“I do believe you, Rikardon,” she said. “And I think more gently, now, of your friend, for the person you care for would not exist, but for the changes she wrought in my life. Will you—”
Her voice failed, and she pointed a trembling hand toward the sword. I lifted it by the blade, and offered her the hilt. She took it in both her hands.
A shock ran through her body, stirring my memory of Thanasset handing me Rika, and the peculiar sensation of learning everything about Markasset in one crashing, overwhelming instant. She staggered back a few steps, her hands clenching the sword hilt. Then she fell to her knees, dropped the point of the sword to the pavement, hunched over, and began to sob.
I knelt beside her and put my arm lightly around her shoulders. She seemed not to notice me, and I merely waited until her breathing slowed. Finally, she lifted her head and looked at me.
I searched her face for change, and could find none. She smiled, a tender and wavering curving of her lips, and moved her feet. I helped her stand; she sagged against me and my concern mounted.
“Sit here,” I said, leading her to the bench. “I’ll bring the water sack, and some food.’
Her hand on my arm held me beside her.
“That will be most welcome, in a moment,” the girl said. “We have ignored the needs of our bodies, following our visit to the All-Mind. But do not look so stricken, Rikardon—it is only fatigue which weakens me.”
I could not contain the question any longer.
“Who are you?”
“I am Tarani,” she said. “Antonia has gone, but she has left behind her memory and understanding of your world—Ricardo Carillo.”
I drew her hand down my arm until I could hold it. “That person exists only in memory,” I said. “I am Rikardon now.”
“Her memories are too many, and too strange, to bear close examination now,” Tarani said.
I nodded. “It was that way for me, too. Markasset is still a stranger to me in many ways.”
Tarani rested her head on my shoulder. “I met Antonia for a brief instant,” she said. “I suspect it was her choice, because she wanted me to understand that she did not regret the need of her going. She truly loved you, Rikardon, wholly and separately from my feelings. Yet there was no bitterness in her for my winning your love—only the kindest wishes for our happiness.”
I tightened my arm around her shoulders, moved by the wistfulness and wonder in her voice—moved, too, by the basic goodness I had seen in my brief association with Antonia, which was now lost to both of us.
“I would weep in sadness for her and gratitude, if it were possible,” Tarani said. Then she lifted her head, smiling with more spirit, and a trace of mischief. “But in Raithskar there is a large ‘cat’ who wants me to play with her ‘kittens.’”
We both laughed, then she grew serious again and looked down at the sword in her hand.
“In Eddarta, there is a danger to be controlled.”
The thoughtful mood passed from her quickly.
“It was whispered in Recorder School that the infamous Somil used a rather unorthodox method to restore his energy after a session. Tell me,” she said lightly, “is that true?”
“I can’t speak from personal observation,” I said, “but it seemed likely. I think your real question,” I added, taking the sword from her hands and replacing it on the bench, “is whether his method is effective.
“Shall we test it for ourselves?”
END PROCEEDINGS:
INPUT SESSION FIVE
—I have withdrawn our minds from the All-Mind … and now I withdraw mine from yours … was the session as painful as you anticipated?
—Yes. But I believe, in making this portion of the Record, that I have finally freed myself from the guilt I felt over deceiving Tarani.
—Be consoled by her own statement, that she could not have been herself without the hidden presence of your friend.
—It is true of us all, I believe, that we are shaped by our choices and circumstances.
—You are sad. Why?
—Antonia.
—Your grief honors her. But now, you must rest. You will be needed at the close of the festival. When time permits, we will continue the Record.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Vicki Ann Heydron met Randall Garrett in 1975. In 1978, they were married, and also began planning the Gandalara Cycle. A broad outline for the entire Cycle had been completed, and a draft of The Steel of Raithskar nearly finished, when Randall suffered serious and permanent injury. Working from their outline, Vicki has completed the Cycle. Of all seven books, Vicki feels that The River Wall is most uniquely hers. The other titles in the Cycle are The Glass of Dyskornis, The Bronze of Eddarta, The Well of Darkness, The Search for Kä, and Return to Eddarta.
ALSO BY RANDALL GARRETT
THE GANDALARA CYCLE
(with Vicki Ann Heydron)
The Steel of Rathskar
The Glass of Dyskornis
The Bronze of Eddarta
The Well of Darkness
The Search for Kä
Return to Eddarta
The River Wall
THE LORD DARCY SERIES
Murder and Magic
Too Many Magicians
Lord Darcy Investigates
all available as Jabberwocky ebooks
THANK YOU FOR READING
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The Search for Kä Page 17
