It was a soldier. It had been the flat of his sword that had knock Rynere's captor to the ground.

He looked at Rynere curiously, then knelt down and began freeing her -starting with the gag.

The initial shock of seeing the man had faded, and Rynere was more than ready to accept his help.

"It's a dangerous road you were traveling on," he said shortly. "Many bandits wander that path."

"So they don't actually own this area?"

"No. I don't know what they said to make you think that. But they attack any unprotected travelers that pass this way, making it a rather unpopular route..." He finished untying her and got to his feet, then put out a hand to help her up. "So why did you choose to come this way?"

"Ask my escort," Rynere said dryly as she followed the soldier back through the woods.

"What es -oh, the bruised fellow with the quarterstaff?"

"He's just bruised?" Rynere said skeptically.

"From what I can tell. He was taking the last bandit down when we arrived, and he didn't seem that badly hurt. But we're not sure what he's planning on doing, so he's with the others ...he's the only alert one."

"What do you mean, you're not sure?"

"Let's say ...he wasn't exactly being cooperative." The soldier stepped into a clearing and motioned towards the small group of unconscious ruffians that was gathered there. Guards stood around them.

Tass was standing against a tree within the circle, placidly examining his knife. Other than a gash right above his forehead, he didn't seem the worse for wear.

 "You don't trust him but you let him have his knife?" Rynere said incredulously.

"He wouldn't let us take it, but we'd be able to apprehend him before he caused any trouble."

Rynere kept her doubts about their ability to stop Tass to herself.

"So he let himself be captured?"

"I guess you could say that. He didn't ...fight ...he didn't help the process, either."

 Tass glanced over at them, grinned, and slid his knife into his sleeve.

"Thank y' kindly for returning my charge and for your help in showing up when the fight was over. We'll take our leave." He took a step forward, towards the edge of the circle.

Another soldier -the one who seemed to be in command -decided to enter the conversation.

"You are staying where you are, boy," he snapped, striding forward, a hand on his sword. "Until we know fully what you're about here."

"If anyone's calling anyone 'boy'," Tass answered breezily, taking another step, "it should be me calling you that because I can pretty much guarantee you haven't lived as long as myself."

"Stay within the circle!" the commander's eyes flashed and he drew a part of his sword.

Tass yawned. And took another step.

He looked up to find a sword point at his throat.

He glanced at the commander, then chuckled.

"You've all been this naive. It's amazing. Doesn't the leader usually receive my history from his predecessors?"

Tass disappeared.