Jaenor studied the man for a moment, then made a decision.
He moved forward quickly, closing the distance before the farmer could react, and grabbed the man's collar, pulling him close.
"Listen carefully," Jaenor said, his voice low and intense.
"Those people in red robes have my friend. They're torturing him, possibly killing him, while we stand here playing games. So I'm going to ask you one more time, and if you lie to me, I'm going to make you regret it.
Where. Are. They?"
The farmer's eyes went wide, fear and anger warring in his expression.
For a moment, Rena thought he might refuse again.
Then something in Jaenor's eyes—some quality of absolute certainty—made him fold.
"The Ki'thara village," he said quickly.
"There was an attack two days ago. Smoke rising from that direction, sounds of battle. Word is the whole tribe is gone, wiped out. People in crimson robes have been seen moving toward it since then, like they're setting up there."
