Eamon waited until she met his eyes beforedealing a worse blow, “Our necks would be on the line too. So keepit together, yeah?”
She nodded. That bad feeling was turning intoa ball of granite in her stomach.
Before she could ask any further questions,they were riding into the little hamlet. She guided her horse afterEamon’s as he rode to the left. When they stopped, their horsessurrounded all of the people in the village who had been pulledfrom their homes and then ushered into the village center. Therecouldn’t have been more than thirty of them.
Fallon rode forward, much like Darius hadduring her first encounter with the Trateri. The villagers drew inon themselves, their small circle constricting until no spaceexisted between their bodies.
The fear on their faces was chilling.
Shea couldn’t help but feel that whateverhappened next could be laid partially at her feet. The Trateriwouldn’t have made it this far without her interference.
Her mentor from her apprenticeship would saythat a pathfinder wasn’t responsible for anything that happenedafter their party reached its destination. Standing here, feelingthat cloying terror on the air, seeing the way the villagersclutched at each other for false security, she was no longer surehow much stock she put in his words.
“Do you know why I’m here?” Fallon’s deepvoice thundered in the air. Although loud, it didn’t sound as if hewas shouting.
He wheeled his horse and cantered in theopposite direction.
No response greeted him.
“Ah, I see. Then let me educate you. Iwouldn’t want you entering the afterlife without knowing what sentyou there.”
There was a brief outcry at this. Severalwomen fainted, their men catching them before they hit theground.
“Several months ago when my men came uponthis Lowland cesspit, they gave you a choice. Fight and be sent tomeet your ancestors with honor, or submit and pay us a tithe forhowever long we choose to collect it. Two weeks ago your tithe camedue. My men came and then returned to me empty handed. This was notwhat we agreed. Now, you have one chance and one chance only tomake this right. Bring me what you owe and half more, today, andface the consequences of breaking your word or…. Well I reallydon’t suggest or.”
“I bet my last ration of Ka grass they’re tooscared to speak,” one of the Trateri just beyond Eamon said.
“I’ll take that bet,” said a man with ayellow belt.
“My best knife they refuse to pay.” A thirdman with braids on either side of his temples.
“All right,” yellow belt said.
“Eamon,” Shea started.
“Easy, Shane. They’re just blowing offsteam.”
She didn’t think so. They seemed way toojocular. Bad enough they were terrorizing these people. They didn’thave to be so damn happy about it too.
“No one will speak?” Fallon scowled down atthe people below him. His horse high stepped and threw its headback. He brought it to an abrupt halt and stared at the upturnedfaces. As if coming to a decision, he nodded and wheeled the animalaround. “Let that be your answer then.”
To the waiting Trateri, “Spread out and gothrough all of the homes. Find anyone who is hiding and bring themhere.”
“Damn,” yellow belt said.
The first gambler let out a happy whistle
“Guess I’m getting a new knife,” the braidssaid.
“They could still come up with the payment,”yellow belt said.
“Unlikely,” braids said as he dismounted.“Face it, you’re going to be giving that knife to me before weleave this miserable cesspit.”
“Come on, Shane,” Buck said quietly at herelbow.
Shea looked helplessly down at him. Shedidn’t know if she could turn in anybody she might find.
“We have to help them look,” he said. Hiseyes were understanding but resolute.
