Arik and Tedi had agreed to be honestwith their fathers and explained about running into the bandit atthe inn. Tedi went on to explain how he had run into the bandits’camp two nights ago and the bandit had hurled the deadly littlestar at him. The boys continued talking over dinner and theirfathers seemed content to listen. Tedi had expected his father tobe furious, but Alan’s facial expression was one ofconcern.

After dinner, Alan and Konic sattalking quietly while the boys cleaned the dishes and pots. Tedithought his father looked happier than he had at anytime in thelast three years. When the boys were all done with their chores,Alan spoke. “We are going to post a guard tonight and every nightuntil things quiet down in Lorgo,” he announced. “Tedi, give thatstar weapon to Master Clava. Arik, you are going to have the lastwatch, so you should get to sleep right away. Tedi will wake youwhen it is your turn. Everyone is to be awakened if you even thinkthere may be a problem. I will take first watch.”

Tedi handed the star to Konic. Alanindicated that Tedi should sit next to him so they could talkwithout disturbing Arik. Konic stuck the weapon in his pouch andstarted walking towards town. “Where is Master Clava going?” Tediinquired.

“He is going to talk with yourbandit,” Alan said quietly.

Arik shivered as he watched his fatherwalk away from the campsite.

Chapter 4

Bandit

Konic Clava walked into the common roomat the Fisherman’s Inn and looked around. It did not take him longto pick out the man in black seated by himself in the corner, nordid it surprise him that the man had already inspected thenewcomer. Konic understood why the man was seated alone. No one whovalued their life would voluntarily sit with a man whom soobviously reeked of death, at least not while there was anotheropen seat in the common room.