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Baylor’s face. “What’s your real name?”
    Twitch studied the ground. He couldn’t remember the last time someone had asked him for his real name. He looked back up at the stern face of Sir Baylor.
    “My name is Quinlan.”

LEAST OF THE LEAST
     
    Baylor motioned toward the ridge.
    “Come, Sir Quinlan. You’re riding with us.”
    Baylor immediately stepped over the ridge and on toward the base of Mount Resolute. Quinlan stood still, stunned by Sir Baylor’s apparent change of mind. He had fully expected his request to be denied, for his skills as a knight were nothing compared to Tav’s, not to mention the knights who rode with Sir Baylor. Quinlan knew he could spend his whole life in training and still not achieve what he had just seen.
    He ran to catch up to Sir Baylor. “I should tell Tav and his parents. They are my only family and will want to know.”
    “We need to leave immediately.” Baylor’s words felt cold, and his demeanor toward Quinlan seemed to harden. “However, we can afford to give you a few minutes to gather your things and say good-bye.”
    Quinlan didn’t say another word. He knew Baylor’s offer to join him would only happen once, and he didn’t want to jeopardize that in any way. Yet second thoughts began even before he had mounted Kobalt. Quinlan had come to Mount Resolute looking for answers to a few questions, not seeking to abandon everything in his life in a moment. Yet here he was, following a man he knew almost nothingabout into a completely unknown future. The only thing he really knew was that he was ill-equipped and unprepared—the least of the least—for whatever lay ahead.
    When they arrived at Quinlan’s home, Baylor waited outside. Tav was still away with Mirya. After explaining the scratches on his face and hands to Tav’s parents, Quinlan told them what he’d decided to do. Tav’s father looked sternly at him, then went outside to speak with Baylor. Tav’s mother put her hand on Quinlan’s arm. “Are you sure about this, Twitch?”
    Quinlan nodded at the woman who had been his substitute mother for the past nine years. “Yes … I’m sure.” He put his hand on hers. “Thank you for all you’ve done for me. Someday I hope to be able to repay you.”
    She squeezed his arm. “Sons don’t repay a father or a mother for raising them.”
    Quinlan lowered his head, moved by her words. He looked into her worried face and quickly hugged her, then headed for his room to gather a few belongings.
    He was nearly ready when Tav burst into his room. “What crazy nonsense is this?”
    Quinlan finished tying up his knapsack and turned to face his friend.
    “What happened to you?” Tav took a few steps closer to inspect the scratches across Quinlan’s face.
    Quinlan realized that Disty was glaring at him from Tav’s shoulder and baring its teeth. He pointed at the paytha, which growled. “Tav, you need to get rid of that thing!”
    “What are you talking about?” Tav reached up to pet Disty, who settled a bit.
    Quinlan held up his hands to show Tav the bite marks. “Bli attacked me for no reason. It just went mad.”
    Tav looked confused. He walked over to a table and tapped on it. Disty scurried down his arm onto the table and chortled softly while Tav stroked its neck.
    “That probably had something to do with Baylor too,” he said. “What’s going on, chum?”
    “Sir Baylor said I could go with him, Tav.” Quinlan hesitated. “And I’m going.”
    “You can’t do this.” Tav lowered his voice. “Baylor is crazy! There’s no telling what will happen to you.”
    “He’s not crazy, Tav. You and I both know that. Tonight I saw something …” Quinlan looked at the ground and slowly shook his head. He looked up and took a step toward his friend. “You should come with me!”
    Disty growled again, and Quinlan backed away.
    “Whoa, Disty—what’s wrong with you tonight?” Tav said. The critter scurried closer to him and begged to be lifted