“No—”

“Dain, hear me,” Thum said with urgency. “We’ll need horses, and money. You can’t walk to Nether, can you?”

Realizing Thum was right, Dain put aside his protests. “You’re thinking more clearly than I am.”

“And small wonder. I’ll take those coins from that purse we saw in the chest.  Aye, and clean out your strongbox as well. There’s food too—” “No food. Don’t risk it.”

“Very well, but you must have your hauberk, your cloak, and your boots. Besides Sir Terent, who else do you want?”

“Sir Alard,” Dain said, thinking it over.

“No one else?”

“We can’t smuggle out the entire force without arousing suspicion. As ‘tis, how will you get yourself, and horses besides, out of the hold without being stopped?”

Thum looked grim indeed. “Unless Gavril’s men have taken the hold by force, the sentries are your men, sire. I have only to say we act on your orders, and they’ll let us out.”

Dain nodded and clapped him on the shoulder. “Go then, and take care.” “ ‘Tis yourself who must take care,” Thum said worriedly. “Were there any other way, I would not leave you. What if your illness returns?” “It won’t,” Dain assured him, and then stilled his protests.  Dain listened at the door a moment, then pulled up the lever. The panel slid open and, after handing Dain the torch, Thum stepped back into the wardroom.  They stared at each other a moment, and Dain wondered if he would ever see his friend again.

“Go with Thod,” Thum said.

“You as well.”

As Thum lifted his hand, Dain pushed down the lever. The hidden door slid between them, and Dain was left in the cramped passageway with only the weapons and the torch for company.

He took a moment to thread the dagger and Truthseeker’s scabbard onto his belt.  Truthseeker was so long its tip nearly dragged on the ground. As Dain picked up the torch again, a wave of dizziness passed through him.  He leaned against the wall until the trembling aftershock passed, then wiped the sweat from his brow with an unsteady hand and regathered his strength with determination. Pushing himself forward, he followed the passageway to wherever it might lead him.