Chapter 358 Revelations (2/2)
Kaleesh followed barely two paces behind Arran, and as the captain stepped into the san to o through the back,” the fat man said, his final words muffled as he closed off the path behind them
The hallas short — barely five paces, if that And at the end of it, Arran found a massive wooden door, which he opened with some curiosity
He wasn't surprised to find another room behind the door, but what did surprise his
While the tavern had been simple and unadorned, with rickety wooden furniture and bare stone walls, this room was luxurious, ale velvet-clad chairs and a well-made hardwood table upon which stood several bottles of what looked to be fine wine, and the walls were covered with intricate tapestries
Arran looked at Kaleesh in puzzlement as he sat down in one of the chairs ”What is this place?”
The captain grinned broadly as he took a seat as well ”Not all outsiders are content being the Darians' subjects,” he said ”Soather wealth through trade and commerce And then, there are those who favor a quicker path — a path so requires that they occasionally vanish into thin air, out of sight of any uards”
”You were a thief?” Arran asked, realizing that he was not the least bit surprised at the idea
”As,” Kaleesh replied ”I was short on options, and I had no intention of spending my life as a servant So I chose a more direct path to freedoh he wouldn'tmore about Kaleesh's past, he realized there were s to discuss
”Why did you reject Rannoc's offer?” he asked There was no sense in avoiding the question which would decide whether or not he remained at Kaleesh's side
”Because I still do not desire to spend decades in servitude,” the captain said ”And that is the only e'll get e seek froain his favor”
”How do you knohat I seek?” Arran asked
Kaleesh laughed ”You're a talented fighter, and, like ht Someone like you doesn't join the Darians for protection What you want is to learn their secrets, and take theh he could not help but feel uncomfortable at how much the captain knew about him
”But lethis eyes as he looked at Arran ”That weapon of yours… is it what I think it is?”
Arran hesitated, but then, he nodded He had no other way to explain how he had cut through the Knight's starmetal weapon, and he knew that the captain would not be fooled by whatever lies he could invent
”Froather that you've found a way to hide its nature even from Lords”
Oncehe could not conceal — not without telling lies that would be seen through in an instant
”Good,” the captain said, his expression thoughtful ”As long as you can keep it hidden, it should benefit us in the Desolation And I hardly think it's a bigger risk than your other secret”
”My other secret?” Arran shot Kaleesh an unco a e, but there was a certainty in the captain's words that filled him orry
”You are the heir to the Ninth Valley, are you not?”
At once, Arran went pale with shock ”How do you…” he began, then quickly stopped hi any more
”Unlike our hosts, I a paid attention to both sides of the borderlands I know that sohimself as the Valley's heir in just a few short years”
Kaleesh gave Arran a small smile, then continued, ”From what I heard, he was quite the swords into secluded training right as tensions between the Valley and the Ian to rise once more”
He narrowed his eyes as he looked at Arran ”But then, suddenly, you appeared — perhaps a bit older than I expected you to be, but a perfect fit in every other way”
Arran had no response He knew that Kaleesh was quick-witted, but he could not have expected his entire disguise to have been seen through so easily And if Kaleesh kneas the Ninth Valley's heir…
A shi+ver ran down his spine as he recognized the danger he was in
Yet Kaleesh shook his head ”There's no need to worry The Darians won't figure it out And as for ed ”I'm a liar, a thief, and a murderer But no one has ever accusedas you don't betray me, I will keep your secrets”
His words did little to co to kill the man, he had no other option than to hope the liar was true to his word As for killing Kaleesh — even if he wanted to, he was not at all certain that he had the strength to do so
”So what's your plan?” he asked instead
”Exactly the same as before,” the captain replied ”To win honor in the Desolation, fighting the Blight And then, to use ave Arran a pensive look, then added, ”It's a dangerous path, and I could do with an ally at my side”
Arran re the captain a nod ”Then ill be allies”
Kaleesh responded with a broad grin ”Good Because in the Desolation, ill face considerable danger”
”What kind of danger?” Arran asked, curious to hear what other threats would be added to the an, ”is a long story But then, I suppose we have some time to talk”