Free Knight Fall (The Champion Chronicles Book 1) by Brad Clark

“You will speak my words!”
    Hibold smiled, accepting the abuse as any proper politician would.  “As you wish.  I just hope that the meaning of our words do not get mixed up.”
    “I know enough of your language to know when you are lying,” Neffenmark said.  “And I know enough about your empire to know that most of the words that come out of the likes of you are lies.”
    The insult hung in the air for a moment.  The Taran was used to verbal abuse; it was the nature of the business.  He didn’t care because he knew that he always had the upper hand.  He only wished that he wasn’t so far away from the nearest Taran garrison and its legion of centurions.   It was the appearance of the lack of power that actually gave him the advantage.  Neffenmark could spit and spout all he wanted.  He could intimidate through words and actions as much as he wanted.  But they both knew that the Taran Empire barely recognized this part of the world.  But if one of its emissaries came up missing, then the empire would take notice.  And if the emissary’s demise came about of even the slightest suspicious means, the Taran Empire wouldn’t even bother with trying to expand into the kingdom, it would simply come in and wipe out the entire population.
    Hibold pulled out a gold coin and flipped it to Neffenmark, who deftly caught it.  He spun it around, studying the markings.  Neffenmark fixated on the portrait of Hargon the Great, the current emperor of Taran.  “Does the emperor know what you are buying?”
    “Does your king know what you are selling?” The Hibold retorted.  “Our fortunes and fates are tied together.  Our meetings and correspondence have been well documented.  So if you choose to … terminate our arrangement, it will not go well for you.”
    “You’ve thought this through,” Neffenmark said.
    “I’ve done this before,” Hibold replied.  “Many times.  The empire does not expand on military might alone.  That is expensive in many ways.  The empire would much rather fold in kingdoms.  Conquering is fine, but very, very messy.  The emperor is also…wise with his gold.  He does not like to waste it.”
    “You mean he is cheap?”
    Hibold’s thin face widened into a smile.  “If he knew how many gold coins were delivered to you, he would not approve.  He would probably consider the loss of some of his centurions better than the loss of many of his gold coins.”  Neffenmark started to interrupt, but the Hibold continued.  “But he does not understand the worth of your kingdom and the devotion that his gold is buying.  And if he were to find out how much gold he lost, and if he did not have complete submission of the people of the kingdom, he would not be a very happy emperor.  And do you know what angry emperors do?  They go on rampages.  Slaughtering, nothing survives rampages.”
    “You do not need to threaten me,” Neffenmark growled.
    “I am not threatening you.  I am simply stating facts.  I have delivered gold and now you must deliver the kingdom.  However you choose.”
    “And what happens if this emperor of yours finds gold missing?  Will I see centurions marching over the mountains and knocking on my castle gates when that happens?”
    “Deliver the kingdom as you promised, and none of that will matter.”  Hibold nodded his head towards the door which Brace used to leave.  “I would suggest choosing your business partners more wisely.  You need men devoted to your cause.  Not men devoted to your king or kingdom.  He will be a problem.”
    “He will be taken care of,” Neffenmark promised.  “I can assure you that all is well.”
    The Taran emissary clapped his hands and rubbed them together.  “Good.  Now that our business is done, I understand that there is more food?”

Chapter Six
     
    They stood at the edge of the water, just downstream from the docks.  It was early morning and a chilly wind was blowing in from the north.  The ground