Assassins Apprentice

Farseer Trilogy Book 1 Robin Hobb CHAPTER ONE The Earliest History HISTORY OF THE Six Duchies is of necessity a history is of its ruling fa ily! the Farseers" # co $lete telling %oul& reach back beyon& the foun&ing of the First Duchy an&! if such na es %ere re e bere&! %oul& tell us of OutIslan&ers rai&ing fro the sea! 'isiting as $irates a shore ore te $erate an& gentler than the icy beaches of the Out Islan&s" But %e &o not kno% the na es of these earliest forebears" #n& of the first real (ing! little ore than his na e an& so e extra'agant legen&s re ain" Taker his na e %as! )uite si $ly! an& $erha$s %ith that na ing began the tra&ition that &aughters an& sons of his lineage %oul& be gi'en na es that %oul& sha$e their li'es an& beings" Folk beliefs clai such na es %ere seale& to the ne%born babes by that agic! an& that these royal

offs$ring %ere inca$able of betraying the 'irtues %hose na es they bore" *asse& through fire an& $lunge& through salt %ater an& offere& to the %in&s of the air+ thus %ere na es seale& to these chosen chil&ren" So %e are tol&" # $retty fancy! an& $erha$s once there %as such a ritual! but history sho%s us this %as not al%ays sufficient to bin& a chil& to the 'irtue that na e& it , -y $en falters! then falls fro y knuckly gri$! lea'ing a %or .s trail of ink

across Fe&%ren.s $a$er" I ha'e s$oile& another leaf of the fine stuff! in %hat I sus$ect is a futile en&ea'or" I %on&er if I can %rite this history! or if on e'ery $age there %ill be so e sneaking sho% of a bitterness I thought long &ea&" I
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think

yself cure& of all s$ite! but %hen I touch $en to $a$er! the hurt of a boy

blee&s out %ith the sea/s$a%ne& ink! until I sus$ect each carefully for e& black letter scabs o'er so e ancient scarlet %oun&" Both Fe&%ren an& *atience %ere so fille& %ith enthusias the %riting of it %as a %orth%hile effort" I con'ince& %oul& turn y thoughts asi&e fro historical e'ent I consi&er only a%akens %hene'er a %ritten yself account of the history of the Six Duchies %as &iscusse& that I $ersua&e&

yself that the exercise

y $ain an& hel$ the ti e to $ass" But each y o%n $ersonal sha&es of loneliness

an& loss" I fear I %ill ha'e to set this %ork asi&e entirely! or else gi'e in to reconsi&ering all that has sha$e& %hat I ha'e beco e" #n& so I begin again! an& again! but al%ays fin& that I a %riting of y o%n beginnings rather than I try to ex$lain the fla e the beginnings of this lan&" I &o not e'en kno% to %ho share" Shall I set the an& ash0 *erha$s" -y e ories reach back to %hen I %as six years ol&" Before that! there is y in& has e'er been able to $ierce" e" So eti es it see s y o%n ai&s an& ranks of any sources! that I nothing! only a blank gulf no exercise of

yself" -y life has been a %eb of secrets! secrets that e'en no% are unsafe to all &o%n on fine $a$er! only to create fro

*rior to that &ay at -oonseye! there is nothing" But on that &ay they su&&enly begin! %ith a brightness an& &etail that o'er%hel s too co $lete! an& I %on&er if it is truly in&! or fro ine" # I recalling it fro

&o1ens of retellings by legions of kitchen any ti es! fro so

scullions an& her&s of stable boys as they ex$laine& *erha$s I ha'e hear& the story so no% recall it as an actual co $leteness of the &rugs a e ory of

y $resence to each other0

y o%n" Is the &etail the result of a six/

year/ol&.s o$en absor$tion of all that goes on aroun& hi 0 Or coul& the e ory be the bright o'erlay of the Skill! an& the later an takes to control his a&&iction to it! the &rugs that bring on $ains
2

an& cra'ings of their o%n0 The last is $robable" One ho$es it is not the case"

ost $ossible" *erha$s it is e'en

The re e brance is al ost $hysical3 the chill grayness of the fa&ing &ay! the re orseless rain that soake& e! the icy cobbles of the strange to%n.s streets! y s all one" ine" Only fir " y fate! e'en the calluse& roughness of the huge han& that gri$$e& ine %ithin it" #n& yet it %as %ar ! an& not unkin& as it hel& It &i& not let e sli$ on the icy streets! but it &i& not let

So eti es I %on&er about that gri$" The han& %as har& an& rough! tra$$ing e esca$e

either" It %as as i $lacable as the icy gray rain that gla1e& the tra $le& sno% an& ice of the gra'ele& $ath%ay outsi&e the huge %oo&en &oors of the fortifie& buil&ing that stoo& like a fortress %ithin the to%n itself" The &oors %ere tall! not 4ust to a six/year/ol& boy! but tall enough to a& it giants! to &%arf e'en the rangy ol& looke& strange to an %ho to%ere& o'er e" #n& they e! although I cannot su on u$ %hat ty$e of &oor or

&%elling %oul& ha'e looke& fa iliar" Only that these! car'e& an& boun& %ith black iron hinges! &ecorate& %ith a buck.s hea& an& knocker of glea ing brass! %ere outsi&e of clothes! so y ex$erience" I recall that slush ha& soake& through y y feet an& legs %ere %et an& col&" #n& yet! again! I cannot recall y s all

that I ha& %alke& far through %inter.s last curses! nor that I ha& been carrie&" 5o! it all starts there! right outsi&e the &oors of the stronghouse! %ith han& tra$$e& insi&e the tall an.s" an lifte& the brass %ithin the

#l ost! it is like a $u$$et sho% beginning" Yes! I can see it thus" The curtains $arte&! an& there %e stoo& before that great &oor" The ol& his $oun&ing" #n& then! fro &oors! but fro knocker an& bange& it &o%n! once! t%ice! thrice on the $late that resoun&e& to offstage! a 'oice soun&e&" 5ot fro behin& us! back the %ay %e ha& co e" 6Father! $lease!7 the

%o an.s 'oice begge&" I turne& to look at her! but it ha& begun to sno% again!
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a lacy 'eil that clung to eyelashes an& coat slee'es" I can.t recall that I sa% anyone" 9ertainly! I &i& not struggle to break free of the ol& an.s gri$ on y han&! nor &i& I call out! 6-other! -other"7 Instea& I stoo&! a s$ectator! an& hear& the soun& of boots %ithin the kee$! an& the unfastening of the &oor has$ %ithin" One last ti e she calle&" I can still hear the %or&s $erfectly! the &es$eration in a 'oice that no% %oul& soun& young to tre or shook the han& that gri$$e& brea&! the ol& y ears" 6Father! $lease! I beg you:7 # ine! but %hether of anger or so e other

e otion! I shall ne'er kno%" #s s%ift as a black cro% sei1es a bit of &ro$$e& an stoo$e& an& snatche& u$ a fro1en chunk of &irty ice" ;or&lessly he flung it! %ith great force an& fury! an& I co%ere& %here I stoo&" I &o not recall a cry! nor the soun& of struck flesh" ;hat I &o re e ber is ho% the &oors s%ung out%ar&! so that the ol& &ragging e %ith hi " an %ho o$ene& the &oor %as no house ser'ant! as I e ory sho%s ea an/at/ an an& ore of har& suet than #n& there is this" The an ha& to ste$ hastily back!

ight i agine if I ha& only hear& this story" 5o! uscle! but not so e

ar s! a %arrior! gone a bit to gray an& %ith a belly

annere& house ser'ant" He looke& both the ol&

e u$ an& &o%n %ith a sol&ier.s $ractice& sus$icion! an& then stoo& there silently! %aiting for us to state our business" I think it rattle& the ol& For he su&&enly &ro$$e& coat an& s%ung an a bit! an& sti ulate& hi ! not to fear! but to anger" y han& an& instea& gri$$e& e by the back of y

e for%ar&! like a %hel$ offere& to a $ros$ecti'e ne% o%ner"

6I.'e brought the boy to you!7 he sai& in a rusty 'oice" #n& %hen the house guar& continue& to stare at hi ! %ithout 4u&g ent or e'en curiosity! he elaborate&" 6I.'e fe& hi %or& fro at y table for six years! an& ne'er a y &aughter gi'es e his father! ne'er a coin! ne'er a 'isit! though
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to un&erstan& he kno%s he fathere& a bastar& on her" I.ll not fee& hi longer! nor break by hi y back at a $lo% to kee$ clothes on his back" =et hi y o%n! %hat %ith other to kee$ an& fee&" For not a %hat got hi " I.'e enough to ten& to of

any be fe&

y %o an an %ill

getting on in years! an& this one.s ha'e her no%! not a hi ! an& gi'e hi $osition! not

an! not %ith this $u$ running at her heels" So you take to his father"7 #n& he let go of e so su&&enly that I

s$ra%le& to the stone &oorste$ at the guar&.s feet" I scrabble& to a sitting uch hurt that I recall! an& looke& u$ to see %hat %oul& ha$$en en" e! li$s $urse& slightly! not in 4u&g ent but an %ho asks for erely e" 6;hose get07 he aske&! an& his tone %as not ore s$ecific infor ation e! next bet%een the t%o

The guar& looke& &o%n at consi&ering ho% to classify

one of curiosity! but only that of a 69hi'alry.s!7 the ol& taking his

on a situation! in or&er to re$ort %ell to a su$erior" an sai&! an& he %as alrea&y turning his back on easure& ste$s &o%n the gra'ele& $ath%ay" 6*rince 9hi'alry!7 he %hat.s (ing/in/;aiting" anage& to father &o for hi ! an& be gla& he

sai&! not turning back as he a&&e& the )ualifier" 6Hi That.s %ho got hi " So let hi one chil&! so e%here"7 For a o ent the guar& %atche& the ol&

an %alking a%ay" Then he e out of the %ay so he to secure the

%or&lessly stoo$e& to sei1e

e by the collar an& &rag

coul& close the &oor" He let go of

e for the brief ti e it took hi

&oor" That &one! he stoo& looking &o%n on sai&" So I follo%e& hi ! &o%n a &i close& &oors! these of rich!

e" 5o real sur$rise! only a

sol&ier.s stoic acce$tance of the o&&er bits of his &uty" 6>$! boy! an& %alk!7 he corri&or! $ast roo s s$artanly furnishe&! %ith

%in&o%s still shuttere& against %inter.s chill! an& finally to another set of ello% %oo& e bellishe& %ith car'ings" There he
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$ause& an& straightene& his o%n gar ents briefly" I re e ber )uite clearly ho% he %ent &o%n on one knee to tug that I ake a goo& i $ression! or y shirt straight an& s ooth y hair %ith a rough $at or t%o! but %hether this %as fro so e kin&hearte& i $ulse

erely a concern that his $ackage look %ell

ten&e&! I %ill ne'er kno%" He stoo& again an& knocke& once at the &ouble &oors" Ha'ing knocke&! he &i& not %ait for a re$ly! or at least I ne'er hear& one" He $ushe& the &oors o$en! her&e& behin& hi " This roo %as as %ar as the corri&or ha& been chill! an& ali'e as the other cha bers ha& been &eserte&" I recall a )uantity of furniture in it! rugs an& hangings! an& shel'es of tablets an& scrolls o'erlai& %ith the scattering of clutter that any %ell/use& an& co fortable cha ber takes on" There %as a fire burning in a it sat a stocky assi'e fire$lace! filling the roo %ith heat an& a $leasantly resinous scent" #n i ense table %as $lace& at an angle to the fire! an& behin& e&iately! an& so I %as able to stu&y his rather o ents" yself an& the guar& in one e in before hi ! an& shut the &oors

an! his bro%s knit as he bent o'er a sheaf of $a$ers in front of

hi " He &i& not look u$ i

bushy &isarray of &ark hair for so e

;hen he &i& look u$! he see e& to take in both coul& sense his resignation to a The guar& ga'e so closer to the For a fe%

)uick glance of his black eyes" 6;ell! @ason07 he aske&! an& e'en at that age I essy interru$tion" 6;hat.s this07 e a foot or e a gentle nu&ge on the shoul&er that $ro$elle&

an" 6#n ol& $lo% an left hi ! *rince Aerity! sir" Says it.s an behin& the &esk continue& to regar& e

*rince 9hi'alry.s basti&! sir"7 o ents the harrie& %ith so e confusion" Then so ething 'ery like an a use& s ile lightene& his features an& he rose an& ca e aroun& the &esk to stan& %ith his fists on his hi$s! looking &o%n on e" I &i& not feel threatene& by his scrutiny+ rather it
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%as as if so ething about at hi

y a$$earance $lease& hi

inor&inately" I looke& u$

curiously" He %ore a short &ark bear&! as bushy an& &isor&erly as his

hair! an& his cheeks %ere %eathere& abo'e it" Hea'y bro%s %ere raise& abo'e his &ark eyes" He ha& a barrel of a chest! an& shoul&ers that straine& the fabric of his shirt" His fists %ere s)uare an& %ork/scarre&! yet ink staine& the fingers of his right han&" #s he stare& at ga'e a snort of laughter" 6Be &a ne&!7 he finally sai&" 6Boy &oes ha'e 9hi'.s look to hi ! &oesn.t he0 Fruitful E&a" ;ho.& ha'e belie'e& it of The guar& The other guar&" 6*lo% an says six"7 The guar& raise& a han& to scratch at his cheek! then su&&enly see e& to recall he %as re$orting" He &ro$$e& his han&" 6Sir!7 he a&&e&" The other &i&n.t see ro'e& o'er to notice the guar&.s la$se in &isci$line" The &ark eyes ake it e! an& the a use ent in his s ile gre% broa&er" 6So y illustrious an& 'irtuous brother07 hi " He an&" # sol&ier.s sol&ier" a&e no res$onse at all! nor %as one ex$ecte& fro an continue& to regar& e his grin gra&ually %i&ene&! until finally he

continue& to stan& alertly! a%aiting the next co

e curiously" 6Ho% ol&07 he aske& the

se'en years or so! to allo% for her belly to s%ell" Da n" Yes" That %as the first year the 9hyur&a trie& to close the $ass" 9hi'alry %as u$ this %ay for three! four onths! chi'ying the into o$ening it to us" =ooks like it %asn.t the only thing he chi'ie& o$en" Da n" ;ho.& ha'e thought it of hi 07 He $ause&! then3 6;ho.s the other07 he &e an&e& su&&enly" sai& %as that this %as *rince nor $ut clothes on his back no%"7 The guar&s an shifte& unco fortably" 6Don.t kno%! sir" There %as only the ol& $lo% an on the &oorste$! an& all hi no ore" Sai& hi %hat got hi 9hi'alry.s basti&! an& he %asn.t going to fee& hi coul& care for hi
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The

an shrugge& as if the

atter %ere of no great i $ortance" 6The boy looks ost! before she.s %hi $ering at isses her $u$" I.ll fin& out then if not before"

%ell ten&e&" I gi'e it a %eek! a fortnight at the kitchen &oor because she Here! boy! %hat &o they call you07

His 4erkin %as close& %ith an intricate buckle sha$e& like a buck.s hea&" It %as brass! then gol&! then re& as the fla es in the fire$lace &o not kno% if I %as e! or if I truly ha& no na e besi&es the %or&" For a sur$rise& an& a look of %hat annoye&" He glance& back at the &isa$$eare& as s%iftly! lea'ing hi o'e&" 6Boy!7 I sai&" I o ent the an looke& il&ly erely re$eating %hat he an& the guar&s an ha& calle& ight ha'e been $ity crosse& his face" But it looking only &isco fite&! or on the table" a$ that still a%aite& hi

6;ell!7 he sai& into the silence" 6So ething.s got to be &one %ith hi ! at least until 9hi' gets back" @ason! see the boy.s fe& an& be&&e& so e%here! at least for tonight" I.ll gi'e so e thought to %hat.s to be &one %ith hi 9an.t ha'e royal bastar&s cluttering u$ the countrysi&e"7 6Sir!7 sai& @ason! neither agreeing nor &isagreeing! but or&er" He $ut a hea'y han& on y shoul&er an& turne& &oor" I %ent so e%hat reluctantly! for the roo erely acce$ting the e back to%ar& the to orro%"

%as bright an& $leasant an&

%ar " -y col& feet ha& starte& to tingle! an& I kne% if I coul& stay a little longer! I %oul& be %ar e& through" But the guar&s an.s han& %as inexorable! an& I %as steere& out of the %ar the &reary corri&ors" They see e& all the &arker after the %ar th an& light! an& en&less as I trie& to atch the guar&.s stri&e as he %oun& through the " *erha$s I %hi $ere&! or $erha$s he gre% tire& of tosse& y slo%er $ace! for he s$un su&&enly! sei1e& e! an& e &o%n e u$ to sit on his shoul&er as casually as if I %eighe& nothing at all" cha ber an& back into the chill &i ness of

6Soggy little $u$! you!7 he obser'e&! %ithout rancor! an& then bore
D

corri&ors an& aroun& turns an& u$ an& &o%n ste$s an& finally into the yello% light an& s$ace of a large kitchen" There! half a &o1en other guar&s lounge& on benches an& ate an& &rank at a big scarre& table before a fire fully t%ice as large as the one in the stu&y ha& been" The roo s elle& of foo&! of beer an& en.s s%eat! of %et %ool gar ents an& eats %ere &ark sha$es the s oke of the %oo& an& &ri$ of grease into fla es" Hogshea&s an& s all casks range& against the %all! an& s oke& 4oints of hung fro eat on a s$it %as s%ung back fro the rafters" The table bore a clutter of foo& an& &ishes" # chunk of the fla es an& &ri$$ing fat onto the stone y ribs at the rich s ell" @ason set ug"

hearth" -y sto ach clutche& su&&enly at the elbo% of a turne& a%ay fro

e rather fir ly on the corner of the table closest to the fire.s %ar th! 4ogging an %hose face %as hi&&en by a 6Here! Burrich!7 @ason sai& atter/of/factly" 6This $u$.s for you! no%"7 He

e" I %atche& %ith interest as he broke a corner as big as his y han&s! an& then ste$$ing to the fire! began eat off the 4oint" I %aste& no ti e in filling e! the y an calle& Burrich set &o%n his uch like the an an in the %ar uch out&oors" His

fist off a &ark loaf! an& then &re% his belt knife to take a %e&ge of cheese off a %heel" He $ushe& these into sa%ing a an/si1e& $ortion of

outh %ith brea& an& cheese" Besi&e ug an& glare& aroun& at @ason"

6;hat.s this07 he aske&! soun&ing 'ery

cha ber" He ha& the sa e unruly blackness to his hair an& bear&! but his face %as angular an& narro%" His face ha& the color of a eyes %ere bro%n rather than black! an& his han&s %ere long/fingere& an& cle'er" He s elle& of horses an& &ogs an& bloo& an& leathers" 6He.s yours to %atch o'er! Burrich" *rince Aerity says so"7 6;hy07

6You.re 9hi'alry.s ha%ks07 6So07

an! ain.t you0 9are for his horse! his houn&s! an& his

6So! you got his little basti&! at least until 9hi'alry gets back an& &oes other%ise %ith hi "7 @ason offere& hot e the slab of &ri$$ing y &ile eat" I looke& fro an.s the brea& to the cheese I gri$$e&! loath to surren&er either! but longing for the eat! too" He shrugge& at seeing y a! an& %ith a fighting $racticality! fli$$e& the uch brea& into eat" 69hi'alry.s bastar&07 @ason shrugge&! busy %ith getting hi self brea& an& o%n" 6So sai& the ol& $lo% an %hat left hi cheese onto a slab of brea&! took an i fee& an& care for hi gri$$ing brea& or He hi self set his hi self no%"7 ugs or trenchers! an& turne& eyes to the ug carefully a%ay fro y an calle& Burrich" eat an& cheese of his eat an& here"7 He layere& the eat casually onto the table besi&e y hi$" I stuffe& as

outh as I coul& an& shifte& to %here I coul& %atch the

ense bite! an& then s$oke through it"

6Sai& 9hi'alry ought to be gla& he.& see&e& one chil&! so e%here! an& shoul& #n unusual )uiet bloo e& su&&enly in the kitchen" -en $ause& in their eating! the e&ge of the table" His 'oice aster has no heir! Ftis E&a.s

%as )uiet an& e'en! his %or&s $recise" 6If %ill! an& no fault of his an&G7

anhoo&" The =a&y *atience has al%ays been &elicate!

6E'en so! e'en so!7 @ason %as )uickly agreeing" 6#n& there sits the 'ery $roof that there.s no%t %rong %ith hi He %i$e& his as a an! as is all I %as saying! that.s all"7 outh hastily on his slee'e" 6#s like to *rince 9hi'alry as can ,7

be! as e'en his brother sai& but a %hile ago" 5ot the 9ro%n *rince.s fault if his =a&y *atience can.t carry his see& to ter
1H

But Burrich ha& stoo& su&&enly" @ason backe& a hasty ste$ or t%o before he reali1e& I %as Burrich.s target! not hi " Burrich gri$$e& turne& no a e to the fire" ;hen he fir ly took face to his! he startle& a$" His eyes et y shoul&ers an& y y 4a% in his han& an& lifte&

e! so that I &ro$$e& both brea& an& cheese" Yet he $ai& y face to%ar& the fire an& stu&ie& e as if I %ere ine! an& there %as a sort of %il&ness in the ! as if %hat e" So I stare& back at hi %ith as uch

in& to this as he turne&

he sa% in

y face %ere an in4ury I.& &one hi " I starte& to &ra% a%ay fro uster! an& sa% his u$set aske& su&&enly %ith a sort of

that look! but his gri$ %oul&n.t let &efiance as I coul&

reluctant %on&er" #n& lastly he close& his eyes for a secon&! hoo&ing the against so e $ain" 6It.s a thing that %ill try her la&y.s %ill to the e&ge of her 'ery na e!7 Burrich sai& softly" He release& y 4a% an& stoo$e& a%k%ar&ly to $ick u$ the brea& an& cheese I.& off an& han&e& the back to ug fro ug" e" I stare& at the fro a $itcher on the &ro$$e&" He brushe& the

thick ban&aging on his right calf an& o'er his knee that ha& ke$t hi ben&ing his leg" He reseate& hi self an& refille& his table" He &rank again! stu&ying 6;ho.& 9hi'alry get hi incautiously" Burrich s%ung his ga1e to the 9hi'alry.s business %ho the sai& il&ly" an as he set his ug &o%n" For a e o'er the ri of his on07 a

an at the other en& of the table aske& o ent he

&i&n.t s$eak! an& I sense& that silence ho'ering again" 6I.& say it %as *rince other %as! an& not for kitchen talk!7 Burrich

6E'en so! e'en so!7 the guar& agree& abru$tly! an& @ason no&&e& like a courting bir& in agree ent" Young as I %as! I still %on&ere& %hat kin& of this %as %ho! %ith one leg ban&age&! coul& )uell a roo %ith a look or a %or&"
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an en

full of rough

6Boy &on.t ha'e a na e!7 @ason 'olunteere& into the silence" 6@ust goes by Fboy". 6 This state ent see e& to $ut e'eryone! e'en Burrich! at a loss for %or&s" The silence lingere& as I finishe& brea& an& cheese an& %ith a s%allo% or t%o of beer that Burrich offere& roo at eat! an& %ashe& it &o%n e" The other en left the

gra&ually! in t%os an& threes! an& still he sat there! &rinking an& looking e" 6;ell!7 he sai& at long last" 6If I kno% your father! he.ll face u$ to it ost"7 He %atche& e silently a

s)uare an& &o %hat.s right" But E&a only kno%s %hat he.ll think is the right thing to &o" *robably %hate'er hurts the I no&&e&! an& he stoo& stiffly! to s%ing 69o e on! then! Fit1!7 he sai&! an& &ifferent corri&or" His stiff leg o ent longer" 6Ha& enough to eat07 he aske& at last" e off the table an& onto the floor" o'e& out of the kitchen an& &o%n a

a&e his gait ungainly! an& $erha$s the beer

ha& so ething to &o %ith it as %ell" 9ertainly I ha& no trouble in kee$ing u$" ;e ca e at last to a hea'y &oor! an& a guar& %ho no&&e& us through %ith a &e'ouring stare at e" Outsi&e! a chill %in& %as blo%ing" #ll the ice an& sno% that ha& softene& &uring the &ay ha& gone back to shar$ness %ith the co ing of night" The $ath cracke& un&er y feet! an& the %in& see e& to fin& e'ery crack an& ga$ in y gar ents" -y feet an& leggings ha& been %ar e& by the kitchen.s fire! but not )uite &rie&! so the col& sei1e& on the " I re e ber &arkness! an& the su&&en tire&ness that ca e o'er follo%e& the strange e! a terrible %ee$y slee$iness that &ragge& at e as I an %ith the ban&age& leg through the chill! &ark o'e& inter ittently

courtyar&" There %ere tall %alls aroun& us! an& guar&s fro the sky" The col& bit at

ato$ the ! &ark sha&o%s 'isible only as they blotte& the stars occasionally e! an& I stu ble& an& sli$$e& on the icy e to %hi $er or beg $ath%ay" But so ething about Burrich &i& not $er it
12

)uarter fro

hi " Instea& I follo%e& hi

&ogge&ly" ;e reache& a buil&ing an&

he &ragge& o$en a hea'y &oor" ;ar th an& ani al s ells an& a &i fro yello% light s$ille& out" # slee$y stable boy sat u$ in his nest of stra%! blinking like a ru $le& fle&gling" #t a %or& Burrich he lay &o%n again! curling u$ s all in the stra% an& closing his o'e& $ast hi ! Burrich &ragging the &oor to behin& us" He took the e on" their crosse& fore$a%s eyes" ;e

lantern that burne& &i ly by the &oor an& le&

I entere& a &ifferent %orl& then! a night %orl& %here ani als shifte& an& breathe& in stalls! %here houn&s lifte& their hea&s fro to regar& e %ith la bent eyes green or yello% in the lantern.s glo%" Horses

stirre& as %e $asse& their stalls" 6Ha%ks are &o%n at the far en&!7 Burrich sai& as %e $asse& stall after stall" I acce$te& it as so ething he thought I shoul& kno%" 6Here!7 he sai& finally" 6This.ll &o" For no%! any%ay" I. this a fine go&.s 4est on the aster" Here! 5osy! you 4ust 4igge& if I kno% o'e o'er an& ake %hat else to &o %ith you" If it %eren.t for the =a&y *atience! I.& be thinking this boy a $lace in the stra%" That.s right! you cu&&le u$ to Aixen! there" She.ll take you in! an& gi'e a goo& slash to any that think to bother you"7 I foun& yself facing an a $le box stall! $o$ulate& %ith three houn&s" They an& finally lay &o%n next to an ol& bitch ale regar&e& e %ith a e to ha& rouse& an& lay! stick tails thu $ing in the stra% at Burrich.s 'oice" I o'e& uncertainly in a ongst the %ith a %hitene& u11le an& one torn ear" The ol&er

certain sus$icion! but the thir& %as a half/gro%n $u$! an& 5osy %elco e& %ith ear lickings! nose ni$$ing! an& a thick blanket that s elle& uch $a%ing" I $ut an ar aroun& hi settle hi ! an& then cu&&le& in a ongst the

as Burrich ha& a&'ise&" He thre% e" # 'ery large gray

uch of horse &o%n o'er

horse in the next stall stirre& su&&enly! thu $ing a hea'y hoof against the
18

$artition! an& then hanging his hea& o'er to see %hat the night excite ent %as about" Burrich absently cal e& hi %ith a touch" here! an& safe"7 He in&e& the e"7 %ell" 6It.s rough )uarters here for all of us at this out$ost" You.ll fin& Buckkee$ a ore hos$itable $lace" But for tonight! you.ll be %ar stoo& a 9hi'alry" I.'e in&e& the all for you for o ent longer! looking &o%n at us" 6Horse! houn&! an& ha%k! any a year! an& is beyon&

But this by/blo% of yours+ %ell! %hat to &o %ith hi I kne% he %asn.t s$eaking to he took the lantern fro e" I %atche& hi

o'er the e&ge of the blanket as uttering to hi self" I e" I

its hook an& %an&ere& off!

re e ber that first night %ell! the %ar th of the houn&s! the $rickling stra%! an& e'en the slee$ that finally ca e as the $u$ cu&&le& close besi&e &rifte& into his in& an& share& his &i )uarry I ne'er sa%! but %hose hot scent &ragge& bra ble! an& scree" #n& %ith the houn&.s &rea ! the $recision of the that first night ha'e no such clarity in y in&" y e ory %a'ers like the bright colors an& shar$ e&ges of a &rug &rea " 9ertainly the &ays that follo% &rea s of an en&less chase! $ursuing a e on%ar& through nettle!

I recall the s$itting/%et &ays of %inter.s en& as I learne& the route fro there %as a cook in atten&ance! setting $u not! an& I hel$e&

stall to the kitchen" I %as free to co e an& go there as I $lease&" So eti es eat onto the hearth hooks or eling brea& &ough or breaching a cask of &rink" -ore often there %as yself to %hate'er ha& been left out on the table! an& share& y constant co $anion" -en e %ith a s$eculati'e en ha& a sa eness about the !

generously %ith the $u$ that s%iftly beca e curiosity that I ca e to acce$t as nor al" The

ca e an& %ent! eating an& &rinking! an& regar&ing

%ith their rough %ool cloaks an& leggings! their har& bo&ies an& easy
1<

o'e ents! an& the crest of a lea$ing buck that each bore o'er his heart" -y $resence a&e so e of the unco fortable" I gre% accusto e& to the utter of 'oices that began %hene'er I left the kitchen" Burrich %as a constant in those &ays! gi'ing usually co ing in the for &uties" But those e the sa e care he ga'e to 9hi'alry.s beasts+ I %as fe&! %atere&! groo e&! an& exercise&! sai& exercise of trotting at his heels as he $erfor e& his other assu $tions e through y e ories are blurry! an& &etails! such as those of %ashing or

changing gar ents! ha'e $robably fa&e& %ith a six/year/ol&s cal %as re& an& slick an& short! an& bristly in a %ay that $rickle&

of such things as nor al" 9ertainly I re e ber the houn& $u$! 5osy" His coat clothes %hen %e share& the horse blanket at night" His eyes %ere green as co$$er ore! his nose the color of cooke& li'er! an& the insi&es of his tongue %ere outh an& y ottle& $ink an& black" ;hen %e %ere not eating in the kitchen!

%e %restle& in the courtyar& or in the stra% of the box stall" Such %as recall the %eather changing" #ll restore& by night.s free1es" One other %ar y

%orl& for ho%e'er long it %as I %as there" 5ot too long! I think! for I &o not e ories of that ti e are of ra% &ays an& elte& each &ay but %ere blustery %in&! an& sno% an& ice that $artially

e ory I ha'e of that ti e! but it is not shar$/e&ge&" Rather it is roo " I recall slee$ by the $u$.s %riggling an& the yello% light of a e" T%o en bent o'er e! but Burrich stoo& stiffly

an& softly tinte&! like a rich ol& ta$estry seen in a &i

being rouse& fro behin& the an fro

lantern being hel& o'er

an& I %as not afrai&" y first e'ening" atter %here I sa% hi "

65o% you.'e %akene& hi !7 %arne& the one! an& he %as *rince Aerity! the the %ar ly lit cha ber of 6So0 He.ll go back to slee$ as soon as %e lea'e" Da n hi ! he has his father.s eyes as %ell" I s%ear! I.& ha'e kno%n his bloo& no
1?

There.ll be no &enying it to any that see hi " But ha'e neither you nor Burrich the sense of a flea0 Bastar& or not! you &on.t stable a chil& a ong beasts" ;as there no%here else you coul& $ut hi 07 The an %ho s$oke %as like Aerity aroun& the 4a% an& eyes! but there the an %as younger by far" His cheeks %ere bear&less! rese blance en&e&" This

an& his scente& an& s oothe& hair %as finer an& bro%n" His cheeks an& forehea& ha& been stung to re&ness by the night.s chill! but it %as a ne% thing! not Aerity.s %eathere& ru&&iness" #n& Aerity &resse& as his en &resse&! in an %ith $ractical %oolens of stur&y %ea'e an& sub&ue& colors" Only the crest on his breast sho%e& brighter! in gol& an& sil'er threa&" But the younger hi %i&th of cloth nee&e& to co'er a glea e& in scarlets an& $ri rose! an& his cloak &roo$e& %ith t%ice the an" The &oublet that sho%e& beneath it %as a

rich crea ! an& la&en %ith lace" The scarf at his throat %as secure& %ith a lea$ing stag &one in gol&! its single eye a %inking green ge " #n& the careful turn of his %or&s %as like a t%iste& chain of gol& co $are& to the si $le links of Aerity.s s$eech" 6Regal! I ha& gi'en it no thought" ;hat &o I kno% of chil&ren0 I turne& hi o'er to Burrich" He is 9hi'alry.s 6I a 9hi'alry.s an! an& as such he.s care& for ,7 ake hi u$ eant no &isres$ect to the bloo&! sir!7 Burrich sai& in honest confusion" 6I an! an& I sa% to the boy as I thought best" I coul&

a $allet in the guar&roo ! but he see s s all to be in the co $any of such en! %ith their co ings an& goings at all hours! their fights an& &rinking an& noise"7 The tone of his %or&s y Aixen to %atch o'er hi eG7
1B

a&e his o%n &istaste for their co $any har %ithout her

ob'ious" 6Be&&e& here! he has )uiet! an& the $u$ has taken to hi " #n& %ith at night! no one coul& &o hi teeth taking a toll" -y lor&s! I kno% little of chil&ren yself! an& it see e& to

6It.s fine! Burrich! it.s fine!7 Aerity sai& )uietly! cutting hi

off" 6If it ha& to

be thought about! I shoul& ha'e &one the thinking" I left it to you! an& I &on.t fin& fault %ith it" It.s better than a lot of chil&ren ha'e in this 'illage! E&a kno%s" For here! for no%! it.s fine"7 6It %ill ha'e to be &ifferent %hen he co es back to Buckkee$"7 Regal &i& not soun& $lease&" 6Then our father %ishes hi ca e fro Aerity" other &oes not"7 6Our father &oes" -y to return %ith us to Buckkee$07 The )uestion

6Oh"7 Aerity.s tone in&icate& he ha& no interest in further &iscussing that" But Regal fro%ne& an& continue&" 6-y other the Iueen is not at all $lease& about any of this" She has ore confusion in the line of e! an& counsele& the (ing long! but in 'ain" -other an& I %ere for $utting the boy , asi&e" It is only goo& sense" ;e scarcely nee& succession"7 6I see no confusion in it no%! Regal"7 Aerity s$oke e'enly" 69hi'alry! then you" Then our cousin #ugust" This bastar& %oul& be a far fifth"7 6I a %ell a%are that you $rece&e e+ you nee& not flaunt it at e at e'ery o$$ortunity!7 Regal sai& col&ly" He glare& &o%n at be better not to ha'e hi e" 6I still think it %oul&

about" ;hat if 9hi'alry ne'er &oes get a legal heir on y other an& I" atter"

*atience0 ;hat if he chooses to recogni1e this , boy0 It coul& be 'ery &i'isi'e to the nobles" ;hy shoul& %e te $t trouble0 So say But our father the (ing is not a hasty Shre%& &oes! as the co an! as %ell %e kno%" Shre%& is as

on folk say" He forba&e any settling of the

FRegal!. he sai&! in that %ay he has" FDon.t &o %hat you can.t un&o! until you.'e consi&ere& %hat you can.t &o once you.'e &one it". Then he laughe&"7 Regal hi self ga'e a short! bitter laugh" 6I %eary so of his hu or"7
1C

6Oh!7 sai& Aerity again! an& I lay still an& %on&ere& if he %ere trying to sort out the (ing.s %or&s! or refraining fro 6;hich is07 6He still fa'ors 9hi'alry"7 Regal soun&e& &isguste&" 6Des$ite e'erything" Des$ite his foolish he.s a can arriage an& his eccentric %ife" Des$ite this ake the ess" #n& no% he thinks this %ill s%ay the $eo$le! ake %ar er to%ar& hi " *ro'e re$lying to his brother.s co $laint" 6You &iscern his real reasons! of course!7 Regal infor e& hi "

an! that 9hi'alry can father a chil&" Or

aybe $ro'e he.s a hu an! an&

istakes like the rest of the "7 Regal.s tone betraye& that he agree& ake the $eo$le like hi ore! su$$ort his future kingshi$ arrie& his

%ith none of this" 6#n& this %ill ore0 That he fathere& a chil& on so e %il& %o an before he )ueen07 Aerity soun&e& confuse& by the logic" I hear& the sourness in Regal.s 'oice" 6So the (ing see s to think" Does he care nothing for the &isgrace0 But I sus$ect 9hi'alry %ill feel &ifferently about using his bastar& in such a %ay" Es$ecially as it regar&s &ear *atience" But the (ing has or&ere& that the bastar& be brought to Buckkee$ %hen you return"7 Regal looke& &o%n on e as if ill satisfie&" Aerity looke& briefly trouble&! but no&&e&" # sha&o% lay o'er Burrich.s features that the yello% la $light coul& not lift" 6Has hi y aster no say in this07 Burrich 'enture& to $rotest" 6It see s to e that if he %ants to settle a $ortion on the fa ily of the boy.s asi&e! then! %hy surely for the sake of shoul& be allo%e& that &iscretionG7 *rince Regal broke in %ith a snort of &is&ain" 6The ti e for &iscretion %as before he rolle& the %ench" The =a&y *atience is not the first %o an to ha'e to face her husban&.s bastar&" E'eryone here kno%s of his existence+ Aerity.s
1D

other! an& set

y =a&y *atience.s sensibilities! he

clu siness sa% to that" There.s no $oint to trying to hi&e hi " #n& as far as a royal bastar& is concerne&! none of us can affor& to ha'e such sensibilities! Burrich" To lea'e such a boy in a $lace like this is like lea'ing a %ea$on ho'ering o'er the (ing.s throat" Surely e'en a houn&s an can see that" #n& e'en if you can.t! your aster %ill"7 co%er fro nothing else" It a&e e afrai&! an& I a&e Regal ste$ ore #n icy harshness ha& co e into Regal.s 'oice! an& I sa% Burrich flinch fro his 'oice as I ha& seen hi &re% the blanket u$ o'er y hea& an& burro%e& &ee$er into the stra%" Besi&e en left soon after! an& if they s$oke any e"

e! Aixen gro%le& lightly in the back of her throat" I think it back! but I cannot be sure" The than that! no e ory of it lies %ithin

Ti e $asse&! an& I think it %as t%o! or $erha$s three %eeks later that I foun& yself clinging to Burrich.s belt an& trying to %ra$ horse behin& hi y short legs aroun& a e an ust as %e left that chill 'illage an& began %hat see e& to

en&less 4ourney &o%n to %ar er lan&s" I su$$ose at so e $oint 9hi'alry ha'e co e to see the bastar& he ha& sire& an& 4u&g ent on hi self as regar&e& %ith y father" The only i age I carry of hi in e" But I ha'e no y e ory of such a in& is fro

ust ha'e $asse& so e sort of eeting his $ortrait

on the %all in Buckkee$" Years later I %as gi'en to un&erstan& that his &i$lo acy ha& gone %ell in&ee&! securing a treaty an& $eace that laste& %ell into y teens an& earning the res$ect an& e'en fon&ness of the 9hyur&a" onu ental one" He to the throne" By court! to li'e as the In truth! I %as his only failure that year! but I %as a the ti e %e arri'e&! he an& =a&y *atience %ere gone fro relationshi$ to its a$$earance" It is a %ar
1E

$rece&e& us ho e to Buckkee$! %here he ab&icate& his clai

=or& an& =a&y of ;ithy%oo&s" I ha'e been to ;ithy%oo&s" Its na e bears no 'alley! centere& on a gently flo%ing

ri'er that car'es a %i&e $lain that nestles bet%een gently rising an& rolling foothills" # $lace to gro% gra$es an& grain an& $lu $ chil&ren" It is a soft hol&ing! far fro the bor&ers! far fro the $olitics of court! far fro anything that ha& been 9hi'alry.s life u$ to then" It %as a $asturing out! a gentle an& genteel exile for a an %ho %oul& ha'e been (ing" # 'el'et s othering for a an I.& ne'er kno%" o'e& u$ a notch in %arrior an& a silencing of a rare an& skille& &i$lo at" #n& so I ca e to Buckkee$! sole chil& an& bastar& of a *rince Aerity beca e (ing/in/;aiting an& *rince Regal %oul& ha'e left a beca e"

the line of succession" If all I ha& e'er &one %as to be born an& &isco'ere&! I ark across all the lan& for all ti e" I gre% u$ fatherless an& e as a catalyst" #n& a catalyst I otherless in a court %here all recogni1e&

9H#*TER T;O 5e%boy HERE #RE -#5Y =EJE5DS about Taker! the first OutIslan&er to clai Buckkee$ as the First Duchy an& the foun&er of the royal line" One is that the rai&ing 'oyage he %as on %as his first an& only foray out fro Buckkee$! he ha& announce&! 6If there.s a fire an& a lea'ing again"7 #n& there %as! an& he &i&n.t" But fa ily ru or says that he %as a $oor sailor! a&e sick by the hea'ing anage& to sei1e %hate'er col& harsh islan& bore hi " It is sai& that u$on seeing the ti bere& fortifications of eal there! I shan.t be

%ater an& salt/fish rations that other OutIslan&ers thro'e u$on" That he an& his cre% ha& been lost for &ays u$on the %ater! an& if he ha& not
2H

Buckkee$ an&

ake it his o%n! his o%n cre% %oul& ha'e &ro%ne& hi " as a %ell/the%e&

5e'ertheless! the ol& ta$estry in the Jreat Hall sho%s hi to%ar& an ancient Buckkee$ of logs an& $oorly &resse& stone"

stal%art grinning fiercely o'er the $ro% of his 'essel as his oars en $ro$el hi Buckkee$ ha& begun its existence as a &efensible $osition on a na'igable ri'er at the outh of a bay %ith excellent anchorage" So e $etty lan&chief! %hose ists of history! sa% the $otential for controlling the OutIslan&er rai&ers %ho ca e e'ery na e has been lost in the

tra&e on the ri'er an& built the first stronghol& there" Ostensibly! he ha& built it to &efen& both ri'er an& bay fro su er to $lun&er u$ an& &o%n the ri'er" ;hat he ha& not figure& on %ere the o'e& their occu$ations an& &o ination u$ the

rai&ers that infiltrate& his fortifications by treachery" The to%ers an& %alls beca e their toehol&" They finally ri'er! an& rebuil&ing his ti ber fort into to%ers an& %alls of &resse& stone! a&e Buckkee$ the heart of the First Duchy! an& e'entually the ca$ital of the Six Duchies" those of the king&o

The ruling house of the Six Duchies! the Farseers! %ere &escen&e& fro OutIslan&ers!

OutIslan&ers" They ha&! for se'eral generations! ke$t u$ their ties %ith the aking courting 'oyages an& returning ho e %ith $lu $ &ark bri&es of their o%n folk" #n& so the bloo& of the OutIslan&ers still ran strong in the royal lines an& the noble houses! $ro&ucing chil&ren %ith black hair an& &ark eyes an& bloo&" I ha& But uscle& stocky li bs" #n& %ith those attributes %ent a $re&ilection for the Skill! an& all the &angers an& %eaknesses inherent in such y share of that heritage! too" y first ex$erience of Buckkee$ hel& nothing of history or heritage" I ense

kne% it only as an en& $lace for a 4ourney! a $anora a of noise an& $eo$le! carts an& &ogs an& buil&ings an& t%isting streets that le& finally to an i stone stronghol& on the cliffs that o'erlooke& the city sheltere& belo% it"
21

Burrich.s horse %as %eary! an& his hoo'es sli$$e& on the often sli y cobbles of the city streets" I hel& on gri ly to Burrich.s belt! too %eary an& aching e'en to co $lain" I crane& y hea& u$ once to stare at the tall gray to%ers an& %alls y forehea& against his back an& felt ill ense %ater" #n& that %as ho% I ca e to of the kee$ abo'e us" E'en in the unfa iliar %ar th of the sea bree1e! it looke& chill an& forbi&&ing" I leane& in the brackish io&ine s ell of the i Buckkee$" Burrich ha& )uarters o'er the stables! not far fro took for it %as sa&ly be&raggle& fro as %eary as I" 5osy bo%le& to his thickskulle& houn&.s litter ates an& i the the e%s" It %as there he

e! along %ith the houn&s an& 9hi'alry.s ha%k" He sa% to the ha%k first! the tri$" The &ogs %ere o'er4oye& to be ho e

an& %ere suffuse& %ith a boun&less energy that %as 'ery annoying to anyone e o'er a half/&o1en ti es before I coul& con'ey in& that I %as %eary an& half/sick an& in no

oo& for $lay" He res$on&e& as any $u$ %oul&! by seeking out his for er e&iately getting hi self into a se iserious fight %ith one of Burrich" 9hi'alry.s an he ight be! aster for houn&s! ha%ks! an& that %as )uelle& by a shout fro

but %hen he %as at Buckkee$! he %as the horses"

His o%n beasts seen to! he $rocee&e& to %alk through the stables! sur'eying all that ha& been &one! or left un&one! in his absence" Stable boys! groo s! an& falconers a$$eare& as if by agic to &efen& their charges fro any criticis s" I trotte& at his heels for as long as I coul& kee$ u$" It %as only %hen I finally surren&ere&! an& sank %earily onto a $ile of stra%! that he a$$eare& to notice e" # look of irritation! an& then great %eariness! $asse& across his face" 6Here! you! 9ob" Take young Fit1 there to the kitchens an& see that he.s fe&! an& then bring hi back u$ to y )uarters"7
22

9ob %as a short! &ark &og boy! $erha$s ten years ol&! %ho ha& 4ust been $raise& o'er the health of a litter that ha& been %hel$e& in Burrich.s absence" -o ents before he ha& been basking in Burrich.s a$$ro'al" 5o% his grin faltere&! an& he looke& at e &ubiously" ;e regar&e& one another as Burrich e" 6#re you o'e& off &o%n the line of stalls %ith his entourage of ner'ous caretakers" Then the boy shrugge& an& %ent into a half crouch to face hungry! then! Fit10 Shall %e go fin& you a bite07 he aske& in'itingly! in exactly the sa e tone as he ha& use& to coax his $u$$ies out %here Burrich coul& see the " I no&&e&! relie'e& that he ex$ecte& no an& follo%e& hi " He looke& back often to see if I %as kee$ing u$" 5o sooner %ere %e outsi&e the stables than 5osy ca e frolicking u$ to 4oin affection for e raise& e" The houn&.s e'i&ent e in 9ob.s esti ation! an& he continue& to s$eak to ore fro e than fro a $u$$y!

both of us in short encouraging $hrases! telling us there %as foo& 4ust ahea&! co e along no%! no! &on.t go off sniffing after that cat! co e along no%! there.s so e goo& fello%s" The stables ha& been bustling! %ith Aerity.s en $utting u$ their horses an& gear an& Burrich fin&ing fault %ith all that ha& not been &one u$ to his stan&ar&s in his absence" But as %e &re% closer to the inner kee$! the foot traffic increase&" Folk brushe& by us on all an i anner of erran&s3 a boy carrying an %ith a basket of ense slab of bacon on his shoul&er! a giggling cluster of girls! ar s otley an& bells! their 'oices ringing

hea'y %ith stre%ing ree&s an& heather! a sco%ling ol& flo$$ing fish! an& three young %o en in as errily as their chi es" -y nose infor e&

e that %e %ere getting closer to the kitchens! but the

traffic increase& $ro$ortionately! until %e &re% near a &oor %ith a 'eritable crush of $eo$le going in an& out" 9ob sto$$e&! an& 5osy an& I $ause& behin&
28

hi ! noses %orking a$$reciati'ely" He regar&e& the $ress of folk at the &oor an& fro%ne& to hi self" 6*lace is $acke&" E'eryone.s getting rea&y for the %elco ing feast tonight! for Aerity an& Regal" #nyone %ho.s anyone has co e into Buckkee$ for it+ %or& s$rea& fast about 9hi'alry &ucking out on the kingshi$" #ll the Dukes ha'e co e or sent a if 9hi'alry is no longer aboutG7 He halte&! su&&enly e barrasse&! but %hether it %as because he %as s$eaking of y father to the cause of his ab&ication! or because he %as a&&ressing a not sure" He glance& $u$$y an& a six/year/ol& as if they ha& intelligence! I a bring so ething out for you" =ess chance of caught" 5o% stay"7 #n& he reinforce& his co 5osy sat obe&iently besi&e ;ith 9ob out of sight! the scattering of the fro instrels an& an to counsel about it" I hear e'en the 9hyur&a sent so eone! to be sure 9hi'alry.s treaties %ill be honore&

about! reassessing the situation" 6;ait here!7 he tol& us finally" 6I.ll sli$ in an& e getting ste$$e& on , or an& %ith a fir gesture of his

han&" I backe& u$ to a %all an& crouche& &o%n there! out of traffic.s %ay! an& e" I %atche& a& iringly as 9ob a$$roache& the ore general $o$ulace clai e& y attention" co e &oor an& sli$$e& bet%een the clustere& folk! eeling s oothly into the kitchens" =argely the folk that $asse& us %ere ser'ing $eo$le an& cooks! %ith a erchants an& &eli'ery folk" I %atche& the an& go %ith a %eary curiosity" I ha& alrea&y seen too of great interest" #l ost all this acti'ity" I sat flat on the groun&! y forehea& on uch that &ay to fin&

ore than foo& I &esire& a )uiet $lace a%ay y back against the sun/%ar e& e" y e" I lifte& y face fro y knees" 5osy leane& against

%all of the kee$! an& $ut

5osy.s stick tail beating against the earth rouse&

knees to $ercei'e a tall $air of bro%n boots before

e" -y eyes tra'ele& u$

rough leather $ants an& o'er a coarse %ool shirt to a shaggy bear&e& face

2<

thatche& %ith $e$$er/gray hair" The keg on one shoul&er" 6You the basti&! hey07

an staring &o%n at

e balance& a s all

I ha& hear& the %or& often enough to kno% it fullness of its interest" 6Hey!7 he sai& lou&ly! no longer s$eaking to like hi ! &on.t you say0 ;ho.s your To their cre&it!

eant

e! %ithout gras$ing the

eaning" I no&&e& slo%ly" The

an.s face brightene& %ith e but to the folk co ing an&

going" 6Here.s the basti&" Stiff/as/a/stick 9hi'alry.s by blo%" =ooks a fair bit other! boy07 ost of the $assing $eo$le continue& to co e an& go! %ith no ore than a fe% hea&s the kitchen &re% nearer

ore than a curious stare at the six/year/ol& sitting by the %all" But the cask an.s )uestion %as e'i&ently of great interest! for turne&! an& se'eral tra&es en %ho ha& 4ust exite& fro to hear the ans%er" But I &i& not ha'e an ans%er" -other ha& been -other! an& %hate'er I ha& kno%n of her %as alrea&y fa&ing" So I hi " 6Hey" ;hat.s your na e then! boy07 #n& turning to his au&ience! he confi&e&! 6I hear& he ain.t got no na e" 5o highflo%n royal na e to sha$e hi ! nor e'en a cottage na e to scol& hi by" That right! boy0 You got a na e07 The grou$ of onlookers %as gro%ing" # fe% sho%e& $ity in their eyes! but none interfere&" So e of %hat I %as feeling $asse& to 5osy! %ho &ro$$e& o'er onto his si&e an& sho%e& his belly in su$$lication %hile thu $ing his tail in that ancient canine signal that al%ays &efen& yself" Ha'e eans! 6I. only a $u$$y" I cannot e ercy"7 Ha& they been &ogs! they %oul& ha'e sniffe& a&e no re$ly! but only stare& u$ at

o'er an& then &ra%n back" But hu ans ha'e no such inbre& courtesies" So

2?

%hen I &i&n.t ans%er! the na e! boy07

an &re% a ste$ nearer an& re$eate&! 6You got a against y back a o ent ago an a&e

I stoo& slo%ly! an& the %all that ha& been %ar %as no% a chill barrier to retreat" #t as if to lean closer to hear

y feet! 5osy s)uir e& in the &ust on his

back an& let out a $lea&ing %hine" 65o!7 I sai& softly! an& %hen the %hile crabbing si&e%ays along the %all" I sa% hi

y %or&s! 65O:7 I shoute&! an& re$elle& at hi ! stagger a ste$ back%ar&!

losing his gri$ on his cask! so that it fell to the cobble& $ath an& cracke& o$en" 5o one in the cro%& coul& ha'e un&erstoo& %hat ha& ha$$ene&" I certainly &i&n.t" For the chil&" In that ost $art! folk laughe& to see a gro%n o ent an co%er back fro a y re$utation for both te $er an& s$irit %as a&e! for

before nightfall the tale of the bastar& stan&ing u$ to his tor entor %as all o'er the to%n" 5osy scrabble& to his feet an& fle& %ith 9ob.s face! taut %ith confusion as he e erge& fro an& truste& the lea&" ;e fle& through the troo$ing ser'ants! 4ust one racing about in the courtyar&! an& 5osy took as the safest $lace in the %orl&" Far fro ore s all boy an& his &og e to %hat he ob'iously regar&e& e" I ha& one gli $se of the kitchen! $ies in han&s!

an& sa% 5osy an& I flee" Ha& he been Burrich! I $robably %oul& ha'e halte& y safety to hi " But he %as not! an& so I ran! letting 5osy take

the kitchen an& the inner kee$ %as a

hollo% Aixen ha& scra$e& out un&er a corner of a rickety outbuil&ing %here sacks of $eas an& beans %ere store&" Here 5osy ha& been %hel$e&! in total &efiance of Burrich! an& here she ha& anage& to kee$ her $u$s hi&&en for al ost three &ays" Burrich hi self ha& foun& her there" His s ell %as the first hu an s ell 5osy coul& recall" It %as a tight s)uee1e to get un&er the buil&ing! but once %ithin! the &en %as %ar hu&&le& close to e an& I $ut y ar
2B

an& &ry an& se i&ark" 5osy

aroun& hi " Hi&&en there! our hearts

soon ease& &o%n fro

their %il& thu $ings! an& fro

cal ness %e $asse& into

the &ee$ &rea less slee$ reser'e& for %ar

s$ring afternoons an& $u$$ies"

I ca e a%ake shi'ering! hours later" It %as full &ark an& the tenuous %ar th of the early/s$ring &ay ha& fle&" 5osy %as a%ake as soon as I %as! an& together %e scra$e& an& slithere& out of the &en" There %as a high night sky o'er Buckkee$! %ith stars shining bright an& col&" The s ell of the bay %as stronger as if the &ay s ells of en an& horses an& cooking %ere te $orary things that ha& to surren&er each night to the ocean.s $o%er" ;e %alke& &o%n &eserte& $ath%ays! through exercise yar&s an& $ast granaries an& the %ine$ress" #ll %as still an& silent" #s %e &re% closer to the inner kee$ I sa% torches still burning an& hear& 'oices still raise& in talk" But it all see e& tire& so eho%! the last 'estiges of re'elry %in&ing &o%n before &a%n ca e to lighten the skies" Still! %e skirte& the inner kee$ by a %i&e argin! ha'ing ha& enough of $eo$le" I foun& yself follo%ing 5osy back to the stables" #s %e &re% near the hea'y y $oor nose $icke& u$ Burrich.s scent in the &oors I %on&ere& ho% %e %oul& get in" But 5osy.s tail began to %ag %il&ly as %e got closer! an& then e'en &ark" He rose fro the %oo&en crate he.& been seate& on by the &oor" 6There

you are!7 he sai& soothingly" 69o e along then" 9o e on"7 #n& he stoo& an& o$ene& the hea'y &oors for us an& le& us in" ;e follo%e& hi through &arkness! bet%een ro%s of stalls! $ast groo s an& han&lers $ut u$ for the night in the stables! an& then $ast our o%n horses an& &ogs an& the stable boys %ho sle$t a ongst the ! an& then to a staircase that cli be& the %all that se$arate& the stables fro yello% light fro the e%s" ;e follo%e& e te $orarily" ;e Burrich u$ its creaking %oo&en trea&s! an& then he o$ene& another &oor" Di a guttering can&le on a table blin&e& follo%e& Burrich into a slant/roofe& cha ber that s elle& of Burrich an&
2C

leather an& the oils an& sal'es an& herbs that %ere $art of Burrich.s tra&e" He shut the &oor fir ly behin& us! an& as he ca e $ast us to kin&le a fresh can&le fro the nearly s$ent one on the table! I s elle& the s%eetness of %ine on hi " The light s$rea&! an& Burrich seate& hi self on a %oo&en chair by the table" He looke& &ifferent! &resse& in fine thin cloth of bro%n an& yello%! %ith a bit of sil'er chain across his 4erkin" He $ut his han& out! $al 5osy %ent to hi i u$! on his knee an& his coat" e&iately" Burrich scratche& his hanging ears an& then ore to the $u$ than to grace %ill take

thu $e& his ribs affectionately! gri acing at the &ust that rose fro 6You.re a fine $air! the t%o of you!7 he sai&! s$eaking e" 6=ook at you" Filthy as beggars" I lie& to e'er in fro e &o%n as %ell" Tol& hi

y king to&ay for you" First ti e

y life I.'e &one that" #$$ears as if 9hi'alry.s fall fro

you %ere %ashe& u$ an& soun& aslee$! exhauste&

your 4ourney" He %as not $lease& he %oul& ha'e to %ait to see you! but

luckily for us! he ha& %eightier things to han&le" 9hi'alry.s ab&ication has u$set a lot of lor&s" So e are seeing it as a chance to $ush for an a&'antage! an& others are &isgruntle& to be cheate& of a king they a& ire&" Shre%&.s trying to cal the all" He.s letting it be noise& about that Aerity %as the one %ho negotiate& %ith the 9hyur&a this ti e" Those as %ill belie'e that shoul&n.t be allo%e& to %alk about on their o%n" But they ca e! to look at Aerity ane%! an& %on&er if an& %hen he.& be their next king! an& %hat kin& of a king he %oul& be" 9hi'alry.s &u $ing it o'er an& lea'ing for ;ithy%oo&s has stirre& all the Duchies as if he.& $oke& a stick in a hi'e"7 Burrich lifte& his eyes fro 5osy.s eager face" 6;ell! Fit1" Juess you got a taste of it to&ay" Fair scare& $oor 9ob to &eath! your running off like that" 5o%! are you hurt0 Di& anyone rough you u$0 I shoul& ha'e kno%n there %oul& be those %oul& bla e all the stir on you" 9o e here! then" 9o e on"7

2D

;hen I hesitate&! he there.s brea& an& His %or&s a&e

o'e& o'er to a $allet of blankets

a&e u$ near the fire

an& $atte& it in'itingly" 6See" There.s a $lace here for you! all rea&y" #n& eat on the table for both of you"7 e a%are of the co'ere& $latter on the table" Flesh! 5osy.s eat" Burrich

senses confir e&! an& I %as su&&enly full of the s ell of the out to 5osy before filling

laughe& at our rush to the table an& silently a$$ro'e& ho% I share& a $ortion y o%n 4a%s" ;e ate to re$letion! for Burrich ha& not un&eresti ate& ho% hungry a $u$ an& a boy %oul& be after the &ay.s isa&'entures" #n& then! &es$ite our long na$ earlier+ the blankets so close to the fire %ere su&&enly i ensely in'iting" Bellies full! %e curle& u$ %ith the fla es baking our backs an& sle$t" ;hen %e a%oke the next &ay! the sun %as %ell risen an& Burrich alrea&y gone" 5osy an& I ate the heel of last night.s loaf an& gna%e& the lefto'er bones clean before %e &escen&e& fro Burrich.s )uarters" 5o one challenge& us or a$$eare& to take any notice of us" Outsi&e! another &ay of chaos an& re'elry ha& begun" The kee$ %as! if anything! ore s%ollen %ith $eo$le" Their $assage stirre& the &ust an& their ore &istant ixing 'oices %ere an o'erlay to the shushing of the %in& an& the soun&" The &ouble& sensory i $act &i11ie&

uttering of the %a'es" 5osy &rank it all in! e'ery scent! e'ery sight! e'ery e" #s I %alke& I gathere& fro ain to$ic! but it snatches of con'ersation that our arri'al ha& coinci&e& %ith so e s$ring rite of erri ent an& gathering" 9hi'alry.s ab&ication %as still the &i& not $re'ent the $u$$et sho%s an& 4ugglers fro 9hi'alry.s fall fro aking e'ery corner a

stage for their antics" #t least one $u$$et sho% ha& alrea&y incor$orate& grace into its ba%&y co e&y! an& I stoo& anony ous in the cro%& an& $u11le& o'er &ialogue about so%ing the neighbor.s fiel&s that ha& the a&ults roaring %ith laughter"
2E

But 'ery soon the cro%&s an& the noise beca e o$$ressi'e to both of us+ an& I let 5osy kno% I %ishe& to esca$e it all" ;e left the kee$! $assing out of the thick/%alle& gate $ast guar&s intent u$on flirting %ith the ca e an& %ent" One erry akers as they ore boy an& &og lea'ing on the heels of a fish ongering the

fa ily %ere nothing to notice" #n& %ith no better &istraction in sight! %e follo%e& the fa ily as they %oun& their %ay &o%n the streets a%ay fro the kee$ an& to%ar& the to%n of Buckkee$" ;e &ro$$e& farther an& farther behin& as ne% scents &e an&e& that 5osy in'estigate an& then urinate at e'ery corner! until it %as 4ust he an& I %an&ering in the city" Buckkee$ then %as a %in&y! ra% $lace" The streets %ere stee$ an& crooke&! %ith $a'ing stones that rocke& an& shifte& out of $lace un&er the %eight of $assing carts" The %in& blaste& y inlan& nostrils %ith the scent of beache& kel$ an& fish guts! %hile the keening of the gulls an& seabir&s %as an eerie elo&y abo'e the rhyth ic shushing of the %a'es" The to%n clings to the rocky black cliffs the uch like li $ets an& barnacles cling to the $ilings an& ore )uays that 'enture out into the bay" The houses %ere of stone an& %oo&! %ith ore elaborate %oo&en ones built higher u$ the rocky face an& cut &ee$ly into it" Buckkee$ To%n %as relati'ely )uiet co $are& %ith the festi'ity an& cro%&s u$ in the kee$" 5either of us ha& the sense or ex$erience to kno% the %aterfront to%n %as not the best $lace for a six/year/ol& an& a $u$$y to %an&er" 5osy an& I ex$lore& eagerly! sniffing our %ay &o%n Bakers. Street an& through a near/&eserte& arket an& then along the %arehouses an& boat she&s that %ere the lo%est le'el of the to%n" Here the %ater %as close! an& %e %alke& on %oo&en $iers as often as %e &i& san& an& stone" Business here %as going on as usual %ith little allo%ance for the carni'al at os$here u$ in the kee$" Shi$s ust &ock an& unloa& as the rising an& falling of the ti&es allo%!
8H

an& those %ho fish for a li'ing creatures! not those of en"

ust follo% the sche&ules of the finne&

;e soon encountere& chil&ren! so e busy at the lesser tasks of their $arents. crafts! but so e i&lers like oursel'es" I fell in easily %ith the ! %ith little nee& for intro&uctions or any of the a&ult $leasantries" -ost of the I! but se'eral %ere as young or younger" 5one of the shoul& be out an& about on %ere ol&er than see e& to think it o&& I

y o%n" I %as intro&uce& to all the i $ortant

sights of the city! inclu&ing the s%ollen bo&y of a co% that ha& %ashe& u$ at the last ti&e" ;e 'isite& a ne% fishing boat un&er construction at a &ock littere& %ith curling sha'ings an& strong s elling $itch s$ills" # fish/s oking rack left carelessly unten&e& furnishe& a chil&ren I %as %ith %ere i&&ay re$ast for a half &o1en of us" If the e I %as $assing the &ay ore ragge& an& boisterous than those %ho $asse& at

their chores! I &i& not notice" #n& ha& anyone tol&

%ith a $ack of beggar brats &enie& entrance to the kee$ because of their light/ fingere& %ays! I %oul& ha'e been shocke&" #t the ti e I kne% only that it %as su&&enly a li'ely an& $leasant &ay! full of $laces to go an& things to &o" There %ere a fe% youngsters! larger an& ore ra bunctious! %ho %oul& ha'e taken the o$$ortunity to set the ne%co er on his ear ha& 5osy not been %ith e an& sho%ing his teeth at the first aggressi'e sho'e" But as I &i& not sho% any signs of %anting to challenge their lea&ershi$! I %as allo%e& to follo%" I %as suitably i $resse& by all their secrets! an& I %oul& 'enture to say that by the en& of the long afternoon! I kne% the $oorer )uarter of to%n better than any %ho ha& gro%n u$ abo'e it" I %as not aske& for a na e! but si $ly %as calle& 5e%boy" The others ha& na es as si $le as Dirk or (erry! or as &escri$ti'e as 5it$icker an& 5oseblee&" The last ight ha'e been a $retty little thing in better circu stances" She %as a year or t%o ol&er than I! but 'ery outs$oken an&
81

)uick/%itte&" She got into one &is$ute %ith a big boy of t%el'e! but she sho%e& no fear of his fists! an& her shar$/tongue& taunts soon ha& e'eryone laughing at hi " She took her 'ictory cal ly an& left e a%e& %ith her toughness" But the bruises on her face an& thin ar s %ere layere& in sha&es of $ur$le! blue! an& yello%! %hile a crust of &rie& bloo& belo% one ear belie& her na e" E'en so! 5oseblee& %as a li'ely one! her 'oice shriller than the gulls that %heele& abo'e us" =ate afternoon foun& (erry! 5oseblee&! an& rocky shore beyon& the net en&ers. racks! %ith 5oseblee& teaching e on a e to

scour the rocks for tight/clinging sheel" These she le'ere& off ex$ertly %ith a shar$ene& stick" She %as sho%ing e ho% to use a nail to $ry the che%y in ates out of their shells %hen another girl haile& us %ith a shout" The neat blue cloak that ble% aroun& her an& the leather shoes on her feet set her a$art fro y co $anions" 5or &i& she co e to 4oin our har'esting! but only ca e close enough to call! 6-olly! -olly! he.s looking for you! high an& lo%" He %ake& u$ near sober an hour ago! an& took to calling you na es as soon as he foun& you gone an& the fire out"7 # look ixe& of &efiance an& fear $asse& o'er 5oseblee&.s face" 6Run a%ay! y thanks %ith you" I.ll re e ber you next ti e the ti&es bare e&iately turne& an& (ittne! but take

the kel$crab be&s"7 (ittne &ucke& her hea& in a brief ackno%le&g ent an& i hastene& back the %ay she ha& co e" 6#re you in trouble07 I aske& 5oseblee& %hen she &i& not go back to turning o'er stones for sheels" 6Trouble07 She ga'e a snort of &is&ain" 6That &e$en&s" If sober long enough to fin& e! I y father can stay e %ill hit" ight be in for a bit of it" -ore than likely outh to ob4ect

he.ll be &runk enough tonight that not a one of %hate'er he hurls at -ore than likely:7 she re$eate& fir ly %hen (erry o$ene& his
82

to this" #n& %ith that she turne& back to the rocky beach an& our search for sheel" ;e %ere crouche& o'er a any/legge& gray creature that %e foun& stran&e& in a ti&e $ool %hen the crunch of a hea'y boot on the barnacle& rocks brought all our hea&s u$" ;ith a shout (erry fle& &o%n the beach! ne'er $ausing to look back" 5osy an& I s$rang back! 5osy cro%&ing against e! teeth bare& bra'ely an caught her a as his tail tickle& his co%ar&ly little belly" -olly 5oseblee& %as either not so fast to react or resigne& to %hat %as to co e" # gangly s ack on the si&e of the hea&" He %as a skinny an! re& nose& an& ra%bone&!

so that his fist %as like a knot at the en& of his bony ar ! but the blo% %as still enough to sen& -olly s$ra%ling" Barnacles cut into her %in&/re&&ene& knees! an& %hen she crabbe& asi&e to a'oi& the clu sy kick he ai e& at her! I %ince& at the salty san& that $acke& the ne% cuts" 6Faithless little here I fin& you sell the 07 6The three &o1en I set this orning" That %as all you left e %icking for! you ing &runken ol& sot:7 -olly got to her feet an& stoo& bra'ely &es$ite her bri %hen you finally ga'e The %in& guste& an& the e %icking! %e.& ha'e no %ay to heat the kettle07 an s%aye& shallo%ly against it" It brought us a %hiff e sagely" For a o ent the an usk cat: Di&n.t I tell you to stay an& ten& to the &i$$ing: #n& ucking about on the beach! %ith the tallo% gone har& in the ore ta$ers u$ at the kee$ this night! an& %hat a I to

$ot" They.ll be %anting

eyes" 6;hat %as I to &o0 Burn u$ all the fuel to kee$ the tallo% soft so that

of hi " S%eat an& beer! 5osy infor e&

looke& regretful! but then the $ain of his sour belly an& aching hea& har&ene& hi " He stoo$e& su&&enly an& sei1e& a %hitene& branch of &rift%oo&" 6You %on.t talk to e like that! you %il& brat: Do%n here %ith the beggar boys! the s oke racks again! I.ll %ager! an&
88

&oing El kno%s %hat: Stealing fro

bringing you"7 She

ore sha e to

e: Dare to run! an& you.ll ha'e it t%ice %hen I catch

ust ha'e belie'e& hi ! for she only co%ere& as he a&'ance& on her!

$utting u$ her thin ar s to shiel& her hea& an& then see ing to think better of it! an& hi&ing only her face %ith her han&s" I stoo& transfixe& in horror %hile 5osy yel$e& %ith an& I $ushe& at the y terror an& %et hi self at y feet" I hear& the s%ish of the y chest y belly" an fell clutching at his &rift%oo& knob as the club &escen&e&" -y heart lea$e& si&e%ays in an! the force 4erking out o&&ly fro an the &ay before" But this He fell! as ha& the keg

chest! his &rift%oo& %ea$on s$inning har lessly a%ay" He &ro$$e& to the san&! ga'e a t%itch that s$as e& his %hole bo&y! an& then %as still" #n instant later -olly unscre%e& her eyes! shrinking fro the blo% she still ex$ecte&" She sa% her father colla$se& on the rocky beach! an& a a1e ent e $tie& her face" She lea$e& to%ar& hi ! crying! 6*a$a! *a$a! are you all right0 *lease! &on.t &ie! I. sorry I. such a %icke& girl: Don.t &ie! I.ll be goo&! I $ro ise I.ll be goo&"7 Hee&less of her blee&ing knees! she knelt besi&e hi ! turning his face so he %oul&n.t breathe in san&! an& then 'ainly trying to sit hi u$" ake sense of the %hole e" #n& %hen he is ake hi 6He %as going to kill you!7 I tol& her! trying to situation" 65o" He hits e! a bit! %hen I a ba&! but he.& ne'er kill sober an& not sick! he cries about it an& begs angry" I shoul& take &ea&"7 I %asn.t sure yself! but in a o ent he ga'e an a%ful groan an& o$ene& his see e& to ha'e $asse&" Da1e&ly he y reluctant ai&" eyes a bit" ;hate'er fit ha& felle& hi e not be too ba& an&

ore care not to anger hi " Oh! 5e%boy! I think he.s

acce$te& -olly.s self/accusations an& anxious hel$! an& e'en

8<

He leane& on the t%o of us as %e %o'e our %ay &o%n the rocky beach o'er the une'en footing" 5osy follo%e& us! by turns barking an& racing in circles aroun& us" The fe% folk %ho sa% us $ass $ai& no attention to us" I guesse& that the sight of -olly hel$ing her $a$a ho e %as not strange to any of the " I hel$e& the as far as the &oor of a s all chan&lery! -olly sniffling a$ologies e'ery ste$ of the %ay" I left the there! an& 5osy an& I foun& our %ay back u$ the %in&ing streets an& hilly roa& to the kee$! %on&ering e'ery ste$ at the %ays of folk" Ha'ing foun& the to%n an& the beggar chil&ren once! they &re% his e'enings %ith the &rink an& in& to e like a

agnet e'ery &ay after%ar&" Burrich.s &ays %ere taken u$ %ith his &uties! an& erri ent of the S$ringfest" He $ai& little e on y y co ings an& goings! as long as each e'ening foun&

$allet before his hearth" In truth! I think he ha& little i&ea of %hat to &o %ith e! other than see that I %as fe& %ell enough to gro% heartily an& that I sle$t safe %ithin &oors at night" It coul& not ha'e been a goo& ti e for hi " He ha& been 9hi'alry.s an! an& no% that 9hi'alry ha& cast hi self &o%n! %hat %as ust ha'e been uch on his in&" #n& there %as the to beco e of hi 0 That not see

atter of his leg" Des$ite his kno%le&ge of $oultices an& ban&aging! he coul& to %ork the healing on hi self that he so routinely ser'e& to his beasts" Once or t%ice I sa% the in4ury un%ra$$e& an& %ince& at the ragge& tear that refuse& to heal s oothly but re aine& s%ollen an& oo1ing" Burrich curse& it roun&ly at first an& set his teeth gri ly each night as he cleane& an& re&resse& it! but as the &ays $asse& he regar&e& it %ith ore of a sick &es$air in& to gi'e to a than anything else" E'entually he &i& get it to close! but the ro$y scar t%iste& his leg an& &isfigure& his %alk" S all %on&er he ha& little young bastar& &e$osite& in his care"
8?

So I ran free in the %ay that only s all chil&ren can! unnotice& for the accusto e& to y &aily co ings an& goings" They $robably thought the kee$.s kitchen enough for both 5osy an& the beach! s oke& fish fro

ost e an

$art" By the ti e S$ringfest %as o'er! the guar&s at the kee$.s gate ha& beco e erran& boy! for the kee$ ha& to $ilfer early fro an& sea%ee& fro $art of co $anion" I sel&o any of those! only slightly ol&er than I" I learne& yself to the bakers! sheet y ost fre)uent ost $art

breakfast heartily" Sca'enging other foo&/burne& crusts fro y &ay.s acti'ities" -olly 5oseblee& %as

unten&e& racks %as a regular

sa% her father strike her after that &ay+ for the

he %as too &runk to fin& her! or to

ake goo& on his threats %hen he &i&" To

%hat I ha& &one that &ay! I ga'e little thought! other than to be grateful that -olly ha& not reali1e& I %as res$onsible" The to%n beca e the %orl& to su fro e! %ith the kee$ a $lace I %ent to slee$" It %as atter %here I %ent! Buckkee$ anne& by s%eating barge en" er! a %on&erful ti e in a $ort to%n" 5o the Inlan& Duchies! on flat ri'er barges

To%n %as ali'e %ith co ings an& goings" Joo&s ca e &o%n the Buck Ri'er They s$oke learne&ly about shoals an& bars an& lan& arks an& the rising an& falling of the ri'er %aters" Their freight %as haule& u$ into the to%n sho$s or %arehouses! an& then &o%n again to the &ocks an& into the hol&s of the sea shi$s" Those %ere anne& by s%earing sailors %ho sneere& at the ri'er en an& their inlan& %ays" They s$oke of ti&es an& stor s an& nights %hen not e'en the stars %oul& sho% their faces to gui&e the " #n& fisher en tie& u$ to Buckkee$ &ocks as %ell! an& %ere the (erry taught ost genial of the grou$" #t least so they %ere ight %hen the fish %ere running %ell" e the &ocks an& the ta'erns! an& ho% a )uick/foote& boy earn three or e'en fi'e $ence a &ay! running essages u$ the stee$ streets of

the to%n" ;e thought oursel'es shar$ an& &aring! to thus un&ercut the bigger
8B

boys %ho aske& t%o $ence or e'en those glorious &ays" Oaku

ore for 4ust one erran&" I &on.t think I y eyes! I can s ell the &ry allets" The s%eet

ha'e e'er been as bra'e since as I %as then" If I close

an& tar an& fresh %oo& sha'ings fro

&ocks %here the shi$%rights %iel&e& their &ra%kni'es an&

s ell of 'ery fresh fish! an& the $oisonous o&or of a catch hel& too long on a hot &ay" Bales of %ool in the sun a&&e& their o%n note to the scent of oak kegs of ello% San&se&ge bran&y" Shea'es of fe'ergone hay %aiting to s%eeten a ingle& scents %ith crates of har& elons" #n& all of these s ells y &uller fore$eak

%ere s%irle& by a %in& off the bay! seasone& %ith salt an& io&ine" 5osy brought all he scente& to ones" (erry an& I %oul& be sent to fetch a na'igator gone to say goo&/bye to his %ife! or to bear a sa $ling of s$ices to a buyer at a sho$" The harbor aster ight sen& us running to let a cre% kno% so e fool ha& tie& the lines %rong an& the ti&e %as about to aban&on their shi$" But I like& best the erran&s that took us into the ta'erns" There the storytellers an& gossi$s $lie& their tra&es" The storytellers tol& the classic tales! of 'oyages of &isco'ery an& cre%s %ho bra'e& terrible stor s an& of foolish ca$tains %ho took &o%n their shi$s %ith all han&s" I learne& best ca e not fro any of the tra&itional ones by heart! but the tales I lo'e& the $rofessional storytellers but fro cre% to cre% as the the sailors y attention as his keener senses o'erro&e

the sel'es" These %ere not the tales tol& at the hearths for all to hear! but the %arnings an& ti&ings $asse& fro They s$oke of catches they.& en share& a bottle of bran&y or a loaf of yello% $ollen brea&" a&e! nets full to sinking the boat al ost! or of oon as it cut a ar'elous fish an& beasts gli $se& only in the $ath of a full

shi$.s %ake" There %ere stories of 'illages rai&e& by OutIslan&ers! both on the coast an& on the outlying islan&s of our Duchy! an& tales of $irates an& battles
8C

at sea an& shi$s taken by treachery fro

%ithin" -ost gri$$ing %ere the tales

of the Re&/Shi$ Rai&ers! OutIslan&ers %ho both rai&e& an& $irate&! an& attacke& not only our shi$s an& to%ns but e'en other OutIslan&er shi$s" So e scoffe& at the notion of the re&/keele& shi$s! an& ocke& those %ho tol& of OutIslan&er $irates turning against other $irates like the sel'es" But (erry an& I an& 5osy %oul& sit un&er the tables %ith our backs brace& against the legs! nibbling $enny s%eet loa'es! an& listen %i&e/eye& to tales of re&/keele& shi$s %ith a &o1en bo&ies s%inging fro no! but boun& their yar&ar s! not &ea&! en %ho 4erke& an& shrieke& %hen the gulls ca e &o%n to $eck

at the " ;e %oul& listen to &eliciously scary tales until e'en the stuffy ta'erns see e& chilling col&! an& then %e %oul& race &o%n to the &ocks again! to earn another $enny" Once (erry! -olly! an& I built a raft of &rift%oo& logs an& $ole& it about un&er the &ocks" ;e left it tie& u$ there! an& %hen the ti&e ca e u$! it battere& loose a %hole section of &ock an& &a age& t%o skiffs" For &ays %e &rea&e& that so eone %oul& &isco'er %e %ere the cul$rits" #n& one ti e a ta'ern kee$er boxe& (erry.s ears an& accuse& us both of stealing" Our re'enge %as the stinking herring %e %e&ge& u$ un&er the su$$orts of his tableto$s" It rotte& an& stank an& a&e flies for &ays before he foun& it" y tra'els3 fish buying! net en&ing! boat ore of hu an nature" I beca e a )uick essage &eli'ere&! I learne& a s attering of tra&es in buil&ing! an& i&ling" I learne& e'en an& %ho %oul& 4ust laugh at through it all! 5osy %as at se$arate& as freely as y

4u&ge of %ho %oul& actually $ay the $ro ise& $enny for a

e %hen I ca e to collect" I kne% %hich baker y si&e! so bon&e& to e no% that I sel&o

coul& be begge& fro ! an& %hich sho$s %ere easiest to thie'e fro " #n& in& co $letely fro his" I use& his nose! his eyes! an& his 4a%s

y o%n! an& ne'er thought it the least bit strange"

8D

So the better $art of the su sky bluer than the sea!

er $asse&" But one fine &ay! %ith the sun ri&ing a a s okehouse an& %ere as a $art of e" I &on.t

y goo& fortune ca e at last to an en&" -olly! (erry!

an& I ha& $ilfere& a fine string of li'er sausages fro al%ays" The other chil&ren ha& co e to acce$t hi think it e'er occurre& to the

fleeing &o%n the street %ith the rightful o%ner in $ursuit" 5osy %as %ith us! as to %on&er at our singleness of in&" 5e%boy

an& 5osy %e %ere! an& they $robably thought it but a cle'er trick that 5osy %oul& kno% before I thre% %here to be to catch our share& bounty" Thus there %ere actually four of us! racing &o%n the cluttere& street! $assing the sausages fro grubby han& to &a $ 4a%s an& back to han& again %hile behin& us the o%ner bello%e& an& chase& us in 'ain" Then Burrich ste$$e& out of a sho$" I %as running to%ar& hi " ;e recogni1e& one another in a about o ent of utual his &is ay" The blackness of the look that a$$eare& on his face left e no &oubts

y con&uct" Flee! I &eci&e& in a breath! an& &o&ge& a%ay fro

reaching han&s! only to &isco'er in su&&en befu&&le ent that I ha& so eho% run right into hi " I &o not like to &%ell on %hat ha$$ene& next" I %as soun&ly cuffe&! not only by Burrich but by the enrage& o%ner of the sausages" #ll y fello% cul$rits sa'e 5osy e'a$orate& into the nooks an& crannies of the street" 5osy ca e bellying u$ to Burrich! to be cuffe& an& scol&e&" I %atche& in agony as Burrich took coins fro his $ouch to $ay the sausage e off an" He ke$t a gri$ on the back of y shirt that nearly lifte& finally release& 5o%"7
8E

y feet" ;hen the sausage

an ha& &e$arte& an& e" ;ith one

the little cro%& %ho ha& gathere& to %atch ore backhan&e& cuff on the back of

y &isco fiture %as &is$ersing! he an&e&! 6Jet ho e"

e" I %on&ere& at the look of &isgust he ga'e y hea&! he co

;e &i&!

ore s$ee&ily than e'er %e ha& before" ;e foun& our $allet before the

hearth an& %aite& in tre$i&ation" #n& %aite&! an& %aite&! through the long afternoon an& into early e'ening" Both of us got hungry! but kne% better than to lea'e" There ha& been so ething in Burrich.s face e'en the anger of -olly.s $a$a" ;hen Burrich &i& co e! the full night %as in $lace" ;e hear& his ste$ on the stair! an& I &i& not nee& 5osy.s keener senses to kno% that Burrich ha& been &rinking" ;e shrank in on oursel'es as he let hi self into the &i His breathing %as hea'y! an& it took hi ta$ers fro e& roo " longer than usual to kin&le se'eral ore frightening than

the single one I ha& set out" That &one! he &ro$$e& onto a bench yself %ith looking

an& regar&e& the t%o of us" 5osy %hine& an& then fell o'er on his si&e in $u$$y su$$lication" I longe& to &o the sa e! but contente& u$ at hi fearfully" #fter a o ent he s$oke"

6Fit1" ;hat.s to co e of you0 ;hat.s to co e of us both0 Running %ith beggar thie'es in the streets! %ith the bloo& of kings in your 'eins" *acking u$ like ani als"7 I &i&n.t s$eak" 6#n& boy"7 I 'enture& a ste$ or t%o closer" I &i&n.t like co ing too close" Burrich fro%ne& at I shook y hea&" 6Then co e here"7 I hesitate&! an& 5osy %hine& in an agony of in&ecision" Burrich glance& &o%n at hi in $u11le ent" I coul& see his the $u$ to in& %orking e an& back through a %ine/in&uce& ha1e" His eyes %ent fro y caution" 6#re you hurt! boy07 e as uch to bla e as you! I su$$ose" 9o e here! then" 9o e here!

again! an& a sickene& look s$rea& across his face" He shook his hea&" Slo%ly
<H

he stoo& an& %alke& a%ay fro

the table an& the $u$! fa'oring his &a age&

leg" In the corner of the cha ber there %as a s all rack! su$$orting an assort ent of &usty tools an& ob4ects" Slo%ly Burrich reache& u$ an& took one &o%n" It %as a&e of %oo& an& leather! stiff %ith &isuse" He s%ung it! an& the short leather lash s acke& s artly against his leg" 6(no% %hat this is! boy07 he aske& gently! in a kin& 'oice" I shook y hea& utely" y ex$erience or 5osy.s to tell y confusion" He s ile& genially anner! 6Dog %hi$"7 I looke& at hi blankly" There %as nothing in ust ha'e seen e ho% to react to this" He so ething %aiting" 6It.s a tool! Fit1" # teaching &e'ice" ;hen you get a $u$ that %on.t lashes fro in& %hen you say to a $u$! F9o e here!. an& the $u$ refuses to co eG%ell! a fe% shar$ this! an& the $u$ learns to listen an& obey the first ti e" 4ust a fe% ake a $u$ learn to in&"7 He s$oke casually as he shar$ cuts is all it takes to

an& his 'oice re aine& frien&ly! but I sense& so ething hi&&en in his

lo%ere& the %hi$ an& let the short lash &ance lightly o'er the floor" 5either 5osy nor I coul& take our eyes off it! an& %hen he su&&enly fli$$e& the %hole ob4ect at 5osy! the $u$ ga'e a yel$ of terror an& lea$e& back fro rushe& to co%er behin& e" it! an& then

#n& Burrich slo%ly sank &o%n! co'ering his eyes as he fol&e& hi self onto a bench by the fire$lace" 6Oh! E&a!7 he breathe&! bet%een a curse an& a $rayer" 6I guesse&! I sus$ecte&! %hen I sa% you running together like that! but &a n El.s eyes! I &i&n.t %ant to be right" I &i&n.t %ant to be right" I.'e ne'er hit a $u$ %ith that &a n thing in you.& been sharing y life" 5osy ha& no reason to fear it" 5ot unless in&s %ith hi "7

<1

;hate'er the &anger ha& been! I sense& that it ha& $asse&" I sank &o%n to sit besi&e 5osy! %ho cra%le& u$ into y la$ an& nose& at y face anxiously" I )uiete& hi ! suggesting %e %ait an& see %hat ha$$ene& next" Boy an& $u$! %e sat! %atching Burrich.s stillness" ;hen he finally raise& his face! I %as astoun&e& to see that he looke& as if he ha& been crying" =ike Only of Burrich.s grie'e& face" 6Fit1" Boy" 9o e here!7 he sai& softly! an& this ti e there %as so ething in his 'oice that coul& not be &isobeye&" I rose an& %ent to hi ! 5osy at heels" 65o!7 he sai& to the $u$! an& $ointe& to a $lace by his boot! but lifte& onto the bench besi&e hi " 6Fit1!7 he began! an& then $ause&" He took a &ee$ breath an& starte& again" 6Fit1! this is %rong" It.s ba&! 'ery ba&! %hat you.'e been &oing %ith this $u$" It.s unnatural" It.s %orse than stealing or lying" It Do you un&erstan& I looke& at hi e07 blankly" He sighe& an& trie& again" akes a an less than a an" y e he y other! I re e ber thinking! but o&&ly I cannot no% recall an i age of her %ee$ing"

6Boy! you.re of the royal bloo&" Bastar& or not! you.re 9hi'alry.s o%n son! of the ol& line" #n& this thing you.re &oing! it.s %rong" It.s not %orthy of you" Do you un&erstan&07 I shook y hea& utely" e" ;ho taught you 6There! you see" You.re not talking any ore" 5o% talk to to &o this07 I trie&" 6Do %hat07 -y 'oice felt creaky an& rough" Burrich.s eyes gre% roun&er" I sense& his effort at control" 6You kno% %hat I ean" ;ho taught you to be %ith the &og! in his letting hi in&! seeing things %ith hi ! see %ith you! telling each other things07

<2

ulle& this o'er for a

o ent" Yes! that %as %hat ha& been ha$$ening" 65o

one!7 I ans%ere& at last" 6It 4ust ha$$ene&" ;e %ere together a lot!7 I a&&e&! thinking that ight ex$lain it" e gra'ely" 6You &on.t s$eak like a chil&!7 he obser'e& Burrich regar&e& ;it" That fro kne% too

su&&enly" 6But I.'e hear& that %as the %ay of it! %ith those %ho ha& the ol& the beginning! they %ere ne'er truly chil&ren" They al%ays ore" That %as %hy it &o%n an& burn yself to a&&! e! but I uch! an& as they got ol&er they kne% e'en telling you! Fit107 y silence! I force&

%as ne'er accounte& a cri e! in the ol& &ays! to hunt the the " Do you un&erstan& %hat I. I shook 6But I. y hea&! an& %hen he fro%ne& at trying" ;hat is the ol& ;it07 o ent he conce&e&

Burrich looke& incre&ulous! then sus$icious" 6Boy:7 he threatene& only looke& at hi " #fter a y ignorance"

6The ol& ;it!7 he began slo%ly" His face &arkene&! an& he looke& &o%n at his han&s as if re e bering an ol& sin" 6It.s the $o%er of the beast bloo&! 4ust as the Skill co es fro the line of kings" It starts out like a blessing! gi'ing you akes the tongues of the ani als" But then it sei1es you an& &ra%s you &o%n!

you a beast like the rest of the " >ntil finally there.s not a shre& of hu anity in you! an& you run an& gi'e tongue an& taste bloo&! as if the $ack %ere all you ha& e'er kno%n" >ntil no a looke& at a an coul& look on you an& think you ha& e'er been an"7 His 'oice ha& gotten lo%er an& lo%er as he s$oke! an& he ha& not e! but ha& turne& to the fire an& stare& into the failing fla es there" an takes on the sha$e of a beast then! but he kills %ith

6There.s so e as say a

an.s $assion rather than a beast.s si $le hunger" (ills for the killing ,

6Is that %hat you %ant! Fit10 To take the bloo& of kings that.s in you! an& &ro%n it in the bloo& of the %il& hunt0 To be as a beast a ong beasts! si $ly for the sake of the kno%le&ge it brings you0 ;orse yet! think on %hat co es
<8

before" ;ill the scent of fresh bloo& touch off your te $er! %ill the sight of $rey shut &o%n your thoughts07 His 'oice gre% softer still! an& I hear& the sickness he felt as he aske& e! 6;ill you %ake fe'ere& an& as%eat because so e%here a bitch is in season an& your co $anion scents it0 ;ill that be the kno%le&ge you take to your la&y.s be&07 I sat s all besi&e hi " 6I &o not kno%!7 I sai& in a little 'oice" He turne& to face e! outrage&" 6You &on.t kno%07 he gro%le&" 6I tell you y outh an& 5osy co%ere& at y feet" 6But I &on.t %here it %ill lea&! an& you say you &on.t kno%07 -y tongue %as &ry in I say07 6;ell! if you can.t say! I can:7 he roare&! an& I sense& then in full ho% he ha& banke& the fires of his te $er! an& also ho% $u$ goes an& you stay" You stay here! in you" If 9hi'alry %ill not ha'e see that his son gro%s u$ a us:7 He lurche& fro the bench! to sei1e 5osy by the scruff of the neck" #t least! such %as his intention" But the $u$ an& I s$rang clear of hi " Together %e rushe& for the &oor! but the latch %as fastene&! an& before I coul& %ork it! Burrich %as u$on us" 5osy he sho'e& asi&e %ith his boot+ shoul&er an& $ro$elle& co e a%ay fro an&e&! but 5osy fle& to e he sei1e& by a the &oor" 69o e here! $u$!7 he uch he.& &runk that night" 6The y care! %here I can kee$ an eye on kno%!7 I $roteste&" 6Ho% can I kno% %hat I.ll &o! until I.'e &one it0 Ho% can

e %ith hi ! it.s the least I can &o for hi " I.ll

an! an& not a %olf" I.ll &o it if it kills the both of

y si&e" Burrich stoo& $anting an& glaring by

the &oor! an& I caught the gro%ling un&ercurrent of his thoughts! the fury that taunte& hi to s ash us both an& be &one %ith it" 9ontrol o'erlai& it! but that e" #n& %hen he su&&enly s$rang at us! I y fear"
<<

brief gli $se %as enough to terrify re$elle& at hi %ith all the force of

He &ro$$e& as su&&enly as a bir& stone& in flight an& sat for a floor" I stoo$e& an& clutche& 5osy to shaking rain&ro$s fro I hear& hi utter to hi self" 6Fro

o ent on the

e" Burrich slo%ly shook his hea& as if his &a ne& other.s bloo&! an& I e again" 5e'er" 5o%

his hair" He stoo&! to%ering o'er us" 6It.s in his bloo&!7

shoul&n.t be sur$rise&" But the boy has to be taught"7 #n& then! as he looke& e full in the eye! he %arne& gi'e e that $u$"7 yself" I re$elle& at hi y again" But this ti e y &efense %as et by a e" 6I e! 6Fit1" 5e'er &o that to

He a&'ance& on us again! an& as I felt the la$ of his hi&&en %rath! I coul& not contain fainting! %all that hurle& it back at e! so that I stu ble& an& sank &o%n! al ost

in& $resse& &o%n by blackness" Burrich stoo$e& o'er

%arne& you!7 he sai& softly! an& his 'oice %as like the gro%ling of a %olf" Then! for the last ti e! I felt his fingers gri$ 5osy.s scruff" He lifte& the $u$ bo&ily an& carrie& hi ! not roughly! to the &oor" The latch that ha& elu&e& he %orke& s%iftly! an& in the stair" In a o ent I ha& reco'ere& an& %as u$! flinging yself against the &oor" But e! lea'ing in its $lace Burrich ha& locke& it so eho%! for I scrabble& 'ainly at the catch" -y sense of 5osy rece&e& as he %as carrie& farther an& farther fro seeking after a &es$erate loneliness" I %hi $ere&! then ho%le&! cla%ing at the &oor an& y contact %ith hi " There %as a su&&en flash of re& $ain! an& e co $letely I screa e& an& ight! an& ha ere& 'ainly at the thick %oo& y hea& 5osy %as gone" #s his canine senses &eserte& crie& as any six/year/ol& $lanks" It see e& hours before Burrich returne&" I hear& his ste$ an& lifte& fro an& then caught e &eftly by the back of
<?

o ents I hear& the hea'y tro $ of his boots &o%n

%here I lay $anting an& exhauste& on the &oorste$" He o$ene& the &oor y shirt as I trie& to &art $ast hi " He

4erke& I flung

e back into the roo

an& then sla

e& the &oor an& fastene& it again" y throat"

yself %or&lessly against it! an& a %hi $ering rose in e! as if he coul& hear

Burrich sat &o%n %earily" 6Don.t e'en think it! boy!7 he cautione& for the next ti e he let e out" an"7 y %il& $lans

6He.s gone" The $u$.s gone! an& a &a n sha e! for he %as goo& bloo&" His line %as nearly as long as yours" But I.& rather %aste a houn& than a ;hen I &i& not hurts less! that %ay"7 But I &i& not! an& I coul& hear in his 'oice that he ha&n.t really ex$ecte& He sighe&! an& e to" o'e& slo%ly as he rea&ie& hi self for be&" He &i&n.t s$eak to orning %hen he rose an& lifte& e o'e! he a&&e&! al ost kin&ly! 6=et go of longing after hi " It

e again! 4ust extinguishe& the la $ an& settle& hi self on his be&" But he &i& not slee$! an& it %as still hours short of fro the floor an& $lace& e in the %ar $lace his bo&y ha& left in the

blankets" He %ent out again an& &i& not return for so e hours" #s for e! I %as heartsick an& fe'erish for &ays" Burrich! I belie'e! let it be y o%n" kno%n that I ha& so e chil&ish ail ent! an& so I %as left in $eace" It %as &ays before I %as allo%e& out again! an& then it %as not on any beast" I a #fter%ar&! Burrich took $ains to see that I %as gi'en no chance to bon& %ith sure he thought he.& succee&e&! an& to so e extent he &i&! in an exclusi'e bon& %ith any houn& or horse" I kno% he y isolation %ith fanatical fer'or" >tter loneliness %as e" that I &i& not for %ar&en that ensure& $lante& in

eant %ell" But I &i& not feel $rotecte& by hi ! but confine&" He %as the e then! an& sent its &ee$ roots &o%n into

<B

9H#*TER THREE 9o'enant THE ORIJI5#= SO>R9E OF the Skill %ill $robably re ain fore'er shrou&e& in ystery" 9ertainly a $enchant for it runs re arkably strong %ithin to be so e truth to the folk saying! 6;hen the sea bloo& to ha'e no $re&ilection for the Skill! nor the the royal fa ily! an& yet it is not solely confine& to the (ing.s househol&" There &oes see flo%s %ith the bloo& of the $lains! the Skill %ill blosso "7 It is interesting to note that the OutIslan&ers see folk &escen&e& solely fro the original inhabitants of the Six Duchies" a

Is it the nature of the %orl& that all things seek a rhyth ! an& in that rhyth sort of $eace0 9ertainly it has al%ays see e& so to ho% earthshaking or bi1arre! are &ilute& %ithin e" #ll e'ents! no

atter

o ents of their occurrence by

the continuance of the necessary routines of &ay/to/&ay li'ing" -en %alking a battlefiel& to search for %oun&e& a ong the &ea& %ill still sto$ to cough! to blo% their noses! still lift their eyes to %atch a A of geese in flight" I ha'e seen far ers continue their $lo%ing an& $lanting! hee&less of ar ies clashing but a fe% iles a%ay" e" I look back on yself an& %on&er" Se$arate& fro y $u$$y co $anion! I still rose fro e! that y y y father to the eant rising %hen So it $ro'e& for care of his

other! &ragge& off to a ne% city an& cli e! aban&one& by an! an& then bereft of e! an& follo%ing hi be& one &ay an& resu e& a s all boy.s life" For Burrich a%oke #fter that! I %as Burrich.s sha&o%" He sel&o &og his heels! %atching hi y s all %ays" E'ening brought a

to the kitchens! %here I ate besi&e hi " allo%e& e out of his sight" I.& in any

at his tasks! an& e'entually assisting hi

eal %here I sat at his si&e on a bench an& ate!

anners su$er'ise& by his shar$ eyes" Then it %as u$ to his )uarters! %here
<C

ight s$en& the rest of the e'ening %atching the fire in silence %hile he en&ing or aking harness! co $oun&ing a sal'e! or ren&ering &o%n a ost of another

&rank! or %atching the fire in silence a%aiting his return" He %orke& %hile he &rank! $hysic for a horse" He %orke&! an& I learne&! %atching hi ! though fe% %or&s $asse& bet%een us that I recall" O&& to think of t%o years! an& one! $asse& in such a %ay" I learne& to &o as -olly &i&! stealing bits of ti e for Burrich %as calle& a%ay to assist in a hunt or hel$ a %hile I &are& to sli$ out %hen he ha& &runk yself on the &ays %hen are birth" Once in a great anage! but y y

ore than he coul&

those %ere &angerous outings" ;hen I %as free! I %oul& hastily seek out young co $anions in the city an& run %ith the bo&y" But neither of us e'er s$oke of that" isse& 5osy %ith a keenness as great as if Burrich ha& se'ere& a li b fro

for as long as I &are&" I

=ooking back! I su$$ose he %as as lonely as I" 9hi'alry ha& not allo%e& Burrich to follo% hi into his exile" Instea&! he ha& been left to care for a na eless bastar& an& foun& that the bastar& ha& a $enchant for %hat he regar&e& as a $er'ersion" #n& e'en after his leg heale&! he &isco'ere& he %oul& ne'er ri&e nor hunt nor e'en %alk as %ell as he once ha&+ all that ha& to be har&! har& for a ha'e an such as Burrich" He ne'er %hine& about it to anyone! he coul& that I hear&" But again! in looking back! I cannot i agine to %ho another e'ery e'ening! %e each sa% the one %e bla e& for it" Yet all things ust $ass! but es$ecially ti e! an& %ith the onths an& then the years! I ca e slo%ly to ha'e a $lace in the sche e of things" I fetche& for Burrich! bringing before he ha& thought to ask for it! an& ti&ie& u$ after his inistrations to the beasts! an& sa% to clean %ater for the ha%ks an& $icke& ticks off &ogs co e ho e fro the hunt" Folk got use& to seeing
<D

a&e co $laint" =ocke& into loneliness %ere %e t%o! an& looking at one

e an& no

longer stare&" So e see e& not to see %atch on not kno% of e" I ca e an& %ent y so4ourns into to%n"

e at all" Jra&ually Burrich relaxe& his

ore freely! but still took care that he shoul& any about y o%n age" So e others or ight

There %ere other chil&ren %ithin the kee$! %ere e'en relate& to

e! secon& cousins or thir&" Yet I ne'er for e& any real

bon&s %ith any of the " The younger ones %ere ke$t by their %ere not cruel to In

caretakers! the ol&er ones ha& their o%n tasks an& chores to occu$y the " -ost e+ I %as si $ly outsi&e their circles" So! although I onths! they re aine& not see Dirk or (erry or -olly for the Jreat Hall for I ke$t y closest frien&s"

y ex$lorations of the kee$! an& on %inter e'enings %hen all gathere& in instrels! or $u$$et sho%s or in&oor ga es! I s%iftly learne& e! she %oul&

%here I %as %elco e an& %here I %as not" yself out of the Iueen.s 'ie%! for %hene'er she sa% ost of his al%ays fin& so e fault %ith not scru$le to sho'e y beha'ior an& ha'e Burrich re$roache& %ith it" an.s gro%th! but &i&

Regal! too! %as a source of &anger" He ha&

e out of his $ath or %alk casually through %hate'er I ha& e! but our

foun& to $lay %ith" He %as ca$able of a $ettiness an& 'in&icti'eness that I ne'er encountere& in Aerity" 5ot that Aerity e'er took ti e %ith chance encounters %ere ne'er un$leasant" If he notice& y hair! or offer %ith a 'alue& e! he %oul& tousle uch %orn!

e a $enny" Once a ser'ant brought to Burrich.s )uarters in a corner of his clothing chest an&

so e little %oo&en toys! sol&iers an& horses an& a cart! their $aint essage that Aerity ha& foun& the ore" e e'enly! but ha& s all use for thought I

ight en4oy the " I cannot think of any other $ossession I e'er

9ob in the stables %as another &anger 1one" If Burrich %ere about! he s$oke e fair an& treate& e at other ti es" He ga'e e to un&erstan& he &i& not %ant e about an& un&erfoot %here he %as
<E

%orking" I foun& out e'entually that he %as 4ealous of cruel! he ne'er struck for #ll the e or scol&e&

e an& felt

y care ha&

re$lace& the interest Burrich ha& once taken in hi " He %as ne'er o'ertly e unfairly" But I coul& sense his &istaste e" #fter the street chil&ren e! an& a'oi&e& hi " en/at/ar s sho%e& a great tolerance for en

of Buckkee$ To%n! they %ere $robably the closest I ha& to frien&s" But no atter ho% tolerant in co ay be of a boy of nine or ten! there is $recious little on" I %atche& their bone ga es an& listene& to their stories! but for at all" #n& %hile Burrich ne'er forba&e e ber of the kee$ co e the guar&roo ! he &i&

e'ery hour I s$ent a ong their co $any! there %ere &ays %hen I &i& not go a ong the not conceal that he &isa$$ro'e& of the ti e I s$ent there" So I %as an& %as not a Then one unity" I a'oi&e& so e an& I y tenth year! I %as at $lay obser'e& so e an& I obeye& so e" But %ith none &i& I feel a bon&" orning! %hen I %as still a bit shy of un&er the tables in the Jreat Hall! tu bling an& teasing %ith the $u$$ies" It %as )uite early in the &ay" There ha& been an occasion of so e sort the &ay before! an& the feasting ha& laste& the %hole &ay an& %ell into the night" Burrich ha& &runk hi self senseless" #l ost e'eryone! noble or ser'ants! %as still abe&! an& the kitchen ha& not yiel&e& u$ &ishes of uch to y hungry 'enturing that orning" But the tables in the Jreat Hall %ere a tro'e of broken $astries an& eat" There %ere bo%ls of a$$les as %ell! slabs of cheese+ in short! all a boy coul& %ish for $lun&ering" The great &ogs ha& taken the best bones an& retreate& to their o%n corners of the hall! lea'ing 'arious $u$s to scrabble for the s aller bits" I ha& taken a rather large %as sharing it out %ith I ha& taken care that Burrich shoul& not see eat $asty un&er the table an& e to ha'e too great an affinity y closeness y chosen fa'orites a ong the $u$s" E'er since 5osy!

%ith any one $u$$y" I still &i& not un&erstan& %hy he ob4ecte& to
?H

to a houn&! but I %oul& not risk the life of a $u$$y to &is$ute it %ith hi " So I %as alternating bites %ith three %hel$s %hen I hear& slo% footste$s threshing across the ree&/stre%n floor" T%o lo% tones" I thought it %as the kitchen ser'ants! co e to clear a%ay" I scrabble& fro beneath the table to snare a fe% ore choice lea'ings before they %ere gone" y su&&en a$$earance but the ol& (ing! But it %as no ser'ant %ho startle& at en %ere s$eaking! &iscussing so ething in

y gran&father hi self" # scant ste$ behin& hi ! at his elbo%! %as Regal" His bleary eyes an& ru $le& &oublet atteste& to his $artici$ation in last night.s re'elries" The (ing.s ne% fool! but recently ac)uire&! $attere& after the ! $ale eyes agoggle in an eggshell face" He %as so strange a creature! %ith his $asty skin an& otley all of blacks an& %hites! that I scarce &are& to look at hi " In aculate" For an instant he %as sur$rise&! an& then contrast! (ing Shre%& %as clear of eye! his bear& an& hair freshly groo e&! an& his clothing i re arke&! 6You see! Regal! it is as I %as telling you" #n o$$ortunity $resents itself! an& so eone sei1es it+ often so eone young! or so eone &ri'en by the energies an& hungers of youth" Royalty has no leisure to ignore such o$$ortunities! or to let the e a baleful look fro shoul& &isa$$ear be create& for others"7 e! extolling on his the e %hile Regal ga'e y un&erstan&ing %ith a )uick no&! but y 4erkin an& took u$ a The (ing continue& his stroll $ast

bloo&shot eyes" # fla$ of his han& in&icate& that I

yself" I in&icate&

&arte& first to the table" I stuffe& t%o a$$les into e" His fool i e& an i itation" I fro1e %here I stoo&" an&e&" o'e" e! but I &are& not ake of hi 07
?1

ostly %hole gooseberry tart %hen the (ing su&&enly roun&e& an& gesture& at 6=ook at hi !7 the ol& (ing co Regal glare& at 6;hat %ill you

Regal looke& $er$lexe&" 6Hi 0 It.s the Fit1" 9hi'alry.s bastar&" Sneaking an& thie'ing as al%ays"7 6Fool"7 (ing Shre%& s ile&! but his eyes re aine& flinty" The Fool! thinking hi self a&&resse&! s ile& s%eetly" 6#re your ears sto$$e& %ith %ax0 Do you hear nothing I say0 I aske& you! not F%hat &o you you ake of hi 0. but F%hat %ill ake of hi 0. There he stan&s! young! strong! an& resourceful" His lines ake of hi 0 # tool0 # %ea$on0 # co ra&e0 #n lying about! for so eone else to take u$ an& use e an&! fin&ing no one else in the hall! y ankle! a $u$ %hine& a re in&er that to hush"

are e'ery bit as royal as yours! for all that he %as born on the %rong si&e of the sheets" So %hat %ill you against you07 Regal s)uinte& at e! then glance& $ast e" #t returne& his $u11le& ga1e to ene y0 Or %ill you lea'e hi

earlier %e ha& been sharing" I %arne& hi 6The bastar&0 He.s only a chil&"7 The ol& (ing sighe&" 6To&ay" This for you to %ho

orning an& no% he is a chil&" ;hen next an! an& then it %ill be too late no%! Regal! an& sha$e hi ! an&

you turn aroun& he %ill be a youth! or %orse! a ake anything of hi " But take hi a &eca&e hence you %ill co

an& his loyalty" Instea& of a &iscontente& bastar&

ay be $ersua&e& to beco e a $reten&er to the throne! he %ill be a forth! an& you ha'e ay safely be

hench an! unite& to the fa ily by s$irit as %ell as bloo&" # bastar&! Regal! is a uni)ue thing" *ut a signet ring on his han& an& sen& hi sent %here a $rince of the bloo& create& a &i$lo at no foreign ruler %ill &are to turn a%ay" He

ay not be riske&" I agine the uses for one

%ho is an& yet is not of the royal bloo&line" Hostage exchanges" -arital alliances" Iuiet %ork" The &i$lo acy of the knife"7 Regal.s eyes gre% roun& at the (ing.s last %or&s" For a $ause! %e all breathe& in silence! regar&ing one another" ;hen Regal s$oke! he soun&e& as if he ha&
?2

&ry brea& caught in his throat" 6You s$eak of these things in front of the boy" Of using hi ! as a tool! a %ea$on" You think he %ill not re e ber your %or&s %hen he is gro%n07 (ing Shre%& laughe&! an& the soun& rang against the stone %alls of the Jreat Hall" 6Re e ber the 0 Of course he %ill" I count on it" =ook at his eyes! Regal" There is intelligence there! an& $ossibly $otential Skill" I.& be a fool to lie to hi " Stu$i&er still to si $ly begin his training an& e&ucation %ith no ex$lanation" For that %oul& lea'e his ight $lant there" Isn.t it so! boy07 He %as regar&ing eyes of the e stea&ily an& I su&&enly reali1e& I %as returning his look" y gran&father %as honesty! of a rocky! bony sort" For all of his s$eech our ga1es ha& been locke& as %e rea& one another" In the an %ho %as There %as no co fort in it! but I kne% I coul& al%ays count on it to be there" I no&&e& slo%ly" 69o e here"7 I %alke& to hi eye to eye %ith slo%ly" ;hen I reache& hi ! he got &o%n on one knee! to be e" The Fool knelt sole nly besi&e us! looking earnestly fro in& fallo% for %hate'er see&s others

face to face" Regal glare& &o%n at all of us" #t the ti e I ne'er gras$e& the irony of the ol& (ing genuflecting to his bastar& gran&son" So I %as sole n as he took the tart fro after y han&s an& tosse& it to the $u$$ies %ho ha& traile& the fol&s of silk at his throat an& sole nly $ushe& y shirt" a&e that clai ing of e ore i $ortant an.s lea'ings" I %ill kee$ e! an& tell e of the e" He &re% a $in fro

it through the si $le %ool of 65o% you are

ine!7 he sai&+ an&

than any bloo& %e share&" 6You nee& not eat any you! an& I %ill kee$ you %ell" If any against e by offering you

an or %o an e'er seeks to turn you

ore than I &o! then co e to

?8

offer! an& I shall I no&&e&! in the &e an&e& 6Yes! Sir"7 ore"

eet it" You %ill ne'er fin& ute %ay that %as still

e a stingy

an! nor be able to e! boy07

cite ill use as a reason for treason against

e" Do you belie'e

y habit! but his stea&y bro%n eyes

6Joo&" I %ill be issuing so e co %ith the " If any see co e to the &oor of anage& again"

an&s regar&ing you" See that you go along yself" Si $ly

strange to you! s$eak to Burrich" Or to

y cha ber! an& sho% that $in" You.ll be a& itte&"7

I glance& &o%n at the re& stone that %inke& in a nest of sil'er" 6Yes! sir!7 I 6#h!7 he sai& softly! an& I sense& a trace of regret in his 'oice an& %on&ere& %hat it %as for" His eyes release& e! an& su&&enly I %as once ore a%are of e y surroun&ings! of the $u$$ies an& the Jreat Hall an& Regal %atching 'acant %ay" Then the (ing stoo&" ;hen he turne& a%ay fro o'er e! as if I ha& su&&enly she& a cloak" It %as aster" Skill at the han&s of a 6-y king 6-y

%ith fresh &istaste on his face! an& the Fool no&&ing enthusiastically in his e! a chill %ent y first ex$erience of the

6You &on.t a$$ro'e! &o you! Regal07 The (ing.s tone %as con'ersational" ay &o %hate'er he %ishes"7 Sulky" (ing Shre%& sighe&" 6That is not %hat I aske& you"7 other! the Iueen! %ill certainly not a$$ro'e" Fa'oring the boy %ill only i&eas! an& others"7 ake it a$$ear you recogni1e hi " It %ill gi'e hi 6Faugh:7 The (ing chuckle& as if a use&" Regal %as instantly incense&" 6-y nor %ill she be $lease&" -y 6Has not agree& %ith other! the Iueen! %ill not agree %ith you! e for so e years" I scarcely e again that she otherG7

e! nor been $lease& %ith

notice it any ore! Regal" She %ill fla$ an& s)ua%k an& tell
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%oul& return to Farro%! to be Duchess there! an& you Duke after her" #n& if 'ery angry! she %ill threaten that if she &i&! Tilth an& Farro% %oul& rise u$ in rebellion! an& beco e a se$arate king&o ! %ith her as the Iueen"7 6#n& I as (ing after her:7 Regal a&&e& &efiantly" Shre%& no&&e& to hi self" 6Yes! I thought she ha& $lante& such festering treason in your in&" =isten! boy" She ay scol& an& fling crockery at the ser'ants! but she %ill ne'er &o be Iueen of a $eaceful king&o ore than that" Because she kno%s it is better to than Duchess of a Duchy in rebellion" #n& e! sa'e the ones she in'ents in her ost la entable failing"7

Farro% has no reason to rise u$ against

hea&" Her a bitions ha'e al%ays excee&e& her abilities"7 He $ause&! an& looke& &irectly at Regal" 6In royalty! that is a I coul& feel the %a'es of anger Regal su$$resse& as he looke& at the floor" 69o e along!7 the (ing sai&! an& Regal heele& after hi ! obe&ient as any houn&" But the $arting glance he cast Strange e %as 'eno ous" y I stoo& an& %atche& as the ol& (ing &e$arte& the hall" I felt an echoing loss" an" Bastar& though I %as! he coul& ha'e &eclare& hi self e an& gran&father! an& ha& for the asking %hat he instea& chose to buy" #t the &oor! the $ale Fool $ause&" For an instant he looke& back at a&e an inco $rehensible gesture %ith his narro% han&s" It coul& ha'e been an insult or a blessing" Or si $ly the fluttering of a fool.s han&s" Then he s ile&! %aggle& his tongue at e! an& turne& to hurry after the (ing" y 4erkin front %ith s%eet cakes" The y sto ach ur ure&

Des$ite the (ing.s $ro ises! I stuffe& $u$s an& I share& the

all in the sha&e behin& the stables" It %as a bigger

breakfast than any of us %ere accusto e& to! an&

unha$$ily for hours after%ar&" The $u$s curle& u$ an& sle$t! but I %a'ere&

??

bet%een &rea& an& antici$ation" #l ost I ho$e& that nothing %oul& co e of it! that the (ing %oul& forget his %or&s to e" But he &i& not" yself into Burrich.s ight ean e" He

=ate that e'ening I finally %an&ere& u$ the ste$s an& let cha ber" I ha& s$ent the &ay $on&ering %hat the for e" I coul& ha'e sa'e& asi&e the bit of harness he %as consi&ere&

orning.s %or&s

yself the trouble" For as I entere&! Burrich set en&ing an& focuse& all his attention on

e in silence for a bit! an& I returne& his stare" So ething ha& e as %ell+ that a fit1 coul& be

change&! an& I feare&" E'er since he ha& &isa$$eare& 5osy! I ha& belie'e& that Burrich ha& the $o%er of life an& &eath o'er &is$ose& of as easily as a $u$" That ha&n.t sto$$e& e fro &e'elo$ing a feeling of closeness for hi + one y life! an& no% I felt it tre bling un&er nee&n.t lo'e in or&er to &e$en&" That sense of being able to rely on Burrich %as the only real stability I ha& in e" 6So"7 He s$oke at last! an& $ut a finality into the %or&" 6So" You ha& to $ut yourself before his eyes! &i& you0 Ha& to call attention to yourself" ;ell" He.s &eci&e& %hat to &o %ith you"7 He sighe&! an& his silence change&" For a brief ti e I al ost felt he $itie& 6I. e" But after a bit he s$oke" into starting you %ith an ol&er! y o%n reasons for to choose a horse for you to orro%" He suggeste& that it be a young one!

that I train you u$ together" But I talke& hi

stea&ier beast" One stu&ent at a ti e! I tol& hi " But I.'e

$utting you %ith an ani al that.s , less i $ressionable" See that you beha'e+ I.ll kno% if you.re $laying about" Do %e un&erstan& one another07 I ga'e hi an& a )uick no&" 6#ns%er! Fit1" You.ll ha'e to use your tongue! if you.ll be &ealing %ith tutors asters"7
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6Yes! sir"7 It %as so like Burrich" Entrusting a horse to 6You.ll be u$ %ith the sun fro orning" 9aring for a horse! an& $ro$erly! an& ha'e the e ha& been u$$er ost in his e in the in&" ;ith his o%n concern atten&e& to! he announce& the rest )uite casually" no% on! boy" You.ll learn fro astering it" #n& ho% to hunt your houn&s an.s %ay of controlling beasts is %hat

in& you" #

I.ll teach you"7 The last he e $hasi1e& hea'ily an& $ause& to be sure I un&erstoo&" -y heart sank! but I began a no&! then a en&e& it to 6Yes! sir"7 6#fternoons! they.'e got you" For %ea$ons an& such" *robably the Skill! e'entually" In %inter onths! there %ill be in&oor learning" =anguages an& in& you learn it %ell to $lease the (ing" signs" ;riting an& rea&ing an& nu bers! I &on.t &oubt" Histories! too" ;hat you.ll &o %ith it all! I.'e no i&ea! but He.s not a hi an to &is$lease! let alone cross" ;isest course of all is not to ha'e

notice you" But I &i&n.t %arn you about that! an& no% it.s too late"7

He cleare& his throat su&&enly an& took a breath" 6Oh! an& there.s another thing that.s to change"7 He took u$ the bit of leather he.& been %orking on an& bent o'er it again" He see e& to s$eak to his fingers" 6You.ll ha'e a $ro$er roo of your o%n no%" >$ in the kee$ %here all those of noble bloo& slee$" You.& be slee$ing there right no%! if you.& bothere& to co e in on ti e"7 6;hat0 I &on.t un&erstan&" # roo 07 6Oh! so you can be s%ift s$oken! %hen you.'e a You.ll ha'e a roo heartily! 6I.ll finally get in&0 You hear& e! boy" of your o%n! u$ at the kee$"7 He $ause&! then %ent on y $ri'acy back" Oh! an& you.re to be easure& for

clothes to orro% as %ell" #n& boots" Though %hat.s the sense of $utting a boot on a foot that.s still gro%ing! I &on.tG7

?C

6I &on.t %ant a roo

u$ there"7 #s o$$ressi'e as li'ing %ith Burrich ha&

beco e! I su&&enly foun& it $referable to the unkno%n" I i agine& a large! col& stone roo ! %ith sha&o%s lurking in the corners" 6;ell! you.re to ha'e one!7 Burrich announce& relentlessly" 6#n& it.s ti e an& $ast ti e for it" You.re 9hi'alry.s get! e'en if you.re not a $ro$er/born son! an& to $ut you &o%n here in the stable! like a stray $u$! %ell! it.s 4ust not fitting"7 6I &on.t in& it!7 I 'enture& &es$erately" e sternly" 6-y! y" *ositi'ely chatty Burrich lifte& his eyes an& regar&e& tonight! aren.t %e07 I lo%ere& 6I. y eyes fro his" 6You li'e &o%n here!7 I $ointe& out sullenly3 6You aren.t a stray $u$"7 not a $rince.s bastar&! either!7 he sai& tersely" 6You.ll li'e in the kee$ no%! Fit1! an& that.s all"7 I &are& to look at hi " He %as s$eaking to his fingers again" 6I.& rather I %as a stray $u$!7 I a&e bol& to say" #n& then all y fears broke y 'oice as I a&&e&! 6You %oul&n.t let the &o this to a stray $u$! changing

e'erything all at once" ;hen they ga'e the bloo&houn& $u$$y to =or& Jri bsy! you sent your ol& shirt %ith it so it %oul& ha'e so ething that s elle& of ho e until it settle& in"7 6;ell!7 he sai&! 6I &i&n.t , co e here! Fit1" 9o e here! boy"7 #n& $u$$ylike! I %ent to hi ! the only lightly on the back an& ru $le& u$ houn&" 6Don.t be scare&! no%" There.s nothing to be afrai& of" #n&! any%ay!7 he sai&! an& I hear& hi relenting! 6they.'e only tol& us that you.re to ha'e a roo u$ at the kee$" 5o one.s sai& that you.'e got to slee$ in it e'ery night" So e
?D

aster I ha&! an& he thu $e&

y hair! 'ery

uch as if I ha& been a

nights! if things are a bit too )uiet for you! you can fin& your %ay &o%n here" Ey! Fit10 Does that soun& right to you07 6I su$$ose so!7 I uttere&" e for the next fortnight" Burrich ha& e u$ en of

9hange raine& fast an& furious on the rest boun& &o%n the kee$" He tol&

at &a%n! an& I %as tubbe& an& scrubbe&! the hair cut back fro

y eyes an&

y back in a tail such as I ha& seen on the ol&er

e to &ress in the best clothing I ha&! then clicke& his tongue e" ;ith a shrug he sai& it %oul& ha'e to &o" e the are that no% %as ine" ane an& tail! nose an&

o'er ho% s all it ha& beco e on

Then it %as into the stables! %here he sho%e&

She %as gray! %ith a hint of &a$$le in her coat" Her

stockings %ere blackene& as if she.& gotten into soot" #n& that! too! %as her na e" She %as a $laci& beast! %ell sha$e& an& %ell care& for" # less challenging ount %oul& be har& to i agine" Boyish! I ha& ho$e& for at least a y ount instea&" I trie& to conceal y uch! ust ha'e sense& it" 6You &on.t think she.s s$irite& gel&ing" But Sooty %as &isa$$oint ent! but Burrich &o you0 ;ell! ho%

uch of a horse &i& you ha'e yester&ay! Fit1! that you.&

turn u$ your nose at a %illing! healthy beast like Sooty0 She.s %ith foal by that nasty bay stallion of =or& Te $erance! so see you treat her gently" 9ob.s ha& her training until no%+ he.& ho$e& to he can start o'er %ith the foal"7 Burrich ha& a&a$te& an ol& sa&&le for (ing be ight say! I.& ha'e to sho% a&e for e! 'o%ing that regar&less of %hat the y yself a horse an before he.& let a ne% one ake a chase horse out of her" But I &eci&e& she.& suit you better" He.s a bit $ut out o'er it! but I.'e $ro ise& hi

e" Sooty ste$$e& out s oothly an& ans%ere& the reins an&

knees $ro $tly" 9ob ha& &one %on&erfully %ith her" Her te $era ent an& in& re in&e& e of a )uiet $on&" If she ha& thoughts! they %ere not about
?E

%hat %e %ere &oing! an& Burrich %as %atching trying to kno% her exhauste& that &i& not cleaning yself" knees an& the reins an& the shifting of e long before ean he excuse& e fro

e too closely for

e to risk y

in&" So I ro&e her blin&! talking to her only through

y %eight" The $hysical effort of it cleaning an& fee&ing her! an& then ane! an& the ol&

y first lesson %as o'er! an& Burrich kne% it" But

y sa&&le an& tack" E'ery tangle %as out of her

leather shone %ith oil before I %as allo%e& to go to the kitchens an& eat! But as I &arte& a%ay to the kitchen.s back &oor! Burrich.s han& fell on shoul&er" 65o ore of that for you!7 he tol& e fir ly" 6That.s fine for en/at/ar s an& gar&eners an& such" But there.s a hall %here the high folk! an& their s$ecial ser'ants! eat" #n& that is %here you eat no%"7 #n& so saying! he $ro$elle& e into a &i roo &o inate& by a long table! anner of foo&s set eals" For %hen the (ing %ith another! higher table at the hea& of it" There %ere all out u$on it! an& folk busy at 'arious stages of their an& Iueen an& *rinces %ere absent fro no one stoo& u$on for alities" Burrich nu&ge& but not by largish %ell after e to a $lace on the left si&e of the table! abo'e the e! so I i&$oint uch" He hi self ate on the sa e si&e! but lo%er" I %as hungry! an& a&e short %ork of a the kitchen ha& been hotter an& uch to a gro%ing boy! an& I ate y

the high table! as %as the case to&ay!

no one %as staring har& enough to unner'e eal" Foo& $ilfere& &irectly fro atters &o not count for orning" y e $ty fresher" But such

-y sto ach full! I %as thinking of a certain san&y e bank ent! %ar e& by the afternoon sun an& re$lete %ith rabbit holes! %here the houn& $u$s an& I

BH

often s$ent slee$y afternoons" I starte& to rise fro there %as a boy behin& e! saying! 6-aster07

the table! but i

e&iately

I looke& aroun& to see %ho he %as s$eaking to! but e'eryone else %as busy at trenchers" He %as taller than I %as! an& ol&er by se'eral su u$ at hi I bobbe& in a a1e ent %hen he looke& Ha'e you finishe& eating07 y hea& in a no&! too sur$rise& to s$eak" e" Ho&.s sent e" You.re ex$ecte& for %ea$ons e by going &o%n on y hair back 6Then you.re to co e %ith ers! so I stare& e in the eye an& re$eate&! 6-aster0

$ractice on the court this afternoon" If Burrich is finishe& %ith you! that is"7 Burrich su&&enly a$$eare& by one knee besi&e as he s$oke" 6#s finishe& as I. likely to be for a %hile" ;ell! &on.t look so startle&! Fit1" an of his %or&0 ;i$e your outh an& be aster than I a + tar&iness %ill not be tolerate& the hall I trie& to Di& you think the (ing %as not a on your %ay" Ho& is a sterner I obeye& hi i agine a e" He tugge& y si&e an& astonishe& y 4erkin straight an& s oothe&

on the %ea$ons court" Hurry along %ith Brant! no%"7 %ith a sinking heart" #s I follo%e& the boy fro aster stricter than Burrich" It %as a frightening i&ea" anners" 6;hat.s your e &o%n the gra'ele& $ath%ay to the ar ory

Once outsi&e the hall! the boy )uickly &ro$$e& his fine na e07 he &e an&e& as he le& an& the $ractice courts that fronte& it"

I shrugge& an& glance& asi&e! $reten&ing a su&&en interest in the shrubbery that bor&ere& the $ath" Brant snorte& kno%ingly" 6;ell! they got to call you so ething" ;hat.s ol& ga e/leg Burrich call you07 The boy.s ob'ious &is&ain for Burrich so sur$rise& He calls e Fit1"7
B1

e that I blurte& out! 6Fit1"

6Fit107 He snickere&" 6Yeah! he %oul&" Direct s$oken is the ol& gi $er"7 6# boar sa'age& his leg!7 I ex$laine&" This boy s$oke as if Burrich.s li $ %ere so ething foolish he &i& for sho%" For so e reason! I felt stung by his ockery" 6I kno% that:7 He snorte& &is&ainfully" 6Ri$$e& hi right &o%n to the bone" Big ol& tusker! %as going to take 9hi' &o%n! until Burrich got in the %ay" Jot Burrich instea&! an& half a &o1en of the houn&s! is %hat I hear"7 ;e %ent through an o$ening in an i'y/co'ere& %all! an& the exercise courts su&&enly s$rea& out before us" 69hi' ha& gone in thinking he 4ust ha& to finish the $ig! %hen u$ it 4u $e& an& ca e after hi " Sna$$e& the *rince.s lance turning on hi ! too! is %hat I hear"7 I.& been follo%ing at the boy.s heels! hanging on his %or&s! %hen he su&&enly roun&e& on e" I %as so startle& I all but fell! scra bling back%ar&" The ol&er e" 6Juess it ust ha'e been Burrich.s year for taking on en saying" That Burrich took boy laughe& at

9hi'alry.s fortunes! hey0 That.s %hat I hear the 9hi'.s bastar&! an& hear07 There %as so ething kno% that any

9hi'alry.s &eath an& change& it into a la e leg for hi self! an& that he took on a&e a $et of hi " ;hat I.& like to kno% is! ho% co e %hat I you.re to ha'e ar s training all of a su&&en0 Yes! an& a horse! too! fro

ore than 4ealousy in his tone" I ha'e since co e to

en al%ays see another.s goo& fortune as a slight to in&s %ith an& reassure& of y

the sel'es" I felt his rising hostility as if I.& entere& a &og.s territory unannounce&" But a &og I coul& ha'e touche& %on&ere& if he %as going to hit intentions" ;ith Brant there %as only the hostility! like a stor e! an& if he ex$ecte& rising" I

e to fight back or

retreat" I ha& nearly &eci&e& to run %hen a $ortly figure &resse& all in gray a$$eare& behin& Brant an& took a fir gri$ on the back of his neck"
B2

6I hear the (ing sai& he %as to ha'e training! yes! an& a horse to learn horse anshi$ on" #n& that is enough for enough for you! Brant" #n& fro you hear&07 6Yes! a.a "7 Brant.s $ugnaciousness %as su&&enly transfor e& into bobbing ight $oint out to you that agree ent" 6#n& %hile you.re Fhearing. all this 'ital gossi$! I no %ise his hea&" Do you un&erstan& 6I think so! a.a "7 e! Brant07 an tells all he kno%s" #n& that he %ho carries tales has little else in e! an& it shoul& be ore than here! %hat I hear! you %ere tol& to fetch hi

an& then to re$ort to -aster Tullu e! %ho has erran&s for you" Isn.t that %hat

6You think so0 Then I shall be $lainer" Sto$ being a nosy little gossi$ an& atten& to your chores" Be &iligent an& %illing! an& $erha$s folk %ill start gossi$ing that you are gossi$"7 6Yes! a.a "7 e" e"7 e trotting to kee$ y 6You! boy"7 Brant %as alrea&y hurrying u$ the $ath as she roun&e& on 6Follo% y F$et". I coul& see that you are ke$t too busy for

The ol& %o an &i&n.t %ait to see if I obeye& or not" She si $ly set out at a businesslike %alk across the o$en $ractice fiel&s that ha& u$" The $acke& earth of the fiel& %as bake& har& an& the sun beat &o%n on no &isco fort in her ra$i& $ace" She %as &resse& all in gray3 a long &ark gray o'ertunic! lighter gray leggings! an& o'er all a gray a$ron of leather that ca e nearly to her knees" # gar&ener of so e sort! I sur ise&! though I %on&ere& at the soft gray boots she %ore" 6I.'e been sent for lessons , %ith Ho&!7 I
B8

shoul&ers" #l ost instantly! I %as s%eating" But the %o an a$$eare& to fin&

anage& to $ant out"

She no&&e& curtly" ;e reache& the sha&e of the ar ory an& gratefully after the glare of the o$en courts" 6I.

y eyes %i&ene& istaken

to be taught ar s an& %ea$onry!7 I tol& her! 4ust in case she ha&

y original %or&s" She no&&e& again an& $ushe& o$en a &oor in the barnlike structure that %as the outer ar ory" Here! I kne%! the $ractice %ea$ons %ere ke$t" The goo& iron an& steel %ere u$ in the kee$ itself" ;ithin the ar ory %as a gentle halflight! an& a slight coolness! along %ith a s ell of %oo& an& s%eat an& fresh stre%n ree&s" She &i& not hesitate! an& I follo%e& her to a rack that su$$orte& a su$$ly of $eele& $oles" 69hoose one!7 she tol& follo% her" 6Ha&n.t I better %ait for Ho&07 I aske& ti i&ly" 6I a Ho&!7 she re$lie& i $atiently" 65o% $ick yourself a sta'e! boy" I %ant a a&e of bit of ti e alone %ith you! before the others co e" To see %hat you.re an& %hat you kno%"7 It &i& not take her long to establish that I kne% next to nothing an& %as easily &aunte&" #fter but a fe% knocks an& $arries %ith her o%n bro%n ro&! she easily caught ight ine a cli$ that sent it s$inning fro y stung han&s" 6H !7 she sai&! not harshly nor kin&ly" The sa e sort of noise a gar&ener ake o'er a see& $otato that ha& a bit of blight on it" I )ueste& out are" y e" I think it %as the first ti e I in&! exce$t to%ar& her an& foun& the sa e sort of )uietness I.& encountere& in the She ha& none of Burrich.s guar&e&ness to%ar& reaching out to%ar& the " I reali1e& that so e $eo$le! like so e ani als! %ere totally una%are of ight ha'e )ueste& farther into her e! the first %or&s she.& s$oken since &irecting e to

that I %as so relie'e& at not fin&ing any hostility that I feare& to stir any" So I stoo& s all an& still before her ins$ection"
B<

6Boy! %hat are you calle&07 she &e an&e& su&&enly" #gain" 6Fit1"7 She fro%ne& at y soft %or&s" I &re% e"7 yself u$ straighter an& s$oke lou&er" 6Fit1 is %hat Burrich calls

She flinche& slightly" 6He %oul&" 9alls a bitch a bitch! an& a bastar& a bastar&! &oes Burrich" ;ell , I su$$ose I see his reasons" Fit1 you are! an& Fit1 you.ll be calle& by e as %ell" 5o%" I shall sho% you %hy the $ole you selecte& %as e slo%ly through an exercise that ore too long for you! an& too thick" #n& then you shall select another"7 #n& she &i&! an& I &i&! an& she took &ifficult than brai&ing y age! but all y horse.s see e& infinitely co $lex then! but by the en& of the %eek %as no

ane" ;e finishe& 4ust as the rest of her a&e for an a%k%ar&ness! as there

stu&ents ca e troo$ing in" There %ere four of the ! all %ithin a year or t%o of ore ex$erience& than I" It %ere no% an o&& nu ber of stu&ents! an& no one $articularly %ante& the ne% one as a s$arring $artner" So eho% I sur'i'e& the &ay! though the e ory of ho% fa&es into a blesse&ly 'ague ha1e" I re e ber ho% sore I %as %hen she finally &is isse& us+ ho% the others race& u$ the $ath an& back to the kee$ %hile I traile& &is ally behin& the ! berating yself for e'er co ing to the (ing.s attention" It %as a long cli b to the kee$! an& the hall %as cro%&e& an& noisy" I %as too %eary to eat uch" Ste% an& brea&! I think! %ere all I ha&! an& I ha& left the table an& %as li $ing to%ar& the &oor! thinking only of the %ar th an& )uiet of the stables! %hen Brant again accoste& e" 6Your cha ber is rea&y!7 %as all he sai&" I shot a &es$erate look at Burrich! but he %as engage& in con'ersation %ith the an next to hi " He &i&n.t notice y $lea at all" So once ore I foun& yself

B?

follo%ing Brant! this ti e u$ a %i&e flight of stone ste$s! into a $art of the kee$ I ha& ne'er ex$lore&" ;e $ause& on a lan&ing an& he took u$ a can&elabra fro e" 6The (ing has a be&roo a table there an& kin&le& its ta$ers" 6Royal fa ily li'es &o%n this %ing!7 he casually infor e& big as the stable at the en& of this hall%ay"7 I e! though I later foun& that an erran& e an& again $ause&" no&&e&! blin&ly belie'ing all he tol& for his

boy such as Brant %oul& ne'er ha'e $enetrate& the royal %ing" That %oul& be ore i $ortant lackeys" >$ another flight he took 6Aisitors get roo s here!7 he sai&! gesturing %ith the light! so that the %in& of otion set the fla es to strea ing" 6I $ortant ones! that is"7 the first #n& u$ another flight %e %ent! the ste$s $erce$tibly narro%ing fro narro%er an& stee$er flight of ste$s" But Brant &i& not take

t%o" #t the next lan&ing %e $ause& again! an& I looke& %ith &rea& u$ an e'en e that %ay" Instea& %e %ent &o%n this ne% %ing! three &oors &o%n! an& then he sli& a latch on a $lank &oor an& shoul&ere& it o$en" It s%ung hea'ily an& not s oothly" 6Roo hasn.t been use& in a %hile!7 he obser'e& cheerily" 6But no% it! an& left" He $ulle& the hea'y &oor e in the se i&arkness of a large an& or o$ening the &oor" Instea&! I it.s yours an& you.re %elco e to it"7 #n& %ith that he set the can&elabra &o%n on a chest! $lucke& one can&le fro close& behin& hi unfa iliar roo " So eho% I refraine& fro running after hi took u$ the can&elabra an& lit the %all sconces" T%o other sets of can&les set the sha&o%s %rithing back into the corners" There %as a fire$lace %ith a $itiful effort at a fire in it" I $oke& it u$ a bit! ex$loring y ne% )uarters" %ith a single %in&o%" Stone %alls! of the sa e y feet! %ere softene& only by a ta$estry hung on one %all"
BB

as he %ent! lea'ing

ore for light than for heat! an& set to

It %as a si $le s)uare roo stone as that un&er

I hel&

y can&le high to stu&y it! but coul& not illu inate

uch" I coul&

ake being

out a glea ing an& %inge& creature of so e sort! an& a kingly $ersonage in su$$lication before it" I %as later infor e& it %as (ing ;is&o befrien&e& by the El&erling" #t the ti e it see e& asi&e fro it" a&e a $erfunctory effort at freshening the roo " There %as a So eone ha& enacing to e" I turne&

scattering of clean ree&s an& herbs on the floor! an& the feather be& ha& a fat! freshly shaken look to it" The t%o blankets on it %ere goo& %ool" The be& curtains ha& been $ulle& back an& the chest an& bench that %ere the other furnishings ha& been &uste&" To y inex$erience& eyes! it %as a rich roo ore furniture than I coul& y exclusi'e use a&e the in&ee&" # real be&! %ith co'erings an& hangings about it! an& a bench %ith a cushion to it! an& a chest to $ut things in %ere recall ha'ing to yself before" That they %ere for

larger so eho%" There %as also the fire$lace! that I bol&ly a&&e& another $iece of %oo& to! an& the %in&o%! %ith an oak seat before it! shuttere& no% against the night air! but $robably looking out o'er the sea" The chest %as a si $le one! cornere& %ith brass fittings" The outsi&e of it %as &ark! but %hen I o$ene& it! the interior %as light/colore& an& fragrant" Insi&e the chest I foun& y li ite& %ar&robe! brought u$ fro the stables" T%o nightshirts ha& been a&&e& to it! an& a %oolen blanket %as rolle& u$ in the corner of the chest" That %as all" I took out a nightshirt an& close& the chest" I set the nightshirt &o%n on the be& an& then cla bere& u$ to be thinking of slee$! but &rinking an& an& the yself" It %as early y bo&y ache& an& there see e& nothing else for

e to &o" Do%n in the stable roo ! by no% Burrich %oul& be sitting an& en&ing harness or %hate'er" There %oul& be a fire in the hearth! uffle& soun&s of horses as they shifte& in their stalls belo%" The roo

%oul& s ell of leather an& oil an& Burrich hi self! not &ank stone an& &ust" I
BC

$ulle& the nightshirt o'er bu $s" Slo%ly

y hea& an& nu&ge&

y clothes to the foot of the y skin stoo& u$ in goose

be&" I nestle& into the feather be&+ it %as cool an& an& strenuous &ay" E'ery su

y bo&y heat %ar e& it an& I began to relax" It ha& been a full uscle I $ossesse& see e& to be both aching an& ore! to $ut the can&les out! but I coul& not out an& let a &ee$er

tire&" I kne% I shoul& rise once

on the energy" 5or the %ill$o%er to blo% the

&arkness floo& the cha ber" So I &ro%se&! halfli&&e& eyes %atching the struggling fla es of the s all hearth fire" I i&ly %ishe& for so ething else! for any situation that %as neither this forsaken cha ber nor the tenseness of Burrich.s roo " For a restfulness that $erha$s I ha& once kno%n so e%here else but coul& no longer recall" #n& so I &ro%se& into obli'ion"

9H#*TER FO>R #$$renticeshi$ # STORY IS TO=D OF (ing Aictor! he %ho con)uere& the inlan& territories that beca e e'entually the Duchy of Farro%" Aery shortly after a&&ing the lan&s of San&se&ge to his rulings! he sent for the %o an %ho %oul&! ha& Aictor not con)uere& her lan&! ha'e been the Iueen of San&se&ge" She tra'ele& to Buckkee$ in uch tre$i&ation! fearing to go! but fearing ore the conse)uences to her $eo$le if she a$$eale& to the to hi&e her" ;hen she ight learn both %hy he chose to ust be of all his

arri'e&! she %as both a a1e& an& so e%hat chagrine& that Aictor inten&e& to use her not as a ser'ant but as a tutor to his chil&ren! that they the language an& custo s of her folk" ;hen she aske& hi ha'e the learn of her folk.s %ays! he re$lie&! 6# ruler

BD

$eo$le! for one can only rule %hat one kno%s"7 =ater she beca e the %illing %ife of his el&est son an& took the na e Iueen Jraciousness at her coronation" I a%oke to sunlight in y face" So eone ha& entere& y cha ber an& o$ene& y face

the %in&o% shutters to the &ay" # basin! cloth! an& 4ug of %ater ha& been left on to$ of the chest" I %as grateful for the ! but not e'en %ashing refreshe& e" #s I ha& guesse&! the %in&o% looke& out o'er the sea! but I &i&n.t ha'e ti e to &e'ote to the 'ie%" # glance at the sun tol& flung on breakfast" But Burrich ha& little ti e for a&'ise& She.s to e that orning" 6Jet back u$ to the kee$!7 he e" 6-istress Hasty alrea&y sent Brant &o%n here to look for you" easure you for clothing" Best go fin& her )uickly+ she li'es u$ to her orning routine"7 y aches of the &ay before" -uch easure& for clothing I uch e that I ha& o'ersle$t" I e" Slee$ ha& left so eone coul& enter y cha ber an& e so&&en an& I recall feeling uneasy that o'e freely about %ithout a%akening

y clothes an& hastene& &o%n to the stables %ithout $ausing for

na e! an& %on.t a$$reciate your u$setting her -y trot back u$ to the kee$ rea%akene& all

as I &rea&e& seeking out this -istress Hasty an& being orning" #fter )uerying a roo y %ay u$ fro

%as certain I &i&n.t nee&! I %as relie'e& not to be on horseback again this the kitchens! I finally foun& -istress Hasty in y be&cha ber" I $ause& shyly in the &oor %ith sunlight an& a an& &ye& %ool %ere stacke& against one %all! uch ol&er

se'eral &oors &o%n fro

an& $eere& in" Three tall %in&o%s %ere floo&ing the roo il& salt bree1e" Baskets of ya

%hile a tall shelf on another %all hel& a rainbo% of cloth goo&s" T%o young %o en %ere talking o'er a loo ! an& in the far corner a la& not
BE

than I %as rocking to the gentle $ace of a s$inning %heel" I ha& no &oubt that the %o an %ith her broa& back to The t%o young %o en notice& e %as -istress Hasty" e an& $ause& in their con'ersation" -istress o ent later I %as in her e& o'er! %ith y clothes to

Hasty turne& to see %here they stare&! an& a foun& yself u$ on a stool! being turne& an& y &ignity or in&ee& y

clutches" She &i&n.t bother %ith na es or ex$laining %hat she %as about" I easure& an& hu no regar& for y hu anity" She &is$arage&

the young %o en! re arke& 'ery cal ly that I )uite re in&e& her of young 9hi'alry! an& that easure ents an& coloring %ere e" ercy that *atience ne'er has uch the sa e as his ha& been %hen he %as y age" She then &e an&e& their o$inions as she hel& %o en" 6That blue )uite flatters his &arkness" uch too $lain on his face to lea'e her any

u$ bolts of &ifferent goo&s against 6That one!7 sai& one of the loo

It %oul& ha'e looke& %ell on his father" Iuite a to see the boy" 9hi'alry.s sta $ is $ri&e at all"7

#n& as I stoo& there! &ra$e& in %ool goo&s! I hear& for the first ti e %hat e'ery other $erson in Buckkee$ kne% full %ell" The %ea'ing %o en &iscusse& in &etail ho% the %or& of long before y existence ha& reache& Buckkee$ an& *atience y father coul& tell her hi self! an& of the &ee$ anguish it cause& ust be for an heir such as he to ha'e y existence as the any iscarriages!

her" For *atience %as barren! an& though 9hi'alry ha& ne'er s$oken a %or& against her! all guesse& ho% &ifficult it no chil& to e'entually assu e his title" *atience took ulti ate rebuke! an& her health! ne'er soun& after so

co $letely broke along %ith her s$irit" It %as for her sake as %ell as for $ro$riety that 9hi'alry ha& gi'en u$ his throne an& taken his in'ali& %ife back to the %ar an& gentle lan&s that %ere her ho e $ro'ince" ;or& %as that they en&ing! li'e& %ell an& co fortably there! that *atience.s health %as slo%ly
CH

an& that 9hi'alry! substantially )uieter a

an than he ha& been before! %as orals! an& ha& &eclare& she an he ha&

gra&ually learning ste%ar&shi$ of his 'ineyar&/rich 'alley" # $ity that *atience bla e& Burrich as %ell for 9hi'alry.s la$se in coul& no longer abi&e the sight of the an" For bet%een the in4ury to his leg

an& 9hi'alry.s aban&on ent of hi ! ol& Burrich 4ust %asn.t the catch his eye %as to

been" ;as a ti e %hen no %o an of the kee$ %alke& )uickly $ast hi + to ake yourself the en'y of nearly anyone ol& enough to still in his $ri e" aster &i&" But ake anser'ant ha& any say o'er %hat his %ear skirts" #n& no%0 Ol& Burrich! they calle& hi ! an& hi #n& so unfair! as if any a

it %as all to the goo& any%ay! they su$$ose&" #n& &i&n.t Aerity! after all! 9hi'alry that he

uch better king/in/%aiting than ha& 9hi'alry0 So rigorously noble %as a&e all others feel slatternly an& stingy in his $resence+ he.& o ent.s res$ite fro %hat %as right! an& %hile he

ne'er allo%e& hi self a

%as too chi'alrous to sneer at those %ho &i&! one al%ays ha& the feeling that his $erfect beha'ior %as a silent re$roach to those %ith less self/&isci$line" #h! but then here %as the bastar&! no%! though! after all those years! an& %ell! here %as the $roof that he ha&n.t been the there %as a an a ong ro&e har&! an& sol&iere& alongsi&e his na e" Folk coul& un&erstan& a To all this I listene& a'i&ly! if kee$ chil&ren left an he.& $reten&e& to be" Aerity! no% en! an& if he %as occasionally &runk or en! a king folk coul& look to an& see as royalty" He

ha& at ti es been less than &iscreet! %ell! he o%ne& u$ to it! honest as his an like that! an& follo% hi " utely! %hile se'eral fabrics %ere hel& against uch &ee$er un&erstan&ing of %hy the ight ha'e

e! &ebate&! an& selecte&" I gaine& a

e to $lay alone" If the %o en consi&ere& that I aking to

thoughts or feelings about their con'ersation! they sho%e& no sign of it" The only re ark I re e ber -istress Hasty shoul& take greater care in %ashing e s$ecifically %as that I e y neck" Then -istress Hasty shooe&
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fro

the roo

as if I %ere an annoying chicken! an& I foun&

yself finally y sta'e ha&

hea&ing to the kitchens for so e foo&" That afternoon I %as back %ith Ho&! $racticing until I %as sure orning an& back to Burrich.s tutelage" -y learning fille& ysteriously &ouble& its %eight" Then foo&! an& be&! an& u$ again in the y &ays! an& any y s$are ti e I foun& %as s%allo%e& u$ %ith the chores associate& %ith

learning! %hether it %as tack care for Burrich! or s%ee$ing the ar ory an& $utting it back in or&er for Ho&" In &ue ti e I foun& not one! or e'en t%o! but three entire sets of clothing! inclu&ing stockings! set out one afternoon on be&" T%o %ere of fairly or&inary stuff! in a fa iliar bro%n that chil&ren y ost of the en/at/

y age see e& to %ear! but one %as of thin blue cloth! an& on the

breast %as a buck.s hea&! &one in sil'er threa&" Burrich an& the other

ar s %ore a lea$ing buck as their e ble " I ha& only seen the buck.s hea& on the 4erkins of Regal an& Aerity" So I looke& at it an& %on&ere&! but %on&ere&! too! at the slash of re& stitching that cut it &iagonally! &esign" 6It eans you.re a bastar&!7 Burrich tol& e bluntly %hen I aske& hi about it" 6Of ackno%le&ge& royal bloo&! but a bastar& all the sa e" That.s all" It.s 4ust a )uick %ay of sho%ing you.'e royal bloo&! but aren.t of the true line" If you &on.t like it! you can change it" I a a crest of your o%n"7 6# na e07 69ertainly" It.s a si $le enough re)uest" Bastar&s are rare in the noble houses! es$ecially so in the (ing.s o%n" But they aren.t unhear&/of"7 >n&er guise of teaching e the $ro$er care of a sa&&le! %e %ere going through the tack roo ! looking o'er all the ol& an& unuse& tack" -aintaining an& sal'aging ol& tack sure the (ing %oul& grant it" # na e an& arching right o'er the

C2

%as one of Burrich.s o&&er fixations" 6De'ise a na e an& a crest for yourself! an& then ask the (ingG7 6;hat na e07 6;hy! any na e you like" This looks like it.s ruine&+ so eone $ut it a%ay &a $ an& it il&e%e&" But %e.ll see %hat %e can &o %ith it"7 e" I took it" ine"7 yself" 6It %oul&n.t feel real"7 6;hat07 He hel& an ar loa& of s elly leather out to%ar& 6# na e I 4ust $ut to 6;ell! %hat &o you inten& to &o! then07 I took a breath" 6The (ing shoul& na e 6Or y father" Don.t you think07 ost $eculiar notions" @ust think about it Burrich fro%ne&" 6You get the e" Or you shoul&"7 I steele& yself" It %oul&n.t feel like it %as really

yourself for a %hile" You.ll co e u$ %ith a na e that fits"7 6Fit1!7 I sai& sarcastically! an& I sa% Burrich cla $ his 4a%" 6=et.s 4ust en& this leather!7 he suggeste& )uietly" ;e carrie& it to his %orkbench an& starte& %i$ing it &o%n" 6Bastar&s aren.t that rare!7 I obser'e&" 6#n& in to%n! their $arents na e the "7 6In to%n! bastar&s aren.t so rare!7 Burrich agree& after a an& sailors %hore aroun&" It.s a co on %ay for co o ent" 6Sol&iers e! on folk" But not for

royalty" Or for anyone %ith a bit of $ri&e" ;hat %oul& you ha'e thought of to the roo 0 Ho% %oul& you see %o en no%0 Or Fit1! an& no one begru&ges a young %o an or youths to the arket like so

%hen you %ere younger! if I.& gone out %horing at night! or brought %o en u$ en0 It.s fine to fall in lo'e! an a kiss or t%o" But I.'e seen any $otatoes" #n& the uch else"

%hat it.s like &o%n to Bingto%n" Tra&ers bring $retty girls or %ell/ a&e any chickens or so chil&ren they en& u$ bearing #n& e'en %hen they ay ha'e na es! but they &on.t ha'e

arry! they &on.t sto$ their , habits" If e'er I fin& the

C8

right %o an! I.ll %ant her to kno% I %on.t be looking at another" #n& I.ll %ant to kno% all I looke& at hi y chil&ren are ine"7 Burrich %as al ost i $assione&" y father07 iserably" 6So %hat ha$$ene& %ith

He su&&enly looke& %eary" 6I &on.t kno%! boy" I &on.t kno%" He %as young! 4ust t%enty or so" #n& far fro kno%"7 #n& that %as that" -y life %ent Froun& in its settle& routine" There %ere e'enings that I s$ent in the stables! in Burrich.s co $any! an& Jreat Hall %hen so e tra'eling the next &ay for ore rarely! e'enings that I s$ent in the eant $aying er lessons! instrel or $u$$et sho% arri'e&" Once in a ho e! an& trying to shoul&er a hea'y bur&en" uch as either of us %ill e'er Those are neither reasons nor excuses" But it.s as

great %hile I coul& sli$ out for an e'ening &o%n in to%n! but that tutor or instructor" I ca e to un&erstan& that these %ere $ens an& letters" I %as ke$t busier than I ha& e'er been in &es$ite y sche&ule! I foun& yself ostly alone" y su

isse& slee$" #fternoons %ere ine'itably s$ent %ith so e

an& that in %inter I %oul& be intro&uce& to the kin& of learning that ca e %ith y young life" But

=oneliness" It foun& been e e'ery night as I 'ainly trie& to fin& a s all an& co1y s$ot in y &rea s heathery %ith the %ar y big be&" ;hen I ha& sle$t abo'e the stables in Burrich.s roo s! u11y! y nights ha& e"

an& %eary content ent of the

%ell/use& ani als that sle$t an& shifte& an& thu&&e& in the night belo% t%itching in &rea rising %aft fro

Horses an& &ogs &rea ! as anyone %ho has e'er %atche& a houn& yi$$ing an& $ursuit %ell kno%s" Their &rea s ha& been like the s%eet a baking of goo& brea&" But no%! isolate& in a roo
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%alle&

%ith stone! I finally ha& ti e for all those &e'ouring! aching &rea s that are the $ortion of hu ans" I ha& no %ar y &a to co1y against! no sense of siblings or y father an& y hea&! an& e fro their li'es so easily" I kin stable& nearby" Instea& I %oul& lie a%ake an& %on&er about other! an& ho% both coul& ha'e &is isse& ents in hear& the talk that others exchange& so carelessly o'er inter$rete& their co beco e of acce$te& But

y o%n terrifying %ay" I %on&ere& %hat %oul& isse& e! or if they y co ing" e to ha'e y fears

e %hen I %as gro%n an& ol& (ing Shre%& &ea& an& gone3 I y su&&en &isa$$earance as easily as they ha& acce$te&

%on&ere&! occasionally! if -olly 5oseblee& an& (erry

ostly I ache& %ith loneliness! for in all that great kee$! there %ere none I

sense& as frien&" 5one sa'e the beasts! an& Burrich ha& forbi&&en any closeness %ith the " One e'ening I ha& gone %earily to be&! only to tor ent until slee$ gru&gingly $ulle& e un&er" =ight in yself %ith y face a%oke

e! but I ca e

a%ake kno%ing so ething %as %rong" I ha&n.t sle$t long enough! an& this light %as yello% an& %a'ering! unlike the %hiteness of the sunlight that usually s$ille& in y %in&o%" I stirre& un%illingly an& o$ene& ore than the buttery light fro y eyes" y eyes" The He stoo& at the foot of at Buckkee$! but y be&! hol&ing aloft a la $" This in itself %as a rarity the la $ hel&

an hi self %as strange" His robe %as the color of un&ye& shee$.s %ool that ha& been %ashe&! but only inter ittently an& not recently" His hair an& bear& %ere about the sa e color an& their unti&iness ga'e the sa e i $ression" Des$ite the color of his hair! I coul& not &eci&e ho% ol& he %as" There are so e $oxes that %ill scar a a an an.s face %ith their $assage" But I ha& ne'er seen arke& as he %as! %ith scores of tiny $ox scars! angry $inks an& re&s e! an&

like s all burns! an& li'i& e'en in the la $.s yello% light" His han&s %ere all bones an& ten&ons %ra$$e& in $a$ery %hite skin" He %as $eering at
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e'en in the la $light! his eyes %ere the They re in&e& co bination of 4oy an& fierceness" I $ulle& He turne& abru$tly fro sha&o%e& corner of He glance& back at y roo

ost $iercing green I ha& e'er seen" y )uilt u$ higher un&er e"7 the &oor! to a o'e" y chin"

e of a cat.s eyes %hen it is hunting so ething+ the sa e

6You.re a%ake!7 he sai&" 6Joo&" Jet u$ an& follo%

y be&si&e an& %alke& a%ay fro

bet%een the hearth an& the %all" I &i&n.t y be&$ost"

e! hel& the la $ higher" 6Hurry u$! boy!7 he sai& y bare feet hit the col& floor" I reache& for ake e &ro$ y y

irritably! an& ra$$e& the stick he leane& on against I got out of be&! %incing as %hat %as &elaying clothes an& )uake" #n& I follo%e&! %or&lessly! in clothes an& shoes! but he %asn.t %aiting for

e" He glance& back once to see

e! an& the $iercing look %as enough to

y nightshirt! for no reason I coul& ex$lain to to a &oor that ha& ne'er an& o'er e! so that I

yself" Exce$t that he ha& suggeste& it" I follo%e& hi la $ he hel& abo'e his hea&" His sha&o% fell behin& hi %alke& in a shifting &arkness! feeling each ste$ %ith an& u$! until it see e& to shri'eling e %ith

been there! an& u$ a narro% flight of %in&ing ste$s that %ere lit only by the y feet" The stairs %ere

col& stone! %orn an& s ooth an& re arkably e'en" #n& they %ent u$! an& u$! e that %e ha& cli be& $ast the height of any to%er y nightshirt! ere col&" #n& %e %ent u$! an& then finally he o'e& silently an& easily" an unseen ceiling on fine y o%n" One en& the kee$ $ossesse&" # chill bree1e flo%e& u$ those ste$s! an& u$ ore than %as $ushing o$en a substantial &oor that nonetheless ;e entere& a cha ber" It %as lit %ar ly by se'eral la $s! sus$en&e& fro of it beckone& e" It %as &o inate& by a chains" The cha ber %as large! easily three ti es the si1e of

assi'e %oo&en be& fra e fat %ith

feather be&s an& cushions" There %ere car$ets on the floor! o'erla$$ing one
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another %ith their scarlets an& 'er&ant greens an& blues both &ee$ an& $ale" There %as a table a&e of %oo& the color of %il& honey! an& on it sat a bo%l of fruit so $erfectly ri$e that I coul& s ell their fragrances" *arch ent books an& scrolls %ere scattere& about carelessly! as if their rarity %ere of no concern" #ll three %alls %ere &ra$e& %ith ta$estries that &e$icte& o$en rolling country %ith %oo&e& foothills in the &istance" I starte& to%ar& it" 6This %ay!7 sai& cha ber" Here %as a &ifferent s$ectacle" # stone slab of a table &o inate& it! its surface uch staine& an& scorche&" >$on it %ere 'arious tools! containers an& i $le ents! a scale! a i&course! ortar an& $estle! an& any things I coul&n.t na e" # fine layer of &ust o'erlai& uch of it! as if $ro4ects ha& been aban&one& in y gui&e! an& relentlessly le& e to the other en& of the

onths or e'en years ago" Beyon& the table %as a rack that hel& an

unti&y collection of scrolls! so e e&ge& in blue or gilt" The scent of the roo %as at once $ungent an& aro atic+ bun&les of herbs %ere &rying on another rack" I hear& a rustling an& caught a gli $se of the an ga'e this en& of the roo an& settle&" I lifte& on the roo 6It is a o'e ent in a far corner! but e no ti e to in'estigate" The fire$lace that shoul& ha'e %ar e& ga$e& black an& col&" The ol& e bers in it looke& &a $ y eyes fro y $erusal to look at y gui&e" The &is ay e an& slo%ly sur'eye&

y face see e& to sur$rise hi " He turne& fro hi "

hi self" He consi&ere& it a bit! an& then I sense& an e barrasse& ess" -ore than a ess! I su$$ose" But! %ell" It.s been a %hile! I

&isgruntle ent fro

su$$ose" #n& longer than a %hile" ;ell" It.s soon $ut to rights" But first! intro&uctions are in or&er" #n& I su$$ose it is a bit ni$$y to be stan&ing about in 4ust a nightshirt" This %ay! boy"7

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I follo%e& hi

to the co fortable en& of the roo " He seate& hi self in a

battere& %oo&en chair that %as o'er&ra$e& %ith blankets" -y bare toes &ug gratefully into the na$ of a %oolen rug" I stoo& before hi ! %aiting! as those green eyes $ro%le& o'er s$oke" 6First! let e intro&uce you to yourself" Your $e&igree is %ritten all o'er you" Shre%& chose to ackno%le&ge it! for all his &enials %oul&n.t ha'e suffice& to con'ince anyone other%ise"7 He $ause& for an instant an& s ile& as if so ething a use& hi " 6# sha e Jalen refuses to teach you the Skill" But years ago it %as restricte&! for fear it %oul& beco e too co ti e to %orry about %hat %on.t ha$$en"7 He sighe& silent for a on a tool" I.ll %ager if ol& Jalen %ere to try to teach you! he.& fin& you a$t" But %e ha'e no e&itati'ely an& %as o ent" #bru$tly he %ent on! 6Burrich.s sho%n you both ho% to e" For so e inutes the silence hel&" Then he

%ork! an& ho% to obey" T%o things that Burrich hi self excels at" You.re not es$ecially strong! or fast! or bright" Don.t think you are" But you.ll ha'e the stubbornness to %ear &o%n anyone stronger! or faster! or brighter than yourself" #n& that.s no% ore of a &anger to you than to anyone else" But that is not %hat is an no%" #n& you ust begin to un&erstan&! no%! right ost i $ortant about you" ost i $ortant thing about you" He fee&s you! he clothes

6You are the (ing.s no%! that that is the

you! he sees you are e&ucate&" #n& all he asks in return! for no%! is your loyalty" =ater he %ill ask your ser'ice" Those are the con&itions un&er %hich I %ill teach you" That you are the (ing.s $ause& an& for a long an! an& loyal to hi co $letely" For y art"7 He if you are other%ise! it %oul& be too &angerous to e&ucate you in

o ent %e si $ly looke& at one another" 6Do you y %or&"7

agree07 he aske&! an& it %as not a si $le )uestion but the sealing of a bargain" 6I &o!7 I sai&! an& then! as he %aite&3 6I gi'e you
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6Joo&"7 He s$oke the %or& heartily" 65o%" On to other things" Ha'e you e'er seen e before07 an ha& ob'iously been a resi&ent for a long! 65o"7 I reali1e& for an instant ho% strange that %as" For! though there %ere often strangers in the kee$! this long ti e" #n& al ost all those %ho li'e& there! I kne% by sight if not na e" 6Do you kno% %ho I a ! boy0 Or %hy you.re here07 I shook y hea& a )uick negati'e to each )uestion" 6;ell! no one else &oes in& it stays that %ay" -ake yourself clear on that/you s$eak to either" So you -y no&

no one of %hat %e &o here! nor of anything you learn" >n&erstan& that07 ust ha'e satisfie& hi ! for he see e& to relax in the chair" His bony e 9ha&e" #n& I shall call you07 He $ause& an& %aite&! but 9ha&e! an& I. yet e" han&s gri$$e& the knobs of his knees through his %oolen robe" 6Joo&" Joo&" 5o%" You can call %hen I &i& not offer a na e! he fille& in! 6Boy" That.s not na es for either of us! but they.ll &o! for the ti e %e.ll ha'e together" So" I. re e ber I %as here! an& then it took hi #n& it took to %hat I. He rose an& to teach you , %ell"7 o'e& to the fire" He cocke& his hea& as he stare& into it! then ur&er! ore another teacher that Shre%& has foun& for you" It took hi a %hile to

a s$ace to ner'e hi self to ask

e e'en longer to agree to teach you" But all that.s &one no%" #s

stoo$e& to take a $oker an& stir the e bers to fresh fla es" 6It.s

or less" (illing $eo$le" The fine art of &i$lo atic assassination" Or blin&ing! or &eafening" Or a %eakening of the li bs! or a $aralysis or a &ebilitating cough or i $otency" Or early senility! or insanity or , but it &oesn.t been beginning! that I. atter" It.s all the y tra&e" #n& it %ill be yours! if you agree" @ust kno%! fro

going to be teaching you ho% to kill $eo$le" For your king"

5ot in the sho%y %ay Ho& is teaching you! not on the battlefiel& %here others see an& cheer you on" 5o" I.ll be teaching you the nasty! furti'e! $olite %ays to
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kill $eo$le" You.ll either &e'elo$ a taste for it! or not" That isn.t so ething I. in charge of" But I.ll ake sure you kno% ho%" #n& I.ll ake sure of one other to teach you thing! for that %as the sti$ulation I a&e %ith (ing Shre%&" That you kno%

%hat you are learning! as I ne'er &i& %hen I %as your age" So" I. to be an assassin" Is that all right %ith you! boy07 I no&&e& again! uncertain! but not kno%ing %hat else to &o" He $eere& at e" 6You can s$eak! can.t you0 You.re not a

ute as %ell as a

bastar&! are you07 I s%allo%e&" 65o! sir" I can s$eak"7 6;ell! then! &o s$eak" Don.t 4ust no&" Tell %ho I a e %hat you think of all this" Of an& %hat I 4ust $ro$ose& that %e &o"7 of his green eyes on e" I o'e& y tongue

In'ite& to s$eak! I yet stoo& &u b" I stare& at the $oxe& face! the $a$ery skin of his han&s! an& felt the glea insi&e y 'isage %as still outh! but foun& only silence" His anner in'ite& %or&s! but his e into eeting his

ore terrifying than anything I ha& e'er i agine&" e! or if you &es$ise the lessons" I can

6Boy!7 he sai&! an& the gentleness in his 'oice startle& eyes" 6I can teach you e'en if you hate afrai& to s$eak to to tell

teach you if you are bore&! or la1y or stu$i&" But I can.t teach you if you.re e" #t least! not the %ay I %ant to teach you" #n& I can.t teach you if you &eci&e this is so ething you.& rather not learn" But you ha'e e" You.'e learne& to guar& your thoughts so %ell! you.re al ost afrai& alou&! no%! to e" to let yourself kno% %hat they are" But try s$eaking the You %on.t be $unishe&"7 6I &on.t uch like it!7 I su&&enly blurte&" 6The i&ea of killing $eo$le"7 6#h"7 He $ause&" 65either &i& I! %hen it ca e &o%n to it" 5or &o I! still"7 He sighe& su&&enly! &ee$ly" 6#s each ti e co es! you.ll &eci&e" The first ti e %ill be har&est" But kno%! for no%! that that &ecision is
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any years a%ay" #n&

in the

eanti e! you ha'e

uch to learn"7 He hesitate&" 6There is this! boy"

#n& you shoul& re e ber it in e'ery situation! not 4ust this one" =earning is ne'er %rong" E'en learning ho% to kill isn.t %rong" Or right" It.s 4ust a thing to learn! a thing I can teach you" That.s all" For no%! &o you think you coul& learn ho% to &o it! an& later &eci&e if you %ant to &o it07 Such a )uestion to $ut to a boy" E'en then! so ething in #n& curiosity %as nibbling at 6I can learn it"7 6Joo&"7 He s ile&! but there %as a tire&ness to his face an& he &i&n.t see $lease& as he There.s a broo aroun& the roo " 6;e as ight ha'e" 6That.s %ell enough! then" ;ell enough"7 He looke& ay as %ell begin tonight" =et.s start by ti&ying u$" o'er there" Oh! but first! change out of your nightshirt into e" e raise& its hackles an& sniffe& at the i&ea! but boy that I %as! I coul& fin& no ob4ection to raise"

so ething , ah! there.s a ragge& ol& robe o'er there" That.ll &o for no%" 9an.t ha'e the %asher folk %on&ering %hy your nightshirts s ell of ca $hor an& $ain.s ease! can %e0 5o%! you s%ee$ u$ the floor a bit %hile I $ut a%ay a fe% things"7 #n& so $asse& the next fe% hours" I s%e$t! then &irecte& e as I cleare& the $ara$hernalia fro o$$e& the stone floor" He the great table" I turne& the

herbs on their &rying rack" I fe& the three li1ar&s he ha& cage& in the corner! cho$$ing u$ so e sticky ol& eat into chunks that they gul$e& %hole" I %i$e& e as if %e %ere both an thinking0 ;ell! clean a nu ber of $ots an& bo%ls an& store& the " #n& he %orke& alongsi&e e! see ing grateful for the co $any! an& chatte& to ol& en" Or both young boys" "

65o letters as yet0 5o ci$hering" Bagrash: ;hat.s the ol&

I shall see that re e&ie& s%iftly" You.'e your father.s bro%! boy! an& 4ust his

D1

%ay of %rinkling it" Has anyone e'er tol& you that before0 #h! there you are! Slink! you rascal: ;hat one another" 9ha&e let ischief ha'e you been u$ to no%07 behin& a ta$estry! an& %e %ere intro&uce& to a bo%l on the table! an& ore" He ga'e ight ake e y e about begging for e fee& Slink )uail eggs fro # bro%n %easel a$$eare& fro

laughe& %hen the little beast follo%e&

a co$$er bracelet that I foun& un&er the table! %arning that it %rist green! an& cautioning that if anyone aske& foun& it behin& the stables"

e about it! I shoul& say I ha&

#t so e ti e %e sto$$e& for honey cakes an& hot s$ice& %ine" ;e sat together at a lo% table on so e rugs before the fire$lace! an& I %atche& the firelight &ancing o'er his scarre& face an& %on&ere& %hy it ha& see e& so frightening" He notice& e %atching hi ! an& his face contorte& in a s ile" 6See s ean"7 )uestioningly! trying to figure it out" fa iliar! &oesn.t it! boy0 -y face! I no i&ea %hat he eant" I stare& at hi

It &i&n.t" I ha& been staring at the grotes)ue scars on the $asty %hite skin" I ha& 6Don.t trouble yourself about it! boy" It lea'es its tracks on all of us! an& sooner or later you.ll get the tu ble of it" But no%! %ell ,7 He rose! stretching! so that his cassock bare& his skinny %hite cal'es" 65o% it.s later" Or earlier! &e$en&ing on %hich en& of the &ay you fancy secret! %on.t you0 5ot 4ust ostly ost" Ti e you

hea&e& back to your be&" 5o%" You.ll re e ber that this is all a 'ery &ark e an& this roo ! but the %hole thing! %aking u$ ean so ething to y night y be& as I at night an& lessons in ho% to kill $eo$le! an& all of it"7 6I.ll re e ber!7 I tol& hi ! an& then! sensing that it %oul& hi ! I a&&e&! 6You ha'e robe! an& he sa% y %or&"7

He chuckle&! an& then no&&e& al ost sa&ly" I change& back into e &o%n the ste$s" He hel& his glo%ing light by cla bere& in! an& then s oothe& the blankets o'er
D2

e as no one ha& &one

since I.& left Burrich.s cha bers" I think I %as aslee$ before he ha& e'en &e$arte& fro y be&si&e" e the next orning! so late %as I in arising" I ca e y roo " 9ol& stone et y han&s as

Brant %as sent to %ake a%ake groggy! fro

y hea& $oun&ing $ainfully" But as soon as he left! I s$rang ortar or stone ga'e any sign

y be& an& race& to the corner of

I $ushe& against the %all there! an& no crack in of the secret &oor I felt sure bracelet on

ust be there" 5e'er for one instant &i& I think

9ha&e ha& been a &rea ! an& e'en if I ha&! there re aine& the si $le co$$er y %rist to $ro'e he %asn.t" I &resse& hurrie&ly an& $asse& through the kitchens for a slab of brea& an& cheese that I %as still eating %hen I got to the stables" Burrich %as out of sorts %ith y tar&iness an& foun& fault %ith e'ery as$ect of y horse anshi$ an& stable tasks" I re e ber %ell ho% he berate& you.'e a roo e" 6Don.t think that because

u$ in the castle an& a crest on your 4erkin that you can turn into ay be! but you.re ean Regal! &on.t

so e s$ra%l about rogue %ho snores in his be& until all hours an& then only rises to fluff at his hair" I.ll not ha'e it" Bastar& you 9hi'alry.s bastar&! an& I.ll you07 -y un%onte& )uestion startle& hi " 6;hat07 6;hen you talk about rogues %ho stay in be& all exce$t fuss about hair an& gar ents! you Burrich o$ene& his any of the *rinces" I a%ay ill befits a re&&er" 65either you nor I!7 he orning an& &o nothing ean ho% Regal is"7 ake you a I $ause&! the groo ing brushes still in y han&s" 6You an he.ll be $rou& of"7

outh an& then shut it" His %in& re&&ene& cheeks gre% uttere& at last! 6are in a $osition to critici1e orning eant only as a general rule! that slee$ing the

an! an& e'en less so a boy"7

D8

6#n& ne'er a $rince"7 I sai& this! an& then sto$$e&! to %on&er %here the thought ha& co e fro " 6#n& ne'er a $rince!7 Burrich agree& gri ly" He %as busy in the next stall %ith a gel&ing.s hurt leg" The ani al %ince& su&&enly! an& I hear& Burrich grunt %ith the effort of hol&ing hi " 6Your father ne'er sle$t $ast the sun.s i&$oint because he.& been &rinking the night before" Of course! he ha& a hea& for %ine like I.'e ne'er seen since! but there %as &isci$line to it! too" 5or &i& he ha'e so e ake hi an stan&ing by to rouse hi " He got hi self out of be&! an& an& to follo% his exa $le" It &i&n.t al%ays then ex$ecte& those in his co

$o$ular! but his sol&iers res$ecte& hi " -en like that in a lea&er!

that he &e an&s of hi self the sa e thing he ex$ects of the " #n& I.ll tell you another thing" Your father &i&n.t %aste coin on &ecking hi self out like a $eacock" ;hen he %as a younger far belo% hi ! a great honor to She.& aske& hi %ear none of the an! before he %as %e& to =a&y *atience! he e not too e! an& I o'erhear& so e of his con'ersation %as at &inner one e'ening! at one of the lesser kee$s" They.& seate&

%ith the &aughter they.& seate& so ho$efully next to the (ing/in/;aiting" %hat he thought of the e eral&s she %ore! an& he ha& yourself tonight!. she sai& flirtatiously" #n& he re$lie&! uch larger" co $li ente& her on the " FI ha& %on&ere&! sir! if you en4oye& 4e%els! for you )uite seriously! that his 4e%els shone as brilliantly as hers! an& ;ell! he re$lie&! he.& be ha$$y to sho% the

FOh! an& %here &o you kee$ such ge s! for I shoul& &early lo'e to see the ". to her later that e'ening! %hen it half the %as &arker" I sa% her blush! ex$ecting a tryst of so e kin&" #n& later he &i& in'ite her out onto the battle ents %ith hi ! but he took %ith the &inner guests as %ell" #n& he $ointe& out the lights of the coast %atchto%ers! shining clearly in the &ark! an& tol& her that he consi&ere& those his best an& &earest 4e%els! an& that he s$ent the coin fro
D<

her father.s taxes to kee$ the

shining so" #n& then he $ointe& out to the guests the %inking lights of that lor&.s o%n %atch en in the fortifications of his kee$! an& tol& the that %hen they looke& at their &uke! they shoul& see those shining lights as the 4e%els on his bro%" It %as )uite a co $li ent to the Duke an& Duchess! an& the other nobles there took note of it" The OutIslan&ers ha& 'ery fe% successful rai&s that su 6I. er" That %as ho% 9hi'alry rule&" By exa $le! an& by the grace of a bastar&"7 It ca e o&&ly fro sai&" y outh! that %or& his %or&s" So shoul& any real $rince &o"7 not a real $rince" I. I hear& so often an& so sel&o of you"7 6So eti es I get tire& of &oing the har& things"7 6So &o I"7 I absorbe& this in silence for a %hile as I %orke& any ore of you than I ask of y %ay &o%n Sooty.s shoul&er" Burrich! still crouche& by the gel&ing! s$oke su&&enly" 6I &on.t ask yself" You kno% that.s true"7 entione& it further" o ent I aske&! 6Because if you a&e e into! then aybe he 6I kno% that!7 I re$lie&! sur$rise& that he.& 6I 4ust %ant to &o coul& y best by you"7 e" #fter a e! of %hat you.& This %as a %hole ne% i&ea to ake 9hi'alry $rou& of %oul& co e back07 The rhyth ic soun& of Burrich.s han&s %orking lini ent into the gel&ing.s leg slo%e&! then cease& abru$tly" But he re aine& crouche& &o%n by the horse an& s$oke )uietly through the %all of the stall" 65o" I &on.t think that" I &on.t su$$ose anything %oul& Burrich s$oke Before! I ean"7
D?

Burrich sighe& softly" 6Be your bloo&! boy! an& ignore %hat anyone else thinks

ake hi

co e back" #n& e'en if he &i&!7 an&

ore slo%ly! 6e'en if he &i&! he %oul&n.t be %ho he %as"

6It.s all echoe& in

y fault he %ent a%ay! isn.t it07 The %or&s of the %ea'ing %o en y hea&" But for the boy! he.& still be in line to be (ing" an.s fault that he.s born ,7 ore reluctantly" 6#n& there.s e to say"7 I hear& his

Burrich $ause& long" 6I &on.t su$$ose it.s any He sighe&! an& the %or&s see e& to co e certainly no %ay a babe can

ake itself not a bastar&" 5o" 9hi'alry brought his

&o%nfall on hi self! though that.s a har& thing for han&s go back to %ork on the gel&ing.s leg"

6#n& your &o%nfall! too"7 I sai& it to Sooty.s shoul&er! softly! ne'er &rea ing he.& hear" But a o ent or t%o later I hear& hi utter! 6I &o %ell enough for yself! Fit1" I &o %ell enough"7 He finishe& his task an& ca e aroun& into Sooty.s stall" 6Your tongue.s %agging like the to%n gossi$ to&ay! Fit1" ;hat.s got into you07 It %as y turn to $ause an& %on&er" So ething about 9ha&e! I &eci&e&" e to un&erstan& an& ha'e a say in y tongue to finally ask all the )uestions I.& So ething about so eone %ho %ante& %hat I %as learning ha& free& u$

been carrying about for years" But because I coul&n.t 'ery %ell say so! I shrugge& an& truthfully re$lie&! 6They.re 4ust things I.'e %on&ere& about for a long ti e"7 Burrich grunte& his acce$tance of the ans%er" 6;ell" It.s an i $ro'e ent that you ask! though I %on.t al%ays $ro ise you an ans%er" It.s goo& to hear you s$eak like a glare& at an" -akes e %orry less about losing you to the beasts"7 He go! an& ha& been an" #n& it en hi e o'er the last %or&s an& then gi $e& a%ay" I %atche& hi full of en" He %asn.t the sa e

re e bere& that first night I ha& seen hi ! an& ho% a look fro enough to )uell a %hole roo

%asn.t 4ust the li $ that ha& change& the %ay he carrie& hi self an& ho% looke& at hi " He %as still the ackno%le&ge&
DB

aster in the stables an& no one

)uestione& his authority there" But he %as no longer the right han& of the (ing/ in/;aiting" Other than %atching o'er e! he %asn.t 9hi'alry.s an at all any ore" 5o %on&er he coul&n.t look at kno%n hi ! y %ariness of hi e %ithout resent ent" He ha&n.t

sire& the bastar& that ha& been his &o%nfall" For the first ti e since I ha& %as tinge& %ith $ity"

9H#*TER FIAE =oyalties I5 SO-E (I5JDO-S #5D lan&s! it is the custo ha'e $rece&ent o'er fe ale in that ale chil&ren %ill atters of inheritance" Such has ne'er been the

case in the Six Duchies" Titles are inherite& solely by or&er of birth" The one %ho inherits a title is su$$ose& to 'ie% it as a ste%ar&shi$" If a lor& or la&y %ere so foolish as to cut too uch forest at once! or neglect 'ineyar&s or let the )uality of the cattle beco e too inbre&! the $eo$le of the Duchy coul& rise u$ an& co e to ask the (ing.s 4ustice" It has ha$$ene&! an& e'ery noble is a%are it can ha$$en" The %elfare of the $eo$le belongs to the $eo$le! an& they ha'e the right to ob4ect if their &uke ste%ar&s it $oorly" ;hen the titlehol&er %e&s! he is su$$ose& to kee$ this in chosen hol&ing a lesser title (ing Shre%& in&" The $artner ust be %illing like%ise to be a ste%ar&" For this reason! the $artner ust surren&er it to the next younger sibling" One can

only be a true ste%ar& of one hol&ing" On occasion this has le& to &i'isions" arrie& =a&y Desire! %ho %oul& ha'e been Duchess of Farro% ha& she not chosen to acce$t his offer an& beco e Iueen instea&" It is sai& she ca e to regret her &ecision an& con'ince& herself that ha& she re aine& Duchess! her $o%er %oul& ha'e been greater" She
DC

arrie& Shre%& kno%ing

%ell she %as his secon& )ueen! an& that the first ha& alrea&y borne hi $ointe& out that as she %as

t%o

heirs" She ne'er conceale& her &is&ain for the t%o ol&er *rinces an& often uch higher born than (ing Shre%&.s first )ueen! ore royal than his t%o half brothers" She she consi&ere& her son! Regal! to be >nfortunately for her $lans! ruthlessly clai behest" But

atte $te& to instill this i&ea in others by her choice of na e for her son" ost sa% this $loy as $oor taste" So e e'en ockingly referre& to her as the Inlan& Iueen! for %hen intoxicate& she %oul& that she ha& the $olitical influence to unite Farro% an& Tilth ost $ut her clai s &o%n to her fon&ness for intoxicants! both into a ne% king&o ! one that %oul& shrug off (ing Shre%&.s rule at her alcoholic an& herbal" It is true! ho%e'er! that before she finally succu be& to her a&&ictions! she %as res$onsible for nurturing the rift bet%een the Inlan& an& 9oastal Duchies" I gre% to look for%ar& to bet%een lea'ing eetings! or he y &ark/ti e encounters %ith 9ha&e" They ne'er ha& ight go by one& e ight su on e e'ery night for a %eek straight! e in the %ee

a sche&ule! nor any $attern that I coul& &iscern" # %eek! e'en t%o! e staggering about y &ayti e chores" So eti es he su

as soon as the castle %as abe&+ at other ti es! he calle& u$on hours of the

orning" It %as a strenuous sche&ule for a gro%ing boy! yet I that y night lessons $resente& a &ifficulty for to

ne'er thought of co $laining to 9ha&e or refusing one of his calls" 5or &o I think it e'er occurre& to hi e" 5octurnal hi self! it be teaching of the %orl&" There %as tre en&ous sco$e to his lessons" One e'ening ight be s$ent in y laborious stu&y of the illustrations in a great herbal he ke$t! %ith the
DD

ust ha'e see e& a $erfectly natural ti e for hi

e" #n& the lessons I learne& %ere o&&ly suite& to the &arker hours

re)uire ent that the next &ay I %as to collect six sa $les that

atche& those I &i&! ust go

illustrations" He ne'er sa% fit to hint as to %hether I shoul& look in the kitchen gar&en or the &arker nooks of the forest for those herbs! but fin& the an& learne& on the uch of obser'ation in the $rocess" e that I There %ere ga es %e $laye&! too" For instance! he %oul& tell last year.s" #n& then I hi

orro% to Sara the cook an& ask her if this year.s bacon %as leaner than ust that e'ening re$ort the entire con'ersation back to har& of

9ha&e! as close to %or& $erfect as I coul&! an& ans%er a &o1en )uestions for about ho% she stoo&! an& %as she left/han&e& an& &i& she see hearing an& %hat she %as cooking at the ti e" -y shyness an& reticence %ere ne'er accounte& a goo& enough excuse for failing to execute such an assign ent! an& so I foun& 9ha&e! e'ery one of the yself eeting an& co ing to kno% a goo& y interest an& %as any of the lesser folk of the kee$" E'en though %elco e& y )uestions %ere ins$ire& by ore than %illing to

share ex$ertise" ;ithout inten&ing it! I began to garner a re$utation as a 6shar$ youngster7 an& a 6goo& la&"7 Years later I reali1e& that the lesson %as not 4ust a e ory exercise but also instruction in ho% to befrien& the co oner folk! an& to learn their on ho% %ell boy brought in&s" -any.s the ti e since then that a s ile! a co $li ent coul&n.t ha'e

y horse ha& been care& for! an& a )uick )uestion $ut to a stable e infor ation that all the coin in the king&o y ner'e as %ell as

bribe& out of hi " Other ga es built 9ha&e sho%e& Hasty! I y $o%ers of obser'ation" One &ay e that! %ithout asking -istress atche& it e a skein of yarn an& tol&

ust fin& out exactly %here she ke$t the su$$ly of yarn that

an& %hat herbs ha& been use& in the &yeing of it" Three &ays later I %as tol& I ust s$irit a%ay her best shears! conceal the behin& a certain rack of %ines in to %here they ha& been! all the %ine cellar for three hours! an& then return the
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un&etecte& by her or anyone else" Such exercises initially a$$eale& to a boy.s natural lo'e of conse)uences %ere shiel& e fro ischief! an& I sel&o faile& at the " ;hen I &i&! the e that he %oul& not y o%n lookout" 9ha&e ha& %arne&

anybo&y.s %rath an& suggeste& that I ha'e a %orthy tale rea&y

to ex$lain a%ay being %here I shoul& not be or $ossessing that %hich I ha& no business $ossessing" I learne& to lie 'ery %ell" I &o not think it %as taught These %ere the lessons in the art of ;here to strike a y assassin.s $ri er" #n& o'ing stealthily" ;here to strike a e acci&entally" ore" Sleight of han& an& unconscious" an

an to ren&er hi

an so that he &ies %ithout crying out" ;here to stab a y )uick in&"

so that he &ies %ithout too Soon he began to use acco $lishe&" To e it

uch bloo& %elling out" I learne& it all ra$i&ly an& e!

%ell! thri'ing un&er 9ha&e.s a$$ro'al of ahea& of ti e! if they %ere tests of

e for s all 4obs about the kee$" He ne'er tol& a&e no &ifference+ I $ursue& the

y skill! or actual tasks he %ishe& all %ith a single/ an&e&" In s$ring of that year I the Bingto%n tra&ers so that

in&e& &e'otion to 9ha&e an& anything he co treate& the %ine cu$s of a 'isiting &elegation fro they beca e uch onth I conceale& one $u$$et fro

ore intoxicate& than they ha& inten&e&" =ater that sa e a 'isiting $u$$eteer.s trou$e so that he ha&

to $resent the Inci&ence of the -atching 9u$s! a lighthearte& little folktale! instea& of the lengthy historical &ra a he ha& $lanne& for the e'ening" #t the High/Su er Feast I a&&e& a certain herb to a ser'ing girl.s afternoon $ot of tea so that she an& three of her frien&s %ere stricken %ith loose bo%els an& coul& not %ait the tables that night" In fall I tie& a threa& aroun& the fetlock of a 'isiting noble.s horse! to gi'e the ani al a te $orary li $ that con'ince& the noble to re ain at Buckkee$ t%o &ays longer than he ha& $lanne&" I ne'er kne% the un&erlying reasons for the tasks 9ha&e set
EH

e" #t that age! I set

in& to ho% I %oul& &o a thing rather than %hy" #n& that! too! %as a thing that I belie'e it %as inten&e& I learn3 to obey %ithout asking %hy an or&er %as gi'en" There %as one task that absolutely &elighte& the assign ent %as ore than a %hi e" E'en at the ti e I kne% that one& e for it in ustache! an& ean07 a council to of 9ha&e.s" He su

the last bit of &ark before &a%n" 6=or& @essu$ an& his la&y ha'e been 'isiting this last t%o %eeks" You kno% the by sight+ he has a 'ery long she constantly fusses %ith her hair! e'en at the table" You kno% %ho I I fro%ne&" # nu ber of nobles ha& gathere& at Buckkee$ to for &iscuss the increase in rai&s fro Duchies %ante&

the OutIslan&ers" I gathere& that the 9oastal

ore %arshi$s! but the Inlan& Duchies o$$ose& sharing the ustaches both see e& to ha'e fitful ost of her ti e

taxes for %hat they sa% as a $urely coastal $roble " =or& @essu$ an& =a&y Dahlia %ere inlan&ers" @essu$ an& his te $era ents an& to be constantly i $assione&" =a&y Dahlia! on the other han&! see e& to take no interest at all in the council! but s$ent ex$loring Buckkee$" 6She %ears flo%ers in her hair all the ti e0 They kee$ falling out07 6That.s the one!7 9ha&e re$lie& e $hatically" 6Joo&" You kno% her" 5o%! here.s your task! an& I.'e no ti e to $lan it %ith you" So eti e to&ay! at any o ent to&ay! she %ill sen& a $age to *rince Regal.s roo " The $age %ill &eli'er so ethingGa note! a flo%er! an ob4ect of so e kin&" You %ill re o'e the ob4ect fro Regal.s roo y e fro before he sees it" You un&erstan&07 outh to say so ething! but 9ha&e stoo& abru$tly the roo " 65o ti e+ it is nearly &a%n:7 he the I no&&e& an& o$ene& an& al ost chase& &eclare&" I contri'e& to be in Regal.s roo ! in hi&ing! %hen the $age arri'e&" Fro %ay the girl sli$$e& in! I %as con'ince& this %as not her first
E1

ission" She set a

tiny scroll an& a flo%er bu& on Regal.s $illo% an& sli$$e& out of the roo " In a o ent both %ere in y 4erkin! an& later un&er y o%n $illo%" I think the o$ening the scroll" I turne& ost &ifficult $art of the task %as refraining fro scroll an& flo%er o'er to 9ha&e late that night" O'er the next fe% &ays I %aite&! certain there %oul& be so e sort of furor an& ho$ing to see Regal thoroughly &isco fite&" But to an& see e& to flirt e'en y sur$rise! there %as none" Regal re aine& his usual self! sa'e that he %as e'en shar$er than usual! ore outrageously %ith e'ery la&y" #s for =a&y Dahlia! she su&&enly took an interest in the council $rocee&ings an& confoun&e& her husban& by beco ing an ar&ent su$$orter of %arshi$ taxes" The Iueen ex$resse& her &is$leasure o'er this change of alliance by exclu&ing =a&y Dahlia fro a %ine tasting in her cha bers" The %hole thing entione& it to 9ha&e! he rebuke& e" ystifie& e! but %hen I at last

6Re e ber! you are the (ing.s

an" # task is gi'en you! an& you &o it" #n& ay $lan the o'es an& $lot his

you shoul& be %ell satisfie& %ith yourself that you co $lete& the gi'en task3 That is all you nee& to kno%" Only Shre%& arkers+ be assure& of that"7 But early on! 9ha&e foun& the li its of y obe&ience" In la ing the horse! he of one %ho has gro%n u$ ake a horse li $ %ithout y refusal" He sai& nothing at y actions" In this as in ga e" You an& I! %e are $laying $ieces! $erha$s" But %e are the best of his

ha& suggeste& I cut the frog of the ani al.s foot" I ne'er e'en consi&ere& &oing that" I infor e& hi ! %ith all the %orl&ly %is&o aroun& horses! that there %ere any %ays to actually har ing hi ! an& that he shoul& trust

e to choose an a$$ro$riate one"

To this &ay! I &o not kno% ho% 9ha&e felt about any things! he ke$t his o%n counsel"
E2

the ti e to con&e n it! or to suggest he a$$ro'e&

Once e'ery three

onths or so (ing Shre%& %oul& su e ca e in the 'ery early

on

e to his

cha bers" >sually the call for

orning" I %oul& an e

stan& before hi ! oftenti es %hile he %as in his bath! or ha'ing his hair boun& back in the gol&/%ire& )ueue that only the (ing coul& %ear! or %hile his %as laying out his clothes" #l%ays the ritual %as the sa e" He %oul& look o'er carefully! stu&ying consi&ering buying" He %oul& ask a )uestion or t%o! about or %ea$ons stu&y usually! an& listen gra'ely to you07 6Sir! I &o!7 I %oul& al%ays ans%er" 6Then see that you kee$ your en& of it as %ell!7 %as al%ays his re$ly an& &is issal" #n& %hate'er ser'ant atten&ing hi %or&s at all" 9o e late fall of that year! on the 'ery cus$ of %inter.s tooth! I %as gi'en ost &ifficult assign ent" 9ha&e ha& su as soon as I ha& blo%n out $raising one& y or o$ening the &oor for enter or lea'e ne'er a$$eare& to take the slightest notice of y e to %oul& ask! al ost for ally! 6#n& &o you feel I a kee$ing

y gro%th an& groo ing as if I %ere a horse he %as y horse anshi$ y bargain %ith y brief ans%er" #n& then he

e or of the (ing.s

e u$ to his cha bers al ost

y night can&le" ;e %ere sharing s%eet eats an& a e turning insi&e out e'ery shirt

bit of s$ice& %ine! sitting in front of 9ha&e.s hearth" He ha& been la'ishly y latest esca$a&e! one that re)uire& hung to &ry on the laun&ry courtyar&.s &rying lines %ithout getting caught" It ha& been a &ifficult task! the har&est $art of %hich ha& been to refrain fro laughing alou& an& betraying refuse& to &o any y hi&ing $lace %ithin a &yeing 'at %hen t%o of y $rank the %ork of %ater s$rites an& e by letting e kno% the younger laun&ry la&s ha& &eclare&

ore %ashing that &ay" 9ha&e! as usual! kne% of the %hole

scenario e'en before I re$orte& to hi " He &elighte&

E8

that -aster =e% of the laun&erers ha& &ecree& that Sin4on.s %ort %as to be hung at e'ery corner of the courtyar& an& garlan&e& about e'ery %ell to %ar& off s$rites fro to orro%.s %ork" y hair" 6I al ost 6You.'e a gift for this! boy"7 9ha&e chuckle& an& tousle& think there.s no task I coul& set you that you coul&n.t &o"7 He %as sitting in his straight/backe& chair before the fire! an& I %as on the floor besi&e hi ! leaning %ay Burrich y back against one of his legs" He $atte& e the ight $at a young bir& &og that ha& &one %ell! an& then leane&

for%ar& to say softly! 6But I.'e a challenge for you"7 6;hat is it07 I &e an&e& eagerly" 6It %on.t be easy! e'en for one %ith as light a touch as yours!7 he %arne& 6Try e:7 I challenge& hi in return" ore teaching" 6Oh! in another onth or t%o! $erha$s! %hen you.'e ha& a bit e"

I.'e a ga e to teach you tonight! one that %ill shar$en your eye an& your e ory"7 He reache& into a $ouch an& &re% out a han&ful of so ething" He o$ene& his han& briefly in front of there any yello% ones07 6Yes" 9ha&e! %hat is the challenge07 6Ho% any07 ore than t%o07 6T%o that I coul& see" 9ha&e! I bet I coul& &o it no%"7 69oul& there ha'e been 6*ossibly! if so e %ere conceale& co $letely un&er the to$ layer" I &on.t think it likely" 9ha&e! %hat is the challenge07 He o$ene& his bony ol& han&! stirre& the stones %ith his long forefinger" 6Right you %ere" Only t%o yello% ones" Shall %e go again07 69ha&e! I can &o it"7 e3 colore& stones" The han& close&" 6;ere

E<

6You think so! &o you0 =ook again! here.s the stones" One! t%o! three! an& gone again" ;ere there any re& ones07 6Yes" 9ha&e! %hat is the task07 6;ere there 6;hat07 6;ere there 65o! I ore re& stones than blue ones07 errily" He o$ene& his fist" 6See! three re& ean! %hat %as the task07 ore re& ones than blue0 To bring e so ething $ersonal fro the (ing.s night table"7

6;rong! boy:7 9ha&e announce& it you.re to eet y challenge"7

an& three blue" Exactly the sa e" You.ll ha'e to look )uicker than that if 6#n& se'en green" I kne% that! 9ha&e" But , you %ant (ing07 I still coul&n.t belie'e I ha& hear& it" 65ot steal! 4ust borro%" #s you &i& -istress Hasty.s shears" There.s no har a $rank like that! is there07 65one exce$t that I.& be %hi$$e& if I %ere caught" Or %orse"7 6#n& you.re afrai& you.& be caught" See! I tol& you it ha& best %ait a t%o! until your skills %ere better"7 6It.s not the $unish ent" It.s that if I %ere caught , the (ing an& I , %e a&e a bargain ,7 -y %or&s &%in&le& a%ay" I stare& at hi ti e %e et! before he began instructing in confusion" a&e" Each e of that y 9ha&e.s instruction %as a $art of the bargain Shre%& an& I ha& e! he for ally re in&e& bargain" I ha& gi'en to 9ha&e as %ell as the (ing $art of the bargain" 6It.s a ga e! boy!7 9ha&e sai& $atiently" 6That.s all" @ust a bit of not really so serious as you see to think it" The only reason I.
E?

e to steal fro

the in

onth or

y %or& that I %oul& be

loyal" Surely he coul& see that if I acte& against the (ing! I.& be breaking

ischief" It.s choosing it as

a task is that the (ing.s roo can

an& his things are so closely %atche&" #nyone

ake off %ith a sea stress.s shears" ;e.re talking about a real bit of y ti e %ell in teaching you"

stealth no%! to enter the (ing.s o%n cha bers an& take so ething that belongs to hi " If you coul& &o that! I.& belie'e I.& s$ent I.& feel you a$$reciate& %hat I.& taught you"7 6You kno% I a$$reciate %hat you teach all" 9ha&e see e& to be co $letely =ike I %as using %hat you.& taught laughing at hi "7 6#h:7 9ha&e leane& back in his chair! a s ile on his face" 6Don.t let that bother you! boy" (ing Shre%& can a$$reciate a goo& 4est %hen he.s sho%n one" ;hate'er you take! I.ll return yself to hi " It %ill be a sign to hi of ho% %ell I.'e taught you an& ho% %ell you.'e learne&" Take so ething si $le if it %orries you so+ it nee&n.t be the cro%n off his hea& or the ring fro &o" 5othing of any great 'alue" 4ust a token"7 I thought I shoul& $ause to think! but I kne% I &i&n.t nee& to" 6I can.t &o it" I ean! I %on.t &o it" 5ot fro cree$ in any%here an&G7 6Boy07 9ha&e.s 'oice ca e slo%ly! $u11le&" 6Don.t you trust e0 I tell you it.s all right" It.s 4ust a challenge %e.re talking about! not high treason" #n& this ti e! if you.re caught! I $ro ise I.ll ste$ right in an& ex$lain it all" You %on.t be $unishe&"7 6That.s not it!7 I sai& frantically" I coul& sense 9ha&e.s gro%ing $u11le ent o'er y refusal" I scrabble& %ithin yself to fin& a %ay to ex$lain to hi " 6I $ro ise& to be loyal to Shre%&" #n& thisG7
EB

e!7 I sai& )uickly" That %asn.t it at y $oint" 6I.& feel , &isloyal"

issing

e to trick the (ing" #l ost as if I %ere

his finger:

@ust his hairbrush! or any bit of $a$er that.s about/e'en his glo'e or belt %oul&

(ing Shre%&" 5a e any other! anyone else.s

roo ! an& I.ll &o it" Re e ber %hen I took Regal.s scroll0 You.ll see! I can

6There.s nothing &isloyal about this:7 9ha&e sna$$e&" I looke& u$ to see angry glints in his eyes" Startle&! I &re% back fro 6;hat are you saying! boy0 That I. an i&iot" This is 4ust a si $le little test! hi " I.& ne'er seen hi glare so" asking you to betray your king0 Don.t be y %ay of easuring you an& sho%ing e" I thought you ha&

Shre%& hi self %hat you.'e learne&! an& you balk at it" #n& try to co'er your co%ar&ice by $rattling about loyalty" Boy! you sha e 69ha&e:7 I began in horror" His %or&s ha& left fro col&ly" 6Best you get back to your be&! little boy" Think exactly ho% you.'e insulte& e tonight" To insinuate I.& so eho% be &isloyal to our king" 9ra%l &o%n the stairs! you little cra'en" #n& the next ti e I su you again! co e $re$are& to obey 5e'er ha& 9ha&e s$oken to raise& his 'oice to $ock/scarre& ar on you , Hah! if I su on e" Or &on.t co e at all" 5o% go"7 e! an& I felt ore backbone than this! or I.& ne'er ha'e begun teaching you"7 e reeling" He $ulle& a%ay e as his 'oice %ent on y s all %orl& rocking aroun&

e so before" I coul& not recall that he ha& e'en the slee'e of his robe! at the long finger

e" I stare&! al ost %ithout co $rehension! at the thin

that $rotru&e& fro

that $ointe& so &is&ainfully to%ar& the &oor an& the stairs" #s I rose I felt $hysically sick" I reele&! an& ha& to catch hol& of a chair as I $asse&" But I %ent! &oing as he tol& e! unable to think of anything else to &o" 9ha&e! %ho y %orl&! %ho ha& a&e e belie'e I %as ha& beco e the central $illar of together!

so ething of 'alue! %as taking it all a%ay" 5ot 4ust his a$$ro'al! but our ti e y sense that I %as going to be so ething in &oor grate& shut behin& y be&! but y lifeti e" I stu ble& an& staggere& &o%n the stairs" 5e'er ha& they see e& so long or so col&" The botto gro$e& e! an& I %as left in total &arkness" I e! nor &i& I fin& y %ay to y blankets coul& not %ar

any trace of slee$ that night" I tosse& in agony" The %orst $art %as that I coul&
EC

fin& no in&ecision in

yself" I coul& not &o the thing 9ha&e aske& of

e"

Therefore! I %oul& lose hi " ;ithout his instruction! I %oul& be of no 'alue to the (ing" But that %as not the agony" The agony %as si $ly the loss of 9ha&e fro y life3 I coul& not re e ber ho% I ha& anage& before %hen I ha& task been so alone" To return to the &ru&gery of li'ing &ay to &ay! going fro to task see e& i $ossible" I trie& &es$erately to think of so ething to &o" But there see e& no ans%er" I coul& go to Shre%& hi self! sho% &ile y $in an& be a& itte&! an& tell hi of y a" But %hat %oul& he say0 ;oul& he see e as a silly little boy0 ;oul&

he say I shoul& ha'e obeye& 9ha&e0 ;orse! %oul& he say I %as right to &isobey 9ha&e an& be angry %ith 9ha&e0 These %ere 'ery &ifficult )uestions for a boy.s ;hen in&! an& I foun& no ans%ers that hel$e& yself fro e" y be& an& re$orte& to y belly" I tol& hi si $ly orning finally ca e! I &ragge&

Burrich as usual" I %ent about

y tasks in a gray listlessness that first brought e off %ithout the threatene& tonic" I &i& no uch younger

e scol&ings an& then an in)uiry as to the state of that I ha& not sle$t %ell! an& he let boy &eli'er a stout clout to tol& e to sit &o%n for a bit" -y hea& %as $oun&ing an& %ent to 4ust a

better at %ea$ons" -y state of &istraction %as such that I let a

y skull" Ho& scol&e& us both for recklessness an& y legs %ere shaky %hen I returne& to the kee$" I eal or the lou& y eyes for y afternoon e at y be&! inten&ing to close issing

y roo ! for I ha& no sto ach for the noon

con'ersations that %ent %ith it" I lay on

o ent! but fell into a &ee$ slee$" I a%oke half%ay through the e an& I &ro$$e& off! only to be

afternoon an& thought of the scol&ings I %oul& face for lessons" But it %asn.t enough to rouse

a%akene& at su$$erti e by a ser'ing girl %ho ha& co e to in)uire after

Burrich.s behest" I sta'e& her off by telling her I ha& a sour gut an& %as going
ED

to fast until it cleare&" #fter she left! I &ro%se& but &i& not slee$" I coul&n.t" 5ight &ee$ene& in y unlit roo ! an& I hear& the rest of the kee$ go off to rest" ons I %oul& not &are ans%er" e! or if he o$ene& the &oor for rock to stone! an& in the gray e" In &arkness an& stillness! I lay %aiting for a su ;hich %oul& be %orse3 if he &i& not su e an& I &are& not go0 I tor ente& cree$ing of on

;hat if the &oor o$ene&0 I coul& not go to 9ha&e! for I coul& not obey hi " yself fro

orning I ha& the ans%er" He ha&n.t e'en bothere& to call for y

E'en no%! I &o not like to recall the next fe% &ays" I hunche& through the ! so sick at heart that I coul& not $ro$erly eat or rest" I coul& not focus any task an& took the rebukes that itself that foo& hel& no interest for &o%n $lu y teachers ga'e I ac)uire& a hea&ache that ne'er cease&! an& in& on e %ith bleak acce$tance" a&e a&e e e

y sto ach staye& so clenche& on e an& force& y outh %ith

e" The 'ery thought of eating

%eary" Burrich $ut u$ %ith it for t%o &ays before he cornere& 'o it u$ %hat little I.& eaten that &ay" He gagging" Then! to chi'ie& a&e e %ash out

e both a %or ing &raft an& a bloo& tonic" The co bination %ine after%ar&! an& to this &ay I cannot &rink $lu y %eary a a1e ent! he &ragge&

%ine %ithout

e u$ the stairs to his loft

an& gruffly or&ere&

e to rest there for the &ay" ;hen e'ening ca e! he e back to e! %hether I

e u$ to the kee$! an& un&er his %atchful eye I %as force& to consu e y o%n be&" In reality! I ha& to

a %atery bo%l of sou$ an& a hunk of brea&" He %oul& ha'e taken his loft again ha& I not insiste& that I %ante& be in y roo " I ha& to kno% %hether 9ha&e at least trie& to call y roo " on e"

coul& go or not" Through another slee$less night! I stare& in blackness at a &arker corner of But he &i&n.t su

EE

-orning graye&

y %in&o%" I rolle& o'er an& ke$t to e %as too soli& for

y be&" The &e$th of y $ossible

bleakness that settle& o'er

e to fight" #ll of

choices le& to gray en&s" I coul& not face the futility of getting out of be&" # hea&achy sort of near slee$ clai e& either too hot or too col& no but e'en like one they %ere in the be& %ith broke the other one:7 he.& Test his e" #ny soun& see e& too lou&! an& I %as y co'ers" I close& y eyes! atter ho% I fusse& e! an& all the

y &rea s %ere bright an& annoying" #rguing 'oices! as lou& as if ore frustrating because it soun&e& like you an arguing %ith hi self an& taking both si&es" 6Break hi

utter angrily" 6You an& your stu$i& tests:7 an& er it

then3 69an.t be too careful" 9an.t $ut your trust in 4ust anyone" Bloo& %ill tell" ettle! that.s all"7 6-ettle: You %ant a brainless bla&e! go ha out yourself" Beat it flat"7 #n& talk to ore )uietly3 6I.'e got no heart for this" I.ll not y te $er! you.'e &one it"7 Then3 6Don.t to you: It isn.t his

be use& again" If you %ante& to test loyalty he.s %orrying about! or The angry 'oices broke u$! shriller" I cracke& o$en ine"7

e about bloo& an& fa ily" Re e ber %ho I a

erge&! beca e another argu ent! this one

y eyeli&s" -y cha ber ha& beco e the scene of a %hich

brief battle" I %oke to a s$irite& argu ent bet%een Burrich an& -istress Hasty as to %hose 4uris&iction I fell un&er" She ha& a %icker basket! fro $rotru&e& the necks of se'eral bottles" The scents of cha o ile %afte& o'er stoically bet%een her an& ustar& in a $laster an&

e so strongly that I %ante& to retch" Burrich stoo& y be&" His ar s %ere crosse& on his chest an& y hea& like $ebbles"

Aixen sat at his feet" -istress Hasty.s %or&s rattle& in

6In the kee$7+ 6those clean linens7+ 6kno% about boys7+ 6that s elly &og"7 I &on.t recall that Burrich sai& a %or&" He 4ust stoo& there so soli&ly that I coul& feel hi %ith y eyes close&"

1HH

=ater he %as gone! but Aixen %as on the be&! not at $anting hea'ily but refusing to aban&on

y feet! but besi&e

e! y

e for the cooler floor" I o$ene&

eyes again! still later! to early t%ilight" Burrich ha& tugge& free shook it a bit! an& %as a%k%ar&ly stuffing it back un&er He then sat &o%n hea'ily on the be&" He cleare& his throat" 6Fit1! there.s nothing the seen before" #t least! %hate'er.s the

y $illo%!

y hea&! cool si&e u$"

atter %ith you that I.'e e'er

atter %ith you isn.t in your guts or your

bloo&" If you %ere a bit ol&er! I.& sus$ect you ha& %o an $roble s" You act like a sol&ier on a three/&ay &runk! but %ithout the %ine" Boy! %hat.s the atter %ith you07 He looke& &o%n on he %as afrai& a e %ith sincere %orry" It %as the sa e look he %ore %hen iscarry! or %hen hunters brought back e! an& %ithout eaning to! I )ueste& e %ithout e are %as going to

&ogs that boars ha& gotten to" It reache& $ut her u11le against

out to%ar& hi " #s al%ays! the %all %as there! but Aixen %hine& lightly an& y cheek" I trie& to ex$ress %hat %as insi&e 4ust so alone no%!7 I hear& betraying 9ha&e" 6I. yself say! an& e'en to

it soun&e& like a feeble co $laint" 6#lone07 Burrich.s bro%s knit" 6Fit1! I. alone07 #n& there the con'ersation en&e&! %ith both of us looking at one another an& neither un&erstan&ing at all" =ater he brought #n& he left Aixen %ith e foo&! but &i&n.t insist I eat it" e %on&ere& ho% she e kne% I &i&n.t ha'e to e for the night" # $art of right here" Ho% can you say you.re

%oul& react if the &oor o$ene&! but a larger $art of %orry" That &oor %oul& ne'er o$en again" -orning ca e again" #n& Aixen nose& at broken to care if Burrich caught

e an& %hine& to go out" Too y o%n"

e! I )ueste& to%ar& her" Hungry an& thirsty

an& her bla&&er %as about to burst" #n& her &isco fort %as su&&enly
1H1

I &ragge& on a tunic an& took her &o%n the stairs an& outsi&e! an& then back to the kitchen to eat" 9ook %as 9ook insiste& on fixing ore $lease& to see e than I ha& i agine& crust of anyone coul& be" Aixen %as gi'en a generous bo%l of last night.s ste%! %hile e six rashers of thick/cut bacon on the %ar yself eating! not %ith the &ay.s first baking of brea&" Aixen.s keen nose an& shar$ a$$etite s$arke& y o%n senses! an& I foun& Fro there she le& y nor al a$$etite but y in& back fro the contact" e o'er! glance& %ith a young creature.s sensory a$$reciation for foo&" e to the stables! an& though I $ulle& her before %e %ent insi&e! I felt so e%hat re4u'enate& fro Burrich straightene& u$ fro %ick" 6There isn.t uch in a so e task as I ca e in! looke& an.s hea&!7 he tol& at Aixen! grunte& %ryly to hi self! an& then han&e&

e a suckle bottle an&

e! 6that can.t be cure& by

%orking an& taking care of so ething else" The rat &og %hel$e& a fe% &ays ago! an& there.s one $u$ too %eak to co $ete %ith the others" See if you can kee$ hi ali'e to&ay"7 It %as an ugly little $u$! $ink skin sho%ing through his brin&le fur" His eyes %ere shut tight still! an& the extra skin he.& use u$ as he gre% %as $ile& ato$ his u11le" His skinny little tail looke& 4ust like a rat.s! so that I %on&ere& his %ith the %ar ilk an& %icking other %as other &i&n.t %orry her o%n $u$s to &eath 4ust for the rese blance.s sake" He %as %eak an& $assi'e! but I bothere& hi until he sucke& a little! an& got enough all o'er hi an& $lugge& hi that his

ins$ire& to lick an& nu11le hi " I took one of his stronger sisters off her teat into her $lace" Her little belly %as roun& an& full any%ay+ she y little finger an& suckle& at it! ha& only been sucking for the sake of obstinacy" She %as going to be %hite %ith a black s$ot o'er one eye" She caught an& alrea&y I coul& feel the i Burrich ha& tol& ense strength those 4a%s %oul& so e&ay hol&"

e stories about rat &ogs that %oul& latch onto a bull.s nose
1H2

an& hang there no

atter %hat the bull &i&" He ha& no use for

en that %oul&

teach a &og to &o so! but coul& not contain his res$ect for the courage of a &og that %oul& take on a bull" Our rat &ogs %ere ke$t for ratting an& taken on regular $atrols of the corncribs an& grain barns" I s$ent the %hole orning there an& left at noon %ith the gratification of seeing ilk" The afternoon %as s$ent e at it! a&&ing another chore as soon as I e to &o anything but %ork" He &i&n.t talk y co $laint about being alone )uite y &ay the $u$.s s all belly roun& an& tight %ith ucking stalls" Burrich ke$t %ith e or ask co $lete& one! %ith no ti e for

e )uestions! but he al%ays see e& to be %orking but a &o1en

$aces a%ay" It %as as if he ha& taken back %ith blunt little

literally an& %as resol'e& to be %here I coul& see hi " I %oun& u$ orning" I cra&le& hi against y chest an& he cre$t u$ un&er ilk" It tickle&" I $ulle& hi

y $u$$y! %ho %as substantially stronger than he ha& been that y chin! his &o%n an& in& y u11le )uesting there for

looke& at hi " He %as going to ha'e a $ink nose" -en sai& the rat &ogs %ith the $ink noses %ere the no% %as only a s ell" I %ra$$e& hi strength" He %iggle& in stall an& ra$$e& $u$ an& e" e sternly" 6That.s not a thing for a an to &o" ost sa'age ones %hen they fought" But his little ilk %ant an& affection for in y $rotection of hi ! $raise& hi u11y %ar th of security an&

for his ne% the

y fingers" #n& Burrich leane& o'er the si&e of the

e on the hea& %ith his knuckles! bringing t%in yel$s fro

6Enough of that!7 he %arne& other! no%"7

#n& it %on.t sol'e %hate'er is che%ing on your soul" Ji'e the $u$ back to his So I &i&! but reluctantly! an& not at all sure that Burrich %as right that bon&ing %ith a $u$$y %oul&n.t sol'e anything" I longe& for his %ar little %orl& of

1H8

stra% an& siblings an& better one"

ilk an&

other" #t that

o ent I coul& i agine no ess! %here

Then Burrich an& I %ent u$ to eat" He took

e into the sol&iers.

anners %ere %hate'er you ha& an& no one &e an&e& talk" It %as co forting to be casually ignore&! to ha'e foo& $asse& o'er solicitous of y hea& %ith no one being e" Burrich sa% that I ate! though! an& then after%ar& %e sat

outsi&e besi&e the kitchen.s back &oor an& &rank" I.& ha& ale an& beer an& %ine before! but I ha& ne'er &runk in the $ur$oseful %ay that Burrich no% sho%e& e" ;hen 9ook &are& to co e out an& scol& hi I ha& et hi ! %hen he.& face& &o%n a %hole roo e u$ to y roo hi self! &ragge& for gi'ing strong s$irits to a e of the first night of sol&iers o'er 9hi'alry.s y tunic off o'er y hea& as I ere boy! he ga'e her one of his )uiet stares that re in&e& goo& na e" #n& she left" He %alke& stoo& unstea&ily besi&e tosse& a blanket o'er y be&! an& then casually tu ble& e" 65o% you.ll slee$!7 he infor e& e into the be& an& e in a thick 'oice"

6#n& to orro% %e.ll &o the sa e again" #n& again" >ntil one &ay you get u$ an& fin& out that %hate'er it %as &i&n.t kill you after all"7 He ble% out y can&le an& left" -y hea& reele& an& y bo&y ache& fro the &ay.s %ork" But I still &i&n.t slee$" ;hat I foun& &rink ha& loosene& %hate'er knot hel& u$! sobbe&! an& hiccu$$e& an& then %aile& %ith e'ery tear I ha& ne'er she& since the &ay aban&on aroun& e" 6-ere:7 I hear& e! hol&ing e tight" e as if I %ere a uch younger chil&" E'en in the e an& rocke& yself &oing %as crying" The

y control! an& I %e$t" 5ot )uietly" I y 4a% shaking" -y throat close& y other to

y nose ran! an& I crie& so har& I felt I coul&n.t breathe" I think I crie& y gran&father force& yself call out! an& su&&enly there %ere ar s

9ha&e hel&

&arkness I kne% those bony ar s an& the herb/an&/&ust s ell of hi "

1H<

Disbelie'ing! I clung to hi

an& crie& until I %as hoarse! an&

outh so &ry

no soun& %oul& co e at all" 6You %ere right!7 he sai& into

y hair! )uietly! e"7 #n& ea y ug to

cal ingly" 6You %ere right" I %as asking you to &o so ething %rong! an& you %ere right to refuse it" You %on.t be teste& that %ay again" 5ot by %hen I %as finally still! he left &rink! luke%ar an& al ost tasteless but not %ater" He hel& the y roo " e for a ti e! an& then brought back to

outh an& I &rank it &o%n %ithout )uestions" Then I lay back so su&&enly slee$y that I &on.t e'en re e ber 9ha&e lea'ing at y chores an& attenti'e to I a%oke near &a%n an& re$orte& to Burrich after a hearty breakfast" I %as )uick y charges an& coul& not at all un&erstan& %hy uttere& so ething once about e early! telling e to take he ha& a%akene& so hea&achy an& gru $y" He y %histling else%here" Three &ays later (ing Shre%& su #s soon as I arri'e&! he sent a%ay his one& e in the &a%n" He %as alrea&y ore than one $erson set out on it" e to sit" I took a chair at e to eat hi self" The yself to eat uch" e if I %ere hungry! he ser'e&

6his father.s hea& for s$irits7 an& then &is isse&

&resse&! an& there %as a tray an& foo& for

an an& tol&

the s all table in his roo ! an& %ithout asking gesture %as not lost on

e foo& %ith his o%n han& an& sat &o%n across fro

e! but e'en so I coul& not bring

He s$oke only of the foo&! an& sai& nothing of bargains or loyalty or kee$ing one.s %or&" ;hen he sa% I ha& finishe& eating! he $ushe& his o%n $late a%ay" He shifte& unco fortably" 6It %as y i&ea!7 he sai& su&&enly! al ost harshly" 65ot his" He ne'er that you.& kno% this right fro a$$ro'e& of it" I insiste&" ;hen you.re ol&er! you.ll un&erstan&" I can take no chances! not on anyone" But I $ro ise& hi

1H?

e" It %as all He a&e a

y o%n i&ea! ne'er his" #n& I %ill ne'er ask hi

to try your his

ettle in such a %ay again" On that you ha'e a king.s %or&"7 otion that &is isse& e" #n& I rose! but as I &i& so I took fro tray a little sil'er knife! all engra'e&! that he ha& been using to cut fruit %ith" I looke& hi in the eyes as I &i& so! an& )uite o$enly sli$$e& it u$ one& y slee'e" (ing Shre%&.s eyes %i&ene&! but he sai& not a %or&" T%o nights later! %hen 9ha&e su ne'er a&e an error" He ga'e e! our lessons resu e& as if there a&e s all 4okes ha& ne'er been a $ause" He talke&! I listene&! I $laye& his stone ga e an& e an assign ent! an& %e together" He sho%e& e ho% Slink the %easel %oul& &ance for a sausage" #ll antel

%as %ell bet%een us again" But before I left his cha bers that night! I %alke& to his hearth" ;ith out a %or&! I $lace& the knife on the center of his %ithout s$eaking of it or eeting his eyes" In fact! %e ne'er s$oke of it" shelf" #ctually! I &ro'e it! bla&e first! into the %oo& of the shelf" Then I left I belie'e that the knife is still there"

9H#*TER SIK 9hi'alry.s Sha&o% THERE #RE T;O TR#DITIO5S about the custo of gi'ing royal offs$ring ost co only hel& is na es suggesti'e of 'irtues or abilities" The one that is chil& %ho %ill be traine& in the Skill! so eho% the Skill hi or her by na e" This first tra&ition is

that so eho% these na es are bin&ing+ that %hen such a na e is attache& to a el&s the na e to the chil&! an& the chil& cannot hel$ but gro% u$ to $ractice the 'irtue ascribe& to ost &ogge&ly belie'e& by those inor nobility" sa e ones ost $rone to &off their ca$s in the $resence of
1HB

ore ancient tra&ition attributes such na es to acci&ent! at least initially" It

is sai& that (ing Taker an& (ing Ruler! the first t%o of the OutIslan&ers to rule %hat %oul& beco e the Six Duchies! ha& no such na es at all" Rather that their na es in their o%n foreign tongue %ere 'ery si ilar to the soun&s of such %or&s in the Duchies. tongue! an& thus ca e to be kno%n by their ho ony s rather than by their true na es" But for the $ur$oses of royalty! it is better to ha'e the co on folk belie'e that a boy gi'en a noble na e ust gro% to ha'e a noble nature" 6Boy:7 I lifte& y hea&" Of the half &o1en or so other la&s lounging about before the o'e& u$ to take y $lace at the o$$osite astere& so e trick eant 6the fire! no one else e'en flinche&" The girls took e'en less notice as I si&e of the lo% table %here -aster Fe&%ren knelt" He ha& of inflection that let all kno% %hen boy bastar&"7 I tucke& y knees un&er the lo% table an& sat on y attention %an&er" y feet! then $resente& y careful Fe&%ren %ith y sheet of $ith $a$er" #s he ran his eyes &o%n

eant 6boy7 an& %hen it

colu ns of letters! I let stor

;inter ha& har'este& us an& store& us here in the Jreat Hall" Outsi&e! a sea lashe& the %alls of the kee$ %hile breakers $oun&e& the cliffs %ith a force that occasionally sent a tre or through the stone floor beneath us" The hea'y o'ercast ha& stolen e'en the fe% hours of %atery &aylight that %inter ha& left us" It see e& to feeling tire&" For a brief e that a &arkness lay o'er us like a fog! both outsi&e y eyes! so that I felt slee$y %ithout y senses ex$an& an& felt the %inter o ent I let an& %ithin" The &i ness $enetrate&

1HC

sluggishness of the houn&s %here they &o1e& an& t%itche& in the corners" 5ot e'en there coul& I fin& a thought or i age to interest e" Fires burne& in all three of the big hearths! an& &ifferent grou$s ha& gathere& before each" #t one! fletchers busie& the sel'es %ith their %ork! lest to orro% be a clear enough &ay to allo% for a hunt" I longe& to be there! for Sherf.s ello% 'oice %as rising an& falling in the telling of so e tale! broken fre)uently %ith a$$reciati'e laughter fro her listeners" #t the en& hearth! others ta$$e& toes as they chil&ren.s 'oices $i$e& along in the chorus of a song" I recogni1e& it as the She$her&.s Song! a counting tune" # fe% %atchful strings ke$t the young 'oices al ost in tune" Here! at our hearth! chil&ren ol& enough to sit still an& learn letters &i& so" Fe&%ren sa% to that" His shar$ blue eyes isse& nothing" 6Here!7 he sai& to e! $ointing" 6You.'e forgotten to cross their tails" Re e ber ho% I sho%e& you0 @ustice! o$en your eyes an& get back to your $en %ork" Do1e off again an& I.ll let you bring us another log for the fire" 9harity! you can hel$ hi you s irk again" Other than that7Gan& his attention %as su&&enly back on %ork againG7your lettering is if y tatte& at their lace aking %hile @er&on.s %ithere& ol& fingers on the har$

uch i $ro'e&! not only on these Duchian

characters! but on the OutIslan&er runes as %ell" Though those can.t really be $ro$erly brushe& onto such $oor $a$er" The surface is too $orous! an& takes the ink too %ell" Joo& $oun&e& bark sheets are %hat you %ant for runes!7 an& he ran a finger a$$reciati'ely o'er the sheet he %as %orking on" 69ontinue to sho% this ty$e of %ork! an& before %inter.s out I.ll let you Iueen Bi&e%ell.s Re e&ies" ;hat &o you say to that07 I trie& to s ile an& be $ro$erly flattere&" 9o$y %ork %as not usually gi'en to stu&ents+ goo& $a$er %as too rare! an& one careless brushstroke coul& ruin a sheet" I kne% the Re e&ies %as a fairly si $le set of herbal $ro$erties an&
1HD

ake

e a co$y of

$ro$hecies! but any co$ying %as an honor to as$ire to" Fe&%ren ga'e fresh sheet of $ith $a$er" #s I rose to return to e" 6Boy07 I $ause&"

e a

y $lace he lifte& a han& to sto$

Fe&%ren looke& unco fortable" 6I &on.t kno% %ho to ask this of! exce$t you" *ro$erly! I.& ask your $arents! but ,7 -ercifully he let the sentence &ie" He scratche& his bear& o'er! an& I.ll be on e&itati'ely %ith his inkstaine& fingers" 6;inter.s soon y %ay again" Do you kno% %hat I &o in su er! boy0 I y inks! an& uch to be

%an&er all the Six Duchies! getting herbs an& berries an& roots for roa&s in su ers an& guesting at the kee$ here all %inter" There.s e

aking $ro'isions for the $a$ers I nee&" It.s a goo& life! %alking free on the sai& for scribing for a li'ing"7 He looke& at %on&ering %hat he %as getting at" 6I take an a$$rentice! e'ery fe% years" So e of the &etail! or the %ork out! an& go on to &o scribing for the lesser kee$s" So e &on.t" So e &on.t ha'e the $atience for the e ory for the inks" I think you %oul&" ;hat %oul& you think e co $letely off guar&! an& I stare& at hi utely" It about beco ing a scribe07 The )uestion caught %oul& %ant %asn.t 4ust the i&ea of beco ing a scribe+ it %as the %hole notion that Fe&%ren e to be his a$$rentice! to follo% hi about an& learn the secrets y bargain %ith the y stolen e of his tra&e" Se'eral years ha& $asse& since I ha& begun e&itati'ely" I looke& back!

ol& (ing" Other than the nights I s$ent in 9ha&e.s co $any or co $anionable! let alone goo& left e s$eechless" He young/ol& s ile"

afternoons %ith -olly an& (erry! I ha& ne'er thought of anyone fin&ing ust ha'e sense&

aterial for an a$$rentice" Fe&%ren.s $ro$osal y confusion! for he s ile& his genial

1HE

6;ell! think on it! boy" Scribing.s a goo& tra&e! an& %hat other $ros$ects &o you ha'e0 Bet%een the t%o of us! I think that so e ti e a%ay fro ight &o you goo&"7 6#%ay fro Buckkee$07 I re$eate& in %on&er" It %as like so eone o$ening a y in&! an& the %eary e" a$s I ha& been force& to stu&y curtain" I ha& ne'er consi&ere& the i&ea" Su&&enly the roa&s lea&ing a%ay fro Buckkee$ glea e& in beca e $laces I coul& go" It transfixe& Buckkee$

6Yes!7 Fe&%ren sai& softly" 6=ea'e Buckkee$" #s you gro% ol&er 9hi'alry.s sha&o% %ill gro% thinner" It %ill not al%ays shelter you" Better you %ere your o%n an! %ith your o%n life an& calling to content you before his $rotection is e no%" Think about it" Discuss it e back to y $lace" I thought entirely gone" But you &on.t ha'e to ans%er %ith Burrich! $erha$s"7 #n& he han&e& e y $ith $a$er an& sent about his %or&s! but it %as not Burrich I took the to" In the feeble hours of a

ne% &ay! 9ha&e an& I %ere crouche&! hea& to hea&! I $icking u$ the re& shar&s of a broken crock that Slink ha& o'erset %hile 9ha&e sal'age& the fine black see&s that ha& scattere& in all &irections" Slink clung to the to$ of a sagging ta$estry an& chirre& a$ologetically! but I sense& his a use ent" 69o e all the %ay fro scol&e& hi " 6(alibar!7 I sai&! an& &re&ge& out! 6a &ay.s tra'el $ast our bor&er %ith San&se&ge"7 6That.s right! there07 6-e0 Oh! no" I an& eant that they ca e fro that far" I ha& to sen& to Fircrest for all Six Duchies the " They.'e a large arket there! one that &ra%s tra&e fro y boy!7 9ha&e uttere& a$$ro'ingly" 6Ha'e you e'er been (alibar! these see&s! you skinny little $elt:7 9ha&e

any of our neighbors as %ell"7

11H

6Oh" Fircrest" Ha'e you e'er been there07 9ha&e consi&ere&" 6# ti e or t%o! %hen I %as a younger noise! gla& to return to Buckkee$"7 6;as there any other $lace you e'er %ent that you like& better than Buckkee$07 9ha&e straightene& slo%ly! his $ale han& cu$$e& full of fine black see&" 6;hy &on.t you 4ust ask So I tol& hi %ere e your )uestion instea& of beating aroun& the bush07 y su&&en reali1ation that a$s of Fe&%ren.s offer! an& also of an" I re e ber the ostly! an& the heat" Inlan& $laces are like that! too &ry! too hot" I %as

ore than lines an& colors" They %ere $laces an& $ossibilities! an& I atter %here you %ent! you %oul&

coul& lea'e here an& be so eone else! be a scribe! or// 65o"7 9ha&e s$oke softly but abru$tly" 65o still be 9hi'alry.s bastar&" Fe&%ren is at court you ust al%ays be a bastar&! ore $ers$icacious than I belie'e& hi ust al%ays be so ething of a $ariah"

to be! but he still &oesn.t un&erstan&" 5ot the %hole $icture" He sees that here ;hat he &oesn.t reali1e is that here! $artaking of (ing Shre%&.s bounty! learning your lessons! un&er his eye! you are not a threat to hi " 9ertainly! you are un&er 9hi'alry.s sha&o% here" 9ertainly! it &oes $rotect you" But %ere you a%ay fro here! far fro being unnee&ful of such $rotection! you %oul& as a %an&ering scribe" Rather you orning! or %ith an beco e a &anger to (ing Shre%&! an& a greater &anger to his heirs after hi " You %oul& ha'e no si $le life of free&o arro% through you on the high roa&"7 # col&ness shi'ere& through e" 6But %hy07 I aske& softly" 9ha&e sighe&" He &u $e& the see&s into a &ish! &uste& his han&s lightly to shake loose those that clung to his fingers" 6Because you.re a royal bastar&! an& hostage to your o%n bloo&lines" For no%! as I say! you.re no threat to
111

%oul& be foun& in your inn be& %ith your throat cut so e

Shre%&" You.re too young! an& besi&es! he has you right %here he can %atch you" But he.s looking &o%n the roa&" #n& you shoul& be! too" These are restless ti es" The OutIslan&ers are getting bra'er about their rai&s" The coast folk are beginning to gru ble! saying %e nee& ore $atrol shi$s! an& so e say ight %arshi$s of our o%n! to rai& as %e are rai&e&" But the Inlan& Duchies %ant no $art of $aying for shi$s of any kin&! but es$ecially not %arshi$s that thinks of! %ith no care for their far ing" #n& the onth" So the erchants $reci$itate us into a full/scale %ar" They co $lain the coast is all the (ing ountain folk are beco ing ore chary about the use of their $asses" The tra&e fees gro% stee$er e'ery u ble an& co $lain to each other" To the south! in San&se&ge an& beyon&! there is &rought! an& ti es are har&" E'eryone there curses! as if the (ing an& Aerity %ere to bla e for that as %ell" Aerity is a fine fello% to ha'e a ug %ith! but he is neither the sol&ier nor the &i$lo at that instrel by the 9hi'alry %as" He %oul& rather hunt %inter buck! or listen to a

firesi&e than tra'el %inter roa&s in ra% %eather! 4ust to stay in touch %ith the other Duchies" Sooner or later! if things &o not i $ro'e! $eo$le %ill look about an& say! F;ell! a bastar&.s not so large a thing to ake a fuss o'er" 9hi'alry ight ha'e shoul& ha'e co e to $o%er+ he.& soon $ut a sto$ to all this" He foreigners tra $le all o'er us"7 6So 9hi'alry ight yet beco e (ing07 The )uestion sent a )ueer thrill to e" Instantly I %as i agining his triu $hant return to Buckkee$! our e'entual eeting! an& , ;hat then0 9ha&e see e& to be rea&ing folk all %ante& hi y face" 65o! boy" 5ot likely at all" E'en if the u blings an& gru blings! to! I &oubt that he.& go against %hat he set u$on hi self!

been a bit stiff about $rotocol! but at least he got things &one! an& &i&n.t let

or against the (ing.s %ishes" But it %oul& cause

an& those coul& lea& to riots an& skir ishes! oh! an& a generally ba& cli ate
112

for a bastar& to be running aroun& free in" You.& ha'e to be settle& one %ay or another" Either as a cor$se! or as the (ing.s tool"7 6The (ing.s tool" I see"7 #n o$$ression settle& o'er blue skies arching o'er yello% roa&s an& e" -y brief gli $se of astri&e Sooty e tra'eling &o%n the

su&&enly 'anishe&" I thought of the houn&s in their kennels instea&! or of the ha%k! hoo&e& an& stra$$e&! that ro&e on the (ing.s %rist an& %as loose& only to &o the (ing.s %ill" 6It &oesn.t ha'e to be that ba&!7 9ha&e sai& )uietly" 6-ost $risons are of our o%n 6I. aking" # an akes his o%n free&o ! too"7 I07 Des$ite the ne%ness of the e" ensely i $ortant to ne'er going to get to go any%here! a

i&ea! tra'eling su&&enly see e& i 6I %oul&n.t say that"7 9ha&e %as ru saucer ato$ it" 6You.ll get to go

aging about for so ething to use as a

sto$$er on the &ish full of see&s" He finally contente& hi self %ith $utting a any $laces" Iuietly! an& %hen the fa ily interests re)uire you to go there" But that.s not all that &ifferent for any $rince of the bloo&" Do you think 9hi'alry got to choose %here he %oul& go to %ork his &i$lo acy0 Do you think Aerity likes being sent off to 'ie% to%ns rai&e& by OutIslan&ers! to hear the co $laints of folks %ho insist that if only they.& been better fortifie& or better true $rince has 'ery little free&o before"7 6Exce$t that he can.t co e back to Buckkee$07 The flash of insight free1e! 'isits fro y han&s full of shar&s" a for er king/in/%aiting" Better he fa&e& )uietly a%ay"7 a&e e anne&! none of this %oul& ha'e ha$$ene&0 # %hen it co es to %here he %ill go or ho% he ore of both no% than he e'er ha&

%ill s$en& his ti e" 9hi'alry has $robably

6Exce$t he can.t co e back to Buckkee$" It &oesn.t &o to stir folks u$ %ith

118

I tosse& the shar&s into the hearth" 6#t least he gets to go so e%here!7 I uttere&" 6I can.t e'en go to to%n ,7 6#n& it.s that i $ortant to you0 To go &o%n to a grubby! greasy little $ort like Buckkee$ To%n07 6There are other $eo$le there ,7 I hesitate&" 5ot e'en 9ha&e kne% of to%n frien&s" I $lunge& ahea&" 6They call Fthe bastar&. e'ery ti e they look at 6#h!7 sai& 9ha&e! an& his shoul&ers #n& a o ent later he %as telling fee&ing hi aske& hi y e 5e%boy" #n& they &on.t think e" an 4ust by

e"7 I ha& ne'er $ut it into %or&s before! o'e& as if he sighe&! but he %as silent" e ho% one coul& sicken a e'en to &eath

but su&&enly the attraction of to%n %as )uite clear to

rhubarb an& s$inach at the sa e sitting! sicken hi ho% to kee$ others at the sa e table fro

if the $ortions %ere sufficient! an& ne'er set a bit of $oison on the table at all" I also being sickene&! an& to e that his %or&s our &iscussion %an&ere& fro there" Only later &i& it see

regar&ing 9hi'alry ha& been al ost $ro$hetic" It %as t%o &ays later %hen I %as sur$rise& to be tol& that Fe&%ren ha& re)ueste& y ser'ices for a &ay or so" I %as sur$rise& e'en yself" I hel& ore %hen he ga'e e a list of su$$lies he re)uire& fro %ith t%o extra co$$ers for one of y other to%n! an& enough sil'er to buy the ! y breath! ex$ecting that Burrich or y y ar an& y brain gi&&y %ith

asters %oul& forbi& it! but instea& I %as tol& to hurry on

%ay" I %ent out of the gates %ith a basket on su&&en free&o " I counte& u$ the a%ay fro i tol& to e&iately $lanne& to rene% yself an& no one the %iser"
11<

onths since I ha& last been able to sli$

Buckkee$ an& %as shocke& to fin& it ha& been a year or better" I y ol& fa iliarity %ith the to%n" 5o one ha&

e %hen I ha& to return! an& I %as confi&ent I coul& snatch an hour or t%o

The 'ariety of the ite s on Fe&%ren.s list took nuts" *erha$s he use& the coul& not fin& the hi self a %as a co to

e all o'er the to%n" I ha& no

i&ea %hat use a scribe ha& for &rie& sea ai&.s hair! or for a $eck of forester.s ake his colore& inks! I &eci&e&! an& %hen I yself &o%n to the harbor in the regular sho$s! I took

ba1aar! %here anyone %ith a blanket an& so ething to sell coul& &eclare erchant" The sea%ee& I foun& s%iftly enough there! an& learne& it on ingre&ient in cho%&er" The nuts took longer! for those %ere inlan& rather than fro the sea! an&

so ething that %oul& ha'e co e fro But fin& the

there %ere fe%er tra&ers %ho &ealt in such things" I &i&! alongsi&e baskets of $orcu$ine )uills an& car'e& %oo&en bea&s an& nut cones an& $oun&e& bark fabric" The %o an %ho $resi&e& o'er the blanket %as ol&! an& her hair ha& gone sil'er rather than %hite or gray" She ha& a strong straight nose an& her eyes %ere on bony shel'es o'er her cheeks" It %as a racial heritage both strange an& o&&ly fa iliar to %alke& &o%n y back %hen I su&&enly kne% she %as fro the 6(e$$et!7 sai& the %o an at the next %as staring at at as I co $lete& e! an& a shi'er ountains" y $urchase" I

glance& at her! thinking she %as a&&ressing the %o an I ha& 4ust $ai&" But she e" 6(e$$et!7 she sai&! )uite insistently! an& I %on&ere& %hat it eant in her language" It see e& a re)uest for so ething! but the ol&er %o an only stare& col&ly out into the street! so I shrugge& at her younger neighbor a$ologetically an& turne& a%ay as I sto%e& the nuts in I ha&n.t got y basket" ore than a &o1en ste$s a%ay %hen I hear& her shriek 6(e$$et:7

yet again" I looke& back to see the t%o %o en engage& in a struggle" The ol&er one gri$$e& the younger one.s %rists an& the younger one struggle& an& thrashe& an& kicke& to get free of her" #roun& her! other stan&ing to their feet in alar an& snatching their o%n erchants %ere erchan&ise out of

11?

har .s %ay" I face et

ight ha'e turne& back to %atch ha& not another

ore fa iliar

y eyes" e full! an& for an instant I thought I ha& been istaken" # uch0

65oseblee&:7 I exclai e&" She turne& to face year ha& $asse& since I.& last seen her" Ho% coul& a $erson change so

The &ark hair that use& to be in sensible brai&s behin& her ears no% fell free $ast her shoul&ers" #n& she %as &resse&! not in a 4erkin an& loose trousers! but in blouse an& skirt" The a&ult gar ents $ut challenge& I stoo& e as she aske& e at a loss for %or&s" I ight ha'e turne& asi&e an& $reten&e& I a&&resse& so eone else ha& her &ark eyes not e coolly! 65oseblee&07 her cheek" 6I. -olly y groun&" 6#ren.t you -olly 5oseblee&07

She lifte& a han& to brush so e hair back fro 6I. not sure that I kno% you" Your na e! sir07

9han&ler"7 I sa% recognition in her eyes! but her 'oice %as chill as she a&&e&! 9onfuse&! I reacte& %ithout thinking" I )ueste& to%ar& her! foun& her ner'ousness! an& %as sur$rise& by her fears" Thought an& 'oice I sought to soothe it" 6I. 5e%boy!7 I sai& %ithout hesitation" Her eyes %i&ene& %ith sur$rise! an& then she laughe& at %hat she construe& as a 4oke" The barrier she ha& erecte& bet%een us burst like a soa$ bubble! an& su&&enly I kne% her as I ha& before" There %as the sa e %ar bet%een us that re in&e& e of nothing so kinshi$ uch as 5osy" #ll a%k%ar&ness

&isa$$eare&" # cro%& %as for ing about the struggling %o en! but %e left it behin& us as %e strolle& u$ the cobble& street" I a& ire& her skirts! an& she cal ly infor e& e that she ha& been %earing skirts for se'eral onths no% other.s+ an& that she )uite $referre& the to trousers" This one ha& been her

she %as tol& that one si $ly coul&n.t get %ool %o'en this fine any ore! or a re& as bright as it %as &ye&" She a& ire&
11B

y clothes! an& I su&&enly reali1e&

that $erha$s I a$$eare& to her as &ifferent as she to any

e" I ha&

y best shirt on!

y trousers ha& been %ashe& only a fe% &ays ago! an& I %ore boots as fine as an/at/ar s! &es$ite Burrich.s ob4ections about ho% ra$i&ly I outgre% y business an& I tol& her I %as on erran&s for the %riting y $art! but one that allo%e& e to re ain by her si&e as the " She aske& total fabrication on

aster at the kee$" I tol& her! too! that he %as in nee& of t%o bees%ax ta$ers! a %e strolle& u$ the %in&ing street" Our elbo%s bu $e& co $anionably an& she talke&" She %as carrying a basket of her o%n on her ar " It ha& se'eral $ackets an& bun&les of herbs in it! for scenting can&les! she tol& scent uch better than tallo%! in her o$inion" She e" Bees%ax took the a&e the best scente&

can&les in Buckkee$+ e'en the t%o other chan&lers in to%n a& itte& it" This! s ell this! this %as la'en&er! %asn.t it lo'ely0 Her fa'orite! no! but so e sai& it other herbs an& other.s fa'orite! an& hers! too" This %as crushs%eet! an& this beebal " This %as thresher.s root! not her a&e a goo& can&le to cure hea&aches an& %inter other ha& ixe& it %ith e'en a colicky gloo s" -a'is Threa&sni$ ha& tol& her that -olly.s

a&e a %on&erful can&le! one that %oul& cal other.s reci$e"

baby" So -olly ha& &eci&e& to try! by ex$eri enting! to see if she coul& fin& the right herbs an& re/create her Her cal flaunting of her kno%le&ge an& skills left e burning to &istinguish

yself in her eyes" 6I kno% the thresher.s root!7 I tol& her" 6So e use it to ake an oint ent for sore shoul&ers an& backs" That.s %here the na e co es fro " But if you &istill a tincture fro taste&! an& it %ill or ake a gro%n ake a chil& &ie in his slee$"7 y last %or&s a look of horror ca e o'er it an& ix it %ell in %ine! it.s ne'er an slee$ a &ay an& a night an& a &ay again!

