Chapter 35
Xander: “In ignorance and in knowledge”
After Jeffrey got on his horse and left, Xander glanced over at Lester. “What was that about?”
“I recognized Brutus,” said Lester. “I've been looking for him.”
Xander lifted part of his cloak and shook it. A coin fell out. “Why? Have you met him before?”
Lester watched him. “We met ten years ago, when he killed my father.”
Xander crouched by the coin on the floor and wove tonespace around it. Presently a point of blue-white brilliance appeared above the surface of the coin. “I think our young friend wants us to catch Brutus,” he said.
“What makes you say that?”
“Because he tied my hands in front of me,” said Xander, as the rope began to smolder over the new everflame. “This would have been a little trickier if he'd tied them behind my back.”
In a few seconds the charred rope parted. Xander shook the remains off his hands and stroked the side of the coin, turning the everflame off. Then he freed his feet and came over to untie Lester. Lester stood and groaned.
“What's the matter?” said Xander.
“I want to kill Brutus,” said Lester. “But I still can't ride a horse. I'd just slow you down. You'll have to go without me. Damn it!”
“What was that about him killing your father? Isn't he still back at the inn?”
“Gerrold's not my father,” Lester informed him. “My dad was a farmer. Gerrold took us in after what Brutus and his men did at the farm. That's why you found me at the inn.” He looked out into the street. “It's also why my younger brother doesn't look like me.”
“I see,” said Xander. He was silent for a minute while he was untying the two guards. “Then I guess you'll have to come along after all.”
“I want to! But I'd slow you down. Or worse, fall off the horse and break my fool neck.”
“I have something faster than horses,” said Xander, heading for the stairwell. “But you'll like it even less. Come on!” He surged up the stairs, nearly knocking over the Governor, who was descending.
“Where are you going?” she asked him. And where's my daughter?”
“Ludlow helped the prisoners escape,” he told her. “They've got Aria with them. We're going after them. Try not to worry.”
“I wasn't worried, until now,” she said. “Who's going with you?”
“My apprentice, of course.”
She glanced at his staff. “Is he ready for that?”
He shrugged. “Probably not, but he has to learn sometime. Now would be a good time.”
She shook her head as the boy followed him up the stairs. “Poor devil.”
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