Klyde lifted his hand in a wave, but Tavin turned away and vanished into the shadows.
Sighing, he gave Rawn a nod. They rode quickly to catch up to the others, kicking up mud as they took the main path through town. The mercenaries on the wall blew the horn in farewell as they rode through the gates, at last leaving Skelling Rise behind.
They rode steadilyand quietly on the Bridge, careful not to make more sound than they needed to. The mercenaries were on constant alert, communicating with nothing more than a look or hand signal.
Klyde had warned them that spring was the most dangerous time to cross Troll Bridge, for the beasts had woken and they would be famished.
The captain led them on a detour an hour south to the cascades where Rawn had fallen to search for their lost gold. They would need it to fund the rest of their journey. Unfortunately, when they arrived, there was nothing left but a few scattered coins.
“Bad luck, mate,” Klyde said. “The current must have carried it off. The sea has laid claim over it now.”
Dyna sighed. “We are out of funds, then?”
Rawn rubbed his jaw, exchanging worried glances with his companions. He had some gold left, but it may not be enough to purchase seats on a boat for everyone to the west coast.
“We will pull our reserves together once we camp,” he told them. “It will have to make do until we reach Dwarf Shoe.”
They nodded and continued with their journey. There was a second option, but it was risky. Rawn had plenty of gold he could request from the bank, but as a wanted man, he stood to be caught before he ever received it.
However, Dwarf Shoe didn’t permit extradition. That would provide them protection from bounty hunters.
If they could make it to the free state without further trouble.
Trouble foundthem by the second day.
Rawn woke to find Klyde crouched beside him. He brought a finger to his lips. Feeling his pulse climb, Rawn sat up on his bed mat. The black wolf to his left growled faintly, bright yellow eyes staring off into the trees. The hour was early, dawn not yet on the horizon.
The mercenaries were all awake and quietly arming themselves. The captain crept to the girls and gently woke them, motioning for them to keep quiet.
They held still, bracing themselves to fight. Nothing surfaced other than the rattle of the trees, but Rawn felt eyes on them.
Watching.
“What is it?” Lucenna whispered after a long stretch of stillness.
“There is something there,” Klyde said faintly.
“I don’t see anything.”
“Trust me, they are there.” He glanced at his lieutenant. “There are three in front of us. How many are behind me?”
Rawn perked his ears, listening as closely as Zev was. His sharp sight locked onto the still shapes in the shadows.
“Five, Captain,” Eagon whispered.
Klyde drew out his blades. “Ready?”
They all nodded.
The mercenaries leaped to their feet with a cry, yanking out their weapons.
Trolls burst out of the trees.
CHAPTER 9
Zev
Zev’s fangs tore into a troll’s throat. Another came bellowing toward him, roaring so loud, it rang through his skull. Dyna slid across the mud in front of him, shooting off arrows as she did. They pierced the troll’s third eye, and it crashed at his feet. The creature was large, its scaled body covered in bony spikes. He had forgotten how unsightly they were. Its swamp stench overwhelmed his senses.
