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‘She had no way of foreseeing the deeper consequences of her actions.’
‘You did.’
Obo spun around. 7s that so?’
His face a mask, Tayschre
Looking at Agayla, Obo spat. ‘And this is the one you would approach.’
The strength of the anger that clutched Tayschre
Agayla merely watched, her gaze weighing. Tayschre
‘Yet you allowed it,’ Agayla observed, speculatively.
Tayschre
‘Suspicion of…?’
‘Collusion, communication, sympathizing with him.’
‘Ah. I see.’ She pushed the strands of wet hair from her face, wiped a hand over her brow. Tayschre
Tayshcre
‘That is just it, you see. We may not want your aid.’
Staggered, Tayschre
‘But, the island… thousands of souls.’
‘Oh, come. More died at the fall of Unta alone. Do not pretend their fate concerns you. No, if we fall then you will have to commit yourself, won’t you?’
‘Would I? You say I care nothing for these lives, yet I would commit myself to their defence? I am sorry to disappoint you Agayla. I would stand aside.’
Obo, silent for so long, snorted his derision at that.
‘Oh?’ Agayla breathed, turning her face to the south. ’Would you?’
Her gaze drew Tayschre
‘You may choose to stand aside, Tayschre
Tayschre
Shuddering, she crossed her arms then met Tayschre
He stared, stu
‘Very well, Agayla.’ He bowed his head. ‘You win. You shall have all my strength. Every ounce I possess. The Riders must be contained.’
‘Don’t expect me to get all slobbery,’ Obo muttered.
At first Kiska thought it a dream. A tingling prickled her skin. She felt as if someone were watching her. Slowly, awareness of just where she slept trickled into her thoughts and she snapped awake.
A dark woman bent over her, hands out as if grasping for her. Kiska jumped to her feet and the woman flinched away, startled. Kiska’s hands flew reflexively to her waist, sleeves, and collar but came away empty. She snarled, arms raised.
The woman straightened, held out open hands. ‘Hold on, child. You gave me quite a start there.’
Kiska glanced around. Hattar was gone, as was his weapon belt. Embers glowed in the hearth and the candles had burned low. Her own blade lay sheathed on the table. Someone stood in the doorway: it was the hunchback, the very man who had lent her the weapon.
‘I startled you?’ Kiska laughed. She straightened, wincing at the pain that lanced her side and knee.
The woman was the Napan mercenary mage. She nodded. ‘Yes. You were under a light ward – a healing slumber. I was only testing its strength but you awoke and broke it easily. Your resistance is unusually strong.’
Kiska snorted, dismissing the woman’s words. What was she really up to? Where was Hattar? Or Tayschre
The woman knelt to warm her hands at the hearth and, Kiska supposed, to reassure her. ‘We were hoping you could tell us. No one’s here. The hold is empty. And the time?’ She shrugged. ‘After the tenth bell of the night, I believe.’
Kiska picked up the weapon and tucked it at her side. ‘If you want answers just go upstairs. I’m sure the Claws would be happy to help you.’
The jangle of steel a
‘She means you no harm, lass,’ he growled. ‘Everyone’s gone. What do you know of it?’
She looked from one to the other. ‘What does it matter? It’s finished. Surly won.’