Kei's Gift Read Free

not,” he protested feebly, but his legs were awfully wobbly as he stood.
    When they went outside, they found everyone had gone—probably headed to Rin’s house to see if they could help. Kei was glad—he couldn’t have handled a crowd.
    “Kei?”
    Myka stopped, so Kei had to. He looked down to the source of the voice. “Risa?”
    “Pa’s not dead, Kei?”
    Kei knelt—well, slumped to the ground—and looked at the boy hiding at the side of the workshop. He beckoned him closer, and took the opportunity to make sure he hadn’t missed an injury in his earlier quick check. “No, he’s not dead, Risa. Nor is Misek.”
    “Uncle Ban?”
    Kei shook his head. “I’m sorry, Risa. I couldn’t help him.”
    Risa nodded as he looked at the ground. “I was scared. Pa looked dead and Ma was crying.”
    “Yes. But he’s going to be all right. Your Ma will be sad though.”
    “Uncle Ban died.”
    “Yes.”
    Myka cleared her throat. “Risa, your mother will be worried about you. Why don’t you go help her look after your father and brother?”
    “Yes, I will. Thank you, Kei.”
    Kei put his hand out and patted Risa’s messy hair. “I wish I could have helped your uncle. Now run along.”
    Risa gave him a quick, surprising hug and then ran along the street towards his family’s home. Kei slumped some more, and groaned. “I can’t get up.”
    “Come on, you lazy brat.”
    Kei smacked her lightly on the backside. “Some respect for your brother, woman.”
    “I’ll respect you more when you’re not kneeling in the dirt, covered with blood.” But she knelt down beside him. “It was amazing, watching you. It always is...but today.... Meis is right. Ma would have been proud.” She brushed her hand along his cheek.
    He leaned into her hand briefly. “Everything I can do, I do because of her and Pa. I wish I had finished my studies.”
    Her large, dark eyes were soft with sympathy. “Ban would still be dead. Not even Ma could bring the dead to life.”
    “I know...just...poor Banji-ki. It’s not fair—his mother six months ago, now Ban. He was just starting to smile again.”
    “Well, one thing Ma always said which was absolutely true. You can’t solve everyone’s problems for them. Banji-ki still has a family.”
    “And I have you, Mychichi,” Kei said gently, using her childish nickname and laying his head on her shoulder.
    For a moment, she allowed the embrace, and then she stood, hauling him up with the surprising strength which came close to matching his own, for all he was a head taller. “Now, home, to rest and to wash. You smell of blood and shit, brother mine.”
    “You’re a hard woman, sister mine.” But he let her help him up, glad of her strength and her presence and wondering what in hells he would ever do without her.

Chapter : Darshian 2
     
    “Now, if I didn’t know you so well, young Sei Arman, I would say you were worried about something.” Karus leaned back into his chair, his weathered face wrinkling into a smile. “But since I know you never let your emotions distract you to such an extent, I shall blame a bolt from Akan, the god of mischief, for the fact you can’t play a simple game of kezi tonight.”
    Arman sighed and pushed the kezi board away. “Apologies, Karus-pei. I don’t wish to contradict your belief in me, but I am worried, in fact.”
    Karus’s eyes grew serious. “The new campaign? It’s not like you to fear a battle, my boy.”
    “I don’t fear it, Pei. I question—” He fell silent. They were alone in Karus’s study, but his elderly tutor had a staff just as any well-to-do man had, and who knew who was listening at doors?
    Karus waved a dismissive hand. “We’re alone, Arman, and you know my people have no interest in politics. I would remove them in an instant if I thought they did. You question...the motivation, perhaps?”
    “The wisdom, more like. Her Serenity’s ambitions are laudable, they bring glory to the race of Prij.