Shadowdance 01 - A Dance of Cloaks

sword held high, its dark fire absorbing the light of the stars so that it seemed a deep chasm floated above his head. Zusa remained still, her body crouched. Whispers floated off her tongue. The shadows grew about her, hiding her nakedness.
    Protect her
, Alyssa prayed, though she knew not to whom.
She may not deserve it, and neither do I, but protect her anyway.
    Once Ethric was in the center of the river, Zusa leaped. It seemed the chains of the world had left her, for she vaulted high in the air. A cloak of shadow followed her even though she was naked. For a moment she soared as if on wings, and then curled her body downward, diving like a bird of prey. Ethric tilted his sword, but his movements were hampered by the deep water.
    The collision was brutal. Alyssa gasped as shadows collided against shadows. Water erupted as if the ground had thrown up its contents and shifted the river. A single harsh clang of steel rang in her ears. When the river calmed and her eyes could see once again, she saw neither of the combatants. Her heart trembled. She thought to run. Freezing to death seemed far better than whatever fate the dark paladin planned for her.
    The water rippled, and then Zusa stepped onto the shore, water dripping from her slender body.
    “I warned him,” she said, and then a smile broke out across her face. “He drowned. Make room by the fire.”
    Zusa sat beside her wrappings, crossed her legs, and leaned toward the purple flame. Hardly believing it, Alyssa stripped off her own wet clothing and huddled closer. Both of them naked, wet, and freezing, Alyssa laughed at what a sight they must be.
    “I think many a man would love to stumble upon our camp this night,” she said.
    “One did,” Zusa said, glancing to the river. “I pray he enjoyed what he saw.”
    They cuddled together for warmth beside the fire that never faltered.
    Alyssa dreamed of Yoren approaching their camp, walking over the river as if he were a ghost. When he neared, he grabbed one of her nipples and squeezed it so tightly it hurt.
    “I missed you,” he said, smiling. His teeth, no longer gold, were crumbling ash. She screamed. He kissed her, ramming his tongue down her throat. Suddenly it was a snake, crawling down into her belly and coiling there. She thought she’d vomit, but when she did he shoved his hand over her mouth and forced her to swallow it back down.
    When morning came, Alyssa groaned and reached for her clothing. The fire was gone, and her skin pale and covered with goose pimples. Zusa lay beside her, awake but still undressed.
    “Your dreams were ill,” Zusa said.
    “They were,” Alyssa said, pulling on her dress, which was blessedly dry but for a thin layer of dew. “I hope they’re not a portent of things to come.”
    “I dreamed too,” Zusa said. “Karak sent me warning of my path. I walked upon a road of flame, and every step burned the soles of my feet. Eventually I had to crawl, and when I could not crawl I collapsed. The fire wouldn’t kill me, though. It only caused me pain. What is it you dreamed?”
    Alyssa explained her dream. Zusa’s eyes seemed so sad when she looked upon her.
    “You are pregnant with Yoren’s seed,” she said. “The signs are obvious. He will take over your household through your child.”
    Alyssa opened her mouth, then closed it. A child? Part of her had hoped such a thing might happen when she’d lain with Yoren in their secretive nights. With a babe growing in her belly, her father never would have been able to deny the marriage she desired. But now? Now after seeing the monster Yoren truly was, now that she was destitute and alone? She didn’t know what to think, what to do.
    “The Kulls would make me a slave, or worse,” Alyssa said. “I cannot bear it. We must flee.”
    “Even without you they will move,” Zusa said. “They mean to kill Lord Gemcroft as an end to their problems. Besides, what did I tell you about running?”
    “Then what am I to do?” she asked.
    “There is a ferry a mile south,” Zusa said as she started covering her body with her wrappings. When she reached her neck she stopped, and a playful smile came over her. She tossed the rest, leaving her face and hair exposed.
    “We will talk along the way,” Zusa said. “We tread a dangerous line, and you will find no help in either Kull or Gemcroft. You are trapped between vipers and a pit.”
    Her eyes twinkled.
    “Still, even vipers may serve their purpose.”

CHAPTER
30
    H aern