Soulbinder (Book 3) (28 page)

“Now, Senna,” said Maklavir calmly, “they’ll be no trouble, I assure you. I’ll pay you extra for the food they eat.”

The girl crossed her arms. “They’d better not eat a lot.” She gave her head a quick shake. “The gendarmes are already on the lookout for that one Ghostwalker friend of yours. I know that
you
would never be involved in any kind of murder, Maklavir, but as to
these
folk…”

“Now Senna,” said Maklavir as he slid an arm around her shoulders, “you have my word. They’ll be no trouble, and they’ll be gone within a week, I promise.”

The innkeeper snorted. “I’ve seen what your promises are worth, you rogue. This old warehouse is starting to turn into a veritable hotel. I have
rooms
back in the inn, you know.”

“We’re already paying you more for the use of the warehouse than any of your rooms are worth. Come on, Senna, it won’t be for long.” He gave her a quick peck on the cheek.

Senna giggled and slapped the diplomat playfully on the arm. “I’ll never know why I put up with you, Maklavir.” She shook her apron, then disappeared out the side door of the warehouse, still muttering to herself.

“Doesn’t seem like very appropriate behavior for a married man,” said Joseph from where he sat on the top of a nearby crate.

“Oh, not
that
again,” Maklavir moaned. “I’ve already explained myself a dozen times, and I’m not about to start again.” He clasped his hands nervously behind his back. “Is she trying on the dress on yet? I do hope the tailor got the fitting right.”

“We’ll know soon enough.” Joseph glanced towards the back of the warehouse, where a wall of crates and barrels blocked their view. “We’ll have to talk about how exactly you managed to know Kara’s dress size.”

“I have eyes,” said Maklavir crossly. “Don’t tell me you’ve never
looked
at her.”

“No,” said Joseph quickly. “I haven’t. At least not like
that
. I mean not like—how exactly have
you
been looking at her?”

Maklavir opened his mouth, then shut it again. “Great Eru, you’re
jealous
.”

“I am not.”

“You are too.” Maklavir looked closely at the scout. “Don’t tell me—are you and Kara…the two of you…you’re not--?”

Joseph blushed bright red. “No, of course not. Not really, I mean. Are you and her…I mean, you two aren’t--?”

Maklavir tossed back his head. “Certainly not.”

There was a moment of uncomfortable silence between them.

“Don’t you have a carriage to be working on?” Maklavir asked after a moment.

“Don’t you have…
something
to be doing?” Joseph returned.

The diplomat opened his mouth when a flash of white appeared from behind the line of crates.

“It’s a little tight in the back,” said Kara as she emerged. The glittering white dress she wore flowed down around her like scattering snowflakes. “Still, it doesn’t fit too badly, all things considered. What do you guys think?”

The two men stared at her for a long moment, absorbing the enticing curves of her lovely figure.

She put her hands on her hips. “Neither of you are saying anything.”

“It’s—it’s—” Joseph stuttered.

“It certainly—“ Maklavir began, just as tongue-tied as his companion, “I mean
you
certainly—“

“You look amazing. Every eye in the ballroom will be on you.” Kendril came up beside them. He ran his eyes up and down the white dress. “We’ll need someone to do your hair, though.”

Kara brushed back her tangled locks of flaming red hair with a grimace. “I hadn’t thought of that. I guess sleeping by a campfire hasn’t really improved things.”

“
This
is your plan?” Olan’s voice rumbled from behind them. “A white dress?”

Kendril turned, his face hard.

“Quiet, Olan,” came Madris’ soft tone. She hobbled over to where Kara stood and gave an approving nod. “You look lovely, my dear.”

Kara breathed out a sigh of relief. “It’s just one evening right? I can survive anything for one night.”

Olan gave Kendril a nasty glare. “As long as you retrieve this
supposed
Soulbinder.”

Maklavir cleared his throat, and turned back to Kara. “Yes, well there’s only one thing left for you to learn, my dear.”

Kara groaned. “Oh, Eru please no. I’ve already learned more about place settings, titles, curtsies, and snobbery than I ever wanted to know.”

Maklavir tugged at his collar nervously. “I know. And you have done fabulous. But there still is…the dancing.”

