He could try and walk the Crossroads, but he had never done that on his own. How sick would it make him? How far would he be able to go? The wellspring of memories told him that each Ravinir was different. Some gained powers and skills faster than others, depending on their own natural abilities and the depths of their doubts.
One of the knights guarding him pulled out a whetstone and started sharpening his sword. It rang out in sharp, bell-like tones, grating down Thealos’ spine. If he needed a weapon, he could always force one from a knight. Ban it, how much longer will they make me wait?
The tent smelled stale, of sweat and leather. He had learned earlier that the knights of Owen Draw had ridden hard to the king’s road between the Shadows Wood and the capital Dos-Aralon. Once the dukes’ armies joined them, they would press down into the Shadows Wood to confront Ballinaire. Yet they still did not realize they faced the magic of the Everoot. Jaerod had said the entire valley could be destroyed, Avisahn with it.
With the Oath magic, he reached out and felt for Maston’s presence, the knight that had his things. Good, he isn’t far. What good that did being encircled by eight men, though…
He heard voices approach the tent and turned towards the opening. The knight with the whetstone set it down.
“Maybe they’re bringing supper,” he said.
“Can you smell the roast? It’s enough to drive you mad.”
“Probably salted pork. Too peppery for me. Stuff burns all the way down. I’ll take the mashed potatoes, though.”
Thealos glanced at them both before turning back to the flap.
A knight opened the door and held the flap as a woman with dark hair entered with a tray.
Ticastasy.
She thanked the knight and came in, giving Thealos a wry look. He stared at her in shock, unable to stop a wide grin from lighting his face.
“Why is it that every time I come visit you, Quickfellow, someone has you locked up?” She gave him an impish smile and set the tray down by the two knights.
“You know him?” one of the knights said in a challenging tone.
She nodded. “The food is for you two. I have orders from General Shearmur that he’s to be released. The papers are on the tray. Enjoy your meal, gentlemen.”
Slipping a dagger from her boot, she sliced away his bonds.
*
"Those wrists look painful, Quickfellow. They had you trussed up all day? The banned fools. Stubbornness is a terrible quality in a man.”
“I’d like to add ungracious, stiff, and utterly lacking a sense of humor,” Thealos said, watching the firelight brighten her hair and paint shadows across her wrinkled clothes.
She smiled at his jest. She wore sturdy brown breeches and a creamy linen shirt, belted at the waist, with a thin cloak tied at her throat. The cuffs of her shirt were made of leather with little studs and were shoved up to her elbows to free her sun-browned arms.
“You’ve been living in the wilds, Stasy. Look at this. A steady fire, properly fenced with stones, a bedroll that’s seen its share of pine needles. You’re not a city girl anymore.”
“I’ve got blisters on my feet too,” she said with a wink. “You’d be impressed. I have even been learning a little stepwalking from Allavin.” She clucked her tongue and examined his wrists again. “Look at these rope burns. They must sting. Here, I have some ointment in my bag.” Fishing around in her travel sack a moment, she pulled out a round wooden box and twisted it open.
“Smells like aloe. And something else. What is it?”
“I don’t know, but I got it from a Zerite I met in Castun. I helped him tend the wounded. Wish I could heal you with a touch like he could…or if we had some Everoot, that would be something.” She dug two fingers into the ointment and started smoothing it into his wrists.
“You’ve been in Castun the whole time?”
“We didn’t think it was wise to linger when the Kiran Thall came back. Craven rooks, all of them. Allavin heard from his Shae friends that the knights were coming. He’s been teaching me a little Silvan too. The giant birds those Shae ride—they’re beautiful. Alerion. They look so wild, but the Shae tame them. Allavin said that they can snatch a rider and horse and carry both. I’d never seen anything like that in Sol.”
“You know, I thought about you when I passed the Sheven Ingen wharves.”
“Your eyes are glowing. You must be lying.” She said it teasingly and then her expression clouded. “When were you there?”
“Recently.”
“As much as I miss the Foxtale, I don’t really think I can go back there. It’s one of the places he’d look for me.”
Thealos knew very well who the he referred to.
“There you go,” she said, wiping the excess back into the dish. “The salve will soothe those wrists. Have you other hurts?”
He thought about his family like a stab to the heart and snorted. “None that time won’t heal. Frankly, I’m sore my body over.”