“And do you claim to be one?”

“I am Kolby Fiske, Teshlor Knight of the First Order.”

“And what is a First Order Teshlor doing here in our humble village?”

“I have a better question.” Farilane addressed the officer, “Why do you permit the local thuggery to rob, rape, murder, and terrorize the residents of this village, or aren’t you aware that as imperial legionnaires it is your duty to protect the empire’s citizenry?”

A host of eyebrows jumped, except the bear-man’s. Farilane doubted his single brow had the capacity to move.

“That’s a very serious accusation,” the prymus said, in a menacing tone. “Young girls should be careful not to make such dangerous assumptions.”

“Calling me a young girl is an assumption—what I’m telling you is a fact. Our first time through this village, despite the fine herd of cattle and flocks of sheep and so many planted fields, no one could spare us even a loaf of bread. Initially, I suspected they didn’t like strangers, but then I noticed how skinny everyone appeared—not just thin, mind you—but malnourished, starving. One has to wonder where the food goes. Not to the monks. They look like everyone else. Add to that the skittish, tail-between-their-legs look of both villagers and monks, and it isn’t difficult to determine that these people are the victims of habitual theft and violent intimidation. A quick glance at any of the young or attractive girls and you’ll discover not one without extensive bruising. Unless the dairymaids of this village are hammering their own faces into trees, I think it’s a sure bet that someone is beating them. And just now, the abbot of this monastery tried to persuade us to leave by being uncharacteristically rude. I strongly suspect this was his way of trying to protect us from his unwanted—although clearly frequent—visitors who had just arrived with stolen horses.”

“Who are you?” the prymus asked.

“At first, I assumed the members of Clan Cave Bear were merely morons.” She lifted a finger to emphasize her point. “What kind of fool steals horses, then takes them only a few miles away to the one place the victims will certainly visit? Then I realized: the sort of thief that doesn’t worry about getting caught.”

The prymus addressed Kolby, “I suggest you shut this little tart’s mouth before she says something to get you all into trouble.”

Kolby shook his head and sadly lamented. “Oh—if it were only that easy.”