dropped his own sword, and crashed to the floor, a great pool of blood forming around him.
Kaler looked around the room to be certain there were no other threats. He could see the innkeeper’s wife in the background, holding her crying daughter. The innkeeper grinned a bloody grin at him and walked over to him.
“Well done lad. You arrived just in time.”
“Sorry about the damage,” Kaler replied, indicating the broken chairs and a table that appeared to have a smashed leg.
The innkeeper waved it off. He sent one of his employees for the constable. There was no fuss. The bodies were dragged outside and the blood cleaned up. Within an hour, normal activities had resumed.
“I assume you wish your room back,” the innkeeper said once matters had returned somewhat back to normal.
“For the night,” Kaler agreed. “I’ll be moving tomorrow.”
“Why is that?” the innkeeper asked. “I thought you liked it here. Have you found more permanent employment?”
Kaler shook his head. “To be honest, the amount I am making does not permit me to live in the style I would like. I will need to find someplace cheaper.”
“Here now, that’s easily fixed. I owe you a great debt. You are free to stay here as long as you wish without charge.”
“That is kind of you,” Kaler replied surprised at the offer, “but that would not be fair to you.”
“A man’s daughter is worth far more than that. The room you have been using is the least desirable in the inn. You have been here before, so you must realize that very seldom are all rooms filled. That means almost always the room you were using lies empty. I make no coin from it at such times and therefore am out little if you are to use it. The food, it is insignificant. I can do no less. I insist.”
Kaler knew that the inn was often less than fully occupied, but not as often as the innkeeper was implying. He was overstating his case, but it was also obvious that he felt an obligation and would feel slighted if Kaler were to refuse him. Deciding he could continue to look for alternate housing later, Kaler nodded his acceptance.
“You are very generous,” he said. “I admit it will be very pleasant to be back in familiar surroundings and enjoy more of your wife’s cooking.”
The innkeeper nodded approvingly and his wife smiled at Kaler from where she was listening back behind the counter.
As it turned out, Kaler spent many weeks at the inn, often providing security for the innkeeper. He also was rewarded by a number of better paying jobs that came his way. The innkeeper’s contacts spread wide in the city and he made a point of spreading the word to wealthy merchants who might need the reliable and skilled sword of Kaler to help them from time to time. A combination of his free room and board and the jobs he was awarded allowed him to rebuild his dwindling purse, until he was actually ahead of where he’d been when he arrived in town.
Chapter 12
The first days of spring are always pleasant. The winter hadn’t been harsh, it seldom was at the lower elevations and this far south. Still, the frequent rains were limiting, and now with the sun a more common companion and the first signs of flowers breaking through the ground, Kaler’s spirits rose. The past months had gone better than he’d hoped, and soon he would have to consider once again what he wanted for a future. He was getting by, had a number of acquaintances, and was well considered by a reasonable list of clients, most of whom could be counted on to call on him again when their business warranted his services. Unfortunately, this wasn’t what he envisioned for himself. He wanted something permanent, and better than being a bodyguard. He also was certain now that war was coming. He couldn’t imagine being left out, but still had no desire to fight as a common ground soldier.
He was between assignments at the moment, which left him free to pursue his own interests. That meant he had extra time for Inasa, a petite young woman he’d come to be fond of and had spent many a happy night with over the preceding months. Their relationship wasn’t exclusive, which was fine with him. He wasn’t interested in something that would tie him down, and Inasa wasn’t wife material anyway. But she certainly knew how to make a man happy. The evening was well along and he walked the darkened streets, lit by a full moon and the occasional oil lamps the city was starting to put in place. He was bringing Inasa a gift, and was anxious to see how she received the leather bag he’d commissioned based on her complaints directed at the purses she currently possessed.
“Guard!” yelled a voice from around the corner. “Guard!”
Thoughts of Inasa vanished from Kaler’s mind and he drew his sword as he hurried around the corner of the building. A covered carriage of the type favored by the wealthy was stopped on the far side, while two men with swords attempted to fight off a group of ragged men who were pressing an attack. The defenders were the better swordsmen, but they were badly outnumbered and looked to be losing the encounter. The voice Kaler had heard was that of the portly gentleman who was making his way to his feet. It looked as if he had been dragged from the coach by one of the bandits. The bandit lay dead on the street, apparently killed by one of the man’s bodyguards before he’d become too busy fighting the others. The coachman was dead as well, and lay slumped in his seat at the front of the buggy.
Kaler rushed in, his sword adding to that of the defenders. Quickly the battle changed character, and now the bandits were the ones defending themselves. Sensing their cause was lost, the attackers suddenly broke off, backing away and fleeing into the darkness. One of the guards rushed over to help his employer regain his place inside the carriage while the other thanked Kaler for his help.
“Cort,” hollered the guard by the carriage. His Lordship wishes to leave immediately.
The guard named Cort waved his understanding. “Thank you again,” he said to Kaler, delaying as much as he dared. His Lordship expected prompt response to his orders. “You saved the day.” Then he turned and climbed up into the drivers seat and drove the coach away, the second guard following behind riding one horse and leading the other.
The sudden silence after the ringing of blade upon blade was unsettling, and Kaler scanned carefully to ensure the attackers weren’t hiding somewhere nearby, although they would have little to gain by attacking him other than revenge. The body of the dead bandit still lay crumpled in the street. Kaler wasn’t about to bother with that. The city guard would discover him soon enough and see to having the remains carted away. There was no advantage to him to get involved. He was about to walk away when he noticed something on the ground near where the Lord had been thrown to the ground. He walked over and reached down, picking up a substantial soft leather purse that clinked rewardingly as he lifted it. Looking inside he found a princely sum in gold, and a pair of large, obviously very valuable gems. What he held in his hand was worth ten times what he had come to Pagner with.
“The bodyguard’s name was Cort?” the innkeeper asked.
Kaler nodded. “That’s what it sounded like. I wasn’t thinking about it at the time.” Kaler had also described the Lord, his description limited to general body shape since the man had been in the shadows and Kaler had never seen his face. “Have you any idea who he might be?”
“I’ll have to ask around. There are any number of nobles in Pagner, some from other countries. You say he spoke without an accent? That should make it easier.”
Kaler hadn’t told the innkeeper how much he had found, only that the man had dropped his purse and he had hopes of returning it. For now the purse and its extremely valuable contents were hidden in a crack between the walls in the stables at the back of the inn. He didn’t feel comfortable having it in his room. He also didn’t
want to trust the purse to anyone else. He’d seen what money could do to the most honest of men.
It took the innkeeper two weeks to come up with a name, and Kaler had almost given up on finding out who the Lord had been. That the story was held so close and not common knowledge suggested, as did the purse with its too valuable contents, that the Lord might have been about some business that was private and not something he had wanted known.
“I believe the man you seek is Count Batough,” the innkeeper told Kaler one evening when he returned from a temporary duty that was earning him a small amount of coin for a couple of days service. “I know little of him, but one of my associates has contacts that deal with his household regularly and the servants have made reference to something consistent with what you saw. The Count himself has been very silent about the matter. That is why I cannot say with absolute certainty it was he.”
“It is a lead to follow-up,” Kaler agreed. “D you know where I might find this Count?”
“That part is easy,” the innkeeper responded, providing Kaler directions to the estate where the Count lived. It was in the elite section of the city which Kaler had only passing knowledge based on a couple of jobs he had performed for residents there.