“An accident to a commoner. Do you realize what the count will do to you if the baroness comes to harm?”
I glanced at her, fist clenched. It should have bothered me, their dismissive attitude.
But the only person whose opinion of me mattered at the moment stood at my side. And her feelings for me were clear.
Sephimara’s eyes flashed with a fury I’d never seen. Her hand dropped to the pommel of her saber.
I gripped my scythe axe. We were a team. We had each other’s backs.
The fire in her eyes dropped to a controlled glow, like the cherry embers of a blacksmith’s furnace. She nodded to me, drew her saber, and kicked in the door. “I would be more concerned with whatIwill do to you.”
Damn! The lady hasstyle.
“Baroness, howdelightfulto see that you are well.”
“No thanks to you and your compatriots.”
“You were not supposed to—”
Aldyr shushed the man with a wave of the hand.
“I will know the count’s scheme, I will know his son’s involvement and yours.Now.”
“The count wished to enlighten you as to the benefits of—”
“Stop.” Aldyr again shushed his companion. “He and his son have your best interests at heart.”
“And those thugs waiting outside her new apartment?” I asked.
“They were simply a reminder of—”
“Quiet!” Aldyr’s tone had reached an un-elflike ragged yell.
Sephimara stepped forward, her stance, posture, the way she held her blade more than enough to obviate a formal preamble. “You, all of you, fawn over customs and traditions you know nothing about. You think you know the workings of Drach-Principalis. It is all so exotic, with you at the top of everything, exercising some sort of divine right as puppet master. This is supposed to be an educational excursion, so let me educate you on three points. First, Melandrach elves are renowned for loyalty to their allies. Allies such as Mister Thistlewood: an attack on him is an attack on me. Second. House Arazniros never backs down from a challenge. And lastly… I haveneverlost a duel.” As the air around us crackled with charge, hersaber glowed blue. “Draw. Your. Blade.”
Aldyr’s eyes bloomed wide in horror.
The other two backed up, casting off sword belts as if they’d transformed into venomous serpents.
Sephi’s saber burst into blue and purple flame.
The three of them bolted out the back door.
Which was actually a window.
On the second floor.
They may have peed themselves too, but I chose not to investigate.
I put a hand on her shoulder. “You OK?”
The flames subsided. “I am. And I thank you for letting me handle that.”
“I had your back if you needed it. Which you didn’t.”
She sheathed her saber.
“Next time you might want to go easier on theillusory flames.”
