Oston looked suitably sympathetic. "I'm sorry, but only time will grant you any closure. And maybe not even then."
Sallis grimaced. "People like us shouldn't have families, adopted or otherwise. Far too painful when it goes wrong."
"Are you recovered enough to ride?" asked Oston.
Sallis nodded.
"Pass me your firebow and we'll get done here."
Sallis looked back at the building. "Then we can go home," he said.
"Re Annan?" asked Oston.
"No," replied Sallis. "Marka."
***
Endpiece
He watched and waited. His man had failed, as he had half expected. He knew from long, bitter experience that, unless caught very early, the Gifted were difficult to turn. The younger they were the easier the task, and the less experience they had the better.
This failure did not matter. The reason for Siranva granting the gifts he did remained unclear. The boy had grown tougher now, yet also more brittle. He had learned to bury his emotions deep, something that could cause as many problems as the extreme emotion he had hoped to trigger and nurture.
But an emotionless Gifted could be as dangerous as one already turned. He still had time to turn this boy.
He had time, all of time.
***
***
The End of Gifted Avenger.
Nicholas A. Rose is the author of the Ilvenworld novels. He enjoys everything to do with the sea, the outdoors and the mountains, which he finds inspirational. Nicholas also enjoys the rather more sedentary pastimes of chess, reading, real ale and, of course, writing.
More Sallis ti Ath Novellas:
Gifted Apprentice
Gifted Hunter
Markan Empire Trilogy (full-length novels):
Markan Throne
Markan Empire
Markan Sword
Gifted Avenger Page 10
