by Barb Hendee
"Is that a dwelling?" Leesil said, and quickstepped up beside Magiere.
She had already seen it. "And there's another… a village, perhaps."
Magiere counted about twenty dwellings, something like a common house, and even what appeared to be a smithy with smoke rising from its scavenged-stone chimney. All of it looked surprisingly well maintained.
At the village's nearer edge, an old woman with two small children turned and saw them. Her expression grew cautious, but not openly frightened, and Magiere guessed that the fighting had not reached this far southeast.
"Hello," Leesil called in a lazy tone, and he smiled with a quick but exaggerated bow.
He could put people at ease no matter what he felt inside. Magiere sometimes wished she possessed such a talent.
The woman nervously half-turned and called into the smithy. "Cameron, you there?"
A barrel-chested bear of a man, with brown sweat-matted hair and a leather apron, stepped out, wiping his hands on a scrap of burlap.
"What now, Mother?"
Then he spotted the strangers. He quickly tossed the burlap back inside and stepped in front of the old woman and children. His gaze settled longest on Chap and Wynn, and his suspicion softened slightly. Osha wore his cloak loose with the hood up over his hair and ears, but he still looked far too tall.
"Can we purchase supper and a night in your common house?" Leesil asked.
At the word "purchase," Magiere set the bundled orb between her feet and swung her pack off to dig inside. It felt strange to take the purse out. How long since coin had been useful to them?
The enormous smith stepped a bit closer, still cautious.
"I am Cameron," he said. "This is Katrina, our village elder." He looked at them in surprise. "You came from the Everfen?"
"We're passing through on our way to Belaski," Leesil answered, sidestepping the question. "Can you offer a roof for the night?"
"We can pay," Magiere added, pouch in hand.
Coin wasn't common here, but was still useful for taxes or purchases in the larger cities. Magiere frowned. They had some silver among their gold, but little of it was in small coin. No pennies or groats, and even shils were a bit flashy in these backwoods.
"Come with me," Cameron said and turned down the path.
As they followed, Magiere noticed Osha hanging back, and she realized this was his first time in a human settlement. Hopefully Wynn would keep an eye on him, but the large smithy didn't seem to give much notice. With the sage's knack for languages, she'd picked up some Droevinkan, but Osha spoke none at all.
Katrina reached the door first and opened it, shooing off more children who'd gathered at the sight of strangers-most especially to see the large silver-gray dog.
"Off with you all. Go on home!" she said, then stepped inside, waving for the guests to follow. "Not many pass this way, but I can find some oat-cakes and goat cheese."
"That would be fine," Magiere answered. "Thank you."
Chap trotted around, sniffing the floor. The place was dry, and a decent mud and stone hearth rested in the back wall. Three rough-cut tables accompanied by stools filled the room.
"We heard talk of fighting," Wynn blurted out. "Is it safe to pass through?"
Abrupt as this was, Magiere watched Cameron, eager for his answer.
"No fighting here," the smithy said in his baritone voice. "But we hear things… it is bad north of here, near the capital… and has been for a long while."
"What have you heard?" Magiere asked.
"Bits and pieces, whenever our own go elsewhere for trade. The Varanj accused the antes of murdering one of their barons. They demanded restitution, as well as the surrender of those involved. Prince Rodek denied knowledge of it. Rumors claim his brother accused the Varanj of carrying out the deed themselves. Fighting broke out inside the walls of Keonsk, the capital. After that, we all kept out of the way. We heard hundreds died the first day, not all of them soldiers. The last I heard, the Varanj had laid siege to Enemusk."
"What about Chemestuk?" Magiere asked.
Cameron frowned. "I think I've heard of it. To the north, across the Vudrask River, yes? I've never traveled that far. No one here has."
"I have family there," Magiere said, fighting to remain calm and steady. "Have you heard anything at all?"
The big smith shook his head. "If it's where I think, then it's well within war's reach. Anyone with wits would've run long ago or ended up dead… or conscripted."
