over in training — or something. Went after Jax with pikes when his back was turned. He didn’t even have a weapon. Four of them, all bigger than he was.» The Gnome shook his head, eyes distant. «He killed two of them, broke up the other two. So quick you could barely follow. I was there.»
Jair looked back again at the black–garbed figure. A legend, they said. But they called him other things, too. They called him an assassin — a mercenary with no loyalties, no responsibilities except to those who paid him. He had no companions; Garet Jax always traveled alone. No friends, either. Too dangerous, too hard for that.
So why had he helped Jair?
«This one’s still alive.»
The Weapons Master was bending over Spilk. Slanter and Jair glanced at each other, then stepped over to have a look.
«Thick skull,” Garet Jax muttered. He looked up as they joined him. «Help me pick him up.»
Together, they hauled the unconscious Spilk from the center of the clearing to its far side, then propped him against a pine. Retrieving the ropes that had been used to secure Jair, the Weapons Master now bound the Sedt hand and foot. Satisfied, he stepped back from the Gnome and turned to the two watching him.
«What’s your name, Valeman?» he asked Jair.
«Jair Ohmsford,” Jair told him, uneasy under the gaze of those strange gray eyes.
«And you?» he asked Slanter.
«I’m called Slanter,” the tracker replied.
There was a flicker of displeasure in the hard face. «Suppose you tell me what nine Gnome Hunters were doing with this Valeman?»
Slanter grimaced, but then proceeded to relate to the Weapons Master all that had befallen since the time he had first encountered Jair in Shady Vale. Much to the Valeman’s surprise, he even told the other what Jair had done to him to escape. Garet Jax listened without comment. When the tale was finished, he turned again to Jair.
«Is what he says right?»
Jair hesitated, then nodded. It wasn’t, of course — not entirely. A part of it was the fabricated story he had told to Spilk. But there was no reason to change that story now. Better that they both thought his father in Allanon’s company with the Elfstones — at least until Jair knew whom he should trust.
A long pause followed as the Weapons Master thought the situation through. «Well, I don’t think I should leave you alone in this country, Jair Ohmsford. Nor do I think it a good idea to leave you in the company of this Gnome.» Slanter flushed darkly, but held his tongue. «I think you had better come with me. That way I’ll know you’re safe.»
Jair stared at him uncertainly. «Come with you where?»
«To Culhaven. I have an appointment there, and you shall keep it with me. If this Druid and your father have gone into the Eastland, then quite possibly we shall find them there — or if not, at least we shall find someone who can take you to them.»
«But I can’t…» Jair started to say, then caught himself. He couldn’t tell them about Brin. He had to be careful not to do that. But he couldn’t go east either! «I can’t do that,” he finished. «I have a mother and sister in the villages south of the Vale who know nothing of what’s happened. I have to go back to warn them.»
Garet Jax shook his head. «Too far. I haven’t time. We’ll go east, then send word back when we get the chance. Besides, if what you’ve told me is right, it’s more dangerous going back than going ahead. The Gnomes and the Wraiths know about you now; they know where you live. Once it’s discovered you’ve escaped, they’ll come looking for you there again. I didn’t rescue you just to have you caught again the moment I’m gone.»
«But…»
The flat gray eyes froze him. «It’s decided. You go east.» He glanced briefly at Slanter. «You go where you wish.»
He strode back across the clearing to retrieve his pack and staff. Jair stood looking after him, trapped by indecision. Should he tell the man the truth or go east? But then, even if he told Garet Jax the truth, what difference would that make? The Weapons Master wasn’t likely to take him back in either case.
«Well, luck to you, boy.» Slanter was standing before him looking less than happy. «No hard feelings, I hope.»
Jair stared at him. «Where are you going?»
«What difference does it make?» The Gnome shot a venomous glance at Garet Jax. Then he shrugged. «Look, you’re better off with him than me. I should have gone my own way long ago.»
«I haven’t forgotten that you helped me, Slanter — all during the journey,” Jair said quickly. «And I think you would have helped me again if I needed it.»
«Well, you’re wrong!» the Gnome cut him short. «Just because I felt sorry for you doesn’t… . Look, I’d have turned you over to the walkers just as quick as Spilk, because that would have been the smart thing to do! You and this Weapons Master don’t begin to see what you’re up against!»
«I saw you stand there with that knife when the other Gnome came at me!» Jair insisted. «What about that?»
Slanter snorted, turning away angrily. «If I’d had any brains at all, I’d have let him have you. Do you know what I’ve done to myself? I can’t even go back to the Eastland now! That Gnome who ran off will tell them everything I did! Or Spilk, once he gets free!» He threw up his hands. «Well, who cares? Not really my country anyway. Don’t belong there; haven’t for years. Wraiths can’t be worried about tracking one poor Gnome. I’ll go north for a time, or maybe south into the cities, and let this whole thing take its own course.»
«Slanter…»
The Gnome wheeled suddenly, his voice a hiss. «But that one — he isn’t any better than me!» He gestured angrily at Garet Jax, who was drinking again from the pool. «Treats me as if this was all my doing — as if I was the one responsible! I didn’t even know about you, boy! I came here hunting the Druid! I didn’t like chasing after you, taking you off to the Wraiths!»
«Slanter, wait a minute!» Mention of the Mord Wraiths reminded the Valeman of something he had almost forgotten in his relief at being freed. «What about the walker we were supposed to meet on the other side of the Oaks?»
Slanter was annoyed at having his tirade cut short. «What about him?»
«He’ll still be there, won’t he?» Jair asked quietly.
The Gnome hesitated, then nodded. «I see your point. Yes, he’ll be there.» He frowned. «Just go another way; go around him.»
Jair stepped close. «Suppose he decides to go through him?» He motioned faintly toward Garet Jax.
Slanter shrugged. «Then there’ll be one less Weapons Master.»
«And one less of me.»
They stared at each other in silence. «What do you want from me, boy?» the Gnome asked finally.
«Come with us.»
«What!»
«You’re a tracker, Slanter. You can get us past the walker. Please, come with us.»
Slanter shook his head emphatically. «No. That’s the Eastland. I can’t go back there. Not now. Besides, you want me to take you to Culhaven. Me! The Dwarves would love that!» ‘
«Just to the border, Slanter,” Jair pressed. «Then go your own way. I won’t ask for any more than that.»
«I’m greatly appreciative of that!» the Gnome snapped. Garet Jax was coming back over to join them. «Look, what’s the point of all this? That one wouldn’t want me along anyway.»
«You don’t know that,” Jair insisted. He turned as the Weapons Master came up to them. «You said that Slanter could go where he wished. Tell him then that he can come with us.»
Garet Jax looked at the Gnome. Then he looked back at Jair.
«He’s a tracker,” Jair pointed out. «He might be able to help us avoid the walkers. He might be able to find a safe route east.»
The Weapons Master shrugged. «The choice is his.»
There was a long, awkward silence. «Slanter, if you do this, I’ll show you a little of how the magic works,” Jair said finally.
Sudden interest filled the Gnome’s dark eyes. «Well now, that’s worth a chance or…» Then he stopped. «No!
