However, the woodland lining each side of the path was a danger. In such thick forest, raiders could conceal themselves easily and ambush an approaching wagon. If they had the force and the numbers, the marauders could very well overtake the wagon, and bring an untimely end to its merchant.

Traders and merchants considered the Silken Way to be a necessary step in their journey. It was a straight, wide road, uncomplicated to navigate and served as a bridge between Centrim and Gallagher. The two countries had traded for decades upon decades, and the Silken Way was the easiest and fastest route from one to the other. In fact, the early barters for silk and spice had given the Way its name.

There was risk to be taken regardless of the path the merchants took. If they did not risk an attack of thieves, they would risk death in some other fashion. When attacked by another man, you had a chance of defending yourself, at least. When the winds of a high mountain decide to push you off, there is seldom anything you can do to halt your descent.

Hence the use of the Way, and the employment of soldiers to defend the wagons of goods. Wagons were sent two or four at a time, with five soldiers for each. Only reckless merchants or traders would venture onto the Way without such an escort, and Einri didn't know of any trader who would dare attempt traveling along the Way after nightfall.

"At least I am no merchant," he murmured to himself. "Let Luck be with me and see to it that any thieves become aware of that, as well."

Einri Mikhail did have a wagon, he did have an escort, and he was wearing the standard clothing of a Centrim merchant.

And he was anything *but* a merchant.

"My Lord." Arvis' voice interrupted his train of thought. "Tylin has arrived."

Now that he listened, Einri could hear the approaching steps of another horse. He slowed his own mare so Arvis' mount could catch up, and glanced briefly at the soldier.

"It is Tylin?"

"The moon hides little on the open road tonight, my Lord, and I know of no other soldier with a copper braid like that."

The new rider was very close now, Einri could hear, and his other men hadn't attacked. He didn't risk a glance back, confident in their ability. He had handpicked these men - and woman - for good reason. "She may approach me right away."

"My Lord," Arvis uttered, and let his horse fall back to deliver the message.

Einri tugged at his collar. He preferred a square- or V-necked shirt, but the one he was wearing circled his throat far too tightly for his liking. He wondered vaguely how any merchant could stand the style; surely in the summer season it would be unbearable. The shirt itself was a dark shade of orchid, and over it he had donned a sea green coat, fringed in gold. The coat left his neck plenty of room, thank the gods, but that was purely to show off the shirt he wore underneath.

His breeches were plain, a sharp contrast to the elaborate colors and designs on his other garments. Einri welcomed their simplicity, though. He didn't know how he'd be able to fight with his shirt and coat as tight as they were. Ailia willing, he wouldn't have to find out.

He heard Tylin approach and was about to greet her, but she beat him to it.

"Your disguise is quite impressive, my Lord, but it would be wise to keep a cloak on with the hood up." She reined her charger in alongside his mare and gave him a wry glance. "Your handsome face alone betrays the status you are trying to portray."

"Oh?" Einri raised an eyebrow, bemused. "I wonder if you'd say the same if our features were more drastically different."

"My Lord, I can hold not a candle to your beauty. It surpasses my own."

Einri waved the mock praise away, but he smiled at her. Tylin's loyalty, intelligence, and skill as a soldier were not the only reasons for his selecting her to be part of his escort. She was his half-sister; they shared the same mother and many of her features.

"So, what news do you bring of Centrim?" he asked, veering the conversation back to its initial objective.

Tylin was immediately all business. "Neither army has moved as of yet, my Lord. They're trying to intimidate us, I think; they've been camped near our borders since last night. We're going to give negotiation a chance, since they haven't advanced, but..."

Einri motioned for her to go on. He wanted to hear all of Tylin's thoughts on the matter. "But...?"

"But I think the army sitting outside our door is just to distract us. I still think that their main objective is to cause unrest throughout Centrim by eliminating the Seven. That would do more damage than an upfront attack would."

Einri nodded, glad that Tylin agreed with the more or less unanimous conclusion. Even if she hadn't, he would have listened and considered her words, but he was grateful that they shared the same views. "So the Kendarian army is lying in wait. Neither side wants to make the first move, I'd gather." War was imminent, Einri knew, but both countries were delaying the inevitable. For all its apparent hatred for Centrim, Kendar had yet to declare war.

"They won't declare war," Tylin said, unknowingly echoing Einri's thoughts, "but they don't seem to be shy in using sneaky tactics to do away with the nobility."

"We don't know that, yet," Einri corrected automatically.

"I wouldn't put it past them."

"I'm not ruling out the possibility. I'm just clarifying that we don't know that for a fact." Actually, Einri was willing to stake his status on the possibility. The Kendarians were a tricky lot; it was highly unwise to trust them. "If I wasn't keeping that in mind, I wouldn't have agreed to this." "I know, my Lord," Tylin replied. "I am glad you at least acknowledge the possibility. What better way to cause chaos in a nation than by doing away with its leaders?"

"Indeed... And the others? Have they left their estates?"

"As far as I know, my Lord." Tylin threw her long braid over her shoulder. "Last I heard, each of the Seven were to be escorted safely to sanctuary. I can't tell you where the others are headed, though. I suspect no Lord will know of another's whereabouts until all are safely away from Centrim, for the time being."

Einri nodded. As long as all of his colleagues were taken out of Centrim safely, he was content to wait for word of them. "Part of me is surprised that it took this long for war to appear on the horizon," he commented off-handedly. "Centrim and Kendar always seemed to be stepping on one another's toes over the centuries." Tylin didn't answer, but Einri hadn't really been expecting a response.

Kendar and Centrim hadn't been on good terms for many generations. The Kendarians were defeated in the Movement, a battle for the fertile lands that fell between the two countries. Needless to say, Kendar hadn't taken its defeat entirely with grace.

"They couldn't win then," he murmured. "Tylin, any word on why they believe they can stand against us?"

His half-sister shook her head. "This is the strangest of the news I have brought you." Even though they weren't speaking loudly, Tylin lowered her voice even more. "According to the scouts we had inside Kendar's borders, the opposition has gained the aid of a...a wizard."

Einri blinked, dumbfounded. Of all possible proclamations, that had been furthest of his expectations. "Excuse me?"

Tylin shook her head again. "I tell no lie, and the scouts swear that they speak the truth. Whether or not there's any truth to the rumors...well, only the Kendarian army and monarch would know for certain. It would account for their sudden actions to initiate a second Movement," she added speculatively.

It was Einri's turn to shake his head. "They remain silent - well, perhaps not silent... But they remain harmlessly hostile for generations, and all of a sudden decide to rally their troops and march to our borders..."

"While letting a possible warning leak into the populace," Tylin added, referring to the rumor that the Centrim Seven might be in danger.

That possible warning was actually the death of a Centrim army commander. The man had not been vital to the realm, but he had been a military figure nonetheless. The lack of motive, the poison in the man's wine, and Kendar's sudden appearance at the borders were what had prompted Einri's departure from Centrim to Gallagher. Even worse than war was for war to break out when Centrim had no leaders. Einri, the other Six, and the Privy Council had concluded that it would not do to omit assassination as a possible Kendarian tactic. It had already been proven once that Centrim could trounce Kendar when it came to brunt offense.

"That man had a family," Einri said softly, sighing with regret.

"Don't bother trying to figure out why they did it, my Lord," Tylin advised. "It will give the best of us a headache. The best explanation I can offer is that Kendar's entire population is barbaric. It's one thing to go to war and die in battle; it's another to have a dagger plunged in your heart while you sleep, or to have poison slipped into your food."

And with the threat of possible assassins making their way into Centrim to do away with the highest of the nobility, the Privy Council had taken proactive measures to ensure the safety of the realm's leaders. While letting the people believe that the Centrim Seven were tucked away safely in their Houses and the Manor, the Privy Council, the seven lords, and a handful of the most trusted sentries had devised a plan to take the Seven away from harm. The general idea was for the lords to lead the realm from a safe distance, and then return once the real war began.

For all practical purposes, Einri Mikhail, the Fourth of Centrim, was confining himself in his manor and surrounding himself with his finest guards. With war on the horizon, he could not afford to be away from home nor become a corpse floating along the river.

In actuality, Einri Mikhail was now a merchant. And with his escort, him and his merchandise were on their way to Gallagher on the Silken Way.

