Free Justice by Rhiannon Paille Page A

pushed himself to his knees and looked in the direction of the mountain. The elders mourned her death, which meant they accepted her death. Sickness threatened to twist his insides into knots. “It hurts.”
    Pux hung his head. “Aye.”
    Krishani closed his eyes and sunk his fingers into the ground. Pux was considerably easier to deal with than the others. The feorn cared about Kaliel; he was her best friend. “She meant everything to me.”
    Pux shook his head. He paced around in a circle and looked at Krishani. “It should have been you,” he blurted.
    Krishani looked at him with vacant eyes. Pux sighed and lifted his vest to show the huge scar on his side. Krishani looked dumbfounded, confused. Pux shied away, shame contorting his face. The feorn sat in the grass and buried his face in his hands.
    “You should have been the last one to see her before she died,” he choked.
    Krishani heard his pulse ringing in his ears as he realized what Pux was saying. He tried not to let the stab of envy hijack his mind, but it was there, gaining ground. He lowered his voice. “Why are you telling me this?”
    Pux shot him a wan smile. “I never would have made it out of the battle alive. It was an accident. I transported, she was there, she healed me.” He paused. “She was worried about you. I promised I wouldn’t let you die.”
    Krishani stood abruptly, letting the dirt fall from his hands. He looked at the grave, bleary eyed and weary. Vertigo set in; he was weak, malnourished. His lips formed a straight line, an attempt at a smile, a false sense of pride filling him. Kaliel defended everyone, but herself. That was what Krishani was supposed to do, but he failed. Pux sat on his hands, gazing into the horizon. He looked as lost as Krishani felt. Krishani tried to think of something encouraging to say but nothing sounded right.
    “Why did she have to die?” Krishani asked, his question not directed at anyone.
    Pux remained lost in his own thoughts. After moments of silence he stood. “Have you eaten?”
    Krishani shook his head. “No.”
    “Bread would be good, at least have that.” Pux moved away from the graveyard.
    “Aye.”
    Pux rounded the outskirts of the graveyard instead of trailing between the mounds of dirt. He waited until Krishani trudged forward, following him into the stables.
    Krishani looked past Pux only to see Istar approaching in his traditional white robe, a scowl on his leathery, wrinkled face. Jaw tight, Krishani clenched his fist, waiting for his mentor to speak.
    • • •
    “You’re awake,” Istar said. His cold blue eyes locked on Krishani. Istar felt a mix of regret, fear, and anger. He feared Avred; the mountain would usurp his control of the land. Seeing Krishani only brought back a reminder the boy had caused the fray. Istar would be subjected to humiliation and tyranny at the hands of the male spirit of the land. Avristar was so gentle in comparison and yet he feared the moment he would face her, too.
    Krishani folded his arms across his chest. “I shouldn’t be.”
    Istar sized him up. He wore the chainmail, cloak, tunic and breeches he had since the battle. The cloak was charred. He furrowed his brow. “Your stupidity astounds me.”
    Krishani turned vile. “I chose her. Life or death, I chose her.” He spit in his elder’s direction and stormed towards the servants’ hall.
    Istar turned. “She was never yours to be with!”
    Krishani stopped in his tracks. “Take those words back, old man.” He had a fire in his eyes unlike anything Istar had ever seen before. The boy clenched his fist and locked his gaze.
    Istar kept his eyes steady on Krishani. The boy was something he would need to deal with sooner or later, and death or not, he wouldn’t allow Krishani to succumb to bottom feeding. The boy would be punished, and he would leave Avristar. It was simple. Istar crossed his arms. “She chose her fate. You both did.”
    Krishani closed his eyes and Istar tensed. He