Master of Chains - Jess Lebow [51]
"Of course."
"Did you try to attack Lord Purdun in his own chambers?"
Liam smiled. "You heard that, did you?"
Samira nodded. "Is it true?"
"Yes," he said. "Twice."
"Twice?" Samira's voice rose as she said the word. She put her hand over her mouth, as if embarrassed of her outburst. In a more hushed tone, she said, "Really?"
He nodded, still smiling. The thought of how bold and truly stupid that was made him warm inside. Oddly, he was proud of himself for being so foolish.
Samira covered the smile on her mouth, but Liam could see in her eyes that she too was amused by his brash behavior.
"Ryder would have been proud of you," she said.
Liam nodded his agreement. "Yes, I think he probably would have been."
"But he also wouldn't want to see you like this." She grabbed hold of his filthy, tattered shirt and gave it a tug.
"I don't want to see me like this."
"Then be done with it," came a voice from behind Samira.
Liam looked around his brother's wife. Lord Purdun stood in the doorway.
"Well, if it isn't my old friend," said Liam. He grabbed Samira by the arm and turned her around. "Samira," he said, his voice thick with sarcasm, "may I present to you the Baron of Ahlarkham, Lord Purdun."
Purdun obviously didn't get the slight, because he smiled and bowed as he entered the room. "Thank you, Liam. And you must be Samira." Purdun crossed the stone floor and took Samira's hand.
Samira dropped into a curtsy. "Yes, my lord," she said.
"So, Liam, are you ready to accept my offer?" asked Purdun.
There were no guardsmen here, and Purdun's personal bodyguard likely wouldn't fit inside the tiny room. Liam noticed that though he was chained up, Purdun kept a good distance from him.
"What offer?" asked Samira.
"Liam hasn't told you? I've asked him to join my elite guard."
"And my answer is still no," spat Liam.
"Has none of this-" Purdun spread his arms to indicate the stone walls and hanging chains of the dungeon- "had any impact on you?"
Liam's eyes narrowed. "Yes it has," he said, his voice rising. "It's strengthened my-"
"Liam," interrupted Samira, squeezing his arm. "Don't be foolish. Do what the baron asks, and get yourself out of this place."
"Stay out of this," said Liam. He gave her a stern look, which she returned.
"Liam, be reasonable," said Purdun. "Listen to Samira. If you stay here in the dungeon, you will live a short, miserable life."
"Then let me go," said Liam, holding his arms out so the locks could be removed.
Purdun didn't budge. "If I did, then what? Where would you go? Home? The Crimson Awl thinks you're a traitor. Your life wouldn't be worth a single shaft of wheat. Would you leave Duhlnarim? Leave Ahlarkham all together? I'd be willing to bet a man like you has never been farther north than Llorbauth, maybe Shalane at best. Do you think you'd be safe only a hundred miles away? You know the Awl better than I, but in my estimation, even they could track you down if you stay in Erlkazar. Are you willing to abandon everything? Give up your family and everything you know and start over again with nothing?"
Liam glared at the baron.
Purdun continued, "Or you could join the elite guard. You'll be out of your chains." Purdun put his hand in his coat pocket and produced a key. "You'll be able to stay here and keep your family." He nodded toward Samira. "You will be safe. You will be well trained, well equipped, and well paid."
"He's right, Liam," coaxed Samira. She squeezed more tightly. Despite the soreness in his muscles, her touch somehow soothed him. "You really don't have another choice."
"No, you don't." Purdun shook his head, a smug smile on his lips.
Just the look on his face was enough to make Liam's innards burn. That self-righteous bastard! It was easy for him. He held all of the cards, and he knew it. It infuriated Liam. Purdun had the money and the army, and in his eyes, that made him right. It gave him whatever he wanted. Liam wondered if the spoiled little brat had ever had to go without anything in his entire