Silver May Tarnish by Andre Norton Read Free Book Online

good purchase. It was worn, but nowhere near threadbare, dark wool lined with rabbit fur, high collar, and a hood with drawstrings which could be buttoned on outside the collar. It was a cloak for a plain man who rode in all weathers: warm, unobtrusive, and well made.
    I stepped out into the bustle again and found me a carrysack such as any soldier needs for his gear. I set about filling it quietly—a blanket here, a fire-striker there—until I had all that I required. I took the carrysack back to the stable and reclaimed Drustan. I paid the reckoning and walked him away to where I had earlier scouted an inn.
    â€œHow much for three days? Myself and two mounts, all found.”
    â€œA room which can be secured, two meals a day, stabling for two beasts, fodder and care for them. A half silver would pay all. I’ll throw in a bath each night an you wish.”
    â€œDone. I’ll pay now.” He bowed at that. It was no unusual arrangement in a camp such as this. A man might be drawn into gambling and lose all he had. Or be robbed of the same if he were careless. I paid, and left again once I had secured my gear in the room and seen the pony settled. I wore the dark cloak away. In the market I found the other
items I required and came at last to the weapons stalls. There I chose a sword. It was too plain but the blade was good and the hilt fit comfortably into my hand.
    â€œAught else, Sir? I have good bows, horse bows. Long bows? Daggers?”
    I chose a horse bow, a strong well-made weapon with a full quiver as well. I studied the daggers. There was one—small, but with a razor-sharp blade and a sheath made to lie against a man’s forearm. I turned over others and found a second. I bought both. As I walked away I slid my arms within the cloak, as unobtrusively I fastened the first weapon into place along my forearm. Slipping between tents I knelt warily and fastened the second at the back of my calf. One of Faslane’s tricks. Berond’s gift I wore openly upon my swordbelt. Let men see it and think that it was all I had.
    From where I was I could hear the horse-lines. I moved in that direction and found myself by a pen filled with sleepy beasts who drowsed three-legged. I had required little formal training to know a good horse when I saw one. A keep lord’s family is born into owning horses, they ride before they walk, and from childhood we are are constantly grooming, riding, breaking, or handling the beasts.
    I made no move, but studied the nearest tethered animals one by one before moving on. None of them there were worth my coin. They were thin, dispirited animals and I thought all of them were old. I wanted a good hillhorse, one like my cloak, made for hard use, serviceable, and not drawing the eye. I found him at the end of the lines.
    â€œAh, you seek a mount. A fine beast this one. Young, spirited, fit for a lord.” If the lord wished a horse that kicked everything in sight that was true, I thought. I knew those laid-back ears and hunched hindquarters.
    â€œWhat about this one?”
    â€œA wise choice. Now this horse is young and will carry you day and night. He is …” I’d looked into the beast’s
mouth before he finished. The vendor saw that I knew how to read a horse’s teeth and without even a blush for his lies waved forward another beast. “This one then. A fine strong animal, young, as you can see.” It was also clumsy as I could tell by the marks at the back of the fetlocks. I needed no over-reacher, forever going lame.
    At last he worked his way to the horse which stood at the back of the pen. It watched him warily. He drew it forward by the rope halter and posed it as best as he could I hid a smile. It was no beauty and it was clear the dealer was wondering what points he could praise which would please a young man. I went over the animal carefully. It was about seven. The legs were a little less than fine but they were strong