Chapter 6
Cantredd
Exile year 6
The door to the room opened, and Vaun slipped in, closing it behind him.
“There is a man named Kadju here wanting to see you.”
Duncan looked up from where he was holding on to the back of a chair and doing a few knee bends. “Send him in.”
Vaun opened the door and waved Kadju in, then closed it and stood against it. The guard walked in laden with all manner of bundles, which he set on the floor a few steps in from the door. He slipped a hand in his jerkin, and pulled out a couple of purses, both fairly weighty from the look of them. Then he took a good look at Duncan, who was still bandaged and only wearing the short kilt the healers had placed on him.
“You don’t look so good, my friend.”
“I’ve been better,” Duncan admitted, “but I’m doing all right at the moment. These will come off in another day or so,” he tapped the bandages wrapping his left thigh and head, “and the rest in maybe a week or so. The rest is just bruises.”
“I’ve never seen a blue and green patchwork person before,” Kadju laughed.
Duncan shrugged. “Just proves blood is still flowing, which the last time I thought about it was a good thing.”
“True,” Kadju said. He closed up to Duncan. “Here. This one,” he handed a pouch to the clansman, “is the remainder of your pay and earnings from Guthsund. He said to remind you that you will still have a week’s lodging at The Golden Harp prepaid if and when you leave here.”
Duncan took the purse, which was indeed gratifyingly heavy, nodded, but didn’t say anything.
“And this,” Kadju handed over the second purse, which also had a nice heft to it, “is what I owe you for the bow. After Guthsund heard about what you did, he advanced me the money to pay you. In fact, after he heard what you said about it, he decided to pay half of the three golds himself, and he’ll deduct the other half from my pay on the trip back. So it will be mine free and clear before long.”
“That’s good,” Duncan said. “A generous gesture on his part, indeed, but a smart one as well, because anything that makes you more dangerous makes you a better guard and makes his caravans safer.”
Kadju waved a hand at the bundles behind him. “I went ahead and pulled your stuff from the stable loft and brought it over. I thought it might be better since you’re not going to be going back up that ladder for a few days yet.”
“Thanks.”
There was an awkward moment of silence, then Kadju said, “We leave in the morning. Guthsund has all of the wagons filled with several lots of things that he will turn into gold when we get back to Nika. Nothing as heavy as those iron ingots, though.”
“Take care, and keep a sharp watch.”
“Will do,” Kadju said. “I learned somewhat from you on this trip. Thimoi and I both did. We’ll be sharp.” He paused for a moment, then stuck his hand out. “Wish you were going back with us.”
Duncan clasped hands with him. “Even if I didn’t have serious reasons to stay, it still wouldn’t be safe to go back just yet. Those as are looking for me may have long memories. In fact,” he got serious as something came to mind, “you need to talk to Guthsund and Trauth about this. All of you—drovers, guards, and merchant—really need to forget I was ever part of the company and came south with you. Attracting the attention of the Dunhallow lords for any reason could prove to be dangerous—maybe even fatal. Dropping my name anywhere close to Nika could get you visited by a lot of very tough men who won’t take no for an answer.”
Kadju tightened his grip. “I’ll just pass that little word along. I suspect they’ll all see the wisdom of not mentioning the name of a guard who only came along for one trip.”
“Good,” Duncan replied. “I’d hate to see any of you catching the brunt of the venom they will have for me.”
The guardsman released Duncan’s hand. “It still feels wrong leaving you behind, but I know what you’re saying. Guthsund will probably have another caravan coming this way next year. If you’re still here, Thimoi and I will look you up.”
“Do that. Now, best be on your way so that Guthsund doesn’t dock you for being late.”
They shared a chuckle, then Kadju touched his forehead to Duncan and left. His steps echoed down the hall.
“Vaun,” Duncan called as the bath guard moved to shut the door. Vaun looked back at him. “Has anyone thought about my horse? I don’t know if Rhoiddyrch will want him in the inn’s stables if I’m not resident there. I’m not quite up to moving him myself yet, but I doubt he’ll accept anyone else’s hand on the lead.”
“I believe Master Barrys has already arranged for the horse to remain at the inn for as long as is necessary, but I’ll pass the word for him to confirm that.”
“Thank you,” Duncan replied.
After the door closed, he limped over to the bundles and picked them up with care to set them on a nearby chest. He sorted through them until he found the Shaun-ki set, and carefully placed it on the nearby table, then made his way back to the bed and settled himself with care.
“This is going to take longer than I thought,” he muttered. “What I get for putting my nose into business that isn’t mine. You’d think I’d have learned by now.”