Free The Magic Of Krynn by Various Page A

Sintk kept their eyes to the
     ground. They walked to the front of the Missionary's Downfall, a waterfront bar with a
     garish facade, where they sat down on a weathered bench in front of the establishment. The
     tavern was the most notorious dive in eastern Ansa-lon, not a respectable place like the
     Pig and Whistle.
    They watched as the prisoners shuffled down the gangplank. Faces bruised, shoulders
     slumped, the manacled men and women moved with a listless step. They were ordered about by
     a muscular draconian, who carried a short, metal-tipped whip.
    Their thoughts were interrupted by a loud creaking noise behind them. A moment later,
     Harum El-HaIup stepped out of the Missionary's Downfall. The mino-taur was owner of the
     tavern, a rugged individual with a bestial face, a massive chest, thick arms and legs.
    A fugitive from a sentence of death in his minotaur homeland, Harum El-Halop had found
     sanctuary in Port Balifor. He had quick wits, fighting ability, and the nerve of someone
     with nothing to lose. He had quickly gained a reputation as the toughest fighter on the
     brawling waterfront.
    A high-stakes gambler, the minotaur had won the Missionary's Downfall in a card game with
     the previous owner. Nowadays the tavern was patronized by thieves, cut-throats, and troops
     from the dragonarmy. It was also the favorite drinking spot for off-duty hobgoblins, who
     stole supplies from the quartermaster and exchanged the contraband for drinks.
    “Why is Thomas being held prisoner?” William asked the minotaur, who stood there,
     observing the scene with them.
    “I told them the plan wouldn't work,” sneered Harum. His bestial face looked horrible in
     the shadowed light. "Thomas and the others wanted to escape by sea. They paid a hobgoblin
     to steal a boat for them to use at dawn. But hobgoblins are informers, and this one was a
     low-life who plays everyone off the dragon-army. As soon
    as the boat was launched, the hobgoblin made his report to the draconians."
    William protested. “But Thomas is an honest man. He is no thief.”
    “He was on the boat,” said the minotaur. “Likely he'll end up in the dungeons with the
     others. The drag-onarmy can't allow people to come and go as they please, without
     permission. Bad for their reputation. Old Tom knew that.” The minotaur made a clucking
     sound with his tongue. “Thomas will be lucky to last a month in that slime pit under the
     castle.”
    William shuddered. He had heard tales of the torture of prisoners in the dungeon. Knowing
     Drago's cruelty as he did, he didn't find the tales hard to believe. Poor Tom. He had
     always been a good friend to everyone in Port Balifor.
    Sintk asked in a forlorn tone, “What can we do?” “Meat for the dungeon,” replied Harum.
     “Stay out of it.” William looked down, ashamed. If only he had the courage ... if
    only he had some idea of how to fight back ... if only . . . “Now, William,” said Harum,
     "what the people of Balifor need
    is a leader. Someone to lead a rebellion against these creatures. You're liked and
     respected. People will do what you ask of them."
    Harum's ugly face took on a quizzical look, and William had the idea he was burrowing into
     his private thoughts. Or was he teasing him?
    “Why don't you do it?” William asked the minotaur, thinking, if he were as big and strong
     as Harum, certainly he'd have little hesitation.
    “Oh, I am not a native of Port Balifor,” Harum replied nonchalantly, “and I am not sure I
     care so very much. And people know I serve thieves and scoundrels at the Missionary's
     Downfall, so they would suspect my motivation. Also, I am a fugitive from my own kind, and
     people don't follow leaders with such flaws. But they would stand behind someone like you,
     someone responsible and upstanding. You would have their trust.”
    “I couldn't do it.” William felt weak. He didn't want to look at the minotaur. Instead, he