The Improbable Adventures of Scar and Potbelly: Ice Terraces of Crystal Crag by Brian S. Pratt Read Free Book Online

three women beneath an oil lamp hanging from a pole.
    Across the street opened another alley.
    “We have to cross,”’ Potbelly said.
    Scar watched the pairs moving on the street, two were headed in their direction, neither were close. “If we go we better do it quick.”
    “Okay. You cross first, then I will follow after.”
    Without replying, Scar stepped out of the alley and headed straight for the other alley across the way. He strode purposely yet not so quick as to draw attention.
    Potbelly watched the nearest pair of armed men, and though one glanced at Scar, didn’t give him a second look. Once Scar made it across without drawing attention, Potbelly stepped out. This time he gave his step a little bit of a stagger to mimic the onset of drunkenness.
    He drew more attention as he crossed but was quickly dismissed. In the alley with Scar, he dropped the stagger and the pair raced to the far end. There they found the cross street nearly empty. Crossing together, they kept to the shadows until they reached the far side.
    Another alley and then they were forced to follow one of the smaller avenues for a bit to reach a cross street that ran to the river.
    Street by street they successfully navigated until the river finally came into view. There was a dock of sorts for small, personal craft jutting out on the water. It lay a hundred feet from where the water flowed through the gate.
    Four men stood by the dock, by the looks of them they were naught but locals. The area by the river gate was too far away to determine if anyone was present.
    “Let’s make this fast,” Scar said then made to angle so as to avoid the dock area and head for the river gate.
    The gate at the river was twofold. One was in the river itself barring travel into the city on the water, the other was a small doorway on this bank that stood closed and most likely locked. An oil lamp bathed the area in light.
    At first glance it looked as if the area was deserted, but when they drew closer, saw the guard standing out of the light near the water. It appeared as if he spoke with someone.
    “He’ll have the key,” Scar said as he quietly drew his long sword.
    Potbelly laid a hand on his arm. “It may not come to that.”
    “We don’t have time to do this nice,” Scar argued. “We need to get to Tork, get the map, and get back to the ship before it departs in a couple hours.”
    “Give me one minute.”
    Pausing only a heartbeat, Scar nodded. “One minute.”
    “Okay. You stay here.”
    Potbelly kept to the shadows as he made his way to the guard.
    “…by Midsummer’s Eve all will be ready,” the guard said quietly.
    “But, my father…” the girl trailed off sadly.
    “Curse your father,” he spat. “We love each other and by then I will have enough to take you out of this miserable town.”
    Rather than knock unconscious, tie, gag and leave for the morning watch to find as he had originally planned, Potbelly decided to switch gears.
    “Excuse me,” he said as he approached.
    The guard stepped before the girl and rested his hand on his sword hilt. “State your name and business, friend.”
    “My name is of no consequence,” Potbelly replied. “As for business, my friend and I need to pass through yonder gate.”
    “No one may pass until dawn,” the guard said.
    Digging into his pocket, he pulled out one of the gems taken from the treasure room. He held it up so it glittered in the moonlight. “Would this change your mind?” When the guard looked to be ready to say no, Potbelly added a ruby. “Now?”
    “Why do you need to leave?” he asked. His eyes never once left the gems.
    “Let us just say that remaining in Castin would prove unhealthy for us.”
    The guard’s gaze left the gems and fixed on Potbelly.
    “You’re the two they’re looking for, aren’t you?”
    The woman gasped when Scar emerged from the darkness with both swords drawn.
    “Are you going to help us?” he asked. “Or do we need to