Page 21 of On a Barbarian World

“Those weaker than ourselves,” the man mumbled.

“You think only of yourself. You did not protect a woman, one weaker than yourself. A woman under my protection.”

The man had gone silent now, staring at the floor.

Kavon felt Aurina’s keen gaze on him, but he kept his attention on his warrior. “When you attacked her, you dishonored yourself and you disobeyed me. Zaltoh, for the wrong of assaulting a woman of Clan Mal Dor, one you’d vowed to protect as a warrior, you are hereby banished.”

The warrior’s head snapped up. “No!”

“This was not your first mistake. You do not possess the mettle to be an honorable warrior. I no longer need your services, and I no longer wish to see you here. I will protect this woman by ensuring she never needs to set her gaze upon your form again. Go.” He saw Colm and two other warriors rise, and Kavon nodded at them.

They flanked the banished man and ushered him from the hall.

Kavon turned his attention to the woman. “I acknowledge the wrong done to you, Starla. I have done what I can to avenge you. Whatever else you need, you tell the head of my household.”

The woman nodded, swiping at her tear-stained face. “Thank you, Warlord. For everything.”

With a nod, Kavon stood and turned to Aurina. She was staring at him. He held out a hand, and she set her hand in his.

As they left the hall, he headed in the direction of the hargon stables. A bad mood settled on him. He hated that a woman under his protection had been hurt. And now, he was even less interested in taking Aurina to the crash site in the Wilds.

But a deal was a deal, and a warrior always kept his word.

He led Aurina into the stables, and nodded at the young stable boy. “I need my mount, Tay.”

The boy bobbed his dark head. “Yes, Warlord, I’ll bring him right now.”

Aurina waited quietly, but he still felt her intense regard. Finally, Tay rounded the stone wall, leading Tarm.

The hargon pawed at the ground, snorting. He tugged at the reins, and Kavon saw the boy was using every one of his small muscles to hold onto the beast.

“What the hell is that?” Aurina’s mouth dropped open. “It looks like a cross between a horse and a…a…”

Tarm snorted, flames shooting out.

She swallowed. “A dragon.”

“It is a hargon beast. Warriors use them as war beasts and for traveling.”

“Warlord.” Tay handed the reins over with a look of relief.

Without a word, Kavon gripped Aurina’s waist and lifted her up. She gasped and grabbed at the pommel. She held on while he mounted behind her.

“A little warning next time, barbarian.”

Tarm protested the extra weight with a fierce snort and lift of his head.

“Quiet,” Kavon warned, digging his knees into the powerful animal’s side.

Tarm quieted but gave one more snort for good measure. Kavon urged the beast out of the stables and down the cobbled street to the main gate. Then they were outside the estate.

He leaned down and nudged his chin against the side of Aurina’s face. The damn woman smelled like his soap, but under it was a unique scent that was all her. His nanami flared, letting him drag that scent in deep. He let his lips brush her ear. “It is not far to your ship.”

“Good.” She tilted her face up. “Zaltoh was a strong warrior.”

Just hearing the man’s name deepened Kavon’s foul mood. “Yes. Like I said, a good fighter.”

“Yet, you still banished him. It seems to me your people worship strength.”