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Aubage was returning from his errand of collecting ransom.
Overhearing Tyrus, he said testily, "I will pay to ransom Ilissa. LaRenya has
no need to bribe these thieves. We kin-brothers of Huil-Couredh care for our
own."
"Do not spend what is not yours, Sirai," Jathelle snapped. "Your lands and
livings come from me. Your branch of Couredh's second family gambled away most
of your wealth, and your claim to the throne. You have already borrowed
against Hissa's marriage portion. Do not meddle in matters when you cannot
afford to pay the fee." She scowled at the embarrassed courtier, then turned
again to haggling with Rof. "My sister is dear to me, past any reckoning,
bandit lord. Tyrus says it aright. You may have her ransom. When Ilissa is
safe, I will be so generous your head will spin. You will have to buy pack
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animals to carry your reward, Rof."
"Safe? Safe from what? And where?" Rof asked, very much on guard.
He looked at Tyrus and his countenance fell, his suspicions confirmed.
"You have persuaded her, eh? La! The Forbidden Lands?"
"You said you had been there," Erejzan cut in. "You bragged you were afraid of
nothing."
"I am not!" Yet it was plain Rof held back, resisting the plan. The soldiers
and courtiers had been spreading accumulated coins and jewels on a tattered
cloak and Erejzan knelt by the treasure, running it enticingly through his
hands, watching Rof as he did so. Seduced by the glitter, Rof licked his lips
greedily. "Well and at that, I suppose if you will have it, I
can guide you at least as far as the Ice Forest. And my men will go where I
command. But I must know who is this enemy? If those creatures that beset us
were his& "
"He is a wizard," Tyrus repeated tiredly. "Are you afraid of him, after you
have boasted so loudly? Or do you want the ransom LaRenya offers you?" Again
Erejzan trickled gold and silver and gems through his fingers, making the
riches jangle and clink, music that soothed away Rofs hesitation.
Frowning, Rof built his courage with words. "If he is a mortal man he
can be dealt with, wizard or no."
"He is a man," Tyrus assured him, his tone flat.
"By Bog', then I am your ally. Give me your hand on it, LaRenya, and we will
be sworn," Rof said with a laugh that sounded somewhat forced. "I
fear no man or god, if I am paid well enough! That is my calling!"
"And how shall you be sworn?" Jathelle wondered, doubting his sincerity. "What
promise have I that you will not take the first payment and kill us and run
away?"
"Promise? Pay me, LaRenya, and I am promised. I trust your honor, even if you
do not trust mine. Waste no breath on oaths. Words are lost in the wind. Ask
the sorkra." And Rof winked, incorrigible. "But gold? Gold and silver are too
heavy to fly!" he finished with a grin that showed his broken and snagged
teeth.
Jathelle held her hand up to him, demanding that much sealing of the pact.
Shrugging, Rof took her slender fingers into his dirty palm. Then
Jathelle gripped his hand firmly, startling him. "No promise kept no gold. I
will swear on this, if you will not. Be my ally, and I will make you rich.
Agreed? We are one LaRenya, sorkra, and bandit lord. Your quest must be ours,
Rof, until Ilissa is safe."
At length he nodded, and she let go his hand. Rof wriggled his fingers, amazed
at her strength. He covered his lingering uncertainty with a chuckle. "So it
shall be. At least we have our own wizard to match the enemy's magic. Hai!
Never thought I to see the like! Me, Rof, allied with royalty and sorkra. I
wish I could tell this around a Zsed fire. Ah! But no more the Destre
brotherhood for me& "
Jathelle did not hear him. Her bargain struck with Rof, she quickly set about
other matters. "Tyrus, you say you have skills to mend my people's wounds?"
"Some of the wounds," he said sadly. "I will do what I can, for your lords and
ladies and the servants and bodyguards& and for Rof's wounded as well."
Rof did not hide his surprise. "You would minister to my ruffians?"
"Do you object?" Tyrus asked. "Perhaps you think they might feel some
gratitude to me."
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