Free Lines of Fire (The Guild House - Defenders Hall) by Janet Lane Walters Page B

vitality. Why couldn’t her father see Petan’s true nature? Did the dark lines blur his vision? What had caused the taint to invade their lines?
    She sent her thoughts into the past. Petan had been the only survivor of a tragedy the year Lasara had been born. The Swordmaster’s anger over the birth of a second daughter had been strong. Not long after Petan’s arrival, Kalia had been sent to the Women’s Quarters with her mother and sister. Had Petan been responsible for the changes? There was no reason to continue the speculation. She would never know.
    She left the fire and walked to the stream. She stared into the water and saw several fat chubs swimming near the bank. One of the fish would make a good meal, especially since few rations remained in her pack. After removing her scarf she used the cloth as a net and captured two. She laughed. Two would provide food for tonight and for breaking her fast in the morning. She cleaned the pair at the streamside and carried them to the fire.
    With a knife she cut filets and poured oil on a flat metal plate she’d acquired while traveling with the peddlers. She placed it on the grill over the stones forming the sides of the fire pit.
    “Enough for two?”
    She shrieked and nearly knocked the fish into the fire. When had he arrived? She hadn’t heard the bihorn approach.
    “Didn’t mean to scare you.” Alric slid from the saddle.
    “How did you find me?”
    He unsaddled his steed and removed the packs. “Used the lines of fire and what I learned from an Artisan who saw you ride off. Robec insisted on coming but when a friend warned us about men sent by your father he stayed behind to give me time to follow you.”
    She used a cloth to pull the plate away from the flames. “Will my father punish him?”
    “Why would he harm his heir?”
    She stared at her hands. “For now, there’s no reason.” She turned the fish and returned the plate to the fire.
    “Do you fear your father?”
    “He has changed since I was a child. He schemes to make everyone act as he wishes. He ordered me to accept the bond with you and break it on his command. If I refuse my mother, sister and brother will die. He wishes to bond with another woman and have only sons.”
    “There’s no guarantee that will happen.” Alric opened a pack and filled a pan with water and kafa powder. He placed trail bread and cheese on a cloth. “Why didn’t you agree?”
    “I won’t let him control me.”
    Alric removed the platter and set the fish on the cloth. “Could you let him think you’re doing just that? We would have a year to find a refuge for your family.”
    “How? He keeps them confined.”
    “You escaped.”
    “I know little used ways in and out of the Hall.”
    He placed a piece of fish on the trail bread and removed the kafa pan. “Before a year ends someone will challenge him. Can you wait that long?”
    “If I must. Will you be the one?”
    “I hope there will be someone else. I’ve no desire to become the Swordmaster. I’ve had no training for leading the Defenders. One of the Seconds or your brother is better suited than I am. Even if your father is defeated his control over Robec could keep him as the leader.”
    “What do you mean? How does he control my brother?”
    “When Robec saw us in the stable and after you ran off, he listened to me. Then Petan arrived and grasped Robec’s arm. Your brother spoke in a dull voice and echoed all Petan said. Robec followed Petan’s orders.”
    Her eyes widened. Was that what happened to her when her father touched her hand? She had meant to say one thing. Instead she had repeated his words. What about when Alric touched her? The only change she’d seen was in her lines. But after Alric’s touch she had quietly defied her father. Did Alric’s touch place her under his control?
    She rubbed her arms. “Something odd happened after we touched. What?”
    Alric shrugged. “I don’t know.” He lifted his bread. “Eat before the food