by Dan Decker
When she had the nerve to watch the fight, she’d been surprised to see Jorad alive. How could she have known that Jorad was actually skilled with his sword? Erro was lucky to be alive, several times over. She felt her face flush as she remembered thinking that Jorad should stand up for himself more often. She hadn’t realized that he’d been refraining to avoid taking advantage of the inexperience of Erro.
She had screamed when Jorad had gone to kill Tere and couldn’t begin to describe her relief when Adar had intervened. She was beginning to wonder if there was there something to Erro’s poster after all.
“Wait until I tell my parents that you are the next Ghar of Rarbon,” Soret said playfully, she felt Jorad’s arms tense. “They’ll forget all about Erro.”
“I wouldn't bet on it,” Jorad said. “Besides, it won't be as simple as it sounds.”
“What do you mean?”
“I have to pass a number of trials before I can become a Rahar. After that, I have still more testing before I can be made Ghar.”
“What will the tests be like?”
“It depends. The Rarbon Council decides all that. It's never the same thing. Many of my ancestors have died during the testing.”
“Oh.” Soret had never heard about that.
“My father passed all the tests and somebody killed my mother on the eve of what would have been Adar’s inauguration to keep him from ascending.”
Soret didn’t know how to respond. There was a lot more going on here then what was happening between them, but like fish swimming below the surface of a lake, she was able to catch only a few glimpses. She had always thought that there was more to Jorad than being a wanderer, but all this was unexpected. There were too many things to sort out. How did she feel about Jorad? Should she go with him to Rarbon? What about the Hunwei?
Soret had been convinced that Jorad was lying to her about the Hunwei, but now she wasn't so sure. Both Jorad and Adar were adamant about the Hunwei returning. Soret had been in the forest during the night and knew things would appear different from the day. Surely, the shadows Jorad had seen were something else.
Soret shivered despite the heat of the late evening sun. The stories that she’d heard about the Hunwei as a child had made it impossible to sleep until her father had explained that they were just stories. Without realizing what she was doing, Soret scooted closer to Jorad. That was even more uncomfortable and after a bit, she shifted back again.
Jorad was leaving today and Soret wouldn’t see him again if she didn’t go too, she was certain about that. Rarbon was more than a month’s journey away, possibly two. How long before a pretty Rarbonian girl would make Jorad forget all about her?
What would Soret do if she went? Join the Radim? Her pulse quickened at the thought. Jorad had said that it was true that the Radim accepted women and had whole armies comprised of them, but there weren’t any women with Tere.
Soret imagined strapping on a Radim sword, but it was a strange thought. Still that might be a better life than staying in Neberan and marrying a farmer, or even a wealthy merchant’s son like Erro. Nothing ever happened in Neberan. The exciting things always seemed to happen in a far off place. She wished that they would happen here sometimes too.
When rumors would come from places like Colonipo or Paroux, she dreamed of seeing the events firsthand. Paroux, now there was a city that she wanted to see! Paroux’s shining walls and towers that climbed to the clouds were supposed to be taller than Vigorock and far more beautiful. Jorad had mentioned that he’d lived there but hadn’t talked much about it. To him, it was just another place. Sometimes Jorad and Soret seemed as different as night and day. She remained lost in thought for the rest of the trip and was surprised when she looked up and saw that they were at the Gartel boarding house. After Jorad, Adar, Tere and the others had seen to the needs of the horses they headed in to the common room. Soret had offered to help Jorad with his horse but he'd refused.
The common room of the boarding house was largely empty, it still a little bit too early for dinner. Soret recognized Wes talking with one of the serving girls. She couldn't tell who it was because her back was turned. As always, Anny did a good job of keeping the boarding house clean, which was surprising given the type of clientele that usually frequented the Gartel establishment.
