Chapter Ten #2
Kane nodded. “I know it,” he said, pouring himself more drink. “But I had to come this far.”
“Why?”
“I’m searching for someone.”
“Who?”
Kane grinned as he held the cup up to his lips. “Someone very dear to me.”
That was his usual line when it came to his hunt for Athdara.
He told people that he was searching for his long-lost sister, and that was why they were usually so apt to help him.
He portrayed the diligent, loving brother, and he was believed.
Now, he was going to use the same story on Marina to see if she’d seen Athdara in these parts.
If he was fortunate, she might think him a wonderful man for being so concerned for his sister, and she would end up in his bed tonight.
That had happened a time or two before.
“Oh?” As Kane had hoped, Marina was interested. “Have you lost someone?”
He nodded. “My dear sister,” he said. “She was taken by a horrible man, and… I am sorry. I am certain you do not wish to hear this. My troubles are my own.”
“I would like to hear it,” she said. “Please tell me.”
Kane sighed dramatically. “My dearest, darling sister was abducted by a man,” he said. “I have been following his trail for years, but I’ve had no luck in finding him or in finding her. Have you worked here for a long time?”
Marina shook her head. “I have not worked here for a long time, but I have lived here for a little while.”
“Then if they have passed through, mayhap you have seen them.”
“I do not know. What does your sister look like?”
Kane held up a hand to indicate a tall woman. “She is beautiful and long-legged,” he said. “She has dark hair with curls in it and brown eyes, like a sunburst. Her name is Athdara. Do you know her?”
Marina stared at him for a moment before taking a sip of her wine and choking on it. She ended up spitting it on the ground before returning her attention to him. “Athdara,” she repeated slowly. “That is an unusual name.”
Kane nodded. “Unusual and beautiful, as she is,” he said. “I am most anxious to find her.”
Marina’s humor seemed to be gone. She set her cup down, looking seriously at him. “You must miss her terribly,” she said.
“I do,” Kane said. “I know she is probably very frightened and alone. It is my duty to save her.”
“And you will kill the man who took her.”
Kane drew his finger across his throat, simulating slitting that particular part of the body. “He is a dead man.”
“How do you know she has come this way?”
He lifted his shoulders. “I have been following the man who took her,” he said. “He has come this way, so I was hoping you had seen him. Both of them, actually.”
“Wouldn’t she be fighting him? Wouldn’t others know she was frightened?”
Kane shook his head. “Not necessarily,” he said. “This man is very evil. He might have threatened to kill her unless she behaved.”
Marina put her hand over her heart in a sympathetic gesture. “How terrible,” she said. “If I see her, where can I send word to you?”
“I will be here for a day or two,” he said. “Then I shall push on, probably to Tiverton and Exeter.”
“Should I try to save her?”
“If you help her, I will reward you greatly.”
“How much?”
“You did not let me finish,” Kane said. “If you help her, you must lock her away to protect her. Do not let her escape and do not let anyone in to see her. You must hold her and send word to me. I will reward you handsomely.”
Marina nodded, but her manner had cooled. “I will do all that I can for her,” she said. “Now, if you will excuse me, I must get back to my work or else I’ll not get paid. ’Tis a good talk we’ve had, love. Safe travels to you.”
She stood up, but Kane grasped her by the wrist before she could get away. “Why did you want to train at Blackchurch?” he asked. “Do you wish to be a warrior?”
Marina gazed down at him steadily. “I had hoped to,” she said. “It is not my time yet.”
Kane tugged on her. “Then join me,” he said. “Help me… search for my sister. And other things. I have quite a few adventures that I’m well paid for.”
Marina’s dark eyes glittered with interest. “Like what?”
He shrugged and let her go. “If a man needs my sword, he pays me well,” he said. “If a lord has an errant wife to chase down, I will find her. For a price. There would be money in it for both of us. I have a man who travels with me, but you would be much more fun. Will you come?”
Marina stared at him a moment before forcing a smile. Then she slapped him on the shoulder. “You jest with me,” she said loudly. “I will stay with Blackchurch, but thank you for the offer. Tell me your name so that if I see your sister, I’ll know whom to send word to.”
“Kane,” he said, grasping her hand. “My name is Kane. But if you see her, do not tell her you have spoken to me. She might tell the man, and he’ll take her far away from me again.”
Marina let go of his hand and slapped him lightly on the cheek. “I won’t tell a soul,” she said. “Best of luck, you big bull.”
She laughed as she walked away, leaving Kane grinning as he turned back to his alcohol.
He rather liked the big woman with the loud laughter.
He had already made the decision to stay the night, given that Darwish couldn’t go any further that day, but now there was a challenge involved.
Kane was going to try to talk Marina into going with them on their quest to find Athdara de Ghent.
Perhaps the lure of more money and adventure might pull her out of this hovel in the woods.
Perhaps he could dump Darwish somewhere with a strong woman by his side.
His stay in Exebridge might be a productive one, indeed.