Read Online 2 Defiler of Tombs by William King - Free Book Online Page B

strangers.
    “What was it?”
    “There were a group of strangers but they did not look natural. There was just something about them. They said there was one in particular who was massive and hunched, looked more like a troll than a man.”
    “Have your boys ever seen a troll?”
    “No, Guardian, or they most likely would not be still with us. They’ve heard the stories though. What hill-man has not?”
    “So your boys never got close enough to take a good look at the newcomers,” Kormak said.
    “They hailed them, and their accents were not local.”
    “What did they have to say?”
    “They told my boys to clear off the road or it would be worse for them.” Kormak could picture the scene in his mind’s eye easily enough with the hill-men blocking the road as they attempted to part the travellers from some sort of toll, and the travellers refusing to give way.
    “One of my boys lost his temper and put an arrow into the big one.”
    “There was a fight.”
    “Not much of one.”
    “Why?”
    “They turned the big one into a pin-cushion with their arrows. He just kept coming towards them, making a strange grunting and moaning sound.”
    “Men tend to do that when they have been filled full of arrows.”
    “They also tend to bleed, Sir Kormak. This one didn’t.”
    “None at all? You sure?” Kormak felt the thrill of the hunt grow in him. This sounded like one of Morghael’s minions all right.
    “My boys are. I don’t think I’ve ever seen them so scared, not since the frost wights came down out of the hills during the winter of ’63.”
    “They ran?”
    “Well, they didn’t stick around to see what would happen next.”
    “Were they pursued?”
    The old woman shook her head. “Once they were off the road, the strangers rode on. They moved slowly apparently. As if their horses were sick or doped. Lucas followed them a ways just to make sure they were gone. He kept his distance though for sure.”
    “We found a dead man on the road here,” said Kormak. “He had been killed by sorcery. He was a hill-man, a Watcher.”
    “Watcher Martin is overdue. He should have been here a couple of days back.”
    “Maybe he tried to have a chat with the southerners as well.”
    “He might have. Watchers check out every stranger who comes up here. It’s what they do. So are you looking for these southerners, Guardian?”
    Kormak noticed she did not ask Aisha. The question was obviously not meant to include her. It seemed the old woman had already drawn her own conclusions about what the other woman was doing here.
    “It’s starting to sound like it. If they are not the ones I am looking for, they may be up to no good anyway so I may as well take a look.”
    “You see the lights in the hills the other night?”
    Kormak nodded. Aisha did too.
    “You seen the like before?” Kormak asked.
    “One happened when I was a girl. The Green Comet was in the sky. The dead walked then. It was not a good time.”
    “I can believe that.”
    “Strangers on the road, a Guardian looking for them, liche lights in the hills. The Comet returning. I can’t help but feel it’s going to be a bad winter,” said the old woman. “I feel it right in my bones.”
    Kormak saw no reason to contradict her. Aisha yawned, rose and said, “On that gloomy note, I will take my leave.” With courtly bows the Tinkers joined her, leaving Kormak, Brandon and the old lady to themselves.
     
     
    Kormak, Brandon and Agnetha sat around the fire, while the wind blew down from the hills and rattled the shutters. Brandon laid out his bedroll in front of the fire.
    “I have always thought that the hill-clans would welcome the return of the Lords of Kharon,” Brandon said. Agnetha gave him a sour smile.
    “You really do not understand our history then,” she told him.
    “I know you are descended from the Men of Kharon and that you fought against my ancestors.”
    “You are right and wrong,” she said.
    “How can I be both?”
    “The