4 City of Strife by William King Read Free Book Online Page B

Some get to like killing. I’ve seen it happen.”
    “Do you? Like killing?”
    “It depends on who I am killing.”
    Her eyes widened. “It’s not a thing to make jokes about,” she said.
    “I wasn’t joking,” he said. Silence filled the bedchamber. After a few minutes she said. “I can think of a few people I would enjoy killing if I am honest.”
    “Who would those be?”
    “The men who murdered those girls to start with.”
    “You won’t ever get the chance,” Kormak said. “They are gone.”
    “For some reason, that does not reassure me.”
    “The Shadow always finds more willing hands,” Kormak said.
    “I think I liked you better when I thought you were just a mercenary. You have a way of making me feel uncomfortable.”

    In the private dining room, Kormak fed Lila a chicken leg when there was an urgent knock on the door.
    “What is it?” Lila shouted, adjusting her dress. “I told you quite specifically we were not to be disturbed.”
    “A visitor,” the servant girl’s voice came back.
    “Tell him I’ll talk to him later.”
    “The visitor is not for you, mistress.” The girl’s response sounded embarrassed. “He’s for Sir Kormak.”
    “Is it the watchman again,” Lila asked, rising and heading towards the door. “If it is, I’ll give him a piece of my mind.”
    “No mistress, it’s Karsten Oldberg. He says he most particularly wants to talk to Sir Kormak.”
    Lila’s hand went to her mouth. She turned to look at Kormak. “Looks like the richest man in the city wants a word with you.”
    “Better let him in then,” said Kormak. “Let’s hear what the great man has to say.”
    Karsten Oldberg was a big man. His hair was thick and golden. His beard was thick and golden. His eyes were a rich brown that somehow suggested gold. He was expensively dressed in a white wolfskin trimmed robe. A golden medallion bearing his family sign hung from his neck, flanked by two golden Elder Signs. He lumbered into the room, large and powerful as a bear. His two cold-eyed bodyguards remained outside.
    “Mistress Lila,” he boomed. “Your house is as charming as ever. I regret it has been some time since I came over to sample your ales.”
    “No doubt you have been busy,” she said. “Since you opened the Golden Boar.”
    If Karsten noticed her sardonic tone he gave no sign of it. He prowled over to where Kormak sat and extended a meaty hand. It was tanned gold and there was a gold ring on every finger. No one was going to be left in any doubt as to his wealth. “And you must be the brave Sir Kormak who has been giving those Krugman ruffians the drubbings they so richly deserve.”
    “I defended myself against a man in their livery when he attacked me.”
    “And put the fear of the Holy Sun into a whole gang of them or so I hear.” Karsten laughed. It was a pleasant sound, jovial and friendly.
    “Perhaps,” said Kormak. He studied the merchant prince for a moment. Karsten met his gaze levelly. “Why exactly are you here?”
    “As if you did not know. I came to offer you a job.”
    “As a bodyguard?”
    “You might say that although what I had in mind was of a more aggressive nature.”
    “You want me to continue putting the fear of the Holy Sun into Krugman’s men?”
    “You’re quick on the uptake as well as tough. A man like you could get rich in my employ, Sir Kormak.”
    “I came here on a pilgrimage,” said Kormak, to buy himself some time. “I came here to ask the Saint to wash some of the blood from my hands. It would not feel right to approach her remains while I was undertaking to shed more blood.”
    Karsten paused for a moment. He seemed to be holding his breath and his face became ruddy under the tan. He was not a man used to being refused however politely.
    The silence held for a long moment then Karsten grinned. “I can understand that. I would not want to stand in the way of any man seeking salvation. Once you’ve bowed before the Saint would you be