She twirled the weapons in dazzling double arcs. “I don’t know what you want,
but I’ll play your game. Try to entertain me, you sons of whores!”
Before the first blow could be struck the gates swung wide. Six giants, in
various stages of arming themselves, spilled into the street, steel gleaming in
their fists. Che-naya’s pursuers caught themselves up short, then ran in the
other direction, dragging their blinded friend with them. They were quickly
swallowed by the damp gloom.
Chenaya spun to face the tallest of the giants. “Dayme, what the hell’s going on
around here? We’ve barely arrived in Sanctuary, but we’ve been attacked twice.
Some group hit us in Caravan Square at the end of General’s Road. Then these
attacked as we came along Governor’s Walk. Nobody’s on the streets but madmen!”
Dayrne’s gaze lingered on her face a bit longer than was proper, and he gave a
distinct sigh of relief even as he chewed his lip. “Politics later. Mistress,”
he said finally as he ushered Chenaya and her hooded companion inside the estate
grounds. He paused to make sure the gates were sealed then continued. “Things
have gone to hell in the city since you’ve been gone. We can talk more of it
later, but first you must see your father. Lowan Vigeles has been nearly ill
worrying about you.” His brows knit in consternation. “You promised to return
before the onset of winter.”
“Something important came up,” she answered defensively, avoiding his eyes. She
extended her arm again. In the light of the few torches that illumined the