Magiere's first instinct was to bolt and keep running, to reach the capital and grab any barge or boat headed for her village. Anything, at any cost, to make certain that Aunt Bieja had gotten out alive.
Leesil grabbed her hand. When she turned, her gaze landed on Wynn.
The little sage leaned tiredly against Osha's side.
"What about a safe route?" Leesil asked. "We just need to get through to Belaski."
"Head west," Cameron counseled. "Don't veer north for at least six days. The forest is thick and the roads are bad, but I doubt any house will have soldiers that far out. It's mostly minor houses out there, and they can't afford to be dragged in between the major princes."
Magiere breathed deeply. Common sense quelled some of her fear. Aunt Bieja could be in Miiska already, long gone in the past season-Magiere had to believe that.
Osha reached his arm around Wynn.
Magiere did not begrudge either of them a companion's comfort. Far from it, but she worried about something Brot'an had once told her. She had to speak with Wynn at the first opportunity.
"I'll go find that cheese for you," Katrina said and slipped out.
Magiere turned back to Cameron. "Our thanks, and I hate to ask, but might you have a packhorse or mule we can purchase?"
Beasts of burden were dear in this land, but Cameron nodded.
"There's an old horse I'd planned to take to the next market fair. Long past his prime, but he'll do all right… even as far as Belaski. Might as well sell him to you as anyone else."
Magiere handed Leesil the pouch. "Would you take Chap and Osha to go see about the horse? Wynn and I will settle our gear."
Leesil raised one eyebrow at her. For one thing, she had just handed him all their money, relinquishing her tightfisted ways to his openhanded ones. And two, she'd suggested he take Osha out into the village.
But in true Leesil fashion, he waved Osha along and then smiled at Cameron. "Lead the way."
The last thing Magiere wanted was to speak to Wynn alone about matters of the heart. But she had to.
Wynn was confused when Magiere sent Osha off with Leesil and Chap, but not curious enough to ask why. She was too tired-in body, mind, and spirit.
Since Sgaile's death, she had been wrung out with exhaustion every day beneath the canopy of the Droevinkan forest and its perpetual false dusk. Now all she could do was try to comfort Osha, but the pain of effort left her weary. She did not even want bread and cheese, only sleep.
"Wynn…," Magiere began, then faltered.
"What is it?" Wynn asked.
Magiere pulled out two stools at the nearest table. "Sit with me a while."
She ran a hand through her black hair as Wynn settled across from her. Twice Magiere opened her mouth then closed it again, dark eyes blinking rapidly as if she had no idea how to begin.
"Are you in love with Osha?" she asked suddenly.
Wynn flushed in embarrassed shock and sputtered, unable to get a word out.
"It's important," Magiere said, and her voice grew firm. "Do you remember the night in Crijheaiche… when Brot'an tossed you and Chap out of the tree dwelling, so he could speak privately with me?"
Wynn remembered quite clearly.
"He told me something about… about his people," Magiere added, squirming upon the stool. "When they choose a mate, it is for life. If they lose that mate, they suffer. Some don't recover-ever-and some even… it's part of what they are. They are different from us… humans."
Wynn was du
mbfounded, not even sure what Magiere was trying to say. Then she remembered Osha's speaking of his father, who had died young for an elf. His mother had not risen from her grief-and had not lived her full span.
Wynn looked wide-eyed at Magiere. "What are you saying?"
"Leesil is everything to me," Magiere went on. "I'm sometimes afraid, thinking of what I've done to him, and that he'd suffer if anything happened to me-but I'll never leave him. I want to see his face every day of my life and just before I close my eyes each night. Can you say the same about Osha?"
Wynn swallowed and closed her eyes, finally catching Magiere's meaning.
She envisioned Osha's kind, long face. Then she thought of the days ahead, studying what texts she had saved from the castle's library.
Osha's face changed to a pale and narrow one, with red-brown hair and eyes almost colorless. Chane's image faded as Wynn opened her eyes.
"I cannot," she finally whispered.
