Lord of Legends

“We need to keep our wits about us. You must see that.”

“Yes. We must all keep our wits about us.” She smiled at Ash, though her lips trembled. “Try to be patient, Ash. We both want to help, to find out why you’re here so we can let you go.”

“Merry …” Sinjin warned.

But she wasn’t listening to him. “Have you remembered anything new, Ash?” she asked. “Anything you can tell us?”

To offer her the truth would be to admit too much. That he was not human. That there was some other world ruled by those who were not human. That he had possessed another life, another form far mightier than this one. No, he could not offer her the truth.

For she had not given him the truth.

“No,” he said.

“We’ll find a way, Ash.”

“Which will require considerable finesse,” Ware said. “And you will leave the investigation to me, Mariah.”

“First we must find Ash’s keeper.”

“I’ll look into it as soon as it’s light enough to search,” Ware said. “You go back to the house, Merry. Pretend that nothing has happened.”

She flashed another glance at Ash and pushed Sinjin out of the room again. “Suppose Donnington does know about this?” she said. “Might Vivian not know, as well?”

“Mother? You’re joking.”

“Perhaps. But, as you said, we can make no judgments as yet. I’ll learn what I can in the house. You find this keeper. And you must discover how Ash is related to your family.”

“If he is—”

“No judgments, Sinjin.”

“I’ll do just as you say. But, Merry … Don’t say anything to my mother. Not under any circumstances. She would be worse than shocked if she saw him.”

“This can’t be kept hidden for long.”

“Go back to the house. I’ll stay with him until dawn.”

“That would not be wise.”

“I’m not leaving you alone with him. He’s shown a propensity for violence.”

“Can you blame him?”

“Hasn’t it occurred to you that you simply haven’t been questioning him the right away?”

“What do you propose? Torture?”

“I’m beginning to wonder, given his startling resemblance to Donnington, if your desire to help isn’t some sort of obsession.”

“It ought to be every bit as much of an obsession with you, Sinjin! This man could be your direct relation.”

There was a long moment of silence. “I was right, wasn’t I? This isn’t just natural concern on your part.”

“Do you believe that compassion isn’t sufficient reason to help someone?”

“I mean the way you look at him, speak to him—”

“We shouldn’t leave Ash alone,” she said. The door swung open again, and Mariah walked straight over to the bars.

“I’m sorry, Ash,” she said. “Mr. Ware and I—”

“Release me.”

She stared at him, her lips slightly parted. Ware walked up behind her, examining Ash through narrowed eyes.

“A gentleman, is he?” Ware said. “He does speak rather like a duke I once knew. Truly, Merry, you must realize that this man may not be sane, let alone capable of or willing to speak the truth. We—”

There was scarcely room between the bars for Ash’s hand, let alone his arm, but he struck at once. His flesh screamed in pain as his fingers clutched the collar of Ware’s jacket and jerked the man against the bars.

“Truth?” he snarled. “What do humans know of truth?”

The silence became frozen. Ware breathed sharply through his nose. Mariah, who had grabbed Ash’s wrist, went very still.

“Humans?” she whispered.

Ash released the other man and pulled his arm back, holding it against his chest. “Men,” he said. “Men like Donnington.”

“Can you fail to doubt his sanity now?” Ware asked, straightening his clothing with sharp, angry motions.

“Considering your own behavior …” Mariah frowned into Ash’s face, then glanced at his arm. Already the marks were fading. “Ash knows the meaning of truth. Would anyone not of sound mind understand such a concept?”

“Who knows what a lunatic might or might not understand?”

Mariah glared at him. “Do you know how to open this lock?”

“You aren’t seriously thinking of letting him out?”

“Can you break it?”

“I won’t. He’s dangerous, Mariah. He’s also strong, however badly he’s been treated. I can defend myself, but you can’t.”

“He would never hurt me.”

“How long have you known him? Two days?” Sinjin snorted. “No. I won’t do it.”

She turned back to Ash. “I’m sorry, Ash. You must wait a little while longer. A day, at most.”

“I told you not to promise him anything,” Ware said, his face darker than it had been before. “I’ve got to find that keeper first.”