Diamond Bonds by Jeff Kish

own.  It’s hard not to envy those who stumble into such luxury, and the thought makes him wonder about Di.  The girl must have a noble heritage.
    “It’s a humble place to retire,” Jem comments as she watches the farmers packing their tools for the night.  “Your money must have tripled the local economy.”
    “It’s certainly been a boon,” Andrea says proudly.  “The wall’s construction was started during the war, both to keep the economy going and to protect us in case the Allerians-”  She cuts herself off and offers an apologetic glance to her Allerian guest.
    Jem laughs aloud.  “I’m no stranger to these conversations.  Given how far the Allerians made it past the border, the wall was a good idea.”
    Andrea looks relieved.  “Well, it wasn’t used during the war.  Its construction took longer than anticipated, and the truce was drawn so abruptly.”
    Di looks confused.  “Why was it abrupt?”
    “The late king was killed in a battle across the border,” Jem says flatly.  “The Valvoran army was thrown into chaos, the Allerians pushed in… don’t you know your history?”
    “I-I knew all that!” Di insists.
    “Really?” Jem asks with a smug grin.
    “Yes!  The new king mustered his forces and defeated the Allerians west of Maaman,” she says in response.  “He offered a truce, supposedly in spite of a significant strategic advantage.”
    Era glances to Jem, who has turned to watching the passing crops.  It almost seems like her breathing has escalated as she tries to tune out the conversation.  She doesn’t like talking about the war, and he wonders about the nature of her sensitivity.
    Andrea chimes in, “I was just a teenager at the time, but I can still remember the fear melting away from the hearts of the villagers.  It was most fortunate timing.”
    The carriage slows to a stop at the town gate as a guard makes an inspection.  He chats with the driver and proceeds to open the carriage door.  “G’evening Miss Andrea-”  He abruptly pauses when he sees Jem.
    “Good evening!” Andrea replies.  “Please accept Jem here, as well as Era and Di as my guests for the evening.  They saved my life in an act of true courage today.”
    Jem offers a smug smile and a wave, but the guard doesn’t return the gesture.  He reluctantly closes the door and waves them on.  The carriage starts to move again, taking them into the town.
    Andrea appears distraught over the encounter.  “My, I didn’t realize you would cause such a stir.”
    “I cause a stir everywhere I go!” she says proudly, placing her hands behind her head.  “People love me.”
    Era grins.  “You never fail to draw attention, that’s for sure.”
    The road leads into a wooded lot, and the carriage pulls up to an impressive house built into the city wall itself.  It stands two levels high, and its roof meets the top of the wall.  The second story has a much smaller footprint than the rest of the house, providing a walk-out deck that can be accessed from the top floor.
    Jem lets loose a whistle.  “Woods in a walled city?”
    “I thought we were getting out of the forest,” Di pouts.
    “Ha, there are probably fewer trees inside the house,” Era chides.
    The driver and guard hitch the horse to a nearby fence post and head back toward the main city.  As her guests stretch, Andrea approaches her front door, which is made from the same stone as the wall, and it swings open to reveal a scrawny but tall old man.  “Miss Andrea, thank goodness!” the butler exclaims as he embraces his mistress.  “Aren’t you quite late?  You had me worried!”
    “Oh, Connor, stop it,” Andrea says while pushing him back.  “We just had a late start this morning is all!  How are you this evening?”
    “Quite well, thanks,” the butler mutters as he gives a suspicious look to the three hungry strangers behind Andrea, eyeing Jem in particular.  “And you are…?”
    Jem crosses her arms.  “Hey,