Thraxas and the Ice Dragon - By Martin Scott Page 0,73
from the field.
"What's going on?" demands Makri.
"Thraxas set a gang on children on the Sorcerers."
"I kept getting knocked around," says Makri.
"There was a lot of sorcery coming in your direction," explains Lisutaris. "I couldn't deflect it all."
"I took several mighty blows in your defence," I say. "But you're welcome. You don't have to thank me."
"Did I win the fight fairly?" asks Makri.
"Of course," replies Lisutaris, who, I have noticed, is a very smooth liar, when not addled by thazis. "Once the Sorcerers were out the picture I let things take their course."
"I will report this outrage to the King!" screams a voice in my ear. It's Lasat Axe of Gold. With his face sporting several bruises, and the remains of four or five rotten tomatoes still clinging to his rainbow cloak, he's not looking very impressive.
"What outrage?" I ask.
"These infernal children!"
I laugh, good-naturedly. "I did notice the little scamps running around. Children will have their fun."
"They pelted me with fruit and vegetables!"
"And me!" cries Charius, arriving in an even worse state than Lasat. "It's an intolerable affront!"
"They never came near me," says Lisutaris.
"Of course not," I say. "You're Head of the Guild. They respect you."
"I know you were behind this!" yells Lasat.
"I know nothing about it," says Lisutaris, calmly.
"I intend to give a full report to the King."
"Report what?" I ask. "That the children interfered with your illegal attempt to sabotage Makri?"
Several more fruit-splattered Samsarina Sorcerers arrive, none of them looking happy. Things are threatening to get out of hand when Baron Mabados strides into our midst.
"Silence!" he roars. "As Baron responsible for this tournament, I'm not happy about these events. And neither is the King." The Baron looks at both Lisutaris and Lasat. "The King has called a meeting, to be held before the final."
"I shall be happy to attend," says Lasat. "There is much the King needs to know about our Turanian visitors."
Lasat turns on his heel and walks off with as much dignity as he can muster, given the amount of fruit and vegetables still clinging to his apparel. I leave the field with Makri and Lisutaris.
"Well, this is it," says Lisutaris. "Lasat is going to tell the King we've lost Arichdamis's plans. He's just been waiting for a good opportunity to announce it."
"If he does, just deny it," suggests Makri.
"How can I, if he produces them? I'm going to be completely discredited."
"Cheer up," I say. "We've coped with worse. And we've just won another 10,000 gurans. Didn't I tell you I was the finest gambler in Turai?"
Makri laughs. "It was funny seeing Lasat covered in fruit." Lisutaris laughs too, and so do I. It was funny, and it's generally agreed that as plans go, mine was particularly effective.
"But we won't get away with that again," says Lisutaris. "The final is going to be tough."
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Makri and I head towards Big Bixo's. All around, festivities are gathering pace, in readiness for the midnight finale.
"Makri, you see that man walking past the beer tent?"
"The one with the bandage on his arm?"
"That's one of the men who attacked me in the alley. He had a helmet on but I recognise his red hair. And his wound. Are you up for some action?"
"Of course. Are we going to kill him?"
"Not right away. I want to know who sent him after me."
We follow the man at a distance as he walks past a row of tents, slowly making his way from the festival towards the town.
"So you're going to ask him questions?" says Makri.
"Yes."
Makri comes to a halt. "I'm not doing it."
"What do you mean you're not doing it?"
"I know what you have in mind. You want me to play Orc Demon Woman so he'll be frightened."
"Does that bother you?"
"You know it bothers me! It's demeaning."
"Come on Makri, you've done it before. Just make sure your pointy ears are showing, and you have that crazy look in your eyes. Yes, like that, that's good. Now hurry up of we'll lose him."
We catch up with our prey on the dark path between the last tents and the first building of Elath, managing to take him completely by surprise. I grab him and bundle him behind a tree, then draw my sword.
"You tried to kill me," I say. "I want to know why."
"Go to hell."
The man takes a step, as if to flee, but I put my sword at his chest. "Were you working for Big Bixo?"
He looks at me defiantly. "I'm not telling you anything, fat man."