Next afternoon, Haaken grumped, This loafing is getting old, Bragi. Whatre we going to do?

Bragi touched his mothers locket. Theres Hellin Daimiel. Ill talk to Yalmar.

The day following Yalmar announced, Ive gotten you guard jobs with a caravan leaving tomorrow. Theres a job you can do for me while youre at it. A man named Magnolo will be traveling with the caravan. Hell be carrying something for me. I dont trust him. Watch him. He added some details. If he takes the package to anyone but Stavros, kill him. Grimly, Bragi nodded.

Bragi? Haaken asked.

Yeah? Bragi poked the coals of their campfire, watched them glow briefly brighter.

I kind of wish we didnt kill that guy Magnolo.

The man Yalmar had set them to watch had delivered the Itaskians package to a house in the fanciest quarter in Hellin Daimiel. In their enthusiasm to fulfill their charge the youths had not only killed Magnolo, they had injured the gentleman he had visited and had killed one of the bodyguards. Aghast, panicky, they had fled the city.

Im hungry, Haaken complained.

Dont seem to be much game in these parts, does there?

They had made camp on a rocky hill eight miles northeast of Hellin Daimiel, in the only uncultivated area they could find. Hellin Daimiel was an old city. Its environs had been tamed for ages. Small game, especially agricultural pests, had been eradicated. The youths had eaten nothing but fish for three days, and those were treasures hard-won from irrigation canals.

Whatre we going to do?

Haaken sounded a little frightened.

Bragi did not mention it. He was scared too. They were on their own in a foreign, indifferent land.

I dont know. I really dont.

We dont have too many choices.

I know.

We cant just stay here. Not only will we starve, were Trolledyngjan. Somebodys going to jump us for that.

Yeah. I know. They had had their run-ins already. Trolledyngjans were not popular anywhere near the sea.

We could go ahead and try the Mercenarys Guild.

I just dont like the sound of that. All that marching around and saying Yes sir, no sir, by your leave, sir. I dont think I could take it. Id pop somebody in the snot box and get myself hung.

It doesnt sound so bad to me. We could try it. They say you dont have to stay if you dont like it. It isnt like joining a regular army.

Maybe. Okay? Ive been thinking about something else. Bragi rose and moved to a large boulder. He leaned against it and peered out across the plain surrounding Hellin Daimiel.