“Of course, sir. May I bring the warder, Rissia?”

“Certainly.” I said slowly, “But does that mean the other warder didn’t make it?”

“Ganileth.” Thilos said sadly, obviously sure we already knew the answer.

“Yes, sir. I am sorry, sir, but he died in the second drant attack we faced on our way here. I will make my full report after I get Rissia.” He returned to his men, his limp more pronounced. As he walked away I turned to Thilos to tell him how sorry I was but Imprid beat me to it. She gave him a big hug, too, and since I wasn’t prepared to do that I just turned away and waited for the good captain to return.

When he got back to us, leading Rissia, one of two survivors of the four warders Thilos had selected for our mission that was still alive, I realized I had never even been introduced to her. She was very attractive, even with her hair pulled tightly back into a ponytail, which is not a style I normally like very much. Her eyes were amber, and very striking. They seemed to work, too, because she caught me appraising her like a horse I was considering buying, and her eyes narrowed as if she didn’t care for it much. I faked a cough and shifted my gaze to Captain Klote. “Welcome back, captain, and I’m glad you could join us, Warder Rissia. Let’s hold off on the report until we get to the inn and we can get some food and drink for you both.”

The captain nodded. “That would be appreciated, my lord.” Rissia just ignored me and started walking as if she knew where we were going. We all started walking, but I made sure the pace was slow enough that Klote could keep up with no trouble. I wanted to ask him about his leg but it was my idea to wait for the report until we were settled at the inn so I kept my questions to myself and focused on not looking at Rissia. Which turned out to be easy because she arranged things so she was walking a few people behind me.

The Buxom Lass was crowded when we got there. It had been pressed into service as a mess hall so I commandeered the private dining room. I had to kick out a group of wealthy merchants who acted like claimed their first born children. When I mentioned how great they looked for having just been fighting drants only one of them even had the decency to look embarrassed that they hadn’t fought anything. I gave up and ordered Sir Aryoss and Vone to physically remove them. They left pretty quickly after that but they were still complaining about it as they went. The last thing I heard was that Lord Tarin would be hearing about this. That cheered me up a little bit, imagining how that conversation would go.

The private dining room had one big, long table and I took the set at the end farthest from the door, out of habit, I suppose, and gestured for Captain Klote to take the other end seat so I could easily see him. He’d have to talk louder than normal but I figured he was up to it, even with his injuries. I was right, as usual. After everyone else had sat down there were five people on the side of the table to my right, starting with Venzik. Delik Slin was next to him, followed by my father, Sir Aryoss and Kralnik at the far end, right by Captain Klote. Thilos sat next to me on the left side of the table and, of course, Imprid sat next to him. Vone was next to her with Rissia at the end, opposite Kralnik. I made certain not to look at her. Pitchers of ale and wine were brought in for us and we were informed it would soon be followed by whatever food was available.

After the door closed behind the inn’s servers I cleared my throat to get everyone’s attention. “For those of you that haven’t met him, this is Captain Klote of the Ansdron Heavy Calvary. He led the men who escorted us safely through the drants besieging Ansdron so we could begin our, so far, ill-fated mission against the Kathaldi. Now he’s here to escort anyone who wishes to leave Tarn for Ansdron, which I now assume means everyone. Captain, could you tell us what you encountered after you broke the siege and allowed us to start on our way to Tarn? Afterwards, we can describe for you what happened to us, if you would like.”