Evil Within

by Richard S. Tuttle

  "No," Gunnar shook his head, "I am more interested in a good recurve. You seem to have a fine selection."

  "The best in Caxon," smiled the merchant. "As bold a statement as it might be, I would wager that we have the best selection of the finest bows in all the Land of the Nine Kingdoms."

  "That is a bold statement," Gunnar replied as his eyes scanned the array of bows. "Aren't you rather young to be the world's greatest bowyer?"

  "The stall is not mine," smiled the merchant. "It belongs to my father, but he spends his days creating the masterpieces that you see before you. Besides, I am twenty years tomorrow. Today is my last day of tending the stall. My younger brother will take over tomorrow, so if you want a decent bargain, today is your day."

  "You do seem adept at tending a stall in the marketplace," Gunnar chuckled as he picked up a bow and weighed its feel in his hand.

  "A nice looking bow that," commented the merchant as he reached behind him and selected a different bow, "but you might consider this one instead. The draw weight is high, but you look as though you could handle it. It would be excellent for bagging a bear or a large boar. Try the feel of it."

  Gunnar accepted the offered bow. He held it in his hand, and a smile formed on his lips. The merchant moved closer to inspect Gunnar's hold on the bow.

  "Your grip is larger than I thought," mused the merchant. "Let me have you try a different one."

  The merchant moved to the back of the stall and brought out another bow. He handed it to Gunnar and put the other bow back where it belonged. He then returned to examine Gunnar's grip.

  "A much better fit," the merchant nodded appreciatively. How does it feel to you?"

  "As if it belongs in my hand," grinned Gunnar. "May I try it?"

  "Certainly," smiled the merchant as he plucked three arrows from the shelf. "I would not let you buy it without trying it."

  "You probably say that to all of your customers," Gunnar chuckled as he thought the merchant was merely trying to say something pleasing.

  "I do," laughed the merchant, "but I mean it. My father's stall has been in the family for hundreds of years. I would not want anyone to besmirch our reputation. A short term gain in gold is never worth the loss that a dissatisfied customer can bring when he talks ill of his transaction."

  "You are an unusual merchant," noted Gunnar. "I have never met one who would turn away a customer."

  "It is how my father raised me," shrugged the merchant as he waved to someone distant.

  Gunnar turned to see a slightly younger man running through the crowd towards the stand. He had a remarkable resemblance to the merchant.

  "Do you need me, Monte?" asked the younger man.

  "Watch the stall for a moment please," replied the merchant. "We need to test a bow."

  Monte led Gunnar around the side of the stall and into the park. Small flags marked off a long lane, and three archery targets sat at varying distances along the lane.

  "My brother will watch the stall, so there is no need for you to hurry," Monte declared as he handed Gunnar a bowstring. "Take as much time as you need to make sure that the bow is right for you."

  Gunnar took the string and strung the bow. Monte handed him an arrow, and Gunnar nocked it and pulled the bowstring as he aimed at the closest target. He released the bowstring and the arrow sailed through the air. It flew over the target and landed halfway to the next target.

  "You are stronger than you appear," chuckled Monte.

  "I must be out of practice," frowned Gunnar. "I thought I was a fair shot."

  "It is the bow," offered Monte as he handed Gunnar another arrow. "Father uses a compound of selected hardwoods in his recurves. You will find that you can achieve greater distances with less effort. Try again."

  Gunnar nocked the arrow and pulled back on the bowstring. He mentally gauged his degree of error from the first attempt and then released the string. The arrow sailed into the first target a hand's width above the bull's-eye.

  "Try again," suggested Monte as he handed Gunnar the last arrow. "I will go get some more shafts."

  Monte dashed off and returned with a full quiver of arrows. Gunnar had released the third arrow and scored a bull's-eye on the first target.

  "Now you are getting the feel of the bow," nodded Monte. "Try the second target."

  Gunnar shot three arrows at the second target. The first two were slightly high, but the third hit the bull's-eye. None of the shots had wavered left or right of center.

  "I think your claim to be a fair shot was a humble one," remarked Monte. "You have done this before."

