Lines of Fire (The Guild House - Defenders Hall) (5 page)

Alric’s eyes narrowed. Was Robec trapped in a web his father had spun? The lines on his skin flowed in an erratic pattern as though he struggled for control.

“Why would he force a bond between your sister and a man she fears? Makes no sense unless he’s buying loyalty.”

“Petan is heart bound to her. He told me that was why his other bonds failed. The women guarded their hearts. My father says every man is entitled to bond with the woman they love that deeply.”

“But your sister doesn’t feel about him that way,” Alric said.

“Women don’t matter. What the Swordmaster orders is always right.”

“Well now, what do we have here?” Petan swaggered into view. “Are you fighting with the Swordmaster’s son?” He grasped Robec’s arm.

Alric watched the lines on both men’s skin. Robec’s changed to match Petan’s. What had happened? He turned to leave.

“You’re not going anywhere,” Petan said.

Robec looked at his friend. “He was here with your chosen.”

Petan’s laughter held a cruel edge. “Then we have him. Your father will be happy.” Petan’s feral grin sent a chill climbing Alric’s spine.

“What do you mean?” Robec asked.

“We have him here. Toss his body with my bihorn. Smell of blood sends the beast into a stomping frenzy. Like magic, no one will know how he died.”

Robec shook his head. “I want to challenge him tomorrow. He’s said to be the best. When I beat him no one will dispute my right to follow my father.”

“The Swordmaster won’t like that. If you must duel I’ll be your opponent. If he’s gone I am the best. You beat me and you’ll show everyone how good you are. Your father has agreed.”

Some quality in Petan’s voice made the words sound false. Was the bully’s plan different from the Swordmaster’s? Alric drew a deep breath and prepared to defend himself.

The clatter of hooves on the flagstones of the courtyard caused Petan and Robec to step back. Sando and Ganor strolled inside leading their steeds.

Sando clapped Alric’s shoulder. “What happened? Why did you quit the race? Storm Cloud always wins.”

Alric produced the nail. “Found this pounded into his hoof. Do you have any of that goo that farmer gave you?”

“A full jar. Remind me to give the Healers a sample.” Sando walked away.

Ganor leaned against a stall. “Enjoying the company?”

“Heard some interesting things.” Alric grinned at Robec’s red face.

A glaring Petan grasped Robec’s arm. “We need to go. Your father sent me to find you.”

“Just a minute.” Robec turned to Alric. “No one should treat a prime steed like yours was.” He pointed to the nail. “I had nothing to do with that.”

Petan halted. “Could be he did it himself. Maybe he found a way to arrange a private meeting. Bet he knows Kalia comes to visit her bihorn and tried to persuade her to run to the rebels with him.” He stalked back. “Kalia’s mine.”

“Only if she chooses you.”

Petan laughed. “She has no choice. The Swordmaster promised her to me.” He strutted away. “You have no say in any bonding. Ilna will be yours.” He laughed. “She is a woman of fire and passion.”

Robec grasped his friend’s arm. “What are you talking about? Ilna will be furious.”

“Won’t matter.”

“How did you learn?”

“The Swordmaster tells me things. If you spent time with him instead of in the training center you would know.” Laughter trailed after him. “Have fun tomorrow, Alric.”

Alric watched the pair until they vanished. Sando returned with the salve. After cleaning and treating Storm Cloud’s hoof, Alric joined his friends. “That was an interesting moment.”

“Very.” Sando cuffed Alric’s shoulder. “Until you retire for the night, stick with us. Don’t trust that pair.”

“Robec isn’t so bad when he doesn’t let his father and Petan rule his life.” Alric lowered his voice. “I’ll refuse the choice made for me and duel with her champion. I will fight for a woman who told me she must accept a man she refuses to choose. She fears Petan. I don’t blame her.”

Ganor shook his head. “Do you really think this is the time to challenge the Swordmaster?”

