Free Lorik (The Lorik Trilogy) by Toby Neighbors Page A

necessary in the compound, but he didn’t want to leave his horse and tack where the outlaws could steal or destroy it.
    He spread a blanket on the horse’s back and then set his saddle on top of it. He cinched the girth straps and settled the bridle over the horse’s head and slipped the bit into its mouth. Then he stepped up in the stirrup and swung his free leg over the saddle. The horse seemed to sense his nervousness and sidestepped anxiously.
    “There, there, girl,” he said softly, patting the horse’s neck. “Let’s go, nice and easy.”
    He nudged the horse forward and the familiar feeling of being on horseback helped him relax. The horse felt strong and steady underneath him, and he let that strength rise up into him. The church’s main doors had been large, but the outlaws had made them taller so that a man could ride out of the converted stable without ducking his head. Stone was grateful that he could stay upright in the saddle. He rode outside and made his way immediately to the street. The other outlaws were once again busy readying their gear, but Stone noticed Marsdyn watching him from the back of Marsdyn’s large, black charger. The horse was pawing the ground, but Marsdyn was as still as a statue, his eyes never leaving Stone.
    Once he was in the street, he nudged the horse into a canter and rode away. It felt good to leave the Riders behind. Stone didn’t want to raid villages or pillage innocent families. The truth was that he wanted to stop the Riders from doing it as well, but he knew better than to challenge the entire gang. He had to ride away and hope that he could settle into a new life in Hassell Point. If he was lucky, the sea might swallow Marsdyn and his gang. It was possible, he thought to himself; Marsdyn had even mentioned moving on from Hassell Point. Perhaps he would sail away and never return.
    Stone needed a place to stay for the night, but didn’t have any desire to be around the rowdy crowds in the waterfront inns. He decided instead to go back to the small inn where he’d had dinner with the Riders the night before. He tied his horse to the post outside and went into the large common room. There were several groups sitting in small clusters, eating and drinking. The innkeeper rose from his seat at one of the tables and hurried forward.
    “I need a room for the night,” Stone said. “And a place to keep my horse.”
    “I have rooms, but no stable,” Chancy said.
    “He can keep his horse in my barn,” Lorik said, walking up behind Chancy. “I was just getting ready to walk home anyway. You can pick your animal up in the morning, if you’re still coming by.”
    “I am,” Stone said.
    “Good, I’ll see you then.”
    Lorik went out, and the innkeeper hurried to the kitchen to bring Stone something to eat. Stone wasn’t interested in having a long conversation, even though he could see that the innkeeper was about to burst with curiosity.
    “I heard you are wanting to partner with Lorik,” Chancy said. “I’m Chancy, by the way. And this is Yulver.”
    “Nice to meet you both,” Stone said around a mouthful of food.
    “That’s an interesting get-up on your belt,” said Yulver. “I’ve never seen anyone carry weapons like that.”
    “It’s custom-made,” Stone explained.
    “You’re a leathersmith then?” Chancy probed.
    “No, not really. I just needed something I couldn’t find and had a leather worker make it for me.”
    “That’s fascinating. So what is your interest in becoming a teamster?”
    “You ask a lot of questions,” Stone said.
    “Oh, forgive me, forgive me,” said Chancy. “I’m just naturally nosy. And after last night I took you for a new Rider. It’s not often you see outlaws seeking legitimate work.”
    “What makes you think I’m an outlaw?” Stone said, ignoring his food.
    “Oh, I meant no offense. We don’t judge in the Point, do we Yulver? I just assumed that because you were with Marsdyn and riding a horse that