Gifted Hunter

  "That's the same horse, you reckon?" asked Oston.

  "Yes, definitely. He pushed so hard after leaving the carter that he needed to rest it."

  "You're too clever for your own good."

  Sallis ignored Oston's sour grumping. "We have another advantage," he said. "Our man won't travel far tonight, it'll be dark soon. He'll bed down close to us. We have him, Oston, we have him."

  Oston grunted. "When he's back in Marka, then we'll have him," he replied.

  ***

  Sallis had guessed right twice. As the rider passed them, Sallis walked across his trail and nodded to himself. The rider was the thief, just as predicted. Even better, the thief quickly found a good spot in the forest to spend the night. And he did not bother lighting a fire.

  Sallis watched the thief roll himself in his cloak, noted where the man had secured his horse, and crept back to Oston in the gathering darkness.

  "You can stay here and keep an eye on the horses," said Sallis.

  "I'm coming with you," retorted Oston, "and the horses can look after themselves. They won't go anywhere."

  Sallis eyed Oston's bulk. "Hope you can move quietly," he said. "Specially you being a city boy."

  Oston bared his teeth. "Lead on, sheepherder child."

  They moved forward in silence and Oston followed his companion's lead when Sallis crouched on his heels, scabbard pushed out behind him. He had left his quarterstaff behind. Sallis kept one hand on the short rope he always carried for catching criminals. One end was fashioned into two loops, joined by a tightening knot.

  The thief was cloaked in a similar way to Sallis, hood pulled well forward for extra warmth. The night was cool and Sallis wished for some way to keep warm himself without giving his position away. Oston's hot breath was suddenly beside his ear.

  "Surprise is on your side in the first hour after he beds down." Oston's voice was so quiet that Sallis could barely hear it. "That's when sleep is deepest."

  Sallis nodded, turned his head and put a finger to his lips. Oston fell silent. Sallis knew it was also the time when the horse was least likely to make a fuss. It would still be used to people moving around.

  Or had the animal been trained to sound a warning?

  Sallis's heart pounded as excitement coursed through his veins. Darkness deepened and Sallis's eyes adjusted to the dark. He hoped Oston could see as well as he could.

  Finally satisfied the thief was asleep, Sallis touched Oston's arm. They crept closer, taking care not to tread on any twigs, sweeping each foot across the ground before putting it down.

  Not for the first time, Sallis wished he had a sylph's eyesight and could see even better in the dark. He also wished Oston had stayed behind. This could still go wrong.

  A gentle snore reached his ears and Sallis smiled. The tall chestnut stamped a hoof before stilling again. Did horses dream, or was the animal still awake?

  The horse made no more noise.

  Closer.

  Sallis paused. A mound lay before him and the gentle snoring came from that. Useful, because the noise pinpointed which end was the head. Sallis silently drew his sword and poked the thief with a foot.

  The man sat up in surprise and half rolled.

  The chestnut must have finally heard something, because it woke and let out one whinny. It also grew restless and began stamping feet and tossing its head.

  Sallis ignored the horse and forced his voice as low as possible.

  "Hold," he growled, "or I'll kill you where you lie." He touched the thief with his sword, just to let the man know he really had one.

  "Who are you?" demanded the thief, recovering some composure.

  "The bounty hunter sent to bring you to justice."

  "For what reason?" Even as he spoke, the man moved carefully away from Sallis, edging back from the sword.

  "For theft," replied Sallis.

  From somewhere behind the thief, Oston spoke. "And stop moving, or we'll take you back to Marka dead."

  There was a squeak of fright, which Sallis hoped came from the thief.

  "Move your head and you'll lose it." Oston's blade was now pressed against the thief's neck. Sallis prayed there would be no accidents involving slipped steel and severed neck arteries.

  "Never been to Marka in my life." The man had stopped moving.

  Sallis chuckled and almost forgot to lower his voice. "We followed you here from Marka."

  "I'm innocent. You're just after easy money."

  Sallis threw the looped rope at the thief. "Slide your wrists into that," he commanded.

  "What?"

  "Do it."

