Lines of Fire Challenged

By Janet Lane Walters

Angry her father, who has ordered her to bond with a man with tainted lines.Lasara plans to escape. Her ability to read the lines of fire makes her a talented duelist. Friends aid her escape. They tell her to seek the Desert Riders and a man called Jens. The meeting is different than she plans. They duel for hours and end in both collapsing. While she recovers she hears about the kidnapping of girls with strong lines of fire, she decides to act to free them. Then she learns about a strange man who has joined her enemy. The Defenders need to know.

Ever since his duel with a Defender Jens wonders if this man could really be his brother. Traveling to the Defender’s Hall doesn’t suit him. He like his life as a Desert Rider. His band of Riders travels to a village on the edge of the desert. A challenge to see who has the trading advantage is called for. The duel ends in a tie. He is on his way back to the desert when a man from a different troop speaks of young girls being kidnapped. Learning and freeing them becomes his goal. Lasara joins him during the quest. Somehow, they must face the renegades and rescue the young women.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BWL Publishing Inc.
• Release date: Dec 31, 2019
• ISBN: 9780228611943

Janet Lane Walters

Janet Lane Walters has been writing and published since the days of the typewriter. She has 30 plus novels and seven novellas plus four non-fiction books published. Janet lives in the scenic Hudson River valley with her husband, a psychiatrist who has no desire to cure her obsession with writing.She is the mother of four and the grandmother of five with two children expected to arrive soon from China. Janet writes in a number of genres - Romance from sweet to sensual and from contemporary to fantasy and paranormal. She has published cozy mysteries and medical suspense. She also has a number of YA fantasies published.

Book preview

Lines of Fire Challenged

The Guild House Series

Defenders Hall ~ Book Two

By Janet Lane Walters

Digital ISBNs

EPUB 978-0-2286-1194-3

Kindle 978-0-2286-1195-0

WEB 978-0-2286-1196-7

Amazon Print 978-0-2286-1197-4

B&N Print 978-0-2286-1198-1

Copyright 2019 by Janet Lane Walters

Cover Art 2019 by Michelle Lee

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

Chapter 1

Lasara pulled a leather vest over her linen tunic. From the shelves in the changing room, she took two tunics, several sets of undergarments, stockings and a second pair of leather breeches. She bundled them into a tight roll. She listened to the sounds from the bathing room and stepped toward the door leading to the outer passage ways. Her hands shook as she released the lock. She prayed no one would discover the unlocked door until she was far away.

All the things Kalia had told her this afternoon rolled in her thoughts. Her sister’s help was welcome but she dared not be the one to be present this evening. Rila would meet her and lead her to the gate. Lasara’s stomach churned and she hoped she wouldn’t collapse. What if something went wrong?

She pressed her forehead against the cool surface of the door. Move. She straightened. The copper bracelet she had found hidden in her room’s closet pressed against her chest. A bonding bracelet. Someday she might find her heart bonded mate but not today. Adventure waited. Facing the unknown was better than the man her father intended to be her mate. She would rather die than be bonded to Petan of the tainted lines of fire and erratic temper. Seeing the darkness of his lines made her ill.

She opened the door just wide enough to peer outside and make sure Rila had arrived. Her trembling hand rattled the knob. She drew a deep breath. Once in the hall she eased the door closed and pressed the bundle of clothing against her chest.

Rila waved the torch she held and indicated a dark passage. Lasara followed. The torch cast eerie shadows on the walls. The air held a musty odor. Cobwebs hung from the ceiling. Lasara prayed they weren’t inhabited. Spiders made her think of evil. Another thought occurred. Would their footsteps be seen on the dust covered floor?

Rila turned. Slide your feet. The dust raised will settle and hide our passing.

Lasara adopted the gait. This narrow hall was new to her. She knew of other passages and many unused rooms. The population of the Defenders had dwindled over the years and years since their arrival in this land.

Rila halted. I must snuff the torch. Four paces will bring you to the door. We’ll enter the courtyard and glide through the shadows to the gate where we’ll be met.

