Read Recluce 07 - Chaos Balance for Free Online Page B

that?”
       “For Nesslek's sake, I have to think. I cannot be bound by old hates or tradition.” The blonde took another small sip of wine. “I doubt that there is a single land where everyone is happy. People come to Lornth from Jerans, or go from here to Westwind or Suthya.”
       “As far as I can see, only women go to Westwind.” Gethen refilled his goblet.
       “Once they came to Lornth from Cyador, those who weren't slaughtered . . . according to the old tales.”
     
      “You still raise the disturbing questions, daughter, after all these years.”
       “I cannot be who I am not. That, too, is a form of... honor. I learned that from Sillek.”
       Gethen waited.
       “What do we know of Westwind, really know?” asked Zeldyan. “Except that they destroyed two armies?”
       “Not much,” agreed Gethen.
       “I think we should be alert to learn what we can. Perhaps the dark angels might have something we can use.”
       “Against Cyador? You were certain that it would come to battle when we discussed this before.” Gethen took another sip of the wine.
       “Unless matters change,” she said. “Fornal would fight. If he thinks he must fight, he will want to fight immediately.”
       “Sometimes that view is correct.”
       “Sometimes,” said Zeldyan without agreeing. “I would rather avoid battles.”
       “One cannot always do that. Sillek hated battles, but he was right to take the fight to Ildyrom.”
       “So long as he had Koric and a wizard to leave in Clynya. Now what will we do-add to the armsmen there?” The blonde lifted a small handful of nuts from the dish on the table. “I suppose we must. Fornal has fortified Rulyarth, and the people there would not submit to Suthya now. Our tribute to Westwind keeps the east safe. If Cyador brings trouble, we will need forces in the south anyway.”
       “You just said you would avoid battle. What do you seek from the dark ones?” Gethen laughed.
       “Do you disagree that battles are costly?” Zeldyan turned toward the window as the roll of thunder rumbled across Lornth, heralding more spring rain.
       “Hardly. But what has this to do with the dark angels?” Gethen frowned.
       “Perhaps nothing. I do think we should talk with any who leave, if any do, and set out word that they are to be treated kindly and escorted to Lornth.”
       “That will not set well with some,” pointed out Gethen. “Send those who wish to fight to Clynya.”
       “Including the Lady Ellindyja?”
       “I wish I could send her to Westwind or feed her to Ildyrom's dogs.”
       “That would not be good for the dogs,” said Gethen, “even if they do belong to Ildyrom.”
     
     

Chaos Balance
    IX
     
    NYLAN LAY ON his couch in the darkness, listening to the wind as it rattled the shutters.
       He'd scarcely seen Ayrlyn in the past two days, not since she'd sung the night before last. Was she avoiding him? Why?
       The shutters rattled again.
       What did he want? To live alone, to stay alone at the top of the tower he had built? To forge enough peerless blades to last generations-until Ryba needed his talents for some other form of mass destruction?
       What did he want from his life, this life that had changed so much in the blink of a ship's powernet that had fluxed and crashed? Then, had he known what he had wanted before, or just let the service dictate things? Building the tower had been the first big thing he had wanted . . . and it was done, and building another wouldn't be the same, even if it were needed.
       He shook his head.
       The shutters rattled yet once more, and the smith turned on his couch until his eyes rested on the closed window and shutters. He and Ayrlyn had started to get close before winter closed in around them, but the confinement of the tower hadn't helped. Or had that been an excuse?
       He and Ayrlyn had agreed not to sleep together regularly because . . . because