The Howling Delve - Jaleigh Johnson [28]
Kail looked up and realized immediately what had cooled the fire. He nodded a stiff greeting to Motgan. The rogue had a stiletto point pressed against the back of Meisha's neck. "I seem to remember telling you I'd handle this on my own," he said, not bothering to hide his irritation.
"Doing a fine job of it too," Morgan snorted. " 'Sides, it was his idea."
Kail released Meisha and stepped back. He looked ovet Motgan's shoulder, expecting to see Laerin. His mouth fell open when Garavin entered the garden, flanked by Cesira and the half-elf. "You all followed me?"
"Not at first," Laerin said. He handed Kali back his blade as Garavin patted Meisha down for weapons.
Cesira knelt next to his father's unconscious body. We followed your sword, she said.
Laerin tossed an emerald to Kail, pretending to look abashed.
Kail sheathed his weapon, amazed but still angry at the deception. "You shouldn't have taken it… again."
"I shouldn't have," Laerin agreed. "But it was our only link to you. Morgan was distraught at the thought you might get into trouble without him."
"How fares yer father?" Garavin asked, speaking for the first time. He nodded at Meisha. "And what have we here?"
"Garavin Fallstone, meet Meisha Saira," Kail said. "She just tried to kill me."
"Probably won't be the last time," Morgan predicted.
The Harper remained silent, her eyes darting among the new arrivals. Kali went down on one knee next to the druid, who was examining his father. "Can you break the enchantment?" he asked, addressing both Cesira and the dwarf.
Cesira shook her head. There's magic about him, but whatever the source, it's long spent. The marks it left on him can't be erased with more magic.
Garavin nodded agreement. "Take him back with us. We'll make him comfortable, and ye can stay with him, Kail."
Kail wiped the fever sweat from his father's brow. "No. I can't be there when he wakes up. Seeing me put him in this state. He believed I was trying to kill him."
You can't mean to leave him here, said Cesira. You've been waiting three years to save him.
"Balram's gone," said Kali. "My father is no longer in danger from him. He'll be as safe here as anywhere else."
"And yerself? What will ye do?" asked Garavin.
Lost in thought, Kail stared down at his father's face. He remembered the violence in Dhaitr's eyes during their sword fight. "I'll go back with you," he decided. "Gods willing, when my father wakes up, he won't remember any of this. He'll go on as before, when I wasn't here."
"How?" asked Laerin. He took in the damaged fountain, and the garden showing further signs of neglect. "The house mirrors your fathet's condition. "How long will Morel be able to sutvive lying vulnerable among the merchants of Amn?"
"Longer than he will if I remain," Kali said. "I'll come back after, to salvage what I can."
"After?" Morgan asked, but surprisingly, it was Meisha who answered.
"After he dies," she said quietly, wincing when Morgan tightened his grip on the stiletto.
Kail nodded. "When that happens, all that is Morel will pass to me. I can rebuild from its ashes." He regarded Meisha warily. "But only if I know my father will not go prematurely to the grave. Will your death be my only guarantee of that, Meisha Saira?"
"If the lass ttacked down your father, she might be able to aid ye in tracking Balram," said Garavin. "Might be a shame to be killing her."
But can she be trusted? Cesira asked.
"I can speak for myself," said Meisha sharply. She stared at Garavin, at the symbol around his neck. Kali couldn't imagine how, with a blade at the back of her neck and enemies boxing her in, she could focus on the object so completely.
"If I help you, you'll see that Balram pays for his crime?" Meisha asked, her eyes finally moving from the pendant to Kail's face.
"Whether you help or not, Balram will die by my hand," said Kali. "I promise you."
"Then Dhairr Morel is safe from me," said Meisha. "You have my word."
"We'll be watching to see you hold to it," said Morgan. He took his blade from the back of her neck.
Dhairr stiired, murmuring