Free Treasure by Megan Derr Page A

faced.
    Closing the space between them, the priest back-handed him. "It is still law! You will keep your blasphemous thoughts to yourself, merchant! Money and fancy clothes do not mean you have the right to sneer at the holy. It is recorded, sacred fact that twins ruined Kundou and should they live, those evil two will be reborn again and plunge the world into irrevocable darkness."
    Raiden rolled his eyes. "I have travelled the world a dozen times and seen twins in many places. If the world is plunging into ruin, it is not because of two men or the threat those two men will return."
    "Blasphemer!" the priest snarled and backhanded him again. "You are no priest. You are a man of money, little better than a whore, dressed in your gaudy clothes and flashy jewels. You would not know piety if it struck you like lightning."
    "I know that the gods considered life sacred. I've read the holy texts of every nation, priest, and that is the message most oft repeated:  life is sacred. I am allowed my opinion, right or wrong, and I say that the gods would not approve of the deaths of two babes. They are only days old. They have not had time to do right or wrong, save to keep their poor parents up at all hours, and that is not their fault. Leave them in peace, priest. I might be a wealthy whore, but that means I have money enough to donate—"
    The priest backhanded him a third time. "Do not think to bribe me, merchant. I will—"
    "That is quite enough," Raiden said, grabbing his wrist and squeezing it until the priest cried out in pain. Raiden eased his grip slightly, but did not let it go. " I vow to guard the children of the sea. I vow to guide the children of the sea. I vow to love the children of the sea. That is the vow you took when you accepted the robes you wear, priest.  If you are condoning the murder of children, then you are not loving the children you guide and guard."
    Sneering, the priest replied, "You are not a priest, you are nothing but a gaudy whore. Do not presume to tell me how to behave. Whores know nothing of pious men."
    "What's going on here?" a voice demanded sharply. Raiden reluctantly let go of the priest before turning to the guard who had finally come to investigate the problem.
    "This woman bore twins," the priest said. "She will not hand them over for execution. This merchant decided it was his place to interfere. Please see he leaves and that the children are handed over to me, as the law dictates."
    Raiden was gratified by the distaste that flickered across the guard's face. "The law says they must be returned to the sea by the next full moon," the guard said. "Let the mother have a few more days with her children, priest. There is no law against that." The priest did not move, only puffed up like a blow-fish.
    "He said go," said another voice, and Raiden half-smiled as Kin joined the group. Immediately, people recoiled when they realized abruptly just who Kin was and, by default, who Raiden must be. The priest looked as angry as a mermaid, but when Kin rested a hand lightly on the hilt of his sword, he turned and stomped off, calling over his shoulder that he would be back for the babes in the morning.
    Raiden pulled out a small purse of coins and tossed it at the husband, then turned away and hurried off, eager to avoid making more of a scene. "What are you doing here?" he asked Kin.
    "There was a problem that required my attention," Kin replied with a sigh. "I was on my way back from having a word with the man trying to fleece us on material with which to repair the sails."
    "If you keep threatening all the people involved with ship making and maintenance, pretty soon you will have to make new friends in Pozhar just to get any repair work done."
    Kin shrugged, unbothered by the comment because they both knew that no one dared turn away Raiden or anyone tied to him. "Speaking of making enemies, I don't think it's wise to make them of the priesthood. There isn't much that can touch you, Shima, but the