The Green Dragon Inn - Part 4

[Ealasaid]

"You may or may not remember me as Hanasian," said Silvanis, still speaking in hushed tones.

Kaldir nodded, remembering the name. "I am glad indeed to see you are alive, Hanasian," he answered. "So much of that day is shrouded in darkness for me, that I must rely on the memory of others to reconstruct the tale. I, too, heard many years later that I was not the only one to go missing that day." He smiled ruefully. "But I see you are none the worse for wear for it. I, on the other hand..." He made a mute gesture toward the disfigured side of his face. "I was not quite so fortunate."

Kaldir took a sip of his ale. "But I am alive," he concluded amiably. "Some days, that is enough."

"To life!" Silvanis said agreeably and raised his mug. Kaldir raised his as well, and the two of them drank to life. Kaldir's eyes flicked toward the closed door of the injured southern woman. He regretted the action instantly, as when his attention returned to Silvanis, he found the other Ranger watching him shrewdly.

"So why do you seek the southern woman?" Silvanis asked. "Is the price good? Maybe I seek the same..."

"Price?" echoed Kaldir, raising his eyebrows in feigned confusion. "Surely the lady doesn't sell herself to the highest bidder." He looked at her door with what would seem to be renewed interest. "Surely, Hanasian, you jest."

"I am called Silvanis now," Silvanis reminded him. He leaned across the table toward Kaldir, and added in a lower voice, "Don't play the fool with me, friend. We may have been brethren once, but that doesn't mean I trust you. I see your rope and your weapons. You have about you the air of a hunting warg. So, tell me... why do you seek the southern woman? You see, I may be a hunter, too."

Kaldir laughed. "Who am I to this Silvanis, or he to me, that I should tell him my business?" he asked. His pale blue eyes regarded Silvanis coldly. "The last person a hunter should trust would be another hunter."