Her eyes %i&ene& as I s$oke! an& at

her face" I fell silent an& felt the shar$ a%k%ar&ness again" 6Ho% &o you kno% such things07 she &e an&e& breathlessly"
11C

6I , I hear& an ol& tra'eling hel$ hi

i&%ife talking to our

i&%ife u$ to the kee$!7 I an gi'en so e to

i $ro'ise&" 6It %as , a sa& story she tol&! of an in4ure& %as softening an& I felt her %ar ing to%ar&

rest! but his baby got into it as %ell" # 'ery! 'ery sa& story"7 Her face e again" 6I only tell it to be sure

you are careful of the root" Don.t lea'e it about %here any chil& can get at it"7 6Thank you" I shan.t" #re you intereste& in herbs an& roots0 I &i&n.t kno% a scribe care& about such things"7 I su&&enly reali1e& that she thought I %as the scribe.s hel$ boy" I &i&n.t see any reason to tell her other%ise" 6Oh! Fe&%ren uses inks" So e co$ies he bir&s an& cats an& turtles an& fish" He sho%e& any things! for his &yes an& akes )uite $lain! but others are fancy! all &one %ith e an herbal %ith the greens an&

flo%ers of each herb &one as the bor&er for the $age"7 6That I shoul& &early lo'e to see!7 she sai& in a heartfelt %ay! an& I instantly began thinking of %ays to $urloin it for a fe% &ays" 6I ight be able to get you a co$y to rea& , not to kee$! but to stu&y for a fe% &ays!7 I offere& hesitantly" She laughe&! but there %as a slight e&ge in it" 6#s if I coul& rea&: Oh! but I i agine you.'e $icke& u$ so e letters! running about for the scribe.s erran&s"7 6# fe%!7 I tol& her! an& %as sur$rise& at the en'y in her eyes %hen I sho%e& her y list an& confesse& I coul& rea& all se'en %or&s on it" ore slo%ly! an& I reali1e& %e # su&&en shyness ca e o'er her" She %alke&

%ere getting close to the chan&lery" I %on&ere& if her father still beat her! but &are& not ask about it" Her face! at least! sho%e& no sign of it" ;e reache& the chan&lery &oor an& $ause& there" She her han& on rea& so ething for 6I.ll try!7 I offere&"
11D

a&e so e su&&en &ecision! for she $ut

y slee'e! took a breath! an& then aske&! 6Do you think you coul& e0 Or e'en any $art of it07

6;hen I , no% that I %ear skirts!

y father has gi'en

other.s things"

She ha& been &ress hel$ to a la&y u$ at the kee$ %hen she %as a girl! an& ha& letters taught her" I ha'e so e tablets she %rote" I.& like to kno% %hat they say"7 6I.ll try!7 I re$eate&" 6-y father.s in the sho$"7 She sai& no %ay her consciousness rang against 6I. back to the kee$ %ithout the "7 6Be not too fa iliar %ith e!7 she cautione& e! an& then o$ene& the &oor" I follo%e& her! but slo%ly! as if coinci&ence brought us to the &oor together" I nee& not ha'e been so circu s$ect" Her father sle$t )uite soun&ly in a chair besi&e the hearth" I %as shocke& at the change in hi " His skinniness ha& beco e skeletal! the flesh on his face re in&ing o'er a lu $y fruit $ie" 9ha&e ha& taught fingernails an& li$s! an& e'en fro strength" -olly otione& e of an un&ercooke& $astry an.s e %ell" I looke& to the ore than that! but so ething in the ine %as sufficient"

to get Scribe Fe&%ren t%o bees%ax ta$ers!7 I re in&e& her" 6I &are not go

across the roo ! I kne% he coul& not li'e

uch longer" *erha$s he no longer beat -olly because he no longer ha& the e to be )uiet" She 'anishe& behin& the hangings their sho$! lea'ing e to ex$lore the store" ost of the that &i'i&e& their ho e fro

It %as a $leasant $lace! not large! but the ceiling %as higher than in

sho$s an& &%ellings in Buckkee$ To%n" I sus$ecte& it %as -olly.s &iligence that ke$t it s%e$t an& ti&y" The $leasant s ells an& soft light of her in&ustry fille& the roo " Her %ares hung in $airs by their 4oine& %icks fro long &o%els on a rack" Fat sensible can&les for shi$s. use fille& another shelf" She e'en ha& three gla1e& $ottery la $s on &is$lay! for those able to affor& such things" In a&&ition to can&les! I foun& she ha& $ots of honey! a natural by/

11E

$ro&uct of the beehi'es she ten&e& behin& the sho$ that furnishe& the %ax for her finest $ro&ucts" Then -olly rea$$eare& an& otione& to e to co e 4oin her" She brought a out on it" Then she branch of ta$ers an& a set of tablets to a table an& set the %ise" The tablets %ere &one in the ol& style" Si $le slabs of %oo& ha& been cut %ith the grain of the tree an& san&e& s ooth" The letters ha& been brushe& on carefully! an& then seale& to the %oo& %ith a yello%ing rosin layer" There %ere fi'e! excellently lettere&" Four %ere carefully $recise accounts of herbal reci$es for healing can&les" #s I rea& each one softly alou& to -olly! I coul& see her struggling to co it the to e ory" #t the fifth tablet! I hesitate&" 6This isn.t a reci$e!7 I tol& her" 6;ell! %hat is it07 she &e an&e& in a %his$er" I shrugge& an& began to rea& it to her" 6 FOn this &ay %as born y -olly 5osegay! s%eet as any bunch of $osies" For her birth labors! I burne& t%o ta$ers of bayberry an& t%o cu$ can&les scente& %ith t%o han&fuls of the s all 'iolets that gro% near Do%ell.s -ill an& one han&ful of re&root! cho$$e& 'ery fine" -ay she &o like%ise %hen her ti e co es to bear a chil&! an& her labor %ill be as easy as ine! an& the fruit of it as $erfect" So I belie'e". 6 y han&s an& hel& it in her t%o han&s an& stare& at it! y feet! an& the That %as all! an& %hen I ha& rea& it! the silence gre% an& blosso e&" -olly took that last tablet fro as if rea&ing things in the letters that I ha& not seen" I shifte& an& &isa$$eare& %ith the once ore"

stoo& back an& $resse& her li$s together as if %on&ering if %hat she &i& %ere

scuffing recalle& to her that I %as there" Silently she gathere& u$ all her tablets

12H

;hen she ca e back! she %alke& s%iftly to the shelf an& took &o%n t%o tall bees%ax ta$ers! an& then to another shelf %hence she took t%o fat $ink can&les" 6I only nee&G7 6Shush" There.s no charge for any of these" The s%eetberry/blosso gi'e you cal for &rea s" I 'ery 'oice %as frien&ly! but as she $ut the into ones %ill uch en4oy the ! an& I think you %ill! too"7 Her y basket I kne% she %as %aiting e! an& o$ene& it softly lest e one real e e

e to lea'e" Still! she %alke& to the &oor %ith

it %ake her father" 6Joo&bye! 5e%boy!7 she sai&! an& then ga'e s ile" 65osegay" I ne'er kne% she calle&

e that" 5oseblee&! they calle&

on the streets" I su$$ose the ol&er ones %ho kne% %hat na e she ha& gi'en anything else" ;ell" I &on.t care" I ha'e it no%" # na e fro the heat rose in y cheeks! I hurrie& a%ay fro on y other"7

thought it %as funny" #n& after a %hile they $robably forgot it ha& e'er been 6It suits you!7 I sai& in a su&&en burst of gallantry! an& then! as she stare& an& the &oor" I %as sur$rise& to y fin& that it %as late afternoon! nearly e'ening" I race& through the rest of erran&s! begging the last ite of the belie'e& erchant.s %in&o%" Jru&gingly he o$ene& his &oor to e a little &aft" e" They %ere co ing u$ fro ake the of the uch the

y list! a %easel.s skin! through the shutters e! co $laining ust ha'e so $rofusely he

that he like& to eat his su$$er hot! but I thanke& hi

I %as hurrying u$ the stee$est $art of the roa& back to the kee$ %hen I hear& the unex$ecte& soun&s of horses behin& &ock section of to%n! an& being ri&&en har&" It %as ri&iculous" 5o one ke$t horses in to%n! for the roa&s %ere too stee$ an& rocky to horse a 'anity rather than a con'enience" So these use" #lso! the to%n %as cro%&e& into such a s all area as to ake ri&ing a

ust be horses fro

kee$.s stables" I ste$$e& to one si&e of the roa& an& %aite&! curious to see %ho
121

%oul& risk Burrich.s %rath by ri&ing horses at such s$ee& on slick an& une'en cobbles in $oor light" To y shock they %ere Regal an& Aerity on the atche& blacks that %ere essengers to the kee$ e Burrich.s $ri&e" Aerity carrie& a $lu e& baton! such as

carrie& %hen the ne%s they bore %as of the ut ost i $ortance" #t sight of that Regal.s s$un asi&e an& nearly %ent &o%n on his knees"

stan&ing )uietly besi&e the roa& they both $ulle& in their horses so 'iolently 6Burrich %ill ha'e fits if you break that colt.s knees!7 I crie& out in &is ay! an& ran to%ar& hi " Regal ga'e an inarticulate cry! an& a half instant later Aerity shakily laughe& at hi " 6You thought he %as a ghost! sa e as I" ;hoa! la&! you ga'e us a turn! stan&ing so )uiet as that" #n& looking so uch like hi " Ey! Regal07 ount.s outh a 6Aerity! you.re a fool" Hol& your tongue"7 Regal ga'e his

'in&icti'e 4erk an& then tugge& his 4erkin s ooth again" 6;hat are you &oing out on this roa& so late! bastar&0 @ust %hat &o you think you.re u$ to! sneaking a%ay fro the kee$ an& into to%n at this hour07 e" This shar$ rebuke %as so ething ne%! e! or hol& hi self a%ay fro e ans%er )uickly! 6I. on a&e ore than a'oi& I %as use& to Regal.s &is&ain for ho%e'er" >sually! he &i& little e as if I %ere fresh u$ y basket as $roof" uch of a e"

anure" The sur$rise

y %ay back! not to! sir" I.'e been running erran&s for Fe&%ren"7 #n& I hel& 6Of course you ha'e"7 He sneere&" 6Such a likely tale" It.s a bit too coinci&ence! bastar&"7 #gain he flung the %or& at I an& sai&! 6Don.t

ust ha'e looke& both hurt an& confuse&! for Aerity snorte& in his bluff %ay in& hi ! boy" You ga'e us both a bit of a turn" # ri'er shi$ essage" #n& %hen Regal *atience! to tell us 9hi'alry.s

4ust ca e into to%n! flying the $ennant for a s$ecial an& I ro&e &o%n to get it! to an& behol&! it.s fro
122

&ea&" Then! as %e co e u$ the roa&! %hat &o %e see but the 'ery i age of hi as a boy! stan&ing silent before us! an& of course %e %ere in that fra e of an&G7 6You are such an i&iot! Aerity!7 Regal s$at" 6Tru $et it out for the %hole to%n to hear! before the (ing.s e'en been tol&" #n& &on.t $ut i&eas in the bastar&.s hea& that he looks like 9hi'alry" Fro &eli'er"7 Regal 4erke& his hi ount.s hea& u$ again an& then set s$urs to hi " I %atche& go! an& for an instant I s%ear all I thought %as that I shoul& go by the outh %as bruise&" But for so e reason I looke& u$ at Aerity an& %hat I hear! he has i&eas enough! an& essage to %e can thank our &ear father for that" 9o e on" ;e.'e got a in&

stable %hen I got back to the kee$! to check on the $oor beast an& see ho% ba&ly his sai&! 6-y father.s &ea&"7 He sat still on his horse" Bigger an& bulkier than Regal! he still al%ays sat a horse better" I think it %as the sol&ier in hi " He looke& at e in silence for a e that! y o ent" Then he sai&! 6Yes" -y brother.s &ea&"7 He grante& the an" 6>$ behin&

uncle! that instant of kinshi$! an& I think that e'er after it change& ho% I sa% e! boy! an& I.ll take you back to the kee$!7 he offere&" y hi&e off for ri&ing a horse &ouble on sorry you foun& out 65o! thank you" Burrich %oul& take this roa&"7 6That he %oul&! boy!7 Aerity agree& kin&ly" Then3 6I. this %ay" I %asn.t thinking" It &oes not see s$rang for%ar&" In # fine it can be real"7 I caught a gli $se

of his true grief! an& then he leane& for%ar& an& s$oke to his horse an& it o ents I %as alone on the roa& again" isting rain began an& the last natural light &ie&! an& still I stoo& there" o ent I thought of setting
128

I looke& u$ at the kee$! black against the stars! %ith here an& there a bit of light s$illing out" For a y basket &o%n an& running

a%ay! running off into the &arkness an& ne'er co ing back" ;oul& anyone e'er co e looking for other ar an& began e0 I %on&ere&" But instea& I shifte& y slo% tru&ge back u$ the hill" y basket to y

9H#*TER SEAE5 #n #ssign ent THERE ;ERE R>-ORS OF $oison %hen Iueen Desire &ie&" I choose to $ut in %riting here %hat I absolutely kno% as truth" Iueen Desire &i& &ie of $oisoning! but it ha& been self/a& inistere&! o'er a long $erio& of ti e! an& %as none of her king.s &oing" Often he ha& trie& to &issua&e her fro herbalists! but no sooner ha& he $ersua&e& her to &esist fro &isco'ere& another to try" To%ar& the en& of the last su er of her life! she beca e e'en ore reckless! using se'eral kin&s si ultaneously an& no longer aking any atte $ts to ake %il& using intoxicants as freely as she &i&" *hysicians ha& been consulte&! as %ell as one than she

conceal her habits" Her beha'iors %ere a great trial for Shre%&! for %hen she %as &runk %ith %ine or incense& %ith s oke! she %oul& accusations an& infla atory state ents %ith no hee& at all as to %ho %as

$resent or %hat the occasion %as" One %oul& ha'e thought that her excesses to%ar& the en& of her life %oul& ha'e &isillusione& her follo%ers" To the contrary! they &eclare& either that Shre%& ha& &ri'en her to self/&estruction or $oisone& her hi self" But I can say %ith co $lete kno%le&ge that her &eath %as not of the (ing.s &oing"

12<

Burrich cut

y hair for

ourning" He left it only a finger.s %i&th long" He a&e hi

sha'e& his o%n hea&! e'en his bear& an& eyebro%s! for his grief" The $ale $arts of his hea& contraste& shar$ly %ith his ru&&y cheeks an& nose+ it look 'ery strange! stranger e'en than the forest stare& at those %il& en %ho ca e to to%n %ith

their hair stuck &o%n %ith $itch an& their teeth &ye& re& an& black" 9hil&ren en an& %his$ere& to one another behin& their han&s as Burrich" I think it %as his eyes" I.'e than Burrich.s eyes ha& &uring y hair" ore life in the they $asse&! but they cringe& silently fro seen holes in a skull that ha& those &ays" Regal sent a That %as an to rebuke Burrich for sha'ing his hea& an& cutting ourning for a cro%ne& king! not for a an %ho ha& ab&icate& the

throne" Burrich stare& at the his hair an& bear&! as that %as cut 'arying lengths fro

an until he left" Aerity cut a han&.s %i&th fro ourning for a brother" So e of the kee$ guar&s an &oes for a e %as extre e"

their brai&e& )ueues! as a fighting %hy I shoul&

fallen co ra&e" But %hat Burrich ha& &one to hi self an& to *eo$le stare&" I %ante& to ask hi eyes an& e'en seen! for a father %ho ha& ne'er co e to see outh an& I ha&n.t &are&" 5o one each horse.s lock he cut fro

ourn for a father I ha& ne'er e! but a look at his fro1en ourning

entione& to Regal the

ane! or the stinking fire that consu e& all the eant Burrich %as sen&ing $arts of he ha& fro his

sacrificial hair" I ha& a sketchy i&ea that gran& other.s $eo$le"

our s$irits along %ith 9hi'alry.s+ it %as so e custo

It %as as if Burrich ha& &ie&" # col& force ani ate& his bo&y! $erfor ing all his tasks fla%lessly but %ithout %ar th or satisfaction" >n&erlings %ho ha& for erly 'ie& for the briefest no& of $raise fro slunk after hi hi no% turne& asi&e fro his glance! as if sha e& for hi " Only Aixen &i& not forsake hi " The ol& bitch %here'er he %ent! unre%ar&e& by any look or touch! but
12?

al%ays there" I hugge& her once! in sy $athy! an& e'en &are& to )uest to%ar& her! but I encountere& only a nu bness frightening to touch grie'e& %ith her aster" The %inter stor s cut an& snarle& aroun& the cliffs" The &ays $ossesse& a lifeless col& that &enie& any $ossibility of s$ring" 9hi'alry %as burie& at ;ithy%oo&s" There %as a Jrie'ing Fast at the kee$! but it %as brief an& sub&ue&" It %as Jrie'ing" Those %ho truly hi ore an obser'ation of correct for than a true ourne& hi see e& to be 4u&ge& guilty of $oor in&s %ith" She

taste" His $ublic life shoul& ha'e en&e& %ith his ab&ication+ ho% tactless of to &ra% further attention to hi self by actually &ying" y father &ie& I a%oke to the fa iliar &raft fro the secret e" I rose an& hastene& u$ the all the strangeness! to ore of # full %eek after stairs to

staircase an& the yello% light that beckone& ingle herbs an&

y refuge" It %oul& be goo& to get a%ay fro

ake strange s okes %ith 9ha&e again" I nee&e& no

the o&& sus$ension of self that I.& felt since I.& hear& of 9hi'alry.s &eath" But the %orktable en& of his cha ber %as &ark! its hearth %as col&" Instea&! 9ha&e %as seate& before his o%n fire" He beckone& to scarre& han& an& let it co e to rest on like that! %atching the fire together" 6;ell! here %e are! 6Burrich cut 6So I see"7 6I hate it" It $rickles against u$" #n& I look stu$i&"7 6You look like a boy ourning his father"7
12B

e to sit besi&e his

chair" I sat an& looke& u$ at hi ! but he %as staring at the fire" He lifte& his y )uillish hair" For a %hile %e 4ust sat ore! as if he

y boy!7 he sai& at last! an& then nothing y short hair" su&&enly"

ha& sai& all he nee&e& to" He ruffle& y hair!7 I tol& hi

y $illo% an& I can.t slee$" -y hoo& %on.t stay

I %as silent a

o ent" I ha& thought of

y hair as being a longer 'ersion of a&e e

Burrich.s extre e cut" But 9ha&e %as right" It %as the length for a boy ourning his father! not a sub4ect angrier" 6But %hy shoul& I 6He %as your father"7 6He got e on so e %o an" ;hen he foun& out about e! he left" # father" a&e e He ne'er care& about e"7 I felt &efiant finally saying it out lou&" It ourning an& no% 9ha&e.s )uiet sorro%" ourn hi 07 I aske& 9ha&e as I ha&n.t &are& to ask Burrich" 6I &i&n.t e'en kno% hi "7 ourning a king" That only

furious! Burrich.s &ee$ %il&

6You &on.t kno% that" You only hear %hat the gossi$s say" You aren.t ol& enough to un&erstan& so e things" You.'e ne'er seen a %il& bir& lure $re&ators a%ay fro its young by $reten&ing to be in4ure&"7 ake e think he care& about e"7 an! aybe you.ll 6I &on.t belie'e that!7 I sai&! but I su&&enly felt less confi&ent saying it" 6He ne'er &i& anything to 9ha&e turne& to look at un&erstan& 4ust ho% safe" To e an& his eyes %ere ol&er! sunken an& re&" 6If you

ha& kno%n he.& care&! so %oul& others" ;hen you are a ake his ene ies ignore you"7 to the en& of

uch that cost hi " To not kno% you in or&er to kee$ you y &ays! no%!7 I sai& sulkily"

6;ell! I.ll Fnot kno%. hi

9ha&e sighe&" 6#n& the en& of your &ays %ill co e a great &eal later than they %oul& ha'e ha& he ackno%le&ge& you as an heir"7 He $ause&! then aske& cautiously! 6;hat &o you %ant to kno% about hi ! 6E'erything" But ho% %oul& you kno%07 The ore surly I felt" 6I.'e kno%n hi all his life" I.'e , %orke& %ith hi " -any ti es" Han& in glo'e! as the saying goes"7
12C

y boy07

ore tolerant 9ha&e %as! the

6;ere you the han& or the glo'e07 5o atter ho% ru&e I %as! 9ha&e refuse& to get angry" 6The han&!7 he sai& o'es unseen! cloake& by the 'el'et after a brief consi&eration" 6The han& that glo'e of &i$lo acy"7 6;hat &o you ean07 Des$ite yself! I %as intrigue&" ake ore %illing to negotiate" Things can e as su&&enly as a 'ision! the fullness ean one an can &ie! an& his 6Things can be &one"7 9ha&e cleare& his throat" 6Things can ha$$en that &i$lo acy easier" Or that ha$$en ,7 -y %orl& turne& o'er" Reality burst on of %hat 9ha&e %as an& %hat I %as to be" 6You cause! because of fear or because of ,7 6Jratitu&e" Yes"7 # col& horror shook e as all the $ieces su&&enly fell into $lace" #ll the y shoul&er" lessons an& careful instructions an& this is %hat they le& to" I starte& to rise! but 9ha&e.s han& su&&enly gri$$e& 6Or a coul&! an& bring the %is&o an can li'e! t%o years or fi'e or a &eca&e longer than any thought he an& tolerance of age to the negotiations" Or a babe other su&&enly see %ith gratitu&e ake a $arty

successor can be easier to negotiate %ith because of it" -ore a enable to our

can be cure& of a strangling cough! an& the &eal &eath! y boy" 5ot al%ays"7

that %hat %e offer can be beneficial to all in'ol'e&" The han& &oesn.t al%ays 6Often enough"7 6I ne'er lie& to you about that"7 I hear& t%o things in 9ha&e.s 'oice that I ha& ne'er hear& before" Defensi'eness" #n& hurt" But youth is 6I &on.t think I %ant to learn any ore fro Shre%& an& tell hi 6That is your &ecision to erciless" going to go to you" I think I.

to fin& so eone else to kill $eo$le for hi "7 ake" But I a&'ise you against it! for no%"7
12D

His cal ness caught

e off guar&" 6;hy07

6Because it %oul& negate all 9hi'alry trie& to &o for you" It %oul& &ra% attention to you" #n& right no%! that.s not a goo& i&ea"7 His %or&s ca e $on&erously slo%! freighte& %ith truth" 6;hy07 I foun& I %as %his$ering" 6Because so e %ill be %anting to %rite finis to 9hi'alry.s story co $letely" #n& that %oul& be best &one by eli inating you" Those ones %ill be %atching ho% you react to your father.s &eath" Does it gi'e you i&eas an& restless0 ;ill you beco e a $roble 6;hat07 6-y boy!7 he sai&! an& $ulle& e close against his si&e" For the first ti e I hear& the $ossession in his %or&s" 6It is a ti e for you to be )uiet an& careful" I un&erstan& %hy Burrich cut your hair! but in truth I %ish he ha& not" I %ish no one ha& been re in&e& that 9hi'alry %as your father" You are such a hatchling yet , but listen to 6Ho% &i& e" For no%! change nothing that you &o" ;ait six onths! or a year" Then &eci&e" But for no%G7 y father &ie07 y face" 6Di& you not hear that he fell fro a horse07 an %ho tol& it! saying that 9hi'alry 9ha&e.s eyes searche& no%! the %ay he %as07 ake you

6Yes" #n& I hear& Burrich curse the 6Burrich nee&s to guar& his tongue"7 6Then ho% &i& y father &ie07

%oul& not fall! nor %oul& that horse thro% hi "7

6I &on.t kno%" But like Burrich! I &o not belie'e he fell fro 6#re they going to kill e! too07

a horse"7 9ha&e

fell silent" I sank &o%n to sit by his bony bare feet an& stare into his fire"

12E

He %as silent a long %hile" 6I &on.t kno%" 5ot if I can hel$ it" I think they it"7 6Then you think it co es fro %ithin the kee$"7

ust

first con'ince (ing Shre%& it is necessary" #n& if they &o that! I shall kno% of

6I &o"7 9ha&e %aite& long! but I %as silent! refusing to ask" He ans%ere& any%ay" 6I kne% nothing of it before it ha$$ene&" I ha& no han& in it in any %ay" They &i&n.t e'en a$$roach %oul& ha'e &one ha$$ene&"7 6Oh"7 I relaxe& a little" But alrea&y he ha& traine& %ant e &one" They.& be afrai& of your %arning y chin in his han& an& turne& e too %ell in the %ays of court thinking" 6Then they $robably %on.t co e to you if they &eci&e they e as %ell"7 He took y face so that I looke& into his eyes" e about it" *robably because they kno% I ore than 4ust refuse" I %oul& ha'e seen to it that it ne'er

6Your father.s &eath shoul& be all the %arning you nee&! no% or e'er" You.re a bastar&! boy" ;e.re al%ays a risk an& a 'ulnerability" ;e.re al%ays ex$en&able" Exce$t %hen %e are an absolute necessity to their o%n security" I.'e taught you )uite a bit! these last fe% years" But hol& this lesson closest an& kee$ it al%ays before you" If e'er you kill you"7 I looke& at hi %i&e/eye&" 6They &on.t nee& e no%"7 6Don.t they0 I gro% ol&" You are young! an& tractable! %ith the face an& bearing of the royal fa ily" #s long as you &on.t sho% any ina$$ro$riate a bitions! you.ll be fine"7 He $ause&! then carefully e $hasi1e&! 6;e are the (ing.s! boy" His exclusi'ely! in a %ay $erha$s you ha'e not thought about" 5o one kno%s %hat I &o an& of us! it is fro the (ing"7 ost ha'e forgotten %ho I a " Or %as" If any kno% ake it so they &on.t nee& you! they %ill

18H

I sat $utting it cautiously together" 6Then , you sai& it ca e fro kee$" But if you %ere not use&! then it %as not fro sai& it %ith su&&en certainty"

%ithin the

the (ing , The Iueen:7 I ake"

9ha&e.s eyes guar&e& his thoughts" 6That.s a &angerous assu $tion to E'en ore &angerous if you think you ust act on it in so e %ay"7 6;hy07

9ha&e sighe&" 6;hen you s$ring to an i&ea! an& &eci&e it is truth! %ithout e'i&ence! you blin& yourself to other $ossibilities" 9onsi&er the offen&e& at ;ithy%oo&s" *erha$s it ha& nothing to &o %ith hi the (ing.s o%n han& against his son"7 6You &on.t belie'e any of those!7 I sai& %ith certainty" 65o" I &on.t" Because I ha'e no e'i&ence to &eclare the That is all I re e ber of our con'ersation then" But I a &eliberately le& instill in an& slo%ly e to consi&er %ho truth" @ust as I ha'e sure that 9ha&e ha& y father! to e! y chores! no e'i&ence to say your father.s &eath %as the Iueen.s han& striking"7 ight ha'e acte& against yself to all! boy" *erha$s it %as an acci&ent" *erha$s 9hi'alry %as kille& by so eone he ha& being a $rince" Or $erha$s the (ing has another assassin! one I kno% nothing about! an& it %as

e a greater %ariness of the Iueen" I hel& the thought close to e&iately follo%e&" I ke$t y hair gre%! an& by the beginning of real su atter %ho sent

an& not 4ust in the &ays that i

er all see e& to yself sent off to e! one or t%o

ha'e returne& to nor al" Once e'ery fe% %eeks I %oul& fin& to%n on erran&s" I soon ca e to see that no y little bouts of free&o " I &i& not %in&o% of her sho$ until she notice& hear& so eone in the

ite s on the list %oun& u$ in 9ha&e.s )uarters! so I guesse& %ho %as behin& anage to s$en& ti e %ith -olly e'ery e that I %oul& stan& outsi&e the e! an& at least exchange a no&" Once I ti e I %ent to to%n! but it %as enough for

arket talking about the )uality of her scente& can&les!

181

an& ho% no one ha& Su

a&e such a $leasant an& healthful ta$er since her

other.s &ay" #n& I s ile& for her an& %as gla&" er ca e! bringing %ar er %eather to our coasts! an& %ith it the OutIslan&ers" So e ca e as honest tra&ers! %ith col& lan&s. goo&s to tra&e/ furs an& a ber an& i'ory an& kegs of oil/an& tall tales to share! ones that still coul& $rickle y neck 4ust as they ha& %hen I %as s all" Our sailors &i& not s$ies an& %orse" But their goo&s %ere rich! an& the trust the ! an& calle& the our erchants took it"

gol& they brought to $urchase our %ines an& grains %as soli& an& hea'y! an& #n& other OutIslan&ers also 'isite& our shores! though not too close to Buckkee$ hol&" They ca e %ith kni'es an& torches! %ith bo%s an& ra s! to $lun&er an& ra$e the sa e 'illages they ha& been $lun&ering an& ra$ing for years" So eti es it see e& an elaborate an& bloo&y contest! they to fin& 'illages una%are or un&erar e& an& for us to lure the it %ere a contest! it %ent 'ery ba&ly for us that su %as hea'y %ith the ne%s of &estruction an& the >$ at the kee$! a ong the in %ith see ingly 'ulnerable targets an& then slaughter an& $lun&er the $irates the sel'es" But if er" -y e'ery 'isit to to%n utterings of the $eo$le"

en/at/ar s! there %as a collecti'e feeling of

&oltishness that I share&" The OutIslan&ers elu&e& our $atrol shi$s %ith ease an& ne'er fell into our tra$s" They struck %here %e %ere un&er anne& an& least ex$ecting it" -ost &isco fite& of all %as Aerity! for to hi task of &efen&ing the king&o ha& fallen the uttere& once 9hi'alry ha& ab&icate&" I hear& it

in the ta'erns that since he ha& lost his el&er brother.s goo& counsel! all ha& gone sour" 5o one s$oke against Aerity yet+ but it %as unsettling that no one s$oke out strongly for hi either" e" 9ertainly they %ere Boyishly! I 'ie%e& the rai&s as a thing i $ersonal to

ba& things! an& I felt sorry in a 'ague %ay for those 'illagers %hose ho es
182

%ere torche& or $lun&ere&" But secure at Buckkee$! I ha& 'ery little feeling for the constant fear an& 'igilance that other sea$orts en&ure&! or for the agonies of 'illagers %ho rebuilt each year! only to see their efforts torche& the next" I %as not to kee$ y ignorant innocence long" y 6lesson7 one orning! though I s$ent as uch

I %ent &o%n to Burrich for taught" I ha& 'ery Burrich took 6I.

ti e &octoring ani als an& teaching young colts an& fillies as I &i& in being uch taken o'er 9ob.s $lace in the stables! %hile he ha& an& &og an" But that &ay! to y sur$rise! an& sat e &o%n at his table" I &rea&e& gone on to being Regal.s groo s$en&ing a te&ious

e u$stairs to his roo

orning re$airing tack" anners to&ay!7 Burrich announce& su&&enly" There y ability to learn such"

going to teach you

%as &oubt in his 'oice! as if he %ere ske$tical of 6;ith horses07 I aske& incre&ulously"

65o" You.'e those alrea&y" ;ith $eo$le" #t table! an& after%ar&! %hen folk sit an& talk %ith one another" Those sorts of 6;hy07 Burrich fro%ne&" 6Because for reasons I &on.t un&erstan&! you.re to acco $any Aerity %hen he goes to 5eatbay to see Duke (el'ar of Ri$$on" =or& (el'ar has not been coo$erating %ith =or& She shy in coastal to%ers" She shy accuses hi of ;atch Islan&! an& fro anning the of lea'ing to%ers co $letely %ithout anners"7

%atches! so that the OutIslan&ers are able to sail $ast an& e'en anchor outsi&e there rai& She shy.s 'illages in Shoaks Duchy" on gossi$ aroun& Buckkee$ anne&! for *rince Aerity is going to consult %ith (el'ar about these allegations"7 I gras$e& the situation co $letely" It %as co To%n" =or& (el'ar of Ri$$on Duchy ha& three %atchto%ers in his kee$ing" The t%o that brackete& the $oints of 5eatbay %ere al%ays %ell
188

they $rotecte& the best harbor in Ri$$on Duchy" But the to%er on ;atch Islan& $rotecte& little of Ri$$on that %as %orth uch to =or& (el'ar+ his high an& rocky coastline sheltere& fe% 'illages! an& %oul&/be rai&ers %oul& ha'e a har& ti e kee$ing their shi$s off the rocks %hile rai&ing" His southern coast %as sel&o bothere&" ;atch Islan& itself %as ho e to little ore than gulls! goats! an& a hefty $o$ulation of cla s" Yet the to%er there %as critical to the early &efense of Southco'e in Shoaks Duchy" It co fires to be easily seen fro the an&e& 'ie%s of both the inner it that allo%e& its beacon an& outer channels! an& %as $lace& on a natural su on Egg Islan&! but Egg %as little the %a'es on high ti&e" It co constantly in nee& of re$air fro stor a fire" Tra&itionally! the fishing groun&s an& cla the territory of Ri$$on Duchy! an& so the fallen to Ri$$on Duchy as %ell" But bringing in beacon fires! an& ing beaches of ;atch Islan& %ere anning of the %atchto%er there ha& aintaining a garrison there eant ;atch Islan& an& sen& the

ainlan&" She shy hi self ha& a %atchto%er ore than a bit of san& that stuck u$ abo'e an&e& no real 'ie% of the %ater! an& %as the shifting of the san&s an& the occasional

ti&e that o'er%hel e& it" But it coul& see a %atch/fire %arning light fro essage on" #s long as ;atch Islan& To%er lit such

en an& their 'ictuals! an& also su$$lying %oo& an& oil for the aintaining the to%er itself fro the sa'age ocean stor s of

that s%e$t across the barren little islan&" It %as an un$o$ular &uty station for en/at/ar s! an& ru or ha& it that to be statione& there %as a subtle for cu$s! (el'ar ha& &eclai e& that if $unish ent for unruly or un$olitical garrisons" -ore than once %hen in his anning the to%er %as so i $ortant to Shoaks Duchy! then =or& She shy shoul& &o it hi self" 5ot that Ri$$on Duchy %as intereste& in surren&ering the fishing groun&s off the islan& or the rich shellfish be&s"
18<

So %hen Shoaks.s 'illages %ere rai&e&! %ithout %arning! in an early s$ring s$ree that &estroye& all ho$es of the fiel&s being $lante& on ti e! as %ell as sa% ost of the $regnant shee$ either slaughtere&! stolen! or scattere&! =or& anning She shy ha& $roteste& lou&ly to the (ing that (el'ar ha& been lax in there %as suitable for a location that sel&o

his to%ers" (el'ar &enie& it! an& asserte& that the s all force he ha& installe& nee&e& to be &efen&e&" 6;atchers! en an& %o en to an the not sol&iers! are %hat ;atch Islan& To%er re)uires!7 he ha& &eclare&" #n& for that $ur$ose! he ha& recruite& a nu ber of el&erly to%er" # han&ful of the ha& been sol&iers! but ost %ere refugees fro

5eatbay+ &ebtors an& $ick$ockets an& aging %hores! so e &eclare&! %hile su$$orters of (el'ar asserte& they %ere but el&erly citi1ens in nee& of secure e $loy ent" #ll this I kne% better fro ta'ern gossi$ an& 9ha&e.s $olitical lectures than y tongue an& sat through his &etaile& an& e slightly Burrich coul& i agine" But I bit slo%" -y silences he s$eak" So no%! laboriously! Burrich began to instruct e! greet $eo$le %hen I first encountere& the an& foun& it occu$ie&+ he re in&e& a&&ress the $rece&e by their na es! an& if they %ere ol&er than e! al ost anyone I e in the anners that! he tol& ost other boys $icke& u$ si $ly by being aroun& their el&ers" I %as to each &ay! or if I %alke& into a roo e or of higher $olitical station! as! e %ith $rotocol+ %ho coul& eM" #n& on to the anners of elting silently a%ay %as not $olite" I shoul& call folk et on this 4ourney %oul& be! I shoul&

straine& ex$lanation" 5ot for the first ti e I reali1e& he consi&ere&

istook for a lack of %it rather than a lack of any nee& to

by title as %ell" Then he inun&ate&

e out of a roo ! an& un&er %hat circu stances Lal ost anyone! an&

un&er al ost all con&itions! ha& $rece&ent o'er

the table" To $ay attention to %here I %as seate&+ to $ay attention to %hoe'er
18?

occu$ie& the high seat at that table an& $ace s$eak engagingly! or seate& near

y &ining accor&ingly+ ho% to yself" #n& ho% to ight be %istfully

&rink a toast! or a series of toasts! %ithout o'erin&ulging

ore likely! to listen attenti'ely! to %hoe'er

e at &inner" #n& on" #n& on" >ntil I began to &ay&rea

of en&lessly cleaning tack" Burrich recalle& y attention %ith a shar$ $oke" 6#n& you.re not to &o that! in& else%here" either" You look an i becile! sitting there no&&ing %ith your

Don.t fancy no one notices %hen you &o that" #n& &on.t glare like that %hen you.re correcte&" Sit u$ straight! an& $ut a $leasant ex$ression on your face" 5ot a 'acuous s ile! you &olt" #h! Fit1! %hat a take you off like this any%ay07 The last t%o )uestions! $ut to hi self! betraye& his real concern" *erha$s I %as a trifle stu$i& not to ha'e seen it" He %asn.t going" I %as" For no goo& reason that he coul& &iscern" Burrich ha& li'e& long enough near court to be 'ery cautious" For the first ti e since he ha& been entruste& %ith being re o'e& fro y care! I %as y father his %atchfulness" It ha& not been so long since I to &o %ith you0 Ho% can I $rotect you %hen you in'ite troubles on yourself0 #n& %hy &o they %ant to

ha& been burie&" #n& so he %on&ere&! though he &i&n.t &are say! %hether I %oul& be co ing back or if so eone %as &is$ose of aking the o$$ortunity to )uietly ente& that $erha$s e e" I reali1e& %hat a blo% to his $ri&e an& re$utation it %oul& be if I

%ere to be 6'anishe&"7 So I sighe&! an& then carefully co

they %ante& an extra han& %ith the horses an& &ogs" Aerity %ent no%here %ithout =eon! his %olfhoun&" Only t%o &ays before he ha& co $li ente& on ho% %ell I anage& hi " This I re$eate& to Burrich! an& it %as gratifying to e %ell" The to$ic instantly shifte& fro anners to the e! the

see ho% %ell this s all subterfuge %orke&" Relief floo&e& his face! then $ri&e that he ha& taught correct care of the %olfhoun&" If the lectures on
18B

anners ha& %earie&

re$etition of houn& lore %as al ost $ainfully te&ious" ;hen he release& go to y other lessons! I left %ith %inge& feet"

e to

I %ent through the rest of the &ay in a &istracte& ha1e that ha& Ho& threatening e %ith a goo& %hi$$ing if I &i&n.t atten& to %hat I %as &oing" Then she shook her hea& o'er I ha& a e! sighe&! an& tol& e to run along an& co e back %hen in& again" I %as only too ha$$y to obey her" The thought of actually y hea&" I kne% I shoul& %on&er %hy I %as going! but felt sure e soon" ;oul& %e go by lan& or by sea0 I %ishe& I ha&

lea'ing Buckkee$ an& 4ourneying! 4ourneying all the %ay to 5eatbay %as all I coul& fit insi&e 9ha&e %oul& a&'ise %oul&n.t

aske& Burrich" The roa&s to 5eatbay %ere not the best! I.& hear&! but I in&" Sooty an& I ha& ne'er been on a long 4ourney together" But a sea tri$! on a real shi$ , I took the long %ay back to the kee$! u$ a $ath that %ent through a lightly %oo&e& bit of rocky hillsi&e" *a$er birches struggle& there! an& a fe% al&er! but ostly it %as non&escri$t brush" Sunlight an& a light bree1e %ere $laying together in the higher branches! gi'ing the &ay a fey an& &a$$le& air" I lifte& y eyes to the &a11le of sun through the birch lea'es! an& %hen I looke& &o%n! the (ing.s fool stoo& before I sto$$e& in e" here" But the Fool %as alone" y ar s an& neck y tracks! astonishe&" Reflexi'ely! I looke& for the (ing! &es$ite a&e the hair on

ho% ri&iculous it %oul& ha'e been to fin& hi #n& outsi&e! in the &aylight: The thought stan& u$ in y tightene& skin" It %as co

on kno%le&ge in the kee$ that the on kno%le&ge" Yet! &es$ite otley 4acket

(ing.s fool coul& not abi&e the light of &ay" 9o %hat e'ery $age an& kitchen

ai& nattere& kno%ingly! there stoo& the Fool!

$ale hair floating in the light bree1e" The blue an& re& silk of his as colorless as they %ere in the &i

an& trousers %as startlingly bright against his $aleness" But his eyes %ere not $assages of the kee$" #s I recei'e& their
18C

stare fro

only a fe% feet a%ay in the light of &ay! I $ercei'e& there %as a

blueness to the ! 'ery $ale! as if a single &ro$ of $ale blue %ax ha& fallen onto a %hite $latter" The %hiteness of his skin %as an illusion also! for out here in the &a$$ling sunlight I coul& see a $inkness suffuse& hi The Fool took no notice of aloft! as if to $ause not only coul& not ha'e focuse& y %his$ere& co fro %ithin" Bloo&! I reali1e& %ith a su&&en )uailing" Re& bloo& sho%ing through layers of skin" ent" Instea&! a finger %as hel& y thoughts but the 'ery &ay aroun& us" But I ore co $letely on anything! an& %hen

y attention

he %as satisfie& of this! the Fool s ile&! sho%ing s all %hite se$arate teeth! like a baby.s ne% s ile in a boy.s abru$tly! an& again ga'e or o'e ent" e" 6Fit1: Fit1 fix o'e ent sent the y the e! an& the outh" 6Fit1:7 he intone& in a $i$ing 'oice" 6Fit1 fit1 fice fit1" Fat1 sfit1"7 He sto$$e& e that s ile" I stare& back uncertainly! %ithout %or&

#gain the finger soare& aloft! an& this ti e %as shaken at fice fit1" Fats sfit1es"7 He cocke& his hea& at I %as beginning to lose chest %ith lost07 I trie& to ake &an&elion fluff of his hair %afting in a ne% &irection"

y fear of hi " 6Fit1!7 I sai& carefully! an& ta$$e& y 'oice gentle an& reassuring so as not to alar

y forefinger" 6Fit1! that.s

e" Yes" -y na e is Fit1" #re you the kee$! an&

$oor creature" For surely he ha& so eho% %an&ere& off fro that %as %hy he see e& so &elighte& to fin& a fa iliar face"

He took a breath through his nose! an& then shook his hea& 'iolently! until his hair stoo& out all aroun& his skull like a fla e aroun& a %in&blo%n can&le" 6Fit1:7 he sai& e $hatically! his 'oice cracking a little" 6Fit1 fit1es fyces fit1" Fat1afices"7 6It.s all right!7 I sai& soothingly" I crouche& a bit! though in reality I %as not that uch taller than the Fool" I ! a&e a soft beckoning
18D

otion %ith

y o$en

han&" 69o e along! then" 9o e along" I.ll sho% you the %ay back ho e" #ll right0 Don.t be afrai& no%"7 #bru$tly the Fool &ro$$e& his han&s to his si&es" Then he lifte& his face an& rolle& his eyes at the hea'ens" He looke& back at outh out as if he %ante& to s$it" 69o e along no%"7 I beckone& to hi Fit1 fixes fyces fit1" Fatsafices"7 6;hat07 I aske&! startle&" 6I sai&!7 he enunciate& elaborately" 6Fit1 fixes fyce fits" Fat suffices"7 He bo%e&! turne&! an& began to %alk a%ay fro e! u$ the trail" y e barrass ent" Ho% 6;ait:7 I &e an&e&" -y ears %ere turning re& %ith a again" e! you i&iot" 65o!7 he sai&! )uite $lainly in an exas$erate& 'oice" 6=isten to e fixe&ly an& $oke& his

&o you $olitely ex$lain to so eone that you ha& belie'e& for years that he %as oron as %ell as a fool0 I coul&n.t" So3 6;hat &oes all that fit1y/ficeys stuff ean0 #re you suffices" It.s a %hat it aking fun of e07

6Har&ly"7 He $ause& long enough to turn an& say! 6Fit1 fixes feists fits" Fat essage! I belie'e" # calling for a significant act" #s you are the a fool! not an inter$reter of &rea s" e! but this ti e instea& of continuing only one I kno% %ho en&ures being calle& Fit1! I belie'e it.s for you" #s for eans! ho% shoul& I kno%0 I. Joo& &ay"7 #gain he turne& a%ay fro

u$ the $ath! he ste$$e& off it! into a clu $ of buckbrush" I hurrie& after hi ! but %hen I got to %here he ha& left the $ath! he %as gone" I stoo& still! $eering into the o$en! sun/&a$$le& %oo&s! thinking I shoul& see a bush still s%aying fro his $assage! or catch a gli $se of his otley 4acket" But there %as no sign of hi "

18E

#n& no sense at all to his silly occurrence"

essage" I

ulle& o'er the strange encounter all

the %ay back to the kee$! but in the en& I set it asi&e as a strange but ran&o 5ot that night! but the next! 9ha&e calle& e" Burning %ith curiosity! I race& y )uestions

u$ the stairs" But %hen I reache& the to$! I halte&! kno%ing that

%oul& ha'e to %ait" For there sat 9ha&e at the stone table! Slink $erche& ato$ his shoul&ers! an& a ne% scroll half/un%oun& on the table before hi " # glass of %ine %eighte& one en& as his crooke& finger tra'ele& slo%ly &o%n so e sort of listing" I glance& at it as I $asse&" It %as a list of 'illages an& &ates" Beneath each 'illage na e %as a tally/so so any shee$ or casks of ale or any %arriors! so any erchants! easures of grain! an& so on" I sat &o%n on the scroll" 6;hat %oul& you

the o$$osite si&e of the table an& %aite&" I ha& learne& not to interru$t 9ha&e" 6-y boy!7 he sai& softly! %ithout looking u$ fro &o if so e ruffian %alke& u$ behin& you an& ra$$e& you on the hea&0 But only %hen your back %as turne&" Ho% %oul& you han&le it07 I thought briefly" 6I.& turn y back an& $reten& to be looking at so ething y han&s" So %hen he ra$$e& e! I.& else" Only I.& ha'e a long! thick stick in s$in aroun& an& break his hea&"7 6H " Yes" ;ell! %e trie& that" But no OutIslan&ers al%ays see ;ell! actually! %e.'e 6;hy07 6Because they are the ones that are hurting us the %orst" You see! boy! %e are use& to being rai&e&" You coul& al ost say that %e.'e a&a$te& to it" *lant an extra acre! %ea'e another bolt of cloth! raise an extra steer" Our far ers an& to%nsfolk al%ays try to $ut a bit extra by! an& %hen so eone.s barn gets
1<H

atter ho% nonchalant %e are! the an& ne'er attack"

to kno% %hen %e are baiting the

anage& to fool one or t%o of the or&inary rai&ers" But

ne'er the Re&/Shi$ Rai&ers" #n& those are the ones %e %ant to hurt"7

burne& or a %arehouse is torche& in the confusion of a rai&! e'eryone turns out to raise the bea s again" But the Re&/Shi$ Rai&ers aren.t 4ust stealing! an& &estroying in the $rocess of stealing" They.re &estroying! an& %hat they actually carry off %ith the 6It see s al ost inci&ental"7 9ha&e $ause& an& stare& ore to hi self than to e" 6Or at a %all as if seeing through it" akes no sense!7 he continue& be use&ly! at least no sense that I can unra'el" It.s like killing a co% that bears a goo& calf e'ery year" Re&/Shi$ Rai&ers torch the grain an& hay still stan&ing in the fiel&s" They slaughter the stock they can.t carry off" Three %eeks ago! in To sby! they set fire to the &estroy0 They.'e but these are ran&o ill an& slashe& o$en the sacks of grain an& flour there" a&e no effort to take an& hol& territory+ they ha'e no killers an& &estroyers" Tornsby %on.t be rebuilt+ the folk o'e& on! so e ;here.s the $rofit in that for the 0 ;hy &o they risk their li'es si $ly to grie'ance against us that they.'e e'er uttere&" # thief you can guar& against! that sur'i'e& ha'e neither the %ill nor the resources" They.'e seeing too often"7 He sighe&! an& then shook his hea& to clear it" ;hen he looke& u$! he focuse& on e totally" It %as a knack 9ha&e ha&" He coul& set asi&e a $roble so co $letely you %oul& s%ear he ha& forgotten it" 5o% he announce&! as if it %ere his only care! 6You.ll be acco $anying Aerity %hen he goes to reason %ith =or& (el'ar at 5eatbay"7 6So Burrich tol& e" But he %on&ere&! an& so &o I" ;hy07 onths ago that you ha& e"7 ore of the Six Duchies07 9ha&e looke& $er$lexe&" 6Di&n.t you co $lain a fe% %earie& of Buckkee$ an& %ishe& to see

to fa ily in other to%ns! others to be beggars in our cities" It.s a $attern %e.re

69ertainly" But I rather &oubt that that is %hy Aerity is taking

1<1

9ha&e snorte&" 6#s if Aerity $ai& any attention as to %ho

akes u$ his retinue"

He has no $atience %ith the &etails+ an& hence none of 9hi'alry.s genius for han&ling $eo$le" Yet Aerity is a goo& sol&ier! an& in the long run! $erha$s that %ill be %hat %e nee&" 5o! you are right" Aerity has no inkling as to %hy you are going , yet" Shre%& %ill tell hi you are traine& as a s$y" #n& that is all! for no%" He an& I ha'e consulte& together u$on this" #re you rea&y to begin re$aying all he has &one for you0 #re you rea&y to begin your ser'ice for the fa ily07 He sai& it so cal ly an& looke& at cal e so o$enly that it %as al ost easy to be as I aske&! 6;ill I ha'e to kill so eone07 si $ly being tol&! FThat is the an an& it

6*erha$s"7 He shifte& in his chair" 6You.ll ha'e to &eci&e that" Deci&ing an& then &oing it , it.s &ifferent fro ust be &one". It.s uch har&er! an& I. not all that sure you.re rea&y"7 uscle s$as " I e"

6;oul& I e'er be rea&y07 I trie& to s ile! an& grinne& like a

trie& to %i$e it a%ay! an& coul&n.t" # strange )ui'er $asse& through

6*robably not"7 9ha&e fell silent! an& then &eci&e& that I ha& acce$te& the ission" 6You.ll go as an atten&ant for an el&erly noble%o an %ho is also going along! to 'isit relati'es in 5eatbay" It %ill not be too hea'y a task for you" She is 'ery el&erly an& her health is not goo&" =a&y Thy e tra'els in a close& litter" You %ill ri&e besi&e it! to see she is not 4olte& too 6It &oesn.t soun& too &ifferent fro uch! to bring her %ater if she asks for it! an& to see to any other such s all re)uests"7 caring for Aerity.s %olfhoun&"7 9ha&e $ause&! then s ile&" 6Excellent" That %ill fall to you as %ell" Beco e in&is$ensable to e'eryone on this 4ourney" Then you %ill ha'e reasons to go e'ery%here an& hear e'erything! an& no one %ill )uestion your $resence"7 6#n& y real task07

1<2

6To listen an& learn" It see s to both Shre%& an&

e that these Re&/Shi$

Rai&ers are too %ell ac)uainte& %ith our strategies an& strengths" (el'ar has recently begru&ge& the fun&s to staff the ;atch Islan& To%er $ro$erly" T%ice he has neglecte& it! an& t%ice ha'e the coast 'illages of Shoaks Duchy $ai& for his negligence" Has he gone beyon& negligence to treachery0 Does (el'ar confer %ith the ene y to his $rofit0 ;e %ant you to sniff about an& see %hat you can &isco'er" If all you fin& is innocence! or if you ha'e but strong sus$icions! bring ne%s back to us" But if you &isco'er treachery! an& you are certain of it! then %e cannot be ri& of hi 6#n& the containe&" 6I ha'e $re$are& a $o%&er! tasteless in a &ish! colorless in a %ine" ;e trust to your ingenuity an& &iscretion in a$$lying it"7 He lifte& a co'er fro earthen%are &ish on the table" ;ithin it %as a $acket first thought %as ho% uch y scribe thinner an& finer than anything Fe&%ren ha& e'er sho%n e" O&&! ho% an y a&e of 'ery fine $a$er! too soon"7 y 'oice" It %as so casual! so eans07 I %as not sure that %as

aster %oul& lo'e to %ork %ith $a$er outh an& nose %ith a cloth as

like that" ;ithin the $acket %as the finest of %hite $o%&ers" It clung to the $a$er an& floate& in the air" 9ha&e shiel&e& his he ta$$e& a careful e! an& I took &eath u$on 6#n& ho% &oes it %ork07 65ot too )uickly" He %ill not fall &ea& at the table! if that is %hat you are asking" But if he lingers o'er his cu$! he %ill feel ill" (no%ing (el'ar! I sus$ect he %ill take his bubbling sto ach to be&! an& ne'er a%aken in the orning"7 I sli$$e& it into y $ocket" 6Does Aerity kno% anything of this07 y o$en $al " easure of it into a t%ist of oile& $a$er" He hel& it out to

1<8

9ha&e consi&ere&" 6Aerity is as goo& as his na e" He coul& not sit at table %ith a an he %as $oisoning an& conceal it" 5o! in this en&ea'or! stealth %ill ser'e e &irectly in the eyes" 6You %ill %ork alone! us better than truth"7 He looke& 6I see"7 I shifte& on 6Yes07 6Is this ho% it %as for you0 Your first ti e07 He looke& &o%n at his han&s! an& for a o ent he fingere& the angry re& scars that &otte& the back of his left han&" The silence gre% long! but I %aite&" 6I %as a year ol&er than you are!7 he sai& at last" 6#n& it %as si $ly the &oing of it! not the &eci&ing if it shoul& be &one" Is that enough for you07 I %as su&&enly e barrasse& %ithout kno%ing %hy" 6I su$$ose!7 I 6Joo&" I kno% you business"7 65ot e'en teacher to $u$il07 9ha&e looke& a%ay fro o ent ol&" e! to a &ark corner of the ceiling" 65o"7 #fter a no%! you.ll $erha$s un&erstan& y count! I %as thirteen years ore he a&&e&! 6T%o %eeks fro eant no har by it! boy" But u ble&" en &on.t talk about ti es

%ith no counsel other than your o%n"7 y tall %oo&en stool" 69ha&e07

s$ent a ong the $illo%s %ith a la&y" #n& assassins &on.t talk about , our

%hy"7 #n& that %as all %e e'er sai& about it" By

9H#*TER EIJHT =a&y Thy e # HISTORY OF THE D>9HIES is a stu&y of their geogra$hy" The court scribe of (ing Shre%&! one Fe&%ren! %as 'ery fon& of this saying" I cannot say
1<<

I ha'e e'er foun& it %rong" *erha$s all histories are recountings of natural boun&aries" The seas an& ice that stoo& bet%een us an& the OutIslan&ers us se$arate $eo$les an& the rich grasslan&s an& fertile create& the riches that a&e ea&o%s of the Duchies

a&e us ene ies+ $erha$s that %oul& be the first cha$ter

of a history of the Duchies" The Bear an& the Ain ri'ers are %hat create& the rich 'ineyar&s an& orchar&s of Tilth! as surely as the *ainte& E&ges -ountains rising abo'e San&se&ge both sheltere& an& isolate& the folk there an& left the 'ulnerable to our organi1e& ar ies" I 4erke& a%ake before the oon ha& surren&ere& her reign o'er the sky! a a1e& y tra'el $re$arations so e! I %oul& ha'e &e$arte& a

that I ha& sle$t at all" Burrich ha& su$er'ise& thoroughly the night before that! ha& it been left to inute after I ha& s%allo%e& y orning $orri&ge"

But such is not the %ay %hen a grou$ of folk set out together to &o anything" The sun %as %ell o'er the hori1on before %e %ere all asse ble& an& rea&y" 6Royalty!7 9ha&e ha& %arne& e! 6ne'er tra'els light" Aerity goes on this ust run ahea& to (el'ar! an& to ust 4ourney %ith the %eight of the (ing.s s%or& behin& hi " #ll folk %ho see hi $ass kno% that %ithout being tol&" The ne%s She shy" The i $erial han& is about to reconcile their &ifferences" They of goo& go'ern ent" To nee& for its inter'ention"7 So Aerity tra'ele& %ith a $o $ that clearly irritate& the sol&ier in hi " His $icke& troo$ of en %ore his colors as %ell as the Farseer buck ba&ges! an& y young eyes! that %as i $ressi'e being too artial! Aerity brought %ith ro&e ahea& of the regular troo$s" To enough" But to kee$ the i $act fro hi

both be left %ishing they ha& ne'er ha& any &ifferences at all" That is the trick ake folk &esire to li'e in such a %ay that there is no

noble co $anions to $ro'i&e con'ersation an& &i'ersion at the en& of the

1<?

&ay" Ha%ks an& houn&s %ith their han&lers!

usicians an& bar&s! one

$u$$eteer! those %ho fetche& an& carrie& for the lor&s an& la&ies! those %ho sa% to their gar ents an& hair an& the cooking of fa'orite &ishes+ baggage beasts+ all traile& behin& the %ell/ ounte& nobles! an& $rocession" -y $lace %as about i&%ay in the $rocession" I sat a resti'e Sooty besi&e an ornate litter borne bet%een t%o se&ate gray gel&ings" Han&s! one of the brighter stable boys! ha& been assigne& a $ony an& gi'en charge of the horses bearing the litter" I %oul& at last a$$eare& to anage our baggage ule an& see to the litter.s occu$ant" et before" ;hen she This %as the 'ery el&erly =a&y Thy e! %ho I ha& ne'er a&e the tail of our

ount her litter! she %as so s%athe& in cloaks! 'eils! an&

scar'es that I recei'e& only the i $ression that she %as el&erly in a gaunt rather than $lu $ %ay! an& that her $erfu e cause& Sooty to snee1e" She settle& herself in the litter a i&st a nest of cushions! blankets! furs! an& %ra$s! then i e&iately or&ere& that the curtains be &ra%n an& fastene& &es$ite the orning" The t%o little ai&s %ho ha& atten&e& her &arte& fineness of the least one of the

ha$$ily a%ay! an& I %as left! her sole ser'ant" -y heart sank" I ha& ex$ecte& at to tra'el %ithin the litter %ith her" ;ho %as going to see to her $ersonal nee&s %hen her $a'ilion %as set u$0 I ha& no notion as to %aiting on a %o an! let alone a 'ery el&erly one" I resol'e& to follo% Burrich.s a&'ice for a young an &ealing %ith el&erly %o en3 be attenti'e an& $olite! cheerful ien" Ol& %o en %ere easily %on o'er by a $ersonable young an& $leasant of

an" Burrich sai& so" I a$$roache& the litter" 6=a&y Thy e0 #re you co fortable07 I in)uire&" # long inter'al $asse& %ith no res$onse" *erha$s she %as slightly &eaf" 6#re you co fortable07 I aske& ore lou&ly"

1<B

6Sto$ bothering

e! young

an:7 %as the sur$risingly 'ehe ent res$onse" 6If

I %ant you! I.ll tell you"7 6I beg $ar&on!7 I )uickly a$ologi1e&" 6Sto$ bothering e! I sai&:7 she ras$e& in&ignantly" #n& a&&e& in an y &is ay increase& tenfol&" So e that un&ertone! 6Stu$i& churl"7 #t this! I ha& the sense to be )uiet! though uch for a erry an& co $anionable ri&e" E'entually I hear& the horns cry out inutes $asse& before the horses in

an& sa% Aerity.s $ennant lifte& far ahea& of us" Dust &rifting back tol& our foreguar& ha& begun the 4ourney" =ong front of us ste$$e& out eagerly an& the

o'e&" Han&s starte& the litter horses an& I chirru$e& to Sooty" She ule follo%e& resigne&ly" all

I %ell recall that &ay" I re e ber the &ust hanging thick in the air fro

those %ho $rece&e& us! an& ho% Han&s an& I con'erse& in lo%ere& 'oices! for the first ti e %e laughe& alou&! =a&y Thy e scol&e&! 6Sto$ that noise:7 I also re e ber bright blue skies arching fro hill to hill as %e follo%e& the gentle un&ulations of the coast roa&" There %ere breathtaking 'ie%s of the sea fro the hillto$s! an& flo%er/scente& air thick an& &ro%sy in the 'ales" There %ere also the she$her&esses! all in a ro% ato$ a stone %all to giggle an& $oint an& blush at us %hile %e $asse&" Their fleecy charges &otte& the hillsi&e behin& the ! an& Han&s an& I exclai e& softly at the %ay they ha& bun&le& their bright skirts to one si&e an& knotte& the u$! lea'ing their knees an& legs bare ake it kee$ u$" to the sun an& %in&" Sooty %as resti'e an& bore& %ith our slo% $ace! %hile $oor Han&s %as constantly nu&ging his ol& $ony in the ribs to let the horses %ater" =a&y Thy e &i& not e erge fro tartly re in&e& ;e sto$$e& t%ice &uring the &ay to allo% ri&ers to &is ount an& stretch an& to her litter! but one ti e y e that I shoul& ha'e brought her %ater by no%" I bit

tongue an& fetche& her a &rink" It %as as close as %e ca e to con'ersation"

1<C

;e halte& %hen the sun %as still abo'e the hori1on" Han&s an& I erecte& =a&y Thy e.s s all $a'ilion %hile she &ine& %ithin her litter fro of col& Han&s an& I fare& cheese an& &rie& escort her fro a %icker basket eat! cheese! an& %ine that she ha& thoughtfully $ro'i&e& for herself" ore $oorly! on sol&ier.s rations of har& brea& an& har&er eat" In the i&st of y eal! =a&y Thy e &e an&e& that I

the litter to her $a'ilion" She e erge& &ra$e& an& 'eile& as if

for a bli11ar&" Her finery %as of 'arying colors an& &egrees of age! but all ha& been both ex$ensi'e an& %ell cut at one ti e" 5o%! as she leane& hea'ily on e an& tottere& along! I s elle& a re$ulsi'e conglo eration of &ust an& il&e% an& $erfu e! %ith an un&erlying scent of urine" She tartly &is isse& e at the &oor an& %arne& it! young an:7 she threatene& e that she ha& a knife an& %oul& use it if I e" a&e a s all fire" Han&s tease& atch bet%een us! atte $te& to enter an& bother her in any %ay" 6#n& %ell &o I kno% ho% to use Our slee$ing acco an& giggle& about o&ations %ere also the sa e as the sol&iers.3 the groun& y su$$ose& lust for =a&y Thy e an& the knife that a%aite&

an& our cloaks" But the night %as fine an& %e

e if I shoul& atte $t to satisfy it" That le& to a %restling softly as Han&s tol& also that eyes bri e that no one ha& en'ie&

until =a&y Thy e shrille& threats at us for kee$ing her a%ake" Then %e s$oke y assign ent to her+ that e anyone %ho ha& e'er 4ourneye& %ith her a'oi&e& her e'er after" He %arne& e& %ith tears of laughter! to let e kno% %hat it %as" y true ission out of y hea& until

y %orst task %as yet to co e! but a&a antly refuse&! though his

I fell aslee$ easily! for boy like! I ha& $ut I shoul& ha'e to face it"

I a%oke at &a%n to the t%ittering of bir&s an& the o'er%hel ing stench of a bri ing cha ber $ot outsi&e =a&y Thy e.s $a'ilion" Though y sto ach ha& been har&ene& by cleaning stables an& kennels! it %as all I coul& force
1<D

yself to &o to &u $ it an& cleanse it before returning it to her" By then she %as har$ing at e through the tent &oor that I ha& not yet brought her %ater! e to &eal %ith e %as hot or col&! nor cooke& her $orri&ge! %hose ingre&ients she ha& set out" Han&s ha& &isa$$eare&! to share the troo$.s fire an& rations! lea'ing y tyrant" By the ti e I ha& ser'e& her on a tray that she assure&

slo'enly arrange&! an& cleane& the &ishes an& $ot an& returne& all to her! the rest of the $rocession %as al ost rea&y to lea'e" But she %oul& not allo% her $a'ilion to be struck until she %as safely %ithin her litter" ;e acco $lishe& that $acking in frantic haste an& I foun& cru b of breakfast insi&e I %as ra'enous after so e sy $athy an& to e" akes e'ery orning is a legen&" y e" orning.s %ork" Han&s regar&e& y glu face %ith e to ri&e closer to hi " He leane& o'er to s$eak yself finally on y horse %ithout a

otione&

6E'eryone but us ha& hear& of her before"7 This %ith a furti'e no& to%ar& =a&y Thy e.s litter" 6The stench she relati'es all o'er the Six Duchies! an& not the she $uts the ;hitelock says she use& to go along on a lot of 9hi'alry.s tri$s , She has uch to &o exce$t go 'isit the " #ll en in the troo$ say they learne& a long ti e ago to stay out of her range or to a bunch of useless erran&s" Oh! an& ;hitelock sent you this" orning"7

He says not to ex$ect to sit &o%n an& eat as long as you.re ten&ing her" But he.ll try to set asi&e a bit for you each Han&s $asse& e a %a& of ca $ brea& %ith three rashers of bacon greasily insi&e her $a'ilion" 6;hat are you &oing

col& insi&e it" It taste& %on&erful" I %olfe& &o%n the first fe% bites gree&ily" 69hurl:7 shrille& =a&y Thy e fro Ho% are you to see to u$ there0 Discussing your betters! I.'e no &oubt" Jet back to your $osition: y nee&s if you.re galli'anting ahea& like that07

1<E

I )uickly reine& Sooty in an& &ro$$e& back to a $osition alongsi&e the litter" I s%allo%e& a great lu $ of brea& an& bacon an& anything your la&yshi$ re)uires07 6Don.t talk %ith your Stu$i& clo&"7 #n& so it %ent" The roa& follo%e& the coastline! an& at our lea&en $ace it took us a full fi'e &ays to reach 5eatbay" Other than t%o s all 'illages! our scenery consiste& of %in&s%e$t cliffs! gulls! an& stunte& trees" Yet to ben& in the roa& brought ea&o%s! an& occasional stan&s of t%iste& e it see e& full of beauties an& %on&ers! for e'ery e to a $lace I ha& ne'er seen before" ore tyrannical" By the fourth of co $laints! fe% of %hich I coul& &o anything uch+ it %as aking her ill" The %ater I brought en uch &ust+ they %ere &oing it on y o%n %ater bags too %ar " The outh full!7 she sna$$e&" 6#n& sto$ bothering e" anage& to ask! 6Is there

#s our 4ourney %ore on! =a&y Thy e beca e &ay she ha& a constant strea about" Her litter s%aye& too fro a strea

%as too col&! that fro

an& horses ahea& of us %ere raising too $ur$ose! she %as sure" #n& tell the e'en if I ha& %ante& to"

to sto$ singing those ru&e songs" ;ith her

to &eal %ith I ha& no ti e to think about killing or not killing =or& (el'ar! Early on the fifth &ay %e sa% the rising s oke of 5eatbay" By noon %e coul& $ick out the larger buil&ings an& the 5eatbay %atchto%er on the cliffs abo'e the to%n" 5eatbay %as a uch gentler $iece of lan& than Buckkee$" Our roa& %oun& &o%n through a %i&e 'alley" The blue %aters of 5eatbay itself o$ene& %i&e before us" The beaches %ere san&y! an& their fishing fleet %as all shallo% &raft 'essels %ith flat botto s! or s$unky little &ories that ro&e the %a'es like gulls" 5eatbay &i&n.t ha'e the &ee$ anchorage that Buckkee$ &i&! so it %as not the shi$$ing an& tra&ing $ort that %e %ere! but all the sa e it see e& to %oul& ha'e been a fine $lace to li'e"
1?H

e it

(el'ar sent an honor guar& to

eet us! so there %as a &elay as they exchange& y stirru$s! I %as able to see far

for alities %ith Aerity.s troo$s" 6=ike t%o &ogs sniffing each other.s bung holes!7 Han&s obser'e& sourly" By stan&ing in enough &o%n the line to obser'e the official $osturings! an& gru&gingly no&&e& y agree ent" E'entually %e got un&er %ay again! an& %ere soon ri&ing through the streets of 5eatbay To%n itself" E'eryone else $rocee&e& straight u$ to (el'ar.s kee$! but Han&s an& I %ere oblige& to escort =a&y Thy e.s litter through se'eral back streets to reach the $articular inn that she insiste& on using" Fro the look on the cha ber ai&.s y ar as I escorte& her to face! she ha& gueste& there before" Han&s took the litter horses an& litter to the stables! but I ha& to en&ure her leaning hea'ily on to ake her e'ery breath a trial to her cha ber" I %on&ere& %hat she ha& eaten that ha& been so foully s$ice& as e" She &is isse& e at the &oor! %arning yria& $unish ents if I &i&n.t return $ro $tly in se'en &ays" #s I left I felt sy $athy for the cha ber ai&! for =a&y Thy e.s 'oice %as lifte& in a lou& tira&e about thie'ing ;ith a light heart I ai&s she ha& encountere& in the $ast! an& exactly ho% ounte& Sooty an& calle& to Han&s to ake haste" ;e she %ante& the be& linens arrange& on the be&" cantere& through the streets of 5eatbay an& anage& to re4oin the tail of

Aerity.s $rocession as they entere& (el'ar.s kee$" Bayguar& %as built on flat lan& that offere& little natural &efense! but %as fortifie& by a series of %alls an& &itches that an ene y %oul& ha'e ha& to sur ount before facing the stout stone %alls of the kee$" Han&s tol& e that rai&ers ha& ne'er gotten $ast the aintenance on the secon& &itch an& I belie'e& hi " ;ork en %ere &oing (ing/in/;aiting ca e to Bayguar&"

%alls an& &itches as %e $asse&! but they halte& an& %atche& in %on&er as the

1?1

Once kee$ gates close& behin& us! there %as another inter inable %elco ing cere ony" -en an& horses an& all! %e %ere ke$t stan&ing in the utter of official 'oicings ute& by shifting horses an& i&&ay sun %hile (el'ar an& Bayguar& %elco e& Aerity" Horns soun&e& an& then the en" But at last it %as en an& beasts as o'er" This %as signale& by a su&&en general the for ations ahea& of us broke u$" -en &is ounte& an& (el'ar.s stable folk %ere su&&enly a ong us! &irecting us %here to %ater our ounts! %here %e ight rest for the night! an& ost y i $ortant to any sol&ier! %here %e na e calle& an& turne& to see Sig fro in (el'ar.s colors" 6There he beGthat.s the Fit1" Ho! Fit1: Sits%ell here says you.re su Fit1"7 I coul& al ost feel the foo& being snatche& fro I &oubt that &our an e'en notice&" To hi y 4a%s" But I took a breath e" ore boy un&erfoot e! ob'iously an o$ene& the an& $resente& a cheerful countenance to Sits%ell! as Burrich ha& counsele& I %as 4ust one on a hectic &ay" He took &oor at once" 6#h: Thank E&a it.s you" 9o e in! then! for the beast %on.t eat an& Aerity.s sure it.s serious" Hurry u$! Fit1"7 The an %ore Aerity.s ba&ge! but %as no one I re e bere& ha'ing et" So eti es it %as &isconcerting ho% any folk kne% %ho I %as %hen I ha& no e to Aerity.s cha ber an& left one&" Aerity %ants you in his cha ber+ =eon.s sick" Han&s! you take Sooty for the ight %ash oursel'es an& eat" I fell in Buckkee$ $ointing e out to so eone o'e ent of

besi&e Han&s as %e le& Sooty an& his $ony to%ar& the stables" I hear&

relie'e& to return to his stables" I ta$$e& softly an& Aerity.s

inkling %ho they %ere" In an a&4oining cha ber Aerity %as s$lashing an&

1?2

instructing so eone lou&ly about %hat gar ents he %ishe& for the e'ening" But he %as not y concern" =eon %as" e %ith artyre& eyes" He %as lying I )ueste& to%ar& hi ! for I ha& no )ual s about it %hen Burrich %asn.t about" =eon lifte& his bony hea& an& regar&e& on Aerity.s s%eaty shirt in a corner by a col& hearth" He %as too hot! he %as bore&! an& if %e %eren.t going to hunt anything! he %ante& to go ho e" I a&e a sho% of running y han&s o'er hi an& lifting his li$s to exa ine his an! 6There.s nothing %rong gu s an& then $ressing y han& &o%n fir ly on his belly" I finishe& all this by a bo%l of col& %ater an& %ait"

scratching behin& his ears an& then tol& Aerity.s %ith hi ! he 4ust isn.t hungry" =et.s gi'e hi

;hen he %ants to eat! he.ll let us kno%" #n& let.s take a%ay all this before it s$oils in this heat an& he eats it any%ay an& beco es really sick"7 I referre& to a &ish alrea&y o'erfille& %ith scra$s of $astries fro in&e& &ining off the scra$s hi 0 So ething that.s no% , 6Fit10 Is that you0 In here! boy: ;hat.s troubling 6I.ll fetch the bone!7 the the a&4oining roo " Aerity rose &ri$$ing fro ser'ing hi self! 6;hat.s the his bath an& took the $roffere& to%el fro his an" He to%ele& his hair briskly an& then again &e an&e& as he &rie& atter %ith =eon07 ake an assure& y =eon07 e! an& I rose an& ste$$e& to the entry of yself+ in fact a tray that ha& been set for Aerity" 5one of it %as fit for the &og! but I %as so hungry I %oul&n.t ha'e y sto ach gro%le& at the sight of ost it" 6I %on&er if I foun& the kitchens! if they %oul& ha'e a fresh beef bone for ore toy than foo& is %hat he %oul& %elco e

That %as Aerity.s %ay" ;eeks ha& $asse& since %e ha& last s$oken! but he took no ti e for greetings" 9ha&e sai& it %as a lack in hi ! that he &i&n.t his en feel their i $ortance to hi " I think he belie'e& that if anything
1?8

significant ha& ha$$ene& to heartiness to hi 65ot fro hi unless so eone ha& tol& hi

e! so eone %oul& ha'e tol& hi " He ha& a bluff ust be going %ell the heat an& other%ise" u$+ but I.& not fill

that I en4oye&! an attitu&e that things

uch is %rong %ith hi ! sir" He.s a bit out of sorts fro tra'eling" # night.s rest in a cool $lace %ill $erk hi

full of $astry bits an& suety things+ not in this hot %eather"7

6;ell"7 Aerity bent &o%n to &ry his legs" 6=ike as not! you.re right! boy" Burrich says you.'e a %ay %ith the houn&s! an& I %on.t ignore %hat you say" It.s 4ust that he see e& so oony! an& usually he has a goo& a$$etite for y $late"7 He see e& abashe&! as if anything! but es$ecially for anything fro

caught cooing at an infant" I &i&n.t kno% %hat to say" 6If that.s all! sir! shoul& I be returning to the stables07 He glance& at e o'er his shoul&er! $u11le&" 6See s a bit of a %aste of ti e to ount! %on.t he0 You nee& to bathe an& &ress if arranging Aerity.s gar ents on the be&" e" Han&s %ill see to your The ser'ing

you.re to be on ti e for &inner" 9hari 0 Ha'e you %ater for hi 07 an straightene& fro 6Right a%ay! sir" #n& I.ll lay out his clothes as %ell"7 In the s$ace of the next hour! $re$are y $lace in the %orl& see e& to shift to$sy/ an insignificant hanger/on at tur'y" I ha& kno%n this %as co ing" Both Burrich an& 9ha&e ha& trie& to e for it" But to su&&enly go fro Buckkee$ to $art of Aerity.s for al entourage %as a bit unner'ing" E'eryone else assu e& I kne% %hat %as going on" Aerity %as &resse& an& out of the roo infor e& grateful that 9hari before I %as into the tub" 9hari y rank so lofty as e that he ha& gone to confer %ith his ca$tain of guar&s" I %as %as such a gossi$" He &i& not consi&er e"

to forbear chatting an& co $laining in front of

1?<

6I.ll

ake you u$ a $allet in here for the night" I &oubt you.ll be chill" Aerity

sai& he %ante& you house& close by hi ! an& not 4ust to ten& the houn&" He has other chores for you as %ell07 9hari luke%ar air" He sighe&" 6I.ll lay out your clothes for you" =ea'e %ash the out for you"7 e %hile I %ashe&! an& insiste& on y y &ressing" 9hari It see e& 'ery strange to ha'e so eone %aiting on stranger still to ha'e so eone su$er'ise straightening the sea s on ne% best shirt hung to their fullest an& e those &irty ones" I.ll $ause& ho$efully" I co'ere& y silence by &ucking y hea& into the %ater an& soa$ing the s%eat an& &ust fro y hair" I ca e u$ for

y 4erkin an& seeing the o'ersi1e& slee'es on

ost annoying length" -y hair ha&

regro%n long enough to ha'e snarls in it an& these he tugge& )uickly an& $ainfully out" To a boy accusto e& to &ressing hi self! the $ri $ing an& ins$ection see e& en&less" 6Bloo& %ill tell!7 sai& an a%e& 'oice fro behol&ing i e %ith a the entry" I turne& to fin& Aerity y lor&07 9hari soun&e& ixture of $ain an& a use ent on his face"

6He.s the i age of 9hi'alry at that age! is he not! ensely $lease& %ith hi self" 6He is"7 Aerity $ause& to clear his throat" 65o you! Fit1" I %on&er %hat

an can &oubt %ho fathere& e to sho% you

y father %as thinking %hen he tol&

%ell0 Shre%& he is calle& an& shre%& he is+ I %on&er %hat he ex$ects to gain" #h! %ell"7 He sighe&" 6That is his kin& of kingshi$! an& I lea'e it to hi " -ine is si $ly to ask a fo$$ish ol& $ro$erly caught at an %hy he cannot kee$ his %atchto%ers e" #s I hastene& after hi 9hari anne&" 9o e! boy" It.s ti e %e %ent &o%n"7 y ar " 6Three ste$s behin& hi
1??

He turne& an& left %ithout %aiting for

an& on his left" Re e ber"7 #n&

that is %here I fell in behin& hi " #s he entourage ste$$e& out fro &ecke& in their ost elaborate finery to

o'e& &o%n the hall%ay others of our axi i1e this chance to be seen an& y slee'es %as )uite reasonable y shoes %ere not hung %ith

their cha bers an& follo%e& their $rince" #ll %ere

en'ie& outsi&e of Buckkee$" The fullness of

co $are& %ith %hat so e %ere s$orting" #t least tiny chi ing bells or gently rattling a ber bea&s"

Aerity $ause& at the to$ of a stair%ay! an& a hush fell o'er the folk gathere& belo%" I looke& out o'er the faces turne& u$ to their $rince an& ha& ti e to rea& on the e'ery e otion kno%n to ankin&" So e %o en si $ere& %hile en struck $oses that &is$laye& their others a$$eare& to sneer" So e young clothes+ others! &resse& of the hall" (el'ar %as not %hat I ex$ecte&" Aerity ha& calle& hi %as a ra$i&ly aging as if he %ere still a I sa% hi fo$$ish! but %hat I sa% an! thin an& harrie&! %ho %ore his extra'agant clothes as an/at/ar s! an& he %alke& %ith that $eculiar gait of the e to see folk! an& thought I un&erstoo& hi the high

ore si $ly! straightene& as if to be on guar&" I rea&

en'y an& lo'e! &is&ain! fear! an& on a fe% faces! hatre&" But Aerity ga'e none ore than a $assing glance before he &escen&e&" The cro%& $arte& before us to re'eal =or& (el'ar hi self %aiting to con&uct us into the &ining

if they %ere ar or against ti e" His graying hair %as $ulle& back in a thin tail 'ery goo& s%or&s an" as 9ha&e ha& taught ine! to %ell enough e'en before %e %ere seate&" But it %as after %e ha& taken our $laces at table Lan& folkM that I got y sur$rise! %as not so far &o%n fro y &ee$est glance into the uch an.s soul" #n& this not by any act ore than a han& of years ol&er than

of his! but in the bearing of his la&y as she arri'e& to 4oin us" I &oubt if (el'ar.s =a&y Jrace %as I! an& she %as &ecke& out like a ag$ie.s nest" 5e'er ha& I seen accoutre ents
1?B

before that s$oke so garishly of ex$ense an& so little of taste" She took her seat in a flurry of flourishes an& gestures that re in&e& scent rolle& o'er e of a courting bir&" Her ore than e like a %a'e! an& it! too! s elle& of coin as she settle& hi

flo%ers" She ha& brought a little &og %ith her! a feist that %as all silky hair an& big eyes" She cooe& o'er hi on her la$! an& the little beast arke& her an& %as her flirtations for cu&&le& against her an& set his chin on the e&ge of the table" #n& all the ti e her eyes %ere on *rince Aerity! trying to see if he i $resse&" For the *rince! an& I thought to kee$ing the %atchto%ers Dinner %as a trial to yself! There is y $art! I %atche& (el'ar %atch her $erfor anne&" anners forba&e that I sho% it" I y s$oon %hen Aerity &i&! an& setting

ore than half our $roble s %ith

e" I %as ra'enous! but

ate as I ha& been instructe&! $icking u$ of hot ti&bits of

asi&e a course as soon as he sho%e& &isinterest in it" I longe& for a goo& $latter eat %ith brea& to so$ u$ the 4uices! but %hat %e %ere offere& %ere eat o&&ly s$ice&! exotic fruit co $otes! $ale brea&s! an& 'egetables

cooke& to $allor an& then seasone&" It %as an i $ressi'e &is$lay of goo& foo& abuse& in the na e of fashionable cooking" I coul& see that Aerity.s a$$etite %as as slack as i $resse&" 9ha&e ha& taught e better than I ha& kno%n" I %as able to no& $olitely to y &inner co $anion! a freckle& young %o an! an& follo% her con'ersation about the &ifficulty of getting goo& linen fabric in Ri$$on these &ays! %hile letting y ears stray enough to $ick u$ key bits of talk about the table" 5one of it %as about the business that ha& brought us here" Aerity an& =or& (el'ar %oul& closet the sel'es to orro% for the &iscussion of that" But o'erhear& touche& on the on it"
1?C

ine an& %on&ere& if all coul& see that the *rince %as not

uch of %hat I

anning of ;atch Islan&.s to%er an& cast o&& lights

I o'erhear& gru blings that the roa&s %ere not as %ell $re'iously" So eone co %ere so co fortifications ha& been resu e&" #nother co ing through fro

aintaine& as

ente& she %as gla& to see that re$air on Bayguar&.s an co $laine& that inlan& robbers erchan&ise y &ining

on! he coul& scarcely count on t%o thir&s of his Farro%" This! too! see e& to be the basis of

co $anion.s co $laint about the lack of goo& fabric" I looke& at =or& (el'ar! an& ho% he &ote& u$on his young %ife.s e'ery gesture" #s if 9ha&e %ere %his$ering in y ear! I hear& his 4u&g ent" 6There is a &uke %hose in& is not u$on the go'erning of his Duchy"7 I sus$ecte& =a&y Jrace %as %earing the re)uire& roa& re$airs an& the %ages of those sol&iers %ho %oul& ha'e ke$t his tra&e routes $olice& against brigan&s" *erha$s the 4e%els that &angle& fro ears shoul& ha'e gone to $ay to been so little substance to the entertaine& us! but I tune& an ;atch Islan&.s to%ers" y hunger unabate&! there ha& instrels an& a $oet eal" #fter%ar&! t%o Dinner finally en&e&" -y sto ach %as full! but her

y ears to the casual talk of folk rather than to the instrels" (el'ar sat to the

fine $hrasings of the $oet or the balla&s of the

*rince.s right! %hile his la&y sat to the left! her la$&og sharing the chair" Jrace sat basking in the *rince.s $resence" Her han&s often straye& to touch first an earring! then a bracelet" She %as not accusto e& to %earing so her o%n $osition" One uch 4e%elry" -y sus$icion %as that she ha& co e of si $le stock an& %as a%e& by instrel sang 6Fair Rose # i&st the 9lo'er!7 his eyes on her face! an& %as re%ar&e& %ith her flushe& cheeks" But as the e'ening %ore on! an& I gre% %eary! I coul& tell that =a&y Jrace %as fa&ing" She ya%ne& once! lifting a han& too late to co'er it" Her little &og ha& gone to slee$ in her la$! an& t%itche& an& yi$$e& occasionally in his s all/braine& &rea s" #s she gre% slee$ier she re in&e& e of a chil&+ she cu&&le& her &og as if it %ere a &oll! an& leane& her hea& back into the corner of her chair" T%ice she
1?D

starte& to no& off" I sa% her surre$titiously $inching the skin on her %rists in an effort to %ake herself u$" She %as 'isibly relie'e& %hen (el'ar su instrels an& $oet for%ar& to re%ar& the lor&.s ar to follo% hi ake &og she snugge& in her ar " I %as relie'e& to y %ay u$ to Aerity.s antecha ber" 9hari gesture& ha& foun& y e a feather be& an& so e blankets" -y $allet %as fully as co fortable as o%n be&" I longe& to slee$! but 9hari off for hi " 9hari one& the for their e'ening" She took her

off to their be&cha ber %hile ne'er relin)uishing the

e into Aerity.s be&cha ber" clucke& an& uttere& as

Aerity! e'er the sol&ier! ha& no use for lackeys to stan& about an& tug his boots an& I alone atten&e& hi " 9hari he follo%e& Aerity about! $icking u$ an& s oothing the gar ents the *rince so casually she&" Aerity.s boots he i %orking hea& an& then turne& to #n& so I re$orte& to hi e" e07 anage! an& noting %ho ha& s$oken an& to as I &i& to 9ha&e! recounting all I ha& o'erhear&! in as y o%n su$$ositions about the significance of it all" ari1e&" 6She has no i&ea of the res$onsibilities oney! ti e! an& thought e&iately took off into a corner an& began ore %ax into the leather" Aerity &ragge& a nightshirt on o'er his

6;ell0 ;hat ha'e you to tell close to the %or&s as I coul& %ho " #t the last I a&&e& 6(el'ar is a %ith %ealth an& gifts!7 I su fro

an %ho has taken a young %ife! one %ho is easily i $resse&

of her o%n $osition! let alone his" (el'ar &i'erts i agine that his

his &uties to enthralling her" ;ere it not &isres$ectful to say so! I %oul& anhoo& is failing hi ! an& he seeks to satisfy his young bri&e

%ith gifts as a substitute"7 Aerity sighe& hea'ily" He ha& flung hi self onto the be& &uring the latter half of y recitation" 5o% he $ro&&e& at a too soft $illo%! fol&ing it to gi'e ore su$$ort to his hea&" 6Da n 9hi'alry!7 he sai& absently" 6This is his kin& of a
1?E

knot! not

ine" Fit1! you soun& like your father" #n& %ere he here! he.& fin&

so e subtle %ay to han&le this %hole situation" 9hi' %oul& ha'e ha& it sol'e& by no%! %ith one of his s iles an& a kiss on so eone.s han&" But that.s not y %ay! an& I %on.t $reten& to it"7 He shifte& about in his be& unco fortably! as if he ex$ecte& e to raise so e argu ent to hi about his &uty" 6(el'ar.s a an that to%er $ro$erly" It.s an an& a &uke" #n& he has a &uty" He.s to si $le enough! an& I inten& to tell hi to%er an& kee$ the si $le to e" #n& I. not going to there! an& kee$ the

that bluntly" *ut &ecent sol&iers in that ha$$y enough to &o a 4ob" It see s e" 6*ut out the y o%n $allet" ake it into a &i$lo atic &ance"7

He shifte& hea'ily in the be&! then abru$tly turne& his back to light! 9hari "7 #n& 9hari &ark an& ha& to blun&er (el'ar to y %ay out of the cha ber an& back to to

&i&! so $ro $tly that I %as left stan&ing in the

#s I lay &o%n I $on&ere& that Aerity sa% so little of the %hole" He coul& force an the to%er! yes" But he coul&n.t force hi an it %ell! or take $ri&e in it" That %as a roa&%ork an& atter for &i$lo acy" #n& ha& he no hee& for the

aintenance on the fortifications an& the high%ay en $roble 0

#ll that nee&e& to be re e&ie& no%" #n& in such a %ay that (el'ar.s $ri&e %as ke$t intact! an& that his $osition %ith =or& She shy %as both correcte& an& affir e&" #n& so eone ha& to un&ertake to teach =a&y Jrace her res$onsibilities" So $illo%! I sle$t" any $roble s" But as soon as y hea& touche& the

9H#*TER 5I5E Fat Suffices

1BH

THE FOO= 9#-E To Buckkee$ in the se'enteenth year of (ing Shre%&.s reign" This is one of the fe% facts that are kno%n about the Fool" Sai& to be a gift fro the Bingto%n tra&ers! the origin of the Fool can only be sur ise&" the " #nother is the sun Aarious stories ha'e arisen" One is that the Fool %as a ca$ti'e of the Re&/Shi$ Rai&ers! an& that the Bingto%n tra&ers sei1e& the Fool fro by a $arasol of sharkskin an& cushione& fro that the Fool %as foun& as a babe! a&rift in a s all boat! shiel&e& fro

the th%arts by a be& of heather

an& la'en&er" This can be &is isse& as a creation of fancy" ;e ha'e no real kno%le&ge of the Fool.s life before his arri'al at (ing Shre%&.s court" The Fool %as al ost certainly born of the hu an race! though not entirely of hu an $arentage" Stories that he %as born of the Other Folk are al ost certainly false! for his fingers an& toes are co $letely free of %ebbing an& he has ne'er sho%n the slightest fear of cats" The unusual $hysical characteristics of the Fool Llack of coloring! for instanceM see istaken" In the atter of the Fool! that %hich %e &o not kno% is al ost atter for con4ecture" Fro ore significant than that %hich %e &o" The age of the Fool at the ti e of his arri'al at Buckkee$ has been a $ersonal ex$erience! I can ore 4u'enile than ay be that he %as not 'ouch that the Fool a$$eare& uch younger! an& in all %ays to be traits of his other ay be $arentage! rather than an in&i'i&ual aberration! though in this I %ell

at $resent" But as the Fool sho%s little sign of aging! it chil&hoo&"

as young as he initially a$$eare&! but rather %as at the en& of an exten&e& The gen&er of the Fool has been &is$ute&" ;hen &irectly )uestione& on this atter by a younger an& ore for%ar& $erson than I a no%! the Fool re$lie& that it %as no one.s business but his o%n" So I conce&e"

1B1

In the

atter of his $rescience an& the annoyingly 'ague for s that it takes!

there is no consensus as to %hether it is a racial or in&i'i&ual talent being anifeste&" So e belie'e he kno%s all in a&'ance! an& e'en that he %ill al%ays kno% if anyone! any%here! s$eaks about hi " Others say it is only his great lo'e of saying! 6I %arne& you so:7 an& that he takes his sayings an& t%ists the been so! but in ost obscure to ha'e been $ro$hecies" *erha$s so eti es this has

any %ell/%itnesse& cases! he has $re&icte&! ho%e'er

obscurely! e'ents that later ca e to $ass" Hunger %oke gro%l" I close& got u$ an& felt out o'er e shortly after y eyes! but i&night" I lay a%ake! listening to y hunger %as enough to ake y belly

e nauseate&" I y sto ach %on

y %ay to the table %here Aerity.s tray of $astries ha& been! yself! but

but ser'ants ha& cleare& it a%ay" I &ebate& %ith y hea&"

Easing o$en the cha ber &oor! I ste$$e& out into the &i ly lit hall" The t%o en Aerity ha& $oste& there looke& at e )uestioningly" 6Star'ing!7 I tol& the " 6Di& you notice %here the kitchens %ere07 I ha'e ne'er kno%n a sol&ier %ho &i&n.t kno% %here the kitchens %ere" I thanke& the an& $ro ise& to bring back so e of %hate'er I foun&" I sli$$e& e! $lacing y feet off &o%n the sha&o%y hall" #s I &escen&e& the ste$s it felt o&& to ha'e %oo& un&erfoot rather than stone" I %alke& as 9ha&e ha& taught silently! o'ing %ithin the sha&o%iest $arts of the $assage%ays! %alking to the ostly

si&es %here floorboar&s %ere less likely to creak" #n& it all felt as natural" The rest of the kee$ see e& %ell aslee$" The fe% guar&s I $asse& %ere &o1ing+ none challenge& bothering %ith"
1B2

e" #t the ti e I $ut it &o%n to

y stealth+ no% I

%on&er if they consi&ere& a skinny! touslehea&e& la& any threat %orth

I foun& the kitchens easily" It %as a great o$en roo ! flagge& an& %alle& %ith stone as a &efense against fires" There %ere three great hearths! fires %ell banke& for the night" Des$ite the lateness! or earliness! of the hour! the $lace %as %ell lit" # kee$.s kitchen is ne'er co $letely aslee$" I sa% the co'ere& $ans an& s elle& the rising brea&" # large $ot of ste% %as being ke$t %ar it %oul& not at the e&ge of one hearth" ;hen I $eeke& un&er the li&! I sa% iss a bo%l or t%o" I ru age& about an& hel$e& yself" e %ith an en& crust an& in another corner

;ra$$e& loa'es on a shelf su$$lie&

%as a tub of butter ke$t cool insi&e a large keg of %ater" 5ot fancy" Thank all! it %as not fancy! but the $lain si $le foo& I ha& been cra'ing all &ay" I %as half%ay through y secon& bo%l %hen I hear& the light scuff of y ost &isar ing s ile! ho$ing that this cook footste$s" I looke& u$ %ith

%oul& $ro'e as softhearte& as Buckkee$.s" But it %as a ser'ing girl! a blanket thro%n about her shoul&ers o'er her night robe an& her baby in her ar s" She %as %ee$ing" I turne& She scarcely ga'e y eyes a%ay in &isco fort" uttering all the y &arling" e a glance any%ay" She set her bun&le& baby &o%n ato$ y s%eet! y la b" Here!

the table an& fetche& a bo%l an& &i$$e& it full of cool %ater! ti e" She bent o'er the babe" 6Here! outh! then" 9o e no%! o$en your it to the baby.s

This %ill hel$" Take a little" Oh! s%eetie! can.t you e'en la$0 O$en your outh"7 aneu'er outh I coul&n.t hel$ but %atch" She hel& the bo%l a%k%ar&ly an& trie& to o$en! an& using a &eal ore force than I.& e'er seen any other

outh" She %as using her other han& to force the chil&.s

other use on a

chil&" She ti$$e& the bo%l! an& the %ater slo$$e&" I hear& a strangle& gurgle an& then a gagging soun&" #s I lea$e& u$ to $rotest! the hea& of a s all &og e erge& fro the bun&le"

1B8

6Oh! he.s choking again: He.s &ying: -y little Feisty is &ying an& no one but e cares" He 4ust goes on snoring! an& I &on.t kno% %hat to &o an& is &ying"7 She clutche& the la$&og to her as it gagge& an& strangle&" It shook its little hea& %il&ly an& then see e& to gro% cal er" If I ha&n.t been able to hear its labore& breathing! I.& ha'e s%orn it ha& &ie& in her ar s" Its &ark an& bulgy eyes hi et ine! an& I felt the force of the $anic an& $ain in the little beast" yself saying" 6You.re not hel$ing hi by hol&ing &o%n" >n%ra$ hi " =et hi &o%n"7 her ar s an& Easy" 6Here! no%!7 I hear& &eci&e ho% he is y &arling

that tight" He can scarce breathe" Set hi

ost co fortable" #ll %ra$$e& u$ like that! he.s too hot! so o ent I thought I %as going to ha'e to on the table"

he.s trying to $ant an& choke all at once" Set hi She %as a hea& taller than I! an& for a struggle %ith her" But she let un%ra$ hi fro The little beast %as in total his front legs" His li$s %rithe& back fro snatch hi

e take the bun&le& &og fro

se'eral layers of cloth" I set hi

isery" He stoo& %ith his hea& &roo$ing bet%een

u11le an& chest %ere slick %ith sali'a! his belly &isten&e& his tiny $ointe& teeth" The re&ness of his tongue atteste&

an& har&" He began to retch an& gag again" His s all 4a%s o$ene& %i&e+ his to the 'iolence of his efforts" The girl s)ueake& an& s$rang for%ar&! trying to u$ again! but I $ushe& her roughly back" 6Don.t grab hi !7 I tol& her i $atiently" 6He.s trying to get so ething u$! an& he can.t &o it %ith you s)uee1ing his guts"7 She sto$$e&" 6Jet so ething u$07 6He looks an& acts like he.s got so ething lo&ge& in his gullet" 9oul& he ha'e gotten into bones or feathers07 She looke& stricken" 6There %ere bones in the fish" But only tiny ones"7

1B<

6Fish0 ;hat i&iot let hi

get into fish0 ;as it fresh or rotten07 I.& seen ho%

sick a &og coul& get %hen it got into rotten! s$a%ne&/out sal on on a ri'erbank" If that.s %hat this little beast ha& gobble&! he &i&n.t ha'e a chance" 6It %as fresh! an& %ell cooke&" The sa e trout I ha& at &inner"7 6;ell! at least it.s not likely to be $oisonous to hi " Right no%! it.s 4ust the bone" But if he gets it &o%n! it.s still likely to kill hi "7 She gas$e&" 65o! it can.t: He sto ach" I 4ust fe& hi any%ay! kitchen boy07 I %atche& the feist go through another roun& of al ost con'ulsi'e retching" 5othing ca e u$ but yello% bile" 6I. Aerity.s o%n &og boy! if you he.s going to &ie" Aery soon"7 She %atche&! her face a fir ly" I. force& $a%e& at it an& felt it ixture of a%e an& horror! as I gri$$e& her little $et e" I $ri1e& his 4a%s o$en an& ore fiercely an& y fingers against go" trying to hel$" He &i&n.t belie'e not a kitchen boy" I. a &og boy" utt! ust kno%" #n& if %e &on.t hel$ this little too ustn.t &ie" He.ll be fine" He 4ust has an u$set uch" He.ll be fine: ;hat &o you kno% about it

y t%o fingers &o%n his gullet" The feist gagge& e'en y fingers I coul& feel the bone" I t%i&&le&

e frantically %ith his front $a%s" His cla%s nee&e& cutting! too" o'e" But it %as %e&ge& si&e%ays in the little beast.s throat" The y ar s" I let hi

;ith the ti$s of

&og ga'e a strangle& ho%l an& struggle& frantically in

6;ell" He.s not going to get ri& of that %ithout so e hel$!7 I obser'e&" I left her %ailing an& sni'eling o'er hi " #t least she &i&n.t snatch hi s)uee1e hi " I got yself a han&ful of butter fro u$ an& the keg an& $lo$$e& it into etal

y ste% bo%l" 5o% I nee&e& so ething hooke&! or shar$ly cur'e&! but not too large" I rattle& through bins an& finally ca e u$ %ith a cur'e& hook of %ith a han&le on it" *ossibly it %as use& to lift hot $ots off the fire" 6Sit &o%n!7 I tol& the ai&"
1B?

She ga$e& at 65o% hol& hi cla%

e! an& then sat obe&iently on the bench I.& $ointe& to" fir ly! bet%een your knees" #n& &on.t let hi &oing this" >n&erstan&07 go! no atter

ho% he cla%s an& %iggles or yel$s" #n& hol& on to his front feet so he &oesn.t e to ribbons %hile I. She took a &ee$ breath! then gul$e& an& no&&e&" Tears %ere strea ing &o%n her face" I set the &og on her la$ an& $ut her han&s on hi " 6Hol& tight!7 I tol& her" I scoo$e& u$ a gobbet of butter" 6I. an& 4erk it out" #re you rea&y07 She no&&e&" The tears ha& sto$$e& flo%ing an& her li$s %ere set" I %as gla& to see she ha& so e strength to her" I no&&e& back" Jetting the butter &o%n %as the easy $art" It blocke& his throat! though! an& his $anic increase&! $oun&ing at y self/control %ith his %a'es of terror" I ha& no ti e to be gentle as I force& his 4a%s o$en an& then $ut the hook &o%n his throat" I ho$e& I %oul&n.t snag his flesh" But if I &i&! %ell! he %oul& &ie any%ay" I turne& the tool in his throat as he %iggle& an& yel$e& an& $isse& all o'er his istress" The hook caught on the bone an& I $ulle&! e'enly an& fir ly" It ca e u$ in a %elter of froth an& bile an& bloo&" # nasty little bone! not a fishbone at all! but the $artial breastbone of a s all bir&" I fli$$e& it onto the table" 6#n& he shoul&n.t ha'e $oultry bones either!7 I tol& her se'erely" I &on.t think she e'en hear& e" Doggy %as %hee1ing gratefully on her la$" I u$ an& cra&le& hi in her ar s! $icke& u$ the &ish of %ater an& hel& it out to hi " He sniffe& it! la$$e& a bit! an& then curle& u$! exhauste&" She $icke& hi her hea& bent o'er his" 6There.s so ething I %ant fro you!7 I began" 6#nything"7 She s$oke into his fur" 6#sk! an& it.s yours"7 going to use the fat to grease things u$" Then I.'e got to force his 4a%s o$en! an& hook the bone

1BB

6First! sto$ gi'ing hi &on.t carry hi

your foo&" Ji'e hi

only re&

eat an& boile& grain for so e uscle

a %hile" #n& for a &og that si1e! no

ore than you can cu$ in your han&" #n& run about! to gi'e hi

e'ery%here" -ake hi

an& %ear &o%n his nails" #n& %ash hi " He s ells foul! coat an& breath! fro too rich foo&" Or he %on.t li'e but another year or t%o"7 She looke& u$! stricken" Her han& %ent u$ to her a&e outh" #n& so ething in her a&e her &og $iss otion! so like her self/conscious touching of her 4e%elry at &inner! su&&enly e reali1e %ho I %as scol&ing" =a&y Jrace" #n& I ha& y face ust ha'e gi'en on her night robe" So ething in e a%ay" She s ile& &elighte&ly an& hel& her &oggy closer" 6I.ll &o as you suggest! &og boy" But for yourself0 Is there nothing you.& ask as re%ar&07 She thought I.& ask for a coin or ring or e'en a $osition %ith her househol&" Instea&! as stea&ily as I coul&! I looke& at her an& sai&! 6*lease! =a&y Jrace" I ask that you ask your lor& to 6;hat07 That single/%or& )uestion tol& 6#sk your lor& to e 'olu es about her" The accent an& inflection ha&n.t been learne& as =a&y Jrace" an his to%ers %ell" *lease"7 6;hy &oes a &og boy care about such things07 Her )uestion %as too blunt" ;here'er (el'ar ha& foun& her! she ha&n.t been highborn! or %ealthy before this" Her &elight %hen I recogni1e& her! the %ay she ha& brought her &og &o%n to the fa iliar co fort of a kitchen! by herself! %ra$$e& in her blanket! tol& of a co on girl ele'ate& too )uickly an& too far abo'e her $re'ious station" She %as lonely! an& uncertain! an& une&ucate& as to %hat %as ex$ecte& of her" ;orse! she kne% that she %as ignorant! an& that
1BC

an ;atch Islan&.s to%er %ith the best of his

en! to $ut an en& to the strife bet%een Ri$$on an& Shoaks Duchies"7

kno%le&ge ate at her an& soure& her $leasures %ith fear" If she &i& not learn ho% to be a &uchess before her youth an& beauty fa&e&! only years of loneliness an& ri&icule coul& a%ait her" She nee&e& a carefully! for she %oul& not acce$t a&'ice fro %as no longer a co %arning" It %oke on girl! but a &uchess" e an& I felt I ust co e to the kitchen"7 I let y eyes entor! so eone secret! on girl like 9ha&e" She nee&e& the a&'ice I coul& gi'e her! right no%" But I ha& to go a &og boy" Only a co ight &o that! an& the only thing she kne% about herself right no% %as that she 6I ha& a &rea !7 I sai&! su&&enly ins$ire&" 6So clear" =ike a 'ision" Or a unfocus" Her eyes %ent %i&e" I ha& her" 6I &rea e& of a %o an! %ho s$oke %ise %or&s an& turne& three strong en into a unite& %all that the Re&/Shi$ Rai&ers coul& not breach" She stoo& before the ! an& 4e%els %ere in her han&s! an& she sai&! F=et the %atchto%ers shine brighter than the ge s in these rings" =et the 'igilant sol&iers %ho to encircle an& co an the encircle our coast as these $earls use& y neck" =et the kee$s be strengthene& ane% against those %ho

threaten our $eo$le" For I %oul& be gla& to %alk $lain in the sight of both (ing oner! an& let the &efenses that guar& our $eo$le beco e the 4e%els of our lan&". #n& the (ing an& his &ukes %ere astoun&e& at her %ise heart an& noble %ays" But her $eo$le lo'e& her best of all! for they kne% she lo'e& the better than gol& or sil'er"7 It %as a%k%ar&! not near as cle'erly s$oken as I ha& ho$e& to before the (ing/in/;aiting an& astonishing hi ake it" But it caught her fancy" I coul& see her i agining herself stan&ing straight an& noble %ith her sacrifice" I sense& in ilk ai& or a kitchen her the burning &esire to &istinguish herself! to be s$oken of a& iringly by the $eo$le she ha& co e fro " *erha$s she ha& once been a sho% the she %as no% a &uchess in %ench! an& %as still $ercei'e& as such by those %ho kne% her" This %oul& ore than na e" =or& She shy an& his
1BD

entourage %oul& carry %or& of her &ee& back to Shoaks Duchy" -instrels %oul& celebrate her %or&s in song" #n& her husban& for once %oul& be sur$rise& by her" =et hi see her as so eone %ho care& for the lan& an& folk! in&" Her eyes ha& gone &istant an& she %ore the kitchen! her &og rather than the $retty little thing he ha& snare& %ith his title" #l ost I coul& see the thoughts $ara&e through her an abstract s ile" 6Joo& night! &og boy!7 she sai& softly! an& gli&e& fro cu&&le& against her breast" She %ore the blanket aroun& her shoul&ers as if it %ere a cloak of er ine" She %oul& $lay her role to orro% 'ery %ell" I grinne& su&&enly! %on&ering if I ha& acco $lishe& y ission %ithout $oison" 5ot that I ha& really in'estigate& %hether or not (el'ar %as guilty of treason+ but I ha& a feeling that I ha& cho$$e& the root of the $roble " I %as %illing to bet that the %atchto%ers %oul& be %ell I a&e y %ay back u$ to anne& before the %eek %as out" the e to Aerity.s y belly satisfie& y be&" I ha& $ilfere& a loaf of fresh brea& fro

kitchen an& this I offere& to the guar&s %ho rea& itte& &i&n.t $ay an& uch attention" I burro%e& back into y be&&ing!

be&cha ber" In so e &istant $art of Bayguar& so eone braye& out the hour" I y s$irit antici$ating the s$ectacle that =a&y Jrace %oul& $resent yself that she %oul& %ear

to orro%" #s I &o1e& off I %as %agering %ith

so ething straight an& si $le an& %hite! an& that her hair %oul& be unboun&" I ne'er got to fin& out" It see e& but o$ene& can&le y eyes to fin& 9hari o ents later that I %as shaken a%ake" I e" # &i light fro a lit

crouche& o'er

a&e elongate& sha&o%s on the cha ber %alls" 6;ake u$! Fit1!7 he =a&y Thy e" She e&iately" Your horse is being a&e rea&y"7

%his$ere& hoarsely" 6# runner.s co e to the kee$! fro re)uires you i 6-e07 I aske& stu$i&ly"
1BE

6Of course" I.'e lai& out clothes for you" Dress )uietly" Aerity is still aslee$"7 6;hat &oes she nee& e for07 essage %asn.t s$ecific" *erha$s she.s taken ill" Fit1" e&iately" I su$$ose you.ll fin& e! an& in any 6;hy! I &on.t kno%" The out %hen you get there"7 That %as sli co fort" But it %as enough to stir curiosity in case! I ha& to go" I &i&n.t kno% exactly %hat relation =a&y Thy e %as to the (ing! but she %as far abo'e co e in i $ortance" I &i&n.t &are ignore her y roo for the secon& an&" I &resse& )uickly by can&lelight an& left y su ons" I suggeste& ho% he

The runner sai& only that she re)uire& you i

ti e that night" Han&s ha& Sooty sa&&le& an& rea&y! along %ith a ribal& 4est or t%o about ight a use hi self the rest of y co ing" the night an& then left" I %as %a'e& out of the kee$ an& through the fortifications by guar&s %ho ha& been a&'ise& of not $ai& I turne& %rong t%ice in the to%n" It all a$$eare& &ifferent by night! an& I ha& uch attention to %here I ha& been going earlier" #t last I foun& the ost of an hour no%! sirrah!7 she inn yar&" # %orrie& innkee$er %as a%ake an& ha& a light in the %in&o%" 6She.s been groaning an& calling for you for tol& e anxiously" 6I fear it.s serious! but she %ill let no one in but you"7 e to go a%ay an& sto$ bothering her" Instea&! a )ua'ering

I hurrie& &o%n the hall to her &oor" I ta$$e& cautiously! half ex$ecting her shrill 'oice to tell 'oice calle& out! 6Oh! Fit1! is that finally you0 Hurry in! boy" I nee& you" I took a &ee$ breath an& lifte& the latch" I %ent into the se i&arkness of the stuffy roo ! hol&ing y breath against the 'arious s ells that assaulte& yself" a single ca e fro y nostrils" Death stench coul& har&ly be %orse than this! I thought to Hea'y hangings &ra$e& the be&" The only light in the roo 6=a&y Thy e07 I aske& softly" 6;hat.s %rong07
1CH

can&le guttering in its hol&er" I $icke& it u$ an& 'enture& closer to the be&"

6Boy"7 The 'oice ca e )uietly fro 69ha&e!7 I sai&! an& instantly felt has foole& Trust

a &ark corner of the roo " ore foolish than I care to re e ber"

6There.s no ti e to ex$lain all the reasons" Don.t feel ba&! boy" =a&y Thy e any folk in her ti e! an& %ill continue to" #t least I ho$e so" 5o%" ust rest e an& &on.t ask )uestions" @ust &o %hat I tell you" First! go to the

innkee$er" Tell her that =a&y Thy e has ha& one of her attacks an& gran&&aughter %ill be co ing in to care for herG7 6;hoG7

)uietly for a fe% &ays" Tell her on no account to &isturb her" Her great/

6It.s been arrange& alrea&y" #n& her great/gran&&aughter %ill be bringing in foo& for her an& e'erything else she nee&s" 4ust e $hasi1e that =a&y Thy e nee&s )uiet an& to be left alone" Jo an& &o that no%"7 #n& I &i&! an& I a$$eare& 4olte& enough that I %as 'ery con'incing" The innkee$er $ro ise& she %oul& be e that she %oul& let no one so uch as ta$ on a &oor! for ost reluctant to lose =a&y Thy e.s goo& o$inion of her inn an& )uietly! shutting the &oor softly behin& the gli e" 9ha&e shot the

her tra&e" By %hich I sur ise& that =a&y Thy e $ai& her generously in&ee&" I reentere& the roo bolt an& kin&le& a fresh can&le fro ering stu $" He s$rea& a s all an! su&&enly! 'ery fit

a$ on the table besi&e it" I notice& he %as &resse& for tra'eling/cloak! boots! 4erkin! an& trousers all of black" He looke& a &ifferent an& energetic" I %on&ere& if the ol& glance& u$ at e! an& for a sol&ier I %as facing" He ga'e an in the %orn robe %as also a $ose" He use" essage tonight" Re&/Shi$ ore than

o ent I %oul& ha'e s%orn it %as Aerity the e no ti e to

6Things %ill ha'e to go here ho%e'er they %ill go bet%een Aerity an& (el'ar" You an& I ha'e business else%here" I recei'e& a Rai&ers ha'e struck! here! at Forge" So close to Buckkee$ that it.s

4ust an insult+ it.s a real threat" #n& &one %hile Aerity is at 5eatbay" Don.t tell
1C1

e they &i&n.t kno% he %as here! a%ay fro They.'e taken hostages! &ragge& the %or&s to Buckkee$! to (ing Shre%& hi self"

Buckkee$" But that.s not all"

back to their shi$s" #n& they.'e sent

They.re &e an&ing gol&! lots of it! or they.ll return the hostages to the 'illage"7 6Don.t you ean they.ll kill the if they &on.t get the gol&07 65o"7 9ha&e shook his hea& angrily! a bear bothere& by bees" 65o! the essage %as )uite clear" If the gol& is $ai&! they.ll kill the " If not! they.ll release the " The essenger %as fro Forge! a an %hose %ife an& son ha& been taken" He insiste& he ha& the threat correct"7 6I &on.t see that %e ha'e a $roble !7 I snorte&" 6On the surface! neither &o I" But the an %ho carrie& the essage to Shre%& %as still shaking! &es$ite his long ri&e" He coul&n.t ex$lain it! not e'en say if he thought the gol& shoul& be $ai& or not" #ll he coul& &o %as re$eat! o'er an& o'er! ho% the shi$.s ca$tain ha& s ile& as he &eli'ere& the ulti atu ! an& ho% the other rai&ers ha& laughe& an& laughe& at his %or&s" 6So! %e go to see! you an& I" 5o%" Before the (ing akes any official res$onse! before Aerity e'en kno%s" 5o% atten&" This is the roa& %e ca e by" See ho% it follo%s the cur'e of the coast0 #n& this is the trail %e go by" Straighter! but uch stee$er an& boggy in $laces! so that it has ne'er been use& en on horseback" Here! a s all boat a%aits us+ iles an& ti e fro our 4ourney" ;e.ll beach by %agons" But faster for

crossing the bay %ill cut a lot of here! an& then on u$ to Forge"7 I stu&ie& the

a$" Forge %as north of Buckkee$+ I %on&ere& ho% long our

essenger ha& taken to reach us! an& if by the ti e %e got there the Re&/Shi$ Rai&ers. threat %oul& ha'e alrea&y been carrie& out" But it %as no use %asting ti e on %on&ering"
1C2

6;hat about a horse for you07 6That.s been arrange&" By the one %ho brought this outsi&e %ith three %hite feet" He.s for e" The essage" There.s a bay essenger %ill also $ro'i&e a

great/gran&&aughter for =a&y Thy e! an& the boat is %aiting" =et.s go" 6One thing!7 I sai&! an& ignore& his sco%l at the &elay" 6I ha'e to ask this! 9ha&e" ;ere you here because you &i&n.t trust talk! as you %ere to listen in the kee$" Bonnet kno% 5o%" Do %e ri&e07 ;e &i&" ;e left by the si&e entrance! an& the bay %as tethere& right outsi&e" Sooty &i&n.t uch care for hi ! but she in&e& her anners" I sense& 9ha&e.s i $atience! but he ke$t the horses to an easy $ace until %e ha& left the cobble& streets of 5eatbay behin& us" Once the lights of the houses %ere behin& us! %e $ut our horses to an easy canter" 9ha&e le&! an& I %on&ere& at ho% %ell he ro&e! an& ho% effortlessly he selecte& $aths in the &ark" Sooty &i& not like this s%ift tra'eling by night" If it ha& not been for a oon nearly at the full! I &on.t think I coul& ha'e $ersua&e& her to kee$ u$ %ith the bay" I %ill ne'er forget that night ri&e" 5ot because it %as a %il& gallo$ to the rescue! but because it %as not" 9ha&e gui&e& us an& use& the horses as if they %ere ga e $ieces on a boar&" He &i& not $lay s%iftly! but to %in" #n& so there %ere ti es %hen %e %alke& the horses to breathe the ! an& $laces on the trail %here %e &is ounte& an& le& the #s to get the safely $ast treacherous $laces" 9ha&e.s orning graye& the sky %e sto$$e& to eat $ro'isions fro e07 ay 6# fair )uestion! I su$$ose" 5o" I %as here to listen in the to%n! to %o en.s akers an& button sellers ore than a high king.s a&'iser! %ithout e'en kno%ing they kno% it"

sa&&lebags" ;e %ere on a hillto$ so thickly tree& that the sky %as barely gli $se& o'erhea&" I coul& hear the ocean! an& s ell it! but coul& catch no sight of it" Our trail ha& beco e a sinuous $ath! little
1C8

ore than a &eer run!

through these %oo&s" 5o% that %e %ere still! I coul& hear an& s ell the life all aroun& us" Bir&s calle&! an& I hear& the to sit on &ee$ skin an& then o'e ent of s all ani als in the a %ater un&erbrush an& in the branches o'erhea&" 9ha&e ha& stretche&! then sank &o%n oss %ith his back against a tree" He &rank &ee$ly fro ore briefly fro a bran&y flask" He looke& tire&! an& the

&aylight ex$ose& his age

ore cruelly than la $light e'er ha&" I %on&ere& if e %atching hi " 6I.'e ha& to &o ore

he %oul& last through the ri&e or colla$se" 6I.ll be fine!7 he sai& %hen he caught ar&uous &uty than this! an& on less slee$" Besi&es! %e.ll ha'e a goo& fi'e or six hours of rest on the boat! if the crossing is s ooth" So there.s no nee& to be longing after slee$" =et.s go! boy"7 #bout t%o hours later our $ath &i'erge&! an& again %e Ftook the s%ee$s of the branches" It %as ore obscure branching" Before long I %as all but lying on Sooty.s neck to esca$e the lo% uggy un&er the trees an& %e %ere blesse& %ith y ustere& ultitu&es of tiny stinging flies that torture& the horses an& cre$t into clothes to fin& flesh to feast on" So thick %ere they that %hen I finally rushe& into By y outh" ore o$en" Once

the courage to ask 9ha&e if %e ha& gone astray! I near choke& on the ones that i&&ay %e e erge& onto a %in&s%e$t hillsi&e that %as

ore I sa% the ocean" The %in& coole& the s%eating horses an& s%e$t the insects a%ay" It %as a great $leasure si $ly to sit u$right in the sa&&le again" The trail %as %i&e enough that I coul& ri&e abreast of 9ha&e" The li'i& s$ots stoo& out starkly against his $ale skin+ he looke& Dark circles un&erscore& his eyes" He caught 6Re$ort to e! instea& of staring at tersely! an& so I &i&" ore bloo&less than the Fool" an& fro%ne&" e e %atching hi

e like a si $leton!7 he or&ere&

1C<

It %as har& to %atch the trail an& his face at the sa e ti e! but the secon& ti e he snorte&! I glance& o'er at hi y re$ort an& he shook his hea&" 6=uck" Sa e luck your father ha&" Your kitchen &i$lo acy ay be enough to turn the situation aroun&! if that is all there is to it" The little gossi$ I hear& agree&" ;ell" (el'ar %as a goo& &uke before this! an& it soun&s like all that ha$$ene& %as a young bri&e going to his hea&"7 He sighe& su&&enly" 6Still! it.s ba&! %ith Aerity there to rebuke a an for not in&ing his to%ers! an& Aerity uch %e &on.t hi self %ith a rai& on a Buckkee$ To%n" Da n: There.s so &i& they kno% that Aerity %as a%ay fro a threat! or a ockery07 For a to fin& %ry a use ent on his face" I finishe&

kno%" Ho% &i& the Rai&ers get $ast our to%ers %ithout being s$otte&0 Ho% Buckkee$ at 5eatbay0 Or &i& they ean0 Is it e the kno%0 ;as it luck for the 0 #n& %hat &oes that strange ulti atu o ent %e ro&e silently" ay get to Forge to fin& that all.s been essage he Skille& to Aerity" an coul& en traine& in the Skill! a

6I %ish I kne% %hat action Shre%& %as taking" ;hen he sent essenger! he ha& not yet &eci&e&" ;e They say that in the ol& &ays! %hen %hile" But that secret! ay be no ore settle& alrea&y" #n& I %ish I kne% exactly %hat

tell %hat his lea&er %as thinking about 4ust by being silent an& listening for a ore than a legen&" 5ot any are taught the Skill! ore any ore" I think it %as (ing Bounty %ho &eci&e& that" (ee$ the Skill ore of an elite tool! an& it beco es then" I ne'er %ith his

ore 'aluable" That %as the logic ight gi'e a lea&er ore status

uch un&erstoo& it" ;hat if they sai& that of goo& bo% en! or ystery an like Shre%&! no%! he.& en4oy ha'ing his

na'igators0 Still! I su$$ose the aura of en , or for a

un&erlings %on&ering if he can actually $ick u$ %hat they %ere thinking %ithout their uttering a %or&" Yes! that %oul& a$$eal to Shre%&! that %oul&"7

1C?

#t first I thought 9ha&e %as 'ery %orrie&! or e'en angry" I ha& ne'er hear& hi ra ble so on a to$ic" But %hen his horse shie& o'er a s)uirrel crossing his atter07 uch farther no%"7 His $ale skin ha& $ath! 9ha&e %as 'ery nearly unseate&" I reache& out an& caught at his reins" 6#re you all right0 ;hat.s the He shook his hea& slo%ly" 65othing" ;hen %e get to the boat! I.ll be all right" ;e 4ust ha'e to kee$ going" It.s not 6=et.s rest a bit!7 I suggeste&" 6Ti&es %on.t %ait" #n& rest %oul&n.t hel$ #n& he a&&e&! 6Trust to atte $t e! not the rest I.& get %hile I %as not so foolish as %orrying about our boat going on the rocks" 5o" ;e 4ust ha'e to kee$ going"7 e! boy" I kno% %hat I can &o! an& I. ore than that"7 beco e gray! an& %ith e'ery ste$ his horse took! he s%aye& in his sa&&le"

#n& so %e %ent on" There %as 'ery little else %e coul& &o" But I ro&e besi&e his horse.s hea&! %here I coul& take his reins if I nee&e& to" The soun& of the ocean gre% lou&er! an& the trail %hether I %oul& or no" ;e broke clear of brush co $letely on a bluff o'erlooking a san&y beach" 6Thank E&a! they.re here!7 9ha&e uttere& behin& y ar e! an& then I sa% the an on %atch in return greeting" shallo% &raft boat that %as all but groun&e& near the $oint" # hallooe& an& %a'e& his ca$ in the air" I lifte& ;e i a&e our %ay &o%n! sli&ing e&iately boar&e&" That left uch stee$er" Soon I %as lea&ing the %ay

ore than ri&ing! an& then 9ha&e

e %ith the horses" 5either %as anxious to kno% %hat I %ante&" For the first ti e e %ere re)uire& to

enter the %a'es! let alone hea'e the sel'es o'er the lo% rail an& u$ onto &eck" I trie& to )uest to%ar& the ! to let the in three &eckhan&s! finally get the y life I foun& I %as si $ly too tire&" I coul& not fin& the focus I nee&e&" So uch cursing! an& t%o &uckings for loa&e&" E'ery bit of leather an& e'ery buckle on their harness
1CB

ha& been &ouse& %ith salt %ater" Ho% %as I going to ex$lain that to Burrich0 That %as the thought that %as u$$er ost on out to &ee$er %ater" y in& as I settle& yself in the bo% an& %atche& the ro%ers in the &ory ben& their backs to the oars an& to% us

9H#*TER TE5 Re'elations TI-E #5D TIDE ;#IT for no fisher en ocean! not an" There.s an ageless a&age" Sailors an& ean it si $ly to say that a boat.s sche&ule is &eter ine& by the an.s con'enience" But so eti es I lie here! after the tea has an! an& y birth to ake

cal e& the %orst of the $ain! an& %on&er about it" Ti&es %ait for no that I kno% is true" But ti e0 Di& the ti es I %as born into a%ait of Sayntanns! no clai eshing %ith y conce$tion an& $ushing uch %oul& be &ifferent" So

be0 Di& the e'ents ru ble into $lace like the great %oo&en gears of the clock y life along0 I to greatness" #n& yet! ha& I not been born! ha& not y $arents fallen

before a surge of lust! so co e fro e or fro

uch" Better0 I think

not" #n& then I blink an& try to focus the &rug in %ith 9ha&e! one last ti e" The sun ha& 6Your

y eyes! an& %on&er if these thoughts

y bloo&" It %oul& be nice to hol& counsel

o'e& Froun& to late afternoon %hen so eone nu&ge&

e a%ake"

aster %ants you!7 %as all he sai&! an& I rouse& %ith a start" Julls y feet! asha e& to ha'e fallen aslee$

%heeling o'erhea&! fresh sea air! an& the &ignifie& %a&&le of the boat recalle& e to %here I %as" I scra ble& to

1CC

%ithout e'en %on&ering if 9ha&e %as co fortable" I hurrie& aft to the shi$.s house" There I foun& 9ha&e ha& taken o'er the tiny galley table" He %as $oring o'er a a$ s$rea& out on it! but a large tureen of fish cho%&er %as %hat got attention" He otione& e to it %ithout taking his attention fro the y a$! an& e" I %as

I %as gla& to fall to" There %ere shi$.s biscuits to go %ith it! an& a sour re& %ine" I ha& not reali1e& ho% hungry I %as until the foo& %as before scra$ing y &ish %ith a bit of biscuit %hen 9ha&e aske& e! 6Better07 y 6-uch!7 I sai&" 6Ho% about you07 6Better!7 he sai&! an& looke& at the a$ before e %ith his fa iliar ha%k.s glance" To relief! he see e& totally reco'ere&" He $ushe& y &ishes to one si&e an& sli&

e" 6By e'ening!7 he sai&! 6%e.ll be here" It.ll be a nastier ay

lan&ing than the loa&ing %as" If %e.re lucky! %e.ll get %in& %hen %e nee& it" If not! %e.ll en& u$ s%i iss the best of the ti&e! an& the current %ill be stronger" ;e ing the horses to shore %hile %e ri&e in the &ory" I ho$e not! but y o%n %or&s" But I ha&

be $re$are& for it! 4ust in case" Once %e lan&G7 6You s ell of carris see&"7 I sai& it! not belie'ing caught the un istakable s%eet taint of the see& an& oil on his breath" I.& ha& carris/see& cakes! at S$ringfest! %hen e'eryone &oes! an& I kne% the gi&&y energy that e'en a s$rinkling of the see& on a cake.s to$ coul& bring" E'eryone celebrate& S$ring.s E&ge that %ay" Once a year! %hat coul& it hurt0 But I kne%! too! that Burrich ha& %arne& carris see& at all" #n& %arne& han&s" 6Do I0 Fancy that" 5o%! I suggest that if you ha'e to s%i your shirt an& cloak into an oilskin bag an& gi'e it to
1CD

e ne'er to buy a horse that s elle& of

e further that if anyone %ere e'er caught

$utting carris see& oil on any of our horses. grain! he.& kill hi " ;ith his bare the horses! you $ut

e in the &ory" That %ay

you.ll ha'e at least that beach! our roa& %illG7

uch &ry to $ut on %hen %e reach the beach" Fro

the

6Burrich says that once you.'e gi'en it to an ani al! it.s ne'er the sa e" It &oes things to horses" He says you can use it to %in one race! or run &o%n one stag! but after that! the beast %ill ne'er be %hat it %as" He says &ishonest horse tra&ers use it to ake an ani al sho% %ell at a sale+ it gi'es the s$irit an& brightens their eyes! but that soon $asses" Burrich says that it takes a%ay all their sense of %hen they.re tire&! so they go on! $ast the ti e %hen they shoul& ha'e &ro$$e& fro exhaustion" Burrich tol& e that so eti es %hen the carris e! oil %ears out! the horse 4ust &ro$s in its tracks"7 The %or&s s$ille& out of col& %ater o'er stones" 9ha&e lifte& his ga1e fro the a$" He stare& at e il&ly" 6Fancy Burrich so closely" kno%ing all that about carris see&" I. next stage of our 4ourney"7 6But! 9ha&e,7 He transfixe& e %ith his eyes" 6Burrich is a fine horse aster" E'en as a boy the beach to he sho%e& great $ro ise" He is sel&o 5o% atten& to %hat I a ti e" But I a %rong , %hen s$eaking about horses" ay nee& to bring one horse u$ at a gla& you listene& to hi

5o% $erha$s you.ll be so kin& as to gi'e

e e)ual attention as %e $lan the

saying" ;e.ll nee& a lantern to get fro

the cliffs abo'e" The $ath is 'ery ba&+ %e tol& it can be &one" Fro

there! %e go o'erlan& to Forge" There

isn.t a roa& that %ill take us there )uickly enough to be of any use" It.s hilly country! but not foreste&" #n& %e.ll be going by night! so the stars %ill ha'e to be our a$" I a ho$ing to reach Forge by i&afternoon" ;e.ll go in as tra'elers! you an& I" That.s all I.'e &eci&e& so far+ the rest %ill ha'e to be $lanne& fro hour to hour ,7
1CE

#n& the

o ent in %hich I coul& ha'e aske& hi ore he lecture&

ho% he coul& use the see& e

an& not &ie of it %as gone! shoul&ere& asi&e by his careful $lans an& $recise &etails" For half an hour fro e on &etails! an& then he sent the cabin! saying he ha& other $re$arations to ake an& that I shoul&

check on the horses an& get %hat rest I coul&" The horses %ere for%ar&! in a cushione& the &eck fro see akeshift ro$e enclosure on &eck" Stra% ate %as their hoo'es an& &ro$$ings" # sour face&

en&ing a bit of railing that Sooty ha& kicke& loose in the boar&ing" He &i&n.t &is$ose& to talk! an& the horses %ere as cal an& co fortable as coul& be ex$ecte&" I ro'e& the &eck briefly" ;e %ere on a ti&y little craft! an inter/islan& tra&er %i&er than she %as &ee$" Her shallo% &raft let her go u$ ri'ers or right onto beaches %ithout &a age! but her $assage o'er &ee$er %ater left a lot to be &esire&" She si&le& along! %ith here a &i$ an& there a curtsy! like a bun&le/ la&en far %ife aking her %ay through a cro%&e& arket" ;e see e& to be yself near the sole cargo" # &eckhan& ga'e the e a cou$le of a$$les to share %ith the

horses! but little talk" So after I ha& $arcele& out the fruit! I settle& on their stra% an& took 9ha&e.s a&'ice about resting"

The %in&s %ere kin& to us! an& the ca$tain took us in closer to the loo ing cliffs than I.& ha'e thought $ossible! but unloa&ing the horses fro $re$are& ai&ing the 'essel %as still an un$leasant task" #ll of 9ha&e.s lecturing an& %arnings ha& not e for the blackness of night on the %ater" The lanterns on the &eck e ore %ith the sha&o%s they thre% than e %ith their feeble light" In the en&! a &eckhan& ro%e& 9ha&e to shore see e& $athetic efforts! confusing

in the shi$.s &ory" I %ent o'erboar& %ith the reluctant horses! for I kne% Sooty %oul& fight a lea& ro$e an& $robably s%a $ the &ory" I clung to Sooty an& encourage& her! trusting her co on sense to take us to%ar& the &i lantern on shore" I ha& a long line on 9ha&e.s horse! for I &i&n.t %ant his thrashing too
1DH

close to us in the %ater" The sea %as col&! the night %as black! an& if I.& ha& any sense! I.& ha'e %ishe& that takes the challenge an& an a&'enture" I ca e out of the %ater &ri$$ing! chille&! an& co $letely exhilarate&" I ke$t Sooty.s reins an& coaxe& 9ha&e.s horse in" By the ti e I ha& the control! 9ha&e %as besi&e an %as alrea&y a%ay an& $ulling for the shi$" 9ha&e ga'e but they &i& little goo& $ulle& on o'er $ath07 I aske&! in y 'oice shaking %ith y shi'ering" e both un&er y &ry things! e! lantern in han&! laughing exultantly" The &ory y &ri$$ing clothes" 6;here.s the yself else%here! but there is so ething in a boy un&anely &ifficult an& un$leasant an& turns it into a $ersonal

9ha&e ga'e a &erisi'e snort" 6*ath0 I ha& a )uick look %hile you %ere $ulling y horse" It.s no $ath! it.s no ore than the course the %ater takes %hen it uch" It %as narro% an& runs off &o%n the cliffs" But it %ill ha'e to &o"7 It %as a little better than he ha& re$orte&! but not stee$ an& the gra'el on it %as loose un&erfoot" 9ha&e %ent before %ith the lantern" I follo%e&! %ith the horses in tan&e " #t one $oint 9ha&e.s bay acte& u$! tugging back! thro%ing e off balance an& nearly &ri'ing Sooty to her y outh knees in her efforts to go in the other &irection" -y heart %as in until %e reache& the to$ of the cliffs" Then the night an& the o$en hillsi&e s$rea& out before us un&er the sailing oon an& the stars scattere& %i&e o'erhea&! an& the s$irit of the challenge caught see& e u$ again" I su$$ose it coul& ha'e been 9ha&e.s attitu&e" The carris a&e his eyes %i&e an& bright! e'en by lantern light! an& his energy!

unnatural though it %as! %as infectious" E'en the horses see e& affecte&! snorting an& tossing their hea&s" 9ha&e an& I laughe& &e ente&ly as %e a&4uste& harness an& then ounte&" 9ha&e glance& u$ to the stars an& then

1D1

aroun& the hillsi&e that slo$e& &o%n before us" ;ith careless &is&ain he tosse& our lantern to one si&e" 6#%ay:7 he announce& to the night! an& kicke& the bay! %ho s$rang for%ar&" Sooty %as not to be out&one! an& so I &i& as I ha& ne'er &are& before! gallo$ing &o%n unfa iliar terrain by night" It is a %on&er %e &i& not all break our necks" But there it is+ so eti es luck belongs to chil&ren an& That night I felt %e %ere both" 9ha&e le& an& I follo%e&" That night I gras$e& another $iece of the $u11le that Burrich ha& al%ays been to e" For there is a 'ery strange $eace in gi'ing o'er e to &eath or har "7 That night! our bearing! or your 4u&g ent to so eone else! to saying to the ! 6You lea& an& I %ill follo%! an& I %ill trust entirely that you %ill not lea& ga'e no thought to %hat for as %e $ushe& the horses har&! an& 9ha&e steere& us solely by the night sky! I ight befall us if %e %ent astray fro if a horse %ere in4ure& by an unex$ecte& sli$" I felt no sense of accountability y actions" Su&&enly e'erything %as easy an& clear" I si $ly &i& %hate'er e to &o! an& truste& to hi to ha'e it turn out right" -y s$irit ro&e 9hi'alry! an& %hat he 9ha&e tol& occurre& to a& en"

high on the crest of that %a'e of faith! an& so eti e &uring the night it e3 This %as %hat Burrich ha& gotten fro isse& so ba&ly" ;e ro&e the entire night" 9ha&e breathe& the horses! but not as often as Burrich %oul& ha'e" #n& he sto$$e& ore than once to scan the night sky an& then the hori1on to be sure our course %as true" 6See that hill there! against the stars0 You can.t see it too %ell! but I kno% it" By light! it.s sha$e& like a butter onger.s ca$" (eeffasha%! it.s calle&" ;e kee$ it to the %est of us" =et.s go"7 #nother ti e he $ause& on a hillto$" I $ulle& in y horse besi&e his" 9ha&e sat still! 'ery tall an& straight" He coul& ha'e been car'e& of stone" Then he lifte&

1D2

an ar

an& $ointe&" His han& shook slightly" 6See that ra'ine &o%n there0 e! a &arker slash in the &i ness of the starlit

;e.'e co e a bit too far to the east" ;e.ll ha'e to correct as %e go"7 The ra'ine %as in'isible to lan&sca$e" I %on&ere& ho% he coul& ha'e kno%n it %as there" It %as $erha$s half an hour later that he gesture& off to our left! %here on a rise of lan& a single light t%inkle&" 6So eone.s u$ tonight in ;oolcot!7 he obser'e&" 6*robably the baker! $utting early sa&&le an& I felt orning rolls to rise"7 He half turne& in his ile fro ore than sa% his s ile" 6I %as born less than a

here" 9o e! boy! let.s ri&e" I &on.t like to think of rai&ers so close to ;oolcot"7 #n& on %e %ent! &o%n a hillsi&e so stee$ that I felt Sooty.s she leane& back on her haunches an& uscles bunch as ore than half sli& her %ay &o%n"

Da%n %as graying the sky before I s elle& the sea again" #n& it %as still early %hen %e creste& a rise an& looke& &o%n on the little 'illage of Forge" It %as a $oor $lace in so e %ays+ the anchorage %as goo& only on certain ti&es" The rest of the ti e the shi$s ha& to anchor farther out an& let s all craft $ly back an& forth bet%een the an& shore" #bout all that Forge ha& to kee$ it on the blackene& o$en/roofe& a$ %as iron ore" I ha& not ex$ecte& to see a bustling city" But neither %as I $re$are& for the rising ten&rils of s oke fro 4ust off the shore! their alou&" 6Dea&! taken hostage! or hi&ing in the %oo&s still"7 There %as a tightness in 9ha&e.s 'oice that &re% there" He sa% y eyes to his face" I %as a a1e& at the $ain I sa% an& shrugge& utely" 6The feeling that these e staring at hi buil&ings" So e%here an un ilke& co% %as lo%ing" # fe% scuttle& boats %ere asts sticking u$ like &ea& trees" -orning looke& &o%n on e $ty streets" 6;here are the $eo$le07 I %on&ere&

folk belong to you! that their &isaster is your failure , it %ill co e to you as you gro%" It goes %ith the bloo&"7 He left
1D8

e to $on&er that as he nu&ge& his

%eary to%n" Joing

ount into a %alk" ;e threa&e& our %ay &o%n the hill an& into the ore slo%ly see e& to be the only caution 9ha&e %as taking" There o'e %ithout a full co $le ent

%ere t%o of us! %ea$onless! on tire& horses! ri&ing into a to%n %here , 6The shi$.s gone! boy" # rai&ing shi$ &oesn.t of ro%ers" 5ot in the current off this $iece of coast" ;hich is another %on&er" Ho% &i& they kno% our ti&es an& currents %ell enough to rai& here0 ;hy rai& here at all0 To carry off iron ore0 Easier by far for the shi$" It &oesn.t ake sense! boy" 5o sense at all"7 to $irate it off a tra&ing

De% ha& settle& hea'ily the night before" There %as a rising stench in the to%n! of burne& %et ho es" Here an& there a fe% still s ol&ere&" In front of so e! $ossessions %ere stre%n out into the street! but I &i& not kno% if the inhabitants ha& trie& to sa'e so e of their goo&s! or if the rai&ers ha& begun to carry things off an& then change& their in&s" # saltbox %ithout a li&! se'eral yar&s of utely but green %oolen goo&s! a shoe! a broken chair3 the litter s$oke u&" # gri besi&e hi " 6;hat07 I aske& stu$i&ly! 4olte& fro 6The hostages" They returne& the "7 6;here07 9ha&e looke& at e incre&ulously! as if I %ere insane or 'ery stu$i&" 6There" In e in the next o ent of y life" So the ruins of that buil&ing"7 It is &ifficult to ex$lain %hat ha$$ene& to uch occurre&! all at once" I lifte& y eyes to see a grou$ of $eo$le! all ages y thoughts" horror settle& on e"

elo)uently of all that %as ho ely an& safe broken fore'er an& tra $le& in the 6;e.re too late!7 9ha&e sai& softly" He reine& his horse in an& Sooty sto$$e&

an& sexes! %ithin the burne&/out shell of so e kin& of store" They %ere
1D<

uttering a ong the sel'es as they sca'enge& in it" They %ere be&raggle&! but see e& unconcerne& by it" #s I %atche&! t%o %o en $icke& u$ the sa e kettle at once! a large kettle! an& then $rocee&e& to sla$ at one another! each atte $ting to &ri'e off the other an& clai the loot" They re in&e& e of a cou$le of cro%s fighting o'er a cheese rin&" They s)ua%ke& an& sla$$e& an& calle& one another 'ile na es as they tugge& at the o$$osing han&les" The other folk $ai& the no in&! but %ent on %ith their o%n looting" aking habitable This %as 'ery strange beha'ior for 'illage folk" #l%ays I ha& hear& of ho% after a rai&! 'illage folk ban&e& together! cleaning out an& cherishe& $ossessions! sharing an& %hat buil&ings %ere left stan&ing! an& then hel$ing one another sal'age aking &o until cottages coul& be rebuilt! an& store buil&ings re$lace&" But these folk see e& co $letely careless that they ha& lost nearly e'erything an& that fa ily an& frien&s ha& &ie& in the rai&" Instea&! they ha& gathere& to fight o'er %hat little %as left" This reali1ation %as horrifying enough to behol&" But I coul&n.t feel the either" until 9ha&e $ointe& the out" I %oul& ha'e ri&&en e at that o entous thing that ha$$ene& to I ha&n.t seen or hear& the

right $ast the " #n& the other

$oint %as that I reali1e& I %as &ifferent fro

e'eryone else I kne%" I agine a

seeing chil& gro%ing u$ in a blin& 'illage! %here no one else e'en sus$ects the $ossibility of such a sense" The chil& %oul& ha'e no %or&s for colors! or for &egrees of light" The others %oul& ha'e no conce$tion of the %ay in %hich the chil& $ercei'e& the %orl&" So it %as in that %rong %ith the 0 ;hat.s gotten into the 07 I kne%" o ent as %e sat our horses an& isery in his 'oice! 6;hat is stare& at the folk" For 9ha&e %on&ere& out lou&!

1D?

#ll the threa&s that run back an& forth bet%een folk! that t%ine fro chil&! fro gone" #ll let

other to

an to %o an! all the kinshi$s they exten& to fa ily an& neighbor!

to $ets an& stock! e'en to the fish of the sea an& bir& of the skyGall! all %ere y life! %ithout kno%ing it! I ha& &e$en&e& on those threa&s of feelings to e kno% %hen other li'e things %ere about" Dogs! horses! e'en chickens ore ne%born $u$$y in the stall!

ha& the ! as %ell as hu ans" #n& so I %oul& look u$ at the &oor before Burrich entere& it! or kno% there %as one nearly burie& un&er the stra%" So I %oul& %ake %hen 9ha&e o$ene& the staircase" Because I coul& feel $eo$le" #n& that sense %as the one that al%ays alerte& e first! that let e kno% to use y eyes an& ears an& nose as %ell! to see %hat they %ere about" But these folk ga'e off no feelings at all" I agine %ater %ith no %eight or %etness" That is ho% those folk %ere to Stri$$e& of %hat a&e the not only hu an! but ali'e" To the earth an& )uarrel an& %atche& stones rise u$ fro little girl foun& a $ot of 4a lick" # gro%n ru e" e! it %as as if I

utter at one another" #

an& stuck her fist in it an& $ulle& out a han&ful to the scorche& $ile of fabric he ha& been

an turne& fro

aging through an& crosse& to her" He sei1e& the $ot an& sho'e& the chil& o'e& to interfere" o'e& to &is ount" I shoute& y 'oice energi1e& her"

asi&e! hee&less of her angry shouts" 5o one I leane& for%ar& an& sei1e& 9ha&e.s reins as he She lea$e& for%ar&! an&

%or&lessly at Sooty! an& tire& as she %as! the fear in

y 4erk on the reins brought 9ha&e.s bay %ith us"

9ha&e %as nearly unseate&! but he clung to the sa&&le! an& I took us out of the &ea& to%n as fast as %e coul& go" I hear& shouts behin& us! col&er than the ho%ling of %ol'es! col& as stor %in& &o%n a chi ney! but %e %ere
1DB

ounte&

an& I %as terrifie&" I &i&n.t $ull in or let 9ha&e ha'e his o%n reins back until the houses %ere %ell behin& us" The roa& bent! an& besi&e a s all co$se of trees! I $ulle& in at last" I &on.t think I e'en hear& 9ha&e.s angry &e an&s for an ex$lanation until then" He &i&n.t get a 'ery coherent one" I leane& for%ar& on Sooty.s neck an& hugge& her" I coul& feel her %eariness! an& the tre bling of Di ly I felt that she share& Forge an& nu&ge& Sooty %ith y o%n bo&y" y uneasiness" I thought of the e $ty folk back in y knees" She ste$$e& out %earily an& 9ha&e outh %as &ry an& y as I $ante& out y fear an& a garble&

ke$t $ace! &e an&ing to kno% %hat %as %rong" -y 'oice shook" I &i&n.t look at hi ex$lanation of %hat I ha& felt"

;hen I %as silent! our horses continue& to $ace &o%n the $acke& earth roa&" #t length I got u$ y courage an& looke& at 9ha&e" He %as regar&ing e as if e! 4ust a I ha& s$route& antlers" Once a%are of this ne% sense! I coul&n.t ignore it" I sense& his ske$ticis " But I also felt 9ha&e &istance hi self fro little $ulling back! a little shiel&ing of self fro beco e a bit of a stranger" It hurt all the that %ay fro %as" 6They %ere like arionettes!7 I tol& 9ha&e" 6=ike %oo&en things co e to life an& acting out so e e'il $lay" #n& if they ha& seen us! they %oul& not ha'e hesitate& to kill us for our horses or our cloaks! or a $iece of brea&" They ,7 I searche& for %or&s" 6They aren.t e'en ani als any ore" There.s nothing co ing out of the " 5othing" They.re like little se$arate things" =ike a ro% of books! or rocks orG7 6Boy!7 9ha&e sai&! bet%een gentleness an& annoyance! 6you.'e got to get yourself in han&" It.s been a long night of tra'el for us! an& you.re tire&" Too
1DC

so eone %ho ha& su&&enly

ore because he ha& not $ulle& back

the folk in Forge" #n& they %ere a hun&re& ti es stranger than I

long %ithout slee$! an& the G7

in& starts to $lay tricks! %ith %aking &rea s an&

65o"7 I %as &es$erate to con'ince hi " 6It.s not that" It.s not going %ithout slee$"7 6;e.ll go back there!7 he sai& reasonably" The orning bree1e s%irle& his &ark y heart %oul& break" Ho% orning bree1e in cloak aroun& hi ! in a %ay so or&inary that I felt the sa e %orl&0 #n& 9ha&e! s$eaking in so cal

coul& there be folk like those in that 'illage! an& a si $le

an& or&inary a 'oice0 6Those

folk are 4ust or&inary folk! boy! but they.'e gone through a 'ery ba& ti e! an& so they.re acting o&&ly" I kne% a girl %ho sa% her father kille& by a bear" She %as like that! 4ust staring an& grunting! har&ly e'en for ore than a or&inary li'es"7 6So eone.s ahea&:7 I %arne& hi " I ha& hear& nothing! seen nothing! felt only that tug at the cob%eb of sense I.& &isco'ere&" But as %e looke& ahea& &o%n the roa& %e sa% that %e %ere a$$roaching the tail en& of a ragtag $rocession of $eo$le" So e le& la&en beasts! others $ushe& or &ragge& carts of be&raggle& $ossessions" They looke& o'er their shoul&ers at us on our horses as if %e %ere &e ons risen fro the earth to $ursue the " an close to the en& of the line! an& he lifte& a 6The *ocke& -an:7 crie& a o'ing to care for herself! onth" Those folk %ill reco'er %hen they go back to their

han& to $oint at us" His face %as &ra%n %ith %eariness an& %hite %ith fear" His 'oice cracke& on the %or&s" 6It.s the legen&s co e to life!7 he %arne& the others! %ho halte& fearfully to stare back at us" 6Heartless ghosts %alk e bo&ie& through our 'illage ruins! an& the black/cloake& *ocke& -an brings his &isease u$on us3 ;e ha'e li'e& too soft! an& the ol& go&s $unish us" Our fat li'es %ill be the &eath of us all"7

1DD

6Oh! &a n it all" I &i&n.t look to%ar& the

ean to be seen like this!7 9ha&e breathe&" I %atche& e+ boy"7 He &i& not o'e&

hiss $ale han&s gather his reins turning his bay" 6Follo%

an %ho still $ointe& a )ui'ering finger at us" He

slo%ly! al ost languorously! as he gui&e& his horse off the roa& an& u$ a tussocky hillsi&e" It %as the sa e unchallenging %ay of o'ing that Burrich ha& %hen confronting a %ary horse or &og" His tire& horse left the s ooth trail reluctantly" 9ha&e %as hea&e& u$ into a stan& of birches on the hillto$" I stare& at hi unco $rehen&ingly" 6Follo% e! boy!7 he &irecte& e o'er his shoul&er %hen I hesitate&" 6Do you %ant to be stone& in the roa&0 It.s not a $leasant ex$erience"7 I o'e& carefully! s%inging Sooty asi&e fro the roa& as if I %ere totally una%are of the $anicky folk ahea& of us" They ho'ere& there! bet%een anger an& fear" The feel of it %as a black/re& s ear on the &ay.s freshness" I sa% a %o an stoo$! sa% a an turn asi&e fro his barro%" the forest" #ll ha& the 6They.re co ing:7 I %arne& 9ha&e! e'en as they race& to%ar& us" So e gri$$e& stones an& others green staffs freshly taken fro be&raggle& look of to%nsfolk force& to li'ing in the o$en" Here %ere the rest of Forge.s 'illagers! those not taken hostage by the Rai&ers" #ll of that I reali1e& in the instant bet%een &igging in y heels an& Sooty.s %eary $lunge for%ar&" Our horses %ere s$ent+ their efforts at s$ee& %ere gru&ging! &es$ite the hail of rocks that thu&&e& to the earth in our %ake" Ha& the to%nsfolk been reste&! or less fearful! they %oul& ha'e easily caught us" But I think they %ere relie'e& to see us flee" Their in&s %ere ore fixe& on %hat %alke& the streets of their atter ho% o inous" as he took 'illage than in fleeing strangers! no

They stoo& in the roa& an& shoute& an& %a'e& their sticks until %e %ere a ong the trees" 9ha&e ha& taken the lea& an& I &i&n.t )uestion hi us on a $arallel $ath that %oul& kee$ us out of the sight of the folk lea'ing
1DE

Forge" The horses ha& settle& back into a gru&ging $lo&" I %as grateful for the rolling hills an& scattere& trees that hi& us fro strea an& shook out for the col& strea so e grain fro any $ursuit" ;hen I sa% a glinting! I gesture& to it %ithout a %or&" Silently %e %atere& the horses 9ha&e.s su$$lies" I loosene& harness

an& %i$e& their &raggle& coats %ith han&fuls of grass" For oursel'es! there %as %ater an& coarse tra'el brea&" I sa% to the horses as best as I coul&" y curiosity no longer an& I aske& the 9ha&e see e& full of his o%n thoughts! an& for a long ti e I res$ecte& their intensity" But finally I coul& contain )uestion" 6#re you really the *ocke& -an07 9ha&e starte&! an& then stare& at e" There %ere e)ual $arts a a1e ent an& ruefulness in that look" 6The *ocke& -an0 The legen&ary harbinger of &isease an& &isaster0 Oh! co e! boy! you.re not si $le" That legen& is hun&re&s of years ol&" Surely you can.t belie'e I. not utter it" 9ha&e &i& see 65o! I a that ancient"7 e so eti es! an& other ti es so full an in an ol& an.s bo&y" e" 6But ore to hi self than to I shrugge&" I %ante& to say! 6You are scarre&! an& you bring &eath!7 but I &i& 'ery ol& to of energy that he see e& but a 'ery young after to&ay! the ru ors of hi

not the *ocke& -an!7 he %ent on!

%ill be s$rea& across the Six Duchies like $ollen

on the %in&" There %ill be talk of &isease an& $estilence an& &i'ine $unish ents for i agine& %rong&oing" I %ish I ha& not been seen like this" The folk of the king&o been thinking! alrea&y ha'e enough to fear" But there are shar$er %orries for us than su$erstitions" Ho%e'er you kne% it! you %ere right" I ha'e ost carefully! of e'erything I sa% in Forge" #n& recalling the all" I kne% %or&s of those 'illagers %ho trie& to stone us" #n& the look of the

the Forge folk! in ti es $ast" They %ere &oughty folk! not the ty$e to flee in su$erstitious $anic" But those folk %e sa% on the roa&! that %as %hat they %ere
1EH

&oing" =ea'ing Forge! fore'er! or at least so they inten&" Taking all that is left that they can carry" =ea'ing ho es their gran&fathers %ere born in" #n& lea'ing behin& relati'es %ho sift an& sca'enge in the ruins like %itlings" 6The Re&/Shi$ threat %as not an e $ty one" I think of those folk an& I shi'er" So ething is sorely %rong! boy! an& I fear %hat %ill co e next" For if the Re&/Shi$s can ca$ture our folk! an& then &e an& that %e $ay the the ! on fear that they %ill other%ise return the %hat a bitter choice: #n& once $re$are& to &eal %ith it"7 He turne& to co'ere& his face %ith his han&s" 69ha&e:7 I crie& out in $anic! an& s$rang to his si&e! but he turne& asi&e fro e" 69arris see&!7 he sai& through uffling han&s" 6The %orst $art is that it aban&ons you so su&&enly" Burrich %as right to %arn you about it! boy" But so eti es there are no choices but $oor ones" So eti es! in ba& ti es like these"7 He lifte& his hea&" His eyes %ere &ull! his hi to the groun&" I $illo%e& his hea& on outh al ost slack" 6I nee& to rest as he to$$le& an& ease& %ith that ti e y sa&&lebags an& co'ere& hi no%!7 he sai& as $iteously as a sick chil&" I caught hi to kill to us like those ones %ereG ore! then su&&enly

ore they ha'e struck %hen %e %ere least e as if to say

staggere&" He sat &o%n abru$tly! his face graying" He bo%e& his hea& an&

our cloaks" He lay still! his $ulse slo% an& his breathing hea'y! fro kee$ hi hi "

until afternoon of the next &ay" I sle$t that night against his back! ho$ing to %ar ! an& the next &ay use& %hat %as left of our su$$lies to fee&

By that e'ening he %as reco'ere& enough to tra'el! an& %e began a &reary 4ourney" ;e %ent slo%ly! going by night" 9ha&e chose our $aths! but I le&! an& often he %as little ore than a loa& u$on his horse" It took us t%o &ays to co'er
1E1

the &istance %e ha& tra'erse& in that one %il& night" Foo& %as s$arse! an& talk %as e'en scarcer" @ust thinking see e& to %eary 9ha&e! an& %hate'er he thought about! he foun& too bleak for %or&s" He $ointe& out %here I shoul& kin&le the signal fire that brought the boat back to us" They sent a &ory ashore for hi ! an& he got into it %ithout a %or&" That sho%e& ho% s$ent he %as" He si $ly assu e& I %oul& be able to get our %eary horses aboar& the shi$" So y $ri&e force& e to anage that task! an& a&e a orning once aboar&! I sle$t as I ha& not for &ays" Then again %e off/loa&e& an& %eary trek back to 5eatbay" ;e ca e in &uring the s all hours of the an& =a&y Thy e once ore took u$ resi&ence in the inn" her kitchens if she %oul& sen& one

By afternoon of the next &ay I %as able to tell the innkee$er that she %as &oing uch better an& %oul& en4oy a tray fro Froun& to the roo s" 9ha&e &i& see better! though he s%eate& $rofusely at e tell

ti es! an& at such ti es s elle& ranci&ly s%eet of carris see&" He ate ra'enously an& &rank great )uantities of %ater" But in t%o &ays he ha& the innkee$er that =a&y Thy e %oul& be lea'ing on the I reco'ere& ga%king at the sho$s an& 'en&ors an& kee$ing 9ha&e so treasure&" In this %ay %e learne& orro%"

ore rea&ily an& ha& se'eral afternoons of %an&ering 5eatbay! y ears %i&e for the gossi$ that uch of %hat %e ha& ex$ecte& to"

Aerity.s &i$lo acy ha& gone %ell! an& =a&y Jrace %as no% the &arling of the to%n" #lrea&y I coul& see an increase in the %ork on the roa&s an& fortifications" ;atch Islan&.s to%er %as anne& %ith (el'ar.s best en! an& folk referre& to it as Jrace To%er no%" But they gossi$e&! too! of ho% the Re&/ Shi$s ha& cre$t $ast Aerity.s o%n to%ers! an& of the strange e'ents at Forge" I hear& ore than once about sightings of the *ocke& -an" #n& the tales they e night ares" tol& about the inn fire of those %ho li'e& in Forge no% ga'e

1E2

Those %ho ha& fle& Forge tol& soul/clea'ing tales of kinfolk gone col& an& heartless" They li'e& there no%! 4ust as if they %ere still hu an! but those %ho ha& kno%n the best %ere the least ca$able of being &ecei'e&" Those folk &i& y i aginings" Shi$s no longer sto$$e& at Forge" by &ay %hat ha& ne'er been kno%n to ha$$en anyti e in Buckkee$" The e'ils folk %his$ere& %ere $ast Iron ore %oul& ha'e to be foun& else%here" It %as sai& that no one e'en %ante& to take in the folk that ha& fle&! for %ho kne% %hat taint they carrie&+ after all! the *ocke& -an ha& sho%n hi self to the " Yet so eho% it %as har&er still to hear or&inary folk say that soon it %oul& be o'er! that the creatures of Forge %oul& kill one another an& thank all that %as &i'ine for that" The goo& folk of 5eatbay %ishe& &eath on those %ho ha& once been the goo& folk of Forge! an& %ishe& it as if it %ere the only goo& thing left that %as" On the night before =a&y Thy e an& I %ere to re4oin Aerity.s retinue to return to Buckkee$! I a%oke to fin& a single can&le burning an& 9ha&e sitting u$! staring at the %all" ;ithout y saying a %or&! he turne& to e" 6You ust be taught the Skill! boy!7 he sai& as if it %ere a &ecision $ainfully co e by" 6E'il ti es ha'e co e to us! an& they %ill be %ith us for a long ti e" It is a ti e %hen goo& en ust create %hate'er %ea$ons they can" I %ill go to Shre%& yet again! an& this ti e I %ill &e an& it" Har& ti es are here! boy" #n& I %on&er if they %ill e'er $ass"7 In the years to co e! I %as to %on&er that often" ight befall the " #s %ell it

9H#*TER E=EAE5 Forgings

1E8

The *O9(ED -#5 is a %ell/kno%n figure in the folklore an& &ra a of the Six Duchies" It is a $oor troo$ of *u$$eteers %ho &oes not $ossess a arionette of the *ocke& -an! not only for his tra&itional roles! but also for his usefulness as an o en of &isaster to co e in original $ro&uctions" So eti es the *ocke& -an $u$$et is erely &is$laye& against the back&ro$! to cast an o inous note to a scene" # ong the Six Duchies! he is a uni'ersal sy bol" It is sai& the root of his legen& reaches back to the first $eo$ling of the Duchies! not the con)uering by the Farseer OutIslan&ers! but the settling of the $lace by earlier i 'ersion of the Sea Jo& at being forsaken" ;hen the sea %as young! El! the first El&er! belie'e& in the $eo$le of the islan&s" To that folk he ga'e his sea! an& %ith it all that s%a lan&s it touche& for their o%n" For %ithin it! an& all any years the folk %ere grateful" They reign" Others %ho &are& ost ancient igrants" E'en the OutIslan&ers ha'e a

ost basic legen&" It is a %arning story! of the %rath of El the

fishe& the sea! li'e& on its shores %here'er they %oul&! an& rai&e& any others %ho &are& to take u$ abo&e %here El ha& gi'en the to sail their sea %ere the rightful $rey of the folk as %ell" The folk $ros$ere& an& gre% tough an& strong! for El.s sea %inno%e& the " Their li'es %ere harsh an& &angerous! but it a&e their boys gro% to strong en an& their ai&s fearless %o en at hearth or on &eck" The folk res$ecte& El an& to that El&er they offere& their $raises an& only by hi his folk" But in El.s generosity! he blesse& his folk too %ell" 5ot enough of the the harsh %inters! an& the stor s he sent %ere too &ie& in il& to con)uer their &i& they curse" #n& El took $ri&e in

sea anshi$" So the folk gre% in nu ber" So gre% also their her&s an& flocks" In fat years! %eak chil&ren &i& not &ie! but gre%! an& staye& at ho e! an& $ut lan& to the $lo% to fee& the s%ollen flocks an& her&s an& other %eaklings like
1E<

the sel'es" The soil grubbers &i& not $raise El for his strong %in&s an& rai&ing currents" Instea&! they $raise& an& curse& only by E&a! %ho is the El&er of those %ho $lo% an& $lant an& ten& the beasts" So E&a blesse& her %eaklings %ith the increase of their $lants an& beasts" This &i& not $lease El! but he ignore& the ! for he still ha& the har&y folk of the shi$s an& the %a'es" They blesse& by hi the an& they curse& by hi ! an& to encourage their strength he sent stor s an& col& %inters" chil&ren fit only for ten&ing to the &irt" #n& o'e& south! to the

But as ti e %ent on those loyal to El &%in&le&" The soft folk of the soil se&uce& the sailors an& bore the the folk left the %inter shores an& ice/stre%n $astures an&

soft lan&s of gra$es an& grain" Fe%er an& fe%er folk ca e each year to $lo% the %a'es an& rea$ the fish that El ha& &ecree& to the " =ess. an& less often &i& El hear his na e in a blessing or a curse" >ntil at last there %as a &ay %hen there %as only one left %ho only blesse& or curse& in El.s na e" #n& he %as a skinny ol& an! too ol& for the sea! s%ollen an& aching in his 4oints %ith fe% en" an an& his s all teeth left in his hea&" His blessings an& curses %ere %eak things an& insulte& ore than $lease& El! %ho ha& little use for rickety ol& #t last there ca e a stor that shoul& ha'e en&e& the ol& ercy! though all kno%

boat" But %hen the col& %a'es close& o'er hi ! he clung to the %reckage of his craft an& &are& to cry El for his sea! but instea& cast hi ne'er ercy is not in hi " So an into the salt that he coul& enrage& %as El by this blas$he y that he %oul& not recei'e the ol& u$ u$on the shore an& curse& hi ore sail! but neither coul& he &ie" #n& %hen he cra%le& fro

%a'es! his face an& bo&y %ere $ocke& as if barnacles ha& clung to hi ! an& he staggere& to his feet an& %ent forth into the soft lan&s" #n& e'ery%here he %ent! he sa% only soft soil grubbers" #n& he %arne& the of their folly! an& that El %oul& raise u$ a ne% an& har&ier folk an& gi'e their heritage to the "
1E?

But the folk %oul& not listen! so soft an& set ha& they beco e" Yet e'ery%here the ol& an %ent! &isease follo%e& in his %ake" #n& it %as all the $ox &iseases an is strong or %eak! har& or soft! but he s$rea&! the ones that care not if a $oxes co e u$ fro

take any an& all that they touch" #n& this %as fitting! for all kno% that the ba& &ust an& are s$rea& by the turning of the soil" Thus is the tale tol&" #n& so the *ocke& -an has beco e the harbinger of &eath an& &isease! an& a rebuke for those %ho li'e soft an& easily because their lan&s bear %ell" Aerity.s return to Buckkee$ %as gra'ely arre& by the e'ents at Forge" Aerity!

$rag atic to a fault! ha& hi self left Bayguar& as soon as Dukes (el'ar an& She shy ha& sho%n the sel'es in accor& regar&ing ;atch Islan&" Aerity an& his $icke& troo$s ha& actually left Bayguar& before 9ha&e an& I returne& to the inn" So the trek back ha& a hollo% feel to it" During the &ays! an& aroun& the fires at night! folk s$oke of Forge! an& e'en %ithin our cara'an! the stories ulti$lie& an& e broi&ere& the sel'es" -y 4ourney ho e %as s$oile& by 9ha&e.s resu $tion of his noiso e chara&e as the 'ile ol& la&y" I ha& to fetch an& %ait u$on her! right u$ to the ti e that her Buckkee$ ser'ants a$$eare& to escort her back u$ to her cha bers" 6She7 li'e& in the %o en.s %ing! an& though I &e'ote& yself in the &ays to co e to aintaine& her fictitious hear any an& all gossi$ about her! I hear& nothing exce$t that she %as reclusi'e an& &ifficult" Ho% 9ha&e ha& create& her an& existence! I ne'er co $letely &isco'ere&" Buckkee$! in our absence! see e& to ha'e un&ergone a te $est of ne% e'ents! so that I felt as if %e ha& been gone ten years rather than a %as tol& an& retol&! %ith atter of %eeks" 5ot e'en Forge coul& co $letely ecli$se =a&y Jrace.s $erfor ance" The story instrels 'ying to see %hose recounting %oul&
1EB

beco e the stan&ar&" I hear& that Duke (el'ar actually %ent &o%n on one knee an& kisse& the ti$s of her fingers after she ha& s$oken! 'ery elo)uently! about aking the to%ers the gran& 4e%els of their lan&" One source e'en tol& e that =or& She shy ha& $ersonally thanke& the la&y an& sought to &ance often %ith her that e'ening! an& thus nearly $reci$itate& an entirely &ifferent &isagree ent bet%een the neighboring &uke&o s" I %as gla& of her success" I e'en hear& it %his$ere&! a%ay! settling internal ore than once! that *rince Aerity shoul& fin& hi self a la&y of like senti ents" #s often as he %as atters an& chasing rai&ers! the $eo$le %ere beginning to feel the nee& of a strong ruler at ho e" The ol& (ing! Shre%&! %as still no inally our so'ereign" But! as Burrich obser'e&! the $eo$le ten&e& to look ahea&" 6#n&!7 he a&&e&! 6folk like to kno% the (ing/in/;aiting has a %ar be& to co e ho e to" It gi'es the enough of the can for their king" Or $rince"7 But Aerity hi self! I kne%! ha& no ti e to think about %ell/%ar e& be&s! or any sort of be& at all" Forge ha& been both an exa $le an& a threat" ;or& of others follo%e&! three in s%ift succession" 9roft! u$ in the 5ear Islan&s! ha& a$$arently been 6Rai&er/Forge&7 as it ca e to be kno%n! so e %eeks earlier" ;or& %as slo% to co e fro been icy shores! but %hen it ca e! it %as gri " 9roft that they $ay tribute or their folk! too! ha& been taken hostage" The council of the to%n ha&! like Shre%&! ystifie& by the Re&/Shi$s. ulti atu hostages %oul& be returne&" They ha& not $ai&" #n& like Forge! their hostages ha& been returne&! ostly soun& of bo&y! but bereft of any of the kin&er ore e otions of hu anity" The %his$ere& %or& %as that 9roft ha& been so ething to ake their fancies about" Fe% can affor& any ro ance in their li'es! so they i agine all they

&irect in their solution" The harsh cli ates of the 5ear Islan&s bre& a harsh

1EC

$eo$le" Yet e'en they ha& &ee e& it kin&ness %hen they took the s%or& to their no% heartless kin" T%o other 'illages %ere rai&e& after Forge" #t Rockgate the folk ha& $ai& the ranso " *arts of bo&ies ha& %ashe& u$ the next &ay! an& the 'illage ha& gathere& to bury the " The ne%s ca e to Buckkee$ %ith no a$ologies+ only %ith the un'oice& assu $tion that ha& the (ing been ha'e ha& %arning of the rai& at least" Shee$ ire They ha& taking the %ere the et the challenge s)uarely" They refuse& to $ay the tribute! but %ith et their returne& hostages %ith halters an& shackles" They took their senseless in so e cases! before tying the an& back into their rightful ho es" The 'illage %as unite& in back to their for er sel'es" The tales fro Shee$ ire ost tol& ones+ of a other %ho sna$$e& at a chil& brought to her for the ru ors of Forge running hot through the lan&! they $re$are& the sel'es" o%n folk back! clubbing the atte $ting to bring the ore 'igilant! they %oul&

nursing! &eclaring as she curse& at it that she ha& no use for the %hi $ering! %et creature" Of the little chil& %ho crie& an& screa e& at his bon&s! only to fly at his o%n father %ith a toasting fork as soon as the heartbroken sire release& hi " So e curse& an& fought an& s$at at their kin" Others settle& into a life of bon&age an& i&leness! eating the foo& an& &rinking the ale set before the ! but offering no %or&s of thanks or affection" Free& of restraints! those ones &i& not attack their o%n fa ilies! but neither &i& they %ork! nor e'en 4oin %ith the in their e'ening $asti es" They stole %ithout re orse! e'en fro Shee$ ire %as their o%n chil&ren! an& s)uan&ere& coin an& gobble& foo& like gluttons" 5o 4oy they ga'e to anyone! not e'en a kin& %or&" But the %or& fro that the folk there inten&e& to $erse'ere until the 6Re&/Shi$ sickness7 $asse&" That ga'e the nobles at Buckkee$ a bit of ho$e to cling to" They s$oke of the

1ED

courage of the 'illagers %ith a& iration an& 'o%e& that they! too! %oul& &o the sa e! if kin of theirs %ere Rai&er/Forge&" Shee$ ire an& its bra'e inhabitants beca e a rallying $oint for the Six Duchies" (ing Shre%& le'ie& ore taxes in their na e" So e %ent to $ro'i&e grain for those so occu$ie& %ith caring for boun& kin that they ha& no ti e to rebuil& their ra'age& flocks or re$lant their burne& fiel&s" #n& so e %ent to buil& ore shi$s an& hire ore en to $atrol the coastlines" essenger bir&s an& signal #t first folk took $ri&e in %hat they %oul& &o" Those %ho li'e& on the sea cliffs began to kee$ 'olunteer %atch" Runners an& to be gi'en to those %ho nee&e& hel$ fires %ere ke$t in $lace" So e 'illages sent shee$ an& su$$lies to Shee$ ire! ost" But as the long %eeks $asse& an& $athetic rather than there %as no sign that any of the returne& hostages ha& reco'ere& their sensibilities! those ho$es an& &e'otions began to see noble" Those %ho ha& ost su$$orte& these efforts no% &eclare& that! %ere

they taken hostage! they %oul& choose to be hacke& to $ieces an& thro%n into the sea rather than returne& to cause their fa ilies such har&shi$ an& heartbreak" ;orst! I think! %as that in such a ti e the throne itself ha& no fir to &o" Ha& a royal e&ict been issue&! to say either that folk i&ea of %hat ust not atter ust or

$ay the &e an&e& tribute for hostages! it %oul& ha'e gone better" 5o

%hich! so e folk %oul& ha'e &isagree&" But at least the (ing %oul& ha'e taken a stan&! an& $eo$le %oul& ha'e ha& so e sense that this threat %as being face&" Instea&! the increase& $atrols an& %atches only a&e it see that Buckkee$ itself %as in terror of this ne% threat! but ha& no strategy for facing it" In the absence of royal e&ict! the coastal 'illages took things into their o%n han&s" The councils et! to &eci&e %hat they %oul& &o if Forge&" #n& so e &eci&e& one %ay! an& so e the other"
1EE

6But in e'ery case!7 9ha&e tol& Rai&ers

e %earily! 6it

atters not %hat they &eci&e+ it

%eakens their loyalty to the king&o " ;hether they $ay the tribute or not! the ay laugh o'er their bloo& ale at us" For in &eci&ing! our 'illagers are in&s! not Fif %e are Forge&. but F%hen %e are Forge&". #n& an at $arents! an& alrea&y they ha'e gi'en the fails! for as each to%n u$ to saying in their kin!

thus they ha'e alrea&y been ra$e& in s$irit! if not in flesh" They look at their other at chil&! &eath or Forging" #n& the king&o so it is se$arate& fro ust &eci&e alone!

the %hole" ;e %ill shatter into a thousan& little %ill beco e a thing that

to%nshi$s! each %orrying only about %hat it %ill &o for itself if it is rai&e&" If Shre%& an& Aerity &o not act )uickly! the king&o exists only in na e! an& in the 6But %hat can they &o07 I &e an&e&" 65o &ee$er into the fla es" 6So eti es!7 gru ble& 9ha&e! 6it is better to be &efiantly %rong than silent" =ook! boy! if you! a ere la&! can reali1e that either &ecision is %rong! so can on res$onse" It %oul& all folk" But at least such an e&ict %oul& gi'e us a co in&s of its for er rulers"7 atter %hat e&ict is $asse&! it %ill

be %rong"7 I $icke& u$ the tongs an& $ushe& the crucible I %as ten&ing a bit

not be as if each 'illage %ere left to lick its o%n %oun&s" #n& in a&&ition to such an e&ict! Shre%& an& Aerity shoul& take other actions"7 He leane& closer to $eer at the bubbling li)ui&" 6-ore heat!7 he suggeste&" I $icke& u$ a s all bello%s! $lie& it carefully" 6Such as07 6Organi1e rai&s on the OutIslan&ers in return" *ro'i&e 'essels an& su$$lies to any %illing to un&ertake such a rai&" Forbi& that her&s an& flocks be gra1e& so te $tingly on the coast $astures" Su$$ly gi'e each one ore ar s to the 'illages if %e cannot $ellets of carris see& en to $rotect it" By E&a.s $lo%! gi'e the

an& nightsha&e to carry in $ouches about their %rists so that if they are ca$ture& in a rai&! they can take their o%n li'es instea& of being hostages"
2HH

#nything! boy" #nything the (ing &i& at this $oint %oul& be better than this &a n in&ecisi'eness"7 I sat staring at 9ha&e" I ha& ne'er hear& hi kno%n hi una%are of (ing Shre%& ho$ing he.& say s$eak so forcefully! nor ha& I e'er e" I hel& y breath! ight hear" He see e& to critici1e Shre%& so o$enly" It shocke& ore but al ost fearful of %hat I

y stare" 6*oke that a bit &ee$er" But be careful" If it ex$lo&es! ay ha'e hi self t%o $ocke& arke&" But it en instea& of one"7 He glance& at ight ha'e %ell an& truly been a

e" 6Yes! that.s ho% I %as $ox! for ho% Shre%& hears fill you!. he sai& to

e lately" FI.ll o ens an& %arnings an& cautions you.

e" FBut I think you %ant the boy traine& in the Skill

si $ly because you %ere not" It.s a ba& a bition! 9ha&e" *ut it fro There s$eaks the Iueen.s ghost %ith the (ing.s tongue"7 9ha&e.s bitterness fille& e %ith stillness" 69hi'alry" That.s %ho %e nee& no%!7 he %ent on after a

o ent" 6Shre%& uch"

hol&s back! an& Aerity is a goo& sol&ier! but he listens to his father too

Aerity %as raise& to be secon&! not first" He &oes not take the initiati'e" ;e nee& 9hi'alry" He.& go into those to%ns! talk to the folk %ho ha'e lost lo'e& ones to Forging" Da n! he.& e'en talk to the Forge& ones the sel'es ,7 6Do you think it %oul& &o any goo&07 I aske& softly" I scarcely &are& to I sense& that 9ha&e %as talking ore to hi self than to e" arch o'e"

6It %oul&n.t sol'e it! no" But our folk %oul& ha'e a sense of their ruler.s in'ol'e ent" So eti es that.s all it takes! boy" But all Aerity &oes is his toy sol&iers about an& %eigh strategies" #n& Shre%& %atches it ha$$en! an& thinks not of his $eo$le! but only of ho% to assure that Regal can be ke$t safe an& yet rea&ie& in $o%er shoul& Aerity anage to get hi self kille&"7

2H1

6Regal07 I blurte& in a a1e ent" Regal! %ith his $retty clothes an& cockerel $osturings0 #l%ays he %as at Shre%&.s heels! but ne'er ha& I thought of hi as a real $rince" To hear his na e co e u$ in such a &iscussion 4olte& nothing but s$oil hi gifts! no% that his #n& Shre%& gi'es hi e" 6He has beco e his father.s fa'orite!7 9ha&e gro%le&" 6Shre%& has &one since the Iueen &ie&" He tries to buy the boy.s heart %ith other is no longer aroun& to clai too uch rein" He lets hi his allegiance" #n& an lo'es to hear"

Regal takes full a&'antage" He s$eaks only %hat the ol& coin on useless 'isits to Farro% an& Tilth! %here his

%an&er about! s)uan&ering other.s $eo$le fill Regal a&e oney" ;hat

full of i&eas of his self/i $ortance" The boy shoul& be ke$t at ho e an& to gi'e so e account for ho% he s$en&s his ti e" #n& the (ing.s

he s$en&s galli'anting about %oul& ha'e outfitte& a %arshi$"7 #n& then! su&&enly annoye&3 6That.s too hot: You.ll lose it! fish it out )uickly"7 But his %or&s ca e too late! for the crucible cracke& %ith a noise like breaking ice an& its contents fille& 9ha&e.s to%er roo all lessons an& talk to an en& for that night" I %as not soon su %ith one& again" -y other lessons %ent on! but I isse& 9ha&e y a%areness as the %eeks $asse& an& he &i& not call for e" I kne% he %as not &is$lease& %ith an acri& s oke that brought

e! but only $reoccu$ie&" ;hen! i&le one &ay! I $ushe& e at it"

to%ar& hi ! I felt only secrecy an& &iscor&ance" #n& a %allo$ to the back of y hea& %hen Burrich caught glance& about the stall I %as lurking" 6There.s nothing here:7 he exclai e&" 6@ust anure an& stra%!7 I agree&! rubbing the back of y hea&" 6Then %hat %ere you &oing07
2H2

6Sto$ it!7 he hisse&! an& ignore&

y stu&ie& look of shocke& innocence" He

ucking out as if he ex$ecte& to fin& a &og or cat

6Day&rea ing!7 I 6You can.t fool You %on.t $er'ert %hat I.'e tol& you" I clenche& hear& hi

uttere&" 6That %as all"7 e! Fit1!7 he gro%le&" 6#n& I %on.t ha'e it" 5ot in y stables" y beasts that %ay" Or &egra&e 9hi'alry.s bloo&" -in& y eyes an& ke$t on %orking" #fter a ti e I e una%ares again"

y 4a%s an& lo%ere& sigh an&

o'e a%ay" I %ent on raking! in%ar&ly seething an&

resol'ing ne'er to let Burrich co e u$ on The rest of that su

er %as such a %hirl$ool of e'ents that I fin& it har& to

recall their $rogression" O'ernight! the 'ery feeling of the air see e& to change" ;hen I %ent into to%n! all of the talk %as of fortifications an& rea&iness" Only t%o ore to%ns %ere Forge& that su er! but it see e& a li$ to li$" hun&re&! for the stories of it %ere re$eate& an& enlarge& fro e" ;e %ere %alking on =ong Beach! in the light of the su %in& off the %ater %as a %elco e bit of cool after a there %ere &e'elo$ing huge hi&e sores" It any! su any as 9ob ha& gone to Turlake %ith Regal! to er hunt" y e'enings %ere less ore ti e to 'isit to%n" eant no er e'ening sun" The uggy &ay" Burrich ha& e! but

6>ntil it see s as if that is all folk talk about any ore!7 -olly co $laine& to

been calle& a%ay to S$ring outh to see if he coul& figure out %hy all the cattle orning lessons for ore chores %ith the horses an& houn&s in his absence! es$ecially anage his horses an& houn&s for a

But the o$$osite %eight of the balance %as that su$er'ise&! an& I ha&

-y e'ening %alks %ith -olly %ere al ost a routine no%" Her father.s health %as failing an& he scarcely nee&e& to &rink to fall into an early an& &ee$ slee$ each night" -olly %oul& $ack a bit of cheese an& sausage for us! or a s all loaf
2H8

an& so e s oke& fish! an& %e %oul& take a basket an& a bottle of chea$ %ine an& %alk out &o%n the beach to the break%ater rocks" There %e %oul& sit on the rocks as they ga'e u$ the last heat of the &ay! an& -olly %oul& tell elbo%s bu $e& as %e %alke&" 6Sara! the butcher.s &aughter! tol& bit! an& gi'e us a rest fro e that she $ositi'ely yearns for %inter to co e" The %in&s an& ice %ill beat the Re&/Shi$s back to their o%n shores for a fear! she says" But then (elty u$ an& says that ore Forging! but that %e.ll still ha'e to to steal! an& that aybe %e.ll be able to sto$ fearing e about her &ay.s %ork an& the &ay.s gossi$ an& I %oul& listen" So eti es our

fear the Forge& folk that are loose in our lan&" Ru or says that so e fro Forge ha'e left there! no% that there.s nothing left for the they tra'el about as ban&its! robbing tra'elers"7 6I &oubt it" -ore than likely it.s other folk &oing the robbing! but trying to $ass the sel'es off as Forge& folk to sen& re'enge looking else%here" Forge& folk &on.t ha'e enough kinshi$ left in the to be a ban& of anything!7 I y eyes al ost close& contra&icte& her la1ily" I %as looking out across the bay! her there besi&e

against the glare of the sun on the %ater" I &i&n.t ha'e to look at -olly to feel e" It %as an interesting tension! one I &i&n.t fully un&erstan&" a&e ti e for e an& see e& to She %as sixteen! an& I about fourteen! an& those t%o years loo e& bet%een us like an insur ountable %all" Yet she al%ays en4oy y co $any" She see e& as a%are of e as I %as of her" But if I uch he nee&e& y outh

)ueste& to%ar& her at all! she %oul& &ra% back! halting to shake a $ebble fro her shoe or su&&enly s$eaking of her father.s illness an& ho% her" Yet if I &re% y sensings back fro an& shyer of s$eech! an& %oul& try to look at that tension! she beca e uncertain y face an& the set of

an& eyes" I &i&n.t un&erstan& it! but it %as as if %e hel& a string taut bet%een us" But no% I hear& an e&ge of annoyance in her s$eech"
2H<

6Oh" I see" #n& you kno% so Her tart %or&s caught %ith hi

uch of Forge& folk! &o you!

ore than those

%ho ha'e been robbe& by the 07 e off balance an& it %as a o ent or t%o before I y si&e tri$ y coul& s$eak" -olly kne% nothing of 9ha&e an& e! let alone of

to Forge" To her! I %as an erran& boy for the kee$! %orking for the

stable aster %hen I %asn.t fetching for the scribe" I coul&n.t betray firsthan& kno%le&ge! let alone ho% I ha& sense& %hat Forging %as"

6I.'e hear& the talk of the guar&s! %hen they.re aroun& the stables an& kitchens at night" Sol&iers like the ha'e seen uch of all kin&s of folk! an& they.re the took to robbing tra'elers! others ents" 6=ook! let.s cli b u$ there ones %ho say that the Forge& ones ha'e no frien&shi$s! no fa ily! no kinshi$ ties at all left" Still! I su$$ose if one of the 6*erha$s"7 She see e& to eat"7 6>$ there7 %as a shelf on the cliff.s e&ge rather than the break%ater" But I assente& %ith a no&! an& the next han&ful of oursel'es an& our basket u$ there" It re)uire& earlier ex$e&itions ha&" I caught inutes %ere s$ent in getting ore ar&uous cli bing than our to balance her! ollifie& by y co %oul& co$y hi ! an& it %oul& be al ost the sa e as a ban& of robbers"7

yself %atching to see ho% -olly %oul&

anage her skirts! an& taking o$$ortunities to catch at her ar

or take her han& to hel$ her u$ a stee$ bit %hile she ke$t hol& of the basket" In a flash of insight I kne% that -olly.s suggestion that %e cli b ha& been her %ay of sa'oring ore an& ani$ulating the situation to cause this" ;e finally gaine& the le&ge y a%areness of her a%areness of e" It re in&e& e of the clubs of an& sat! looking out o'er the %ater %ith her basket bet%een us! an& I %as the S$ringfest 4ugglers as they han&e& the back an& forth! back an& forth!

ore an& faster an& faster" The silence laste& until a ti e %hen one

of us ha& to s$eak" I looke& at her! but she looke& asi&e" She looke& into the
2H?

basket an& sai&! 6Oh! &an&elion %ine0 I thought that %asn.t any goo& until after i&%inter"7 her to y knife" She %atche& e %orry at it for a %hile! an& 6It.s last year.s , it.s ha& a %inter to age!7 I tol& her! an& took it fro %ork the cork loose %ith then took it fro She caught

e! an& &ra%ing her o%n slen&er sheath knife! she s$eare& y father for as

an& t%iste& it out %ith a $ractice& knack that I en'ie&" y look an& shrugge&" 6I.'e been $ulling corks for long as I can re e ber" It use& to be because he %as too &runk" 5o% he &oesn.t ha'e the strength in his han&s any ore! e'en %hen he.s sober"7 *ain an& bitterness ingle& in her %or&s" ore $leasant to$ic" 6=ook! the Rain ai&en"7 I ost beautiful shi$ in the harbor"7 erchants took u$ a collection" #l ost e'ery 6#h"7 I floun&ere& for a

$ointe& out o'er the %ater to a sleek hulle& shi$ co ing into the harbor un&er oars" 6I.'e al%ays thought her the 6She.s been on $atrol" The cloth for her lanterns" She.s u$ the coast"7 6I ha&n.t hear& that"7 #n& it sur$rise& in the kee$ itself" -y heart sank in e that I ha& not hear& such a thing u$ uch" to bi& us to be e! that e'en Buckkee$ To%n %as taking

erchant in to%n contribute&" E'en I! although all I coul& s$are %as can&les anne& %ith fighters no%! an& escorts the shi$s bet%een eets the there an& takes the farther here an& High&o%ns" The Jreens$ray

easures in&e$en&ent of the (ing.s a&'ice or consent" I sai& as click his tongue an& fro%n about it" It.s %ell enough for hi little girl %ill be Forge&"7

6;ell! folk ha'e to &o %hate'er they can if all (ing Shre%& is going to &o is strong %hen he sits secure u$ in his castle" It isn.t as if his son or brother or

2HB

It sha e& sha e stung

e that I coul& think of nothing to say in

y king.s &efense" #n&

e to say! 6;ell! you.re al ost as safe as the (ing hi self! li'ing e le'elly" 6I ha& a cousin! a$$rentice& out in Forge To%n"7 e col& %hen I say that %e &ie" #n& y father an&

here belo% in Buckkee$ To%n"7 -olly looke& at She $ause&! then sai& carefully! 6;ill you think so! but finally %e ha& %or& fro an& %e %oul&

%ere relie'e& to hear he ha& only been kille&0 It %as uncertain for a %eek or one %ho ha& seen hi I %ere both relie'e&" ;e coul& grie'e! kno%ing that his life %as si $ly o'er iss hi " ;e no longer ha& to %on&er if he %as still ali'e an& isery to others an& sha e to hi self"7 sorry"7 It see e& ina&e)uate! an& I reache& beha'ing like a beast! causing I %as silent for a bit" Then3 6I. out to $at her

otionless han&" For a secon& it %as al ost as if I coul&n.t feel e"

her there! as if her $ain ha& shocke& her into an e otional nu bness the e)ual of a Forge& one" But then she sighe& an& I felt her $resence again besi&e either" *erha$s he is at as great a loss for a solution as %e are"7 6He is the (ing:7 -olly $roteste&" 6#n& na e& Shre%& to be shre%&" Folk are saying no% he but hol&s back to kee$ the strings of his $urse tight" ;hy shoul& he $ay out of his hoar& %hen &es$erate erchants %ill hire ercenaries of their y %or&s" 6This o%n0 But! enough of this ,7 an& she hel& u$ a han& to sto$ fears" Tell 6You kno%!7 I 'enture&! 6$erha$s the (ing hi self &oes not kno% %hat to &o

is not %hy %e ca e out here into the $eace an& coolness! to talk of $olitics an& e instea& of %hat you.'e been &oing" Has the s$eckle& bitch ha& her $u$s yet07 #n& so %e s$oke of other things! of -otley.s $u$$ies an& of the %rong stallion getting at a are in season! an& then she tol& e of gathering greencones to scent her can&les an& $icking blackberries! an& ho% busy she %oul& be for the

2HC

next %eek! trying to ten&ing the sho$ an&

ake blackberry $reser'es for the %inter %hile still aking can&les" er as it lingere&

;e talke& an& ate an& &rank an& %atche& the late sun of su

lo% on the hori1on! al ost but not )uite setting" I felt the tension as a $leasant thing bet%een us! as a sus$ension an& a %on&er both" I 'ie%e& it as an extension of y strange ne% sense! an& so I ar'ele& that -olly see e& to feel an& react to it as %ell" I %ante& to s$eak to her about it! to ask her if she %as a%are of other folk in a si ilar %ay" But I feare& that if I aske& her! I ight re'eal yself" I %alke& her ho e through the )uiet streets an& bi& her goo& night at the &oor of the chan&lery" She $ause& a %ante& to say! but then ga'e 6Joo& night! 5e%boy"7 I took yself ho e un&er a &ee$ly blue sky $ierce& by bright stars! $ast the a&e a )uick roun& an& %ell there! e'en %ith the ne% $u$$ies" I sentries at their eternal &ice ga e an& u$ to the stables" I of the stalls! but all %as cal o ent! as if thinking of so ething else she e only a )ui11ical look an& a softly uttere& yself as I ha& to 9ha&e! or that she ight be &isguste& by it as I y thoughts to kne% Burrich %oul& be" So I s ile&! an& %e talke&! an& I ke$t

notice& t%o strange horses in one of the $a&&ocks! an& one la&y.s $alfrey ha& been stable&" So e 'isiting noble%o an co e to court! I &eci&e&" I %on&ere& %hat ha& brought her here at the en& of the su By habit y $ath took er! an& a& ire& the )uality of her horses" Then I left the stables an& hea&e& u$ to the kee$" e through the kitchens" 9ook %as fa iliar %ith the en/at/ar s an& kne% that regular eals &i& not yself getting a$$etites of stable boys an&

al%ays suffice to kee$ one full" Es$ecially lately I ha& foun& sto$ gro%ing so ra$i&ly! I shoul& ha'e to %ra$
2HD

hungry at all hours! %hile -istress Hasty ha& recently &eclare& that if I &i&n.t yself in barkcloth like a %il&

an! for she ha& no i&ea ho% to kee$

e looking as if

y clothes fit" I %as

alrea&y thinking of the big earthen%are bo%l that 9ook ke$t full of soft biscuits an& co'ere& %ith a cloth! an& of a certain %heel of es$ecially shar$ cheese! an& ho% %ell both %oul& go %ith so e ale %hen I entere& the kitchen &oor" There %as a %o an at the table" She! ha& been eating an a$$le an& cheese! but at the sight of e co ing in the &oor! she s$rang u$ an& $ut her han& o'er her erely hungry! an& thought to get yself so e heart as if she thought I %ere the *ocke& -an hi self" I $ause&" 6I &i& not ean to startle you! la&y" I %as foo&" ;ill it bother you if I stay07 The la&y slo%ly sank back into her seat" I %on&ere& $ri'ately %hat so eone of her rank %as &oing alone in the kitchen at night" For her high birth %as so ething that coul& not be &isguise& by the si $le crea stable! an& not so e la&y.s Her han& rose fro robe she %ore or the %eariness in her face" This! un&oubte&ly! %as the ri&er of the $alfrey in the ai&" If she ha& a%akene& hungry at night! %hy ha&n.t she si $ly bestirre& a ser'ant to fetch so ething for her0 clutching at her breast to $at at her li$s! as if to stea&y her o&ulate&! al ost your foo&" I %as si $ly a bit startle&" une'en breath" ;hen she s$oke! her 'oice %as %ell usical" 6I %oul& not kee$ you fro You , ca e in so su&&enly"7 6-y thanks! la&y"7 I o'e& aroun& the big kitchen! fro ale cask to cheese to brea&! but e" Her foo& lay ignore& on the table $ouring yself a ug a%ay" Her e'ery%here I %ent! her eyes follo%e& of ale to fin& her eyes %i&e u$on outh %orke&! but she sai& nothing"
2HE

%here she ha& &ro$$e& it %hen I ca e in" I turne& fro

e" Instantly she &ro$$e& the

6-ay I &o so ething for you07 I aske& $olitely" 6Hel$ you fin& so ething0 ;oul& you care for so e ale07 6If you %oul& be so kin&"7 She sai& the %or&s softly" I brought her the near her! as if I carrie& so e contagion" I %on&ere& if I s elle& ba& fro stable %ork earlier" I &eci&e& not! for -olly %oul& ha'e surely -olly %as e'er frank %ith I &re% another better to carry cheese an& fro your her uneasiness at ug for e about such things" yself! an& then! looking about! &eci&e& it %oul& be y roo " The la&y.s %hole attitu&e bes$oke ug I y ha& 4ust fille& an& set it on the table before her" She &re% back %hen I ca e entione& it"

y foo& off u$ to

y $resence" But as I %as struggling to balance biscuits an& y thoughts" 6It is not right I shoul& scare you a%ay an& nor in'itation! but so ething in bet%een" I took y ale slo$$ing o'er a bit as I 4uggle& foo& an& ug e as I sat" Her o%n foo& re aine& ignore& before

ug! she gesture& at the bench o$$osite her" 6Sit &o%n!7 she tol& eal"7

e! as if she ha& rea& Her tone %as neither co the seat she in&icate&! her" I &ucke&

into $lace" I felt her eyes on

y hea& to a'oi& that ga1e! an& ate )uickly! as furti'ely as a rat e! %ith the sort of obser'ation that a&e y

in a corner %ho sus$ects a cat is behin& the &oor! %aiting" She &i& not stare ru&ely! but o$enly %atche& han&s clu sy an& le& to y outh on the back of y outh! y acute a%areness that I ha& 4ust unthinkingly %i$e& y slee'e" e" The biscuit aking e cough! an& %hen I trie& to %ash it &o%n outh set ore fir ly" E'en y foo&! outh" I $ushe& the

I coul& think of nothing to say! an& yet the silence 4abbe& at see e& &ry in %ith %ith ale! I choke&" Her eyebro%s t%itche&! her y eyes lo%ere& to

y $late! I felt her ga1e" I rushe& through y

21H

%anting only to esca$e her ha1el eyes an& straight silent last hunks of brea& an& cheese into

outh an& stoo& u$ )uickly! bu $ing

against the table an& al ost knocking the bench o'er in oneself fro unable to su in the stables07 6Both" So eti es" I a la&y.s $resence" I s%allo%e& y half/che%e&

y haste" I hea&e& outhful"

to%ar& the &oor! then re e bere& Burrich.s instructions about excusing 6Joo& night to you! la&y!7 I uttere&! thinking the %or&s not )uite right! but

on better" I crabbe& to%ar& the &oor"

6;ait!7 she sai&! an& %hen I $ause&! she aske&! 6Do you slee$ u$stairs! or out ean! either" #h! goo& night! then! la&y"7 I turne& an& all

but fle&" I %as half%ay u$ the stairs before I %on&ere& at the strangeness of her )uestion" It %as only %hen I %ent to un&ress for be& that I reali1e& I still gri$$e& y e $ty ale ug" I %ent to slee$! feeling a fool! an& %on&ering %hy"

9H#*TER T;E=AE *atience THE RED/SHI* R#IDERS ;ERE a isery an& an affliction to their o%n folk obscure cult eans of ruthless long before they trouble& the shores of the Six Duchies" Fro beginnings! they rose to both religious an& $olitical $o%er by

tactics" 9hiefs an& hea& en %ho refuse& to align %ith their beliefs often foun& that their %i'es an& chil&ren ha& beco e the 'icti s of %hat %e ha'e co e to call Forging! in e ory of the ill/fate& to%n of Forge" Har&/hearte& an& cruel as %e consi&er the OutIslan&ers to be! they ha'e in their tra&ition a strong 'ein of honor an& heinous $enalties for those %ho break the kin rules" I agine the anguish of the OutIslan&er father %hose son has been Forge&" He conceal his son.s cri es %hen the boy lies to hi ! steals fro ust either hi ! an& forces

hi self u$on the househol& %o en! or see the boy flaye& ali'e for his cri es
211

an& suffer the losses of both heir an& the res$ect of the other houses" The threat of Forging %as a $o%erful &eterrent to o$$osing the $olitical $o%er of the Re&/ Shi$ Rai&ers" By the ti e the Re&/Shi$ Rai&ers began to seriously harry our shores! they ha& sub&ue& ost o$$osition in the Out Islan&s" Those %ho o$enly o$$ose& the any gla&ly 4oine& the ranks! &ie& or fle&" Others gru&gingly $ai& tribute an& clenche& their teeth against the outrages of those %ho controlle& the cult" But an& $ainte& the hulls of their rai&ing 'essels re& an& ne'er )uestione& the rightness of %hat they &i&" It see s likely that these con'erts %ere for e& ostly fro the lesser houses! %ho ha& ne'er before been offere& the an.s forebears ha& been! so long as he ha& the an.s o$$ortunity to rise in influence" But he %ho controlle& the Re&/Shi$ Rai&ers care& nothing for %ho a uns%er'ing loyalty" I sa% the la&y t%ice ore before I &isco'ere& %ho she %as" The secon& ti e I usic %ith (erry an&

sa% her %as the next night! at about the sa e hour" -olly ha& been busy %ith her berries! so I ha& gone out for an e'ening of ta'ern Dirk" I ha& ha& $erha$s one or at ost t%o ugs ha'e" I %as neither &i11y nor sick! but I %as $lacing ore of ale than I shoul& y feet carefully! for I ha&

alrea&y taken one tu ble in a $othole on the &usky roa&" Se$arate but a&4acent to the &usty kitchen courtyar& %ith its cobbles an& %agon &ocks is a he&ge& area" It is co only referre& to as the ;o en.s Jar&en! not because it is exclusi'ely their $ro'ince but si $ly because they ha'e the ten&ing an& the kno%ing of it" It is a $leasant $lace! %ith a $on& in the i&&le! an& any lo% be&s of herbs set a ong flo%ering $lantings! fruit 'ines! an& green stone& $ath%ays" I kne% better than to go straight to be& %hen I %as in this con&ition" If I atte $te& to slee$ no%! the be& %oul& begin to s$in an&
212

s%ay! an& %ithin an hour I %oul& be $uking sick" It ha& been a $leasant e'ening! an& that see e& a %retche& %ay to en& it! so I took ;o en.s Jar&en instea& of y roo " yself to the

In one angle of the gar&en! bet%een a sun/%ar e& %all an& a s aller $on&! there gro% se'en 'arieties of thy e" Their fragrances on a hot &ay can be gi&&ying! but no%! %ith e'ening 'erging on night! the to soothe y hea&" I s$lashe& ingling scents see e& y back y face in the little $ool! an& then $ut

to the rock %all that %as still releasing the sun.s heat back to the night" Frogs %ere chirru$ing to one another" I lo%ere& cal surface to kee$ yself fro s$inning" y eyes an& %atche& the $on&.s

Footste$s" Then a %o an.s 'oice aske& tartly! 6#re you &runk07 65ot )uite!7 I re$lie& affably! thinking it %as Tilly the orchar& girl" 65ot )uite enough ti e or coin!7 I a&&e& 4okingly" 6I su$$ose you learne& it fro le'el"7 The bitterness in the %o an.s 'oice &i ing light to a&e e look u$" I s)uinte& through the ake out her features" It %as the la&y of the $re'ious ore than a girl" She %as slen&er! an& less tall than I! though y fourteen years" But her face %as a %o an.s! an& Burrich" The an is a sot an& a lecher! an& he &o%n to his has culti'ate& like traits in you" E'er he brings those aroun& hi

e'ening" Stan&ing on the gar&en $ath! in a si $le shift! she looke& at first glance to be little right no% her I %as not o'erly tall for

outh %as set in a con&e ning line! echoe& by the bro%s knit

o'er her ha1el eyes" Her hair %as &ark an& curling! an& though she ha& trie& to restrain it! ringlets of it ha& esca$e& at her forehea& an& neck" It %as not that I felt co $elle& to &efen& Burrich+ it %as si $ly that con&ition %as no &oing of his" So I y a&e ans%er so ething to the effect that as

218

he %as so e

iles &istant in a &ifferent to%n! he coul& scarcely be res$onsible y outh an& s%allo%e&"

for %hat I $ut in

The la&y ca e t%o ste$s closer" 6But he has ne'er taught you better! has he0 He has ne'er counsele& you against &runkenness! has he07 There is a saying fro greatly &is$lease& %ith %hen a la&y s$oke to lecture the Southlan&s that there is truth in %ine" There e right no%" First! he %oul& berate e"7 #n& here I lurche& to ust be a bit of it in ale! also" I s$oke it that night" 6#ctually! y la&y! he %oul& be e for not arising one %ho carries

y feet" 6#n& then! he %oul&

e long an& se'erely about the beha'ior ex$ecte& fro

a $rince.s bloo&! if not his titles"7 I &istinguishe& self fro

anage& a bo%! an& %hen I succee&e&! I y oafish

yself by straightening u$ %ith a flourish" 6So! goo& e'ening to

you! fair la&y of the gar&en" I bi& you goo& night! an& I shall re o'e your $resence"7

I %as all the %ay to the arche& entry%ay in the %all %hen she calle& out! 6;ait:7 But ke$t took y sto ach ga'e a )uietly $rotesting gru ble! an& I $reten&e& e! but I felt sure she %atche& e! an& so I y stri&e e'en until I %as out of the kitchen courtyar&" I anure $ile an& not to hear" She &i& not co e after y hea& u$ an&

yself &o%n to the stables! %here I 'o ite& into the

en&e& u$ slee$ing in a clean e $ty stall because the ste$s u$ to Burrich.s loft looke& entirely too stee$" But youth is a a1ingly resilient! es$ecially %hen feeling threatene&" I %as u$ at &a%n the next &ay! for I kne% Burrich %as ex$ecte& ho e by afternoon" I %ashe& yself at the stables an& &eci&e& the tunic I ha& %orn for the last three y roo the la&y accoste& e" e" She looke& e u$ an& &o%n! &ays nee&e& to be re$lace&" I %as &oubly conscious of its con&ition %hen in the corri&or outsi&e an& before I coul& s$eak! she a&&resse&

21<

69hange your shirt!7 she tol& 6Joo&

e" #n& then a&&e&! 6Those leggings

ake you

look like a stork" Tell -istress Hasty they nee& re$lacing"7 orning! la&y!7 I sai&" It %as not a re$ly! but those %ere the only %or&s e in y astonish ent" I &eci&e& she %as 'ery eccentric! e'en e %ith her eyes" that ca e to

ore so than =a&y Thy e" -y best course %as to hu or her" I ex$ecte& her to turn asi&e an& go on her %ay" Instea& she continue& to hol& 6Do you $lay a I shook 65o! y hea& usical instru ent07 she &e an&e&" utely"

6You sing! then07 y la&y"7 She looke& trouble& as she aske&! 6Then $erha$s you ha'e been taught to recite the E$ics an& the kno%le&ge 'erses! of herbs an& healings an& na'igation , that sort of thing07 6Only the ones that $ertain to the care of horses! ha%ks! an& &ogs!7 I tol& her! al ost honestly" Burrich ha& &e an&e& I learn those" 9ha&e ha& taught set about $oisons an& anti&otes! but he ha& %arne& co only kno%n! an& %ere not to be casually recite&" aking of ea e they %ere not

6But you &ance! of course0 #n& you ha'e been instructe& in the 'erse07 I %as totally confuse&" 6=a&y! I think you ha'e confuse& or t%o younger than I an&G7 6I a 65o! not istaken" #ns%er

e %ith so eone

else" *erha$s you are thinking of #ugust! the (ing.s ne$he%" He is but a year y )uestion:7 she &e an&e&! al ost shrilly"

y la&y" The teachings you s$eak of are for those %ho are , %ellborn" I y &enials! she ha& a$$eare& ore trouble&" Her outh gre%

ha'e not been taught the "7 #t each of straighter! an& her ha1el eyes clou&e&" 6This is not to be tolerate&!7 she
21?

&eclare&! an& turning in a flurry of skirts! she hastene& off &o%n the hall%ay" #fter a o ent I %ent into y roo ! change& y shirt! an& $ut on the longest y thoughts an& thre% et hi outsi&e the the sa&&le" $air of leggings I o%ne&" I &is isse& the la&y fro yself into y chores an& lessons for the &ay" It %as raining that afternoon %hen Burrich returne&" I 6You.'e gro%n! Fit1!7 he obser'e&! an& looke& his outh as if to say so ething

stables! taking his horse.s hea& as he s%ung stiffly &o%n fro

e o'er %ith a critical eye! as

if I %ere a horse or houn& that %as sho%ing unex$ecte& $otential" He o$ene& ore! then shook his hea& an& ga'e a half y re$ort" onth! but Burrich like& to kno% e! listening! as I le& his snort" 6;ell07 he aske&! an& I began He ha& been gone scarcely

ore than a

things &o%n to the s allest &etail" He %alke& besi&e horse to stall an& $rocee&e& to care for her" So eti es it sur$rise& e ho%

uch like 9ha&e he coul& be" They %ere 'ery e to recall exact &etails! an& to be able to onth in correct or&er" =earning to re$ort erely for ali1e& the e" Years later I %as to reali1e y an&

alike in the %ay they ex$ecte&

relate the &oings of last %eek or last

for 9ha&e ha& not been that &ifficult+ he ha& re)uire ents that Burrich ha& long ex$ecte& of ho% si ilar it %as to the re$orting of a #nother su

an/at/ar s to his su$erior"

an %oul& ha'e gone off to the kitchens or the baths after hearing

ari1e& 'ersion of e'erything that ha& gone on in his absence" But Burrich

insiste& on %alking through his stables! sto$$ing here to chat %ith a groo sto$$e&" He looke& at the horse for a fe% stall to face hi inutes in silence"

there to s$eak softly to a horse" ;hen he ca e to the la&y.s ol& $alfrey! he 6I traine& this beast!7 he sai& abru$tly! an& at his 'oice the horse turne& in the an& %hickere& softly" 6Silk!7 he sai& softly! an& stroke& the

21B

soft nose" He sighe& su&&enly" 6So the =a&y *atience is here" Has she seen you yet07 5o% there %as a )uestion &ifficult to ans%er" # thousan& thoughts colli&e& in y hea& at once" The =a&y *atience! the one ost res$onsible for y father.s %ife! an& by any accounts! y father.s %ith&ra%al fro e this orning on et"7 et her %as in her the court an& fro y e&ucation" To

e" That %as %ho I ha& been chatting %ith in the kitchen! an& &runkenly saluting" That %as %ho ha& )ui11e& Burrich I change& s$linter fro He sur$rise& uttere&! 65ot for ally" But %e.'e

e by laughing" 6Your face is a $icture! Fit1" I can see she hasn.t

uch! 4ust by your reaction" The first ti e I

father.s orchar&" She %as sitting u$ in a tree" She &e an&e& that I re o'e a her foot! an& took her shoe an& stocking off right there so I coul& e" #n& she ha& no i&ea at all of %ho I %as" 5or I! ai&" That %as years ago! of course! an& e'en a et her" I su$$ose I %asn.t uch ol&er than you &o it" Right there in front of fe% years before y $rince

her" I thought she %as a la&y.s

are no%"7 He $ause&! an& his" face softene&" 6#n& she ha& a %retche& little &og she al%ays carrie& about %ith her in a basket" It %as al%ays %hee1ing an& retching u$ %a&s of its o%n fur" Its na e %as Feather&uster"7 He $ause& a o ent! an& s ile& al ost fon&ly" 6;hat a thing to re e ber! after all these years"7 6Di& she like you %hen she first Burrich looke& at et you07 I aske& tactlessly" an &isa$$earing e an& his eyes beca e o$a)ue! the

behin& the ga1e" 6Better than she &oes no%!7 he sai& abru$tly" 6But that.s of s all i $ort" =et.s hear it! Fit1" ;hat &oes she think of you07 5o% there %as another )uestion" I $lunge& into an accounting of our glossing o'er &etails as uch as I &are&" I %as half%ay through encounter %hen Burrich hel& u$ a han&"
21C

eetings! y gar&en

6Sto$!7 he sai& )uietly" I fell silent" 6;hen you cut $ieces out of the truth to a'oi& looking like a fool! you en& u$ soun&ing like a co oron instea&" =et.s start again"7 nothing! of either y beha'ior or the la&y.s So I &i&! an& s$are& hi

ents" ;hen I %as finishe&! I %aite& for his 4u&g ent" Instea&! he reache&

out an& stroke& the $alfrey.s nose" 6So e things are change& by ti e!7 he sai& at last" 6#n& others are not"7 He sighe&" 6;ell! Fit1! you ha'e a %ay of $resenting yourself to the 'ery $eo$le you shoul& sure there %ill be conse)uences fro $u$s" You say she ha& six07 6#n& all sur'i'e&!7 I sai& $rou&ly! for the bitch ha& a history of &ifficult %hel$ing" 6=et.s 4ust ho$e %e &o as %ell for oursel'es!7 Burrich ha'e been talking to e at all" uttere& as %e %alke& through the stables! but %hen I glance& u$ at hi ! sur$rise&! he see e& not to ost ar&ently a'oi&" I a this! but I ha'e not the slightest i&ea %hat

they %ill be" That being so! there.s no $oint to %orrying" =et.s see the rat &og.s

6I.& ha'e thought you.& ha'e the goo& sense to a'oi& her!7 9ha&e gru ble& at e" It %as not the greeting I ha& looke& for after fro there %as not gossi$ about her arri'al"7 6She strenuously ob4ects to gossi$!7 9ha&e infor e& e" He sat in his chair before the s all fire in the fire$lace" 9ha&e.s cha bers %ere chilly! an& he %as e'er 'ulnerable to col&" He looke& %eary as %ell tonight! %orn by %hate'er he ha& been &oing in the %eeks since I.& last seen hi " His han&s! es$ecially!
21D

ore than t%o

onths. absence sur$rise&

his cha bers" 6I &i&n.t kno% it %as the =a&y *atience" I.

looke& ol&! bony an& lu $y about the knuckles" He took a si$ of his %ine an& continue&" 6#n& she has her eccentric little %ays of &ealing %ith those %ho talk about her behin& her back" She has al%ays insiste& on $ri'acy for herself" It is one reason she %oul& ha'e care&" That %as a it %as the first I sat still as a arriage he a&e a 'ery $oor )ueen" 5ot that 9hi'alry a&e for hi self rather than for $olitics" I think

a4or &isa$$oint ent he &ealt his father" #fter that! nothing he ouse" Slink ca e an& $erche& on y knee" It %as rare to hear

&i& e'er co $letely $lease& Shre%&"7 9ha&e so talkati'e! es$ecially about atters relating to the royal fa ily" I

scarcely breathe& for fear of interru$ting hi " 6So eti es I think there %as so ething in *atience that 9hi'alry instincti'ely kne% he nee&e&" He %as a thoughtful! or&erly an! al%ays correct in his anners! al%ays a%are of $recisely %hat %as going on aroun& hi " He %as chi'alrous! boy! in the best sense of that %or&" He &i& not gi'e in to ugly or $etty i $ulses" That 6#n& then he %as no eant he exu&e& a certain air of restraint at all ti es" So %ell thought hi col& or ca'alier" ore than a girl" #n& there those %ho &i& not kno% hi

et this girl , an& she %as scarcely

ore substance to her than to cob%ebs an& sea foa " Thoughts an& this to that! nitter&y/natter&y! %ith ne'er a $ause or e 4ust to listen to her" But 9hi'alry

tongue al%ays flying fro %oul& s ile! an& score of

connection I coul& see" It use& to exhaust *erha$s it %as that she &i&n.t see he chose *atience" #n& it %asn.t e'en ti ely for hi There %as no goo& reason for hi

ar'el" *erha$s it %as that she ha& absolutely no a%e of hi " $articularly eager to %in hi " But %ith a

ore eligible la&ies! of better birth an& brighter brains! $ursuing hi ! to %e&+ %hen he took her to %ife! he shut to get
21E

the gate on a &o1en $ossible alliances that a %ife coul& ha'e brought hi " arrie& at that ti e" 5ot one"7

6Exce$t that he %ante& to!7 I sai&! an& then I coul& ha'e bitten out the fire an& looke& at e"

y tongue"

For 9ha&e no&&e&! an& then ga'e hi self a bit of a shake" He took his ga1e off 6;ell" Enough of that" I %on.t ask you ho% you a&e such an i $ression on

her! or %hat change& her heart to%ar& you" But last %eek she ca e to Shre%& an& &e an&e& that you be recogni1e& as 9hi'alry.s son an& heir an& gi'en an e&ucation a$$ro$riate to a $rince"7 I %as &i11ie&" Di& the %all ta$estries eyes0 6Of course he refuse&!7 9ha&e continue& ercilessly" 6He trie& to ex$lain to her %hy such a thing is totally i $ossible" #ll she ke$t saying %as! FBut you are the (ing" Ho% can it be i $ossible for you0. FThe nobles %oul& ne'er acce$t hi " It %oul& ean ci'il %ar" #n& think %hat it %oul& &o to an su&&enly into this". So he tol& her"7 un$re$are& boy! to $lunge hi o'e before e! or %as it a trick of y

6Oh!7 I sai& )uietly" I coul&n.t re e ber %hat I ha& felt for the one instant" Elation0 #nger0 Fear0 I only kne% that the feeling %as gone no%! an& I felt o&&ly stri$$e& an& hu iliate& that I ha& felt anything at all" 6*atience! of course! %as not con'ince& at all" F*re$are the boy!. she tol& the (ing" F#n& %hen he is rea&y! 4u&ge for yourself". Only *atience %oul& ask such a thing! an& in front of both Aerity an& Regal" Aerity listene& )uietly! kno%ing ho% it ust en&! but Regal %as li'i&" He beco es o'er%rought far too easily" E'en an i&iot shoul& kno% Shre%& coul& not acce&e to *atience.s &e an&" But he kno%s %hen to co $ro ise" In all else! he ga'e %ay to her! ostly I think to sto$ her tongue"7 6In all else07 I re$eate& stu$i&ly" 6So e for our goo&! so e for our &etri ent" Or at least! for our &a ne& incon'enience"7 9ha&e soun&e& both annoye& an& elate&" 6I ho$e you can fin&
22H

ore hours in the &ay! boy! for I.

not %illing to sacrifice any of

y $lans for

hers" *atience has &e an&e& that you be e&ucate& as befits your bloo&lines" #n& she has 'o%e& to un&ertake such e&ucating herself" -usic! $oetry! &ance! song! anners , I ho$e you.'e a better tolerance for it than I &i&" Though it ne'er see e& to hurt 9hi'alry" So eti es he e'en $ut such kno%le&ge to goo& use" But it %ill take u$ a goo& $art of your &ay" You.ll be acting as $age for *atience as %ell" You.re ol& for it! but she insiste&" *ersonally! I think she regrets uch an& is trying to ake u$ for lost ti e! so ething that ne'er %orks" You.ll ha'e to cut back your %ea$ons training" #n& Burrich %ill ha'e to fin& hi self another stable boy"7 I &i&n.t gi'e a $eg about the %ea$ons training" #s 9ha&e ha& often $ointe& out to e! a really goo& assassin %orke& close an& )uietly" If I learne& y tra&e %ell! I %oul&n.t be s%inging a long bla&e at anyone" But y ti e %ith Burrich e

Gagain I ha& the o&& sensation of not kno%ing ho% I felt" I hate& Burrich" So eti es" He %as o'erbearing! &ictatorial! an& insensiti'e" He ex$ecte& to be $erfect! yet bluntly tol& %as also o$en! an& blunt! an& belie'e& I coul& achie'e %hat he &e an&e& , 6You.re $robably %on&ering %hat a&'antage she %on us!7 9ha&e %ent on obli'iously" I hear& su$$resse& excite ent in his 'oice" 6It.s so ething I.'e trie& for t%ice for you! an& been t%ice refuse&" But *atience nattere& at Shre%& until he surren&ere&" It.s the Skill! boy" You.re to be traine& in the Skill"7 6The Skill!7 I re$eate&! %ithout sense of %hat I %as saying" It %as all going too fast for 6Yes"7 I scrabble& to fin& thoughts" 6Burrich s$oke of it to e! once" # long ti e ago"7 #bru$tly I re e bere& the context of that con'ersation" #fter 5osy acci&entally betraye& us" He ha& s$oken of it as the o$$osite of %hate'er %as
221

e that I %oul& ne'er be re%ar&e& for it" But he

e"

the sense I share& %ith ani als" The sa e sense ha& re'eale& to in the folk of Forge" ;oul& training in one free

e the change

e of the other0 Or %oul& it be ingling of e0 y

a &e$ri'ation0 I thought of the kinshi$ that I ha& share& %ith horses an& &ogs %hen I kne% Burrich %as not aroun&" I re e bere& 5osy! in a creature" ;oul& this ne% training in the Skill take that a%ay fro 6;hat.s the fear" Or %ar th an& grief" I ha& ne'er been so close! before or since! to another li'ing atter! boy07 9ha&e.s 'oice %as kin&ly! but concerne&"

6I &on.t kno%"7 I hesitate&" But not e'en to 9ha&e coul& I &are to re'eal y taint" 65othing! I guess"7

6You.'e been listening to ol& tales about the training!7 he guesse&! totally incorrectly" 6=isten! boy! it can.t be that ba&" 9hi'alry %ent through it" So &i& Aerity" #n& %ith the threat of the Re&/Shi$s! Shre%& has &eci&e& to go back to the ol& %ays! an& exten& the training to other likely can&i&ates" He %ants a coterie! or e'en t%o! to su$$le ent %hat he an& Aerity can &o %ith the Skill" Jalen is not enthuse&! but I sus$ect it.s a 'ery goo& i&ea" Though! being a bastar& Skill yself! I %as ne'er allo%e& the training" So I.'e no real i&ea ho% the ight be e $loye& to &efen& the lan&"7 e" #ll y tangle& thoughts %ere e! as shocke& at

6You.re a bastar&07 The %or&s burst out of y %or&s as I by his"

su&&enly slice& through by this re'elation" 9ha&e stare& at

6Of course" I thought you.& figure& that out long ago" Boy! for so eone as $erce$ti'e as you are! you.'e got so e 'ery o&& blin& s$ots"7 I looke& at 9ha&e as if for the first ti e" His scars! $erha$s! ha& hi&&en it fro e" The rese blance %as there" The bro%! the %ay his ears %ere set! the line of his lo%er li$" 6You.re Shre%&.s son!7 I guesse& %il&ly! going only by his a$$earance" E'en before he s$oke! I reali1e& ho% foolish y %or&s %ere"

222

6Son07 9ha&e laughe& gri ly" 6Ho% he %oul& sco%l to hear you say that: But the truth akes hi gri ace e'en ore" He is y younger half brother! boy! ilitary ca $aign near y other though he %as concei'e& in a %e&&e& be& an& I on a San&se&ge"7 Softly he a&&e&! 6-y But she returne& ho e to bear &ie&! her husban& $ut tol& fro

other %as a sol&ier %hen I %as concei'e&" e a necklace she ha& %orn! an&

e! an& later %e&&e& a $otter" ;hen

e on a &onkey! ga'e

e to take it to the (ing at Buckkee$" I %as ten" It %as a long! har& roa& ;oolcot to Buckkee$! in those &ays"7

I coul&n.t think of anything to say" 6Enough of this"7 9ha&e straightene& hi self u$ sternly" 6Jalen %ill be instructing you in the Skill" Shre%& bro%beat hi into it" He finally acce&e&! but %ith reser'ations" 5o one is to interfere %ith any of his stu&ents &uring the training" I %ish it %ere other%ise! but there.s nothing I can &o about it" You.ll 4ust ha'e to be careful" You kno% of Jalen! &on.t you07 6# little!7 I sai&" 6Only %hat other $eo$le say about hi "7 6;hat &o you kno% by yourself07 9ha&e )ui11e& either %ith the e" at table! 4ust I took a breath an& consi&ere&" 6He eats alone" I.'e ne'er seen hi

en/at/ar s! or in the &ining hall" I.'e ne'er seen hi

stan&ing about an& talking! not in the exercise yar& or the %ashing court or in any of the gar&ens" He.s al%ays going so e%here %hen I see hi ! an& he.s al%ays in a hurry" He.s ba& %ith ani als" The &ogs &on.t like hi ! an& he o'er controls the horses so I.'e hear& hi uch that he ruins their an"7 an/at/ar s" He ca e to Burrich ouths an& their te $era ents" I guess he.s about Burrich.s age" He &resses %ell! al ost as fancy as Regal" calle& a )ueen.s 6;hy07 9ha&e aske& )uickly" 6> ! it %as a long ti e ago" Jage" He.s a one night! a bit &runk! a bit cut u$" He.& ha& a fight %ith Jalen! an& Jalen hit
228

hi

in the face %ith a little %hi$ or so ething" Jage aske& Burrich to fix hi

u$! because it %as late! an& he %asn.t su$$ose& to ha'e been &rinking that night" His %atch %as co ing u$! or so ething" Jage tol& Burrich that he.& o'erhear& Jalen say that Regal %as t%ice as royal as 9hi'alry or Aerity! an& it %as a stu$i& custo that ke$t hi fro the throne" Jalen ha& sai& that Regal.s other %as better born than Shre%&.s first )ueen" ;hich e'eryone kno%s is true" But %hat angere& Jage enough to start the fight %as that Jalen sai& Iueen Desire %as fro ore royal than Shre%& hi self! for she.& Farseer bloo& his father" So Jage s%ung in the face %ith so ething"7 both her $arents! an& Shre%&.s %as 4ust fro

at hi ! but Jalen si&este$$e& an& struck hi I $ause&" 6#n&07 9ha&e encourage& e"

6#n& so he fa'ors Regal! o'er Aerity or e'en the (ing" #n& Regal! %ell! acce$ts hi " He.s frien&lier %ith hi than he usually is %ith ser'ants or together+ you.& think Jalen %as sol&iers" He see s to take counsel of hi ! the fe% ti es I.'e seen the together" It.s al ost funny to %atch the a$ing Regal! fro they al ost look alike"7 6They &o07 9ha&e leane& closer! %aiting" 6;hat else ha'e you notice&07 I searche& guess"7 6Has he e'er s$oken to you07 65o"7 6I see"7 9ha&e no&&e& as if to hi self" 6#n& %hat &o you kno% of hi re$utation0 ;hat &o you sus$ect07 He %as trying to lea& conclusion! but I coul& not guess %hat" by e to so e y e ory for ore firsthan& kno%le&ge of Jalen" 6That.s all! I the %ay he &resses an& %alks as the *rince &oes" So eti es

22<

6He.s fro

Farro%" #n Inlan&er" His fa ily ca e to Buckkee$ %ith (ing an %ho

Shre%&.s secon& )ueen" I.'e hear& it sai& that he.s afrai& of the %ater! to sail or to s%i " Burrich res$ects hi ! but &oesn.t like hi " He says he.s a kno%s his 4ob an& &oes it! but Burrich can.t get along %ith anyone %ho istreats an ani al! e'en if it.s out of ignorance" The kitchen folk &on.t like hi " He.s al%ays hair in his aking the younger ones cry" He accuses the girls of getting either! because %hen eals or ha'ing &irty han&s! an& he says the boys are too ro%&y an&

&on.t ser'e foo& correctly" So the cooks &on.t like hi looking at

the a$$rentices are u$set! they &on.t &o their %ork %ell"7 9ha&e %as still e ex$ectantly! as if %aiting for so ething 'ery i $ortant" I racke& y brains for other gossi$" 6He %ears a chain %ith three ge s set in it" Iueen Desire ga'e it to hi ! for so e s$ecial ser'ice he &i&" > " The Fool hates hi " He tol& no one else is aroun&! Jalen calls hi His tone %as 9ha&e.s bro%s %ent u$" 6The Fool talks to you07 ore than incre&ulous" He sat u$ in his chair so su&&enly that his %ine lea$e& out of his cu$ an& s$lashe& on his knee" He rubbe& at it &istracte&ly %ith his slee'e" 6So eti es!7 I a& itte& cautiously" 65ot 'ery often" Only %hen he feels like it" He 4ust a$$ears an& tells e things"7 6Things0 ;hat kin& of things07 I reali1e& su&&enly that I ha& ne'er recounte& to 9ha&e the fit1/fits/fats ri&&le" It see e& too co $licate& to go into 4ust then" 6Oh! 4ust o&& things" #bout t%o onths ago he sto$$e& e an& sai& the orro% %as a $oor &ay to hunt" But it %as fine an& clear" Burrich got that big buck that &ay" You re e ber" It %as the sa e &ay that %e ca e u$ on a %ol'erine" It tore u$ t%o of the &ogs ba&ly"7
22?

e once that if

freak an& thro%s things at hi "7

6#s I recall! it nearly got you"7 9ha&e leane& for%ar&! an o&&ly $lease& look on his face" I shrugge&" 6Burrich ro&e it &o%n" #n& then he curse& y fault! an& tol& e that he.& ha'e knocke& Sooty" #s if I coul& ha'e kno%n it %oul& turn to%ar& in ri&&les! an& he insults tell ,7 6Yes07 9ha&e $ro&&e& as if %hat I %ere saying %as 'ery i $ortant" 6I like hi !7 I sai& la ely" 6He He akes ocks e! but fro hi ! it see s a kin&ness" e to talk to"7 e succinctly" 6#n& e feel! %ell! i $ortant" That he coul& choose e! an& akes fun of e &o%n as if it %ere e"7 I hesitate&" 69ha&e! e" He s$eaks e silly if the beast ha& hurt

I kno% the Fool is strange" But I like it %hen he co es to talk to e things he thinks I shoul& &o! like %ash

e! an& gi'es hi self lea'e to y hair! or not %ear yello%" But

9ha&e leane& back" He $ut his han& u$ to his

outh to co'er a s ile! but it %as

a 4oke I &i&n.t un&erstan&" 6Trust your instincts!7 he tol& co es an& s$eaks to you" So e coul& take it a iss"7 6;ho07 I &e an&e&"

kee$ any counsel the Fool gi'es you" #n&! as you ha'e! kee$ it $ri'ate that he

6(ing Shre%&! $erha$s" #fter all! the Fool is his" Bought an& $ai& for"7 # &o1en )uestions rose to right no%" In fact! kno% Jalen"7 I sank back in y chair %ith a sigh" 6Jalen" So he is un$leasant to those %ho cannot challenge it! &resses %ell! an& eats alone" ;hat else &o I nee& to kno%! y in&" 9ha&e sa% the ex$ression on y face! for he hel& u$ a )uelling han&" 65ot no%" That.s as re'elation" It.s not like e to tell secrets not uch as you nee& to kno%

ore than you nee& to kno%" But I %as sur$rise& by your y o%n" If the Fool %ants you to to recall %e %ere &iscussing

ore! he can s$eak for hi self" But I see

22B

9ha&e0 I.'e ha& strict teachers! an& I.'e ha& un$leasant ones" I think I.ll learn to &eal %ith hi "7 6You.& better"7 9ha&e %as &ea&ly earnest" 6Because he hates you" He hates you ore than he lo'e& your father" The &e$th of e otion he felt for your e" 5o an! not e'en a $rince! erits such blin& &e'otion! ore intensity" It y sto ach" I father unner'e& frightens e"7 a&e e sick" 6Ho% &o you kno%07 I to inclu&e you a ong

es$ecially not so su&&enly" #n& you he hates! %ith e'en So ething in 9ha&e.s tone brought a sick chill stalking u$ fro felt an uneasiness that al ost &e an&e&" 6Because he tol& Shre%& so %hen Shre%& &irecte& hi

his $u$ils" FDoes not the bastar& ha'e to learn his $lace0 Does not he ha'e to be content %ith %hat you ha'e &ecree& for hi 0. Then he refuse& to teach you"7 6He refuse&07 6I tol& you" But Shre%& %as a&a ant" #n& he is (ing! an& Jalen hi no%! for all that he %as a )ueen.s %oul& atte $t to teach you" You %ill onth fro 6;here07 6There is a to%er to$! calle& the Iueen.s Jar&en" You %ill be a& itte& there"7 9ha&e $ause&! as if %anting to %arn Ia blin& there"7 e! but not %ishing to scare e" 6Be careful!7 he sai& at last! 6for %ithin the %alls of the gar&en! I ha'e no influence" It %as a strange %arning! an& one I took to heart" eet %ith hi ust obey an" So Jalen relente& an& sai& he each &ay" Beginning a

no%" You are *atience.s until then"7

22C

9H#*TER THIRTEE5 S ithy THE =#DY *#TIE59E EST#B=ISHED her eccentricity at an early age" #s a s all chil&! her nurse ai&s foun& her stubbornly in&e$en&ent! an& yet lacking the co on sense to take care of herself" One re arke&! 6She %oul& go all &ay herself! yet %oul& suffer for her"7 Before the age of ten! she ha& &eci&e& to esche% %ith her laces un&one because she coul& not tie the no one to tie the

the tra&itional trainings befitting a girl of her rank! an& instea& intereste& herself in han&icrafts that %ere 'ery unlikely to $ro'e useful3 $ottery! tattooing! the aking of $erfu es! an& the gro%ing an& $ro$agation of $lants! es$ecially su$er'ision" She foreign ones" She &i& not scru$le to absent herself for long hours fro $referre& the %oo&lan&s an& orchar&s to her 5othing coul& be further fro sensible %ariness to%ar& at an early age! an& fro other.s courtyar&s an& gar&ens"

One %oul& ha'e thought this %oul& $ro&uce a har&y an& $ractical chil&" the truth" She see e& to be constantly afflicte& %ith rashes! scra$es! an& stings! %as fre)uently lost! an& ne'er &e'elo$e& any an or beast" herself" She astere& rea&ing an& ci$hering that ti e stu&ie& any scroll! book! or tablet that ca e Her e&ucation ca e largely fro

her %ay %ith 'oracious an& in&iscri inate interest" Tutors %ere frustrate& by her &istractible %ays an& fre)uent absences that see e& to affect not at all her ability to learn al ost anything s%iftly an& %ell" Yet the a$$lying of such kno%le&ge intereste& her not at all" Her hea& %as full of fancies an& i aginings! she substitute& $oetry an& usic for logic an& anners both! she ex$resse& no interest at all in social intro&uctions an& co)uettish skills"

22D

#n& yet she enthusias

arrie& a $rince! one %ho ha& courte& her %ith a single/ in&e&

that %as to be the first scan&al to befall hi "

6Stan& u$ straight:7 I stiffene&" 65ot like that: You look like a turkey! &ra%n out an& %aiting for the ax" Relax ore" 5o! but $ut your shoul&ers back! &on.t hunch the " Do you al%ays stan& %ith your feet thro%n out so07 6=a&y! he is only a boy" They are al%ays so! all angles an& bones" =et hi co e in an& be at ease"7 6Oh! 'ery %ell" 9o e in! then"7 I no&&e& y gratitu&e to a roun&/face& ser'ing %o an %ho &i $le& a s ile at e to%ar& a $e% bench so be&ecke& %ith $illo%s left to sit" I $erche& on the e&ge of it e in return" She gesture&

an& sha%ls that there %as scarcely roo an& sur'eye& =a&y *atience.s cha ber"

It %as %orse than 9ha&e.s" I %oul& ha'e thought it the clutter of years if I ha& not kno%n that she ha& only recently arri'e&" E'en a co $lete in'entory of the roo coul& not ha'e &escribe& it! for it %as the 4uxta$osition of ob4ects that a&e it re arkable" # feather fan! a fencing glo'e! an& a bun&le of cattails %ere all 'ase& in a %ell %orn boot" # s all black terrier %ith t%o fat $u$$ies sle$t in a basket line& %ith a fur hoo& an& so e %oolen stockings" # fa ily of car'e& i'ory %alruses $erche& on a tablet about horse shoeing" But the &o inant ele ents %ere the $lants" There %ere fat $uffs of greenery o'erflo%ing clay $ots! teacu$s an& goblets an& buckets of cuttings an& cut flo%ers an& greenery! 'ines s$illing out of han&leless ugs an& cracke& cu$s" orning or Failures %ere e'i&ent in bare sticks $oking u$ out of $ots of earth" The $lants $erche& an& hu&&le& together in e'ery location that %oul& catch
22E

afternoon sun fro

the %in&o%s" The effect %as like a gar&en s$illing in the

%in&o%s an& gro%ing u$ aroun& the clutter in the roo " 6He.s $robably hungry! too! isn.t he! =acey0 I.'e hear& that about boys" I think there.s so e cheese an& biscuits on the stan& by %oul& you! &ear07 =a&y *atience stoo& slightly s$oke $ast 6I. her feet" 6I. e to her la&y" here because I %as tol& to e"7 e %as! ake yself a'ailable to you! in the ore than ar .s &istance a%ay fro e as she y be&" Fetch the for hi !

not hungry! really! thank you!7 I blurte& out before =acey coul& lu ber to

ornings! for as long as you %ante& 6Jo to her cha bers each to be &oing so she lea'es you as I a

That %as a careful re$hrasing" ;hat (ing Shre%& ha& actually sai& to

orning! an& &o %hate'er it is she thinks you ought e alone" #n& kee$ &oing it until she is as %eary of e! for I ha& ne'er seen hi en s$oke

of her"7 His bluntness ha& astoun&e&

so beleaguere& as that &ay" Aerity ca e in the &oor of the cha ber as I %as scuttling out! an& he! too! looke& an& o'e& as if suffering fro too seen the uch the %orse for %ear" Both uch %ine the night before! an& yet I ha& arke& lack of either y hea& as I %ent $ast hi " 6-ore like his

both at table last night! an& there ha& been a

erriness or %ine" Aerity tousle& at

father e'ery &ay!7 he re arke& to a sco%ling Regal behin& hi " Regal glare& e as he entere& the (ing.s cha ber an& lou&ly close& the &oor behin& hi " y la&y.s cha ber! an& she %as skirting about uch a use ent" e" e an& e as if I %ere an ani al that ight su&&enly strike out at her or So here I %as! in talking $ast

soil the car$ets" I coul& tell that it affor&e& =acey

6Yes" I alrea&y kne% that! you see! because I %as the one %ho ha& aske& the (ing that you be sent here!7 =a&y *atience ex$laine& carefully to

28H

6Yes! %ell

a.a "7 I shifte& on

y bit of seat s$ace an& trie& to look intelligent an& et! I coul& scarcely bla e

annere&" Recalling the earlier ti es %e ha& e like a &olt"

her for treating

# silence fell" I looke& aroun& at things in the roo " =a&y *atience looke& to%ar& a %in&o%" =acey sat an& s irke& to herself an& $reten&e& to be tatting lace" 6Oh" Here"7 S%ift as a &i'ing ha%k! =a&y *atience stoo$e& &o%n an& sei1e& the black terrier $u$ by the scruff of the neck" He yel$e& in sur$rise! an& his other looke& u$ in annoyance as =a&y *atience thrust hi I caught the s)uir ing $u$$y an& go of hi " 6Or into y ar s" 6This one.s for you" He.s yours no%" E'ery boy shoul& ha'e a $et"7 anage& to su$$ort his bo&y before she let y aybe you.& rather ha'e a bir&0 I ha'e a cage of finches in

be&cha ber" You coul& ha'e one of the ! if you.& rather"7 6>h! no" # $u$$y.s fine" # $u$$y is %on&erful"7 The secon& half of the state ent %as contact %ith hi a&e to the $u$" -y instincti'e res$onse to his high/$itche& yi/ %ith cal " His other ha& sense& e an& et y an& a$$ro'e&" She settle& back into her basket %ith the %hite y eyes y ex$erience! %as rather unusual" -ost &ogs a'oi&e& ost $u$$ies his age ha& little other an& ore yi/yi ha& been to )uest out to hi

$u$ %ith blithe unconcern" The $u$$y looke& u$ at &irectly" This! in

$rolonge& &irect eye contact" But also unusual %as his a%areness" I kne% fro surre$titious ex$eri ents in the stable that than fu11y self/a%areness! an& %ere i ostly tune& to ilk an&

e&iate nee&s" This little fello% ha& a soli&ly establishe& i&entity %ithin bits of eat! an& %as %ary of *atience! not because she an& ke$t $utting hi back in the

hi self! an& a &ee$ interest in all that %as going on aroun& hi " He like& =acey! %ho fe& hi %as cruel! but because she stu ble& o'er hi

basket each ti e he laboriously cla bere& out" He thought I s elle& 'ery

281

exciting! an& the scents of horses an& bir&s an& other &ogs %ere like colors in his in&! i ages of things that as yet ha& no sha$e or reality for hi ! but that an& he cli be& e! sho% e in his excite ent" Take he nonetheless foun& fascinating" I i age& the scents for hi y chest! %riggling! sniffing an& licking e! take e" Burrich! then ca e back to a%areness of %here e %ith her han&s on her hi$s" 6, e'en listening07 I %ince&! ex$ecting a ra$ fro I %as an& of the s all %o an stan&ing before

6I think so ething.s %rong %ith hi !7 she abru$tly obser'e& to =acey" 6Di& you see ho% he %as sitting there! staring at the $u$$y0 I thought he %as about to go off into so e sort of fit"7 =acey s ile& benignly an& %ent on %ith her tatting" 6Fit1 re in&e& u$ staring at the &irt"7 6;ell!7 sai& *atience+ clearly &is$lease&" 6It is )uite one thing for an a&ult to be $ensi'e!7 she obser'e& fir ly! 6an& another for a boy to stan& about looking &aft"7 =ater! I $ro ise& the $u$" 6I. sorry!7 I sai&! an& trie& to look re$entant" 6I y ar y 4erkin" It is &ifficult to ex$lain %hat I %as 4ust &istracte& by the $u$$y"7 He ha& cu&&le& into the crook of an& %as casually che%ing the e&ge of against e of you! la&y! %hen you start $ottering about %ith your lea'es an& bits of $lants an& en&

felt" I nee&e& to $ay attention to =a&y *atience! but this s all being snuggle& e %as ra&iating &elight an& content ent" It is a hea&y thing to be a&e e reali1e ho% $rofoun&ly alone I ha& felt! an& su&&enly $roclai e& the center of so eone.s %orl&! e'en if that so eone is an eight/%eek/ol& $u$$y" It y 'oice" 6Thank you 'ery for ho% long" 6Thank you!7 I sai&! an& e'en I %as sur$rise& at the gratitu&e in uch"7

282

6It.s 4ust a $u$$y!7 =a&y *atience sai&! an& to

y sur$rise she looke& al ost e about yourself!7 she

asha e&" She turne& asi&e an& stare& out the %in&o%" The $u$$y licke& his nose an& close& his eyes" ;ar " Slee$" 6Tell &e an&e& abru$tly" It took She e aback" 6;hat %oul& you like to kno%! la&y07 a&e a s all frustrate& gesture" 6;hat &o you &o each &ay0 ;hat ha'e

you been taught07 So I atte $te& to tell her! but I coul& see it &i&n.t satisfy her" She fol&e& her li$s tightly at each of y a$$ro'al at ention of Burrich.s na e" She %asn.t i $resse& %ith any artial training" Of 9ha&e! I coul& say nothing" She no&&e& in gru&ging y stu&y of languages! %riting! an& ci$hering"

6;ell!7 she interru$te& su&&enly" 6#t least you.re not totally ignorant" If you can rea&! you can learn anything" If you.'e a %ill to" Ha'e you a %ill to learn07 6I su$$ose so"7 It %as a luke%ar learning" 6I su$$ose you %ill learn! then" For I ha'e a %ill that you %ill! e'en if you &o not yet"7 She %as su&&enly stern! in a shifting of attitu&e that left be%il&ere&" 6#n& %hat &o they call you! boy07 The )uestion again" 6Boy is fine!7 I %hi $ere& in agitation" I force& uttere&" The slee$ing $u$$y in for hi " y ar s yself to be cal e ans%er! but I %as beginning to feel y ba&gere&" 5ot e'en the gift of the $u$$y coul& out%eigh her belittle ent of

I ha& the satisfaction of seeing a stricken look flit briefly across *atience.s face" 6I shall call you! oh! Tho as" To for e'ery &ay" Does that suit you07 ore thought to na ing a &og or traits he as$ire& to 6I su$$ose so!7 I sai& &eliberately" Burrich ga'e

than that" ;e ha& no Blackies or S$ots in the stables" Burrich na e& each beast as if they %ere royalty! %ith na es that &escribe& the for the " E'en Sooty.s na e aske& a gentle fire I ha& co e to res$ect" But
288

this %o an na e&

e To

after no y eyes"

ore than an in&ra%n breath" I looke&

&o%n so she coul&n.t see

6Fine! then!7 she sai&! a trifle briskly" 69o e to orro% at the sa e ti e" I shall ha'e so e things rea&y for you" I %arn you! I shall ex$ect %illing effort fro you" Joo& &ay! To "7 e! an& then &arte& back to her 6Joo& &ay! la&y"7 I turne& an& left" =acey.s eyes follo%e& istress" I sense& her &isa$$oint ent! but &i& not kno% %hat it %as about" It %as still early in the &ay" This first au&ience ha& taken less than an hour" I %asn.t ex$ecte& any%here+ this ti e %as %hee&le scra$s for y o%n" I hea&e& for the kitchens! to &o%n to the y $u$" It %oul& ha'e been easy to take hi

stables! but then Burrich %oul& ha'e kno%n about hi " I ha& no illusions about %hat %oul& ha$$en next" The $u$ %oul& stay in the stables" He %oul& be no inally I a&e ine! but Burrich %oul& see that this ne% bon& %as se'ere&" I ha& the laun&erers! an ol& shirt o'er stra% for his y bon& %ith hi no intention of allo%ing that to ha$$en" y $lans" # basket fro ake hi be&" His %oul& esses no% %oul& be s all! an& as he got ol&er

easy to train" For no%! he.& ha'e to stay by hi self for $art of e" E'entually! Burrich

each &ay" But as he got ol&er he coul& go about %ith that later" For no%! he nee&e& a na e" I looke& hi an& a

%oul& fin& out about hi " I resolutely $ushe& that thought asi&e" I.& &eal %ith o'er" He %as not the curly/ haire& ya$$y ty$e of terrier" He %oul& ha'e a short s ooth coat! a thick neck! outh like a coal scuttle" But gro%n! he.& be less than knee high! so it to be a fighter" So no aybe" Or Sentry" e &o%n the hall" coul&n.t be too %eighty of a na e" I &i&n.t %ant hi 6Or #n'il" Or Forge"7 I looke& u$" The Fool ste$$e& out of an alco'e an& follo%e&
28<

Ri$$er or 9harger" He %oul& be tenacious! an& alert" Jri$!

6;hy07 I aske&" I no longer )uestione& the %ay the Fool coul& guess %hat I %as thinking" 6Because your heart %ill be ha te $ere& in his fire"7 6Soun&s a bit &ra atic to &on.t %ant to ark e!7 I ob4ecte&" 6#n& Forge is a ba& %or& no%" I y $u$ %ith it" @ust the other &ay! &o%n in to%n! I hear& a ere& against hi ! an& your strength %ill be

&runk yell at a cut$urse! F-ay your %o an be Forge&". E'eryone in the street sto$$e& an& stare&"7 The Fool shrugge&" 6;ell they then" Or S ithy" =et Reluctantly I ga'e o'er ight"7 He follo%e& e into y roo " 6S ith! e see hi 07 y $u$$y" He stirre&! a%akene&! an& then %iggle& in e! the Fool ha& no &etectable y be& an& $ut the $u$ y be&" I sat on the

the Fool.s han&s" 5o s ell! no s ell" I %as astonishe& to agree %ith the $u$" E'en %ith his little black nose %orking for scent" 69areful" Don.t &ro$ hi "7 6I. a fool! not a &olt!7 sai& the Fool! but he sat on lest he 'enture too near the e&ge" besi&e hi " S ithy instantly began snuffling an& rucking other si&e of hi

6So!7 the Fool aske& casually! 6are you going to let her buy you %ith gifts07 6;hy not07 I trie& to be &is&ainful" 6It %oul& be a istake! for both of you"7 The Fool t%eake& S ithy.s tiny tail! an& he s$un Froun& %ith a $u$$y gro%l" 6She.s going to %ant to gi'e you things" You.ll ha'e to take the ! for there.s no $olite %ay to refuse" But you.ll ha'e to &eci&e %hether they.ll ake a bri&ge bet%een you! or a %all"7 I entione& 9ha&e to anyone else! sa'e 6Do you kno% 9ha&e07 I aske& abru$tly! for the Fool soun&e& so like hi su&&enly ha& to kno%" I ha& ne'er Shre%&! nor hear& talk of hi fro anyone aroun& the kee$"

28?

6Sha&e or sunlight! I kno% %hen to kee$ a gri$ on &oor" He lingere& there a

y tongue" It %oul& be a

goo& thing for you to learn as %ell"7 The Fool rose su&&enly an& %ent to the o ent" 6She only hate& you for the first fe% other! onths" #n& it %asn.t truly hate of you+ it %as blin& 4ealousy of your

that she coul& bear a babe to 9hi'alry! but *atience coul& not" #fter that! her heart softene&" She %ante& to sen& for you! to raise you as her o%n" So e ight say she &on.t think so"7 I %as staring at the Fool" 6You look like a fish! %ith your outh o$en like that!7 he obser'e&" 6But of ight a$$ear he %as for ally course! your father refuse&" He sai& it ha'e been &angerous for you"7 The Fool stick of &rie& onto erely %ante& to $ossess anything that touche& 9hi'alry" But I

ackno%le&ging his bastar&" But I &on.t think that %as it at all" I think it %oul& a&e an o&& $ass %ith his han&! an& a eat eat a$$eare& in his" fingers" I kne% it ha& been u$ his slee'e!

but I %as unable to see ho% he acco $lishe& his tricks" He fli$$e& the y be& an& the $u$$y s$rang on it gree&ily" 6You can hurt her! if you choose!7 he offere& as if it ca e fro his li$s" She.s like a ge

e" 6She feels such guilt at ho%

alone you ha'e been" #n& you look so like 9hi'alry! anything you say %ill be %ith a fla%" One $recise ta$ fro you! an& she %ill fly all to $ieces" She.s half/ a& as she is! you kno%" They %oul& ne'er ha'e been able to kill 9hi'alry if she ha&n.t consente& to his ab&ication" #t least! not %ith such blithe &is issal of the conse)uences" She kno%s that"7 6;ho is Fthey.07 I &e an&e&" 6;ho are they07 the Fool correcte& e! an& %hiske& out of sight" By the ti e I got to the &oor! he %as gone" I )ueste& after hi ! but got nothing" #l ost as if he %ere Forge&" I shi'ere& at that thought! an& %ent back to S ithy" He %as
28B

che%ing the %orrying his He %as

eat to sli y bits all o'er eat"

y be&" I %atche& hi " 6The Fool.s

gone!7 I tol& S ithy" He %agge& a casual ackno%le&g ent an& %ent on ine! gi'en to e" 5ot a stable &og I care& for! but ine! an& outsi&e a&e u$ for

of Burrich.s kno%le&ge or authority" Other than bracelet that 9ha&e ha& gi'en all lacks I ight e'er ha'e ha&" ature&" ;hen I hel& hi

y clothes an& the co$$er

e! I ha& fe% $ossessions" But he

He %as a sleek an& healthy $u$" His coat %as s ooth no%! but %oul& gro% bristly as he u$ to the %in&o%! I coul& see faint ottlings of color in his coat" He.& be a &ark brin&le! then" I &isco'ere& one %hite s$ot on his chin! an& another on his left hin& foot" He cla $e& his little 4a%s on tussle& hi y shirtslee'e an& shook it 'iolently! uttering sa'age $u$$y gro%ls" I on the be& until he fell into a &ee$! li $ slee$" Then I o'e& hi y afternoon lessons an& chores" so he ne'er felt alone enough to it %as &ue to y sessions %ith by the

to his stra% cushion an& %ent reluctantly to kee$ a threa& of y attention al%ays %ith hi

That initial %eek %ith *atience %as a trying ti e for both of us" I learne& to ho%l %hen I left hi " But that took $ractice! so I felt so e%hat &istracte&" Burrich fro%ne& about it! but I $ersua&e& hi thir& &ay" 6Yester&ay it %as teach *atience" 6I ha'e no i&ea %hat that %o an %ants fro e!7 I tol& hi

usic" In the s$ace of t%o hours! she atte $te& to

e to $lay the har$! the sea $i$es! an& then the flute" E'ery ti e I ca e an&e& that I try a &ifferent one" She en&e& that session by usic" This orning it %as $oetry" She set e the one about Iueen Healsall an& her gar&en" It has a e %hen I re$eate& it back to her that %ay!
28C

close to figuring out a fe% notes on one or the other of the ! she snatche& it a%ay an& co saying that I ha& no a$titu&e for herself to teaching

long bit! about all the herbs she gre% an& %hat each %as for" #n& she ke$t getting it bungle&! an& got angry at

saying that I

ust kno% that cat int is not for $oultices an& that I %as ust sto$" #n& %hen I offere& to bring her bu&s fro e". I &on.t kno% ho% to $lease her! Burrich"7 y roo " She ta$$e&! then entere&! %rinkling her esses" It the

ocking her" It %as al ost a relief %hen she sai& I ha& gi'en her such a hea&ache that %e you %ere ocking la&y.s/han& bush for her hea&ache! she sat right u$ an& sai&! FThere: I kne% 6;hy %oul& you %ant to07 he gro%le&! an& I let the sub4ect &ro$" That e'ening =acey ca e to nose" 6You.& better bring u$ so e stre%ing herbs if you.re going to kee$ that $u$ in here" #n& use so e 'inegar an& %ater %hen you scrub u$ his s ells like a stable in here"7 6I su$$ose it &oes!7 I a& itte&" I looke& at her curiously an& %aite&" 6I brought you this" You see e& to like it best"7 She hel& out the sea $i$es" I looke& at the short! fat tubes boun& together %ith stri$s of leather" I ha& like& it best of the three instru ents" The har$ ha& far too ha& see e& shrill to 6Di& =a&y *atience sen& it to usual"7 6;hy &i& you bring it07 6For you to $ractice on" ;hen you.'e a little skill %ith it! bring it back an& sho% her"7 6;hy07 =acey sighe&" 6Because it %oul& y life ake her feel better" #n& that %oul& ake uch easier" There.s nothing %orse than being ai& to so eone as anifest so e su&&en e07 I aske&! $u11le&" any strings! an& the flute e e'en %hen *atience ha& $laye& it"

65o" She &oesn.t kno% I.'e taken it" She.ll assu e it.s lost in her litter! as

heartsick as =a&y *atience" She longs &es$erately for you to be goo& at so ething" She kee$s trying you out! ho$ing that you.ll talent so that she can flout you about an& tell folk! FThere! I tol& you he ha& it
28D

in hi ". 5o%! I.'e ha& boys of &on.t learn! or gro%! or ha'e but their o%n ha$$y07 others"7

y o%n! an& I kno% boys aren.t that %ay" They anners %hen you.re looking at the " But turn

a%ay! an& turn back! an& there they are! s arter! taller! an& char ing e'eryone I %as a little lost" 6You %ant e to learn to $lay this so *atience %ill be

6So she can feel she.s gi'en you so ething"7 6She ga'e e S ithy" 5othing she can e'er gi'e e %ill be better than hi "7" ight tell =acey looke& sur$rise& at her that" But you y su&&en sincerity" So %as I" 6;ell" You ight un&erstan& better"7 ust &isco'er so ething I coul& &o" #s ulle& o'er e e! I reali1e& that her i age of

ight also try to learn to $lay the sea $i$es or recite a balla&

or sing one of the ol& $rayers" That she %ishe& e to be a success an& felt she

#fter =acey left! I sat thinking! caught bet%een anger an& %istfulness" *atience if! before her! I ha& ne'er &one or acco $lishe& anything" But as I %hat I ha& &one! an& %hat she kne% of &og" I coul& also bre% $oisons! So! %as there anything to The next

ust be a rather flat one" I coul& rea& an& %rite! an& take care of a horse or ake slee$ing &rafts! s uggle! lie! an& &o sleight of han&! none of %hich %oul& ha'e $lease& her e'en if she ha& kno%n" e! other than being a s$y or assassin0 hi " The $a$er he ga'e e %as better orning I arose early an& sought Fe&%ren" He %as $lease& %hen I a&e e $ro ise to sho% hi y efforts" #s I

aske& to borro% brushes an& colors fro than $ractice sheets! an& he a&e

y %ay u$ the stairs I %on&ere& %hat it %oul& be like to a$$rentice %ith yself $ro'e& har&er than any *atience ha& $ut e to" I the

hi " Surely it coul& not be any har&er than %hat I ha& been set to lately" But the task I ha& set &ifferent fro coul& see S ithy aslee$ on his cushion" Ho% coul& the cur'e of his back be the cur'e of a rune! the sha&es of his ears so &ifferent fro
28E

sha&ing of the herbal illustrations I $ainstakingly co$ie& fro it %as the sha&o%s aroun& the $u$ that of his haunch" I nee&e& to $aint less! not rather than %hat y in& kne%" y brushes an& set the It %as late %hen I %ashe& out &rea

Fe&%ren.s %ork"

But they %ere! an& I %aste& sheet after sheet of $a$er until I su&&enly sa% that a&e the cur'es of his back an& the line ore! an& $ut &o%n %hat y eye sa%

asi&e" I ha& t%o that u11y! ore like a

$lease&! an& a thir& that I like&! though it %as soft an& thought to yself"

of a $u$$y than a real $u$$y" -ore like %hat I sense& than %hat I sa%! I

But %hen I stoo& outsi&e =a&y *atience.s &oor! I looke& &o%n at the $a$ers in y han& an& su&&enly sa% &an&elions to his a goo& scriber yself as a to&&ler $resenting crushe& an& %ilte& other" ;hat fitting $asti e %as this for a youth0 If I %ere ust illustrate an& illu inate as %ell as scribe" But the &oor y fingers s u&ge& still %ith $aint e to co e insi&e! that I %as late e! ato$ a y han&"

truly Fe&%ren.s a$$rentice! then exercises of this sort %oul& be a$$ro$riate! for o$ene& before I knocke& an& there I %as! an& the $ages &a $ in I %as %or&less %hen *atience irritably tol& so e half finishe& bit of stitchery" I set stack of tablets" 6I think you coul& learn to recite 'erse! if you chose to!7 she re arke& %ith so e as$erity" 6#n& therefore you coul& learn to co $ose 'erse! if you chose to" Rhyth 6It.s an& eter are no ore than , is that the $u$$y07 ore y life" u11y one" 6;ho &i& eant to be!7 I uttere&! an& coul& not re e ber feeling

enough alrea&y" I $erche& on the e&ge of a chair %ith a cru $le& cloak an& y $aintings to one si&e of

%retche&ly e barrasse& in

She lifte& the sheets carefully an& exa ine& each one in turn! hol&ing the close an& then at ar .s length" She stare& longest at the
2<H

these for you07 she aske& at last" 65ot that it excuses your being late" But I coul& fin& goo& use for so eone %ho can $ut on $a$er %hat the eye sees! %ith the colors so true" That is the trouble %ith all the herbals I ha'e+ all the herbs are $ainte& the sa e green! no atter if they are gray or tinge& $ink as they the G7 a.a !7 =acey interru$te& benignly" gro%" Such tablets are useless if you are trying to learn fro 6I sus$ect he.s $ainte& the $u$$y hi self!

6#n& the $a$er! this is better than %hat I.'e ha& toG7 *atience $ause& su&&enly" 6You! Tho as07 L#n& I think that %as the first ti e she re e bere& to use the na e she ha& besto%e& on Before her incre&ulous look! I your other &ra%07 e ories of her! la&y"7 -y re$ly %as stiff" I coul& not recall that e such a thing before" ust re e ber so ethingGthe e"M 6You $aint like this07 a$" Di& anage& a )uick no&" She hel& u$ the $ictures

again" 6Your father coul& not &ra% a cur'e& line! sa'e it %as on a 6I ha'e no

anyone ha& e'er been bra'e enough to ask

6;hat! none0 But you %ere six years ol&" You

color of her hair! her 'oice! %hat she calle& you ,7 ;as that a $aine& hunger in her 'oice! a curiosity she coul& not )uite bear to satisfy0 #l ost! for a ke$t o ent! I &i& re e ber" # s ell of int! or %as it , it %as gone" 65othing! la&y" If she ha& %ante& e! I su$$ose"7 I close& other %ho ha& not ke$t e to re e ber her! she %oul& ha'e e since"

y heart" Surely I o%e& no re e brance to the

e! nor e'er sought

6;ell"7 For the first ti e I think *atience reali1e& she ha& taken our con'ersation into a &ifficult area" She stare& out the %in&o% at a gray &ay" 6So eone has taught you %ell!7 she obser'e& su&&enly! too brightly" 6Fe&%ren"7 ;hen she sai& nothing! I a&&e&! 6The court scribe! you kno%" He %oul& like e to a$$rentice to hi " He is $lease& %ith y letters! an& %orks

2<1

%ith

e no% on the co$ying of his i ages" ;hen %e ha'e ti e! that is" I a

often busy! an& he is often out )uesting after ne% $a$er ree&s"7 6*a$er ree&s07 she aske& &istracte&ly" 6He has a bit of $a$er" He ha& se'eral use& it" He got it fro it %as easures of it! but little by little he has another! an& yet another before %hat he %as tol&! uch better )uality than any %e a tra&er! %ho ha& it fro

hi ! so he &oes not kno% %here it first ca e fro " But fro a&e of $oun&e& ree&s" The $a$er is a

ake+ it is thin! flexible! an& &oes not cru ble so rea&ily %ith age! yet it takes ink %ell! not soaking it u$ so that the e&ges of runes blur" Fe&%ren says that if %e coul& &u$licate it! it %oul& change an ight ha'e a co$y of tablet lore fro uch" ;ith a goo&! stur&y $a$er! any the kee$" ;ere $a$er chea$er! ore

chil&ren coul& be taught to %rite an& to rea& both! or so he says" I &o not un&erstan& %hy he is soG7 6I &i& not kno% any here share& face" 6Has he trie& $a$er $ressing sheets y interest"7 # su&&en ani ation lit the la&y.s $oun&e& lily root0 I ha'e ha& so e the kinue tree" It is strong an& a&e fro

success %ith that" #n& also %ith $a$er create& by first %ea'ing an& then %et/ a&e %ith threa&s of bark fro flexible! yet the surface lea'es uch to be &esire&" >nlike this $a$er ,7 uch07 et" She stare& into e in the

She glance& again at the sheets in her han& an& fell silent" Then she aske& hesitantly! 6You like the $u$$y this 6Yes!7 I sai& si $ly! an& our eyes su&&enly bri e& %ith tears" that ,7 She choke&" 6You shoul& ha'e been ine:7 e" Instea&!

sa e &istracte& %ay that she often stare& out the %in&o%" #bru$tly! her eyes 6So eti es! you are so like hi

ine: It isn.t fair! you shoul& ha'e been she lea$e& at e an& caught

She crie& out the %or&s so fiercely that I thought she %oul& strike

e in a flying hug! at the sa e ti e trea&ing u$on

2<2

her &og an& o'erturning a 'ase of greenery" The &og s$rang u$ %ith a yel$! the 'ase shattere& on the floor! sen&ing %ater an& shar&s in all &irections! %hile la&y.s forehea& caught e s)uarely un&er the chin! so that for a sa% %as s$arks" Before I coul& react! she flung herself fro her be&cha ber %ith a cry like a scal&e& cat" She sla her" #n& all the %hile =acey ke$t on %ith her tatting" 6She gets like this! so eti es!7 she obser'e& benignly! an& no&&e& the &oor" 69o e again to orro%!7 she re in&e& =a&y *atience has beco e )uite fon& of you"7 e to%ar& e! an& a&&e&! 6You kno%! y o ent all I

e an& fle& into

e& the &oor behin&

9H#*TER FO>RTEE5 Jalen J#=E5! SO5 OF # %ea'er! ca e to Buckkee$ as a boy" His father %as one of Iueen Desire.s $ersonal ser'ants %ho follo%e& her fro Farro%" Solicity %as then the Skill aster at Buckkee$" She ha& instructe& (ing Bounty an& his son Shre%& in the Skill! so by the ti e Shre%&.s sons %ere boys! she %as ancient alrea&y" She $etitione& (ing Bounty that she ight take an a$$rentice! an& he consente&" Jalen %as greatly fa'ore& of the Iueen! an& at Iueen/in/ ;aiting Desire.s energetic urging! Solicity chose the youth Jalen as her a$$rentice" #t that ti e! as no%! the Skill %as &enie& to bastar&s of the Farseer House! but %hen the talent bloo e&! unex$ecte&! a ong those not of royalty! it %as culti'ate& an& re%ar&e&" 5o &oubt Jalen %as such a one as this! a boy sho%ing strange an& unex$ecte& talent that ca e abru$tly to the attention of a Skill aster"
2<8

By the ti e the *rinces 9hi'alry an& Aerity %ere ol& enough to recei'e Skill instruction! Jalen ha& a&'ance& enough to assist in their instruction! though he %as but a year or so ol&er than they" Once again y life sought a balance an& briefly foun& it" The a%k%ar&ness

%ith =a&y *atience gra&ually ero&e& into our acce$tance that %e %oul& ne'er beco e casual or o'erly fa iliar %ith one another" 5either of us felt a nee& to share feelings+ instea& %e skirte& one another at a for al &istance! an& ne'ertheless anage& to gain a goo& utual un&erstan&ing" Yet in the for al erri ent! &ance of our relationshi$! there %ere occasional ti es of genuine an& so eti es %e e'en &ance& to the sa e $i$er" Once she ha& gi'en u$ the notion of teaching $rince shoul& kno%! she %as able to teach %hat she initially inten&e& to teach ex$eri entation" I beca e for her! I learne& e e'erything that a Farseer e a great &eal" Aery little of it %as any hours of $ri'ate fetching y y

e" I &i& gain a %orking kno%le&ge of

usic! but this %as by the loan of her instru ents an&

ore her runner than her $age! an& fro

uch of the $erfu er.s art! as %ell as greatly increasing

kno%le&ge of $lants" E'en 9ha&e beca e enthuse& %hen he &isco'ere& ex$eri ents! fe% of the %as a successful! that =a&y *atience an& I

ne% talents for root/an&/leaf $ro$agation! an& he follo%e& %ith interest the a&e into coaxing the bu&s of one tree to o$en to leaf %hen s$lice& into another tree" This agic she ha& hear& ru ore&! but &i& not scru$le to atte $t" To this &ay! in the ;o en.s Jar&en! there is an a$$le tree! one branch of %hich bears $ears" ;hen I ex$resse& a curiosity about the tattooer.s art! she refuse& to let e ark y o%n bo&y! saying I %as too young for such a &ecision" But e obser'e! an& finally assist %ith! the slo% %ithout the least )ual ! she let

2<<

$ricking of &ye into her o%n ankle an& calf that beca e a coile& garlan& of flo%ers" But all of that e'ol'e& o'er Fe&%ren an& enliste& hi ga'e onths an& years! not &ays" ;e ha& settle& into a et blunt/s$oken courtesy to%ar& one another by the en& of ten &ays" She an& %as a greater $leasure to

in her root/$a$er $ro4ect" The $u$ %as gro%ing %ell e e'ery &ay" =a&y *atience.s erran&s to to%n y to%n frien&s! es$ecially -olly" She ight still threaten

e a $le o$$ortunities to see

%as an in'aluable gui&e to the fragrant stalls %here I $urchase& =a&y *atience.s $erfu e su$$lies" Forging an& Re&/Shi$ Rai&ers fro re e bere& chill of %inter on a #n& then i&su the hori1on! but for those fe% %eeks they see e& a re ote terror! like the er &ay" For a 'ery brief $erio& I %as

ha$$y! an&! an e'en rarer gift! I kne% I %as ha$$y" y lessons %ith Jalen began" y lessons %ere to begin! Burrich sent for e" I %ent to hi The night before hi %aiting for

%on&ering %hat chore I ha& &one $oorly an& %oul& be rebuke& for" I foun& e outsi&e the stables! shifting his feet as restlessly as a e&iately beckone& e to follo% hi ea ug fro an& took e u$ confine& stallion" He i to his cha bers" 6Tea07 he offere&! an& %hen I no&&e&! $oure& on his hearth" 6;hat.s the atter07 I aske& as I took it fro hi " He %as strung as tight as I ha& e'er seen hi " This %as so unlike Burrich that I feare& so e terrible ne%s Gthat Sooty %as ill! or &ea&! or that he ha& &isco'ere& S ithy" 65othing!7 he lie&! an& &i& it so $oorly that he hi self i e&iately recogni1e& e to&ay" He tol& e that %hile he it" 6It.s this! boy!7 he confesse& su&&enly" 6Jalen ca e to e that you %ere to be instructe& in the Skill" #n& he charge& a $ot still %ar

%as teaching you! I coul& interfere in no %ayGnot to counsel! or ask chores of

2<?

you! or e'en share a fro

eal %ith you" He %as

ost , &irect about it"7 Burrich

$ause&! an& I %on&ere& %hat better %or& he ha& re4ecte&" He looke& a%ay e" 6There %as a ti e %hen I.& ho$e& this chance %oul& be offere& you! but %hen it %asn.t! I thought! %ell! $erha$s it.s for the best" Jalen can be a har& teacher" # 'ery har& teacher" I.'e hear& talk of it before" He &ri'es his $u$ils! but he clai s he ex$ects no boy! I.'e hear& that gossi$e& about I $er itte& Burrich" 6=isten to %hat I. telling you" Jalen akes no secret that he has no fon&ness for you" Of course! he &oesn.t kno% you at all! so it.s not your fault" It.s base& solely on , %hat you are! an& %hat you cause&! an& Jo& kno%s that %asn.t your fault" But if Jalen a& itte& that! then he.& ha'e to a& it it %as 9hi'alry.s fault! an& I.'e ne'er kno%n hi faults , but you can lo'e a 6@ust tell 6I. to a& it that 9hi'alry ha& any an an& kno% better than that about hi "7 Burrich ore of the than he &oes of hi self" #n&! e! too! if you can cre&it it"7

yself a s all s ile! that brought an ans%ering sco%l fro

took a brisk turn aroun& the roo ! then ca e back to the fire" e %hat you %ant to say!7 I suggeste&" not e'en sure trying!7 he sna$$e&" 6It.s not easy to kno% %hat to say" I.

if I shoul& be s$eaking to you" Is this interference! or counsel0 But your lessons ha'en.t starte& yet" So I say this no%" Do your best for hi " Don.t talk back to Jalen" Be res$ectful an& courteous" =isten to all he says an& learn it as %ell an& )uickly as you can"7 He $ause& again" 6I ha&n.t inten&e& to &o other%ise!7 I $ointe& out a bit tartly! for I coul& tell that none of this %as %hat Burrich %as trying to say" 6I kno% that! Fit1:7 He sighe& su&&enly! an& thre% hi self &o%n at the table o$$osite e" ;ith the heels of both han&s he $resse& at his te $les! as if so agitate&" 6# long ti e ago I talke& to you
2<B

$aine&" I ha& ne'er seen hi

about that other ,

agic" The ;it" The being %ith the beasts! al ost as if %orrie& e an& s$oke softly but urgently" y rule

beco ing one of the "7 He $ause& an& glance& about the roo so eone %oul& hear" He leane& in closer to 6Stay clear of it" I.'e trie& against it!

y best to get you to see it.s sha eful an& %rong"

But I.'e ne'er really felt that you agree&" Oh! I kno% you.'e abi&e& by %ere tinkering %ith things no goo&

ost of the ti e" But a fe% ti es I.'e sense&! or sus$ecte&! that you an touches" I tell you! Fit1! I.& sooner see ention it to hi " Don.t s$eak e

, I.& sooner see you Forge&" Yes! &on.t look so shocke&! that.s truly ho% I feel" #n& as for Jalen , =ook! Fit1! &on.t e'en of it! &on.t e'en think of it near hi " It.s little that I kno% about the Skill an& ho% it %orks" But so eti es , oh! so eti es %hen your father touche& %ith it! it see e& he kne% burie& e'en fro yself"7 e to the fire! an& I sense& an! a an less y heart before I &i&! an& sa% things that I ke$t

# su&&en &ee$ blush suffuse& Burrich.s &ark face! an& al ost I thought I sa% tears stan& in his &ark eyes" He turne& asi&e fro %e %ere co ing to the heart of %hat he nee&e& to say" 5ee&e&! not %ante&" There %as a &ee$ fear in hi ! one he &enie& hi self" # lesser stern %ith hi self! %oul& ha'e tre ble& %ith it" 6, fear for you! boy"7 He s$oke to the stones abo'e the 6;hy07 # si $le )uestion unlocks best! 9ha&e ha& taught antel$iece! an& his e" ore than a girl" 'oice %as so &ee$ a ru ble that I al ost coul&n.t un&erstan& hi " 6I &on.t kno% if he %ill see it in you" Or %hat he %ill &o if he &oes" I.'e hear& , no" I kno% it.s true" There %as a %o an! actually! little sai& she coul& call a %il& ha%k fro She ha& a %ay %ith bir&s" She li'e& in the hills to the %est of here! an& it %as the sky" So e folk a& ire& her! an& sai& it %as a gift" They took sick $oultry to her! or calle& her in %hen hens %oul&n.t set their eggs" She &i& aught but goo&! for all I hear&" But Jalen s$oke out
2<C

against her" Sai& she %as an abo ination! an& that it %oul& be the %orse for the %orl& if she li'e& to bree&" #n& one &eath"7 6Jalen &i& it07 Burrich shrugge&! a gesture stable that night" That &ealt hi ! boy" Talon ost unlike hi " 6His horse ha& been out of the uch I kno%" #n& his han&s %ere bruise&! an& he ha& arks! as if a ha%k ha& trie& to strike hi "7 orning she %as foun& beaten to

scratches on his face an& neck" But not the scratches a %o an %oul& ha'e 6#n& you sai& nothing07 I aske& incre&ulously" He barke& a bitter laugh" 6#nother s$oke before I coul&" Jalen %as accuse&! by the girl.s cousin! %ho ha$$ene& to %ork here in the stables" Jalen %oul& not &eny it" They %ent out to the ;itness Stones an& fought one another for El.s 4ustice! %hich al%ays $re'ails there" Higher than the (ing.s court is the ans%er to a )uestion settle& there! an& no one ay &is$ute it" The boy &ie&" E'eryone sai& it %as the El.s 4ustice! that the boy ha& accuse& Jalen falsely" One sai& it to Jalen" #n& he re$lie& that El.s 4ustice %as that the girl ha& &ie& before she bre&! an& her tainte& cousin! too"7 Burrich fell silent" I %as )ueasy %ith %hat he ha& tol& snake& through be raise& again" That %as %as to be taught by a e! an& a col& fear e" # )uestion once &eci&e& at the ;itness Stones coul& not ore than la%! it %as the 'ery %ill of the go&s" So I ur&erer! a an %ho %oul& try to kill y son! be careful! be e" But an %ho %as a

e if he sus$ecte& I ha& the ;it" 6Yes!7 Burrich sai& as if I ha& s$oken alou&" 6Oh! Fit1! %ise"7 #n& for a I.'e let then he a&&e&! 6Don.t sha e runs true in you"7
2<D

o ent I %on&ere&! for it soun&e& as if he feare& for

e! boy" Or your father" Don.t let Jalen say that that 9hi'alry.s bloo&

y $rince.s son gro% u$ a half beast" Sho% hi

6I.ll try!7 I

uttere&" #n& I %ent to be& that night %retche& an& afrai&"

The Iueen.s Jar&en %as no%here near the ;o en.s Jar&en or the kitchen gar&en or any other gar&en in Buckkee$" It %as! instea&! ato$ a circular to%er" The gar&en %alls %ere high on the si&es that face& the sea! but to the south an& %est! the %alls %ere lo% an& ha& seats along the " The stone %alls ca$ture& the %ar th of the sun an& fen&e& off the salt %in&s fro still there! al ost as if han&s %ere cu$$e& o'er the sea" The air %as y ears" Yet there %as a

strange %il&ness to the gar&en foun&e& on stone" There %ere rock basins! $erha$s bir&baths or %ater gar&ens at one ti e! an& 'arious tubs an& $ots an& troughs of earth! inter ingle& %ith statuary" #t one ti e the tubs an& $ots ha& $robably o'erflo%e& %ith greenery an& flo%ers" Of the $lants! only a fe% stalks an& the ossy earth in the tubs re aine&" The skeleton of a 'ine cra%le& e %ith an ol& sa&ness col&er than the first o'er a half/rotte& trellis" It fille& %oul& bring life here again" I %as the first to arri'e" #ugust ca e soon after" He ha& Aerity.s broa& buil&! uch as I ha& 9hi'alry.s height! an& the &ark Farseer coloring" #s al%ays! he %as &istant but $olite" He &ealt statuary" Others a$$eare& ra$i&ly after hi " I %as sur$rise& at ho% any! o'er a &o1en" uch Other than #ugust! son of the (ing.s sister! no one coul& boast so e a no& an& then strolle& about! looking at the

chill of %inter that %as also here" *atience shoul& ha'e ha& this! I thought" She

Farseer bloo& as I coul&" There %ere cousins an& secon& cousins! of both sexes! an& both younger an& ol&er than I" #ugust %as $robably the youngest! at t%o years y 4unior! an& Serene! a %o an in her i& t%enties! %as $robably the ost el&est" It %as an o&&ly sub&ue& grou$" # fe% clustere&! talking softly! but &rifte& about! $oking at the e $ty gar&ens or looking at the statues"
2<E

Then Jalen ca e" He let the &oor of the stair%ell sla shut behin& hi " Se'eral of the others in silence" en" So e! like 9ha&e! see 4u $e&" He stoo& regar&ing us! an& %e in turn looke& at hi There is so ething I ha'e obser'e& about skinny

so $reoccu$ie& %ith their li'es that they either forget to eat! or burn e'ery bit of sustenance they take in the fires of their $assionate fascination %ith life" But there is another ty$e! one %ho goes about the %orl& ca&a'erously! cheeks sunken! bones 4utting! an& one senses that he so &isa$$ro'es of the %hole of the %orl& that he begru&ges e'ery bit of it that he takes insi&e hi self" #t that o ent I %oul& ha'e %agere& that Jalen ha& ne'er truly en4oye& one bite of foo& or one s%allo% of &rink in his life" His &ress $u11le& e" It %as o$ulently rich! %ith fur at his collar an& neck! an& that one an! he %ore a ber bea&ing so thick on his 'est it %oul& ha'e turne& a s%or&" But the rich fabrics straine& o'er hi ! the clothing tailore& so snugly to hi %on&ere& if the %hen full slee'es slashe& %ith colors %ere the ark of a %ealthy aker ha& lacke& sufficient fabric to finish the suit" #t a ti e

his shirt as tight as a cat.s skin" His boots %ere high an& fitte& to his cal'es! an& he carrie& a little )uirt! as if co e straight fro stinginess" His $ale eyes s%e$t the Iueen.s Jar&en &is$assionately" He consi&ere& us! an& i e&iately &is isse& us as %anting" He breathe& out through his ha%k.s an facing an un$leasant chore" 69lear a s$ace!7 he &irecte& us" nose! as &oes a ri&ing" His clothing looke& unco fortable an& co bine& %ith his thinness to gi'e an i $ression of

6*ush all this rubbish to one si&e" Stack it there! against that %all" Iuickly! no%" I ha'e no $atience %ith sluggar&s"7 #n& so the last lines of the gar&en %ere &estroye&" The arrange ents of the $ots an& be&s that ha& been sha&o%s of the little %alks an& arbors that ha&
2?H

once existe& here %ere s%e$t asi&e" The $ots %ere e" 6Hurry u$! bastar&!7 he or&ere& uch of a blo%! %ent back to or faile& it"

o'e& to one si&e! the

lo'ely little statues stacke& crooke&ly ato$ the " Jalen s$oke only once! to e as I struggle& %ith a hea'y $ot of y shoul&ers" It %as not y earth! an& he brought &o%n his ri&ing cro$ across efforts an& looke& at hi " 6Di&n.t you hear o'ing the $ot" Fro

ore a ta$! but it see e& so contri'e& that I sto$$e& in the corner of

e07 he &e an&e&" I no&&e&! an& y eye! I sa% his o&& look of

satisfaction" The blo%! I felt! ha& been a test! but I %as not sure if I ha& $asse& The to%er roof beca e a bare s$ace! %ith only the green lines of oss an& ol&

runnels of &irt to in&icate the gar&en that ha& been" He &irecte& us to for oursel'es into t%o lines" He or&ere& us by age an& si1e! an& then se$arate& us by sex! $utting the girls behin& the boys an& off to the right" 6I %ill tolerate no &istractions or &isru$ti'e beha'ior" You are here to learn! not &ally!7 he %arne& us" He then s$ace& us out! ha'ing us stretch our ar s in all &irections to sho% that there %e coul& not touch one another! not e'en so Fro uch as a fingerti$" this! I ex$ecte& $hysical exercises %oul& follo%! but instea& he &irecte&

us to stan& still! han&s at our si&es! an& atten& to hi " So as %e stoo& on the col& to%er to$ he lecture& us" 6For se'enteen years! I ha'e been Skill aster of this kee$" Before this! y lessons %ere gi'en to s all grou$s! &iscreetly" Those %ho faile& to sho% $ro ise %ere turne& a%ay )uietly" During that ti e the Six Duchies ha& no nee& for ore than a han&ful to be traine&" I traine& only the ost $ro ising! %asting no ti e on those! %ithout talent or &isci$line" #n&! for the last fifteen years! I ha'e not initiate& any into the Skill" 6But e'il ti es are u$on us" The OutIslan&ers ra'age our shores an& Forge our $eo$le" (ing Shre%& an& *rince Aerity turn their Skills to $rotecting us" Jreat
2?1

are their efforts an&

any their successes! though the co

on folk ne'er e'en ay ha'e %on! %ill

guess at %hat they &o" I assure you! against the

in&s I ha'e traine&! the

OutIslan&ers stan& s all chance" # fe% $altry 'ictories they $re'ail:7

co ing u$on us un$re$are&! but the forces I ha'e create& to o$$ose the

His $ale eyes burne& an& he lifte& his han&s to the hea'ens as he s$oke" He hel& a long silence! staring u$%ar&! his ar s stretche& out abo'e his hea&! as if he cla%e& &o%n $o%er fro the sky itself" Then he let his ar s slo%ly fall" ay all go&s honor an& bless hi ! &oubts 6This I kno%!7 he %ent on in a cal er 'oice" 6This I kno%" The forces I ha'e create& %ill $re'ail" But our king! e" #n& as he is y king! I bo% to his %ill" He re)uires that I seek a ongst y

you of lesser bloo&! to see if there are any %ith the talent an& %ill! the $urity of $ur$ose an& sternness of soul! to be traine& in the Skill" This I %ill &o! for king has co an&e&" =egen&s say in &ays of ol& there %ere the Skill! %ho %orke& alongsi&e their kings to a'ert &angers fro king has co an&e& any traine& in the lan&" y

*erha$s it %as truly so+ $erha$s the ol& legen&s exaggerate" In any case! an& so I %ill try"7

e to atte $t to create such a sur$lus of Skille& ones!

