The Old Ways by David Dalglish Page B

gathered his things, pulled his shield across his back, and waved goodbye to the camp.
    Kaide had threatened to send men after Darius if Jerico did not stay. Good luck, he thought. Any fool that went after Darius now deserved the beating they received. But he could not stay. They’d betrayed his trust, and no matter how important Kaide claimed he was, that importance was not enough for them to take Darius under their protection.
    Barely beyond the light of the camp’s torches, Jerico heard Sandra call his name. He turned, steeling himself against any guilt.
    “Jerico, wait,” she said, hurrying after.
    “What is it?” he asked. “Are you here to apologize for your brother again?”
    Sandra shook her head, and he realized she carried a small bundle against her stomach.
    “You didn’t know, did you?” he asked.
    “I’d have stopped him if I did,” she said. She looked back to the camp, and he could see the sadness in her eyes, and the way her lips quivered. “I’ve been at his side for years now. Always the older brother, the one who would save our family. But I don’t know who that man is, not anymore. I once told you I thought he knew nothing but revenge. Tonight proved that.”
    Jerico stopped, and he put his hands on her shoulders.
    “Are you sure?” he asked. “He’s your family, and they’re your friends. I understand their desperation, as much as I might loathe their actions. Don’t risk whatever happiness you know just for my sake.”
    She shook her head.
    “Our town is gone. My parents are dead. Whatever happiness I knew, it died that winter. Kaide’s just kept that pain fresh. We gave him his battle, and I saw the dead and the dying. It did nothing, only fed the beast that’s taken over my brother.”
    She brushed her hair away from her face and behind her left ear.
    “Let me come with you,” she said. “I don’t care where. Just let me follow you until I can find a new home, free of all these memories.”
    She stepped closer, and Jerico felt his throat tighten.
    “Shouldn’t you say goodbye?” he asked her.
    “He’d never take it well.”
    Jerico sighed. He knew his path was dangerous, and he had no intention of giving up the fight against Lord Sebastian.
    “All right,” he said. “But we need to hurry, and put as much ground between us and here by morning. Because you’re right...there’s not a chance Kaide understands.”
    She smiled, and he accepted her embrace. As his arms wrapped about her, he saw a figure walking toward them from the camp. He tensed. Sandra sensed it and turned. The figure grew closer.
    “Shit,” said Sandra. “It’s my brother.”
    “So much for a romantic flight through the dark forest.”
    She punched his chestplate, then pulled free of his arms.
    “Let me talk to him,” she said, approaching Kaide. The moonlight fell across his features, and seeing them, he clearly did not look happy.
    “What are you doing?” he asked.
    “Don’t be upset,” Sandra said, crossing her arms over her chest. “I’m allowed to make my own choices. You’re not our father.”
    He never slowed. Never stopped. His hand dipped to his belt, then thrust. Jerico felt his heart shatter. Sandra gasped as the dagger pierced her belly. Jerico was too shocked to scream. Time crawled still, and she fell to the ground, blood pouring. Kaide looked at him, and he smiled, but suddenly he was no longer Kaide. He was a creature of shadow, his clothes melding and changing into the face of a woman he thought had long since departed for the Abyss.
    “Valessa,” he said. The woman Darius had killed. The word stuck in his throat. His arms felt like they were made of stone. Valessa’s now feminine body shimmered, and fading in and out of dark smoke he saw her gray clothes and leather armor. Her daggers shimmered with crimson power in her hands.
    “You killed Claire,” she said, yet it was still Kaide’s voice that spoke. “You killed me. I’ve come to return the