The Invisible Chains - Part 2: Bonds of Fear Read Free

him anyway. I had made it clear that I didn’t
    like handouts and that I didn’t want his help.”
    “Although it could have cost your father his farm and it kept you
    awake at night.”
    “That is as may be, but all the same he shouldn’t have intervened.
    If that is what he did. Anyway, so I went to him and asked him to his
    face if he knew anything about the fire.”
    “And?”
    “He swore he had nothing to do with it. So, I asked him what exactly
    Hemarchidas was doing in Ormidon at the time. He flatly refused to
    answer me. After I insisted he said he had sent Hemarchidas on a
    special mission concerning his personal safety, and that was all I got
    out of him.”
    “Well, see, there you are. You have your answer. He’s your friend.
    Shouldn’t you believe your friend?”
    “Yeah. Except, something tells me that he did intervene, although
    I’m certain he wouldn’t burn down houses. And now that I come to
    think of it, that was all I asked him. I never asked him directly if he
    had anything to do with the loan.”
    Bonds of Fear
    17
    “So what if he did? Friends do things for each other.”
    “I made it very clear that I didn’t want his help. I think he went
    behind my back.”
    “If he did, and that is a big if, I say, good for him. I go behind your
    back all the time or nothing would get done around here.”
    “No, you don’t. I know perfectly well that you say yes and then
    just do what you had planned to do in the first place. So, since I know,
    it’s not behind my back, is it? In fact, it’s before my face... in my face...
    to my face... You know what I mean.”
    Obyann sighed.
    “Bortram, listen. When I was six or so, father thought it was time
    for me to learn to swim. When I more or less knew how, we went
    many times to the river to practice. He always told me to stay near
    the bank, but after a few days I felt I could cross it easily. I wanted
    to surprise him. I got to the other side all right and then began
    swimming back. In the middle I got into trouble and the stream was
    dragging me with it. My father got into the water, but I yelled at him
    to stay away. I could do it on my own. I wanted to do it on my own.
    But did he listen to me, you think?”
    “Well—”
    “Of course he didn’t. He jumped right into the river and came to
    get me out. He knew I was as stubborn as a mule and that I would
    rather drown than ask for help. I screamed and kicked all the way
    while he dragged me to safety. He was right of course. But I was
    mad and refused to speak to him for days. He never said anything
    about the incident again. He never reproached me for my behavior
    afterwards. I guess he was just glad I didn’t drown.”
    Bortram said nothing, but it was obvious he was thinking,
    thinking hard.
    18
    Andrew Ashling
    “So,” Obyann asked, “would you have respected my wishes?”
    “No. I guess not.”
    “Friends like to do things for each other, Bortram. Maybe you
    don’t particularly like what he did, but he obviously liked doing it.
    Maybe now, you should do something for him.”
    “What?”
    “Accept what he did graciously. I think it will make him happy.”
    “Hm... so in fact I would be doing him a favor?”
    “I think so. Of course, most of the time accepting a gift is a lot
    harder than giving one. Not everybody can do it. Do it well, I mean.”
    Bortram looked at him through the slits of his eyelids.
    “It’s not just celery they grow in Ramaldah, I see. You’re wise
    beyond your years. And as devious as a certain blond trickster I
    happen to know. Don’t think I didn’t notice.”

    Bonds of Fear
    19

    Anaxantis hadn’t said anything, and he secretly hoped February
    the fifth would pass by without anybody noticing. After Tomar had
    left with his stack of parchments he had stuck his head out of the
    door and yelled for the page on war room duty.
    “Ha, yes, Radyamirodyahendo, isn’t it?” he said when a cheerless
    looking youngster entered.
    “My Lord?” Rahendo said