Magiere reached across the table, gently gripping Wynn's small hand.
"Then don't give him false hopes. I know you'd never hurt anyone on purpose, but you could harm him just the same… and far worse than you'd care to imagine."
Magiere took a long breath, as if what she'd said cost more effort than trudging through the Everfen. She released Wynn's hand and stood up.
"Let's get our beds ready."
Wynn's legs trembled as she got up. "Magiere?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you."
A day across the western Droevinkan border, well inside Belaski, Chap barked as he saw a good-sized town ahead. Following Cameron's advice, they had kept due west without incident and only turned northwest after six days. It took longer to work their way into familiar territory.
They had all been surprised to find Belaskian cavalry patrolling the border-and then Chap realized he should have expected such with Droevinka in a state of civil war. But he and his companions passed through easily after answering a few questions about their destination.
Now, finally, they were nearing their home. If they maintained their direction along Belaski's inland roads, they could gain the coast soon enough, perhaps six or seven days in good weather.
He looked back at his companions, leading the old packhorse Wynn had named Aspen. Its coat was a mix of grays and browns, and Leesil had lashed the covered orb and Wynn's bundles of texts onto the animal.
Everyone was much improved physically, and Chap's relief grew by the day. Since leaving Droevinkan territory, they had been blessed by regular stays in villages and better food.
Wynn stumbled, eyes wide, and came running past him. "A town… an actual town!"
"Maybe we can buy horses," Magiere suggested. "And ride the rest of the way."
"Not for all the dead deities," Leesil grouched. "After all this, I'm not risking my neck on some half-mad bag of bones-not again."
"Fine, we'll buy a wagon," Magiere snapped back, "since horses frighten you so much."
Leesil scoffed. "You'd never part with that much coin… not before you got us thrown out of the town with your endless haggling and insults."
Magiere slowed, and her voice dropped to grating growl. "What did you say?"
Osha listened with startled interest, plainly baffled at this couple who never tired of their little battles.
Chap shook his head and scurried after Wynn.
Would Magiere never learn when Leesil was baiting her, or that making her angry gave him a thrill? But Leesil only prodded Magiere when he was happy-and he was happy to be going home. And Magiere only squabbled with him this way when she felt safe, for even a moment.
And they both believed they would stay within the Sea Lion Tavern, finally returning to the life they wanted.
Chap wanted to believe it as well.
But he could not-not since the wide cavern and chasm, when Magiere had mistakenly opened the orb. He had spent the passing days since watching over his shoulder.
They entered a bustling little town, and few townsfolk even looked their way. That in itself was another relief. People passed through the towns and cities of peaceful Belaski every day, and no one gave them much notice.
"I need to find a courier," Wynn said. "Or at least some place where the caravans stop. I want to send word to Domin Tilswith now, and not wait until we reach Miiska."
"Chap, go with her," Leesil said. "Meet us at that stable up the way. One of us will find an inn before you get back."
He grabbed Magiere's waist.
"Almost home," she said tiredly, and Leesil tucked his head in close to her.
Chap did not hear what was said, but Magiere turned a scowl on Leesil.
"Not until you've had a bath," she growled.
Leesil swatted her on the rump and took off before she snatched hold of him.
Wynn looked to Osha. He nodded to her, and she headed off.
Chap followed Wynn, wishing at heart that they could simply go home and stay there.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Magiere fell silent as she walked into Miiska.
She quickened her pace, not wanting to be seen by anyone they knew just yet, not until they reached the Sea Lion Tavern.
They'd arrived from the south, so the tavern was just ahead beyond the trees. All she wanted was to see her home. By the time she reached the sloping road's bottom, and stepped from the forest into the edge of town, Leesil had to jog to catch up with her. The others were left behind, but Chap bolted headlong around Magiere, racing toward the dockside of Miiska.
And then she saw it.
Leesil's hand-painted sign hung above the narrow door, and the whole place looked so much the same, as if she'd been away but a few days.
The Sea Lion-and Chap was turning in pinwheels by the time Magiere squeezed the latch and shoved the front door inward.
