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

  Why had her father tried to force her into a bond with Petan? Before many days of the bonding would pass, she would have been drained the way her mother was every time she returned from a visit to the Swordmaster.

  Petan wouldn’t stop before he had completely taken all her vitality. Why couldn’t her father see Petan’s true nature? Did the dark lines blur his vision? What had caused the taint to invade their lines?

  She sent her thoughts into the past. Petan had been the only survivor of a tragedy the year Lasara had been born. The Swordmaster’s anger over the birth of a second daughter had been strong. Not long after Petan’s arrival, Kalia had been sent to the Women’s Quarters with her mother and sister. Had Petan been responsible for the changes? There was no reason to continue the speculation. She would never know.

  She left the fire and walked to the stream. She stared into the water and saw several fat chubs swimming near the bank. One of the fish would make a good meal, especially since few rations remained in her pack. After removing her scarf she used the cloth as a net and captured two. She laughed. Two would provide food for tonight and for breaking her fast in the morning. She cleaned the pair at the streamside and carried them to the fire.

  With a knife she cut filets and poured oil on a flat metal plate she’d acquired while traveling with the peddlers. She placed it on the grill over the stones forming the sides of the fire pit.

  “Enough for two?”

  She shrieked and nearly knocked the fish into the fire. When had he arrived? She hadn’t heard the bihorn approach.

  “Didn’t mean to scare you.” Alric slid from the saddle.

  “How did you find me?”

  He unsaddled his steed and removed the packs. “Used the lines of fire and what I learned from an Artisan who saw you ride off. Robec insisted on coming but when a friend warned us about men sent by your father he stayed behind to give me time to follow you.”

  She used a cloth to pull the plate away from the flames. “Will my father punish him?”

  “Why would he harm his heir?”

  She stared at her hands. “For now, there’s no reason.” She turned the fish and returned the plate to the fire.

  “Do you fear your father?”

  “He has changed since I was a child. He schemes to make everyone act as he wishes. He ordered me to accept the bond with you and break it on his command. If I refuse my mother, sister and brother will die. He wishes to bond with another woman and have only sons.”

  “There’s no guarantee that will happen.” Alric opened a pack and filled a pan with water and kafa powder. He placed trail bread and cheese on a cloth. “Why didn’t you agree?”

  “I won’t let him control me.”

  Alric removed the platter and set the fish on the cloth. “Could you let him think you’re doing just that? We would have a year to find a refuge for your family.”

  “How? He keeps them confined.”

  “You escaped.”

  “I know little used ways in and out of the Hall.”

  He placed a piece of fish on the trail bread and removed the kafa pan. “Before a year ends someone will challenge him. Can you wait that long?”

  “If I must. Will you be the one?”

  “I hope there will be someone else. I’ve no desire to become the Swordmaster. I’ve had no training for leading the Defenders. One of the Seconds or your brother is better suited than I am. Even if your father is defeated his control over Robec could keep him as the leader.”

  “What do you mean? How does he control my brother?”

  “When Robec saw us in the stable and after you ran off, he listened to me. Then Petan arrived and grasped Robec’s arm. Your brother spoke in a dull voice and echoed all Petan said. Robec followed Petan’s orders.”

  Her eyes widened. Was that what happened to her when her father touched her hand? She had meant to say one thing. Instead she had repeated his words. What about when Alric touched her? The only change she’d seen was in her lines. But after Alric’s touch she had quietly defied her father. Did Alric’s touch place her under his control?

  She rubbed her arms. “Something odd happened after we touched. What?”

  Alric shrugged. “I don’t know.” He lifted his bread. “Eat before the food grows cold.”

  For a time they were silent. Kalia drank a mug of kafa and sighed. Nearly three days had passed since her last taste of the sweet yet spicy brew.

  Alric finished his share of the food. “Will you listen to what I propose?”

  “Yes.” If he had a plan to thwart her father she would listen and even follow his suggestions.

