When Geoffrey returned, he said, “Where are you bound, Laurie?”
Arutha answered, “Tyr-Sog.”
Jimmy thought he noticed a flicker of interest in the sole occupant of the other table, but he couldn’t be sure. The man seemed intent upon his meal.
Geoffrey clapped Laurie upon the shoulder. “Not going back to see your family, are you?”
Laurie shook his head. “No, not really. Too many years. Too many differences.” All save Baru and Locklear knew Laurie had been disowned by his father. As a boy, Laurie had proved an indifferent farmer, being more interested in daydreams and song. With so many mouths to feed, his father had tossed him out on his own at age thirteen.
The innkeeper said, “Your father came through here two, no, almost three years back. Just before the end of the war. He and some other farmers were caravanning grain down to LaMut for the army.” He studied Laurie’s face. “He spoke of you.”
A strange expression crossed the former minstrel’s face, one unreadable to those around the table. “I had mentioned it had been years since you came by and he said, “Well then, ain’t we the lucky ones? That worthless layabout hasn’t pestered me in years either.” “
Laurie erupted in laughter. Roald joined in. “That’s my father. I hope the old sod is still well.”
“I expect,” said Geoffrey. “He and your brothers seem to be doing fine. If I can, I’ll send word you were through. Last any of us heard of you, you were off somewhere with the army, and that was five or six years back. From where have you come?”
Laurie glanced at Arutha, both sharing the same thought. Salador was a distant eastern court, and word had not yet made its way to the frontier that a son of Tyr-Sog was now Duke there, married to the King’s sister. Both were relieved.
Arutha tried to sound offhanded in his answer. “Around, here and there. Most recently Yabon.”
Geoffrey sat at the table. Drumming his fingers on the wood, he said, “You might do well to wait for Ambros to pass here. He’ll be bound for Tyr-Sog. I am sure he could use a few more guards, and these roads are better travelled in large companies.”
Laurie said, “Troubles?”
Geoffrey said, “In the forest? Always, but more so of late. For weeks now there have been stories of goblins and brigands troubling travellers. It’s nothing new, but there seems to be more of that going on than is usual, and something odd is the goblins and bandits almost always are reported as travelling northward.” He lapsed into silence for a moment. “Then there’s something the dwarves said when they first arrived. It was right strange.”
Laurie feigned amused uninterest. “Dwarves tend to the strange.”
“But this was unusually so, Laurie. The dwarves claim they crossed the path of some Dark Brothers and, being dwarves, proceeded to have a bash at them. They claim they were chasing these Dark Brothers when they killed one, or at least should have. This one creature wouldn’t have the decency to die, the dwarves avowed. Maybe these youngsters sought to pull a simple innkeeper’s leg, but they said they hit this one Brother with an axe; damn near split his head in two, but the thing just sort of pushes the halves together and runs off after his companions. Shocked the dwarves so fierce they stopped in their tracks and forgot to chase after. That’s the other thing. The dwarves said they’ve never met a band of Dark Brothers so intent on running away, like they had to get somewhere and couldn’t take the time to fight. They’re a mean lot as a rule and they don’t like dwarves a little more than they don’t like everybody else.” Geoffrey smiled and winked. “I know the older dwarves are sombre sorts and not given to stretching the truth, but these youngsters were having me on a little, I think.”
Arutha and the others showed little expression, but all knew the story to be true - and that it meant the Black Slayers were again abroad in the Kingdom.
Arutha said, “It probably would be best to wait for the silver merchant’s caravan, but we’ve got to be off at first light.”
Laurie said, “With only one other guest, I assume there’s no trouble with rooms.”
“None.” Geoffrey leaned forward and whispered, “I mean no disrespect toward a paying guest, but he sleeps in the commons. I’ve offered him a room at discount, since I’ve ample space, but he says no. What some will do to save a little silver.” Geoffrey rose. “How many rooms?”
Arutha said, “Two should provide comfort.”
The innkeeper seemed disappointed, but given travellers were often short of funds, he was not surprised. “I’ll have extra pallets brought into the rooms.”
As Arutha and his companions gathered up their belongings, Jimmy glimpsed the other man. He seemed intent on the contents of his wine cup and little else. Geoffrey brought over some candles and lit them with a taper from the fire. Then he led them up the dark stairs to their rooms.