Ser Guy looked at the mercenaries who had suddenly appeared and frowned, but he had no choice but to take them seriously. Those damned mercenaries would decide whether that group lived or died.
He considered the possibility of reneging on the deal and killing them afterward, then shouted, "I'm Ser Guy! Help me kill those people! I'll give you twenty Silver Stags!"
Inwardly, he sneered. Once this is over, you won't be walking away alive, either. You think you can get money out of me? You're asking for trouble. Twenty Silver Stags isn't easy money—it's enough for a bunch of mercenaries living on the edge to enjoy themselves for months.
Everyone's eyes turned to the man.
Bana's mind raced. He couldn't name a price on behalf of Lord Suleiman. He still had some of Lord Suleiman's money on him, but it was meant for supplies.
There was no way it would be enough to compete with a knight's offer. Then an idea came to him.
He took a deep breath, summoned all the courage he could muster, stepped forward, and shouted, "I don't know how much my master will pay you! I can't make that decision for him!"
His voice trembled with nerves, but his eyes were remarkably bright.
"But I'll stake my life on this! If you help us, he'll reward you with far more than you can imagine! I believe in my master!"
The man was intrigued by the strange promise. He whistled, his grin widening. "Your master?"
"That's a lot more interesting than Silver Stags. Tell me, who's this generous master of yours?"
Bana remembered Suleiman's instructions not to reveal his identity too readily. He clenched his teeth and shook his head.
"I can't tell you, but I promise that when our lives are at stake, he'll