"You were the reason she left."
"I didn't ask her. I asked her to stay."
"And if you did," Glawinn said, "that had to have angered Tynnel even further."
"She's stubborn," Jherek said. "And willful."
"Qualities that can work for good or ill in a man or woman."
"If she loves him," Jherek said, "she should have stayed with him. She owed me nothing that would come between them."
Glawinn bit off a piece of his apple and offered it to the war-horse. The animal took it daintily from his palm and whickered in satisfaction. "You don't listen very well. I said that he was in love with her. I said nothing about her being in love with him."
Hope flew in Jherek's heart, but it only took remembering that it was his father who slew Sabyna's brother to quash it. Even if that had not stood between them, what did he have to offer her?
Glawinn hesitated. "Perhaps I presume on territory that I don't belong in, but have you told the lady that you… you like her, young warrior?"
Acting on the small amount of irritation he felt, Jherek asked, "Why do you keep calling me that? I have a name."
"Malorrie?" Glawinn shook his head. "That's not your name."
Jherek's face colored and he felt shamed by his continued lie. Perhaps he could have told the knight his real name if they'd met alone, but Sabyna was there. She already knew he hadn't told her the truth about his name, but he couldn't give it, either, in case she'd heard about him being unmasked as one of Bloody Falkane's pirates.
"It's the name I choose," he replied.
"Yet hide your true name? I have to wonder what else you hide."
Jherek returned the man's level gaze. "I must ask you to judge me on what you see, not what a name may contain. If you choose not to trust me, I ask only that you take the lady to safety."
Glawinn held up a hand. "I'll not desert you, nor her. For all I know, you're why I'm here."
"Why are you here?" Jherek gladly shifted the conversation away from him.
"I'm on a quest, commanded by Lathander himself."
"He speaks to you?"
"Not in words," Glawinn admitted. "He found me when I was lost and brought me into his temple. I was not always as you see. As a young man I was uncertain and lacking. My love and understanding of the Morninglord, and my eventual dedication to him has made me what you see now. Not that you should be impressed. A paladin's life isn't exactly what you read in those romances." He chuckled.
"But to serve a god," Jherek said. "That would be-"
"A humbling experience, let me assure you. Though I serve him with my convictions, my teaching, and my sword arm every day, we don't converse. He fills my heart with a wanderlust that is as true as any compass, and I ride. When I arrive, then I discover where I'm supposed to be. It doesn't take long before I figure out what it is I'm supposed to do."
"Now you're bound for Westgate."
"Yes, and perhaps beyond. I don't know yet. I only know that I itch to travel, and that's the direction I must go."
Jherek tried to fathom that. "But you don't know why?"
"Not yet." Glawinn gave more of the apple to his horse. "What are you to do then?" Jherek asked, not really expecting an answer.
"I'm no teller of fortunes, young warrior. I'm much more a man of action. Like yourself."
Jherek shook his head. "I'm no man of action."
"Sure you are," Glawinn said. "I can see it in the way you hold your eyes, the way you balance yourself on your feet when you move. You're no stranger to the sword, are you?"
"I've had some training," Jherek admitted.
"You must have to have survived the wounds I see on you now."
"I've only a mean skill at best." Jherek felt bad about that because it undercut all the training Malorrie had given him over the years.
"Then strip out of that wet armor and let's have a look at it." Glawinn got lithely to his feet.
"Now?"
The knight took a long sword from his saddle and tossed it to Jherek. "Of course now. There's no better time. When we arrive in Westgate either your quest or mine may see us crossing sword blades with others. Perhaps I'll even need someone to stand at my back."
Jherek flushed with the honor he was being given. He took off the leather armor and hung it carefully from a tree so it would better dry. He also took off his wet shirt, not wanting it to slow his movements and so that it wouldn't get torn any more than it was because he had no other clothes. He also took off the kerchief he'd had tied around his head, being careful not to let the paladin see his tattoo when he lifted his arm.
"You've a wound on your head," Glawinn said. "Have you had it tended?"
"Aye."
"It doesn't appear to be healing well."
Jherek felt self-conscious, remembering that the wound was the reason Sabyna was there. "Circumstances haven't allowed it to heal at its best."
"Let me see it." Glawinn crossed over to him and examined it more closely. "It's healed some, but I can help still more if you'll allow me."
Jherek remembered the tales he'd been told, of how a paladin could heal and cure diseases with but a touch. He smiled and said, "I guess not everything in those romances are fantasy."
"A gift from Lathander, young warrior, and no doing of my own." Glawinn placed his hands on Jherek's head.
The young sailor experienced a moment of disorientation, a flicker of pain, then he immediately felt better than he had in days.
Glawinn stepped back. "How's that?"
"Good," Jherek answered. "Thank you."
"Your thanks may be premature, young warrior." Glawinn grinned and paced back to the center of the clearing. He raised his broadsword into an en garde position. "Move too slowly or awkwardly and I may bequeath you another rap on the skull for your trouble."
Jherek saluted him, then cut with the long sword to get the heft of it. The balance was good and it moved well, like it had been made for his hand. "All right," he said.
The paladin came at him without a word, and the sound of steel on steel rang out. Hesitant at first, Jherek held up a defense, then he started in with his attack, pushing at Glawinn's defenses.
After long moments, the knight stepped back, a smile on his face. He saluted the young sailor. Jherek saluted back, startled by the sound of clapping. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw Sabyna standing there. Her copper-colored eyes held the glitter of excitement.
"Very good," she complimented.
"Lady," Jherek said, bowing slightly. Then, aware that he was shirtless, he went to the tree to get his clothes. He pulled his shirt on with his back to her, covered with sweat and breathing hard from his exertions.
"The boy is good," Glawinn said, sheathing his sword with a flourish. "With the proper training and time, he stands a chance of becoming an accomplished swordsman."
"I see. While the two of you were so gainfully engaged, did either of you happen to think about dinner?"
Jherek glanced up, noticing the deep plum color darkening the eastern sky where Westgate lay. "No, lady, I'm sorry. I'll take care of it straight away." He felt embarrassed, knowing he should have remembered how hungry she would be after getting no sleep last night and traveling all day.
"Actually," Sabyna said mischievously, "there's no reason to worry. I've already taken care of it." She held up a stringer of catfish. "I took a little time off from my studies."