He totally ignore& the fi'e or so %o en of our grou$" 5ot once &i& his eyes turn to%ar& the " The exclusion %as so ob'ious I %on&ere& ho% they ha& offen&e& hi " I kne% Serene slightly! for she also ha& been an a$t $u$il of Fe&%ren" I coul& al ost feel the %ar th of her &is$leasure" In the ro% besi&e e! one of the boys shifte&" In a flash Jalen ha& lea$e& in front of hi " 6Bore&! are %e0 Restless %ith an ol& 6@ust a cra $ in an.s talk07 y calf! sir!7 the boy re4oine&! foolishly" e" It.s alrea&y ob'ious that you lack the
2?2

Jalen sla$$e& hi ! a backhan& that rocke& the boy.s hea&" 6Be )uiet! an& stan& still" Or lea'e" It.s all one to

sta ina to achie'e the Skill" But the (ing has foun& you %orthy to be here! an& so I %ill atte $t to teach you"7 I tre ble& insi&e" For %hen Jalen s$oke to the boy! it %as if the boy.s o'e ent ha& been Jalen floo&e& through e" I ha& taken blo%s fro e he stare& at" #s y y fault! so eho%" # strong &istaste for Ho& in the course of 9ha&e as

instruction in sta'es an& s%or&s! an& en&ure& &isco fort e'en fro an %ithout &isabling hi " I.& ha& ne'er seen a to kee$

he &e onstrate& touch s$ots an& strangling techni)ues! an& %ays to silence a y share of cuffs! boots! an& s%ats fro an" But I.& Burrich! so e 4ustifie&! so e the 'ente& frustration of a busy y face i $assi'e! an& to look at hi

an strike a boy %ith such a$$arent relish as Jalen ha&" I stro'e %ithout a$$earing to stare" For I aster the

kne% if I glance& a%ay! I.& be accuse& of not $aying attention" Satisfie&! Jalen no&&e& to hi self! an& then resu e& his lecture" To Skill! he ust first teach us to aster oursel'es" *hysical &e$ri'ation %as his

key" To orro% %e %ere to arri'e before the sun %as o'er the hori1on" ;e %ere not to %ear shoes! socks! cloaks! nor any %oolen gar ent" Hea&s %ere to be unco'ere&" The bo&y hi &ishes! ust be scru$ulously clean" He exhorte& us to i itate eat! s%eet fruit! seasone& in his eating an& li'ing habits" ;e %oul& a'oi&

ilk! an& 6fri'olous foo&s"7 He a&'ocate& $orri&ges an& col& %ater!

$lain brea&s an& ste%e& root 'egetables" ;e %oul& a'oi& all unnecessary con'ersation! es$ecially %ith those of the other sex" He counsele& us long against any sort of 6sensual7 longings! in %hich he inclu&e& &esiring foo&! slee$! or %ar th" #n& he a&'ise& us that he ha& arrange& for a se$arate table to be set for us in the hall! %here %e threat" ight eat a$$ro$riate foo& an& not be &istracte& by i&le talk" Or )uestions" The last $hrase he a&&e& al ost like a

2?8

He then $ut us through a series of exercises" 9lose the eyes an& roll your eyeballs u$ as far as they %oul& go" Stri'e to roll the %hat you all the %ay aroun& to look into the back of one.s o%n skull" Feel the $ressure this create&" I agine ight see if you coul& roll your eyes that far" ;as %hat you sa% the %orthy an& correct0 Eyes still close&! stan& on one leg" Stri'e to re ain $erfectly still" Fin& a balance! not 4ust of bo&y! but of s$irit" Dri'e fro in& all un%orthy thoughts! an& you coul& re ain like this in&efinitely" #s %e stoo&! eyes al%ays close&! going through these 'arious exercises! he o'e& a ong us" I coul& track hi 69oncentrate:7 he %oul& co by the soun& of the ri&ing cro$" yself felt the ore than a ta$! y an& us! or 6Try! at least try:7 I

cro$ at least four ti es that &ay" It %as a trifling thing! little ti e it fell! it %as high on y eyes close& an&

but it %as unner'ing to be touche& %ith a lash! e'en %ithout $ain" Then the last y shoul&er! an& the lash of it coile& against e on the chin" I %ince&! but bloo& for on y chin" bare neck %hile the ti$ caught a%ay I felt a slo% &ri$ of %ar anage& to kee$

y $recarious balance on one aching knee" #s he %alke&

He ke$t us all &ay! releasing us %hen the sun %as a half co$$er on the hori1on an& the %in&s of night %ere rising" 5ot once ha& he excuse& us for foo&! %ater! or any other necessity" He %atche& us file $ast hi ! a gri &o%n the staircase" I %as fa ishe&! y han&s s%ollen re& %ith the chill! an& y outh so &ry I uch the sa e! coul&n.t ha'e s$oken if I ha& %ishe& to" The others see e& though so e ha& suffere& hours! any of the s ile on his face! an& only %hen %e %ere through the &oor &i& %e feel free to stagger an& flee

ore acutely than I" I at least %as use& to long

out&oors" -erry! a year or so ol&er than I! %as

accusto e& to hel$ing -istress Hasty %ith the %ea'ing" Her roun& face %as ore %hite than re& %ith the col&! an& I hear& her %his$er so ething to
2?<

Serene! %ho took her han& as %e %ent &o%n the stairs" 6It %oul&n.t ha'e been so ba&! if he ha& $ai& any attention to us at all!7 Serene %his$ere& back" #n& then I ha& the un$leasant ex$erience of seeing the to see if Jalen ha& seen the Dinner that night %as the s$eak to one another" ost cheerless eal I ha& e'er en&ure& at Buckkee$" ashe& eal" There %as no con'ersation+ y allotte& $ortions an& left both glance back fearfully!

There %as a col& $orri&ge of boile& grain! brea&! %ater! an& boile&! turni$s" Jalen! not eating! $resi&e& o'er our the table al ost as hungry as I ha& arri'e&" I &on.t think %e e'en looke& at one another" I ate

Half%ay u$ the stairs I re e bere& S ithy" I returne& to the kitchen to get the bones an& scra$s 9ook sa'e& for e! an& a $itcher of %ater to refill his &ish" e as strange uch as a &ay e as They see e& an a%ful %eight as I cli be& the stairs" It struck that a &ay of relati'e inacti'ity out in the col& ha& %earie& of strenuous %ork" Once I %as insi&e the y roo ! S ithy.s %ar greeting an& eager consu $tion of e" I let eat %as like a healing bal " #s soon as he ha& finishe& eating! %e e" e I coul& beat the sun to the roofto$! but 4ust barely" 5o ti e to ine on" I %as too tire&

snuggle& into be&" He %ante& to bite an& tussle! but soon ga'e u$ on slee$ clai the sky tol& %ash

#n& %oke %ith a 4olt to &arkness! fearing that I ha& sle$t too long" # glance at yself or eat or clean u$ after S ithy! an& it %as 4ust as %ell Jalen ha&

forbi&&en shoes an& socks! for I ha& no ti e to $ut coul& see others hurrying before e erge& fro It bit unex$ecte&ly shar$ through as $ain" 6Stan& like a an an&

e'en to feel a fool as I race& through the kee$ an& u$ the stairs of the to%er" I e by %a'ering torchlight! an& %hen I y back" uch e y thin shirt" I crie& out in sur$rise as aster yourself! bastar&!7 Jalen tol&
2??

the stair%ell! Jalen.s )uirt fell on

harshly! an& the )uirt fell again" E'eryone else ha& resu e& their $laces of the &ay before" They looke& as %eary as I! an& felt by Jalen.s treat ent of silently to ost! too! looke& as shocke& as I e" To this &ay I &on.t kno% %hy! but I %ent e

y $lace an& stoo& there facing Jalen"

6;hoe'er co es last is late! an& %ill be treate& so!7 he %arne& us" It struck enough to see it fall on one of So I think I kne% it then! in %orthy! of y fello%s"

as a cruel rule! for the only %ay to a'oi& his )uirt to orro% %as to arri'e early There follo%e& another &ay of &isco fort an& ran&o aking us tough an& strong" He abuse" So I see it no%"

y heart of hearts" But e'er he s$oke of $ro'ing us a&e it an honor to be stan&ing out

in the col&! bare feet going nu b against the chill stone" He rouse& in us a co $etition! not 4ust against each other! but against his shabby i ages of us" 6*ro'e e %rong!7 he sai& o'er an& o'er" 6I beg you! $ro'e e %rong! that I ay sho% the (ing at least one $u$il %orthy of y ti e"7 #n& so %e trie&" yself" But in the s$ace

Ho% strange no% to look back on it all an& %on&er at reality! %here all rules of courtesy an& co %earing little out cuts fro

of one &ay! he ha& succee&e& in isolating us an& $lunging us into another on sense %ere sus$en&e&" ;e stoo& silently in the col&! in 'arious unco fortable $ositions! eyes close&! ore than our un&ergar ents" #n& he %alke& a ong us! &ealing his silly little %hi$! an& insults fro his nasty little tongue" He uch ore $ainful %hen one

cuffe& occasionally! or sho'e&! so ething that is is chille& to the bone"

Those %ho flinche& or %a'ere& %ere accuse& of %eakness" During the &ay he berate& us %ith our un%orthiness an& re$eate& that he ha& only consente& to try to teach us at the (ing.s behest" The %o en he ignore&! an& though he often s$oke of $ast *rinces an& (ings %ho ha& %iel&e& the Skill in &efense of the real ! he ne'er once entione& the Iueens an& *rincesses %ho ha& &one
2?B

like%ise" 5or &i& he e'er once gi'e us an o'er'ie% of %hat he %as atte $ting to teach us" There %as only the col& an& the &isco fort of his exercises! an& the uncertainty of %hen %e %oul& be struck" ;hy %e struggle& to en&ure it! I &on.t kno%" So )uickly %ere %e all a&e acco $lices in our o%n &egra&ation" The sun finally 'enture& once again to%ar& the hori1on" But Jalen ha& sa'e& t%o final sur$rises for us that &ay" He let us stan&! o$en our eyes! an& stretch freely for a fe% o ents" Then he ga'e us a final lecture! this one to %arn us against those a ong us %ho %oul& un&er ine the training of all by foolish self/in&ulgences" He %alke& slo%ly a ong us as he s$oke! %en&ing his %ay in an& out of our ro%s! an& I sa% corner of the court" 6So e!7 he cautione& us as he strolle&! 6think the sel'es abo'e rules" They think the sel'es %orthy of s$ecial attention an& in&ulgences" Such illusions of su$eriority %orthy of ust be &ri'en fro y ti e for you before you can learn anything" It is har&ly e to ha'e to teach these lessons to such laggar&s an& y king! an& any a rolling eye an& intake of breath as he $asse&" Then! for the first ti e that &ay! he 'enture& o'er to the %o en.s

&olts as nee& the " It is a sha e that they ha'e e'en foun& their %ay into our gathering" But they are a ong us! an& I %ill honor the %ill of such la1y in&s"7 y sha e! I stoo& there %ith the rest! ore atte $t to teach the " E'en though there is only one %ay I kno% to %aken To -erry he ga'e t%o )uick cuts %ith the )uirt" But Serene he sho'e& &o%n onto one knee an& struck four ti es" To $unish ent on herself" But Serene rose+ s%aye& once! an& then stoo& again! still! looking out o'er the hea&s of the girls before her" I breathe& a sigh of relief" But then Jalen %as back! circling like a shark aroun& a fishing boat! s$eaking no% of those %ho
2?C

as each cut fell! an& ho$e& only that she %oul& not cry out an& bring

thought the sel'es too goo& to share the &isci$line of the grou$! of ones %ho in&ulge& in eat in $lenty %hile the rest li ite& oursel'es to %holeso e grains an& $ure foo&s" I %on&ere& uneasily %ho ha& been so foolish as to 'isit the kitchen after hours" Then I felt the hot lick of the %hi$ on 6You thought to &ecei'e y shoul&ers" If I ha& thought he %as e %rong no%" using the lash to his full ca$ability before! he $ro'e&

e" You thought I %oul& ne'er kno% if 9ook sa'e&

her $recious $et a $late of ti&bits! &i&n.t you0 But I kno% all that ha$$ens in Buckkee$" Don.t &ecei'e yourself about that"7 It &a%ne& on S ithy" 6That foo& %asn.t for out" His eyes glittere& col&ly" 6You.& lie to sa'e yourself a little 4ust $ain" You.ll ne'er co aster the Skill" You.ll ne'er be %orthy of it" But the (ing has an&e& that I try to teach! an& so I %ill try" Des$ite you or your lo% birth"7 e" He berate& e as each fell! telling e!7 I $roteste&! an& then coul& ha'e bitten y tongue e that he %as s$eaking of the eat scra$s I.& taken u$ to

In hu iliation I took the %elts he &ealt $re'ent 4ust such a thing as this"

the others that the ol& rules against teaching the Skill to a bastar& ha& been to #fter%ar&! I stoo&! silent an& sha e&! as he %ent &o%n the ro%s! &ealing a $erfunctory s%at %ith the )uirt to each of that %e all state ent y fello%s! ex$laining as he &i& so atter that this y ust $ay for the failures of the in&i'i&uals" It &i& not

a&e no sense! or that the %hi$ fell lightly co $are& %ith %hat e" It %as the i&ea that they %ere all $aying for y life"

Jalen ha& 4ust inflicte& on

transgression" I ha& ne'er felt so sha e& in

2?D

Then he release& us! to go &o%n to another cheerless I %ent straight u$ to back an& y roo "

eal!

uch the sa e as

yester&ay.s" This ti e no one s$oke on the stairs or at the -eat soon! I $ro ise& the hungry $u$ that %aite& for uscles! I force& esses an& then long this

eal" #n& after%ar&! e" Des$ite y aching

yself to clean u$ the roo ! scrubbing u$ S ithy.s

aking a tri$ for fresh stre%ing ree&s" S ithy %as a bit sulky

at being left alone all &ay! an& I %as trouble& %hen I reali1e& I ha& no i&ea ho% iserable training %oul& last" I %aite& until late! %hen all or&inary folk of the kee$ %ere in their be&s! before 'enturing &o%n to get S ithy.s foo& for hi " I &rea&e& that Jalen %oul& fin& out! but %hat else %as I to &o0 I %as half%ay &o%n the big staircase %hen I sa% the gli ering of a single can&le being borne to%ar& e" I shrank against e! e the %all! su&&enly sure it %as Jalen" But it %as the Fool %ho ca e to%ar& $ail of foo& an& a beaker of %ater balance& ato$ it" Soun&lessly he %a'e& back to y roo " e" 6I can take care of the $u$ for e &ryly" 6But I can.t take care of you" >se your hea&! boy" ;hat %hat he.s &oing to you07 Once insi&e! the &oor shut! he turne& on you!7 he tol& can you $ossibly learn fro

glo%ing as %hite an& $ale as the %ax can&le he carrie&" In his other han& %as a

I shrugge&! then %ince&" 6It.s 4ust to toughen us" I &on.t think it %ill go on uch longer before he gets &o%n to actually teaching us" I can take it"7 Then3 6;ait!7 I sai& as he fe& bits of eat to S ithy fro the $ail" 6Ho% &o you kno% %hat Jalen.s been $utting us through07 6#h! that %oul& be telling!7 he sai& blithely" 6#n& I can.t &o that" Tell! that is"7 He &u $e& the rest of the $ail out for S ithy! re$lenishe& his %ater! an& stoo&" 6I.ll fee& the $u$$y!7 he tol& e" 6I.ll e'en try to take hi outsi&e for a bit each &ay" But I %on.t clean u$ his esses"7 He $ause& at the &oor" 6That.s
2?E

%here I &ra% the line" You.& better &eci&e %here you %ill &ra% the line" #n& soon" Aery soon" The &anger is greater than you kno%"7 #n& then he %as gone! taking his can&le an& %arnings %ith hi " I lay &o%n an& fell aslee$ to the soun&s of S ithy %orrying a bone an& gro%ls to hi self" aking $u$$y

9H#*TER FIFTEE5 The ;itness Stones The S(I==! #T ITS Si $lest! is the bri&ging of thought fro co an&er can relay si $le infor ation an& co $erson to $erson" It can be use& a nu ber of %ays" During battle! for instance! a an&s &irectly to those in&s or the officers un&er hi ! if those officers ha'e been traine& to recei'e it" One $o%erfully Skille& can use his talent to influence e'en untraine& in&s of his ene ies! ins$iring the talente& are rare" But! if incre&ibly gifte& %ith the Skill! a %ith fear or confusion or &oubt" -en so an can as$ire to

s$eak &irectly to the El&erlings! those %ho are belo% only the go&s the sel'es" Fe% ha'e e'er &are& to &o so! an& of those %ho &i&! e'en fe%er attaine& %hat they aske&" For it is sai&! one ans%er to that )uestion strongest an& ay ask of the El&erlings! but %hat they ans%er an cannot hear an& li'e" ay not be the )uestion you ask! but the one you shoul& ha'e aske&" #n& the ay be one a For %hen one s$eaks to the El&erlings! then is the s%eetness of using the Skill ost $erilous" #n& this is the thing that e'ery $ractitioner of the ust al%ays guar& against" For in using the Skill! the an fro on uses of Skill! %eak or strong!

user feels a keenness of life! an u$lifting of being! that can &istract a taking his next breath" 9o $elling is this feeling! e'en in the co
2BH

the Skill! an& a&&icti'e to any not har&ene& of $ur$ose" But the intensity of this exultation %hen s$eaking to the El&erlings is a thing for %hich %e ha'e no co $arison" Both senses an& sense true he &ies ra'ing of his 4oy" The Fool %as right" I ha& no i&ea of the $eril I face&" I $lunge& on &ogge&ly" I ha'e no heart to &etail the %eeks that follo%e&" Suffice to say that %ith each &ay! Jalen ha& us an& ore un&er his s%ay! an& that he also beca e ore cruel ani$ulati'e" So e fe% $u$ils &isa$$eare& early on" -erry %as one" She ay be blaste& fore'er fro a an %ho uses the Skill to s$eak to an El&erling" Such a an &ies ra'ing! but it is also

sto$$e& co ing after the fourth &ay" I sa% her only once after that! cree$ing about the kee$ %ith a face both %oebegone an& sha e&" I learne& later that Serene an& the other %o en ha& shunne& her after she ha& &ro$$e& the training! an& %hen they later s$oke of her! it %as not as if she ha& faile& at a test! but rather ha& co ne'er returne&" #s the ocean sorts $ebbles fro san& on a beach an& stratifies the at the ti&e ark! so &i& the $oun&ings an& caressings of Jalen se$arate his stu&ents" Initially! all of us stro'e to be his best" It %as not because %e like& or a& ire& hi " I kno% not %hat the others felt! but in by such a y heart %as nothing but hate for hi " But it %as a hatre& so strong that it s$a%ne& a resolution not to be broken an" #fter &ays of his abuse! to %ring a single gru&ging %or& of hi %as like a torrent of $raise fro a&e e nu b to his any other aster" ockery" Instea&! I ackno%le&g ent fro ca e to belie'e itte& so e lo% an& loathso e act for %hich she coul& ne'er be forgi'en" I kno% not %here she %ent! only that she left Buckkee$ an&

Days of his belittling shoul& ha'e

uch of %hat he sai&! an& trie& futilely to change"

2B1

;e 'ie& constantly %ith one another to co e to his attention" So e e erge& clearly as his fa'orites" #ugust %as one! an& %e %ere often exhorte& to i itate hi " I %as clearly his to &istinguish ost &es$ise&" #n& yet this &i& not sto$ e fro burning y yself before hi " #fter the first ti e I %as ne'er last on the his blo%s" 5or &i& Serene! %ho share& about hi

to%er to$" I ne'er %a'ere& fro breathing a %or& of criticis

&istinction of being &es$ise&" Serene beca e Jalen.s gro'eling follo%er! ne'er after that first lashing" Yet he ore ore a&e her only constantly foun& fault %ith her! berate& an& re'ile& her! an& struck her far often than he struck any of the other %o en" Yet it the

&eter ine& to $ro'e she coul& %ithstan& his abuse! an& she! after Jalen! %as ost intolerant of any %ho %a'ere& or &oubte& in our teaching" the stair%ell" It %as the ost isolate& $lace in the %orl&! an& Jalen ockery an& ;inter &ee$ene&" It %as col& an& &ark on the to%er to$! sa'e for %hat light ca e fro %as go& of it" He forge& us into a unit" ;e belie'e& oursel'es elite! su$erior! an& $ri'ilege& to be instructe& in the Skill" E'en I! %ho en&ure& only one another for this ti e! %e hear& only Jalen" #t first I %on&ere& %hat Burrich an& =a&y *atience %ere &oing" But as S ithy ca e to be al ost annoyances to beatings! belie'e& this to be so" Those of us he broke! %e &es$ise&" ;e sa% isse& 9ha&e" I onths %ent by!

such lesser occu$ations no longer see e& interesting" E'en the Fool an& e! so single/ in&e&ly &i& I $ursue Jalen.s a$$ro'al" The Fool ca e an& %ent silently then" Though there %ere ti es! %hen I %as sorest an& %eariest! %hen the touch of S ithy.s nose against y cheek %as the only co fort I ha&! an& ti es %hen I felt sha e& by ho% little ti e I %as gi'ing to #fter three s all y gro%ing $u$$y" onths of col& an& cruelty! Jalen ha& %hittle& us &o%n to eight

can&i&ates" The real training finally began then! an& also he returne& to us a easure of co fort an& &ignity" These see e& by then not only great
2B2

luxuries! but gifts fro

Jalen to be grateful for" # bit of &rie& fruit %ith our

eals! $er ission to %ear shoes! brief con'ersation allo%e& at the tableGthat %as all! an& yet %e %ere gro'elingly grateful for it" But the changes %ere only beginning" It co es back in crystal gli $ses" I re e ber the first ti e he touche& %ere fe%er of us" #n& he %ent fro one of us to the next! $ausing a o ent before each! %hile in&s for the touch" Be the rest of us %aite& in re'erent silence" 6Rea&y your not $leasure"7 He %en&e& his %ay a ong us! in no $articular or&er" S$ace& as %e %ere! %e coul& not see one another.s faces! nor &i& it e'er $lease Jalen that our eyes follo% his o'e ents" #n& so %e hear& only his brief! stern %or&s! then hear& the in&ra%n gas$ of each touche& one" To Serene he sai& in &isgust! 6Be o$en to it! I sai&" 5ot co%er like a beaten &og"7 #n& last he ca e to e" I listene& to his %or&s! an& as he ha& counsele& us in& against ine! like a soft tickle on y y forehea&" e! an& earlier! I trie& to let go of e'ery sensory a%areness I ha& an& be o$en only to hi " I felt the brush of his I stoo& fir before it" It gre% stronger! a %ar th! a light! but I refuse& to be in&! sternly regar&ing e %ith the Skill" ;e %ere on the to%er to$! s$ace& e'en farther no% that there

o$en to it! but &o not in&ulge in the $leasure of it" The $ur$ose of the Skill is

&ra%n into it" I felt Jalen stoo& %ithin

using the focusing techni)ues he ha& taught us Li agine a $ail of $urest %hite %oo&! an& $our yourself into itM I %as able to stan& before hi ! %aiting! a%are of the Skill.s elation! but not gi'ing in to it" Thrice the %ar th rushe& through e! an& thrice I stoo& before it" #n& then he %ith&re%" He ga'e no&! but in his eyes I sa% not a$$ro'al but a trace of fear" e a gru&ging

2B8

That first touch %as like the s$ark that finally kin&les the tin&er" I gras$e& %hat it %as" I coul& not &o it yet! I coul& not sen& that kno%ing y thoughts out fro e! but I ha& a kno%ing that %oul& not fit into %or&s" I %oul& be able to Skill" #n& %ith y resol'e har&ene&! an& there %as nothing! nothing Jalen coul& e learning it" e in ha'e &one that %oul& sto$

I think he kne% it" For so e reason! it frightene& hi " For he turne& on an& blo%s he &ealt e! but none coul& turn e asi&e" He struck

the &ays that follo%e& %ith a cruelty that I no% fin& incre&ible" Har& %or&s e once in the face %ith his )uirt" It left a 'isible %elt! an& it chance& that %hen I %as co ing into the &ining hall! Burrich %as also there" I sa% his eyes %i&en" He starte& u$ fro his $lace at table! his 4a% clenche& in a %ay I kne% too %ell" But I looke& hi an& &o%n" He stoo& a o ent! glaring at Jalen! %ho returne& asi&e fro

his look %ith a su$ercilious stare" Then! fists clenche&! Burrich turne& his back an& left the roo " I relaxe&! relie'e& there %oul& be no confrontation" But then Jalen looke& at *ain an& 'ictories to belittle o$ening sha e y e! an& the triu $h in his face ixe& for a&e y heart col&" I %as his no%! an& he kne% it" e in the next %eek" He ne'er lost an o$$ortunity e it %as as si $le as y in& a bastar&! an& I e" #n& yet I kne% I excelle& at each exercise he ga'e us" I sense& y eyes" I kne% one o ent of intense fear" He ha& entere&

the others gro$ing after his touch of Skill! but for %ith the Skill an& gi'en

e a sentence to re$eat alou&" 6I a

y father.s na e!7 I sai& alou&! cal ly" #n& then he s$oke again %ithin so e%here! bastar&" This is not your Skill" an& y in&" His s ile sho%e&

in&" You &ra% strength fro

Do you think I %ill not fin& the source0 #n& then I )uaile& before hi &re% back fro all his teeth to his touch! hi&ing S ithy %ithin e"

2B<

In the &ays that follo%e&! %e $laye& a ga e of hi&e/an&/seek" I into y secrets fro

ust let hi y

in&! to learn the Skill" Once there! I &ance& on coals to kee$

hi " 5ot 4ust S ithy! but 9ha&e an& the Fool &i& I hi&e! an& all! an& I 4uggle& the &es$erately out of his reach" yself gro%ing stronger in

-olly an& (erry an& Dirk! an& other! ol&er secrets I %oul& not re'eal e'en to yself" He sought the the Skill" 6Don.t ock But &es$ite all that! or $erha$s because of it! I felt

e:7 he roare& after one session! an& then gre% e! then s$un e an& as -olly an.s attack" I felt

infuriate& as the other stu&ents exchange& shocke& glances" 6#tten& to your o%n exercises:7 he roare& at the " He $ace& a%ay fro su&&enly an& flung hi self at once ha&! I ha& no he raine& on 5ot so e %ere e" Fist an& boot! he attacke& than a ore thought than to shiel& ore like a chil&.s tantru

y face an& belly" The blo%s

their ineffecti'eness an& then reali1e& %ith a chill that I %as re$elling at hi " uch that he %oul& sense it! 4ust enough that not one of his blo%s fell ore! that he ha& no i&ea %hat I %as &oing" y eyes! I felt o entarily %ith ga1es reach a exactly as he ha& inten&e&" I kne%!

;hen at last he &ro$$e& his fists an& I &are& to lift

I ha& %on" For all the others on the to%er to$ %ere looking at hi ;hite/face&! he turne& asi&e fro &ecision" That e'ening in e" In that o ent I felt hi

ingle& of &isgust an& fear" He ha& gone too far for e'en Serene to sto ach"

y roo ! I %as horribly tire&! but too ener'ate& to slee$" The %ith a large beef knuckle" ock y slee'e an& %as %orrying it %hile I hel& the bone 4ust y ar " He %as near as big as he %oul& get! an& I felt y free han&! I $inche& his han& to han& I 4uggle& his

Fool ha& left foo& for S ithy! an& I %as teasing hi He ha& set his teeth in ferocity as he shook %ith $ri&e the

out of his reach" It %as the sort of ga e he lo'e&! an& he snarle& %ith uscles in his thick little neck" ;ith

tail an& he s$un snarling to this ne% attack" Fro

2B?

bone! an& his eyes &arte& back an& forth as he sna$$e& after it" 65o brain!7 I tease& hi " 6#ll you can think of is %hat you %ant" 5o brain! no brain"7 6@ust like his o%ner"7 I startle&! an& in that secon& S ithy ha& his bone" He flo$$e& &o%n %ith it! gi'ing the Fool no ore than a $erfunctory %ag of his tail" I sat &o%n! out of breath" 6I ne'er e'en hear& the &oor o$en" Or shut"7 He ignore& that an& %ent straight to his to$ic" 6Do you think Jalen %ill allo% you to succee&07 I grinne& s ugly" 6Do you think he can $re'ent it07 The Fool sat &o%n besi&e 6So let hi e %ith a sigh" 6I kno% he can" So &oes he" ;hat I cannot &eci&e is if he is ruthless enough" But I sus$ect he is"7 try!7 I sai& fli$$antly" trying"7 6I ha'e no choice in that"7 The Fool %as a&a antly serious" 6;hat I ha& ho$e& to &o %as &issua&e you fro 6You.& ask 6I %oul&"7 6;hy07 I &e an&e&" 6Because!7 he began! an& then sto$$e& in frustration" 6I &on.t kno%" Too I %as su&&enly tire&! an& the earlier elation of %hy &o you s$eak at all07 He %as as silent as if I ha& struck hi " 6That.s another thing I &on.t kno%!7 he sai& at last" He rose to go" 6Fool!7 I began" 6Yes" I a that!7 he sai&! an& left" any things con'erge" *erha$s if I $luck one threa& loose! the knot %ill not for "7 y triu $h colla$se& before his &our %arnings" -y irritability %on an& I sna$$e&! 6If you cannot s$eak clearly! e to gi'e u$0 5o%07 I %as incre&ulous"

2BB

#n& so I $erse'ere&! gro%ing stronger" I gre% i $atient %ith our slo% $ace of instruction" ;e %ent o'er the sa e $ractices each &ay+ an& gra&ually the others began to har& for the ga'e into aster %hat see e& so natural to e" Ho% coul& they ha'e been so close& off fro the rest of the %orl&0 I %on&ere&" Ho% coul& it be so in&s to Jalen.s Skill0" -y o%n task %as not to %hat I &i& not %ish to share" Often! as he

to o$en their

o$en! but rather to kee$ close& to hi y in&" But I e'a&e& it"

e a $erfunctory touch of the Skill! I sense& a ten&ril of seeking slinking

6You are rea&y!7 he announce& one chill &ay" It %as afternoon! but the brightest stars %ere alrea&y sho%ing in the blue &arkness of the sky" I col& at bay" I flexe& trying to %ar to accusto reach out to the isse& the clou&s that ha& yester&ay sno%e& u$on us! but ha& at least ke$t this &ee$er y toes insi&e the leather shoes that Jalen $er itte& us! to life again" 6Before! I ha'e touche& you %ith the Skill!

you to it" 5o%! to&ay! %e %ill atte $t a full 4oining" You %ill each e as I reach out to you" But be%are: -ost of you ha'e co$e&

%ith resisting the &istractions of the Skill touch" But the $o%er of %hat you felt %as the lightest brush" To&ay %ill be stronger" Resist it! but stay o$en to the Skill"7 #n& again he began his slo% circuit a ong us" I %aite&! ener'ate& but unafrai&" I ha& looke& for%ar& to atte $ting this" I %as rea&y" So e clearly faile&! an& %ere rebuke& for la1iness or stu$i&ity" #ugust %as $raise&" Serene %as sla$$e& for reaching forth too eagerly" #n& then he ca e to e" in& against ine! a cautious reaching of thought" =ike this0 I brace& as if for a %restling contest" I felt the brush of his an& offere& hi Yes! bastar&" =ike this"

2BC

#n& for a felt hi

o ent %e %ere in balance! ho'ering like chil&ren on a seesa%" I e& into e" It felt exactly aster y e! but in a ental rather than $hysical y $ri'acy! an& I %as o ent of his in&

stea&y our contact" Then! abru$tly! he sla

as if the air ha& been knocke& out of %ay" Instea& of being unable to get thoughts" He rifle& through y

y breath! I %as unable to

in&! ransacking

$o%erless before hi " He ha& %on an& he kne% it" But in that as he ha& ine" I gri$$e& hi

careless triu $h I foun& an o$ening" I gras$e& at hi ! trying to sei1e his that I %as stronger than he! that I coul& force into his

an& hel& hi ! an& kne% for a &i11ying instant in& any thought I chose

to $ut there" 65o:7 he shrieke&! an& &i ly I kne% that at so e for er ti e! he ha& struggle& like this %ith so eone he ha& &es$ise&" So eone else %ho ha& also %on as I inten&e& to" 6Yes:7 I insiste&" 6Die:7 he co kne% I %oul& not" I kne% I %oul& %in! an& I focuse& on y gri$" o ent" But I &i&" #n& %hen I &i&! I forgot to guar& e! &ro%ning o ent" y outh" This e in a e! an& Jalen! too! sank belo% it! no an&e& e! but I y %ill an& bore &o%n

The Skill &oes not care %ho %ins" It &oes not allo% anyone to surren&er to any one thought! e'en for a eu$horia rushe& o'er longer ex$loring y against the ecstasy that is both the honey an& the sting of the Skill" The in&! but only seeking to return to his"

I ha& ne'er felt the like of that

Jalen ha& calle& it $leasure! an& I ha& ex$ecte& a $leasant sensation! like %ar th in %inter! or the fragrance of a rose! or a s%eet taste in nothing to &o %ith the skin or bo&y" It suffuse& %a'e that I coul& not re$ulse" Elation fille& Jalen an& all else" I felt hi esca$e %as none of these" *leasure is too $hysical a %or& to &escribe %hat I felt" It ha& e! it %ashe& o'er e an& flo%e& through e" I forgot

e! an& kne% it

attere&! but coul& not

care" I forgot all exce$t ex$loring this sensation"

2BD

6Bastar&:7 Jalen bello%e&! an& struck the Skill" I felt hi bruise& an& scra$e& kick

e %ith his fist on the si&e of e fro

y hea&" e that

I fell! hel$less! for the $ain %as not enough to 4olt

the entrance ent of

e! I kne% the col& of the stones un&er e $ay attention to the beating" -y

e! an& yet I felt I %as hel&! s othere& in a blanket of in& assure&

eu$horia that %oul& not let

e! &es$ite the $ain! that all %as %ell! there %as no nee& to fight or flee" So e%here a ti&e %as ebbing! lea'ing o'er leane& close o'er He let go of e beache& an& gas$ing" Jalen stoo& e! &ishe'ele& an& s%eating" His breath s oke& in the col& air as he e" 6Die:7 he sai&! but I &i& not hear the %or&s" I felt the " y throat an& I fell" a&e y $hysical $ain as nothing" -y nose %as blee&ing! e ha& scra$e&

#n& in the %ake of the &e'ouring elation of the Skill ca e no% a bleakness of failure an& guilt that skin fro it %as $ainful to breathe! an& the force of the kicks he ha& &ealt

y bo&y as I ha& sli& across the to%er stones" The &ifferent $ains so e" I coul& not e'en gather yself

contra&icte& one another! each cla oring for attention! that I coul&n.t e'en assess %hat &a age ha& been &one to together to stan& back u$" But loo ing o'er all %as the kno%le&ge that I ha& faile&" I %as &efeate& an& un%orthy an& Jalen ha& $ro'en it" #s if fro a &istance! I hear& hi in&s fro shouting at the others! telling the to all be%are! for this %as ho% he %oul& &eal %ith those so un&isci$line& that they coul& not turn their of %hat befell such a $leasure to the Skill" #n& he %arne& the an %oul& beco e an %ho stro'e to use the Skill an& instea& fell un&er the in&less! a

s$ell of the $leasure it bore %ith it" Such a

great infant! s$eechless! sightless! soiling hi self! forgetting thought! forgetting e'en foo& an& &rink! until he &ie&" Such a one %as beyon& &isgust" #n& such a one %as I" I sank into erite& such treat ent as he ha& gi'en
2BE

y sha e" Hel$lessly! I began to sob" I e" I &eser'e& %orse" Only a is$lace&

$ity ha& ke$t Jalen fro

killing

e" I ha& %aste& his ti e! ha& taken his yself! yself

$ainstaking instruction an& turne& it all to selfish in&ulgence" I fle& going &ee$er an& &ee$er %ithin! but fin&ing only &isgust an& hatre& for layere& throughout yself fro the to%er roof! it %oul& still not be enough to &estroy

y thoughts" I %oul& be better off &ea&" ;ere I to thro% y sha e!

but at least I nee& no longer be a%are of it" I lay still an& %e$t" The others left" #s each one $asse& they ha& a %or&! a gobbet of s$ittle! a kick or a blo% for e" I scarcely notice&" I re4ecte& yself ore co $letely than e" He nu&ge& they coul&" Then they %ere gone! an& Jalen alone stoo& o'er e'ery%here! o'er! un&er! aroun&! an& insi&e %orthy" I trie& to tell the

e %ith his foot! but I %as inca$able of res$onse" Su&&enly he %as e! an& I coul& not &eny hi " you %ere not 6You see! bastar&!7 he sai& archly! cal ly" 6I trie& to tell the

the training %oul& kill you" But you %oul& not

listen" You stro'e to usur$ that %hich ha& been gi'en to! another" #gain! I a right" ;ell" This has not been ti e %aste& if it has &one a%ay %ith you"7 I &on.t kno% %hen he left looking &o%n on e" #fter a ti e I %as a%are that it %as the oon e! an& not Jalen" I rolle& onto y belly" I coul& not stan&!

but I coul& cra%l" 5ot )uickly! not e'en lifting groun&! but I coul& scuffle an& scra$e $ur$ose! I began to &rag there" Do%n" En& it" ake yself u$ onto a bench! an& fro

y sto ach co $letely off the

yself along" ;ith a singleness of

y %ay to%ar& the lo% %all" I thought that I coul& there to the to$ of the %all" #n& fro

It %as a long 4ourney! in the col& an& the &ark" So e %here I coul& hear a %hi $ering! an& I &es$ise& yself for that! too" But as I scra$e& y in&! a %hining against yself along! y fate! a tiny y failure" It %as it gre%! as a s$ark in the &istance beco es a fire as one a$$roaches" It refuse& to be ignore&" It gre% lou&er in 'oice of resistance that forba&e that I shoul& &ie! that &enie&
2CH

%ar th an& light! too! an& it gre% stronger an& stronger as I trie& to fin& its source" I sto$$e&" I lay still" It %as insi&e e" The ore I sought it! the stronger it gre%" It lo'e& yself" =o'e& e" =o'e& e e'en if I coul&n.t! %oul&n.t! &i&n.t lo'e it" It set its tiny teeth in forbi&&ing e e'en if I hate& it! searing e!

y soul an& brace& an& hel& so that I coul&n.t cra%l

any farther" #n& %hen I trie&! a ho%l of &es$air burst fro e to break so sacre& a trust" y $ains! $hysical an& It %as S ithy" He crie& %ith

ental" #n& %hen I sto$$e& struggling of 4oy! a celebration of triu $h for %as to lie still an& no longer atte $t to

to%ar& the %all! he %ent into a $aroxys us" #n& all I coul& &o to re%ar& hi &estroy The yself" #n& he assure& y eyes" 4oy" I close&

e it %as enough! it %as a $lenitu&e! it %as a e gently o'er" The Fool hel& high a e u$

oon %as high %hen Burrich rolle&

torch an& S ithy ca$ere& an& &ance& about his feet" Burrich gathere& his &ark face! but rea& nothing there" He carrie&

an& stoo&! as if I %ere still a chil& 4ust gi'en into his care" I ha& a gli $se of e &o%n the long stone e out of staircase! an& the Fool bore the torch to light the %ay" #n& he took Burrich an& S ithy an& s$oken" Burrich set

the kee$! an& back to the stables! an& u$ to his roo " There the Fool left e! an& I &o not recall that there ha& been one %or& e &o%n on his o%n be&! an& then &ragge& it! be&stea& y soul to S ithy! an& let go of y in& for a long

an& all! closer to the fire" ;ith returning %ar th ca e great $ain! an& I ga'e y bo&y o'er to Burrich! %hile" I o$ene& y eyes to night" I kne% not %hich one"
2C1

Burrich sat next to

e still! un&o1ing! not e'en slu $e& in his chair" I felt the y ribs" I lifte& a han& to touch it! but %as baffle& y otion" 6They %ere e to tell if they %ere breaks! or %oul& ha'e %akene& e'en

strictures of ban&aging on s%ollen %ith

by t%o s$linte& fingers" Burrich.s eyes follo%e& ore than col&" Too s%ollen for 4ust s$rains" I s$linte& the you"7 He s$oke cal ly! as if telling

in case" I sus$ect they.re 4ust s$raine&" I think if y %orking on the

they %ere broken! the $ain of

e that he ha& $urge& a ne% &og for %or s as a touch ha& e" I relaxe&! thinking that if he

$re'enti'e against contagion" #n& 4ust as his stea&y 'oice an& cal %orke& on a frantic ani al! so it %orke& on %ere cal ! not su$$orting turne& asi&e fro I $ushe& y

uch coul& be %rong" He sli$$e& a finger un&er the ban&ages e to $ick u$ a cu$ of tea as he s$oke! as if the )uestion an&

y ribs! checking the tightness" 6;hat ha$$ene&07 he aske&! an&

y ans%er %ere of no great i $ort" in& back o'er the last fe% %eeks! trie& to fin& a %ay to ex$lain" y in&! sli$$e& a%ay fro e" I re e bere& only &efeat" e for it"7 #n& e! %ashing before e!7 I sai& slo%ly" 6I faile&" #n& he $unishe& E'ents &ance& in 6Jalen teste& %ith

y %or&s! a %a'e of &e4ection! sha e! an& guilt s%e$t o'er

a%ay the brief co fort I ha& taken in the fa iliar surroun&ings" On the hearth! a slee$ing S ithy abru$tly %ake& an& sat u$" Reflexi'ely! I )uiete& hi he coul& %hine" =ay &o%n" Rest" It.s all right" To offere& e the cu$" y relief! he &i& so" #n& to

y greater relief! Burrich see e& una%are of %hat ha& $asse& bet%een us" He 6Drink this" You nee& %ater in you! an& the herbs %ill &ea&en the $ain an& let you slee$" Drink it all! no%"7 6It stinks!7 I tol& hi ! an& he no&&e&! an& hel& the cu$ bruise& to curl aroun&" I &rank it all an& then lay back"
2C2

y han&s %ere too

6That %as all07 he aske& carefully! an& I kne% to %hat he referre&" 6He teste& you on a thing he ha& taught you! an& you &i& not kno% it" So he &i& this to you07 6I coul& not &o it" I &i&n.t ha'e the , self/&isci$line" So he $unishe& Details elu&e& e" Sha e %ashe& o'er e! &ro%ning e in isery" 65o one is taught self/&isci$line by beating hi carefully! stating the truth for an i&iot" His set the cu$ back on the table" 6It %as not to teach e , I &on.t think he belie'es I can be taught" It %as to sho% the others %hat %oul& ha$$en if they faile&"7 6Aery little %orth kno%ing is taught by fear!7 Burrich sai& stubbornly" #n&! ore %ar ly3 6It.s a $oor teacher %ho tries to instruct by blo%s an& threats" I agine ta ing a horse that %ay" Or a &og" E'en the learns better fro 6You.'e struck an o$en han& than a stick"7 e before! %hen trying to teach e so ething"7 ost knot/hea&e& &og e"7

half to &eath"7 Burrich s$oke

o'e ents %ere 'ery $recise as he

6Yes" Yes! I ha'e" But to 4olt! or %arn! or a%aken" 5ot to &a age" 5e'er to break a bone or blin& an eye or cri$$le a han&" 5e'er" 5e'er say to anyone that I.'e struck you! or any creature in y care! that %ay! for it.s not true"7 He %as ake Burrich in&ignant that I coul& e'en ha'e suggeste& it" 65o" You.re right about that"7 I trie& to think ho% I coul& un&erstan& %hy I ha& been $unishe&" 6But this %as &ifferent! Burrich" # &ifferent kin& of learning! a &ifferent kin& of teaching"7 I felt co $elle& to &efen& Jalen.s 4ustice" I trie& to ex$lain" 6I &eser'e& this! Burrich" The fault %as not %ith his teaching" I faile& to learn" I trie&" I &i& try" But like Jalen! I belie'e there is a reason the Skill is not taught to bastar&s" There is a taint in e! a fatal %eakness"7 6Horseshit"7
2C8

65o" Think on it! Burrich" If you bree& a scrub get is as likely to get the %eakness of the The silence %as long" Then3 6I &oubt

are to a fine stu&! the colt you

other as the fineness of the father"7 uch that your father %oul& ha'e lai&

&o%n besi&e a %o an that %as a Fscrub". ;ithout so e fineness! so e sign of s$irit or intelligence! he %oul& not" He coul& not"7 6I.'e hear& it sai& he %as trance& by a 69hi'alry %as not a ountain %itch %o an"7 For the first agicry" #n& his son is not so e y te $le" # blast of outh close&" He took a ti e I re$eate& a tale I.& hear& %his$ere& often" an to fall for such sni'eling! %eak/s$irite& fool that lies about an& %hines that he &eser'e& a beating"7 He leane& closer! gently $ro&&e& 4ust belo% $ain rocke& this Fteaching". 6 His te $er %as rising! an& I ke$t )uick turn aroun& the roo ! then s$un to face 6That $u$$y" He.s fro 6Yes"7 6But you ha'en.t , oh! Fit1! $lease tell say to anyone! or an eye I can king&o "7 65o! Burrich" I $ro ise you! this ha& nothing to &o %ith the $u$" It %as failure to learn %hat I ha& been taught" -y %eakness"7 6Iuiet!7 he or&ere& e i $atiently" 6Your %or& is enough" I kno% you %ell going out! but I.ll be back soon enough to kno% your $ro ise %ill al%ays be true" But for the rest! you.re aking no sense at all" Jo back to slee$" I. enough" Jet so e rest" It.s the real healer"7 # $ur$ose ha& settle& on Burrich" -y %or&s see e& to ha'e finally satisfie& hi ! settle& so ething for hi " He &resse& )uickly! $ulling on boots! changing
2C<

y consciousness" 6That.s ho% near you %ere to losing an eye to y e"

*atience.s bitch! isn.t he07 e that it %asn.t your using the ;it

that brought this on you" If he &i& this to you for that! there.s not a %or& I can eet any%here in the kee$ or the %hole y

his shirt for a loose one! an& $utting only a leather 4erkin o'er it" S ithy stoo& an& %hine& anxiously as Burrich %ent out! but coul& not con'ey his %orry to e" Instea&! he ca e to the be&si&e an& scrabble& u$! to burro% into the co'ers besi&e e an& co fort e %ith his trust" In the bleak &es$air that settle& o'er y eyes an& Burrich.s herbs sank e into a e! he %as y only light" I close&

&rea less slee$" I a%oke later that afternoon" # gust of col& air $rece&e& Burrich.s entry into the roo " He checke& co $etent han&s &o%n hu e o'er! casually $rying o$en y ribs an& o'er y eyes an& then running y other bruises" He grunte& his u&&ie& shirt for a fresh one" He oo& uch at o&&s %ith y bruises

satisfaction! then change& his torn an& e& as he &i& so! see ing in a fine

an& &e$ression" It %as al ost a relief %hen he left again" Belo%! I hear& hi %histling an& calling or&ers to the stable boys" It all soun&e& so nor al an& %orka&ay an& I longe& for it %ith. an intensity that sur$rise& back! the %ar e" I %ante& that s ell of the horses an& &ogs an& stra%! the si $le tasks! &one e no% $re&icte& that e'en at ai&s an& cooks!

%ell an& co $letely! an& the goo& slee$ of exhaustion at the en& of a &ay" I longe& for it! but the %orthlessness that fille& that! I %oul& fail" Jalen ha& often sneere& at those %ho %orke& such si $le 4obs about the kee$" He ha& only conte $t for the kitchen &erision for the stable boys! an& the en/at/ar s %ho guar&e& us %ith s%or& aster %ith their in&s"7 So

an& bo%! %ere! in his %or&s! 6ruffians an& &olts! &oo e& to flail a%ay at the %orl&! an& control %ith a s%or& %hat they can.t e %as conte $tible! yet &oubt an& &es$air fille& uch as that" I %as abe& for t%o &ays" # 4o'ial Burrich ten&e& e %ith banter an& goo& nature that I coul& not fatho " There %as a briskness to his ste$ an& a sureness
2C?

no% I %as strangely torn" I longe& to return to being %hat Jalen ha& con'ince& e that I coul& e'en &o so

to hi that

that

a&e hi

see

uch younger

an" It a&&e& to

y &is$irite&ness an! an& it y strength!

y in4uries $ut hi

in such fine fettle" But after t%o &ays of be& rest! uch stillness %as goo& for a o'ing if I %ishe& to heal %ell" #n& he $rocee&e& to e busy! for I ha& to rest often" I belie'e that the e! for all I ha& y his foo&" Yet e about the e the e! yself" Face& %ith

Burrich infor e& fin& but e any

e that only so

%as ti e I %as u$ an&

inor chores to $erfor ! none hea'y enough to tax

ore than enough to kee$

busyness %as %hat he %as after rather than any exercise for &one %as to lie in be& an& look at the %all an& &es$ise S ithy re aine& relaye& to unrelenting &e$ression! e'en S ithy ha& begun to turn asi&e fro y only real source of co fort" Follo%ing

stable %as the $urest en4oy ent he.& e'er ha&" E'ery scent an& sight he e %ith an intensity that! &es$ite y bleakness! rene%e& in %on&er I ha& first felt %hen I.& $lunge& into Burrich.s %orl&" S ithy %as sa'agely $ossessi'e of y heels" I begge& the next &ay free for took slo% $ace! for it ga'e hi gi'e e so e sense of yself an& %ent into Buckkee$ To%n" The %alk e before! but S ithy re4oice& in y e longer than it ha& e'er taken e as %ell! challenging e'en Sooty.s right to sniff Aixen that sent hi an& earning hi self a sna$ fro yi$$ing an& co%ering to

ti e to snuff his %ay aroun& e'ery clu $ of grass y s$irits! an& y o%n life again" But %hen I got to the chan&lery! she e! &rinking an& glaring at e"

an& tree on the %ay" I ha& thought that seeing -olly %oul& lift

%as busy at first! filling three large or&ers for outboun& shi$s" I sat by the hearth in the sho$" Her father sat o$$osite #lthough his illness ha& %eakene& hi ! it ha& not change& his te $era ent! an& on &ays %hen he %as %ell enough to sit u$! he %as %ell enough to &rink" #fter a %hile I ga'e u$ all $retense at con'ersation! an& si $ly %atche& hi &rink an& &is$arage his &aughter as -olly bustle& frantically about! trying to
2CB

be both efficient an& hos$itable to her custo ers" The &reary $ettiness of it all &e$resse& e" e a rack of can&les to carry! loa&e& her o%n ar s! an& %e #t noon she tol& her father she %as closing the sho$ %hile she %ent to &eli'er an or&er" She ga'e left! latching the &oor behin& us" Her father.s &runken i $recations follo%e& us! but she ignore& the " Once outsi&e in the brisk %inter %in&! I follo%e& -olly as she %alke& )uickly to the back of the sho$" -otioning for can&les! too! %as unloa&e& there! an& then %e left" For a bit %e 4ust %an&ere& through the to%n! talking little" She co so the ente& on y bruise& face+ I sai& only that I ha& fallen" The %in& %as col& an& relentless! arket stalls %ere near e $ty! of both custo ers an& 'en&ors" She $ai& e to ulle& %ine an& a&e so uch of S ithy uch attention to S ithy! an& he re'ele& in it" On our %alk back! %e sto$$e& at a tea sho$! an& she treate& that he fell o'er on his back an& all his thoughts turne& into %allo%ing in her affection" I %as struck su&&enly by ho% clearly S ithy %as a%are of her feelings! an& yet she &i& not sense his at all! exce$t on the shallo%est le'el" I )ueste& gently to%ar& her! but foun& her elusi'e an& &rifting to&ay! like a $erfu e that co es strong an& then faint on the sa e breath of %in&" I kne% that I coul& ha'e $ushe& ore insistently against her! but so eho% it see e& e! a &ea&ly elancholy that she ne'er ha& e than she %as of S ithy" So I ore a%are of $ointless" #n aloneness settle& on been an& ne'er %oul& be any took her brief %or&s to y silence! she o$ene& the back &oor an& set all that she carrie& insi&e" -y rack of

e as a bir& $ecks at &ry brea& cru bs an& let alone the

silences she curtaine& bet%een us" Soon she sai& that she coul& not tarry long! or it %oul& be the %orse for her! for if her father no longer ha& the strength to strike her! he %as still ca$able of s ashing his beer ug on the floor or knocking o'er racks of things to sho% his &is$leasure at being neglecte&" She
2CC

s ile& an o&& little s ile as she tol& looke& a%ay fro y face" eta$hor for

e this! as if it %oul& be less a$$alling if

so eho% %e thought of his beha'ior as a using" I coul&n.t s ile an& she I hel$e& her %ith her cloak an& %e left! %alking u$hill an& into the %in&" #n& that su&&enly see e& a y %hole life" #t her &oor! she shocke& y 4a%! the e brace so brief that it arket" 65e%boy ,7 she sai&! an& then! e e %ith a hug an& a kiss on the corner of %as al ost like being bu $e& in the 6Thank you" For un&erstan&ing"7 #n& then she %hiske& into her sho$ an& shut the &oor behin& her! lea'ing chille& an& be%il&ere&" She thanke& ha& ne'er felt ore isolate& fro e for un&erstan&ing her at a ti e %hen I

her! an& e'eryone else" #ll the %ay u$ to the 4ust %here he coul& ne'er reach in front of his in the tea sho$"

kee$ S ithy ke$t $rattling to hi self about all the $erfu es he.& s elt on her an& ho% she ha& scratche& hi It %as ears an& of the s%eet biscuit she.& fe& hi

i&afternoon %hen %e got back to the stables" I &i& a fe% chores an& e! a slight fro%n on his face" an&e&! an& I arose %earily an& ight go unban&age& no%! y in4uries %ith &eft han&s" He %as $lease& e that it y ribs an& to co e back to ha'e it a&4uste& e"7 He fille& a little $ot %ith e! by %hich I &e&uce& that

then %ent back u$ to Burrich.s roo ! %here S ithy an& I fell aslee$" I a%oke to Burrich stan&ing o'er 6>$! an& let.s ha'e a look at you!7 he co stoo& )uiet %hile he %ent o'er %ith the con&ition of but to kee$ the %ra$$ing about y han& an& tol&

each e'ening" 6#s for the rest of it! kee$ it clean an& &ry! an& &on.t $ick at the scabs" If any of it starts to fester! co e an& see an unguent that ease& sore he ex$ecte& e to lea'e" uscles an& ga'e it to

2CD

I stoo& hol&ing the little $ot of

e&icine" # terrible sa&ness %elle& u$ in an&e& e angrily"

e!

an& yet I coul& fin& no %or&s to say" Burrich looke& at turne& a%ay" 65o% sto$ that!7 he co 6;hat07 I aske&" 6You look at e so eti es %ith

e! sco%le&! an&

y lor&.s eyes!7 he sai& )uietly! an& then as

shar$ly as before! 6;ell! %hat &i& you think to &o0 Hi&e in the stables the rest of your life0 5o" You ha'e to go back" You ha'e to go back an& hol& u$ your hea& an& eat your His first co eals a ong the kee$ folk! an& slee$ in your o%n roo ! an& li'e your o%n life" Yes! an& go finish those &a n lessons in the Skill"7 an&s ha& soun&e& &ifficult! but the last! I kne%! %as i $ossible" e 6I can.t!7 I sai&! not belie'ing ho% stu$i& he %as" 6Jalen %oul&n.t let

co e back to the grou$" #n& e'en if he &i&! I.& ne'er catch u$ on all I.'e isse&" I.'e alrea&y faile& at it! Burrich" I faile& an& that.s &one! an& I nee& to fin& so ething else to &o %ith last I hear& y yself" I.& like to learn the ha%ks! $lease"7 The yself say %ith so e a a1e ent! for in truth it ha& ne'er crosse& an& you &on.t in&

in& before" Burrich.s re$ly %as at least as strange" e" You &i&n.t fail! you fool" Jalen %in" You e! an&

6You can.t! for the ha%ks &on.t like you" You.re too %ar your o%n business enough" 5o% listen to

trie& to &ri'e you a%ay" If you &on.t go back! you.ll ha'e let hi the anger in his eyes %as for -ake hi 6I.'e

ha'e to go back an& you ha'e to learn it" But7Gan& here he turne& on

eG7you &on.t ha'e to stan& there like a carter.s

ule %hile he beats you" You.'e a birthright to his ti e an& his kno%le&ge" gi'e you %hat is yours" Don.t run a%ay" 5o one e'er gaine& ore! an& then sto$$e&" any lessons" I.ll ne'erG7 anything by running a%ay"7 He $ause&! starte& to say isse& too

2CE

6You ha'en.t

isse& anything!7 Burrich sai& stubbornly" He turne& a%ay fro

e! an& I coul&n.t rea& his tone as he a&&e&! 6There ha'e been no lessons since you left" You shoul& be able to $ick u$ 4ust %here you left off"7 6I &on.t %ant to go back"7 6Don.t %aste y ti e by arguing %ith e!7 he sai& tightly" 6Don.t &are to try an in a kitchen backe& u$ a cro%& e until y $atience that %ay" I.'e tol& you %hat you are to &o" Do it"7 Su&&enly I %as six years ol& again! an& a %ith a look" I shi'ere&! co%e&" #bru$tly! it %as easier to face Jalen than to &efy Burrich" E'en %hen he a&&e&! 6#n& you.ll lea'e that $u$ %ith your lessons are &one" Being shut u$ insi&e your roo &og" His coat %ill go ba& an& his ans%er to better be &o%n here each e'ening! to see to both hi all &ay is no life for a an& Sooty! or you.ll

uscles %on.t gro% $ro$erly" But you.&

e" #n& I &on.t gi'e a &a n %hat Jalen says about that! either"7 e as uch as it hurt y

#n& so I %as &is isse&" I con'eye& to S ithy that he %as to stay %ith Burrich! an& he acce$te& it %ith an e)uani ity that sur$rise& feelings" Dis$irite&! I took I took foo& fro u$ to y $ot of unguent an& $lo&&e& back u$ to the kee$"

the kitchen! for I ha& no heart to face anyone at table an& %ent

y roo " It %as col& an& &ark! no fire in the hearth! no can&les in the

sticks! an& the foule& ree&s un&erfoot stank" I fetche& can&les an& %oo&! set a fire! an& %hile I %as %aiting for it to take so e of the chill off the stone %alls an& floors! I busie& a&'ise& yself %ith taking u$ the floor rushes" Then! as =acey ha& %ell %ith hot %ater an& 'inegar" So eho% I yself &o%n on y e! I scrubbe& the roo

got the 'inegar that ha& been fla'ore& %ith tarragon! an& so %hen I %as finishe&! the roo s elle& of that herb" Exhauste&! I flung be& an& fell aslee$ %on&ering %hy I.& ne'er &isco'ere& ho% to o$en %hate'er hi&&en &oor it %as that le& to 9ha&e.s )uarters" But I ha& no &oubt that he %oul& ha'e si $ly &is isse& e! for he %as a
2DH

an of his %or& an& %oul& not

interfere until Jalen ha& finishe& %ith finishe& %ith Jalen" The Fool.s can&les a%oke to%er to$"7 He.& brought %ar 6I. not going"7

e" Or until he &isco'ere& that I %as

e" I %as co $letely &isoriente& as to ti e an&

$lace until he sai&! 6You.'e 4ust ti e to %ash an& eat an& still be first on the %ater in a e%er! an& %ar rolls fro the kitchen o'ens"

It %as the first ti e I.& e'er seen the Fool look sur$rise&" 6;hy not07 6It.s $ointless" I can.t succee&" I si $ly ha'en.t the a$titu&e an& I. beating ,7 It %as strikes y turn to be sur$rise&" 6;ell0 ;hy &o you think he e0 #s a re%ar& for ocks e an& e" ;hy y success0 5o" I ha'en.t been able to e'en ore thoroughly ho% right he y hea& against the %all"7 tire& of

The Fool.s eyes %i&ene& further" 6I thought you ha& been &oing %ell! before

un&erstan& %hat it.s about" #ll the others ha'e alrea&y sur$asse& shoul& I go back0 So Jalen can $ro'e e'en %as07

6So ething!7 the Fool sai& carefully! 6is not right here"7 He consi&ere& a o ent" 6Before! I aske& you to )uit the lessons" You %oul& not" Do you recall that07 I cast to try07 6;hy ha'e you change& your in&07 6Because that %hich I sought to $re'ent ca e to $ass" But you sur'i'e& it" So I seek no% to ,7 His %or&s traile& off" 6It is as you sai&" ;hy shoul& I s$eak at all! %hen I cannot s$eak $lainly07
2D1

in& back" 6I.

stubborn! so eti es!7 I a& itte&"

6#n& if I aske& you no%! to continue0 To go u$ to the to%er to$! an& continue

6If I sai& that! I regret it" It is not a thing one shoul& say to a frien&" I &o not re e ber it"7 He s ile& faintly" 6If you &o not re e ber it! then neither shall I"7 He reache& an& took both of o'er y han&s in his" His gri$ %as o&&ly cool" # shi'er $asse& his li$s" He s$oke it %ithout ockery! e at his touch" 6;oul& you continue! if I aske& it of you0 #s a frien&07 eaning" His colorless

The %or& soun&e& so o&& fro eyes hel&

carefully! as if the saying of it alou& coul& shatter the ine" I foun& I coul& not say no" So I no&&e&" E'en so! I rose reluctantly" He %atche&

e %ith an i $assi'e interest as I y face! an& then tore into the as I finishe& the first roll

straightene& the clothes I.& sle$t in! s$lashe&

brea& he.& brought" 6I &on.t %ant to go!7 I tol& hi

an& took u$ the secon&" 6I &on.t see %hat it can acco $lish"7 6I &on.t kno% %hy he bothers %ith you!7 the Fool agree&" The fa iliar cynicis %as back" 6Jalen0 He has to! the (ing ,7 6Burrich"7 6He 4ust likes bossing to e" e about!7 I co $laine&! an& it soun&e& chil&ish! e'en

The Fool shook his hea&" 6You ha'en.t e'en a clue! ha'e you07 6#bout %hat07 6#bout ho% the stable aster &ragge& Jalen fro Jalen curse& an& struck at hi his be&! an& fro thence to the ;itness Stones" I %asn.t there! of course! or I %oul& be able to tell you ho% at first! but the stable aster $ai& no attention" an.s blo%s! an& ke$t silent" He gri$$e& an %as fair choke&! an& &ragge& hi that an &are& He 4ust hunche& his shoul&ers to the the Skill aster by the collar! so the beca e a torrent of

along" #n& the sol&iers an& guar&s an& stable boys follo%e& in a strea en" If I ha& been there! I coul& tell you ho% no
2D2

to interfere! for it %as as if the stable aster ha& beco e as Burrich once %as! an iron uscle& an %ith a black te $er that %as like a a&ness %hen it ca e on hi " 5o one! then! &are& to brook that te $er! an& that &ay! it %as as if Burrich %as that an again" If he li $e& still! no one notice& it at all" 6#s for the Skill aster! he flaile& an& curse&! an& then he gre% still! an& all sus$ecte& that he turne& %hat he kne% u$on his ca$tor" But if he &i&! it ha& no effect! sa'e that the stable aster tightene& his gri$ on the an.s neck" #n& if Jalen stro'e to s%ay others to his cause! they &i& not react" *erha$s being choke& an& &ragge& %as sufficient to break his concentration" Or $erha$s his Skill is not so strong as it %as ru ore&" Or $erha$s too istreat ent of the any re e ber his y bo&y an& I too %ell to be 'ulnerable to his %iles" Or $erha$sG7

6Fool: Jet on %ith it: ;hat ha$$ene&07 # light s%eat cloake& shi'ere&! not kno%ing %hat I ho$e& for"

6I %asn.t there! of course!7 the Fool asserte& s%eetly" 6But I ha'e hear& it sai& that the &ark an &ragge& the skinny an all the %ay u$ to the ;itness Stones" #n& there! still gri$$ing the Skill aster so he coul& not s$eak! he asserte& his challenge" They %oul& fight" 5o %ea$ons! but han&s only! 4ust as the Skill aster ha& assaulte& a certain boy the &ay before" #n& the Stones %oul& %itness! if Burrich %on! that Jalen ha& ha& no call to strike the boy! nor ha& he the right to refuse to teach the boy" #n& Jalen %oul& ha'e refuse& the challenge an& gone to the (ing hi self! exce$t that the &ark calle& the Stones to %itness" #n& so they fought! in an ha& alrea&y uch the sa e %ay that a

bull fights a bale of stra% %hen he tosses an& sta $s an& gores it" #n& %hen he %as &one! the stable aster bent an& %his$ere& so ething to the Skill aster! before he an& all others turne& an& left the the Stones %itness to his %hi $ering an& blee&ing"7 6;hat &i& he say07 I &e an&e&"
2D8

an lying there! %ith

6I %asn.t there" I sa% an& hear& nothing of it"7 The Fool stoo& an& stretche&" 6You.ll be late if you tarry!7 he $ointe& out to an& %as still in ti e to be the first one there" e! an& left" #n& I left y roo ! %on&ering! an& cli be& the tall to%er to the Iueen.s stri$$e& gar&en

9H#*TER SIKTEE5 =essons #99ORDI5J TO #59IE5T 9HRO5I9=ES! Skill users %ere organi1e& in coteries of six" These grou$s &i& not usually inclu&e any of exce$tional royal bloo&! but %ere li ite& to cousins an& ne$he%s of the &irect line of ascension! or those %ho sho%e& an a$titu&e an& %ere 4u&ge& %orthy" One of the ost fa ous! 9rossfire.s 9oterie! $ro'i&es a s$len&i& exa $le of ho% they functione&" De&icate& to Iueen Aision! 9rossfire an& the others of her coterie ha& been traine& by a Skill aster calle& Tactic" The $artners in this coterie %ere utually chosen by one another! an& then recei'e& s$ecial training fro into a close unit" ;hether scattere& across the Six Duchies asse& as a grou$ for the Tactic to bin& the

to collect or &isse inate infor ation! or %hen

$ur$ose of confoun&ing an& &e orali1ing the ene y! their &ee&s beca e legen&ary" Their final herois ! &etaile& in the balla& 69rossfire.s Sacrifice!7 %as the to her assing of their strength! %hich they channele& to Iueen Aision ore than they coul& s$are the sel'es! an& in the i&st of the 'ictory their all &uring the battle of Besha " >nbekno%nst to the exhauste& Iueen! they ga'e celebration the coterie %as &isco'ere& in their to%er! &raine& an& &ying" *erha$s the $eo$le.s lo'e of 9rossfire.s 9oterie ste being cri$$les in one for e& in $art fro or another3 blin&! la e! hareli$$e&! or &isfigure& by
2D<

fire %ere all of the six! yet in the Skill their strength %as greater than that of the largest %arshi$! an& ore i $ortant to the &efense of the Iueen" During the $eaceful years of (ing Bounty.s reign! the instruction of the Skill for the creation of coteries %as aban&one&" Existing coteries &isban&e& &ue to aging! &eath! or si $ly a lack of $ur$ose" Instruction in the Skill began to be li ite& to $rinces only! an& for a ti e it %as seen as a rather archaic art" By the ti e of the Re&/Shi$ rai&s! only (ing Shre%& an& his son Aerity %ere acti'e $ractitioners of the Skill" Shre%& $ractitioners! but a&e an effort to locate an& recruit for er ost %ere age&! or no longer $roficient"

Jalen! then Skill aster for Shre%&! %as assigne& the task of creating ne% coteries for the &efense of the king&o " Jalen chose to set asi&e tra&ition" 9oterie e bershi$s %ere assigne& rather than utually chosen" Jalen.s e ber %oul& be etho&s of teaching %ere harsh! his training goal that each

an un)uestioning $art of a unit! a tool for the (ing to use as he nee&e&" This $articular as$ect %as &esigne& solely by Jalen! an& the first Skill coterie he create&! he $resente& to (ing Shre%& as if it %ere his gift to gi'e" #t least one e ber of the royal fa ily ex$resse& his abhorrence of the i&ea" But ti es %ere &es$erate! an& (ing Shre%& coul& not resist %iel&ing the %ea$on that ha& been gi'en into his han&" Such hate" Oh! ho% they hate& onto the to%er roof to fin& e" #s each stu&ent e erge& fro the stair%ell e" I felt their e" By the ti e et

e there an& %aiting! each s$urne&

&is&ain! as $al$ably as if each ha& &ashe& col& %ater against aroun& e" But I stoo&! silent an& containe&! in

the se'enth an& final stu&ent a$$eare&! the col& of their hatre& %as like a %all y accusto e& $lace! an& e'ery eye that %as lifte& to ine" That! I think! %as %hy no one s$oke a %or&

2D?

to

e" They %ere force& to take their $laces aroun&

e" They &i& not s$eak to

each other! either" #n& %e %aite&" The sun ca e u$! an& e'en cleare& the %all aroun& the to%er! an& still Jalen ha& not co e" But they ke$t their $laces an& %aite& an& so I &i& like%ise" Finally I hear& his halting ste$s u$on the stairs" ;hen he e erge&! he blinke& in the sun.s $ale %ash! glance& at i $ose& on te $le" But I at hi e! an& 'isibly starte&" I stoo& y groun&" y ;e looke& at one another" He coul& see the bur&en of hatre& that the others ha& e an& it $lease& hi ! as &i& the ban&ages I still %ore on et his eyes an& &i& not flinch" I &are& not"

#n& I beca e a%are of the &is ay the others %ere feeling" 5o one coul& look an& not see ho% ba&ly he ha& been beaten" The ;itness Stones ha& lacking! an& all %ho sa% hi %oul& kno%" His gaunt face %as a outh" He %ore a long/slee'e& foun& hi s$lit in the

lan&sca$e of $ur$les an& greens %ashe& o'er %ith yello%s" His lo%er li$ %as i&&le an& cut at the corner of his robe that co'ere& his ar s! but the flo%ing looseness of it contraste& so strongly %ith his usual tightly lace& shirts an& 'ests that it %as like seeing the an in his nightshirt" His han&s! too! %ere $ur$le an& knobby! but I coul& not recall that I ha& seen bruises on Burrich.s bo&y" I conclu&e& that he ha& use& the in a 'ain atte $t to shiel& his face" He still carrie& his little %hi$ %ith hi ! but I &oubte& he ha& the ca$ability to s%ing it effecti'ely" #n& so %e ins$ecte& one another" I took no satisfaction in his bruises or his &isgrace" I felt so ething akin to sha e for the " I ha& belie'e& so strongly in his in'ulnerability an& su$eriority that this e'i&ence of his outh to s$eak to ere hu anity left e feeling foolish" That unbalance& his co $osure" T%ice he o$ene& his e" The thir& ti e! he turne& his back on the class an& sai&!

2DB

6Begin your $hysical li bering" I %ill obser'e you to see if you are correctly"7 The en&s of his %or&s %ere soft! s$oken through a $ainful

o'ing

outh" #n& as %e

&utifully stretche& an& s%aye& an& bo%e& in unison! he crabbe& a%k%ar&ly about the to%er gar&en" He trie& not to lean on the %all! or to rest too often" Jone %as the sla$! sla$! sla$ of the %hi$ against his thigh that ha& for erly orchestrate& our efforts" Instea&! he gri$$e& it as if afrai& he y $art! I %as grateful that Burrich ha& ribs &i&n.t $er it co an&e& fro us" But I a&e e get u$ an& e the full flexibility of ight &ro$ it" For o'e" -y boun&

otion that Jalen ha& for erly

a&e an honest atte $t at it"

He offere& us nothing ne% that &ay! only going o'er %hat %e ha& alrea&y learne&" #n& the lessons ca e to an early en&! before the sun %as e'en &o%n" 6You ha'e &one %ell!7 he sai& la ely" 6You ha'e earne& these free hours! for I a $lease& you ha'e continue& to stu&y in y absence"7 Before &is issing us! he calle& each of us before hi ! for a brief touch of the Skill" The others left reluctantly! %ith %ith any a back%ar& glance! curious as to ho% he %oul& &ial y fello% stu&ents &%in&le& I brace& yself for a e" #s the nu bers of

solitary confrontation" But e'en that %as a &isa$$oint ent" He calle& an& he e before hi ! an& I ca e! as as they ha&! y hea&" y face an& o'er silent an& out%ar&ly res$ectful as the others" I stoo& before hi a&e a fe% brief $asses of his han&s before Then he sai& in a col& 'oice! 6You shiel& too %ell" You your guar& o'er your thoughts if you are either to sen& the those of others" Jo"7 #n& I left! as the others ha&! but regretfully" *ri'ately I %on&ere& if he ha& a&e a real atte $t to use the Skill on e" I ha& felt no brush of it" I &escen&e& the stairs! aching an& bitter! %on&ering %hy I %as trying"
2DC

ust learn to relax forth! or recei'e

I %ent to

y roo ! an& then to the stables" I ga'e Sooty a cursory brushing

%hile S ithy %atche&" Still I felt restless an& &issatisfie&" I kne% I shoul& rest! that I %oul& regret it if I &i& not" Stone %alk0 S ithy suggeste&! an& I agree& to take hi a stor into to%n" He gallo$e& an& snuffle& circles aroun& e as I a&e y %ay &o%n fro the kee$" It %as a blustery afternoon after a cal y hea&! an& the stea&y rhyth e fir ly in the i orning+

%as buil&ing offshore" But the %in& %as unseasonably %ar ! an& I felt of %alking soothe& an& e&iate %orl&! so that I uscles that Jalen.s exercises ha& left bunche& an& aching" y frustrations"

the fresh air clearing stretche& the

S ithy.s sensory $rattle groun&e& coul& not &%ell on I tol&

yself it %as S ithy %ho le& us so &irectly to -olly.s sho$" *u$$y like!

he ha& returne& to %here he ha& been %elco e& before" -olly.s father ha& ke$t his be& that &ay! an& the sho$ %as fairly )uiet" # single custo er lingere&! talking to -olly" -olly intro&uce& hi s iling $ast to e as @a&e" He %as a ate off so e Sealbay tra&ing 'essel! not )uite t%enty! an& he s$oke to e as if I %ere ten!

e at -olly all the %hile" He %as full of tales of Re&/Shi$s an&

sea stor s" He ha& a re& stone earring in one ear! an& a ne% bear& curle& along his 4a%" He took far too long to select can&les an& a ne% brass la $! but he finally left" 69lose the store for a bit!7 I urge& -olly" 6=et.s go &o%n to the beach" The %in& is lo'ely to&ay"7 She shook her hea& regretfully" 6I. here"7 I felt unreasonably &isa$$ointe&" I )ueste& to%ar& her an& &isco'ere& ho% uch she actually %ishe& to go" 6There.s not that uch &aylight left!7 I sai& behin& in y %ork" I shoul& &i$ ta$ers all this afternoon if I ha'e no custo ers" #n& if I &o ha'e custo ers! I shoul& be

2DD

$ersuasi'ely" 6You can al%ays &i$ ta$ers this e'ening" #n& your custo ers %ill co e back to orro% if they fin& you close& to&ay"7 She cocke& her hea&! looke& thoughtful! an& abru$tly set asi&e the %icking she hel&" 6You.re right! you kno%" The fresh air %ill &o close& u$ the sho$ an& left" -olly set her usual brisk $ace" S ithy frolicke& about her! &elighte&" ;e talke&! in a cursory %ay" The %in& $ut roses in her cheeks! an& her eyes see e& brighter in the col&" #n& I thought she looke& at ore $ensi'ely than she usually &i&" The to%n %as )uiet! an& the aske& an& that arket all but &eserte&" ;e %ent to the beach an& %alke& se&ately %here %e ha& race& an& shrieke& but a fe% years before" She e if I ha& learne& to light a lantern before going &o%n ste$s at night! ystifie& e! until I re e bere& that I ha& ex$laine& y in4uries as a e if the schoolteacher an& the e ore often! an& e goo&"7 #n& she took e" ;e u$ her cloak %ith an alacrity that &elighte& S ithy an& sur$rise&

fall &o%n a &ark staircase" She aske&

horse aster %ere still at o&&s! an& by this I &iscerne& that Burrich an& Jalen.s challenge at the ;itness Stones ha& beco e so ething of a local legen& alrea&y" I assure& her that $eace ha& been restore&" ;e s$ent so e little ti e gathering a certain kin& of sea%ee& that she %ante& to fla'or her cho%&er that e'ening" Then! for I %as %in&e&! %e sat in the lee of so e rocks an& %atche& S ithy ake nu erous atte $ts to clear the beach of all gulls" 6So" I hear *rince Aerity is to %e&!7 she began con'ersationally" 6;hat07 I aske&! a a1e&" She laughe& heartily" 65e%boy! I ha'e ne'er as you see nothing of that %hich is the co et anyone as i une to gossi$ to be" Ho% can you li'e right u$ there in the kee$ an& kno% on talk of the to%n0 Aerity has agree& to

2DE

take a bri&e! to assure the succession" But the story in to%n is that he is too busy to &o his courting hi self! so Regal %ill fin& hi a la&y"7 6Oh! no"7 -y &is ay %as honest" I %as $icturing big bluff Aerity $aire& %ith one of Regal.s sugar/crystal %o en" ;hene'er there %as a festi'al of any kin& in the kee$! S$ring.s E&ge or ;interheart or Har'est&ay! here they ca e! fro 9halce& an& Farro% an& Bea s! in carriages or on richly ca$arisone& $alfreys or ri&ing in litters" They %ore go%ns like butterflies. %ings! an& ate as &aintily as s$arro%s! an& see e& to flutter about an& $erch al%ays in Regal.s 'icinity" #n& he %oul& sit in their %hile their i&st! in his o%n silk/an&/'el'et hues! an& $reen an& their fans an& fancy%ork calle&! noble%o en usical 'oices tinkle& aroun& hi

tre ble& in their fingers" 6*rince catchers!7 I.& hear& the

%ho &is$laye& the sel'es like goo&s in a store %in&o% in the ho$es of %e&&ing one of the royals" Their beha'ior %as not i $ro$er! not )uite" But to e it see e& &es$erate! an& Regal cruel as he s ile& first on this one an& then &ance& all e'ening %ith that one! only to rise to a late breakfast an& %alk yet another through the gar&ens" They %ere Regal.s %orshi$ers" I trie& to $icture one on Aerity.s ar as he stoo& %atching the &ancers at a ball! or )uietly a$s he so %ea'ing in his stu&y %hile Aerity $on&ere& an& sketche& at the

lo'e&" 5o gar&en strolls+ Aerity took his %alks along the &ocks an& through the cro$s! sto$$ing often to talk to the seafolk an& far ers behin& their $lo%s" Dainty sli$$ers an& e broi&ere& skirts %oul& surely not follo% hi -olly sli$$e& a $enny into 6;hat.s this for07 6To $ay for %hate'er you.'e been thinking so har& that you.'e been sitting on the e&ge of y skirt %hile I.'e t%ice aske& you to lift u$" I &on.t think you.'e hear& a %or& I.'e sai&"7 y han&" there"

2EH

I sighe&" 6Aerity an& Regal are so &ifferent! I cannot i agine one choosing a %ife for the other"7 -olly looke& $u11le&" 6Regal %ill choose so eone %ho is beautiful an& %ealthy an& of goo& bloo&" She.ll be able to &ance an& sing an& $lay the chi es" She.ll &ress beautifully an& ha'e 4e%els in her hair at the breakfast table! an& al%ays s ell of the flo%ers that gro% in the Rain ;il&s"7 6#n& Aerity %ill not be gla& of such a %o an07 The confusion on -olly.s face %as as if I %ere insisting the sea %as sou$" 6Aerity &eser'es a co $anion! not an orna ent to %ear on his slee'e!7 I $roteste& in &is&ain" 6;ere I Aerity! I.& %ant a %o an %ho coul& &o things" 5ot 4ust select her 4e%elry or $lait her o%n hair" She shoul& be able to se% a shirt! or ten& her o%n gar&en! an& ha'e so ething s$ecial she can &o that is all her o%n! like scroll%ork or herbery"7 65e%boy! the like of that is not for fine la&ies!7 -olly chi&e& to &o such %ork"7 6Of course it is" =ook at =a&y *atience an& her %o an =acey" They are al%ays about an& &oing things" Their a$art ents are a 4ungle of the la&y.s $lants! an& the cuffs of her go%ns are so eti es a bit sticky fro she %ill ha'e bits of lea'es in her hair fro %atche& =acey.s han&s her $a$er aking! or her herbery %ork! but she is still a bit of e" 6They are to ha'e eant to be $retty an& orna ental" #n& they are rich" It isn.t for the

4ust as beautiful" #n& $rettiness is not all that i $ortant in a %o an" I.'e aking one of the kee$ chil&ren a fishnet fro 4ute string" Iuick an& cle'er as any %eb an.s fingers &o%n on the &ock are her fingers+ no% that.s a $retty thing that has nothing to &o %ith her face" #n& Ho&! %ho teaches %ea$ons0 She lo'es her sil'er%ork an& gra'ing" She a&e a &agger for her father.s birth&ay! %ith a gri$ like a lea$ing stag! an& yet &one so
2E1

cle'erly that it.s a co fort in the han&! %ith not a 4ag or e&ge to catch on anything" 5o%! that.s a bit of beauty that %ill li'e on long after her hair grays or her cheeks %rinkle" So e&ay her gran&chil&ren %ill look at that %ork an& think %hat a cle'er %o an she %as"7 6Do you think so! really07 69ertainly"7 I shifte&! su&&enly a%are of ho% close -olly %as to yet &i& not really %as still gallo$ing" 6But if noble la&ies &o all those things! they.ll ruin their han&s %ith the %ork! an& the %in& %ill &ry their hair an& tan their faces" Surely Aerity &oesn.t &eser'e a %o an %ho looks like a &eckhan&07 6Surely he &oes" Far car$ ke$t in a bo%l"7 -olly giggle&" 6So eone to ri&e besi&e hi on a orning %hen he takes Hunter out for a a$ he.s 4ust finishe& an& gallo$! or so eone %ho can look at a section of &eser'es"7 6I.'e ne'er ri&&en a horse!7 -olly ob4ecte& su&&enly" 6#n& I kno% fe% letters"7 I looke& at her curiously! %on&ering %hy she see e& so su&&enly &o%ncast" 6;hat atter is that0 You.re cle'er enough to learn anything" =ook at all e that ca e fro you.'e taught yourself about can&les an& herbs" Don.t tell ore than he &eser'es a %o an %ho looks like a fat re& o'e farther a%ay" Do%n the beach! S ithy e" I shifte&! a&e another

foray into a flock of gulls" His tongue %as hanging nearly to his knees! but he

actually un&erstan& 4ust ho% fine a $iece of %ork it is" That.s %hat Aerity

your father" So eti es %hen I co e by the sho$! your hair an& &ress s ell all of fresh herbs an& I can tell you.'e been ex$eri enting to get ne% $erfu es
2E2

for the can&les" If you %ante& to rea& or %rite

ore! you coul& learn" #s for

ri&ing! you.& be a natural" You.'e balance an& strength , look at ho% you cli b the rocks on the cliffs" #n& ani als take to you" You.'e fair %on S ithy.s heart a%ay fro 6Fa:7 She ga'e co e ri&ing &o%n fro e"7 the kee$ an& carry e off"7 e a nu&ge %ith her shoul&er" 6You talk as if so e lor& shoul& anners! or Regal si $ering at her" 6E&a

I thought of #ugust %ith his stuffy you! or the heart to a$$reciate you"7

forbi&" You.& be %aste& on the " They %oul&n.t ha'e the %it to un&erstan& -olly looke& &o%n at her %ork/%orn han&s" 6;ho %oul&! then07 she aske& softly" Boys are fools" The con'ersation ha& gro%n an& t%ine& aroun& us! co ing as naturally as breathing to y %or&s e" I ha& not inten&e& any flattery! or

subtle courtshi$" The sun %as beginning to &i$ into the %ater! an& %e sat close by one another an& the beach before us %as like the %orl& at our feet" If I ha& sai& at that o ent! 6I %oul&!7 I think her heart %oul& ha'e tu ble& into a tree" I think she ight ha'e kisse& y e! a%k%ar& han&s like ri$e fruit fro an& seale& herself to i si $le truth fro

e of her o%n free %ill" But I coul&n.t gras$ the o ent later S ithy

ensity of %hat I su&&enly kne% I ha& co e to feel for her" It &ro'e the y li$s! an& I sat &u b an& half a

ca e! %et an& san&y! barreling into us! so that -olly lea$e& to her feet to sa'e her skirts! an& the o$$ortunity %as lost fore'er! blo%n a%ay like s$ray on the %in&" ;e stoo& an& stretche&! an& -olly exclai e& about the ti e! an& I felt all the su&&en aches of y healing bo&y" Sitting an& letting yself cool &o%n on a chill beach %as a stu$i& thing I certainly %oul&n.t ha'e &one to any horse" I %alke& -olly ho e an& there %as an a%k%ar&
2E8

o ent at her &oor before she

stoo$e& an& hugge& S ithy goo&/bye" #n& then I %as alone! sa'e for a curious $u$ &e an&ing to kno% %hy I %ent so slo%ly an& insisting he %as half/star'e& an& %anting to run an& tussle all the %ay u$ the hill to the kee$" I $lo&&e& u$ the hill! chille& %ithin an& %ithout" I returne& S ithy to the stables! an& sai& goo& night to Sooty! an& then %ent u$ to the kee$" Jalen an& his fle&glings ha& alrea&y finishe& their folk ha& eaten! an& I foun& eager eal an& left" -ost of the kee$ y ol& haunts" There %as off the kitchen" yself &rifting back to

al%ays foo& in the kitchen an& co $any in the %atch roo a si ering kettle on the hook! a&&ing %ater an&

-en/at/ar s ca e an& %ent there all hours of the &ay an& night! so 9ook ke$t eat an& 'egetables as the e as one of their a&e yself a e! nor yself as le'el %ent &o%n" ;ine an& beer an& cheese %ere also there! an& the si $le co $any of those %ho guar&e& the kee$" They ha& acce$te& si $le o%n since the first &ay I.& been gi'en into Burrich.s care" So I

eal there! not near as scanty as Jalen %oul& ha'e $ro'i&e&

yet as a $le an& rich as I cra'e&" That %as Burrich.s teaching+ I fe& I %oul& ha'e an in4ure& ani al" #n& I listene& to the casual talk going on aroun& life of the kee$ as I ha&n.t for because of y total i e! focusing

yself into the

onths" I %as a a1e& at all that I ha& not kno%n

ersion in Jalen.s teaching" # bri&e for Aerity %as iseration o'er his ill luck in ha'ing atch %oul& be base& on $olitical

ost of the talk" There %as the usual cru&e sol&iers. 4esting one coul& ex$ect about such things! as %ell as a lot of co Regal choose his future s$ouse" That the

alliances ha& ne'er been in )uestion+ a $rince.s han& coul& not be %aste& on so ething as foolish as his o%n choice" That ha& been a great $art of the scan&al surroun&ing 9hi'alry.s stubborn courtshi$ of *atience" She ha& co e fro %ithin the real ! the &aughter of one of our nobles! an& one alrea&y 'ery a icable to the royal fa ily"
2E<

5o $olitical a&'antage at all ha& co e out of that

arriage"

But Aerity %oul& not be s)uan&ere& so" Es$ecially %ith the Re&/Shi$s enacing us all along our straggling coastline" #n& so s$eculation ran rife" ;ho %oul& she be0 # %o an fro Sea0 The islan&s %ere little the 5ear Islan&s! to our north in the ;hite %oul& gi'e us earlier ore than rocky bits of the earth.s bones thrusting

u$ out of the sea! but a series of to%ers set a ong the

%arning of the sea rai&ers. 'entures into our %aters" To the south%est of our bor&ers! beyon& the Rain ;il&s %here no one rule&! %ere the S$ice 9oasts" # $rincess fro there %oul& offer fe% &efensi'e a&'antages! but so e argue& for ight bring %ith her" Days to the south an& any big islan&s %here gre% the trees that the boat the rich tra&ing agree ents she east o'er the sea %ere the tra&e her %ar

buil&ers yearne& for" 9oul& a king an& his &aughter be foun& there %ho %oul& %in&s an& soft fruits for a kee$ in a rocky ice/boun&arie& lan&0 ountain ;hat %oul& they ask for a soft southern %o an an& her tall/ti bere& islan& tra&e0 Furs sai& so e! an& grain sai& another" #n& there %ere the the tun&ra lan&s beyon&" # $rincess fro there %oul& co king&o s at our backs! %ith their 4ealous $ossession of the $asses that le& into an& %arriors of her folk! as %ell as tra&e links to the i'ory %orkers an& rein&eer her&ers %ho li'e& beyon& their bor&ers" On their southern bor&er %as the $ass that le& to the hea&%aters of the great Rain Ri'er that ean&ere& through the Rain ;il&s" E'ery sol&ier a ong us ha& hear& the ol& tales of the aban&one& treasure te $les on the banks of that ri'er! of the tall car'e& go&s %ho $resi&e& still o'er their holy s$rings! an& of the flake gol& that s$arkle& in the lesser strea s" *erha$s a ountain $rincess! then0 ore $olitical sa''y an& so$histication an&ing" Each $ossibility %as &ebate& %ith far I rose fro their

than Jalen %oul& ha'e belie'e& these si $le sol&iers ca$able of co

i&st feeling asha e& of ho% I ha& &is isse& the + in so

2E?

short a ti e Jalen ha& brought

e to think of the

as ignorant s%or& %iel&ers! all y life" I shoul& yself a&e e y hunger to set agic ha&

en of bra%n %ith no brain at all" I ha& li'e& a ong the ha'e kno%n better" 5o! I ha& kno%n better" But higher! to $ro'e beyon& &oubt clicke& %ithin %illing to acce$t any nonsense he y right to that royal

ight choose to $resent

e" So ething an ight

e! as if the key $iece to a %oo& $u11le ha& su&&enly sli& into

$lace" I ha& been bribe& %ith the offer of kno%le&ge as another ha'e been bribe& %ith coins" I &i& not think 'ery %ell of longer! nor $ersua&e yself as I cli be& the stairs to yself" I also resol'e&

y roo " I lay e any ost fir ly that I y lessons

&o%n to slee$ %ith the resol'e that I %oul& not let Jalen &ecei'e e to &ecei'e %oul& learn the Skill! no atter ho% $ainful or &ifficult it ight be"

#n& so &ark an& early the next exercise! $hysical or then the

orning I $lunge& fully back into

an& routine" I atten&e& Jalen.s e'ery %or&! I $ushe& ental! to the extre e of

yself to &o each eat sus$en&e&

y ability" But as the %eek! an&

onth! %ore $ainfully on! I felt like a &og %ith his

4ust beyon& the reach of his 4a%s" For the others! so ething %as ob'iously ha$$ening" # net%ork of share& thought %as buil&ing bet%een the ! a co the unication that ha& the $erfor turning to one another before they s$oke! that let e! but fro the I felt nothing! an& fro the share& $hysical exercises as one being" Sullenly! resentfully!

they took turns being $artnere& %ith exerte& to%ar& the another.s

e they shu&&ere& an& $ulle& back! co $laining to Jalen that the force I %as either like a %his$er or a battering ra " a1e of the coals! gui&e& I %atche& in near &es$air as they &ance& in $airs! sharing control of one uscles! or as one %alke& blin&fol&e& the by the eyes of his seate& $artner" So eti es I kne% I ha& the Skill" I coul& feel it buil&ing %ithin e! unfol&ing like a gro%ing see&! but it %as a thing I coul&
2EB

not see

to &irect or control" One

o ent it %as %ithin

e! boo ing like a e %as &ry

ti&e against rock cliffs! an& the next it %as gone an& all %ithin The next he %oul& stan& glaring at %alls!7 Jalen %oul& angrily or&er con'ey to Skill against co $el e" But I coul& no e! &aring e to contact hi

&eserte& san&" #t its strength! I coul& co $el #ugust to stan&! to bo%! to %alk" at all" #n& no one see e& able to reach insi&e e" 6Dro$ your guar&! $ut &o%n your e! 'ainly trying to y in& than I coul& ight to

e as he stoo& before ore allo% hi insi&e

e the si $lest &irection or suggestion" I felt the barest brush of his an sli& a s%or& bet%een his touch! $hysical or y ribs" Try as I

stan& co $lacent %hile a yself! I shie& fro

ental! an& the touches of aster the barest basics"

y class ates I coul& not feel at all" Daily they a&'ance&! %hile I %atche& an& struggle& to # &ay ca e %hen #ugust looke& at a $age! an& across the roofto$! his $artner rea& it alou&! %hile another set of t%o $airs $laye& a chess ga e in %hich those %ho co an&e& the o'es coul& not $hysically see the boar& at all" #n& e" Each &ay he &is isse& us felt" #n& each &ay I %as the last free to go! an& Jalen %as %ell $lease& %ith all of the ! sa'e after a touch! a touch I sel&o he col&ly re in&e& (ing co an&e& hi to &o so" a $u$$y to a &og" Sooty y lessons! a fine filly sire& by Aerity.s an selling bir&s an&

e that he %aste& his ti e on a bastar& only because the

S$ring %as co ing on an& S ithy gro%n fro &ro$$e& her foal %hile I %as at

stallion" I sa% -olly once! an& %e %alke& together near %or&lessly through the arket" There %as a ne% stall set u$! %ith a rough ani als! all ca$ture& %il& an& cage& by hi " He ha& cro%s! an& s$arro%s! an& a s%allo%! an& one young fox so %eak %ith %or s he coul& scarcely stan&" Death %oul& free hi sooner than any buyer! an& e'en if I ha& ha& the coin for e&icines %oul& only $oison hi hi ! he ha& reache& a state %here the %or
2EC

as %ell as his $arasites" It sickene&

e! an& so I stoo&! )uesting to%ar& the etal ight

bir&s %ith suggestions of ho% $icking at a certain bright bit of the sel'es! an& I felt her gro% cooler an& farther fro attention! an& so %on fro

un$in the &oors of their cages" But -olly thought I stare& at the $oor beasts e than e'er she ha& been before" #s %e %alke& her ho e S ithy %hine& beggingly for her her a cu&&le an& a $at before %e left" I en'ie& hi the ability to %hine so %ell" -y o%n see e& to go unhear&" ;ith s$ring in the air! all in the sea$ort brace&! for soon it %oul& be rai&ing %eather" I ate %ith the guar&s e'ery night no% an& listene& %ell to all the ru ors" Forge& ones ha& beco e robbers all along our high%ays! an& the stories of their &e$ra'ities an& &e$re&ations %ere all the ta'ern talk no%" #s $re&ators! they %ere %ith a 'eno ore &e'oi& of &ecency an& ercy than any %il& ani al coul& be" It %as easy to forget they ha& e'er been hu an! an& to hate the like nothing else" others to gi'e their chil&ren in the e'ent the o'e& inlan&! forsaking their The fear of being Forge& increase& $ro$ortionately" -arkets carrie& can&y/ &i$$e& bea&s of $oison for fa ily %as ca$ture& by rai&ers" There %ere ru ors that so e seacoast 'illagers ha& $acke& u$ all their belongings in carts an& a%ay fro tra&itional occu$ations as fishers an& tra&ers to beco e far ers an& hunters the threat of the sea" 9ertainly the $o$ulation of beggars %ithin the a& an as he hel$e& hi self to %hate'er he city %as s%elling" # Forge& one ca e into Buckkee$ To%n itself an& %alke& the streets! as untouchable as a %ante& fro the arket stalls" Before a secon& &ay ha& $asse&! he ha& ountain ust

&isa$$eare&! an& &ark %his$ers sai& to %atch for his bo&y to %ash u$ on the beach" Other ru ors sai& a %ife ha& been foun& for Aerity a ong the folk" So e sai& it %as to secure our access to the $asses+ others that %e coul& not affor& a $otential ene y at our backs %hen all along our seacoast %e
2ED

fear the Re&/Shi$s" #n& there %ere yet other ru ors! no! the barest %his$ers! too brief an& frag ente& to be ru ors! that all %as not %ell %ith *rince Aerity" Tire& an& sick sai& so e! an& others sniggere& about a ner'ous an& %eary bri&egroo " # fe% sneere& that he ha& taken to &rink an& %as only seen by &ay %hen his hea&ache %as %orst" I foun& y concern o'er these last ru ors to be &ee$er than I %oul& ha'e uch in& to e! at least not in a y e&ucation an& co fort an& ha& long ago ex$ecte&" 5one of the royals ha& e'er $ai& $ersonal %ay" Shre%& sa% to bought alternati'e" Regal &es$ise&

y loyalty! so that no% I %as his %ithout e'en gi'ing thought to any e! an& I ha& long learne& to a'oi& his narro% e! in an

glance! an& the casual nu&ges or furti'e sho'es that ha& once been enough to sen& a s aller boy staggering" But Aerity ha& been kin& to in a %ay I un&erstoo&" I %ante& to see hi absent in&e& sort of %ay! an& he lo'e& his &ogs an& his horse an& his ha%ks stan& tall an& $rou& at his %e&&ing! uch as an& ho$e& so e&ay to stan& behin& the throne he %oul& occu$y

9ha&e stoo& behin& Shre%&.s" I ho$e& he %as %ell! an& yet there %as nothing I coul& &o about it if he %ere not! nor e'en a %ay I coul& see hi " E'en if %e ha& been kee$ing the sa e hours! the circles %e sa e" It %as still not )uite full s$ring %hen Jalen of the kee$ %as a&e his announce ent" The rest aking its $re$arations for S$ringfest" The stalls in the o'e& in %ere sel&o the

arket$lace %oul& be san&e& clean an& re$ainte& in bright colors! an& tree branches %oul& be brought insi&e an& gently force& so that their blosso s an& tiny lea'es coul& grace the ban)uet table on S$ringse'e" But ten&er ne% greens an& eggcake %ith carris see& to$$ings %ere not %hat Jalen ha& in %e %oul& be teste&! either to be $ro'en %orthy or &iscar&e&"
2EE

in& for us!

nor $u$$et sho%s an& hunt &ances" Instea&! %ith the co ing of the ne% season!

6Discar&e&!7 he re$eate&! an& if he ha& been con&e ning those unchosen to &eath! the attention of his other stu&ents coul& not ha'e been nu bly trie& to un&erstan& in full %hat it %oul& ha& no belief that he %oul& test if he &i&" 6You shall be a coterie! those of you %ho $ro'e yoursel'es" Such a coterie as has ne'er been before! I %oul& think" #t the height of S$ringfest! I #s you ha'e co e this far %ith So I I $lace in yself %ill $resent you to your king! an& he shall see the %on&er of %hat I ha'e %rought" e! you kno% I %ill not be sha e& before hi " yself %ill test you! an& test you to your li its! to be sure that the %ea$on y king.s han& hol&s an e&ge %orthy of its $ur$ose" One &ay fro ean to ore intent" I e %hen I faile&" I

e fairly! or that I coul& $ass such a test e'en

no%! I %ill scatter you! like see&s in the %in&! across the king&o " I ha'e arrange& that you %ill be taken hence! by s%ift horse! to your &estinations" #n& there each of you %ill be left! alone" 5ot one of you %ill kno% %here any of the others are"7 He $ause&! I think to let each of us feel the tension thru through the roo " I kne% that all the others 'ibrate& in tune! sharing a co e otion! al ost a co they hear& far fail" 6;ithin t%o &ays of being left! you %ill be su you nee& to one&" By e" You %ill be &irecte& %ho to contact! an& %here" Each of you %ill recei'e the infor ation ake your %ay back here" If you ha'e learne&! an& learne& %ell! ust &o is fin& y coterie %ill be here an& $resent on S$ringse'e! rea&y to be $resente& to the (ing"7 #gain the $ause" 6Do not think! ho%e'er! that all you your %ay back to Buckkee$ by S$ringse'e" You are to be a coterie! not ho ing on ore than the si $le %or&s fro ing on

in& as they recei'e& their instruction" I sus$ecte& Jalen.s li$s" I felt a foreigner I coul& not gras$" I %oul&

there! listening to %or&s in a language %hose i&io

8HH

$igeons" Ho% you co e an& in %hat co $any %ill $ro'e to astere& your Skill" Be rea&y to lea'e by to orro% $raise for each! sa'e orning"7

e that you ha'e

#n& then he release& us! one by one! again %ith a touch for each! an& a %or& of e" I stoo& before hi ! as o$en as I coul& ake y yself! as in& %as e" He 'ulnerable as I &are& to be! an& yet the brush of the Skill against less than the touch of the %in&" He stare& &o%n at a&e a noise of conte $t an& looke& asi&e! releasing

e as I looke& u$ at hi ! e" I starte& to go3

an& I &i& not nee& the Skill to feel that he both loathe& an& &es$ise&

6Far better!7 he sai& in that ca'ernous 'oice of his! 6if you ha& gone o'er the %all that night! bastar&" Far better" Burrich thought I abuse& you" I %as only offering you a %ay out! as close to an honorable %ay as you %ere ca$able of fin&ing" Jo a%ay an& &ie! boy! or at least go a%ay" You sha e your father.s na e by existing" By E&a! I &o not kno% ho% you ca e to exist" That a you beco e is beyon& y in& to i agine"7 in his 'oice as he s$oke of an such as your father coul& fall to such &e$th as lying %ith so ething an& letting #s al%ays! there %as that note of fanaticis

9hi'alry! an& his eyes beca e al ost blank %ith blin& i&olatry for hi " #l ost absent in&e&ly! he turne& a%ay an& %alke& off" He reache& the to$ of the stairs! an& then turne&! 'ery slo%ly" 6I strength fro He s ile&" It ust ask!7 he sai&! an& the 'eno in his 'oice %as hungry %ith hatre&" 6#re you his cata ite! that he lets you suck hi 0 Is that %hy he is so $ossessi'e of you07 a&e his ca&a'erous face e'en ore skull/like" 6Di& you think I 69ata ite07 I re$eate&! not kno%ing the %or&" ha&n.t &isco'ere& hi 0 Di& you think you.& be free to &ra% on his strength for this test0 You %on.t" Be assure&! bastar&! you %on.t"7 He turne& an& %ent &o%n the ste$s! lea'ing roofto$" I ha& no i&ea %hat his final %or&s
8H1

e stan&ing there alone on the

eant+ but the strength of his hatre&

ha& left

e sickene& an& %eak as if it %ere a $oison he.& $ut in

y bloo&" I

%as re in&e& of the last ti e all ha& left

e on the to%er roof" I felt co $elle&

to %alk to the e&ge of the to%er an& look &o%n" This corner of the kee$ &i& not face the sea! but there %ere still 4agge& rocks a$lenty at the foot of it" 5o one %oul& sur'i'e that fall" If I coul& one secon&! then I coul& $ut anyone else 6I. # &istant echo of a %hi $er" co ing! S ithy!7 I uttere&! an& turne& a%ay fro the e&ge" ake a &ecision %hose fir ness laste& for e" yself out of it all" #n& %hat Burrich or 9ha&e or

ight think of it %oul& not be able to trouble

9H#*TER SEAE5TEE5 The Trial THE -#5 9ERE-O5Y IS su$$ose& to take $lace %ithin the an& na e the can&i&ate! an& He oon of a boy.s fourteenth birth&ay" 5ot all are honore& %ith it" It re)uires a -an to s$onsor ust fin& a &o1en other -en %ho conce&e the en/at/ar s! I kne% of the y birth &ate" For another! I ha& boy is %orthy an& rea&y" =i'ing a ong the to $artici$ate in it" For one thing! no one kne% fin& e %orthy" onths after I ha& en&ure& Jalen.s test! I a%oke to fin&

cere ony! an& kne% enough of its gra'ity an& selecti'ity that I ne'er ex$ecte& no kno%le&ge of %ho %as a -an! let alone if t%el'e -en existe& %ho %oul& But on a certain night! gli $se& the 5o one

y be& surroun&e& by robe& an& hoo&e& figures" ;ithin the &ark hoo&s I asks of the *illars" ay say" #s y han&s! fish! bir&! an& beast! I chose to release it! not
8H2

ay s$eak or %rite of the cere ony &etails" This! I think! I

each life %as $ut into

to &eath but back to its o%n free existence" So nothing &ie& at an& hence no one feaste&" But e'en in y state of ha& been enough bloo& an& &eath aroun&

y cere ony!

in& at that ti e! I felt there e a na e! so He coul& not I chose to

e to last a =ifeti e! an& I refuse& to

kill %ith han&s or teeth" -y -an still chose to gi'e

ha'e been totally &is$lease&" The na e is in the ol& tongue! %hich has no letters an& cannot be %ritten" 5or ha'e I e'er foun& any %ith %ho share the kno%le&ge of y -an na e" But its ancient &i'ulge here" 9atalyst" The 9hanger" I %ent straight to the stables! to S ithy an& then to Sooty" The &istress I felt at the thought of the stall! orro% %ent fro ental to $hysical! an& I stoo& in Sooty.s e y hea& leane& against her %ithers! an& felt )ueasy" Burrich foun& eaning! I think! I can

there" I recogni1e& his $resence an& the stea&y ca&ence of his boots as he ca e &o%n the stable %alk%ay! an& then he halte& abru$tly outsi&e Sooty.s stall" I felt hi looking in at e an& e" y $roble s" Ha& I been any less iserable! y $ri&e 6;ell" 5o% %hat07 he &e an&e& harshly! an& I hear& in his 'oice ho% %eary he %as of both %oul& ha'e Instea&! I a&e e &ra% yself u$ an& &eclare nothing %as %rong" horses for this i&iotic the (ing gi'ing

uttere& into Sooty.s coat! 6To orro% Jalen $lans to test us"7

6I kno%" He.s &e an&e& )uite abru$tly that I furnish hi hi authority" #n& no

sche e" I %oul& ha'e refuse&! ha& he not a %ax signet fro ask it!7 he a&&e& gruffly as I looke& u$ su&&enly at hi " 6I %oul&n.t!7 I tol& hi at all" sullenly" I %oul& $ro'e

ore &o I kno% than that he %ants the horses! so &on.t yself fairly to Jalen! or not

8H8

6You.'e no chance of $assing this trial he.s &esigne&! &o you07 Burrich.s tone %as casual! but I coul& hear ho% he brace& hi self to be &isa$$ointe& by ans%er" 65one!7 I sai& flatly! an& %e %ere both silent a finality of that %or&" 6;ell"7 He cleare& his throat an& ga'e his belt a hitch" 6Then you.& best get it o'er %ith an& get back here! then" It.s not like you ha'en.t ha& goo& luck %ith your other schooling" # atte $te& to conse)uence" 6I su$$ose not" ;ill you take care of S ithy for uch is that &og going to hi so iss you07 afrai& he %on.t iss e at all"7 e %hile I. gone07 6I %ill"7 He starte& to turn a%ay! then turne& back! al ost reluctantly" 6Ho% I hear& his other )uestion! but trie& to a'oi& it" 6I &on.t kno%" I.'e ha& to lea'e uch &uring these lessons! I. 6I &oubt that!7 Burrich sai& $on&erously" He turne& a%ay" 6I &oubt that a 'ery great &eal!7 he sai& as he %alke& off bet%een the ro%s of stalls" #n& I kne% that he kne%! an& %as &isguste&! not 4ust that S ithy an& I share& a bon&! but that I refuse& to a& it it" 6#s if a& itting it %ere an o$tion! %ith hi !7 I %oul& $ass before he sa% I uttere& to Sooty" I ba&e y ani als fare%ell! trying to con'ey to S ithy that se'eral eals an& nights ake an can.t ex$ect to succee& at e'erything he tries"7 He y failure at the Skill soun& as if it %ere of no o ent! listening to the y

e again" He %riggle& an& fa%ne& an& $roteste& that y la$ an& I hel& hi " He %as so %ar yself that he %oul& se'eral &ays of

ust take hi ! that I %oul& nee& hi " He %as too big to $ick u$ an& hug o ent I felt ho% right he %as! that I %oul&

any ore" I sat &o%n an& he ca e into an& soli&! so near an& real" For a nee& hi be here! %aiting for

to be able to sur'i'e this failure" But I re in&e&

e %hen I returne&! an& I $ro ise& hi

8H<

y ti e for his sole benefit %hen I returne&" I %oul& take hi

on a long hunt!

such as %e ha& ne'er ha& ti e for before" 5o%! he suggeste&! an& soon! I $ro ise&" Then I %ent back u$ to the kee$ to $ack a change of clothes an& so e tra'eling foo&" The next orning ha& uch of $o $ an& &ra a to it an& 'ery little sense! to y %ay of thinking" The others to be teste& see e& elate&" Of the eight of us that %ere setting out! I %as the only one %ho see e& uni $resse& by the restless horses an& the eight co'ere& litters" Jalen line& us u$ an& blin&fol&e& us as threescore or ore of $eo$le looke& on" -ost of the %ere relate& to the stu&ents! or frien&s! or the kee$ gossi$s" Jalen locations an& left+ that %e ser'e our king I %as escorte& to There $asse& a fresh air on a&e a brief s$eech! ostensibly ake our

to us! but telling us %hat %e alrea&y kne%3 that %e %ere to be taken to &ifferent ust coo$erate! using the Skill! in or&er to %ays back to the kee$+ that if %e succee&e&! %e %oul& beco e a coterie an& agnificently an& be essential to &efeating the Re&/Shi$ uttering tongues as y litter an& assiste& insi&e" iserable &ay an& a half for e" The litter s%aye&! an& %ith no e! I soon felt )ueasy fro eager it" The Rai&ers" The last bit i $resse& our onlookers! for I hear&

y face or scenery to &istract

an gui&ing the horses ha& been s%orn to silence an& ke$t his %or&" ;e $ause& briefly that night" I %as gi'en a #t about eal! brea& an& cheese an& ore I %as %ater! an& then I %as reloa&e& an& the 4olting an& s%aying resu e&" i&&ay of the follo%ing &ay! the litter halte&" Once assiste& in &is ounting" 5ot a %or& %as sai&! an& I stoo&! stiff an& hea&achy an& blin&fol&e& in a strong %in&" ;hen I hear& the horses lea'ing! I &eci&e& I ha& reache& y &estination an& reache& u$ to untie ea o ent to get it off" y blin&fol&" Jalen ha& knotte& it tightly an& it took

8H?

I stoo& on a grassy hillsi&e" -y escort %as %ell on his %ay to a roa& that %oun& $ast the base of the hill! knees! sere fro o'ing s%iftly" The grass %as tall aroun& y %inter! but green at the base" I coul& see other grassy hills y bearings" It %as hilly country! but I coul&

%ith rocks $oking out of their si&es! an& stri$s of %oo&lan& sheltering at their feet" I shrugge& an& turne& to get scent the sea an& a lo% ti&e to the east so e%here" I ha& a nagging sense that the countrysi&e %as fa iliar+ not that I ha& been to this $articular s$ot before! but that the lay of the terrain %as fa iliar so eho%" I turne&! an& to the %est sa% the Sentinel" There %as no co$ie& o'er for Fe&%ren a the Sentinel.s &istincti'e $eak as a %here I %as" 5ot too far fro I foun& Forge" istaking the &ouble 4ag of its $eak" I ha& otif for the &ecorati'e bor&er" So" The sea a$ less than a year ago! an& the creator ha& chosen

o'er there! the Sentinel there! an& %ith a su&&enly &i$$ing sto ach! I kne% yself )uickly turning in a circle! to sur'ey the surroun&ing hillsi&e

an& %oo&lan&s an& roa&" 5o signs of anyone" I )ueste& out! al ost frantically! but foun& only bir&s an& s all ga e an& one buck! %ho lifte& his hea& an& snuffe&! %on&ering %hat I %as" For a un&etecte& by that sense" I o'e& &o%n the hill to %here se'eral boul&ers 4utte& out fro its si&e an& sat in their shelter" It %as not that the %in& %as col&! for the &ay $ro ise& s$ring soon" It %as to ha'e so ething fir ly against y back! an& to feel that I %as not such an outstan&ing target as I ha& been ato$ the hill" I trie& to think coolly %hat to &o next" Jalen ha& suggeste& to us that %e shoul& stay )uietly %here %e %ere &e$osite&! e&itating an& re aining o$en in our senses" So eti e in e" the next t%o &ays! he shoul& try to contact o ent I felt reassure&! until I re e bere& that the Forge& ones I ha& encountere& before ha& been

8HB

5othing takes the heart out of a

an

ore than the ex$ectation of failure" I ha& e! let alone that I %oul& recei'e any ore thought than that! I rose! again e! then struck out to%ar& the sea the shore I shoul& be able Isle" E'en one of those

no belief he %oul& really try to contact for e %as a safe location" ;ithout uch

clear i $ressions if he &i&" 5or &i& I ha'e faith that the &ro$/off he ha& chosen sur'eye& the area for anyone %atching s ell" If I %ere %here I su$$ose& %oul& be enough to tell #s I hike& I tol&

yself to be! fro

to see #ntler Islan& an&! on a clear &ay! $ossibly Scri e ho% far fro Forge I %as"

yself I only %ante& to see ho% long a %alk I %oul& ha'e too erely

back to Buckkee$" Only a fool %oul& i agine that the Forge& ones still re$resente& any &anger" Surely %inter ha& $ut an en& to the ! or left the star'e& an& %eakene& to be a of the ban&ing together as cutthroats an& thie'es" I %asn.t afrai&" I enace to anyone" I ga'e no cre&ence to the tales e! location shoul&

%ante& to see %here I %as" If Jalen truly %ante& to contact reache& for! not the $lace" He coul& fin& on the hillto$"

be no barrier" He ha& assure& us innu erable ti es that it %as the $erson he e as %ell on the beach as he coul&

By late afternoon! I stoo& ato$ rocky cliffs! looking out to sea" #ntler Islan&! an& a ha1e that %oul& be Scri thought" So no% %hat0 By e'ening! I %as back on y hillto$! scrunche& &o%n bet%een t%o of the y boul&ers" I ha& &eci&e& it %as as goo& a $lace to %ait as any" Des$ite brea& an& salt fish an& &rank s$aringly of inclu&e& an extra cloak" I %ra$$e& beyon& it" I %as north of Forge" The coast roa& ho e %oul& go right through the ruins of that to%n" It %as not a co forting

&oubts! I %oul& stay %here I ha& been left until the contact ti e %as u$" I ate y %ater" -y change of clothes yself in this an& sternly re4ecte& all
8HC

thoughts of

aking a fire" Ho%e'er s all! it %oul& ha'e been a beacon to ore cruelly te&ious than unre itting yself u$ to Jalen.s Skill! all the

anyone on the &irt roa& that $asse& the hill" I &on.t think there is anything ner'ousness" I trie& to e&itate! to o$en

%hile shi'ering %ith col& an& refusing to a& it that I %as scare&" The chil& in e ke$t i agining &ark ragge& figures cree$ing soun&lessly u$ the hillsi&e aroun& e! Forge& folk %ho %oul& beat an& kill y bag" I ha& cut yself a stick as I y fears! but e for the cloak I %ore an& a&e y %ay back to y the foo& in

hillsi&e! an& I gri$$e& it in both han&s! but it see e& a $oor %ea$on" So eti es I &o1e& &es$ite gloating o'er y &rea s %ere al%ays of Jalen e! an& I al%ays %oke y night ares %ere true" yself by y failure as Forge& ones close& in on

%ith a start! to $eer %il&ly about to see if orning" #fternoon brought

I %atche& the sunrise through the trees an& then &o1e& fitfully through e a %eary sort of $eace" I a use& y in&! an& rabbits little )uesting out to%ar& the %il&life on the hillsi&e" -ice an& songbir&s %ere little ore than bright s$arks of hunger in %as full of lust to fin& a ore! but a fox ate an& farther off a buck battere& the 'el'et off his e to acce$t! as night fell! that I ha& felt yself it &i&n.t

antlers as $ur$osefully as any s ith at his an'il" E'ening %as 'ery long" It %as sur$rising! 4ust ho% har& it %as for nothing! not the slightest $ressure of the Skill" Either he ha&n.t calle& or I ha&n.t hear& hi " I ate brea& an& fish in the &ark an& tol& atter" For a ti e I trie& to bolster cla cheate& yself %ith anger! but y &es$air %as too yself" I %oul& y knees! an&

y an& &ark a thing for anger.s fla es to o'erco e" I felt sure Jalen ha& e! but I %oul& ne'er be able to $ro'e it! not e'en to y back against a rock! y stick across e ha& been 4ustifie&" In full

al%ays ha'e to %on&er if his conte $t for &arkness! I settle& resol'e& to slee$"
8HD

-y &rea s %ere

u&&le& an& sour" Regal stoo& o'er e" 9ha&e turne& asi&e fro e to beha'e like a

e! an& I %as a chil& e! &isa$$ointe&" -olly e by the

slee$ing in stra% again" He laughe& an& hel& a knife" Aerity shrugge&! an& s ile& a$ologetically at s ile& at 4a&e! $ast shirtfront an& shook e! forgetting I %as there" Burrich hel& e! telling

an! not a beast" But I lay eat %as 'ery goo&!

&o%n on stra% an& an ol& shirt! che%ing at a bone" The an& I coul& think of nothing else"

I %as 'ery co fortable until so eone o$ene& a stable &oor an& left it a4ar" # nasty little %in& ca e cree$ing across the stable floor to chill &ark! %ith a uttere&! 6It.s all right! S ithy!7 as he $asse& e! an& I looke& e" I $ut y hea& u$ %ith a gro%l" I s elle& Burrich an& ale" Burrich ca e slo%ly through the &o%n as he began to cli b his stairs" Su&&enly there %as a shout an& they fell" I lea$e& to # boot kicke& at 4a%s" I caught an& struck at I set e" y si&e" y outhful" Other &ogs en falling &o%n the stairs" They struggle& as e" y y teeth an& cla $e& y feet! snarling an& barking" They lan&e& half ato$

e! an& I sei1e& the leg abo'e it in

ore boot an& $ant than flesh! but he hisse& in anger an& $ain!

# knife %ent into

y teeth har&er an& hel& on! snarling aroun& %ith

ha& a%akene& an& %ere barking! the horses %ere sta $ing in their stalls" Boy! boy! I calle& for hel$" I felt hi kicke& bloo&" He &i& not e! but he &i&n.t co e" The intru&er outhful" I hear& ol& Aixen aster" y boy a last e! but I %oul&n.t let go" Burrich lay in the stra% an& I s elle& his o'e" I snarle& aroun& the

flinging herself against the &oor u$stairs! trying 'ainly to get to her #gain an& then again the knife $lunge& into e" I crie& out to y

ti e! an& then I coul& no longer hol& on" I %as flung off the kicking leg! to strike the si&e of a stall" I %as &ro%ning! bloo& in
8HE

outh an& nostrils"

Running feet" *ain in the &ark" I hitche& closer to Burrich" I $ushe& un&er his han&" He &i& not 5ot for a bet%een I a%oke on a &ark hillsi&e! gri$$ing y stick so tightly y

y nose

o'e" Aoices an& light co ing! co ing! co ing , y han&s %ere nu b"

o ent &i& I think it a &rea " I coul&n.t sto$ feeling the knife y ribs an& tasting the bloo& in outh" =ike the refrain of a y outh! an& the taste of y e ories ca e again an& again! the &raft of col& air! the y ene y.s bloo& in ake sense of %hat S ithy ha& seen" So eone ha& been at

ghastly song! the o%n" I struggle& to

knife! the boot! the taste of

the to$ of Burrich.s stairs! %aiting for hi " So eone %ith a knife" #n& Burrich ha& fallen! an& S ithy ha& s elle& bloo& , I stoo& an& gathere& $resence in y %hen I felt ho% y things" Thin an& faint %as S ithy.s %ar to ackno%le&ge little in&" ;eak! but there" I )ueste& carefully! an& then sto$$e& uch it cost hi e" Still" Be still" I. y y knees shook beneath e! but s%eat %as slick on

co ing" I %as col& an&

back" 5ot once &i& I )uestion %hat I it! it

ust &o" I stro&e &o%n the hill to the &irt

roa&" It %as a little tra&e roa&! a $e&&lers. track! an& I kne% that if I follo%e& ust intersect e'entually %ith the coast roa&" I %oul& follo% it! I %oul& yself ho e" #n& if E&a fa'ore& arch %oul& carry e! I %oul& e farther fin& the coast roa&! I %oul& get I stro&e! refusing to let faster than a

be in ti e to hel$ S ithy" #n& Burrich" yself run" # stea&y a& s$rint through the &ark" The night %as clear! the trail straight"

I consi&ere&! once! that I %as $utting an en& to any chance of $ro'ing I coul& Skill" #ll I ha& $ut into it! ti e! effort! $ain! all %aste&" But there %as no %ay I coul& ha'e sat &o%n an& %aite& another full &ay for Jalen to try to reach To o$en y e" in& to Jalen.s $ossible Skill touch! I %oul& ha'e ha& to clear it

of S ithy.s tenuous threa&" I %oul& not" ;hen it %as all $ut in the balances! the Skill %as far out%eighe& by S ithy" #n& Burrich"
81H

;hy Burrich0 I %on&ere&" ;ho coul& hate hi began to asse ble

enough to a bush hi 0 #n& %ell enough to kno% itte& in a Buckkee$

right outsi&e his o%n )uarters" #s clearly as if I %ere re$orting to 9ha&e! I y facts" So eone %ho kne% hi %here he li'e&+ that rule& out so e chance offense co 4ust %ante& to gi'e hi

To%n ta'ern" So eone %ho ha& brought a knife+ that rule& out so eone %ho a beating" The knife ha& been shar$! an& the %iel&er the e ory" ha& kno%n ho% to use it" I %ince& again fro

Those %ere the facts" 9autiously! I began to buil& assu $tions u$on the " So eone %ho kne% Burrich.s habits ha& a serious grie'ance against hi ! serious enough to kill o'er" -y ste$s slo%e& su&&enly" ;hy ha&n.t S ithy been a%are of the an u$ there %aiting0 ;hy ha&n.t Aixen been barking through the &oor0 Sli$$ing $ast &ogs in their o%n territory bes$oke so eone %ell $ractice& at stealth" Jalen" 5o" I only %ante& it to be Jalen" I refuse& to lea$ to the conclusion" *hysically! Jalen %as no atch for Burrich an& he kne% it" 5ot e'en %ith a knife! in the ight %ant to! but he &ark! %ith Burrich half/&runk an& sur$rise&" 5o" Jalen %oul&n.t &o it" 5ot hi self" ;oul& he sen& another0 I $on&ere& it! an& &eci&e& I &i&n.t kno%" Think so e ore" Burrich %as not a $atient an" Jalen %as the ost recent ene y he.& y facts! trying to reach a&e! but not the only one" O'er an& o'er I restacke& E'entually I ca e to a strea %oo&s gre% thicker! an& the like a strea

a soli& conclusion" But there si $ly %asn.t enough to buil& on" an& &rank s$aringly3 Then I %alke& again" The oon %as ostly obscure& by the trees lining the y trail flo%e& into the coast roa&

roa&" I &i&n.t turn back" I $ushe& on! until glea e& like sil'er in the oonlight"
811

fee&ing a ri'er" I follo%e& it south! an& the %i&er high%ay

I %alke& an& $on&ere& the night a%ay" #s the first cree$ing ten&rils of &a%n began to $ut colors back into the lan&sca$e! I felt incre&ibly %eary! but no less &ri'en" -y %orry %as a bur&en I coul&n.t $ut &o%n" I clutche& at the thin threa& of %ar th that tol& e S ithy %as still ali'e! an& %on&ere& about Burrich" I ha& no %ay of kno%ing ho% ba&ly he.& been in4ure&" S ithy ha& s elle& his bloo&! so the knife ha& score& at least once" #n& the fall &o%n the staircase0 I trie& to set the %orry asi&e" I ha& ne'er consi&ere& that Burrich coul& be in4ure& in such a %ay! let alone %hat I %oul& feel about it" I coul& co e u$ %ith no na e for the feeling" @ust hollo%! I thought to Hollo%" #n& %eary" I ate a bit as I %alke& an& refille& clou&e& u$ an& raine& on y %ater skin fro a strea " -i& orning e for a bit! only to clear as abru$tly by early yself"

afternoon" I stro&e on" I ha& ex$ecte& to fin& so e sort of traffic on the coast roa&! but sa% nothing" By late afternoon! the coast roa& ha& 'eere& close to the cliffs" I coul& look across a s all co'e an& &o%n onto %hat ha& been Forge" The $eacefulness of it %as chilling" 5o s oke rose fro ro&e in the harbor" I kne% relish the i&ea! but the %ar I lifte& long training sa'e& y roa& %oul& take the cottages! no boats e on" e e right through it" I &i& not

threa& of S ithy.s life tugge&

y hea& to the scuff of feet against stone" Only the reflexes of Ho&.s e" I ca e about! staff at the rea&y! an& s%e$t aroun& e" The e" I

in a &efensi'e circle that cracke& the 4a% of the one that %as behin& %as rolling an& yelling on the groun&" 5o one $ai& hi &ealt hi E'en in that situation! y action sur$rise& any

others fell back" Three others" #ll Forge&! e $ty as stone" The one I ha& struck in& exce$t another )uick 4olt to his back" He yelle& lou&er an& thrashe& about" e" I kne% it %as %ise to ake sure

a &isable& ene y staye& &isable&! but I kne% I coul& ne'er ha'e kicke& at a ho%ling &og as I &i& at that an" But fighting these Forge& ones %as like
812

fighting ghosts" I felt no $resence fro I.& &ealt the in4ure& snatch at I &ance&

any of the + I ha& no sense of the $ain ing a again! to be sure he %oul& not

an! no echoes of his anger or fear" It %as like sla to a clear s$ace in the roa&"

&oor! 'iolence %ithout a 'icti ! as I cracke& hi e as I lea$e& o'er hi y staff aroun&

e! kee$ing the others at bay" They looke& ragge& e if I fle&" I %as alrea&y tire&! e until I &ro$$e&" One

an& hungry! but I still felt they coul& outrun reache& too close an& I struck hi other t%o $ai& no

an& they %ere like star'ing %ol'es" They.& $ursue

a glancing blo% to the %rist" He &ro$$e& a

rusty fish knife an& clutche& his han& to his heart! shrieking o'er it" #gain! the in& to the in4ure& one" I &ance& back" sai&" His 'oice %as rusty an& hesitant! as if o'e& slo%ly aroun& y in&" y things! back &o%n e! en talking! I thought to yself! 6;hat &o you %ant07 I &e an&e& of the " 6;hat &o you ha'e07 one of the in a %i&e circle that ke$t long unuse&! an& his %or&s lacke& any inflection" He e turning" Dea& an& coul&n.t sto$ the thought fro anything for you" 5o the roa&"7 65othing!7 sai& the other! an& for the first ti e I reali1e& she ha& been a %o an! once" 5o% she %as this e $ty ale'olent $u$$et! %hose &ull eyes a&e her careless su&&enly lit %ith a'arice as she sai&! 69loak" I %ant your cloak"7 She see e& $lease& to ha'e for ulate& this thought! an& it enough to let $u11le&! an& then continue& to li $ after 69loak!7 echoe& the other" For a e" e crack her on the shin" She glance& &o%n at the in4ury as if o ent they glare& at one another in &ull echoing through

65othing!7 I $ante&! 4abbing to kee$ one fro

o'ing any closer" 6I &on.t ha'e

oney! no foo&! nothing" I lost all

reali1ation of their ri'alry" 6-e" -ine!7 he a&&e&"

818

65o" (ill you!7 she offere& cal ly" 6(ill you! too!7 she re in&e& ca e close again" I s%ung

e! an& a&e

y staff at her! but she lea$e& back! an& then

a snatch at it as it %ent by" I turne&! 4ust in ti e to %hack the one %hose %rist I ha& alrea&y &a age&" Then I lea$e& $ast hi a%k%ar&ly! hol&ing on to an& race& &o%n the roa&" I ran e as I y last y staff %ith one han& as I fought the fastening of y legs %arne& e that this %as

y cloak %ith the other" #t last it ca e un&one an& I let it fall fro continue& to run" The rubberiness in ga bit" But a fe% o ents later they

ust ha'e reache& it! for I hear& angry

cries an& screa s as they )uarrele& o'er it" I $raye& it %oul& be enough to occu$y all four of the an& ke$t running" There %as a ben& in the roa&! not e out of their sight" Still! I ke$t running! an& then yself on! an& %hen I sa% a likely s$ot! I left the y %ay into the heart uch but enough to take e $ty behin& roa&" I foun& a sa'agely nasty thicket of bra bles an& force& of it" Shaking an& exhauste&! I crouche& &o%n on s$iny bushes an& straine& fro y %ater an& trie& to cal y heels in the thick of the e" I $ushe&

trotting as long as I coul& before I &are& to look back" The roa& shone %i&e an&

y ears for any sign of $ursuit" I took short si$s yself" I ha& no ti e for this &elay+ I ha& to

get back to Buckkee$+ but I &are& not e erge" It is still inconcei'able to e that I fell aslee$ there! but I &i&" a se'ere y! y outh thick an& sour" I force& I ca e a%ake gra&ually" Jroggy! I felt sure I %as reco'ering fro in4ury or long illness" -y eyes %ere gu y eyeli&s o$en an& looke& aroun& an& an o'ercast &efeate& the sle$t &es$ite a oon" yself %ith uch y

e in be%il&er ent" The light %as ebbing!

-y exhaustion ha& been such that I ha& leane& o'er into the thornbushes an& ultitu&e of 4abbing $rickles" I extricate& &ifficulty! lea'ing bits of cloth! hair! an& skin behin&" I e erge& fro
81<

hi&ing $lace as cautiously as any hunte& ani al! not only )uesting as far as sense %oul& reach! but also snuffing the air an& $eering all about that )uiet" y )uesting %oul& not re'eal to %ere nearby! the forest ani als %oul& ha'e seen the

e" I kne%

e any Forge& ones! but ho$e& that if any an& reacte&" But all %as

I cautiously e erge& onto the roa&" But it %as %i&e an& e $ty" I looke& once at the sky! an& then set out for Forge" I staye& close to the e&ge of the roa&! %here the sha&o%s of the trees %ere thickest" I trie& to anything exce$t 'igilance an& %as the barest ten&ril in %as the fear that ke$t either si&e as I %alke&" It %as full &ark %hen I arri'e& on the hillsi&e o'erlooking Forge" For so e ti e I stoo& looking &o%n on it! seeking for any signs of life! then I force& yself to %alk on" The %in& ha& co e u$ an& fitfully grante& %as a treacherous boon! as kni'es fro uch &ecei'er as re'ealer" It e oonlight" It o'e a&e sha&o%s y o'e both s%iftly an& silently! an& &i& neither as %ell as I %ante& to" I ha& sto$$e& thinking of y nee& to get back to Buckkee$" S ithy.s life in&" I think the only e otion still acti'e in e y shoul&er an& scanning the %oo&s to

e looking o'er

at the corners of aban&one& houses an& cast su&&en reflections that glinte& like $u&&les in the street" But no one %alke& in Forge" The harbor %as any chi neys" The nor al inhabitants e $ty of 'essels! no s oke rose fro ha& as %ell! once there %ere no

ha& aban&one& it not long after that fateful rai&! an& e'i&ently the Forge& ones ore sources of foo& or co fort there" The to%n ha& ne'er really rebuilt itself after the rai&! an& a long season of %inter stor s an& ti&es ha& nearly co $lete& %hat the Re&/Shi$s ha& begun" Only the harbor looke& al ost nor al! sa'e for the e $ty sli$s" The sea%alls still cur'e& out into the bay like $rotecti'e han&s cu$$ing the &ocks" But there %as nothing left to $rotect"
81?

I threa&e&

y %ay through the &esolation that %as Forge" -y skin $rickle& as I the ol&y s ell of the e $ty cottages an& to stan& on

cre$t $ast sagging &oors on s$lintere& fra es in half burne& buil&ings" It %as a relief to get a%ay fro the %har'es o'erlooking the %ater" The roa& %ent right &o%n to the &ocks an& cur'e& along the co'e" # shoul&er of roughly %orke& stone ha& once $rotecte& the roa& fro inter'ention of the gree&y sea! but a %inter of ti&es an& stor s %ithout the an %as breaking it &o%n" Stones %ere %orking loose! an& the

sea.s &rift%oo& battering ra s! aban&one& no% by the ti&e! cluttere& the beach belo%" Once carts of iron ingots ha& been haule& &o%n this roa&! to %aiting 'essels" I %alke& along the sea%all an& sa% that %hat ha& a$$eare& so $er anent fro the hill abo'e %oul& %ithstan& $erha$s one or t%o aintenance before the sea reclai e& it" e gli $ses ore %inter seasons %ithout

O'erhea&! stars shone inter ittently through scu&&ing clou&s" The e'asi'e oon cloake& an& re'eale& herself as %ell! occasionally granting giant" It %as a night fro of the harbor" The shushing of the %a'es %as like the breathing of a &rugge& a &rea ! an& %hen I looke& out o'er the %ater! the oon$ath as it $ut into Forge harbor" Her asts bare of can'as as she ca e sli$$ing into the e! ghost of a Re&/Shi$ cut across the hull %as long an& sleek! her

harbor" The re& of her hull an& $ro% %as shiny as fresh s$ille& bloo&! as if she cut through runnels of bloo& instea& of salt %ater" In the &ea& to%n behin& no one raise& a shout of %arning" I stoo& like a fool! li ne& on the sea%all! shi'ering at the a$$arition! until the creak of oars an& the sil'er &ri$$ing of %ater off an oar.s e&ge Shi$ real" I flung yself flat to the cause%ay! then slithere& off the s ooth roa& surface y bloo& %as in y hea&! $oun&ing! an& no air %as in
81B

a&e the Re&/

into the boul&ers an& &rift%oo& cluttere& along the sea%all" I coul& not breathe for terror" #ll y lungs"

I ha& to set control of

y hea& &o%n bet%een

y ar s an& close e" #

y eyes to regain ust ake

yself" By then the s all soun&s e'en a stealthy 'essel

ca e faint but &istinct across the %ater to co

an cleare& his throat! an oar y

rattle& in its lock! so ething hea'y thu&&e& to the &eck" I %aite& for a shout or an& to betray that I ha& been seen" But there %as nothing" I lifte& hea& cautiously! $eering through the %hitene& roots of a &rift%oo& log" #ll %as still sa'e the shi$ co ing closer an& closer as the ro%ers brought her into harbor" Her oars rose an& fell in near/silent unison" Soon I coul& hear the coul& barely get the lengths a%ay fro talking in a language like ours! but so harshly s$oken I eaning of the %or&s" # an s$rang o'er the si&e %ith a ore than t%o shi$ a&e the shi$ fast no

line an& floun&ere& ashore" He

%here I lay hi&&en a ong the boul&ers an& logs" T%o

others s$rang out! kni'es in han&s! an& scra ble& u$ the sea%all" They ran along the roa& in o$$osite &irections! to take u$ $ositions as sentries" One %as on the roa& al ost &irectly abo'e to S ithy in y e" I a&e yself s all an& still" I hel& on ust not be &isco'ere&" The a&e the secon& see ore bes$oke in& the %ay a chil& gri$s a belo'e& toy as $rotection against ust &o the first so eho%

night ares" I ha& to get ho e to hi ! therefore I kno%le&ge that I $ossible" -en scrabble& hastily fro fa iliarity" I coul& not fatho

the shi$" E'erything about the

%hy they ha& $ut in here until I sa% the y in& that

unloa&ing e $ty %ater casks" The casks %ere sent hollo%ly rolling &o%n the cause%ay! an& I re e bere& the %ell I ha& $asse&" The $art of belonge& to 9ha&e note& ho% %ell they kne% Forge! to $ut in al ost exactly o$$osite that %ell" This %as not the first ti e this shi$ ha& sto$$e& here for %ater" 6*oison the %ell before you lea'e!7 he suggeste&" But I ha& no su$$lies for anything like that! an& no courage to &o anything exce$t re ain hi&&en"
81C

Others ha& e erge& fro

the shi$ an& %ere stretching their legs" I o'erhear& an" He %ishe& $er ission to light a fire eat" She forba&e it! saying they ha& here" She ga'e $er ission for unloa& t%o full on his shoul&er! %hich he

an argu ent bet%een a %o an an& a

%ith so e of the &rift%oo&! to roast so e recently! to ha'e fresh kegs" #nother &ro$$e& %ith a

not co e far enough! an& that a fire %oul& be too 'isible" So they ha& rai&e& eat! an& not too far fro so ething else that I &i& not )uite un&erstan&! until I sa% the an ca e ashore %ith a %hole ha

eaty sla$ onto one of the u$right kegs" He &re% a knife an& an broache& the other keg" They

began to car'e off chunks of it %hile another &a%n! there"

%oul& not be lea'ing anyti e soon" #n& if they &i& light a fire! or stay until y log.s sha&o% %oul& be no hi&ing $lace at all" I ha& to get out of

Through nests of san&fleas an& s)uiggling $iles of sea%ee&! un&er an& bet%een logs an& stones! I &ragge& y belly through san& an& $ebble& gra'el" I s%ear e! an& e'ery shifte& slab of stone blocke& y y that e'ery root snag caught at

%ay" The ti&e ha& change&" The %a'es broke noisily against the rocks! an& the flying s$ray ro&e the %in&" I %as soon soake&" I trie& to ti e %ith the soun& of the breaking %a'es! to hi&e o'e ent a&e in y s all soun&s in theirs" The

rocks %ere toothe& %ith barnacles! an& san& $acke& the gouges they aban&on

y han&s an& knees" -y staff beca e an incre&ible bur&en! but I %oul& not y only %ea$on" =ong after I coul& no longer see or hear the rai&ers! stone to log" #t last I e" I &are& not stan&! but cre$t an& hu&&le& still fro

'enture& u$ onto the roa& an& cra%le& across it" Once in the sha&o% of a sagging %arehouse! I stoo&! hugging the %all! an& $eere& about coul& see nothing of the shi$ or the sentries" *erha$s that see #ll %as silent" I &are& to ste$ out t%o ste$s onto the roa&! but e'en there! I eant they coul& not e either" I took a cal ing breath" I )ueste& after S ithy the %ay so e
81D

en $at their $ouches to be sure their coin is safe" I foun& hi ! but faint an& )uiet! his hi in& like a still $ool" 6I. co ing!7 I breathe&! fearful of stirring to any effort" #n& I set forth again" y salt/%et clothing clung an& chafe&" I %as isery" But I ha& no thought of y ears keen for e" y eyes continually shifting! en" T%o before

The %in& %as relentless! an& sto$$ing" I trotte& like a %olf! any soun& behin& e" One

hungry! col&! an& tire&" -y %et shoes %ere a

o ent the roa& %as e $ty an& black before

In the next the &arkness ha& turne& to about! another behin& feet! an& the &o&ging &istance aroun& staff! an& %aite&" I %atche& the these oon offere&

e! an& %hen I s$un as they close& the y

e" The sla$$ing %a'es ha& co'ere& the soun& of their e but gli $ses of the y back to the soli& %all of a %arehouse! rea&ie&

e" I set

co e! silent an& skulking" I %on&ere& at that! for %hy &i& they e taken0 But uch as they %atche& e" They &i& not hunt

not raise a shout! %hy &i& not the %hole cre% co e to %atch en %atche& one another as as a $ack! but each ho$e& the others %oul& &ie killing for the $icking" Forge& ones! not rai&ers" # terrible col&ness %elle& u$ in

e an& lea'e the bounty

e" The least soun& of a scuffle %oul& bring e! the Rai&ers

the Rai&ers! I %as sure" So if the Forge& ones &i& not finish

%oul&" But %hen all roa&s lea& to &eath! there is no $oint to running &o%n any of the " I %oul& take things as they ca e" There %ere three of the " One ha& a knife" But I ha& a staff an& %as traine& to use it" They %ere thin! ragge&! an& at least as hungry as I! an& as col&" One! I think! %as the %o an fro before" #s they close& on Rai&ers an& feare& the as the night e! so silently! I guesse& they %ere a%are of the uch as I &i&" It %as not goo& to consi&er the to still attack e" But in the next breath! I

&es$eration that %oul& $ro $t the

81E

%on&ere& if Forge& ones felt &es$eration or anything else" *erha$s they %ere too &ulle& to reali1e the &anger" #ll of the stealthy arcane kno%le&ge 9ha&e ha& gi'en elegant strategies for fighting t%o or the first t%o ste$$e& into ebbing in stay %ith e! all of Ho&.s brutally ore o$$onents %ent to the %in&" For as

y range! I felt the tiny %ar th that %as S ithy

y gras$" 6S ithy:7 I %his$ere&! a &es$erate $lea that he so eho% e" I all but sa% a tail ti$ stir in a last effort at a %ag" Then the threa& e like a a&ness" I ste$$e& out!

sna$$e& an& the s$ark blinke& out" I %as alone" # black floo& of strength surge& through thrust the en& of y staff &ee$ into a an.s face! &re% it )uickly back! an& y blo%" I %hacke& y staff.s range" I y face stank of so long y cheek

continue& a s%ing that %ent through the %o an.s lo%er 4a%" *lain %oo& sheare& the lo%er half of her face a%ay! so forceful %as thir& &ro'e into stank" I &ro'e hi ke$t e fro e soli&ly! thinking! I su$$ose! to be insi&e onto his back! an& his ex$elle& breath in her again as she fell! an& it %as like hitting a nette& shark %ith a fish bat" The &i&n.t care" I &ro$$e& y stick an& gra$$le& %ith hi " He %as bony an& he hu an as he %as" They ha&

carrion" Fingers an& teeth I tore at hi ! as far fro

S ithy as he %as &ying" I &i& not care %hat I &i& to hi y %rist an& cla%e&

as it hurt hi " He reci$rocate&" I &ragge& his face along the cobbles! I $ushe& y thu b into an eye" He sank his teeth into &ragge& hi the bloo&y" #n& %hen at last he cease& to fight against I stoo& $anting! y strangling gri$! I

to the sea%all an& thre% his bo&y &o%n onto the rocks" y fists still clenche&" I glare& to%ar& the Rai&ers! &aring

to co e! but the night %as still! sa'e for the %a'es an& %in& an& the soft

gargling of the %o an as she &ie&" Either the Rai&ers ha& not hear&! or they %ere too concerne& %ith their o%n stealth to in'estigate soun&s in the night" I %aite& in the %in& for so eone to care enough to co e an& kill
82H

e" 5othing

stirre&" #n e $tiness %ashe& through

e! su$$lanting e"

a&ness" So

uch

&eath in one night! an& so little significance! sa'e to gulls to &is$ose of" I %alke& a%ay fro been things" #n& as I began nothing fro %ithin

I left the other broken bo&ies ato$ the cru bling sea%all for the %a'es an& the the " I ha& felt nothing fro the %hen I kille& the " 5o fear! no anger! no $ain! not e'en &es$air" They ha& y long %alk back to Buckkee$! I finally felt yself to care" y in& no%" I %alke& all the %ay! col&! ore Forge& ones! an& the fe% other ore anxious than I to s$eak to a yself" *erha$s! I thought! Forging is a contagion an& I

ha'e caught it no%" I coul& not bring =ittle of that 4ourney stan&s out in tire&! an& hungry" I encountere& no

tra'elers I sa% on that stretch of roa& %ere no

stranger" I thought only of getting back to Buckkee$" #n& Burrich" I reache& Buckkee$ t%o &ays into the S$ringfest celebration" The guar&s at the gate trie& to sto$ e at first" I looke& at the " e! an& he sai& 6It.s the Fit1!7 one gas$e&" 6It %as sai& you %ere &ea&"7 6Shut u$!7 barke& the other" He %as Jage! long kno%n to )uickly! 6Burrich.s been hurt" He.s u$ to the infir ary! boy"7 I no&&e& an& %alke& $ast the " In all y years at Buckkee$! I ha& ne'er been to the infir ary" Burrich an& no y chil&hoo& illnesses an& isha$s" But I kne% one else ha& al%ays treate&

%here it %as" I %alke& unseeing through the knots an& gatherings of erry akers! an& su&&enly felt as if I %ere six years ol& an& co e to Buckkee$ for the 'ery first ti e" I ha& hung on to Burrich.s belt" #ll that long %ay fro -oonseye! %ith his leg torn an& ban&age&" But not once ha& he $ut y care to another" I $ushe& yself e on another.s horse! or entruste&

through the $eo$le %ith their bells an& flo%ers an& s%eet cakes to reach the inner kee$" Behin& the barracks %as a se$arate buil&ing of %hite%ashe& stone"
821

There %as no one there! an& I %alke& unchallenge& through the antecha ber an& into the roo beyon&" still ga'e e a sense of confine ent There %ere clean stre%ing herbs on the floor! an& the %i&e %in&o%s let in a floo& of s$ring air an& light! but the roo an& illness" This %as not a goo& $lace for Burrich to be" #ll the be&s %ere e $ty! sa'e one" 5o sol&ier ke$t to be& on S$ringfest &ays! sa'e that they ha& to" Burrich lay! eyes close&! in a s$lash of sunlight on a narro% cot" I ha& ne'er seen hi so still" He ha& $ushe& his blankets asi&e an& his chest %as s%athe& o'e& %ith his slo% in ban&ages" I %ent for%ar& )uietly an& sat &o%n on the floor besi&e his be&" He %as 'ery still! but I coul& feel hi ! an& the ban&ages breathing" I took his han&" 6Fit1!7 he sai&! %ithout o$ening his eyes" He gri$$e& 6Yes"7 6You.re back" You.re ali'e"7 6I a " I ca e straight here! as fast as I coul&" Oh! Burrich! I feare& you %ere &ea&"7 6I thought you %ere &ea&" The others all ca e back &ays ago"7 He took a ragge& breath" 6Of course! the bastar& left horses %ith all the others"7 65o!7 I re in&e& hi ! not letting go of his han&" 6I. He trie& to s ile at the bastar&! re e ber07 a1e& %ith bloo&" 6Sorry"7 He o$ene& his eyes" The %hite of his left eye %as y han& har&"

e" I coul& see then that the s%elling on the left si&e of his

face %as still subsi&ing" 6So" ;e look a fine $air" You shoul& $oultice that cheek" It.s festering" =ooks like an ani al scratch"7 6Forge& ones!7 I began! an& coul& not bear to ex$lain 6He set e &o%n north of Forge! Burrich"7 ore" I only sai&! softly!

822

#nger s$as e& his face" 6He %oul&n.t tell an to Aerity! to ask 6=et it go!7 I sai&! an& &i&n.t kill y $rince to ake hi got no ans%er back" I shoul& kill hi "7 eant it" 6I.

e" 5or anyone else" I e'en sent a say %hat he ha& &one %ith you" I

back an& ali'e" I faile& his test! but it y life"7

e" #n& as you tol&

e! there are other things in

Burrich shifte& slightly in his be&" I coul& tell it &i&n.t ease hi " 6;ell" He.ll be &isa$$ointe& o'er that"7 He let out a shu&&ering breath" 6I got 4u $e&" So eone %ith a knife" I &on.t kno% %ho"7 6Ho% ba&07 65ot goo&! at y age" # young buck like you %oul& $robably 4ust gi'e a shake e once" But I fell! an& struck y an& go on" Still! he only got the bla&e into senseless thing! but he kille& your &og"7 6I kno%"7 6He &ie& )uickly!7 Burrich sai&! as if to be a co fort" I stiffene& at the lie" 6He &ie& %ell!7 I correcte& hi " 6#n& if he ha&n.t! you.& ha'e ha& that knife in you ore than once"7 istaking his eaning" Burrich gre% 'ery still" 6You %ere there! %eren.t you!7 he sai& at last" It %as not a )uestion! an& there %as no 6Yes!7 I hear& yself saying! si $ly"

hea&" I %as fair senseless for t%o &ays" #n&! Fit1" Your &og" # stu$i&!

6You %ere there! %ith the &og that night! instea& of trying for the Skill07 His 'oice rose in outrage" 6Burrich! it %asn.t like ,7 He $ulle& his han& free of 6=ea'e e"7 ine an& turne& as far a%ay fro e as he coul&"

828

6Burrich! it %asn.t S ithy" I 4ust &on.t ha'e the Skill" So let ha'e! let goo& %ith ani als" You.'e force& 6Stay out of an& to

e ha'e %hat I &o

e be %hat I a " I &on.t use this in a ba& %ay" E'en %ithout it! I. e to be" If I use it! I canG7 e"7 He rolle& back to face e! y stables" #n& stay a%ay fro

y a a1e ent! a single tear tracke& his &ark cheek" 6You faile&0 5o! %ell!. 9hi'alry sai& to e" His last co an& to e" #n& I faile&

Fit1" I faile&" I %as too softhearte& to beat it out of you at the first sign of it" FRaise hi hi " #n& you" If you ha&n.t e&&le& %ith the ;it! Fit1! you.& ha'e been able

to learn the Skill" Jalen %oul& ha'e been able to teach you" 5o %on&er he sent you to Forge"7 He $ause&" 6Bastar& or no! you coul& ha'e been a fit son to 9hi'alry" But you thre% it all a%ay" For %hat0 # &og" I kno% %hat a &og can be to a an! but you &on.t thro% your life o'er for aG7 ight nee& 65ot 4ust a &og!7 I cut in al ost harshly" 6S ithy" -y frien&" #n& it %asn.t only hi " I ga'e u$ the %ait an& ca e back for you" Thinking you ight nee& e"7 e" 6You nee&n.t yself"7 #n& harsher3 6You kno% that" I e"7 e" S ithy &ie& &ays ago" I kne% that" But I ca e back for you! thinking you He %as silent so long I thought he %asn.t going to s$eak to ha'e!7 he sai& )uietly" 6I take care of al%ays ha'e"7 6#n& e!7 I a& itte& to hi " 6#n& you.'e al%ays taken care of 6#n& s all &a n goo& that &i& either of us!7 he sai& slo%ly" 6=ook %hat I.'e let you beco e" 5o% you.re 4ust , Jo a%ay" @ust go a%ay"7 He turne& a%ay fro e again! an& I felt so ething go out of the ake you a %ash fro an" I stoo& slo%ly" 6I.ll bring it this afternoon"7 Helenalea'es for your eye" I.ll

82<

6Bring %ill" I.

e nothing" Do

e no fa'ors" Jo your o%n %ay! an& be %hate'er you ercy for

&one %ith you"7 He s$oke to the %all" In his 'oice %as no

either of us" I glance& back as I left the infir ary" Burrich ha& not looke& ol&er! an& s aller" That %as y return to Buckkee$" I %as a &ifferent creature fro a&e o'er the %aif %ho a&e y o'e&! but e'en his back

ha& left" =ittle fanfare %as roo " I %ashe& an& change&

y not being &ea& as su$$ose&" I Burrich.s be&! I %ent straight to

no o$$ortunity for anyone to &o so" Fro

y gar ents" I sle$t! but not %ell" For the rest of ight regularly be using the %ells at Forge"

S$ringfest! I ate at night! alone in the kitchens" I $enne& one note to (ing Shre%&! suggesting that Rai&ers He ;ith a&e no re$ly to anyone" uch $o $ an& cere ony! Jalen $resente& his finishe& coterie to the yself ha& faile& to return" It sha es e no% that I (ing" One other besi&es e about it! an& I %as gla& of it" I sought no contact %ith

cannot recall his na e! an& if I e'er kne% %hat beca e of hi ! I ha'e forgotten it" =ike Jalen! I su$$ose I &is isse& hi Jalen s$oke to e only once the rest of that su as insignificant" er! an& that %as in&irectly" e he looke& at e" I e o'er

;e $asse& one another in the courtyar&! not long after S$ringfest" He %as %alking an& talking %ith Regal" #s they $asse& I sto$$e& an& stare& at the eet atte $t to sen& e to Regal.s hea& an& sai& sneeringly! 6-ore li'es than a cat"7 until both %ere force& to look at a&e Jalen y eyes+ then I s ile& an& no&&e&" I ne'er confronte& Jalen about his y &eath" He ne'er a$$eare& to see e! or he %oul& exit a roo e after that+ his %hen I entere& it"

eyes %oul& sli&e $ast

82?

It see e& to

e that I ha& lost e'erything %hen I lost S ithy" Or $erha$s in e" I sulke& about the e" The

y bitterness I set out to &estroy %hat little %as left to Fool a'oi&e& e" 9ha&e &i&n.t su on ons! I

kee$ for %eeks! cle'erly insulting anyone foolish enough to s$eak to t%o ti es I %ent to ans%er her su an& left" She &i& not su left a great ga$ in on

e" I sa% *atience thrice" The first a&e only the barest efforts to be

ci'il" The thir& ti e! bore& by her chatter about rose cuttings! I si $ly stoo& u$ e again" y exile fro the But there ca e a ti e %hen I felt I ha& to reach out to so eone" S ithy ha& y life" #n& I ha& not ex$ecte& that stables %oul& be as &e'astating as it %as" 9hance encounters %ith Burrich %ere incre&ibly a%k%ar& as %e both learne& $ainfully to $reten& not to see each other" I %ante&! achingly! to go to -olly! to tell her e'erything that ha& befallen all that ha& ha$$ene& to %oul& not 4u&ge still besi&e i agine no e! e since I first ca e to Buckkee$" I i agine& in &etail y han& an& be

ho% %e coul& sit on the beach %hile I talke&! an& that %hen I %as &one! she e or try to offer a&'ice! but %oul& 4ust take e" Finally so eone %oul& kno% e'erything! an& I %oul& not ha'e her any ore" #n& she %oul&n.t turn a%ay" I &are& ore beyon& that" I longe& &es$erately! an& feare& %ith the fear e a ha$less chil& an& $ity e0 ;oul& she hate e y

to hi&e anything fro

kno%n only to a boy %hose lo'e is t%o years ol&er than he is" If I took her all y %oes! %oul& she think feet a%ay fro But so e t%o took for all that I ha& ne'er tol& her before0 # &o1en ti es that thought turne& Buckkee$ To%n" onths later! %hen I &i& 'enture into to%n! y traitorous feet e! an& a bottle of

e to the chan&lery" I ha$$ene& to ha'e a basket %ith

cherry %ine in it! an& four or fi'e bra bly little yello% roses! obtaine& at great loss of skin fro the ;o en.s Jar&en! %here their fragrance o'er$o%ere&
82B

e'en the thy e be&s" I tol& e'erything about nothing to &o %ith

yself I ha& no $lan" I &i& not ha'e to tell her a&e! an& they ha&

yself" I &i& not e'en ha'e to see her" I coul& &eci&e as I e" as they s$oke in soft 'oices" Outsi&e

%ent along" But in the en& all &ecisions ha& alrea&y been

I arri'e& 4ust In ti e to see -olly lea'ing on @a&e.s ar " Their hea&s %ere close together! an& she leane& on his ar to his" ;hen the the &oor of the chan&lery! he stoo$e& to look into her face" She lifte& her eyes an reache& a hesitant han& to gently touch her cheek! -olly %as su&&enly a %o an! one I &i& not kno%" The t%o/year age &ifference bet%een us %as a 'ast gulf I coul& ne'er ho$e to bri&ge" I ste$$e& aroun& the corner before she coul& see e an& turne& asi&e! y face &o%n" They $asse& e as if I %ere a tree or a stone" Her hea& leane& on his shoul&er! an& they %alke& slo%ly" It took fore'er for the bushes half%ay u$ the kee$ roa&" to be out of sight" That night I got &runker than I ha& e'er been! an& a%oke the next &ay in so e

9H#*TER EIJHTEE5 #ssassinations 9H#DE F#==ST#R! # *ERSO5#= a&'iser to (ing Shre%&! Fro a&e an extensi'e stu&y of Forging &uring the $erio& 4ust $rece&ing the Re&/Shi$ %ars" his tablets! %e ha'e the follo%ing" 65etta! the &aughter of the fisher an her 'illage Joo&%ater on the Jill an& the far er Ry&a! %as taken ali'e fro

se'enteenth &ay after S$ringfest" She %as Forge& by the Re&/Shi$ Rai&ers an& returne& to her 'illage three &ays later" Her father %as kille& in the sa e rai&! an& her other! ha'ing fi'e younger chil&ren! %as little able to &eal %ith 5etta"
82C

She %as! at the ti e of her Forging! fourteen su $ossession so e six onths after her Forging" 6;hen first brought to

ers ol&" She ca e into

e! she %as &irty! ragge&! an& greatly %eakene& &ue to y &irection! she %as %ashe&! clothe&! an& house& y o%n" I $rocee&e& %ith her as I ight ha'e %ith a y o%n han&s an& staye& by ight ex$ect3

star'ation an& ex$osure" #t in cha bers con'enient to

%il& ani al" Each &ay I brought her foo& %ith

her %hile she ate" I sa% to it that her cha bers %ere ke$t %ar ! her be&&ing clean! an& that she %as $ro'i&e& %ith the a enities a %o an %ater for %ashing! brushes an& co bs! an& all that is nee&ful to a %o an" In a&&ition! I sa% to it that she %as furnishe& %ith sun&ry su$$lies for nee&le%ork! for I ha& &isco'ere& that $rior to Forging! she ha& ha& a great fon&ness for &oing such fancy%ork an& ha& create& se'eral artful $ieces" -y intention in all this %as to see if! un&er gentle circu stances! a Forge& one ight not return to a se blance of the $erson she ha& for erly been" 6E'en a %il& ani al ight ha'e beco e a little ta er un&er these circu stances" But to all things 5etta reacte& %ith in&ifference" She ha& lost not only the habits of a %o an! but e'en the goo& sense of an ani al" She %oul& eat to satiation! %ith her han&s! an& then let fall to the floor %hate'er %as excess! to be tro&&en un&erfoot" She &i& not %ash! nor care for herself in any %ay" E'en she %as like a be&&ing" 6She %as able to s$eak! in a sensible %ay! if she chose to or %ante& so e ite ba&ly enough" ;hen she s$oke by her o%n choice! it %as usually to accuse of stealing fro her so e ite her! or to utter threats against e if I &i& not i she ha& &eci&e& she %ante&" Her habitual attitu&e to%ar& e e e&iately gi'e ost ani als soil only one area of their &ens! but as for 5etta! ouse that lets her &ro$$ings fall e'ery%here! %ith no care for

%as sus$icious an& hateful" She ignore&

82D

y atte $ts at nor al con'ersation!

but by %ithhol&ing foo& fro foo&" She ha& clear

her! I %as able to elicit ans%ers in exchange for

e ory of her fa ily! but ha& no interest in %hat ha&

beco e of the " Rather she ans%ere& those )uestions as if ans%ering )uestions about yester&ay.s %eather" Of her Forging ti e! she sai& only that they ha& been hel& in the belly of a shi$! an& that there ha& been little foo& an& only enough %ater to go aroun&" She ha& been fe& nothing unusual that she recalle&! nor ha& she been touche& in any %ay that she re e bere&" Thus she coul& furnish to &one! a e no clue as to the echanis of Forging itself" This %as a great &isa$$oint ent to e! for I ha& ho$e& that by learning ho% a thing %as

an coul& &isco'er ho% to un&o it" y %or&s! but %oul& not act on the " ust sa'e one for

6I en&ea'ore& to bring hu an beha'ior back to her by reasoning %ith her! but to no a'ail" She a$$eare& to un&erstan& the E'en %hen gi'en t%o loa'es of brea& an& %arne& that she u$on it! an& on the

orro% or go hungry! she %oul& let her secon& loaf fall to the floor! trea& orro% eat her o%n &ro$$e& lea'ings! careless of %hat &irt

clung to the " She e'ince& no interest in her nee&le%ork or in any other $asti e! not e'en the bright toys of a chil&" If not eating or slee$ing! she %as content erely to sit or lie! her in& as i&le as her bo&y" Offere& s%eets or ore" ake her a&e her $astries! she %oul& in&ulge until she 'o ite&! an& then eat

6I treate& her %ith sun&ry elixirs an& herbal teas" I faste& her! I stea e& her! I $urge& her bo&y" Hot an& col& &ousings ha& no effect other than to her %ith elfbark that she coul& not slee$ for t%o nights! but this only the harshest restrictions! it e" If hungry! she %oul& angry" I cause& her to slee$ a full &ay an& a night! to no change" I so charge& irritable" I s$oile& her %ith kin&nesses for a ti e! but as %hen I treate& her %ith a&e no &ifference to her! or in ho% she regar&e& ake courtesies an& s ile $leasantly %hen

82E

co

an&e& to! but as soon as foo& %as furnishe& her! all further co

an&s

an& re)uests %ere ignore&" 6She %as 'iciously 4ealous of territory an& $ossessions" -ore than once she atte $te& to attack e! for no ore reason than that I ha& 'enture& too close to ice her unti&iness against foo& she %as eating! an& once because she su&&enly &eci&e& she %ishe& to ha'e a ring I %as %earing" She regularly kille& the attracte&! snatching the the %all" # cat that once 'enture& into her cha bers u$ %ith a a1ing s%iftness an& &ashing the

et %ith a si ilar fate" an&e& %hen hungry!

6She see e& to ha'e little sense of the ti e that ha& $asse& since her Forging" She coul& gi'e goo& account of her earlier life! if co 6Fro but of the &ays since her Forging! all %as as one long Fyester&ay. to her" 5etta! I coul& not learn if so ething ha& been a&&e& to her or taken an.s han& an& art! to ha'e $o%er u$on" a%ay to Forge her" I &i& not kno% if it %as a thing consu e& or s elle& or hear& or seen" I &i& not kno% if it %as e'en the %ork of a or the %ork of a sea &e on such as so e Farlan&ers clai Fro along an& %eary ex$eri ent! I learne& nothing"

6To 5etta I ga'e a tri$le slee$ing &raft one e'ening %ith her %ater" I ha& her bo&y bathe&! her hair groo e&! an& sent her back to her 'illage to be &ecently burie&" #t least one fa ily coul& $ut finis to a tale of Forging" -ost others ust %on&er! for onths an& years! %hat has beco e of the one they once hel& &ear" -ost are better off not kno%ing"7 There %ere! at that ti e! o'er one thousan& souls kno%n to ha'e been Forge&" Burrich ha& eant %hat he sai&" He ha& nothing ore to &o %ith e" I %as no

longer %elco e &o%n at the stables an& kennels" 9ob es$ecially took sa'age $leasure in this" #lthough he %as often gone %ith Regal! %hen he %as about the stables he %oul& often ste$ to block
88H

y entry" 6#llo%

e to bring you your

horse!

aster!7 he %oul& say obse)uiously" 6The stable aster $refers that ust stan&! like so e e" 9ob

groo s han&le ani als %ithin the stables"7 #n& so I hi self I tol&

inco $etent lor&ling! %hile Sooty %as sa&&le& an& brought for e like aci& to see ho% )uickly she %elco e& hi yself! an& not to be bla e&" But it %as one I ha& too

ucke& her stall an& brought her fee& an& groo e& her! an& it ate at back" She %as only a horse! ore aban&on ent" en for &efense" I

uch ti e! su&&enly" -ornings ha& al%ays been s$ent %orking for ine" Ho& %as busy training green er! as he %as e'ery su

Burrich" 5o% they %ere

%as %elco e to &rill %ith the ! but it %as all lessons I ha& learne& long ago" Fe&%ren %as gone for the su er" I coul& not think of a %ay to a$ologi1e to *atience! an& I &i& not e'en think about -olly" E'en y forays to the ta'erns in Buckkee$ ha& beco e solitary ones" (erry ha& a$$rentice& to a $u$$eteer+ an& Dirk gone for a sailor" I %as i&le an& alone" It %as a su er of isery! an& not 4ust for e an& &rank e" ;hile I %as lonely an& bitter an& outgro%ing all enough to s$eak to y clothes! %hile I sna$$e& an& snarle& at any foolish yself insensible se'eral ti es a %eek! I %as er! in a&&ition to threats!

still a%are of ho% the Six Duchies %ere racke&" The Re&/Shi$ Rai&ers! bol&er than e'er before! harrie& our coastline" This su they finally began to they %ishe& fro &e an& %as 9o ake &e an&s" Jrain! cattle! the right to take %hate'er er! their choice of our folk for sla'es , each ore intolerable

our sea$orts! the right to beach their boats an& li'e off our

lan&s an& $eo$le for the su

ore intolerable than the last! an& the only thing

than the &e an&s %ere the Forgings that follo%e& each refusal by the (ing" on folk %ere aban&oning the sea$ort an& %aterfront to%ns" One coul& ore 'ulnerable" -ore sol&iers ore! an& so the le'ies %ere raise& to $ay the ! an& folk not bla e the ! but it left our coastline e'en %ere hire&! an&

gru ble& un&er the bur&en of the taxes an& their fear of the Re&/Shi$ Rai&ers"
881

E'en stranger %ere the OutIslan&ers %ho ca e to our shore in their fa ily shi$s! their rai&ing 'essels left behin&! to beg asylu rule& co $letely" They %ere a of our $eo$le! an& to tell %il& tales of chaos an& tyranny in the Out Islan&s! %here the Re&/Shi$s no% ixe& blessing! $erha$s" They %ere chea$ly hire& as sol&iers! though fe% really truste& the " But at least their tales of the Out Islan&s un&er Re&/Shi$ &o ination %ere harro%ing enough to kee$ anyone fro #bout a thinking of gi'ing in to the Rai&ers. &e an&s" y return! 9ha&e o$ene& his &oor to e" I %as sullen o'er e an& %ent ore slo%ly u$ his stairs than e'er I ha& before" crushing see&s %ith a $estle %ith a gla& to see you!7 he sai&! %ith nothing of gla&ness e back!7 I obser'e& sourly3 onth after

his neglect of

But %hen I got there! he looke& u$ fro face full of %eariness" 6I a in his 'oice" 6That.s %hy you %ere so s%ift to %elco e He sto$$e& his grin&ing" 6I. easy %inter an& s$ring for an& go on07

sorry" I thought $erha$s you %oul& nee& a ti e e! either" Shall %e try to $ut the ti e behin& us!

alone! to reco'er yourself"7 He looke& back to his see&s" 6It has not been an

It %as a gentle! reasonable suggestion" I kne% it %as %ise" 6Ha'e I any choice07 I aske& sarcastically" 9ha&e finishe& grin&ing his see&" He scra$e& it into a finely %o'en sie'e an& $ut it o'er a cu$ to &ri$" 65o!7 he sai& at last! as if he ha& consi&ere& it %ell" 65o! you &on.t! an& neither &o I" In looke& at of the su any things! %e ha'e no choice"7 He e! an& then $oke& at his see& uscles e! his eyes running u$ an& &o%n

again" 6You!7 he sai&! 6%ill sto$ &rinking anything but %ater or tea for the rest er" Your s%eat stinks of %ine" #n& for one so young! your are lax" # %inter of Jalen.s e&itations has &one your bo&y no goo& at all" See

that you exercise it" Take it u$on yourself! as of to&ay! to cli b to Aerity.s
882

to%er four ti es a &ay" You %ill take hi ho% to $re$are" You %ill ne'er sho% hi that I ha'e ha& reasons for

foo&! an& the teas I %ill sho% you a sullen face! but %ill al%ays be

cheerful an& frien&ly" *erha$s a %hile of %aiting on Aerity %ill con'ince you y attention not being centere& on you" That is e"7 yself" -y atter %hat you %ill &o each &ay you are at Buckkee$" There %ill be so e &ays %hen you %ill be fulfilling other assign ents for It ha& not taken $erce$tion of of any %or&s fro y life crashe& fro 9ha&e to a%aken sha e in

high trage&y to 4u'enile self/$ity in a

o ents" 6I ha'e been i&le!7 I a& itte&" onth in %hich to take

6You ha'e been stu$i&!7 9ha&e agree&" 6You ha& a that Burrich is &isguste& %ith you"7

charge of your o%n life" You beha'e& like , a s$oile& brat" I ha'e no %on&er I ha& long ago sto$$e& being sur$rise& at %hat 9ha&e kne%" But this ti e I %as sure he &i& not kno% the real reason! an& I ha& no &esire to share it %ith hi " 6Ha'e you &isco'ere& yet %ho trie& to kill hi 07 6I ha'en.t , trie&! really"7 5o% 9ha&e looke& &isguste&! an& then $u11le&" 6Boy! you are not yourself at all" Six onths ago you %oul& ha'e torn the stables a$art to kno% such a onths ago! gi'en a onth.s holi&ay! you %oul& ha'e fille& each e'erything secret" Six

&ay" ;hat troubles you07 I looke& &o%n! feeling the truth of his %or&s" I %ante& to tell hi that ha& befallen all I &o kno% of the attack on Burrich"7 #n& I &i&" 6#n& the one %ho sa% all this!7 he aske& %hen I ha& finishe&" 6Di& he kno% the an %ho attacke& Burrich07 e+ I %ante& not to say a %or& of it to anyone" 6I.ll tell you

888

6He &i&n.t get a goo& look at hi !7 I he&ge&" >seless to tell 9ha&e that I kne% exactly ho% he s elle&! but ha& only a 'ague 'isual i age" 9ha&e %as )uiet for a o ent" 6;ell! as uch as you can! kee$ an ear to the earth" I shoul& like to kno% %ho has gro%n so bra'e as to kill the (ing.s stable aster in his o%n stable"7 6Then you &o not think it %as 4ust so e $ersonal )uarrel of Burrich.s07 I aske& carefully" 6*erha$s it %as" But %e %ill not 4u $ to conclusions" To a ga bit" So eone is buil&ing to so ething! but has To our a&'antage! I ho$e"7 69an you tell e %hy you think so07 in& free to fin& its o%n y ti e %ith Jalen ine" 5o% co e" I %ill sho% you the teas"7 e nothing about y failure as a thing ex$ecte&" But as he 6I coul&! but I %ill not" I %ant to lea'e your assu $tions! in&e$en&ent of I %as or sho%e& ore than a bit hurt that he aske& e! it has the feel of isse& their first block"

y test" He see e& to acce$t

e the ingre&ients he ha& chosen for Aerity.s teas! I %as horrifie& by y Aerity! though Regal ha& been only too uch in

the strength of the sti ulants he %as using" I ha& seen little of e'i&ence" He ha& s$ent the last than the one before" It see e& to courting to feather hi self %as that he onth co ing an& going" He %as al%ays 4ust ore ornate on o$inion yself! I sa% e he %as using the excuse of his brother.s

returning! or 4ust lea'ing! an& each ca'alca&e see e& richer an& ore brightly than any $eacock" 9o

ust go so! to i $ress those he negotiate& %ith" For to%ar&

it as a %aste of coin that coul& ha'e gone to &efenses" ;hen Regal %as gone! I felt relief! for his antagonis e ha& taken a recent boun&! an& he ha& foun& sun&ry s all %ays to ex$ress it"

88<

The brief ti es %hen I ha& seen Aerity or the (ing! they ha& both looke& harasse& an& %orn" But Aerity es$ecially ha& see e& al ost stunne&" I $assi'e an& &istracte&! he ha& notice& e only once! an& then s ile& eat %earily an& sai& I ha& gro%n" That ha& been the extent of our con'ersation" But I ha& notice& that he ate like an in'ali&! %ithout a$$etite! esche%ing instea& subsisting on $orri&ges an& sou$s" 6He is using the Skill too shoul& &rain hi cannot ex$lain to uch" That uch Shre%& has tol& e" But %hy it his bones! he to so! %hy it shoul& burn the 'ery flesh fro e" So I gi'e hi an& brea& as if they %ere too great of an effort to che% an& s%allo% an&

tonics an& elixirs! an& try to get hi

rest" But he cannot" He &ares not! he says" He tells

e that only all his efforts be&! an& goes to his

are sufficient to &elu&e the Re&/Shi$ na'igators! to sen& their shi$s onto the rocks! to &iscourage their ca$tains" #n& so he rises fro chair by a %in&o%! an& there he sits! all the &ay"7 6#n& Jalen.s coterie0 #re they of no use to hi 07 I aske& the )uestion al ost 4ealously! al ost ho$ing to hear they %ere of no conse)uence" 9ha&e sighe&" 6I think he uses the the an& to recei'e fro the as I %oul& use carrier $igeons" He has sent to con'ey %arnings to his sol&iers! e! %oul& be too inex$erience&+ they er! for %inter at out to the to%ers! an& he uses the

sightings of shi$s" But the task of &efen&ing the coast

he trusts to no one else" Others! he tells he cannot continue

ight betray the sel'es to those they Skille&" I &o not un&erstan&" But I kno% uch longer" I $ray for the en& of su stor s to blo% the Re&/Shi$s ho e" ;oul& there %as so eone to s$ell hi this %ork" I fear it %ill consu e hi "7 I took that as a rebuke for y failure an& subsi&e& into a sulky silence" I &rifte& both fa iliar an& strange after y onths aroun& his cha bers! fin&ing the

of absence" The a$$aratus for his herbal %ork %as! as al%ays! cluttere& about"
88?

Slink %as 'ery

uch in e'i&ence! %ith his s elly bits of bones in corners" #s ostly %ith El&erlings" I %an&ere& about! intrigue& by the ore elaborate than the rest! anlike hea& cro%ne& %ith

al%ays! there %as an assort ent of tablets an& scrolls by 'arious chairs" This cro$ see e& to &eal colore& illustrations" One tablet! ol&er an&

&e$icte& an El&erling as a sort of gil&e& bir& %ith a

)uillish hair" I began to $iece out the %or&s" It %as in *iche! an ancient nati'e tongue of 9halce&! the southern ost Duchy" -any of the $ainte& sy bols ha& fa&e& or flake& a%ay fro 9ha&e ca e to stan& at the ol& %oo&! an& I ha& ne'er been fluent in *iche" y elbo%" e! but I ke$t y %or&"

6You kno%!7 he sai& gently! 6it %as not easy for no one

Jalen &e an&e& co $lete control of his stu&ents" He ex$ressly sti$ulate& that ight contact you or interfere in any %ay %ith your &isci$line an& blin& an& %ithout instruction" #n&! as I tol& you! in the Iueen.s Jar&en! I a influence"7 6I kne% that!7 I e fro you ,7 6Faile&"7 I fille& in the %or& %hile he searche& for a gentler one" I sighe&! an& su&&enly a& itte& y $ain" 6=et.s lea'e it! 9ha&e" I can.t change it"7 ore carefully3 6But $erha$s %e can use %hat you e un&erstan& it! $erha$s I can &e'ise any years the kno%le&ge has been ke$t 6I kno%"7 Then! e'en uttere&" y %or& to y king ke$t 6Yet I &i& not &isagree %ith Burrich.s actions" Only

contacting you"7 He $ause& cautiously" 6It has been a &ifficult ti e! I

kno%" I %ish I coul& ha'e hel$e& you" #n& you shoul& not feel too ba&ly that

learne& of the Skill" If you can hel$ better %ays to s$are Aerity" For so too secret , there is scarcely a

ention of it in the ol& scrolls! sa'e to say that

such an& such a battle %as turne& by the (ing.s Skill u$on his sol&iers! or such

88B

an& such an ene y %as confoun&e& by the (ing.s Skill" Yet there is nothing of ho% it is &one! orG7 Des$air close& its gri$ on think I.'e $ro'e& that"7 # silence fell bet%een us" #t last 9ha&e sighe& hea'ily" 6;ell" That.s as be" I.'e been looking into Forging as %ell! o'er these last fe% ay onths" But all e again" 6=ea'e it" It is not for bastar&s to kno%" I

I.'e learne& of it is %hat it is not! an& %hat &oes not %ork to change it" The only cure I.'e foun& for it is the ol&est one kno%n to %ork on anything"7 I rolle& an& fastene& the scroll I ha& been looking at! feeling I kne% %hat %as co ing" I %as not That su har&er" The assign ents ight ha'e see e& si $le" -e! a horse! an& $anniers of e! I fle&! lea'ing a trail of s$ille& loa'es" an/at/ar s! I %oul& ha'e been less y ;it to let e! it %as tanta ount to ha'ing to %ork that I $oisone& ha& ost of the %ere $oisone& brea&" I ro&e roa&s %here tra'elers ha& re$orte& being attacke&! an& %hen the Forge& ones attacke& frightene&" But all %ithout using *erha$s if I ha& been an or&inary e kno% %hen others %ere about" To istaken" e %ith an assign ent for you"7 onths! I kille& se'enteen ti es for the (ing" Ha& I y o%n 'olition an& &efense! it ight ha'e been 6The (ing has charge& er! o'er three

not alrea&y kille&! out of

y life I ha& been accusto e& to relying on

y eyes" #n& I s%iftly foun& out that not all Forge& ones ha&

been cobblers an& %ea'ers" The secon& little clan of the se'eral sol&iers a ong the " I %as fortunate that s)uabbling o'er loa'es %hen I %as &ragge& fro fro a knife! an& to this &ay I bear the scar on

y horse" I took a &ee$ cut y left shoul&er" They %ere

strong an& co $etent! an& see e& to fight as a unit! $erha$s because that %as ho% they ha& been &rille&! back %hen they %ere fully hu an" I %oul& ha'e
88C

&ie&! exce$t that I crie& out to the horse! an& esca$e&"

that it %as foolish to struggle %ith e! I struggle& to

e y

%hile the others %ere eating all the brea&" They &ro$$e&

The $oisons %ere no crueler than they ha& to be! but to be effecti'e e'en in the s allest &osage! %e ha& to use harsh ones" The Forge& ones &i& not &ie gently! but it %as as s%ift a &eath as 9ha&e coul& concoct" They snatche& their &eaths fro e eagerly! an& I &i& not ha'e to %itness their frothing con'ulsions! or eating e'en see their bo&ies by the roa&" ;hen ne%s of the fallen Forge& ones reache& Buckkee$! 9ha&e.s tale that they ha& $robably &ie& fro s$oile& fish fro Relati'es collecte& the bo&ies an& ga'e the $ro$er burial" I tol& s$a%ning strea s ha& alrea&y s$rea& as a ubi)uitous ru or" yself they et a )uicker en& than if eet the eyes of a inor

%ere $robably relie'e&! an& that the Forge& ones ha& an& ha& nearly a score of &eaths to an! an& then kill hi " That one! too! %as not so &ifficult as it

they ha& star'e& to &eath o'er %inter" #n& so I beca e accusto e& to killing! y cre&it before I ha& to

ight ha'e been" He %as a

lor&ling! hol&ing lan&s outsi&e of Turlake" # story reache& Buckkee$ that he ha&! in a te $er! struck the chil& of a ser'ant! an& left the girl a %itling" That %as sufficient to raise (ing Shre%&.s li$" The lor&ling ha& $ai& the full bloo& &ebt! an& by acce$ting it! the ser'ant ha& gi'en u$ any for 4ustice" But so e I %as sent to confir she $etitione& for $ri'ate au&ience %ith Shre%&" her tale an& sa% ho% the girl %as ke$t like a &og at the ore! ho% her belly ha& begun to s%ell %ith e %ine in fine crystal an& e to fin& a ti e to foot of the lor&ling.s chair! an& of the (ing.s onths later there ca e to court a cousin of the girl.s! an&

chil&" #n& so it %as not too &ifficult! as he offere&

begge& the latest ne%s of the (ing.s court at Buckkee$! for

lift his glass to the light an& $raise the )uality of both 'essel an& %ine" I left
88D

so e &ays later!

y erran& co $lete&! %ith the sa $les of $a$er I ha& a&ness

$ro ise& Fe&%ren! an& the con'eye& %ishes of the lor&ling for a goo& tri$ ho e" The lor&ling %as in&is$ose& that &ay" He &ie&! in bloo& an& an& froth! a onth or so later" The cousin took in both girl an& chil&" To this y lor& *rince

&ay! I ha'e no regrets! for the &ee& or for the choice of slo% &eath for hi " #n& %hen I %as not &ealing &eath to Forge& ones! I %aite& on Aerity" I re e ber the first ti e I cli be& all those stairs to his to%er! balancing a tray as I %ent" I ha& ex$ecte& a guar& or sentry at the to$" There %as none" I ta$$e& at the &oor! an& recei'ing no ans%er! entere& )uietly" Aerity %as sitting in a chair by a %in&o%" # su su roo roo er &ay" Instea& it see e& to er %in& off the ocean ble% into the roo " It coul& ha'e been a $leasant cha ber! full of light an& air on a stuffy e a cell" There %as the chair by the %in&o%! an& a s all table next to it" In the corners an& aroun& the e&ges of the the floor %as &usty an& littere& %ith bits of ol& stre%ing ree&s" #n& y senses the thru e& %ith his effort" His hair %as unke $t! his chin be%hiskere& y foot an& took the tray to the table" I set it &o%n inutes he ca e back fro e %ith a ghost of his ol& s ile! an& Aerity! chin slu $e& to his chest as if &o1ing! exce$t that to %ith a &ay.s gro%th" His clothing hung on hi " I $ushe& the &oor shut %ith an& stoo& besi&e it! )uietly %aiting" #n& in a fe% %here'er he ha& been" He looke& u$ at then &o%n at his tray" 6;hat.s this07 6Breakfast! sir" E'eryone else ate hours ago! sa'e yourself"7 6I ate! boy" Early this orning" So e a%ful fish sou$" The cooks shoul& be orning"7 He see e& brea& s%irle& %ith hange& for that" 5o one shoul& face fish first thing in the 6That %as yester&ay! sir"7 I unco'ere& the $lates" ;ar honey an& raisins! col&

uncertain! like so e &o&&ering gaffer trying to recall the &ays of his youth" eats! a &ish of stra%berries! an& a s all $ot of crea
88E

for the " #ll %ere s all $ortions! al ost a chil&.s ser'ing" I $oure& the stea ing tea into a %aiting ug" It %as fla'ore& hea'ily %ith ginger an& e" 69ha&e ne'er relents! &oes he07 S$oken entione& e'ery &ay about the kee$" $e$$er int! to co'er the groun& elfbark.s tang" Aerity glance& at it an& then u$ to so casually! as if 9ha&e.s na e %ere

6You nee& to eat! if you are to continue!7 I sai& neutrally" 6I su$$ose!7 he sai& %earily! an& turne& to the tray as if the artfully arrange& foo& %ere yet another &uty to atten&" He ate %ith no relish for the foo&! an& &rank the tea in a Half%ay through the ite anful &raft! as a e&icine! un&ecei'e& by ginger or int" eal he $ause& %ith a sigh an& ga1e& out the %in&o% for

a bit" Then! see ing to co e back again! he force& hi self to consu e each co $letely" He $ushe& the tray asi&e an& leane& back in the chair as if yself" That uch elfbark %oul& exhauste&" I stare&" I" ha& $re$are& the tea ha'e ha& Sooty lea$ing o'er the stall %alls" 6-y $rince07 I sai&! an& %hen he &i& not stir! I touche& his shoul&er lightly" 6Aerity0 #re you all right07 6Aerity!7 he re$eate& as in a &a1e" 6Yes" #n& I $refer that to Fsir. or F y $rince. or F y lor&". This is sur$rise hi yet" But! yes! call y father.s ga bit! to sen& you" ;ell" I e Aerity" #n& tell the ay I ate" Obe&ient as

e'er! I ate" Jo on! no%! boy" I ha'e %ork to &o"7 He see e& to roust hi self %ith an effort! an& once &oor" But as I lifte& the latch! he s$oke again" 6Boy07 6Sir07 6#h/ah:7 he %arne& 6Aerity07
8<H

ore his ga1e %ent afar" I

stacke& the &ishes as )uietly as I coul& ato$ the tray an& hea&e& to%ar& the

e"

6=eon is in

y roo s! boy" Take hi

out for

e! %ill you0 He $ines" There is

no sense in the both of us shri'eling like this"7 6Yes! sir" Aerity"7 #n& so the ol& houn&! $ast his $ri e no%! ca e to be in took hi fro y care" Each &ay I Aerity.s roo ! an& %e hunte& the back hills an& cliffs an& the

beaches for %ol'es that ha& not run there in a score of years" #s 9ha&e ha& sus$ecte&! I %as ba&ly out of con&ition! an& at first it %as all I coul& &o to kee$ u$ e'en %ith the ol& houn&" But as the &ays %ent by %e regaine& our tone! an& =eon e'en caught a rabbit or t%o for &isco'ere& long ago! I coul& co He &i& not al%ays hee& a $u$! I a e" 5o% that I %as exile& fro Burrich.s &o ain! I &i& not scru$le to use the ;it %hene'er I %ishe&" But as I ha& unicate %ith =eon! but there %as no bon&" e all the ti e" Ha& he been but e! nor e'en belie'e

sure %e coul& ha'e bon&e& to one another" But he %as ol&! an& his

heart gi'en fore'er to Aerity" The ;it %as not &o inion o'er beasts! but only a gli $se into their li'es" #n& thrice a &ay I cli be& the stee$ly %in&ing ste$s! to coax Aerity to eat! an& to a fe% %or&s of con'ersation" So e &ays it %as like s$eaking to a chil& or a &o&&ering ol&ster" On others! he aske& after =eon an& )ui11e& e about y atters &o%n in Buckkee$ To%n" So eti es I %as absent for &ays on foray in %hich I took %e slay our o%n"7 I fro1e! %on&ering %hat ans%er to an& I left silently" ake to that! for as far as I kne%! y tasks %ere kno%n only to Shre%& an& 9ha&e" But Aerity.s eyes ha& gone afar again! y knife %oun&! he %atche&

other assign ents" >sually! he see e& not to ha'e notice&! but once! after the e a%k%ar&ly loa& his e $ty &ishes onto the tray" 6Ho% they ust laugh in their bear&s! if they kne%

8<1

;ithout inten&ing to! I began to

ake changes aroun& hi " One &ay! %hile he ight be a

%as eating! I s%e$t the roo ! an& later that e'ening! brought u$ in a se$arate tri$ a sackful of stre%ing ree&s an& herbs" I ha& %orrie& that I &istraction to hi ! but 9ha&e ha& taught going" But the roo e to s$eaking to hi ! an& as for Aerity! he ackno%le&ge& neither %as freshene&! an& the 'er'eria blosso s o'e )uietly" I %orke& %ithout y co ing nor ixe& in %ith

the stre%ing herbs %ere an enli'ening scent" 9o ing in once! I &isco'ere& hi &o1ing in his har&/backe& chair" I brought u$ cushions! %hich he ignore& for se'eral &ays! an& then one &ay ha& arrange& to his liking" The roo brought hi re aine& bare! but I sense& he nee&e& it so! to $reser'e his single/ in&e&ness" So %hat I %ere the barest ite s of co fort! no ta$estries or %all hangings! no 'ases of flo%ers or tinkling %in& chi es! but flo%ering rhy es in $ots to ease the hea&aches that $lague& hi ! an& on one stor y &ay! a blanket against the rain an& chill fro On that &ay I foun& hi blanket aroun& hi the o$en %in&o%" slee$ing in his chair! li $ as a &ea& thing" I tucke& the

as if he %ere an in'ali&! an& set the tray before hi ! but left

it co'ere&! to kee$ the goo& heat in the foo&" I sat &o%n on the floor next to his chair! $ro$$e& against one of his &iscar&e& cushions! an& listene& to the silence of the roo " It see e& al ost $eaceful to&ay! &es$ite the &ri'ing su outsi&e the o$en %in&o%! an& the gale %in& that guste& in fro ust ha'e &o1e&! for I %oke to his han& on 6Do they tell you to %atch o'er fear! then07 65aught that I kno%! Aerity" They tell best I can that you eat it" 5o e only to bring you foo&! an& see as ore than that"7 y hair" er rain ti e to ti e" I

e so! boy! e'en %hen I slee$0 ;hat &o they

6#n& blankets an& cushions! an& $ots of s%eet flo%ers07

8<2

6-y o%n &oing! in that looke& at hi "

y $rince" 5o

an shoul& li'e in such a &esert as this"7 #n&

o ent I reali1e& %e %ere not s$eaking alou&! an& sat bolt u$right an&

Aerity! too! see e& to co e to hi self" He shifte& in his co fortless chair" 6I bless this stor ! that lets e rest" I hi& it fro three of their shi$s! $ersua&ing ore than a su er s)uall" 5o% those %ho looke& to the sky that it %as no can snatch a fe%

they $ly their oars an& $eer through the rain! trying to kee$ their courses" #n& I o ents of honest slee$"7 He $ause&" 6I ask your $ar&on! ore natural than s$eaking" I &i& not yself! exce$t %eakly boy" So eti es! no%! the Skilling see s ean to intru&e on you"7 65o atter! y $rince" I %as but startle&" I cannot Skill an& erratically" I &o not kno% ho% I o$ene& to you"7 6Aerity! boy! not your $rince" 5o one.s $rince sits still in a s%eaty shirt! %ith t%o &ays of bear&" But %hat is this nonsense0 Surely it %as arrange& for you to learn the Skill0 I re e ber %ell ho% *atience.s tongue battere& a%ay father.s resol'e"7 He $er itte& hi self a %eary s ile" 6Jalen trie& to teach is oftenG7 6;ait!7 he gro%le&! an& in an instant %as %ithin offere&! by %ay of a$ology! an& then! clou&s you so0 #h:7 an& %as gone again fro %on&ering" 6I a strong in it! as %as your father" Jalen is not"7 ake e feel y failure less" 6Then ho% &i& he beco e Skill aster07 I aske& )uietly" I %on&ere& if Aerity %as saying this only to so eho% y y in&" 6This is faster!7 he in&! an& all as &eft an& uttering to hi self! 6;hat is this that e! but I ha& not the a$titu&e" ;ith bastar&s! I a tol& it y

easy as Burrich taking a tick off a houn&.s ear" He sat long! )uiet! an& so &i& I!

8<8

Aerity $ause& as if skirting a &elicate sub4ect" 6Jalen %as Iueen Desire.s , $et" # fa'orite" The Iueen e $hatically suggeste& Jalen as a$$rentice to Solicity" Often I think our ol& Skill aster %as &es$erate %hen she took hi as a$$rentice" Solicity kne% she %as &ying! you see" I belie'e she acte& in haste! an& to%ar& the en&! regrette& her &ecision" #n& I &o not think he ha& half the training he shoul& ha'e ha& before beco ing F aster". But there he is+ he is %hat %e ha'e"7 Aerity cleare& his throat an& looke& unco fortable" 6I %ill s$eak as $lainly as I can! boy! for I see that you kno% ho% to hol& your tongue %hen it is %ise" Jalen %as gi'en that $lace as a $lu ! not because he he has e'er fully gras$e& %hat it erite& it" I &o not think eans to be the Skill aster" Oh! he kno%s the

$osition carries $o%er! an& he has not scru$le& to %iel& it" But Solicity %as ore than so eone %ho s%aggere& about secure in a high $osition" Solicity %as a&'iser to Bounty! an& a link bet%een the (ing an& all %ho Skille& for hi " She a&e it her business to seek out an& teach as any as anifeste& real talent an& the 4u&g ent to use it %ell" This coterie is the first grou$ Jalen has traine& since 9hi'alry an& I %ere boys" #n& I &o not fin& the they are traine&! as onkeys an& $arrots are taught to %ell taught" 5o! en! %ith no i ic

un&erstan&ing of %hat they &o" But they are %hat I ha'e"7 Aerity looke& out the %in&o% an& s$oke softly" 6Jalen has no finesse" He is as coarse as his other %as! an& 4ust as $resu $tuous"7 Aerity $ause& su&&enly! an& his cheeks flushe& as if he ha& sai& so ething ill consi&ere&" He resu e& kno% %hat I %ant" I can ask $olitely! or hint! or let you kno% no& an& a s ile" I can Skill a i&ea to $lease an! an& lea'e hi ore )uietly" 6The Skill is like language! boy" I nee& not shout at you to let you y %ish %ith a thinking it %as all his o%n

e" But all that elu&es Jalen! both in the use of the Skill an& the

teaching of it" He uses force to batter his %ay in" *ri'ation an& $ain are one
8<<

%ay to lo%er a

an.s &efenses+ it is the only %ay Jalen belie'es in" But e %atch a kite! or a bit of &ust floating in y in& %ith e! s iling an& $raising

Solicity use& guile" She %oul& ha'e su&&enly there she %oul& be! insi&e e" She taught into another.s in& is

a sunbea ! focusing on it as if there %ere nothing else in the %orl&" #n& e that being o$en %as si $ly not being close&" #n& going ostly &one by being %illing to go outsi&e of your o%n"

Do you see! boy07 6So e%hat!7 I he&ge&" 6So e%hat"7 He sighe&" 6I coul& teach you to Skill! ha& I but the ti e" I &o not" But tell e thisG%ere your lessons going %ell! before he teste& you07 I saying! %hat y hea& e" 65o" I ne'er ha& any a$titu&e , %ait: That.s not true: ;hat a boun&ing off the ar Befu&&le& you! the

ha'e I been thinking07 Though I %as sitting! I s%aye& su&&enly! 6I %as too s%ift! I su$$ose" Stea&y no%! boy" So eone ha&

of Aerity.s chair" He reache& out a han& an& stea&ie&

iste& you"

uch as I &o Re&/Shi$ na'igators an& steers en" 9on'ince they.'e $asse& a $oint they o ent" He ha& sla e&

they.'e taken a sighting alrea&y an& their course is true %hen really they

are steering into a cross current" 9on'ince the

ha'en.t sighte& yet" So eone con'ince& you that you coul& not Skill"7 6Jalen"7 I s$oke %ith certainty" I al ost kne% the into e that afternoon! an& fro been li'ing in a fog! all those onths , at all! I. sure you.'e seen %hat that ti e nothing ha& been the sa e" I ha&

6*robably" Though if you Skille& into hi hi

9hi'alry &i& to hi " He hate& your father %ith a $assion! $rior to 9hi' turning into a la$&og" ;e felt ba&ly about it" ;e.& ha'e un&one it! if %e coul& ha'e figure& out ho% to &o it! an& esca$e Solicity.s &etection" But 9hi' %as strong %ith the Skill! an& %e %ere all but boys then! an& 9hi' %as angry %hen he &i& it" O'er so ething Jalen ha& &one to
8<?

e! ironically" E'en %hen

9hi'alry %as not angry! being Skille& by hi horse" Or &ucke& in a fast/flo%ing ri'er!

%as like being tra $le& by a

ore like" He.& get in a hurry! an&

barge into you an& &u $ his infor ation an& flee"7 He $ause& again an& reache& to unco'er a &ish of sou$ on his tray" 6I guess I.'e al%ays assu e& you kne% all this" Though I. %oul& ha'e tol& you07 I sei1e& on one $iece of infor ation" 6You coul& teach e to Skill07 6If I ha& ti e" # great &eal of ti e" You.re a lot like 9hi' an& I %ere! %hen %e learne&" Erratic" Strong! but %ith no i&ea ho% to bring that strength to bear" #n& Jalen has , %ell! scarre& you! I su$$ose" You.'e %alls I can.t begin to $enetrate! an& I a strong" You.& ha'e to learn to &ro$ the " That.s a har& thing" But I coul& teach you! yes" If you an& I ha& a year! an& nothing else to &o"7 He $ushe& the sou$ asi&e" 6But %e &on.t"7 -y ho$es crashe& again" This secon& %a'e of &isa$$oint ent engulfe& grin&ing e against stones of frustration" -y the sel'es! an& in a surge of anger! I kne% all that ha& been &one to it not for S ithy! I.& ha'e &ashe& night" Jalen ha& trie& to kill e! e ories all reor&ere& e" ;ere &a ne& if there.s any %ay you coul& ha'e" ;ho

y life out at the base of the to%er that e! sa'e his loyal coterie" #n& e the chance to learn Skilling" y feet! furious"

e! 4ust as surely as if he.& ha& a knife" 5o one

%oul& e'en ha'e kno%n of ho% he.& beaten %hile he.& faile& at that! he ha& taken fro He.& cri$$le& e! an& I %oul& , I lea$e& to

6;hoa" Be slo% an& careful" You ha'e a grie'ance! but %e cannot ha'e &iscor& %ithin the kee$ itself right no%" 9arry it %ith you until you can settle it )uietly! for the (ing.s sake"7 I bo%e& He lifte& the co'er fro an"7
8<B

y hea& to the %is&o

of his counsel"

a s all roast fo%l! &ro$$e& it again" 6;hy %oul& you iserable thing" 5o fit occu$ation for a

%ant to learn this Skill any%ay0 It.s a

6To hel$ you!7 I sai& %ithout thinking! an& then foun& it true" Once it %oul& ha'e been to $ro'e 9ha&e! to increase yself a true an& fit son to 9hi'alry! to i $ress Burrich or y stan&ing in the kee$" 5o%! after %atching %hat Aerity his sub4ects! I foun&

&i&! &ay after &ay! %ith no $raise or ackno%le&g ent fro I only %ante& to hel$ hi " 6To hel$ e!7 he re$eate&" The stor

%in&s %ere slackening" ;ith exhauste&

resignation! he lifte& his eyes to the %in&o%" 6Take the foo& a%ay! boy" I.'e no ti e for it no%"7 6But you nee& strength!7 I $roteste&" Juiltily! I kne% he ha& taken ti e %ith e that he shoul& ha'e taken for foo& an& slee$" 6I kno%" But I ha'e no ti e" Eating takes energy" O&& to reali1e that" I ha'e none extra to gi'e to that 4ust no%"7 His eyes %ere )uesting afar no%! staring through the sheeting rain that %as 4ust beginning to slacken" 6I.& gi'e you He looke& at y strength! Aerity" If I coul&"7 e o&&ly" 6#re you sure0 Aery sure07 ore )uietly3 6I a a king.s an"7 6#n& of y o%n

I coul& not un&erstan& the intensity of his )uestion! but I kne% the ans%er" 6Of course I %oul&"7 #n& bloo&!7 he affir e&" He sighe&" For a %his$ere&" 6#n& it o ent he looke& sickene&" He looke&

again at the foo&! an& again out the %in&o%" 6There is 4ust ti e!7 he ight be enough" Da nation to you! Father" -ust you e! but I obeye&" ;hen I y shoul&er! as if he al%ays %in0 9o e here! then! boy"7 There %as an intensity to his %or&s that frightene& nee&e& assistance to rise" I looke& u$ at hi fro the floor" There %as a $illo% un&er y hea&! an& the stoo& by his chair! he reache& out a han&" He $lace& it on

blanket I ha& brought u$ earlier ha& been tosse& o'er

8<C

e" Aerity stoo&! leaning

out the %in&o%" He %as shaking %ith effort! an& the Skill he exerte& %as like battering %a'es I coul& al ost feel" 6Onto the rocks!7 he sai& %ith &ee$ satisfaction! an& %hirle& fro the %in&o%" He grinne& at e" e! an ol& fierce grin! that fa&e& slo%ly as he looke& &o%n on &i&n.t kno% %hat you %ere talking about"7 6;hat ha$$ene& to other! an& out of their 4oints" 6You offere& e your strength" I took it"7 He $oure& a cu$ of the tea! then y outh" 6Jo slo%ly" I %as in a hurry" Di& I say earlier that ust I say about yself then07 knelt to hol& it to e07 I anage& to ask" -y teeth chattere& against each y bones y %hole bo&y shook as %ith a chill" I felt I %oul& rattle

6=ike a calf to the slaughter!7 he sai& ruefully" 6I shoul& ha'e kno%n that you

9hi'alry %as a bull %ith his Skill0 ;hat not seen for y ug" onths" I anage& a

He ha& his ol& bluff heartiness an& goo& nature back" This %as a Aerity I ha& outhful of the tea an& felt the elfbark sting the outh an& throat" -y shi'ering ease&" Aerity took a casual gul$ fro

6In the ol& &ays!7 he sai& con'ersationally! 6a king %oul& &ra% on his coterie" Half a &o1en en or ore! an& all in tune %ith one another! able to $ool an" I &on.t think Jalen )uite gras$s strength an& offer it as nee&e&" That %as their true $ur$ose" To $ro'i&e strength to their king! or to their o%n key that" His coterie is a thing he has fashione&" They are like horses an& bullocks an& &onkeys! all harnesse& together" 5ot a true coterie at all" They lack the singleness of 6Yes" Belie'e in&"7 e07 e! boy! I %oul& not ha'e! exce$t that I ha& a su&&en nee&! an& I 6You &re% strength fro

thought you kne% %hat you offere&" You yourself na e& yourself as a king.s an! the ol& ter " #n& as close as %e are in bloo&! I kne% I coul& ta$ you"7 He
8<D

set the

ug &o%n on the tray %ith a thu $" Disgust &ee$ene& his 'oice" otion! %heels turning! $en&ulu s s%aying" It is e y eals! boy" He %as aking you

6Shre%&" He sets things in a'ailable to o'er

no acci&ent you are the one to bring e" 6It %ill not ha$$en again"7

e"7 He took a s%ift turn about the roo ! then sto$$e&! stan&ing

6It %as not so ba&!7 I sai& faintly" 65o0 ;hy &on.t you try to stan&! then0 Or e'en sit u$0 You.re 4ust one boy! alone! not a coterie" Ha& I not reali1e& your ignorance an& &ra%n back! I coul& ha'e kille& you" Your heart an& breath %oul& 4ust ha'e sto$$e&" I.ll not &rain you like this! not for anyone" Here"7 He stoo$e&! an& %ithout effort! lifte& an& $lace& %hen you are better! go to Shre%& for %ish a kitchen boy to bring 6Aerity!7 I began" 65o!7 he correcte& I bo%e& re'i'e y hea&! e" 6Say F y $rince". For in this! I a your $rince! an& I %ill not be )uestione& on it" 5o% eat"7 iserable! but I &i& eat! an& the elfbark in the tea %orke& to to the &oor" I felt &efeate&" I lifte& the latch" e faster than I ha& ex$ecte&" Soon I coul& stan&! to stack the &ishes on y e e in his chair" 6Sit here a bit" #n& eat" I &on.t nee& it no%" #n& e" Say that I say you are a &istraction" I no% on" eals! fro

the tray an& then to carry the 6Fit19hi'alry Farseer"7

I halte&! fro1en by the %or&s" I turne& slo%ly" 6It.s your na e! boy" I %rote it brought to to&ay"7 6Joo&/bye!7 I sai& )uietly! but he %as alrea&y staring out the %in&o% again" yself! in the ilitary log! on the &ay you %ere e" #nother thing I ha& thought you kne%" Sto$ thinking of

yourself as the bastar&! Fit19hi'alry Farseer" #n& be sure that you see Shre%&

8<E

#n& so high su

er foun& us all" 9ha&e at his tablets! Aerity at his %in&o%! y king" The

Regal courting a $rincess for his brother! an& I! )uietly killing for

Inlan& an& 9oastal Dukes took si&es at the council tables! hissing an& s$itting at one another like cats o'er fish" #n& ato$ it all %as Shre%&! kee$ing each $iece of %eb as taut as any s$i&er! an& alert to the least thru ing of a line" The Re&/Shi$s struck at us! like ratfish on beef bait! tearing a%ay bits of our folk an& Forging the " #n& the Forge& folk beca e a tor ent to the lan&! beggars or $re&ators or bur&en to their fa ilies" Folk feare& to fish! to tra&e! or to far the ri'er/ outh $lains by the sea" #n& yet the taxes ust be raise&! to e fro y fee& the sol&iers an& the %atchers %ho see e& unable to &efen& the lan& &es$ite their gro%ing nu bers" Shre%& ha& gru&gingly release& ser'ice to Aerity" -y king ha& not calle& for orning I %as abru$tly su one& to breakfast" an e in o'er a onth %hen one

6It.s a $oor ti e to %e&!7 Aerity ob4ecte&" I looke& at the sallo%! fleshless hearty $rince fro y chil&hoo&" He ha& %orsene& so uch in 4ust a

%ho share& the (ing.s breakfast table an& %on&ere& if this %as the bluff! onth" his He toye& %ith a bit of brea&! set it &o%n again" The out&oors ha& gone fro cheeks an& eyes+ his hair %as &ull! his eyes %ere yello%e&" Burrich %oul& ha'e %or e& hi Aerity turne& to if he.& been a houn&" e"7 y

usculature slack" The %hites of his

>naske&! I sai&! 6I hunte& %ith =eon t%o &ays ago" He took a rabbit for %olfhoun& for rabbits07 6He en4oye& it" He looke& at isses you! though" He brought

e! a ghost of his ol& s ile $laying on his face" 6You took

e the rabbit! an& I $raise& ho% the houn& ha& gla& he

hi ! but it &i&n.t see

to satisfy hi "7 I coul&n.t tell hi

e! not for you as $lain in his eyes as in his bearing"

Aerity $icke& u$ his glass" His han& )ui'ere& e'er so slightly" 6I a gets out %ith you! boy" It.s better thanG7
8?H

6The %e&&ing!7 Shre%& cut in! 6%ill hearten the $eo$le" I a I &o not &are $ro ise the

getting ol&!

Aerity! an& the ti es are trouble&" The $eo$le see no en& to their troubles! an& solutions %e &o not ha'e" The OutIslan&ers are right! Aerity" ;e are not the %arriors %ho once settle& here" ;e ha'e beco e a settle& $eo$le" #n& a settle& $eo$le can be threatene& in %ays that no a&s an& ro'ers ha'e no care for" #n& %e can be &estroye& in those sa e %ays" ;hen settle& $eo$le look for security! they look for continuity"7 Here I looke& u$ shar$ly" Those %ere 9ha&e.s %or&s! I.& bet Di& that su y bloo& on it" ean that this %e&&ing %as so ething 9ha&e %as hel$ing to

engineer0 -y interest beca e keener! an& I %on&ere& again %hy I ha& been one& to this breakfast" atter of reassuring our folk! Aerity" You ha'e not Regal.s char ! nor uch talent for the Skill as I ha'e 6It.s a

the bearing that let 9hi'alry con'ince anyone that he coul& take care of any atter" This is not to slight you+ you ha'e as e'er seen in our line! an& in ha'e been any eras your sol&ierly skills in tactics %oul& e" I %atche& Shre%&

ore i $ortant than 9hi'alry.s &i$lo acy"7

This soun&e& sus$iciously like a rehearse& s$eech to

$ause" He $ut cheese an& $reser'es on so e brea& an& bit into it thoughtfully" Aerity sat silent! %atching his father" He see e& both attenti'e an& be use&" =ike a an trying &es$erately to stay a%ake an& be alert %hen all he can think of is $utting his hea& &o%n an& closing his eyes+ %ell! Aerity certainly looke& at least that tire&" -y brief ex$eriences of the Skill an& the s$lit concentration it &e an&e& to resist its entice ents! %hile ben&ing it to one.s %ill! ar'el at Aerity.s ability to %iel& it e'ery &ay" Shre%& glance& fro si $ly! you nee& to Aerity to e an& back to his son.s face" 6*utting it arry" -ore! you nee& to beget a chil&" It %oul& $ut heart a&e e

into the $eo$le" They %oul& say! F;ell! it cannot be as ba& as all that! if our
8?1

$rince &oes not fear to that if the %hole king&o

arry an& ha'e a chil&" Surely he %oul& not be &oing %ere on the 'erge of cru bling". 6

6But you an& I %oul& still kno% better! %oul&n.t %e! Father07 There %as a hint of rust in Aerity.s 'oice! an& a bitterness I ha& ne'er hear& there before" 6AerityG7 Shre%& began! but his son cut in" 6-y king!7 he sai& for ally" 6You an& I &o kno% that %e are on the brink of &isaster" #n& no%! right no%! there can be no slackening of our 'igilance" I ha'e no ti e for courting an& %ooing! an& e'en less ti e for the ore subtle negotiations of fin&ing a royal bri&e" ;hile the %eather is fine! the Re&/Shi$s %ill rai&" #n& %hen it turns $oor! an& the te $ests blo% their shi$s back to their o%n $orts! then %e ust turn our in&s an& our energies to fortifying our erchant shi$s to coastlines an& training cre%s to anage rai&ing shi$s of our o%n" That is %hat

I %ant to &iscuss %ith you" =et us buil& our o%n fleet! not fat our ol&est shi$%rights still kno% ho% to

%a&&le about te $ting rai&ers! but sleek %arshi$s! such as %e once ha& an& ake" #n& let us take this battle to the OutIslan&ersGyes! e'en through the stor s of %inter" ;e use& to ha'e such sailors an& %arriors a ong us" If %e begin to buil& an& train no%! by next s$ring %e coul& at least hol& the %e coul&G7 6It %ill take oney" #n& oney &oes not flo% fastest fro terrifie& en" To raise the fun&s %e nee&! %e nee& to ha'e our the coast erchants confi&ent enough to a%ay fro our coast! an& $ossibly by %inter

continue tra&ing! %e ha'e to ha'e far ers unafrai& to $asture their flocks on ea&o%s an& hills" It all co es back! Aerity! to your taking a %ife"7 ha& gi'en Aerity! so ani ate& %hen s$eaking of %arshi$s! leane& back in his chair" He see e& to sag in on hi self! as if so e $iece of structure insi&e hi %ay" I al ost ex$ecte& to see hi colla$se" 6#s you %ill! y king!7 he sai&!

but as he s$oke he shook his hea&! &enying the affir ation of his o%n %or&s"
8?2

6I %ill &o as you see %ise" Such is the &uty of a $rince to his king an& to his king&o " But as a %o an selecte& by an! Father! it is a bitter an& e $ty thing! this taking of a y younger brother" I %ill %ager that ha'ing looke& on e! she %ill not see e as any great $ri1e"7

Regal first! %hen she stan&s besi&e

Aerity looke& &o%n at his han&s! at the battle an& %ork scars that no% sho%e& $lainly against their $aleness" I hear& his na e in his %or&s %hen he sai& softly! 6#l%ays I ha'e been your secon& son" Behin& 9hi'alry! %ith his beauty! strength! an& %is&o " #n& no% behin& Regal! %ith his cle'erness an& char an& airs" I kno% you think he %oul& be a better (ing to follo% after you than I" I &o not al%ays &isagree %ith you" I %as born secon&! an& raise& to be secon&" I ha& al%ays belie'e& y $lace %oul& be behin& the throne! not u$on it" #n& %hen I thought in& it" He ga'e e a&e y brother &i&" His confi&ence in e %as like an honor+ it that 9hi'alry %oul& follo% you to that high seat! I &i& not great %orth!

e a $art of all he acco $lishe&" To be the right han& of such a king %ere better than to be (ing of any a lesser lan&" I belie'e& in hi as he belie'e& in any years+ e" But he is gone" #n& I tell you nothing sur$rising %hen I say to you that there is no such bon& bet%een Regal an& think he sought for a %o an that can lo'e e" *erha$s there are too e" Or one thatG7 ost $erha$s 9hi'alry an& I %ere so close %e left no roo for a thir&" But I &o not

6He chose you a )ueen:7 Shre%& interru$te& harshly" I kne% then that this %as not the first ti e this ha& been argue& an& sense& that Shre%& %as annoye& that I ha& been $ri'y to these %or&s" 6Regal chose a %o an! not for you! or hi self! or any such silliness" He chose a %o an to be Iueen of this country! of these Six Duchies" # %o an %ho can bring to us the %ealth an& the en an& the tra&e agree ents that %e nee& no%! if %e are to sur'i'e these Re&/Shi$s" Soft han&s an& a s%eet scent %ill not buil& your %arshi$s! Aerity"
8?8

You

ust set asi&e this 4ealousy of your brother+ you cannot fen& off the

ene y if you &o not ha'e confi&ence in those %ho stan& behin& you"7 6Exactly!7 Aerity sai& )uietly" He $ushe& his chair back" 6;here &o you go07 Shre%& &e an&e& irritably" 6To For a y &uties!7 Aerity sai& shortly" 6;here else ha'e I to go07 o ent e'en Shre%& looke& taken aback" 6But you.'e scarcely eaten

,7 He faltere&" 6The Skill kills all other a$$etites" You kno% that"7 6Yes"7 Shre%& $ause&" 6#n& I kno%! too! as you &o! that %hen this ha$$ens! a an is close to the e&ge" The a$$etite for the Skill is one that &e'ours a not one that nourishes hi "7 They both see e& to ha'e forgotten entirely about an& unobtrusi'e! nibbling on y biscuit as if I %ere a an 6But %hat &oes the &e'ouring of one e" I a&e yself s all ouse in a corner" e it %as $lain that an!

atter! if it sa'es a king&o "7 Aerity

&i& not bother to &isguise the bitterness in his 'oice! an& to

it %as not the Skill alone that he s$oke of" He $ushe& his $late a%ay" 6#fter all!7 he a&&e& %ith $on&erous sarcas ! 6it is not as if you &o not ha'e yet another son to ste$ in an& %ear your cro%n" One unscarre& by %hat the Skill &oes to en" One free to %e& %here he %ill! or %ill not"7 6It is not Regal.s fault that he is unSkille&" He %as a sickly chil&! too sickly for Jalen to train" #n& %ho coul& ha'e foreseen that t%o Skille& *rinces %oul& not be enough!7 Shre%& $roteste&" He rose abru$tly an& $ace& the length of the cha ber" He stoo&! leaning on the %in&o%sill an& $eering out o'er the sea belo%" 6I &o %hat I can! son!7 he a&&e& in a lo%er 'oice" 6Do you think I &o not care! that I &o not see ho% you are being consu e&07 Aerity sighe& hea'ily" 65o" I kno%" It is the %eariness of the Skill that s$eaks so! not I" One of us! at least! ust kee$ a clear hea& an& try to gras$ the %hole
8?<

of %hat is ha$$ening" For fears that the Skill can %hat sticks in see e& to Ji'e

e! there is nothing but the sensing out! an& then the oars an! to scent out the secret agnify! to fin& the faint hearts in the cre% an& $rey the ! an& %hen I try to eat! they are en.s in&s" an

sorting! the trying to fix na'igator out fro u$on those first" ;hen I slee$! I &rea

y throat" You kno% I ha'e ne'er relishe& this+ Father" It ne'er

e %orthy of a %arrior! to skulk an& s$y about in

e a s%or& an& I.ll %illingly ex$lore their guts" I.& rather un an a in& to ni$$ing at his heels"7

%ith a bla&e than turn the houn&s of his o%n

6I kno%! I kno%!7 Shre%& sai& gently! but I &i& not think he really &i&" I! at least! &i& un&erstan& Aerity.s &istaste for his task" I ha& to a& it I share& it! an& felt hi so eho% &irtie& by it" But %hen he glance& at e! y face an& eyes %ere e $ty of any 4u&g ent" Dee$er %ithin %on&ere& if he looke& at s ile& at =eon" 6Take y &og out for e! e'en if it is only for rabbits" I hate to lea'e hi in y roo s each &ay! but his $oor &u b $lea&ing %as a &istraction fro ust &o"7 I no&&e&! sur$rise& at %hat I felt e anating fro $ain I ha& felt at being se$arate& fro 6Aerity"7 He turne& at Shre%&.s call" 6#l ost I forgot to tell you %hy I ha& calle& you here" It is! of course! the ountain $rincess" (etkin! I think her na e %as ,
8??

e %as the sneaking guilt y uncle at this ti e" I y strength again" It

that I ha& faile& to learn the Skill! an& %as no use to %as a frightening thought! but I steele& in&" #n& as he rose an& %alke& $ast

e! an& thought of &ra%ing on

yself to the re)uest" But he only y hair as if I %ere

e kin&ly! if absently! as if no such thought ha& e'er crosse& his y chair! he tousle&

%hat I

hi " # sha&o% of the sa e

y o%n &ogs"

6(ettricken" I at least re e ber that

uch" # skinny little chil&! the last ti e I

sa% her" So! she is the one you ha'e selecte&07 6Yes" For all the reasons %e ha'e alrea&y &iscusse&" #n& a &ay has been set" Ten &ays before our Har'est Feast" You %ill ha'e to lea'e here &uring the first $art of Rea$ti e in or&er to reach there in ti e" There %ill be a cere ony there! before her o%n $eo$le! bin&ing the t%o of you an& sealing all the agree ents! an& a for al %e&&ing later! %hen you arri'e back here %ith her" Regal sen&s %or& that you I cannot" If I lea'e off an& ustG7 Aerity ha& halte&! an& his face &arkene& %ith frustration" 6I cannot" You kno% y %ork here %hile it is still Rea$ti e! there %ill be onth before the %inter stor s &ri'e the back nothing to bring a bri&e back to" #l%ays! the OutIslan&ers ha'e been gree&iest ost reckless in the final to their o%n %retche& shore" Do you think it %ill be any &ifferent this year0 =ike as not I %oul& bring (ettricken back here to fin& the Buckkee$! %ith your hea& on a $ike to greet e:7 feasting in our o%n

(ing Shre%& looke& angere&! but ke$t his te $er as he aske&! 6Do you really think they coul& $ress us that greatly if you ga'e off your efforts for t%enty &ays or so07 6I kno% it!7 Aerity sai& %earily" 6I kno% it as surely as I kno% that I shoul& be at y $ost right no%! not arguing here %ith you" Father! tell the it ust be $ut off" I.ll go for her as soon as %e.'e a goo& coat of sno% on the groun&! an& a blesse& gale lashing all shi$s into their $orts"7 6It cannot be!7 Shre%& sai& regretfully" 6They ha'e beliefs of their o%n! u$ in the ountains" # %e&&ing ountain fiel&s"7 a&e in %inter yiel&s a barren har'est" You ust take her in the fall! %hen the lan&s are yiel&ing! or in late s$ring! %hen they till their little

8?B

6I cannot" By the ti e s$ring co es to their %ith Rai&ers on our &oorsills" Surely they

ountains! it is fair %eather here! o'e&

ust un&erstan& that:7 Aerity

his hea& about! like a restless horse on a short lea&" He &i& not %ant to be here" Distasteful as he foun& his Skill %ork! it calle& to hi " He %ante& to go to it! %ante& it in a %ay that ha& nothing to &o %ith $rotecting his king&o " I %on&ere& if Shre%& kne% that" I %on&ere& if Aerity &i&" 6To un&erstan& so ething is one thing!7 the (ing ex$oun&e&" 6To insist they flaunt their tra&itions is another" Aerity! this sol&iers! %e nee& her ust be so! &one no%"7 Shre%& rubbe& his hea& as if it $aine& hi " 6;e nee& this 4oining" ;e nee& her arriage gifts! %e nee& her father at our back" It cannot anaging a ight e'en &o you goo& %ait" 9oul& not you $erha$s go in a close& litter! unha $ere& by horse! an& continue your Skill %ork as you tra'el0 It to get out an& about a bit! to ha'e a little fresh air an&G7 65O:7 Aerity bello%e& the %or&! an& Shre%& turne& %here he stoo&! al ost as if he %ere at bay against the %in&o%sill" Aerity a&'ance& to the table an& $oun&e& u$on it! sho%ing a te $er I ha& ne'er sus$ecte& in hi " 65o an& no an& no: I cannot &o the %ork I bri&e you ha'e chosen for sniggering behin& ust &o to kee$ the Rai&ers fro our coast %hile being rocke& an& 4olte& in a horse litter" #n& no! I %ill not go to this e! to this %o an I scarce recall! in a litter like an e so! nor %oul& I ha'e y en in'ali& or a %itling" I %ill not ha'e her see ri&ing like a $alsie& ol& You.'e been a ong the

e! saying! FOh! this is %hat bra'e Aerity has co e to! an! $an&ere& off to so e %o an as if he %ere an ountain folk! you kno% their %ays" Think you a an %ho ca e to her in such a sickly %ay0

OutIslan&er %hore". ;here are your %its that you can think such stu$i& $lans0 %o an of theirs %oul& acce$t a

E'en their royals ex$ose a chil& if it is born less than %hole" You.& s$oil your o%n $lan! an& lea'e the Six Duchies to the Rai&ers %hile you &i& it"7
8?C

6Then $erha$sG7 6Then $erha$s there is a Re&/Shi$ right no%! not so far that they cannot see Egg Islan&! an& alrea&y the ca$tain of it is &iscounting the &rea coul& ha'e so of ill o en he ha& last night! an& the na'igator is correcting his course! %on&ering ho% he istaken the lan& arks of our coastline" #lrea&y all the %ork I &i& last night %hile you sle$t an& Regal &ance& an& &rank %ith his courtiers is co ing un&one! %hile %e stan& here an& yatter at one another" Father! arrange it" #rrange it any %ay you %ish an& can! so long as it &oes not in'ol'e been o'ing as he s$oke! an& the sla e &oing anything sa'e the Skill %hile fair %eather $lagues our coast"7 Aerity ha& ing of the (ing.s cha ber &oor o ents" Then he $asse& his al ost &ro%ne& out his final %or&s" Shre%& stoo& an& stare& at the &oor for so e han& across his eyes! rubbing the ! but for %eariness or tears or 4ust a bit of &ust! I coul& not tell" He looke& about the roo ! fro%ning %hen his eyes encountere& e! as if I %ere a thing $u11lingly out of $lace" Then! as if ust be foun&" #n& %hen Aerity ri&es to clai his bri&e! recalling %hy I %ere there! he obser'e& &ryly! 6;ell! that %ent %ell! &i&n.t it0 Still an& all! a %ay 6If you %ish! you %ill go %ith hi "7 y king!7 I sai& )uietly" an" Oh! he 6I &o"7 He cleare& his throat! then turne& to look out his %in&o% again" 6The *rincess has a single sibling! an ol&er brother" He is not a healthy %as %ell an& strong once! but on the Ice Fiel&s he took an arro% through his chest" *asse& clean through hi ! so Regal %as tol&" #n& the %oun&s on his chest an& back heale&" But in %inters! he coughs bloo&! an& in su cannot sit a horse nor &rill his the en for ore than half the ountain folk! it is full sur$rising that he is their (ing/in/;aiting"7 er he orning" (no%ing

8?D

I thought )uietly for a

o ent" 6# ong the

ountain folk the custo

is the

sa e as ours" -ale or fe ale! the offs$ring inherit! by the or&er of their birth"7 6Yes" That is so!7 Shre%& sai& )uietly! an& I kne% that alrea&y he %as thinking that Se'en Duchies ight be stronger than Six" an of his years" I a sure he %ill %hole 6#n& *rincess (ettricken.s father!7 I aske&! 6ho% is his health07 6#s hale an& hearty as one coul& %ish! for a an& safe for his heir"7 6*robably by then our troubles %ith the Re&/Shi$s %ill long be o'er" Aerity %ill be free to turn his Aerity goes to clai I incline& in& to other things"7 et ine" 6;hen his bri&e! you %ill go %ith hi !7 he sai& again" 6You y king"7 6*robably!7 (ing Shre%& agree& )uietly" His eyes finally reign long an& %ell! for at least another &eca&e! kee$ing his king&o

un&erstan& %hat your &uties %ill be0 I trust to your &iscretion"7 y hea& to hi " 6#s you %ish!

9H#*TER 5I5ETEE5 @ourney TO S*E#( OF THE -ountain (ing&o basic as a king&o is to start out %ith a ake u$ isun&erstan&ing of the area an& the folk %ho $eo$le it" It is e)ually

inaccurate to refer to the region as 9hyur&a! although the 9hyur&a &o -ountain (ing&o consists of 'arious ha lets clinging to the

the &o inant folk there" Rather than one stretch of unite& countrysi&e! the ountainsi&es! of s all 'ales of arable lan&! of tra&ing ha lets s$rung u$ along the rough roa&s that lea& to the $asses! an& clans of no a&ic her&ers an& hunters %ho range the inhos$itable countrysi&e in bet%een" Such a &i'erse $eo$le are
8?E

unlikely to unite! for their interests are often in conflict" Strangely! though! the only force ore $o%erful than each grou$.s in&e$en&ence an& insular %ays is ountain folk" the loyalty they bear to the 6(ing7 of the

Tra&itions tell us that this line %as begun by a $ro$het/4u&ge! a %o an %ho %as not only %ise! but also a $hiloso$her %ho foun&e& a theory of ruling %hose keystone is that the lea&er is the ulti ate ser'ant of the $eo$le! an& ust be totally selfless in that regar&" There %as no &efinite ti e %hen the 4u&ge beca e the (ing+ rather it %as a gra&ual transition! as %ar& of the fairness an& %is&o of the holy one at @haa $e s$rea&" #s ore an& ore folk sought counsel there! %illing to be boun& by the &ecision of the @u&ge! it %as only natural that the la%s of that settle ent ca e to be res$ecte& throughout the ountains! an& that ore an& ore folk a&o$te& @haa $e la%s as their o%n" #n& so 4u&ges beca e (ings! but! a a1ingly! retaine& their self/i $ose& &ecree of ser'itu&e an& self/sacrifice for their $eo$le" The @haa $e tra&ition is rife %ith tales of (ings an& Iueens %ho sacrifice& the sel'es for their folk! in e'ery concei'able %ay! fro Tales ha'e been tol& that fen&ing %il& ani als off she$her& chil&ren to ake the ountain folk out to be harsh! al ost ore offering the sel'es as hostages in ti es of feu&" sa'age" In truth! the lan& they &%ell in is unco $ro ising! an& their la%s irror this con&ition" It is true that ba&ly for e& infants are ex$ose& or! co # only! &ro%ne& or &rugge& to &eath" The el&erly often choose an %ho breaks his %or& ay ha'e his tongue notche& as %ell as ha'ing to ay see ore settle& of the Six Duchies! but they are

Se)uestering! a self/i $ose& exile %here col& an& star'ation en& all infir ities" surren&er &ouble the 'alue of his original bargain" Such custo s )uaintly barbaric to those in the $eculiarly suite& to the %orl& of the -ountain (ing&o "

8BH

In the en&! Aerity ha& his %ay" There %as no s%eetness in the triu $h for hi ! Ia sure! for his o%n stubborn insistence %as backe& by a su&&en increase in onth! t%o 'illages %ere burne&! it suici&e" the fre)uency of the rai&s" In the s$ace of a

an& ha& a total of thirty/t%o inhabitants taken for Forging" 5ineteen of the a$$arently carrie& the no% $o$ular $oison 'ials an& chose to co # thir& to%n! a royal troo$s! but by a ercenary ore $o$ulous one! %as successfully &efen&e&! not by the ilitia the to%nsfolk ha& organi1e& an& hire& igrant OutIslan&ers! utterings against the (ing.s

the sel'es" -any of the fighters! ironically! %ere i using one of the fe% skills they ha&" #n& the a$$arent inacti'ity increase&" It &i& little goo& to try to ex$lain to the

about Aerity an& the coterie.s %ork" erchant shi$s that

;hat the $eo$le nee&e& an& %ante& %ere %arshi$s of their o%n! &efen&ing the coastline" But shi$s take ti e to buil&! an& the con'erte& %ere alrea&y in the %ater %ere tubby! %allo%ing things co $are& %ith the sleek Re&/Shi$s that harasse& us" *ro ises of %arshi$s by s$ring %ere s all co fort to far ers an& her&ers trying to $rotect this year.s cro$s an& flocks" #n& the lan&locke& Duchies %ere beco ing ore an& ore 'ociferous about $aying hea'ier taxes to buil& %arshi$s to $rotect a coastline they &i&n.t share" For their $art! the lea&ers of the 9oastal Duchies sarcastically %on&ere& ho% %ell the inlan& folk %oul& &o %ithout their sea$orts an& tra&ing 'essels to outlet their goo&s" During at least one High 9ouncil altercation in %hich Duke Ra eeting! there %as a noisy of Tilth suggeste& that it %oul& be little loss to

ce&e the 5ear Islan&s an& Fur *oint to the Re&/Shi$s if that %oul& slacken their rai&ing! an& Duke Bra%n&y of Bea s retaliate& by threatening to sto$ all tra&e traffic along the Bear Ri'er an& see if Tilth foun& that as s all a loss" (ing Shre%& anage& to bring the council to a&4ourn ent before they ca e to a&e it clear that he si&e& %ith blo%s! but not before the Farro% Duke ha&
8B1

Tilth" The lines of &i'ision %ere being

a&e

ore shar$ %ith each $assing arriage"

onth an& each allot ent of taxes" 9learly so ething %as nee&e& to rebuil& the king&o .s unity! an& Shre%& %as con'ince& it %as a royal (ettricken %oul& So Regal &ance& his &i$lo atic ste$s! an& it %as arrange& that the *rincess ake her $le&ges to Regal in his brother.s stea&! %ith all of her o%n folk to %itness! an& Aerity.s %or& %oul& be gi'en by his brother" ;ith a secon& cere ony to follo%! of course! at Buckkee$! %ith suitable re$resentati'es fro (ettricken.s folk to %itness it" #n& for the nonce! Regal re aine& in the -ountain (ing&o .s ca$ital at @haa $e" His $resence there create& a regular flo% of e issaries! gifts! an& su$$lies bet%een Buckkee$ an& @haa $e" Sel&o It see e& to &i& a %eek $ass %ithout a ca'alca&e either lea'ing or arriage" Each arri'ing" It ke$t Buckkee$ in a constant stir" e an a%k%ar& an& ungainly %ay to asse ble a %oul& be %e& al ost a ex$e&ients %ere onth before gli $sing the other" But the $olitical

ore i $ortant than the feelings of the $rinci$als! an& the Aerity ta$$ing y strength" It %as taking y in& ha& &one to e e" I

se$arate celebrations %ere $lanne&" I ha& long since reco'ere& fro longer to gras$ co $letely %hat Jalen.s isting of

belie'e I %oul& ha'e confronte& hi ! &es$ite Aerity.s counsel! exce$t that Jalen ha& left Buckkee$" He ha& &e$arte& in co $any of a ca'alca&e boun& for @haa $e! to ri&e %ith the as far as Farro%! %here he ha& relati'es he yself %oul& be on y %ay to y reach" y ti e each &ay" I ha& been able to &isco'er a&e one 4aunt into Buckkee$ To%n! but
8B2

%ishe& to 'isit" By the ti e he returne&! I @haa $e! so Jalen re aine& out of #gain! I ha& too take nothing uch ti e on ore than an hour or t%o of y ostracis " I ha&

y han&s" I still ten&e& =eon! but he &i& not

ore about the attack on Burrich! nor &i& Burrich sho% any signs of

relenting on

%hen I chance& to %an&er by the chan&lery! it %as shuttere& an& silent" -y in)uiries at the sho$ next &oor brought ha& been close& for ten &ays or young e the infor ation that the chan&lery ore! an& that unless I %ishe& to buy so e no goo& of

leather harness! I coul& go else%here an& sto$ bothering hi " I thought of the an I ha& last seen %ith -olly! an& bitterly %ishe& the each other" For no other reason than that I %as lonely! I &eci&e& to seek out the Fool" 5e'er before ha& I trie& to initiate a than I ha& e'er i agine&" #fter a fe% hours of ran&o ly %an&ering the kee$! ho$ing to encounter hi ! I a&e bra'e enough to go to his cha ber" I ha& kno%n for years %here it %as! but ha& ne'er gone there before! an& not si $ly because it %as in an out/of/ the/%ay $art of the kee$" The Fool &i& not in'ite inti acy! exce$t of the kin& he chose to offer! an& only %hen he chose to offer it" His cha bers %ere a to%er/to$ roo " Fe&%ren ha& tol& e that it ha& once been a a$ roo an& ha& offere& an unobstructe& 'ie% of the lan& surroun&ing Buckkee$" But later a&&itions to Buckkee$ ha& blocke& the 'ie%s! an& higher to%ers su$$lante& it" It ha& outli'e& its usefulness for anything! sa'e cha bers for a fool" I cli be& to it! that one &ay to%ar& the beginning of har'est ti e" It %as alrea&y a hot an& sticky &ay" The to%er %as a close& one! sa'e for arro% slits that &i& little ore than illu inate the &ust otes y feet set to &ancing in the ore close! so that by e! Fit1:7 I calle&! still air" #t first the &arkness of the to%er ha& see e& cooler than the stuffy &ay outsi&e! but as I cli be&! it see e& to get hotter an& the ti e I reache& the last lan&ing! I felt as if there %ere no air left to breathe at all" I lifte& a %eary fist an& $oun&e& on the stout &oor" 6It.s but the still hot air uffle& y 'oice like a %et blanket s othering a fla e" eeting %ith hi " He $ro'e& ore elusi'e

8B8

Shall I use that as an excuse0 Shall I say I thought $erha$s he coul& not hear e! an& so I %ent in to see if he %as there0 Or shall I say that I %as so hot an& thirsty that I entere& to see if his cha bers offere& any hint of air or %ater0 ;hy &oesn.t atter! I su$$ose" I $ut y han& to the &oor latch! an& it lifte& an& I %ent insi&e" 6Fool07 I calle&! but I coul& feel he %asn.t there" 5ot as I usually felt folk.s $resence or absence! but by the stillness that an& ga%ke& at a soul lai& bare" Here %as light! an& flo%ers! an& colors in $rofusion There %as a loo in the corner! an& baskets of fine! thin threa& in bright! bright colors" The %o'en co'erlet on the be& an& the &ra$ings on the o$en %in&o%s %ere unlike anything I ha& e'er seen! %o'en in geo etric $atterns that so eho% suggeste& fiel&s of flo%ers beneath a blue sky" # %i&e $ottery bo%l hel& floating flo%ers an& a sli sil'er fingerling s%a about the ste s an& abo'e the bright $ebbles i&st of all that floore& it" I trie& to i agine the colorless! cynical Fool in the o'e& y heart asi&e in y chest" et e" Yet I stoo& in the &oor

this color an& art" I took a ste$ farther into the roo ! an& sa% so ething that # baby" That %as %hat I took it for at first! an& %ithout thinking! I took the next t%o ste$s an& knelt besi&e the basket that cra&le& it" But it %as not a li'ing chil&! but a &oll! crafte& %ith such incre&ible art that al ost I ex$ecte& to see the s all chest o'e %ith breath" I reache& a han& to the $ale! &elicate face! but &are& not touch it" The cur'e of the bro%! the close& eyeli&s! the faint rose that suffuse& the tiny cheeks! e'en the s all han& that reste& ato$ the co'erlets %ere ore $erfect than I su$$ose& a a&e thing coul& be" Of %hat &elicate clay it ha& been crafte&! I coul& not guess! nor %hat han& ha& inke& the tiny eyelashes that curle& on the infant.s cheek" The tiny co'erlet %as e broi&ere& all o'er in $ansies! an& the $illo% %as of satin" I &on.t kno% ho% long I knelt
8B<

there! as silent as if it %ere truly a slee$ing babe" But e'entually I rose! an& backe& out of the Fool.s roo ! an& then &re% the &oor silently close& behin& e" I %ent slo%ly &o%n the yria& ste$s! torn bet%een &rea& that I ight encounter the Fool co ing u$ an& bur&ene& %ith the kno%le&ge that I ha& &isco'ere& one &eni1en of the kee$ %ho %as at least as alone as I %as" 9ha&e su one& e that night! but %hen I %ent to hi ! he see e& to ha'e no e than to see e" ;e sat al ost silently before the ore $ur$ose in calling

black hearth! an& I thought he looke& ol&er than he e'er ha&" #s Aerity %as &e'oure&! so 9ha&e %as consu e&" His bony han&s a$$eare& al ost &esiccate&! an& the %hites of his eyes %ere %ebbe& %ith re&" He nee&e& to slee$! but instea& ha& chosen to call e" Yet he sat! still an& silent! scarce softly" nibbling at the foo& he ha& $lace& before us" #t length! I &eci&e& to hel$ hi " 6#re you afrai& I %on.t be able to &o it07 I aske& hi 6Do %hat07 he aske& absently" 6(ill the ountain *rince" Rurisk"7 e full face" The silence hel& for a long e this!7 I faltere&" o ent" 9ha&e turne& to look at

6You &i&n.t kno% (ing Shre%& ha& gi'en %ere fla es to rea&" 6I. 6#nother an uses %hat I

Slo%ly he turne& back to the e $ty hearth an& stu&ie& it as carefully as if there only the tool aker!7 he sai& at last! )uietly" ake"7 %hat I.'e uch longer to li'e any%ay" It ight al ost be a

6Do you think this is a ba& , task0 ;rong07 I took a breath" 6Fro been tol&! he has not that ercy! if &eath %ere to co e )uietly in the night! instea& ofG7

6Boy!7 9ha&e re arke& )uietly" 65e'er $reten& %e are anything but %hat %e are" #ssassins" 5ot erciful agents of a %ise king" *olitical assassins &ealing onarchy" That is %hat %e are"7 &eath for the furtherance of our

8B?

It %as har& for for e&"

y turn to stu&y the ghosts of the fla es" 6You are e" Har&er than it alrea&y %as" ;hy0 ;hy &i& you

aking this 'ery ake e %hat I

a ! if you then try to %eaken 6I think , ne'er

y resol'e , 07 -y )uestion &ie& a%ay! half/ e! y boy" I %on&er!

in&" -aybe it is a kin& of 4ealousy in

I su$$ose! %hy Shre%& uses you instea& of to

e" -aybe I fear I ha'e outli'e&

y usefulness to hi " -aybe! no% that I kno% you! I %ish I ha& ne'er set out ake you %hat ,7 #n& it %as 9ha&e.s turn to fall silent! his thoughts going y assign ent" This %as not a ser'ing of a king.s %here his %or&s coul& not follo% the " ;e sat conte $lating of a 4ustice" This %as not a &eath sentence for a cri e" This %as a si $le re o'al an %ho %as an obstacle to greater $o%er" I sat still until I began to y eyes to a sil'er fruit knife &ri'en &ee$ antel$iece! an& I thought I kne% the ans%er" a&e co $laint! on your behalf!7 9ha&e sai& su&&enly" istreate& you an& cheate& you" This of your ost useful" He suggeste& to Shre%&! atters into your o%n y &iscussion %ith e not to"7 e %on&er if I %oul& &o it" Then I lifte& into 9ha&e.s 6Aerity has

69o $laint07 I aske& %eakly" 6To Shre%&" First! that Jalen ha& co $laint he a&e for ally! saying that he ha& &e$ri'e& the king&o

Skill! at a ti e %hen it %oul& ha'e been han&s"7

infor ally! that he settle it %ith Jalen! before you took

=ooking at 9ha&e.s face! I coul& see that the full content of not &o that! take 9ha&e ga'e that I 4ustice" You

Aerity ha& been re'eale& to hi " I %as not sure ho% I felt about that" 6I %oul& y o%n re'enge on Jalen" 5ot after Aerity aske& e a look of )uiet a$$ro'al" 6So I tol& Shre%&" But he sai& to ust %ait an& be satisfie&"7
8BB

ust say to you that he %ill settle this" This ti e the (ing %orks his o%n

6;hat %ill he &o07 6That I &o not kno%" I &o not think Shre%& hi self kno%s yet" The be rebuke&" But %e Jalen )uietly! 6#n& Aerity Shre%& an& the king&o "7 This! I kne% su&&enly! %as %hy 9ha&e ha& calle& 9ha&e s$oke e tonight" I %as silent" ore slo%ly" 6Shre%& clai e& he ha& not e'en consi&ere& it" For y boy" His first concern ust e" ust kee$ in an ust ore in& that if other coteries are to be traine&!

ust not feel too ba&ly treate&"7 9ha&e cleare& his throat an& sai&

a&e another co $laint to the (ing as %ell" He accuse&

e! )uite bluntly! of being %illing to sacrifice you for the sake of

y $art! I ha& no i&ea such a thing %as $ossible"7 He sighe& again! as if $arting %ith these %or&s cost hi " 6Shre%& is a king! al%ays be for his king&o "7 The silence bet%een us stretche& long" 6You are saying he %oul& sacrifice ;ithout a )ual "7 He &i& not take his eyes fro at the fire$lace" 6You" -e" E'en Aerity! if he thought it necessary for the sur'i'al of the king&o "7 Then he &i& turn to look e" 65e'er forget that!7 he sai&"

The night before the %e&&ing cara'an %as to lea'e Buckkee$! =acey ca e ta$$ing on y &oor" It %as late! an& %hen she sai& *atience %ishe& to see e! I foolishly aske&! 65o%07 6;ell! you lea'e to orro%!7 =acey $ointe& out! an& I obe&iently follo%e& her as if that a&e sense" I foun& *atience sitting u$ in a cushione& chair! an extra'agantly e broi&ere& robe on o'er her nightclothes" Her hair %as &o%n about her shoul&ers! an& as I seate& in&icate&! =acey resu e& the brushing of it"
8BC

yself %here she

6I ha'e been %aiting for you to co e to a$ologi1e to I i e&iately o$ene& y silence"

e!7 *atience obser'e&" e to

outh to &o so! but she irritably %a'e&

6But! in &iscussing it %ith =acey tonight! I foun& I ha& alrea&y forgi'en you" Boys! I &eci&e&! si $ly ha'e a gi'en a ount of ru&eness they &eci&e& you 6But I a ust ex$ress" I eant nothing by it! hence you &o not nee& to a$ologi1e"7

sorry!7 I $roteste&" 6I 4ust coul&n.t &eci&e ho% to sayG7 sure you shoul& be aslee$ by no%" But as this is your first y first

6It.s too late to a$ologi1e no%! I.'e forgi'en you!7 she sai& briskly" 6Besi&es! there isn.t ti e" I. I o$ene& y real 'enture into court life! I %ante& to gi'e you so ething before you left"7 outh! then shut it again" If she %ante& to consi&er this real 'enture into court life! I %oul&n.t argue it %ith her" 6Sit here!7 she sai& i $eriously! an& $ointe& to a s$ot by her feet" I %ent an& sat obe&iently" For the first ti e I notice& a s all box in her la$" It %as of &ark %oo&! an& a stag %as car'e& into the li& in bas/relief" #s she o$ene& it I caught a %hiff of the aro atic %oo&" She took out an ear stu& an& hel& it u$ to y ear" 6Too s all!7 she uttere&" 6;hat is the sense of %earing 4e%elry if no one else can see it07 She hel& u$ an& &iscar&e& se'eral others! %ith si ilar co 6That earlobe" I yel$e& an& cla$$e& a han& o'er such a baby" It only stings for a behin&! an& she ruthlessly bent y ear! but she sla$$e& it a%ay" 6Don.t be inute"7 There %as a sort of clas$ that hel& it y ear in her fingers to fasten it" 6There" That ents" Finally she hel& u$ one that %as like a sil'er bit of net a&e a face o'er it! then no&&e& reluctantly" y y %ith a blue stone caught in it" She

an has taste" ;hate'er else he lacks! he has taste"7 She hel& it u$ to

ear again! an& %ith absolutely no %arning! thrust the $in of it through

)uite suits hi ! &on.t you think! =acey07

8BD

6Iuite!7 =acey agree& o'er her eternal tatting" *atience &is isse& e %ith a gesture" #s I rose to go she sai&! 6Re e ber this! Fit1" ;hether you can Skill or not! %hether you %ear his na e or not! you are 9hi'alry.s son" See that you beha'e %ith honor" 5o% go an& get so e slee$"7 6;ith this ear07 I aske&! sho%ing her bloo& on 6I ha&n.t thought" I. still giggling as I left" I arose early the next gifts orning to take y $lace in the %e&&ing ca'alca&e" Rich are! 4e%elry! y fingerti$s" sorryG7 she began! but I interru$te& her"

6Too late to a$ologi1e" I.'e alrea&y forgi'en you" #n& thank you"7 =acey %as

ust be taken as a token of the ne% bon& bet%een the fa ilies" There

%ere gifts for the *rincess (ettricken herself! a fine bloo&e&

fabric for gar ents! ser'ants! an& rare $erfu es" #n& there %ere the gifts to her fa ily an& $eo$le" Horses an& ha%ks an& %orke& gol& for her father an& brother! of course! but the ore i $ortant gifts %ere the ones offere& to her king&o ! for in kee$ing %ith the @haa $e tra&itions! she %as of her $eo$le ore than she %as of her fa ily" #n& so there %as bree&ing stock! cattle! shee$! horses an& fo%l! an& $o%erful ye% bo%s such as the not ha'e! an& for likely to i $ro'e the lot of the ountain folk &i& etal%orking tools of goo& Forge iron! an& other gifts 4u&ge& ountain folk" #n& there %as kno%le&ge! in the

of se'eral of Fe&%ren.s best/illustrate& herbals! an& se'eral tablets of y $ur$ose in acco $anying the

cures! an& a scroll on ha%king that %as a careful co$y of one create& by Ha%ker hi self" These last! ostensibly! %ere cara'an" They %ere gi'en into an& roots y kee$ing! along %ith a generous su$$ly of the herbs entione& in the herbal! an& %ith see& for gro%ing those that &i& not
8BE

kee$ %ell" This %as not a tri'ial gift! an& I took %ell &eli'ere& as seriously as I took y other

y res$onsibility for seeing it ission" #ll %as %ell %ra$$e&

an& then $lace& %ithin a car'e& ce&ar chest" I %as checking their %ra$$ings a final ti e before taking the chest &o%n to the courtyar& %hen I hear& the Fool behin& e" stan&ing 4ust insi&e the &oor of y roo " I ha&n.t e'en y 'oice" 6I brought you this"7 I turne& to fin& hi hear& the &oor o$en" He %as $roffering a leather &ra%string bag" 6;hat is it07 I aske&! an& trie& not to let hi 6Sea$urge"7 I raise& y eyebro%s" 6# cathartic0 #s a arriage gift0 I su$$ose so e %oul& fin& it a$$ro$riate! but the herbs I a ountains" I &o not thinkG7 6It is not a %e&&ing gift" It is for you"7 I acce$te& the $ouch %ith ail ents! an&G7 6You are not usually! %hen you tra'el! in &anger of being $oisone&"7 6Is there so ething you.& like to tell bantering" I con'ersation" 6Only that you.& be %ise to eat lightly! or not at all! of any foo& you &o not $re$are yourself"7 6#t all the feasts an& festi'ities that %ill be there07 65o" Only at the ones you %ish to sur'i'e"7 He turne& to go" 6I. sorry!7 I sai& hastily" 6I &i&n.t ean to intru&e" I %as looking for you! an& ean to $ry"7 I %as so hot! an& the &oor %asn.t latche&! so I %ent in" I &i&n.t
8CH

hear either the flo%ers or the &oll in

taking can be $lante& an& gro%n in the

ixe& feelings" It %as an exce$tionally $o%erful e" But I a not usually $rone to tra'eler.s

$urge" 6Thank you for thinking of

e07 I trie& to

ake

y tone light an& this

isse& the Fool.s usual %ry faces an&

ockeries fro

His back %as to a using07

e an& he &i&n.t turn aroun& as he aske&! 6#n& &i& you fin& it that %hat I uch

6I ,7 I coul& not think of anything to say! of any %ay to assure hi ha& seen there %oul& stay only %ithin %as closing the &oor" I blurte&! 6It a&e y o%n

in&" He took t%o ste$s an&

e %ish there %ere a $lace as

e as that $lace is you" # $lace I %oul& kee$ as secret"7 The &oor halte& a han&brea&th short of close&" 6Take so e a&'ice! an& you ay sur'i'e this tri$" ;hen consi&ering a not stan&ar& at all"7 #n& the &oor close& an& the Fool %as gone" But his last %or&s ha& been cry$tic an& frustrating enough that I thought $erha$s he ha& forgi'en tres$ass" I stuffe& the sea$urge into I glance& about -istress Hasty ha& seen to y 4erkin! not %anting it! but afrai& to lea'e it no%" y $acking! not trusting e %ith y ne% gar ents" y roo ! but as al%ays it %as a bare an& $ractical $lace" y crest ha& been re$lace& %ith a buck yself" Don.t you07 e y an.s oti'es! re e ber you ust easure his %heat %ith your bushel" He ay not be using the sa e

I ha& notice& that the barre& buck on

%ith his antlers lo%ere& to charge" 6Aerity or&ere& it!7 %as all she sai& %hen I aske& about it" 6I like it better than the barre& buck no&&e& to yself! shoul&ere& 6I su$$ose!7 I re$lie&! an& that ha& been the en& of it" # na e an& a crest" I y chest of herbs an& scrolls! an& %ent &o%n to 4oin the cara'an" #s I %as going &o%n the ste$s I encountere& Aerity co ing u$" #t first I scarcely kne% hi ! for he %as ascen&ing like a crabbe& ol& of his %ay to let hi $ass! an& then kne% hi strange thing to see a once fa iliar an" I ste$$e& out e" It is a as he glance& at

an like that! encountere& as a stranger" I no%! an& the bushy &ark hair I

arke& ho% his clothes hung on hi

8C1

re e bere& ha& a $e$$ering of gray" He s ile& absently at it ha& su&&enly occurre& to hi ! he sto$$e& 6Yes"7 6Do e a fa'or! boy07 e to her" Truthfully! in& you! I. 6Of course!7 I sai&! taken aback by the rust in his 'oice" 6S$eak %ell of s$eak %ell of re$ly! an& I felt e"

e! an& then! as if

6You.re lea'ing for the -ountain (ing&o 0 For the %e&&ing cere ony07

not asking for lies" But e"7 ake a

e" I.'e al%ays thought that you thought %ell of uch as I ha& %hen the Fool left e"

6I &o!7 I sai& to his retreating back" 6I &o! sir"7 But he &i&n.t turn or

The courtyar& %as a the roa&s into the

illing of folk an& ani als" There %ere no carts this ti e+

ountains %ere notoriously ba&! an& it ha& been &eci&e& that

$ack ani als %oul& ha'e to suffice for the sake of s%iftness" It %oul& not &o for the royal entourage to be late for the %e&&ing+ it %as ba& enough that the groo %as not atten&ing" The flocks an& her&s ha& been sent on &ays before" It %as ex$ecte& that our tri$ %oul& take t%o %eeks! an& three ha& been allo%e& for it" I sa% to fastening the ce&ar chest onto a $ack ani al! an& then stoo& besi&e Sooty an& %aite&" E'en in the cobble& courtyar&! &ust stirre& thick in the hot su gli $se& Se'rens! Regal.s fa'orite 'alet" Regal ha& sent hi a er air" Des$ite all back to Buckkee$ the careful $lanning that ha& gone into it! the cara'an see e& chaotic" I onth ago! %ith s$ecific instructions about certain gar ents he %ishe&

create&" Se'rens %as follo%ing Han&s! &ithering an& ex$ostulating about so ething! an& %hate'er it %as! Han&s %as not looking $atient about it" ;hen -istress Hasty ha& been gi'ing e final instructions on the care of y ne% gar ents! she ha& &i'ulge& that Se'rens %as taking so
8C2

any ne% gar ents!

hats! an& accoutre ents for Regal that he ha& been allotte& three $ack ani als to carry the " I i agine& that caring for the three ani als ha& fallen to Han&s! for Se'rens %as an excellent 'alet! but ti i& aroun& the larger ani als" Ro%&! Regal.s rea&y an! hulke& after both of the ! looking ill/te $ere& an& %as %hat %as fretting Se'rens" I soon lost sight i $atient" On one %i&e shoul&er he carrie& yet another trunk! an& $erha$s the loa&ing of this a&&itional ite of the in the cro%&" are" Surely %hoe'er %as in charge of the ount! I reali1e& that he! too!

