Slavers of the Savage Catacombs by Jon F. Merz Read Free Book Online Page A

matter of waiting. I’m sure we’ll hear back pretty fast. The journey isn’t too long for the birds, and the elders at the clan will want to make a fast decision while you’re still here in town. As soon as they do, they’ll send word back. Probably hear sometime tomorrow if I had to wager a guess.”
    “It’s probably nothing,” said Ran. “Kan-Gul was a crazy bastard. He could have been making it all up for all we know.”
    Tanka eyed him in the darkness. “Maybe, but you know how things like this go. We have to run it past the clan. And if they decide that you need to do a scouting mission farther north, then that’s exactly where you have to go.”
    Ran sighed. “I know. I’m hopeful they won’t, though.”
    “Understandable,” said Tanka. “But what the clan needs done comes first. What we want doesn’t matter when the safety of our people is threatened. Regardless of what you want, if the clan commands it, you have to do what they say.”
    “We’ll see what they say,” said Ran. “No sense thinking it over right now.”
    “Nothing to think over,” said Tanka. “We don’t disobey the clan.” And with that, Tanka turned over and promptly fell back to sleep.

C HAPTER S IX
    Dawn broke with brilliant sunshine and a cool breeze sweeping in off the ocean. Ran woke and found Tanka already dressed.
    “Going to check the falks and see if they’ve brought word back yet.”
    Ran swung his legs out of the bed. “I’ll head down to the harbor and see about talking to the caravan master.”
    Tanka pointed to the dining area. “Left you some food there for your meal. Tea should still be nice and hot.”
    “Thanks.”
    Tanka left and Ran quickly downed the food. He was eager to see what Yasseh would say when he informed him of the plot to attack the caravan and rob them of their possessions. He took his time belting on his weapons, making sure the senban were properly positioned along with the length of kusari. When he stuck his two swords into his belt, he headed out of the apartment and into the streets of Chulal.
    Crowds already bustled along the main thoroughfares. Pushcarts filled with exotic fruits and baked goods clambered along, stopping frequently as patrons came to buy. Ran sidestepped a number of them on his way toward the harbor. Ahead of him, he spotted a contingent of the city guard on patrol. Ran waited as they marched by and then resumed his journey to the waterfront. He inhaled deeply, feeling invigorated after a good night’s sleep. The salt air tasted good, and while he might not like traveling on boats, Ran had always enjoyed being near the ocean.
    Around the corner, he caught a glimpse of one of the merchant vessels under oars rowing out of the harbor. As she passed around the jetty of stones and the pair of watchtowers guarding the harbor entrance, her sails unfurled and immediately blossomed as they caught the wind. Off on another adventure, thought Ran. He hoped he’d be off soon for one as well.
    He found his way to the same location where he’d met Yasseh the evening before and found Gunj busy loading several pack mules. Gunj nodded at him as he approached and came over.
    “You need something?”
    Ran smiled. “I was hoping to talk to Yasseh. I have some information he needs to hear about.”
    “What sort of information?”
    “I’d prefer to tell him directly, if it’s all the same to you.” Ran said this with a smile still on his face so Gunj didn’t take it the wrong way.
    But the smaller man merely shrugged. “He’s out right now, but he should be back in an hour or so.” Gunj walked back toward the pack mules.
    “I’ll wait then,” said Ran.
    Again Gunj only shrugged. “Doesn’t matter to me. You’re part of the company now. You can do what you wish.”
    Ran watched him lace up straps on another mule. “How go preparations for tomorrow’s departure?”
    “We’ll be ready to leave as soon as dawn breaks. That’s about how you know things are