Shadowdance 01 - A Dance of Cloaks

like Thren.”
    “Then we put our faith in his new one,” Veliana said, putting a hand on his shoulder. “Thren rules this day. Let us just hope that come the end of it, we’re still alive.”
    Alyssa walked ahead of Zusa on their return to the Kulls’ camp, knowing her lead would make things easier for the other woman. Most of the guards stared at Zusa’s face as they passed, frightened by her skill yet drawn to her beauty.
    “Alyssa!” shouted Yoren when he saw her. He stumbled over a pot, pushed aside another man, and then wrapped her in a ferocious hug. Kiss after kiss he planted on her face, and Alyssa found herself relaxing in his arms and returning the kisses. After a moment he leaned back and let her stand, and that was when he noticed Zusa’s face.
    “By Karak, girl, where’s your wrappings?” he asked.
    Zusa took a step back and crossed her arms as if embarrassed.
    “Gone,” she said. “Why do you care?”
    Yoren didn’t seem to know how to respond, so eventually he shrugged and took Alyssa’s hands in his.
    “Come,” he said. “Father will be thrilled to see you. And what of the dark paladin? Did you elude him in the night?”
    “Zusa killed him,” Alyssa said as they walked around the tents on their way to the large pavilion.
    “Did she now?” He glanced back at Zusa. “At times I wondered about my decision to hire you. It seems you three were well worth the coin.”
    “Just one now,” Zusa said. Alyssa heard the sadness in her voice, but Yoren prattled on without noticing.
    “We didn’t know what to do. Theo thought to send search parties to look for, well, your body. I meant to go to Veldaren and see if the priests of Karak had you. Better alive and imprisoned than dead in a field, I figured. But here you are! More than I could have hoped for.”
    Alyssa glanced back at Zusa, who nodded. That nod gave her courage to continue.
    “Please, hurry me to your father,” she said. “I have something he needs to hear.”
    “On what matter?” Yoren asked.
    “For his ears alone,” she said. “If I am to rule in my father’s place, there are some details I would prefer to organize with Theo first. He is lord of Riverrun, at least in fact if not in name.”
    Yoren looked none too pleased about this request, but he did not argue. Hoping her nervousness did not show, Alyssa followed him into Theo’s pavilion. The older man sat in a chair, the remnants of the morning meal splayed out before him on the table.
    “By the gods, Alyssa Gemcroft, safe and sound!” Theo cried, shoving against his chair to aid himself in standing. “I thought my guards were just babbling nonsense; either that or some pretty whore from the Kensgold had wandered over and been mistaken for you.”
    “I’m flattered by the comparison,” Alyssa said.
    “You should be, girl, looking as you do. I’ve seen my dogs drag in less disheveled things than you. Twice now you’ve come to me in tatters. The Gemcroft line must be rolling in its graves.”
    Alyssa felt anger mix with her self-consciousness. Indeed, the wade through the river had dirtied her dress, and she’d torn the tight silk during her frantic run. Drying it by the fire had shrunk it considerably, and she’d torn it more putting it back on. Her hair was a frightening mess, and she’d have given just about anything for a hot soak. Still, she was Alyssa Gemcroft, heir to the northern mines, and she’d never willingly accept such insults.
    “If you have any desire to remain in my good graces come my ascension, you should bite your tongue, or better yet, apologize for such remarks,” Alyssa said. “You first compare me to a whore, then to shit your dogs drag in?”
    Yoren flushed red at the sudden outburst, but Theo only laughed at the fire that suddenly burned bright in her voice.
    “Quite right, and I do apologize, Lady Gemcroft. Come, let me fetch my servingwomen so they may bathe and dress you proper to your station.”
    “No,” she said. “I have business to discuss, matters pertaining to my future holdings.”
    “Surely these can wait,” Yoren began, but Alyssa cut him off.
    “Now,” she said, her eyes boring into Theo’s. “Surely you would not insult a guest by denying them dealings? Or are the rumors I hear of the Kulls more truthful than I thought?”
    The whole tent quieted. Theo’s smile drooped, the joy drained from his eyes.
    “So be it,” he said. “Let us treat each other as partners of business. What is it you