Furies of Calderon by Jim Butcher Read Free Book Online Page A

Bernard?”

    Bernard waved a friendly hand at Kord, but Tavi noted that he held an arrow along with the bow in his other. “Little accident,” he said. “I mistook your boy there for some kind of robber lurking by the road to attack travelers.”

    Kord’s eyes narrowed. “Are you accusing me of something?”

    “Of course not,” Bernard drawled, his smile not touching his eyes. “This is just a misunderstanding. Thank the great furies no one got hurt.” He paused for a moment, his smile vanishing before he said, quietly, “I’d hate to have someone get hurt on my land.”

    Kord snarled, a sound more bestial than human, and rolled forward a furious step. The ground under his feet rumbled and quivered, restless little hummocks rising and falling as though some kind of serpent slithered about just beneath the surface.

    Bernard faced Kord without looking away, stirring, or changing his expression.

    Kord growled again, and with a visible effort choked back his anger. “One of these days I’m going to get upset with you, Bernard.”

    “Don’t say things like that, Kord,” Tavi’s uncle replied. “You’ll frighten the boy.”

    Kord’s eyes flicked to Tavi, and the boy felt suddenly uneasy under that intense and angry regard.

    “He come into any furies yet, or are you finally going to admit what a useless little freak he is?”

    The simple comment pierced Tavi like a thorn, and he opened his mouth to make a furious response Bernard settled his hand on Tavi’s shoulder and said, “Don’t worry about my nephew.” He glanced at Bittan. “After all, you’ve got other concerns. Why don’t you head on down to the stead-holt? I’m sure Isana is getting something ready for you.”

    “Think we’ll stay here a while,” Kord said. “Maybe eat a little breakfast.”

    “Suit yourself,” Bernard said, and stared on down the lane Tavi followed close behind them Bernard ignored Kord until they had crossed the footbridge. “Oh,” Bernard said, looking over his shoulder. “I forgot to mention that Warner already came in last night, Kord. His sons are on leave from the Legions so that they could visit their father.”

    “Bring them on,” Bittan snapped. “We’ll tear them apa—”

    Kord delivered an openhanded blow to Bittan’s face that knocked the boy to the ground. “Shut your mouth.”

    Bittan shook his head, dazed and scowling. He didn’t answer Kord or look at his father as he stood up

    “Go on down,” Bernard said. “I’m sure we can get everything worked out.”

    Kord didn’t reply. He beckoned his sons with a curt gesture and started down the lane. They followed him, and Bittan cast a harsh, hateful glare at Tavi as he walked. “Freak.”

    Tavi clenched his hands into fists, but let the comment pass. Bernard nodded his approval, and they waited as Kord and his sons headed down the lane to Bernard-holt. As they watched, Tavi said, “They were there to attack Warner, weren’t they, uncle?”

    “It’s possible,” Bernard said. “That’s why your aunt asked Warner to come in last night Kord is desperate.”

    “Why? It’s Bittan that’s been accused, not him.”

    “Rape is a realm offense,” Bernard answered. “Kord is the family head, and he shares responsibility for offenses against the realm. If the truth-find shows that there needs to be a trial, and Bittan is judged guilty, Count Gram could remove Kord’s claim to Kord-holt.”

    “You think he’d kill to protect it?” Tavi asked

    “I think men who lust for power are capable of almost anything.” He shook his head. “Kord sees power as something to satisfy his desires, instead of a tool to protect and serve the people beholden to him. It’s a stupid attitude, and it will eventually get him killed—but until then it makes him dangerous.”

    “He scares me,” Tavi said.

    “He scares anyone with good sense, boy.” Bernard passed his bow to Tavi and opened a pouch on his belt. He withdrew a small