Bound ln Blood

Demenik placed the coins on the table and, instead of stepping back as usual, he remained close to the money.

Caladan laughed and rose from his throne. He sat down at the end of the table near the stack of coins and motioned for Demenik to sit across from him. "Do you know the day of your birth?"

"I do not, Lord."

Caladan pointed to the coins. "I see two stacks before me." He tapped the forty gold coins—Caladan's percentage of the reward given by the Keepers—and then he straightened the smaller pile of silver coins.

"I would like to propose a business partnership using the larger one, Lord."

"I am listening."

Demenik reached forward and pushed the gold coins closer to Lord Caladan. "I imagine that these will be thrown onto one of your piles of treasure in some secret and protected room, barely making a sound as they join their brothers and sisters in a vast sea of gold."

Caladan tilted his head back and laughed. "I did not take you for a poet, little lion, but yes, your description is accurate. Although this stack of gold is more than most will see in a lifetime, it is a tiny sum to me. You want to keep them and put them to better use?"

"I do. I will keep it in circulation, putting it to work so that it may grow and multiply many times before it returns to you."

Lord Caladan reached down and drew an ornate black dagger from his boot. He placed it on the table in front of Demenik. "We are of similar ilk, you and I. Many call me the dark wolf, and it has been clear since the first day I lay eyes on you that you are a lion."

Demenik smiled.

"Predators often get bored of eating sheep and look to challenge each other when living too close together." Lord Caladan's eyes narrowed and he raised his chin. "Predators in my ranks present a unique challenge, Demenik. Their presence is necessary for me to expand and prosper, but their aggressive tendencies also tend to result in trouble. When I groom young ones, I must watch for the moment when they will challenge my authority. There inevitably comes a time when I must eliminate those whom I have so carefully cultivated in order to remain lord."

"That makes sense."

"You seem different to me, however. I do not sense that you will challenge me. I find that both intriguing and disturbing at the same time."

"Perhaps that is because I do not covet your position, Lord."

"Why not?"

"Please do not take my answer as disrespectful."

"I will do my best."

Demenik paused, searching for the words. Finding none, he shrugged and spoke simply. "I believe that destiny has more in store for me than to be an alley lord."

Lord Caladan weighed the boy's words and then nodded. "Perhaps that will be the case, young lion." He pushed the dagger forward. "Nevertheless, the time has arrived. I require a blood bond if you would stay and grow your fortune with me."

Demenik did not pause to consider. He reached for the dagger and drew the edge across his palm. Bright red blood began to flow and he closed his hand, holding it up in front of him. Drops hit the table as his eyes met Caladan's. "Tell me your words and I will bind them to me."

Lord Caladan extended his palm so that it lay beneath Demenik's fist and he said the oath. Demenik repeated the words as his blood dripped onto Caladan's palm. When the oath was spoken, Caladan nodded and licked the blood from his hand.

"Today is the date of your birth, Demenik. We are bound in blood and tied by intention until I release you."

Demenik stood from the table and knelt in front of the man. Caladan tore a strip of cloth from his shirt and held it out to Demenik, placing one hand on the young man's head to complete the ceremony. Demenik looked up and accepted the strip of cloth. He resumed his seat at the table and wrapped the fabric around his palm.

Lord Caladan slid the stack of gold coins toward Demenik. "Now tell me how you plan to put this gold to work for us."