Blood Song

I sighed heavily. “So it’s true then? This circumstance is your doing.”

“The Meldeneans desire justice too. The Shield watched his parents and brothers burn to death before his eyes. His assistance required little persuasion. These Northmen have a rare gift for stoking hatred in others.”

“And do you really believe your hatred will die with him? What if it doesn’t? What comfort will you find then?”

Her green eyes narrowed. “Do not preach at me, scribe. You are a godless man, we both know it.”

“So it’s to the gods you look for comfort now? Begging gifts from heedless stone. Seliesen would have wept…”

Her sapphire ring left a cut on my cheek as she slapped me. I staggered a little. She was a strong woman and felt no need of restraint. “Do not speak my husband’s name!”

Many words came to me then as I stood clutching my bleeding face, many bile-filled, loathsome words sure to cut her to the core with lacerating truth. But meeting her blazing eyes I felt the words die in my breast, my anger shrivelling and flying away on the sea-born wind, replaced by a depth of pity and regret I knew had always lurked in my soul.

I gave her another formal bow. “I am sorry to have caused you any distress, lady.” I turned and walked to where the Hope Killer sat, placing myself next to him, two guilty men awaiting sentence.

“I can stitch that if you like,” Al Sorna offered as I held a lace kerchief to the cut on my cheek. “It’ll scar otherwise.”

I shook my head, watching the Lady Emeren take her place at the far end of the first tier, her gaze studiously avoiding mine. “I earned it.”

The Shield arrived shortly afterwards, leading a company of spear-bearing crewmen who quickly moved to take up positions around the arena. No doubt he was keen that his moment of revenge should proceed without any assistance from the crowd now beginning to throng the seats. Their mood was tense rather than celebratory, many pairs of eyes bore into Al Sorna’s back but there were no curses or cat-calls, making me wonder if the Shield had made efforts to ensure the event at least bore some semblance of civilisation.

What absurd comedy this is, I thought. To pardon a man for a crime he did commit so he can face retribution for one he had no part in.