Storm Surge by R. J. Blain

men can’t tell, after all. Someone had to feed the nibblers.”
    Refuting the truth wouldn't get him anywhere, so Breton didn't argue. If he had the option, he wouldn't have hesitated—for long, at least. “We never would have for Arik,” he muttered.
    “And we do for our feisty little colt,” Maiten said cheerfully. “We've already abandoned most of the tenants of the Covenant. Twisting the Code a little isn't a far leap. And anyway, I only helped them along a little.”
    “I hope they bounced on the way down.”
    “Well, if they went after His Majesty first, it's not really breaking the Code, is it?” Maiten asked innocently.
    Breton allowed himself a small smile. “Not at all.”
    “Excuse me, sirs, but what are you talking about?” Delaven asked. Worry lines were etched across his brow.
    “You want to explain, old man?”
    Shaking his head, Breton replied, “You're the one who tossed people into the deeps. You can explain it. And I'm not that old.”
    “The Code is how we conduct ourselves. It's complex, but there are only a few rules you must abide by. First, we do not kill each other. There's one exception. Anyone may challenge the Rift King to a duel to the death. The winner of the duel is exempt. Failure to succeed at such a duel is punished by exile to the deeps, if he or she isn’t slain. His Majesty is careful to make sure he kills his opponents. Going to the deeps is to be severed from the Rift and is a far crueler punishment. Second, we never steal a horse. Horse theft is also punishable by exile into the deeps—or death, depending on how offended the horse was over the attempt.”
    “Why would anyone want to kill His Majesty?” Confusion and disbelief warred in Delaven's voice.
    Maiten shrugged. “Power? Tradition? He was born an Outsider. That doesn't sit well with many. They won't say anything to him about it now , not when he's got an entire herd of Rift horses following his lead. And to be the Rider of the Rift's King Stallion? That's insult to injury.”
    “Unacceptable,” Delaven announced, his tone full of scorn. “Ma would hang them all.”
    “I'm sure she would,” Maiten muttered.
    “Why?” Breton tried to think of why an Akakashani would have such a strong reaction to the Rift King. Most, including Lord Delrose, betrayed their kingdoms for personal reasons, not due to loyalty to the Rift or its king.
    Why was Mithrian's Akakashani so different?
    “He saved Ma.” When Delaven hesitated, Breton remained silent and waited for the young Mithrian to compose himself. “He gave her purpose.”
    Akakashani weren't the kind of people with peaceful histories. Something almost always changed them, forcing them to become the type of person who could serve as the Rift's eyes and ears. Kalen didn't let many know of his philanthropic nature, not without cause.
    Rift Kings weren't supposed to be merciful or kind.
    But Kalen wasn't Arik, nor was he Nerisan, nor was he like any other Rift King before him. “How?” Breton asked.
    Delaven shook his head. “I don't know.”
    “I know,” Maiten said in an emotionless, tired voice.
    “Well, Maiten?”
    “Look, it was fifteen years ago. Can we forget about it, please?”
    “Sirs, I apologize for interruptin', but if His Majesty has so many enemies, doesn't he need people protecting him?”
    “Don't tell him that. He firmly believes in protecting himself,” Breton said bitterly.
    “Yes, we do, Delaven. Guardians used to protect others from him . But we were never needed in that capacity, not really. Arik needed us for that. Nerisan did as well. Kalen, however, is different. He needs those who can protect him.”
    “Let me be one of those people,” Delaven said, meeting Maiten's gaze before looking away to stare at Breton. “Ma likes her secrets. She likes helpin' the Rift King from her shadows. But not me. I want to help him .  I be owin' him a debt for my Ma. She be owin' him a debt too. Says she can never repay it.”
    Breton