“If that will appease you, then do so. Or have one of your quaere do it.” It was a subtle concession, but a deliberate one.
“What games are you playing at now, Quickfellow?” he said with wariness in his voice.
“You are a Crimson Wolfsman Lor. You are in command of this expedition.”
Xenon dropped low. “Then why did you sneak away again? How did you sneak away? Was it the Sleepwalker? Did he…fetch you again?”
“There was information I needed in Sol, Lor Xenon. My friends may be a mix of the races, but I left them in Castun to collect news about the Bandit Rebellion and its movements. I…I believed that we needed that knowledge before approaching Landmoor. One of the members of your quaere would not have been trusted. They would only have spoken to me.”
Xenon tipped his chin up. It was permission to rise and speak, even though the gesture was condescending.
Thealos slowly straightened, his body arguing with the movement. Bruises—there would definitely be bruises. He grunted and bit his lip, standing full.
“You’re a rake and a fool, Quickfellow,” Xenon said, pacing back and motioning to his men. “You’re in the thrall of a Sleepwalker. I suppose I cannot expect you to think logically about your actions.”
You pompous, arrogant wretch—I am a Sleepwalker.
“May I give you my report, Lor Xenon?”
The Wolfsman nodded once. “On your feet, Warder. You are wiser than your companions.”
Justin rose as well, but kept his head down.
“A Kilshae?” Xenon asked Thealos in Silvan.
“He believes so, yes,” Thealos replied. “He is my friend regardless.”
“That doesn’t surprise me about you. Give me your report.”
Thealos swallowed the bitter taste in his mouth. The other Wolfsmen had formed a perimeter around them. Some observed the plains and forest while others kept a watchful gaze on each of Thealos’ companions. Flent moaned and stirred and Ticastasy shoved past Exeres to help him. She scowled at Xenon with a look that warned him never to step into a tavern of hers again for fear of hemlock in his wine.
“Keep him still, human. If he attacks me again, I’ll kill him.”
“You can try,” Flent grumbled, rubbing his scalp and burning a hateful glare at the man.
Thealos shot him a warning look. Don’t even think about it, Flent.
“Your report, Quickfellow. Out with it!”
“Very well. Ballinaire’s army is retreating back to the fortress of Landmoor, sir. The knights of Owen Draw are flanking them, riding hard to swing around the woods on the east side, near the Trident. But Ballinaire’s forces will get here first. He’ll try and re-take the castle.”
“What do you mean?”
“Was I unclear, sir?”
“The Bandits already control the keep, you fool. Why would Ballinaire need to reclaim it?”
“You are missing some information it seems. I’ve heard that the Shae army approaches from the south. The city is held by the commander of the Shoreland regiment. He’s rebelled against Ballinaire. I believe he might agree to terms if we approach him cautiously. A Pax.”
“You are so na?ve.”
Thealos bit his lip. “I am.” He waited.
Xenon planted his hands on his hips and nodded out into the Shoreland moors where deep in the distance stood the green hill ridged with bastion walls. It was the size of a small stone in the distance. “The Princess of Avisahn received word from another Bandit battle commander. The real one that has rebelled against Ballinaire. He warned her of a trap being set for the Shae at Landmoor. He warned that Tsyrke Phollen would attempt to negotiate a Pax with us. He knows you are an heir of Quicksilver, boy. He wants you dead. The creature he sent to kill you failed in Avisahn and has been summoned back to Landmoor. The news you tell me is nothing more than a trap. There will be no Pax with the Bandit Rebellion.”
“That’s not true,” Ticastasy said, staring up at him coldly.
Xenon snorted and turned back to Thealos. “The rest in Silvan, our true language. We mistrust the Sleepwalker’s intentions for you. Laisha does not trust him and neither do I. Another heir of Quicksilver will be arriving soon. We will prepare to siege the keep.”
“That would be foolish, sir. They know our army is coming. They have magic…”
“I know more about wars than you ever will, boy. We won’t siege the castle. That would take too long, and you are right—there is Forbidden magic afoot down here. We all can feel it. Already Crimson Wolfsmen are slipping into the city each night. When the army is close enough to the walls, we will strike from within.” His eyes gleamed. “A Ravinjon. At long last.”
Thealos felt sick. He remembered meeting Mage in the tunnels beneath Landmoor. He remembered Justin’s ineffectual attack and how his Warder magic was snuffed out. The blade of Jade Shayler that Thealos had carried was burned and twisted, mangled into a warped shape.
“That would be incredibly dangerous, sir.”
“We do not shirk from danger, boy. The Bandits will fall. I promise you.”