Returning to his original position, he watched the two hidden men for some time. Neither moved, save to glance around fearfully. And neither made any attempt to communicate with the other. Waylander wondered if each knew of the other’s presence so close by.
Reaching into his pouch he pulled clear a large triangular copper coin, and this he threw into the screen of bushes close to the first assassin. The man swore and lunged up. Immediately the second man spun round and loosed an arrow which tore into the first man’s shoulder.
‘You puking idiot!’ shouted the wounded man.
Tm sorry!’ answered the bowman, dropping the bow and moving forward to his comrade’s side. ‘Is it bad?’
Waylander dropped quietly to the ground on the other side of the tree.
‘You damn near killed me!’ complained the first man.
‘Wrong,’ said Waylander. ‘He has killed you.’
A bolt punched through the man’s skull just above his nose. The bowman leapt to his right, diving for cover, but Waylander’s second bolt lanced through his neck. An arrow flashed by Waylander’s face, burying itself in the trunk of the ancient beech. Ducking he ran for cover, hurling himself over a fallen tree and scrambling up a short steep bank into dense undergrowth.
Three left.
And one of these was the Nadir!
97
Sword in hand Morak hid behind a large boulder, listening for any signs of movement. He was alone, and filled with the fear of death.
How many were dead already?
The man was a demon! The hilt of his sword was greasy with sweat, and he wiped it on his cloak. His clothes were filthy, his hands mud-streaked. This was no place for a nobleman to die, surrounded by filth and worms and rotted leaves. He had fought men before, blade to blade, and knew he was no coward, but the dark of the forest, the hissing of the wind, the sibilant rustling of the leaves and the knowledge that Waylander was moving towards him like Death’s shadow, almost unmanned him.
A movement from behind caused his heart to palpitate. He swung, trying to bring up his sword, but Belash’s powerful hand gripped his wrist. ‘Follow me,’ whispered the Nadir, easing back into the undergrowth. Morak was more than willing to obey and the two men crept towards the south, Belash leading the way down the slope to where Waylander’s cloak lay upon a boulder.
‘He will come back here,’ said Belash, keeping his voice low.
Morak saw that the Nadir was carrying a short hunting bow of Vagrian horn, a quiver of arrows slung across his broad shoulders. ‘What about the others?’ he asked.
‘Dead – all except Jonas. He loosed a shaft at Waylander, but it missed. Jonas dropped his bow and ran.’
‘Cowardly scum!’
Belash grinned. ‘Bigger share for us, yes?’
‘I didn’t think you were interested in coin. I thought this was just an exercise in valiant behaviour. You know, Father’s bones and all that.’
‘No time for talk, Morak. You sit here and rest. I will be close by.’
‘Sit here? He’ll see me.’
‘Of course. It is a small crossbow – he will come in close. Then I’ll kill him.’
98
Morak uttered a foul curse. ‘What if he just creeps up and lets fly before you see him?’
Then you die,’ said Belash.
‘Quaint sense of humour you have. Why don’t you sit here? I’ll take the bow.’
‘As you wish,’ answered Belash contemptuously, his dark eyes gleaming with amusement. He handed Morak the weapon then folded his arms and sat, staring towards the south. Morak faded back into the undergrowth and notched an arrow to the string.
The moonlight cast spectral shadows on the small clearing where Belash waited and Morak shivered. What if Waylander were to come from a different direction? What if, even now, he was creeping silently through the forest behind him? Morak swung his head, but could see nothing untoward. But then who could see anything in this cursed gloom!
The Nadir’s plan was a simple one, born of a simple mind. But they were not dealing with a simpleton. If he stayed here he could die. There was no certainty to the plan. Yet if he left the Nadir behind, then Belash would feel betrayed. And if he survived, the Nadir would then hunt him down. Morak toyed with the thought of taking the risk, of slipping away quietly, but Belash was a woodsman of almost mystical skill. He would hear him – and give chase immediately. An arrow then – straight through the back. No. The Nadir was strong. What if it failed to kill immediately? Morak knew he could best Belash sword to sword, but the Nadir’s immense strength might bring him in close enough to use that wicked dagger . . . That was a thought he didn’t enjoy.