Thealos shook his head again.
“Then I hope you are prepared to wait, young Quickfellow. She may not have time to speak with you until this evening.”
“Then I will speak with her this evening.”
Abtalion looked at Thealos sternly. “You are stubborn.”
“My message is urgent. She will want to hear it, Chancellor.”
“I don’t doubt it.” He dipped his head to Thealos and then left the small room.
Looking around, Thealos saw the expressions of the Crimson Wolfsmen. They were full of loathing. Closing his eyes to them, he began to pace. And pace.
*
Food was brought in by a Wolfsman guard, the tray tossed haphazardly onto the pallet blanket. Thealos devoured it, sating his hunger with wedges of sharp cheese, slabs of bread and butter, a mound of raisins and nuts and other light foods that tasted better than a feast. No one else came by the room and the Wolfsmen were rotated out twice during the day. A quaere was with him at all times, even when he needed to use the chamber pot and when they brought a fresh change of clothes in for him. He saw no other servant or representative from the princess’ household. Not even Abtalion returned to see if he had changed his mind. The day passed with agonizing slowness, reminding him of a prison cell below the city of Landmoor. He wore no bonds this time, but the cruelty of time still chafed. With no windows, it was difficult to judge the sun’s passing. But hours felt like hours anyway.
Abtalion returned with a final tray. Thealos heard his voice down the hall before he arrived. He offered Thealos some sliced fruits and Thealos helped himself.
“We’ll have to replace the rug in this room, you’ve worn holes in it.”
Thealos glared at him, unapologetic. He furiously worked through apricot slices, plum halves, and melon balls.
“Don’t rush, Thealos. I’m still waiting on a Warder to come unseal the room. He’s bringing a set of Warder robes for you to wear. Can’t have a Sleepwalker roaming the manor, can we? Your presence here is still a secret, though it will not remain one for much longer. You’ve been fed soldier’s fare and we have been successful in calming suspicions. Right now, the servants think someone is sick. Nordain has not requested any more quaeres as yet, but we know of the injured Wolfsmen who escorted you. Fortunately none were killed. I presume that was deliberate.”
Thealos nodded between bites.
Abtalion shook his head in wonderment and then turned to the door as someone arrived. “Ah, there we are. Come in, Siajan. Did you bring the robes? Excellent. Thealos, try these on.”
Thealos took the dark blue robes and pulled them on over his clothes. He belted it at his waist and then fastened a cloak with a green trim and stud design. After raising the cowl, he stared at Abtalion. “Can we go now?”
Abtalion turned to the Warder Shae who had joined them. “Release the warding.”
The Warder bowed his head and the prickle of Earth magic flooded into the room. It reminded Thealos of Justin and a pang of regret stabbed him again. Cursing his emotions, he wrestled it down.
“It is finished.”
“Very well. Siajan, join us in the Princess’ private chambers. You will say nothing of what you hear tonight without leave of myself or the Princess of Avisahn. Is that understood?”
The Warder Shae nodded and gave Thealos a curious look.
“Follow me,” Abtalion said.
Thealos followed the Warder and Abtalion outside the room. The quaere trailed behind them. Silverborne manor was ancient by any standard and Thealos had no idea where they were or where they were going. They had to climb three sets of stairs, cross several back ways and proceeded at a quick pace. It still took a while to reach their destination. The corridors were illuminated with glowing stones instead of torches or candles, so there was no scent of smoke or soot stains on the walls. Nightfall had already come and he judged the time by the slant of the moonlight on the floor. It was late. Thick wood girders supported the structure of interlacing stones and arches. Paintings and weavings decorated the halls. Thealos spied several Shae wandering the halls at night, but they avoided the company and did not look askance at them.