Kara’s face visibly whitened. “Dancing? I thought I’d just be standing on the sidelines or something.”

“Well,” Maklavir glanced around for support, “it
is
a ball, after all. And you are a young woman. It would seem strange for you
not
to dance. And technically speaking, anyone can ask for a dance with you.”

The redhead put her face in both hands. “But you’re my
husband
, Maklavir. Why would anyone else ask me to dance?”

Joseph raised a finger. “
Pretend
husband,” he reminded no one in particular.

Olan looked harshly over at Madris. “You see? This girl does not have what it takes to accomplish a mission of this magnitude.”

“I do t
oo
,” Kara fired at him. “Eru in Pelos, do you ever just
shut up
? You’ve said nothing good since the moment you barged into this warehouse.”

Kendril smirked.

Olan stood to his full height, his face contorting in anger.

Madris masterfully hid a smile herself. “I’m with Kara on this, Olan. We have set our course. Your constant criticisms do no one here any good.”

Olan glanced behind him.

Tomas lifted his eyebrows and shrugged his shoulders. Hamis avoided eye contact.

“Fine,” Olan snarled. “But mark my words, this foolhardy approach will end in blood.” He turned and stormed out the back door of the warehouse.

Kendril turned to his friends. “To be fair, once you get to know him he really is much worse.”

Maklavir hid a grin behind an improvised cough.

“
Kendril
,” said Madris in the lightly reproving tone of a school mistress.

“Let’s get this over with,” said Kara in an irritated tone. “If I have to learn how to dance, then teach me.”

“Alright,” said Maklavir. “Well first—”

“Let me change first,” said Kara. She vanished back behind the crates. “I can barely move in this dress.”

“But you’ll be wearing—” called Maklavir after her, to no effect. “Oh, bother.”

Kendril shrugged. “Good luck.” He glanced towards the back door. “As for me, I think I’ll go for a little walk.”

Madris looked at him sternly. “I don’t need any trouble from you, Kendril. You know that.”

The Ghostwalker raised both his hands innocently. “Just a walk, that’s all.” He grinned, then tromped towards the door.

Olan glanced back over his shoulder. The falling snow outlined his black hood in sparkling white. “Kendril.”

The Ghostwalker trudged through the snow in the alley between the riverside buildings. “I thought we should talk for a moment.”

Olan turned towards him, his face impassive. One hand rested lightly on the hilt of his sword. “So talk.”

“I’m tired of you insulting my friends,” said Kendril. “From now on if you have an opinion to make, bring it to me or Madris in private.”

“Spoken like a true section commander, Kendril.” Olan tightened the grip of his hand on the sword under his cloak. “Except you’re not one, and I
am
. That means that you don’t give me orders.”

“But
Madris
does,” Kendril responded quickly. “And she seems to think that my plan is best.”

“For now.” Olan’s face was dark under the shadow of his raised hood. “Don’t forget, Kendril, if this situation turns violent, then a Sword specialization has priority of command.” He gave a thin smile. “That would be
me
.”

“Let’s get something straight right now, then,” said Kendril. “I won’t take orders from you, Olan. And neither will any of my team. Not if Vorten itself is burning to the ground.”

“Just like in New Marlin,” growled Olan. “You’re still the same arrogant, stupid fool you always were. You don’t respect the chain of command. You disobey orders. And people die because of it.”

Kendril’s face changed. “We both know who was to blame for
that
.”

“Yes,” said Olan coldly. “We both do.”

“Well, this has been fun,” said Kendril. “Always good to catch up on old times.” He turned to go.

“There is something
you
should understand,” said Olan tightly.

Kendril looked back at the man.

“A Ghostwalker who will not obey his superiors is a threat to himself and others.” Olan’s hand twisted on the handle of his sword. “And if I am in command, I intend to remove any threats to the welfare of our mission.”

Kendril gave a cutting smile. “If you do, I suggest you stab me in the back. Because we both know you can’t take me in fair fight.”

Olan’s hand clenched into a balled fist.

Kendril turned, braced both his feet, and grabbed the hilt of one of his short swords. The smile remained on his face. “Care to prove me wrong?”

Olan stared at him a long moment, his arm tensed. Finally he threw his hand off the handle of his sword. “I will not be goaded by you, Kendril. I will deal with you in the proper time, not before.”

