The Kinshield Legacy (26 page)

The four of them fell into an awkward silence. Brawna knew that Galiveth’s comment was more about Lilalian’s governing style than Brawna’s lack of experience, but the implication hung in the air all the same.

“Well, I can’t wait to get back to Sohan,” Vandra said finally. “I need a bath in the worst way.”

Galiveth said, “The truth speaks for itself.”

They all laughed.

“Have you seen anyone since you got here?” Enamaria asked.

“Three visitors. First was a bard. That was our second day here.”

“How did you know it was a bard?” Brawna asked.

Vandra and Galiveth chuckled. “We heard his singing from two miles away,” Galiveth said.

“All was quiet until yesterday,” Vandra said. “Then a pair of scholars arrived. We were certain one of them would solve the fourth rune, but both gems were still in place when they left.”

“I heard the rune solver’s a battler,” Enamaria said.

“That’s just a rumor,” Vandra said. “Probably he’s a scholar.”

“Well, at least it wasn’t boring,” Brawna said.

“Three visitors in seven days?” Galiveth asked. “The rest of the time we did nothing but wait. Believe me, it’s boring. The most excitement we had was hunting for food.”

Brawna did not mind. Even if they saw no one else during their week here, she would be content. She was on a mission -- a very important mission.

Chapter 26

When Daia arrived at the inn, packed and ready for travel, Gavin was sitting on the bed, shirtless, lacing his boots. She leaned against the doorway of his room with her arms crossed. “I thought you would be ready to leave,” she said.

He replied with a grunt.

A wooden tag dangled from a leather thong around his neck and lay against his sculpted chest. Most warrant knights were heavily muscled, but this one bordered on unnatural. She found herself staring at his chest, shoulders and arms. His freakish size both revolted and intrigued her.

Scars disfigured not only his face, but his body as well, some faded nearly away, some the sort that would never fade. Each one told a story, and she hoped one day to hear some of them. He’d lived a hard life. She saw it in his eyes as much as in his scars. A life full of pain. Lots of pain.

She reached over and picked up his sword where it leaned against the wall in the corner. “I hope this isn’t your only weapon,” she said when she pulled it from the scabbard. Although the blade appeared well-cared for, tiny pits covered its surface. It should have been replaced long ago. Perhaps it had some sentimental value. “I can see why Risan would want to make you a new sword. How do you keep this blade sharp?”

He picked up his tunic and pulled it on. “It’s sharp enough.” After taking the weapon from her hands, he shoved it back into the scabbard and hung it on his back. He grabbed a leather pouch and gestured her to lead the way. “I’ve got to eat before we go.”

Daia sighed. “Of course you haven’t eaten yet.” She went outside and untied Calie’s reins from the hitching post.

“You found out where they went, then?” he asked, stepping into the sun.

“All I know is they’re headed north. We should start at the Lucky Inn. Where’s your horse? You do have a horse, don’t you?”

“Being dressed and saddled. He’ll be around shortly. How do you know this man’s the one we’re after?” He leaned against the wall while they waited for the stable hand to bring his horse. With his arms crossed, the fabric of his tunic stretched taut across his arms and shoulders, making them look even larger and more muscular.

Daia didn’t want to give him the impression she found him attractive, but found it difficult to look away. “I found the inn where he stayed. He left town right about the time Risan disappeared.”

Gavin shrugged. “Ever hear of coincidence?”

She gave him an impatient look. “Apparently there are some facts you fail to consider, Kinshield.”

“Then maybe you should tell me what they are, Saberheart.”

She pressed her lips together, trying not to smile. “Shall we trade information then? I’ll answer your questions and you answer mine.”

“Awright. What makes you think this man’s involved?”

“As I said, I saw him at the Lucky Inn the night I heard about Risan. He heard the same tale I did,” she replied. “Afterward, he got up and left.” At Gavin’s doubtful look, she added, “I saw his face, Kinshield. He had the look of a man with intent. My question: what’s special about the sword Risan made for you? Why would the Nilmarion take that one and no other?”

Just then, the stable hand came out leading a giant gray horse, saddled and dressed in leather armor. His every hoof-step probably made chandeliers tinkle as far away as Tern.

“How now, mule,” Gavin said, stroking the gray face.

“By Yrys, that has got to be the largest horse I’ve ever seen. You aren’t going to ride that thing, are you?”

“Yeh.” Gavin took the reins.

Suddenly the big gray reached toward Daia’s face. She jerked away, out of the animal’s reach, her arm shooting up reflexively to block its massive head.

“Golam,” Gavin said, grabbing the bridle.

“Watch it. If your horse bites me, he’ll be sorry.”

“Don’t worry. It’s not biting he wants to do,” Gavin said, grinning. “He’s fond o’the ladies. Likes to take their ears between his lips.”

Great. Even his horse was lecherous. She hoped Golam’s owner had sense enough to keep to himself, since the horse obviously did not. They started walking toward the market, leading their horses by the reins.

The cobblestone streets in the market district were wide but heavily populated with merchants crying their wares and townsfolk buying their day’s food and essential goods. Red-faced children in dirty clothes ran screaming and giggling through the crowd. Daia clutched her coin purse against her hip, afraid of losing it to a thief.

“What tale did you hear about Risan?” Gavin asked.

“Wait. You didn’t answer my question.”

“I did. You asked if I was going to ride Golam, and I said yes. What tale did you hear about Risan?”

“Kinshield, that did not count as my question. I asked you about the sword.”

