* * *
“Perhaps next time I should go alone,” Rael stated from across the room. They were in the study, scouring the tomes for information on Dahken magic, which it seemed there was very little. Apparently, the Dahken had only ever had a few with the knack of incantations and spells.
“Go where alone?” Cor asked, immediately understanding what Rael meant. He walked from between two bookcases to face Rael. “Why?”
“The man on the road concerns me. Perhaps I should have killed him,” Rael answered, though this was only half true.
“He didn’t do anything to us. You would’ve killed him in cold blood? That seems like murder to me,” said Cor.
Rael turned and regarded Cor quietly. “Murder is a Western concept handed down by Garod and his controlling priests. It does not apply to us; we are beyond their law.”
“Then,” Cor reasoned, “we are no better than the Loszians. Perhaps we should rape and slay our way to everything we want? Somehow I don’t think we’re meant for that.”
“Bah with human sentiments. Regardless,” Rael sighed, “it seems likely the man was a spy.”
“You’ll have to explain that to me later, but what if he was?” Cor asked. “If he works for someone looking for us, then they’ve found us. We should either leave Sanctum or not. Certainly, there’s more safety for both of us if we stay together anyway.”
Rael found, as Cor got older his arguments became more logical. He sighed again. “Be that as it may, there are dangers beyond ambush by our enemies.”
“First, I don’t know who our enemies are at this point,” said Cor, “and second, what are you talking about?”
“I would not have you distracted further by Cade’s strumpet daughter,” answered Rael.
Leave it to Rael to be blunter than a two handed club, Cor thought. “I just looked at her for a moment. She was only the second person I’ve seen besides you in what, two years?”
“Perhaps I have made a mistake there, but be careful. Women are more dangerous for us than the finest adversary. They will love you, but they take everything you are from you. In the end, they are all whores, and you are better off without them.” Rael turned and stalked back the study’s table.
Cor followed him, angry and unwilling to leave the conversation at that, “My mother loved both my father and me. She didn’t take anything from us.”
“A mother,” Rael sneered as he turned back to face Cor, “is just another harlot. A wife forces her husband to pay for her with house and home. She loves him, and he furnishes her with a child. Should he not continue to pay for her, she ceases to love him!”
“I’d rather you not say such things,” Cor growled at Rael. His temper rose quickly; he could feel his cheeks and ears burn, and his heart hammered in his chest. “Whatever you think, we were happy, and she loved us. And it’s my fault she’s dead!” He turned back to continue scouring the bookshelves, and Rael stormed out of the study, headed for the larder and wine.
Cor continued his search, somewhat fruitlessly for another hour or so. He had found a few promising immensely old tomes, but was fearful to even touch them less they simply crumble to dust. He decided it was likely safe to talk things over with Rael; either from time or red wine, the man should be calmer now. He found Rael in the larder brooding over his cup, and he looked up as Cor entered and sat at the table, opposite from him as usual.
“Why,” started Cor, not seeing the point in exchanging apologies, “do you think the rider was a spy? I don’t disagree with you; I just want to understand your reasoning.”
“For the most part, he already knew the lay of the land. Had he seen Sanctum from a distance, he would never suspect that anyone lives here; the castle is nearly falling down. He asked us if we were headed here, which means he already knew someone has been living here.”
“Was it wise to send him to Cade’s farm?” Cor asked. “If he was a spy, he’ll ask questions.”
“That is likely,” answered Rael, “but I saw no other option. It was the closest lodging, and it was on his way. Had he chosen to go any other direction, I would have killed him outright.”
“If he is a spy, he may come back up here tonight to see if we’re here,” Cor said, chewing on a fingernail in thought. “Do you think we should stay awake, wait for him?”
“I do not see a point. If he is any good at his job, we will never see or hear him coming. If he is very good at his job, he has already come and gone.”