There were three strangers talking with Anny. The first, a pretty woman, turned when they entered. Soret pushed back several strands of her hair that had gone askew. The woman smiled, looking appreciatively at Jorad’s shoulders. Soret cringed and found herself baring her teeth at the stranger. She tried to change it to a smile of her own but wasn’t sure that she succeeded. It was rare that Neberan had visitors other than merchants. These three strangers, combined with Tere and his men from Rarbon, all at once? This was going to cause quite a stir.
The woman looked relieved to see Adar and started towards him but stopped when she saw Tere.
“Melyah take me!” Tere spoke first, addressing the woman. “Xarda, what are you doing here?”
“Uncle Tere,” Xarda said, “you know I like to travel!”
Tere didn’t reply as Soret looked between the two of them. They were related? Xarda was taller than Tere and while he was haggard, she was beautiful, despite her worn clothes and the sword strapped to her back.
Soret did a double take and couldn’t help but stare at the weapon, it was smaller than Tere’s, but it was a Radim sword. No doubt about it. It was true that the Radim allowed women to join their ranks. The other two strangers with Xarda approached. The first was a large man who stood a head taller than Jorad and Adar. He might even be bigger than Thon. The second was a younger scrawny guy. He was Jorad's age, maybe a little older.
“Xarda,” Adar said, “You’re as beautiful as your mother and Karn you’re just as big a man as you were a boy. Who’s the kid?”
“Leron,” said the scrawny guy. “To think I thought Xarda was crazy to drag us out here. It’s an honor to meet you.” Leron had recognized Adar without an introduction. How had he done that? Soret had overheard that Adar hadn’t been to Rarbon in over fifteen years. There was no way this kid was old enough to remember him.
“It seems that you have just as many supporters as you always did.” Tere gritted his teeth. “Never mind the fact that you’re wanted for murder. Do I need to remind you all that he was stripped of his title and there is a standing death order on his head? An order that any Radim is duty bound to fulfill?”
Xarda looked indignant and cut Leron off from making a response. “Come now uncle, I don’t care what happened with you two. You can’t really believe Adar murdered his own wife? Your mother never understood your anger and neither do I. You too were like brothers.”
Adar was accused of killing Jorad’s mother? His wife? That was something that Jorad hadn't mentioned. Tere’s hands balled into fists and Adar folded his arms. Soret had a feeling it wouldn’t take much to break apart their pact.
“I was there,” Tere said. “I saw the bloody dagger and her blood on his hands. Nelion’s lover lay at her side, gasping in the throes of death. I’d kill him now if I didn’t need him.” Tere looked as if he wanted to spit but then noticed how clean the floor of the common room was so he swallowed instead.
“Even with two men you couldn’t kill Adar,” Jorad said, his voice was firm but he looked confused. Soret wondered if this was the first he’d heard that his mother had been found with another man.
“Nelion was faithful,” Adar said to Tere. His voice was calm and the tone was even, but there was fire in the words that even Soret was able to pick up on. “You never explained how you found me so fast.”
Soret felt Jorad stir and realized he was reaching for his sword so she stepped away as she tried to absorb everything. She noticed Leron staring at her. She grimaced when he flashed a toothy smile at her, never mind all the tension in the room. The others could have been talking about the weather for all the attention he was paying them. She�
��d have to keep an eye on that one.
“What are you accusing me of?” Tere took a step forward.
“Are you backing out of our agreement?” Adar almost looked hopeful.
The two men stood staring at each other until Tere lowered his hand. Soret hadn’t even noticed him reaching for his sword. Adar’s arms were still folded but he looked the more dangerous of the two by far.
“Our deal stands!” Tere said. “I don’t know why we bothered to find Jorad. The years I’ve wasted, only to learn Xarda knew where to find him all along!” Tere stormed out. His men followed him several moments later.
“Don’t worry about him,” Xarda said. “A lot of people never believed his story. Some even say that he was more likely to have killed Nelion than you.”
“You’re late,” Adar said. “I expected people more than two months ago.”
“So this is why we came to Neberan?” Jorad sputtered. The air in the common room seemed to get colder. Adar met Jorad’s glare as Xarda shifted uncomfortably.
