Slavers of the Savage Catacombs Read Online Free PDF Page B

to back it up. He moved a bit more carefully, feinting and seeing if he could get Ran to commit to a defensive move.
    Ran didn’t take any of the bait, which forced Gunj to commit to an attack himself. The wiry man launched a series of punches aimed at Ran’s head. Ran backpedaled, knocking the arms away with hard strikes to the underside of Gunj’s arms. Gunj grunted loudly and redoubled his efforts, but Ran was ready for his next attack and countered before he could launch it. Ran snaked one arm over Gunj’s left arm and dipped down and then back up, acquiring a steep shoulder lock.
    Gunj went with the lock and threw himself into a back flip that brought him back onto his feet.
    But not before Ran sank a heavy kick into his midsection. Gunj stumbled back, clutching his gut.
    He held one hand up, and Ran halted his attack.
    As Gunj got back up and sorted himself out, he glanced at Yasseh. “He is very skilled.”
    Yasseh nodded with a bit of a surprised look crossing his face. He glanced at Ran. “You realize that’s the first time Gunj has ever been bested. Usually he mops the floor with aspiring security guards. Not you, though. You must be something special indeed.”
    Ran took his swords back from the man who had been holding them and shrugged. “Experience is paid for in other ways. I don’t necessarily think I’m special given all the horrors I’ve seen in my short life.”
    Yasseh clapped him on the back. “Regardless, what will it cost me to have you come with us?”
    Ran eyed him. “What are you transporting?”
    Yasseh laughed. “A wise warrior at that.” He shook his head. “We have a shipment of spices and fabrics that are feverishly sought after in the west. Expensive silks and robes that the rich in other kingdoms long to wear to impress their naive friends. We are one of the largest caravans leaving Chulal the day after next.”
    Ran wondered if he would have enough time to hear back from Gakur before heading out. He nodded at Yasseh. “What coin do you pay in?”
    “I pay in gold,” said Yasseh. “It’s accepted everywhere without these annoying currency exchanges to worry about. One kingdom’s gold is as good as another, I’ve found.”
    “I want a sign-on bonus. Three gold pieces.”
    Yasseh’s eyebrows shot up. “That’s a steep price. I’ll give you two and another ten if we reach the safety of Durfun. From there, you can decide if you wish to continue with us on our way west or go off on your own. There are, after all, many ways for a young man to get distracted along the route.”
    “We’ll see,” said Ran. Asking if they intended to stop at Valrus wouldn’t have been wise. Ran’s appearance marked him as a wandering warrior and nothing more. He had no wish for anyone to suddenly become interested in his business. It would be easy enough to find out if Valrus was on their list of stops once the caravan was underway.
    Yasseh reached into his tunic and brought out a silken purse with gold-threaded strings. He doled out two gold coins into Ran’s hand. “Half now. I trust that you won’t take these and leave me wondering where you are when we leave the morning after next?”
    “Not all who wander are without honor,” said Ran. “You got yourself a security guard.”
    Yasseh nodded. “You’ll meet the other members of the security contingent when we depart. Gunj is also along for the ride, but not as an overt security man. He’ll stay in the background unless things get out of hand somewhere. He prefers to leave the fighting to those he considers disposable.”
    Ran smirked. “Refreshingly honest.”
    “Gunj has had a lifetime of fighting, and he usually shies away from it unless he’s helping me screen prospects.”
    “I thought you said he was never bested.”
    “He hasn’t been, but just because he’s better than just about everyone but you, we still need to hire people on to fight for us if bandits attack. Gunj just doesn’t think very much of them is