Krondor the Betrayal Read Online Free PDF

rooms.’’
    He reached under the bar and produced a heavy iron key.
    ‘‘On my homeworld this would have been worth a man’s life; here it is but a tool.’’
    Locklear nodded, understanding the scarcity of metals on Kelewan. He took the key. ‘‘Large party?’’
    ‘‘Yes,’’ said Sumani. ‘‘Foreigners. Quegans, I believe. Their speech was strange to my ear.’’
    Locklear looked around the obviously prosperous inn. ‘‘How did a Tsurani soldier end up running an inn in LaMut?’’
    ‘‘After the war, Earl Kasumi gave those of us who had been trapped on this side of the rift the opportunity to live as Kingdom citizens. When the rift was reopened, he gave those of us here in LaMut the choice of leaving service and returning to the Shinzawai estates on Kelewan. Most stayed, though some left service and returned to serve again with Kasumi’s father, Lord Kamatsu. A few of us, however, retired here in LaMut.
    I had no living family back home.’’ He glanced around. ‘‘And to tell the truth, I live better here than I would have back home. There, I might have become a farmer, or a laborer on the Shinzawai estates.’’ He pointed through the open door to the kitchen, to where a tall, stout woman was hard at work preparing food. ‘‘Here, I have a Kingdom wife. We have two children. Life is good. And I am part of the city’s militia, so I still train with my sword. The gods of both worlds smile on me, and I prosper. I find business to be as challenging as warfare.’’
    Locklear smiled. ‘‘I have no head for business, though I have been told it often is like warfare. What gossip?’’
    The old former fighter said, ‘‘Much. Many travelers in 23

    Raymond E. Feist
    LaMut over the last month. Much speculation. A large party of Great Ones came through here last week. And it is rumored some brigands from my homeworld, grey warriors, have also been seen near the city.’’
    ‘‘Grey warriors?’’ asked Locklear. ‘‘Houseless men? What would they be doing here in LaMut?’’
    Sumani shrugged. ‘‘It may be those without honor have heard that here a man may rise by his own wits and talents, and not be bound by his rank at birth. Or it may be they are seeking riches in this land. With a grey warrior, who can say?’’
    A frown crossed Sumani’s face.
    ‘‘What?’’ asked Locklear.
    ‘‘Just this one thing: the rift is controlled by those who serve the Great Ones on Kelewan, and Kingdom soldiers guard the gate on this side. To pass through, these grey warriors would have to have documents, or allies among those guarding the rift gate.’’
    ‘‘Bribes?’’ asked Locklear.
    ‘‘Here, perhaps. I’ve found in the Kingdom the concept of honor is different than at home. But betrayal from the servants of the Great Ones?’’ He shook his head. ‘‘That is impossible.’’
    ‘‘Thanks,’’ said Locklear, smelling a puzzle. ‘‘I’ll keep my eyes and ears open.’’
    The Tsurani laughed. ‘‘That is a funny thing to say,’’ he observed. ‘‘Let me know if I may be of any further service.’’
    Locklear nodded. He took a lantern from the innkeeper and returned to the table. Gorath and Owyn rose, and Locklear led his companions up the stairs to a simple room with four beds.
    He motioned for Owyn to help him move one of the beds across the door, barring it against a sudden attack, then he moved another directly below the bed. ‘‘Owyn,’’ he said, pointing to the bed under the window, ‘‘you sleep there.’’
    ‘‘Why?’’ asked the young man from Timons. ‘‘It’s drafty under there.’’
    Gorath looked on with a slight turn to his lip, as if amused, as Locklear answered, ‘‘Because if anyone climbs in through the window, they’ll step on you, and your shouts will alert us.’’
    Grumbling, Owyn wrapped his cloak tightly around himself 24

    KRONDOR THE BETRAYAL
    and lay down. Locklear indicated one of the beds to Gorath, who lay upon it without