The girl brought Konic’s mug of ale andgave him a puzzled look but did not say anything.

“I am just traveling through,”smiled the bandit. “Who can say what makes a man travel anyparticular road any more than what makes a soldier settle down andtake up fishing?”

Konic was startled. Not manytownspeople even knew that he had been in the Army when he wasyounger. Surely the sword calluses were long gone and covered byyears of fishing. How could this simple bandit know that? Thenagain, this was no simple bandit, Konic reminded himself. The manhad all the poise of a person who had spent his whole life in theArmy. Perhaps he is a forward scout for one of the many warringarmies ravaging Sordoa. Then again, most of the bandits plaguingthe world had been soldiers at one time or another. “We’ve hadtrouble with bandits invading the town before,” Konic finally said.“If that is your intention, I would like to dissuade you from thethought.”

“If that is your truepurpose,” the bandit smiled, “you can leave now, satisfied that youhave accomplished your mission. I have not seen much in your townthat would interest a group of bandits.”

The bandit’s smile told Konic that theman had not bought his story, but surely he could not know whyKonic was here. Even Konic was not sure exactly why he was here. Hewanted the boys safe and he suspected that this man might beharmful to them, but why? What did the bandit want here? How couldhe find out? Finally he decided, as he did most other times, thatthe truth was usually the best course. “I lost my wife to banditsthree years ago,” Konic declared bitterly, “and all I have left ismy son. If you are here to harm him or his friend, I will killyou.”

When the bandit made no comment, Konicshakily continued. “I know you are a man of great skill and youthink my threat idle and boastful, but I assure you that I will notrest until your bones are scattered to the vultures.” Konic tookthe star weapon out of his pouch and slammed it on the table. Alleyes in the common room turned at the sound and the bandit sweptthe star up and out of sight before Konic could see the man’s handmove.