Thealos watched them nod in respect before retreating back down the corridor. The Sorian motioned for Thealos to enter first and then followed, shutting the heavy oak door behind him. The smell of Forbidden magic clung to the Sorian’s skin like smoke, but the overwhelming feeling of terror was not as strong as it was near the Silverkin. Perhaps the Sorian had to invoke the dark power to protect him while being so near the ancient talisman. But just because Thealos wasn’t gagging with terror, he was not all that relieved. He had no idea who he was about to meet. Lord Ballinaire perhaps? The governor of Landmoor?
Entering the room, Thealos stood face to face with Secrist and stopped suddenly. But it wasn’t. He frowned, instantly wary, and felt fear bloom in his stomach. The man who sat in the large chair had the facial features of the Kiran Thall, but his cheekbones weren’t as high and his forehead a bit broader. The resemblance was unmistakable though. Who was this man? Seeing Thealos enter, the man rose from the chair and planted his hands on the fat table in front of him. He was taller than even Sturnin Goff and his shoulders were broad and strong. A thick red cape hung over his rich tunic, but Thealos could see the glint of a hauberk beneath it. The cape was smoke-stained and tattered along the fringe.
“He was alone?”
The Sorian walked past Thealos, his arms folded. “She is still outside the city, but should be reaching the gatehouse within the hour. The guards are waiting for her.” The Bandit leader nodded slowly. “This one,” the Sorian continued, “was with a Warder Shae near the forbidden section of the tunnels. Apparently they separated after slipping through the regiment last night. His identity is no longer concealed by the Silvan magic. His protector failed in the Shadows Wood.”
Thealos watched the exchange, not sure what to think. He thought they might be talking about Ticastasy and Jaerod, but he wasn’t sure of the context. “And what about the Warder I came with. Is he still alive?” Thealos asked.
The Sorian smiled with amusement. “Oh, he’ll recover. But I’m having him secured in a special cell. Old dungeon bars would not hold him very long.”
Thealos nodded, relieved that Justin would survive. His worry for Ticastasy and the others chafed at him. “Who are you?” he asked the man standing behind the table.
“You crossed my army last night,” the man replied with a grim tone. “And a dead Sleepwalker is hardly an even trade, if he is truly dead.” He gave Thealos a narrow look. “I’m Tsyrke Phollen.”
“You have a brother,” Thealos said, trying to keep the loathing from his voice.
The Bandit leader’s expression didn’t change. “I understand you met him in Sol.”
Thealos nodded. He felt sick to his stomach with fear but was determined to hide it from the other man. He prayed that his negotiation skills would help him. “We were…introduced. I understand you wanted to see me?”
The Bandit straightened and paced away from the table, clutching his hands behind his back. Thealos nearly flinched when he moved, but he kept himself steady. The man stared at a tapestry hanging from the wall of the study, but his eyes weren’t fixed on it. “We’ll start with the simple questions and go from there. Do not bother lying to me, Shae, as hard as that may be to resist. My friend over there will know if you do. If you try to conceal the truth, he will compel it from you. Believe me – he can. The first question – why did you take her?” Turning his head, he gave Thealos a hard look. “The girl from Sol. Why?”
Thealos felt a bite of panic inside his chest. His mouth went dry. “Ah, you’re still looking for ‘Stasy, aren’t you?” It was a guess, but it felt right. This was the man she had fallen in love with. By all the gods…
Tsyrke’s eyes were cold and angry. “It’s an easy enough question, lad. And you’d banned well better answer it. I’ve dealt with the Shae before. Evading comments won’t work with me.”
“I wasn’t intending to evade you, sir,” Thealos apologized. His mind worked furiously. “We brought her with us to protect her from your brother.” He did his best to keep his face calm and untroubled. He knew he was at the disadvantage, just as he was when Nordain had summoned him before the Council Elders. This time, he would guard his tongue. For although Nordain might want Thealos in prison, this man would probably not flinch to see him dead. “Did you send your…brother to the Foxtale to bring her to you or to hang the knight? Or both?”
“Fury, no!” Tsyrke barked, his brown eyes sharp and glaring. “I arrived in Sol just after you left. Secrist was acting on his own, as he usually does. I haven’t seen him in weeks.”
Thealos steadied himself. He was trying to piece it all together. He remembered from the Foxtale that Ticastasy had known Secrist. Or known about him. She had told him once that she was waiting for someone – someone who was special to her. He had given her a pendant that she had worn after leaving Sol. Thealos felt his heart clench. He doubted she knew who he really was. Not this man. Not a Bandit leader.