At last, they came to the edge of the forest lying alongside the road leading into Reth. Vambran crept forward the last few feet and peered out of the underbrush, screened by tall grasses. The city was not visible from that vantage point, but Shinthala had assured him that it was not much farther beyond that. Beside him, Arbeenok also peered out, studying the path in both directions.
"No one comes," he said, his voice deep but gentle. "We should continue, for darkness will fall before we reach the walls of the city."
Vambran nodded. "Well, if you have some idea how to sneak past all the gawking stares, now is the time to reveal it," Vambran said. "Once we're out on the road, you will be noticed."
Arbeenok smiled, an expression that was surprisingly human in appearance. "I will not be able to speak, but I will understand you perfectly," he said. "So it will be important for you to realize that I will be trying to communicate to you in other ways and to pay attention to me. Do you see?"
Vambran grinned, beginning to appreciate Arbeenok's company more and more. "My soldiers and I have hand signals we sometimes use for communicating on the battlefield, so I am used to such," he said.
"Good. Then let's continue our journey." And with that, he stood and began to transform right before Vambran's eyes. The alaghi dropped down to his hands and knees, and his clothing and other items seemed to melt inside his body. When the change was complete, Arbeenok was a large, yellow dog. He wagged his tail and barked once at Vambran, who only stood there grinning.
"Very clever," the lieutenant said, reaching a hand out to pat the dog. Arbeenok played the part, panting and rubbing his head against Vambran and wagging his tail all the harder. "And you can understand me, yes?" Vambran inquired. Arbeenok barked and nodded.
"Then you are a fine traveling companion," the mercenary officer said and stepped out of the brush into the open. "Let's go."
The two of them set off together, and to everyone they passed, farmers in their wagons, loggers and craftsmen, and especially soldiers setting out toward the battle lines, they looked like a peasant and his dog. They hiked along at a steady pace, and Arbeenok ran ahead periodically. Though it appeared that the mutt was simply frisky and stretching its legs, Vambran began to see the advantage of having his companion able to scout ahead.
At one point, Arbeenok came running back and grabbed at Vambran's pants leg, dragging him off the road and into the bushes. A few minutes later, a large contingent of soldiers wearing the silver raven on their tabards went marching past. Though he couldn't be certain, it was entirely possible that some of those soldiers had engaged him in fighting, and he was thankful the alaghi had had the presence of mind to help him avoid a confrontation.
As the afternoon drew on toward dusk, Reth came into view in the distance. By the time Vambran and his hound reached the gates, darkness was coming fast. The guards were preparing to close the great portals for the coming night, and Vambran had to hurry to get inside the city before they were completely shut. The guards didn't give him a second glance.
Once they were away from the main thoroughfare and moving down a smaller side street, Vambran said, "I'm taking us to the home of an old acquaintance. I haven't seen her in a year or so, but I think she will help us. Her name is Elenthia, and she runs in the right social circles to hear all the latest news and gossip, so she will know where the Crescents have been taken. Elenthia's father is a senator in the government, so if they're in the prison, she might also be able to get us inside."
Arbeenok wagged his tail by way of answer, and taking that as a sign that the alaghi thought it was a good plan, Vambran led the way to the woman's house.
Elenthia Gelterion's home was as the lieutenant remembered it, a second-story apartment above a soap and incense shop in a rather upscale area of the city. Though the Gelterion family was wealthy, she had chosen to move out of the familial estate before she was actually ready to marry, and in the intervening years, had found that she liked the life of an eligible socialite. Vambran was one of her many distractions, he knew, but he didn't mind playing that role. She was a kind-hearted woman who never expected anything more from him than an occasional dalliance.
When the mercenary and the druid arrived and knocked upon the door, Vambran said, "You ought to continue pretending to be a dog until I find a good way and time to explain to Elenthia who you really are." When Arbeenok cocked his head to one side quizzically, Vambran added, "They'll probably take you into the kitchen and feed you scraps from the evening's dinner. I will try not to take too long talking with her."
Arbeenok barked in understanding and a moment later, a servant opened the door and let them both in. Once he had been announced, Vambran did not have to wait long before Elenthia came gliding into the entryway, all glowing smiles. She was a remarkably beautiful woman, Vambran thought, reminded again when he saw her flashing amber eyes and voluminous dark hair. She was wearing a casual dressing gown, something to pad around the home in, but she looked stunning nonetheless. She hesitated when she saw the lieutenant's outfit, but the pause was barely noticeable, and she greeted him with a rather florid kiss.
"Vambran Matrell, what a surprise! What are you doing in Reth?" she asked, beaming as she led him into the parlor. "And you have a dog with you," she said with a hint of distaste. "I must say, this is not how I expected to see you again." The question of his current condition and stature hung there, hinted at but unspoken.
The lieutenant chuckled. "Many things are not as they were, Elenthia, but I am still serving with the Crescents. But this is not a social call. I have come seeking your help."
"Ooh, a call for aid," she said, teasing him, motioning for him to sit with her on a couch. "Judging from your current outfit, I would guess you don't need me to play at soldier with you," she said, a mischievous sparkle in her eye.
Vambran had to grin, remembering a time not so long ago when she had playfully donned his uniform, or rather, parts of it. She had been particularly fetching in the get-up. "No," he said, banishing the thoughts before they got the better of him. "I need your connections. And it is a large favor I ask. You will need to be discrete."
"Ooh, a mystery," Elenthia said, letting her voice drop.
"I'm serious," Vambran said, letting his smile go. "This could be dangerous for you."
Elenthia sat up straighter and tried to appear serious. "Anything for you, my love," she said. "Whatever it is, I'm eager to assist you."
"Good," Vambran said. "Then I need to find out where my soldiers are. They have been brought here as prisoners."
Elenthia's expression did turn serious then, and she frowned. "Vambran, I cannot ask my father to release prisoners. To begin with, his position is not one of handling the city's defenses, and besides, that would just not be possible. I-"
The lieutenant held up his hand to stop her. "I'm not asking you anything of the sort," he said. "I simply need to know where they are. I will get them out myself."
"What? You mean you intend to try to break them out of prison?"
"Yes, that's what I mean."
"Vambran, you can't be serious! You'll never succeed, and they'll throw you in the dungeon right alongside your soldiers, and I will never see you again! I'm not going to help you do something mad!"