Boyett-Compo, Charlotte - WindTales 02 by WindChance Read Free Book Online Page B

Although blessed with a mischievous nature that oftentimes made
    the Sisters grit their teeth in exasperation, he had garnered their love and respect because of his innate
    sense of fairness and leniency toward those less fortunate than himself. Having his mother die while giving
    birth to his sister, Genevieve, and his father murdered, having known terrible loneliness and pain at an
    early age, it was understandable the boy would look to the Sisters for the affection he craved. Although
    he had tried to hide his need when first sent to the orphanage, the Sisters had recognized the little boy's
    silent cry for help. The one thing that the Sisters had not taught him, had not even tried to teach him, was
    the ability to recognize that hidden pain in another human being. That was a talent, an ability, with that
    Weir had been born, and an ability that had been finely honed from his own years of heartbreak.
    Despite the elation he felt at having Giles Sorn's son in his grasp, Weir saw deep pain in Syn-Jern Sorn.
    He felt it to the bottom of his soul.
    And it made him furious.
    “Was your crime so terrible that you wish death over life?” Weir snarled, stalking to the bunk. “Do you
    think you will be redeemed if I kill you, Sorn?"
    Patrick moved closer to the bunk, wanting to put himself between the two men.
    “I don't blame you for hating me,” Syn-Jern whispered, his voice getting stronger, less halting. “Do what
    you need to."
    “Don't tell me what to do!” Weir yelled. His eyes blazed, his body quivered with fury. “I'll decide what
    should be done to you!"
    “Weir.” Paddy's voice was soft, a quiet warning, and a gentle plea for sanity.
    Saur's head snapped around and he fixed his friend with a sharp, penetrating stare. “If I want to kill him,
    Kasella, you can't stop me!"
    “I can try."
    Syn-Jern looked over at the Ionarian and saw the set face filled with challenge. He knew if it came right
    down to it, Patrick would intervene if Saur tried to do him harm.
    “You know what his family has done to mine! You know! I have every right to avenge my father!” Weir
    exploded.
    “Even if this man did nothing to warrant your hatred?"
    “He's a Sorn!"
    “Aye. He hasn't denied that, but why don't you ask yourself why, if he has the protection of that family,
    he wound up in the Labyrinth."
    Weir turned back to Syn-Jern. “Who did you cheat out of their lands? Somebody who could fight back?
    Somebody important, who had the Tribunal on their side?"
    “I...” Syn-Jern began.
    “Did you have your men kill for that land, too?"
    “No, I..."
    “Or did you just have them thrown off the land, have the children sent to orphanages and hell-hole
    nunneries?"
    Syn-Jern shook his head, wanting to explain, but Saur's violent outburst made him cringe back against
    the pillow as Weir drew back his fist.
    “Or did you do the deed yourself? Huh? Did you?” He shot his arm forward only to have his hand
    caught in a fierce grip.
    Paddy's hand was strong, immobile as he clutched Weir's fist in the wide palm. His chin was set, his
    body poised to do more than just keep Weir from hitting a defenseless man. His words were soft, but
    there was underlying steel bracing them.
    “Give the man a chance to answer you, Weir."
    Syn-Jern's voice was low, gruff as he answered. “It doesn't matter why I was sent to Tyber's Isle, Lord
    Saur. I was innocent of the crime, but..."
    “I don't care about any of that!” Weir glared at Sorn. “What happened to my family's lands? The lands
    your father stole from us?” Weir spat.
    “He said the lands are now in Tribunal hands,” Patrick informed Weir. “Taken as punishment for his
    crime."
    Saur snorted. “From one thieving bunch to another! What difference does it make? I'll never get them
    back until I have enough money to bury the Sorn family and any other bastards who try to stand in my
    way!"
    “If the lands still belonged to me, I would gladly give them back to you,” Syn-Jern told