Kendril gave him a two-finger salute. “Until then.”

He turned back to the warehouse.

“Here you are.” Joseph turned the corner of the warehouse, rubbing his hands briskly against the chill. “Maklavir is looking for you.”

Kara closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the side of the building. “Regnuthu take Maklavir.”

Joseph gave a sympathetic smile. “Had enough of the dancing, huh?”

“It’s been four straight hours.” She kicked out her legs. “My feet are killing me. Who knew that strutting around a ballroom could be so hard?”

Joseph sat down in the snow beside her. “We only have one day left. I can see why Maklavir wants to make sure you get it.”

Kara opened her eyes, looking up at the falling specks of snow. “I don’t know if I can do this, Joseph.”

The scout looked over at her. “Yes you
can
, Kara. You are one of the most capable, intelligent, resourceful women that I’ve ever…” His voice trailed off and his face turned red. “I mean, you are certainly…you don’t have to—”

Kara smiled. She gave Joseph a kiss on the cheek. “You’re certainly cute when you’re flustered,” she said with a sly smile.

“Then you must find him cute all the time.” Kendril stepped into the alley, his dark cloak flapping behind him. “Maklavir is looking for you.”

Kara groaned. “I know.”

Joseph looked up at the Ghostwalker with no small amount of annoyance. “Couldn’t you come back….
later
?” he said between his teeth.

“Sorry,” said Kendril. “Time is not on our side.”

Kara gave a deep sigh. “All right, all right.” She pushed herself up to a standing position. “I’m coming.”

“Good.” Kendril looked over at Joseph. “Head on back to the warehouse. Tell Maklavir that Kara is taking a break.”

The thief raised her eyes in surprise.

“If Kara’s taking a break,” said Joseph, “then why can’t
you
go and tell Maklavir?”

“Because I have to teach her how to dance,” said Kendril. “Now go. I’ll bring her back, I promise.”

Joseph got to his feet. “If we’re supposed to be a team,” he grumbled, “then I’m not sure who exactly made
you
the leader.”

“Come on,” said Kendril. He held out a hand to Kara. “There’s a little space back behind the warehouse.”

“We’re going to dance in the snow?” Kara rolled her eyes. “That should be much easier than on a wooden floor. I can’t wait.”

They moved out into the little area behind the warehouse. Above, the snow continued to drift gently down.

Kendril kicked a few loose boards out of the way. “Ready?”

Kara crossed her arms. “No offense, Kendril, but I don’t know what you can teach me that Maklavir hasn’t already. He’s already taught me every dance there is.”

“And you keep tripping over his feet.” Kendril turned back to the girl. He drew one of his swords and tossed it to her. “Here.”

She caught it by the handle, surprised. “I thought you said we were dancing.”

“First things first.” Kendril drew the other short sword. “Defend yourself.”

“Defend--?”

The Ghostwalker leaped forward and slashed at the woman’s head.

She blocked the blow without thinking, then ducked back a step.

Kendril came in again and swiped at her chest.

Kara took the blow on the edge of her own sword, then swept in with a return strike.

He parried it easily, twirling his sword through the cold air. “Not bad. Watch your left foot when you swing.”

Kara stemmed another lightning-fast attack. “You want to tell me what this has to do with dancing?” she asked between breaths.

“Dancing is like swordfighting,” said Kendril. He lashed out with a series of short, quick blows.

Kara nimbly blocked each in turn, her feet sliding on the slick ground. “I think this is more dangerous.”

Kendril chuckled. “You’ve obviously never been to a ball before.” He backed up a few steps. “How are you blocking my attacks?”

She blinked. “I don’t really think about it. I guess I’m watching what you’re doing.”

“Exactly.” Kendril lifted his weapon. “Dancing for a woman is easy. The man leads, you follow.”

Kara’s nose wrinkled. “And who decided
that
?”

Kendril dashed in with another sword strike.

The redhead blocked it again with a clang of ringing steel.

“You see?” said Kendril. “Just like swordfighting. You have to watch your opponent, anticipate his moves, react to his actions.”

Kara’s breath misted out into the frosty air. “So you’re telling me that I need to treat a dance like it’s a duel to the death?”