Fallen Light by Benjamin A. Sorensen

Author:Benjamin A. Sorensen [Sorensen, Benjamin A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-05-26T23:00:00+00:00

Later, as evening was falling, Rael came to her. “The Barbarian leaders want to speak with you,” he said.

“Oh? Why?”

“They want to use you as bait for an ambush.”

“I see. Were they listening to our conversation? No, never mind. They’re fighters; they probably dream about ambushes at night. They broached the idea to you, first?”

“They know that I am familiar with the customs of this people. They were uncertain whether it would be inappropriate to approach you directly, as women are not warriors in this land.”

“A curiously polite people. I will come.” She stood. “Out of curiosity, did you tell them it was appropriate to ask me, or not?”

“I told them that you are a unique individual, not prone to the customs of our society.”

“A safe answer.”

“A correct answer, as well.”

“Where are they?”

“Outside.”

She winced. “Let me get a coat. Or two. Or three.”

It was a relief to see that the Barbarians were also dressed warmly; she had half-expected them to be standing around in their loincloths as proof of their immunity to the weather. Well, perhaps not that far, but it might have been a fascinating sight in any case. So that she wouldn’t have to stand out there any longer than necessary, she said, “Rael said you want to ambush somebody. Who are you attacking?”

One of them smiled at her; she recognized the man who had first taken her prisoner. “There are . . . young men . . . that seek to rise up against us. This poses a problem, since they have not yet attacked us. Left to itself, this movement will grow. This we do not wish. Yet we cannot attack them simply for watching us. This would reinforce your people’s lies about us. Therefore, we wish them to attack us, in a move we can crush, while this movement is yet young and small. In this way, we eliminate a potential threat and teach the rest of them the folly of attacking us without teaching them to fear us as savage.”

She considered for a few moments. “Those are good reasons, I guess, but what does this have to do with me?”

“They will not attack us. They know that we will deal swiftly with such a threat. However, they harbor a deep hatred for Rael. They might attack him. But he assures us that his reputation as a warrior is feared in this city, as well. Thus, even were he to walk the streets, they might not strike.”

“You need somebody who looks weak and vulnerable and who looks important to Rael,” she said. “That way, they are provoked into attacking me as a method of hurting him without a risk to themselves.

“If I were to agree to do this, how would I stay alive?”

“We will walk the streets,” Rael said. “And I will be wearing steel. It would be my responsibility to put myself between you and any arrows.”

“And you don’t think your wearing a helm will warn them that you expect an attack?”

“It probably would, which is why I would not wear a helm, should you agree to this.

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