Innkeeper's Song

NYATENERI

I was praying that it would be anyone but him. Anyone. I would have welcomed that third assassin, right then, sword hand no good and the rest of me feeling in much the same shape as those two stiffening underground. Just not him, not now, if it please any interested deity. I am exhausted and afraid, and I cannot tell what will happen. I am afraid to see him now.

Lal rose to open the door. I said, “Don’t,” not meaning to say it. Lal looked at me. I stood up myself then.