Free By the Sword by Sara Flower Page A

yet?” Naeshi asked.
    “If you have other pressing things to attend to rather than retrieving century-old lost treasure, then that’s your prerogative.”
    Now he had Naeshi’s attention.
    “Are you growing madder with age, warlock? We both know that there’s no hidden treasure.”
    “I suppose that a senseless brute like you can’t be expected to deduce that Ittonifer has been actively searching it out since before he began his reign. A man like him would never waste his time on a fable.”
    Naeshi refrained from clobbering the sack of bones. Of course he knew about the legendary treasure of the ancient Malinorians, but everyone knew it was a myth that Malinor’s greedy ruler chose to believe. Even smart men could be gullible sometimes.
    “Prove it then,” said Naeshi.
    “We’ll be wasting time.”
    “You’re already wasting my time. Prove it or get out of my sight.”
    “Those are big words for a one-eyed foot soldier. I’m sure you must be aware that the great prince reveals things to me. The treasure is just outside of the city, but it is very well hidden. It’s an hour’s walk – no one will even notice we’ve been gone.”
    Naeshi could not imagine that Aterun would be able to walk for an hour anywhere, let alone over the uneven terrain surrounding the city. The idea was ridiculous.
    “You’re forgetting something,” said Naeshi. “Dinner will be served soon at the barracks. I will starve if I travel out there and waste several more hours trying to find this legendary treasure.”
    “I have obviously brought this into consideration. You will be fed.”
    Naeshi thought about his options. If there really were a canyon full of riches, he would be the wealthiest man in the empire, besides Ittonifer. If not, at least he would be spared from another evening spent with snot-nosed brats.
    “You had better be right, old man.”
     

Chapter Seven
     
    The tall, rigid Cobalt Mountains seemed to reach out and pierce the grey sky. Naeshi searched for caves or crevices within the sharp ridges around them. Aterun trailed behind him. He was out of breath already.
    Naeshi wasn’t sure how the old stump was going to make it back to Malinor. Besides, the warlock would only try and tell him what to do with the treasure anyway.
    Maybe I should slit his throat and feed him to the wolves once the treasure is uncovered.
    A slender waterfall trickled down the mountain. Aterun scurried over to it excitedly. Anticipation surged through Naeshi as he followed him.
    “The hiding place is right behind the waterfall,” said Aterun.
    Naeshi stepped under the gentle falls and sized up the opening. It was high enough for him to get through comfortably, but it did not appear wide enough for him to fit with his armor on. He eyed the gangly magician.
    There was obviously a reason why Aterun was being so accommodating. No one ever offered help unless he wanted something in return.
    “You can fit through the opening. Bring me something,” said Naeshi.
    Aterun glared at him, but he stepped under the trickling water and entered the cave.
    Naeshi paced back and forth until the magician came back out.
    Aterun was grinning.
    Naeshi’s eyes widened. Within Aterun’s spindly hands were several golden nuggets.
    “Are you convinced now, foot soldier?”
    Naeshi tore his armor off. He was still barely able to squeeze his bullish frame through the narrow crevice, but he made it to where it opened into a large a cave. A ray of light from an opening above shone on an abundance of gold, gems, and diamonds.
    His jaw dropped open. If he took all of this, he would be richer than Ittonifer himself. He wouldn’t tell anyone of his discovery, naturally. He had to kill Aterun.
    “Yes, that’s what I’ll do,” Naeshi said rubbing his hands, “and then I will sail for the eastern continent and make myself a king.”
    “You selfish fool!” yelled Aterun from the entrance.
    Naeshi glanced casually at his elder. He drew his sword and walked