What was important was getting Rabb’s attention long enough to prove himself.
Rolancouldbe useful. He’d stolen one of the city’s precious lamps, after all!
Well. Almost.
“Last chance,” said Hoff. “Where’s your pa, Rolan?”
Lowering his gaze, Rolan whispered, “You really wanna know?”
Hoff’s eyes glinted. He leaned closer. “There’s a smart lad. Where is he, eh? Where’s old Rabb?”
Rolan looked up. The captain was nose to nose with him now. It was not a pleasant view. “He’s…”
“Yes?”
“He’s…”
“Yes?”
Rolan grinned. “He’s hiding up your nose, Hoff. I mean, truth, have youevertrimmed your nose hairs? There could be an entire horde of Cryptics up in that forest! Your nose is a public menace. Your nose is so big, andsohairy, that—”
“Enough!” Mouth twisting in disgust, Hoff rose to his feet. “Bring him, lads. He’s opted for the hard way. So be it.”
The other two guards took Rolan roughly by his arms. He let his body go completely limp, lolling uselessly in their grips.
“Oh no,” he said mournfully. “Jelly bones.”
Hoff rolled his eyes. “Not this again.”
Rolan made his eyes as round and pitiful as he possibly could. “Can’t walk if I got jelly bones, Hoff. It’s acondition.”
“I’ll condition you with my fist if you don’t snap out of it, boy!”
Ignoring that, Rolan continued to lie limply between the two guards who were forced to half carry, half drag him through the streets. Pettily, Rolan savored the annoyed grunts and muttered curses of the guards as they hauled him along. He couldn’t stop them from arresting him, but he didn’t have to make iteasy.
Anaya had taught him jelly bones, he remembered with a pang.
He couldn’t believe she was going to Sylvet tomorrow, a town a day’s walk away and farther than Rolan had ever been in his life.
He hoped Evaine would pack enough torches.
When they finally reached the nearest guard station, Rolan waspleased to see the cell was empty. He liked having cells all to himself, especially considering the quality of the company he usually found in one. While the guards glared at him through the bars, he walked around, inspecting every corner before finally patting the bench and sprawling across it.
“Ah, good,” he sighed, his hands locking under his head. “I washopingyou’d bring me to this station. It’s got the comfiest bench in Crisanth, you know. Could I have a cup of water and some bread with gravy? Slab of ham would be nice, if you’ve got it, but I don’t wanna put you boys out.”
The sudden clang of a steel boot against the iron bars made Rolan jump. He lifted his head enough to peer at Hoff, who was grinning at him in a way that made Rolan’s skin crawl. He could deal with an angry Hoff, an exasperated Hoff, or even a cruel Hoff.
But a happy Hoff?
This was something new.
Happy Hoff made Rolan’s stomach clench with unease.
“How old are you, boy?” Hoff asked.
Rolan sat up, the uneasy feeling only getting stronger. “I turned thirteen last week. Why?”
Hoff’s grin widened. His canines were pointed, like a dog’s. “That’s what I was hoping you’d say.”
