Free Chasers of the Wind by Alexey Pehov

to do is be aware, write decrees, report to the capital, and dance with the ambassadors of Nabator and the Golden Mark. That, and rake the money in.”
    “You got the gist of it,” grunted Whip. A glimmer of respect slipped into his voice. “By the way, have you been in the guild long? I’ve never heard anything about you before.”
    “And who told you I was from the guild?” asked Shen, grinning suddenly.
    Whip squinted at him.
    “Mols said that you would come with us…”
    “But perhaps he said something about why I’d been attached to you?”
    No. He had said nothing of the sort. He’d simply ordered Whip to take the young man with him and not to ask any questions.
    “I owed him a favor, so he asked me to put you through your paces.”
    “Uh-huh.”
    It couldn’t be that simple. Why would Mols suddenly send a completely unknown man with them for no discernible reason? Simply to put him through his paces? Whip was not an idiot, and he didn’t believe in such nonsense. Shen understood that but he did not bother trying to reassure the leader.
    “I don’t know if you should talk about this with your friends.”
    “I shouldn’t. They have very little love for you anyway. Does that mean that you’re not one of us?”
    “If you think I’m going to start running around the village with a garrote or with throwing stars then you will have to be disappointed. Anyway, why would you need my help? To get your hands on the reward for Gray and his wife?”
    “No. Mols didn’t give such orders.”
    “What does Mols have to do with it? With ten thousand sorens you can spit on the guild. Begin a new life, yeah? Have you really never thought about risking it?”
    Whip didn’t say anything but by the way he tensed his fists, Shen knew that he had hit the mark.
    “It’s not important what I thought about or what I didn’t. What’s important is what I will do in the end. I won’t mess with Gray and Layen without orders from Mols.”
    “Are they so dangerous?”
    “That’s not the only reason. I never go against the orders I’ve received. No matter how much money is at stake. You don’t understand.”
    Shen shrugged his shoulders, indicating that for such a sum he personally would immediately forget about such scruples.
    “As far as Gray goes,” continued the leader, “he really is quite dangerous. Do you know his history?”
    “No. Only what you’ve talked about amongst yourselves.”
    “He arrived in Al’sgara about ten years ago. From somewhere to the southeast. Supposedly before that he had been shooting the Highborn in Sandon. He was very familiar with the bow, and not just with that. He rose very quickly. He began getting the most difficult and high-paying contracts. Certain people in the guild, especially those who ply our trade, didn’t like this. They were found one day in a cesspit. Dead. Midge, by the way, was also among those who were dissatisfied, but he quit while he was ahead. His friends didn’t. By and large, after that incident, no one bothered Ness. And then Mols took the lad under his wing. I worked with Gray once. I can say that he is entirely worthy of respect. He’s the best shot that I know of.”
    “Why did he go off to such a backwater after so many successes?”
    “No one knows for sure. Except perhaps Mols. I can only guess.”
    “I’d be very interested in hearing your guess.”
    Whip closely studied Shen’s countenance. Was he mocking him? But the young man didn’t bat an eye.
    “It’s time to go, to track down Bamut,” said the leader, getting up from the bench. “You coming?”
    “Yes. You’ll tell me your guess?”
    “Why should you care?”
    “I should know what to expect from him. Mols didn’t say anything.”
    “Hmmm…” Once again Whip looked searchingly at his companion. “Until Joch put the price on Gray’s head, I thought that he and Layen were dead. Seven years ago two burnt-up bodies were found in their hideout. Everyone, including myself,