Lines of Fire (The Guild House - Defenders Hall)

by Walters, Janet Lane;

  “I’m on my way.” Her shoulders slumped. She had wanted to see Sando first but she had no choice. She strode to the main door and knocked.

  “Enter."

  Kalia stepped inside and closed the door behind her. “Our report book. Sorry for the delay. I saw my bondmate to the Infirmary.” She set the book on his desk. “The assignment was successful and informative.”

  He laughed. “Was more than that. I hear your bondmate is ill. The Healers expect him to die. What a clever one you are. Death is better than banishment. It’s said you should never leave an enemy at your back.”

  Kalia fought to control her reaction to his glee. He wanted Alric to die. “I wasn’t told he was dying.”

  “He will and you will be free. I will return to my original plan.”

  She grasped the edge of the desk. “Your original plan?”

  “Of course. With Alric dead you’ll have no mate. I’ll make sure of Petan’s return and you will bond with him.”

  A chill ran over her skin. She swallowed the protests she wanted to scream. His lines of fire were the color of a liver removed from a slaughtered animal. She looked at her own and saw the darkness had spread.

  Her father slid his hand across the table and grasped hers. “You will obey me.”

  She shook her head. “No.”

  Anger flared in his eyes. “Who did this to you?”

  “Did what?”

  “Changed your lines of fire into those of power.”

  She wanted to know more. “And you can see the change. Do you read the lines?”

  “No.” He grasped her hand. “I can feel your increased power. Who did this to you?”

  Kalia met his gaze. “The same person who infected Robec. She was sent by Petan to destroy your son and Alric. Since she couldn’t have my bondmate she took me.”

  “Does Petan know?”

  “How could he? I haven’t seen him since the day he disappeared. And I don’t ever want to see him again. Maybe Ilna knows where he is.” She drew a deep breath. “Just what does this change do?”

  “Makes the recipient powerful. Petan will be angry when he learns about you.” He released her hands.

  Kalia backed to the door. “Did you ever think his plans aren’t the same as yours?”

  “He and I are in accord. The culprit will be punished. Dismissed.”

  Kalia exited and hurried away. Before returning to the Infirmary she needed to see her mother. She sped along the corridors and entered the Women’s Quarters. To her surprise, Lasara stood outside their mother’s chamber.

  “Why aren’t you in class? Has something happened to Mother?”

  “She’s recovering from her stay with him.”

  Her sister’s presence made no sense to Kalia. “Then why are you here?”

  Lasara scowled. “He removed me from classes. He’s angry because during a practice duel I beat Robec. The Swordmaster said I’m too fond of fighting and that was not womanly. I’m to remain here until he finds a mate for me.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Why? You did nothing. I’ve a plan and I’ll use it. He won’t control my life.”

  “Be careful who you talk to.”

  “You’re the only one I’ve told.” A frown wrinkled Lasara’s forehead. “Why aren’t you with your bondmate?”

  “Alric was wounded and is in the Infirmary. I had to take our report book to the Swordmaster.” Kalia opened the chamber door. “I have to ask Mother something.”

  The older woman sat in a chair beside the bed. “Kalia, how was your first assignment?”

  “Interesting.”

  “Why did you come?”

  “To see you before going to the Infirmary to stay with Alric. He’s ill from an infected wound.”

  The older woman clasped Kalia’s hands. “Unite with him completely and all will be well.”

  Could she? Should she? Her mother knew nothing about the tainted lines Kalia bore. “I’m not sure you’re right.”

  “Forget your fears and examine your heart.” The older woman looked up. Tears filled her eyes. “I love your father and have from my first sight of him. He wanted to bond with another but she was heart bound to your father’s best friend. Jealousy and envy controlled his actions. His father believed your father’s tale of this woman being stolen from him. Together they destroyed Alron and tore a family apart.”

  Was her mother speaking of Alric’s parents? “I’m sorry that happened. Was that before his lines turned dark?”

