Free Slavers of the Savage Catacombs by Jon F. Merz Page A

blood on its talons and knew that the falk had found itself a meal with little problem. As Ryu sat perched on his wrist, Ran considered the bird. Its eyes never ceased movement, even though the rest of its body stayed dead still.
    The forests yielded to open fields and meadows. Ran was about to wonder aloud when the caravan would halt for the evening, when Yasseh led them off the road and into the short grass off to the left side. He circled around and rode back.
    “We’ll set camp here for the night.”
    Ran looked at Kuva, who only shrugged. A moment later, Ran heard Gunj’s voice.
    “Ran.”
    “Yes?”
    “Set the order of watch for tonight.”
    Ran nodded, and Gunj turned back around to steer his own wagon into the grass. Ran rode over to Kuva. “You want first watch? I’ll see to it you get your supper.”
    “Fine with me,” said Kuva. He pointed to a nearby hillock. “I’ll position myself up there. That should give me a good vantage point for miles around us.”
    “Good,” said Ran. “I’ll keep two others on guard per shift, and we’ll break it up into two-hour segments. I’m sure we can all use some good sleep tonight. My rear is sore.”
    Kuva laughed. “That is the truth.” He rode off, and Ran watched him for a second before turning his attention back to the caravan.
    Gunj was directing several merchants on where to set up their camp. Clearly, Ran thought, Yasseh trusted the smaller man as his primary manager. Gunj never raised his voice, but when he spoke it was with an air of authority that no one questioned. It made Ran all the more curious as to what his background was.
    Yasseh came walking over as Ran dismounted and tied his horse to a small tree nearby. “So, are you glad you hired on?”
    Ran smirked. “I haven’t tried the cooking yet. I’ll refrain from judgment until after I eat.”
    Yasseh watched him for a moment. “You know, my son is convinced he’s met you somewhere before.”
    Ran placed Ryu on one of the branches of the tree and shook his head slowly, as if he was thinking about what Yasseh had said. “I can’t recall ever meeting him. Did he say where? I’ve only been in Igul for about a month. Not much chance of meeting him unless he was in Nehon before that.”
    Yasseh laughed. “Nehon? No, there’s no chance of that. He’s probably mistaken, but he seemed so convinced. Strange.” The older man shrugged. “Anyway, Gunj tells me he told you to set the watch. Are you getting some food?”
    “As soon as it’s ready. I’ll make sure the rest of the team gets fed as well.”
    “Good.” Yasseh turned to leave.
    “Where did you find Gunj, by the way?” It was a simple enough question, but Ran wanted to catch Yasseh as unaware as possible and hopefully get an unguarded answer out of him.
    Yasseh stopped and turned halfway back around. “I think it’s probably a better idea if Gunj tells you about himself. Give him time and he will. But don’t pester him about it. He gets . . . ornery if he thinks you’re digging for information. He’s a very guarded man.”
    “Dangerous, too,” said Ran.
    “Dangerous is probably an understatement,” said Yasseh. “Although he seems to have taken a liking to you. I wouldn’t do anything to get on his bad side. Once you’re there, I’d imagine it would be hard to get in his good graces again.”
    “Understood.”
    “And Ran?”
    “Yes?”
    “Gunj is exceptionally talented at certain aspects of combat. You may have bested him in an open fight, but he has certain . . . skills, in other areas. Do your job and he’ll get along with you just fine. If he thinks you’re a threat, however . . .” Yasseh’s voice trailed off.
    Ran nodded then moved off in the direction of the cooking he could smell nearby.
    Ran hadn’t gotten a great deal of information, but he’d gotten some. And it just made Gunj all the more interesting.
    Ran wandered over to the cook tent and smelled deeply the evening meal. A fire already blazed