Page 26 of On a Barbarian World

“Everyone, man or woman, is expected to contribute to the clan. Yes, women work. And in return, everyone receives what they need to survive.”

“So, these people…they are all claimed by you?” The thought of these people being slaves didn’t sit well with her.

“No. Many have been with Clan Mal Dor since my father’s time. The rest have petitioned me for protection. Everyone must belong to a clan, or you will be claimed or have to fight to prove your strength. You are the first person I have claimed…in a long time. I already have many people in my clan.” He fingered her hair. “I usually do not try to add more.”

“So, your father gave you the land?”

“No.”

The word was harsh, unyielding. “I didn’t mean to pry. I’m sorry⁠—”

“He was murdered.”

Silence fell. She felt Kavon’s big body, stiff and tense behind her. Aurina swiveled her head and looked up. His face was blank and as rugged as always, but she sensed the deep pain beneath his warrior mask.

“I’m so sorry, Kavon.”

“Drog was the man responsible. One day, I will have my revenge.”

She felt her chest go tight. Drog was sounding like an all-round bastard. “He killed your father.”

“Yes. And because of him, we lost our livelihood. No one wanted to deal with the family of a dishonored warrior. My mother secluded herself in shame. Then my sweet sister, Shawna…”

Aurina’s breath caught.

He looked like his face was carved from stone. “Shawna sickened and I wasn’t able to secure medicine for her. It was not long after Shawna’s death that my mother died in her sleep.”

God. “How horrible.” She pressed a hand to his arm. “I lost my mother. She was all I had.”

A muscle ticked in Kavon’s jaw. “I am sorry for your loss.”

“Thanks. I was an adult, but it still hurt. She raised me, always put me first.”

“An admirable trait. It doesn’t matter how old a child is, the loss of a parent still...” His voice trailed off as his gaze shifted to the horizon. “Drog will pay. I have dreamed of killing him for many, many years…but I have a plan for a much more satisfying revenge.”

His dark tone made her shiver. “What do you mean?”

“I have been working for years to complete my plan. Become the best warrior I can, gain favor with our king, build Clan Mal Dor to be bigger, more profitable, and stronger than Clan Mal Sull. I will make Mal Dor the king’s favorite clan and bring all of Drog’s unsavory practices to light. He is a shame to the warrior code.”

She’d heard the old Earth saying that revenge was a dish best served cold. It sounded like Kavon’s was icy. She couldn’t begin to comprehend the control and discipline required.

“And finding this sword, Durendal, that’s a part of your plan?”

Kavon nodded, his gaze staring ahead. “It would be a great honor, and secure the king’s favor for eternity.”

Okay, then. No pressure.

He brought the hargon beast to a stop on the rise of a hill. To one side, beyond the farmland, she saw the sprawling mass of gray rock that was his estate. To the other side, they had a perfect view of the Darken Wilds and its vicious peaks.

“You can get a good view of my mine entrances from here.” He pointed.

She sat forward eagerly. Damn, he must have good eyesight. She could barely make out the entrances high on the mountainside.

Scanning the landscape, she saw the fascinating bands of rock that made up the mountain in shades of gray and deep red.

“The red rock must be the one holding your metal ore. What about the gems? What type of rock hosts them?”

He raised a brow. “No woman has ever asked me about rock before.”