“You gave Allamu your vow that you would return him home to Urom,” Qaansoole said, rising from her seat to confront Sabit’s casual announcement that she would not go to that far-off city.
“I also vowed to protect the prince of Ghabar.* And to serve the god Batuul beneath the Wicked Rocks.* And to protect all the champions and hostages of Vert.*** And to meet you at the gate last night with provisions!” Sabit roared, taking to her feet. Her movement was so sudden that the small table toppled over, the glazed bowl of broth shattering on the packed earth floor. “Betraying my vows should come as no surprise to anyone paying attention!”
Qaansoole closed the distance to Sabit, the little archer glaring at the spear woman with eyes full of threat, despite being more than a head shorter. “I have trusted you with my life and with the life of my son. Now you blithely declare yourself an oathbreaker? I should—”
“Sabit made me no vow,” Allamu’s voice was soft and steady, and yet seemed to chase all other words from the room.
Both the fighting women turned to face him, sitting cross-legged on the floor. He continued, “Sabit saved me from captivity and death.* I offered her a reward from my father’s coffers for her to return me to Urom. If she does not want the reward, she does not need to take me. There was no vow. No oath. No promise. There is nothing between us, save a bond of friendship.” He smiled beneath sad eyes.
The new faded scar at Sabit’s wrist flared with pain like a burning brand. Allamu’s gaze was cool and forgiving, but even his eyes could not quench the fiery agony at her wrist. “Consider the bond of friendship one more thing I have broken.” Taking her spear and her satchel, Sabit left the room.
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*-Sabit’s past in Ghabar and her first meeting with Allamu are detailed in Wayfarings of Sabit: Blossom of Ruin.
**-Sabit’s time with Batuul is detailed in Wayfarings of Sabit: Isle of the Wicked.
***-Sabit’s time leading the champions of Vert is detailed in Wayfarings of Sabit: Tumult.
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Wayfarings of Sabit: Bazaar of Death is copyright (c) 2017 by Michael S. Miller. All rights reserved. New chapters post every weekday. You can support this and other stories on Patreon: https://patreon.com/michaelsmiller or http://ipressgames.com/fiction/