“I’m sorry, sir,” Johnis said. “I know it’s all . . . unusual.”

“That’s not the word for it. I ordered you to make an accounting to the Council. Instead you vanish and sneak back in the middle of the night to beg forgiveness? That’s not the way of the Forest Guard.”

“I’m sorry. What did Jackov tell you?”

Thomas let a moment pass between then. “Don’t speak to me like I’m your servant, boy. I’ll do the asking.”

“Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.”

“So what is the critical information that Jackov insists only you can deliver?”

As agreed then, Jackov had told him nothing except that Johnis had to speak with him urgently.

“You know where the Red Valley is?”

“Over a day’s ride south,” Thomas said. “Why?”

“How long would it take to get there on the fastest horses?”

“A night and a day. What’s this about?”

“Your General Justin of Southern, who is a general for the Horde now, wishes to meet with you in the Red Valley as soon as possible under the strictest confidence. Your meeting him will save or destroy the forests. That’s my message.”

Thomas’s face remained unchanged. No surprise, no anger, no disbelief, nor belief. He’d seen more than any man alive, they said, and looking at him now, Johnis knew it must be true. The man was unshakable.

“We have to leave immediately,” Johnis said. “No one, not even your wife, can know. Just you, Jackov, and myself. The fate of us all rests on your hands.”

“Is that so, lad? Drop everything and rush out to an ambush because the boy who led another five hundred into an ambush said so?”

“He’s speaking the truth,” Jackov said, bringing his horse alongside.

“Shut up, boy. You’re not helping him.” Thomas’s dismissal of the fighter was like using a mallet to slam a cork into a bottle, Johnis thought. The leader of all men, casually putting a stopper in the throat of the traitor of all men.

“I swear by my life that whatever happens in the next day will shift the balance of power forever,” Johnis said.

“As would an ambush.”

“Do you think anyone with half a wit would try to lure you into an ambush like this? You’re not an army—you’re the fastest fighter in all the forests. If you don’t like what you see, turn tail and run. They can’t stop you.”

“Watch your tone. I don’t turn tail. Don’t mistake wisdom for cowardice.”

“Sorry, sir,” Johnis said. “I’m trying to appeal to your wisdom.”

“Why the secrecy?”

“Because there are spies in the village. For all I know we’re being watched now. If anyone were to know about this, Justin would be executed.”

“A good thing.”

“Or a terrible thing,” Johnis said. “You’ll have to decide.”