'Not for any reason, just because there isn't much to tell. We had a guard there, an old mercenary who'd been hired on to give us a bit of protection, and to give her a kind of semi-retirement. Baryl Longarm was her name. When I was ready to take the roads, she called me into her rooms.'
'That must have had you puzzled.'
'Since she didn't have a reputation for chasing other females, it certainly did. Thank goodness she didn't leave me wondering for long. 'You're the first wench we've had going out for a dog's age,' she said, 'and there's something I want you to have. It's time it went out again, anyway, and you'll probably have to use it before you're gone a month.' She took down this sword from the wall, unsheathed it, and laid it in my hands. And the runes appeared on the blade.'
'I remember when you showed me.
'Then she told me what little she knew -- that the sword's name was Need, that she was indestructible so far as Baryl had been able to tell. That she only served women. And that her service was such that she only gave what you yourself did not already have. That to her, a fighter, Need gave a virtual immunity to all magic, but didn't add so much as a fillip to her fighting skills -- but that for me, a mage, if I let it take control when it needed to, it would make me a master swordswoman, though it wouldn't make the least difference to any spell I cast. And that it would help Heal anything short of a death-wound.'
'Rather like one of Her gifts, you know?' Tarma interrupted. 'Makes you do your utmost, to the best of your abilities, but bails you out when you're out of your depth.'
'I never thought about it that way, but you're right. Is there any way Need could be Shin'a'in?'
'Huh-uh. We've few metal-workers, and none of them mages -- and we don't go in for short-swords, anyway. Now, what's the problem with you going back to Mornedealth? Changing the subject isn't going to change my wanting to know.'
'Well, you can't blame me for trying -- she'enedra, I have angered a very powerful man, my husband -- '
'Crap! He's no more your husband than I am, no matter what charade he went through.'
' -- and a very ruthless one, my brother. I don't know what either of them would do if they learned I was within their reach again.' Kethry shuddered, and Tarma reached forward and clasped both her hands in her own.
'I have only one question, my sister and my friend,' she said, so earnestly that Kethry came out of her own fear and looked deeply into the shadowed eyes that met hers. 'And that is this; which way do you want them sliced -- lengthwise, or widthwise?'
'Tarma!' The sober question struck Kethry as so absurd that she actually began laughing weakly.
'In all seriousness, I much doubt that either of them is going to recognize you; think about it, you're a woman grown now, not a half-starved child. But if they do, that's what I'm here for. If they try anything, I'll ask you that question again, and you'd best have a quick answer for me. Now, are you satisfied?'
'You are insane!'
'I am Shin'a'in; some say there is little difference. I am also Kal'enedral, and most say there is no difference. So believe me; no one is going to touch you with impunity. I am just crazed enough to cut the city apart in revenge.'
'And this is supposed to make me feel better?'
'You're smiling, aren't you?'
'Well,' Kethry admitted reluctantly, 'I guess I am.'
'When a child of the Clans falls off her horse, we make her get right back on again. She'enedra, don't you think it's time you remounted this one?'
'I--' 'Or do you prefer to live your life with them dictating that you shall not return to your own city?'
Her chin came up; a stubborn and angry light smoldered in her eyes. 'No.'
'Then we face this city of yours and we face it together. For now, make a mattress of Rodi, she'enedra; and sleep peacefully. I intend to do the same. Tomorrow we go to Mornedealth and make it deal with us on our terms. Hai?'
Kethry nodded, convinced almost against her will, and beginning to view the inevitable encounter with something a little more like confidence.
