Free Castle Walls by D Jordan Redhawk Page A

the way for those wishing to come and go, though not many utilized the opportunity. It appeared that the entire population of the valley was present, flickering torchlight reflecting no less than fifty people enjoying the show. This was the troupe's third performance in as many days, the word of their presence spreading like wildfire through the small community. Ros had been correct in her assessment of their bounty; the cook wagon now held several additional pounds of wheat and corn, three salted hams, two dozen eggs and an assortment of drying herbs. There had been promises of two casks of beer and a handful of roasting hens should the troupe decide to stay for another day.
    Katerin scooted to the next brazier, wiping sweat from her forehead, smearing even more ash on her delicate features. Around her, the audience roared and clapped as Gemma pulled Usiku's breeches down to his ankles, revealing a monstrous fig leaf guarding his privates. Grabbing up his drawers, the man gave chase, his buttocks flashing in the torchlight as he stumbled his way after his companion. Once they were both out of sight, Ros entered the center, a barely suppressed expression of somber excitement upon her face. Instinctively, the people hushed, some even leaning forward in eager anticipation. Katerin found she was mesmerized once again, an unsettling habit she'd developed over the last three days when watching the blonde woman.
    "In the deepest, darkest jungles of Mohsir lurks a beast so vicious, so
horrible that the natives of the region liken it to a demon," she said, her rough voice pitched low. As Ros spoke, music began to build from somewhere behind her. "Many have seen it; few have survived to tell their woeful tale. One man - a great and noble hunter - braved the depths of that jungle, searching for the Mohsir Demon."
    When the blonde looked pointedly at Katerin, an embarrassed flush crossed the princess' face as she realized she'd missed her cue. Thanking the gods for the darkness, she hastily adjusted the mirror before her until the light washed across Cristof waiting to one side.
    Satisfied that things were back on schedule, the circus owner continued weaving her story, circling around and making eye contact with her audience. Behind her, Cristof acted out the tale. "Upon finding the beast's lair, he gathered his weapons. His goal was to capture this horrible animal and so he built a cage of bamboo and vines."
    A bizarre wooden contraption trundled out, pushed by Minkhat and Willem. It was actually made of elm and rope, created from leftover branches once the tent poles had been stripped, but in the flickering lights it looked rustic enough for their purpose. They then rolled out two barrels, placing them in the center near the flimsy cage before disappearing into the dark.
    "Armed only with a whip and a stave, the great hunter prepared to lure the beast into the open. What follows is a re-enactment of that fateful battle," Ros finished, moving out of the central area.
    Cristof pulled the whip from his belt and let it fly, the sharp crack causing the audience to gasp. In the darkness behind the stage, a low growl could be heard, followed by a woman squeaking in fear from among the spectators. Katerin, her attention no longer diverted by the circus owner's presence, bent to her task. She had seen the 'Mohsir Demon' lying on her back, receiving a tummy rub by young Wilm, so the act was less than astounding. Ilia soon reappeared and the pair of them fell back into the mindless drudgery. So lost in her thoughts, Katerin didn't notice the new arrivals.
    Ros, however, did.
    From her vantage point, the owner saw three men slip through the main entrance and begin scanning the crowd. While they weren't causing a disturbance, Ros had no doubt who they were looking for. Catching Abdullah and Willem's eyes, she nodded towards the entry. The three troupe members converged on the obvious soldiers.
    "I'm glad you could join us," Ros said, her voice