“If we can expect another journey tomorrow, we should secure horses," Ferrin went on. "And if the sun will be shining, perhaps a goat for Aram.""Keep it up," Aram dared him through clenched teeth."Is a goat too large and unruly?" Ferrin asked? "Maybe we should saddle a raccoon.""Odd how these taunts tend to fade after sundown," Aram growled, taking a large bite of bread."But a new day always dawns," Ferrin replied. "And we can all use some entertainment."Aram glowered. "Then perhaps tonight I should pull you apart and let the others puzzle you back together.""That's the spirit!" Ferrin applauded. "Taunt back! I get the sense you've seldom had to deal with ridicule."Aram appeared to be resisting a pleased little smile.”

“What if a pair of us head off on our own?" Nollin proposed, panting. "A small detachment might avoid detection.""It's a gamble," Ferrin said. "If the duo gets noticed, they'll be defenseless. Who'd you have in mind?""Some key delegates," Nollin said. "Perhaps myself and Aram."Rachel shook her head. Evidently, Nollin had noticed the critical role Aram had played during the escape.Ferrin laughed openly. "Aram, you've been promoted to essential!""I'm generally more appreciated at night," the big man grumbled. "I'm going to the table, Nollin.""Maybe we should all remain together," Nollin repented.”

“Jason and Ferrin turned. Aram, face shiny with sweat, pulled a small pair of pants over his skinny legs. His shrunken hands trembled.Ferrin struggled not to smile. He was unsuccessful.Ferrin's involuntary grin forced Jason to bite his lip to keep from laughing. Ferrin noticed and began to shake, eyes watering.Aram hastily pulled on a shirt. Then he folded his arms, glaring grumpily up at the others. "Go ahead, let it out, have a good laugh."They did.Feeding off each other, magnified by the knowledge that their laughter was so inappropriate, their mirth was uncontrollable. Ferrin buried his face, attempting to compose himself. Jason stared at the ground, trying to summon sober thoughts."We need to go," Aram said indignantly, clambering up onto his suddenly oversized horse. Atop the huge stallion, he looked like a little jockey.Jason coughed out a final laugh.Ferrin shook quietly, wiping tears from flushed cheeks."Finished?" Aram asked. "You two are ruthless." He looked down at himself. "I guess it's quite a contrast.""We don't mean to rub it in," Jason apologized. "We've already seen you both ways. It isn't that big of a deal.""It doesn't help that you're so shy about it," Ferrin tried to explain. "It was more your expression than anything.""Let's leave it behind us," Aram said, nudging his horse with his heels. The stallion didn't respond.Ferrin buried his face in the crook of his arm. Jason ground his teeth.”

“Coordinating the retreat was important too, so important that Jiaan had assigned Aram as Fasal's assistant, to be sure he didn't overlook anything important. Like the fact that they were supposed to retreat.”

“You have been spying all along," Conrad said, unconvinced. "The manhunt for you was a ruse.""Check with the emperor," Ferrin replied coolly.... "That will not take long," said a man in the corner, studiously picking at a fingernail with a small knife. He raised his head, wavy gray hair framing his pallid face. He wore a long coat of brown leather."Torvic!" Ferrin called, the exuberance hollow. "I hadn't seen you over there. Still in touch directly with Felrook? You know, to come clean, I haven't brought Maldor in on my plan yet, so it might be of little use to bother him at this juncture.”

“You look tired," Rachel told Jason."I wish I could jog and sleep at the same time.""Can't you?" Ferrin asked, joining them at the little cascade. "I always imagined that you could sleep rolling down a mountainside in a barrel.""I probably could today," Jason conceded.”