  “You must return to Defenders Hall with me. We will exchange bracelets.”

  “But I’m your last chance to remain as a Defender. You know what my father ordered me to do.”

  “If you don’t accept the bond the Swordmaster will make his threat become true. In time we can find a resolution. If we fail I’ll make sure you and your family are safe and I’ll vanish.”

  “Where will you go?”

  “To the desert riders.”

  “Why?”

  “My last duel before the one here was with a young man I believe is my brother. I never knew I had sibs until my dying father spoke of them. He failed to tell me their names but he asked me to find my brother and sister. The records in the Archives gave no clue to where they had been fostered.”

  Kalia smiled. Here was a way she could help him. “Did you search the birth records for information?”

  “Didn’t find records like that. Just lists of bondmates and the number of children they had. In one book, my father’s name was scratched out.”

  “I could look for you and also talk to my mother. She might know something.”

  “You would do that?”

  “Yes.”

  He leaned forward. “Will you pretend?”

  “Yes.” She wanted him to touch her again. She wanted to form a permanent bond with him. But the way her lines of fire responded to his frightened her.

  Chapter 6

  Alric stared at his lines of fire. What had just happened to them? He recalled what she’d said about her father draining her mother’s vitality. Had that occurred when they’d touched? His lines remained vivid. So did hers. Something else had just taken place, but what?

  He walked to Storm Cloud and stroked the steed’s silky coat. For five days he had pushed the bihorn hard. On their return to Defenders Hall he planned to reward the steed.

  The sensations storming his body had also happened in the stable when he and Kalia had touched. There had been no change in his lines when he’d touched his other bondmates. Those bonds had lasted for less than four years with nothing beyond casual courtesy. He dare not let the Swordmaster know of the potential of a heart bond. Even Kalia couldn’t know. Since she believed her father’s threat, she would panic.

  With a groan he led his bihorn to the stream. Could he and Kalia convince her father that his plan had worked?

  While the bihorn drank Alric struggled to harness his errant thoughts. Wind whispered through the trees. Moonlight shone on the clear water of the stream. He knelt and splashed water on his face. Tonight he had to keep alert. How could he be sure the men the Swordmaster sent after Robec had returned to the Hall? Being caught alone with Kalia, even though they were to be bonded could be looked on as an insult to her.

  When he returned to the fire, Kalia cradled a mug in her hands. In the glow of the flames fear flashed in her leaf green eyes. He halted across the pit from her. “I will not harm you.”

  “What did you do to me?”

  “I’ve tried to understand what happens when we touch but I have no real idea. Happens to me, too. Look at your lines. If anything they’re more brilliant. So are mine. When we return to the Hall we must visit the records and read what is written. Maybe we’ll find answers there.”

  She drained the cup. “What if my father learns about the strange reaction? What if it’s the same that occurs between hi
m and my mother?”

  Alric shook his head. “Unless he can control us with a touch, how can he know what we’re doing? I believe what happens with our lines is different from what he and Petan do. Our lines neither fade or darken.”

  She looked away. “When I was young I remember how bright my father’s lines shone. He laughed when I told him. Then they changed. I’m not sure exactly when but I remember how he forbade me to speak about seeing them.”

  Alric wished she could remember when the change had occurred. Would speaking of the past allow her to remember the day?

  He leaned forward. “Maybe Sando can tell us. He chose me for his patrol because he remembered taking my father’s classes during his training days.”

  “Wouldn’t he speak to my father?”

  “I don’t think so. He doesn’t always agree with your father’s decisions. One of Sando’s daughters wants to join the Artisans. Your father said no.”

  “He said the same to me when I wanted to become a Healer.” She put the mug down. “He told me I would become a Defender or I would be sent to live on a farm.”

  Alric opened his blanket roll. “Why force someone with no desire to fight to become a Defender? When I was chosen to come to the Guild House two girls with no skills or desire were taken for the Defenders. When they were bonded, they broke the bonds and returned to the village.”

