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Sorak simply shrugged.
“It is the only one I have ever seen him carry,” Kieran said.
Grak pursed his lips, thoughtfully. “Well, perhaps the stories were mistaken,” he said.
“I have yet to hear any of these stories,” Kieran said, glancing at Sorak.
“I thought you said a man’s past was of no consequence to you,” said Sorak.
“True enough,” said Kieran. “But I must admit to being curious.”
“You have no other blade?” asked Grak.
Sorak shrugged again. “Only short ones,” he replied truthfully, feeling Galdra tucked into his belt at his side, concealed by his cloak.
“Hmm,” said Grak. “Strange. My sources are seldom wrong.”
“Speaking of your sources,” Kieran said, “what do you hear of the goings on in Altaruk?”
“You have business there?”
“I have accepted the post of captain of the house guard for Jhamri,” Kieran said.
Grak raised his eyebrows with surprise. “You? Isn’t that a bit beneath your capabilities? Besides, I had heard you were retired.”
“Their offer was most generous,” said Kieran. “I found I was unable to refuse.”
“They must have paid you a king’s ransom,” Grak replied. He frowned. “Now why would they want to do that, I wonder? They could easily have found men qualified for such a post for much less money than they must have offered you.”
“I was wondering the same thing myself.”
“Curious,” said Grak. “I cannot imagine why they would have wanted you for such a post except for bragging rights. And Lord Jhamri scarcely needs to brag. His recent partnership agreement with the House of Ankhor, bringing that house into subservience to his, makes his the most powerful merchant house in Altaruk, and one of the largest on the Tablelands.”
“Lord Ankhor is now a partner with the House of Jhamri?” Sorak said.
“A junior partner, yes.”
“I see,” said Sorak.
“What is it?” Kieran asked, noting the expression on his face.
Sorak cleared his throat. “I think it would be wise if you found yourself another second-in-command.”
Kieran frowned. “Why? You have some grievance against Lord Ankhor?”
“More likely, he has a grievance against me,” Sorak replied. “We had occasion to meet several times before. The first time, I saved him from being cheated by a cardsharp in a Tyrian gaming house. But the last time we met, I stole a princess from his caravan.”
“Hah! A daughter of the Royal House of Nibenay!” said Grak, slamming his fist down onto the table. “That story is true, then!”
“You did what?” asked Kieran. He glanced from Sorak to Grak and back again.
“Have you never heard the Ballad of the Nomad?” Grak asked him. “Where have you been? It is being sung by every elven bard across the Tablelands!”
“I’d like to find the one who sang it first,” said Sorak with a grimace.
“How goes this ballad?” Kieran asked.
“I would be glad to sing it for you,” Edric said, coming up to their table with Cricket on his arm. “Assuming I would be allowed to pass my hat, of course.”
