Bloodsongs Read Online Free PDF Page B

But why?
    Kel’s sword described a shining, humming arc in the air and stopped suddenly, gripped in both hands. His eyes raked around the inn. Enemies on three sides, the kitchen behind him. There was another door through there, but it was always bolted with three bolts. Troops would be waiting beyond it, anyway, she was sure.
    â€œDrop that sticker, rebel,” the big soldier commanded. He gave Kirigi a violent shake. “Or this one gets it clean.”
    â€œMother!” Kirigi croaked, his wind nearly choked off.
    â€œQuiet, son,” she said quickly. “Be still.”
    The big man nodded, apparently in charge. “She’s a smart one,” he said to Kel. “Now, you be just as smart. Thirty men surround this pigsty. And I know you wouldn’t want any harm to come to your little brother, here.”
    Kel’s smile was purest evil. He threw a swift glance at his mother. “Send him to hell for all I care,” he answered. Then a bloodcurdling cry bubbled from his throat, and he ran straight at the men who blocked the rear exit.
    â€œGet him!” the giant roared, and before Samidar could move or cry out, she saw the muscles of his sword arm bulge. Half the blade’s length slipped between Kirigi’s ribs. The youth’s eyes clenched tight; in a spasm he bit his lip and blood ran down his chin.
    His murderer jerked the blade free and cast the boy aside.
    Samidar screamed and flew across the room to her son. She sank beside him. Kirigi managed to roll over. He looked up, and his eyes were moist with pain and confusion. “Son!” she cried. “Don’t die, don’t leave me!” She wrapped him in her arms, pressed his face against her body, and rocked him back and forth.
    His hand came up weakly and brushed her cheek. “Mother.” The words were feather soft, dry as dust. “Don’t cry.” He tried to swallow, but more blood welled between his lips. She wiped it away. “It hurts,” he moaned. “It . . .”
    He went limp in her arms.
    She screamed again, shook him, then brought her lips down on his. “No, no,” she moaned, and kissed him again. He stared at her, but there was no sight in those sea-blue eyes. Gently, she closed the lids.
    The sounds of fighting penetrated her grief. The clang of steel on steel rang hollow in her ears. The crash of overturning furniture, the shouts, the huffing, and the screams of the luckless reached her with a dreamlike ethereality. Kel fought like a demon, using the skills his father had so arduously drilled into him. The attackers got in each other’s way, their unorganized numbers actually a disadvantage. Kel had only to swing at any movement.
    She couldn’t tell the death he had done already. The only one that mattered rested in her arms.
    Kel forced a way into the short hall that led to the back door. That made sense if he could get to the stables and his horse. But, of a sudden, he twisted and disappeared through the door to her own small sleeping room. It slammed shut.
    â€œBreak it down!” the big commander ordered, and a pair of shoulders leaned to the job. “Smash it!” he shouted, sneering at his own men. “Put some muscle to it!”
    â€œHe’s barred it on the inside!” someone called in response. But an instant later wood cracked, and the door sprang back on wrenched hinges.
    â€œWhat the hell?” one of the soldiers shouted.
    Another bellowed, “He’s not here!”
    â€œSearch the grounds!” The commander shoved a couple of his men. “You two, tear this place apart! There must be a trapdoor. Find it! If he gets away, I’ll have all your miserable hides!”
    He left his men and came toward her then, kicking a broken stool out of his path. “Where’d he go?” he demanded hotly. “Show us how he got out of that room, or I’ll wring your disloyal neck!”
    She stared at the raven on