— 9 —
No, Nelson decided. I have to have those star weapons. Good Yatar! If a handful of bandits can take me out with them, I wouldn't stand a chance running around without them!
Sighing, Nelson walked to Critos' lean-to. The bandit chieftain awaited him, holding the front flap of animal skin up to reveal the luxury within.
The floor was of the same filthy straw as the floors of the others. But this lean-to did have a wooden table, two benches, and a chair. Nelson noticed a pile of old weapons in one corner.
"Enter star lord, and be welcome," Critos said, his voice dripping sarcasm. "Please, let me seat you, lord." The man ran over to the one chair and pulled it out for Nelson, bowing and gesturing broadly for the star lord to take the best seat. Nelson did. It's the least he owes me, Nelson thought, for this lump on my head.
Doron appeared at the entrance to the lean-to, a haunch of roast meat in one hand and two goblets of wine clutched in the other.
"Ah, refreshment for my lord," Critos said with mock courtesy. "That will be all, Doron," he added, as the big man placed his burden on the table. Doron stalked off silently.
"Now, star lord. You will tell me something to my advantage."
"Indeed, I will," Nelson said imperiously. He paused to sip the warmed wine. It wasn't terrible. He studied the haunch of meat, failed to recognize the animal it came from, and decided not to taste it.
"With my star weapons," he said finally, "you could be a very powerful man."
"True."
Nelson waited to give Critos a chance to elaborate. The bandit chieftain said nothing. This guy's no fool, Nelson judged. He doesn't say a word more than he has to. That's not an art learned in the woods.
"I would know more about you, Critos. You interest me."
"Shall I finish my work on your throat? Or do you have something to offer me?"
"I have already increased your stature here. Your people have seen you receive a prisoner in the style of a Drantos bheroman. Such action imparts an aura of nobility."
"I cannot eat an aura."
"But you can use it to retain command of this ragtag band of cutthroats."
"You can't bargain with what you've already spent."
True enough, Nelson thought. Better come up with something good fast.
"Of course, you have one problem with my star weapons."
"And that is?"
"You don't know how to use them."
"I can learn."
"You can die trying," Nelson shot back, his face deadly serious. "Or you can learn properly. It will cost you everything else you've taken from me, plus, of course, my life."
"A deal. Come, instruct me."
"Not so fast. As you have pointed out, I cannot bargain with what has already been given away. If I teach you here and now the secrets of the star weapons, you can slay me when I have finished." And you would, too, you vicious scum, Nelson didn't add.
"Your proposal to solve this dilemma is . . . what?"
"You and I will leave this camp together, alone. You will bear the star weapons. When we have gone a sufficient distance, so that we are alone—"
"Then you will show me how the star weapons work, and it will be the last thing I see."
"You do not trust me?"
"Not at all. Two of my bowmen will accompany us and will have arrows at your breast at all times. Then you will show me the secret of the star weapons. And then, you may go free."
"No. Then you will put an arrow in my breast, or continue to hold me for ransom."
"We are at an impasse, it would seem."
"Not at all. I have made you a reasonable offer for my release. Knowledge of the use of star weapons is worth more to you than any ransom. That knowledge you may have. It's up to you to decide how I can teach you without placing myself in your power once I am done."
Critos glared at Nelson. This star lord was a stubborn man, and a smart one. Merchants were easily intimidated; fear clogged their minds, so that they could not see the most obvious traps. The star lord saw everything clearly. It would be difficult to deceive him.
Yet, he offered powers without limit! With star weapons, what could Critos not do? Who could stand against them, properly used?
"Very well," Critos agreed grudgingly. "Let it be as you have said. We will go together, alone, away from here. And you will teach me."
"Agreed."
"But I will have my own back watched, star lord." Critos rose, calling for his men and the star weapons. Seven bandits trudged out to his lean-to. One, more clean than the others, handed him first the M‑16, then the Colt.
"There is more," Nelson said. "The little metal pellets . . ."
"Ah," said the cleanest-looking bandit. He ran back to one of the other lean-tos and returned with the ammo.
"Now," Critos said, "this star lord and I are going away for . . . How long?"
"It will take less than an hour, Critos."
"We are leaving camp for one hour. You are not to follow us. If I have not returned in that time, you are to find the star lord and kill him, at all costs."
The seven men nodded as one.
"Let's go," Critos said crisply.
"Not so fast. You've forgotten one point of our bargain."
"Oh?"
"My horse, my mule, and my goods. They go with us."
Critos grinned. "But of course."
It took several minutes to locate all of Nelson's gold; it had already been divided up, and not all seven of the men could quickly remember where they had stashed their share. Their memories returned after some prodding by Critos. In half an hour the two men were a good distance from the camp.
Critos slid off Nelson's horse and hefted the M‑16. "Now, star lord, keep your word. How does this weapon work?"
"Here," Nelson replied, extending a hand toward the rifle. "I'll show you."
"Do you think me a fool, to hand you this?" Critos shouted. "Tell me, but do not touch it!"
"Try to stop me," Nelson growled. The combat veteran launched a savage kick at Critos.
Critos has a Melee value of 4. He fights on Chart D.
Nelson has a Melee value of 6. He fights on Chart C. Continue the fight until Critos or Nelson is killed.
If Nelson is killed, go to section 29.
If Critos is killed, go to section 13.