Lines of Fire (The Guild House - Defenders Hall) by Janet Lane Walters Read Free Book Online Page A

Swordmaster. “I will testify. Petan cut Robec when there was no reason to turn his sword in that direction.”
    “Truth,” the Justicar said. “The Left Hand says exactly what I witnessed.”
    “Perhaps your gazes shifted for a moment and you missed what I saw,” the Swordmaster said.
    “Petan, did you cut Robec?” the Justicar asked.
    “Yes.”
    “Truth. Was it deliberate?”
    Petan pressed his lips in a firm line.
    Kalia clenched her hands. His silence condemns him. What would happen now?
    Chanting rose from the crowd. “Cheat. Petan is a cheat. Banish him. Banish Petan now.” The shouts roared like a fire at the peak.
    The cries thundered in Kalia’s ears. She found her way through the number of men and women gathered around the fallen. What would her father do? Would he defy the rest of the Defenders?
    His words startled her. “Petan, you have forfeited your position as a Defender. Be gone. You have two hours before you will be hunted.”
     
     
     

 
    Chapter 4
     
    Though Alric tried to avoid the descending blade, he failed. His roll prevented a death blow. Excruciating pain followed the slice of the sword along his back and left arm. Would the wound cripple him and force him to leave the Defenders? Anger rose with the pain. How dare Petan attack from behind?
    Alric collapsed atop Robec and felt the warm stickiness of fresh blood. Sliding his hand along his companion’s leg he realized the flow was his own. He rolled to the sand so the Healers could work on the Swordmaster’s son.
    Angry shouts chanted words he strained to hear. “Banish him.” Over and over the words filled his head. Why did they want to send him away? He wasn’t the coward who had struck from behind. He had sped to Robec’s side to save him from crossing the abyss against his choice. Robec’s friend had been the one to strike the blow.
    Alric heard a man’s voice. “Damn, the bleeding won’t stop.”
    “Robec?”
    “No. Whatever you did stopped the flow from his wound. It’s your injury that’s the problem.”
    “Let me,” a soft voice said.
    Alric felt fingers move slowly along his back. The warmth of the touch told him who was there. He turned his head. “I’m sorry I failed to free you.”
    “But you did. Petan dishonored his sword and knife. He’s gone,” Kalia whispered.
    Her touch vanished but he savored her words. He hadn’t been sent away in disgrace. He remained a Defender.
    Chills shook his body. Shock, he thought. It had happened to him once before after an injury. “Healer, how bad is my injury?”
    “Bad enough to need stitching. Imagine you’ll be a guest in the Infirmary for a week or so.”
    Alric shook his head. “Don’t have time for that.”
    The Healer chuckled. “Let me wrap your arm and back. Good thing you moved or the blade would have gone into your heart.” He daubed something on the skin. “This will numb the area.”
    The pain receded. Alric drew a breath. “Thanks.”
    “How did that woman stop the bleeding?”
    “Defender’s secret.”
    “Then I won’t pry but sure would like to learn how.” The Healer sighed. “Would help when we need to cut people to heal them.”
    Sando knelt beside Alric. “You all right?”
    “Been better.”
    “Put yourself in a pickle.”
    “How so?”
    Sando chuckled. “Saved the Swordmaster’s son. Revealed an interesting talent to everyone. Got rid of your leader’s favorite. Coward came after you. All four patrols demanded Petan’s banishment.”
    “Did the Swordmaster agree?” Alric moved his head and felt no pain. Whatever the Healer had rubbed on his skin had worked.
    “What could he do?” Sando lowered his voice. “He tried to blame you but the Justicar and the Left Hand exposed the lie. The four patrols have demanded you and Kalia be bonded.”
    “Only if she chooses.”
    “Young woman’s skittish. You’ll have time to consider what to do. You and Robec are off to Healers Hall. Litters are on the way.”
    “I’m not