Lines of Fire (The Guild House - Defenders Hall) Read online

  Kalia snuggled against him. She had his heart as he had hers. She only hoped Petan didn’t return to ruin the bonding.

  * * *

  Kalia lay in Alric’s arms. Her head pressed against his chest. The beat of his heart soothed her. She opened an eye and saw the sun had moved far to the west. As soon as night fell they would be on their way to the Hall.

  He groaned and stretched. “Kalia.”

  She shifted position. “I’m awake. When we reach the Hall, where will we go?”

  “To Sando first. If he won’t challenge your father we’ll seek someone else who will.”

  “Who?”

  “Do you think Robec will?”

  Apprehension gathered in her gut. How could she explain the way dueling had escalated her anger and made the darkness grow? “He’s tainted. Think of my lines when I returned from the duel with Ilna. He could become as evil as the Swordmaster and Petan have.”

  Alric growled. “Who then?”

  “You.”

  “I have no desire to be the leader. I have no training in leadership. I’m a simple Defender who is successful as a dueler.”

  She pressed against him. “You’re more. No matter how badly you’ve been treated you haven’t given up.”

  Alric drew a deep breath. “Because of the promises I made to my father on the day he died. To find my sibs. To become a Defender. To return them to the old ways. I don’t know what those ways are.”

  She pressed her lips to his. “We can learn by searching the records in the Archives.” She tightened her arms around him. “You are the best one, for you want no power for yourself.”

  * * *

  At dusk they saddled their mounts and rode from what for a time had been a place of enchantment. Kalia wished they could have remained longer but duty called. There were outlaws to discover and drive from the land and to learn what Petan and the one he called his master had planned. Could they? The question troubled her. She wasn’t sure they could but she dare not let her unsettled thoughts flow free.

  A few hours of travel brought them to the pasture where most of the Defender’s bihorns grazed. They unsaddled their steeds and hid their gear beneath a stand of thorn bushes.

  This done, they set off at a brisk walk toward the dark looming walls surrounding the Guild House. When they reached their destination Kalia ran her hand along the rough surface of the stones until she found the catch. She pressed a single stone and breathed a sigh of relief when the segment of thinner stone swung out.

  Alric entered first. She followed. The opening closed cloaking them in darkness.

  “Walk with your left hand on the stone wall,” she said. “When you reach a place where you can go no further, I’ll find the catch.”

  “A lantern would help,” he said.

  “We don’t have one, so move.” She placed one hand on his back and nudged him forward.

  When they emerged into the tunnel connecting the Halls of the Guild House, Kalia opened a secret passage through the rear wall of the stable. Once again they used the wall as a guide. They emerged in the courtyard.

  Alric halted to study their surroundings. Clouds scudded across the moon causing shadows and light to fall in erratic patterns. “Why the hidden passages?” he asked.

  Kalia turned. “I don’t know. They were built when the Guild House was erected. Maybe as an escape if enemies should arrive.”

  He clasped her hand. They scurried toward the wing of the Hall where Sando’s patrol was housed. Inside, Alric led her past four doors before opening one and ushering her into a sitting room. “Wait here. I’ll rouse Sando.”

  Kalia remained pressed against the door. While they had crossed the courtyard, she had seen several shadowy figures. Had she and Alric escaped notice? The random glints of moonlight could have revealed their movements. She heard a murmur of voices.

  Sando entered carrying a lit lamp. He placed the lantern on a table. “Why creep in at night?”

  “Sit,” Alric said. “The outlaws are a greater threat than we thought. I’ll begin the story and Kalia will give the ending.” He began at the inn and the arrival of the farmers and continued to the fight and Petan’s attack.

  Kalia took over. “In one thing Petan failed. He believed my cries of Alric’s death. That was fortunate.” She spoke of Ilna’s fall when her steed bucked. Petan’s attack of the younger woman, the forest hut and then of the things Petan had said.

  “We’ll tell the Swordmaster,” Sando said.

