I slowed my pace back to a walk when his breathing changed.

“I was asleep,” he said.

“…And snoring,” I added.

“How far have you borne me?”

“Around two leagues, I’d say.”

“And you are not tired?”

“Some,” I said, “but not enough to need rest just yet.”

“Mon Dieu!” he said. “I am pleased never to have had you for an enemy. Are you certain you are not the Devil?”

“Yeah, sure,” I said. “Don’t you smell the brimstone? And my right hoof is killing me.”

He actually sniffed a couple times before he chuckled, which hurt my feelings a bit.

Actually, we had traveled over four leagues, as I reckoned it. I was hoping he would sleep again and not be too concerned about distances. My arms were beginning to ache.

“Who were those six men you slew?” I asked him.

“Wardens of the Circle,” he replied, “and they were no longer men, but men possessed. Now pray to God, Sir Corey, that their souls be at peace.”

“Wardens of the Circle?” I asked. “What Circle?”

“The dark Circle — the place of iniquity and loathsome beasts…” He took a deep breath. “The source of the illness that lies upon the land.”

“This land doesn’t look especially ill to me,” I said.

“We are far from that place, and the realm of Ganelon is still too strong for the invaders. But the Circle widens. I feel that the last battle will be fought here.”

“You have aroused my curiosity as to this thing.”

“Sir Corey, if you know not of it ’twere better you forgot it, skirted the Circle, and went your way. Though I should dearly love to fight by your side, this is not your fight — and who can tell the outcome?”