City of Rogues: Book I of the Kobalos Trilogy by Ty Johnston Page A

ago two of my men were killed, another crippled and yet another wounded. They were attacked by a man calling himself Kron Darkbow.”
    “ Is the man insane?” The assassin seemed seriously doubtful of Darkbow’s sanity.
    “ It would seem so.” Belgad sat up straighter. “But he is also talented at lurking in the dark and causing me trouble. My men were ... on business when they were attacked, and these were experienced men in chain with weaponry. He took down two of them with a bow and proceeded to pummel the others.”
    Until then, Adara had held little interest in the conversation. Upon hearing of the skills of this Darkbow, her interest rose along with her eyes. She stared at Belgad, following his every word.
    The Dartague went on. “ Last night he killed two more of my men at the Docks, and burnt my three ships down to the water’s line.”
    “ I wondered about that smoke to the north.” Fortisquo retrieved a strawberry from a copper bowl on the table and popped the fruit into his mouth.
    “ Darkbow again. He wounded another of my men, but allowed him and one more to go free.”
    Fortisquo swallowed his breakfast. “ Are you sure it was the same man in all these instances?”
    Belgad brooded for a moment, then shook his head. “I’m not sure it was one man, but it would seem to be. The description of my men at the Docks matched the description from the other night. As for Trelvigor, I won’t know what happened in his home until he is able to speak again, which the healer tells me isn’t likely for at least two weeks.”
    “ Is there any evidence why this man wants to harm you?”
    “ None for sure, but it’s not as if I wouldn’t have enemies.”
    Fortisquo stared off into the garden. Adara could tell his mind was at work behind his eyes.
    Belgad leaned forward as if to impress his situation upon the others. “ He is more than adept with a bow, and he carries a large sword on his back, though none of my men have seen him put it to action.”
    Fortisquo looked back at the hulking northerner on the marble chair. “If he can use his fists, then he’s likely proficient with the sword.”
    Adara nodded, thinking the same thing. A man who could fight well with one weapon could generally fight well with another. He might not be as experienced with a particular weapon, but if he understood close combat tactics he would soon learn the limits and reaches of whatever weapon he had in his hands, at least if he lived long enough to become familiar with the weapon.
    Fortisquo picked up another strawberry. “ Have all of these attacks been at night?”
    “ So far.” Belgad’s gaze narrowed as he followed the small red fruit to the assassin’s lips. “He dresses in black and uses the shadows. I’m sure you’re familiar with the type.”
    Fortisquo grinned. Of course he was familiar with the type. He had even been that type.
    “ Stilp described him as a large man, but he also seems quick of foot and hand.”
    “ Strong, agile and experienced.” Fortisquo hesitated in eating further, the strawberry stopping halfway to his lips. “He also uses the darkness to his advantage and softens his foes from a distance before moving in, so he’s clever and stealthy. It’s a superb mixture of talent, skill and brains. I would like to meet this Darkbow.”
    Belgad frowned. “ I want him dead.”
    “ Your description of him has intrigued me, but it’s going to cost you.” The swordmaster bit into the fruit, his lips suddenly stained crimson.
    “ I’ll pay one thousand gold.”
    Adara sucked in air. A thousand gold could purchase a small kingdom.
    Fortisquo finished his strawberry and grinned. “ I have little need for your funding.”
    The corners of Belgad’s mouth drooped further. “I don’t have to hire you. I have plenty of men who would take on this man.”
    “ True, but you have no one with my talents. Admit it, you need my skills.”
    “ I want you r skills,” Belgad said. “I do n’t need an