Of Blood and Honor by Chris Metzen Read Free Book Online Page A

too irritably. “I wanted to go alone, so I told Arden not to speak about it with anyone.”
    Karandra frowned and folded her arms under her breasts. She did that every time she was upset with him.
    “You went off alone only days after your attack? How can you be so reckless, Tirion? What were you trying to prove? It’s not like you’re a young man anymore!” she said heatedly.
    Tirion flinched. First Barthilas and now his wife. “I’ve been soldiering for more years than you’ve been alive, girl! The last thing I need from you is a lecture on how to perform my duties properly!” he growled.
    Tirion rarely spoke to her like that, and Karandra never really knew how to respond when he did. She decided that a tactical change of subject was needed in order to salvage the conversation.
    “Did you find what you were looking for?” she asked, trying to make her voice sound as innocent as possible.
    Tirion forced himself to calm down, but knew that this new line of questioning wouldn’t fare well for her either. “Yes, I did,” he said in an even tone. “I am convinced that my encounter was an isolated event, and that we have nothing to fear from the orcs.”
    Karandra brightened and sat down beside him on the bed. She took his hand in hers. “I’m so relieved. That’s wonderful, Tirion, but how can you be so sure?” she asked.
    Tirion’s heart sank. He would not lie to her. “I can’t tell you, my love,” he said softly.
    “Why not? If there is nothing to fear, as you say, then there shouldn’t be any problem with telling me, should there?” she asked. Something in her voice sounded hurt.
    “It is a matter of honor, Karandra. I cannot tell you,” he repeated.
    With a start, Karandra ripped her hand away and stood up from the bed. Tirion half expected lightning bolts to burst forth from her eyes.
    “Honor. It always comes down to that with you, Tirion! You’re just as exasperating as that vainglorious Barthilas! Is your precious honor really more important to you than your own wife?” She cupped her face with her hands and seemed to be on the verge of tears. Tirion looked up at her and answered as gently as he could.
    “You wouldn’t understand, my love. I am a Paladin. There is a great deal expected of me. . . .” he said, his voice trailing off. There was an uncharacteristic note of self-pity in his tone.
    Karandra took her hands from her face and had to restrain herself from hitting him.
    “You’re right, I don’t understand! But I know exactly what’s expected of you,” she yelled as tears started flowing down her reddening cheeks. “You’re expected to act like my husband and not try to shelter me from your silly little secrets like I’m still a girl in pigtails! You’re expected to act like a responsible lord and not go gallivanting off alone and putting yourself in danger!” Tirion looked away as she began to sob. “You’re supposed to be careful and stay alive so that our son doesn’t grow up without a father,” she finished.
    Tirion stood up and took her in his arms. “I know, dearest. I did take an unnecessary risk. But you’ve got to trust me on this, Karandra. Everything will be all right,” he told her soothingly.
    She wiped the tears from her eyes and looked at her husband’s face. She would try to trust his judgment. She was about to tell him as much when a quiet shuffling of feet announced that Taelan had entered the room. Tirion and Karandra looked toward the door to see their bleary-eyed son standing before them. Apparently, their arguing had woken the boy up.
    “Are you two fighting?” the boy asked timidly, his big blue eyes glistening with concern.
    Tirion walked over and scooped the boy up in his arms. “No, son, your mother’s just worried about the orcs, is all,” he said soothingly.
    Taelan seemed to think for a moment. “Poppa, are the orcs as mean and cruel as everyone says they are?” the boy asked.
    Tirion wasn’t prepared for such a direct