Moria gave a small laugh. "I might have been . . . if I did not suspect your eye looked closer to the Okami compound."
"Dalain?" Sabre snorted and rolled her eyes. "Let's simply say that while I'm pleased to see how much the little prince has matured, I regret that I cannot say the same for his former blade instructor. And from what I heard of that fight before you left, the student has surpassed the teacher in that, too."
"Tyrus is a very fine swordsman."
"Is he?" Sabre's eyes sparkled wickedly.
Moria laughed. "I do not know about that, though I have high hopes of surviving this ordeal long enough to find out."
Sabre grinned. "Oh, I do like you. The court girls I've met would faint if I asked such a thing. Now I truly do regret that you won't come with me. We would have a fine time--"
They caught the sound of footfalls at the same moment, and both stood as a tall figure ran toward them, his blade in hand.
"Stop there, traitor," Sabre said, raising her sling. "Or I'll fell you before you take another step."
"The advantage of a missile weapon," Moria said.
"Exactly. And it appears he has enough experience with yours to respect mine."
"No, he'll only pretend he's listening, as he talks and distracts, and then creeps close enough to use his sword."
"I can hear you," Gavril called.
"Good," Moria said. "Then you can hear that I'm not under any duress, and you can presume that if our visitor was helping me
escape, we'd be gone by now, not chatting like girls at a tea ceremony. Since I know you'll not stay where you are, you may approach half the distance, then lay down your sword and come closer."
"May I?"
"Only if you behave. And keep quiet. Otherwise, stay where you are."
"I think you forget who is--"
"--in charge here? No, Kitsune, I do not. I am in charge, because if you do not return with me, you will pay the price. That is why you've accommodated me so far and it's why you'll continue to do so now."
Sabre chuckled. Gavril stalked closer.
"I'll not lay down my sword, Keeper," he said as he sheathed it. "I will concede to your demands by keeping my hand from the hilt."
He didn't wait for a reply, only walked to them, his arms crossed, presumably to keep his hands from his hilt, though the stance complemented his scowl quite well.
"Gavril Kitsune," Sabre said as he approached. "I almost feel I know you. When Tyrus was apprenticed to the Okamis, he spoke so highly of you. Such a good friend." She glanced at Moria. "Did I mention Tyrus was quite a silly boy? Very gullible."
"Whoever you are, I presume you have come for some purpose other than needling me?"
Sabre lowered herself to the ground. Gavril remained standing.
"This is Sabre," Moria said. "She is--"
"The bandit king's daughter," Gavril cut in.
"My father is no bandit," Sabre said hotly. "He is a nomadic tribal chieftain." She paused. "Though if he were a bandit, I do rather like the title of king. Would that make me a bandit princess?"
"Tyrus said you like to talk," Gavril said.
"I take that as a compliment. As for why I am here, as I told the young Keeper, I was sent by her prince to set her free and accompany her on the search for her sister. However, being not nearly as silly a boy as he once was, Tyrus realized there was little chance Moria would abandon this duty. He merely wished to ensure she had the opportunity. More important, he wished her to know that Lord Okami is taking the hunt for her sister very seriously. So is the emperor, but right now, Tyrus has more faith in the family that hosted his apprenticeship. Lord Okami sent his best hunters and tracking hounds. The mission is being led by Dalain, since he was the one who lost the Keeper's sister. I will be joining him as soon as I can. Whether he wants it or not." She grinned. "Almost assuredly not."
Gavril opened his mouth, but Sabre continued. "I am asking my father to send men as well. The Okamis are fine hunters . . . when the prey is a giant pig. My father's men have more flexible talents."