PROLOGUE
Stepping off the ship and walking down the cluttered streets of Mudhole Bay had felt like entering a new world. Jonrell and his best friend, Cassus, tried to acclimate themselves to the rough way people behaved and the broken speech patterns of the grime-covered town. Yet, even after a change of clothes, they could not shake the mark of being outsiders.
Stares from the locals followed them wherever they looked for work.
Jonrell noticed Cassus nervously eyeing the passersby, his thick black hair bouncing with each swing of his head. "Wishing you would have stayed behind?" he asked.
"The thought had crossed my mind." A fight broke out in the middle of the street and they skirted around the altercation. "High Mage Amcaro always told us the world was much different outside of Cadonia. I just never realized how different."
"It's not too late to turn back, you know?"
"Are you going back?"
Jonrell shook his head. "Not while my father lives."
"Then neither am I."
Jonrell pointed at a tavern up the street. "Come on. Let's get a drink."
They stumbled into The Orchid, assuming from the name it was a relatively reserved place. Within minutes after sitting at the bar, Jonrell learned that the worst of the worst frequented the bar-many taking issue with new arrivals.
Three men approached them and Jonrell knew there would be trouble. He tried to smooth things over by offering them drinks. But the men wanted more than a drink.
Jonrell looked them over and knew a fight could not be avoided. He jumped from his seat and went for the biggest man first, rocking his head back with a punch to the jaw. Cassus kicked another in the groin. The third got a shot in on Cassus, sending him to the ground. Jonrell took out the knee of the first man and then subdued the third with a boot to the gut.
Cassus rubbed his jaw as Jonrell helped him to his feet. He pushed back his long auburn hair, feeling pretty good about himself and proud of Cassus for taking some initiative. But any reprieve Jonrell hoped they had earned was dashed by the heavy sounds of thudding boots against the raised wooden floor.
Five men headed their way and four held drawn swords. The fifth was huge, older, and carried himself with a hardness that Jonrell had never seen before. The man needed no sword to be taken seriously. Right away Jonrell knew him as the leader of the group. Expecting more trouble, Cassus drew his own sword and took a step back. The others stopped and readied themselves.
Jonrell stood his ground, unmoving, as the leader raised a hand, signaling his men to stand down.
"Why haven't you drawn your sword as well?" asked the big man.
"You have the look of a man who's interested in talking, not killing." Jonrell noticed the attire of the five standing before him matched the three who groaned on the floor. Blood red.
The big man grinned wide and nodded. "Why don't you tell your friend to put away his weapon so we can talk?"
"Only after your men do the same," said Cassus over Jonrell's shoulder.
The leader shrugged and gave the command to his men. Even with weapons put away, the tension lingered in the air. Jonrell and the leader stared unwavering into each other's eyes, neither willing to break away first. The man smiled again as if Jonrell had passed some test. He extended his hand. "My name is Ronav. You took out three of my men."
Jonrell hesitated then extended his own. "We weren't looking for a fight, but they wouldn't leave well enough alone."
Ronav laughed. "I bet they didn't. Few of my men would."
Jonrell didn't know what to say to that.
"New to Slum Isle then?"
Jonrell nodded. "Looking for work. We thought we'd try Mudhole Bay first."
"Then you're in luck," said Ronav, grinning wider. "I've got a proposition for you two."
