"Ranmut!" Matlin cried.
"Yesterday you took my place and won, though why you did not kill Felg, I do not know." He grinned hopefully when Matlin's fingers did not return to his throat. "Lord, I came seeking you."
"You followed us all the way out here from Junction City last night?" Matlin asked, amazed.
"It was the least I could do. You saved my life, lord, and while the life means nothing, is but one pathway among many, nevertheless this lowborn like many has a family and even if I go on to a higher pathway that wouldn't help my wife and children, who probably would have starved. Therefore, lord, am I thankful."
"You followed just to tell me this?"
"No, lord. Last night Felg was very angry. When you left the bar with this lovely lady, Felg came after you."
Matlin looked at Haazahri. She nodded, said, "He would."
"All the way to Balata 'kai?" Matlin asked.
"Not this far, lord. The man Felg came as far as Haatok."
"Don't tell me you were on the same bus with us?"