“I won’t challenge him tomorrow, just the bonds he chooses to force. Kalia will have her choice, not her father’s. Besides I can’t run. Storm Cloud needs time to heal.”

“You could take another mount.”

“I won’t leave him. He’s worth too much.”

Sando led his own bihorn into a stall. “Wait to see what tomorrow brings before you act.”

Alric nodded. “If I can.”

* * *

On Ingathering Day at dawn, Alric joined the men of his patrol in the bathing room. Laughter and chatter filtered over the wall from the women’s side. After the morning meal, a gong would summon the four returned patrols and the Defenders who remained in the Hall. They would march to the salle.

Bathing finished, Alric walked with his patrol to the refectory. They filled one of the long tables. Today the crowded room buzzed with speculation and hope. Alric believed he would be challenged so he chose his meal with care. Eggs, but no sausages or fried meat. Toasted bread and multi-grain cooked porridge. He took two mugs of citren. As he joined his friends his thoughts turned to the Swordmaster’s older daughter. Why did the man want his daughter to bond with Petan?

She didn’t like her father’s choice. Alric had sensed fear in her voice when she’d spoken of the selection.

Robec and Petan entered. The beefy Petan carried a tray laden with food to one of the small tables. Alric grinned. With such a heavy meal the man would be sluggish if he elected to duel.

Sando clapped Alric’s shoulder. “We’ll stand beside you in your refusal. So will Elgrin’s patrol. The other two are undecided but some of their members don’t like what the Swordmaster plans.”

Alric nodded. “Thank Elgrin.”

“Will do.” Sando rose and walked to another of the long tables.

Alric ate his light breakfast. He savored the tart flavor of the citren.

A gong sounded.

Alric walked with his patrol to the salle. When classes were in progress, the large practice area with a sand-covered floor had room for three dueling circles. Sunlight streamed through the glass ceiling panels. A scattering of people sat on the benches along one wall.

As Alric’s patrol took their place on the arena floor more people entered and slid into the stands. Women eligible for bonding stood against the wall separating the stands from the salle floor.

The Swordmaster strutted into the arena. His Right and Left Hands followed three steps behind. Alric studied the lines of the three men. Only those of the Swordmaster bore a dark red shade reminding him of dried blood. Could the leader of the Defenders lines grow any darker? Was this condition a disease? If so, was there a cure?

The Swordmaster mounted the raised platform facing the seats. His Seconds took places on either side of the steps.

“Welcome to this year’s Ingathering of the returning patrols.” His deep voice halted the chatter from the attendees. “Begin the reports.”

One by one, the patrol leaders joined him to speak of the important events they had discovered during their four years away from the Hall.

When Sando told of Alric’s duel with the desert rider, cheers arose. The leader scowled.

Once the four reports ended, the Swordmaster cleared his throat. “The award this Ingathering Day for the most successful duels goes to Alric. Seven duels and no deaths. In the four years of his tour he has had one death and that was justified.”

Alric left his patrol and approached the platform. He caught the bag of coins tossed to him. Other awards were given.

Once the applause ended the Swordmaster raised his hands. “Come forward those who wish to declare their bonds as permanent.”

Four couples approached the platform.

“Do you swear this is a heart bond?”

“Yes,”

“Then until death draws you across the abyss you will cherish and honor each other.”

“We will.”

“Dismissed.”

The Left Hand unrolled a scroll and handed it to the leader. “The following pairs have declared they will enter a trial bonding period.” He read the names.

A dozen couples exchanged the brass bracelets. They swore to attempt to form a permanent bond. Alric wondered how many of them had chosen each other.

The Swordmaster dismissed them. He raised his hand. “Our champion dueler has twice chosen and twice the bonding has failed. I name Ilna as his third mate.”

Alric crossed to the platform. “Since this is my third attempt, the choice is mine. I did not choose the failed bondmates but accepted the ones chosen for me. I do not accept this mate. The third choice is mine. According to the rules I have a year to find a mate. If I fail, I will leave the Defenders.”

