Shadow's Son by Shirley Meier, S.M. Stirling and Karen Wehrstein ...
Shadow's Son by Shirley Meier, S.M. Stirling and Karen Wehrstein ...
Shadow's Son by Shirley Meier, S.M. Stirling and Karen Wehrstein ...
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As if that will ever happen, now. "What's your name?" she said, putting an arm around his shoulders,<br />
steering him away from the slaughtered party-goers. She had the urge to save someone.<br />
"Ardas," he whispered. "Slave of House Temonen. They're all dead. I hope he isn't. He's the nicest<br />
person in all Arko <strong>and</strong> I miss him."<br />
"Well, Ardas, you aren't a slave anymore, <strong>and</strong> I hope my son isn't dead as well. I miss him, too." With<br />
effort she smiled at the boy. "I think we'd better find an unburned outbuilding, the gardener's or groom's<br />
house, <strong>and</strong> defend it from all comers, hey? I have a daughter who'll be showing up here, soon as the<br />
fighting's done." The boy silently nodded, eyes wide with fear, <strong>and</strong> followed, sticking close, as if to a<br />
parent.<br />
They camped in the gardener's house, a cottage with a false tower built onto one corner. When Sova<br />
came, bone-bruised so badly she couldn't walk, only ride, Megan left the two of them to see that the<br />
cottage didn't get torched, <strong>and</strong> went up-cliff to collect all their things back at the camp. Thelefaeti were<br />
all held <strong>by</strong> Alliance, now; saying briskly it was official business got her winched up, <strong>and</strong> back down. Her<br />
headache faded, hunger grew.<br />
It was pitch dark <strong>by</strong> the time she got back to the cottage, seeing her way <strong>by</strong> firelight.Even with the lake<br />
right there, flinging buckets would be like spitting into a furnace . Yet the fires stayed scattered, the<br />
whole City had not gone up, so far; in the great pit, there was little wind. The pony walked docilely with<br />
her.Thirstyliedown , like all animals, accepting things as they came. Sova had got a blackrock fire going,<br />
brewing tea <strong>and</strong> re-heating stew from yesterday, filling the room with mouth-watering smells.Though she<br />
should be lying down .<br />
"Zhymata, part of a century of Yeolis took over the main house. We should be pretty safe."<br />
"All right. Thank you, Sovee."<br />
You said no sack, Chevenga, Imperturbable, Infallible. I want to see you again. Tomorrow,<br />
Gold-bottom. Maybe I'll kill you, <strong>and</strong> let your minions kill me. Maybe I'll just tear some gold off<br />
you with my claws, you lying bastard… She stored away the anger.<br />
The boy was wearing one of her tunics now, belted in at the waist, his jewels all hidden inside<br />
somewhere. She turned to him. "Well, Ardas, my son's best friend, what are we going to do with you?"<br />
His blue eyes went wide, blinking, white all around. "I… I thought I was yours now."<br />
"I don't keep slaves. As far as I'm concerned, everything you had, jewels <strong>and</strong> all, is yours." That didn't<br />
make the boy's eyes any less wide.<br />
"Zhymata." Sova's voice, switching to Zak, held a touch of reproach. "He's only, what, eight, nine? And<br />
cut loose, everyone responsible for him dead. He's never been anything but a slave. He told me. We<br />
can't just send him out onto the street."<br />
Megan looked up from where she'd sat to pull off her boots.What kind of person does she think I am<br />
? "Of course not." She switched back to Arkan, turned to the boy. "I was thinking of finding a good<br />
orphanage, once things settle down."<br />
"No!" The boy's cry was full of terror. "No. Please." He gripped the edge of the chair, leaning forward<br />
as if to run, but with nowhere to run to, blue eyes huge.