Get out!

A cry startles him out of a sound sleep in the middle of the night. Then another scream followed by the sound of a scuffle. Thinking they’re under attack, he grabs his slug belt and races out the bedroom door.

In the light of a candle held by Roland, he sees Jiron on top of someone outside of Tersa’s door. One of his knives is held to the throat of the man on the floor. As he comes closer, he sees it’s his friend Dave.

“What happened here?” he demands as the others in the house come to see what the commotion is. Illan and Fifer both have their swords in hand believing an attack was in progress.

Everyone starts talking at once. “Quiet!” he shouts, cutting through the noise. Everyone becomes quiet as they look at him. Turning to Jiron he asks, “What happened?”

“Your friend here was about to accost my sister!” he says with vehemence.

“I didn’t do anything James,” exclaims Dave. “I swear!” He may not have understood what Jiron had said, but the accusation in his voice was unmistakable.

From the doorway to her room, Tersa says, “He came in here and grabbed me!”

He sees the pleading in Dave’s eyes and the anger and promise of violence in Jiron’s.

“I’m sure this is all a misunderstanding?” he says.

“Misunderstanding?” shouts Jiron. “I aught to kill him right now!”

“I went to the bathroom and got mixed up in the dark,” pleads Dave. “I got lost and went into the wrong room!” He looks to James, imploring him to believe him.

“Get off him Jiron,” he says.

When Jiron hesitates, he adds, “Now please.”

With hate in his eyes, he gets up off the frightened Dave. The knife in his hand remains out and threatening.