  "A few times," grinned Gunnar as he grabbed another arrow.

  "Try for the farthest target," instructed Monte, "but do not be dismayed at missing it. I purposely place that one far off to discourage braggarts from using the lane all day. I will move it forward if you wish."

  "Are you saying that this bow is not capable of reaching such a distance?" Gunnar joked, expecting to see Monte revert from an instructor to a merchant anxious to hawk his wares.

  "The bow is capable," Monte replied seriously. "I was merely trying to temper your expectations. Shall I demonstrate?"

  Gunnar's eyebrow rose as he turned to gaze at the merchant. Slowly, he nodded and handed the bow to Monte. The young merchant grinned broadly and accepted the bow. He plucked an arrow from the quiver and nocked it. Drawing the bowstring back and releasing it almost appeared to be one fluid motion. The arrow sailed into the bull's-eye of the third target. With swift smooth motions, Monte plucked two more arrows from the quiver and sent them sailing into the bull's-eye as well. He grinned broadly and handed the bow back to Gunnar.

  "My father always taught me never to do that in front of a prospective customer," he laughed, "but I somehow thought you might appreciate it."

  "Appreciate it?" gawked Gunnar. "I have never seen such skill in all my life, and I have seen many a fine bowman. You should not be selling wares in a marketplace. Your skills are wasted here."

  "I feel the same," nodded Monte. "I am not sure what I want to do in life, but I have already informed my father that today is my last day."

  "That's right," replied Gunnar as he remembered the merchant's words from earlier. "Tomorrow is your birthday. I would like to buy you an ale in celebration if you will allow me to."

  Monte hesitated as he looked at the scarlet sky. Finally, he nodded and smiled, "This day is done as far as the marketplace goes. I would not mind ending it up with a bit of celebrating. My brother will not mind taking over the stall for the last few minutes of the day."

  "As long as he doesn't close the stall," chuckled Gunnar. "I want some time to haggle over the price of this bow."

  "You want it then?" inquired Monte.

  "I cannot leave Caxon without it," grinned Gunnar.

  "You have just diminished your bargaining position," laughed Monte, "but I like you. I will give you our best price as long as you allow me to overcharge you on the arrows and quiver that you will need."

  "Done," laughed Gunnar.

  Monte led Gunnar back to the stall where they completed the deal. By the time they were done, Monte's brother merely had the task of closing up the stall, and he offered to do so. Monte led Gunnar to the nearest tavern where the merchant slid across the bench farthest from the door until he was next to the wall.

  "A favorite seat?" Gunnar questioned as he looked around the nearly empty room and slid across the bench to sit next to Monte.

  "Not really," Monte shook his head. "You appear to be a man of some traveling, certainly not a Caroomite. I want to talk to you privately about the places that you have been so that I can get some type of idea where I should go. I am not eager to have anyone hear the conversation."

  "Why not?" Gunnar asked with suspicion.

  "My father knows that I am leaving Caxon tomorrow," answered Monte, "but he does not know that I plan to travel farther than the borders of Caroom. I am not sure that he would approve. He thinks leaving Caroom is merely loo
king for trouble."

  "There is some wisdom in your father's words," frowned Gunnar. "The world can be an unsafe place at times, and it is not getting any safer. I think that war will come to the Land of the Nine Kingdoms rather soon. Why don't you stay in Caroom? It is a large country and I am sure that you can find adventure within its boundaries. "

  "I have been manning my father's stall for five years," answered Monte. "Over those years, I have seen many strange and interesting people come through Caxon. Each time I met an interesting person, I would end up daydreaming about what those foreign places must be like. I don't know if I can explain it, but I must travel the world. I cannot be satisfied until I have seen it all, but I do not know where to begin. Where are you from?"

  Gunnar hesitated before answering. While he liked Monte a great deal, he did not know whom Monte might end up talking to.

  "I have been to most places in the Land of the Nine Kingdoms," he finally answered. "While there are many interesting places to visit, there is a certain amount of danger involved, especially if you are traveling on your own. A lone traveler is often the choice of targets for bandits and others of low moral character."

