Read Fate Defied: The Silent Tempest, Book 3 for Free Online Page B

put up with anyone telling me different!”
    Soren bowed his head. “Forgive me. Caleb Stenger is as much a friend to me as he is a fellow Raén. But your health is just as important, Telai. A hard journey awaits you.”
    “What about bringing in another cot?” Tenlar suggested, stepping forward. “That way you can honor both duties at the same time.”
    Telai’s fury vanished. “By Hendra! Why didn’t I think of that? But is it allowed? House rules—”
    Tenlar lifted his hand. “Consider it done. After all, everybody keeps calling me the Master Raén around here. I might as well take advantage of it.” He gave Telai a little wink; she smiled her thanks, and he left to arrange the matter.
    The older man turned to leave as well. “Can you forgive me in return, Soren?”
    A spark of humor brightened his expression. “No need. As your mother often reminds me, I’m only master of the Raéni, not of tact. He’ll be well cared for, Telai. Just don’t forget to take care of yourself.”
    “As long as you follow your own advice! And Soren—when you fight for Ada, fight a little for Caleb, too.”
    The old Raén’s eyes darkened as they shifted toward Caleb, and she wondered what grim thought had entered his head. His hand drifted to his scabbard: a new blade rested within, a gift from Tenlar.
    “Caleb Stenger will be able to wield his own sword, Telai. I fight for those who can’t.” He walked out the door, leaving Warren’s name unspoken like a shadow on her heart.
    Only a few minutes passed before Telai turned to see Caleb sitting up in bed, his eyes and mouth wide in silent horror. She leaped from her chair, trailing the blanket she had draped over her lap, and nearly stumbled into him as he gulped one breath and shouted to bring down the walls.
    She whispered his name, placing a hand over his mouth. His fierce grip forced the air from her lungs, and she endured it as long as she could.
    “Caleb—you’re hurting me,” she gasped breathlessly.
    His ragged sobs fell silent, and he loosened his grip. “I’m sorry,” he croaked.
    Eya burst into the room. Telai murmured a few words to her, and after a quick nod she left to bring back a cup of wine.
    Caleb drew away from Telai to accept the cup. “Thank you,” he murmured. Eya bowed her head and left.
    His hands trembled as he emptied the goblet in one long draught. He blew his nose on a kerchief, then stared around at the walls. “Spierel?”
    “Yes.”
    He attempted a smile. “I suppose you have a lot to tell me.”
    “I do. We held a council today.”
    He sighed. “Let me guess: they need my help.”
    She squeezed his hand. “And mine.”

4
    First Strike
    When war takes a loved one,
    you never look at a sword the same way again.
    - Etrenga, 1 st Master Raén of Ada
    SHARP RIDGES running across the newly-formed ice of Tnesen wrenched Caleb’s sled from side to side, much like the grim memories torturing his mind. And when the setting sun cast those ridges into high relief, it signaled the end of his brief stay from madness.
    Gebi.
    The first glimpse of the shattered roof of the mercantile store nearly sent him over the edge. It rose above the houses and stables beside it, a hideous, snow-cloaked testament of betrayal, striking a pain into his heart he never could have faced without Telai. She rode the sled in front of the handles, lifting her gloved hand behind her in silent acknowledgment of his pain, or perhaps expressing her own; whatever the reason he took hold of it like a man grasping for a lifeline. In any other circumstances he would have insisted that they avoid Gebi, but it was unfair to ask her or any of the Raéni who accompanied them to brave the bitter cold on his account, especially after a long, nerve-wracking day of sledding across thin ice.
    They stayed at the house of the same doctor who had first administered Caleb’s wound: Jentis, who with his charming wife made them feel as welcome as possible. But neither Caleb nor Telai