I %as sur$rise& to &isco'er Burrich checking the lea& lines on the bree&ing horses an& the *rincess.s gift coul& &o that! I thought" #n& then! as I sa% hi

%oul& be $art of this $rocession" I looke& about to see %ho %as acco $anying hi ! but sa% none of the stable boys I kne%! sa'e Han&s" 9ob %as alrea&y in @haa $e %ith Regal" So Burrich ha& taken this on hi self" I %as not sur$rise&" #ugust %as there! astri&e a fine gray are! %aiting %ith an i $assi'ity that %as al ost inhu an" #lrea&y his ti e in the coterie ha& change& hi " Once he ha& been a chubby youth! )uiet but $leasant" He ha& the sa e black bushy hair as Aerity! an& I ha& hear& it sai& that he rese ble& his cousin as a boy" I reflecte& that as his Skill &uties increase&! he %oul& $robably rese ble Aerity e'en eyes! I I ore" He %oul& be $resent at the %e&&ing! as a sort of %in&o% for Aerity use& to yself" ;hat &i& I go as0 His $oniar&0 uch to be u$ an& a%ay fro the folk exchanging goo&/ as Regal uttere& the 'o%s on his brother.s behalf" Regal.s 'oice! #ugust.s ounte& Sooty! as

byes an& last/ inute instructions as for any other reason" I %ishe& to E&a %e coul& be a%ay an& on the roa&" It see e& to take fore'er for the straggling line to for an& for the last/ inute tying an& stra$$ing of bun&les to be o'e" I acco $lishe&" #n& then! al ost abru$tly! the stan&ar&s %ere lifte&! a horn %as blo%n! an& the line of horses! la&en $ack ani als! an& folk began to
8C8

looke& u$ once! to see that Aerity ha& actually co e out to stan& ato$ the to%er an& %atch us &e$art" I %a'e& u$ at hi ! but &oubte& that he kne% a i&st so $ath that le& a%ay fro Buckkee$ an& to the %est" e any" #n& then %e %ere out of the gates an& %in&ing u$ the hilly

Our $ath %oul& lea& us u$ the banks of the Buckri'er! %hich %e %oul& for& at its %i&e shallo%s near %here the bor&ers of Buck an& Farro% Duchies touche&" Fro there %e %oul& 4ourney across Farro%.s %i&e $lains! in baking heat I ha& Blue =ake! %e ne'er encountere& before! until %e reache& Blue =ake" Fro (ing&o " Fro

%oul& follo% a ri'er na e& si $ly 9ol& %hose origins %ere in the -ountain the 9ol& For& the tra&ing roa& began! that le& bet%een the *ass! an& ountains an& through their sha&o%s an& u$! e'er u$! to Stor

thence to the thick green forests of the Rain ;il&s" But %e %oul& not go so far as that! but %oul& sto$ at @haa $e! %hich %as as close to a city as the -ountain (ing&o $ossesse&" In so e %ays! it %as an unre arkable 4ourney! if one &iscounts all that ine'itably goes %ith such 4ourneys" #fter the first three &ays or so! things settle& into a re arkably onotonous routine! 'arie& only by the &ifferent countrysi&e %e $asse&" E'ery little 'illage or ha let along our roa& turne& out to greet us an& &elay us! %ith official best %ishes an& felicitations for the 9ro%n *rince.s %e&&ing festi'ities" But after %e reache& the %i&e $lains of Farro%! such ha lets %ere fe% an& far bet%een" Farro%.s rich far s an& tra&ing cities %ere far to the north of our $ath! along the Ain Ri'er" ;e tra'ele& Farro%.s $lains! %here $eo$le %ere ostly no a&ic her&ers! creating to%ns only in the %inter $asse& her&s of shee$! or goats! or horses! or onths %hen they settle& along the tra&e routes for %hat they calle& the 6green season"7 ;e ore rarely! the &angerous! rangy s%ine they calle& haragars! but our contact %ith the $eo$le of that region %as
8C<

usually li ite& to the sight of their conical tents in the &istance! or so e her&er stan&ing tall in his sa&&le an& hol&ing aloft his crook in greeting" Han&s an& I beca e reac)uainte&" ;e %oul& share foo& an& a s all cook fire in the e'enings! an& he %oul& regale e %ith tales of Se'rens.s nattering er %ere his co $laints an! an& Han&s foun& hi %orries of &ust getting into silk robes or bugs getting into fur collars an& 'el'et getting chafe& to $ieces &uring the long trek" Jri about Ro%&" I yself ha& no fon& e ories of the

an o$$ressi'e tra'eling co $anion! for he see e& to constantly sus$ect Han&s of trying to steal fro the $acks of Regal.s belongings" One e'ening Ro%& ight cons$ire to steal fro his aster" But e'en foun& his %ay to our fire! %here he laboriously &eli'ere& a 'ague an& in&irect %arning against any %ho other than such un$leasantness! our e'enings %ere $eaceful" The fair %eather hel&! an& if %e s%eate& by &ay! it %as ato$ y blanket an& sel&o checke& o'er the contents of y trunk an& &i& il& by night" I sle$t bothere& %ith any other shelter" Each night I y best to kee$ the roots fro $utting %ear on %here I

beco ing co $letely &esiccate&! an& to kee$ the shifting fro Sooty an& thought that the ce&ar chest ha& been %hen I &isease" entione& it to Han&s! he

the scrolls an& tablets" There %as one night I a%oke to a lou& %hinnying fro o'e& slightly fro ha& $lace& it" But a brief check of its contents $ro'e& all %as in or&er! an& erely aske& if I %as catching Ro%&.s

The ha lets an& her&s %e $asse& fre)uently $ro'i&e& us %ith fresh foo&s an& %ere ost generous in their allocation of it! so %e ha& little har&shi$ on the 4ourney" O$en %ater %as not as $lentiful as %e coul& ha'e %ishe& as %e crosse& Farro%! but each &ay %e foun& so e s$ring or &usty %ell to %ater at! so e'en that %as not as ba& as it ight ha'e been"

8C?

I sa% 'ery little of Burrich" He arose earlier than the rest of us an& $rece&e& the ain cara'an! that his charges ight ha'e the best gra1ing an& the cleanest %ater" I kne% he %oul& %ant his horses in $ri e con&ition %hen they arri'e& at @haa $e" #ugust! too! %as al ost in'isible" ;hile he %as technically in charge of our ex$e&ition! he left the running of it to the ca$tain of his honor guar&" I coul& not &eci&e if he &i& this out of %is&o he ke$t For his tent an& eals" or la1iness" In any e'ent! an& share ostly to hi self! although he &i& allo% Se'rens to ten& hi

e! it %as al ost a return to a sort of chil&hoo&" -y res$onsibilities %ere telling fro his 'ast store of tales an& gossi$" I

'ery li ite&" Han&s %as a genial co $anion! an& it took 'ery little encourage ent to ha'e hi often %ent for al ost the %hole &ay before I %oul& recall that at the en& of this 4ourney! I %oul& kill a $rince" Such thoughts usually ca e on Farro%.s sky see e& to be e %hen I a%oke in the &ark $art of the night" uch thicker %ith stars than the night o'er an& entally rehearse %ays to $ut an uch ust

Buckkee$! an& I %oul& stare u$ at the bag that hel&

en& to Rurisk" There %as another chest! a tiny one! $acke& carefully %ithin the y clothing an& $ersonal ite s" I ha& $acke& it %ith ust be carrie& out $erfectly" It thought an& anxiety" For this assign ent critical" The *rince

be &one cleanly! %ith not e'en the tiniest sus$icion raise&" #n& ti ing %as ust not &ie %hile %e %ere at @haa $e" 5othing ust cast the slightest sha&o% u$on the nu$tials" 5or ust he &ie before the cere onies ate&! for that

%ere obser'e& at Buckkee$ an& the %e&&ing safely consu arrange" So eti es I %on&ere& %hy it ha& been entruste& to ;as it a test of so e sort! one that if I faile& %oul& see
8CB

ight be seen as an ill o en for the cou$le" It %oul& not be an easy &eath to e instea& of to 9ha&e" e $ut to &eath0 ;as

9ha&e too ol& for this challenge! or too 'aluable to be riske& for this0 9oul& he si $ly not be s$are& fro in& a%ay fro *erha$s I ten&ing Aerity.s health0 #n& %hen I reine& y these )uestions! I %as left %on&ering %hether to use a $o%&er ight cough hi self to &eath" a $ain into a slee$ing &eath0 I

that %oul& irritate Rurisk.s &a age& lungs so he re e&y! one that %oul& slo%ly a&&ict hi ight be enough to sen& hi

ight treat his $illo%s an& be&&ing %ith it" Shoul& I offer hi an& lure hi

ha& a bloo&/thinning tonic" If his lungs %ere chronically blee&ing alrea&y! it on his %ay" I ha& one $oison! s%ift an& &ea&ly an& tasteless as %ater! if I coul& &e'ise a %ay to be sure he %oul& encounter it at a safely &istant ti e" 5one of these %ere thoughts con&uci'e to slee$! an& yet the fresh air an& the exercise of ri&ing all &ay %ere usually sufficient to counter the ! an& I often a%oke eager for the next &ay of tra'el" ;hen %e finally sighte& Blue =ake! it %as like a been years since I ha& been so far fro ho% %elco e the sight of %ater %as to fille& an& iracle in the &istance" It ha& the sea for so long! an& I %as sur$rise& e" E'ery ani al in our baggage train

y thoughts %ith the clean scent of %ater" The country beca e greener ore forgi'ing as %e a$$roache& the great lake! an& %e %ere har& $ut to o'ergra1ing the sel'es at night" erchant tra&e on Blue =ake! an& their sails

kee$ the horses fro

Hor&es of sailboats $lie& their

%ere colore& so as to tell not only %hat they sol&! but %hat fa ily they saile& for" The settle ents along Blue =ake %ere built out on $ilings into the %ater" ;e %ere %ell greete& there! an& feaste& %ith fresh%ater fish! %hich taste& o&& to y sea/traine& tongue" I felt yself )uite the tra'eler! an& Han&s an& I %ere nearly o'er%hel e& %ith our o$inions of oursel'es %hen so e green/eye& girls fro a grain/tra&ing fa ily ca e giggling to our firesi&e one night" They s all! brightly colore& &ru s! each tone& &ifferently! others ca e scol&ing to fin& the ha& brought %ith the

an& they $laye& an& sang for us until their

8CC

an& lea& the

ho e" It %as a hea&y ex$erience! an& I &i& not think of *rince

Rurisk at all that night" ;est an& north %e tra'ele& no%! ferrie& across Blue =ake on so e flat/ botto e& barges I truste& not at all" On the far si&e! %e foun& oursel'es su&&enly in forest lan&s! an& the hot &ays of Farro% beca e a fon& Our $ath le& us through i e ory" ense stan&s of ce&ar! $ricke& here an& there %ith

gro'es of %hite $a$er birch an& seasone& in burne& areas %ith al&er an& %illo%" Our horses. hoo'es thu&&e& on the black earth of the forest trail! an& the s%eet s ells of the autu n %ere all aroun& us" ;e sa% unfa iliar bir&s! an& once I gli $se& a great stag of a color an& kin& I ha& ne'er seen before or since" 5ight gra1ing for the horses %as not goo&! an& %e %ere gla& of the grain %e ha& bought fro share& a tent" Our %ay le& stea&ily u$hill no%" ;e %oun& our %ay bet%een the stee$est slo$es! but %e %ere un istakably afternoon %e aking our %ay u$ into the ountains" One et %ith a &e$utation fro @haa $e! sent to greet us an& gui&e the lake $eo$le" ;e lit fires at night! an& Han&s an& I

us on our %ay" #fter that! %e see e& to tra'el faster! an& e'ery e'ening %e %ere entertaine& %ith the usicians! $oets! an& 4ugglers! an& feaste& %ith their a&e to %elco e us an& to honor us" But I foun& e about &elicacies" E'ery effort %as force& to re in& co $anions" *hysically! ost of the %ere 9hyur&a! an& %ere as I ha& ex$ecte& the to be3 a tall! $ale $eo$le! light of hair an& eye! an& so e %ith hair as re& as a fox" They %ere a bra%ny $eo$le! the %o en as %ell as the carry a bo% or a sling! an& they %ere ob'iously
8CD

$assing strange an& al ost frightening in their &ifferences" Often I %as yself of %hat both Burrich an& 9ha&e ha& taught these ne%

the courtesies! %hile $oor Han&s %ith&re% al ost totally fro

en" #ll see e& to

ore co fortable afoot than

on horseback" They &resse& in %ool an& leather! an& e'en the hu blest %ore fine furs as if they %ere no ore than ho es$un" They stro&e alongsi&e us! ounte& as %e %ere! an& see e& to ha'e no &ifficulty kee$ing u$ %ith the horses all &ay" They sang as they %alke&! long songs in an ancient tongue that soun&e& al ost ournful! but %ere inters$erse& %ith shouts of 'ictory or ight &elight" I %as later to learn they %ere singing us their history! that %e they %ere! for the ost $art!

kno% better %hat kin& of a $eo$le our $rince %as 4oining us to" I gathere& that instrels an& $oets! the 6hos$itable7 ones! as their ake the gla& language translate& it! tra&itionally sent to greet guests an& to they ha& co e e'en before they arri'e&" #s the next t%o &ays $asse&! our trail %i&ene&! for other $aths an& roa&s fe& into it the closer %e ca e to @haa $e" It beca e a broa& tra&e%ay! so eti es $a'e& %ith a crushe& %hite stone" #n& the closer %e ca e to @haa $e! the greater our $rocession beca e! for %e %ere 4oine& by contingents fro an& tribes! $ouring in fro the outer reaches of the -ountain (ing&o their $rincess $le&ge herself to the $o%erful *rince fro 'illages to see

the lo%lan&s" Soon!

%ith &ogs an& horses an& so e sort of goat they use& as $ack beasts! %ith %ains of gifts an& folk of e'ery %alk an& &egree trailing in fa ilies an& knots behin& us! %e ca e to @haa $e"

9H#*TER T;E5TY @haa $e 6, #5D SO =ET THE- co e! the $eo$le of %ho I a ! an& %hen they reach the city! let the al%ays be able to say! FThis is our city an& our ho e! for ho%e'er long %e %ish to stay". =et there al%ays be s$aces left! let N%or&s
8CE

obscure&O of the her&s an& flocks" Then there %ill be no strangers in @haa $e! but only neighbors an& frien&s! co ing an& going as they %ill"7 #n& the %ill of the Sacrifice %as obser'e& in this! as in all things" So I rea& years later! in a frag ent fro a 9hyur&a holy tablet! an& so finally

ca e to un&erstan& @haa $e" But that first ti e! as %e ro&e u$ the hills to%ar& @haa $e! I %as both &isa$$ointe& an& a%e& at %hat I sa%" The te $les! $alaces! an& $ublic buil&ings re in&e& e of the i ense close& blosso s of tuli$s! both in color an& sha$e" The sha$e they o%e to the once tra&itional stretche&/hi&e shelters of the no a&s %ho foun&e& the city+ the colors $urely to the ountain folk.s lo'e of color in e'erything" E'ery buil&ing ha& been recently restaine& in $re$aration for our co ing an& the *rincess.s nu$tials! an& thus they %ere al ost garishly bright" Sha&es of $ur$le see e& to &o inate! set off by yello%s! but e'ery color %as re$resente&" It is best co $are&! $erha$s! to chancing u$on a $atch of crocus! $ushing u$ through sno% an& black earth! for the bare black rocks of the e'ergreens ountains an& the &ark ore i $ressi'e3 a&e the bright colors of the buil&ings e'en

#&&itionally! the city itself is built on an area fully as stee$ as Buckkee$ To%n! so that %hen one behol&s it fro belo%! the color an& lines of it are $resente& in layers! like an artful arrange ent of flo%ers in a basket" But as %e &re% closer %e %ere able to see that bet%een an& a ong the great buil&ings %ere tents an& te $orary huts an& tiny shelters of e'ery kin&" For at @haa $e! only the $ublic buil&ings an& the royal houses are $er anent" #ll else is the ebb an& flo% of folk co ing to 'isit their! ca$ital city! to ask 4u&g ent of the Sacrifice! as they call the (ing or Iueen %ho rules there! or to 'isit the re$ositories of their treasures an& kno%le&ge! or si $ly to tra&e an& 'isit %ith other no a&s" Tribes co e an& go! tents are $itche& an& inhabite&
8DH

for a

onth or t%o! an& then one

orning! all is bare/s%e$t earth %here they the s$ot" Yet it is not a &isor&erly

%ere! until another grou$

o'es in to clai

$lace! for the streets are %ell &efine&! %ith stone stairs set into the stee$er $laces" ;ells an& bath houses an& stea s are locate& at inter'als throughout the city! an& the strictest rules are obser'e& about garbage an& offal" It is also a green city! for the outskirts of it are $astures! for those %ho bring their her&s an& horses %ith the ! %ith tenting areas &efine& by the sha&e trees an& %ells there" ;ithin the city are stretches of gar&en! flo%ers! an& scul$te& trees! lea'e their creations a ong these gar&ens! an& they it $ut e in ay take the for ore artfully ten&e& than anything I ha& e'er seen in Buckkee$" The 'isiting folk of stone scul$tures or car'ings of %oo&! or brightly $ainte& $ottery creatures" In a %ay! in& of the Fool.s roo ! for in both $laces %ere color an& sha$e set out si $ly for the $leasure of the eye" Our gui&es halte& us at a $asture outsi&e of the city an& in&icate& it ha& been set asi&e for us" #fter a bit of ti e it beca e ob'ious that they ex$ecte& %e %oul& lea'e our horses an& ules here an& $rocee& on foot" #ugust! %ho %as uch ore the no inal hea& of our cara'an! &i& not han&le this 'ery &i$lo atically" I %ince& as he al ost angrily ex$laine& that %e ha& brought %ith us than %e coul& be ex$ecte& to carry into the city! an& that %eary fro force& tra'eling to relish the i&ea of the u$hill %alk" I bit any there %ere too y li$ an&

yself to stan& )uietly! to %itness the $olite confusion of our hosts" o&ating0

Surely Regal ha& kno%n of these custo s+ %hy ha& he not %arne& us of the so %e %oul& not begin our 'isit by a$$earing boorish an& unacco

But the hos$itable folk ten&ing to us s%iftly a&a$te& to our strange %ays" They bi& us rest an& begge& us to be $atient %ith the " For a ti e %e all stoo& about! 'ainly trying to a$$ear co fortable" Ro%& an& Se'rens 4oine& Han&s
8D1

an&

e" Han&s ha& a slosh or t%o of %ine left in a skin! an& this he share&! eat in stri$s" ;e

%hile Ro%& gru&gingly reci$rocate& %ith so e s oke& #ugust an& entreat hi to be

talke&! but I confess I $ai& little attention" I %ishe& I ha& the courage to go to ore a&a$table to the %ays of this $eo$le" ;e ha& not co e otions of their a &istance as #ugust consulte& the %ere their guests! an& it %as alrea&y ba& enough that the groo in $erson to carry off his bri&e" I %atche& fro %ith se'eral el&er lor&s %ho ha& co e %ith us! but fro -o ents later a strea city! an& fro of stur&y 9hyur&a youths an&

han&s an& hea&s I &e&uce& that they %ere only agreeing %ith hi " ai&ens a$$eare& on the roa& abo'e us" Bearers ha& been su one& to hel$ carry our goo&s into the ules" I uch regrette& to fin& that y other

so e%here bright tents %ere con4ure& for those ser'ants %ho

%oul& stay here to ten& the horses an&

Han&s %oul& be one of those left behin&" I entruste& Sooty to hi " Then I shoul&ere& the ce&ar herb chest an& slung y $ersonal bag fro shoul&er" #s I 4oine& the $rocession of those %alking into the city! I s elle& eats si11ling an& tubers cooking! an& sa% our hosts setting u$ an o$en/si&e& $a'ilion an& asse bling tables %ithin it" Han&s! I &eci&e&! %oul& not fare $oorly! an& al ost I %ishe& I ha& nothing ex$lore this bright city" ;e ha& not gone far u$ the %in&ing street ascen&ing into the city before %e %ere et by a flock of litters carrie& by tall 9hyur&a %o en" ;e %ere ount into these litters an& be carrie& into the city! an& a&e that %e ha& been %earie& by our tri$" #ugust! ost of the la&ies of our $arty see e& only too e! it %as a hu iliation to be earnestly in'ite& to any a$ologies %ere ore to &o than ten& the ani als an&

Se'rens! the ol&er lor&s! an&

ha$$y to take a&'antage of this offer! but for $olite insistence! an& so I surren&ere&
8D2

carrie& into the city" But it %oul& ha'e been e'en ru&er to turn &o%n their y chest to a boy ob'iously younger

than

yself! an&

ounte& into a litter borne by %o en ol& enough to be

gran& other" I blushe& to see ho% curiously the folk on the streets regar&e& us! an& ho% they sto$$e& to talk )uickly together as %e $asse&" I sa% fe% other litters! an& they %ere inhabite& by those ob'iously ol& an& infir " I set ignorance" I trie& to look out $leasantly on those %e $asse&! an& to let &elight in their gar&ens an& graceful buil&ings sho% on I ust ha'e succee&e& in this! for $resently e ight ha'e slo%ly! to allo% y face" o'e ore e in e y litter began to y y teeth an& trie& not to think %hat Aerity %oul& ha'e felt about this &is$lay of

ore ti e to see things! an& the %o en to $oint to isse& noticing" They s$oke to

anything they thought I

9hyur&a an& %ere &elighte& to fin& I ha& a cru&e un&erstan&ing of their language" 9ha&e ha& taught for ho% e the little he kne%! but he ha& not $re$are& usical the language %as! an& it soon beca e a$$arent to e that the y

$itch of the %or& %as as i $ortant as the $ronunciation" Fortunately! I ha& a )uick ear for languages! so I blun&ere& no longer soun& )uite so e a co her in&" y bearers to $ause once an& let e alight to e! but ine %as Fit19hi'alry! she anfully into con'ersation %ith bearers! resol'e& that by the ti e I s$oke to y betters in the $alace! I %oul&

uch an outlan& fool" One %o an un&ertook to gi'e uttere& it to herself se'eral ti es as if to fix it in

entary on all she $asse&" @on)ui! her na e %as! an& %hen I tol& her

;ith great &ifficulty! I $ersua&e&

exa ine a $articular gar&en" It %as not the bright flo%ers that attracte& rather than the straight %illo% I %as accusto e& to" I ran

%hat a$$eare& to be a sort of %illo% that %as gro%ing in s$irals an& curls y fingers along the su$$le bark of one li b an& felt sure I coul& $ersua&e a cutting to s$rout! but &are& not take a $iece of it! lest it be construe& as ru&e" One ol& %o an stoo$e& &o%n besi&e e! grinne&! an& then ran her han& across the to$s of a
8D8

lo%/gro%ing! tiny/lea'e& be& of herbs" The fragrance that arose fro stirre& lea'es %as astoun&ing! an& she laughe& alou& at the &elight on I %oul& ha'e like& to linger longer! but

the

y face"

y bearers e $hatically insiste& %e ust not iss"

ust hurry to catch u$ %ith the others before they reache& the $alace" I gathere& there %as to be an official %elco ing! one I Our $rocession %oun& u$ a terrace& street! e'er higher! until our litters %ere set &o%n outsi&e a $alace that %as a cluster of the bright bu&like structures" The ain buil&ings %ere $ur$le ti$$e& %ith %hite! $utting e in in& of the y litter! y roa&si&e lu$ine an& beach $ea flo%ers of Buckkee$" I stoo& besi&e staring u$ at the $alace! but %hen I turne& to $leasure in it! they %ere gone" They rea$$eare&

y bearers to in&icate

o ents later! robe& in saffron

an& a1ure! $each an& rose! as &i& the other bearers! an& %alke& a ong us! offering us basins of scente& %ater an& soft cloths to %ash the &ust an& %eariness fro our faces an& necks" Boys an& young en in belte& blue tunics into the $alace" brought a berry %ine an& tiny honey cakes" ;hen e'ery guest %as %ashe& an& greete& %ith %ine an& honey! %e then %ere bi& to follo% the The interior of the $alace %as as foreign to central $illar su$$orte& the be the i e as the rest of @haa $e" # great

ain structure! an& closer exa ination sho%e& it to

ense trunk of a tree! %ith the s%ells of its roots still ob'ious beneath

the $a'ing stones aroun& its base" The su$$orts of the gracefully cur'ing %alls %ere like%ise trees! an& &ays later I %as to fin& that the 6gro%ing7 of the $alace ha& taken al ost one hun&re& years" # central tree ha& been selecte&! the area cleare&! an& then the circle of su$$orting trees $lante& an& ten&e&! an& sha$e& &uring their gro%ing by ro$es an& $runing+ so that they all bo%e& to%ar& the center tree" #t so e $oint in ti e! all other branches ha& been lo$$e& a%ay! an& the treeto$s inter%o'en to for a cro%n" Then the %alls ha& been create&! first %ith a layer of finely %o'en fabric! that %as then 'arnishe&
8D<

to har&ness! an& then o'erlai& %ith la$$ing after la$$ing of stur&y cloth fro

a&e

bark" The barkcloth %as &aube& o'er %ith a $eculiar local clay! an& then

coate& %ith a bright layer of resinous $aint" I ne'er &i& &isco'er if e'ery buil&ing in the city ha& been create& in this laborious fashion! but the 6gro%ing7 of the $alace ha& enable& its creators to gi'e it a li'ing grace that stone coul& ne'er The i i ic" ense interior %as o$en! not unlike the great hall at Buckkee$! %ith a

si ilar nu ber of hearths" There %ere tables set out! an& areas ob'iously for cooking an& %ea'ing an& s$inning an& $reser'ing! an& all the other necessities of a great househol&" The $ri'ate cha bers see e& to be no ore than curtaine& alco'es! or roo s like s all tents set against the exterior %all" There %ere also so e ele'ate& cha bers! reache& by a net%ork of o$en %oo&en stairs! re in&ing e of tents $itche& on stilt $latfor s" The su$$orting legs of these cha bers %ere natural tree trunks" -y heart sank as I reali1e& ho% little $ri'acy there %oul& be for any 6)uiet7 %ork I nee&e& to &o" I %as sho%n )uickly to a tent cha ber" Insi&e I foun& clothing bag a%aiting e! as %ell as ore %ar &ish of fruit" I change& )uickly fro y ce&ar chest an& an& scente& %ash %ater an& a atching green leggings that ore at the y in&" *erha$s Aerity

y &usty tra'eling clothes into an

e broi&ere& robe %ith slitte& slee'es an&

-istress Hasty ha& &ecree& a$$ro$riate" I %on&ere& once threatening buck e broi&ere& on it! then set it out of $roclai e&

ha& thought this change& crest less hu iliating than the one that so clearly y illegiti acy" In any case! it %oul& ser'e" I hear& chi es an& the great central roo an& left y cha ber hurrie&ly to fin& s all &ru s fro

out %hat %as afoot" On a &ais set before the great trunk an& &ecorate& %ith flo%ers an& e'ergreen s%ags! #ugust an& Regal stoo& before an ol&
8D?

an flanke& by t%o ser'ants in

$lain %hite robes" # cro%& ha& gathere& in a great circle aroun& the &ais! an& I )uickly 4oine& the " One of e" 6;hat is ha$$ening07 I a&e bol& to ask" 6Our Sacrifice! er! ah! you say! (ing Eyo& %ill %elco e you" #n& he %ill sho% to you all his &aughter! to be your Sacrifice! he ! ah! Iueen" #n& his son! %ho %ill rule for her here"7 She stu ble& through this ex$lanation! %ith any a $ause! an& ;ith any encouraging no&s fro e" utual &ifficulty! she ex$laine& that the %o an stan&ing besi&e (ing anage& a co $li ent to the effect that o ent it see e& the kin&est thing y litter bearers! no% robe& in rose &ra$ings an& y si&e" She s ile& &o%n at cro%ne& %ith a t%ining of i'y! soon a$$eare& at

Eyo& %as her niece an& I a%k%ar&ly

she looke& both healthy an& strong" #t the king" She ha& an i ense

I coul& fin& to say of the i $ressi'e %o an stan&ing so $rotecti'ely by her ass of the yello% hair that I %as beco ing accusto e& to in @haa $e! %ith so e of it brai&e& u$ an& coile& about her hea&! an& so e flo%ing loose &o%n her back" Her face %as gra'e! her bare ar s uscular" The an on the other si&e of (ing Eyo& %as ol&er! but still as outh" ;hen I anage& to like to her as a t%in! sa'e that his hair %as cut se'erely short at his collar" He ha& the sa e 4a&e eyes! straight nose! an& sole n ask the ol& %o an if he! too! %as a relati'e! she s ile& as if I an& re$lie& that of course! he %as her ne$he%" She shushe& %ere but a chil&! for (ing Eyo& %as s$eaking" He s$oke slo%ly an& carefully! but e'en so! I %as gla& of %ith y litter bearers! for I %as able to ake out y con'ersations ost of his s$eech" He as ust be a bit &i e then! as if I

greete& us all for ally! inclu&ing Regal! for he sai& that $re'iously he ha& greete& hi only as the e issary of (ing Shre%& an& no% he greete& hi *rince Aerity.s sy bol of his $resence" #ugust %as inclu&e& in this greeting!
8DB

an& both %ere $resente& %ith se'eral gifts! 4e%ele& &aggers! a $recious fragrant oil! an& rich fur stoles" ;hen the stoles %ere $lace& about their shoul&ers! I thought %ith chagrin that both no% looke& ore like &ecorations than $rinces! for in contrast to the si $le garb of (ing Eyo& an& his atten&ants! Regal an& #ugust %ere &ecke& in circlets an& rings! an& their gar ents %ere of o$ulently rich fabrics an& cut %ith no regar& for either thrift or ser'ice" To a$$eare& fo$$ish an& 'ain! but I ho$e& that our hosts %oul& outlan&ish a$$earance %as $art of our foreign custo s" #n& then! to y $ersonal chagrin! the (ing su one& for%ar& his ale atten&ant an& intro&uce& hi to our asse blage as *rince Rurisk" The %o an e! they both erely think their

%as! of course! *rincess (ettricken! an& Aerity.s betrothe&" #n& finally I reali1e& that those %ho ha& been our litter bearers an& greete& us %ith cakes an& %ine %ere not the ser'ants! but the %o en of the royal househol&! the gran& others! aunts! an& cousins of Aerity.s betrothe&! all follo%ing the @haa $e tra&ition of ser'ing their $eo$le" I )uaile& to think I ha& s$oken to the so fa iliarly an& casually! an& again entally curse& Regal that he ha& not foreseen to sen& us %o an besi&e sense& ore %or& of their custo s rather than the ust ha'e y

long list of clothing an& 4e%elry he %ishe& brought for hi self" The el&erly e! then! %as the (ing.s o%n sister" I think she y confusion! for she $atte& y shoul&er benignly an& s ile& at

blushes as I atte $te& to stutter an a$ology" 6For you ha'e &one nothing to sha e yourself!7 she infor e& ba&e e call her not 6 y la&y7 but @on)ui" e! an& then

I %atche& as #ugust $resente& to the *rincess the 4e%elry Aerity ha& selecte& to sen& her" There %as a net of finely %o'en sil'er chain set %ith re& ge s to &ra$e her hair! an& a sil'er collar set %ith larger re& stones" There %as a sil'er hoo$! %rought like a 'ine! full of 4ingling keys! that #ugust ex$laine& %ere her
8DC

househol& keys for %hen she 4oine& hi

at Buckkee$! an& eight $lain sil'er

rings for her han&s" She stoo& still as Regal hi self &ecke& her" I thought to yself the sil'er %ith re& stones %oul& ha'e looke& better on a &arker %o an! but (ettricken.s girlish &elight %as &a11lingly ob'ious in her s ile! an& aroun& e $eo$le turne& an& ur ure& a$$ro'ingly to one another to see their ight en4oy our outlan&ish colors $rincess so a&orne&" *erha$s! I thought! she an& accoutre ents" I %as grateful for the briefness of (ing Eyo&.s s$eech that follo%e&" For all he a&&e& %as that he bi& us %elco e an& in'ite& us to rest! relax! an& en4oy the city" If %e ha& any nee&s! %e ha& but to ask of anyone %e encountere&! an& they %oul& atte $t to eet the " To orro% at noon %oul& begin the three/ ingle as freely %ith one an& all as e! an& there %as no gracious %ay to uch as I coul& as )uickly as I e to the &ay cere ony of the 4oining! an& he &esire& that %e all be %ell reste& to en4oy it" Then he an& his offs$ring &escen&e&! to if %e %ere all sol&iers on the sa e %atch" @on)ui ha& ob'iously attache& herself to esca$e her co $any! so I resol'e& to learn as

coul& about their custo s" But one of her first acts %as to $resent

*rince an& *rincess" They %ere stan&ing %ith #ugust! %ho a$$eare& to be ex$laining ho%! through hi ! Aerity %oul& %itness his cere ony" He %as s$eaking lou&ly! as if this %oul& so eho% un&erstan&" @on)ui listene& a ake it easier for the to o ent! then a$$arently &eci&e& that #ugust ha& an

finishe& s$eaking" She s$oke as if %e %ere all chil&ren brought together for s%eet cakes %hile our $arents con'erse&" 6Rurisk! (ettricken! this young is ost intereste& in our gar&ens" *erha$s later %e can arrange that he s$eak

%ith those %ho ten& the "7 She see e& to s$eak es$ecially to (ettricken as she a&&e&! 6His na e is Fit19hi'alry"7 #ugust fro%ne& su&&enly an& a en&e& her intro&uction" 6Fit1" The Bastar&"7
8DD

(ettricken looke& shocke& at this sobri)uet! but Rurisk.s fair face &arkene& so e%hat" E'er so slightly! he turne& to%ar& 6Yes!7 he sai&! s%itching to 9hyur&a an& looking father s$oke of you to &eath" He &i& folk"7 6You kne% y father07 I aske& stu$i&ly" e" 6Of course" He an& I %ere treating together! regar&ing He s ile& &o%n at e! $utting his shoul&er to e full in the eye" 6Your #ugust" E'en so! it %as a gesture that nee&e& no ex$laining in any language" e! the last ti e I sa% hi " I %as grie'e& to hear of his

uch to $re$are the %ay for the forging of this bon& bet%een our

the use of a Bluerock *ass! at -oonseye! northeast of here! %hen he first learne& of you" ;hen our ti e of talking of $asses an& tra&e as en'oys %as &one! %e sat &o%n to eat together! an& s$oke together! as en! of %hat he ust not rule as ust next &o" I confess! I still &o not un&erstan& %hy he felt he %e&&ing! %e shall be closer to that %oul& $lease hi 07 Rurisk %as gi'ing e his sole attention! an& his use of 9hyur&a effecti'ely the con'ersation" (ettricken a$$eare& fascinate&" s ile e! he turne& asi&e an& re4oine& the grou$ aroun& Regal! exclu&e& #ugust fro of $urest hatre& for

(ing" The custo s of one folk are not those of another" Still! %ith this aking one folk of our $eo$les" Do you think

#ugust.s face $ast Rurisk.s shoul&er gre% 'ery still" Then! %ith a gri

%ho %as s$eaking %ith (ing Eyo&" For %hate'er reason! I ha& the co $lete attention of Rurisk an& (ettricken" 6I &i& not kno% began! but at that y father %ell! but I think he %oul& be $lease& to see ,7 I o ent! *rincess (ettricken s ile& brilliantly at e"

6Of course! ho% coul& I ha'e been so stu$i&0 You are the one they call Fit1" Do not you usually tra'el %ith =a&y Thy e! (ing Shre%&.s $oisoner0 #n& are you not training as her a$$rentice0 Regal has s$oken of you"7
8DE

6Ho% kin& of hi !7 I sai& inanely! an& I ha'e no i&ea %hat next %as sai& to e! nor %hat I re$lie&" I coul& only be thankful I &i& not reel %here I stoo&" #n& insi&e e! for the first ti e! I ackno%le&ge& that %hat I felt for Regal %ent beyon& &istaste" Rurisk fro%ne& a brother.s rebuke at (ettricken an& then turne& to &eal %ith a ser'ant urgently asking his instructions about so ething" #roun& felt as if e $eo$le con'erse& genially a i& su y guts ha& turne& to ice" yself %hen (ettricken $lucke& at y slee'e" 6They are this no%0 If you %ish e" 6Or are you too %eary to en4oy the er colors an& scents! but I

I ca e back to

%ay!7 she infor e&

to retire! it %ill offen& no one" I un&erstan& that e'en %alk into the city"7 6But

any of you %ere too %eary to

any of us %ere not! an& %oul& truly ha'e en4oye& the chance to %alk

leisurely through @haa $e" I ha'e been tol& of the Blue Fountains! an& look for%ar& to seeing the "7 I only faltere& slightly as I sai& this! an& ho$e& it ha& so e bearing on %hat she ha& been saying to %ith $oison" 6I %ill be sure you are gui&e& to the ! $erha$s this e'ening" But for no%! co e this %ay"7 #n& %ith no ore a&o or for ality than that! she le& e a%ay fro the gathering" #ugust %atche& after us as %e %alke& a%ay! an& I sa% Regal turn an& say so ething in an asi&e to Ro%&" (ing Eyo& ha& %ith&ra%n fro the cro%& an& %as looking benignly &o%n on all fro an ele'ate& $latfor " I a &oor o$ening an& %on&ere& %hy Ro%& ha& not re aine& %ith the horses an& other ser'ants! but then (ettricken %as &ra%ing a $ainte& screen asi&e fro %e %ere lea'ing the ain roo of the $alace" e" #t least it ha& nothing to &o

;e %ere outsi&e! in fact! %alking on a stone $ath%ay un&er an arch%ay of trees" They %ere %illo%s! an& their li'ing branches ha& been interlace& an& %o'en o'erhea&! to for a green screen fro
8EH

the noon sun" 6#n& they she&

rain fro

the $ath! too" #t least!

ost of it!7 (ettricken a&&e& as she note&

interest" 6This $ath lea&s to the sha&e gar&ens" They are $erha$s you %oul& %ish to see the herbary first07 6I shall en4oy seeing any an& all of the gar&ens! least %as true" Out here! a%ay fro sort occurring to y thoughts an& $on&er %hat to &o in

y fa'orites" But

y la&y!7 I re$lie&! an& this at ore chance to y untenable $osition" It %as the

the cro%&! I %oul& ha'e

e! belate&ly! that *rince Rurisk ha& sho%n none of the signs of ore! uch ore! going on than I ha& y o%n &ile a an&

in4ury or illness that Regal ha& re$orte&" I nee&e& to %ith&ra% fro situation an& ree'aluate it" There %as been $re$are& for" But %ith an effort I $ulle& I foun& her con'ersation ga'e y thoughts a%ay fro focuse& on %hat the *rincess %as telling

e" She s$oke her %or&s clearly! an& the backgroun& uch about the gar&ens an&

uch easier to follo% a%ay fro

chatter of the Jreat Hall" She see e& to kno% ex$ecte& of her as a $rincess"

e to un&erstan& that it %as not a hobby but kno%le&ge that %as yself that she %as a

#s %e %alke& an& talke& I constantly ha& to re in&

$rincess! an& betrothe& to Aerity" I ha& ne'er encountere& a %o an like her before" She %ore a )uiet &ignity! )uite unlike the a%areness of station that I usually encountere& in those better born than I" But she &i& not hesitate to s ile! or beco e enthuse&! or stoo$ to &ig in the soil aroun& a $lant to sho% e a $articular ty$e of root she %as &escribing" She rubbe& the root free of &irt! then slice& a bit %ith her belt knife fro taste its tang" She sho%e& the heart of the tuber to allo% e to e certain $ungent herbs for seasoning eat an&

insiste& I taste a leaf of each of three 'arieties! for though the $lants %ere 'ery si ilar! the fla'ors %ere 'ery &ifferent" In a %ay! she %as like *atience! %ithout her eccentricity" In another %ay! she %as like -olly! but %ithout the
8E1

callousness that -olly ha& been force& to &e'elo$ to sur'i'e" =ike -olly! she s$oke &irectly an& frankly to that Aerity #n& yet! another $art of been e! as if %e %ere e)uals" I foun& yself thinking ight fin& this %o an ore to his liking than he ex$ecte&"

e %orrie& %hat Aerity %oul& think of his bri&e" He

%as not a %o ani1er! but his taste in %o en %as ob'ious to anyone %ho ha& uch aroun& hi " #n& those that he s ile& u$on %ere usually s all an& roun& an& &ark! often %ith curly hair an& girlish laughter an& tiny soft han&s" ;hat %oul& he think of this tall $ale %o an! %ho &resse& as si $ly as a ser'ant an& &eclare& she took uch $leasure in ten&ing her o%n gar&ens0 #s our talk turne&! I foun& she coul& s$eak as fa iliarly about falconry an& horse bree&ing as any stable an" #n& %hen I aske& her %hat she &i& for $leasure! she tol& to sho% e of her s all forge an& tools for %orking e the earrings she ha& etal! an& lifte& her hair ere& sil'er a&e for herself" The finely ha

$etals of a flo%er clas$e& a tiny ge %oul&

like a &ro$ of &e%" I ha& once tol& -olly

that Aerity &eser'e& a co $etent an& acti'e %ife! but no% I %on&ere& if she uch beguile hi " He %oul& res$ect her! I kne%" But %as res$ect y %or& to Aerity instea&" I aske& enough bet%een a king an& his )ueen0 I resol'e& not to borro% trouble! but to kee$ her if Regal ha& tol& her king/in/%aiting %ith that Aerity %as not take uch of her husban&! an& she beca e su&&enly )uiet"

I sense& her &ra%ing on her strength as she re$lie& that she kne% he %as a any $roble s facing his real " Regal ha& %arne& her an! %ho ight uch ol&er than she %as! a $lain an& si $le

uch interest in her" Regal ha& $ro ise& to be e'er by her! hel$ing

her to a&a$t! an& &oing his best to see that the court %as not a lonely $lace for her" So she %as $re$are& , 6Ho% ol& are you07 I aske& i $ulsi'ely"

8E2

6Eighteen!7 she re$lie&! an& then s ile& to see the sur$rise on 6Because I a confi&e& in tall! your $eo$le see e" uch to think I a

y face"

uch ol&er than that!7 she ore than bet%een

6;ell! you are younger than Aerity! then" But not so 6I ha& thought hi

any %i'es an& husban&s" He %ill be thirty/three this s$ring"7 uch ol&er than that!7 she sai& %on&eringly" 6Regal ex$laine& they share but a father"7 6It is true that 9hi'alry an& Aerity %ere both sons of (ing Shre%&.s first )ueen! but there is not that great a s$an bet%een the " #n& Aerity! %hen he is not bur&ene& %ith the $roble s of state! is not so &our an& se'ere as you i agine hi " He is a She cast an %ho kno%s ho% to laugh"7 ight

e a si&e%ays glance! as if to see if I %as trying to $ut a better face on laugh like a chil& at the $u$$et sho%s at ake fall %ine! he

Aerity than he &eser'e&" 6It is true! *rincess" I ha'e seen hi S$ringfest" #n& %hen all 4oin in for luck at the fruit $ress to a %olfhoun&! =eon! %ho Regal s$eaks of hi his $eo$le"7 6Bent &o%n as a tree bur&ene& by sno%! that s$rings erect again %ith the co ing of s$ring" His last %or&s to e to s$eak %ell of hi heart" 6I see a &ifferent close& her to you"7 e the su&&en lift of her an! %hen you s$eak of hi "7 She $ause&! an& then e before I left! *rincess! %ere to &esire as a he hol&s &earer than so e

&oes not hol& back" But his greatest $leasure has al%ays been the hunt" He has en hol& their sons"7 6But!7 (ettricken 'enture& to interru$t! 6surely this is as he %as! once" For an ol&er than his years! bent &o%n by the cares of

She cast her eyes &o%n )uickly! as if to hi&e fro

outh fir ly! forbi&&ing herself the re)uest I hear& any%ay"

8E8

6I ha'e al%ays seen hi hi self fro

as a kin&

an" #s kin& as one lifte& to such a a&e hi unable to

res$onsibility can be" He takes his &uties 'ery seriously! an& %ill not s$are %hat his folk nee& of hi " This it is that has here" He gi'es u$ the interests of a co e here! to you" He engages in a battle %ith the Re&/Shi$ Rai&ers! one he coul&n.t fight fro She ga'e an to fulfill his &uty as her face as if %hat I a $rince" 5ot through a col&ness of s$irit! or a lack of life in hi self"7 e a si&e%ays glance! fighting the s ile fro tol& her %ere s%eetest flattery such as a $rincess ust not belie'e"

6He is taller than I a ! but only by a bit" His hair is 'ery &ark! as is his bear&! %hen he lets it gro%" His eyes are blacker still! yet %hen he is enthuse&! they shine" It is true there is a scattering of gray in his hair no% that you %oul& not ha'e foun& a year ago" True! also! that his %ork has ke$t hi is still 'ery houn& once 6You gi'e uch a ore"7 e heart!7 she uttere&! an& then straightene& herself as if she ha& e gra'ely! she aske&! 6;hy &oes Regal an! shaking of han&! fro the sun an& y uncle the %in&! so his shoul&ers no longer tear the sea s of his shirts" But has been &ri'en fro

an! an& I belie'e that %hen the &anger of the Re&/Shi$s our shores! he %ill ri&e an& shout an& hunt %ith his

a& itte& so e %eakness" =ooking at

not s$eak of his brother so0 I thought I %ent to an ol&

too bur&ene& by his &uties to see a %ife as anything other than another &uty"7 6*erha$s he ,7 I began! an& coul& think of no courtier.s %ay to say that Regal %as fre)uently &ece$ti'e if it gaine& hi i&ea %hat goal ight be ser'e& by his goal" For the life of e! I ha& no aking (ettricken so &rea& Aerity" her" She took a breath y cha ber! %hen

6*erha$s he has , been , unflattering about other things as %ell!7 (ettricken su&&enly su$$ose& alou&" So ething see e& to alar an& beca e su&&enly franker" 6There %as an e'ening! in

%e ha& &ine&! an& Regal ha&! $erha$s! &runk a bit too %ell" He tol& tales of
8E<

you then! saying you ha& once been a sullen! s$oile& chil&! too a bitious for your birth! but that since the (ing ha& a&e you his $oisoner! you see e& content %ith your lot" He sai& it see e& to suit you! for e'en as a boy! you ha& en4oye& ea'es&ro$$ing an& skulking about an& other secreti'e $ursuits" 5o%! I &o not tell you this to ake a ischief! but only to let you kno% %hat I first e to belie'e it ha& been the e" But one thing y brother y s ile &i& e to entirely lay asi&e" He sai& belie'e& of you" The next &ay Regal begge& he ha& sai& that night %as too icy a fear for so that I

fancies of the %ine rather than the facts he ha& share& %ith

that if the (ing &i& sen& you or =a&y Thy e! it %oul& be to $oison ight be the sole heir to the -ountain (ing&o "7 6You are s$eaking too )uickly!7 I chi&e& her gently! an& ho$e&

not look as &i11y an& sickly as I su&&enly felt" 6I &i& not un&erstan& all you sai&"7 Des$erately I stro'e to think of %hat to say" E'en as acco $lishe& a liar as I foun& such a &irect confrontation unco fortable" 6I a sorry" But you s$eak our language so %ell! al ost like a nati'e" #l ost ore slo%ly" onth ago! Regal ca e to e! that %e y cha bers" He ha& as if you %ere recalling it! rather than learning it ne%" I %ill go So e %eeks! no! it %as o'er a aske& if he better! an&G7 6(ettricken:7 It %as Rurisk! calling &o%n the $ath as he ca e seeking us" 6Regal is asking that you %oul& co e an& co e so far to see your arriage" e! I thought she looke& too kno%ing" eet the lor&s an& la&ies %ho ha'e ight &ine alone %ith

ight get to kno% one another

@on)ui %as at his shoul&er! hurrying after hi ! an& as the secon& an& un istakable %a'e of &i11iness hit #n&! I aske& yself! %hat ste$ %oul& 9ha&e ha'e taken if so eone ha& sent a

$oisoner to Shre%&.s court to eli inate Aerity0 #ll too ob'ious"

8E?

6*erha$s!7 @on)ui su&&enly suggeste&! 6Fit19hi'alry %oul& like to be sho%n the Blue Fountains no%" =itress has sai& she %oul& gla&ly take hi "7 6-aybe later this afternoon!7 I %earie&" I think I shall seek 5one of the anage& to say" 6I fin& yself su&&enly y cha ber"7 one& to a

looke& sur$rise&" 6Shall I ha'e so e %ine sent to you07 @on)ui

aske& graciously" 6Or $erha$s so e sou$0 The others %ill be su eal soon" But! if you are tire&! it is no trouble to bring foo& to you"7 Years of training ca e to the fore" I ke$t su&&en fire in y belly" 6That %oul& be yself to The brief bo% I force& %ill re4oin you soon"7 #n& I excuse&

y $osture straight! &es$ite the anage& to say" sure I

ost kin& of you!7 I

ake %as so$histicate& torture" 6I a

yself! an& I &i& not run! nor curl in a ball an& %hi $er as I %atche& e go! an& y

%ishe& to" I %alke&! %ith ob'ious en4oy ent of the $lantings! back through the gar&en to the &oor of the Jreat Hall" #n& the three of the s$oke softly together of %hat %e all kne%" I ha& but one trick left to e! an& s all ho$e it %oul& be effecti'e" Back in roo ! I &ug out the sea$urge the Fool ha& gi'en e" Ho% long! I %on&ere&! y

ha& it been since I ha& eaten the honey cakes0 For that %as the 'enue I %oul& ha'e chosen" Fatalistically! I &eci&e& I %oul& trust the e%er of %ater in roo " # tiny $art of gi&&iness %ashe& o'er e sai& that %as foolish! but as %a'e after %a'e of e! I felt inca$able of any further thought" ;ith anage& to choke &o%n" I kne% e0 y roo

shaking han&s I cru ble& the sea$urge into %ater" The &rie& herb absorbe& the %ater an& beca e a green sticky %a&! %hich I it %oul& e $ty I s$ent a y sto ach an& bo%els" The only )uestion %as! %oul& it be

s%ift enough! or %as the 9hyur&a $oison too %i&es$rea& in %ith sou$ or %ine" In y

iserable e'ening that I %ill not &%ell on" 5o one ca e to

o ents of luci&ity! I &eci&e& they %oul& not co e

8EB

until they %ere sure their $oison ha& ha& its effect" -orning! I &eci&e&" They %oul& sen& a ser'ant to %aken orning" It %as $ast i&night %hen I %as able to stan&" I left y roo as silently as y shaking legs %oul& carry e an& %ent out into the gar&en" I foun& a cistern of e! an& he %oul& &isco'er y &eath" I ha& until

%ater there an& &rank until I thought I %oul& burst" I 'enture& farther into the gar&en! %alking slo%ly an& carefully! for I ache& as if I ha& been beaten an& y hea& $oun&e& $ainfully %ith each ste$ I took" But e'entually I stu ble& into an area of fruit trees gracefully traine& along a %all! an& as I ha& ho$e&! they %ere hea'y %ith the har'est" I hel$e& su$$ly" These I %oul& conceal in consu e" So eti e to orro%! I %oul& %oul& be enough to get #n& as I a&e yself! filling y 4erkin %ith a y roo ! to gi'e e foo& I coul& safely

ake an excuse to go &o%n an& check eat an& har& brea&" I ho$e& it

on Sooty" -y sa&&lebags still hel& so e &rie& e through this 'isit" y %ay back to

y roo ! I %on&ere& %hat else they %oul& try

%hen they foun& the $oison ha&n.t %orke&"

9H#*TER T;E5TY/O5E *rinces OF THE 9HY>RD#5 HERB carry e! their saying is! 6# leaf to slee$! t%o to &ull $ain! three for a erciful gra'e"7

To%ar& &a%n! I finally &o1e&! only to be a%akene& by *rince Rurisk flinging asi&e the screen that ser'e& as &oor to y cha ber" He burst into the roo ! flourishing a sloshing &ecanter" The looseness of the gar ent that fluttere&
8EC

about hi sa'e for

&eclare& it a night robe" I rolle& )uickly fro y belt knife"

the be& an&

anage&

to stan&! %ith the be&stea& bet%een us" I %as cornere&! sick an& %ea$onless! 6You li'e still:7 he exclai e& in a a1e ent! then a&'ance& on flask" 6Iuick! &rink this"7 6I %oul& sooner not!7 I tol& hi ! retreating as he a&'ance&" Seeing y %ariness! he $ause&" 6You ha'e taken $oison!7 he tol& your bo&y" Take it! an& you ay still li'e"7 bluntly! an& then caught e carefully" 6It is fully a flush it fro iracle of 9hran1uli that you still li'e" This is a $urge that %ill y bo&y to $urge!7 I tol& hi e %ith his

6There is nothing left in night"7 6#n& you sai& nothing to

at a table as I began to shake" 6I kne% I ha& been $oisone& %hen I left you last e07 He %as incre&ulous"

He turne& back to the &oor! %here (ettricken no% $eeke& in ti i&ly" Her hair %as in tousle& brai&s! an& her eyes re& %ith %ee$ing" 6It is a'erte&! s all thanks to you!7 her brother tol& her se'erely" 6Jo an& fro so e of last night.s both of us" #n& tea" Jo on no%! you foolish girl:7 (ettricken sca $ere& off like a chil&" Rurisk gesture& at the be&" 69o e" Trust e enough to sit &o%n" Before you u$set the table %ith your shaking" I a s$eaking $lainly to you" You an& I! Fit19hi'alry! %e ha'e no ti e for this &istrust" There is uch %e ust s$eak of! you an& I7 uch as for fear I %oul& other%ise colla$se" ore chil& than %o an! I I sat &o%n! not out of trust so ake hi a salty broth eat" #n& bring a s%eet $astry as %ell" Enough for

;ithout for ality! Rurisk sat &o%n on the en& of the be&" 6-y sister!7 he sai& gra'ely! 6is i $etuous" *oor Aerity %ill fin& her fear! an& uch of that is y fault! I ha'e s$oile& her so" But although that

8ED

ex$lains her fon&ness for 6I think I %oul& ha'e felt 6There is

e! it &oes not excuse her $oisoning of a guest" uch the sa e about it at any ti e!7 I sai&! an& sure" But I

Es$ecially not on the e'e of her %e&&ing to his uncle"7 Rurisk thre% back his hea& an& laughe&" uch of your father in you" So %oul& he ha'e sai&! I a e &ays ago! to tell ust ex$lain" She ca e to ake an en& of e that you %ere co ing to

e" I tol& her then that it %as not her concern! an& I %oul& take ight

care of it" But! as I ha'e sai&! she is i $ulsi'e" Yester&ay she sa% an o$$ortunity an& took it" ;ith no regar& as to ho% the &eath of a guest before 'o%s boun& her to the Six Duchies an& 6The herbs she ga'e e07 affect a carefully negotiate& %e&&ing" She thought only to &o a%ay %ith you a&e such an act unthinkable" I shoul& ha'e sus$ecte& it %hen she took you so )uickly to the gar&ens"7 He no&&e&! an& I felt a fool" 6But after you ha& eaten the ! you s$oke so fair to her that she ca e to &oubt you coul& be %hat it %as sai& you %ere" So she aske& you! but you turne& the )uestion asi&e by $reten&ing to not un&erstan&" So again she &oubte& you" Still! it shoul& not ha'e taken her all night to co e to e %ith her tale of %hat she ha& &one! an& her &oubts of the %is&o yself say" of it" For that! I a$ologi1e"7 6Too late to a$ologi1e" I ha'e alrea&y forgi'en you!7 I hear& Rurisk looke& at &oor a e" 6That %as your father.s saying as %ell"7 He glance& at the her" 6Sit &o%n!7 he tol& e" He shot

o ent before (ettricken ca e through it" Once she %as %ithin the

roo ! he sli& the screen shut an& took the tray fro hea'y ug fro

her sternly" 6#n& see another %ay of &ealing %ith an assassin"7 He lifte& a the tray an& &rank &ee$ly of it before $assing it to (ettricken another glance" 6#n& if that %as $oisone&! you ha'e 4ust kille& your brother as %ell"7 He broke an a$$le $astry into three $ortions" 6Select one!7 he
8EE

tol&

e! an& then took that one for hi self! an& ga'e the next I chose to ay see there is nothing a iss %ith this foo&"7 e $oison this orning after co ing y $alate %as ali'e!

(ettricken" 6So you to tell

6I see s all reason %hy you %oul& gi'e )uesting for the slightest ha'e been &elicious"

e I %as $oisone& last night!7 I a& itte&" Still!

istaste" But there %as none" It %as rich! flaky $astry

stuffe& %ith ri$e a$$les an& s$ices" E'en if I ha& not been so e $ty! it %oul& 6Exactly!7 Rurisk sai& in a sticky 'oice! an& then s%allo%e&" 6#n&! if you %ere an assassin7Ghere he shot a %arning to silence to (ettricken 6you %oul& fin& yourself in the sa e $osition" So e else kno%s they %ere ur&ers are only $rofitable if no one y &eath" ;ere you to slay e onths! (ettricken an& @on)ui ur&ers" Such %oul& be

no%! in&ee&! %ere I to &ie %ithin the next six

both %oul& be shrieking to the stars that I ha& been assassinate&" Scarcely a goo& foun&ation for an alliance of $eo$les" Do you agree07 I anage& a no&" The %ar broth in the ug ha& stille& ost of y tre bling! an& the s%eet $astry taste& fit for a go&" 6So" ;e agree that %ere you an assassin! there %oul& no% be no $rofit to carrying out &ie&" For necessary" 6Tell this to (ing Shre%&" Our $o$ulation gro%s! but there is a li it to our arable soil" ;il& ga e %ill only fee& so any" 9o es a ti e %hen a country ountainous a country as arry y belo'e& ust o$en itself to tra&e! es$ecially so rocky an& ser'ant of his $eo$le0 ;ell! I ser'e the y ur&er" In&ee&! there %oul& be a 'ery great loss to you if I ore than %ise" I see it as y father &oes not look on this alliance %ith the fa'or that I &o" Oh!

he kno%s it is %ise! for no%" But I see it as

ine" You ha'e hear&! $erha$s! that the @haa $e %ay is that the ruler is the in this %ise" I younger sister a%ay! in the ho$es of %inning grain an& tra&e routes an&
<HH

lo%lan& goo&s for

y $eo$le! an& gra1ing rights in the col& $art of the year %illing to gi'e you y

%hen our $astures are un&er sno%" For this! too! I a Our

ti bers! the great straight ti bers that Aerity %ill nee& to buil& his %arshi$s" ountains gro% %hite oak such as you ha'e ne'er seen" This is a thing father %oul& refuse" He has the ol& feelings about the cutting of li'e trees" #n& like Regal! he sees your coast as a liability! your ocean as a great barrier" But I see it as your father &i&Ga %i&e roa& that lea&s in all &irections! an& your coast as our access to it" #n& I see no offense in using trees u$roote& by the annual floo&s an& %in&stor s"7 I hel& y breath a o ent" This %as a o entous concession" I foun& yself no&&ing to his %or&s" 6So! %ill you carry ha'e a li'e frien& in y %or&s to (ing Shre%&! an& say to hi e07 if he inten&e& to $oison you07 (ettricken that it is better to

I coul& think of no reason not to agree" 6#ren.t you going to ask hi &e an&e&" 6If he ans%ere& yes! you %oul& ne'er trust hi " If he ans%ere& no! you %oul& $robably not belie'e hi ! an& think hi is not one a& itte& $oisoner in this roo a liar as %ell as an assassin" Besi&es! enough07 ust

(ettricken &ucke& her hea& an& a flush suffuse& her cheeks" 6So co e!7 Rurisk tol& her! an& hel& out a conciliatory han&" 6Our guest get %hat little rest he can before the &ay.s festi'ities" #n& %e in our nightclothes"7 #n& they left e! to lie back on y be& an& %on&er" ;hat anner of folk %ere these that I &ealt %ith0 9oul& I belie'e their o$en honesty! or %as it a agnificent sha for E&a kne% %hat en&s0 I %ishe& 9ha&e %ere here" -ore
<H1

ust be back to

our cha bers before the %hole househol& %on&ers %hy %e are &ashing about

an&

ore! I felt nothing %as as it see e&" I &are& not &o1e! for I kne% if I fell e before nightfall" Ser'ants ca e soon %ith ight be better born than yself! I treate& the all %ater an& cool! an& fruit an& cheese on a $latter" Re in&ing ight not be the secret of the

aslee$! nothing %oul& %ake $itchers of %ar yself that these 6ser'ants7

%ith great courtesy an& later %on&ere& if that courtesy"

har onious househol&! that all ser'ants or royalty! be treate& %ith the sa e It %as a &ay of great festi'ity" The entries to the $alace ha& been thro%n %i&e/ o$en! an& folk ha& co e fro exchange&! inclu&ing e'ery 'ale an& &ell of the -ountain (ing&o instrels $erfor e&! an& to %itness this $le&ging" *oets an& ore gifts %ere

y for al $resentation of the herbals an& herb starts" the Six Duchies %as &is$laye& an& ost likely to be ight be sent out ost in nee& of it! or

The bree&ing stock that ha& been sent fro then gifte& forth again to those successful %ith it" # single ra as a co grain or

or bull! %ith a fe ale or t%o!

on gift to the %hole 'illage" #ll of the gifts! %hether fo%l or beast or etal! %ere brought %ithin the $alace so that all ight a& ire the " ust ha'e are to be in &ays" He

Burrich %as there! the first ti e I ha& gli $se& hi oile&! e'ery

been u$ before &a%n! to ha'e his charges so glossy" E'ery hoof %as freshly ane an& tail $laite& %ith bright ribbons an& bells" The gi'en to (ettricken %as sa&&le& an& bri&le& in harness of finest leather! an& her ane an& tail hung %ith so an& shaggy stock of the any tiny sil'er bells that each s%ish of her tail the s all %as a chorus of tinkling" Our horses %ere &ifferent creatures fro

ountain folk! an& attracte& )uite a cro%&" Burrich are! an& I sa% her courtesy an&

looke& %eary! yet $rou&! an& his horses stoo& cal ly a i&st the cla or" (ettricken s$ent a &eal of ti e a& iring her hear hi &eference tha%ing Burrich.s reser'e" ;hen I &re% closer! I %as sur$rise& to s$eaking in hesitant but clear 9hyur&a"
<H2

But a greater sur$rise %as in store for co e fro

e that afternoon" Foo& ha& been set out uch ore fro the ountain folk

on long tables! an& all! $alace resi&ents an& 'isitors! &ine& freely" -uch ha& the kitchens of the $alace! but the sel'es" They ca e for%ar&! %ithout hesitation! to set out %heels of cheese! an& loa'es of &ark brea&! an& &rie& or s oke& bo%ls of fruit" It %oul& ha'e been te $ting! ha& not eats! or $ickles or e" It %as y sto ach still been so

touchy" But the %ay the foo& %as gi'en %as %hat i $resse&

un)uestioning! this gi'ing an& taking bet%een the royalty an& their sub4ects" I note&! too! there %ere no sentries or guar&s of any kin& u$on the &oors" #n& all ingle& an& talke& as they ate" #t noon $recisely a silence fell o'er the cro%&" The *rincess (ettricken alone ascen&e& the central &ais" In si $le language! she announce& to all that she no% belonge& to the Six Duchies an& ho$e& to ser'e that lan& %ell" She thanke& her lan& for all it ha& e'er &one for her! for the foo& it ha& gro%n to fee& her! the %aters of its sno%s an& ri'ers! the air of the ountain bree1es" She re in&e& all that she &i& not change her allegiance &ue to any lack of lo'e for her lan&! but rather in the ho$es of it benefiting both the lan&s" #ll ke$t silent as she s$oke! an& as she &escen&e& fro erri ent resu e&" Rurisk ca e! seeking e out! to see ho% I &i&" I &i& y best to assure hi I %as fully reco'ere&! though in truth I longe& to be slee$ing" The clothing -istress Hasty ha& &ecree& for e %as of the latest court fashion an& feature& highly incon'enient slee'es an& tassels that fell into anything I trie& to &o or eat! an& an unco fortably snug %aist" I longe& to be out of the $ress of $eo$le! %here I coul& loosen so e laces an& get ri& of the collar! but kne% that if I left no%! 9ha&e %oul& fro%n %hen I re$orte& to hi an& &e an& that I so eho% y nee& kno% all that ha& ha$$ene& %hile I %as absent" Rurisk! I think! sense&
<H8

the &ais" #n& then the

for a bit of )uiet! for he su&&enly $ro$ose& a stroll out to his kennels" 6=et for y &ogs!7 he offere&" y hea& an& lifte&

sho% you %hat the a&&ition of so e Six Duchies bloo& a fe% years back &i& ;e left the $alace an& %alke& &o%n a short %ay to a long! lo% %oo&en buil&ing" The clean air cleare& y s$irits" Insi&e! he sho%e& e a $en %here a bitch $resi&e& o'er a litter of re& $u$s" They %ere healthy little creatures! glossy of coat! ni$$ing an& tu bling about in the stra%" They ca e rea&ily! totally unafrai& of us" 6These are of Buckkee$ lineage! an& %ill hol& to a scent e'en in a &o%n$our!7 he tol& cla ber right u$ a tree after ga e" ;e e erge& fro his kennels an& out into the sun! %here an ol&er &og sle$t an" You.'e fathere& enough $u$s that genially" #t la1ily on a $ile of stra%" 6Slee$ on! ol& his e $rou&ly" He sho%e& e other bree&s as %ell! inclu&ing a tiny &og %ith %iry legs! %hich! he clai e&! %oul&

you ne'er nee& hunt again! exce$t you lo'e it so!7 Rurisk tol& hi affectionately on Rurisk" He looke& u$ at to%ar& hi ! an& for a e! an& it %as 5osy"

aster.s 'oice! the ol& houn& hea'e& hi self to his feet an& ca e to lean

I stare& at hi ! an& his co$$er/ore eyes returne& the look" I )ueste& softly o ent recei'e& only $u11le ent" #n& then a floo& of %ar th! of affection share& an& re e bere&" There %as no &oubt that he %as Rurisk.s houn& no%+ the intensity of the bon& that ha& been bet%een us %as gone" But he offere& e back great fon&ness an& %ar e ories of %hen %e %ere $u$$ies together" I %ent &o%n on one knee! an& stroke& the re& coat gone all bristly %ith the years! an& looke& into the eyes that %ere beginning to sho% the clou&ing of age" For an instant! %ith the $hysical touch! the bon& %as as it ha& been" I kne% he %as en4oying &o1ing in the sun! but coul& be $ersua&e& to go hunt %ith 'ery little trouble" Es$ecially if Rurisk ca e along" I $atte& his

<H<

back an& &re% a%ay fro strangely" 6I kne% hi 6Burrich sent hi Rurisk tol& hunting"7 to

hi " I looke& u$ to fin& Rurisk regar&ing

%hen he %as 4ust a $u$$y!7 I tol& hi " e! in care of a %an&ering scribe! these any years ago!7 e great $leasure! in co $any an& in

e" 6He has brought

6You ha'e &one %ell by hi !7 I sai&" ;e left an& strolle& back to the $alace! but as soon as Rurisk left y si&e! I %ent straight to Burrich" #s I ca e u$ he any ha& 4ust recei'e& $er ission to take the horses outsi&e an& into the o$en air! for e'en the cal est beast %ill gro% resti'e in close )uarters %ith strangers" I coul& see his &ile lea'ing the others unten&e&" He looke& u$ %arily as I a$$roache&" 6;ith your lea'e! I %ill hel$ you outh to s$eak! a 'oice behin& o'e the !7 I offere&" e sai&! 6I a here to &o that! aster" You hi to Burrich.s face re aine& i $assi'e an& $olite" But before he coul& o$en his ight soil your slee'es! or o'erly %eary yourself %orking %ith beasts"7 I turne& slo%ly! baffle& by the 'eno 6Then I %ill %alk alongsi&e you! if I Burrich ga1e& at #n& so I took the in 9ob.s 'oice" I glance& fro Burrich! but Burrich &i& not s$eak3 I looke& s)uarely at Burrich" ay! for I ha'e so ething i $ortant %e o ent longer are!7 he sai& at last! 6an& that bay e" I shan.t be long"7 ust s$eak of"7 -y %or&s %ere &eliberately for al" For a e" 6Bring the *rincess.s filly" I %ill take the grays" 9ob! in& the rest for a+ %hile he %as taking horses out he %oul& be

are.s hea& an& the filly.s lea& ro$e an& follo%e& Burrich as ore" ;e %alke& for a bit in silence" The cro%& the $alace" The horses. hoo'es o ent or t%o it al ost see e&

he e&ge& the horses through the cro%& an& out of &oors" 6There is a $a&&ock! this %ay!7 he sai&! an& no thinne& ra$i&ly once %e %ere a%ay fro on a s all barn %ith a tack roo " For a
<H?

thu&&e& $leasantly against the earth" ;e ca e to the $a&&ock! %hich fronte&

nor al to be %orking alongsi&e Burrich again" I unsa&&le& the the ner'ous s%eat fro sai& a& iringly" 6Fro He ca e to stan& besi&e e as I finishe& %ith the

are an& %i$e&

her %hile he shook out grain into a grain box for the " are" 6She.s a beauty!7 I e"7 =or& Ranger.s stock07

6Yes"7 His %or& cut off the con'ersation" 6You %ishe& to s$eak to

I took a great breath! then sai& it si $ly" 6I 4ust sa% 5osy" He.s fine" Ol&er no%! but he.s ha& a ha$$y life" #ll these years! Burrich! I al%ays belie'e& you kille& hi that night" Dashe& out his brains! cut his throat! strangle& hi GI e incre&ulously" 6You belie'e& I %oul& kill a &og for so ething y i agine& it a &o1en &ifferent %ays! a thousan& ti es" #ll those years"7 He looke& at you &i&07 6I only kne% he %as gone" I coul& i agine nothing else" I thought it %as $unish ent"7 For a long ti e he %as still" ;hen he looke& back u$ at tor ent" 6Ho% you 6#n& feare& you"7 6#ll those years0 #n& you ne'er learne& better of yourself! He %oul& not &o such a thing07 I shook y hea& slo%ly" 6Oh! Fit1!7 he sai& sa&ly" One of the horses ca e to nu&ge at hi ! an& he $ette& it absently" 6I thought you %ere stubborn an& sullen" You thought you ha& been grie'ously %ronge&" 5o %on&er %e ha'e been so 6It can be un&one!7 I offere& )uietly" 6I ha'e you sorely! &es$ite all our &ifferences"7 I %atche& hi cla$ thinking! an& for a o ent or t%o I thought he %oul& s ile an& e to go fetch the other horses" But his face e on the shoul&er an& tell uch at o&&s"7 isse& you! you kno%" -isse& e! ne'er thought to ust ha'e hate& e"7 e! I coul& see his

gre% still! an& then stern" 6But for all that! it &i& not sto$ you" You belie'e& I
<HB

ha& it in fro

e to kill any ani al you use& the ;it on" But it &i& not sto$ you

&oing it"7

6I &on.t see it the %ay you &o!7 I began! but he shook his hea&" 6;e are better $arte&! boy" Better for both of us" There can be no isun&erstan&ings if there are no un&erstan&ings at all" I can ne'er a$$ro'e! or ignore! %hat you &o" 5e'er" 9o e to But until then! %e are better $arte&"7 He left e stan&ing by the $a&&ock an& %ent back for his other horses" I stoo& (ettricken.s $oison" But e" a long ti e! feeling sick an& %eary! an& not 4ust fro an& e'en en&ure& %ith silence the it been for e %hen you can say you %ill &o it no e" ore" I %ill take your %or& on it! for you.'e ne'er broken your %or& to

I %ent back into the $alace! an& %alke& about! an& s$oke to $eo$le! an& ate! ocking! triu $hant s iles 9ob ga'e The &ay see e& longer than any t%o &ays in y $re'ious ex$erience" Ha& not

y burning an& gurgling sto ach! I %oul& ha'e foun& it exciting ale an& fe ale! ountain tra&ition

an& absorbing" The afternoon an& early e'ening %ere gi'en o'er to congenial contests of archery! %restling! an& footraces" Young an& ol&! 4oine& in on these contests! an& there see e& to be so e luck for a full turn of a year" Then there %as

that %hoe'er %on such contests on such an aus$icious occasion %oul& en4oy ore foo&! an& singing! an& ore than &ancing of &ancers! an& an entertain ent! like a $u$$et sho%! but &one all %ith sha&o%s on a screen of silk" By the ti e folk began to retire! I %as rea&y for y be&" It %as a relief to close y &oor" e" %as 4ust $ulling off y cha ber screen an& be alone" I

y annoying shirt an& reflecting on %hat a strange &ay it

ha& been %hen there %as a ta$ at co an&s your $resence!7 he tol&

Before I coul& s$eak! Se'rens sli& o$en the screen an& sli$$e& in" 6Regal 65o%07 I aske& o%lishly"
<HC

6;hy else %oul& he sen& ;earily I $ulle& but

e no%07 Se'rens &e an&e&" out of the roo " Regal.s

y shirt back on an& follo%e& hi

cha bers %ere in an u$$er le'el of the $alace" It %as not really a secon& floor! ore like a %oo&en terrace built to one si&e of the Jreat Hall" The %alls ight stan& an& look uch ore richly &ecorate&" So e %ere screens! an& there %as a sort of balcony %here he &o%n before &escen&ing" These roo s %ere figurines car'e& of a ber" But looke& to

of the %ork %as ob'iously 9hyur&a! bright bir&s brushe& onto silk $anels an& uch of the ta$estries an& statues an& hangings e like things Regal ha& ac)uire& for his o%n $leasure an& co fort" y eyes o$en"

I stoo& %aiting in his antecha ber %hile he finishe& his bath" By the ti e he a ble& out in his nightshirt! it %as all I coul& &o to kee$ 6;ell07 he &e an&e& of I looke& at hi e" one& e!7 I re in&e& hi " blankly" 6You su

6Yes" I &i&" I shoul& like to kno% %hy it %as necessary" I thought you ha& recei'e& so e sort of training in this sort of thing" Ho% long %ere you going to %ait before you re$orte& to e07 I coul& think of nothing to say" I ha& ne'er re otely consi&ere& re$orting to Regal" To Shre%& or 9ha&e! &efinitely! an& to Aerity" But to Regal0 65ee& I re in& you of your &uty0 Re$ort"7 I hastily gathere& y %its" 6;oul& you hear y obser'ations on the 9hyur&a as a $eo$le0 Or infor ation on the herbs they gro%0 OrG7 6I %ant to kno% %hat you are &oing about your , assign ent" Ha'e you acte& yet0 Ha'e you a&e a $lan0 ;hen can %e ex$ect results! an& of %hat kin&0 I y feet! an& e un$re$are& for it"7 scarcely %ant the *rince &ro$$ing &ea& at bluntly or so o$enly of

I coul& scarcely cre&it %hat I %as hearing" 5e'er ha& Shre%& s$oken so y %ork" E'en %hen our $ri'acy %as assure&! he e to &ra%
<HD

circle& an& &ance& an& left

y o%n conclusions" I ha& seen

Se'rens go into his other cha ber! but ha& no i&ea %here the &iscussing shoeing a horse" 6#re you being insolent! or stu$i&07 Regal &e an&e&" 65either!7 I re4oine& as $olitely as I %as able" 6I a for al le'el" 6You are being foolishly cautious" I trust the cle'erly sarcastic" yself that I %as a king.s

an %as no% or

ho% soun& carrie& in this cha ber" #n& Regal %as s$eaking as if %e %ere

being cautious" -y ore

$rince"7 I a&&e& the last in the ho$es of $utting the con'ersation on a

y 'alet! an& there is no one else

here" So re$ort" -y bastar& assassin"7 He sai& the last %or&s as if he thought I took a breath an& re in&e& an" #n& in this ti e y $hrases e you ha& tol&

an& $lace! this %as as close to a king as I %as going to get" I chose carefully" 6Yester&ay! in the gar&en! *rincess (ettricken tol& her I %as a $oisoner an& that her brother! Rurisk! %as clu sily betraye& yourself! or she %as I coul& ha'e lie& on" I ga'e hi y target"7

6# lie!7 Regal sai& &ecisi'ely" 6I tol& her nothing of the kin&" Either you ha& erely fishing for infor ation" I ho$e you ha'e not s$oile& all by re'ealing yourself to her"7 uch better than he &i&" I let his re arks sli&e by an& %ent y $oisoning! an& of Rurisk an& (ettricken.s inutes looking at his nails before he s$oke etho& an& ti e yet07 a full re$ort! of

early/ orning 'isit" I re$eate& our con'ersation 'erbati " #n& %hen I %as finishe&! Regal s$ent a nu ber of to e" 6#n& ha'e you &eci&e& on a I trie& not to sho%

y sur$rise" 6>n&er the circu stances! I thought it better to

aban&on the assign ent"7 65o ner'e!7 Regal obser'e& %ith &isgust" 6I aske& Father to sen& that ol& %hore =a&y Thy e" She.& ha'e ha& hi in his gra'e by no%"7

<HE

6Sir07 I aske& )uestioningly" That he referre& to 9ha&e as =a&y Thy e aking re'elations about 9ha&e %as &efinitely outsi&e 6Sir07 Regal i icke& back at y real "

a&e

e nearly certain that he kne% nothing at all" He sus$ecte&! of course! but e! an& for the first ti e I reali1e& the an %as

&runk" *hysically! he carrie& it %ell" He &i& not stink of it! but it brought all his $ettiness to the surface" He sighe& hea'ily! as if too &isguste& for %or&s! then flung hi self &o%n on a couch &ra$e& %ith blankets an& cushions" 65othing has change&!7 he infor e& cle'er! you can e" 6You.'e been gi'en your task" Do it" If you are ake it a$$ear an acci&ent" Ha'ing been so nai'ely o$en %ith

(ettricken an& Rurisk! neither %ill ex$ect it" But I %ant it &one" Before to orro% e'ening"7 6Before the %e&&ing07 I aske& incre&ulously" 6Don.t you think the &eath of the bri&e.s brother 6It %oul& be no ight lea& her to cancel it07 ore than te $orary if she &i&" I ha'e her %ell in han&! boy" y concern" Yours is getting ri&

She is easily &a11le&" That en& of this thing is of her brother" 5o%" Ho% %ill you &o it07

6I.'e no i&ea"7 That see e& a better ans%er than saying I ha& no intention" I %oul& return to Buckkee$ an& re$ort back to Shre%& an& 9ha&e" If they sai& I ha& chosen %rongly! then they ight &o %ith e as they %ishe&" But I re e bere& Regal.s o%n 'oice! fro &one it" 6;hen %ill you kno%07 he &e an&e& sarcastically" 6I &on.t kno%!7 I he&ge&" 6These things cannot be &one recklessly or slo$$ily" I nee& to stu&y the an an& his habits! ex$lore his cha bers! an& learn the ust fin& a %ay toG7 habits of his ser'ants" I so long ago! )uoting Shre%&" Don.t &o

%hat you can.t un&o! until you.'e consi&ere& %hat you can.t &o once you.'e

<1H

6The %e&&ing is t%o &ays hence!7 Regal interru$te&" The focus of his eyes softene&" 6I alrea&y kno% all the things you say you then! for infor e& e to $lan it for you" 9o e to ust &isco'er" Easiest! e to orro% night! an& I %ill gi'e you

your or&ers" -in& this %ell! bastar&" I &o not %ant you to act before you ha'e e" I %oul& fin& any sur$rise un$leasant" You %oul& fin& it &ea&ly"7 ine! but I ke$t ake y face a careful blank" e here! to orro% night! ore e regally" 6Re$ort to He lifte& his eyes to

6You are &is isse&!7 he tol& at the sa e ti e" Do not

e sen& Se'rens to fetch you" He has

i $ortant tasks" #n& &o not think

y father %ill not hear of your laxity" He

%ill" He %ill regret not sen&ing Bitch Thy e to &o this little &ee&"7 He leane& back hea'ily an& ya%ne&! an& I caught a %hiff of %ine! an& a subtle s oke" I %on&ere& if he %as learning his I returne& to soon as other.s habits" y o$tions an& y cha bers! inten&ing to $on&er carefully all

for ulate a $lan" But so %eary %as I an& half/sick still that I %as aslee$ as y hea& touche& the $illo%"

9H#*TER T;E5TY/T;O Dile as y be&" He looke& &o%n at e an& ake it all a To THE DRE#-! THE Fool stoo& by

shook his hea&" 6;hy cannot I s$eak clearly0 Because you You" Do you think I kee$ you ali'e because I a is because you create so choices" The ore choices! the

u&&le" I see a crossroa&s through the fog! an& %ho al%ays stan&s %ithin it0 so entrance& %ith you0 5o" It ore any $ossibilities" ;hile you li'e you gi'e us

ore chances to steer for cal er %ater" So it is

<11

not for your benefit! but for the Six Duchies that I $reser'e your life" #n& your &uty is the sa e" To li'e so that you ay continue to $resent $ossibilities"7

I a%oke in $recisely the sa e )uan&ary I ha& gone to slee$ in" I ha& no i&ea of %hat I %as going to &o" I lay in close& y be&! listening to the ran&o soun&s of the $alace a%akening" I nee&e& to talk to 9ha&e" That %as not $ossible" So I lightly y eyes an& trie& to think as he ha& taught e" 6;hat &o you kno%07 he %oul& ha'e aske& e! an& 6;hat &o you sus$ect07 So" e about %hat Regal

Regal ha& lie& to (ing Shre%& about Rurisk.s health an& his attitu&e to%ar& the Six Duchies" Or! $ossibly! (ing Shre%& ha& lie& to o ent an& &eci&e& to follo% Shre%& ha& ne'er lie& to &ie instea& of rushing to betray i y first assu $tion" e ha& sai&" Or Rurisk ha& lie& about his inclinations to%ar& us" I $on&ere& a e! that I kne%! an& Rurisk coul& ha'e si $ly let y roo " So"

So Regal %ante& Rurisk &ea&" Or &i& he0 If he %ante& Rurisk &ea&! %hy &i& he e to (ettricken0 >nless she ha& lie& about that" I consi&ere&" 5ot ight %on&er if Shre%& %oul& sen& an assassin! but %hy %oul& she e0 5o" She ha& recogni1e& y na e" #n& likely" She

e&iately &eci&e to accuse

kno%n of =a&y Thy e" So" #n& Regal ha& sai&! t%ice last night! that he ha& aske& his father to sen& =a&y Thy e" But he ha& like%ise betraye& her na e to (ettricken" ;ho &i& Regal really %ant &ea&0 *rince Rurisk0 Or =a&y Thy e or e! after an assassination arriage atte $t %as &isco'ere&0 #n& ho% &i& any of it benefit hi ! an& this $olitical a&'antages %ere to his li'ing0 I nee&e& to talk to 9ha&e" I coul&n.t" I ha& to so eho% &eci&e this! >nless"
<12

he ha& engineere&0 #n& %hy %as he insisting I kill Rurisk! %hen all the yself"

Ser'ants again brought %ater an& fruit" I arose an& &resse& in clothes! an& ate! an& left to e $loy y cha bers" This &ay %as yester&ay" The holi&ay at os$here %as beginning to %ear on y ti e to a&'antage! enlarging

y annoying e" I atte $te&

uch the sa e as

y kno%le&ge of the $alace! its

routines an& layout" I foun& Eyo&.s! (ettricken.s! an& Rurisk.s cha bers" I also carefully stu&ie& the staircase an& su$$ort structures to Regal.s" I &isco'ere& that 9ob sle$t in the stables! as &i& Burrich" I ex$ecte& that of Burrich+ he %oul& not surren&er the care of Buckkee$ horses until he left @haa $e+ but %hy %as 9ob slee$ing there0 To i $ress Burrich! or to %atch hi 0 Se'rens an& Ro%& both sle$t in the antecha ber of Regal.s a$art ents! &es$ite a $lentitu&e of roo s in the $alace" I trie& to stu&y the &istribution an& sche&ules of the guar&s an& sentries! but coul&n.t fin& any" #n& all the %hile I %atche& for #ugust" It took fin& hi e the better $art of the orning before I coul& in )uiet circu stance" 6I nee& to talk to you" *ri'ately!7 I tol& hi "

He looke& annoye& an& glance& about to see if anyone %ere %atching us" 65ot here! Fit1" -aybe %hen %e get back to Buckkee$" I.'e official &uties! an&G7 I ha& been $re$are& for that" I o$ene& ha& gi'en e so y han&! to sho% hi the $in the (ing (ing Shre%&! any years ago" 6Do you see this0 I ha& it fro

a long ti e ago" #n& %ith it! his $ro ise that if I e'er nee&e& to s$eak to hi ! I nee& only sho% it an& I %oul& be a& itte& to his cha bers"7 6Ho% touching!7 #ugust obser'e& cynically" 6#n& ha& you so e reason for telling e this story0 To i $ress e %ith your i $ortance! $erha$s07 6I nee& to s$eak to the (ing" 5o%"7 6He isn.t here!7 #ugust $ointe& out" He turne& to %alk a%ay" I took hol& of his ar ! turne& hi back to e" 6You can Skill to hi "7

<18

He shook

e off angrily an& glance& about us again" 6I

ost certainly cannot"

#n& %oul& not! if I coul&" Do you think e'ery interru$t the (ing07

an %ho can Skill is allo%e& to

6I ha'e sho%n you the $in" I $ro ise you! he %oul& not regar& this as an interru$tion"7 6I cannot"7 6Aerity! then"7 6I &o not Skill to Aerity until he Skills to e first" Bastar&! you &on.t un&erstan&" You took the training an& you faile& at it! an& you really ha'e not the slightest co $rehension of %hat the Skill is about" It is not like hallooing to a frien& across a 'alley" It is a serious thing! not to be use& exce$t for serious $ur$oses"7 #gain he turne& a%ay fro e" enace I coul& into regret it! other ake hi 6Turn back! #ugust! or regret it long"7 I $ut e'ery ounce of y 'oice" It %as an e $ty threat+ I ha& no real %ay to ignore& his token"7 #ugust turne& slo%ly back" He glare& at but you 6I %ill" ;ill you co e to 6Is there no other $lace07 6Your cha bers07 I suggeste&" 65o! that is e'en %orse" Do not take it a iss! bastar&! but I &o not %ish to see to associate %ith you"7 6Take it not a iss! lor&ling! that I feel the sa e about you"7 In the en&! on a stone bench! in a )uiet $art of (ettricken.s herb gar&en! #ugust sat &o%n an& close& his eyes" 6;hat essage a I to Skill to Shre%&07 e" 6;ell" I %ill &o this thing! then! e no%07 ust $ro ise to take all bla e for it"7 y cha bers! then! an& Skill for

than threatening to tattle to the (ing" 6Shre%& %ill not be $lease& that you

<1<

I consi&ere&" This %oul& be a ga e of ri&&les! if I %ere to kee$ #ugust una%are of %e y true $roble " 6Tell hi *rince Rurisk.s health is excellent! an& the ay all ho$e to see hi li'e to ol& age" Regal still %ishes to gi'e hi

gift! but I &o not think it a$$ro$riate"7 #ugust o$ene& his eyes" 6The Skill is an i $ortantG7 6I kno%" Tell hi "7 So #ugust sat an& took se'eral breaths! an& close& his eyes" #fter a fe% o ents he o$ene& his eyes" 6He says to listen to Regal"7 6That.s all07 6He %as busy" #n& 'ery irritate&" 5o% lea'e a fool before y king"7 a&e to that" But I let hi %alk uch There %ere a &o1en %itty re$lies I coul& ha'e e alone" I fear you.'e a&e e

a%ay" I %on&ere& if he ha& Skille& to (ing Shre%& at all" I sat &o%n on the stone bench an& reflecte& that I ha& gaine& nothing at all an& %aste& ti e" The te $tation ca e an& I trie& it" I close& focuse&! o$ene& $alace" #gain that &ay! at noon! (ettricken ascen&e& the &ais alone" Her %or&s to&ay %ere 4ust as si $le as she announce& that she %as bin&ing herself to the $eo$le of the Six Duchies" Fro this o ent hence she %as their Sacrifice! in all an&e& it of her" #n& then she thanke& her things! for any reason that they co re in&e& the yself" Shre%&! y king" y o%n eyes! breathe&!

5othing" 5o re$ly" I &oubt that I Skille& at all" I rose an& %ent back into the

o%n $eo$le! bloo& of her bloo&! %ho ha& raise& her an& treate& her %ell! an& she &i& not change her allegiance out of any lack of affection for the ! but only in the ho$es that it %oul& benefit both $eo$les" #gain the silence hel& as she &escen&e& the ste$s" To orro% %oul& be her &ay to $le&ge
<1?

herself to Aerity as a %o an to a Skill so that Aerity The &ay &ragge& for I &i&

an" Fro

%hat I un&erstoo&! Regal an&

#ugust %oul& stan& besi&e her to orro% in Aerity.s stea&! an& #ugust %oul& ight see his bri&e ake her $le&ge to hi " e to 'isit the Blue Fountains" ore ountain uch in as e" @on)ui ca e an& took

y best to be intereste& an& $leasant" ;e returne& to the $alace for

instrels an& feasting an& that e'ening.s &is$lays of arts by the &is$laye& their $ro%ess in stage& bouts" Blue s oke %as 'ery e'i&ence! an& they

$eo$le" @ugglers an& acrobats $erfor e&! an& &ogs &i& tricks an& s%or&s en any %ere in&ulging! s%inging their tiny censers before the

ille& about an& talke& to one another" I un&erstoo& that for the ! it %as e %ith a

like a carris/see& cake! a holi&ay in&ulgence! but I a'oi&e& the trailing s oke of the burn $ots" I ha& to kee$ a clear hea&" 9ha&e ha& su$$lie& $otion to clear the hea& of %ine fu es! but I ha& an& kne% of none for s oke" #n& I %as unuse& to s oke" I foun& a clearer corner an& stoo& a$$arently enra$ture& by a slight %ays fro na e an& Skill fro instrel.s song! but %atching Regal o'er his shoul&er" hi " Fro ti e to ti e they s$oke! #ugust seriously! the y Regal sat at a table! flanke& by t%o brass burners" # 'ery reser'e& #ugust sat a *rince &is issi'ely" I %as not close enough to hear the %or&s! but I sa%

#ugust.s li$s" I sa% (ettricken a$$roach Regal! an& note&

that she a'oi&e& being in the &irect &raft of the s oke" Regal s$oke long to her! s iling an& langui&! an& reache& once to ta$ her han& an& the sil'er rings she %ore" He see e& to be one of those that the s oke s iling! no% &ra%ing back an& beco ing ar a&e talkati'e an& boastful" an& She see e& to teeter like a bir& on a branch! no% &ra%ing closer to hi

ore for al" Then Rurisk ca e to

stan& behin& his sister" He s$oke to Regal briefly an& then took (ettricken.s an& &re% her a%ay" Se'rens a$$eare& an& re$lenishe& Regal.s burners" Regal ga'e a foolish s ile of thanks an& sai& so ething! in&icating the %hole
<1B

hall %ith a %a'e of his han&" Se'rens laughe&! an& left" Shortly after%ar&! 9ob an& Ro%& arri'e& to s$eak to Regal" #ugust rose an& stalke& in&ignantly off" Regal glare& an& sent 9ob to fetch hi back" #ugust ca e! but not graciously" Regal rebuke&! an& #ugust glo%ere&! then lo%ere& his eyes an& conce&e&" I %ishe& &es$erately that I %ere close enough to hear %hat %as sai&" So ething! I felt! %as &efinitely afoot" It so eho% I &oubte& it" I %ent o'er y eager store of facts! feeling sure I %as issing the yself" significance of so ething" But I also %on&ere& if I %as not &ecei'ing to &o as Regal tol& sa'e ti e an& cut e an& let hi y o%n throat" that &es$ite y best efforts! aster0 &ea&! an& beg asylu of hi " #fter all! %ho %oul& not ight be nothing to &o %ith e an& y task" But

*erha$s I %as o'erreacting to e'erything" *erha$s the safest course %as si $ly acce$t the res$onsibility" *erha$s I shoul&

I coul&! of course! go &irectly to Rurisk! tell hi Regal still %ante& hi

fin& attracti'e a traine& assassin %ho ha& alrea&y turne& on one carefully about that"

I coul& tell Regal I %as going to kill Rurisk an& then si $ly not &o it" I thought I coul& tell Regal I %as going to kill Rurisk! an& then kill Regal instea&" The s oke! I tol& about yself" Only the s oke a&e that soun& so %ise" I coul& go to Burrich an& tell hi y situation" are an& ri&e off into the ountains" y I coul& take the *rincess.s ar " I reali1e& I %as staring at a an 4uggling kni'es an& torches" 6I shall long e" re e ber this ex$erience!7 I tol& her" #n& then suggeste& a stroll through the cool of the gar&ens" I kne% the s oke %as affecting
<1C

I %as really an assassin an& ask his a&'ice

6So! are you en4oying yourself 07 @on)ui aske& as she ca e u$ an& took

=ate that night! I re$orte& to Regal.s cha ber" Ro%& a& itte& s iling $leasantly" 6Joo& e'ening!7 he greete&

e this ti e!

e! an& I %alke& in as if into a e %aiting again! an&

%ol'erine.s &en" But the air %ithin the cha ber %as blue %ith s oke! an& this see e& the source of Ro%&.s cheerfulness" Regal ke$t though I tucke& %as affecting co'ering s oke" I looke& u$ as the screen to the inner cha ber sli& asi&e! but it %as only Se'rens" He glance& at Ro%&! then ca e to sit besi&e his silence I aske&! 6;ill Regal see e no%07 e e" #fter a o ent of y y chin to e" 9ontrol! I re in&e& y chest an& breathe& shallo%ly! I kne% the s oke yself! an& trie& not to feel the

gi&&iness" I shifte& in

y seat se'eral ti es an& finally resorte& to o$enly

outh an& nose %ith a han&" It ha& s all effect on screening the

Se'rens shook his hea&" 6He is %ith a , co $anion" But he has truste& sho%

%ith all you nee& to kno%"7 He o$ene& his han& on the bench bet%een us to e a tiny %hite $ouch" 6He has obtaine& this for you" He trusts you %ill ixe& %ith %ine! %ill cause &eath! but not soon" There an &oes not suffer!7 he a&&e&! as if this a$$ro'e" # little of this!

%ill not e'en be sy $to s of &eath for se'eral %eeks! an& then it co es as a lethargy that gra&ually increases" The %ere y $ri ary concern" y brains" 6Is this (ex gu 07 I ha& hear& of such a $oison! but ne'er atter" Only this" *rince Regal says you ake an o$$ortunity"7 I racke&

seen it" If Regal ha& a source! 9ha&e %oul& %ant to kno%" 6I &o not kno% its na e! nor &oes it %ill ha'e a use for it tonight" You %ill 6;hat &oes he ex$ect of

e0 That I %ill go to his cha bers! knock! an& enter

%ith $oisone& %ine for hi 0 Isn.t that a bit ob'ious07

<1D

6Done that %ay! of course it is" But surely your training has gi'en you finesse than that07 6-y training tells hear this fro e that things like this are not &iscusse& %ith a 'alet" I aster foresa% this" This is his

ore ust

Regal! or I &o not act"7 essage" By the $in you an&s this" Refuse it! an& you refuse

Se'rens sighe&" 6-y

carry an& the crest on your breast! he co your king" You %ill be co 6But IG7

itting treason! an& he %ill see you hang for it"7 ore contri'e& %ill

6Take it an& go" The longer you %ait! the later it is! an& the see your 'isit to his cha bers"7 Se'rens rose abru$tly an& left Buckkee$! if I %ere to $reser'e I took y $oison an& left"

e" Ro%& sat like a toa& in the corner! eyeing before %e returne& to y throat" ost y usefulness as an assassin" I %on&ere& if

e an& s iling" I %oul& ha'e to kill both of the

they kne% that" I s ile& back at Ro%&! tasting s oke in the back of

Once at the base of Regal.s staircase! I retreate& to the %all %here it %as Regal.s cha ber" 9linging like a cat! I snugge& in y hea& an&

sha&o%e&! an& cla bere& as s%iftly as I coul& u$ one of the su$$orts of yself u$ to the su$$orts of the cha ber floor an& %aite&" #n& %aite&" >ntil bet%een the s oke %hirling y o%n %eariness an& the lingering effects of (ettricken.s y clu sy tra$ e he ha& e" Ha& herbs! I %on&ere& if I %ere &rea ing all of it" I %on&ere& if %oul& yiel& s$ecifically re)ueste& =a&y Thy e" But Shre%& ha& sent y king gi'en %ith 9ob"
<1E

e nothing" I consi&ere&! finally! that Regal ha& tol&

e instea&" I recalle&

ho% 9ha&e ha& $u11le& o'er that" #n& finally I recalle& his %or&s to

e u$ to Regal0 #n& if he ha&! %hat &i& I o%e to any of the 0

E'entually! I sa% Ro%& &e$art an&! after %hat see e& a 'ery long ti e! return

I coul& hear little through the floor! but enough to kno% Regal.s 'oice" -y e'ening.s $lans %ere being &i'ulge& to 9ob" ;hen I %as certain of it! I %riggle& out of roo " There I y hi&ing $lace! cla bere& &o%n! an& retreate& to a&e certain of so e s$eciali1e& su$$lies" I re in&e& an" I ha& tol& Aerity so" I left y o%n yself!

fir ly! that I %as a king.s

y cha ber an& on folk sle$t on an&

%alke& softly through the $alace" In the Jreat Hall! the co

ats on the floor! in concentric circles aroun& the &ais! to ha'e reser'e& the best 'ie%ing of their *rincess.s $le&ging to orro%" I %alke& a ong the they &i& not stir" So the uch trust! so ill $lace&"

The cha bers of the royals %ere at the extre e rear of the $alace! farthest fro ain entry" There %ere no guar&s" I %alke& $ast the &oor that le& to the of the reclusi'e (ing! $ast Rurisk.s &oor! an& to (ettricken.s" Her ingbir&s an& honeysuckle" I thought ho% uch o ents be&roo

&oor %as &ecorate& %ith hu $asse&" I ta$$e& again"

the Fool %oul& ha'e like& it" I ta$$e& lightly an& %aite&" Slo%

I hear& the scuff of bare feet on %oo&! an& the $ainte& screen sli& o$en" (ettricken.s hair ha& been freshly brai&e&! but fine stran&s ha& alrea&y $ulle& free aroun& her face" Her long %hite night robe accente& her fairness! so that she see e& $ale as the Fool" 6Di& you nee& so ething07 she aske& slee$ily" 6Only the ans%er to a )uestion"7 The s oke still t%ine& through y thoughts" I %ante& to s ile! to be %itty an& cle'er before her" *ale beauty! I thought" I $ushe& the i $ulse asi&e" She %as %aiting" 6If I kille& your brother tonight!7 I sai& carefully! 6%hat %oul& you &o07 She &i& not e'en &ra% back fro not take your bloo& yself"7 arry Aerity07 e" 6I %oul& kill you! of course" #t least! I $le&ge& to your fa ily no%! I coul& %oul& &e an& it &one! in 4ustice" #s I a

6But %oul& you go on %ith the %e&&ing0 ;oul& you still

<2H

6;oul& you like to co e in07 6I ha'en.t ti e" ;oul& you 6I a arry Aerity07 $le&ge& to their an na e& y brother.s" I ost bin&ing0 I $le&ge& to the Six Duchies! to be their )ueen" I a

$eo$le" To orro%! I $le&ge to the (ing/in/;aiting" 5ot to a Aerity" But e'en %ere it other%ise! ask yourself! %hich is the a boun& alrea&y" It is not 4ust arry a an I a y %or&! but y father.s" #n& %oul& not %ant to not the an %ho ha& or&ere& ust go"7 y &isturbing your rest"7

y brother.s &eath" But it is gi'en there! in the

$le&ge& to" It is the Six Duchies" I a y $eo$le" There I y la&y" Forgi'e

ho$es of it benefiting I no&&e&" 6Thank you! 6To your brother"7

6;here &o you go no%07 She re aine& stan&ing in her &oor as I turne& an& %alke& to her brother.s cha ber" I ta$$e& an& %aite&" Rurisk &oor uch ore )uickly" y 6-ay I co e in07 69ertainly"7 Jracious! as I ha& ex$ecte&" The e&ge of a giggle tease& at resol'e" 9ha&e %oul& not be $rou& of you 4ust no%! I counsele& refuse& to s ile" I entere& an& he close& the &oor behin& hi " 6If you %ish it!7 he sai&! $u11le& but $olite" I seate& still %ar " I ha& not seen hi yself on a chair %hile he ore unsto$$ere& a carafe an& $oure& for us" There %as a censer on his table! too! in&ulge earlier" He $robably ha& thought it safe to %ait until he %as alone in his cha ber" But you ne'er can tell %hen an assassin %ill co e calling %ith a $ocketful of &eath" I $ushe& &o%n a silly s ile" He fille& t%o glasses" I leane& for%ar& an& sho%e& hi
<21

ust ha'e been resti'e! for he o$ene& the

yself! an&

e" 6Shall %e ha'e %ine07 I aske&

y t%ist of

$a$er" *ainstakingly! I ti$$e& it into his %ine! $icke& u$ the glass! an& s%irle& it to see it %ell &issol'e&" I han&e& it to hi " 6I.'e co e to $oison you! you see" You &ie" Then (ettricken kills she arries Aerity"7 I lifte& y glass an& si$$e& fro e" Then it" #$$le %ine" Fro

Farro%! I guesse&" *robably $art of the %e&&ing gifts" 6So %hat &oes Regal gain07 Rurisk eye& his %ine %ith &istaste an& set it asi&e" He took han&" He &rank fro e! exten&ing y glass fro y it" There %as no shock in his 'oice as he sai&! 6He.s ri& of e as %ell as to y king&o " But if I %ere &ea&!

you" I gather he &oes not 'alue your co $any" He has been 'ery gracious to any gifts to (ettricken %oul& be left sole heir to the -ountain (ing&o " That %oul& benefit the Six Duchies! %oul& it not07 6;e cannot $rotect the lan& %e alrea&y ha'e" #n& I think Regal %oul& see it as benefiting Aerity! not the king&o "7 I hear& a noise outsi&e the &oor" 6That %ill be 9ob! co ing to catch e in the act of $oisoning you!7 I sur ise&" I e into the roo " rose! %ent to the &oor! an& o$ene& it" (ettricken $ushe& $ast I close& the screen )uickly behin& her" 6He.s co e to $oison you!7 she %arne& Rurisk" 6I kno%!7 he sai& gra'ely" 6He $ut it in his"7 He refille& the glass fro ca4ole& %hen she shook her hea&" 6I &on.t see any hu or in this!7 she sna$$e&" Rurisk an& I looke& at one another an& grinne& foolishly" S oke" Her brother s ile& benignly" 6It.s like this" Fit19hi'alry reali1e& tonight he is a &ea& an" Too any $eo$le ha'e been tol& he is an assassin" If he kills e! you kill hi " If he &oesn.t kill e! ho% can he go ho e an& face his king0 y %ine" That.s %hy I. &rinking the carafe an& offere& it to her" 6It.s a$$le!7 he

E'en if his king forgi'es hi ! half the court %ill kno% he.s an assassin" That
<22

akes hi

useless" >seless bastar&s are a liability to royalty"7 Rurisk finishe& e that e'en if I kille& you tonight! she %oul& still $le&ge to

his lecture by &raining the rest of the glass" 6(ettricken tol& Aerity to orro%"7 #gain! he %as not sur$rise&" 6;hat %oul& she gain by refusing0 Only the en ity of the Six Duchies" She %oul& be fors%orn to your $eo$le! a great sha e to our $eo$le" She %oul& beco e outcast! to the goo& of no one" It %oul& not bring an07 6;e %oul& $rotect the Re e ber! I a 6I fro such kno%le&ge" Eyo& an& y sister %oul&! an0 any%ay" Shall a %hole king&o Sacrifice here"7 eant" rise to %ar o'er the &eath of one e back"7 6#n& %oul& not your $eo$le rise u$ at the thought of gi'ing her to such a

For the first ti e I &i ly un&erstoo& %hat that

ay soon be an e barrass ent to you!7 I %arne& hi " 6I %as tol& it %as a an

slo% $oison" But I looke& at it" It is not" It is a si $le extract of &ea&root! an& actually rather s%ift! if gi'en in sufficient )uantity" First! it gi'es a tre ors"7 Rurisk exten&e& his han&s on the table! an& they tre ble&" (ettricken looke& furious %ith both of us" 6Death follo%s s%iftly" #n& I ex$ect I a su$$ose& to be caught in the act an& &is$ose& of along %ith you"7 Rurisk clutche& at his throat! then let his hea& loll for%ar& on his chest" 6I a $oisone&:7 he intone& theatrically" 6I.'e ha& enough of this!7 (ettricken s$at! 4ust as 9ob tore the &oor o$en" 6 F;are treachery:7 he crie&" He %ent %hite at the sight of (ettricken" 6-y la&y $rincess! tell has $oisone& it:7 e you ha'e not &runk of the %ine: This traitorous bastar&

<28

I think his &ra a %as rather s$oile& by the lack of res$onse" (ettricken an& I exchange& looks" Rurisk rolle& fro hisse& at hi " 6I $ut the $oison in the %ine!7 I tol& 9ob genially" 6@ust as I %as charge& to &o"7 #n& then Rurisk.s back arche& in his first con'ulsion" The blin&ing reali1ation of ho% I ha& been &u$e& took but an instant" *oison in the %ine" # gift of Farro% a$$le %ine! $robably gi'en this 'ery e'ening" Regal ha& not truste& e to $ut it there! but it %as easy enough to acco $lish! in this y o%n outh" I %on&ere&! trusting $lace" I %atche& Rurisk arch again! kno%ing there %as nothing I coul& &o" #lrea&y! there %as the s$rea&ing nu bness in here! or on a scaffol&0 (ettricken herself un&erstoo&! a 6You soulless filth:7 she s$at at lull hi I %as o ent later! that her brother %as truly &ying" e! an& then sank &o%n at Rurisk.s si&e" 6To as he &ies:7 Her eyes flashe& al ost i&ly! ho% strong the &ose ha& been" I ha& only ha& a si$" ;oul& I &ie his chair onto the floor" 6Oh! sto$ it!7 she

%ith 4ests an& s oke! to s ile %ith hi

to 9ob" 6I &e an& his &eath" Tell Regal to co e here! no%:7 o'ing for the &oor! but 9ob %as faster" Of course" 5o s oke for 9ob ore uscular than I! clearer of hea&" His ar s ine y e an& he bore e &o%n to the floor" His face %as close to this night" He %as faster an& close& aroun& as he &ro'e his fist into

y belly" I kne% this breath! this scent of s%eat"

S ithy ha& scente& this! before he &ie&" But this ti e the knife %as in $ut it into hi ! he anage& to hit

slee'e an& 'ery shar$ an& treate& %ith the s%iftest $oison 9ha&e kne%" #fter I e t%ice! goo& soli& $unches! before he fell back! &ying" Joo&/bye! 9ob" #s he fell I su&&enly sa% a freckly stable boy saying! 69o e along no%! there.s so e goo& fello%s"7 It coul& ha'e gone so

<2<

any &ifferent %ays" I ha& kno%n this o%n life" Burrich %as going to be 'ery u$set %ith ha& not struck the floor before I %as burst of light" ;hen I ca e to

an+ killing hi e"

kille& a $art of

#ll those thoughts ha& taken but a fraction of a secon&" 9ob.s outflung han& o'ing for the &oor" (ettricken %as e'en faster" I think it %as a brass %ater e%er" I sa% it as a %hite yself! e'erything hurt" The ost i e&iate $ain %as in y

%rists! for the cor&s that knotte& the see e& to uch care if $arts of

together behin&

y back %ere

unbearably tight" I %as being carrie&" Sort of" 5either Ro%& nor Se'rens e &ragge&" Regal %as there! %ith a torch! an& a 9hyur&a I &i&n.t kno% lea&ing the %ay %ith another" I &i&n.t kno% %here I %as! either! exce$t that %e %ere out&oors" 6Is there no%here else %e can $ut hi 0 5o $lace es$ecially secure07 Regal %as &e an&ing" There %as a uttere& re$ly! an& Regal sai&! 65o! you are right" ;e &o not %ant to raise a great outcry right no%" To orro% is soon enough" 5ot that I think he %ill li'e that long"7 # &oor %as o$ene& an& I %as flung hea&long to an earthen floor barely cushione& by stra%" I breathe& &ust an& chaff" I coul& not cough" Regal gesture& %ith his torch" 6Jo to the *rincess!7 he instructe& Se'rens" 6Tell her I %ill be there shortly" See if there is anything %e can &o to ore co fortable" You! Ro%&! su nee& his Skill so that (ing Shre%& con&e ne&" Jo on! no%" Jo"7 #n& they left! the 9hyur&a lighting their %ay for the " Regal re aine&! looking &o%n on e" He %aite& until their footfalls %ere &istant before he
<2?

ake the *rince

on #ugust fro

his cha bers" ;e %ill

ay kno% ho% he has succore& a scor$ion"

I %ill nee& his a$$ro'al before the bastar& &ies" If he li'es long enough to be

kicke&

e sa'agely in the ribs" I crie& out %or&lessly! for

outh an& throat isfortune

%ere nu b" 6It see s to %allo%ing in stra%! an& ha& brought you into 6#n& so treachery" @ust as I kne%" I kno% y

e %e ha'e been here before! ha'e %e not0 You e looking &o%n on you! %on&ering %hat any things en& as they begin"

y life0 O&&! ho% so

uch of 4ustice is a circle! also" 9onsi&er ho% you fall to $oison an& other &i&" #h! you start" Di& you think I &i& not kno%0 the stench of ight uch you &o not think I kno%" E'erything fro

=a&y Thy e to ho% you lost your Skill %hen Burrich %oul& no longer let you ta$ his strength" He %as s%ift enough to aban&on you %hen he sa% it other%ise cost hi # tre or shook his life"7 e" Regal thre% back his hea& an& laughe&" Then he ga'e a an she alrea&y hates"7 not clear" It %as as if the sky o$ene& u$ e! 6is si $ly not being

sigh an& turne&" 6# $ity I cannot stay an& %atch" But I ha'e a $rincess to console" *oor thing! $le&ge& to a Either Regal left then! or I &i&" I a

an& I flo%e& out into it" 6Being o$en!7 Aerity tol&

close&"7 Then I &rea e&! I think! of the Fool" #n& of Aerity! slee$ing %ith his ar s %ra$$e& aroun& his hea&! as if to kee$ his thoughts in" #n& of Jalen.s 'oice! echoing in a &ark! col& cha ber" 6To orro% is better" ;hen he Skills no%! he scarce has any sense of the roo bon& for e to &o this fro he sits in" ;e &o not ha'e enough ouse of a in& that I &i& a &istance" # touch %ill be re)uire&"7

There %as a s)ueaking in the &ark! a &isagreeable not kno%" 6Do it no%!7 it insiste&"

6Do not be foolish!7 Jalen rebuke& it" 6Shall %e lose it all no%! for the sake of haste0 To orro% is soon enough" =et annoye& us too long"7 6You lea'e e stan&ing in a bloo&bath!7 the
<2B

e %orry about that $art" You

ust ti&y

things there" Ro%& an& Se'rens kno% too

uch" #n& the stable aster has ouse s)ueake& angrily"

6;a&e through it to a throne!7 Jalen suggeste&" 6#n& 9ob is &ea&" ;ho %ill see to %ill &o hi y horses on the %ay ho e07 in&" But the others %ere 6=ea'e the stable aster! then!7 Jalen sai& in &isgust" #n& then! consi&ering3 6I yself! %hen you get ho e" I shall not better &one )uickly" *erha$s the bastar& $oisone& other %ine! in your )uarters" # $ity your ser'ants got into it"7 6I su$$ose" You ust fin& e a ne% 'alet"7 ust be horrifie& at %hat has co e to $ass" Try to utual sy $athy 6;e %ill ha'e your %ife &o that for you" You shoul& be %ith her no%" She has 4ust lost her brother" You bla e the bastar& rather than Aerity" But not too con'incingly" #n& to orro%! %hen you are as berea'e& as she! %ell! %e shall see %hat lea&s to"7 6She is big as a co% an& $ale as a fish"7 6But %ith the ountain lan&s! you %ill ha'e a &efensible inlan& king&o " You ountains an& the 9oastal Duchies" Besi&es! she nee& kno% the 9oastal Duchies %ill not stan& for you! an& Farro% an& Tilth cannot stan& alone bet%een the not li'e longer than her first chil&.s birth"7 6Fit19hi'alry Farseer!7 Aerity sai& in his slee$" (ing Shre%& an& 9ha&e $laye& at &ice bones together" *atience stirre& in her slee$" 69hi'alry07 she aske& softly" 6Is that you07 65o!7 I sai&" 6It.s no one" 5o one at all"7 She no&&e& an& sle$t on" ;hen an& that it y eyes focuse& again! it %as &ark an& I %as alone" -y 4a%s tre ble&! y chin an& shirtfront %ere %et %ith y o%n sali'a" The nu bness e" I &oubte& y o%n behalf" -y eant the $oison %oul&n.t kill

see e& less" I %on&ere& if that

attere&+ I %oul& ha'e s all chance to s$eak in

han&s ha& gone nu b" #t least they &i&n.t hurt any ore" I %as horribly thirsty"
<2C

I %on&ere& if Rurisk %as &ea& yet" He ha& taken a lot ha&" #n& 9ha&e ha& sai& it %as )uick" #s if in ans%er to 5osy.s I flung

ore of the %ine than I oon" The

y )uestion! a cry of $urest $ain rose to the

ululation see e& to hang there! an& to $ull aster %as &ea&"

y heart out %ith it as it rose"

yself to%ar& hi ! %ra$$e& the ;it aroun& hi " I kno%! I kno%! an&

%e shi'ere& together as one he ha& lo'e& $asse& beyon& reach" The great aloneness %ra$$e& us together" Boy0 Faint! but true" # $a% an& a nose! an& a &oor e&ge& o$en" He $a&&e& to%ar& e! his nose telling e ho% ba& I s elle&" S oke an& bloo& an& fear e! he lay &o%n besi&e e an& $ut his hea& on y s%eat" ;hen he reache& He left e" It hurts" e0 The ol& &og lifte& his hea&" -en cannot the &e$ths of his loosen! a a$art" 5osy turne& a&e e'erything hurt y face uscles y chest an& I y bon&s" I felt the

back" ;ith the touch ca e the bon& again" Stronger no% that Rurisk %as gone" I kno%" # long ti e $asse&" Free

grie'e as &ogs &o" ;e shoul& be grateful for that" But fro anguish! he still rose! an& set %orn teeth to his hea& to set his back teeth to the " #t last the thongs $arte&" I $ulle& &ifferently" I still coul& not feel %ra$$e& a stiff ar y ar s for%ar&" That stran& at a ti e! but ha& not e'en the strength to $ull the

y han&s! but I coul& roll o'er an& get e" -y

out of the stra%" 5osy an& I sighe& together" He $ut his hea& on aroun& hi " #nother tre or shook

clenche& an& unclenche& the sel'es so 'iolently that I sa% &ots of light" But it $asse&! an& I still breathe&" I o$ene& Besi&e y eyes again" =ight blin&e& e! but I &i& not kno% if it %as real" y eyes a&4uste& to his lantern I e! 5osy.s tail thu $e& the stra%" Burrich slo%ly sank &o%n besi&e

us" He $ut a gentle han& on 5osy.s back" #s

<2D

coul& see the grief in his face" 6#re you &ying07 he aske& neutral! it %as like hearing a stone s$eak" 6I. not sure"7 That %as %hat I trie& to say" -y

e" His 'oice %as so

outh still %asn.t %orking

'ery %ell" He rose an& %alke& a%ay" He took the lantern %ith hi " I lay alone in the &ark" Then the light ca e back an& Burrich %ith a bucket of %ater" He lifte& hea& an& sloshe& so e into but I coul&n.t ha'e outh t%ice #fter a bit y outh" 6Don.t s%allo% it!7 he cautione& uscles %ork any%ay" He %ashe& out e trying to get anage&" y teeth an& e a&e those y e! y

ore an& then half &ro%ne& y hea& see e& to clear" I

e to &rink so e" I

fen&e& off the bucket %ith a %oo&en han&" 65o!7 I o'e& coul& feel the " 6I kille& 9ob!7 I tol& hi "

y tongue against

6I kno%" They brought his bo&y out to the stables" 5o one %ante& to tell anything"7 6Ho% &i& you kno% to fin& 6You hear& 5osy"7 6Yes" The ho%ling"7 6That isn.t %hat I eant"7 He %as )uiet a long ti e" 6Sensing a thing isn.t the sa e as using a thing"7 e07 He sighe&" 6I 4ust ha& a feeling"7

I coul&n.t think of anything to say back to that" #fter a %hile I sai&! 69ob is the one %ho knife& you on the stairs"7 6;as he07 Burrich consi&ere&" 6I ha& %on&ere& %hy the &ogs barke& so little" They kne% hi " Only S ithy reacte&"7 -y han&s screa e& su&&enly to life" I fol&e& the o'er the " 5osy %hine&" 6Sto$ it!7 Burrich hisse&"
<2E

to

y chest an& rocke&

6@ust no%! I can.t hel$ it!7 I re$lie&" 6It all hurts so ba&! I. o'er"7 Burrich %as silent" 6#re you going to hel$ you0 ;hat ha'e you beco e07 6I a %hat you are!7 I tol& hi honestly" 6# king.s e07 I aske& finally"

s$illing out all

6I &on.t kno%!7 he sai& softly! an& then! al ost $lea&ingly! 6Fit1! %hat are an" Burrich! they.re

going to kill Aerity" If they &o! Regal %ill beco e (ing"7 6;hat are you talking about07 6If %e stay here %hile I ex$lain it all! it %ill ha$$en" Hel$ e get out of here"7 He see e& to take a 'ery long ti e to think about it" But in the en&! he hel$e& e to stan& an& I hel& on to his slee'e as I staggere& out of the stables an& into the night"

9H#*TER T;E5TY/THREE The ;e&&ing THE #RT OF DI*=O-#9Y is the luck of kno%ing secrets than he kno%s of yours" #l%ays &eal fro %ere Shre%&.s axi s" #n& Aerity abi&e& by the " ore of your ri'al.s a $osition of $o%er" These

6You ha'e to get #ugust" He.s the only ho$e Aerity has"7 ;e %ere sitting in the grayness before &a%n on a hillsi&e abo'e the $alace" ;e ha& not gotten far" The terrain %as stee$! an& I %as in no con&ition for hiking" I %as beginning to sus$ect that Regal.s kick ha& rene%e& Jalen.s ol& &a age to &ee$ breath stabbe& y ribs" E'ery e! an& y y legs e" Regal.s $oison still sent tre ors through

legs buckle& often an& un$re&ictably" #lone! I coul& not stan&! for
<8H

%oul& not su$$ort

e" I coul& not e'en cling to a tree trunk an& hol&

yself

u$right+ there %as no strength in har&! in the left to

y ar s" #roun& us in the &a%n forest bir&s uch of this &a age %as y

calle&! s)uirrels %ere gathering stores for the %inter! an& insects chirre&" It %as i&st of all that life! to %on&er ho% $er anent" ;ere the &ays an& strength of y youth alrea&y s$ent! an& nothing

e but tre bling an& %eakness0 I trie& to $ush the )uestion fro e" #roun& us! the trees %ere i

in&"! to concentrate on the greater $roble s facing the Six Duchies" I stille& yself! as 9ha&e ha& taught ense! %ith a for ti ber" $resence like $eace" I un&erstoo& %hy Eyo& %oul& not cut the 4ust lie back an& slee$! like 5osy at 6;hat hi I $ulle& y si&e" Our $ains still

Their nee&les %ere soft beneath us! the fragrance soothing" I %ishe& I coul& ingle& together! but at least 5osy coul& esca$e his in slee$" akes you think #ugust %oul& hel$ us07 Burrich aske&" 6If I coul& get y thoughts back to our &ile a" 6I &on.t think he.s in'ol'e& %ith y an likely out here"7

the rest of it" I think he is still loyal to the (ing"7 I ha& $resente& infor ation to Burrich as to be con'ince& by $hanto hi y o%n careful conclusions" He %as not a 'oices o'erhear& in

y hea&" So I coul& not tell yself of %hat I ha&

that Jalen ha& not suggeste& killing #ugust! an& therefore he %as

$robably ignorant of their $lot" I %as still unsure

ex$erience&" Regal coul& not Skill" E'en if he coul&! ho% coul& I ha'e o'erhear& Skilling bet%een t%o others0 5o! it ha& to be so ething else! so e other agic" Of Jalen.s &e'ising0 ;as he ca$able of a uch I &i& not kno%" I force& agic that strong0 I &i& not kno%" So yself to set it all asi&e" For no%!

it fit the facts I ha&! better than any other su$$osition I coul& i agine" 6If he.s loyal to the (ing! an& has no sus$icions of Regal! then he is loyal to Regal as %ell!7 Burrich $ointe& out as if I %ere a %itling"
<81

6Then %e.ll ha'e to force hi ! so eho%" Aerity of there" 5o one %ill bother us"7 I floun&ere& for i&eas" 6Bribe so eone to lure hi 6I ha'e this"7 I touche& the earring in 6*atience ga'e it to %ith hi "7 I %as silent! %aiting" y ear"

ust be %arne&"7 arch hi out

6Of course" I.ll 4ust %alk in! $ut a knife to #ugust.s back! an&

out here" Then 4u $ hi "7

6E'en if I kne% so eone bribable! %hat %oul& %e use07 Burrich looke& at it an& al ost 4u $e&" 6;here &i& you get that07 e" Right before I left"7 ore )uietly3 6I thought it %ent to his gra'e 6She ha& no right:7 #n& then!

Burrich looke& asi&e" 6It %as your father.s" I ga'e it to hi "7 He s$oke )uietly" 6;hy07 6Because I %ante& to! ob'iously"7 He close& the to$ic" I reache& u$ an& began to unfasten it" 65o!7 he sai& gruffly" 6(ee$ it %here it is" But it is not a thing to be s$ent in a bribe" These 9hyur&a can.t be bribe& any%ay"7 I kne% he %as right about that" I trie& to think of other $lans" The sun %as co ing u$" -orning! %hen Jalen %oul& act" *erha$s ha& alrea&y acte&" I %ishe& I kne% %hat %as going on in the $alace belo%" Di& they kno% I %as issing0 ;as (ettricken $re$aring to $le&ge herself to a ;ere Se'rens an& Ro%& &ea& yet0 If not! coul& I turn the %arning the 0 6So eone.s co ing:7 Burrich flattene& hi self" I lay back! resigne& to %hate'er ha$$ene&" I ha& no $hysical fight left in Burrich breathe&" e" 6Do you kno% her07 an she %oul& hate0 against Regal by

<82

I turne&

y hea&" @on)ui! $rece&e& by a little &og that %oul& ne'er cli b a tree y nightshirts! an& an instant later the tiny &og %as lea$ing

for Rurisk again" 6The (ing.s sister"7 I &i&n.t bother %his$ering" She %as carrying one of 4oyously aroun& us" He ro $e& in'itingly at 5osy! but 5osy 4ust looke& at hi ournfully" #n instant later @on)ui stro&e u$ to us" 6You hurry"7 6Har& enough to co e back!7 I tol& her! 6%ithout hurrying to $osture o'er e" e cal ly" 6(ettricken has forgi'en you" I ha'e y &eath"7 I %as %atching behin& her for other trackers" Burrich ha& risen an& taken a &efensi'e 65o &eath!7 she $ro ise& ust co e back!7 she sai& to e %ithout $rea ble" 6#n& you ust

been counseling her since last night! but only lately con'ince& her" She has in'oke& her kin right to forgi'e kin for in4ury to kin" By our la%! if kin forgi'e kin! no other can &o other%ise" Your Regal sought to &issua&e her! but only a&e her angry" FHere! %hile I a the in this $alace! I can still in'oke the la% of of @haa $e la% ust be ountain $eo$le!. she tol& hi " (ing Eye& agree&" 5ot because he &oes not ust co e back"7 e07 y ne$he%.s ur&erer" But I cannot

ourn Rurisk! but because the strength an& %is&o res$ecte&! by all" So! you I consi&ere&" 6#n& ha'e you forgi'en 65o!7 she snorte&" 6I &o not forgi'e

forgi'e you for %hat you &i& not &o" I &o not belie'e you %oul& &rink %ine you ha& $oisone&" 5ot e'en a little" Those of us %ho kno% best the &angers of $oisons te $t the least" You %oul& ha'e 4ust $reten&e& to &rink! an& ne'er s$oken of $oison at all" 5o" This %as &one by so eone %ho belie'es hi self 'ery cle'er! an& belie'es others are 'ery stu$i&"7

<88

I felt rather than sa% Burrich lo%er his guar&" But I coul&n.t co $letely relax" 6;hy can.t (ettricken 4ust forgi'e back07 6There is no ti e for this:7 @on)ui hisse&! an& it %as the closest I ha& seen to an angry 9hyur&a" 6Shall I take onths an& years to teach you all I kno% about ust en&ure being bartere& %in balances0 For a $ull! a $ush! for a breath! a sigh0 Do you think no one can feel ho% $o%er sle%s an& tilts 4ust no%0 # $rincess a%ay like a co%" But ;hoe'er kille& y niece is not a $laying $iece to be %on in a &ice ga e" e an& let e go a%ay0 ;hy ust I co e

y ne$he% clearly %ishe& you to &ie also" Shall I let hi

that toss0 I think not" I &o not kno% %ho I %ish to %in+ until I &o! I %ill let no $layer be eli inate&"7 6That.s logic I un&erstan&!7 Burrich sai& a$$ro'ingly" He stoo$e& an& haule& e su&&enly to shoul&er un&er y feet" The %orl& rocke& alar ingly" @on)ui ca e to $ut her y other ar " They %alke& an& y feet arionette& across the

groun& bet%een the " 5osy hea'e& hi self to his feet an& follo%e&" #n& so %e returne& to the $alace at @haa $e" Burrich an& @on)ui took the groun&s an& $alace to e right through the $eo$le gathere& all throughout y roo " I actually excite& little interest" I %as 4ust uch %ine an& s oke last night" *eo$le %ere %hich to 'ie% the &ais to %orry y roo ! @on)ui.s $laci& ourning! so I assu e& the %or& of Rurisk.s

an outlan&er %ho ha& ha& too about e" There %as no air of

too absorbe& in fin&ing goo& $laces fro

&eath ha& not been release&" ;hen %e finally entere& face &arkene&"

6I &i& not &o this: I only took a nightshirt! to gi'e Ruta a scent"7 6This7 %as the &isasse bly of &iscreetly &one" @on)ui i y roo " It ha& been thoroughly if not ake sense of the e&iately set to $utting things right! an& after a

o ent Burrich hel$e& her" I sat in a chair an& trie& to

<8<

situation" 5osy! unnotice&! curle& u$ in a corner" I unthinkingly exten&e& co fort to hi " Burrich i e&iately glance& at e! then at the %oebegone e! I &og" He looke& a%ay" ;hen @on)ui left to fetch %ash %ater an& foo& for He shook his hea&" So they ha& taken besi&e a%ay in e to $rotect

aske& Burrich! 6Ha'e you foun& a tiny %oo&en chest0 9ar'e& %ith acorns07 y $oison cache" I %oul& ha'e like& to $re$are another &agger! or e'en a $o%&er to fling" Burrich coul& not be al%ays e! an& I certainly coul&n.t fen& off an attacker! or run y tra&e tools %ere gone" I %oul& ha'e to y $resent con&ition" But

ho$e I %oul&n.t nee& the " I sus$ecte& Ro%& %as the one %ho ha& been here an& %on&ere& if this ha& been his last act" @on)ui returne& %ith %ater an& foo& an& then excuse& herself" Burrich an& I share& %ash %ater an& %ith so e hel$ I anage& to change into clean! if si $le! clothes" Burrich ate an a$$le" -y ere thought of foo&! but I &rank the %ater! col& fro e" Jetting e" ake his y throat uscles to s%allo% sto ach )uaile& at the

the %ell! that @on)ui ha& brought e" But I sus$ecte& it %as goo& for #n& I felt each o'e"

still took conscious effort! an& I felt like the %ater sloshe& un$leasantly insi&e o ent ticking by! an& %on&ere& %hen Jalen %oul&

The screen sli& asi&e" I looke& u$! ex$ecting @on)ui again! but #ugust entere& on a %a'e of conte $t" He s$oke i &e$art" 6I &o not co e here of e&iately! anxious to &o his erran& an& essage! y o%n 'olition" I co e at the bi&&ing of the

(ing/in/;aiting! Aerity! to s$eak his %or&s for hi " This is his exactly" He is grie'e& beyon& telling byG7 6You Skille& to hi 0 To&ay0 ;as he %ell07 #ugust seethe& at

y )uestion" 6He %as scarcely %ell" He is grie'e& beyon&

telling at Rurisk.s &eath! an& at your betrayal" He bi&s you &ra% strength fro those aroun& you loyal to you! for you %ill nee& it to face hi "7
<8?

6Is that all07 I aske&" 6Fro the (ing/in/;aiting! Aerity! it is" *rince Regal bi&s you atten& u$on ust eant for Regal! has hi ! an& s%iftly! for the ti e of the cere ony is only hours a%ay! an& he be attire& for it" #n& your co%ar&ly $oison! no &oubt foun& $oor Se'rens an& Ro%&" 5o% Regal %ill take hi to try to restore hi self" You ay fin& hi longer to &ress" So &o not kee$ hi there"7

ust &o %ith an untraine& 'alet" It %aiting" He is in the stea s!

6Ho% tragic for hi " #n untraine& 'alet!7 Burrich sai& aci&ly" #ugust $uffe& u$ like a toa&" 6It is scarcely hu orous" Ha'e not you lost 9ob as %ell to this scoun&rel0 Ho% can you bear to ai& hi 07 6If your ignorance %ere not $rotecting you! #ugust! I stoo&! looking &angerous" 6You! too! %ill face charges!7 #ugust %arne& hi atte $te& to hel$ the bastar& esca$e! ser'ing hi instea& of Aerity" You %ill be 4u&ge&"7 6Di& Aerity say so07 Burrich aske& curiously" 6He &i&" He sai& you %ere once the best of king.s en to 9hi'alry! but a$$arently you ha& forgotten ho% to ai& those %ho truly ser'e the (ing" Recall it! he bi&s you! an& assures you of his great %rath if you &o not return to stan& before hi 65o%07 6#s soon as he has eaten"7 #ugust glo%ere& at hi he trie&" 6I ha'e no sto ach to eat! Burrich!7 I $roteste&"
<8B

ight &is$el it"7 Burrich to say

as he retreate&" 6I a

to you! Burrich! that (ing/in/;aiting Aerity is not una%are of ho% you as if he %ere your king

an& recei'e %hat your &ee&s

erit"7

6I recall it only too %ell" I %ill bring Fit1 to Regal"7

an& left" Screens cannot be effecti'ely sla

e&! but

6I kno% that" But %e nee& ti e for this" I foun& ore in the

arke& Aerity.s choice of %or&s! an& e"7

than #ugust &i&" Di& you07

I no&&e&! feeling &efeate&" 6I un&erstoo& also" But it is beyon& tol& to e that %as %hy 9ob trie& to kill

6#re you sure0 Aerity &oes not think so! an& he kno%s of such things" #n& you e! because they sus$ecte& you of &ra%ing on y strength" So Jalen belie'es you can &o it! too"7 Burrich crosse& y lax han& an& $lace& it on his shoul&er" 6I %as king.s e )uietly" 6Aerity kne% it" I ha'e no Skill yself! e to un&erstan& that for such a taking! it

e an& %ent &o%n stiffly on one knee" His ba& leg stretche& a%k%ar&ly

behin& hi " He took

an to 9hi'alry!7 he tol&

you un&erstan&" But 9hi'alry ga'e

%as not as i $ortant as the frien&shi$ bet%een us" I ha'e strength! an& there %ere so e fe% ti es that he nee&e& it! an& I ga'e it %illingly" So I ha'e %ithstoo& this before! in %orse circu stances" Try! boy" If %e fail! %e fail! but at least %e %ill ha'e trie&"7 6I &on.t kno% ho%" I &on.t kno% ho% to Skill! an& I certainly &on.t kno% ho% to ta$ so eone else.s strength to &o it" #n& e'en if I &i&! if I succee&e&! I ight kill you"7 6If you succee&! our king a&e it all see so si $le" y in&! I reache& for Aerity" I trie&! %ith no i&ea ho%! to y han&" I Burrich" But all I hear& %as the t%ittering of bir&s outsi&e I.& faile&+ he kne%" He sighe& So I trie&" I o$ene& &ra% strength fro o$ene& hea'ily" 6;ell" I su$$ose I take you to Regal!7 he sai&" 6If %e &i& not go! %e %oul& be fore'er curious as to %hat he %ante&!7 I a&&e&" ay li'e" That is %hat I a s%orn to" #n& you07 He

the $alace %alls! an& Burrich.s shoul&er %as only a $lace to rest y eyes" I &i&n.t ha'e to tell hi

<8C

Burrich &i& not s ile" 6You ha'e a fey ore like the Fool than yourself"7

oo& on you!7 he sai&" 6You soun&

6Does the Fool talk to you07 I aske& curiously" 6So eti es!7 he sai&! an& took see s"7 6To you! $erha$s!7 he sai& crossly" 6I %on&er %hat he %ants"7 6To bargain" There can be nothing else" #n& if he %ants to bargain! %e able to gain so ething"7 6You s$eak as if Regal follo%s the sa e rules of co us" I.'e ne'er kno%n hi Burrich co $laine&" 6I.& rather clean stalls"7 He $ulle& think I %oul& &ie of it" But I &i& not kno% ho% e either" -y legs tre ble& un&er ran&o beating of e! an& uscle t%itches throughout on sense as the rest of e again to y feet" to &o that" #n& I.'e al%ays hate& court intrigue!7 ay be y ar to hel$ e u$" 6It see s like the closer I %alk to &eath!7 I tol& hi ! 6the funnier e'erything

If I ha& e'er %on&ere& ho% &ea&root felt to its 'icti ! I kne% it no%" I &i& not uch of a life it %oul& lea'e y breath nor the y y gri$ %as uncertain" I coul& feel

y bo&y" 5either

y heart %as $re&ictable" I longe& to be still! %here I coul& listen to

y o%n bo&y an& &eci&e %hat ha& been &one to it" But Burrich gui&e& ste$s $atiently! an& 5osy &roo$e& along behin& us"

I ha& not been to the stea s before! but Burrich ha&" # se$arate tuli$ bu& enclose& a bubbling hot s$ring! ta e& to use as a bath" # 9hyur&a stoo& outsi&e it+ I recogni1e& hi thought anything o&& about 9lou&s of stea as the torchbearer fro the night before" If he y rea$$earance! he &i& not sho% it" He ste$$e& e u$ the ste$s to enter" ineral scent %ith the " ;e $asse&

asi&e as if ex$ecting us! an& Burrich &ragge& fogge& the air! carrying a

a stone bench or t%o+ Burrich %alke& carefully on the s ooth tile floor as %e
<8D

a$$roache& the source of the stea " The %ater rose in a central s$ring! %ith bricke& si&es built u$ aroun& it to contain it" Fro the &e$th of the $on&" The stea there it %as channele& in troughs to other! s aller baths! 'arying the heat by the length of the trough an& an& the noise of the falling %ater fille& the air" I &i& not fin& it $leasant+ I labore& 4ust to breathe alrea&y" -y eyes a&4uste& to the &i ness! an& I sa% Regal soaking in one of the larger baths" He looke& u$ at our a$$roach" 6#h!7 he sai&! as if %ell $lease&" 6#ugust tol& e Burrich %oul& bring you" ur&er of her 4ustice" ;ell" I su$$ose you kno% the *rincess has forgi'en your I think it a %aste of ti e! but local custo s

brother0 #n& in this $lace! at least! by &oing so she $reser'es you fro consi&ers you $art of her kin grou$ no%! an& so I

ust be honore&" She says she ust treat you as kin" She e in the s$rings0 It y hatre&"

fails to un&erstan& you %ere not born of a la%ful union! an& hence ha'e no kin rights at all" #h! %ell" ;ill you &is iss Burrich an& 4oin ight ease you" You look 'ery unco fortable! hel& u$ like a shirt on the %ashline"7 He s$oke so genially! so affably! as if una%are of 6;hat &o you %ish to tell 6I a not a fool"7 ust sen& hi a%ay! then"7 an& the noise of the %aters ha& cloake& the 9hyur&a %ell" He %as otion as Burrich turne&" If y %eight! he coul& ha'e a'oi&e& it" Burrich turne& e! Regal07 I ke$t y 'oice flat" 6;ill not you sen& Burrich a%ay07 he aske& again" 6One coul& argue that! but 'ery %ell" I su$$ose I The stea taller than Burrich! an& his cu&gel %as alrea&y in he ha&n.t been su$$orting

his hea&! but the cu&gel hit his skull %ith a terrible! shar$ soun&! like an ax biting %oo&" Burrich fell! an& I %ith hi " I lan&e& half in one of the s aller $on&s" It %as not scal&ing! but nearly so" I anage& to roll out of it! but coul&

<8E

not regain

y feet" -y legs %oul& not obey

e" Burrich besi&e

e lay 'ery

still" I reache& a han& to%ar& hi ! but coul& not touch hi " Regal stoo& u$ an& otione& to the 9hyur&a" 6Dea&07 back behin& that &ee$ tank in The 9hyur&a stirre& Burrich %ith a foot! ga'e a curt no&" 6Joo&"7 Regal %as briefly $lease&" 6Drag hi the corner" Then you ay go"7 To e! he sai&! 6It.s unlikely anyone %ill be

co ing in here until after the cere ony" They.re too busy 4ostling for $ositions" #n& back in that corner , %ell! I &oubt if he.ll be foun& before you are"7 I coul& ake no res$onse" The 9hyur&a stoo$e& an& sei1e& Burrich by the a%ay the &ark brush of his hair feathere& a trail of ixture of hatre& an& &es$air roile& %ith the e" I coul& not ho$e i $ortant" ;arning Aerity &i&" #n& a'enging ankles" #s he &ragge& hi $oison through

bloo& on the tiles" # &i11ying to li'e no%! but it &i& not see counsel a&'ise& e" The

y bloo&" # col& $ur$ose rose an& set in

Burrich" I ha& no $lans! no %ea$ons! no $ossibilities" So $lay for ti e! 9ha&e.s ore ti e you create for yourself! the better the chance that so ething %ill $resent itself" Delay hi " *erha$s so eone %ill co e to see %hy the *rince is not &ressing for the %e&&ing" *erha$s so eone else %ill %ant to use the stea s before the cere ony" Engage hi 6The *rincessG7 I began" 6Is not a $roble !7 Regal finishe& for Burrich" Only you" ;hat I ha'e &one to hi traitor" He ust $ay" #n& the e" 6The *rincess &i& not forgi'e is %ell %ithin %as y rights" He is a ost fon& of his so eho%"

an &is$osing of hi

$rince! Rurisk" He has no ob4ections to any of this"7 The 9hyur&a left the stea s %ithout a glance back" -y han&s scrabble& %eakly on the s ooth tile floor but foun& no $urchase" Regal busily &rie&

<<H

hi self all the %hile" ;hen the I took a breath! $ushe& &o%n

an %as gone! he ca e to stan& o'er ustere& as

e"

6#ren.t you going to call for hel$07 he aske& brightly" y fear" I uch conte $t for Regal as I coul& fin&" 6To %ho 0 ;ho %oul& hear e o'er the %ater07

6So you sa'e your strength" ;ise" *ointless! but %ise"7 6Do you think (ettricken %ill not kno% %hat ha$$ene&07 6She %ill kno% you %ent to the stea s! un%isely in your con&ition" You sli$$e& beneath the hot! hot %ater" Such a sha e"7 6Regal! this is a&ness" Ho% any bo&ies &o you think you can lea'e in your %ake0 Ho% %ill you ex$lain Burrich.s &eath07 6To your first )uestion! )uite a fe%! as long as they are not $eo$le of conse)uence"7 He stoo$e& o'er sa e" Ho% e! an& gri$$e& y shirt" He &ragge& e %hile I thrashe& %eakly! a fish out of %ater" 6#n& to your secon&! %ell! the uch fuss &o you think anyone %ill raise o'er a &ea& stable an0 e carelessly half ato$ Burrich" His still/%ar his nose" # slo% bubble of bloo& ight ha'e a chance also" asi&e" 6You see! an %ho acts %ith You are so obsesse& %ith your $lebeian self/i $ortance that you exten& it to your ser'ants"7 He &u $e& bo&y s$ra%le& face&o%n on the floor" Bloo& %as congealing on the tiles aroun& his face! an& still &ri$$ing fro conceal it fro for e& on his li$s! broke %ith his faint exhalation" He li'e& still" I shifte& to Regal" If I coul& sur'i'e! Burrich Regal notice& nothing" He tugge& rules" So y other taught y boots off an& set the

bastar&!7 he sai& as he $ause& to catch his breath" 6Ruthlessness creates its o%n e" *eo$le are inti i&ate& by a no a$$arent regar& for conse)uences" Beha'e as if you cannot be touche& an& no one %ill &are to touch you" =ook at the %hole situation" Your &eath %ill anger so e $eo$le! yes" But enough to ake the take actions that %oul& affect the security of the %hole Six Duchies0 I think not" Besi&es! your &eath
<<1

%ill be ecli$se& by other things" I.& be a fool not to take this o$$ortunity to re o'e you"7 Regal %as so &a nably cal shook e out of y shirt" He fol&e& a&e too an& su$erior" I fought hi ! but he asi&e" %as sur$risingly strong for the in&ulgent life he le&" I felt like a kitten as he y clothes neatly an& set the 6-ini al alibis %ill %ork" If I ight think I care&" They si $ly kno% nothing" -y uch effort to a$$ear guiltless! $eo$le

ight start then to $ay attention the sel'es" So! I an sa% you enter %ith Burrich after I ha& left" #n& e so that I

I go no% to co $lain to #ugust that you ne'er ca e to talk %ith #ugust

ight forgi'e you! as I ha& $ro ise& *rincess (ettricken" I %ill re$ri an& ost se'erely for not bringing you hi self"7 He looke& aroun&" 6=et.s e e off easily" y haste! but you ha'e )uite yself" Or I shall be late for the see" # nice &ee$ hot one" Right here"7 I clutche& at his throat as he le'ere& u$ to the e&ge! but he shook &elaye& %e&&ing"7 #n& he tu ble& e in" y un$re$are& bo&y" It &ro'e the air fro an& anage& to get y The $ool %as &ee$er than I %as tall! &esigne& to be neck/high on a tall 9hyur&a" It %as $ainfully hot to abo'e %ater" 6Burrich:7 I %aste& not ai& e" The %ater close& on lungs an& I sank" I $ushe& feebly off the botto y face e" #n& I 6Joo&/bye! bastar&!7 he sai& cal ly" 6*ar&on ust rush to &ress

y breath on a shout to so eone %ho coul& e again" -y ar s an& legs %oul& not %ork yself un&er before I coul& once y alrea&y

together" I blun&ere& into a %all an& $ushe& flacci&

again surface an& gas$ in so e air" The hot %ater %as loosening been only knee/&ee$" I lost count of ho%

uscles" I think I %oul& still ha'e been &ro%ning e'en if the %ater ha& any ti es I floun&ere& to the surface! to gas$ a breath" y $alsie& gri$! an& y ribs

The s ooth/%orke& stone of the %alls elu&e&

<<2

stabbe&

e %ith $ain each ti e I trie& for a &ee$ breath" -y strength %as e! lassitu&e flo%ing in" So %ar ! so &ee$" Dro%ne& like a yself as I felt the &arkness closing" Boy0 so eone any ore! let

flo%ing out of

$u$$y! I thought to So

)uerie&! but all %as black" uch %ater! so hot an& so &ee$" I coul& not fin& a botto alone a si&e" I struggle& feebly against the %ater! but there %as no resistance" 5o u$! no &o%n" 5o use fighting to stay ali'e insi&e your king" The %alls of y %orl& fell a%ay fro y bo&y" 5othing left to $rotect! so &ro$ the %alls! an& see if there is one last ser'ice you can ren&er e! an& I s$e& forth like an arro% finally release&" Jalen ha& been right" There %as no &istance in Skilling! no &istance at all" Buckkee$ %as right here! an& Shre%&! I shrieke& in &es$eration" But %alle& to failing! e! no y king %as intent u$on other things" He %as close& an& atter ho% I stor e& aroun& hi " 5o hel$ there" e" So e%here! I %as &ro%ning" -y bo&y %as

Strength %as going fro

y threa& to it %as tenuous" One last chance" Aerity! Aerity! I crie&" I e" Aerity: I %aile&! &ro%ning in ine as I scrabble& u$ e in %hen I %oul& ha'e

foun& hi ! flaile& at hi ! but coul& fin& no $urchase! no gri$" He %as else%here! o$en to so eone else! close& to &es$air" #n& su&&enly it %as as if strong han&s gri$$e& a sli$$ery cliff" Jri$$e& an& hel& tight an& &re% sli$$e& a%ay" 9hi'alry: 5o! it can.t be! it.s the boy: Fit10 You i agine things! no%" Jalen! cal y $rince" There is no one there" #tten& to %hat %e &o e asi&e" I coul& not an& insi&ious as $oison as he $ushe&

%ithstan& hi ! he %as too strong" Fit10 Aerity! unsure no% as I gre% %eaker" Fro I kne% not %here! I foun& strength" So ething ga'e %ay before e! an& I %as strong" I clung to Aerity like a ha%k on his %rist" I %as there %ith hi " I
<<8

sa% %ith Aerity.s eyes3 the freshly &ecke& throne roo ! the Book of E'ents on the great table before hi ! lai& o$en to recei'e the recor&ing of Aerity.s arriage" #roun& hi ! in their best finery an& ost costly 4e%els! the fe% honore& ones %ho ha& been in'ite& to %itness Aerity %itnessing his bri&e.s $le&ge through #ugust.s eyes" #n& Jalen! %ho %as su$$ose& to be offering his strength as a king.s %aiting to &rain hi too $rou& to a& it it" =ike an echo! I sa% through #ugust.s eyes as (ettricken stoo& $ale as a %ax can&le on a &ais before all her $eo$le" She %as telling the ! si $ly an& kin&ly! that last night Rurisk ha& finally succu be& to the arro% %oun& he ha& taken on the Ice Fiel&s" She ho$e& to $lease his face Regal" In Buckkee$! Jalen.s cla% of a han& settle& on Aerity.s shoul&er" I broke into his link %ith Aerity! $ushe& hi asi&e" not" Be%are Jalen! Aerity" Be%are a traitor! co e to &rain you &ry" Touch hi e ory by $le&ging herself as he ha& hel$e& arrange! to the (ing/in/;aiting of the Six Duchies" She turne& to an! %as $oise& besi&e an& slightly behin& Aerity! isuse! an& hi &ry" #n& Shre%&! in cro%n an& robe u$on his throne! %as

all unkno%ing! his Skill burne& an& &ulle& a%ay years ago by

Jalen.s han& tightene& on Aerity.s shoul&er" Su&&enly all %as a sucking 'ortex! &raining! trying to $ull e'erything out of Aerity" #n& there %as not uch left to take" His Skill %as so strong because he let it take so hi so fast" Self/$reser'ation %oul& ha'e a&e another uch fro an hol& back so e

of his strength" But Aerity ha& been s$en&ing his recklessly! e'ery &ay! to kee$ the Re&/Shi$s fro his shores" So little left no% for this cere ony! an& Jalen %as absorbing it" #n& gro%ing stronger as he &i& so" I clung to Aerity! fighting &es$erately to re&uce the loss" Aerity: I crie& to hi " -y $rince" I sense& a brief rallying in hi ! but all %as gro%ing &i
<<<

before his eyes" I hear& a stirring

of alar

as he sagge& an& caught at the table" Faithless Jalen ke$t his gri$ on as he %ent to one knee! ur uring solicitously! 6-y yself" I o$ene&

hi ! bent o'er hi I flung ha& so goo& to through

$rince0 #re you )uite all right07 y strength to Aerity! reser'es I ha& not sus$ecte& in u$ an& let go of the ! 4ust as Aerity &i& %hen he Skille&" I ha& not kno%n I uch to gi'e" 6Take it all" I %oul& &ie any%ay" #n& you %ere al%ays e %hen I %as young"7 I hear& the %or&s as clearly as if I ha& s$oken ortal bon& as strength flo%e& into Aerity e" He %axe& su&&enly strong! beast strong! an& angry" as he rose to his feet again" 6I

the ! an& felt the breaking of a

Aerity.s han& rose to gri$ Jalen.s" He o$ene& his eyes" 6I shall be fine!7 he sai& to Jalen! alou&" He looke& aroun& the roo enough for this0 You %hat s ile&! an& $ulle& fro chest! an e $ty #ugust" #tten& but %orrie& about you" You see e& to tre ble" #re you sure you are strong ust not atte $t a challenge that is beyon& you" Think the earth! Aerity the traitor all that %as in hi " Jalen fell! clutching his in& afar" ight ha$$en"7 #n& as a gar&ener $ulls a %ee& fro

an/sha$e& thing" The onlookers rushe& to atten& hi ! but e %ell" ;arn Regal his half brother is &ea&" Aerity boo e&

Aerity! re$lete no%! lifte& his eyes to the %in&o% an& focuse& his

like the sea! an& I felt #ugust )uail at the strength of the Skilling" Jalen %as too a bitious" He atte $te& that %hich %as beyon& his Skill" # $ity the Iueen.s bastar& coul& not be content %ith the $osition she ga'e hi " # $ity y younger brother coul& not &issua&e his half brother fro his is$lace& a bitions" Jalen o'erste$$e& his $osition" -y younger brother shoul& take hee& of %hat co es of such recklessness" #n&! #ugust" Be sure you tell Regal $ri'ately" 5ot Ia any kne% Jalen %as the Iueen.s bastar& an& his half brother" other.s na e! or his" Such sure he %oul& not %ant scan&al to soil his

fa ily secrets shoul& be %ell guar&e&"

<<?

#n& then! %ith a force that $ut #ugust on his knees! Aerity $ushe& through hi to stan& before (ettricken in her y )ueen/in/%aiting" #n& by in&" I sense& his effort to be gentle" I y na e! I s%ear to you I ha& naught y han&s" =ike a a&e hi self a%ait you!

to &o %ith your brother.s &eath" I kne% nothing of it! an& I grie'e %ith you" I %oul& not %ant you to co e to e thinking his bloo& on 4e%el o$ening %as the light in Aerity.s heart as he ex$ose& it to her that she ight kno% she ha& not been gi'en to a fainte&" That contact %as gone" #n& then Aerity %as sho'ing at y silent! sightless bo&y" e" Back! get back! Fit1" That.s too e like a bear! an& I sla uch! you.ll &ie" Back! let go: #n& he cuffe& e& back into ur&erer" Selflessly! he 'ulnerable to her! gi'ing trust to buil& trust" She s%aye&! but stoo&" #ugust

9H#*TER T;E5TY/FO>R The #fter ath I5 THE JRE#T =IBR#RY at @haa $e there is a ta$estry that is ru ore& to contain a a$ through the ountains to the Rain ;il&s" =ike any @haa $e a$s an& books! the infor ation containe& %as consi&ere& so 'aluable that it %as enco&e& in the for s of ri&&les an& 'isual $u11les" Figure& on the ta$estry! a ong any i ages! are the for s of a &ark/haire&! &ark of an! stout an& uscular an& bearing a re& shiel&! an& in the o$$osite corner! a gol&en/skinne& being" The gol&en/skinne& creature has been the 'icti oths an& fraying! uch larger but it is still $ossible to see that in the scale of the ta$estry! it is

than a hu an! an& $ossibly %inge&" Buckkee$ legen& has it that (ing ;is&o sought an& foun& the El&erlings. ho elan& by a secret $ath through the
<<B

-ountain (ing&o " 9oul& these figures re$resent an El&erling an& (ing ;is&o 0 Does this ta$estry recor& the $ath through the -ountain (ing&o the El&erlings. ho elan& in the Rain ;il&s0 -uch later I learne& ho% I ha& been foun&! leaning against Burrich.s bo&y on the tile floor of the stea s" I %as shaking as %ith an ague an& coul& not be rouse&" @on)ui foun& us! though ho% she kne% to look in the stea s I %ill ne'er kno%" I %ill al%ays sus$ect that she %as to Eyo& as 9ha&e %as to Shre%&! not as assassin $erha$s! but as one %ho ha& %ays of kno%ing or fin&ing out al ost anything that ha$$ene& %ithin the $alace" Ho%e'er it %as! she took co se$arate fro ol& an& of the situation" Burrich an& I %ere isolate& in a cha ber the $alace! an& I sus$ect that for a %hile no one fro Buckkee$ to

kne% %here %e %ere or if %e li'e&" She ten&e& us herself %ith the ai& of one anser'ant" ost y co iserable &ays of an&" I &o1e& I a%oke so e t%o &ays after the %e&&ing" Four of the y life %ere s$ent lying in be&! li bs a t%itch but not at Aerity! or sense& hi sense to bits of kno%le&ge fro trie& to reach again" -y $erio&s of alertness %ere as ba&! for Burrich lay on a $allet in the sa e roo ! breathing hoarsely! but &oing little ore than that" His features %ere the s%ollen an& &iscolore& such that he %as barely recogni1able" Fro
<<C

often! in a &ea&ene& %ay that %as not $leasant! an& either &rea e& 'i'i&ly of trying to Skill to e" The Skill &rea s con'eye& no e" I gras$e& only isolate& he e! other than that he %as concerne& for

the ! such as the color of the curtains in the roo ore 'iolent 4erk of y uscles %oul& shake

Skille& fro ! or the feel of a ring on his finger that he absently t%iste& as he e" So e e fro y &rea s! an& y s$as ing %oul& tor ent e until! exhauste&! I &o1e&

beginning @on)ui ga'e

e little ho$e for hi ! either that he %oul& li'e! or that

he %oul& be hi self if he &i& sur'i'e" But Burrich ha& cheate& &eath before" The s%elling gra&ually subsi&e&! the $ur$ling fa&e&! an& %hen he &i& a%aken! he $rocee&e& to reco'er hi self s%iftly" He ha& no the stable" I tol& hi safe for hi e ories of anything that occurre& after he took only %hat he nee&e& to kno%" It %as e fro ore than it %as

to kno%! but I o%e& it to hi " He %as u$ an& about before I %as!

though at first he ha& ti es of &i11iness an& hea&aches" But before long Burrich %as getting to kno% the @haa $e stables an& ex$loring the to%n at his leisure" In the e'enings he %oul& return! an& %e ha& any long! )uiet con'ersations" ;e both a'oi&e& to$ics %here %e kne% %e %oul& &isagree! an& there %ere areas! such as 9ha&e.s teachings! %here I coul& not be o$en %ith hi " -ostly! though! %e talke& about &ogs he ha& kno%n! an& horses he.& traine&! an& so eti es he s$oke! a little! of his early &ays %ith 9hi'alry" One e'ening I tol& hi about -olly" He %as )uiet for a ti e! an& then tol& e that he.& hear& the o%ner of the Beebal 9han&lery ha& &ie& in &ebt! an& that his

&aughter %ho ha& ex$ecte& to inherit it ha& gone to li'e %ith relati'es in a 'illage instea&" He &i& not re e ber %hat 'illage! but kne% so eone %ho %oul& kno%" He &i& not o%n ock e! but tol& e seriously that I shoul& kno% y in& before I sa% her again" the &ais that &ay! but as soon e&iately" I trust entione& his faint! he &e an&e& to see Regal i

#ugust ne'er Skille& again" He %as carrie& fro as he reco'ere& fro he &eli'ere& Aerity.s Burrich or that Regal %as tol&

essage" For %hile Regal &i& not co e to 'isit either

e &uring our con'alescence! (ettricken &i&! an& she

ost concerne& that %e reco'er )uickly an& co $letely fro e co $letely" She e fro the

our acci&ents! for as he ha& $ro ise& her! he ha& forgi'en

e ho% Burrich ha& sli$$e& an& struck his hea& trying to $ull
<<D

$ool %hen I %ent into a sei1ure" I &o not kno% %ho concocte& that tale" @on)ui herself! $erha$s" I &oubt if e'en 9ha&e coul& ha'e co e u$ %ith a better one" But Aerity.s essage %as the en& of #ugust.s lea&ershi$ of the coterie! an& all by that force" He left court! an& %ent to Skilling as far as I kno%" I &o not kno% if he %as too afrai& after that &ay! or if the talent %as blaste& out of hi %ise" Follo%ing her %e&&ing! (ettricken 4oine& %ith all of @haa $e in a ourning for her brother" Fro %ere gi'en a%ay" To not say uch to y sickbe&! I %as a%are of it onth of ostly as ;ithy%oo&s! %here 9hi'alry an& *atience ha& once rule&" I belie'e he beca e

chi es! chantings! an& great burnings of incense" #ll Rurisk.s $ossessions e Eyo& hi self ca e! an& brought a si $le sil'er ring e %hat the ob4ects %ere! an& that I shoul& an" He left e to %on&er %hy these his son ha& %orn" #n& the hea& of the arro% that ha& $ierce& his chest" He &i& e! exce$t to tell e" ourning asi&e" She ca e to bi& Aerity ha& eli inate& all her an" cherish these re in&ers of an exce$tional ite s ha& been selecte& for #t the en& of a Burrich an& onth! (ettricken set her o ent of Skilling fro

e a s%ift reco'ery an& to bi& us fare%ell until she sa% us at

Buckkee$" The brief

reser'ations about hi " She s$oke of her husban& %ith a )uiet $ri&e an& %ent %illingly to Buckkee$! kno%ing herself gi'en to an honorable It %as not for e to ri&e alongsi&e her at the hea& of that ho e%ar&

$rocession! or to enter Buckkee$ $rece&e& by horns an& tu blers an& chil&ren ringing bells" That %as Regal.s $lace! an& he $ut a gracious face on it" Regal a$$eare& to take Aerity.s %arning to heart" I &o not think Aerity e'er co $letely forga'e hi " But he &is isse& Regal.s $lottings as if they %ere nasty boyish tricks! an& I think that co%e& Regal ore than any $ublic re$ri an& coul& ha'e" The $oisoning %as e'entually bla e& on Ro%& an&
<<E

Se'rens! by those %ho kne% of it" Se'rens ha&! after all! obtaine& the $oison! an& Ro%& ha& &eli'ere& the gift of a$$le %ine" (ettricken $reten&e& to be con'ince& that it %as a unkno%ing is$lace& a bition by ser'ants on behalf of an aster" #n& Rurisk.s &eath %as ne'er o$enly s$oken of as a

$oisoning" 5or &i& I beco e kno%n as an assassin" ;hate'er %as in Regal.s heart! his out%ar& &e eanor %as that of a younger $rince graciously escorting his brother.s bri&e ho e" I ha& a long con'alescence" @on)ui treate& techni)ues! but y in& coul& not see e %ith herbs she sai& %oul& y the rebuil& %hat ha& been &a age&" I shoul& ha'e trie& to learn her herbs an& to hol& things any better than han&s coul&" I actually re e ber little of that ti e" -y reco'ery fro $oisoning %as frustratingly slo%" @on)ui sought to arranging ti e for e in the Jreat =ibrary! but see e& as $rone to tre bling &isor&ers as

ake it less te&ious by ost &ays lying in

y eyes %earie& )uickly an&

y han&s" I s$ent

y be&! thinking" For a ti e I %on&ere& if I %ante& to return to Buckkee$" I %on&ere& if I coul& still be Shre%&.s assassin" I kne% if I returne&! I %oul& ha'e to sit &o%n table fro in the $oisoning of a Regal! an& look u$! to see hi as if he ha& ne'er trie& to kill at y king.s left e! nor use& e han&" I %oul& ha'e to treat hi

an I ha& a& ire&" I s$oke of it frankly one e'ening to e! to look at a an

Burrich" He sat an& listene& )uietly" Then he sai&! 6I cannot i agine it %ill be easier for (ettricken than it %oul& be for you" 5or for %ho has trie& to kill shoul& hate to ha'e hi earring signifie&" ;inter %as no longer a threat! but a reality! %hen %e left the Burrich! Han&s! an& I returne& ountains" uch later to Buckkee$ than the others! for %e
<?H

e t%ice! an& call hi

F y $rince". You

ust &eci&e" I

think he ha& frightene& us a%ay" But if you &eci&e %e

are going else%here! then %e shall"7 I think I finally guesse& then %hat the

took our ti e on the 4ourney" I tire& easily! an& un$re&ictable" I %oul& cru $le at o&& sack of grain" Then they %oul& sto$ to hel$

y strength %as still 'ery the sa&&le like a

o ents! falling fro

e re ount! an& I %oul& force

yself to go on" -any nights I a%oke shaking! %ithout e'en the strength to call out" These la$ses %ere slo% to $ass" ;orst! I think! %ere the nights %hen I coul& not %aken! but &rea e& only of en&lessly &ro%ning" Fro &rea I %oke to Aerity stan&ing o'er e" e genially" ;e ust fin& a aster You.re enough to %ake the &ea&! he tol& $eculiar that I &rea sle$t %ell on one such

for you! to teach you so e control! if nothing else" (ettricken fin&s it a bit so often of &ro%ning" I su$$ose I shoul& be grateful you y %e&&ing night at least" e" Jalen is &ea&! an& I.'e $ut Regal on a shorter broke the tenuous Skill contact!

6Aerity07 I sai& groggily" Jo back to slee$! he tol& Aerity! %ait: But leash" You.'e nothing to fear" Jo to slee$! an& sto$ &rea ing so lou&" y act of gro$ing after hi an& I ha& no choice but to &o as he ha& a&'ise&" ;e tra'ele& on! through increasingly un$leasant %eather" ;e all looke& for%ar& to getting ho e long before %e arri'e& there" Burrich ha&! I belie'e! o'erlooke& Han&s.s abilities until that tri$" Han&s ha& a )uiet co $etence that ins$ire& trust in horses as %ell as &ogs" E'entually he easily re$lace& both 9ob an& an& hi e in the Buckkee$ stables! an& the frien&shi$ that gre% bet%een Burrich cause& e to be ore a%are of y aloneness than I care to a& it" an ha&

Jalen.s &eath %as consi&ere& a tragic thing at Buckkee$ court" Those %ho ha& kno%n hi least s$oke ost kin&ly about hi " Ob'iously the o'erstraine& hi self! for his heart to fail hi so young" There %as so e talk of

na ing a %arshi$ after hi ! as if he %ere a fallen hero! but Aerity ne'er recogni1e& the i&ea an& it ne'er ca e to $ass" His bo&y %as sent back to
<?1

Farro% for burial! %ith all honors" If Shre%& sus$ecte& anything of %hat ha& gone on bet%een Aerity an& Jalen! he ke$t it %ell hi&&en" 5either he nor e'en 9ha&e e'er entione& it to e" The loss of our Skill aster! %ith not e'en an a$$rentice to re$lace hi ! %as no tri'ial thing! es$ecially %ith the Re&/Shi$s on our hori1ons" That %as %hat %as o$enly &iscusse&! but Aerity flatly refuse& to consi&er Serene or any of the others Jalen ha& traine&" I ne'er foun& out if Shre%& ha& gi'en e'en entione& trie& not to let it affect eant Aerity" The ti bers Rurisk ha& $ro ise& ca e to Buckkee$" They ha& to be &ragge& o'erlan& to the Ain Ri'er! before they coul& be rafte& &o%n to Turlake! an& thence &o%n the Buckri'er to Buckkee$" They arri'e& by i&%inter an& %ere all Rurisk ha& sai& they %oul& be" The first co $lete& %arshi$ %as na e& after hi " I think he %oul& ha'e un&erstoo& that! but not )uite a$$ro'e& of it" (ing Shre%&.s $lan ha& succee&e&" It ha& been any years since Buckkee$ ha& ha& a )ueen of any kin&! an& (ettricken.s arri'al stirre& interest in court life" The tragic &eath of her brother on her %e&&ing e'e! an& the bra'e %ay she ha& continue& &es$ite it ca$ture& the i agination of the $eo$le" Her un istakable a& iration for her ne% husban& a&e Aerity a ro antic hero at balls that e'en to his o%n folk" They %ere a striking cou$le! %ith her youth an& $ale beauty setting off Aerity.s )uiet strength" Shre%& &is$laye& the attracte& e'ery inor noble fro e'ery Duchy! an& (ettricken s$oke %ith onies! an& e'en in the stor s of %inter! the e o'er to Regal" I ne'er aske& hi + nor y heart! %hen I sai& 6 y king!7 I y sus$icions to 9ha&e" I su$$ose I &i&n.t %ant to kno%" I y loyalties" But in

intense elo)uence of the nee& for all to ban& together to &efeat the Re&/Shi$ Rai&ers" So Shre%& raise& his 'olunteere& to fortification of the Six Duchies began" -ore to%ers %ere constructe&! an& folk an the " Shi$%rights 'ie& for the honor of %orking on the
<?2

%arshi$s! an& Buckkee$ To%n %as s%ollen %ith 'olunteers to see e& the Re&/Shi$s coul& be &efeate& by sheer %ill alone" I sustain it %hen the realities of the Forgings began again" Of one other I his loyalty to e fro on

an the shi$s" istruste& that

For a brief ti e that %inter! folk belie'e& in the legen&s they create&! an& it oo&! but %atche& as Shre%& $ro ote& it! an& %on&ere& ho% he %oul& ust s$eak! one &ragge& into that conflict an& intrigue only by e" To the en& of y &ays! I %ill bear the scars he ga'e e" His y han& se'eral ti es before he anage& to &rag

%orn teeth sank &ee$ly into

that $ool" Ho% he &i& it! I %ill ne'er kno%" But his hea& still reste& ortal bon&s to this %orl& ha& broken"

y chest %hen they foun& us+ his

5osy %as &ea&" I belie'e he ga'e his life freely! recalling that %e ha& been goo& to one another %hen %e %ere $u$$ies" -en cannot grie'e as &ogs &o" But %e grie'e for any years"

E*I=OJ>E YH> #RE ;E#RIED!7 fro y boy says" He is stan&ing at y elbo% an& I &o not kno% ho% long he has been there" He reaches for%ar& slo%ly! to lift the $en y lax gri$" ;earily I regar& the faltering trail of ink it has tracke& &o%n ine the han& that y $age" I ha'e seen that sha$e before! I think! but it %as not ink then" # trickle of &rying bloo& on the &eck of a Re&/Shi$! an& s$ille& it0 Or %as it a ten&ril of s oke rising black against a blue sky as I ro&e too late to %arn a 'illage of a Re&/Shi$ rai&0 Or $oison s%irling an& unfurling yello%ly in a si $le glass of %ater! $oison I ha& han&e& so eone! s iling all the %hile0 The artless curl of a stran& of %o an.s hair left u$on the trail a s ol&ering to%er at Sealbay0 The track of a tear &o%n a
<?8

y $illo%0 Or the

an.s heels left in the san& as %e &ragge& the bo&ies fro

other.s cheek as she

clutche& her Forge& infant to her &es$ite his angry cries0 =ike Re&/Shi$s! the e ories co e %ithout %arning! %ithout says again! an& I reali1e I a 6*ut the stacks the ercy" 6You shoul& rest!7 the boy akes sitting! staring at a line of ink on a $age" It

no sense" Here is another sheet s$oile&! another effort to set asi&e" a%ay!7 I tell hi ! an& &o not ob4ect as he gathers all the sheets an& ha$ha1ar&ly together" Herbary an& history! y a$s an& usings! all in&" I can no longer recall %hat any ti es before e" So instea&

a ho&ge$o&ge in his han&s as they are in that %ay lies ake a tea for

it %as I set out to &o" The $ain is back! an& it %oul& be so easy to )uiet it" But a&ness! as has been $ro'en so I sen& the boy to fin& t%o lea'es of carry e! an& ginger root an& $e$$er int to e" I %on&er if one &ay I %ill ask hi to fetch three lea'es of that 9hyur&an herb" So e%here! a frien& says softly! 65o"7

#ssassin.s Iuest Farseer Trilogy Book 8 Robin Hobb *RO=OJ>E The >nre e bere& I #;#(E EAERY -OR5I5J %ith ink on s$ra%le&! face&o%n! on -y boy! %hen he co es in %ith y tray!
<?<

y han&s" So eti es I a e for not taking

y %orktable! a i&st a %elter of scrolls an& $a$ers" ay &are to chi&e

yself off to be& the night before" But so eti es he looks at 'entures no %or&" I &o not try to ex$lain to hi secret one can gi'e to a younger o%n" # an has to ha'e a $ur$ose in life" I kno% this no%! but it took y life to learn it" In that I scarcely think an+ it is one he

y face an&

%hy I &o as I &o" It is not a ust earn an& learn on his e the first

score years of

yself uni)ue" Still! it

is a lesson that! once learne&! has re aine& %ith %ith %hich to occu$y

e" So! %ith little besi&es $ain

yself these &ays! I ha'e sought out a $ur$ose for

yself" I ha'e turne& to a task that both =a&y *atience an& Scribe Fe&%ren ha& long ago a&'ocate&" I began these $ages as an effort to %rite &o%n a coherent history of the Six Duchies" But I foun& it &ifficult to kee$ on a single to$ic! an& so I &istract of agic! on y obser'ations of $olitical structures! an& y in& long fixe& y theories y o%n y reflections on yself %ith lesser treatises! on

other cultures" ;hen the &isco fort is at its %orst an& I cannot sort thoughts %ell enough to %rite the &istracting y in&" e as Aerity.s ake a legible recor&ing of ol&er &ocu ents" I busy -y %riting ser'es

&o%n! I %ork on translations! or atte $t to y han&s in the ho$e of

a$ aking once ser'e& hi " The &etail of ake one forget

the %ork an& the concentration re)uire& is al ost enough to

both the longings of the a&&iction! an& the resi&ual $ains of ha'ing once in&ulge& it" One can beco e lost in such %ork! an& forget oneself" Or one can go e'en &ee$er! an& fin& ha'e %an&ere& far fro beco e" ;hen one is &ee$ly absorbe& in such a recounting! it is sur$rising ho% &etail one can recall" 5ot all the e ories I su
<??

any recollections of that self" #ll too often! I fin& I e face/to/face %ith %ho I once %as! an& %ho I ha'e uch

a history of the &uchies into a history of Fit19hi'alry"

Those recollections lea'e

on u$ are $ainful" I ha'e ha&

ore than a 4ust share of goo& frien&s! an& foun& the

ore loyal than I ha& y heart.s

any right to ex$ect" I ha'e kno%n beauties an& 4oys that trie& a greater share of &ark in& shies a%ay fro Regal kille& are en&ure& as he star'e& e ories than ost en+ fe%

strength as surely as the trage&ies an& uglinesses ha'e" Yet I $ossess! $erha$s! en ha'e kno%n &eath in a &ungeon! or can recall the insi&e of a coffin burie& beneath the sno%" The the &etails of such things" It is one thing to recall that e an& then ha& e beaten to &eath" ;hen I &o! there y nose" e" It is another to focus on the &etails of the &ays an& nights y bo%els to ice! e'en after all these years" I y &rea s! %here I fight to re ain ake a final effort to kill y s%ollen skin an& left the scar %hen I took $oison e" e ore ine" an!

o ents that still can turn

can recall the eyes of the There still exists for stan&ing! trying not to let Regal" I recall the blo% fro &o%n

an an& the soun& of his fist breaking yself think of ho% I %ill hi that s$lit

e a $lace I 'isit in

y face that I still bear" yself the triu $h I ce&e& to hi

I ha'e ne'er forgi'en an& &ie&" But

ore $ainful than the e'ents I can recall are those that are lost to e! I &ie&" I %as ne'er again co

;hen Regal kille&

only kno%n as

Fit19hi'alry! I ne'er rene%e& bon&s to the Buckkee$ folk %ho ha& kno%n since I %as a chil& of six" I ne'er li'e& in Buckkee$ 9astle again! ne'er again" =ost to e %ere the rhyth s of li'es that ha& intert%ine& %ith

%aite& on the =a&y *atience! ne'er sat on the hearthstones at 9ha&e.s feet Frien&s &ie&! others %ere %e&! babes %ere born! chil&ren ca e of age! an& I sa% none of it" Though I no longer $ossess the bo&y of a healthy young any still li'e %ho once calle& I cannot"
<?B

e frien&" So eti es! still! I long to rest eyes

on the ! to touch han&s! to lay to $eace the loneliness of years"

Those years are lost to

e! an& all the years of their li'es to co e" =ost! too! is onth! but see ing uch longer! %hen I %as y ar s! yet I &i& y &eath %hen I %as

that $erio&! no longer than a not see hi

confine& to &ungeon an& then coffin" -y king ha& &ie& in burie&" 5or %as I $resent at the council after e" to foun& guilty of ha'ing use& the ;it that ha& been &ealt *atience ca e to lay clai fro

agic! an& hence &eser'ing of the &eath

y bo&y" -y father.s %ife! once so &istresse& to e y bo&y for burial! that straightene& as carefully as if I

&isco'er he ha& sire& a bastar& before they %ere %e&! %as the one %ho took that cell" Hers the han&s that %ashe& y li bs an& %ra$$e&

e in a gra'e cloth" #%k%ar&! eccentric =a&y *atience! y %oun&s an& boun& the ourne& e" y assassin entor! ca e y gra'e an& sa% to the burying of e! %hen all others! out of

for %hate'er reason! cleanse&

still li'e&" She alone or&ere& the &igging of y coffin" She an& =acey! her %o an! fear or &isgust at y cri e! aban&one&

Yet she kne% nothing of ho% Burrich an& 9ha&e! clu $s of earth that ha& been tosse& &o%n on an& then su %ith one&! by his o%n ;it

nights later to that gra'e! an& &ug a%ay the sno% that ha& fallen an& the fro1en y coffin" Only those t%o %ere y bo&y! $resent as Burrich broke through the li& of the coffin an& tugge& out y soul" They %reste& that soul fro

agic! the %olf that ha& been entruste& the %olf an& seale& it back into the ore in a an.s sha$e! e! to %alk once

battere& bo&y it ha& fle&" They raise& not kno% if I thank the

to recall %hat it %as to ha'e a king an& be boun& by an oath" To this &ay! I &o for that" *erha$s! as the Fool insists! they ha& no choice" *erha$s there can be no thanks nor any bla e! but only recognition of the forces that brought us an& boun& us to our ine'itable fates"

<?C

9H#*TER O5E Jra'ebirth I5 THE 9H#=9ED States! sla'es are ke$t" They su$$ly the &ru&ge labor" They are the iners! the bello%s %orkers! the galley ro%ers! the cre%s for the offal %agons! the fiel&/%orkers! an& the %hores" O&&ly! sla'es are also the nurse ai&s an& chil&ren.s tutors an& cooks an& scribers an& skille& craftsfolk" #ll of 9halce&.s glea ing ci'ili1ation! fro class" The Bingto%n Tra&ers are the is true" In a4or source of the sla'e su$$ly" #t one ti e! ost sla'es %ere ca$ti'es taken in %ar! an& 9halce& still officially clai s this ore recent years there ha'e not been sufficient %ars to kee$ u$ %ith the &e an& for e&ucate& sla'es" The Bingto%n Tra&ers are 'ery resourceful in fin&ing other sources! an& the ra $ant $iracy in the Tra&e Islan&s is often entione& in association %ith this" Those %ho are sla'e o%ners in 9halce& sho% little curiosity about %here the sla'es co e fro ! so long as they are healthy" Sla'ery is a custo con'icte& of a cri e that has ne'er taken root in the Six Duchies" # an an aking ay be re)uire& to ser'e the one he has in4ure&! but a the great libraries of @e$ to the fable& fountains an& baths at Sin4on.s! is foun&e& on the existence of a sla'e

li it of ti e is al%ays $lace&! an& he is ne'er seen as less than a

atone ent" If a cri e is too heinous to be re&ee e& by labor! then the cri inal $ays %ith his &eath" 5o one e'er beco es a sla'e in the Six Duchies! nor &o our la%s su$$ort the i&ea that a househol& an& ha'e the ho e"
<?D

ay bring sla'es into the king&o any 9halce& sla'es %ho &o %in

re ain so" For this reason!

free of their o%ners by one $ath or another often seek the Six Duchies as a ne%

These sla'es bring %ith the

the far/flung tra&itions an& folklore of their o%n

lan&s" One such tale I ha'e $reser'e& has to &o %ith a girl %ho %as Aecci! or %hat %e %oul& call ;itte&" She %ishe& to lea'e her $arents. ho e! to follo% a an she lo'e& an& be his %ife" Her $arents &i& not fin& hi %orthy an& &enie& her $er ission" ;hen they %oul& not let her go! she %as too &utiful a chil& to &isobey the " But she %as also too ar&ent a %o an to li'e %ithout her true lo'e" She lay &o%n on her be& an& &ie& of sorro%" Her $arents burie& her %ith great ourning an& uch self re$roach that they ha& not allo%e& her to follo% ight not her heart" But unbekno%nst to the ! she %as ;it/bon&e& to a she/bear" #n& %hen the girl &ie&! the she/bear took her s$irit into her kee$ing! so it be free of the %orl&" Three nights after the girl ha& been burie&! the she bear &ug u$ the gra'e! an& restore& the girl.s s$irit to her bo&y" The girl.s gra'ebirth a&e her a ne% $erson! no longer o%ing &uty to her $arents" So she left the shattere& coffin an& %ent seeking her one true lo'e" The tale has a sa& en&ing! for ha'ing been a she/bear for a ti e! she %as ne'er %holly hu an again! an& her true lo'e %oul& not ha'e her" This scra$ of a tale %as the basis for Burrich.s &ecision to try to free *rince Regal.s &ungeon by $oisoning The roo fro e" e" I got u$ e fro

%as too hot" #n& too s all" *anting no longer coole&

the table an& %ent to the %ater barrel in the corner" I took the co'er off it

an& &rank &ee$ly" Heart of the *ack looke& u$ %ith an al ost/snarl" 6>se a cu$! Fit1"7 ;ater ran fro y chin" I looke& u$ at hi stea&ily! %atching hi " e! back to his o%n 6;i$e your face"7 Heart of the *ack looke& a%ay fro han&s" He ha& grease on the I licke& y li$s"
<?E

an& %as rubbing it into so e stra$s" I snuffe& it"

6I a

hungry!7 I tol& hi " e" He o'e& his han& to%ar& the table

6Sit &o%n an& finish your %ork" Then %e %ill eat"7 I trie& to re e ber %hat he %ante& of an& I recalle&" -ore leather stra$s at the har& chair" 6I a hungry no%!7 I ex$laine& to hi " He looke& at e again in the %ay that &i& not sho% his teeth but %as still a snarl" Heart of the *ack coul& snarl %ith his eyes" I sighe&" The grease he %as using s elle& 'ery goo&" I s%allo%e&" Then I looke& &o%n" =eather stra$s an& bits of e" I looke& at the etal %ere on the table before e! an& I ha& to e" for a %hile" #fter a ti e! Heart of the *ack set &o%n his y en& of the table" I %ent back an& sat in

stra$s an& %i$e& his han&s on a cloth" He ca e to stan& besi&e 6You %ere en&ing it here"7 He stoo& o'er

turn to be able to see hi " 6Here!7 he sai&! touching the leather before to sniff it an& he struck y shoul&er" 6Don.t &o that:7 a&e hi

e until I $icke& it u$ again" I bent 'ery! 'ery

-y li$ t%itche&! but I &i& not snarl" Snarling at hi angry" For a ti e I hel& the stra$s" Then it see e& as if before y in& &i&" I %atche& I hel& it u$ before hi

y han&s re e bere&

y fingers %ork the leather" ;hen it %as &one!

an& tugge& it! har&! to sho% that it %oul& hol& e'en if

the horse thre% its hea& back" 6But there isn.t a horse!7 I re e bere& out lou&" 6#ll the horses are gone"7 Brother0 I co e" I rose fro y chair" I %ent to the &oor" e" I 69o e back an& sit &o%n!7 Heart of the *ack sai&" 5ighteyes %aits! I tol& hi " Then I re e bere& he coul& not hear hi that %ay again! he %oul& $ush e" He %oul& not let thought he coul& if he %oul& try! but he %oul& not try" I kne% that if I s$oke to e s$eak to 5ighteyes that %ay uch" He %oul& e'en $ush 5ighteyes if the %olf s$oke too
<BH

uch to y 6I kno%"7

e" It see e& a 'ery strange thing" 65ighteyes %aits!7 I tol& hi

%ith

outh"

6It is a goo& ti e to hunt! no%"7 6It is a better ti e for you to stay in" I ha'e foo& here for you"7 65ighteyes an& I coul& fin& fresh eat"7 -y outh ran at the thought of it" # e" He rabbit torn o$en! still stea ing in the %inter night" That %as %hat I %ante&" 65ighteyes %ill ha'e to hunt alone this night!7 Heart of the *ack tol& %ent to the %in&o% an& o$ene& the shutters a little" The chill air rushe& in" I coul& s ell 5ighteyes an&! farther a%ay! a sno%cat" 5ighteyes %hine&" 6Jo a%ay!7 Heart of the *ack tol& hi " 6Jo on! no%! go hunt! go fee& yourself" I.'e not enough to fee& you here"7 5ighteyes %ent a%ay fro long" =ike the light that s$ille& fro the %in&o%" But he &i& not go too far" He %as %aiting out there for e! he %as hungry no%" a&e the roo too hot"" There %as a $ot ca e out! eat s ell! al ost boile& the fire an& took the li& off" Stea Heart of the *ack %ent to the fire that by it! an& he $oke& it a%ay fro e! but I kne% he coul& not %ait

an& %ith it s ells" Jrain an& roots! an& a tiny bit of *ack

a%ay" But I %as so hungry I snuffe& after it" I starte& to %hine! but Heart of the a&e the eye/snarl again" So I %ent back to the har& chair" I sat" I %aite&" the table an& $ut it on a He took a 'ery long ti e" He took all the leather fro

hook" Then he $ut the $ot of grease a%ay" Then he brought the hot $ot to the table" Then he set out t%o bo%ls an& t%o cu$s" He $ut %ater in the cu$s" He set out a knife an& t%o s$oons" Fro the cu$boar& he brought brea& an& a s all e! but I kne% I coul& not touch e a $iece" I $ot of 4a " He $ut the ste% in the bo%l before

it" I ha& to sit an& not eat the foo& %hile he cut the brea& an& ga'e

<B1

coul& hol& the brea&! but I coul& not eat it until he sat &o%n too! %ith his $late an& his ste% an& his brea&" 6*ick u$ your s$oon!7 he re in&e& right besi&e o'ing" It eat no%"7 But the %aiting still ha& not sto$$e&" One bite I %as allo%e& to take" It che%e& an& s%allo%e& before I took only as fro it" He s ile& at ore! or he %oul& cuff ust be e" I coul& take %aiting" I &i&n.t take! a&e hi y eyes off hi y e" Then he slo%ly sat &o%n in his chair but I coul& not kee$ y outh fro e" I %as hol&ing the s$oon an& the brea& an& %aiting! %aiting! angry" I shut outh again" Finally he sai&! 6;e %ill

uch ste% as %oul& fit on the s$oon" I $icke& u$ the cu$ an& &rank e" 6Joo&! Fit1" Joo& boy"7

I s ile& back! but then I took too large a bite of the brea& an& he fro%ne& at e" I trie& to che% it slo%ly! but I %as so hungry no%! an& the foo& %as here! an& I &i& not un&erstan& %hy he %oul& not 4ust let ti e to eat" He ha& e eat it no%" It took a long y a&e the ste% too hot on $ur$ose! so that I %oul& burn

outh if I took too big a bite" I thought about that for a bit" Then I sai&! 6You a&e the foo& too hot on $ur$ose" So I %ill be burne& if I eat too fast"7 His s ile ca e ore slo%ly" He no&&e& at e" I still finishe& eating before he &i&" I ha& to sit on the chair until he ha& finishe& eating! too" 6;ell! Fit1!7 he sai& at last" 65ot too ba& a &ay to&ay" Hey! boy07 I looke& at hi " 6Say so ething back to 6;hat07 I aske&" 6#nything"7 6#nything"7 e!7 he tol& e"

<B2

He fro%ne& at

e an& I %ante& to snarl! because I ha& &one %hat he tol& e" 6Do you %ant so e07 y nostrils" e"

e"

#fter a ti e! he got u$ an& got a bottle" He $oure& so ething into his cu$" He hel& the bottle out to I $ulle& back fro it" E'en the s ell of it stung in

6#ns%er!7 he re in&e& 65o" 5o! it.s ba& %ater"7

65o" It.s ba& bran&y" Blackberry bran&y! 'ery chea$" I use& to hate it! you use& to like it"7 I snorte& out the s ell" 6;e ha'e ne'er like& it"7 He set the bottle an& the cu$ &o%n on the table" He got u$ an& %ent to the %in&o%" He o$ene& it again" 6Jo hunting! I sai&:7 I felt 5ighteyes 4u $ an& then run a%ay" 5ighteyes is as afrai& of Heart of the *ack as I a " Once I attacke& Heart of the *ack" I ha& been sick for a long ti e! but then I %as better" I %ishe& to go out to hunt an& he %oul& not let &oor an& I s$rang on hi " He hit is not bigger than I" But he is to hol& an& ost of the eaner! an& e" He stoo& before the e &o%n" He any %ays y e %ith his fist! an& then hel& ore cle'er" He kno%s e on the floor! on

hurt" He hel&

y back! %ith

throat bare& an& %aiting for his teeth! for a long! long ti e" E'ery ti e I o'e&! he cuffe& struck e" 5ighteyes ha& snarle& outsi&e the house! but not 'ery ercy! he e! 6You are close to the &oor! an& he ha& not trie& to co e in" ;hen I %hine& for e again" 6Be )uiet:7 he sai&" ;hen I %as )uiet! he tol& ol&er an& I kno% younger" I a

ore" I fight better than you &o! I hunt better

than you &o" I a

al%ays abo'e you" You %ill &o e'erything I %ant you to &o"

You %ill &o e'erything I tell you to &o" Do you un&erstan& that07 Yes! I ha& tol& hi " Yes! yes! that is $ack! I un&erstan&! I un&erstan&" But he ha& only struck y e again an& hel& e there! throat %i&e! until I tol& hi %ith outh! 6Yes! I un&erstan&"7
<B8

;hen Heart of the *ack ca e back to the table! he $ut bran&y in set it in front of 6Try it!7 he urge& e! %here I %oul& ha'e to s ell it" I snorte&"

y cu$" He

e" 6@ust a little" You use& to like it" You use& to &rink it in e" int! an& think I %oul& not kno% %hat you ha& e not to &o" I

to%n! %hen you %ere younger an& not su$$ose& to go into ta'erns %ithout #n& then you %oul& che% &one"7 I shook He y hea& at hi " 6I %oul& not &o %hat you tol& un&erstoo&"7

a&e his soun& that is like choking an& snee1ing" 6Oh! you use& to 'ery y hea& again" 6I &o not re e ber it"7 ight &o you goo&"7 eI ust! I taste& it" It stung y outh an& nose! a&e e

often &o %hat I ha& tol& you not to &o" Aery often" 6 I shook 65ot yet" But you %ill"7 He $ointe& at the bran&y again" 6Jo on" Taste it" @ust a little bit" It #n& because he ha& tol&

an& I coul& not snort the taste a%ay" I s$ille& %hat %as left in the cu$" 6;ell" ;oul&n.t *atience be $lease&"7 %as all he sai&" #n& then he the &ry! too" get a cloth an& clean %hat I ha& s$ille&" #n& clean the &ishes in %ater an& %i$e

So eti es I %oul& shake an& fall &o%n" There %as no reason" Heart of the *ack %oul& try to hol& e still" So eti es the shaking a&e e fall aslee$" ;hen I a%akene& later! I ache&" -y chest hurt! y back hurt" So eti es I bit e! another %ho thought there" I &i& e" He kne% that! an&

y tongue" I &i& not like those ti es" They frightene& 5ighteyes" #n& so eti es there %as another %ith 5ighteyes an& not %ant anyone there! e'er again! exce$t 5ighteyes an& a&e hi self so s all that %ith us" He %as 'ery s all! but he %as there" I &i& not %ant hi ost of the ti e he %as not there"
<B<

=ater! a 6#

an ca e"

an is co ing!7 I tol& Heart of the *ack" It %as &ark an& the fire %as ake us slee$" e" He got u$ )uickly an& )uietly an& took u$ the big knife e to go to the corner! out of his an ste$$ing

burning lo%" The goo& hunting ti e %as $ast" Full &ark %as here" Soon he %oul& He &i& not ans%er

that %as al%ays on the table" He $ointe& at

%ay" He %ent softly to the &oor an& %aite&" Outsi&e! I hear& the 69ha&e"7

through the sno%" Then I s elle& hi " 6It is the gray one!7 I tol& hi " He o$ene& the &oor 'ery )uickly then! an& the gray one ca e in" I snee1e& %ith the scents he brought on hi " *o%&ers of &ry lea'es are %hat he al%ays s elle& like! an& s okes of &ifferent kin&s" He %as thin an& ol&! but Heart of the *ack al%ays beha'e& as if he %ere $ack higher" Heart of the *ack $ut %oo& on the fire" The roo his hoo&" He looke& at ore got brighter! an& hotter" The gray one $ushe& back

e for a ti e %ith his light/colore& eyes! as if he %ere

%aiting" Then he s$oke to Heart of the *ack" 6Ho% is he0 #ny better07 Heart of the *ack harness for o'e& his shoul&ers" 6;hen he s elle& you! he sai& your en&e& a bit of na e" Hasn.t ha& a sei1ure in a %eek" Three &ays ago! he e" #n& &i& a goo& 4ob! too"7 %atching hi " Besi&es! it.s %ork he kno%s 'ery 6He &oesn.t try to che% on the leather any ore07 65o" #t least! not %hile I. %ell" It nothing else! ay touch so ething in hi "7 Heart of the *ack ga'e a short laugh" 6If en&e& harness is a thing that can be sol&"7

The gray one %ent an& stoo& by the fire an& hel& his han&s out to it" There %ere s$ots on his han&s" Heart of the *ack got out his bran&y bottle" They ha&
<B?

bran&y in cu$s" He but he &i& not ake

a&e

e hol& a cu$ %ith a little bran&y in" the botto

of it!

e taste it" They talke& long! long! long! of things that ha& ight be crucial! a rallying $oint for the &uchies"

nothing to &o %ith eating or slee$ing or hunting" The gray one ha& hear& so ething about a %o an" It gray one aske& hi that &i&n.t a&e Heart of the *ack sai&! 6I %on.t talk about it in front of Fit1" I $ro ise&"7 The if he thought I un&erstoo&! an& Heart of the *ack sai& that atter! he ha& gi'en his %or&" I %ante& to go to slee$! but they

e sit still in a chair" ;hen the ol& one ha& to lea'e! Heart of the *ack

sai&! 6It is 'ery &angerous for you to co e here" So far a %alk for you" ;ill you be able to get back in07 The gray one 4ust s ile&" 6I ha'e y %ays! Burrich!7 he sai&" I s ile& too! re e bering that he ha& al%ays been $rou& of his secrets" One &ay! Heart of the *ack %ent out an& left e alone" He &i& not tie e" He

4ust sai&! 6There are so e oats here" If you %ant to eat %hile I.

gone! you.ll

ha'e to re e ber ho% to cook the " If you go out of the &oor or the %in&o%! if you e'en o$en the &oor or the %in&o%! I %ill kno% it" #n& I %ill beat you to &eath" Do you un&erstan& that07 6I &o!7 I sai&" He see e& 'ery angry at anything he ha& tol& -ost %ere roun& cur'e& like a e! but I coul& not re e ber &oing it" e not to &o" He o$ene& a box an& took things fro

etal" 9oins" One thing I re e bere&" It %as shiny an&

oon! an& ha& s elle& of bloo& %hen I first got it" I ha& fought

another for it" I coul& not re e ber that I ha& %ante& it! but I ha& fought an& %on it" I &i& not %ant it no%" He hel& it u$ on its chain to look at it! then $ut it in a $ouch" I &i& not care that he took it a%ay" I %as 'ery! 'ery hungry before he ca e back" ;hen he &i& there %as a s ell on hi " # fe ale.s s ell" 5ot strong! an&
<BB

ixe& %ith the s ells of a

ea&o%"

But it %as a goo& s ell that

a&e

e %ant so ething! so ething that %as not to s ell it! but he &i& not notice

foo& or %ater or hunting" I ca e close to hi

that" He cooke& the $orri&ge an& %e ate" Then he 4ust sat before the fire! looking 'ery! 'ery sa&" I got u$ an& got the bran&y bottle" I brought it to hi %ith a cu$" He took the fro e but he &i& not s ile" 6-aybe to orro% I e" 6-aybe that.s so ething you coul& shall teach you to fetch!7 he tol&

aster"7 Then he &rank all the bran&y that %as in the bottle! an& o$ene& another bottle after that" I sat an& %atche& hi " #fter he fell aslee$! I took his coat that ha& the s ell on it" I $ut it on the floor an& lay on it! s elling it until I fell aslee$" I &rea e&! but it a&e no sense" There ha& been a fe ale %ho s elle& like y fe ale! but %hen Burrich.s coat! an& I ha& not %ante& her to go" She %as

she left! I &i& not follo%" That %as all I coul& re e ber" Re e bering it %as not goo&! in the sa e %ay that being hungry or thirsty %as not goo&" He %as aking e stay in" He ha& a&e e stay in for a long! long ti e! %hen

all I %ante& to &o %as go out" But that ti e it %as raining! 'ery har&! so har& the sno% %as al ost all going to attack! he angry so eti es" 6;hat is it! Fit107 he aske&! an& his 'oice %as kin&" 6I a hungry!7 I sai&" 65o%"7 e a big $iece of eat" It %as cooke&! but it %as a big $iece" I ate it e not to! or cuff e" That ti e" e! but he &i& not tell He ga'e elte&" Su&&enly it see e& goo& not to go out" e" I thought he %as a&e hi 6Burrich!7 I sai&! an& he looke& u$ 'ery su&&enly at

o'e& so )uickly" I trie& not to co%er" 9o%ering

too fast an& he %atche&

<BC

I ke$t scratching at

y face" #t

y bear&" Finally! I %ent an& stoo& in front of e 'ery hot %ater an& soa$! an& a 'ery shar$ an in it" I looke& at it for a long ti e"

Burrich" I scratche& at it in front of hi " 6I &on.t like this!7 I tol& hi " He looke& sur$rise&" But he ga'e knife" He ga'e It a&e e a roun& glass %ith a

e shi'er" His eyes %ere like Burrich.s! %ith %hite aroun& the ! but y bear&! an& sa% fingers on the

e'en &arker" 5ot %olf eyes" His coat %as &ark like Burrich.s! but the hair on his 4a%s %as une'en an& rough" I touche& an.s face" It %as strange" 6Sha'e! but be careful!7 Burrich tol& But the shar$! shar$ bla&e ke$t cutting blee&ing" 6I. He laughe& at too e" y face" e" =ittle cuts that stung" I looke& at the I coul& al ost re e ber ho%" The s ell of the soa$! the hot %ater on

an in the roun& glass after%ar&" Fit1! I thought" #l ost like Fit1" I %as blee&ing e'ery%here!7 I tol& Burrich" e" 6You al%ays blee& after you sha'e" You al%ays try to hurry e" 6You.'e

uch"7 He took the shar$! shar$ bla&e" 6Sit still!7 he tol&

isse& so e s$ots"7 I sat 'ery still an& he &i& not cut near to e an& looke& at his han&" He ti$$e& e" It %as har& to be still %hen he ca e so y chin in e har&" e" He looke& at e so closely" ;hen he %as &one! he took

y face u$ an& looke& at e a brush"

6Fit107 he sai&" He turne& his hea& an& s ile& at %hen I 4ust looke& at hi " He ga'e 6There is no horse to brush!7 I tol& hi " He looke& al ost $lease&" 6Brush this!7 he tol& He a&e Burrich fro%ne& %hen he sa%

e! but then the s ile fa&e&

e! an& roughe& u$

y hair" y hea&" a&e e

e brush it until it %oul& lie flat" There %ere sore $laces on e %ince" He took the brush a%ay an&

stan& still %hile he looke& an& touche& beneath

y hair" 6Bastar&:7 he sai&

harshly! an& %hen I co%ere&! he sai&! 65ot you"7 He shook his hea& slo%ly"
<BD

He $atte& He sho%e&

e on the shoul&er" 6The $ain %ill go a%ay %ith ti e!7 he tol& e ho% to $ull an again"7

e"

y hair back an& tie it %ith leather" It %as 4ust long

enough" 6That.s better!7 he sai&" 6You look like a I %oke u$ fro ca e to 6He took e fro e fro

a &rea ! t%itching an& yel$ing" I sat u$ an& starte& to cry" He his be&" 6;hat.s %rong! Fit10 #re you all right07 y other:7 I sai&" 6He took her"7 e a%ay fro her" I %as

uch too young to be gone fro

6I kno%!7 he sai&! 6I kno%" But it %as a long ti e ago" You.re here no%! an& safe"7 He looke& al ost frightene&" 6He s oke& the &en!7 I tol& hi " 6He hi&es"7 His face change& an& his 'oice %as no longer kin&" 65o! Fit1" That %as not your other" That %as a %olf.s &rea " 5ighteyes" It ight ha'e ha$$ene& to 5ighteyes" But not you"7 6Oh! yes! it &i&!7 I tol& hi ! an& I %as su&&enly angry" 6Oh! yes it &i&! an& it felt 4ust the sa e" @ust the sa e"7 I got u$ fro again" He sat an& %atche& y be& an& %alke& aroun& the roo " I %alke& for a 'ery long ti e! until I coul& sto$ feeling that feeling e" He &rank a lot of bran&y %hile I %alke&" y shoul&ers" I hear& y bones crackle One &ay in s$ring I stoo& looking out of the %in&o%" The %orl& s elle& goo&! ali'e an& ne%" I stretche& an& rolle& together" 6It %oul& be a goo& besi&e e" orning to go out ri&ing!7 I sai&" I turne& to look a&e y other an& brothers into

at Burrich" He %as stirring $orri&ge in a kettle o'er the fire" He ca e an& stoo& 6It.s still %inter u$ in the -ountains!7 he sai& softly" 6I %on&er if (ettricken got ho e safely"7

<BE

6If she &i&n.t! it %asn.t Sooty.s fault!7 I sai&" Then so ething turne& o'er an& hurt insi&e e! so that for a o ent I coul&n.t catch y breath" I trie& to think of %hat it %as! but it ran a%ay fro u$ close to it! it %oul& turn on a&e Besi&e e" I &i&n.t %ant to catch u$ %ith it! but I e" But so ething about it

kne% it %as a thing I shoul& hunt" It %oul& be like hunting a bear" ;hen I got e an& try to hurt e %ant to follo% any%ay" I took a &ee$ breath an& shu&&ere& it out" I y throat" e" that! it %ill hurt you! e! Burrich %as 'ery still an& silent" ;aiting for e" it"

&re% in another! %ith a soun& that caught in

Brother! you are a %olf" 9o e back! co e a%ay fro 5ighteyes %arne& I lea$e& back fro

Then Burrich %ent sta $ing about the roo ! cursing things! an& letting the $orri&ge burn" ;e ha& to eat it any%ay! there %as nothing else" For a ti e! Burrich bothere& He %oul&n.t lea'e e" 6Do you re e ber07 he %as al%ays saying" e na es! an& ake e try to say %hen

e alone" He %oul& tell

%ho they %ere" So eti es I %oul& kno%! a little" 6# %o an!7 I tol& hi he sai& *atience" 6# %o an in a roo angry %ith e"

%ith $lants"7 I ha& trie&! but he still got

If I sle$t at night! I ha& &rea s" Drea s of a tre bling light! a &ancing light on a stone %all" #n& eyes at a s all %in&o%" The &rea s %oul& hol& an& kee$ e fro e &o%n breathing" If I coul& get enough breath to screa ! I coul&

%ake u$" So eti es it took a long ti e to get enough breath" Burrich %oul& %ake u$! too! an& grab the big knife off the table" 6;hat is it! %hat is it07 he %oul& ask e" But I coul& not tell hi " It %as safer to slee$ in the &aylight! outsi&e! s elling grass an& earth" The &rea s of stone %alls &i& not co e then" Instea&! a %o an ca e! to $ress
<CH

herself s%eetly against an& her

e" Her scent %as the sa e as the

ea&o% flo%ers.!

outh taste& of honey" The $ain of those &rea s ca e %hen I a%oke!

an& kne% she %as gone fore'er! taken by another" #t night I sat an& looke& at the fire" I trie& not to think of col& stone %alls! nor of &ark eyes %ee$ing an& a s%eet outh gone hea'y %ith bitter %or&s" I &i& not slee$" I &are& not e'en lie ake e" &o%n" Burrich &i& not

9ha&e ca e back one &ay" He ha& gro%n his bear& long an& he %ore a %i&e/ bri e& hat like a $e&&ler! but I kne% hi all the sa e" Burrich %asn.t at ho e %hen he arri'e&! but I let hi He looke& closely at ha'e you been07 I &i&n.t kno% the ans%er to that )uestion! so I 4ust looke& at hi " #fter a ti e! he $ut the kettle on" He took things out of his $ack" He ha& brought s$ice tea! so e cheese an& s oke& fish" He took out $ackets of herbs as %ell an& set the out in a ro% on the table" Then he took out a leather $ouch" Insi&e it %as a of the $ack %as a fat yello% crystal! large enough to fill his han&" In the botto in" I &i& not kno% %hy he ha& co e" 6Do

you %ant so e bran&y07 I aske&! thinking $erha$s that %as %hy he ha& co e" e an& al ost s ile&" y face" 6So" Ho% 6Fit107 he sai&" He turne& his hea& si&e%ays to look into

large shallo% bo%l! gla1e& blue insi&e" He ha& set it on the table an& fille& it %ith clean %ater %hen Burrich returne&" Burrich ha& gone fishing" He ha& a string %ith six s all fish on it" They %ere creek fish! not ocean fish" They %ere sli$$ery an& shiny" He ha& alrea&y taken all the guts out" 6You lea'e hi another" 6I ha'e to! to get foo&"7 6So you trust hi no%07
<C1

alone no%07 9ha&e aske& Burrich after they ha& greete& one

Burrich looke& asi&e fro

9ha&e" 6I.'e traine& a lot of ani als" Teaching one an"7

to &o %hat you tell it is not the sa e as trusting a

Burrich cooke& the fish in a $an an& then %e ate" ;e ha& the cheese an& the tea also" Then! %hile I %as cleaning the $ans an& &ishes! they sat &o%n to talk" 6I %ant to try the herbs!7 9ha&e sai& to Burrich" 6Or the %ater! or the crystal" So ething" #nything" I begin to think that he.s not really , in there"7 6He is!7 Burrich asserte& )uietly" 6Ji'e hi ti e" I &on.t think the herbs are a goo& i&ea for hi " Before he , change&! he %as getting too fon& of herbs" To%ar& the en&! he %as al%ays either ill! or charge& full of energy" If he %as not in the &e$ths of sorro%! he %as exhauste& fro fighting or fro being (ing.s -an to Aerity or Shre%&" Then he.& be into the elfbark instea& of resting" He.& forgotten ho% to 4ust rest an& let his bo&y reco'er" He.& ne'er %ait for it" That last night , you ga'e hi sai& she.& ne'er seen anything like it" I think gone stark ra'ing carris see&! &i&n.t you0 Foxglo'e ore folk ight ha'e co e to his &o%n" I %ish

ai&! if they ha&n.t been so frightene& of hi " *oor ol& Bla&e thought he ha& a&" He ne'er forga'e hi self for taking hi he coul& kno% the boy ha&n.t actually &ie&"7 6There %as no ti e to $ick an& choose" I ga'e hi kno% he.& go a& on carris see&"7 %hat I ha& to han&" I &i&n.t

6You coul& ha'e refuse& hi !7 Burrich sai& )uietly" 6It %oul&n.t ha'e sto$$e& hi " He.& ha'e gone as he %as! exhauste&! an& been kille& right there"7 I %ent an& sat &o%n on the hearth" Burrich %as not %atching then rolle& o'er on felt the %ar th of the fire on y flank" e" Burrich resu e& talking" e" I lay &o%n! y eyes an& y back an& stretche&" It felt goo&" I close&

6Jet u$ an& sit on the stool! Fit1!7 Burrich sai&" I sighe&! but I obeye&" 9ha&e &i& not look at
<C2

6I.& like to kee$ hi

on an e'en keel" I think he 4ust nee&s ti e! to &o it on his

o%n" He re e bers" So eti es" #n& then he fights it off" I &on.t think he %ants to re e ber! 9ha&e" I &on.t think he really %ants to go back to being Fit19hi'alry" -aybe he like& being a %olf" -aybe he like& it so ne'er co ing back"7 6He has to co e back!7 9ha&e sai& )uietly" 6;e nee& hi "7 Burrich sat u$" He.& ha& his feet u$ on the %oo&$ile! but no% he set the the floor" He leane& to%ar& 9ha&e" 6You.'e ha& %or&07 65ot I" But *atience has! I think" It.s 'ery frustrating! so eti es! to be the rat behin& the %all"7 6So %hat &i& you hear07 6Only *atience an& =acey! talking about %ool"7 6;hy is that i $ortant07 6They %ante& %ool to %ea'e a 'ery soft cloth" For a baby! or a s all chil&" FIt %ill be born at the en& of our har'est! but that.s the beginning of %inter in the -ountains" So let us chil&"7 Burrich looke& startle&" 6*atience kno%s about (ettricken07 9ha&e laughe&" 6I &on.t kno%" ;ho kno%s %hat that %o an kno%s0 She has change& uch of late" She gathers the Buckkee$ Juar& into the $al of her han&! an& =or& Bright &oes not e'en see it ha$$ening" I think no% that %e shoul& ha'e let her kno% our $lan! inclu&e& her fro $erha$s not"7 6It ight ha'e been easier for e if %e ha&"7 Burrich stare& &ee$ into the fire" ight 9ha&e shook his hea&" 6I a re4ecte& hi sorry" She ha& to belie'e you ha& aban&one& Fit1! the beginning" But ake it thick!. *atience sai&" *erha$s for (ettricken.s on uch he.s

for his use of the ;it" If you ha& gone after his bo&y! Regal

<C8

ha'e been sus$icious" ;e ha& to care& enough to bury hi "7 6She hates e no%" She tol&

ake Regal belie'e she %as the only one %ho

e I ha& no loyalty! nor courage"7 Burrich looke& e years an

at his han&s an& his 'oice tightene&" 6I kne% she ha& sto$$e& lo'ing %orthy of her" #n& I ha& %alke& a%ay fro not lo'ing &es$ises

ago" ;hen she ga'e her heart to 9hi'alry" I coul& acce$t that" He %as a e! because I felt she still res$ecte& e as a

her first" So I coul& li'e %ith her an" But no%! she

e" I ,7 He shook his hea&! then close& his eyes tightly" For a as he aske&! 6So! you think *atience kno%s that

o ent all %as still" Then Burrich straightene& hi self slo%ly an& turne& to 9ha&e" His 'oice %as cal 6It %oul&n.t sur$rise sent (ettricken fle& to the -ountains07 e" There has been no official %or&! of course" Regal has essages to (ing Eyo&! &e an&ing to kno% if (ettricken fle& there! but

Eyo& re$lie& only that she %as the Six Duchies Iueen an& %hat she &i& %as not a -ountain concern" Regal %as angere& enough by that to cut off tra&e to the -ountains" But *atience see s to kno% uch of %hat goes on outsi&e the y kee$" *erha$s she kno%s %hat is ha$$ening in the -ountain (ing&o " For -ountains" It.s a long an& %eary %ay"7 For a long ti e! Burrich %as silent" Then he sai&! 6I shoul& ha'e foun& a %ay to go %ith (ettricken an& the Fool" But there %ere only the t%o horses! an& only su$$lies enough for t%o" I ha&n.t been able to get has hear& anything of (ing/in/;aiting Aerity07 9ha&e shook his hea& slo%ly" 6(ing Aerity!7 he re in&e& Burrich softly" 6If he %ere here"7 He looke& far a%ay" 6If he %ere co ing back! I think he.& be ore than that" #n& so they %ent alone"7 He glare& into the fire! then aske&! 6I &on.t su$$ose anyone

$art! I shoul& &early lo'e to kno% ho% she inten&s to sen& the blanket to the

<C<

here by no%!7 he sai& )uietly" 6# fe%

ore soft &ays like this! an& there %ill

be Re&/Shi$ Rai&ers in e'ery bay" I no longer belie'e Aerity is co ing back"7 6Then Regal truly is (ing!7 Burrich sai& sourly" 6#t least until (ettricken.s chil& is born an& co es of age" #n& then %e can look for%ar& to a ci'il %ar if the chil& tries to clai the cro%n" If there is still a Six Duchies left to be rule&" the Rai&ers" 5o%! %ith Aerity" I %ish no% that he ha& not gone )uesting for the El&erlings" #t least %hile he %as ali'e! %e ha& so e $rotection fro Re&/Shi$s ,7 Aerity" I shi'ere& %ith the col&" I $ushe& the col& a%ay" It ca e back an& I $ushe& it all a%ay" I hel& it a%ay" #fter a but I ha& not been hearing" Burrich shrugge&" 6Jo ahea&" ;hat can it hurt0 Di& he use to scry things in %ater07 6I ne'er trie& hi " I al%ays sus$ecte& he coul& if he trie&" He has the ;it an& the Skill" ;hy shoul&n.t he be able to scry as %ell07 6@ust because a &oes not allo% stiff 'oice" #fter a o ent! Burrich sai& gruffly! 6Your $ar&on! sir" ;e all ser'e& our king as our abilities &ictate&"7 9ha&e no&&e& to that" Then he s ile&" 9ha&e cleare& the table of e'erything but the &ish of %ater an& so e can&les" 69o e here!7 he sai& to e softly! so I %ent back to the table" He sat e in his an can &o a thing &oes not e so ean he shoul& &o a thing"7 For a y tra&e ti e! they looke& at one another" Then 9ha&e shrugge&" 6*erha$s o ent! I took a &ee$ breath" 6@ust the %ater! then07 9ha&e aske& Burrich! an& I kne% they ha& been talking Aerity gone an& s$ring getting stronger! nothing stan&s bet%een us an& the

any niceties of conscience as yours!7 he suggeste& in a

<C?

chair an& $ut the &ish in front of %hat you see"7

e" 6=ook in the %ater!7 he tol&

e" 6Tell

I sa% the %ater in the bo%l" I sa% the blue in the botto ans%er a&e hi ha$$y" He ke$t telling sa e things" He hi no%"7 e then! an& I relaxe&"

of the bo%l" 5either e to look

e to look again but I ke$t seeing the

o'e& the can&le se'eral ti es! each ti e telling

again" Finally he sai& to Burrich! 6;ell! at least he ans%ers %hen you s$eak to Burrich no&&e&! but he looke& &iscourage&" 6Yes" *erha$s %ith ti e!7 he sai&" I kne% they %ere finishe& %ith 9ha&e aske& if he coul& stay the night %ith us" Burrich sai& of course" Then he %ent an& fetche& the bran&y" He $oure& t%o cu$s" 9ha&e &re% again" 6;hat about e07 I aske& at last" e" 6;hat about you07 Burrich aske&" They sto$$e& talking an& looke& at 6Don.t I get any bran&y07 They looke& at you like& it"7 65o! I &on.t like it" I ne'er like& it"7 I thought for a chea$"7 Burrich stare& at %atching insi&e e" 9ha&e s ile& a s all s ile! looking &o%n at his han&s" e" For a ti e they sat a&e a %ar th e for Then Burrich got another cu$ an& $oure& so e for took a si$ of the bran&y" It still stung e" I kne% I &i&n.t %ant any y o ent" 6But it %as e" Burrich aske& carefully! 6Do you %ant so e0 I &i&n.t think y stool to the table an& sat again" I sat an& %aite&! but they began talking to one another

e! but I &i&n.t &o anything" E'entually they began talking again" I outh an& nose! but it ore" Then I thought I &i&" I &rank so e

ore" It %as 4ust as un$leasant" =ike so ething *atience %oul& force on a cough" 5o" I $ushe& that e ory asi&e as %ell" I set the cu$ &o%n"
<CB

Burrich &i& not look at &eer! you can often get

e" He %ent on talking to 9ha&e" 6;hen you hunt a uch closer to it si $ly by $reten&ing not to see it" ore

They %ill hol& $osition an& %atch you a$$roach an& not stir a hoof as long as you &o not look &irectly at the "7 He $icke& u$ the bottle an& $oure& bran&y in 5ighteyes0 -y brother0 I slee$! 9hanger" It is not yet a goo& ti e to hunt" Burrich glare& at e" I sto$$e&" ore bran&y" But so eone else thought that I &i&" e to $ick u$ the cu$! 4ust to hol& it" I s%irle& it in the I kne% I &i& not %ant So eone else urge& &ark cu$" Fit1" I set the cu$ &o%n" I got u$ an& %alke& aroun& the roo " I %ante& to go out! but Burrich ne'er let aroun& the roo e go out alone! an& not at all at night" So I %alke& y chair" I sat &o%n in it again" The cu$ ake the feeling of y han&! he change& it" He y belly" @ust &rink it y until I ca e back to stirring" # thought in y in&" I reache& for y %olf" y cu$" I snorte& at the rising scent of it" I thought I felt so ething

cu$" Aerity use& to s%irl his %ine in the cu$ an& look into it" I looke& into the

of bran&y %as still there" #fter a ti e I $icke& it u$! 4ust to %anting to $ick it u$ go a%ay" But once I hel& it in a&e belly" I kne% %hat he %as &oing" I %as beginning to get angry" e think about &rinking it" Ho% %ar it felt in

)uick! an& the taste %oul&n.t last long! 4ust the %ar !" goo& feeling in

@ust another s all si$ then" Soothingly" ;his$ery" @ust to hel$ you relax! Fit1" The fire is so %ar ! you.'e ha& foo&" Burrich %ill $rotect you" 9ha&e is right there" You nee&n.t be on guar& so 5o"
<CC

uch" @ust another si$" One

ore si$"

# tiny si$! then! 4ust getting your I took another si$ to ake hi sto$ took another" I took a y cu$"

outh %et" aking e %ant to" But he &i&n.t sto$! so I ore in

outhful an& s%allo%e& it" It %as getting har&er an& e &o%n" #n& Burrich ke$t $utting

har&er to resist" He %as %earing

Fit1" Say! 6Aerity.s ali'e"7 That.s all" Say 4ust that" 5o" Doesn.t the bran&y feel nice in your belly0 So %ar " Take a little 6I kno% %hat you.re trying to &o" You.re trying to get kee$ you out" I %on.t let you"7 -y face %as %et" Burrich an& 9ha&e %ere both looking at interesting" Say it" Say! 6Aerity.s ali'e"7 Then I.ll let you go" I $ro ise" @ust say it" @ust once" E'en as a %his$er" Say it" Say it" I looke& &o%n at the table" Aery softly! I sai&! 6Aerity.s ali'e"7 6Oh07 sai& Burrich" He %as too casual" He leane& too )uickly to ti$ bran&y into y cu$" The bottle %as e $ty" He ga'e to e fro Su&&enly I %ante& it" I %ante& it for ore his o%n cu$" e" 6He %as ne'er a crying &runk e"7 They see e& to fin& that before!7 Burrich obser'e&" 6#t least! not aroun& ore" e &runk" So I can.t

yself" I $icke& it u$ an& &rank it all off"

Then I stoo& u$" 6Aerity.s ali'e!7 I sai&" 6He.s col&! but he.s ali'e" #n& that.s all I ha'e to say"7 I %ent to the &oor an& %orke& the latch an& %ent out into the night" They &i&n.t try to sto$ e"

Burrich %as right" #ll of it %as there! like a song one has hear& too often an& cannot get out of one.s into su er" Ol& in&" It ran behin& all e an& ga'e y thoughts an& colore& all y &rea s" It ca e $ushing back at e no $eace" S$ring 'enture& y ne% ones" -y li'es began

e ories began to o'erlay

<CD

stitching the sel'es together" There %ere ga$s an& $uckers in the 4oining! but it %as getting har&er an& har&er to refuse to kno% things" 5a es took on eanings an& faces again" *atience! =acey! 9elerity! an& Sooty %ere no longer si $le %or&s but rang as rich as chi ing bells %ith 6-olly!7 I finally sai& out lou& to gut snare line he %as to close& e ories an& e otions" e yself one &ay" Burrich looke& u$ at

su&&enly %hen I s$oke that %or&! an& nearly lost his gri$ on the fine/$laite& aking" I hear& hi y face into catch his breath as if he %oul& s$eak e to say ore" I &i& not" Instea& I ea&o%" e go y han&s an& longe& for obli'ion" e or ake e! but instea& he ke$t silent! %aiting for y eyes an& lo%ere&

I s$ent a lot of ti e stan&ing at the %in&o% looking out o'er the There %as nothing to see there" But Burrich &i& not sto$ back to

y chores as he once %oul& ha'e" One &ay! as I looke& o'er the rich

grass! I aske& Burrich! 6;hat are %e going to &o %hen the she$her&s get here0 ;here %ill %e go to li'e then07 6Think about it"7 He ha& $egge& a rabbit hi&e to the floor an& %as scra$ing it clean of flesh an& fat" 6They %on.t be co ing" There are no flocks to bring u$ to su er $asture" -ost of the goo& stock %ent inlan& %ith Regal" He %illing to bet in&! so ething utton o'er the %inter"7 y $lun&ere& Buckkee$ of e'erything he coul& cart or &ri'e off" I. that any shee$ he left in Buckkee$ turne& into 6*robably!7 I agree&" #n& then so ething $resse& into

ore terrible than all the things I kne% an& &i& not %ant to re e ber" It %as all the things I &i& not kno%! all the )uestions that ha& been left unans%ere&" I %ent out to %alk on the ea&o%" I %ent $ast the ea&o%! to the e&ge of the ore! I kne% all the an! strea ! an& then &o%n it! to the boggy $art %here the cattails gre%" I gathere& the green cattail s$ikes to cook %ith the $orri&ge" Once na es of the $lants" I &i& not %ant to! but I kne% %hich ones %oul& kill a

<CE

an& ho% to $re$are the " #ll the ol& kno%le&ge %as there! %aiting to reclai e %hether I %oul& or no" ;hen I ca e back in %ith the s$ikes! he %as cooking the grain" I set the the table an& got a $ot of %ater fro the He turne& 'ery slo%ly to look at off by su&&en the barrel" #s I rinse& the e! as if I %ere ga e that o'er! I finally aske&! 6;hat ha$$ene&0 That night07 ight be s$ooke& o'e ent" 6That night07 on off an& $icke&

6The night (ing Shre%& an& (ettricken %ere to esca$e" ;hy &i&n.t you ha'e the scrub horses an& the litter %aiting07 6Oh" That night"7 He sighe& out as if recalling ol& $ain" He s$oke 'ery slo%ly an& cal ly! as if fearing to startle e" 6They %ere %atching us! Fit1" #ll the ule" There %ere Farro% guar&s ti e" Regal kne% e'erything" I coul&n.t ha'e s uggle& an oat out of the stable that &ay! let alone three horses! a litter! an& a e'ery%here! trying to look as if they ha& 4ust co e &o%n to ins$ect the e $ty stalls" I &are& not go to you to tell you" So! in the en&! I %aite& until the feasting ha& begun! until Regal ha& cro%ne& hi self an& thought he ha& %on" Then I sli$$e& out an& %ent for the only t%o horses I coul& get" Sooty an& Ru&&y" I.& hi&&en the at the s ith.s! to ake sure Regal coul&n.t sell the the off as %ell" The only foo& I coul& get %as %hat I coul& $ilfer fro guar&roo " It %as the only thing I coul& think to &o"7 6#n& Iueen (ettricken an& the Fool got a%ay on the "7 The na es fell strangely off y tongue" I &i& not %ant to think of the ! to recall the at all" ;hen I ha& last seen the Fool! he ha& been %ee$ing an& accusing the best $arting e ory to carry of one I ha& calle& to y frien&" e of killing

his king" I ha& insiste& he flee in the (ing.s $lace! to sa'e his life" It %as not 6Yes"7 Burrich brought the $ot of $orri&ge to the table an& set it there to thicken" 69ha&e an& the %olf gui&e& the
<DH

e" I %ante& to go %ith the ! but

I coul&n.t" I.& only ha'e slo%e& the

&o%n" -y leg , I kne% I coul&n.t kee$ go"7 # silence" Then he gro%le&!

u$ %ith the horses for long! an& ri&ing &ouble in that %eather %oul& ha'e exhauste& the horses" I ha& to 4ust let the 6I &i&"7 His eyes locke& on at ine! a look of horror an& incre&ulity on his face" I looke& y fault" The Iueen.s little ai&! Rose ary" #l%ays e tell y han&s" They %ere starting to tre ble" ust ha'e been Regal.s s$y" She hear& lo%er than a %olf.s gro%l! 6If e'er I foun& out %ho betraye& us to Regal ,7

6I %as stu$i&" It %as

about! al%ays un&erfoot" She

the Iueen to be rea&y! that (ing Shre%& %oul& be going %ith her" She hear& e tell (ettricken to &ress %ar ly" Regal %oul& ha'e to guess fro she &i& &escen&"7 I force& yself to look u$ fro the s$ikes! to eet Burrich.s stricken ga1e" 6#n& %hat Rose ary &i& not o'erhear! @ustin an& Serene &i&" They %ere leeche& onto the (ing! sucking Skillstrength out of hi ! an& $ri'y to e'ery thought he Skille& to Aerity! or ha& fro hi " Once they kne% %hat I %as e as %ell" I &i& not e ber0 He &oing! ser'ing as (ing.s -an! they began to Skill s$y on that that she %oul& be fleeing Buckkee$" He.& kno% she.& nee& horses" #n& $erha$s ore than s$y" *erha$s she took a basket of $oisone& treats to an ol& %o an" *erha$s she grease& a stair trea& she kne% her )ueen %oul& soon

kno% such a thing coul& be &one" But Jalen ha& &isco'ere& ho%! an& taught it to his stu&ents" You re e ber ;ill! Hostler.s son0 The coterie %as the best at it" He coul& %as"7 I shook y hea&! trie& to rattle fro it y terrifying e ories of ;ill" He brought back the sha&o%s of the &ungeon! the things I still refuse& to recall" I %on&ere& if I ha& kille& hi " I &i&n.t think so" I &i&n.t think I.& got enough
<D1

ake you belie'e he %asn.t e'en there %hen he

$oison into hi " I looke& u$ to fin& Burrich %atching at the 'ery last see hi

e intently" 6That night! )uietly" 6I ha&

o ent! the (ing refuse& to go!7 I tol& hi

thought of Regal as a traitor so long! I ha& forgotten that Shre%& %oul& still as a son" ;hat Regal &i&! taking Aerity.s cro%n %hen he kne% his e to be (ing.s -an! to len& hi the strength to brother %as ali'e , (ing Shre%& &i&n.t %ant to go on li'ing! kno%ing Regal %as ca$able of that" He aske& Skill a fare%ell to Aerity" But Serene an& @ustin %ere %aiting"7 I $ause&! ne% $ieces of the $u11le falling into $lace" 6I shoul& ha'e kno%n it %as too easy" 5o guar&s on the (ing" ;hy0 Because Regal &i&n.t nee& the " Because Serene an& @ustin %ere leeche& onto hi " Regal %as finishe& %ith his father" He ha& cro%ne& hi self (ing/in/;aiting+ there %as no ore goo& to be ha& out of Shre%& for hi " So they &raine& (ing Shre%& &ry of Skillstrength" They kille& hi " Before he coul& e'en bi& Aerity fare%ell" *robably Regal ha& tol& the to be sure he &i& not Skill to Aerity again" So then I kille& Serene an& the sa e %ay they ha& kille& o ent of ercy"7 e! $ut his han&s on y y king" ;ithout a chance @ustin" I kille& the

of fighting back! %ithout a shoul&ers an& $ushe& into a sei1ure" 9al I coul& not s$eak"

6Easy" Easy no%"7 Burrich crosse& s%iftly to yourself"7

e &o%n in a chair" 6You.re shaking as if you.re going

6This is %hat 9ha&e an& I coul& not $u11le out!7 Burrich tol& feare& %e ha& sent (ettricken off in the care of a traitor"7

e" 6;ho ha&

betraye& our $lan0 ;e thought of e'eryone" E'en the Fool" For a ti e %e 6Ho% coul& you think that0 The Fool lo'e& (ing Shre%& as no one else &i&"7 6;e coul& think of no one else %ho kne% all our $lans!7 Burrich sai& si $ly" 6It %as not the Fool %ho %as our &o%nfall" It %as I"7 #n& that! I think! %as the o ent %hen I ca e fully back to yself" I ha& sai& the
<D2

ost unsayable thing!

face&

ost unfaceable truth" I ha& betraye& the e" He trie& to ake

all" 6The Fool %arne&

e"

He sai& I %oul& be the &eath of kings! if I &i& not learn to lea'e things alone" 9ha&e %arne& hel$ing hi hi e $ro ise I %oul& set no ore %heels in otion" But I %oul& not" So y actions kille& y king" If I ha& not been

to Skill! he %oul& not ha'e been so o$en to his killers" I o$ene& any! any %ays! Shre%&" I a so sorry! y king" So

u$! reaching for Aerity" But those t%o leeches ca e in instea&" The (ing.s e! Regal %oul& ha'e ha& no reason to kill you"7 ali'e" #n& you ha& no

assassin" Oh! in so sorry" But for

6Fit1"7 Burrich.s 'oice %as fir " 6Regal ne'er nee&e& a reason to kill his father" He nee&e& only to run out of reasons to kee$ hi control o'er that"7 # su&&en fro%n crease& his bro%" 6;hy &i& they kill hi right then0 ;hy &i& they not %ait until they ha& the Iueen as %ell07 I s ile& at hi " 6You sa'e& her" Regal thought he ha& the Iueen" They thought they.& sto$$e& us %hen they ke$t you fro stables" Regal e'en bragge& of it to to lea'e %ith no horses" #n& %ith no %ar getting horses out of the y cell" That she.& ha& e! %hen I %as in

%inter things"7

Burrich grinne& har&" 6She an& the Fool took %hat ha& been $acke& for Shre%&" #n& they left on t%o of the best horses e'er to co e out of Buckkee$.s stables" I.ll %ager they got to the -ountains safely! boy" Sooty an& Ru& are $robably gra1ing in -ountain $astures no%"7 It %as too thin a co fort" That night I %ent out an& ran %ith the %olf! an& Burrich a&e no rebuke to e" But %e coul& not run far enough! nor fast e" enough! an& the bloo& %e she& that night %as not the bloo& I %ishe& to see run! nor coul& the hot fresh So I re e bere& eat fill the 'oi& insi&e

y life an& %ho I ha& been" #s the &ays $asse&! Burrich an& e!

I began to s$eak o$enly as frien&s again" He ga'e o'er his &o inance of
<D8

but not %ithout

ockingly ex$ressing his regrets for that" ;e recalle& our ol&

%ays %ith one another! ol& %ays of laughing together! ol& %ays of &isagreeing" But as things stea&ie& bet%een us an& beca e nor al! %e %ere both re in&e&! all the ore shar$ly! of all %e no longer ha&" an %ho ha& There %as not enough %ork in a &ay to busy Burrich" This %as a ha%ks that inhabite& the " I %atche& hi kne% ho% the bustle an& folk of court! but hungere&

ha& full authority o'er all of Buckkee$.s stables an& the horses! houn&s! an& in'ent tasks to fill the hours! an& isse& ost keenly for -olly" I in'ente& ea&o%s%eet an& &ayse&ge uch he $ine& for the beasts he ha& o'erseen for so long" I

con'ersations I %oul& ha'e ha& %ith her! gathere& of her han& on

flo%ers because they s elle& like her! an& lay &o%n at night recalling the touch y face" But these %ere not the things %e s$oke of" Instea&! %e ake a %hole! of sorts" Burrich fishe& an& I hunte&! en&! %ater to haul" It %as a life" e in the &ungeon! to otions as he $ut our $ieces together to He trie& to s$eak to bring let hi

there %ere hi&es to scra$e! shirts to %ash an&

e! once! of ho% he ha& co e to see

e the $oison" His han&s %orke& %ith s all t%itching

s$oke of ho% he ha& ha& to %alk a%ay! to lea'e an& no&&e&" ;e %ent fishing an& s$oke no %hen he looke& at

e insi&e that cell" I coul& not

go on" 6=et.s go fishing!7 I su&&enly $ro$ose&" He took a &ee$ breath ore that &ay" ti e to ti e! &o%n y scal$ an

But I ha& been cage&! an& star'e&! an& beaten to &eath" Fro y cheek! an& %atche& the hair gro% in %hite abo'e coul& ha'e co e through that unchange&" I began to &rea at night" Short 'i'i& &rea s! fro1en

e! I kne% he sa% the scars" I sha'e& aroun& the sea y bro% %here

ha& been s$lit" ;e ne'er s$oke about it" I refuse& to think about it" But no

o ents of fire! searing y hair! )ueasy %ith fear"

$ain! ho$eless fear" I a%oke! col& s%eat" sleeking

5othing re aine& of those &rea s %hen I sat u$ in &arkness! not the tiniest
<D<

threa& by %hich I coul& unra'el the " Only the $ain! the fear! the anger! the frustration" But abo'e all! the fear" The o'er%hel ing fear that left an& gul$ing for air! Burrich rolle& fro right" I sho'e& hi ha'e kille& hi y eyes tearing! sour bile u$ the back of his be&! to $ut his han& on a%ay fro e shaking y throat"

The first ti e it ha$$ene&! the first ti e I sat bolt u$right %ith a %or&less cry! y shoul&er! to ask if I %as all e so sa'agely he crashe& into the table an&

nearly o'erset it" Fear an& anger creste& into an instant of fury %hen I %oul& si $ly because he %as %here I coul& reach hi " #t that yself so co $letely that I &esire& only to yself" I re$elle& sa'agely at e! an& Burrich staggere& back utter to Burrich! y o%n consciousness" Brother! brother! e! or bor&ere& on o ent I re4ecte& an& &es$ise& &estroy e'erything that %as

the entire %orl&! al ost &is$lacing %ith an inarticulate cry" #fter a

brother! 5ighteyes yel$e& &es$erately %ithin

o ent I coul& s%allo% an&

6# night are! that %as all" Sorry" I %as still &rea ing! 4ust a night are"7 6I un&erstan&!7 he sai& brus)uely! an& then! hel$ e %ith this! an& that %as all" e y be&" Burrich $reten&e& to slee$ through the ! but I %as a%are of y night battles alone" I ha& no recollection of the e" I ha& felt fear before" ore thoughtfully! 6I un&erstan&"7 He %ent back to his be&" But I kne% %hat he un&erstoo& %as that he coul& not The night ares &i& not co e e'ery night! but often enough to lea'e &rea&ing hi lying a%ake as I fought

&rea s! only the %renching terror they brought

Often" Fear %hen I ha& fought Forge& ones! fear %hen %e ha& battle& Re&/Shi$ %arriors! fear %hen I ha& confronte& Serene" Fear that %arne&! that s$urre&! that ga'e one the e&ge to stay ali'e" But the night fear %as an un anning terror! a ho$e that &eath %oul& co e an& en& it! because I %as broken an& kne% I %oul& gi'e the anything rather than face ore $ain"

<D?

There is no ans%er to a fear like that or the sha e that co es after it" I trie& anger! I trie& hatre&" 5either tears nor bran&y coul& &ro%n it" It $er eate& like an e'il s ell an& colore& e'ery re e brance I ha&! sha&ing of %ho I ha& been" 5o %as e'er )uite %hat it ha& been! for y e y $erce$tion

o ent of 4oy! or $assion! or courage that I coul& recall in& al%ays traitorously a&&e&! 6Yes! e" I kne%! %ith a sick fro his bo&y"

you ha& that! for a ti e! but after ca e this! an& this is %hat you are no%"7 That &ebilitating fear %as a co%ering $resence insi&e Fit19hi'alry" I %as %hat %as left after fear ha& &ri'en hi certainty! that if I %ere $resse& I %oul& beco e it" I %as no longer

On the secon& &ay after Burrich ha& run out of bran&y! I tol& hi ! 6I.ll be fine here if you %ant to go into Buckkee$ To%n"7 6;e.'e no oney to buy ore su$$lies! an& nothing left to sell off"7 He sai& it bet%een his knees" They ha& been shaking! 4ust a anage on our o%n no%" There.s ga e in $lenty flatly! as if it %ere y fault" He %as sitting by the fire" He fol&e& his t%o han&s

together an& clas$e& the

little" 6;e.re going to ha'e to

to be ha&" If %e can.t fee& oursel'es u$ here! %e &eser'e to star'e"7 6#re you going to be all right07 I aske& flatly" He looke& at e through narro%e& eyes" 6-eaning %hat07 he aske&" ore bran&y!7 I sai& as bluntly" 6-eaning there.s no

6#n& you think I can.t get by %ithout it07 His te $er %as rising alrea&y" It ha& beco e increasingly short since the bran&y ran out" I ga'e a 'ery s all shrug" 6I %as asking" That.s all"7 I sat 'ery still! not looking at hi ! ho$ing he %oul&n.t ex$lo&e" #fter a $ause! he sai&! 'ery )uietly! 6;ell! I su$$ose that.s so ething %e.ll both ha'e to fin& out"7 I let a long ti e $ass" Finally I aske&! 6;hat are %e going to &o07
<DB

He looke& at

e %ith annoyance" 6I tol& you" Hunt to fee& oursel'es" That.s hi ! ga'e a bobbing no&" 6I un&erstoo&" I ean , $ast

so ething you shoul& be able to gras$"7 I looke& a%ay fro that" *ast to orro%"7 6;ell" ;e.ll hunt for our eat" ;e can get by for a bit that %ay" But sooner or ake for oursel'es" So e 9ha&e %ill later! %e.ll %ant %hat %e can.t get nor

get for us! if he can" Buckkee$ is as $icke& o'er as bare bones no%" I.ll ha'e to go to Buckkee$ To%n! for a %hile! an& hire out if I can" But for no% ,7 65o!7 I sai& )uietly" 6I co es after that07 It %as his turn to be )uiet a%hile" 6I su$$ose I ha&n.t gi'en it see e& as if you.& ne'er ,7 6But I. here! no%"7 I hesitate&" 6*atience!7 I began" ore harshly than he.& inten&e&" 6Belie'es you &ea&!7 Burrich cut in! $erha$s uch thought" #t first it %as 4ust a $lace to take you %hile you reco'ere&" Then! for a ti e! it eant , %e can.t al%ays hi&e u$ here! Burrich" ;hat

69ha&e an& I are the only ones %ho kno% &ifferent" Before %e $ulle& you fro that coffin! %e %eren.t sure" Ha& the &ose been too strong! %oul& you be really &ea& fro it! or fro1en fro your &ays in the earth0 I.& seen %hat they.& &one o ent stare& at e" He looke& haunte&" He to you"7 He sto$$e&! an& for a

ga'e his hea& a tiny shake" 6I &i&n.t think you coul& li'e through that! let alone the $oison" So %e offere& no ho$e to anyone" #n& then! %hen %e ha& you out ,7 He shook his hea&! ore 'iolently" 6#t first! you %ere so battere&" ;hat uch &a age , I &on.t kno% %hat an.s %oun&s! but if she ha&n.t , e"7 they.& &one to you there %as 4ust so

$ossesse& *atience to clean an& bin& a &ea& %hat %e ha& &one" *ut a %olf.s soul in a

Then later , it %as not you" #fter those first fe% %eeks! I %as sickene& at an.s bo&y! it see e& to

<DC

He looke& at for

e again! his face going incre&ulous at the

e ory" 6You %ent

y throat" The first &ay you coul& stan& on your o%n! you %ante& to run y throat" I coul& not sho% *atience

a%ay" I %oul&n.t let you an& you %ent for 6Do you think -olly , 07 I began" Burrich looke& a%ay fro

that snarling! sna$$ing creature! let alone ,7 e" 6*robably she hear& you &ie&"7 #fter a ti e! he

a&&e&! unco fortably! 6So eone ha& burne& a can&le on your gra'e" The sno% ha& been $ushe& a%ay! an& the %ax stu $ %as there still %hen I ca e to &ig you u$"7 6=ike a &og after a bone"7 6I %as fearful you %oul& not un&erstan& it"7 6I &i& not" I 4ust took 5ighteyes. %or& for it"7 It %as as uch as I coul& han&le! 4ust then" I trie& to let the con'ersation &ie" But Burrich %as relentless" 6If you %ent back to Buckkee$! or Buckkee$ To%n! they %oul& kill you" They.& hang you o'er %ater an& burn your bo&y" Or &is e ber it" But folk %oul& be sure you staye& &ea& this ti e"7 6Di& they hate ca e back! a not a e so07 an %ho ha& &ie& an& been burie&! again %alking a ong the ! an is accuse& of it an& then &ies 6Hate you0 5o" They like& you %ell enough! those that kne% you" But if you they.& fear you" It.s not a thing you coul& ex$lain a%ay as a trick"" The ;it is agic that is %ell thought of" ;hen a an& is burie&! %ell! in or&er for the right+ that you %ere $racticing Beast su&&enly! an& $ace& the roo sai&"
<DD

to re e ber you fon&ly! you.& ha'e to agic! an& use& it to kill the (ing" They.& e! but I coul& use a &rink!7 he

stay &ea&" If they sa% you %alking about! they.& take it as $roof that Regal %as ha'e to kill you again" -ore thoroughly the secon& ti e"7 Burrich stoo& t%ice" 6Da n

6-e! too!7 I sai& )uietly" Ten &ays later! 9ha&e ca e u$ the $ath" The ol& assassin %alke& slo%ly! %ith a staff! an& he carrie& his $ack u$ high on his shoul&ers" The &ay %as %ar ! an& he ha& thro%n back the hoo& of his cloak" His long gray hair ble% in the %in& an& he ha& let his bear& gro% to co'er ore of his face" #t first glance! he an! $erha$s! but no longer the looke& to be an itinerant tinker" # scarre& ol&

*ocke& -an" ;in& an& sun ha& %eathere& his face" Burrich ha& gone fishing+ a thing he $referre& to &o alone" 5ighteyes ha& co e to sun hi self on our &oorste$ in Burrich.s absence! but ha& For a ti e I %atche& hi elte& back into the %oo&s behin& the hut at the first %aft of 9ha&e.s scent on the air" I stoo& alone" co e" The %inter ha& age& hi ! in the lines of his ore strongly than I re e bere&! eet hi ! feeling strangely e! he halte& an& stoo& in face an& the gray of his hair" But he %alke&

as if $ri'ation ha& toughene& hi " #t last I %ent to shy an& e barrasse&" ;hen he looke& u$ an& sa% I

the trail" I continue& to%ar& hi " 6Boy07 he aske& cautiously %hen I %as near" anage& a no& an& a s ile" The ans%ering s ile that broke forth on his face e" He &ro$$e& his staff to hug e! an& then $resse& his cheek to y boy!7 he sai& in a 'oice full of e" ine as if I %ere a chil&" 6Oh! Fit1! Fit1! hu ble&

relief" 6I thought %e ha& lost you" I thought %e.& &one so ething %orse than let you &ie"7 His ol& ar s %ere tight an& strong about I %as kin& to the ol& an" I &i& not tell hi that they ha&"

9H#*TER T;O The *arting

<DE

#FTER 9RO;5I5J HI-SE=F (ing of the Six Duchies! *rince Regal Farseer essentially aban&one& the 9oastal Duchies to their o%n &e'ices" He ha& stri$$e& Buckkee$ itself an& a goo& $art of Buck Duchy of as as he coul& %ring fro it" Fro uch coin Buckkee$! horses an& stock ha& been sol& off!

%ith the 'ery best taken inlan& to Regal.s ne% resi&ence at Tra&efor&" The furnishings an& library of the tra&itional royal seat ha& been $lun&ere& as %ell! so e to feather the ne% nest! so e &i''ie& out to his Inlan& &ukes an& nobles as fa'ors or sol& outright to the " Jrain %arehouses! %ine cellars! the ar ories! all ha& been $lun&ere& an& the loot carrie& off inlan&" His announce& $lan ha& been to they ight be safer fro o'e the ailing (ing Shre%&! an& the %i&o%e& an& $regnant Iueen/in/;aiting (ettricken! inlan& to Tra&efor&! that the Re&/Shi$ rai&s that $lague& the 9oastal Duchies" This! too! %as the excuse for the looting of furnishings an& 'aluables fro Buckkee$" But %ith the &eath of Shre%& an& the &isa$$earance of (ettricken! e'en this fli sy reason 'anishe&" 5onetheless he left Buckkee$ as soon after his coronation as he coul&" The tale has been tol& that %hen his 9ouncil of 5obles )uestione& his &ecision! he tol& the that the 9oastal Duchies re$resente& only %ar an& ex$ense to hi ! that they ha& al%ays been a leech u$on the resources of the Inlan& Duchies an& he %ishe& the OutIslan&ers the 4oy of taking such a rocky an& cheerless $lace" Regal %as later to &eny ha'ing e'er uttere& such %or&s" ;hen (ettricken 'anishe&! (ing Regal %as left in a $osition for %hich there %as no historical $rece&ent" The chil& (ettricken carrie& ha& ob'iously been next in line for the cro%n" But both Iueen an& unborn chil& ha& 'anishe&! un&er 'ery sus$icious circu stances" 5ot all %ere certain that Regal hi self ha& not engineere& it" E'en if the Iueen ha& re aine& at Buckkee$! the chil& coul& not assu e e'en the title of (ing/in/;aiting for at least se'enteen years"
<EH

Regal beca e 'ery anxious to assu e the title of (ing as s%iftly as $ossible! but by la% he nee&e& the recognition of all Six Duchies to clai %as Regal.s $ro ise that Buckkee$ %oul& re ain the coast" The co an& of the ancient kee$ %as foiste& off on his el&est ne$he%! heir to ore than %illing to the title Duke of Farro%" =or& Bright! at t%enty/fi'e! ha& gro%n restless %aiting for his father to $ass $o%er to hi " He %as assu e authority o'er Buckkee$ an& Buck! but ha& little ex$erience to &ra% on" Regal took hi self inlan& to Tra&efor& 9astle on the Ain Ri'er in Farro%! %hile young =or& Bright re aine& at Buckkee$ %ith a $icke& guar& of Farro% en" It is not re$orte& that Regal left hi young any fun&s to o$erate fro ! so the the erchants of alice an en&ea'ore& to %ring %hat he nee&e& fro it" He bought a4or one the cro%n %ith a nu ber of concessions to his 9oastal Dukes" The

anne& an& rea&y to &efen&

Buckkee$ To%n! an& the alrea&y e battle& far ers an& she$her&s of surroun&ing Buck Duchy" ;hile there is no in&ication that he felt any loyalty to%ar& the " #lso in resi&ence at Buckkee$ at this ti e %ere a han&ful of little they coul& to $rotect their local folk" The inor Buck nobility" -ost lan&hol&ers of Buck %ere at their o%n lesser kee$s! &oing %hat ost notable to re ain at Buckkee$ %as =a&y *atience! she %ho ha& been Iueen/in/;aiting until her husban& *rince 9hi'alry ab&icate& the throne to his younger brother Aerity" -anning Buckkee$ %ere the Buck sol&iers! as %ell as Iueen (ettricken.s $ersonal guar&! an& the fe% en %ho re aine& of (ing Shre%&.s guar&" to -orale %as $oor a ong the sol&iers! for %ages %ere inter ittent an& the rations $oor" =or& Bright ha& brought his o%n $ersonal guar& %ith hi Buckkee$! an& ob'iously $referre& the
<E1

to%ar& the folk of Buck or the other 9oastal Duchies! neither &i& he ha'e any

to the Buck

en" The situation %as

further co $licate& by a

u&&le& chain of co

an&" Ostensibly the Buck en! the co an&er of

troo$s %ere to re$ort to 9a$tain (effel of the Farro%

=or& Bright.s guar&" In reality! Foxglo'e of the Iueen.s Juar&! (erf of the Buckkee$ Juar&! an& ol& Re& of (ing Shre%&.s guar& ban&e& together an& ke$t their o%n counsel" If they re$orte& regularly to anyone! it %as =a&y *atience" In ti e the Buck sol&iers ca e to s$eak of her as the =a&y of Buckkee$" E'en after his coronation! Regal re aine& 4ealous of his title" He sent essengers far an& %i&e! seeking %or& of %here Iueen (ettricken an& the unborn heir ight be" His sus$icions that she ight ha'e sought shelter %ith to &e an& her return her father! (ing Eyo& of the -ountain (ing&o ! le& hi

of hi " ;hen Eyo& re$lie& that the %hereabouts of the Iueen of the Six Duchies %as no concern for the -ountain folk! Regal angrily se'ere& ties %ith the -ountain (ing&o ! cutting off tra&e an& atte $ting to block e'en co on tra'elers fro crossing the boun&aries" #t the sa e ti e! ru ors that al ost certainly began at Regal.s behest began to circulate that the chil& (ettricken carrie& %as not of Aerity.s getting an& hence ha& no legiti ate clai to the Six Duchies throne" on It %as a bitter ti e for the s all folk of Buck" #ban&one& by their king an& &efen&e& only by a s all force of $oorly $ro'isione& sol&iers! the co &estroy! =or& Bright.s folk %ere left ru&&erless on a stor y sea" ;hat the Rai&ers &i& not steal or en sei1e& for taxes" The roa&s beca e $lague& %ith an cannot ake a li'ing! folk %ill &o %hat they aking a li'ing an& fle& the coast! to robbers! for %hen an honest

ust" S all crofters ga'e u$ any ho$e of sent out sel&o ca e back at all"

beco e beggars! thie'es! an& %hores in the inlan& cities" Tra&e &ie&! for shi$s

<E2

9ha&e an& I sat on the bench in front of the hut an& talke&" ;e &i& not s$eak of $ortentous things! nor the significant e'ents of the $ast" ;e &i& not &iscuss return fro y the gra'e or the current $olitical situation" Instea&! he s$oke of our

s all share& things as if I ha& been gone on a long 4ourney" Slink the %easel %as getting ol&+ the $ast %inter ha& stiffene& hi ! an& e'en the co ing of s$ring ha& not enli'ene& hi " 9ha&e feare& he %oul& not last another year" 9ha&e ha& finally anage& to &ry $ennant $lant lea'es %ithout the isse& that I y roo il&e%ing! but ha& foun& the &rie& herb to ha'e little $otency" ;e both 9ook Sara.s $astries" 9ha&e aske& if there %as anything fro think uch ha& been taken! nor %oul& be

%ante&" Regal ha& ha& it searche&! an& ha& left it in &isarray! but he &i& not isse& if I chose to ha'e it no%" I treating %ith the to &rag aske& hi if he recalle& the ta$estry of (ing ;is&o such a stricken look that he i

El&erlings" He re$lie& that he &i&! but that it %as far too bulky for hi u$ here" I ga'e hi he su$$ose& he coul& fin& a %ay"

e&iately relente& an& sai&

I grinne&" 6It %as a 4oke! 9ha&e" That thing has ne'er &one anything sa'e gi'e e night ares %hen I %as s all" 5o" There.s nothing in i $ortant to e no%"7 e! al ost sa&ly" 6You lea'e behin& a life! %ith %hat! the 9ha&e looke& at y roo that.s

clothes on your back an& an earring0 #n& you say there.s nothing there you.& %ish brought to you" Does that not strike you as strange07 I sat thinking for a o ent" The s%or& Aerity ha& gi'en e" The sil'er ring =a&y Jrace" back" e to (ing Eyo& ha& gi'en e! that ha& been Rurisk.s" # $in fro

*atience.s sea/$i$es ha& been in -olly an&

y roo GI ho$e& she ha& got the

-y $aints an& $a$ers" # little box I ha& car'e& to hol&

y $oisons" Bet%een

e there ha& ne'er been any tokens" She %oul& ne'er allo%

<E8

gi'e her any gifts! an& I ha& ne'er thought to steal a ribbon fro ha& ,

her hair" If I

65o" # clean break is best! $erha$s" Though you.'e forgotten one ite "7 I turne& the collar of y rough shirt to sho% hi e! to ark the tiny ruby nestle& in sil'er" e" I set asi&e that 6The stick$in Shre%& ga'e thought" 6I. still sur$rise& that Regal.s guar& &i&n.t rob your bo&y" I su$$ose the ;it y nose %here it ha& been broken" 6They &i& has such an e'il re$utation they feare& you &ea& as %ell as ali'e"7 I reache& to finger the bri&ge of not see your face to fear e 9ha&e s ile& crooke&ly at ore character"7 in the sunlight" 6Really07 I s)uinte& at hi uch at all! that I coul& tell"7 e" 6The nose bothers you! &oes it0 I think it gi'es e as his" I still ha'e that"7 *atience

ha& use& it to secure the gra'e cloth that ha& %ra$$e&

65o" But it.s the $olite thing to say" It.s not so ba&! really" It al ost looks as if so eone trie& to set it"7 I shu&&ere& at the 4agge& ti$ of a tol& hi *ain for honestly" e clou&e& his face su&&enly" I looke& a%ay fro it! unable to bear ore bearable if I e ory" 6I &on.t %ant to think about it!7 I

his $ity" The recollections of the beatings I ha& en&ure& %ere ha& &one to e" I leane&

coul& $reten& that no one else ha& kno%n of the " I felt sha e& at %hat Regal y hea& back against the sun/soake& %oo& of the cabin %all an& took a long breath" 6So" ;hat is ha$$ening &o%n there %here $eo$le are still ali'e07 9ha&e cleare& his throat! acce$ting the change in to$ic" 6;ell" Ho% you kno%07 uch &o

<E<

65ot

uch" That (ettricken an& the Fool got a%ay" That *atience

ay ha'e

hear& (ettricken got safely to the -ountains" That Regal is angry %ith (ing Eyo& of the -ountains an& has cut his tra&e routes" That Aerity is still ali'e! but no one has hear& fro you re e ber that fro I looke& asi&e fro hi "7 the night Burrich an& I &iscusse& it"7 ight re e ber a &rea you 6;hoa: ;hoa:7 9ha&e sat u$ 'ery straight" 6The ru or about (ettricken , hi " 6In the %ay that you

once ha&" In un&er%ater colors! an& the e'ents out of or&er" Only that I hear& you say so ething about it"7 6#n& that about Aerity07 The su&&en tension in hi y s$ine" 6He Skille& to e that night!7 I sai& )uietly" 6I tol& you then that he %as ali'e"7 6D#-5:7 9ha&e lea$e& to his feet an& ho$$e& about in rage" It %as a $erfor ance I ha& ne'er %itnesse& before an& I stare& at hi ! caught bet%een a a1e ent an& fear" 6Burrich an& I ga'e your %or&s no cre&ence: Oh! %e %ere $lease& to hear you utter the ! an& %hen you ran off! he sai&! F=et the boy go! that.s as finger at uch as he can &o tonight! he re e bers his $rince" That.s e e'erything"7 all %e thought it %as" Da n an& &a n:7 He halte& su&&enly an& $ointe& a e" 6Re$ort" Tell I fu ble& after %hat I recalle&" It %as as &ifficult to sort it out as if I ha& seen it through the %olf.s eyes" 6He %as col&" But ali'e" Either tire& or hurt" Slo%e&! so eho%" He %as trying to get through an& I %as $ushing hi suggesting I &rink" To get 6;here %as he07 6I &on.t kno%" Sno%" # forest"7 I gro$e& after ghostly he kne% %here he %as"7 e ories" 6I &on.t think y %alls &o%n! I su$$ose ,7 a%ay so he ke$t $ut a chill of &rea& &o%n

<E?

