Read The Unknown Man: Book 1 in The Keepers of the Orbs Series for Free Online Page B

moved his hand to his dagger in response, “If it be coin ya be lookin’ for, it be coin I be havin’.” He moved his right hand from his dagger and displayed his coin purse with his adequate quantity of coppers and silvers. “Can we be havin’ a couple of ales now, or ya goin' throw us out of your tavern?”
    The bartender moved his hand off the hilt of his dagger. “Because you have coin, we’ve no problem here. I will fetch ya two ales.” He headed behind the bar to grab the beverages.
    Angry that he had to justify himself to the proprietor of the establishment, Kos shifted in his seat and turned his attention back to his nephew. “This be your fault, Tuk. Ye should’ve left the man be where he be. I thought we be in for a big reward, and thought it comin’ all mornin' long. It disappeared when ye let the man get away.” With a dissatisfied look on his face, he furrowed his brow before he continued, “And now it cost more to get passage on the boat because it be almost full.” He started coughing, much to the relief of Tuk.
    The suspicious man in the corner leaned in even closer, listening to their conversation attentively.
    With his uncle incapacitated by his coughing, Tuk knew his chance to speak had arrived. “No, ye should’ve listened to me when I be sayin’ we rob the man. If we took what the man had, we be on the verge of riches Kos. You don’t know what you be doin’, and I be havin’ about enough with ya.” Kos's coughing increased as he tried to interject his thoughts. “We had a goldmine, Kos! We be finding an unconscious knight, in full burnished plate mail with an enchanted sword on his back. We be rich men by now! But no! You seek beyond what ya can grasp!”
    By now, Kos burned with anger, his cough the only thing preventing him from venting his rage at Tuk. The bartender appeared at the table and deposited the two ales.
    The man in the corner had heard enough and approached the two Goblins—just waiting for the bartender to leave. Kos took a drink to clear his throat. He set the glass down, eager and ready to berate Tuk for his misspeaking, when the cloaked man reached their table.
    Tuk looked up startled. The cloaked figure brought a finger to his lips, mouthing for them to remain quiet. “Keep it quiet and listen to me.” He looked to be an ageless man. The revealed portion of his face looked clean-shaven, and free from wrinkles, or any other.
    “I’m a man who seeks information for my master. I couldn’t help but overhear your rantings a minute ago.” Tuk reached down for his dagger, concealed at his hip. Before he reached the hilt, the cloaked man had a knife positioned to cut Tuk's throat. “You both are very foolish and speak of things you shouldn’t be meddling in. Try it again, and I will kill you both.” He let that sink in and waited as Tuk removed his hand from the area of his dagger. Kos gave Tuk a disgruntled look.
    “Good. I see you’re of good reason. I will pay you for your information. I will ask the questions, and if the information is correct you will nod.” He waited for their response. “You said you found an unconscious man? And you found him by the river outside of Havenbrook? Did he have a crest with a reared lion and a two-handed sword?”
    The Goblins continued to answer his questions with nods. When the situation arose for Kos to jump in, he did. “You mentioned a reward. How much, and when we be gettin’ it?”
    This angered the cloaked man. “I told you not to speak. But you can’t listen, can you?” He stared at both of them before proceeding. “I think it would be best if I took you both to my master. Get up! We’re leaving.” He motioned for the pair to get up to leave the establishment.
    Tuk spoke up, “Leave? But where is your master? We’ve purchased passage on the Silent Whisper and we be leavin’ soon. All of our merchandise already be on that ship! We don’t just be leavin’!”
    “Goblins! Why do I bother?” He paused.