Page 81 of In Darkness Forged
“Do you wish to say anything before you die?” he murmured softly, the sense of menace no less for the lack of emotion in his tone.
“Die?” Paendreth returned silkily. “You cannot kill me here. Not without a challenge. Not unless you intend to perish with me. And you should know by now that my father will never grant you that honor, no matter how long you wait.”
“Why would he not?” Tal sounded almost curious. “Is his confidence so low? Does he not believe his treasured only son can win against one who… how did he put it again? Oh yes, he believes I ‘lack the honor and discipline required to live within the constraints of community.’”
“You cannot goad a Marlord,wilding,” Paendreth sneered. “And you most certainly cannot convince a man who lies near death to sacrifice his son’s life. My father will likely never wake, and therefore cannot give you his permission.” His lips stretched in a mocking smile. “And without his permission, you will rot forever in your hatred and your desire for revenge, but you will never have satisfaction.”
“I would not,” Vanadar interjected, almost idly, “be so certain, were I in your shoes.”
“Certain of what?” Paendreth snapped contemptuously. “You, Regent, have only what power my father has granted you, and soon you will have none because I will remove you myself.”
“The healer”—Vanadar appeared to be studying his fingertips—“has just administered a draught containing wild arantha venom. We expect that your father may return to us at any moment.”
The night elf princeling turned deathly pale.
“I didn’t kill her,” he spat, turning back to Tal with his eyes narrowed in hatred. “This pathetic upstart cannot take his revenge on me.”
“You are wrong,” Tal returned harshly. “Perhaps your hand did not wield the blade, but it wasyouwho left my sister to die. You were unprepared, and you ran from battle, leaving her alone and unarmed to face a pack of renders.”
“That washerfault…” Paendreth snarled, but then Tal’s hand was wrapped around his throat, and he could say no more.
Aislin could do nothing but watch, her fists clenched at her sides as the tension mounted. She almost couldn’t breathe from the weight of so much anger, so much hurt…
Paendreth was goading Tal on purpose. He was all but begging his accuser to attack instead of issuing a challenge, and Aislin prayed that Tal would hold firm. Pleaded with him silently to wait.
“Do it!” Paendreth taunted as his face began to turn purple. “Or do I need to remind you again of what you found in that clearing beside the river?”
Vanadar made a small, helpless motion in his direction, but no one was close enough to stop Tal.
He would have his revenge, and then he would pay the terrible price…
“Vanadar,” Tal said, still with an iron grip on Paendreth’s throat.
“Yes, Talyn ven Danael?” The regent sounded oddly formal.
“Will you bargain with me once more?”
The regent did not even twitch. “I am listening.”
“I wish to relinquish my claim on this creature’s life,” Tal said, and one could have heard a feather fall to the floor, so complete was the silence. “It would be beneath my honor to take up weapons against one such as this. And now that I have arrived at this moment, I find there is something I desire more than my revenge.”
Something about that phrase “beneath my honor” seemed to horrify everyone in the room.
“What prize would you ask of Revenfell?” Vanadar asked, still as calm as if they were discussing the weather.
Tal opened his hand and dropped the man responsible for his sister’s death.
Paendreth fell to the floor, gasping, his fingers clenching on nothing.
Tal turned his back and returned to where Aislin stood.
She wasn’t sure what to make of the look in his eyes. Wasn’t even sure she remembered how to breathe.
“I would ask that you grant Aislin’s request in the place of mine,” he said simply.
CHAPTER22
For a moment, Vanadar let his control slip, and Tal could see the regent’s shock and dismay.