The Howling Delve - Jaleigh Johnson [8]
"Father, stop!" Kali grabbed Dhairr's shoulder, trying to wrench him off Haig. He pulled, gasping, pounding with his fists, but the lord's muscles were clenched balls of heat and strength. A boy couldn't hope to overpower him.
Kail felt a hand close over his throat, yanking him back. He glared hatefully up into Balram's eyes. "Liar," he gasped. Balram shook him.
"Now, now," he said soothingly, stroking a thumb across Kail's windpipe. "Leave them alone. You and I can entertain ourselves." He raised Kail to his toes. "You say Aazen was injured?" His jaw tightened. "How cateless of them. It was supposed to be you. And where is Aazen now, Kail?" Balram asked, his voice rising. "Alone… wounded? Did you leave him to die?" He pressed down. Spots clouded Kail's vision. Disgusted, Balram dropped him into the mud.
"He… alive," Kail choked. His tongue felt swollen in his mouth. Using one arm for leverage, he dragged himself through the ferns as Balram stalked unhurriedly after him. "Haig!" he sobbed, watching the Harper's body twitch as his fathet held him under the water for the space of a breath, two, three-too long.
"Father!" Kali screamed as he clumsily dodged a swipe from Balram's foot. "Stop! Help me!"
Balram kicked him in the ribs, knocking the air from Kail's lungs. He tried to curl into a ball, but Balram kicked him again. Kail's arm went numb. He lurched back, reaching desperately, but his father didn't seem to hear anything going on around him.
"If you do not resist, I will tell your father you died defending him," Balram promised, and the reassurance, the sincerity in his voice sent a horrible chill through Kali. He scooped up a handful of mud and hurled it into Balram's face.
The guard captain staggered back, and Kail ran-out of the garden, through the main hall and the double entry doors. He stopped when he saw Haig's horse standing on the track leading from the estate. His ribs burned-hard breathing sent a fire raging over them.
He stumbled to the horse and crawled up the animal's back. It neighed and balked, but eventually settled as Kail draped himself over its back and kicked its flanks. The horse sprang to life, but Kail didn't even glance at the direction it chose. He half-expected a hailstorm of arrows to follow him out the front gates. He buried his face in the horse's dark mane and waited, but he felt only the fire in his ribs and an awful, searing pain in his heart.
CHAPTER 4
Esmeltaran, Amn 12 Eleasias, the Year
ofthe Sword (1365 DR)
Balram spat mud. The boy wouldn't get far. He raised his sword to the east tower, signaling Meraik. The man saluted and disappeared from view.
"Captain." Dencer hurried to him. He cast a wary glance at Morel, who crouched beside the fountain next to Haig's body floating in the water.
"Speak," Balram said, and added pointedly, "Kali yet lives."
"Fotgive me, Captain," Dencer said, and lowered his voice. "Haig interfered. My arrow missed the boy."
"And found its way into my son," Balram said grimly. "Forgive me," Dencer pleaded.
Balram regarded the man for a long time. "Bring my son home to me, Dencer," he said finally.
"I have already seen to it," Dencer said, visibly relieved. "Someone has healed him."
The Harper, Balram thought. "Begin a count of who is dead and who is merely wounded. If you find witnesses, silence them."
Dencer nodded and departed. Sheathing his sword, Balram went to Dhairr. The lord clutched the Harper's pin in his fist and watched the body float in the fountain. He looked up at Balram like a lost child.
His mind is shattered, Balram thought. This will be easier than I could have hoped.
"Come away, my friend," he said. "It isn't safe for you here."
Dhairr stood unsteadily. He allowed Balram to lead him from the garden, up the stairs to his office. He paused along the way, murmuring, "Kali?"
Balram fixed an expression of sorrow on his face. "I am sorry, my lord. I'm afraid your son was in league with the Harper. I