Keeper of the Books (Keeper of the Books, Book 1) (42 page)

“We can fight over our differences if you like,” he said, “but you might rather get in the cart so we can be on our way. I don’t often get the desire to help out a gray elf. Don’t make me regret it.”

Alban turned to Marum and shook his head. Nate could see the struggle in her eyes. He understood what she felt. He might not have grasped the complete history of their race rivalry, but he figured it wasn’t much different than coming across a rival gang member going after the same treasure.

“I can lead you to the Sentinels,” the wood elf said.

“I already know how to get there,” Alban said as the group started toward the cart.
 

“Yes, you know the main way, but I can get you there faster and by a more secret route.”

The wood elf started off down the street, and just as Alban slapped the reins, a mob of men came rushing out of the saloon about a hundred yards away. Alban let out a curse and slapped the reins harder. The cart gave a sudden lurch and Nate nearly fell off his seat.
 

Shots rang out through the air, smoke following deadly bullets.
 

“Get down!” Nate shouted at Rachel and Marum, both of whom were in the back of the cart.
 

The wood elf and wagon of outsiders pulled away from the crowd, but that didn’t stop a few from getting onto their horses and charging after them. Nate pulled his rifle from the sheath on his back, stood from his seat, and aimed.
 

Two shots, two men down. A few more men followed, but Nate took down a third, the man falling to the snow, lifeless. The others stopped their pursuit, instead choosing muffled insults as a weapon rather than their guns.

Alban’s horse didn’t let up until they were safe and a good distance out of the town.

Nate couldn’t count how many times Alban shook his head and muttered, “I’m sorry…I’m so sorry…” Eventually, one of them said that it didn’t matter, that they were still alive.
 

It wasn’t Nate who said it.

Dumb decisions were what got outlaws killed. If it hadn’t been for the wood elf, Nate was sure that night’s outcome would have been different.