Book 4. Chapter 12
Brin got to Sion’s place early, and to his surprise he saw Jeffrey waiting out in the courtyard. He hadn’t expected the older [Bard] to show up for Zilly’s duel. Hogg hadn’t decided to come, and if he’d put a Visible Eye in place somewhere around here to watch, Brin hadn’t spotted it yet.
Jeffrey leaned against a stone fence separating the open circle where they’d have the fight from the new and thriving Spice of Heart bushes. It almost seemed like too nice of an area to have a duel, but there weren’t really any trashy places on the Wogan estate, and this was an area where they could get rough without messing up the lawn.
Brin marched over and got straight to the point. “Davi doesn’t want to get drafted for the war.”
Jeffrey strummed his lute. “Neither do I want that for him. And if he is careful with his music and craft, he won’t be.”
“What’s your game, Jeffrey? Why are you still in Blackcliff?”
“Do you think I would tell you after I refused to tell Davi himself?” Jeffrey asked with an easy grin.
It was a disarming answer and Brin didn’t feel even a bit of irritation. He didn’t even feel the tell-tale signs of some Skill brushing up against his Mental Resistance, but that was a testament to how subtle Jeffrey’s mental manipulation could be.
Brin had been ready for this, so he scowled and folded his arms, forcing his body to mime the extreme irritation he should be feeling like that. “That’s because he’s too nice, and he trusts you. But you’re just one [Bard], Jeffrey, and the kingdom will have plans for [Bards]. If you’re still in town when the impressment happens, there’s no guarantee you won’t get caught.”
Jeffrey shrugged. “You’ve got me there.”