  Sallis heard the rope being slipped into place. In one movement, he leaned forward, grabbed hold of the running end of the rope and pulled the loops tight.

  "Ow."

  "You should have thought of that before thieving," said Sallis, unsympathetically.

  "Where are you taking me?"

  "To Marka."

  "Now?" The thief sounded incredulous.

  "I'm going to tie you to the same tree as your horse," Sallis told him. "And in the morning, we're returning to Marka."

  Sallis used the rest of the rope to tie his prisoner in place.

  "Now what?" demanded the thief.

  "A gag if you don't go to sleep," warned Sallis. "Sweet dreams."

  ***

  Chapter 13 - Reluctant Captive

  In full daylight, the thief stared at Oston and distaste twisted his mouth.

  "Why did you come all this way?"

  Oston smiled, an unpleasant sight, intentionally unfriendly. "I'm just a mere representative of Marka's Guard." He jerked a thumb towards Sallis. "He's the bounty hunter."

  The thief's blue eyes flashed in humiliation. "Just a boy!"

  The "boy" grunted. This was not the first criminal to be surprised at his tender age, and he suspected the man would give trouble until shown precisely what Sallis could do. Some needed that demonstration.

  "And you think you'll take me back to Marka?" The thief struggled against his bonds, but they held firm.

  Dark eyes expressionless, Sallis walked up to the thief and put as much swagger into it as he could. Though Sallis was taller and possibly wider, the thief carried more weight and had greater physical strength.

  "I know how to use this," Sallis flourished the sword, "and this." He hefted his quarterstaff. It was his turn to point with a thumb. "And the Guardsman is just as capable." He resisted mentioning who had bested whom with the sword. Despite the urge to tweak Oston's nose, they must show a united front right now.

  "I've got no idea why you picked on me, but once I'm free from these bonds, I'll give you the hiding of your life. I've never been near Marka."

  Sallis almost smiled. "If I'm due the hiding of my life, that's reason enough to keep you bound. And as for the other... I know where you've come from. I followed you here."

  "How?"

  "I am Gifted."

  "I don't believe you." The thief turned his clear gaze to Oston.

  "He's Gifted," confirmed Oston.

  Sallis almost ground his teeth, but instead managed a smile.

  "Believe what you like," he said, "but you're going to face justice in Marka."

  The thief laughed. "You'll never prove anything. It's my word against yours."

  "More than that," replied Sallis. "I know where you deposited your ill-gotten gains and the relevant Markan authorities will send riders to recover what they can. Once the goods are retrieved, you are tied to Marka."

  "You could have deposited them yourself," protested the captive. "Or bought them from the real thief."

  "I'm certain there are plenty of witnesses to point you out, if necessary," interrupted Oston. "And you were seen on your job before last."

  "Job before last?" The thief's eyes widened in sudden fear.

  "You know what we're talking about." Sallis let his voice drop to a whisper and he leaned forward. "Marka's City Guard is very eager to make your acquaintance. It's why I'm
not alone."

  Oston bared his teeth, again in an unfriendly smile.

  "It wasn't me!"

  "I followed you here," said Sallis. "I can demonstrate the skill I used to get here and locate you to any number of people. I have a witness in my companion, who also doubts - or doubted - my abilities. We can link you to all the thefts from the deposits you made here, and I know those who own the depositories can and will identify you. You must be known to them in order to have an account."

  "Most of it was melted down for coin."

  "Much of it was already coin," countered Sallis.

  "You say I was seen," said the thief.

  Oston pretended to pay no attention, but Sallis knew he listened to every word, eager to find out if Sallis's theory held any truth.

  "A silent witness." Sallis smiled again. "You know who I mean."

  "I did no murder," protested the other man. "I'm a thief, not a killer!"

  "But you saw who did commit the murder."

  The man finally looked away and Sallis knew he had won.

  "Yes," he whispered, "but they'll never believe me. Who will take my word?"

  "Not me," said Oston. "Nor anybody else in Marka."

  "The difference between me and everybody else," said Sallis, "is that I know you're not the killer."

  The man's eyes glittered. "Then why all this teasing? Why threaten me?"

