Dahlia fired a look in Garwin’s direction, but the man pretended not to notice, looking away. “Blabbermouth has been blabbing, it seems,” she said. “Hmm, I know just the remedy. Hard to speak when you don’t have a tongue.”

Garwin’s gaze flashed back in an instant. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize it was a secret. I won’t say another word to the lad if you don’t want me to.”

Dahlia laughed. “I’ve never met a man with so little backbone. It’s rutting pathetic. Fine, keep your tongue. It’ll be good for Ludo here to have someone to talk to. Maybe you can teach him all about the ways of the world before he’s thrust back into it.”

“I’ll do that.”

“Good. And as for you…” Ludo expected her to focus back on him, but instead her gaze roamed past to the only other person in the wagon, the one Garwin had called Minwar. Truth be told, Ludo had forgotten about him considering how still and silent he’d been. Last night, the man had a good excuse, his brain addled by whatever poisons their captors had forced him to swallow, but now his eyes were open and lucid. Rather than lying down, he was propped up against the side of the wagon. His lips were sealed tight. He was even larger than Garwin, his skin as pale as the froth of crashing waves. His chin was like the backside of a sledgehammer, his features dull and blunt. After a long pause, Dahlia finally continued her threat. “…another day in a haze should remind you to obey your betters, don’t you think?”

Minwar didn’t protest, simply opened his mouth. Dahlia snorted, uncorking a vial she’d pulled from somewhere. The pungent smell immediately hit Ludo’s nostrils. She pressed it toward the man’s lips.

“Wait,” Ludo said, immediately cursing his fool tongue for betraying him.

“Wait?” Dahlia said, sharp gaze skewering him like a piece of meat.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to say it that way. It’s just that…I haven’t even been properly introduced to him yet. And if he disobeys again, you can—you can—”

“I can what?”

His mind raced, latching onto a ridiculous, foolhardy idea. “You can cut out my tongue.”

Pure joy raced across the woman’s face as her lips curled into a wicked smile. “Is that so? I’d have your permission?”

“Not that you need it, but yes. I wouldn’t fight you.”

“Damn fool,” Minwar hissed, the first sounds he’d made other than the groan when Ludo had stumbled over him in the dark.

“That remains to be seen, doesn’t it?” Dahlia said. “And depends on you.” The man pressed his lips together tightly but said no more. “Good. That settles it. Now eat your breakfast. Every bit of it. We’ll need you to be strong if we’re going to fetch a good price when we reach Nal Eston.” With that, she whipped a large cloth off of three bowls Ludo hadn’t even seen amidst all the commotion, and then exited the wagon.