Free Ambition and Alavidha by Candy Rae Page B

the appearance of believing him although Chad
well knew the old rogue was probably doubling it in his mind.
    Nonder also
knew that Chad Smallhide was the best in the business. If he
executed a theft, he would be successful.
    “I’ll get you
on the caravan,” he offered, “and buy your trade-goods, I know
where I can get my hands on some good stones and jewellery, for
sixty percent.”
    “Thirty,”
countered Chad.
    “Fifty,”
countered Nonder in turn.
    “Forty.”
    “Forty-five,
net of my expenses and let’s shake hands on it,” offered
Nonder.
    “Done,” said
Chad, “and remember that it’s me taking the risk.”
    “That’s why I’m
not asking for anything up front,” smiled Nonder, “fair’s fair
after all. However, there is one other condition.”
    “What’s that?”
asked the wary Chad.
    “You’ll be
taking someone along with you, at my expense if you insist, call it
a protection on my investment. My nephew.”
    “I work
alone.”
    “Not this time
my friend. Zeb goes too.”
    “Zeb?” queried
Chad, “don’t think I’ve heard of him.” As a Master Thief, Chad made
it his business to know or know of, every thief ‘on the game’.
    “He’s not all
that well known yet,” Nonder replied, “he’s only ten.”
     
     
    * * * * *
     
     
    -9-
     
     
    AL 808
     
     
    THE ROYAL
PALACE AT FORT - KINGDOM OF MURDOCH
     
    Kellen-Heir
Daniel Ross was grooming his horse Firefly when his friends Malcolm
and Edward walked into the stables. Most men of his rank left this
chore to the stable hands but Daniel liked to care for his own
mount as often as he could.
    “Daniel!” the
former greeted him with a cheer, “you’re back!”
    Daniel turned
at the voice and his face broke into a smile. Margrave Malcolm
Smith and Kellen Edward Tanon were two good friends. He had rather
wondered if he would see them now that he had returned to
Court.
    Malcolm
half-ran at him and the two young men embraced in the way young men
do, in the manner rather embarrassed in case an onlooker might
think the greeting rather silly, but they hadn’t seen each other
for a long time. Daniel was being kept very busy by his father who
believed that too much free time was not good for a young man. They
broke apart. Edward, the more reserved of the three contented
himself with a joyful clap on Daniel’s back.
    Firefly nudged
Daniel’s shoulder and dutifully, Daniel began his curry-combing
again.
    “We got in late
last night,” he informed his friends.
    “You might have
looked us up,” chided Malcolm.
    “It was late,”
Daniel reminded them.
    “Not too late
for us,” boasted Malcolm with a significant look at Edward. Both
Malcolm and Edward laughed.
    “I suppose you
were out at the borders with Baron Karovitz again,” said Edward,
“it’s a long way and you were too tired to come looking for
us.”
    “Right on both
counts,” agreed Daniel, continuing to brush. Firefly leant into
him, whuffling his joy at the nice feelings the brushing was
producing. Daniel hadn’t been at the borders this time but he
didn’t think the location of his last journey was any of his
friend’s business.
    “I wish your
father didn’t keep you so busy,” complained Malcolm, quite as if
keeping busy was a bad thing. “I suppose that’s the trouble when
one’s father works for the Queen.”
    Daniel made no
comment. “So what have you two been up to?” he asked.
    “This and that,
here and there,” answered Malcolm, “but you’re here now. Why don’t
we ask Crispin if Daniel can get an invite for tonight Edward? I’m
sure he’ll say yes.”
    “Prince
Crispin?” queried Daniel.
    “The very
same,” answered the exuberant Malcolm, “he’s holding another of his
evenings.”
    “What sort of
evening?” asked Daniel, his eyes on Firefly’s neck.
    “Just the
usual,” grinned Malcolm, “wine, women and song and all that. His
evenings are always fun.”
    “Doesn’t sound
much like my sort of party,” temporised Daniel but