  "I could release you and ride away," said Sallis. "Easiest thing in the world to do. But I have no reason to tell lies. You're a criminal and you must face justice for the crimes you committed."

  "They'll never believe me," protested the thief. "I'll get my neck stretched for a crime that's nothing to do with me. You should ride away and leave me in peace. If you genuinely believe in justice, that is."

  "So I return to Marka, empty-handed. They'll send someone else instead to get you. They will. Not only are you charged with theft, but also murder. The next bounty hunter probably only wants money, so he'll return with your head and leave the rest of you to rot in a field somewhere. Or he might take you back alive, see you found for murder, and your life ends as you choke on hemp."

  "And why are you different?"

  Sallis smiled. "I'm different because I know the truth. But to see the true killer brought to justice, I need you."

  "Why would I help you?"

  "Because you face a simple choice. You either spend the rest of your life looking over your shoulder, never knowing when they'll catch up with you, or you return with us, pay your debt and live the rest of your life a free man."

  The thief laughed. Not in relief, but a full, mocking laugh. He shook his head.

  Sallis shrugged. "As you wish. But you're still coming to Marka."

  "Something I'd like to know," interrupted Oston. "You waited for days outside the city; you waited for the patrols sent to hunt you down to return to Marka. Yet you stupidly committed yet another theft. Why?"

  Sallis leaned forward, interested to learn the answer.

  The thief shook his head. "Thought I might have another day or so. But my family is in debt and I didn't have quite enough to pay those debts off. There's nowhere worth robbing between Marka and Istwan, so I had no choice." He sighed. "The depositories I use are in Istwan, so I'd be playing a dangerous game thieving here."

  "Did you get enough coin to pay off your debts?"

  "Not my debts," replied the other. "My family's debt. There's enough to set them free."

  Oston nodded and exchanged a look with Sallis. "Once we recover what's rightfully others' property, I think you'll need more money again."

  The thief lifted his bound hands and stared at Sallis. "Now you know I'm not the killer, will you unbind me?"

  It was Sallis's turn to laugh.

  "Not a chance," he replied.

  ***

  Chapter 14 - Returning To Marka

  "If I fall, I'll be dragged," complained the thief, mounted on his chestnut horse.

  Sallis looked over his shoulder. Glyder led the chestnut, but the rope stretched from the captive's bound wrists to the back of Glyder's saddle. The man spoke truthfully, but Sallis had no intention of freeing the thief's hands.

  "Then don't fall off," replied Sallis. "You seem a good enough rider to me."

  Oston snorted with laughter.

  The man ignored Oston and his eyes narrowed. "What's your name, boy?"

  "Sallis ti Ath."

  Silence stretched between them.

  "Sounds like you're off one of the islands."

  "I am."

  "Which one?"

  "Does it matter?" Sallis looked over his shoulder. "I live in Marka now, so if you're already planning your revenge, that's where you'll find me."

  "That doesn't seem to bother you."

  "You're right. I hear threats all the time. Like I already told you, I know how to use my weapons."

  "Weapons won't save you from everybody, boy."

  Sallis shrugged.

  "You caught me unawares. When I return the favor, I'll gut you like a trout, boy." The thief moved forward.

  "Keep that line taut," urged Sallis. "Or I'll tie you to that horse like I would a sack, thief."

  "Not big on names, are you boy?"

  Sallis laughed. "Neither are you, thief. At least you have the courtesy of mine. Not that I'm interested, but I don't know your name."

  "I might share it if I knew the fat man's name too."

  Oston, solid rather than fat, gave the thief a look that hinted at violence. "I'm Oston," he growled.

  "How nice. A thief-taker with one name. Didn't you know either parent, plump one?"

  "Now you know our names," interrupted Sallis ti Ath, before Oston's temper frayed.

  The thief grimaced and finally nodded. "Kein Sofren."

  "Sounds like someone never knew his father," said Oston, from one side.

  Kein smiled. "You hold part of your name back, I hold part of my name back. Of course I knew my father."

  Whatever the truth, the lack of a middle name was none of Sallis's business, so he passed no comment.

