Sweep of the Blade Page 53

Otubar reached over and plucked Helen from the bed. “Come with me, child. It’s time we tested you with other weapons.”

“If you do well, I will give you cake,” Ilemina said.

Helen’s eyes lit up. “What kind of cake?”

“The delicious kind,” Otubar told her. He set her on his massive shoulder like she was a parrot and carried her out of the room. Ilemina watched them go with a smile, followed them, and paused in the doorway.

“By the way,” she said, “I was going to tell you once you both had properly recovered, but since you’re awake, I might as well. A human is here to see you. I was going to turn him away, but he is an Arbitrator, which presents some difficulties. His name is Klaus. He says he is your brother.”

THE END