Free Harshini by Jennifer Fallon

neither of them has an heir. If they die, the Wolfblade line is at an end.”
    “And if her daughters have sons?”
    “Then they’d have as much claim as Hablet’s daughters, no more. The pledge specifies a Wolfblade male and even Narvell’s claim is tenuous, because he took his father’s name when he became the Warlord of Elasapine.”
    “You seem remarkably well informed on the matter of Hythrun bloodlines.”
    “It’s my job. Besides, I’ve been looking into the matter lately. The Guild might be apolitical, but we are hardly politically naive. The machinations of kings and princes affect us closely. We have a vested interest in keeping things stable.”
    “Hence your reluctance to assassinate them.”
    “I see you understand our position.”
    Brak nodded, wondering how much he should tell Teriahna. For that matter, it wouldn’t be long before she learnt of it anyway. Once Damin reached Hythria, the news would spread like a grass fire.
    They had reached the end of the wharf and took the carved stone steps up to the paved road that circled the harbour. Brak glanced over his shoulder, surprised at the distance they had covered. He had been so engrossed in the conversation he had not noticed.
    “Are you hungry? There’s a tavern not far from here that serves the best oysters in Fardohnya.”
    Brak nodded his agreement distractedly. The Raven led the way a little further up the road to a small tavern with an arched entrance, over which was carved the words “The Pearl of Talabar”. The tavern was cramped, but clean and cool and Teriahna was obviously well known. The owner hurried forward to greet them and showed them to aprivate booth in the back that gave them a clear view of the rest of the room.
    “Now,” she said decisively, once they were seated. “I have answered your questions. I think it’s time you answered a few of mine.”
    “If I can.”
    “What are you doing in Talabar?”
    “I don’t suppose you’d believe me if I said I was sightseeing?” he asked with a faint smile.
    “No, I don’t suppose I would. Nor do I think you sought out the Guild to kill someone for you. So there has to be another reason.”
    “There is.”
    She let out an exasperated sigh. “Well? Do I have to drag it from you?”
    He smiled. “I’ve come from Medalon.”
    “Medalon? That’s an odd place for a Harshini to be.”
    “Not really. The Harshini who survived the Sisterhood’s purges still live in Medalon.”
    “Everyone believes the Harshini are extinct. Except you, of course. You are thought to be the last. And we all thought you long dead.”
    “The Harshini are not dead.”
    “So where are they?”
    “I like you, Teriahna, but I don’t trust you that much.”
    She nodded, her eyes glittering mischievously in the gloom. “I didn’t seriously think you’d tell me, but it was worth a try.”
    The conversation stopped as the tavern keeper arrived with two platters of chilled oysters. Teriahna tucked into her meal with gusto, slurping the oystersfrom their shells with obvious relish. The tavern keeper left with a small, indulgent smile at the Raven. She caught his look and smiled.
    “I grew up around here. Mornt is an old friend,” she explained, wiping her chin.
    Brak picked up a shell and tipped the juicy contents down his throat. Teriahna was right. Seasoned with something he could not identify, it was delicious.
    “Rumour has it the taste is the result of the oyster beds being in a direct line of Talabar’s sewage outlet.”
    Brak almost choked on the oyster as she burst out laughing.
    “I’m kidding, Brak. Mornt has a secret recipe that he guards with his life. We’ve been offered a small fortune to torture the information out of him. We refused, naturally, and let Mornt learn of our refusal. Now we eat here for free.”
    “A small price to pay for your life. I never realised the tavern business was so cutthroat.”
    “You’d be surprised what we get asked to do.”
    “No