  Kalia shuddered. “He’ll do nothing. Petan visits him. They bear the same sullied lines. Someone must challenge him.”

  Sando shook his head. “I’m not good enough with sword and knife to defeat your father. Robec is the logical choice.”

  “For two reasons that isn’t a good idea. Robec’s lines are tainted. Robec would easily be defeated by the Swordmaster. With no heir, he could put my mother aside.”

  Sando frowned. “How do you know he would?”

  “He has threatened to do this if I refuse to break the bond with Alric.”

  “And the lines. How do you know they’re sullied?”

  Alric leaned forward. “I can read his lines and I have seen the darkness.”

  “So can I,” Kalia said.

  Sando clasped Alric’s arm. “You must be the challenger. None of the patrol leaders will. When will you call him out?”

  “I would rather not do this,” Alric said.

  Kalia stared into Alric’s eyes. “He’s right. You are the only one who could defeat him.”

  Alric groaned. “Tomorrow after the nooning. Until then we must remain apart from everyone.” He squeezed Kalia’s fingers. “She needs a map of the Hall to show you some hidden passages. They should be watched lest Petan creep inside.”

  Sando nodded. “Let me dig one out.” He opened a chest and pulled out a roll. “This should be the one. You mark while I consider where to hide you.”

  “Why not in Alric’s suite?” Kalia asked.

  “Your father has set a watcher there.”

  Kalia scowled. “What does he hope to find?” She opened the roll and began to mark the passages she knew.

  When she finished Sando led them to a room on the second floor. “Listen for my special knock. I’ll bring clean clothes and kafa while we lay plans for our meeting with the Swordmaster.”

  Once he left, Kalia entered the necessary and washed before joining Alric on the wide bed. She wished she could see her mother. What would the Swordmaster’s death do to the older woman? Though Alric would aim for a bloodless victory, the leader of the Defenders would fight to the death.

  Chapter 16

  Alric woke Kalia with kisses. She turned on her side and ran her hands over his chest. As he explored her mouth, he deepened the kiss. His rod thickened and grew firm. He left her mouth and kissed a leisurely path toward her breasts.

  A series of three raps followed by one made him growl. “Later.”

  “Definitely.” She scrambled from the bed and grabbed her clothes before entering the necessary.

  Alric pulled on trousers and went to the door. “Sando.”

  “Who else? Change of plans.”

  “Why?”

  “Swordmaster knows you’re here.”

  Alric widened the opening to take a pitcher of kafa from the patrol leader. “Who told him?”

  “Who knows? The man sets patrol spying on patrol. Heard a stir at the gate last night. Most of the searchers are back.”

  “Lasara?”

  “Not found.”

  Kalia reached around Alric and grasped the pitcher. She filled a mug with the steaming aromatic brew. “What will we do now?”

  “Come to the baths with the patrol, then to the morning meal. After that several of us will accompany you to the meeting. We’ll wait for you at the foot of the stairs.”

  “Five minutes.” Alric dashed into the sleeping chamber for the rest of his clothing.

  As soon as he pulled on his shirt and vest, Kalia handed
him a mug of kafa. “Sorry it isn’t citren.”

  “I’ll have some soon enough.” He drained the mug and grasped the record book, the only thing he brought from his pack. He opened the door. “Shall we?”

  “As if we have a choice.” Kalia set the mug on a table and followed him into the hall. “Bathing in hot water will be a treat.”

  “But not as much fun as the stream.”

  Kalia halted and turned back. “I forgot my weapons.” She re-entered the suite and returned with her knife and sword. “Will wearing them ever become a habit?”

  Alric clasped her hand. “Soon enough.”

  As they strode along the corridor, to the stairs he glanced at the few closed doors and the many open ones. The closed ones belonged to patrol members who were riding one of the quadrants. The empty ones told of the decline of the Defenders. In the years since he’d begun his training, the population had decreased. Fewer candidates arrived from the villages and farms. Failed bondings and few births added to the decline.

  The patrol members waited at the foot of the stairs. Kalia joined the women and Alric walked with the men.

