Son of Soron by Robyn Wideman Read Free Book Online Page B

of the men.
    Ungar seemed not to care as he ordered the men to drag the body off the road into a ravine. Politics and kings irritated him. He cared not what was in letter, but he stuck it in his shirt.  He was illiterate. He would have someone read it to him in private.  Gold coins and a horse was a good day’s work; he was rather happy with the outcome of today’s heist. Little did he know the chain of events that killing this messenger would lead to.
 

 
    Chapter nine
     
    VENECIA, THE LARGEST of Solotine’s southern cities, was a sprawling diverse group of communities rolled into one thriving city. As a port city, it was the central hub for traders from the continent of Mithbea and the far western lands. Grains, fruit, wood and wine would come from the eastern Kingdom of Tarnstead. Minerals and cotton, clothing and other materials would come from the nearby southern lands. If something was worth trading, it would come to Venecia. But the rulers of Venecia had a problem. Traders, the lifeblood of Venecia, were refusing to travel to the kingdom of Broguth. Bandits and pirates were harassing and killing traders and, more importantly, cutting into profits.
    The council of Venecia gathered to address this very problem. Trade with Progoh and the other cities of the kingdom of Tarnstead was becoming increasing less profitable due to losses from bandits. The ruling party in Venecia was the council, a collection of merchants, a few key tribal leaders, and landowners that together governed the city.
    Four weeks had passed since Raul Ventego, a prominent member of the council, had left to discuss the issue with the king of Broguth. He had been expected back in three weeks, his brother Paulo Ventego, as he spoke before the council. “And what of my brother? Do we just sit here and wait for his return? If bandits or the king of Broguth has held up or injured him, I demand action."
    Other members of the council nodded and spoke in agreement. Council members being killed or imprisoned was a very unsettling thought. Raul was a good swordsman, a strong man capable of looking after himself quite well. Perhaps the bandit problem was more dire than they realized. Either something foul had happened to Raul or they had angered the king of Broguth with their ultimatum to make safe the distance between the cities or be cut off as a trading partner.
    Barouta, leader of the Chundo tribes, a strong and aggressive nomadic tribe known for their proclivity for war and horsemanship spoke next. “I will send a troop of my finest warriors. They will find Raul and deal with the problem.”
    Baron Tarozan, a prominent landowner, was one of the more level-headed of the council members. He feared his fellow council members would allow Barouta to take the problem of bandits and turn it into a war. Barouta often spoke of the advantages Venecia would gain by conquering the lands to the north and east. He often said Progoh needed new leadership and a change of fealty. The baron cleared his throat and spoke. “Make it a small troop Barouta; we don’t need you starting a war.”
    Barouta coldly looked upon the baron. “Barouta does not start wars, he ends them,” and with that, the meeting was over.
    As Barouta left the city, he turned to one of his lieutenants Ashuna, “Take fifty horsemen, find Raul and if you can’t, find an answer from the king.”
    ”Yes my lord, and if the Raul is in the custody of the king?" asked Ashuna.
    “If those fools have given me any reason to press for war, I want ample proof. But do not be too aggressive with the king. If war is to come, it will come.” Barouta almost smiled. He welcomed the idea of war with the eastern kingdom. “We will not start a war without provocation.”  Barouta stroked his braided beard.  He hadn't specified how little provocation he would ignore. Allowing too much lenience was a sign of weakness. He dismissed his lieutenant. He was bored with peace. A war stirred his blood, and winning