Read Online The Balborite Curse (Book 4) by Kristian Alva - Free Book Online Page B

while we were inside the keep, but I saw ‘em waitin’ there, like me, so I figured we were all there for the same job. Druknor talked to me first and gave me the money. Then, an old man handed me a leather pouch with a drawstring. He never told me what it was, but I knew as soon as I opened it. I got one vial, but I saw dozens more in that room. Druknor has a little stockpile. The old man gave me a map, told me what to do, then sent me back outside to wait with the others.”
    “Did all of you travel together?”
    “We left Sut-Burr at the same time, but separated pretty early on. As soon as the road cleared, we went our separate ways. I started with carthorses, three were on horseback, and one was on foot.”
    Tallin spoke up from the shadows. “On foot? Only a fool dares to cross the Death Sands on foot.”
    Endrell shrugged. “He was an outlander, so I didn’t ask any questions. They’re liable to gut ye for lookin’ at ‘em sideways. Anyhow, I don’t know how he fared against the sands, but he was bloody confident in ‘isself.”
    “Which route did you take?” asked Sela.
    “I chose the spice road overland. Took longer, but it’s safer. I wasn’t robbed, although a few ruffians tested my mettle. I’m not a young man anymore, but I’m still handy with an axe. I put ‘em back in their place.” Endrell smiled smugly, then continued his story. “I traded my carthorses for camels at the desert border and crossed using a dune map. I tried to follow along with another caravan, but left them midway through. I moved as fast as I could—Druknor promised me five extra crowns if I made it to Parthos before the new moon, but I got delayed. One of my beasts got sick and died. I tried to rest for a few days so she could recover, but once she was down, she never got back up again. I couldn’t save her. It slowed me up a bit.”
    “Did a vial break inside the animal?” asked Sela. “Tell us the truth.”
    “Naw, naw… nothin’ like that. Orandi fungus dropped her right after I bought her. I got a great bargain, and I should ‘ave known it was too good to be true. She was already infected when the merchant sold her to me. The sores were underneath her belly. I just didn’t check her well enough.”
    “Why did you take this job?” asked Sela. “Was it just the money?”
    Endrell shook his head. “I didn’t have any other choice. I did it to save my wife. Pinda’s sick—she’s got wastin’ sickness. She ain’t got much time left. There’s a special healer in Mallowgate who said he could save ‘er, but his healin’ potion costs a lot o’ money. My son can’t do nothin’ for her—he’s simple—he almost drowned ‘isself when he was a tot and he’s not quite right in his head.”
    Sela understood. It was a common story. There were always unscrupulous healers who claimed to have a cure for the wasting sickness. A well-crafted potion could extend a person’s life by a few months, or maybe even a year, but in the end, it was hopeless. If Endrell’s wife had the sickness, she would be dead soon. People get desperate when their loved ones are dying and will grasp at anything that gives them a shred of hope.
    “Thank you, Endrell. That’s all I needed to know,” She rose from her chair.
    “But what about me?” Endrell sat up, suddenly anxious. “And what about my family?”
    “The dragon riders will take care of it,” Sela replied evenly.
    “But when? I need to know! I didn’t finish the contract! I have to pay Druknor back—with interest. If he can’t get the money out of me, he’ll just kill Pinda and Marron instead. You’ve got to help them!”
    Sela frowned. “We shall, Endrell. I have given you my word.” She turned to leave.
    “Wait—stop!” Endrell cried. “Are ye leavin’ to go get them now? I need to know! I’m desperate! You need to help them!”
    “That’s enough! ” said Tallin, emerging from the shadows, his mouth set in a grim line. He reached forward and