Mickey Reichert - The legend of Nightfall

Kelryn gave the only safe answer. "Oh, very much so. Like a brother, but without the competition for my parents’ attention. In some ways, he seemed more brother than my brother."

Edward folded his napkin onto his lap and tried to draw Nightfall into the conversation. “And you only said you grew up with her. Was she like a sister to you?"

Nightfall replied dutifully. "Yes, Master. A sister.” He copied Edward’s table manners since he had never been trained to have any of his own. Few places wasted cloth on linens, and it never occurred to him to place one on his lap.

When Nightfall did not go on, Edward pressed. "Tell me what it was like. Growing up together, I mean."

Kelryn also directed her attention to Nightfall, letting him play featured speaker this time.

Nightfall shrugged, in no mood for chatter, especially happy lies. "Master, there’s nothing to tell. Really.”

Prince Edward shook his head, grinning even as he dismissed his squire’s detachment. "Has he always been like this? Modest, I mean. He didn’t even mention to anyone that he saved my life."

"Yours, too?" Kelryn joined the conversation with all the eagerness Nightfall lacked. "He killed a snake that tried to bite me once. A poisonous type. Grabbed it with his bare hands, killed it, and continued a story he was telling without missing a word."

Edward gave Nightfall a pleasant look that both admired and condemned his squire’s humility.

Nightfall shrugged. That incident had happened, though only a few years ago. And, to his recollection, the topic of conversation had remained the snake for quite some time afterward.

The prince turned back to Kelryn. “I got caught in the middle of a bar fight. Sudian grabbed a dagger intended for me in midair. Nearly lost his fingers.” He nudged his squire. "Show her, Sudian."

Obedient to his master’s command, Nightfall gave Kelryn a quick glimpse of the scar. She cringed in sympathy, though whether unconscious or feigned, Nightfall did not try to guess.

"If he makes you his friend, you never need to doubt his loyalty," Kelryn said, the statement sounding ludicrous to Nightfall from the mouth of a traitor. Forming bonds had always proven difficult or impossible for him, and only his friendship with Dyfrin had lasted.

Prince Edward agreed heartily. "Loyal to me before himself. A rare and special squire, indeed.”

Nightfall glanced around the tables at the other patrons, uncomfortable with Edward’s heartfelt but ignorant praise and Kelryn’s fake allegiance.

Kelryn smiled, her plain features alight and almost beautiful in the lantern glow. Even the sunken eyes and bloodshot whites that evinced fretful nights seemed to disappear. "Then you must be very remarkable yourself to earn such treatment.”

"Thank you."

Nightfall believed he saw a reddish tinge to Edward’s cheeks. He hoped but doubted conscience was the thing disturbing Kelryn’s sleep.

Having found a familiar topic of conversation, Kelryn stuck with it. "Sudian always protected me. For instance, he hated that I used to sometimes have to sleep with strangers for money. He’d spread rumors that I had the clap so men would stay away."

"Really." Edward’s tone went thoughtful, and he glanced at Nightfall.

Caught in a lie, Nightfall avoided the prince’s gaze and wished the night would swiftly end.

But it did not. Late evening chased into night, and the conversation scarcely seemed to change. Each of Nightfall’s companions extolled his virtues while he sat in a bitter silence interrupted only by the occasional need to address a direct question. He kept his replies clipped, monosyllabic when possible, and avoided lengthy explanations or descriptions. The food arrived. Nightfall ate quickly, hoping to set the pattern for the meal and the night. But Kelryn dined with her usual slow elegance, and the prince appeared more interested in conversation than food. It seemed an eternity before Prince Edward left to tend to payment in private, leaving Nightfall and Kelryn alone.

Kelryn scarcely waited until Edward passed beyond earshot, whispering to keep other diners from overhearing. "Marak, how… ‘?" She reached for his hands.

Nightfall moved first, catching her fingers in a grip that appeared tender but was tight enough to cause pain. "No acts or explanations. You’ll only enrage me." He met her hazel eyes with an icy glare. "You’re alive because of the prince and only because of the prince. If you harm him, I’ll feed you to the wolves piece by screaming, bloody piece." He threw her hands away and returned his own to the tabletop.

Kelryn paled, obediently silent.

The urge seized him to storm from Heffrilen’s Tavern, leaving his rage bunched and tangible at the table while he escaped into the night. But he knew the anger would only accompany him, and he would not leave Prince Edward alone and vulnerable in a deceiver’s grip.

Kelryn’s eyes blurred, filled suddenly with moisture. "Marak, listen. Please."

Her farce dragged pain and fury to the surface. Before he could think, his half-closed fist slammed against her cheek, throwing her head sideways and sending tears splashing to the unoccupied table beside them. With unconscious grace, she managed to catch her balance and keep the chair, or herself, from falling.

Nightfall stared at his hand, outrage against Kelryn and himself welling in concentric waves. Not since he had avenged his mother’s murder had he lashed out in anger and never in any guise other than that of Nightfall, especially in a public tavern. He knew fury at himself for loss of self-control, against Kelryn for driving him to that loss, and against the mother who had taught him to respond to unhappiness with violence. That he had hurt Kelryn did not matter. Hours before, he would have slain her; given the opportunity, he would do so now. Something deep inside drove him to apologize until his soul emptied of guilt and sorrow, to beg for the forgiveness of the only woman he had ever loved. Yet, he dismissed the seed as something ingrained from his childhood and forced away the image of his mother pouring forth promises of devotion and tranquility while he still ached from the blows she beseeched him to excuse. He believed no leftover vestige of caring made him feel guilt and drove him to seek absolution, just a haunting memory from his youth.

Kelryn’s head sagged to the table, and her shoulders shook rhythmically as she wept in silence. Nightfall looked away in time to notice Prince Edward returning. A new discomfort swept him, one that took consequence into consideration. He could not explain Kelryn’s tears to his master, and he would not bully her into a lie now even should he have the time to do so.

Prince Edward returned to his seat talking. "It’s dark outside already. I hadn’t realized…" He trailed off, apparently noticing Kelryn’s state of mind. "Are you all right?"

Kelryn wiped her eyes, then raised her head, tossing back her short, white locks in a gesture that she probably intended to look casual. "I’m fine. Just a bit queasy. The food tasted wonderful, and I thank you for it. I just think maybe something in the gravy isn’t sitting well in my stomach." She started to rise.

Edward stood and caught Kelryn’s arm. "Here, let me help you up." He steadied her as she gained her feet. "Do you need a Healer?"

"No." Kelryn rubbed the remainder of the tears from her eyes, using the gesture to brush aside strands of hair clinging to her forehead. "I’ll be fine. I just need some rest."

Edward continued to clutch Kelryn’s arm. "Here. Let me walk you home." Finally, his attention shifted to Nightfall. "Sudian, why don’t you go back to the room and get things settled for the night? I’ll take Kelryn home."

The idea of leaving those two alone pulsed dread through Nightfall. The oath-bond’s warning tingle worsened. "Master, I can escort her." He tried to gear his tone to imply "my friend, my responsibility" rather than concerns about the decision.