  “There were three girls in my class like that. One was your last bondmate.”

  Alric removed his sword and knife. He took a honing stone from his pack and checked the edges of his weapons.

  “Why was your father banished?” Kalia asked.

  "I’m not sure but I think your grandfather wanted to keep him from challenging your father.” He tested the edge of his knife. “That was your grandfather’s last act as a Swordmaster. There is another matter for us to discuss.”

  “What?”

  “Why do you refuse to duel?”

  She refilled her mug. “Do you mean why I refused to face Petan and you stood as my champion?”

  He added wood to the fire. Sparks flew to rival the distant stars. “No one would expect you to fight him. I mean your refusal to duel. Is it because you’re a woman?”

  “Women can become good duelers. Lasara, my younger sister has defeated most of the young men in her class. With a year of experience I’m sure she could defeat Petan.”

  “So she’s good.”

  “She uses the lines of fire the way you do. She enjoys facing challenges.” Kalia met his gaze. “I want to heal not kill. Defenders always take pride in the number of deaths they cause.”

  Her belief in that statement rang true, but was so different from his experience. “I’ve never heard any member of Sando’s patrol brag about causing a death. They talk about the worthy opponents, the moves of the duel and how lives can be spared.”

  Kalia unrolled her blanket. “My father fought and killed twenty men in duels and other men who were outlaws when on patrol. He used to demonstrate the kill strokes to show Robec and Petan what to do. I’ve heard the Swordmaster crow about his prowess.”

  “And yet Robec has never been part of a patrol or engaged in a duel except the one with me. How will he be able to follow your father without experience?”

  “He will have Petan to make the kills.”

  “Petan has been banished.”

  “For now.” She lay on her blanket.

  Alric walked to her side of the fire. “Do you realize the men honored on Ingathering Day didn’t kill? The only reason I have a death on my record is because a defeated opponent tried to stab me in the back. My duels have always been without a death. Your ideas are wrong.”

  She yawned. “Since you don’t understand why I refuse to duel, tell me why you do.”

  “For justice. To settle disputes. To punish those who wrong others.”

  “But the men you fight are farmers, shopkeepers or herders. They have no training with sword and knife. They can’t win.”

  Alric laughed. “You have no idea of the reality of the duel. In every village classes are held in the use of weapons. I trained with the other youths and my father taught me. Some of my companions came from the nearby farms for training.”

  “I didn’t know that.”

  “The people who can’t settle their differences with the help of a Judge can name a member of the patrol to stand in their stead. No one without experience takes part in a duel.”

  Firelight flickered over Kalia’s face. Alric clenched his hands. His attraction to her flooded his senses sending desire to tighten his groin. He couldn’t gather her into his arms and devour her with his mouth, caress her skin and plunge into her secret places. The bonding bracelet his father had given him burned against his chest. He couldn’t use that bracelet when they bonded. That would stoke her fears.

  He needed to break the tension. “If you won’t duel, how will you use the lines of fire?”

  She wrapped her arms around her bent knees. “There is so much more that those of us who can read the lines can do instead of fighting. You touched my cheek where my father hit me. No bruise formed. Somehow you drew blood away from the area. You stopped the blood spurting from Robec’s wound.”

  “I did those things but not all who can see the lines can do the same. We can fight for justice and discover how to perform such acts. Though all Defenders have lines, not all can see them.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Those who are heart bound can see their mate’s lines. They can see their children’s but not those of those who aren’t blood related.”

  She curled on the blanket. “You’re saying what we can do is unusual.”

  “And new. Better sleep now. We’ll need to travel fast for the next few days. I’ll keep watch.”

  “Wake me if you tire.”

  “Will do. When we reach the Defender’s Hall we’ll exchange bracelets and embark on our plan.”

