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

you were part of their...” he searched for the appropriate word. He didn’t want to say “gang,” but “group” seemed too pedestrian. “...bunch.”
    “No,” said Stone, taking another bite of his supper.
    “Well, forgive my mistake. I, for one, am glad to hear that you’ll be helping Lorik. He’s a good friend of ours. I hate to think of something happening to him all alone in the marsh.”
    “I worry more about bandits in the north,” said Yulver. “I guess you’ve heard that the King is marching his army east?”
    “I have,” said Stone.
    “If what I’ve heard about your fighting skills is correct, you’ll be a useful addition to Lorik’s business.”
    “From what I saw last night, he does pretty well on his own,” Stone said.
    “He doesn’t take anything lying down,” Chancy said.
    “But he’ll need help if he’s attacked by a group of outlaws,” Yulver added.
    They continued to talk about Lorik, the King, and what the future might hold. Stone ate his meal and finished his mead, then asked for his room. Chancy led him to a small room in the back. It had a narrow bed, a small table with two chairs, and a large basin for washing. There was a lamp, which Chancy lit, and an open window. In the dark Stone couldn’t see what was outside.
    “What’s out there?” he asked.
    “Not much,” Chancy admitted. “There’s a pretty large bog and then the path that leads to Lorik’s property.”
    Stone closed and latched the window. He knew the room would be stuffy, but he would sleep better knowing that no one could get into the room without him knowing it.
    “Is there anything else you need?” Chancy asked.
    “No,” Stone replied.
    “Well, then, I’ll see you in the morning. Breakfast is free to all my guests.”
    He left the room, and Stone locked the door behind him. It was a simple metal bolt, small but effective. He knew that no one could get into the room without him knowing. He pulled off his boots and took off his belt, then stretched out on the small bed. It was clean and soft, which was a pleasant change. He was used to sleeping outdoors, or in barns and sometimes abandoned homes. When he did stay at an inn, they were usually filthy, vermin-infested, and noisy. Chancy’s Inn was clean and quiet, and he felt safer than he had in years.
    He blew out the lamp and lay back on the soft bed, wondering if he would ever lie down to sleep without worrying that someone would try to rob or kill him in his sleep. He didn’t dream that night. It seemed as if he just closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them sunlight was streaking the sky with pink and gold.
    He sat up slowly, stretching and rolling his head on his shoulders. Then he washed his face in the basin and pulled on his boots. Once he had his belt on and his sheaths tied in place around his thighs, he left the room. Chancy was waiting with freshly baked bread in the common room. Despite the fact that he had obviously been up late in the night and had risen well before dawn to start baking bread, Chancy didn’t seem tired at all.
    “And how was your night? Restful I hope,” said Chancy.
    “It was,” Stone said. “I’d like to stay here, if things work out with Lorik. I know I’ll be gone a lot, but I’ll need a place to stay until I find a house of my own.”
    “Splendid,” said Chancy. “I’ll hold a room for you.”
    Stone paid with a gold coin, which wasn’t rare in Hassell Point, since many of the pirates and outlaws had stolen gold in their purses. Chancy rarely had gold, though, as most of his patrons were locals who came to the inn only for food. Chancy’s wife was a good cook, and he usually charged only a few coppers for a meal and mead.
    “This will cover your room and board for a month of stays,” said Chancy.
    “Good, I won’t need a full breakfast. Just a loaf of bread will do.”
    He got directions to Lorik’s property from the innkeeper and set out soon after. He munched the bread as he