Knights of Dark Renown Read Online Free PDF Page A

Ruad.
    ‘That cannot be true, my dear partner. All things are possible.’
    Ruad shook his head. ‘You do not understand the limits. Magic is a finite power. A long time ago Zinazar sought to extend it; he used the blood of innocence. It did not work then and it will not now.’
    ‘But supposing a thousand people were willing to give their blood?’
    ‘There are not a thousand people in all the world who can drink the Colours. Forget his diamonds, Cartain. How rich can one man be?’
    Cartain chuckled. ‘He can have all the wealth of the world - and one copper piece more.’
    Ruad drained his apple juice. ‘Now tell me why you are leaving - and not a single word about the wind, if you please.’
    Cartain’s smile faded. ‘There are bad times coming and I want no part of them. My messengers tell me of evil deeds in the capital. This in itself would be of no consequence to a Nomad like me, but King Ahak’s mismanagement has left him with a thin treasury. Several Nomad merchants have been arrested, accused of treason and tortured to death. Their wealth has accrued to the King. Old Cartain will not feed the vulture’s treasury.’
    ‘I had my problems with the King,’ said Ruad. ‘He is arrogant and headstrong, but he is no despot.’
    ‘He has changed, my friend,’ Cartain told him. ‘He has surrounded himself with men of evil - even recruited men for a group he called the Knights of the New Gabala... and they are terrible. It is said he was gravely ill and a sorcerer cured him, but his soul died. I do not know. These stories abound. But then men will always talk of kings. What I do know is that the climate is not good for Nomads - or those of Nomad blood. I have seen these things before — in other lands. No good will come of it.’
    ‘Where will you go?’
    ‘Across the Inner Sea to Cithaeron. I have relatives there... and a young wife.’
    ‘You have a wife here, as I recall?’
    ‘A rich man cannot have too many wives! Why not come with me? We could make a fortune.’
    ‘I do not desire a fortune,’ Ruad told him. ‘Have my goods sent to the mountains tomorrow.’
    ‘I will. Take care, Craftsman. All secrets have a habit of becoming known and yours, I fear, will prove no exception. And this time you would lose more than an eye.’
    Ruad left the merchant and wandered back towards the stables, stopping to eat at a small inn.
    Cartain’s planned departure bothered him, leaving him uneasy. Cunning as the merchant was, he was also a man to be trusted. There were few like him, and Ruad needed him. He finished his meal and sat staring at the gathering clouds.
    All secrets become known.
    There was truth in that, but it was a problem for another day. He paid the innkeeper and, carrying a sack of provisions, returned to the stable. Hyam had gone, but his youngest son saddled Ruad’s mare. The boy was sharp-eyed, with a flashing smile.
    ‘You should buy a new horse,’ said the lad. ‘This one is worn out.’
    Ruad mounted and grinned down at him. ‘This is the beast your father sold me two months ago, swearing on the souls of his sons that she would run for ever.’
    ‘Ah,’ replied the boy, ‘but then Father is not as young as he was. Now, I have a gelding that was sired by Buesecus and even a man of your size could ride him all day and see not a mark of sweat upon him.’
    ‘Show me,’ said Ruad, following the boy back into the paddock. The black gelding was almost seventeen hands high, with a strong back and good legs.
    Ruad dismounted. ‘Is it true?’ he asked the horse, ‘that your sire was Buesecus?’
    The gelding swung its head. ‘No,’ it replied. ‘The boy is as big a liar as his father.’
    The lad backed away, his eyes wide and fearful.
    Ruad shook his head. ‘And you looked so innocent!’
    ‘You are a sorcerer?’ the boy whispered.
    ‘Indeed I am. And you have offended me,’ said Ruad, fixing the boy with a bleak look.
    ‘I am sorry, sir. Truly. Please forgive me.’
    Ruad