  “Soon after. Things were hectic at that time. Petan had just been brought to the hall. Your grandfather was ready to step down as Swordmaster.” The older woman frowned. “You must not speak of this to anyone.”

  “Why not?”

  “More trouble will follow.”

  As if there wasn’t enough now, Kalia thought. She kissed her mother’s cheek. How could she hold back what she’d just learned from Alric? “I’ll return when I can.” She hurried away and entered the courtyard.

  Sando waved. “I’ve just seen Alric.”

  “Is he worse?”

  “His fever remains high. They’re bathing him in cool water. He opened his eyes but didn’t speak. What happened?”

  Kalia told him about Valdon and the injury he’d given Robec years before. “Have the Justicars decided what will happen to him?”

  Sando bowed his head. “I’ve heard he’ll be sent to the Isle. Go to Alric. If you can help him, try. He’s the best of my patrol. If we lose him, more than one man will be lost.”

  “Before I go, can you help my sister?” Kalia explained what had happened. “I fear she will run, be caught and punished. I think the Swordmaster intends to bond her to Petan.”

  “I’ll talk to several of my trusted patrol members and let you know how we can help.”

  “Thank you.” Kalia dashed through the tunnel. Her boots clicked against the flagstones. As she exited, she stopped to catch her breath. Inside Healers Hall, a young woman directed her to Alric’s room.

  A trainee rose from a chair at the bedside. “If you need someone, pull this cord and one of us will appear. If his fever rises or his body shakes, call. Those aren’t good signs.”

  “I will.”

  Kalia reached the bed. Could she do what must be done? Would her kiss cure or destroy him?”

  “Kalia,” he whispered.

  She leaned toward him. His deep green eyes showed signs of fever and also of his feelings for her. She touched her lips to his.

  Searing heat flowed through her. Alric grasped her shoulders so she couldn’t move away. Her hands pressed against the dressing on his chest. The kiss continued until she felt faint.

  She pulled free and sank on the chair. She studied his lines. They had brightened. What about hers? She was afraid to look.

  Alric reached for her hand. “What just happened?”

  “Your lines are brighter.”

  “Look at yours.”

  She stared at her own. Much of the darkness had vanished. A smile formed. There was a cure. She must tell Robec to search for a dual heart bonded mate.

  Alric released a held breath. “I don’t know what you did but I feel much better. Will you stay here tonight?”

  “Yes.”

  Chapter 11

  The kiss told Alric everything he wanted to know. The heart bond between them was true. He studied the lines of fire on her skin and saw how much of the darkness had vanished. “Do you see what our kiss did?”

  Her eyes filled with tears. “He will know and will carry out his threats.”

  Alric captured her hand. “Will he attack Robec before he has another heir? First he needs to break the bond with your mother.”

  “I’m not sure he can. He could have done that years ago. Why would he wait?”

  Alric closed his eyes. “Maybe he can’t. He has a need for what she gives him when she visits. I wonder how he views Robec’s infection. As a bonus or something else?”

  “I tried to tell him Petan pl
anned for Robec’s lines to be tainted. I don’t think he believed me.”

  “The taint may protect your brother from being controlled by your father and Petan. Did your father notice the change in your lines?”

  “He tried to control me and was angry. He doesn’t see the lines. He said he could feel the power. He intends to punish Ilna. Why all the questions?”

  “Since you’re infected Petan can’t siphon vitality from your lines. You’re safe.”

  Kalia scowled. “Lasara isn’t.” She drew a deep breath. “The Swordmaster has pulled her from classes. He’s finding a bondmate for her and I think I know who. She plans to run away. I told Sando and asked for his help.”

  “Tell her to go south to the desert riders and ask for Jens. The sooner she goes, the safer she’ll be.”

  “And my mother?”

  “She’s heart bound to your father.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Can she leave him? I know my father was heart bound to my mother. Though he remained alive after her death, he always seemed sad. If I hadn’t been there, he would have died when she did. I don’t think your mother can leave him.”

  “I fear you’re right.”

