Intrigue by the Sword

By Scott LeMaster

The Snowlands of Vearon, in the northernmost corner of Vera'Gon, are a harsh and cold place. Crops struggle to grow, and the local animals are fierce and always on the hunt. Despites the hardships, many people call it home. Snowlanders are known to be a tough and resilient people, just like the lands in which they live.

Anders Bandit-Slayer lives a good life here. His days are filled with protecting merchants, hunting thieves, and carousing in taverns with his fellow mercenaries. He is charge of one of the most well known mercenary groups that operates in the Snowlands, "The Bandit Slayers". They are in high demand, charge a fair price, and show no mercy to brigands.

But when the family he hasn't seen in years calls him home, Anders must make a tough decision. Does he he ignore the request, and allow whatever trouble is happening to run rampant? Or will he return, and possibly lose the life he knows?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Scott LeMaster
• Release date: Aug 8, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301857883

Scott LeMaster

Scott LeMaster was born in March of the year 1982. He has always had a love of fantasy and the medieval time period since his youngest days. He grew up reading Tolkien, Salvatore, and Weiss/Hickman, falling in love with the characters and settings. The unique setting of the Dragonlance Series inspired him to work on creating his own fantasy setting. His passion for all things medieval lead him to take up Modern Olympic Fencing and even do medieval reenactment in his teenage years. If it involved swords, Scott would give it a try. He had moderate success as a fencer, winning medals at tournaments all across the state of Florida and qualifying for the Junior Olympics two years in a row. Scott studied creative writing and literature in college, graduating with a Bachelors of the Arts Degree in English from the University of Central Florida. After achieving the goal of becoming of fencing coach, Scott now focuses on writing. He writes mainly medieval fantasy, especially in his own world of Vera'Gon, and dabbles a little in science fiction.

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Intrigue By The Sword

By Scott LeMaster

Copyright 2013 Scott LeMaster

Edited by Jay Schlichter

Smashwords Edition

License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This story is dedicated to my Grandmother, Erma.

I would also like to give a special thanks to:

My family for their support, and Paul Polomsky for the artwork.

Part One: The Long Road

Anders sat on the wagon's bench seat, his eyes routinely scanning the road ahead. The shadows were deep, stretching across the rocky roadway and the cold breeze kept the foliage in constant motion. The road was clear of snow, but it thickly covered the trees and shrubs. Occasionally a branch would break under the weight of the snow, causing a sudden and loud crack! from deep within the dark woods. The heavy wagon creaked with every bump, adding another layer of noise Anders had to sort in his head. Any shadow or bush could hide an attacker, Anders thought to himself. He took a moment to check on his comrades. Both Clydas and Gron were hanging off a side of the loaded wagon, their heads swiveling as they scanned the trees and bushes. The heavy tarp draped across the cargo fluttered in the breeze and something shifted underneath.

Are you comfortable, Lyster? Anders asked in a joking tone.

Oh, very much so, Lyster responded sarcastically from under the tarp. I have always dreamed of reclining upon wooden crates while being smothered by a tarp. It does wonders for my stiff back.

Hah! Well your dream rest will be over soon, we have only a few leagues left to travel.

Six months of working with you and I finally get the desired 'lying on crates' position in the wagon. I do so dread the arrival to town, with its roast chicken and chilled wine. Perhaps I will sleep on the tavern bench tonight, so I may continue to enjoy this stiff, wooden luxury.

I get the idea. Now hush, something is blocking the road ahead.

Anders spied what appeared to be an ox cart with a broken wheel sitting in the middle of the shadow strewn road. A man was tugging on the lead rope of the ox, but stopped to wave as he noticed the oncoming wagon. Might just be a farmer with a spot of bad luck, Anders mused. But the way he is blocking the road will force us, and any other large wagons, to stop. This is a good spot for an ambush.

Stop here, Anders told the driver, Garret. I will approach on foot. He dropped off the bench as the laden wagon eased to a stop. Clydas and Gron also jumped to the road and took defensive stances, their hands on sword hilts and shields in front of their torsos. Anders approached the stranded traveler at an easy gait, his eyes constantly scanning the shadows. The man continued to wave and moved to the side of the cart with the broken wheel. Anders' hand dropped instinctively to the hilt of his longsword and he loosened his blade in its scabbard.

Hail, good sirrah, the man said as Anders got close. The man was about middle aged, his skin well browned by sun and pulled tight over his gaunt frame. In his loose, roughspun clothes and sash belt, he looked like an average farmer.

Hail, traveler, Anders replied, his eyes scanning the cart. The left wheel was lying in the dirt, the cart axle and wheel looking intact and undamaged. What seems to be the problem?

Oh, ol' Jessie here walked the cart right into a deep rut and broke the wheel off. I've been trying to get her to pull the cart from the road, but she's lazy and does not like to pull the cart when both wheels are on. You have some strong looking fellows there. With your help I'm sure we can clear the road, and maybe fix my wheel.

Oh yes, I'm sure. There is a problem though. This wheel doesn't look broken at all. It looks more like you merely removed it so the cart would block the road.

Oh my, the man said with a wicked smile. You might just be right. NOW!

Anders was already starting to move backward when the man slashed out with a hidden knife. The glinting blade whistled right under Anders' chin, trimming the hairs of his short beard but missing any flesh. Anders yelled AMBUSH! while calmly sliding his longsword free. The man quickly came forward with another slash, but Anders easily dodged and thrust out with his sword. The blade slid between the man's ribs, puncturing lung and piercing his heart. The man's brown face twisted with pain and surprise, and Anders freed his blade with a spray of blood.

The man slumped against the cart and Anders turned toward the commotion happening around the wagon. Six men were charging the wagon from the bushes, their cloaks and hoods covered in leaves and branches to better hide them. The men were lean and agile, each holding a stout blade in hand. The horses were stamping their hooves and whinnying in fear, but Garret kept them under control. Lyster sprung up from underneath the tarp, his gnomish crossbow at the ready and Anders started running. Lyster's first bolt caught one of the bandits charging Clydas in the head, and the man collapsed to the ground. As Lyster worked the cocking lever of his crossbow, Anders angled himself toward Gron. The man was busy fighting against three bandits alone, and looked hard pressed.

Gron had his back against the wagon, his shield and broad sword waving to stop the probing blades of the bandits. Anders ran in with a shout, getting the nearest bandit to look over his shoulder right before Anders ran him through with the full length of his blade. He pushed the dying man off his sword with his foot as Gron lashed out at his closest attacker. Gron's sword cut deeply into the bandit's neck, spurting blood as the man screamed in pain. The remaining bandit lunged forward and Anders watched