Teri McLaren
slavery again when we had run from Sumifa?" Salmak began to shake his head and roll his eyes. A few of the others politely covered their toothless smiles.
"I did. I thought he was a lost traveler at first and I tried to help him. For that kindness, he killed my wolves. From the guards' loose talk, I know that another, an assassin, took the Wyrvil in to see Drufalden herself. I didn't see the assassin when I came out of the corridor, but the half-ore is on his way back down the mountain now. Apparently alone," added Rafek. "I tell you, things have happened. The New King is at hand, just like the juma said. My brother Doulos was right-we are about to be free! Where are the house servants? The men in the mines? The smiths? Ask them if this kingdom is not melting. Or look outside for yourself if you don't believe me!"
The old man smoothed back his thick mane of white hair and pulled on his silver collar, then motioned one of the others to take a cautious look out the secret entrance.
"All right, Rafek, calm down. If Silufe brings back water, we will act on this," the elder said, giving Silufe an empty cup to take with him. In a few moments, Rafek's eye was bandaged and the other man had returned with a smile and a cup of water.
"The guards are gone. But the assassins have manned the courtyard," said Silufe. Rafek settled, glad that they finally believed his news.
Salmak smiled in his white beard. "I never thought I'd live to see it. But perhaps we have a chance now. They are just men and women. We could not fight magic. But we can fight flesh and blood and bone. We will have to plan carefully. There are still many more of the assassins than there are of us, but we will have our chance." He pulled again on the silver collar. "She is not invincible anymore."
Rafek hugged the wolf pup and stood up to leave. "Take care of Q'Tarin. I'm going after that Wyrvil snake."