Lines of Fire (The Guild House - Defenders Hall)

by Walters, Janet Lane;

  When he sent for her, what could she do? He had his plans and he could make her obey. Not knowing what to do when she reached her chamber, she stilled her thoughts and walked.

  When she reached the Women’s Quarters, she gathered clothes and walked to the small bathing room. She reveled in the heated water and the floral fragrance of the soap. There hadn’t been a chance to bathe during her time on the road other than quick sponge baths, mostly in cold water. Her skin wrinkled from staying in the pool for so long. She quickly rinsed, dried and dressed. The moment she returned to the main room, a messenger waved.

  “What do you want?” she asked.

  “The Swordmaster wants to see you immediately after the evening meal.”

  Why not now, she wondered. At the door of the Women’s Quarter she paused with her hand on the knob. If she went to his office now how angry would her father be? She could let him think the trainee had garbled the message. Deciding not to wait she opened the door. She needed to learn if her father knew Petan had found a way to enter the Hall. She knew of at least one secret entrance that allowed a person from beyond the walls to sneak into the grounds.

  Kalia scurried along the corridor. The door of her father’s office was ajar. Was he alone? She crept close enough to peer inside. Robec faced the desk.

  “Fool.” The Swordmaster spat the word. “Why did you go with Alric? If you had remained here, when he returned with your sister I could have banished him for being alone with her.”

  “His patrol leader knew he’d gone to search for her. Sando sent people to follow him.”

  “That patrol leader couldn’t have protested if I’d forbidden Alric to leave the Hall. No one defies me and remains a Defender.”

  “Alric saved my life.”

  The Swordmaster sputtered. “He did not. The Healers did.”

  Robec shook his head. “He stopped the bleeding.”

  “So he would have you think.” The Swordmaster leaned across the desk and grasped Robec’s wrist. “Who saved you?”

  In a hollow voice Robec responded. “The Healers.”

  Kalia’s hand flew to her mouth. Alric was right. Her father had some way to control people. She turned to ease away from the door.

  “Remember this,” the Swordmaster shouted. “Kalia will bond with Alric and break the bond on my demand. Just as his father was he will be banished. Petan will return and claim your sister. He will be your Right Hand.”

  Kalia fled. She raced along the corridor. Alric had been right about her father. Was the control he asserted over Robec the same thing that happened when she and Alric touched? Would being intimate with him give him control over her lines of fire? Would his darken like those she saw on her father and Petan?

  She dashed into the Women’s Quarters. Were her fears correct? Why had Petan sent Ilna after Alric and Robec? She was so scared she couldn’t cry.

  “Kalia,” her mother called. “Come and have the evening meal with me.”

  Kalia knew she couldn’t eat. Too many problems faced her. She entered the small dining room and selected a salad and a carafe of kafa. Her mother chose a table in a far corner of the room. Kalia filled her cup and sipped.

  “So you will bond with Alric. He’s almost as good with sword and knife as his father.”

  “You knew Alric’s father?”

  Her mother sipped her beverage. “Alron was your father’s friend until that boy arrived. Alron wanted the child fostered but your father and grandfather insisted on keeping him here. Your father and Alron quarreled.”

  “And he was banished for a quarrel.”

  Her mother stared at her plate. “Robar decided he was heart bound to Alron’s mate. Your father wanted to put me aside and send you, Robec and Kalia to be fostered. That was why they dueled.”

  “And father won.”

  “The duel ended with their weapons destroyed, both men injured but neither would concede. Your grandfather banished Alron. His older son vanished at the same time. I thought they had joined the rebels.”

  "When were Alric’s sibs sent away? Do you know where they went?” Kalia inhaled the fragrant aroma of the kafa.

  The older woman shook her head. “Your father refused to say unless Jenla bonded with him. She refused, gave me the bracelet and died in the bathing pool. She said Alron would be her mate in death as well as life.”

  “What did she tell the Swordmaster?” Kalia’s hands fisted.

