Lines of Fire (The Guild House - Defenders Hall) (16 page)

Yellow-green exudates oozed from the wound. The trainees used pieces of alk soaked cloth to clean the area.

Two trainees held Alric’s arms and two held his legs. The Medico poured a stream of alk on the wound. Alric bellowed and bucked with his body nearly falling from the table. In an instant the seizure stopped. The healer spread a blue ointment on a piece of cloth and placed it on the open wound.

After the shout and near convulsion Alric remained completely still. A chill rolled over Kalia’s skin. What would she do if he didn’t recover? The idea made her rub her arms to warm herself.
The Senior Medico stepped back to allow the trainees to dress the wound. “Take him to a private room. A cooking bath now and every three hours until the fever is lowered.” He turned to Kalia. “The next three days are vital to his recovery. You will be permitted to remain in his room.”

Kalia looked up. “I will stay but I must take the report book to the Swordmaster and speak to Alric’s patrol master.”

“Do that and be sure to return. Your presence will help.”

Kalia nodded. “I’ll return as soon as I can.”

With haste she trotted through the tunnel and into the stable. She paused to feed Mist and Storm Cloud a few apelons before carrying two packs to Alric’s suite. She found her belongings had arrived. Though she wanted a long and leisurely soak in the baths, she washed in the necessary and changed. With Alric’s report book in hand she left the room.

As she stepped into the courtyard a trainee shouted. “Defender Kalia, you are to report to the Swordmaster.”

“I’m on my way.” Her shoulders slumped. She had wanted to see Sando first but she had no choice. She strode to the main door and knocked.

“Enter."

Kalia stepped inside and closed the door behind her. “Our report book. Sorry for the delay. I saw my bondmate to the Infirmary.” She set the book on his desk. “The assignment was successful and informative.”

He laughed. “Was more than that. I hear your bondmate is ill. The Healers expect him to die. What a clever one you are. Death is better than banishment. It’s said you should never leave an enemy at your back.”

Kalia fought to control her reaction to his glee. He wanted Alric to die. “I wasn’t told he was dying.”

“He will and you will be free. I will return to my original plan.”

She grasped the edge of the desk. “Your original plan?”

“Of course. With Alric dead you’ll have no mate. I’ll make sure of Petan’s return and you will bond with him.”

A chill ran over her skin. She swallowed the protests she wanted to scream. His lines of fire were the color of a liver removed from a slaughtered animal. She looked at her own and saw the darkness had spread.

Her father slid his hand across the table and grasped hers. “You will obey me.”

She shook her head. “No.”

Anger flared in his eyes. “Who did this to you?”

“Did what?”

“Changed your lines of fire into those of power.”

She wanted to know more. “And you can see the change. Do you read the lines?”

“No.” He grasped her hand. “I can feel your increased power. Who did this to you?”

Kalia met his gaze. “The same person who infected Robec. She was sent by Petan to destroy your son and Alric. Since she couldn’t have my bondmate she took me.”

“Does Petan know?”

“How could he? I haven’t seen him since the day he disappeared. And I don’t ever want to see him again. Maybe Ilna knows where he is.” She drew a deep breath. “Just what does this change do?”

“Makes the recipient powerful. Petan will be angry when he learns about you.” He released her hands.

Kalia backed to the door. “Did you ever think his plans aren’t the same as yours?”

“He and I are in accord. The culprit will be punished. Dismissed.”

Kalia exited and hurried away. Before returning to the Infirmary she needed to see her mother. She sped along the corridors and entered the Women’s Quarters. To her surprise, Lasara stood outside their mother’s chamber.

“Why aren’t you in class? Has something happened to Mother?”

“She’s recovering from her stay with him.”

Her sister’s presence made no sense to Kalia. “Then why are you here?”

Lasara scowled. “He removed me from classes. He’s angry because during a practice duel I beat Robec. The Swordmaster said I’m too fond of fighting and that was not womanly. I’m to remain here until he finds a mate for me.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Why? You did nothing. I’ve a plan and I’ll use it. He won’t control my life.”

“Be careful who you talk to.”

“You’re the only one I’ve told.” A frown wrinkled Lasara’s forehead. “Why aren’t you with your bondmate?”

“Alric was wounded and is in the Infirmary. I had to take our report book to the Swordmaster.” Kalia opened the chamber door. “I have to ask Mother something.”

The older woman sat in a chair beside the bed. “Kalia, how was your first assignment?”

“Interesting.”

“Why did you come?”

“To see you before going to the Infirmary to stay with Alric. He’s ill from an infected wound.”

The older woman clasped Kalia’s hands. “Unite with him completely and all will be well.”

Could she? Should she? Her mother knew nothing about the tainted lines Kalia bore. “I’m not sure you’re right.”

“Forget your fears and examine your heart.” The older woman looked up. Tears filled her eyes. “I love your father and have from my first sight of him. He wanted to bond with another but she was heart bound to your father’s best friend. Jealousy and envy controlled his actions. His father believed your father’s tale of this woman being stolen from him. Together they destroyed Alron and tore a family apart.”

Was her mother speaking of Alric’s parents? “I’m sorry that happened. Was that before his lines turned dark?”

“Soon after. Things were hectic at that time. Petan had just been brought to the hall. Your grandfather was ready to step down as Swordmaster.” The older woman frowned. “You must not speak of this to anyone.”

“Why not?”

“More trouble will follow.”

As if there wasn’t enough now, Kalia thought. She kissed her mother’s cheek. How could she hold back what she’d just learned from Alric? “I’ll return when I can.” She hurried away and entered the courtyard.