"My Lord," Tylin said, interrupting his train of thought, "you really should be inside the wagon."

Einri grimaced. "I'd rather be out here." Prior to amounting to his position among the Centrim Seven, Einri had been a soldier in his father's personal guard. He felt better being outside, mounted on a mighty steed with a sword at his hip. It was all but expected for a Lord of Centrim to be able to defend himself, and Einri was no exception.

"But if anyone sees you--"

"We've encountered no other travelers tonight," Einri pointed out, "and even if we did, few people will know me by sight - especially with this disguise." Tylin rolled her eyes, but Einri changed the subject before she could push the issue. "And what of this apparent 'wizard' they have? What have you heard?"

Tylin shrugged. "Only that the Kendar monarchy has made arrangements with a sorcerer. As ludicrous as it sounds, I think it's something that should be looked into, if possible."

Einri reached up to scratch behind his ear. "That a wizard would even consider aiding Kendar..." Wizards were rare nowadays, and most remained in Barakura. The spell-casters were a distant and secretive sect, and most kept shut away in the towers of their own country. It was not uncommon for some to live as hermits, or to take apprentices, but that happened more in the Eastern countries. Magic was neither loved nor revered in the northwestern nations, and the notion that Kendar would ally itself with a wizard was mind-boggling.

It would, however, offer a plausible explanation for Kendar's sudden declaration of war.

"There are none with magical blood in these parts," Tylin said, reciting what most people already knew. "Any mage-potential this part of Hiberia had has long since died out."

"Another reason why I find this so puzzling," Einri added, taking hold of the copper tail at the nape of his neck. He brought the long, thin braid over his shoulder and began twirling it around his fingers. "What reason is there for a Barakuran wizard to travel all the way out here? He must know that he will find no prospective apprentice around here."

"The rumors say there was a deal involved. As for what Kendar and a sorcerer could find in common to *strike* a deal..."

"Rumors can be dangerous things," Einri replied, "but neither should they be completely overlooked, in some cases."

"Let's say Kendar *does* have a wizard..." Tylin paused for a moment. "If they do have one, what are the limits of his powers? Can he strike us down himself, or...?"

"If that were possible, I'm sure it would have already occurred." Einri had watched the sun rise on his naming day twenty-six times, and never had he heard of a single wizard annihilating an entire army. Wizards, according to conventional wisdom, simply held no interest in the rest of Hiberia in general. "Once we reach Gallagher and get to an inn, we can discuss the matter in more depth - and see what we can learn."

"An inn?" Tylin mused. "No noble House?"

"That wouldn't do," Einri replied dryly, "seeing as how we're trying *not* to attract attention."

"I know, I know..." Tylin reached over and poked him in the shoulder. "It's good to see that His Lordship doesn't object to such safety measures!"

"It's good that he hasn't allowed himself to grow too accustomed to the life of a lord." Einri gave her a wry smile and turned his eyes back to the empty road. It turned out not be as empty as he'd hoped.

When his eyes caught sight of the heap on the ground, he started in surprise and yanked his horse's reins. He pulled the steed to a stop, and saw Tylin do the same to her mount out of the corner of his eye. Behind him, he heard the other four soldiers halt their steeds and the wagon, and ignored their confused murmurs.

"What is that?" Einri demanded, leaning over to try and get a better look. "A body?"

"Looks that way," Tylin added warily. "Gods... Is he dead?"

"I can't tell." They had halted several feet away from the form lying on the ground. From his vantage point, Einri could see debris scattered around the unconscious man. With a quick glance around to make certain there was no one else nearby, Einri began to dismount.

"What are you doing?" Tylin hissed at him, scrambling to follow suit. "Whatever got him could still be around."

Einri didn't doubt it; the woodland lining the Silken Way was famous for being a home to footpads. But he couldn't just walk by and leave the poor soul on the ground. As a precaution, he took his horse's reins and led the animal with him, using the beast as a sort of shield, should any arrow come through the bushes.

"My L--" Arvis swallowed the title since they weren't speaking in private anymore. "Einri, what are you doing?"

"I'm going to see if he's alive," Einri replied. "Stay with the wagon."

"But--"

"If whatever got him is still around, it - or they - will probably go for the wagon. Coming, Tylin?"

His half-sister was already alongside him, mimicking his use of the horses. It was perhaps a little cruel to use the animals as shields, but anyone - footpad or no - who went out of his way to kill a perfectly good horse was a cold fool.

When Einri reached the crumpled heap, he released his mount's reins and knelt down. He heard Tylin grip the hilt of her sword and didn't reprimand her for doing so. If the wounded man on the ground turned out to be a threat, Einri would withdraw and Tylin would attack.

"Careful, Einri," she said warningly.

Einri nodded absently, one hand already resting on the wounded one's shoulder. With great care, Einri rolled the man over so they could see his features. He was young, younger than Einri by at least two or three years, and had very black hair. His cheeks were bruised and his face streaked with dirt. A quick search for a pulse yielded that the young man was, indeed, still alive.

"Footpads?" Tylin wondered.

Einri scanned the area around them. The dirt was littered with arrows; some were broken, some weren't. Next to the youth was a bow with a snapped bowstring. Einri determined that the boy had gone down fighting. "Most likely. It looks like he put up a fight, though."

"All for naught, it seems."

"At least he's alive." Einri pressed the back of his hand against the young man's forehead. He didn't feel feverish, and further inspection revealed that he had suffered no head injury. "They just roughed him up, I'd say. Nothing he won't recover from, though he might be a bit shaky upon awakening."

Tylin made a small noise of agreement. "That's good. What the hell was he doing out here alone, anyway?"

Einri inspected the man's face a little more closely. Under the dirt, coupled with the bruises and the darkness, it was difficult to precisely define what he looked like. It was possible he was not native to the area. "Perhaps he is unaware that traveling the Silken Way is like hanging a sign for thieves on your back."

"A sign that says, 'I made your mother squeal like a pig'," Tylin added.

Einri considered the distance that remained for them to travel. It couldn't be more than a day or so before they reached Gallagher. "Give me a hand," he urged, shifting positions so he could get a better grip on the younger man.

"What? Why?" Even as Tylin spoke the words, she was kneeling to do as he asked.

"We'll take him to my wagon," Einri said.

"Are you sure that's wise?" she asked. "We don't know who he is or where he came from. Gods, maybe he *deserved* the beating he got."

Einri shrugged one shoulder. "He's harmless now. We can learn what happened when he comes around, I suppose." They pulled the youth to a sitting position. Tylin supported his head as Einri drew himself up on one knee. Hooking one arm under the unconscious man's legs and wrapping the other around his back, Einri slowly and steadily climbed to his feet. The raven-haired youth wasn't particularly heavy, and once he was standing up straight, Einri didn't have any problem with the extra weight.

"Whatever you say, Einri," Tylin lamented, taking the reins of both horses. She sounded flippant, but Einri saw her bend over to snatch up the fallen bow and any whole arrows she came across.

They walked back to the wagon the way they had come, striding between the two horses. When they reached the rest of the party, Arvis was the first to greet them.

"Had a rough journey, hm?" the older soldier mused wryly, eyeing the newcomer. "Are you sure we should just be picking up any strangers we meet?"

"You worry a little too much," Einri replied. "I'm going to bring him to the wagon. Tylin, come with me?"

Arvis moved on ahead of him to open the door to the wagon, stepping aside to let Einri and his new charge in. Einri let Tylin go on ahead, and she kept a watchful eye as Einri climbed the narrow steps with the other man in his arms. He made it into the wagon without incident.

"As soon as we're settled here we'll keep going," Einri said over his shoulder. "We shouldn't waste any more time. The sooner we get to Gallagher, the sooner we can get things sorted out."

"Right," Arvis acknowledged, omitting any titles.

Arvis closed the door behind Einri, and for a moment they were plunged into darkness. Tylin was quick to light the lantern, though, so it was only seconds later that the wagon was illuminated by a faint light.

"Thanks," Einri said, making his way through the tiny wagon. There wasn't much room for anything elaborate inside, but it did have a couch and some supplies. There were a few trunks of fabric stacked in one corner, to add to the merchant illusion, and some food and medical supplies.

"No trouble," Tylin answered. She beat him to the couch and grabbed the woolen blanket covering the cushions, pulling it aside.

