Krondor the Betrayal Read Online Free PDF Page A

rocks. That’s part of its danger, boy,’’ Dubal said to Owyn. ‘‘You can’t see one until you’ve stepped on its toes, as often as not. They’re slow and lumbering, but they’re strong and can crush a man’s skull with a single blow. This one came up because of the rockslide, I think, but whatever the cause, it’s tried to hurt a couple of our lads. We’ve chased it off, but can’t take the time to hunt it down. If you’re up for a bit of fun, I can take you along, and if you rid the mines of it, I’ll be happy to see you rewarded.’’
    ‘‘Reward?’’ said Locky. ‘‘That’s always a good word, but time doesn’t permit. If circumstances bring us to the mines anytime soon, we’ll be glad to help, but for the moment, we’re heading south.’’
    Dubal stood. ‘‘I understand. Once we get the tunnels finished, we’ll go looking for the beastie. Now, I’m for bed and an early start. It was good seeing you again, Squire, even in such company as this,’’ he said, indicating Gorath. ‘‘Good fortune follow you.’’
    ‘‘And you, Dubal.’’
    21

    Raymond E. Feist
    Locklear finished eating and rose to approach the innkeeper.
    The innkeeper wore a Kingdom-style tunic and trousers, the latter tucked into high-top calfskin boots. But he wore a fur-lined, woven-wool heavy cloak, though it was thrown back, as if even in this warm inn it was too cold for his liking.
    ‘‘Sir?’’ asked the innkeeper, his heavy accent making the word sound odd to Locklear.
    ‘‘Honors to your house,’’ said Locklear in Tsurani.
    The man smiled, and said something in return. Locklear smiled and shrugged. ‘‘Sorry, that was all the Tsurani I know.’’
    The man’s smile broadened. ‘‘More than most,’’ he said.
    ‘‘You’re not from LaMut,’’ he observed.
    ‘‘True. I learned a little of your native tongue at Sethanon.’’
    ‘‘Ah,’’ said the innkeeper, nodding in understanding. Few who were at Sethanon spoke of what occurred there, mostly because few understood it. At the height of the battle a great upheaval had driven both armies, invaders and defenders, fleeing from the city. A green light from the heavens and the appearance of something in the sky, followed by the destruction of the center of the city, had rendered most men stunned, and a few deaf, after the battle. No one was certain what had happened, though most conceded a great magic had been unleashed. Most speculated the magician Pug, a friend of the Prince, had a hand in it, but no one seemed to know for certain.
    Locklear had missed most of the end of the battle, being hidden in a cellar in the city, but he had heard enough accounts from other eyewitnesses to have formed a pretty clear picture in his own mind. And there was a special bond among those who had survived the Battle of Sethanon, irrespective of their place of birth, for it had been Tsurani, Kingdom, and even Keshian soldiers, who had driven the moredhel and their goblin allies back into the Northlands.
    ‘‘What I said,’’ explained the innkeeper, ‘‘was ‘Honor to your houses, and be welcome to the Blue Wheel Inn.’ ’’
    ‘‘Blue Wheel? That’s one of your Tsurani political parties, isn’t it?’’
    The innkeeper’s broad face split into a smile, revealing even white teeth. His dark eyes seemed to glint in the lanternlight.
    22

    KRONDOR THE BETRAYAL
    ‘‘You do know of us!’’ He extended his hand, Kingdom fashion, and said, ‘‘I am Sumani. If there is anything that my servants or I may do, you need only ask.’’
    Locklear shook the innkeeper’s hand, and said, ‘‘A room for the night after we finish our meal would serve. We have business in the castle tomorrow at dawn.’’
    The stocky ex-fighter nodded. ‘‘You’re in luck, my friend.
    Last night I would have had to express my regrets and endure the shame of being unable to fulfill your request. We were full, but this morning a large party departed, and we have