The Howling Delve - Jaleigh Johnson [85]
But Cesira frowned, refusing to be distracted by the jest. Take rooms at an inn? Why would you ever think I would agree to hide, Kali? What are you protecting me from?
Kail hesitated. "This house won't be safe. When Balram finds out who's coming after him, he may send men here."
And?
"And if he does, they'll be out to destroy whatever is left of Morel. No loose ends this time. Balram won't allow it."
Then I hope he won't be too disappointed to find the lady of the house here to greet him.
Kail's eyes narrowed. His lips moved, but no sound came out. What was that, my lord? Cesira asked teasingly. lam the one who lacks speech, remember?
Kail put his hands on her shoulders and squeezed, fighting the temptation to throttle her. "I said, you're a stubborn, arrogant wench."
And you're a blind pig's arse, Cesira threw back, if you think I'm running away to hide.
"I can't have him get to you." Kail tried to steady his voice. "I won't let it happen."
Kali… Her anger gone, she seemed as much at a loss as he.
If anything happened to her, Kail realized, it would be the end of everything. He'd begun to build a new life the night he'd been hurtled through the pottal to Garavin's camp. Now the ashes of his old life threatened to destroy everything he'd come to cherish.
Kail stepped back, kneeling before Cesira. He lifted a hand toward her. "Come here. I want to show you something."
Hesitantly, Cesira placed her hand in his palm. His fingers wrapped securely around hers. He guided her to the floor, splaying her hand beneath his against the tough wood. "Do you feel that-that catch?" he asked.
Cesita nodded and pressed. The false floor slid back to reveal a slender nook, no wider than theit two arms but just as long. Arrows filled the pocket. Dust covered their fletching, but the points were still shaip enough to kill.
"My father feared attackers from every direction, even before Balram's magic took his mind," said Kali. He felt calmer now, and oddly detached as he spoke of the past. "He had dozens of these caches hidden throughout the estate. I don't think I've managed to find them all, but there are weapons and traps- some of them wickedly ingenious. I've written the locations down, along with instructions for how to set the traps. Morgan and Laerin were very helpful in that area, as I'm sure you can imagine. You'll want to go through everything step by step so you can remember where they are without looking fot them."
Cesira watched his face as he spoke. You knew I would insist on staying, she said. "Yes."
The druid forced a smile. Perhaps, she said, after all this is over, you'll return to Mir with me? Unless, after you pull off your heroic rescue, Meisha decides to make you a Harper.
Kail groaned, a little of his old humor returning. "Gods forbid. Being a merchant was difficult enough."
"Ye don't need to be harping, anyway," echoed Garavin's voice from the stairwell. He appeared at the door, grinning. Morgan, Laerin, and Dantane trailed behind in the stairwell. "I've seen ye dig, and that's fine enough work for any man."
"I didn't think I'd ever be able to stand upright again, after that first day," Kail said with a mock wince.
"Ah, well, that was all part of my plan. Bent over, ye could hear me better. Young people are too tall for their own good- makes it harder for them to listen."
Did you find what you needed? Cesira asked the dwarf.
"Aye, but it came at a high price." He wagged a finger at Kail. "This little adventure had better hold my interest, young one," he warned.
"Trust me," said Kail, clapping the dwarf on the shoulder. "If Meisha's message is any indication, it's long past time the Delve's secrets were brought to light. Dumathoin will approve."
"And Abbathor's fury will be unleashed," said Garavin.
"What do you mean?" asked Dantane.
"Meisha's