“Perhaps a great deal,” said Bregnest. “Can you direct me to Master Tantic?”
“Indeed I can,” replied the man curtly. He was a short, balding man who looked a great deal like Bartholomew the gatekeeper. He wore a dark blue coat and black pants with high black boots. “And who might you be, and what reason might you have to seek Tantic?”
“I am Silvan Bregnest. The gatekeeper Bartholomew informed us that Master Tantic might be interested in buying some horses from us.”
The man looked from Bregnest to the horses behind Skeld and Halfdan. “Bandit ponies, I should say. They seem to have lost their masters.”
“Indeed they have,” replied Bregnest with a smile. “So we thought we should find them a new master.”
“There is wisdom in that,” said the man with a slight smile. “Well then, if that’s your business, I’ll speak more plainly. I am Tantic, and I am interested in buying horses. However, the day is growing warm and this is not the place to discuss business.”
“Then perhaps your inn is a better place,” Bregnest suggested. “We would spend the night, if you will have us.”
“Very well then,” Tantic replied, his tone becoming friendlier. “You’ll have to stable your own horses. The rest can go in the corral there.” Tantic motioned to the corral next to the stable, walking over to unlatch the gate.
“I suppose you’ll want to sell the saddles and trappings as well,” said Tantic, looking over the bandits’ horses.
“If that is acceptable,” answered Bregnest, dismounting and giving his horse’s reins to Arconn. “We have no need for saddles without horses.”
“No, of course not,” Tantic agreed, swinging the wooden gate of the corral wide open. “What would you want with
saddles and no horses? Common sense you’d want to sell
the saddles as well.”
Tantic watched the horses closely as Skeld and Halfdan led them into the corral. He seemed pleased with what he saw. He closed the gate behind Skeld and Halfdan, and then stood looking over the horses. Alex and the rest of the company dismounted and led their horses into the stable while Bregnest remained with Tantic by the corral.
Inside the stable, they found the stalls were empty, though there was a good supply of hay and oats. They quickly unsaddled their horses and made their way back toward the stable door. Alex lingered behind, making sure Shahree had plenty of food and water.
“A fine-looking animal,” said a thin, reedy voice. “Would you consider selling her?”
“Not for any price,” replied Alex, turning around to see an old man standing behind him.
“Then you are wise,” said the old man. “I see there is a bond between you two, and she would not willingly take another master.”
“You see much,” said Alex, feeling uncomfortable under the old man’s gaze.
The old man walked toward Shahree’s stall, moving slowly, his left leg dragging a little behind him as he moved forward.
“Tell your leader that I have information,” whispered the old man to Alex, looking over his shoulder to make sure they were alone. “I will speak with him, if he will allow it.”
“Information?” Alex could see the old man was excited and nervous. “What kind of information?”
“About Varlo,” the old man replied, looking over his shoulder again. “Information that may prove profitable.”
“I will tell him,” said Alex carefully. “However, I can’t say if he will speak to you or not.”
“I will come tonight, after you have eaten,” said the old man. “When the locals have left the inn, I will speak with your leader.”
“As I said,” Alex replied, turning to close Shahree’s stall. “I don’t know if he’ll talk to you or not.”
There was no reply to his words. When Alex turned around, the old man was gone.
Alex left the stable, worried by the old man’s words. He found the others waiting for him just outside the inn. Tantic and Bregnest were deep in conversation about the horses, and Alex knew he would have to wait before he could tell Bregnest about the old man.
“It’s true we have few horses these days,” Tantic said as Alex approached. “The city guards have taken most of them. They think they can catch the bandits if they have horses of their own.”
“And they have not been able to catch the bandits?” questioned Bregnest.
“They don’t know the land as well as the bandits do,” Tantic replied, spitting in the dirt. “And they don’t ride or take care of their horses as well either.”
“Then we have done a service to Techen,” replied Bregnest in casual tone.
“A great service,” Tantic agreed. “Though the magistrate will be suspicious of it. He won’t like the fact that you’ve done what his guards could not. I doubt he’ll offer you any reward.”
“But we were not chasing bandits. They came to us,” said Bregnest with a smile.
“True enough,” Tantic admitted, leading them all into the inn. “Still, the magistrate will not be happy about it. He’ll be even less happy when he finds out I’ve already bought the horses from you.”
“Then we must settle on a price,” said Bregnest in a more businesslike tone.
Tantic rubbed his chin, muttering numbers to himself. He seemed lost in his own thoughts, taking no notice of Bregnest or the rest of the company for several minutes.
“I’ll give you twenty-five gold for each horse,” said Tantic, a satisfied look covering his face. “Though I’ll tell you straight, the magistrate will pay me at least thirty.”
“Twenty-five for each horse?” Bregnest repeated, his tone uncommitted. “And for the saddles and trappings?”
“Twenty-seven for all then,” Tantic answered quickly. “And room and board for the night as well.”
Bregnest considered the offer for several minutes, watching Tantic closely, but the innkeeper did not fidget or change his offer.
“A fair price,” Bregnest agreed. “Shall we have a drink to seal the bargain?”
“Indeed, yes, my friends,” said Tantic, a broad smile on his face. “And a second drink to the magistrate’s unhappiness.”
Alex followed the rest of the company into the main bar, his thoughts still on the old man from the stable. He wanted to talk to Bregnest right away, but knew he would have to wait.
“The bargain,” toasted Tantic, lifting a glass.
“The bargain,” Bregnest and the rest of the adventurers repeated, raising their own glasses.
Alex swallowed the liquid from his glass and his throat began to burn. The drink was something he had never tasted before, and for a moment it took his breath away. His throat tightened and he had to struggle for a minute to catch his breath.
“To trouble for the magistrate,” said Tantic, raising his glass a second time.
Alex was unable to repeat the words because he couldn’t seem to find his voice, but he did manage to raise his glass.
“A strong brew,” said Skeld, slapping Alex on the back.
“Yes,” Alex managed to reply with a cough, his eyes watering.
“You should be more careful when you don’t know what’s in the glass,” said Skeld, laughing happily.
Alex nodded. He set his glass down and left the rest of the drink untouched.
“You seem troubled,” said Arconn, stepping up to Alex’s side. “And by more than the strong drink.”
“I need to speak with Bregnest,” replied Alex, lowering his voice. “There was an old man in the stable. He says he has information.”
“Hold your thoughts,” said Arconn. “I’ll let Bregnest know, and we’ll find a quiet place to talk.”
Bregnest collected their payment from Tantic and turned to face the company. As he turned, Arconn spoke softly into his ear. Bregnest nodded but didn’t look in Alex’s direction. He moved to a round table near a large fireplace and sat down. The rest of the company spread out around the main room, taking seats and ordering drinks for themselves.