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

He didn’t know his name or remember anything about the attack.”
    “Was he taken to the Nursery?”
    “My father brought him into our family.” Robec shook his head. “I’d forgotten we were once a family. Petan was afraid of the man who used to be the Left Hand. I was about four or five when he came. A short time later Mother moved to the Women’s Quarters. Petan and I stayed with my father, Petan became as close as a brother.” He turned away.
    Alric heard pain in Robec’s voice. He wanted to ask about Petan’s lines. Had they been dark even then? Though he and Robec had put their animosity aside the other man remained the Swordmaster’s son.
    The Senior Healer in charge of their care entered the room. “Time to check your stitches.”
    Alric lay on his stomach. The Healer and three trainees gathered around his body and removed the dressings.
    “As you see, the healing is well advanced,” the older man said. “Scissors and forceps. I’ll remove the sutures.”
    “I thought they were to stay in seven to ten days,” one of the trainees said. “It’s only been five.”
    “Except for Defenders. They seem to heal faster than others.”
    “Will you remove mine?” Robec asked.
    “I expect to find the same degree of fusion but I want you to use the crutches for another week. You were fortunate the muscle wasn’t completely severed.”
    “Can I leave?” Alric asked.
    The Healer laughed. “No reason to keep you.” He turned to his trainees. “Another thing about Defenders. They don’t like to be confined.” He moved to Robec’s bed and called for clean instruments. “Light duty for both. No duels for at least ten days.”
    “Can I ride?” Robec asked.
    “No reason you can’t but don’t be ashamed of asking for help mounting and dismounting.”
    Within minutes following the departure of the Healers, Alric dressed and pulled on his boots. The moment he found Sando he would ask for a short assignment. Delivering messages or medicines to a distant Healer would allow him to escape the Hall until he sorted through his options. He buckled on his sword and knife.
    “Wait for me.” Robec swung on his crutches toward the door. “Are you heading to the Women’s Quarters?”
    “Why?”
    “To meet Kalia and set a time for the bonding.”
    “I stood as her champion to give her a choice, not to force her into a bond.”
    Robec reached the door. “Won’t matter about your decision. You heard what your friend said. The patrol leaders insist on the bonding.” Robec caught up. “I wonder why she only visited once.”
    “Probably because of me.” Alric stepped into the courtyard and inhaled a breath of air not flavored by medicinal odors.
    “Where are you going?” Robec asked.
    Alric paused at the entrance to the tunnel. “To the Hall. After I check on Storm Cloud’s injury. Then I’ll find Sando and request an assignment. Don’t like hanging around the Hall for long.”
    “I’ll come with you and avoid a meeting with my father a bit longer.”
    Alric strode along the tunnel between the walls toward Defenders Hall. Why did Robec want to avoid his father? Memories arose. Alric brought his father’s craggy face into view. He wished he could talk to him and ask for advice on how to avoid being burned by the fires set by the Swordmaster.
    Robec’s crutches clicked against the flagstones. Alric wondered why the leader’s son sought his company. At the tunnel’s end he crossed the courtyard to the stable. The sweet aroma of hay clashed with the pungent odors of the stabled animals.
    The sound of Robec’s crutches stopped. “Mist is gone.”
    “Who?”
    “Kalia’s bihorn.”
    Alric turned. “Does that present a problem?”
    “Yes.” Robec groaned. “She threatened to run away. Maybe she did. Or my father might have banished her for disobeying him. Maybe Petan stole her.”
    “Would she go with him?”
    “Not willingly.” Robec hobbled to the door.
    “Wait. We’ll check on her