  "Perhaps I can travel with you?" suggested Monte. "Where are you heading?"

  "I am a warrior for a merchant," Gunnar answered vaguely. "I will go wherever he decides to go."

  "Does this merchant desire another warrior?" Monte asked hopefully. "I am decent with a sword, and I could defend a wagon with my bow rather well. I could even help him with his sales. I do have skills as a merchant."

  "He is not looking for any more help," Gunnar shook his head as the serving woman arrived.

  Gunnar ordered a pitcher of ale and two mugs, and the woman soon reappeared with them.

  "I thought you would be more helpful," Monte said with obvious disappointment.

  "You don't want to travel with me," Gunnar stated. "I seem to be a magnet for trouble. I think you would do fine being a warrior with a merchant, but with a different one."

  "That is not much help," sighed Monte. "Most of the merchants who travel through Caxon are from Capri, and they always seem to have enough warriors with them. There are never any openings. I suppose I will just have to go off on my own."

  "That is not wise," Gunnar said strongly. "That is almost an offer that the bandits cannot refuse. Bide your time and wait for the right opportunity."

  The door opened and a hooded man stepped into the room. The stranger caught Gunnar's attention because the day was fair, and there was little need for a head covering.

  "Would traveling with you be more dangerous than me traveling alone?" inquired Monte.

  "Both are dangerous," Gunnar replied as he watched the stranger cross the room and sit opposite another customer at a table not far away.

  "Would you at least recommend to your merchant that he let me ride along with him for protection?" asked Monte. "It will be as if he were getting an extra warrior, but he would not have to pay me for my services."

  As the stranger turned to order something from the woman, the torch on the wall highlighted his face. Gunnar inhaled sharply when he recognized the face of Prince Zinan, but Monte did not appear to notice.

  "I am disappointed," Monte said. "I know that I had no right to expect that you might allow me to travel with you, but I had not expected such stout rejection. I thought you might at least put in a good word for me."

  Monte wore a hat that was quite popular with the hunters of Caroom. It was not a hat that Gunnar considered fashionable, but he grabbed it off Monte's head and placed it on his own. He pulled it down over his eyebrows just before Prince Zinan turned around. The prince's eyes swept over the other patrons in the room, but he saw nothing that alarmed him. Gunnar intended to keep it that way no matter what the cost. He was unwilling to be noticed by the mage in a public place where he could not properly respond to the danger.

  "My hat!" scowled Monte. "Are you now trying to make fun of me? Slide out and let me up. I think the time has come for us to part company."

  "Be quiet," whispered Gunnar. "Let me wear your hat, and I will speak to my merchant about your traveling with us."

  "I don't think so," Monte shook his head. "I think you are toying with me, and I am not so desperate that I have to put up with such behavior. If I must travel the world alone, so be it. I am not afraid of what awaits me. I can probably travel much faster alone in any event. I could probably be in Tarent before you reached Laborg."

  The thought of Monte ending up in Borunda greatly disturbed Gunnar. He liked the Caroomite a great deal and did not want to see him gobbled up in the Borundan army.

  "Alright," Gunnar said softly, "I will make you a deal. If you sit here and talk softly until I give you leave to do otherwise, I will allow you to travel with us. Is it a deal?"

  "Now you are going to let me ride with the merchant?" Monte asked with a mixture of hope and suspicion. "How is it that you can now speak for the merchant who hired you?"

  "He respects my judgment," answered Gunnar, his eyes never leaving Prince Zinan. "I will even give you my wages of one silver a day. Will you accept?"

  "If you are serious," Monte said cautiously, "I readily accept, but if you are toying with me, I urge you to end it now, as a man of honor would."

  "I am serious," replied Gunnar. "I do not mind telling you that my words of caution before were not idle ones. Trouble does have a way of following me. I hope my actions here will not result in your untimely death."

  "I am prepared to accept that risk," grinned Monte. "When do we leave?"

  Gunnar watched the hooded man rise and exit the room. He sighed with relief that Prince Zinan had not recognized him. Until he had the knowledge of what the Talent was doing with him, he knew that he had to avoid a confrontation with the Borundan prince.

