Far Horizons: Tales of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror. Issue #13 April 2015 | Page 82

er option.

his chief stewards.”

Khellus watched her go with her latest choice, a
salted slab of mutton. “I suppose she’s the right age.
But why didn’t you—”

“Must be nice, both of you working there.”

“Why didn’t I what?” Abrodail made a fist. “Write
to let you know? Chase after you? You made your
feelings rather clear by leaving, and if I gave up
everything here to track you down in the hopes of
some paternal fondness, it’d mean surrendering
what little life I’d managed to build here.” She
sighed deeply. “Besides, I didn’t want her to have a
father who might never be around. Knowing your
sort of business, I figured you’d forever be traveling, off on one mission or another until you got
killed.”
He drummed fingers on the table. “Fair enough.”
To be honest, he felt relief at never having being
dragged into Eogwen’s upbringing. It would’ve
been one more complication, one more chain
wrapped around his soul. Personal attachments of
that sort always muddled the mind and heart, liabilities an assassin couldn’t afford. He looked to Favriel, who wore a bemused expression. “I’ll admit,
you’re taking this rather calmly.”
Favriel shrugged. “I came to terms with it when
I married Abby. I love Eogwen like my own and
would do anything to see she comes to no harm.”
His voice and face hardened.
Khellus held up a hand. “I’m not here with any
intent to take her from you.”
The man relaxed, if barely. “Then why are you
here? I’ll assume it’s no social calling.”
Khellus eyed his uniform. “You work for Asmoran
as well?”
Favriel drew shoulders back. “Indeed. I’m one of

The other man smiled. “It has its advantages. We’ve
no need to leave Eogwen with a marm. We get
meals together and catch little times alone, so long
as it doesn’t interfere with our work. Many staff
have family members who serve minor functions
throughout the operations. It gives the whole affair
a rather close feel.”
Khellus quelled a grimace. A great way for Asmoran to maintain an eye on his staff at large, recruit
new addicts, and have plenty of blackmail opportunities to keep any potential dissenters in line. Abrodail looked tense as she watched Favriel and averted her eyes when Khellus tried to meet them.

“You want help from me, you tell him as well. He’s
loved me, cared for me and for Eogwen, and he’s
never abandoned us and never will. He deserves to
know.”
Acquiescing, Khellus kept it as brief as possible.
He used the same arguments he had to get in the
door with Abrodail. Asmoran. The king’s edict. The
talk of rebellion and the need to make an example
to keep the other nobles in line before war broke
out and threatened the whole region—their family
included.
To his credit, Favriel maintained his poise throughout the explanation, the only sign of tension being
the occasional clenching of his jaw. When Khellus
finished, Favriel sagged, as if a knot had loosened
in his back.
“I see.” He scratched at the light stubble on his
chin. “This is... vexing.”
He stared at his lap for a full minute, while Khellus
and Abrodail watched each other over the table. For