  “How can you destroy your friend? One day my children will return. My oldest son will take all you value and the rule of your family will end. When you fall into the abyss of death, your lines of fire will burst into flame and consume all you were.”

  “Why did you give me the bracelet?”

  “To protect my children. You must keep it hidden. If your father sees that one during the bonding ceremony he will harm Alric.”

  Tightness gripped Kalia’s shoulders. Did her mother believe Alric wanted to harm them and bonding would keep her sibs safe? The villain was the Swordmaster and his favorite, Petan. “Alric won’t harm us. He’s not that type of person. He was alone with Robec away from the Hall and with me, too.” She dropped her fork on the plate. “What happens when you visit the Swordmaster in his suite?”

  “I don’t want to talk about my visits.” The older woman pushed her chair back. “I can’t even do that right. I’m heart bound to him but he’s not to me.”

  Robec appeared in the doorway of the small dining room.

  Kalia tensed. What did he want? Was he still under the leader’s control? She rose and went to him. “Is there a problem?”

  He handed her a box. “Father has cancelled your meeting. He has something else to do. He wants you to use this bracelet when you and Alric bond.”

  Kalia opened the lid. Her eyes widened when she saw the tainted metal links. Was that blood? She shuddered. “I can’t.”

  Robec glared. “You must. Father said you should remember your promise.”

  “Tell the Swordmaster I often think of what he said.” In that moment she knew he was no longer her father. “Also tell him a tarnished bracelet would be rejected. I can’t break a bond that hasn’t been made.”

  “Why would you do that?” her brother said.

  “Don’t you understand the plans the Swordmaster and Petan have made. They will destroy the Defenders.”

  “How can you say that? Petan is gone.”

  Kalia backed away. “I saw him and Ilna in one of the seldom used side corridors. Beware of her.”

  Robec laughed. “Don’t worry. When I see her I head the opposite direction.”

  “Make sure you tell the Swordmaster what I’ve said about this thing.” She turned and ran to her room.

  Chapter 7

  Alric strode to the bathing room where the men of Sando’s patrol had gathered. His left arm and shoulder ached. All the days of riding and sleeping on the ground hadn’t speeded the recovery process. He’d had no choice. Allowing Kalia to flee with no real destination hadn’t been a good idea.

  As he slid into the steaming pool heat leached the pain away. He released a groan of pleasure.

  Sando handed him the soap. “Finally following the Healer’s orders?”

  “Guess so. Thanks for sending Ganor and Rila.”

  “Volunteered. So did the rest of us but didn’t think the Swordmaster would approve if the entire patrol rode out. Make sure you exercise every day.”

  “I’ll try.”

  “You’ve been requested for an assignment and will be sent off soon after the bonding ceremony. The Chief Justicar has heard complaints about a peddler. So have the Artisans. They’ve agreed to give you today to celebrate your bonding.”

  “Be glad to be away from the Hall for a time,” Alric said. “Too many curious looks and whispers floating around. I’m sure Kalia will welcome the trip.” Though she might not like the idea of a duel.

  Sando pointed to the bracelet on the chain. “You using that one during the ceremony?”

  Al
ric shook his head. He leaned closer to the older man. “Not yet. We’re declaring for a year’s trial. If we make this permanent I will.”

  “You must,” Sando said. “Don’t want to lose you. Anything I can do to help?”

  Alric shrugged. “Give her time. Challenge her father.”

  “No challenge for me.” Sando slapped Alric’s shoulder. “Glad you’re not using the special one. I was a boy when I saw them on your father and his mate’s arms. Everyone knew the bracelets were special. Bit of envy going the rounds of the Hall. Wonder what happened to your mother’s.”

  “I’ve no idea.” Alric soaped his hands and worked on his hair. He winced. Reaching behind remained a problem.

  “Maybe the Swordmaster has it.”

  “Doesn’t matter. All I need is a common bracelet. Since the bonding is forced, I would rather have had time to win her over.”

  Sando splashed him. “Are you saying she doesn’t favor you or you her?”

