The Cruasder Road by Michael A. Stackpole

Author:Michael A. Stackpole [Stackpole, Michael A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-60125-658-4
Publisher: Paizo Inc.
Published: 2014-06-07T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

Forging Alliances

Mother, we have a problem."

The urgency in her daughter's voice made Tyressa look up from the map table. "Is someone dead? Is someone bleeding?"

"Not yet. You better come." Serrana pointed at the hatchet. "You'll want to be wearing that, too."

Tyressa grabbed the belt from which the hatchet hung and looped it over her shoulder, then threaded her way to the second longhouse's door. Everyone living there appeared to be going about their afternoon duties—consisting largely of childcare and meal preparation. Outside, the two women headed for the gate, and people drifted with them.

More of them were armed than Tyressa found comfortable. Not because she didn't like them carrying weapons, but because they were milling about. We may have taught them to shoot, but we've not taught them to be warriors. That will have to change.

Through the gates, she followed her daughter along the winding track heading west, eventually leading to the road that ran near the Murdoon estate. Slightly south of where the road disappeared into the forest, a crowd of Kellids had gathered. The Wolfmane tribesfolk weren't arrayed as warriors any more than her people had been, but given their history and training, any battle between them would be short, swift, and bloody. And not decided in our favor.

"Wait, Serra. What's happening? Why is Aneska standing there with Lekar?"

"That's the problem. She went hunting with Lekar. About the time I expected them back, so Lekar could continue training people this afternoon, Selka said the other Kellid wouldn't be returning to instruct anymore, and that Aneska would go with him to be his wife."

"Is she with him willingly?"

The girl wouldn't meet her mother's gaze. "I don't know."

"How can you not know? She's your servant and—I thought—your friend."

"I've been spending much of my time with Ranall. Aneska and I don't talk as much as we used to. Hardly at all now."

An angry spark flashed through Tyressa. "I'm not asking if you're still friends, I'm asking what you observed. You have a role here, and not just because you're my daughter. We all have to be responsible for each other. Was she complicit in this? Is she consenting, or is she under duress?"

"Like I said, I don't know."

"You and I are going to have a long talk, young lady."

"Mother."

Tyressa had expected defiance from a child trying to be an adult. Instead, she got pain and fear from a young woman who clearly felt as helpless as a child. "I'll do what I can," she told Serrana. "You go back to town and don't let anyone do anything stupid."

"Yes, I understand."

Tyressa continued toward the Wolfmanes, taking some heart in the fact that a carpet had been rolled out, flattening grasses. Darioth sat on one end with her back to her people. Tyressa also recognized the crone from their first meeting, and both Lekar and Selka, the two hunters who had been helping train the Silverlakers. Aneska stood next to Lekar, the Kellid's arm draped possessively around her shoulders. Darioth had added

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.