"You might see if they have a tavern . . . sometimes, taverns do have milk. Not all travellers in this land are adults . . . some are parents with children," Tao observed and Dar nodded in acknowledgment. Tao started to say something more, but . . . What was that?
Dar said softly, handing the babe to Tao, "Take Aveta and find cover. We'll handle this." Tao started to protest, then realized someone had to look after the baby. He saw a bush nearby and ducked under the cover of the leaves, allowing his friend to do what he did best.
Fortunately, there were only three men this time, and Dar was ready for them. Ruh growled, deep in his throat, and leaped toward one, giving Dar slightly better odds. One of the remaining thugs snarled, "What is this . . . two pretty boys and a baby? This will be easy enough to take!"
"Be wary of overconfidence. It could be your downfall," Dar chided. The man just snarled at him again, and rushed toward the BeastMaster. Dar fastened his staff with a click, then with a swipe, knocked the man's feet out from under him. Dar added dryly, "As I said."
The man started to get up, but as Dar turned to engage the second man, he lashed out with a kick that snapped the man's head back. The attacker hit the ground again with a groan, and Dar turned to the remaining man. Ruh padded over to Tao's hiding place, but Tao's eyes were fixed on Dar.
It would be his first battle since the ambush. Tao knew that Dar was healed, but he was still worried. Dar, in the meantime, watched the last of his opponents closely. The other rushed toward Dar with a hoarse cry. The young man sidestepped him neatly, then kicked the man in the ass. Tao bit back a laugh. No point in infuriating the man, since Dar could be quite infuriating on his own.
Dar faced the man who was struggling to his feet. The BeastMaster said softly, "Take a look around you. Your friends are down. Do you really want this fight?" Tao frowned. Was Dar trying to give the man an out?
A second look told Tao what Dar must have seen before -- it wasn't a man who remained, but a boy. He was no more than fifteen or sixteen, and obviously frightened. The boy spoke in a curiously high voice, asking, "Do you not wish to fight me because you think me young . . . or because I'm a woman?"
"You don't want this fight," Dar said softly. "If you really wanted it, you would have attacked by now, instead of speaking." The girl stared at him, then removed her cap. A mess of red hair fell to her shoulders, and Tao saw now that she was no more than fourteen.
"My brothers thought it would be easy to rob you. You didn't kill them?" the girl asked and Dar shook his head. The girl went on, "Why not? They would have killed you. Why didn't you kill all of us when you had the chance?"
"Because it was not necessary. I only kill when I must. What's your name, young one?" Dar asked as Tao left his hiding place with Aveta tucked in his arms. Ruh padded to Dar's side, and the girl took a step back. Dar said softly, "It's all right. He won't hurt you."
The girl swallowed hard, returned her gaze to Dar, and whispered, "Atalla. My name is Atalla. I come from the tribe of the Twilan. Most of our people were killed by the Terrons half a year ago, and we've been foraging and stealing ever since then."
Tao saw a muscle tighten in Dar's jaw, but his friend said gently, "I am Dar, and this is my friend Tao. The little one is Aveta. Could you help us, Atalla? The baby needs food, and we were hoping to find goat's milk in the village ahead. Would you know if such a tavern exists?"
Atalla nodded, then froze. She asked in a tiny voice, "You . . . you said your name was Dar?" Tao's friend bobbed his head, and the girl moaned, "Ohhh, no. You fools! You chose the BeastMaster as a target!" She stamped her foot, and the two friends looked at each other in astonishment.
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