Free The Beast of the North by Alaric Longward

it. Do not worry. You have unique talents. No worries at all.’
    ‘No, of course not. Nothing to worry about,’ I told the Horns carelessly. ‘She will kill the Beast of the North? How?’
    ‘Blade and poison,’ the thing said seriously. ‘It is possible. It will be very exciting.’
    I nodded. ‘Exciting. I’m so happy I met you.’
    ‘So am I. Jubilant I met you,’ it told me cheerfully. ‘You simplify the plans. Your skill, it does simplify many things. Greatly. Our man,’ it kicked the head, so it spun into the darkness and hit the goblet with a dull, clanging noise, ‘would have been a constant, nervous risk.’
    ‘What do you get out of this?’ I asked the Horns. ‘Other than the noble cause of securing your hunting grounds and your victims, the poor sods who will stay alive for you to maul and rob.’
    It considered me carefully for a time. Then it took a deep breath and shrugged. ‘If we are partners, then, of course, I shall share somewhat more of my thoughts with you. Are we?’
    ‘We are!’ I agreed enthusiastically.
    The Horns nodded slowly and spoke. ‘The king is rich.’
    ‘We want his riches? An ordinary robbery?’
    The Horns nodded vigorously. ‘We will give old Balan Blacktower what he wants, and while he is taking it, we will rob the Tower of his old treasures. They are old as time. Perhaps magical treasures. With such treasures, we will no longer be a measly band of thieves, living in the dark.’
    ‘I see,’ I said, and I admit a seed of greed sneaked to my heart. ‘Magical items? And I can take part in this looting orgy?’ It was mad.
    ‘You are not greedy, are you, boy?’ it said suspiciously. ‘Yes, you can have your part. It’s only fair. But I shall set the terms of any such deal if we manage to secure this hoard before the Blacktowers. I know Balan Blacktower would love to see what the Danegells hoard from the time immemorial.’ I nodded as I breathed deep. I had no choice, anyway. It chuckled dryly at me. ‘Perhaps I’m happy there is a greedy spot in your heart. Makes the trust that much more easy to come by. I trust the greedy over the meek. They have needs, and needs I can provide for. I do hate knights. But you are an artist. A true artist. And I shall sponsor you to greatness.’
    ‘Yes,’ I agreed with a grin. ‘An artist. What is required of me? Now, that is.’
    ‘You will be at readiness, boy,’ the thing said. ‘We have more spies looking into the royal family and the Tenginell house of the queen. You will learn the ways of this slave and then take his place, at an opportune moment. We think there is one, months from now. He will leave the house for a moment.’
    ‘Do be diligent in your investigations,’ I stammered. ‘Even if I have his face, there will be suspicious guards, terribly hard passphrases, deadly traps, hungry beasts. It is well guarded, no doubt. The house. The queen!’
    ‘Well guarded,’ the Horns said. ‘Very well guarded. But it is her home. She grew up in that Tenginell house. She feels safe there. Worry not. You are like a fish in the water, and all you need to do is learn how to kill the cow and how to act. I shall show you to your room then.’
    ‘My room?’
    ‘I told you,’ the Horns said with a hint of impatience. ‘You will stay here. You shall be an honored, greedy guest, who shall not so much as fart without permission.’
    I nodded. ‘Yes, I can see the merits of this, and indeed I do fart a lot, but you see, my mother will get upset if I’m not home for dinner,’ I said happily, fighting the ripping fear. ‘I can come back?’
    ‘Your mother will be happy when you get your due, no? Worth some heartaches and missed dinners. We will send her word not to worry and, of course, she will, but she won’t be left in the dark.’ It stopped to consider its words. ‘Well, they will be in the dark. I’ll give them candles and a good amount of food, of course. Of course, you understand that I will fetch them