After taking their seats, Konstantin produced two cups of roughly fashioned ceramic and filled them with tea. He handed one to the man, and lifted the other to his lips in a silent invitation.
Balashov found himself unsettled by the gesture. Few knew that a soldier would never consume food or drink from an unfamiliar person without first determining its safety, yet here the boy was, silently initiating the oldest of greetings without a thought.
The captain drank.
“You have come to take me away,” the boy stated bluntly.
His directness was unusual for one so young.
“What causes you to think so?” Balashov asked.
Konstantin leaned back in his chair, and began.
“If you merely brought a message, only one man would be sent. You are no doctor, so this is not a confirmation of my health, and you have not attacked me, so you mean me no harm. However, three other soldiers accompany you. Danger is expected.”
“Your conclusion is from these things?”
Konstantin hesitated briefly.
“Yes, and no. You brought an extra horse.”