The Nomad - By Simon Hawke Page 0,32

us to profit by their deaths.”

“I appreciate the sentiment, but would it seem right simply to leave all this behind?” Valsavis asked. “That would be rather wasteful, and not very practical.”

“I must agree,” said Sorak. “And it would not be the first time that I have profited by the deaths of such as these. The world profits from their absence.”

“A most unpreserverlike sentiment,” Valsavis said with a smile, “but I heartily concur. And now that we have settled that, I suggest we remove these bodies to a suitable distance, so that we are not plagued by flies and carrion beasts. Then I, for one, intend to enjoy some of that wine these departed souls have been so kind as to provide us with. I have worked up a mighty thirst.”

Later that night, after they had disposed of the marauders’ bodies by tossing them into a nearby ravine, Ryana sat with Sorak by the fire, and Valsavis slept nearby in his bedroll, having emptied an entire skinful of wine. The marauders had brought some food with them among their supplies, some bread as well as a mixture of dried fruits and nuts and seeds that Ryana was able to eat without breaking her druidic vows. She had regained some of her strength, though the ordeal of the journey and her captivity had clearly taken a lot out of her.

“What do you make of him?” she asked Sorak very softly, so that only he could hear. Valsavis appeared to be asleep, but she did not want him to overhear in case he was still awake.

“I am not yet entirely sure,” said Sorak. “He seems a most peculiar man, but he did come to my aid, and yours.”

“Does the Guardian tell you nothing of him?” asked Ryana with surprise.

“She does not trust him,” Sorak replied. “She is unable to probe his thoughts, and so cautions me to be wary of him.”

Ryana frowned. “The Guardian cannot detect anything about him?”

Sorak shook his head. “No, nothing.”

“Is he warded?”

“The Guardian does not know,” he replied. “She says that if he is protected by a magical ward, then it is both strong and subtle enough to escape detection.

But she also says that there are some people who are immune to psionic probes.”

“Yes, that is true,” Ryana said. “But such people are often very dangerous.” She glanced at Valsavis, stretched out on the ground nearby. “And he has already proven that.”

“He fought with us, not. against us,” Sorak reminded her. “Yes, he did,” she said, “but he appeared from out of nowhere, and at a most convenient time. Where did he come from?”

“Gulg, I think he said.”

“He said,” Ryana repeated. “But how can we know for certain? He may have followed us from Nibenay.”

“I suppose it is possible,” Sorak admitted. “He is one of the finest trackers I have ever seen. It is conceivable that he could have followed our trail. But if the Shadow King wanted us pursued, why would he not send a well-armed force instead of just one man?”

“Perhaps because he does not intend to capture us,” Ryana said. “He could want to have us lead him to the Sage. And what better way for his agent to keep track of us than to take advantage of this opportunity and join us on our journey?”

Sorak pursed his lips, thoughtfully. “All this is merely supposition,” he said.

“Perhaps,” Ryana replied. “But he is a highly skilled and experienced fighter. The best and the quickest I have ever seen, despite his age. And a fine tracker, as you said. He also carries iron weapons. That makes him no ordinary mercenary. And did you note the ring he wears on his left hand? It looks like gold.”

Sorak nodded. “Yes, I saw,” he said. “But then it is also possible that he had served some rich aristocrat who gifted him with the weapons and the ring.”

“The Guardian has cautioned you about him,” said Ryana, “and everything about him raises questions. Yet you seem to want to trust him. Why?”

“I do not wish to think ill of a man merely because he is extraordinary,” Sorak replied.

“As you are,” said Ryana with sudden insight. “Sorak, we cannot afford to be trusting. We have powerful enemies. Enemies who would stop at nothing to find the Sage and destroy him.”

“Valsavis will accompany us to Salt View,” said Sorak. “That is not very far from here. If what he told me was the truth, our paths will diverge once we depart Salt View for Bodach.”

“Suppose