"Leaving Dohru by Jonathan L Fesmire" - читать интересную книгу автора (Fesmire Jonathan L)

For a moment, Roasa laughed. Then the shaking spread to her body. "Killed her? I don't believe you. Begone!"

Garum fought back his anger, and spoke through gritted teeth. "We came to help you, instead of running away. I want to find Maroa's killer."

Roasa raised her hands, hissing magic words as she twisted her fingers together, palms facing Garum.

He leaped toward her, under the dark blast that shot from her fingers, and embraced her around the hips. As she struck his soaked back he pulled her down to the furs . Grabbing her wrists, he pulled them apart.

Roasa brought her knee up to Garum's gut. The air rushed out of him, but he continued to hang on to her. He managed to take another breath.

"Dark magic? Roasa, you know me. I'm here to help you. Please -- "

"Get out or I'll scream and tell the town you're here."

_Garum, she's exposed. Do it._

Garum released her wrists and slammed his fist into her skull. Roasa's mouth twisted in a snarl; her eyes flared. She took a deep breath as though preparing to scream.

Garum punched once more, and Roasa collapsed, unconscious. He sat over her, breathing quickly, his bruises pounding. Shaking his head, he caressed her cheek in apology.

In the dresser Garum found a pair of breeches and a gray tunic. Luckily he and Vayin stood about as tall as Maroa. He changed into her clothes and although their feet did not match he squeezed his feet into Maroa's boots. Their uncomfortable fit would have to suffice.

Before departing, he laid the ring and necklace on the dresser.

* * *

Having disposed of the wet clothing in the river, Vayin risked a trip to Aseris's home. Darkness greeted her when she peeked in the window, and she heard nothing. She tapped her fingers on the rough wall. _He must still be celebrating with his friends,_ Garum thought.

Vayin nodded, and approached the door. Something scraped inside. She dashed back to the side of the house, shaking.

The door creaked open, then slammed. Garum felt Vayin's pulse throbbing in her wrists. Boots stamped away. Vayin turned to see Aseris departing, and drew a slow breath. Trying the door, she found it unlocked. Quickly she slipped into the house.

Inside, she lit a candle and searched. She and Garum shared their thoughts openly to evaluate any clues as well as they could. Vayin found nothing odd, except for a pair of woman's boots. Had Aseris taken a woman home that night? Or, if he _had_ killed Maroa, had he also taken her boots before tossing her in the river? Vayin compared the boots she wore to those they had found. The strange boots proved larger.

Vayin continued the search, leaving the house and going to Aseris's work shed. She spotted a piece of cloth caught on a pair of gloves, and bent to look closer. The gloves rested near ropes interlaced with stones, ideal for a lynching.

Vayin lifted the gloves. Strips of metal lined their backs. The cloth had caught on the metal, it seemed, and been torn from a garment. Vayin held the candle closer, and shivered.

Maroa had worn a shirt of the same color, often. Vayin also saw spots of red on the metal strips. Garum knew it was probably blood.

With the evidence, she rushed to Roasa's home.

* * *

Before Roasa's door, Garum and Vayin switched. They hoped she would react better to Garum, although she could prove hostile to either of them. Feeling the bruises on his body, Garum reached for the door; it swung open to reveal Roasa frozen on the other side.

"Don't be afraid -- "

Roasa's face twisted. "Get away from me."