A Stainless Steel Rat Is Born

"You favor me with your presence, capo." "Damned right. I ride while the troops walk. Now, move this thing out. " The scouts had already gone on ahead when we rumbled across the drawbridge and onto the causeway. The main body of troops came behind us, a certain eagerness in their step despite the hour. All of them had lost valuables and possessions-even knaves-during the raid. All were eager for revenge and theft.

"The Capo Doccia must be taken alive," Capo Dimonte suddenly said. I started to answer until I realized that he was talking only to himself. "Tied and left helpless, brought back to the keep. First a little flaying, just enough skin to make a hatband. Then maybe blinding. No-not right away-he must see what is happening to him..." There was more like this, but I tuned it out. I had thoughts of my own-and even some regrets. When The Bishop had been killed, my anger had overwhelmed all of the clear thinking that I should have been doing. AH excuses vanished now-1 was embarking on this expedition solely for revenge. And I couldn't daim to be doing it in The Bishops memory because he would have been seriously opposed to violent action of this kind. But it was too late now to turn back. The campaign had been launched and we were well on our way.

"Stop this thing!" the capo ordered suddenly, and I hit the brakes.

There was a dark knot of men waiting on the road ahead-our advanced scouts. The capo climbed to the ground and I leaned out to see what was happening. They were leading a man who had his arms bound behind him.

"What happened?" the capo asked.

"Found him watching the road, excellency.. Caught him before he could get away." "Who is he?" "Soldier, name ofPalec. I know him, served with him in the southern campaign." The capo walked up to the prisoner and shoved his face close to the other's and snarled. "I have you, Palec. Tied and bound." "Aye." "Are you the Capo Doccia's man?" "Aye, I serve under him. Ptook his groat." "You've spent that on wine a long time ago. Will you serve with me and take my groat?" "Aye." "Release him. Barkus-a silver groat for this man." These mercenaries fought well, but they also changed sides easily enough. Why not? They had no stakes in any of the capos' quarrels. Once Palec had accepted the coin they gave him his weapons back.

"Speak, Palec," the capo ordered. "You are my loyal servant now, who has taken my groat. But you used to serve with Capo Doccia. Tell me what he plans." "Aye. No secret there. He knows that your army is intact and you will be coming after him as soon as you can. Some of us have been sent out to watch the roads, but he doesn't think that you will march for some time yet. He stays drunk, that's a sign he's not expecting a fight." "I'll put a sword through his belly, let out the wine and guts!" The capo cut off his dreaming with an effort and forced himself back to the present. "What about his troops? Will they fight?", "Aye, they've just been paid. But they have little love for him and will change sides as soon as the battle is lost." "Better and better. Fall in with the ranks, scouts out ahead, start this machine." The last was directed at me as he climbed back to his seat. I kicked it into gear and the advance continued again. There were no more interruptions and we proceeded, with hourly rest breaks, towards the enemy keep. It was well before dawn when we came to the scouts waiting on the road. This was the spot I had picked. The keep of Capo Doccia was around the next bend. "I will post your lockout now," the capo said.

"Agreed. My knave here will show them the exact spot where they are to stay hidden, in sight of the gate. " I waited until he was out of earshot before I whispered my instructions to Dreng.

"Take your bag and everything you possess with youbecause you are not coming back." "I do not understand, master..." "You will if you shut up and listen instead of talking. Lead the soldiers to the bushes where we hid, when we were getting ready to rescue The Bishop. You do remember the place?" "It is past the burnt tree over the hedge and..." "Great, great-but I don't need the description. Take the soldiers as I said, show them where to hide, then lie close beside them. Soon after dawn things are going to get very, very busy. At that time you will do nothing, understand that-don't speak, just nod." He did. "Fine. You just remain there when everyone rushes off. As soon as they are gone and no one is looking at you-slip away. Back into the woods and get to your home and lay low until the excitement is over. Then count your money and live happily ever after." "Then-1 will no longer be your knave?" "Right. Discharged from the army with honor." He dropped to his knees and seized my hand, but before he could say anything I touched my finger to his lips.