Valek
The next morning was dull and clouded. Drops of dew shimmered on the grass, and the horses were eyeing the passers-by warily from their wooden stalls. Valek stood brushing down his horse, he had a stableboy, but Valek preferred to care for his horse himself. He had been caught before, a former stableboy had once switched his perfectly trained horse to an identical looking temperamental stallion, in an attempt to injure him, and Valek had vowed to never be caught again.
Within a few minutes, Ari and a very petulant looking Janco walked out into the yard, where Valek was waiting. Janco walked to a stall across the hall from Valek and began to saddle up his horse.
"So let me get this straight." Janco said smoothly, as he fed his horse a sugar cube from his pocket. "You want us to help you find your food taster, who you think has been captured by a magician, and may or may not be in Sitia, correct?"
Valek's face was expressionless as he tied up the saddle straps.
"Something like that." He replied. Janco groaned and scrounged in his pocket for another sugar cube.
"If you want our help, it will be given." Ari said with a warning look at his friend.
"Hey, speak for yourself. Maybe I don't want any part in this. I'm not going anywhere." Janco fumed.
"Excellent." Valek said, ignoring Janco. "How long before you'll be ready to leave?"
Ari opened his mouth, but Janco cut in before his friend could comment.
"Why is this food taster so important, anyway? She's made it out of here, good for her. Just train another one."
Valek turned to Janco.
"I believe that she has valuable information that could assist me in some investigations." He said, his usual neutral tone had an undercurrent of defensiveness.
"What investigations?" Janco asked, realising with satisfaction that he had hit a tender subject.
"If you don't know by now, then you don't need to know at all." Valek replied.
"Always so secretive, aren't you? If I didn't know better, I'd say you felt something for-"
"We're ready to leave whenever you are, Valek." Ari interrupted. Janco pursed his lips and turned back to his horse.
"Good." Valek said, mounting his horse, his expression stony. "We'll leave now."
