I nodded to my comrades, and they obediently began filing out of the pavilion. Claude hesitated, then joined the procession.
I wanted to tell Aahz to be careful but decided against it. It wouldn’t do to admit my partner’s vulnerability in front of the commander. Instead, I nodded curtly to the officers and followed my comrades.
Tanda and Brockhurst were well on their way back to the treeline. Claude, on the other hand, was waiting for me as I emerged and fell in step beside me.
“While we have a moment,” he said stiffly, “I would like to thank you for interceding in my behalf with my superiors.”
“Don’t mention it,” I mumbled absently.
“No, really,” he persisted. “Chivalry to an opponent is rarely seen these days. I think-“
“Look, Claude,” I growled, “credit it to my warped sense of justice. I don’t like you, and didn’t when we first met, but that doesn’t make you incompetent. Unpleasant, perhaps, but not incompetent.”
I was harsher with him than I had intended to be, but I was worried about Aahz.
Finding himself thus rebuked, he sank into an uncomfortable silence which lasted almost until we reached the trees. Then he cleared his throat and tried again.
“Urn . . . Skeeve?”
“Yeah?” I retorted curtly.
“I … um . . . what I was trying to say was that I am grateful and would repay your favor by any reasonable means at my disposal.”
Despite my concern, his offer penetrated my mind as a potential opportunity.
“Would answering a few questions fall under the heading of ‘reasonable’?” I asked casually.