Ghostwalker (Book 1) (26 page)

For a tense moment Kendril didn’t respond, his pistols still at the ready. He looked over at Jade, and caught the pleading look in her eyes. Then, with a look of disgust, he flipped back his pistols, and laid them on the seat in front of him. As he went to stand upright again he wobbled, reaching out for the side of the cart to steady himself.

Instantly two of the bandits leapt into the wagon behind him. They grabbed his arms and pinned them behind his back.

Kendril gasped in pain.

“He’s wounded,” Jade said hurriedly. “Please, be careful.”

The young bandit looked up at his men and nodded. “Tie their arms tightly,” he said. “Urban, search their belongings. See what you can find.”

The bandit who had been near Jade motioned to two of the others, and they moved in towards the wagon and the horses. Maklavir was unceremoniously pulled from his horse, and his arms were tied behind his back. The four travelers were lined up in front of the cart, standing miserably in the falling rain.

The second bandit removed the red handkerchief covering his face and lowered his hood as well. Long red hair came cascading down onto the thief’s shoulders.

Jade gasped.

The bandit was a woman.

“Search them for weapons,” she said. Her glance shifted over to Kendril. “Especially him.”

Jade felt her arms grabbed, then bound behind her back. She looked over at the female bandit again, still stunned.

Urban came up, lowering his hood. “There’s not a whole lot, Kara. Some of the weapons may be worth something, though—”

“What about ransom?” said Kara.

Urban reached over and grabbed Maklavir, pulling him forward. “He’s dressed fancy. I’ll bet he’s worth something to someone.”

Kara gave the diplomat’s clothes a dubious glance. “I doubt it.”

Maklavir bristled. “Now see here—”

She grabbed the end of his cape. “Look at this. It’s been mended at least a half dozen times. Hardly the clothes of a nobleman.”

“That is hardly fair,” Maklavir blurted out. “You have no idea how difficult it is to keep a cape like that in good condition out here in this wilderness.”

Kendril gave the diplomat a glare. “
Maklavir
—”

Kara let the cape drop. “This one’s no more than a common rogue.”

“A
rogue
?!” Maklavir’s face turned red. “I’ll have you know, my good woman, that I happen to be an esteemed diplomat and barrister.”

The woman turned back around. “Really?”

Maklavir missed Kendril’s warning glance. “Really. Why, I am just recently of the service of King Luxium of Valmingaard, not to mention—”

“All right,” Kara said with a nod. “You’ve sold me. You’re coming with us.”

Maklavir’s face faltered. “I’m—I’m coming…excuse me?”

Kara walked over to Kendril, and looked the Ghostwalker in the eyes. “And what about you? Any rich friends, or should we just kill you now and leave your body to rot here in the forest?”

Kendril gave a mocking smile. “You’re threatening to kill me now? And I thought you gave us your word of honor.”

She smiled in return. “Yes, but what’s the word of a highwayman worth, after all?” She looked him up and down from head to foot.

“He’s a Ghostwalker from the look of him,” growled Urban from behind her. “You won’t get any money from him. Best to just kill him and leave him here.”

“Well, well.” Kara pulled out a long knife and stuck the edge of it under Kendril’s chin. “A Ghostwalker. I’ve never met one before. Is it true that you’ve sold your soul to Regnuthu?”

He straightened as the sharp point pricked into his skin. “Sure. And I dance with demons in the moonlight, too.”

Kara smiled, but said nothing. She re-sheathed her knife. She turned to Jade, examining her carefully. A moment later, the thief smiled.

“There may be some profit here after all,” she said with an odd smile.

She turned to Urban, who was standing behind her.

“Blindfold them,” she said, putting her knife away. “Take the animals and the cart as well.”

“Even the Ghostwalker and the trapper there?” Urban shook his head. “We don’t need them. Why not just—”

“Because I told you to, Urban,” Kara said, turning away from the prisoners. “Now get those blindfolds ready, and let’s get moving.” She turned, missing the seditious glare that Urban threw her.

With a snort he turned to the other men. “You heard her. Get those blindfolds on.”

One by one, black hoods were thrown over the prisoners’ heads, and their world became dark.

