“There was only this company,” he replied. “The rest returned to the Ravenstone earlier.”
Thealos nodded. He still hadn’t determined the stranger’s age. He was young, but certainly well into manhood. Ten or twelve Silvan years old perhaps. He glanced at the knight from Owen Draw. “He said that this was the only company of Krag. I wasn’t expecting your arrival, master knight, but I wanted to thank you for your warning and your help.” Thealos extended his hand. “I am Thealos of Avisahn. If you hadn’t warned us, we all would have died tonight.”
“No need for thanks, Shae.” His grip was iron. “You raised your weapon in a tavern in Sol, don’t forget. Consider my debt repaid.”
“Flent Shago,” the Drugaen introduced himself, cocking his thumbs in his belt. He nodded to the knight before looking at the Shae stranger. “What’s his name?” he asked Thealos.
“He doesn’t remember.”
“Why’d they take him prisoner?”
Thealos asked the question in Silvan. The Shae’s eyes were a bright azure and they glittered with fury. “They were taking me to the Ravenstone to work the mines.” He gritted his teeth at the memory. “I had planned to escape near Avisahn.”
“I thought you were their prisoner?” Thealos said.
“I let them believe that, rather than wander the valley alone. Had I not found you first, I would have destroyed them near the Trident River. I seek the help of the Shae King.”
“Why?”
The Warder Shae looked at the others warily. “We will speak later, my brother.”
Thealos nodded. Trust was not easy to earn. “They wanted to bring him back to the Krag Nation. He’s grateful we found him first.” Rubbing his hands together briskly, he looked back at the other Shae, wondering why he didn’t appear to understand the king’s common. He had looked completely baffled as Sturnin and Flent spoke. His robes were certainly a different style than any Thealos had seen in all his years in the house of a barter.
Flent nodded and sniffed. “Well, he needs a name. Can’t go around calling him a stump or a stone as they say. How about Justin.” Thealos looked at him curiously. Flent shrugged. “I knew a Shae lad in Astillon. Sickly boy – kind of reminds me of him.”
Thealos looked at the frail Shae thoughtfully. “The Drugaen would call you Justin. Would that offend you?”
“No,” he replied. “This one is a fool, but harmless. Tell him that I thank him for the new name.”
Thealos smiled. “Looks like you’ve made a friend, Flent. Justin will do.” Flent beamed and gave the frail Shae a quick nod. Turning to Sturnin Goff, Thealos gave him a level look. The night air rustled as a heavy wind shook the upper limbs of the pines. “Now… why don’t we clear a few things up? Why have you been tracking the Sleepwalker?”
He shook his head and chuckled. “Can’t track a Sleepwalker, lad. I’ve been tracking you.”
The quirk of a smile twitched on Thealos’ mouth. “You still haven’t answered my question.”
The knight gave him a hard look. “You prefer bluntness. Very well. You’re green, lad. Green as fresh cut wood. I don’t say it to insult you, but I watched what happened back in Sol. And tonight. You carry a blade you barely know how to use. Your hands tell me you’re a rich man’s son. And you dress like any number of Shae barters I’ve seen across the river. Maybe I was a little too curious what you are doing this side of the Trident with a Sleepwalker. Either you’re paying him a lot of coin for some kind of work, or he’s pulling you along by the ear.” His green-gray eyes flashed. “I think it’s the latter.”
Thealos stared at him, at a loss for words. He felt anger rising in his chest, but he kept it under control. “Dragging me by the ear you say?” he replied with an edge to his voice.
“I’m a plain speaking man, lad. I’ve seen a Sleepwalker or two in my days. One could have killed all six Krag before your friend there got whumped on the head. Sleepwalkers are dangerous. Now, I’ve heard that the Gray Legion has spies working in the Rebellion. But if they’re paying for Sleepwalkers too, that means trouble for Dos-Aralon. We wouldn’t want the king slain in his bed in the middle of the keep by some black-clothed life-thief. But they cost a great deal, and only the Shae have that kind of money. Again, maybe I’m too curious. Either way, I will have answers from you.” His voice was soft, his eyes accusing.
“You tracked me across the Shoreland to ask if I hired an assassin to kill your king? And if Jaerod had been here would you still have approached the camp?”