The Keeper's Shadow by Dennis Foon Page A

spy.”
    Before Asp can respond, Wolf has put a blade to his neck. “You betrayed your Brothers, your Prophet, and the Friend. My only wish is to see you burned alive.”
    In an instant Roan is at Wolf’s side. “Please put down your sword, Brother Wolf.”
    Wolf looks down at the blade point of Roan’s hook-sword, poised to pierce his heart, and slowly backs away. “As you wish.”
    Meeting the man’s barely disguised rage with utter calm, Roan continues, “Perhaps it would be best if you left me and my…Lieutenant alone with the prisoner.”
    Without discernible hesitation, Wolf pivots and, with a bow, Stinger follows. Roan might have had Stinger stay, but as the door closes behind the Brothers, he knows it is best this way. Facing back into the room, he almost smiles at his friend’s startled expression. He’d just blurted it out, but he likes the idea of Lumpy having a title the Brothers can understand—after all, Lumpy is the only person he really trusts.
    Asp lets out a long, weary sigh. “I always knew that you would be the one to expose me.”
    Standing across from the Dirt Eater, Roan introduces Lumpy, then explains, “I could never understand how a man as kind as you could live with the Brothers and abide their violence. It was my Lieutenant who pointed out that you might not be one of them.”
    â€œYou are the Mor-Tick survivor I was told traveled with Roan,” Asp says, looking curiously at Lumpy. “As a man of healing, I’ve seen many die of your scourge but never met one who lived. If I survive this interrogation, I hope you will tell me your story.”
    â€œDidn’t you know Lelbit?” asks Lumpy.
    Roan looks at him, surprised. Lelbit had died saving Roan’s life. That was many months ago, but the sorrow in Lumpy’s voice is raw, as if he’d lost her only yesterday.
    â€œI’ve heard of her, of course,” Asp answers, “but I was with the Brothers long before she came to Oasis. I know though, that she was greatly loved.”
    â€œYes,” says Lumpy. “She was.”
    Asp’s mention of Oasis is all the confession Roan needs. “How did the Dirt Eaters know I would end up with the Brothers?”
    Asp looks directly at Roan. What had been lost between them has come at last to this. The interrogation has begun. “A simple question with many answers.”
    â€œSome more relevant than others,” Roan says pointedly.
    â€œThen I will begin with the prophecy. It foretold that a rain of fire would descend on Longlight…”
    Shouts. Explosions. Crazed skull-masked invaders on horseback, waving torches, slashing, burning.
    â€œâ€¦Once the City had abandoned its policy of toxic bombardment, we had to discover what alternate tool of destruction it would choose. Saint, prophet of the Friend, had emerged. It was our belief that he would be chosen to rain fire on Longlight and find you. So, I was sent to join the brethren and await your coming.”
    â€œWhy didn’t the Dirt Eaters try to find Longlight themselves?”
    â€œThey did. But your mother was shielding you. She was probably shielding the entire village.”
    â€œHow would you know that? Couldn’t it have been anyone?”
    â€œAll attempts to locate you were deflected by an impenetrable barrier. It had a specific protective quality that was recognized.”
    It’s the prophecy. His father’s voice had woken him. That’s only a myth. Only a myth, his mother had said. We have to leave. We have to leave now .
    â€œShe was very powerful, Roan.”
    â€œShe didn’t believe in the prophecies.”
    Asp is startled by the statement. “She said that?”
    Roan remembers his father’s voice, desperate, trying to convince his mother. You know the truth. We always knew this time would come. Then she, strong, determined: Wake them. Go, go, go! “It’s