Volkain stood quickly, chair grinding across the wooden floor behind him. Nomi saw Ramin tense, and Noon's hands fell to his belt.

“I have wine!” the border chief said. “Good wine! I'll get it.” He drifted into one of the side rooms and returned beats later with a large, dusty bottle of Ventgorian wine. He grinned. Then he used a spike on his third arm to pull the cork.

THEY DRANK AND ate, and Nomi told Volkain tales of Ventgoria. He absorbed them like a child learning new words, reserving his questions until she had finished her tale. And there were many questions. The Serians seemed to enjoy the rest, and occasionally another militia would appear at the door to ask questions about the horses. Noon eventually went out to oversee the care of their mounts, and when he returned, several of the militia came in with him. He was laughing and joking with them, and Nomi felt herself relaxing even more. The wine, the atmosphere, even the company went some way to distracting her from what had happened over the past two nights.

Stories told, hunger and thirst satiated, Nomi asked the question that had been troubling her ever since they had arrived.

“Two of our group came on ahead,” she said. “My friend and a Serian companion. A woman. Did they come this way?”

Volkain's smile changed. No muscle twitched, but though the smile was still there, it left his eyes. “Ah, so now here's the thing,” he said. “You've lost horses, your friend has moved on ahead of you and you're on a voyage you choose not to share with me.”

“It's difficult to explain,” Nomi said. “It's shared with no one.”

“The Guild?” Volkain asked.

Nomi shook her head slightly, and the militia raised his eyebrows.

“Well, then, perhaps when you return this way, you'll share your tale with me.” He stood from his chair, the movement effectively ending the conversation. As he went to leave, Beko stood as well, and the men faced each other across the room.

“Did they pass through?” Beko asked.

Volkain looked from him to Rhiana, to Nomi. Then he glanced up at the charms hanging about his head, and Nomi thought, I could pay him with the charm Ramus bought for me. I've no need of it, and whatever the charm breather placed inside will likely do me no good. But then the big militia smiled again.

“No need for secrets,” he said. “He was a troubled man. And pained. I asked him for tales of his voyages, and he refused. But he left me with a promise that was payment enough. He told me that his was the greatest voyage ever, and that I would be the first in Marrakash to hear of it upon his return.”

“He spoke the truth,” Nomi said. “And we're on that voyage together.”

Volkain shook his head. “I may be a mere border guard, Voyager, but be kind to my intelligence.”