“Let me add this thought, Graely,” Chaleah interrupted. “I believe his bond of fealty will prevent him from answering most of our questions, unless we are clever in our wording. But if Vindrake’s control is truly absent in the other realm, he could be immensely helpful. Of course, unless I’m present, we still wouldn’t be certain of his truthfulness.”
“But if the bloodbond doesn’t work in Montana, he won’t lie,” Alora reasoned.
“Even those who aren’t controlled by someone evil will often speak falsehoods,” said Graely. “That’s why a judge is an essential part of our council.”
“I wish our judges had that skill,” said Brian. “We’d always know who was guilty and who was innocent.”
“Maybe not,” Alora said. “Even guilty people can plead the fifth.”
“True, but maybe we’d have a different justice system if our judges were like Chaleah.” Brian screwed his lips sideways. “What if your judge is lying? No offense, Chaleah. It just occurred to me everything depends on your judgment and your truthfulness. Who judges the judge?
“My gift doesn’t allow me to speak untruth.” Chaleah’s expression remained impassive.
“Really? That’s so great,” Alora said.
“It does make relationships more difficult,” said Chaleah. “I often attempt to withhold my opinions if they would be hurtful, but then I am judged by my silence. It is difficult not to offend people on a regular basis.”
“Ah… so sometimes you have to speak around the truth.” Brian laughed. “We have people like that in America—they’re called attorneys. They go to a special school to learn that skill.”
Alora chuckled with him, more amused by the confusion on their friends’ faces. She thought to explain the joke, but decided against the attempt. “Seriously, Chaleah, I can see how your gift might not make you very popular, because you’d also know if somebody embellished a story or paid you a false compliment.”
“Yes, but I work well with young children because they tend to speak truth and expect it in return.”
“So back to the subject at hand, what are we going to do with him?” Alora nodded toward the door.
Graely’s face split into a broad smile. “Brian, we’ll take him to Montana and question him with Chaleah present. It’s possible you may get your wish after all. Daegreth may be a great gift in our battle against Vindrake.”
“I knew I was right about him.” Alora reached to the side to take Kaevin’s hand. But where he’d been standing, her hand grasped empty air.
~ 7 ~
“Now tell me, Markaeus… Are you certain no one from Laegenshire realized you came from Water Clan?” Vindrake tried to keep his tone light, hoping to encourage the boy to share his story.
“You promised if I did what you asked, you’d let me and my brother and grandfather go.” Markaeus’ accusing eyes narrowed, and Vindrake noticed the color was something between blue and green. His blond hair was shaggy and unkempt, matching his attire.
“Indeed I did, and I’m a man of my word.” Not for the first time, Vindrake rejoiced his stolen gift of judging didn’t carry the burden of truthfulness thrust upon those born with the gift. Markaeus’ brother had almost twelve years and would soon be forced to take the oath of fealty. And the boys’ grandfather, feeble though he was, had already received the bloodbond. But the promise of his family’s freedom had proven to be great
incentive for the talented boy who’d already demonstrated a number of minor gifts, including horsemanship, though he had but nine years. Vindrake was irked he was forced to cajole Markaeus into cooperation rather than force him, but the bloodbond would not work on a child having fewer than twelve years.
“Laegenshire was a nice place. My family might prefer to live there.” Markaeus crossed his arms, and his lower lip protruded. Vindrake couldn’t help admiring the boy’s spirit, despite being irritated with his recalcitrant nature. When his major talent developed, he would be a prize Water Clansman. After the bloodbond was applied, of course.
“You can live anywhere you like if your information proves useful to me.” Like a silken sash, the lie slid from Vindrake’s lips. “But you will find Water Clan a much more hospitable place to reside. Even now my men are preparing a home where you may live and have all your needs provided.”
Markaeus’ brows furrowed as if he might withhold his report.
“And if I’m truly pleased, I may give you a horse.”
“A horse? What color? A mare or a stallion?” The boy danced at the news.
“No, no… first you must tell me what you’ve learned.” He pasted what he hoped was a pleasant smile on his face as the boy spilled forth his story, now eager to comply.
“Well… I was there for a while, and the iron forger let me work with him and gave me a place to stay. I said I ran away from Water Clan warriors, just like you told me. He didn’t ask many questions.”
“That’s fine, but what did you learn?”
“I listened carefully, but no one mentioned Kaevin or Alora around me.”
“So you don’t know if he’s alive or dead?” Vindrake controlled his frustration with great effort.