“And when might that happen?” Thealos asked.
Jaerod shook his head. “There is too much to explain tonight, and I don’t have time. There are also too many factors that can affect the answer. When I left the Shoreland, the army was still gathering slowly. But I’ve heard otherwise tonight. I promise I will tell you the rest of it in Castun. Let me just say that if the Bandit army takes the city before we get there, a good many will die from an unknown sickness. This isn’t a plague – it’s something even worse. There are forces at work here you do not understand.” He rose, his black cloak whipping in the harsh wind. “I must go on alone, Thealos.”
“Why can’t I go with you?” he demanded in a low voice.
“I can get there much faster alone,” Jaerod replied. “You need to hurry. The sooner you can get to Castun, the better for us all.”
“Can I talk to you?” Thealos pressed, motioning him away from the fire. He was furious, but held his tongue in front of the others.
Jaerod relented. Together, they left Flent and Ticastasy at the fire’s edge and walked down the crunch of sand and stone towards the flat wash of the shore. The blue moon of Eroth was hidden beneath the shroud of Shoreland fog. They walked until the fire was just a tiny prick of light, though still not very far away.
Thealos dug his hands beneath his arms. “You didn’t tell me you were going to abandon me with them,” he seethed. “What am I? A wet-nurse? I don’t understand why we’re bringing them in the first place.”
Jaerod gave Thealos a stern look. “Because you used the Everoot on the Drugaen, Thealos.”
“He was dying!”
“I’m not faulting you for your compassion. But there are consequences with magic. You made a decision without knowing the effects.” He sighed, giving Thealos another pointed look. “Using magic like this leaves an impression – a footprint, if you will. Just as there are trackers who can follow a deer through the scrub, there are those who can sniff out the trail of magic. We must bring them to protect you, Thealos. I spoke of powers at work in this valley. These people would kill you if they knew about you.”
Thealos swallowed, his anger turning into water.
“The Wolfsmen were waiting for us, which means that the Shae also consider you a big threat. I’ve stayed with you this long to be sure they didn’t follow us right away. We bought a little time slipping out of Sol tonight. The Wolfsmen will have to report the incident to Avisahn and wait for a reply before they will follow us. Speed is essential.” He pointed to the firelight. “They will need you to guide them to Castun, Thealos. You’re a far better woodsman than either of them.”
“But I’ve never been to Castun,” he answered, shaken.
“You’d never fought the Kiran Thall either. But now you have. I have confidence in you, Thealos. But I have no other choice. I need to see the progress of the army to know how much time we have left. If we have any at all.”
“And the Crimson Wolfsmen?” Thealos asked. “I can’t face one on my own, let alone a quaere if another is sent to track me. Jaerod, I think they can sense where I am through the sword. It is Wolfsman magic. Maybe that is how they found me.”
“They can sense the Silvan magic as easily as you can – but only when they are near. We have a strong lead. If you hurry, you’ll reach Castun before they find the trail and start after. I’ll be with you if they catch us again.”
“You don’t understand, Jaerod,” Thealos said, shaking his head. “In Sol, I could see the other Wolfsmen through the Silvan magic in the sword. It bonded us together…like brothers. What if they don’t need to track me? What if they can see me right now?”
“One of the Wolfsmen was killed then.”
“Yes.” He paused. “How did you know that?”
The Sleepwalker nodded with understanding. “Because the blade uses both magics – Life and Earth magic. You felt the sword change when the Wolfsman died, didn’t you? Life magic is ancient magic, Thealos. Very few of the Shae still know how to use it or invoke it. But when your people came to this world, they taught the Druids about the Earth magic and they taught a few about the Life magic. Only a few. Life magic is powerful, but it has a greater chance of being used in Forbidden ways.” Thealos’ eyes widened, but Jaerod soothed him. “The blade you have was forged with Silvan magic – meaning it uses its magic appropriately. You cannot kill another Shae with that weapon. The blade would reject and burn you if you tried. Now there is something about the Crimson Wolfsmen order that uses Life magic as well. When one Wolfsman dies, his Life magic is spent and given to strengthen his brothers. Not even Everoot could bring him back. You may never feel that bonding again. It happened because of who Jade Shayler was, not who you are. The blade channels it.”