  Though he and Kalia had bathed in the stream, Alric welcomed the steaming water. Muscles stiff from nights of riding and remaining from the fight with Valdon and Petan loosened as heat infused and banished the stiffness. He scrubbed and washed his hair. For a time he lingered until the kinks completely uncoiled. He needed a supple body to face the coming challenge.

  Would the Swordmaster’s Seconds stand with him? Would they step aside and let their leader fight alone? Alric planned strategies for each of the possibilities.

  He swam to the warm rinsing pool and then took a quick plunge into the frigid one to wash away all traces of sleep. After drying his hair, gently touching the places where Petan had bashed him with knife and boot, he grabbed clean clothes. He joined his friends to leave the room.

  Sando clapped his shoulder? “Ready?”

  “As much as I can be.”

  The older man whistled. “Line up. Let’s join our ladies.”

  Ganor stood at Alric’s side. “If one or both of the Seconds join the Swordmaster I’ll stand at your side.”

  “So will I,” Sando said.

  “Thanks.”

  The door of the women’s bathing room opened. Kalia followed the other women and came to Alric’s side. The sixteen men and women marched to the refectory. Alric introduced her to the patrol members she hadn’t met.

  As they choose food to break their fast, Kalia stared at Alric’s selections. “Why are you eating so hearty? What about the duel?”

  “That won’t happen until this afternoon.” He slid a plate of eggs and smoked shoat plus one of hot grain cakes onto his tray.

  “How do you know?”

  “We’ve been summoned to present our report to the Swordmaster. Sando, Ganor and their mates will go with us.”

  Kalia’s hands shook. The plates on her tray rattled. “What does he want? Do you think he knows about our bond?”

  “He might but that won’t be his focus. Our report about Petan and the outlaws will anger him.”

  Kalia’s body shook. “Do I have to go?”

  “There’s nothing to fear.”

  “You don’t know him. He could order us banished or worse.” She placed her tray on the table where the rest of the patrol had gathered.

  Alric leaned forward and spoke to Sando. The laughter and chatter of the others covered their low-voiced plans for the coming challenge.

  “When you visit the Swordmaster in his office, present your report,” Sando said. “Answer his questions and try not to argue if he disagrees.”

  Kalia scowled. “He’ll argue. He won’t believe Petan has anything to do with the outlaws, even if we had witnesses who would identify the Swordmaster’s favorite.”

  “What he says won’t change what we know,” Ganor said. “The Justicars have received a complaint. How he feels won’t matter when Alric wins the challenge.”

  Alric leaned forward. “Will the leaders of the other Guilds be present? The duel won’t be official if they aren’t.”

  Sando lifted his fork. “The Swordmaster summoned them. Said the witness was needed.”

  Alric tapped his fork on the table. Something about that seemed wrong. How could the Swordmaster know he would face a challenge? He attacked his food. When he swallowed the last bite and drained the mugs of citren, he reached for Kalia’s hand. “Are you finished?”

  She nodded. “Couldn’t eat any more.”

  Sando rose and gestured to his mate and Ganor. “Ready?”

  “Yes.”

  The six walked along the corridor to the Swordmaster’s office. No matter what the man demanded, Alric wouldn’t let Kalia break their bond.

  Sando knocked on the door and in response to the summons turned the knob and prepared to enter. He and Ganor flanked Alric. The women did the same for Kalia.

  Kalia’s mother pushed past them. Tears flowed over her cheeks. Kalia turned to follow.

  “You can’t leave yet,” Alric whispered. “When we’re finished here I’ll go to the Women’s Quarters with you.”

  “So will I,” Sando’s bondmate said.

  Rila touched Kalia’s hand. “I’ll come, too.”

  The women followed the men inside. “Alric and Kalia reporting. Our assignment was to discover the location of the outlaws plaguing the eastern sector.”

  The Swordmaster glared. “Who ordered this assignment?”