Einri went past her and set the stranger upon the couch, lying him gently out on the cushions. When Einri straightened, he eyed his half-sister. She had her hands full with blanket, bow, and arrows. "Why don't you put some of that down?" he asked, bemused.

Tylin rolled her eyes, but complied, setting the weapons on one of the trunks. She draped the blanket on the top of the couch instead of covering the young man's body. "Might want to check him out," she suggested casually.

Despite the seriousness of the situation, Einri couldn't resist a gibe. "Is it that *you* want to check him out?"

"Do *you*?" Tylin shot back without any real malice.

Einri winced a little, and saluted the hit. Tylin had always surprised him with how easily she accepted what he was. "Surely you know me better than that," he added, dryly. "He's neither fey nor conscious. I insist that at least one of those conditions be met."

Tylin swatted at him, playfully, the way she did only when they were alone. Their relation aside, in public it was expected that they abide by their roles as lord and soldier. "Well, let's see how bad he's got it." Their jests forgotten for the moment, Tylin and Einri moved back toward their prone stranger. With combined effort, they stripped the young man of his cloak and shirt. It took a few moments, since they were trying not to jostle their guest, but soon they'd succeeded.

Einri stepped back for a moment, the bundles of clothing dangling from his hands. He studied the unconscious youth as Tylin examined his head again, more closely then Einri had outside. As his half-sister inspected the young man's skull, Einri inspected the rest of him for injuries. The boy was bruised, but not badly. His torso was slight but rather well muscled. The skin wasn't pale, but lacked the sun-kissed, golden tone most workingmen had acquired. The young man either spent a great deal of time indoors, or didn't work shirtless very often.

Einri raised his eyes before his mind could start analyzing the boy's frame in other ways. It wasn't that he was incapable of recognizing that thoughts of that nature had a time and place of their own. He was not driven by any hormonal urges, nor did he let pleasures of the flesh encompass his world and distract him from more important matters. He knew very well that this was neither the time nor the place to ogle the newcomer's features.

But the fact remained that needs such as his were hard to satisfy... "No head injury," Tylin announced, rising and taking a step back from their charge. "It's as you said; he was just roughed up a little. He should be fine."

Einri nodded. "Then he won't be hard to look after. That's good." He glanced backward at the trunk that held their medical supplies. "We have some supplies, but not enough to deal with any grave wounds."

Tylin stretched her arms into the air. "It is good," she agreed around a yawn.

Einri eyed her for a long moment, and then cast the raven-haired young man a sidelong glance. "Tylin, you're tired. You should head to the other wagon and get some rest."

She shook her head, gesturing to the boy on the couch. "You need help with him."

"Nonsense," Einri insisted. The boy was certainly no threat now, and even if he awoke with violence in mind, Einri was sure he could overpower him and call for help, if necessary. "Tylin, I want you fully alert and rested. The others haven't had as hard a ride as you. They'll be fine for another few hours, I'd say. You take the wagon first. Tell them I said you could."

Tylin looked from Einri to the stranger, clearly wondering if she should obey or put up an argument. "Einri..."

"Go," he bade her, in a voice that was gentle but firm. "I'll be fine, and I'll see you when you awaken."

She was still conflicted about the idea - Einri could see it in her face - but she relented and nodded. "All right. But be careful; this is not a time to be taking chances, you know."

"I know it." Einri shrugged the matter away. When he said he wanted Tylin rested, he'd meant it. He didn't want her worrying about how he and their charge were faring.

He slipped an arm about her waist and guided her to the door. "Tell Arvis to alert me if anything happens. But don't worry; just rest up."

"Mm-hm." Tylin opened the door and climbed out, stopping to give him one last look over her shoulder. "I mean it: be careful."

"I will." He gave her a smile, bade her goodnight, and shut the door.

As he made his way to the trunk of medical supplies, he felt the wagon lurch into motion again. He steadied himself as best he could for the first few seconds, but soon the carriage was rolling along at an even pace.

"Well, then," he said to the unconscious youth, "let's get you fixed up, shall we?"

Einri went to the chest of medical provisions and worked it open. Given the low lighting and the cluttered inside of the trunk, it took him several moments of rooting to locate one of the bottles of salve. Since it was only bruises and small cuts that had to be dealt with, he hunted for a mild concoction. There was no sense in wasting a more potent ointment on something that wasn't serious.

It was only when Einri had pulled out the salve that he noticed the young man had awakened. His limp body was tensed on the couch, looking ready to spring into action at any provocation. His head, which had been lolling to the side, was now turned toward Einri.

Einri found himself the focus of an intense gaze. Under different circumstances, he might have felt intimidated. As it was, he didn't think he was in any danger. "How are you feeling?" he asked, not making any move to come forward.

The patient narrowed his eyes, studying Einri for a few moments. When he was satisfied with whatever he'd been searching for, he seemed to relax minutely. "A little sore, but otherwise I'm all right."

Einri held up the bottle. "Do you need--?"

The young man shook his head. "No, no." He attempted to rise, and ended up propped on his elbows. "Don't waste your healing ointment on trivialities such as these. They're just bruises."

"So I've seen," Einri replied. "But if they are causing you any discomfort--"

"If I said they weren't, I'd be a liar. Still, it's no cause to worry. I'll bear with it."

"If you're certain," Einri lamented. With only a little reluctance, he put the salve back into the trunk, rearranged the contents to some semblance of order, and shut the lid.

"Where am I?" the youth asked, giving Einri another measuring look. "I certainly hope you aren't among those who ambushed me," he added dryly.

Einri gave him a little grin. "You're in luck, my friend; I'm anything but." Quickly, he reviewed the false identity him and his escort had concocted earlier. "I'm a merchant. It is by pure chance that we meet, my friend. I wasn't actually planning on setting out for Gallagher until morning. If I'd waited, I might not have come across you."

The young man's eyes widened a fraction. "You have an escort, I assume? Surely you haven't come alone?"

"Alone along the Silken Way?" Einri mused. "That is suicide. If you don't mind my asking, what were *you* doing alone on the Silken Way?"

The young man shrugged one shoulder, giving Einri a sheepish smile. "I took a chance and paid for it."

Einri raised an eyebrow. That wouldn't do for an explanation. He strode toward the younger man, keeping eye contact and watching for any sign of nervousness. The raven-haired youth only craned his neck up to keep their gazes locked. "Can I trouble you to be more specific? Forgive me, but I'm a little leery about who I take in. One can't be too careful."

"No," the young man agreed. "You're right, and I apologize." He gave Einri another one-shouldered shrug. "But with all due respect, kind merchant, if anyone has any cause to feel threatened, it should be me. I was ambushed only hours ago, and find myself awakening unarmed in an unknown wagon. And I believe, my lord, that you have an escort of soldiers keeping you safe from bandits. I, on the other hand, have nothing."

"You speak sense," Einri told him, amused. He was already taking a liking to the young man. "I assure you, you're in no danger here. My escort is made up of men I trust, and they'd do no more harm to you than I."

The raven-haired youth bowed his head. "I'm honored, my lord. But a few minutes with me, and already you swear not to deal me any harm."

"But a few minutes with you," Einri returned, "and you know more of me that I of you."

"Ah. Then I'd say I owe you *something* of me..." The younger man rearranged himself on the couch so that he was sitting upright. He didn't ask for his shirt back, merely slouching over to rest his elbows on his knees. "The question is, where to start..."

"I don't need you to recount your life," Einri said. "Just who you are and what you were doing out here would suffice. You don't have to reveal anything you don't want to." Even as the words came out of his mouth, Einri felt foolish.

The boy didn't comment on the remark, though, acknowledging the words with a nod. "There's nothing to hide. I'm just not sure where to begin."

"How about starting with your name?" Einri suggested gently.

"Niklas Pytor," the boy replied without hesitation. "And that's as good a place as any, I suppose. I'm from the eastern end of Gallagher, and was on my way to Kendar, actually."

"Kendar?" Einri's eyebrows rose of their own accord. While the thoughts of individual Gallagherns surely differentiated from village to village, Einri had always thought Centrim's trading partner shared very much the same opinions of the other western nation.

"For the drakee," Niklas added with a grin.

"Ah." Einri smiled back, understanding completely. One of the most noteworthy things about Kendar was that its lands were the territory of the Drakee, a sort of bat/dragon hybrid whose skin could fetch a good amount of silver - and whose meat wasn't bad, either. "You must have been in for quite a shock, then."

