Questions (Amrocar 5)

Joshua realized that they had reached their destination when he nearly ran into a tent post. He noticed that Aston was watching him solicitously.
“Is the sun too much? Don’t worry, we’ll get a shade of some kind for the return trip. Oh, I do hope the Adept lets us travel at night. Maybe we could rig a travois? Mm. Too uncomfortable. Well, the Knight Commander is inside, I’ll be back before you come out.” Aston scurried away before Joshua could reply.
Joshua thought quickly about what kinds of questions the Knight Commander might ask, and replies for each of them. For a moment he thought about avoiding this meeting entirely. After all, this was a Paladin he was going to see. Could his disguise hold up? But to run would only give him away for sure. Besides, he felt confidant enough in himself and his Summoner that he was actually looking forward to the challenge. Without questioning this odd feeling, he squared his shoulders and walked into the tent.
It took a few seconds for his eyes to adjust to the comparative dimness within, even though the tent was well lit with lanterns hanging from each post. An older man sat at a camp table, writing in a neat hand what seemed to be columns of figures. After he had finished the entry he was on, he raised his head to look at Joshua. His eyes were a striking blue, and held steady on Joshua as he spoke.
“You’re the wanderer. My healer says you’re from Chalcydon?”
Joshua just nodded. The man’s presence was amazing. He seemed to fill the tent, and though he was a good foot shorter, he made Joshua feel small next to him.
“Well, then, do you need shelter for the trip back?”
“No, no shelter.” Joshua thought quickly. He didn’t want to seem like the sun wasn’t a problem, since ‘Chalcydonians’ obviously didn’t like it. “Perhaps a light cloak that would cover me but not be too hot?”
The Knight Commander nodded. “We can find something. Good. Now. Why are you here?” His eyes searched Joshua’s face, and Joshua resisted the urge to give anything away. He used his recently-prepared answer.
“I was captured by a small group of demons. They were trying to bring me back and interrogate me for information about Chalcydon. The demons didn’t seem to know much about my homeland,” (true enough, as Joshua knew) “so their questioning wasn’t very effective. I managed to slip away in the night.”
The Knight Commander snorted. “I’ll just bet you did. No, don’t get all in a huff, I know the tricks you folks can do with shadows.” Joshua wondered again what natives of Chalcydon were capable of. “Well, we’re leaving tomorrow morning. Talk to Aston about a mount and a cloak. You’ll ride with him.”
Joshua couldn’t conceal his surprise. Was this it? One simple question, the answer accepted immediately?
The Knight Commander saw his expression and laughed. “No, the vigilance of Amrocar is not as over-rated as you seem to think. I had you thoroughly examined by the Adept.” At this the commander had looked down to turn the next page and so missed Joshua’s flicker of fear and shock. When he looked back up Joshua was again controlled. “He gave you a clean bill. Human variant, basically good moral view, memories of torture.” The Knight Commander’s expression softened. “If you want someone to talk to, I suggest Aston, if you don’t mind him. Otherwise, talk to the Adept. Aston can introduce you. It must have been a tough time.”
“Th- Thank you, sir. I’ll think about it.” Joshua managed. Torture? Maybe his time in the sun?
“Do that. If you need anything else, let me know.” The Knight Commander returned to his work and Joshua started to leave the tent. “Oh, yes. We have some prisoners in the red tent, try and stay away from them.”
Suddenly interested, Joshua stopped in the opening. “Prisoners?”
“We caught a Haglarite trying to summon a demon at the pit. He had a girl with him that he insists is his apprentice, but we think she was supposed to be a sacrifice. She isn’t talking.”
This could be his Summoner, thought Joshua. He tried for casual. “Haglarite? Is that some sort of dead-walker, or will-adept?”
“One of the crazies from the Theocracy of Haglar. We don’t think he has any particular powers. Just the insanity of the power-hungry. But he could try to hurt someone, so we keep him chained up.” The Knight Commander looked at Joshua and misinterpreted his look of speculation. “Don’t worry, he’s guarded day and night, just in case he does have some ability. He won’t escape.”
“Um, excellent. I’m sure you have it well in hand. Well, I’ll see you later.” Joshua exited the tent with a cheery wave.
Well, this was a lucky turn of events. With his Summoner here! But Joshua stopped. Was this man, this Haglarite, really his Summoner? It sounded like he was merely insane, not powerful. Granted, insanity had a way of strengthening the will past normal human limits, but how could Joshua have been examined by ‘the Adept’ and remained disguised? He couldn’t believe that someone talented enough at his task to be called an Adept could be fooled by a madman. A thought struck him. Was it possible that the Adept himself was his Summoner?