Free Knights: Legends of Ollanhar by Robert E. Keller Page B

were warriors one
definitely didn't want as enemies.
    Lannon scanned them with the Eye and saw a code of honor
there, but he also glimpsed just how dangerous they were. They had killed many
times, and not just Goblins but lawbreaking humans as well. They weren't just
Rangers--they were also bounty hunters and assassins on the level of Shennen
Silverarrow. They knew many silent ways to kill, and any fool who dared try to
take what they had wasn't likely to keep on living. Lannon saw that they could
be trusted to a point, as long as they felt they were being respected and
treated fairly, but they were joining this quest purely for the pay and a
chance at gaining treasure. Profit was their motive, and they would let nothing
stand in the way of it.
    Lannon wanted to glimpse more--to understand just how
ruthless the two could be if provoked--but the Eye failed to go deeper. But he
had seen enough to know that they weren't thieves or murderers, just deadly
warriors one didn't want to cross. And if Saranna trusted them, that was good
enough for Lannon. She was as noble as a Divine Knight and Lannon fully trusted
her judgment.
    Brakthas finished off his platter of fish and wiped his
greasy fingers on a cloth napkin. "Yum, was that ever good. Time to
go?"
    Aldreya nodded. "We will ride without pause until
dinner."
    "That's a lot of riding," muttered Daledus, who
like Jerret looked kind of groggy and ill from the previous night's ale
consumption. "No lunch?"
    "I eat every three hours," said Jerret. "I'm
definitely having lunch."
    "Jerky and cheese," said Aldreya. "Eaten on
horseback."
    "And bread," said Jace, who had a spare loaf
stuffed in one pocket. He patted his cloak. "I have a jar of pickles in
here somewhere too."
    Brakthas shook his head as he gazed at Daledus. "Hey,
is she always so strict? Not even lunch? I don't get it."
    "We're in a race," said Aldreya. "It fairly
important. It has to do with the fate of our continent. That sort of
thing."
    Brakthas jumped up, almost knocking over his chair. His
eyes were wide in mock surprise. "We better get going then! That's serious
stuff!"
    "I'm ready," said Galandra. She winked at Lannon.
"Looking forward to traveling with Divine Knights. You'll have to show me
some moves."
    Dallsa gazed at her, frowning.
    "I don't know many moves," said Lannon. "My
swordplay is rather simple. And you don't appear to possess a sword."
    "I want to learn swordplay," she said.
    "I'll teach you," said Jerret.
    She ignored the barbarian. "I'm sure you Knights have
a spare sword I can borrow. If not, I can purchase one here in town before we
leave. So maybe a few lessons from the High Watchman?"
    Lannon shrugged. "I suppose." It was an odd
request, and he sensed Dallsa was glaring at him. Her jealously was overbearing
and apparently inescapable. Considering that Lannon was very rigid in following
the Sacred Laws, she didn't seem to trust his judgment at all when it came to
women. He wondered if she thought he was naive when it came to the ways of the
world.
    ***
    They bought some more supplies before riding out. Jerret
found some sturdy chain mail in one of the shops to replace his missing
Knightly armor. It was heavy, strong, and durable--of Dwarven design and
crafted for intense combat. It cost a small fortune, forcing Jerret to borrow
quite a bit of silver from Lannon. But Lannon was happy to see the former
Knight with some impressive new armor.
    The day was sunny and warm as they rode out of Red Barrel.
They continued to pass through farmlands throughout the morning, with long
stretches of corn and wheat fields on either side of the road. This was a region
where honest folk lived who just wanted to be left alone. They were used to
doing things their way, and the expansion of Bellis Kingdom had changed nothing
for them. They farmed, hunted and trapped, sold their goods, and made due.
Bellis had yet to impose taxes on them and the harassment and strict rules that
would come with those taxes, but there was