Confessor: Chainfire Trilogy Part 3

"So that I can have my choice of a woman?"

"So that you can live. You lose tomorrow and you will have the death you should have had after you killed all of those men of mine." Commander Karg's sly smile returned. "But if you win, you will have your choice of a woman, as promised."

Richard met the man's gaze with a glare. "I already promised that I would do my best tomorrow. I always keep my promises."

The commander nodded. "Good. You win tomorrow, Ruben, and we'll all be happy." He chuckled. "Well, Jagang won't be happy-not one bit. Come to think of it, I don't think Nicci will be any too happy, either, but then that's not really my concern."

"And the emperor? Don't you think he will care?"

"Oh he will care, all right." Karg chuckled. "Jagang will go crazy when he has to let me have Nicci for my bed. I have a few scores to settle with that woman. I intend to enjoy it."

Richard managed to remain silent and look composed, despite the fact that he wanted to whip the chain around the man's neck and strangle him.

Commander Karg rose up. "You win that game, Ruben."

Richard glared at the man's back as he watched him striding away.

After he was sure that the commander was gone, Johnrock held a length of chain slack to keep it from pulling on the collar around his neck, and scooted back close to Richard.

"What did he say, Ruben?"

"He wants us to win."

Johnrock snorted a laugh. "I bet he does. As the owner of a champion team he can have whatever he wants."

"That's what I'm afraid of."

"What?"

"Get some rest, Johnrock. Tomorrow is going to be an eventful day."

CHAPTER 30

Richard woke abruptly from a light sleep. Even in the dead of night the camp was alive with sound and activity. Everywhere, it seemed, there were men yelling, laughing, and swearing. Metal clanged, horses whinnied, and mules brayed. In the distance Richard could see the ramp, along with lines of men and wagons, lit by torches. Even in the middle of the night the construction continued without pause.

But none of that was what had awakened him. Something closer in had caught his attention.

He saw shadows slipping through the ring of guards and the circle of low supply wagons that marked out his prison. He counted four of the dark figures stealing silently through the darkness. A quick check to the sides revealed another off to the right. He wondered if they had really snuck through unseen or if the guards had allowed them to pass.

By their size, Richard knew who they were. After what Commander Karg had told him about his bet with Jagang, Richard had been expecting visitors. It was the last thing he needed, but it wasn't like he had any choice in the matter.

What really worried him was that, chained to the wagon, his options were limited. He could hardly hide. He certainly couldn't run. Fighting five men, maybe more, was not something he wanted to have to do before the game the next day. He couldn't afford to be injured-least of all now.

He glanced to the side and saw that Johnrock was not close. The big man was lying on his side, facing away, sound asleep. Calling out to his sleeping wing man would cost Richard the only thing he had going for him: surprise. The men coming for him thought he was asleep. For all Richard knew, if he called out to Johnrock the five might first go over and cut Johnrock's throat so that they could go to work on Richard without worry of interruption.

The four big men slipped in close, forming a semicircle. They obviously knew that his chain would keep him from escaping, and blocking him would keep him from having room to maneuver. By how quiet they were being, they appeared to still think he was asleep.

One of the men, arms straight out to each side for balance, took a long step in and threw a kick at Richard's head as if he were kicking the broc in an effort to keep it away from an opponent. Richard was ready. He rolled to the side and then whipped the length of chain around the man's ankle. With all his might he yanked back the chain. It pulled the man's feet out from under him. He landed on his back with a heavy thud, banging his head on the ground.

"On your feet," one of the other men growled now that he knew Richard was awake.

Richard gripped a folded length of chain on the ground behind him, keeping it out of sight, but he didn't get up.

"Or?" he asked.

"Or we kick your head in where you sit. Your choice, standing or sitting, you're going to get hurt just the same."

"So, you really are afraid-just like everyone says."

The man paused for a moment. "What are you talking about?"

"You're afraid that you'll lose to us tomorrow," Richard said.

"We're afraid of nothing," another of the shadowy figures said.

"You wouldn't be here unless you were afraid."

"It has nothing to do with us being afraid of anything," the first man said. "We're only doing as His Excellency asks of us."