The light died. Lasara’s breath caught. Four paces and she would leave this gloomy passage. Her heart thudded. Would she really escape?

As she stepped through the open door, she inhaled the night air. Dark clouds obscured the moon and stars. While slipping through the shadows, she listened to the night sounds. Except for the aroma of Rila’s perfume, she noticed no new scents.

Rila paused. She whistled the call of a night flyer. Two men stepped from the shadows. Though Lasara trusted the woman not to betray her, she prepared for flight. Her stomach churned and her arms tightened around her bundled clothes.

One of the men moved away. I’ll keep the gate guards occupied.

The second man opened a narrow gate. I’m Gamon. Rila and I will guide you.

One by one they slipped through the narrow opening and scurried past the massive gate. They reached a hard packed earthen path leading to the pasture where bihorns grazed.

We moved your mount from the stable, Gamon said. Call him.

Lasara pressed against the fence. Thank you. I hope I can manage this escape. She didn’t want to tell them how little she was prepared for flight or that she dreaded thoughts of being alone. She didn’t want anyone to think she was a coward.

He grinned. Don’t fear. Rila and I are on detached duty. We’ll be with you for two days and show you how to make camp and find food.

A surge of relief nearly knocked her to her knees. The bundle of clothes fell to the ground. She wet her lips and whistled two long and three shorts. A bihorn with a sable coat left the herd and trotted to the gate. She heard two other calls and saw two cream colored steeds with black spots join Daro.

After scooping her clothes from the ground, she met her bihorn. He nestled her shoulder. She scratched his head between the horns. We’re going on an adventure.

Rila led her mount closer. Packs are here. Yours is the new one.

Lasara lifted the large leather sack and added her purloined clothing. She saddled Daro and fastened the pack to the saddle. Then she grasped a back sheath and was pleased to find her own sword encased.

Gamon handed her a sleep roll and a small tent. Tie these beneath the sack. There’s enough dried food for a seven day. I hope you’re not like your sister.

What do you mean?

There’s enough kafa for seven pots. Kalia needs three times as much.

Lasara laughed. I only drink it in the morning but I prefer apelons juice or water.

Once you empty your flask there will be no more juice until you reach a village. He handed her a pouch. Coins for when you need to purchase supplies. Ready to ride?

Lasara fastened the pouch to her belt. She mounted and checked to make sure her back sheath rested properly. She turned to stare at the massive wall surrounding the four Halls of the Citadel and released a sigh. When would she see her mother and sister again? Loneliness crept into her thoughts. No regrets allowed. She flicked the reins and followed her companions to the road.

The small party rode past the fields and the orchards belonging to the Citadel. Before long huge trees on either side of the hard beaten dirt lane blocked what little light shone through the dense cloud cover.

They continued well past dawn. Toward midday Gamon led the way off the road. He dismounted near a triangle of stones. When you see a structure like this you’ll know there’s a camp site ahead. He pulled a gray feather from his pack and thrust the end into the center of the stones. This means the camp is occupied.

Lasara nodded. She would avoid any that were occupied. Thanks for the warning. She yawned and fought the need for sleep. She hadn’t slept since her father had commanded her to accept a bond with Petan.

They reached a clearing surrounded by trees filled with the bright green leaves of spring. A large stone fire pit complete with a grill and spit stood in the center. A water trough waited to be filled from the well.

Lasara slid to the ground and removed Daro’s saddle. Though exhaustion threatened to fell her, she groomed her steed and filled the trough with water.

Rila gestured. I’ll start a fire. Fill two pots with water.

Lasara groaned and stiffened her spine. She could do this. As she drew water from the well and filled the pots Rila had taken from the packs. Lasara carried them to the fire. Rila explained how to build and start a fire. Though Lasara knew this in theory, she’d never been permitted to leave the Defenders Hall for short trips.

Where’s Gamon? she asked.

He’s setting traps for hoppers and climbers, Rila said. Tomorrow he’ll show you how to set them.

Though her body ached for sleep, her stomach growled. When Gamon returned, Lasara sat with the pair and ate a tasty stew. Gamon helped her set up her tent. She crawled inside and slept.

