After a song by Jace about a farmer and his cow, Jorry and Uther begin another of their improbable tales. James does his best to translate for his friend while they relate the events of a journey to save a merchant’s daughter from a band of slavers.

During a lull, he relates Dave’s tale one last time to those gathered so they will better understand what’s going on with him. As well as to squash any wild rumors which may be in the making.

By the end of the evening, Dave has begun to visibly relax. The stories and songs, though in a language he’s unable to comprehend, helps to bring him into the group. When at last it’s time for it to end, James offers to share his bed with his friend. When they’re in his bedroom alone and the door closes, Dave turns to James and says, “I’m glad I found you.”

Sitting on the edge of the bed as he begins pulling off his boots, James replies, “Me too. I’m really sorry you went through what you did.”

“Hey,” interjects Dave, “you didn’t do the things that were done to me, and I don’t want you to feel blame. It’s not your fault.”

James just continues getting undressed in silence. Then both he and Dave crawl under the covers and they spend the next hour talking of home, the things they miss the most, that sort of thing. Eventually, sleep comes and takes them away.

Chapter Three

AAAAHHHHHH!!!!!

A cry in the night startles James out of a dead sleep. Dave is thrashing around in the bed next to him caught up in some nightmare. He turns to him and shakes him vigorously as he says, “Wake up!”

The door to his room bursts open as Jiron rushes in wearing nothing but his nightclothes with both knives drawn and ready.