Return to Kinthaldith

Return to Kinthaldith: Chapter 17

Jesh had sworn an oath to obey Risser's commands or suffer death. He realized Lord Risser was within his rights, but being a Lord that people trusted also required fairness, and Jesh had been pushed to his limits. "You'd kill me for this?" asked Jesh.

"No, I'd kill you for being the destroyer of Kinthaldith."

"I've come to help!"

"You're a pawn of the Prenth, whether you realize it or not. You are their creation. You will promote their ways in the end."

"I am not working for the Prenth!"

"You didn't help them at all?"

"No."

"Didn't you? They had access to you all this time. What did you tell him about Kinthaldith?"

Now Jesh felt guilty. He had answered all of Grayan's questions. He had told him everything he wanted to know, which was very extensive.

"You told him all about our planet, our resources, our military perhaps?"

"I was just a child. I didn't know they'd use it against us." He thought bitterly of Grayan's appeal to put Kinthaldith under territorial status. He hadn't expected that. It was treacherous, and Grayan might not have been able to accomplish it without Jesh's help.

"Of course not. You're too trusting." Risser removed the sword from Jesh's throat but kept it in his hand. "You knew that I wanted you dead, yet you swore allegiance to me. I don't care about your stupid resolution or your plans to fight the Prenth."

"But, you promised--" said Jesh.

@double check this, did he?

"No, I didn't." Risser used the sword to point at Jesh. "All I promised was that I would do what was in Kinthaldith's best interest, and as far as I'm concerned, that means seeing that you have no influence at all here. There will be no resolution. I won't hear any more talk about the Council of Lords, and you won't speak to anyone else about it either." He waved the sword, using it to punctuate his words.

Jesh stared at him. "You lied to me."

"No, you made an assumption. Do you think I would have just stood by if Lady Tireth had named you as Heir--I would have killed you! I'll be damned if some alien Heretic rules the Hasson!"

Suddenly, everything made sense--Lujen's disappointment that he had sworn allegiance to Risser. Even Lord Risser's kindness to him--Jesh saw now that it had all been an act to win him over. It was true--he was a fool. Jesh had no idea that Lady Tireth was considering him as the Heir.

"So you had me swear allegiance to you. Now your place as Heir is secure," Jesh said quietly.

"Yes," said Risser. "So you see, carrying my bags is about all I plan to let you do. And even that may be more trouble to me than it's worth."

Jesh took a deep breath—his life had been rendered useless. He'd sworn allegiance to an enemy. He contemplated letting Risser run him through right here, but there was no honor in that kind of death. And there was his promise to Lord Demmin to protect Kinthaldith from the Prenth. Jesh looked down at the bags, suddenly numb to everything. One by one, he reached down and picked up the pack and then the bags and put them on.

Lord Risser watched him almost with surprise. Jesh stood ready to go. Risser put the sword away and studied Jesh for another moment as though revising his opinion of Jesh again, then turned and led the way through the meadow. Jesh followed.

* * * * *

Jesh pushed himself mercilessly all afternoon, trying to keep up with Risser. He felt he deserved some kind of punishment for his stupidity--for trusting such a man as Risser. He hated him. Secretly, he hoped that they were being followed and that their enemies would catch up with them and kill them both. He even went so far as to consider leaving some kind of trail for them--but he knew it was a crazy thought. There was no honor in it.