Niklas looked up. "If you mean the Kendarian army camping just outside of Centrim, then you're right. It was definitely not something I'd been expecting. Do you know what happened?"

Einri shook his head. "No more than anyone else, I'd wager. Their presence is the reason for my early departure to Gallagher. If anything *does* happen, I want to be far away from it." He paused and assumed a thoughtful look. "It will be bad for business, though, if war does break out."

Niklas raised an eyebrow. "Would poverty be worse than death?"

"That depends on the situation," Einri returned, trying to sound like a merchant. "So, you turned back, I presume?"

"Yes." Niklas nodded. "I decided it was probably best not to attempt crossing over into Kendar. The borders are most likely closed, and I didn't want to be greeted by an army upon my arrival."

"You look like you were," Einri pointed out, gesturing to the bruises on the younger man's body.

Niklas winced. "That happened on the Silken Way. I should have waited until the sun had risen before setting out again. The footpads must have been disappointed; I wasn't carrying a great deal of gold with me." He gave Einri another grin. "I'm not even sure I had silvers on me."

"They voiced their complaint well," Einri remarked, staring at the bluish spots on the other man's skin.

"So it would seem..." Niklas made a face. "They took my weapon, too."

"And your weapon was a...?"

"Bow. I had a good amount of arrows, too. The bastards."

Einri waved the matter away. "You needn't worry. We managed to salvage your bow, and many of the whole arrows, too." As Niklas' mouth curved into a grateful smile, Einri hastened to add, "But the bow has a snapped string. It will need to be repaired. I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I don't know how to--"

"Now *you* needn't worry. I know how to fix my own bow."

"Do you have the supplies for it?"

"I believe so - if the footpads didn't take them from me. If not, would you mind if I borrowed some of your provisions? I would repay you, I give my word."

"Nonsense," Einri said. "Don't be ridiculous. A few supplies to repair your weapon would be no loss to me. You don't have to repay me for that."

Niklas' smile warmed Einri's heart. "You're too kind, Sir...?" He paused, and gave Einri a considering look. "I don't believe I've caught your name yet, my good merchant."

"Ah, that you haven't." Einri gave the younger man a quick bow. "You may call me Jeltus, my friend. And I must say," he added, "that running into you has lightened my mood. Finding such a bright soul on the Silken Way has shone a little bit of light on this gloomy situation."

Niklas studied him for a moment, cocking his head. "Do you think Kendar will wage war on Centrim again, after all this time?"

"I don't know. But I'm going to stay far away until the whole thing is over. Or at least," Einri added with a grin, "as far away as I can." Since he didn't want the conversation to travel any further in that direction, Einri tried to change the subject. "And you, my friend? You're on your way back to Gallagher, correct?"

"Indeed." Niklas sat back against the couch's back and folded his arms. "I'll be on my way as soon I gather my bearings."

"Nonsense," Einri said again, striding to the couch. He gestured to the space beside Niklas. "May I?" When Niklas smiled and shrugged, he sat down. "Mortally or no, you've been injured. The Silken Way is not something that someone travels alone. Who knows what could happen to you next?"

Niklas shrugged one shoulder. "You speak sense, but are you certain you would want to be saddled with me?"

Einri raised an eyebrow. "You're not taking up any space, Niklas."

The other man hesitated for a brief moment, but nodded. "Ah. If you're sure you don't mind..."

"I don't." Einri caught the archer's eyes while he affirmed that fact. For a second, he allowed himself to be drawn into their misty gray irises. "Would you...like to accompany us to Gallagher?"

"I wouldn't mind at all," Niklas replied, holding Einri's gaze, watching his every move. "Especially not if you don't mind my doing so." When Einri shook his head, Niklas went added, "But I'd have to find some way to repay you, since you've gone though so much trouble for me."

Einri dropped his gaze for a moment, glancing down when Niklas shifted on the couch. He didn't go anywhere, but the movement and the words - and the way Niklas was looking at him so intensely - had made Einri a little uneasy. Or perhaps "uneasy" wasn't quite the word he was looking for. But something about Niklas stirred the blood in his veins, and considering the fact that they'd barely known each other for twenty minutes, that couldn't be a good sign. Sometimes, Einri mused, his orientation just wasn't worth the trouble.

He jumped when he felt a hand on his arm, and blinked at the dark-haired man sitting next to him. "Yes?"

"Are you all right?" Niklas asked softly, leaning closer. "You seemed lost in thought."

Einri shook himself. "No, I'm quite all right. It's just been a long day, and it will be an even longer night."

"Will you not sleep?" Niklas inquired. "That tends to make the night go more quickly."

As if the question had been a summons, Einri yawned, covering it with a fist. "I shall wait my turn to rest," he said, thinking of the other wagon that the soldiers would be using. "You must still be tired. Why don't you go back to sleep? We'll talk more in the morning." Einri made to rise, but the hand that was still on his arm tightened.

"A moment," Niklas said, sounding determined. "I have taken up your time and your provisions; I won't take your bed, too. We can share the couch."

Einri paused, mouth agape for a moment before he closed it. He'd expected Niklas to offer to move to the other wagon, or to wait for Einri to sleep before he did. He hadn't imagined that the other man would offer to share the...couch...

He glanced down at the couch, noting how narrow it was. Now that the prospect of sharing it with another man had made itself known, it looked even narrower. Instead of addressing the problem immediately, Einri reached out and gently touched one of the bruises on Niklas' right bicep.

"Are you sure you don't want salve for those?" he asked. When Niklas didn't reply right away, Einri realized that he had touched the other man without permission. He was about to take his hand away, to apologize, but Niklas' hand encircled his wrist.

"Actually, they're starting to feel better, already," the archer mused, moving Einri's hand to rest against his pectoral.

Einri blinked once, slowly. Niklas' action had taken him completely by surprise, and he didn't know what to think. Men like him were difficult to come by, and he'd known so few during his life. For a random stranger to be indesto was astonishing, and Einri didn't know how to respond to the gesture.

Niklas had noticed his bewildered expression, and coupled with his silence, Einri wasn't surprised when the other man took his countenance as a sign he had done wrong.

"I'm sorry," the archer said, sounding embarrassed and rather crestfallen. He released Einri's wrist. "I didn't mean to impose...or to suggest anything. I didn't realize that you weren't..." He trailed off, looking disturbed.

Einri struggled with himself for a moment. One half of him wanted to assume a calm, political state of mind as was fit for a man of his stature. The other half wanted to embrace Niklas and cry, "It's all right, it's all right! Me, too! Me, too!"

He settled for a medium of the two. "It's all right," he soothed. He didn't remove his hand from the other man's chest. "I don't take offense. Quite the opposite, as a matter of fact."

Niklas glanced first at Einri's hand, then up into Einri's eyes. "Oh...?"

Einri curled his toes inside his boots. Even though the raven-haired archer was a man he barely knew - a complete stranger - he was beginning to make Einri's heart flutter. "You are..." Einri didn't finish the question. Or statement. Whatever it had been.

Niklas nodded. "And so are you, it seems. If I may say, I'm surprised to find one who is...like me...just by chance."

Einri shook his head, removing his hand as he did so. "Don't misunderstand; I'm not suggesting anything." His breath caught in his throat when Niklas leaned toward him.

"But I am."

For a moment, Einri felt minutely disturbed. The feeling was quickly gone, though. Given their habits of lying with like sex, it wasn't unusual for the Indesto to desire pleasure of the flesh more than courting. Because such unions were considered in many places to be distasteful, it was difficult for two of like gender to form a union.

"The wagon is locked, isn't it?"

Einri blinked, realizing that Niklas was still leaning forward. When the archer scooted forward, Einri swallowed and reluctantly stood.

"I doubt that would be an appropriate activity to engage in," he said, backing away a few steps. "We barely know each other, and--"

"Forgive me," Niklas interjected. He leaned back, his cheeks flushing. In the low light of the wagon, he looked very shy and handsome. "I shouldn't have... I mean," he averted his eyes, "unique tastes or no, we are not whores. Nor should I liken you to one."

Having his thoughts more or less thrown back at him was not something Einri had been expecting. "No, I understand completely, but..."

"It's all right." Niklas waved the issue away. "Let's forget the awkwardness even occurred."