Sando waved. “I’ve just seen Alric.”

“Is he worse?”

“His fever remains high. They’re bathing him in cool water. He opened his eyes but didn’t speak. What happened?”

Kalia told him about Valdon and the injury he’d given Robec years before. “Have the Justicars decided what will happen to him?”

Sando bowed his head. “I’ve heard he’ll be sent to the Isle. Go to Alric. If you can help him, try. He’s the best of my patrol. If we lose him, more than one man will be lost.”

“Before I go, can you help my sister?” Kalia explained what had happened. “I fear she will run, be caught and punished. I think the Swordmaster intends to bond her to Petan.”

“I’ll talk to several of my trusted patrol members and let you know how we can help.”

“Thank you.” Kalia dashed through the tunnel. Her boots clicked against the flagstones. As she exited, she stopped to catch her breath. Inside Healers Hall, a young woman directed her to Alric’s room.

A trainee rose from a chair at the bedside. “If you need someone, pull this cord and one of us will appear. If his fever rises or his body shakes, call. Those aren’t good signs.”

“I will.”

Kalia reached the bed. Could she do what must be done? Would her kiss cure or destroy him?”

“Kalia,” he whispered.

She leaned toward him. His deep green eyes showed signs of fever and also of his feelings for her. She touched her lips to his.

Searing heat flowed through her. Alric grasped her shoulders so she couldn’t move away. Her hands pressed against the dressing on his chest. The kiss continued until she felt faint.

She pulled free and sank on the chair. She studied his lines. They had brightened. What about hers? She was afraid to look.

Alric reached for her hand. “What just happened?”

“Your lines are brighter.”

“Look at yours.”

She stared at her own. Much of the darkness had vanished. A smile formed. There was a cure. She must tell Robec to search for a dual heart bonded mate.

Alric released a held breath. “I don’t know what you did but I feel much better. Will you stay here tonight?”

“Yes.”

Chapter
11

The kiss told Alric everything he wanted to know. The heart bond between them was true. He studied the lines of fire on her skin and saw how much of the darkness had vanished. “Do you see what our kiss did?”

Her eyes filled with tears. “He will know and will carry out his threats.”

Alric captured her hand. “Will he attack Robec before he has another heir? First he needs to break the bond with your mother.”

“I’m not sure he can. He could have done that years ago. Why would he wait?”

Alric closed his eyes. “Maybe he can’t. He has a need for what she gives him when she visits. I wonder how he views Robec’s infection. As a bonus or something else?”

“I tried to tell him Petan planned for Robec’s lines to be tainted. I don’t think he believed me.”

“The taint may protect your brother from being controlled by your father and Petan. Did your father notice the change in your lines?”

“He tried to control me and was angry. He doesn’t see the lines. He said he could feel the power. He intends to punish Ilna. Why all the questions?”

“Since you’re infected Petan can’t siphon vitality from your lines. You’re safe.”

Kalia scowled. “Lasara isn’t.” She drew a deep breath. “The Swordmaster has pulled her from classes. He’s finding a bondmate for her and I think I know who. She plans to run away. I told Sando and asked for his help.”

“Tell her to go south to the desert riders and ask for Jens. The sooner she goes, the safer she’ll be.”

“And my mother?”

“She’s heart bound to your father.”

“What does that mean?”

“Can she leave him? I know my father was heart bound to my mother. Though he remained alive after her death, he always seemed sad. If I hadn’t been there, he would have died when she did. I don’t think your mother can leave him.”

“I fear you’re right.”

“Speak to Robec about his lines and tell him what he must do if the infection is to be cured.” He reached to pull her into his arms.

Kalia pulled back. “Though I want to be close to you this isn’t the right time. We can’t let my father know the blight can be cured. If he touches me he’ll know.”

Though what she said disappointed him, the kiss had lessened the amount of dark smudges on her lines. When she’d placed her hand on the dressing over his wound he had felt the swelling lessen. Another treatment by the Medico would complete the healing.

As though thinking about a treatment, the older man entered the room. He carried a glass of wiggling creatures. He turned to Kalia. “Excuse us. I have a treatment prepared.”

She walked to the door. “How long will this take?”

“An hour should be enough.”

“Go talk to Sando,” Alric said. “Tell him about our earlier conversation about where a person should go.”

“I will.”

Alric closed his eyes. He’d seen the eaters of dead flesh used once before. The way they’d removed the damaged tissue without touching the healthy area had amazed him. His closed eyes kept him from watching the wiggling pale creatures being placed on his chest. Light touches on the area made him shudder. Alric clenched his fists.

He must have dozed for when he opened his eyes no wriggling creatures festooned his chest. “Done?” he asked.

The Senior Medico nodded. “You’ll have another scar that will fill in and fade over time. One question. During the fight did you find using your left arm difficult?”

“Was a bit slow but I haven’t practiced much. You should check my opponent’s knife. Not sure how he managed to infect me. Was such a shallow wound.”

The man nodded. “Already done. His knife had a hollow tube filled with foul matter. The Artisans are studying the mechanism. It’s like nothing they’ve ever seen.”

Alric grimaced. “We don’t need something like that added to our weapons.”

“Agreed but they think there would be other applications.” The Medico paused at the door. “If you remain fever free for another day you’ll be released.”

Alric liked that idea. He rose and walked around the room, down the hall and back. Using the back of the chair for balance he began a series of squats.

Laughter sounded from the doorway. “Do you ever stop?”

Alric turned. ‘What brings you?”

The patrol leader stepped inside and closed the door. “There’s been a bit of trouble.”