Rodulf and his men had no such compunction. Their departure was accompanied by a symphony of stamping boots, scraping chairs, belches, chatter, and laughter. It was loud enough that the Maisterspaeker stopped and waited until they had pushed their way through the crowd to get to the door, Rodulf at their centre, not deigning to have physical contact with anyone as he passed.
People did their best to get out of the way, but in such a crowded room, one woman fell to the floor and cried out as the group pressed on regardless. The Maisterspaeker was too far away to do anything about it, and surrounded by a press of bodies, could only watch.
‘Be careful, there,’ a man called, as he too was unceremoniously shoved out of the way.
One of Rodulf’s men backhanded him across the face, sending him to the ground also. Nobody else breathed a word. They all stood in silence until Rodulf and his men left and the door closed behind them, without paying for their food or drink. The Maisterspaeker feared his story had put Rodulf in the mood to have his men inflict some unwarranted punishment on the audience.
‘Bastard,’ someone muttered, but loud enough to be heard.
A murmur of grumbling followed to support the utterance.
‘Wish he’d stay on his own land,’ someone said.
‘We should complain to the Graf,’ said another.
‘What good would it do?’ said another still.
‘Just be grateful he’s not your lord,’ Conradin said. ‘Have a thought for the poor sods on his lands, and think yourselves lucky.’
‘Not a popular man?’ the Maisterspaeker said.
‘No, Maisterspaeker,’ Conradin said. ‘Far from it. Taxes his tenants into the dirt and shows them the lash when they come up short. He whipped a man to death last harvest. He’s scum. Glad I don’t have to work for him. Just wish he would keep to his own lands.’
The Maisterspaeker nodded. Their problem would be dealt with before much longer, he thought, although he couldn’t make them aware of that. When it was all done, he could return to the tavern and finish the story. He wondered what they would think to discover the man they loathed was the villain of the story? Gradually the murmuring subsided, and the eyes returned to him. The Maisterspaeker took a mouthful of ale and continued, satisfied that he had found Rodulf, a man who needed killing. That could wait, however. First, he had an almost-finished story he needed to tell.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sign up for Duncan’s mailing list and get a free copy of his novella, The Frontier Lord. Visit his website to get your copy:
duncanmhamilton.com
Duncan is the Amazon best selling writer of fantasy novels and short stories, including The Wolf of the North and the Society of the Sword trilogy. He has Master's Degrees in History and Law, and practised as a barrister before writing full time.
He lives in Ireland, near the sea, and when not writing he enjoys sailing, scuba diving, windsurfing, cycling, and skiing.
His debut novel, 'The Tattered Banner (Society of the Sword Volume 1)' was placed 8th on Buzzfeed's 12 Greatest Fantasy Books Of The Year, 2013.
You can get in touch with Duncan at the following places:
duncanmhamilton.com
[email protected]
ALSO BY DUNCAN M. HAMILTON
The Wolf of the North Trilogy
The Wolf of the North
The Society of the Sword Trilogy
The Tattered Banner
The Huntsman’s Amulet
The Telastrian Song
The First Blade of Ostia
Novellas and Short Stories
The Swordsman of Tanosa
The Frontier Lord
Copyright © Duncan M. Hamilton 2017
All Rights Reserved
The right of Duncan M. Hamilton to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or downloaded in any form or by any means, electronic or otherwise, without the express written permission of the author.
This book is a work of fiction. All of the characters in this book are fictitious and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Cover Art by Damonza
Maps by Robert Altbauer
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Map of the Middle Sea
Map of the Northlands
Map of Estranza
Part I
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Part II
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Part III
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
About the Author
Also by Duncan M. Hamilton
Copyright
Jorundyr's Path: Wolf of the North Book 2 Page 38
