“Master, do you wish to discuss payment now?” Trella added.
Damn, he’d forgotten the gold, always the most important factor when dealing with a tradesman. He leaned back from the table. “Payment. Yes, we should discuss that. Rufus, whatever your price is for a top quality bow, that’s what we’ll pay. But for every twenty bows you deliver, we’ll pay you for twenty — five. And there will be a bonus of twenty gold coins when the barbarians are driven off.”
He turned to Tevana. “The same for you, Master Fletcher. For every twenty arrows, you’ll receive payment for twenty — five. But you will be personally responsible for the quality of the shafts, no matter who shapes them. My men’s lives will depend on how true they fly and how hard they strike. If the quality of your weapons isn’t perfect, I’ll not hesitate to take your heads off.”
“And the same bonus,” Tevana asked slowly, a hint of a smile on his face, “if the barbarians are defeated?”
Esk kar understood the smile. Tevana had the better deal, since it was a lot easier to craft an arrow than a bow. “The same arrangement for you, Master Fletcher. I just want the weapons, and you’ll both get rich in the process. And when this is over, you’ll be the heroes of Orak, the men who made the weapons that saved the village.”
“Master, it’s time to go, or we’ll be late.”
“Yes,” Esk kar said, “and now we can tell Nicar the good news-that work on our weapons has already begun.” He smiled at the men. “And what time should these fine craftsmen return tomorrow to discuss their plans for making or obtaining the bows and arrows?”
“At one hour past noon, master,” she answered. “If the plans are not complete, we can work on them together.”
“Ah, yes, I had forgotten that. Trella will be working with you both to make sure your plans and schedules for delivery are sound and that you get all the supplies and materials you need. You’ll work with her as you would work with me or Nicar. You’ll find she has a keen mind for details.
So bring what help you need and don’t waste time trying to fool her. It would not be good for your health.” He stood up, noting that dusk had arrived. They really would be late soon.
“Good evening, Rufus, Tevana. I look forward to hearing your plans.”
He saw the guard standing ready at the doorway. The man had heard everything and would spread the word about Esk kar’s treatment of Rufus.
“Guard, the master bowyer may depart.”
When they were gone, Esk kar draped his arm around Trella’s shoulder.
“I think you’ll have no trouble with them now. But if you do, let me know.”
He felt her head lean against his shoulder.
“There should be no problems, master. But I did think of someone else we need to speak to. The dockmaster.”
“The dockmaster? Why him?” The dockmaster managed the six wooden jetties that allowed the river boats to land and the slaves to load and unload cargoes. He also arranged for the transportation of goods into and out of Orak, or onto other boats or carts for portage into the countryside.
“You told Rufus not to leave, but you think only of the roads. It would be easy for either of them to arrange passage on a ship. They and their families could be well away before we even knew it.”
Frowning, he realized she was right. A horseman, he’d only been on a boat once, and he had no desire to repeat the experience.
“That means guards at the docks as well, I suppose. And we’ll have to talk to all the boat captains, too.” Everything he needed required more men, more attention to details, more time that he didn’t have. He sighed.
“Arrange a meeting tomorrow with the dockmaster and Bantor.”
Esk kar looked down at her and felt wonderfully happy. “Now let’s go and join Nicar. Think how glad Creta will be to see you and to feed you at her table. I’m sure you’ll both have much to talk about.”
8
Nicar’s dinner unexpectedly turned into a family affair. His two sons, Lesu and Caldor, had returned that afternoon from a two — week trading trip.
Nicar’s eldest, Lesu, had overseen the small caravan. Leading a pack train of animals loaded with trade goods, he’d escorted seven new slaves his father would resell, no doubt for a fat profit. Trella knew Lesu to be bright and courteous. Only nineteen, he planned to take a wife in a few weeks and would soon be fully capable of carrying on his father’s trading business.
Caldor, a year or so younger than Lesu, sat directly across from Trella.
He fidgeted in his chair for most of the meal, reminding Trella that Nicar’s youngest boy lacked the patience and self — control of his elders. Not that she needed any such reminder. At least tonight he avoided staring at her breasts. She remembered the rough touch of his hands on her body and resisted the urge to shiver.
Nicar must have warned both boys not to provoke Esk kar or to speak disrespectfully to her. Dining in the very room where Esk kar killed two people, Nicar must have wanted to make very sure there wouldn’t be any more accidents. Nobody made the mistake of calling Esk kar a barbarian.
The meal ended at last, Trella and Esk kar left Nicar’s house and passed through the courtyard. As soon as they reached the street, Trella took Eskkar’s hand and held it tight, thankful the evening’s activity had ended. She took several deep breaths, trying to cleanse the memories of that house from her lungs. Nevertheless, she resolved never to return there if she could avoid it.
They walked briskly and Trella had no problem keeping up with Eskkar’s longer stride. She felt Esk kar squeeze her hand in anticipation of the warm bed that awaited them.
“You were very quiet tonight. I thought you’d have more to say to Nicar.”
“It’s not my place to give advice to Nicar, master. Nor should women speak about such things to their men in front of others. At the tables of the nobles, women keep silent when the affairs of men are discussed.” She paused for a moment. “And I didn’t like returning to that house, even to eat. Nothing good happened to me there. I’d prefer never to go back there again.”
They followed the lane as it twisted around a sharp corner. A torch burned at the entrance to the barracks.
“Was it so bad there, Trella? I mean… tell me about it.”
“Please, master, not tonight. It’s just that I’m grateful to be away from that place.”
“Then we won’t speak of it.” He placed his arm around her shoulder as they passed through the rickety fence that marked the entrance to the soldiers’ area. “Perhaps we can speak of other things in our bed.”
She leaned briefly against him in a silent promise. The cool night air had finally driven away the smells and memories of Nicar’s household.
She felt a wave of anticipation rush through her loins, her body already eager for the coming lovemaking.
Once inside their room, Esk kar hung up his sword, then took her into his arms. Her arms went around him, and she held him tightly. They stood that way for a few moments, and she began to relax, enjoying the sensation of being safe once again. The warmth built up between them, and she felt him harden against her.
Esk kar pushed himself away and removed his tunic. “Get under the blanket, Trella.”
She heard the hoarseness in his voice, the first sign of his passion.
“Don’t you want me to build a fire?”
“No. You’re fire enough for me. I’ll keep you warm, I promise.”
He kept his promise, and their body heat soon spread under the blanket.
When their lovemaking ended, she relaxed in his arms while he stroked her hair. The excitement of lovemaking, still so new to her, kept her passion high, and she enjoyed the feel of his body against hers.
“Master, I saw…”
“Esk kar… call me that when we’re alone, and especially in bed.”
She snuggled against him. “Esk kar, I saw tonight that you did not drink much wine, or even eat much. Didn’t