For a second, Einri sensed opportunity drifting away, and he tried desperately to hold onto it. "Well, I wouldn't want to *forget* it..."

"Oh?" Niklas raised an eyebrow, looking adorably eager and curious. "The action of the awkwardness that came of it?"

Einri offered the other man a small smile. "I didn't say I wanted to rule out the possibility *entirely*..."

Niklas returned the smile, though his had a touch of regret in it. "But I shouldn't have advanced so soon. Forgive me."

"Forgiven, though I see no cause for apology..." Einri found himself drawn to Niklas' handsome features, and admitted that, under any other circumstances, he would have lain with the other man. Already he was feeling the ache in the pit of his belly - the ache of hunger and loneliness.

But his duty as a lord overrode even that ache. There was serious business at hand and threat in the air. Einri would have to be on his guard, not dallying with a man he'd never met.

So, as much as he wanted to join Niklas on the couch and soothe the ache they both felt, Einri held himself firm with resolve.

***

Since the shades of the tiny wagon window had been drawn the night before, Einri did not wake to the sun's rays right away. He woke up gradually, feeling rather sore and stiff. He wasn't lying on the couch, he realized as he became aware of his surroundings. He was leaning back against it. His bottom was numb, his lower back aching, and his neck very sore. But at least he was rested. Nothing had happened during the night.

He shifted, feeling a weight across his left shoulder, and opened his eyes. Niklas' arm was draped over him, and the sight - and the feeling - of the action warmed him. He smiled at the limp limb, but just as quickly as it had appeared, the grin slipped into a frown. So much opportunity had been explored in so little time... Had the other man bewitched him?

As slowly and quietly as he could manage, Einri slipped out from underneath Niklas' arm and stood. The wagon wasn't moving, so Einri figured that the others had only just woken up, as well. He smoothed his rumpled clothing, and then considered the sleeping Niklas. The archer had conceded to taking the couch only after an argument, and it was a disagreement Einri was glad he'd won. Niklas' bruises would be tender today, and Einri hadn't wanted him to wake to them on the hard ground. At the moment, the raven-haired young man was sprawled on his side, one arm draping off the edge of the couch - which until only moments ago, had been settled almost possessively around Einri.

Einri shook his head once, sharply, beginning to think he truly *was* bewitched. What had happened to his boastings of being able to put caution and duty before matters of the heart - or the flesh, as it were. True, a chance like this happened once in a blue moon, but... Ailia's Moon, why would a man such as Niklas decide to appear in Einri's life at a time like this? Why couldn't they have met under different circumstances, during a time when Einri didn't have to be so mindful of who he kept in his company?

/When *don't* I have to be mindful what company I keep?/ he asked himself dryly. Such was the life of one in power; someone, somewhere, was most probably conspiring against you. /But there is something different about him.../ Tylin always chided him for his tendency to trust too quickly, but Einri had always claimed to be a good judge of character. Something in the pit of his stomach assured him that Niklas represented a chance that he could not ignore.

Of course, that "something" might very well be the dull hunger for pleasure he felt...

He dismissed the entire issue for the moment, resolving to check on his men - and woman - and prepare to continue the journey. They were probably saddling the horses by now. He stopped on his way to the door, recalling that he had promised to lend some supplies to Niklas for his bow. Not wanting to wake the other man up just yet, Einri decided that he would just leave the archery tools on one of the chests and wake Niklas later. He did just that, with stealth that would have done his father proud. Making as little noise as possible, Einri opened the wagon's door and slipped down the stairs.

It was a sunny morning, and the air was a little chilly. Einri shivered. Because he had spent the night in his coat, the warm garment lost some of its effect. He settled on the ground and took a quick glance around their makeshift campsite. They had stopped on the side of the road to let the horses rest. The guards would have taken turns keeping watch, and Einri had not even attempted to insist on taking a turn himself. They never would have allowed it.

Two of the sentries were saddling the horses, two others hooking the other horses to the wagon, and Einri caught sight of Tylin handing out packets of food. He went to her, greeting the other guards along the way.

"Good morning," he greeted her, giving her a bow of the head.

She returned the gesture, handing him two small squares of food as she did so. "How was...your night?" she asked pointedly.

Einri made a face. "I slept on the floor and earned a horrid crick in my neck for my trouble."

Tylin raised an eyebrow. "Is the boy awake?"

Einri nodded, relaying a little of what had happened the evening before. He left out the more...personal words that had been exchanged, uncertain of how his half-sister would react. "This is for him, I gather?" he asked, hefting one of the packets of food.

Tylin grinned. "I hope he isn't too hungry; all we really have at the moment is bread and cheese. Until we get to an inn in Gallagher, anyway."

"I don't think he'll mind. He'll be riding with us to Gallagher," he added. Tylin nodded, as though she had been expecting the proclamation. "He doesn't have a horse, and it's safer to travel in groups," he went on.

"I can understand that," she assured him. But she was still giving Einri a slightly odd look.

He didn't want any questions to start accompanying that look. "I'll take this to him," he said, already turning to start back toward the wagon.

"Will you be riding?" Tylin called after him. "Or should we lead your mount?"

/Good question./ Einri considered it, and decided that it wouldn't do to leave Niklas alone all day long. And, he admitted, he didn't particularly want to. "Lead my mount, if you please," he replied. "I'll likely be inside for most of the day." He gave her a smile and started heading back toward the wagon before she could probe any further.

***

When Einri went back to the wagon, he found Niklas already awake and sitting in the middle of the floor with the archery supplies around him, bow and spare string in his lap. He looked up as Einri closed the door.

"You're awake?" Einri mused, awed. "How do you feel?"

"Sore," Niklas admitted sheepishly. "But it'll pass. None of my injuries are particularly threatening. They'll just serve as a reminder for me to never attempt traveling along the Way in the middle of the night - alone, at that."

"You still had your spare bowstring, I gather," Einri said, his eyes falling on the string Niklas was fiddling with.

"Thankfully," the archer sighed. "I only had one spare with me. If something else happens to it, or we are treated with some bad weather, it'll probably be damaged again."

Einri nodded in understanding. "Hopefully, we won't have such misfortune... Are you hungry?" he asked, hefting one of the packets of cheese and bread.

Niklas gave him a grateful smile and set his bow aside. "Join me?"

"Certainly." Einri settled onto the floor and handed Niklas one of the packets. When they began to unwrap their morning meal, the wagon lurched into motion. "We're on our way, then."

"Will it take long to reach Gallagher?" Niklas wondered, taking a generous bite out of his bread. He looked thoughtful as he did so, as though he were calculating the time himself.

"We'll be there by tomorrow night, for certain." Einri sampled his own bread. It was a bun stuffed with cheese, and it was delicious. "Since we're likely to arrive late into the evening, we'll be stopping at an inn and resting there before moving on." He paused, and then added, "If you like, you may stay at the inn with us... Unless, of course, you'd rather be on your way as soon as you could. I'd understand completely."

"No, no." Niklas gave Einri a coy glance. Einri shivered, just a little, at the clear interest in the other man's eyes. "I wouldn't mind staying with you at all."

Einri didn't miss the slight emphasis on "you". For a moment, he was at a loss for words. To be alone for so long, and then to suddenly have an attractive, willing young man all-but climbing into his lap... Einri swallowed. "Well, then, I'd be glad to have you."

"Well, that's flattering," Niklas replied with a chuckle.

Einri felt his cheeks flush, but Niklas' words hadn't been spoken in mockery. Rather, he had made the joke to relieve some of the tension they were feeling. Still, Einri felt a little embarrassed - not only at the remark, but also at the fact that he *felt* embarrassed. He was a young leader of his country, that was for certain - but at the very least he should have more control over something like this. In less than a day he found himself feeling less like a warrior, a lord, and more like a love-struck boy of fifteen.

He tried to cover up his reddening cheeks by bringing the large bun to his mouth and chewing on it. "How do you like it?"

"It's delicious!" Niklas exclaimed. "And convenient for when you're traveling." He was nearly finished with his bread. Einri gathered that he had been quite hungry.

They finished their breakfast without further comment. When the cheese-filled buns were nothing but crumbs, Einri crumpled up his wrapper and gestured for Niklas to surrender his.

"Your guards don't mind being left alone out there?" the archer asked.