For what seemed like hours Jade was pushed, prodded, and steered into blind nothingness, her feet tripping and stumbling over hidden roots and branches. Around her she could hear the gentle falling of rain, and the constant singing of birds above, but other than that she was completely turned around. Occasionally she heard the low murmur of voices in front and behind her, but she could never quite make out what they were saying. She tried to ignore the sharp sting of fear in her heart, but her mind reeled at the sudden turn of events.

Try as she might, she couldn’t see any way out of this one.

Just as Jade thought she could go no further, she was pulled to a sudden stop. For a second she stood, her breath loud inside the darkness of the hood. The next instant the hood was torn from off her head, and she could finally see again.

It was night. Even still, a nearby fire nearly blinded her at first, and she had to blink several times to adjust her vision. She was standing in a large clearing somewhere in the forest, with the star-filled sky clearly visible above. A long wooden table stood by the fire, and several bandits were seated around it on makeshift benches, eating and drinking. As Jade pivoted her head, she saw that several huts bordered the clearing. One larger building to the east looked like a stable of some sort. Some dogs were tied up to a large tree in the middle of the clearing. They barked and yipped excitedly, straining at their leashes. Several armed men were walking in and out of the huts, with several wandering chickens scurrying to get out of their way.

Jade turned her attention back to the table in front of her. Maklavir stood alongside her, looking around as well. To his immediate right were Kendril and Joseph.

“Are you all right, Jade?” Maklavir whispered.

She nodded, her arms still tied behind her back. “Yes. What’s going on?”

“I don’t know. Perhaps—”

“Quiet,” came Kara’s stern voice. She moved around to the other side of the table.

Another thief came up to the table, taking off his gloves and slapping them down onto the wood. His hair and beard were the same fiery red as Kara’s, and his clothes were the simple brown and green tunic and cloak that all the other bandits wore. He gave all four prisoners a sly look.

“Welcome to my humble abode,” he said with a dark smile. “You must be hungry. Henrigan, get them something to eat.”

One of the nearby bandits reached over to the fire, and began to rip off some of the roasted meat that hung over the flames.

Jade saw Kara lean over, and whisper something into the red-haired man’s ear. He gave Jade a thoughtful look for a moment, then nodded towards Kara. The female thief rose silently, and disappeared in the direction of one of the huts.

“What do you want from us?” Kendril’s voice was unusually quiet. “You already have all our possessions.”

The red-haired man smiled. He grabbed a roll and bit into it himself. “I’m afraid that is not sufficient. You will all be required to inform your next of kin, or any friends you may have, of your predicament. When they have paid the proper amount you will be released.” He motioned to a nearby bandit, who brought several pieces of parchment, along with a feather quill in a pot of ink. “We only have one pen, I’m afraid, but you can take turns.”

Jade gave him a quizzical look. “I’m sorry? Take turns--?”

“Writing your ransom notes,” the man replied. He pointed with his roll to the parchments. “If you need more ink, just let us know. In the meantime, please enjoy your meal.”

Maklavir gave Jade a quick glance. “I see. I’m afraid there might be a problem with that, Mr.--?”

The bandit swallowed his bite. “Torin. And what would that be?”

The diplomat glanced over at one of the nearby bandits. “I’m afraid my companion has no memory of who she is, or where she comes from. I am not sure to whom we would write.”

Torin’s eyes flashed dangerously, though the smile remained on his face. “Yes, so I’ve heard. Fortunately, I think I might have a very simple solution for that.”

Maklavir straightened. “What do you mean?”

“He means
me
.”

A sudden voice came from their right, causing all four of the captives to turn their heads.

A man stepped into the firelight, taking a bite out of an apple in his hand.

Jade felt her insides freeze.

It was Montrose.

Chapter 18

“I don’t trust him.”

Torin glanced over at Kara, scratching his chin. “I don’t trust him either, little sister. He’s a bounty hunter, after all. But he’s paying good money for the girl, and that’s what counts.”

Kara turned her eyes back to the table behind them. Montrose sat by the fire, carefully counting out pieces of gold. She turned back to Torin, keeping her voice low.

“Has he said why he wants her?”

“No. And frankly, I don’t want to know. As long as his gold is good I don’t care.”

