A number of locals, some he’d heard from yesterday evening, had gathered at the gates of the temple, come to purchase vials of oil of naya—best-quality water-white—from the Silver merchant before the troop rode on. Anji finished delivering instructions to the five soldiers he was leaving behind in Storos, then walked over to Joss.

“If one of the reeves can return me to my company after I’ve assured myself all is well with Mai, I’d be doubly appreciative,” he said, pulling on gloves.

Joss rubbed the back of his neck, hoping to find the root of the ache and smooth it out. “Your company is not riding straight back to Olossi?”

Anji shook his head. “We must set up additional training camps and muster in as many recruits for training as possible, immediately. Just as you’re training reeves—and I’m training more soldiers—in the Barrens.”

“Ah, yes. In the Barrens.” Joss nodded toward the gate. “Do you have an arrangement with the Silvers?”

“With the Ri Amarah? What do you mean?”

“Isar is selling oil of naya. A precious commodity, found within lands you’ve now claimed, in the Barrens.”

“King’s oil—that’s what they call it in the empire—is renowned for its healing properties. The Ri Amarah concentrate on physic and ointments, items easily carted in small amounts and used for healing. Which they sell at a fair price, and make available to all, not just the wealthy.”

“Captain,” said Joss with a laugh, “was that an answer?”

Anji’s smile when it came was full with real amusement. Aui! The man had dimples. Who would have thought it!

“Better to speak truth to the man on whose harness my life will be dependent, eh?” he said. “Lest, like an arrow, I be loosed to fall to earth.”

“I’d not loose you for anything less than, say, stealing your beautiful wife.”

That was the wrong thing to say. Anji’s grin vanished, but after all he was still looking at Isar. The other Olossi merchant was talking to various local men and women, but she hadn’t brought anything to sell to the villagers.

“I’ve been betrayed three times, Marshal. I don’t give my trust easily. The Ri Amarah have dealt honorably with me, and given sanctuary to my wife.”

“I was joking about stealing your wife,” said Joss hastily.

Anji raised a gloved hand as a customer dismisses an offered cup of cordial at an inn. “I know it. You’re an honorable man, and you’re too old for her anyway.”

The silky way the words slipped out made Joss wince.

“And there’s your weakness,” added Anji, a wicked gleam sharpening his straight-lipped expression. “You’re vain of your good looks and your ease with women.”

“Ouch. So what’s your weakness, Captain?”

“Not for me to say.”

“Your love for your wife?”

“Not at all. She is my strength. It’s not my place to go naming my weaknesses. That would be like showing my enemy where I’d placed my most inexperienced tail-men.”

Joss laughed. “You’re a hard one to catch out.”