Paks had no idea what such contracts were usually like, but it seemed reasonable. If many caravans had been robbed, surely the plunder would make a fair return. "Yes," she said. "That will do. But do you have any idea where they might be?"

The mayor leaned forward. "An idea, yes, but we aren't sure. Caravans have been attacked on all the roads around. But Eris—" he nodded to the farm woman, who nodded to Paks, "—Eris tells us that farms have been robbed, too—and one or two wiped out—west of here. None close in, but those farther out have lost livestock. There are several ruins out that way which might be useful to brigands, though Sir Felis found no one there—"

"That's not to say they might not use them," Sir Felis broke in. "We've had no time for more than a fast sweep—they could have been hiding nearby, if they were clever."

"We think," the mayor went on, "that they must have some spy in town. More caravans are robbed on their way out—especially those that have come on a market day, and sold things in our market. I won't conceal the fact that these men—if it's humans—are dangerous. Typically they kill all the caravaners, merchants and guards alike. That's ten to twenty guards, maybe five merchants or so, and the drivers. They've killed two farm families we know of—I suppose they surprised them robbing—"

"But," Sir Felis interrupted again, "it may be that some farmer out there is in league with them." Eris Arvidsdotter shook her head angrily, but Paks remembered the setup at "uncle's" in Aarenis. It would make sense. "Northwest of here," Sir Felis continued, "was Baron Anseg's land, but he died without a close heir years ago, and the title of that land is still being argued in Vérella. Once you're away from the river, and well into the woods beyond Brewersbridge, there's no lord for two days' travel, until Baron Velis's outside Bingham."

"The merchants' guilds," put in the mayor, "naturally have an interest in the safety of the roads. We have no Guild League, as in Aarenis, with real authority, but the guilds will support any effort to keep the roads safe where no lord has the responsibility."

"I see," said Paks. She was becoming confused again, and clung to what she did understand. "So you want me to hunt around and find where the brigands are hiding, and lead a small force to drive them out? Do you want them driven away, or killed, or captured, or what?"

"Killed or captured, definitely," said Marshal Cedfer. "Drive them out, and they'll return as soon as you're gone."

"I say kill them," put in the mason. "What good are brigands anyway?"

Paks wondered if he'd ever killed anyone. Himself.

"And if you find out who is—I mean, who may be giving information here in Brewersbridge—" added the mayor.