Free The Way of the Power by Stuart Jaffe Page A

“Don’t justify yourself. Nothing will change the hardship the Carsites must now suffer. Nothing will save them from the ravages of losing their magic. And after tonight, nothing will make them trust.” He straightened and wiped his brow. “But I can do something that will at least ease their minds for a little while. I can throw you out.”
    “But you aren’t safe.”
    “Not with you here. I want you gone.” He looked at Fawbry and then Hirasa. “All of you.”
    Hirasa looked as if she had been slapped. “What? But this is my home.”
    “No longer. I had tried to dissuade the people’s fears of Malja through this party. Hoped to remind them of the good she had done so recently. I would have gladly raised you high in their eyes as Malja’s true Carsite Lieutenant. But your association with her is now a mark against you. In the coming weeks, I will have to work hard to calm everybody, to make them understand that with Malja’s leaving, so goes the threat. That we are safe. I can’t do that with the people connected directly to her living amongst us. Even one as brave and wonderful as you. I’m sorry.”
    “But I fought for you. I’ve suffered every bit as much as any Carsite.”
    “This isn’t about you.”
    Fawbry made a large, sweeping motion bringing his hand to his chest. “That’s right. This is politics.” He took his badge off and dropped it into the well. It sounded like a pebble as it hit the walls on its way down.
    Disappointment twitched across Canto’s face like a flash of lightning. “Everybody always sees only how things relate to themselves. But my actions are not for me or my political future. I’m trying to protect the people of this town who fought bravely for you and suffered greatly for it.”
    “Is that the lie you convince yourself of at night?” Hirasa said, her words more choked than accusatory.
    “Enough. The decision is made. You are all to leave.”
    Malja glared at Canto until he looked away. “Come everyone. Pack up your things. We must go.”
    “Wait,” Fawbry said. “You can’t simply have us go nowhere.”
    Canto slammed his foot into the ground causing a small explosion of dust. “Go join the Pali Witch, if you want. I don’t care. Just go.”
    Waving off Hirasa’s hand, Fawbry said, “No, no. You’re banishing us, and that’s fine as far as Malja is concerned. She’s been thrown out of far better places. But what of Hirasa? What of me, your Sheriff? Are you really going to tell your town that you exiled two beloved people because they dared to help Malja fend of ruthless creatures — creatures that may have attacked the town itself if given the chance? Is that going to help you?”
    “They weren’t attacking the town. You all told me they wanted your magicians.”
    Fawbry shrugged. “The townspeople may not see it that way. Especially when, before I leave, I tell a few choice ears all about the battle Hirasa fought on their behalf for which you, Canto, have punished her. Let’s see. I could tell the Tilsons. They love to gossip. Who else?”
    “You would threaten me?” Canto looked genuinely hurt.
    “I will not allow this group to be tossed away. If you are determined to exile us, then you will do so with decency.”
    “How am I to do that?”
    Malja saw the twinkle in Fawbry’s eye. He had been waiting for this question, maneuvering Canto towards it all along like a fighter forcing his opponent into a mistake.
    Pausing a second, acting as if he gave the matter serious thought, Fawbry then snapped his fingers as if coming upon a new idea. “The old mansion in Cafloden. Allow us to stay out there.”
    “Until when? You can’t be there forever.”
    “Until we figure out our next step. After all, we hadn’t planned on any of this happening.”
    Canto crouched at the edge of the well. He stared into its emptiness and sighed. “You may stay there. But only for the season. When the rains come, you must leave.”
    “We’ll also need horses to