The Nomad - By Simon Hawke Page 0,58

of course,” Valsavis said. “The vain hopes and dreams of all preservers, that one day Athas will be green and live again.” He grimaced. “Take a look around you, priestess. You have traveled clear across the Tablelands from your convent in the Ringing Mountains, and you have crossed the Great Ivory Plain. You have seen Athas firsthand. Just what are the odds, do you think, of this desolate, desert world ever being green again?”

“So long as people believe the way you do, Valsavis, and think only of themselves, the odds are very slim,” Ryana replied.

“Well, then at least you have learned that much practicality,” Valsavis said. “As you learn more, you will find that most people think only of themselves, for in a world as harsh as this, there is neither the time nor the luxury to think of others.”

“Indeed,” said Sorak. “I wonder why you stopped to help me, then.”

“It cost me nothing,” said Valsavis with a shrug. The elfling was being very clever, using the priestess to draw him out. He would have to watch himself more carefully. “As I said before, it provided an interesting diversion on an otherwise uneventful journey. So you see, Nomad, as it turns out, I was really only thinking of myself. If it had proved an inconvenience for me to stop and help you, rest assured I would have passed you by without a qualm.”

“I am truly comforted by that thought,” said Sorak wryly.

Valsavis grinned. “Well, as things turned out, your companionship has served me well. A new adventure beckons, with the promise of wealth that will see me through my old age in comfort. I think that I shall build myself a new home, perhaps even right here in Salt View. Or perhaps I will take permanent rooms at the Oasis. A man could do much worse. I will be able to afford the constant company of beautiful young women to take care of me, and I shall never have to worry about where my next meal is going to come from. I may even buy the Desert Palace, so that I may amuse myself by ordering about that sly rasclinn of a manager and have a place where I can always come for entertainment free of charge.”

“It might be more prudent to find the treasure before you start to spend it,” Ryana said.

“What,” said Valsavis, raising his eyebrows in mock astonishment, “and give up all my hopes and dreams?”

Ryana shook her head. “You can be a most irritating man, Valsavis,” she said.

“Yes, women often find me irritating,” he replied. “At first. And then, despite themselves, they find that they are drawn to me.”

“Truly? I cannot imagine why,” Ryana said.

“Perhaps you will soon find out,” Valsavis said.

She gave him a sharp glance. “Now that,” she said, “would fall into the category of foolish hopes and dreams.”

Valsavis grinned and gave her a small bow. “Well struck, my lady. A good riposte. But the match is not yet finished.”

“For you, it ended before it could even begin,” she said.

“Did it, now?” Valsavis said. “Is that so, Nomad? Have you already staked your claim?”

“I have no claim upon Ryana,” Sorak said. “Nor does any man on any woman.”

“Indeed? I know many men who would dispute that curious assertion,” said Valsavis.

“No doubt,” said Sorak. “But you might try asking women.”

“When it comes to women,” said Valsavis, “I generally do not make a habit of asking.”

“That I can believe,” Ryana said.

Suddenly, Sorak stopped and put his arm out to hold back the others. “Wait. It seems that we have company,” he said.

They had entered the small plaza with the well, beyond which lay the bellaweed emporiums. Four shadowy figures stood at the far end of the small plaza, blocking their way. Eight more had entered the plaza from the alleys to either side, four from the left, four from the right.

“Ah, what have we here?” said Valsavis. “It would appear that the night’s entertainment is not yet over.” He drew his sword.

“Smokers in pursuit of means to buy more bellaweed?” wondered Sorak.

“No, not these,” Valsavis said. “There is nothing listless in their movements. And they seem to know what they’re about.”

The men stood, surrounding them. One of the four in front of them spoke. “One of our hunting parties failed to return to camp,” he said, immediately solving the question of who they were. “We went out to search for them and soon discovered why. We found their bodies, and then followed the trail left by