On awakening, though the sun hadn’t risen, she went with Gamon to clear the traps. She watched as he slit the animals’ bellies to remove the guts. Then he skinned the creatures. She took a turn with cleaning and skinning. Her nose wrinkled. Her cuts weren’t as neat as his.

Will you be able to do this for yourself? he asked.

With practice. Why do you save the skins?

For trading. The Artisans will buy them. They can also be used for trade. He removed a small shaker pouch and sprinkled the insides of the pelts and rolled them. This powder preserves them until you’re ready to sell them.

When they reached the camp, Rila dished out the remainder of the evening meal and put the meat from the trapped animals on the grill. She showed Lasara how to set up the small grill contained in her pack. This comes in handy if you camp where there’s no fire pit. She turned to Gamon. No birds?

He shrugged. No feathers to trade to the Artisans for quills or decorations. He turned to Lasara. When we camp today, you and I will set the traps and then a fishing lesson. Tomorrow morning we part.

Lasara felt an urge to cry. For the first time in her life she would be alone. She drew a deep breath. She could do this. Being alone was better than being with Petan.

Soon after dawn, they left camp and rode until late afternoon. When they stopped to make camp, she set the traps while Gamon watched. Then they walked to the stream.

Lasara watched the water rolling over rocks. Along the shore she saw watercress and reeds. She could see the shadows of fish when the sun shone on the water. She sat beside Gamon.

We’re near the crossroads. If you continue on the road in the direction we point, you’ll be heading south. What will you do then?

She waited a moment before speaking. Kalia said I should find the Desert Riders and a man named Jens. Is there more than one clan?

He shrugged. I know little about the Riders. He pulled a collapsed rod from his pack. Now for the fishing lesson.

How clever.

He connected the pieces and baited the hook. I’m not as clever as Alric. He teases the fish with his fingers.

Lasara cocked her head and considered how this might work. Another day she would try.

Once they had caught three fish, they returned to the fire and Rila. Gamon added the fish to the meat cooking over the flames.

After eating, Lasara spent time with the pair. They showed her how to gather greens for food and some plants to avoid. She enjoyed the nuts shaken from huge pine cones after they were roasted.

In the morning, Lasara forced herself to eat. Soon she would be alone. Doubt circles in her thoughts. She felt she faced her worst nightmare. There would be no one to help her if she failed.

At the crossroads Gamon and Rila waved. Lasara sat in the saddle and watched while they vanished. Alone. She fought the urge to ride after them. Only thoughts of facing her father and Petan stiffened her spine. She drew a deep breath. Find the Desert Riders and Jens. She had a goal. She turned Daro to the south and her quest began.

Rather than riding on the road and chancing meeting someone, she rode into the trees until she reached the stream. Meeting with a Defender patrol that included someone who knew her could result in her being forcefully returned to the Hall.

As the sun moved west, she came to a small clearing near the stream. Several large pinos grew along with the okala and sugar trees. She gathered stones for a fire circle and found kindling. After building the fire, she assembled the small grill and set water to boil. She placed her traps and caught a fish. While she waited for her meal to cook she sat by the fire. Daro grazed and pulled leaves from the sugar trees.

Night fell. She crawled into the small tent and stretched on her sleep roll. In trying to find a comfortable position she rolled from side to side and stomach to back. A rustling noise made her bolt upright. An eerie sound filled the air. She wrapped her arms around her knees. Was the rustling noise made by someone or some wild creature creeping toward her?

A strange howling followed by a screech sent her crawling from the tent. Daro tore dangling leaves from a tree. She backed into the tent and curled on her side until exhaustion brought sleep.

In the morning she built up the fire and went to the stream to wash. After checking her traps, she cleaned her catch and sprinkled the powder on the pelts. By mid-morning she rode from camp.

For a seven day she continued her journey south. During the time she honed her skills and grew less anxious about being alone. Though there were times when she wished for a companion other than her bihorn, she took pride in her survival.

On the afternoon of the eighth day she left