that’s where Collan will stay. But be warned, my friend. In Mashrapur, Rowena is his property. That is their law.”
“This is mine,” answered Druss, raising the double-headed axe.
Shadak took the young man’s arm and led him back to Harib’s tent where he poured himself a goblet of wine and drained it. One of Harib’s linen tunics was draped over a small chest and Shadak threw it to Druss. “Wipe off the blood. You look like a demon.” Druss smiled grimly and wiped his face and arms, then cleaned the double blades.
“What do you know of Mashrapur?” asked Shadak.
The axeman shrugged. “It is an independent state, ruled by an exiled Ventrian Prince. That’s all.”
“It is a haven for thieves and slavers,” said Shadak. The laws are simple: those with gold to offer bribes are considered fine citizens. It matters not where the gold comes from. Collan is respected there; he owns property and dines with the Emir.”
“So?”
“So if you march in and kill him, you will be taken and executed. It is that simple.”
“What do you suggest?”
“There is a small town around twenty miles from here, due south. There is a man there, a friend of mine. Go to him, tell him I sent you. He is young and talented. You won’t like him, Druss; he is a fop and a pleasure-seeker. He has no morals. But it will make him invaluable in Mashrapur.”
“Who is this man?”
“His name is Sieben. He’s a poet, a saga-teller, and he performs at palaces; he’s very good as a matter of fact. He could have been rich. But he spends most of his time trying to bed every pretty young woman who comes into his line of vision. He never concerns himself whether they are married or single - that has brought him many enemies.”
“Already I don’t like the sound of him.”
Shadak chuckled. “He has good qualities. He is a loyal friend, and he is ridiculously fearless. A good man with a knife. And he knows Mashrapur. Trust him.”
“Why should he help me?”
“He owes me a favour.” Shadak poured a second goblet of wine and passed it to the young man.
Druss sipped it, then drained the goblet. “This is good. What is it?”
“Lentrian Red. Around five years old, I’d say. Not the best, but good enough on a night like this.”
“I can see that a man could get a taste for it,” Druss agreed.
Drenai 6 - The First Chronicles of Druss The Legend
Chapter Four
Sieben was enjoying himself. A small crowd had gathered around the barrel, and three men had already lost heavily. The green crystal was small and fitted easily under one of the three walnut shells. “I’ll move a little more slowly,” the young poet told the tall, bearded warrior who had just lost four silver pieces. His slender hands slid the shells around the smooth barrel top, halting them in a line across the centre. “Which one? And take your time, my friend, for that emerald is worth twenty golden raq.”
The man sniffed loudly and scratched at his beard with a dirty finger. “That one,” he said at last, pointing to the centre shell. Sieben flipped the shell. There was nothing beneath it. Moving his hand to the right he covered a second shell, expertly palmed the stone under it and showed it to the audience.
“So close,” he said, with a bright smile. The warrior swore, then turned and thrust his way through the crowd. A short swarthy man was next; he had body odour that could have felled an ox. Sieben was tempted to let him win. The fake emerald was only worth a tenth of what he had already cheated from the crowd. But he was enjoying himself too much. The swarthy man lost three silver pieces.
The crowd parted and a young warrior eased his way to the front as Sieben glanced up. The newcomer was dressed in black, with shoulder guards of shining silver steel. He wore a helm on which was blazoned a motif of two skulls on either side of a silver axe. And he was carrying a double-headed axe. “Try your luck?” asked Sieben, gazing up into the eyes of winter blue.
“Why not?” answered the warrior, his voice deep and cold. He placed a silver piece on the barrel head. The poet’s hands moved with bewildering speed, gliding the shells in elaborate figure eights. At last he stopped.
“I hope you have a keen eye, my friend,” said Sieben.
“Keen enough,” said the axeman, and leaning forward he placed a huge finger on the central shell. “It is here,” he said.
“Let us see,” said the poet, reaching out, but the axeman pushed his hand away.
“Indeed we shall,” he said. Slowly he flipped the shells to the left and right of the centre. Both were empty. “I must be right,” he said, his pale eyes locked to Sieben’s face. You may show us.” Lifting his finger, he gestured to the poet.
Sieben forced a smile and palmed the crystal under the shell as he flipped it. “Well done, my friend. You are indeed hawk-eyed.” The crowd applauded and drifted away.
“Thank you for not exposing me,” said Sieben, rising and gathering his silver.
“Fools and money are like ice and heat,” quoted the young man. “They cannot live together. You are Sieben?”
