Page 86 of Swordheart
Zale folded their arms. “Your business ends where the Rat’s begins. You know as well as I do that your Temple must seek permission from mine before you conduct any kind of business thatmay infringe upon the Rat’s. That law has been standing since beforeyourgoddess had two stones atop each other to call a shrine.”
Halla, clearly worried, put a hand on Zale’s sleeve. “Now, Zale… the Mother iseveryone’smother…”
Red and Scar made the ritual gesture.
“And the Rat is everyone’s lawyer!” snapped Zale. “Which is why I know that the law is on my side. Now, if you two gentlemen would cease crowding my ox…”
Brindle grunted agreement.
“You talk like a guilty man, priest,” said Red.
“And you talk like a petty tyrant,” Zale shot back.
There was a moment when the whole situation balanced on a knife edge. Sarkis waited to grab his sword and throw himself at Scar’s throat. He just hoped that he could take them both out before any of the others got hurt.
Zale’s probably got a trick up their sleeve, if I’m any judge. No idea about the gnole…Halla, of course, is Halla…
Halla chose that moment to defuse the situation by bursting into tears.
“Rat’s balls,” muttered Zale, putting their arm around Halla.
“I don’t… understand… why they’re being so mean… We’re just traveling… We didn’t do anything and I was told… sniff… the Mother loved her children… and we’re all her children…”
Red and Scar made the ritual gesture, looking deeply disgusted.
“… and… and… I just want to gohome…”
Sarkis didn’t have to fake the glare he turned on the Motherhood men. Halla buried her face in Zale’s slender shoulder.
“Well, now you’ve done it,” said Zale. “My client just lost her beloved uncle and mentor and she’s had to make a long trip to make sure his last wishes were honored, and now you’ve upset her. I hope you’re happy.”
Red groaned and reined his horse in. “Go with the Mother,” he muttered. Sarkis suspected that he didn’t mean it.
Halla continued sobbing for several minutes, then said, quietly, “Are they gone?”
“Yes, and out of sight.” Zale released her.
“Whew. I wasn’t going to be able to keep that up for too long.” She sat up.
“Masterfully done,” said the priest.
“Eh, men like that usually panic when a woman cries.” She dabbed at her eyes with her sleeve.
“Good job, fish-lady,” said Brindle.
“Thank y—wait. Fish-lady?”
The gnole glanced at her. “Halais being a fish. You know?”
“I don’t.”
Brindle set down the goad and gestured with both hands. “Long. Lives in rivers. Big teeth. Eats the other fish.”
“A pike?”
“Don’t knowpike.A gnole calls ithala.”
“Fish-lady,” muttered Halla. “Well, it was just my luck.”