9ha&e.s green eyes bore& into 9an you tell I shook I shook ust:7 e he still li'es07

e" 69an you reach hi

at all! feel hi

at all0

y hea&" -y heart %as starting to $oun& in no%07 y belly" y hea&" Tension tightene&

y chest"

69an you Skill to hi

9ha&e.s frustration gre% %ith e'ery shake of 6I &on.t %ant to:7 I crie& out su&&enly" I %as on Run a%ay: Run a%ay fast:

y hea&" 6Da n it! Fit1! you y feet"

I &i&" It %as su&&enly that si $le" I fle& 9ha&e an& the hut as if all the &e'ils of the OutIslan&er hell/islan&s %ere after 5ighteyes %as besi&e u$hill! a%ay fro e" e" So %e bolte& e" 9ha&e calle& after e but I refuse& to hear his %or&s" I ran! an& as soon as I %as in the shelter of the trees! 5ot that %ay! Heart of the *ack is that %ay! he %arne&

the creek! u$ to a big tangle of bra bles that o'erhung a

bank %here 5ighteyes sheltere& on stor y nights" ;hat %as it0 ;hat %as the &anger0 5ighteyes &e an&e&" He %ante& e to go back! I a& itte& after a ti e" I trie& to fra e it in a %ay e to , be not a %olf any ore" y back" In ex$laining to 5ighteyes! I ha& brought an! t%iste& by his $ast! %hose heart $u $e& that 5ighteyes %oul& un&erstan&" He %ante& # su&&en chill %ent u$

yself face/to/face %ith the truth" The choice %as si $le" Be a %olf! %ith no $ast! no future! only to&ay" Or a fear %ith his bloo&" I coul& %alk on t%o legs! an& kno% sha e an& co%ering as a %ay of life" Or run on four! an& forget until e'en -olly %as 4ust a $leasant scent I recalle&" I sat still beneath the bra bles! 5ighteyes. back! y han& resting lightly on y eyes staring into a $lace only I coul& see" Slo%ly the light

change& an& e'ening &ee$ene& to &usk" -y &ecision gre% as slo%ly an&

<EB

ine'itably as the cree$ing &ark" -y heart crie& out against it! but the alternati'es %ere unbearable" I steele& y %ill to it" y tail bet%een y legs" It It %as &ark %hen I %ent back" I cre$t ho e %ith s oke as a

%as strange to co e back to the cabin as a %olf again! to s ell the rising %oo& an.s thing! an& to blink at the fire.s glo% through the shutters" y in& free of 5ighteyes." e0 Reluctantly I $eele& I %oul& ;hy0 I shook fro y hea&" The e&ge of &ecision %as so thin an& ne%! I &are& not test it y clothes an& to s ooth back y hair an& retie it in a tail" I ho$e& y by s$eaking" I sto$$e& at the e&ge of the %oo&s to brush the lea'es an& &irt face %as not &irty" I s)uare& y shoul&ers an& force& yself to %alk back to e" Bet%een the t%o of an0 Yet I yself! it

;oul& you not rather hunt %ith

uch rather hunt %ith you" But I cannot this night"

the cabin! to o$en the &oor an& enter an& look at the " I felt horribly 'ulnerable" They.& been sharing infor ation about the they kne% al ost all of shre&s" Ho% coul& I stan& before the coul& not fault the %as true! but sa'e y secrets" -y tattere& &ignity no% &angle& in an& ex$ect to be treate& as a e" Fro

for it" They ha& been trying to sa'e

e all the sa e" 5ot their fault that %hat they ha& sa'e& %as

scarcely %orth ha'ing" They %ere at table %hen I entere&" If I ha& run off like this a fe% %eeks ago! Burrich %oul& ha'e lea$e& u$! to shake e an& cuff e %hen I returne&" I e a %ariness I kne% %e %ere $ast that sort of thing no% but the 9ha&e looke& at 6I &i& not e %ith sha e an& concern" e ory ga'e

coul& not co $letely &isguise" Ho%e'er! his face sho%e& only relief! %hile ean to $ress you that har&!7 he sai& earnestly! before I coul& s$eak"

<EC

6You &i&n.t!7 I sai& )uietly" 6You but $ut your finger on the s$ot %here I ha& been $ressing I &re% u$ yself the ost" So eti es a an &oesn.t kno% ho% ba&ly he.s hurt until so eone else $robes the %oun&" 6 y chair" #fter %eeks of si $le foo& to see cheese an& honey an& el&erberry %ine all set out on the table at once %as al ost shocking" There %as a loaf of brea& as %ell to su$$le ent the trout Burrich ha& caught" For a ti e %e 4ust ate! %ithout talk other than table re)uests" It see e& to ease the strangeness" But the tension ca e back" 6I un&erstan& your )uestion no%!7 Burrich sai& abru$tly" 9ha&e an& I both looke& at hi in sur$rise" 6# fe% &ays ago! %hen you aske& %hat %e %oul& &o ore I coul& &o for her" next" >n&erstan& that I ha& gi'en Aerity u$ as lost" (ettricken carrie& his heir! but she %as safe no% in the -ountains" There %as no If I inter'ene& in any %ay! I ight betray her to others" Best to let her stay y gra'e by then! I su$$ose& I y king as a thing of the o ent the eal %as finishe& an& cleare& a%ay! the

hi&&en! safe %ith her father.s $eo$le" By the ti e her chil& ca e to an age to reach for his throne , %ell! if I %as not in %oul& &o %hat I coul&" For no%! I sa% $ast" So %hen you aske& 6#n& no%07 I aske& )uietly" 6If Aerity li'es still! then a $reten&er has clai e& his throne" I a co e to e 'ery har&" Run a%ay again" I can.t" Burrich flinche& as if I ha& $oke& hi the &oor! %oul& he fling hi self u$on o'e! 4ust %aite&"
<ED

y ser'ice to

e I sa% only the nee& to take care of oursel'es"7 s%orn to

y king.s ai&" #s is 9ha&e" #s are you"7 They %ere both looking at

%ith a $in" I %on&ere&! if I e to sto$

o'e& for

e0 But he &i& not s$eak or

65ot I" That Fit1 &ie&!7 I sai& bluntly" Burrich looke& as if I ha& struck hi " But 9ha&e aske& )uietly! 6Then %hy &oes he still %ear (ing Shre%&.s $in07 I reache& u$ an& &re% it out of Instea& I sat an& looke& at it" 6El&erberry %ine07 9ha&e offere&! but not to 6It.s cool tonight" I.ll re e bere& Di& that free 6;hat ha'e I I esca$e that0 6Regal tol& 6It e!7 I sai& consi&eringly" 6That I ha& but to scratch yself to yself to fin& 5a eless the &og/boy"7 I looke& u$ an& force& ight be nice to be hi "7 eet Burrich.s eyes" e" y han&" I ake tea!7 Burrich countere&" y collar" Here! I ha& inten&e& to say! here! you &one %ith it" I ha'en.t the s$ine for it" take it an& all that goes %ith it" I.

9ha&e no&&e&" Still I sat! hol&ing the re&/an&/sil'er $in in boy.s shirt" 6There!7 he ha& sai&" 65o% you are e fro

y king.s han&s as he.& $ushe& the $in through the fol&s of a ine"7 But he %as &ea& no%" e0 ore" -ore e0 Or coul& y $ro ise0 #n& the last thing he ha& sai& to a&e of

a&e of you07 I $ushe& that )uestion asi&e once

i $ortant! %hat %as I no%0 ;as I no% %hat Regal ha&

6;oul& it07 Burrich aske&" 6There %as a ti e %hen you &i& not think so" ;ho are you! Fit1! if you are not the (ing.s -an0 ;hat are you0 ;here %oul& you go07 ;here %oul& I go! %ere I free0 To -olly! crie& thrusting asi&e the i&ea before it coul& sear life! I ha& lost her" I consi&ere& $lace I coul& go! really" I set fir I. ga1e" 6I. goo& %ith ani als! I. y heart" I shook y hea&! y e" 5o" E'en before I ha& lost

y e $ty! bitter free&o " There %as only one et Burrich.s eyes %ith a ake a li'ing"7

y %ill! looke& u$! an&

going a%ay" #ny%here" To the 9halce& States! to Bingto%n" a &ecent scribe! too" I coul&
<EE

65o &oubt of it" But a li'ing is not a life!7 Burrich $ointe& out" 6;ell! %hat is07 I &e an&e&! su&&enly an& truly angry" ;hy &i& they ha'e to ake this so har&0 ;or&s an& thoughts su&&enly goute& fro fro a festering %oun&" 6You.& ha'e e &e'ote yself to e like $oison y king an&

sacrifice all else to it! as you &i&" Ji'e u$ the %o an I lo'e to follo% a king like a &og at his heels! as you &i&" #n& %hen that king aban&one& you0 You s%allo%e& it! you raise& his bastar& for hi " Then they took it all a%ay fro you! stable! horses! &ogs! en to co an&" They left you nothing! not e'en a e! &ragge& the bastar& out of a coffin roof o'er your hea&! those kings you %ere s%orn to" So %hat &i& you &o0 ;ith nothing else left to you! you hung on to an& force& hi accusingly" He stare& at e! bereft of %or&s" I %ante& to sto$! but so ething &ro'e e on" e u$ The anger felt goo&! like a cleansing fire" I clenche& again! for the to knock &o%n0 For %hat0 To on ake ake y han&s into fists as I e o%e you so ething0 an %ith no life ore back to life" # life I hate! a life I &on.t %ant:7 I glare& at hi

&e an&e&! 6;hy are you al%ays there0 ;hy &o you al%ays stan& To gi'e you a clai of I y o%n! a

y life because you &on.t ha'e the s$ine to ha'e a life e 4ust like you! a y king" 9an.t you see there.s

of your o%n0 #ll you %ant to &o is

an %ho gi'es it all u$ for

to being ali'e than gi'ing it all u$ for so eone else07 et his eyes an& then looke& a%ay fro the $aine& astonish ent I sa% there" e" I shoul& be &ea&! but you e" But %ho ga'e you that right e07 65o!7 I sai& &ully after a breath" 6You &on.t see! you can.t kno%" You can.t e'en i agine %hat you.'e taken a%ay fro %oul&n.t let o'er &oing %hat %as right! no atter ho% it hurt e &ie" #ll %ith the best of intentions! al%ays belie'ing you %ere

e0 ;ho &ecree& you coul& &o this to

?HH

There %as no soun& but

y o%n 'oice in the roo " 9ha&e %as fro1en! an& the a&e e angrier" I sa% hi gather hi self u$" He e that e! y $rince tol&

look on Burrich.s face only task! Fit1" I &i& 9hi'alry sai& to

reache& for his $ri&e an& &ignity as he sai& )uietly! 6Your father ga'e y best by you! boy" The last thing e! 6Raise hi %ell" #n& I ,7

6Ja'e u$ the next &eca&e of your life to raising so eone else.s bastar&!7 I cut in %ith sa'age sarcas " 6Took care of e! because it %as the only thing you really kne% ho% to &o" #ll your life! Burrich! you.'e been looking after so eone else! $utting so eone else first! sacrificing any kin& of a nor al life for so eone else.s benefit" =oyal as a houn&" Is that a life0 Ha'en.t you e'er thought of being your o%n an! an& aking your o%n &ecisions0 Or is a fear y chest rising an& falling as I of that %hat $ushes you &o%n the neck of a bottle07 -y 'oice ha& risen to a shout" ;hen I ran out of %or&s! I stare& at hi ! $ante& out y fury" yself that so e&ay he %oul& $ay for uck out %hen I thought e! for e'ery stall I.& ha& to #s an angry boy! I.& often $ro ise& e'ery cuff he ha& gi'en

I %as too tire& to stan&" ;ith those %or&s! I ke$t that sulky little $ro ise tenfol&" His eyes %ere %i&e an& he %as s$eechless %ith $ain" I sa% his chest hea'e once! as if to catch a breath knocke& out of hi " The shock in his eyes %as the sa e as if I ha& su&&enly $lunge& a knife into hi " I stare& at hi " I %asn.t sure %here those %or&s ha& co e fro ! but it %as too late to call the change the back" Saying 6I. uch" it" Burrich! a&e it to sorry7 %oul& not un/utter the ! %oul& not e! that he %oul& gi'e in the least" I su&&enly ho$e& he %oul& hit

both of us at least that

He stoo& une'enly! the chair legs scra$ing back on the %oo&en floor" The chair itself teetere& o'er an& fell %ith a crash as he %alke& a%ay fro %ho %alke& so stea&y %hen full of bran&y! %o'e like a &runk as he
?H1

the &oor an& %ent out into the night" I 4ust sat! feeling so ething insi&e 'ery still" I ho$e& it %as For a aske& )uietly after a ti e" 6I &on.t kno%"7 I lie& so %ell" 9ha&e hi self ha& taught fire" For a foun& y heart" o ent all %as silence" # long

e go

o ent" Then 9ha&e sighe&" 6;hy07 he e" I looke& into the

o ent! I al ost trie& to ex$lain it to hi " I &eci&e& I coul& not" I e! e'en %hen I &i&n.t %ant hi an shoul& ake for another to &o it" He has to sto$ &oing an shoul& &o for another! any

yself talking all aroun& it" 6-aybe I nee&e& to get free of hi " Of all back for" Things no

he.& &one for sacrifices no

things I can ne'er $ay hi

an" I &on.t %ant to o%e hi

ore" I &on.t %ant to o%e anyone anything"7 ;hen 9ha&e s$oke! it %as atter/of/factly" His long/fingere& han&s reste& on the his thighs! )uietly! al ost relaxe&" But his green eyes ha& gone the color of co$$er ore! an& his anger li'e& in the " 6E'er since you ca e back fro -ountain (ing&o ! it.s been as if you %ere s$oiling for a fight" ;ith anyone" ;hen you %ere a boy an& you %ere sullen or sulky! I coul& $ut it &o%n to your being a boy! %ith a boy.s 4u&g ent an& frustrations" But you ca e back %ith an , anger" =ike a challenge to the %orl& at large! to kill you if it coul&" It %asn.t 4ust that you thre% yourself in Regal.s $ath3 %hate'er %as ost &angerous to you! you $lunge& yourself into" Burrich %asn.t the only one to see it" =ook back o'er the last year3 e'ery ti e I turne& about! here %as Fit1! railing at the %orl&! in the i&&le of a fistfight! in the i&st of a battle! e%ling erry %ith %ra$$e& u$ in ban&aging! &runk as a fisher an! or li $ as string an& for elfbark" ;hen %ere you cal an& thoughtful! %hen %ere you

your frien&s! %hen %ere you e'er si $ly at $eace0 If you %eren.t challenging your ene ies! you %ere &ri'ing a%ay your frien&s" ;hat ha$$ene& bet%een

?H2

you an& the Fool0 ;here is -olly no%0 You.'e 4ust sent Burrich $acking" ;ho.s next07 6You! I su$$ose"7 The %or&s ca e out of %ant to s$eak the 6You.'e Burrich"7 6I kno% that!7 I sai& bluntly" I &ecision lately"7 6I.& concur %ith that!7 9ha&e agree& relentlessly" #n& it %as back! the e ber of y anger billo%ing into fla e" 6*erha$s ake y o%n &ecisions" *erha$s ine! because I.'e ne'er been gi'en the chance to et his eyes" 6For a long ti e no%! nothing I.'e to ake a goo& &one has $lease& you" Or Burrich" Or anyone" I can.t see but I coul& not hol& the e any %ay! ine'itably" I &i& not back" It %as ti e"

o'e& a fair %ay to%ar& that alrea&y! %ith the %ay you s$oke to

because I.'e been e'eryone.s Fboy. too long" Burrich.s stableboy! your a$$rentice assassin! Aerity.s $et! *atience.s $age" ;hen &i& I get to be for e07 I aske& the )uestion fiercely" the -ountains" You %ent to Aerity to say

6;hen &i& you not07 9ha&e &e an&e& 4ust as heate&ly" 6That.s all you.'e &one since you ca e back fro you.& ha& enough of being an assassin 4ust %hen )uiet %ork %as nee&e&" *atience trie& to %arn you clear of -olly! but you ha& your %ay there as %ell" It a&e her a target" You $ulle& *atience into $lots that ex$ose& her to &anger" y You bon&e& to the %olf! &es$ite all Burrich sai& to you" You )uestione&

e'ery &ecision about (ing Shre%&.s health" #n& your next/to/last stu$i& act at Buckkee$ %as to 'olunteer to be $art of an u$rising against the cro%n" You brought us as close to a ci'il %ar as %e.'e been in a hun&re& years"7 6#n& y last stu$i& act07 I aske& %ith bitter curiosity" 6(illing @ustin an& Serene"7 He s$oke a flat accusation"

?H8

6They.& 4ust &raine&

y king! 9ha&e!7 I $ointe& out icily" 6(ille& hi anage& to to%er o'er e! all

in

ar s as it %ere" ;hat %as I to &o07 He stoo& u$ an& so eho% e as he ha& use& to" 6;ith all your years of training fro y schooling in )uiet %ork! you %ent

racing about in the kee$ %ith a &ra%n knife! cutting the throat of one+ an& stabbing the other to &eath in the Jreat Hall before all asse ble& nobles , -y fine a$$rentice assassin: That %as the only %ay you coul& think of to acco $lish it07 6I %as angry:7 I roare& at hi " 6Exactly:7 he roare& back" 6You %ere angry" So you &estroye& our $o%er base at Buckkee$: You ha& the confi&ence of the 9oastal Dukes! an& you chose to sho% yourself to the Farseer line"7 6# fe% &ukes"7 65o" I rebuke& you for $utting yourself before the " You shoul& ne'er ha'e let the offer you the rule of Buckkee$" Ha& you been &oing your tasks $ro$erly! such a thought %oul& ne'er ha'e occurre& to the " O'er an& o'er an& o'er again! you forget your $lace" You are not a $rince! you are an assassin" You are not the $layer! you are the ga e/$iece" #n& %hen you ake your o%n o'es! you set e'ery other strategy a%ry an& en&anger e'ery $iece on the boar&:7 5ot being able to think of a re$ly is not the sa e thing as acce$ting another.s %or&s" I glo%ere& at hi " He &i& not back &o%n but si $ly continue& to stan&! looking &o%n at y anger &eserte& of fear %elle& once e" >n&er the scrutiny of 9ha&e.s green stare the strength of e abru$tly! lea'ing only bitterness" -y secret un&ercurrent ore to the surface" -y resol'e ble& fro e" I coul&n.t both" #fter a ti e! I hear& o ents ago! you rebuke& e for ha'ing the confi&ence of those as a a& an: Shattere& their last bit of faith in the

&o this" I &i& not ha'e the strength to &efy the

?H<

yself saying sullenly! 6#ll right" Aery %ell" You an& Burrich are right! as al%ays" I $ro ise I shall no longer think! I shall si $ly obey" ;hat &o you %ant e to &o07 65o"7 Succinct" 65o %hat07 He shook his hea& slo%ly" 6;hat has co e you be $ri'y to ost clear to e tonight is that I e! nor %ill ust not base anything on you" You.ll get no assign ent fro the finality in his 'oice" He turne& asi&e fro s$oke again! it %as not as #n& %hat %e the y

y $lans any longer" Those &ays are o'er"7 I coul& not gras$ e! his eyes going afar" ;hen he you" But you.re &angerous" aster! but as 9ha&e" He looke& at the %all as he

s$oke" 6I lo'e you! boy" I &on.t %ith&ra% that fro i&&le of it"7 yself" et

ust atte $t is &angerous enough %ithout you going berserk in

6;hat &o you atte $t07 I aske&! &es$ite His eyes

ine as he slo%ly shook his hea&" In the kee$ing of that secret!

he sun&ere& our ties" I felt su&&enly a&rift" I %atche& in a &a1e as he took u$ his $ack an& cloak" 6It.s &ark out!7 I $ointe& out" 6#n& Buckkee$ is a far! rough %alk! e'en in &aylight" #t least stay the night! 9ha&e"7 6I can.t" You.& but $ick at this )uarrel like a scab until you got it blee&ing afresh" Enough har& %or&s ha'e alrea&y been sai&" Best I lea'e no%"7 #n& he &i&" I sat an& %atche& the fire burn lo% alone" I ha& gone too far %ith both of the ! uch farther than I ha& e'er inten&e&" I ha& %ante& to $art %ays %ith the + instea& I.& $oisone& e'ery There.& be no 'ery short ti e" I knotte& the e ory of e they.& e'er ha&" It %as &one" y things" It took a y %inter cloak" I a&e %ith en&ing this" I got u$ an& began to gather into a bun&le
?H?

%on&ere& if I acte& out of chil&ish $i)ue or su&&en &ecisi'eness" I %on&ere& if there %as a &ifference" I sat for a ti e before the hearth! clutching sorry as I left" I force& an& $ut ha& &ragge& stoo& bet%een yself to look carefully at that" Then I un&i& &eath! he ha& sle$t bet%een y bun&le" I y bun&le %ante& Burrich to co e back! so he %oul& see I %as sorry! %oul& kno% I %as y blanket before the hearth an& stretche& out on it" E'er since Burrich e back fro e an& the &oor" e in" So e nights it ha& felt as if he %ere all that

*erha$s it ha& been to kee$

e an& the &ark" 5o% he %as not there" Des$ite the %alls of the e" e" I trie&! but coul& not $ut any real feeling in the e! an& no% I %as e $ty" #n& so

hut! I felt I curle& alone on the bare! %il& face of the %orl&" You al%ays ha'e I kno%" #n& you ha'e tire&" ;ith so

%or&s" I ha& $oure& out e'ery e otion in uch still to &o"

The gray one has %or&s %ith Heart of the *ack" Shall I listen0 5o" Their %or&s belong to the " I felt 4ealous that they %ere together %hile I %as alone" Yet I also took co fort in it" *erha$s Burrich coul& talk 9ha&e into co ing back until orning" *erha$s 9ha&e coul& leech so e of the $oison I.& yself" s$raye& at Burrich" I stare& into the fire" I &i& not think highly of

There is a &ea& s$ot in the night! that col&est! blackest ti e %hen the %orl& has forgotten e'ening an& &a%n is not yet a $ro ise" # ti e %hen it is far too early to arise! but so late that going to be& 69ha&e.s gone!7 he sai& )uietly" I hear& hi %as as if akes s all sense" That %as %hen right the fallen chair" He sat on it hi ! no ani osity" It Burrich ca e in" I %as not aslee$! but I &i& not stir" He %as not foole&" an& began taking his boots off" I felt no hostility fro $ast anger an& hurt into nu bness"

y angry %or&s ha& ne'er been s$oken" Or as if he.& been $ushe&

?HB

6It.s too &ark for hi

to be %alking!7 I sai& to the fla es" I s$oke carefully! ore to stay!

fearing to break the s$ell of cal " 6I kno%" But he ha& a s all lantern %ith hi " He sai& he feare& feare& he coul& not kee$ his resol'e %ith you" To let you go"7 ;hat I ha& been snarling for earlier no% see e& like an aban&on ent" The fear surge& u$ in angry! I %as ,7 6Right on target"7 The soun& he freighte& %ith bitterness" 6Only in the %ay that $eo$le %ho kno% one another best kno% ho% to hurt one another best!7 I $lea&e&" 65o" It is so" *erha$s this &og &oes nee& a as he s$oke of hi self %as &i& not set out to on any e that no aster"7 The ockery in his 'oice I ha& s$e%e&" I e" 6I ore $oisonous than any 'eno a&e ight ha'e been a laugh! if not so e! un&ercutting y resol'e" I sat u$ abru$tly! $anicky" I took a long shu&&ering breath" 6Burrich" ;hat I sai& to you earlier! I %as

coul& not s$eak" He sat u$! let his boots &ro$ to the floor" He glance& at ake you 4ust like

e! Fit1" That is not a thing I %oul& %ish ine"7

an" I %ishe& you to be like your father" But so eti es it see e& to atter %hat I &i&! you $ersiste& in $atterning your life after

He stare& into the e bers for a ti e" #t last he began to s$eak again! softly! to the fire" He soun&e& as if he %ere telling an ol& tale to a slee$y chil&" 6I %as born in the 9halce& States" # little coast to%n! a fishing an& shi$$ing $ort" =ees" -y after other &i& %ashing to su$$ort y gran& other an& e" -y father %as &ea& before I %as born! taken by the sea" -y gran& other looke& e! but she %as 'ery ol&! an& often ill"7 I hear& e! an& &i& her best %ith ore than sa% his bitter s ile" 6# lifeti e of being a sla'e &oes not lea'e a %o an %ith soun& health" She lo'e& e" But I %as not a boy %ho %oul& $lay in

?HC

the cottage at )uiet ga es" #n& there %as no one at ho e strong enough to o$$ose y %ill" ale in y %orl& %ho %as e" # street cur" -angy" Scarre&" His only 'alue %as sur'i'al! his e" #s y loyalty %as to hi " His %orl&! his %ay %as all I ean" The neighbors thought I %as a sure! ha& her y 6So I bon&e&! 'ery young! to the only strong intereste& in only loyalty to getting it" I a ute" -y

kne%" Taking %hat you %ante&! %hen you %ante& it! an& not %orrying $ast sure you kno% %hat I other thought I %as a half/%it" -y gran& other! I a

sus$icions" She trie& to &ri'e the &og a%ay! but like you! I ha& a %ill of o%n in those

atters" I su$$ose I %as about eight %hen he ran bet%een a horse his chair! an& %ent to his blankets" e %hen I %as less than that age" I ha& &ying oneself" 6;hat &i& you &o07

an& its cart an& %as kicke& to &eath" He %as stealing a slab of bacon at the ti e"7 He got u$ fro belie'e& hi Burrich ha& taken 5osy a%ay fro

&ea&" But Burrich ha& ex$erience& the actual! 'iolent &eath of his

bon& co $anion" It %as little &ifferent fro I aske& )uietly" I hear& hi transferre&

aking u$ his be& an& lying &o%n on it" 6I learne& to talk!7 he sai& e to sur'i'e Slash.s &eath" In a sense! I y y bon& to her" 5ot that I forgot Slash.s lessons" I beca e a thief! a a&e y other an& gran& other.s life a bit better %ith

after a bit" 6-y gran& other force& fairly goo& one" I

ne% tra&e! though they ne'er sus$ecte& %hat I &i&" #bout a han& of years later! the bloo& $lague %ent through 9halce&" It %as the first ti e I.& e'er seen it" They both &ie&! an& I %as alone" So I %ent for a sol&ier"7 I listene& in a a1e ent" #ll the years I ha& kno%n hi Drink ha& ne'er loosene& his tongue! but only %or&s %ere s$illing out of hi ! %ashing a%ay a&e hi as a taciturn an" ore silent" 5o% the

y years of %on&ering an&

?HD

sus$ecting" ;hy he su&&enly s$oke so o$enly! I &i& not kno%" His 'oice %as the only soun& in the fire lit roo " 6I first fought for so e $etty lan& chief in 9halce&" @ecto" 5ot kno%ing or caring %hy %e fought! if there %as any right or %rong to it"7 He snorte& softly" 6#s I tol& you! a li'ing is not a life" But I &i& %ell enough at it" I earne& a re$utation for 'iciousness" 5o one ex$ects a boy to fight %ith a beast.s ferocity an& guile" It %as year! learning y only key to sur'i'al a ongst the kin& of en I sol&iere& %ith then" But one &ay %e lost a ca $aign" I s$ent se'eral onths! no! al ost a

y gran& other.s hatre& of sla'ers" ;hen I esca$e&! I &i& %hat for

she ha& al%ays &rea e& of &oing" I %ent to the Six Duchies! %here there are no sla'es! nor sla'ers" Jri11le %as Duke of Shoaks then" I sol&iere& for hi a bit" So eho% I en&e& u$ taking care of y troo$.s horses" I like& it %ell

enough" Jri11le.s troo$s %ere gentle en co $are& %ith the &regs that sol&iere& for @ecto! but I still $referre& the co $any of horses to theirs" 6;hen the San&se&ge %ar %as &one! Duke Jri11le took he %as not ine" Jri11le ro&e hi e ho e to his o%n for stu&" stables" I bon&e& %ith a young stallion there" 5eko" I ha& the care of hi ! but to hunt" So eti es! they use& hi But Jri11le %as not a gentle stallions! as so e ine as further to uch as an" So eti es he $ut 5eko to fight other are in season!

en fight &ogs or cocks for a use ent" # y o%n %as" #n& so I gre% to be a

an& the better stallion to ha'e her" #n& I , I %as bon&e& to hi " His life %as an" Or at least! to ha'e the sha$e of one"7 Burrich %as silent a 6Duke Jri11le sol& 5eko an& six o ent" He &i& not nee& to ex$lain

e" #fter a ti e! he sighe& an& %ent on" ares! an& I %ent %ith the " >$ the coast! to

Ri$$on"7 He cleare& his throat" 6So e kin& of horse $lague %ent through that an.s stables" 5eko &ie&! 4ust a &ay after he starte& to sicken" I %as able to sa'e t%o of his ares" (ee$ing the ali'e ke$t
?HE

e fro

killing

yself" But

after%ar&! I lost all s$irit" I %as goo& for nothing! sa'e &rinking" Besi&es! there %ere scarcely enough ani als left in that stable to %arrant calling it such" So I %as let go" E'entually! to beco e a sol&ier again! this ti e for a young $rince na e& 9hi'alry" He.& co e to Ri$$on to settle a boun&ary &is$ute bet%een Shoaks an& Ri$$on &uchies" I &on.t kno% %hy his sergeant took %ere crack troo$s! his $ersonal guar&" I ha& run out of $ainfully sober for three &ays" I &i&n.t as a sol&ier" In the first eet their stan&ar&s as a e on" These an! let alone for oney an& been

onth I %as %ith 9hi'alry! I %as u$ before hi

&isci$line t%ice" For fighting" =ike a &og! or a stallion! I thought it %as the only %ay to establish $osition %ith the others" 6The first ti e I %as haule& before the *rince! bloo&y an& struggling still! I %as shocke& to see %e %ere of an age" #l ost all his troo$s %ere ol&er than I+ I ha& ex$ecte& to confront a sa% , %hat %e hi go easy on i&&le/age& an" I stoo& there before hi an& I ake et his eyes" #n& so ething like recognition $asse& bet%een us" #s if %e each ight ha'e been in &ifferent circu stances" It &i& not e" I lost y $ay an& earne& extra &uties" E'eryone ex$ecte& e" He cocke& his hea& as a &og %ill %hen it hears y $ay an& ga'e e ore &uties" But he ke$t e to e I.& be &ischarge&" 5o% they all ex$ecte&

9hi'alry to &ischarge

e the secon& ti e" I stoo& before hi ! rea&y to hate

hi ! an& he 4ust looke& at e" E'eryone ha& tol&

so ething far off" He &ocke&

&esert" I can.t say %hy I &i&n.t" ;hy sol&ier for no $ay an& extra &uties07 Burrich cleare& his throat again" I hear& hi ti e they &ragge& haule& shoul&er &ee$er into his be&" For a ti e he %as silent" He %ent on again at last! al ost un%illingly" 6The thir& e in! it %as for bra%ling in a ta'ern" The 9ity Juar& ore to &o %ith e" -y sergeant %as e before hi ! still bloo&y! still &runk! still %anting to fight" By then a&e no frien&s a ong the co
?1H

y fello% guar&s %ante& nothing &isguste&! I.&

on sol&iers" So the 9ity Juar&

ha&

e in custo&y" #n& they tol& 9hi'alry I.& knocke& t%o

en out an& hel&

off fi'e others %ith a sta'e until the Juar& ca e to ti$ the o&&s their %ay" 69hi'alry &is isse& the Juar&s! %ith a $urse to $ay for &a ages to the ta'ern kee$er" He sat behin& his table! so e half/finishe& %riting before hi ! an& looke& e u$ an& &o%n" Then he stoo& u$ %ithout a %or& an& $ushe& his table e to &eath" Instea&! he thre% e ho% you hel& off fi'e e out col&" e en". back to a corner of the roo " He took off his shirt an& $icke& u$ a $ike fro the corner" I thought he inten&e& to beat another $ike" #n& he sai&! F#ll right! sho% #n& lit into

e"7 He cleare& his throat" 6I %as tire&! an& half &runk" But I aster again" Of a &ifferent sort" I kno% an shoul& be" -ore than that" It %as %hat e u$ before &a%n the next e out to fight" He a an %ho

%oul&n.t )uit" Finally! he got in a lucky one" =ai& 6;hen I %oke u$! the &og ha& a %asn.t" He %as %hat he belie'e& a he belie'e& a

you.'e hear& $eo$le say 9hi'alry %as col& an& stiff an& correct to a fault" He an shoul& %ant to be" He took a thie'ing! unke $t scoun&rel

an& ,7 He faltere&! sighe& su&&enly" 6He ha& training at it before" They.& 4ust han&e& &rille& taught e! an& taught

&ay" ;ea$ons $ractice till neither of us coul& stan&" I.& ne'er ha& any for al e a $ike an& sent e s%or&" He.& ne'er like& the axe! but I &i&" So he e to learn it fro e at his heels" =ike a

e %hat he kne% of it! an& arrange& for

kne% its strategies" Then the rest of the &ay! he.& ha'e age" -aybe he 6He taught isse& Aerity" -aybe , I &on.t kno%"

&og! as you say" I &on.t kno% %hy" -aybe he %as lonely for so eone his o%n e nu bers first! then rea&ing" He $ut e in charge of his horse"

Then his houn&s an& ha%k" Then in general charge of the $ack beasts an& %agon ani als" But it %asn.t 4ust %ork he taught $ut a 'alue on %hat y long ago" He sho%e& the to e as a e" 9leanliness" Honesty" He e so anners for insi&e other an& gran& other ha& trie& to instill in an.s 'alues! not 4ust
?11

a %o an.s house" He taught a&e li'ing"7 He sto$$e& talking" I hear& hi e see it %as

e to be a

an! not a beast in a

an.s sha$e" He

ore than rules! it %as a %ay of being" # life! rather than a get u$" He %ent to the table an& $icke& u$ the as he turne& it

bottle of el&erberry %ine that 9ha&e ha& left" I %atche& hi chairs an& stare& into the fire"

se'eral ti es in his han&s" Then he set it &o%n" He sat &o%n on one of the 69ha&e sai& I shoul& lea'e you to orro%!7 he sai& )uietly" He looke& &o%n at e" 6I think he.s right"7 I sat u$ an& looke& u$ at hi " The &%in&ling light of the fire lan&sca$e of his face" I coul& not rea& his eyes" 69ha&e says you ha'e been belie'es that %hen a goo& enough"7 6Sen&ing 5or you"7 6So %hat a e07 6There" You see0 # boy.s re$ly" You &on.t un&erstan&! so you get angry" #n& 'eno ous" You ask ans%er"7 6;hich is07 6It ight be to tell you that you coul& &o %orse than to go looking for a $rince" not going to tell you %hat to &o" 9ha&e has a&'ise&
?12

a&e a sha&o%y

y boy too long" 9ha&e.s boy! Aerity.s boy! e'en uch" He as a boy" a&e the

*atience.s boy" That %e ke$t you a boy an& looke& after you too an.s &ecisions ca e to you! you

I $ulsi'ely" Inten&ing to be right! inten&ing to be goo&" But intentions are not e out to kill $eo$le %as kee$ing e a boy07 I aske& incre&ulously" ake ea an"

6Di& you listen to

e at all0 I kille& $eo$le as a boy" It &i&n.t

I to &o07 I aske& sarcastically" 6Jo looking for a $rince to e&ucate

e that )uestion but you alrea&y kno% you %on.t like

But I.

e not to" #n& I

think he is right" But not because I think you %oul&" 5o

ake your &ecisions as a boy

ore than I &i& at your age" I think you &eci&e as an ani al %oul&" s$eaking of" You sto$$e& li'ing as a ust lea'e you alone! for you to fin& out if

#l%ays in the no%! %ith ne'er a thought for to orro%! or %hat you recall fro yester&ay" I kno% you kno% %hat I. %olf because I force& you to" 5o% I you %ant to li'e as a %olf or a He et y ga1e" There %as too e to think that he an"7 uch un&erstan&ing in his eyes" It frightene&

ight actually kno% %hat I %as facing" I &enie& that

$ossibility+ $ushe& it asi&e entirely" I turne& a shoul&er to hi ! al ost ho$ing y anger %oul& co e back" But Burrich sat silently" I finally looke& u$ at hi " He %as staring into the fire" It took to s%allo% y $ri&e an& ask! 6So! %hat are you going to &o07 lea'ing to orro%"7 6I tol& you" I. e a long ti e

Har&er still to ask the next )uestion" 6;here %ill you go07 He cleare& his throat an& looke& unco fortable" 6I.'e a frien&" She.s alone" She coul& use a an.s strength about her $lace" Her roof nee&s en&ing! an& there.s $lanting to &o" I.ll go there! for a ti e"7 6 FShe.07 I &are& to ask! raising an eyebro%" His 'oice %as flat" 65othing like that" # frien&" You %oul& $robably say that I.'e foun& so eone else to look after" *erha$s I ha'e" *erha$s it.s ti e to gi'e that %here it is truly nee&e&"7 I looke& into the fire! no%" 6Burrich" I truly nee&e& you" You brought fro the e&ge! back to being a an"7 e back

He snorte&" 6If I.& &one right by you in the first $lace+ you.& ne'er ha'e gone to the e&ge"7 65o" I.& ha'e gone to y gra'e instea&"7

?18

6;oul& you0 Regal %oul& ha'e ha& no charges of ;it you"7 6He.& ha'e foun& so e excuse to kill 6*erha$s" *erha$s not"7 ;e sat %atching the fire &ie" I reache& u$ to the earring" 6I %ant to gi'e this back to you"7

agic to bring against

e" Or 4ust o$$ortunity" He &oesn.t

really nee& an excuse to &o %hat he %ants"7 y ear! fu ble& %ith the catch on

6I %oul& $refer that you ke$t it" ;ore it"7 It %as al ost a re)uest" It felt o&&" 6I &on.t &eser'e %hate'er it is that this earring sy boli1es to you" I ha'en.t earne& it! I ha'e no right to it"7 6;hat it sy boli1es to %ith you"7 I left the earring &angling fro y ear" # tiny sil'er net %ith a blue ge y father" *atience! all e" I &i& not kno% if he y father" I sense& tra$$e& insi&e it" Once Burrich ha& gi'en it to unkno%ing of its significance! ha& $asse& it on to %ante& there %as ore about it! but he ha& not tol& lie &o%n" e the )uestion" It hurt that he ha&n.t" I ans%ere& it going to &o!7 I sai& into the &arkene& roo " asters to ans%er to" 5o% that I e is not so ething that is earne&" It.s so ething I ga'e to you! &eser'e& or not" ;hether or not you %ear that! you still take it

e to %ear it for the sa e reason he ha& gi'en it to

e an& I %oul& not ask" Still! I

%aite&! ex$ecting a )uestion fro blankets" I hear& hi I %ishe& he ha& aske& 6#ll

hi " But he only rose an& %ent back to his

any%ay" 6I &on.t kno% %hat I. &on.t , it.s a strange feeling"7

y life! I.'e al%ays ha& tasks to &o!

I thought for a ti e that he %asn.t going to re$ly at all" Then he sai& abru$tly! 6I.'e kno%n that feeling"7

?1<

I looke& u$ at the &arkene& ceiling" 6I.'e thought of -olly" Often" Do you kno% %here she %ent07 6Yes"7 ;hen he sai& no ore than that! I kne% better than to ask" 6I kno% the %isest e &ea&" I ho$e that %hoe'er she %ent to ean07 he aske& e %hen she left course is to let her go" She belie'es

takes better care of her than I &i&" I ho$e he lo'es her as she &eser'es"7 There %as a rustling of Burrich.s blankets" 6;hat &o you guar&e&ly" It %as har&er to say than I ha& thought it %oul& be" 6She tol& for e that &ay that there %as so eone else" So eone that she care& for as I care& y king! so eone she $ut ahea& of e'erything an& e'eryone else in her y life"7 -y throat close& u$ su&&enly" I took a breath! %illing the knot in throat a%ay" 6*atience %as right!7 I sai&" 6Yes! she %as!7 Burrich agree&" 6I can bla e it on no one sa'e all his &e'otion ,7 6Yes! she &oes!7 Burrich agree& relentlessly" 6# sha e you &i&n.t reali1e that before you ha& been %ith her"7 It is )uite one thing to a& it a fault to yourself" It is another thing entirely to ha'e a frien& not only agree %ith you! but $oint out the full &e$th of the fault" I &i&n.t &eny it! or &e an& ho% he kne% of it" If -olly ha& tol& hi ! I &i&n.t %ant to kno% %hat else she ha& sai&" If he ha& &e&uce& it on his o%n! I &i&n.t %ant to kno% I ha& been that ob'ious" I felt a surge of so ething! a fierceness that a&e e %ant to snarl at hi " I bit &o%n on y tongue an& force& yself to consi&er %hat I felt" Juilt an& sha e that it ha& en&e& in $ain for her! an& a&e her &oubt her %orth" #n& a certainty that no
?1?

yself" Once I kne% -olly %as safe! I shoul& an %ho can gi'e her all his ti e!

ha'e let her go her o%n %ay" She &eser'es a

atter ho% %rong it ha&

been! it ha& also been right" ;hen I %as sure of ne'er regret lo'ing her" Only that I coul& not she %as in y heart"7

y 'oice! I sai& )uietly! 6I %ill ake her y %ife in all eyes as

He sai& nothing to that" But after a ti e! that se$arating silence beca e &eafening" I coul& not slee$ for it" Finally I s$oke" 6So" To orro% %e go our o%n %ays! I su$$ose"7 6I su$$ose so!7 Burrich sai&" #fter a ti e! he a&&e&! 6Joo& luck"7 He actually soun&e& as if he I close& to follo% eant it" #s if he reali1e& ho% uch luck I %oul& nee&" y eyes" I %as so tire& no%" So tire&" Tire& of hurting $eo$le I lo'e&" y heart.s &esire! %ith no inter'ention fro anyone"

But it %as &one no%" To orro% Burrich %oul& lea'e an& I %oul& be free" Free Free to go to Tra&efor& an& kill Regal"

9H#*TER THREE The Iuest THE S(I== is the tra&itional agic of the Farseer royalty" ;hile it see s to run strongest in the royal bloo&lines! it is not all that rare to &isco'er it in a lesser strength in those &istantly relate& to the Farseer line! or in those %hose ancestry inclu&es both OutIslan&ers an& Six Duchies folk" It is a in&! gi'ing the $ractitioner the $o%er to co &istance fro con'ey the hi " Its $ossibilities are any+ at its si $lest! it agic of the ay be use& to unicate silently %ith those at a

essages! to influence the thoughts of ene ies Lor frien&sM to s%ay

to one.s $ur$oses" Its &ra%backs are t%ofol&3 it re)uires a great &eal of isna e& as a $leasure" It is
?1B

energy to %iel& it on a &aily basis! an& it offers to its $ractitioners an attraction that has been ore of a eu$horic! one that

increases in $o%er $ro$ortionately %ith the strength an& &uration of Skilling" It can lure the $ractitioner into an a&&iction to Skilling! one %hich e'entually sa$s all ental an& $hysical strength! to lea'e the age a great! &rooling babe"

Burrich left the next $ersonal effects! but left as if $aine& by the

orning" ;hen I a%oke! he %as u$ an& &resse& an& long" He took his o'e& as carefully e e the lion.s share of our $ro'isions" There ha& been

o'ing about the hut! $acking his things It &i& not take hi no &rink the night before! yet %e both s$oke as softly an&

orning" ;e &eferre& to one another until it see e& to

%orse than if %e ha& not been s$eaking to one another at all" I %ante& to babble a$ologies! to beg hi our frien&shi$ fro hel& to to reconsi&er! to &o so ething! anything! to kee$ gone! en&ing this %ay" #t the sa e ti e! I %ishe& hi

%ishe& it o'er! %ishe& it to be to orro%! a ne% &ay &a%ning an& I alone" I y resolution as if gri$$ing the shar$ bla&e of a knife" I sus$ect he felt e as if eet an& hol& for a bit! until one or the so ething of the sa e! for so eti es he %oul& sto$ an& look u$ at about to s$eak" Then our eyes %oul& other of us looke& asi&e" Too u$ a sta'e fro uch ho'ere& uns$oken bet%een us"

In a horribly short ti e he %as rea&y to lea'e" He shoul&ere& his $ack an& took besi&e the &oor" I stoo& staring at hi ! thinking ho% o&& he er sunlight s$illing i&&le years! the %hite ea an at the en& of his a$$eare& thus3 Burrich the horse an! afoot" The early/su in the o$en &oor sho%e& streak of hair that

arke& his scar foretelling the gray that ha& alrea&y begun to e"

sho% in his bear&" He %as strong an& fit! but his youth %as un)uestionably behin& hi " The &ays of his full strength he ha& s$ent %atching o'er 6;ell!7 he sai& gruffly" 6Fare%ell! Fit1" #n& goo& luck to you"7 6Joo& luck to you! Burrich"7 I crosse& the roo before he coul& ste$ back"
?1C

)uickly! an& e brace& hi

He hugge& $ushe&

e back! a )uick s)uee1e that nearly cracke& anage& a s ile" He turne& fro

y ribs! an& then

y hair back fro

y face" 6Jo co b your hair" You look like a %il& e an& stro&e a%ay" I stoo& ine in return" Then he %as ight be years before I

an"7 He al ost %atching hi

go" I thought he %oul& not look back! but on the far si&e of the

$asture! he turne& an& lifte& his han&" I raise& $lace %here I ha& last seen hi " If I ke$t to sa% hi again" If I sa% hi been a factor in like *atience" I thought of all I ha& sai& to hi ha& been necessary! I tol& uch of it ha& eru$te& fro e" I ha& not not cut hi

gone! s%allo%e& into the %oo&s" I sat for a ti e on the ste$! consi&ering the y $lan! it again" Since I %as six years ol&! he ha& al%ays

y life" I ha& al%ays been able to count on his strength! e'en

%hen I &i&n.t %ant it" 5o% he %as gone" =ike 9ha&e! like -olly! like Aerity! the night before an& shu&&ere& %ith sha e" It eant to &ri'e hi a%ay" But far too a%ay!

yself" I ha&

ancient resent ents that ha& festere& long insi&e

eant to s$eak of such things" I ha& inten&e& to &ri'e hi

to the bone" =ike -olly! he %oul& carry off the &oubts I ha& &ri'en e" I su$$ose so e chil&ish $art of yself ha& been yself )uietly" e! free of their

into hi " #n& by sa'aging Burrich.s $ri&e! I ha& &estroye& %hat little res$ect 9ha&e ha& still hel& for ho$ing that so e&ay I coul& co e back to the ! that so e&ay %e %oul& share our li'es again" I kne% no% %e %oul& not" 6It.s o'er!7 I tol& 6That life is o'er! let it go"7 I %as free of both of the look either of the lay no%" Free of their li itations on i&eas of honor an& &uty" Free& of their ex$ectations" I.& ne'er again ha'e to in the eyes an& account for %hat I ha& &one" Free to &o the e" only thing I ha& the heart or the courage left to &o! the only thing I coul& &o to y ol& life to rest behin& I %oul& kill Regal"
?1D

It only see e& fair" He ha& kille& haunt

e first" The s$ecter of the $ro ise I ha& one of his o%n! rose briefly to an yself that Regal ha& kille& the

a&e to (ing Shre%&! that I %oul& ne'er har e" I lai& it to rest by re in&ing %ho ha& a&e that $ro ise! as %ell as the

an I ha& gi'en it to" That Fit1 no

longer existe&" I %oul& ne'er again stan& before ol& (ing Shre%& an& re$ort the result of a ission! I %oul& not stan& as (ing.s -an to loan strength to e %ith a &o1en tri'ial erran&s that ourne& e as &ea&" #n& -olly" e before Regal ha& e! I %oul& ha'e Aerity" =a&y *atience %oul& ne'er harry %ere of the ut ost i $ortance to her" She Tears stung kille& y eyes as I easure& e! but for that loss! too! I hel& hi

y $ain" She ha& left

res$onsible" If I ha& nothing else out e as he &ie&! an& kno% yself" I %ishe& to strike y target unha $ere&

of this crust of life Burrich an& 9ha&e ha& sal'age& for re'enge" I $ro ise& yself that Regal %oul& look at

that I kille& hi " This %oul& be no )uiet assassination! no silent 'enture of anony ous $oison" I %oul& &eli'er &eath to Regal by fears for those aroun& that attere& to like a single arro%! like a thro%n knife! going straight to

e" If I faile&! %ell! I %as alrea&y &ea& in e'ery %ay y o%n life only until I ha& taken atter" y thoughts" e if you &ie&0 5ighteyes aske&

e" It %oul& hurt no one that I ha& trie&" If I &ie& killing

Regal! it %oul& be %orth it" I %oul& guar& Regal.s" ;hate'er ha$$ene& after that &i& not

5ighteyes stirre&! &isturbe& by so e inkling of Ha'e you e'er consi&ere& %hat it %oul& &o to e" I shut

y eyes tightly for an instant" But I ha& consi&ere& it"

;hat %oul& it &o to us if I li'e& as $rey0 5ighteyes un&erstoo&" ;e are hunters" 5either of us %as born to be $rey" I cannot be a hunter if I a before he can hunt e"
?1E

al%ays %aiting to be $rey" #n& so I

ust hunt hi

He acce$te& I.

y $lans too cal ly" I trie& to to si $ly follo% e"

ake hi e blin&ly"

un&erstan& all I inten&e&

to &o" I &i& not %ish hi they &i& to I took

going to kill Regal" #n& his coterie" I. e! an& all they took fro

going to kill all of the ! for all en"

Regal0 There is %ho ha& cage& hi stay a%ay fro

eat %e cannot eat" I &o not un&erstan& the hunting of %hen he %as a cub an& beat hi

y i age of Regal an& co bine& it %ith his i ages of the ani al tra&er %ith a brassboun& club" hi ! I %as s art enough to

5ighteyes consi&ere& that" Once I got a%ay fro I cannot lea'e this alone! 5ighteyes" I un&erstan&" I a the sa e about $orcu$ines" #n& so he $ercei'e& $orcu$ines" I foun& Ha'ing state& the %or&s fro all

hi " To hunt that one is as %ise as to go hunting a $orcu$ine"

y 'en&etta %ith Regal as e)ui'alent to his %eakness for yself acce$ting y state& goals %ith less e)uani ity" e" ;hat ha& ha$$ene& to yself0 ;ell! I he&ge&! I coul& not i agine turning asi&e for anything else" -y

the night before ca e back to rebuke

y fine s$eeches to Burrich! about li'ing a life for

an& $erha$s I %oul&! if I sur'i'e& tying u$ these loose en&s" It %as not that I coul& not li'e y o%n life" It %as that I coul& not sto ach the i&ea of Regal e! yes! an& stolen the throne fro yself If I %as e'er going to $ut the going about thinking he ha& &efeate& Aerity" Re'enge! $lain an& si $le! I tol& fear an& sha e behin& ;hy %oul& I %ant to0 I &i& not ha'e to turn an& see that 5ighteyes ha& alrea&y co e &o%n to the hut" He ca e to sit besi&e $oorly"
?2H

e! I ha& to &o this"

You can co e in no%! I offere&"

e! then $eere& into the hut"

*he%: You fill your &en %ith such stinks! no %on&er your nose %orks so

He cre$t into the hut cautiously an& began a $ro%ling tour of the interior" I sat on the &oorste$! %atching hi " It ha& been a ti e since I ha& looke& at hi anything other than an extension of $eak of his strength" #nother ight say he %as a gray %olf" To as yself" He %as full gro%n no%! an& at the e! he %as

e'ery color a %olf coul& be! &ark/eye&! &ark/ u11le&! buff at the base of his ears an& throat! his coat $e$$ere& %ith stiff! black guar& hairs! es$ecially on his shoul&ers an& the flat of his ru $" His feet %ere huge! an& s$rea& e'en %i&er %hen he ran o'er cruste& sno%" He ha& a tail that %as bones" He ore ex$ressi'e than any a %o an.s face! an& teeth an& 4a%s that coul& easily crack a &eer.s leg o'e& %ith that econo y of strength that $erfectly healthy ani als sal'e& y heart" ;hen his curiosity %as e" #fter a fe% ostly o ents! he stretche& out in y s$oken %or&s" e to ha'e" @ust %atching hi

satisfie&! he ca e to sit besi&e

the sun an& close& his eyes" (ee$ %atch0 6I.ll %atch o'er you!7 I assure& hi " His ears t%itche& at Then he sank into a sun/soake& slee$" I rose )uietly an& %ent insi&e the hut" It took a re arkably short ti e for take stock of clothes! %ar %oolly things ill/suite& to su y $ossessions" T%o blankets an& a cloak" I ha& a change of er tra'el" # brush" # knife an& ga e %e

%hetstone" Flint firestone" # sling" Se'eral s all cure& hi&es fro

ha& taken" Sine% threa&" # han& axe" Burrich.s looking glass" # s all kettle an& se'eral s$oons" The last %ere the recent %ork of Burrich.s %hittling" There %as a little sack of el&erberry %ine" 5ot uch to begin this 'enture %ith" I %as facing a long o'erlan& 4ourney to Tra&efor&" I ha& to sur'i'e that before I coul& $lan ho% to get $ast Regal.s guar&s an& Skill coterie an& kill hi " I consi&ere& carefully" It %as not yet the height of su er" There %as ti e to gather herbs an& &ry the ! ti e to s oke
?21

eal! an& one of flour" The lefto'er honey" # bottle of

fish an&

eat for tra'eling rations" I nee&n.t go hungry" For no%! I ha& ake y o%n %ay! on y skills %ith ani als e as far as Tra&efor&" y $assage to

clothing an& the other basics" But e'entually I.& nee& so e coin" I ha& tol& 9ha&e an& Burrich that I coul& an& It y scribing skills" *erha$s those abilities coul& get

ight ha'e been easier if I coul& ha'e re aine& Fit19hi'alry" I kne%

boat en %ho $lie& the ri'er tra&e! an& I coul& ha'e %orke&

Tra&efor&" But that Fit19hi'alry ha& &ie&" He coul&n.t 'ery %ell go looking for %ork at the &ocks" I coul& not e'en 'isit the &ocks! for fear of being recogni1e&" I lifte& ha& sho%n sol&iers ha& lai& fist ha& s$lit %oul& let y han& to y face! recalling %hat Burrich.s looking glass y hair to re in& e %here Regal.s y nose" e" # streak of %hite in &o%n

y scal$ o$en" I fingere& the ne% configuration of y right cheek un&er

There %as also a fine sea

y eye! %here Regal.s y bro% as the e"

y face" 5o one %oul& re e ber a Fit1 %ho bore these scars" I y hair back fro ight be enough change to $ut off the casual glance" But I a&e an exten&e& 4ourney on foot" 5ighteyes" Fish in the ust ore &o %e nee&0 ;hy

y bear& gro%" #n& if I sha'e&

scribes &i&! that

%oul& not &eliberately 'enture a ong those %ho ha& kno%n I.& be afoot" I.& ne'er ;hy can.t %e 4ust stay right here0 # slee$y in)uiry fro creek ga e in the %oo&s behin& the hut" ;hat %e go0 I ust" I ust &o this to be a an again" You truly belie'e you %ish to be a

an again0 I sense& his &isbelief but also

his acce$tance that I %oul& try" He stretche& la1ily %ithout getting u$! s$rea&ing %i&e the toes of his fore$a%s" ;here are %e going0 Tra&efor&" ;here Regal is" #far 4ourney u$ the ri'er" #re there %ol'es there0

?22

5ot in the city itself! I a

sure" But there are %ol'es in Farro%" There are

%ol'es in Buck still! too" @ust not aroun& here" Sa'e %e t%o! he $ointe& out" #n& a&&e&! I shoul& like to fin& %ol'es %here %e go" Then he s$ra%le& o'er an& %ent back to slee$" That %as $art of %hat it to be a %olf! I reflecte&" He %oul& %orry no si $ly follo% But I ha& beco e too uch a e an& trust his sur'i'al to our abilities" an again to &o as he &i&" I began to gather ore eant ore until %e left" Then he %oul&

$ro'isions the 'ery next &ay" Des$ite 5ighteyes. $rotest! I hunte& for hi gorge! but 4erke& so e of the er" I grease&

than %e nee&e& to eat each &ay" #n& %hen %e %ere successful! I &i& not let eat! an& s oke& so e of it" I ha& enough en&ing to ake yself soft asi&e for y ol& boots %ell an& set the leather skill fro boots for the su %inter use" During the &ays! %hile 5ighteyes &o1e& in the sun! I gathere& %ere the co on y herbs" So e e&icinal herbs I %ishe& to ha'e on han&3 %illo%bark for a&e a s all ce&ar box an& e3 %ater Burrich.s $er$etual harness

fe'er! ras$berry root for cough! $lantain for infection! nettle for congestion! an& the like" Others %ere not so %holeso e" I he lock! &eathca$ fille& it" I gathere& an& store& the $oisons as 9ha&e ha& taught

ushroo ! nightsha&e! el&erberry $ith! baneberry! an&

heart sei1e" I chose as best I coul&! for ones that %ere tasteless an& o&orless! for ones that coul& be ren&ere& as fine $o%&ers an& clear li)ui&s" #lso I har'este& elfbark! the $o%erful sti ulant 9ha&e ha& use& to hel$ Aerity sur'i'e his sessions of Skilling" Regal %oul& be surroun&e& an& $rotecte& by his coterie" ;ill %as the one that I ost feare&! but I %oul& un&eresti ate none of the " I ha& kno%n Burl as a big husky boy an& 9arro& ha& been so ething of a &an&y %ith the girls" But
?28

those &ays %ere long $ast" I ha& seen %hat Skill use ha& been long since I ha& though

a&e of ;ill" It ha&

a&e contact %ith either 9arro& or Burl! an& I %oul& uch stronger than theirs! I ha&

ake no assu $tions about the " They %ere all traine& in the Skill! an& y natural talent ha& once see e& foun& out the har& %ay that they kne% %ays of using the Skill that not e'en Aerity ha& un&erstoo&" If I %ere Skill/attacke& by the ! an& sur'i'e&! I %oul& nee& the elfbark to restore I yself" y $oison box! but other%ise a&e a secon& case! large enough to hol&

&esigne& like a scribe.s case! to thus create the guise of a %an&ering scribe" The case %oul& $roclai I obtaine& fro $ig ents I coul& e as that to the chance ac)uaintance" Iuills for $ens a nesting goose %e a bushe&" So e of the $o%&ers for ake! an& I fashione& bone tubes an& sto$$ers to hol& the " e hair for coarse brushes" Finer brushes I

5ighteyes gru&gingly furnishe&

atte $te& %ith rabbit hair! but %ith only $artial satisfaction" It %as 'ery &iscouraging" # $ro$er scribe %as ex$ecte& by folk to ha'e the inks! brushes! an& $ens of his tra&e" I reluctantly conclu&e& that *atience ha& been right %hen she tol& ho$e& e I %rote a fine han&! but coul& not clai y su$$lies %oul& suffice for any %ork I the skills of a full scribe" I ight $ick u$ on the %ay to

Tra&efor&" There ca e a ti e %hen I kne% I %as as %ell $ro'isione& as I coul& be an& that I shoul& lea'e soon! to ha'e the su ti e that I coul& recall! I arose fro hurt if I took a bit of ti e to reco'er of %ere scars! I still felt o&&ly stiff so e er %eather for tra'eling" I %as eager slee$ %hen I a%oke naturally! an& ate yself" Surely it %oul& not y in4uries y $hysical health" #lthough the bruises ornings" Occasionally!
?2<

for re'enge! an& yet strangely reluctant to lea'e this cabin an& life" For the first %hen I %as hungry" I ha& no tasks sa'e those I set

y &ungeon ti e ha& long fa&e&! an& the only external signs of

y bo&y %oul&

shock

e %ith a t%inge %hen I lea$e& after so ething! or turne&

y hea& too

)uickly" # $articularly strenuous hunt %oul& lea'e

e tre bling an& &rea&ing

a sei1ure" It %oul& be %iser! I &eci&e&! to be fully heale& before I &e$arte&" So %e lingere& a ti e" The &ays %ere %ar ! the hunting %as goo&" #s the &ays sli$$e& by! I a&e $eace %ith y bo&y" I %as not the $hysically har&ene& ake a kill! y actions %ere )uick %arrior I ha& been the su er before! but I coul& kee$ $ace %ith 5ighteyes e the $ains of the $ast!

through a night.s hunting" ;hen I s$rang to

an& sure" -y bo&y heale&! an& I set behin& $lague&

ackno%le&ging the ! but not &%elling on the " The night ares that ha& e %ere she& like the last re nants of 5ighteyes. %inter coat" I ha& a&e $eace %ith yself" ca e to %ake e" 5ighteyes an& I arose before ne'er kno%n a life so si $le" I ha& finally 5o $eace lasts long" # &rea

&a%n! hunte&! an& together kille& a brace of fat rabbits" This $articular hillsi&e %as ri&&le& %ith their %arrens! an& catching enough to fill oursel'es ha& &egenerate& )uickly to a silly ga e of lea$ing an& &igging" It %as $ast &a%n before %e left off our $lay" ;e flung oursel'es &o%n in &a$$ling birch sha&e! fe& again fro sunlight on our kills! an& &ro%se& off" So ething! $erha$s the une'en e into a &rea " en" The floor beneath y cheek %as y close& eyeli&s! $lunge&

I %as back in Buckkee$" In the ol& %atchroo ! I s$ra%le& on a col& stone floor in the center of a circle of har&/eye& taste of it co bine& to fill the silently $ast sticky/slick %ith cooling bloo&" #s I $ante& o$en outhe&! the s ell an& the y senses" They %ere co ing for y e again! not 4ust an %ith the leather/glo'e& fists! but ;ill! elusi'e in'isible ;ill! sli$$ing y %alls to cree$ into in&" 6*lease! %ait! $lease!7 I begge& only a %olf" e be gone" I. nothing you nee& fear or hate" I.

the " 6Sto$! I beg you" I a

@ust a %olf! no threat to you" I.ll &o you no har ! only let

?2?

nothing to you" I.ll ne'er trouble you again" I. u11le to the sky an& ho%le&" -y o%n ho%ling %oke I rolle& to &irtying feet" # &rea ! I tol& in reality" I tol& e" y han&s an& knees! shook e in their $assage" In y &rea

only a %olf"7 I lifte&

yself all o'er an& then ca e to I ha& $lea&e& for

y e!

yself" Only a &rea " Fear an& sha e %ashe& o'er

ercy as I ha& not

yself I %as no cra'en" ;as I0 It see e& I coul& still s ell

an& taste the bloo&" ;here are you going0 5ighteyes aske& la1ily" He lay &ee$er in the sha&e an& his coat ca ouflage& hi ;ater" I %ent to the strea ! s$lashe& sticky rabbit bloo& fro then &rank &ee$ly" I %ashe& y face again! &ragging y face an& han&s! an& y nails through y sur$risingly %ell there"

bear& to get the bloo& out" #bru$tly I &eci&e& I coul&n.t stan& the bear&" I &i&n.t inten& to go %here I ex$ecte& to be recogni1e& any%ay" I %ent back to the she$her&.s hut to sha'e" #t the &oor! I %rinkle& y nose at the usty s ell" 5ighteyes %as right+ an s ells" It ha& slee$ing insi&e ha& &a $ene& y sense of s ell" I coul& har&ly belie'e I ha& y &rie& y eat an& soure& so e of eat su$$ly carefully! I yself"

abi&e& in here" I $a&&e& in reluctantly! snorting out the raine& a fe% nights ago" Da $ ha& got into it" I sorte& it out! %rinkling

y nose at ho% far gone it %as" -aggots %ere

%orking in so e of it" #s I checke& the rest of an& ha& to clean a fine &usting of rust fro It ha& been &ays since I ha& been here" *ossibly %eeks"

$ushe& asi&e a nagging sense of uneasiness" It %as not until I took out the knife it that I a& itte& it to

?2B

I ha& no i&ea of ti e.s $assage" I looke& at the s$oile& o'erlai& y scattere& $ossessions" I felt gro%n" Burrich an& 9ha&e ha& not left been $ath%ays across the

eat! at the &ust that uch it ha&

y bear&! shocke& at ho%

e here &ays ago" It ha& been %eeks" I an& Burrich.s fishing s$ot"

%ent to the &oor of the hut an& looke& out" Jrass stoo& tall %here there ha& ea&o% to the strea The s$ring flo%ers %ere long gone! the berries green on the bushes" I looke& at y han&s! at &irt ingraine& in the skin of un&er the notion of cooking y %rists! ol& bloo& cake& an& &rie& e" 5o% in& 'eere& a%ay yself $lea&ing! y nails" #t one ti e! eating ra% flesh %oul& ha'e &isguste& eat see e& $eculiar an& foreign" -y yself" =ater! I hear&

an& I &i& not %ant to confront to orro%! later! go fin& 5ighteyes" You are trouble&! little brother0 Yes" I force& thing I

yself to a&&! You cannot hel$ yself"

e %ith this" It is

an trouble! a

ust sol'e for

Be a %olf instea&! he a&'ise& la1ily" I &i& not ha'e the strength to say either yes or no to that" I let it go by looke& &o%n at yself! at cake& %ith &irt an& ol& bloo&! an& y trousers tattere& off into rags belo% y shirt an& then a'erte& e" I y y staine& shirt an& trousers" -y clothing %as

knees" ;ith a shu&&er! I recalle& the Forge& ones an& their ragge& gar ents" ;hat ha& I beco e0 I tugge& at the collar of fro &aily" I s$oke it alou&! an& the rustiness of Burrich left y 'oice only a&&e& to it" 6#s soon as e here! alone! I re'erte& to so ething less than an ani al" 5o e about! all those years" I &i& y face y o%n stink" ;ol'es %ere cleaner than this" 5ighteyes groo e& hi self

ti e! no cleanliness! no goals! no a%areness of anything sa'e eating an& slee$ing" This %as %hat he %as trying to %arn 4ust %hat he ha& al%ays feare& I %oul& &o"7
?2C

=aboriously I kin&le& a fire in the hearth" I haule& %ater fro any tri$s an& heate& as

the strea

in

uch as I coul&" The she$her&s ha& left a hea'y

ren&ering kettle at the hut! an& this hel& enough to half/fill a %oo&en trough outsi&e" ;hile the %ater heate&! I gathere& soa$%ort an& horsetail grass" I coul& not re e ber that I ha& e'er before been this &irty" The coarse horsetail grass scrubbe& off layers of skin %ith the gri e before I %as satisfie& I %as clean" There %ere fire" ;hen ore than a fe% fleas floating in the %ater" I also &isco'ere& y neck an& burne& it off %ith an e ber t%ig fro y a tick on the back of

y hair %as clean! I co be& it out an& then boun& it back once e! an& then y clothes the u$ at y s$ree ake a

ore in a %arrior.s tail" I sha'e& in the glass Burrich ha& left stare& at the face there" Tanne& bro% an& $ale chin" By the ti e I ha& heate& ore %ater an& soake& an& $oun&e& y trousers %oul& be to he

clean! I %as starting to un&erstan& Burrich.s fanatical an& constant cleanliness" The only %ay to sa'e %hat %as left of the knee" E'en then! there %as not to the " I &isco'ere& that a nest" That! too! I You s ell like a uch %ear left in the " I exten&e& y %inter cloak to

y be&&ing an& %inter clothing as %ell! %ashing the ouse ha& borro%e& fro e"

usty s ell out of &ra$ing %et

en&e& as %ell as I coul&" I looke& u$ fro an again"

leggings on a bush to fin& 5ighteyes %atching Is that goo& or ba&0

Better than s elling like last %eek.s kill" 5ot so goo& as s elling like a %olf" He stoo& an& stretche&! bo%ing lo% to the earth" So" You &o %ish to be a Yes" ;e tra'el %est! u$ the Buck Ri'er" Oh" He snee1e& su&&enly! then abru$tly fell o'er on his si&e! to roll about on his back in the &ust like a $u$$y" He %iggle& ha$$ily! %orking it %ell into his
?2D

e an& s$rea&ing his toes %i&e against

an after all" Do %e tra'el soon0

coat! an& then ca e to his feet to shake it all out again" His blithe acce$tance of y su&&en &ecision %as a bur&en" ;hat %as I taking hi 5ightfall foun& e %ith e'ery gar ent I o%ne& an& all into0 y be&&ing still &a $" o'ing about

I ha& sent 5ighteyes hunting alone" I kne% he %oul& not soon return" The oon %as full an& the night sky clear" *lenty of ga e %oul& be tonight" I %ent insi&e the hut an& built u$ the fire enough to fro the last of the to eat the ake hearth cakes

eal" ;ee'ils ha& got into the flour an& s$oile& it" Better the $ot taste& incre&ibly goo&" I kne% I ha& best ex$an& ore than eat an& a han&ful of greens each &ay" I a&e an int an& the ti$s of the ne% nettle gro%th! an& that! too!

eal no% than to %aste it si ilarly" The si $le cakes %ith the last of

the grainy honey fro y &iet to inclu&e o&& tea fro taste& goo&" the %il&

I brought in an al ost/&ry blanket an& s$rea& it out before the hearth" I lay on it! &ro%sing an& staring into the fire" I )ueste& for 5ighteyes! but he &is&aine& to 4oin of the e! $referring his fresh kill an& the soft earth un&er an oak at the e&ge ea&o%" I %as as alone! an& as hu an! as I ha& been in onths" It felt a

little strange! but goo&" It %as %hen I rolle& o'er an& stretche& that I sa% the $acket left on the chair" I kne% e'ery ite o%n" # in the hut by heart" This ha& not been here %hen last I %as" I y yself for it" I $icke& it u$ an& snuffe& at it! an& foun& Burrich.s scent faintly u$on it! an& o ent later I reali1e& %hat I ha& &one an& rebuke& ha& best start beha'ing as if there %ere al%ays %itnesses to I %ishe& to be kille& as a ;itte& one again" It %as not a large bun&le" It %as one of y shirts! so eho% taken fro y ol& clothes chest! a soft bro%n one I.& al%ays fa'ore&! an& a $air of leggings" Bun&le& u$ insi&e the shirt %as a s all earthen%are $ot of Burrich.s unguent that he use& for cuts! burns! an& bruises" Four sil'er bits in a little leather
?2E

y actions! unless

$ouch+ he.& %orke& a buck in the stitching on the front" # goo& leather belt" I sat staring at the &esign he.& %orke& into that" There %as a buck! antlers lo%ere& to fight! si ilar to the crest Aerity ha& suggeste& for it %as fen&ing off a %olf" Difficult to iss that essage" isse& his 'isit! an& yet uch the sa e at e these $resentable e I &resse& before the fire! feeling %istful that I ha& hiking u$ here an& then fin&ing %ell on an& e" On the belt!

relie'e& that I ha&" (no%ing Burrich! he.& $robably felt e gone" Ha& he brought clothes because he %ante& to $ersua&e to the aban&one& hut" 9lothe& again! I felt y sheath knife fro chair u$ before the fire an& sat in it" I stare& into the fire" I finally allo%e& strange tightening in yself to think about

e to return %ith hi 0 Or to %ish uch

y %ay0 I trie& not to %on&er %hat his intent ha& been! or his reaction ore hu an" I hung the $ouch y %aist" I $ulle& a y &rea " I felt a y traitor in& tol& the belt an& cinche& it aroun&

y chest" ;as I a co%ar&0 I %as not sure" I %as going to

Tra&efor& to kill Regal" ;oul& a co%ar& &o that0 *erha$s! $ushe& that thought fro y in&"

e! $erha$s a co%ar& %oul&! if it %as easier than seeking out one.s king" I It ca e right back" ;as going to kill Regal the right thing to &o! or %hat I %ishe& to &o0 ;hy shoul& that be going to fin& Aerity instea&" Silly to think about any of it! until I kne% if Aerity %as still ali'e" If I coul& Skill to Aerity! I coul& fin& out" But I ha& ne'er been able to Skill $re&ictably" Jalen ha& seen to that! %ith the abuse that ha& taken y strong natural talent for Skill an& turne& it into a fickle an& frustrating thing" 9oul& that be change&0 I.& nee& to be able to Skill %ell! if I %ante& to get $ast the coterie to Regal.s throat" I.& ha'e to learn to control it" ;as the Skill so ething one coul& teach oneself to aster0 Ho% coul& one learn a thing if one &i& not e'en
?8H

erely

atter0 Because it &i&" -aybe I shoul&

kno% the full sco$e of it0 #ll the ability that Jalen ha& neither beaten into nor out of e! all the kno%le&ge that Aerity ha& ne'er ha& ti e to teach y o%n0 It %as i $ossible" uch as anything! tol& e that I e3 ho% %as I to learn all that on

I &i& not %ant to think of Aerity" That! as gro%n to kno% hi tol& as I kne% no other

shoul&" Aerity" -y $rince" -y king no%" =inke& by bloo& an& the Skill! I ha& an" Being o$en to the Skill! he ha& e! %as as si $le as not being close& to it" His Skill/%arring %ith the e to control y talent! but he ha& gi'en e %hat lessons

Rai&ers ha& beco e his life! &raining a%ay his youth an& 'itality" He ha& ne'er ha& the ti e to teach he coul& in the infre)uent chances he ha&" His Skillstrength %as such that he coul& i $ose a touch on e! an& be one %ith e for &ays! so eti es %eeks" e ha& been the tools of his an %ho %aite& to be king" to be ho e to gui&e his in&" #n& once! %hen I ha& sat in y $rince.s chair! in his stu&y before his

%orktable! I ha& Skille& to hi " Before

a$ aking an& the s all $ersonal clutter of the That one ti e! I ha& thought of hi ! longe& for hi $re$aration or e'en real intent" I trie& to $ut I ha& not Aerity.s &esk nor clutter to $ut hi coul& see share& %ith set

king&o ! an& ha& si $ly reache& out an& Skille& to hi " So easily! %ithout yself in that sa e fra e of in in&! but if I close& y eyes! I

y $rince" I took a breath an& trie& to call forth his i age" y height" -y uncle e the &ark eyes an& hair of the Farseer fa ily! but his eyes %ere ine! an& his unruly hair an& bear& %ere shot through uscle& an& har&! a stocky an

Aerity %as broa&er of shoul&er than I but not )uite of ore &ee$ly than

%ith gray" ;hen I %as a boy! he ha& been %ell ha& been force& to s$en& too

%ho %iel&e& a s%or& as easily as a $en" These later years ha& %aste& hi " He uch ti e $hysically i&le as he use& his Skill/ the Rai&ers" But e'en as his uscle ha& no% %as like strength to &efen& our coastline fro

&%in&le&! his Skill/aura ha& increase&! until to stan& before hi

?81

stan&ing before a bla1ing hearth" ;hen I %as in his $resence! I %as a%are of his Skill no% than his bo&y" For his scent! I calle& to $i)uancy of the colore& inks he use& %hen he sai& softly alou&! an& felt the %or& echo %ithin I o$ene& y eyes" I coul& not reach out of y Aisuali1ing Aerity %oul& &o nothing for to go forth! an& his to enter a&e his

uch

ore

in& the

a$s! the s ell of fine y %alls" y %alls" y Skill

'ellu ! an&! too! the e&ge of elfbark that %as often on his breath" 6Aerity!7 I e! bouncing off yself until I lo%ere&

e until I o$ene& a %ay for

in&" Aery %ell" That %as easy enough" @ust e& his ere& y Skill

relax" Stare into the fire an& %atch the tiny s$arks that ro&e u$%ar& on the heat" Dancing floating s$arks" Relax the 'igilance" Forget ho% ;ill ha& sla Skill/strength against that %all an& nearly hol&ing the %all %as all that ha& ke$t a%ay at ha& force& his %ay into y in&" e! I hear& again y $rince.s %or&s" y in& y o%n %hile they ha a&e it gi'e %ay" Forget that

y flesh" Forget that sickening sense of 'iolation the ti e that @ustin e" The %ay Jalen ha& scarre& an& cri$$le&

ability the ti e he ha& abuse& his $osition as Skill aster to force his control on #s clearly as if Aerity %ere besi&e

6Jalen has scarre& you" You.'e %alls I can.t begin to $enetrate! an& I a strong" You.& ha'e to learn to &ro$ the " That.s a har& thing"7 #n& those %or&s to e ha& been years ago! before @ustin.s in'asion! before ;ill.s e0 attacks" I s ile& bitterly" Di& they kno% they ha& succee&e& at un/Skilling ake a recor& of that" So e&ay a Skille& king u$ insi&e hi self an& ren&er hi he ha& foun& a %ay to sho%

They.& $robably ne'er e'en gi'en it thought" So eone! so e%here! shoul& ight fin& it han&y! to kno% that if you hurt a Skille& one ba&ly enough %ith the Skill! you coul& seal hi $o%erless in that area" e ho% to &ro$ those %alls" Ironically! y e ho% to reinforce the ! so I coul& seal
?82

Aerity ha& ne'er ha& the ti e to teach

$ri'ate thoughts fro it"

hi

%hen I &i& not %ish to share the " *erha$s that %as

a thing I ha& learne& too %ell" I %on&ere& if I %oul& e'er ha'e ti e to unlearn Ti e! no ti e! 5ighteyes interru$te& %earily" Ti e is a thing that u$ to bother the sel'es %ith" You think on it until I a follo% these ol& trails at all0 Snuff out a ne% one that the en& of it" If you %ant the ga e! you is the beginning of the eating" You &o not un&erstan&! tol& hi &ay! an& only so %earily" There are only so any hours in a any &ays in %hich I can &o this thing" en a&e eat at

&i11y" ;hy &o you ay ha'e so e

ust stalk it" That is all" You cannot

say! To stalk this takes too long! I %ish to si $ly eat" It is all one" The stalking

;hy &o you cho$ your life into bits an& gi'e the bits na es0 Hours! &ays" It is like a rabbit" If I kill a rabbit! I eat a rabbit" # slee$y snort of &is&ain" ;hen you lea'e a rabbit! you cho$ it u$ an& call it bones an& #n& so you ne'er ha'e enough" So %hat shoul& I &o! O %ise He ga'e e a slight aster0 Sto$ %hining about it an& 4ust &o it" So I can slee$" in&/nu&ge! like an elbo% in the ribs %hen a co $anion cro%&s too close to you on the ta'ern bench" I su&&enly reali1e& ho% closely I ha& been hol&ing our contact these $ast fe% %eeks" Ha& been a ti e %hen I ha& rebuke& hi ust belong to for al%ays being in y in&" I ha& not %ante& his co $any then that such ti es e that I ha& been y chair an& looke& a&e it $lain to %hen I %as %ith -olly! an& I ha& trie& to ex$lain to hi e alone" 5o% his nu&ge as he ha& to clinging as close to hi at the fire" eat an& fur an& guts"

e %hen he %as a cub" I fir ly resiste&

y first i $ulse to clutch at hi " Instea& I settle& back in

?88

I took the %alls &o%n" I sat for a ti e! %ith They belie'e a bush a &ea& uns)uint e &ea&! I re in&e&

outh &ry! %aiting for an y %alls"

attack" ;hen nothing ca e! I thought carefully! an& again lo%ere& an" It %as still not easy to %ill

yself" They %ill not be lying in %ait to y %alls &o%n" Far easier to

y eyes on a &ay of bright sunlight on the %ater! or to stan& e! $arting aroun& e as if I %ere a stone in the current yself an& returne& to yself to $lunge in" 5o

unflinching before a co ing blo%" But %hen finally I &i& it! I coul& sense the Skill flo%ing all about of a ri'er" I ha& but to $lunge into it an& I coul& fin& Aerity" Or ;ill! or Burl! or 9arro&" I shu&&ere& an& the ri'er retreate&" I steele& it" # long ti e I stoo& teetering on that bank! &aring In! an& I %as s$inning an& tu bling! an& I felt o'erlays that a&e e yself! such thing as testing the %ater %ith the Skill" In or out" In" y self fraying a$art like a e! all the $iece of rotten he $ ro$e" Stran&s $eeling an& t%isting a%ay fro

e ories! e otions! the &ee$ thoughts that

attere&! the flashes of $oetry that one ex$eriences that strike &ee$er than un&erstan&ing! the ran&o But that %oul& ha'e Aerity0 There %as no re$ly" 5othing" He %asn.t there" I &re% back into yself an& $ulle& y entire self about an& yet y in&" I coul& &o it! aintain y i&entity" I foun&! I coul& hol& yself in the Skill strea e ories of or&inary &ays! all of it tattering a%ay" e" It felt so goo&" #ll I ha& to &o %as let go" a&e Jalen right about

;hy ha& it al%ays been so har& before0 I set that )uestion asi&e an& consi&ere& the %orst" The %orst %as that Aerity ha& been ali'e an& s$oken to e! a fe% short onths ago" 6Tell the Aerity.s ali'e" That.s all"7 #n& I ha&! but they ha& not un&erstoo&! an& no one ha& taken any action" Yet %hat coul&

?8<

that

essage ha'e been! if not a $lea for hel$0 # call for hel$ fro

y king

ha& gone unans%ere&" Su&&enly that %as not a thing to be borne! an& the Skill cry that %ent out fro e %as so ething I felt! as if reach" AERITY: , 9hi'alry0 5o ore than a %his$er brushing against yself out to%ar& hi y consciousness! as slight as a oth battering at a %in&o% curtain" It %as stea&y" I flung y turn! this ti e! to reach an& gras$ an& an& foun& hi " His $resence flickere& y 'ery life s$rang out of y chest in a )uesting

like a can&le fla e guttering out in the $ool of its o%n %ax" I kne% he %oul& soon be gone" I ha& a thousan& )uestions" I aske& the only i $ortant one" Aerity" 9an you take strength fro Fit10 The )uestion ore feeble! e! %ithout touching e0 e, ore hesitant" I thought 9hi'alry ha& co e e0 9an you &o it

back , He teetere& on the e&ge of &arkness , to take this bur&en fro Aerity! $ay attention" Think" 9an you take strength fro no%0 I &on.t , I can.t" Reach" Fit10 I re e bere& Shre%&! &ra%ing strength fro #n& ho% @ustin an& Serene ha& attacke& hi out" AERITY" I flung hi ! an& o$ene& han& on yself at hi ! %ra$$e& yself to hi " I %ille&

e to Skill a fare%ell to his son" an& leeche& all his strength a%ay

an& kille& hi " Ho% he ha& &ie&! like a bubble $o$$ing" =ike a s$ark %inking yself aroun& hi ! stea&ie& hi e! I co as

he ha& so often stea&ie&

e in our Skill contacts" Take fro

an&e&

yself to belie'e in the reality of his

y shoul&er! trie& to recall %hat it ha& felt like the ti es %hen he or

?8?

Shre%& ha& &ra%n strength fro su&&enly! an& after a Enough! he cautione& 5o! I. e! an& then

e" The fla e that %as Aerity lea$e& u$ ore strongly! Be careful! boy: y strength to hi " e" It %as al ost as if %e ste$$e&

o ent burne& strong an& clean again"

all right! I can &o this! I assure& hi ! an& %ille&

Enough: he insiste&! an& &re% back fro

slightly a$art an& consi&ere& one another" I coul& not see his bo&y! but I coul& sense the terrible %eariness in hi " It %as not the healthy %eariness that co es at the en& of a &ay.s labor! but the bone %eariness of one grin&ing &ay $ile& u$on another! %ith ne'er foo& enough nor rest enough in bet%een the " I ha& gi'en hi strength! but not health! an& he %oul& )uickly burn the 'itality e! for it %as not true strength any eal" ore" ;e ore than elfbark he ha& borro%e& fro tea %as a sustaining

;here are you0 I &e an&e& of hi " In the -ountains! he sai& un%illingly! an& a&&e&! It is not safe to say shoul& not Skill at all" There are those %ho %oul& try to hear us" But he &i& not en& the contact! an& I kne% he %as as hungry to ask )uestions as I %as" I trie& to think %hat I coul& tell hi " I coul& sense no one sa'e oursel'es but I %as not certain I %oul& kno% if %e %ere s$ie& u$on" For long e sternly! You frien&" Then it is %orth any risk to the thought %ithin is &one! I %ill co e to you" I sense& so ething fro hi then" # gratitu&e hu bling in its intensity" I ho$e ore sternly! S$eak no na es! Skill I shall still be here if you arri'e" Then!
?8B

o ents

our contact hel& si $ly as an a%areness of one another" Then Aerity %arne& ust be ore careful" You %ill &ra% &o%n trouble on this" I ha'e gone long %ithout the touch of a yself" I hesitate&! then foun& I coul& not confine ust &o" But %hen it yourself" Yet I take heart fro

yself" -y king" There is so ething I

only if you

ust" -ore softly! then! Be careful of yourself! boy" Be 'ery

careful" They are ruthless" #n& then he %as gone" He ha& broken the Skill contact off cleanly" I ho$e& that %here'er he %as! he %oul& use the strength I ha& loane& hi rest" I ha& sense& hi to fin& so e foo& or a safe $lace to y li'ing as a hunte& thing! al%ays %ary! e'er hungry" *rey!

uch as I %as" #n& so ething else" #n in4ury! a fe'er0 I leane& back in strength out of e'en e! an& I ha& o$ene& yself to Aerity an& let hi

chair! tre bling lightly" I kne% better than to try to stan&" Si $ly Skilling took &ra% off ake so e ore" In a fe% o ents! %hen the shaking lessene&! I %oul&

elfbark tea an& restore thought of Aerity"

yself" For no% I sat an& stare& into the fire an&

Aerity ha& left Buckkee$ last autu n" It see e& an eternity ago" ;hen Aerity ha& &e$arte&! (ing Shre%& ha& li'e& yet! an& Aerity.s %ife (ettricken ha& been $regnant" He ha& set hi self a )uest" The Re&/Shi$ Rai&ers fro &ri'e the the OutIslan&s ha& assaile& our shores for three full years! an& all our efforts to a%ay ha& faile&" So Aerity! (ing/in/;aiting for the throne of the Six Duchies! ha& set out to go to the -ountains! there to fin& our near legen&ary allies! the El&erlings" Tra&ition ha& it that generations ago (ing ;is&o ha& sought the out an& they ha& ai&e& the Six Duchies against behin& to seek the out an& si ilar rai&ers" They ha& also $ro ise& to return if e'er %e nee&e& the " #n& so Aerity ha& left throne an& %ife an& king&o re in& the #l ost the of their $ro ise" His age& father! (ing Shre%&! ha& re aine& o ent Aerity %as gone! Regal began to o'e against hi " He a&e ock of

behin&! an& also his younger brother! *rince Regal" courte& the Inlan& Dukes an& ignore& the nee&s of the 9oastal Duchies" I sus$ecte& he %as the source of the %his$ere& ru ors that
?8C

Aerity.s )uest an& $ainte& hi

as an irres$onsible fool if not a

a& an" The

coterie of Skill users %ho shoul& ha'e been s%orn to Aerity ha& long been corru$te& to Regal.s ser'ice" He use& the to announce that Aerity ha& &ie& %hile en route to the -ountains! an& then $roclai e& hi self (ing/in/;aiting" His control o'er the ailing (ing Shre%& beca e absolute+ Regal ha& &eclare& he %oul& o'e his court inlan&! aban&oning Buckkee$ in e'ery %ay that ercies of the Re&/Shi$s" ;hen he announce& that (ing ust go %ith hi ! 9ha&e ha& &eci&e& to stan& bet%een both a%ay! on the attere& to the %e hi

Shre%& an& Aerity.s Iueen (ettricken an& the throne" So %e ha&

ust act" ;e kne% Regal %oul& suffer neither of the a&e our $lans to s$irit the

'ery e'ening he &eclare& hi self (ing/in/;aiting" 5othing %ent as $lanne&" The 9oastal Dukes ha& been close to rising u$ against Regal+ they ha& trie& to recruit e to their rebellion" I ha& agree& to ai& e bers ha& kille& hi " agic" their cause! in the ho$e of kee$ing Buckkee$ as a $osition of $o%er for Aerity" Before %e coul& s$irit the (ing a%ay! t%o coterie Shre%&! I Burrich not Only (ettricken ha& fle&! an& although I ha& kille& those %ho ha& kille& (ing yself %as ca$ture&! torture&! an& foun& guilty of the ;it y father.s %ife! ha& interce&e& on anage& to s uggle $oison to =a&y *atience! y behalf to no a'ail" Ha&

e! I %oul& ha'e been hung o'er

%ater an& burne&" But the $oison ha& been enough to counterfeit &eath con'incingly" ;hile clai e& I blinke& y bo&y fro y soul ro&e %ith 5ighteyes in his bo&y! *atience ha& the $rison cell an& burie& it" >nbekno%nst to her! e as soon as they safely coul&" the fla es" The fire ha& burne& lo%" e" There %as no %ay to reclai e &ays before the rest e &ea& no%! an& &oubtless 'ie%e&

Burrich an& 9ha&e ha& &isinterre&

y eyes an& looke& a%ay fro

-y life %as like that no%! all in ashes behin& the %o an I ha& lo'e&" -olly belie'e& y use of ;it

agic %ith &isgust" #n& any%ay she left

?8D

of

y life ha& fallen a$art" I ha& kno%n her since %e %ere chil&ren an& ha& e the kee$! a stableboy

$laye& together on the streets an& &ocks of Buckkee$ To%n" She ha& calle& 5e%boy! an& assu e& I %as 4ust one of the chil&ren fro or a scribe.s la&" She ha& fallen in lo'e %ith

e before she &isco'ere& that I

%as the Bastar&! the illegiti ate son that ha& force& 9hi'alry to ab&icate the throne" ;hen she foun& out! I 'ery nearly lost her" But I ha& $ersua&e& her to trust e! to belie'e in e! an& for al ost a year %e ha& clung to one another! y &uty to the e $er ission to &es$ite e'ery obstacle" Ti e an& again! I ha& been force& to $ut (ing ahea& of %hat %e %ishe& to &o" The (ing ha& refuse& arry+ she ha& acce$te& that" He ha& $le&ge& she ha& tolerate&" She ha& been threatene& an& it all , until one &ay she si $ly tol& #n& she ha& left I close& Skill no

e to another %o an" E'en that! ocke&! as 6the Bastar&.s

%hore"7 I ha& been unable to $rotect her" But she ha& been so stea&fast through e there %as so eone else for her! y king" e to iss her" so eone she coul& lo'e! an& $ut abo'e all else in her life! 4ust as I &i& e" I coul& not bla e her" I coul& only

y eyes" I %as tire&! nearly exhauste&" #n& Aerity ha& %arne& ore unless I

ust" But surely it coul& not hurt to atte $t a gli $se of o ent! to see that she %as %ell , I $robably

-olly" @ust to see her! for a o ent0

%oul&n.t e'en succee& at seeing her" But %hat coul& I hurt by trying! 4ust for a It shoul& ha'e been easy" It %as effortless to recall e'erything about her" I ha& so often breathe& her scent! co $oun&e& of the herbs she use& to scent her can&les an& the %ar th of her o%n s%eet skin" I kne% e'ery nuance of her 'oice! an& ho% it %ent &ee$er %hen she laughe&" I coul& recall the $recise line of her 4a%! an& ho% she set her chin %hen she %as annoye& %ith eyes" She ha& ha& a %ay of $utting her han&s to the si&es of
?8E

e" I kne% y face an&

the glossy texture of her rich bro%n hair an& the &arting glance of her &ark

hol&ing

e fir ly %hile she kisse&

e , I lifte&

y o%n han& to in

y face! y eyes" I y

%ishing I coul& fin& her han& there! that I coul& tra$ it an& hol& it fore'er" Instea& I felt the sea blinke& the of a scar" The foolish tears rose %ar y fire s%i for a a%ay! seeing the fla es of o ent before

'ision stea&ie&" I %as tire&! I tol&

yself" Too tire& to try an& fin& -olly %ith yself a$art fro these an

y Skill" I shoul& try to get so e slee$" I trie& to set

too/hu an e otions" Yet this %as %hat I chose %hen I chose to be a these things"

again" -aybe it %as %iser to be a %olf" Surely an ani al ne'er ha& to feel Out in the night! a single %olf lifte& his nose an& ho%le& su&&enly u$ to the sky! $iercing the night %ith his loneliness an& &es$air"

9H#*TER FO>R The Ri'er Roa& B>9(! THE O=DEST &uchy of the Six Duchies! has a coastline that stretches fro 4ust belo% the High&o%ns south%ar& to inclu&e the outh of the Buck Ri'er an& Bay of Buck" #ntler Islan& is inclu&e& in the Duchy of Buck" Buck.s %ealth has t%o a4or sources3 the rich fishing groun&s that the coastal folk ha'e al%ays en4oye&! an& the shi$$ing tra&e create& by su$$lying the Inlan& Duchies %ith all they lack 'ia the Buck Ri'er" The Buck Ri'er is a %i&e ri'er! ean&ering freely in its be&! an& often floo&ing the lo%lan&s of Buck &uring the s$ring" The current is such that an ice free channel has al%ays re aine& o$en in the ri'er year roun&! sa'e for the four se'erest %inters in Buck.s history" 5ot only Buck goo&s tra'el u$ the ri'er to the Inlan& Duchies! but tra&e goo&s fro Ri$$on an& Shoaks &uchies! not to
?<H

ention the

ore exotic

ite s fro

the 9halce& States an& those of the Bingto%n Tra&ers" Do%n the the -ountain (ing&o tra&e"

ri'er co es all that the Inlan& Duchies ha'e to offer! as %ell as the fine furs an& a bers fro

I a%oke %hen 5ighteyes nu&ge& $oun&e& an& rolle& a%ay fro

y cheek %ith a col& nose" E'en then I &i& y surroun&ings" -y hea& the el&erberry %ine

not startle a%ake! but beca e su&&enly a%are of e as I $ushe&

y face felt stiff" The e $ty bottle fro

yself to a sitting $osition on the floor"

You slee$ too soun&ly" #re you sick0 5o" @ust stu$i&" I ne'er before notice& that it He $oke& shut for a fe% a&e you slee$ soun&ly" a%ay" I s)uee1e& y eyes again! 5othing ha& i $ro'e&" I tosse& a orning07 I e %ith his nose again an& I $ushe& hi o ent! then o$ene& the

ore sticks of %oo& onto the e bers of last night.s fire" 6Is it

aske& slee$ily! alou&" The light is 4ust starting to change" ;e shoul& go back to the rabbit %arren $lace" You go ahea&" I. not hungry" Aery %ell" He starte& off! then $ause& in the o$en &oor%ay" I &o not think that slee$ing insi&e is goo& for you" Then he %as gone! a shifting of grayness fro the threshol&" Slo%ly I lay &o%n again an& close& 4ust a short ti e longer" ;hen I a%oke again! full &aylight %as strea ing in the o$en &oor" # brief ;it/ )uest foun& a satiate& %olf &ro%sing in the &a$$ling sunlight bet%een t%o big roots of an oak tree" 5ighteyes ha& s all use for bright sunny &ays" To&ay I agree& %ith hi ! but force& $lace again" Habit a&e yself back to yester&ay.s resolution" I began to e that I %oul& $robably ne'er see this set the hut to rights" Then it occurre& to y eyes" I %oul& slee$ for

e finish s%ee$ing it out any%ay" I cleare& the ashes

?<1

fro

the hearth! an& set a fresh ar loa& of %oo& there" If anyone &i& $ass this y e on the table" It

%ay an& nee& shelter! they %oul& fin& all rea&y for the " I gathere& u$ no% &ry clothing an& set e'erything I %oul& be taking %ith that I ha& to carry all of it on the strea #s I %alke& back fro

%as $athetically little if one %as thinking of it as all I ha&" ;hen I consi&ere& y o%n back! it see e& $lentiful" I %ent &o%n to ake it into a anageable $ack" to &rink an& %ash before trying to

the strea ! I %as %on&ering ho% &isgruntle& 5ighteyes y extra leggings on the u$ as I entere&! tossing the e! but I ha& beco e

%as going to be about tra'eling by &ay" I ha& &ro$$e& &oorste$ so eho%" I stoo$e& an& $icke& the onto the table" I su&&enly reali1e& I %asn.t alone" The gar ent on the &oorste$ shoul& ha'e %arne& too co $letely on %oul& a'ail y ;it/sense to let

careless" It ha& been too long since I ha& been threatene&" I ha& begun to rely e kno% %hen others %ere aroun&" Forge& ones coul& not be $ercei'e& that %ay" 5either the ;it nor the Skill e anything against the " There %ere t%o of the ! both young ostly atte& hair en! an& not long Forge& by the look of the " Their clothing %as intact! an& %hile they %ere &irty! it %as not the groun&/in filth an& that I ha& co e to associate %ith the Forge&" -ost of the ti es I ha& fought Forge& ones it ha& been %inter an& they ha& been %eakene& by $ri'ation" One of %hat y &uties as (ing Shre%&.s assassin ha& fro their fa ilies been to kee$ the area aroun& Buckkee$ free of the " ;e ha& ne'er &isco'ere& agic the Re&/Shi$s use& on our folk! to snatch the an& return the sole cure %as a but hours later as e otionless brutes" ;e kne% only that the erciful &eath" The Forge& ones %ere the %orst of the horrors

that the Rai&ers loose& on us" They left our o%n kin to $rey on us long after their shi$s %ere gone" ;hich %as %orse3 to face your brother! kno%ing that theft! ur&er! an& ra$e %ere $erfectly acce$table to hi
?<2

no%! as long as he got

%hat he %ishe&0 Or to take u$ your knife an& go out to hunt hi hi 0 I ha& interru$te& the t%o as they %ere $a%ing through full of &rie& Though Forge& ones the to

&o%n an& kill

y $ossessions" Han&s

eat! they %ere fee&ing! each kee$ing a %ary eye on the other" ight tra'el together! they ha& absolutely no loyalty to erely a habit" I ha& seen

anyone" *erha$s the co $any of other hu ans %as

turn sa'agely u$on one another to &is$ute o%nershi$ of so e $lun&er! or e! consi&ering" I fro1e %here I %as" For a o ent! no one o'e&" to

erely %hen they ha& beco e hungry enough" But no% they s%ung their ga1es They ha& the foo& an& all attack y $ossessions" There %as no reason for the

e! as long as I &i&n.t challenge the " I ease& back to%ar& the &oor! y han&s &o%n an& still" @ust as if I ha& as I gingerly

ste$$ing slo%ly an& carefully! kee$ing ease& back fro

co e u$ on a bear on its kill! so I &i& not look &irectly at the &irty han& to $oint at

their territory" I %as nearly clear of the &oor %hen one lifte& a e" 6Drea s too lou&:7 he &eclare& angrily" They both e" y extra shirt an& little else" His ar s y belt

&ro$$e& their $lun&er an& s$rang after co ing in the &oor" He %as %earing close& aroun& back fro

I %hirle& an& fle&! s ashing soli&ly chest to chest %ith one %ho %as 4ust e al ost reflexi'ely" I &i& not hesitate" I coul& reach

knife an& &i&! an& $unche& it into his belly a cou$le of ti es before he fell e" He curle& o'er %ith a roar of $ain as I sho'e& $ast hi " an hit e soli&ly fro behin& an& I %ent &o%n" I rolle& in e e'ery e like a su&&en $oison" o'e" -y heart Brother: I sense&! an& kne% 5ighteyes %as co ing! but he %as too far a%ay! u$ on the ri&ge" # searing ha his gri$! screa ing in hoarse terror as he su&&enly a%akene& in e ory of Regal.s &ungeon" *anic ca e o'er I $lunge& back into night are" I %as too terrifie& to ere&! I coul& not take a breath!

y han&s %ere nu b! I coul& not tell if I

?<8

still gri$$e&

y knife" His han& touche&

y throat" Frantically I flaile& at hi ! e! %ith

thinking only of esca$e! of e'a&ing that touch" His co $anion sa'e& a sa'age kick that gra1e& ribs of the an on to$ of off sho'e I ha& hi behin& e" I hear& hi

y si&e as I thrashe& an& connecte& soli&ly %ith the gas$ out his air! an& %ith a %il& y feet! an& fle&" an close

e" I rolle& clear! ca e to

I ran $o%ere& by fear so intense I coul& not think" I hear& one hills an& $astures no% as y %olf kne% the " I took the

e! an& thought I coul& hear the other behin& hi " But I kne% these u$ the stee$ hill

behin& the cottage an& before they coul& crest it I change& &irection an& %ent to earth" #n oak ha& fallen &uring the last of the %inter.s %il& stor s! rearing u$ a great %all of earth %ith its tangle& roots! an& taking lesser trees &o%n %ith it" It ha& a&e a fine tangle of trunks an& blanches! an& let a %i&e slice of yself to the earth besi&e it" I s)uir e& sunlight into the forest" The blackberries ha& s$rung u$ re4oicing an& o'er%hel e& the fallen giant" I flung on y belly through the thorniest $art of the blackberry canes! into the e" In a $anic I thre% u$ y e"

&arkness beneath the oak.s trunk! an& then lay co $letely still" I hear& their angry shouting as they searche& for ental %alls as %ell" 6Drea s too lou&!7 the Forge& one ha& accuse&

;ell! 9ha&e an& Aerity ha& both sus$ecte& that Skilling &re% the Forge& ones" *erha$s the keenness of feeling it &e an&e& an& the outreaching of that feeling in Skill touche& so ething in the #n& a&e the Brother0 It %as 5ighteyes! hi I. a bit" all right" ;here are you0 ute& so eho%! or at a 'ery great &istance" I &are& o$en to an& re in&e& the of all they ha& lost" %ant to kill %ho e'er coul& still feel0 -aybe"

?<<

Right here" I hear& a rustling an& su&&enly he %as there! bellying through to e" He touche& his nose to 65o"7 I ran a%ay" ;ise! he obser'e&! an& I coul& sense that he eant it" e flee fro But I coul& sense too that he %as sur$rise&" He ha& ne'er seen fought besi&e y cheek" #re you hurt0

Forge& ones" #l%ays before I ha& stoo& an& fought! an& he ha& stoo& an& e" ;ell! those ti es I ha& usually been %ell ar e& an& %ell the col&" Three against one an fe&! an& they ha& been star'e& an& suffering fro

%hen you.'e only a belt knife as a %ea$on are ba& o&&s! e'en if you kno% a %olf is co ing to hel$ you" There %as nothing of co%ar&ice in it" #ny %oul& ha'e &one so" I re$eate& the thought se'eral ti es to It.s all right! he soothe& In a %hile" ;hen they.'e gone! I hushe& hi " They.'e been gone a long ti e! no%! he offere& %as still high" I 4ust %ant to be sure" Ia sure" I %atche& the coax go! I follo%e& the " 9o e out! little brother" I let hi e out of the bra bles" I foun& %hen I e erge& that the sun %as any hours ha& I s$ent in there! senses &ea&ene&! like a the front of y for erly clean an in the o ent I e" They left %hile the sun yself" e" Then he a&&e&! Don.t you %ant to co e out0

al ost setting" Ho%

snail $ulle& into its shell0 I brushe& &irt fro &oor%ay" I.& ha'e to %ash

clothes" There %as bloo& there as %ell! the bloo& of the young y clothes again! I thought &u bly" For a

thought of hauling the %ater an& heating it! of scrubbing out the bloo&! an& then I kne% I coul& not go into the hut an& be tra$$e& in there again" Yet the fe% $ossessions I ha& %ere there3 Or %hate'er the Forge& ones ha& left of the "

?<?

By

oonrise I ha& foun& the courage to a$$roach the hut" It %as a goo& full ea&o% before the hut" For so e ti e I crouche& ight o'e"

oon! lighting u$ the %i&e One

on the ri&ge! $eering &o%n an& %atching for any sha&o%s that for a long ti e! looking for o'e ent" en&e&" et co ing out the &oor" -y knife

an %as lying in the &ee$ grass near the &oor of the hut" I stare& at hi

He.s &ea&" >se your nose! 5ighteyes reco That %oul& be the one I ha&

ust ha'e

foun& so ething 'ital+ he ha& not gone far" Still! I stalke& hi

through the

&arkness as carefully as if he %ere a %oun&e& bear" But soon I s elle& the s%eetish stench of so ething &ea& left all &ay in the sun" He %as s$ra%le& face&o%n in the grass" I &i& not turn hi hi " I $eere& through the %in&o% of the hut! stu&ying the still &arkness of the interior for so e You are sure0 #s sure as I a beneath that I ha'e a %olf.s nose an& not a useless lu $ of flesh e" I y eyes" -y brother" e kne% there %as little to fear! that the Forge& o'e& on" #nother $art coul& not e! an& the brushing force of that kick" I ha& e ory back! y inutes" e i $atiently" There.s no one in there! 5ighteyes re in&e& o'er! but a&e a %i&e circle aroun&

He let the thought trail off! but I coul& feel his %or&less anxiety for al ost share& it" # $art of forget the %eight of the ones ha& taken %hate'er they %ante& an& an u$on

been $inne& like that against the stone floor of a &ungeon an& $oun&e&! fist an& boot! an& I ha& not been able to &o anything" 5o% that I ha& that I %on&ere& ho% I %oul& li'e %ith it" I &i&! finally! go into the hut" I e'en force& gro$ing han&s ha& foun& yself to kin&le a light! once y flint" -y han&s shook as I hastily gathere& %hat
?<B

they ha& left close& it! I

e an& bun&le& it into

y cloak" The o$en &oor behin& ight co e at any

e %as a

threatening black ga$ through %hich they &oorste$ coul& reassure $lan beyon& each e"

o ent" Yet if I

ight be tra$$e& insi&e" 5ot e'en 5ighteyes kee$ing %atch on the e&iate use for" Forge& ones &i& not eat ha& been eaten or flung asi&e" I y scribe.s case! but

They ha& taken only %hat they ha& i o ent" #ll the &rie&

%ante& none of %hat they ha& touche&" They ha& o$ene& an& herbs they ha& $robably assu e& hel& been ta $ere& %ith" Of

lost interest %hen they foun& nothing to eat in there" -y s aller box of $oisons y scribe.s color $ots" It ha& not y clothes! only the one shirt ha& been taken! an& I ea&o% an& cli be& to the to$ y %inter ore light! I

ha& no interest in reclai ing it" I.& $unche& its belly full of holes any%ay" I took %hat %as left an& &e$arte&" I crosse& the of the ri&ge! %here I ha& a goo& 'ie% in all &irections" There I sat &o%n an& %ith tre bling han&s $acke& %hat I ha& left for tra'eling" I use& stra$$ing allo%e& e to sling it o'er a shoul&er" ;hen I ha& cloak to %ra$ it! an& tie& the bun&le tightly %ith leather thongs" # se$arate coul& &e'ise a better %ay to carry it" 6Rea&y07 I aske& 5ighteyes" Do %e hunt no%0 5o" ;e tra'el" I hesitate&" #re you 'ery hungry0 # bit" #re you in so uch of a hurry to be a%ay fro here0 I &i&n.t nee& to think about that" 6Yes" I a "7 Then &o not be concerne&" ;e can both tra'el an& hunt" I no&&e&! then glance& u$ at the night sky" I foun& the Tiller in the night sky! an& took a bearing off it" 6That %ay!7 I sai&! $ointing &o%n the far si&e of the ri&ge" The %olf a&e no re$ly! but si $ly rose an& trotte& $ur$osefully off in the &irection I ha& $ointe&" I follo%e&! ears $ricke& an& all senses keen for
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anything that

ight

o'e in the night" I e at all! sa'e

o'e& )uietly an& nothing follo%e&

us" 5othing follo%e&

y fear"

The night tra'eling beca e our $attern" I ha& $lanne& to tra'el by &ay an& slee$ by night" But after that first night of trotting through the %oo&s behin& 5ighteyes! follo%ing %hiche'er ga e trails le& in a generally correct &irection! I &eci&e& it %as better" I coul& not ha'e sle$t by night any%ay" For the first fe% &ays I e'en ha& trouble slee$ing by &ay" I %oul& fin& a 'antage $oint that still offere& us conceal ent an& lie &o%n! certain of an& close senses" E'ery soun&! e'ery scent %oul& 4olt not relax again until I ha& arisen to assure ti e! e'en 5ighteyes co $laine& of of slee$ by &ay %ake" Yet those slee$less hours an& the hours %hen I trotte& after 5ighteyes! hea& $oun&ing %ith $ain! those %ere not %aste& hours" In those hours I nurture& a&e of e" 5ot enough that he ha& taken fro tre blings that o'ertook e y life! y hatre& of Regal an& his coterie" I hone& it to a fine e&ge" This %as %hat he ha& y lo'er+ not a&e e enough that I ust a'oi& the $eo$le an& $laces I care& about! not enough the e" 5o" He ha& an" I ha& not e'en the courage to e" The e ories I a&e e y exhaustion" I %oul& curl u$ y o%n y eyes an& then lie there! tor ente& by the keenness of

e back to alertness! an& I coul& yself there %as no &anger" #fter a

y restlessness" ;hen finally I &i& fall

aslee$! it %as only to shu&&er a%ake at inter'als! s%eating an& shaking" =ack iserable by night as I trotte& along in 5ighteyes.

scars I bore an& the ran&o recall all he ha& &one to coul& not su

this! this shaking! frightene& rabbit of a

e! yet I kne% that %hen $ush ca e to sho'e! those

e ories %oul& rise u$ an& re'eal the sel'es to un an textures that tor ente& e by night" The sensation of y %ar
?<D

on by &ay lurke& as frag ents of soun&s an& colors an& y cheek against col& bloo&" The flash of light that

stone slick %ith a thin layer of

acco $anie& a en

an.s fist striking the si&e of

y hea&" The guttural soun&s the as they %atch y e

ake! the hooting an& grunting that issues fro

so eone being beaten" Those %ere the 4agge& e&ges that slice& through an& think of Regal" Once I ha& ha& a lo'e that I ha& belie'e& %oul& carry through anything" Regal ha& taken that fro as strong" ;e hunte& as %e tra'ele&" -y resolution to al%ays cook the futile" I

efforts at slee$" San&y/eye& an& tre bling! I %oul& lie a%ake besi&e the %olf e" 5o% I nurture& a hatre& fully eat soon $ro'e& yself to uch

anage& a fire $erha$s one night out of three! an& only if I coul& fin& a yself clean! an& took as

hollo% %here it %oul& not attract attention" I &i& not! ho%e'er! allo% sink &o%n to being less than a beast" I ke$t care %ith y clothing as our rough life allo%e&

e3 -y $lan for our 4ourney

%as a si $le one" ;e %oul& tra'el cross/country until %e struck the Buck Ri'er" The ri'er roa& $arallele& it u$ to Turlake" # lot of $eo$le tra'ele& the roa&+ it ight be &ifficult for the %olf to re ain unseen! but it %as the s%iftest %ay" Once there! it %as but a short &istance to Tra&efor& on the Ain Ri'er" In Tra&efor&! I %oul& kill Regal" That %as the total su si $ly of y $lan" I refuse& to consi&er ho% I %oul& et y goals" That uch I acco $lish any of this" I refuse& to %orry about all I &i& not kno%" I %oul& o'e for%ar&! one &ay at a ti e! until I ha& being a %olf" a su er of anning an oar on Aerity.s %arshi$ the ha& learne& fro

I kne% the coast fro

Rurisk! but I %as not $ersonally fa iliar %ith the inlan&s of Buck Duchy" True! I ha& tra'ele& through it once before! on the %ay to the -ountains for (ettricken.s $le&ging cere ony" Then I ha& been $art of the %e&&ing cara'an! %ell ounte& an& %ell $ro'isione&" But no% I tra'ele& alone an& on foot! %ith uch! too! ha& ti e to consi&er %hat I sa%" ;e crosse& so e %il& country! but
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once been su

er $asturage for flocks of shee$! goats! an& cattle" Ti e after ea&o%s chest high in ungra1e& grasses! to fin& she$her&s. $re'ious years" I sa% fe%

ti e! %e tra'erse&

huts col& an& &eserte& since last autu n" The flocks %e &i& see %ere s all ones! not nearly the si1e of flocks I recalle& fro s%ineher&s an& goose/girls co $are& %ith s aller than I recalle&! %ith e'en $lo%e&" It a&e s all sense to e" I ha& seen this ha$$ening along the coast! %here far ers. flocks an& cro$s ha& been re$eate&ly &estroye& by the rai&s" In recent years! %hate'er &i& not go to the Re&/Shi$s in fire or $lun&er %as taken by taxes to fun& the %arshi$s an& sol&iers that scarcely $rotecte& the " But u$ri'er! out of the Rai&ers. reach! I ha& thought to fin& Buck It &isheartene& e" uch less ore $ros$erous" y first 4ourney through this area"

#s %e &re% closer to the Buck Ri'er! %e $asse& grainfiel&s substantially uch goo& lan& gi'en back to %il& grasses! not

;e soon struck the roa& that follo%e& the Buck Ri'er" There %as

traffic than I recalle&! both on the roa& an& the ri'er" Those %e encountere& on the roa& %ere brus)ue an& unfrien&ly! e'en %hen 5ighteyes %as out of sight" I sto$$e& once at a far stea& to ask if I %as allo%e& y %aterskin %as full! the %o an tol& see e& to be the $re'ailing one" #n& the farther I %ent! the %orse it beca e" The tra'elers I encountere& on the roa&s %ere not erchants %ith %agons of goo&s or far ers taking $ro&uce to arket" Instea& they %ere ragge& fa ilies! often %ith all they $ossesse& in a $ushcart or t%o" The eyes of the a&ults %ere har& an& unfrien&ly! %hile those of the chil&ren %ere often stricken an& e $ty" #ny ho$es I ha& ha& of fin&ing &ay%ork along this roa& %ere soon surren&ere&" Those %ho still $ossesse&
??H

ight &ra% col& %ater fro e I.& best be on

their %ell" It

e! but no one calle& off the snarling &ogs as I &i& so! an& %hen y %ay" Her attitu&e

ho es an& far s guar&e& the 6beggar to%ns!7 clusters of

4ealously" Dogs barke& in the yar&s an& far thie'es after &ark" ;e $asse& se'eral an& col&/eye& a&ults stoo& guar& %ith $assing erchant %agons I &i& see %ere so any akeshift huts an& tents alongsi&e the roa&" By

%orkers guar&e& the young cro$s fro night! bonfires burne& brightly in the

staffs an& $ikes" By &ay! chil&ren sat along the roa& an& begge& fro tra'elers" I thought I un&erstoo& %hy the %ell guar&e&"

;e ha& tra'ele& on the roa& for se'eral nights! ghosting silently through a$$roache& the outskirts" ;hen so e early

s all ha lets before %e ca e to a to%n of any si1e" Da%n o'ertook us as %e erchants %ith a cart of cage& chickens o'ertook us! %e kne% it %as ti e to get out of sight" ;e settle& for the &aylight hours on a s all rise that let us look &o%n on a to%n built half out onto the ri'er" ;hen I coul& not slee$! I sat an& %atche& the co Occasionally the %in& brought &ra%n to erce on the the yself roa& belo% us" S all boats an& large %ere tie& at the &ocks of the to%n" e the shouts of the cre%s unloa&ing fro y sur$rise! I foun& shi$s" Once I e'en hear& a snatch of song" To creek at the foot of the hill" I set

y o%n kin&" I left 5ighteyes slee$ing! but only %ent as far as the yself to %ashing out y shirt an& leggings" e! %atching e %ash e

;e shoul& a'oi& this $lace" They %ill try to kill you if you go there! 5ighteyes offere& hel$fully" He %as sitting on a creek bank besi&e ha& been atte $ting to ex$lain to hi ;hy %oul& they %ant to kill kill us0 Hu ans are not like that! I ex$laine& $atiently"
??1

yself as e'ening &arkene& the sky" -y shirt an& leggings %ere al ost &ry" I %hy I %ishe& to ha'e hi %ait for %hile I %ent into the to%n to the inn there" e0 ;e are strangers! co ing into their hunting groun&s" ;hy shoul&n.t they try to

5o" You are right" They %ill $robably 4ust $ut you in a cage an& beat you" 5o they %on.t! I insiste& fir ly to co'er ight recogni1e e" y o%n fears that $erha$s so eone

They &i& before! he insiste&" Both of us" #n& that %as your o%n $ack" I coul& not &eny that" So I $ro ise&! I %ill be 'ery! 'ery careful" I shall not be long" I 4ust %ant to go listen to the ha$$ening" ;hy shoul& %e care %hat is ha$$ening to the 0 ;hat is ha$$ening to us is that %e are neither hunting! nor slee$ing! nor tra'eling" They are not $ack %ith us" It ay tell us %hat to ex$ect! farther on our 4ourney" I ay fin& out if the roa&s are hea'ily tra'ele&! if there is %ork I can take for a &ay or so to get a fe% coins" That sort of thing" ;e coul& si $ly tra'el on an& fin& out for oursel'es! 5ighteyes $ointe& out stubbornly" I &ragge& on %ith y shirt an& leggings o'er y &a $ skin" I co be& it" Habit a&e y hair back yself y fingers! s)uee1e& the oisture fro e tie it back in a talk for a bit! to fin& out %hat is

%arrior.s tail" Then I bit to

y li$! consi&ering" I ha& $lanne& to re$resent

as a %an&ering scribe" I took it out of its tail an& shook it loose" It ca e al ost y shoul&ers" # bit long for a scribe.s hair" -ost of the the bro% line to kee$ it fro y untri ke$t their hair their eyes %hen short! an& sha'e& it back fro they %orke&" ;ell! %ith reco en&ation for

e& bear& an& shaggy hair! $erha$s I coul&

be taken for a scribe %ho ha& been long %ithout %ork" 5ot a goo& y skills! but gi'en the $oor su$$lies I ha&! $erha$s that ake yself $resentable" I fastene& y belt! %as best" I tugge& y shirt straight to checke& to be sure y knife sat securely in its sheath! an& then hefte& the
??2

$altry %eight of see e& like unless I uch

y $urse" The flint in it %eighe& Burrich" # fe%

ore than the coins" I &i&

ha'e the four sil'er bits fro

onths ago it %oul& not ha'e

oney" 5o% it %as all I ha&! an& I resol'e& not to s$en& it Shre%&" Reflexi'ely y han& %ent to the earring" #s y shirt"

ust" The only other %ealth I ha& %as the earring Burrich ha& gi'en

e an& the $in fro of it al%ays reassure&

annoying as it coul& be %hen %e %ere hunting through &ense brush! the touch e" =ike%ise the $in in the collar of The $in that %asn.t there" I took the shirt off an& checke& the entire collar! an& then the co $lete gar ent" I etho&ically kin&le& a s all fire for light" Then I un&i& y bun&le co $letely an& %ent through e'erything in it! not once! but t%ice" This &es$ite y al ost certain kno%le&ge of %here the $in %as" The s all re& ruby in its nest of sil'er %as in the collar of a shirt %orn by a &ea& an outsi&e the yself" #ll y fire! she$her&.s hut" I %as all but certain! an& yet I coul& not a& it it to

the %hile I searche&! 5ighteyes $ro%le& in an uncertain circle aroun& 6Shush:7 I tol& hi irritably! an& force& y

%hining in soft agitation about an anxiety he sense& but coul& not co $rehen&" in& to go back o'er the e'ents as if I %ere going to re$ort to Shre%&" The last ti e I coul& re e ber ha'ing the $in %as the night I ha& &ri'en Burrich an& 9ha&e a%ay" I ha& taken it out of the shirt.s collar an& sho%e& it to the both! an& then sat looking at it" Then I ha& $ut it back" I coul& not recall yself %ith it %hen I %ashe& it if it %as still %here it %oul& hol& tighter" It han&ling it since then" I coul& not recall taking it out of the shirt %hen I %ashe& it" It see e& I shoul& ha'e 4abbe& there" But I usually $ushe& the $in into a sea %olf! or if it %as still in the shirt the &ea&

ha& see e& safer so" I ha& no %ay of kno%ing if I ha& lost it hunting %ith the an %ore" *erha$s it ha& been left

??8

on the table! an& one of the Forge& ones ha& $icke& u$ the bright thing %hen they $a%e& through y $ossessions" yself" ;ith a sick longing I %ishe& I %oul& y cloak or tu ble& insi&e y boot" In It %as 4ust a $in! I re in&e&

su&&enly see it! caught in the lining of @ust a $in! 4ust a bit of %orke& Shre%& ha& gi'en an& all I ha& left of he ca e! fli$$ing un&er y ar

a su&&en flash of ho$e! I checke& insi&e both boots again" It still %asn.t there" etal an& a glea ing stone" @ust the token (ing e! %hen he create& a bon& bet%een us e %hen he clai e& y king an&

to re$lace the bloo& one that coul& ne'er be legiti ately recogni1e&" @ust a $in! y gran&father" 5ighteyes %hine& again! an& ust ha'e kno%n that! but still y chest an& y ar u11le I felt an irrational urge to snarl back at hi " He

y elbo% u$ %ith his nose an& then burro%ing his hea&

until his great gray hea& %as u$ against y chin" I hugge& hi

aroun& his shoul&ers" He tosse& his nose u$ su&&enly! clacking his $ainfully against against

har&! an& he turne& to rub his throat o ent I sighe&! an& the $ain of loss

y face" The ulti ate gesture of trust! %olf to %olf! that baring of the

throat to another.s $ossible snarl" #fter a I felt o'er the thing %as less" It %as 4ust a thing fro 6@ust a thing fro thought to

a yester&ay0 5ighteyes %on&ere& hesitantly" # thing

no longer here0 It is not a thorn in your $a%! or a $ain in your belly0 yester&ay!7 I ha& to agree" # $in that ha& been gi'en to a an %ho ha& &ie&" *erha$s it %as as %ell! I ight connect e to Fit19hi'alry the boy %ho no longer existe& by a

yself" One less thing that e! then nu&ge&

;itte&" I ruffle& the fur on the back of his neck! then scratche& behin& his ears" He sat u$ besi&e conceale& in for%ar& fro e to get e to rub his ears again" I &i&! thinking as I &i& so" *erha$s I shoul& take off Burrich.s earring an& kee$ it y $ouch" But I kne% I %oul& not" =et it be the one link I carrie& that life to this one" 6=et
??<

e u$!7 I tol& the %olf! an& he

reluctantly sto$$e& leaning on 6Shall I co e back here or Other si&e0

e" -etho&ically I re$acke&

y $ossessions

into a bun&le an& fastene& it! then tra $le& out the tiny fire" eet you on the other si&e of to%n07

If you circle about the to%n an& then co e back to%ar& the ri'er! you %ill fin& ore of the roa& there! I ex$laine&" Shall %e fin& one another there0 That %oul& be goo&" The less ti e %e s$en& near this &en of hu ans! the better" Fine! then" I shall fin& you there before &o" I ha& to conce&e that %as likelier" ;atch out for &ogs! I %arne& hi You %atch out for our ;it bon&" I slung y $ack o'er y shoul&er an& a&e y %ay &o%n to the roa&" It %as y %ay" I ha& %ante& to %alk erchants" Instea& I y arket %as &eserte& sa'e for a full &ark no%" I ha& inten&e& to reach to%n before &ark an& sto$ at a ta'ern for the talk an& $erha$s a through the ug! an& then be on ostly abe&" The arket s)uare an& listen in on the talk of the as he fa&e& into the brush" y senses sa'e for en! he re4oine&! an& then %as lost to orning! I tol& hi " -ore likely! I shall fin& you! nu b nose" #n& I shall ha'e a full belly %hen I

%alke& into a to%n that %as

fe% &ogs nosing in the e $ty stalls for scra$s" I left the s)uare an& turne& acco

ste$s to%ar& the ri'er" Do%n there I %oul& fin& inns an& ta'erns a$lenty to o&ate the ri'er tra&e" # fe% torches burne& here an& there throughout ost of the light in the streets %as %hat s$ille& fro $oorly the to%n! but ti es I

shuttere& %in&o%s" The roughly cobble& streets %ere not %ell ke$t u$" Se'eral istook a hole for a sha&o% an& nearly stu ble&" I sto$$e& a to%n e! to ask hi
???

%atch an before he coul& sto$

to reco

en& a %aterfront inn

to

e" The Scales! he tol&

e! %as as fair an& honest to tra'elers as its na e e sternly that begging %as y %ay" erry roun&"

i $lie&! an& %as easily foun& as %ell" He %arne& got" I thanke& hi fro for his %arnings an& %ent on

not tolerate& there! an& that cut$urses %oul& be lucky if a beating %as all they I foun& the Scales as easily as the %atch an ha& sai& I %oul&" =ight s$ille& out its o$en &oor! an& %ith it the 'oices of t%o %o en singing a -y heart cheere& at the frien&ly soun& of it! an& I entere& %ithout hesitation" ;ithin the stout %alls of u& brick an& hea'y ti bers %as a great o$en roo ! eat an& s oke an& ri'erfolk" # eat in its a%! but er on this fine su ha& a fine s$it of lo%/ceilinge& an& rich %ith the s ells of cooking hearth at one en& of the roo e'ening" There the t%o

ost folk %ere gathere& at the cooler en& of the roo

instrels ha& &ragge& chairs u$ on to$ of a table an&

%ere t%ining their 'oices together" # gray/haire& fello% %ith a har$! e'i&ently $art of their grou$! %as s%eating at another table as he fastene& a ne% string to his instru ent" I 4u&ge& the a aster an& t%o 4ourney singers! $ossibly a sing together! an& y in& %ent back to usic an& seen folk gathere& together" I e" The other %o an rolle& her eyes! fa ily grou$" I stoo& %atching the

Buckkee$ an& the last ti e I ha& hear& the other an& then returne& an& turne& ake a inute gesture at

&i& not reali1e I %as staring until I sa% one of the %o en surre$titiously elbo% y look" I looke& &o%n! re&&ening" I sur ise& I ha& been ru&e

y eyes a%ay" into a

I stoo& on the outskirts of the grou$! an& 4oine& in the a$$lause %hen the song en&e&" The fello% %ith the har$ %as rea&y by then! an& he coaxe& the gentler tune! one %ith the stea&y rhyth the e&ge of the table! back to back! their long black hair Folk sat &o%n for that one! an& so e fe% )uiet talk" I %atche& the of oars as its beat" The %o en sat on ingling as they sang" ar'eling at o'e& to tables against the %all for

an.s fingers on the strings of the har$!

??B

the s%iftness of his fingers" In a asking %hat I %oul& ha'e" @ust a

o ent a re&/cheeke& boy %as at

y elbo%! y sil'er

ug of ale! I tol& hi ! an& s%iftly he %as the instrels! an& rather ho$e& so eone uch intereste& in a stranger" The y

back %ith it an& the han&ful of co$$ers that %ere the re ains of $iece" I foun& a table not too far fro %oul& be curious enough to 4oin

e" But other than a fe% glances fro

ob'iously regular custo ers! no one see e& fro the ol&er of the t%o %o en a&e

instrels en&e& their song an& began talking a ongst the sel'es" # glance e reali1e I %as staring again" I $ut eyes on the table" Half%ay &o%n the ug! I reali1e& I %as no longer accusto e& to ale! y table an& the s$it y e a fresh cut of eat fro es$ecially not on an e $ty sto ach" I %a'e& the boy back to aske& for a $late of &inner" He brought refilling of y ug took a%ay ost of

%ith a ser'ing of ste%e& root 'egetables an& broth s$ille& o'er it" That an& a y co$$er $ieces" ;hen I raise& e in&ignantly" 6#n& the eyebro%s o'er the $rices! the boy looke& sur$rise&" 6It.s half %hat they.& charge you at the Yar&ar goo& (not! sir!7 he tol& eat is utton! not so eone.s ran&y ol& goat co e to a ba& en&"7

I trie& to s ooth things o'er! saying! 6;ell! I su$$ose a sil'er bit 4ust &oesn.t buy %hat it use& to"7 6*erha$s not! but it.s scarcely to his kitchens" 6;ell! there.s a sil'er bit gone faster than I ex$ecte&!7 I chi&e& back to his o%n table! a$$arently %atching so e $roble yself" 65o% that.s a tune %e all kno%!7 obser'e& the har$er" He %as sitting %ith his e as his t%o $artners &iscusse& %ith a s ile! an& they %ere ha'ing %ith a $i$e" I no&&e& at hi y fault!7 he obser'e& cheekily! an& %ent back

then s$oke alou& %hen I notice& that his eyes %ere ha1e& o'er gray"

??C

6I.'e been a%ay fro ex$ensi'e"7

the ri'er roa& for a %hile" # long %hile! actually! about

t%o years" The last ti e I %as through here! inns an& foo& %ere less 6;ell! I.& %ager you coul& say that about any%here in the Six Duchies! at least the coastal ones" The saying no% is that %e get ne% taxes get a ne% ore often than %e oon"7 He glance& about us as if he coul& see! an& I guesse& he ha&

not been blin& long" 6#n& the other ne% saying is that half the taxes go to fee& the Farro% en %ho collect the "7 6@osh:7 one of his $artners rebuke& hi ! an& he turne& to her %ith a s ile" 6You can.t tell e there are any about 4ust no%! Honey" I.'e a nose that coul& %ryly" s ell a Farro% an at a hun&re& $aces"7 6#n& can you s ell %ho you are talking to! then07 she aske& hi Honey %as the ol&er of the t%o %o en! $erha$s y age"

6# la& a bit &o%n on his luck! I.& say" #n& therefore! not so e fat Farro% an co e to collect taxes" Besi&es! I kne% he coul&n.t be one of Bright.s collectors the o ent he starte& sni'eling o'er the $rice of &inner" ;hen ha'e you to $ay for anything at an inn or ta'ern07 yself at that" ;hen Shre%& ha& been on the throne! nothing %as kno%n one of the I fro%ne& to

taken by his sol&iers or tax collectors %ithout so e reco $ense offere&" E'i&ently it %as a nicety =or& Bright &i& not obser'e! at least in Buck" But it &i& recall %ell07 6;hat.s this07 aske& the ol& fill ugs for us07 an! bet%een a s ile an& a raise& eyebro%" 6You gro%l about s$en&ing coin to fill your belly! but you.& $ut it &o%n %illingly to e to y o%n anners" ug! Har$er @osh0 #n& those of your co $anions as 6-ay I offer to refill your

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6Sha e to the lor& that takes a fro

instrel.s songs! an& lea'es their throat &ry e %ith

the singing of it!7 I re$lie& %ith a s ile" ockery! 6#n& %hen %ere you last a lor&! young fello%07 o ent! a%k%ar&ly" 6But I %oul&n.t gru&ge

The %o en exchange& glances behin& @osh.s back! an& Honey aske& gentle 6 FTis but a saying!7 I sai& after a it" I.

the coin for the songs I.'e hear&! es$ecially if you.'e a bit of ne%s to go %ith hea&e& u$ the ri'er roa&+ ha'e you $erchance 4ust co e &o%n07 65o! %e.re hea&e& u$ that %ay oursel'es!7 $ut in the younger %o an brightly" She %as $erha$s fourteen! %ith startlingly blue eyes" I sa% the other %o an ake a hushing otion at her" She intro&uce& the " 6#s you.'e hear&! goo& Honey" -y cousin is *i$er" #n& you are , 07 instrels! an& the other! to ha'e no na e uch of a sir! this is Har$er @osh! an& I a

T%o blun&ers in one short con'ersation" One! to s$eak as if I still resi&e& at Buckkee$ an& these %ere 'isiting $lanne& out" I searche& yself the na e of a y in& for a na e! an& then after a bit too

$ause! blurte& out+ 69ob"7 #n& then %on&ere& %ith a shi'er %hy I ha& taken to an I.& kno%n an& kille&" ug of anything! 6;ell , 9ob!7 an& Honey $ause& before saying the na e 4ust as I ha&! 6%e ight ha'e a bit of ne%s for you! an& %e.& %elco e a seen on the roa& looking for you07 6Beg $ar&on07 I aske& )uietly! an& then lifte& kitchen boy" 6He.s a runa%ay $rentice! Father!7 Honey tol& her father %ith great certainty" 6He carries a scribe.s case stra$$e& to his bun&le! but his hair.s gro%n out! an& there.s not e'en a &ot of ink on his fingers"7 She laughe& at the chagrin on face! little guessing the cause" 6Oh! co e , 9ob! I. a y instrel" ;hen %e y o%n e $ty ug to signal the %hether you.re lately a lor& or not" @ust %ho are you ho$ing %e %on.t ha'e

??E

aren.t singing! %e.re %itnessing anything %e can to fin& a &ee& to base a song on" You can.t ex$ect us not to notice things"7 6I. not a runa%ay a$$rentice!7 I sai& )uietly! but ha& no rea&y lie to follo% y knuckles o'er this the state ent" Ho% 9ha&e %oul& ha'e ra$$e& blun&ering: 6;e &on.t care if you are! la&!7 @osh co forte& e" 6In any case! %e ha'en.t ost outh to fee& in har& hear& any cry of angry scribers looking for lost a$$rentices" These &ays! %oul& be ha$$y if their boun& la&s ran a%ay , one less ti es"7 6#n& a scriber.s boy scarcely gets a broken nose or a scarre& face like that fro a $atient aster!7 *i$er obser'e& sy $athetically" 6So s all bla e to erciful to y flat $urse! or&ering e for ine as yself to you if you &i& run a%ay"7 The kitchen boy ca e at last! an& they %ere no ore than ca e to share treating the y table" The kitchen boy ugs of beer for the sel'es" First @osh! an& then the %o en ust ha'e thought better of ugs! he refille& instrels %ell! for %hen he brought their

%ell! an& &i& not charge

e for it" Still! it broke another sil'er bit to co$$ers to

$ay for their &rinks" I trie& to be $hiloso$hical about it! an& re in&e& lea'e a co$$er bit for the boy %hen I left" 6So! then!7 I began %hen the boy ha& left! 6%hat ne%s fro 6#n& ha'e not you 4ust co e fro 65o! frien&s!7 I exte $ori1e&" Honey.s ignore& the " 6Do%nri'er is uch the sa e as u$ these &ays! only y la&y! in truth I ha& co e cross/country! fro

&o%nri'er! then07

there yourself07 Honey aske& tartly" 'isiting so e she$her& e" anner %as beginning to %ear on

6 F-y la&y!. 6 she sai& softly to *i$er an& rolle& her eyes" *i$er giggle&" @osh ore so!7 he tol& e"

6Har& ti es! an& har&er to co e for those %ho far " The foo& grain %ent to
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$ay the taxes! so the see& grain %ent to fee& the chil&ren" So only %hat %as left %ent into the fiel&s! an& no an gro%s ore by $lanting less" Sa e is true for ore the flocks an& her&s" #n& no signs that the taxes %ill be less this har'est" #n& e'en a goose/girl that can.t ci$her her o%n age kno%s that less take a%ay lea'es naught but hunger on the table" It.s %orst along the salt %ater" If a $erson goes out fishing! %ho kno%s %hat %ill ha$$en to ho e before he returns0 # far er $lants a fiel&! kno%ing it %on.t yiel& enough both for taxes an& fa ily! an& that there %ill be less than half of it left stan&ing if the Re&/ Shi$s co e to $ay a call" There.s been a cle'er song 6Sa'e that cle'er a&e about a far er %ho tartly" tells the tax collector that the Re&/Shi$s ha'e alrea&y &one his 4ob for hi "7 instrels &on.t sing it!7 Honey re in&e& hi 6Re&/Shi$s rai& Buck.s coast as %ell! then!7 I sai& )uietly" @osh ga'e a snort of bitter laughter" 6Buck! Bearns! Ri$$on! or Shoaks , I &oubt the Re&/Shi$s care %here one &uchy en&s an& another begins" If the sea brushes u$ against it! they.ll rai& there"7 6#n& our shi$s07 I aske& softly" 6The ones that ha'e been taken a%ay fro cattle"7 6Does no one stan& fir in y o%n 'oice" to for Buck these &ays07 I aske&! an& hear& the &es$air us by the Rai&ers are &oing 'ery %ell" Those left &efen&ing us! %ell! they are as successful as gnats at bothering

6The =a&y of Buckkee$ &oes" 5ot only fir ! but lou&" There.s so e as say all she &oes is cry out an& scol&! but others kno% that she &oesn.t call on the at first han&" I %as ystifie&! but &i& not %ish to a$$ear too ignorant" 6Such as07 &o %hat she hasn.t alrea&y &one herself"7 Har$er @osh s$oke as if he kne% this

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6E'erything she can" She %ears no 4e%elry at all any ore" It.s all been sol& an& $ut to%ar& $aying $atrol shi$s" She sol& off her o%n ancestral lan&s! an& $ut the oney to $aying ercenaries to an the to%ers" It.s sai& she sol& the necklace gi'en her by *rince 9hi'alry! his gran& other.s rubies! to (ing Regal hi self! to buy grain an& ti ber for Buck 'illages that %ante& to rebuil&"7 6*atience!7 I %his$ere&" I ha& seen those rubies once! long ago! %hen %e ha& first been getting to kno% one another" She ha& &ee e& the to %ear! but she ha& sho%n the %ear the " =ong ago" I turne& to e an& tol& too $recious e'en y bri&e ight y face" e so e&ay

y hea& asi&e an& struggle& to control

6;here ha'e you been slee$ing this $ast year , 9ob! that you kno% none of this07 Honey &e an&e& sarcastically" 6I ha'e been a%ay!7 I sai& )uietly" I turne& back to the table an& eet her eyes" I ho$e& I &i& not like her at last" 6;hy07 She s ile& at unco fortable she %as e as she $resse& aking e" uch like Burrich %hen y shoul&er for hi " e! totally unre$entant! but Har$er @osh set his ore than a flicker! but she subsi&e& abru$tly" She o ent e fro un&er her lashes" Her e %as &efiant" I looke& e like this" I e" I %as certain she kne% ho% y face sho%e& nothing" e" 6;here07 she countere& brightly" yself! in the forest!7 I sai& She cocke& her hea& an& s ile& at anage& to

uch at all" 6I.'e been li'ing by

6Ob'iously! because I %ishe& to!7 I sai&" I soun&e& so I sai& it! I al ost looke& o'er She fro a&e a s all outh at

ug &o%n on the table a bit fir ly" He sai& nothing! an& the look he ga'e her his blin& eyes %as no fol&e& her han&s at the e&ge of the table like a rebuke& chil&! an& for a I thought her )uashe&! until she looke& u$ at eyes et a%ay fro her! totally ine &irectly! an& the little s ile she shot

ystifie& as to %hy she %ishe& to $eck at

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glance& at *i$er! only to fin& her face bright re& %ith su$$resse& laughter" I looke& &o%n at y face" In an effort to start the con'ersation again! I aske&! 6#re there any other ne% ti&ings fro Buckkee$07 uch ne% isery to tell" The Har$er @osh ga'e a short bark of laughter" 65ot y han&s on the table! hating the blush that su&&enly floo&e&

tales are all the sa e! %ith only the na es of the 'illages an& to%ns &ifferent" Oh! but there is one s all bit! a rich one" ;or& is no% that (ing Regal %ill hang the *ocke& -an hi self"7 I ha& been s%allo%ing a si$ of ale" I choke& abru$tly an& &e an&e&! 6;hat07 6It.s a stu$i& 4oke!7 Honey &eclare&" 6(ing Regal has ha& it crie& about that he %ill gi'e gol& coin re%ar& to any %ho can turn o'er to hi uch scarre& %ith the $ox! or sil'er coin to any as to %here he 6# $ox/scarre& ay be foun&"7 an0 Is that all the &escri$tion07 I aske& carefully" errily! ne'er guessing ho% his %or&s turne& y a certain an! an %ho can gi'e infor ation

6He is sai& to be skinny! an& gray/haire&! an& to so eti es &isguise hi self as a %o an"7 @osh chuckle& bo%els to ice" 6#n& his cri e is high treason" Ru or says the (ing bla es hi for the &isa$$earance of Iueen/in/;aiting (ettricken an& her unborn chil&" So e say he is 4ust a cracke& ol& bi&&ing the an %ho clai s to ha'e been an a&'iser to Shre%&! an& as such he has %ritten to the Dukes of the 9oastal Duchies! be bra'e! that Aerity shall return an& his chil& inherit the Farseer uch %it! that (ing Regal ho$es to hang y face an& no&&e& like a si $leton" ight he kno%0 He ha& ob'iously throne" But ru or also says! %ith as again! an& I $lastere& a sick s ile on 9ha&e! I thought to

the *ocke& -an an& thus en& all ba& luck in the Six Duchies"7 He chuckle& yself" So eho% Regal ha& $icke& u$ 9ha&e.s trail" If he

kne% he %as $ox scarre&! %hat else

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connecte& hi

to his

as)uera&e as =a&y Thy e" I %on&ere& %here 9ha&e e fro " ;ith a su&&en

%as no%! an& if he %as all right" I %ishe& %ith su&&en &es$eration that I kne% %hat his $lans ha& been! %hat $lot he ha& exclu&e& sinking of heart! 9ha&e a%ay fro y $erce$tion of e to $rotect hi fro y actions flo$$e& o'er" Ha& I &ri'en y $lans! or ha& I aban&one& hi

4ust %hen he nee&e& his a$$rentice0 6#re you still there! 9ob0 I see your sha&o% still! but your $lace at the table.s gone 'ery )uiet"7 6Oh! I. here! Har$er @osh:7 I trie& to $ut so e life into e! that.s all"7 an he coul& sell to (ing Regal! by the look on y %or&s" 6@ust ulling o'er all you.'e tol& 6;on&ering %hat $ocke& ol&

his face!7 Honey $ut in tartly" I su&&enly $ercei'e& that she sa% her constant belittle ent an& stings as a sort of flirtation" I )uickly &eci&e& I ha& ha& enough co $anionshi$ an& talk for an e'ening" I %as too than that I staye& longer an& a&e the curious" y ug for the boy" 6#n& I ug uch out of $ractice e o&& an& ru&e at &ealing %ith folk" I %oul& lea'e no%" Better they thought

6;ell! I thank you for your songs! an& your con'ersation!7 I sai& as gracefully as I coul&" I fingere& out a co$$er to lea'e un&er ha& best take yself back to the roa&"7

6But it.s full &ark outsi&e:7 *i$er ob4ecte& in sur$rise" She set &o%n her an& glance& at Honey! %ho looke& shocke&" 6#n& cool! ri'er roa&"7 6Ha'e you no fear of the Forge& ones07 Har$er @osh aske& in consternation" 5o% it %as y turn to be sur$rise&" 6This far inlan&07

y la&y!7 I obser'e& blithely" 6I $refer the night for %alking" The

oon.s close to full! %hich shoul& be light enough on a roa& as %i&e as the

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6You ha'e been li'ing in a tree!7 Honey exclai e&" 6#ll the roa&s ha'e been $lague& %ith the " So e tra'elers hire guar&s! archers! an& s%or&s en" Others! such as %e! tra'el in grou$s %hen %e can! an& only by &ay"7 69annot the $atrols at least kee$ the astonish ent" 6The $atrols07 Honey sniffe& &is&ainfully" 6-ost of us %oul& as soon bother the ! an& so they &o not bother the Forge& ones"7 6;hat! then! &o they $atrol for07 I aske& angrily" 6S ugglers! ainly"7 @osh s$oke before Honey coul&" 6Or so they %oul& ha'e you belie'e" -any an honest tra'eler &o they sto$ to search his belongings an& take %hate'er they fancy! calling it contraban&! or clai ing it %as re$orte& stolen in the last to%n" -ethinks =or& Bright &oes not $ay the think they &eser'e! so they take %hate'er $ay they are able"7 6#n& *rince , (ing Regal! he &oes nothing07 Ho% the title an& the )uestion choke& e" ight co $lain to hi e sarcastically" 6I a sure he %oul& listen to you! as he ake it far 6;ell! $erha$s if you go so far as Tra&efor&! you yourself!7 Honey tol& has not the &o1ens of as %ell as they eet Forge& ones as a $ack of Farro% en %ith $ikes" The Forge& ones &o not fro the roa&s07 I aske& in

essengers %ho ha'e gone before"7 She $ause&! an&

looke& thoughtful" 6Though I ha'e hear& that if any Forge& ones &o enough inlan& to be a bother! he has %ays of &ealing %ith the "7 I felt sickene& an& %retche&" It ha& al%ays been a ke$t to the t%iste& in

atter of $ri&e to (ing

Shre%& that there %as little &anger of high%ay en in Buck! so long as one ain roa&s" 5o%! to hear that those %ho shoul& guar& the (ing.s ore than high%ay en the sel'es %as like a s all bla&e e" 5ot enough that Regal ha& clai e& the throne for hi self! an& roa&s %ere little

then &eserte& Buckkee$" He &i& not kee$ u$ e'en the $retense of ruling %isely"
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I %on&ere& nu bly if he %as ca$able of $unishing all Buck for the lackluster %ay he ha& been %elco e& to the throne" Foolish %on&er+ I kne% he %as" 6;ell! Forge& ones or Farro% en! I still the " I &rank off the last of y 6;hy not %ait at least until the ust be on y %ay! I fear!7 I tol& ug an& set it &o%n" orning! la&! an& then tra'el %ith us07 @osh

su&&enly offere&" 6The &ays are not too hot for %alking! for there.s al%ays a bree1e off the ri'er" #n& four are safer than three! these &ays"7 6I thank you kin&ly for the offer!7 I began! but @osh interru$te& 6Don.t thank e! for I %asn.t aking an offer! but a re)uest" I. e" blin&! an! y

or close enough" 9ertainly you.'e notice& that" 5otice&! too! that co $anions are co ely young %o en! though fro at you! I fancy you.'e s ile& 6Father:7 in&ignantly fro ore at *i$er than at her"7

the %ay Honey.s ni$$e&

Honey! but @osh $lo%e& on &ogge&ly" to us" ;e.re not rich folk+ %e.'e no coin to

6I %as not offering you the $rotection of our nu bers! but asking you to consi&er offering your right ar hire guar&s" #n& yet %e @osh.s fogge& eyes et ust tra'el the roa&s! Forge& ones or no"7 ine unerringly" Honey looke& asi&e! li$s fol&e& e! a $lea&ing look on her face" Forge& e" I looke& &o%n at the tableto$" 6I. not

tightly! %hile *i$er o$enly %atche& ones" *inne& &o%n! fists falling on uch for fighting!7 I tol& hi 6#n& you.& certainly see the &ays rather than by night07 bluntly"

6#t least you %oul& see %hat you %ere s%inging at!7 he re$lie& stubbornly" co ing before I &i&" =ook! you.re going the sa e &irection %e are" ;oul& it be that har& for you to %alk by &ay for a fe% 6Father! &on.t beg hi :7 Honey rebuke& hi " 6I.& rather beg hi to %alk %ith us! then beg Forge& ones to let you go e as he a&&e&! 6;e unhar e&:7 he sai& harshly" He turne& his face back to
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et so e Forge& ones! a cou$le of %eeks back" The girls ha& the sense to run %hen I shoute& at the to &o so! %hen I coul& not kee$ u$ %ith the y har$! an& , 7 any" 5ot if it any longer" But %e lost our foo& to the ! an& they &a age& that the next ti e %e %ill not run fro 'oice" I kne% she unseen" 6I %ill tra'el %ith you!7 I conce&e&" I cannot say I 6Though I a The not a an %ho &oes %ell at fighting"7 his face!7 Honey obser'e& in an asi&e to *i$er" 6#s if %e coul&n.t tell that fro her %or&s cut for e" in the ancient sign of a bargain settle&" y thanks! an& a share of a&e the offer %illingly" eant %hat she sai&" e! %atch for e follo% e the ! no

6#n& they beat hi !7 Honey sai& )uietly" 6#n& so %e ha'e 'o%e&! *i$er an& I! atter ho% eans lea'ing *a$a"7 #ll the $layful teasing an& I %ill be &elaye&! I sighe& to 5ighteyes" ;ait for ockery ha& gone out of her

ockery %as back in her 'oice! but I &oubte& that she kne% ho% &ee$ly

6-y thanks are all I ha'e to $ay you %ith! 9ob"7 @osh reache& across the table e! an& I gri$$e& han&s %ith hi He grinne& su&&enly! his relief $lain" 6So take %hate'er %e.re offere& as instrel got a roo an& a

instrels" ;e.'e not enough coin for a roo ! but eal for the asking" But at least the barn has a &oor you.re tra'eling %ith us

the innkee$er has offere& us shelter in his barn" 5ot like it use& to be! %hen a that shuts bet%een us an& the night" #n& the inn an here has a goo& heart+ he %on.t begru&ge exten&ing shelter to you if I tell hi as a guar&"7 6It %ill be belly" ;hat ha'e you got yourself into no%0 5ighteyes %on&ere&" #s &i& I"
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ore shelter than I.'e kno%n for

any a night!7 I tol& hi ! y

atte $ting to be gracious" -y heart ha& sunk into a col& $lace in the $it of

9H#*TER FIAE 9onfrontations ;H#T IS THE ;it0 So e %oul& say it is a $er'ersion! a t%iste& in&ulgence of s$irit by %hich $ractitioners has le& be a for of en gain kno%le&ge of the li'es an& tongues of the beasts! ore than beasts the sel'es" -y stu&y of it an& its e to a &ifferent conclusion! ho%e'er" The least see s to e'entually to beco e little

in& linking! usually %ith a $articular ani al! %hich o$ens a %ay en the tongues of the bir&s an& beasts" # ;itte& one ightier an& ore ancient of trees" But a ;itte& one

for the un&erstan&ing of that ani al.s thoughts an& feelings" It &oes not! as so e ha'e clai e&! gi'e an& e'en so e of the &oes ha'e an a%areness of life all across its %i&e s$ectru ! inclu&ing hu ans cannot ran&o ly engage a chance ani al in 6con'ersation"7 He can sense an ani al.s nearby $resence! an& $erha$s kno% if the ani al is %ary or hostile or curious" But it &oes not gi'e one co ay be is a an& o'er the beasts of the lan& an& the bir&s of the sky as so e fanciful tales %oul& ha'e us belie'e" ;hat the ;it an.s acce$tance of the beast nature %ithin hi self! an& hence an a%areness of the ele ent of hu anity that e'ery ani al carries %ithin it as %ell" The legen&ary loyalty that a bon&e& ani al feels for his ;itte& one is not at all the sa e as %hat a loyal beast gi'es its like" I &i& not slee$ %ell! an& it %as not 4ust that I %as no longer accusto e& to slee$ing at night" ;hat they ha& tol& e about Forge& ones ha& $ut the %in&
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aster" Rather it is a reflection of

the loyalty that the ;itte& one has $le&ge& to his ani al co $anion! like for

u$

y back" The

usicians all cli be& u$ into the loft to slee$ on the hea$e& yself a corner %here I coul& $ut y back to a %all ortar an&

stra% there! but I foun&

an& yet still ha'e a clear 'ie% of the &oor" It felt strange to be insi&e a barn again at night" This %as a goo& tight barn! built of ri'er rock an& ti ber" The inn ke$t a co% an& a han&ful of chickens in a&&ition to their hire/ horses an& the beasts of their guests" The ho ely soun&s an& s ells of the hay an& ani als $ut ho esick for the e shar$ly in in& of Burrich.s stables" I felt su&&enly y o%n roo u$ in the kee$" as I ne'er ha& for

I %on&ere& ho% Burrich %as! an& if he kne% of *atience.s sacrifices" I thought of the lo'e that ha& once been bet%een the ! an& ho% it ha& foun&ere& on Burrich.s sense of &uty" *atience ha& gone on to to %ho her! atte $ting to reclai It %as not a far 4u $ fro ha& tol& e that arry y father! the 'ery an Burrich ha& $le&ge& all that loyalty" Ha& he e'er thought of going to her0 5o" I kne% it instantly an& %ithout &oubt" ine as %ell" a&e $on&ering this to thinking of -olly" She ha& y king

9hi'alry.s ghost %oul& stan& fore'er bet%een the " #n& no% the sa e &ecision for us that Burrich ha& y obsessi'e loyalty to

a&e for *atience an& hi self" -olly eant %e coul& ne'er belong uch as I y fall an& yself" Di&

to one another" So she ha& foun& so eone she coul& care about as her life" She ha& left y &isgrace" I reache& 'aguely to%ar& her %ith the Skill! then abru$tly rebuke& an.s ar s! his %ife0 I felt an al ost $hysical $ain in e" She ha& not been at Buckkee$ to share

care& for Aerity" I hate& e'erything about her &ecision exce$t that it ha& sa'e&

I really %ant to see her as she $robably %as this night! slee$ing in another y chest at the thought" I &i& not ha'e a right to s$y on any ha$$iness she ha& clai e& for herself" Yet as I &ro%se& off! I thought of her! an& longe& ho$elessly after %hat ha& been bet%een us"
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So e $er'erse fate brought

e a &rea

of Burrich instea&! a 'i'i& &rea

that

a&e no sense" I sat across fro

hi " He %as sitting at a table by a fire! ug of tea ha& re$lace& uch too

en&ing harness as he often &i& of an e'ening" But a

his bran&y cu$! an& the leather he %orke& at %as a lo% soft shoe! too easily! 4abbing hi $resence" I %oke u$ fro shoes for

s all for hi " He $ushe& the a%l through the soft leather an& it %ent through in the han&" He s%ore at the bloo&! an& then looke& u$ y $ar&on for using such language in y a&e abru$tly! to a%k%ar&ly beg

the &rea ! &isoriente& an& be use&" Burrich ha& often y $resence! though he ha& ra$$e& asi&e! but slee$ ha& fle& %ith it"

e %hen I %as s all but I coul& not recall that he ha& e'er e often

a$ologi1e& for s%earing in Ri&iculous" I $ushe& the &rea #roun&

enough %hen I %as a boy if I ha& &are& to use such language in his" e! %hen I )ueste& out softly! %ere only the e" He %as an ol& an in u11y &rea s of the

slee$ing ani als" #ll %ere at $eace sa'e niggle an& %orry at

e" Thoughts of 9ha&e ca e to any %ays" ;hen (ing Shre%& ight li'e in his conceale& roo ! sa'e to &o y aching forehea&"

ha& li'e&! he ha& seen to all 9ha&e.s nee&s! so that his assassin security" 9ha&e ha& sel&o 'enture& forth fro

his 6)uiet %ork"7 5o% he %as out on his o%n! &oing El kne% %hat! an& %ith Regal.s troo$s in $ursuit of hi " I rubbe& 'ainly at ;orrying %as useless! but I coul& not see fro to sto$"

I hear& four light foot scuffs! follo%e& by a thu&! as so eone cli be& &o%n the loft an& ski$$e& the last ste$ on the la&&er" *robably one of the o ent later I hear& Honey.s 'oice %o en hea&e& for the backhouse" But a %his$er! 69ob07 6;hat is it07 I aske& un%illingly"

?CH

She turne& to%ar&

y 'oice! an& I hear& her a$$roach in the &arkness" -y ti e y senses" So e little oonlight leake& in at a y 'oice %as" She

%ith the %olf ha& shar$ene&

ba&ly shuttere& %in&o%" I $icke& out her sha$e in the &arkness" 6O'er here!7 I tol& her %hen she hesitate&! an& sa% her startle at ho% close gro$e& her %ay to e" 6I &aren.t go back to slee$!7 she ex$laine&" 65ight ares"7 6I kno% ho% that is!7 I tol& her! sur$rise& at ho% 6Exactly!7 she sai&! an& fell silent! %aiting" But I ha& nothing ore to say! an& so sat silent in the &arkness" e )uietly" by s$eaking of the " on the 6;hat kin& of night ares &o you ha'e07 she aske& 6Ba& ones!7 I sai& &ryly" I ha& no %ish to su 6I &rea Forge& ones are chasing e! but uch sy $athy I felt" 6;hen! if you close your eyes! you tu ble right back into the "7 y corner! an& then hesitantly sat &o%n in the stra% besi&e

y legs ha'e turne& to %ater an& I

cannot run" But I kee$ trying an& trying as they co e closer an& closer"7 6>h !7 I agree&" Better than &rea ing of being beaten an& beaten an& beaten , I reine& y in& a%ay fro that" 6It.s a lonely thing! to %ake u$ in the night an& be afrai&"7 I think she %ants to easily0 6;hat07 I aske& startle&! but it %as the girl %ho re$lie&! not 5ighteyes" 6I sai&! it.s lonely to a%ake at night an& be afrai&" One longs for a %ay to feel safe" *rotecte&"7 6I kno% of nothing that can stan& bet%een a $erson an& the &rea s that co e at night!7 I sai& stiffly" #bru$tly I %ante& her to go a%ay" 6So eti es a little gentleness can!7 she sai& softly" She reache& o'er an& $atte& y han&" ;ithout inten&ing to! I snatche& it a%ay"
?C1

ate %ith you" ;ill they acce$t you into their $ack so

6#re you shy! $rentice/boy07 she aske& coyly" 6I lost so eone I care& for!7 I sai& bluntly" 6I.'e no heart to $ut another in her $lace"7 6I see"7 She rose abru$tly! shaking stra% fro her skirts" 6;ell" I. sorry to ha'e &isturbe& you"7 She soun&e& insulte&! not sorry" She turne& an& gro$e& her %ay back to the loft la&&er" I kne% I ha& offen&e& her" I &i& not feel it %as she ex$ecte& That be I fear I y fault" She %ent u$ the ste$s slo%ly! an& I thought en" ;ill you e to call her back" I &i&n.t" I %ishe& I ha& not co e to to%n"

akes t%o of us" The hunting is $oor! this close to all these uch longer0

ust tra'el %ith the ! for a fe% &ays! at least as far as the next to%n" ate her! she is not $ack" ;hy ust you &o these things0 e to hel$ these y king.s" E'en it into %or&s for hi " #ll I coul& con'ey %as a sense of y loyalty to Aerity boun& y $eo$le because they %ere

You %oul& not

I &i& not try to for

&uty! an& he coul& not gras$ ho% tra'elers on the roa&" They %ere see the safely to the next to%n"

I foun& the connection so tenuous as to be ri&iculous! but there it %as" I %oul& I sle$t again that night! but not %ell" It %as as if o$ene& the &oor to y %or&s %ith Honey ha& y

y night ares" 5o sooner ha& I &i$$e& &o%n into slee$

than I ex$erience& a sense that I %as being %atche&" I co%ere& lo% insi&e

cell! $raying that I coul& not be seen! kee$ing as still as I $ossibly coul&" -y o%n eyes %ere clenche& tight shut! like a chil& %ho belie'es that if he cannot see! he cannot be seen" But the eyes that sought coul& sense ;ill looking for e ha& a ga1e I coul& feel+ I e" e as if I %ere hi&ing un&er a blanket an& han&s o'e" In a $anic! I %ent out of yself!

%ere $atting at it" He %as that close" The fear %as so intense that it choke& I coul& not breathe! I coul& not si&e%ays! sli$$ing into so eone else.s fear! so eone else.s night are"
?C2

I crouche& behin& a barrel of $ickle& fish in ol&

an Hook.s store" Outsi&e! the

&arkness %as s$lintere& by the rising fla es an& shrieks of the ca$ture& or &ying" I kne% I shoul& get out" The Re&/Shi$ Rai&ers %ere certain to loot an& torch the store" It %as not a goo& $lace to hi&e" But there %as no goo& $lace to hi&e! an& I %as only ele'en! an& y legs %ere shaking beneath e so that I &oubte& I coul& stan&! let alone run" So e%here out there %as -aster Hook" ;hen the first cries arose! he ha& grabbe& his ol& s%or& &o%n an& rushe& out the &oor" 6;atch the store! 9ha&:7 he ha& calle& after hi ! as if he %ere 4ust going next &oor to hobnob %ith the baker" #t first I ha& been ha$$y to obey hi " The u$roar %as far &o%n the to%n! &o%nhill by the bay! an& the store see e& safe an& strong aroun& e" the harbor carrie& the taint But that ha& been an hour ago" 5o% the %in& fro

of s oke! an& the night %as no longer &ark! but a terrible torchlit t%ilight" The fla es an& the screa s %ere co ing closer" -aster Hook ha& not co e back" Jet out! I tol& the boy in %hose bo&y I hi&" Jet out! run a%ay! run as far an& as fast as you can" Sa'e yourself" He &i& not hear left it" I $eere& out of it" # e" I cra%le& to%ar& the &oor that still s%ung o$en an& %i&e as -aster Hook ha& an ran $ast in the street an& I co%ere& back" But he %as $robably a to%ns an! not a Rai&er! for he ran %ithout looking back! %ith no other thought than to get as far a%ay as he coul&" -outh &ry! I force& yself to y feet! clinging to the &oor4a b" I looke& &o%n on the to%n an& il& su er night %as choke& %ith harbor" Half the to%n %as afla e" The harbor" In the light fro hi&ing fro

s oke an& ash rising on the hot %in& off the fla es" Shi$s %ere burning in the the fla es I coul& see figures &arting! fleeing an& the Rai&ers %ho stro&e al ost unchallenge& through the to%n"

So eone ca e about the corner of the $otter.s store at the en& of the street" He %as carrying a lantern an& %alking so casually I felt a su&&en surge of relief"
?C8

Surely if he coul& be so cal ! then the ti&e of the battle rose fro

ust be turning" I half

y crouch! only to cringe back as he blithely s%ung the oil lantern the light of the

against the %oo&en storefront" The s$lashing oil ignite& as the" la $ broke! an& fire race& gaily u$ the tin&er/&ry %oo&" I shrank back fro gaine& by hi&ing! that lea$ing fla es" I kne% %ith a su&&en certainty that there %as no safety to be y only ho$e %as in fleeing! an& that I shoul& ha'e &one e a s all easure of y feet an& &ashe& out an& aroun& the corner it as soon as the alar s soun&e&" The resolution ga'e courage! enough that I lea$e& to of the store" For an instant! I %as a%are of e" This %as not yself as Fit1" I &o not think the boy coul& sense e %ith so e y Skilling out but his reaching to

ru&i entary Skill sense of his o%n" I coul& not control his bo&y at all! but I %as locke& into his ex$erience" I %as ri&ing this boy an& hearing his thoughts an& sharing his $erce$tions 4ust as Aerity ha& once ri&&en e" But I ha& no ti e to consi&er ho% I %as &oing it! nor %hy I ha& been so abru$tly 4oine& to this stranger" For as 9ha& &arte& into the safety of the sha&o%s! he %as snatche& back su&&enly by a rough han& on his collar" For a brief o ent he %as $araly1e& %ith fear! an& %e looke& u$ into the bear&e& grinning face of the Rai&er %ho gri$$e& us" #nother Rai&er flanke& hi ! sneering e'illy" 9ha& %ent li $ %ith terror in his gras$" He ga1e& u$ hel$lessly at the I share&! for an instant! the hot/col& $ain of the knife across anguishe& o ent of recognition as y %ar o'ing knife! y throat! the y y at the %e&ge of shining light that sli& &o%n its bla&e as it ca e to%ar& his face" %et bloo& course& &o%n

chest that it %as o'er! it %as alrea&y too late! I %as &ea& no%" Then as 9ha& tu ble& hee&lessly fro the Rai&er.s gras$ into the &usty street! consciousness ca e free of hi " I ho'ere& there+ sensing for one a%ful o ent the thoughts of the Rai&er" I hear& the harshly guttural tones of his
?C<

co $anion %ho nu&ge& the &ea& boy %ith his boote& foot! an& kne% that he rebuke& the killer for %asting one %ho coul& ha'e been Forge& instea&" The killer ga'e a snort of &is&ain! an& re$lie& so ething to the effect that he ha& been too young! not enough of a life behin& hi things3 to be to be %orth the -asters. ti e" (ne% too! %ith a )ueasy s%irling of e otions! that the killer ha& &esire& t%o erciful to a la&! an& to en4oy the $leasure of a $ersonal kill" y ene y" I still coul& not co $rehen& hi " I ha& looke& into the heart of urgency the

I &rifte& &o%n the street behin& the ! bo&iless an& substanceless" I ha& felt an o ent before" 5o% I coul& not recall it" Instea&! I roile& like fog! %itnessing the fall an& the sacking of Jri s ire To%n in Bearns Duchy" Ti e after ti e! I %as &ra%n to one or another of the inhabitants! to %itness a struggle! a &eath! a tiny 'ictory of esca$e" Still I can close that night! recall a &o1en horren&ous finally to %here one a burning bea of the y eyes an& kno% o ents in li'es I briefly share&" I ca e his %ife an& &aughter fought to lift ight all flee together" 5one an %as %eary! too

an stoo&! great s%or& in han&! before his bla1ing ho e"

He hel& off three Rai&ers! %hile behin& hi

an& free a tra$$e& son! that they

%oul& forsake the others! an& yet I kne% the

%eary an& %eakene& by bloo& loss to lift his s%or&! let alone %iel& it" I sense&! too! ho% the Rai&ers toye& %ith hi ! baiting hi see$ing through the to exhaust hi self! that they ight take an& Forge the %hole fa ily" I coul& feel the cree$ing chill of &eath an" For an instant his hea& no&&e& to%ar& his chest" an lifte& his hea&" #n o&&ly fa iliar light ca e Su&&enly the beleaguere&

into his eyes" He gri$$e& the s%or& in both han&s an& %ith a roar su&&enly s$rang at his attackers" T%o %ent &o%n before his first onslaught! &ying %ith a a1e ent still $rinte& $lain on their features" The thir& et his s%or& bla&e the to%ns an.s to bla&e! but coul& not o'er atch his fury" Bloo& &ri$$e& fro

elbo% an& sheene& his chest! but his s%or& rang like bells against the Rai&er.s!
?C?

battering &o%n his guar& an& then su&&enly &ancing in! light as a feather! to trace a line of re& across the Rai&er.s throat" #s his assailant fell! the an turne& an& s$rang s%iftly to his %ife.s si&e" He sei1e& the burning bea ! hee&less of the fla es! an& lifte& it off his son.s bo&y" For one last ti e! his eyes et those of his %ife" 6Run:7 he tol& her" 6Take the chil&ren an& flee"7 Then he cru $le& into the street" He %as &ea&" #s the stony/face& %o an sei1e& her chil&ren.s han&s an& race& off %ith the ! I felt a %raith rise fro the bo&y of the an %ho ha& &ie&" It.s y age" It 4olte& e! I thought to y yself! an& then kne% it %as not" It sense& o%n" Or it ha& been! %hen he ha& been ho% Aerity still $ercei'e& hi self" You! here0 He shook his hea& in rebuke" This is &angerous! boy" E'en I a He consi&ere& I e! stan&ing so a fool to atte $t this" #n& yet %hat else can %e &o! %hen they call us to the 0 ute before hi " ;hen &i& you gain the y o%n" I felt I %as a %et strength an& talent to Skill%alk0 a&e no re$ly" I ha& no ans%ers! no thoughts of sheet fla$$ing in the night %in&! no Is there truly a ore substantial than a blo%ing leaf" an.s na e0 So uch of the ol& lore y e an& turne&! his face so like

e to think this %as

Fit1! this is a &anger to both of us" Jo back" Jo back no%" agic in the na ing of a insists there is" I su&&enly recalle& %ho I %as! an& that I &i& not belong here" But I ha& no conce$t of ho% I ha& co e here! let alone ho% to return to He kne%" He reache& a ghostly han& to%ar& $lace& the heel of his han& on fro bo&y" I ga1e& at Aerity hel$lessly! unable to e'en for ulate a re)uest for hel$" e" I felt his $ush as if he ha& y forehea& an& gi'en a gentle sho'e"

-y hea& bounce& off the %all of the barn! an& I sa% su&&en s$arks of light the i $act" I %as sitting there! in the barn behin& the Scales inn" #bout e %as only $eaceful &arkness! slee$ing beasts! tickling stra%" Slo%ly I sli&
?CB

o'er onto broke o'er

y si&e as %a'e after %a'e of gi&&iness an& nausea s%e$t o'er e after I ha& y e like a %a'e3 I o$ene& y li$s" I close&

e"

The %eakness that often $ossesse& %or&less ca% esca$e&

anage& to use the Skill

outh to call for hel$! but only a

y eyes an& sank into obli'ion" y $ack! $a%e& through it! an& then

I a%oke before &a%n" I cra%le& to ug of hot %ater fro stri$s of elfbark into it"

anage& to stagger! to the back &oor of the inn! %here I )uite literally begge& a the cook there" She looke& on in &isbelief as I cru ble& e! an& then %atche& in a%e on their feet" -akes

6S.not goo& for you! you kno% that!7 she %arne&

as I &rank the scal&ing! bitter bre%" 6They gi'e that to sla'es! they &o! &o%n in Bingto%n" -ix it in their foo& an& &rink! to kee$ the the &es$air as uch as it gi'es the their %ill to fight back"7 I scarcely hear& her" I %as %aiting to feel the effect" I ha& har'este& fro before I felt the steeling %ar th s$rea& through han&s an& clearing y 'ision" I rose fro to thank the cook an& ga'e her back her 6It.s a ha& habit to take u$! a young ug" an like you!7 she chi&e& e! an& %ent e! stea&ying y bark young trees an& feare& it %oul& lack $otency" It &i&" It %as so e ti e y tre bling y seat on the kitchen.s back ste$s! staying $o%er! or so I.'e hear&" Sa$s

back to her cooking" I &e$arte& the inn to stroll the streets as &a%n broke o'er the hills" For a ti e! I half ex$ecte& to fin& burne& storefronts an& gutte& cottages! an& e $ty/eye& Forge& ones roa ing the streets" But the Skill night are %as ero&e& by the su the shabbiness of the to%n %as er orning an& the ri'er %in&" By &aylight! e there %ere e last ore a$$arent" It see e& to

ore beggars than %e ha& ha& in Buckkee$ To%n! but I &i& not kno% if that %as nor al for a ri'er to%n" I consi&ere& briefly %hat ha& ha$$ene& to night+ then %ith a shu&&er I set it asi&e" I &i& not kno% ho% I ha& &one it" =ike
?CC

as not! it %oul& not ha$$en to still ali'e! e'en as it chille&

e again" It heartene&

e to kno% Aerity %as e! he face& the

e to kno% ho% rashly still he ex$en&e& his Skill/ orning! an& if! like outh" If only I ha&

strength" I %on&ere& %here he %as this

&a%n %ith the bitterness of elfbark all through his cheer one" ;hen I returne& to the inn! the

astere& the Skill! I %oul& not ha'e ha& to %on&er" It %as not a thought to instrels %ere alrea&y u$ an& insi&e the inn at table! an& @osh bluntly tol& e a$$raisingly" arch like sol&iers! e he e! but

breakfasting on $orri&ge" I 4oine& the se'eral ti es I caught *i$er looking at

ha& feare& I ha& left %ithout the " Honey ha& no %or&s at all for It %as still early %hen %e left the inn! an& if %e &i& not be le&! but he

Har$er @osh still set a res$ectable $ace for us" I ha& thought he %oul& ha'e to a&e his %alking staff his gui&e" So eti es he &i& %alk %ith a ore co $anionshi$ than ostly to e %ith the &e$th of his han& on Honey.s or *i$er.s shoul&er! but it see e& *i$er! on the history of this region! an& sur$rise&

necessity" 5or %as our 4ourney boring! for as %e %alke& he lecture&!

kno%le&ge" ;e sto$$e& for a bit %hen the sun %as high an& they share& %ith e the si $le foo& they ha&" I felt unco fortable taking it! yet there %as no %ay I coul& excuse hi yself to go hunt %ith the %olf" Once the to%n %as %ell behin& us! I ha& sense& 5ighteyes sha&o%ing us" It %as co forting to ha'e near! but I %ishe& it %ere 4ust he an& I tra'eling together" Se'eral ti es ules" Through ga$s that &ay %e %ere $asse& by other tra'elers! on horses or the current" #s the

in the trees %e occasionally gli $se& boats beating their %ay u$ri'er against orning $asse&! %ell/guar&e& carts an& %agons o'ertook ight ri&e on the %agons" T%ice %e o'e& hurrie&ly! us" Each ti e @osh calle& out to ask if %e

%ere $olitely refuse&" The others ans%ere& not at all" They

?CD

an& one grou$ ha& se'eral surly/looking sur ise& %ere hire& guar&s"

en in a co

on li'ery %ho I

;e %alke& the afternoon a%ay to the reciting of 69rossfire.s Sacrifice!7 the long $oe that she about Iueen Aision.s coterie an& ho% they lai& &o%n their li'es ight %in a crucial battle" I ha& hear& it before! se'eral ti es! in

Buckkee$" But by the en& of the &ay! I ha& hear& it t%o score ti es! as @osh %orke& %ith infinite $atience to be sure that *i$er sang it $erfectly" I %as grateful for the en&less recitations! for it $re'ente& talk" But &es$ite our stea&y $ace! the falling of e'ening still foun& us far short of the next ri'er to%n" I sa% the Finally! I took co at the next strea all beco e uneasy as the light began to fail" %e ust lea'e the roa& uttering e! that an& of the situation an& tol& the

%e crosse&! an& fin& a $lace to settle for the e'ening" Honey e! an& I coul& hear the

an& *i$er fell back behin& @osh an&

%orrie&ly to one another" I coul& not reassure the ! as 5ighteyes ha& crossing I gui&e& the tree %here %e I left the assuring hi lay on Se'eral against u$strea

there %as not e'en a sniff of another tra'eler about" Instea&! at the next an& foun& a sheltere& bank beneath a ce&ar yself! to s$en& ti e %ith 5ighteyes e intently as I y first try" ight rest for the night"

on the $retense of relie'ing

all %as %ell" It %as ti e %ell s$ent! for he ha& &isco'ere& a $lace y han&s into the %ater! an& then slo%ly through e a s aller fish" ;hen I ga'e u$!

%here the s%irling creek %ater un&ercut the bank" He %atche& y belly an& ease& the curtain of %ee&s that o'erhung it" I got a fine fat fish on inutes later! another effort yiel&e& y better 4u&g ent! for 5ighteyes"

it %as al ost full &ark! but I ha& three fish to take back to ca $! lea'ing t%o!

?CE

Fishing an& ear scratching" The t%o reasons fro -y e" I left hi The ine as fast as I ha& cleane& the " yet again" other raise&

en %ere gi'en han&s! he tol&

genially as he settle& &o%n %ith the " He ha& alrea&y gul$e& &o%n the entrails ;atch out for bones! I %arne& hi

e on a sal on run! he $ointe& out" Fish bones &on.t bother

shearing through the fish %ith ob'ious relish an& returne& to ca $" y footste$s! all three e:7 I tol& the e"

instrels ha& a s all fire burning" #t the soun& of

lea$e& to their feet bran&ishing their %alking staffs" 6It.s belate&ly"

6Thank E&a"7 @osh sighe& as he sat &o%n hea'ily! but Honey only glare& at fish threa&e& through the gills onto a %illo% stick" 6I foun& &inner!7 I tol& the " 6Fish!7 I a&&e&! for @osh.s benefit" 6Soun&s %on&erful!7 he sai&"

6You %ere gone a long ti e!7 *i$er sai& by %ay of ex$lanation" I hel& u$ the

Honey took out %aybrea& an& a s all sack of salt as I foun& a large flat stone an& %e&ge& it into the e bers of the fire" I %ra$$e& the fish in lea'es an& set the I. on the stone to bake" The s ell of the cooking fish tantali1e& kee$ing %atch still! 5ighteyes re in&e& y elbo%" e! an& I thanke& hi " uttere& 69rossfire.s Sacrifice7 to e e'en as I ho$e& it %oul& not &ra% any Forge& ones to our ca $fire" #s I %atche& o'er the cooking fish! *i$er herself at

6 FHist the halt! an& 9lea'e the blin&!. 6 I correcte& her &istracte&ly as I trie& to turn the fish o'er %ithout breaking it" 6I ha& it right:7 she contra&icte& e in&ignantly"

?DH

6I.

afrai& you &i& not!

y lass" 9ob is correct" Hist %as the clubfoot an&

9lea'e %as blin& fro I ha& burne&

birth" 9an you na e the other fi'e! 9ob07 He soun&e& y outh before ans%ering"

4ust like Fe&%ren hearing a lesson" y finger on a coal an& I stuck it in 6 FBurnt 9rossfire le&! an& those aroun& %ere like hi ! not of bo&y soun&! but strong of heart" #n& true of soul" #n& herein let e count their roll for you" in&! en left for &ea&! FT%as Hist the halt! an& 9lea'e the/blin&! an& (e'in of the %an&ering hare/li$$e& @oiner! Se'er %as &eaf! an& *orter! %ho the foe these! then let e say , 6

%ithout his han&s or eyes" #n& if you think you %oul& &es$ise such ones as 6;hoa:7 @osh exclai e& %ith $leasure! an& then aske&! 6Ha& you bar&.s training! 9ob! %hen you %ere s all0 You.'e caught the $hrasing as %ell as the %or&s" Though you his $raise of ake your $auses a bit too $lain"7 e ory! though"7 It %as har& not to s ile at 6I0 5o" I.'e al%ays ha& a )uick

e! e'en though Honey sneere& an& shook her hea& at it" y

69oul& you recite the %hole thing! &o you think07 @osh aske& challengingly" 6*erha$s!7 I he&ge&" I kne% I coul&" Both Burrich an& 9ha&e ha& &rille& e ory skills often" #n& I.& hear& it so often to&ay I coul& not &ri'e it fro y hea&" 6Try it then" But not s$oken" Sing it"7 6I ha'e no 'oice for singing"7 6If you can s$eak! you can sing" Try it" In&ulge an ol& *erha$s obeying ol& coul& &o it" I cleare& y throat an& began it! singing softly until he gesture& at e to raise y 'oice" He no&&e& his hea& as I %orke&
?D1

an"7 e for e to &efy e $lainly she &oubte& I

en %as si $ly too &ee$ a habit %ith

it" *erha$s it %as the look on Honey.s face that tol&

y %ay through it! %incing no%

an& then %hen I soure& a note" I %as about half%ay through %hen Honey obser'e& &ryly! 6The fish is burning"7 I &ro$$e& the song an& s$rang to $oke stone an& %ra$$e& fish fro it out an& I ate too ra$i&ly" T%ice as the fish! an& after%ar& *i$er blankets about the fire" 69ob! &o you &o %ell as a scribe07 @osh su&&enly aske& I 65ot as %ell as he.& like!7 Honey uttere& to *i$er in e" ocking i itation" an.s a&e a &e$recating soun&" 65ot as %ell as I.& like" But I get by"7 uch %oul& not ha'e fille& the fire" The tails %ere scorche&! but the rest %as fine! stea ing an& fir " ;e $ortione& e! an& yet I ust be content %ith %hat I ha&" The %aybrea& taste& sur$risingly goo& %ith a&e a kettle of tea for us" ;e settle& on our

Har$er @osh ignore& her" 6You.re ol& for it! but! you coul& be taught to sing" Your 'oice is not so ba&+ you sing like a boy! not kno%ing you.'e a &e$th of 'oice an& lungs to call on no%" Your $lay any instru ents07 6The sea/$i$es" But not %ell"7 6I coul& teach you to $lay the %ell" If you took u$ %ith us ,7 6Father: ;e scarcely kno% hi :7 Honey ob4ecte&" 6I coul& ha'e sai& the sa e to you %hen you left the loft last night!7 he obser'e& to her il&ly" e! as if I ha& betraye& her" y hearing" But if y outh" 6Father! all %e &i& %as talk"7 She flashe& a look at -y tongue ha& turne& to leather in you ha'e 4u&ge& hi ha'e 4u&ge& hi 9ob07 e ory is excellent" Do you

6I kno%!7 @osh agree&" 6Blin&ness see s to ha'e shar$ene&

so eone safe to talk to! alone! at night! then $erha$s I

so eone safe to offer our co $any to as %ell" ;hat say you!

?D2

I shook

y hea& slo%ly+ then! 65o!7 I sai& alou&" 6Thank you all the sa e" I

a$$reciate %hat you are offering! an& to a stranger" I %ill tra'el %ith you as far as the next to%n! an& I %ish you %ell in fin&ing other co $anions to tra'el %ith you fro for any there" But , I ha'e no real %ish for ,7 6You lost so eone &ear to you" I un&erstan& that" But total solitu&e is not goo& an!7 @osh sai& )uietly" yself o$en for ore )uestions" 6;ho &i& you lose07 *i$er aske& in her o$en %ay" I trie& to think ho% to ex$lain %ithout lea'ing 6-y gran&father!7 I sai& at last" 6#n& tearing a %oun& o$en" 6;hat ha$$ene&07 *i$er aske&" 6-y gran&father &ie&" -y %ife left be" 6The ol& &ie in their ti e!7 @osh began gently! but Honey cut in brus)uely %ith! 6That %as the lo'e you lost0 ;hat can you o%e to a %o an %ho left you0 >nless you ga'e her cause to lea'e you07 6It %as ore that I &i& not gi'e her cause to stay!7 I a& itte& un%illingly" y %ay is y o%n"7 Then! 6*lease!7 I sai& bluntly" 6I &o not %ish to s$eak of these things" #t all" I %ill see you to the next to%n! but then a&e 6;ell" That.s clearly s$oken!7 @osh sai& regretfully" So ething in his tone e feel I ha& been ru&e! but there %ere no %or&s I %ishe& to call back" There %as little talk the rest of that e'ening! for %hich I %as grateful" *i$er offere& to take first %atch an& Honey secon&" I &i& not ob4ect! as I kne% 5ighteyes %oul& $ro%l all about us this night" =ittle got $ast that one" I sle$t better out in the o$en air! an& ca e a%ake )uickly %hen Honey stoo$e& o'er e to shake e" I sat u$! stretche&! then no&&e& to her that I %as a%ake an& e"7 I s$oke shortly! %ishing they.& let it y %ife"7 Saying those %or&s %as like

?D8

she coul& get 6You &on.t like

ore slee$" I got u$ an& $oke& at the fife! then took a seat by it" e" e! &o you07 she aske& )uietly" Her tone %as gentle" e le'elly" 6But en %ho

Honey ca e to sit besi&e

6I &on.t kno% you!7 I sai& as tactfully as I coul&" 6> " #n& you &on.t %ish to!7 she obser'e&" She looke& at y curiosity )uite as uch as a I.'e %ante& to kno% you since I sa% you blush in the inn" 5othing challenges an %ho blushes" I.'e kno%n fe% turn scarlet like that! si $ly because they.re caught looking at a %o an"7 Her 'oice %ent lo% an& throaty! as she leane& for%ar& confi&entially" 6I %oul& lo'e to kno% %hat you %ere thinking that brought the bloo& to your face like that"7 6Only that I ha& been ru&e to stare!7 I tol& her honestly" She s ile& at you"7 She I su&&enly fire"7 6I think I kno% %hy your %ife left you!7 Honey sai& nastily" 65o heart! you say0 I think your $roble %ent to gather %as a bit lo%er"7 She rose an& %ent back to her e" I ke$t y %or& an& blankets" #ll I felt %as relief that she ha& gi'en u$ on ore &ry %oo&" orning %hen he arose %as 6Ho% far is it The first thing I aske& @osh the next to the next to%n07 6If %e kee$ the sa e $ace %e struck yester&ay! %e shoul& be there by to orro% noon!7 he tol& I turne& asi&e fro e" $eo$le I ha& the &isa$$oint ent in his 'oice" #s %e shoul&ere& our e" 6That %as not %hat I %as thinking as I %as looking back at outh an& hitche& closer" ore %oo& for the oistene& her

isse& -olly so acutely it %as $ainful" 6I ha'e no heart for this

ga e!7 I tol& Honey $lainly" I rose" 6I think I shall get a bit

$acks an& set off I reflecte& bitterly that I ha& %alke& a%ay fro

kno%n an& care& about to a'oi& the 'ery situation I %as no% in %ith
?D<

co $arati'e strangers" I %on&ere& if there %as any %ay to li'e a ongst other $eo$le an& refuse to be harnesse& by their ex$ectations an& &e$en&encies" The &ay %as %ar ! but not un$leasantly so" If I ha& been alone! I %oul& ha'e foun& it $leasant hiking along the roa&" In the %oo&s to one si&e of us! bir&s calle& to one another" To the other si&e of the roa&! %e coul& see the ri'er through the scanty trees! %ith occasional barges 'essels o'ing &o%nstrea ! or oare& o'ing slo%ly against the current" ;e s$oke little! an& after a ti e!

@osh $ut *i$er back to reciting 69rossfire.s Sacrifice"7" ;hen she stu ble&! I ke$t silent" -y thoughts &rifte&" E'erything ha& been so to %orry about y next &ealing %ith $eo$le! so skille& at y resources %ere li ite& to uch easier %hen I ha& not ha& yself so cle'er in eal or a clean shirt" I ha& thought

y $rofession" But I ha& ha& 9ha&e to $lot y back" y

%ith! an& ti e to $re$are %hat I %oul& say an& &o" I &i& not &o so %ell %hen y o%n %its an& %hat I coul& carry on Stri$$e& of e'erything I ha& once unthinkingly relie& on! it %as not 4ust courage I ha& co e to &oubt" I )uestione& all (ing.s -an! %arrior! an , %as I any of the

y abilities no%" #ssassin! any ore0 I trie& to recall the

brash youngster %ho ha& $ulle& an oar on Aerity.s %arshi$ Rurisk! %ho ha& flung hi self unthinkingly into battle %iel&ing an axe" I coul& not gras$ he ha& been e" uch" The unche& the #t noon Honey &istribute& the last of their %aybrea&" It %as not %o en %alke& ahea& of us! talking )uietly to one another as they &ry brea& an& si$$e& fro %e fishing" 6It %oul& ean %e %oul& not get to the next to%n by noon to orro%!7 he $ointe& out gra'ely"
?D?

their %aterskins" I 'enture& to suggest to @osh that e a chance to &o a bit of hunting or

ight ca $ earlier tonight! to gi'e

6To orro% e'ening %oul& be soon enough!7 I assure& hi his hea& to%ar& to look insi&e re$ly to it" e! $erha$s to hear

)uietly" He turne& a&e no

e better! but his ha1e& o'er eyes see e&

e" It %as har& to bear the a$$eal I sa% there! but I

;hen the &ay finally began to cool! I began to look for likely sto$$ing $laces" 5ighteyes ha& range& ahea& of us to scout %hen I sense& a su&&en $rickling of his hackles" There are en here! s elling of carrion an& their o%n filth" I can other%ise" The &istress he e" I share& it" I s ell the ! I can see the ! but I cannot sense the

al%ays felt in the $resence of Forge& ones &rifte& back to creature &oes" To ate" Ho% any0 Ol&! young0 you" e! it %as $assing strange to see the

kne% they ha& once been hu an! an& share& that ;it s$ark that e'ery li'ing o'e an& s$eak %hen I coul& not sense they %ere ali'e" To 5ighteyes! it %as as if stones %alke& an&

-ore than us! an& bigger than you" # %olf.s $erce$tion of o&&s" They hunt the roa&! 4ust aroun& the ben& fro $u11le ent" Too late" They.'e scente& you! they are co ing" 5o ti e to &isse ble! no ti e to co e u$ %ith a likely lie" 6There are Forge& ones ahea&" -ore than t%o of the " They.'e been %atching the roa&! an& they.re hea&e& to%ar& us no%"7 Strategy0 6Jet rea&y!7 I tol& the " 6Ho% &o you kno% this07 Honey challenge& eyes tol& e ho% uch she ha& feare& this" e" 6=et.s run:7 suggeste& *i$er" She &i&n.t care ho% I kne%" The %i&eness of her 6=et.s sto$ here!7 I suggeste& su&&enly" Three hea&s s%i'ele& to regar& e in

?DB

65o" They.ll o'ertake us! an& %e.ll be %in&e& %hen they &o" #n& e'en if %e &i& outrun the ! %e.& still ha'e to get $ast the bun&le to the roa&! kicke& it clear of an& *i$er an& @osh %ere 5one of the flank the ol& to orro%"7 I &ro$$e& y e" 5othing in it %as %orth y life" If %e

%on! I.& be able to $ick it u$ again" If %e &i&n.t! I %oul&n.t care" But Honey usicians" Their instru ents %ere in their bun&les" their bur&ens" I &i&n.t %aste y o'e& to o'e& to free the sel'es fro

breath suggesting they &o so" #l ost instincti'ely! *i$er an& Honey

an" They gri$$e& their %alking sticks too tightly" -ine settle& in

y han&s an& I hel& it balance& an& at the rea&y! %aiting" For an instant I sto$$e& thinking entirely" -y han&s see e& to kno% %hat to &o of their o%n accor&" 69ob! take care of Honey an& *i$er" Don.t %orry about get hurt!7 @osh or&ere& e tersely" e! an& su&&enly terror floo&e& e" -y bo&y lost His %or&s broke through to e! 4ust &on.t let the

its easy rea&y stance! an& all I coul& think of %as the $ain &efeat %oul& bring e" I felt sick an& shaky an& %ante& run! %ith no thought for the a I stan&" But ti e kno%s no tol& ore than anything to si $ly turn an& instrels" ;ait! %ait! I %ante& to cry to the &ay" I ercy" They co e through the brush! 5ighteyes ine" crackling through the brush an& scente& y strategy %as stan& an& fight! theirs ostly intact" I &i& not think

not rea&y for this! I &o not kno% if I %ill fight or run or si $ly faint %here e" T%o co e s%iftly an& one lags behin&" I think he shall be

Be careful! I %arne& hi " I hear& the the foulness of the " #

o ent later! *i$er crie& out as she s$otte& the ! an&

then they rushe& out of the trees at us" If

%as si $ly run u$ an& attack" They %ere both larger than I %as! an& see e& to ha'e no &oubts at all" Their clothing %as filthy but ore than that"
?DC

they ha& been Forge& long" Both carrie& clubs" I ha& little ti e to co $rehen&

Forging &i& not e otions fro ake the

ake folk stu$i&! nor slo%" They coul& no longer sense or feel others! nor! it see e&! recall %hat those e otions ight ake a&e their actions al ost inco $rehensible" It &i& not e&iacy in e&iate %ant

an ene y &o" That often

any less intelligent than they ha& been %hen %hole! or any less

skille& %ith their %ea$ons" They &i&! ho%e'er! act %ith an i they ight eat the next! si $ly because hunger %as a ore i

satisfying their %ants that %as %holly ani al" The horse they stole one &ay than the con'enience of ri&ing" 5or &i& they coo$erate in a battle" ;ithin their o%n grou$s! there %as no loyalty" They %ere as likely to turn on one another to gain $lun&er as to attack a co on ene y" They %oul& tra'el together! an& attack together! but not as a concerte& effort" Yet they re aine& brutally cunning! re orselessly cle'er in their efforts to get %hat they &esire&" I kne% all this" So I %as not sur$rise& %hen both of the attack the s aller folk first" ;hat sur$rise& $araly1e& e like one of y &rea s! an& I let the trie& to get $ast e" an& e to e %as the co%ar&ly relief I felt" It rush $ast instrels %ith sticks" There

Honey an& *i$er fought like angry an& frightene&

%as no skill! no training there! not e'en the ex$erience to fight as a tea to usic! not battle" @osh %as $araly1e& in the

thus a'oi& clubbing each other or @osh in the $rocess" They ha& been schoole& i&&le! gri$$ing his staff! but unable to strike out %ithout risking in4ury to Honey or *i$er" Rage contorte& his face" I coul& ha'e run then" I coul& ha'e snatche& u$ y bun&le an& fle& &o%n the e+ they en! roa& an& ne'er looke& back" The Forge& ones %oul& not ha'e chase& courage or $ri&e sur'i'e& in e'en though he see e& %hack a%ay at the larger

%ere content %ith %hate'er $rey %as easiest" But I &i& not" So e tatter of e still" I attacke& the s aller of the t%o ore skille& %ith his cu&gel" I left Honey an& *i$er to an! an& force& the other to engage %ith
?DD

e" -y first

blo% caught hi no slo%er for it"

lo% on the legs" I sought to cri$$le hi ! or at least knock hi e! but see e& to o'e

&o%n" He &i& roar out %ith $ain as he turne& to attack

It %as another thing I ha& notice& about Forge& ones3 $ain see e& to affect the less" I kne% that %hen I ha& been so ba&ly beaten! a great $art of %hat e %as &istress at the &estruction of y bo&y" It %as o&& to reali1e an takes $ri&e in his e inflicte& a fear un anne&

I ha& an e otional attach ent to any o%n flesh" -y &ee$ &esire to kee$ it functioning %ell sur$asse& si $le a'oi&ance of $ain" # bo&y" ;hen it is &a age&! it is %ith its bruise" ;oul& he sen& in& fro ore than a $hysical thing" Regal ha& kno%n e back to %hat I ha& been! a sickly creature e as uch as their blo%s" Forge& ones

that" He ha& kno%n that e'ery blo% his guar&s en &ealt

%ho tre ble& after exertion! an& feare& the sei1ures that stole both bo&y an& hi 0 That fear ha& cri$$le& see e& not to ha'e that fear+ $erha$s %hen they lost their attach ent to e'erything else! they lost all affection for their o%n bo&ies" -y o$$onent s$un about an& &ealt u$ to to y shoul&ers as I caught it on e of the 4olt! an& listene& for e a blo% %ith his cu&gel that sent a shock y staff" S all $ain! ore" He struck at y bo&y %his$ere& e again! an& again I

caught it" Once I ha& engage& hi ! there %as no safe %ay to turn an& flee" He use& his cu&gel %ell3 $robably a %arrior once! an& one traine& %ith an axe" I recogni1e& the hi too o'es an& blocke&! or caught! or &eflecte& each one" I feare& ight streak $ast y yself" I ga'e groun& so rea&ily that he uch to attack hi ! feare& the sur$rise blo% that

staff if I &i& not constantly guar& e an& go after the %o en" I of y longer %ea$on" >nlike

glance& back o'er his shoul&er! $erha$s thinking he coul& 4ust turn a%ay fro anage& a ti i& re$ly to one of his blo%s+ he e s$ace to take a&'antage e! he %as not &istracte& by the shouts of the
?DE

barely flinche&" He &i& not %eary! nor &i& he gi'e

instrels as they stro'e to &efen& the sel'es" Back u$ in the trees! I coul& hear uffle& curses an& faint gro%ls" 5ighteyes ha& stalke& the thir& kee$ing %ell out of range of the s%or& he carrie&" I &o not kno% that I can get $ast his bla&e! brother" But I think I can &elay hi here" He &ares not turn his back on &e an&e& e'ery bit of e to co e &o%n an& attack you" an %ith the club e! an& I Be careful: It %as all I ha& ti e to say to hi ! for the soon reali1e& he ha& ste$$e& u$ his efforts! $utting his strength into battering &o%n an! an& ha& rushe& in to atte $t to ha string hi " He ha& faile&! but no% he circle& hi !

y attention" Blo% after blo% he raine& on

ore force into his blo%s" e+ he $ut all

He no longer felt he ha& to guar& against a $ossible attack fro y staff sent an echoing shock u$ to

y &efense" E'ery 4olt I caught s)uarely %ith y shoul&ers" The i $acts a%akene& ol&

$ains! 4ouncing heale& in4uries I ha& al ost forgotten" -y en&urance as a fighter %as not %hat it ha& been" Hunting an& %alking &i& not toughen a bo&y an& buil& uscle the %ay $ulling an oar all &ay ha&" # floo& of &oubt un&ercut y concentration" I sus$ecte& I %as o'er atche&! an& so feare& the $ain to co e that I coul& not $lot ho% to a'oi& it" Des$eration to a'oi& in4ury is not the sa e as &eter ination to %in" I ke$t trying to %ork a%ay fro s$ace for y staff! but he $resse& e relentlessly" i&&le of the the o'e& a%ay fro hi " Honey %as li $ing across the I caught a gli $se of the back%ar& as the instrels" @osh stoo& s)uarely in the hi ! to gain

roa&! staff rea&y! but the battle ha&

an $ursue& her" She %as trying to %ar& off blo%s fro

an.s club %hile *i$er follo%e&! ineffectually th%acking hi intent on the in4ure& Honey" It %oke so ething in out:7 I yelle& to her! an& then $ut y attention to

shoul&ers %ith her slen&er staff" He si $ly hunche& to her blo%s an& re aine& e" 6*i$er! take his legs y o%n $roble s as a cu&gel

?EH

gra1e&

y shoul&er" I &ealt back a cou$le of )uick blo%s that lacke& force an& hi " y shoul&er an& ski ine" I felt as e: e ories! burie& beneath y recall of the e" Years before then! I ha& felt the y o%n flesh" # terrier I e& along y rib cage" y staff before I reali1e& the

lea$e& a%ay fro # s%or& slice& in4ury %asn.t

I crie& out in astonish ent an& nearly &ro$$e& #n& then the i $act of a boot to Da1e&! cornere&" Hel$ There %ere other y hea&"

uch as hear& 5ighteyes. sur$rise& yel$ of $ain"

e ories! &ee$er

beatings Regal.s guar&s ha& inflicte& on

slash of a knife an& the i $act of a boot" But not on one %ho ha& attacke& Burrich in %as a threat Fear for on ore $otent than

ha& bon&e& %ith! S ithy! not e'en full gro%n! ha& fought in the &ark against y absence" Fought! an& &ie& later of his in4uries! before I coul& e'en reach his si&e again" I &isco'ere& abru$tly there y o%n &eath" y terror of losing 5ighteyes" I &i& y ar an& y stance! ste$$e& in! an& acce$te& the blo% yself cru $le& a%ay before

%hat I kne% I ha& to &o" I shifte& y shoul&er to bring y gri$ on

e in range" The shock of it 4olte& &o%n

for an instant I coul&n.t feel anything in that han&" I truste& it %as still there" I ha& shortene& y staff! an& I brought that en& u$ shar$ly! catching for y abru$t change in tactics" His chin y staff shar$ly against the hollo% at y gri$! an& his chin" 5othing ha& $re$are& hi

fle% u$! baring his throat! an& I 4abbe&

the base of his throat" I felt the s all bones there gi'e %ay" He gas$e& out bloo& in a su&&en exhalation of $ain an& I &ance& back! shifte& an& race& u$ into the %oo&s" Snarls an& grunts of effort le& e to the " 5ighteyes ha& been brought to bay! his left fore$a% curle& u$ to his chest" Bloo& slicke& his left shoul&er! an&
?E1

brought the other en& aroun& to i $act his skull" He %ent &o%n! an& I turne&

bea&e& like re& 4e%els on the guar& hairs all along his left si&e" He ha& backe& &ee$ly into a &ense thicket of tangle& blackberry canes" The sa'age thorns an& snagging runners that he ha& sought as shelter no% fence& hi blocke& his esca$e" He ha& $resse& into the roun& an& as &ee$ly as he coul& to a'oi&

the slashes of the s%or&! an& I coul& feel the &a age to his feet" The thorns that 4abbe& into 5ighteyes like%ise ke$t his attacker at a &istance! an& the yiel&ing canes absorbe& through the #t the sight of any of the s%or&.s blo%s as the an stro'e to hack an& get at the %olf" e 5ighteyes gathere& his courage an& roun&e& su&&enly to y %olf" There %as no $oint on the an.s back

face his attacker %ith a sa'age outburst of snarls" The Forge& one &re% back his s%or& for a thrust that %oul& i $ale en& of y staff! but %ith a %or&less cry of fury I &ro'e it into the

so brutally that it $unche& through flesh an& into his lungs" He roare& out a s$attering of re& &ro$s an& rage" He trie& to turn to confront hol& of y staff" I thre% y %eight against it! forcing hi e! but I still ha& sa'e y full until staggering into the

blackberry tangle" His outstretche& han&s foun& nothing to catch hi tearing bra bles" I $inne& hi into the yiel&ing blackberry canes %ith an.s thick neck an& %orrie& at hi

%eight on the staff an& 5ighteyes! e bol&ene&! s$rang onto his back" The %olf.s 4a%s close& on the back of the &i inishe& to $assi'e gurglings" I ha& co $letely forgotten about the recalle& the to instrels until a &ee$ cry of anguish e" Stoo$ing! I sei1e& the s%or& the Forge& one ha& &ro$$e& et y an& bloo& s$attere& both of us" The Forge& one.s strangling cries gra&ually

an& ran back to the roa&! lea'ing 5ighteyes to flo$ &o%n exhauste& an& begin licking at his shoul&er" #s I burst out of the %oo&s! a horrifying sight tearing at her clothes" *i$er knelt in the roa& &ust! clutching at her ar
?E2

eyes" The Forge& one ha& flung hi self u$on a struggling Honey an& %as

shrieking %or&lessly" # &ishe'ele& an& &usty @osh ha& cli be& to his feet an&! staffless %as gro$ing to%ar& *i$er.s cries" In a o ent I %as in their i&st" I kicke& the an to lift hi off Honey! then $lunge& the s%or& into hi in a &o%n%ar& t%o han&e& thrust" He struggle& e! but I leane& on the bla&e! forcing it &o%n etal that $inne& hi ! he tore the y right calf an& e %ith %or&less cries an& then $anting gas$s e" I si $ly $ut ore %eight on the bla&e" I

%il&ly! kicking an& clutching at %oun& %i&er" His trie& to 4erk outh curse& un&er

into his chest #s he fought against the

that flung &ro$lets of bloo& %ith the soun&s" His han&s sei1e& y leg fro longe& to $ull the s%or& out an& kill hi not &are release hi " Honey en&e& hi %as as uch a ercy to

)uickly! but he %as so strong I &i& finally! bringing the en& of her staff an.s su&&en stillness

&o%n in a s ashing &ri'e to the center of his face" The

e as to hi " I foun& the strength to $ull the s%or& out e& again" *i$er.s screa s of $ain uch of y shoul&er! a

of hi ! then staggere& back%ar& to sit &o%n su&&enly in the roa&" -y 'ision &i e& an& cleare& an& &i ight ha'e been the &istant crying of seabir&s" Su&&enly there %as too e'erything an& I %as e'ery%here" >$ in the %oo&s! I licke& at laying asi&e of &ense fur %ith

y tongue! a careful $robing of the slash as I an.s bo%els loosene&" I felt e'ery blo% I the club.s

coate& it %ith sali'a" #n& yet I sat in the sun on the roa&! s elling &ust an& bloo& an& excre ent as the slain ha& taken an& &ealt! the exertion as %ell as the 4olting &a age fro

i $act" The sa'age %ay I ha& kille& su&&enly ha& a &ifferent connotation to e" I kne% %hat it %as to feel the kin& of $ain that I ha& inflicte&" I kne% %hat they ha& felt! &o%n an& struggling %ithout ho$e! %ith &eath as their only esca$e fro ore $ain" -y in& 'ibrate& bet%een the extre es of killer an& 'icti " I %as both"

?E8

#n& alone" -ore alone than I ha& e'er been" #l%ays before! at a ti e like this! there ha& been so eone for co ing to $atch e to be e" Shi$ ates at the en& of a battle! or Burrich e ho e! an& a ho e %aiting for e! %ith e! or 9ha&e an& Aerity to re onstrate %ith e u$ an& &rag

*atience to co e an& fuss o'er ore careful of

yself" -olly arri'ing %ith the )uiet an& the &arkness

to touch one softly" This ti e the battle %as o'er! an& I %as ali'e! but no one sa'e the %olf care&" I lo'e& hi ! but su&&enly I kne% that I longe& for a hu an touch as %ell" The se$aration fro those %ho ha& care& about e %as ore than I coul& bear" Ha& I been truly a %olf! I %oul& ha'e lifte& y nose to the

sky an& ho%le&" #s it %as! I reache& out! in a %ay I cannot &escribe" 5ot the ;it! not the Skill! but so e unholy blen&ing of the t%o! a terrible )uesting for so eone! any%here! %ho ight care to kno% I %as ali'e" #l ost! I felt so ething" Di& Burrich! $erha$s! so e%here lift u$ his hea& an& look about the fiel& he %orke& in! &i& he for an instant s ell bloo& an& &ust instea& of the rich earth he turne& u$ to har'est the root cro$s0 Di& -olly straighten u$ fro her laun&ering an& set her han&s to her aching back an& o ent or t%o fro rattle& yself sorting her their look about! %on&ering at a su&&en $ang of &esolation0 Di& I tug at Aerity.s %eary consciousness! &istract *atience for a oth battering against a %in&o%! I herbs on the &rying trays! set 9ha&e to fro%ning as he set a scroll asi&e0 =ike a against consciousnesses" I longe& to feel the affection I ha& taken for grante&" #l ost! I thought! I reache& the ! only to fall back exhauste& into in the &ust of the roa&! %ith the bloo& of three &irt on I lifte& e" y eyes" #t first Honey %as a &ark silhouette against the %estering sun" e" I yself! sitting alone e" She kicke& en s$attere& on

Then I blinke& an& sa% the look of &isgust an& fiery on her face" Her clothes %ere torn! her hair &raggle& about her face" 6You ran a%ay:7 she accuse&
?E<

felt ho%

uch she &es$ise& an& club

y co%ar&ice" 6You ran a%ay! an& left hi y father &o%n an& try to ra$e an can &o a thing like that07

to

break *i$er.s ar

e" ;hat kin& of a e

an are you0 ;hat kin& of a assure& yself to

There %ere a thousan& ans%ers to that! an& none" The e $tiness insi&e y feet" She stare& after

e that nothing %oul& be sol'e& by s$eaking to her" Instea& I $ushe& e as I %alke& back &o%n the roa& to %here y y $ack" It see e& like hours since I ha& kicke& it clear of

I ha& &ro$$e&

feet" I $icke& it u$ an& carrie& it back to %here @osh sat in the &ust besi&e *i$er an& trie& to co fort her" *rag atic Honey ha& o$ene& their $acks" @osh.s har$ %as a tangle of %oo& bits an& string" *i$er %oul& $lay no $i$es until her ar heale& %eeks fro fro no%" It %as as it %as! an& I &i& %hat I coul& &o about it" *i$er flat y #n& that %as nothing! sa'e buil& a fire by the si&e of the roa&! an& fetch %ater the ri'er an& set it to boiling" I sorte& out the herbs that %oul& cal an& soften the $ain of her ar " I foun& &ry straight sticks an& sha'e& the for s$linting" #n& u$ on the hillsi&e in the %oo&s behin& thorns! I a thick %ith thorns like flies on carrion" yself" See to those others" He $ause&" -y brother" e0 It hurts!

brother! but it &i& not go &ee$" Still! it $ulls o$en %hen I try to %alk" #n& I shall co e to you no% an& $ick out e'ery one" 5o" I can take care of this ;e shoul& ha'e run a%ay" I kno%" ;hy %as it so har& to go to Honey an& ask )uietly if she ha& cloth %e coul& tear to bin& the s$linting to *i$er.s ar 0 She &i& not &eign to re$ly to blin& @osh utely han&e& Honey &es$ise& e! but e the soft fabric that ha& once %ra$$e& his har$" e" But so eho% I got the y ar aroun& her an& to o'e o'er y free han&

e! @osh see e& nu be& %ith shock! an& *i$er %as so lost in

her o%n $ain she scarcely notice&

besi&e the fire" I %alke& *i$er o'er there!

?E?

su$$orting her in4ure& ar " I got her seate&! an& then ga'e her first the tea I ha& bre%e&" I s$oke ore to Har$er @osh than to her %hen I sai&! 6I can &ra% uch before for en hurt in ay to be a healer" ;hen %e get to the next to%n! it the bone straight! an& s$lint it" I.'e ha& to &o as battle" But I &o not clai ha'e to be set again"7 He no&&e& slo%ly" ;e both kne% there %as no real alternati'e" So he knelt behin& *i$er an& hel& her by the shoul&ers! an& Honey gri$$e& her u$$er ar fir ly" I set y teeth against the $ain she felt an& fir ly &re% her forear ere tea coul& &ea&en that sort of straight" She screa e&! of course! for no

$ain co $letely" But she also force& herself not to struggle" Tears course& &o%n her cheeks an& her breath ca e ragge&ly as I s$linte& an& boun& her ar " I sho%e& her ho% to carry it $artially insi&e her 'est to su$$ort the %eight an& stea&y it against turne& to @osh" He ha& taken a blo% to the hea&! an& it ha& &a1e& hi knocke& hi out" There %as s%elling! an& he %ince& at ha& not s$lit" I %ashe& it %ith cool %ater! an& tol& hi as %ell" He thanke& %here Honey %atche& 6There.s a knot on cla% arks &o%n y hurts for a the tea o ent! but not ight ease hi y touch! but the flesh o'e ent" Then I ga'e her another ug of the tea an&

e! an& so eho% I felt sha e& by it" Then I looke& u$ to e %ith cat.s eyes across the s all fire" %here he hit e" #n& he left

6;ere you hurt07 I aske& her )uietly" y shin the si1e of a $lu y neck an& breasts trying to get at e" But I can care for

yself! thank you all the sa e , 9ob" S all thanks to you I a uch %eariness

ali'e at all"7 6Honey"7 @osh s$oke in a &angerously lo% 'oice" There %as as in it as anger"

?EB

6He ran a%ay! Father" He felle& his your s ashe& har$" He ran a%ay"7

an an& then he turne& an& ran" If he ha&

hel$e& us then! none of this %oul& ha'e ha$$ene&" 5ot *i$er.s broken ar ! nor 6But he ca e back" =et us not i agine %hat %oul& ha'e ha$$ene& if he ha& not" *erha$s %e took so e in4uries! but you can still thank hi ali'e"7 6I thank hi for nothing!7 she sai& bitterly" 6One o ent of courage! an& he coul& ha'e sa'e& our li'elihoo&" ;hat ha'e %e no%0 # har$er %ith no har$! an& a $i$er %ho cannot lift her ar I rose an& %alke& a%ay fro an& bo&ies fro to hol& her instru ent"7 yself at all" Instea& I &ragge& the t%o onto the s%ar& on the ri'ersi&e" In the y fingers through his the " I %as su&&enly too %eary to hear her out! that you are

uch too &iscourage& to ex$lain the roa&! an& $ulle& the

failing light! I reentere& the %oo&s! an& sought out 5ighteyes" He ha& alrea&y care& for his o%n in4uries better than I coul&" I &ragge& coat! &usting thorns an& bits of blackberry tangle fro next to hi " He lay &o%n an& $ut his hea& on It %as all the co it" For a short ti e I sat

y knee an& I scratche& his ears"

unication %e nee&e&" Then I got u$! foun& the thir& bo&y!

gri$$e& it by the shoul&ers! an& &ragge& it &o%n out of the %oo&s to 4oin the other t%o" ;ithout co $unction! I %ent through their $ockets an& $ouches" T%o of the yiel&e& but a han&ful of s all coins! but the one %ith the s%or& ha& ha& t%el'e sil'er bits in his $ouch" I took his $ouch an& a&&e& the other coins to it" I also took his battere& s%or& belt an& sheath! an& $icke& u$ the s%or& fro the roa&" Then I busie& yself until the &arkness %as co $lete in aroun& an& finally on to$ of the bo&ies" y han&s an& y shirt an& rinse& the $icking u$ ri'er stones an& $iling the ar s an& s$lashe& %ater u$ onto

;hen I ha& finishe&! I %ent &o%n to the ri'er.s e&ge an& la'e&! y face" I took off

?EC

bloo& fro

it! then $ut it back on col& an& %et" For a y

o ent it felt goo& on

y bruises+ then

uscles began to stiffen %ith the chill of it"

I %ent back to the s all fire that no% lit the faces of the folk aroun& it" ;hen I got there! I reache& for @osh.s han&! an& then set the $ouch into it" 6*erha$s it %ill be enough to hel$ you along until you can re$lace your har$!7 I tol& hi " 6Dea& en.s oney to ease your conscience07 Honey sneere&" y te $er $arte&" 6*reten& they sur'i'e&! for by Buck la% The fraye& en&s of

they %oul& ha'e ha& to $ay you restitution at least!7 I suggeste&" 6#n& if that still &oes not $lease you! thro% the coins in the ri'er for all I care"7 I ignore& her uch ore thoroughly than she ha& e" Des$ite y aches an& t%inges! I unbun&le& the s%or& belt" 5ighteyes ha& been right+ the s%or&s an ha& been a lot bigger than e" I set the leather against a $iece of %oo& an& bore& a ne% y knife" That &one! I stoo&! an& fastene& it about e" y si&e again" I &re% the bla&e hole into the stra$ %ith

There %as co fort in the %eight of a s%or& at an& stur&y"

an& exa ine& it by the firelight" It %as not exce$tional! but it %as functional 6;here &i& you get that07 *i$er aske&" Her 'oice %as a bit %a'ery" 6Took it off the thir& an! u$ in the %oo&s!7 I sai& shortly" I resheathe& it" 6;hat is it07 Har$er @osh aske&" 6# s%or&!7 *i$er sai&" @osh turne& his ha1y eyes to a s%or&07 6Yes"7 6#n& you took it a%ay fro 6Yes"7 He snorte& softly an& shook his hea& at hi self" 6;hen %e shook han&s! I kne% %ell it %as no scriber.s han& I gri$$e&" # $en &oes not lea'e calluses
?ED

e" 6There %as a thir&

an u$ in the %oo&s %ith

hi

an& kille& hi 07

such as you bear! nor &oes it 6If he ha& kille& the insiste& stubbornly" I un&i&

uscle a forear

that %ay" You see! Honey! he

&i& not run a%ay" He but %ent to ,7 an attacking us first! it %oul& ha'e been %iser!7 she y blanket" I lay &o%n on it" I %as hungry!

y bun&le an& shook out

but there %as nothing to be &one about that" I coul& &o so ething about ho% tire& I %as" 6#re you going to slee$07 *i$er aske&" Her face reflecte& as coul& 6Yes" 6;hat if ore Forge& ones co e07 she &e an&e&" in %hate'er or&er she &ee s %ise!7 I suggeste& y s%or& %as clear an& han&y! an& close& y blanket until 6Then Honey can kill the sourly" I shifte& on the " 69ob07 @osh aske& softly" 6Di& you take any coin for yourself07 6I &o not ex$ect to ha'e nee& of coin again!7 I tol& hi ex$lain that I no longer $lanne& to ha'e %ante& to ex$lain or not" I close& y eyes an& gro$e& out! to touch briefly %ith 5ighteyes" =ike e! he %as hungry but ha& chosen to rest instea&" By to orro% e'ening! I shall be free to hunt %ith you again! I $ro ise& hi " He sighe& in satisfaction" He %as not that far a%ay" -y fire %as a s$ark through the trees belo% hi " He reste& his u11le on his fore$a%s" the $ains that niggle& at
?EE

uch alar

as she

uster in her &rugge& state"

y eyes" I hear& Honey rise slo%ly an& begin to $ut out be&&ing for the rest of

as )uietly" I &i& not e

uch to &o %ith hu ans" I ne'er

yself again to anyone" I &i& not care if they un&erstoo&

I %as %earier than I ha& reali1e&" -y thoughts &rifte&! blurre&" I let it all go an& floate& free! a%ay fro y bo&y" -olly! I thought

%istfully" -olly" But I &i& not fin& her" So e%here Burrich sle$t on a $allet a&e u$ before a hearth" I sa% hi ! an& it felt al ost as if I Skille& hi but I coul& not hol& the 'ision" The firelight illu inate& the $lanes of his face+ he %as thinner! an& burnt &ark %ith hours of fiel& %ork" I s$un slo%ly a%ay fro hi " The Skill la$$e& against ;hen e! but I coul& fin& no control of it" y &rea s brushe& u$ against *atience! I %as shocke& to fin& her in a

$ri'ate cha ber %ith =or& Bright" He looke& like a cornere& ani al" # young %o an in a lo'ely go%n %as e'i&ently as startle& as he to ha'e *atience intru&e on the " *atience %as ar e& %ith a a$! an& she %as s$eaking as she ust assu e you are ignorant" a$ by the ercy"7 She y feeble gri$ e $ushe& asi&e a tray of &ainties an& %ine to unfurl it on the table" 6I ha'e foun& you neither stu$i& nor cra'en! =or& Bright" So I I inten& that your e&ucation shall no longer be neglecte&" #s this of Buck %ill be at the ercy of the Re&/Shi$s" #n& they ha'e no

late *rince Aerity %ill $ro'e to you! if you &o not take action soon! all the coast lifte& those $iercing ha1el eyes an& stare& at hi as she ha& so often stare& at the "

e %hen she ex$ecte& to be obeye&" I al ost $itie& hi " I lost on the scene" =ike a leaf borne by %in&! I s%irle& a%ay fro to

I &i& not kno% if I next %ent higher or &ee$er! only that I felt all that boun& e! encouraging fingers $lucke& at

y bo&y %as a tenuous threa&" I turne& an& s$un in a current that tugge& at e to let go" So e%here a %olf %hine& in anxiety" Jhostly e as if seeking y attention" ore force than a $uff of %in&! &es$ite the

Fit1" Be careful" Jet back" Aerity" But his Skilling ha& no effort I kne% it cost hi " So ething %as bet%een us! a col& fog! yiel&ing yet resisting! entangling like bra bles" I trie& to care! trie& to fin& enough fear to sen& e fleeing back to y bo&y" But it %as like being tra$$e& insi&e a &rea

BHH

an& trying to a%aken" I coul& not fin& a %ay to struggle out of it" I coul& not fin& the %ill to try" # %hiff of &og/ agic stench in the air! an& look %hat I fin&" ;ill hooke& into e like cat cla%s! &re% e tight against hi " Hello! Bastar&" y fear" I coul& feel his agic His &ee$ satisfaction rea%akene& e'ery nuance of cynical s ile" 5either of the

&ea&! not the Bastar& %ith his $er'erte&

nor Aerity the *reten&er" Tsk! tsk" Regal %ill be chagrine& to fin& he %as not as successful as he ha& thought" This ti e! though! I shall for hi " -y %ay" I felt an insi&ious $robing of than a kiss" #s if he knea&e& a %hore.s flesh! he felt en& ake sure of things ore inti ate y &efenses!

e o'er for %eaknesses" I

&angle& like a rabbit in his gras$! %aiting only for the t%ist an& 4erk that %oul& y life" I felt ho% he ha& gro%n in strength an& cunning" y king coul& neither hear nor res$on&" e! ah! to e it shall gi'e %ings an& atter ho% he e in his gri$" ;hat use to you this strength you ha'e ne'er aster0 5one at all" But to ake e strong enough to seek out Aerity no Aerity! I %hi $ere&! but He %eighe& learne& to

cla%s" You shall ay hi&e hi self"

Su&&enly I %as leaking strength like a $uncture& %aterskin" I ha& no i&ea ho% he ha& $enetrate& clutche& y y &efenses! an& kne% of no %ay to %ar& hi off3 He in& gree&ily to his an& leeche& at e" This %as ho% @ustin an&

Serene ha& kille& (ing Shre%&" He ha& gone s%iftly! like a bubble $o$$ing" I coul& fin& neither %ill nor strength to struggle as ;ill force& &o%n all %alls bet%een us" His foreign thoughts %ere a $ressure insi&e scrabble& at But %ithin y secrets! all the %hile &ra%ing off y substance" y in& as he

e! a %olf %as %aiting for hi " -y brother: 5ighteyes &eclare&! ight be in the Skill! he ha&

an& launche& at hi ! tooth an& nail" So e%here in the 'ast &istance! ;ill shrieke& in horror an& &is ay" Ho%e'er strong he
BH1

no kno%le&ge at all of the ;it" He %as as $o%erless before 5ighteyes. attack as I ha& been before his" Once! %hen @ustin ha& Skill/attacke& e! 5ighteyes ha& res$on&e&" I ha& %atche& as @ustin ha& gone &o%n 4ust as if he %ere being $hysically sa'age& by a %olf" He ha& lost all concentration an& control o'er his Skill an& I ha& been able to break free of hi " I coul& not see %hat %as ha$$ening to ;ill! but I sense& 5ighteyes. sna$$ing 4a%s" I %as buffete& by the strength of ;ill.s horror" He fle&! breaking the Skill link bet%een us so su&&enly that for a %i&e/a%ake! insi&e I sat u$ on %all about staring at o ent I %as unsure of y o%n bo&y" y back! an& sla e& u$ e'ery y i&entity" Then I %as back!

y blanket! s%eat strea ing &o%n

yself that I coul& re e ber ho% to erect" sit u$ slee$ily" Honey %as e fro her o%n blanket %here she sat kee$ing %atch" I choke& back anage& huskily" 6@ust a night are"7 I staggere& to e" I caught u$ y feet!

69ob07 @osh aske& in so e alar ! an& I sa% hi a $anting sob" 6# night are!7 I stan&" Fear of

horrifie& at ho% %eakene& I %as" The %orl& s$un aroun& y o%n %eakness s$urre& carrie& it off %ith

e" I coul& barely y s all kettle! an& yself!

e as I hea&e& for the ri'er" Elfbark tea! I $ro ise&

an& ho$e& it %oul& be $otent enough" I 'eere& %i&e of the hea$e& stones that co'ere& the Forge& ones. bo&ies" Before I reache& the bank of the ri'er! 5ighteyes %as besi&e his shoul&er! an& burie& I un&erstan& no% %hy %e %ill ne'er let us be" ;e all"
BH2

e! hitching along on three legs" I &ro$$e& y ar s aroun& hi ! y face in his ruff" ust kill the ust hunt the

y kettle an&

sank &o%n besi&e hi " I thre% I %as so scare&" I nearly &ie&"

in&ful of the slash on

all! he sai& cal ly" If %e &o not! they &o%n to their o%n lair an& kill the

It %as the only co fort he coul& offer

e"

9H#*TER SIK The ;it an& the Skill -I5STRE=S #5D ;#5DERI5J scribes hol& s$ecial $laces in the society of the Six Duchies" They are re$ositories of kno%le&ge! not only of their o%n crafts! but of so uch ore" The instrels hol& the histories of the Six ake the Duchies! not 4ust the general history that has sha$e& the king&o ! but the $articular histories of the s all to%ns an& e'en the fa ilies %ho u$" #lthough it is the &rea of e'ery instrel to be sole %itness to so e great ake u$

e'ent! an& thus gain the authoring of a ne% saga! their true an& lasting i $ortance lies in their constant %itnessing of the s all e'ents that e'en of a long/ter &etails that others $ro ise a&e! the life.s fabric" ;hen there is a )uestion of a $ro$erty line! or fa ily lineage! or instrels are calle& u$on to su$$ly the ay ha'e forgotten" Su$$orting the ! but not su$$lanting

the ! are the %an&ering scribes" For a fee! they %ill $ro'i&e %ritten recor& of a %e&&ing! a birth! of lan& changing han&s! of inheritances gaine& or &o%ries $ro ise&" Such recor&s ay be intricate things! for e'ery $arty in'ol'e& ust be i&entifie& in a %ay that is un istakable" 5ot 4ust by na e an& $rofession! but by lineage an& location an& a$$earance" #s often as not! a calle& to ake his reason! it is not unusual to fin& the instrel is then ark as %itness to %hat the scribe has %ritten! an& for this tra'eling in co $any together! or for one %ell treate&

$erson to $rofess both tra&es" -instrels an& scribes are by custo

in the noble houses! fin&ing their %inter )uarters there an& sustenance an& co fort in ol& age" 5o lor& %ishes to be ill re e bere& in the tellings of
BH8

instrels an& scribes! or %orse yet! not re e bere& at all" Jenerosity to the is taught as si $le courtesy" One kno%s one is in the $resence of a one sits at table in a kee$ that boasts no I bi& the instrels" iser %hen

usicians fare%ell at the &oor of an inn in a sho&&y little to%n calle& e" *i$er &i& look at e! but the look %as

9ro%sneck the next afternoon" Rather! I bi& @osh fare%ell" Honey stalke& into the inn %ithout a back%ar& glance at so $u11le& that it con'eye& nothing to han& %as still on @osh )uietly" He no&&e& his thanks" 6;ell" So e hot foo& %ill be %elco e!7 he obser'e&! an& $ushe& his chin to%ar& the &oor" I shook y hea&! then s$oke o'ing on"7 ug of beer an& a bite to eat" I kno% y refusal" 6Thank you! but I %on.t be going in %ith you" I. e" Then she follo%e& Honey in" @osh

an& I %ere left stan&ing in the street" ;e ha& been %alking together an& his y shoul&er" 6Bit of a ste$ here at the inn &oor!7 I %arne&

6Right no%0 9o e! 9ob! at least ha'e a s$eaks for all of us"7

that Honey is , &ifficult to tolerate so eti es" But you nee&n.t assu e she 6It.s not that" I si $ly ha'e so ething that I no $eace for e"7 e" 6;hate'er it is! 9ob! I ust &o" So ething I ha'e $ut off

for a long! long ti e" Yester&ay I reali1e& that until I ha'e &one it! there %ill be @osh sighe& hea'ily" 6Yester&ay %as an ugly &ay" I %oul& not base any life &ecision on it"7 He s%ung his hea& to look to%ar& think ti e %ill 6So e things!7 I , ake it better" It &oes ost things! you kno%"7

uttere& &istracte&ly" 6Other things &on.t get better until you

en& the " One %ay or another"7

BH<

6;ell"7 He hel& out his han& to you"7

e! an& I took it" 6Joo& luck to you then" #t

least this fighter.s han& has a s%or& to gri$ no%" That can.t be ba& fortune for 6Here.s the &oor!7 I sai&! an& o$ene& it for hi " 6Joo& luck to you as %ell!7 I tol& hi as he $asse& e! an& close& it behin& hi " yself &o%n %ith anything like that #s I ste$$e& out into the o$en street again! I felt as if I ha& tosse& a bur&en asi&e" Free again" I %oul& not soon %eigh again" I. co ing! I tol& 5ighteyes" This e'ening! %e hunt" y bun&le a bit higher on y shoul&er! took a fresh gri$ on y staff! I.ll be %atching for you" I hitche& an& stro&e &o%n the street" I coul& think of nothing in 9ro%sneck that I coul& $ossibly &esire" -y $ath took e straight through the arket s)uare! ho%e'er! an& the habits of a lifeti e &ie har&" -y ears $ricke& u$ to the gru bles an& co $laints of those %ho ha& co e to bargain" Buyers &e an&e& to kno% %hy $rices %ere so high+ sellers re$lie& that the tra&e fro &o%nri'er %as scarce! an& %hate'er goo&s ca e u$ri'er as far as 9ro%sneck %ere &ear" *rices %ere %orse u$ri'er! they assure& the " For all those %ho co $laine& about the high $rices! there %ere as any %ho ca e looking for %hat %as si $ly not there" It %as not 4ust the ocean fish an& the thick %ool of Buck that no longer ca e u$ the ri'er" It %as as 9ha&e ha& $re&icte&3 there %ere no silks! no bran&ies! no fine Bingto%n ge %ork! nothing fro the 9oastal Duchies! nor fro the lan&s beyon&" Regal.s atte $t to strangle the -ountain (ing&o .s tra&e routes ha& also &e$ri'e& the 9ro%sneck erchants of -ountain a ber an& furs an& for" other goo&s" 9ro%sneck ha& been a tra&ing to%n" 5o% it %as stagnant! choking on a sur$lus of its o%n goo&s an& naught to tra&e the

BH?

