WOT Adv 256 - Fiznak

-- The Wheel Turns --

Turning from the window, Daelyn ran to Shae-ree and looked her over to see if she had taken any hurt. No visible wounds seemed to affect her. But she held her short sword in white-knuckled hands.

"Are you hurt?"

She shook her head and dropped her sword, and fell into his arms sobbing gently, he draped one arm around here, still loathe to sheathe or loose his own blade should the thing reappear.

"You shouldn't have stayed," he spoke between gritted teeth. "Peace, but he nearly killed you, Shae-ree."

She gave a ragged intake of breath and wiped the tears from her eyes with one hand, still clinging to him with the other. "I was so worried for you, my heart. But you bested him. My Tai'manshima." She breathed the last, framing his cheek with her palm.

"I must go to the men. We need to find out how a fade got within the walls." He paused, considering. How did it get into the room? He had shut the door behind him. The window had also been shut. Or had it been there before he had entered, merely lurking in the shadows? How had it known where to find him? Or, he wondered, was it possible that the old tales were true, that the half men could somehow move between shadows?

"Security should be better." He muttered angrily, shaking his head. "Please go to Leyala's tonight and stay there. You should not be alone."

"I will." She replied.

He wrapped her in one last hug and she clung with both hands during the long breathless kiss. "I am glad I was here. And I am glad you are well. Gather your things and go." He gently pushed her away from him.

Nodding, she picked up her blade and started gathering her things. He turned from her, opened the door and was greeted by the sound of running feet. A full dozen soldiers appeared with blades bared and torches flaring in the night air on the stair to his abode, led by a young captain.

"Peace Tai'manshima, is all well?" The young man asked, looking him over and eyeing his apartments. "We heard a scream from your quarters and feared another attack."