The challenge match had lasted
longer than Alric thought possible. His opponent, one of the desert riders, had
been chosen by his clan for the duel. Only one man could win. If Alric bested
the other fighter, the local farmers would be spared raids on their crops and
herds by the nomad band comprised of rebels against the laws of Investia. If he
lost the raids would continue until another patrol arrived. Alric concentrated
on the lines of fire flowing over the other man’s skin.
The younger man was agile and
talented with the sword and knife. His hair, bleached by the sun, shone
red-gold in the morning light. The lines flowed in changing scarlet patterns
over his arms and bare chest.
Alric’s opponent’s quick responses
to each move made him believe the young man read the lines, too. Someone had to
make a mistake before they collapsed.
Sweat coated Alric’s skin. An
occasional droplet stung his eyes and blurred his vision. The desert rider
showed the same physical reactions. Exhaustion threatened Alric’s control. Then
he found an opening. The lines of fire on the younger man’s sword hand
faltered.
Alric lunged and caught the other
sword sending the blade sailing through the air. He followed with a sweep of his
leg. The desert rider sprawled on the ground. Alric pressed his knife against
the man’s pulsing neck vein.
“Yield,” he demanded.
“Yielded.” The young man grinned.
“Good fight. I’m Jens.”
“Alric.”
Jens turned to the gathered clansmen
and the crowd of cheering farmers. “Trade is good unless you try to cheat. We
have wool, silver, gold, some gemstones, herbs and spices. We need grain,
produce, honey and beer.”
“Do you have salt among the spices?”
a man asked.
“We do.”
Moments later someone tapped a keg
of beer. Alric opted for a mug of water. Once the formalities ended he searched
the crowd for his current bondmate. Before he found her, Jens beckoned. They
drew apart from the celebrating clan and villagers.
“I gather you see the lines of
fire,” Jens said.
Alric glanced around to make sure no
one stood close enough to hear. “It is said only those who are heart bound can
see them. Among the Defenders I do not speak of my ability to anyone other than
those I trust.”
“Why? I have no bondmate and my
friends know of my ability. That’s why I’m chosen for these duels. You’re my
first loss.”
Alric moved further from the
celebration. “Seeing the lines is one of the reasons our forefathers used the
mists to come to this land. Sorcerers sought to use their talents for evil.”
“An old wives’ tale I’ve often heard
from the elderly riders.”
“Perhaps. I’m a Defender as I
promised my father I would become. I believe what he told me when I was growing
up.”
Jens frowned. “How fortunate to have
known your father. As a small child I lived in the Defenders Hall. My mother
died so I was fostered to a shepherd’s family when I was three. Soon as I could
I ran. A penned life isn’t for me.”
Alric swallowed. “Did you have a
sister?”
Jens shrugged. “My memories of the
Defenders Hall are poor. What I remember is a tall man dragging me away and
riding with him for days.”
Alric wished the younger man had
more memories but he feared he would never know if this young man was his lost
brother. “You might consider coming with our patrol. Though you’re older than
most of the trainees, your skill would let you advance rapidly.”
Jens laughed. “You could leave the
Defenders behind and join this clan of riders. We would welcome a man with your
skills. You and I could be invincible as a team at the games.”
Alric studied the ground. There were
times when he dreamed of leaving the Defenders. Some of the twelve years hadn’t
been pleasant, especially when the leader placed obstacles in his way. He’d
leaped over those stumbling blocks and succeeded. The promise he’d made to his
father ruled his life.
Alric turned away and saw his
bondmate waving. “I must go. Good riding and successful dueling.”
“Same.”
When Alric strode away from the
younger man he scowled. The connection to Jens had been deeper than usual. Though
the younger man had no memories of the past, he could be one of the missing
sibs. In an instant Alric decided when he returned to the Hall he would search
the Archives to see if the records held any information about his family.
His bondmate led him away from the
crowd. “Where is the rest of the patrol?” he asked.
“I told them to head out and you
would catch up.”
She wore no bracelet. A groan
rumbled from his gut. Bracelets meant the bonding between mates stood. Since
she had removed hers, that meant he’d been twice rejected. Once more and he
would be banished from the Defenders. He opened the clasp on the brass one he
wore.
“Seeks you won’t be returning with
me.”
She stared at the ground. “I never
wanted to be a Defender. I wanted to exchange bracelets with my childhood
sweetheart. He’s here and wears no bracelet.”
With his thumbs, Alric tilted her
head to see her expression. Though her decision was right for her, sadness
shrouded his thoughts. “I wish you happiness.” He dropped the bracelet she had
clasped on his wrist during the bonding ceremony into her hand. “Here’s your
price.”
She shook her head. “I don’t want
you to pay the fine. I never tried to see if our bond could last.”
“Neither did I.”
“You could have forced me to unite
with you.”
Alric grimaced. “I wasn’t raised to
grab what I wasn’t offered.”
“What will you do?” she asked.
“The patrol has finished the rounds
of the southern sector of Investia. The Day of Ingathering for the returning
patrols is just weeks away. I’ll ride to the Defenders Hall and choose another
mate.”
“I wish you luck.”
Alric walked away. He touched the
bracelet hidden beneath his shirt. His father had given him the unique piece
just before his death. Perhaps this time he would find his heart bound mate.
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