"The old boy can still talk when it's to save his hide," Kaz's father whispered to him.
"I've considered further," Dastrun continued, "and I must agree. We would shame the memories of our ancestors if we did not act to preserve a son of Orilg. This will not be simple. I must therefore ask that all of you take a hand in this. The guard will no doubt come to the clan house before long." He turned his gaze to the pair standing before him. "The sooner you are ready to leave, the better. It will be difficult but still possible to help you through the southern gates without anyone noticing. A handful of volunteers will take you to the mountains. From there you may journey anywhere you desire, just as long as you do not return."
"That's preposterous!" called an older female. "What sort of solution is that to the problems confronting Kaziganthi, Dastrun?"
"Do you have a better one… any of you?"
None of the other elders did. It was one thing to spirit Kaz and his father away and out of sight of the emperor and Jopfer, but it was another to allow them to stay and openly defy Polik, the priesthood, and the Supreme Circle. Once Kaz was away, the clan could claim no knowledge.
Not that it really mattered. Kaz had no intention of leaving without rescuing Delbin, who was imprisoned only because he had been too loyal. "You don't have to worry about me at all, none of you. Let me go and I absolve the clan of all obligations. I've got only one objective now, and if I happen to survive, I'll be leaving here. If I don't survive, you're welcome to condemn me for my dishonorable ways. I could care less at this point."
Ganth stood closer to his son. "The same goes for me."
Fliara gasped, actually raising a hand in feeble protest. Ganth turned and gave her a smile. She closed her mouth and again pretended indifference. Ganth's smile grew broader.
"Exactly what are you saying, Kaz?" asked the female elder. "Are you suggesting we take no action? Simply let you go without knowing what's to befall you?"
"Oh, I could tell you what I've got planned, but you wouldn't want to hear about it, trust me."
She was about to differ with him when Dastrun quickly interjected, "No. We wouldn't. You can spare us such incriminating details. You wish us to do nothing then? No matter what happens, the clan is not required to defend you, or your actions?"
Kaz surveyed the assembled elders. "I never intended to draw Orilg into my activities. I came only to claim a friend, another member of this august clan, who was missing. Now I find I have to go claim another friend, an innocent who doesn't deserve what's happening to him. Clan Orilg may wash its hands clean of me. I swear this by Orilg himself and all my ancestors."
"What do you plan to do?" the female elder asked.
"It doesn't matter," the patriarch said curtly. Then Dastrun cleared his throat. "Very well, Kaziganthi. By your own words shall this be decided. The clan will do nothing to hinder you, but neither will it assist your mad- your activities."
There were voices of protest, but Kaz himself signaled for silence.
The patriarch nodded. "No word shall be given to the guard concerning your whereabouts. That holds true for your father and your friend, too. You'll be taken to a place where you may hide until dark." Dastrun gave the pair a magnanimous expression. "Then you are on your own, just as you've requested. Should you be captured or killed, we will abide by your decision and make no claim for you."
"You are very gracious," Ganth said with more than a little sarcasm.
Ignoring him, Dastrun faced the elders. "Is there anyone here who'll dispute the agreement made between myself as clan leader and this renegade warrior?"
No one could dispute the decision since Kaz himself had made the proposition. No one, that is, except one young warrior. "Patriarch, I must ask that I be included with these two. I make that request through blood rights."
Both Kaz and his father looked with astonishment at Fliara.
"Lass, think what you're saying! This is our doing and ours alone!"
She raised her chin in a manner reminiscent of both her brother and her father. "I will do no less than my own kin. I am as honor-bound as either of you."
"Talk sense to her, Kaz!"
"Listen to our father, Fliara. If I could, I'd make even him stay, but he's already involved and there's no way to extricate him from this. You don't have to follow us. If we survive… and I say 'if… we will never return to this land again."
"I have already considered that." She straightened. "I stand firm on my request."
"And your request is granted," Dastrun announced before anyone could volunteer an opinion. "Your spirit is a credit to the clan."
"The same clan that'll now ignore her if she falls prisoner to the guard!" Ganth quietly growled. "Do something, Kaz! I'm bereft of any ideas. What's got into that girl?"
"Evidently she's one of yours after all, Father."
Fliara moved to join them, keeping her eyes on the patriarch. Dastrun looked around as if to see if anyone else was going to defect. When he saw that was not the case, he peered down at the trio. "By will of the clan, I commend you and send you on your way. Your path diverges from ours now, but your duty to honor remains strong. Oaths have been sworn and must be upheld."
"Don't put him in a terrible bind with the emperor is what he's saying," whispered Ganth. He snorted. "And he talks of honor and duty."
Dastrun raised a hand, pointing at the door. "Go now. May Sargas and the spirit of Orilg guide you. I deem this audience at an end."
That was it. The assembled elders rose and began to depart. Clan Orilg had always been known for its efficiency and order.
"Come with me," Fliara said. Ganth hesitated, still glaring at the patriarch, but Kaz shook his head and steered his father toward the entrance.
Kaz, while not happy, was at least relieved. The clan would leave him alone for now. Its intervention would have been more hindrance than help, especially with Dastrun in command.
"Why'd you do it, lass?" Ganth was asking Fliara. "You needn't have concerned yourself with our folly. It's not been your way, ever."
Kaz's sister looked from father to brother, then shifted her gaze ahead again. "No, it's not. You didn't recognize me at all, did you, Kaz?"
The question caught him by surprise. He looked at his younger sister. Up close, he could see some family resemblance, but, it was true, she was virtually a stranger to him.
"No, I didn't recognize you. It's been years, though."
"But you didn't know me."
"I just said that."
Fliara looked at both of them. "That's my reason."
She would say no more. Kaz looked to his father for clarification, but Ganth merely shrugged. He understood no better than his son.
They came to the chamber where Hecar waited. Helati's brother was pleased to see them. He had been expecting the worst. "They wouldn't let me move from this chamber," Hecar told them. "There were guards at the door."
"Dastrun's thorough, I'll give him that," Ganth noted.
"What happened in there, Kaz? Are we to be returned to the circus for the emperor's amusement?"
"No, Hecar, we're being allowed to go on our way. In return, we won't involve the clan in our doings and it'll pretend it knew nothing of our whereabouts."
"Very kind. Hmmph. Better than I'd have expected of old Dastrun. Who's this? Someone to see us out into the street?"
"I'm coming with you, Hecariverani."