“Who? The Sleepwalker?”
“No! He is the one who told me about it. He came to Avisahn looking for me. To warn us about the danger down in the Shoreland before it was too late. You know the history of Sol-don-Orai and its fall? Good, then I don’t need to repeat it to you. The same Forbidden magic that destroyed that empire is now loose in the Shoreland. Only the Silverkin can destroy it.” He swallowed, trying to frame his thoughts to support his arguments. “I’ve seen that Forbidden magic kill, Laisha. I’ve seen what it can do. The leader of the Bandit rebellion has claimed it, and he does not fear to use it against the Shae. Yes, his goal is Dos-Aralon now. But they will fall, and they will fall quickly. Only the river would stand between us then. That is not a line of defense we can afford to hold.”
Laisha looked down at Abtalion and then back at him. “What evidence have you brought?”
That was the linchpin—and he knew it and hated it.
“My word only.”
A wary smile crossed her mouth. “That’s not good enough.”
Bitterness filled Thealos’ stomach. “There were others who could have testified. Humans, but witnesses nonetheless. But Lor Xenon would not allow me to bring them to Avisahn.”
“The Crimson Wolfsmen were hunting you for a reason. What does the Sleepwalker want?”
“I don’t understand.”
She put her hand on her hip. “They are not known for offering their services magnanimously.”
“And how many Sleepwalkers have you known?”
Abtalion held up his hand. “Her question is not asked lightly, Thealos. Answer it, please.”
“I can only tell you what he has told me. His name is Jaerod. He came because of the Sorian…”
“The who?” Abtalion asked.
Thealos ground his teeth. There was so much to explain, yet they both looked baffled by his words. “I did not know what they were either. All I can say is they are and have always been the enemies of the Shae. A Sorian used the Forbidden magic to destroy Sol-don-Orai. Their magic is involved down in the Shoreland as well. Jaerod’s purpose is to oppose them. It is my purpose as well.”
“Who sent this Sleepwalker?” Laisha asked.
“He came by commission from the Mages of Safehome.”
Laisha closed her eyes and shook her head. “Oh, not them.”
“This is getting worse by the moment,” Abtalion grumbled, rubbing his eyes.
Thealos stared at them both. “First you say you know of the danger in the Shoreland. Then you say you know of the Mages of Safehome? I’m …”
Abtalion held up his hand again. “Thealos, you are from a barter’s family and do not have access to all the royal records. There are many things you have not been in a position to know. Your family name denotes some degree of royalty outside of this valley. But I need not remind you that Laisha’s forefathers abandoned the Shae homeland and established one here.” His voice was soft though intense. “They did this because of the Mages of Safehome and the Sleepwalkers they used to subvert our people. You know the history leading up to Ravindranath. You know the word ‘Ravin’ and its contexts. Our people were nearly destroyed. Our way of life was almost annihilated. The Mages of Safehome were there. They let it happen. Whatever this Sleepwalker has told you, you must be prepared to understand the biases behind it. They have manipulated nearly every Shae kingdom to serve their own ends. The ruler of our royal line knew this. It’s one of the reasons he took a remnant of the Shae with him.”
“Do you believe me, chancellor?” Thealos asked, just as softly. “Do you believe that I saw what I said I did?”
Abtalion smiled. “It doesn’t matter whether or not I believe you, Thealos. Look at it from another point of view. You forsook the traditions of our people. At this time in your life, you are supposed to be serving Keasorn, Vannier, or Shenalle for a Silvan year. You defied your own Council Elder. You abandoned Avisahn and took up with the humans. That alone is enough to brand you a Banished One. Now you come back and say that a Sleepwalker found you and wants the Shae to fight a war? You must convince the Sunedrion, Thealos. Can you?”
Thealos looked down at the floor. “I must.”
“How?”