The dactyl pumped its wings in reverse and screeched again, but this time the sound held a different timbre, and Ludo didn’t feel its sharpness. The creature, however, felt all the sharpness of the bolt as it plunged into its chest. The impact should’ve knocked it from the sky, but evidently the dactyl was as strong as a dragon, because it beat its wings several times awkwardly before righting itself and charging away, taking the bolt, still embedded in its flesh, with it. The rope uncoiled from the ground, sagging as the creature flew further and further away, but then suddenly snapped taut as it reached its limits.

The dactyl swerved wildly, straining against its tether, which in turn strained against the stake hammered into the ground to which it had been tied.

“It’s not going to hold!” Curly shouted, springing into action, racing to the rope to grab it with both hands, as though he could singlehandedly drag the massive bird back to the ground. Stump joined him, followed by several other men, all of whom dug their heels into the dirt.

Ivor, on the other hand, simply stood back and watched the spectacle. If he shared his men’s concern for the rope, he showed no signs. Ludo found himself creeping through the crack in the door and then toward the man’s side. Ivor visibly flinched, his gaze snapping to Ludo before returning to the dactyl, which was beginning to show signs that its strength was waning. “You know how to move quietly,” the man said. “You startled me, and I don’t startle easily.” He gestured to the side, away from all the action. Ludo followed his gaze to where a massive clump of fur hung from a tall pike. The mantioc’s massive, toothy maw hung lifelessly, the gleam having faded from all three of its eyes. Blood slowly dripped from the pelt, splashing into a broad basin. “It’ll be yours to keep or sell after it’s been drained and cleaned up. You’ll have to pay our peltsman, of course, but the kill was yours. A cleaner cut I’ve never seen before. Made gutting him rather easy.”

Ludo felt a swell of pride at the compliment. “Er, thank you?”

“Why have you come to Nal Eston? Haven’t had a newcomer in a while, at least not one who walked in by choice.”

Ludo considered telling him the whole story about Dahlia and Mister Rose, Minwar and Garwin. But instead, he said, simply, “To learn.”

The man nodded to himself, still watching the dactyl fight for its life, a fight the beast was slowly losing. Each pump of its wings had less effect than the last, its altitude dropping swiftly. “I’m Ivory, but most call me Ivor. Tell me your name.”

“Ludo Vica.” For some reason, he felt comfortable with this man. Maybe it was because of the credit he’d been given for killing the mantioc.