“I can't give you any specifics, just that it will be dangerous if you're not as good as you think you are. Do this job for His Majesty, and he will reward you handsomely. Not just with gold but also with respect. The Horns will never bother you again.”
“They don't bother me now,” I said as I stood up. “Only the most foolish of them come to the Forgotten.”
“Ru, you can't be serious,” Kimu hissed.
“I'm a thief. It's what I do.” Then, to the X'anti, I said, “I reserve the right to refuse the job upon learning the details.”
“No.”
“Then fuck off, Horn-Man,” I said, teasing his occupation and his race. “I'm not an idiot to agree to some unknown, potentially dangerous task just because you offer money and respect. I'm a Raltven—you can take your respect and shove it up your blue ass.”
“Yes!” Kimu shouted while the rest of the tavern cheered.
“All right! All right!” the X'anti shouted over the din. “You can refuse if you wish.”
Everyone went quiet again.
“And I want a guarantee of safe passage,” I added. “To and back from the royal castle.”
“Of course.”
“And a silver coin for my trouble, even if I refuse.”
“What the fuck?!”
I lifted my brow at the soldier.
“Fine! But the Dragon King will not be pleased.”
“He'll be very pleased if he gets me.” I grinned and sauntered over to the X'anti. “Lead on, Horn-Man.”
“Stop calling me that,” he grumbled as he yanked on his coat and tromped to the door.
Following him, I whispered, “With the echo of hooves, his destiny drew near.”
Chapter Two
The X'anti had a carriage, thank the Gods, equipped with heat stones. He had the curtains drawn to keep the warmth in, so I didn't get to see our approach to the castle, but I wasn't about to crack a curtain for a peek. The heat was worth more than the view. Besides, it was better to pretend I was about to see a normal client, one who couldn't order my execution if I failed. Although, from the sound of it, the King wouldn't have to execute me for failure; I'd already be dead.
So, why the fuck had I taken the job?
Two reasons; money and curiosity. I wanted to know what was so important to the King that he'd hire a Raltven to help him retrieve it, and why none of his people could get it for him. I also wanted gold. A lot of gold. I'm a thief. It's kind of my thing. Plus, I hadn't taken the job yet. I made sure that I could refuse. Of course, a X'anti telling me I could say no and me actually saying no to the King of Darimar were two different things.
The carriage stopped.
The X'anti got out and held the door open for me. I climbed out cautiously, searching the courtyard for threats before scanning the castle, my gaze sliding up the soaring walls. I wasn't about to take the X'anti's word on anything, especially not my safety. But the yard was clear and the castle windows were all closed, no archers with arrows nocked. And why would they go through all this trouble to kill one Raltven anyway? That would be ridiculous.
“This way.” The X'anti led me up the steps and to the massive, double-door entry of the castle keep.
I'm not a man to be impressed easily. I may not be rich, but I've stolen from enough rich people to not gawk at fine things. But this was different. I was going into the castle. The fuckingRoyal Castle of Darimar. And I wasn't crawling in through a window. I was walking in the front door. The entrance used by guests. Because I was a fucking guest. Well, a potential employee, but currently a guest.
And because of my guest status, I didn't search for loot I could grab while the X'anti led me through the corridors. Nor did I check out the security or note where all the entries were. All right, I did look for entries, but only in case I needed to use them as exits. It's always good to have an escape plan.
Inside the castle, the chill vanished quickly, and I soon became warm enough to remove my cloak. But I didn't. I had tools and weapons in my cloak and a Raltven dagger hanging from my belt. Better to keep everything within reach and covered. I was already getting horrified looks from the courtiers and servants we passed. The only time my kind entered this castle, they went through another door and were taken straight to the dungeon.
Finally, the X'anti led me into a room.
I frowned as I looked around the sitting room. It was nice enough, but it didn't have the royal feel I was expecting. In the center of the room, three men sprawled on couches. None of them were Dragons. I glanced around. Nope, no one else was there. Right, so I'd been played.
