Jeanne G'Fellers - Sister Lost, Sister Found by Jeanne G'Fellers Page B

and hungry. He’s been helping me care for Rankil. Does that rate him a beating?”
    “And just what happened to Rankil?” Sallnox pointed to his sister. “And what’s that gunk on her face and arms?”
    “She crossed paths with a letcher bear while tending her snares,” said Terry. “The wounds are dressed with one of my herb remedies.”
    “Those aren’t claw marks,” stated one of Archell’s brothers. “Those are from a strap like Dah’s belt. We all know how his leather cuts.”
    “Yeah, we do.” The smallest of the four, a boy no more than twelve, rubbed his shoulder. “Dah said he was riding up here. His nassie wandered back into the compound around dark. Where is he, Granny Terry?”
    “All right.” The old woman sighed. “He showed the other morning, took his pleasures with Rankil and left. You happy?”
    “Dah finally caught up with Rank, eh?” Royce, the closest to Archell’s age, gave his father’s lewd grin. “She deserved what she got and more. Stupid witch, wish I’d been here to see it.”
    “Maybe we could finish the job.” Eloc adjusted his belt line, hungering with the desires that had cost his father’s life.
    “We string the thief first.” Sallnox grabbed Archell by the collar and pulled him toward the door. “Get your rope, Tilnor. Royce, tie him up and get him mounted.”
    “Oh, such big, strong, brave men!” wailed Terry when they ripped Archell from her arms. “Come here in the dead of night to hang your brother and murder your helpless cousin. And, Sallnox! You’d let them? I thought more of you.”
    “Shut up.” Sallnox knotted Archell’s bindings then shoved him to the others. “String him good. I’ll watch Rankil until you get back.”
    “Sallnox, NO!” Terry threw herself over Rankil’s body. “How could you possibly—”
    He pulled her clear of Rankil once the others were occupied outside. “Not that. Think about it. If I don’t end it quick for Rankil then Royce and Eloc will do what Uncle Tisph did, only worse. I won’t hurt her. She’ll just slip away.” He settled with his knees on either side of his sibling’s shoulders and pulled the pillow from underneath her head. “This is for the best.” He pressed it into her face, her humiliation sliding away as he worked. Raskhallak was right—she was just Taelach. What his uncle and cousins saw in her he’d never know.
    “Stop!” Terry pulled her great-great-grandson’s black ponytail.
    “Stars!” Sallnox knocked her hands loose, retook his position. “I’m only helping!” He pushed the pillow harder. “She won’t hurt this way. It’s for the best.”
    “For the best?” Jewel slid her headscarf noose-like around Sallnox’s neck. “Maybe your dying is for the best.” She jerked him backward, adding enough of a pain phase to emphasize her point. Sorry little man. Have you learned everything wrong? It’s love your family, not murder them. Sallnox wheezed and collapsed at her feet. Jewel was strong for her slender build, her body tight from hard work. She shook him in disgust then released the scarf, her phase more than enough to keep him in control. I should kill you, but I was taught better . She shoved him to the door and turned his head so he could see his cousins bound to the hanging tree. Kaelan was removing the noose from Archell’s neck.
    “Rankil okay?” she called.
    “Sleeping. Terry’s with her.” Jewel pushed Sallnox down the steps, dropping him at Kaelan’s feet, where she released her mind hold. “Meet Sallnox, Rankil’s brother. He was smothering her.”
    “Shall I finish him the same way?” Kaelan looped the noose around his neck and began to tighten.
    “No, he’s not worth the effort. We’ll rearrange his memory like the others.”
    “What memory, white witch?” seethed Sallnox between rough jerks of the rope circling his neck. “How you planned your attack? How you stole Granny Terry and Archell for slaves?”
    “Slaves?” Jewel laughed