The Indranan had been damned for generations. Forceforce against womenwas the heart of their divided, hateful clan, as intrinsic as murderous violence between siblings.
Kavya felt Chandrani withdraw from her mind. She would need all of her faculties to scout for trouble or, worse, to attack if guards materialized from the shadows. Kavya returned her attention to the women she shepherded. She touched their thoughts, one after the other. She was the Sun. Bright. Warming. Such intense focus left her drained, but she wanted them calmed by generous stores of hope. The draining part was concealing how little hope Kavya yet retained.
First one, then the other reached the exit. Kavya quickly followed. When she stood, she recalled the seax in her hand. The mental rigors of the crawl had turned the weapon into an extension of her body. How? Shed never held one other than to face the man whod given it to her so freely.
The man who crawled out of the tunnel.
Tallis of Pendray.
Whatever remained of his berserker rage was visible only in his eyes. The night darkness was almost absolute. In fact, she was sure that the only clues she collected were drawn from her gift. Could it be possible? To read him at last? But no. It was his gift shining in the blackness. His rage was a blue beacon. And his loathing hadnt eased.
He adjusted the strap of his knapsack and held out his hand. Ill have that back now.
For a moment, she was tempted to hack his palman impulse born of frustration and fear. But her hatred had dimmed compared to the terror of standing face to face with Pashkah. How could she have compared the two men?
I didnt want it in the first place. Kavya swung the sword and presented him with the hilt. The needle tip of the seax pointed directly at her heart. She already bore two cuts on her neck. She knew the blades lethal potential. But this was a show of . . .
Trust?
And a warning.
She wasnt afraid of him.
Thank you. He sheathed it behind his back.
Why? The tremulous voice belonged to one of the young women. Why did you do it? Youre
the Sun. You were supposed to bring us together.
Kavya knelt beside the crouching pair. Youre Sarbani. You share a family pod with Divyesh and his wife.
Thats right.
To the other Kavya said, And youre Jayashree. Your brother was killed by your husband three years ago. Youre safe from that constant fear.
We have your brother to fear now, Jayashree said. How is that much better? Sarbani is right. Where were you when he killed those Leaders? I know what it is to be terrified of ones brother, but we were depending on you.
They were too distraught and angry to be consoled now that the immediate danger had passed. Will you accept my apology and my vow to make this right? Will you come with us?
A shimmer of thought flitted between the two women. Kavya couldnt tell what they said, only that they were conferring without words.
In tandem, Sarbani and Jayashree stood. No, said the latter. Were Northern Indranan. We know these mountains. The last thing we need is a hunted woman and a mad Pendray dog. Well find the people of the North and let it be known that the Sun has fallen.
CHAPTER 
SIX
He shook his head. The rage was still there. His berserker side tended to see things in black and white. There were good and bad situations. Good and bad people. He must still be holding on to that fury, because he should know better without needing a reminder.
Theyre traitors, Chandrani said softly.
The bodyguard had rarely spoken opinions aloud. He assumed more virulent thoughts were stored in her mind, or shared with Kavya. Tallis appreciated that she at least thought to include him in her assessment.
They have free will. Kavya sounded tired and, more tellingly, she sounded disappointed. Grief bowed her posture and tightened the lines around her eyes. She was a woman in mourning, but remorse was not for killers. Tallis had firsthand experience with that fact.
She was so Dragon-damned beguiling that she kept distracting him from his goal.
They wouldve been a hindrance, he said tersely. We need to move.
Chandrani nodded, although she still assessed Tallis as she would a rabid coyote. She pulled her curved saber from a scabbard wrapped at her waist and set out, descending the mountain toward a river far below. If you strike me again or harm Kavya, she said over her shoulder, you will never sleep again. Youd awaken missing your legs from the knee down.
Noted.
Kavya didnt follow. She stood facing Tallis, chin raised high. He wished he could read her eyes. As his gift ebbed, so did his heightened awareness. What would he see in those amber depths? Misery? Regret? Or worse, something akin to Pashkahs sly triumph? Regardless of his personal grudge, he didnt want to learn she was her murderous brothers beatific partner.
Are you back? she asked.
Back?
She reached up, hesitated, then cupped his cheeks in her icy palms. He wouldve thought her skin warmed by exertion, but perhaps shock ruled the day.