The Keeper's Shadow by Dennis Foon Read Free Book Online Page B

Roan of Longlight. We will follow you into battle. Give our blood. We will serve you as we serve the Friend, Brother Roan.”
    The title cuts into Roan like broken glass. Words blurt from his mouth before he can stop them. “I will never be a Brother.”
    Ende sighs, all too audibly. Kira grips Roan’s arm, as if to hold him back.
    Wolf’s hands clench. “If you will not be a Brother,” he snarls, “why have we been summoned?”
    â€œTo join us in bringing an end to the City’s rule.”
    â€œWe do not join,” hisses Wolf. “We lead. And you were born to lead us, Brother Roan.”
    Again it is Stinger who intervenes. “You have many reasons to feel hatred toward the Brothers—”
    â€œThe Brothers will always have my people’s blood on their hands.” Roan finds himself rubbing the starlike scar he’d received from the Hhroxhi. From the moment he came into the room it has tingled uncomfortably.
    â€œWe do,” agrees Stinger. “Our actions caused you and your people great harm. But these deeds were fulfillment of a prophecy. The fall of Longlight—and its willing sacrifice.” Staring pointedly at Roan’s chest, he adds, “We are not the only ones who have been scarred by spilling innocent blood.”
    Has Stinger read his unconscious worrying of an old wound as guilt? Or does he know the Hhroxhi? Mhyzah? Has he heard of the justice she and her kin exact for the murder of one of their own?
    As Stinger’s eyes meet his, Roan drops his hand to his side, embarrassed that he cannot deny the Brother’s challenge.
    â€œWe adopted you. We trained you. We baptized you. You successfully completed every trial of your initiation. Whether you wish to avow it or not, you are a Brother.”
    Roan looks bitterly at Stinger. “I did not complete the final trial. I refused.”
    But Stinger has anticipated this response. Roan can see the satisfaction in his eyes, his sardonic grin. “You refused to put to sacrifice two Fandor. But you took the blood of the Prophet, and that action assured your ascendance as leader. After that moment, Saint began preparations for your rule. The Prophet’s last instructions were that we should set about the liberation of the Farlands, first and foremost by keeping its innocents out of the City’s clutches. This purpose, he said, would be one with your own.”
    â€œYou’ve seen the children here, Roan,” confirms Kira. “There are two sanctuaries in the north. We save all we can. Many more this past year with the Brothers’ support.”
    Though Brother Wolf is still bristling from Roan’s affront, he bows his head and holds his hook-sword out to Roan. “In the absence of our Prophet, I have been leading the Brothers. I now cede my place to you.”
    â€œI do not accept your place,” insists Roan. “I would not be as able a Captain to the Brothers. It is best that you lead our efforts in the Farlands.”
    â€œMe? You mistake my abilities for those of Saint’s. He had the confidence of the Governors, gave their shipments safe passage through the Farlands to the City, protected their towns, resolved their petty rivalries. Now that we are no longer aligned with the City, I cannot defuse their panic. They are as afraid of us as they are of Darius and his henchmen.” Wolf pauses to snort in disgust. “They deal with smugglers. They bribe marauders. I cannot stomach them and I am no diplomat.”
    â€œThat may be, but to win this war we must put aside our personal antipathies and look to the goals we share. And if Governors deal with smugglers, so much the better. We’ll need one to help us get into the City.” Wolf glares at Roan stubbornly. Shifting his attention to Stinger, Roan asks pointedly, “Are there no Governors who might be sympathetic to our cause?”
    Brother Stinger lets out a weary sigh. “There