file:///G|/Program%20Files/eMule/Incoming/Simon%20R.%20Green%20-%20Forest%20Kingdom%202%20-%20Blood%20and%20Honor.txt
ambitions.'
Jordan was still trying to come up with an answer to that when the three men stepped out
of the alley mouth and into the fading light. Jordan backed away a step, but calmed down a little
when they made no move to pursue him. He quickly resumed his warrior's stance, hoping they hadn't
noticed the lapse, and looked the three men over carefully from behind the haughtiest expression
he could manage. The man in the middle was clearly a noble of some kind, for all his rough
peasant's cloak and hood. His skin was pale and unweathered, and his hands were slender and
delicate. Presumably this was the owner of the cultured voice. Jordan nodded to him warily, and
the man bowed formally in return. He raised one hand and pushed back the hood of his cloak,
revealing a hawk-like, unyielding face dominated by steady dark eyes and a grim, humourless smile.
His black hair was brushed flat and heavily pomaded, giving his pale skin a dull, unhealthy look.
He was tall, at least six foot two, probably in his early forties, and looked to be fashionably
slim under his cloak. He wore a sword at his side, and Jordan had no doubt at all that this man
would know how to use it. Even standing still and at rest, there was an air of barely contained
menace about him that was unmistakable.
'Well?' growled Jordan roughly, trying to gain the advantage before his knees started
knocking, 'are we going to stand here staring at each other all night, or are you going to
introduce yourself?'
'I beg your pardon, Jordan,' said the noble smoothly. 'I am Count Roderik Crichton, advisor to
King Malcolm of Redhart. These are my associates, the trader Robert Argent, and Sir Gawaine of
Tower Rouge.'
Jordan nodded to them all impartially, and then sheathed his sword as an act of bravado. It seemed
increasingly important to him that they shouldn't think they had him at a disadvantage. According
to the Count's graceful gestures, the man to his left was Robert Argent. He was short and sturdy,
and wore a merchant's clothes. His stomach bulged out on either side of a wide leather belt. His
peasant's cloak hung around him in drooping folds, as though it had been meant for a much taller
man. His face was broad and ruddy, with the broken-veined cheeks of the heavy drinker. His eyes
were a pale blue, and strangely dull and lifeless. His hair was straw yellow, cropped close to the
skull. He looked to be in his late thirties, but the empty eyes made him seem much older. He wore
a sword on his hip, but from the shiny newness of the scabbard, Jordan doubted the sword had seen
much use. His eyes lingered on the man for a moment, though he wasn't sure why. There was just
something about Argent, something . . . cold.
Sir Gawaine stood to Count Roderik's right, leaning casually against the wall. He was chewing on a
cold leg of chicken, and not being too careful about where the grease went. Jordan's stomach
rumbled loudly, and he gave the knight his best brooding scowl to compensate. Gawaine looked at
him briefly, and then gave his full attention back to the chicken leg. Sir Gawaine of Tower Rouge
. . . Jordan had a feeling he knew the name from somewhere, but he couldn't place it. Maybe he was
a minor hero from the Demon War . . . He was tall and well muscled, and though he had to be in his
late fifties, his chest and shoulders were still impressively broad. Chain-mail glinted under the
peasant cloak, and Jordan caught a glimpse of a heavy-bladed handaxe at the man's side. His hair
was iron grey and cut in a style that hadn't been fashionable for at least ten years. His face was
lined and weathered, and when he looked at Jordan his eyes were dark and cynical. His scarred
hands looked disturbingly powerful, and for all his apparent casualness he was no more at ease
than Jordan. Everything about Gawaine shouted to the observant eye that this knight was a trained
warrior, and experienced in his craft. Jordan decided immediately that if these three men turned
out to be villains after all, he'd better go for Sir Gawaine first. And he'd better be bloody
quick, because he wouldn't get a second chance.
'You mentioned an acting role,' said Jordan to Count Roderik.
'The greatest role you'll ever play,' said Roderik.
'What's the money like?' said Jordan.
'Ten thousand ducats,' said Robert Argent. His voice was flat and unemotional, and his cold gaze
fixed unwaveringly on the actor.
Jordan kept his face calm with an effort. Ten thousand ducats was more than he'd ever earned in a
year, even at the peak of his career. And that was a long way behind him. Ten thousand ducats . .
. there had to be a catch.
'Assuming, for the sake of argument, that I'm interested in this job,' he said carefully, 'what
kind of role would I be playing?'
'Nothing too difficult,' said Roderik. 'A Prince, the middle of three sons. There's a great deal
of background information you'll have to learn by heart, but an actor of your reputation shouldn't
have any trouble with that. After all, you are the Great Jordan.' He paused, and frowned slightly.
'Is Jordan your real name, or would you prefer I used another, offstage?'
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