The Staff of Sakatha Read Online Free Page B

do that.”
    “And you’re a Redhand?” said Jon.
    “Correct again. It’s considered good form to take the name Redhand if in the battle in which you earned your knighthood you killed more than a single foe,” said Thaddeus with a shrug of his shoulders.
    “And you achieved that?” said Jon.
    “I was fortunate,” said Thaddeus, “but, to answer your question, yes.”
    “And who makes the list of acceptable names?” said Jon as he took a long draught from his beer. “Ahh, quite delicious. Maybe the girl should bring me another as I might go through this one quickly.”
    “Lara,” shouted Thaddeus but the girl, who watched closely from nearby, was already up and filled a second mug.
    “When Brutus Brokenhand first settled in Elekargul he had two dozen of his trusted warriors with him and each of those men became the original named knights. But, if a knight does something particularly noteworthy then he is allowed to choose his own name to add to the roles. Redhand for example is one of those. During a particularly bloody battle a knight of Elekargul stabbed a terrible creature so deeply that he ended up pulling out the thing’s heart which stayed beating in his hand for a moment, thus Redhand.”
    “That’s what Sorus meant about getting his own name,” said Jon. “He also said something about being a Coppercoin?”
    “Yes, Coppercoin is the name that a young un-squired knight can take if he performs heroically on the field of battle to gain his knighthood. A lot of the boys want to be Coppercoins but they are few and far between. The original story is quite interesting but I think maybe it’s time you went to see Thorius Brokenhand before you have too many Smooth Striders,” suggested Thaddeus as he noted the speed with which the young man poured beer down his throat.
    Jon gave his not quite empty second mug a rather forlorn look but then nodded his head and smiled, “You’re right of course Thaddeus. It’s been such a long journey I got a bit carried away. Which way to the mayor?”
    “You’ll make a left out the door and then walk about two blocks until you come to a larger thoroughfare heading east and west. Take a left there and when you get to the red brick building that’s the place. You can ask anyone along the way and they’ll be glad to help you, Jon. You’re going to be quite an attraction here in Black Dale.”
    Jon stood and looked at Thaddeus for a moment. “You’ve been a big help and so was young Sorus. He handled himself quite well. You wouldn’t know where I might find the First Rider?”
    Thaddeus shook his head, “The First Rider is out on patrol and I’m serving my administrative twelve month so I’m not really in the loop. You might want to stop by the mason. Sir Odellius is an old friend of the First Rider and might know more.”
    “Thank you again, Thaddeus. I’m certain I’ll see you around town for the next little while at least and perhaps I’ll stay long enough for you to join me in the field!”
    Thaddeus nodded head and then turned towards the back of the shop, “Now be careful with the barley,” he shouted and strode through the door.
Chapter 3
    “What do you think, Mikus?” said a tall knight who wore a golden tunic with the symbol of four horseshoes that faced out from each other with a broken hand symbol in the middle. His hair was gray at the temples and thin on top and his steady blue eyes gazed at a younger man dressed in a plain tunic that bore the four horseshoe symbol but was empty in the middle. The older knight sat in a high backed leather chair behind a large oak desk clear of papers, although an inkwell and feather pen rested on it. The room contained a number of hunting trophies on the walls and a heavy carpet, both thick and lush, covered the floor.
    “Everyone saw him come into town with the brewer boy this morning and he was talking with the blacksmith’s daughters. Nobody knows much about him yet but he’s going to have to come