Ban them all to Pitan!
He gritted his teeth as anger flooded him. His horse started to veer a different direction but he heard a sharp whistle and click from behind, from the knight, and it returned to follow the lead horse.
“There’s been a mistake,” Thealos said. “I saved your lives back there!”
The lead horse slowed a bit. “We’re not ungrateful, Sleepwalker. We’ll speak up on your behalf for it. But we have orders.”
We have orders. The mentality reminded him of the Crimson Wolfsmen, of Xenon. Sorry lad, but you’re just the king of linseed oil. Never mind the war in the Shoreland and the thousands who will die. We have orders to return you to Avisahn to face your crime of blustering like an idiot.
It reminded him of Sturnin Goff, the knight who had followed him from Sol into the bowels of Landmoor itself. Hadn’t he said that the order of knights from Owen Draw were modeled after the Crimson Wolfsmen? He might as well argue against the wind for all the good it would do.
“Lorgan, do you see them? Outriders! Ours!”
The other knight let out a whoop and spurred his mare up next to Thealos’. He snatched the knotted reins and slowed the horse to a canter.
A dozen mounted knights approached, shaking the earth like thunder with their approach. They were all human and looked alike to Thealos, especially marking the similarities of their armor. Most wore helms with wagging plumes crowning their heads. The lead knight was sweaty with a rust-colored beard.
“Kindyr and Lorgan, what news?” he said. “Where are the others? Why are you riding those nags?”
Thealos watched as the knight who had led the way reined in his mount which stamped with impatience in response.
“Ambushed, sir.”
The lead knight’s eyes blazed as he looked at Thealos. “Did he kill them all? Sweet Hate!”
“No!” came the reply from the knight holding the reins of Thealos’ steed. “By Achrolese, no! He saved us, sir. They used some dreadful magic…or…p..poison on us, sir. Had a rope around my neck this morning. Thought I’d hang for sure. The Sleepwalker saved the both of us. We’re taking him to the Knight General. Sir.”
The lead knight did not appear fully convinced. “You have his weapons?”
Thealos chuckled at that thought, earning a sharp look from the man. He bit his lip. He was trussed up like a roast on a spit! Yet even without a sword, he knew he could dispatch these knights. After he had regained his strength.
“We have them. A blade which is finer than a king’s. I’m loath to surrender it. And a bag of stones. He was holding several in his hand when we took him and the rest were in a pouch at his waist. He has a nice longbow—of fine wood, but it’s not strung.”
Thealos bit his lip and said nothing. Were all humans like Tannon’s band? Did they all give in to the urge to steal another man’s possessions? Or did they even consider it a crime to rob a Shae, considering the reputation of his homeland and his Correl’s profession?
The lead knight’s horse shied and he calmed it. “Give me those things. I’ll not have you take him to the Knight General where he can get at them.”
“Sir…”
“Don’t argue, Lorgan. Just give them to me.”
“Might I have your name?” Thealos asked the lead knight. “I should like to have my belongings back when I have finished speaking with the Knight General. There is a misunderstanding here, I believe. I’m a representative from the kingdom of Avisahn. I do not deserve to wear these ropes.”
The sneer on the man’s face caught Thealos by surprise. “Avisahn? Oh, the Knight General is going to love that. The Sleepwalker’s a Shae working for Avisahn. Hand them over, Lorgan.”
The knight obeyed and Thealos watched as the prince’s sword, the pouch, and the longbow sheath passed hands.
“Your name?” Thealos said one more time, sending out a tendril of Oath magic. He felt it connect with the man and watched him shudder involuntarily. He would feel it as a prick of awareness down his spine. It was a simple bit of magic, but an effective one. On a dark night leagues away, Thealos would be able to sense the man holding his belongings and know just where to find him.
“Maston of Vagmandis,” came the man’s reply. “Welcome to the army of Dos-Aralon, Sleepwalker. You’re on the wrong side of the river.”
*
"I’m going to cut your legs loose, Sleepwalker. Don’t try anything foolish. I said we would speak up for you, and I meant it.”
“Your name is Lorgan?” Thealos asked.
The knight nodded.