Free Bonemender's Oath by Holly Bennett

been hired to kill him—and waited while the knives were gently tucked into place. It was a considered risk, to put the knife within their grasp—a demonstration of trust that, Tristan hoped, would align them on his side and against LaBarque. By the time it was done, the change in the room was palpable. The men werealert, their eyes trained upon him. They sensed they had been offered redemption and strained to grasp it.
    “Now, you.” He pointed to the last man, who had been almost completely silent. He came forward eagerly and bowed. “I need rope, something to tie the prisoner’s hands.” In moments, the curtain cord was fastened tightly around LaBarque’s wrists. Now Tristan took time to glance at the arrow digging at his flesh. With relief he saw that the arrowhead had not even completely pierced his boot leather. At such a range, he might have been pinned to the floor, but his hasty dive had forced a hurried draw at an awkward angle, and he would have nothing worse than an angry surface injury. It was the work of a second to pull himself free.
    “Isn’t there something I can do, Sire?” It was Red, positively eager.
    Now Tristan allowed himself a small smile. “I think you have done quite enough already, don’t you?” The men exchanged glances, not daring to share the jest. Tristan relented. Red was his best hope for the last step. “Go to the front door, and tell the two guards posted there I have need of them. Tell them I have arrested LaBarque.” Fear jumped back into Red’s eyes, but Tristan held his gaze calmly.
    A bitter laugh broke the spell. “You send the pig to fetch his own butcher!” crowed LaBarque. “Almost I begin to admire you, young princeling.” His lip curled in disdain. “You credulous fools! Prison looms before you, and you not only lack the wits to run, you leap to the aid of your jailer. You, not I, have attempted murder in this room. I strongly suggest you finish the job before it’s too late!”
    “But I think you are mistaken, LaBarque,” said Tristan. “I heard you order these men to shoot me, yet they came to my aid.They have had, in fact, several opportunities to finish me off, and each has instead demonstrated his loyalty. That is a strange sort of murder, is it not?” He watched as Red wheeled and marched decisively through the door.
    As LaBarque was frog-marched from his home under guard, Tristan, severe now, addressed his little trio. “I do not doubt you were misled about my identity, but the fact remains you were prepared to kill another man,” he said. “Pirate or not, this is against the law of Verdeau.” They could not meet his eyes, but Red stepped forward hesitantly.
    “Sir... Sire. He threatened us. LaBarque, I mean. Our families, like.”
    “Aye.” Tristan nodded. “I am not surprised to hear it. That is the way of men like him. But that is a kind of piracy too, and others must stand against it.
    “Now LaBarque may name you as accomplices in his trial. And if he does, you will have to come forward and beg the mercy of the court. But for myself, I am content to have your witness to his crime. I want you to go with Normand there”—he gestured at the remaining guard—”and make your statements as to exactly what happened. He will write it down, to be presented as evidence. And then I suggest you leave by the back door, if there is one, and put a substantial distance between yourselves and this house.”
    As the men filed past him, Red bent onto one knee and touched his fingers to his brow. “If you ever come back here, you won’t find stronger or more loyal supporters than us, My Lord. That’s a promise.”
    Tristan regarded him. “You have seen, I think, what I am made of this day. One day there may be need for you to stand up and show what you are made of.”
    At last he was alone in the study. He sprawled into a chair, letting the tension of the last hour seep away, and chuckled to himself.
    “You had better support me,” he said