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answered.   “Maybe I’ll come back later and tell you about some.”
    The boy nodded enthusiastically.   “That’d be grand!”
    “Then you take care of these horses for me,” she said.
    He nodded and led the horses away.   Taylor turned to leave, only to find Slane standing in the doorway of the stable, watching her.   The sight of him so relaxed caught her off guard and she became flustered.   “What?” she demanded.
    “I’ve secured rooms for us,” Slane told her.   “Are you hungry?”
    The thought of real food, hot from the pot, made her mouth water.   Food like porridge was a luxury.   Much of the time, she and Jared had to eat what the land offered them.   Berries.   A rabbit here and there.   A handful of nuts.   Roots.   A fresh bowl of porridge sounded heavenly!   “A little,” she admitted grudgingly.
    He swept his arm out before him, guiding her toward the inn.
    But Taylor’s feet wouldn’t move.   What was Slane doing out here?   Why wasn’t he in the inn waiting for her?   Something was very suspicious.   “I can make sure the horses are properly taken care of,” she said guardedly.   “I don’t need help.”
    “I’m quite aware of that,” Slane replied.
    “Then what are you doing out here?” she wondered.   “Checking up on me?”
    Slane straightened slightly.   “Making sure you’re all right,” he said.
    Taylor eyed him skeptically.   “I’m just fine,” she said in a condescending tone.   “I don’t need an escort, thank you.   I’ll be there in a minute.”
    “As you wish,” he said unflustered, then moved off toward the inn.
    As Taylor watched Slane disappear into the inn across the road, an odd feeling came over her.   She suddenly had the distinct impression Slane had truly been watching over her just now, making sure she was safe.   Don’t be a fool, she chastised herself.   He has no interest whatsoever in your well-being.
    But still, the thought lingered, leaving her feeling unsettled.   She decided she would tell the stable boy one quick story.   By then, she was sure that the feeling would be gone.
     
     
    ***
     
     
    Jared lifted the mug of ale to his lips and took a deep drink.   When he replaced the mug on the table, he noticed Slane standing in the doorway, searching the room.   Jared waved him over.   “Where’s Sully?”
    “Seeing to the horses,” Slane answered, taking the seat opposite him.
    Jared signaled the innkeeper, and the short, rotund man started in their direction.   They ordered three bowls of porridge and a duck.   The innkeeper nodded in satisfaction and went off toward the kitchens.
    “You know Sully well,” Slane surmised.
    “Well enough,” Jared said.
    “Where did you two meet?”
    “You ask a lot of questions for a man who refuses to be questioned in turn.”
    Slane made no reply.
    “We were hired by the same lord years ago.   When that job ended, we just stuck together.”   Jared shrugged as if that was all that needed to be said.   Slane opened his mouth as if to ask another question, but Jared cut him off.   “After we eat, I’ll talk to the innkeeper here and see if he’s seen the ring or if anyone’s tried to sell it.”
    Slane’s eyes narrowed.   “Sell it?” he asked.   “Why would they try to sell it?”
    “It’s silver -- must be worth a lot of coin.   If it was stolen or –”
    “Who said it was stolen?” Slane demanded.
    “Well, I just assumed –”
    “And how did you know the ring was made of silver?   I never mentioned that.”
    Jared swallowed hard and looked away.
    The door opened again, causing a gust of wind to sweep the room and the flames in the hearth to flicker.   Taylor entered and shut the door behind her.
    Jared felt relief course through his body as she approached.   She stopped before the table, dusting her hands off on her leggings, eyeing the two men.   “You two boys getting along?” Taylor inquired innocently.
    Slane slapped his