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changed direction. Nothing. Sorry. My mind was elsewhere.
Simon looked towards the hunting pack. Ah. You re thinking they may be after
Tasi?
Aye. Even though he was heading once again for the tavern, Heddam kept
looking at the hunters.
They could be after anyone, Heddam. There are plenty of outlaws around with
big rewards posted on them.
I know. I know, but what if tis Tasi they re hunting?
She could be anywhere.
I know. She should be here with me. Damn it, she should be here with me!
Heddam couldn t help but glance once more at the pack as they disappeared into
the Enforcement Building. No doubt they were there to collect bounty or
information on outlaws. He relaxed a little as he entered the tavern and the familiar
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sounds and smells surrounded him. If they were hunting the Guardians, they
wouldn t be going into the Enforcement Building.
Following Simon to a table near the window, he sat down.
Like moths to a flame, three tavern wenches immediately appeared at their sides.
Something we can get for you gents? A big, buxom blonde licked her lips and
looked directly at Heddam s crotch.
A drink, he replied, shorter than he normally would have done. When she
looked a bit startled, he was immediately embarrassed by his lack of manners.
Smiling, he softened his tone. Sorry, lass. I m a bit tired. A cold ale would do me
nicely.
Not at all put out, she fluttered her lashes. I ll get you something right now, big
boy.
The other two tavern wenches smiled at Simon.
He grinned. Ale for me, too, please.
The tavern wenches eyed each other, obviously trying to decide who went for
Simon s drink, and who would stay to work her wenchly wiles on him.
Simon gave a little cough. I m wed.
Their faces fell. They looked longingly at him, and then with a sigh they walked
away.
Works every time. Shamon dropped down into the chair next to Heddam, the
wood creaking alarmingly under his weight.
Tis because they know we love our lasses and trying for a bit of bodily delight
with us is a waste of time. Aamun took the chair next to Simon. His gaze settled
on Heddam. You, my friend, however, are single.
Heddam raised one brow, though he knew where Aamun was heading.
And normally you would be carting one of those lovelies up the stairs by now.
We have to leave soon. Heddam took a mouthful of ale.
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We can wait for you single blokes to have some fun, Simon said. Tis no real
rush, as long as we re gone by nightfall.
He shrugged. Mayhaps later.
Aamun eyed him shrewdly. Simon did his normal quiet study, and Shamon
looked worried.
What? Heddam finally demanded.
You, Shamon replied. That lass has been on your mind since she left.
Who?
Tasi. Who else?
Just wanted to make sure we were talking about the same wench. Heddam
grinned, though he felt far from happy.
You need to pull yourself up from the doldrums, Shamon continued.
Doldrums?
Aye. Do you know how quiet you ve become?
Me?
Aye, you. Shamon turned to Aamun. Tell him.
You started it, Aamun said.
I m not doing a good job of it.
You don t say.
One arm on the back of his chair, Simon swirled the ale in his mug and gazed at
Heddam. We re just a little concerned. Tis been a couple of weeks since you met
Tasi and tis obvious you re still thinking of her.
Heddam shrugged. Kind of hard not to.
Tis naught we can do for her. We don t know where she is. We don t know
where she s headed.
We could have found out.
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Nay. She had her mind made up, Heddam, twas nothing we could do. The only
way we d have kept her with us would be if we d locked her in a cabin.
Heddam swallowed his ale in three big gulps. Aye, his friends were right. The
wench was consuming his thoughts, and twas nothing he could have done. She
had her own agenda and it hadn t included him.
Tracing the bottom of the mug in the wet circle on the table, he sighed inwardly.
He had to forget about her.
Looking up, he met his best friend s worried gaze. You re right, Shamon. He
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