  “Speak to Robec about his lines and tell him what he must do if the infection is to be cured.” He reached to pull her into his arms.

  Kalia pulled back. “Though I want to be close to you this isn’t the right time. We can’t let my father know the blight can be cured. If he touches me he’ll know.”

  Though what she said disappointed him, the kiss had lessened the amount of dark smudges on her lines. When she’d placed her hand on the dressing over his wound he had felt the swelling lessen. Another treatment by the Medico would complete the healing.

  As though thinking about a treatment, the older man entered the room. He carried a glass of wiggling creatures. He turned to Kalia. “Excuse us. I have a treatment prepared.”

  She walked to the door. “How long will this take?”

  “An hour should be enough.”

  “Go talk to Sando,” Alric said. “Tell him about our earlier conversation about where a person should go.”

  “I will.”

  Alric closed his eyes. He’d seen the eaters of dead flesh used once before. The way they’d removed the damaged tissue without touching the healthy area had amazed him. His closed eyes kept him from watching the wiggling pale creatures being placed on his chest. Light touches on the area made him shudder. Alric clenched his fists.

  He must have dozed for when he opened his eyes no wriggling creatures festooned his chest. “Done?” he asked.

  The Senior Medico nodded. “You’ll have another scar that will fill in and fade over time. One question. During the fight did you find using your left arm difficult?”

  “Was a bit slow but I haven’t practiced much. You should check my opponent’s knife. Not sure how he managed to infect me. Was such a shallow wound.”

  The man nodded. “Already done. His knife had a hollow tube filled with foul matter. The Artisans are studying the mechanism. It’s like nothing they’ve ever seen.”

  Alric grimaced. “We don’t need something like that added to our weapons.”

  “Agreed but they think there would be other applications.” The Medico paused at the door. “If you remain fever free for another day you’ll be released.”

  Alric liked that idea. He rose and walked around the room, down the hall and back. Using the back of the chair for balance he began a series of squats.

  Laughter sounded from the doorway. “Do you ever stop?”

  Alric turned. ‘What brings you?”

  The patrol leader stepped inside and closed the door. “There’s been a bit of trouble.”

  “Swordmaster?”

  Sando slumped on the chair. “Not this time. Valdon is gone. He wasn’t in his cell this morning.”

  Alric retreated to the bed. “Petan?”

  “Who knows?” A frown furrowed the older man’s brow. “Why him? He was banished weeks ago.”

  Alric explained the connection between the two men. “Kalia has seen Petan in the halls at least once since he left. She said he knows a secret way to enter the Hall.”

  “Matters may be coming to a point where a challenge must be made.”

  “When?”

  “No one feels angry enough yet.”

  Alric rested his hands on his thighs. “Kalia and I need another assignment. We need to be away from the Swordmaster’s sight for a time.”

  “Why?”

  “He has threatened to break his bond and choose another mate. Lasara, Kalia’s younger sister wants to run. We fear she’ll be the next daughter the Swordmaster offers Petan. Kalia will tell her about the desert riders and Jens.”

  Sando nodded. “Kalia spoke to me about her sister and I have a plan to help the young woman escape.”

  “Good. I’ll tell her.”

  “Tell me what.” The door closed with a click.

  Sando rose. “Tell your sister to come to the courtyard after moonrise. Our patrol has the gate. Ganor will escort her to the pasture. A travel pack, a map of the southern quadrant and a steady bihorn will be waiting.”

  “Tonight? She’s frightened because the Swordmaster will name her bondmate tomorrow.”

  Sando nodded. “Have her meet Rila outside the baths for the Women’s Quarters. She’ll escort her through the corridors.” He grinned. “Some of us know a few of the unused passages.”

  Kalia nodded. “I’ll go to her now.”

  Once she left, Alric nodded to the patrol leader. “Any ideas for an assignment. Being away from here when the Swordmaster learns his younger daughter has vanished is a good idea.”

