Von exhaled the breath he was holding. “No one must ever learn of this.”
“Worry not, Commander. You have my word. Though, if I am being honest, I had my suspicions.” At their silence, he added sheepishly, “You favor her, sir, and well, you share a tent.”
Von grimaced. He thought they were being cautious. But sleeping in the same tent together was too noticeable, even if it was under the guise of a servant.
“Have I been demoted?” Geon asked, closing his eyes.
“Aye.”
Yavi hummed sympathetically and patted his leg. “I’m sorry, Geon. I know how hard you worked to be a Raider.”
He coughed a weak chuckle. “Being a Raider is not as glorious as I imagined. I don’t have the stomach for it at all. I’ll ask the cook to take me as an apprentice.”
Von and Yavi laughed.
“You will need as much bravery, if not more, to work with Sorren,” she said.
“I can do it.”
Von smiled. “Are you certain?”
“Aye, I’d rather work with the Minotaur than risk angering Master Tarn ever again,” Geon murmured. The amusing moment passed at the mention of him.
“Did you battle with the Guardians?” Yavi asked him after a pause.
“I wouldn’t call it a battle. The sorceress threw me about like a sack of meal and broke my arm when I kept her from killing Von.”
“You did?” he said in amazement. “Why would you do that? You couldn’t hope to defeat her.”
“You’ve saved my life several times, Commander. I have lost count of how many debts I owe you.”
“You’re a fine lad.”
Geon cracked a weak smile. “I reckon I would have died if not for the Maiden. She kept the sorceress at bay and defended me when the remaining Guardians arrived. Then she ... healed me.”
Von stared at him. “Dyna did?”
“Aye, she mended my broken leg and arm.”
“How?”
“With magic.”
Yavi gasped and moved closer to inspect him. She picked at the torn clothing by his elbow and knee, tearing them further to see.
Von caught a glimpse of the new scars he bore. “If Dyna could use magic, why did she not wield it against me?”
“I don’t know, Commander, but I speak the truth. My scars are proof. She’s special. Please don’t tell the master. He will enslave her once he learns of her magic.”
Von couldn’t promise that. As long as Tarn didn’t ask, it didn’t need to be mentioned. But it was a matter of time until he learned of her power.
Dalton had accused her of beinga sorceress and Dyna denied it, so Von had readily believed her. He had been sobusy moving the camp and tending to other matters that he had not stopped to think about it. But if she had magic, now it made sense why she could reveal an enchanted map.
Yavi worked on straightening up the tent, and Geon drifted off to sleep again. Von attempted to sleep too, but then he heard the crunch of boots on the gravel outside.
“Is he awake?” Elon called out.
“I am,” Von said.