“You asked three questions, so the choice o’which to answer’s mine. Ask again when it’s your turn,” he said with a grin.

“Filthy rotten cheater,” she muttered. “I heard that Risan’s the one solving the King’s Runes. Now tell me about the damned sword.”

“It’s enchanted,” he said.

“Damn it, I know that, Kinshield. I’m the one who told y—” She stopped when she noticed his wicked grin, realizing that he was teasing her.
Dolt
. She lowered her voice back to normal volume. “What else is special about the sword?”

He hesitated, watching a passerby until the man was out of earshot. He leaned toward her to answer. “It has some gems embedded in the hilt,” he said, his voice so low as to be barely audible. “The thing’s worth a mountain of gold. What did you want with Risan?”

Gems embedded in the hilt? The blood drained from Daia’s face. Did Risan give the Rune Stones to Kinshield? No, he couldn’t have. That was ludicrous. But if they weren’t the Rune Stones, where would Kinshield have gotten them? With his bedraggled appearance, he did not seem wealthy enough to have purchased valuable gems, nor did he have the manner of someone who cared about such things. Had he received them as payment for helping someone? Found them? Was the origin of the gems in his sword the secret Arlet tried to protect? “Where did you get them?” she asked, not sure if she wanted to know the answer.

“Ah-ah! My question. What did you want with Risan?”

“I want to rescue him from his kidnapper.” Two could play his game. “Where did you get the gems?”

“That’s not what I asked. I asked what did you want with him. Meaning afore he was kidnapped.”

Daia sighed. “Only to offer my service in the name of the Sisterhood. To form a relationship with him and offer protection when he claims the King’s Blood-stone, and defend his right to rule.”

Gavin fell quiet. They stood in the market and looked around. Shops huddled along the street as patrons swarmed about. People became aware of Gavin as they passed, and gaped up at him. Daia understood why; he had a rare and powerful presence that commanded attention. He seemed not to notice their stares, or perhaps he was simply used to it.

To the east the streets widened somewhat, and the stores and inns sat slightly more distant from each other. Gavin pointed to a food vendor. “I’ll just get something there and we’ll be on our way.”

“Where did you get the gems, Kinshield?”

“I’d rather wait ‘til we’re on the road afore I answer that.”

Would he tell her the truth? Or did he just want time to concoct a credible tale? She studied him while he paid for his food. Something in his demeanor had changed. He was more somber, not so cocksure and sportive.

While they walked through the city, Gavin ate a turkey leg, smacking his lips and belching. He used his sleeve as a napkin, but only after rivulets of grease running down his chin dripped onto his shirt. Daia felt her lip curl and decided they should take their meals in turns so that she wouldn’t lose her appetite watching him eat. He did not even bother to wave the flies away. “Were you raised by beyonders?” she asked.

“What do you mean by that?” he asked with his mouth full of food.

“Your manners are atrocious. I don’t care to take my meals with you. In fact, I’d rather not be seen with you while you feed.” She veered to the right to increase the distance between them, tugging on Calie’s reins.

As she met passersby, she paused to ask whether they remembered seeing a black and silver coach in the last few days. A woman propositioning everyone on a corner near the northern edge of the city said she’d seen such a carriage early one morning just a day or two ago.

“He was in a awful hurry,” she said. “Headed north out o’Ambryce like the lordover’s men-at-arms was after ‘im.”

“Thanks very much.” Daia put a pielar in the woman’s palm.

“You sure you don’t want none o’ this, honey?” the woman asked, lifting her blouse. “I’ll take you an’ your battler friend there for a kion.”

Daia put her hand up and started to walk back to join Gavin. “No.”

“Twenty pielars, then,” the streetwalker said. “Awright, fifteen. Come on, Sister, let me show you an’ your man a good time.”

“He’s not my man,” Daia retorted. She glanced at Gavin and saw the sloppy grin on his face. “Don’t say it.”

“Might be fun,” he sang. He started to put an arm around her shoulders, but she knocked it away with a hard forearm parry.

“Not if you were the only man in Thendylath.”

His grin fell away. “What were you asking the townsfolk?”

Daia smiled sweetly up at him. “I believe it’s still my question. Ask me again when it’s your turn.”

When they reached the edge of the city, Gavin tossed the clean bone of the turkey leg into the bushes and wiped his hands down the legs of his trousers. There they mounted their horses. Once they crossed the newly repaired bridge over the Flint River and had a long stretch of empty road ahead of them, Gavin looked back. Daia also turned and saw no one behind them.

“All right, Kinshield. Tell me about the gems in the sword.”

He took a deep breath before answering, “They’re the Rune Stones.”

His words hit her like a low-hanging branch. “Risan gave them to you for saving his—?” A chill swept over her. She took in a sharp breath, and a breeze ruffled his hair.

His eyes darkened as he turned toward her and gazed at her. “No. He didn’t,” Gavin said, his voice raspy like autumn leaves in the wind.

Daia breathed out in a long sigh.
Of course not,
she thought.
Because Risan Stronghammer is just a blacksmith.

Chapter 27

“Ain’t you going to ask how I got ‘em?” Gavin asked. He shouldn’t have told her. Judging by the look on her face, the thought of Gavin being king disturbed her, probably as much as it did him.

Daia cleared her throat. “I believe I already know the answer to that.” She looked straight ahead while the muscles in her jaw bunched under her skin. Chewing on it like rotten meat she didn’t want to swallow.