“I made these plans years ago, before you even knew anything about your duty.”
“And why didn’t you tell me?”
“It hadn't come up yet.”
As the two men faced each other, Soret became afraid it might come to blows. She took Jorad’s hand and he looked startled, as if he’d forgotten she was there.
Karn, the big man, cleared his throat. “Uh, it’s my fault that we are late. While on the road, I heard a rumor that,” he paused to look around the room, “we had to investigate.”
“Give me a full report.” Adar motioned for Karn to follow him outside.
“This conversation isn’t over.” Jorad held Soret’s hand tight enough that it was beginning to hurt.
Adar pulled the door closed behind him without answering.
Xarda touched Jorad and Soret found herself bristling. Xarda was older than Jorad, but she was very pretty and men didn’t care about age. The golden brown hair and those wide eyes had no doubt attracted many men. “Jorad! You look like your father but I can see your mother in you as well.”
“You knew my mother?” Jorad muttered as he stared after Adar. Soret could feel his heartbeat racing through his hand. “Was she as infuriating as my father?”
“Hard to say,” Xarda said. “I only met her a couple times.”
“I barely remember her.”
“Well, the portraits still hang in the Council Chambers. Perhaps that will help.”
There were portraits of Jorad’s mother? That meant there were portraits of Adar as well. No wonder Adar didn’t need an introduction; his people would know him on sight. Soret had never known anybody wealthy enough to have a portrait done. Not even Erro’s parents had portraits. Soret couldn’t help but stare at Jorad as if she was seeing him for the first time.
Xarda turned to Soret. “Are you Jorad’s wife?”
Soret felt her cheeks blush and chanced a shy glance at Jorad but he was still staring at the door. He hadn't heard the question. “We’re not married! I’m too young for that.”
“Don’t mind her too much.” Leron flashed a mischievous grin at Soret. “She's nosier then ten women combined!” Leron laughed. “Marriage is all Xarda thinks about. I’m just here to keep Xarda and Karn from—ouch! As I was saying, I’m just here to keep Xarda from seducing Karn. Poor man wouldn’t know what hit him. Ha!” Leron move to avoid a punch from Xarda.
Soret couldn’t help but laugh; she cut it short when she realized that Jorad hadn’t joined her.
Chapter 12
Soret gazed at Jorad from across the table where they sat in the common room of the boarding house. He wasn't sure what Harri was cooking up, but it smelled delicious and he was ravenous. He hadn't eaten much today and was feeling a little bit light headed. He needed to eat before they left. They had a long road ahead of them tonight and it would be a mistake to start on an empty stomach.
Jorad had never known that his mother had been found with another man. It bothered him that Adar had neglected to mention this particular detail. Jorad could understand why Adar hadn't mentioned it, but it would have been nice to hear it from Adar. The revelation had thrown Jorad through a loop. Adar had been adamant that Nelion was faithful to him. He'd even gone so far as to imply that Tere had been the one to set him up. If Adar suspected that, why was he willing to make a truce with Tere?
There were things Jorad didn't understand and he wished for a moment alone with Adar to try to dig out more details about the death of his mother, but it would be awhile before that happened. There was much he didn't know and he wondered what other surprises lay in wait for him.
The evening was still warm, but that wouldn’t last long. Jorad could see gray clouds through the window and wondered if it would rain. That would be a miserable way to start their trip. The sun broke through the clouds and the light shone between the mountains of the Pinta Peaks. The night was coming fast. Where had his last day in Neberan gone?
Their original plan to leave today was still in place as far as he knew. Adar still hadn't returned and Jorad wondered if Tere and he had found somewhere to continue their fight. It still bothered him that Adar had been planning this day for years, making arrangements and all the while counting on Jorad to be ready and willing. When he went to Rarbon, could he avoid becoming his father’s pawn?
