Free The Treason Blade (Battle for Alsaar Book 1) by Jenny Rebecca Keech Page A

mercy.”
    Ishar refused
to back down. “And I have seen what a Lute can do in battle. They show no more
mercy than we. The same, I am sure, could be said of you or any of the other
warriors I met last night.” Her tone softened. “In war, we do what we must. But
now there is peace between my people and the Lute and we strive to unite the
rest of the island because we have come to realize there is something out there
bigger than the rest of us. The Tourna want us at each other’s throats. It will
make it all the easier when they land their boats to destroy us.” Ishar took
the risk. “I refuse to let that happen to my people or to these, if I can help
it.”
    Traevyn
watched her warily. “What you want is for me to trust you without reservation.”
    “There is no
physical act I can do that will convince you I mean you no harm. It all boils
down to trust. You must trust the words I say because you believe in this
future as much as I.”
    Traevyn
frowned. “You ask too much.”
    “I am willing
to give that same trust,” Ishar whispered furiously. “What proof do I have to
that you will be honorable with your word?”
    Traevyn’s
eyes darkened. “If you were not a woman,” he growled.
    Ishar shoved
up her hands. “See. I am expected to take you at your word but mine is not good
enough. And you fail to see that I might take issue with that.”
    Traevyn
blinked. He opened his mouth and then closed it. His look was thoughtful as he
spoke, “I am beginning to see the position from which you speak.” Traevyn held
up a hand. “I will think on this.”
    Ishar took a
step closer, “And while you do, think on this. If you ever grab me in such a
manner again I will make you regret it.” To make her point plain, Ishar tapped
his inner thigh with the drawn dwæn she had concealed in her hand. She took two
rapid steps back to give them each some distance in case Traevyn tried to
retaliate. Ishar crossed her arms and turned her tone to one of cool civility.
“I believe I will look in on Simi and then return to the fortress to see Eira.
I have seen enough of your hospitality for one day. You are welcome to stay and
see that I keep my word,” Ishar added tautly. She turned and walked down the
middle walkway until she came to Simi’s stall. She looked back down the aisle a
moment later when the silence became extended. Traevyn was gone. Ishar sighed
and turned back at Simi’s snort and playful whinny.
    *
    The sun had
long set by the time Traevyn stalked in and sat down in a corner. Davaris
followed but bypassed the table and went directly to the bar. He brought back
two cups Jaya had filled for him and set them on the table. Davaris eased
himself down onto a bench. They both took several silent sips, ignoring the
loud laughter flowing around them. Finally Davaris spoke. “I had hoped the
drink would settle whatever stirred you up this afternoon. You fought some
demon out there,” he said pointing back toward the training area from which
they had just come, “But you let it wear my face. I think I deserve to know why
you tried to kill me today.”
    Traevyn
frowned. “I did not try to kill you today. If I had you would be dead.”
    “But you were
not fighting like yourself,” Davaris countered. “It is not like you to fight
angry. You are usually the calmest man in battle.”
    Traevyn
fingered the cup for a second. “Ishar made me angry.”
    “You do not
get angry,” Davaris stated simply.
    “Exactly,”
Traevyn muttered, “But none the less it happened.” Traevyn glanced at Davaris.
“We both know why she says she is here. But do you believe her?”
    Davaris took
a deep gulp of drink. He set it down. “It boils down to whether or not we trust
the Haaldyn enough to be allies with them.” Davaris shrugged. “Of that I am not
certain. A part of me would like to think so. We could use the extra hardened
soldiers they could provide.”
    “Exactly. We want to believe, but we are left with the
dilemma of how