Free Justice by Rhiannon Paille Page B

hadn’t seen Krishani angry like this before. It was always apologetic and withdrawn. Even then he caused the land so much damage. Part of him knew he was being too hard on the boy, but another part was afraid of what would happen to Avristar. He couldn’t let it go. He could see in Krishani’s body language how broken he was. His shoulders slumped forward, he was thinner, the cloak hanging off him like rags—he hadn’t even removed the armor.
    “You were too cowardly to face the foe. She was alone,” Krishani snapped.
    Istar stepped back, offended, the accusation repulsive and rancid with truth. He shot Krishani a reproachful look, but it didn’t help. Krishani wasn’t going to calm down; he wasn’t going to listen anymore. He carefully withdrew towards the fields and shook his head. “You will always be my biggest mistake.”
    “I will always be nothing!” Krishani shouted. The boy fell to his knees, exhausted. There was a loud crack of thunder outside the stables and as his shoulders shook, rain poured like a waterfall from the sky.
    Istar stopped short, staring at the sheet of rain like a slap in the face. He glanced at Krishani. Pux approached him slowly, a warning eye on Istar.
    “Come, I’m famished,” Pux said, pulling Krishani to his feet and moving into the castle.
    * * *

9 - Exile and Death
    They listened to the rain in silence, sitting across from one another. Krishani ripped apart a loaf of bread with his hands and stuffed tiny bits of it into his mouth.
    Pux grabbed what was left of the meat and gobbled it down. He took another sip of spring water and swallowed hard. He had no idea what to say; it seemed easier to stuff his mouth full of food than to risk setting off Krishani any further. The mess hall was deserted, silence hung around them. Even the servants had gone to bed. It left the castle in its usual quiet. Pux felt dreadful. He wanted to erase the memory of Krishani and Istar encountering each other in the stables. He wanted to forget the rain had come at the moment Krishani’s anger peaked. He knew the elven had abilities greater than his own, being in the Brotherhood of Amersil and all, but he wasn’t used to anger. He sighed loud and broke the silence.
    Pux dared a glance at him. “Nothing worse than soggy fields.”
    Krishani clenched his fist. “Avristar doesn’t want me here.”
    Pux buried his face in his bread. “She wouldn’t exile one of her own.” He didn’t want to be sitting there anymore. Krishani made him feel nauseous and heavy. His grief was so much deeper.
    Krishani stopped pulling bread apart and left it on the table. “I’m not one of hers.” He pushed himself up and moved into the hall.
    Pux scrambled after him. He ignored the comment. He had never known anyone that wasn’t a Child of Avristar; it didn’t seem possible. “Where are you going?”
    “Somewhere to think.” Krishani began down the hallway, but Pux caught up to him again.
    “Can you tell me why it happens?”
    “Why what happens?”
    “The rain?”
    Pux watched him tremble with grief and guilt. He thought Krishani caused the snow, but he would never tell him. Krishani pulled his hood over his head. “It just does.”
    • • •
    Krishani quickened his pace and crossed the marble floor in the Grand Hall. He wouldn’t dare a glance at the fountain even though the trickling sounds wafted through the air. He emerged in the courtyard and was immediately pelted by heavy rain. He didn’t care his clothes were soaked in minutes, he needed the waterfall.
    He crossed the bridge and turned down the path that led to the falls. Kaliel’s energy lingered and despite the dangers of succumbing to his grief, he needed to feel her. He needed to know what to do about his growing disposition to life.
    The ground became muddy and slippery as he trampled across it. Part of him wanted the rain to wash away the land, and another wanted it to stop so the scrutiny would end. His abilities had always been