The Sworn Knight by Robert Ryan (novels to read txt) 📕

“You came back for me,” Menendil said. “Thank you for that.”

It seemed a poor way of saying thanks to the man who hadsaved his life, but it was all he could think of.

Caludreth grinned at him. His face was clear now, for thedawn was at hand. It was still dark, but only a twilight sort of darkness. Daywould be swift in coming now, and they must find shelter soon. They could notrisk Caludreth being recognized on the streets.

“Of course I came back for you,” the once-knight answered.“You rescued me from a fate worse than any elù-drak, so I still owe you.”

“That debt is repaid now,” Menendil replied. “Well andtruly. Faladir needs you. It doesn’t need me, so the risk you took was greaterthan the risk I took for you.”

“I do not see it so,” the big man replied. “None of thiswould have happened without you. Your service to Faladir has been greater thanmy own.”

Menendil did not think so, but this was no time to debatethe matter. Already there were a few people in the street forced out on someurgent errand. They seemed hesitant, and well they might be. They could nothave missed the terrible cries from not long ago. They would know whatcreatures were abroad in this part of the city. But daylight was safe, anddaylight was at hand.

They kept their distance from the few people they saw,pretending to be just like them and hurrying on some pressing task that couldnot wait.

“How did you even know I needed help?” Menendil asked.

Caludreth glanced skyward, as they both were doingincessantly.

“I thought as we ran from the statue that you were closebehind me. I was wrong though, and I was well down a street before I realizedit. I turned to speak to you, and found it was another of the Hundred instead.”

The once-knight paused as a man came from a building nearby.He glanced at them, then looked skyward and walked to the other side of thestreet to avoid them.

Caludreth continued. “I hesitated then, unsure what to do orwhere you were. Then I heard the cry of an elù-drak from back in the square,and I knew.”

Menendil realized just how much his life had hung on a thread.Had Caludreth ignored the cry, which no one would have blamed him for, Menendilwould not be alive to hear this conversation.

He sighed, and then looked up out of nervousness. Even as hedid so, he saw a shadow plummet silently toward them, all pale body and darkwings. With a sudden move, he pushed Caludreth over and sprawled to the groundhimself.

The shadow passed over them, and there was a rush of airthat Menendil felt across his skin. It gave him the shivers.

But a moment later they were up and running. The buildingshelped them here, for they prevented the creature from seeing them at times orlaunching an attack from most angles.

They disappeared down an alley, and it was one Menendil knewvery well. They were close to The Bouncing Stone now, but no matter how closehe would not enter its safety while there was a chance of being seen. He wouldbring no danger down on his wife or staff.

There was no rush of wings for the next attack. The creaturedid not fly but crawled down a wall toward them. It had done so silently andwas nearly upon them when Caludreth cried out.

“Close your eyes!” he ordered. A moment Menendil hesitated,but against all instincts he did as Caludreth asked.

There was a mighty flash of light that burned like the suneven through Menendil’s eyelids, then there was a scream. The creature fellfrom the wall.

“Run!” Caludreth commanded. And they ran. They crossed astreet and went down another alley, and then suddenly they were at the backdoor of the inn.

“It’s blinded for a few moments,” Caludreth hissed.“Quickly. Let’s get inside while we can.”

Menendil glanced around once more, making sure they were notobserved by anyone. Then he opened the door and closed it quickly behind them.

They were safe again, if safety existed any longer inFaladir.

22. We Cannot Hide

Ferla slept, but it would only be a short rest. Dawnwas approaching, and then they must be on the move again.

Her sleep was disturbed. Dark dreams threaded through it,and the touch of Savanest’s phantom hand always seemed to be on her skin. Hehad said she would be his, but she rejected that. Better to die than becomewhat he wanted.

She woke with the morning sun on her face. Asana and Kubodinwere already up, and they had prepared breakfast.

She did not much feel like eating.

“Food is medicine,” Kubodin encouraged her. They did notknow all that had happened last night, nor all that was said. But they wereboth shrewd and knew the gist of things and could piece more together.

She ate then, but having started she found that she wasindeed hungry. Kubodin watched her with a knowing look, while a little way awayAsana practiced a sword form, his every movement pure grace.

She finished eating, and they were ready to leave when shehalted them.

“A moment,” she said, and she saw concern in their eyes.

“Savanest will begin the hunt now, and nothing will stophim. We know now how he keeps finding us, and I don’t see a way to preventhim.”

They both looked at her earnestly, but said nothing.

She went on, steeling herself for what she must say. Wishingthat it were otherwise, but knowing it was not.

“It’s me he hunts. Only me. You two can get away, and youshould.”

They looked at her solemnly. But it was Asana who spoke.

“We thought you would suggest something like this. Wediscussed it last night after you slept. And we are both in agreement.”

“In agreement about what?”

“We’re not going anywhere, except with you,” Kubodin said.“We made our decision on the mountain, and we knew this would come.”

But not so soon, Ferla thought. She did not say it. Instead,she just looked at them, and felt an enormous sense of gratitude. For all theproblems and the evil in the world, it was good for this. True friends whowould stand with her, no matter what. Yet still, if something happened