  Sando nodded. “There’s one I’m considering. The Justicars came to me rather than the Swordmaster. Eastern quadrant. Farmers losing produce and livestock during raids. Travelers stopped and robbed. Women raped. The worse things happen five or six days travel from here. Want me to send out someone to investigate and discover where the outlaws are hiding.”

  “Should we try to capture the leaders?”

  “How?”

  “Send pairs out to surround the area and pick a central spot for them to meet.”

  Sando frowned. “Don’t think that’s wise yet. Just you and Kalia go.”

  “What about the Swordmaster?”

  “Won’t tell him until we have something to report.” He patted Alric’s shoulder. “How soon will you be free?”

  “Possibly tomorrow.”

  “I’ll check back then.”

  Alric watched Sando walk away. Had Valdon found some way to join these outlaws? Did they have someone inside Defenders Hall providing them with information?

  * * *

  Kalia hurried to the Women’s Quarters via a seldom used corridor she had discovered years ago. She stepped inside and spotted Lasara. With a nod Kalia followed her sister down the hall to the empty room that had been hers.

  “What’s happening?” Lasara asked.

  “Escape plan for you.” Kalia quickly outlined the things Sando and Alric had told her. Kalia crouched and began to draw in the dusty floor. “These are the halls you and Rila should use to reach the courtyard. Once you leave ride south. Seek the desert riders and ask for Jens. Tell him Alric sent you. Alric believes he’s his brother fostered to a shepherd by our father.”

  Lasara’s deep green eyes filled with tears. “Thank you. Thank Alric. I’ll miss you. Will I ever see you again?”

  “Just believe you will.”

  “Does Alric really think this Jens is his brother?”

  Kalia nodded. “He felt a connection between them when they dueled. If you can learn if Alric’s suspicions are true he would thank you.”

  Lasara reached beneath her tunic. “Let me show you the bracelets I found when I cleared your closet. A piece of the flooring came loose. I found these stuffed in the small cranny.”

  Kalia studied the copper bracelets. “I remember reading something
in the Archives about copper bracelets but I can’t remember what or where.”

  “I wish I knew who hid them there. They must have belonged to some Defender bondmates.”

  “Keep them. When you find the bondmate of your dreams, use them instead of the ordinary brass ones.”

  “I will.”

  Kalia hugged her sister. “As you travel, be careful. Hide by day and ride at night. Stay alert.”

  “I promise and I’ll find a way to send a message to you. Maybe I can discover if this Jens is Alric’s sib. I like your bondmate.”

  “So do I. If you can learn about the relationship you’ll help him redeem a promise he made to his father.” Kalia went to the door. “I’d better return and hear what the Senior Medico says about Alric’s condition.”

  As Kalia scurried along the corridor to reach the forecourt, the gong assembling all the Defenders present in the Hall clanged. What should she do? Should she accept the call and go to the salle or hurry across the courtyard and run to Healers Hall? While she paused to decide, the door of the Swordmaster’s office opened.

  The leader of the Defenders stepped into the corridor. “Good. You’re coming with me.”

  She stared. “I’ll stand with my patrol.”

  His laughter sounded like the braying of a cart beast, the stolid animals used to pull wagons. “Won’t be yours much longer. Though your bondmate lingers on this side of the abyss he will soon die.”

  Kalia stared at the floor. He didn’t know that Alric grew stronger every hour. She wanted to gloat but kept the information inside. “Until that day I’ll stand with Sando’s patrol.”

  “Doesn’t matter where you stand. Be prepared to face a duel. Ilna stands accused. Her fate is in your hands.”

  “Of what is she accused?”

  “Betrayal. Seduction. Attack with malice. Failure to obey orders.” He dug his fingers into Kalia’s arm and marched her to the entrance to the salle. “Go stand with your patrol until you are named. Though your lines darken and protect you from my control in this you will obey.”

  Kalia broke away and ran to where Sando’s patrol stood. What could she do?

  “Why aren’t you with Alric?” Sando asked.

  “I went to give Lasara the instructions and stayed longer than was wise. The Swordmaster dragged me here.” She rubbed her arms.