Web of Deceit Read Online Free

the Moon’. Tell me Mistake, what is your plan?”
    “I plan to find the Sage of the Mountain,” she proclaimed. “It is said that he knows everything.”
    “I believe that is just an old myth,” stated Brontos. “I have traveled most of this land and while I hear him mentioned often, I have never talked with anyone who has ever seen or talked to him. Not even anyone who knows anyone who has. What would you ask him if he did exist?”
    “Who my real family is,” declared Mistake.

Chapter 2
Seeking the Sage
    Brontos pulled the wagon into a spot near the river where a ring of stones testified to prior encampments. The old merchant moved slowly from the seat of the wagon and started to unhitch the horses.
    “Can you cook, Mistake?” he asked as he locked eyes with the short thief.
    “Of course,” frowned Mistake. “Why didn’t you ask Rejji though? I am not a housemaid you know.”
    “Because I have eaten in his village before,” laughed Brontos. “I was hoping you might have more knowledge of spices. Besides, I am trying to discern your other talents. I probably should take you back to Khadora with me.”
    “What is it like?” Rejji inquired. “Khadora, I mean.”
    “Just inside the back flap is a tin with provisions, Mistake,” Brontos said. “Choose something that you can add flavor to. Fakaran food is the most bland food I have ever tasted.”
    The merchant led the horses to the stream and Rejji followed him. Brontos looked at Rejji and sighed.
    “It is much different than here,” the merchant finally said. “It is a well developed country with law and order. Bandits don’t survive very well there. Fakara is more like a wasteland than a country. There is no government, no laws.”
    “Would you really take us with you?” questioned Rejji.
    Brontos hesitated a moment as his eyes sought out Mistake at the rear of the wagon. She looked up to see Brontos watching her and scowled at him. The merchant shook his head and handed the reins to Rejji.
    “When they are finished drinking,” the old man instructed, “tie them to that tree and get their feed buckets from the wagon. No more than a third of a bucket for each though.”
    Brontos strode back to the wagon as Mistake closed the rear flap and carried the tin towards the fire ring. She glanced quickly at the old man and started preparing a fire.
    “I don’t steal from friends you know,” she scowled.
    “Well,” chuckled the merchant, “I would like very much to be your friend then. Let me help you with the fire.”
    Brontos gathered the deadwood he could find easily and returned to the ring where Mistake was pawing through the tin and examining the small pouches of spices.
    As Rejji returned from feeding the horses, Brontos lit the fire and sat on one of the larger rocks surrounding the ring. He pulled a pipe out of a pocket and filled it from a small pouch hanging from his belt. Rejji handed him a burning stick and sat on another of the large rocks.
    “You never said if you would take us with you to Khadora,” reminded Rejji.
    Brontos merely nodded and looked over at Mistake who was working some spices into the dried meat with her dagger.
    “I don’t know what is best for you two,” the merchant conceded. “Khadora is a much safer place to live, but there are some things about it that you will not like.”
    “Like what?” prompted Rejji. “What could be so bad in a civilized country compared to staying here?”
    “Khadora is clan based,” Brontos stated. “Everyone belongs to one clan or another. You two do not belong to any clan. That makes you fair game for enslavement. Any clan could claim you and you would spend the rest of your days as a slave. Here it is more dangerous, but you can choose the path of your life as you will.”
    “I will not be anyone’s slave,” Mistake hissed. “I can take care of myself just fine.”
    Brontos looked at the girl and nodded sadly. “How long have you been on your own, Mistake?”
    “A