He turned his attention back to Soret. She was more relaxed than before, which meant that she didn’t believe him that the Hunwei had returned. He was frustrated that he hadn't been able to convince her that she was in danger. The Hunwei were scouting Neberan out for a reason. He didn't know how long they had, but if he could get her away tonight, he'd feel better.
“It’s not safe here,” Jorad said. “Whether you come with me or not, you need to leave. Convince Barc and Hira to go to the mountains. Take enough provisions to last for several months, maybe longer.” Barc's store would have more than enough supplies for them and he had the horses to carry everything. They could get away tonight if they hurried.
Soret shook her head. “The mountains? My father wouldn’t last a week. Besides, how do you want me to convince them?”
“Tell them you want to see the country.”
The door to the inn opened and Jorad turned expecting to see Adar and Karn. Instead, he saw Thon and several of the town guard. Erro wasn’t with them, so he turned his attention back to Soret.
“What if we come with you?” Soret asked as Thon stopped in front of their table. Her question surprised Jorad; did she really think she could convince her parents? Did she believe him about the Hunwei?
He looked up at Thon and could see that there was going to be trouble. Thon’s eyes were bloodshot and his lips drawn back, as if he intended to bite somebody. He still wore his big sword on his back. There were six other guards with him. Jorad recognized all of them but didn't know any of their names.
Thon placed his hands on the table and leaned down. “You’re coming with us. We should have listened to Erro.”
“What did Erro say now?” Soret asked.
“Bram is dead. Stabbed a dozen times. Take him.” Thon motioned to the other guards who grabbed Jorad from his chair, one of whom snatched away his sword. Jorad allowed it to happen; it would only make matters worse if he managed to hurt the guards. Erro was hoping Jorad would do just that. Jorad didn't know how he would get out of murder charges, but fighting now wouldn't do anyone any good. His first concern was to keep Soret safe.
“I haven’t killed anybody.” Jorad had forgotten about the corpse. Adar must have reported it. It was a safe bet that this was who Thon was referring to.
Thon punched Jorad in the stomach. His arm was like a battering ram. Soret screamed as Jorad doubled over, gasping for breath, while the guards continued to hold him tightly. Thon hit him in the head. Jorad struggled to breathe and felt like he was about to pass out. After several painful seconds, he managed to get some air into his lungs. He breathed again. It felt
like everything else in the world was pushed away as he struggled for another. All other concerns left him until he was able to suck in another lungful of air.
“That’s enough,” one of the other guards said.
“Bram was a friend and a good man,” Thon said. “You’re not getting away with this.”
“I didn’t even know Bram, why would I kill him?” Jorad said between breaths. It took some effort, but he straightened out. The hunger he'd been feeling earlier had been replaced with nausea and his head hurt as if it had been hit with a hammer.
Several of the guards looked uncertain about Thon’s behavior, but none of them looked ready to interfere. Jorad thought of his daggers that were still hidden, if Thon kept this up he'd be forced to protect himself. He was certain he'd be able to take out Thon but the six other men would pose a problem. Soret came into view and the look of concern and anger she wore weakened his resolve to attack. She'd end up hurt. He couldn't let that happen.
“You pretended to find his body,” Thon said.
“If I killed him, why would we report his murder?”
Soret tried to step towards Jorad but a guard pushed her back causing her to trip on a chair leg.
“Leave her alone!” Jorad said as she fell to the ground. He tried to free himself from the guards but they held him tightly. His struggle was a mistake. Thon had been looking for any excuse and this was it. Thon grabbed Jorad and slammed him into a wall, cracking his head and blurring his vision.
When Jorad could see again, he noticed that the common room, which had been almost empty before had begun to fill with people. He struggled to free himself from Thon’s grasp but several of the other guards latched onto him as well. The anger that Jorad had been trying to keep at bay was released. As Jorad gasped, he managed to wrench his arm free and grabbed for a dagger. He hoped Soret wouldn't get hurt, but he couldn't let Thon kill him. Before he could grasp it, his arm was secured again by one of the guards.