#t least one sha bling &runk kne% %here to $ut the bla e" He %o'e his %ay through the an& y arket! caro ing off stalls an& staggering through the %ares lesser ats" His shaggy black hair hung to his shoul&ers ore truly! for his usical" There %as little elo&y to fix the tune in erchants ha& &is$laye& on 'oice %as lou&er than it %as

erge& %ith his bear&" He sang as he ca e! or gro%le&!

in&! an& he botche& %hate'er rhy e ha& once been to the song! but the

sense of it %as clear" ;hen Shre%& ha& been (ing of the Six Duchies! the ri'er ha& run %ith gol&! but no% that Regal %ore the cro%n! the coasts all ran %ith bloo&" There %as a secon& 'erse! saying it %as better to $ay taxes to fight the Re&/Shi$s than $ay the to a king that hi&! but that one %as interru$te& by the &o%n for coins to $ay for %hate'er he.& broken" I arket %hen erce cease&! folk elte& out of the %ay or $resse& arri'al of the 9ity Juar&" There %ere a $air of the ! an& I ex$ecte& to see the halt the &runk an& shake hi the guar&s a$$eare&" 9o the " They close& on the &runk s%iftly! an& I %as one of the silent cro%& %atching as they sei1e& hi " The &runk goggle& at the in &is ay! an& the look of a$$eal he s%e$t o'er the cro%& %as chilling in its intensity" Then one of the guar&s &re% back a gauntlete& fist an& sank it into his belly" The &runk looke& to be a tough an! gone $aunchy in the %ay that so e thickly set en &o as they age" # soft an %oul& ha'e colla$se& at that blo%" He curle& hi self shoul& ha'e been fore%arne& by the silence that ca e o'er the back against the stalls to allo% the

$assage" #ll! eyes follo%e& an& fixe& on

for%ar& o'er the guar&.s fist! his breath %histling out! an& then abru$tly s$e%e& out a gush of soure& ale" The guar&s ste$$e& back in &istaste! one gi'ing the &runk a sho'e that sent hi a tottering off balance" He crashe& against arket stall! sen&ing t%o baskets of eggs s$latting into the &irt" The egg

BHB

erchant sai& nothing! only ste$$e& back &ee$er into his stall as if he &i& not %ish to be notice& at all" The guar&s a&'ance& on the unfortunate by the shirtfront an& &ragge& hi blo% to the face that sent hi caught hi ! an& hel& hi hi &o%n" y shoul&er" I e" an" The first one there gri$$e& hi a short! straight to his feet" He struck hi

crashing into the other guar&.s ar s" That one casually kicke&

u$ for his $artner.s fist to fin& his belly again" This

ti e the &runk &ro$$e& to his knees an& the guar& behin& hi I &i& not reali1e I ha& starte& for%ar& until a han& caught at 6Don.t no one take hi ake the akes the a&!7 she breathe&" 6They.ll let hi angry" -ake the

looke& back into the %i1ene& face of the gaunt ol& %o an %ho clutche& at

off %ith a beating! if

angry! an& they.ll kill hi " Or %orse!

off for the (ing.s 9ircle"7 y shoul&er" =ike her! then! I looke& asi&e fro an" ore ail than I %as accusto e& to an.s

I locke& eyes %ith her %eary ga1e! an& she looke& &o%n as if asha e&" But she &i& not take her han& fro strangle& cries of the beaten %hat they &i&! an& trie& not to hear the i $acts on flesh! the grunts an& The &ay %as hot! an& the guar&s %ore

seeing on 9ity Juar&s" *erha$s that %as %hat sa'e& the &runk" 5o one likes to s%eat in ar or" I looke& back in ti e to see one stoo$ an& cut loose the $urse! heft it! an& then $ocket it" The other guar& looke& about at the cro%& as he announce&! 6Black Rolf has been fine& an& $unishe& for the treasonous act of aking ock of the (ing" =et it be an exa $le to all"7 lying in the &irt an& litter of the arket s)uare an& arket The guar&s left hi a%ay! but no one

continue& their roun&s" One guar& %atche& o'er his shoul&er as they stro&e o'e& until they turne& a corner" Then gra&ually the stirre& back to life" The ol& %o an lifte& her han& fro
BHC

y shoul&er an&

turne& back to haggling for turni$s" The egg one looke& &irectly at the fallen an"

erchant ca e aroun& the front of

his stall! to stoo$ an& gather the fe% unbroken eggs an& the yolky baskets" 5o I stoo& still for a ti e! %aiting for a shaky col&ness insi&e e to fa&e" I %ante& et

to ask %hy 9ity Juar&s shoul& care about a &runkar&.s song! but no one 9ro%sneck" I hitche& closer I ca e! the y $ack a notch higher an& resu e&

y )uerying glance" I su&&enly ha& e'en less use for anyone or anything in y trek out of e" The to%n" But as I &re% near the groaning an! his $ain la$$e& against

ore &istinct it %as! al ost like forcing

y han& &ee$er an&

&ee$er into a fire" He lifte& his face to stare at 'o it on it" I trie& to kee$ %alking" Hel$ hi " -y in& ren&ere& thus the su&&en

e" Dirt clung to the bloo& an& ental urging I felt" 5ighteyes" The et ine

I halte& as if knife&! nearly reeling" That $lea %as not fro in &u b a$$eal an& ani al in $ain" -aybe %e shoul& hel$ hi 0 5ighteyes aske& uncertainly" Hush! I %arne& hi "

&runk got a han& un&er hi self an& le'ere& hi self higher" His eyes

isery" I ha& seen such eyes before+ they %ere those of an

*lease! hel$ hi " The $lea ha& gro%n in urgency an& strength" Ol& Bloo& asks of Ol& Bloo&" The 'oice in i ages" I ;itte& the y in& s$oke ore clearly! not in %or&s but eaning behin& it" It %as a laying on of clan obligation"

#re they $ack %ith us0 5ighteyes aske& %on&eringly" I kne% he coul& sense y confusion! an& &i& not re$ly" Black Rolf ha& forear anage& to get his other han& un&er hi self" He $ushe& utely exten&e& a han& to an& let hi
BHD

hi self u$ onto one knee! then an& &re% hi slightly" I ke$t hol& of his ar

e" I clas$e& his e" #s

slo%ly to his feet" Once he %as u$right! he s%aye& catch his balance against

&u b as he! I offere& hi Entirely too

y %alking staff" He took it! but &i& not relin)uish arket$lace! the &runk leaning on e hea'ily" e" I

y ar " Slo%ly %e left the

any $eo$le stare& after us curiously" #s %e %alke& through the an sai& nothing to to $oint out so e &irection he %ishe& to go! so e house ean&ere& &o%n to the

streets! $eo$le glance& u$ at us! an& then a%ay" The ke$t ex$ecting hi clai e& as his! but he sai& nothing" #s %e reache& the outskirts of! to%n! the roa&

ri'erbank" The sun shone through an o$ening in the trees! glinting sil'er on the %ater" Here a shoal of the ri'er s%e$t u$ against a grassy bank fra e& by %illo% %oo&s" So e folk carrying baskets of %et %ashing %ere 4ust lea'ing" He ga'e e a slight tug on the ar to in&icate he %ishe& to get to the ri'er.s e&ge" Once there! Black Rolf sank to his knees! then leane& for%ar& to $lunge not 4ust his face but his entire hea& an& neck into the %ater" He ca e u$! rubbe& at his face %ith his han&s! an& then &ucke& hi self again" The secon& ti e he ca e u$! he shook his hea& as 'igorously as a %et &og! sen&ing %ater s$raying in all &irections" He sat back on his heels! an& looke& u$ at blearily" 6I &rink too uch %hen I co e to to%n!7 he sai& hollo%ly" o'e insi&e his outh! checking for e" I I no&&e& to that" 6;ill you be all right no%07 He no&&e& back" I coul& see his tongue cuts an& loose teeth" The %ante& to be a%ay fro refille& e ory of ol& $ain rolle& o'er restlessly insi&e e

any re in&ers of that" of hi ! an& &rank an& y $ack again! an& turne& to lea'e"

6Joo& luck! then!7 I tol& hi " I stoo$e&! u$strea y %aterskin" Then I rose! hefte& # $rickling of the ;it s%i'ele&

y hea& su&&enly to%ar& the %oo&s" # stu $

shifte&! then su&&enly reare& u$ as a bro%n bear" She snuffe& the air! then

BHE

&ro$$e& to all fours again an& sha ble& to%ar& us" 6Rolf!7 I sai& )uietly as I starte& to slo%ly back u$" 6Rolf! there.s a bear"7 6She.s ine!7 he sai& as )uietly" 6You.'e nothing to fear fro her"7 I stoo& stock/still as she shuffle& out of the %oo&s an& &o%n the grassy bank" #s she &re% close to Rolf! she ga'e a lo% cry! o&&ly like a co%.s ba%l for her calf" Then she nu&ge& her big hea& against hi " He stoo& u$! leaning a han& on her slo$ing front shoul&ers to &o so" I coul& sense the one another! but ha& no notion of their look &irectly at &ee$ set abo'e her e" Ol& Bloo&! she ackno%le&ge& e" I &i& not co unicating %ith essages" Then she lifte& her hea& to e" Her little eyes %ere

u11le" #s she %alke&! the sunlight sleeke& her glossy! o'e"

rolling hi&e" They both ca e to%ar& against

;hen they %ere 'ery close! she lifte& her nose an& $resse& her snout fir ly e an& began to take long snuffs3 -y brother0 5ighteyes )uerie& in so e alar " I think it is all right" I scarcely &are& to breathe" I ha& ne'er been this close to a li'e bear" Her hea& %as the si1e of a bushel basket" Her hot breath against reeke& of ri'er fish" #fter a o ent she ste$$e& a%ay fro uh! ah soun& in her throat as if consi&ering all she ha& scente& on back on her haunches! taking air in through her o$en scent on it" She %agge& her hea& slo%ly fro sai& briefly! an& #fter a otione& y chest e" She sat y e! huffing an uh!

outh as if tasting

si&e to si&e! then see e& to

reach a &ecision" She &ro$$e& to all fours again an& trun&le& off" 69o e!7 Rolf e to follo%" They set off to%ar& the %oo&s" O'er his shoul&er! he a&&e&! 6;e ha'e foo& to share" The %olf is %elco e! too"7 o ent! I set out after the "

B1H

Is this %ise0 I coul& sense that 5ighteyes %as not far a%ay an& %as to%ar& hillsi&e"

o'ing

e as s%iftly as he coul&! eeling bet%een trees as he ca e &o%n! a

I nee& to un&erstan& %hat they are" #re they like us0 I ha'e ne'er s$oken to any like us" # &erisi'e snort fro the to 5ighteyes" You %ere raise& by Heart of the *ack" He is not certain I %ish to co e close to a bear! or to e! ho% &i& she reach out the strange t%oso e" ore like us than these" I a I %ant to kno% e0 Des$ite

an %ho thinks %ith the bear" ore! I insiste&" Ho% &i& she sense y curiosity! I staye& %ell back fro

-an an& bear sha ble& along ahea& of

e" They %en&e& their %ay through

the %illo% %oo&s besi&e the ri'er! a'oi&ing the roa&" #t a $lace %here the forest &re% &ensely &o%n to the o$$osite si&e of the roa&! they crosse& hastily" I follo%e&" In the &ee$er sha&o% of these larger trees! %e soon struck a ga e trail that cut across the face of a hill" I sense& 5ighteyes before he besi&e e" He %as $anting fro his haste" -y heart s ote o'e& on three legs" Too often he ha& taken in4uries on &i& I ha'e to ask that of hi 0 It is not as ba& as all that" He &i& not like to %alk behin& ce&e& hi fro e! but the trail %as too narro% for both of us" I the $ath an& %alke& alongsi&e! &o&ging branches an& trunks! closely y s all ex$erience of bears ateriali1e& e at ho% he

y behalf" ;hat right

%atching our gui&es" 5either of us %ere easy about that bear" # single s%i$e one of her $a%s coul& cri$$le or kill! an& &i& not in&icate they ha& e'en te $era ents" ;alking in the flo% of her scent ke$t 5ighteyes. hackles erect an& y skin a $rickle" oss an& earth" The logs that roofe& it
B11

In ti e %e ca e to a s all cabin set snug against the si&e of the hill" It %as a&e of stone an& log! chinke& %ith

%ere o'erlai& %ith turf" Jrasses an& e'en s all bushes s$route& fro of the cabin" The &oor %as unusually %i&e an& ga$e& o$en" Both $rece&e& us insi&e" #fter a 5ighteyes hung back! hackles half/raise&! ears $ricke& for%ar&"

the roof

an an& bear

o ent of hesitation! I 'enture& near to $eer insi&e"

Black Rolf ste$$e& back to the &oor to look out at us" 69o e in an& be %elco e!7 he offere&" ;hen he sa% that I hesitate&! he a&&e&! 6Ol& Bloo& &oes not turn on Ol& Bloo&"7 Slo%ly I entere&" There %as a lo% slab table in the center of the roo %ith a bench to either si&e of it! an& a ri'er rock hearth in a corner bet%een t%o large co fortable chairs" #nother &oor le& to a s aller slee$ing roo " The cabin s elle& like a bear.s &en! rank an& earthy" In one corner %as a scattering of bones an& the %alls there bore the arks of cla%s" after s%ee$ing the &irt floor" She %as e an& fixe& e %ith an # %o an %as 4ust setting asi&e a broo

&resse& in bro%n! an& her short bro%n hair %as sleeke& to her hea& like an acorn.s ca$" She turne& her hea& )uickly to%ar& unblinking stare fro guests I %as telling you about! Holly!7 he announce&" 6I thank you for your hos$itality!7 I sai&" She looke& al ost startle&" 6Ol& Bloo& al%ays %elco es Ol& Bloo&!7 she asserte&" I brought y eyes back to confront the glittering blackness of Rolf.s ga1e" 6I e! an& it see e& a bear.s s ile" He u11le &i'i&e& ha'e ne'er hear& of this FOl& Bloo&. before!7 I 'enture&" 6But you kno% %hat it is"7 He s ile& at fro ha& the bear.s $osture3 his lu bering %alk! a %ay of slo%ly %agging his hea& si&e to si&e! of tucking his chin an& looking &o%n as if a his eyes" Behin& hi ! his %o an slo%ly no&&e&" She lifte& her eyes an& exchange& a glance %ith so eone" I follo%e& her ga1e to a s all ha%k $erche&
B12

bro%n eyes" Rolf gesture& to%ar&

e" 6Here are the

on a cross rafter" His eyes bore& into his &ro$$ings" 6You ean the ;it07 I aske&"

e" The bea s %ere streake& %hite %ith

65o" So it is na e& by those %ho ha'e no kno%ing of it" That is the na e it is &es$ise& by" Those of us %ho are of the Ol& Bloo& &o not na e it so"7 He turne& a%ay to a cu$boar& set against the stout %all an& began to take foo& fro it" =ong thick slabs of s oke& sal on" # loaf of brea& hea'y %ith nuts an& fruit bake& into it" The bear rose on her hin& legs! then &ro$$e& again to all fours! snuffing a$$reciati'ely" She turne& her hea& si&e%ays to take a si&e of fish fro the table+ it looke& s all in her 4a%s" She lu bere& off to her corner %hich she coul& %atch the %hole roo " otione& her o%n in'itation to the table" %ith it an& turne& her back as she began on it" The %o an ha& silently $ositione& herself on a chair fro ;hen I glance& at her she s ile& an& I foun& y o%n

Then she resu e& her stillness an& her %atching" outh %atering at the sight of the foo&" It ha& been &ays since e that 5ighteyes %as in the sa e e sole nly" 6The 9ity I ha& eaten to re$letion an& I.& ha& al ost nothing in the last t%o &ays" # light %hine fro outsi&e the cottage re in&e& con&ition" 65o cheese! no butter!7 Black Rolf %arne&

Juar& took all the coin I.& tra&e& for before I got aroun& to buying butter an& cheese" But %e.'e fish an& brea& in $lenty! an& honeyco b for the brea&" Take %hat you %ish"7 #l ost ina&'ertently! one" #l%ays"7 6Sleet an& I %elco e you as %ell!7 the %o an a&&e& softly" 6I a I no&&e& gratefully to her in'itation! an& reache& for 5ighteyes0 ;ill you co e in0
B18

y eyes flickere& to%ar& the &oor" e" 6# ong the Ol& Bloo&! t%o are treate& as Holly"7

6Both of you!7 he clarifie& for

y %olf"

I %ill co e to the &oor" # o ent later a gray sha&o% slunk $ast the &oor o$ening" I sense& hi a&e $ro%ling about outsi&e the cabin! taking u$ the scents of the $lace! registering bear! o'er an& o'er" He $asse& the &oor again! $eere& in briefly! then &eer! %ith lea'es an& &irt scuffe& o'er it! not too far fro ty$ical bear.s cache" I &i& not nee& to %arn hi 6Take foo& to hi another circuit of the cabin" He &isco'ere& a $artially &e'oure& carcass of a the cabin" It %as a to lea'e it alone" Finally he e" He

ca e back to the &oor an& settle& before it! sitting alertly! ears $ricke&" if he &oes not %ish to co e insi&e!7 Rolf urge& a&&e&! 65one of us belie'es in forcing a fello% against his natural instincts"7 6Thank you!7 I sai&! a bit stiffly! but I &i& not kno% %hat for here" I took a slab of the sal on fro he caught it &eftly" For a anners %ere calle& the table" I tosse& it to 5ighteyes an& his

o ent he sat %ith it in his 4a%s" He coul& not both

eat an& re ain totally %ary" =ong strings of sali'a began to trail fro %ish us any har " He nee&e& no

outh as he sat there gri$$ing the fish" Eat+ I urge& hi " I &o not think they ore urging than that" He &ro$$e& the fish! $inne& it to the y hunger %ith an intensity I ha& ea ug

groun& %ith his fore$a%! an& then tore off a large hunk of it" He %olfe& it &o%n! scarcely che%ing" His eating a%oke been su$$ressing" I looke& a%ay fro of hi to fin& that Black Rolf ha& cut y $late"

thick slab of the brea& an& slathere& it %ith honey" He %as $ouring a large ea& for hi self" -ine %as alrea&y besi&e e!7 he in'ite& 6Eat! &on.t %ait for %o an! she s ile&"

e! an& %hen I looke& askance at the

6Be %elco e!7 she sai& )uietly" She ca e to the table an& took a $latter for herself! but $ut only a s all $ortion of fish an& a frag ent of brea& on it" I sense& she &i& so to $ut e at ease rather than for her o%n hunger" 6Eat %ell!7
B1<

she ba&e

e! an& a&&e&! 6;e can sense your hunger! you kno%"7 She &i& not uch the sa e anners as any

4oin! us at table! but carrie& her foo& off to her chair by the hearth" I %as only too gla& to obey her" I ate %ith 5ighteyes" He %as on his thir& slab of sal on! an& I ha& finishe& as yself to y host" Rolf refille& y ug %ith

$ieces of brea& an& %as eating a secon& $iece of sal on before I recalle& ea& an& obser'e&! 6I once trie& ilk" to kee$ a goat" For So" ;e ha'e ilk an& cheese an& such" But she ne'er coul& beco e

accusto e& to Hil&a" *oor thing %as al%ays too ner'ous to let &o%n her oursel'es %ith"7 6It.s %on&erful!7 I sighe&" I set &o%n y

ea&" ;ith Hil&a.s nose for honey! that.s a &rink %e can su$$ly ug! a )uarter &raine& alrea&y! an& y hunger %as us to the table an& tosse&

breathe& out" I ha&n.t finishe& eating! but the urgent e&ge of gone no%" Black Rolf $icke& u$ another slab of fish fro

it casually to Hil&a" She caught it! $a%s an& 4a%s! then turne& asi&e fro

resu e eating" He sent another slab %inging to 5ighteyes! %ho ha& lost all %ariness" He lea$e& for it! then lay &o%n! the sal on bet%een his front $a%s! an& turne& his hea& to scissor off chunks an& gul$ the &o%n" Holly $icke& at e %ith her shar$ her foo&! tearing off s all stri$s of &rie& fish an& &ucking her hea& as she ate the " E'ery ti e I glance& her %ay! I foun& her looking at black eyes" I looke& back at Hil&a" 6Ho% &i& you e'er co e to bon& %ith a she/bear07 I aske&! an& then a&&e&! 6If it isn.t a ru&e )uestion" I.'e ne'er s$oken to anyone else %ho %as bon&e& to an ani al! at least! no one %ho a& itte& it o$enly"7 He leane& back in his chair an& reste& his han&s u$on his belly" 6I &on.t Fa& it it o$enly. to 4ust anyone" I su$$ose& that you kne% of to your )uestion , y e! right a%ay! as Hil&a an& I are al%ays a%are %hen there are others of the Ol& Bloo& nearby" But! as other %as Ol& Bloo&! an& t%o of her chil&ren
B1?

inherite& it" She sense& it in us! of course! an& raise& us in the %ays" #n& %hen I %as of an age! as a I looke& at hi an! I a&e y )uest"7 y co $anion beast" So e look in blankly" He shook his hea&! a $itying s ile touching his li$s"

6I %ent alone! out into the %orl&! seeking

the to%ns! so e look in the forest! a fe%! I ha'e hear& tell! e'en go out to sea" But I %as &ra%n to the %oo&s" So I %ent out alone! senses %i&e! fasting sa'e for col& %ater an& the herbs that )uicken the Ol& Bloo&" I foun& a $lace! here! an& I sat &o%n a ong the roots of an ol& tree an& I %aite&" #n& in ti e! Hil&a ca e to e! seeking 4ust as I ha& been seeking" ;e teste& one another an& foun& the trust an&! %ell! here %e are! se'en years later"7 He glance& at Hil&a as fon&ly as if he s$oke of a %ife an& chil&ren" 6# &eliberate search for one to bon& %ith!7 I I belie'e that you sought y rescuing hi fro use&" use&! $utting e that &ay! an& that I calle& out for you" Though

neither of us kne% at the ti e %hat %e %ere seeking! 5ighteyes the ani al tra&er in a ne% light" I &o not think so! I tol& hi ne'er to bon& again" Rolf %as looking at

regretfully" I ha& bon&e& t%ice before! %ith &ogs!

an& ha& learne& too %ell the $ain of losing such a co $anion" I ha& resol'e& e %ith &isbelief" #l ost horror" 6You ha& bon&e& t%ice

before the %olf0 #n& lost both co $anions07 He shook his hea&! &enying it coul& be so" 6You are 'ery young e'en for a first bon&ing"7 I shrugge& at hi " 6I %as 4ust a chil& %hen 5osy an& I 4oine&" He %as taken a%ay fro e! by one %ho kne% so ething of bon&ing an& &i& not think it again! but it %as at the en& %as goo& for either of us" =ater! I &i& encounter hi of his &ays" #n& the other $u$ I bon&e& to ,7 Rolf %as regar&ing e %ith a &istaste as fer'ent as Burrich.s %as for the ;it e! but %hile Holly silently shook her hea&" 6You bon&e& as a chil&0 Forgi'e
B1B

that is $er'ersion" #s %ell allo% a little girl to be %e& off to a gro%n ost carefully shelter their chil&ren fro his face" 6Still! it fro looke& at e

an" #

chil& is not rea&y to share the full life of a beast+ all Ol& Bloo& $arents I kno% such contacts"7 Sy $athy touche& ust ha'e been excruciating for your bon&/frien& to be taken sur$rise& you sur'i'e&! kno%ing nothing of s$oken of" #n& %hen it is! it is calle& the

you" But %hoe'er &i& it! &i& the right thing! %hate'er his reason"7 He ore closely" 6I a

the Ol& Bloo& %ays"7 6;here I co e fro ! it is sel&o ;it! an& is &ee e& a sha eful thing to &o"7 6E'en your $arents tol& you this0 For %hile I %ell kno% ho% the Ol& Bloo& is regar&e& an& all the lies that are tol& about it! one usually &oes not hear the fro one.s o%n $arents" Our $arents cherish our lines! an& hel$ us to fin& ates %hen the ti e! co es! so that our bloo& ay not be thinne&"7 y y y e" 6-y his frank ga1e to Holly.s o$en stare" 6I &i& not kno% e o'er to y father.s fa ily %hen I %as six years ol&" #n& e" Still! I sus$ect the Ol& Bloo& ca e fro $ro$er

I glance& fro other ga'e

$arents"7 E'en anony ously! the %or&s &i& not co e easily to father chose not to , be near

other.s si&e" I recall nothing of her or her fa ily"7 6Six years ol&0 #n& you recall nothing0 Surely she taught you so ething before she let you go! ga'e you so e kno%le&ge to $rotect yourself , 07 I sighe&" 6I recall nothing of her"7 I ha& long ago gro%n %eary of folk telling e that I Black Rolf ust re e ber so ething of her! that ost $eo$le ha'e e ories that go back to %hen they %ere three or e'en younger" a&e a lo% noise in his throat! bet%een a gro%l an& a sigh" 6;ell! so eone taught you so ething"7 65o"7 I sai& it flatly! tire& of the argu ent" I %ishe& an en& to it! an& so resorte& to the ol&est tactic I kne% for &i'erting $eo$le %hen they aske& too
B1C

any )uestions about your

e" 6Tell

e about yourself!7 I urge& hi " 6;hat &i& aking the ake

other teach you! an& ho%07 e" Ha'e you that long to hear

He s ile&! his cheeks %rinkling fatly about his black eyes an& s aller" 6It took her t%enty years to teach it to about it07 #t

y look he a&&e&! 65o! I kno% you aske& but to

con'ersation" But I offer %hat I see you nee&ing" Stay %ith us a bit" ;e.ll teach you %hat you both nee& to kno%" But you %on.t learn it in an hour or a &ay" It.s going to take ate as %ell" He hi &o%n"7 inutes! atching you u$ for arriage"7 eet her! onths" *erha$s years"7 the corner in a )uiet 'oice" 6;e coul& fin& hi a ight &o for Ollie.s girl" She.s ol&er! but she ight stea&y Holly s$oke su&&enly fro

Rolf grinne& %i&ely" 6Isn.t that like a %o an: (no%s you for fi'e an& alrea&y Holly s$oke &irectly to

e" Her s ile %as s all but %ar " 6Aita is bon&e& to a

cro%" #ll of you %oul& hunt %ell together" Stay %ith us" You %ill suggeste& i e&iately" Ba& enough to &en a ong

an& like her" Ol& Bloo& shoul& 4oin to Ol& Bloo&"7 Refuse $olitely! 5ighteyes en" If you start slee$ing near bears! you shall stink so that %e can ne'er hunt %ell again" 5or &o I &esire to share our kills %ith a teasing cro%" He $ause&" >nless they kno% of a %o an %ho is bon&e& %ith a bitch/%olf 0 # s ile t%itche& at the corner of Black Rolf.s outh" I sus$ecte& he %as uch" ore a%are of %hat %e sai& than he let on! an& I tol& 5ighteyes as

6It is one of the things that I coul& teach you! shoul& you choose to stay!7 Rolf offere&" 6;hen you t%o s$eak! to one of the Ol& Bloo& it is as if you %ere shouting to one another o'er the rattle of a tinker.s cart" There is no nee& to be so , %i&e o$en %ith it" It is only one %olf you a&&ress! not all of the %olf kin&re&"
B1D

5o" It is e'en you t%o" Tell Dogs chase& carni'ore"7

ore than that" I &oubt if anything that eats e so e nights ago! 5ighteyes sai&"

eat is una%are of

e" ;hen %as the last ti e you encountere& a large carni'ore0"7 their territory!7 Rolf obser'e&" 6I eant a %il&

6Dogs %ill stan& an& bark fro

6I &on.t think I.'e seen any since %e bon&e&!7 I a& itte& un%illingly" 6They %ill a'oi& you as surely as Forge& ones %ill follo% you!7 Black Rolf sai& cal ly" # chill %ent &o%n or ,7 6To your Ol& Bloo& senses! all creatures gi'e off a kinshi$ %ar th" #ll sa'e the Forge& ones" This is true07 I no&&e& uneasily" 6They ha'e lost it" I &o not kno% ho% it is stolen fro the ! but that is %hat uch is %ell kno%n ore likely to be Forging &oes" #n& it lea'es an e $tiness in the " This y s$ine" 6Forge& ones0 But Forge& ones see %ith to ha'e no ;it at all" I &o not sense the y ;it/sense at all! only %ith eyes or nose

a ong those of the Ol& Bloo&! an& %e kno%! too! that %e are

follo%e& an& attacke& by Forge& ones" Es$ecially if %e use those talents carelessly" ;hy this is so! no one can say %ith certainty" *erha$s only the Forge& ones kno%! if they truly Fkno%. anything any ore" But it gi'es us one ore reason to be cautious of oursel'es an& our talents"7 6#re you suggesting that 5ighteyes an& I shoul& refrain fro 6I a in ti e to learn to s all s ile" 6I sai& nothing to you of that attack!7 I sai& )uietly"
B1E

using the ;it07 ay fin& yourself

suggesting that $erha$s you shoul& stay here for a %hile! an& take the aster the talents of the Ol& Bloo&" Or you ore battles such as the one you fought yester&ay"7 He $er itte& hi self a

6You &i& not nee& to!7 he $ointe& out" 6I a

sure that e'eryone of Ol& Bloo&

for leagues aroun& hear& you %hen you fought the " >ntil you both learn to control ho% you s$eak to one another! nothing bet%een you is truly $ri'ate"7 He $ause&! then a&&e&! 6Di& you ne'er think it strange that Forge& ones %oul& s$en& ti e attacking a %olf %hen there is a$$arently nothing to gain fro an attack0 They only focus on hi ha'e a thing %e because he is bon&e& to you"7 such

I ga'e 5ighteyes a brief a$ologetic glance" 6I thank you for your offer" But %e ust &o an& it %ill not %ait" I think that %e shall encounter o'e inlan&" ;e shoul& be fine"7 fe%er Forge& ones as %e Still! any that

6That is likely" The ones that go so far inlan& are gathere& u$ by the (ing" ay be left %ill be &ra%n to you" But e'en if you encounter no any of the Ol& Bloo& ha'e ore Forge& ones! you are likely to encounter the (ing.s guar&s" They take a s$ecial interest in ;itte& folk these &ays" Of late! &oes not e'en ask been sol& to the (ing! by neighbors! an& e'en fa ily" His gol& is goo&! an& he uch $roof that they are truly Ol& Bloo&" 5ot for years has the 'en&etta against us burne& so hot"7 I looke& a%ay unco fortably! %ell a%are of %hy Regal hate& those %ith the ;it" His coterie %oul& su$$ort hi innocent folk sol& to Regal that he I trie& to kee$ the rage I felt aske&" in that hate" I felt sickene& as I thought of ight re'enge hi self on the in y stea&"

Hil&a ca e back to the table! looke& it o'er consi&eringly! then sei1e& the $ot that hel& the honeyco bs in both her $a%s" She %a&&le& carefully a%ay fro the table! to seat herself in the corner an& begin a careful licking out of the! $ot" Holly continue& to %atch e" I coul& rea& nothing fro her eyes" Black Rolf scratche& at his bear&! then %ince& as his fingers foun& a sore s$ot" He s ile& a careful! rueful s ile at e" 6I can sy $athi1e %ith your &esire to kill (ing Regal" But I &o not think you shall fin& it as easy as you su$$ose"7
B2H

I 4ust looke& at hi ! but 5ighteyes rolle& a light snarl in the back of his throat" Hil&a looke& u$ at that an& thu $e& &o%n on all fours! the honey 4ar rolling a%ay fro her across the floor" Black Rolf sent her a glance an& she sat back! e %ith a glare" I &on.t think there is anything as a bro%n bear" I &i& not o'e" Holly sat but fixe& both 5ighteyes an&

gut/tightening as an angry glare fro his $lu age"

u$ straight in her chair but re aine& cal " #bo'e us in the rafters! Sleet rattle& 6If you bay out all your $lans an& grie'ances to the night oon! you cannot be any

astonishe& that others kno% of the " I &o not think you shall encounter fact! 6Fro

of the Ol& Bloo& %ho are sy $athetic to (ing Regal , or any! $erha$s" In any %oul& be %illing to ai& you if you aske& the " Still! silence is your song earlier! I %oul& sus$ect you share y senti ents!7 I sai& %isest! for a $lan such as that"7 )uietly" 6#n& I thank you for your %arning" But 5ighteyes an& I ha'e ha& to be circu s$ect before about %hat %e share& %ith one another" 5o% %e kno% there is a &anger of being o'erhear&! I think %e can co $ensate for it" One )uestion I %ill ask of you" ;hat care the 9ity Juar& of 9ro%sneck if a has a fe% &rinks an& sings a the %or& fro y throat" en" But that is no longer the case in the to%n $urse! but (ing.s -en onths before he &ecree& that ore e)uitably if 9ity Juar&s ostly by carrying off an ocking song about the, (ing07 I ha& to force

65one at all! %hen they are 9ro%sneck

9ro%sneck! nor in any of the ri'er/roa& to%ns" Those are (ing.s guar&s! in the li'ery of the 9ro%sneck Juar&! an& $ai& fro all the sa e" Regal ha& not been king t%o change" He clai e& the la% %oul& be enforce&

%ere all s%orn (ing.s -en! carrying out the la% of the Six Duchies abo'e any other" ;ell" You ha'e seen ho% they carry it out , %hate'er they can fro any $oor sot %ho trea&s u$on the (ing.s toes" Still!
B21

those t%o in 9ro%sneck are not so ba& as so e I.'e hear& of" ;or& is that &o%n in San&ben&! a cut$urse or thief can Juar& gets a share" The to%n en"7 It soun&e& only too uch like Regal" I %on&ere& ho% obsesse& he %oul& beco e %ith $o%er an& control" ;oul& he set s$ies u$on his s$ies0 Or ha& he alrea&y &one so0 5one of it bo&e& %ell for the Six Duchies as a %hole" Black Rolf broke you"7 6Be free to ask!7 I in'ite& hi ! but hel& to yself ho% freely I shoul& ans%er" 6=ate last night , after you ha& finishe& %ith the Forge& ones" #nother attacke& you" I coul& not sense %ho! only that your %olf &efen&e& you! an& that he so eho% %ent , so e%here" That he thre% his strength into a channel I &i& not un&erstan&! nor coul& follo%" I kno% no %ere 'ictorious" ;hat %as that thing07 6# ser'ant of the (ing!7 I he&ge&" I &i& not %ish to entirely refuse hi ans%er! an& this see e& har less! as he see e& to alrea&y kno% it" 6You fought %hat they call the Skill" Di&n.t you07 His eyes locke& %ith ;hen I &i& not ans%er! he %ent on any%ay" 6There are ine" any of us %ho %oul& an ore than that he! an& you! e fro y usings" 65o%! I.'e a )uestion I %oul& ask of ake an easy li'ing! so long as the %ith their o%n asters are $o%erless to &is iss the Juar&s the

(ing has a$$ointe&" 5or are they allo%e& to su$$le ent the

like to kno% ho% it %as &one" In our $ast! Skille& ones ha'e hunte& us &o%n as if %e %ere 'er in" 5o one of the Ol& Bloo& can say that his fa ily has not suffere& at their han&s" 5o% those &ays ha'e co e again" If there is a %ay to use the talents of the Ol& Bloo& against those %ho %iel& the Farseer.s Skill! it is kno%le&ge %orth Holly si&le& fro uch to us"7 e" I sense& the i $ortance of
B22

the corner! then ca e to gri$ the back of Rolf.s chair an& y ans%er to the "

$eer o'er his shoul&er at

6I cannot teach you that!7 I sai& honestly" His eyes hel& ine! his &isbelief $lain" 6T%ice tonight! I ha'e offere& to teach e! but by E&a! I ha'e offere&! an& ight sa'e so any li'es of e07 i icke& that of his bear" They you all I kno% of the Ol& Bloo&! to o$en to you all the &oors that only your ignorance kee$ close&" You ha'e refuse& our o%n kin&! you say you cannot teach freely" But this one thing I ask! this one thing that

-y eyes flickere& to Hil&a" Her eyes ha& gone bea&y an& bright again" Black Rolf %as $robably una%are of ho% his $osture both ha& e easuring the &istance to the &oor! %hile 5ighteyes %as alrea&y yself to loosen

on his feet an& rea&y to flee" Behin& Rolf! Holly cocke& her hea& an& stare& at e" #bo'e us! the ha%k turne& his hea& to %atch us" I force& y fro uscles! to beha'e uch Burrich %hen confronting any &istresse& ani al" yself"7 I refraine& fro entioning that I yself carrie& that ore cal ly than I felt" It %as a tactic learne&

6I s$eak truth to you!7 I sai& carefully" 6I cannot teach you %hat I &o not fully un&erstan& &es$ise& Farseer bloo&" I %as sure no% of %hat I ha& only sus$ecte& before" The ;it coul& be use& to attack a Skille& one only if a Skill channel ha& been o$ene& bet%een the " E'en if I ha& been able to &escribe %hat 5ighteyes an& I ha& &one! no one else %oul& ha'e been able to co$y it3 To fight the Skill %ith the ;it! one ha& to $ossess both the Skill an& the ;it" I cal ly! kno%ing I ha& s$oken the truth to hi " Slo%ly he relaxe& his hunche& shoul&ers! an& Hil&a &ro$$e& back to all fours an& %ent snuffling after the trailing honey" 6*erha$s!7 he sai&! )uietly stubborn" 6*erha$s if you staye& %ith us! an& learne& %hat I ha'e to teach you! you %oul& begin to un&erstan& %hat you &o" Then you coul& teach it to you think so07 e" Do et Black Rolf.s eyes

B28

I ke$t attack

y 'oice cal

an& e'en" 6You %itnesse& one of the (ing.s ser'ants e to re ain here an& learn in their &en

e last night" Do you think they %ill suffer

ore to use against the 0 5o" -y only chance is to bear& the before they co e seeking cannot teach you to &o as I &o! you the ene ies of the Ol& Bloo&"7

e out"7 I hesitate&! then offere&! 6#lthough I ay be assure& that it %ill be use& against

This! finally! %as a reasoning he coul& acce$t" He snuffe& se'eral ti es thoughtfully" I %on&ere& unco fortably if I ha& as he ha& bear an& Holly ha& ha%k" 6;ill you stay the night at least07 he aske& abru$tly" 6;e &o better %hen %e tra'el by night!7 I sai& regretfully" 6It is co fortable for both of us"7 He no&&e& sagely to that" 6;ell" I %ish you %ell! an& e'ery goo& fortune in achie'ing your en&" You are %elco e to rest safely here until the you %ish"7 I conferre& %ith 5ighteyes! an& %e acce$te& gratefully" I checke& the slash on 5ighteyes. shoul&er an& foun& it to be no better than I ha& sus$ecte&" I treate& it %ith so e of Burrich.s sal'e! an& then %e s$ra%le& outsi&e in the sha&e an& na$$e& the afternoon a%ay" It %as goo& for both of us to be able to relax co $letely! kno%ing that others stoo& guar& o'er us" It %as the best slee$ either of us ha& ha& since %e ha& begun our 4ourney" ;hen %e a%oke! I foun& that Black Rolf ha& $ut u$ fish! honey! an& brea& for us to carry %ith us" There %as no sign of the ha%k" I i agine& he ha& gone to roost for the night" Holly stoo& in the sha&o%s near the house! regar&ing us slee$ily" 6Jo carefully! go gently!7 Rolf counsele& us after %e ha& thanke& hi $acke& his gifts" 6;alk in the %ays E&a has o$ene& for you"7 an& oon rises! if ore any %olf anneris s as

B2<

He $ause&! as if %aiting for a res$onse" I sense& a custo %ith" I %ishe& hi I shook e"7 65o" I kno% you %ill be back" It is not a 6You %ill be back! you kno%!7 he a&&e&"

I %as not fa iliar

si $ly! 6Joo& luck!7 an& he no&&e& to that"

y hea& slo%ly" 6I &oubt that" But I thank you for %hat you ha'e gi'en atter of your %anting %hat I can an as or&inary en are" an& eat the ! or to

teach you" You %ill fin& you nee& it" You are not a sub4ugate the

They think they ha'e a right to all beasts+ to hunt the

an& rule their li'es" You kno% you ha'e no such right to

astery" The horse that carries you %ill &o so because he %ishes to! as &oes the %olf that hunts besi&e you" You ha'e a &ee$er sense of yourself in the %orl&" You belie'e you ha'e a right! not to rule it! but to be $art of it" *re&ator or $rey+ there is no sha e to being either one" #s ti e goes on! you %ill fin& you ha'e urgent )uestions" ;hat you ust you &o %hen your frien& %ishes to run %ith ust he &o if a $ack of true %ol'es0 I $ro ise you! that ti e %ill co e" ;hat ust! ho% &oes the other sense the ake roo

arry an& ha'e a chil&0 ;hen the ti e co es for one of you to &ie! as it for %hat is left! an& carry on alone0 In

ti e you %ill hunger for others of your kin&" You %ill nee& to kno% ho% to an& ho% to seek the out" There are ans%ers to these )uestions! Ol& Bloo& ans%ers! ones I cannot tell you in a &ay! ones you cannot un&erstan& in a %eek" You nee& those ans%ers" #n& you %ill co e back for the "7 I looke& &o%n at the tro&&en soil of the forest $ath" I ha& lost all certainty that I %oul& not return to Rolf" Holly s$oke softly but clearly fro the sha&o%s" 6I belie'e in %hat you go to &o" I %ish you success! an& %oul& ai& you if I coul&"7 Her eyes &arte& to Rolf! as if this %ere a thing they ha& &iscusse&! but ha& not agree& u$on" 6If you are in nee&! cry out! as you &o to 5ighteyes! asking that any of Ol& Bloo& %ho
B2?

hear you $ass %or& back to Holly an& Sleet of 9ro%sneck" Those %ho hear ay co e to hel$ you" E'en if they &o not! they %ill sen& %or& to %ill &o %hat I can"7 Rolf let out a su&&en huff of breath" 6;e %ill &o %hat %e can!7 he a en&e& her %or&s" 6But you %oul& be %iser to stay here an& learn first ho% to better $rotect yourself"7 I no&&e& to his %or&s! but resol'e& $ri'ately that I %oul& not in'ol'e any of the the in y re'enge against Regal" ;hen I glance& u$ at Rolf! he s ile& at e %ryly! an& shrugge& his shoul&ers" 6Jo then" But be %ary! both of you" Before oon goes &o%n you.ll lea'e Buck behin& an& be in Farro%" If you think (ing Regal has a gri$ on us here! %ait until you get to %here folk belie'e he has a right to it"7 I no&&e& gri ly to that! an& once ore 5ighteyes an& I %ere on our %ay" e! an& I

9H#*TER SEAE5 Farro% =#DY *#TIE59E! THE =a&y of Buckkee$ as she ca e to be calle&! rose to $o%er in a uni)ue fashion" She ha& been born into a noble fa ily an& %as by birth a la&y" She %as raise& to the loftier status of Iueen/in/;aiting by her $reci$itous arriage to (ing/in/;aiting 9hi'alry" She ne'er asserte& herself in arriage ha& brought her" It %as either $osition to take the $o%er that birth an&

only %hen she %as alone! al ost aban&one& as eccentric =a&y *atience at Buckkee$! that she gathere& to herself the reins of influence" She &i& it! as she ha& &one e'erything else in her life! in a ha$ha1ar&! )uaint %ay that %oul& ha'e a'aile& any other %o an not at all"
B2B

She &i& not call on noble fa ily connections! or exert influential connections base& on her &ecease& husban&.s status" Instea& she began %ith that lo%est tier of $o%er! the so/calle& en/at/ar s! %ho %ere 4ust as fre)uently %o en" Those fe% re aining of (ing Shre%&.s $ersonal guar& an& Iueen (ettricken.s guar& ha& been left in the $eculiar $osition of guar&ians %ith nothing left to guar&" The Buckkee$ Juar& ha& been su$$lante& in their &uties by the $ersonal troo$s that =or& Bright brought %ith hi tasks that in'ol'e& the cleaning an& fro Farro%! an& &elegate& to lesser aintenance of the kee$" The for er

guar&s %ere erratically $ai&! ha& lost res$ect a ong an& for the sel'es! an& %ere too often i&le or occu$ie& %ith &enigrating tasks" The =a&y *atience! ostensibly because they %ere not other%ise busie&! began to solicit their ser'ices" She began by re)uesting a guar& %hen she abru$tly began to ri&e out on her ancient $alfrey! Silk" #fternoon ri&es gra&ually lengthene& to all/&ay forays! an& then to o'ernight 'isits to 'illages that ha& either been rai&e& or feare& rai&s" In the rai&e& 'illages! she an& her the for ai& =acey &i& %hat they coul& the for the in4ure&! logge& &o%n a tally of those slain or Forge&! an& $ro'i&e&! in of her guar& strong backs to ai& in the clearing of rubble fro ain streets an& the raising of te $orary shelter for folk left ho eless" This! %hile not true %ork for fighters! %as a shar$ re in&er of %hat they ha& been traine& to fight against! an& of %hat ha$$ene& %hen there %ere no &efen&ers" The gratitu&e of the folk they ai&e& restore& to the guar& their $ri&e an& inner cohesi'eness" In the unrai&e& 'illages! the guar& %ere a s all sho% of force that Buckkee$ an& the Farseer $ri&e still existe&" In se'eral 'illages an& to%ns! akeshift stocka&es %ere raise& %here the folk coul& retreat fro an& ha'e a s all chance of &efen&ing the sel'es" There is no recor& of =or& Bright.s feelings regar&ing =a&y *atience.s forays" She ne'er &eclare& these ex$e&itions in any official %ay" They %ere her
B2C

the Rai&ers

$leasure ri&es! the guar&s that acco $anie& her ha& 'olunteere& to &o so! an& like%ise for the &uties she $ut the carrying of to in the 'illages" So e! as she ca e to ight in'ol'e the &istance trust the ! ran 6erran&s7 for her" Such erran&s

essages to kee$s in Ri$$on! Bearns! an& e'en Shoaks! re)uesting

ne%s of ho% the coastal to%ns fare&! an& gi'ing ne%s of Buck+ they took her runners into an& through occu$ie& territories an& %ere fraught %ith &anger" Her essengers often %ere gi'en a s$rig of the i'y she gre% year/roun& in her roo s as a token to $resent to the reci$ients of her essages an& su$$ort" Se'eral balla&s ha'e been %ritten about the so/calle& I'y Runners! telling of the bra'ery an& resourcefulness they sho%e&! an& re in&ing us that e'en the greatest %alls ust! in ti e! yiel& to the o'ercli bing i'y" *erha$s the ost fa ous ex$loit %as that of *ansy! the youngest runner" #t the age of ele'en! she tra'ele& all the %ay to %here the Duchess of Bearns %as in hi&ing in the Ice 9a'es of Bearns! to bring her ti&ings of %hen an& %here a su$$ly boat %oul& beach" For $art of that 4ourney! *ansy tra'ele& un&isco'ere& a i&st the sacks of grain in a %agon co an&eere& by the Rai&ers" Fro the 'ery heart of a Rai&ers. ca $! she esca$e& to continue her ission! but only after she ha&

set fire to the tent in %hich their lea&er sle$t in re'enge for her Forge& $arents" *ansy &i& not li'e to be thirteen! but her &ee&s %ill be long re e bere&" Others ai&e& *atience in &is$osing of her 4e%elry an& ancestral lan&s for coin! %hich she then e $loye& 6as she $lease&! as %as her right!7 as she once infor e& =or& Bright" She bought grain an& shee$ fro ho$e to e battle& &efen&ers" She inlan&! an& again her 6'olunteers7 sa% to its trans$ort an& &istribution" S all su$$ly boats brought a&e token $ay ents to stone asons an& car$enters %ho hel$e& to rebuil& ra'age& 'illages" #n& she ga'e coin! not uch but acco $anie& by her sincerest thanks! to those guar&s %ho 'olunteere& to assist her"
B2D

By the ti e the I'y ba&ge ca e into co

on usage a ong the Buckkee$ en an&

Juar&! it %as only to ackno%le&ge %hat %as alrea&y a fact" These

%o en %ere =a&y *atience.s guar&! $ai& by her %hen they %ere $ai& at all! but ore i $ortant to the ! 'alue& an& use& by her! &octore& by her %hen they %ere in4ure&! an& shar$ly &efen&e& by her aci& tongue against any %ho s$oke &is$aragingly of the " These %ere the foun&ation of her influence! an& the basis of the strength she ca e to %iel&" F# to%er sel&o botto u$!. she tol& *rince 9hi'alry" ;e ha& sle$t %ell an& our bellies %ere full" ;ithout the nee& to hunt! %e tra'ele& the %hole night" ;e staye& off the roa&! an& %ere far %hite oon sil'ere& us a $ath through the trees" ;e ore cautious than %e ha& $re'iously been! but no Forge& ones &i& %e encounter" # large o'e& as one creature! e infecte& 5ighteyes scarcely e'en thinking! sa'e to catalog the scents %e encountere& an& the soun&s %e hear&" The icy &eter ination that ha& sei1e& as %ell" I %oul& not carelessly tru $et to hi y intention! but %e coul& think iles a%ay beneath the cru bles fro the ore than one! an& clai e& to ha'e the saying fro

of it %ithout focusing on it" It %as a &ifferent sort of hunting urge! &ri'en by a &ifferent sort of hunger" That night %e %alke& the oon.s $eering stare" There %as a sol&ier.s logic to it! a strategy Aerity %oul& ha'e a$$ro'e&" ;ill kne% I li'e&" I &i& not kno% if he %oul& re'eal that to the others of the coterie! or e'en Regal" I sus$ecte& he hungere& to &rain off y Skill/strength as @ustin an& Serene ha& &raine& (ing Shre%&.s" I sus$ecte& there %oul& be an obscene ecstasy to such a theft of $o%er! an& that ;ill %oul& %ish to sa'or it alone" I %as also fairly certain that he %oul& search for no e! &eter ine& to ferret e out atter %here I hi&" He kne% also that I %as terrifie& of hi " He %oul& not
B2E

ex$ect

e to co e straight for hi ! &eter ine& to kill not only hi arch to%ar& Tra&efor& hi " ight be

an& the y best

coterie! but also Regal" -y s%ift strategy for re aining hi&&en fro

Farro%.s re$utation is for being as o$en as Buck is craggy an& %oo&e&" That first &a%n foun& us in an unfa iliar ty$e of forest! $asture" For the first ti e since the fight I took off exa ine& an& $ainful if I trie& to lift y ar abo'e ore o$en an& &eci&uous" y shirt an& by &aylight ;e be&&e& &o%n for the &ay in a birch co$se on a gentle hill o'erlooking o$en y shoul&er %here the club ha& connecte&" It %as black/an&/blue! y hea&" But that %as all" -inor"

Three years ago! I %oul& ha'e thought it a serious in4ury" I %oul& ha'e bathe& it in col& %ater an& $oultice& it %ith herbs to hasten its healing" 5o%! although it $ur$le& back on" 5ighteyes %as not $atient as I looke& at the slice in his shoul&er" It %as starting to close" #s I $ushe& the hair back fro su&&enly an& sei1e& There.s &irt in it" He ga'e it a sniff an& a thoughtful lick" 5ot that =et e look at it" e $oke at it" y %rist" Finally he You ne'er 4ust look" You $oke" Then sit still an& let He conce&e&! but not graciously" There %ere bits of grass stuck in it an& these ha& to be $lucke& loose" -ore than once he grabbe& at ru ble& at e in a %ay that let He %as barely tolerant of e kno% he.& ha& enough" I %asn.t satisfie&" uch" =et it alone" It %ill heal" the e&ges of the cut! he reache& back y %rist in his teeth" 5ot roughly! but fir ly" y %hole shoul&er an& t%inge& %hene'er I o'e& it! it %as only a yself as I $ut y shirt bruise! an& I left it to heal on its o%n" I s ile& %ryly to

e $utting so e of Burrich.s sal'e on it"

B8H

You %orry about these things too

uch! he infor e&

e irritably" $lace to ate

I hate that you are in4ure& because of

e" It.s not right" This isn.t the sort of

life a %olf shoul& lea&" You shoul& not be alone! %an&ering fro so e&ay" So e&ay is so e&ay! an& aybe it %ill be or ay or

$lace" You shoul& be %ith a $ack! hunting your territory! $erha$s taking a

aybe it %on.t" This is a hu an

thing! to %orry about things that

ay not co e to be" You can.t eat the not alone" ;e are together" That is y in& an& trie& to slee$" It

eat until you.'e kille& it" Besi&es! I a

true" ;e are together" I lay &o%n besi&e 5ighteyes to slee$" I thought of -olly" I resolutely $ut her out of a%ay fro %as no goo&" I shifte& about restlessly until 5ighteyes gro%le&! got u$! stalke& e! an& lay &o%n again" I sat u$ for a bit! staring &o%n into a y eyes! %oo&e& 'alley" I kne% I %as close to a foolish &ecision" I refuse& to consi&er ho% co $letely foolish an& reckless it %as" I &re% a breath! close& an& reache& for -olly" I ha& &rea&e& I her s$eak of again! I centere& ight fin& her in another y thoughts! su an.s ar s" I ha& feare& I %oul& hear y energies! an& reache& out for to the color of y la&y" e %ith loathing" Instea&! I coul& not fin& her at all" Ti e an& one& all

her" I %as finally re%ar&e& %ith a Skill i age of Burrich thatching the roof of a cottage" He %as shirtless an& the su so eone belo% hi er sun ha& &arkene& hi $olishe& %oo&" S%eat ran &o%n the back of his neck" He glance& &o%n at an& annoyance crosse& his features" 6I kno%! You coul& &o it yourself! thank you 'ery uch" I also kno% I ha'e enough y o%n bo&y again" I kno% that

%orries %ithout fearing that both of you %ill tu ble off here"7 So e%here I $ante& %ith effort! an& beca e a%are of $ushe& I li'e&" I anage& to fin& hi ! but I sa% hi
B81

yself a%ay an& reache& for Burrich" I %oul& at least let hi

through a fog" 6Burrich:7 I calle&

to hi " 6Burrich! it.s Fit1:7 But his not catch e'en a gli Aerity stoo& before

in& %as close& an& locke& to

e+ I coul&

er of his thoughts" I &a ne&

y erratic Skill ability! an&

reache& again into the s%irling clou&s" e! his ar s crosse& on his chest! shaking his hea&" His e" 6Don.t &o this! 'oice %as no lou&er than a %his$er of %in&! an& he stoo& so still I coul& scarcely see hi " Yet I sense& he use& great force to reach boy!7 he %arne& e softly" 6It %ill only hurt you"7 I %as su&&enly in a

&ifferent $lace" He leane& %ith his back against a great slab of black stone an& his face %as line& %ith %eariness" Aerity rubbe& at his te $les as if $aine&" 6I shoul& not be &oing this! either" But so eti es I so long for , #h! %ell" *ay no in&" (no% this! though" So e things are better not kno%n! an& the risks of to his attention" He %oul& u$! to $rotect the "7 He eans to in& to" e a Skilling right no% are too great" If I can feel you an& fin& you! so can another" He.ll attack you any %ay he can" Don.t bring the not scru$le to use the &o that+ to gi'e the 9o e to against you" Ji'e the

su&&enly see e& a bit stronger" He s ile& bitterly" 6I kno% %hat it u$ to kee$ the strength for it" Ji'e it all u$! boy" @ust co e to e! an& I.ll sho% you %hat can be &one"7 i&&ay" The full sunlight falling on yself" I force& I a%oke at e" If you.'e still a

safe" So &i& your father" You.'e the

y face ha& gi'en

hea&ache! an& I felt slightly shaky %ith it" I so e elfbark tea to stea&y

a&e a tiny fire! inten&ing to bre% yself to be s$aring of y su$$ly!

using only one s all $iece of bark an& the rest nettles" I ha& not ex$ecte& to nee& it so often" I sus$ecte& I shoul& conser'e it+ I eyes to %atch ight nee& it after I face& y bitter tea an& e ho esick for e" Regal.s coterie" 5o%! there %as an o$ti istic thought" 5ighteyes o$ene& his e for a bit! then &o1e& off again" I sat si$$ing ha& a&e staring out o'er the countrysi&e" The bi1arre &rea a $lace an& ti e %hen $eo$le ha& care& for
B82

e" I ha& left all that behin&

;ell! not entirely" I sat besi&e 5ighteyes an& reste& a han& on the %olf.s shoul&er" He shu&&ere& his coat at the touch" Jo to slee$! he tol& You are all I ha'e! I tol& hi ! full of He ya%ne& la1ily" #n& I a he tol& elancholy" y %olf! one han& e gru $ily"

all you nee&" 5o% go to slee$" Slee$ing is serious!

e gra'ely" I s ile& an& stretche& out again besi&e

resting on his coat" He ra&iate& the si $le content ent of a full belly an& slee$ing in the %ar sun" He %as right" It %as %orth taking seriously" I close& y eyes an& sle$t &rea lessly the rest of the &ay" In the &ays an& nights that follo%e&! the nature of the countrysi&e change& to o$en forests inters$erse& %ith %i&e grasslan&" Orchar&s an& grainfiel&s surroun&e& the to%ns" Once! long ago! I ha& tra'ele& through Farro%" Then I ha& been %ith a cara'an! an& %e ha& gone cross/country rather than follo%ing the ri'er" I ha& been a confi&ent young assassin on ur&er" That tri$ ha& en&e& in for%ar& to a u$ri'er! the frightening" I ke$t y $ro ise to yself! an& a'oi&e& hu an co $any assi&uously" ;e ore &ifficult than ight be i agine& in such o$en sha&o%e& the roa& an& the ri'er! but %hen %e ca e to to%ns! %e skirte& %i&e aroun& the " This %as country" It ha& been one thing to circle about so e Buck ha let tucke& into a ben& in the ri'er an& surroun&e& by &ee$ %oo&s" It is another to cross grainfiel&s! or sli$ through orchar&s an& not rouse anyone.s &ogs or interest" To so e extent! I coul& reassure &ogs that %e
B88

y %ay to an i $ortant

y first real ex$erience of Regal.s treachery" I ore I tra'ele& across Farro%! looking y o%n

ha& barely sur'i'e& it" 5o% once ur&er at an I %oul& kill %as

y 4ourney.s en&" But this ti e I %ent alone an& y o%n uncle! an& the killing %as at

behest" So eti es I foun& that &ee$ly satisfying" #t other ti es! I foun& it

eant no har " If the &ogs %ere

gullible" -ost far

&ogs ha'e a sus$icion of %ol'es that no a ount of ore than once" The

reassurances coul& cal " #n& ol&er &ogs %ere a$t to look askance at any hu an tra'eling in a %olf.s co $any" ;e %ere chase& ;it ight gi'e e the ability to co unicate %ith so e ani als! but it &i& not

guarantee that I %oul& be listene& to! nor belie'e&" Dogs are not stu$i&" Hunting in these o$en areas %as &ifferent! too" -ost of the s all ga e %as of the burro%ing sort that li'e& in grou$s! an& the larger ani als si $ly outran us o'er the long flat stretches of lan&" Ti e s$ent in hunting %as ti e not s$ent tra'eling" Occasionally I foun& unguar&e& hen houses an& sli$$e& in )uietly to steal eggs fro fro the slee$ing bir&s" I &i& not scru$le to rai& $lu s an& cherries ost fortuitous kill %as an ignorant the orchar&s %e $asse& through" Our

young haragar! one of the rangy s%ine that so e of the no a&ic folk her&e& as a foo& beast" ;here this one ha& straye& fro ! %e &i& not )uestion" Fang an& s%or&! %e brought it &o%n" I let 5ighteyes gorge to his content that night! an& then annoye& hi satisfie& the fatty follo%! %e tra'ele& In this by cutting the rest of the eat into stri$s an& sheets %hich I &rie& in the sun o'er a lo% fire" It took the better $art of a &ay before I %as eat %as &rie& enough to kee$ %ell! but in the &ays to ore s%iftly for it" ;hen ga e $resente& itself! %e hunte&

an& kille&! but %hen it &i& not! %e ha& the s oke& haragar to fall back on" anner %e follo%e& the Buck Ri'er north%est" ;hen %e &re% close to ore to 5ighteyes. liking! taking us o'er the substantial tra&ing to%n of Turlake! %e 'eere& %i&e of it! an& for a ti e steere& only by the stars" This %as far $lains car$ete& %ith &ry se&gy grasses at this ti e of year" ;e fre)uently sa% her&s in the &istance! of cattle an& shee$ or goats! an& infre)uently! haragar" -y contact %ith the no a&ic folk %ho follo%e& those her&s %as li ite& to gli $ses of the on horseback! or the sight of their fires outlining the conical tents they fa'ore& %hen they settle& for a night or so"
B8<

;e %ere %ol'es again for these long trotting nights" I ha& re'erte& once but I %as a%are of it an& tol& har " In truth! I belie'e it &i& yself that as long as I %as it %oul& &o

ore!

e little

e goo&" Ha& I been tra'eling %ith another

hu an! life %oul& ha'e been co $licate&" ;e %oul& ha'e &iscusse& route an& su$$lies an& tactics once %e arri'e& in Tra&efor&" But the %olf an& I si $ly trotte& along! night after night! an& our existence %as as si $le as life coul& be" The co ra&eshi$ bet%een us gre% &ee$er an& &ee$er" The %or&s of Black Rolf ha& sunk &ee$ into e an& gi'en e uch to think y frien&" about" In so e %ays! I ha& taken 5ighteyes an& the bon& bet%een us for grante&" Once he ha& been a cub! but no% he %as So e say 6a &og7 or 6a horse7 as if e'ery one of the hear& a an call a y e)ual" #n& is like e'ery other" I.'e

are he ha& o%ne& for se'en years 6it7 as if he %ere

s$eaking of a chair" I.'e ne'er un&erstoo& that" One &oes not ha'e to be ;itte& to kno% the co $anionshi$ of a beast! an& to kno% that the frien&shi$ of an ani al is e'ery bit as rich an& co $licate& as that of a an or %o an" 5osy ine" S ithy ha& ha& been a frien&ly! in)uisiti'e! boyish &og %hen he %as

been tough an& aggressi'e! incline& to bully anyone %ho %oul& gi'e %ay to hi ! an& his sense of hu or ha& ha& a rough e&ge to it" 5ighteyes %as as unlike the the as he %as unlike Burrich or 9ha&e" It is no &isres$ect to any of to say I %as closest to hi "

He coul& not count" But I coul& not rea& &eer scent on the air an& tell if it %as a buck or &oe" If he coul& not $lan ahea& to the &ay after to orro%! neither %as I ca$able of the fierce concentration he coul& bring to a stalk" There %ere &ifferences bet%een us+ neither of us clai e& su$eriority" 5o one issue& a co an& to the other! or ex$ecte& un)uestioning obe&ience of the other" -y han&s %ere useful things for re o'ing $orcu$ine )uills an& ticks an& thorns an& for scratching es$ecially itchy an& unreachable s$ots on his back" -y
B8?

height ga'e

e a certain a&'antage in s$otting ga e an& s$ying out terrain" So e for y 6co%.s teeth7 an& $oor 'ision at night! an& a y eyes! he &i& not look &o%n on ost of the eat that %e an! if you can"

e'en %hen he $itie&

nose he referre& to as a nu b lu $ bet%een ate" Yet he ne'er begru&ge& 6Sit! houn&:7 I tol& hi

e" ;e both kne% his hunting $ro%ess accounte& for

e an e)ual share" Fin& that in a

once! 4okingly" I %as gingerly skinning out a eat! he %as about to get us both full of )uills" e as I tugge& carefully at the skin.s e&ge of

$orcu$ine that I ha& kille& %ith a club after 5ighteyes ha& insiste& on $ursuing it" In his eagerness to get at the ;hy &o 6Ho%07 9o $ack0 6So e are $ack! or al ost!7 I sai& alou&! consi&eringly" I $ulle& the hi&e tight! hol&ing it by a fla$ of belly fur %here there %ere no )uills! an& slicing along the ex$ose& integu ent" The skin the fat eat" 6So e ;hy0 5ighteyes $resse&" It sur$rise& co an& the e that I ha& ne'er $on&ere& this before" 6So e in any %ay they $lease"7 y bla&e along the line bet%een the skin en think they or are better than beasts!7 I sai& slo%ly" 6That they ha'e the right to use the Do you think this %ay0 I &i&n.t ans%er right a%ay" I %orke& an& the fat! kee$ing a constant $ull on the hi&e as I %orke& u$ aroun& the shoul&er of the ani al" I ro&e a horse! &i&n.t I! %hen I ha& one0 ;as it because I %as better than the horse that I bent it to
B8B

He settle& back %ith an i $atient )ui'ering of haunches" en s$eak so0 he aske& the $rickly hi&e" an&ing" ;hat gi'es a an a right to co an& a &og! if they are not

a&e a ri$$ing soun& as it $eele& back fro o ent"

en think they ha'e the right!7 I %ent on after a

y %ill0 I.& use& &ogs to hunt for

e! an& ha%ks on occasion" ;hat right ha& I to co

an& the 0 There I sat!

stri$$ing the hi&e off a $orcu$ine to eat it" I s$oke slo%ly" 6#re %e better than this $orcu$ine that %e are about to eat0 Or is it only that %e ha'e beste& it to&ay07 5ighteyes cocke& his hea&! %atching think I a before hi tongue at ran of it" 6I shoul& buil& a fire an& cook off so e of this fat before I eat it!7 I sai& consi&eringly" 6Other%ise I shall be ill"7 @ust gi'e the e ine! an& &o as you %ish %ith your share! 5ighteyes instructe& ore than enough eat for e" I left the on the skin si&e e gran&ly" I cut aroun& the hin& legs an& then $o$$e& the 4oints free an& cut loose" It %as of the hi&e as 5ighteyes &ragge& his share a%ay" I kin&le& a s all fire as he %as crunching through bones an& ske%ere& the legs to cook the " 6I &on.t think I a better than you!7 I sai& )uietly" 6I &on.t think! truly! that I a s arter than so e"7 better than any beast" Though! as you say! I a y knife an& han&s bare eat for hi " I al%ays s arter than a $orcu$ine" But not better" *erha$s %e kill it languorously! 4ust as I ha'e a %ell/traine& hu an to skin these e! that I ay en4oy eating the the better" He lolle& his e! an& %e both kne% it %as only $art of the ans%er to the $u11le" I

an& eat it because %e can" @ust as! an& here he stretche& his front $a%s out $rickly things for

y knife &o%n the $orcu$ine.s s$ine! an& the %hole hi&e %as finally free

*orcu$ines! $erha$s! he obser'e& benignly" But a %olf 0 I think not" ;e gre% to kno% e'ery nuance of the other.s beha'ior" So eti es %e %ere fiercely co $etent at our hunting! fin&ing our keenest 4oy in a stalk an& kill! o'ing $ur$osefully an& &angerously through the %orl&" #t other ti es! %e tussle& like $u$$ies! nu&ging one another off the beaten trail into bushes! $inching an& ni$$ing at each other as %e stro&e along! scaring off the ga e
B8C

before %e e'en sa% it" So e &ays %e lay &ro%sing in the late afternoon hours before %e rouse& to hunt an& then tra'el! the sun %ar on his back like a $u$$y! begging chill foggy against on our bellies or backs! ight roll o'er the insects bu11ing a soun& like slee$ itself" Then the big %olf

e to scratch his belly an& check his ears for

ticks an& fleas! or si $ly scratch thoroughly all aroun& his throat an& neck" On ornings %e curle& u$ close besi&e one another to fin& %ar th before slee$" So eti es I %oul& be a%akene& by a rough $oke of a col& nose ine+ %hen I trie& to sit u$! I %oul& &isco'er he %as &eliberately y hair! $inning y hea& to the earth" #t other ti es I ight stan&ing on

a%aken alone! to see 5ighteyes sitting at so e &istance! looking out o'er the surroun&ing countrysi&e" I recall seeing hi so! silhouette& against a sunset" then that be! not e'en The light e'ening bree1e ruffle& his coat" His ears %ere $ricke& for%ar& an& his ga1e %ent far into the &istance" I sense& a loneliness in hi nothing fro e coul& e'er re e&y" It hu ble& e! an& I let hi

)uesting to%ar& hi " In so e %ays! for hi ! I %as not better than a %olf" Once %e ha& a'oi&e& Turlake an& the surroun&ing to%ns %e s%ung north again to strike the Ain Ri'er" It %as as &ifferent fro is fro the Buck Ri'er as a co% a stallion" Jray an& $laci&! it sli& along bet%een o$en fiel&s! %allo%ing ore or less $arallele& the %ater! but ost of the traffic on it %as o'e&!

back an& forth in its %i&e gra'elly channel" On our si&e of the ri'er! there %as a trail that goats an& cattle" ;e coul& al%ays hear %hen a her& or flock %as being

an& %e easily a'oi&e& the " The Ain %as not as na'igable a ri'er as the Buck! being shallo%er an& gi'en to shifting san&bars! but there %as so e boat tra&e on it" On the Tilth si&e of the Ain! there %as a %ell/use& roa&! an& fre)uent 'illages an& e'en to%ns" ;e sa% barges being &ra%n u$strea by ule tea s along so e stretches+ I sur ise& that such cargo %oul& ha'e to be $ortage& $ast the shallo%s" Settle ents on our si&e of the ri'er see e& li ite& to ferry
B8D

lan&ings an& infre)uent tra&ing $osts for the no a&ic her&ers" These not uch

ight

offer an inn! a fe% sho$s! an& a han&ful of houses clinging to the outskirts! but ore than that" 5ighteyes an& I a'oi&e& the " The fe% 'illages %e onths! $asture& their her&s %aterhole to %aterhole across encountere& on our si&e of the ri'er %ere &eserte& at this ti e of year" The no a&ic her&ers! tent &%ellers &uring the hotter on the central $lains no%! o'ing se&ately fro

the rich gra1ing lan&s" Jrass gre% in the 'illage streets an& u$ the si&es of the so& houses" There %as a $eace to these aban&one& to%ns! an& yet the e $tiness still re in&e& one" ;e both gre% leaner an& stronger" I %ore through the about %as as only %ith ra%hi&e" I %ore y cal'es" I gre% tire& of %ashing y shoes an& ha& to $atch e& the u$ y trousers off at the cuff an& he e of a rai&e& 'illage" ;e ne'er lingere& close to

y shirt so often+ the bloo& of the ottle& bro%n" It a&e it

Forge& ones an& our kills ha& left the front an& the cuffs of it ore $athetic" I bun&le& it into il& enough that I &i& not o'e an& y bo&y

en&e& an& tattere& as a beggar.s shirt! an& the une'en color

y $ack one &ay an& %ent shirtless" The iss it! an& &uring the cooler nights %e e a&e its o%n %ar th" The sun bake&

&ays %ere %ere on the

al ost as &ark as

y %olf" *hysically! I felt goo&" I %as not as strong as I ha& uscle&" But I felt healthy yself y

been %hen I %as $ulling an oar an& fighting! nor as

an& li ber an& lean" I coul& trot all night besi&e a %olf an& not be %earie&" I %as a )uick an& stealthy ani al! an& I $ro'e& o'er an& o'er to &estroye&" 5ot that behin& ability to sur'i'e" I regaine& a great &eal of the confi&ence that Regal ha& y bo&y ha& forgi'en an& forgotten all that Regal ha& &one y &ark goal o'ersha&o% those gol&en &ays" to it! but I ha& a&a$te& to its t%inges an& scars" #l ost! I ha& $ut the &ungeon e" I &i& not let

B8E

5ighteyes an& I tra'ele&! hunte&! sle$t! an& tra'ele& again" It %as all so si $le an& goo& that I forgot to 'alue it" >ntil I lost it" ;e ha& co e &o%n to the ri'er as e'ening &arkene&! inten&ing to &rink %ell before beginning our night.s tra'el" But as %e &re% near! 5ighteyes ha& su&&enly fro1en! &ro$$ing his belly to the earth %hile canting his ears for%ar&" I follo%e& his exa $le! an& then e'en scent" ;hat an& %here0 I aske& hi " I sa% the before he coul& re$ly" Tiny &eer! ste$$ing &aintily along on their uch taller than 5ighteyes! an& instea& of an ol& bestiary that 9ha&e e&iately concurre&" The trail %ay &o%n to %ater" They %ere not y &ull nose! caught an unfa iliar

antlers! they ha& goat/like s$iraling horns that shone glossy black in the full oon.s light" I kne% of such creatures only fro Foo&0 5ighteyes suggeste& succinctly! an& I i they %ere follo%ing %oul& bring the ha&! an& I coul& not re e ber %hat they %ere $ro$erly calle&" %ithin a lea$ an& a s$ring of us"

5ighteyes an& I hel& our $ositions! %aiting" The &eer ca e closer! a &o1en of the ! hurrying an& careless no% as they scente& the cool %ater" ;e let the one in the lea& $ass! %aiting to s$ring on the %ere ain bo&y of the her& %here they ost closely bunche&" But 4ust as 5ighteyes gathere& hi self %ith a hi " The &eer scattere& in an

)ui'er to 4u $! a long %a'ering ho%l sli& &o%n the night" 5ighteyes sat u$! an anxious %hine bursting fro &istracte& to $ursue the " Our looke& after the -outh o$en! 5ighteyes felt fro y o%n hi ex$losion of hoo'es an& horns! fleeing us e'en though %e %ere both too eal beca e su&&enly a &istant light thun&er" I to notice" in &is ay! but 5ighteyes &i& not e'en see

a&e soun&s bet%een a ho%l an& a keen! his 4a%s a&e e fro y heart lea$ in y chest" If

)ui'ering an& %orking as if he stro'e to re e ber ho% to s$eak" The 4olt I ha& at the %olf.s &istant ho%l ha& other ha& su&&enly calle& out to
B<H

the night! the shock coul&

not ha'e been greater" #ns%ering ho%ls an& barks eru$te& fro

a gentle rise to

the north of us" The first %olf 4oine& in %ith the " 5ighteyes. hea& s%i'ele& back an& forth as he %hine& lo% in his throat" #bru$tly he thre% back his hea& an& let out a 4agge& ho%l of his o%n" Su&&en stillness follo%e& his &eclaration! then the $ack on the rise ga'e tongue again! not a hunting cry! but an announce ent of the sel'es" 5ighteyes ga'e e a )uick a$ologetic look! an& left" In &isbelief I %atche& hi y feet e! but %hen he race off to%ar& the ri&ge" #fter an instant of astonish ent! I lea$e& to an& follo%e&" He %as alrea&y a substantial &istance ahea& of beca e a%are of I e! he slo%e&! an& then roun&e& to face e earnestly" ;ait for e" ust go alone! he tol&

e here" He %hirle& about to

resu e his 4ourney" *anic struck I e" ;ait: You can.t go alone" They are not $ack" ;e.re intru&ers! istaking his &eter ination" He trotte& off" they.ll attack you" Better not to go at all" ust: he re$eate&" There %as no I ran after hi " 5ighteyes! $lease: I %as su&&enly terrifie& for hi ! for %hat he %as charging into so obsesse&ly" He $ause& an& looke& back at e! his eyes eeting ine in %hat %as a 'ery ust &o" #n& I ust &o it long stare for a %olf" You un&erstan&" You kno% you &o" 5o% is the ti e for you to trust as I ha'e truste&" This is so ething I alone" #n& if you &o not co e back0 I aske& in su&&en &es$eration" You ca e back fro your 'isit into that to%n" #n& I shall co e back to you" 9ontinue to tra'el along the ri'er" I shall fin& you" Jo on! no%" Jo back" I sto$$e& trotting after hi " He ke$t going" Be careful: I flung the $lea after hi ! y o%n for of ho%ling into the night" Then I stoo& an& %atche& hi e! the $o%erful uscles ri$$ling un&er his &ee$ fur! his tail
B<1

trot a%ay fro

hel& out straight in &eter ination" It took e'ery bit of strength I ha& to refrain fro crying out to hi to co e back! to $lea& %ith hi not to lea'e e alone" I stoo& alone! breathing har& fro running! an& %atche& hi &%in&le in the

&istance" He %as so intent on his seeking that I felt close& out an& set asi&e" For the first ti e I ex$erience& the resent ent an& 4ealousy that he ha& felt &uring co the y sessions %ith Aerity! or %hen I ha& been %ith -olly an& ha& to stay a%ay fro y thoughts" an& &ro'e hi e to run after an&e& hi

This %as his first a&ult contact %ith his o%n kin&" I un&erstoo& his nee& to seek out an& see %hat they %ere! e'en if they attacke& hi %hine& at a%ay" It %as right" But all the fears I ha& for hi &istance if he shoul& nee& But he ha& aske& 5o" He ha& tol& a%ay fro hi e not to" e not to" Tol& e! exerting the sa e $ri'ilege of self that I y heart si&e%ays in y chest to turn e"

hi ! to be by his si&e in case he %as attacke&! to be at least %ithin striking

ha& exerte& %ith hi " I felt it %renche& %as not trotting besi&e an& ahea& of su$$le ent %hat hi %ith

an& %alk back to%ar& the ri'er" I felt su&&enly half blin&" He e! relaying his infor ation to e" Instea&! I coul& sense o ent to share y o%n &uller senses &eli'ere& to

in the &istance" I felt the thrilling of antici$ation! fear! an& curiosity that e" Su&&enly I %on&ere& if this %as akin to %hat Aerity ha& felt! %hen I e" I ha& re$orte& of

tre ble& through hi " He %as too intent on his o%n life at the

%as out on the Rurisk! harrying the Rai&ers %hile he ha& to sit in his to%er an& be content %ith %hate'er infor ation he coul& glean fro uch ore fully to hi ! ha& e" infor ation to hi " Still! he exclusion that no% sickene& a&e a conscious effort to kee$ u$ a strea

ust ha'e felt so ething of this %renching

B<2

I reache& the ri'erbank" I halte& there! to sit &o%n an& %ait for hi " He ha& sai& he %oul& co e back" I stare& out o'er the &arkness of the -y life felt s all insi&e to hunt ha& fle& %ith 5ighteyes" I sat an& %aite& for a long ti e" Finally I got u$ an& night! $aying scant attention to yself an& o'e& on through the y surroun&ings" I %alke& silently clean an& strong! o'ing %ater" e" Slo%ly I turne& to look u$strea " #ll inclination

on the san&y ri'erbank! acco $anie& by the hushing of the %aters" So e%here! 5ighteyes scente& other %ol'es! scente& the %ell enough to kno% ho% si $ly announcing to the The big any an& %hat sexes they %ere" So e%here he that he %as there" For a ti e they %atche& hi "

sho%e& hi self to the ! not threatening! not entering their co $any! but ale of the $ack a&'ance& an& urinate& on a tussock of grass" He then

scratche& &ee$ furro%s %ith the cla%s on his hin& feet as he kicke& &irt at it" # fe ale stoo& an& stretche& an& ya%ne&! an& then sat! staring green/eye& u$ at hi " T%o half/gro%n cubs sto$$e& che%ing one another long enough to consi&er hi " One starte& to%ar& hi ! but a lo% ru ble fro brought hi an& let the #fter a ti e! 5ighteyes sat &o%n! a settling on the haunches that sho%e& he then broke it off %ith a snee1e" ost of the %ol'es got u$ an& set out $ur$osefully together" as the ale Hunting" The skinny fe ale staye& %ith the cubs! %atching o'er the Fro his other hastening! back" He %ent back to che%ing at his litter ate" #n& eant no har look at hi " # skinny young fe ale ga'e half a hesitant %hine!

others left" 5ighteyes hesitate&! then follo%e& the $ack at a &iscreet &istance" ti e to ti e! one of the %ol'es %oul& glance back at hi " The lea& e! I %alke& on by the ri'er! %atching the night age aroun& sto$$e& fre)uently to urinate an& then scuff at the groun& %ith his back legs" #s for e" The y oon $erfor e& her slo% $assage of the night sky" I took &ry
B<8

eat fro

$ack an& che%e& it as I %alke&! sto$$ing once to &rink the chalky %ater" The ri'er ha& s%ung to%ar& e in its gra'elly be&" I %as force& to forsake the shore an& %alk on a tussocky bank abo'e it" #s &a%n create& a hori1on! I cast about for a $lace to slee$" I settle& for a slightly higher rise on the bank an& curle& u$ s all a i&st the coarse grasses" I %oul& be in'isible unless so eone al ost ste$$e& on I felt 'ery alone" I &i& not slee$ %ell" # $art of &istance" They %ere as a%are of e! but neither ha& they &ri'en to &eci&e about e sat %atching other %ol'es! still fro e off3 I ha& not gone so close as to force the kill a buck! of a kin& of &eer I &i& not ore $ressing hunger" a e as I %as of the " They ha& not acce$te& e" It %as as safe a s$ot as any"

e" I ha& %atche& the

kno%" It see e& s all to fee& all of the " I %as hungry! but not so hungry that I nee&e& to hunt yet" -y curiosity about this $ack %as a I sat an& %atche& the -y &rea s tugging at as they s$ra%le& in slee$" 5ighteyes" #gain I felt the &is4ointe& kno%le&ge one& e! ons! reluctant but o'e& a%ay fro

that I %as &rea ing! but %as $o%erless to a%aken" So ething su e %ith a terrible urgency" I ans%ere& that su

unable to refuse" I foun& another &ay so e%here! an& the sickeningly fa iliar s oke an& screa s rising together into the blue sky by the ocean" #nother to%n in Bearns %as fighting an& falling to the Rai&ers" Once %ith the Re&/Shi$s %as force& back on e" y all" ore I %as clai e& as %itness" On that night! an& al ost e'ery night to follo%! the %ar That battle an& each of the ones that follo%e& are etche& so e%here on heart! in relentless &etail" Scent an& soun& an& touch! I li'e& the So ething in e listene&! an& each ti e I sle$t! it &ragge& e

ercilessly to

%here Six Duchies folk fought an& &ie& for their ho es" I %as to ex$erience ore of the fall of Bearns than anyone %ho actually li'e& in that &uchy" For
B<<

fro in

&ay to &ay! %hene'er I trie& to slee$! I

ight at any ti e fin&

yself

calle& to %itness" I kne% no logic for it" *erha$s the $enchant for the Skill sle$t any folk of the Six Duchies! an& face& %ith &eath an& $ain they crie& out e %ith 'oices they &i& not kno% they $ossesse&" -ore than y king like%ise stalking the night are/racke& to%ns! though so $lainly as I ha& that first ti e" =ater! I %oul& to Aerity an& once! I sense&

ne'er again &i& I see hi

recall that once I ha& &rea /share& a ti e %ith (ing Shre%& %hen he %as si ilarly calle& to %itness the fall of Siltbay" I ha'e %on&ere& since ho% often he %as tor ente& by %itnessing the rai&s on to%ns he %as $o%erless to $rotect" So e $art of e kne% that I sle$t by the Ain Ri'er! far fro this ra $aging battle! surroun&e& by tall ri'er grass an& s%e$t by a clean %in&" It &i& not see i $ortant" ;hat attere& %as the su&&en reality of the ongoing battles the Six Duchies face& against the Rai&ers" This na eless little 'illage in Bearns %as $robably not of great strategic i $ortance! but it %as falling as I %atche&! one ore brick cru bling out of a %all" Once the Rai&ers $ossesse& the Bearns coast! the Six Duchies %oul& ne'er be free& of the " #n& they %ere taking that coast! to%n by to%n! ha let by ha let! %hile the erst%hile (ing sheltere& in Tra&efor&" The reality of our struggle against the Re&/Shi$s ha& been i fe% inent an& $ressing %hen I ha& $ulle& an oar on the Rurisk" O'er the $ast onths! insulate& an& isolate& fro the %ar! I ha& allo%e& yself to forget

the folk %ho li'e& that conflict e'ery &ay" I ha& been as unfeeling as Regal" I finally a%oke as e'ening began to steal the colors fro about yself" 5ighteyes ha& not returne& to the ri'er an& $lain" I &i& not feel I ha& reste&! an& yet it %as a relief to a%aken" I sat u$! looke& e" I )ueste& briefly to%ar& hi " y y -y brother! he ackno%le&ge& e! but I sense& he %as annoye& at

intrusion" He %as %atching the t%o cubs tu ble each other about" I $ulle&
B<?

in& back to

yself %earily" The contrast bet%een our t%o li'es %as su&&enly y $lan to kill Regal %ere su&&enly nasty hu an things I ha&

too great e'en to consi&er" The Re&/Shi$ Rai&ers! the Forgings an& Regal.s treacheries! e'en foiste& off on the %olf" ;hat right %as there in letting such ugliness sha$e his life0 He %as %here he %as su$$ose& to be" #s little as I like& it! the task I ha& set %oul& co e back to %oul& not su on hi yself %as ine alone" ust be his o%n &ecision" I yself that if e easily" There is nothing I trie& to let go of hi " Still! the stubborn s$ark re aine&" He ha& sai& he e" I resol'e& that if he &i&! it to e! he coul& o'ertake uch e" I arose! an& $resse& on" I tol&

5ighteyes &eci&e& to re4oin s%iftly %ithout hi " I 'ery

like a %olf.s trot for &e'ouring the

iles" #n& it %as not as if I %ere tra'eling isse& his night 'ision" I ca e to a $lace

%here the ri'erbank &ro$$e& &o%n to beco e little better than a s%a $" I coul& not &eci&e at first %hether to $ress through it or to try to go aroun& it" I kne% it coul& stretch for iles" #t length I &eci&e& to stay as close to the o$en iserable night! s%ishing through bulrushes an& y feet %et ore often than not! i&ges" yself! trie& to %alk through an unfa iliar e the unchanging %alls of cattails" To o'ing u$strea " e right if I foun& a bog hole an& &ro%ne& in it" ri'er as I coul&" I s$ent a an& be&e'ile& by enthusiastic ;hat kin& of a #bo'e s%a $ in the &ark0 Ser'e

cattails! stu bling o'er their tangle& roots! oron! I aske&

e %ere only the stars! aroun&

y right I caught gli $ses of the %i&e! &ark ri'er" I ke$t Da%n foun& roots coate& I ate &rie& y leggings an& shoes! an&

e still slogging along" Tiny single/lea'e& $lants %ith trailing y chest %as %elte& %ith insect bites" eat as I %alke&" There %as no $lace to rest! so I %alke& on" this $lace! I gathere& so e cattail rootstocks i&&ay before the ri'er began to ha'e a real bank
B<B

Resol'ing to take so e goo& fro as I tru&ge&" It %as $ast

again! an& I $ushe& the off i&ges an&

yself on for another hour beyon& that to get a%ay fro u& yself &o%n to slee$"

os)uitoes" Then I %ashe& the greenish s%a $ sli e an&

y leggings! shoes! an& skin before flinging

So e%here! 5ighteyes stoo& still an& unthreatening as the skinny fe ale ca e closer to hi " #s she ca e closer! he &ro$$e& to his belly! rolle& o'er on his si&e! then curle& onto his back an& ex$ose& his throat" She ca e closer! a single ste$ at a ti e" Then she sto$$e& su&&enly! sat &o%n! an& consi&ere& hi " He %hine& lightly" She $ut her ears back su&&enly! bare& all her teeth in a snarl! then %hirle& an& &ashe& a%ay" #fter a ti e 5ighteyes got u$! an& %ent to hunt for ea&o% ice" He see e& $lease&" e! I %as su one& back to Bearns" #gain! as his $resence &rifte& a%ay fro #nother 'illage %as burning" I a%oke &iscourage&" Instea& of $ushing on! I kin&le& a s all fire of &rift%oo&" I boile& %ater in a&&e& a bit of y kettle to cook the rootstocks %hile I cut so e of y &rie& eat into chunks" I ste%e& the &rie& eat %ith the starchy rootstocks an& y %inter

y $recious store of salt an& so e %il& greens" >nfortunately

the chalky taste of the ri'er $re&o inate&" Belly full! I shook out again"

cloak! rolle& u$ in it as $rotection against the night insects! an& &ro%se& off 5ighteyes an& the lea& %olf stoo& looking at one another" They %ere far enough a$art that there %as no challenge in it! but 5ighteyes ke$t his tail &o%n" The lea& %olf %as rangier than 5ighteyes an& his coat %as black" 5ot so %ell fe&! he bore the scars of both fights an& hunts" He carrie& hi self confi&ently" 5ighteyes &i& not o'e" #fter a ti e the other %olf %alke& a short %ay! cocke& his leg on a tuft of grass! an& urinate&" He scuffe& his front feet in the grass! then %alke& off %ithout a back%ar& glance" 5ighteyes sat &o%n an& %as still! consi&ering"
B<C

The next

orning I arose an& continue& on

y %ay" 5ighteyes ha& left

e t%o

&ays ago" Only t%o &ays" Yet it see e& 'ery long to #n& ho%! I %on&ere&! &i& 5ighteyes ti e to be a%ay fro %ol'es! a %ith the fro his

e that I ha& been alone"

easure our se$aration0 5ot by &ays an& e" But

nights" He ha& gone to fin& out a thing! an& %hen he ha& foun& it out! then his e %oul& be o'er an& he %oul& co e back to %hat! really! ha& he gone to fin& out0 ;hat it %as like to be a %olf a ong e ber of a $ack0 If they acce$te& hi ! %hat then0 ;oul& he run for a &ay! a %eek! a season0 Ho% long %oul& it take for in& into one of his en&less yester&ays0 e! if this $ack %oul& acce$t hi 0 yself to reali1e I %as as heart sore an& hurt as if a e for the co $any of others" I %ante& to ho%l! to y loneliness for hi " By an effort of %ill! I &i& to gi'e u$ a y si&e0 e to fa&e

;hy shoul& he %ant to return to #fter a ti e! I allo%e& hu an frien& ha& snubbe& )uest out to 5ighteyes %ith

not" He %as not a $et &og! to be %histle& to heel" He %as a frien& an& %e ha& tra'ele& together for a ti e" ;hat right &i& I ha'e to ask hi chance at a ate! at a true $ack of his o%n! si $ly that he yself" 5one at all" 5one at all! I tol& ight be at

#t noon I struck a trail that follo%e& the bank" By late afternoon I ha& $asse& se'eral s all far stea&s" -elons an& grain $re&o inate&" # net%ork of &itches carrie& ri'er %ater inlan& to the cro$s" The so& houses %ere set %ell back fro the ri'er.s e&ge! $robably to a'oi& floo&ing" I ha& been barke& at by &ogs! an& honke& at by flocks of fat %hite geese! but ha& seen no folk close enough to hail" The trail ha& %i&ene& to a roa&! %ith cart tracks" The sun %as beating on y back an& hea& fro a clear blue sky" High abo'e ete& to%ar& e! I hear& the shrill ki of a ha%k" I glance& u$ at hi ! his %ings o$en an& still as he ro&e the sky" He ga'e cry again! fol&e& his %ings! an& $lu e" Doubtless! he &i'e& on so e s all ro&ent in one of the fiel&s" I %atche&
B<D

hi

co e at

e! an& only at the last to shiel&

o ent reali1e& I %as truly his target" I y u$ flung ar " His e one

flung u$ an ar

y face 4ust as he o$ene& his %ings" I felt the %in& of y flesh" an" # scra$ of leather &angling fro out fro

his braking" For a bir& his si1e! he lan&e& )uite lightly on talons clenche& $ainfully in

-y first thought %as that he %as a traine& bir& gone feral! %ho ha& seen an& so eho% &eci&e& to return to of his legs ight be the re ain&er of 4esses" He sat blinking on

y ar ! a

agnificent bir& in e'ery %ay" I hel& hi look at that07 I aske& hi glea ing eye stare& at Ol& Bloo&" I coul& bi& ake no

e to ha'e a better look at y 'oice an& one

hi " The leather on his leg secure& a tiny scroll of $arch ent" 69an I ha'e a alou&" He turne& his hea& to e" It %as Sleet"

ore of his thoughts than that! but it %as enough" uch goo& %ith the bir&s at Buckkee$" Burrich ha& finally alone! for y $resence al%ays agitate& the " 5e'ertheless! in&" He see e& )uiet" I anage& to y ar ! &igging his talons into

I ha& ne'er been e lea'e the

I )ueste& gently to%ar& his fla e/bright

tug the tiny scroll loose" The ha%k shifte& on

fresh flesh" Then! %ithout %arning! he lifte& his %ings an& launche& a%ay fro e into the air" He s$irale& u$! beating hea'ily to gain altitu&e! crie& once ore his high ki! ki! an& %ent sli&ing off &o%n the sky" I %as left %ith bloo& trickling &o%n ear fro y ar %here his talons ha& score& a&e y flesh! an& one ringing the beating of his %ings as he launche&" I glance& at the $unctures in e turn to the tiny scroll" *igeons carrie&

y ar " Then curiosity essages! not ha%ks"

The han&%riting %as in an ol& style! tiny! thin! an& s$i&ery" The brightness of the sun a&e it e'en har&er to rea&" I sat &o%n at the e&ge of the roa& an&

B<E

sha&e& it %ith

y han& to stu&y it" The first %or&s al ost stille&

y heart"

6Ol& Bloo& greets Ol& Bloo&"7 The rest %as har&er to $u11le out" The scroll %as tattere&! the s$ellings )uaint! the %or&s as fe% as %oul& suffice" The %arning %as fro Holly! though I sus$ecte& Rolf ha& $enne& it" (ing Regal acti'ely hunte& &o%n Ol& Bloo& no%" To those he ca$ture&! he offere& coins if they %oul& hel$ fin& a %olf/ an $air" They sus$ecte& 5ighteyes an& I %ere the ones he %ante&" Regal threatene& &eath to those %ho refuse&" There %as a little about gi'ing into ore! so ething e as y scent to others of Ol& Bloo& an& asking that they ai&

they coul&" The rest of the scroll %as too tattere& to rea&" I tucke& the scroll y belt" The bright &ay see e& e&ge& %ith &arkness no%" So ;ill ha& e enough to set these %heels in tol& Regal I yet li'e&" #n& Regal feare& ti e" #s t%ilight fell! I ascen&e& a s all rise on the ri'erbank" #hea& of e! tucke& into a ben& of the ri'er! %ere a fe% lights" *robably another tra&ing $ost or a ferry &ock to allo% far ers an& her&ers easy $assage across the ri'er" I %atche& the lights as I %alke& to%ar& the " #hea& there %oul& be hot foo&! an& $eo$le! an& shelter for the night" I coul& sto$ an& ha'e a %or& %ith the folk there if I %ishe&" I still ha& a fe% coins to call his scent" 5o one to %orry about exce$t y o%n" 5o %olf at y heels to excite )uestions! no 5ighteyes lurking outsi&e ho$ing no &ogs %oul& $ick u$ yself" ;ell! aybe I %oul&" -aybe uch farther it I.& sto$ an& ha'e a glass an& a bit of talk" -aybe I.& learn ho% began for ulating a real $lan as to ho% I %oul& &eal %ith Regal" It %as ti e I began &e$en&ing only on yself"

otion" *erha$s it %as as %ell that 5ighteyes an& I ha& $arte& co $any for a

%as to Tra&efor&! an& hear so e gossi$ of %hat %ent on there" It %as ti e I

B?H

9H#*TER EIJHT Tra&efor& #S S>--ER -E==O;ED to an en& the Rai&ers re&ouble& their efforts to secure as uch of the coast of Bearns Duchy as they coul& before the stor s of a4or $orts! they kne% they coul& er! as the $leasant &ays %inter set in" Once they ha& secure& the they ha& o%n" Their tactics %ere $eculiar" They a&e no effort to sei1e to%ns or con)uer the folk" They %ere solely intent on &estruction" To%ns they ca$ture& %ere burne& entirely! the folk slain! Forge&! or fle&" # fe% %ere ke$t as %orkers! treate& as less than beasts! Forge& %hen they beca e useless to their ca$tors! or for a use ent" They set u$ their o%n rough shelters! &is&aining to use the buil&ings they coul& si $ly ha'e sei1e& rather than &estroye&" They $orts to be sure they coul& not be taken back" #lthough Shoaks an& Ri$$on &uchies ga'e ai& to Bearns Duchy %here they coul&! they ha& coasts of their o%n to $rotect an& scant resources to e $loy" Buck Duchy %allo%e& along as best it coul&" =or& Bright ha& belate&ly seen ho% Buck relie& on its outlying hol&ings for $rotection! but he 4u&ge& it too late to sal'age that line of &efense" He &e'ote& his en an& oney to fortifying Buckkee$ itself" That left the rest of Buck Duchy %ith but its o%n folk an& the irregular troo$s that ha& &e'ote& the sel'es to =a&y *atience as a bul%ark a&e no effort to establish $er anent settle ents but instea& si $ly garrisone& the best

strike along the rest of the Six Duchies coastline at their $leasure" So although a&e rai&s as far as Shoaks Duchy that su &%in&le& they concentrate& their efforts at aking the coast of Bearns their

B?1

against the Rai&ers" Bearns ex$ecte& no succor fro acce$te& all that ca e to the un&er the I'y ba&ge"

that )uarter! but gratefully et the challenge of

Duke Bra%n&y of Bearns! long $ast his $ri e as a fighter!

the Rai&ers %ith steel as gray as his hair an& bear&" His resolution kne% no boun&s" He &i& not scru$le to beggar hi self of $ersonal treasure! nor to risk the li'es of his kin in his final efforts to &efen& his &uchy" He of Ri$$lekee$ sto$$e& his &aughters fro Rai&ers" -y shirt ha& ac)uire& a $eculiar ne% sha$e fro faintly of %oo& s oke! an& $ersua&e& %ith an& co be& ore strongly of being rolle& in y $ack so et his en& trying to &efen& his ho e castle! Ri$$lekee$" But neither his &eath nor the fall carrying on the resistance against the

long" I $ulle& it on any%ay! gri acing slightly at its

usty o&or" It s elle&

il&e%" Da $ ha& got into it" I

yself that the o$en air %oul& &is$erse the s ell" I &i& %hat I coul& y hair an& boun& it back into a tail! a&e y y bear& s ooth %ith y fingers" I &eteste& the bear&! but hate&

y hair an& bear&" That is! I brushe&

taking the ti e each &ay to sha'e" I left the ri'erbank %here I ha&

brief ablutions an& hea&e& to%ar& the to%n lights" This ti e! I ha& resol'e& to be better $re$are&" -y na e! I ha& &eci&e&! %as @ory" I ha& been a sol&ier! an& ha& a fe% skills %ith horses an& a $en! but ha& lost $resently intent on aking I coul& $lay con'incingly" #s the last of the &ay.s light fa&e&! to%n an& I sa% I ha& been uch ore la $s %ere kin&le& in the ri'ersi&e yself istaken as to the si1e of it" The s$ra%l of the uch shorter than going aroun& it" y ho e to Rai&ers" I %as y %ay to Tra&efor& to start life ane%" It %as a role

to%n exten&e& far u$ the bank" I felt so e tre$i&ation! but con'ince& that %alking through the to%n %oul& be

B?2

;ith no 5ighteyes at hours to y $ath" I $ut

y heels I ha& no reason to a&& those extra y hea& u$ an& affecte& a confi&ent stri&e"

iles an&

The to%n %as a lot li'elier after &ark than

ost $laces I ha& been" I sense& a

holi&ay air in those strolling the streets" -ost %ere hea&e& to%ar& the center of to%n! an& as I &re% closer! there %ere torches! folk in bright &ress! laughter! an& the soun& of usic" The lintels of the inn &oors %ere a&orne& %ith flo%ers" usic! an& erry akers %ere I ca e to a brightly lit $la1a" Here %as the u$on the " -y

&ancing" There %ere casks of &rink set out! an& tables %ith brea& an& fruit $ile& outh %atere& at the sight of the foo&! an& the brea& s elle& es$ecially %on&erful to one so long &e$ri'e& of it" I lingere& at the e&ges of the cro%&! listening! an& &isco'ere& that the 9a$a an of the to%n %as celebrating his %e&&ing+ hence the feasting an& &ancing" I sur ise& that the 9a$a an %as so e sort of Farro% title for a noble! an& that this $articular one %as %ell regar&e& by his folk for his generosity" One el&erly %o an! noticing e! a$$roache& e an& $ushe& three co$$ers into y han&" 6Jo to the tables! an& eat! young fello%!7 she tol& e kin&ly" 69a$a an =ogis e reassuringly on the

has &ecree& that on his %e&&ing night all are to celebrate %ith hi " The foo& is for the sharing" Jo on! no%! &on.t be shy"7 She $atte& shoul&er! stan&ing on ti$toe to &o so" I blushe& to be thought better of &issua&ing her" If so she thought guilty! as if I ha& tricke& the a%ay fro istaken for a beggar! but y $ouch! I felt o&&ly e! going to eat"

e! so I a$$eare&! an& better

to act as one" Still! as I sli$$e& the three co$$ers into

her" I &i& as she ha& bi&

the table to 4oin the line of those recei'ing brea& an& fruit an& There %ere se'eral young %o en trencher for contact %ith

anaging the tables! an& one $ile& u$ a

e! han&ing it across the table hastily! as if reluctant to ha'e any e at all" I thanke& her! %hich cause& so e giggling a ong her istaken her for a %hore! an& I

frien&s" She looke& as affronte& as if I ha&

B?8

)uickly took the

yself a%ay fro

there" I foun& a corner of a table to sit at! an& e" # young boy setting out ugs an& filling e %here I ha&

arke& that no one sat near to %ith ale ga'e co e fro " I tol& hi

e one! an& %as curious enough to ask

only that I ha& been tra'eling u$ri'er! looking for %ork! e

an& aske& if he ha& hear& of anyone hiring" 6Oh! you %ant the hiring fair! u$ the %ater in Tra&efor&!7 he tol& fa iliarly" 6It.s less than another &ay.s %alk" You ight get har'est %ork this

ti e of year" #n& if not! there.s al%ays the (ing.s 9ircle being built" They.ll hire anyone for that as can lift a stone or use a sho'el"7 6 FThe (ing.s Jreat 9ircle0. 6 I aske& hi 3 He cocke& his hea& at ser'e&"7 Then he %as calle& a%ay by so eone %a'ing a an& ug an& I %as left alone to eat use" They.ll hire anyone" So I a$$eare& that %ay%ar& an& strange" ;ell! ingle& e" 6So that all ay %itness the (ing.s 4ustice being

it coul& not be hel$e&" The foo& taste& incre&ibly goo&" I ha& all but forgotten the texture an& fragrance of goo& %heaten brea&" The sa'ory %ay it %ith the eat 4uices on generous kitchen to y trencher su&&enly recalle& 9ook Sara an& her

e" So e%here u$ the ri'er! in Tra&efor&! she %oul& be

aking $astry &ough no%! or $erha$s $ricking a roast full of s$ices before $utting it in one of her hea'y black kettles an& co'ering it %ell! to let it slo% cook in the coals all night" Yes! an& in Regal.s stables! Han&s %oul& be aking his final roun&s for the night as Burrich use& to &o in the stables at Buckkee$! checking to see that e'ery beast ha& fresh clean %ater an& that e'ery stall %as securely fastene&" # &o1en other stablehan&s fro %ell! faces an& hearts %ell kno%n to fro e fro Buckkee$ %oul& be there as years s$ent together in Burrich.s

&o ain an& un&er his tutelage" House ser'ants! too! Regal ha& taken %ith hi Buck" -istress Hasty %as $robably there! an& Brant an& =o%&en an& ,
B?<

=oneliness su&&enly engulfe&

e" It %oul& be so goo& to see the ! to lean on a y back in the hayloft

table an& listen to 9ook Sara.s en&less gossi$! or lie on

%ith Han&s an& $reten& I belie'e& his outrageous tales of the %o en he ha& be&&e& since last I ha& seen hi " I trie& to i agine -istress Hasty.s reaction to y $resent garb! an& foun& offense" -y re'erie %as broken by a an shouting a string of obscenities" 5ot e'en the o ent all nor al con'ersation la$se&" an& &runkest sailor I ha& e'er kno%n %oul& so $rofane a %e&&ing feast" -ine %as not the only hea& that turne& an& for a I stare& at %hat I ha& not notice& before" Off one si&e of the s)uare! at the e&ge of the torches. reach! %as a tea ake out no ore than that+ that there %ere three of the cart" # great barre& cage sat u$on it an& three Forge& ones %ere in it" I coul& an& that they an&ing registere& not at all u$on y ;it" # tea ster %o an stro&e u$ to the cage! en lounging against ercy yself s iling at her outrage an& scan&ali1e&

cu&gel in han&" She bange& it lou&ly on the slats of the cage! co those %ithin to be still! an& then s$un about to t%o young the tail of her cart" 6#n& you.ll lea'e the

be as %ell! you great louts:7 she be! you un&erstan& e0 =ily: to these u$:7

scol&e& the " 6They.re for the (ing.s 9ircle! an& %hate'er 4ustice or they fin& there" But until then! you.ll lea'e the =ily! bring those bones fro The t%o young the creatures" #n& you! I tol& you! get a%ay fro en ste$$e& back fro the roast o'er here an& gi'e the the : Don.t stir the

her threatening cu&gel! laughing %ith

u$raise& han&s as they &i& so" 6Don.t see %hy %e shoul&n.t ha'e our fun %ith first!7 ob4ecte& the taller of the la&s" 6I hear& that &o%n to Run&sfor&! a&e a great sho% of rolling the yself"7
B??

their to%n.s buil&ing their o%n 4ustice circle"7 The secon& boy 6-e! I. uscles in his shoul&ers" for the (ing.s 9ircle

6#s 9ha $ion or $risoner07 so eone hoote&! 4est" I re aine& stan&ing in %atche& his through $lateful of en beat

ockingly! an& both the young

en laughe&! an& the taller one ga'e his co $anion a rough $ush by %ay of y $lace" # sick sus$icion %as rising in e" The (ing.s

9ircle" Forge& ones an& 9ha $ions" I recalle& the a'aricious %ay Regal ha& e as I stoo& encircle& by the " # &ull nu bness s$rea& a&e her %ay to the cart an& then flung a a'i&ly! as uch of the e as the %o an calle& =ily

eat bones at the $risoners there" They fell u$on the

striking an& sna$$ing at one another as each stro'e to clai I stare&! sickene&" Di&n.t they un&erstan& those

bounty as he coul&" 5ot a fe% folk stoo& aroun& the cart $ointing an& laughing" en ha& been Forge&0 They %ere not cri inals" They %ere husban&s an& sons! fishers an& far ers of the Six Duchies! %hose only cri e ha& been to be ca$ture& by the Re&/Shi$s" I ha& no count of the nu ber of Forge& ones I ha& slain" I felt a re'ulsion for the ! that %as true! but it %as the sa e re'ulsion I felt at seeing a leg that ha& gone to gangrene! or a &og so taken %ith ange that there %as no cure for hi " ete& (illing Forge& ones ha& nothing to &o %ith hatre&! or $unish ent! or 4ustice" Death %as the only solution to their con&ition an& it shoul& ha'e been out as s%iftly as $ossible! in young stare& at the cage )ueasily" I sat &o%n slo%ly at the chance" For a ;hen I lifte& y $lace again" There %as still foo& on on sense tol& a&e y $latter but yself eat" e" For an instant I y glance y a$$etite for it ha& fa&e&" 9o e that I shoul& eat %hile I ha& en staring at ercy to the fa ilies that ha& lo'e& the " Those

en ha& s$oken as if there %oul& be so e sort of s$ort in killing the " I

o ent I 4ust looke& at the foo&" I

y eyes! I caught t%o young

et their looks+ then I recalle& %ho I %as su$$ose& to be an& cast &o%n" They e'i&ently %ere a use& by
B?B

e! for they ca e s%aggering o'er to

sit &o%n! one across the table fro That one

e an& one unco fortably close besi&e both goo& e'ening"

e"

a&e a great sho% of %rinkling his nose an& co'ering his nose an&

outh for his co ra&e.s a use ent" I ga'e the beggar07 This fro 6That.s true! an& the one across fro

6Joo& e'ening for you! $erha$s" Ha'en.t ha& a fee& like this in a %hile! eh! e! a to%hea&e& lout %ith a ask of il&ly" freckles across his face" y thanks to your 9a$a an for his generosity!7 I sai& yself" I %as alrea&y looking for a %ay to extricate in&olent frien&! an& ore uscle&" et his $ale eyes s)uarely" 6I.'e been tol& there.s a

6So" ;hat brings you to *o e07 the other aske&" He %as taller than his 6=ooking for %ork"7 I hiring fair in Tra&efor&"7 6#n& %hat kin& of %ork %oul& you be goo& at! beggar0 Scarecro%0 Or &o you $erha$s &ra% the rats out of a on the table! too close to the bunching of an.s house %ith your s ell07 He set an elbo% e e! an& then leane& for%ar& on it! as if to sho%

uscle in his ar " e %hen I %as

I took a breath! then t%o" I felt so ething I ha& not felt in a %hile" There %as the e&ge of fear! an& that in'isible )ui'ering that ran o'er fit" But so ething else built insi&e feel of it" #nger" 5o" Fury" The to lift an axe an& se'er a yself at hi $u ele& at e as I &i& so" one& it" Ha& y e fore'er! or the battle scenes I ha& Skill/ atter" I ha& the %eight of a s%or& at
B?C

challenge&" I kne%! too! that at ti es it beca e the tre bling that $resage& a e as %ell! an& I ha& al ost forgotten the e the strength fro his bo&y! or fling in&less! 'iolent fury that ga'e

an.s shoul&er an& ar

an& choke the life out of his bo&y regar&less of ho% he

In a sort of a%e I %elco e& it back an& %on&ere& %hat ha& su it been recalling frien&s taken fro &rea e& so often recently0 It &i&n.t

hi$ an& I &oubte& that the &olts %ere a%are of it! or a%are of ho% I coul& use it" *robably they.& ne'er s%ung any bla&e but a scythe! $robably ne'er seen any bloo& other than that of a chicken or co%" They.& ne'er a%akene& at night to a &og.s barking an& %on&ere& if it %as Rai&ers co ing! ne'er co e in fro stan&ing" Blissfully ignorant far stranger or taunt cage& en" y shoul&er" #l ost I looke& behin& e to fin& hi ! but foun& nothing" hi " *erha$s it %as y boys! li'ing fat in soft ri'er country far fro a &ay.s fishing $raying that %hen the ca$e %as roun&e&! the to%n %oul& still be the e battle& coast! %ith no better %ay to $ro'e the sel'es than to bait a ;oul& that all Six Duchies boys %ere so ignorant" I starte& as if Aerity ha& lai& his han& on e" Instea&! I sat 5othing" I coul& not say for certain the thought ha& co e fro o%n %ish" #n& yet it %as so like hi ! I coul& not &oubt its source" -y anger %as gone as su&&enly as they ha& rouse& it! an& I looke& at the sur$rise! startle& to fin& they %ere still there" Boys! yes! no in a sort of en ore than big boys! anhoo&! nor otionless! gro$ing insi&e

restless an& aching to $ro'e the sel'es" Ignorant an& callous as young often %ere" ;ell! I %oul& neither be a $ro'ing groun& for their 6I think $erha$s I ha'e o'erstaye& sat besi&e it" I sa% the easure %oul& I s$ill their bloo& in the &ust on their 9a$a an.s %e&&ing feast"

y %elco e!7 I sai& gra'ely! an& rose fro e as I stoo& an& sa% one startle $lainly y si&e" The other stoo&! as if to challenge inuscule shake" ;ith the e %ith a sneer!

the table" I ha& eaten enough! an& I kne% I &i& not nee& the half/ ug of ale that %hen he sa% the s%or& that hung at o&&s e'ene&! the bra%ny far &ra%ing back as if to kee$

y lea'ing! but I sa% his frien& gi'e his hea& a y $resence fro

boy ste$$e& a%ay fro

soiling hi " It %as strangely easy the ! but turne& an& %alke& off

to ignore the insult" I &i& not back a%ay fro

B?D

into the &arkness! a%ay fro follo%e& far fro e"

the

erry aking an& &ancing an&

usic" 5o one

I sought the %aterfront! $ur$ose gro%ing in Tra&efor&! not far fro for hi " I %oul& get a roo %oul& bathe an& sha'e" =et hi after%ar&! an& if any %ho sa% Fit1 ha& co e back fro be king"

e as I stro&e along" So I %as not yself e!

Regal" I felt a su&&en &esire to $re$are look at e kne%

at an inn tonight! one %ith a bathhouse! an& I e! at the scars he ha& $ut u$on

an& kno% %ho kille& hi " #n& after%ar&0 If I li'e& for there to be an e! so be it" =et it be kno%n that the his gra'e to %ork a true (ing.s @ustice on this %oul&/ one ca e shouts

Thus fortifie&! I $asse& by the first t%o inns I ca e to" Fro not likely to get

that %ere either a bra%l or an excess of goo& fello%shi$+ in either case! I %as uch slee$ there" The secon& ha& a sagging $orch an& a &oor hung crooke& on its hinges" I &eci&e& that &i& not bo&e %ell for the u$kee$ of the be&s" I chose instea& one that &is$laye& an inn boar& of a kettle! an& ke$t a night torch burning outsi&e to gui&e tra'elers to its &oor" =ike ost of the larger buil&ings in *o e! the inn %as built of ri'erstone an& er fire in it! 4ust enough to kee$ the $ro ise& kettle of y recent eal! it s elle& goo& to e" The ta$roo ortar an& floore& %ith the sa e" There %as a big hearth at the en& of the roo ! but only a su ste% si %as )uiet! ering" Des$ite

uch of the tra&e &ra%n off to the 9a$a an.s %e&&ing celebration" e" I set a sil'er $iece on the table before hi for the night! an& a bath"7

The innkee$er looke& as if he %ere or&inarily a frien&ly sort! but a fro%n crease& his bro% at the sight of to reassure hi " 6I.& like a roo He looke& fir ly"

e u$ an& &o%n &oubtfully" 6If ye take the bath first!7 he s$ecifie&

B?E

I grinne& at hi " 6I.'e no $roble s %ith that! goo& sir" I.ll be %ashing out clothes as %ell+ no fear I.ll bring 'er in to the be&&ing"7

He no&&e& reluctantly an& sent a la& to the kitchens for hot %ater" 6You.'e co e a long %ay! then07 he offere& as a $leasantry as he sho%e& the bathhouse behin& the inn" 6# long %ay an& a bit besi&e" But there.s a 4ob %aiting for an& I.& like to look %ith the truth of it" 6Oh! a 4ob %aiting" I see! then! I see" Yes! best to sho% u$ clean an& reste&! an& there.s the $ot of soa$ in the corner! an& &on.t be shy about using it"7 Before he left! I begge& the use of a ra1or! for the %ashroo glass! an& he %as gla& to furnish the length of for fro y bear& to boaste& a looking e one" The boy brought it %ith the first y clothes out e in Tra&efor&! y best %hen I go to &o it"7 I s ile& as I sai& it! $lease& e the %ay to

bucket of hot %ater" By the ti e he ha& finishe& filling the tub! I ha& taken off ake it sha'able" He offere& to %ash e for an extra co$$er! an& I %as only too ha$$y to let hi " He took the e %ith a %rinkling of his nose that sho%e& e I s elle& far %orse than I ore e'i&ence y trek through the s%a $s ha& left

ha& sus$ecte&" E'i&ently than I ha& thought" I took fro

y ti e! soaking in the hot %ater! slathering

yself %ith the soft soa$ y hair

the $ot! then scrubbing 'igorously before rinsing off" I %ashe&

t%ice before the lather ran %hite instea& of gray" The %ater that I left in the tub %as thicker than the chalky ri'er %ater" For once I %ent slo%ly enough %ith y sha'ing that I only cut scarcely recogni1e&" It ha& been onths since I.& last seen yself! an& then it ha& been in Burrich.s e no% %as thinner than I s all looking glass" The face that looke& back at
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yself t%ice" ;hen I sleeke&

y hair back an& irror that I

boun& it in a %arrior.s tail I looke& u$ to fin& a face in the

ha& ex$ecte&! sho%ing re in&e&

e cheekbones re iniscent of those in 9hi'alry.s y bro% age& e! an& y arkings" -y forehea& an& the to$s of y su er outsi&e! but

$ortrait" The %hite streak of hair that gre% abo'e e of a %ol'erine.s cheeks %ere tanne& &ark fro see e& lot uch

y face %as $aler y cheek y chest sho%e& a

%here the bear& ha& been! so that the lo%er half of the scar &o%n ore li'i& than the rest" ;hat I coul& see of ore ribs than it e'er ha& before" There %as ostly eat &iet ha& left their arks on

uscle there! true! but not e"

enough fat to grease a $an! as 9ook Sara %oul& ha'e sai&" The constant tra'eling an& I turne& asi&e fro kne% assure& &ry by can&le" I foun& the roo to be s$arsely furnishe& but clean" There %ere four be&s in it! er" 9ool night air off the but I %as the only custo er for the night! for %hich I %as grateful" There %as a single %in&o%! unshuttere& an& uncurtaine& for su ri'er ble% into the roo " I stoo& for a ti e! looking out through the &arkness" >$ri'er! I coul& see the lights of Tra&efor&" It %as a substantial settle ent" =ights &otte& the roa& bet%een *o e an& Tra&efor&" I %as $lainly into %ell/ settle& country no%" @ust as %ell I %as tra'eling alone! I tol& tosse& y bun&le un&er yself fir ly! an& $ushe& asi&e the $ang of loss I felt %hene'er I thought of 5ighteyes" I y be&" The be&.s blankets %ere rough but s elle& attress" #fter onths of slee$ing on the clean! as &i& the stra%/stuffe& yself" y %inter clothes to e to y roo ake the tri$ u$ to an& left y roo " The boy to e e he %oul& hang orning" He sa% y other clothes by the hearth an& ha'e the the looking glass s iling %ryly" -y fears of being instantly e %ere lai& to rest co $letely" I scarcely

recogni1e& by any %ho ha& kno%n I change& into

e %ith a goo&/night an& a

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groun&! it see e& al ost as soft as Instea& I foun&

y ol& feather be& in Buckkee$" I ble% out

y can&le an& lay &o%n ex$ecting to fall aslee$ at once" yself staring u$ at the &arkene& ceiling" In the &istance! I erry aking" 9loser to han& %ere the no%/ o'ing in a&e e ner'ous! as the %in& through the y slee$ing s$ot! ha& coul& hear the faint soun&s of the other roo s of the inn" They not" I feare& threaten -y y o%n kin&

unfa iliar creakings an& settling of a buil&ing! the soun&s of folk branches of a forest! or the gurgling of the ri'er close by e %ith"

ore than anything the natural %orl& coul& e'er

in& %an&ere& to 5ighteyes! to %on&ering %hat he %as &oing an& if he yself" e %ith" e" If I

%as safe this e'ening" I starte& to )uest out to%ar& hi ! then sto$$e& To orro% I %oul& be in Tra&efor&! to &o a thing he coul& not hel$ -ore than that! I %as in an area no% %here he coul& not safely co e to coul& ho$e that he %oul& re e ber his o%n life" #rri'ing at the conclusion an& recogni1ing Re aining fir e an& 4oin

succee&e& to orro%! an& li'e& to go on to the -ountains to seek Aerity! then I e" But if I &ie& to orro%! then he %as better off %here he %as! atte $ting to 4oin his o%n kin& an& ha'e y &ecision as correct %ere easy" ore rest" I felt ore

in it %as the &ifficult $art" I shoul& not ha'e $ai& for that be&! y life" E'en in Regal.s &ungeon! facing &eath! I ha& y %olf" 5o% on this night I %as alone!

but ha'e s$ent the night in %alking! for I %oul& ha'e got alone than I e'er ha& in conte $lating a been able to reach out to

ur&er I %as unable to $lan! fearing Regal %oul& be guar&e& er night! I felt chille& an& sickene& %hene'er I y confi&ence

by a coterie of Skill/a&e$ts %hose talents I coul& only guess at" Des$ite the %ar th of the late/su consi&ere& it" -y resolution to kill Regal ne'er %a'ere&+ only

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that I %oul& succee&" I ha& not &one so %ell on resol'e& to $erfor yself regar&ing in a %ay that %oul&

y o%n but to orro% I

ake 9ha&e $rou&" y o%n %ill! or %as this e

;hen I consi&ere& the coterie! I felt a )ueasy certainty that I ha& &ecei'e& y strategy" Ha& I co e here of so e subtle t%eaking that ;ill ha& %rought on that to run to%ar& hi y thoughts! to con'ince

%as the safest thing to &o0 ;ill %as subtle %ith the

Skill" So insi&iously gentle a touch he ha& that one coul& scarcely feel %hen he %as using it" I longe& su&&enly to atte $t to Skill out! to see if I coul& feel hi %atching e" Then I beca e sure that e! te $ting y i $ulse to Skill out %as actually y in& to hi " #n& so y ;ill.s influence on e to o$en e" y yself &o%n into slee$ as if I

thoughts %ent! chasing the sel'es in tighter an& tighter circles until I al ost felt his a use ent as he %atche& *ast i&night I finally felt yself &ra%n &o%n into slee$" I surren&ere&

tor enting thoughts %ithout a )ual ! flinging

%ere a &i'er intent on $lu bing the &e$ths" Too late I recogni1e& the i $erati'es of that sinking" I %oul& ha'e struggle& if I coul& ha'e recalle& ho%" Instea& I recogni1e& about the great hall of Ri$$lekee$! the e the hangings an& tro$hies that &ecorate& ain castle of Bearns Duchy" that

The great %oo&en &oors sagge& o$en on their hinges! 'icti s of the ra

lay half%ay insi&e the ! its terrible %ork &one" S oke hung in the air of the hall! t%ining about the banners of $ast 'ictories" There %ere bo&ies $ile& thickly there! %here fighters ha& trie& to hol& back the torrent of Rai&ers that the hea'y oaken $lanks ha& yiel&e& to" # fe% stri&es $ast that %all of carnage a line of Bearns. %arriors still hel&! but ragge&ly" In the i&st of a s all knot of the $ress battle %as Duke Bra%n&y! flanke& by his younger &aughters! 9elerity an& Faith" They %iel&e& s%or&s! trying 'ainly to shiel& their father fro of the foe" Both fought %ith a skill an& ferocity I %oul& not ha'e sus$ecte& in
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the " =ike

atche& ha%ks they see e&! their faces fra e& by short! sleek ur&erous surge of Rai&ers" He

black hair! their &ark blue eyes narro%e& %ith hatre&" But Bra%n&y %as refusing to be shiel&e&! refusing to yiel& to the han&e& gri$" Before an& belo% hi ! in the shelter of his axe.s s%ing! lay the bo&y of his el&est &aughter an& heir" # s%or& blo% ha& clo'en &ee$ bet%een her shoul&er an& neck! s$lintering her collarbone before the %ea$on %e&ge& in the ruin of her chest" She %as &ea&! ho$elessly &ea&! but Bra%n&y %oul& not ste$ back fro her bo&y" Tears runnele& %ith bloo& on his cheeks" His chest hea'e& like uscles of his torso %ere a bello%s %ith e'ery breath he took! an& the ro$y ol& young stoo& s$lay/legge&! s$attere& %ith bloo&! an& %iel&e& a battle/axe in a t%o/

re'eale& beneath his rent shirt" He hel& off t%o s%or&s en! one an earnest an %hose %hole heart %as intent on &efeating this &uke! an& the other an %ho hel& back fro the $ress of the fighting! his longs%or& an ight create" an a&&er of a

rea&y to take a&'antage of any o$ening the young

In a fraction of a secon&! I kne% all this! an& kne% that Bra%n&y %oul& not last uch longer" #lrea&y the slickness of bloo& %as battling %ith his failing gri$ on his axe! %hile e'ery gas$ of air he &re% &o%n his &ry throat %as a tor ent in itself" He %as an ol& out at his hi " In the an! an& his heart %as broken! an& he kne% that e'en if he sur'i'e& this battle! Bearns ha& been lost to the Re&/Shi$s" -y soul crie& isery! but still he took that one i $ossible ste$ for%ar&! an& an %ho ha& fought an o ent that his axe sank into the Rai&er.s chest! the other brought his axe &o%n to en& the life of the earnest young

ste$$e& for%ar&! into the half/secon& ga$! an& &ance& his bla&e in an& out of Bra%n&y.s chest" The ol& bloo&ie& stones of his kee$" an follo%e& his &ying o$$onent &o%n to the

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9elerity! occu$ie& %ith her o%n o$$onent! turne& fractionally to her sister.s screa of anguish" The Rai&er she ha& been fighting sei1e& his o$$ortunity" her gri$" She her his fiercely &elighte& grin! turne& her hea& a%ay fro His hea'ier %ea$on %ra$$e& her lighter bla&e an& tore it fro ste$$e& back fro

&eath! in ti e to see her father.s killer gri$ Bra%n&y.s hair $re$aratory to taking his hea& as a tro$hy" I coul& not stan& it" I lunge& for the axe Bra%n&y ha& &ro$$e&! sei1e& its bloo& slick han&le as if I %ere gri$$ing the han& of an ol& frien&" It felt o&&ly hea'y! but I s%ung it u$! blocke& the s%or& of y assailant! an& then! in a co bination that %oul& ha'e that a&e Burrich $rou&! &ouble& it back to take the $ath of the bla&e across his face" I ga'e a s all shu&&er as I felt his facial bones ca'e a%ay fro stroke" I ha& no ti e to consi&er it" I s$rang for%ar& an& brought har&! se'ering the han& of the Su&&en bloo& s$lashe& He %as to%ering abo'e an %ho ha& sought to take y axe &o%n y ar s"

y father.s hea&"

The axe rang on the stone flags of the floor! sen&ing a shock u$ e! an& so I tucke&

e as Faith.s s%or& $lo%e& u$ her o$$onent.s forear " y shoul&er an& rolle&! co ing to y axe u$ across his belly" He &ro$$e& his

y feet as I brought the bla&e of There %as an insane

bla&e an& clutche& at his s$illing guts as he fell" o ent of total stillness in the tiny bubble of battle %e e %ith an a a1e& ex$ression that briefly occu$ie&" Faith stare& &o%n at anguish" 6;e can.t let the 6Bearns: To in her 'oice"

change& to a look of triu $h before being su$$lante& %ith one of $urest ha'e their bo&ies:7 she &eclare& abru$tly" She ane of a battle stallion" an& istaking the note of co lifte& her hea& su&&enly! her short hair flying like the e:7 she crie&! an& there %as no

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For one instant I looke& u$ at Faith" -y 'ision fa&e&! &ouble& for an instant" # &i11y 9elerity %ishe& her sister! 6=ong life to the Duchess of Bearns"7 I %itnesse& a look bet%een the ! a look that sai& neither of the the " 6-y father an& t%o of the ex$ecte& to an&e& li'e out the &ay" Then a knot of Bearns %arriors broke free of battle to 4oin y sister" Bear their bo&ies a%ay!7 Faith co en" 6You others! to e:7 9elerity rolle& to her feet! looke& at the

hea'y axe %ith $u11le ent! an& stoo$e& to regain the fa iliarity of her s%or&" 6There! %e are nee&e& there!7 Faith &eclare&! $ointing! an& 9elerity follo%e& her! to reinforce the battle line long enough to allo% their folk to retreat" I %atche& 9elerity go! a %o an I ha& not lo'e& but %oul& al%ays a& ire" ;ith all y heart I %ishe& to go after her! but y gri$ on the scene %as failing! all e" y %as beco ing s oke an& sha&o%s" So eone sei1e& That %as stu$i&" The 'oice in heart surge& in y in& soun&e& so $lease&" ;ill: I thought &es$erately as y chest" atter ho% they call to us! you ust be

5o" But it coul& as easily ha'e been so" You are getting slo$$y about your %alls Fit1" You cannot affor& to" 5o cautious" Aerity ga'e y o%n bo&y recei'e the inn roo " I o$ene& e again" y o%n 'oice in y eyes" #ll %as &arkness outsi&e the single %in&o% in o ents ha& $asse& or hours" I only kne% I %as e think of nothing else" y eyes e a $ush that $ro$elle& e a%ay! an& I felt the flesh of

6But you &o it!7 I $roteste&! but hear& only the %an soun& of the roo " I coul& not tell if %eariness that $ulle& at ;hen I a%oke the next

grateful that there %as still so e &arkness left for slee$ing! for the terrible e no% %oul& let orning! I %as &isoriente&" It ha& been too long since I abo'e e" #fter a ti e! I

ha& a%akene& in a real be&! let alone a%akene& feeling clean" I force& to focus! then looke& at the knots in the ceiling bea
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recalle& the inn! an& that I %as not too far fro $lu ete& insi&e e" I s)uee1e&

Tra&efor& an& Regal" #t al ost

the sa e instant! I re e bere& that Duke Bra%n&y %as &ea&" -y heart y eyes shut against the Skill/ e ory of y hea&ache begin" For one that battle an& felt the ha took the heart out of 'ery er an& an'il of

irrational instant I bla e& it all on Regal" He ha& orchestrate& this trage&y that e an& left y bo&y tre bling %ith %eakness" On the orning %hen I ha& ho$e& to arise strong an& refreshe& an& rea&y to kill! y clothes" I ga'e hi another t%o

I coul& barely fin& the strength to roll o'er" #fter a ti e! the inn/boy arri'e& %ith bo%l of $orri&ge re'olte& Aerity ha& al%ays the Rai&ers fro the y $ack fro co$$ers an& he returne& a short ti e later %ith a tray" The look an& s ell of the e" I su&&enly un&erstoo& the a'ersion to foo& that ers %hen his Skilling ha& ke$t e %as on the tray that intereste& anifeste& &uring the su

our coast" The only ite un&er

ug an& the $ot of hot %ater" I cla bere& out of be& an& crouche& to $ull y be&" S$arks &ance& an& floate& before y concentration to focus y eyes" By

the ti e I got the $ack o$en an& locate& the elfbark! I %as breathing as har& as if I ha& run a race" It took all $ain in y thoughts $ast the y hea&" E bol&ene& by y hea&ache.s throbbing! I increase& the ug" I %as nearly u$ to the &ose that e! I ha& atter ho% I set y %alls! I coul& not

a ount of elfbark I cru ble& into the suffere& fro kee$ the these Skill/&rea s" 5o

9ha&e ha& been using on Aerity" E'er since the %olf ha& left

out" But last night.s ha& been the %orst in a long ti e" I sus$ecte& it y strength an& of the y su$$ly of elfbark"

%as because I ha& ste$$e& into the &rea ! an& through 9elerity! acte&" The &rea s ha& been a terrible &rain both on #s soon as I coul& no longer see the botto I %atche& i $atiently as the bark leache& its &arkness into the stea ing %ater" ug! I lifte& it an& &rank it

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off" The bitterness nearly gagge& hot %ater o'er the bark in the botto I &rank this secon&! %eaker &ose

e! but it &i&n.t sto$ of the ug"

e fro

$ouring

ore y be&

ore slo%ly! sitting on the e&ge of

an& looking off into the &istance outsi&e the %in&o%" I ha& )uite a 'ie% of the flat ri'er country" There %ere culti'ate& fiel&s! an& s all far stea&s along the roa&" 5o country bet%een Regal an& a an" yself to eat the col& $orri&ge! ignoring e" They %ere issha$en y sto ach.s threats" I.& $ai& for it an& I.& nee& its sustenance before this &ay %as o'er" I &resse& in the clean clothes the boy ha& returne& to clean! but that %as as uch as I coul& say for the " The shirt %as y feet into e" Fro ilk co%s in fence& ore o$en %il& $astures 4ust outsi&e *o e! an& beyon& I coul& gli $se the rising s oke of ore s%a $s to cross! no hence for%ar&! I %oul& ha'e to tra'el as

-y hea&ache ha& subsi&e&" I force&

an& &iscolore& 'arious sha&es of bro%n" The leggings %ere %orn to thinness in the knees an& seat an& too short" #s I $ushe& ha& sto$$e& to consi&er ho% I yself &resse& y self/ a&e shoes! I beca e ne%ly a%are of ho% $athetic they %ere" It ha& been so long since I ust a$$ear to others that I %as sur$rise& to fin& ore $oorly than any Buckkee$ beggar I coul& recall" 5o

%on&er I ha& excite& both $ity an& &isgust last night" I.& ha'e felt the sa e for any fello% &resse& as I %as" The thought of going &o%nstairs &resse& as I %as alternati'e! ho%e'er! %as to &on an& s%eat all &ay" It %as only co no% felt #s I briskly re$acke& year ago! that a&e e cringe" The y %ar ! %oolly %inter clothes! an& s%elter on sense to &escen& as I %as! an& yet I o ent of alar %hen I reali1e& ho% ore than that" # the rafters" I

yself such a laughingstock! I %ishe& I coul& slink out unseen" y bun&le! I felt a

uch elfbark I ha& consu e& in one &raft" I felt alert+ no uch elfbark %oul& ha'e ha&
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e s%inging fro

tol& let

yself fir ly it %as like

y ragge& clothes" I ha& no choice in the

atter" an&

The Skill &rea s %oul& not lea'e foo& %hile I &i& so" Yet as I slung

e alone! an& I ha& no ti e to lie about an& y bun&le o'er y shoul&er an& %ent &o%n

y bo&y reco'er on its o%n! let alone the coin to $ay for an inn roo

the stairs! I reflecte& that it %as a $oor %ay to begin the &ay" Bra%n&y.s &eath an& Bearns Duchy falling to the Rai&ers an& crutch" It ha& all $ut y scarecro% clothing an& elfbark e in a fine state of the &ol&ru s"

;hat real chance &i& I ha'e of getting $ast Regal.s %alls an& guar&s an& aking an en& of hi 0 # bleak s$irit! Burrich ha& once tol& e! %as one of the aftereffects of elfbark" e goo& luck" Outsi&e! the sun yself a stea&y $ace as I So that %as all I %as feeling" That %as all" I ba&e the innkee$er fare%ell an& he %ishe& hea&e& out of *o e an& to%ar& Tra&efor&" #s I reache& the outskirts! I sa% an unsettling sight" There %ere t%o gallo%s! an& a bo&y &angle& fro each" This %as unner'ing enough! but there %ere other structures as %ell3 a %hi$$ing $ost! an& t%o stocks" Their %oo& ha& not sil'ere& out in the sun yet+ these %ere recent structures an& yet by the look of the they ha& alrea&y seen a bit of use" I stro&e s%iftly $ast the e %as but coul& not hel$ recalling ho% close I ha& co e to gracing such a structure" #ll that ha& sa'e& beaten" ;ith a secon& chill I %on&ere& %here 9ha&e %as" If Regal.s sol&iery &i& anage to ca$ture hi ! I ha& no &oubt that Regal %oul& $ut a )uick en& to hi " I trie& not to i agine ho% he %oul& stan&! tall an& thin an& gray un&er bright sunlight on a scaffol&"
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%as alrea&y high" It bi& to be another fine &ay" I set

y bastar& royal bloo& an& the ancient &ecree that such a one e

coul& not be hange&" I recalle&! too! Regal.s e'i&ent $leasure at %atching

Or %oul& his en& be )uick0 I shook hu or in y hea& to rattle loose such thoughts an& continue& $ast the $oor y soul $ointe& out that e'en they %ere &resse& better than I %as" e an& %alke& for a ti e scarecro% bo&ies that tattere& in the sun like forgotten laun&ry" So e black #s I hike& along the roa& I often ha& to gi'e %ay to carts an& cattle" Tra&e $ros$ere& bet%een the t%o to%ns" I left *o e behin& $ast %ell/ten&e& far houses that fronte& the roa& %ith their grainfiel&s an& orchar&s behin& the " # bit farther an& I %as $assing country estates! co fortable stone houses %ith sha&e trees an& $lantings about their stur&y barns an& %ith ri&ing an& hunting horses in the $astures" -ore than once I %as sure I recogni1e& Buckkee$ stock there" These ga'e %ay for a ti e to great fiel&s! ostly of flax or he $" E'entually I began to see ore o&est hol&ings an& then the outskirts of a to%n" So I thought" =ate afternoon foun& foun& e in the heart of a city! streets $a'e& %ith cobbles an& folk co ing an& going on e'ery sort of business i aginable" I yself looking aroun& in %on&er" I ha& ne'er seen the like of Tra&efor&" There %as sho$ after sho$! ta'erns an& inns an& stables for e'ery %eight of $urse! an& all s$ra%le& out across this flat lan& as no Buck to%n e'er coul&" I ca e to one area of gar&ens an& fountains! te $les an& theaters an& schooling $laces" There %ere gar&ens lai& out %ith $ebble& %alk%ays an& cobble& &ri'es that %oun& bet%een $lantings an& statuary an& trees" The $eo$le strolling &o%n the %alks or &ri'ing their carriages %ere &resse& in finery that %oul& ha'e been at ho e at any of Buckkee$.s %as ost for al occasions" So e of the %ore the Farro% li'ery of gol& an& bro%n! yet e'en the &ress of these ser'ants ore su $tuous than any clothing I ha& e'er o%ne&" ers of his chil&hoo&" #l%ays he ha& This %as %here Regal ha& s$ent the su

&is&aine& Buckkee$ To%n as little better than a back%ar& 'illage" I trie& to

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i agine a boy lea'ing all this in fall! to return to a &rafty castle on a rain s%e$t an& stor /battere& sea cliff abo'e a grubby little $ort to%n" 5o %on&er he ha& re o'e& hi self an& his court here as soon as he coul&" I su&&enly felt an inkling of un&erstan&ing for Regal" It ha& kille& his o%n father! a&e e angry" It is goo& to kno% %ell a yself to y $ur$ose" ore than one $itying ight hear so e anne&" I an you are going to kill+ it is not goo& to un&erstan& hi " I recalle& ho% he y king! an& steele& ake #s I %an&ere& through these thri'ing )uarters! I &re% glance" Ha& I been &eter ine& to

y li'ing as a beggar! I coul& ha'e

$ros$ere&" Instea&! I sought hu bler abo&es an& folk %here I a&e y %ay &o%n to the %aterfront! ex$ecting to feel

talk of Regal an& ho% his kee$ at Tra&efor& %as organi1e& an& ore at ho e"

There I foun& the real reason for Tra&efor&.s existence" True to its na e! the ri'er flattene& out here into an i ense ri$$ling shallo%s o'er gra'el an& ist! an& be&rock" It s$ra%le& so %i&e that the o$$osite shore %as obscure& in being for&e& across the Ain Ri'er! %hile &o%nstrea

the ri'er see e& to reach to the hori1on" I sa% %hole her&s of cattle an& shee$ a series of shallo%/&raft et Farro% in tra&e! cable barges took a&'antage of the &ee$er %ater to trans$ort an en&less shuttling of goo&s across the ri'er" This %as %here Tilth u$ri'er fro %here orchar&s an& fiel&s an& cattle ca e together! an& %here goo&s shi$$e& Buck or Bearns or the far lan&s beyon& %ere unloa&e& at last an& an& the lan&s sent on their %ay to the nobles %ho coul& affor& the " To Tra&efor&! in better &ays! ha& co e the tra&e goo&s of the -ountain (ing&o ;il&s" Here too %as flax brought to be beyon&3 a ber! rich furs! car'e& i'ory! an& the rare incense barks of the Rain anufacture& into fine Farro% linen! a s all barge to a an& he $ %orke& into fiber for ro$e an& sailcloth" I %as offere& a fe% hours. %ork unloa&ing grain sacks fro %agon" I took it! ore for the con'ersation than the co$$ers" I learne& little" 5o
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one s$oke of Re&/Shi$s or the %ar being fought along the coast! other than to co $lain of the $oor )uality of goo&s that ca e fro the coast an& ho% uch %as charge& for the little that %as sent" =ittle %as sai& of (ing Regal! an& %hat fe% %or&s I &i& hear took $ri&e in his ability to attract %o en an& to &rink %ell" I %as startle& to hear hi s$oken of as a -ount%ell king! the na e of his e 4ust as %ell that he &i& not y guts" other.s royal line" Then I &eci&e& it suite& I hear&

na e hi self a Farseer" It %as one less thing I ha& to share %ith hi " uch of the (ing.s 9ircle ho%e'er! an& %hat I hear& soure& The conce$t of a &uel to &efen& the truth of one.s %or&s %as an ol& one in the Six Duchies" #t Buckkee$ there %ere the great stan&ing $illars of the ;itness Stones" It is sai& that %hen t%o The stones an& the custo en eet there to resol'e a )uestion %ith their fists! El an& E&a the sel'es %itness it an& see that 4ustice &oes not go a%ry" are 'ery ancient" ;hen %e s$oke of the (ing.s ake $ublic $etition to (ing Shre%& ight see as right" But there %ere ti es ight @ustice at Buckkee$! often enough it referre& to the )uiet %ork that 9ha&e an& I &i& for (ing Shre%&" So e ca e to hi self an& to abi&e by %hate'er he sen& forth 9ha&e or

%hen other in4ustices ca e to be kno%n of by the (ing! an& then he na e of the (ing.s @ustice I ha& But Regal.s (ing.s 9ircle ha& ete& out fates both

e to %ork his %ill )uietly u$on the %rong&oer" In the ercifully s%ift an&

$uniti'ely slo%" I shoul& ha'e been har&ene& to &eath" ore of entertain ent than 4ustice to it" The ight face ani als star'e& an& taunte& $re ise %as si $le" Those 4u&ge& by the (ing as &eser'ing of $unish ent or &eath %ere sent to his circle" There they to $ut u$ a 'ery goo& sho% $ut out for the beasts to a&ness! or a fighter! a (ing.s 9ha $ion" So e occasional cri inal %ho ight be grante& royal cle ency! or e'en beco e a aul! or star'e& an& turne& loose on other offen&ers"
BC2

9ha $ion for the (ing" Forge& ones ha& no such chance" Forge& ones %ere

Such trials ha& beco e )uite $o$ular of late! so $o$ular that the cro%&s %ere outgro%ing the arket circle at Tra&efor& %here the 64ustice7 %as currently anor house! %ith hol&ing cells an& secure %alls ore strongly! %ith seats for ete& out" erce an& 4obs a& inistere&" 5o% Regal %as ha'ing a s$ecial circle built" It %oul& be con'eniently closer to his that %oul& confine both beasts an& $risoners

those %ho ca e to obser'e the s$ectacle of the (ing.s @ustice being The construction of the (ing.s 9ircle %as $ro'i&ing ne% co

for the city of Tra&efor&" #ll %elco e& it as a 'ery goo& i&ea in the %ake of the shut&o%n of tra&e %ith the -ountain (ing&o " I hear& not one %or& s$oken against it" ;hen the %agon %as loa&e&! I took y $ay an& follo%e& the other ste'e&ores to a nearby ta'ern" Here! in a&&ition to ale an& beer! one coul& buy a han&ful of herbs an& a S oke censer for the table" The at os$here insi&e the ta'ern %as hea'y %ith the fu es! an& y eyes soon felt gu y an& y throat ra% fro on at Buckkee$ e a ser'ing of eal e of ri'er it" 5o one else see e& to $ay it any in&! or e'en to be greatly affecte& by it"

The use of burning herbs as an intoxicant ha& ne'er been co an& I ha& ne'er &e'elo$e& a hea& for it" -y coins bought $u&&ing %ith honey an& a %ater"

ug of 'ery bitter beer that taste& to

I aske& se'eral folk if it %as true that they %ere hiring stablehan&s for the (ing.s o%n stable! an& if so! %here a one such as I an ight go to ask for the %ork" That ost of the ight seek to %ork for the (ing hi self affor&e&

so e a use ent! but as I ha& affecte& to be slightly si $le the %hole ti e I %as %orking %ith the ! I %as able to acce$t their rough hu or an& suggestions %ith a blan& s ile" One rake at last tol& (ing hi self! an& ga'e &rank off the last of y beer an& set out"
BC8

e that I shoul& go ask the an&

e &irections to Tra&efor& Hall" I thanke& hi

I su$$ose I ha& ex$ecte& so e stone e&ifice %ith %alls an& fortifications" This %as %hat I %atche& for as I follo%e& so y &irections inlan& an& u$ a%ay fro the ri'er" Instea&! I e'entually reache& a lo% hill! if one coul& gi'e that na e to o&est an u$s%elling" The extra height %as enough to affor& a clear 'ie% of the ri'er in both &irections! an& the fine stone structures u$on it ha& taken e'ery a&'antage of it" I stoo& on the busy roa& belo%! all but ga%king u$ at it" It ha& none of Buckkee$.s forbi&&ing artial as$ects" Instea&! the %hite/ $ebble& &ri'e an& gar&ens an& trees surroun&e& a &%elling at once $alatial an& %elco ing" Tra&efor& Hall an& its surroun&ing buil&ings ha& ne'er seen use as fortress or kee$" It ha& been built as an elegant an& ex$ensi'e resi&ence" *atterns ha& been %orke& into the stone %alls an& there %ere graceful arches to the entry%ays" To%ers there %ere! but there %ere no arro% slits in the " One kne% they ha& been constructe& to affor& the &%eller a %i&er 'ie% of his surroun&ings! ore for $leasure than for any %ariness" ansion! but they ossy or i'ie&! %ith nooks an& crannies %here There %ere %alls! too! bet%een the busy $ublic roa& an& the %ere lo%! fat stone %alls!

statues %ere fra e& by flo%ering 'ines" One broa& carriage %ay le& straight u$ to the great house" Other narro%er %alks an& &ri'es in'ite& one to in'estigate lily $on&s an& cle'erly $rune& fruit trees or )uiet! sha&y %alks" For so e 'isionary gar&ener ha& $lante& here oaks an& %illo%s! at least one hun&re& years ago! an& no% they to%ere& an& sha&e& an& %his$ere& in the %in& off the ri'er" #ll of this beauty %as s$rea& o'er ore acreage than a goo&/si1e& far " I trie& to i agine a ruler %ho ha& both the ti e an& resources to create all this" ;as this %hat one coul& ha'e! if one &i& not nee& %arshi$s an& stan&ing ar ies0 Ha& *atience e'er kno%n this sort of beauty in her $arents. ho e0 ;as this %hat the Fool echoe& in the &elicate 'ases of flo%ers an& bo%ls of sil'er fish in his roo 0 I felt grubby an& uncouth! an& it %as not because of
BC<

clothes" This! in&ee&! I su&&enly felt! %as ho% a king shoul& li'e" # i& art an& usic an& graciousness! ele'ating the li'es of his $eo$le by $ro'i&ing a $lace for such things to flourish" I gli $se& ugliness of a y o%n ignorance! an& %orse! the other ha& an traine& only to kill others" I felt a su&&en anger! too! at all I

ha& ne'er been taught! ne'er e'en gli $se&" Ha& not Regal an& his

a han& in that as %ell! in kee$ing the Bastar& in his $lace0 I ha& been hone& as an ugly! functional tool! 4ust as craggy! barren Buckkee$ %as a fort! not a $alace" But ho% uch beauty %oul& sur'i'e here! &i& not Buckkee$ stan& like a outh of the Buck Ri'er0 y face" It %as true" ;as not that %hy snarling &og at the

It %as like a &ash of col& %ater in

Buckkee$ ha& been built in the first $lace! to gain control of the ri'er tra&e0 If Buckkee$ e'er fell to the Rai&ers! these broa& ri'ers %oul& beco e high roa&s for their shallo%/&raft 'essels" They %oul& $lunge like a &agger into this soft un&erbelly of the Six Duchies" These in&olent nobles an& cocky far guar&s to stan& an& fight for the " Before they &ie&! they %hat others ha& en&ure& to kee$ the $leasures" But I inten&e& that king %oul& &ie first" I began a careful %alk of the $eri eter of Tra&efor& (ee$" The easiest %ay in ust be %eighe& against the least/notice& one! an& the best %ays out Hall" ust be $lanne& as %ell" Before nightfall! I %oul& fin& out all I coul& about Tra&efor& la&s %oul& %aken to screa s an& s oke in the night! %ith no castle to run to! no ight co e to kno% ight rail safe" Before they &ie&! they

against a king %ho ha& fle& those ra $arts to co e inlan& an& hi&e hi self in

BC?

9H#*TER 5I5E #ssassin THE =#ST TR>E Skill aster to $resi&e o'er royal $u$ils at Buckkee$ %as not Jalen! as is often recor&e&! but his $re&ecessor! Solicity" She ha& %aite&! $erha$s o'erlong! to select an a$$rentice" ;hen she chose Jalen! she ha& alrea&y &e'elo$e& the cough that %as to en& her life" So e say she took hi on in &es$eration! kno%ing she %as &ying" Others! that he %as force& on her by Iueen Desire.s %ish to see her fa'orite a&'ance& at court" ;hate'er the case! he ha& been her a$$rentice for scarcely t%o years before Solicity succu be& to her cough an& &ie&" #s $re'ious Skill asters ha& ser'e& a$$renticeshi$s as long as se'en years before achie'ing 4ourney status! it %as rather $reci$itate that he &eclare& hi self Skill aster i e&iately follo%ing Solicity.s &eath" It scarcely see s $ossible that she coul& ha'e i $arte& her full kno%le&ge of the Skill an& all its $ossibilities in such a brief ti e" 5o one challenge& his clai ! ho%e'er" #lthough he ha& been assisting Solicity in the training of the t%o $rinces Aerity an& 9hi'alry! he $ronounce& their training co $lete follo%ing Solicity.s &eath" Thereafter! he resiste& suggestions that he train any others until the years of the Re&/Shi$ ;ars! %hen he finally ga'e in to (ing Shre%&.s &e an& an& $ro&uce& his first an& only coterie" >nlike tra&itional coteries that selecte& their o%n Jalen create& his fro e bershi$ an& lea&er! han&$icke& stu&ents an& &uring his life retaine& a hi in a Skill isha$ %hile on a ission to

tre en&ous a ount of control o'er the " #ugust! the no inal hea& of the coterie! ha& his talent blaste& fro the -ountain (ing&o " Serene! %ho next assu e& lea&ershi$ follo%ing Jalen.s &eath! $erishe& along %ith another follo%e& the &isco'ery of (ing Shre%&.s
BCB

e ber! @ustin! &uring the riot that ur&er" ;ill %as next to assu e the

lea&ershi$ of %hat has co e to be kno%n as Jalen.s 9oterie" #t that ti e but three e bers re aine&3 ;ill hi self! Burl! an& 9arro&" It see s likely that for Regal.s fa'or" Jalen ha& i $rinte& all three %ith an uns%er'ing loyalty to Regal! but this &i& not $re'ent ri'alry a ong the

By the ti e &usk fell! I ha& ex$lore& the outer groun&s of the royal estate rather thoroughly" I ha& &isco'ere& that anyone ight stroll the lo%er %alks freely! e en4oying the fountains an& gar&ens! the ye% he&ges an& the chestnut trees! an& there %ere a nu ber of folk in fine clothes &oing 4ust that" -ost looke& at encountere& re in&e& %ith stern &isa$$ro'al! a fe% %ith $ity! an& the one li'erie& guar& I e fir ly that no begging %as allo%e& %ithin the that I ha& co e only to see the %on&ers I ha& so ore e the ost &irect $ath for (ing.s Jar&ens" I assure& hi than sufficient for %atching of his sight" -y next foray %as a'ailing ore &iscreet" I ha& briefly consi&ere& %aylaying one of the young nobles strolling a ongst the flo%ers an& herbaceous bor&ers an& yself of his clothes! but ha& &eci&e& against it" I %as unlikely to fin& e $ro$erly! an& the fashionable a$$arel one lean enough for his clothes to fit ribbons" I &oubte& I coul& get

often hear& of in tales" In turn! he suggeste& that tales of the gar&ens %ere y ilk! an& $ointe& out to lea'ing the gar&ens" I thanke& hi

ost hu bly an& %alke& off" He stoo& e aroun& the en& of a he&ge an& out

e lea'e until the $ath carrie&

they %ere %earing see e& to re)uire a lot of lacing u$ %ith gaily colore& yself into any of the shirts %ithout the an out of one" The tinkling assistance of a 'alet! let alone get an unconscious

sil'er char s stitche& onto the &angling lace at the cuffs %ere not con&uci'e to an assassin.s )uiet %ork any%ay" Instea&! I relie& on the thick $lantings along the lo% %alls for shelter an& a&e y %ay gra&ually u$ the hill"
BCC

E'entually I encountere& a %all of s ooth/%orke& stone that encircle& the cro%n of the hill" It %as only slightly higher than a tall an coul& reach at a 4u $" I &i& not think it ha& been inten&e& as a serious barrier" There %ere no $lantings along it! but stubs of ol& trunks an& roots sho%e& that once it ha& been grace& %ith 'ines an& bushes" I %on&ere& if Regal ha& or&ere& it cleare&" O'er the %all I coul& see the to$s of nu erous trees! an& so &are& to count on their shelter" It took e ost of the afternoon to ake a full circuit of the %all %ithout ain one ha& the y co ing out into the o$en" There %ere se'eral gates in it" One fine

guar&s in li'ery greeting carriages of folk as they ca e an& %ent" Fro e'ening" One guar& turne&! an& laughe& harshly" The hair stoo& u$ on neck" For a ti e I stoo& fro1en! staring fro rouse& a strange Regal %as but ixture of fear an& anger in o'e& on" ilitant )uestioning of e'ery seen his face before0 It %as &ifficult to tell at y target" I

nu ber of carriages arri'ing! so e sort of festi'ity %as sche&ule& for the y $lace of conceal ent" Ha& I y &istance! but the thought e" Regal! I re in&e& yself"

Se'eral lesser gates for &eli'ery folk an& ser'ants ha& guar&s lacking in lace! aking u$ for it in their an or %o an %ho y beggar.s rags" %ent in an& out" If i $ersonating a ser'ing Instea&! I $ositione& the y clothes ha& been better I %oul& ha'e riske& an but I &are& not atte $t it in yself out of sight of the guar&s on the gate an& began to utely! si $ly a$$roaching &i& %hat folk e an& continue& their

beg of the tra&efolk co ing an& going" I &i& so

%ith cu$$e& han&s an& a $lea&ing ex$ression" -ost of the

&o %hen confronte& %ith a beggar" They ignore& that extra ser'ants! festi'ity! that

con'ersations" #n& so I learne& that tonight %as the night of the Scarlet Ball! usicians! an& con4urers ha& been brought in for the irth%ee& as the (ing.s fa'orite S oke!
BCD

errybu& ha& re$lace&

an& that the (ing ha& been 'ery angry %ith the )uality of the yello% silk one Festro ha& brought hi ! an& ha& threatene& to flog the bringing hi he e barke& on the relate& to %ell" I returne& to Tra&efor&" I foun& a %hole street &e'ote& to the tailoring of clothes" #t the back &oor of Festro.s sho$! I foun& an a$$rentice s%ee$ing out" I ga'e hi se'eral co$$ers for so e scra$s of yello% silk in 'arious sha&es" I then sought out the hu blest sho$ on the street! %here e'ery coin I $ossesse& %as 4ust sufficient to $urchase loose trousers! a s ock! an& a hea& kerchief such as the a$$rentice ha& been %earing" I change& brai&e& &o%n boots! an& e erge& fro y clothes in the sho$! y y %arrior.s tail u$ an& conceale& it un&er the kerchief! &onne& erchant for e'en such $oor stuff3 The ball %as also a fare%ell to the (ing! before orro% for a tri$ to 'isit his &ear frien& =a&y 9elestra at ore! besi&es! but little that y ti e as

# ber Hall on the Ain Ri'er" I hear& a great &eal

y $ur$ose" I en&e& u$ %ith a han&ful of co$$ers for

the sho$ a &ifferent $erson" -y s%or& no% hung y %orn clothes an& the rest of a&e y

y leg insi&e the trousers" It %as unco fortable! but not o'erly y $oisons an& other $ertinent tools! in a $atch of nettles y %ay back to yself to hesitate" I %ent &irectly to the &e eanor" I s$ent y ti e ense"

noticeable if I affecte& a lo$ing stri&e" I left bun&le! sa'e for

behin& a 'ery s elly backhouse in a ta'ern yar&" I Tra&efor&.s kee$" I &i& not $er it ha ere& insi&e

tra&efolk.s gate an& stoo& in line %ith the others seeking a& ittance" -y heart y ribs but I affecte& a cal stu&ying %hat I coul& see of the house through the trees" It %as i Earlier I ha& been a a1e& that so

uch arable lan& ha& been gi'en o'er to

&ecorati'e gar&ens an& %alks" 5o% I sa% that the gar&ens %ere si $ly the setting for a &%elling that both s$ra%le& an& to%ere& in a style of house co $letely foreign to e" 5othing about it s$oke of fortress or castle+ all %as
BCE

co fort an& elegance" ;hen it ca e %oul& be

y turn! I sho%e&

y s%atches of silk

an& sai& I ca e bearing Festro.s a$ologies an& so e sa $les that he ho$e& ore to the (ing.s liking" ;hen one surly guar& $ointe& out that y aster y back than his! if the sa $les &i& not e" usicians %ho ha& anor house" I Festro usually ca e hi self! I re$lie&! so e%hat sulkily! that thought stri$es %oul& better beco e $lease the (ing" The guar&s exchange& grins an& a& itte& I hastene& u$ the $ath until I %as on the heels of a grou$ of co e in before knelt to refasten e" I follo%e& the

aroun& to the back of the

y boot as they aske& &irections an& then straightene& u$ 4ust insi&e" I foun& yself in a s all entry hall! cool an& &o%n a

in ti e to follo% the corri&or" The on" I slo%e&

al ost &ark after the heat an& light of the afternoon sun" I traile& the

instrels talke& an& laughe& a ong the sel'es as they hastene& y ste$s an& &ro$$e& back" ;hen I $asse& a &oor that %as a4ar on e" I &re% a atche&! so I

an e $ty roo ! I ste$$e& into it an& shut the &oor )uietly behin& &ee$ breath an& looke& aroun&" I %as in a s all sitting roo " The furniture %as shabby an& ill

sur ise& it %as for ser'ants or 'isiting crafts en" I coul& not count on being alone there for long" There %ere! ho%e'er! se'eral large cu$boar&s along the %all" I chose one that %as not in &irect 'ie% of the &oor shoul& it o$en su&&enly! an& )uickly rearrange& its contents in or&er to sit insi&e it" I ensconce& knife an& arrange& yself %ith the &oor slightly a4ar for so e light an& %ent to %ork" I y 'ials an& $ackets of $oisons" I treate& both y trousers" Then I a&e y belt yself y s%or&.s e&ge %ith $oison! then resheathe& the y s%or& to hang outsi&e carefully" I ins$ecte& an& organi1e&

co fortable an& settle& &o%n to %ait" Days see e& to $ass before &usk ga'e %ay to full &ark" T%ice folk briefly entere& the roo ! but fro their gossi$ I gathere& that e'ery ser'ant %as busy
BDH

$re$aring for the gathering tonight" I $asse& the ti e by i agining ho% Regal %oul& kill e if he caught e" Se'eral ti es I al ost lost y courage" Each ti e I re in&e& yself that if I %alke& a%ay fro this! I %oul& ha'e to li'e yself carefully through the in& fro other Skille& ones" I %ithout betraying e that I &i& not the " I refuse&

%ith the fear fore'er" Instea&! I trie& to $re$are his coterie %oul& surely be close by" I $ut exercises Aerity ha& taught e to shiel& y

yself" If Regal %ere here! then

%as horribly te $te& to 'enture out %ith a tiny touch of the Skill! to see if I coul& sense the " I refraine&" I &oubte& I coul& sense the alrea&y kno%0 Better to concentrate on guar&ing to allo% traces of yself fro yself" #n& e'en if I coul& so &etect the ! %hat %oul& it tell

yself to think s$ecifically of %hat I %oul& &o! lest they $ick u$ y thoughts" ;hen finally the sky outsi&e the %in&o% %as full black y hi&ing $lace an& 'enture& out

an& $ricke& %ith stars! I sli$$e& out fro into the hall%ay"

-usic &rifte& on the night" Regal an& his guests %ere at their festi'ities" I listene& for a one of %ho be ins$ire& to o ent to the faint notes of a fa iliar" song about t%o sisters! &ro%ne& the other" To e! the %on&er of the song %as not a har$ y in& an&! instrel %ho %oul& fin& a %o an.s bo&y! an&

that %oul& $lay by itself! but a concentrate& on business"

ake a har$ of her breastbone" Then I $ut it out of

I %as in a si $le corri&or! stone/floore& an& $anele& %ith %oo&! lit %ith torches set at %i&e inter'als" Ser'ants. area! I sur ise&+ it %as not fine enough for Regal or his frien&s" That &i& not fin& a ser'ants. stair an& get %ent fro ake it safe for e! ho%e'er" I nee&e& to yself to the secon& floor" I cre$t along the hall" I

&oor to &oor! $ausing to listen outsi&e each one" T%ice I hear& folk

%ithin! %o en talking together in one! the clack of a %ea'ing fra e being use& in another" The )uiet &oors that %ere not locke&! I o$ene& briefly" They
BD1

%ere %orkroo s for the

ost $art! %ith se'eral gi'en o'er to %ea'ing an&

se%ing" In one! a suit of fine blue fabric %as $iece& out on a table! rea&y for se%ing" Regal a$$arently still in&ulge& his fon&ness for fine clothing" I ca e to the en& of the corri&or an& $eere& aroun& the corner" #nother hall%ay! uch finer an& %i&er" The $lastere& ceiling o'erhea& ha& been yself" I i $rinte& %ith fern sha$es" #gain I cre$t &o%n a corri&or! listening outsi&e &oors! cautiously $ee$ing into so e of the " Jetting closer! I tol& foun& a library! %ith ore 'ellu existe&" I $ause& in one roo books an& scrolls than I ha& e'er kno%n arble ha& been set to hol& $on&s of

%here brightly $lu e& bir&s in extra'agant cages

&o1e& on their $erches" Slabs of %hite

&arting fishes an& %ater lilies" There %ere benches an& cushione& chairs set about ga ing tables there" S all cherry%oo& tables scattere& about hel& S oke censers" I ha& ne'er e'en i agine& such a roo " I e'entually ca e to a $ro$er hall %ith fra e& $ortraits along the %alls an& a floor of glea ing black slate" I &re% back %hen I s$otte& the guar& an& stoo& silent in an alco'e until his bore& $acing carrie& hi out to flit $ast all those su $tuous fra es" I blun&ere& out into an antecha ber" There %ere hangings on the %all an& s all tables su$$orting statuary an& 'ases of flo%ers" E'en the torch sconces here %ere ore ornate" There %ere s all $ortraits in gilt fra es to either si&e antel" 9hairs %ere set close together for erri ent %ent on" On the yself back aroun& the y far left" They usic %as lou&er here! an& I coul& hear laughter an& 'oices of a fire$lace %ith an elaborate inti ate talk" The $ast e" Then I sli$$e& ounte& nobles an& si $ering la&ies in their

as %ell" Des$ite the lateness of the hour! the

o$$osite %all %ere t%o tall car'e& &oors" They le& to the gathering hall %here Regal an& his nobles &ance& an& laughe&" I $ulle& corner as I sa% t%o ser'ants in li'ery enter fro
BD2

a &oor to

bore trays carrying an assort ent of incense $ots" I sur ise& they %ere to re$lace ones that ha& burne& out" I stoo& fro1en! listening to their footste$s an& con'ersation" They o$ene& the tall &oors an& the usic of har$s s$ille& out e! but behin& y face as I ore lou&ly an& the narcotic scent of S oke" Both %ere )uenche& by the closing &oors" I 'enture& to $ee$ out again" #ll %as clear before e 6;hat &o you here07 -y heart fell into y %ay in this great y boots! but I force& a shee$ish s ile to behin& a1e of a house!7 I sai& guilelessly" turne& to face the guar& %ho ha& entere& the roo e" 6Sir! I.'e lost

6Ha'e you0 That &oesn.t ex$lain %hy you %ear a s%or& %ithin the (ing.s %alls" #ll kno% %ea$ons are forbi&&en sa'e to the (ing.s o%n Juar&" I sa% you sneaking about 4ust then" Di& you think %ith the I stoo& fro1en %ith terror! %atching the belie'e& he ha& &isco'ere& y $ur$ose fro erry aking going on! e" I a sure he y face" an he ha& you coul& 4ust sli$ about an& fill your $ockets %ith %hate'er you foun&! thief07 an a$$roach the stricken look on

Aer&e %oul& ne'er ha'e s ile& so if he thought he a&'ance& on a o%n bla&e an& he grinne& confi&ently" He %as a han&so e fair as

hel$e& beat to &eath in a &ungeon" His han& reste& carelessly on the hilt of his an! 'ery tall an& any of the Farro% folk %ere" The ba&ge he %ore %as -ount%ell of

Farro%.s gol&en oak! %ith the Farseer buck o'erlea$ing it" So Regal ha& o&ifie& his coat of ar s as %ell" I but %ishe& he.& left the buck off it" # $art of strike e notice& all these things as another $art reli'e& the night are of y feet by e once y shirtfront an& stoo& u$! so that this an coul& ore to the floor" He %as not Bolt! the one %ho e insensible a y o%n" He ha& hi ! trie& e too battere& to stan& on being &ragge& to ha& broken to%ere& o'er

e an& &ri'e

y nose" 5o! Aer&e ha& follo%e& hi ! beating

secon& ti e! after Bolt ha& left

e then an& I ha& co%ere& an& flinche& a%ay fro

BD8

'ainly to scrabble a%ay fro s$attere& %ith tits!7 I each ti e he ha& ha& to haul uttere& to

hi e to

o'er the col& stone floor that %as alrea&y y feet so he coul& hit e again" 6By E&a.s e"

y bloo&" I re e bere& the oaths he ha& laughingly uttere& yself! an& %ith the %or&s! fear &ie& in the $oisons in

6=et.s see %hat you ha'e in that $ouch!7 he &e an&e&! an& ca e closer" I coul& not sho% hi hi " Su&&enly it %as all so si $le" ;e %ere uch too close to the gathering hall" I %ishe& no soun& to alar or alert anyone" So I retreate& fro circle that took hi ! a slo% ste$ at a ti e! backing in a %i&e the tall guar&s an" y hea& %il&ly in %hat I ho$e& %as a y $ouch" 5o %ay to ex$lain those a%ay" e esca$e this an" I %oul& ha'e to kill 5o a ount of s ooth lying %oul& let

e into the cha ber I ha& 4ust left" The $ortraits looke& &o%n

at us as I backe& hesitantly a%ay fro 6Stan& still:7 he or&ere&! but I shook glance& )uickly o'er lea$e& for e" an& then &ro'e o entu

con'incing &is$lay of terror" 6I sai&! stan& still! you scra%ny little thief:7 I y shoul&er! then back at hi ! &es$erate! as if I %ere hi " The thir& ti e I &i& so! he trying to fin& the courage to turn an& run fro I.& been ho$ing for that" I si&este$$e& hi the y elbo% sa'agely into the s all of his back! a&&ing 4ust enough to his charge that he %ent to his knees" I hear& a&e hi for the scra%ny un&er the y

s ack bonily against the stone floor" He ga'e a %or&less roar of both shar$ly %hen I kicke& hi

anger an& $ain" I coul& see ho% su&&enly furious it thief to &are strike hi " I silence& hi chin! clacking his boots" Before he coul&

outh shut" I %as grateful that I.& s%itche& back to ake another soun& I ha&

y knife out an& across his

throat" He gurgle& his a a1e ent an& lifte& both han&s in a 'ain atte $t to
BD<

contain that %ar

gushing of bloo&" I stoo& o'er hi ! looking &o%n into his )uietly" 6Fit19hi'alry"7 His eyes %i&ene& in y

eyes" 6Fit19hi'alry!7 I tol& hi

su&&en un&erstan&ing an& terror! then lost all ex$ression as life left hi " #bru$tly he %as stillness an& nothingness! as &e'oi& of life as a stone" To ;it/sense! he ha& &isa$$eare&" So )uickly it %as &one" Aengeance" I stoo& looking &o%n at hi ! %aiting to feel triu $h or relief! or satisfaction" Instea& I felt nothing! felt as lost to all life as he %as" He %as not e'en eat I coul& eat" I %on&ere& belate&ly if there %as an! blon& chil&ren %ho so e%here a %o an %ho ha& lo'e& this han&so e thoughts+ they ha& ne'er $lague& for (ing Shre%&" I shook the He %as large fro

&e$en&e& on his %ages for foo&" It is not goo& for an assassin to ha'e such e %hen I ha& carrie& out the (ing.s @ustice y hea&" ess I ha&n.t %ishe& to ake" He %as a

aking a 'ery large $u&&le of bloo& on the floor" I ha& silence& hi an! an& he.& ha& a lot of bloo& in hi " -y in& race& as I &ebate&

)uickly but this %as 4ust the sort of

%hether to take ti e to conceal the bo&y! or to acce$t that he %oul& be )uickly isse& by his fello% guar&s an& use that &isco'ery as a &i'ersion" In the en& I took off I sei1e& hi y shirt an& so$$e& u$ as uch of the bloo& as I coul& y bloo&y han&s on his shirt" out of the $ortrait hall! all the y senses to be a%are of o$$ing u$ the of y breath %ith it" Then I &u $e& it on his chest an& %i$e& by the shoul&ers an& &ragge& hi

ti e al ost shu&&ering %ith the effort of straining y $anting breath %as a roar in bir&s an& fish! I force& y ears" Des$ite

anyone co ing" -y boots ke$t sli$$ing on the $olishe& floors an& the soun& of y efforts at bloo&! %e left a sheen of re& on the floors behin& us" #t the &oor to the roo yself to listen %ell before entering" I hel& y heart in y ears" The roo an& trie& to ignore the $oun&ing of

%as clear of

hu ans! ho%e'er" I shoul&ere& the &oor o$en an& &ragge& Aer&e in" Then I
BD?

caught hi

u$ an& tu ble& hi

into one of the stone fish $ools" The fish

&arte& frantically as his bloo& traile& an& s%irle& out into the clear %ater" I hastily rinse& y han&s an& chest clean of bloo& in another $on&! an& then left here an& &u $e& hi by a &ifferent &oor" They.& follo% the bloo& trail here" I ho$e& they.& take so e ti e $u11ling as to %hy the killer ha& &ragge& hi in a $on&" I foun& yself in an unfa iliar roo " I glance& )uickly about at the 'aulte& y bearings! ceiling an& $anele& %alls" There %as a gran&iose chair on a &ais at the far en&" So e kin& of an au&ience cha ber then" I glance& about to get then fro1e %here I %as" The car'e& &oors to I hear& laughter! a y far right s%ung su&&enly o$en" yself against a %all

uttere& )uestion! an& a giggling res$onse" There %as no

ti e to hi&e an& nothing to shelter behin&" I flattene& note of hel$lessness in the laughter that tol& gi&&y %ith S oke" They %alke& right $ast

hanging an& %as still" The grou$ entere& on a %a'e of laughter" There %as a e they %ere either &runk or en 'ying for the attention en ha& tinkling sil'er e! t%o

of a %o an %ho si $ere& an& tittere& behin& a tassele& fan" #ll three of the %ere &resse& entirely in sha&es of re&! an& one of the elbo%s" The other char s not 4ust at the lace of his cuffs! but all along his loose slee'es to his an carrie& a s all censer of S oke on an orna ente& ro&! as they %alke& turning al ost like a sce$ter" He s%ung it back an& forth before the %oul& ha'e notice&

so that they %ere al%ays %reathe& in the s%eetish fu es" I &oubte& that they e e'en if I ha& lea$e& out before the cart%heels" Regal see e& to ha'e inherite& his other.s fon&ness for otionless until

intoxicants! an& to be turning it into a court fashion" I stoo& %oul& notice Aer&e in the $on&" I &oubte& it"

they ha& $asse&" They %ent into the fish/an&/bir& roo " I %on&ere& if they

BDB

I flitte& to the &oor%ay fro through it" I foun& arble an& i y

%hich the courtiers ha& entere&! an& sli$$e&

yself su&&enly in a great entry hall" It %as floore& %ith

in& boggle& at the ex$ense of hauling such an ex$anse of

stone to Tra&efor&" The ceiling %as high an& $lastere& %hite! %ith &esigns of ense flo%ers an& lea'es $resse& into the $laster" There %ere arche& hung %in&o%s on so e other %in&o%s of staine& glass! &ark no% against the night! but bet%een the ta$estries glo%ing %ith such rich colors as to see s$arkling crystals an& sus$en&e& fro an& fro e for a the look of the !

%orl& an& ti e" #ll %as illu inate& %ith ornate can&elabra hung %ith gil&e& chains" Hun&re&s of can&les his burne& in the " Statues %ere &is$laye& on $e&estals at inter'als about the roo ost %ere of Regal.s -ount%ell ancestors fro other.s si&e" Des$ite the &anger I %as in! the gran&ness of the roo o ent" Then I lifte& This %as the ca$ture& en

y eyes an& sa% the %i&e staircase ascen&ing"

ain staircase! not the back ser'ants. stairs I ha& sought" Ten

abreast coul& ha'e gone u$ it easily" The %oo&%ork of the balustra&es %as &ark an& full of t%irling knots! but shone %ith a &ee$ luster" # thick rug s$ille& &o%n the center of the ste$s like a blue casca&e" The hall %as e $ty! as %as the staircase" I &i& not gi'e but sli$$e& silently across the roo yself ti e to hesitate! an& u$ the stairs" I %as half%ay u$ %hen I the right" I fle& to

hear& the screa " E'i&ently they ha& notice& Aer&e" #t the to$ of the first lan&ing! I hear& 'oices an& running footste$s co ing fro the left" I ca e to a &oor! $resse& y ear against it! hear& nothing! an& sli$$e& ight exist that the ore

insi&e! all in less ti e than it takes to tell it" I stoo& in &arkness! heart thun&ering! thanking E&a an& El an& any other go&s that &oor ha& not been fastene&" I stoo& in the &arkness! than y ear $resse& to the thick &oor! trying to hear y o%n $oun&ing heart" I hear& shouts fro
BDC

belo%! an& boots running

&o%n the staircase" # conceal un&er

o ent or so $asse&! then I hear& an authoritati'e 'oice e

shouting or&ers" I sli$$e& to %here the o$ening &oor %oul& at least te $orarily e! an& %aite&! breath stille&! han&s tre bling" Fear %elle& u$ in e an& I crouche& &o%n )uickly to kee$ fro e" I a&e yself s all! hugging like a su&&en blackness! threatening to o'er%hel %orl& s$un about fear %ashe& o'er in e" I felt the floor rock falling in a faint" The yself tight an& s)uee1ing e" # secon& %a'e of y

y eyes shut! as if so eho% that %oul& better conceal

e" I sank the rest of the %ay to the floor an& fell o'er on

si&e! all but %hi $ering" I curle& in a ball! en&uring a terrible s)uee1ing $ain y chest" I %as going to &ie" I %as going to &ie an& I.& ne'er see the y king" I shoul& ha'e gone to Aerity" I an& %ee$! for again! not -olly! not Burrich! not

kne% that no%" I shoul& ha'e gone to Aerity" I %ante& to screa They %oul& fin& e an& kill

I %as su&&enly certain I coul& ne'er esca$e! that I %oul& be foun& an& torture&" e 'ery! 'ery slo%ly" I ex$erience& an al ost to en& e )uickly" y breath! but ha& the o'er%hel ing &ri'e si $ly to lea$ u$ an& run out of the roo ! to &ra% s%or& against the guar&s an& force the Stea&y no%" They try to trick you into betraying yourself" Aerity.s Skilling %as finer than a cob%eb" I caught %is&o to kee$ still" y blin& terror lifte&" I took a long shu&&ering yself again" ;hen I hear& the footste$s an& yself to lie still #fter %hat see e& a long ti e! breath an& see e& to co e to 'oices outsi&e the &oor! an& listen" 6I %as sure of it!7 sai& a an" at all! they.ll fin& hi out on the 65o" He.s long gone" If they fin& hi %e %oul& ha'e flushe& hi out"7
BDD

y fear surge& u$ again! but I force&

groun&s" 5o one coul& ha'e stoo& u$ to both of us" If he %ere still in the house!

6I tell you! there %as so ething"7 65othing!7 insiste& the other 'oice %ith so e annoyance" 6I sense& nothing"7 69heck again!7 insiste& the other" 65o" It.s a %aste of ti e" I think you %ere 6I ho$e I %as! but I fear I a a %hining self/$ity" 6=ooking for an excuse0 5ot that one" He s$eaks ill of us to the (ing at e'ery turn" To hear hi talk! you %oul& think he %as the only one %ho ha& ai&ser'ant tol& an can ha'e"7 not a sol&ier" It is not y a&e any e he sacrifices in (ing Regal.s ser'ice" # accuses of e'ery %eakness of the flesh a 6If I a bo&y that ser'es the (ing! but faults us! hi 6;ell" I a y e yester&ay that he not" If I a istaken"7 The first an.s anger %as beco ing ob'ious &es$ite their sub&ue& 'oices" correct! %e.'e gi'en ;ill the excuse an.s 'oice too! but also he.s been looking for"7 There %as anger in the secon&

akes no niceties at all about it any ore" You! he says! are fat! an& not as lean as a sol&ier! it is because I a

in&" #s %ell look to hi self before he

%ith his one goo& eye"7 The %hine %as un istakable no%" Burl! satisfie& that tonight at least he cannot fault us" There is nothing yourself" This is a atter for the guar&s no%! not us"

I su&&enly reali1e&" Burl s$eaking to 9arro&" a iss here that I can fin&" He has you 4u $ing at sha&o%s an& seeing &anger in e'ery corner" 9al They.ll $robably fin& it %as &one by a 4ealous husban& or another guar&s an" I.'e hear& it sai& that Aer&e %on a little too often at &ice" *erha$s that is %hy he %as left in the ga ing roo " So if you %ill excuse fairer co $any fro you.'e a %hich you &istracte& e"7 e! I %ill return to the

6Jo! then! if that is all you can think of!7 the %hiner sai& sulkily3 6But %hen o ent to s$are! I think %e ight be %ise to take counsel together"7

BDE

#fter a

o ent! Burl a&&e&! 6I.'e

ore than half a

in& to go to hi

right

no%" -ake it his $roble "7 6You.& only en& u$ looking like a fool" ;hen you %orry so gi'ing in to his influence" =et hi s$en& e'ery gi'es hi o ent of his life on guar&" To hear hi uch! you are but outh his %arnings an& &ire $re&ictions an& tell it! his %atchfulness

is all the (ing nee&s" He seeks to instill that fear in us" Your )uaking $robably uch satisfaction" Juar& such thoughts carefully"7 y ears ore an lea'e! %alking I hear& one set of footste$s %alking briskly a%ay" The roaring in" softene& a little" #fter a ti e! I hear& the other $on&erously an& an& &ebate& Di

uttering to hi self" ;hen I coul& no longer hear his e" I s%allo%e& &ryly o'e" ake out a be&stea&! %ith

footfalls! I felt as if a great %eight ha& been lifte& off y next light filtere& in through tall %in&o%s" I coul&

the blankets turne& back to ex$ose the %hite linens" It %as unoccu$ie&" There %as the &ark sha$e of a %ar&robe in the corner! an& by the be& a stan& hel& a bo%l an& e%er" I force& yself to cal ness" I took long stea&ying breaths! then rose silently to yself" I sus$ecte& it y feet" I nee&e& to fin& Regal.s be&cha ber! I re in&e& Stealth ha& got again+ this %as a

%oul& be on this floor! %ith ser'ants. )uarters in the higher le'els of the house" e this far! but $erha$s no% it %as ti e to be bol&er" I crosse& e an.s cha ber" I %ent through the gar ents by touch! feeling ight return at any ti e" I foun& anage& to get into it! an& a e" I belte& the u$ an& to the %ar&robe in the corner an& o$ene& it )uietly" =uck ha& fa'ore&

for a fabric that felt ser'iceable" I ha& to %ork hastily! for I assu e& the rightful o%ner %as at the festi'ities belo% an& a light/colore& shirt! uch %ish! but al ost long enough in the ar s" I ore fussy about the slee'es an& collar than I coul&

&arker/colore& $air of leggings that felt too loose on

BEH

ho$e& they &i& not hang too strangely" There %as a $ot of scente& $o a&e" I finger/brushe& y hair back fro y face %ith it an& secure& it afresh in a tail! &iscar&ing the tra&es an.s kerchief" -ost of the courtiers I ha& seen earlier %ore theirs in oile& curls uch as Regal &i&! but a fe% of the younger ones y finger! ke$t their hair tie& back" I felt about in se'eral &ra%ers" I foun& so e sort of e&allion on a chain an& $ut it on" There %as a ring! too large for but that scarcely ore than that" They %oul& be looking for a shirtless attere&" I %oul& $ass a casual glance an& ho$e& to attract no an in coarse trousers to

atch the bloo&ie& shirt I ha& left" I &are& to ho$e they %oul& be seeking hi outsi&e" #t the threshol& I $ause&! took a &ee$ breath! an& then slo%ly o$ene& the &oor" The hall %as e $ty an& I ste$$e& out" Once out in the light! I %as not $lease& to fin& the leggings %ere a &ark green an& the shirt a buttery yello%" It %as no ore garish than %hat I ha& seen folk %earing earlier! though I coul& scarcely blen& %ith the guests at this Scarlet Ball" I resolutely set the %orry asi&e an& struck off &o%n the hall! %alking casually yet $ur$osefully to seek for a &oor that %as larger an& than the others" I bol&ly trie& the first one I ca e to! an& foun& it unlocke&" I entere&! only to fin& yself in a roo %ith an i ense har$ an& se'eral other usical instru ents set out as if a%aiting instrels" y hea&! baffle& at the en&less riches e" I force& yself ore ornate

# 'ariety of cushione& chairs an& couches fille& the rest of the roo " The $aintings %ere all of songbir&s" I shook of this one house" I continue& -y ner'ousness y search" anner" I $asse& &oor after &oor!

a&e the hall stretch out en&lessly before

to %alk in an unhurrie& an& confi&ent cautiously sa $ling a fe%" Those on those on

y left see e& to be be&cha bers! %hile

y right %ere larger roo s! libraries an& &ining roo s an& the like"
BE1

Instea& of %all sconces! the hall %as lit %ith shiel&e& can&les" The %all hangings %ere richly colore&! an& at inter'als niches hel& 'ases of flo%ers or s all statuary" I coul& not hel$ but contrast it to the stark stone %alls of Buckkee$" I %on&ere& ho% fe& any %arshi$s %oul& ha'e been built an& anne& %ith the coin that instea& %ent to orna ent this finely feathere& nest" -y anger y co $etence" I %oul& fin& Regal.s cha ber" ore &oors! then ca e to one that looke& $ro ising" It %as a y ear briefly to the &oor an& hear& nothing" y I $asse& three

&ouble &oor! of gol&en oak! an& the oak tree that %as the sy bol of Farro% %as inlai& u$on it" I set 9autiously I trie& the burnishe& han&le+ the &oor %as latche&" -y sheath knife %as a cru&e tool for this ty$e of %ork" S%eat soake& the yello% shirt to back before the catch yiel&e& to insi&e! )uickly locking it behin& e" y efforts" I ease& the &oor o$en an& sli$$e&

This %as certainly Regal.s cha ber" 5ot his be&cha ber! no! but his nonetheless" I %ent through it s%iftly" There %ere no less than four tall %ar&robes! t%o on each si&e %all %ith a tall looking glass bet%een each set" The ornately car'e& &oor of one %ar&robe %as a4ar+ or $ossibly the $ress of the clothing fro %ithin %oul& not allo% it to be fully close&" Other gar ents or %ere &ra$e& on chairs" # set of hung on hooks an& racks about the roo

locke& &ra%ers in a s all chest $robably hel& 4e%elry" The looking glass bet%een the %ar&robes %as fra e& by t%o branches of can&les! no% burne& lo% in their hol&ers" T%o s all censers for S oke %ere set to either si&e of one chair that face& yet another irror" Behin& an& to one si&e of the chair! a one of the censers" I %rinkle& Aerity" y nose table hel& brushes! co bs! $ots of $o a&e! an& 'ials of $erfu e" # narro% t%ining of gray fu es still rose fro against the s%eet o&or of it! an& %ent to %ork" Fit1" ;hat &o you &o0 The faintest )uery fro
BE2

@ustice" I $ut no %as an& turne& to

ore than a breath of Skill onto the thought" I %as not sure if it

y o%n or Aerity.s a$$rehension that I su&&enly felt" I brushe& it asi&e y task" y $oisons" ore likely to kill %hoe'er &resse& his hair ostly ash" #nything I $lace& there yself" His

It %as frustrating" There %as little here that %as a sure 'ehicle for I coul& treat the $o a&e! but I %as for hi the su than Regal" The censers hel&

%oul& $robably be &u $e& %ith the ash" The corner hearth %as s%e$t clean for er an& there %as no su$$ly of %oo&" *atience! I tol& y be&cha ber coul& not be far! an& o$$ortunities %oul& be better there" For no%! I treate& the bristles of his hairbrush %ith one of an& use& %hat %as left to &i$ as ore $otent concoctions any of his earrings as I coul&" The last &ro$s

I a&&e& to his 'ials of scent but %ith s all ho$e that he %oul& a$$ly enough to kill hi self" For the scente& han&kerchiefs fol&e& in his &ra%er! I ha& the %hite s$ore of the &eath angel ushroo to beguile his hours until &eath %ith e in the e hallucinations" I took greater $leasure in &usting the insi&es of four sets of glo'es %ith &ea&root $o%&er" This %as the $oison Regal ha& use& on -ountains! an& the as he ha& ost likely source of the sei1ures that ha& $lague&

inter ittently since then" I ho$e& he %oul& fin& his o%n falling fits as a using ine" I selecte& three of his shirts that I thought he %oul& fa'or! an& treate& their collars an& cuffs as %ell" There %as no %oo& in the hearth! but I ha& a $oison that blen&e& %ell %ith the traces of ash an& soot left on the brick" I s$rinkle& it generously an& ho$e& that %hen they set a fire u$on it! the burning fu es ight reach Regal.s nose" I ha& 4ust returne& y $oison to y $ouch %hen I hear& a key turn the &oor latch" I ste$$e& silently aroun& the corner of a %ar&robe an& stoo& there" -y knife %as alrea&y in y han&! %aiting" # &ea&ly cal ha& settle& on e" I breathe& silently! %aiting! ho$ing fortune ha& brought Regal to
BE8

e" Instea&! it %as

another guar&s an in Regal.s colors" The

an $ushe& into the roo

an& cast a

)uick glance about" His irritation sho%e& in his face as he i $atiently sai&! 6It %as locke&" There.s no one in here"7 I %aite& for his $artner to re$ly! but he %as alone" He stoo& still a %ar&robe" 6Foolishness" I. a%ay!7 he o ent! then sighe& an& %alke& o'er to the o$en %asting ti e u$ here %hile he.s going to get

uttere& to hi self! but he &re% his s%or& an& carefully $ro&&e&

about the interior behin& the clothes" #s he leane& to reach &ee$er into the %ar&robe.s interior! I caught a gli $se of his face in the bla1e& u$ in irror o$$osite y e" -y guts turne& to %ater! an& then hatre& ocking face ha& been e" I ha& no na e for this one! but his y &eath" ti e fro behin&" The bla&e of his s%or& %as still y knife $unche& lo% into his belly" I e le'erage as I &ragge& u$ on a o ent as his entrails outh ga$e& o$en to screa ! an& I let go outh" I hel& hi go! he %ent &o%n! his

fore'er etche& into I think he sa%

e ory" He ha& been $art of Regal.s $ersonal guar&!

an& ha& stoo& by to %itness to react! but s$rang on hi cla $e& y forear

y reflection at the sa e ti e I sa% his" I &i& not gi'e hi

tangle& insi&e Regal.s %ar&robe %hen the knife! gutting hi y knife to sla$ like a fish" His

across his throat to gi'e y han& o'er his

bulge& out of the gash I.&

a&e" ;hen I let hi

un'oice& bello% turne& to a groan" He.& not let go of his s%or&! so I sta $e& on his han&! breaking his fingers aroun& its hilt" He rolle& slightly to one si&e! to stare u$ at e in agony an& shock" I %ent &o%n on one knee besi&e hi ! $ut eeting his eyes! aking sure he kne%" y face close to his" 6Fit19hi'alry!7 I sai& )uietly! &oing" I %i$e& 6Fit19hi'alry"7 For the secon& ti e that night! I cut a throat" It scarcely nee&e& y knife on his slee'e as he &ie&" #s I stoo&! I felt t%o things"

BE<

Disa$$oint ent that he ha& &ie& so s%iftly" #n& a sensation as if a har$ string ha& been $lucke&! letting out a soun& I felt rather than hear&" In the next instant! I felt a %a'e of Skill inun&ate before it! e" It %as la&en %ith terror! e" Yet I but this ti e I recogni1e& it for %hat it %as an& kne% its source" I stoo& fir y &efenses strong" I al ost felt it $art an& go aroun& sense& that e'en that act %as rea& by so eone! so e%here" I &i& not %on&er %ho" ;ill felt the sha$e of triu $h" For a o ent it fro1e y resistance" I felt the echo of his surge of e %ith $anic" Then I %as o'ing! sheathing

y knife! rising to sli$ out the &oor an& into the still/e $ty hall%ay" I ha& but a short ti e to fin& a ne% hi&ing $lace" ;ill ha& been ri&ing %ith the guar&s an.s guar&s in in&! ha& seen that cha ber an& e 4ust as clearly as the &ying Skilling out! setting the ight an ha&" =ike the soun&ing of horns! I coul& sense hi #s I fle&! a $art of be able to hi&e

otion as if he %ere setting &ogs to a fox.s trail" e kne% %ith un&eniable certainty that I %as &ea&" I yself for a ti e! but ;ill kne% I %as %ithin the ansion" #ll y Skill

he ha& to &o %as block off e'ery exit an& begin a syste atic search" I race& &o%n a hall! turne& a corner! an& %ent u$ a staircase there" I hel& %alls fir an& clutche& y tiny $lan to yself as if it %ere a $recious ge " I e first! %ell! I.& lea& the a

%oul& fin& Regal.s cha bers an& $oison e'erything there" Then I %oul& go seeking Regal hi self" If the guar&s &isco'ere& erry chase" They coul&n.t kill take y o%n life first" It %asn.t ore &oors! surren&ering" So I race& on! $ast ore statuary an& flo%ers! ore hangings" E'ery &oor I trie& %as locke&" I turne& another corner an& %as su&&enly back at the to$ of the staircase" I felt a o ent of &i11y &isorientation" I atte $te& y in&" It a$$eare& to be to brush it off but $anic rose like a black ti&e insi&e
BE?

e" 5ot %ith all the $oison I %as carrying" I.& uch of a $lan! but the only alternati'e %as

the sa e staircase" I kne% I ha& not turne& enough corners to ha'e co e back to it" I hurrie& $ast the staircase! $ast the &oors again! hearing the shouts of guar&s en belo% ;ill leane& on I turne& y e as kno%le&ge gre% an& s)uir e& )ueasily insi&e in&" y eyes" Jri ly I set y ental %alls yet again" o ent" S oke! I ello%ness of y 'ision &ouble& for a e"

Di11iness an& $ressure insi&e y hea& )uickly an& ore to

%on&ere&0 I ha& no hea& for any of the fu e intoxicants that Regal fa'ore&" Yet this felt like errybu&" The Skill is a $o%erful tool in the han& of a aster" I ha& been %ith Aerity u&&le a hel s an that he %hen he ha& use& it against the Re&/Shi$s! to so e than the gi&&iness of S oke or the

turne& his o%n shi$s onto the rocks! to con'ince a na'igator that he ha& not yet $asse& a $oint of lan& %hen it %as far behin& hi ! to raise fears an& &oubts in a ca$tain.s heart before he %ent into battle! or to bolster the courage of a shi$.s cre% so that they foolhar&ily set sail into the 'ery teeth of a stor " Ho% long ha& ;ill been %orking on encounter! by subtly con'incing I force& e0 Ha& he lure& e here! for this e to co e0 yself on e that he %oul& ne'er ex$ect

yself to halt at the next &oor" I hel&

yself fir ! focuse&

the latch of the &oor as I %orke& it" It %as not locke&" I sli$$e& into it! closing the &oor behin& it" 5o" This roo belo% e" Blue fabric %as set out on a table before before" I kne% a e! rea&y for se%ing" I.& been in this roo o ent of relief! then checke&

ha& been on the groun& floor" I %as u$stairs" ;asn.t I0 I

crosse& )uickly to the %in&o%! stoo& to one si&e of it as I $eere& out" Far e %ere the torch lit groun&s of the (ing.s Jar&ens" I coul& see the %hite of the great &ri'e glea ing in the night" 9arriages %ere co ing u$ it an& li'erie& ser'ants &arte& here an& there! o$ening &oors" =a&ies an& gentle en in extra'agant re& e'ening clothes %ere lea'ing in &ro'es" I gathere& that Aer&e.s
BEB

en& ha& rather s$oile& Regal.s ball" There %ere li'erie& guar&s on the &oors! regulating %ho ight lea'e an& %ho ust %ait" #ll this I took in at a glance! an& reali1e& also that I %as u$ a lot higher than I thought" Yet I ha& been sure that this table an& the blue gar ents %aiting to be se%n ha& been &o%n in the ser'ants. %ing of the groun& floor" ;ell! it %as not all that unlikely that Regal %oul& be ha'ing t%o &ifferent sets of blue clothes se%n" 5o ti e to $u11le about it+ I ha& to fin& his be&cha ber" I felt a strange elation as I sli$$e& out of the roo an& fle& once catch ore &o%n the e if they coul&" hall%ay! a thrill not unlike that of a goo& hunt" =et the I ca e su&&enly to a T in the corri&or an& stoo& a see to fit in %ith %hat I ha& seen of the buil&ing fro

o ent! $u11le&" It &i& not outsi&e" I glance& left!

then right" Right %as noticeably gran&er! an& the tall &ouble &oors at the en& of the hall %ere e bla1one& %ith the gol&en oak of Farro%" #s if to $ut s$urs to e! I hear& a $ut utter of angry 'oices fro a roo so e%here off to y left" I %ent right! &ra%ing y knife as I ran" ;hen I ca e to the great &ouble &oors! I

y han& to the latch )uietly! ex$ecting to fin& it locke& tight" Instea& the

&oor ga'e easily an& s%ung for%ar& silently" It %as al ost too easy" I set those a$$rehensions asi&e an& sli$$e& in! knife &ra%n" The roo on the before e %as &ark! sa'e for t%o can&les burning in sil'er hol&ers agnificently curtaine& be& antel$iece" I sli$$e& insi&e %hat %as ob'iously Regal.s sitting roo "

# secon& &oor stoo& a4ar! re'ealing the corner of a gently close& behin&

an& beyon& it a hearth %ith a rack of fire%oo& lai& rea&y in it" I $ulle& the &oor e an& a&'ance& into the roo " On a lo% table a carafe of %ine an& t%o glasses a%aite& Regal.s return! as &i& a $latter of s%eets" The censer besi&e it %as hea$e& %ith $o%&ere& S oke %aiting to be ignite& on his return" It %as an assassin.s fantasy" I coul& scarcely &eci&e %here to begin" 6That! you see! is ho% it is &one"7
BEC

I s$un about! then ex$erience& a &istortion of stoo& in the

y senses that &i11ie&

e" I

i&&le of a %ell/lit but rather bare roo " ;ill sat! negligently

relaxe&! in a cushione& chair" # glass of %hite %ine %aite& on a table besi&e hi " 9arro& an& Burl flanke& hi ! %earing ex$ressions of irritation an& &isco fiture" Des$ite y longing! I &are& not take y eyes off the " 6Jo ahea&! Bastar&! look behin& you" I shan.t attack you" It %oul& be a sha e to s$ring such a tra$ as this on one such as you! an& ha'e you &ie before you a$$reciate& the fullness of your failure" Jo on" =ook behin& you"7 I turne& shifting of la&y.s y %hole bo&y slo%ly! to allo% e to glance back %ith a ere y eyes" Jone! it %as all gone" 5o royal sitting roo ! no curtaine&

be& or carafe of %ine! nothing" # $lain! si $le roo ! $robably for se'eral ai&s to share" Six li'erie& guar&s stoo& silent but attenti'e" #ll ha& to feel that a &renching of fear %ill ferret out any an" &ra%n s%or&s" 6-y co $anions see But they! of course! ha'e not ex$erience& your strength of %ill as co $letely as I ha'e" I &o ho$e you a$$reciate the finesse I use&! in si $ly assuring you that you %ere seeing exactly %hat you ost %ishe& to see"7 He ga'e a glance can still be e" each to 9arro& an& Burl" 6He has %alls the like of %hich you ha'e ne'er ex$erience&" But a %all that %ill not yiel& to a battering ra breache& by the gentle t%ining of i'y"7 He s%ung his attention back to al%ays un&eresti ate& strengthen e"7 all! letting the hatre& that fille& e

6You %oul& ha'e been a %orthy o$$onent! sa'e that in your conceit you I still ha& not sai& a %or&" I stare& at the

y Skill %alls" #ll three ha& change& since I ha& last seen the " an %ithin it" Ribbons an&

Burl! once a %ell/ uscle& car$enter! sho%e& the effects of a goo& a$$etite an& lack of exercise" 9arro&.s attire outshone the char s festoone& his gar ents like blosso s on a s$ringti e a$$le tree" But
BED

;ill! seate& bet%een the the see

in his chair! sho%e& the greatest change of all" He a&e

%as &resse& entirely in &ark blue! in gar ents %hose $recise tailoring

richer than 9arro&.s costu e" # single chain of sil'er! a sil'er ring

on his han&! sil'er earrings+ these %ere his only orna ents" Of his &ark eyes! once so terrifyingly $iercing! only one re aine&" The other %as sunken &ee$ in its socket! sho%ing clou&y in the &e$ths like a &ea& fish in a &irty $ool" He s ile& at 6# face"7 6# $ity!7 I sai&! )uite sincerely" 6I ha& half/blin& you"7 ;ill sighe& lacka&aisically" 6#nother a& ission of treason" #s if %e nee&e& one" #h! %ell" ;e shall be that! an& ho%e'er guar&s behin& I s ile& at hi clenche& e" as I set the $oisone& bla&e of y o%n knife to y left ar " I y ar ! the bla&e into y s%or& ore thorough this ti e" First! of course! %e %ill s$en& a bit of ti e ferreting out 4ust ho% you esca$e& &eath" # bit of ti e for uch longer (ing Regal fin&s you a using" He %ill ha'e no inuscule no& to the nee& for either haste or &iscretion this ti e"7 He ga'e a eant those $oisons to kill Regal! not e as he sa% e looking at it" He gesture& at his eye" y e ento of our last encounter" ;hate'er it %as that you thre% into

y teeth against the $ain as I &ragge& it &o%n the length of y skin an& let the $oison fro y knife to

not &ee$ly! but enough to o$en horrifie& an& &isguste&" I $asse& %ith 6I. y right"

y bloo&" ;ill lea$e& to his feet in shock! %hile 9arro& an& Burl looke& y left han&! &re%

&ying no%!7 I tol& the ! s iling" 6*robably 'ery soon" I.'e no ti e to

%aste! an& nothing to lose"7 But he ha& been correct" I ha& al%ays un&eresti ate& hi " So eho% I foun& yself facing! not the coterie e bers! but six guar&s %ith &ra%n bla&es"
BEE

(illing

yself %as one thing" Being hacke& to &eath %hile those I &esire& o'e& rather than I yself" I lifte& y ar y eyes to fin&

'engeance on %atche& %as another" I s$un about! an& felt a %a'e of &i11iness as I &i& so! as if the roo the s%or&s en still confronting e" I turne& again an& again! ex$erience& a ha& begun to burn"

sensation of s%inging" The thin line of bloo& along the $oison see$e& through &ri'ing o'er e before the y bloo&"

-y chance to &o anything about ;ill an& Burl an& 9arro& %as leaking a%ay as The guar&s %ere a&'ancing on y shoul&er an& caught the e! unhurrie&ly! fanning out in a half circle an& ost fleeting gli $se of the coterie e bers"

as if I %ere an errant shee$" I backe& u$! glance& once

;ill stoo&! a ste$ or so in front of the others! an annoye& look on his face" I ha& co e here in the ho$e of killing Regal" I ha& barely succee&e& in annoying his hench an %ith y suici&e" e! Aerity %as horrorstruck" Suici&e0 So e%here &ee$ %ithin felt ;ill go gro$ing after it" Boy! sto$ this insanity" Jet out of there" 9o e to yourself to the " Re'eal su yself0 Aerity.s Skill boo e& su&&enly in y in&! like thun&er on a &o this er night! like stor %a'es shaking a shale cliff" I ha& seen hi e" e! you only re'eal I cannot" It.s too late" There.s no esca$e" =et go of

Better than torture" =ess than a %his$er of Skill on that thought! but I s%ear I

before" #ngere&! he %oul& ex$en& all of his Skillstrength in one effort! %ith no thought to %hat ight befall hi after%ar&" I felt ;ill hesitate! then $lunge into that Skilling! reaching after Aerity an& trying to leech onto hi " Stu&y this re'elation! you nest of a&&ers: -y king let forth his %rath" Aerity.s Skilling %as a blast! of a strength I ha& ne'er encountere& any%here" It %as not &irecte& at e! but still I %ent to
CHH

y knees" I hear& 9arro& an& Burl

cry out! guttural cries of terror" For a an& I sa% the roo

o ent

y hea& an& $erce$tions cleare&!

as it ha& al%ays been! %ith the guar&s en arraye& bet%een e" The e to

e an& the coterie" ;ill %as stretche& senseless on the floor" *erha$s I alone felt the great surge of strength it cost Aerity to sa'e y back as it o$ene& to a& it the %in&o%" 9O-E TO -E: There %as no choice left for an& the beating of co e in that co an&" It %as i $regnate& %ith the y breathing e" Skill it ro&e on! an& it burne& into y brain! beco ing one %ith ore guar&s" Three stri&es %oul& carry guar&s %ere staggering! %ilting like can&les in the sun" I s$un! sa% the &oor at

y heart" I ha& to go to Aerity" It %as a cry both of

an& an&! no%! of nee&" -y king ha& sacrifice& his reser'es to sa'e e as I launche&

There %ere hea'y curtains o'er the %in&o%! an& thick %horle& glass behin& the " 5either sto$$e& sla yself out into the air beyon&! ho$ing e to break so e of y fall" Instea& I o ent later" I there %oul& at least be bushes belo%

e& to the earth a i& the shar&s of glass a fraction of a

ha& lea$e&! ex$ecting to fall at least one story! fro e" Then I staggere& to ran" y feet! still clutching

a groun& floor %in&o%" y s%or&! an&

For a s$lit secon& I a$$reciate& the co $leteness of ho% ;ill ha& &ecei'e& y knife an&

The groun&s %ere not %ell lit outsi&e the ser'ants. %ing" I blesse& the &arkness an& fle&" Behin& y trail in e I hear& cries! an& then Burl shouting or&ers" They.& be on ore soli& o ents" I.& not esca$e here on foot" I 'eere& off to the

&arkness of the stables" The &e$arture of the ball.s guests ha& stirre& the stable to acti'ity" -ost of the han&s on &uty %ere $robably aroun& in front of the ansion! hol&ing horses" The &oors of the stable %ere o$ene& %i&e to the soft night air! an& lanterns
CH1

%ere lit %ithin it" I charge& in! 'ery nearly bo%ling o'er a stablehan&" She coul& not ha'e been 6I. ore than ten! a skinny! freckle& girl! an& she staggere& y &ra%n %ea$ons" y knife" She s$un su&&enly" back! then shrieke& at the sight of backing a%ay as I sheathe&

4ust taking a horse!7 I tol& her reassuringly" 6I %on.t hurt you"7 She %as y s%or& an& then

6Han&s: Han&s:7 She race& off shrieking his na e" I ha& no ti e to gi'e any thought to it" Three stalls &o%n fro e curiously o'er his nose an& recall s elle& e! I sa% Regal.s o%n black regar&ing cal ly! reache& to rub his onths since he.& y collar! anger" I a$$roache& hi

yself to hi " *erha$s it ha& been eight

e! but I.& kno%n hi

since he %as foale&" He nibble& at

his %hiskers tickling halter! an& %alke& hi no longer hear her"

y neck" 69o e on! #rro%" ;e.re going for so e night out" I &i&n.t kno% %here the girl ha& gone! but I coul&

exercise" @ust like ol& ti es! huh! fello%07 I ease& his stall o$en! took his

#rro% %as tall! an& not accusto e& to being ri&&en bare/back" He cro% ho$$e& a bit as I scrabble& u$ onto his sleek back" E'en in the knee& hi ex$ression" 6@ust e! Han&s" Jot to borro% a horse! or they.ll kill to laugh an& %a'e e out! Han&s:7 agic:7 Then he e" #gain" 6 I think $erha$s I ex$ecte& hi stare& u$ at 6It.s e! Fit1" I. not &ea&: =et e through" Instea& he 4ust for%ar&" He took three ste$s! then halte& at the i&st of all the ane! an blocking his &anger! I felt a keen $leasure at being on horseback again" I gri$$e& his

%ay" I looke& &o%n at Han&s. incre&ulous face" I ha& to grin at his shocke&

e! going %hiter an& %hiter until I thought he.& faint"

He ste$$e& back" 6S%eet E&a:7 he exclai e&! an& I thought surely he %oul& thro% back his hea& an& laugh" Instea&! he hisse&! 6Beast s$un an& fle& off into the night! ba%ling! 6Juar&s: Juar&s:7
CH2

I lost $erha$s t%o secon&s ga%king after hi " I felt a %rench insi&e I ha& not felt since -olly ha& left &ay/out routine of stable%ork together! all %ashe& a%ay in a %elle& u$ in He truste& fro

e such as

e" The years of frien&shi$! the long &ay/in! o ent of his

su$erstitious terror" It %as unfair! but I felt sickene& by his betrayal" 9ol&ness e! but I set heels to #rro% an& $lunge& out into &arkness" e! &i& that goo& horse so %ell traine& by Burrich" I took hi a%ay

the torch lit carriage $ath an& the cleare& %alk%ays! fleeing through

flo%erbe&s an& $lantings! before racing out $ast a hu&&le of guar&s at one of the tra&efolk.s gates" They ha& been %atching u$ the $ath! but #rro% an& I ca e thun&ering across the turf an& %ere out the gate before they kne% %hat %e %ere about" They.& %ear stri$es for that to orro%! if I kne% Regal at all" Beyon& the gate! %e once ore cut across the gar&ens" Behin& us! I coul& hear y knees an& %eight 'ery %ell for a horse to $ush through a he&ge an& out onto a shouts of $ursuit" #rro% ans%ere&

that %as use& to a rein" I con'ince& hi

si&e roa&" ;e left the (ing.s Jar&ens behin& us! an& ke$t our gallo$ u$ through the better section of to%n o'er cobble& streets %here torches still burne&" But soon %e left the fine houses behin& as %ell" ;e thun&ere& along $ast inns still lit for tra'elers! $ast sho$s &ark an& shuttere& for the night! #rro%.s hoo'es thu&&ing on the clay roa&s" #s late as it %as! there %as little o'e ent on the streets" ;e race& through the I let hi %ere slo% as %e reache& the co as unchecke& as the %in&" oner section of to%n" Here street torches

ore %i&ely s$ace& an& so e ha& alrea&y burne& out for the night" Still! y urgency an& ke$t u$ a res$ectable $ace" Once I hear& another o ent I thought the $ursuit ha& foun& us" Then a

#rro% sense&

horse! ri&&en har&! an& for a

essenger $asse& us by! hea&ing the o$$osite &irection! %ithout e'en checking his horse.s $ace" I ro&e on an& on! al%ays fearing to hear horses behin& us! %aiting for the soun&s of horns"
CH8

@ust %hen I began to think %e ha& elu&e& $ursuit! I &isco'ere& that Tra&efor& hel& one ore horror for e" I entere& %hat ha& once been the Jreat 9ircle arket %here a an ight stroll an& fin& goo&s fro -arket of Tra&efor&" In the earliest &ays of the city! it ha& been the heart of it! a %on&erful great o$en e'ery corner of the kno%n %orl& on &is$lay" Ho% it ha& &egenerate& fro of the that to Regal.s (ing.s 9ircle I ha'e ne'er exactly been able to &isco'er" I only kne% that as I ro&e through the great o$en circle arket! #rro% snorte& at the s ell of ol& bloo& on the cobbles un&er his echanical &e'ices %hose uses I all %ith a chill y hoo'es" The ol& gallo%s an& the %hi$$ing $osts %ere still there! ele'ate& no% for the benefit of the cro%&! along %ith other e'en ha& no %ish to un&erstan&" 5o &oubt those in the ne% (ing.s 9ircle %oul& be ore i aginati'ely cruel" I knee& #rro% an& $asse& the the " o ent! I thought that ;ill e a&" But y Skill %alls shu&&er an& a $rayer to E&a that I be $reser'e& fro thoughts an& bent the " For a heart/thu&&ing reache& after e %ith the Skill an& sought to &ri'e

Then a t%ist of feeling %rithe& through the air! %ra$$e& itself aroun&

%ere as stout as I kne% ho% to raise! an& I &oubt that ;ill or anyone else %oul& be soon able to Skill after Aerity.s blast" 5o" This %as %orse" This ca e fro a &ee$er! ore $ri al source! as insi&ious as clear %ater that %as e! hatre& an& $ain an& stifling claustro$hobia an& an& re'enge" It at the e&ge eat" Yet e'en $oisone&" It flo%e& into

hunger all rolle& into one &rea&ful longing for free&o rea%akene& e'erything I ha& e'er felt in Regal.s &ungeons" It ca e fro the cages" # great stench ca e fro

the ro% of the

of the circle! a stench of infecte& %oun&s an& urine an& rotte& that affront to e anate& fro

y nose %as not as great as the $ress of hell/tinge& ;it that the " They hel& insane beasts! the creatures ke$t to sa'age the

hu an cri inals an& Forge& ones that Regal thre% to the " There %as a bear!
CH<

hea'ily

u11le& &es$ite the bars he $ace& behin&" There %ere t%o great cats of the broken fangs an& torn cla%s they

a kin& I ha& ne'er seen! in agony fro %as an i

ha& %aste& on the bars! an& yet stubbornly battling their $risons still" There ense black bull %ith a great s%ee$ of horns" This last ani al.s isery &inne& at e! cla oring for relief! yet I eat or grain! a&ness an& e! the flesh %as stu&&e& %ith ribbone& &arts sunken in %oun&s that festere& an& oo1e& $us &o%n his hi&e" Their Ha& I ha& a $ick! I I &i& not nee& to sto$ to see the hea'y chains an& locks that secure& each cage" ight ha'e trie& to cheat the locks" Ha& I ha& ight ha'e free& the %ith $oison" But I ha& neither of those things! an& e" behin&" But! 9o e to

e'en less of ti e" So I ro&e $ast the ! until the %a'e of their agony creste& o'er an& &renche& co set an& surge& through I $ulle& in on the reins" I coul& not lea'e the y heels to 4ittering #rro% an& left the

e! Skill/gra'en" It %as not en&urable to &isobey it" I behin&! tallying u$ to Regal.s

account yet another &ebt that so e&ay I %oul& settle" True light foun& us finally on the outskirts of to%n" I ha& ne'er i agine& that Tra&efor& %as so large" ;e ca e to a slo% strea $ulle& #rro% in! then &is ounte&! an& le& hi &rink a bit! then %alke& hi %hole ti e y for a %hile! then let hi fee&ing into the ri'er" I &rink so e ore" The &o%n to the %atersi&e" I let hi

in& seethe& %ith a thousan& thoughts" They %ere $robably e to hea& back to Buck" I ha& a o'ing! I ha& a goo& chance of e" I %on&ere& su&&enly no%+ as long as I ke$t y blanket!

searching the roa&s that le& south! ex$ecting goo& lea& on the esca$e" I recalle& -y %inter clothes!

y cle'erly stashe& bun&le that %oul& ne'er be reclai e&" y cloak! all lost to e" I foun& y stealing the horse" I ke$t recalling the look yself being gla& I ha& not yiel&e&

if Regal %oul& bla e Han&s for in Han&s. eyes before he fle&

to the te $tation to track -olly &o%n" It %as har& enough to see that horror
CH?

an& &isgust in the face of a frien&" I ne'er %ante& to see it in her eyes" I recalle& again the &u b agony of the beasts that Such thoughts %ere $ushe& asi&e by use& on his clothes! or if I thun&ering through y ;it a&e e %itness" y frustration that y atte $t on Regal

ha& been th%arte&! an& the %on&ering if they %oul& &etect the $oisons I ha& ight yet succee& at killing hi " O'er all! an&" 9o e to e! he ha& sai&! an& I y in& %as y ti e in thinking or e! %as Aerity.s co

coul& not )uite sto$ hearing those %or&s" # s all $art of obsesse& %ith the ! nagge& &rinking! but nee&e& e! co an&e& e" e e'en no% not to %aste

erely to get back on the horse an& go! go to Aerity! that he y knees at the %ater.s e&ge

Yet stoo$ to &rink I &i&! an& it %as %hile I %as on that I notice& I %asn.t &ea&"

I %et the slee'e of the yello% shirt in the strea ! then gently $eele& the bloo&/ cake& fabric loose" The cut I ha& inflicte& on ore than a long slice u$ yself %as shallo%! not uch y ar " It %as sore! an& angry to look at! but it &i& y knife to kill t%ice ore than

not a$$ear $oisone&" I recalle& belate&ly that I ha& use& a trace of $oison left on it %hen I cut =ike a yself"

that night! an& %i$e& it off at least once" There ha& $robably been no orning &a%ning! ho$e su&&enly glea e& for

e" They.& be looking an hi&ing so e%here in e y i inent

for a bo&y by the roa&! or searching for a $oisone& $oison yself! an& ust ha'e sense&

the city! too ill by no% to bestri&e a horse" The %hole coterie ha& %atche& y co $lete belief in

&eath" 9oul& they con'ince Regal I %as &ying0 I %oul&n.t trust to that! but I coul& ho$e for it" I re ounte& an& $ushe& s%iftly on" ;e $asse& far stea&s! grainfiel&s! an& orchar&s" ;e $asse& far ers on carts! too! taking their cro$s to to%n" I ro&e clutching y ar to y chest! staring straight ahea&" It %oul&

CHB

only be a

atter of ti e before so eone thought to )uestion folk co ing into y $art" in o$en $asturage" Shortly after noon! I &i& %hat I kne% I

to%n" Best to $lay scattere& across the

E'entually %e began to see stretches of un%orke& lan&! %ith shee$ or haragar ha& to &o" I &is ounte& by a brushy creeksi&e! let #rro% %ater again! an& then turne& his hea& back to Tra&efor&" 6Back to the stables! boy!7 I tol& hi ! an& %hen he &i& not Han&s" Tell the bri He snorte& at e! ex$ecting an& sta $e& o'e! I cla$$e& hi all I. soun&ly on the flank" 6Jo on! go back to anger for hi ! &ea& so e%here"7 I $icture& his

ing %ith the oats I kne% he lo'e&" 6Jo on! #rro%" Jo"7 e curiously! but then $ace& off" He $ause& once to look back at e to co e after hi an& catch hi " 6Jo on:7 I shoute& at hi ! y foot" He startle& at that! an& then took off at his high/knee&

trot! tossing his hea&" Scarcely e'en tire&! that one" ;hen he ca e back ri&erless to the stable! $erha$s they.& belie'e I %as &ea&" *erha$s they.& %aste ore ti e searching for a bo&y instea& of $ursuing &o to e" It %as the best I coul& islea& the ! an& certainly better than ri&ing the (ing.s o%n horse for likely" y in&"

all to see" #rro%.s hoofbeats %ere fa&ing" I %on&ere& if I.& e'er again ri&e an ani al that fine! let alone o%n one" It &i&n.t see 9o e to e" The co an& still echoe& through 6I a ! I a !7 I uttere& to

yself" 6#fter I hunt for so ething to eat an& get ore than the

so e slee$" But I. clothes on y back"

co ing"7 I left the roa& an& follo%e& the creek u$ into

&ee$er brush" I ha& a long an& %eary %ay to go! %ith little

9H#*TER TE5
CHC

Hiring Fair S=#AERY IS # tra&ition in the 9halce& States! an& is at the heart of its econo y" They clai $risoners taken in %ar are the uch of a4or source of its

sla'es" Ho%e'er! a great $ortion of the sla'es %ho esca$e to the Six Duchies tell tales of being taken in $irate rai&s against their nati'e lan&s" 9halce&.s official stance is that such rai&s &o not occur! but 9halce& also officially &enies that they turn a blin& eye to $irates o$erating fro go han& in han&" Sla'ery has ne'er been co only acce$te& in the Six Duchies" -any of the ore to &o early bor&er conflicts bet%een Shoaks an& the 9halce& States ha& the Tra&e Islan&s" The t%o

%ith the sla'ery issue than actual boun&ary lines" Shoaks fa ilies refuse& to acce$t that sol&iers %oun&e& or ca$ture& in %ar %oul& be ke$t the rest of their li'es as sla'es" #ny battle that Shoaks lost %as al ost i first battle" In this %ay! Shoaks ca e to hol& e&iately follo%e& by a secon& sa'age attack against the 9halce& States to regain those lost in the uch lan& originally clai e& by the 9halce& States" The $eace bet%een the t%o regions is al%ays uneasy" 9halce& constantly brings co $laint that the folk of Shoaks not only shelter run a%ay sla'es! but encourage others to esca$e" 5o Six Duchies e'er &enie& the truth of this" -y %hole &ri'e no% %as to reach Aerity! so e%here beyon& the -ountain (ing&o " To &o it! I %oul& ha'e to cross all of Farro% first" It %oul& not be an easy task" ;hile the region along the Ain Ri'er is $leasant enough! the farther one tra'els fro the Ain the ore ari& the countrysi&e beco es" The arable stretches are gi'en o'er to great fiel&s of flax an& he $! but beyon& these are 'ast stretches of o$en! uninhabite& lan&" The interior of Farro% Duchy! %hile not a &esert! is flat! &ry country! use& only by the no a&ic tribes %ho
CHD

onarch has

o'e

their her&s across it! follo%ing the forage" E'en they forsake it after the 6green ti es7 of the year are $ast! to congregate in te $orary 'illages along ri'ers or near %atering $laces" In the &ays that follo%e& alone y esca$e fro Tra&efor& Hall! the I ca e to %on&er %hy (ing ;iel&er ha& e'er bothere& to sub4ugate Farro%! let ake it one of the Six Duchies" I kne% that I ha& to strike a%ay fro Ain! to hea& south%est to%ar& Blue =ake! to cross 'ast Blue =ake! an& then follo% the 9ol& Ri'er to the he s of the -ountains" Yet it %as not a 4ourney for a lone an" #n& %ithout 5ighteyes! that %as %hat I %as" There are no si1able cities in the interior! though there are ru&i entary to%ns that subsist year/roun& near so e of the s$rings that ran&o ly &ot the interior" -ost of these sur'i'e by 'irtue of the tra&e cara'ans that $ass near the " Tra&e &oes flo%! albeit slo%ly! bet%een the folk of Blue =ake an& the Ain Ri'er! an& by this sa e $ath &o the goo&s of the -ountain folk co e into Six Duchies han&s" The ob'ious course %as to so eho% attach cara'ans" Yet %hat is ob'ious is not al%ays easy" ;hen I ha& entere& Tra&efor& to%n! I ha& looke& to be the $oorest ty$e of beggar i aginable" I left it finely &resse&! on one of the best ani als e'er bre& at Buckkee$" But the boots! o ent after I ha& $arte& %ith #rro%! the gra'ity of e" I ha& the clothing I ha& stolen an& y situation began to &a%n on chain" In y leather yself to one of those

y belt an& $ouch! a knife an& a s%or&! $lus a ring an& a aking! a shar$ening stone for

e&allion on a

y $ouch there %ere no coins left at all! though it &i& contain y knife! an& a goo& e! an&

i $le ents for fire selection of $oisons" ;ol'es are not

eant to hunt alone" So 5ighteyes ha& once tol&

before the &ay %as out! I ca e to a$$reciate the %is&o

of that state ent" -y

eal that &ay consiste& of rice/lily roots an& so e nuts a s)uirrel ha& hoar&e& in too ob'ious a hi&ing $lace" I %oul& gla&ly ha'e eaten the s)uirrel! %ho sat
CHE

o'erhea& scol&ing at

e as I rai&e& his cache! but I ha& not the y illusions about

eans to

ake

that %ish a reality" Instea&! as I $oun&e& the nuts %ith a stone to o$en the ! I reflecte& that one by one! I ha& belie'e& not co $etently yself ha& been stri$$e& a%ay" yself a self/sufficient an& cle'er fello%" I ha& taken $ri&e in aster y Skill ability! y strength at it %as easily the e)ual y e 9ha&e.s secret infor ation

y skills as an assassin! ha& e'en! &ee$ &o%n! belie'e& that although I coul& of any in Jalen.s 9oterie" But take a%ay both (ing Shre%&.s largesse an& %olf co $anion.s hunting ability! subtract fro star'ing

an& $lotting skill an& Aerity.s Skill/gui&ance! an& %hat I sa% left %as a an in stolen clothes! half%ay bet%een Buckkee$ an& the -ountains! %ith s all $ros$ect of getting any closer to either one" Satisfyingly bleak as such thoughts %ere! they &i& nothing to assuage the nagging of Aerity.s Skill/suggestion" 9o e to %or&s to burn into sought only to kee$ y in& %ith such co e fro e" Ha& he inten&e& for those yself" #n& yet no% the y slee$ an&0 I &oubte& it" I think he ha&

killing both Regal an&

co $ulsion %as there! festering like an arro%hea&" It e'en infecte& gi'en u$ in y

%ith anxiety! so that I &rea e& often of going to Aerity" It %as not that I ha& y a bition of killing Regal+ a &o1en ti es a &ay! I constructe& $lots ight return to Tra&efor& an& co e at hi fro in&! %ays in %hich I

an unex$ecte& angle" But all such $lots began %ith the reser'ation 6after I ha'e gone to Aerity"7 It ha& si $ly beco e unthinkable to anything else that ha& a higher $riority" Se'eral hungry &ays u$ri'er of Tra&efor& is a to%n calle& =an&ing" ;hile not nearly as large as Tra&efor&! it is a healthy settle ent" -uch goo& leather is a&e there! not 4ust fro her&s as %ell" The other a&e fro co%hi&e! but fro the tough $igskin of the haragar ain in&ustry of the to%n see e& to be a fine $ottery e that there %as

the banks of %hite clay that front the ri'er" -uch that one %oul&
C1H

ex$ect to be

a&e fro

%oo& or glass or

etal else%here is

a&e fro

leather

or $ottery in =an&ing" 5ot 4ust shoes an& glo'es! but hats an& other gar ents are of leather there! as are chair seats an& e'en the roofs an& %alls of the stalls in the buckets arkets" In the sho$ %in&o%s I sa% trenchers an& can&lesticks an& e'en a&e of finely gla1e& $ottery! all inscribe& or $ainte& in a hun&re& ight sell %hate'er one ha& y fine clothes for

styles an& colors" I also foun&! e'entually! a s all ba1aar %here one to sell an& not be aske& too any )uestions" I tra&e& a%ay

the loose trousers an& tunic of a %orking an! $lus one $air of stockings" I shoul& ha'e got a better tra&e! but the %ere stretche& fro fitting an $ointe& out se'eral bro%nish stains on the cuffs of the shirt that he belie'e& %oul& not co e out" #n& the leggings e so $oorly" He coul& laun&er the ! but he %as a&e" #t least these clothes ha& not been %orn by ansion" e&allion! an& the not sure he coul& get the a ur&erer esca$ing fro back into their $ro$er sha$e , I ga'e it u$ an& %as (ing Regal.s

content %ith the bargain I.&

In a sho$ farther &o%n the street I $arte& %ith the ring! the

chain for se'en sil'er bits an& se'en co$$ers" It %as not near the $assage fare to 4oin a cara'an to the -ountains! but it %as the best offer of the six I.& ha&" The chubby little %o an %ho bought the touch y slee'e as I turne& a%ay" y offer"7 oney for it to fro e reache& out ti i&ly to

6I.& not ask this! sir! sa'e I can see you.re in a &es$erate %ay!7 she began hesitantly" 6So I $ray you! take no offense at 6;hich is07 I aske&" I sus$ecte& she %oul& offer to buy the s%or&" I ha& alrea&y &eci&e& I %oul& not $art %ith it" I %oul& not get enough ake it %orth y %hile to go unar e&" y ear" 6Your free an.s earring" I.'e a $atron %ho the Butran 9lan" # I correct07 She gesture& shyly to%ar&

collects such rarities" I belie'e that one is fro

C11

She aske& it so hesitantly! as if ex$ecting that at any rage" 6I &o not kno%!7 I tol& her honestly3 6It %as a gift fro I.& $art %ith for sil'er"7 She s ile& kno%ingly! su&&enly

o ent I

ight fly into a

a frien&" It.s not a thing

ore confi&ent" 6Oh! I kno% %e are s$eaking y ear"

of gol&s for such a thing" I %oul& not insult you %ith an offer of sil'ers" 6 6Jol&s07 I aske& incre&ulously" I reache& to touch the s all bauble at 6For this07 6Of course!7 she assente& easily! thinking I %as feeling for a bi&" 6I can see the %ork anshi$ is su$erior" Such is the re$utation of the Butran 9lan" There is also the rarity of it" The Butran 9lan grants free&o this far fro 9halce&! that is kno%n" Once a tattoos! %ell ,7 It took 'ery little to &ra% her into a learne& con'ersation about 9halce&.s sla'e tra&e an& sla'e tattoos an& free&o rings" It soon beca e a$$arent that she &esire& Burrich.s earring! not for any $atron! but for herself" She.& ha& an ancestor %ho ha& %on his %ay out of sla'ery" She still $ossesse& the free&o ring he.& been grante& by his o%ners as the 'isible sign that he %as no longer a sla'e" The $ossession of such an earring! correctly atching the last clan ight sy bol tattooe& on a sla'e.s cheek! %as the only %ay a for er sla'e troubleso e! it %as easily seen fro to a sla'e but rarely" E'en an or %o an %ears the Butran

o'e freely in 9halce&! let alone lea'e that country" If a sla'e %as the nu ber of tattoos across the face! tracking the history of o%nershi$" So that 6 a$face7 %as a by%or& for a sla'e that ha& been sol& all o'er 9halce&! a trouble aker fit for nothing but galley or ine %ork" She ba&e of the linke& sil'er that e take the earring off an& truly look at it! at the fineness a&e u$ the esh that entra$$e& %hat %as &efinitely a

sa$$hire" 6You see!7 she ex$laine&! 6a sla'e has not only to %in hi self free!
C12

but to then earn fro free&o is little

his

aster the cost of such an earring" For %ithout it! his

ore than an exten&e& leash" He can go no%here %ithout aster is no longer liable for fro his ol&

being sto$$e& at the check$oints! can acce$t no free an.s %ork %ithout the %ritten consent of his for er o%ner" The for er o%ner"7 She offere& e three gol&s %ithout hesitation" That %as ore than cara'an fare+ I coul& ha'e bought a horse! a goo& horse! an& not only 4oine& a cara'an but tra'ele& in co fort on that" Instea& I left her sho$ before she %oul& try to &issua&e e %ith a higher offer" ;ith a co$$er I bought a loaf of coarse brea& any things" The entione& she ha& eant an& sat &o%n to eat it near the &ocks" I %on&ere& a great earring ha& $robably been Burrich.s gran& other.s" He ha& co e to to Ia ean to hi ! that he ha& gi'en it to e0 yself %ith her offer of gol&s" I reflecte& that if Burrich e to go ahea& an& sell it! that y life an& than an earring of sil'er an& sa$$hire" I coul& his foo& or shelter! but the for er sla'e has no such free&o

been a sla'e but ha& %on free of that life" I %on&ere& %hat the earring ha& y father! an& %hat it ha& y father that he ha& ke$t it" Ha& *atience kno%n any of this %hen she ha& hu an" I te $te&

$asse& it on to kne% of

y situation! he %oul& tell ore to hi

safety %ere %orth

get a horse an& go to the -ountains an& fin& Aerity an& $ut an en& to the constant nagging of his Skill/or&er that %as like an itch I coul& not scratch" I stare& out o'er the ri'er an& finally confronte& the enor ous 4ourney before e" Fro here I ust 4ourney through near &esert to get to Blue =ake" I ha& no i&ea ho% I %oul& cross Blue =ake itself" On the other si&e! forest trails %oun& through the foothills u$ into the rugge& lan&s of the -ountain (ing&o " To @haa $e the ca$ital city I ust go! to so eho% obtain a co$y of the a$ Aerity ha& use&" It ha& been base& on ol& %ritings in the @haa $e library+
C18

$erha$s the original %as still there" Only it coul& lea& coin! e'ery resource I coul& co Burrich! but %hat it ha& co e to y $ast! to %ho I ha& been! to the an&"

e to Aerity so e%here

in the unkno%n territory beyon& the -ountain (ing&o " I %oul& nee& e'ery But &es$ite all that! I &eci&e& to kee$ the earring" 5ot for %hat it ean to e" It %as an %ho ha& raise& eant to

y last $hysical link to e! e'en to the father y yself to &o %hat I kne%

%ho ha& once %orn it" It %as o&&ly &ifficult to bring ear" I still ha& the scra$s of silk fro ha& been too intereste& in it an& &eci&e to sen& seekers after &escribe&" y

%as %ise" I reache& u$ an& un&i& the tiny catch that secure& the earring to one to %ra$ the earring %ell an& $ut it insi&e

as)uera&e! an& I use& the s allest y belt $ouch" The tra&er %o an

arke& its a$$earance too %ell" If Regal &i&

e! that earring %oul& be one of the %ays I.& be

#fter%ar& I %alke& about the city! listening to folk talk an& trying to learn %hat I nee&e& to kno% %ithout asking )uestions" I loitere& in the %an&ering fro stall to stall i&ly" I allotte& co$$ers! an& s$ent the arket$lace! of four yself the la'ish su

on %hat see e& exotic luxuries3 a s all bag of tea

herbs! &rie& fruit! a $iece of looking glass! a s all cooking $ot! an& a cu$" I aske& at se'eral herb stalls for elfbark! but either they &i& not kno% it or they kne% it by another na e in Farro%" I tol& yself it %as all right! for I &i& not ex$ect to ha'e any nee& for its restorati'e $o%ers" I ho$e& I %as right" Instea& I &ubiously $urchase& so ething calle& sunskirt see&s! %hich I %as assure& %oul& re'i'e a an to %akefulness no atter ho% %eary he ight be" ore co$$ers" I I foun& a rag %o an %ho let e go through her cart for t%o

foun& a s elly but ser'iceable cloak an& so e leggings that $ro ise& to be as itchy as they %ere %ar " I tra&e& her hea& kerchief! an& %ith y re aining scra$s of yello% silk for a e ho% to tie it any leering re arks she sho%e&
C1<

about carry

y hea&" I &i& as I ha& &one before!

aking the cloak into a bun&le to

y things! an& then %ent &o%n to the slaughter yar&s east of to%n" ountains of anure! the s ell of bloo& an&

I ha& ne'er encountere& such a stench as I foun& there" There %as $en after $en after $en of ani als! 'eritable offal fro assault on of the folk the slaughter she&s! an& the harsh stinks of the tannery $its" #s if the y nose %as not enough! the air %as like%ise fille& %ith the ba%ling o'ing the ani als fro $en to $en or &ragging the yself fro off to the blin&

of cattle! the s)uealing of haragars! the bu11ing of the blo%flies! an& the shouts slaughter" Steel yself as I %oul&! I coul& not insulate

isery an& $anic of the %aiting ani als" They ha& no clear kno%le&ge of %hat a%aite& the ! but the s ell of the fresh bloo& an& the cries of the other beasts a%oke in so e of the a terror e)ui'alent to %hat I ha& felt as I s$ra%le& on ust be! for this %as %here the cara'ans en&e&! the &ungeon floor" Yet here I

an& also %here so e began" Folk %ho ha& &ri'en ani als here to sell %oul& ost likely be returning" -ost %oul& be buying other tra&e goo&s to take back %ith the ! so as not to %aste a tri$" I ha& ho$es of fin&ing so e sort of %ork %ith one of the far as Blue =ake" I soon foun& I %as not the only one %ith such ho$es" There %as a ragtag hiring fair in a s$ace bet%een t%o ta'erns that fronte& on the hol&ing $ens" So e of the folk there %ere her&ers %ho ha& co e fro Blue =ake %ith one her&! staye& in =an&ing to s$en& their earnings! an& no%! out of coin an& far fro ho e! %ere looking for $assage back" For so e of the ! that %as the $attern of their li'es as &ro'ers" There %ere a fe% youngsters there! ob'iously looking for a&'enture an& tra'el an& a chance to strike out on their o%n" #n& there %ere those %ho %ere ob'iously the &regs of the to%n! folk %ho coul& get no stea&y that %oul& gain e the co $anionshi$ of a cara'an at least as

C1?

%ork! or ha& not the character to li'e in one $lace for long" I &i& not blen& 'ery %ell %ith any grou$! but I en&e& u$ stan&ing %ith the &ro'ers" -y tale %as that y other ha& recently &ie& an& turne& o'er her estates to e" #n& so I ha& set out to tra'el to y y coin ha& run out before I ha& reache& an&! so so e sai&! y ol&er sister! %ho ha& little use for uncle! %ho li'e& $ast Blue =ake! but

there" 5o! I.& not been a &ro'er before! but %e.& been %ealthy enough to ha'e horses! cattle! an& shee$! an& I kne% the basic care of the 6ha& a %ay7 %ith &u b beasts" I %as not hire& that &ay" Fe% %ere! an& night foun& ost of us be&&ing &o%n right %here %e ha& stoo& all &ay" # baker.s a$$rentice ca e a ongst us %ith a tray of lefto'er %ares! an& I $arte& %ith another co$$er for a long loaf of &ark brea& stu&&e& %ith see&s" I share& it %ith a stout fello% %hose $ale hair ke$t cree$ing out of his kerchief an& o'er his face" In return! 9reece offere& so e &rie& eat! a &rink of the &eal of gossi$" He %as a talker! one of those en %ho take the e ost a$$alling %ine I.& e'er taste&! an& a great ost extre e

stance on any to$ic an& ha'e not con'ersations but argu ents %ith their fello%s" #s I ha& little to say! 9reece soon nee&le& the other folk about us into a contentious &iscussion of the current $olitics in Farro%" So eone kin&le& a s all fire! ore for light than any nee& for %ar th! an& se'eral bottles %ere y hea& $illo%e& on y bun&le! an& $reten&e& to be $asse& about" I lay back! &o1ing as I listene&" There %as no ention of the Re&/Shi$s! no talk at all of the %ar that rage& uch these folk %oul& resent being along the coast" I un&erstoo& abru$tly ho%

taxe& for troo$s to $rotect a coast they.& ne'er e'en seen! for %arshi$s to sail an ocean they coul& not e'en i agine" The ari& $lains bet%een =an&ing an& Blue =ake %ere their ocean! an& these &ro'ers the sailors %ho tra'ele& on it" The Six Duchies %ere not by nature six regions of lan& boun& into a %hole! but
C1B

%ere a king&o %ith a co

only because a strong line of rulers ha& fence& the

together

on boun&ary an& &ecree& the

to be one" Shoul& all of the 9oastal ean little for these folk here" There ust %on&er %hat right their ho es" Tilth an&

Duchies fall to the Re&/Shi$s! it %oul&

%oul& still be cattle to her&! an& loathso e %ine to &rink+ there %oul& still be grass an& the ri'er an& the &usty streets" Ine'itably I %e ha& to force these folk to $ay for a %ar so far fro asking for

Farro% ha& been con)uere& an& a&&e& to the &uchies+ they ha& not co e to us ilitary $rotection or the benefits of tra&e" 5ot that they ha&n.t arket uch sailcloth! ho% any coils of $ros$ere&! free& of all their $etty inlan& her&lor&s an& gi'en an eager for their beef an& leather an& ro$e" Ho% still see e& a inor return"

goo& he $ ro$e ha& they sol& before they %ere $art of the Six Duchies0 But it I gre% %eary of such thoughts" The only constant to their con'ersation %as co $laint about the tra&e e bargo %ith the -ountains" I ha& begun to &o1e off %hen lifte& y ears $ricke& u$ to the %or&s 6*ocke& -an"7 I o$ene& y hea& slightly" entione& hi in the tra&itional %ay! as the harbinger of an coul& e'en sell the " I fro%ne& to an y eyes an&

So eone ha&

&isaster! laughingly saying that Hencil.s shee$ ha& all seen hi ! for they %ere &ying in their $en before the $oor yself at the thought of &isease in such close )uarters! but another

laughe& an& sai& that (ing Regal ha& &ecree& it %as no longer ba& luck to see the *ocke& -an! but the greatest goo& that coul& befall one" 6If I sa% that ol& beggar! I.& not blanch an& flee! but tackle hi hi self" He.s offere& one hun&re& gol&s to any -an fro Buck"7 an& take hi an can bring hi to the (ing the *ocke&

C1C

6;as fifty! only fifty gol&s! not a hun&re&!7 9reece interru$te& 4eeringly" He took another &rink fro ol& an:7 alone! an& another hun&re& for the an%olf that agic" his bottle" 6;hat a story! a hun&re& gol&s for a gray

65o! it.s a hun&re&! for hi

&ogs his heels" I hear& it crie& ane% 4ust this afternoon" They cre$t into the (ing.s -ansion at Tra&efor&! an& sle% so e of his guar& %ith Beast Throats torn right out that the %olf ight &rink the bloo&" He.s the one they an ol& battle %ith this ti e"7 at this" E'en I ha& y face back into

%ant ba& no%" Dresses like a gentle an! they sai&! %ith a ring an& a necklace an& a sil'er &angle at his ear" Streak of %hite in his hair fro our king! an& a scar &o%n his face an& a broken nose fro nice ne% s%or&/slash u$ his ar There %as a lo% is %hat the (ing gi'e hi se'eral of the utter of a& iration fro the sa e" Yes! an& a

to a& ire Regal.s au&acity at clai ing that! e'en as I turne&

y bun&le an& burro%e& &o%n as if to slee$" The gossi$ continue&" 6Su$$ose& to be ;it/bre&! he is! an& able to turn hi self into a %olf %hene'er the oon is on hi " They slee$ by &ay an& $ro%l by night! they &o" It.s sai& it.s a curse $ut on the (ing by that foreigner )ueen he chase& out of Buck for trying to steal the cro%n" The *ocke& -an! it.s tol&! is a half/s$irit! char e& fro the bo&y of ol& (ing Shre%& by her -ountain agic! an& he tra'els all the roa&s an& streets! any%here in the Six Duchies! bringing ill %here'er he goes! an& %earing the face of the ol& (ing hi self"7 6Dung an& rot!7 9reece sai& &isguste&ly" He took another s%ig hi self" But so e of the others like& this %il& tale an& leane& closer! %his$ering for hi go on! go on" 6;ell! that.s %hat I hear&!7 the storyteller sai& huffily" 6That the *ocke& -an is Shre%&.s half/s$irit! an& he can.t kno% any rest until the -ountain )ueen that $oisone& hi is in her gra'e as %ell"7
C1D

to

6So! if the *ocke& -an is Shre%&.s ghost! %hy is (ing Regal offering a hun&re& gol&s. re%ar& for hi 07 9reece aske& sourly" 65ot his ghost" His half/s$irit" He stole $art of the (ing.s s$irit as he %as &ying! an& (ing Shre%& can kno% no rest until the *ocke& -an is &ea& so the (ing.s s$irit can be re4oine&" #n& so e say!7 an& he &ro$$e& his 'oice lo%er! 6that the Bastar& %as not kille& %ell enough! that he %alks again as a an/ %olf" He an& the *ocke& -an seek 'engeance against (ing Regal! to &estroy the throne he coul& not steal" For he %as in league to be king to the Aixen Iueen once they.& &one a%ay %ith Shre%&"7 It %as the right sort of night for such a tale" The shifting of the cattle in their $ens the oon %as s%ollen an& orange ournful lo%ing an& an& ri&ing lo% in the sky! %hile the %in& brought us the tanning hi&es" High tattere& clou&s &rifte& fro

ixe& %ith the stench of rotting bloo& an& ti e to ti e across the face of y back! $robably for a e %ith

oon" The storyteller.s %or&s $ut a shi'er u$

&ifferent reason than he thought" I ke$t %aiting for so eone to nu&ge of the an.s tale ha& the

a foot! or cry out! 6Hey! let.s ha'e a better look at hi "7 5o one &i&" The tone looking for %olf eyes in the sha&o%s! not for a i&st" 5onetheless! y heart %as thu&&ing in y trail" The tailor %here I.& tra&e& clothes y hair" So e ight not %ant %eary %ork an slee$ing in their y chest as I looke& back &o%n %o an %ho ha& hel$e& to co e for%ar&! so e

%oul& recogni1e that &escri$tion" *ossibly the earring %o an" E'en the ol& rag e tie the kerchief o'er ight %ant to a'oi& &ealing %ith the (ing.s guar&s"

So e %oul&! though" I shoul& beha'e as if they all %oul&" The s$eaker %as going on! e broi&ering his tale of (ettricken.s e'il a bitions an& ho% she ha& lain %ith e to concei'e a chil& %e coul& use to clai the throne" There %as loathing in the storyteller.s 'oice as he s$oke of (ettricken! an& no one scoffe& at his %or&s" E'en 9reece at
C1E

y si&e %as ac)uiescent! as if

these bi1arre $lots %ere co 9reece s$oke u$ su&&enly"

on kno%le&ge" 9onfir ing

y %orst fears! Aerity

6You tell it like it.s all ne%! but all kne% her big belly ca e not fro but fro

the ;it/Bastar&" Ha& Regal not &ri'en off the -ountain %hore! %e ur ur of assent to this" I close& e" I reache& u$ to tug y eyes an& lay back as if ore snugly about y

%oul& e'entually ha'e ha& one like the *iebal& *rince in line for the throne"7 There %as a lo% bore&! ho$ing that y stillness an& lo%ere& li&s coul& conceal the rage that y kerchief

threatene& to consu e

y hair" ;hat coul& be Regal.s $ur$ose in letting such e'il gossi$ be noise& about0 For I kne% this kin& of $oison e'i&ently co ust co e fro hi " I &i& not trust 'oice to ask any )uestions! nor &i& I %ish to a$$ear ignorant of %hat %as on kno%le&ge" So I lay still an& listene& %ith sa'age interest" I e that this %as recent ne%s" an e'en 'enture& gathere& that all kne% (ettricken ha& returne& to the -ountains" The freshness of the conte $t they ha& for her suggeste& to There %as uttering too that it %as the fault of the -ountain %itch that the

$asses %ere close& to honest Tilth an& Farro% tra&ers" One chance to fence Farro% an& Tilth in an& force the tra&e routes" One Duchies bor&er" To

to say that no% that tra&e %ith the coast %as shut &o%n! the -ountains sa% a to co e to ter s or lose all the -ountain an recounte& that e'en a si $le cara'an escorte& by Six

en in Regal.s o%n colors ha& been turne& back fro

e! such talk %as ob'iously stu$i&" The -ountains nee&e& the tra&e %ith ore i $ortant to the -ountain folk than the

Farro% an& Tilth" Jrain %as

lu ber an& furs of the -ountains to these lo%lan&ers" Such free tra&e ha& been o$enly a& itte& as a reason for %e&&ing (ettricken to Aerity" E'en if (ettricken ha& fle& back to the -ountains! I kne% her %ell enough to be sure she %oul& not su$$ort any cutting off of tra&e bet%een her folk an& the Six
C2H

Duchies" She %as too bon&e& to both grou$s! so intent on being Sacrifice for all of the " If there %ere a tra&e e bargo as I ha& hear&! I %as sure it ha& begun %ith Regal" But the en about e gru ble& on about the -ountain %itch an& her 'en&etta against the (ing" ;as Regal fo enting a %ar %ith the -ountains0 Ha& he been atte $ting to sen& ar e& troo$s there un&er the guise of escorts for tra&ers0 It %as a foolish i&ea" =ong ago y father ha& been sent to the -ountains to for ali1e arking the en& of long years of $asses an& trails by boun&aries an& tra&e agree ents %ith the !

bor&er skir ishes an& rai&s" Those years of battle ha& taught (ing Shre%& that no one %as going to take an& hol& the -ountain (ing&o force" >n%illingly I follo%e& that thought" Regal ha& been the one to suggest (ettricken as a bri&e for Aerity" He ha& &one all the courtier.s %ork of %ooing her for his brother" Then! as the ti e for the %e&&ing &re% near! he ha& atte $te& to kill Aerity! %ith the ai chance for hi to clai of securing the *rincess as his o%n bri&e" He ha& faile&! an& his $lots an& $lans ha& been re'eale& to only a fe%" The *rincess (ettricken as his o%n! an& all that %ent %ith her! such as her e'entual inheritance of the -ountain cro%n! ha& sli$$e& through his fingers" I recalle& so e talk I ha& once hear& bet%een Regal an& the traitorous Jalen" They ha& see e& to think that Tilth an& Farro% %oul& be best secure& if they coul& control the -ountain ranges an& $asses that backe& the " Di& Regal no% think to take by force %hat he ha& once ho$e& to clai by arriage0 Di& he think he coul& rally enough ill %ill against (ettricken to ake his follo%ers belie'e they %ere %aging a 4ust %ar! one of 'engeance against a -ountain %itch! one to kee$ o$en key tra&e routes0 Regal! I reflecte&! %as ca$able of belie'ing anything he %ishe& to belie'e" In the &e$ths of his cu$s! hea& %reathe& %ith his S okes! I &i& not &oubt that he no% belie'e& his o%n %il& tales" # hun&re& gol&s for 9ha&e! an& another
C21

hun&re& for

e" I kne% %ell enough %hat I ha& &one lately to

erit such a y

hea&$rice! but I %on&ere& keenly 4ust %hat 9ha&e ha& been u$ to" In all

years %ith 9ha&e! he ha& al%ays %orke& unna e& an& unseen" He still ha& no na e! but his $ocke& skin an& rese blance to his half/brother %ere kno%n no%" That eant he ha& been seen so e%here! by so eone" I ho$e& he %as e yearne& to turn back! to safe" &o%n" #s if so eho% I coul& kee$ hi %ell an& safe this night %here'er he %as" # $art of return to Buck an& track hi 9o e to 5o e" atter %hat I felt! I kne% that first I %oul& yself that o'er an& o'er an& %as finally able to &ro$ in&

atter %hat I longe& to &o! no

go to Aerity" I $ro ise&

off into a %ary &o1e" I &rea e&! but they %ere $ale &rea s! barely touche& by the Skill! shifting an& turning as if blo%n by the autu n %in&s" -y see e& to ha'e caught u$ an& 4u ble& together thoughts of e'ery $erson I isse&" I &rea e& of 9ha&e taking tea %ith *atience an& =acey" He %ore a robe of re& silk $atterne& o'er %ith stars! cut in a 'ery ol& style! an& he s ile& char ingly at the %o en o'er his cu$ an& brought laughter e'en to *atience.s eyes! although she looke& strangely %orn an& %eary" I then &rea e& of -olly $ee$ing out of a cottage &oor %hile Burrich stoo& outsi&e it! $ulling his cloak tight against the %in& an& telling her not to %orry! he.& not be gone that long an& any hea'y chores coul& kee$ until he returne&! that she shoul& stay %ithin &oors an& ha'e only a care for herself" E'en of 9elerity &i& I &rea ! that she ha& taken shelter in the fable& Ice 9a'es of the Hungry Jlacier in Bearns! an& hi& there %ith %hat troo$s she coul& still rally an& any of her folk a&e ho eless by the Rai&er %ars" I &rea e& she ten&e& Faith! %ho lay suffering %ith a fe'er an& a festering arro% %oun& in her belly" I &rea e& finally of the Fool! his %hite face turne& to i'ory as he sat before a hearth an& stare& into the fla es" There %as no ho$e left in his face! an& I felt that I %as %ithin the
C22

fla es! looking &ee$ly into his eyes" So e%here nearby an& yet not 'ery near! (ettricken %as %ee$ing inconsolably" -y &rea s %ithere& in %ere %il& %ol'es! an& if longer" I a%oke %ith a hea&ache an& a crick in y back fro a stone I.& sle$t on" The sun ha& only begun to crack the sky! but I rose any%ay! to go to a %ell an& &ra% %ater for %ashing! an& to &rink as once tol& uch as I coul& hol&" Burrich ha& y knife! consi&ere& e that &rinking a lot of %ater %as a goo& %ay to sta'e off hunger" It y bear& gro% o'er the scar as y in&! an& ine no then I &rea e& of %ol'es hunting! hunting! running &o%n a buck! but they y %olf %as a ong the ! he %as theirs an&

%as a theory I.& ha'e to test to&ay" I $ut an e&ge on sha'ing! then &eci&e& against it" Better to let irritate&

s%iftly as $ossible" I rubbe& reluctantly at the coarse gro%th that alrea&y e" I %ent back to %here the others still sle$t" an a$$eare&! to call one $en to en shook their an to hel$ o'e his shee$ fro ost of the They %ere 4ust beginning to stir %hen a bulky little shrilly that he %oul& hire a another" It %as only a orning.s %ork! if that! an& ust

hea&s! %ishing to re ain %here they =ake" He al ost $lea&e&! saying he

ight be hire& for a &ro'er.s tri$ to Blue o'e the shee$ through the city on traffic began"

streets! hence he nee&e& to get it &one before the &ay.s co no&&e& to hi

Finally! he offere& to inclu&e breakfast! an& I really think that %as %hy I an& follo%e& hi " His na e %as Da on an& he talke& the e %hole ti e %e %alke&! fluttering his han&s about! ex$laining nee&lessly to stock! an& he &i&n.t %ant the %as the best %ay to follo%e& hi

4ust ho% he %ante& these shee$ han&le&" They %ere goo& stock! 'ery goo& in4ure& or e'en flustere&" 9al ly! slo%ly! that o'e shee$" I no&&e& %or&lessly to his %orrying an&

to a $en far &o%n the slaughter street"

C28

It soon beca e a$$arent %hy he %as so anxious to $en $en! but ost of the

o'e his shee$" The next

ust ha'e belonge& to the luckless Hencil" # fe% shee$ still baae& in that %ere &o%n! &ea& or &ying of flux" The stench of their en %ere the

sickness a&&e& a ne% foul note to the other s ells in the air" So e flock" They %ere aking bloo&y!

there! taking the skins off the &ea& ani als to sal'age %hat they coul& fro ani als right there in the $en %ith the &ying ones" It re in&e& grueso e %ay of a battlefiel&! %ith looters y eyes fro the sight an& hel$e& Da on bunch u$ his shee$"

essy %ork of it! lea'ing the skinne& &ea& e in so e o'ing a ong the fallen" I turne&

Trying to use the ;it on shee$ is al ost a %aste of ti e" They are flighty of thought" E'en those ones %ho a$$ear ost $laci& are so because they ha'e are ca$able of an they ha'e in it" I forgotten %hat they %ere thinking about" The %orst of the only %ay to &eal %ith the a use& an& the the is

inor&inate a ount of %ariness! beco ing sus$icious of the si $lest act" The uch as her& &ogs &o" 9on'ince the ha& a goo& i&ea about %here they %ish to go! an& encourage the o'e& these %oolly fools! but

yself briefly by consi&ering ho% 5ighteyes %oul& ha'e bunche& u$ y e'en thinking of a %olf cause& a fe% of

to halt in their tracks su&&enly an& glance about %il&ly" I suggeste& to they shoul& follo% the others before they %ere lost! an& they starte& as if e a general i&ea of %here %e %ere going! an& a long stick" scattering at e'ery intersection"

sur$rise& at the notion! then cro%&e& in a ongst the rest of the shee$" Da on ha& gi'en I %orke& the back an& si&es of the flock! running an& soon $anting like a &og! %hile he le& the %ay an& ke$t the flock fro He took us to an area on the outskirts of to%n! an& %e $ut the shee$ into one of the ra shackle $ens there" #nother $en hel& a 'ery fine re& bull! %hile there %ere six horses in yet another" #fter %e ha& caught our breath! he ex$laine& that to orro% a cara'an %oul& be for ing u$ here to tra'el to Blue =ake" He
C2<

ha& bought these shee$ 4ust yester&ay! an& inten&e& to take the there to a&& to his flocks" I aske& hi shee$ to Blue =ake! an& he ga'e if he

to his ho e

ight %ant another han& to her& the ilk! $lain

e a consi&ering look but no ans%er" e" It %as ser'e& to us by a %o an %ho a&e her li'ing kee$ing %atch o'er e that eals an& so eti es be&s for those in

He %as as goo& as his %or& about breakfast" ;e ha& $orri&ge an& fare that taste& %on&erfully goo& to li'e& in a house near the hol&ing $ens an& the ani als $enne& there an& $ro'i&ing

charge of the " #fter %e ha& eaten! Da on laboriously ex$laine& to 4u&ge& by the cut of seeking" He.& taken

yes! he %as in nee& of an extra han&! $ossibly t%o! for the tri$! but that he y clothes that I kne% little of the ty$e of %ork I %as e on this orning because I %as the only one %ho y story of y that I %as fa iliar %ith han&ling shee$! e" His ter s y

looke& really a%ake an& eager for the %ork" I tol& hi heartless sister! an& assure& hi horses! or cattle3 #fter $ay %ere that he %oul& $ro'i&e

uch &ithering an& &ruthering! he hire& e to run an& fetch

y foo& for the 4ourney! an& at the en& of it %oul& y things an& say

e ten sil'er bits" He tol& y $lace"

goo&byes! but to be certain to be back here by the e'ening! or he %oul& hire another to take 6I ha'e nothing to fetch! an& no one to bi& goo&bye to!7 I tol& hi " It %oul& not be %ise to go back to to%n! not after %hat I.& hear& last night" I %ishe& the cara'an %ere lea'ing right no%" For an instant he looke& shocke&! but then &eci&e& he %as %ell $lease&" 6;ell! I ha'e both to atten& to! so I shall lea'e you here to %atch o'er the shee$" They.ll nee& %ater haule& to the + that %as one reason I %as lea'ing the the to%n $ens! they.'e a $u $ there" But I &i&n.t like to ha'e the shee$" You haul the the " See you gi'e the %ater! an& I.ll sen& a a goo& fee&" 5o%!
C2?

in

so near sick

an out %ith a cart of hay for in&! I.ll 4u&ge ho% %e are to go

on together by ho% you begin %ith telling se$arate $iles of fee& to an& his cal

e ,7 #n& so on an& so on he %ent! any

e to the last &etail ho% he %ishe& the ani als %atere&! an& ho% a&e e

ake to be sure each ani al got a share" I su$$ose it iss Burrich! e" e in& the y business an& &o it" #s he %as

%as to be ex$ecte&+ I &i& not look like a she$her&" It assu $tion that I %oul& kno%

turning to go! he su&&enly turne& back" 6#n& your na e! la&07 he calle& to 6To !7 I sai& after an instant.s hesitation" *atience ha& thought once to call that! before I ha& acce$te& the na e Fit19hi'alry" The reflection calle& to so ething Regal ha& once flung at she$her& uch abo'e that" fin& 5a eless the &ogboy!7 he.& sneere&" I &oubte& he %oul& think To

e" 6You ha'e to but scratch yourself to

There %as a &ug %ell! not 'ery near the $ens! %ith a 'ery long ro$e to its bucket" By %orking constantly! I finally anage& to get the %ater trough fille&" #ctually! I fille& it se'eral ti es before the shee$ allo%e& it to re ain fille&" #bout then! a cart %ith hay arri'e&! an& I carefully create& four se$arate $iles of fee& in the corners of the $en" It %as another exercise in frustration! as the shee$ bunche& an& fe& off each $ile as I create& it" It %as only after all but the %eakest %ere satiate& that I coul& finally establish a $ile in each corner" I %hile& a%ay the afternoon %ith &ra%ing of the roa& fro in4ury! I tol& y bo&y" -y ar ore %ater" The %o an ga'e e the use of a large kettle to heat it! an& a $ri'ate $lace %here I coul& %ash the %orst %as healing %ell" 5ot ba& for a &ea&ly y blun&ering" ore %ater to heat! yself! an& ho$e& 9ha&e %oul& ne'er hear of e" ;hen I %as clean! I fetche&

Ho% he %oul& laugh at the cloak %as actually a

this for %ashing out the clothes I.& bought fro

the rag %o an" I &isco'ere& ore of %et

uch lighter gray than I ha& thought it" I coul& not get

all the s ell out of it! but by the ti e I hung it to &ry! it s elle& %ool an& less of its $re'ious o%ner"
C2B

Da on ha& left gro%n

e no $ro'ision for foo&! but the %o an offere& to fee&

e if yself

I %oul& haul the %ater for the bull an& the horses! as it %as a chore she.& uch %eary of &oing for the last four &ays" So I &i&! an& earne& y shee$" Fin&ing the all $laci&! habit y life" It a&e a&e a &inner of ste% an& biscuits an& a checke& on ug of ale to %ash it all &o%n" #fter%ar& I e turn to the bull e reali1e that it

an& the horses" I stoo& leaning on the fence! %atching the ani als! %on&ering ho% it %oul& be if this %ere all there %as to e to co e ho e at night" # rangy %hite %oul& not ha'e been ba&! not if there.& been a %o an like -olly %aiting for are ca e o'er to rub her nose u$ issing a freckle& y shirt an& beg to be scratche&" I $ette& her an& foun& her far girl %ho ha& brought her carrots an& calle& her *rincess" I %on&ere& if anyone! any%here! got to li'e the life he.& %ante&" *erha$s 5ighteyes finally ha&" I truly ho$e& so" I %ishe& hi enough to ho$e that so eti es he.& iss %ell! but %as selfish e" Sullenly I %on&ere& if $erha$s

that %as %hy Aerity ha& not co e back" -aybe he.& 4ust got sick of the %hole business of cro%ns an& thrones an& kicke& o'er all his traces" But e'en as I thought it! I kne% it %as not so" 5ot that one" He.& gone to the -ountains to rally the El&erlings to our ai&" #n& if he.& faile& at that task! then he.& think of another %ay" #n& %hate'er it %as! he.& calle& e to hel$ hi &o it"

9H#*TER E=EAE5 She$her& 9H#DE F#==ST#R! #DAISER to (ing Shre%&! %as a total ser'ant of the Farseer throne" Fe% kne% of his ser'ices &uring the years he ser'e& (ing Shre%&" This &i& not &is$lease hi ! for he %as not a
C2C

an %ho sought glory"

Rather he %as &e'ote& to the Farseer reign %ith a loyalty that sur$asse& his loyalty to hi self or any other consi&eration ost en ha'e" He took ost seriously his 'o% to the royal fa ily" ;ith the $assing of (ing Shre%&! he $ursue& his 'o% to see that the cro%n follo%e& the true line of succession" For this reason alone! he %as sought after as an outla%! for he o$enly challenge& Regal.s clai to be (ing of the Six Duchies" In issi'es he sent to each of the &ukes as %ell as to *rince Regal! he re'eale& hi self after years of silence! &eclaring hi self a loyal follo%er of (ing Aerity an& 'o%ing he %oul& follo% no other until he %as sho%n $roof of the (ing.s &eath" *rince Regal &eclare& hi a rebel an& a traitor an& offere& re%ar& for his ca$ture an& &eath" 9ha&e by any cle'er artifices an& continue& to rally the 9oastal 6(ing7 Regal! Fallstar e'a&e& hi

Dukes to the belief that their (ing %as not &ea& an& %oul& return to lea& the to 'ictory o'er the Re&/Shi$s" Bereft of any ho$e of ai& fro e'en the co any of the lesser nobles clung to these ru ors" Songs began to be sung! an& on folk s$oke %ith ho$e that their Skille& (ing %oul& return to sa'e the ! %ith the legen&ary El&erlings ri&ing at his back" By late afternoon! folk began to gather for the cara'an" One %o an o%ne& the bull an& horses" She an& her husban& arri'e& in a %agon &ra%n by a brace of oxen" They built their o%n fire! cooke& their o%n foo&! an& see e& content %ith their o%n co $any" -y ne% aster returne& later! a bit ti$sy! an& e&iately entruste& to y care" to to goggle& at the shee$ to be sure I.& fe& an& %atere& the " He arri'e& in a high %heele& cart &ra%n by a stur&y $ony! one he i He.& hire& another co e an& sho% hi slee$" I sighe& to an! he tol& e! one 9reece" I shoul& %atch for hi

%here the shee$ %ere" He then &isa$$eare& into a roo

yself to think of a long 4ourney %ith 9reece.s tongue an&

C2D

abrasi'e %ay to s$ee& it! but &i& not co $lain" Instea& I busie& for the $ony! a %illing little are na e& Dru " 5ext to arri'e %as co $any of a

yself caring

errier sort" They %ere a trou$e of of &a$$le& horses"

$u$$eteers %ith a gaily $ainte& %agon &ra%n by a tea sho%s! an& an a%ning that coul& be unrolle& fro they %ere using the larger ha& 4oine& the an& a nu ber of arionettes" The

There %as a %in&o% in one si&e of the %agon that coul& be let &o%n for $u$$et the si&e to roof a stage %hen instrel %ho arionettes aster $u$$eteer %as na e& Dell"

He ha& three a$$rentices an& one 4ourney $u$$eteer! as %ell as a for the tri$" They &i& not ugs of ale" li'en u$ the %o an.s little house %ith song an& the clacking of

ake their o%n fire! but $rocee&e& to

T%o tea sters ca e next! %ith t%o %agons full of carefully $acke& crockery! an& then finally the cara'an %ho %oul& &o fro fro aster an& her four hel$ers" These %ere the ones ore than gui&e us" The 'ery look of their lea&er ins$ire&

confi&ence" -a&ge %as a stoutly built %o an! her slate/gray hair constraine& her face by a ban& of bea&e& leather" T%o of her hel$ see e& to be a ban&its! carrie& extra foo& an& %ater! an& ha& agree ents %ith no a&s &aughter an& a son" They kne% the %aterholes! clean an& foul! %oul& &efen& us %hose $asturing territory %e.& be $assing through" That last %as as i $ortant as any of the rest! for the no a&s &i& not %elco e folk %ho $asse& through their lan&s %ith gra1ing ani als to eat the fee& their o%n flocks nee&e&" -a&ge calle& us together that e'ening to infor us of this! an& to re in& us that they aster %oul& kee$ or&er %ithin our grou$ as %ell" 5o theft or trouble aking %oul& be tolerate&! the $ace set %oul& be one all coul& sustain! the cara'an ust agree to abi&e by the &ecisions of the cara'an aster as la%" I %oul& han&le all &ealings at the %atering $laces an& %ith the no a&s an& all ur ure& y assent along %ith the others" -a&ge an& her hel$ then checke& the %agons
C2E

to be sure each %as fit for tra'el! that the tea s %ere soun&! an& that there %ere a&e)uate %ater an& foo& su$$lies for e ergencies" ;e %oul& tra'el a 1ig1ag course fro %atering $lace to %atering $lace" -a&ge.s %agon carrie& se'eral carry so e oak casks for %ater! but she insiste& e'ery $ri'ate %agon an& tea for their o%n nee&s" 9reece arri'e& %ith the setting sun! after Da on ha& alrea&y gone back to his roo an& be&" I &utifully sho%e& hi the shee$! an& then listene& to his to slee$ in" It %as a gru bling that Da on ha& not $ro'i&e& us %ith a roo clear! %ar &i& not say so! but let hi

night %ith only a bit of %in&! so I sa% little to co $lain about" I utter an& co $lain until he %as %eary of it" I sle$t

4ust outsi&e the shee$ $en! on guar& lest any $re&ators co e near! but 9reece %an&ere& off to annoy the $u$$eteers %ith his &our nature an& extensi'e o$inions" I &on.t kno% ho% long I truly sle$t" -y &rea s $arte& like curtains blo%n by a %in&" I ca e alert to a 'oice %his$ering char " =ike an errant y na e" It see e& to co e fro far a%ay! but as I listene&! I %as co $elle& inexorably to it as if su one& by a

oth! I beca e a%are of can&le fla es an& %as &ra%n

to%ar& the " Four can&les burne& brightly on a rough %oo&en table an& their ingling scents s%eetene& the air" The t%o tall ta$ers ga'e off the scent of bayberry" T%o s aller ones burne& before the ! gi'ing off a s%eet s$ring scent" Aiolets! I thought! an& so ething else" # %o an leane& for%ar& o'er the ! breathing &ee$ly of the rising $erfu e" Her eyes %ere close&! her face iste& %ith s%eat" -olly" She s$oke y na e again" e like this0 It %asn.t su$$ose& to be e! you %ere su$$ose& to fin& e e" I %asn.t 6Fit1! Fit1" Ho% coul& you &ie an& lea'e

this %ay! you %ere su$$ose& to co e after su$$ose& to be alone for this"7
C8H

so I coul& forgi'e you" You shoul& ha'e lit these can&les for

The %or&s %ere interru$te& by a great gas$! as of a %renching $ain! an& %ith it a %a'e of fear! frantically fought &o%n" 6It.s going to be all right!7 -olly %his$ere& to herself" 6It.s going to be all right" It.s su$$ose& to be like this" I think"7 E'en %ithin the Skill &rea ! y heart stoo& still" I looke& &o%n at -olly as %as raging" she stoo& near the hearth in a s all hut" Outsi&e! an autu n stor

She gras$e& the e&ge of a table an& half crouche&! half leane& o'er it" She %ore only a nightrobe! an& her hair %as slick %ith s%eat" #s I %atche& aghast! she took another great gul$ing breath! an& then crie& out! not a screa ! but a thin ca% of a soun& as if that %ere all she ha& strength for" #fter a at the si1e of it" It %as so &isten&e&! she looke& $regnant" She %as $regnant" If it %ere $ossible to lose consciousness %hen one is aslee$! I think I %oul& ha'e &one so" Instea& sai& to y in& reele& su&&enly! reor&ering e'ery %or& she ha& e %hat y chil&" The baby %as the one she ha& e %hen %e ha& $arte&! recalling the &ay %hen she ha& aske& inute she straightene& a bit an& $ut her han&s softly on the to$ of her belly" I felt &i11ie&

I %oul& &o if she ha& been carrying s$oken of! the one she ha& left other in her life" 5ot another #n& she ha&n.t tol&

e for! the one she %oul& $ut ahea& of e'ery an" Our chil&" She.& left to $rotect our chil&"

e because she %as afrai& I %oul&n.t go %ith her" Better uch

not to ask than to ask an& be refuse&" #n& she ha& been right" I %oul&n.t ha'e gone" There ha& been too ha$$ening at Buckkee$! too $ressing the &uties to aban&on her" e" It %as so like -olly to y king" She.& been right to

ake the lea'ing an& the facing this alone

her o%n choice" Stu$i&! but so like her I %ante& to hug her" I %ante& to shake

C81

She clutche& the table again su&&enly! her eyes going %i&e! 'oiceless no% %ith the force that o'e& through her" She %as alone" She belie'e& I %as &ea&" #n& she %as ha'ing the chil& alone! in that tiny %in&s%e$t hut so e%here" I reache& for her! crying! -olly! -olly! but she %as focuse& in%ar& on herself no%! listening only to her o%n bo&y" I su&&enly kne% Aerity.s frustration those ti es %hen he coul& not to reach e" %in& into the hut an& ake e hear hi an& ost &es$erately nee&e&

The &oor guste& o$en su&&enly! a& itting blo%ing stor she calle& breathlessly" Her 'oice %as full of ho$e"

a blast of col& rain %ith it" She lifte& her eyes! $anting! to stare at it" 6Burrich07 #gain I felt a %a'e of astonish ent! but it %as &ro%ne& by her gratitu&e an& relief %hen his &ark face $eere& su&&enly aroun& the &oor fra e" 6It.s only soake& through" I coul&n.t get you any &rie& a$$les! no sooner! but this stor fro &ri$$e& fro e! atter %hat I offere&" an co ing ho e

The to%n stores are bare" I ho$e the flour &i&n.t get %et" I.& ha'e been back ,7 He %as co ing in as he s$oke! a to%n! a carry sack o'er his shoul&er" ;ater strea e& &o%n his face an& his cloak" frantically" his eyes an& $ushe& the %et hair back fro no%"

6It.s ti e! it.s no%!7 -olly tol& hi he aske& her as he %i$e& rain fro his face"

Burrich &ro$$e& his sack as he &ragge& the &oor shut an& latche& it" 6;hat07

6The baby.s co ing"7 She soun&e& o&&ly cal

He looke& at her blankly for an instant" Then he s$oke fir ly" 65o" ;e counte&! you counte&" It can.t be co ing no%"7 #bru$tly he soun&e& al ost angry! he %as so &es$erate to be right" 6#nother fifteen &ays! aybe longer"

C82

The

i&%ife! I talke& to her to&ay an& arrange& e'erything! she sai& she.&

co e to see you in a fe% &ays ,7 His %or&s &ie& a%ay as -olly gri$$e& the table.s e&ge again" Her li$s &re% back fro her teeth as she straine&" Burrich stoo& like a an transfixe&" He %ent as $ale as I.& e'er seen hi " 6Shall I go back to the 'illage an& get her07 he aske& in a s all 'oice" There %as the soun& of %ater $attering on the rough floorboar&s" #fter an eternity! -olly caught a breath" 6I &on.t think there.s ti e"7 Still he stoo& as if fro1en! his cloak &ri$$ing %ater onto the floor" He ca e no farther into the roo ! stoo& still as if she %ere an un$re&ictable ani al" 6Shoul&n.t you be lying &o%n07 he aske& uncertainly" 6I trie& that" It really hurts if I. screa "7 He %as no&&ing like a $u$$et" 6Then you shoul& stan& u$! I su$$ose" Of course"7 He &i&n.t She looke& u$ at hi a foal or a calf ,7 His eyes %ent so %i&e I coul& see the %hites all roun& the " He shook his hea& fiercely! utely" e" #n& I. ,7 Her %or&s %ere a&e a lo% soun&! an her in a sort of cry" She leane& for%ar& on the table! 6But Burrich , there.s no one else to hel$ su&&enly torn a%ay fro o'e" $lea&ingly" 6It can.t be that &ifferent!7 she $ante&" 6Fro lying &o%n an& a $ain co es" It a&e e

her legs fol&ing so her forehea& reste& on the e&ge of it" She full of fear as %ell as $ain"

Her fear broke through to hi " He ga'e his hea& a tiny )uick shake! a hun&re&s of ti es" @ust the sa e! I. going to be all right! let

a%akening" 65o" You.re right! it can.t be that &ifferent" 9an.t be" I.'e &one this sure of it" #ll right" 5o%" =et.s see" It.s e 4ust , uh"7 He tore off his cloak an& let it &ro$ to
C88

the floor" He hastily $ushe& his %et hair back fro besi&e her" 6I. gi'e a s all bob of agree ent"

his face! then ca e to kneel

going to touch you!7 he %arne& her! an& I sa% her bo%e& hea&

Then his sure han&s %ere on her belly! stroking &o%n gently but fir ly as I.& seen hi &o %hen a are %as ha'ing a ba& ti e an& he %ishe& to hasten uch ore!7 he tol& her" 6It.s really his things for her" 65ot long no%! not

&ro$$e&"7 He %as su&&enly confi&ent! an& I felt -olly take heart fro that.s right"7 I.& hear& hi

tone" He ke$t his han&s on her as another contraction took her" 6That.s goo&! say those sa e co forting %or&s a hun&re& ti es in the stalls of Buckkee$" Bet%een $ains! he stea&ie& her %ith his han&s! talking all the %hile softly! calling her his goo& girl! his stea&y girl! his fine girl that %as going to &ro$ a fine baby" I &oubt either of the hear& the sense of %hat he sai&" It %as all the tone of his 'oice" He rose once to get a blanket an& fol&e& it on the floor besi&e hi " He sai& no a%k%ar& %or&s as he lifte& -olly.s night&ress out of the %ay! but only s$oke softly! encouragingly as -olly clenche& the table.s e&ge" I coul& see the ri$$le of uscle! an& then she crie& out su&&enly an& Burrich %as saying! 6(ee$ going! kee$ going! here %e are! here %e are! kee$ going! that.s fine! an& %hat &o %e ha'e here! %ho.s this07 Then the chil& %as in his gras$! hea& in one cu$$e&! calluse& han&! his other su$$orting the tiny! curle& bo&y! an& Burrich sat &o%n su&&enly on the floor! looking as a a1e& as if he ha& ne'er seen anything born before" The %o en.s talk I ha& o'erhear& ha& cal a&e e ex$ect hours of screa ing an& $ools of the belly looke& large an& thick bloo&" But there %as little bloo& on the babe that looke& u$ at Burrich %ith blue eyes" The grayish cor& coiling fro co $are& to the tiny han&s an& feet" #ll %as silence sa'e for -olly.s $anting"

C8<

Then! 6Is he all right07 -olly &e an&e&" Her 'oice shook" 6Is so ething %rong0 ;hy &oesn.t he cry07 6She.s fine!7 Burrich sai& softly" 6She.s fine" #n& as beautiful as she is! %hat %oul& she ha'e to cry about07 He %as silent for a long ti e! a u$ to co'er her" 6You.'e a bit he tol& -olly gruffly" But it %as not long before he ha& -olly seate& in a chair by the fire! a blanket about her to kee$ her fro her to -olly" -olly i taking a chill" He hesitate& a o ent! then cut the cor& %ith his belt knife before %ra$$ing the chil& in a clean cloth an& taking e&iately un%ra$$e& her" ;hile Burrich %as ti&ying the roo ! -olly exa ine& e'ery inch of her! exclai ing o'er her sleek black hair! the tiny fingers an& toes %ith their $erfect nails! the &elicacy of her ears" Then Burrich &i& the sa e %hile he hel& the baby an& turne& his back so that -olly ight change into a nightgo%n that %asn.t soake& through %ith s%eat" gi'e to a foal or a $u$" He stu&ie& her %ith an intentness I.& ne'er seen hi an transfixe&" Finally he reluctantly set her gently asi&e on the blanket! turne& a corner of it ore %ork to &o here! girl! before %e.re &one!7

6You.re going to ha'e 9hi'alry.s bro%!7 he tol& the babe softly" He s ile& at her an& touche& her cheek %ith one finger" She turne& her hea& to%ar& the touch" ;hen -olly ca e back to her seat by the fire! he han&e& the chil& back to her! but crouche& on the floor besi&e her chair as -olly $ut the babe to her breast" It took the baby a fe% tries to fin& an& hol& the ni$$le! but %hen she finally suckle&! Burrich hea'e& such a sigh that I kne% he ha& been hol&ing his breath for fear she %oul& not nurse" -olly ha& eyes only for the chil&! but I tre ble&" He s ile& as I ha& ne'er seen hi &o before" arke& ho% Burrich lifte& his han&s to rub at his face an& eyes! an& that those han&s

C8?