  “Wrong. I want her but Kalia’s afraid of bonding. I wanted to have time to win her trust.” He scrubbed his hair and swam to the rinse pool. After drying he donned new buckskin trousers, a dark green shirt and vest.

  As he left the bathing room and stepped into the courtyard Robec emerged from the bachelor’s area. Alric studied the man who had been his rival. Though not a friend, their stay in the Infirmary had begun an acquaintance that could grow into friendship.

  “Ready for the bonding ceremony?” Robec asked. “Just a warning. My father has something planned. He gave Kalia a tarnished bracelet for the ceremony. She thinks the metal was soaked in blood.”

  Why was Robec telling him this? Would Kalia use the tarnished bracelet? Alric turned away. “Maybe he wants to provoke another duel.”

  “Why?” The other man sounded puzzled.

  “Your father wants me gone from the Defenders.” He looked away. How would he react if she gave him the tarnished bracelet? To reject might give away their plans for a sham bonding.

  “What will you do?”

  “Wait and see what happens.” He strode toward the stable. “How have you avoided taking a bondmate?”

  “The same way I haven’t been assigned to a patrol.” Robec’s lip curled. “Any time I show an interest in any young woman my father sees her bonded to another. He has selected a young woman who has just begun training.”

  “So young.”

  “She’ll be flattered and biddable, he says.” Robec clapped Alric’s shoulder. “Be careful. After the ceremony you will be in danger. Kalia warned me about Ilna. She plans some trick.”

  “She won’t come near me. Her lines are odd. You could be the one in danger.”

  “She wouldn’t dare. My father would banish her.”

  “Does he listen to you?” Alric wished he could tell Robec his suspicions of Petan and his influence over the Swordmaster.

  A puzzled frown changed Robec’s face. “I hope he will. Every time I try to speak to him about what I want to do, I forget why I sought him.”

  Does that mean the Swordmaster controlled his son by way of the lines of fire? Why did the control fail with some people?

  “Alric, over here,” Ganor called.

  “We’ll talk again,” Robec said. “Take care.”

  Alric trotted to where his patrol had assembled. Until the gong sounded he endured his friend’s teasing. Once the tones filled the air, he marched with the patrol to the salle. As he entered the large room he noticed the leaders of the other Guilds were present in the stands.

  Kalia waited at the front of the stands. Her mother and sister stood with her. Robec scurried from the entrance to join them. Alric surveyed the stands and saw Ilna seated in a front row. The smug smile curving her lips troubled him. What did she plan?

  The Swordmaster strode past accompanied by his Right and Left Hands. He stood on the raised platform. “We have gathered to witness the bonding of Kalia and Alric. He fought a duel as her champion to win this honor. His opponent loved my daughter and has a heart bond to her. In defeat he acted rashly and because of demands from the patrols was banished.”

  Alric frowned. Those were not the simple words for the rite of bonding. Kalia left her companions and walked toward him. He strode to meet her. They faced her father.

  “As the rite states I have come to bond myself to Kalia for a year’s trial.”

  Kalia faced him. “I accept the offer of a year and for this amount of time bind myself to you.”

  The Swordmaster raised his hands. “If either of you wishes to break the bond before the trial period ends you must declare your intentions before me and leave the Defenders to find a new home.”

  Kalia opened the clasp of a gleaming brass bracelet. “And if we choose to make the bond permanent, we will declare this before the Defenders present in the Hall.”

  The leader of the Defenders glared. The lines of fire shone like bands of ebony. “You will either break or mate this bond permanent in the salle before witnesses. You know what you must do.”

  “I do.” Kalia fastened the bracelet around Alric’s arm.

  He took a similar one and clasped the brass links on her arm. He held their hands high so all could see. He led her to the patrol. They marched from the salle to the refectory for the nooning.

  Once they reached the dining hall the members of Sando’s patrol welcomed Kalia with hugs and hand clasps. She smiled. Several called for Alric to kiss her. He leaned forward. Though inches of air separated their lips he felt the sizzle and watched the way their lines sought to mesh. He pulled back.