Einri chuckled. "Of course not. I'm paying them to be out there, remember? If one of them does grow weary of the road, there is another wagon especially for them. My presence is not required; I've traveled along the Way many times with that group."

Niklas nodded, giving his wrapper to Einri, who crunched both together into one ball and set it aside for the moment. "Not much happens on the Way during the day, hm?"

"Not really. Occasionally some merchants pass others, but nothing more that that. Typically, it's a nice ride. It's only when the moon rises that it becomes potentially dangerous."

"Yes, I've noticed that..."

Einri smirked and stood, striding the two or three steps to the chests of supplies. "Did you want to finish fixing your bow and arrows now?"

"You don't mind keeping me company whilst I do so?"

Since Einri's back was to Niklas, he permitted himself a delighted smile. "I wouldn't mind at all." He retrieved Niklas' whole arrows and, since he wasn't sure what exactly needed to be fixed, decided that he'd start with those. "If you need anything else," he said, returning to his seat on the floor, "just let me know and I'll see what I can do."

"I don't think I will, since I already have my spare bowstring." Niklas accepted the arrows with an appreciative smile. "Thank you very much." He set the arrows down next to him and returned to his work on the bow.

Einri watched, entranced, as Niklas repaired the bow with care and obvious expertise. Einri had never been an archer; his talents had always lied in swordplay and edged weaponry. Niklas was visibly the opposite; an expert in projectile weapons - or at the very least, bows.

"How do you know that the arrow will make it to its target?" Einri asked after some time had passed.

Niklas' brow wrinkled as he considered the question, but he didn't look up at Einri. His eyes were focused on the fletching he was meticulously applying to one of the new arrows. "Well...part of it is aim, obviously. You can't rely solely on luck to make your arrow go where you want it to go." He paused, fiddling with the fletching jig some more. "Part of it depends on the strength of the bow you're using. Short bow, longbow, crossbow... The bow's draw strength depends on the type, the maker, and the archer. And another integral part is how the arrow is made." Niklas finished fletching his arrow, removing it from the clamp, blowing on it, and holding it under Einri's nose.

"I take it that the arrows have a great deal to do with the archer himself," Einri said, gingerly taking hold of the newly fletched arrow.

"Absolutely." Niklas nodded emphatically. "It's not uncommon for archers to seek out more experienced archers to create their weaponry, but there is no feeling quite as exhilarating as creating your own bow and arrows from nothing but shapeless wood, a knife, and several small tools." The raven-haired archer paused, a hint of a delighted smile on his lips, and barked a short laugh. "Sorry. Few things interest me more than archery and weaponry. I've worked so hard to become the archer I am, and so I'm...rather passionate about it."

"There's nothing wrong with that," Einri assured him, setting the new arrow carefully on the floor of the wagon. "The fletching you're applying is an important part of the arrow, right?"

Niklas nodded again, talking almost enthusiastically while keeping his attention on the next arrow. "Yes, oh, yes. The fletching helps guide the arrow along the winds to where you need it to be. If the fletching isn't done properly, your arrows won't be very dangerous, will they?"

Einri chuckled. Niklas sounded like Einri's father, except that his father had been this fervent about edged weapons rather than bows. "I could almost imagine you being born with a bow in your hands."

Niklas paused in his work, glancing quickly up at Einri before lowering his head again, embarrassed. "Well...I've had a great deal of practice, I assure you. I don't mean to boast, but I *am* a good archer. Though skill with the weapon came easily to me, it did so with practice."

"I've no skill with the bow," Einri admitted. "Only the sword."

Niklas snickered as he finished another arrow. He was amazingly quick at fletching. To be expected, Einri supposed, from someone who hunted and used a bow as often as Niklas seemed to. "That's fine with me. I know next to nothing about swords. Sure, I can swing them around, but I'm no challenge at all."

Einri grinned. "Perhaps one day we could attempt to give one another some lessons." He blinked, realizing what he'd said, and offered Niklas a sheepish smile when the dark-haired archer looked up at him in mild surprise.

Niklas set his tools aside and edged closer to Einri, an unreadable look in his eyes. Einri nearly shrank back, but there was really nowhere to go. He eyed Niklas warily as the archer kneeled before him, held himself almost stiffly as the other man reached around his neck. Niklas twirled Einri's thin copper braid around his index finger, using the hair to gently tug Einri forward. Einri tensed with something that wasn't quite nervousness or anticipation, half-expecting Niklas to kiss him. But the archer only held Einri's gaze for a moment before releasing his hair.

"Perhaps," he said.

Niklas moved back to his spot in a heartbeat and had his tools back in his lap half a moment later. He cast an enticing look in Einri's direction before lowering his eyes back to his work.

All Einri could do was take a deep breath.

***

"You're smitten!"

Tylin's words, for all their intensity, had been quietly hissed at him while he downed a good portion of his water flask. Einri swallowed the cool water before looking at his half-sister. "Excuse me?"

For the moment, they were alone by the soldiers' wagon, seated on the hard ground side-by-side. They were nearing the end of their evening meal, and the sun was beginning to set. Arvis and the other soldiers weren't sitting with them; they had strayed from the path into the forest so Niklas could demonstrate his archery skills for them.

"Smitten!" Tylin repeated, trying to keep her voice down. Niklas wasn't *too* far away, after all. "You're smitten with that boy!"

"I'd hardly call him a boy," Einri mused. "He's quite a man, actually."

"That's not the point," his sister insisted. "You're besotted with a man you barely know. I saw the way you looked at him during dinner."

Their "dinner" had been primarily more cheese-filled buns, as they were easy to make, easy to preserve, and rather filling. They had all eaten together after stopping for the night and tending to the horses. Niklas had won the hearts of Arvis and the others easily enough, with his easy manner and charming personality. When the guards had learned that Niklas' bow was repaired, they'd insisted that they be treated to a demonstration of his skills.

"Can you blame me?" Einri asked dryly, dispensing with any form of denial. He was perfectly aware of the fact that he'd had his eyes on Niklas during the entire meal - and that the archer had returned those glances when he thought Einri wasn't looking. Or maybe he'd known Einri was looking. "He's handsome, he's intelligent, he's friendly...and he's indesto."

Tylin blinked. Obviously, she had not expected that. "He is?" She tried to keep the surprise out of her voice, and it almost worked. "He told you?"

"He did." Einri decided not to tell her *how* Niklas had made that information available to him. "Never you mind what we were talking about," he added sternly.

Tylin raised her hands in defense. "I would not; it's none of my business. But, really, Einri...you hardly know him."

"It would be difficult for you to understand, Tylin," Einri began, rubbing his temple with one hand. "Sometimes, it's safe to assume that we have...different...courting procedures."

"I understand that your...orientation...causes you hardship even though it shouldn't." She took hold of his shoulder and gripped it hard. "I know that well enough. Many times I have seen you mope around. It is hard, sometimes, to be alone, when that loneliness is not particularly desired."

"And I thank you for that understanding - and your acceptance." He took another gulp from his flask. "I never stop being grateful to you for it."

Tylin snorted. "My 'acceptance'... You thank me for that often, and I hate that you feel you must. Am I grateful for your accepting that I lie with men? No. So why should you feel grateful that I accept the fact that *you* lie with men? It befuddles me. The entire animosity exhibited by some toward those who lie with like sex befuddles me."

"Let's not get into it here," Einri said, feeling his mouth curl into a smile. "You've made your position clear many times."

"I just wish it was as easy to sway others," she muttered hatefully.

Einri's smile widened. The general feelings toward the Indesto in the Western countries didn't bother him as much as they appeared to infuriate his half-sister. "Would you approve of Niklas?" he asked, trying to keep his tone lighthearted.

Tylin leaned back against her half of the wagon's wheel. She tapped her lips as she thought about it. "All I want is for you to be careful. There are many other things that must be dealt with right now, and it's very possible that you're in danger. Please...just keep that in mind. We have to get you to safety and keep you whole."

"We're doing just that," he assured her. "As far as anyone else is concerned, I'm still in Centrim."

The cracking of branches under boots signaled that Niklas and the others were returning. When they came closer to the edge of the forest, Einri could hear them talking and laughing like old friends. Niklas was the first to emerge from the foliage, bow slung over his shoulder and quiver dangling from his belt. Arvis and the others followed close behind.

Tylin folded her arms and smiled at them. "It's about time," she chided.

