The people began to step back, and his men moved their horses forward, their swords extended, their intentions clear. Some of the villagers began to run, some covered their heads, and the elders threatened wildly, demanding the soldiers leave the village at once.
He felt a hand on his leg, tugging at him, demanding his attention, and he looked down into Meera’s frightened face. Her veil had fallen and her hair was in tumbled disarray.
“They are suffering. Will you help them?”
“There has to be some justice,” he argued incredulously, staring down into her bottomless eyes.
“There was justice. You are my justice. You saved me. Now you will redeem them,” she implored.
“I will not!”
“You are a Healer, not an executioner.”
“I am both!” he roared, his indignation toward her almost as great