  “You call that a kiss.” Ilna reached for Alric. “Let me show you how it’s done.”

  Alric jerked away from her grasping hands. “Find another person. I’ve no desire for the poison you spew.”

  Her face blanched.

  What had he stumbled on? He studied her pale pink and gray smudged lines. Definitely not normal.

  Kalia stepped between them. “The kiss was perfect. What Alric and I have is right for us.”

  The patrol members moved to exclude the other woman, blocking her second attempt to kiss him. She glared. “You’ll be sorry.”

  Alric and Kalia reached one of the long tables. Platters of food lined the dark wood surface. He looked for the Swordmaster but the man hadn’t arrived.

  Kalia stood on her toes. Alric tried to see what interested her. Ganor stepped aside. Ilna grasped Robec and kissed him.

  “No!” Kalia turned to Alric. “Did you see?”

  Alric left the table and moved closer to Robec. Then he saw what Kalia had seen. A small dark spot smudged the other man’s lines. “I do. Just don’t know what it means. We’ll keep an eye on him.”

  “Petan is responsible,” she whispered. “When we’re alone I’ll tell you what I overheard. You need to warn Sando and Ganor to avoid Ilna.”

  Sando leaned forward. “We usually do, but why?”

  “There’s something odd about her lines,” Alric said. “If you can see the lines of other people, check Robec’s. He may start acting like his father or Petan. I think she tainted his lines.”

  Kalia shook her head. “He’ll be frightened. His nature is nothing like theirs.” Her eyes filled with tears. I’m worried for him.”

  Alric lifted a piece of fried poultry. “If he’s infected we can find a solution.”

  “How?”

  “Maybe there’s something in the Archives.” He turned his attention to the meal.

  When he finished his selections he took Kalia’s hand. “If you’re finished we can leave for my suite.”

  Sando rose. “We’ll escort you. The evening meal will be brought. In the morning report to me and I’ll tell you about the assignment.”

  As they left the refectory the patrol members surrounded them. Accompanied by teasing and laughter they walked to the hall leading to the quarters. Alric glanced at his bondmate. Her cheeks glowed red. He hoped they would find a way to keep others from learning about the sham bond.

  * * *
/>
  The door of Alric’s room closed and shut out the sounds of merriment. Kalia swallowed against the tightness gripping her throat. Alric wore the bracelet she’d given him, not the one her father had ordered her to clamp on her bondmate’s wrist. That one had been as tarnished as her father’s lines of fire.

  Though she wanted to move from the doorway her feet seemed formed from molten rock and fused to the floor. Bondmates united their bodies. She feared that moment. What would happen? Would his lines darken as he leached the vitality from her? She had seen how pale her mother’s were when she returned from visiting the Swordmaster’s suite. She had seen her own change when Petan had touched her for a moment. When Alric touched her skin there’d been a different reaction. She didn’t want to fail the way her mother had but thoughts of allowing Alric to drain her vitality made her ill. Yet a bondmate had the right to join with the woman who wore his bracelet.

  Alric moved past her and sank on one of the chairs.

  Her locked knees loosened. She walked across the room and stood at the window staring into the courtyard. There was no escape.

  “Kalia, don’t be afraid. I won’t touch you until you choose. Tonight you’ll have the bed. I’ll sleep on the floor.”

  She left the window and stared into the sleeping chamber. The massive bed looked wide enough to sleep four. Five pillows lined the headboard.

  She sucked in a breath. “What if my father demands proof?”

  Alric laughed. “He won’t. He doesn’t want to know if our bond is real or not.”

  She nearly joined his laughter but the tightness in her chest wouldn’t allow her to relax. She stepped over the threshold and sat on the edge of the bed. Alric’s words about the Swordmaster were true.

  She released a held breath. Part of her wanted to move into his arms, to feel his muscular body and taste his mouth. A memory of what had happened to their lines chilled those thoughts.