  Sando stepped forward. “Since you were concerned with your missing daughter, when complaints reached the Justicars and my patrol wasn’t sent on the search, I ordered Alric and Kalia to investigate.”

  Alric stepped to the desk. “This is the report of our trip.”

  The Swordmaster opened the book and glanced at the pages. He returned the journal to Alric. “We’ll discuss this matter another time. Kalia, the time has come for you to keep your promise.”

  “I see,” she said. “Remind me of what I said and of my free will in speaking, not the control you influenced on my words.”

  He stalked from behind the desk and clasped her hand. “Speak the words you must say.”

  She shook her head. “Those words weren’t mine and you have no power to force them. Lasara is gone. Robec is hiding.”

  “But your mother?”

  Alric laughed. “Are you planning to put her aside? She is heart bound to you. Don’t you know of the penalties for breaking one? Unlike the woman you tried to force to break her bond by banishing her mate and stealing her children, your bondmate will live. You may not.”

  “Your father was warned not to speak of that.”

  “And he didn’t. He died keeping your secret. Other people weren’t warned.” Alric thought he saw a hint of remorse in the other man’s eyes. “The man you selected as your son’s Right Hand has gone rogue. Valdon and Ilna are dead. Beware Petan. He wants to take your place.”

  “And you don’t?”

  Alric shrugged. “Believe what you will. I have no desire to lead. But for the promise I made to my father before he died, I wouldn’t be here.”

  * * *

  Kalia squeezed Alric’s hand. They had done their best to sway the Swordmaster from his stubborn adherence to his plan for Alric. Her bondmate’s lines of fire settled into a smooth pattern of movement. Relief caused her to feel faint. She leaned against Alric. Swooning would bring an accusation from the leader of the Defenders. Would he challenge Alric outside the salle? The possibility chilled her.

  She stared at the turgid lines on the leader’s skin. “Are you finished with me?” she asked. “You’ve seen our report. The assignment discovered a possible location of the outlaws.”

  The Swordmaster returned to the chair behind the desk. “I’ve more important matters facing me. When the gong calls you to the salle, don’t consider fleeing. The gate guards have their orders. Anyone can enter but none can leave.”

  Kalia lowered her gaze. Anyone can ente
r. His knowing smirk convinced her he wanted the man he considered his ally to be present.

  “Dismissed.”

  His barked order diverted her thoughts. She backed to the door. The others joined her in the hall. Kalia slumped against the wall.

  Sando paused. “After you visit your mother, come to my suite. We have plans to make.” He took his bondmate’s hand. “We’ll wait and discuss what we know and what we’ve learned.”

  Alric nodded. “Send men to check the secret entrances and the ways Kalia marked.”

  “Will do.”

  Rila walked beside Kalia. Ganor and Alric followed. At the door of the Women’s Quarters Kalia turned. “Just Rila.” She knew her mother would never confide her pain if the men were there.

  “We’ll wait here,” Alric said.

  Rila and Kalia entered the lounge and hurried down the hall leading to the sleeping chambers. Sounds of sobbing filtered from her mother’s room. Kalia burst inside. “Mother, what did he do?”

  “He. He will break our bond. Does he realize what will happen when he claims another mate? He will be banished. I’m his third.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes. He believes his position as Swordmaster will allow him to do as he wants.”

  “You must keep him from making the declaration.” Kalia grasped her mother’s hand. “How can he believe he will succeed?”

  “I don’t think he cares. He’s driven by those tainted lines. So is your brother but Robec fights against their control.”

  Rila knelt beside the chair. “There’s something other than banishment to fear. I am heart bound to Ganor. Before he declared for me he had an interest in another young woman who liked to flirt and had a train of men. Ganor wanted to break our bond and claim her but illness struck him. The Healers found no cure. Only through my touch did he recover. He bound his heart to me. When the bell chimes you must be in the salle lest he becomes sick and dies.”

  “He forbade my presence.”

  “A heart bound woman dare not stay away.”

  “Mother, listen to her.” Kalia kissed her mother’s cheek.