"I understand," said Fidelias.

"I understand, master," echoed Amara, keeping her eyes lowered. They followed the soldier then and crossed the stream at a shallow ford. The water was cold and flowed quickly over Amara's ankles. She shivered, gooseflesh racing up and down her legs and arms, but kept pace with Fidelias and the soldier.

Her mentor dropped back beside her and murmured, very low, "Did you see how many tents?"

She jerked her head in a nod. "Close."

"Well kept and neat, too. This isn't a gang of malcontent Steadholders. Professional military."

Amara nodded and whispered, "Serious money behind them. Is it enough for the First Lord to bring it to the Council?"

"An accusation without anyone to accuse?" Fidelias grimaced and shook his head. "No. We have to have something that incriminates someone behind it. Doesn't have to be ironclad, but we need something tangible."

"Do you recognize our escort?"

Fidelias shot her a look. "Why? Do you?"

Amara shook her head. "I'm not sure. Something about him seems familiar."

The other nodded. "They call him the Sword."

Amara felt her eyes widen. "Aldrick ex Gladius? Are you sure?"

"I've seen him in the capital, in the past. I saw his duel with Araris Valerian."

Amara glanced up at the man ahead of them, careful to keep her voice down. "He's supposed to be the greatest swordsman alive."

"Yes," said Fidelias. "He is." Then he cuffed her along the head and said, loud enough for Aldrick to hear, "Keep your lazy mouth shut. I'll feed you when I please and not a second before. Not another word."

They walked in silence, then, into the camp. Aldrick led them through the camp's gate and down the main path dividing the camp in half. He turned left and led them to what Amara knew would be, in an Aleran Legion's camp, the commander's tent. A large tent sat there, and two legionares stood outside it, breastplates gleaming, armed with spears in their hands and swords at their belts. Aldrik nodded to one of them and went inside. He appeared a moment later and said to Fidelias, "You. Merchant. Come inside. The commander wants to speak to you."