Refuge: Kurt's Quest Read Online Free Page B

the same world.”
    “Peoples of whom I have not heard,” said the
knight, bowing his head toward the humans.
    “How have the Danes troubled your king?” asked
Kurt, waiting a moment while Garios translated.
    “Because the king is a damned fool who would
sell his soul to that Ellala Emperor,” said the standard bearer.  The leader
immediately raised a hand to stop the man from talking while shooting him a
warning glance.
    [There is trouble in this land,] sent Fenris to
the humans.  [More than that caused by the newcomers.]
    Kurt nodded his head.  He had already figured
as much from the statement of the standard bearer.  The king was dealing with
his enemies, and not everyone in this kingdom thought that a good idea.
    The leader looked over at the magic user.  She
closed her eyes for a moment, and when they opened, they opened wide.  “There
is great power in all of these humans,” she said in a quiet voice.  “That one,”
she said, pointing at James, “is a Mage of tremendous ability.  A natural magic
user.”  She looked over at Jackie and her eyes grew even wider.  “This one is
Immortal.  I see no end to her life.”  And then she looked at Kurt with black
eyes that seemed to look right through him.  “And this one is he who was
prophesized.”
    The knight’s eyes went wide and he stared at
Kurt.  He shook his head, blinked his eyes, and looked at the three humans
again with a smile.  “I forget my manners, my Lords and Lady.  I am Sir Gromli,
in the service of the Duke of Nautersham.  I am certain the Duke would wish to
dine with you tonight, that he may satisfy his curiosity.”
    [I sense no deception in this one, friend
Kurt,] sent White Paws.
    [I want you to stay hidden while we are in the
castle,] sent Kurt.  [Can you take care of yourself through the night?]
    [This one will have no trouble finding food and
drink in these woods,] replied the wolf.  [I shall wait for you outside the
castle.]
    “We will be pleased to meet with your Duke, Sir
Gromli,” said Kurt, bowing his head.  “Please, lead on.”
    It was a two hour ride to the castle and its
surrounding town, during which time the Dwarf taught the humans as much of the
local language as he could over the mind link.
    *     *     *
    The town reminded Kurt of Medieval towns he had
seen in Germany, or the walled town that had still existed in France in his
time.  The houses were close together, as space was at a premium behind the
walls.  Carts of produce came through the gate from the surrounding farms.  The
town smelled of unwashed bodies and raw sewage, and the German was unsurprised
to see people tossing chamber pots from their windows onto the streets below.  That
is something we will not tolerate in our new order , he thought, looking
over and seeing that Jackie and James were both wrinkling their noses in
disgust.  And Fenris looked like he was about to puke, though the Dwarf held up
well enough.
    The people of the town seemed a cheerful folk,
going about their business with smiles, chatting with friends and neighbors as
they went about their tasks.  There were many Halflings among the humans, and
when Kurt mentioned that to the knight the man replied with a smile.  “The
little people make good subjects,” said the Knight, waving at a guardsman who
was patrolling the market.  “They have a way with plants that humans cannot
duplicate.”
    “They also have other skills that are not so
much in demand,” said one of the men at arms.  “Thieving little bastards.”
    “They do indeed make good thieves, spies and
assassins,” agreed Sir Gromli.  “When they are on your side that is a good
thing.  When not, well…”  The man pointed at a hanging cage over the marketplace,
where small bones bleached in the late afternoon sun.
    The little people seemed even more cheerful
than the humans, and Kurt wondered about that dynamic.  Were they just that
more cheerful as a race?  Or were they able to distance