Jennifer Roberson - Sword Bound

I HAVE THE GREAT AND GRAND LUXURY to write what I love to write. And I love writing about Tiger and Del.

First, it was only to be Sword-Dancer, back in 1984. But by the end of the book, I couldnt walk away from Tiger and Del. So I wrote three more volumes, thinking that was the end of the story. But no. It wasnt. And I wrote two additional volumes, Sword-Born and Sword-Sworn.

But those volumes turned out not to be the end of the story, either, even though in the Sword-Sworn Authors Note I said it might be. So here I am again with a seventh volume, and an eighth to follow.

Tiger and Del obviously have their own ideas about how and when their tales are told. I now acknowledge that they are in charge. Certainly I am not!

J. R.

Tucson, Arizona

November 2012

DOMESTICITY, my son announced, has blunted you.

He stumbled back from me, nearly stepping outside of the circle. Like me, he wore leather dhoti, no tunic, no sandals; we were dressed for sword-dancing. His skin was tanned, like mine, and, remarkably, clean of scars. Unlike mine. Well, that would change.

Overhead, the sun burned. In the Punjathe most deadly of desertsit would drive a sane man to seek the nearest shade, to carry plenty of water, to cover his body with a hooded burnous of nubby silk. But this was not the Punja. This was a place of water, of grass, of high canyon walls that blocked the sun, except when it was directly overhead.

It was directly overhead now, and it was hot.

My son, my opponent, stood upright, breathing hard; sweat ran down his dark hair, dripped onto his shoulders. He had grounded his sword in the sand, resting his palm on the pommel, fingers loose. I stared at him, momentarily speechless.

Domesticity.

I stood up straight as well, also breathing hard, but did not ground my sword. In fact, I waved it at him, right wrist flexing, supported by musculature developed over decades of practice. Sunlight flashed off the blade.

Sharp enough to take you, I pointed out. Three dances, three wins, and Ive just about got this one. Or had this one, before you decided to distract yourself from that fact by opening a topic about which you know nothing. I waved the sword again. Blunted, am I?

Your sword isnt, he clarified, wary of the exceedingly sharp point. You are.

I am.

You are.

I wasnt certain wed make any progress this way. I squinted at him. Domesticity?

Yes.

I said something short and sharp, and it elicited a snicker. In what way am I blunted?

You used to have adventures, he said. Now you stay at home and teach sword-dancing, instead of doing it yourself.

It stunned me. You think Im not dancing anymore? I do it every day, Neesha! I teach you, even, and I dont notice youve left to go off on any adventures.

Im thinking about it, he said, and I thought you could come with me. Father and son. You know. Bonding.

Bonding, I muttered between my teeth. Bonding. Bonding? What in hoolies did that mean?

Maybe even Del could go.

I blinked. Del?

Sure. The three of us together.

I frowned. Dels got Sula to look after. Shes only two.

Neesha smiled. Do-mes-ti-city.

And she teaches, too, I pointed out, meaning Del, not Sula. Whens the last time you danced with her? Afraid shell defeat you?

He grinned widely, white teeth flashing in a tanned, handsome face. (I had to admit Id sired a good-looking kid.) Im sure shed defeat me. But thats not what I mean. Why not dance for real again? You could leave Sula here with Lena and Alric. Theyve got so many kids now running around like chickens that they wouldnt even notice another. Besides, Sula stays over there while you and Del are teaching. You know theyd be happy to do it. He shrugged. Alrics domesticated, too, but he seems happy that way. I dont think you are, and I know Del isnt.

It was a stab in the gut. Del isnt?

She adores Sula, he said, and she loves you. You stay here, so will she. Im just saying it would do both of you good to get away for awhile. Accept challenges. Guard a caravan. Get away. He watched me avidly, then grinned. Ah-hah! I saw that look on your face. It appeals. You hid it fast enough, but oh, it appeals.

Maybe it did. I wouldnt admit it to him. I have students.

Right now you have me. Everyone else has gone off to see families or whatever, remember?

This was true. Apparently all seven students had gotten itchy feet at the same timeor else the challenges of my discipline had chased them away. Some would come back. Id left my shodo three times before I finally committed to sticking it out.

Neesha grinned. What harm would it do for the great Sandtiger to go out and practice again what he teaches? You would add luster to the legend.

Luster to the legend. Like my legend needed any.

He shrugged. Youd probably attract more students.

Probably. But. Del and I have enough.

Have more.

I sighed. Neesha, you can go any time you like. Neither I nor Del would suggest you stay here. Youve learned a great deal in two years.

He nodded, but his eyes, as they met mine, were intent. What level?

I shrugged. Third.

He shook his head, lips compressed, tips of damp dark hair brushing his shoulders. Thirds not good enough.

It takes seven, I reminded him. And usually a minimum of ten years.

But of course you did it in seven. Seven levels in seven years.

So I did. But you came here with some skills, and third level in two years is not what Id call slow. Now I grounded my sword and, as he did, rested my palm on the pommel with fingers loose. Go. Leave. Make and accept some challenges, Neesha. Sort out what you want, then come back for more teaching.

His eyes met mine and did not waver. Come with me.

I lifted my sword, set the flat of it across one shoulder, turned my back on him, and began to walk away.

Think about it, he called. And ask Del!

I didnt need to ask her. I knew what shed say.

YES, Del said.

Pretty much what I expected. Still, Did he tell you he planned to suggest it?

No.

She sat on a bench outside of our little mudbrick house. Scattered nearby was a litter of kittens and their indulgent mother, slitty-eyed in the sun; a handful of chickens pecking for bugs; Alrics moth-eaten old yellow dog, yipping in his sleep. And our two-year-old daughter, seated in the middle of it all, picking up dirt and flinging it into the air.

I sighed and sat down next to Del, leaning the sword against the wall. Sula was too busy making a mess to notice the blade. I had learned, once she began to walkwell, more or less walkthat she was worse than a puppy at getting into things. I had eventually trained myself to put the sword and harness up high on pegs pounded into the hand-smoothed wall. For now, I kept one eye on her.

Which reminded meHe says Im domesticated.

Yes.

I turned my head with a snap. Youre saying it, too? And do you plan to say anything in words of more than one syllable?

Del smiled. Maybe.

I scowled.

Two syllables, she said, lifting one shoulder in a slight shrug.

I sighed deeply and set the back of my skull against the mudbrick. Maybe hes right.

The Sandtiger is not domesticated, regardless of what his son says. The Sandtiger is teaching what he knows, which is substantial. Thats an honorable thing, Tiger. When Neeshas older, hell recognize that. She patted me on one thigh. Youre older, now, yes. You need not go traipsing all across the Punja looking for jobs.

I suppose she meant that in a positive way. I