“He’s going to start burning Orodon villages,” said Tal. “The same business he did years ago with the Orosini.’’
“Nasty stuff, that,” said Creed. “I don’t mind fighting for my pay, and I certainly have no problems gutting a man who’s holding a sword, but killing women and children is not something I’ll be party to. Lot of lads feel the same way, so Raven’s paying top price for swords. But there’s something strange going on.’’
“What?”
“Zemos and the others who usually are eager to get you to a mercenary captain to claim their bounty, well, they’re not doing business as usual.’’
“What do you mean by that?’ They reached another inn, and, gesturing with his chin, Creed indicated they should enter.
It was quiet inside, with barely half a dozen seated at the tables, engaged in low conversation. One nodded at Creed, who returned the greeting. He and Tal pulled out chairs and sat down. “What I mean is that suddenly no one knows where Raven’s camp is, or the camps of a couple of other companies who are probably working for Olasko.’’
“People know Kaspar is behind this?’’
“If you kill people for a living, you sort of want to know who’s paying you,” said Creed. “Raven’s not going to get good swords on promises of bounty. Those hill-people and fishermen don’t have a lot of valuables to loot. Raven’s got to make guarantees, and the men have to know where the gold is coming from, so that they know they won’t find promises unmet at the end of a campaign.” He paused and scanned the place for a moment.
“Fact is,” Creel continued after a while, “some of the lads are hoping the other side shows up and starts recruiting.”
“Other side?’’
“The Orodon. They aren’t a rich people, but they’ve got some gold and other goods to trade.’’
Tal signaled to the barman to bring them two ales. “Why would you want to face an invading army?’’
“Won’t be an army,” said Creed. He leaned forward and put his elbows on the table. His shaggy light brown hair hung down over his eyes, giving him a hooded look. “It’ll be two, maybe three, mercenary companies. They’ll be hitting villages all up and down the coast, and counting on surprise and getting in and doing their dirty work before word spreads.’’
Tal nodded. That was exactly how they had done it when they wiped out the Orosini villages. He said, “So if one village is ready for Raven and his men, and can hold them, the entire campaign could fall apart?’’
“Exactly. One good fight, and if you win, Kaspar’s got to rethink his entire approach to the Orodon. Maybe negotiate with them so they leave his flank alone as he conquers High Reaches. I know he doesn’t want to fight on two fronts—no general does.’’
Talon nodded. “What do you need in order to put together a company?’’
“Me?” Creed smiled. “I’m no captain. I can recruit lads, have fifty for you in a week, but I can’t lead. Why?’’
“I’m thinking that it might be a smart move to put together a company and ride up to the Orodon border and see if we can make a deal.’’
“We?”
“Sure. I’m looking for Raven because I mean to have his guts on a stick, and I’d just as soon do it in a stand-up fight as stalk him through the woods, avoiding his mercenaries.”
“You’re talking about cracking a very tough nut, boy.’’
“I know, but it’s a personal matter.’’
“Then here’s what you need,” said Creed as the barman brought over two ales. Tal paid him, and Creed continued. “You need enough gold to pay fifty men for three months, against whatever bonuses you offer.”
“I can do that.’’
“Then you need supplies, wagons—at least two—and mules. If you can get some engineers, they’ll cost you more, but they’ll save lives and make it that much more difficult for Raven or the other companies to just ride through.’’
“Keep going,” said Tal.
Creed continued to talk, and Tal drank in every word, and they continued making plans as the afternoon wore on. At sundown, the innkeeper brought them supper, and the two men continued talking late into the night.
As dawn broke, a column of riders moved slowly down the pass. Creed huddled under the heavy wool cloak he wore, and said, “We’re being watched, Tal.’’
“I know. For about the last half an hour, since we crested the ridge.’’
They had left Latagore a week earlier, forty swordsmen and archers, a company of a dozen engineers, half a dozen porters, and two wagons. They moved slowly, and Tal kept his point and outriders in close, since he did not wish to appear too menacing as they reached the land of the Orodon.