  Alric walked away from the fire. He checked the bihorns. He had a special bracelet but he wouldn’t give that one to Kalia until she declared the bonding permanent. He knew he had to move with caution because of the way their lines of fire moved when they touched.

  Sleep crept over him. He rubbed his eyes and walked the perimeter of the camp. When he reached the road, the scent of smoke tickled his nose. The breeze blew toward him. He heard the snorting of a bihorn and crept down the road toward the sound. When he saw the embers of a fire he whistled a series of notes.

  “Alric,” a deep voice whispered. His friend appeared from the shadows. “So we meet. Have you found her?”

  “Wake Rila and follow me. Just came upon her this evening. There’s even some kafa brewed. I’ll need to add grain to the pot for morning. We’re camped in a glade around the bend.”

  Ganor shook his mate’s shoulder. “Wake. We’ve been invited to join Alric and Kalia at their camp.”

  Rila stretched and rose. She and Ganor packed their things and followed Alric.

  “How is Robec?” Alric asked.

  Ganor chuckled. “He’s smart. Rila and I watched the arrival of the Swordmaster’s men. Robec complained about his leg and demanded they return him to the Infirmary at once.”

  * * *

  Two days of travel from sunrise to sunset brought Kalia close to the Guild House and a meeting with her father. By the third afternoon she saw the walls of the Guild House in the distance. She braced herself to face her father’s wrath. She felt sure he would repeat his demands to bond with Alric and then break the bond. Though she had agreed to Alric’s plan, she wondered if she could keep from betraying them to her father.

  After leading their bihorns to the stable and caring for them, Ganor and Rila escorted Alric and her to the Swordmaster’s office. Kalia entered first. Alric stood behind her. His close presence soothed her fears.

  The Swordmaster rose. “I see you found my daughter. Kalia, go to the Women’s Quarters. When I want to speak to you I’ll send a messenger.” He walked toward her.

  T
hough she wanted to remain she knew if he touched her she would obey. She feared she would expose the plans Alric had made. She backed to the door. The way her father’s lines pulsed told her he might explode. She left the office and started down the hall, running until she had to stop to catch a breath.

  Whispering voices rose from one of the seldom used side passages and caused her to freeze. The voices neared and she ducked into the opposite side hall and prayed the couple wouldn’t see her.

  What was Petan doing here? She stood in the shadows and peered into the corridor. He emerged and he wasn’t alone. Ilna clung to his arm.

  “Quiet,” she whispered. “Someone might come along and see us. You shouldn’t be here.”

  He pulled her into his arms. “Did you enjoy the meeting?”

  “You know I did. Isn’t he masterful? The way he made me feel I can’t explain. When will I see him again?”

  “When he needs you.”

  Kalia frowned. Who were they talking about? As Petan pressed Ilna against the wall, Kalia’s eyes widened. His lines of fire glowed dark and illuminated his face. She noticed Ilna’s lines. The pale pink color was smudged with gray.

  “Enough,” Petan said. “You know what he told you to do.”

  “To pass what he gave me to others.”

  “Wrong.”

  Kalia heard a crack followed by a sob. Had Petan hit Ilna? “He told you names. Alric, Robec, Sando, Ganor. In that order but you only carry enough for two. Choose wisely.”

  “As if any of them will allow me close enough to kiss them.” She laughed. “I will find two. What if I fail?”

  “You won’t like what happens. Find a way. He doesn’t accept failures,” Petan said. “Go. When he wants you again, I’ll send a message.”

  “When you leave for good will you take me with you?”

  “My leaving here is not for you to question. Go, unless you want to be caught.”

  Kalia pressed against the wall and breathed as slowly as she could. She listened until she was sure they were gone. What had just happened and who was this mysterious “he” Petan mentioned? Was Ilna off to find the men Petan had named as her targets? Should she warn them? She couldn’t return to her father’s office to speak to Alric and Ganor. To do so would mean facing her father’s fury over her disobedience.