Read Online The Quest (The Sons of Camelot Book 2) by Kim Dragoner - Free Book Online Page A

right. There was not one corner into which he could retreat; not a single direction that wasn’t covered by his would-be attackers.
    “This is what you get for riding into unknown lands without an escort, knight,” the man who seemed to be their leader taunted.
    “Is that right,” Jofrit retorted, refusing to show them any fear. “What exactly do I get then?”
    As soon as the words had escaped from his lips, a wide net sprang into the air and descended over Sir Jofrit. A few of the bandits rushed forward to secure him in its tangles and pull him from the back of his horse. The group’s leader walked forward and took the beautiful silver horse by its reins.
    “Do not harm my steed, sir. Please,” Jofrit said.
    “I’m not a savage, you know. Why do you think I would harm a good, strong horse such as this? I might sell, it or trade it; that’s for certain but harm it? Never. He’s a lot better quality than a meat and glue nag, that’s for certain.”
    “Thank you, sir,” Jofrit said with a sigh. “His name is Guerrero.”
    “What’s that you said?”
    “I said the horse’s name is Guerrero.”
    “And my name is Dunmor. What’s it to you?”
    Jofrit hung his head in defeat. He probably should have listened to the old woman in the square at Aviemore; she’d given him a free and fair caution about the rough dealings that were afoot in the Spey Valley but he hadn’t heeded her warnings.
    Jofrit pondered that misstep while the bandits went through his saddlebags and then his pockets. They took every coin, every note of exchange, promissory note and ration paper he carried, and then they bound his feet and hands and threw him over Guerrero’s saddle.
    “The Island Witch is going to be very happy to see us this time around,” one of the bandits commented as they began to move along the path again. “We found exactly what she was looking for. Didn’t we, Dunmor?”
    “Aye, Brandor! I really think we got it right this time.”
    “What do you think she’ll trade with us for them?”
    “I can’t ever be really sure whenever we get to dealing with that woman. She can get very tricky in her negotiations.”
    “That’s true,” another of Dunmor’s brothers agreed. “That’s why we always leave the talking to you, Dunmor. You seem to understand her best of all of us.”
    “Might I ask what her instructions were to you men when you set out to look for whatever she was looking for?” Jofrit asked curiously as he bounced uncomfortably on the back of the horse.
    “A knight of the realm on a silver horse who didn’t look like he knew where he was going but would be proceeding along very confidently despite that fact.”
    Jofrit instantly realized that he was the centerpiece of Dunmor’s sarcastic remark and decided to remain silent. Dunmor took it as a sign of resolve and went to mock the man up close.
    “If you’re going to make fun of me and then turn me over to whatever witch it is you work for, at least set me upright in the saddle so I can journey in a little more comfort. I don’t think I’ll make it very far over this saddle on my stomach not to mention any small slip could cause the horse to stumble and become lame.”
    Dunmor pondered Sir Jofrit’s logic for a moment before relenting. He stepped away and pointed back at the captive over his shoulder while he issued instructions to one of his brothers.
    “Undo the ropes around his ankles and set him upright in the saddle. Retie his hands in front of him and let him grasp the reins himself.”
    The man ran off to do as he was told and as Dunmor went to rejoin his brothers, one of them came up beside him and asked, “Do you think that’s a very good idea, Dunmor?” He nodded toward where Jofrit was being adjusted on Guerrero’s saddle into a sitting position.
    “Why wouldn’t it be? If he falls and hurts himself or he ends up laming that horse, neither of them will be of any good to trade to the witch.”
    “It might be that it’s a