Pug nodded.
Nakor sat back on his stool, reached into a pack he carried on his hip, and pulled out an orange. Then he dug a thick thumbnail into it. He glanced at the other two men and raised an eyebrow. Both of them shook their heads, just a little, and Nakor returned his attention to Talon.
“You see before you the leaders of a group of people,” Nakor began. “This place, this island home, was once the refuge of a nation fleeing a war, or so the story goes. Later it was home to the first Black Sorcerer, a man named Macros. Miranda is his daughter. Pug is Miranda’s husband. They are mistress and master of this island, Talon. You’ve met both their sons.
“Over the years many people have come to stay with us on this island. Students from . . . well, from many places, some never even imagined by most men.” He grinned. “Some I couldn’t have imagined, and I’ve got quite a good imagination.”
Pug interrupted, “We can dispense with the history until later, Nakor. Tell him about what faces him.’’
Nakor lost the grin. He bit down on the orange and chewed for a moment, deep in thought. “As I said, we are the leaders of a group of people. Many have come here to train and serve.’’
“Serve?” asked Talon.
Nakor grinned. “You know, I’ve never had to explain to anyone in one sitting what it is we do, Pug.’’
Pug nodded. “And you will not now. Just give him a general sense of who we are, and if he agrees to serve, we shall educate him incrementally along the way.’’
Robert held up a hand. “If I may?’’
Pug nodded.
“Talon, we three belong to the Conclave of Shadows. The Conclave consists of men and women who have banded together for a reason. That reason will become clearer to you as time passes, but for the moment, there are things you are not ready to understand.
“I can tell you this much. We serve a purpose which opposes much of the evil abroad in the world today, including the forces that conspired to destroy your homeland. If your current goal is to avenge your people, your best opportunity to do so rests in serving us.’’
Talon looked Robert in the eye. “I owe you my life, Master, and will honor my debt, but you ask me to take at face value a very serious claim. I have seen nothing at Kendrick’s or here to make me question that claim, and nothing that would make me think you or these other men might be evil. But my grandfather once told me that men who do evil often do so in the name of a great good, and that the Orosini had history with shamans and chieftains who misled the people, claiming they were doing right.
“I saw evil with my own eyes the day my people died. I do not know the reason for the destruction of my nation. I only know that those men who killed the women and children of my clan did evil.’’
Robert held up his hand. “This much I can attest to: the men who destroyed your home were not acting out of any misplaced sense of a greater good. They were hired mercenaries who kill for gold, aided and abetted by soldiers from the Duchy of Olasko. We will talk in the future about that. For the moment, consider that we have common cause against those whom you seek for revenge.’’
“Robert, you saved my life when others might have simply left me for the crows and vultures,” Talon said. “I have seen nothing in you or your friends that I find to be dishonorable. Caleb and Magnus”—he nodded at Pug—“have taught me much, and while I lingered here healing, I heard laughter . . .” He thought about Alysandra. “There is much here that brings joy.” He took a deep breath and went on, “The gods have placed my feet upon a path, to what purpose and what ends I can only guess. But since the day I awoke in your wagon, Robert, I have been in your care. Tell me what to do.’’
“I cannot, Talon. You must know this. Any oath made to the Conclave of Shadows must be made freely and without doubt. For once you enter our ranks, you may not turn back. To renounce that oath will bring you death.’’
Pug added, “And not merely the death of the memory. For once you become one with us, you will begin to learn things that may not be shared with outsiders. Things that you must be willing to die to keep secret.’’
Nakor grinned. “But there is good in taking that oath, too. We have many marvels to show you, and wonders to behold. You will learn more in a year here than you would in a dozen lifetimes in the mountains you knew as home.’’
“Already I have learned a great deal,” Talon said.
Nakor continued, “When you seek your revenge, you will need resources and allies. We can provide you with both.’’
“What must I do?’’