City of Rogues: Book I of the Kobalos Trilogy Read Online Free Page B

at the central barracks told me where you were stationed.” Lucius pointed at the remains of Trelvigor’s mansion. “What happened here?”
    Gris glanced at the rising smoke. “Wizard’s house caught fire last night. We don’t know what caused it yet, and the wizard’s in no shape to answer questions.”
    “ I guess there’s not much a dead man can tell you.”
    “ He’s not dead.”
    Lucius pointed at the house again. “He lived through that?”
    “ Managed to make his way to the front door.” Gris shrugged as if almost disbelieving. “When he was pulled out, he wasn’t much more than a husk. One of the local healers thinks he can have him back on his feet in a few weeks.”
    “ Is that why the city guard are involved?”
    “ Usually we’re not in on this sort of thing,” Gris said, nodding as they walked away from the crowd into the center of Mages Way, “but it was a wizard, and a body was found in the rubble of the house’s tower.”
    “ Servant?”
    Gris shrugged again. “ To everyone’s knowledge, the wizard lived alone, and this wizard didn’t have too many friends. We’ll look into it best we can, but I’ll have to wait until the wizard’s in better shape before I can find out what happened.
    “ Anyway, what can I do for you?”
    “ I’m seeking work.”
    “ What about the wardens?”
    “ I resigned.” Lucius's words drew a look of surprise. “My uncle passed away about six months ago.”
    “ Sorry to hear about Kuthius. He was a damn fine warden. What happened to him?”
    “ Hard living and old age.”
    Gris chuckled, thinking about the tough old man who had been Lucius Tallerus’s uncle. Kuthius Tallerus had lived hard. He had been a border warden for the Prisonlands nearly all his life, and that job meant hard living in the woods while catching some of the toughest and deadliest of men. Most wardens were young, in their twenties, and few lived long enough or kept the job long enough to make it into their thirties. Gris guessed Kuthius must have been in his mid-fifties and had probably been a border warden for close to forty years. Gris himself had retired when he had turned thirty only four years earlier, and he had no qualms about giving up the life.
    “ He should have retired long ago.” The words came almost as if Lucius could read the sergeant's thoughts. “After he was gone, I figured it was time to move on.”
    Gris slapped his friend on the back. “If there was ever a fellow meant to be a border warden, it was you, Lucius. You were one of the best. I’m surprised the captains didn’t try to keep you by making you a better offer.”
    “ Who says they didn’t?”
    The two laughed together.
    “ It’s good to see you again, but tell me what kind of work you’re looking for.” The sergeant gripped the handle of the sword at his waist and shifted it to a more comfortable position. “I’m guessing a soldier or guard’s position. Or how about hunting? You’re the best tracker I’ve ever seen.”
    “ I’d prefer something in town.”
    “ Guard work it is, then.” Gris paused and stared out over the heads of the crowd still watching the work crew. “We don’t have anything open with the city right now, but that can change any time. However, the Western church is always looking for guards.”
    “ I’d prefer to work for more than food and a cot.”
    “ I understand,” Gris said, still watching the crowd. “The Western church just doesn’t have the coffers of the Eastern.”
    Lucius nodded as they continued with their walk..
    “ There’s a bodyguard’s guild, but I don’t think you’d work for them.” The sergeant continued on, leading his friend through a group of pedestrians that gave way before his orange tunic. “If they find a fellow working in town without being a member, they take it out on him pretty hard.”
    “ What else is there?”
    “ There’s the Asylum.”
    “ An asylum? I don’t remember it.”
    “ One of the wealthier