“That would explain why Emeck and Aleest are able to connect so easily.”
“He intends to go with you. I can’t convince him otherwise.” Her comment gave Urake pause for a moment. The ability to communicate with animals was useful in some situations yet Aleest was not built for what would be expected of him if he were to come.
“I plan on going through the Garoche Heights. I don’t think he could handle it.” Urake knew that Aleest was younger than Emeck and as thin as sapling. It would be cold in the Heights and Urake wanted people that wouldn’t slow him down.
“The Heights?” Em’risi turned and searched his face a second. “I would rather he didn’t go, but he would never forgive me if I restrained him. If you don’t take him, he will follow you regardless.”
“I will see if I can dissuade him.”
“Thank you although I doubt that he can be dissuaded. I have seen him force a balky mule to walk backwards through a door it had refused to pass. All he did was give it a look.” The two of them arrived in the mess area just as the soldiers began showing up for their morning rations.
“That one. His energy burns brighter than the assassin’s did. His friends tell me that his father was a fisherman but that he can’t stand being on water so he turned to being a trapper before being drafted into the army.” Em’risi pointed to an average looking soldier with bulging muscles visible under his uniform.
“He will be useful if he agrees to come with me.” Urake appraised the man who seemed to feel eyes on him. He looked up and scrutinized the two people that stood on the far side of the room watching him.
“There is the other one now. His energy seems to infuse those around him. I think that he could be a healer if he learns how to control the effect.” Em’risi pointed to another individual with fairly good looks chatting up the cook’s assistant that was spooning out portions. Urake chuckled as he pocketed a couple extra pieces of cheese while the assistant was laughing over some joke.
“Let me guess. He was caught stealing and offered the choice of having three fingers cut off or joining the army.” Urake continued watching as the man exchanged a piece of the cheese with someone else for an extra bowl of hot soup. He then carried the steaming soup to a hulking soldier that Urake had seen out on sentry duty last night. It didn’t take much to piece together that he was trying to befriend someone who would be able to protect him from a couple morose looking soldiers on the other side of the room.
“I thought that Emeck was the telepath. That is precisely why he is here. I was told that those two soldiers over there are upset because he reported them for harassing a village girl.”
“A gallant thief with brains. I like him. Reminds me of myself when I was his age.”
“Indeed. Almost romantic. If you have what you need, I must speak with Balinor.” Em’risi accepted Urake’s nod of agreement with a wan smile.
“I pity the man.”
“As you should.” Em’risi was serious now. She moved off and Urake watched as the men fell silent and parted for her to pass through. Urake waited until she had left before approaching the thief busy befriending the soldier happily slurping the second bowl of soup. The thief stopped mid compliment when he recognized his visitor.
“I didn’t do anything. Whatever they told you is a lie.” He motioned towards the three men that were standing by the door.
“Who said that they told me anything?”
“No one. Why else would you be talking to me?”
“I'm just a little curious, what is your name?” Urake took the seat that a soldier conveniently vacated across from the thief.
“What is this about?” The big soldier queried impatiently.
“Nothing of concern to you. I see that your soup is nearly finished. Perhaps you have something else to do right now.” Urake’s pointed hint was taken and the soldier lost his courage and suddenly mentioned something that he did indeed recall needing to be some other place.
“My name is my own but your name is the Asgare. I would rather not share my name with an assassin.”
“I may be an assassin but you are a thief. I think that you are in no place to judge. What were you