The Howling Delve - Jaleigh Johnson [18]
"Flawless," Morgan said as Kail tote the weapon from his reluctant hands.
"Are you sure?" Laerin asked, leaning forward curiously.
"Boy probably stole it," Aln muttered.
" 'Course I'm sure," insisted Morgan. "I've appraised more gems than this lot has fingers and toes. Look here, no imperfections." He reached for the sword again, but Kail reacted without thinking, slapping Morgan's knuckles with the flat of the blade.
"Hey, watch it, you!" Morgan half-rose, and Kail scuttled away, raising the blade to chest level. The bigger man immediately took a step back, lifting his hands.
"Stay away." Kail's arms trembled with the effort of holding aloft the big sword. He swung it clumsily between Morgan, who still glared angrily at him, and Aln, who simply looked bored. Some of the camp turned to watch, but most had gone back to their own conversations.
"It's all right, Kali." Laerin stood, and as Kail swung to face him, caught the dull blade in his bare palm. "No one here is going to hurt you, or attempt to take what is yours." He shot a meaningful glance at Morgan. The big man threw up his hands and sat back down, muttering to himself.
"A fine sword," the half-elf said, apparently heedless of the dot of blood that welled between his flesh and the blade. He gave Kali a level look. "Yours?"
"My father's," Kali said carefully. "Now mine."
"Too heavy for you now," Laerin said. When Kail only stared at him mulishly, Laerin casually released the blade. The point thudded to the dirt.
Aln snorted with laughter.
"You need a lighter weapon," Laerin said, ignoring him. "Morgan"-he flicked a hand-"give me your fairer blade."
Morgan looked up from his meal, scowling. "Don't call it that. And if you think I'm giving anything to that little piece of-"
"You owe him," Laerin cut in. "You put your hands where they didn't belong."
"Your self-righteous arse does the same thing whenever it's given half a chance!"
"Fine, then. Shall I tell the boy how Gatavin's prying into your own past was rewarded, when we first came here?"
For whatever reason, that shut the man up. He stood, glared at Laerin, and unsheathed a short sword from his belt. He tossed it at the half-elf, who caught it easily, this time by the hilt.
"My thanks. Now." He offered the weapon to Kali, wiping his bloodied hand on his breeches.
Cautiously, Kail placed the priceless sword lengthwise between them. He grasped the hilt of the offered blade and raised it with one hand.
"When you are older," Laerin said, "you will be as tall and as broad as I am. My father was of your blood-thick in the chest and arms. People will think you're a brawler, but you'll be able to wield that"-he pointed a toe at the sword lying in the dirt-"with grace and ease."
Kail nodded, then noticed Garavin silhouetted in the hut's doorway.
"Laerin is correct about yer abilities," said the dwarf. He came forward, lifting Kail's sword from the dirt. "Ye should be taking care of such a precious thing." His eyes closed briefly, as if he were absorbing some invisible resonance from the blade. "It will serve ye more than well… but not today," he said, addressing the last part to Laerin.
The half-elf nodded solemnly. Then he bowed briefly to the dwarf, winked at Kali, and left them.
Kali watched him move gracefully around the camp, giving instructions, until he realized Garavin still held his sword. Awkwardly, he took the blade, letting it rest beside him.
"I'm afraid we must put off out talk a bit longer, lad," Garavin said, his brow furrowing apologetically.
Kail nodded, though he couldn't imagine what the two of them had to discuss. Just before the dwarf disappeared inside the hut, Kail said, "I'm not staying here."
Garavin paused and gave a nod. "Then it looks to be a very short conversation."
CHAPTER 7
Forest of Mir, Calimshan 13 EUasias,
the Year of the Sword (1365 DR)
Garavin's diggers worked in shifts of six, with two torch-bearers standing