Ambushed!

"We could sell our clothes," Fred said. He meant it as a joke, of course, so he was surprised when Thessamar seemed to consider it seriously.

"I don't think they would fetch enough for it to be worthwhile," she said after a moment.

Fred looked at her doubtfully. Was she joking in her turn? If so, there was no sign of it in her impassive face. "We could sell one of the horses," he offered.

This time he meant his suggestion seriously, but to his surprise Thessamar bristled at it. "I am not sharing a horse with you, or with anyone," she said. "But when we near the Dead Lands, we should sell both of the horses and buy mules. They will be slower than horses, but they are much hardier and will need less to eat, so will be better suited to the conditions. And they should be cheaper than horses, so we will have enough money left over to buy provisions."

Will I ever understand this Aqualarian? Fred wondered. Though in truth he had to admit to himself that he found even Allarian women difficult enough to comprehend. Still, there was no gainsaying that Thessamar's suggestion had made good sense. "I agree about the mules," he said. "But we don't want to sell the horses for some time yet. It would slow us down too much."

"That's true. So we try to live off the land for the time being?"

"I suppose so."

The conversation went no further, for at that point six men, ruffians by the look of them, rose out of the undergrowth about thirty yards ahead of them. Since two of the men bore crossbows, Fred and Thessamar had little choice but to comply when their leader called: "Halt and dismount!" The man continued: "We believe in taking from the rich and giving to the poor - that's us, in case you hadn't realised. So hand over your purses."

"We have a saying in my country that it never rains but it pours," Thessamar muttered to Fred under her breath.

"You're too late," Fred told the outlaws. "We were robbed at the inn we stayed at last night, and have not a single coin between us."

"A likely story!" the leader responded contemptuously. "Whilst my companions keep you covered, I will search you and your packs."

1. Fred and Thessamar manage to turn the tables.
2. When the bandits discover that Fred was telling the truth, they take in compensation everything that might have any value, including their horses and weapons.
3. Fred recognises one of the men who has kept in the background. It's Tanis Cavaliero!
4. The leader goes through their packs...

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