Chainfire: Chainfire Trilogy Part 1

"I was kind of hoping that if you stayed and help them defeat this wizard and the troops coming this way, that you could then add your weight to my words and help convince them of what they need to do. Many of them are well aware of how much you know about the nature of the Order. They will put stock in what you say to them, especially if you've just helped them save their city and keep their families safe." Richard waited until she looked up at him before he went on. "After that, you could then come to join Cara and me."

She appraised his eyes as she folded her arms across her breasts. "You arc saying that if I help stop the Order's force coming to kill all these people, then you would allow me to join you?"

"I'm just telling you what I think would be the most beneficial thing for you to do in our struggle to eliminate the Order. I'm not telling you what to do."

She looked away again. "But it would please you if I did as you suggest and stay to help these people."

Richard shrugged. "I admit to that."

Nicci sighed irritably. "Then I will stay, as you suggest, and help them defeat the threat looming a few days away. But if I do that-defeat the troops and eliminate the wizard-then you would allow me to join you'/"

"I said I would."

She finally, reluctantly, nodded. "I agree."

Richard turned. "Ishaq?"

The man hurried close. "Yes?"

"I need six horses."

"Six? You will be taking others with you?"

"No, just Cara and me. We'll be needing fresh mounts along the way so we can rotate the horses we ride to keep them strong enough for the journey. We need fast horses, not the draft horses from your wagons. And tack," Richard added.

"Fast horses.» Ishaq lifted his hat and with the same hand scratched his scalp. He looked up. "When?"

"I need to leave as soon as it's light enough."

Ishaq eyed Richard suspiciously. "I suppose this is to be in partial payment for what I owe you?"

"I wanted to ease your conscience about when you could begin to repay me."

Ishaq succumbed to a brief laugh. "You will have what you need. I will see to it that you have supplies as well."

Richard laid a hand on Ishaq's shoulder. "Thank you, my friend. I appreciate it. I hope someday I can get back here and haul a load or two for you, just for old times' sake."

That brightened Ishaq's expression. "After we are all free for good?"

Richard nodded. "Free for good." He glanced at the stars beginning to dot the sky. "Do you know a handy place where we can get some food and a place to sleep for the night?"

Ishaq gestured off across the broad expanse of the old palace grounds to the hill where the work shacks used to be. "We have inns, now, since you were here last. People come to see Liberty Square and so they need rooms. I have built a place up there where I rent rooms. They are among the finest available." He lifted a finger. "I have a reputation to uphold of offering the best of everything, whether it be wagons to haul goods, or rooms for weary travelers."

"I have a feeling that what you owe me is going to be dwindling rapidly."

Ishaq smiled as he shrugged. "Many people come to see this remarkable statue. Rooms are hard to come by, so they are not cheap."

"I wouldn't have expected them to be."

"But they are reasonable," Ishaq insisted. "A good value for the price, And I have a stable right next door, so I can bring your horses once I collect them. I will do it now."

"All right." Richard lifted his pack and swung it onto a shoulder. "At least it's not far, even if it is expensive."

Ishaq spread his hands expansively. "And the view at sunrise is worth the price." He grinned. "But for you, Richard, Mistress Cara, and Mistress Nicci, no charge."

"No, no." Lifting a hand, Richard forestalled any argument. "It's only fair that you should be able to earn a return on your investment. Deduct it from what you owe me. What with the interest, I'm sure the amount has grown handsomely."

"Interest?"

"Of course," Richard said as he started toward the distant buildings. "You have had the use of my money. It's only fair that I be compensated for that use. The interest is not cheap, but it's fair and a good value."

CHAPTER 16

As he walked into his room, Richard was pleased to see the wash basin. It wasn't a bath, but at least he would be able to clean up before bed. He threw closed the bolt on the door, locking himself in, even though he felt perfectly safe in the small inn. Cara was in the room beside his. Nicci was in a room downstairs on the first floor close to the entrance and right beside the only stairs up to the second floor. Men stood guard both inside and outside the inn while yet more men patrolled the streets in the area around the building. Richard hadn't thought so many men were necessary, but Victor and the men were insistent about providing the protection since enemy troops were in the area. In the end, appreciating the opportunity for a safe and peaceful night's sleep, Richard hadn't objected.