own expression pensive but also somehow lost. “Never saw the like of this before. Ya watch out for each other, and work together, and talk without words. It didn’t make sense ta me. Still doesn’t. But ya say it’s kindness?” The way he put a twist on the word made it clear that he didn’t understand at all.
Siobhan felt it strongly in that moment. She had a chance of reaching Rune’s heart and changing him for the better, if only she handled this right. Praying she had the words, she got to her feet and crossed to him. He watched her carefully, like a wounded animal ready to take flight the second he sensed danger. Just as carefully, she reached out and picked up one of his hands, holding it in a loose grip. “Rune. True strength is kindness. Because only the truly strong can show it. Cruelty is a sign of weakness.”
He swallowed hard, eyes searching hers. “B-but….”
“Think about it,” she urged him softly. “You’ve seen Fei in action. You’ve sparred with him. Do you see him as being weak?”
Rune instantly shook his head, almost emphatically.
“But you know, he’s one of the kindest men I’ve ever met. He’s also one of the wisest. I’ve never heard him raise his voice at anyone unless they were trying to hurt one of his own. Whenever I need wise council, he’s one of the men I turn to. There’s not a trace of cruelty to be found in him. Forsaking kindness wouldn’t make him stronger.”
A war of emotions struggled across Rune’s face. “Ta do the job, ya leave the heart behind.”
He said it like he’d heard it a thousand times, repeated it a thousand more. Siobhan’s denial was instinctive. “No. Anything that requires sacrificing your heart isn’t worth it. It’s evil work that destroys you. Rune, who taught you such a lie?”
“I…don’t remember.” He looked away from her for a moment as if searching his memory.
Had he been raised on this insanity since infancy? Oh for the love of…she took in a deep breath and exhaled it.
“The top of my old guild are strong,” he whispered.
“But not stronger than the ones you’ve met in this guild, or in Iron Dragain,” she challenged. “Your old guild even sent dozens of assassins after you and not one of them managed to kill you! Rune, you’ve been fed this line about not showing kindness, not feeling anything, but you can see with your own eyes it’s not true. It’s not true,” she repeated emphatically.
“He knows,” Fei assured her from behind, voice gentle.
Siobhan half-turned, looking at Fei askance.
“He knows, Siobhan-ajie,” he repeated patiently, eyes crinkled in a silent smile. “Flowers do not bloom in dead trees.”
Puffing out a breath, she rubbed at a temple. “You’re too deep, Fei. Translate that.”
“He never fully believed that he must sacrifice his heart. He kept it safe, hidden. He must have, or he would not have been able to respond to the kindness shown him.” Fei shifted to look Rune straight in the eye. “Right?”
Rune looked away, a little uneasily. “…Yer right.”
Ducking her head, she tried to catch his eyes again. “Rune?”
“It’s why…I was sent out alone.” He kept his eyes on the decking, unable to look up at her. “I was sent out ta burn a man’s house. I didn’t.”
Finally she was getting the story of how he’d ended up where he did. “Why not?” she asked, tone coaxing.
“His wife was pregnant.”
Unable to stop herself, she put her free arm around his neck and drew him in for a hug. He started in surprise, body tense, but she didn’t let up and whispered against his ear, “Good choice.”
Rune truly didn’t know how to handle this, and stayed stiff like a hardened plank of wood, obviously uneasy with the embrace. He started again when a hand settled on his back. Siobhan lifted her eyes enough to see that at some point, Wolf had come in. He met Rune’s startled eyes with open approval and repeated Siobhan’s words. “Good choice.”
The former assassin’s mouth parted as if he wanted to say something only couldn’t find the words.
“It’s alright,” Wolf assured him, as if understanding the turmoil broiling inside of Rune. “I was saved by her too.”
Rune really didn’t know how to respond to that. He blew out a breath. “Yer both confusing.”
For some reason, Wolf found this funny, as he chuckled lowly, like a mountain rumbling. “She is,” he agreed. “But give it time.”
“He included you in that,” Siobhan corrected him, crossing