  "You might not feel the same, but I'm pleased to meet you, Kein," he said.

  Kein snorted. "You're right, the feeling's not mutual."

  They rode on in silence for a few minutes.

  "So what brought you to the continent?" asked Kein.

  Sallis saw no harm in answering. "Not enough criminals to hunt where I come from. Sometimes a sheep-stealer, the occasional escaped prisoner. As with many other things, crime is more popular on the mainland."

  "And you're practicing on me."

  "You could say that."

  "Are you going to keep me bound all the way to Marka?"

  "Yes I am," answered Sallis. "You were hard enough to catch first time round."

  Kein laughed. "Not hard enough."

  "Before we reach Marka, you're going to tell me exactly what you saw the job before last."

  "Am I?" Kein's laugh held more derision than humor. "And if I don't? You're going to torture me?"

  "Of course not," replied Sallis, a touch of offense in his tone. "What do you take me for? If you decide you don't want to tell me, I'll let them hang you for murder."

  Sallis did not look over his shoulder, but he sensed Kein's blue gaze boring into him. Neither did he look at Oston.

  "Think about it," continued Sallis. "We've got a day or so before we reach Marka."

  "I might escape in that time," said Kein.

  Sallis said nothing to that, but rode on in silence.

  ***

  Despite Kein's threat to escape, he gave no trouble during their first stop, more to rest the horses than for human benefit, but Sallis was in no particular hurry. He had his man and Marka was not too far to travel.

  "So tell me," said Sallis passing some food to his prisoner, "what's the chestnut called?"

  "What?" Kein's brow furrowed.

  "Your horse. Surely he has a name?"

  "Strider," replied the thief, confused.


  "A good animal." Sallis nodded. "Be a shame if he lost his owner to a rope. All because he wouldn't say who he saw commit a murder."

  "I still don't know whether to trust you."

  Sallis shook his head. "You'll have to. I'm the only one who truly believes you're innocent of murder. The Guard reckon Senator Jarron caught you in the act of burglarizing his villa and you killed him to escape."

  "And I believe you are guilty of murder," added Oston.

  Sallis continued. "Only I know you are innocent of that."

  Kein's eyes narrowed. "How can you be so sure?"

  "Because I can see it. But I have no witnesses." Sallis hoped the other did not notice his blush. Deviousness did not come easily and his slight dishonesty on this subject ran against his principles.

  "Why should I help you?"

  "Because they'll stretch your neck if you don't."

  Oston nodded agreement.

  Kein held his bound wrists up. "This rope shows you don't trust me. If you don't trust me, how can you believe me?"

  "Because my trusting you doesn't matter. When we reach Marka, you'll need me to keep you alive and that is why you should help. As for trust... Well, we're not in Marka yet. You might decide freedom is better than prison." Sallis smiled. "And you don't fully realize exactly what I'm capable of."

  "This rope also makes eating difficult. Not to mention other things."

  "But you can function, so stop complaining."

  Kein changed the subject. "So how long will I get for theft?"

  Oston smiled. "They might give you hard labor for ten years or so."

  "Ten years?" squeaked Kein. "I'll take the rope."

  "They'll offer the alternative if you ask nicely enough," replied Oston, calmly.

  Sallis interrupted. "You help me catch Jarron's real killer and you should get a shorter sentence. Or possibly exile."

  "How much did they offer you to bring me in?" asked Kein. "I could use a smart boy like you. Yes, me and you, working together, we could take on the world."

  "I get paid the same whether I bring you in for theft, or bring you in for theft and murder. Difference is, I know you're innocent of murder."

  Oston grunted, still unconvinced.

  "So nobody will pay you for catching the murderer." A smile flickered around Kein's mouth.

  Sallis shrugged. "Nobody else believes they're looking for two people."

  "Working for free is for slaves, boy. I see no silver eyes on you, nor yet earpoints."

  "It'll make the Guard consider me before any other bounty hunter." Sallis snapped his mouth shut. He had said too much already.

  "So, working in the hope of future reward. They win over reluctant sylphs like that. Dangle the offer of choca and they'll do anything."