From a copse of trees concealing his body in shadows, Salb drilled holes into Maerillus’s back with hate-filled eyes. His day was coming. On the sidewalk skirting the edge of the park, the Maldies fool nearly ran three people over. There was no mistaking the desperation in his eyes.
Salb chuckled quietly.
He bet he knew exactly what Maldies was looking for, and he knew where Maldies would eventually end up. That was why after suffering through Kreeth’s irate rant Salb had sent Card after the stupid twit everyone called Bug. What was it to Salb that Card had tastes for young meat? They were supposed to follow the three brats and cause them trouble, weren’t they? Salb felt no pity for Bode, who not only led them up to the Vandin camp and nearly got them killed, but missed an opportunity to make real money when Kreeth came around with a job for them to do.
On the way into Pirim Village, Salb had passed Bug and her feeb cousin at one of the stables on the western end of town. That was where Card would try to have his fun with the girl. If Maldies was quick enough to catch them, opportunities to cause a lot of trouble definitely increased.
Soon, he thought to himself, he would deal with Maerillus Sartor and pay him back for that day on the bridge when the sneak surprised him from behind. Maybe he would climb down into the channel and find the old sword Sartor had forced him to throw over the side. The thought that it might still be waiting for him in the muddy water made him smile. It was a wicked smile, to be sure. But for Salb, those were the best kind. Sticking it in the rich snot’s side would be a nice way to get even with him for what he had done.