Far Horizons: Tales of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror. Issue #13 April 2015 | Page 78

and people who don’t look nice are. And sometimes
there need to be not-nice people to do not-nice jobs.
Don’t you think?”

in to comment on my daughter’s schooling, so that
means I’ve something to do with whatever business
you’re about.”

She swung the door wider in order to confront him
with crossed arms. “Is that s’posed to be a puzzle?”

“Can I come in?”

“Does it confuse you?”
“No. You just make it sound c‘fusing.”
Khellus chuckled. “Maybe I’m trying to confuse
you.”
“That’s not nice.”
“Eogwen,” Abrodail called, rushing into view.
“What’ve I told you about answering the—oh gods
above and below.” She halted for a second, colour
leeching from her cheeks. After a second, she hurried forward and pulled Eogwen back, pushing her
off down the hall. “Little flower, go read until your
father gets home.”
Khellus rose as the girl skipped off. “She can read.
That’s good. I was at least twice her age before I
learned how.”
Abrodail stared at him, hand on the door as if debating whether to slam it or not. Then she swallowed
and firmed her shoulders. “You shouldn’t be here.”
“Probably not. Nevertheless...” Khellus spread his
hands.
Various expressions cast shadows over her face, like
clouds over the sun. “You’re not here for me.”
“I wasn’t at first. I initially came on business.”
Her laughter still sent a tiny thrill through him, even
laced with scorn as it was.
“A job. I should’ve known.”
“Yes, you should have.”
“What do you want? You’re obviously not dropping

“No.”
They engaged in a silent stand-off until Khellus
gave way. “Wescel Asmoran. He’s your employer,
isn’t he?”
“Oh, devils take you, you utter bastard.” She moved
to slam the door, but he jammed a boot and shoulder in the gap. Abrodail struggled to dislodge him,
to no avail. “Get away from us. I want nothing to do
with you.”
“Just hear me out, Abby, would you?”
“Don’t call me that.”
“Rah!” Something struck Khellus’ boot over and
over. He and Abrodail looked down at Eogwen,
who had thrown herself between her mother’s legs
and now stabbed at Khellus’ toes with a wooden
fork. “Go away!”
Khellus cleared his throat as Abrodail swept her
daughter up and hustled her back into the house.
She returned half a minute later, looking flustered.
This turned to a glare. “You’re still here.”
“I’d appreciate it if you let me at least explain.”
She raised a finger. “One word. You get one word.”
“Treason.” She froze. Khellus pushed the door a
little wider. “Abrodail, your employer is a traitor
to the king and he’s at the head of a growing faction working to undermine the safety of this entire
region. I can’t believe that someone as smart as you
could work there without picking up on that.” He
leaned in until he caught her eye, though she still
refused to look at him straight on. “You know it’s
true.”