"Whose lads were they?" Camid asked sharply.
"The same sort who attacked us before the inn outside Istaur," Morgan said.
"Let's all have a look, then," Camid said. "Morgan, are you coming?"
"Of course," she said. "Glines, look after Miach."
"Fletcher," Adhémar said, "you come as well. We'll collect Paien on our way. He should have been standing guard. I'm not sure why he didn't see you pass him."
Miach felt Morgan rest her hand on his head briefly before she tromped off with their companions. Miach thought he might have been able to get up before that, but her touch left him weak in a far different way.
He was truly in trouble.
There was silence for quite some time.
Miach was certain he hadn't fallen asleep, but then again perhaps he had. When the blackness receded, he lifted his head to find Glines of Balfour studying him. Glines smiled briefly.
"My lord Archmage."
Miach had avoided the youngest son of Graeme up until this point, mostly because he had demonstrated quite clearly that he was barely capable of stopping himself from bowing each time Adhémar walked near. Miach suspected he might like the man, however. He had a quick wit and a rather wry sense of humor.
"Are you sure of that?" Miach asked.
"Perfectly."
Miach grunted. "Today, I do not feel anything so lofty." He looked back over his shoulder. "Perhaps they will return with a count of the corpses."
"Were there many? "
"Too many."
Glines studied him until Miach actually began to feel uncomfortable?and there were few things in this world or the unseen one that made him so.
"What?" Miach asked. "What ails you?"
"I'm curious."
"A dangerous indulgence."
Glines smiled. "Why are you here? "
"Do you think I can tell you?"
"I'll wager that possibility on a game of chance, if you like."
Miach smiled dryly. "I've watched you lighten several purses on this journey, my friend. I dare not wager anything so serious."
Glines lifted one eyebrow, looking mildly surprised. "Not off on holiday, then."
Miach shrugged and managed to get himself upright. He supposed it might be several days before he was fully recovered. He resisted the almost overwhelming desire to throw himself into a sen'night's sleep. "You never know."
"I suspect not."
Miach sighed deeply. "Nothing to worry over. I simply came to find my brother."
"Did he escape," Glines asked, "or was he merely off looking for something?"
Miach considered the other man. "I daresay you know more than you're telling. Has Adhémar been talking to you?"