"The lad is amazing!" Arvis cried, patting Niklas on the back.

The force of the gesture made the younger man stagger forward a step or two, but he recovered quickly. "I'm just fortunate they left me a few arrows," he said wryly, pointing to his near-empty quiver. "I'll have to make some more soon; I didn't have many left to begin with."

"Did you leave any animals left in the forest?" Einri asked.

"Come now, Jeltus," Niklas huffed, "I wouldn't shoot an animal purely for sport, or to prove my ability."

"We asked him to hit trees and leaves, mostly," Arvis admitted. "The boy was on the mark every time."

"I don't doubt it," Einri stated with a smile. "After all he's told me of his years of practice, I wouldn't expect anything less."

"We would have stayed out longer, as a matter of fact," Arvis added, "were it not for sunset. Not only is it becoming difficult to see, but it's not really safe to be out and about here at night."

Einri nodded, catching Niklas' eye and nodding back toward "their" wagon. "I would like to get an early start, as well - if that's possible. Gallagher is not far away, and if we push it, we can be there by tomorrow evening, maybe even earlier."

"Arvis and I have the first watch," Tylin said, pushing herself to her feet. "I know it's still relatively early, but if you all think you can get some sleep now, so we can get that early start Jeltus wants so badly..."

"Shouldn't be a problem," Niklas chuckled. "Your men have all-but exhausted me with their enthusiasm. I'm ready for a good night's sleep."

Einri copied his sister, rising to his feet, smiling as one of his soldier's gave Niklas a jab in the shoulder. "Very well, then. I think I should be ready to retire soon, as well. We were up rather late last night, and we've traveled hard." He bowed from the waist to his men - and woman. "I thank all of you for a job well done, and hope this evening finds you well."

Tylin bowed back, as did the others. "A good evening to you, Sir Jeltus."

Niklas simply gave the soldiers a jaunty wave, which they returned with wide grins. When Einri turned around to begin hiking back to his wagon, Niklas fell into step beside him. It wasn't a long trip, so they didn't exchange any words. When they were inside the wagon, however, locked away from the rest of the world, Niklas didn't waste any time.

"Your guards are cheerful men, are they not? I enjoy their company."

Einri smiled as he took off his coat and draped it over one of the chests. "You seem to have charmed them, actually. Rarely are they so merry in the company of someone they barely know."

Niklas chuckled, moving around Einri to set his bow and quiver on another chest, and draped his own cloak over them. "All but one, it seems."

"Oh?"

"Ah... Your sister...she does not approve me of, does she?"

Einri blinked. "How did you know she was my sister?" he asked, dumbstruck.

Niklas grinned. "Well, she's hardly your daughter! And the two of you look so much alike... I just figured."

Einri cursed himself for being foolish. Of *course* he and Tylin looked alike. It would be obvious to anyone who saw them together, most likely. "Ah, an excellent point. Yes, she's my sister. She likes keeping an eye on me, I'm sure you've noticed."

"It was quite apparent," Niklas said with a chuckle. He moved away from the chest and walked to the middle of the wagon. "So you and your sister are very close... That is good to hear."

Einri blinked. Niklas had sounded...forlorn - a little wistful, even. "What's wrong?"

Niklas shrugged one shoulder, looking sheepish. "There...there is much about you I don't know."

Einri blinked. "We've only just met," he uttered, surprised.

"I know, but..." Niklas averted his eyes, looking once again adorably shy.

"But what?"

Niklas shrugged once more, still not looking at Einri. "You'll think it's ridiculous...but I want to know all about you."

Einri paused, mouth agape. /What would I have missed...if I hadn't decided to take him in...?/ What had he done for the gods to arrange his meeting the charming archer? And more importantly, what had he done for the outlander man to take such a genuine interest in him?

"I'm well aware of the fact that it sounds odd," Niklas went on, "but we met completely by chance and we're so much alike." He caught Einri's gaze. "I'm lonely, and it's so hard to find a way to stop being lonely..." He broke off and waved a hand, sharply. "Listen to me - I sound pathetic. I may as well be a whining woman. I'm sorry, Jeltus, for going on like that."

But Einri shared the same feelings. It was hard, so hard, to be indesto. "I understand what you mean," he said. He realized that it made him sound silly, but he didn't want this chance to slip out of his grasp. "I may as well be a woman, myself, because I feel the same way. If you can believe it." Niklas couldn't be real; he was too perfect. And, gods, Einri didn't want to let this possibility disappear...!

"Then, you..." Niklas trailed off, his gray eyes twinkling with a faint trace of hope. "I didn't mean for us to move this quickly - really, I didn't. But..." he took a deep breath, "but soon we'll part ways, and I won't..."

"We won't be able to see how far this will take us," Einri finished, watching the shadows play across Niklas' face.

"Yes..."

Einri swallowed over a lump in his throat, and wondered why he had gotten choked up. He didn't feel like he was going to cry, but... "The story of my life is too long for but one sitting," he managed.

"Will you tell it to me one day?"

Einri's heart caught in his throat. "Will you be here tomorrow?"

Niklas seemed to sense that Einri didn't mean just the following day. "If you wish it...I would try my hardest to delay my leaving as long as I can."

Einri blinked, slowly, as something stirred in his blood. What was that Niklas had said about moving quickly...? "If I wish it..." Such power the archer was placing in Einri's hands. It was Einri's choice that would fortify or shatter whatever it was they were beginning to form.

It *was* soon, he *did* have to be careful, and he *did* have more important issues at hand that he had to deal with.

But how many more chances like this would he get?

"The couch," he murmured, glancing past Niklas to the only real piece of furniture.

"Hm?" Niklas inquired.

Einri shook himself and stared at the ground. "If I..." If this did blossom into something more than it was, he would have to tell Niklas the truth. But for now... For now... "If I went to you...would you...?" He didn't finish. Would Niklas think differently of him, once his true identity was revealed? No, surely Niklas wasn't like that...

"Come to me and find out," Niklas bade him, with the shy assurance of someone who, while timid, knew what he wanted.

Einri obeyed, gliding across the wagon as though in a trance, and the archer's hands handled him tenderly and competently... And soon, Einri was following Niklas to the narrow couch.

It was awkward, but they managed.

***

Gallagher's borders had changed very little since the last time Einri had been there. Since Centrim and Gallagher were on peaceful terms, there were no fortified barriers between the two countries. Einri had often questioned the logic behind the absence of barriers, but didn't think his side of the story would ever be heard. Because of the lack of walls along the borders, fugitives could flee from one country to the other without difficulty. Then again, Einri could understand the money and work involved in building such a fortified wall all along the border. So, it was unlikely that such a move would ever be made.

On the other hand, the lack of barriers made crossing over into Gallagher itself devoid of any hassle of difficulty. The only thing that made their leaving Centrim truly noticeable was that not far from the border was the first city in Gallagher.

"Gaela," Einri stated, absently patting his mount's neck.

"So it is," Niklas replied, tightening his arms around Einri's waist. "It seems we've made it without incident."

"You mean *I've* made it without incident," Einri said wryly. "You weren't so lucky, I'm afraid."

"Ah, true! But I rather like how this turned out."

So did Einri. What he had sitting behind him was a possibility for true love. His stomach was still fluttering, and he was just as happy and rejuvenated now as he had been upon awakening next to Niklas.

Well..."next to" was really more like "on top of". The couch in their wagon was much too narrow for two people to share comfortably. So, Einri had fallen asleep half on Niklas and half on the couch itself. He'd woken up sore and cramped, but it had been more than worth it. His night with Niklas had been nothing if not magical and exhilarating - and, oh how he wished they could have carried on like that all day as well. But that would have aroused more suspicion than he would have liked.

Not that he wasn't arousing suspicion at the moment. He was sure that his soldiers were wondering just what had occurred between him and Niklas. They wouldn't voice their concerns - well, perhaps Tylin would - but they would almost surely talk amongst themselves. Again, Einri commended himself on selecting his most trusted men. He felt odd enough for having an affair with a man he'd only just met; at least he could be sure that rumors wouldn't be traveling all over the countryside.

Or at least, *more* rumors wouldn't be traveling all over the countryside...

"It feels odd to be outside these city walls," Niklas added. "It was only just a few days ago that I was here."

Einri nodded, studying the walls of the city and the doors that were not yet closed. The gates would remain closed throughout the night, and it was harder to persuade the guards to open up then.