-olly lifte& her ga1e to hi ! her face like a sunrise" 6;oul& you si $leton" I ca e out of fro y &rea

ake

ea

cu$ of tea! $lease07 she softly aske& hi ! an& Burrich no&&e&! grinning like a hours before &a%n! not kno%ing at first %hen I $asse& y eyes %ere o$en an& I y feelings at that through

thoughtfulness to %akefulness" I beca e a%are

%as staring at the ti e" But slo%ly

oon" It %oul& be i $ossible to &escribe

y thoughts took sha$e! an& I un&erstoo& the $re'ious Skill uch" I.& been seeing hi

&rea s I.& ha& of Burrich" It ex$laine&

-olly.s eyes" He.& been there! all this ti e! %ith -olly! taking care of her" She %as the frien& he.& gone to hel$! the %o an %ho coul& use a of anger that he ha& not co e to ha& brought hi e an& tol& an.s strength y chil&" It for a bit" He.& been there %ith her! %hile I ha& been alone" I felt a su&&en rising e that she carrie& %as )uickly )uenche& as I su&&enly reali1e& that $erha$s he.& trie&" So ething back to the cabin that &ay" I %on&ere& again %hat he ha& e ha& thought %hen he.& foun& it aban&one&" That all his %orst fears for co e true0 That I.& gone feral! ne'er to return0 But I %oul& return" =ike a &oor s%inging o$en! I su&&enly un&erstoo& that I coul& &o that" 5othing truly stoo& bet%een -olly an& an in her life! only our chil&" I grinne& su&&enly to s all a thing as e" There %as no other yself" I %oul& not let so

y &eath co e bet%een us" ;hat %as &eath! co $are& to a e! because there

chil&.s life share&0 I %oul& go to her! an& ex$lain! I.& tell her e'erything this ti e! an& this ti e she %oul& un&erstan&! an& she.& forgi'e %oul& ne'er be any other secrets bet%een us" I &i&n.t hesitate" I sat u$ in the &arkness! $icke& u$ using as a $illo%! an& set out" Do%nri'er %as so y bun&le that I.& been y uch easier than u$" I ha& a

fe% sil'ers! I.& get onto a boat so eho%! an& %hen they ran out! I.& %ork

$assage" The Ain %as a slo% ri'er! but once I %as $ast" Turlake! the Buck
C8B

Ri'er %oul& rush 9o e to e! the e"

e along in its strong current" I %as going back" Ho e! to

-olly an& our &aughter" I halte&" It %as not Aerity Skilling to kne% %hy I ha& to go ho e! he.& tell One ste$ after another &o%n a of y heart! I hear& %or&s in e" I kne% that" This ca e fro %ithin

ark left by that su&&en an& $o%erful Skilling" I %as certain that if he e to hurry! not to %orry about hi ! that

he.& be fine" It %oul& be all right" #ll I ha& to &o %as kee$ %alking" oonlit roa&" ;ith each footfall! %ith each beat y in&" 9o e to e" 9o e to e" I can.t! I

$lea&e&" I %on.t! I &efie& the " I ke$t %alking" I trie& to think only of -olly! only of 9o e to y tiny &aughter" She %oul& nee& a na e" ;oul& -olly ha'e na e& e" arrie& right a%ay" Fin& so e local ;itnesser in so e s all y na e %as 5e%boy" #n o&& na e! but I.& y life" 5a es! once so e Horse&ung! as long as her before I got there0 ;e.& nee& to get ;itnesser to i $ortant to 9o e to in e" y

'illage" Burrich %oul& 'ouch that I %as a foun&ling! %ith no $arentage for the e ori1e" I.& say e! no longer hear& o&&er! an& I coul& li'e %ith it the rest of attere&" They coul& call y &aughter" I coul& li'e %ith -olly an&

I.& nee& to get %ork of so e kin&! any kin&" I abru$tly &eci&e& that the sil'ers y $ouch %ere far too i $ortant to s$en&! that I.& ha'e to %ork for entire $assage ho e" #n& once I %as there! %hat coul& I &o to earn a li'ing0 ;hat %as I fit for0 I $ushe& the thought asi&e angrily" I.& fin& so ething! I.& fin& a %ay" I.& be a goo& husban&! a goo& father" They %oul& %ant for nothing" 9o e to e"

C8C

-y ste$s ha& gra&ually slo%e&" 5o% I stoo& u$on a s all rise! looking &o%n the roa& before e" =ights still burne& in the ri'er to%n belo%" I ha& to go o'ing" y knees" I coul& not go back" I ha& to y y &o%n there an& fin& a barge hea&ing &o%nri'er! %illing to take on an un$ro'en han&" That %as all" @ust kee$ s%ung aroun& I &i& not then un&erstan& %hy I coul& not" I took a ste$! I stu ble&! the %orl& e &i11ily! an& I %ent to go on! to Aerity" I still &o not un&erstan& it! so I cannot ex$lain it" I knelt on the rise! looking &o%n at the to%n! kno%ing clearly %hat I %ishe& %ith all heart to &o" #n& I coul& not &o it" 5othing hel& or s%or& to e an& bi& in&! battering at I coul& not tell e" 9o e to e! co e to e back! no e" e turn asi&e" Only the s all insistent 'oice in e! co e to an lifte& a han&

#n& I coul& not &o other%ise" y heart to sto$ beating! I coul& not cease breathing an& &ie" oning" I stoo& alone in the night! tra$$e& an& e" # coolhea&e& $ortion of yself sai&! ake the an.s %ill for #n& I coul& not ignore that su suffocating in another

There! %ell! you see! that is ho% it is for the " For ;ill an& the rest of the coterie! Skill i $rinte& by Jalen to be loyal to Regal" It &i& not forget they ha& ha& another king! it &i& not ake the belie'e %hat they &i&

%as right" They si $ly ha& no choice about it any ore" #n& to take it back a generation! that %as ho% it ha& been for Jalen! force& to be so fanatically loyal to y father" Aerity ha& tol& e that his loyalty %as a Skill/i $rinting! &one ore than boys" Done in anger against ean to his little brother" It ha& been by 9hi'alry %hen they %ere all little

so e cruelty Jalen ha& %rought against Aerity" The act of an ol&er brother taking re'enge on so eone %ho ha& been &one to Jalen in anger an& ignorance! not e'en kno%ing fully that such a thing %as $ossible" Aerity sai& 9hi'alry ha& regrette& it! %oul& ha'e un&one it if he ha& kno%n ho%" Ha& Jalen e'er a%akene& to %hat ha& been &one to hi 0 Di&
C8D

that account for his fanatical hatre& of I trie& to get to

e! ha& it been a $assing &o%n to the y father0 attere&! oon" I

son of the anger he coul& not allo% hi self to feel to%ar& 9hi'alry! oonlit roa&! then sat there ho$elessly" It &i&n.t sa'e that there %ere no ore go to the y la&y an& atter" 5one of it

y feet an& faile&" I sank slo%ly to the &irt in the center of the y chil&! an& I coul& not go to the " 9oul& oonlight! ri$$le& like black an& in y in&" I e" 6Oh!

than I coul& cli b the night sky an& take &o%n the

ga1e& afar to the ri'er! shining blackly in the slate" # ri'er that coul& carry of looke& u$ to the

e ho e! but %oul& not" Because the fierceness

y %ill %as still not enough to break $ast that co

oon" 6Burrich!7 I $lea&e& alou&! as if he coul& hear

take care of the ! see they co e to no har ! guar& the o%n" >ntil I can co e to the "7

as if they %ere your

I &o not recall going back to the hol&ing $ens! or lying &o%n to slee$" But orning ca e an& %hen I o$ene& an& the hea'ens an& look &o%n on 6You.& better get u$!7 he tol& y eyes! that %as %here I %as" I lay! looking y life" 9reece ca e to stan& bet%een e" e u$ at the blue arch of the sky! hating

e! an& then! $eering closer! he obser'e&" 6Your succinctly" I rolle& to y

eyes are re&" You got a bottle you &i&n.t share07 6I.'e got nothing to share %ith anybo&y!7 I tol& hi feet" -y hea& %as $oun&ing" I %on&ere& %hat -olly %oul& na e her" # flo%er na e! $robably" =ilac! or so ething like that" Rose" -arigol&" ;hat %oul& I ha'e na e& her0 It &i&n.t atter" I sto$$e& thinking" For the next fe% &ays! I &i& %hat I %as tol&" I &i& it %ell an& thoroughly! &istracte& by no thoughts of shee$" I ate in the y o%n" So e%here insi&e e! a a& an rage& in his cell! but I chose not to kno% of that" Instea& I her&e& orning! I ate in the e'ening" I lay &o%n at night an& I rose
C8E

in the

orning" #n& I her&e& shee$" I follo%e& the ! in the &ust of the %agons y y throat %ith &ryness! an& I thought of e closer to y co $any! for he coul&

an& the horses an& the shee$ the sel'es! &ust that clotte& thick on eyelashes an& skin! &ust that coate& nothing" I &i& not nee& to think to kno% that e'ery ste$ carrie& Aerity" I s$oke so little that e'en 9reece %earie& of not $ro'oke &rea " =ife %ent on for the rest of the " The cara'an tri$ %as blesse&ly une'entful" Our %ater! an& s$arse gra1ing! an& those

e to argu ent" I her&e& the shee$ as single/ in&e&ly as the best

shee$&og that e'er li'e&" ;hen I lay &o%n to slee$ at night! I &i& not e'en aster gui&e& us %ell an& the

isfortunes %ere li ite& to &ust! little isfortunes %ere ones %e acce$te& as $art eal cooke&

of the roa&" In the e'enings! after the shee$ %ere settle& an& the bent on $erfecting all of the %as erely the

an& eaten! the $u$$eteers rehearse&" They ha& three $lays an& they see e& before %e reache& Blue =ake" So e nights it otions of the $u$$ets an& their &ialogue! but se'eral ti es

they set u$ co $letely! torches! stage! an& back&ro$s! the $u$$eteers &resse& in the $ure %hite &ra$ings that signifie& their in'isibility! an& %ent through the entire re$ertoire of $lays" The aster %as a strict one! 'ery rea&y %ith his arionette.s han& stra$! an& he &i& not s$are e'en his 4ourney an a lash or t%o if he thought he &eser'e& it" # single line intone& incorrectly! one fli$ of a about %ith the stra$" E'en if I ha& been in the %oul& ha'e s$oile& it for The e" So shee$! %hile the others %atche& the $erfor ances" instrel! a han&so e %o an na e& Starling! %as often any &esire for y co $anion" I &oubte& that it %as fro %ere far enough fro y co $any" Rather it %as that %e that %as not as -aster Dell &ictate& it! an& he %as a ongst his cast! flaying oo& for a use ents! that ore often I %ent an& sat looking out o'er the

the ca $ that she coul& sit an& $ractice her o%n songs
C<H

an& har$ings! a%ay fro un&erstan& %hat she

the en&less rehearsals an& the %ee$ing of the Buck! an& coul&

correcte& a$$rentices" *erha$s it %as that I %as fro

isse& %hen she s$oke )uietly of the gulls crying an& the y shoul&er" She &resse& si $ly! blue e!

blue sky o'er a sea after a stor " She %as a ty$ical Buck %o an! &ark/haire& an& &ark/eye&! an& no taller than leggings an& tunic" There %ere holes in her ears for earrings! but she %ore none! nor %ere there any rings on her fingers" She %oul& sit not far fro an& run her fingers o'er her har$ strings an& sing" It %as goo& to hear a Buck accent again! an& the fa iliar songs of the 9oastal Duchies" So eti es she talke& to e" It %as not a con'ersation" She s$oke to herself in the night an& I en talk to a fa'orite &og" So it instrels in a s all kee$ in Buck! one 4ust ha$$ene& to be %ithin earshot! as so e %as that I kne% she ha& been one of the I.& ne'er been to! hel& by a

inor noble %hose na e I &i&n.t e'en recogni1e"

Too late to %orry about 'isiting or kno%ing+ the kee$ an& the noble %ere no ore! s%e$t through an& burne& out by the Re&/Shi$s" Starling ha& sur'i'e&! but %ithout a $lace to rest her hea& or a aster to sing for" So she ha& struck out on her o%n! resol'e& to hea& so far inlan& that she.& ne'er again see a shi$ of any color" I coul& un&erstan& that &ri'e" By %alking a%ay she sa'e& Buck for herself! as a e ory of ho% it ha& been once" inor instrel for a lesser noble" 5o! Death ha& co e close enough to her to brush her %ith its %ingti$s! an& she %asn.t going to &ie as she %as! a so eho% she %as going to e'ent an& be i ake her na e! %as going to %itness so e great e she

ake a song about it that %oul& be sung &o%n the years" Then she.&

ortal! re e bere& as long as her song %as sung" It see e& to

%oul& ha'e ha& a better chance of %itnessing such an e'ent if she.& staye& on the coast %here the %ar %as! but as if in ans%er to Starling assure& y uns$oken thought! e that she %as going to %itness so ething that left its
C<1

%itnesses ali'e" Besi&es! if you.'e seen one battle! you.'e seen the sa% nothing es$ecially usical about bloo&" To that I no&&e& ore like a utely" 6#h" I thought you looke&

all" She

an/at/ar s than a she$her&" Shee$ ist!7 I tol& her

&on.t break one.s nose! or lea'e a scar like that &o%n your face"7 6They &o if you tu ble &o%n a cliff looking for so e in a &ourly! an& turne& anyone" ;e 4ourneye& on! o'ing only as fast as la&en %agons an& a her& of shee$ %oul& $er it" The &ays %ere re arkably si ilar" The countrysi&e %e $asse& %as re arkably si ilar" There %ere a fe% no'elties" So eti es there %ere other folk ca $e& at the %atering $laces %e ca e to" #t one! there %as a ta'ern of sorts! an& here the cara'an bran&y" Once %e %ere follo%e& for half a &ay by folk on horseback %ho ight ha'e been ban&its" But they 'eere& off an& left our trail in the afternoon! either boun& to a &estination of their o%n! or &eci&ing %hat %e $ossesse& %asn.t %orth the effort of a rai&" So eti es other folk $asse& us! essengers an& folk tra'eling on horseback! unslo%e& by shee$ an& %agons" Once it %as a troo$ of guar&s in the Farro% colors! $ushing their horses har& as they $asse& us" I felt an uneasiness as I %atche& the $ass our cara'an! as if an ani al scrabble& y in&" Di& a Skille& one ri&e a ongst yself it %as erely e" briefly against the %alls that shiel&e& aster &eli'ere& so e s all kegs of y face asi&e fro her"

For a long ti e! that %as as close as I ca e to ha'ing a con'ersation %ith

the ! Burl or 9arro&! or e'en ;ill0 I trie& to $ersua&e the sight of the gol&/an&/bro%n li'ery that unner'e&

On another &ay %e %ere interce$te& by three of the no a&ic folk %hose gra1ing territory %e %ere in" They ca e to us on tough little $onies that %ore no ore harness than a hacka ore" The t%o gro%n %o en an& the boy %ere
C<2

all blon& %ith faces bake& bro%n by the sun" The boy.s face %as tattooe& %ith stri$es like a cat.s" Their arri'al occasione& a co $lete halting of the cara'an! %hile -a&ge set u$ a table an& cloth an& bre%e& a s$ecial tea %hich she ser'e& to the %ith can&ie& fruit an& barley/sugar cakes" 5o coin exchange& han&s their anner that that I sa%! only this cere onial hos$itality" I sus$ecte& fro continue this $assage arrange ent" But ost &ays %ere the sa e $lo&&ing routine" ;e rose! %e ate! %e %alke&" yself %on&ering if -olly ake can&les an& ten& bees" ;hat coul& I teach her0 e" She.& still be young enough %hen I returne& for e about horses an& safely back to ;e sto$$e&! %e ate! %e sle$t" One &ay I caught %oul& teach her to

-a&ge %as long kno%n to the ! an& that her son %as being groo e& to

*oisons an& strangling techni)ues! I thought bitterly" 5o" Her letters an& nu bers she.& learn fro e to teach her that" #n& all Burrich ha& e'er taught

&ogs" That %as the &ay %hen I reali1e& I %as looking ahea& again! %as $lanning for a life after I.& foun& Aerity an& so eho% taken hi Buck" -y baby %as 4ust an infant no%! I tol& to kno% so ething %as be back %ith the first ste$s" That resol'e change& so ething in so e" I.& ne'er looke& for%ar& to so ething uch" This %as not an assassination that %oul& en& in so eone.s &eath" 5o! yself! suckling at -olly.s

breast an& looking about %ith %i&e eyes an& seeing all ne%" She %as too young issing! too young to kno% her father %asn.t there" I.& soon! before she learne& to say 6*a"7 I.& be there to see her

I looke& for%ar& to a life! an& i agine& teaching her things! i agine& her gro%ing u$ bright an& $retty an& lo'ing her father! kno%ing nothing! e'er! of any other life he.& e'er le&" She %oul&n.t re e ber an& a straight nose" She.& only kno% i $ortant to e %ith a s ooth face y e as I %as no%" That %as o&&ly

e" So I %oul& go to Aerity because I ha& to! because he %as

C<8

king an& I lo'e& hi ! an& because he nee&e& arke& the en& of So I thought to

e" But fin&ing hi

no longer

y 4ourney! but the beginning" Once I ha& foun& Aerity! I

coul& turn about an& co e ho e to the " For a ti e! I forgot Regal" yself so eti es! an& %hen I &i& I %alke& behin& the shee$ in y their &ust an& stink an& s ile& a tight u$$e& s ile behin& the kerchief o'er the %ar th of a %o an an& a ho e an& a chil& of

face" #t other ti es! %hen I lay &o%n alone at night! all I coul& think of %as y o%n" I think I felt e'ery e then" I o ent as ile that stretche& bet%een us" =oneliness %as a thing that ate at longe& to kno% e'ery &etail of %hat %as going on" E'ery night! e'ery

of )uiet %as a te $tation to reach out %ith the Skill" But I un&erstoo& Aerity.s a& onition no%" If I Skille& to the ! then Regal.s coterie coul& fin& the %ell as e" Regal %oul& not hesitate to use the against e in any %ay he

coul& i agine" So I hungere& for kno%le&ge of the ! but &are& not atte $t to satisfy that hunger" ;e ca e to one 'illage that %as al ost %orthy of the na e" It ha& s$route& u$ like a fairy ring of ushroo s aroun& a &ee$%ater s$ring" It ha& an inn! a i&&ay! an& -a&ge &eclare& that %e orning" 5o one really o'e& our beasts an& %agons to ta'ern! an& e'en se'eral stores! all catering to tra'elers! %ith a scattering of houses surroun&ing it" ;e got there at %oul& ha'e a rest! an& not o'e on until the follo%ing

ob4ecte&" Once %e.& %atere& our ani als! %e

the outskirts of to%n" The $u$$eteer &eci&e& to take a&'antage of the situation! an& announce& in the ta'ern an& inn that his trou$e %oul& stage a $erfor ance for the %hole to%n! %ith gratuities cheerfully acce$te&" Starling ha& alrea&y foun& a corner of the ta'ern to call her o%n an& %as intro&ucing this Farro% to%n to so e Buck balla&s" I %as content to stay %ith the shee$ on the outskirts of the to%n" I %as soon the only one at our enca $ ent" I &i& not es$ecially
C<<

in&" The horses. o%ner ha&

offere&

e an extra co$$er! if I.& kee$ an eye on the " They scarcely nee&e&

%atching" They %ere hobble&! but e'en so! all the ani als %ere grateful to sto$ for a bit an& search out %hate'er gra1ing they coul& fin&" The bull %as stake& out an& like%ise occu$ie& %ith sca'enging grass" There %as a sort of $eace to being still an& alone" I %as learning to culti'ate an e $tiness of s$irit" I coul& no% go for long stretches %ithout thinking of anything in $articular" It a&e y en&less %aiting less $ainful" I sat on the tail of Da on.s cart an& stare& out o'er the ani als an& the gentle un&ulating of the brush s$otte& $lain beyon& the " It &i& not last for long" In the late afternoon! the $u$$eteer.s %agon ca e rattling into ca $" Only -aster Dell an& the youngest a$$rentice %ere in it" The others ha& staye& in to%n to &rink an& talk an& generally en4oy the sel'es" But the shouting of the aster soon a&e it a$$arent that his youngest a$$rentice ha& &isgrace& herself %ith forgotten lines an& incorrect o'e ents" Her $unish ent %as to stay in ca $ %ith the %agon" To this he a&&e& se'eral shar$ cuts %ith his stra$" Both the sna$ of the leather an& yel$s of the girl %ere clearly au&ible across ca $" I %ince& at the secon& one an& %as on y feet by the thir& one" I ha& no clear i&ea of y intention! an& %as the %agon an& an& actually relie'e& to see the back into to%n" The girl %e$t noisily as she %ent about the task of unhitching the tea the trou$e! no ore than sixteen! an& see e& $egging it out" I.& notice& her before in a casual %ay" She %as the youngest of ost often to be un&er her on for a aster to aster.s lash" 5ot that that %as unusual" It %as not unco 9ha&e ha& e'er taken a stra$ to an occasional boot fro e! but I.& ha& aster go stri&ing off a%ay fro

ha'e a lash to kee$ his a$$rentices &e'ote& to their tasks" 5either Burrich nor y share of cuffs an& ra$s! an& o'ing fast enough to suit hi " Burrich if I %asn.t
C<?

The $u$$eteer %as no %orse than irritate& e about hi

any

asters that I.& seen! an& kin&er than

so e" #ll of his un&erlings %ere %ell fe& an& %ell clothe&" I su$$ose %hat %as that one sna$ of his lash ne'er see e& enough for ore %hen he %as in a te $er" hi " It %as al%ays three or fi'e or e'en

The $eace of the night %as gone" =ong after she.& finishe& staking out the horses! her &ee$ sobbing rent the stillness" #fter a ti e I coul& not stan& it" I %ent to the back of their tra'eling %agon an& ra$$e& on the s all &oor" The %ee$ing $ause& %ith a sniff" 6;ho is it07 she aske& hoarsely" 6To the she$her&" #re you all right07 e to go a%ay" Instea& the &oor e" Bloo& %as &ri$$ing o ent an& she stoo& $eering out at I.& ho$e& that she.& say she %as an& tell o$ene& after a fro

her 4a%line" I sa% at a glance %hat ha& ha$$ene&" The en& of the stra$

ha& curle& $ast her shoul&er an& the ti$ ha& bitten %icke&ly into her cheek" I &i&n.t &oubt that it hurt ba&ly! but I sus$ecte& the a ount of bloo& %as scaring her e'en ore" I sa% a looking glass set u$ on a table behin& her an& a bloo&y o ent %e looke& at one another %or&lessly" Then! y face!7 she sobbe&" cloth besi&e it" For a 6He.s ruine&

I coul&n.t think of %or&s to say" Instea& I ste$$e& u$ into the %agon an& took her by the shoul&ers" I sat her &o%n" She.& been using a &ry rag to $oke at her face" Ha& she no sense at all0 6Sit still!7 I tol& her tersely" 6#n& try to be cal " I.ll be right back"7 I took her rag an& &a $e& it in cool %ater" I %ent back in an& &abbe& the bloo& a%ay" #s I sus$ecte&! the cut %as not large! but it %as blee&ing $rofusely as cuts to the face or scal$ often &o" I fol&e& the rag into a s)uare an& $resse& it against her face" 6Hol& that there" *ress on it a bit! but &on.t back"7 I looke& u$ to fin& her eyes fastene& to the scar on o'e it" I.ll be y cheek as tears

C<B

bri

e& o'er fro

her eyes" I a&&e&! 6Skin as fair as yours &oesn.t scar all ark! it %on.t be large"7 y %or&s let e kno% I.& sai& exactly the %rong yself for getting in'ol'e& at all" y $ot of Burrich.s oint ent %hen I ha&

that easily" E'en if it lea'es a The hugeness of her eyes of I.& lost all aban&one& thing" I left the %agon! berating

y healing herbs an&

y things in Tra&efor&" I.& notice& a flo%er that looke& a bit like a

stunte& gol&enro& in the area %here the shee$ %ere gra1ing! ho%e'er! an& so e succulents sort of like bloo&root" So I $ulle& u$ one of the succulents! but it s elle& %rong! an& the 4uice fro I %ashe& the lea'es %as sticky rather than like 4elly" y han&s an& then looke& at the stunte& gol&enro&" It s elle& right" I

shrugge&" I starte& out $icking 4ust a han&ful of lea'es! but then &eci&e& as long as I %as at it! I coul& restock a bit of %hat I.& lost" It a$$eare& to be the sa e herb! but gro%ing s aller an& s$rea& out ore straggly in this &ry rocky soil" I y har'est on the tail of the cart an& sorte& through it" The fatter

lea'es I left to &ry" The s aller ti$s I crushe& bet%een t%o cleane& stones! an& then took the resulting $aste on one of the stones to the $u$$eteer.s %agon" The girl looke& at it %ith &oubt! but no&&e& hesitantly %hen I tol& her! 6This %ill sto$ the blee&ing" Soonest close& is s allest scar"7 ;hen she took the rag a%ay fro She sat )uietly un&er her face! I sa% that it ha& al ost sto$$e& blee&ing" I s oothe& on a fingerti$.s %orth of the %oun&%ort $aste any%ay" y touch! an& it %as su&&enly unner'ing to recall that I y face" I looke& asi&e an& then &o your best to ha& not touche& a %o an.s face since I.& last seen -olly" This girl ha& blue eyes an& they %ere %i&e/o$en an& looking u$ into fro it %ith your fingers! &on.t %ash it" =et the scab for lea'e that alone"7 6Thank you!7 she sai& in a tiny 'oice"
C<C

the earnest ga1e" 6There" 5o% lea'e it alone" Don.t %i$e at it! &on.t touch

6;elco e!7 I tol& her! an& turne& to lea'e" 6-y na e is Tassin!7 she sai& to 6I kno%" I.'e hear& hi ste$s" 6He.s an a%ful It &i&n.t see an" I hate hi : I.& run a%ay if I coul&"7 her" I ste$$e& off the like a goo& ti e si $ly to %alk a%ay fro y back" roaring it at you!7 I sai&" I starte& to go &o%n the

%agon an& $ause&" 6I kno% it.s har& to feel a stra$ %hen you.re trying har&" But , that.s ho% it is" If you ran a%ay an& ha& no foo&! no $lace to slee$! an& your clothing all going to rags! that %oul& be %orse" Try to &o better! so he %on.t take u$ the stra$"7 I belie'e& so little of %hat I sai&! I coul& scarcely for the %or&s" But those %or&s see e& better than to tell her to lea'e no% an& run a%ay" She %oul&n.t sur'i'e a &ay on the o$en $rairie" 6I &on.t %ant to &o better"7 She.& foun& a s$ark of s$irit! to be &efiant" 6I &on.t %ant to be a $u$$eteer at all" -aster Dell kne% that %hen he bought years"7 I e&ge& a%ay back to%ar& follo%e& after 6There %as a 5o far er has %ife! but ha& no e" an I like& in our 'illage" He.& oney in s$ring" He tol& y y a&e an offer for e to be his oney 4ust then" He %as a far er! you see! an& it %as s$ring" other he.& $ay a bri&e/$rice for outh to e to ore". #n& then she sol& other sai&! FIf he.s $oor no% %ith one y shee$! but she ca e &o%n the ste$s an& y

e at har'est ti e" But

fee&! he.ll only be $oorer after he has t%o" Or %asn.t %illing"7 6They &o it &ifferently %here I. %hat she %as telling a$$rentice! ho$ing the chil& can

the $u$$eteer! for half %hat he.& usually $ay for an a$$rentice! because I fro !7 I sai& a%k%ar&ly" I coul&n.t gras$ aster to take on their chil& as ake a better life"7
C<D

e" 6*arents $ay a

She s oothe& her hair back fro

her face" It %as light bro%n! %ith a lot of curl ost &on.t" They buy an

to it" 6I.'e hear& of that" So e &o it that %ay! but hi for a &ru&ge" Then you.re not

a$$rentice! usually a %illing one! an& if he &oesn.t %ork out! then they can sell uch better than a sla'e for six years"7 She ay en& u$ sniffe&" 6So e say it his akes an a$$rentice try har&er! to kno% he

&oing scut %ork in a kitchen or $u $ing a bello%s in a s ithy for six years if aster isn.t $lease&"7 e like you.& better learn to like $u$$ets!7 I sai& la ely" I aster.s cart an& looke& out o'er e fro y y flock" She sat &o%n y 6;ell" It soun&s to sat on the tail of next to 6You it07 6Doing so ething you think is stu$i&! &ay after &ay07 she aske& e" 6#n& being hit for not &oing it $erfectly0 Ho% is that better than being a sla'e07 6;ell! you.re fe& an& clothe& an& sheltere&" #n& he.s gi'ing you a chance to learn so ething! a tra&e that %oul& let you tra'el all o'er the Six Duchies if you beca e goo& at it" You Buckkee$"7 She looke& at closer to e o&&ly" 6You e %hen I ean Tra&efor&"7 She sighe& an& shifte& herself e" #ll the others! they all %ant to be $u$$eteers" ake istakes! an& al%ays call e la1y an& e" 6It.s lonely for ight en& u$ $erfor ing for the (ing.s 9ourt at e" aster!7 she sai& &es$on&ently" ake yourself soun& like a sla'e!7 I sai& reluctantly" 6It.s not that ba&! is

6Or ho$e so eone buys

They get angry at %on.t talk to as you &i&"7

e %hen they say I s$oile& a $erfor ance" There.s not one kin& %oul& ha'e care& about y face getting scarre&

one a ong the + none of the

C<E

There see e& nothing to re$ly to that" I &i&n.t kno% the others %ell enough to agree or &isagree" So I sai& nothing an& %e sat %atching the shee$" The silence lengthene& as the night got &arker" I thought that soon I shoul& kin&le a fire" 6So!7 she began after a fe% a she$her&07 6-y $arents &ie&" -y sister inherite&" She &i&n.t $articularly care for here I a "7 6;hat a bitch:7 she sai& fiercely" I took a breath to &efen& y fictitious sister! an& then reali1e& I.& only be exten&ing the con'ersation" I trie& to think of so ething I nee&e& to go an& &o! but the shee$ an& other beasts %ere right there before us! gra1ing $eacefully" >seless to ho$e that the others %oul& soon return" 5ot %ith a ta'ern an& ne% faces to talk to after our &ays on the roa&" I finally a&e excuse that I %as hungry an& got u$ to gather stones an& then e %ell fro the &ry &ung an& sticks for a fire" Tassin insiste& on cooking" I %as not truly hungry! but she ate %ith a hearty a$$etite! an& fe& $u$$eteer.s tra'eling su$$lies" She sat by the firesi&e si$$ing it fro hea'y re& $orcelain ugs" eal" She ha& ake y tea a&e a $ot of tea as %ell! an& after%ar& %e a%k%ar& to co $anionable" It ha& e! an& ore inutes of y silence" 6Ho% &i& you beco e

So eho% the silence ha& change& fro

been $leasant to sit an& %atch so eone else $re$are the chattere& at first! asking if I like& this sort of s$ice an& &i& I acce$tance in y silence! she ha& gone on to s$eak

strong! but not really listening for any ans%ers" See ing to fin& so e sort of ore inti ately of herself" ar'el of isery" ;ith a sort of &es$air! she s$oke of &ays s$ent learning an& $racticing a thing she ha& no &esire to learn nor $ractice" She s$oke %ith a gru&ging the &e&ication of the other $u$$eteers! an& their enthusias share" Her 'oice &%in&le& off an& she looke& u$ at
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that she coul& not

e %ith eyes full of

She &i& not nee& to ex$lain to lighter things! the

e the loneliness she felt" She turne& the talk to

inor irritations she felt! the foo&s they ate that she &islike&!

the %ay one of the other $u$$eteers al%ays s elle& of ol& s%eat! of one %o an %ho re in&e& her to s$eak her lines by $inching her" E'en her co $laints %ere $leasant in an o&& %ay+ filling tri'ialities so that I coul& not focus on y in& %ith her y larger $roble s" Being %ith her %as consi&ering this

in so e %ays like being %ith the %olf" Tassin %as focuse& on the no%! on this eal an& this night! %ith little thought of anything else" Fro hi ! so e%here! ali'e! but coul& tell little the reason! his in& %as not as o$en to y thoughts %an&ere& to 5ighteyes" I )ueste& softly to%ar& hi " I coul& sense ore than that" *erha$s too great a &istance se$arate& us+ $erha$s he %as too focuse& on his ne% life" ;hate'er e as it ha& once been" *erha$s he %as any co $anions an& $ossibly a si $ly beco ing ate" 6;hat are you thinking about07 Tassin aske&" She s$oke so softly that I re$lie& %ithout thinking! still staring into the fire" 6That so eti es it only akes one ore lonely to kno% that so e%here else! y far er foun& another y other! I one.s frien&s an& fa ily are %ell"7 She shrugge&" 6I try not to think of the " I su$$ose sus$ect her $ros$ects %ere better %ithout not catch another hea& to ga1e into girl! one %hose $arents %oul& %ait for a bri&e/$rice" #s for ore attune& to the %ays of his $ack" I trie& to feel gla& that

he ha& foun& such a life for hi self! %ith

e" She %as not so ol& that she coul&

an"7 She stretche&! an o&&ly catlike gesture! then turne& her y face an& a&&e&! 6There.s no sense in thinking of %hat.s ake you unha$$y" Be content

far a%ay an& %hat you ha'en.t got" It %ill only %ith %hat you can ha'e no%"7

C?1

Our eyes %ere locke& su&&enly" There %as no $ut one han& on each si&e of kerchief back fro y face" She looke& into I %as as entrance& as a kisse& e! o$ening her s%eet s oky incense" I %ante& her %ith a su&&enness that &i11ie&

istaking her

eaning" For an

instant I %as shocke&" Then she leane& across the s all s$ace bet%een us" She y face" Her touch %as gentle" She $ushe& the oistene& her li$s" y shoul&ers" y hair! then use& both han&s to s ooth the hair back fro y eyes as the ti$ of her tongue y face! &o%n y neck to

She sli& her han&s &o%n the si&es of

ouse looking at a snake" She leane& for%ar& an& outh against ine as she &i& so" She s elle& like e" 5ot as Tassin! but as %o an e! an& yet it %as an! &e an&ing

an& gentleness an& closeness" It %as lust that race& through not that at all" It %as like the Skill/hunger that eats at a closeness an& total co being alone" I caught her to

union %ith the %orl&" I %as unutterably %eary of e so )uickly I hear& her gas$ of sur$rise" I kisse& aking s all $lease& soun&s that su&&enly o ent!7 she hisse&" 6@ust %ait" y clothes! gi'e e your cloak y cloak out on the ustn.t s$oil

her as if I coul& &e'our her an& so eho% be less lonely by &oing so" Su&&enly %e %ere $rone an& she %as change& to her $ushing at There.s a rock un&er e" #n& I y chest" 6Sto$ a

to s$rea& out ,7 I %atche& her a'ariciously as she s$rea& #ren.t you co ing back07 she aske& 6=et front of her shirt! in'iting e fro

earth by the fire" She lay &o%n u$on it an& $atte& a $lace besi&e her" 6;ell0 e flirtatiously" -ore le%&ly! she a&&e&! y han&s &oing the sa e" anner %ere all %rong! e in a $ractice/yar& e sho% you all I can &o for you"7 She s oothe& her han&s &o%n the e to think of

If she ha& sai& nothing! if %e ha& ne'er $ause&! if she ha& si $ly looke& u$ at the cloak , but her )uestion an& her su&&enly" #ll the illusion of gentleness an& closeness %as gone! re$lace& by the sa e sort of challenge another fighter
C?2

ight offer

%ith sta'es" I a )uench chil&07

no better than any

an" I &i&n.t %ant to think! to consi&er yself &o%n u$on her an& yself asking! 6#n& if I get you %ith

anything" I longe& to be able to si $ly thro% yself in her! but instea& I hear&

6Oh!7 an& she laughe& lightly as if she ha& ne'er consi&ere& such a thing" 6Then you can be ri& of as a $ass07 ;hy in&ee&0 I looke& at her! %anting her %ith all the lust of an& un&erstan&ing! she offere& his o%n han&" I shook u$ at e e no ore solace than any ore to e" e! so incre&ulously a a1e& y an onths alone ight fin& in an& untouche&" But I kne% also that for that &ee$er hunger for co $anionshi$ y hea& slo%ly! yself than to her" She s ile& arry an e! an& buy y $rentice years fro -aster Dell" Or not!7 she a&&e&! as she sa% y face change" 6# baby.s not so large a thing to ay ne'er co e to

ight think" # fe% sil'ers for the right herbs , but %e

nee&n.t think of that no%" ;hy %orry about a thing that

ischie'ously an& reache& a han& to%ar&

65o"7 I sai& the %or& )uietly" She looke& u$ at

that I nearly laughe&" 6This is not a goo& i&ea!7 I sai&! an& hearing the %or&s alou&! I kne% they %ere true" There %as nothing lofty in it! no thoughts of un&ying faithfulness to -olly or sha e that I ha& alrea&y left one %o an %ith the bur&en of bearing a chil& alone" I kne% those feelings! but they %ere not %hat ca e to be e then" ;hat I sense& %as a hollo%ness in e that %oul& only her face" 6It.s e" a&e %orse by laying yself &o%n besi&e a stranger" 6It.s not you!7 I sai& ake y 'oice co forting" It %as a %aste" the fire!

as I sa% her cheeks re&&en su&&enly an& the s ile fa&e fro The fault.s %ith e"7 I trie& to

She stoo& u$ su&&enly" 6I kno% that! stu$i&!7 she sai& scathingly" 6I only eant to be kin& to you! nothing ore"7 She stalke& angrily a%ay fro of the %agon &oor" blen&ing %ith the sha&o%s )uickly" I hear& the sla
C?8

I stoo$e& slo%ly to $ick

y cloak u$ an& shake the &ust fro y fire"

it" Then! the y

night ha'ing beco e su&&enly col&er %ith a rising %in&! I $ut it aroun& shoul&ers an& sat &o%n again to stare into

9H#*TER T;E=AE Sus$icions THE >SE OF the Skill is a&&icti'e" #ll stu&ents of this this fro user in! te $ting hi to use it ore an& agic are %arne& of the 'ery beginning" There is a fascination to this $o%er that &ra%s the ore often" #s the user.s ex$ertise an&

$o%er increase! so &oes the lure of the Skill" The fascination of the Skill ecli$ses other interests an& relationshi$s" Yet it is a &ifficult attraction to &escribe to anyone %ho has not ex$erience& the Skill itself" # rising co'ey of $heasant on a cris$ autu n a boat.s sails! or the first orning! or catching the %in&.s benefit $erfectly in outhful of hot sa'ory ste% after a col& an& hungry o ent" The Skill sustains

&ay+ these are all sensations that ho'er for only a

that sensation! for as long as the strength of the user lasts" It %as 'ery late %hen the others ca e back to our ca $site" -y aster Da on

%as &runk an& leaning co $anionably on 9reece! %ho %as &runk an& irritable an& reeke& of s oke" They &ragge& their blankets off the cart an& rolle& u$ in the " 5o one offere& to relie'e any slee$ until the next night" Da%n ca e as early as it al%ays &oes! an& the cara'an she.& allo%e& the aster %as erciless in insisting that %e rise an& get rea&y for the roa&" I su$$ose she %as %ise" If to slee$ as long as they %ante&! the earlier risers %oul&
C?<

e in

y %atch" I sighe&! &oubting that I.& get

ha'e gone back to to%n! an& she.& ha'e ha& to s$en& the &ay roun&ing the u$" But it a&e for a iserable orning" Only the tea sters an& the instrel Starling see e& to ha'e kno%n %hen to sto$ &rinking" ;e cooke& an& share& $orri&ge %hile the others co $are& hea&aches an& co $laints" I.'e notice& that &rinking together! es$ecially to excess! for s a bon& bet%een folk" So %hen the aster &eci&e& his hea& ache& too ba&ly for hi to &ri'e the cart! he allotte& that task to 9reece" Da on sle$t in the cart as it 4ostle& along %hile 9reece &ro%se& o'er the reins as the $ony follo%e& the other %agons" They.& tie& the bell%ether to the tail of the cart! an& the flock follo%e&" So e%hat" To e fell the task of trotting behin& in the &ust! kee$ing the flock as %ell bunche& as I coul&" The sky %as blue but the &ay re aine& chill! %ith rising %in&s that stirre& an& carrie& the &ust %e raise&" The night ha& been slee$less for e! an& y hea& soon $oun&e& %ith $ain" the %ater casks on y e" -a&ge calle& a brief halt at noon" -ost of the cara'an folk ha& reco'ere& enough by then that they %ishe& to eat" I &rank fro -a&ge.s %agon! then %et face" I %as trying to rinse grit fro 6I.& kee$ &ust fro y kerchief an& so$$e& so e of the &ust fro y eyes %hen Starling ca e u$ besi&e

I ste$$e& asi&e! thinking she %ante& %ater" Instea&! she s$oke softly" y kerchief on! %ere I you"7 y hea&" 6I &o" It &oes nothing to kee$ the y eyes! though"7 e le'elly" 6It.s not your eyes you shoul& %orry about" It.s ight ake it a bit less noticeable"7 y ex$ression blan&" I %rung it out an& retie& it about Starling looke& at get a $ri'ate She s ile& at

that %hite shock of hair" You shoul& black it %ith grease an& ash tonight! if you o ent" It I looke& )uestioningly at her! trying to kee$

e archly" 6(ing Regal.s guar&s ha& been through that %ater

to%n 4ust a fe% &ays before %e arri'e&" They tol& the folk there that the (ing
C??

belie'e& that the *ocke& -an %oul& be crossing Farro%" #n& you %ith hi "7 She $ause&! ex$ecting e to say so ething" ;hen I 4ust looke& at her! her grin y ar " 6, a fresh y slee'e! offere& %i&ene&" 6Or $erha$s it.s so e other fello% %ith a broken nose! scar &o%n his face! %hite streak in his hair! an& ,7 She gesture& to%ar& s%or&/slash u$ his forear "7 I foun& y ar y tongue an& a easure of y %its" I $ushe& back for her ins$ection" 6# s%or&/slash0 This is 4ust a scratch I got off a y %ay out! a bit un%illingly" Take a look for y ar obligingly" 6Oh" I see" ;ell" -y istake"7 She $ause&! then

nail hea& in a ta'ern &oor" On She leane& o'er an& looke& at istake" Still!7 an& she cante& her hea& at I %atche& et a To $re'ent anyone else fro e" 6I.

yourself" It.s al ost heale& no%! any%ay"7 y eyes again! 6I.& kee$ your kerchief on any%ay" aking the sa e instrel! you see" I.& rather %itness history than

ake it" Or change it" But I &oubt all the others in this cara'an feel that %ay"7 utely as she strolle& a%ay! %histling" Then I &rank again! being uch! an& %ent back to y shee$" careful not to take too

9reece %as on his feet an& hel$ing! so e%hat! for the rest of the afternoon" E'en so! it see e& a longer! %earier &ay than I.& ha& in a ti e" There %as nothing co $licate& about e &o%n" I.& let they.& kill y task to ake it so" The $roble ! I &eci&e&! %as y &es$air o'er -olly an& our chil& &rag y o%n e! anage& to fin& that I.& begun thinking again" I let behalf" 5o% it occurre& to

y guar& &o%n! I ha&n.t been fearful enough on e that if Regal.s Juar& y life"

e" Then I.& ne'er see -olly or our &aughter" So eho% that eal that night! I sat back farther fro yself in talke&!
C?B

see e& %orse than the threat to #t the e'ening though it eant %ra$$ing

the fire than usual! e'en

y cloak against the col&" -y silence %as uch ore than usual! about the last

taken as nor al" The rest of the

e'ening in to%n" I gathere& the beer ha& been goo&! the %ine $oor! %hile the resi&ent instrel ha& ha& s all goo&%ill to%ar& Starling for $erfor ing for his e bers of our cara'an see e& to take it as a $ersonal ca$ti'e au&ience" The

'ictory that Starling.s songs ha& been %ell recei'e& by the 'illagers" 6You sang %ell! e'en if all you kne% %as those Buck balla&s!7 9reece e'en conce&e& agnani ously" Starling no&&e& to that &ubious $raise" #s she &i& e'ery e'ening! Starling un%ra$$e& her har$ after the Dell %as gi'ing his trou$e a rare night off fro ha& not e'en a glance for eal" -aster their constant rehearsing! by

%hich I gathere& he ha& been $lease& %ith his $erfor ers sa'e Tassin" Tassin e that e'ening! but instea& $erche& by one of the ore y tea sters! s iling u$ at his e'ery %or&" I notice& that her in4ury %as little than a scratch on her face %ith so e bruising aroun& it" It %oul& heal %ell" 9reece %ent off to stan& night %atch o'er our flock" I stretche& out on cloak 4ust beyon& reach of the firelight! thinking to &ro%se off i ex$ecte& the others %oul& soon be off to be& as %ell" The hu con'ersation %as lulling! as %as the la1y stru her har$ strings" Jra&ually the stru her 'oice lifte& in song" I %as floating at the e&ge of slee$ %hen the %or&s 6#ntler Islan& To%er7 4olte& e a%ake" -y eyes fle% o$en as I reali1e& she %as singing about the battle there last su ha& obser'e& er! the Rurisk.s first real engage ent %ith the Re&/Shi$ uch an& 'ery little about that battle" #s Aerity ore than once! &es$ite all Ho&.s %ea$ons instruction! I ten&e& yself" #fter%ar&! it ha& Rai&ers" I recalle& both too e&iately" I of their

ing of Starling.s fingers on

ing change& to a rhyth ic $lucking! an&

to re'ert to bra%ling in any sort of a fight" So I.& carrie& an axe into that battle an& use& it %ith a sa'agery I.& ne'er ex$ecte& of kno%n if that %as true or not"
C?C

been sai& that I.& kille& the chief of the rai&ing $arty %e.& cornere&" I.& ne'er

In Starling.s song! it certainly %as" -y heart nearly stoo& still %hen I hear& her sing of 69hi'alry.s son! %ith eyes of fla e! %ho carrie& his bloo& if not his na e"7 The song %ent on %ith a &o1en i $robable e bellish ents of blo%s I.& &ealt an& %arriors I.& felle&" It %as strangely hu iliating to hear those &ee&s sung of as noble an& no% al ost legen&ary" I kne% there %ere ex$erience unco fortable" I &i&n.t recall the sun striking fla es fro axehea& or that I fought as bra'ely as the buck on the clinging s ell of bloo& an& trea&ing on a s)uir e& an& enough to bring e any sort of $eace" an.s entrails! a any y fighters %ho &rea e& of ha'ing songs sung of their ex$loits" I foun& the y crest" Instea& I recalle& an %ho

oane& still" #ll the ale in Buckkee$ that night ha& not been

;hen the song %as finally &one! one of the tea sters snorte&" 6So! that.s the one ye &aren.t sing in the ta'ern last night! eh! Starling07 Starling ga'e a &e$recating laugh" 6So eho% I &oubte& it %oul& be en4oye&" Songs about 9hi'alry.s Bastar& %oul& not ha'e been $o$ular enough to earn e a $enny there"7 6It.s an o&& song!7 obser'e& Dell" 6Here.s the (ing offering gol& for his hea&! an& the Juar& telling all! be%are! the Bastar& has the ;it an& use& it to trick &eath" But your song akes hi out to be so e sort of hero"7 6;ell! it.s a Buck song! an& he %as %ell thought of in Buck! at least for a ti e!7 Starling ex$laine&" 6But not any ore! I.& %ager" Sa'e that any gol& coins if one coul& turn hi tea sters obser'e&" 6=ike as not!7 Starling agree& easily" 6Though there.s still so e in Buck %ho %oul& tell you that not all his tale has been tol&! an& the Bastar& %as not so black as he.s been tarre& of late"7
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an %oul& think %ell of a hun&re&

o'er to the (ing.s Juar&!7 one of the

6I still &on.t un&erstan& it" I thought he %as execute& for using the ;it to kill (ing Shre%&!7 co $laine& -a&ge" 6So so e say!7 Starling re$lie&" 6Truth of it %as! he &ie& in his cell before he coul& be execute& an& %as burie& instea& of burne&" #n& the tale goes!7 an& here Starling.s 'oice &ro$$e& to a near %his$er! 6that %hen s$ring ca e! not a leaf of greenery %oul& gro% on his gra'e" #n& an ol& %ise %o an! hearing this! kne% that by full eant his ;it agic still sle$t in his bones an& his ight be to clai e& by any bol& enough to $ull a tooth fro oonlight! an& took a outh" #n& so she %ent!

anser'ant %ith a s$a&e %ith her" She $ut hi

&igging u$ the gra'e" But he ha&n.t turne& but a sho'elful of earth before he foun& s$lintere& %oo& fro fire" 6The box %as e $ty! of course" #n& those %ho sa% it sai& that the coffin ha& been s$lintere& out fro %olf.s coat"7 # o ent longer the silence hel&" Then! 65ot truly07 -a&ge aske& Starling" Her fingers ran lightly o'er her har$ strings" 6So I hear& it tol& in Buck" But I also hear& the =a&y *atience! she that burie& hi ! say it %as all nonsense! that his bo&y ha& been col& an& stiff %hen she %ashe& it an& %ra$$e& it in a gra'e cloth" #n& of the *ocke& -an! that (ing Regal so fears! she &eclare& he is no ore than an ol& a&'iser of (ing Shre%&.s! so e ol& recluse %ith a scarre& face! co e out of his her itage to kee$ ali'e a belief that Aerity still li'es an& len& heart to those %ho ust go on battling the Re&/Shi$s" So" I su$$ose you can choose to belie'e %hiche'er you %ish"7 insi&e! not sto'e in" #n& one an tol& it to e that caught in the s$lintere& e&ge of the coffin li& %ere the coarse gray hairs of a the Bastar&.s coffin"7 Starling $ause& theatrically" There %asn.t a soun& sa'e the crackling of the

C?E

-elo&y! one of the $u$$eteers! ga'e a so ething ghost tales before I seek

ock shi'er" 6Brrr" So" Sing us ore of your

erry no%! to go to slee$ on" I.'e no %ish to hear y blankets tonight"7

So Starling %illingly s%e$t into a lo'e balla&! an ol& one %ith a lilting refrain that -a&ge an& -elo&y 4oine& in singing" I lay in the &arkness! $on&ering all I.& hear&" I %as unco fortably a%are that Starling ha& stirre& it u$ inten&ing for e to hear it" I %on&ere& if she thought she %as &oing y hea&" That %as enough to e a fa'or! or if she e" One hun&re& si $ly %ishe& to see if any of the others ha& sus$icions of gol& coins for strolling that night" The next &ay.s &ri'e %as al ost co forting in its I $ace& along behin& hear& Aerity.s 9o e to as $re'iously" It see e& that %hene'er I blanke& e echoing insi&e onotony" y in& to y %orries! I a&e ca $ that y shee$! an& trie& not to think" It %as not as easy to &o y hea&" ;hen %e instrel" Des$ite

ake a &uke gree&y! let alone a

y %eariness! it %as a long ti e before I &o1e& off

night! it %as on the banks of a giant sinkhole %ith %ater at its center" The talk about the fire %as &esultory" I think %e %ere all to slee$! but I ha& first %atch o'er the flock" I cli be& slightly u$ the hillsi&e to %here I coul& sit looking &o%n on the s all cook fire near the %ater sho%ing like a star at the botto %as al ost $eaceful" Tassin $robably thought she %as being stealthy" I %atche& her co e silently! her cloak $ulle& %ell u$ o'er her hair an& about her face" She circle& %i&ely as if to $ass by e" I &i& not follo% her %ith
CBH

ore than a little %eary of our

tru&ging $ace an& longe& to see the shores of Blue =ake" I %ishe& si $ly to go y

%oolly charges" The great bo%l of the sinkhole cu$$e& our %hole cara'an! %ith of a %ell" ;hate'er %in& ble% $asse& us by! lea'ing us sheltere& in a great stillness" It

y eyes! but listene& to her as she

%ent abo'e

e on the hillsi&e an& then ca e back &o%n behin&

e" I caught ight be!

her scent e'en in the still air an& felt an in'oluntary antici$ation" I %on&ere& if I.& ha'e the strength of %ill to refuse her a secon& ti e" -istake it but y bo&y %as all in fa'or of ste$s a%ay! I turne& to look at her" She startle& back fro a y ga1e" y shee$" #fter e" I aking it" ;hen I 4u&ge& her about a &o1en

6Tassin!7 I greete& her )uietly! an& then turne& to look back at

o ent! she ca e &o%n the slo$e to stan& a fe% ste$s a%ay fro her face an& confronte& e! challenge in her eyes an& stance"

turne& slightly an& looke& u$ at her %ithout s$eaking" She $ushe& her hoo& back fro 6You.re hi ! aren.t you07 she &e an&e& breathlessly" There %as a 'ery slight e&ge of fear in her 'oice" It %as not %hat I.& ex$ecte& her to say" I &i&n.t ha'e to $reten& sur$rise" 6I. hi 0 I. To the she$her& if that.s the hi you ean"7 65o! you.re hi ! that ;it/Bastar& the (ing.s Juar& is seeking" Dre% the tea ster tol& night"7 6Dre% tol& you I %as a ;it/Bastar&07 I s$oke carefully! as if baffle& by her tu bling %or&s" # terrible col& fear %as %elling u$ insi&e 65o"7 # trace of anger ixe& %ith her fear" 6Dre% tol& e" e %hat the (ing.s e %hat they %ere saying in to%n! after Starling tol& that tale last

Juar& sai& of hi " # broken nose an& a scar on the cheek an& a %hite streak in his hair" #n& I sa% your hair that night" You.'e a %hite streak in it"7 6#ny an %ho.s been hit on the hea& can ha'e a %hite streak in his hair" It.s y hea& an& looke& at her critically" 6I.& say your face is an ol& scar"7 I tilte& healing %ell"7 6You.re hi ! aren.t you07 She soun&e& e'en angrier that I.& trie& to change the sub4ect"

CB1

6Of course not" =ook" He.s got a s%or&/slash on his ar ! hasn.t he0 =ook at this"7 I bare& y right ar for her ins$ection" The knife/slash I.& gi'en" y s%or& ar " e yself %as &o%n the back of taken &efen&ing su&&enly" 6If I.& ha& any coin! %hy %oul& I ha'e staye& in ca $ %hen the others %ent to to%n0 Besi&es! %hy %oul& you care07 6I %oul&n.t" But you %oul&" You coul& use it to buy &efiantly at e" y ar ! as easily as you.'e &one!7 I sai& %earily" I y shee$" 6You.re being a silly little her to look back o'er y silence" Other%ise! I ight go to -a&ge %ith %hat I sus$ect" Or the tea sters"7 She lifte& her chin 6Then they coul& look at turne& a%ay fro y left forear " I %as ga bling that she.& kno% a slash y ar " 6Do you ha'e any coin07 she aske&

yself shoul& ha'e been on

She scarcely glance& at

girl! Tassin! letting Starling.s ghost tales get you all stirre& u$" Jo back to be&"7 I trie& to soun& &isguste& %ith her" 6You.'e a scratch on your other ar " I sa% it" So e slash"7 6*robably the sa e ones that %oul& take you for intelligent!7 I sai& &erisi'ely" 6Don.t ake ock of e!7 she %arne& e in a 'oice gone flat %ith ugliness" atter %ith you! any%ay0 Is this 6I %on.t be a&e fun of"7 ight take it for a s%or&/

6Then &on.t say stu$i& things" ;hat.s the

so e sort of re'enge0 #re you angry because I %oul&n.t be& you0 I tol& you! it.s nothing to &o %ith you" You.re $retty to look at! an& I &on.t &oubt there.& be $leasure in touching you" But not for She s$at su&&enly on the groun& besi&e a using yself! she$her&" 5o e"7 e" 6#s if I.& ha'e let you" I %as a&e a s all soun& in her

ore than that"7 She

throat" 6-en" Ho% can you look at yourself an& think anyone %oul& %ant you
CB2

for your o%n sake0 You stink of shee$! you.re skinny! an& your face looks like you.'e lost e'ery fight you.'e e'er been in"7 She turne& on her heel! then see e& to abru$tly re e ber %hy she.& co e" 6I %on.t tell any of the " Yet" But %hen %e get to Blue =ake! your bring it to I sighe&" 6;hate'er a uses you! I. Dell one ore reason to beat you"7 e an& %ent stalking off &o%n the hillsi&e" She lost her e! as if &aring e to laugh" I ha& no uch oonlight.s uncertainty an& nearly took a tu ble" But she y &efiance of her! y sto ach %as clenche& u$ aster ust $ay you so ething" See you e! or I.ll ha'e the %hole to%n seeking you out"7 sure you.ll &o" 9reate all the fuss you

%ish" ;hen it co es to naught an& folk laugh about it! it %ill $robably gi'e She turne& a%ay fro footing in the

reco'ere& herself an& then glare& back at such inclination" Des$ite un&er

y throat" # hun&re& gol& coins" S$rea& a ru or of it! an& that an"

oney %as enough to start a riot" #fter I %as &ea&! they.& $robably &eci&e they ha& the %rong I %on&ere& ho% %ell I.& &o at crossing the rest of the Farro% $lains alone" I coul& lea'e right after 9reece relie'e& get e on %atch" I.& go to the %agon an& uch farther coul& it e" e in greeting y things )uietly an& sneak a%ay into the night" Ho% the ca $site an& co e u$ the slo$e to%ar&

be to Blue =ake any%ay0 I %as $on&ering that as I %atche& yet another figure sli$ a%ay fro Starling ca e )uietly! but not stealthily" She lifte& a han& to before she sat &o%n co $anionably at oney!7 she greete& e affably" an %ho.s su$$ose&ly got her $regnant on

y si&e" 6I ho$e you &i&n.t gi'e her any

6> $h!7 I sai&! letting her take it ho%e'er she %ishe&" 6Because you.re at least the thir& this tri$" Your aster ha& the honor of being the first accuse&" -a&ge.s son

CB8

%as the secon&" #t least I think he %as" I &on.t kno% ho% selecte& for this $ossible chil&"7 6I ha'en.t been %ith her! so she coul& scarcely accuse &efensi'ely" 6Oh0 Then you.re $robably the only That 4olte&

any fathers she.s e of! that!7 I sai&

an in the cara'an %ho hasn.t"7

e a bit" Then I thought about it an& %on&ere& if I %oul& e'er an to buy her out of her

reach a $lace in %hich I cease& fin&ing out ho% stu$i& I coul& be" 6So you think she.s %ith chil& an& is looking for a a$$renticeshi$07 Starling snorte&" 6I &oubt she.s %ith chil& at all" She %asn.t asking to be arrie&! only for coin to buy herbs to shake the chil& loose" I think -a&ge.s boy ight ha'e actually gi'en her so e" 5o" I &on.t think she %ants a oney" So she looks for %ays that allo% her a bit of a ight $ay her for it after%ar&"7 She shifte&! tosse& an %ho husban&! 4ust so e tu ble! an& a &one to her07 6I tol& you" 5othing"7 6#h" That ex$lains %hy she s$eaks so ill of you then" But only in the last &ay or so! so I su$$ose& you Fnothinge&. her the night the rest of us %ent to to%n"7 6Starling!7 I began %arningly! an& she raise& a $lacating han&" 6I shan.t say a %or& about %hate'er you &i&n.t &o to her" 5ot another %or&" That.s not %hat I ca e u$ here to s$eak to you about any%ay"7 She $ause&! an& %hen I refuse& to ask the )uestion! she &i&" 6;hat &o you $lan to &o after %e get to Blue =ake07 I glance& at her" 69ollect 6I thought I y $ay" Ha'e a beer an& a &ecent eal! a hot bath an& a clean be& for one night at least" ;hy0 ;hat &o you $lan07 ight go on to the -ountains"7 She ga'e
CB<

asi&e an offen&ing stone" 6So" If you ha'en.t got her $regnant! %hat ha'e you

e a si&e%ays glance"

6To seek your song%orthy e'ent there07 I trie& to kee$ 6Songs are ore likely to be foun& clinging to a she suggeste&" 6I thought you coul& tra'el together"7 6You.'e still that i&iotic notion that I.

y )uestion casual"

an than boun& to a $lace!7

ight be going to the -ountains as %ell" ;e the Bastar&!7 I accuse& her flatly" to

She grinne&" 6The Bastar&" The ;itte& one" Yes"7 6You.re %rong!7 I sai& flatly" 6#n& e'en if you %ere right! %hy follo% hi the -ountains0 I.& take the chance for a bigger $rofit! an& sell hi (ing.s Juar&" ;ith a hun&re& gol& $ieces! %ho.& nee& to Starling a&e a s all soun& of &isgust" 6You.'e Juar& than I ha'e! I. trie& to clai tol& you" I. 6Don.t call #fter a ake songs07 instrel %ho to the

ore ex$erience of the (ing.s

sure" But e'en I.'e enough to kno% that a

that re%ar& %oul& $robably be foun& floating in the ri'er a fe% not after gol&! Bastar&" I. after a song"7 e

&ays later" ;hile so e guar&s en beca e su&&enly 'ery %ealthy" 5o" I.'e e that!7 I %arne& her shar$ly" She shrugge& an& turne& a%ay"

o ent she t%itche& as if I.& $oke& her an& then turne& back to

%ith a grin %i&ening across her face" 6#h" I belie'e I.'e %orke& it out" That.s ho% Tassin %as s)uee1ing you! isn.t it0 #sking for I a&e no re$ly" oney to still her tongue"7

6You.re s art to refuse her" Ji'e her any an& she.ll think she.s right" If she truly belie'e& you %ere the Bastar&! she.& be hol&ing her secret to sell to the (ing.s Juar&" Because she.s ha& no ex$erience of the ! an& %oul& belie'e she ight actually get to kee$ the gol&"7 Starling stoo&! stretching leisurely" 6;ell" I. back to be& %hile I ay" But kee$ y offer in in&" I &oubt you.ll fin& a e better one"7 She s%irle& her cloak about herself theatrically! then bo%e& to

CB?

as if I %ere the (ing" I %atche& her stroll a%ay fro surefoote& as a goat e'en in the I consi&ere& sli$$ing a%ay fro oonlight" She re in&e&

e &o%n the hill! e briefly of -olly" y

the ca $ an& going on to Blue =ake on ight try to follo% an& fin& the she$her&"

o%n" I &eci&e& that if I &i&! Tassin an& Starling %oul& only beco e certain that they ha& guesse& correctly" Starling e" Tassin %oul& try to fin& a %ay to collect the re%ar&" I %ante& neither of those things" Better to stick it out an& $lo& along as To I lifte& y eyes to the night sky" 9lear an& col& it arche& abo'e e" The &ea&

of the night ha& a nasty chill to it of late" By the ti e I got to the -ountains! %inter %oul& be onths of su %orl& see ore than 4ust a threat" If only I ha&n.t %aste& those early a&e the y y er being a %olf! I.& be in the -ountains by no%" But that %as

another useless thought" The stars %ere close an& bright tonight" It o$ene& u$ an& reache& for Aerity! I %oul& fin& hi fingerti$s" =oneliness s%elle& so su&&enly insi&e %ay out of

a s aller $lace to ha'e the sky so close" I felt su&&enly that if I 4ust there! right at e that I felt it %oul& tear its

e" -olly an& Burrich %ere no farther a%ay than the closing of

eyes" I coul& go to the ! coul& tra&e the hunger of not kno%ing for the $ain of being unable to touch" The Skill %alls! clutche& so closely e'ery %aking o ent since I ha& left Tra&efor&! no% felt suffocating rather than shiel&ing" I bo%e& y hea& to y &ra%n/u$ knees an& hugge& yself against the chill e $tiness of the night" #fter a ti e! the hunger $asse&" I lifte& $eaceful shee$! the cart an& %agons! the oon tol& $oke hi fro e y hea& an& looke& out o'er the otionless ca $" # glance at the

y %atch %as %ell o'er" 9reece %as ne'er goo& about rousing his %ar blankets"

hi self to take his turn" So I stoo& an& stretche& an& %ent &o%n the hill to

CBB

The next t%o &ays $asse& une'entfully! sa'e that the %eather gre% col&er an& %in&ier" On the e'ening of the thir&! 4ust as %e ha& settle& for the night an& I ha& taken u$ y first %atch of the e'ening! I sa% a &ust clou& on the hori1on" I ore tra'ele& cara'an routes! thought little of it at first" ;e %ere on one of the

an& ha& sto$$e& at a %atering $lace" # %agon full of a tinker fa ily ha& alrea&y been there" I assu e& that %hoe'er %as raising the &ust %oul& also be seeking a %ater/$lace to rest for the night" So I sat an& %atche& the &ust get closer as the e'ening &arkene&" Slo%ly the &ust resol'e& into figures on horseback! ri&ing in an or&erly for ation" The closer they ca e! the certain I beca e" (ing.s Juar&s" The light %as too %eak for an& bro%n of Regal.s colors! but I kne%" It %as all I coul& &o to kee$ tol& fe% inutes to ri&e yself fro lea$ing u$ an& fleeing" 9ol& logic a e no near hi&ing $laces" y teeth e that if they %ere seeking e s$ecifically! it %oul& only take the ore e to see the gol&

e &o%n" This 'ast $lain offere&

#n& if they %ere not seeking

e! to flee %oul& only attract their attention! an& y stick across y knees %atching the

ake both Tassin an& Starling certain in their sus$icions" So I gritte& an& re aine& %here I %as! sitting %ith shee$" The ri&ers by$asse&

e an& the shee$ an& %ent &irectly to the %ater" I

counte& as they %ent $ast" Six of the " I recogni1e& one of the horses! a buckskin colt Burrich ha& sai& %oul& be a goo& courser so e&ay" Seeing hi re in&e& e too 'i'i&ly of ho% Regal ha& $lun&ere& Buckkee$ of e'ery a&e it easier to sit an& bi&e y ti e" 'aluable thing before he left it to fen& for itself" # tiny s$ark of anger ignite& in e! one that so eho% #fter a %hile! I &eci&e& that they %ere 4ust on their %ay as %e %ere! an& ha& sto$$e& only to %ater an& rest for the night" Then 9reece ca e lu bering out to fin& e" 6You.re %ante& in the ca $!7 he tol& e %ith ill/concei'e&

CBC

irritability" 9reece al%ays like& to slee$ as soon as he.& eaten" I aske& hi %hat ha& change& our sche&ule as he settle& &o%n in see e'ery y $lace" 6(ing.s Juar&s!7 he huffe& angrily" 6*ushing e'erybo&y about! &e an&ing to e ber of our cara'an" They searche& all the %agons! too"7 6;hat are they looking for07 I aske& i&ly" 6Da ne& if I kno%" Di&n.t care to get a fist in the face for asking! either" But you suit yourself about fin&ing out"7 I took hung at %ith y staff %ith e as I %alke& back into the ca $" -y shorts%or& still y si&e" I thought of concealing it! then &eci&e& against it" #nyone

ight carry a s%or&! an& if I nee&e& to &ra% it! I &i&n.t %ant to be %restling y trousers" The ca $ %as like a stirre& hornet.s nest" -a&ge an& her folk looke& both a$$rehensi'e an& angry" The guar&s en %ere currently harassing the tinker" One guar&s%o an kicke& o'er a stack of tin $ots %ith a fine clatter an& then shoute& so ething about searching anything she $lease&! any %ay she $lease&" The tinker stoo& by his %agon! his ar s crosse& on his chest" He looke& as if he.& alrea&y been knocke& &o%n once" T%o guar&s en ha& his %ife an& youngsters backe& u$ against the tail of the %agon" The %ife ha& a trickle of bloo& co ing fro her nose" She still looke& rea&y to fight" I &rifte& into ca $ as silent as s oke an& took a $lace besi&e Da on as if I.& al%ays been there" 5either of us s$oke" The lea&er of the guar&s turne& a%ay fro an& a shi'er %ent u$ ha& broken $ulse in his skill %ith his fists" I.& last seen hi y nose" I felt the beating of his confrontation %ith the tinker! y back" I kne% hi " It %as Bolt! fa'ore& by Regal for in the &ungeon" He %as the one %ho y heart $ick u$ s$ee& an& hear& y y 'ision" I fought to

y ears" Darkness threatene& the e&ges of

CBD

breathe )uietly" He $ace& to the center of the ca $ an& cast a &is&ainful eye o'er us" 6This is e'eryone07 he &e an&e& force& to let y han&s to be still+ to stay a%ay fro y tension sho% in y stance" ore than )uerie&" both knife an& s%or&" I trie& not ;e all bobbe& no&s" He cast his ga1e o'er us an& I looke& &o%n to a'oi& it" I

6#s sorry a lot of 'agabon&s as I.'e e'er seen"7 His tone &is isse& our i $ortance" 69ara'an %ar aster: ;e.'e been ri&ing all &ay" Ha'e your boy see to ore fuel gathere& for the fire" #n& our horses" ;e.ll %ant foo& $re$are&! an& trouble" The

us so e %ater for %ashing"7 He ran his glance o'er us again" 6I %ant no en %e %ere looking for aren.t here! an& that.s all %e re)uire& to

kno%" @ust &o as %e ask! an& there %on.t be any $roble s" You can go about your nor al business"7 There %ere a fe% utters of agree ent! but ostly silence greete& this" He snorte& his &is&ain for us! then turne& to his ri&ers an& s$oke )uietly to the " ;hate'er or&ers he %as gi'ing &i& not see to sit %ell %ith the ! but the t%o o'e off that ha& cornere& the tinker %o an ca e to heel at his %or&s" They took o'er the fire -a&ge ha& built earlier! forcing the folk of our cara'an to fro it" -a&ge s$oke )uietly to her hel$! sen&ing t%o off to care for the

guar&s. horses! an& another to fetch %ater an& set it to %ar " She herself stro&e hea'ily $ast our cart to%ar& her o%n %agon an& the foo& stores" #n uneasy se blance of or&er returne& to the ca $" Starling kin&le& a secon&! s aller fire" The $u$$eteer.s trou$e! the instrel! an& the tea sters resettle& e! but I notice& that he still next to it" The horse o%ner an& her husban& %ent )uietly off to be&" 6;ell! see s to ha'e settle& &o%n!7 Da on obser'e& to t%iste& his han&s ner'ously" 6I. %atches bet%een you"7 off to be&" You an& 9reece settle out the

CBE

I starte& to go back to %hile a single one of the

y shee$" Then I $ause& an& looke& back aroun& the stoo& slightly back of the grou$ kee$ing a general

ca $" The guar&s %ere silhouettes aroun& the fire no%! lounging an& talking! %atch" He %as looking to%ar& the other fire" I follo%e& his ga1e" I coul& not &eci&e if Tassin %as looking back at hi ! or si $ly staring off at the other guar&s about their fire" Either %ay! I sus$ecte& I kne% %hat %as on her beans an& $eas fro sacks an& easuring the in&" I turne& asi&e an& %ent to the back of -a&ge.s %agon" She %as scoo$ing out into a sou$ kettle" I touche& her lightly on the ar ! an& she 4u $e&" 6Beg $ar&on" 9oul& you use so e hel$ %ith that07 She raise& an eyebro% at I glance& &o%n at e" 6;hy %oul& I07 y lie carefully" 6I &i&n.t care for ho% en+ she$her&" I coul&n.t be a a.a "7 easure& salt into the kettle! then a han&ful of e to $rotest" e a bucket y feet an& chose

they looke& at the tinker %o an! 6I kno% ho% to han&le cara'an I no&&e& an& tol& seasonings" aster if I &i&n.t"7 She

yself a ong rough

y hea& an& sai& nothing" It %as too ob'iously true for o ents! she han&e&

But I &i& not lea'e! either! an& after a fe%

e to fetch her so e clean %ater" I obeye& her %illingly! an& %hen I e" I %atche& her fill e %ith so e as$erity to

brought it back! I stoo& hol&ing it until she took it fro the sou$ kettle an& stoo& at her elbo% until she tol& get out fro bucket as I &i& so" So I took it an& fetche& her #fter that! I %ent an& got a blanket fro

un&er her feet" I a$ologi1e& an& backe& a%ay! u$setting her %ater ore fresh %ater in it" Da on.s cart! an& rolle& u$ in it for a

fe% hours" I lay un&er the cart as if slee$ing an& %atche&! not the guar&s en! but Starling an& Tassin" I notice& she &i& not take out her har$ that night! as if she &i& not %ish to call any attention to herself either" That so e%hat
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reassure&

e about her" It %oul& ha'e been easy enough for her to 'isit their

fire %ith her har$! to ingratiate herself %ith a fe% songs! an& then offer to sell e" Instea& she see e& as intent on %atching Tassin as I %as" Tassin rose once to lea'e on so e excuse" I &i& not hear %hat Starling sai& )uietly! but Tassin glare& at her an& -aster Dell angrily or&ere& her back to her $lace" 9ertainly Dell %ante& nothing to &o %ith the guar&s in any %ay" But e'en after they ha& all gone off to be&! I coul& not relax" ;hen it ca e ti e to relie'e 9reece on %atch! I %ent reluctantly! not at all sure that Tassin %oul& not choose the s all hours of night in %hich to seek out the guar&s" I foun& 9reece soun& aslee$! an& ha& to %ake hi I sat &o%n! y blanket aroun& to sen& hi back to the cart" en &o%n y shoul&ers! an& thought of the six

belo%! no% slee$ing aroun& their fire" I ha& cause for true hatre& of only one of the " I recalle& Bolt to leather glo'es to beat y nose lest it easily $ast in&" Bolt ha&n.t e'en kno%n e" He.& run his eyes o'er e an& &is isse& e! not e'en recogni1ing his o%n han&i%ork" I sat thinking for a bit about that" I su$$ose& I ha& change& that uch" 5ot 4ust the scars he.& gi'en e" 5ot 4ust e an& y the bear& an& the %ork an.s garb an& the &irt of the roa& on ake yself as he ha& been then! s irking as he &re% on his e! sulking %hen Regal re$ri an&e& hi for breaking e" I ering y e less $resentable if the &ukes %ishe& to see

recalle& the &is&ainful %ay he ha& $erfor e& his task for Regal! ha

y token &efense as I stro'e to kee$ ;ill an& his Skill out of

gauntness" Fit19hi'alry %oul&n.t ha'e lo%ere& his eyes before his ga1e! %oul& not ha'e stoo& silent an& let the tinkerfolk fen& for the sel'es" Fit19hi'alry %oul& not! $erha$s! ha'e $oisone& all six guar&s for the sake of killing one" I %on&ere& if I ha& gro%n %iser or %earier" Both! $erha$s" It &i& not $rou&"
CC1

ake

The ;it/sense gi'es things! aroun& e" I a

e an a%areness of other li'ing things! all other li'ing sel&o startle& by anyone" So they &i& not take e by the sky %hen

sur$rise" The &a%n ha& 4ust begun to blanch the blackness fro Bolt an& his guar&s ca e for

e" I sat still! first feeling an& then hearing their y $oison" Ha&

stealthy a$$roach" Bolt ha& rouse& all fi'e of his sol&iers for the task" ;ith a sinking &is ay! I %on&ere& %hat ha& gone %rong %ith it lost its $otency fro the cooking %ith the sou$0 I s%ear that for a %as that 9ha&e %oul& not ha'e o ent being carrie& about so long0 Been ren&ere& useless by y u$$er ost thought a&e this error" But I ha& no ti e to think oun& for co'er"

about it" I glance& about at the gently un&ulating! near/featureless $lain" Scrub brush an& a fe% rocks" 5ot e'en a gully or a I coul& ha'e run! an& $erha$s lost the &i& not track for a ti e in the &arkness" But in the

en&! that ga e %as theirs" I.& ha'e to co e back for %ater e'entually" If they e &o%n on the flat lan& by &aylight on horseback! they coul& e out" Besi&es! to flee %as to a& it I e! but not! I the she$her& %oul& not run" y feet! an& %hen y si $ly sit by the %aterhole an& %ait %as Fit19hi'alry" To

#n& so I looke& u$! startle& an& anxious %hen they ca e for ho$e&! betraying the heart/$oun&ing fear I felt" I ca e to one sei1e& knife an& incre&ulously" #nother guar& ca e u$ fro %ants a look at you"7

e by an ar ! I &i& not struggle but only looke& u$ at hi the other si&e! to take both y s%or&" 69o e &o%n to the fire!7 she tol& e gruffly" 69a$tain

I %ent )uietly! al ost li $ly! an& %hen they ha& reasse ble& at the ca $fire to $resent e to Bolt! I looke& fearfully fro one face to another! being careful full face at close range not to single out Bolt" I %as not sure I coul& look at hi then ca e to ins$ect

an& betray nothing" Bolt stoo& u$! kicke& at the fire to stir u$ the fla es! an& e" I caught a gli $se of Tassin.s $ale face an& hair
CC2

$eeking at

e aroun& the en& of the $u$$eteer.s %agon" For a ti e Bolt 4ust e" #fter a ti e! he $urse& his outh an& ga'e his guar&s a kno% I %asn.t %hat

stoo& looking at

&isguste& look" ;ith a s all shake of his hea&! he let the he.& %ante&" I &are& to take a &ee$er breath" 6;hat.s your na e07 Bolt su&&enly &e an&e& of I s)uinte& at hi nothing %rong"7 6Ha'en.t you0 Then you.re the only 6I a ! sir" Fro across the fire" 6To ! sir" To

e shar$ly" the she$her&" I.'e &one

an in the %orl& %ho hasn.t" You soun& y

like a Buck an! To " Take off your kerchief"7 Buck! sir" But ti es are har& there"7 I hastily &ragge& kerchief off! then stoo& clutching an& %ringing it" I ha&n.t taken Starling.s a&'ice about staining y hair" That %oul&n.t ha'e &one any goo& &uring a y looking glass an& $lucke& out a goo& ore e y bro% rather than a %hite streak" Bolt y face" He %as as big su&&enly close ins$ection" Instea&! I ha& use& as a scattering of gray hair abo'e by the hair an& tilte& an& floo&e& y

$ortion of the %hite hairs" 5ot all of the ! but %hat I ha& no% a$$eare& ca e aroun& the fire to ha'e a closer look at it" I flinche& %hen he gri$$e& y hea& back to stare &o%n into uscle& as I re e bere& hi " E'ery e'il e" e" 5or &i& I e ory I ha& of hi

in&" I s%ear I e'en recalle& the s ell of hi " The %retche& no resistance as he glare& &o%n at eet his eyes!

sickness of fear fille& I offere& hi

but rather shot frightene& looks at hi crosse& on her chest! regar&ing us" 6Jot a scar on your cheek! &on.t you! ,7

an& then glance& a%ay as if beseeching so e%here an& %as stan&ing! ar s e" e

hel$" I notice& that -a&ge ha& co e fro

an07 Bolt &e an&e& of

6Yes! sir! I &o" Jot it %hen I %as a boy! fell out of a tree an& a branch cut

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6You break your nose then! too07 65o! sir! no! that %as a ta'ern bra%l! that %as! about a year ago ,7 6Take off your shirt:7 he &e an&e&" I fu ble& at the neck of it! then &ragge& it off o'er %oul& look at y forear s an& %as $re$are& %ith Instea& he leane& o'er to look at a $lace bet%een %here a Forge& one ha& bitten a chunk out of thre% his hea& back an& laughe&" 6Da n" I &i&n.t think it %as you! Bastar&" I %as sure it %asn.t" But that.s the ark I re e ber seeing! the first ti e I &ro'e you into the floor"7 He looke& at the en stan&ing aroun& us! sur$rise an& &elight still on his face" 6It.s hi : the -ountains to ;e.'e got hi " The (ing.s got his Skill%i1ar&s s$rea& fro li$s as he ran his eyes o'er on fro y hea&" I ha& thought he y nail story for that" y neck! y shoul&er an&

e in a long/ago fight" -y

bo%els turne& to %ater" He looke& at the gnarle& scar there! then su&&enly

the coast looking for hi ! an& he falls like fruit into our han&s"7 He licke& his e gloatingly" I sense& a strange hunger in hi ! e su&&enly by the throat an& haule& ine as he hisse&! 6>n&erstan& y king can co e u$ %ith y king lea'es for e u$ e" e ore one he al ost feare&" He sei1e&

y toes" He brought his face close to killing you here" It.s only

Aer&e %as a frien&" It.s not a hun&re& gol& $ieces for you ali'e that kee$s y faith that interesting %ays for you to &ie than I can i $ro'ise here" You.re Bastar&! in the circle" Or as He sho'e& %as i uch of you as hi e 'iolently a%ay fro

ine again!

e any%ay"7 one to the

into the fire" I stu ble& through it an& istake:7 an07 she aske& hi

e&iately sei1e& by t%o

en on the other si&e" I looke& fro hoarsely"

other %il&ly" 6It.s a

istake:7 I crie& out" 6# terrible

6Shackle hi !7 Bolt or&ere& the &irectly"

-a&ge ste$$e& su&&enly for%ar&" 6You.re certain of this

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He

et her eyes! ca$tain to ca$tain" 6I a " It.s the ;it/Bastar&"7 an& %elco e to

# look of total &isgust crosse& -a&ge.s face" 6Then take hi hi "7 She turne& on her heel an& %alke& a%ay"

-y guar&s ha& been %atching the con'ersation bet%een -a&ge an& their ca$tain rather than $aying attention to the tre bling chance& it all! breaking to%ar& the fire as I sna$$e& an bet%een the " I y ar s free of their

careless gri$s" I shoul&ere& a startle& Bolt asi&e an& fle& like a rabbit" I %o'e through the ca $! $ast the tinker.s %agon! an& sa% only %i&e/o$en country before e" Da%n ha& graye& the $lain to a featureless ru $le& blanket" 5o en on foot after e! or en on horses" I ha&n.t ex$ecte& a y left shoul&er! nu bing co'er! no &estination" I 4ust ran" I ha& ex$ecte& an %ith a sling" The first rock hit lightning hit e" y %rists %ere chaine&" -y left shoul&er ache& horribly! but y hea&" I anage& to %iggle u$ to a sitting e" # shackle on each of y ankles uch attention to e on the flat of

y ar " I ke$t running" I thought at first I.& taken an arro%" Then the bolt of ;hen I %oke u$!

not as ba&ly as the lu $ on $osition" 5o one $ai& the chain that shackle& bet%een able to stan&"

%as hooke& to the length of chain that ran u$ an& through a loo$ forge& onto y %rists together" # secon&! uch shorter chain y ankles %as not e'en enough to let e take a full ste$" If I.& been en" I

I sai& nothing! &i& nothing" Shackle&! I ha& no chance against six ar e& &i&n.t %ant to gi'e the any excuse to brutali1e y %ill to sit )uietly an& consi&er air" I sat! hea& bo%e&! looking at to stan& looking &o%n at e" I ke$t

e" Still! it took e'ery bit of y flesh in the col& night

y situation" The sheer %eight of the chain y feet" Bolt notice& I %as a%ake" He ca e y eyes on
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%as &aunting! as %as the chill of the iron biting into

y o%n feet"

6Say so ething! &a n you:7 Bolt or&ere& 6You.'e got the %rong con'incing hi

e su&&enly" en.s belief"

an! sir!7 I sai& ti i&ly" I kne% there %oul& be no

of that! but $erha$s I coul& shake his

Bolt laughe&" He %ent an& sat back &o%n by the fire" Then he lay back on his elbo%s" 6If I ha'e! it.s 4ust too &a n ba& for you" But I kno% I &on.t" =ook at e! Bastar&" Ho% %as it you &i&n.t stay &ea&07 I shot hi a fearful glance" 6I &on.t kno% %hat you ean! sir"7 his e y feet but there It %as the %rong res$onse" He %as tigerish in his s$ee&! co ing u$ fro reclining $osition to fly across the fire at %as no esca$ing hi " He sei1e& stingingly" Then! 6=ook at I brought 6It %asn.t e by e!7 he or&ere&" e" I scrabble& to y chains! &re% e u$! an& sla$$e&

y eyes back to his face" e" You.'e got the %rong an"7

6Ho% %as it you &i&n.t &ie! Bastar&07 I got the back of his han& the secon& ti e" 9ha&e ha& once tol& you focus your e that! un&er torture! it is easier to resist )uestioning if ust not" I e! one in& on %hat you %ill say! rather than %hat you

kne% it %as stu$i& an& useless to tell Bolt I %as not Fit19hi'alry" He kne% I %as" But ha'ing a&o$te& that course! I stuck to it" The fifth ti e he hit of his en s$oke out behin& e" an" 6;hat is it07 6;ith all res$ect! sir07 Bolt flashe& a furious look at the The $ai&"7 Bolt turne& his eyes back to kill slo%ly" It only a&e hi e" It %as unner'ing to see the hunger in hi ! a an like& to gi'e $ain" =ike& to ore that he coul& not" 6I kno% hate e all the
CCB

an %et his li$s" 6The ca$ti'e %as to be ali'e! sir" For the gol& to be

cra'ing such as Aerity ha& for the Skill" This

that!7 he sai& brus)uely to the to a'oi& it" ;hen I ca e a%ake! it %as full si&e" He.& $robably kicke& &etache& fro

an" I sa% his fist co ing! but there %as no %ay

orning" There %as $ain" For a ti e! that %as y ribs on the sa e o'e any $art of y

all I really kne%" *ain! ba& $ain in one shoul&er! an& &o%n e! I &eci&e&" I &i&n.t %ant to

face" ;hy! I %on&ere&! is $ain al%ays %orse %hen you.re col&0 I felt curiously y situation" I listene& for a ti e! %ith no &esire at all to o$en o'e on" I coul& hear -aster Dell oney by right! that if he.& y eyes" The cara'an %as getting rea&y to

yelling at Tassin! %ho %as crying that it %as her

only hel$ her get it! he coul& ha'e his a$$rentice fee back an& full %elco e to it" He or&ere& her to get in the %agon" Instea& I hear& her footste$s crunching across the &ry earth as she hurrie& o'er to hi for you" If it %eren.t for e" But it %as Bolt she s$oke to in a e! but I %as right" I foun& ore than ha$$y" %hining 'oice" 6I %as right" You &i&n.t belie'e hi " That gol& is

e! you.& ha'e ri&&en off after looking right at

ine! by right" But I.ll gi'e you half an& be

That.s better than fair for you! you kno% it is"7 6I.& get in that %agon! %ere I you!7 Bolt ans%ere& her col&ly" 6Other%ise! once it lea'es an& %e lea'e! you.re left %ith nothing but a long %alk"7 She ha& the sense not to argue %ith hi ! but she trouble an& he.& be %ell ri& of her at Blue =ake" 6Jet hi on his feet! @off!7 Bolt or&ere& so eone" e! an& I got one eye o$en" I %atche& a guar& $ick u$ y teeth %as loose" I coul& only see y face to see ho% ba& it %as! but a y chain an& 4erk on it" That %oke a host of lesser $ains" 6Jet u$:7 e" I anage& to no&" One of y han&s to
CCC

uttere& &irty na es to

herself all the %ay back to the %agon" I hear& Dell tell her she %as nothing but

They &ashe& %ater on the slack of she or&ere&

out of one eye" I starte& to lift

tug on

y chain $re'ente&

e" 6Does he ri&e or %alk07 the one hol&ing

chain aske& Bolt as I staggere& u$right" 6I.& lo'e to &rag hi ! but it %oul& slo% us &o%n too &ouble %ith #rno an& $ut hi on your horse" Tie hi uch" He ri&es" You ean an& in the sa&&le an& kee$ a

tight gri$ on your horse.s lea&" He.s $laying &u b no%! but he.s

he.s tricky" I &on.t kno% if he can &o all the ;it things they say he can! but I &on.t %ant to fin& out" So kee$ a goo& gri$ on that lea& ro$e" ;here.s #rno! any%ay07 6Off in the scrub! sir" His guts ain.t too %ell to&ay" He %as u$ an& &o%n all night! &u $ing his sack"7 6Jet hi "7 Bolt.s tone han&s to a&e it $lain that he %asn.t intereste& in the e s%aying on an.s y $roble s" -y guar& hurrie& off! lea'ing been others" En&ure! I tol& offere& you" I &ro$$e& y feet" I lifte&

y face" I ha& only seen the one blo% co ing! but $lainly there ha& yself sternly" =i'e! an& see %hat chances are e" a&e a y han&s to fin& Bolt %atching

6;ater07 I aske& in a slurry 'oice" I &i&n.t really ex$ect any! but he turne& to one of his other guar&s an& s all y otion" # fe% o ents later the fello% brought an& t%o &ry biscuits" I &rank an& s$lashe& &oubte& I.& get uch e a bucket of %ater

y face" The biscuits %ere har& an& y $ouch y

outh %as 'ery sore! but I trie& to get &o%n %hat I coul& of the " I ore in the &ay to co e" I notice& then that

%as gone" I su$$ose& Bolt ha& taken it %hile I %as unconscious"! -y heart sank at the thought of Burrich.s earring gone" #s I gna%e& gingerly at biscuit! I %on&ere& %hat he ha& thought of the $o%&ers in Bolt ha& us y $ouch" y

ounte& an& ri&ing out before the cara'an left" I caught one

gli $se of Starling.s face! but coul& not rea& her ex$ression" 9reece an&

CCD

aster carefully a'oi&e& e'en looking at %as as if they ha& ne'er kno%n They.& $ut $o el! e on a stur&y e at all"

e for fear of catching

y taint" It

are" -y %rists %ere stra$$e& tightly to the sa&&le

aking it i $ossible to ri&e co fortably or %ell e'en if I ha&n.t felt y ankles" The longer chain to y shirt! but I sorely y %rists %as loo$e& otion

like a bag of broken bones" They ha&n.t taken the shackles off! only re o'e& the short chain bet%een i&ea %hat ha& beco e of %oul& %ar face& #rno %as u$ o'er the sa&&le" There %as no %ay to a'oi& the chain.s chafing" I ha& no isse& it" The horse an& e so e%hat! but not in any co fortable %ay" ;hen a 'ery $ale/ ounte& behin& his fello% guar&! %e set off+ back to%ar& ore than gi'e one

Tra&efor&" -y $oison! I reflecte& ruefully! ha& &one no an slack bo%els" Such an assassin I %as" 9o e to e" ;oul& that I coul&! I tol& together" I %on&ere& if

yself %earily as I %as le& off in the %rong are took rubbe& y $ains

&irection" ;oul& that I coul&" E'ery ste$ the the strange sense of re o'al I felt fro i agine no %ay of talking flat lan&" I lo%ere& succee&e& in

y shoul&er %ere broken or &islocate&" I %on&ere& at e'erything" #n& I %on&ere& if I shoul& to kill e before then" I coul& y han&s as %e ro&e" I are.s in&! but only

ho$e to get to Tra&efor& ali'e! or try to get the

y %ay out of the chains! let alone fleeing in this

y throbbing hea& an& %atche&

shi'ere& %ith the col& an& the %in&" I gro$e& to%ar& the aking her a%are of hea& free an& gallo$ing a%ay %ith of shee$! either" e" She &i&n.t

y $ain" She ha& no interest in 4erking her uch like the %ay I s elle&

The secon& ti e %e halte& for #rno to e $ty his guts! Bolt ro&e back an& reine& in besi&e I turne& e" 6Bastar&:7 y hea& slo%ly to look at hi "
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6Ho% &i& you &o it0 I sa% your bo&y! an& you %ere &ea&" I kno% a &ea& %hen I see one" So ho% are you %alking aroun& again07 -y outh %oul&n.t let e for %or&s e'en if I.& ha& any" #fter a

an

o ent! he

snorte& at

y silence" 6;ell! &on.t count on it ha$$ening again" This ti e I. e" ;hat &o you think of that! Bastar&07

cutting you u$ $ersonally" I.'e got a &og at ho e" Eats anything" Figure he.ll get ri& of your li'er an& heart for horse! @off hel$e& hi colu n" ;e ro&e on" The orning %as not e'en half gone %hen #rno ha& his frien& halt for the the horse.s back an& staggere& a fe% ste$s thir& ti e" He sli$$e& &o%n fro I felt sorry for the &og! but I sai& nothing" ;hen #rno staggere& back to his ount" Bolt s$urre& his horse back to the hea& of our

a%ay to 'o it" He &ouble& u$! hol&ing his aching guts as he &i& so! an& then su&&enly fell for%ar& on his face in the &irt" One of the other guar&s laughe& alou&! but %hen #rno only rolle& o'er! groaning! Bolt or&ere& @off to see %hat aile& hi " ;e all %atche& as @off &is ounte& an& took %ater to #rno" #rno coul& not take the $roffere& %ater bottle an& %hen @eff $ut it to his %ater 4ust ran o'er his chin" He turne& his hea& asi&e fro his eyes" #fter a 6He.s &ea&! sir"7 @off.s 'oice %ent a bit shrill on the %or&s" They scra$e& out a shallo% gra'e for hi an& hea$e& rocks o'er the to$" T%o e %ith narro%e& eyes" They y belly as if it ore guar&s ha& 'o ite& before the burial %as co $lete&" Ba& %ater %as the consensus! though I caught Bolt looking at ha&n.t bothere& to take $aine& e an& ke$t Bolt got his e off y horse" I hunche& o'er o ent! @off looke& u$! her eyes %i&e %ith &isbelief" outh the it slo%ly an& close&

y eyes &o%n" It %as no &ifficulty at all to look sick"

en re ounte& an& %e $ushe& on" By noon it %as a$$arent that no an finish

one %as %ell" One boy %as s%aying in his sa&&le as %e ro&e" Bolt halte& us for a brief rest but it turne& into a longer one" 5o sooner %oul& one
CDH

retching than another %oul& begin" Bolt finally or&ere& the

tersely back to y

their sa&&les &es$ite their groaning co $laints" ;e %ent on but at a gentler $ace" I coul& s ell the sour reek of s%eat an& $uke on the %o an %ho le& are" #s %e %ere going u$ a gentle rise! @off fell fro ga'e fro y are a shar$ nu&ge %ith her sa&&le into the &ust" I y heels! but she only si&le& si&e%ays an& an i e&iately &is ounte&!

$ut her ears back! too %ell traine& to gallo$ off %ith her reins &angling &o%n her bit" Bolt halte& his troo$! an& e'ery so e to $uke! others to si $ly sink &o%n in isery besi&e the horses" 6-ake

ca $!7 Bolt or&ere&! &es$ite the early hour" Then he %alke& asi&e a little %ay! to crouch an& retch &ryly for a ti e" @off &i&n.t get u$" It %as Bolt %ho %alke& back to $o el" He ga'e a tug at e an& cut y %rists loose fro y han&s o'er y sa&&le y chain an& I all but fell &o%n on to$ of hi " I y belly" He ca e y neck! gri$$e& it tightly" e an& his

staggere& a%ay a fe% ste$s! then sank &o%n! to hunker &o%n besi&e Bastar&07 he aske& I

e" He grabbe& the back of

But I coul& feel his strength %as not %hat it ha& been" 6;hat &o you think! e in a hoarse gro%l" He %as 'ery close to as if to $uke" He breath an& bo&y stank of sickness" 6;as it ba& %ater0 Or so ething else07 a&e gagging soun&s an& leane& to%ar& hi e" Only t%o of his guar&s ha& o'e& %earily ounts" a%ay fro cursing the to gather the &oing little T%o anage& to unsa&&le their

The others %ere colla$se&

iserably in the &irt" Bolt

o'e& a ong the !

uselessly but feelingly" One of the stronger guar&s finally began akings for a fire! %hile another crabbe& &o%n the line of horses! ore than uncinching sa&&les an& &ragging the fro the horses. y ankles"

backs" Bolt ca e to fasten the hobble chain bet%een si&e! but coul& not fin& the strength to &o
CD1

ore guar&s &ie& that e'ening" Bolt hi self &ragge& their bo&ies to one ore than that" The fire they ha&

anage& to kin&le &ie& soon for lack of fuel" The o$en night on the flat lan& see e& &arker than anything I ha& e'er kno%n an& the &ry col& a $art of the &arkness" I hear& the groans of the en! an& one babbling about his guts! his e" -y %rists %ere chafe& ra% fro y shoul&er %as at least guts" I hear& the restless shifting of the un%atere& horses" I thought longingly of %ater an& %ar th" O&& $ains bothere& the shackles" They hurt less than fracture&" Bolt ca e staggering o'er to %here I lay at &a%n" His eyes %ere sunken! his cheeks &ra%n %ith his isery" He fell to his knees besi&e e an& gri$$e& y hair" I groane&" 6#re you &ying! Bastar&07 he aske& Joo& then" So e %ere saying it %as the ;it But I think ba& %ater can kill a sure of it! this ti e"7 It %as ex$ose y o%n knife that he &re% out" #s he &ragge& back on y throat! I brought u$ y hair to y shackle& han&s to crash the chain against %ith all the strength of ;it I coul& e hoarsely" I oane& y shoul&er! but in an e'er/$resent %ay I

coul& not ignore" I guesse& the bla&e/bone in

again an& trie& feebly to $ull free of hi " It see e& to satisfy hi " 6Joo&" agic you.& $ut on us! Bastar&" an! be he ;itte& or honorable" Still" =et.s be

his face" #t the sa e ti e I re$elle& at hi uster" He fell back fro si&e in the san&" I hear& hi close& sunlight on y face"

e" He cra%le& a fe% $aces a%ay! then fell on his breathing hea'ily" #fter a ti e! he sto$$e&" I

y eyes! listening to that silence! feeling the absence of his life like yself to o$en y eye" It

#fter a ti e! %hen the &ay %as stronger! I force& %as har&er to cra%l o'er to Bolt.s bo&y" #ll co bine& to one $ain that shrieke& %hene'er I right then an& $ut it back in

y aches ha& stiffene& an& o'e&" I %ent o'er his bo&y

carefully" I foun& Burrich.s earring in his $ouch" O&& to think that I sto$$e& y ear lest I lose it" -y $oisons %ere there as
CD2

%ell" ;hat %asn.t in his $ouch %as the key to $ossessions out fro hea&" I si $ly $ut his $ouch at no%" Once you.'e $oisone& a ;hoe'er ha& shackle&

y shackles" I starte& to sort

y y ine as

his! but the sun %as $oun&ing s$ikes into the back of y belt" ;hate'er he.& ha& in there %as an! I reflecte&! you uch to &o %ith ight as %ell rob hi y life"

%ell" Honor no longer see e& to ha'e

e $robably carrie& the key! I sur ise&" I cra%le& to

the next bo&y! but foun& nothing in his $ouch sa'e so e S oke herbs" I sat u$! an& beca e a%are of faltering footste$s crunching o'er the &ry earth to%ar& e" I lifte& to%ar& y eyes! s)uinte& against the sunlight" The boy ca e slo%ly ight see it" e! he halte&" 6Your life for ine!7 he croake&" He a&e no res$onse" He trie& again" 6;ater an& e! his ste$s %a'ering" In one han& he ha& a %aterskin" In the other he

hel& the key %here I

# &o1en ste$s a%ay fro

%as s%aying %here he stoo&" I your ;it/curse off abru$tly" I foun& yself shaking e"7

the key to your bon&s" #ny horse you %ant to take" I %on.t fight you" Only lift He looke& so young an& $itiful stan&ing there" 6*lease!7 he begge& e

y hea& slo%ly" 6It %as $oison!7 I tol& hi " 6There.s

nothing I can &o for you"7 He stare& at no&&ing" 6Da n you:7 He shrieke& the %or&s! burning %hate'er life strength he ha& left" 6Then you &ie! too" You &ie right here:7 He flung the key fro horses" us as far as he coul&! then staggere& off in a feeble run! s)ua%king an& flailing at the e! bitterly! incre&ulous" 6Then I ha'e to &ie0 To&ay07 His %or&s ine" I foun& yself ca e out as a &ry %his$er" His &ark eyes locke& to

CD8

The beasts ha& stoo& all night un$ickete&! ha& e'en %aite& all an& &eath an& this boy.s inco $rehensible beha'ior %ere too

orning ho$ing uch for the "

for grain an& %ater" They %ere %ell/traine& ani als" But the s ell of sickness ;hen he screa e& su&&enly an& then fell face&o%n al ost a ongst the ! a big gray gel&ing thre% u$ his hea&! snorting" I sent cal ing thoughts to%ar& hi ! but he ha& thoughts of his o%n" He $rance& ner'ously a%ay! then su&&enly &eci&e& this %as a goo& &ecision an& broke into a canter" The other horses follo%e& his lea&" Their hoo'es %ere not a thun&ering on the $lain+ rather they %ere the &i inishing $atter of a rainstor ho$e of life %ith it" The boy &i& not o'e again! but it %as a ti e before he &ie&" I ha& to listen to the area %here he anacles y his soft %ee$ing as I searche& for the key" I %ante& &es$erately to go look for %aterskins instea&! but I feare& that if I turne& a%ay fro san& hel& y sal'ation" So I cra%le& o'er it on ha& thro%n it! I %oul& ne'er be able to &eci&e %hich unre arkable stretch of y han&s an& knees+ cutting an& chafing at y %rists an& ankles! as I $eere& at the groun& %ith y as it 'anishes! taking all

one goo& eye" E'en after the soun& of his %ee$ing beca e too soft to hear! e'en after he &ie&! I hear& it still insi&e 'en&etta %ith e" Or $erha$s because of in&" So eti es I still can" #nother young life en&e& senselessly! to no $rofit! as a result of Regal.s ine %ith hi " I &i& e'entually fin& the key! 4ust as I %as certain that the setting sun %oul& hi&e it fore'er" It %as cru&ely a&e an& turne& 'ery stiffly in the locks! but it out of y $uffy flesh" The one on uch y foot %as col& an& near nu b" #fter a y foot %ith life" I &i&n.t $ay %orke&" I o$ene& the shackles! $rying the y left ankle ha& been so tight that fe% inutes! $ain floo&e& back into

attention" I %as too busy seeking for %ater"

CD<

-ost of the guar&s ha& &raine& their %aterskins 4ust as all flui&s fro their guts" The one the boy ha& sho%n 'ery slo%ly! hol&ing the %ater in outhfuls" I &rank the allo%e& not uch ha'e to"

y $oison ha& &raine& e hel& only a fe% y outh for a long

ti e before s%allo%ing it" In Bolt.s sa&&lebags I foun& a flask of bran&y" I yself one s all outhful of it! then ca$$e& it an& set it asi&e" It %as ake it" I.& ore than a &ay.s %alk back to the %aterhole" I coul&

I robbe& the &ea& for %hat I nee&e&" I %ent through the sa&&lebags an& bun&les on the hea$e& sa&&les" ;hen I %as finishe&! I %ore a blue shirt that fit the shoul&ers! though it hung al ost to lentils an& $eas! glass! a s all kettle! a y knees" I ha& &rie& y ol& s%or& that I &eci&e& fit e in eat an& grain!

e best! Bolt.s knife! a looking

ug an& a s$oon" I s$rea& out a stur&y blanket an& $ut I a&&e& a change of clothing that %as too large for e! but it en ha& carrie& so e linen for

these things on it" To the %as the best of bran&y"

e! but %oul& be better than nothing" Bolt.s cloak %oul& be long on a&e! so I took it" One of the

ban&aging an& so e sal'es" I took these! an e $ty %aterskin! an& Bolt.s flask I coul& ha'e gone o'er the bo&ies for bur&ene& oney an& 4e%elry" I coul& ha'e the s ell of the y goo&

yself %ith a &o1en other $erha$s/useful $ossessions" I foun& I a&e the bun&le as s all an& tight as I coul&! cinching it the horses. harness" ;hen I lifte& it to uch too hea'y" ore than &istance" any years"

%ante& only to re$lace %hat I.& ha&! an& to be a%ay fro bloating bo&ies" I shoul&er! it still felt -y brother0 The )uery see e& tentati'e! faint %ith ;ith &isuse" #s if a %ith leather stra$s fro

an s$oke in a language he ha& not use& in

I li'e! 5ighteyes" Stay %ith your $ack! an& li'e also"

CD?

Do you not nee&

e0 I felt his t%inge of conscience as he aske& this" ore than that" #fter a ti e I %on&ere& if I y in&" But I felt o&&ly strengthene& as I

I al%ays nee& you" I nee& to kno% you are ali'e an& free" I sense& his faint assent! but little ha& not i agine& his touch against %alke& a%ay fro

the bo&ies into the &ee$ening night"

9H#*TER THIRTEE5 Blue =ake B=>E =#(E IS the ter inus of the 9ol& Ri'er" It is also the na e of the largest to%n on its shores" Early in (ing Shre%&.s reign! the country surroun&ing the northeast si&e of the lake %as reno%ne& for its grainfiel&s an& orchar&s" # gra$e $eculiar to its soil $ro&uce& a %ine %ith a bou)uet no other coul& ri'al" Blue =ake %ine %as kno%n not 4ust throughout the Six Duchies! but %as ex$orte& by the cara'an loa& as far as Bingto%n" Then ca e the long &roughts an& the lightning fires that follo%e& the " The far ers an& 'intners of the area ne'er reco'ere&" Blue =ake subse)uently began to rely cara'ans fro Farro% an& the 9halce& States ore hea'ily on tra&e" The $resent/&ay to%n of Blue =ake is a tra&e to%n! %here the eet to barter for the goo&s of the -ountains &ri'e the the -ountain folk" In su bargefolk fro ers! huge barges na'igate the $laci& %aters of the

lake! but in %inter the stor s that s%ee$ &o%n fro

the lake an& $ut an en& to tra&e on the %ater" ense orange oon hanging lo%" The stars o ents for %eary e as

The night sky %as clear %ith an i

%ere true an& I follo%e& their gui&ance! s$aring a fe%

%on&er ent that these %ere the sa e stars that ha& once shone &o%n on
CDB

a&e

y %ay ho e to Buckkee$" 5o% they gui&e&

e back to the

-ountains" I %alke& the night a%ay" 5ot s%iftly! an& not stea&ily! but I kne% that the sooner I got to %ater! the sooner I coul& ease linen ban&ages %ith Bolt.s bran&y! an& &abbe& at another fight" -ost of it %as bruising an& the scabbing so that I coul& o$en but feare& the salty &rie& y y $ains" The longer I %ent oistene& one of the y face" I ha& looke& at the istaking that I ha& lost oisture ease& so e of y thirst" ar'elous array of %ithout %ater! the %eaker I %oul& beco e" #s I %alke&! I &a age briefly in the looking glass" There %as no The bran&y stung on the nu erous abrasions! but the outh %ith eat %oul& only accentuate

inor cuts" I ex$ecte& no ne% scars" ini al $ain" I %as hungry!

I %atche& the sun co e u$ o'er the great Farro% $lain in a

colors" The chill of the night ease& an& I loosene& Bolt.s cloak" I ke$t %alking" ;ith the increasing light! I scanne& the groun& ho$efully" *erha$s so e of the horses ha& hea&e& back to the %aterhole" But I sa% no fresh tracks! only the cru ble/e&ge& hoof$rints %e ha& the %in&" The &ay %as still young %hen I reache& the %ater/$lace" I a$$roache& it cautiously! but y nose an& y eyes tol& e it %as blesse&ly &eserte&" I kne% y fill" Then there %as a I coul& not &e$en& on y luck that it %oul& be that %ay long" It %as a regular y o%n s all fire! heating a kettle of %ater an& eat to it" I set it on a stone close to the y left shoul&er y %rists a&e yester&ay! alrea&y being &e'oure& by

sto$$ing $lace for cara'ans" -y first act %as to &rink certain luxury to buil&ing fire to si a&&ing lentils! beans! grain! an& &rie&

er %hile I stri$$e& an& %ashe& in the %aterhole" It %as shallo% at o'e! as %ere the chafe& $laces on y hea&!
CDC

one en&! an& the sun ha& al ost %ar e& it" The flat bla&e of %as still )uite $ainful to touch or an& ankles! the knot on the back of

y face in general , I left off

cataloging than that

y $ain for attere&0

yself" I %asn.t going to &ie fro

any of it" ;hat

ore

The sun &rie&

e %hile I shi'ere&" I sloshe& out y sou$" I ha& to a&&

y clothes an& s$rea& the yself in Bolt.s cloak! y fire! ore %ater! an& it see e& to

on so e brush" ;hile the sun &rie& the ! I %ra$$e& &rank bran&y! an& stirre& occasionally a&&ing so e o$ene&

take years for the &rie& beans an& lentils to soften" I sat by

ore branches or &rie& &ung to it" #fter a ti e! I y $ain" I ate the sou$ as

y eyes again an& trie& to &eci&e if I %ere &runk! beaten! or incre&ibly ore of the bran&y %ith it" There yself to &o it! but I cleane& the y cuts! treate& the y eyes to fin& the y energy! I the

%eary" I &eci&e& that %as as $rofitable as cataloging it %as! %ith the beans still a bit har&" I ha& %asn.t uch left" It %as &ifficult to $ersua&e kettle an& %ar e&

ore %ater" I cleane& the %orst of

%ith the sal'e! %ra$$e& the ones that coul& be ban&age&" One ankle looke& nasty+ I coul& not affor& for it to beco e infecte&" I lifte& $ut out y fire! bun&le& u$ all y $ossessions! an& &aylight fa&ing" It see e& to ha'e gone s%iftly" ;ith the last of

o'e& a%ay fro

%aterhole" I nee&e& to slee$ an& I %oul& not risk being &isco'ere& by other tra'elers" I foun& a s all &e$ression that %as slightly sheltere& fro by so e tarry/s elling brush" I s$rea& out the blanket! co'ere& Bolt.s cloak! an& sank &o%n into slee$" I kno% that for a ti e I sle$t &rea lessly" Then I ha& one of those confusing &rea s in %hich so eone calle& y na e! but I coul& not fin& %ho" # %in& %as blo%ing an& it %as rainy" I hate& the soun& of the blo%ing %in&! so lonely" Then the &oor o$ene& an& Burrich stoo& in it" He %as &runk" I felt both irritate& an& relie'e&" I ha& been %aiting for hi to co e ho e since yester&ay! an& no% he %as here! he %as &runk" Ho% &are& he be so0 the %in& yself %ith

CDD

# shi'ering ran o'er

e! an al ost/a%akening" #n& I kne% that these %ere state! I ha& not the %ill to resist" -olly

-olly.s thoughts! it %as -olly I %as Skill&rea ing" I shoul& not! I kne% I shoul& not! but in that e&geless &rea stoo& u$ carefully" Our &aughter %as slee$ing in her ar s" I caught a gli $se of a s all face! $ink an& $lu $! not the %rinkle& re& face of the ne%born I.& seen before" To ha'e alrea&y change& so uch: Silently! -olly carrie& her to the be& an& $lace& her gently on it" She turne& u$ a corner of the blanket to kee$ the baby %ar " ;ithout turning aroun&! she sai& in a lo% tight 'oice! 6I %as %orrie&" You sai& you.& be back yester&ay"7 6I kno%" I. sorry" I shoul& ha'e been! but ,7 Burrich.s 'oice %as hoarse" There %as no s$irit in it" 6But you staye& in to%n an& got &runk!7 -olly fille& in col&ly" 6I , yes" I got &runk"7 He shut the &oor an& ca e into the roo " He the fire to %ar o'e& to his re& han&s before it" His cloak %as &ri$$ing an& so %as his

hair! as if he ha& not bothere& to $ull the hoo& u$ as he %alke& ho e" He set a carrysack &o%n by the &oor" He took the soake& cloak off an& sat &o%n stiffly in the chair by the hearth" He leane& for%ar& to rub his ba& knee" 6Don.t co e in here %hen you.re &runk!7 -olly tol& hi but I. not &runk" 5ot no%" 5o% I. flatly" 6I kno% that.s ho% you feel" I %as &runk yester&ay" I ha& a bit! earlier to&ay! 4ust , tire&" Aery tire&"7 He leane& for%ar& an& $ut his hea& in his han&s" 6You can.t e'en sit u$ straight"7 I coul& hear the anger rising in -olly.s 'oice" 6You &on.t e'en kno% %hen you.re &runk"7 Burrich looke& u$ at her %earily" 6*erha$s you.re right!7 he conce&e&! shocking e" He sighe&" 6I.ll go!7 he tol& her" He rose! %incing as he $ut %eight on his leg! an& -olly felt a $ang of guilt" He %as still col&! an& the she& %here he sle$t at night %as &rafty an& &a $" But he.& brought it on hi self"
CDE

He kne% ho% she felt about &runkar&s" =et a an& try to tell her , 69an I see the baby for a

an ha'e a &rink or t%o! that %as

fine! she ha& a cu$ herself no% an& then! but to co e staggering ho e like this o ent07 Burrich aske& softly" He ha& $ause& at the %ell e to the bone" He grie'e&"

&oor" I sa% so ething in his eyes! so ething -olly &i& not kno% hi enough to recogni1e! an& it cut briskly" 69an I hol& her , 4ust for a inute07

6She.s right there! on the be&" I 4ust got her to slee$!7 -olly $ointe& out

65o" You.re &runk an& you.re col&" If you touch her! she.ll %ake u$" You kno% that" ;hy &o you %ant to &o that07 So ething in Burrich.s face cru $le&" His 'oice %as hoarse as he sai&! 6Because Fit1 is &ea&! an& she.s all I ha'e left of hi see s as if it.s all first %ante& to or his father" #n& so eti es ,7 He lifte& a %in&/roughene& han& to rub his face" 6So eti es it y fault"7 His 'oice %ent 'ery soft on those %or&s" 6I take hi fro e" ;hen he %as a boy" ;hen they on a horse behin& e u$ to the kee$! if I.& $ut hi shoul& ne'er ha'e let the o'e hi an& gone to 9hi'alry! took hi

aybe they.& both still be ali'e" I thought of that" I e! you kno%! an& I a&e hi " I nearly ha'e hi ! an& they

nearly &i& it" He &i&n.t %ant to lea'e use& hi "7

back to 9hi'alry instea&" But I &i&n.t" I let the

I felt the tre bling that ran su&&enly through -olly" Tears stung su&&enly at her o%n eyes" She &efen&e& herself %ith anger" 6Da n you! he.s been &ea& for onths" Don.t try to get aroun& e %ith &runkar&.s tears"7 fol& u$ his $ains 6I kno%!7 Burrich sai&" 6I kno%" He.s &ea&"7 He took a su&&en &ee$ breath! an& straightene& hi self in that ol& fa iliar %ay" I sa% hi an& %eakness an& hi&e the &ee$ insi&e hi self" I %ante& to reach out an& $ut
CEH

a stea&ying han& on his shoul&er" But that %as truly insi&e his shirt" 6This %as his" I , took it fro (ing Shre%&"7 -y heart turne& o'er in his $al %as

e an& not -olly" He

starte& for the &oor! an& then $ause&" 6Oh" I ha'e so ething"7 He fu ble& his bo&y! after he &ie&" You shoul& kee$ it for her! so she has so ething of her father.s" He ha& this fro y chest as Burrich stretche& out his han&" There on

y $in! %ith the ruby nestle& in the sil'er" -olly 4ust looke& at it"

Her li$s %ere set in a flat line" #nger! or tight control of %hate'er she felt" So harsh a control e'en she &i& not kno% %hat she hi& fro " ;hen she &i& not o'e to%ar& hi ! Burrich set it carefully on the table" It all ca e together for try again to fin& e su&&enly" He.& gone u$ to the she$her&.s cabin! to e I ha& a &aughter" Instea&! %hat ha& he foun&0 # uch ore than bones by no%! %earing y shirt e! to tell

&ecaye& bo&y! $robably not haire&! about

%ith the $in still thrust safely into the la$el" The Forge& boy ha& been &ark y height an& age" ourne& e" y Skill/ not &ea&" Burrich! Burrich: %ith e'ery bit of Burrich belie'e& I %as &ea&" Really an& truly &ea&" #n& he Burrich" Burrich! $lease! I. I rattle& an& rage& aroun& hi ! battering at hi an& clutching at

sense! but as al%ays! I coul& not reach hi " I ca e su&&enly a%ake tre bling yself! feeling as if I %ere a ghost" He.& $robably alrea&y e &ea&" # strange &rea& fille& e at that gone to 9ha&e" They.& both think be &ea&" I rubbe& gently at y te $les! feeling the beginning of a Skill/hea&ache" # y &efenses %ere &o%n! that I.& been Skilling as e& y %alls u$ an& then curle& y Skilling that ti e! but I o ent later I reali1e&

thought" It see e& terribly unlucky to ha'e all of one.s frien&s belie'e one to

fiercely as I %as able to%ar& Burrich" I sla

u$ shi'ering in the &usk" ;ill ha&n.t stu ble& onto

CE1

coul& not affor& to be so careless" E'en if ene ies kne% better" I letting ;ill into

y frien&s belie'e&

e &ea&!

ust kee$ those %alls u$!

ust ne'er take a chance of e! but I

y hea&" The ne% $ain of the hea&ache $oun&e& at

%as too %eary to get u$ an&

ake tea" Besi&es! I ha& no elfbark! only the

Tra&efor& %o an.s untrie& see&s" I &rank the rest of Bolt.s bran&y instea&! an& %ent back to slee$" #t the e&ge of a%areness! I &rea e& of %ol'es running" I kno% you li'e" I shall co e to you if you nee& slee$ clai e& e" e" You nee& but ask" The reaching %as tentati'e but true" I clung to the thought like a frien&ly han& as In the &ays that follo%e&! I %alke& to Blue =ake" I %alke& through %in& carrying scouring san& in it" The scenery %as rocks an& scree! crackly brush %ith leathery lea'es! lo%/gro%ing fat/lea'e& succulents an& far ahea&! the great lake itself" #t first the trail %as no ore than a scarring in the crusty surface of the $lain! the cuts of hoo'es an& the long ri&ges of the %agon $aths fa&ing in the e'er/$resent col& %in&" But as I &re% closer to the lake! the lan& gra&ually beca e greener an& gentler" The trail beca e clothes" I ne'er felt co $letely &ry" I trie& to a'oi& contact %ith the folk that tra'ele& the roa&" There %as no hi&ing fro the in that flat country! but I &i& essengers $asse& y best to look uninteresting an& e on that trail! so e hea&e& e! forbi&&ing" Har&/ri&ing ore of a roa&" Rain y began to fall %ith the %in&! har& $attering rain that $elte& its %ay through

to%ar& Blue =ake! others back to%ar& Tra&efor&" They &i& not $ause for

but that %as s all co fort" Sooner or later! so eone %as going to fin& fi'e unburie& (ing.s Juar&s an& %on&er at that" #n& the tale of ho% the Bastar& ha& been ca$ture& right in their i&st %oul& be too 4uicy a gossi$ for 9reece or ore folk %ere on Starling to forbear telling" The closer I got to Blue =ake! the

the roa&! an& I &are& to ho$e I blen&e& in %ith other tra'elers" For in the rich
CE2

grassy $asturelan&s! there %ere hol&ings an& e'en s all settle ents" One coul& see the fro a great &istance! the tiny hu ock of a house an& the %is$ of ore oisture in it! an& s oke rising fro $astures %ith a chi ney" The lan& began to ha'e

brush ga'e %ay to bushes an& trees" Soon I %as $assing orchar&s an& then ilk co%s! an& chickens scratching in the &irt by the si&e of the roa&" Finally I ca e to the to%n that share& the na e of the lake itself" Beyon& Blue =ake %as another stretch of flat lan&! an& then the foothills" Beyon& the ! the -ountain (ing&o " #n& so e%here beyon& the -ountain (ing&o %as Aerity" e to co e er %as It %as a little unsettling %hen I consi&ere& ho% long it ha& taken cara'an to clai (ettricken as bri&e for Aerity" Out on the coast! su

this far afoot co $are& to the first ti e %hen I ha& tra'ele& %ith a royal o'er an& the %in& of the %inter stor s ha& begun their lashing" E'en here! it %oul& not be long before the harsh col& of an inlan& %inter sei1e& the $lains in the gri$ of the %inter bli11ar&s" ;hile u$ in the -ountains! I su$$ose& the sno% ha& alrea&y begun to fall in the highest stretches" It %oul& be &ee$ before I reache& the -ountains! an& I &i& not kno% %hat con&itions I %oul& face as I tra'ele& u$ into the heights to fin& Aerity in the lan&s beyon&" I &i& not truly kno% if he still li'e&+ he ha& s$ent Regal" Yet 9o e to heart! an& I caught so" Blue =ake to%n see s a larger city than it is because it s$ra%ls so" I sa% fe% &%ellings of ore than one story" -ost %ere lo%! long houses! %ith ore %ings a&&e& to the buil&ing as sons an& &aughters arrie& an& brought s$ouses e! co e to uch strength hel$ing e %in free of y e see e& to echo %ith the beating of

yself kee$ing ste$ to that rhyth " I %oul& fin& Aerity or yself again until I ha& &one

his bones" But I kne% I %oul& not truly belong to

ho e" Ti ber %as $lentiful on the other si&e of Blue =ake! so the $oorer
CE8

houses %ere of

u& brick %hile those of 'eteran tra&ers an& fishers %ere of a&e the structures see ore at ho e" &ri'en %a'es! so any ore houses e'en larger" -any ha&

ce&ar $lank roofe& %ith %i&e shingles" -ost of the houses %ere $ainte& %hite or gray or a light blue! %hich an& %ent to %here I al%ays felt %in&o%s %ith thick! %horle& $anes of glass in the " But I %alke& $ast the The %aterfront %as both like an& unlike a sea$ort to%n.s" There %ere no high an& lo% ti&es to conten& %ith! only stor an& businesses %ere built out on $ilings )uite a %ay into the lake itself" So e fisherfolk %ere able to tie u$ literally at their o%n &oorste$s! an& others &eli'ere& their catch to a back &oor so that the fish %in&+ to e the lake air s elle& greenish an& erchant ight sell it out the front" It see e& strange to s ell %ater %ithout salt or io&ine ri&ing the ossy" The gulls %ere &ifferent! any guar&s en for e" y fun&s an& y %ith black/ti$$e& %ings! but in all other %ays as gree&y an& thie'ing as any gulls I.& e'er kno%n" There %ere also entirely too li'ery" I &i& not look in their faces! nor gi'e the liking" They $ro%le& about like tra$$e& cats in Farro%.s gol&/an&/bro%n reason to notice of I ha& a total of fifteen sil'ers an& t%el'e co$$ers! the su &i& not recogni1e! but their %eight felt goo& in acce$te&" They %ere all I ha& to get that I I &i& not inten& to $art %ith any

%hat Bolt ha& been carrying in his o%n $urse" So e of the coins %ere a style I y han&" I assu e& they.& be e an& e as far as the -ountains! an& all I ha& ust" But neither %as I so foolish

ight e'er take ho e to -olly" So they %ere &oubly 'aluable to ore than I

as to e'en consi&er hea&ing into the -ountains %ithout so e $ro'isions an& so e hea'ier clothes" So s$en& so e I %ork ust! but I also ho$e& to fin& a %ay to y $assage across Blue =ake! an& $erha$s beyon&"

In e'ery to%n! there are al%ays $oorer $arts! an& sho$s or carts %here folk &eal in the cast/off goo&s of others" I %an&ere& Blue =ake for a bit! staying al%ays
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to the %aterfront %here tra&e see e& the li'eliest! an& e'entually I ca e to streets %here ost of the sho$s %ere of u& brick e'en if they %ere roofe& en&e& $ots an& rag $ickers ight buy o&& %ith shingles" Here I foun& %eary tinkers selling crockery an& the like" Fro no% on! I kne%! y $ack %oul& be hea'ier! but it coul& not be hel$e&" lake ree&s y shoul&ers" I $lace& y $resent bun&le insi&e it" One of the first things I bought %as a stur&y basket $laite& fro %ith carry/stra$s to go o'er

%ith their carts of %ell/%orn %ares an& sho$s %here one

Before the &ay %as out! I ha& a&&e& $a&&e& trousers! a )uilte& 4acket such as the -ountain folk %ore! an& a $air of loose boots! like soft leather socks" This last ite ha& leather lacing to secure the tightly to y cal'es" I bought also so e thick %oolen stockings! beneath the boots" Fro scarf" I bought a $air of is atche& in color but 'ery thick! to %ear e! ob'iously a&e by

another cart I $urchase& a snug %oolen ca$ an& a ittens that %ere too large for

so e -ountain %ife to fit her husban&.s han&s" #t a tiny herb stall! I %as able to fin& elfbark! an& so secure& a s all store of that for yself" In a nearby atter ho% far I arket! I bought stri$s of &rie& s oke& fish! &rie& e %oul& ight tra'el" yself on a barge across Blue =ake" y $assage ate!7 a boy of thirteen a$$les! an& flat cakes of 'ery har& brea& that the 'en&or assure& kee$ %ell no I next en&ea'ore& to book $assage for

#ctually! I %ent to the %aterfront hiring s)uare! ho$ing to %ork across" I s%iftly foun& out no one %as hiring" 6=ook! loftily tol&

e" 6E'eryone kno%s the big barges &on.t %ork the lake this ti e eans no oney %orth

of year less there.s gol& in it" #n& there ain.t this year" -ountain %itch shut &o%n all the tra&e to the -ountains" 5othing to haul you.& not fin& uch going back an& forth in %inter" Su
CE?

taking the risk" #n& that.s it! $lain an& si $le" But e'en if the tra&e %as o$en! ers is %hen the big

barges can cross fro

this si&e to that" ;in&s can be iffy e'en then! but a goo&

cre% can %ork a barge! sail an& oar! there an& back again" But this ti e of year! it.s a %aste of ti e" The stor s blo% u$ e'ery fi'e &ays or so an& the rest of the ti e the %in&s only blo% one %ay! an& if they aren.t full of %ater! they.re carrying ice an& sno%" It.s a fine ti e to co e fro =ake to%n! if you &on.t the run fro the -ountain si&e to Blue aking in& getting %et an& col& an& cho$$ing ice off your

rigging all the %ay" But you %on.t fin& any of the big freight barges folk across! but $assage on the %ith your life if your ski$$er the coin for it! Boy he listene&! the

here to there until next s$ring" There.s s aller boats that %ill take is &ear an& for the &aring" If you take shi$ on akes a istake" You &on.t look as if you.'e got ore I

one of those! it.s because you.re %illing to $ay gol& for the $assage! an& $ay an! let alone to $ay the (ing.s tariff on the tri$"7 ore I hear& the sa e thing" The -ountain %itch ha& close& the

ight ha'e been! but he kne% %hat he s$oke about" The

$asses an& innocent tra'elers %ere being attacke& an& robbe& by -ountain brigan&s" For their o%n goo&! tra'elers an& tra&ers %ere being turne& back at the bor&er" ;ar %as loo ing" That chille& certain I an& soon! I %as a&'ise& to so eho% a'ail $assage across the lake an& goo& luck fro y heart! an& a&e e all the ore ust reach Aerity" But %hen I insiste& I ha& to get to the -ountains! yself of fi'e gol& $ieces for the there" In one instance! a ight gain that an hinte& uch in a

he kne% of a so e%hat illegal en&ea'or in %hich I &ifficulties to conten& %ith" 9o e to e" I kne% that so eho%! I %oul&"

onth.s ti e or less! if I %ere intereste&" I %as not" I alrea&y ha& enough

I foun& a 'ery chea$ inn! run/&o%n an& &rafty! but at least not s elling too uch of S oke" The clientele coul& not affor& it" I $ai& for a be& an& got a
CEB

$allet in an o$en loft abo'e the co errant s oke fro chair by to

on roo " #t least heat also rose %ith the y cloak an& clothes o'er a co $letely for the first ti e

the hearth belo%" By &ra$ing

y $allet! I %as finally able to &ry the

in &ays" Song an& con'ersation! both ro%&y an& )uiet! %ere a constant chorus y first effort at slee$" There %as no $ri'acy an& I finally got the hot bath I longe& for at a bath/an&/stea house fi'e &oors a%ay" But there %as a certain %eary $leasure in kno%ing %here I %oul& slee$ at night! if not ho% %ell" I ha& not $lanne& it! but it %as an excellent %ay also to listen to the co gossi$ of Blue =ake" The first night I %as there! I learne& %o en %ith chil& an& the inti ate &etails of a anato y! ha'ing ha& it bitten off by 9rookar uch on ore than I

%ishe& to of a certain young noble %ho ha& got not one! but t%o ser'ing a4or bra%l in a ta'ern t%o streets a%ay that ha& left @ake Ru&&y 5ose %ithout his na esake $ortion of the Scribe" The secon& night I %as at the inn! I hear& the ru or that t%el'e (ing.s guar&s ha& been foun& slaughtere& by brigan&s half a &ay.s ri&e $ast @ernigan.s S$ring" By the next night! so eone ha& a&e the connection! an& tales %ere the " But as tol& of ho% the bo&ies ha& been sa'age& an& fe& u$on by a beast" I consi&ere& it )uite likely that sca'engers ha& foun& the bo&ies an& fe& fro the tale %as tol&! it %as clearly the %ork of the ;it/Bastar&! %ho ha& change& hi self into a %olf to esca$e his fetters of col& iron! an& fallen u$on the %hole co $any by the light of a full the teller &escribe& oon to %reak his sa'age 'iolence on the " #s i&st" -y y outh" I y fangs $rotru&e fro e! I ha& little fear of being &isco'ere& in their ore $rosaic &escri$tions of

eyes &i& not glo% re& in firelight! nor &i& kne% there %oul& be other! Regal.s treat ent of e ha& left

e $asse& about"

e %ith a singular set of scars that %ere

&ifficult to conceal" I began to gras$ ho% &ifficult it ha& been for 9ha&e to %ork %ith a $ock/scarre& face"
CEC

The bear& I ha& once foun& an irritant no% see e& natural to %iry curls that re in&e& cuts Bolt ha& left on y cheeks abo'e y face %ere ostly fa&e&! though

e" It gre% in

e of Aerity.s an& %as 4ust as unruly" The bruises an& y shoul&er still y scar less

ache& en&lessly in the col& %eather" The &a $ chill of the %intry air re&&ene& y bear& an& fortunately y ar a&e the e&ge of noticeable" The cut on reflecte&! I %as as taught ha& long heale&! but the broken nose I coul& &o e %hen I sa% it in a e a true assassin" a&e e col&" irror" In a %ay! I

little about" It! too! no longer startle& e ho% to kill+ Regal ha& a&e

uch Regal.s creation no% as 9ha&e.s" 9ha&e ha& only

-y thir& e'ening in the inn! I hear& the gossi$ that %ith so

6The (ing hisself! it %as! aye! an& the hea& Skill/%i1ar&" 9loaks of fine %ool uch fur at the collar an& hoo& you coul& scarcely see their faces" ight Ri&ing black horses %ith gol& sa&&les! fine as you $lease! an& a score of bro%n/an&/gol&s ri&ing at their heels" 9leare& the %hole s)uare so they $ass! &i& the guar&s" So I sai& to the fella next to kno%0 #n& he tol& e! Hey! %hat.s all this! you ore"

e (ing Regal has co e to to%n to hear for hi self %hat

the -ountain %itch has been &oing to us! an& to $ut an en& to it" #n&

Says he! the (ing hi self has co e to track &o%n the *ocke& -an an& the ;itte& Bastar&! for it.s %ell kno%n they %ork han& in glo'e %ith the -ountain %itch"7 I o'erhear& this fro a hi a rheu y/eye& beggar %ho.& earne& enough coin to buy yet again the tale of the ;it/ yself a tur oil of e otions" ug of hot ci&er an& nurse it next to the inn fire" This bit of gossi$ earne& another roun&! %hile his $atron tol& hi agic" I foun&

Bastar& an& ho% he ha& slaughtere& a &o1en of the (ing.s Juar& an& &runk their bloo& for his Disa$$oint ent that y $oisons ha& e'i&ently &one nothing to Regal" Fear that

CED

ight be &isco'ere& by hi " #n& a sa'age ho$e that I before I foun& y %ay to Aerity"

ight ha'e one

ore

chance at hi

I scarcely nee&e& to ask any )uestions" The next =ake abu11 %ith the (ing.s arri'al" It ha& been king ha& actually 'isite& Blue =ake! an& e'ery

orning foun& all of Blue any years since a cro%ne& erchant an& inor noble an&eere& the largest

inten&e& to take a&'antage of the 'isit" Regal ha& co hi

an& finest inn in the to%n! blithely or&ering that all the roo s be cleare& for an& his retinue" I hear& ru ors that the innkee$er %as both flattere& an& ention of reco $ense! only a lengthy list of y %ool ca$ &o%n o'er y ears! aghast at being chosen! for %hile it %oul& certainly establish the re$utation of his inn! there ha& been no I &resse& in 'ictuals an& 'intages that (ing Regal ex$ecte& to be a'ailable" y ne% %inter gar ents! $ulle& an& set forth" The inn %as foun& easily" 5o other inn at Blue =ake %as three stories high! nor coul& any boast so (ing Regal! elbo% %ith any balconies an& %in&o%s" The streets outsi&e the inn %ere thick %ith nobles atte $ting to $resent the sel'es to any %ith co ely &aughters in to%" They %ere 4ostling elbo% to instrels an& 4ugglers offering to entertain! erchants bearing aking &eli'eries of %as

sa $les of their finest %ares as gifts! as %ell as those atte $t to get in! but listene&

eat! ale! %ine! brea&! cheese! an& e'ery other foo&stuff i aginable" I &i& not ostly to those co ing out" The ta$roo $acke& %ith guar&s en! an& a ru&e lot %ere they! ba& outhing the local ale an& %hores as if they got better in Tra&efor&" #n& (ing Regal %as not recei'ing to&ay! no! he felt $oorly after his hasty tri$! an& ha& sent for the best stocks of e'ening! a errybu& to settle his co $laints" Yes! there %as to be a &inner this ost la'ish affair! y &ear! only the 'ery finest of folk to be in'ite&" e the an to a&'ise e! Skill or no"

#n& &i& you see hi ! %ith that one eye gone like a &ea& fish.s! fair gi'e cree$s! %as I the (ing! I.& fin& a better/ a&e
CEE

Such %as the talk fro

a 'ariety of folk lea'ing by front &oor an& back! an& I %ith that"

store& it all a%ay as %ell as noting %hich %in&o%s in the inn %ere curtaine& against the &ay.s brief light" Resting! %as he0 I coul& ai& hi But there I foun& in an& &one y &ile a" # fe% %eeks ago! I %oul& si $ly ha'e sli$$e& an& eating at e!

y best to $lant a knife in Regal.s chest! an& &a n the

conse)uences" But no% I not only ha& Aerity.s Skill/co e" I %as no longer %illing to tra&e $lan" 5ightfall foun&

but also the kno%le&ge that if I sur'i'e&! I ha& a %o an an& chil& a%aiting y life for Regal.s" This ti e! I nee&e& a

e on the roof of the inn" It %as a ce&ar shake roof! shar$ly

$eake&! an& 'ery sli$$ery %ith frost" There %ere se'eral %ings to the inn! an& I lay in the 4uncture of the $itche& roofs bet%een t%o of the ! %aiting" I %as grateful to Regal for ha'ing chosen the largest an& finest inn" I %as u$ %ell abo'e the le'el of the neighboring buil&ings" 5o one %as going to see a casual glance+ they.& ha'e to be looking for there a ti e! cal ing catch the ea'e %ith e %ith e" E'en so! I %aite& till full

&ark before I half sli& an& half cla bere& &o%n to the e&ge of the ea'es" I lay y heart" There %as nothing to hol& on to" The roof ha& a y han&s in $assing! an& s%ing yself in if I %as to lan& generous ea'e! to shiel& the balcony belo% it" I %oul& ha'e to sli&e &o%n! on the balcony" Other%ise! it %as a three/story &ro$ to the street" I $raye& I %oul& not lan& u$on the balcony.s &ecorati'ely s$ike& railing" I ha& $lanne& %ell" I kne% %hich roo s %ere Regal.s be&cha ber an& sitting roo ! I kne% the hour at %hich he %oul& be at &inner %ith his guests" I ha& stu&ie& the &oor an& %in&o% latches on se'eral buil&ings in Blue =ake" I foun& nothing I %as unfa iliar %ith" I ha& secure& so e s all tools! an& a length of light line %oul& $ro'i&e $oisons %aite& in y exit" I %oul& enter an& lea'e %ithout a trace" -y y belt $ouch"
DHH

T%o a%ls taken fro gri$s as I %orke& %as

a cobbler.s sho$ earlier in the &ay $ro'i&e&

y han&

y %ay &o%n the roof" I thrust the ! not into the tough so they caught on the o'erla$$ing shakes belo%" I o ents %hen $art of y bo&y &angle& off the roof! o ent! I yself to let go"

shakes! but bet%een the ost ner'ous for the

%ith no clear 'ie% of %hat %as ha$$ening belo%" #t the crucial s%ung y legs a fe% ti es for i $etus! an& brace& Tra$! tra$" I fro1e %here I %as! 5ighteyes" 5o" S all Ferret" Tra$! tra$" Jo a%ay" Tra$! tra$" It.s a tra$0

y legs curle& un&er the ea'e of the roof %hile I clung to

the t%o a%ls sunk bet%een the shakes" I &i& not e'en breathe" It %as not

Tra$! tra$ for Fit1/;olf" Ol& Bloo& kno%s! Big Ferret sai&! go %ith! go %ith! %arn Fit1/;olf" Rolf/Bear kne% your s ell" Tra$! tra$" Jo a%ay" I al ost crie& out %hen a s all %ar ran u$ Dragging y clothes" In a bo&y su&&enly struck y leg an& then ine" o ent! a ferret $oke& its %hiskery face into

Tra$! tra$! he insiste&" Jo a%ay! go a%ay" y bo&y back u$ onto the roof %as o ent %hen ore &ifficult than lo%ering it &o%n" I ha& a ba& still a y belt caught on the e&ge of the ea'es" #fter y shoul&ers! in& %as his!

a bit of %riggling! I got loose an& slo%ly slithere& back u$ onto the roof" I lay o ent! catching y breath! %hile the ferret sat bet%een ex$laining o'er an& o'er" Tra$! tra$" # tiny! sa'agely $re&atory for yself! but so eone ha&" So eone %ho %as no ore"

an& I sense& a great anger in hi " I %oul& not ha'e chosen such a bon&/ani al Big Ferret hurt to &eath" Tells S all Ferret! go %ith! go %ith3 Take the s ell" ;arn Fit1/;olf" Tra$! tra$"

DH1

There %as so

uch I %ante& to ask" So eho% Black Rolf ha& interce&e& for e" But so eone ha& sent this hi ! but there %as not uch

e %ith the Ol& Bloo&" Since I ha& left Tra&efor&! I ha& feare& that e'ery ;itte& one I encountere& %oul& be against s all creature to %arn ore in that s all bon&/$artner %as &ea&" I trie& to learn $artner" # &eter ination to %arn ore fro e" #n& he ha& hel& to his $ur$ose! e'en though his

in&" Jreat hurt an& outrage at the $assing of his bon&/ e" I %oul& ne'er learn %ho Big Ferret ha& he

been! nor ho% he ha& &isco'ere& this $lan nor ho% his bon&/beast ha& anage& to conceal hi self in ;ill.s $ossessions" For that %as %ho sho%e& e %aiting silently in the roo in&s %ith hi belo%" One/Eye" The Tra$! tra$" 9o e %ith

e0 I offere& hi " Fierce as he %as! he still see e& s all an& all %as like seeing %hat re aine& of an ani al his in& all sa'e his $ur$ose" There %as

alone" To touch roo

clo'en in t%o" The $ain &ro'e fro for only one other thing no%"

5o" Jo %ith! go %ith" Hi&e in One/Eye.s things" ;arn Fit1/;olf" Jo %ith! go %ith" Fin& Ol& Bloo& Hater" Hi&e/hi&e" ;ait! %ait" Ol& Bloo& Hater slee$! S all Ferret kill" He %as a s all ani al! %ith a s all Hater! %as fixe& in that si $le in&" But an i age of Regal! Ol& Bloo& to carry it for %eeks" Then I a& by the essage to hi " It in&" I %on&ere& ho% long it ha& taken Big

Ferret to i $lant this notion fir ly enough for hi

kne%" # &ying %ish" The little creature ha& been &ri'en all but &eath of his bon&/hu an" This ha& been Big Ferret.s last see e& a futile erran& for so s all a beast" 9o e %ith Hater0 In an eye/blink he %as at in

e! I suggeste& gently" Ho% can S all Ferret kill Ol& Bloo& y throat" I actually felt the shar$ teeth gri$ the 'ein ore

y throat" Sni$/sni$ %hen he slee$s" Drink his bloo&! like a coney" 5o

DH2

Big Ferret! no He let go of

ore holes! no

ore coneys" Only Ol& Bloo& Hater" Sni$/sni$" y shirt" ;ar " His s all y

y 4ugular an& sli$$e& su&&enly insi&e y skin" eat in

cla%e& feet %ere icy on I ha& a stri$ of &rie& sense& he coul& no

y $ocket" I lay on the roof an& fe& it to to co e %ith

fello% assassin" I %oul& ha'e $ersua&e& hi ore change his

e if I coul&! but I

in& than I coul& refuse to go to Aerity" It of re'enge" 6Hi&e/hi&e" Jo

%as all he ha& left of Big Ferret" *ain! an& a &rea Then sni$! sni$" Drink his bloo& like a coney.s"7

%ith! go %ith the One/Eye" S ell the Ol&. Bloo& Hater" ;ait until he slee$s" Yes yes" -y hunt" Tra$! tra$ Fit1/;olf Jo a%ay! go a%ay" I took his a&'ice" So eone ha& gi'en uch to sen& e this courier" I &i& not %ish to face ;ill in any case" -uch as I %ante& to kill hi ! I kne% no% I %as not his e)ual in the Skill" 5or &i& I %ish to s$oil S all Ferret.s chance" There is honor a ong assassins! of a kin&" It %ar e& Regal.s only ene y" Soun&less as the &ark! I an& then &o%n to the street by the stable" I returne& to a han& fell on %ent to y &ila$i&ate& inn! $ai& y co$$er an& took a $lace at a $lank ainstay" ;hen e" -y han& uch as flinch" I ha& kno%n to touch y bench to face hi " -y table besi&e t%o other en" ;e ate the inn.s $otato/an&/onion e+ I ha& not ex$ecte& hi y heart to kno% I %as not y %ay o'er the inn roof a&e

y shoul&er! I &i& not startle so

there %as so eone behin&

y belt knife stealthily as I turne& on

table ates %ent on eating! one noisily" 5o in any business sa'e his o%n" I looke& u$ at Starling.s s iling face an& 6To :7 she greete& an next to

an in this inn $rofesse& an interest y guts turne& o'er insi&e e"

e 4o'ially! an& clai e& a seat at the table besi&e o ent I took

e" The

e ga'e o'er the s$ace %ithout a %or&! scra$ing his bo%l along y han& fro

%ith hi self o'er the staine& table $lank" #fter a

DH8

y knife an& $ut it back on the table.s e&ge" Starling ga'e a s all no& to that gesture" She %ore a black cloak of goo& thick %ool! tri $lease& %ith herself to suit a&e a s all gesture to%ar& 6*lease! go on eating" I &i&n.t e& %ith yello% e broi&ery" S all sil'er rings grace& her ears no%" She %as entirely too e" I sai& nothing! but only looke& at her" She y bo%l" ean to &isturb your eal" You look as if you

coul& use it" Short rations lately07 6# bit!7 I sai& softly" ;hen she sai& no ore! I finishe& the sou$! %i$ing out the %oo&en bo%l %ith the last t%o bites of coarse brea& that ha& co e %ith it" By then Starling ha& attracte& the attention of a ser'ing girl! %ho brought us t%o ugs of ale" She took a long &ra% fro hers! a&e a face! an& then set it back on the table" I si$$e& at ine an& foun& it no %orse to the $alate than the

lake %ater that %as the alternati'e" 6;ell07 I sai& at last %hen she still ha& not s$oken" 6;hat &o you %ant07 She s ile& affably! toying %ith the han&le of her %ant" I %ant a song! one that %ill li'e after es$ecially at the roo 07 she aske& I shook e" o'e ent" 6I.'e no songs for you right e! an& then %e shall talk" There %as a ug" 6You kno% %hat I e"7 She glance& about us!

an %ho %as still noisily sucking &o%n his sou$" 6Ha'e you a

y hea&" 6I.'e a $allet in the loft" #n& I.'e no songs for you! Starling"7

She shrugge& her shoul&ers! a tiny so e %ay fro here" ;alk there %ith

no%! but I.'e got ti&ings that %oul& interest you" #n& I.'e a roo " #t an inn fine shoul&er of $ork roasting on the hearth fire %hen I left" It %oul& likely be cooke& by the ti e %e got there"7 E'ery sense I ha& $ricke& u$ at the ention of eat" I coul& s ell it! I coul& y roo as %ell"7 al ost taste it" 6I coul&n.t affor& it!7 I tol& her bluntly" 6I coul&!7 she offere& blan&ly" 6Jet your things" I.ll share
DH<

6#n& if I &ecline07 I aske& )uietly" #gain she a&e the tiny shrugging otion" 6It.s your choice"7 She returne& y ga1e le'elly" I coul& not &eci&e if there %as a threat in her s all s ile or not" #fter a ti e I rose an& %ent to the loft" ;hen I returne&! I ha& Starling %as %aiting for e by the base of the la&&er" y things"

65ice cloak!7 she obser'e& %ryly" 6Ha'en.t I seen it so e%here before07 6*erha$s you ha'e!7 I sai& )uietly" 6;oul& you like to see the knife that goes %ith it07 Starling only s ile& ore broa&ly an& a&e a s all %ar&ing gesture %ith her e an& challenging e" I han&s" She turne& an& %alke& a%ay! not looking back to see if I follo%e&" #gain! there %as that curious %alke& behin& her" Outsi&e it %as e'ening" The shar$ %in& that ble% through the streets %as full of lake &a $" E'en though it %as not raining! I felt the clothes an& skin" -y shoul&er began to ache i oisture bea&ing on y e&iately" There %ere no street shutters an& ixture of trusting

torches still burning+ %hat little light there %as esca$e& fro y eyes s%iftly a&4usting to the &arkness" She le& e a%ay fro the %aterfront! a%ay fro

&oorsills" But Starling %alke& %ith sureness an& confi&ence! an& I follo%e&! the $oorer )uarters of the

to%n! u$ to the

erchant streets an& the inns that ser'e& the tra&efolk of the the inn %here (ing Regal %as not truly staying at

to%n" It %as not so far fro no&&e& to

all" She o$ene& an inn &oor that %as inscribe& %ith a tuske& boar.s hea&! an& e to $rece&e her" I &i&! but cautiously! glancing about %ell before I y entere&" E'en after I sa% no guar&s en! I %as not sure if I %as running hea& into a snare or not" This inn %as bright an& %ar ! %ith glass as %ell as shutters for its %in&o%s" The tables %ere clean! the ree&s on the floor al ost fresh! an& the s ell of
DH?

roasting $ork fille& the air" # ser'ing boy %alke& by us %ith a tray full of bri ing ugs! looke& at e! then raise& an eyebro% to Starling! ob'iously en" Starling re$lie& %ith a s%oo$ing bo%! an& in ore slo%ly! an& then e no%" e to a table near the hearth" e" She %as confi&ent she ha& e engagingly! an& in&icate& y back %as to e! I assure )uestioning her choice of traile& after her as she le&

the $rocess s%e$t off her &a $ cloak" I follo%e& suit She seate& herself! then looke& u$ at

6=et.s eat before %e talk! shall %e07 she in'ite& the %all an& I coul& co her

the chair o$$osite her" I took the offere& seat! but turne& it so outh an& her &ark eyes &ance&" 6You.'e nothing to fear fro

an& a 'ie% of the roo " # s all s ile t%itche& at yself at risk in seeking you out"7

you" On the contrary! it is I %ho $lace

She glance& about! then calle& to a boy na e& Oak that %e %ishe& t%o $latters of the roast $ork! so e fresh brea& an& butter! an& a$$le %ine to go %ith it" He hastene& off to fetch it! an& ser'e& it out on our table %ith a char he notice& e 'ery little! sa'e to an& grace that bes$oke his interest in Starling" He exchange& so e s all chatter %ith her+ ake a face of &istaste as he ste$$e& aroun& a%ay! an& Starling attacke& ine" I ha& not ha& fresh a&e e &i11y o ent! I sa $le& y &a $ carry/basket" #nother $atron calle& hi her $late %ith a$$etite" #fter a

eat in so e &ays! an& the hot crackling fat on the $ork al ost this goo& since Buckkee$" For a secon& the taste of the a$$le %ine $ut &ie& of $oisone& %ine" I set y caution" 6So" You sought

%ith its sa'or" The brea& %as fragrant! the butter s%eet" I ha& not taste& foo& y a$$etite %as all I consi&ere&" Then in& of Rurisk an& ho% he ha& e su&&enly in e out! you say07 outh! an& a&&e&!

y goblet carefully back on the table an& recalle&

Starling no&&e& as she che%e&" She s%allo%e&! %i$e& her Only looking %ith

6#n& you %ere not easy to fin&! for I %as not asking folk for ne%s of you" y o%n t%o eyes" I ho$e you a$$reciate that"7
DHB

I ga'e a half no&" 6#n& no% that you ha'e foun& co$$ers"7

e0 ;hat &o you %ant of

e0 # bribe for your silence0 If so! you.ll ha'e to content yourself %ith a fe% 65o"7 She took a si$ of %ine! then cocke& her hea& to look at tol& you" I %ant a song" It see s to you %hen you %ere , re o'e& fro fa'or e I.'e e" 6It is as I.'e

isse& one alrea&y! not follo%ing

our co $any" Though I ho$e you.ll

e %ith the &etails of exactly ho% you sur'i'e&"7 She leane& for%ar&! e! %hen I hear& they.& foun& those six the she$her& as a sca$egoat" y

the $o%er of her traine& 'oice &ro$$ing &o%n to a confi&ential %his$er" 6I can.t tell you %hat a thrill that %as for guar&s en &ea&" I ha& thought I %as %rong about you! you see" I truly belie'e& they ha& &ragge& off $oor ol& To 9hi'alry.s son! I tol& yself! %oul& ne'er go as )uietly as all that" #n& so I let y bo&y on en&" FIt %as hi !. I chi&e& yself for &oubting yself"

you go an& I &i&n.t follo%" But %hen I hear& the ne%s! it $ut a shi'er u$ s$ine as stoo& e'ery hair on FThe Bastar& %as there an& I %atche& hi finger". You can.t i agine ho% I curse& %ay to the -ountains! aren.t you07

taken a%ay an& ne'er stirre& a y instincts" But

then I &eci&e&! %ell! if you sur'i'e&! you.& still co e here" You.re on your I 4ust looke& at her! a flat ga1e that %oul& ha'e sent any Buckkee$ stableboy scuttling! an& %i$e& the grin fro %aiting for softly" She s%allo%e&! took a si$ of %ine! then s ile&" 6I &on.t kno% %hy" To rally to (ettricken.s ai& $erha$s0 ;hate'er the reason! I sus$ect there.s a song in it! &on.t you07 the face of a Buck guar&" But Starling %as a eal! instrel" Singers of songs are ne'er easily abashe&" She %ent on %ith her

y ans%er" 6;hy %oul& I be going to the -ountains07 I aske& her!

DHC

# year ago! her char 5o% she only a&e

an& s ile

ight ha'e %on

e" # year ago I %oul& ha'e y frien&"

%ante& to belie'e this engaging %o an! I.& ha'e %ante& her to be

e tire&" She %as an encu brance! a connection to a'oi&"

I &i&n.t ans%er her )uestion" I only sai&! 6It.s a foolish ti e to e'en think of going to the -ountains" The %in&s are against the tri$+ there %ill be no barge runs until s$ring+ an& (ing Regal has forbi&&en tra'el or tra&e bet%een the Six Duchies an& the -ountains" 5o one.s going to the -ountains"7 She no&&e& her agree ent" 6I un&erstan& that the (ing.s guar&s $resse& t%o barges an& their cre%s a %eek ago! an& force& the fro if the other sol&iers an& &re% closer to 6;ho07 I &e an&e&" She a&e e %ait a o ent" a&e sense" The tighter the restrictions on anage& it" There %oul& al%ays be ust ha'e hear& that 6S ugglers"7 She s$oke the %or& 'ery softly" 6S ugglers07 I aske& cautiously" It tra&e! the ore $rofitable for those %ho to atte $t the tri$" Bo&ies at least one barge %ashe& back to shore" -en an& horses" 5o one kno%s a&e it across or not" ButG7 she s ile& %ith satisfaction e as she &ro$$e& her 'oice 6I &o kno% of one grou$ %ho

are still boun& for the -ountains"7

en %ho %oul& risk their li'es for a $rofit" 6Yes" But that is not truly %hy I sought you out" Fit1! you ust not go there"7 6I kne% that!7 I tol& her cal ly" 6Ho%07 she &e an&e&" She s$oke )uietly! but I coul& see ho% annoye& she %as that I ha& kno%n before she ha& tol& 6*erha$s a little bir& tol& e" e!7 I tol& her loftily" 6You kno% ho% it is! %e (ing Regal has co e to Blue =ake" But it.s all a lie! a tra$ to lure you in" You

;itte& ones s$eak the tongues of all the ani als"7

DHD

6Truly07 she aske& you kne%"7

e! gullible as a chil&" ore interesting to e to kno% ho%

I raise& one eyebro% at her" 6It %oul& be

6They tracke& us &o%n to )uestion us" E'erybo&y they coul& fin& fro -a&ge.s cara'an"7 6#n&07 6#n& such tales as %e tol&: #ccor&ing to 9reece! se'eral shee$ %ere lost along the %ay! &ragge& off at night %ithout a soun&" #n& %hen Tassin tol& of the night you trie& to ra$e her! she sai& it %as only then she notice& that your nails %ere black like a %olf.s cla%s! an& your eyes glo%e& in the &arkness"7 6I ne'er trie& to ra$e her:7 I exclai e&! an& then hushe& %aiting/boy turne& to%ar& us in)uiringly" Starling leane& back in her chair" 6But such a fine tale as it brought tears to y eyes" She sho%e& the Skill%i1ar& the a&e! it fair ark on her cheek yself %hen the

%here you.& cla%e& her! an& sai& she %oul& ne'er ha'e esca$e& you but for the %olfsbane that ha$$ene& to gro% nearby"7 6It soun&s to song!7 I e as if you shoul& follo% Tassin about if you are looking for a uttere& &isguste&ly"

6Oh! but the tale I tol& %as e'en better!7 she began! then shook her hea& at the ser'ing boy as he a$$roache&" She $ushe& a%ay her e $ty $late an& glance& about the roo " It %as starting to fill %ith the e'ening.s custo ers" 6I ha'e a roo u$stairs!7 she in'ite& e" 6;e can talk ore $ri'ately there"7 aking e slee$y" I trie& to focus This secon& eal ha& finally fille& y belly" #n& I %as %ar " I shoul& ha'e

felt %ary! but the foo& an& the %ar th %ere to the -ountains"

y thoughts" ;hoe'er these s ugglers %ere! they offere& the ho$e of getting

DHE

The only ho$e I.& ha& lately" I ga'e a s all no&" She rose an& I follo%e& %ith y carry/basket" The roo u$stairs %as clean an& %ar " There %as a feather be& on the be&fra e! %ith clean %ool blankets u$on it" # $ottery e%er of %ater an& a %ashbasin reste& on a s all stan& by the be&" Starling lit se'eral can&les in the roo ! &ri'ing the sha&o%s back into the corners" Then she gesture& clean roo coul& see such a luxury to e in" #s she latche& the &oor behin& us! I sat &o%n on the chair" O&&! ho% a si $le! e no%" Starling sat &o%n on the be&" ente&" 6I thought you sai& you ha& no ore coin than I &i&!7 I co

6I &i&n.t! back then" But since I ca e to Blue =ake! I.'e been in &e an&" E'en ore so since the guar&s. bo&ies %ere foun&"7 6Ho% is that07 I aske& her col&ly" 6I. a instrel"7 she retorte&" 6#n& I %as there %hen the ;it/Bastar& %as taken" Do you think I can.t tell the story of that %ell enough to be %orth a coin or t%o07 6So" I see"7 I ulle& o'er %hat she ha& tol& e! then aske&! 6So! &o I o%e y glo%ing re& eyes an& fangs to your telling07 She ga'e a snort of &is&ain" 6Of course not" So e street corner balla& aker ca e u$ %ith that"7 Then she halte&! an& s ile& al ost to herself 6But I.ll a& it to a bit of e broi&ery" #s I tell it! 9hi'alry.s Bastar& %as stoutly the%e& an& fought like a buck! a young that his right ar an in the $ri e of his years! &es$ite the fact arks of (ing Regal.s s%or&" #n& an.s han& in his hair" It the front of still bore the sa'age

abo'e his left eye! he.& a streak of %hite as %i&e as a the lea&er of the guar& struck hi his

took three guar&s en 4ust to hol& hi ! an& he &i& not sto$ fighting! e'en %hen so har& it knocke& the teeth fro outh"7 She $ause& an& %aite&" ;hen I sai& nothing! she cleare& her

D1H

throat" 6You

ight thank

e for

aking it a bit less likely that folk %oul&

recogni1e you on the street"7 6Thank you" I su$$ose" Ho% &i& 9reece an& Tassin react to that07 6They no&&e& all the %hile" -y story only 6I see" But you still ha'en.t tol& 6They offere& us roo %ante& to kno% ho% a&e theirs all the better! you see"7 you" 9reece e ho% you kno% it %as a tra$"7

oney for you" If any of us ha& ha& %or& fro ake us feel

uch" ;e ha& been taken u$ to the (ing.s o%n sitting ore i $ortant! I su$$ose" ;e %ere

for this )uestioning" To

tol& the (ing hi self felt ill after his long tri$! an& %as resting right next &oor" ;hile %e %ere there! a ser'ant ca e out! bringing the (ing.s cloak an& his boots to be cleane& of i ense"7 ore 'ain of the than any a court la&y" u&"7 Starling ga'e e a s all s ile" 6The boots %ere

6#n& you kno% the si1e of the (ing.s feet07 I kne% she %as correct" Regal ha& s all han&s an& feet! an& %as 6I.'e ne'er been to court" But a fe% of those better born at our kee$ ha& been u$ to Buckkee$ for occasions" They s$oke $rince! of his fine uch of the han&so e youngest anners an& &ark curling hair" #n& his tiny feet! an& ho%

%ell he &ance& on the "7 She shook her hea&" 6I kne% it %as not (ing Regal in that roo " The rest %as easy to &e&uce" They ha& co e to Blue =ake too $ro $tly follo%ing the killings of the guar&s" They ca e for you"7 6*erha$s!7 I conce&e&" I %as beginning to ha'e a high o$inion of Starling.s %its" 6Tell through e ore of the s ugglers" Ho% &i& you co e to hear of the 07 She shook her hea&! s iling" 6If you strike a bargain %ith the ! it %ill be e" #n& I shall be a $art of it"7 e" 6If you %ere a s uggler! %oul& you tell others %hat route 6Ho% are they getting to the -ountains07 I aske&" She looke& at you use&07 Then she shrugge&" 6I.'e hear& gossi$ that s ugglers ha'e a %ay
D11

to cross the ri'er" #n ol& %ay" I kno% there %as once a tra&e route that %ent u$ri'er an& then across" It fell out of fa'or %hen the ri'er beca e so un$re&ictable" Since the ba& fires a fe% years back! the ri'er floo&s e'ery year" ;hen it &oes! it shifts in its be&" So the regular tra&ers ha'e co e to rely on boats than on a bri&ge that ay or ore ay not be intact"7 She $ause& to gna%

briefly at a thu bnail" 6I think that at one ti e there %as a bri&ge a %ay u$strea ! but after the ri'er %ashe& it out for the fourth consecuti'e year! no one ha& the heart to rebuil& it" So eone else tol& e that in su er there is a $ulley ferry! an& that they use& to cross on the ice in %inter" In the years %hen the ri'er free1es" -aybe they are ho$ing the ri'er %ill free1e this year" -y o%n thought is! %hen tra&e is sto$$e& in one $lace! it starts in another" There %ill be a %ay across"7 I fro%ne&" 65o" There Starling see e& you choose" You ust be another %ay to the -ountains"7 il&ly insulte& that I.& &oubt her" 6#sk about it yourself! if ight en4oy %aiting %ith the (ing.s Juar& that strut all about ost folk %ill tell you to %ait for s$ring" # fe% %ill tell here" You there! I gather there are

the %aterfront" But

you that if you %ant to get there in the %inter! you &on.t start fro coul& go south! aroun& Blue =ake entirely" Fro se'eral tra&e routes to the -ountains! e'en in %inter"7

6By the ti e I &i& that! it %oul& be s$ring" I coul& get to the -ountains 4ust as )uickly by %aiting it out here"7 6That.s another thing I.'e been tol&!7 Starling agree& s ugly" I leane& for%ar& an& $ut y hea& in y han&s" 9o e to e" 6#re there no close! easy %ays across that &a nable lake07 65o" If there %ere an easy %ay to cross! there %oul& not still be guar&s en infesting the entire %aterfront"7 There see e& no other choice for e" 6;here %oul& I fin& these s ugglers07
D12

Starling grinne& broa&ly" 6To orro%! I %ill take you to the !7 she $ro ise&" She rose an& stretche&" 6But tonight I ha'e not sung clients can be )uite generous to tra'eling 6I ust be on ust take yself to the Jil&e& *in" I y songs there yet! but yester&ay I %as in'ite&" I.'e hear& their instrels"7 She stoo$e& to gather u$

her %ell/%ra$$e& har$" I rose as she $icke& u$ her still/&a $ cloak" y %ay as %ell!7 I sai& $olitely" outh as she 6;hy not slee$ here07 she offere&" 6=ess chance of being recogni1e& an& a lot fe%er 'er in in this roo "7 # s ile t%iste& the corner of her looke& at so eone"7 ;hen she calle& e by y na e! it %as as if so ething t%iste& insi&e e0 #n& &on.t tell ay ne'er be"7 instrels!7 she sai&" 6There is no eeting ore ore" 5o" I kno% there ine s)uarely" 6I ha& a e" e #n& yet! 6;hy07 I aske& her softly" 6;hy &o you ai& it.s the ho$e of a song that 6That sho%s ho% little you un&erstan& is"7 She looke& u$ at y hesitant face" 6If I %ante& to sell you to the (ing.s Juar&! I coul&

ha'e &one it" #s alone as you are! Fit19hi'alry! you ha& better &eci&e to trust

$o%erful lure for one than that" But I su$$ose there is e su&&enly! her eyes

little brother" @ay" He %as a guar& statione& at the #ntler Islan& To%er" He sa% you fight the &ay the Rai&ers ca e"7 She ga'e a brief snort of laughter" 6#ctually! you ste$$e& o'er hi " You sank your axe into the struck hi at hi "7 She looke& at e fro an %ho ha& 4ust &o%n" #n& %a&e& &ee$er into the battle %ithout e'en a glance back the corner of her eye" 6That is %hy I sing any other instrel" He tol& e of

F#ntler To%er Rai&. slightly &ifferently fro She looke& abru$tly asi&e fro

it! an& I sing you as he sa% you" # hero" You sa'e& his life"7 e" 6For a ti e! any%ay" He &ie& later! fighting for Buck" But for a ti e! he li'e& because of your axe"7 She sto$$e&

D18

s$eaking! an& s%ung her cloak aroun& her shoul&ers" 6Stay here!7 she tol&

e"

6Rest" I %on.t be back until late" You can ha'e the be& until then! if you %ant"7 She %hiske& out the &oor %ithout %aiting for a re$ly" I stoo& for a ti e staring at the close& &oor" Fit19hi'alry" Hero" @ust %or&s" But it %as as if she ha& lance& so ething insi&e if I coul&" e! &raine& a%ay so e $oison! an& no% I coul& heal" yself" I actually felt as It %as the strangest feeling" Jet so e slee$! I a&'ise&

9H#*TER FO>RTEE5 S ugglers THERE #RE FE; s$irits so free as those of tra'eling the Six Duchies" If a instrels! at least %ithin ost instrel is sufficiently talente&! he can ex$ect al ost all

rules of con&uct to be sus$en&e& for hi " They are $er itte& to ask the instrel can $resu e hos$itality any%here fro lo%liest ho'el" They sel&o

$rying of )uestions as a nor al $art of their tra&e" #l ost %ithout exce$tion! a the (ing.s o%n table to the arry in youth! though it is not unusual for the instrels the sel'es" It is ex$ecte& of e ories

to bear chil&ren" Such chil&ren are free of the stig a of other bastar&s! an& are fre)uently kee$ raise& to beco e erchants" They carry instrels that they %ill consort %ith outla%s an& rebels as %ell as nobles an& essages! bring ne%s! an& hol& in their long any an agree ent an& $ro ise" #t least! so it is in ti es of $eace an& $lenty" Starling ca e in so late! Burrich %oul& ha'e regar&e& it as early ca e in! then %ra$$e& yself %ell in
D1<

orning" I

%as a%ake the instant she touche& the latch" I rolle& )uickly off her be& as she y cloak an& lay &o%n on the floor"

6Fit19hi'alry!7 she greete& o'er

e fu11ily! an& I coul& s ell the %ine on her e! then s$rea& it y eyes" e %ith a fine &isregar& for

breath" She stri$$e& off her &a $ cloak! looke& si&e%ays at e as an extra co'ering" I close& She &ro$$e& her outer clothing to the floor behin& %ar !7 she

y $resence" I hear& the gi'e of the be& as she thre% herself onto it" 6> " Still uttere&! shoul&ering into the be&&ing an& $illo%s" 6I feel guilty! s$ot" 6 atter of o ents taking your %ar

Her guilt coul& not ha'e been too shar$/e&ge&! for in 4ust a her breathing %ent &ee$ an& e'en" I follo%e& her exa $le" I a%oke 'ery early an& left the inn" Starling &i&n.t stir as I let

yself out of her

roo " I %alke& until I foun& a bathhouse" The baths %ere al ost &eserte& at this hour of the &ay+ I ha& to %ait %hile the &ay.s first %ater %as %ar e&" ;hen it %as rea&y! I stri$$e& &o%n an& cla bere& gingerly in" I ease& the ache in y shoul&er in the &ee$! hot tub" I %ashe& yself" Then I leane& back in the hot %ater an& silence an& thought" I &i&n.t like taking u$ %ith the s ugglers" I &i&n.t like linking u$ %ith Starling" I coul&n.t see any other choice" I coul& not think of ho% I.& bribe the long ti e! I lay u$ to to take e" I ha& little enough coin" Burrich.s earring0 I refuse& to consi&er it" For a y chin in the %ater an& refuse& to consi&er it" 9o e to yself" I %oul&" I thought of %hat I e" That blast e" I %oul& fin& another %ay! I s%ore to

ha& felt back in Tra&efor& %hen Aerity ha& inter'ene& to sa'e he ha& not hesitate& to ex$en& all he ha& for Aerity" 5ot because he ha& Skill/su s%orn to his father" For Aerity" one&

of Skill ha& left Aerity %ithout reser'es" I &i& not kno% his situation! only that y sake" #n& if I ha& to choose e! nor e'en for the oath I ha& bet%een $arting %ith Burrich.s earring an& going to Aerity! I %oul& choose

D1?

I stoo& u$ an& let the %ater strea atte $ting to tri $asse& Boar.s Hea&" I ha& one ba&

off

e" I &rie& off! s$ent a fe%

inutes

y bear&! ga'e it u$ as a ba& 4ob! an& %ent back to the o ent on y %ay back to the inn" # %agon

e as I stro&e along! none other than the %agon of Dell the $u$$eteer" I e" 5onetheless! I %as gla& to reach the inn an& get insi&e" e a $ot of orning brea&" This last $ro'e& to be a Farro% concoction full eet these s ugglers! an& reluctant to $ut orning hours &ragge& by! I caught the

ke$t %alking briskly an& the young 4ourney an &ri'ing the %agon ga'e no sign of noticing tea an& a loaf of I foun& a corner table near the hearth an& ha& the ser'ing boy bring

of see&s an& nuts an& bits of fruit" I ate slo%ly! %aiting for Starling to &escen&" I %as both i $atient to be out to yself in Starling.s $o%er" #s the ser'ing boy looking o&&ly at

e t%ice" The thir& ti e I caught his stare! I

returne& it until he blushe& su&&enly an& looke& asi&e" I &i'ine& then the reason for his interest" I.& s$ent the night in Starling.s roo ! an& no &oubt he %on&ere& %hat %oul& $ossess her to share )uarters %ith such a 'agabon&" But it %as still enough to ake e unco fortable" The &ay %as ore than half%ay to noon any%ay" I rose an& %ent u$ the stairs to Starling.s &oor" I knocke& )uietly an& %aite&" But it took a secon& roun& of lou&er knocking before I hear& a slee$y re$ly" #fter a bit she ca e to the &oor! o$ene& it a crack! then ya%ne& at e an& otione& e in" She %ore only her leggings an& a recently &onne& o'ersi1e& tunic" Her curly &ark hair %as tousle& all about her face" She sat &o%n hea'ily on the e&ge of her be&! blinking her eyes as I close& an& fastene& the &oor behin& ya%ne& again" 6Is it that noticeable07 I aske& her testily" She no&&e& at e affably" 6I %oke u$ once an& thought you.& 4ust left e here" e"7 I %asn.t %orrie& about it! though" I kne% you coul&n.t fin& the
D1B

e" 6Oh! you took a bath!7 she greete&

e! an&

%ithout

She rubbe& her eyes! an& then looke& at your bear&07 6I trie& to tri ight it" ;ithout uch success"7

ore critically" 6;hat ha$$ene& to

She no&&e& in agree ent" 6But it %as a goo& i&ea!7 she sai& co fortingly" 6It ake you look a bit less %il&" #n& it our cara'an fro ight $re'ent 9reece or Tassin or anyone else fro recogni1ing you" Here" I.ll hel$ you" Jo sit uch enthusias " She arose fro the be&!

on that chair" Oh! an& o$en the shutters! let so e light in here"7 I &i& as she suggeste&! %ithout stretche&! an& rubbe& her eyes" She took a fe% o ents to s$lash so e %ater

on her face! then %orrie& her o%n hair back into or&er an& fastene& it %ith a cou$le of s all co bs" She belte& the tunic to gi'e it a sha$e! then sli$$e& on her boots an& lace& the Then she ca e to %as" 6Do you al%ays blush so easily07 she aske& Buck skinne&"7 I coul& think of nothing to say to that! so I sat silently as she ru 6I use& to cut y brothers. hair!7 she tol& y e as she %orke&" 6#n& age& in her y father.s $ack an& ca e u$ %ith a s all $air of shears" She %orke& )uickly an& &eftly" hair an& bear&! after %ay it $lease&07 6I su$$ose!7 I uttere& ner'ously" The scissors %ere flashing a%ay right un&er y face" # substantial a ount of y nose" She $ause& an& brushe& briskly at other &ie&" You.'e a nice sha$e to your 4a%! un&er e %ith a laugh" 6It.s rare to see a other ust ha'e been fair/ an able to flush so re&" I su$$ose your u$" In a re arkably short ti e she %as $resentable" y chin turne& y face back an& e! an& taking hol& of

forth in the light %ith no shyness at all3 I coul& not be as nonchalant as she

all this brush" ;hat ha'e you been &oing %ith it! 4ust letting it gro% out any

D1C

curly black hair fell to the floor" 6I &on.t %ant her"

y scar to be 'isible!7 I %arne& outh instea& of a

6It %on.t!7 she sai& cal ly" 6But you %ill ha'e li$s an& a ga$ in your 6Only 6;e.ll y knife!7 I a& itte& ner'ously"

ustache" Tilt your chin u$" There" Do you ha'e a sha'ing bla&e07

ake &o then!7 she sai& co fortingly" She %alke& to the &oor! flung it instrel.s lungs to bello% for the ser'ing boy to e critically" y y

o$en! an& use& the $o%er of a

bring her hot %ater" #n& tea" #n& brea& an& so e rashers of bacon" ;hen she ca e back into the roo ! she cocke& her hea& an& looke& at 6=et.s cut your hair! too!7 she $ro$ose&" 6Take it &o%n"7 I o'e& too slo%ly to satisfy her" She ste$$e& behin& y hair fro e! tugge& off kerchief! an& free& see!7 she the leather thong" >nboun&! it fell to

shoul&ers" She took u$ her co b an& currie& uttere& as I gritte&

y hair roughly for%ar&" 6=et.s

y teeth to her rough co bing"

6;hat &o you $ro$ose07 I aske& her! but hanks of hair %ere alrea&y falling to the floor" ;hate'er she ha& &eci&e& %as ra$i&ly beco ing a reality" She $ulle& hair for%ar& o'er 65o%!7 she tol& y face! then cut it off s)uare abo'e e! 6you look a bit ore like Farro% y eyebro%s! tugge& erchant stock" Before her co b through the rest of it a fe% ti es! then cut it off at 4a% length" you %ere ob'iously a Buck an" Your coloring is still Buck! but no% your hair an& clothes are Farro%" #s long as you &on.t talk! folk %on.t be certain %here you.re fro "7 She consi&ere& a abo'e y bro%" #fter a o ent! then %ent to %ork again on the hair age& aroun& an& ga'e ea irror" o ent she ru e& out

6The %hite %ill be a lot less noticeable no%"7 She %as right" She ha& tri ost of the %hite hair! an& $ulle& for%ar& y face as %ell" I black hair to fall o'er the stubble" -y bear& no% hugge&

no&&e& a gru&ging a$$ro'al" There %as a knock at the &oor" 6=ea'e it

D1D

outsi&e:7 Starling calle& through the &oor" She %aite& a fe% goo& e&ge on re in& fro 6I.

o ents! then

fetche& in her breakfast an& the hot %ater" She %ashe&! then suggeste& I $ut a y knife %hile she ate" I &i& so! %on&ering as I hone& the bla&e e" She %as beginning to if I felt flattere& or irritate& at her refashioning of y han&" She s%allo%e&! then s$oke" going to gi'e your bear& a bit ore sha$e" You.ll ha'e to kee$ it u$! e" 65o% &a $ not going to sha'e you e'ery &ay!7 she %arne&

e of *atience" She %as still che%ing as she ca e to take the knife

though! I.

your face &o%n %ell"7 I %as substantially %orke& near ore ner'ous as she bran&ishe& the knife! es$ecially as she y y y throat" But %hen she %as finishe& an& I took u$ the looking y 4a% an& cheek" The s)uare/cut hair hanging o'er y ustache an& %as less noticeable" I ran

glass! I %as a a1e& at the changes she ha& %rought" She ha& &efine& bear&! confining it to bro% a&e follo%e& the line of lightly o'er change!7 I tol& her" 6It.s a 'ast i $ro'e ent!7 she infor e& cuttings an& o$ene& the %in&o% to fling the it an& brushe& off her han&s" 6Thank you!7 I sai& a%k%ar&ly" 6You.re %elco e!7 she tol& s all sigh" 6I. going to s%ift efficiency" She caught y eyes look &ee$er" The scar on y bear&! $lease& %ith ho%

y cheek %as still 'isible! but it y han&

uch less of it there %as" 6It.s )uite a e" 6I &oubt that 9reece or Dell out onto the %in&" Then she shut

%oul& recogni1e you no%" =et.s 4ust be ri& of this"7 She gathere& u$ the hair

e" She glance& about the roo ! an& breathe& a e" She set to $acking %ith a e %atching her an& grinne&" 6;hen you.re a

iss that be&!7 she tol&

instrel %ho %an&ers! you learn to &o this )uickly an& %ell"7 She tosse& in the

D1E

last ite s! then lace& her $ack shut" She s%ung it to one shoul&er" 6;ait for at the botto of the back stairs!7 she co an&e&" 6;hile I go settle y bill"7 I &i& as she ba&e

e! but %aite& substantially longer in the col& an& %in& than e" the a&e

I ha& ex$ecte&" E'entually she e erge&! rosycheeke& an& rea&y for the &ay" She stretche& herself like a little cat" 6This %ay!7 she &irecte& I ha& ex$ecte& to shorten y stri&e to acco atche& $ace easily" She glance& across at &ifferent to&ay!7 she infor e& u$ your in& about so ething"7 y ar co $anionably" 6I ho$e it.s to y ar " 6I ha'e!7 I agree& %ith her" 6Joo&!7 she sai& %ar ly! as she took trust e"7 erchants. section of Blue =ake soon o&ate her! but foun& that %e e as %e stro&e a%ay fro

erchants. sector of to%n! an& hea&e& to the northern outskirts" 6You look e" 6#n& it.s not 4ust the haircut" You.'e

I glance& at her an& sai& nothing" She laughe&! but &i& not release The %oo&en %alk%ays of the other as if seeking shelter fro

&isa$$eare& an& %e %alke& in the street $ast houses that hu&&le& against each the col&" The %in& %as a constant chill $ush against us as %e stro&e along cobble& streets that ga'e %ay e'entually to roa&s of $acke& earth that ran $ast s all far stea&s" The roa& %as rutte& an& farther to go07 I finally aske& of her" 6I. not certain" I. si $ly follo%ing &irections" ;atch for three stacke& rocks at the si&e of the roa&"7 6;hat &o you really kno% of these s ugglers07 I &e an&e&" She shrugge& a bit too casually" 6I kno% they are going to the -ountains! %hen no one else is" #n& I kno% they are taking the $ilgri s %ith the "7
D2H

u&&y fro

the rains of the last fe% &ays" uch

This &ay at least %as fair! e'en if the blustery %in& %as col&" 6Is there

6*ilgri s07 6Or %hate'er you %ish to call the " They go to honor E&a.s shrine in the -ountain (ing&o " They ha& bought $assage on a barge earlier in the su er" But then the (ing.s Juar& clai e& all the barges for their o%n use an& shut &o%n the bor&ers to the -ountain (ing&o " The $ilgri s ha'e been stuck in Blue =ake since then! trying to fin& a %ay to continue their 4ourney"7 ;e ca e to the three stacke& rocks! an& a %ee&y track through a rocky! bra bly $asture surroun&e& by a rock/an&/$ole fence" # fe% horses %ere gra1ing &isconsolately" I note& %ith interest they %ere -ountain/bre&! s all an& $atchy/coate& at this ti e of year" # little house %as set %ell back fro the roa&" It %as built of ri'er rock an& outbuil&ing behin& it to be s%iftly &is$erse& by the %in&" # threat" He ortar! %ith a so& roof" The s all an sat on the fence! %hittling at an& %ent to the &oor of a an %ho %alke& ilk" 6;ho atche& it" # thin trickle of s oke esca$e& its chi ney!

so ething" He lifte& his eyes to regar& us an& e'i&ently &eci&e& %e %ere no a&e no challenge to us as %e $asse& hi the cottage" @ust outsi&e the cottage! fat $igeons cooe& an& strutte& in a cote" Starling knocke& at the &oor! but the ans%er ca e fro %as &resse& like a far er" He carrie& a bri &o you seek07 he greete& us" 65ik!7 Starling re$lie&" 6I kno% no 5ik!7 the %as at y hi$" I $ut an sai&" He o$ene& the &oor an& %ent into the house" y han& closer to the hilt but not on it" I &i&n.t %ant to Starling bol&ly follo%e& hi ! an& I traile& her %ith less confi&ence" -y s%or& $ro'oke a challenge" Insi&e the hut! a &rift%oo& fire burne& in the hearth" -ost but not all of the s oke %as going u$ the chi ney" # boy an& a s$otte& ki& share& a $ile of
D21

aroun& the corner of the house" He ha& rough bro%n hair an& blue eyes an& ing bucket of %ar

stra% in one corner" He regar&e& us %ith %i&e blue eyes! but sai& nothing" S oke& ha s an& si&es hung lo% fro &o%n besi&e her %ork an& turne& to us the rafters" The il&ly" aybe"7 all! an& %ent to an carrie& the ilk to a table %here a %o an %as cho$$ing u$ fat yello% roots" He set the bucket 6I think you.'e co e to the %rong house3 Try &o%n the roa& a %ays" 5ot the next house" That.s %here *elf li'es" But beyon&! the &oor" 69o ing! To 07 she aske& a%ay I aske& her! 65o% %hat07 6I. 6Fro not $recisely sure" Fro %hat you o'erhear&07 %hat I o'erhear&! I think %e go to *elf.s house an& ask for 5ik"7 6You &on.t think I ha'e $ersonal kno%le&ge of s ugglers! &o you0 I %as in the $ublic baths" T%o %o en %ere talking as they bathe&" *ilgri s on their %ay to the -ountains" One %as saying it ight be their last chance at a bath for a eet the e %hile! an& the other %as saying she &i&n.t care as long as they finally got to lea'e Blue =ake" Then one tol& the other %here they %ere su$$ose& to s ugglers"7 I sai& nothing" I su$$ose %on.t"7 6It ay %ork out to us %ith our throats cut"7 an follo%ing us %oul& &eci&e %e %ere certainly 6Then go back to to%n an& see if you can &o better"7 6I think if %e &i& that! the s$ies an& &o of it" 5o! &on.t look back"7
D22

6Thank you kin&ly" ;e shall"7 Starling s ile& roun& at the

e" I no&&e& $leasantly at the folk an&

follo%e& her" ;e left the house an& %alke& u$ the lane" ;hen %e %ere %ell

y ex$ression sai& it all! for Starling aske&

in&ignantly! 6Do you ha'e any better i&eas0 This %ill either %ork out or it

ore than 4ust follo% us" =et us go on to *elf! an& see %hat co es

;e returne& to the roa& an& %alke& to the next far stea&" The %in& ha& beco e stronger an& I taste& sno% on it" If %e &i& not fin& 5ik soon! it %as going to be a long! col& %alk back to to%n" So eone ha& once care& about this next far " Once there ha& been a line of sil'er birches to either si&e of the &ri'e" 5o% they %ere brittle scarecro%s of trees! their branches long bare! bark $eeling in the %in&" # fe% sur'i'ors %e$t yello% coin lea'es in the %in&" Extensi'e $astures an& fiel&s ha& been fence&! but %hate'er stock they ha& hel& %as long gone" The %ee&y fiel&s %ent un$lante&! the thistly $astures ungra1e&" 6;hat ha$$ene& to this lan&07 I &e an&e& as %e %alke& $ast the &esolation" 6Years of &rought" Then! a su er of fire" Out beyon& these far stea&s! the ri'erbanks use& to be co'ere& %ith o$en oak forests an& gra1ing lan&" Here! these %ere &airy far s" But out there! s allhol&ers ran their goats in the free $asturage! an& their haragars sca'enge& un&er the oaks for acorns" I.'e hear& it %as agnificent hunting as %ell" Then ca e the fire" It burne& for o'er a an coul& scarcely breathe an& the ri'er ran black ea&o%s! but hayfiel&s an& ho es %ere ore the fire" #n& after the onth they say! so that a

%ith ash" 5ot 4ust the forests an& %il&

torche& by the flying s$arks" #fter the years of &rought! the ri'er %as no than a trickle of itself" There %as no%here to flee fro fire ca e

ore hot &ry &ays" But the %in&s that ble% carrie& &ust no% as %ell

as ash" S aller strea s choke& %ith it" It ble% until the rains finally ca e that fall" #ll the %ater that folk ha& $raye& for years ca e in one season" Floo&s of it" #n& %hen the %ater %ent &o%n! %ell! you see %hat %as left" ;ashe&/out gra'elly soil"7 6I recall hearing so ething of the sort"7 It ha& been a con'ersation long ago" So eone , 9ha&e0 , ha& tol& e that the $eo$le hel& the (ing accountable

D28

for e'erything! e'en &roughts an& fires" It ha& these far ers it

eant little to

e then! but to

ust ha'e see e& like the en& of the %orl&"

The house! too! s$oke of a lo'ing han& an& better ti es" It %as t%o stories! built of ti ber! but its $aint %as long fa&e&" Shutters %ere close& tight o'er the %in&o%s in the u$$er story" There %ere t%o chi neys at either en& of the house! but one %as losing its stones" S oke rose fro the other one" # young girl stoo& before the &oor of the house" # fat gray $igeon $erche& on her han& an& she %as stroking it lightly" 6Joo& &ay!7 she bi& us in a $leasantly lo% 'oice as %e a$$roache&" Her tunic %as leather o'er a loose crea shirt of %ool" She %ore leather trousers as %ell! an& boots" I $ut her age at about t%el'e! an& kne% she %as so e kin to the folk in the other house by her eyes an& hair" 6Joo& &ay!7 Starling returne& to her" 6;e are looking for 5ik"7 The girl shook her hea&" 6You ha'e co e to the %rong house" There is no 5ik here" This is *elf.s house" *erha$s you shoul& seek farther &o%n the roa&"7 She s ile& at us! no Starling ga'e ore than $u11le ent on her face" e an uncertain glance" I took her ar " 6;e ha'e been gi'en ore than to get oursel'es out of the situation"

$oor &irections" 9o e! let us take oursel'es back to to%n an& try again"7 #t that ti e I ho$e& no 6But ,7 she ob4ecte& in confusion" I ha& a su&&en ins$iration" 6Shush" ;e %ere %arne& these are not $eo$le to take lightly" The bir& nothing ust ha'e gone astray! or a ha%k taken it" There is ore to be &one here to&ay"7 y ar about Starling an& turne& her

6# bir&07 the girl $i$e& su&&enly" 6Only a $igeon" Joo& &ay to you"7 I $ut fir ly" 6;e &i& not 6;hose $igeon07
D2<

ean to bother you"7

I let

y eyes

eet hers for a

o ent" 6# frien& of 5ik.s" Do not let it concern

you" 9o e! Starling"7 6;ait:7 the girl sai& su&&enly" 6-y brother is insi&e" *erha$s he kno%s this 5ik"7 6I %oul& not %ish to bother hi !7 I assure& her" 65o bother"7 The bir& on her han& stretche& out his %ings as she gesture& to the &oor %ith it" 69o e insi&e out of the col& for a bit"7 6It is a col& &ay!7 I conce&e&" I turne& to confront the %hittler 4ust as he %as e erging fro the line of birches" 6*erha$s %e shoul& all go insi&e"7 y sha&o%.s &isco fiture" 6*erha$s"7 The girl grinne& at

;ithin the &oor %as a bare entry hall" The fine inlai& %oo& of the floor %as scuffe& an& ha& gone unoile& for so e ti e" =ighter s$aces on the %alls sho%e& %here $aintings an& ta$estries ha& once hung" # bare staircase le& to the u$$er floor" There %as no light sa'e %hat ca e in the thick %in&o%s" Insi&e! there %as no %in&! but it %as not Starling stoo& a bit closer to ex$ressionlessly" Starling took a breath" 6Hush!7 I tol& her before she coul& s$eak" Instea&! she took y ar " I a&e the excuse of stoo$ing to a&4ust y left si&e" She i y boot" #s I an! straightene&! I turne& an& $ut her on e&iately took hol& uch %ar er" 6;ait here!7 the girl tol& us! an& entere& a cha ber to our right! closing the &oor fir ly behin& her" e than I %ishe&" The %hittler %atche& us

of that ar " It see e& a 'ery long ti e before the &oor o$ene&" # tall

bro%n/haire& an& blue/eye&! ca e out" He %as &resse& like the girl in leathers" # 'ery long knife hung at his belt" The girl ca e on his heels! looking $etulant" He ha& rebuke& her! then" He sco%le& at us an& &e an&e&! 6;hat.s this about07

D2?

6-y

istake! sir!7 I sai& i

e&iately" 6;e %ere seeking one na e& 5ik! an&

ob'iously %e ha'e co e to the %rong house" Your $ar&on! sir"7 He s$oke reluctantly" 6I.'e a frien& %ith a cousin na e& 5ik" I coul& gi'e %or& of you to hi ! $erha$s"7 I s)uee1e& Starling.s han& for silence" 65o! no! %e %oul&n.t %ish to trouble you" >nless you.& like to tell us %here %e coul& fin& 5ik hi self"7 6I coul& take a I scratche& at essage!7 he offere& again" But it %as not really an offer" y bear& an& consi&ere&" 6I.'e a frien& %hose cousin %ishe& to ight kno% so eone y frien&.s cousin that he %oul& sen&

sen& so ething across the ri'er" He ha& hear& that 5ik %ho coul& take it for hi " He $ro ise& $altry atter"7

a bir&! to let 5ik kno% %e %ere co ing" For a fee! of course" That %as all! a He ga'e a slo% no&" 6I.'e hear& of folks hereabouts %ho &o such things" It.s &angerous %ork! yes! treasonous %ork! too" They.& $ay %ith their hea&s if the (ing.s Juar& caught the "7 6That they %oul&!7 I agree& rea&ily" 6But I &oubt that %as %ishing to s$eak to 5ik"7 6#n& %ho %as it sent you here to seek this 5ik07 6I forget!7 I sai& coolly" 6I. 6#re you07 the 6That %oul& be I anage& to $ry afrai& I. rather goo& at forgetting na es"7 an aske& consi&eringly" He glance& at his sister an& ga'e a ost %elco e!7 I tol& hi " y ar free of Starling as %e entere& the cha ber" #s the %as as y frien&.s cousin %oul& &o business %ith the kin& of folk %ho.& get caught" That %as %hy he

s all no&" 6-ay I offer you so e bran&y07

&oor shut behin& us! Starling sighe& in the %elco e %ar th" This roo

o$ulent as the other %as bare" Rugs coate& the floor! ta$estries line& the %alls" There %as a hea'y oak table %ith a branch of %hite can&les for illu ination" #
D2B

fire bla1e& in the huge hearth before a half circle of co fortable chairs" It %as to this area our host le& us" He snagge& a glass &ecanter of bran&y as he $asse& the table" 6Fin& so e cu$s!7 he $ere $torily or&ere& the girl" She see e& to take no offense at it" I guesse& his age at about t%enty/fi'e" Ol&er brothers are not the kin&est of heroes" She han&e& the %hittler her $igeon! an& gesture& both of the out before she %ent to fin& cu$s" 65o%" You %ere saying!7 he offere& %hen %e %ere settle& before the fire" 6#ctually! you %ere saying!7 I suggeste&" He %as silent as his sister ca e back %ith cu$s" He $asse& the fille& the 6To an& the four of us raise& cu$s together" 6To (ing Regal!7 he suggeste&" y king!7 I offere& affably! an& &rank" It %as goo& bran&y! one Burrich an suggeste&" a" %oul& ha'e a$$reciate&" 6(ing Regal %oul& see folk like our frien& 5ik s%inging!7 the 6Or ore likely in his circle!7 I suggeste&" I ga'e a s all sigh" 6It.s a &ile to us as he

On the one han&! (ing Regal threatens his life" On the other han&! %ithout (ing Regal.s e bargo on the -ountain! %hat li'elihoo& %oul& 5ik $ursue0 I hear& all that his fa ily.s hol&ings gro% these &ays is rocks"7 The an no&&e& in co iseration" 6*oor 5ik" # an ust &o so ething to an ust cross a ri'er! sen&ing so ething sur'i'e"7 6That he ust!7 I agree&" 6#n& so eti es to sur'i'e! a e'en if his king forbi&s it"7 6-ust he07 the across the ri'er"7 65ot that &ifferent!7 I tol& hi " 6If 5ik is goo& at his tra&e! the one shoul& no ore tax hi than the other" #n& I.& hear& 5ik %as goo&"7 6The best!7 the girl sai& %ith )uiet $ri&e"
D2C

an aske&" 65o%! that.s a bit &ifferent fro

Her brother shot her a %arning glance" 6;hat %oul& this cross07 he aske& )uietly" 6He.& offer it to 5ik hi self!7 I sai& as softly" For a fe% breaths the 6To !7 I sai&" 6Starling!7 the instrel a&&e&" 5ik hel& his cu$ aloft again" 6To a bargain in the again %e &rank" He sat an& aske& i

an be offering to

an looke& into the fire" Then he stoo& an& exten&e& a

han&" 65ik Hol&fast" -y sister *elf"7

aking!7 he suggeste&! an&

e&iately! 6Shall %e s$eak $lainly07

I no&&e&" 6The $lainest $ossible" ;e ha& hear& that you %ere taking a grou$ of $ilgri s o'er the ri'er an& across the bor&er into the -ountain (ing&o " ;e seek the sa e ser'ice"7 6#t the sa e $rice!7 Starling chi e& in s oothly" 65ik! I &on.t like this!7 *elf broke in su&&enly" 6So eone.s tongue has been %agging too freely" I kne% %e shoul& ne'er ha'e agree& to the first lot" Ho% &o %e kno% ,7 6Hush" I. the one taking the risks! so I.ll be the one to say %hat I %ill or %ill in& things %hile I. gone" e" 6It %ill be not &o" You.'e naught to &o but %ait here an&

#n& see that your o%n tongue &oesn.t %ag"7 He turne& back to -ountain bor&er"7

a gol& each! u$ front" #n& another on the other si&e of the ri'er" # thir& at the 6#h:7 The $rice %as shocking" 6;e can.t ,7 Starling &ug her nails su&&enly into y %rist" I shut y outh" e the $ilgri s $ai& that uch!7 Starling sai& 6You %ill ne'er con'ince )uietly"

D2D

6They ha'e their o%n horses an& %agons" Foo& su$$lies! too"7 He cocke& his hea& at us" 6But you look to be folk tra'eling %ith %hat.s on your backs an& no ore"7 6#n& a lot easier to conceal than a %agon an& tea " ;e.ll gi'e you one gol& no%! an& one at the -ountain bor&er" For both of us!7 Starling offere&" He leane& back in his chair an& $on&ere& a ha'e"7 It %as ore than I ha&" I ho$e&! $erha$s! it %as %hat Starling ha&" 6Take us uch!7 I offere&" 6Fro there! %e.re on our o%n"7 e as ay e un&er the table" She see e& to be s$eaking only to o'er the ri'er for that Starling kicke& o ent" Then he $oure& ore bran&y all roun&" 65ot enough!7 he sai& regretfully" 6But I sus$ect it.s all you

she sai&! 6He.s taking the others to the -ountain bor&er an& across it" ;e take us all the %ay to the -ountains"7

as %ell en4oy the co $any that far"7 She turne& back to 5ik" 6It %ill ha'e to 5ik si$$e& at his bran&y" He sighe& hea'ily" 6I.ll see your coin! begging your $ar&on! before %e say it.s a bargain"7 Starling an& I exchange& glances" 6;e.ll re)uire a $ri'ate s oothly" 6Begging your $ar&on"7 She rose an& taking before in your life0 You gi'e too truly ha'e07 For ans%er! I u$en&e& as s%iftly as a y $urse in y han&" She $icke& through the contents ore than this" ;hat.s that07 y han& aroun& it before she ag$ie stealing grain" She hefte& the coins in her han& %ith a o ent!7 she sai& e to the y han&! le&

corner of the roo " Once there she %his$ere&! 6Ha'e you ne'er bargaine& uch! too fast" 5o%" Ho% uch coin &o you

$ractice& air" 6;e.re short" I thought you.& ha'e Her finger 4abbe& at Burrich.s earring" I close& coul& $ick it u$" 6So ething 'ery i $ortant to e"7
D2E

6-ore i $ortant than your life07 65ot )uite!7 I a& itte&" 6But close" -y father %ore it! for a ti e" # close frien& of his ga'e it to 6;ell! if it e"7 e ust go! I.ll see that it goes &early"7 She turne& a%ay fro

%ithout another %or& an& %alke& back to 5ik" She took her seat! tosse& the rest of her bran&y &o%n an& %aite& for -ountain bor&er! I.ll gi'e you all ;hat say you07 He shook his hea& slo%ly" 6It.s not enough for e to risk hanging o'er"7 6;hat.s the risk07 Starling &e an&e&" 6If they &isco'er you %ith the $ilgri s! you.ll hang" You.'e alrea&y been $ai& for that risk in %hat they ga'e you" ;e &on.t increase your risk! only your su$$ly bur&en" Surely it.s %orth that"7 He shook his hea&! al ost reluctantly" Starling turne& an& hel& out her han& to e" 6Sho% it to hi !7 she sai& )uietly" I felt al ost sick as I o$ene& an& fingere& out the earring" 6;hat I ha'e ight not see like uch at first glance!7 I tol& hi " 6>nless a $erson %ere kno%le&geable about such things" I a " I kno% %hat I ha'e an& I kno% %hat it.s %orth" It.s %orth %hate'er trouble you.& ha'e to go through for us"7 I s$rea& it out on y $al ! the fine sil'er net tra$$ing the sa$$hire %ithin" Then I $icke& it u$ by the $in an& hel& it before the &ancing fire" 6It.s not 4ust the sil'er or the sa$$hire" It.s the %ork anshi$" =ook ho% su$$le is the sil'er net! see ho% fine the links"7 Starling reache& one fingerti$ to touch it" 6(ing/in/;aiting 9hi'alry once o%ne& it!7 she a&&e& res$ectfully" 69oins are ore easily s$ent!7 5ik $ointe& out"
D8H

e" ;hen I %as seate&! she tol& 5ik! uch as you ask" But at the

6;e.ll gi'e you %hat coin %e ha'e no%" It.s not as

y 4e%elry as %ell" Rings! earrings! all of it"

y $ouch

I shrugge&" 6If coins to s$en& are all a

an %ants! that is true" So eti es there

is $leasure in the o%ning of so ething! $leasure greater than coins in the $ocket" But %hen it is yours! you coul& change it for coins! if you %ishe&" ;ere I to atte $t it no%! in haste! I.& get but a fraction of its %orth" But a an %ith your connections! an& the ti e to bargain %ell! coul& get %ell o'er four gol&s for it" But if you.& rather! I coul& go back to to%n %ith it an& ,7 Jree& ha& kin&le& in his eyes" 6I.ll take it!7 he conce&e&" 6On the other si&e of the ri'er!7 I tol& hi " I lifte& the 4e%elry an& restore& it to y ear" =et hi look at it each ti e he looke& at e" I a&e it for al" 6You un&ertake to get us both safely to the other si&e of the ri'er" #n& %hen %e get there! the earring is yours"7 6#s your sole $ay ent!7 Starling a&&e& )uietly" 6Though %e %ill allo% you to hol& all our coins until then" #s a surety"7 6#gree&! an& here.s y han& on it!7 he ackno%le&ge&" ;e shook han&s" 6;hen &o %e lea'e07 I aske& hi " 6;hen the %eather.s right!7 he sai&" 6To orro% %oul& be better!7 I tol& hi " He rose slo%ly" 6To orro%! eh0 ;ell! if the %eather.s right to orro%! then is %hen %e.ll lea'e" 5o% I.'e a fe% things I nee& to atten& to" I.ll ha'e to excuse yself! but *elf can see to you! here"7 I ha& ex$ecte& to %alk back to to%n for the night! but Starling bargaine& %ith *elf! her songs for a eal for us! an& then to $re$are us a roo for the night" I ight actually be %as a bit ill at ease to slee$ a ong strangers! but reflecte& it

safer than going back to to%n" If the foo& *elf cooke& for us %as not as fine as %e ha& en4oye& at Starling.s inn the night before! it %as still far better than onion/an&/$otato sou$" There %as thick slices of frie& ha a cake an& a$$lesauce an& a&e %ith fruits an& see&s an& s$ices" *elf brought us beer to go %ith it
D81

an& 4oine& us at table! s$eaking casually of general to$ics" #fter %e.& eaten! Starling $laye& a fe% songs for the girl! but I foun& I coul& scarcely kee$ %eary" *elf sho%e& us to a cha ber abo'e 5ik.s elaborate roo " It ha& been a 'ery fine roo once! but I &oubte& it ha& been regularly use& for years" She ha& ust of ense be& %ith a feather be& on it the be& o'er a bench an& setting that %ay!7 she tol& e starte& a fire in the hearth there! but the long chill of &isuse an& the neglect still fille& the roo " There %as an i she busie& herself in &ra$ing the blankets fro kno%le&geably" I ha& been barring the &oor! an& checking the latches on the %in&o%s an& shutters" They all see e& soun&" I %as su&&enly too %eary to re$ly" I tol& yself it %as the bran&y follo%e& by the beer" I &ragge& one chair to %e&ge it against the &oor %hile Starling %atche& to the %ar th" I toe& -ountains" Starling ca e to sit besi&e finger an& batte& at e" 6For a %hile"7 6#n& you.& gi'e it u$ to get to the -ountains" ;hat %oul& he say07 6Don.t kno%" 5e'er kne% the to Aerity"7
D82

eyes o$en" I aske& to be sho%n to a roo ! an& Starling sai& she! too! %as

an& graying hangings" Starling sniffe& critically at it! an& as soon as *elf left! it by the fire" 6They %ill both air an& %ar

e %ith a use ent" Then I ca e back y legs y %ay to the

to the fire an& sank &o%n onto the blanket/&ra$e& bench an& stretche& y boots off" ;ell" To orro% I.& be on

e" For a ti e she &i&n.t s$eak" Then she lifte& a

y earring %ith it" 6;as it truly 9hi'alry.s07 she aske&

an"7 I su&&enly sighe&" 6By all accounts! he e s$en&ing it to get

%as fon& of his little brother" I &on.t think he.& begru&ge

6Then you &o go to seek out your king"7 6Of course"7 I trie& in 'ain to stifle a ya%n" So eho% it see e& foolish to &eny it no%" 6I. not sure it %as %ise to ention 9hi'alry to 5ik" He ight ake a connection"7 I turne& to look at her" Her face %as too close" I coul&n.t bring her features into focus" 6But I. 6You.'e no hea& for 6There %as no S oke tonight"7 6In the cake" She tol& you it %as s$ice&"7 6Is that %hat she 6Oh" In Buck it $eo$le! &o you07 6Of course not" They &on.t trust us" If %e truste& the ! they.& ha'e no res$ect for us" They.& think us gullible fools! the sort %ho get s ugglers into trouble by talking too uch"7 6But you shook han&s %ith 5ik"7 6I &i&" #n& I belie'e he %ill kee$ his %or&" #s far as it goes"7 ;e both fell silent! thinking about that" #fter a ti e! I starte& a%ake again" Starling sat u$ besi&e e" 6I. going to be&!7 she announce&" e" 6That be&.s big enough for four" Slee$ in a 6-e! too!7 I re$lie&" I clai e& a blanket an& starte& to roll u$ in it by the fire" 6Don.t be ri&iculous!7 she tol& be& %hile you can! for I bet %e aren.t going to see another one soon"7 I took 'ery little $ersua&ing" The feather be& %as &ee$! if a trifle s elly fro &a $" ;e each ha& a share of the blankets" I kne% I shoul& retain so e caution but the bran&y an& the fell into a 'ery &ee$ slee$"
D88

too slee$y to care!7 I a&&e&"

errybu&!7 she laughe&"

eant07 eans all o'er Farro%"7 e an& sighe&" 6You &on.t trust these eans there.s ginger" Or citron"7

6Yes" That.s %hat s$ice&

6I kno% that"7 She leane& against

errybu& ha& unloose& the knot of

y %ill" I

To%ar&

orning! I a%oke once %hen Starling thre% an ar %as col&" In her slee$ she ha&

o'er

e" The fire her but it y

ha& burne& out an& the roo %as too %ar I close& again" It %as a istake"

igrate& across the

be& an& %as $resse& u$ against

y back" I starte& to ease a%ay fro

an& co $anionable" Her breath %as against the back of

neck" There %as a %o an s ell to her that %as not a $erfu e but a $art of her" y eyes an& lay 'ery still" -olly" The su&&en &es$erate longing I felt y teeth to it" I %ille& yself into slee$ for her %as like a $ain" I clenche&

The baby %as crying" 9rying an& crying" -olly %as in her nightrobe %ith a blanket &ra$e& o'er her shoul&ers" She looke& haggar& an& %eary as she sat by the fire an& rocke& her en&lessly" -olly sang a little song to her! o'er an& o'er! but the tune ha& long since gone out of it" She turne& her hea& slo%ly to the &oor as Burrich o$ene& it" 6-ay I co e in07 he aske& )uietly" She no&&e& hi tire&ly" 6I coul& hear her crying clear out there" Is she ill07 He %ent to the fire an& $oke& it u$ a little" He a&&e& another $iece of %oo&! then stoo$e& to look in the baby.s s all face" 6I &on.t kno%" She 4ust cries an& cries an& cries" She &oesn.t e'en %ant to nurse" I &on.t kno% %hat.s %rong %ith her"7 There %as 'oice far $ast the use of tears" Burrich turne& to her" 6=et -olly looke& u$ at hi You.& truly &o that07 6I ay as %ell!7 he tol& her %ryly" 6I can.t slee$ through her crying"7
D8<

in" 6;hat are you &oing a%ake at this hour07 she aske& hi

isery in -olly.s

e take her for a %hile" You go lie &o%n an& try to

rest a bit! or you.ll both be ill" You can.t &o this night after night"7 %ithout co $rehension" 6You %ant to take care of her0

-olly stoo& u$ as if her back ache&" 6;ar For ans%er he took the babe fro %hile" 5o sense in all of us not slee$ing"7

yourself first" I.ll

ake so e tea"7

her ar s" 65o! you go back to be& for a in& if I go back to be&07

-olly see e& unable to gras$ it" 6You truly &on.t

65o! go ahea&! %e.ll be fine" Jo on! no%"7 He settle& the blanket about her an& then set the infant to his shoul&er" She looke& 'ery tiny %ith his &ark han&s against her" -olly %alke& slo%ly across the roo " She looke& back at Burrich but he %as looking into the baby.s face" 6Hush no%!7 he tol& her" 6Hush"7 -olly cla bere& into be& an& $ulle& the blankets u$ o'er herself" Burrich &i& not sit &o%n" He stoo& before the fire! rocking slightly on his feet as he $atte& the baby.s back slo%ly" 6Burrich!7 -olly calle& to hi )uietly" o'e 6Yes07 He &i& not turn to look at her" 6There.s no sense your slee$ing in that she& in this %eather" You shoul& insi&e for the %inter! an& slee$ by the hearth"7 6Oh" ;ell" It.s not so 'ery col& out there" It.s all in %hat you.re use& to! you kno%"7 # s all silence fell" 6Burrich" I %oul& feel safer! %ere you closer"7 -olly.s 'oice %as 'ery s all" 6Oh" ;ell" Then I su$$ose I shall be" But there.s nothing you nee& fear tonight" Jo to slee$! no%" Both of you"7 He bent his hea& an& I sa% his li$s brush the to$ of the baby.s hea&" Aery softly he began singing to her" I trie& to ake out the %or&s! but his 'oice %as too &ee$" 5or &i& I kno% the language" The baby.s %ailing beca e less &eter ine&" He began to $ace slo%ly aroun& the roo hi %ith her" Back an& forth before the fire" I %as %ith -olly as she %atche& until she! too! fell aslee$ to Burrich.s soothing 'oice" The only &rea I ha&

D8?

after that %as of alone %olf! running! en&lessly running" He %as as alone as I %as"

9H#*TER FIFTEE5 (ettle I>EE5 (ETTRI9(E5 ;#S carrying Aerity.s chil& %hen she fle& (ing/in/ ;aiting Regal to return to her -ountains" So e ha'e critici1e& her! saying if she ha& re aine& at Buck an& force& Regal.s han&! the chil& %oul& ha'e been born safely there" *erha$s if she ha&! Buckkee$ 9astle %oul& ha'e rallie& to her! $erha$s all of Buck Duchy %oul& ha'e $resente& a har&er if they ha& ha& a )ueen at Buck" So so e say" The general belief of those %ho li'e& in Buckkee$ 9astle at the ti e an& %ere %ell infor e& of the internal $olitics of the Farseer Regency is 'ery &ifferent" ;ithout exce$tion! they belie'e& that both (ettricken an& her unborn chil& %oul& ha'e et %ith foul $lay" It can be substantiate& that e'en after Iueen Buckkee$! those %ho su$$orte& Regal as (ettricken ha& re o'e& herself fro ore unifie& resistance to the OutIslan&er Rai&ers" *erha$s the 9oastal Duchies %oul& ha'e fought

king &i& all that they coul& to &iscre&it her! e'en to saying that the chil& she carrie& %as not Aerity.s at all! but ha& been fathere& by his bastar& ne$he% Fit19hi'alry" ;hate'er su$$ositions ight be a&e about %hat %oul& ha'e ha$$ene& if (ettricken ha& re aine& at Buckkee$ are but useless s$eculations no%" The historical fact is that she belie'e& her chil& %oul& ha'e the best chance of sur'i'ing if born in her belo'e& -ountain (ing&o " She also returne& to the -ountains in the ho$e of being able to fin& Aerity an& restore her husban& to
D8B

$o%er" Her search efforts! ho%e'er! only yiel&e& her grief" She foun& the battle site of his co $anions against uni&entifie& attackers" The unburie& re ains %ere little ore than scattere& bones an& &raggle& bits of clothing after the sca'engers ha& finishe& %ith the " # ong those re ains! ho%e'er! she foun& the blue cloak Aerity ha& %orn %hen she ha& last seen hi ! an& his sheath knife" She returne& to the royal resi&ence at @haa $e an& as &ea&" -ore &istressing to her %as that for onths after%ar& she recei'e& re$orts of ountains beyon& sightings of folk in the garb of Aerity.s Juar& in the ourne& her husban&

@haa $e" These in&i'i&ual guar&s %ere seen %an&ering alone by -ountain 'illagers" They see e& reluctant to ha'e con'ersation %ith the 'illagers an& &es$ite their ragge& con&ition often refuse& offers of ai& or foo&" ;ithout exce$tion! they %ere &escribe& by those %ho sa% the 6$iteous"7 So e fe% of these beco e of hi as 6$athetic7 or ti e to ti e" en trickle& in to @haa $e fro

They see e& unable to ans%er her )uestions about Aerity an& %hat ha& coherently" They coul& not e'en recall %hen they ha& $arte& or un&er %hat circu stances" ;ithout exce$tion! they co $any %ith hi

see e& al ost obsesse& %ith returning to Buckkee$" In ti e she ca e to belie'e that Aerity an& his Juar& ha& been attacke&! not only $hysically but by agic" The a bushers %ho struck at hi %ith arro% an& s%or&! an& the false coterie that &isheartene& an& confuse& his Juar& %ere! she sur ise&! in the e $loy of his younger brother! *rince Regal" This is %hat $reci$itate& her unceasing ill %ill to%ar& her brother/in/la%" I a%oke to a ha ering on the &oor" I shoute& so ething back as I sat u$ y

&isoriente& an& col& in the &ark" 6;e lea'e in an hour:7 %as the re$ly" I fought y %ay clear of %eltering blankets an& Starling.s slee$y e brace" I foun&
D8C

boots an& $ulle& the %ar

on! an& then

y cloak" I snugge& it aroun&

e against

the chilly roo " Starling.s only

o'e ha& been to i

e&iately burro% into the

$lace %here I ha& lain" I leane& o'er the be&" 6Starling07 ;hen there

%as no res$onse! I reache& &o%n an& shook her slightly" 6Starling: ;e lea'e in less than an hour" Jet u$:7 She hea'e& a tre en&ous sigh" 6Jo ahea&" I.ll be rea&y"7 She shoul&ere& &ee$er into the blankets" I shrugge& cooking hearth" She offere& thronge& %ith folk" Fro y shoul&ers an& left her there" by the Do%nstairs in the kitchen *elf ha& stacks of gri&&le cakes kee$ing %ar

e a $late %ith butter an& honey an& I %as only

too gla& to acce$t" The house! so )uiet a $lace the &ay before! %as no% the strong rese blances! this %as a fa ily business" ti e to ti e! I caught hi staring at e" The s all boy %ith the s$otte& ki& %as sitting at a stool by the table! fee&ing the goat bits of gri&&le cake" Fro ;hen I s ile& back! the boy.s eyes got %i&e" ;ith a serious ex$ression he arose an& carrie& his $late off! %ith the goat skittering after hi " 5ik stro&e through the kitchen! black %ool cloak s%irling about his cal'es" It %as &otte& %ith fresh sno%flakes" He caught go07 I ga'e a no&" 6Joo&"7 He ga'e I tol& e a glance on his %ay out" 6Dress %ar ly" Stor e"7 y breakfast is 4ust beginning"7 He grinne&" 6*erfect tra'eling %eather for you an& yself I ha& not ex$ecte& to en4oy the tri$" I ha& finishe& y eye in $assing" 6Rea&y to

before Starling ca e &o%n the stairs" ;hen she reache& the kitchen! she sur$rise& e" I ha& ex$ecte& her to be slee$y" Instea& she %as brightly alert! outh laughing" #s she ca e into the kitchen she %as en! an& getting the best of it" She &i& not her cheeks flushe& an&

tra&ing )ui$s %ith one of the

hesitate %hen she got to table! but hel$e& herself to a hearty ser'ing of
D8D

e'erything" ;hen she looke& u$ fro sur$rise on out to y face"

her e $ty $late! she

ust ha'e seen the

6-instrels learn to eat %ell %hen foo& is offere&!7 she sai&! an& hel& her cu$ e" She %as &rinking beer %ith her breakfast" I fille& her cu$ fro clou&" He caught sight of the e an& $itcher on the table" She ha& 4ust set her through the kitchen looking like a stor sto$$e& in 69ertainly"7 6;ell07 6;ell enough!7 I sai& )uietly" 6Joo&! then! %e.re rea&y to go" -y cousin Hank %as to &ri'e! but he.s breathing like a bello%s this %on.t let hi orning! took a cough in the night" His %ife go" But if you can &ri'e a cart ,7 ug &o%n %ith a sigh %hen 5ik ca e

i&stri&e" 6#h" To " 9an you &ri'e a horse07

6He.ll ex$ect you to a&4ust your fee!7 Starling broke in su&&enly" 6By &ri'ing a horse for you! he.s sa'e& you the cost of a horse for hi self" #n& %hat your cousin %oul& ha'e eaten"7 5ik %as taken aback for a 6I.ll o ent" He glance& fro Starling to e" 6Fair is fair!7 I obser'e&" I trie& not to s ile" ake it right!7 he conce&e&! an& hastene& out of the kitchen again" In a short ti e he %as back" 6The ol& %o an says she.ll try you" It.s her horse an& %agon! you see"7 It %as still &ark outsi&e" Torches s$luttere& in the %in& an& sno%" Folk hurrie& about! hoo&s u$ an& cloaks %ell fastene&" There %ere four %agons an& tea s" One %as full of $eo$le! about fifteen of the " They hu&&le& together! bags on their la$s! hea&s bo%e& against the col&" # %o an glance& to%ar& e" Her face %as full of a$$rehension" #t her si&e! a chil& leane& against her" I

D8E

%on&ere& %here they ha& all co e fro " T%o

en loa&e& a cask into the last

%agon! then stretche& a can'as o'er the %hole loa&" Behin& the %agon loa&e& %ith $assengers %as a s aller t%o %heele& cart" # little ol& %o an s%athe& all in black sat erect on the seat" She %as %ell bun&le& in cloak! hoo&! an& sha%l! %ith a tra'eling blanket thro%n across her knees as %ell" Her shar$ black eyes %atche& her rig" The horse %as a s$eckle& e carefully as I %alke& aroun& are" She &i&n.t like the %eather an& her e

harness %as bin&ing her" I a&4uste& it as best as I coul&! $ersua&ing her to trust e" ;hen I %as finishe&! I looke& u$ to fin& the ol& %o an %atching closely" Her hair %as glistening black %here it $ee$e& fro all of the %hite in it %as sno%" She $urse& her li$s at %hen I sto%e& on the seat besi&e her an& took u$ the reins" 6I think I. for you!7 I sai& genially" 6You think" Don.t you kno%07 She $eere& at To "7 6I &on.t like changes!7 she tol& rea&y"7 I sus$ecte& I kne% %hy Hank %as su&&enly feeling $oorly" 6-y na e is To !7 I intro&uce& yself again" e" She stare& off into the falling sno%" e" 6#n& no goo& y 6You alrea&y sai& that!7 she infor e& e" 6Es$ecially not at the last inute" 9hanges say you %eren.t really rea&y in the first $lace! an& no% you.re e'en less e shar$ly" are" -y na e is 6Hank has been taken ill" 5ik aske& if I %oul& &ri'e your her hoo&! but not

e but sai& nothing! e'en su$$ose& to be &ri'ing

y $ack un&er the seat" I ga'e her 6Joo& &ay7 as I cli be& u$

6This %hole tri$ %as a ba& i&ea!7 she sai& alou&! but not to

is going to co e of it" I can see that right no%"7 She knea&e& her glo'e& han&s in her la$" 6Da n ol& bones!7 she sai& to the falling sno%" 6If it %eren.t for ol& bones! I.& not nee& a one of you" 5ot a one"7
D<H

I coul& think of nothing to re$ly to that! but %as sa'e& by Starling" She reine& in besi&e e" Her e" 6;ill you look at %hat they.'e gi'en ount shook her black e to ri&e07 she challenge& e as if ane an& rolle& her eyes at

&e an&ing that I look at %hat she %as ex$ecte& to carry" 6=ooks fine to &ay for you! an& horse"7 5ik ro&e $ast us at that o ent" His ount %as no larger than Starling.s" He looke& at her an& then a%ay! as if %ary of her tongue" 6=et.s go!7 he sai& in a )uietly carrying 'oice" 6It.s better not to talk! an& it.s best to stay close to the %agon in front of you" It.s easier to lose sight of each other in this stor you ight think"7 an& %as instantly obeye&" There %ere no an&s nor calls of fare%ell" Instea& the %agons in front of us us" I stirre& the reins an& clucke& to the horse" The o'e& For all his soft 'oice! the co shoute& co rolle& silently a%ay fro than e" She.s -ountain stock" They.re all like that" But she.ll go all ost of the ha'e s%eet te $ers"7

Starling sco%le&" 6I tol& 5ik that for %hat %e.re $aying! I ex$ecte& a $ro$er

are ga'e a snort of &isa$$ro'al! but ste$$e& out to the $ace" ;e

for%ar& in near silence through a $er$etual curtain of falling sno%" Starling.s $ony tugge& restlessly at her bit until Starling ga'e her her hea&" Then she trotte& s%iftly u$ to 4oin the other horses at the front of the grou$" I %as left sitting by the silent ol& %o an" I soon foun& the truth to 5ik.s %arning" The sun ca e u$! but the sno% continue& to fall so thickly the light see e& ilky" There %as a other/of/ $earl )uality to the s%irling sno% that both &a11le& an& %earie& the eye" It see e& an en&less tunnel of %hite that %e tra'ele& through %ith only the tail of the other %agon to gui&e us"

D<1

5ik &i& not take us by the roa&" ;e %ent crunching off across the fro1en fiel&s" The thickly falling sno% soon fille& in the tracks %e left" In no ti e! there %oul& be no trace of our $assage" ;e tra'ele& cross/country until $ast noon! %ith the ri&ers &is ounting to take &o%n fence railings an& then restoring the in our %ake" I gli $se& another far house once through the s%irling stor ! but its %in&o%s %ere &ark" Shortly after roa& but %as no% little #n& all that %ay! sno% itself" Fro i&&ay a final fence %as o$ene& for us" ;ith a creak an& a 4olt! %e ca e out of the fiel& onto %hat ha& once been a ore than a trail" The only tracks on it %ere those %e a&e oursel'es! an& the sno% s%iftly erase& those" y co $anion ha& been as chilly an& silent as the falling ti e to ti e! I %atche& her fro the corner of y eye" She otion of the %agon" She y ho e

stare& straight ahea&! her bo&y s%aying to the a use

knea&e& her han&s restlessly in her la$ as if they $aine& her" ;ith little else to yself! I s$ie& u$on her" Buck stock! ob'iously" The accent of %as on her tongue still! though fa&e& by any years of tra'el in other $laces" e"

Her hea&scarf %as the %ork of 9halce& %ea'ers! but the e broi&ery along the e&ges of her cloak! &one black on black! %as totally unfa iliar to 6You.re a long %ay fro straight ahea& as she sai& it" So ething about her tone set 6#s are you! ol& %o an!7 I re$lie&" She turne& her %hole face to look at e" I %as not sure if I gli $se& a use ent or annoyance in her bright cro% eyes" 6That I a " Years an& &istance alike! a long %ay"7 She $ause&! then aske& abru$tly! 6;hy are you boun& for the -ountains07 6I %ant to see y uncle!7 I re$lie& truthfully" enough to $ut your hea& at risk07
D<2

Buck! boy!7 she obser'e& abru$tly" She stare& y back u$"

She ga'e a snort of &is&ain" 6# Buck boy has an uncle in the -ountains0 #n& you %ant to see hi

I looke& o'er at her" 6He.s shrine07

y fa'orite uncle" You! I un&erstan&! go to E&a.s e" 6I. too ol& to $ray for fertility" I seek a y fa'orite $ro$het"7

6The others &o!7 she correcte& #l ost! she s ile& at She ga'e e"

$ro$het"7 Before I coul& s$eak! she a&&e&! 6He.s

6;hy &on.t you tra'el %ith the others in the %agon07 I aske& her" e a chill look" 6They ask too any )uestions!7 she re$lie&" y o%n! yself 6#h:7 I sai&! an& grinne& at her! acce$ting the rebuke" #fter a fe% o ents! she s$oke again" 6I.'e been a long ti e on y o%n %ay an& kee$ y o%n counsel an& &eci&e for To " I like to go %hat I.ll eat for %oul&

y su$$er" Those ones! they.re nice enough folk! but they

scratch an& $eck like a flock of chickens" =eft to the sel'es! not a one of the ake this 4ourney alone" They all nee& the others to say! Yes! yes! this is coul& turn back on ore %hat %e shoul& be &oing! it.s %orth the risk" #n& no% that they.'e &eci&e& it! the &ecision is bigger than all of the " 5ot a one of the their o%n"7 She shook her hea& at that! an& I no&&e& thoughtfully" She sai& nothing for a long ti e" Our trail ha& foun& the ri'er" ;e follo%e& it u$strea ! through a scanty co'er of brush an& 'ery young trees" I coul& scarcely see it through the stea&ily falling sno%! but I coul& s ell it an& hear the rush of its $assage" I %on&ere& ho% far %e.& go before %e trie& to cross it" Then I grinne& to yself" I %as certain Starling %oul& kno% %hen I sa% her this e'ening" I %on&ere& if 5ik %as en4oying her co $any" 6;hat are you s irking about07 the ol& %o an &e an&e& su&&enly" 6I %as thinking of 6#n& she 6So eti es"7
D<8

y frien& the

instrel" Starling"7

akes you s ile like that07

6She.s a 6I see"7

instrel! you say" #n& you0 #re you a

instrel07

65o" @ust a she$her&" -ost of the ti e"7 Our talk &ie& off again" Then as e'ening began to fall! she tol& call 6I. e (ettle"7 To !7 I re$lie&" e!7 she re in&e& e" o'ing" ;e halte& a cou$le of the are fro e! 6You ay

6#n& that.s the thir& ti e you.'e tol&

I ha& ex$ecte& %e %oul& ca $ at nightfall! but 5ik ke$t us briefly %hile he took out t%o lanterns an& hung the %agons" 6@ust follo% the light!7 he tol& &i& 4ust that"

e tersely as he ro&e $ast us" Our

The light %as gone an& the col& getting intense %hen the %agon in front of us turne& off the roa& an& 4olte& into an o$ening in the trees by the ri'er" Obe&iently I turne& our a thu& that are to follo%! an& %e bu $e& &o%n off the roa& %ith a&e (ettle curse" I s ile&+ there %ere fe% Buckkee$ guar&s en y seat! %on&ering! for I coul& not see a

%ho coul& ha'e &one better" In a short ti e %e halte&" I ke$t to thing" The ri'er %as a black s%ee$ing force so e%here to our left" The %in& off it a&&e& a ne% note of &a $ to the col&" The $ilgri s in the %agon ahea& of us %ere shifting restlessly an& talking in soft %his$ers" I hear& 5ik.s 'oice s$eaking an& sa% a an lea& his horse $ast us" He took the lantern fro o ent the tail of the %agon as he %ent by" I follo%e& its $assage" In a an an& horse

ha& $asse& into a long! lo% buil&ing that ha& been in'isible in the &ark" 6Jet &o%n! go insi&e! %e.ll s$en& the night here!7 5ik instructe& us as he ro&e $ast us! again" I &is ounte& an& then %aite& to hel$ (ettle &o%n" #s I offere& her y han&! she looke& al ost startle&" 6I thank you! kin& sir!7 she sai& )uietly as I hel$e& her &o%n"
D<<

6You.re %elco e! the buil&ing"

y la&y!7 I re$lie&" She took

y ar

as I gui&e& her to%ar&

6*retty &a n %ell/ annere& for a she$her&! To !7 she obser'e& in an entirely &ifferent 'oice" She ga'e a snort of laughter at the &oor an& %ent insi&e! lea'ing the fro e to go back an& unhitch the are" I shook y hea& at yself! but ha& to s ile" I like& this ol& %o an" I slung y $ack o'er y shoul&er an& le&

are into the buil&ing %here the others ha& gone" #s I lifte& her harness her! I glance& aroun&" It %as one long o$en roo " # fire ha& been kin&le& anger

in a hearth at one en&" The lo%/ceilinge& buil&ing %as of ri'er rock an& clay %ith an earthen floor" The horses %ere at one en&! cro%&ing aroun& a full of hay" #s I turne& our the roo hearth" 6Shee$ ca $!7 he tol& e" 6The shelter %as for the early la bing" Then later! %e.& shear here! after %e.& %ashe& the shee$ in the ri'er"7 His blue eyes %ere afar for a ti e" Then he ga'e a harsh laugh" 6That %as a long ti e ago" 5o% there.s not enough fee& for a goat! let alone shee$ like %e ha&"7 He gesture& at the fire" 6Best eat an& slee$ %hile you can! To " -orning co es early for us"7 His glance see e& to linger on fro y earring as he $asse& e" Foo& %as si $le" Brea& an& s oke& fish" *orri&ge" Hot tea" -ost of it %as the $ilgri s. su$$lies! but 5ik $ut in enough that they &i& not ob4ect to en an& Starling an& e" (ettle ate by herself! fro her o%n fee&ing his tol& are in %ith the others! one of 5ik.s bringing buckets of %ater to fill a trough" The &e$th of en ca e

anure at that en& of

e this buil&ing %as fre)uently use& by the s ugglers"

6;hat %as this $lace originally07 I aske& 5ik as I 4oine& the others aroun& the

stores! an& bre%e& her o%n $ot of tea" The other $ilgri s %ere $olite to her an& she %as courteous in return but there %as $lainly no bon& bet%een the sa'e that they %ere all going to the sa e $lace" Only the three chil&ren of the
D<?

$arty see e& unafrai& of her! begging &rie& a$$les an& stories fro she %arne& the they %oul& all be sick" the horses an& folk in it as The shelter soon %ar e&! fro

her until the

uch as fro

hearth" Door an& %in&o% shutters %ere close& tight! to kee$ in light an& soun& as %ell as %ar th" Des$ite the stor gi'en e an& lack of other tra'elers on our $ath! eal ha& ixe& age six ha& 5ik %as taking no chances" I a$$ro'e& of that in a s uggler" The y first goo& look at the co $any" Fifteen $ilgri s! of an& gen&er! not counting (ettle" #bout a &o1en s ugglers! of %ho looke& a

enough rese blance to 5ik an& *elf that they %ere at least cousins" The others ixe& bunch! $rofessionally tough an& %atchful" #t least three %ere 'ery little" I foun& yself feeling confi&ent that I %oul& see on %atch at all ti es" They s$oke little an& kne% their tasks %ell enough that 5ik &irecte& the at least the other si&e of the ri'er! an& $robably the -ountain bor&er" It %as the ost o$ti istic I.& felt in a long ti e" Starling sho%e& to her best a&'antage in such a co $any" #s soon as %e ha& eaten! she took out her har$! an& &es$ite 5ik.s fre)uent cautions to us to s$eak softly! he &i& not forbi& the soft usic an& song she ga'e us" For the s ugglers ost &ashing she sang an ol& balla& about Heft the high%ay an! $robably the Starling.s eyes flirte& %ith hi three chil&ren in our

robber that Buck ha& e'er kno%n" E'en 5ik %as s iling at that song! an& as she sang" To the $ilgri s she sang about a ore than 4ust the chil&ren %ere stretche& e out to fetch hers fro the &ri'er to ser'ant! %in&ing ri'er roa& that carrie& folk ho e! an& finishe& %ith a lullaby for the i&st" By then out on be&rolls" (ettle ha& $ere $torily sent

back of her cart" I %on&ere& %hen I ha& been $ro ote& fro e that a&e all el&erly folk assu e

but sai& nothing as I fetche& it for her" I su$$ose& there %as so ething about y ti e %as at their &is$osal"

D<B

I unrolle& #roun& e

y o%n blankets next to (ettle.s an& lay &o%n to seek slee$" ost of the others %ere alrea&y snoring" (ettle curle& in her uch her bones ache&

blankets like a s)uirrel in its nest" I coul& i agine ho% Starling sat talking to 5ik" Fro Se'eral ti es she -y brother0 -y %hole bo&y 4erke& %ith the shock of it" He %as near" 5ighteyes0 a&e 5ik laugh"

%ith the col&! but there %as little I coul& &o for her" O'er by the hearth! ti e to ti e! her fingers %an&ere& lightly o'er her har$ strings! their sil'ery notes a counter$oint to her lo% 'oice" I %as al ost aslee$"

Of course: # use ent" Or &o you ha'e another brother no%0 5e'er: Only you! ;here a y frien&" ;here are you0 e" an guar&ing the &oor fro%ne& at y cloak" The I0 Outsi&e" 9o e to

I rose hastily an& re&onne& e! but aske&

e no )uestions" I %alke& into the &arkness! beyon& the $ulle&/

u$ %agons" The sno% ha& cease& an& the blo%ing %in& ha& cleare& a $atch of starlit sky" Sno% sil'ere& the branches of e'ery bush an& tree" I %as casting about for his $resence %hen a soli& %eight hit sno%" I e in the back" I %as flung face y outh %as full of first in the sno% an& %oul& ha'e crie& out! sa'e that Ho% &i& you kno% %here to fin& I su&&enly kne% %hat he think of hi $art of e"
D<C

anage& to roll o'er an& %as tra $le& se'eral ti es by a 4oyous %olf" e0

Ho% &o you kno% %here to scratch %hen it itches0 eant" I %as not al%ays a%are of our bon&" But to %as su&&enly no ore &ifficult than to bring no% an& to fin& hi

y t%o han&s together in the &ark" Of course I kne% %here he %as" He %as a

You s ell like a fe ale" You ha'e taken a ne% 5o" Of course not" But you share a &en0 ;e tra'el together! as a $ack" It is safer so" I kno%" For a ti e %e sat in stillness of not kno%n I ha& %orrie& so

ate0

in& an& bo&y! si $ly a&4usting to one ore" I ha& $eace" I ha& $ut y in& until the sight of hi

another.s $hysical $resence again" I felt %hole once uch about hi

at rest" I sense& his un%illing agree ent to that" He kne% I ha& face& har&shi$ an& &angers alone" He ha& not thought I coul& sur'i'e the " But he ha& also isse& e" He ha& isse& y for of thinking! the sorts of i&eas an& &iscussions that %ol'es ne'er share& a ongst the sel'es" Is that %hy you ca e back to e0 I aske& hi " e to eat" He stoo& u$ su&&enly an& shook hi self all o'er" It %as ti e to co e back! he re$lie& e'asi'ely" Then he a&&e&! I ran %ith the " They finally allo%e& be $art of their $ack" ;e hunte& together! %e kille& together! %e share& It %as 'ery goo&" But0 I %ante& to be the lea&er" He turne& an& looke& at tongue lolling out" I a #re you0 #n& they %oul& not acce$t you0 Black ;olf is 'ery large" #n& )uick" I a kno%s ore tricks" It %as I laughe& )uietly an& he s$un on ha$$ene&07 stronger than he is! I think! but he ock snarl" uch like %hen you fought Heart of the *ack" e! lifting his li$s in a off %ith o$en han&s" 6So" ;hat e o'er his shoul&er! his use& to being the lea&er! you kno%"

6Be easy!7 I sai& )uietly! %ar&ing hi

D<D

He flung hi self &o%n besi&e

e" He is still the lea&er" He still has the

ate

an& the &en" He consi&ere& an& I sense& hi future" It coul& be &ifferent! another ti e" 6It coul& be!7 I agree&" I scratche& hi He %as ha'ing &ifficulty focusing on sto$$e& an& aske& hi %ith a use ent" #sk

%restling %ith the conce$t of the

gently behin& the ear an& he all but fell y %or&s %hile I scratche& his ears" I e

o'er in the sno%" 6;ill you go back to the ! so e&ay07 again" He cocke& his hea& to one si&e an& regar&e& e on the so e&ay! an& I %ill be able to ans%er" gla& you are here" But I still &on.t e" e70 e" You coul& ha'e staye& %ith the $ack"

One &ay at a ti e! I agree& %ith hi " I a un&erstan& %hy you ca e back to His eyes et

ine! an& e'en in the &arkness they gri$$e& calle&"

You are calle&! are you not0 Di& not your king ho%l to you! 69o e to I no&&e& un%illingly" I a are calle&! I a co e %ith

He stoo& su&&enly! shook hi self all o'er" He looke& off into the night" If you calle&! too" He &i& not a& it it %illingly" You &o not ha'e to y king bin&s e! not you" e" e" This call fro

In that! you are %rong" ;hat bin&s you! bin&s 5or &o I" But it is so" 69o e to ignore it" But no Ia ore"

I &o not un&erstan& ho% that coul& be! I sai& carefully" e! 6 he calle& to us" #n& for a ti e! I coul&

sorry" I gro$e& for a %ay to ex$ress it" He has no right to you" I kno% that" e" ust go to hi " elt on e" I felt an %ho I truste&! ha& &one this to e" That %as ba&

I &o not think he inten&e& to call you" I &o not think he inten&e& to bin& But it ha$$ene&! an& I asha e&" Aerity! a enough" But through I stoo& u$ an& &uste& off the sno% that %as starting to

e it %as i $ose& on the %olf" Aerity ha& no right to $ut atter! I ha& no right to $ut any &e an&s
D<E

any &e an&s on 5ighteyes" For that

on hi " ;hat ha& been bet%een us ha& al%ays been entere& into 'oluntarily! a utual gi'ing on both si&es %ith no laying/on of obligations" 5o%! through e! he %as entra$$e& as surely as if I ha& cage& hi " ;e share a cage! then" I %ish it %ere other%ise" I %ish there %ere so e%ay I coul& free you of this" But I &o not e'en kno% ho% to free yself" 5ot kno%ing ho% you are boun&! I e to sei1e you0 &o not kno% ho% to loose you" You an& I! %e share the ;it" Aerity an& I share the Skill" Ho% coul& his Skill/sen&ing ha'e gone through You %ere not e'en %ith e %hen he su one& e"

5ighteyes sat 'ery still in the sno%" The %in& ha& co e u$! an& in the faint starlight I coul& see it ruffling his coat" I a ay not al%ays be a%are of ;e share 5o" He turne& to face e! but I a et al%ays %ith you! brother" You e" an" uch a al%ays %ith you" ;e are one" y eyes as no %il& %olf %oul& ha'e"

any things! I agree&" >neasiness itche& at e s)uarely!

;e &o not share" ;e are one" I a

no longer a %olf! you are no longer a

;hat %e are together! I ha'e no na e for" *erha$s the one %ho s$oke to us of the Ol& Bloo& %oul& ha'e a %or& to ex$lain it" He $ause&" See ho% exist! an& %e are %hate'er %e are" I %oul& set you free if I coul&" ;oul& you0 I %oul& not $art fro That is not %hat I eant" I you" eant I %oul& ha'e for you a life of your o%n" an I a ! that I s$eak of ha'ing a %or& for an i&ea0 5o %or& is nee&e&" ;e

He ya%ne&! then stretche&" I %ill ha'e for us a life of our o%n" ;e shall %in it together" So" Do %e tra'el by night or by &ay0 ;e tra'el by &ay" He sense& %hat I eant" You %ill stay %ith this huge $ack to tra'el0 ;hy not e0 ;e shall go faster"
D?H

break free of it an& run %ith

I shook

y hea&" It is not that si $le" To tra'el %here %e

ust! I %ill nee&

shelter! an& I ha'e none that is sur'i'e in this %eather"

ine alone" I nee& the ai& of this $ack to that I %oul&

There follo%e& a &ifficult half hour! as I trie& to ex$lain to hi a horse an& $ro'isions of

nee& the su$$ort of the others in the cara'an to reach the -ountains" Ha& I ha& y o%n! I %oul& not ha'e hesitate& to trust to luck yself! ention a ri'er an& strike out %ith the %olf" But on foot %ith only %hat I coul& carry facing the &ee$ sno%s an& &ee$er col& of the -ountains! not to crossing0 I %oul& not be that great a fool" ;e coul& hunt! 5ighteyes insiste&" ;e %oul& curl together in the sno% at night" He coul& take care of to con'ince hi that I e as he al%ays ha&" ;ith $ersistence! I %as able ust continue to tra'el as I &i&" Then I shall ha'e to

continue to sneak along like a stray &og! follo%ing all these folk0 6To 0 To ! are you out there07 There %as irritate& annoyance an& %orry in 5ik.s 'oice" 6Right here:7 I ste$$e& out of the bushes" 6;hat %ere you &oing07 he &e an&e& sus$iciously" 6*issing!7 I tol& hi " I fro a&e a su&&en &ecision" 6#n& y &og has follo%e& e to%n an& caught u$ %ith us here" I left hi %ith frien&s! but he ust ha'e

che%e& his ro$e" Here! boy! co e to heel"7 I.ll che% your heel off for you! 5ighteyes offere& sa'agely! but he ca e! follo%ing %olf to shee$"7 You %ill $ay for this" I $ro ise you"
D?1

e out into the cleare& yar&" ore than half a for her&ing

6Da n big &og!7 5ik obser'e&" He leane& for%ar&" 6=ooks e"7 6So e in Farro% ha'e tol&

e that" It.s a Buck bree&" ;e use the

In ans%er I leane& &o%n to $at his shoul&er an& then scratch his ears" ;ag your tail! 5ighteyes" 6He.s a loyal ol& &og" I shoul& ha'e kno%n he %oul&n.t be left behin&"7 The things I en&ure for you" He %agge& his tail" Once" 6I see" ;ell" You.& best get yourself insi&e an& get so e slee$" #n& next ti e! &on.t go off by yourself" For anything" #t least! not %ithout letting first" ;hen y en are on %atch! they get 4u $y" They before they kne% you"7 6I un&erstan&"7 I %alke& right $ast t%o of the " 65ik! you &on.t in&! &o you0 The &og! I e to fee& hi ean"7 I trie& to act affably abashe&" 6He can stay outsi&e" He.s a real goo& %atch&og! actually"7 6@ust &on.t ex$ect 6Oh! I. for you!7 5ik gro%le&" 6#n& &on.t let hi be any trouble to us"7 sure he %on.t" ;ill you! boy07 o ent to co e to the &oor" 65ik0 To 07 an& began to gui&e her back into the she&" Starling chose that took Starling.s ar e kno% ight cut your throat

6;e.re right here" You %ere right! he %as 4ust $issing!7 5ik sai& )uietly" He 6;hat.s that07 she &e an&e&! soun&ing al ost alar e&" I su&&enly ha& to %ager e'erything on her )uick %its an& our frien&shi$" 6@ust the &og!7 I sai& )uickly" 65ighteyes 9reece to %atch hi %hen I left hi ust ha'e che%e& his ro$e" I %arne& there! that he.& %ant to follo% e" But to the

9reece &i&n.t listen! an& here he is" I guess I.ll ha'e to take hi -ountains %ith us after all"7

Starling %as staring at the %olf" Her eyes %ere as %i&e an& black as the night sky abo'e us" 5ik tugge& at her ar su$$ose so!7 she sai& faintly"
D?2

an& she finally turne& back to the &oor" 6I

I silently thanke& E&a an& any other go& that I sai&! 6Stay an& guar&! there.s a goo& fello%"7

ight be listening" To 5ighteyes

En4oy it %hile you can! little brother" He flung hi self &o%n by the cart" I &oubte& that he.& stay there for $lace" I $ulle& off %ra$$e& &oor" 5ighteyes" I. gla& you.re here" ore You.'e an o&& %ay of sho%ing it! he re$lie&! but I coul& sense he %as a use& than u$set" Black Rolf sent us" He offers the uch" Jol&" ;hat is gol& to us! or those like us0 Do not fear! little brother" I a to take care of you again" I close& y eyes an& sank into slee$! ho$ing he %as right" For an instant! as I ine" She sat on her blankets on the other si&e of the roo " By teetere& on the e&ge of %akefulness! I notice& that Starling ha& not s$rea& her blankets by 5ik" Hea&s together! they s$oke softly about so ething" She laughe&" I coul& not hear the %or&s she next sai&! but the tone %as a teasing challenge" I al ost felt a $ang of 4ealousy" I rebuke& no ore" ;hat %as it to against yself for it" She %as a co $anion! e ho% she s$ent her nights0 =ast night she ha& sle$t here ea essage" Regal seeks to turn those of Ol& Bloo& against gol& to hunt us &o%n for hi " ;e shoul& not s$eak o'erly yself in ore than a fe% heartbeats" I follo%e& Starling y sno%/la&en cloak before I an& 5ik insi&e" 5ik shut the &oor fir ly behin& us an& &ro$$e& the bolt in y boots an& shook out y blankets" Slee$ %as su&&enly 'ery close as I gras$e& the

full relief I felt" 5ighteyes %as back" I felt %hole" Safe! %ith the %olf at the

y back" This night she %oul& not" I &eci&e& it %as the %olf" She y bon&/ani al" ;ell" That %as ho% that %as"
D?8

coul&n.t acce$t it" She %as not the first" (no%ing I %as ;itte& %as not the sa e thing as confronting

I sle$t" So eti e in the night I felt a gentle gro$ing" It %as the barest brushing of the Skill across y senses" I ca e alert! but still! %aiting" I felt nothing" Ha& I ore chilling thought ca e to ore than reach for e" *erha$s it %as e" *erha$s it %as ;ill" I lay i agine& it! &rea e& it0 # Aerity! too %eakene& to &o

still! longing to reach out! an& fearing to" I %ante& so ba&ly to kno% that Aerity %as all right+ since he ha& blaste& Regal.s coterie that night! I ha& felt nothing of hi " 9o e to if all The to be o$en" in& I felt brush ine %as Regal.s" I ha& ne'er Skille& to Regal! ha& only sus$ecte& he %as able to Skill" E'en no%! I &oubte& %hat I sense&" The strength of the Skill see e& ;ill.s! but the feel of the thoughts %as Regal.s" #n& you ha'e not foun& the %o an either0 The Skilling %as not the " 5ot as of yet! y king" Burl" Hi&ing his tre bling behin& for ality an& courtesy" I kne% Regal coul& sense it as clearly as I coul&" I e'en kne% that he en4oye& it" Regal ha& ne'er been able to gras$ the &ifference bet%een fear an& res$ect" He ha& no belief in a an.s res$ect for hi unless it %as tainte& %ith fear" I ha& not thought he %oul& exten& that to his o%n coterie" I %on&ere& %hat the threat %as that he hel& o'er the " #n& nothing of the Bastar&0 Regal &e an&e&" There %as no Regal Skille&! using ;ill.s strength" Di& that hi self0 istaking it no%" ean he coul& not Skill by eant for e" He reache& for so eone else" I gre% bol&er! 'enturing closer" I trie& to be o$en to his thoughts %ithout reaching for e! he ha& sai&" ;hat if that ha& been his &ying %ish0 ;hat e %ere bones0 I $ushe& the fear a%ay an& trie& y seeking %oul& yiel&

D?<

Burl steele& hi self" -y king! I ha'e foun& no sign of hi " I belie'e he is &ea&" Truly &ea&! this ti e" He cut hi self %ith a $oisone& bla&e+ the &es$air he felt at that it" Then there shoul& be a bo&y! shoul& there not0 So e%here! yet" This fro y king! I a sure there is" Your guar&s ha'e si $ly not foun& it ight nee& to &o that! 9arro&! %ho &i& not tre ble %ith fear" He hi& his fear e'en fro of it" It force& hi in&" ight fin& the an %ho kille& to stan& u$ to Regal" Regal &i& not o ent of &ecision %as absolute" 5o an coul& ha'e $reten&e&

hi self! $reten&ing it %as anger" I un&erstoo& ho% he but &oubte& the %is&o a$$reciate a an %ho s$oke his

*erha$s I shoul& $ut you in charge of ri&ing the roa&s! looking for it! Regal suggeste& $leasantly" #t the sa e ti e! you Bolt an& his $atrol" -y lor& king , 9arro& began! but SI=E59E: Regal o'erro&e hi " He &re% freely on ;ill.s strength to &o it" The effort cost hi I belie'e& hi &ea& once before! an& e kille&" This ti e I %ill see hi ! see hi iserably" *erha$s because he is alrea&y &ea&! 9arro& 'enture& foolishly" Then I %itnesse& a thing I %ishe& I ha& not" # nee&le of $ain! hot an& $iercing! he sent to 9arro& %ith ;ill.s Skill" In that sen&ing! I finally gli $se& the %hole of %hat they ha& beco e" Regal ro&e ;ill! not like a an& clings an& sucks life fro an ri&es a horse! to be thro%n by the horse in anger! but as a tick or a leech bites into its 'icti hi " ;aking or aslee$! Regal %as %ith hi al%ays! ha& access al%ays to his strength" #n& no% he s$ent it 'iciously! caring nothing for %hat it %oul& cost ;ill" I ha& not kno%n $ain coul& be
D??

nothing"

y trust in the %or& of others nearly got hacke& in $ieces before I rest"

;ill.s feeble atte $t to tra$ the Bastar& into betraying hi self faile&

inflicte& %ith Skill alone" # nu bing blast of strength such as Aerity ha& s$ent u$on the ! that I kne%" But this %as &ifferent" This %as no sho% of force or te $er" This %as a &is$lay of $urest 'in&icti'eness" So e%here! I kne%! 9arro& fell to the floor an& thrashe& in %or&less agony" =inke& as they %ere! Burl an& ;ill ust ha'e share& a sha&o% of that $ain" It sur$rise& e that a e ber of a coterie %as e'en ca$able of &oing that to another" But then! it %as not ;ill %ho sent the $ain" It %as Regal" It $asse&! after a ti e" *erha$s in reality it only laste& an instant" For 9arro&! it certainly laste& long enough" I sense& fro %as ca$able of no ore than that 4ust no%" en" So fin& his bo&y an& bring it to e! %hether hi a faint ental %hi $ering" He

I &o not belie'e the Bastar& &ie&" I &are not belie'e it until I.'e seen his bo&y" So eone kille& Bolt an& his ali'e or &ea&" Burl" Re ain %here you are! an& re&ouble your efforts" I a certain he is boun& that %ay" =et no tra'eler $ass you unchallenge&" 9arro&! I think $erha$s you shoul& 4oin Burl" #n in&olent life &oes not see be la1y" (ee$ your He to agree %ith your te $era ent" Be on your %ay to orro%" #n& as you tra'el! &o not in&s u$on your task" ;e kno% that Aerity li'es+ he ost effecti'ely" The Bastar& %ill try to get to hi " y brother ust be eli inate& $ro'e& that to all of you

ust be sto$$e& before he &oes so! an& then

as a threat" These are the only tasks I ha'e gi'en you+ %hy cannot you &o the 0 Ha'e you no thought for %hat %ill beco e of us shoul& Aerity succee&0 Search for hi ! %ith Skill an& for his ca$ture" Do not let the un&erstoo&0 Of course! the all"
D?B

en" Do not let folk forget %hat I ha'e offere& forget the $unish ent for ai&ing hi " # I

y lor& king" I shall s$are no effort" Burl %as )uick to re$ly" you! 9arro&" The threat of $unish ent hung o'er

9arro&0 I hear nothing fro

*lease!

y lor& king" I shall &o all! e'erything" #li'e or &ea&! I shall fin& hi

for you" I shall" ;ithout e'en an ackno%le&g ent! ;ill an& Regal.s $resence 'anishe&" I felt 9arro& colla$se" Burl lingere& a back to%ar& Skilling ha& left Ia %ith you! #n& I a y $resence0 I let &issi$ate" Then I o$ene& o ent longer" Di& he listen! &i& he gro$e y thoughts float free! y concentration

y eyes an& lay staring at the ceiling! thinking" The e"

e )ueasy an& tre bling" y brother! 5ighteyes assure&

gla& that you are" I rolle& o'er an& trie& to fin& slee$"

9H#*TER SIKTEE5 Bolthole I5 -#5Y OF the ol& legen&s an& tales of the ;it! it is insiste& that a ;it user e'entually takes on any traits of his bon&/ani al" So e of the ost frightening tales say that e'entually a ;itte& one beco es ca$able of assu ing the guise of that ani al" Those %ho kno% inti ately of such assure& e it is not so" It is true that a ;itte& one assu e so e of the $hysical agic ha'e ay! %ithout reali1ing it!

anneris s of his bon&/ani al! but one bon&e&

to an eagle %ill not s$rout %ings! nor %ill one bon&e& to a horse begin to neigh" #s ti e goes by! a ;itte& one gro%s in un&erstan&ing of the bon&/ beast! an& the longer a hu an an& an ani al are bon&e&! the greater %ill be the si ilarity of their anneris s" The bon&/ani al is as likely to assu e the anneris s an& traits of the hu an as the hu an is to a&o$t those of his beast" But this only ha$$ens o'er a long $erio& of intense contact"

D?C

5ik agree& %ith Burrich.s i&ea of %hen of his

ornings began" I a%oke to the soun&

en lea&ing the horses out" # col& %in& ble% in the o$en &oor" #roun& other shushe& her" -olly! I thought %ith y chil&"

e in the &arkness the others %ere stirring" One of the chil&ren %as crying at being a%akene& so early" Her ;hat.s this0 -y I ate bore a cub" Far a%ay" e&iate concern" But %ho %ill hunt eat to fee& the 0 Shoul& not %e su&&en longing" So e%here hushing

return to her0 Heart of the *ack %atches o'er her" Of course" I shoul& ha'e kno%n that" That one kno%s the atter ho% he &enies it" #ll is %ell! then" #s I rose an& bun&le& y blankets together! I %ishe& I coul& acce$t it as e as I ha& gro%n" Often I ha& hate& blithely as he &i&" I kne% Burrich %oul& care for the " It %as his nature" I recalle& all the years he ha& %atche& o'er hi an& y baby" Sa'e yself" I %oul& then+ no% I coul& not think of anyone else I %oul& $refer to care for -olly uch rather it %as I %atching o'er the ! i&&le of the night" Though I rather %ishe&! eaning of $ack! no

e'en rocking a crying babe in the 4ust no%! that the $ilgri $aying for

%o an %oul& fin& a %ay to )uiet her chil&" I %as

y Skill/s$ying of the night before %ith a sa'age hea&ache" eal %e share&! the only hot ite

Foo& see e& to be the ans%er! for %hen the girl ha& a $iece of brea& an& so e honeyco b! she soon )uiete&" It %as a hasty being tea" I notice& (ettle %as o'ing 'ery stiffly an& took $ity on her" I

fetche& her a cu$ of hot tea to %ra$ her t%iste& fingers aroun& %hile I rolle& u$ her blankets for her" I ha& ne'er seen han&s so &istorte& by rheu atis + they re in&e& e of bir& cla%s" 6#n ol& frien& of ine sai& that so eti es the

D?D

sting of nettles actually relie'e& his han&s %hen they ache&!7 I suggeste& to her as I tie& her bun&le" 6You fin& fro e nettles gro%ing un&er the sno% an& I.ll try the ! boy!7 she o ents later she %as offering e a &rie& a$$le re$lie& $ee'ishly" But a fe% an& harnesse& the

her s all store" I acce$te& it %ith thanks" I loa&e& our things onto the cart are %hile she finishe& her tea" I glance& about but sa%

nothing of 5ighteyes" Hunting! ca e the re$ly" ;ish I %ere %ith you" Joo& luck" #ren.t %e su$$ose& to s$eak but little! lest Regal hear us0 I &i&n.t re$ly" It %as a clear col& the ri'er see e& to cut right through orning! al ost shockingly bright after y gar ents! fin&ing the ga$s at cuffs ount the cart! an& yester&ay.s sno%" It %as col&er than it ha& been the &ay before+ the %in& off an& collars to $oke its col& fingers through" I hel$e& (ettle

then tucke& one of her blankets aroun& her in a&&ition to her %ra$s" 6Your other traine& you %ell! To !7 she sai& %ith genuine kin&ness" I still %ince& at the re ark" Starling an& 5ik stoo& talking together until e'eryone else %as rea&y to go" Then she 5ik Hol&fast %oul& be si $ler" I ga'e are fro y in& to y task" There %as really little to it! other than to kee$ the lagging too far behin& the $ilgri s. %agon" I ha& ti e to see the ounte& her -ountain $ony an& took yself that it %as likely y life %oul& only a $lace besi&e 5ik at the hea& of our $rocession" I tol& $ersua&e her to go back %ith hi

ake a better balla& than Fit19hi'alry any%ay" If he coul& at the -ountain bor&er!

country %e tra'erse&" ;e regaine& the little/use& roa& %e ha& been on the &ay before an& continue& to follo% the ri'er u$strea " #long the ri'er! it %as s$arsely tree&! but a short &istance a%ay fro
D?E

the ri'erbank! it beca e a

rolling! treeless terrain of brush an& scrub" Jullies an& %ashes cut our roa& on their %ay to the ri'er" It see e& that at so e ti e %ater ha& been $lentiful here! $erha$s in s$ring" But no% the lan& %as &ry sa'e for the crystal sno% that ble% loosely across it like san& an& the ri'er in its be&" 6Yester&ay the instrel a&e you s ile to yourself" For %ho is the fro%n to&ay07 (ettle aske& )uietly" 6I %as thinking it a sha e! to see %hat this rich lan& has co e to"7 6;ere you07 she aske& &ryly" 6Tell e of this seer of yours!7 I sai&! I seek ostly to change the sub4ect" ay not e'en be there" #n& yet %hat 6He is not ine!7 she sai& %ith as$erity" Then she relente&" 6It is $robably a

fool.s erran& I go on" He %ho

better use &o I ha'e for these years! than to chase a chi era07 I ke$t silent" I %as beginning to fin& it %as the )uestion she ans%ere& best" 6Do you kno% %hat.s in this cart! To 0 Books" Scrolls an& %ritings" Ones I.'e collecte& for years" I ha'e gathere& the tongues an& letterings" In so in any lan&s! learne& to rea& any any $laces! I foun& ention! o'er an& o'er

again! of the ;hite *ro$hets" They a$$ear at the 4unctures of history an& sha$e it" So e say they co e to set history on its $ro$er course" There are those %ho belie'e! To ! that all of ti e is a circle" #ll of history a great %heel! turning inexorably" @ust as seasons co e an& go! 4ust as the oon o'es en&lessly through her cycle! so &oes ti e" The sa e %ars are fought! the sa e $lagues &escen&! the sa e folk! goo& or e'il! rise to $o%er" Hu anity is tra$$e& on that %heel! &oo e& en&lessly to re$eat the istakes %e ha'e alrea&y a&e" >nless so eone co es to change it" Far to the south! there is a lan& %here they belie'e that for e'ery generation! so e%here in the %orl& there is a ;hite *ro$het" He or she co es! an& if %hat is taught is hee&e&! the cycle of ti e

DBH

o'es into a better course" If it is ignore&! all ti e is $ushe& into a &arker $ath"7 She $ause&! as if %aiting for teachings!7 I a& itte&" 6I %oul& not ex$ect you to" It %as in a far $lace I first stu&ie& such things" There they hel& that if such $ro$hets fail! again an& again! the re$eating history of the %orl& %ill gro% ore an& ore e'il! until the entire cycle of ti e! isery an& %rong"7 hun&re&s of thousan&s of years! beco es a history of 6#n& if the $ro$het is hee&e&07 6Each ti e one succee&s! it is easier for the next one" #n& %hen an entire cycle $asses in %hich e'ery $ro$het succee&s! ti e itself %ill finally sto$"7 6So they %ork for the en& of the %orl& to co e07 65ot the en& of the %orl&! To " The en& of ti e" To free hu anity of ti e" For ti e is the great ensla'er of us all" Ti e that ages us! ti e that li its us" Think ho% often you ha'e %ishe& to ha'e ore ti e for so ething! or %ishe& you coul& go back a &ay an& &o so ething &ifferently" ;hen hu anity is free& of ti e! ol& %rongs can be correcte& before they are &one"7 She sighe&" 6I belie'e this is the ti e for such a $ro$het to co e" #n& y rea&ings lea& e to belie'e that this generation.s ;hite *ro$het shall arise in the -ountains"7 6But you are alone on your )uest" Do no others agree %ith you07 6-any others" But fe%! 'ery fe%! go to seek a ;hite *ro$het" It is the folk the $ro$het is sent to %ho all ti e a%ry fore'er"7 I %as still $u11ling o'er %hat she ha& sai& about ti e" It see e& to knot in y thinking" Her 'oice fell silent" I stare& for%ar& bet%een the ake a are.s ust hee& hi " Others shoul& not interfere! lest they set e to say so ething" 6I kno% nothing of such

ears an& $on&ere&" Ti e to go back an& be honest %ith -olly" Ti e to follo%

DB1

Fe&%ren the scribe instea& of being an assassin.s a$$rentice" She ha& gi'en uch to think about" Our talk la$se& for so e ti e"

5ighteyes rea$$eare& shortly after noon" He ca e trotting $ur$osefully out of the trees! to fall into $lace besi&e our %agon" The are ga'e hi se'eral y si&e of e! ner'ous glances as she trie& to $u11le out %olf s ell an& &og beha'ior" I )ueste& to%ar& her an& reassure& her" He ha& been for so e ti e at then sat back again" 6There.s a %olf besi&e our cart!7 she obser'e&" 6He.s y &og" Though he has so e %olf bloo& in hi !7 I a& itte& casually" again" She glance& u$ at y $laci& (ettle leane& for%ar& to look at hi &ays!7 she no&&e&! an& sai& no the cart before (ettle caught sight of hi " She leane& for%ar& to look $ast

ex$ression" Then she sat back" 6So they her& shee$ %ith %ol'es in Buck these ore about hi " ;e $ushe& on stea&ily for the rest of the &ay" ;e sa% no folk sa'e oursel'es! an& only one s all cabin sen&ing u$ a trail of s oke in the &istance" The col& an& the blo%ing %in& %ere a constant! but not one that beca e easier to ignore as the &ay %ent on" The faces of the $ilgri s in the %agon in front of us beca e $aler! noses re&&er! li$s al ost blue on one %o an" They %ere $acke& together like fish in brine but all their closeness see e& to be no $rotection against the col&" I fro o'e& y feet insi&e y boots to kee$ y toes a%ake! an& shifte& the reins y fingers un&er until e'en y ar " y ar y fingers one han& to the other as I took turns %ar ing

-y shoul&er ache&! an& the ache ran &o%n Fe% things are as

throbbe& %ith it" -y li$s %ere &ry but I &are& not %et the

lest they crack"

iserable to confront as constant col&" #s for (ettle! I &i&

not &oubt it torture& her" She &i& not co $lain! but as the &ay %ent by she

DB2

see e& to get s aller %ithin her blanket as she curle& closer on herself" Her silence see e& but further e'i&ence of her isery" the ;e %ere still short of &arkness %hen 5ik turne& our %agons a%ay fro I coul&

roa& an& u$ a long trail nearly obscure& by the blo%n sno%" The only sign of it ake out %as that less grass stuck u$ abo'e the sno%! but 5ik see e& ounte& s ugglers broke trail for the %agons" It %as still are" I looke& back behin& us once to see the ore than a ri$$le in to kno% it %ell" The

hea'y going for (ettle.s little the sno%y lan&sca$e"

s%ee$ing han& of the %in& s oothing our trail out to no

The lan& %e crosse& see e& featureless! but it un&ulate& gently" ;e e'entually creste& the long rise %e ha& ascen&e&! an& looke& &o%n onto a hu&&le of buil&ings that ha& been in'isible fro the roa&" E'ening %as &ra%ing on" # single light shone in a %in&o%" #s %e %en&e& our %ay &o%n to%ar& it! other can&les %ere lit! an& 5ighteyes caught a trace of %oo& s oke on the %in&" ;e %ere ex$ecte&3 The buil&ings %ere not ol&" They looke& as if they ha& been recently co $lete&" There %as an a $le barn" ;agons an& all! %e le& the horses &o%n into it! for the earth ha& been &ug a%ay so that the barn %as half un&ergroun&" This lo% $rofile %as %hy %e ha& not seen this $lace fro &oubt that %as the reason for it" >nless a ne'er fin& it" The earth fro e'en hear the %in&" # an& $ut the the roa&! an& I &i&n.t an kne% this $lace %as here! he.&

the &igging ha& been hea$e& u$ aroun& the barn

an& other buil&ings" Insi&e the thick %alls %ith the &oors shut! %e coul& not ilk co% shifte& in her stall as %e unhitche& the horses in stalls" There %as stra% an& hay an& a trough of fresh %ater" ass of re& hair $ile&

The $ilgri s ha& got out of the %agon! an& I %as hel$ing (ettle &o%n %hen the barn &oor o$ene& again" # lithe young %o an %ith a on her hea& ca e stor ing in" Fists on her hi$s! she confronte& 5ik" 6;ho are
DB8

all these $eo$le an& %hy ha'e you brought the if half the countrysi&e kno%s of it0. 6 5ik han&e& his horse to one of his a%ay" 6;hat are you ,7

here0 ;hat goo& is a bolthole

en an& turne& to her" ;ithout a %or&! he o ent later! she $ushe& hi ake &o in here for the uch"7

s%e$t her into his ar s an& kisse& her" But a

6They $ai& %ell" They.'e their o%n foo&! an& can

night" Then they.ll be on their %ay to the -ountains to orro%" >$ there! no one cares %hat %e &o" There.s no &anger! Tel! you %orry too enough for all this lot" ;hy &i&n.t you sen& a bir& to %arn 6I &i&" Di&n.t it get here0 -aybe the stor &elaye& it"7 6That.s %hat you al%ays say %hen you &on.t think to &o it"7 6=et it go! %o an" I.'e goo& ti&ings for you" =et.s go back to your house an& talk"7 5ik.s ar reste& easily about her %aist as they left" It %as u$ to his en to settle us" There %as stra% to slee$ in an& $lenty of s$ace to s$rea& it" There %as a &ug %ell %ith a bucket outsi&e for %ater" There %as a s all hearth at one en& of the barn" The chi ney s oke& ba&ly! but it suffice& to cook on" The barn %as not %ar ! sa'e in co $arison to the %eather outsi&e" But no one co $laine&" 5ighteyes ha& staye& outsi&e" They.'e a coo$ full of chickens! he tol& =ea'e the alone! I %arne& hi " en %hen they %ent u$ to the house! but e" In a lou&er 'oice! he Starling starte& to lea'e %ith 5ik.s one $lace"7 The an shot a e" #n& a $igeon coo$! too" 6I ha'e to %orry for t%o! for you ha'en.t the sense to" I.'e foo& rea&y! but not e07

they sto$$e& her at the &oor" 65ik says all of you are to stay insi&e tonight! in eaningful glance at calle&! 6Jet your %ater no%! for %e.ll be bolting the &oor %hen %e lea'e" It kee$s the %in& out better"7

DB<

5o one %as foole& by his co

ent! but no one challenge& it" Ob'iously the

s uggler felt the less %e kne% of his bolthole! the better" That %as un&erstan&able" Instea& of co $laining %e fetche& %ater" Out of habit! I re$lenishe& the ani als. trough" #s I haule& the fifth bucket! I %on&ere& if I %oul& e'er lose the reflex of seeing to the beasts first" The $ilgri s ha& &e'ote& the sel'es to seeing to their o%n co fort" Soon I coul& s ell foo& cooking on the hearth" ;ell! I ha& &rie& You coul& be hunting %ith su eat an& har& brea&" It %oul& suffice" e" There.s ga e here" They ha& a gar&en this

er an& the rabbits are still co ing for the stalks"

He s$ra%le& in the lee of the chicken house! the bloo&y re nants of a rabbit across his fore$a%s" E'en as he ate! he ke$t one eye on the sno%/co'ere& gar&en $atch! %atching for other ga e" I che%e& a stick of &ry s$rea&ing her blanket o'er it %hen she returne& fro tea$ot" 6;ho $ut you in charge of y be&&ing07 she &e an&e&" #s I took a breath to y bag re$ly! she a&&e&! 6Here.s tea if you.'e a cu$ to your na e" -ine.s in there.s a goo& la&"7 #s I &i& so! I hear& Starling.s 'oice an& har$ take u$ a tune" Singing for her su$$er! I &i&n.t &oubt" ;ell! it %as %hat instrels &i&! an& I &oubte& she.& go e out a hungry" I brought (ettle.s bag back to her! an& she $ortione& During the fro 07 6Buckkee$ To%n!7 I re$lie& %ithout thinking"
DB?

eat glu ly

%hile I hea$e& u$ stra% for (ettle.s be& in the stall next to her horse" I %as the fire carrying her

on the cart" There.s so e cheese an& &rie& a$$les there as %ell" Fetch it for us!

generous share %hile eating lightly herself" ;e sat on our blankets an& ate" eal! she ke$t glancing at e! an& finally &eclare&! 6You.'e a fa iliar cast to your features! To " ;hat $art of Buck &i& you say you %ere

6#h" #n& %ho %as your

other07 any chil&ren running

I hesitate&! then &eclare&! 6Sal Flatfish"7 She ha& so

about Buckkee$ To%n! there %as $robably one na e& To " 6Fisherfolk0 Ho% &i& a fisher%o an.s son en& u$ a she$her&07 6-y father her&e&!7 I exte $ori1e&" 6Bet%een the t%o tra&es! %e &i& %ell enough"7 6I see" #n& they taught you courtly courtesies to ol& %o en" #n& you.'e an uncle in the -ountains" Iuite a fa ily"7 6He took to %an&ering at an early age! an& settle& there"7 The ba&gering %as beginning to ake e s%eat a little" I coul& tell she kne% it! too" 6;hat $art of Buck &i& you say your fa ily ca e fro 07 I aske& su&&enly" 6I &i&n.t say!7 she re$lie& %ith a s all s ile" Starling su&&enly a$$eare& at the &oor of the stall" She $erche& on the e&ge of it an& leane& o'er" 65ik sai& %e.& cross the ri'er in t%o &ays!7 she offere&" I no&&e&! but sai& nothing" She ca e aroun& the en& of the stall an& casually tosse& her $ack &o%n besi&e ine" She follo%e& it to sit leaning against it! her har$ on her la$" 6There are t%o cou$les &o%n by the hearth! s)uabbling an& bickering" So e %ater got into their tra'el brea&! an& all they can think to &o is s$it about %hose fault it is" #n& one of the chil&ren is sick an& $uking" *oor little thing" The an %ho is so angry about the %et brea& kee$s going on about ore conni'ing! tightfiste& an I ne'er et!7 (ettle it.s 4ust a %aste of foo& to fee& the boy until he sto$s being sick"7 6That %oul& be Rally" # obser'e& genially" 6#n& the boy! Selk" He.s been sick on an& off since %e left 9halce&" #n& before! like as not" I think his other thinks E&a.s shrine can cure hi " She.s gras$ing at stra%s! but she has the gol& to &o so" Or &i&"7

DBB

It starte& off aroun& of gossi$ing bet%een the t%o" I leane& in the corner an& listene& %ith half an ear an& &o1e&" T%o &ays to the ri'er! I $ro ise& #n& ho% yself" e uch longer to the -ountains0 I broke in to ask Starling if she kne%"

65ik says there.s no %ay to tell that! it all &e$en&s on %eather" But he tol& #l ost instantly! t%o chil&ren a$$eare& in the &oor of the stall"

not to %orry about it"7 Her fingers %an&ere& i&ly o'er the strings of her har$" 6#re you going to sing again07 aske& the girl" She %as a s$in&ly little chil& of about six! her &ress 6;oul& you like uch %orn" There %ere bits of stra% in her hair" e to07

For ans%er! they ca e boun&ing in to sit on either si&e of her" I ha& ex$ecte& (ettle to co $lain at this in'asion! but she sai& nothing! e'en %hen the girl settle& co fortably against her" (ettle began to $ick the stra% fro the chil&.s hair %ith her t%iste& ol& fingers" The little girl ha& &ark eyes an& clutche& a $u$$et %ith an e broi&ere& face" ;hen she s ile& u$ at (ettle! I coul& see they %ere not strangers" 6Sing the one about the ol& %o an an& her $ig!7 the boy begge& Starling" I stoo& u$ an& gathere& y $ack" 6I nee& to get so e slee$!7 I excuse& yself" I su&&enly coul& not bear to be aroun& the chil&ren" I foun& an e $ty stall nearer the &oor of the barn an& be&&e& &o%n there" I coul& hear the utter of the $ilgri s. 'oices at their hearth" So e )uarreling still see e& to be going on" Starling sang the song about the %o an! the stile! an& the $ig! an& then a song about an a$$le tree" I hear& the footste$s of a fe% others as they ca e to sit an& listen to the to slee$! an& close& y o%n eyes" e in the night" She ste$$e& on y hea&" I sai& e" She s$rea& her blankets out to usic" I tol& yself they.& be %iser

#ll %as &ark an& still %hen she ca e to fin& nothing! e'en %hen she stretche& out besi&e
DBC

y han& in the &ark! an& then near &ro$$e& her $ack on

co'er

e as %ell! then %iggle& in un&er the e&ge of

ine" I &i&n.t

o'e"

Su&&enly I felt her han& touch in the &arkness" 6;hat07 6Ho% uch &o you trust 5ik07

y face )uestioningly" 6Fit107 she aske& softly

6I tol& you" 5ot at all" But I think he.ll get us to the -ountains! For his o%n $ri&e! if nothing else"7 I s ile& in the &ark" 6# s uggler.s re$utation $erfect! a ong those %ho kno% of it" He.ll get us there"7 6;ere you angry at ga'e e! earlier to&ay07 ;hen I sai& nothing! she a&&e&! 6You orning"7 e such a serious look this ust be

6Does the %olf bother you07 I aske& her as bluntly" She s$oke )uietly" 6It.s true then07 6Di& you &oubt it before07 6The ;itte& $art , yes" I thought it an e'il lie they ha& tol& about you" That the son of a $rince coul& be ;itte& , You &i& not see share his life %ith an ani al"7 The tone of her 'oice left she regar&e& such a habit" 6;ell" I &o"7 # tiny s$ark of anger his life &o%n for ine" #n& a&e e forthright" 6He.s e'erything to e" E'erything" I ha'e ne'er ha& a truer frien&! %illing %ithout )uestion to lay ore than his life" It is one thing to be %illing to y king"7 &ie for another" It is another to sacrifice the li'ing of one.s life for another" That is %hat he gi'es I ha& set before" 6# king an& a %olf!7 Starling sai& )uietly" -ore softly she a&&e&! 6Do you care for no one else07 6-olly"7
DBD

an %ho %oul&

e no &oubt as to ho%

e" The sa e sort of loyalty I gi'e to

yself to thinking" I.& ne'er $ut our relationshi$ in those ter s

6-olly07 6She.s at ho e" Back in Buck" She.s shi'ere& through y %ife"7 # )ueer little tre or of $ri&e e as I sai& the %or&s" -y %ife"

Starling sat u$ in the blankets! letting in a &raft of col& air" I tugge& at the 'ainly as she aske&! 6# %ife0 You ha'e a %ife07 6#n& a chil&" # little girl"7 Des$ite the col& an& the &arkness! I grinne& at those %or&s" 6-y &aughter!7 I sai& )uietly! si $ly to hear ho% the %or&s soun&e&" 6I ha'e a %ife an& a &aughter at ho e"7 She flung herself &o%n in the &arkness besi&e it %ith an e $hatic %his$er" 6I. a e" 65o you &on.t:7 she &enie& arrie&! instrel! Fit1" If the Bastar& ha&

the %or& %oul& ha'e gone roun&" In fact! there %ere ru ors you %ere for 9elerity! Duke Bra%n&y.s &aughter"7 6It %as &one )uietly!7 I tol& her" 6#h" I see" You.re not say"7 The %or&s stung atters to )uietly" I took a &ee$ breath" 6;hen I go back! that %ill be the first thing %e re e&y" It is $ro ise& to e! by Aerity hi self! that %hen he is king! I shoul& arry %ho e'er I %ishe&"7 So e $art of to her" #nother $art aske&! %hat har %as relief in being able to s$eak of it" 6So you &o go to fin& Aerity07 6I go to ser'e y king" To len& %hate'er ai& I ay to (ettricken an& Aerity.s y heir/chil&" #n& then to go on! to beyon& the -ountains! to fin& an& restore
DBE

arrie& at all" You.'e a %o an! is %hat you.re trying to y %ife!7 I sai& fir ly" 6In e'ery %ay that e

e" 6-olly is y %ife"7 ight

e! she is

6#n& in the %ays that

atter to her0 #n& a chil&07 Starling aske&

e %as aghast at ho% freely I %as s$eaking coul& it &o for her to kno%0 #n& there

king" So he For a

ay &ri'e the Re&/Shi$s fro

the Six Duchies coast an& %e

ay

kno% $eace again"7 o ent all %as silence sa'e for the slicing %in& outsi&e the barn" Then y hero song"7 y o%n ust to be free to li'e she snorte& softly" 6Do e'en half of that! an& I shall ha'e 6I ha'e no &esire to be a hero" Only to &o %hat I life"7 6*oor Fit1" 5one of us is e'er free to &o that"7 6You see 6Do I0 To the 'ery free to e"7 e &ee$er into a ire! an& ore fir ly I e be& yself"7 e it see s as if e'ery ste$ I take carries

ore I struggle! the

6Ho% is that07 She ga'e a choke& laugh" 6=ook about you" Here I a ! slee$ing in stra% an& singing for achie'e& y su$$er! ga bling that there %ill e'entually be a %ay to cross y goal0 5o" I still ust &angle after you until you &o so ething this ri'er an& go on to the -ountains" #n& if I get through all that! ha'e I song %orthy"7 6You really nee&n.t!7 I sai& in so e &is ay at the $ros$ect" 6You coul& go on your %ay! aking your %ay as a instrel" You see to &o %ell enough at it"7 e sing! not in& instrel" 6;ell enough" ;ell enough for a tra'eling instrel" You.'e hear&

Fit1" I.'e a goo& enough 'oice! an& ni ble enough fingers" But I a extraor&inary! an& that is %hat it takes to %in a $osition as kee$ That.s assu ing there %ill be any to sing to a Re&/Shi$ au&ience"7 For a o ent %e %ere both )uiet+ consi&ering" aster gone! =or& Bron1e gone! %ho %as $artial to e ore kee$s in fi'e years or so" I.'e no

6You see!7 she %ent on after a ti e! 6I.'e no one any ore" *arents an& brother gone" -y ol& for y ostly e for aster.s sake" #ll gone %hen the kee$ burne&" The Rai&ers left
DCH

&ea&! you kno%! or I.& truly be &ea&"7 For the first ti e! I hear& hints of an ol& fear in her 'oice" She %as )uiet for a ti e! thinking of all that she %oul& not ention" I rolle& to face her" 6I.'e only Only yself to rely on" For no%! for al%ays" instrel can %an&er about e! Fit1" yself" #n& there.s a li it to ho% long a

singing for coins in inns" If you %ish to be co fortable %hen you.re ol&! you ha'e to earn a $lace in a kee$" Only a truly great song %ill &o that for softer! her breath %ar e'ents see #n& I.'e a li ite& a ount of ti e in %hich to fin& one"7 Her 'oice gre% as she sai&! 6#n& so I shall follo% you" For great to ha$$en in your %ake"7 e" 6Jreat e'ents" The ab&ication of the throne by Forge& ones the night she %as

6Jreat e'ents07 I scoffe&" She hitche& herself closer to *rince 9hi'alry" The triu $h against the Re&/Shi$s at #ntler Islan&" ;ere not you the one %ho sa'e& Iueen (ettricken fro attacke&! right before the Aixen Iueen.s Hunt0 5o%! there.s a song I %ish I ha& %ritten" To say nothing of $reci$itating the riots the night of *rince Regal.s coronation" =et.s see" Rising fro the &ea&! aking an atte $t on Regal.s life right insi&e Tra&efor& Hall! an& then esca$ing unscathe&" (illing half a &o1en of his Juar& single/han&e&ly %hile anacle& , I ha& a feeling I no% shoul& ha'e follo%e& you that &ay" But I.& say I.'e a goo& chance of %itnessing so ething note%orthy if I but hel& on to your shirttail fro on"7 I.& ne'er thought of those e'ents as a list of things I.& cause&" I %ante& to $rotest that I ha& not cause& any of the ! that I ha& ho e to -olly an& our little &aughter"7 6She $robably longs for the sa e thing" It can.t be easy for her! %on&ering %hen you.ll co e back! or if"7
DC1

erely been caught u$ in

the grin&ing %heels of history" Instea& I 4ust sighe&" 6#ll I %ant to &o is go

6She &oesn.t %on&er" She alrea&y belie'es

e &ea&"7

#fter a ti e! Starling sai& hesitantly! 6Fit1" She thinks you &ea&" Ho% can you belie'e she %ill be there %aiting %hen you return! that she %on.t fin& so eone else07 I ha& $laye& a &o1en scenes in that she %oul& be re$elle& by ha& foun& another an& forgi'e y hea&" That I ight &ie before I returne& e as a liar an& a ;itte& one! e ho e! or that %hen I returne&! -olly %oul& see

y scars" I fully ex$ecte& her to be angry at

for not letting her kno% I %as ali'e" But I %oul& ex$lain that I ha& belie'e& she an an& %as ha$$y %ith hi " #n& then she.& un&erstan& e" So eho% I ha& e %ith so eone else" ore to yself than e" #fter all! she %as the one %ho ha& left

ne'er i agine& returning ho e to fin& she ha& re$lace& Stu$i&" Ho% coul& I not ha'e foreseen that %as the %orst $ossible thing I coul& i agine0 I s$oke

ight ha$$en! si $ly because it essage! so eho%"

Starling" 6I su$$ose I.& better get %or& to her" Sen& her a essage"7 6Ho% long ha'e you been gone07 she &e an&e& to kno%" 6Fro -olly0 #l ost a year"7 6# year: -en!7 Starling

But I &on.t kno% exactly %here she is" 5or %ho I.& entrust %ith such a

uttere& softly to herself" 6They go off to fight or to %hen they get back"

tra'el an& they ex$ect their li'es to be %aiting for the chil&ren an& $atch the roof an&

You ex$ect the %o en %ho stay behin& to kee$ the fiel&s an& raise the in& the co%! so that %hen you %alk back in the &oor! you can fin& your chair still by the fire an& hot brea& on the table" Yes! an& a %ar ! %illing bo&y in your be&! still %aiting for you"7 She %as beginning to soun& angry" 6Ho% ;ell! that.s ho% any &ays ha'e you been gone fro her0 any &ays she has ha& to co$e %ithout you" Ti e &oesn.t

sto$ for her 4ust because you.re gone" Ho% &o you think of her0 Rocking your
DC2

baby besi&e a %ar

hearth0 Ho% about this0 The baby is insi&e! crying an& the in&! I

unten&e& on the be&! %hile she.s out in the rain an& %in& trying to s$lit %oo& for kin&ling because the fire %ent out %hile she %as %alking to an& fro ill to get a bit of see her in eal groun&"7 y yself" 6#n& she I $ushe& the i age a%ay" 5o" Burrich %oul&n.t let that ha$$en" 6In any %ays" 5ot 4ust in goo& ti es!7 I &efen&e& ine is looking after her"7 isn.t co $letely alone" # frien& of

6#h! a frien&!7 Starling agree& s oothly" 6#n& is he han&so e! s$irite&! an& bol& enough to steal any %o an.s heart07 I snorte&" 65o" He.s ol&er" He.s stubborn! an& cranky" But he.s also stea&y an& reliable an& thoughtful" He al%ays treats %o en %ell" *olitely an& kin&ly" He.ll take goo& care of both her an& the chil&"7 I s ile& to the truth of it as I a&&e&! 6He.ll kill any yself! an& kne% an that e'en looks a threat at the "7 an like that is0 Tell go"7 e %ho he is!

