Rydon raised his brows and cast a quick glance at Gabriol, who stepped closer. “Gall?”
Croak nodded. He squared his shoulders and almost seemed as if he could stand on his own again, though Rydon continued to hold fast to his chest. “As I said, I will pay, and even pay for passage north when we’re done, but we must leave now.”
“What’s in Gall?” Gabriol asked, shifting so they were shielded from view.
“First, I must secure your agreement. I will pay you two hundred silver if you agree, and another three hundred if we succeed.”
Gabriol lifted his hand to his mouth, eyes wide as he took in the sum, but Rydon pushed in closer. “And what do we need to succeed in?”
“I need your agreement,” Croak said, his bloodshot eyes never wavering from Rydon’s.
“Young man, I can see whatever’s happened is serious indeed, and if you’re offering that sum, it must be dangerous as well.” He frowned and took his hand away, leaving Croak to sway for a second before he stiffened his spine.
Rydon glanced at Gabriol and put his hands on his hips. “I can’t, in good faith, lead my man into a situation without first knowing what we’re getting into.” He motioned with his hand. “Come, tell us what you need and I’ll give you my answer.”
Croak’s face twisted and Rydon had a moment’s sympathy for the youth’s dilemma. He softened his face, deciding to help him out. “Does this have anything to do with the news out of Metilai this morning?”
Croak’s head swiveled between the two as Gabriol crossed his arms at his chest. He looked back at Rydon and pursed his lips. Then gave a quick nod.
“All right,” Rydon said with another glance at his friend. “How does Prince Lerek’s death involve you?”
Croak opened and closed his mouth several times and then cursed. “Lerek…,” he started, his voice breaking. “The prince was a friend.”
Rydon and Gabriol exchanged glances once more.
“You wish to avenge him?” Gabriol asked. “General Peleon will have that well in hand, boy.”
The muscles in Croak’s neck jumped. Rydon motioned again with his hand as he would to a child, his face softened by the youth’s obvious despair. “Speak now, young Croak.”
“Yes, I wish to avenge him,” he snarled as he looked at Gabriol,then turned his gaze back to Rydon. “But that must wait. My sister’s been accused of the crime and I wish your help to secure her release.”
Rydon looked over at Gabriol, who shared his shock and almost laughed. He quickly masked his sudden interest with curious politeness and shrugged. “Her release will be difficult to secure, Croak. If she killed the prince, she?—”
“She didnotkill him!” Croak said so vehemently, spittle flew from his mouth. His cheeks colored and his eyes filled with a rage Rydon knew all too well.
“And you’re sure of this how?”
“She loved him,” Croak whispered, his lips trembling.
Rydon did not dare look at Gabriol, instead nodding his head at Croak. If he knew the prince well enough to call him by name in mixed company, then Rydon was sure the sister was indeed the woman he and Gabriol had been sent to find.
Without giving himself away, he pursed his lips as if in thought. At last he said, “For the sake of argument, let us agree your sister did not kill the prince. How do you propose we secure her release? She’ll be in the dungeons, guarded by the Imperial Guard. Most likely she’s been questioned too, so in no state to?—”
“I know the palace inside and out,” Croak hissed as he leaned forward aggressively. Gabriol made a move toward him, but Rydon raised a hand to stop him. “She’s a tracker. I know the northern king is looking for trackers. You are as well. You’re looking for Terena Luca, my sister. That’s why I sought you out in the first place. Help me rescue Terena and you’ll be richer for it. On my honor. ”
At the mention of her name, Gabriol turned away and Rydon dropped his gaze to the ground so Croak would not see his smile. When he’d composed himself, he lifted his head and nodded grimly at the young man.
“So, securing her release as rescue, not negotiation?”
Croak gave another curt nod.
“Very well, Croak. We will help with your sister’s rescue. But the price is four hundred silver now, and another four when we escape. Deal?”
Gabriol almost gave away the game as he looked at Rydon in shock. Rydon did not dare take his eyes off of Croak. He knew the difficulty of the young man’s position, but he did not wish to make him suspicious by immediately agreeing to rescue the tracker without at least haggling over the price.
Croak nodded curtly, then straightened his jerkin. “We are agreed. How quickly can you be ready?”
Rydon spread his arms and smiled grimly. “We are ready now, young lord. Gather your things; we leave anon.”
