“Well I can cut a good caper too, Quickfellow.” She leaned forward and rested her cheek on the flat of her hand. “You need a bath as bad as Flent does. Isn’t it Forbidden to be this filthy?”
“I imagine it’s written somewhere in the Rules,” Thealos agreed, stifling a chuckle. He saw Justin’s disapproving look and felt a stab of guilt. She seemed to notice him for the first time and raised her head. “Who’s this?”
“After you left, there were five more Krag, and they were holding a prisoner.” He nodded to the Shae Warder.
She looked at Justin. “And where are you from?”
“He doesn’t speak the king’s common,” Thealos answered. “Only Silvan and a little Drugaen.”
She nodded and looked more resigned. “I don’t think he likes me.”
“He doesn’t like humans in general. Don’t be offended.”
“You don’t seem to mind us.” She gave Thealos a direct look.
“Most of the Shae in Avisahn have never left its boundaries.” He brushed crumbs from the tabletop and gave her a sidelong look. “What they know about humans they’ve learned from the Council Elders. Many of your ways are Forbidden to us, and so they fear what they do not yet know.” He hesitated, not wanting to lie outright. “I’ve…known a few barters, you see. The ones who trade with Dos-Aralon and other nations. There are many humans I wouldn’t trust to hold a sterling coin for me. But there are others,” he nodded respectfully to her, “who I would trust.” He knew already that she thought him a Silvan lord. He didn’t want to ruin that image, to confess that he was only a barter’s son. He managed to keep it from his face, but the deception was starting to gnaw at him.
She took his compliment and tucked it away with a smile. “I like the Catpaw,” she said, staring up at the rafters. “They have baths upstairs, if can you believe it. You are certainly a wealthy man. Talbin said that Jaerod spared the best rooms for us.”
“Did you see him when you arrived?”
She shook her head. “No. But Talbin promised he would come back for us. I arrived this morning and must have missed him.” Her eyes fastened to his. “I was… worried about you.”
Thealos stared across the table at Flent who tore at his meal like a wolf. Sturnin also politely ignored her over the noise of his plate, but Justin’s eyes were wary and watchful.
“The human is coming,” the Shae Warder warned in Silvan as the woodsman approached their table.
Thealos turned in his chair.
“Now this is about the oddest scene I’ve come across in a long while,” the stranger said with a chuckle, planting his strong hands on the back of Thealos’ chair. “A sturdy fellow from Owen Draw, a Drugaen, a pretty lass who must be the king’s own sister, and two Shae. Greetings to you both, in your language.” He smiled as those who didn’t know the Shae speech raised their eyebrows curiously. “Odd company for Castun. Hope you don’t mind the intrusion. My name is Allavin Devers.”
“There’s an extra chair,” Flent said, nudging one open. “Flent Shago. Glad to meet you.”
Allavin nodded and sat down, his hand grazing the pommel of his sword. He had the low and confident stride of a cat. An odd-looking scar ran alongside his nose, deforming it slightly. “Thank you. If you don’t mind, I will join you.”
“You speak our tongue,” Justin said with a hint of disdain.
“I do,” Allavin replied without rancor, in flawless Silvan. “And I live among your people as well.”
“And what brings you to Castun, Allavin Devers?” Thealos asked, directing the conversation away from Justin and deliberately changing the language. “You are a man of reputation I understand.”
“A small one, if any. I’ve spent some time in the Kingshadow, Iniva, Yukilep,” He replied with a shrug. “Or anywhere the Bandit armies go.” He nodded to the knight from Owen Draw. “This part of the country hasn’t seen many of your rank since the Accords of Dos-Aralon were struck after the Purge Wars. What brings you this far south, Sturnin?”
The knight chuckled. “You recognized me. I thought I knew you, Devers. You tracked for us several years ago. We even hung some Kiran Thall because of it.” He took a sip of ale from his mug and dipped the rim towards Thealos. “I’ve been following this Shae since Sol.”
Thealos was getting more and more uncomfortable. He tried to nudge the conversation off course again. “Are there really Shae left in the Riven Wood?” Thealos said. He wanted to stave off any reference that might make mention of the Sleepwalker.