Pierce, Tamora - Protector 04 by Lady Knight

Author:Lady Knight [Knight, Lady]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-11-24T10:57:50+00:00

2-3 May, 460 HE

Haven

10

THE REFUGEES FIGHT

Approaching Haven at the head of a train of soldiers and wagons, Kel fought the urge to turn Hoshi, cross the river to Scanra and find Blayce on her own. So the realm’s spies can’t find the man, she thought as she guided Hoshi up the road to the gates. I’ve been chosen by the Chamber of the Ordeal to settle Blayce’s account. I might be drawn to him, somehow.

“Lady?” asked Tobe, who had turned back to wait for her. “You’ve got your Blayce face on.”

Kel tossed her mad daydreams aside. If she bolted now, who would guard Haven against the killing devices? Yes, her people trained now with the nets and the pickaxes, getting faster at tossing the nets over those who played the role of the device, but Kel heard the refugees’ whispers. They believed in their ability to best the devices because they knew she had helped to kill three of the things. Without Kel at Haven, its people wouldn’t feel comfortable about their chances to fight off the devices.

Merric waited for them beside the gate, smiling as they rode in. Kel dismounted and passed her reins to Tobe. “Did you behave yourself while I was away?” she asked Merric.

“I was just as good as gold,” replied Merric. To Neal he said, “A courier arrived from the south while you were gone. There was a letter for you. I left it on your desk in the infirmary. From the capital, and perfumed, no less, “he teased.

Gydo took charge of Neal’s mount. Meech followed her, clutching the scarlet-haired rag doll that was his eternal companion. Neal raced for the infirmary.

Kel looked around her as the refugees unhitched the horses and oxen from the wagons and collected the supplies. She noticed unfamiliar faces among the population. “Merric, it looks like there are new people since I left,” she remarked.

“That’s because there are,” he replied with a wry smile. “They came in late yesterday afternoon, both groups, from two little villages near Steadfast. Loggers and carpenters, mostly. And they don’t complain as much as the Tirrsmont crowd.”

“Could anyone complain as much?” Kel enquired absently. “Did the Tirrsmont folk behave?”

“Soon as you left, Valestone was all for having a meeting to choose him as headman, but no one was interested,” Merric told her. “That was the only noise. The ploughing crews did five acres yesterday, all on this side of the river. The woodcutters brought more wood from where they’re clearing trees to the south.”

“Did you patrol?” asked Kel.

When Merric shook his head, his red forelock flopped against his forehead. “No, Mother,” he said dryly. “I knew you’d give me a spanking if I went out without doing my chores.”

Kel looked at him and sighed. “I’m sorry, Merric. I wasn’t thinking.”

“You’re in command here, Kel,” he told her, his tone quieter. “You’re doing a good job. I won’t break orders to skylark.”

“I’m not in command over you, precisely,” Kel began.

Merric raised gingery brows. “Did you forget

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