Taker Of Skulls (Book 5) Read Online Free Page A

who sold me this was called Joaquim and he came from Northrock,” said Karnea. She glanced sidelong at Kormak.
    “Why did you sell him it if you thought he was cheating you?” Kormak asked.
    “I needed the money,” Sasha said. Her fists were clenched and there was a note of defiance in her voice. She clearly did not like exposing any weakness in her negotiating position. She took a deep breath, stared hard at Kormak. “Whatever we find down there I want part of it, prospector’s rules, equal shares.”
    “I don’t think we can do that,” said Karnea. Her voice was hesitant and almost apologetic. Sasha looked as if she was about to storm away. “But I will pay you a quarter of the appraised value of whatever we find in gold. If you steer us true and we find anything.”
    Sasha considered this for a while and then nodded slowly.
    “Perhaps we should go back and explain to Otto that his services will no longer be required,” Karnea said.
    “No need,” said Kormak. “We just don’t meet them in the morning. They are already a lunar each better off.”
    “Meet us at the Axe and Hammer in the morning girl, and we’ll talk more,” said Karnea. Sasha nodded and disappeared into the night. Kormak kept careful watch as they walked back downhill. He felt many eyes in the night.

    Sasha showed up at the Axe and Hammer at first light. Kormak and the others were already in the common room eating breakfast. Karnea studied her over the top of her glasses.
    In the light, he could see that Sasha was a tall, slender, good-looking woman, with pale skin and raven black hair. Her eyes were large and her nose was hooked, her lips were full and sensual. She had an intense, haunted gaze that she focused on them one at a time. She was clad all in leather, with a pick slung from a hook on her belt and a knife strapped to her thigh. A missile weapon of strange design hung over her back. Looking at it closely, he realised it was an alchemical stonethrower of dwarven make. It was a potent weapon if she knew how to use it and had the right ammunition.
    “You’re keen,” Kormak said.
    “I want the money,” she said.
    “You won’t get it until we get back from the mountains, safely,” said Kormak.
    “You were willing to pay an advance to Otto and his lads.”
    “On consideration we might reluctantly have decided not to do so,” said Karnea.
    “That is disappointing news,” said a booming voice from the door. Otto stood there flanked by two members of his gang. “Me and the boys expect to be paid what we were promised.”
    “I don’t think we’ll be requiring your services,” said Karnea. She smiled beatifically at him, seemingly unaware of the menace in his voice. Otto slapped the palm of his meaty hand with the head of his hammer.
    “A little bird been whispering lies to you, has she?” Otto asked. He strode closer, loomed over the table. More of his men entered the Axe and Hammer. The other customers, sensing trouble, buried themselves in eating their food, or scurried towards the doors of their rooms.
    Kormak rose from his seat and Boreas did the same. Sasha had her pick in her hands now. Karnea removed her glasses and placed them on the table in front of her. “I can understand your disappointment but there is no need to be rude. You will not need money for supplies since you will not be going with us, but I am willing to pay you something for your trouble.”
    Thinking he sensed weakness, Otto said, “I think you should pay us what you owe us. A deal is a deal.”
    Kormak stepped between the prospector and Karnea. He smiled and said, “The lady has been kind enough to offer to pay you for your trouble. I think you should take her offer while you are still capable of doing so.”
    Otto was still looking at Karnea. “Or what, you will kill us all?”
    “Just you and anybody who tries to help you,” Kormak said. Something in his tone got Otto’s full attention. The prospector looked at him as if for the first