Chapter 61: Dancing by Firelight (1)

Chapter 61: Dancing by Firelight (1)

When Jad and Enusat were gone, Gandash said, Well, Tizqar?

You want me to go statement by statement?

No, just your overall impression.

Tizqar scratched one of his droopy jowls. Theres no question about it: he killed the man. And he believes he acted in self-defense. As for whether he could have prevented the fight from happening its hard to say what he thinks. I think even hes not sure. In terms of how he healed himself and the mention of a pill. Tizqar trailed off, took a deep breath, then exhaled sharply. Its strange. I felt like he was telling the truth. At the same time, he seemed smug. If I was to guess, he did use a pill of some sort, but theres more to the story that he didnt reveal. Someone besides Jad must have helped out in some way. Tizqars eyes flitted ever so briefly in Xerxes direction. If you want, I could cast again and you could narrow the questions down.

Theres no need. Save your melam. And since this is an authorized use of spell components, you can add it to your list for compensation.

Yes, Captain.

Head back. I know rumors are going to fly, but keep the details of the interrogation confidential.

Tizqar nodded and went back to the line, leaving Xerxes and Gandash alone.

Did you know about this? Gandash asked.

Xerxes felt like he was on the edge of a cliff. No, not a cliff. A tightrope.

I did know, he said. I mean, I knew he was in a fight, and that he got hurt. I didnt know he killed someone.

Gandash closed his eyes and bowed his head.

It was after you and I got into that argument, Xerxes continued. I think thats when they snuck out of the camp. I looked for them, but couldnt find them. I went to sleep. Sometime in the middle of the night, Jad came and woke me up. Said Enusat was hurt. So.

Xerxes felt sick to his stomach. He was willing to accept responsibility for whatever happened, but it didnt seem fair to drag Katayoun into it. In fact, it wasnt fair. He tried to think of a way to word things that would keep her name out of it. It wasnt possible. The company only had three Balatu mages: Katayoun, Ningal, and Kishar. If Xerxes lied, or tried to hide the truth, all Gandash had to do was have Tizqar cast another spell, and he could get to the bottom of the issue.

I get it, Gandash said, opening his eyes. Im not stupid. Go get Enusat and the constable.

What did that mean? That Gandash had already put two and two together and knew that Katayoun was involved?

Xerxes tried to put together a theory about it, but his mind was too muddled. Minutes later, he was back with Daniyel and Enusat.

Constable, I can confirm that Lieutenant Enusat is the one that killed the merchant, Gandash said. However, based on Hasasu spellcasting, Ive determined that the lieutenant acted in self-defense.

I see. Make good time, and youll reach Eresh before the rains come. Good luck, Captain.

Once out of the mountains, it was easier to travel, with the road being wider and flatter. There were no clouds in the sky, and the sun beat down on them relentlessly.

Gandash pushed them hard. Not to the point of exhaustion, but close. Everyone looked forward to when it came time to set up camp.

In the evening of the first day of travel, the Swordmasters ate around a campfire near their tents.

Every single person in the company is staring at us, Enusat grumbled. I swear to the Pontifarch I heard Dasi call me a murderer. The bitch. Course, its that damn fucker Gandys fault.

Calm down, Kashtiliash said, taking a bite of hard cheese.

Ill calm down when Randy fucking Gandys paid in full. And this time its going to be painful. I dont give a fuck if its against the rules. Ill just leave afterward. Disappear. Im from Jehannmed. I could vanish so good theyd never find me.

Im with you, Jad said. We could go to the Cowry Coast. Join a pirate ship or something. Or maybe we could set ourselves up as assassins.

Xerxes caught Kashtiliashs gaze. They both rolled their eyes.

But Jad and Enusat were far from finished with their venting.

Assassins, Enusat said, looking thoughtful. Not an alf-bad idea. In fact, we could start earning a reputation before we left the company. If you know what I mean. He flashed a malicious grin, and Jad chuckled in response.

This is going too far, Xerxes thought. Say, at what point are we going to do some sparring? We dont want to lose what Rabya taught us.

Good point, Teucer said.

Its too dark now, but if we stop early enough tomorrow, we can probably squeeze in thirty minutes of practice.

Yeah, it wouldnt hurt, Jad said.

The following day, Kashtiliash joined Xerxes in trying to get Jad and Enusat to calm down. At lunch, their efforts only seemed to anger the other two. Then they did some sparring before dinner, and that helped vent some steam. As time passed, their work had a cumulative effect.

By the third day of travel, Jad was back to normal, and joined in the attempts to get Enusat into a similar mental state. On the fifth day of travel, Enusat finally stopped obsessing over his situation. He still grumbled and cursed Gandashin privatebut none of it was as vitriolic as before.

Xerxes had a hard time telling what Gandash thought of the incident, and his own role in it. It didnt seem appropriate to force a conversation over the matter, and Gandash was always working on something. Xerxes didnt get the sense his friend was angry at him. However, they didnt have any time to talk.