  "We leave tomorrow," Gunnar answered as he returned Monte's hat. "Do you know that man?" he added in a whisper as he pointed at the man Prince Zinan had met with.

  "I cannot tell by staring at his back," shrugged Monte. "Let me go talk to him."

  "No," objected Gunnar. "Let us go outside. Try to get a look at the man's face as we leave, but do not speak to him."

  Monte nodded and they both slid off the bench and exited the building. Gunnar's eyes immediately scanned the street looking for any sign of Prince Zinan, while Monte glanced back while closing the door to gaze upon the customer's face.

  "I know him," Monte said softly after he had closed the door.

  "Be silent and come with me," ordered Gunnar. "We must talk in private, and you should meet your new master."

  Gunnar led Monte through the marketplace to the Rose and Thorn. They entered the common room and saw Horst sitting alone at a table. He appeared bored out of his mind and was instantly pleased to see Gunnar arrive. When he realized that Gunnar had someone with him, he became very cautious. Gunnar and Monte did not sit down at the table, and Horst rose with a questioning gaze at the newcomer.

  "We will talk in the room," Gunnar said softly. "Monte will be riding with us."

  Horst nodded and relaxed somewhat, but his hand never strayed far from the hilt of his sword as he led the way up the stairs and into the room. Kerzi was sitting on the bed making strokes in a journal he looked up with surprise as the three men entered the room.

  "This is Monte," introduced Gunnar. "He is the best archer I have ever laid eyes on. I promised that he could travel with us. Monte, your new boss is Kerzi, and my partner is Horst."

  "Is this wise, Gunnar?" asked Kerzi. "You yourself have stressed the danger you bring to our travels."

  "I did try to talk Monte out of it," shrugged Gunnar, "but he is determined. At least with us he may have a chance to survive for a while. There is another development that worries me, and I need to discuss it with Monte. Bear with me. Monte, who was that man?"

  "He is a delivery man," answered Monte. "His name is Asgar."

  "What does he deliver and to whom?" asked Gunnar.

  "He will deliver
to anyone," answered Monte, "but mostly he runs provisions up to the palace. When the army purchases supplies from my father, we usually send them up with him. Why are you asking these questions about him? Do you know him?"

  "I do not know him," answered Gunnar, "but I do know the man he met with while we were talking. Unless I am missing the mark, Asgar is working for the Borundan government."

  "Are you sure?" asked Horst.

  "I am positive," nodded Gunnar. "I know the Borundan that he met with. He is the same man who organized the attack on me in Capri."

  Chapter 13 - Asgar

  Asgar

  The four men in the room at the Rose and Thorn Inn sat silently staring at one another. Neither Kerzi nor Monte knew who Gunnar was talking about, but Horst knew that his friend had just seen Prince Zinan of Borunda. The implications of the dark prince's presence in Caxon were disturbing.

  "Monte," Horst broke the silence, "I need a guide through the streets of Caxon. Can you take me to the tavern where you and Gunnar were drinking?"

  "What do you have in mind?" Gunnar asked with suspicion.

  "Worry not, my friend," smiled Horst. "I am not going to bring dishonor to my family on the streets of Caxon. I want to find out the purpose of the Borundan's visit to Caroom. I can do so without setting off any alarms. Besides, I need to get to know our new fellow traveler, and Kerzi has something to discuss with you. It is just a reasonable use of time for all of us."

  "I will guide you," offered Monte. "If Asgar is not still there, I know the circles in which he travels."

  Horst nodded and stripped off his sheath and placed his scimitar on the bed. There were several parcels wrapped in paper on the bed, and Horst picked one up and unwrapped it. Gunnar's eyebrows rose as the paper was unwrapped to reveal another scimitar and a pair of cross-wrapped sheaths. Horst slipped the two sheaths over his head and shoved the two scimitars into them.

  "I see that you have made good use of your wages in the marketplace," Gunnar nodded in appreciation at the crossed scimitars.

  "I could not resist," grinned Horst. "Let us go, Monte."

  "Be careful," Gunnar called after the two men as they left the room.