Into a Dark Realm by Raymond E. Feist Read Free Book Online Page A

thought: at least life was interesting.
     
    Ten days later, Kaspar walked his horse through the crowded streets of Higara. The town had changed in the last three years; everywhere he saw the signs of prosperity. New construction was turning this town into a small city. When he had last passed through Higara, it had been a staging area for the Raj of Muboya’s army as they readied an offensive southward. Now the only men in uniform to be seen were the town’s constables. Kaspar noted they wore colors that resembled the regular army’s, a clear indication that Higara was now firmly part of Muboya, no matter its previous allegiances.
    Kaspar found the very inn where he had spoken to General Alenburga three years previously, and saw it had been restored to its former tranquillity. Instead of soldiers everywhere, a boy ran out of the stableto take charge of Kaspar’s horse. The boy was roughly the same age as Jorgen had been when Kaspar had last seen him, reminding him of why he was making this trek. Putting aside a growing sense of futility in finding one boy and his mother in this vast land, Kaspar handed the boy a copper coin. “Wash the road dirt off and curry him,” he instructed. The boy grinned as he pocketed the coin and said he would.
    Kaspar entered the inn and glanced around. It was crowded with merchants taking their midday meal and others dressed for travel. Kaspar made his way to the bar and the barkeep nodded. “Sir?”
    “Ale,” said Kaspar.
    When the mug sat before him, Kaspar produced another copper coin and the barman picked it up. He hefted it, quickly produced a touchstone, struck the color of the coin, then said, “This will do for two.”
    “Have one for yourself,” said the former duke.
    The barman smiled. “Little early for me. Maybe later. Thanks.”
    Kaspar nodded. “Where’s the local garrison these days?”
    “Don’t have one,” said the barman. He pointed in the general direction of the south road. “There’s a garrison down in Dondia, a good day’s ride. They pulled all the soldiers out of here when Sasbataba surrendered. We get a regular patrol up here once a week, and there’s a company of town militia to help the constables if needed, but frankly, stranger, things around here are quiet to the point of being downright peaceful.”
    “Must be a welcome change,” said Kaspar.
    “Can’t argue about that,” said the barman.
    “Got a room?”
    The barman nodded and produced a key. “Top of the stairs, last door on the left. Got a window.”
    Kaspar took the key. “Where’s the local constable’s office?”
    The barman gave Kaspar directions, and after finishing his ale and an indifferent lunch of cold beef and barely warm vegetables, Kaspar headed to the constable’s office. Walking the short distance, he was assailed by the sounds and sights of a bustling trading center. Whatever the previous status of Higara, it was now clearly a regional hub for the expanding territory. For a brief moment Kaspar felt a twinge of regret; Flynn and the other traders from the Kingdom would have found the riches they sought in such a place as this. The four traders from the Kingdom of the Isles had been responsible for Kaspar’s coming into possession of the Talnoy, each of them dying ignorant of the part he had played.
    Thinking of that infernal device, Kaspar wondered if he should set himself a limit on how long he’d look for Jojanna and Jorgen.
    He found the constable’s office easily, and pushed open the door.
    A young man wearing a tunic with a badge looked up from a table that served as a desk. With the air of self-importance that only a boy recently given responsibility could manage, he said, “What can I do for you?”
    “I’m looking for someone. A soldier named Bandamin.”
    The lad, good-looking with light brown hair and a scattering of freckles, tried to look as if he were thinking. After a moment, he said, “I don’t know that name. Which company is he