Everything inside still looked brand new, from the polished bar to the two-sided hearth in the common room's center. Rashed's sword hung above the hearth on the room's bar side, marking the tavern's rebirth from ashes. Beyond the bar's far end, narrow stairs climbed to the second floor and bedrooms.
Leesil pushed around Magiere, casting his hungry eyes over everything. At first he couldn't speak any more than could Magiere. Then he sighed as his gaze fixed on the corner beneath the front windows.
"My Faro table!" he whispered.
Chap squeezed between their legs and made a hurried circuit around the hearth.
"Caleb, you deaf old hog!"
Magiere's throat tightened. The loud, gruff woman's voice came from behind the kitchen's curtained doorway.
"How many damn times have I told you-don't put onions in the soup when Karlin is coming! You know he can't abide the taste!"
"I already put his serving aside," came an answering shout from up the stairs. "Leave me be, woman!"
A stout form in an old purple dress and stained apron burst through the whipping kitchen curtain. She turned, heading for the stairs like an irate captain hot after an errant soldier. But she halted halfway and turned quickly about. She almost dropped the long wooden spoon she wielded as shock washed away the ire on her round, wrinkled face.
"Aunt Bieja," Magiere whispered.
Bieja barreled along the bar and nearly cracked Magiere's ribs in a fierce embrace.
"My girl… my girl!"
Her aunt's hair smelled musky, and it took all Magiere's effort not to weep in overwhelming relief. Bieja had come, just as Leesil had insisted she would.
Magiere's aunt released her, and with tears on her gruff face, she spotted Leesil. Before he could duck, she grabbed him as well.
"Ow," he grunted. "Go easy! It's good to see you, too."
Bieja stepped back, wiping the back of her hand across her eyes, as Chap snuck out between table and chair legs.
"Ah, so the troublemaker is still with you." Then she noticed Wynn and Osha in the doorway.
Magiere reached back, pulling Wynn in. "Auntie, these are friends. This is Wynn and that's Osha."
; Bieja crossed her arms, taking stock of the tall, hooded elf.
"Osha," Leesil mumbled, "better keep your ears covered."
Beija whacked him in the gut with her spoon. "Shut that mouth, imp."
Then a commotion began on the stairway. "Leesil!"
Little Rose nearly flew down the stairs.
Caleb descended quickly behind the girl, and his eyes widened at the newcomers. "Mistress Magiere?"
Rose ran straight for Leesil and jumped at him. Leesil hooked her underarms and lifted her with an exaggerated grunt.
"You're getting heavy!"
In truth, Rose had grown, and her muslin dress looked a bit small. Her auburn hair was thick and long-she was becoming quite pretty. Aside from her aunt's presence, this was the first mark of just how long Magiere had been gone. Little Rose ran her small fingers down the closed wound along Leesil's cheek.
"What happened to your face?"
"Fierce battles," he said in a haughty tone and hefted her higher. "I'll tell you stories at dinner."
"No, you won't!" Magiere warned.
"Just the suitable ones," he corrected.
Caleb joined them, his back slightly bent, and he grasped Magiere's hand. "Welcome home, Mistress."
She gripped his hand with another breath of relief at that one word-home.
"Domin Tilswith?" Wynn blurted out in surprise.
She pushed past everyone as Magiere spotted someone else descending the stairs. He was slight-built and silver-haired, and his old gray robes sagged on him a bit.
Domin Tilswith stepped into the common room with a smirkish grin. His green eyes sparked at the sight of his apprentice.
"I received message… came right away."
Wynn hurried to meet him, but they did not embrace. They only clasped hands with mutual smiles.
Osha still hung in the doorway with the two jars of ashes in his arms. He looked about in complete loss. A pang of guilt hit Magiere for ignoring him, but Aunt Bieja closed on the young elf first.
"Oh, I don't know where my girl keeps finding your kind," she said and grabbed him roughly by the arm. "You best come have supper. No one that tall should be so skinny."
