The High Druid's Blade (The Defenders of Shannara, #1)(46)

Sure enough, Arcannen stood in the opening, wrapped in his black robes and backlit by the hall light. He studied her momentarily in a casual, indifferent way and then came into the room, closing the door behind him. A quick touch to smokeless lamps on either side of the door chased the darkness away sufficiently that he and his prisoner could see each other.

“You seem to be doing fine,” he observed. There was a touch of humor in his voice. “For someone chained naked to a bed.”

“My brother will come for you,” she said quietly, keeping her gaze locked on his.

“I certainly hope so. That’s been my intention all along.”

“So you were never really interested in collecting that gambling debt? That was just an excuse for luring my brother to Wayford?”

He crossed the room and sat down next to her on the edge of the bed, then reached out and ran his hand over her leg and up her thigh to her breast. “Oh, I wouldn’t say that. Having you here promises to be lots of fun.”

She felt a chill sweep through her, but managed to keep from showing what she was feeling. “You made that threat before. This is probably the best someone like you can do. A girl chained to the bed is the only way you’ll ever get close to any woman.”

He pursed his lips, a sneer forming. “Or in your case, any girl. But don’t worry. I won’t do anything to you. I won’t make you work in the pleasure stalls or scrub the floors or service my guards. That’s not for you. I want you in perfect shape for when your brother comes to trade for you.”

She stared at him, the pieces suddenly coming together. “You want his sword. That’s what you were after before, but you didn’t get it. So you are still trying, aren’t you? Me for the sword—that’s the bargain you’re hoping to make.”

The hawkish features tightened. “The bargain I will make, Chrysallin. Your brother will give anything to get you back in one piece. Only this time I won’t be caught off guard by his promises. And you won’t be taken away quite so easily. This time things will be a little different.”

She gave him a look, her resolve tightening. “Can you hurry it up? Or can you at least give me some clothes and take off these chains? How much trouble do you think a fifteen-year-old girl can be?”

“I’m not sure I want to find out. Chained to this bed and stripped of clothes, I don’t think you can be much trouble at all. Dressed and let loose, perhaps a whole lot.”

She searched her mind for an argument. “I have to eat and bathe and use the chamber pot or things will get really unpleasant. What if I give you my word I won’t try to escape? What if I promise to wait until Paxon has a chance to come get me?”

Arcannen gave her a long, searching look and shrugged. “Not that I think you would keep your word for one minute, but you have a point about personal hygiene. Maybe we can reach a compromise.”

He agreed to give her back her clothes and release all the chains but one clamped about her ankle, which would allow her to move about without leaving the room. Food and drink and water with which to bathe would be supplied. Guards would stand watch, but only come in to bring what she needed to eat and wash. She would give her word to stay put until he heard something from her brother.

She agreed readily—although he was right in supposing she didn’t for one minute intend to keep her word about not trying to escape. He knew it, and she knew it. That wasn’t how this game was played. If he wasn’t putting her into the pleasure stalls or otherwise misusing her, he must consider her well-being important enough not to risk causing her harm.

“Of course, if you misbehave after enjoying my generosity of spirit, I will have to change the way I do things. Your living conditions could take a change for the worse rather quickly.”

“What is it about that old sword?” she asked, ignoring him as he waited for her response to his threat. “Why is it so important to you?”

He shook his head. “Didn’t your brother tell you? He didn’t, I see. So why should I? Ask him when you see him. Ask him why he thinks I have gone to all this trouble to get hold of it. There’s a mystery for you to solve, Chrysallin-of-the-many-questions. Why didn’t I just steal it from you in the first place and have done with it? You don’t have the faintest idea, do you?”

“No,” she admitted.

He grinned wickedly. “If you change your mind about working here, just let the guards know. One of them will be in shortly to bring you clean clothes and release you from your chains. Behave yourself when he does.”

Then he patted her arm, rose from the bed, and went out the door, locking it behind him.


He did not go far. Just down the hall and around the corner. Mischa was waiting in the shadows of an alcove leading to an outside balcony, eyes glittering with anticipation. “Is it done?”

He nodded. “I will tell the guard to bring her clothes and release her chains. All but the one that secures her ankle. Not that it will hold her for long. She will be out of it inside an hour. That girl is smart and determined. Are you sure this will work?”

“She is a better subject with those qualities than if she were slow-witted. She will be molded as you intend. She will become what you wish. A week’s time, no more. Do you leave for Arishaig?”

“Tonight. Make sure you intercept her. Take her where you wish, but take her quickly.” He paused. “And Mischa. Don’t underestimate her.”