Einri and his allies walked through the open gates without incident. The guards stationed at the gates didn't so much as give them a second look as they went by.

"We should look for an inn right away, I think," Tylin said, edging her horse alongside Einri's so she could lower her voice. "The men are tired and so are the mounts. We could all use a real night of rest."

Niklas' presence prevented Tylin from saying what she'd meant to say, but Einri knew what she had wanted to imply. They had made it to Gallagher, but only just. They were not very far into the neighboring country, and it would be best if they were to get some rest and head out again.

"Whereabouts are you headed?" Niklas wondered. "Where will your peddling take you?"

"A few towns over, to be vague," Einri chuckled. "I'm here to sell goods to performers in a festival in the eastern parts of Gallagher. We're just staying here for the night, to get some real rest."

"In a real bed," Niklas said with a nod. "I'd say you've all earned it. Had I any money, I'd treat you to a room myself to repay you for all you've done for me."

Tylin grinned. "How many times must we say it? You are not in our debt. I just hope you would have done for Sir Jeltus what he did for you, had your positions been reversed."

"I would never have done anything less."

Einri detected a trace of protectiveness in Niklas' voice that nearly made him blush. As it was, he managed to just shift uncomfortably in the saddle. He glanced around the town they were standing in. The houses that didn't have curtains drawn shut had candles flickering in their windows. There were few people on the streets save for Einri and his companions.

"The question is, how many inns are in this city? And will any of them have vacancy?" Einri frowned. "I don't recall..."

"If you will not let me pay you for your kindness," Niklas spoke up, "at least allow me to suggest an inn."

"I won't say no to that," Einri replied. "You know of a good one?"

"Quite good, if I recall. I've stayed there on more than one occasion. It's northeast of the square, and called The Lost Unicorn."

"Let's check it out then, shall we?"

With Niklas' guidance, Einri and his soldiers traveled through the quiet city. Einri hoped that they didn't look odd. Since Gaela was the first city past the border, Einri figured that groups like his were common. As they made their way to the inn, the sun disappeared below the horizon and the city was plunged into near-darkness.

Fortunately, they found The Lost Unicorn before they had to feel their way around in the dark. The stable-hand was all-too pleased to take their horses and keep watch on their wagons in the back - or at least, he was more eager to do so after being presented with some sparkling silver.

The innkeeper was very kind - a burly, homely fellow - and eager to give them the three spacious rooms they asked for. Einri's soldiers didn't even bat an eye when he outlined the sleeping arrangements - not even when he requested a room for Niklas and himself.

"Splendid!" the innkeeper chuckled. He clapped his hands twice, loudly, and a serving girl appeared seemingly out of nowhere. At the innkeeper's behest, she led them to the second floor and showed them to their chambers for the evening.

Einri gave the girl a copper for her trouble, giving her thanks and sending her on her way. "I shall see you all bright and early tomorrow," h e said, giving his trusted soldiers a warm smile before opening his door. He let Niklas in ahead of him.

"Sleep well, sir," Arvis said, turning and heading to his own room down the hall.

"I'm sure he will," Tylin said wryly. She caught Einri's eye and held his gaze. They shared a look for a long moment. It wasn't anything significant; just a way to reassure each of the other's presence. Their journey had gone exceptionally well. As Tylin headed to the room she shared with Arvis, Einri hoped fervently that the other Six had made it to their points of safety.

He entered his own room and closed the door. He saw Niklas' bow and quiver propped up in the corner. Niklas himself was sprawled on the large bed, eyes closed and mouth set in a delighted smile, kicking off his boots. The shoes hit the floor with solid thumps.

"Ah, a real bed at last!" he sighed, cracking one eye open to give Einri a sly look. "Not that your couch wasn't comfortable..."

Einri returned the look, stripping away his coat and shirt as he did so. "I'd like to think that we made it quite comfortable."

Niklas' eyes had opened and remained fixed on Einri's hands as he removed his clothing. "Well, we certainly made do with what we had." The archer sat up and began to fuss with his own clothes.

Einri licked his lips. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he was impressed at how bold he was feeling. The last time they had made love, Niklas had taken initiative. This time, he was more confident - and was returning to familiar territory.

His breeches and boots followed the rest of his clothing, and Einri joined Niklas on the bed. He helped his raven-haired lover get rid of his own bothersome clothing, and then the two of them struggled to pull the sheets down and burrow under the covers.

Einri was larger, so it was easy for him to get the upper hand in their tussle. He pinned Niklas easily, settling his body atop of the archer's. It was only when he was leaning forward for a kiss that the thought occurred to him. He halted before meeting Niklas' mouth, leaving the archer waiting with his head raised and lips slightly parted.

Barely three days in Niklas' company and they...they fit each other so well in every way... Einri didn't want it to end.

"Jeltus?" Niklas murmured, concerned.

"Will you be here tomorrow?" he asked.

"I said I would be..."

Einri nodded, letting the answer assuage his fears. "You won't go your own way just yet?"

"No, not yet. Maybe not ever."

Not ever... The words meant more to Einri than he ever thought they could.

He tried to show Niklas just how much.

***

He wasn't sure why he awoke when he did. The bed hadn't moved, there'd been no odd noise... He'd been sleeping very deeply, and was still too sleepy to wonder what had woken him. Yawning hugely, he shifted on the mattress and reached out for Niklas.

His hands felt nothing but sheets that were beginning to lose their warmth.

For a second, he began to worry, but then shrugged it off. Niklas could have gotten up for a number of reasons. He could have gone to get something to eat, or to get a drink, or to relieve himself... Einri yawned again and settled down, letting sleep take him in its arms once again...

"Einri."

It was a familiar name, spoken by a familiar voice...

...But the voice shouldn't have been familiar with the name.

He shot to a sitting position, rubbing sleep out of one eye, mouth working to try and form words. What he saw across the room made him gape, his hands falling limp at his sides. The sight numbed him - his body, his mind, his heart...

He didn't even hear the bowstring snap.

***

"I didn't expect you to return atop such a fine steed."

Niklas gave Wil a wry smile and patted the stallion's neck. "The Lord Einri will no longer be needing it," he explained, coming to a halt in the clearing that had been the designated meeting point, at the edge of the Gallagher border, right outside the Silken Way.

"You were successful, then." Wil ran a hand through his shoulder-length brown hair and pushed off the tree he'd been leaning against, adjusting the pack over his shoulder.

"I wouldn't have come back until I had been."

"I know it. It's just that I had a bet." Wil winked. "To see if you'd have the job done by Gaela, as was the plan."

"Did you win?" Niklas asked, cocking his head.

"But of course. You always shoot true. Always. I never doubt you." Wil held out a hand and Niklas obliged, helping him onto the late Einri's horse.

"We should get back to Kendar as soon as possible," Niklas advised. "It won't be long before Einri's companions notice what happened and start looking for me."

"We won't take the Way back, then."

"No, we'll go around - on foot if we have to."

Niklas kneed the steed to a gallop and began their journey back to Kendar. He'd snatched what supplies he could from the other saddlebags, after getting the stable boy out of the way for the evening. Wil had some more supplies in his pack, certainly, so Niklas wasn't worried about having to take a longer and more dangerous route back to their homeland.

He blinked when one of Wil's hands traced the side of his face, moving to travel down his chest and stomach. "I didn't hurt you, did I? When I 'robbed' you?"

"A little," Niklas replied. "But you can make it up to me when we get back to Kendar."

"I'll make certain I do," Wil promised, wrapping his arms around Niklas' waist. "It will be a celebration for a job well done." He snorted. "Did they truly think we wouldn't be able to track them down? That we wouldn't find out what they were planning?"

"I can't speak of the others," Niklas answered, "but Einri was very kind. Strong, intelligent, generous...and very trusting."

"Any regrets for shooting true?" Wil asked, probably detecting the unease behind Niklas' words.

"Only that his trust and kind heart led to his end."

Wil didn't reply, and Niklas was glad for that. He didn't feel like sorting out his feelings over being Einri Mikhail's killer. He didn't think he'd ever be able to, because Einri had been the only one to ever...

He swallowed the guilt, telling himself that it would fade. It always did - eventually.

But the look in those shocked green eyes flashed in his mind again, the scene etching itself into his memory.

And he tightened his grip on the copper tail in his fist.