Free INBORN (The Sagas of Di'Ghon) by J. Lawrence

answer.
    “Why, it’s all anybody’s been talkin about all day.” The big woman said. “Where have you been, Jorel?”
    “Nowhere.” Jorel’s face didn’t flinch. He was purposefully not looking at Malby. It occurred to Thaniel that the two of them arrived pretty much together, and that Malby’s hair was a bit on the messy side.
    “He’s free.” Bella said with a big smile, “They drew some lots for the rest of us already, but the Caller, he’s a free man.” She leaned forward conspiratorially. “Word is that the Ontar will be announcing more names as the night wears on.”
    “Word is a bunch of people are banding together, gonna make it down the pass come spring.” Krant held up his lot. It had a big black dot on it. He was grinning ear to ear. Maybe that was why he didn’t make a fuss about getting spit or spilt on.
    “Wait,” Jorel hastily swallowed a mouthful of food, “Free, like as in, not a slave? Free to leave Ontar Hold? That kind of free?” Jorel looked at Bella so intently that it was painfully obvious that he wasn’t looking at Thaniel.
    “Yes. Free.” She answered him, “So?”
    Thaniel stared at Keriim.
    “I’m not going anywhere. Not without Jorel, or…” 
    Lisella Ontar stood again. People everywhere sat and the place hushed.
    “Where is the winner of the gate race?” She called out, holding up a lot with a large black dot on it.
    Jorel rose.
    “The gate race winner is free.” She pronounced.
    Jorel’s eyes went wide. With his mouth agape, he watched the lot pass from person to person, and stared at it unbelievingly when it finally ended up in his open palm. When he looked up at Thaniel he beamed. Then realizing all the people that sat around him that didn’t have a lot in their pocket, Malby being one of them, he sat down.
    The night wore on. The drinking continued, followed by courses of various kinds. A bit of a ritual developed. From time to time Lisella Ontar would get up. The names were called, the lot was passed, they would nod at Thaniel, and then sit down. 
    The night was almost over when she stood up for what everyone figured was the last time. Silence hovered as everyone wondered who would be the final name.
    “There is one more person who shall go free. I did not draw this lot. I choose it. I choose it because when I saw the two of them together, I saw love.”
    Necks craned everywhere as people tried to locate the last person who would be going free. Lisella Ontar looked right at Thaniel and smiled.
    “I proclaim, Elycia, to be free, as the Caller’s eternal kiss.”
    From the kitchens, the sound of a dropped platter broke the silence.

Chapter 15
    Silence
    He finished with a shuddering growl. The second he was done he shoved her off and wiped himself clean on her tattered skirt. As he tucked himself back in, arranging his clothes and armor plates in quick jerks, he sighed. He wasn’t satisfied in the least.
    Women always wanted Keriim. In fact, he had three riding him the night of the festival like he was some prized stallion. The problem was that he just couldn’t enjoy himself unless they looked like the crying whore bent over in front of him.
    “Stop your sniveling. You wanted it.”
    Keriim realized why he was so angry. He liked it better when they looked at him with their scared little woman eyes. How dare she look away from him? Hadn’t he told her not to do that? Keriim took a fistful of the woman’s brittle yellow hair and yanked her head back until she was face to face with him.
    “Did I tell you to look away?”
    “My Lord…” She started but never finished the sentence. When she opened her mouth to speak she ruined everything. She was missing most of her front teeth. Elycia, the girl he would have had instead of her, had a full set of straight white teeth.
    He was so close… if it wasn’t for that damned messenger’s meddling.
    After he set off the glowing dra, what could he have done? He had no choice but to ride out the next