Arm Of Galemar (Book 2) by Damien Lake Page B

thinks she has what it takes to move up the
ranks in the command building and wants to test her out here first.  Either
way, I don’t believe I’ll be challenging her.”
    “Me either.”
    The two headed back to their cots.  Behind them, irate
men fumed loud and long.
     
    *        *        *        *        *
     
    Marik exited the command building and made a beeline
straight across the Marching Grounds to the Dancing Drink.  It being
mid-afternoon, the new recruits had already been assigned.  Individuals could
be seen wandering the Row, each with the distinct air of a person exploring a new
place.  Only a handful of mercenaries spent time in the tavern common rooms
between lunch and dinner.
    With a nod to Kerny, he took the stairs two at a
time.  He dashed down the hallway and barged into Kerwin’s room.
    “Hey!  What’s the matter with you?”  Kerwin sorted
through his pack, searching for dice or cards or trident sticks if Marik knew
the gambler.
    “I have a question for you.”
    “And for that you charge around like a bull?”
    “You said you wanted to go find a builder for your
inn, right?”
    “An architect actually, but yeah.  Why?”
    “They’re easier to find in the cities?”
    “Of course.  Everything’s easier to find in the
cities.  So what?”
    “So why not go to Thoenar?  I’d bet anything Spirratta
could do, Thoenar could do better.”
    Kerwin sat back on his cot.  “In the first place,
Thoenar’s about halfway across the kingdom.  That’s halfway diagonally mind
you, not across to the side, and with no road direct from here to there.  I may
be wealthier than ever before, but if I go throwing it away in unnecessary
travel expenses, I’ll be as poor as I used to be in no time at all.”
    “But you have to travel anyway, right?  The other day
you told us you’d finally decided to go ahead and find an architect after all.”
    “Marik,” Kerwin chided, exasperated.  “There’s a
difference between going to Thoenar and going to Spirratta.  Spirratta is a
straight shot along the Southern Road.  Only two eightdays walking distance. 
Going to Thoenar from Kingshome means taking a ferry up the Spine, going
cross-country to pick up the major trade routes and finally reaching the
Capitol Highway.”
    “All that aside,” Marik cut the air with his hand,
“where would you rather go to find your builder?”
    Kerwin sighed.  “Thoenar, naturally.  And what does
all this have to do with anything?”
    “What if I offer you an expense paid trip to Thoenar? 
You can find your man without having to pay a single coin from your own purse!”
    “What are you talking about?”
    “Torrance is assigning me to a bodyguard contract in
Thoenar next summer.  I need three others to go with me.  Dietrik’s coming, and
I want you and Landon, too.  I’d ask Edwin, but I’d rather have three frontline
fighters with one archer to support, rather than two and two.”
    Kerwin shook his head.  “I’m not in the band any
longer, remember?  I’ve turned in my tag and retired from taking contracts. 
They’re dangerous for your health.”
    “It’s only bodyguard duty for the tournament!  They
don’t come any easier than that!  And we won’t leave until halfway through
spring.”
    Mild interest hovered over Kerwin.  “The contest for
the Arm, huh?”  But then he shook his head.  “That still doesn’t change
anything.  I’m not a King.”
    “I already asked Torrance.  We’re so shorthanded he’ll
take any of the old fighters back.  You won’t have to go through any
re-entrance trials.”  Marik could see the gambler wavering.  “Think about it. 
Everyone says tournament duty is the softest contract there is!  You’ll get
paid for all the eightdays you’re there, and you can find a good architect at
no cost!”
    “I don’t know.  I wanted to start building my inn this
summer.”
    “Kerwin!  Look at the offer!  It’s a