“Sorry,” Drakis said.
The dwarf vigorously shook his head, spraying water about, which, given the conditions in the drenched field, made little difference. He blinked the water out of his eyes and then looked up. “Ah, Drakis! Splendid! As you can see, I’ve been working on a particularly remarkable escape trick for my new act. It’s not quite finished yet, but I’m hoping to have the little problems worked out before my next engagement. So, please tell me, my victorious friend, where have you put all that glorious treasure to which I so generously led you?”
Drakis shook his head then squatted down, wet dwarven hat still in hand. “You dwarves; I’ll never understand you! Here you are, tied up and sitting in the mud-a conquered slave of the Imperial Will-and all you want to know about is where we put some treasure that’s no longer yours?”
“Yes,” said the dwarf, a strange intensity behind his smile. “Exactly. So, tell me!”
Drakis leaned back casually but his eyes were fixed on the dwarf. “It’s gone, as you already pointed out. Spoils of war are the first to be sent back through the Imperial Folds.”
“I see,” Jugar said quietly, his smile becoming more affected by the moment. “Slaves no doubt are not as valuable as dwarven plunder, eh?”
Drakis chuckled darkly. “The value of each House’s slaves is already counted to them; but the spoils of war have to be tallied and accounted to the honor of each House. It’s the elven way of power-this counting of honors. Your precious jeweled armor and Heart-stone. .”
“Heart of Aer,” Jugar corrected with quiet politeness.
“Whatever it is called,” Drakis shrugged, “it all belongs to the Greater Glory of House Timuran now.”
“But it is actually being sent to this House Timuran of yours, isn’t it?” The dwarf’s voice was urging-a strange pleading quality somewhere under all the words. “I understand that this has long been the elven way of it. This same House of your elven lord to which we all shall be going?”
“Of course,” Drakis said evenly, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Why?”
“Oh, just a dwarf’s curiosity,” Jugar smiled back, his white beard sagging under the weight of the water it carried and what remained of his hair flat against his head. “I thought I might be able to work it somewhere into my act, you know, when you present your lord-pardon me, our lord-with all the glorious trophies you have secured in your battles. After all, I am one of those trophies, and I want to make a good impression-right there along with all the other treasures. Of course, it’s going to be difficult making myself presentable tied as I am to this pole. I’m curious as to why you feel the need to bind me?”
“You’re the one treasure we’re bringing back with quick legs and a quicker tongue. I just want to make sure you stay with me.”
The dwarf smiled again. “But where would I go? Your Iblisi totems keep you and me both safely confined to this damp and overcrowded field along with the rest of the slaves.”
Drakis’ eyes narrowed. “You know about the totems?”
“But of course.” The dwarf shifted slightly around the pole so that he could better face the warrior. “We dwarves have something very like them, which we use to pen our livestock and hogs. I’ve often wondered why the slaves of the elves never escape their captivity. . but as a vaunted warrior, such thoughts may never have come to you. Still, you should untie me; you see I don’t want to escape. I just want to be a part of the glory of House Timuran and my. . rather, its treasures.”
“Uh-huh,” Drakis was unconvinced. “Jugoo. .”
“Jugar,” the dwarf corrected helpfully.
“Jugar, then,” Drakis continued, “I don’t know what you think is going to happen, but there are two conditions for slaves of the Elven Empire. . obedient and dead.”
“Oh, I’m not worried,” the dwarf grinned, showing wide-spaced teeth that were perfectly even. “Heroes die, kings die, monsters and villains. . they all die. No one ever kills the fool!”
“That’s where you’re wrong,” Drakis said quietly. “I watch fools die every day. For as long as I can remember. .”
“Now that is an interesting point!” Jugar interrupted.