Read The Saviors: Locmire's Quest Book Two A Tales from Calencia Novel Page 6
Chapter 6
In Pursuit
"No one is to be allowed entrance into the kingdom. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you," yelled the gate keeper, straining his voice to be heard across the ravine.
"If we are not allowed entrance into the city, can you at least tell us if King Thaddeus Graystone is presently inside your walls?" Trevor Metzger asked.
"Who is asking?" the gate keeper replied.
"We are messengers from Galdarath, and we have important news for our King," Trevor replied with a sly grin.
The guard scratched his head for a moment, then replied, "No. They set off westward for Dead Marsh yesterday."
"Waz hiz bruzzer, Lot, wizz him?" Zathillius called out from the saddle of his horse.
"No one traveled with them by the name of Lot," the Engenium replied.
"Thank you. You have been very helpful," Trevor said as he mounted his horse. "Good day to you."
The gate keeper nodded and disappeared out of sight atop the wall.
"We'z will not catch zem by zee time zey reach ze Dead Marzh," Zathillius said, his lizard-like tongue flicking from his mouth as he spoke.
"Do not worry, old friend. It does not matter where we slay King Graystone, as long as we slay him. We are in no rush. When one becomes rushed, that is when mistakes happen," Trevor replied, prodding his horse.
"I iz in no ruzh. I juzt want ze king dead. I want ze gold!" Zathillius stated as he trotted along beside of Trevor.
"I wonder where his brother is?" Trevor asked.
"We'z will find him. We'z will make ze king tell uz," Zathillius said with a thin lipped smile.
Trevor and Zathillius rode westward discussing their plans for the King and his brother when they came upon a covered bridge with a small band of outlaws blocking their path. Six of them stood in front of the bridge that crossed a stream dissecting the road. They parked a wagon in front of the bridge to prevent any brave soul from riding through their road block.
"Zis lookz interezting," Zathillius said as they slowed down to meet the men.
"Halt!" a round bellied, yellow toothed man proclaimed. "This here bridge belongs to us. If you plan on crossing our bridge, you must pay the toll."
"How what?" one man asked. "Don't be usin your fancy words with us. The only language we understand is gold and steel."
"If you want to cross, it will cost ya two gold coins," said the fat man.
"Well, my friend. That will pose a problem," Trevor replied.
"A problem for you. Not us," one of the other men blurted out.
"Look here, gentleman. My friend becomes angry when someone tries to make him part with his gold. He is very stingy. It would serve you best to move your wagon and let us pass," Trevor advised.
"You will pass when we get our gold," the fat man responded.
"Okay. Have it your way," Trevor said as he and Zathillius dismounted their horses.
The outlaws drew their weapons at once.
"Whoa, calm down. We only aim to pay your toll," Trevor said as he limped over to the men, bearing much weight through his cane.
This took them by surprise.
"You mean to pay?" the fat man asked.
"Certainly. We are not savages. Who are we to rob an honest man of what is so rightfully his?" Trevor said.
"Well then," the fat man said as he sheathed his sword. "It is noble of you to pay what is due."
"Indeed," Trevor replied. "We always give what is due."
Trevor Metzger pulled his coin purse from his side. It seemed he was having trouble manipulating the strings that held his purse closed and holding his cane at the same time.
"Here, my good man. Hold this for me," Trevor said as he handed the man his coin purse. The man's jaw gaped open. He could not believe that Trevor had just handed him his entire coin purse, especially considering the amount of coin that seemed to be inside of it. "Open it up and take two gold coins. No more, no less," Trevor ordered. That's it. Get your gold you fool.
As the man pulled the gold from the purse, Trevor slid the thin, narrow blade from the end of his cane and nonchalantly pushed the tip of the blade into the man's throat. The fat man's eyes grew large and blood ran from his mouth.
"I told you I aimed to pay you your due," Trevor said. He removed his blade and took his coin purse from the fat man's hands.
Before the others could react, Zathillius pulled two daggers from the front of his chest and threw them at the men. They collapsed onto the ground as the daggers found a home in their faces. Trevor calmly walked over to another man, still in shock at the turn of events, and slid the petite blade into his belly. The last two men met the same fate as the others as Zathillius let loose his two remaining daggers.
"I always enjoy watching you throw your daggers. Four for four," Trevor said as he pulled up his shirt and cut two slashes across his stomach. I am running out of room on my stomach. I will have to start marking my kills on my leg before long. "Impressive."
"Zeez men were foolz. Zey dropped zeir guard while attempting to rob zomeone. Zey dezerve to die," the Raptilian said as he recovered his daggers.
The assassins looted the bodies for any gold or other valuable items and continued westward to rendezvous with the King of Galdarath.