“Why haven’t we pursued the riders and tracked them down, rather than waiting for them to come to us?”

Malikel paused, and Tristam wondered if he had spoken too presumptuously. But the official didn’t seem annoyed when he responded.

“It’s a fair question. We will do that, but the forest is large, and their attacks are spread out. None of the merchants or other travelers have ever seen evidence of where they’re settled. I’ll send out search parties, but I expect it could be a while before they find anything.”

Tristam’s next thought rushed into his head, accompanied by a quickening of his pulse and a fierce determination to see the idea through. “Sir, I have another request.”

“Yes?”

He wiped his palms on his tunic, steeling himself. “I would like to submit my request to work under you, for the Ministry of Defense.”

For the first time in their conversation, Malikel looked surprised. “I was under the impression that you are not yet a knight.”

“I will be in a month, sir.”

“Your commander informed me you were planning on joining the road patrols. Why make this request of me now?”

The question gave him pause. If he went through with this, he would stay in the city. He felt a tightening in his chest at the thought of abandoning his plans. But then, could he really join the road patrols with a clear conscience? Ride off into the forest and let others deal with Jack’s murderers? “My commanders will testify to my character and performance. I’m at the top of my cohort in combat and in strategy—”

“I am perfectly capable of assessing your qualifications myself, Tristam,” said Malikel. “That wasn’t my question. What I want to know from you is why you’re requesting this.”

Malikel’s response startled him, and Tristam suddenly found himself tongue-tied. “Jack was a good friend of mine,” he said, stumbling over the words. “I can’t sit idle while those who attacked him are still attacking our city. Sir, I’ve seen these cats up close. I’ve fought them. I would be useful to the search.”

“True,” conceded Malikel. He fell silent, again studying Tristam. “Your commanders do speak highly of you.”

“I promise you I will work hard, sir.”

Malikel nodded. “It’s an unusual request, but I will consider it.”

Seven

S E V E N

The walls of the inner compound were three stories high, constructed of smooth granite and topped with a walkway wide enough for three men to walk abreast. The sides of the wall were vertical except for the very bottom, when they bent outward to form a wider base. Kyra found that if she sat where the sides angled off, she could lay a parchment across her bent knees as she sketched.