He slept.
Thealos awoke with a jolt. He had been dreaming of his Wolfsman blade. The one the Sorian had destroyed. In his mind, he saw the gemstone eyes wink with power, trembling with Silvan magic. The presence was so strong, he thought he could reach out and touch it. The forest was shaded, swallowed by the shadows of dusk. Sweet Vannier, how long had he slept? Coming fully awake, he sensed the presence of the Shae all around him.
As Thealos raised his head, he saw a leaf-bladed short sword pointed at his neck.
At first he didn’t believe his eyes, that it was only the remnants of a dream, but two other Wolfsmen appeared from the thick brush clogging the path in the woods. He recognized the man standing over him, the leader. They had met in Sol.
The Crimson Wolfsman Lor studied him shrewdly. “So, you’re alive after all.”
He sounded surprised. Thealos’ ankle murmured in pain as he tried to bring himself to his knees. He was still dazed. Three Crimson Wolfsmen. His breath started to choke off in panic. Not now, he thought. Sweet Vannier, not yet! He wasn’t ready to return to Avisahn. No, it was too soon. Without any evidence, they would mock his story and imprison him.
Thealos tried to speak, but his throat was thick and his mouth too dry. He shook his head and grunted, trying to work some spit into his mouth.
The Wolfsman crouched on one knee and handed him a flask. Thealos gulped the leather-flavored water down and noticed that the Lor hadn’t lowered the short sword yet. He was still on guard, curiously watching the woods around Thealos.
“You are weary, Kil-quickfellow,” the Wolfsman said with more than a hint of disdain. “When did you escape the human army?”
Thealos stared into the man’s blue eyes. “How did you find me?”
The Wolfsman gave him a thin smile. “It was not that difficult,” he said mockingly. “I have another quaere with me. Where is the Sleepwalker you fled with from Sol?”
Thealos shook his head. Seven Crimson Wolfsmen sent to bring him back to Avisahn? Hate, I’m in more trouble than I thought! “What…what was your name?” Thealos stammered.
“I am Xenon Ironwolf, Watcher Lor of Sol.” His eyes narrowed – probably because Thealos wasn’t using Silvan. “And you are under arrest by the Shae Council of Elders for high treason. You’ve led us on a chase over half the valley. Are you tired of running yet, boy?”
Thealos shoved the flask into his hand. “I will go with you willingly, Xenon. But I need to go to Castun first. It’s a town not far from here and on the way back. If we can stop…”
The Wolfsman smirked. “I think not.”
Thealos ground his teeth, losing his temper in a snap of emotions. “You do not understand what is happening down here, Xenon. You have no comprehension of the danger. It is your duty to protect our people. For the love of Keasorn, listen to me! The humans are using Forbidden magic. They will use it against us. I have evidence of this, but it is in Castun. Please…please take me there on the way. It won’t delay us long, maybe a day.”
Xenon shook his head. “It is you who does not understand, Kil-quickfellow. You have been summoned by the Council of Elders. I arrested you in Sol, but you would not come willingly. I’ll truss you in ropes if I must. But you will come with us.”
“Please!” Thealos begged. “At least send one of your men to Castun for me!”
Xenon shook his head and stared at him coldly. “To be killed by a Sleepwalker like the Kiran Thall were? I’d go myself if I believed you were honorable. You’ve shamed your family and your people. You are Kilshae now and have lost the use of your true family name. Remember that, Kil-quickfellow.” He rose and glared down at Thealos. “Bind him.”
Thealos winced as the Wolfsmen tied his wrists behind his back. He stared at the Lor and nearly choked and he tried to speak. He used Silvan this time. “I am Thealos Quickfellow, an heir of Quicksilver. And I have not received anathema yet. I am a Shae.”
“You can call yourself the ‘king of linseed oil’ for all that I care. Until we get back to Avisahn. Until you answer for your crimes before the Shae Council of Elders and the Sunedrion.” Xenon made hand motions to start off into the woods.
*