“There is something more to you.”

“There is something more to you, as well, but I am the one sitting in the chair in a dark room being asked questions, and not the other way around. Based on that knowledge, I would say I am the more trusting.”

“Is that a threat, or merely an odd statement of fact? With your riddles, friend, it is hard to say, even for me, one who is a Truth Teller.”

“Perhaps you are running into difficulties because your abilities are irrelevant here. I do not lie, but neither do I tell you things I do not wish for you to know.”

“Another man would have no idea what you are talking about, but I, alas, do. I have had experience with many criminals, who have tried to trick me by making true statements that are not the whole truth.”

“I am no criminal.”

“Even if you are not, you have still perfected the art of saying only exactly what you want to. Why would a bodyguard to a princess need such a skill?”

“Perhaps for instances such as now.”

“You test my patience. But perhaps I am at fault, for not phrasing my question correctly. When would you have time to learn such a skill?”

“I was not always Maiako as Arathou del Tachen’s bodyguard.”

“That is obviously true, my friend. She was born after you were. That leads to a different question. How old, exactly, are you, my friend?”

“What possible gain could you get from my answer to that question?”

“A frame of reference. I would like to know exactly when you were born, so I can decipher how old you were when certain events happened.”

“Events of the Empire, or events in my life?”

“Both, my friend. Now, enough with your questions. Answer mine. You are obviously in your mid to late twenties. What harm can uttering a single number do?”

“The age of my body is twenty-four.”

“Ah, so you look older than you really are. What could you have experienced, my friend, to harden you?”

“I could have experienced a great many things.”

“What did you experience?”

“Battles. War. More than you might think.”

“You did not look uncomfortable facing that Terrasanu. Did perhaps, once before, in one of those battles, you come face to face with something from the darker corners of magic?”

“I did.”

“I see you do not wish to talk about that. I accept you choice. Perhaps what happened when you endured that encounter is the reason why I feel so strange about you, Broken.”

“Perhaps, Priest-Lord Ralad.”

“And perhaps not. But in any case, I am confident that you pose no threat to the Vedil, so long as we host you and your charge in a manner befitting hosts.”

“So long as you give us shelter here, I will not do anything that might revoke such hospitality.”

“A good statement to make, Broken, one that curtails me from making you swear an oath.”

“That was the reason why I said it.”

“So it was, so it was. You seem to be able to read me, a Truth Teller, as well as I can read you with my gift. I would appreciate it if you would like to continue this conversation, but, as a host, I would understand if you would like to stop.”

“In but a moment we can stop, Priest-Lord.”

“You surprise me yet again, Broken, and have earned the distinction of being the first to wish their stay in an interrogation room lengthened.”

“Untrue. Many prisoners prefer talking to someone, as opposed to returning to their cells to languish in tedium.”

“And how might you know that?”

“Guess. And while you do so, listen to me, for I wish to ask you another question. Answer carefully, for I will know if you lie.”

“I usually say that, young one.”

“This whole situation is unusual, Priest-Lord. I may be here, but I am, by your own admission, no prisoner.”

“So, what is your question? I will answer if it does not infringe on that which I, myself, must keep secret.”

“Will you be talking to Ishad or Mai in a similar manner?”

“I already talked to Ishad, son, but not here. He, due to a twist of fate, has been released from all bonds of monkhood. He is now free to stay with you and the Princess here, as a part of your group, or leave when he likes.”

“And what of Mai?”

“The fact that you call her by her first name interests me, Broken. By all rights, you, one of your status, should be calling her mistress, or some like term.”

“Our relationship is unorthodox.”

“So it seems. To answer your question, the Princess will be brought here as soon as we are done.”

“I would ask you a favor, Priest-Lord. I would ask that she be left in peace.”

“On what grounds? My vow to do you no ill during your stay here is all that keeps me from informing my fellow lords, and then the Minsu, that there is a certain young lady in my possession, who could cause them a great deal of trouble if left to do what she will.”

“I have something to barter, Priest-Lord.”

“What?”

“My sword, Aurasing. When we first sat down here, you spoke of it. You were interested in looking at it more closely. I would give it to you.”

“I would very much like to have such an ancient sword for my private collection, especially one with such an intriguing inscription on its blade as Aurasing. But what makes you think I would take such a deal? If I really wanted your sword, I could keep it. It, along with your soon to be mended armor, sits in a private room of the Vedil armory. My private room.”

“I have faith in your honesty, and your honor, Lord-Priest. If you are one to uphold a promise made under uncertain conditions, in the guardroom at a time when you had no idea how valuable my charge would be to you, you would certainly return my sword to me.”

“Unless you make it no longer yours. Yes, I see. The truth is, no matter how much I would have liked to talk with the Princess, I do not truly need to. And a permanent possession is worth far more than a fleeting moment of happiness. I accept your deal.”

“I give you my thanks, Priest-Lord Ralad, and I confirm the transaction.”

“You certainly place a high value on the safety and security of your charge. But perhaps, somehow, you truly know best. When you look at me, Broken, what do you see?”

“I see a man bathed in the shadow of this room, sitting at a chair behind a desk, directly to my front.”

“I expected such an answer, you know. Satirical instead of metaphorical. I am not sure why, but I was curious as to what you would say, as one who places odd values on such things. I cannot comprehend why you made such a deal. Aurasing, a sword ancient and steeped in your heritage, would be the last thing I would expect one such as you to give up. A warrior, or so I have heard, is his blade.”

“I am not so materialistic, anymore.”

“Are we done here Broken? If I am not to meet with the Princess, I must go about the task of brushing off my fellow lords’ questions as to the identity of two of my three guests.”

“Yes, we are done.”