“You can’t do this,” Ilna screamed. She faced the Swordmaster. “You promised me the best dueler as my mate. You said he couldn’t refuse. I demand a duel.”

The leader raised his hand. “Alric, do as I command.”

Shouts came from the patrols and the stands. “Alric is right. The choice is his.”

Ilna whirled. “Then a duel is called for I have been insulted. Robec will be my champion. I haven’t the skill to face the best dueler of the Defenders.”

The Swordmaster’s lines of fire grew as dark as a liver removed from an animal during butchering. His face blanched.

Robec stepped forward. “I accept the request by Ilna to be her champion. Though I will fight for her I will not bond with her.”

“As is right.” The Justicar rose from his seat. “Since she named you, you are not obligated to bond with her should you lose.”

The Swordmaster lowered his hands. “When the choosing ends, the duel will be fought.” He smiled. “My older daughter has been of bonding age for several years and hasn’t made a choice. I was approached by a man I believe will suit her perfectly. Petan, name your bondmate.”

“Kalia.”

Alric watched Kalia leave the line of young woman who remained against the wall of the stands. “As is my right, I refuse.”

The Swordmaster’s face blazed red. “As your father I forbid you to refuse.”

“The right is mine. I have no desire to be joined to a man I don’t like or trust.”

Alric admired the bravery of her defiance. Could she prevail?

“Then I challenge you and any man fool enough to champion you.” Petan grinned. “Will you stand in the circle against me?”

“You know I’ve never dueled except in practice.”

“Then you have no choice.” He dangled a bronze bracelet from one finger. “Come, Kalia, admit you are mine. Don’t be a fool.”

Alric stepped forward. “I’ll champion her.” The Swordmaster’s expression made Alric wonder if he’d stepped into a trap.

The older man laughed. “Then you will face them both in a single duel.” He beckoned to his Seconds. “Prepare the largest circle.”

* * *

Anger rolled through Kalia’s thoughts. Blood pounded in her veins. Her father had done this. Did he really think she would agree to bond with a bully who bore the touch of evil in his lines of fire?

Her thoughts returned to her encounter in the stable with Alric. The warmth of his touch had brought comfort and a yearning for something she couldn’t name. Still, the behavior of their lines had frightened her. If she and Alric went beyond touches, would his lines become as dark as her father’s? During their meeting, Alric had promised to help her. Would he win against Petan who would never play fair?

Kalia drew a shuddering breath. She would run. Mist was fast. She edged away. A hand clamped on her arm.

“You will obey.”

As she opened her mouth to protest no words formed. What was happening?

The Swordmaster turned to face his Left Hand. “Since my daughter and Lagan’s are involved in this duel, you will act as judge.”

Sando’s patrol remained on the sand. One of the men took Alric’s vest and shirt. Alric pulled a chain over his neck and handed it to Sando.

Kalia stared. Alric’s broad chest and his honed muscles brought an urge to touch his tanned skin. A line of rich auburn hair led from his chest to the top of his trousers. Beside him her brother looked like a boy. Petan’s chest and back made her think of a grizzle.

Her attention turned to the chain Sando held. Sunlight glittered on metal. Was that a bonding bracelet like the one her mother had given her, the one belonging to a dead woman? As Sando’s patrol walked to stand around the circle, Kalia tried to pull free of her father’s tight grip.

His fingers dug into her arms. “You will sit below me and see what you have wrought. Your only brother faces death. If he dies I will break my bond to your mother and find a younger woman to give me a heir. By your doing you have set Robec’s enemy as his opponent.” He released his hold and pushed her toward the stands.

A dozen things she wanted to say bubbled toward the surface. As she was about to speak he clasped her shoulders. All words fled. He shoved her onto the bench below his elevated chair. Kalia stared at the dueling circle. What happened when her father touched her? Why couldn’t she speak? Next time she would watch his lines and hers. If she could.