Sunday, May 2, 2010 - The men in front of them looked disciplined, and...
The men in front of them looked disciplined, and the weaponry leveled at the three of them was formidableThis had also been, very clearly, a carefully laid trap
One man rode a few paces forward from the silent line"Release your bows," he said with easy authority"I don't like talking with armed men
"Neither do I," Alessan replied grimly, staring at the manBut a moment later he let his bow fall to the groundBeside Devin, Erlein did the same
"And the boy," the outlaw leader said, still softlyHe was a big man of middle years, with a large face and a hermes bags full beard that showed deep red in the waning lightHe wore a dark wide-brimmed hat that hid his eyes
"I don't carry a bow," Devin said shortly, letting fall his swordThere was mocking laughter at that from the men in front of them
"Magian, why were your men in arrow range?" The bearded man said, more loudly nowHe himself had not laughed"You knew my instructionsYou know how we do this
"I didn't think we were," came an angry voice behind them, amid a clattering of hoovesTheir pursuers had come upThe trap was closed, before and behind"He fired a cartier must 21 long way in half-light and wind
"He wouldn't have had a chance to be lucky if you had done your job properlyWhere's Abhar?"
"Took an arrow in the thigh and fellTorre's gone back to bring him
"Waste," the red-bearded man scowled He was a dark, bulky presence, silhouetted against the low sunBehind him the other seven riders kept their bows leveled
Alessan said, "If waste offends you, you won't like this evening's work at allWe have nothing to give you beyond our weaponsOr our lives, if you are the sort who kill for pleasure
"Sometimes," the man dior big bags named Ducas said, not raising his voiceHe sounded unsettlingly calm, Devin thought, and very much in control of his band"Will my two men die? Do you use poisoned arrows?"
Alessan's expression was contemptuous"Not even against the BarbadiansWhy? Do you?"
"Sometimes," the outlaw leader said again"Especially against the BarbadiansThese are the highlands, after all He smiled for the first time, a cold, wolfish grinDevin had a sudden sense that he wouldn't want to have this man's memories, or his dreams
Alessan said nothingIt was growing darker in the dior saddle handbag passDevin saw him glance over at Erlein, a sharp query in his faceThe wizard shook his head, a minute, almost invisible gesture"Too many," he whispered
"The grey-haired one is a wizard!" came an emphatic voice from the line beyond Ducas
A chunky, round-faced man moved his horse forward beside the leader's"Don't even think of it," he continued, looking straight at Erlein"I could block anything you tried Startled, Devin glanced at the man's hands, but at this distance it was too dark for him to see if two fingers were missingThey would have to be chanel handbags collection th
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