Kara looked down at the ground for a moment. “Are you sure this is wise?”

Torin put his hand on her shoulder. “You worry too much, Kara. Once the bounty hunter takes the girl then she’s no longer our problem.”

“There,” came Montrose’s voice from behind them. “One hundred fifty gold coins. You can count them, if you like.” He slid a small purse of coins towards them.

Torin stepped forward, picked up the bag and weighed it in his hand.

“I will.” He glanced up at the bounty hunter. “Why do you want her so badly, anyway?”

“That’s my business, not yours.” Montrose got up from the chair and moved around the table. Uther followed behind him, with a nervous glance at Torin and Kara. Further back by the fire Calham was sitting with a tankard of ale in one hand and a chunk of roasted meat in the other.

Montrose stopped in front of the line of prisoners. He smiled at Kendril.

“Looks like I’ve finally won, Ghostwalker.” He leaned in, and the smile vanished from his face. “Too bad my crossbow bolt didn’t kill you back at the bridge.”

Kendril returned the man’s gaze. “With your aim? Doubtful.”

Without warning Montrose slammed his elbow into the Ghostwalker’s left side. Kendril fell to his knees, gasping from the pain.

Jade took a half step forward.

Montrose turned in her direction. “You’ve eluded me long enough,” he said in a low voice. He stopped in front of her, his one eye coldly appraising the beautiful young woman before him. “But I always get my prey.”

Kendril was still on the ground, coughing.

Joseph glanced down at him, but with his arms still tied there was nothing he could do.

Montrose turned to his men. “Uther, Calham, let’s go. We’ve got a schedule to keep.”

Kara sat down at the table. Her eyes flitted doubtfully back and forth between Jade and Montrose.

“Leaving so soon?” said Torin casually.

Montrose grabbed his hat off the table. “Business calls.”

The bandit chief nodded, and opened his mouth to speak.

The sudden blaring of several trumpets, their harsh cries rebounding across the meadow, drowned his voice out.

Startled, Torin went for his sword.

The bandit next to him lurched abruptly back, a crossbow bolt protruding from his chest.

Another bolt slammed into the table next to Torin, sending chips of wood flying.

Montrose spun, his mace already in his hand.

The trumpets were deafening, filling the night air with sudden panic and alarm.

The camp was being attacked.

Torin pulled out his sword and shouted commands at the nearest bandits, who were standing nearby with looks of complete terror on their faces.

Kara drew her sword as well, and looked over to her brother.

Montrose grabbed Jade by the arm and yanked her forward.

Uther fumbled with his crossbow as Calham ran over to them, his hand already on his weapon. He got two feet before a crossbow bolt hit him in the neck.

Joseph and Maklavir dove to the ground beside Kendril, their hands still tied behind them.

All around was chaos. Crossbow bolts flew through the air as thick as darting bees. Several bandits were already lying dead or wounded on the ground.

Across the clearing a band of riders wearing white tunics broke from the tree line and urged their horses across the grassy meadow at full gallop.

Torin turned to yell an order, but was just in time to see another band of riders coming from the other direction, accompanied by the flash and roar of several pistols being fired in the night air.

Uther tried desperately to load his crossbow. “What’s going on?” he shouted.

Montrose snarled, pulling Jade roughly to her feet. “We’ve been set up!” A crossbow bolt flitted past his right shoulder, barely missing him.

Jade cringed before him, too frightened to move.

“If I can’t have you,” the bounty hunter spat, “then no one will.” He shoved Jade down to the ground, then lifted the heavy mace in his hand.

Kendril dashed forward and slammed into him.

The two tumbled to the ground. Montrose’s mace flew out of his hand and landed in the grass nearby.

“Regnuthu take you!” the bounty hunter shouted in a hoarse voice. He stumbled to his feet, then lurched for his fallen weapon.

Kendril staggered to his feet. His face was white and strained. He backed back against one of the tables, reaching with his tied hands behind him.

Jade got to her feet. “Kendril!”

Uther aimed his crossbow at one of the approaching riders and fired off the bolt. “Boss!” he called over his shoulder. “We’ve got to go!”

Montrose wasn’t listening. He charged at Kendril, his face twisted with rage.