Shadow's Son by Shirley Meier, S.M. Stirling and Karen Wehrstein ...

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in the known world.
"They apparently have a king who's hot. He came back out of captivity last summer, made alliances in
the nick of time: Laka, Tor Ench, Hyerne, the Pirate Isles—he had friends all over, it seems. Even the
Schvait black-shirts hired on their regiments. The way the Arkans broke the Compact and took Haiu
Menshir was the last straw for many people. You know the World's Compact— everyone leaves the
island alone, since it supplies the world with healers? It doesn't have an official name, actually, it's an
unwritten law that's been followed for centuries, but people have started calling it that."
"Yes," Shkai'ra said, drawing it out into a thoughtful hiss. "When I was younger I had no qualms about
attacking pacifists. I think I've learned somewhat since then." Her pale brows furrowed. Trained in
command as well as combat at home, and having wandered as a mercenary for six years, she had a feel
for such things. "That's all the eastern powers turned against Arko, the Srian war still going on, the
Kurkanians and the Roskati in revolt; and the tribes northwest of the Empire will start to move over the
borders at the first chance. I'd be surprised if no one else invaded." She shook her head. "Stupid of
Arko, like a peasant in a chicken coop trying to grab all the eggs at once. Opportunity, one way or the
other. Quickly in, grab the child, quickly out. The quicker the better;my wanderlust is well and truly
burned out."
Shyll stood, leaving half his meal untouched, and began pacing the flagstone path beside the fountain.
Megan stood up and followed him, knowing what his silence meant. The two had been having more
trouble in bed lately, more sudden pullings-away, breathless apologies, tears in the dark.Always my fear
, she thought wearily,from what happened when I was a child. Growing worse as I try harder to
fight it; worse, not better. Will it ever end ? Under the rose tree, she put her hands on his face,
keeping the steel of her claws well clear.
"Shyll, I'm not running away from you. I love you." She swallowed, dryly, struggling to say the difficult
things, to be honest. "Sometimes I love you too much. I try too much, too fast." He held her as if she
were made of spun glass, then turned away and went on pacing. His greathound Inu tried to heel without
stepping on too many things until Rilla sent him back to his corner with the bitch Grey and her puppies.
"Promise me one thing," Shyll said softly. "That you'll both come back."
"I'll do what's necessary."
He stopped pacing and drew his hand through his blond hair. Rilla came over and hugged Megan in one
arm, the other cradling the baby. Shyll forced a smile.
"… pretty damn good when she's got her growth, Megan. She'd learn war-craft much faster practicing."
Shkai'ra's voice wasn't raised, but carried clearly through the door to the corridor, where Sova was
passing on the way to her room. The Thane-girl slowed, put up a hand to steady Fishhook, who lay
across her shoulders purring, and pushed the wing-cat's buzzing nose out of her ear.
"I don't want to put her in the way of sharp steel again until she's of an age to choose." Megan's higher
voice. "Two years is not too long to wait, and I'm sure there will be fights around here then if she wants
them. She needs to Team other things that you don't on raids; you want her to end up knowing how to
do nothing but creep around in the dark and bash heads?"
"Of course not, what do you think? You usually handle the bookish stuff, though, and you're going to be
gone anyway…" A pause came, that made Sova worry about getting caught listening. The carpet was
soft under her feet, like home used to be, but decorated in the severe Zak style rather than Thanish