6Stea&y! kin&! an& thoughtful0 Treats %o en %ell07 Starling.s 'oice rose %ith feigne& interest" 6Do you kno% ho% rare a I %ant hi tease& for I confess I kne% a yself" If your -olly %ill let hi

o ent.s unease" I re e bere& a &ay %hen -olly ha&

e! saying I %as the best thing to co e out of the stables since Burrich"

;hen I ha& been ske$tical as to %hether that %as a co $li ent! she ha& tol& e he %as %ell regar&e& a ong the la&ies! for all his silences an& aloof %ays" Ha& she e'er looke& at Burrich an& consi&ere& hi 0 5o" It %as I she ha& lo'e %ith that &ay! clinging to lo'es e" Only e"7 y 'oice ust ha'e e" 6Oh" a&e e although %e coul& not be %e&" 65o" She

I ha& not inten&e& to say the %or&s alou&" So e note in

touche& a kin&er $lace in Starling.s nature" She ga'e o'er tor enting strong"7
DC8

;ell! then" I still think you shoul& sen& her %or&" So she has ho$e to kee$ her

6I %ill!7 I $ro ise& 4ust a brief %ritten coul& ask hi get the I lay silently

yself" #s soon as I reache& @haa $e" (ettricken %oul& essage! not too $lainly %or&e& in case it %as interce$te&" I

kno% so e %ay by %hich I coul& get %or& back to Burrich" I coul& sen& back to tell her I %as ali'e an& I %oul& return to her" But ho% %oul& I using in the &ark" I &i& not kno% %here -olly %as li'ing" =acey ust kno%" There ha& to be so eone %e both by that na e"

essage to hi 0

%oul& $ossibly kno%" But I coul& not sen& %or& 'ia =acey %ithout *atience fin&ing out" 5o" 5either of the kne%! so eone I coul& trust" 5ot 9ha&e" I coul& trust hi ! but no one %oul& kno% ho% to fin& 9ha&e! e'en if they kne% hi 'ery )uiet!7 Starling %his$ere&" 6I. thinking"7 ean to u$set you"7 a&e e think"7 so col&"7 e the least bit %ar er" Hol& e"7 y anage to s ell nice0 6I &i&n.t So e%here in the barn! a horse thu&&e& a hoof against a stall %all" 6You.re

6You &i&n.t" You 4ust 6Oh"7 # $ause" 6I a 6That &oesn.t ake

6-e! too" But it.s col&er outsi&e"7 It %as not a re)uest" She burro%e& into #%k%ar&ly I $ut against y chest! tucking her hea& un&er

chin" She s elle& nice" Ho% &i& %o en al%ays

y ar s aroun& her! grateful for the a&&e& %ar th but

uneasy at the closeness" 6That.s better!7 she sighe&" I felt her bo&y relax ine" She a&&e&! 6I ho$e %e get a chance to bathe soon"7 6-e! too"7 65ot that you s ell that ba&"7 6Thank you!7 I sai& a bit sourly" 6-in& if I go back to slee$ no%07

DC<

6Jo ahea&"7 She $ut a han& on to &o"7 I

y hi$ an& a&&e&! 6If that.s all you can think of yself" Starling %as so %ar an&

anage& to &ra% a breath" -olly! I tol&

near! s elling so s%eet" Her arrie&"7 It %as har& to s$eak"

instrel.s %ays

a&e nothing of %hat she e0 6I tol& you" I.

suggeste&" To her" But %hat %as -olly! truly! to

6> " #n& she lo'es you! an& you ob'iously lo'e her" But %e are the ones %ho are here! an& col&" If she lo'es you that It %as &ifficult! but I force& shoul&ers"7 6#h"7 Starling laughe& softly into a%ay fro y chest" 6I see"7 Jently she &re% her bo&y e" 6*erha$s %e.& ine" I longe& to reach out an& $ull her back to uch! %oul& she begru&ge you an yself y a&&e& bit of %ar th an& co fort on such a col& night07 yself to think about it a bit! then s ile& to e" She.& knock in the &arkness" 6She %oul&n.t 4ust begru&ge y hea& off

better 4ust go to slee$! then" Slee$ %ell! Fit1"7 So I &i&! but not right a%ay an& not %ithout regrets" The night brought us rising %in&s! an& %hen the barn &oors %ere unbolte& in the orning! a fresh layer of sno% greete& us" I %orrie& that if it got uch &ee$er! %e.& ha'e serious $roble s %ith the %agons" But 5ik see e& confi&ent an& genial as he loa&e& us u$" He bi& a fon& fare%ell to his la&y an& %e set forth again" He le& us a%ay fro the $lace by a &ifferent trail fro the one %e ha& follo%e& to get there" This one %as rougher! an& in a fe% $laces the sno% ha& &rifte& &ee$ enough that the %agon bo&ies gouge& a $ath through it" Starling ro&e besi&e us for $art of the orning! until 5ik sent a an back to ask her if she.& co e ri&e %ith the " She thanke& hi in'itation an& $ro $tly %ent to 4oin the " cheerily for the

DC?

In the early afternoon! %e ca e back to the roa&" It see e& to

e that %e ha&

gaine& little by a'oi&ing the roa& for so long! but &oubtless 5ik ha& ha& his reasons" *erha$s he si $ly &i& not %ant to create a beaten track to his hi&ing $lace" That e'ening our shelter %as cru&e! so e tu ble&o%n huts by the ri'erbank" The thatche& roofs %ere gi'ing %ay! so there %ere fingers of sno% on the floors in $laces an& a great $lu e of sno% that ha& blo%n in un&er the &oor" The horses ha& no shelter at all other than the lee of the cabins" ;e %atere& the a%aite& the at the ri'er an& they each got a $ortion of grain! but no hay here" e to gather fire%oo&! for %hile there %as enough by the eal! there %as not enough to last the night" #s %e use& on ho% things ha& ore

5ighteyes %ent %ith

hearths to start a fire for a

%alke& &o%n to the ri'er to look for &rift%oo& I a%are of hi

change& bet%een us" ;e s$oke less than %e once ha&! but I felt that I %as But %e ha& also both change& in our ti e a$art" ;hen I looke& at hi so eti es sa% the %olf first an& then y co $anion" e as I &eser'e" I think you ha'e finally begun to res$ect $atch of brush on the ri'erbank to trail! an& so eho% leafless! scrubby bushes" You.re no longer a $u$$y! that.s true"

than I ha& e'er been before" *erha$s there %as less nee& to s$eak" no%! I

There %as teasing but also truth in that state ent" He a$$eare& su&&enly in a y left! lo$e& easily across the sno% s%e$t ore than sno% &unes an& anage& to 'anish in little

5either of us are cubs any ore" ;e.'e both &isco'ere& that on this 4ourney" You no longer think of yourself as a boy at all" I tru&ge& %or&lessly through the sno% an& $on&ere& that" I &i& not kno% )uite %hen I ha& finally &eci&e& I %as a an an& not a boy any longer! but

DCB

5ighteyes %as right" O&&ly! I felt a the s ooth face an& easy courage" I think I a&e a better boy than I &o a

o ent of loss for that 'anishe& la& %ith an! I a& itte& ruefully to the %olf"

;hy not %ait until you.'e been at it a bit longer an& then &eci&e0 he suggeste&" The track %e follo%e& %as barely a cart %i&e an& 'isible only as a s%atch %here no brush $oke& u$ abo'e the sno%" The %in& %as busy scul$ting the sno% into &unes an& banks" I %alke& into the %in&! an& ha& $asse& for the last fe% &ays! but the ex$erience of only the %olf! silently! ri'er" I stoo& on to$ of the bank an& looke& across" Ice froste& the e&ges in $laces! an& occasional knots of &rift%oo& %ashing &o%n the ri'er so eti es carrie& a bur&en of &irty ice an& clinging sno%" The current %as strong! as the s%iftly bobbing &rift%oo& sho%e&" I trie& to i agine it fro1en o'er an& coul& not" On the far si&e of that rushing floo& %ere foothills &ense %ith e'ergreens that ga'e onto a $lain of oaks an& %illo%s that ca e right &o%n to the %ater.s e&ge" I su$$ose the %ater ha& sto$$e& the fire.s s$rea& those years ago" I %on&ere& if this si&e of the ri'er ha& e'er been as thickly tree& as that" =ook! 5ighteyes gro%le& %istfully" I coul& feel the heat of his hunger as %e eye& a tall buck that ha& co e &o%n to the ri'er to %ater" He lifte& his antlere& hea&! sensing us! but regar&e& us cal ly! kno%ing he %as safe" I foun& outh %atering %ith 5ighteyes. thoughts of fresh better on the other si&e" I ho$e so" He lea$e& fro the bank to the sno%/s%athe& gra'el an& rock of the less gracefully! fin&ing &ry ri'er e&ge! an& $a&&e& off u$ri'er" I follo%e& hi eat" Hunting %ill be y uch a&e it see y forehea& an& nose %hat %e o'ing through it %ith soon burne& %ith its rough kiss" The terrain %as little &ifferent fro

a &ifferent %orl&" Then %e ca e to the

sticks as I %ent" The %alking %as rougher &o%n here! an& the %in& crueler!
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la&en as it %as %ith the ri'er.s col&" But it %as also so eho% la&en %ith He

ore interesting %alking! e"

ore $ossibility" I %atche& 5ighteyes range ahea& of

o'e& &ifferently no%" He ha& lost a lot of his $u$$yish curiosity" The &eer ore than a o'e& on" He ight be

skull that once %oul& ha'e re)uire& a careful sniffing no% got no s%ift fli$$ing o'er to be sure it %as truly bare bones before he %as $ur$oseful as he checke& tangles of &rift%oo& to see if ga e

sheltering un&erneath it" He %atche& the un&ercut banks of the ri'er as %ell! sniffing for ga e sign" He s$rang u$on an& &e'oure& a s all ro&ent of so e kin& that ha& 'enture& out of a &en un&er the bank" He &ug briefly at the &en.s entrance! then thrust his I foun& u11le in to snuff thoroughly" Satisfie& there %ere no ore &aunting! other inhabitants to &ig out! he trotte& on" yself %atching the ri'er as I follo%e& hi " It beca e not less! the ore I sa% of it" The &e$th of it an& the strength of its current ense snaggle/roote& logs that s%ung an& turne& as along" I %on&ere& if the %in&stor ha& been %orse

%ere atteste& to by the i the %aters rushe& the

u$ri'er to tear loose such giants! or if the ri'er ha& slo%ly eaten a%ay their foun&ations until the trees ha& tottere& into the %ater" 5ighteyes continue& to range ahea& of e" T%ice ore I sa% hi lea$ an& $in a ro&ent to the earth %ith his teeth an& $a%s" I %as not sure %hat they %ere+ they &i& not look like rats exactly! an& the sleekness of their coats see e& to in&icate they.& be at ho e in the %ater" -eat &oesn.t really nee& a na e! 5ighteyes obser'e& %ryly! an& I %as force& to agree %ith hi " He fli$$e& his $rey gleefully into the air an& caught it again as it so ersaulte& &o%n" He %orrie& the &ea& thing fiercely an& then launche& it once ore! &ancing after it on his hin& legs" For a o ent his si $le eat to y $leasure %as contagious" He ha& the satisfaction of a successful hunt!

fill his belly an& ti e to eat it un oleste&" This ti e it %ent %inging o'er
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hea&! an& I lea$e& u$ to catch the li $ bo&y an& then fling it u$ higher still" He s$rang high after it! all four legs lea'ing the groun&" He sei1e& it cleanly! then crouche&! sho%ing it to &aring 6Hey:7 ;e both halte& in our $lay3 I got u$ slo%ly fro 5ik.s the groun&" It %as one of e" I glance& about! but y en! stan&ing far u$ the ri'erbank an& staring at us" He carrie& his bo%" e! rushing $ast e! &aring e to chase hi " I &ro$$e& y ar loa& of e! %oo& an& s$rang after hi " He e'a&e& e easily! then loo$e& back to yself at hi "

e 4ust out of ar .s reach as I flung

6Jet so e %oo& an& co e back no%!7 he or&ere& scattere& ar loa& of %oo& an& hea&e& back to the huts"

coul& see no reason for the e&gy tone to his 'oice" 5e'ertheless! I gathere&

I foun& (ettle s)uinting at a scroll by the firelight! ignoring those %ho %ere trying to cook aroun& her" 6;hat are you rea&ing07 I aske& her" 6The %ritings of 9abal the ;hite" # $ro$het an& seer of (i oalan ti es"7 I shrugge&" The na es eant nothing to e" 6Through his gui&ance! a treaty %as %rought that $ut an en& to a hun&re& years of %ar" It enable& three folk to beco e one $eo$le" (no%le&ge %as share&" -any kin&s of foo&s that once gre% only in the southern 'alleys of (i oala ca e into co 6One 6One on usage" Jinger! for instance" #n& ki /oats"7 an &i& that07 an" Or t%o! $erha$s! if you count the general he $ersua&e& to con)uer

%ithout &estroying" Here! he s$eaks of hi " F# catalyst %as Dar#les for his ti e! a changer of hearts an& li'es" He ca e not to be hero! but to enable the hero in others" He ca e! not to fulfill $ro$hecies! but to o$en the &oors to ne% futures" Such is e'er the task of the catalyst". #bo'e! he has %ritten that it is in e'ery one of us to be a catalyst in our o%n ti e" ;hat &o you think of that! To 07
DCE

6I.& rather be a she$her&!7 I ans%ere& her truthfully" 69atalyst7 %as not a %or& I cherishe&" That night I sle$t %ith 5ighteyes at y si&e" (ettle snore& softly not far fro en" For a ti e! the e on gusts of %in&" e! %hile the $ilgri s hu&&le& together in one en& of the hut" Starling ha& chosen to slee$ in the other hut %ith 5ik an& so e of his soun& of her har$ an& 'oice %ere occasionally" borne to I close& y eyes an& trie& to &rea Buck as the Re&/Shi$s $ulle& a%ay fro sail in the &ark! to ra

of -olly" Instea& I sa% a burning 'illage in it" I 4oine& a young la& as he $ut on

his &ory into the si&e of a Re&/Shi$" He flung a burning

lantern on boar& her an& follo%e& it %ith a bucket of chea$ fish oil such as $oor folk burne& in their la $s" The sail bla1e& u$ as the boy sheere& a%ay fro the burning shi$" Behin& hi the curses an& cries of the burning en rose %ith the fla es" I ro&e %ith hi that night! an& felt his bitter triu $h" He ha&

nothing left! no fa ily! no ho e! but he ha& s$ille& so e of the bloo& that ha& s$ille& his" I un&erstoo& the tears that %et his grinning face only too %ell"

9H#*TER SEAE5TEE5 Ri'er 9rossing THE O>TIS=#5DERS H#AE al%ays s$oken E&a! the ockingly the Six Duchies ulti$lying folk! &eclaring us sla'es of the earth! far ers fit only for grubbing in the &irt" other go&&ess %ho is thanke& for $lentiful cro$s an& flocks! is &is&aine& by the OutIslan&ers as a go&&ess for a settle& folk %ho ha'e lost all s$irit" The OutIslan&ers the sel'es %orshi$ only El! the go& of the sea" He is not a &eity to offer thanks to! but a go& to s%ear by" The only blessing he sen&s his %orshi$ers are stor s an& har&shi$s to
DDH

ake the

strong"

In this they

is4u&ge& the $eo$le of the Six Duchies" They belie'e& folk %ho ore s$irit than istook our

$lante& cro$s an& raise& shee$ %oul& soon co e to ha'e no

shee$" They ca e a ongst us slaughtering an& &estroying an&

concern for our folk for %eakness" In that %inter! the s all folk of Buck an& Bearns! Ri$$on an& Shoaks! the fisherfolk an& her&ers! goose/girls an& $ig/ boys! took u$ the %ar that our %rangling nobles an& scattere& ar ies %age& so $oorly an& a&e it their o%n" The s all folk of a lan& can only be o$$resse& so long before they rise u$ in their o%n &efense! be it against outlan&ers or an un4ust lor& of their o%n" The others gru ble& the next but little ore than that to %ar y $ack for orning about the col& an& the nee& for haste" our bellies" I fille& (ettle.s tea$ot for her an& y eyes against the of the night before a&e e ill" a y elfbark" -y Skill/&rea

They s$oke longingly of hot $orri&ge an& hearth cakes" There %as hot %ater! then %ent back to fill $ain as I &ug in ha& left y cu$ %ith hot %ater" I s)uinte&

e feeling sick an& shaky" The 'ery thought of foo& y ug" It %as har& to y ake

(ettle si$$e& her tea an& %atche& as I use& lu $ of bark into felt bre%" The extre e bitterness of it floo&e& chunk of bark fro exclai e&" She ga'e an to be using"7 6It cal s force&

y knife to scra$e sha'ings fro outh! but al ost i

yself %ait for the li)ui& to e&iately I

y hea&ache ease" (ettle abru$tly reache& a cla%like han& to $luck the y fingers" She looke& at it! sniffe& it! an& 6Elfbark:7 she e a look of horror" 6That.s a 'icious herb for a young yself! then &rank y tongue" I y

y hea&aches!7 I tol& her" I took a breath to steel y

off the rest of the

ug" The gritty re nants of bark stuck to

yself to s%allo% the ! then %i$e& out

ug an& returne& it to

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$ack" I hel& out

y han& an& she ga'e back the chunk of bark! but reluctantly" e %as 'ery strange"

The look she %as gi'ing

6I.'e ne'er seen anyone 4ust &rink it &o%n like that" Do you kno% %hat that stuff is use& for! in 9halce&07 6I.'e been tol& they fee& it to galley sla'es! to kee$ their strength u$"7 6Strength u$ an& ho$es &o%n" # to control" It be %ary of it! %ere I you"7 I shrugge&" 6I.'e use& it for years!7 I tol& her as I $ut the herb back in 6#ll the ore reason to sto$ no%!7" she re$lie& tartly" She han&e& to $ut back in the %agon for her" It %as i&afternoon %hen 5ik or&ere& our %agons to a halt" He an& t%o of his y $ack" e her $ack an on elfbark is easily &iscourage&" Easier in& as %ell" I.& ay &ull the $ain of a hea&ache! but it &ulls the

en ro&e ahea&! %hile the others assure& us all %as fine" 5ik %ent ahea& to rea&y the crossing $lace before %e arri'e& there" I &i& not e'en nee& to glance at 5ighteyes" He sli$$e& a%ay to follo% 5ik an& his seat an& hugge& I sat u$ an& 69all hi yself! trying to stay %ar " en co an&e& e su&&enly" a&e a sho% of looking aroun& for hi " 6He.s $robably 4ust e e'ery%here! he &oes"7 an tol& e threateningly" 6Hey! you" 9all your &og back:7 one of 5ik.s scente& a rabbit" He.ll be back" Follo%s back no%:7 the en" I leane& back on the

So I stoo& u$ on the %agon seat an& calle& 5ighteyes" He &i& not co e" I shrugge& an a$ology at the e! but I ignore& hi " The &ay ha& been clear an& col&! the %in& cutting" (ettle ha& been iserably y silent all &ay" Slee$ing on the groun& ha& a%akene& the ol& $ain in en an& sat &o%n again" One continue& to glare at

shoul&er to a constant 4ab" I &i& not e'en %ant to i agine %hat she %as feeling"
DD2

I trie& to think only that %e %oul& soon be across the ri'er! an& that after that the -ountains %ere not far" *erha$s in the -ountains I %oul& finally feel safe fro Regal.s coterie" en $ull ro$es by the ri'er" I close& y eyes an& trie& to see %hat en the sel'es! en on So e

5ighteyes &i&" It %as &ifficult! for he &irecte& his eyes at the

%hile I %ishe& to stu&y the task they &i&" But 4ust as I &iscerne& they %ere using a gui&eline to restring a hea'ier ro$e across the ri'er! t%o other of a bank" The conceale& barge %as soon re'eale&! an& the cho$$ing a%ay the ice that ha& for e& on it" 6;ake u$:7 (ettle tol& e irritably! an& ga'e e a $oke in the ribs" I sat u$ to are.s reins an& follo%e& see the other %agon alrea&y in otion" I stirre& the the far si&e began energetically &igging through a $ile of &rift%oo& in the cur'e en %ent to %ork

the others" ;e tra'ele& a short %ay &o%n the ri'er roa& before turning off it onto an o$en section of bank" There %ere so e burne&/out huts by the ri'er that ha& a$$arently $erishe& in the fires years ago" There %as also a cru&e ra $ of logs an& ortar! uch &ecaye& no%" On the far si&e of the ri'er! I coul& see it" It ha& been any seasons since it ha& floate&" The huts rose gentle hills co'ere& in the re ains of the ol& barge! half sunken" Ice co'ere& $arts of it! but &ea& grass also stuck u$ fro on the other si&e %ere in as $oor re$air as the ones o'er here! for their thatche& roofs ha& colla$se& co $letely" Behin& the -ountain (ing&o " # tea of en ha& attache& the re'eale& barge an& %ere %orking it across the ri'er to us" The bo% %as $ointe& into the current" The barge %as tightly bri&le& to the $ulley line+ e'en so! the angry ri'er stro'e to tear it loose an& %ash it &o%nstrea " It %as not a large 'essel" # %agon an& tea %as going to be a snug fit" There %ere railings &o%n the si&e of the barge! but other than that it
DD8

e'ergreens" Beyon& the ! to%ering in the &istance! %ere the $eaks of the

%as si $ly a flat! o$en &eck" On our si&e! the $onies that 5ik an& his other si&e a tea of $atient

en ha&

been ri&ing ha& been harnesse& to $ull on the barge.s to%line %hile on the ules backe& slo%ly to%ar& the %ater" #s the barge ca e slo%ly to%ar& us! her bo% rose an& fell as the ri'er $ushe& against it" The current foa e& an& churne& aroun& its si&es! %hile an occasional &i$ of the bo% allo%e& a surge of %ater to fly u$ an& o'er" It %as not going to be a &ry ri&e across" The $ilgri s uttere& a ongst the sel'es anxiously! but one an.s 'oice su&&enly rose to )uell the " 6;hat other choice &o %e ha'e07 he $ointe& out" Thereafter silence fell" They %atche& the barge co e to%ar& us %ith &rea&" 5ik.s %agon an& tea %ere the first loa& across" *erha$s 5ik &i& it that %ay to gi'e the $ilgri s courage" I %atche& as the barge %as brought u$ snug to the ol& ra $ an& secure& stern/in" I sense& the &is$leasure of his tea ! but also that they %ere fa iliar %ith this" 5ik hi self le& the their hea&s %hile t%o of his onto the barge an& hel& en ore en scra ble& about an& tie& the %agon &o%n to ule tea on the other si&e took u$ the

the cleats" Then 5ik ste$$e& off! an& %a'e& his han& in signal" The t%o stoo&! one by each horse.s hea&! as the slack" The barge %as cast off an& o'e& out into the ri'er" =a&en! it sat

&ee$ly in the %ater! but it &i& not bob as freely as it ha&" T%ice the bo% lifte& high an& then $lunge& back &ee$ly enough to take a %ash of %ater o'er it" #ll %as silence on our si&e of the ri'er as %e %atche& the barge.s $assage" On the other si&e! it %as $ulle& in an& secure& bo% first! the %agon %as unfastene&! an& the en &ro'e it off an& u$ the hill" 6There" You see" 5othing to %orry about37 5ik s$oke %ith an easy grin! but I &oubte& that he belie'e& his o%n %or&s" # cou$le of en ro&e the barge back as it ca e across" They &i& not look the flying ha$$y about it" They clung to the railings an& %ince& a%ay fro
DD<

s$ray off the ri'er" 5e'ertheless they %ere both soake& by the ti e the barge reache& our si&e an& they ste$$e& off" One began to confer %ith hi $asse& hi an gesture& 5ik to one si&e an& on the shoul&ers an& his angrily! but he cla$$e& hi

laughe& lou&ly as if it %ere all a fine 4oke" He hel& out his han& an& they a s all $ouch" He hefte& it a$$ro'ingly before hanging it fro belt" 6I kee$ y %or&!7 he re in&e& the ! an& then stro&e back to our grou$" %ishe& to cross in the %agon! but a&e sure that each $erson ha& a otioning to (ettle an&

The $ilgri s %ent across next" So e of the the ri'er" He her&e& the Starling" 6I.ll go across %ith 6Your onto the barge an&

5ik $atiently $ointe& out that the hea'ier the loa&! the lo%er the barge ro&e in goo& $lace to gri$ along the rail" 6You! too!7 he calle&!

y cart!7 (ettle &eclare&! but 5ik shook his hea&" e" I kno% %hat I. &oing"7 He glance& at e"

are isn.t going to like this" If she goes cra1y out there! you &on.t %ant in& ri&ing across %ith the horse0 You see to han&le her %ell"7 are" You go on!

to be on the barge" Trust 6To 0 You no%"7

I no&&e&! an& 5ik sai&! 6There! no%! To .ll see to your

(ettle sco%le&! but ha& to o%n the sense of that" I hel$e& her &o%n! an& Starling took her ar Three of his s allest $ilgri an& %alke& her to the barge" 5ik ste$$e& onto the barge to si $ly hol& on an& not fear" an& s$oke briefly to the $ilgri s! telling the

en boar&e& the barge %ith the " One insiste& on hol&ing the chil& hi self" 6I kno% %hat to ex$ect!7 he tol& the anxious

other" 6I.ll see she gets across" You 4ust ha'e a care to yourself"7 The little girl began to cry at that an& her shrill %ailing coul& be hear& e'en o'er the rushing of the ri'er %ater as the barge %as $ulle& out onto the ri'er" 5ik stoo& besi&e e %atching the go"

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6They.ll be fine!7 he sai&! as grin" 6;ell! To ! a fe% yours"7

uch to hi self as to

e" He turne& to

e %ith a

ore tri$s an& I.ll be %earing that $retty earring of y %or& on the bargain but I %as not ha$$y sigh %ith relief %hen the barge reache& the en %ere securing it" en hurrie& the u$

I no&&e& to that silently" I.& gi'en about it" Des$ite 5ik.s %or&s! I hear& hi

other si&e" The &renche& $ilgri s scuttle& off e'en as the I %atche& Starling hel$ (ettle off! an& then so e of 5ik.s again! bearing t%o blin&fol&s an& three ore

the bank an& into the shelter of the trees" Then the barge %as co ing back to us en" The $ilgri s. e $ty %agon %ent next! along onto the barge" Once there an& nee&e& no urging %ith a cou$le of $onies" The $ilgri s. horses %ere not at all $lease&" It took en tugging to get the tie& &o%n! the horses still shifte& as their hea&s" I %atche& the uch as they coul&! snorting an& shaking an took the reins an& the %agon

cross" On the other si&e! the tea

to get the %agon s%iftly off the barge" # rattle& u$ the hill an& out of sight" The t%o

en %ho ro&e back that ti e ha& the %orst crossing yet" They %ere ense snag ca e in sight! bearing &irectly onstrous han& as the log

half%ay across the ri'er %hen an i

&o%n on the barge" The cla%ing roots looke& like a hel$ the blo%" The

bobbe& in the fierce current" 5ik shoute& at our $onies an& all of us s$rang to haul on the ro$e! but e'en so the log struck the barge a glancing en on boar& yelle& as the i $act shook the fro their gri$s on anage& to catch a secon& $ost an&

the railing" One %as nearly flung off! but sus$ecte& the

hung on for &ear life" Those t%o ca e off glaring an& cursing! as if they isha$ ha& been &eliberate" 5ik ha& the barge secure& an& hi self checke& all the lines fastening her to the $ulley ro$e" The i $act ha&

DDB

knocke& one railing loose" He shook his hea& o'er that! an& %arne& his about it as they &ro'e the last %agon aboar&"

en

Its crossing %as no %orse than any of the others" I %atche& %ith so e tre$i&ation! kno%ing that coul& sense he share& I trie& to cal y turn %as next" Fancy a bath! 5ighteyes0 It %ill be %orth it if there.s goo& hunting on the other si&e! he re$lie&! but I y ner'ousness" are as I %atche& the fasten the barge to yself an& (ettle.s

the lan&ing" I s$oke soothingly to her as I le& her &o%n! &oing all I coul& to assure her that she %oul& be fine" She see e& to acce$t it! ste$$ing cal ly onto the scarre& ti bers of the &eck" I le& her out slo%ly! ex$laining it all as I %ent" She stoo& )uietly as I tie& her to a ring set in the &eck" T%o of 5ik.s en ro$e& the cart &o%n fast" 5ighteyes lea$e& on! then sank &o%n! belly lo%! his cla%s &igging into the %oo&" He &i&n.t like the %ay the ri'er tugge& at the barge gree&ily" Truth to tell! neither &i& I" He 'enture& o'er to crouch besi&e e! feet s$laye&" 6You go on across %ith To alrea&y Stay clear of that %atche& the an& the cart!7 5ik tol& the soake& en %ho ha& a&e one tri$" 6-e an& y boys %ill bring our $onies on the last tri$"

are! no%! in case she &eci&es to kick"7

They ca e aboar& %arily+ eyeing 5ighteyes al ost as &istrustfully as they are" They clustere& at the back of the cart! an& hel& on there" o ent! 5ik &eclare&! 6I think I.ll ri&e this 5ighteyes an& I re aine& at the bo%" I ho$e& %e.& be out of reach of the are.s hoo'es there" #t the last en" The %e ule tea one o'er %ith you"7 He cast the barge off hi self %ith a grin an& a %a'e at his on the other si&e of the ri'er starte& u$! an& %ith a lurch o'e& out into the ri'er" e" ;e %ere su&&enly a toy in the clutches of an
DDC

;atching so ething is ne'er the sa e as &oing it" I gas$e& as the first slashing s$ray of ri'er %ater struck

un$re&ictable/chil&" The ri'er rushe& $ast us! tearing at the barge an& roaring its frustration that it coul& not &rag us free" The furious %ater near &eafene& e" The barge took a su&&en $lunge an& I foun& The secon& ti e a $lu e of %ater s acke& u$ fro all! the are screa e&" I let go of of her hea&stall" T%o of the to the are" an inten&e&" *erha$s to club otion fro the corner of isse& e %ith the $o el y eye an& turne& to face e an& staggere& for%ar& yself gri$$ing the railing as y ankles in $assing" the bo% an& &renche& us a surge of %ater flo%e& o'er the &eck an& clutche& at

y gri$ of the railing! inten&ing to take hol& a%ay an& turne&

en see e& to ha'e the sa e i&ea" They %ere

%orking their %ay for%ar&! clinging to the cart" I %a'e& the I %ill ne'er kno% %hat the of his knife" I caught the hi against the

4ust as the barge ga'e another lurch" He

are" The horse! alrea&y anxious! $anicke& into a fren1y of kicking" ing it against an e so that I staggere& a%ay" I a&e another flailing try at e" an" He angrily y attacker.s blo% e to%ar& y balance %hen the

She thre% her hea& %il&ly! sla ha& al ost caught

On the back of the cart! 5ik %as struggling %ith another shoute& so ething about his %or& an& his honor" I &ucke&

4ust as a crash of %ater ca e o'er the bo%" The force of it %ashe& cla%e& y s%or& half/free 4ust as so eone else grabbe& e" 5ighteyes hit hi e fro

the center of the barge" I caught hol& of a cart%heel an& clung there! gas$ing" I behin&" -y first attacker ca e at sla ing hi e! grinning! his knife bla&e first this ti e" Su&&enly a s)uarely in the chest! an! an& y

%et furry bo&y streake& $ast

back against the railing"

I hear& the crack of the %eakene& $ost" Slo%ly! so slo%ly! %olf! assailant %ith e" #s they %ent in! I

railing %ent ti$$ing to%ar& the %ater" I lunge& after the ! &ragging re ains of the $ost an& 5ighteyes. tail" I sacrifice&
DDD

anage& to catch both the shattere& y s%or& to &o it" -y gri$

%as only on the en& of his tail but I hel& on" His hea& ca e u$! his front $a%s scrabble& frantically against the e&ge of the barge" He starte& to cli b back on" Then a boote& foot ca e &o%n %ith a s ash on it ex$lo&e&" The next boot caught borne off" 6-y brother:7 I crie& alou&" The ri'er s%allo%e& of %ater o'er the &eck &renche& %ater $asse&! I trie& to get to e knelt besi&e e an& fille& y y %or&s! an& the next slosh outh an& nose" ;hen the an %ho ha& kicke& y neck" fingers fly o$en! sa% 5ighteyes s$un a%ay fro y shoul&er" The &ull ache in y e! snatche& by the ri'er an& e in the si&e of the hea&" I %atche&

y han&s an& knees" The

e" I felt the $ress of his knife against &oing this y %ay:7

6@ust stay %here you are! an& hol& on!7 he suggeste& gri ly" He turne& an& yelle& back at 5ik" 6I. I &i& not ans%er" I %as )uesting out sa'agely! $utting all reaching after the %olf" The barge surge& un&er %as &renche& by s$ray an& %a'es" 9ol&" ;et" ;ater in all" The barge scra$e& su&&enly against the ra $" They %ere clu sy in getting his knife before the secon& e to y feet on the other si&e" The one re o'e& y hair" I ca e u$ e no%" I ra&iate& an %ent &o%n ight &o to an ha& a goo& gri$ on y y strength into outh an& nose!

e! the ri'er roare& $ast! an& I

choking" I coul&n.t tell %here I en&e& an& 5ighteyes began" If he still existe& at

fighting! caring nothing for anything else they hate an& fury an& the $anicky horses follo%e& close enough to the

y lea&" One

are that one of her hoo'es sto'e in his ribs" That left t%o! anage& to catch hol& of

or so I thought" I shoul&ere& one into the ri'er" He

the barge an& clung there %hile I choke& his co $anion" 5ik shoute& %hat soun&e& like a %arning" I %as s)uee1ing his throat an& bashing his hea& on the &eck %hen the others fell on e" These ones %ore their bro%n an& gol& o$enly"
DDE

I trie& to

ake the

kill

e! but they &i&n.t" I hear& other cries fro

far u$ the e

hillsi&e an& thought I recogni1e& Starling.s 'oice raise& in anger" #fter a ti e! I lay trusse& on the sno%y ri'erbank" # %ith a &ra%n s%or&" I &i&n.t kno% if he threatene& %ith kee$ing the others fro killing an stoo& guar& o'er e! or if he %as charge&

e" They stoo& in a circle! staring &o%n at ight &o to gre%

e a'i&ly! like a $ack of %ol'es %ho ha& 4ust brought &o%n a &eer" I &i&n.t care" Frantically! I )ueste& out! caring nothing for anything they fainter an& fainter as he $ut all his energies into si $ly sur'i'ing" 5ik %as su&&enly flung &o%n besi&e shut an& %hen he grinne& at e" One of his eyes %as starting to $uff e! bloo& staine& his teeth" 6;ell! here %e are! e" I coul& sense that so e%here he fought for his life" -y sense of hi

To ! on the other si&e of the ri'er" I sai& I.& bring you here! an& here %e are" I.ll take that earring no%! as %e agree&"7 -y guar& kicke& hi He looke& u$ at the your ca$tain" I tol& hi in the ribs" 6Shut u$!7 he gro%le&" all! trie& to choose one to s$eak to" 6I ha& a &eal %ith I.& bring hi this an! an& in return! he offere& e e an& the others"7 e'er $rofite& us! hey! 6This %asn.t the agree ent!7 5ik insiste& %hen he coul& take a breath"

gol& an& safe $assage" For -ark

The sergeant ga'e a bitter laugh" 6;ell! it %oul&n.t be the first &eal 9a$tain a&e %ith a s uggler" O&&" 5ot a one of the boys0 #n& 9a$tain -ark! he.s &o%n the ri'er a %ay no%! so it.s har& to tell 4ust %hat he $ro ise& you" #l%ays like& his glory sho%s! &i& -ark" ;ell! no% he.s gone" But I kno% %hat an& bring the y or&ers are! an& that.s to arrest all s ugglers a goo& sol&ier! I a "7 back to -oonseye" I.

The sergeant stoo$e& &o%n an& relie'e& 5ik of the $ouch of gol&! an& his o%n $ouch as %ell" 5ik struggle&! an& lost so e bloo& in the $rocess" I &i& not bother %atching uch of it" He.& sol&
DEH

e to Regal.s guar&s" #n& ho% ha& he

kno%n %ho I %as0 *illo% talk %ith Starling! I tol& truste&! an& it ha& brought %hen they &ragge& hi a%ay"

yself bitterly" I ha&

e %hat it al%ays &i&" I &i& not e'en turn to look y foolishness ha& cost hi " #gain" I stare& u$ y bo&y! thre% y senses as %i&e as I coul&!

I ha& but one true frien&! an& at the sky an& reache& out of

)uesting! )uesting" I foun& hi " So e%here! his cla%s scrabble& an& scratche& at a stee$ an& icy bank" His &ense coat %as la&en %ith %ater! hea'y %ith it so he coul& scarcely kee$ his hea& u$" He lost his $urchase! the ri'er sei1e& hi again! an& once ore he s$un aroun& in it" It $ulle& hi un&er an& hel& hi there! then thre% hi Try: I co su&&enly to the surface" The air he gas$e& in %as la&en

%ith s$ray" He ha& no strength left" an&e& hi " (ee$ trying: again against a ri'erbank+ but this one %as a #n& the fickle current flung hi scrabbling at the like bello%s" Jet out: Shake off: He ga'e fro e no ans%er at all! but I felt hi haul hi self out" =ittle by little! he %here he co%ere&" He %as so col&" u11le" He stoo& u$ an& trie& to ore gaine& the brushy bank" He cra%le& out like a $u$$y! on his belly" ;ater ran hi ! for ing a $u&&le aroun& hi Frost %as alrea&y for ing on his ears an& ste$s fro

tangle of &angling roots" His cla%s caught in the ! an& he haule& hi self high! as he choke& out %ater an& gas$e& in air" His lungs %orke&

shake" He fell o'er" He staggere& to his feet again an& tottere& a fe% lightene& hi

the ri'er" He shook again! %ater flying e'ery%here" The action both an& stoo& his coat u$" He stoo&! hea& &o%n! an& gagge& out a

gush of ri'er %ater" Fin& shelter" 9url u$ an& get %ar ! I tol& hi " He %as not thinking 'ery %ell" The s$ark that %as 5ighteyes ha& al ost %inke& out" He snee1e& 'iolently se'eral ti es! then looke& aroun& hi self" There! I urge&
DE1

hi " >n&er that tree" Sno% ha& bent the e'ergreen.s fron&s al ost to the groun&" Beneath the tree %as a little hollo%! thickly floore& %ith she& nee&les" If he cre$t in there! an& curle& u$! he hi " You can ake it" Jo on" too har&" He.s 4ust staring at the sky"7 6I think you kicke& hi ight get %ar again" Jo on! I urge&

6Di& you see %hat that %o an &i& to Skef0 He.s blee&ing like a $ig" He $o$$e& her a goo& one back"7 6;here.& the ol& one go0 Di& anyone fin& her07 6She %on.t get far in this sno%! so &on.t %orry about it" ;ake hi hi on his feet"7 to the Skill/%i1ar&" #fter that! he.s not our y feet! I kne% I %as %alke& u$ the hill" I $ai& yself again! an& then cre$t un&er y tail o'er y nose" I the " Jo to again" to curl yself u$" I $ut 6He.s not e'en blinking his eyes" He.s har&ly e'en breathing"7 6I &on.t care" @ust take hi $roble "7 I kne% guar&s &ragge& e to no attention to that bo&y" Instea&! I shook the tree" There %as 4ust roo flicke& u$ an& get

y ears a fe% ti es to shake the last of the %ater fro

slee$ no%" E'erything.s fine" Jo to slee$" I close& his eyes for hi " He %as still shi'ering! but I coul& feel a hesitant %ar th cree$ing through hi Jently I &re% I lifte& yself clear" y o%n eyes" I %as %alking u$ a trail! %ith e" I &i&n.t nee& to look back to kno% that y hea& an& looke& out of

a tall Farro% guar& on either si&e of the trees" I sa% his

others follo%e&" #hea& of us! I sa% 5ik.s %agons! $ulle& u$ in the shelter of en sitting on the groun& %ith their han&s boun& behin& the " The $ilgri s! still &ri$$ing! hu&&le& aroun& a fire" Se'eral guar&s stoo& aroun& their grou$ as %ell" I &i&n.t see Starling or (ettle" One %o an clutche& her chil& to her an& %e$t noisily o'er his shoul&er" The boy &i& not a$$ear to
DE2

be

o'ing" #

an

et

y eyes! then turne& asi&e to s$it on the groun&" 6It.s say lou&ly" 6E&a

the ;itte& Bastar&.s fault %e.'e co e to this!7 I hear& hi sco%ls u$on hi : He tainte& our $ilgri age:7 They arche&

e to a co fortable tent $itche& in the lee of so e great trees" I y knees on a thick gri$ on y

%as sho'e& through the tent fla$s an& $ushe& &o%n onto

shee$skin rug on an ele'ate& %oo&en floor" One guar& ke$t a fir but %e got hi "7

hair as the sergeant announce&! 6Here he is! sir" The %olf got 9a$tain -ark! # fat bra1ier of coals ga'e off a %elco e heat" The interior of the tent %as the %ar est $lace I.& been in &ays" The su&&en heat al ost stu$efie& &i& not share e" But Burl y o$inion" He sat in a %oo&en chair on the other si&e of the an& the night col&" He

bra1ier! his feet outstretche& to%ar& it" He %as robe& an& hoo&e& an& co'ere& o'er %ith furs as if there %ere nothing else bet%een hi ha& al%ays been a large fra e& an+ no% he %as hea'y as %ell" His &ark hair e"

ha& been curle& in i itation of Regal.s" Dis$leasure shone in his &ark eyes" 6Ho% is it that you aren.t &ea&07 he &e an&e& of There %as no goo& ans%er to that )uestion" I erely looke& at hi ! ex$ression

blan&! %alls tight" His face flushe& su&&enly re& an& his cheeks a$$eare& s%ollen %ith his anger" ;hen he s$oke! his 'oice %as tight" He glare& at the sergeant" 6Re$ort $ro$erly"7 Then! before the %olf get a%ay07 65ot let hi ! no! sir" He attacke& the ca$tain" He an& 9a$tain -ark %ent into the ri'er together! sir! an& %ere carrie& off" ;ater that col& an& s%ift! neither ha& a chance to sur'i'e" But I.'e sent a fe% for the ca$tain.s bo&y"7 en &o%nri'er to check the bank an coul& begin! he aske&! 6You let the

DE8

6I.ll %ant the %olf.s bo&y as %ell! if it.s %ashe& u$" Be sure your that"7 6Yes! sir"7

en kno%

6Di& you secure the s uggler! 5ik0 Or &i& he get a%ay! as %ell07 Burl.s sarcas %as hea'y" en" ;e ha'e those tra'eling %ith hi to be $ilgri s seeking E&a.s an broke the (ing.s la%! ore of a fight than %e ex$ecte&" So e ran off in back" They clai 65o! sir" ;e ha'e the s uggler an& his as %ell! though they $ut u$ the %oo&s! but %e got the shrine in the -ountains"7 6That concerns s uggler07 The sergeant looke& sur$rise&" 65o! sir" Jol& $ai& to a s uggler0 There %as no sign of that" I %on&er if it %ent &o%nri'er %ith 9a$tain -ark" *erha$s he ha&n.t gi'en it to the 6I a an ,7 ore of %hat goes on than you think I &o" Fin& it" not a fool" I kno% far e not at all" ;hat atters %hy a after he has broken it0 Di& you reco'er the gol& the ca$tain $ai& the

#ll of it! an& return it here" Di& you ca$ture all the s ugglers07 The sergeant took a breath an& &eci&e& on the truth" 6There %ere a fe% %ith the $ony tea ,7 6Forget the " ;here is the Bastar&.s acco $lice07 The sergeant looke& blank" I belie'e he &i& not kno% the %or&" 6Di& not you ca$ture a instrel0 Starling07 Burl &e an&e& again" an hol&ing her The sergeant looke& unco fortable" 6She got a bit out of control! sir" ;hen the en %ere sub&uing the Bastar& on the ra $" She lit into the an& broke his nose" It took a bit to , get her un&er control"7 6Is she ali'e07 Burl.s tone left no &oubt of his conte $t for their co $etence"
DE<

on the far si&e %hen %e took &o%n 5ik" They ro&e off before

The sergeant flushe&" 6Yes! sir" But , 6 Burl silence& the

%ith a look" 6;ere an shoul& ha'e

your ca$tain still ali'e! he %oul& %ish he %ere &ea& no%" You ha'e no conce$t of ho% to re$ort! or of ho% to retain control of a situation" # been sent to The secure& i barge in the ei e&iately! to infor e of these e'ents as they ha$$ene&" an on a

instrel shoul& not ha'e been $er itte& to see %hat %as ha$$ening! but e&iately" #n& only an i&iot %oul& ha'e trie& to sub&ue a i&&le of a strong current %hen all he ha& to &o %as %ait for the an& there" #s for the e! or you shall all go un$ai& until it is

barge to lan&" He.& ha'e ha& a &o1en s%or&s at his co s uggler.s bribe! it %ill be returne& to a&e u$" I a

not a fool"7 He glare& aroun& at e'eryone in the tent" 6This has

been bungle&" I %ill not excuse it"7 He fol&e& his li$s tightly" ;hen he s$oke again! he s$at out the %or&s" 6#ll of you" Jo"7 6Yes! sir" Sir0 The $risoner07 6=ea'e hi hi follo%e& hi here" =ea'e t%o $ro $tly" et his eyes" -y han&s %ere boun& tightly behin& y knees any ore" I got to e! e on et y feet an& stoo& looking en outsi&e! s%or&s &ra%n" But I %ish to s$eak to en alone"7 The sergeant bo%e& an& hastene& out of the tent" His

I looke& u$ at Burl an& but no one hel& )uiet" It &o%n on Burl" He the sergeant" I a y sur'i'ing" I a

y ga1e unflinchingly" ;hen he s$oke his 'oice %as ore threatening" 6I re$eat to you %hat I tol& e" I ha'e a $lan as %ell! an& it inclu&es e any trouble at all! I shall e fro killing

a&e his %or&s all the

not a fool" I &o not &oubt that you alrea&y ha'e a $lan to going to tell it to you" It.s a si $le $lan! Bastar&" I ha'e

esca$e" It $robably inclu&es killing

al%ays $referre& si $licity" It is this" If you gi'e brought to hi

ha'e you kille&" #s you ha'e no &oubt &e&uce&! (ing Regal %ishes you ali'e" If $ossible" Don.t think that %ill $re'ent you if you beco e incon'enient" If you are thinking of your Skill! I %ill %arn
DE?

you

in& is %ell %ar&e&" If I e'en sus$ect you of trying it! %e %ill try your y guar&.s s%or&" #s for your ;it! %ell! it see s y $roble s ateriali1e! he! too! is not $roof

Skill against

are sol'e& there! as %ell" But shoul& your %olf against a s%or&"7 I sai& nothing" 6Do you un&erstan& I ga'e a single no&" 6That is as %ell" 5o%" If you gi'e e07

e no $roble s! you %ill be treate& fairly" et y ga1e! &e an&ing an

#s %ill the others" If you are &ifficult at all! they! too! %ill share your $ri'ations" Do you un&erstan& that as %ell07 He ans%er" I atche& his )uiet tone" 6Do you truly think I.& care if you s$ille& 5ik.s e to you07 e col&! for that s ile ha& once belonge& to the bloo&! no% that he.s sol& He s ile&" It turne&

car$enter.s genial a$$rentice" # &ifferent Burl no% %ore his skin" 6You.re a %ily one! Bastar&! an& ha'e been since I.'e kno%n you" But you.'e the sa e %eakness of your father an& the *reten&er+ you belie'e e'en one of these $easants. li'es to be %orth the e)ual of yours" Be any trouble to all $ay! to the last &ro$ of bloo&" Do you un&erstan& I )uietly aske&! 6#n& if I a He shook his hea& o'er ;ere I a less kin&ly He %as right" I ha& no sto ach to 'isuali1e the $ilgri s $aying for e! an& they y &aring" e0 E'en 5ik"7

coo$erati'e0 ;hat beco es of the ! then07 y foolishness in caring" 6Three years. ser'itu&e" each of the ! for they ha'e

an! I.& take a han& fro

&irectly &isobeye& the (ing.s or&ers in atte $ting to cross the bor&er an& &eser'e to be $unishe& as" traitors" Ten years for the s ugglers"7 I kne% fe% of the s ugglers %oul& sur'i'e" 6#n& the instrel07

DEB

I &o not kno% %hy he ans%ere&

y )uestion! but he &i&" 6The

instrel %ill

ha'e to &ie" You kno% that alrea&y" She kne% %ho you %ere! for ;ill )uestione& her back in Blue =ake" She chose to hel$ you! %hen she coul& ha'e ser'e& her king instea&" She is a traitor"7 His %or&s ignite& the s$ark of y te $er" 6In hel$ing e! she ser'es the true king" #n& %hen Aerity returns! you %ill feel his %rath" There %ill be no one to shiel& you or the rest of your false coterie"7 For a o ent! Burl only looke& at e" I caught control of yself" I ha& soun&e& like a chil&! threatening another %ith his big brother.s %rath" -y %or&s %ere useless! an& %orse than useless" 6Juar&s:7 Burl &i& not shout" He scarcely lifte& his 'oice at all! but the t%o %ere insi&e the tent instantly! s%or&s &ra%n an& $ointe& at beha'e& as if he &i& not notice the %ea$ons" 6Bring the y face" Burl instrel to us here"

#n& see that she &oes not get Fout of control. this ti e"7 ;hen they hesitate&! he shook his hea& an& sighe&" 6Jo on! no%! both of you" Sen& your sergeant to e as %ell"7 ;hen they ha& &e$arte&! he &iscontent" 6You see %hat they gi'e et y eyes an& a&e a face of e to %ork %ith" -oonseye has e'er been ust face y king.s &is$leasure %hen

the refuse $ile for Six Duchies sol&iery" I ha'e the cra'ens! the fools! the &iscontents! the conni'ers" #n& then I e'ery task gi'en the is botche&"7 e to co iserate %ith hi " 6So! Regal has sent I think he actually ex$ecte& Burl ga'e here before

you here to 4oin the !7 I obser'e& instea&" e a strange s ile" 6#s (ing Shre%& sent your father an& Aerity e"7 the bra1ier %as see$ing into e! causing e

That %as true" I looke& &o%n at the thick shee$skin co'ering the floor" I %as &ri$$ing on it" The %ar th fro to shi'er as if y bo&y %ere gi'ing u$ col& it ha& hoar&e&" For an instant I
DEC

)ueste& a%ay fro

yself" -y %olf sle$t no%! %ar er than I %as" Burl

reache& to a s all table besi&e his chair an& took u$ a $ot" He $oure& a stea ing cu$ of beef broth for hi self an& si$$e& at it" I coul& s ell its sa'or" Then he sighe& an& leane& back in his chair" 6;e.'e co e a long %ays fro soun&e& regretful" I bobbe& y hea&" He %as a cautious an! Burl! an& I &i& not &oubt that he %oul& carry out his threats" I ha& seen the sha$e of his Skill! an& seen! too! ho% Jalen ha& bent an& t%iste& it into a tool that Regal %oul& use" He %as loyal to an u$start $rince" That Jalen ha& forge& into hi + he coul& no longer se$arate it fro his Skill" He ha& a bitions for $o%er! an& he lo'e& the in&olent life his uscles of his %ork" Skill ha& earne& hi " His ar s no longer bulge& %ith the %here %e began! ha'en.t %e07 He al ost

Instea& his belly stretche& his tunics an& the 4o%ls of his cheeks hung hea'y" He see e& a &eca&e ol&er than I %as" But he %oul& guar& his $osition against anything that threatene& it" Juar& it sa'agely" The sergeant reache& the tent first! but his after%ar&" She %alke& bet%een the straight before Burl an& ga'e hi ;hen she stoo& alongsi&e en ca e %ith Starling shortly to her as she stoo& an& entere& the tent %ith &ignity &es$ite

her bruise& face an& s%ollen li$" There %as an icy cal fury she containe&" Of fear she sho%e& no sign at all"

no greeting at all" *erha$s only I sense& the

e! Burl lifte& his eyes to consi&er us both" He an is

$ointe& one finger at her" 6-instrel" You are a%are that this Fit19hi'alry! the ;itte& Bastar&"7 Starling a&e no res$onse" It %as not a )uestion"

6In Blue =ake! ;ill! of Jalen.s 9oterie! ser'ant of (ing Regal! offere& you gol&! goo& honest coin! if you coul& hel$ us track &o%n this an" You &enie&

DED

all kno%le&ge of %here he %as"7 He $ause&! as if gi'ing her a chance to s$eak" She sai& nothing" 6Yet! here %e ha'e foun& you! tra'eling in his co $any again"7 He took a &ee$ breath" 6#n& no% he tells *reten&er" #n& he threatens e that you! in ser'ing hi ! ser'e Aerity the e %ith Aerity.s %rath" Tell e" Before I res$on& iss$oken on your behalf07 e" ;hen she s$oke! her e! y lor&"! 5or

to this! &o you agree %ith this0 Or has he

;e both kne% he %as offering her a chance" I ho$e& she.& ha'e the sense to take it" I sa% Starling s%allo%" She &i& not look at a I any 'oice %as lo% an& controlle&" 6I nee& no one to s$eak for

an.s ser'ant" I &o not ser'e Fit19hi'alry"7 She $ause&! an& I felt

&i11ying relief" But then she took breath an& %ent on! 6But if Aerity Farseer li'es+ then he is true (ing of the Six Duchies" #n& I &o not &oubt that all %ho say other%ise %ill feel his %rath" If he returns"7 Burl sighe& out through his nose" He shook his hea& regretfully" He gesture& to one of the %aiting one"7 6I a kill a a instrel:7 Starling ob4ecte& in horror" She stare& at hi one %as entirely another" an %hen he hesitate&" a in &isbelief" ;e all &i&" It %as not unhear& of for a instrel %as one thing" To har instrel"7 The hi 6Di& you not hear 6Sir! she.s a instrel"7 Burl turne& a%ay fro to his sergeant" 6You %ill see he recei'es fi'e in& you! an& I %ish to be able to count lashes before I retire this night" Fi'e! the se$arate %elts on his back"7 6Yes! sir!7 the sergeant sai& faintly" e07 Burl aske& the instrel to be execute& for treason" To en" 6You" Break one of her fingers" I &on.t care %hich

an looke& stricken" 6It.s ba& luck to har

DEE

Burl turne& back to the one"7 He s$oke the co The an

an" 6Break one of her fingers" I &on.t care %hich an& as if he ha& ne'er uttere& the %or&s before" an in a &rea " He %as going to obey! an&

o'e& to%ar& her like a

Burl %as not going to sto$ the or&er" 6I %ill kill you!7 I $ro ise& Burl sincerely" Burl s ile& at behin& e serenely" 6Juar&s an" -ake that t%o of her fingers" I &o not o'e& s%iftly! &ra%ing his knife an& ste$$ing e to y knees" I looke& u$ at y throat an& $ushe& care %hich ones"7 The sergeant e" He set it to Starling" She glance& at Her han&s! like

e once! her eyes flat an& e $ty! then looke& a%ay"

ine! %ere boun& behin& her" She stare& straight ahea& at

Burl.s chest" Still an& silent she stoo&! going %hiter an& %hiter until he actually touche& her" She crie& out! a hoarse guttural soun& as he gri$$e& her %rists" Then she screa e&! but her cry coul& not co'er the t%o s all sna$s her fingers a&e as the 6Sho% an bent the back%ar& at the 4oints" an thrust her &o%n on e!7 Burl co an&e&"

#s if angry %ith Starling that he ha& ha& to &o this! the not fro

her face" She lay on the shee$skin before Burl.s feet" #fter the screa ! she ha& a&e a soun&" The t%o s allest fingers on her left han& stoo& out cra1ily the others" Burl looke& &o%n at the ! an& no&&e&! satisfie&" e"7 Burl.s 'oice %as e'en"

6Take her a%ay" See she is %ell guar&e&" Then co e back an& see your sergeant" ;hen he is finishe& %ith you! co e to The guar& sei1e& Starling by her collar an& &ragge& her to her feet" He looke& both ill an& angry as he $ro&&e& her out of the tent" Burl no&&e& to the sergeant" 6=et! hi u$! no%"7 e" But there %as no longer e" 5o% I kno% that I stoo& looking &o%n at hi ! an& he looke& u$ at

the slightest &oubt as to %ho %as in control of the situation" His 'oice %as 'ery )uiet as he obser'e&! 6Earlier you sai& you un&erstoo&
EHH

you &o" The 4ourney to -oonseye can be s%ift an& easy for you! Fit19hi'alry" #n& for the others" Or it can be other%ise" It is entirely u$ to you"7 I a&e no re$ly" 5one %as nee&e&" Burl no&&e& to the other guar&s an" He e fro Burl.s tent to another one" Four other guar&s inhabite& it" He eat an& a cu$ of %ater" I %as &ocile as he retie& y han&s behin& y e e so I coul& eat" #fter%ar&! he $ointe& e to a blanket in a e both brea& an& took ga'e

han&s in front of again an& tie&

corner! an& I %ent like an obe&ient &og" They boun& there %ere at least t%o %atching I &i& not care" I turne& a%ay fro e" the

y feet" They ke$t the bra1ier burning all night! an& al%ays an& face& the %all of the tent" I close& y %olf" His coat %as ostly &ry! but e" 5ighteyes

y eyes! an& %ent! not to slee$! but to

still he sle$t in exhaustion" Both the col& an& the battering of the ri'er ha& taken their toll of hi " I took %hat s all co fort %as left to li'e&! an& no% he sle$t" I %on&ere& on %hich si&e of the ri'er"

9H#*TER EIJHTEE5 -oonseye -OO5SEYE IS a s all but fortifie& to%n on the bor&er bet%een the Six Duchies an& the -ountain (ing&o " It is a $ro'isioning to%n an& tra&itional sto$$ing $lace for tra&e cara'ans using the 9helika trail to the ;i&e Yale $ass an& the lan&s beyon& the -ountain (ing&o " It %as fro -oonseye that *rince 9hi'alry negotiate& his last great treaty %ith *rince Rurisk of the -ountain (ing&o " On the heels of finali1ing this treaty ca e the &isco'ery that 9hi'alry %as father to an illegiti ate son concei'e& %ith a %o an fro that area an& alrea&y so e six years ol&" (ing/in/;aiting 9hi'alry conclu&e&
EH1

his negotiations an& i

e&iately ro&e ho e to Buckkee$! %here he offere& his

)ueen! father! an& sub4ects his &ee$est a$ologies for his youthful failure! an& ab&icate& the throne to a'oi& creating any confusion as to the line of succession" Burl ke$t his %or&" By &ay I %alke&! flanke& by guar&s! behin& fee& e" I %as house& in a tent by night an& yself" 5o one %as unnecessarily cruel to y han&s boun& ight

y han&s unboun& that I

e" I &o not kno% if Burl ha& e" In any case! y

or&ere& that I be strictly left alone! or if enough tales of the ;itte&! $oisoning Bastar& ha& been s$rea& that no one 'enture& to bother trek to -oonseye %as no $ro'isions a&e it" I %as se)uestere& fro ore un$leasant than foul %eather an& ilitary

the $ilgri s so I kne% nothing of

ho% (ettle! Starling! an& the others fare&" -y guar&s &i& not talk a ong the sel'es in her a&e y $resence! so I ha& not e'en ca $ gossi$ for ru ors" I &are& not ask after any of the " E'en to think of Starling an& %hat they ha& &one to e ill" I %on&ere& if anyone %oul& $ity her enough to straighten an& e ho% often I bin& her fingers" I %on&ere& if Burl %oul& allo% it" It sur$rise& thought of (ettle an& the chil&ren of the $ilgri s" I &i& ha'e 5ighteyes" -y secon& night in Burl.s custo&y! after a hasty fee&ing of brea& an& cheese! I %as left alone in a corner of a tent that house& six an& a blanket flung o'er en/ at/ar s as %ell" -y %rists an& ankles %ere %ell boun&! but not cruelly tight! e" -y guar&s soon beca e engrosse& in a ga e of &ice by the can&le that lit the tent" It %as a tent of goo& goat leather! an& they ha& floore& it %ith ce&ar boughs for their o%n co fort! so I &i& not suffer uch fro col&" I %as aching an& %eary an& the foo& in y belly a&e e &ro%sy" Yet I struggle& to stay a%ake" I )ueste& out to%ar& 5ighteyes! al ost fearful of %hat I ight fin&" I ha& ha& only the barest traces of his $resence in
EH2

in& since I ha& bi& hi

slee$" 5o% I reache& for hi

an& %as 4olte& to

feel hi

)uite close by" He re'eale& hi self as if ste$$ing through a curtain! y shock"

an& see e& a use& at

Ho% long ha'e you been able to &o that0 # %hile" I ha& been gi'ing thought to %hat the bear/ an tol& us" #n& %hen %e %ere a$art! I ca e to kno% I ha& a life of in y in&" e to rebuke hi for it" in the %ar th" I felt for hi " I feare& y o%n" I foun& a $lace of y o%n

I sense& a hesitancy to his thought! as if he ex$ecte& Instea& I e brace& hi ! %ra$$ing hi you %oul& &ie"

I fear the sa e for you! no%! #l ost hu bly he a&&e&! But I li'e&" #n& no% at least one of us is free! to rescue the other" Ia gla& you are safe" But I fear there is little you can &o for e" #n& if they e off catch sight of you! they %ill not rest until they ha'e kille& you" Then they shall not catch sight of hunting %ith hi stor that night" y concentration to stay on y feet an& o'ing" # ilitary $ace &es$ite the sno%y trails %e The next &ay it took all of e! he $ro ise& lightly" He carrie&

ble% u$" ;e atte $te& a o'e& a%ay fro

follo%e& an& the shrieking %in&s that constantly buffete& us %ith threats of sno%" #s %e the ri'er an& u$ into the foothills! the trees an& ore bitter at night the higher %e %ent" The e on y feet an& ali'e! but little ore" ounte& guar&" I un&erbrush %ere thicker" ;e hear& the %in& in the trees abo'e us! but felt it less" The col& beca e &rier an& foo& I %as gi'en %as enough to kee$ %alke& behin& in the i&st of

Burl ro&e at the hea& of his $rocession! follo%e& by his by regulars" Behin& all that traile& the baggage train"

y guar&s" Behin& us ca e the $ilgri s flanke&

EH8

#t the en& of each &ay.s acce$ting y

arch! I %as confine& to a s%iftly $itche& tent! fe&!

an& then ignore& until the next &ay.s rising" -y con'ersations %ere li ite& to eals! an& to nightti e thought/sharing %ith 5ighteyes" The hunting on this si&e of the ri'er %as lush co $are& to %here %e ha& been" He foun& ga e al ost effortlessly an& %as %ell on his %ay to rebuil&ing his ol& strength" He foun& it no trouble at all to kee$ $ace %ith us an& still ha'e ti e to hunt" 5ighteyes ha& 4ust torn into a rabbit.s entrails on ;hat is it0 Hunters" Stalkers" He aban&one& his eat an& stoo&" He %as on a hillsi&e tree to tree! %ere at least o ents! his keen nose abo'e Burl.s ca $" -o'ing to%ar& it! sli$$ing fro crouche& in the co'er of a &ense thicket" In a fe% y fourth night as a $risoner %hen he su&&enly lifte& his hea& an& snuffe& the %in&"

t%o &o1en sha&o%y figures" # &o1en carrie& bo%s" #s 5ighteyes %atche&! t%o caught the scent of s oke" # tiny fire glo%e& &ully at their feet" They signale& the others! %ho s$rea& out! noiseless as sha&o%s" #rchers sought 'antage $oints %hile the others sli$$e& into the ca $ belo%" So e %ent to%ar& the $icket lines of the ani als" ;ith y o%n ears! I hear& stealthy footste$s outsi&e the tent %here I lay trusse&" They &i& not $ause" 5ighteyes s elle& the stench of burning $itch" #n instant later! t%o fla ing bolts %ent %inging through the night" They struck Burl.s tent" In a o ent! a great cry arose" #s slee$ing sol&iers stu ble& out of their tents an& hea&e& to%ar& the bla1e! the archers on the hillsi&e raine& arro%s &o%n on the " Burl stu ble& out of the burning tent! %ra$$ing his blankets about hi self as he ca e an& bello%ing or&ers" 6They.re after the Bastar&! you fools: Juar& hi at all costs:7 Then an arro% %ent ski$$ing $ast hi o'er the fro1en groun&" He crie& out an& flung hi self flat into the shelter of a su$$ly %agon" # breath later t%o arro%s thu&&e& into it"
EH<

The

en in

y tent ha& lea$e& u$ at the first co

otion" I ha& largely ignore&

the ! $referring 5ighteyes. 'ie% of the e'ents" But %hen the sergeant burst into the tent! his first or&er %as 6Drag hi (ee$ hi outsi&e before they fire the tent" an knelt on y back! &o%n" If they co e for hi ! cut his throat:7 y throat" Six others surroun&e& us" #ll about us! in the errily an&

The sergeant.s or&ers %ere follo%e& )uite literally" # his bare& knife set to &arkness! other

en scra ble& an& shoute&" There %as a secon& outcry as y hea& an& see %hat y face back into the

another tent %ent u$ in fla es! 4oining Burl.s! %hich no% bla1e& lit his en& of the ca $ %ell" The first ti e I trie& to lift %as ha$$ening! the young sol&ier on through the %olf.s eyes instea&" Ha& not Burl.s guar& been so intent on kee$ing they y back sla e& fro1en groun& energetically" I resigne&

yself to ice an& gra'el an& looke& e! an& on $rotecting Burl!

ight ha'e $ercei'e& that neither of us %ere the targets of this rai&" ;hile

arro%s fell about Burl an& his bla1ing tent! at the &ark en& of the ca $ the silent in'a&ers %ere freeing s ugglers an& $ilgri s an& $onies" 5ighteyes. s$ying ha& sho%n e that the archer %ho ha& fire& Burl.s tent %ore the eal fro a hole& sack %hile an/at/ar s Hol&fast features as clearly as 5ik &i&" The s ugglers ha& co e after their o%n" The ca$ti'es trickle& out of the ca $ like Burl.s en guar&e& hi an& e" Burl.s assess ent of his

en ha& been correct" -ore than one

%aite& out that rai& in the sha&o% of a %agon or a tent" I &i& not &oubt that they.& fight %ell if $ersonally attacke&! but no one 'enture& to lea& a sortie against the archers on the hill" I sus$ecte& then that 9a$tain -ark ha& not been the only an to ha'e an arrange ent %ith the s ugglers" The fire they &i& return %as ineffecti'e! for the bla1ing tents in the ca $ ha& ruine& their night

EH?

'ision! %hereas the fire

a&e silhouettes an& targets of the archers %ho stoo&

to return the s ugglers. fire" It %as o'er in a re arkably short ti e" The archers on the hill continue& to loose arro%s &o%n on us as they sli$$e& a%ay! an& that fire hel& the attention of Burl.s en" ;hen the rain of issiles abru$tly cease&! Burl i e&iately roare& for his sergeant! &e an&ing to kno% if I ha& been ke$t" The sergeant looke& %arningly about at his off e" iserable" I s$ent a goo& $art of it face&o%n in the e" The ost of his $ersonal su$$lies" ;hen the The rest of that night %as en! an& then calle& back that they.& hel& the

sno% %hile a half/&resse& Burl snorte& an& sta $e& all aroun& burning of his tent ha& consu e&

esca$e of the $ilgri s an& s ugglers %as &isco'ere&! it see e& to be of secon&ary i $ortance to the fact that no one else in ca $ ha& clothing of a si1e that %oul& fit Burl" Three other tents ha& been fire&" Burl.s ri&ing horse ha& been taken in a&&ition to the s ugglers. $onies" For all Burl.s bello%e& threats of &ire 'engeance! he a&e no effort to organi1e a $ursuit" Instea& he contente& hi self %ith kicking e se'eral ti es" It %as nearly &a%n before he thought to ask if the true target of the rai&" He tri$le& the guar& aroun& instrel! too! ha& been taken" She ha&" #n& that! he &eclare&! $ro'e& that I ha& been the e for the rest of that night! an& for the next t%o &ays. 4ourney to -oonseye" 5ot sur$risingly! %e sa% no ore of our attackers" They ha& got all they %ishe& an& 'anishe& into the foothills" I ha& no &oubt that 5ik ha& boltholes on this si&e of the ri'er as %ell" I coul& not feel any %ar th to%ar& the to %hen he esca$e&" *erha$s Starling coul& an %ho ha& sol& ake a song of that" e but I confesse& yself a gru&ging a& iration that he ha& carrie& off the $ilgri s %ith hi

EHB

-oonseye see e& a s all to%n hi&&en in a fol& of the

ountains. skirts"

There %ere fe% outlying far stea&s! an& the cobble& streets began abru$tly 4ust outsi&e the %oo&en $alisa&e that surroun&e& the to%n" # sentry issue& a for al challenge to us there fro a to%er abo'e the %alls" It %as only after %e ilitary ha& entere& it that I a$$reciate& %hat a thri'ing little city it %as" I kne% fro y lessons %ith Fe&%ren that -oonseye ha& been an i $ortant out$ost for the Six Duchies before it ha& beco e a sto$$ing $lace for cara'ans boun& for the other si&e of the -ountains" 5o% tra&ers in a ber an& furs an& car'e& i'ory $asse& through -oonseye on a regular basis an& enriche& it in their $assing" Or so it ha& been in the years since y father ha& succee&e& in negotiating an o$en/$ass treaty %ith the -ountain (ing&o " Regal.s ne% hostilities ha& change& all that" -oonseye ha& re'erte& to the ilitary hol&ing it ha& been in sol&iers are sol&iers" The y gran&father.s &ay" The sol&iers that o'e& through the streets %ore Regal.s gol& an& bro%n instea& of Buck.s blue! but erchants ha& the %eary! %ary air of en rich only in their so'ereign.s scri$ an& %on&ering ho% re&ee able it %oul& $ro'e in the long run" Our $rocession attracte& the attention of the locals! but it %as a surre$titious curiosity they sho%e& us" I %on&ere& %hen it ha& beco e ba& luck to %on&er too Des$ite uch about the (ing.s business" e to aban&on e to Aerity.s care! an& %here y other.s y father" y %eariness! I looke& about the to%n %ith interest" This %as %here e on to Burrich" I ha& al%ays %on&ere& if

y gran&father ha& brought Aerity ha& $asse&

folk ha& li'e& near -oonseye or if %e ha& tra'ele& far to seek out e ory of y lost chil&hoo& in e" -oonseye looke& to

But I looke& in 'ain for any lan& ark or sign that %oul& a%aken so e e both as strange an& as fa iliar as any s all to%n I ha& e'er 'isite&"

EHC

The to%n %as thick %ith sol&iers" Tents an& lean/tos ha& been thro%n u$ against e'ery %all" It looke& as if the $o$ulation ha& recently increase& a great &eal" E'entually %e ca e to a courtyar& that the ani als in the baggage train recogni1e& as ho e" ;e %ere &ra%n u$ an& then &is isse& %ith $recision" -y guar& arche& %in&o%less an& forbi&&ing" Insi&e %as a single roo %here an ol& ilitary e off to a s)uat %oo&en buil&ing" It %as an sat on

a lo% stool by a %i&e hearth %here a %elco ing fire burne&" =ess %elco ing %ere three &oors %ith s all barre& %in&o%s on the roo " I %as sho%n into one! alone" #s $risons go! it %as the nicest one I.& e'er been in" I caught thought an& bare& %as a ro$e/lace& be&stea& %ith a bag of stra% on it for a cha ber $ot in the corner" So e light ca e in fro so e %ar th" 5ot yself in that y teeth to it in so ething that %as not )uite a grin" There attress" There %as a the barre& %in&o%! an& y bon&s su that o$ene& off that arily cut! an& then I %as left

uch of either! but it %as still a great &eal %ar er than y cloak an& eal

outsi&e" It ha& not the se'erity of a serious $rison" I &eci&e& it %as a hol&ing area for &runk or &isru$ti'e sol&iers" It felt o&& to take off ittens an& set the offere& $ass asi&e" I sat &o%n on the e&ge of the be& an& %aite&" ug of ale" The ol& an o$ene& the &oor to e by obser'ing! y

The only re arkable thing that ha$$ene& that e'ening %as that the eat an& brea& an& e'en a

e the tray" ;hen he ca e to take the tray back! he left t%o blankets for

e" I thanke& hi ! an& he looke& startle&" Then he shocke& face! rather hastily" 5o one s$oke further to there %ere three younger

6You.'e your father.s 'oice as %ell as his eyes"7 Then he shut the &oor in o'erhear& %ere the curses an& gibes of a &ice ga e" Fro

e! an& the only con'ersation I the 'oices I &eci&e&

en in the antecha ber as %ell as the ol& key hol&er"

EHD

#s e'ening ca e on! they ga'e u$ their &ice for )uiet talk" I coul& soun&lessly fro

ake out

little of %hat %as sai& o'er the shrilling of the %in& outsi&e" I arose y be& an& ghoste& to the &oor" ;hen I $eere& out of its an %as ore than barre& %in&o%! I sa% no less than three sentries on &uty" The ol& took their &uties seriously" One %as a bear&less boy! $robably no fourteen" The other t%o %as ob'iously in co o'e& like sol&iers" One ha& a face ine+ I &eci&e& he %as a bra%ler" The other %ore a neatly tri

aslee$ on his o%n be& in the corner! but these three in Regal.s gol& an& bro%n ore scarre& than e& bear& an&

an& of the other t%o" #ll %ere a%ake! if not exactly teasing the la&! the bra%ler

alert" The bra%ler %as teasing the boy about so ething" The boy.s face %as sullen" Those t%o! at least! &i& not get along" Fro %ent to en&lessly co $laining about -oonseye" The li)uor %as ba&! there %ere too fe% %o en! an& those there %ere as col& as the %inter itself" He %ishe& the (ing %oul& cut their leash an& let the take that tree/fort to%n in a sli$$e& a%ay fro 5ice cage" #t least they fe& e %ell" yself" # little %ar bloo& in your eat is %hat you nee&" 5ot as %ell as I fe& loose on the -ountain %hore.s thie'ing cutthroats" He kne% they coul& cut a $ath to @haa $e an& atter of &ays" ;here %as the sense in %aiting0 y be& to think" On an& on! he rante&" The others no&&e& to it as to a litany they kne% %ell" I the %in&o% an& returne& to

;ill you esca$e soon0 #s soon as I %ork out ho%" I s$ent so e ti e carefully ex$loring the li its of he%n $lank! ol& an& har& as iron to coul& barely brush %ith %in&o%"
EHE

y cell" ;alls an& floors of

y fingers" # tightly $lanke& ceiling I

y fingerti$s" #n& the %oo&en &oor %ith the barre&

If I %ere getting out! it %oul& ha'e to be through the &oor" I returne& to the barre& %in&o%" 69oul& I ha'e so e %ater07 I calle& out softly" The youngster startle& rather ba&ly! an& the bra%ler laughe& at hi " The thir& guar& looke& at the bars" He let e! then %ent silently to take a &i$$er of %ater fro e &rink fro a barrel in the corner" He brought it to the %in&o% an& $asse& only the bo%l of it through it! then %ith&re% it an& %alke& a%ay" 6Ho% long are they going to hol& e here07 I calle& after hi "

6Till you.re &ea&!7 the bra%ler sai& confi&ently" 6;e.re not to s$eak to hi !7 the boy re in&e& hi ! an& 6Shut u$:7 or&ere& their sergeant" The co gri$$ing the bars" It an& inclu&e& e" I staye& at the &oor! %atching the ! e %ith a&e the boy ner'ous but the bra%ler regar&e&

the a'aricious attention of a circling shark" It %oul& take 'ery little baiting to ake that one %ant to hit e" I %on&ere& if that coul& be useful" I %as 'ery e07 I tire& of being hit! but it see e& the one thing I &i& %ell lately" I &eci&e& to $ress a little! to see %hat %oul& ha$$en" 6;hy are you not to s$eak to aske& curiously" They exchange& glances" 6Jet a%ay fro sergeant or&ere& to 6I. tell e07 e&iately backe& a%ay obe&iently" bore&! that.s all" 9an.t you at least e07 locke& u$ an& there.s three of you" I. e" il&ly" 6;hat can be the har in s$eaking 6I 4ust aske& a )uestion!7 I ob4ecte& The sergeant stoo& u$ an& I i the %in&o% an& shut u$!7 the

e %hat you kno% about %hat.s to beco e of

6They.ll &o %ith you %hat shoul& ha'e been &one the first ti e they kille& you" Hange& o'er %ater an& cho$$e& into )uarters an& burne&! Bastar&!7 the bra%ler offere& e"

E1H

His sergeant roun&e& on hi " 6Shut u$" He.s baiting you! you i&iot" 5o one says another %or& to hi " 5ot one" That.s ho% a ;itte& one gets you into his $o%er" By &ra%ing you into talk" That.s ho% he kille& Bolt an& his troo$"7 The sergeant shot e a sa'age look! then turne& it on his e a sneering s ile" e! but it.s not true!7 I offere&" 5o you" If I ha& so e great agical 4ust a sca$egoat! that.s e an& en as %ell" They resu e& their $osts" The bra%ler ga'e one re$lie&" 6=ook! I.

6I &on.t kno% %hat they.'e tol& you about no &ifferent fro

$o%er! &o you think I.& be locke& u$ like this0 5o" I. the bla e for it" #n& I.

all" You all kno% ho% it.s &one" If so ething goes %rong! so eone has to take the one %ho.s lan&e& in the shit" ;ell! look at think of the stories you.'e hear&" I kne% Bolt %hen he %as %ith Regal at Buckkee$" Do I look like a an innocent an %ho coul& take Bolt &o%n07 I ke$t it u$ for I %as that y talking or their re$lying isfortunes! certain ight &o e! the better $art of their %atch" I &i& not really think I coul& con'ince the an" But I coul& con'ince the %as nothing to be feare&" I tol& tales of y $ast life an&

they %oul& be re$eate& all o'er the ca $" Though %hat goo& that %ith 'ery tiny the

I &i& not kno%" But I stoo& at the &oor! gri$$ing the bars at the %in&o% an& otions! t%iste& at the bars I gri$$e&" Back an& forth I %orke& o'e&! I coul& not &etect it" e" I felt sure he %as e" I felt that each hour that $asse& %as one that e" Burl ha& not co e to see e off his han&s" I feare& it against their settings" If they

The next &ay &ragge& for brought &anger closer to hol&ing

e! %aiting for so eone to co e an& take

%oul& be ;ill" I &i& not think Regal %oul& trust

e to anyone else to trans$ort" ying at y bars an&

I &i& not %ant another encounter %ith ;ill" I &i& not feel I ha& the strength to %ithstan& hi " -y %ork for the &ay consiste& of 4i %atching y ca$tors" By the en& of that &ay! I %as rea&y to take a chance"

E11

#fter

y e'ening

eal of cheese an& $orri&ge! I lay &o%n on

y be& an& e" I reache&

co $ose& I lo%ere& out of

yself to Skill" y %alls cautiously! fearing to fin& Burl %aiting for yself an& trie& again! %ith the e at their %ill! but no% a&e t%o ore

yself an& felt nothing" I co $ose&

sa e results" I o$ene& it sickene&

y eyes an& stare& u$ into blackness" The unfairness of e co $letely" I

e" The Skill/&rea s coul& co e an& take

%hen I sought that Skill ri'er! it elu&e& efforts before a throbbing hea&ache force& going to hel$ e get out of here"

e to gi'e it u$" The Skill %as not

That lea'es the ;it! 5ighteyes obser'e&" He felt 'ery near" I &on.t really see ho% that is going to hel$ e! either! I confi&e& to hi " 5or &o I" But I ha'e &ug out a s$ot un&er the %all! in case you are able to get out of your cage" It %as not easy! for the groun& is fro1en an& the logs of the %all %ere burie& &ee$" But if you can get out of the cage! I can get you out of the city" That is %ise $lanning! I $raise& hi " #t least one of us %as &oing so ething" Do you kno% %here I &en tonight0 There %as su$$resse& thought" ;here &o you &en0 I aske& obe&iently" Right un&er your feet" There %as 4ust s$ace enough for 5ighteyes! this is foolish bol&ness" You &igging &isco'ere&" # &o1en &ogs ha'e been here before going" I ha'e use& the e'ening to see e" 5o one %ill uch of this ark y co ing an& one to another" en.s %arren" #ll of the e to cra%l un&er here" arks of your ay be seen or the erri ent in the

buil&ings ha'e s$aces beneath the " It is 'ery easy to sli$ fro hi

Be careful! I %arne& hi ! but coul& not &eny there %as co fort in kno%ing so close" I $asse& an uneasy night" The three guar&s %ere careful al%ays to
E12

kee$ a &oor bet%een us" I trie& %hen he $asse& kno%! I ha'e no ea y father!7 I obser'e& as he

y char s on the ol& aneu'ere&

an the next

orning

ug of tea an& t%o $ieces of bar& brea&" 6So you kne% y foo& through the bars" 6You e"7

e ories of hi " He ne'er s$ent any ti e %ith

69ount your blessings! then!7 the ol& %hile he %as out %ell for ha& of aking hi

an re$lie& shortly" 6(no%ing the *rince too

%as not the sa e as liking hi " Stiff as a stick be %as" Rules an& or&ers for us! aking bastar&s" Yes! I kne% your father" I kne% hi an ally" I retire& to sit on y be& %ith y co fort"7 #n& he turne& a%ay fro the bars! &ashing any ho$e I y brea& an& tea an&

stare ho$elessly at the %alls" #nother &ay ha& ticke& en&lessly by" I %as sure it brought ;ill another &ay.s 4ourney closer to e" #nother &ay closer to being e" an &ragge& back to Tra&efor&" One &ay closer to &eath" In the col& an& the &ark of the night! 5ighteyes a%oke S oke" # lot of it" I sat u$ in other y be&" I %ent to the barre& %in&o% an& $eere& out" The ol& %as aslee$ in his cot" The boy an& the bra%ler %ere $laying at &ice! %hile the an car'e& at his nails %ith his belt knife" #ll %as cal " ;here is the s oke co ing fro 0 Shall I go see0 If you %oul&" Be careful" ;hen a I not0 y cell &oor an& %atche& e again" It.s a big buil&ing! s elling of # ti e $asse&! &uring %hich I stoo& to one si&e of y guar&s" Then 5ighteyes reache& grain" It burns in t%o $laces" Does no one cry an alar 0 5o one" The streets are e $ty an& &ark" This en& of to%n is aslee$"

E18

I close&

y eyes an& share& his 'ision" The buil&ing %as a granary" So eone

ha& set t%o fires against it" One only s ol&ere&! but the other %as licking %ell u$ the &ry %oo&en %all of the buil&ing" 9o e back to ;ait" 5ighteyes o'e& $ur$osefully u$ the street! sli$$ing fro buil&ing to buil&ing as he %ent" Behin& us! the granary fire began to crackle as it gaine& strength" He $ause&! sniffe& the air! an& change& his &irection" Soon he %as looking at another fire" This one %as eating eagerly into a co'ere& $ile of hay at the back of a barn" S oke rose la1ily! %is$ing u$ into the night" Su&&enly! a tongue of fla e lea$e& u$ an& %ith an i settle& onto roofs nearby" So eone is setting those fires" 9o e back to 5ighteyes ca e s%iftly" On his %ay to e no%: e! he sa% another fire nibbling at a ense %hoosh! the %hole $ile %as su&&enly abla1e" S$arks ro&e the heat into the night sky" So e still glo%e& as they e" *erha$s %e can use this to our a&'antage"

$ile of oily rags stuffe& un&er the corner of a barracks" #n errant bree1e encourage& it to ex$lore" The fla es licke& u$ a $iling su$$orting the buil&ing! an& curle& eagerly along the botto heat of su by Ho% of the floor" ;inter ha& &rie& the %oo&en to%n %ith its harsh col& as thoroughly as any er" =ean/tos an& tents s$anne& the s$aces bet%een the buil&ings" uch longer! all of -oonseye %oul& be a cin&er y cell" If the fires burne& un&etecte& any guar& you0 %ill ha'e the key" ay o$en the &oor to o'e e"

orning" #n& I %ith it! if I %ere still locke& in

Four" #n& a locke& &oor" One of the ;ait" =et us see if our o&&s get better" Or they

E1<

So e%here in the col& to%n! a

an raise& his 'oice in a shout" The first fire y cell! listening %ith 5ighteyes. ears" y &oor stoo&!

ha& been s$otte&" I stoo& insi&e asking one another! 6;hat.s that07

Jra&ually the outcry increase&! until e'en the guar&s outsi&e

One %ent to the &oor an& o$ene& it" 9ol& %in& an& the s ell of s oke coile& into the roo " The bra%ler &re% his hea& back in an& announce&! 6=ooks like a big fire at the other en& of to%n"7 In an instant! the other t%o out the &oor" Their tense con'ersation %oke the ol& by the granary: Bring buckets:7 The boy looke& to the officer" 6Shoul& I go an& see07 For a o ent the an hesitate& but the te $tation %as too uch" 65o" You stay here %hile I go" Stay alert"7 He snatche& u$ his cloak an& hea&e& out into the night" The boy looke& &isa$$ointe&ly after hi " He re aine& stan&ing at the &oor! staring out into the night" Then! 6=ook! there.s 6I. going to go an& ha'e a look"7 ore fla es: O'er there:7 he exclai e&" The bra%ler s%ore! then snatche& u$ his cloak" 6But %e %ere tol& to stay an& guar& the Bastar&:7 6You stay: I.ll be right back! I 4ust %ant to see %hat.s going on:7 He calle& the last %or&s o'er his shoul&er as he hurrie& a%ay" The boy an& the ol& exchange& glances" The ol& the street" # han&ful of boy continue& to hang out the &oor" Fro an an %ent back to his be& an& lay &o%n! but the y cell &oor I coul& see a slice of an& %agon en %ere leaning an! %ho also ca e to

ha'e a look" Outsi&e! so eone ran $ast in the street! shouting! 6Fire: Fire &o%n

en ran by+ then so eone &ro'e a tea

$ast at a fast cli$" E'eryone see e& hea&e& to%ar& the fire" 6Ho% ba& &oes it look07 I aske&" 69an.t see uch fro here" @ust fla es beyon& the stables" # lot of s$arks the excite ent" He flying u$"7 The boy soun&e& &isa$$ointe& to be so far fro
E1?

su&&enly recalle& %ho 6Ho% far fro

he %as s$eaking to" He abru$tly &re% in his hea& an& e:7 he %arne& e an& their %ent to sit &o%n" e!

shut the &oor" 6Don.t talk to

here is the granary07 I aske&" He refuse& to e'en glance at

but sat stony/eye&! staring at the %all" 6Because!7 I %ent on con'ersationally! 6I 4ust %on&ere& %hat you %ere going to &o if the fires s$rea& this far" I %oul&n.t care to burn ali'e" They &i& lea'e you the keys! &i&n.t they07 The boy! glance& i e&iately to%ar& the ol& an" His han& a&e an in'oluntary a&e a an %ent t%itch to%ar& his $ouch as if to be sure he ha& the still! but neither

re$ly" I stoo& by the barre& %in&o% an& %atche& hi " #fter a ti e the boy %ent to the &oor an& $eere& out again" I sa% his 4a% clench" The ol& to look o'er his shoul&er" 6It.s s$rea&ing! isn.t it0 # %inter fire is a terrible thing" E'erything &ry as bones"7 The boy %oul& not re$ly! but he turne& to look at &o%n to the key in his $ouch" 69o e an& bin& # glance fro y han&s no% an& take e out of here" 5one of us %ants to e" 6I %on.t be the one to &ie an a&&e&" He crane& be in this buil&ing if the fla es co e this far"7 the boy" 6I. not stu$i&!7 he tol& for letting you go free"7 6Burn %here you stan&! Bastar&! for all I care!7 the ol& his neck out the &oor again" E'en fro afar I coul& hear the su&&en %hoosh as e" The ol& an.s han& stole

so e buil&ing 'anishe& in an eru$tion of fire" The %in& brought the s ell of the s oke strongly no% an& I sa% tension buil&ing in the boy.s stance" I sa% a an run $ast the o$en &oor! shouting so ething to the boy about fighting in the arket s)uare" -ore en ran $ast in the street! an& I hear& the 4angle of s%or&s an& light ar or as they ran" #sh ro&e on the %in&s no% an& the roaring

E1B

of fla es %as lou&er than the gusting %in&s" Drifting s oke graye& the air outsi&e" Then su&&enly boy an& an ca e tu bling back into the roo " 5ighteyes follo%e& the ! sho%ing e'ery tooth he ha&" He fille& the &oor an& blocke& their esca$e" The snarl he let loose %as lou&er than the crackling of the fla es outsi&e" 6>nlock the &oor of y cell! an& he %on.t hurt you!7 I offere& the " Instea& the boy &re% his s%or&" He %as goo&" He &i& not %ait for the %olf to co e in! but charge& at hi ! %ea$on le'ele&! forcing 5ighteyes back out of the &oor" 5ighteyes a'oi&e& the bla&e easily! but he no longer ha& the the %olf" The secon& the &oor %as no longer blocke&! the ol& 6#re you going to stay in here an& burn ali'e %ith con'ersationally" In an instant! he ha& &eci&e&" 6Burn alone:7 he s$at at o$en again an& race& outsi&e" 5ighteyes: He.s the one %ith the key! the ol& one %ho runs a%ay" I.ll get it" I %as alone in y $rison no%" I half ex$ecte& the boy to co e back! but he &i& y feet not" I grabbe& the bars of the %in&o%s an& shook the &oor against its latch" It barely bu&ge&" One bar felt slightly loose" I %renche& at it! bracing against the &oor to le'er at it %ith all y %eight" #n eternity later! one en& e" He flung the &oor an sla cornere&" e& it" The boy follo%e& u$ his a&'antage! ste$$ing out into the &arkness to follo% e07 I aske& hi

t%iste& free" I bent it &o%n an& %orke& it back an& forth until it ca e out in y han&" But e'en if all the bars ca e out! the o$ening %oul& still be too s all for e to get through" I trie&! but the loose bar I gri$$e& %as too thick to get e& y shoul&er against the into the cracks aroun& the &oor to $ry at it" I coul& s ell s oke e'ery%here no%! thick in the air" The fire %as close" I sla
E1C

&oor but it &i&n.t e'en shi'er" I reache& through the %in&o% an& gro$e& &o%n" -y straining fingers encountere& a hea'y fingers against it but no I %as blin&ly bashing etal bar" I %alke& y fingerti$s y across it until I ca e to the lock that secure& it in $lace" I coul& brush ore" I coul&n.t &eci&e if the roo %ar er or if I %ere i agining it" y iron bar against the lock an& the braces that su$$orte& it %hen the outer &oor o$ene&" # guar& in gol& an& bro%n stro&e into the roo ! calling! 6I.'e co e for the Bastar&"7 Then her glance took in the e $ty roo " In a o ent! she $ushe& back her hoo& an& beca e Starling" I stare& at her in e %ith a stark grin" It looke& ghastly on her &isbelief" 6Easier than I.& ho$e&!7 she tol& bruise& face! ore like a snarl"

%as truly getting

6-aybe not!7 I sai& faintly" 6The cell.s locke&"7 Her grin beca e a look of &is ay" 6The back of this buil&ing is s ol&ering"7 She snatche& the ol& y bar %ith her unban&age& han&" @ust as she lifte& it to s ash at an& &ro$$e& the lock! 5ighteyes a$$eare& in the &oor" He $a&&e& into the roo an.s $ouch on the floor" Bloo& ha& &arkene& the leather" hi %hat you nee&e&" Hurry" The back of this cage burns" o'e" I looke& at 5ighteyes an& %on&ere& %hat I o'e" y life0 I looke& at hi ! su&&enly aghast" 6You kille& hi 07 I took fro For a %as o ent I coul& not hi ! to

aking of hi " He ha& lost so e of his clean %il&ness" Starling.s eyes e! to the $ouch on the floor" She &i& not akes you a an is gone fro you" ;e ha'e no ti e for

%ent fro this!

#n& so e of %hat

y brother" ;oul& not you kill a %olf if it %oul& sa'e

I &i&n.t nee& to ans%er that" 6The key is in that $ouch!7 I tol& Starling"

E1D

For a

o ent she 4ust stare& &o%n at it" Then she stoo$e& an& fu ble& the echanis too ba&ly" She turne& the the &oor" #s I ca e out

hea'y iron key out of the leather $ouch" I %atche& her fit it into the keyhole! no% $raying that I ha& not &ente& the she or&ere& fierce"7 #s I snatche& the cell" I grabbe& u$ u$! I coul& feel the heat ra&iating fro y cloak an& the back %all of y ittens" S oke %as beginning to slink in key! 4erke& loose the has$! an& then lifte& the bar fro

e! 6Bring the blankets" You.ll nee& the " The col& outsi&e is

bet%een the $lanks" ;e fle& %ith the %olf at our heels" 5o one took any notice of us outsi&e" The fire %as beyon& battling" It hel& the to%n an& race& %here'er it %ille&" The $eo$le I sa% %ere engage& in the selfish business of sal'age an& sur'i'al" # $ossessions $ast us %ith no an trun&le& a barro% of ore than a %arning look" I %on&ere& if they %ere

his" Do%n the street I coul& see a stable afire" Frantic groo s %ere &ragging horses out but the screa s of the $anicke& ani als still %ithin %ere shriller than the %in&" ;ith a tre en&ous crash a buil&ing across the street colla$se&! %hee1ing hot air an& ash to%ar& us in a terrible sigh" The %in& ha& s$rea& the fire throughout all -oonseye" The fire s$e& fro buil&ing to buil&ing! an& the %in& carrie& burning s$arks an& hot ash beyon& the %alls to the forest abo'e" I %on&ere& if e'en the &ee$ sno%s %oul& be enough to sto$ it" 69o e on:7 Starling yelle& angrily! an& I reali1e& I ha& been stan&ing an& ga%king" 9lutching the blankets! I follo%e& her %or&lessly" ;e ran through the %in&ing streets of the burning to%n" She see e& to kno% the %ay" ;e ca e to a crossroa&s" So e sort of struggle ha& taken $lace there" Four bo&ies s$ra%le& in the street! all in Farro% colors" I $ause&! to stoo$ o'er a sol&ier an& take the fallen %o an.s knife an& the $ouch at her belt"

E1E

;e neare& the gates of the to%n" Su&&enly a %agon rattle& u$ besi&e us" The t%o horses &ra%ing it %ere is atche& an& lathere&" 6Jet in:7 so eone shoute& at us" Starling lea$e& into the %agon %ithout hesitation" 6(ettle07 I aske&! an& 6Hurry u$:7 %as her re$ly" I cli be& in an& the %olf lea$e& easily u$ besi&e e" She &i& not %ait to see us settle& but sla$$e& the reins on the horses" The %agon $lunge& for%ar& %ith a lurch" #hea& of us %ere the gates" They %ere o$en an& un anne&! s%inging on their hinges in the %in& fro the fire" To one si&e I caught a gli $se of a s$ra%le& bo&y" (ettle &i& not e'en slo% the tea " ;e %ere through the gates %ithout a back%ar& glance! an& rattling &o%n the &ark roa&! to 4oin others fleeing the &estruction %ith carts an& barro%s" -ost see e& boun& to%ar& the fe% outlying ho estea&s to seek shelter for the night! but (ettle ke$t our horses o'ing" #s the night about us gre% &arker an& folk fe%er! (ettle stirre& the horses to a faster cli$" I $eere& ahea& into the &arkness" I reali1e& Starling %as looking back behin& us"" 6It %as only su$$ose& to be a &i'ersion!7 she sai& in an a%estruck 'oice" I turne& to look back" #n i ense orange glo% silhouette& the $alisa&e of -oonseye in black" %in&s" #s %e %atche&! a buil&ing ca'e& in an& another S$arks rose thick as s%ar ing bees into the night sky abo'e it" The roar of the fla es %as like stor %a'e of s$arks rose into the air" 6# &i'ersion07 I $eere& at her through the &arkness" 6You &i& all that0 To free e07 Starling shot e an a use& glance" 6Sorry to &isa$$oint you" 5o" (ettle an& I ca e along for you! but that %as not %hat this %as about" -ost of that is the %ork of 5ik.s fa ily" Re'enge against those %ho broke faith %ith the " They %ent in to fin& the an& kill the " Then they left"7 She shook her hea&" 6It.s too co $licate& to ex$lain it all right no%! e'en! if I un&erstoo& it" E'i&ently
E2H

the (ing.s Juar& at -oonseye has been corru$t for years" They.'e been %ell $ai& to see nothing of the Hol&fast s ugglers" #n& the s ugglers ha'e seen to it that the en $oste& here en4oye& so e of the better things in life" I gather that 9a$tain -ark en4oye& the best of the $rofits" He %as not alone! but neither %as he generous about sharing" 6Then Burl %as sent here" He kne% nothing of the arrange ent" He brought a huge influx of sol&iers %ith hi ! an& trie& to i $ose ilitary &isci$line here" 5ik sol& you to -ark" But %hen 5ik %as selling you to -ark! so eone sa% a chance to sell -ark an& his arrange ent to Burl" Burl sa% a chance to take you! an& clean u$ a ring of s ugglers" But 5ik Hol&fast an& his clan ha& $ai& %ell for safe $assage for the $ilgri s" Then the sol&iers broke faith %ith the ! an& the Hol&fast $ro ise to the $ilgri s %as broken"7 She shook her hea&" Her 'oice %ent tight" 6So e of the %o en %ere ra$e&" One chil& &ie& of the col&" One an %ill ne'er %alk again because he trie& to $rotect his %ife"7 For a ti e! the only soun&s %ere the noises of the %agon an& the &istant roaring of the fires" Her eyes %ere 'ery black as she looke& back at the burning to%n" 6You.'e hear& of honor a ong thie'es0 ;ell! 5ik an& his theirs"7 I %as still staring back at the &estruction of -oonseye" I care& not a %hit for Burl an& his Farro% en" But there ha& been erchants there! an& tra&ers! all" #n& Six Duchies y fa ilies an& ho es" The fla es %ere &e'ouring the en ha'e a'enge&

sol&iers ha& ra$e& their ca$ti'es as if they %ere la%less rai&ers instea& of (ing.s guar&s" Six Duchies sol&iers! ser'ing a Six Duchies king" I shook hea&" 6Shre%& %oul& ha'e hange& the long ago not to bla e all"7 e" 6I learne& e" It %asn.t y fault" It %asn.t Starling cleare& her throat" 6Don.t bla e yourself!7 she tol& yself for e'il &one to

e'en your fault" You %ere 4ust the catalyst that starte& the chain of e'ents"7
E21

6Don.t call

e that!7 I begge& her" The %agon ru ble& on! carrying us &ee$er

into the night"

9H#*TER 5I5ETEE5 *ursuit THE *E#9E BET;EE5 the Six Duchies an& the -ountain (ing&o (ing&o %as relati'ely ne% at the ti e of (ing Regal.s reign" For &eca&es! the -ountain ha& controlle& all tra&e through the $asses %ith as tight a gri$ as the anage& by both $o%ers! to the utually beneficial Six Duchies ha& on all tra&e on the 9ol& an& Buck ri'ers" Tra&e an& $assage bet%een the t%o regions ha& been ca$riciously &etri ent of both" But &uring the reign of (ing Shre%&!

tra&e agree ents %ere %orke& out bet%een (ing/in/;aiting 9hi'alry of the Six Duchies an& *rince Rurisk of the -ountains" The $eace an& $ros$erity of this arrange ent %as secure& further %hen! o'er a &eca&e later! the -ountain $rincess (ettricken beca e the bri&e of (ing/in/;aiting Aerity" >$on the unti ely &eath of her ol&er brother! Rurisk! on the 'ery e'e of her %e&&ing! (ettricken beca e the sole heir to the -ountain cro%n" Thus it a$$eare& for a ti e that the Six Duchies an& the -ountain (ing&o an& e'entually beco e one lan&" 9ircu stances $ut all such ho$e to ruin! ho%e'er" The Six Duchies %ere threatene& fro %ithout by the Rai&ers! an& torn %ithin by the bickering of ur&ere&! (ing/in/;aiting Aerity &isa$$eare& $rinces" (ing Shre%& %as ight share a onarch

%hile on a )uest! an& %hen *rince Regal clai e& the throne for his o%n! his hatre& for (ettricken %as such that she felt oblige& to flee to her nati'e -ountains for the sake of her unborn chil&" Self/$roclai e& 6(ing7 Regal sa%
E22

this so eho% as a reneging on a $ro ise& surren&er of territory" His initial en&ea'ors to o'e troo$s into the -ountain (ing&o ! ostensibly as 6guar&s7 for tra&ing cara'ans! %ere re$ulse& by the -ountain folk" His $rotestations an& threats $ro $te& the closing of the -ountain bor&ers to Six Duchies tra&e" Th%arte&! he e barke& on a 'igorous ca $aign of &iscre&iting Iueen (ettricken an& buil&ing $atriotic hostility to%ar& the -ountain (ing&o " His e'entual goal see e& ob'ious3 to take! by force if necessary! the lan&s of the -ountain (ing&o as a Six Duchies $ro'ince" It see e& a $oor ti e for such a %ar an& such a strategy" The lan&s he 4ustly $ossesse& %ere alrea&y un&er siege by an outsi&e ene y! one he see e& unable or &isincline& to &efeat" 5o ilitary force ha& e'er con)uere& the -ountain (ing&o ! an& yet this %as %hat he see e& intent u$on &oing" ;hy he so &es$erately &esire& to $ossess this territory %as a )uestion that initially baffle& e'eryone" The night %as clear an& col&" The bright %here the roa& ran! but not oonlight %as enough to sho% us

ore than that" For a ti e I si $ly sat in the

%agon! listening to the crunching of the horses. hoo'es on the roa& an& trying to absorb all that ha& ha$$ene&" Starling took the blankets %e ha& brought fro y cell an& shook the out" She ga'e e one an& &ra$e& one across her o%n e! looking out the back of the y in& starte& shoul&ers" She sat hu&&le& an& a$art fro

%agon" I sense& she %ante& to be left alone" I %atche& the orange glo% that ha& been -oonseye &%in&le in the &istance" #fter a ti e! %orking again" 6(ettle07 I calle& o'er 6#%ay fro y shoul&er" 6;here are %e going07 e" 6;e thought you %oul& kno%"7 -oonseye!7 she sai&" I coul& hear the %eariness in her 'oice"

Starling stirre& an& glance& at

6;here &i& the s ugglers go07 I aske&"

E28

I felt

ore than sa% Starling shrug" 6They %oul&n.t tell us" They sai& if %e atter ho% ba&ly -oonseye ha& been

%ent after you! %e ha& to $art co $any %ith the " They see e& to belie'e Burl %oul& sen& sol&iers after you! no hit"7 I no&&e&! rai& on ore to yself than to her" 6He %ill" He.s going to bla e the %hole the -ountain Starling" 6#n& e"7 I sat u$! easing a%ay fro e" #n& it %ill be sai& that the rai&ers %ere actually fro

(ing&o ! sol&ier.s sent to free

%hen they catch us! they.ll kill you both"7 6;e &i&n.t inten& that they shoul& catch us!7 (ettle obser'e&" 6#n& they %on.t!7 I $ro ise&" 65ot if %e act sensibly" *ull u$ the horses"7 (ettle scarcely nee&e& to sto$ the " They ha& slo%e& to a %eary %alk long ago" I tosse& y blanket at Starling an& %ent aroun& the tea " 5ighteyes the %agon an& follo%e& e curiously" 6;hat are you launche& hi self fro groun&" 69hanging this o'er so they can be ri&&en" 9an you ri&e bareback07 I %as using the guar&.s knife to hack through the reins as I s$oke" She.& ha'e to ri&e bareback! %hether she coul& or not" ;e ha& no sa&&les" 6I su$$ose I.ll ha'e to!7 she obser'e& gru $ily as she cla bere& &o%n fro the %agon" 6But %e aren.t going to get 'ery far 'ery fast! &ouble& on these horses"7 6You an& Starling %ill &o fine!7 I $ro ise& her" 6@ust kee$ going"7 Starling %as stan&ing in the be& of the %agon looking &o%n on nee& the here0 #fter %e ca e back for you07 That %asn.t ho% I.& seen it" 6You are lea'ing e here!7 I tol& her fir ly" 6@haa $e is the only large settle ent! once you.'e turne& your back on
E2<

&oing07 (ettle &e an&e& as I unbuckle& harness an& let it fall to the sno%y

e" I &i&n.t

oonlight to kno% there %as &isbelief on her face" 6You.re lea'ing us

-oonseye an& hea&e& to%ar& the -ountain (ing&o " Ri&e stea&ily" Don.t go &irectly to @haa $e" That.s %hat they.ll ex$ect us to &o" Fin& one of the s aller 'illages an& hi&e there for a ti e" -ost of the -ountain folk are hos$itable" If you hear no ru ors of $ursuit! go on to @haa $e" But get as far as you can as fast as you can before you sto$ to ask for shelter or foo&"7 6;hat are you going to &o07 Starling aske& in a lo% 'oice" 65ighteyes an& I are going our o%n %ay" #s %e shoul& ha'e a long ti e ago" ;e tra'el fastest alone"7 6I ca e back for you!7 Starling sai&" Her 'oice %as close to breaking at betrayal" 6Des$ite all that ha& ha$$ene& to e'erything else ,7 6He.s &ra%ing the off our trail!7 (ettle su&&enly sai&" ount07 I aske& (ettle )uietly" you:7 Starling &eclare& angrily" She shook her e:7 6Do you nee& hel$ to e" Des$ite , y y han& , an&

6;e &on.t nee& any hel$ fro

hea&" 6;hen I think of all I.'e been through! follo%ing you" #n& all %e &i& to free you , You.& ha'e burne& ali'e in that cell back there but for )uietly" #n& I left the 5ighteyes %alke& at lost to sight" (ettle ha& seen )uickly to the heart of y $lan" #s soon as Burl ha& the fires e" They.& fin& the ol& y cell" There %oul& ountains! an& un&er control! or $erha$s before! he %oul& think of there! %alking a%ay fro the 6I kno%"7 There %as no ti e to ex$lain all of it to her" 6Joo&bye!7 I sai& into the forest" y si&e" The trees close& in aroun& us an& they %ere soon

an kille& by a %olf! an& ne'er belie'e I ha& $erishe& in

be $ursuit" They.& sen& out ri&ers on all the roa&s into the

they.& soon catch u$ %ith (ettle an& Starling" >nless the hunters ha& another! ore &ifficult trail to follo%" One that cut cross/country! hea&e& &irectly to @haa $e" Due %est"
E2?

It %oul& not be easy" I ha& no s$ecific kno%le&ge of %hat lay bet%een the ca$ital city of the -ountain (ing&o " 5o to%ns! -ountain (ing&o %as s$arsely $o$ulate&" The folk %ere

e an&

ost likely! for the ostly tra$$ers!

hunters! an& no a&ic her&ers of shee$ an& goats %ho ten&e& to li'e in isolate& cabins or tiny 'illages surroun&e& by a $le hunting an& tra$$ing range" There %oul& be little chance for ore %as that I to for& one of the an& narro% 'alleys" >seless to %orry until %e fin& oursel'es blocke&! 5ighteyes $ointe& out" If it ha$$ens! then %e ust si $ly fin& a %ay aroun& it" It ay slo% us &o%n" But %e %ill ne'er get there at all if %e stan& still an& %orry" So %e hike& the night a%ay! 5ighteyes an& I" ;hen %e ca e to clearings! I stu&ie& the stars! an& trie& to tra'el as close to &ue %est as I coul&" The terrain $ro'e& e'ery bit as challenging as I ha& ex$ecte& it to be" Deliberately I chose routes kin&er to a co forte& (ettle on the an an& %olf afoot than to en on horseback" ;e left our trail u$ brushy hillsi&es an& through tangle& thickets in narro% gorges" I yself as I forge& through such $laces by i agining Starling an& ore than one trail" 5o" I ha& to get a goo& lea& after e in full force" yself as a threat to aking goo& ti e on the roa&s" I trie& not to think that Burl %oul& sen& an& then lure Burl to sen& the ust be &ealt %ith i ight fin& e to beg or steal foo& or su$$lies" ;hat %orrie& e yself on the e&ge of an unscalable ri&ge or ha'ing

any s%ift col& ri'ers that s%e$t fiercely &o%n the ra'ines

out enough trackers to follo%

The only %ay I coul& think of to &o that %as to re$resent Regal" One that I lifte& e&iately" y eyes to the to$ of a ri&ge" Three i yself! so I %oul& ha'e to

ense ce&ars stoo& together in a

clu $" I %oul& sto$ there! buil& a tiny fire! an& try to Skill" I ha& no elfbark! I re in&e& ake $ro'isions to rest %ell after%ar&" e" I %ill %atch o'er you! 5ighteyes assure&
E2B

The ce&ars %ere huge! their reaching branches inter%ea'ing o'erhea& so thickly that the groun& beneath %as bare of sno%" The soil %as thickly car$ete& %ith fragrant bits of ce&ar fron& that ha& fallen o'er ti e" I scra$e& yself u$ a couch of the to kee$ y bo&y off the col& earth an& then gathere& a goo& su$$ly of fire%oo&" For the first ti e! I looke& insi&e the $ouch I ha& stolen" There %as a fire flint" #lso fi'e or six coins! so e &ice! a broken bracelet! an& fol&e& u$ in a scra$ of fabric! a lock of fine hair" It su ari1e& too neatly a sol&ier.s life" I scra$e& a%ay a bit of earth an& burie& y &oing! I the hair! the &ice! an& the bracelet together" I trie& not to %on&er if it %as a chil& or a lo'er that she ha& left behin&" Her &eath %as none of re in&e& of y in&" But for e! she %oul& be ali'e still" For a yself" Still! a chill 'oice %his$ere& the %or& 6catalyst7 in the back o ent! I felt ol& an& y o%n life y fire%oo& y ce&ar/fron& yself to set both the sol&ier an& y cloak an& lay back on

%eary an& sick" Then I force& close to han&" I %ra$$e& be&" I took a breath! close&

asi&e" I kin&le& the fire an& fe& it u$ %ell" I stacke& the rest of yself in y eyes an& Skille&"

It %as as if I ha& tu ble& into a s%ift ri'er" I ha& not been $re$are& to succee& so easily! an& %as nearly s%e$t a%ay" So e ho% the Skill ri'er see e& &ee$er an& %il&er an& stronger here" I &i& not kno% if it %as a %axing of abilities or so ething else" I foun& an& centere& I ight fling y thoughts to -olly an& our chil&! y %ill against the te $tations of the Skill" I refuse& to consi&er that fro ight see as %ith y o%n here y o%n yself an& resolutely fir e&

eyes ho% she %as gro%ing an& ho% they both fare&" 5or %oul& I reach for Aerity! uch as I longe& to" The strength of this Skilling %as such I ha& no ust be on y guar&" I set e'ery %ar& I coul& that %oul& not y %ill to%ar& Burl"
E2C

&oubt I coul& fin& hi " But that %as not %hat I %as here for" I %as here to taunt an ene y an& seal e off fro the Skill! an& turne&

I exten&e& una%are of

yself! feeling for hi y touch he %as" e"

cautiously" I %as rea&y to fling u$

y %alls

in an instant if attacke&" I foun& hi Then his $ain 4olte& through by o$ening S%eat slicke& You kno% as

easily an& %as al ost startle& at ho%

I &re% back! faster than a startle& sea ane one in a ti&e $ool" I shocke& y face an& back" uch as I &o! I tol& hi "

yself

y eyes an& staring u$ into ce&ar boughs bur&ene& %ith sno%"

;hat %as that0 5ighteyes &e an&e&" It ha& been $urest $ain" *ain in&e$en&ent of an in4ury to the bo&y! $ain that %as not sorro% or fear" Total $ain! as if e'ery $art of the bo&y! insi&e an& out! %ere i erse& in fire" Regal an& ;ill %ere causing it" I lay shaking in the after ath! not of the Skilling! but Burl.s $ain" It %as a onstrosity larger than in that brief i y in& coul& gras$" I trie& to sort out all I ha& sense& 9arro& there ha& been $oorly o ent" ;ill! an& $erha$s so e sha&o% of 9arro&.s Skill!

obili1ing Burl for this $unish ent" Fro

aske& horror an& &istaste for this task" *erha$s he feare& it %oul& so e&ay be turne& u$on hi ha& again" ;ill.s strongest e otion ha& been %rath that Burl ha& e sli$ a%ay" But beneath the %rath %as e in his $o%er an& so eho% let

a sort of fascination %ith %hat Regal %as &oing to Burl" ;ill &i& not take any $leasure in it" 5ot yet" But Regal &i&" There ha& been a ti e %hen I ha& kno%n Regal" 5e'er %ell! it %as true" Once he ha& been si $ly the younger of y uncles! the one %ho &i& not like e at all" He ha& 'ente& it boyishly! in sho'es an& clan&estine $inches! in teasing an& tattling" I ha& not like& it! I ha& not like& hi ! but it ha& been al ost
E2D

un&erstan&able" It ha& been a boy.s 4ealousy that the fa'ore& el&est son ha& create& yet another ri'al for (ing Shre%&.s ti e an& attention" #t one ti e he ha& been si $ly a $a $ere& young $rince! en'ious that his el&er brothers %ere in line for the throne ahea& of hi " He ha& been s$oile& an& ru&e an& selfish" But he ha& been hu an" ;hat I ha& felt fro hi 4ust no% %as so far beyon& %hat I coul& un&erstan& in ter s of cruelty that it %as al ost inco $rehensible" Forge& ones ha& lost their hu anity! but in their e $tiness %as the sha&o% of %hat they ha& been" Ha& Regal o$ene& his breast an& sho%e& been &arker" #n& this %as the This %as the 6I. close& &e'our &ie at e a nest of 'i$ers! I coul& not ha'e ore shocke&" Regal ha& thro%n hu anity asi&e! to e brace so ething an the Six Duchies no% calle& (ing" ti e to ob4ect" I yself %i&e to uch of it %oul& an %ho %oul& sen& troo$s after Starling an& (ettle" yself into the Skill ri'er" I o$ene& e %ithout thought that too

going back!7 I %arne& 5ighteyes! an& &i& not gi'e hi y eyes an& flung

it! &ra%ing its col& strength into

e" #t the instant ;ill beca e a%are of

e! I s$oke to the " 6You %ill

y han&! Regal" #s certainly as Aerity %ill reign again as (ing"7 Then I

s ashe& that gathere& $o%er against the " It %as al ost as instincti'e as a clenche& fist" I &i& not $lan it! but su&&enly I un&erstoo& this %as %hat Aerity ha& &one to the %as no o$ene& %i&e to the yself to blast the back nothing of an& sho%e& back in Tra&efor&" There e! I %ille& essage! nothing but a furious unleashing of strength u$on the " I yself! then %hen they turne& to %ith e'ery bit of Skill I ha& gathere&" =ike Aerity! I hel&

y strength" I belie'e if there ha& been only one! I %oul& ha'e y

succee&e& in burning the Skill right out of hi " Instea&! they share& the 4olt" I %ill ne'er kno% %hat effect it ha& on Burl" *erha$s he %as grateful for sa'agery! for it shattere& ;ill.s concentration an& release& hi
E2E

fro

Regal.s

so$histicate& torture" I felt 9arro&.s shriek of terror as he broke off his Skilling" I think ;ill co an&e& hi ight ha'e stoo& an& challenge& Break it off! you fool! &o not risk e! ha& not Regal feebly e for your 'engeance: In

the blinking of an eye+ they %ere gone" The &ay %as strong %hen I %as next a%are" 5ighteyes %as lying al ost on to$ of i e an& there %as bloo& on his coat" I $ushe& feebly at hi e&iately" He stoo& u$ an& sniffe& y face" I s elle& an& he o'e& e" I your y o%n bloo& %ith

hi + it %as re'olting" I sat u$ su&&enly an& the %orl& s$un aroun& beca e slo%ly a%are of the cla or of his thoughts" #re you all right0 You %ere tre bling an& then you began to blee& fro nose" You ha'e not been here! I ha'e not been able to hear you at all: 6I. all right!7 I soothe& hi hoarsely" 6Thanks for kee$ing e %ar "7 -y fire %as &o%n to a fe% e bers" I reache& carefully for a fe% sticks to the fire" It see e& as if e" ;hen I ha& the fire burning! I sat an& %ar e&

y %oo& an& a&&e&

y han&s %ere a long %ay a%ay fro yself" Then I stoo& an& y y

staggere& a fe% ste$s to %here the sno% began" I rubbe& a han&ful across face to cleanse it of the taste an& s ell of bloo&" I $ut a bit of clean sno% in outh for y tongue felt thick an& clotte&" e anxiously" Do you nee& to rest0 Do you nee& foo&0 5ighteyes aske& Yes an& yes" But &one %oul& bring the after

ost of all! %e nee&e& to flee" I ha& no &oubt that %hat I ha& e" I ha& &one %hat I ha& %ante&! an& beyon& all a reason to fear en" I e" 5o% $lainly e" I ha& also sho%n the

y ex$ectations! it ha& been real" I ha& gi'en the they %oul& ne'er rest until they.& &estroye& %hen they arri'e&" I %ent back to to be sure it %as out" Then %e fle&"

%here I %as+ they.& ha'e a feel for %here to sen& their

ust not be here

y fire an& kicke& earth onto it" I sta $e& it

E8H

;e tra'ele& as s%iftly as I coul& 5ighteyes back" He %oul& look at

anage" There %as no )uestion that I hel& e $ityingly as I toile& u$ a hill! hi$/&ee$ in

sno% that he but s$rea& toes an& ran lightly o'er" It %as not unusual that %hen I begge& for a rest an& sto$$e& to lean against a tree! he %oul& range ahea&! searching out the best trail" ;hen both light an& return %ith $retense to y strength %ere near exhauste& an& I %oul& sto$ to buil& a fire for the night! he %oul& &isa$$ear to eat for both of us" -ost often it %as %hite sno% hares! but once it its ice&/o'er $on&" I eat &iet $ut no fat on a&e y yself that I cooke& e ali'e an& y eat! but it %as a 'ery brief searing o'er a ore" The o'ing" I ha& little of true slee$! for I ha& to free1ing an& rise se'eral ti es a iserly eking out of y ability to y feet" En&urance" That %as %hat it %as all %as a fat bea'er that ha& 'enture& too far fro fire" I %as too tire& an& too hungry to &o flesh! but it &i& kee$ constantly re$lenish y fire to kee$ fro

night to sta $ feeling back into force I ke$t yself to kee$

about" 5ot s%iftness or great strength! but a o'ing e'ery &ay"

y Skill %alls u$ tight! but e'en so I %as a%are of ;ill.s battling e as long as I guar&e& yself! but in! ental %ariness %as yet another &ra% on y guar&s an& let hi

against the " I &i& not think he coul& track I %as not certain of that" The constant to finish through

y strength" So e nights I longe& si $ly to &ro$ all

e off once an& for all" But at such ti es! all I ha& to &o %as recall e an& ins$ire& e to $ush yself all the har&er to increase the

%hat Regal %as no% ca$able of &oing" ;ithout fail it $ut a bolt of terror &istance bet%een us" ;hen I arose on the fourth &a%n of our tra'eling! I kne% %e %ere &ee$ %ithin the -ountain (ing&o " I ha& seen no sign of $ursuit since %e ha& left -oonseye" Surely this &ee$ %ithin (ettricken.s o%n lan&! %e %ere safe" Ho% uch farther is this @haa $e! an& %hat shall %e &o %hen %e get there0
E81

I &on.t kno% ho% $er itte&

uch farther" #n& I &on.t kno% %hat %e shall &o" yself to think of all that I ha& not the (ing.s si&e to flee into the e" (ettricken %oul& ha'e borne y o%n

For the first ti e! I consi&ere& it" I force&

yself to consi&er before" I kne% nothing truly of %hat ha& beco e e or about

of (ettricken since the ti e I ha& sent her fro night" She ha& ha& no %or& fro the chil& by no%" By to yself! 6This &aughter" I su&&enly foun&

y reckoning! her babe %oul& be close in age to y &aughter"7

yself 'ery curious" I coul& hol& that babe an& say e &ea&" Execute& by Regal an& long burie& y )ueen an& Aerity.s %ife" Surely I

ust be ho% it feels to hol&

Exce$t that (ettricken belie'e&

%oul& be %hat she ha& hear&" She %as

coul& re'eal to her ho% I ha& sur'i'e&" But to tell the truth to her %oul& be like &ro$$ing a $ebble in a $on&" >nlike Starling or (ettle or anyone else %ho ha& &e&uce& %ho I %as! (ettricken ha& kno%n fact" She coul& say to others %ho ha& kno%n li'es" Ho%0 ;hy! by his ;it! of course"7 I tru&ge& along behin& 5ighteyes through the sno% an& col& an& thought %hat that %oul& ean to *atience %hen %or& reache& her" Sha e! or 4oy0 Hurt that I yself to her0 Through (ettricken! %or& coul& be sent! to afar like that! not only that I %as e the kno%le&ge that she carrie& her o'er the years" To ha'e one ight en& %hate'er ha& not re'eale& e before" It %oul& not be ru or or e for a o ent! but a e! 6Yes! I sa% hi ! an& he truly legen&! not a %il& tale of so eone %ho ha& gli $se&

s$rea& to those I ha& kno%n" E'entually! it %oul& reach -olly an& Burrich" ;hat %oul& it &o to -olly! to hear it fro e to the heart to kno% she ha& ke$t fro our chil&" That ha& been ore an& one of such ust ha'e felt by all the secrets I ha& ke$t fro ali'e an& ha& not returne& to her! but that I %as tainte& %ith the ;it0 It ha& cut y first true gli $se of ho% betraye& an& hurt she agnitu&e $ushe& in her face

E82

feelings she

ight still ha'e for

e" -y chances of rebuil&ing a life %ith her to &%in&le further" en I ha& ro%e& an& fought

%ere s all enough+ I coul& not bear for the alongsi&e! the co I

#n& all the others! the stablefolk I ha& kno%n! the

on sol&iers of Buckkee$! %oul& fin& out as %ell" Ho%e'er e" ;hat %oul&

ight feel about the ;it! I ha& alrea&y seen the &isgust in one frien&.s eyes" I

ha& seen ho% it ha& change& e'en Starling.s attitu&e to%ar& e0 ;oul& he be &isco'ere& as %ell0 I gritte& Aerity" Sa'e that! %ithout su$$lies I ha& as ha& of $assing hi self off as a la$&og" #n& there %as one other s all atter" The a$"

folks think of Burrich! that he ha& ha& a ;itte& one in his stable an& tolerate& y teeth" I %oul& ha'e to re ain &ea&" Better! $erha$s! to by$ass @haa $e altogether an& $ress on to fin& uch chance of that as 5ighteyes

;hen Aerity ha& &e$arte& Buckkee$! it ha& been on the strength of a been fa&e& an& ancient! &etail of the

a$" It

%as an ol& one that (ettricken ha& unearthe& in the Buckkee$ libraries" It ha& a&e in the &ays of (ing ;is&o ! %ho ha& first to the ai& of the Six Duchies" The ha& first encountere& a$ the 'isite& the El&erlings an& enliste& the that one of the

a$ ha& fa&e&! but both (ettricken an& Aerity ha& been con'ince& arke& trails le& to %here (ing ;is&o

those elusi'e beings" Aerity ha& left Buckkee$ &eter ine& to follo% the into the regions beyon& the -ountain (ing&o " He ha& taken %ith hi fresh co$y of the a$ he ha&

a&e" I ha& no i&ea %hat ha& beco e of the ol&er a$ an& the unusual characteristics of the a$ %as a co$y of yet an ol&er

a$+ $robably carrie& off to Tra&efor& %hen Regal ha& loote& Buckkee$.s libraries" But the style of the bor&ering ha& a&e e long sus$ect that the

a$" The bor&ering %as in the -ountain style+ if the original %ere to be foun& any%here! it %oul& be in the libraries of @haa $e" I ha& ha& so e access to the in the onths of y con'alescence in the -ountains" I kne% their library
E88

%as both extensi'e an& %ell ke$t" E'en if I &i& not fin& the original of that $articular During a$! I ight $erha$s fin& others that co'ere& the sa e area" y ti e in the -ountains! I ha& also been i $resse& %ith %hat a

trusting folk they %ere" I ha& seen fe% locks an& no guar&s such as %e ha& at Buckkee$" It %oul& be no trick to get into the royal resi&ence" E'en if they ha& establishe& a $ractice of setting guar&s! the %alls %ere only a&e of layers of e long barkcloth that ha& been $lastere& o'er %ith clay an& $ainte&" I felt confi&ent I coul& get in one %ay or another" Once I %as %ithin! it %oul& not take sa e ti e" I ha& the grace to be asha e& of that thought" I also kne% that sha e %oul& not kee$ e fro &oing it" Once again! I ha& no choice" I slogge& u$ yet e y heart beat out that another ri&ge through the sno% an& it see e& to anything" Fate ha& a&e to rifle through their library an& steal %hat I nee&e&" I coul& resu$$ly at the

$hrase o'er an& o'er" 5o choice! no choice! no choice" 5e'er any choice about e a killer! a liar! an& a thief" #n& the har&er I trie& to y black oo&" a'oi& those roles! the ore fir ly I %as $ushe& into the " 5ighteyes $a&&e& at

y heels! an& frette& about

So &istracte& %ere %e that %e creste& the ri&ge an& both of us stoo&! foolishly outline&! in full 'ie% of the troo$ of horse en on the roa& belo% us" The yello% an& bro%n of their 4ackets stoo& out against the sno%" I fro1e like a startle& &eer" E'en so! %e ight ha'e esca$e& their notice %ere it not for the $ack of houn&s %ith the " I took it in at a glance" Six houn&s! not %olf/ houn&s! thank E&a! but short/legge& rabbit/houn&s! unsuite& to this %eather or terrain" There %as one long/legge& &og! a gangly! curly/backe& an& his han&ler o'e& se$arately fro %hate'er it ha& to fin& us" There %ere a &o1en #l ost instantly the ongrel" He the $ack" The $ursuit %as using en on horseback! ho%e'er"

ongrel thre% his hea& u$ an& baye&" In an instant the

E8<

houn&s took it u$!

illing! hea&s raise& to snuff! an& gi'ing cry as they foun& ongrel an& his han&ler %ere alrea&y racing

our scents" The hunts an controlling the houn&s lifte& a han& an& $ointe& u$ at us as %e took to our heels" The to%ar& us" 6I &i&n.t e'en kno% there %as a roa& there!7 I $ante& a$ologetically to 5ighteyes as %e fle& &o%n the hillsi&e" ;e ha& a 'ery brief a&'antage" ;e %ent &o%nhill follo%ing our o%n trail! %hile the houn&s an& horse en in $ursuit of us ust co e u$ a hill of unbroken sno%" I ho$e& that by the ti e e behin&" The they reache& the ri&ge %e ha& 4ust left! %e coul& be out of 'ie% in the brushy ra'ine belo% us" 5ighteyes %as hol&ing back! loath to lea'e houn&s %ere baying an& I hear& the 'oices of took u$ the chase" R>5: I co an&e& 5ighteyes" in& %orke& frantically" Jet ay I %ill not lea'e you" I.& ha'e s all chance if you &i&! I a& itte&" -y to the botto &o%nstrea &elay the of the ra'ine" =ay as a %hile" e in a blur of gray an& 'anishe& yself faster through the uch false trail as you can! loo$ aroun&! go en raise& in excite ent as they

follo%ing the ra'ine" ;hen I get there! %e.ll flee u$hill" It

Fox tricks: he snorte&! an& then race& $ast

into the thick brush of the ra'ine" I trie& to &ri'e

sno%" @ust before I reache& the brushy ra'ine.s e&ge! I looke& back" Dogs an& horse en %ere 4ust cresting the ri&ge" I gaine& the shelter of the sno%/cloake& brush an& scrabble& &o%n the stee$ si&es" 5ighteyes ha& left enough tracks there for a %hole $ack of %ol'es" E'en as I $ause& for a )uick breath! he race& $ast e in yet another &irection" =et.s get out of here:

E8?

I &i& not %ait for his re$ly! but took off u$ the ra'ine as fast as carry trees an& brush ha& caught an& hel& u$on $ushe&

y legs %oul&

e" The sno% %as shallo%er at the 'ery botto ! for the o'erhanging ost of it" I %ent half &ouble& o'er!

kno%ing that if I snagge& on the branches they %oul& &u $ their col& loa&s e" The belling of the houn&s rang in the free1ing air" I listene& to it as I y %ay on" ;hen I hear& their excite ent gi'e %ay to a frustrate& u&&le& trail at the botto of the

canine yelling! I kne% they ha& reache& the 5ighteyes:

ra'ine" Too soon+ they %ere there too soon an& %oul& be co ing too fast" Silence! fool: The houn&s %ill hear you: #n& that other" -y heart near sto$$e& in y chest" I coul& not belie'e ho% stu$i& I ha& been" I y ears straining after %hat %as ha$$ening any en on horseback for flaile& on through the sno%y brush!

behin& us" The hunts en ha& like& the false trail 5ighteyes ha& left an& %ere all but forcing the houn&s along it" There %ere too the narro%ness of the ra'ine" They %ere getting in one another.s %ay! an& $erha$s fouling our true trail" Ti e gaine&! but only a bit of it" Then su&&enly I hear& alar e& cries an& a %il& yel$ing of houn&s" I $icke& u$ a confuse& babble of &oggy thoughts" # %olf ha& s$rung &o%n on the the 'ery legs of the horses the en ro&e behin& the " One y an& race& right an %as &o%n an& ost of one y outh through the center of their $ack! slashing as he %ent! &ashing off right through ha'ing trouble catching his %il&/eye& ount" # &og ha& lost

flo$$y ear an& %as agoni1e& %ith it" I trie& to shut &ry! but I trie& to force s$ee& fro taunting! to flee %ith

in& to his $ain" *oor

beast! an& all for none of your o%n gain" -y legs %ere like lea& an& gaine& at such risk to hi self" I %ante& to cry out to hi our retreat" Instea& I $ushe& yself on"
E8B

yself! to use %ell the ti e 5ighteyes ha& to lea'e off his

e! but &are& not betray to the $ack the true &irection of

The ra'ine %as getting narro%er an& &ee$er" Aines an& bra bles an& brush gre% fro the stee$ening si&es an& &angle& &o%n" I sus$ecte& I %alke& on to$ e the of a %inter/fro1en strea " I began to look for a %ay out of it" Behin&

houn&s %ere yel$ing again! baying out to one another that they ha& the true trail no%! follo% the %olf! the %olf! the %olf" I kne% then %ith certainty that 5ighteyes ha& sho%n hi self to the the a%ay fro once ore an& %as &eliberately &ra%ing e! uncaring that erri ent to hi ! a hysterical e" Run! boy! run: He flung the thought to

the houn&s %oul& hear hi " There %as a %il& silliness to his thought" It re in&e& the halls of Buckkee$! to slaughter hi carrie& hi

e of the night I ha& chase& @ustin through in the Jreat Hall before all the guests y heart in y

at Regal.s (ing/in/;aiting cere ony" 5ighteyes %as in a fren1y that ha& $ast %orrying o'er his o%n sur'i'al" I $lunge& on! e %as a glistening casca&e of ice! a er throat for hi ! fighting the tears that $ricke& the corners of The ra'ine en&e&" Before ountain strea that cut this canyon &uring the su y eyes" e orial to the ountain! onths" The ice hung

in long! ri$$le& icicles &o%n the face of a rocky crack in the glea ing %ith a faint sheen of a layer of too/thin ice" I lifte& crystalline" I halte&! sus$ecting a &ee$ $ool! one I

o'ing %ater still" The sno% at its base %as ight un%ittingly fin& un&er ostly un&ercut y eyes" The %alls here %ere

an& o'ergro%n" In other $laces! bare slabs of rock sho%e& through the &ra$ery of sno%" Runty sa$lings an& t%iggy brush gre% in a scattering! leaning out to catch the sunlight fro turne& to &ouble back on of his cry con'ince& abo'e" 5one of it looke& $ro ising for a cli b" I y trail an&! hear& a single ho%l rise an& fall" 5either ongrel &og" So ething in the certainty y trail" I hear& a an shout e he %as on

houn& nor %olf! it coul& only be the

encourage ent an& the &og yel$e& again! closer" I turne& to the %all of the ra'ine an& starte& to cli b" I hear& the
E8C

an halloo to the others! calling an&

%histling for the

to follo% hi ! he ha& a

an.s tracks here! ne'er

in& the

%olf! it %as 4ust a ;it/trick" In the &istance the houn&s su&&enly took u$ a &ifferent yel$ing" In that o ent! I kne% that Regal ha& finally foun& %hat he e" Ol& Bloo& ha& been bought" the %all of the ra'ine" I the rocky soil" I fell! yself ha& sought" # ;itte& one to hunt haule& but yself u$! got

I 4u $e& an& caught at a sa$ling leaning out fro e" ;hen I $ut

y feet on it! balance&! an& reache& for another abo'e yself on the first tree again" >$ again! I tol&

y %eight on it! its roots tore loose fro

anage& to catch

fiercely" I stoo& on it! an& hear& it crack un&er han&fuls of t%iggy brush leaning &o%n fro )uickly! to not let fe% y %eight hang fro

y %eight" I reache& u$ to grab ore than a

the un&ercut bank" I trie& to go u$ y gri$! tufts of ol& grasses y %ill I glance& ongrel

any sa$ling or bush for

o ents" Han&fuls of t%igs broke off in

$ulle& free! an& I foun& back an& &o%n" # baye& u$ at e! the

yself scrabbling along the li$ of the ra'ine but not e an& against

getting any higher" I hear& a shout belo%

an an& &og %ere in the clearing belo%" #s the an coul& %ish"

an %as nocking an arro% to his bo%" I hung hel$less

abo'e the ! as easy a shot as a 6*lease!7 I hear& tricks fro fro

yself gas$! an& then hear& the tiny un istakable soun& of a e! a fist in the back! one of Regal.s ol& e" One of y

bo%string being release&" I felt it hit han&s ha& let go" I ha& not co its gri$" I s%ung fro of the &og as it s elle& *ain bit again! &ee$ into reflex of terror!

y chil&hoo&! an& then a &ee$er! hotter $ain insi&e

an&e& it to! it ha& si $ly co e unhooke& an.s gar ent

y right han&" I coul& hear! so clearly! the yel$ing y bloo&" I coul& hear the rustle of the his )ui'er" y fingers let go" In a y face brushing y right %rist" I crie& out as

as he &re% another arro% fro

y legs scrabble& fiercely against the yiel&ing brush that

&angle& o'er the un&ercut bank" #n& so eho% I %as rising!

E8D

crusty sno%" I foun&

y left ar

an&

a&e 'ague s%i e" He y right ar

ing

otions %ith it" e u$"

Jet your legs u$: 5ighteyes sna$$e& at %ere set fir ly in the slee'e an& flesh of The chance at li'ing re4u'enate& un&er the y belly" I cla%e& centere& in

a&e not a soun&! for his teeth as he &ragge&

e" I kicke& %il&ly an& then felt soli& groun& there in re& %a'es" If I ha& not seen

y %ay for%ar&! trying to ignore the $ain that

y back! but s$rea& out fro y back"

an loose an arro%! I %oul& ha'e belie'e& I ha& a $ole as thick as a %agon

axle sticking out of

Jet u$! get u$: ;e ha'e to run" I &on.t recall ho% I got to 4a%s tore the y feet" I hear& &ogs scrabbling u$ the cliff behin& the e&ge an& et the as they ca e" u$" His e" 5ighteyes stoo& back fro $ack" ;hen the curly/backe&

o$en an& he flung their bo&ies back &o%n on the rest of the ongrel fell! there %as a su&&en lessening in the an

yel$ing belo%" ;e both kne% his agony! an& hear& the screa s of the

belo% as his bon&/ani al ble& to &eath in the sno%" The other hunts an %as calling his &ogs off+ angrily telling the others it %oul& &o no goo& to sen& the u$ to be slaughtere&" I coul& hear the en yelling an& cursing as they turne& their %eary horses an& starte& back &o%n the ra'ine! to try an& fin& a $lace %here they coul& get u$ an& after us! to try an& $ick u$ our trail again" Run: 5ighteyes tol& e" ;e %oul& not s$eak of %hat %e ha& 4ust &one" There y back that %as also a y han& to y chest! al ost ex$ecting to feel the uch sensation! too any e" I" %as a sensation of terrible %ar th running &o%n s$rea&ing col&ness" I $ut after 5ighteyes!

arro%hea& an& shaft sticking out there" But no! it %as burie& &ee$" I staggere& y consciousness a%ash in too kin&s of $ain" -y shirt an& cloak tugge& against the arro% shaft as I %on&ere& ho% o'e&! a

tiny %iggling of the %oo& that %as echoe& by the arro%hea& &ee$ insi&e

uch further &a age it %as &oing" I thought of the ti es I ha&

E8E

butchere& arro%/slain &eer! of the black $u&&ingy flesh full of bloo& that one foun& aroun& such a %oun&" I %on&ere& if he.& got &i&n.t go far" Di& I taste bloo& in the back of Don.t think about it: 5ighteyes co @ust %alk" ;alk an& kee$ %alking" So he kne% as %ell as I &i& that I coul& not run" I %alke& an& he %alke& at y si&e" For a ti e" Then I %as %alking blin&ly for%ar& in the &ark! not e'en caring in %hich &irection I %ent! an& he %as not there" I gro$e& for hi ! but coul& not fin& hi " So e%here afar I hear& the yel$ing of &ogs again" I %alke& on" I blun&ere& into trees" Branches scratche& because bloo& that &ro'e e to y face %as nu b" The shirt on o'e& chafingly against y cloak y knees" Silly y skin" e! but the su&&en $ain nearly y face but it %as all right y back %as a slushy sheet of fro1en an&e& y lung" # lung/shot &eer y throat , 0 e sa'agely" You %eaken us both"

I trie& to $ull shaft" Silly

ore closely aroun&

e" I ha& forgotten it %oul& &rag against the arro% e" I staggere&

e" (ee$ %alking! boy" I %alke& on"

I bu $e& into another tree" It release& a sho%er of sno% on getting col&er an& col&er" I ha& to get u$" I ha& to kee$ great e'ergreens %here the sno% %as shallo%! I sank to sai&" I ha& not the strength to %ee$ for %ho I %as asking" o'ing"

clear an& ke$t on %alking" For a long ti e" Then I %as sitting in the sno%! I %alke& again" 5ot for 'ery long! I &on.t think" >n&er the shelter of so e y knees" 6*lease!7 I ercy" 6*lease"7 I coul& not think

I sa% a hollo% bet%een t%o thick roots" *ine nee&les %ere thick on the groun& there" I hu&&le& into the s all s$ace" I coul& not lie &o%n for the arro% sticking out of an& cross y back" But I coul& lean y chest" I a&e y forehea& against the frien&ly tree yself s all! fol&ing y legs un&er y ar s on

e an& sinking into the s$ace bet%een the roots" I %oul& ha'e been col& sa'e I
E<H

%as too tire&" I sank into slee$" ;hen I %oke u$! I.& buil& a fire an& get %ar " I coul& i agine ho% %ar -y brother: I. here! I tol& hi cal ly" Right here" I )ueste& out to touch hi reassuringly" He %as co ing" The ruff aroun& his throat %as s$iky %ith fro1en sali'a! but not a tooth ha& got through" He ha& one slash &o%n the si&e of his u11le but it %as not ba&" He.& le& the horses fro behin& before lea'ing the in circles an& then harrie& their $lunging through a sno%/co'ere& I.& be! coul& al ost feel it"

s%ale of &ee$ grass in the &ark" Only t%o of their &ogs %ere left ali'e an& one of the horses %as li $ing so ba&ly the ri&er ha& &ouble& u$ %ith another" 5o% he ca e to fin& e! surging u$ the sno%y slo$es easily" He %as tire&! yes! but the energy of triu $h surge& through hi " The night %as cris$ an& clean aroun& hi " He caught the scent an& then the tiny eye flicker of the hare that crouche& beneath a bush! ho$ing he.& $ass by" ;e &i& not" # single! su&&en si&e%ays $ounce an& the hare %as in his 4a%s" ;e clutche& it by its bony hea& an& sna$$e& its s$ine %ith one shake" ;e trotte& on! the %elco e &angling %eight fro %as sil'er an& black aroun& us" Sto$" -y brother! &o not &o this" Do %hat0 I lo'e you" But I &o not %ish to be you" I ho'ere& %here I %as" His lungs %orking so strongly! &ra%ing in the col& night air $ast the hare.s hea& in his his You &o not %ish to be %e&ge& outh" The slight sting of the slash &o%n u11le! his $o%erful legs carrying his lean bo&y so %ell" e! either! 9hanger" 5ot really" yself" I ha& eat a his 4a%s" ;e %oul& eat %ell" The night forest

I %as not sure he %as correct" ;ith his eyes I sa% an& s elle&

yself into the s$ace bet%een the roots of the great tree! an& %as
E<1

curle& u$ as s all as an aban&one& $u$" -y bloo& s ell %as strong on the air" Then I blinke&! an& I %as looking &o%n into the &arkness of o'er y face" I lifte& $ain trace& back to that arro% centere& in y back" e! feet brace& on the y crooke& elbo% y hea& slo%ly! $ainfully" E'erything hurt an& all the

I s elle& rabbit guts an& bloo&" 5ighteyes stoo& besi&e carcass as he tore it o$en" Eat! %hile it.s hot" I &on.t kno% if I can" Do you %ant e to che% it for you0 He %as not 4esting" But the only thing thought of eating &isgorge& carry it u$ to y eat" I fingers %ere al ost nu b! but I %atche& outh" It %as %ar

ore re'olting than eating %as the y hea&" -y y han& $inch u$ the s all li'er an&

anage& a tiny shake of

an& rich %ith bloo&" Su&&enly I kne% eat" It %as tough but I %as y bo&y for his! nearly

5ighteyes %as right" I ha& to eat" Because I ha& to li'e" He ha& torn the hare a$art" I $icke& u$ a $ortion an& bit into the %ar cli be& in besi&e hi &eter ine&" ;ithout thinking! I ha& nearly aban&one&

into that $erfect healthy %olf.s bo&y" I ha& &one it once

before! %ith his consent" But no% %e both kne% better" ;e %oul& share! but %e coul& not beco e one another" 5ot %ithout both of us losing" Slo%ly I sat u$" I felt the i agine& it sticking out of to a cal uscles of y back o'e against the arro%! yself e" That $rotesting the %ay it snagge& the " I coul& feel the %eight of the shaft" ;hen I e! I nearly lost the foo& I.& eaten" I force& I &i& not feel" Su&&enly! o&&ly! an i age of Burrich ca e to y han& back" I %alke&

&ea&ly stillness in his face %hen he ha& flexe& his knee an& %atche& the ol& %oun& $ulling o$en" Slo%ly I reache& y s$ine" It a&e the y fingers u$ y fingers y eyes uscles $ull against the arro%" Finally

touche& the sticky %oo& of the arro% shaft" E'en that light touch %as a ne% sort of $ain" #%k%ar&ly I close& y fingers aroun& the shaft! close&
E<2

an& trie& to $ull on it" E'en if there ha& been no $ain in'ol'e&! it %oul& ha'e been &ifficult" But the agony rocke& the %orl& aroun& stea&ie&! I foun& Shall I try0 I shook y hea&! re aining as I %as" I %as still afrai& I.& faint" I trie& to think" y courage" 9an you If he $ulle& it out! I kne% I.& $ass out" If the blee&ing %as ba&! I.& ha'e no %ay to sto$ it" 5o" Best to lea'e it in there" I gathere& all break it off 0 He ca e close to e" I felt his hea& against y back" He turne& his hea&! aneu'ere& his 4a%s so that his back teeth %oul& close on the shaft" Then he close& his 4a%s" There %as a snick! like a gar&ener $runing a sa$ling! an& a shi'er of ne% $ain" # %a'e of gi&&iness %ashe& o'er reache& back an& tugge& $ulle& it closer aroun& 5o" Buil& a fire first" I $eele& y eyes o$en again" It %as all too har&" I scra$e& together all the t%igs e! an& sticks %ithin easy reach" 5ighteyes trie& to hel$! fetching branches to e! shu&&ering" I close& y eyes" e" But so eho% I y bloo& so&&en cloak free of the stub of arro%" I yself on y han&s an& knees %ith e! an& %hen it y hea& hanging &o%n"

but it still took an eternity before I ha& a tiny fla e &ancing" Slo%ly I a&&e& sticks" #bout the ti e I ha& the fire burning! I reali1e& the &ay %as &a%ning" Ti e to get lea&ing o'e on again" ;e staye& only to finish eating the rabbit an& to let e un$ityingly on%ar&" e y han&s an& feet thoroughly %ar " Then %e starte& off again! 5ighteyes

9H#*TER T;E5TY @haa $e

E<8

@H##-*E! THE 9#*IT#= city of the -ountain (ing&o ! is ol&er than Buckkee$! 4ust as the ruling line of the -ountain (ing&o city of Buckkee$ as the Farseer onarchs are &ifferent fro is ol&er than the the fortress the $hiloso$her house of Farseer" #s a city! @haa $e is as far re o'e& in style fro gui&es of the Sacrifice lineage that rules the -ountains" There is no $er anent city such as %e kno%" There are fe% $er anent buil&ings" Instea&! along the carefully $lanne& an& gar&en/bor&ere& roa&s are s$aces %here the no a&ic folk of the -ountains &esignate& s$ace for the arket! but the erchants $arallels that of the seasons" # score of tents ay co e an& go" There is a igrate in a $rocession that onth! only to

ay s$ring u$ o'ernight an& their

inhabitants s%ell the $o$ulation of @haa $e for a %eek or a

&isa$$ear %ithout a trace %hen their 'isiting an& tra&ing is o'er" @haa $e is an e'er/changing city of tents $o$ulate& by the 'igorous out&oor/&%elling folk of the ountains" are not at all like our castles an& halls" Instea&! their &%ellings The ho es of the ruling fa ily an& the co $anions that choose to stay year/ roun& %ith the center aroun& great trees! li'ing still! their trunks an& branches $atiently traine& o'er scores of years to $ro'i&e a fra e%ork for the buil&ing" This li'ing structure is then &ra$e& %ith a fabric %o'en of tree/bark fibers an& reinforce& %ith a lattice%ork" Thus the %alls can take on the gently cur'ing sha$es of a tuli$ bu& or the &o e of an egg" # clay coating is s$rea& o'er the fabric layer an& this in turn is $ainte& %ith a shiny resinous $aint in the bright hues the ountain folk en4oy" So e are &ecorate& %ith fanciful creatures or $atterns but ost are left si $le" *ur$les an& yello%s $re&o inate! so that to co e u$on the city gro%ing in the sha&e of the great $atch of crocus in s$ringti e" ountain trees is like co ing u$on a

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#bout these ho es an& at the intersections of the roa&s in this no a&ic 6city7 are the gar&ens" Each is uni)ue" One ay center aroun& an unusually sha$e& ay contain stu $ or an arrange ent of stones or a graceful bit of %oo&" They

fragrant herbs or bright flo%ers or any co bination of $lants" One notable one has at its heart a bubbling s$ring of stea ing %ater" Here gro% $lants %ith fleshy lea'es an& exotically scente& flo%ers! &eni1ens of so e %ar er cli e brought here to &elight the -ountain &%ellers %ith their graceful $ot or $erha$s ystery" Often 'isitors lea'e gifts in the gar&ens %hen they &e$art! a %oo&en car'ing or a erely an arrange ent of bright $ebbles" The gar&ens an! belong to no one! an& all ten& the " #t @haa $e can also be foun& hot s$rings! so e of %ater that can scal& a others erely a gently bubbling %ar th" These ha'e been confine&! both as

$ublic baths an& as a source of heat in so e of the s aller &%ellings" In e'ery buil&ing+ in e'ery gar&en! at e'ery turn the 'isitor fin&s the austere beauty an& si $licity of color an& for that are the -ountain i&eal" The o'erall ay lea& the 'isitor to )uestion his o%n i $ression that one carries a%ay is of tran)uillity an& 4oy in the natural %orl&" The chosen si $licity of life there choice in life" It %as night" I recall little ore than that it follo%e& long &ays of $ain" I o'e& o'e&

y staff an& took another ste$" I

y staff again" ;e %ere not going ore blin&ing than the y hesitant ste$s as if it

)uickly" # scurrying of sno%flakes in the air %as &arkness" I coul& not get a%ay fro 5ighteyes %o'e a $acing $ath aroun& coul& hurry you! e" Fro e! gui&ing

the circling %in& that carrie& the "

ti e to ti e he keene& anxiously" His bo&y %as tight

%ith fear an& %eariness" He s elle& %oo& s oke an& goats , not to betray y brother" But to hel$ you" Re e ber that" You nee& so eone %ith
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han&s" But if they try to

istreat you! you ha'e but to call an& I shall co e" I ake y in& focus on his thoughts" I felt his e into a e an& his fear that he %as lea&ing

shall not be far ,I coul& not bitterness that he coul& not hel$

tra$" I thought %e ha& been arguing but I coul& not re e ber %hat I ha& been insisting on" ;hate'er it %as! 5ighteyes ha& %on! si $ly by 'irtue of kno%ing %hat he %ante&" -y feet sli$$e& on the $acke& sno% of the roa& an& I %ent to y knees" 5ighteyes sat &o%n besi&e sei1e& *lease! into su&&en fla es" I a&e a noise" e an& %aite&" I trie& to lie &o%n an& he y back burst y %rist in his 4a%s" He tugge& gently! but the thing in

y brother" There are huts ahea&! an& lights %ithin the " Fires an& ore"

%ar th" #n& so eone %ith han&s! %ho can cleanse the foul %oun& in your back" *lease" Jet u$" @ust once I lifte& sil'er y hanging hea& an& trie& to see" There %as so ething in the roa& oonlight glea e& on it but I coul& not ake out %hat it %as" I blinke& an" It ha& not been sha$e& to

ahea& of us! so ething the roa& forke& an& %ent aroun& on either si&e" The har&! an& it beca e a car'e& stone! taller than a t%iggy li bs recalle& su to rise but coul& not" Besi&e

be an ob4ect! but %as si $ly s oothe& into a graceful sha$e" #t its base! bare er shrubbery" #n irregular %all of s aller stones e of (ettricken so eho%" I trie& y knees" ing e! 5ighteyes %hine& in agony" I coul& not fra e y strength to re ain on bor&ere& it" Sno% garnishe& all" It re in&e& a thought to reassure hi " It took all through 5ighteyes" I lifte&

I &i& not hear footste$s but I felt a su&&en increase in the tension thru y hea& again" Far ahea& of

e! $ast the gar&en!

so eone ca e %alking through the night" Tall an& slen&er! &ra$e& in hea'y fabric! hoo& $ulle& for%ar& so far it %as al ost a co%l" I %atche& the $erson co e" Death! I thought" Only &eath coul& co e so silently! gli&ing so s oothly

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through this icy night" 6Run a%ay!7 I %his$ere& to 5ighteyes" 65o sense in letting hi turne& take both of us" Run a%ay no%"7 e! sli$$ing a%ay silently fro coat" *art of y si&e" ;hen I e trie& to go %ith y hea&! I coul& not see hi ! but I sense& he %as not far" I felt his e as if I ha& taken off a %ar For a %on&er! he obeye& strength lea'e behin&" If you ust! y brother" If you ust! I %ill not turn you a%ay I %ishe& he ha& ust! I %oul& &ie an& lea'e hi o ent for &ying gre% not sai& it" It &i& not free an& clean of ake it easier to resist the te $tation" I ha& $ro ise&

hi ! to cling to the %olf an& be the %olf" I longe& to lea'e this battere& bo&y

yself I %oul& not &o that to hi ! that if &ie I nearer there see e& so

e to car'e his o%n life" Yet as the e"

any goo& reasons to forsake that $ro ise" The healthy e" I yself"

%il& bo&y! that si $le life in the no% calle& to coul& go to the %olf" I su last"7 He hear& e" I sa% hi one& the last of

Slo%ly the figure &re% nearer" # great shi'ering of col& an& $ain racke& y strength to &efy 6Here:7 I croake& to Death" 6Here I a " 9o e an& take

e an& let it be &one at

halt an& stan& stiffly as if afrai&" Then he ca e %ith e! tall

su&&en haste! his %hite cloak s%irling in the night %in&" He stoo& by

an& slen&er an& silent" 6I.'e co e to you!7 I %his$ere&" #bru$tly he knelt by e! an& I gli $se& the chisele& i'ory of his bony face" He $ut his ar s aroun& e an& lifte& e to bear e a%ay" The $ressure of his ar on y back %as agoni1ing" I fainte&" ;ar th %as see$ing back into e! bringing $ain %ith it" I s$ra%le& on y

si&e! %ithin %alls! for the %in& surge& like the ocean outsi&e" I s elle& tea an& incense! $aint an& %oo& sha'ings an& the %ool rug I lay on" -y face burne&" I
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coul& not sto$ the shu&&ering that ran through a%akene& the searing $ain in 6The knots of your cloak/strings are fro1en" I. I

e! though e'ery %a'e of it going to cut the " =ie still

y back" -y han&s an& feet throbbe&"

no%"7 The 'oice %as curiously gentle! as if unuse& to such a tone" anage& to get an eye o$en" I %as lying on the floor" -y face %as turne& e" I sa% the y throat! but I coul& not y flesh" Then o'e" I felt it sa%ing an& y cloak %as being lifte& a&e an o&& to%ar& a stone hearth %here a fire burne&" So eone leane& o'er glitter of a bla&e nearing honestly coul& not tell if it taste&

back" 6It.s fro1en to your shirt!7 so eone

uttere&" I al ost thought I kne%

the 'oice" # gas$" 6It.s bloo&" #ll this is fro1en bloo&"7 -y cloak besi&e I turne& e" y eyes u$ slo%ly but coul& not lift

tearing soun& as it %as $eele& loose" Then so eone sat &o%n on the floor y hea& to see a face" Instea& I

sa% a slen&er bo&y clothe& in a soft robe of %hite %ool" Han&s the color of ol& i'ory $ushe& the cuffs of his slee'es u$" The fingers %ere long an& thin! the %rists bony" Then he rose abru$tly to get so ething" For a ti e I %as alone" I close& y eyes" ;hen I o$ene& the rose fro a %i&e 'essel of blue $ottery %as by y hea&" Stea it an& I s elle& %illo% an& ro%an" 6Stea&y!7 sai& the o ent one of those han&s reste& on y back" yself" y shoul&er

'oice! an& for a 6I.

reassuringly" Then I felt s$rea&ing %ar th on blee&ing again!7 I %his$ere& to 65o" I. close& e" The

soaking the shirt loose"7 Once again! the 'oice %as al ost fa iliar" I y eyes" # &oor o$ene& an& shut an& a gust of col& air %afte& across an besi&e e $ause&" I felt hi glance u$" 6You ight ha'e ock se'erity" I felt again the %ar trickle of %ater on

knocke&!7 he sai& %ith

y back" 6E'en one such as I occasionally has other guests"7

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Feet crosse& hastily to back fro

e" So eone lo%ere& herself flui&ly to the floor besi&e

e" I sa% the fol&ing of her skirts as she sank &o%n" # han& $ushe& the hair y face" 6;ho is he! holy one07 e" Here! look at his back"7 He s$oke softer then" 6Holy one07 There %as bitter hu or in his 'oice" 6If you %oul& s$eak of holes! you shoul& s$eak of hi ! not 6#s to %ho he is! I ha'e no i&ea"7 I hear& her gi'e a gas$" 6#ll of that is bloo&0 Ho% &oes he yet li'e0 =et us get so e %ar th to hi ! an& clean a%ay the bloo&"7 Then she tugge& at ittens an& &ragge& the free of gone black at the en&s:7 she exclai e& in horror" That I &i& not %ant to see or kno%" I let go of e'erything" For a ti e! it see e& as if I %ere a %olf again" I stalke& an unfa iliar 'illage! alert for &ogs or anyone stirring about! but all %as %hite silence an& sno% falling in the night" I foun& the hut I sought an& $ro%le& about it! but &are& not enter it" #fter a ti e! it see e& I ha& &one all I coul& about so ething" So I %ent hunting" I kille&! I ate! I sle$t" ;hen I o$ene& y eyes again! the roo %as %ashe& %ith the $ale light of &ay" y eyes %oul& not focus! an& then I The %alls cur'e&" I thought at first y y han&s" 6Oh! his $oor han&s! his fingers all

recogni1e& the sha$e of a -ountain &%elling" Slo%ly I took in &etail" Thick rugs of %ool on the floor! si $le %oo&en furniture! a %in&o% of grease& hi&e" On a shelf! t%o &olls leane& their hea&s together besi&e a %oo&en horse an& tiny cart" # hunts an $u$$et &angle& in a corner" On a table %ere bits of brightly $ainte& %oo&" I s elle& the clean sha'ings an& the fresh $aint" *u$$ets! I thought" So eone %as %ith a blanket o'er into aking $u$$ets" I %as belly &o%n on a be& y face an& y han&s an& e" I %as %ar " The skin of

feet burne& un$leasantly but that coul& be ignore&! for the great $ain that bore& y back took $rece&ence" -y
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outh %as not so &ry" Ha& I &runk

so ething0 I see e& to recall the s$ill of %ar a &efinite han&s bent &o%n an& lifte& the blanket off o'e& o'er better fleshe&! I.& say he ha&

tea in

outh but it %as not y be&" So eone y skin" Deft

e ory" Feet in felte& %ool sli$$ers a$$roache& e! $ro&&ing the area aroun&

e" 9ool air flo%e& across

y %oun&" 6So thin" ;ere he

ore chance!7 sai& an ol& %o an.s 'oice sa&ly" e"

6;ill he kee$ his toes an& fingers07 # %o an.s 'oice! close by" # young %o an" I coul& not see her but she %as near" The other %o an bent o'er She han&le& y han&s! ben&ing the fingers an& $inching at the en&s of the " I ust she& all the

%ince& an& trie& feebly to $ull a%ay" 6If he li'es! he.ll kee$ his fingers!7 she sai&! not unkin&ly but factually" 6They %ill be ten&er! for he infection in his back is %hat skin an& flesh that %as fro1en" By the sel'es! they are not too ba&" The ay kill hi " There.s so ething insi&e that so e%here in the roo " uch %oun&" #n arro%hea& an& $art of the shaft by the look of it"7 69annot you take it out07 I'ory/han&s s$oke fro 6Easily!7 the %o an re$lie&" I reali1e& she %as s$eaking the tongue of Buck! %ith a -ountain accent" 6But he %ill certainly blee& an& he has not bloo& left he can $art %ith" #n& the foulness of his %oun& ay s$rea& in fresh/

flo%ing bloo& to $oison all his bo&y"7 She sighe&" 6;oul& that @on)ui %ere ali'e still" She %as 'ery %ise in this ty$e of thing" It %as she %ho $ulle& fro *rince Rurisk the arro% that ha& $ierce& his chest" The %oun& bubble& %ith his 'ery life.s breath an& still she &i& not let hi but I %ill try" I %ill sen& &ie" I a not such a healer as she! y a$$rentice %ith a sal'e for his han&s an& feet an& ust kee$ a &ra%ing $oultice on! to ust get into hi !

face" Rub his skin %ell %ith it each &ay! an& &o not be &is aye& at the she&&ing of skin" #s for his back! that %e suck the $oisons fro as it as best %e uch as he %ill take" =et hi ay" Foo& an& &rink you

rest" #n& a %eek hence! %e %ill $ull that

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arro% an& ho$e he has built the strength to li'e through it! @ofron" (no% you a goo& &ra%ing $oultice07 6One or t%o" Bran an& goosegrass is a goo& one!7 she offere&" 6It %ill &o %ell" ;oul& that I coul& stay an& ten& hi ! but I ha'e that any another to see to" 9e&ar (noll %as attacke& last night" # bir& has co e %ith ti&ings any %ere in4ure& before the sol&iers %ere &ri'en off" I cannot ten& one any" I ust lea'e hi in your han&s"7 y be&!7 I'ory/han&s sai& &olefully" I hear& the &oor close behin& the an& lea'e 6#n& in healer" I &re% in a &ee$er breath but foun& no strength to s$eak" Behin& e! I hear& the an o'ing about the hut! the s all soun&s of %ater $oure& an& crockery @ofron sai& softly" I ga'e a s all no& against 6Then let hi $asse& o'er y $illo%" 6Try to get this &o%n hi ! then!7 suggeste& I'ory/han&s" rest" I shall return %ith bran an& goosegrass for your $oultice" yself! for I su$$ose he e" I coul& not turn ust stay here"7 # tray %as y bo&y an& ca e into y 'ie%" There %ere a bo%l an& a cu$ on y hea& to see her face! but the the #n& so e be&&ing for it" # %o an sat besi&e bo%l an& offere& it to o'e&" Footste$s ca e closer" 6I think he.s a%ake!7

fabrics of her skirt %ere -ountain %o'en" Her han& s$oone& u$ a bit fro

e" I si$$e& at it cautiously" So e sort of broth" Fro o'e through the roo " #nother

the cu$ %afte& the scents of cha o ile an& 'alerian" I hear& a &oor sli&e o$en! an& then shut" I felt a %aft of col& air s$oonful of broth" # thir&" 6;here07 I anage& to say" y o%n" 6Di& you say so ething07
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6;hat07 she aske&! leaning closer" She turne& her hea& an& leane& &o%n to see y face" Blue eyes" Too close to

I refuse& the s$oon" It %as su&&enly too ha& taken ha& heartene& night %as &ee$ aroun& e" The roo

uch effort to eat! e'en though %hat I see e& &arker" ;hen next I a%oke ute& crackling of a fire e the roo " I y back sto$$e& y outh

e" #ll %as silent sa'e for the

in the hearth" The light it cast %as fitful! but enough to sho% lo% table near y ar .s y be&" I trie& to reach for it! but the $ain in

felt fe'erish an& 'ery %eak an& horribly thirsty" There %as a cu$ of %ater on a o'e ent" -y back felt taut %ith the s%ollen %oun&" #ny outhe&! but the &ryness of

o'e ent a%akene& it" 6;ater!7 I a&e it a %his$er" 5o one ca e" 5ear the hearth! outstretche& ar y host ha&

a&e u$ a $allet for hi self" He sle$t like a cat! %ith light" I looke& at hi an& y

lax! but %ith that aura of constant %ariness" His hea& %as $illo%e& on his an& the fire gla1e& hi y chest" heart turne& o'er in

His hair %as s oothe& back sleek on his skull! confine& to a single $lait! baring the clean lines of his face" Ex$ressionless an& still! it see e& a chisele& ask" The last trace of boyishness ha& been burne& a%ay! lea'ing only the clean $lanes of his lean cheeks an& high forehea& an& long straight nose" His li$s %ere narro%er! his chin fir er than I recalle&" The &ance of the firelight lent color to his face! staining his %hite skin %ith its a ber" The Fool ha& gro%n u$ in the ti e %e ha& been a$art" It see e& too onths! an& yet this year ha& been longer than any in si $ly lay an& looke& at hi " His eyes o$ene& slo%ly! as if I ha& s$oken to hi " For a ti e he stare& back at e %ithout a %or&" Then a fro%n crease& his bro%" He sat u$ slo%ly! an& I sa% that truly he %as i'ory! his hair the color of fresh groun& flour" It %as his eyes that sto$$e& y heart an& tongue" They caught the firelight! yello% as a y breath" 6Fool!7 I sighe& sa&ly" 6;hat ha'e they &one
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uch change for t%el'e y life" For a ti e I

cat.s" I finally foun&

to you07 -y $arche& han& to hi ! but the Safety" That %as %ar

outh coul& barely sha$e the %or&s" I reache& out o'e ent $ulle& the uscles of y back an& I felt

y y

in4ury o$en again" The %orl& tilte& an& sli& a%ay" y first clear sensation" It ca e fro the soft %ar th of the y hea&" So ething uffle& its stab" into focus" y frostbitten han&s that %as not re$ose clean be&&ing! the herb fragrance of the $illo% beneath an& slightly &a $ $resse& gently on Safety clas$e& e as gently as the cool han&s that hel& y eyes an& the fire lit roo y be&" There %as a stillness about hi

y %oun& an&

bet%een the " I o$ene& He %as sitting by as he stare& $ast seeing hi astonishe&" in

slo%ly s%a

e an& into the &arkene& roo " He %ore a $lain robe of %hite otley" It %as like seeing a garish $u$$et stri$$e& of its $aint"

%ool %ith a roun& collar" The si $le clothes %ere a shock after the years of Then a single sil'er tear tracke& &o%n one cheek besi&e the narro% nose" I %as 6Fool07 -y 'oice ca e out as a croak this ti e" His eyes ca e instantly to an& hel& it to y ine an& he &ro$$e& to his knees besi&e e" His y e" ark breath ca e an& %ent ragge&ly in his throat" He snatche& u$ the cu$ of %ater outh %hile I &rank" Then he set it asi&e! to take u$ ore to hi self than to e! Fit10 Jo&s! %hat ha'e they &one to you! to o'e& tentati'ely &o%n &angling han&" He s$oke softly as he &i& this! 6;hat ha'e they &one to you in you so0 ;hat has beco e of

e! that I &i& not e'en kno% you though I carrie& y face! tracing

y ar s07 His cool fingers

the scar an& the broken nose" He leane& &o%n su&&enly to rest his bro% against ine" 6;hen I recall ho% beautiful you %ere!7 he %his$ere& brokenly! an& then fell silent" The %ar &ri$ of his tear against y face felt scal&ing"

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He sat u$ abru$tly! clearing his throat" He %i$e& his slee'e across his eyes! a chil&.s gesture that un anne& gathere& an& all an& e e'en ore" I &re% a &ee$er breath an& yself" 6You.'e change&!7 I anage& to say" o ent! to be gi'en back both you y heart %oul& y na e" e" Then you s$oke

6Ha'e I0 I i agine I ha'e" Ho% coul& I not ha'e change&0 I thought you &ea&! y life for naught" Then no%! this a&ness ha& finally clai e& y life.s $ur$ose , I o$ene& y eyes to you an& thought

sto$! that

9hange&! you say0 -ore than you can i agine! as change& yourself" This night! I har&ly kno%

uch as you ha'e $lainly

yself"7 It %as as close as I ha&

e'er hear& the Fool co e to babbling" He took a breath! an& his 'oice cracke& on his next %or&s" 6For a year! I ha'e belie'e& you &ea&! Fit1" For a %hole year"7 He ha& not release& fro y han&" I felt the tre bling that %ent through hi " He stoo& su&&enly! saying! 6;e both nee& so ething to &rink"7 He %alke& a%ay e across the &arkene& roo " He ha& gro%n! but it %as in sha$e rather uch taller! but his bo&y %as no longer a chil&.s" uscle& as tu blers are" He brought a bottle y be& an& y blackene& e y ine into than si1e" I &oubte& he %as fro offer

He %as lean an& slight as e'er!

a cabinet! t%o si $le cu$s" He uncorke& the bottle an& I s elle& the e a cu$" I anage& to %ra$ y han& aroun& it &es$ite y hea& an& ti$$e& a s$ill of

%ar th of the bran&y before he $oure&" He ca e back to sit by

fingerti$s" He see e& to ha'e reco'ere& so e of his a$lo b" He looke& at o'er the ri as he &rank" I lifte& outh" Half %ent &o%n gently %i$e& y face"

y bear& an& I choke& as if I ha& ne'er ha& bran&y y belly" The Fool shook his hea& as he

before" Then I felt the hot race of it in 6I shoul& ha'e listene& to

y &rea s" O'er an& o'er! I &rea e& you %ere co ing" Instea& I belie'e&

co ing" It %as all you e'er sai&! in the &rea " I a

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so fir ly that I ha& faile& so eho%! that the 9atalyst %as &ea&" I coul& not e'en see %ho you %ere %hen I $icke& you u$ fro the groun&"7 6Fool!7 I sai& )uietly" I %ishe& he %oul& sto$ s$eaking" I si $ly %ante& to be safe for a ti e! an& think of nothing" He &i& not un&erstan&" He looke& at kille& you , e an& grinne& his ol& sly Fool.s s ile" 6You still &on.t y life en&e&" It %as %orse! so eho%! %hen the $ilgri s began e as the ;hite *ro$het" I kne% I %as the ;hite *ro$het" e" I gre% u$! y life! I kne% I a&e y %ay to un&erstan&! &o you0 ;hen %or& reache& us that you %ere &ea&! that Regal ha& to trickle in! to hail

I.'e kno%n it since I %as a chil&! as &i& those %ho raise& t%o of us %e %oul& $ut ti e in its $ro$er course" #ll of %oul& &o that" 6I %as not uch ore than a chil& %hen I set out" #lone! I

kno%ing that so e&ay I %oul& co e north to fin& you an& that bet%een the

Buckkee$! to seek the 9atalyst that only I %oul& recogni1e" #n& I foun& you! an& I kne% you! though you &i& not kno% yourself" I %atche& the $on&erous turning of e'ents an& that great %heel fro arke& ho% each ti e you %ere the $ebble that shifte& its ancient $ath" I trie& to s$eak to you of it! but you y cu$ to y

%oul& ha'e none of it" The 9atalyst0 5ot you! oh! no:7 He laughe&! al ost fon&ly" He &raine& off the rest of his bran&y at a gul$! then hel& li$s" I si$$e&" He rose! then! to $ace a turn about the roo ! an& then halte& to refill his cu$" He ca e back to e again" 6I sa% it all co e to the tottering brink of ruin" But y king &ie&! as I kne% he ust! there al%ays you %ere there! the car& ne'er &ealt before! the si&e of the &ie that ha& ne'er before fallen u$$er ost" ;hen %as an heir to the Farseer line! an& Fit19hi'alry yet li'e&! the 9atalyst that %oul& change all things so that an heir %oul& ascen& to the throne"7 He gul$e& his bran&y again an& %hen he s$oke the scent of it ro&e his breath" 6I fle&" I
E??

fle& %ith (ettricken an& the unborn chil&! grie'ing! yet confi&ent that all %oul& co e to $ass as it ust" For you %ere the 9atalyst" But %hen %or& ca e usic" 6It a&e of e a lie" Ho% coul& I to us that you %ere &ea& ,7 He halte& abru$tly" ;hen he trie& to s$eak again! his 'oice ha& gone thick an& lost its be the ;hite *ro$het if the 9atalyst %ere &ea&0 ;hat coul& I $re&ict0 The changes that coul& ha'e been! ha& you li'e&0 ;hat %oul& I be but a %itness as the %orl& s$un &ee$er an& &ee$er into ruin0 I ha& no $ur$ose any ore" Your life %as ore than half of ine! you see" It %as in the inter%ea'ing of our &oings that I existe&" ;orse! I ca e to %on&er if any $art of the %orl& %ere truly %hat I belie'e& it" ;as I a %hite $ro$het at all! or %as it but so e $eculiar a&ness! a self/&ece$tion to console a freak0 For a year! Fit1" # year" y last ho$e! I grie'e& for the frien& I ha& lost! an& I grie'e& for the %orl& that so eho% I ha& &oo e&" -y failure! all of it" #n& %hen (ettricken.s chil&! ca e into the %orl& still an& blue! %hat coul& it be but 65o:7 The %or& burst fro y han& again" 6I a y &oing so eho%07

e %ith a strength I ha& not kno%n I ha&" The Fool

flinche& as if I ha& struck hi " Then! 6Yes!7 he sai& si $ly! carefully taking sorry" I shoul& ha'e kno%n you &i& not kno%" The yself together! telling yself! %ell! if the chil& y Iueen %as &e'astate& at the loss" #n& I" The Farseer heir" -y last ho$e cru ble& a%ay" I ha& hel& li'es an& ascen&s the throne! $erha$s that %ill ha'e been enough" But %hen she %as brought to be& %ith naught but a &ea& babe for all her tra'ails , I felt %hole life ha& been a farce! a sha ! an e'il 4est $laye& on ,7 He close& his eyes a again! su&&enly! I belie'e" Once e by ti e" But no% y 9atalyst

o ent" 65o% I fin& you truly ali'e" So I li'e" #n& ore I kno% %ho I a " #n& %ho y bloo&" 6I ha&

is"7 He laughe& alou&! ne'er &rea ing ho% his %or&s chille& no faith" I! the ;hite *ro$het! &i& not belie'e are! Fit1! an& all %ill still co e to $ass as it %as e'er
E?B

y o%n foreseeing: Yet here %e eant to &o"7

#gain he ti$$e& the bottle to fill his cu$" The li)uor! %hen he $oure& it! %as the color of his eyes" He sa% gain e staring an& grinne& &elighte&ly" 6#h! you say! but y kin&" I e! Fit1" Tell ay e a&e a &e$recating uch" Tell otion" 6But the ;hite *ro$het is no longer %hite0 I sus$ect it is the %ay of ore color no%! as the years $ass"7 He that is of little i $ort" I ha'e alrea&y talke& too all" Ho% &i& you sur'i'e0 ;hy are you here07 6Aerity calls e" I ust go to hi "7 y %or&s! not a gas$! but a slo% inhalation as if he y %or&s" 6So e ust kno% ore! he lifte& his han&s" 6Slo%ly" Tell The Fool &re% in breath at

took life back into hi self" He al ost glo%e& %ith $leasure at he li'es: #h:7 Before I coul& s$eak e'erything"7 #n& so I trie&" -y strength %as s all an& so eti es I felt y fe'er so that 6He ha& all! in or&er" These are %or&s I ha'e hungere& to hear" I

yself borne u$ on

y %or&s %an&ere& an& I coul& not recall %here I ha& left off y scarre& face

y tale of the $ast year" I got as far as Regal.s &ungeon! then coul& only say! e beaten an& star'e&"7 The Fool.s )uick glance at ore! I shook an& the casting asi&e of his eyes tol& Regal too %ell" ;hen he %aite& to hear You ha'e alrea&y tol& no%! I shall tell you of %or&s! storing the in e %hat I e he un&erstoo&" He! too! ha& kno%n y hea& slo%ly"

He no&&e&! then $ut a s ile on his face" 6It.s all right! Fit1" You are %eary" ost longe& to hear" The rest %ill kee$" For uch I ha& %on&ere& for so y year"7 I trie& to listen! clinging to the i $ortant y heart" There %as so

long" Regal ha& sus$ecte& the esca$e" (ettricken ha& returne& to her roo s to fin& that her carefully chosen an& $acke& su$$lies %ere gone! s$irite& a%ay by Regal.s s$ies" She ha& left %ith little face& the night they sli$$e& a%ay fro ore than the clothes on her back an& a Buckkee$"
E?C

hastily grabbe& cloak" I hear& of the e'il %eather the Fool an& (ettricken ha&

She ha& ri&&en

y Sooty an& the Fool ha& battle& hea&strong Ru&&y all the an& earne& their $assage on

%ay across the Six Duchies in %inter" They ha& reache& Blue =ake at the en& of the %inter stor s" The Fool ha& su$$orte& the a shi$ by $ainting his face an& &yeing his hair an& 4uggling in the streets" ;hat color ha& he $ainte& his skin0 ;hite! of course! all the better to hi&e the stark %hite skin that Regal.s s$ies %oul& be %atching for" They ha& crosse& the lake %ith little inci&ent! an& $asse& -oonseye an& tra'ele& into the -ountains" I e&iately (ettricken ha& sought her father.s since" (ettricken ha& $ut ri&ers on ai& in fin&ing %hat ha& beco e of Aerity" He ha&! in&ee&! $asse& through @haa $e but nothing ha& been hear& of hi grief" Far u$ in the his trail an& e'en 4oine& in the search herself" But all her ho$es ha& co e to ountains! she ha& foun& the site of a battle" The %inter an coul& be i&entifie&! but an& the sca'engers ha& &one their %ork" 5o one bo&y sho%e& it %as bones

Aerity.s buck stan&ar& %as there" The scattere& arro%s an& he%n ribs of one en an& not the beasts or ele ents that ha& attacke& the " There %ere not enough skulls to go %ith the bo&ies an& the scattering of the a&e the nu ber of &ea& uncertain" (ettricken ha& clung to ho$e until a ol&ering bones an& cloak ha& been foun& that she re e bere& $acking for Aerity" Her han&s ha& e broi&ere& the buck on the breast $atch" # tu ble of ragge& gar ents %ere beneath it" (ettricken ha& She ha& returne& to @haa $e to $en&ulu ourne& her husban& as &ea&"

bet%een &e'astate& grief an&

seething rage at Regal.s $lots" Her fury ha& soli&ifie& into a &eter ination that she %oul& see Aerity.s chil& u$on the Six Duchies throne! an& a fair reign returne& to the folk" Those $lans ha& sustaine& her until the stillbirth of her chil&" The Fool ha& scarcely seen her since! sa'e to catch gli $ses of her $acing through her fro1en gar&ens! her face as still as the sno%s that o'erlai& the be&s"
E?D

There %as for

ore! shuffle& in %ith his account! of both

a4or an&

inor ne%s

e" Sooty an& Ru&&y %ere both ali'e an& %ell" Sooty %as in foal to the y hea& o'er that" Regal ha& been

young stallion &es$ite her years" I shook

&oing his best to $ro'oke a %ar" The ro'ing gangs of ban&its that no% $lague& the -ountain folk %ere thought to be in his $ay" Shi$ ents of grain that ha& been $ai& for in s$ring ha& ne'er been &eli'ere&! nor ha& the -ountain tra&ers been $er itte& to cross the bor&er %ith their %ares" Se'eral s all 'illages close to the Six Duchies bor&er ha& been foun& loote& an& burne& %ith no sur'i'ors" (ing Eyo&.s %rath! slo% to stir! %as no% at %hite heat" #lthough the -ountain folk ha& no stan&ing ar y as such! there %as not one inhabitant %ho %oul& not take u$ ar s at the %or& of their Sacrifice" ;ar %as i %or& of outh $asse& a ong inent" #n& he ha& tales of *atience! the =a&y of Buckkee$! brought erratically by erchants an& on to s ugglers" She &i& all she coul& to &efen& Buck.s coast" -oney %as &%in&ling! but the folk of the lan& ga'e to her %hat they calle& the =a&y.s =e'y an& she &is$ose& of it as best she coul& a ongst her sol&iers an& sailors" Buckkee$ ha& not fallen yet! though the Rai&ers no% ha& enca $ ents u$ an& &o%n the %hole coastline of the Six Duchies" ;inter ha& )uiete& the %ar! but s$ring %oul& bathe the coast in bloo& once ore" So e of the s aller kee$s s$oke of treaties %ith the Re&/Shi$s" er" So sai& 9ha&e" -y a&e hi self kno%n to then" 6;ar agrees %ith an of t%enty" He carries a So e o$enly $ai& tribute in the ho$es of a'oi&ing Forging" The 9oastal Duchies %oul& not sur'i'e another su %ays in high su er! &isguise& as an ol& $e&&ler but tongue %as silent as the Fool s$oke of hi " He ha& co e to @haa $e by secret the Iueen %hen he arri'e&" The Fool ha& seen hi hi !7 the Fool obser'e&" 6He stri&es about like a

s%or& at his hi$ an& there is fire in his eyes" He %as $lease& to see ho% her belly s%elle& %ith the Farseer heir! an& they s$oke bra'ely of Aerity.s chil& on
E?E

the throne" But that %as high su been to see hi

er"7 He sighe&" 65o% I hear he has

returne&" I belie'e because the Iueen has sent %or& of her stillbirth" I ha'e not yet" ;hat ho$e he can offer us no%! I &o not kno%"7 He shook ust be an heir to the Farseer throne!7 he insiste&" 6Aerity a&e a hel$less gesture" his loins suffice07 akes no chil&" 5ot e'en a his hea&" 6There

ust get one" Other%ise ,7 He

6;hy not Regal0 ;oul& not a chil& fro

65o"7 His eyes %ent afar" 65o" I can tell you that )uite clearly! yet I cannot tell you %hy" Only that in all futures I ha'e seen! he # shi'er %alke& o'er %o en" # bastar&" In all ti es! he reigns as the last Farseer! an& ushers in the &ark"7 e" He %as too strange %hen he s$oke of such things" y in&" 6There %ere t%o #n& his o&& %or&s ha& brought another %orry into

instrel Starling! an& an ol& %o an $ilgri ! (ettle" They %ere on

their %ay here" (ettle sai& she sought the ;hite/*ro$het" I little thought he ight be you" Ha'e you hear& aught of the 0 Ha'e they reache& @haa $e to%n07 He shook his hea& slo%ly" 65o one has co e seeking the ;hite *ro$het since %inter close& on us"7 He halte&! rea&ing the %orry in not kno% of all %ho co e here" They y face" 6Of course! I &o ay be in @haa $e" But I ha'e hear&

nothing of t%o such as that"7 He reluctantly a&&e&! 6Ban&its $rey on roa&si&e tra'elers no%" *erha$s they %ere &elaye&"7 *erha$s they %ere &ea&" They ha& co e back for alone" 6Fit107 6I. all right" Fool! a fa'or07 here" Tell no one I a ali'e! 4ust yet"7 6I like not that tone alrea&y" ;hat is it07 6Tell no one I a He sighe&" 65ot e'en (ettricken0 To tell her that Aerity li'es still07
EBH

e! an& I ha& sent the

on

6Fool! %hat I ha'e co e to &o! I inten& to &o alone" I %oul& not raise false ho$es in her" She has en&ure& the ne%s of his &eath once" If I can bring hi back to her! then %ill be ti e enough for true re4oicing" I kno% I ask let ol& e be a stranger you are ai&ing" =ater! I a$ fro uch" But ay nee& your ai& in obtaining an hi

the @haa $e libraries" But %hen I lea'e here! I %oul& go alone" I

think this )uest is one best acco $lishe& )uietly"7 I glance& asi&e fro an& a&&e&! 6=et Fit19hi'alry re ain &ea&" -ostly! it is better so"7 6Surely you %ill at least see 9ha&e07 He %as incre&ulous"

65ot e'en 9ha&e shoul& kno% I li'e"7 I $ause&! %on&ering %hich %oul& anger the ol& an ore3 that I ha& atte $te& to kill Regal %hen he ha& al%ays ust be ine an& sa% a gru&ging acce$tance in his face" forbi&&en it! or that I ha& so ba&ly botche& the task" 6This )uest alone"7 I %atche& hi

He sighe& again" 6I %ill not say I agree %ith you co $letely" But I shall tell no one %ho you are"7 He ga'e a s all laugh" Talk fell off bet%een us" The bottle of bran&y %as e $ty" ;e %ere re&uce& to silence! staring at one another &runkenly" The fe'er an& the bran&y burne& in in e" I ha& too any things to y heart" think of an& too little I coul& &o about any of the " If I lay 'ery still! the $ain y back subsi&e& to a re& throb" It ke$t $ace %ith the beating of a failure"7 6Too ba& you &i&n.t He shrugge& for anage to kill Regal!7 the Fool obser'e& su&&enly"

6I kno%" I trie&" #s a cons$irator an& an assassin! I.

e" 6You %ere ne'er really goo& at it! you kno%" There %as a

naP'etQ to you that none of the ugliness coul& stain! as if you ne'er truly belie'e& in e'il" It %as %hat I like& best about you"7 The Fool s%aye& slightly %here he sat! but righte& hi self" 6It %as %hat I &ea&"7 I s ile& foolishly" 6# %hile back! I thought it %as y great beauty"7 isse& ost! %hen you %ere

EB1

For a ti e the Fool 4ust looke& at 6>nfair" ;ere I ockery! #h! Fit1"7 He looke& at

e" Then he glance& asi&e an& s$oke )uietly"

yself! I %oul& ne'er ha'e s$oken such %or&s alou&" Still" e an& shook his hea& fon&ly" He s$oke %ithout an! but he kno%s

aking al ost a stranger of hi self" 6*erha$s half of it %as that you %ith his hair tousle& or the re& of the %in& on

%ere so una%are of it" 5ot like Regal" 5o% there.s a $retty it too %ell" You ne'er see hi his cheeks"7 For a

o ent I felt o&&ly unco fortable" Then I sai&! 65or %ith an arro% in ore.s the $ity!7 an& %e both %ent off into the foolish laughter that y back to a stabbing intensity y o ent I %as gas$ing for breath" The Fool rose! stea&ier on fro a $ot on the

his back!

only &runks un&erstan&" It %oke the $ain in ho%e'er! an& in a

his feet than I %oul& ha'e ex$ecte&! to take a &ri$$y bag of so ething off back an& re$lace it %ith one al ost unco fortably %ar hearth" That &one! he ca e again to crouch besi&e one long cool han& along eyes" 6To orro%!7 he tol&

e" He looke& &irectly in y

y eyes! his yello% ones as har& to rea& as his colorless ones ha& been" He lai& y cheek an& then gentle& the hair back fro

e gra'ely" 6;e shall be oursel'es again" The Fool an&

the Bastar&" Or the ;hite *ro$het an& the 9atalyst! if you %ill" ;e %ill ha'e to take u$ those li'es! as little as %e care for the ! an& fulfill all fate has &ecree& for us" But for here! for no%! 4ust bet%een us t%o! an& for no other reason sa'e Ia e an& you are you! I tell you this" I a gla& it is you"7 ine" Then he e" 6Jo to slee$! boy!7 he sai& in a gla&! gla& that you are ali'e" To y lungs" If there ust be another see you take breath $uts the breath back in y fate is t%ine& aroun&! I a

He leane& for%ar& then an& for an instant $resse& his bro% to breathe& a hea'y sigh an& &re% back fro

EB2

fair i itation of 9ha&e.s 'oice" 6To orro% co es early" #n& %e.'e %ork to &o"7 He laughe& une'enly" 6;e.'e the %orl& to sa'e! you an& I"7

9H#*TER T;E5TY/O5E 9onfrontations DI*=O-#9Y -#Y AERY %ell be the art of %ithhol&0 #n& this is as true of a ani$ulating secrets" ;hat %oul& any negotiation co e to! %ere not there secrets to either share or arriage $act as it is of a tra&e agree ent uch it is %illing to surren&er ani$ulation of that secret bet%een king&o s" Each si&e kno%s truly ho% to the other to get %hat it %ishes+ it is in the

kno%le&ge that the har&est bargain is &ri'en" There is no action that takes $lace bet%een hu ans in %hich secrets &o not $lay a $art! %hether it be a ga e of car&s or the selling of a co%" The a&'antage is al%ays to the one %ho is shre%&er in %hat secret to re'eal an& %hen" (ing Shre%& %as fon& of saying that there %as no greater a&'antage than to kno% your ene y.s secret %hen he belie'e& you ignorant" of it" *erha$s that is the $ossess" The &ays that follo%e& %ere not &ays for the Fool ha& burne& to e! but &is4ointe& $erio&s of y brief talk %ith ost $o%erful secret of all to

%akefulness inters$erse& %ith %a'ery fe'er &rea s" Either

y last reser'es! or I finally felt safe enough to surren&er

y in4ury" *erha$s it %as both" I lay on a be& near the Fool.s hearth an& felt e" I sli$$e& in an& out of a%areness of beating the te $o of
EB8

%retche&ly &ull %hen I felt anything at all" O'erhear& con'ersations rattle& against y o%n isery! but ne'er far e! a%ay! like a &ru y $ain %as Aerity.s 9o e to

co e to

e" Other 'oices ca e an& %ent through the ha1e of

y fe'er but his

%as a constant" 6She belie'es you are the one she seeks" I belie'e it! too" I think you shoul& see her" She has co e a long an& %eary %ay! seeking the ;hite *ro$het"7 @ofron.s 'oice %as lo% an& reasonable" I hear& the Fool set &o%n his ras$ %ith a clack" 6Tell her she is Tell her I a 6I %ill not &o%n the street! fi'e &oors &o%n on the left"7 ake ock of her!7 @ofron sai& seriously" 6She has tra'ele& a 'ast &istance to seek you an& on the 4ourney lost all but her life" 9o e! holy one" She %aits outsi&e" ;ill not you talk to her! 4ust for a bit07 6Holy one!7 the Fool snorte& %ith &is&ain" 6You ha'e been rea&ing too %ill talk %ith her t%o &ays hence" But not to&ay"7 6Aery %ell"7 @ofron $lainly &i& not a$$ro'e" 6But there is another one %ith her" # instrel" I &on.t think she %ill be $ut off as easily" I think she is seeking e! an& the healer" He %ishes to eant to hi "7 6#h! but no one kno%s he is here" Sa'e you! be left alone for a ti e! %hile he heals"7 I o'e& y outh" I trie& to say I %oul& see Starling! that I ha& not turn Starling a%ay" 6I kno% that" #n& the healer is still at 9e&ar (noll" But she is a s art one! this instrel" She has aske& the chil&ren for ne%s of a stranger" #n& the chil&ren! as usual! kno% e'erything"7 6#n& tell e'erything!7 the Fool re$lie& glu ly" I hear& hi tool in annoyance" 6I see I ha'e but one choice then"7
EB<

istaken! then"

the ;hite Toy aker" Tell her the ;hite *ro$het li'es farther

any

ol& scrolls" #s has she" 5o! @ofron"7 Then he sighe&! an& relente&" 6Tell her I

fling &o%n another

6You %ill see the 07 # snort of laughter fro the "7 #fternoon sun slanting across y close& eyes" I %oke to 'oices! arguing" the Fool" 6Of course not" I ean that I %ill lie to

6I only %ish to see hi "7 # %o an.s 'oice! annoye&" 6I kno% he is here"7 6#h! I su$$ose I shall a& it you are right" But he slee$s"7 The Fool! %ith his a&&ening cal " 6I still %oul& see hi "7 Starling! $ointe&ly" The Fool hea'e& a great sigh" 6I coul& let you in to see hi " But then you %oul& %ish to touch hi " #n& once you ha& touche& hi ! you %oul& %ish to %ait until he a%akene&" #n& once he a%akene&! you %oul& %ish to ha'e %or&s %ith hi " There %oul& be no en& to it" #n& I ha'e toy aker.s ti e is not his o%n"7 6You are not a toy aker" I kno% %ho you are" #n& I kno% %ho he truly is"7 The col& %as flo%ing in the o$en &oor" It cre$t un&er y flesh an& tugge& at is To 6#h! yes! you an& (ettle kno% our great secret" I a the she$her&" But to&ay I a y blankets! tightene& y $ain" I %ishe& they %oul& shut it" the ;hite *ro$het! an& he busy! $ro$hesying $u$$ets finishe& uch to &o to&ay" #

to orro%! an& he is aslee$" 9ounting shee$! in his &rea s"7 6That.s not %hat I ean"7 Starling lo%ere& her 'oice! but it carrie& any%ay" on kno%le&ge here in @haa $e" But ay take it for 6He is Fit19hi'alry! son of 9hi'alry the #b&icate&" #n& you are the Fool"7 6Once! $erha$s! I %as the Fool" It is co no% I a &ays"7 6I %ill be seeing the Iueen about this"7
EB?

the Toy aker" #s I no longer use the other title! you

yourself if you %ish" #s for To ! I belie'e he takes the title Be& Bolster these

6# %ise &ecision" If you %ish to beco e her Fool! she is certainly the one you ust see" But for no%! let outsi&e of like it07 I hear& a thu& as of a hu uffle& kick! follo%e& by se'eral ore" The Fool ca e ing back to his %orktable" He took u$ the %oo&en hea& of a &oll an& a e" 6Jo back to slee$" She %on.t get in to see e sho% you so ething else" 5o! ste$ back! $lease! an& the latch" 6The yself" Do you so you can see it all" Here it co es"7 I hear& the sla

y &oor!7 the Fool announce& gla&ly" 6I $ainte& it

$aintbrush" He glance& o'er at

(ettricken any ti e soon" The Iueen sees fe% $eo$le these &ays" #n& %hen she &oes! it.s not likely she.ll be belie'e&" #n& that is the best %e can &o for no%" So slee$ %hile you ay" #n& gather strength! for I fear you %ill nee& it"7

Daylight on %hite sno%" Belly &o%n in the sno% a ongst the trees! looking &o%n on a clearing" Young hu ans at $lay! chasing one another! lea$ing an& &ragging one another &o%n to roll o'er an& o'er in the sno%" They are not so &ifferent fro cubs" En'ious" ;e ne'er ha& other cubs to $lay %ith %hile %e %ere gro%ing" It is like an itch! the &esire to race &o%n an& 4oin in" They %oul& be frightene&! %e caution oursel'es" Only %atch" Their shrill yel$s fill the air" ;ill our she/cub gro% to be like these! %e %on&er0 Brai&e& hair flies behin& as they race through the sno% chasing one another" 6Fit1" ;ake u$" I nee& to talk to you"7 So ething in the Fool.s tone cut through both fog an& $ain" I o$ene& then s)uinte& $ainfully" The roo can&les to the floor by at the corners of his y be&si&e" He sat besi&e the ! looking into y eyes! y face e ba& %as &ark! but he ha& brought a branch of

earnestly" I coul& not rea& his face+ it see e& that ho$e &ance& in his eyes an& outh! but also he see e& brace& as if he brought e07 he $resse&" ti&ings" 6#re you listening0 9an you hear
EBB

anage& a no&" Then! 6Yes"7 -y 'oice %as so hoarse I har&ly kne% it"

Instea& of getting stronger for the healer to $ull the arro%! I felt as if the %oun& %ere getting stronger" Each &ay the area of $ain s$rea&" It $ushe& al%ays at the e&ge of y in&! aking it har& to think" y face carefully as he sai&! 69ha&e says there is a 6I ha'e been to &ine %ith 9ha&e an& (ettricken" He ha& ti&ings for us"7 He tilte& his hea& an& %atche& Farseer chil& in Buck" @ust a babe yet! an& a bastar&" But of the sa e Farseer lineage as Aerity an& 9hi'alry" He s%ears it is so"7 I close& y eyes" e" He seeks to $ersua&e (ettricken to clai 6Fit1" Fit1: ;ake u$ an& listen to stillbirth to $rotect her fro I coul& not

the chil&" To either say that it is her rightful chil& by Aerity! hi&&en by a false assassins" Or to say the chil& is Aerity.s bastar&! her as heir"7 -olly! but that Iueen (ettricken chooses to legiti i1e her an& clai

o'e" I coul& not breathe" -y &aughter! I kne%" (e$t safe an&

hi&&en! guar&e& by Burrich" To be sacrifice& to the throne! Taken fro to be a $rincess an& in ti e a )ueen" *ut beyon& 6Fit1:7 The Fool $ut his han& on he longe& to shake He $eere& into e" I o$ene& y eyes" y reach fore'er"

an& gi'en to the Iueen" -y little girl! %hose na e I &i&n.t e'en kno%" Taken y shoul&er an& s)uee1e& it gently" I kne% e07 he aske& carefully" e &rink" By the ti e he ost con'incing" 6;hat

y face" 6Ha'e you nothing to say to e! I co $ose& yself" He hel$e&

6-ay I ha'e so e %ater07 ;hile he got it for took the cu$! I ha& &eci&e& %hat )uestion %oul& be scarcely bring her 4oy"7 The uncertainty I ha& ho$e& for s$rea& across the Fool.s face"

&i& (ettricken say to the ne%s that Aerity ha& fathere& a bastar&0 It coul&

EBC

6The chil& %as born at the en& of har'est" Too late for Aerity to ha'e sire& it before he left on his )uest" (ettricken gras$e& it faster than I &i&"7 He s$oke al ost gently" 6You he sai& as I shook ust be the father" ;hen (ettricken aske& 9ha&e &irectly! e" 6You &i& not kno%07 uch"7 He cocke& his hea& to stu&y

y hea& slo%ly" ;hat %as honor to one such as I0 Bastar& an& &i& I ha'e to nobility of soul0 I s$oke the lie I %oul& onths before she left Buck"7 I trie& to kee$ other is -olly! an& she clai s the chil& is y 'oice ine! she

assassin! %hat clai turne&

al%ays &es$ise" 6I coul& not ha'e fathere& a chil& born at har'est" -olly ha& e out of her be& stea&y as I s$oke" 6If the

lies"7 I stro'e to be sincere as I a&&e&! 6I a an& tears as ist y eyes" 6Strange"7 I shook y eyes"

sorry! Fool" I ha'e fathere& no y 'oice choke y hea& against the $illo%3 6That

Farseer heir for you! nor &o I inten& to"7 It %as no effort to let such a thing coul& bring ine"7 I close&

e such $ain" That she coul& seek to $ass the babe off a&e no clai s for the Ia ali'e an&

The Fool s$oke gently" 6#s I un&erstan& it! she has

chil&" #s of yet! I belie'e she kno%s nothing of 9ha&e.s $lan"7 6I su$$ose I shoul& see both 9ha&e an& (ettricken" To tell the re'eal the truth to the " But %hen I a face" I $raye& he %oul& belie'e an& %ent a%ay" I lay for a ti e in the &ark! hating If e'er I returne& to her! I coul& %oul& not take our chil& fro yself" It %as better this %ay! I tol& yself" ake all right #n& if I &i& not! at least they yself o'er an& o'er again I ha& &one stronger" @ust no%! Fool! I %oul& be yself for the foul

alone!7 I begge& hi " I %ante& to see neither sy $athy nor $u11le ent on his y lie e'en as I &es$ise& thing I ha& sai& of -olly" So I ke$t y eyes close&! an& he took his can&les

her" I tol&

the %ise thing" But I &i& not feel %ise" I felt traitorous"

EBD

I &rea e& a &rea

at once 'i'i& an& stultifying" I chi$$e& black stone" That onotony" I %as using y er" -y fingers %ere scabbe& an& instea&

%as the entire &rea ! but it %as en&less in its &agger as a chisel an& a rock as a ha s%ollen fro the any ti es e" of the &agger hilt" But it &i&n.t sto$ so eone to co e an& hel$

y gri$ ha& sli$$e& an& I.& struck the

e" I chi$$e& black stone" #n& %aite& for

I a%oke one e'ening to fin& (ettle sitting by

y be&" She looke& e'en ol&er

than I recalle&" Ha1y %inter &aylight see$e& through a $arch ent %in&o% to touch her face" I stu&ie& her for a ti e before she reali1e& I %as a%ake" ;hen she &i&! she shook her hea& at e" 6I shoul& ha'e guesse&! fro all your strangeness" You %ere boun& for the ;hite *ro$het yourself"7 She leane& closer an& s$oke in a %his$er" 6He %ill not allo% Starling in to see you" He says you are too %eak for so li'ely a 'isitor" #n& that you %ish no one to kno% you are here! 4ust yet" But I.ll take %or& of you to her! shall I07 I close& y eyes" orning an& a knock at the &oor" I coul& not slee$! nor coul& I e" I ha& &runk %illo%bark tea until y y hea& $oun&e&! an& I %as al%ays shi'ering or

# ti e of bright

stay a%ake for the fe'er that racke& belly %as sloshing" Still been $laguing saying! 65o! let

s%eating" The knock ca e again! lou&er! an& (ettle set &o%n the cu$ she ha& e %ith" The Fool %as at his %orktable" He $ut asi&e his e"7 her ca$ an& cloak" She shot the car'ing tool! but (ettle calle& 6I.ll get it:7 an& o$ene& the &oor! e'en as he %as Starling $ushe& in! so abru$tly that (ettle exclai e& in sur$rise" Starling ca e $ast her! into the! roo ! shaking sno% fro Fool a look of triu $h" The Fool erely no&&e& cor&ially at her as if he ha&
EBE

been ex$ecting her" He turne& back to his car'ing %ithout a %or&" The bright s$arks of anger in her eyes gre% hotter! an& I sense& her satisfaction in so ething" She shut the &oor lou&ly behin& her an& ca e into the roo north %in& herself" She &ro$$e& to sit cross/legge& on the floor besi&e 6So! Fit1" I. you to&ay07 I trie& to focus y in&" I %ishe& she %oul& o'e ore slo%ly an& s$eak y e" I coul& not ore softly" 6It.s too col& in here!7 I co $laine& $etulantly" 6#n& I.'e lost earring"7 I ha& only &isco'ere& the loss that recall %hy it %as so i $ortant! but 'ery thought a&e She stri$$e& off her y y hea&ache %orse" ittens" One han& %as ban&age& still" She touche& y orning" It frette& so gla& to finally see you again" (ettle tol& like the y be&"

e you %ere hurt"

I.& ha'e co e to see you before! but I %as turne& a%ay at the &oor" Ho% are

in& %oul& not let go of it either" The

forehea& %ith the other" Her han& %as blesse&ly col&" O&& that col& coul& feel so goo&" 6He.s burning u$:7 she accuse& the Fool" 6Ha'en.t you the sense to gi'e hi %illo%bark tea07 to &rink any ore of it! The Fool sha'e& off another curl of %oo&" 6There.s a $ot of it there by your knee! if you ha'en.t o'erset it" If you can get hi you.re a better tone! to an than I"7 #nother curl of %oo&"

6That %oul& not be har&!7 Starling sai& in an ugly little 'oice" Then! in a kin&er e! 6Your earring isn.t lost" See! I ha'e it right here"7 She took it fro e %orke& %ell enough to notice that y ear for e" I foun& a )uestion" the $ouch at her belt" One s all $art of bit rough as she $ut the earring back in 6;hy &i& you ha'e it07 6I aske& (ettle to bring it to e!7 she tol& e bluntly" 6;hen he %oul& not let e in to see you" I ha& to ha'e a token! so ething to $ro'e to (ettricken that
ECH

she %as %ar ly &resse& in the -ountain style no%" Her han&s %ere col& an& a

all I tol& her %as true" I ha'e been to her an& s$oken to her an& her counselor! this 'ery &ay"7 The Iueen.s na e broke through ha'e you tol& her07 Starling looke& startle&" 6;hy! all she seek hi " That %or& ust kno% so that she %ill hel$ you on your )uest" That you are truly ali'e" That Aerity is not &ea&! an& that you %ill ust be sent to -olly that you are ali'e an& %ell! so that y secrets an& you ha'e she shall not lose heart but %ill kee$ your chil& safe until you return" That ,7 6I truste& you:7 I crie& out" 6I truste& you %ith betraye& 65o! I a the roo truste& e" ;hat a fool I.'e been:7 I crie& out in &es$air" #ll! all %as lost" the Fool"7 He broke into our con'ersation" he %alke& slo%ly across an& stoo& looking &o%n on e" 6The ore so that I ha& belie'e& you so $ale" 6Your e! it see s!7 he %ent on! an& I ha& ne'er seen hi Starling to e07 y %an&ering thoughts an& ga'e e a o ent of focus" 6(ettricken: ;hat ha'e you &one07 I crie& in &is ay" 6;hat

chil&!7 he sai& to hi self" 6# true chil& of Farseer lineage"7 His yello% eyes flickere& like a &ying fire as they &arte& fro such ti&ings ean to e" ;hy0 ;hy lie to e" 6You kno% %hat

I &i& not kno% %hat %as %orse! the hurt in the Fool.s eyes! or the triu $h in the glance Starling ga'e hi " 6I ha& to lie! to kee$ her king aker" #n& -olly ine: The chil& is ust not hear I a ine! not a Farseer heir:7 I crie& ali'e fro any sa'e e: Starling! out &es$erately" 6-ine an& -olly.s" # chil& to gro% an& lo'e! not a tool for a ho% coul& you ha'e &one this to of such things at all to anyone07 5o% Starling looke& as in4ure& as the Fool" She stoo& u$ stiffly an& her 'oice %as brittle" 6I but sought to hel$ you" To hel$ you &o %hat you ust &o"7 e0 ;hy %as I such an i&iot! %hy &i& I talk

EC1

Behin& Starling! the %in& guste& the &oor o$en" 6That %o an has a right to kno% her husban& is ali'e"7 6To %hich %o an &o you refer07 aske& another icy 'oice" To consternation! (ettricken s%e$t into the roo regar&e& besi&e her outh an& eaten the flesh fro y %ith 9ha&e at her heels" She

e %ith a terrible face" Jrief ha& ra'age& her! ha& car'e& &ee$ lines her cheeks" 5o% anger rage& in her coole& e for an y eyes o'e& fro face to fa iliar

eyes as %ell" The blast of col& %in& that ca e %ith the instant" Then the &oor %as close& an& face" The s all roo looking at stare& at e" I blinke&" There %ere so

see e& cro%&e& %ith staring faces! %ith col& eyes any of the an& so close! an& all

e" 5o one s ile&" 5o %elco e! no 4oy" Only the sa'age e otions

that I ha& %akene& %ith all the changes I ha& %rought" Thus %as the 9atalyst greete&" 5o one %ore any ex$ression I.& ho$e& to see" 5one sa'e 9ha&e" He crosse& the roo to e in long stri&es! stri$$ing off his ri&ing glo'es as he ca e" ;hen he thre% back the hoo& of his %inter cloak! I sa% that his %hite hair %as boun& back in a %arrior.s tail" He %ore a ban& of leather across his bro%! an& centere& on his forehea& %as a Starling o'e& hastily fro e&allion of sil'er" e" # buck %ith antlers lo%ere& to charge" The sign Aerity ha& gi'en to easily to sit on the floor by y be&" He took

his $ath" He ga'e her not a glance as he fol&e& y han& in his! narro%e& his eyes y boy! y boy! I belie'e&

at the sight of the frostbite" He hel& it softly" 6Oh! you %ere &ea&" ;hen Burrich sent are! ali'e if not %ell"7 He bent an& kisse& e" The han& he set to

e %or& he ha& foun& your bo&y! I thought

y heart %oul& break" The %or&s %e ha& %hen last %e $arte& , but here you y cheek %as calluse& no%! the

$ocks scarcely 'isible on the %eathere& flesh" I looke& u$ in his eyes an& sa% %elco e an& 4oy" Tears clou&e& y o%n as I ha& to &e an&! 6;oul& you truly
EC2

take

y &aughter for the throne0 #nother bastar& for the Farseer line , ;oul& outh har&ene& into resol'e" 6I et ine"

you ha'e let her be use& as %e ha'e been use&07 So ething gre% still in his face" The set of his throne again" #s I a I looke& at hi that I ha& in hatre& of %ill &o %hate'er I ha'e to &o to see a true hearte& Farseer on the Six Duchies s%orn to &o" #s you are s%orn also"7 His eyes e" ;orse! he belie'e& in in &is ay" He lo'e& e" He belie'e&

e that strength an& &e'otion to &uty that ha& been the backbone e things har&er an& col&er than Regal.s e %as such that he %oul& not e" y back" 6There is no e coul& i agine" His belief in

of his life" Thus he coul& inflict on hesitate to $lunge

e into any battle! that he %oul& ex$ect any sacrifice of e an& tore at the arro% in y han& a%ay fro e:7

# &ry sob su&&enly racke&

en&:7 I crie& out" 6That &uty %ill houn& e be &ea& then:7 I snatche& uch that otion hurt" 6=ea'e

e into &eath" Better I %ere &ea&: =et 9ha&e! hee&less of ho%

9ha&e &i&n.t e'en flinch" 6He is burning %ith fe'er!7 he sai& accusingly to the Fool" 6He &oesn.t kno% %hat he.s saying" You shoul& ha'e gi'en hi %illo%bark tea"7 # terrible s ile crooke& the Fool.s li$s" Before he coul& re$ly! there %as a shar$ shre&&ing soun&" # gray hea& %as force& through the grease& hi&e %in&o%! flashing a u11le full of %hite teeth" The rest of the %olf soon follo%e&! o'ersetting a shelf of $otte& herbs onto so e scrolls set out belo% the " 5ighteyes s$rang! nails skittering on the %oo& floor! an& sli& to a halt bet%een the e an& the hastily stan&ing 9ha&e" He snarle& all roun&" I %ill kill y hea& &o%n to y $illo%s" -y a&e of hi " ;as it any better than %hat all for you! if you say so" I &ro$$e& a&e of e0

clean! %il& %olf" This %as %hat I ha& 9ha&e ha&

EC8

I looke& aroun& the

again" 9ha&e %as stan&ing! his face 'ery still" E'ery e" 6I. sorry!7 I sai& %eakly" 6I

single face hel& so e shock! so e sa&ness! so e &isa$$oint ent that I %as res$onsible for" Des$air an& fe'er shook ha'e ne'er been %hat you thought I %as!7 I confesse&" 65e'er"7 Silence fille& u$ the roo " The fire crackle& briefly" I &ro$$e& y face to y $illo% an& close& y eyes" I s$oke the %or&s I %as e to be!7 I a&&e&! slo%ly co $elle& to say" 6But I shall go an& fin& Aerity" So eho%! I %ill bring hi back to you" 5ot because I a lifting %hat you belie'e y hea&" I sa% ho$e kin&le in 9ha&e.s face" 6But because I ha'e no

choice" I ha'e ne'er ha& any choices"7 6You &o belie'e Aerity is ali'e:7 The ho$e in (ettricken.s 'oice %as sa'agely hungry" She s%e$t to%ar& I no&&e& hi strongly %ith e like an ocean stor " anage&" 6Yes! I belie'e he li'es" I ha'e felt y sight" I blinke& y y hea&" Then! 6Yes!7 I

e"7 Her face %as so close! huge in

eyes! an& then coul& not focus the " 6;hy has not he returne& then0 Is he lost0 In4ure&0 Does he ha'e no care for those he left behin&07 Her )uestions rattle& against after another" 6I think!7 I began! an& then coul& not" 9oul& not think! coul& not s$eak" I close& y eyes" I listene& to a long silence" 5ighteyes %hine&! then gro%le& &ee$ in his throat" 6*erha$s %e shoul& all lea'e for a ti e!7 Starling 'enture& une'enly" 6Fit1 is not u$ to this 4ust no%"7 6You ay lea'e!7 the Fool tol& her gran&ly" 6>nfortunately I still li'e here"7 e like flung stones! one

Joing hunting" It is ti e to go hunting" I look to %here %e ca e in! but the Scentless One has blocke& that %ay! co'ering it o'er %ith another $iece of
EC<

&eerskin" Door! $art of us kno%s that is the &oor an& %e go to it! to %hine softly an& $ro& at it %ith our nose" It rattles against its catch like a tra$ about to s$ring shut" The Scentless One co es! ste$$ing lightly! %arily" He stretches his bo&y $ast e! to $ut a $ale $a% on the &oor an& o$en it for y e" I sli$ out! back into a cool night %orl&" It feels goo& to stretch uscles again! an& I flee the

$ain an& the stuffy hut an& the bo&y that &oes not %ork to this %il& sanctuary of flesh an& fur" The night s%allo%s us an& %e hunt" It %as another night! another ti e! before! after! I &i& not kno%! co e unlinke&" fro one another" So eone lifte& a %ar bro% an& re$lace& it %ith a cooler one" 6I. han&s raise& sorry! Fool!7 I sai&" ore gently" 9ool y outh y outh" I trie& to &rink" y &ays ha& y

co $ress fro

6Thirty/t%o!7 sai& a 'oice %earily" Then! 6Drink!7 it a&&e& y face" # cu$ la$$e& li)ui& against ;illo%bark tea" I turne&

y face a%ay in &isgust" The Fool %i$e&

an& sat &o%n on the floor besi&e &ee$ night" I close& 6I. so sorry!7 I sai&"

y be&" He leane& co $anionably close

against it" He hel& his scroll u$ to the la $light an& %ent on rea&ing" It %as y eyes an& trie& to fin& slee$ again" #ll I coul& fin& %ere things I.& &one %rong! trusts I.& betraye&" 6Thirty/three!7 sai& the Fool %ithout looking u$" 6Thirty/three %hat07 I aske&" He glance& o'er at 6Thirty/three FI. to 6I e in sur$rise" 6Oh" You.re truly a%ake an& talking07 sorry.s." To 'arious $eo$le! but the greatest nu ber of the co ing! Aerity.s."7 6Of course" Thirty/three %hat07 e" Se'enteen calls for Burrich" I lost count of your calls for -olly! I. ust be &ri'ing you cra1y" I. sorry"7
EC?

afrai&" #n& a gran& total of sixty/t%o FI.

6Thirty/four" 5o" You.'e 4ust been ra'ing! rather I su$$ose"7 6I su$$ose"7 The Fool %ent back to rea&ing" 6I. you %ant 6Tell

onotonously" It.s the fe'er!

so tire& of lying on

y belly!7 I 'enture&" e %ince" Then! 6Do

6There.s al%ays your back!7 the Fool suggeste& to see e to hel$ you shift to your si&e07 ore"7 65o" That 4ust hurts

e if you change your

in&"7 His eyes %ent back to the scroll" e!7 I obser'e&"

69ha&e hasn.t been back to see

The Fool sighe& an& set asi&e his scroll" 65o one has" The healer ca e in an& berate& us all for bothering you" They.re to lea'e you alone until she $ulls the arro% out" That.s to orro%" Besi&es! 9ha&e an& the Iueen ha'e ha& e'erything for the "7 6#nother ti e! he %oul& ha'e inclu&e& %allo%ing in self/$ity! but unable to sto$ cannot trust e"7 I $ause&! kno%ing I %as yself" 6I su$$ose they feel they e no%" For uch to &iscuss" Disco'ering that both you an& Aerity are still ali'e has change&

e any ore" 5ot that I bla e the " E'eryone hates

the secrets I ke$t" For all the %ays I faile& the "7 6Oh! not e'eryone hates you!7 the Fool chi&e& gently" 6Only -y eyes &arte& to his face" His cynical s ile reassure& of secrets! %hen ke$t or tol&"7 6Do you ha'e any ore bran&y07 ore %illo%bark tea"7 There %as aci& courtesy 6Thirsty again0 Do ha'e so e it" #ll for you"7 6I think y fe'er is &o%n a bit!7 I offere& hu bly"
ECB

e! really"7

e" 6Secrets!7 he sai&!

an& sighe&" 6So e&ay I shall %rite a long $hiloso$hical treatise on the $o%er

in his 'oice no%! o'erla&en %ith honey" 6There.s $lenty! you kno%" Buckets of

He lifte& a han& to

y bro%" 6So it is" For no%" But I &o not think the healer

%oul& a$$ro'e of you getting &runk again"7 6The healer is not here!7 I $ointe& out" He arche& a $ale eyebro% at e" 6Burrich %oul& be so $rou& of you"7 But he rose gracefully an& %ent to the oak cabinet" He ste$$e& carefully aroun& 5ighteyes s$ra%le& on the hearth in heat/soake& slee$" -y eyes tra'ele& to the $atche& %in&o% an& then back to the Fool" I su$$ose& so e sort of agree ent ha& been %orke& out bet%een the " 5ighteyes %as so &ee$ly aslee$ he %as not e'en &rea ing" His belly %as full as %ell" His $a%s t%itche& %hen I )ueste& to%ar& hi ! so I %ith&re%" The Fool %as $utting the bottle an& t%o cu$s on a tray" He see e& too sub&ue&" 6I a sorry! you kno%"7 e" Thirty/fi'e ti es"7 y &aughter"7 e fro s iling y back %oul& kee$ 6So you ha'e tol&

6But I a " I shoul& ha'e truste& you an& tol& you about 5othing! not a fe'er! not an arro% in e barrasse&

%hen I sai& that $hrase" -y &aughter" I trie& to s$eak the si $le truth" It e that it see e& a ne% ex$erience" 6I.'e ne'er seen her! you kno%" Only %ith the Skill! any%ay" It.s not the sa e" #n& I %ant her to be ine" -ine an& -olly.s" 5ot a chil& that belongs to a king&o ! %ith so e 'ast res$onsibility to gro% into" @ust a little girl! $icking flo%ers! %ith her aking can&les o ent that other! &oing ,7 I floun&ere& an& finishe&! 6;hate'er it is that

or&inary chil&ren are allo%e& to &o" 9ha&e %oul& en& that" The

anyone $oints to her an& says! FThere! she coul& be the Farseer heir!. she.s at risk" She.& ha'e to be guar&e& an& taught to fear! to %eigh e'ery %or& an& consi&er e'ery action" ;hy shoul& she0 She isn.t truly a royal heir" Only a bastar&.s bastar&"7 I sai& those harsh %or&s %ith &ifficulty! an& 'o%e& ne'er to let anyone say the to her face" 6;hy shoul& she be $ut in such &anger0 It
ECC

%oul& be one thing if she %ere born in a $alace an& ha& a hun&re& sol&iers to guar& her" But she has only -olly an& Burrich"7 6Burrich is %ith the 0 If 9ha&e chose Burrich! it is because he thinks hi e)ual of a hun&re& guar&s" But far kno% ho% that %oul& %rench $oure& for 6So!7 I e" I anage& to $ick u$ the ore &iscreet!7 the Fool obser'e&" Di& he y o%n cu$" 6To a &aughter" Yours an& y throat" e0

e0 He brought the cu$s an& the bran&y an&

-olly.s!7 he offere&! an& %e &rank" The bran&y burne& clean in

anage&" 69ha&e kne% all along an& sent Burrich to guar& her" E'en not certain"7 The Fool $ause&! as if %on&ering at the &iscar& the reser'e" 6I.'e been $utting

before I kne%! they kne%"7 ;hy &i& I feel they ha& stolen so ething fro 6I sus$ect so! but I a %is&o of telling e" Then I sa% hi

$ieces together! counting back the ti e" I think *atience sus$ecte&" I think that.s %hy she starte& sen&ing -olly to take care of Burrich %hen his leg %as in4ure&" He &i&n.t nee& that But Burrich is a goo& ear+ uch care! an& he kne% it as %ell as *atience &i&" ostly because he talks so little hi self" -olly , you ha& sent e there! to see e ory"

%oul& nee& so eone to talk to! $erha$s so eone that ha& once ke$t a bastar& hi self" That &ay %e %ere all u$ in his roo %hat he coul& &o for roo s to $rotect hi ,7 For a y shoul&er0 The &ay you locke& Regal out of Shre%&.s o ent he see e& caught in that

Then he reco'ere&" 6;hen I ca e u$ the stairs to Burrich.s loft I hear& the arguing" ;ell! -olly arguing! an& Burrich being silent! %hich is his strongest %ay to argue" So! I ea'es&ro$$e&!7 he a& itte& Ffrankly" 6But I &i&n.t hear uch" She %as insisting he coul& get so e $articular herb for her" He %oul&n.t" Finally! he $ro ise& her he %oul& tell no one! an& ba&e her to think %ell an& &o %hat she %ishe& to &o! not %hat she thought %as %isest" Then they sai& no ore! so I %ent in" She excuse& herself an& &e$arte&" =ater! you ca e

ECD

an& sai& she ha& left you"7 He $ause&" 6#ctually! looking back! I %as as &ull/ %ilte& as you! not to ha'e %orke& it out 4ust fro 6Thank you!7 I tol& hi &ay"7 6I.& gi'e anything to be able to go back in ti e an& tell her that our chil& %oul& be the ost i $ortant thing in the %orl& for e" -ore i $ortant than king or country"7 6#h" So you %oul& ha'e left Buckkee$ that &ay! to follo% her an& $rotect her"7 The Fool )uirke& an eyebro% at &o%n %ith bran&y" 6I kno% you coul&n.t ha'e" I un&erstan&" You see! no one can a'oi& fate" 5ot as long as %e are tra$$e& in ti e.s harness! any%ay" #n&!7 he sai& bastar&.s &aughter"7 # shi'er %alke& u$ y s$ine" Des$ite all y &isbelief! I feare&" 6#re you saying that you kno% so ething of her future07 He sighe& an& no&&e&" Then he s ile& an& shook his hea&" 6That is ho% it is! for e" I kno% so ething of a Farseer.s heir" If that heir is she! then &oubtless! no%! I shall rea& so e ancient $ro$hecy an& say! #h! yes! there it years fro ore softly! 6no chil& can a'oi& the future that fate &ecrees" 5ot a fool! not a bastar&" 5ot a e" e an& I %ashe& the #fter a ti e! I sai&! 6I coul&n.t"7 The %or&s choke& &ryly" uch on our in&s that that"7

6You.re %elco e" Though I %ill a& it %e all ha&

is! it %as foretol& ho% it %oul& co e to be" 5o one truly un&erstan&s a $ro$hecy until it co es true" It.s rather like a horseshoe" The s ithy sho%s you a bit of iron stock an& you say! it %ill ne'er fit" But after it.s been through the fire an& ha ere& an& file&! there it is! fitting $erfectly to your horse.s hoof as it %oul& ne'er fit any other"7

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6It soun&s as if you are saying $ro$hets sha$e their $ro$hecies to be true after the fact"7 He cocke& his hea&" 6#n& a goo& $ro$het! like a goo& s ith! sho%s you that it fits $erfectly"7 He took the e $ty glass fro You %ill nee& your strength"7 I no&&e&! an& su&&enly foun& 9ha&e gri$$e& y eyes %ere hea'y" y han&" 6You shoul& be slee$ing! you kno%" To orro% the healer is going to &ra% the arro%hea& out"

y %rists an& $ulle& &o%n fir ly" -y chest an& cheek $resse& y legs an& $inne& y y bare

against the har& %oo&en bench" The Fool stra&&le& shoul&ers! $ressing #s 9ha&e &re%

hi$s &o%n %ith his leaning %eight" E'en (ettle ha& her han&s on

e &o%n on the unyiel&ing bench" I felt like a hog trusse& y %hole bo&y ight s$lit the

for slaughter" Starling stoo& by %ith lint ban&aging an& a basin of hot %ater" y han&s &o%n tight! I felt as if o$en at the rotten %oun& in blacks ith.s she&" 6Rea&y07 she aske&" 65o!7 I grunte&" They ignore& orning she ha& %orke& on e" It %asn.t e she %as talking to" #ll e as if I %ere a broken toy! $ro&&ing an& y back %hile I s)uir e& an& uch hi self again" He ha& y i $recations! sa'e the Fool! %ho ha& y back" The healer s)uatte& besi&e e" I caught a

gli $se of the $incers she hel&" Black iron" *robably borro%e& fro

$ressing the foul flui&s of infection fro uttere& curses" #ll ha& ignore&

offere& i $ro'e ents on the " He %as 'ery &oor" I ha& trie& to con'ey to hi )uills fro hi He still share& y &rea&"
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$ersua&e& 5ighteyes to go outsi&e" I coul& sense the %olf $ro%ling about the %hat %as to be &one" I.& $ulle& enough in our ti e together that he ha& so e i&ea of necessary $ain"

6Jo ahea&!7 9ha&e tol& the healer" His hea& %as close to scratching y sha'en cheek" 6Stea&y col& 4a%s of the $incers $resse& against 6Don.t $ant" Hol& still!7 the healer tol& %ere $lunging the $ulle&! ri$$ing into y infla e& flesh"

ine! his bear& y ear" The

y boy!7 he breathe& into

e se'erely" I trie&" It felt as if she

y back seeking for a gri$" #fter an eternity of y bo&y" etal hea& against bone! an& all y $ain an& y y

$robing! the healer sai&! 6Hol& hi "7 I felt the 4a%s of the $incers clench" She y s$ine u$ an& out of Or so it felt" I recall that first grating of resolutions not to screa

%ere forgotten" I roare& out

consciousness together" I tu ble& again into that 'ague $lace that neither slee$ nor %akefulness coul& reach" -y fe'erish &ays ha& fa iliar to e" e" Only a ste$ a%ay! it ha& al%ays been a&e it entirely too

Skill ri'er" I %as in it an& it %as in only a ste$ a%ay" Surcease fro

$ain an& loneliness" S%ift an& s%eet" I %as y $ain %as co ing un&one as %ell" 5o"

tattering a%ay in it! co ing un&one like a $iece of knitting co es unra'ele& %hen the right threa& is tugge&" #ll fro the fire" I %ent" e" The Aerity forba&e it fir ly" Back you go! Fit1" #s if he shooe& a s all chil& a%ay

=ike a &i'er surfacing! I ca e back to the har& bench an& 'oices o'er of sno%" I felt it $resse& to an& the roo

light see e& &i " So eone exclai e& about bloo& an& calle& for a cloth full y back %hile a so$$ing re& rag %as tosse& to the Fool.s rug" The stain s$rea& out on the %ool an& I flo%e& %ith it" I %as floating %as full of black s$ecks" The healer %as busy by the fire" She the fla es" It glo%e& an& she turne& to look at &re% another s ith.s tool fro

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e" 6;ait:7 I crie& in horror an& half reare& u$ off the bench! only to ha'e 9ha&e catch e by the shoul&ers" e harshly an& hel& e in a gri$ of iron as the y 6It has to be &one!7 he tol& back" I s elle& the burning of s$as of $ain 4erke& e u$ to &rag

healer ca e near" #t first I felt only $ressure as she hel& a hot bran& to

y o%n flesh an& thought I &i& not care! until a

ore shar$ly than a hang an.s noose" The black rose

e &o%n" 6Hung o'er %ater an& burne&:7 I crie& out in &es$air" #

%olf %hine&" Rising" 9o ing u$! nearer an& nearer the light" The &i'e ha& been &ee$! the %aters %ar an& full of &rea s" I taste& the e&ge of consciousness! took a e! at least! that he %as ali'e an& ha& y breath of %akefulness" 69ha&e, but surely you coul& ha'e tol& closest counsels07 6#l ost as often as you ha'e not!7 the Fool re$lie& tartly" 6Fit1 aske& kee$ his $resence here a secret" #n& it %as! until that e to instrel interfere&" ;hat an at co e to you" E&a an& El in a knot! Fool! ho% often ha'e I truste& you %ith

%oul& it ha'e hurt if he ha& been left alone to rest co $letely before that arro% ca e out0 You.'e listene& to his ra'ings" Do they soun& to you like a $eace %ith hi self07 9ha&e sighe&" 6Still" You coul& ha'e tol& eant to e! to kno% he %as ali'e"7 eant to e! to kno% there %as a Farseer 6You kno% %hat it %oul& ha'e heir!7 the Fool retorte&" 6I tol& you as soon as I tol& the Iueen:7 e" You kno% %hat it %oul& ha'e

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6Yes! but ho% long ha& you kno%n she existe&0 Since you sent Burrich to kee$ %atch o'er -olly0 You kne% -olly carrie& his chil& %hen last you ca e to 'isit! yet you sai& nothing"7 9ha&e took a shar$ breath! then cautione&" 6Those are na es I.& as soon you &i& not s$eak! not e'en here" 5ot e'en to the Iueen ha'e I gi'en those na es" You ust un&erstan&! Fool" The ore folk %ho kno%! the greater the risk to the chil&" I.& ne'er ha'e re'eale& her existence! sa'e that the Iueen.s chil& &ie& an& %e belie'e& Aerity &ea&"7 6Sa'e your ho$e of kee$ing secrets" # instrel kno%s -olly.s na e+ instrels kee$ no secrets"7 His &islike of Starling glittere& in his 'oice" In a col&er tone! he a&&e&! 6So %hat &i& you really $lan to &o! 9ha&e0 *ass off Fit1.s &aughter as Aerity.s0 Steal her fro -olly an& gi'e her to the Iueen! to raise as her o%n07 The Fool.s 'oice ha& gone &ea&ly soft" 6I , the ti es are har& an& the nee& so great , but , not steal her! no" Burrich %oul& un&erstan&! an& I think he coul& ake the girl un&erstan&" Besi&es" ;hat can she offer the chil&0 # $enniless can&le aker! bereft of her tra&e , ho% can she care for her0 The chil& &eser'es better" #s &oes the other! truly! an& I %oul& &o y best to see she %as $ro'i&e& for! also" But the baby cannot be left %ith her" Think! Fool" Once others kne% the babe %as of Farseer lineage she coul& only be safe on the throne! or in line for it" The %o an listens to Burrich" He coul& 6I. not so sure you coul& royal &uty" He I think I ake her see that"7 ake Burrich see that" He ga'e one chil& u$ to an ust choose"7

ay not feel it.s a %ise choice a secon& ti e"7 e )uickly" 6Boy07

6So eti es all the choices are $oor ones! Fool! an& still a a&e so e s all soun&! for they both ca e to 9ha&e &e an&e& anxiously" 6Boy! are you a%ake07

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I &eci&e& I %as" I o$ene& one eye a crack" 5ight" =ight fro fe% can&les" 9ha&e an& the Fool an& a bottle of bran&y" #n& cu$ to

the hearth an& a e" -y back felt

no better" -y fe'er felt no less" Before I coul& e'en try to ask! the Fool hel& a y li$s" Da nable %illo%bark tea" I %as so thirsty! I &rank it all" The eat broth! %on&erfully salty" 6I. so thirsty!7 I outh felt sticky %ith thirst! thick next cu$ he offere& %as %ith it" 6You.'e lost a lot of bloo&!7 9ha&e ex$laine& nee&lessly" 6Do you %ant I ore broth07 the Fool aske&" e one thing" Do you eant too great anage& the tiniest no&" The Fool took the cu$ an& %ent to the hearth" 9ha&e e! boy07 o ent! I &i&n.t kno%" But the thought of hating 9ha&e e" Too fe% folk in the %orl& care& for y chil&"7 e gently" His ol& han& s oothe& y hair back fro y e" I coul& not hate e'en one

anage& to say %hen I.& finishe& it" -y

leane& close an& %his$ere&! strangely urgent! 6Fit1" Tell hate For a

a loss to

of the " I shook

y hea& a tiny bit" 6But!7 I sai& slo%ly! carefully for ing the

thick %or&s! 6&on.t take 6Do not fear!7 he tol&

face" 6If Aerity.s ali'e! there %ill be no nee& of it" For the ti e being! she is safest %here she is" #n& if (ing Aerity returns an& assu es his throne! he an& (ettricken %ill get chil&ren of their o%n"7 6*ro ise07 I begge&" He into et y eyes" The Fool brought the broth to e! an& 9ha&e ste$$e& asi&e to ake roo for hi " This cu$ %as %ar er" It %as like life itself flo%ing back ore strongly" 69ha&e!7 I sai&" He e

e" ;hen it %as gone! I coul& s$eak

ha& %alke& o'er to the hearth an& %as staring into it" He turne& back to %hen I s$oke" 6You &i& not $ro ise! 6I re in&e& hi "
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65o!7 he agree& gra'ely" 6I &i& not $ro ise" Ti es are too uncertain for that $ro ise"7 For a long ti e I 4ust looke& at hi " #fter a ti e! he ga'e his hea& a tiny shake an& looke& asi&e" He coul& not %as u$ to e" e!7 I tol& hi )uietly" 6#n& I %ill &o y best to bring Aerity y &eath! if y his throne" You can ha'e 6You can ha'e eet y eyes" But he offere& e no lies" So it

back! an& &o all I can to restore to hi chil&.s" 5ot He et y &aughter.s"7

that is %hat it takes" -ore than that! you can ha'e y eyes an& no&&e& slo%ly"

y life! 9ha&e" But not

Reco'ery %as a slo% an& $ainful business" It see e& to relishe& each &ay in a soft be&! each slee$" But it %as not so" The frostbitten skin on &ay the healer ca e to $oke at

e that I shoul& ha'e o ent of safe

outhful of foo&! each

y fingers an& toes $eele& an& y back

snagge& on e'erything! an& the ne% skin beneath %as horribly ten&er" E'ery e" She insiste& that the %oun& on ust be ke$t o$en an& &raining" I gre% %eary of the foul s elling ban&ages she took a%ay! an& %earier still of her $icking at not close too soon" She re in&e& #fter a fe% &ays! I %as to tactlessly tol& her so one &ay! she laughe& at e" y elbo%s snug y %oun& to see that it &i& e of a cro% on a &ying ani al! an& %hen I

o'ing about again! but ne'er carelessly" E'ery ste$! uscles in y back! learne& to %alk as if I

e'ery reach of a han& %as a cautious thing" I learne& to kee$ y si&e to &ecrease the $ull of balance& a basket of eggs on strenuous a stroll

y hea&" E'en so! I %earie& )uickly! an& too y bo&y! I coul& not be there e'en a e! an&

ight bring the fe'er back at night" I %ent &aily to the baths

an& though soaking in the hot %ater ease&

o ent %ithout recalling that here %as %here Regal sought to &ro%n
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there %as %here I ha& seen Burrich clubbe& to the groun&" 9o e to to e! %oul& begin the siren call in y hea& then! an& y

e! co e

in& %oul& soon be y next

full of thoughts an& %on&erings about Aerity" It %as not con&uci'e to a $eaceful s$irit" Instea& I %oul& fin& 4ourney" I a&e a yself $lanning e'ery &etail of ust beg fro ental list of the e)ui$ ent I (ettricken an&

&ebate& long an& har& o'er taking a ri&ing ani al" In the en& I &eci&e& against it" There %as no gra1ing for one+ y ca$acity for unthinking cruelty %as gone" ight be foun& a $recursor one& I %oul& not take a horse or $ony si $ly to ha'e it &ie" I kne%! too! that soon I ust ask lea'e to search the libraries to see if there to Aerity.s e at all" E'ery &ay I re in&e& yself of these things! an& e'ery &ay I $ut it off one yself to eat e on ore an& to ore &ay" #s of yet! I still coul& not %alk the length of @haa $e %ithout sto$$ing to rest" 9onscientiously! I began to force $ush the li its of y strength" Often the Fool 4oine& %ithin" He took y strengthening a$" I &rea&e& seeking out (ettricken for she ha& not su

%alks" I kne% he hate& the col&! but I %elco e& his silent co $anionshi$ too uch to suggest he stay %ar $laci& beast %elco e& e once to see Sooty! an& that e %ith such $leasure that I returne& e'ery &ay

thereafter" Her belly %as s%elling %ith Ru&&y.s foal+ she.& &ro$ early in s$ring" She see e& healthy enough! but I frette& o'er her age" I took an a a1ing a ount of co fort fro y in4ury to lift best %ith hi ! an& y ar s to groo The s$irite& young horse nee&e& the ol& are.s gentle $resence" It $ulle& at y her! but I &i& any%ay! an& Ru&&y as %ell" ore han&ling than he %as getting" I &i& o ent of it" e on our arks on his

isse& Burrich e'ery

The %olf ca e an& %ent as he $lease&" He 4oine& the Fool an& to see ho% s%iftly he a&a$te&" The Fool
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%alks! an& strolle& into the hut after%ar& at our heels" It %as al ost &istressing uttere& about the cla%

&oor an& the she& fur on his rugs! but they like& each other %ell enough" # %olf $u$$et began to e erge in sections fro chunks of %oo& on the Fool.s %hene'er the Fool %as %orktable" 5ighteyes &e'elo$e& a taste for a certain see&cake that %as also the Fool.s fa'orite" The %olf %oul& stare fixe&ly at hi relent an& gi'e hi a share" I scol&e& the eating it! &rooling great $ools of sali'a onto the floor until the Fool %oul& both about %hat s%eets coul& &o to his teeth an& coat an& %as ignore& by both of the " I su$$ose I felt a bit of 4ealousy at ho% )uickly he ca e to trust the Fool! until 5ighteyes aske& $ointe&ly one &ay! ;hy shoul& not I trust %ho that" 6So" ;hen &i& you beco e a toy aker07 I aske& the Fool i&ly one &ay" I %as leaning on his table! %atching his fingers threa& the li bs an& torso of a 4u $ing 4ack onto his stick fra e%ork" The %olf %as s$ra%le& out un&er the table! &ee$ly aslee$" He shrugge& one shoul&er" 6It beca e ob'ious once I %as here that (ing Eyo&.s court %as no $lace for a Fool"7 He ga'e a short sigh" 65or &i& I truly ha'e the &esire to be the Fool for anyone sa'e (ing Shre%&" That being so! I cast about for so e other aske& eans to earn y brea&" One e'ening! )uite &runk! I yself" yself %hat I kne% best" F;hy! being a $u$$et!. I re$lie& to you trust0 I ha& no ans%er to

@erke& about by the strings of fate! an& then tosse& asi&e to cru $le in a hea$" That being so! I &eci&e& that I %oul& no longer &ance to the string.s $ull! but %oul& $ull the strings" The next &ay I $ut sa% in Buck see y resolution to the test" I soon &isco'ere& a liking for it" The si $le toys I gre% u$ %ith an& the ones that I %on&rous strange to -ountain chil&ren" I foun& I nee&e& to e %ell" 9hil&ren here learn to ha'e fe% &ealings %ith the a&ults! %hich suite&

hunt an& fish an& %ea'e an& har'est at a 'ery early age! an& %hate'er they garner is their o%n" So I tra&e for %hat I nee&" 9hil&ren! I ha'e foun&! are
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uch

ore s%ift to acce$t the unusual" They a& it their curiosity! you see! e" y &aughter to

rather than &is&aining the ob4ect that arouses it"7 His $ale fingers tie& a careful knot" Then he $icke& his creation u$ an& set it to &ancing for I %atche& its gay $rancing %ith a retroacti'e &esire to ha'e $ossesse& such a thing of brightly $ainte& %oo& an& finely san&e& e&ges" 6I %ant ha'e things such as that!7 I hear& 6She %ill!7 he $ro ise& yself say alou&" 6;ell bright shirts! $retty hair ribbons an& &olls to clutch"7 e gra'ely" 6She %ill"7 a&e toys an& soft

The slo% &ays $asse&" -y han&s began to look nor al again an& e'en to ha'e so e callus on the again" The healer sai& I ight go %ith no ban&aging on uch I $ace& y $ath y back" I began to feel restless but kne% I &i& not yet ha'e the strength to lea'e" -y &is)uiet in turn agitate& the Fool" I &i& not reali1e ho% until the e'ening he rose fro to &i'ert e fro his chair an& sho'e& his table o'er into

y course" ;e both laughe&! but it &i& not &is$el the e to &istraction %ith her kno%le&ge of the entione& a 9atalyst" e" I al ost isse& ore I her

un&erlying tension" I began to belie'e I &estroye& $eace %here'er I %ent" (ettle 'isite& often an& &ro'e scrolls concerning the ;hite *ro$het" Too often they a&e nonco ittal noises as she trie& to ex$lain it all to

So eti es the Fool %as &ra%n into her &iscussions" -ore often he si $ly her &our taciturnity" I confess! too! that the ore she talke&! the

%on&ere& ho% a %o an of Buck ha& e'er chance& to %an&er so far fro

ho elan&! to beco e a &e'otee of a &istant teaching that %oul& so e&ay lea& her back to her ho elan&" But the ol& (ettle sho%e& through %hen she &eflecte& y slyly $ose& )uestions" Starling ca e! though not as often as (ettle! an& usually %hen the Fool %as out an& about on erran&s" It see e& that they coul& not be in the sa e roo
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%ithout striking s$arks fro

one another" #s soon as I %as able to

o'e about

at all! she began to $ersua&e ha& ha&

e to take outsi&e %alks %ith her! $robably to e goo&! but I took no en4oy ent in the " I a&e e feel both

a'oi& the Fool" I su$$ose they &i&

y fill of %inter col& an& usually her con'ersation

restless an& s$urre&" Her talk %as often of the %ar back in Buck! sni$$ets of ne%s o'erhear& fro $laye& for the 9ha&e an& (ettricken! for she %as often %ith the " She ain hall of the royal resi&ence" This taste of a in the e'enings! as best she coul& %ith her &a age& han& an& a

borro%e& har$" She li'e& in the

court life see e& to agree %ith her" She %as fre)uently enthuse& an& ani ate&" The bright clothes of the -ountain folk set off her &ark hair an& eyes! %hile the col& brought color to her face" She see e& to ha'e reco'ere& fro isfortune! to be once that her o$ti is only an& 9ha&e ha& hel$e& her barter for %oo& to a&e hour or t%o %ith her %ore I felt a constant $ressure fro 6He akes ake a ne% har$" It sha e& all e ore fille& %ith life" E'en her han& %as healing %ell! e feel ol&er an& %eaker an& ore %earie&" #n

e out as if I ha& been exercising a hea&strong filly" her to agree %ith her" Often I coul& not" e once! in one of her fre)uent &iatribes anner" He ne'er says a kin& or

e ner'ous!7 she tol&

against the Fool" 6It.s not his color+ it.s his Ha'e you arke& ho% he teases an&

si $le %or& to anyone! not e'en to the chil&ren %ho co e to tra&e for his toys" ocks the 07 to 6He likes the ! an& they like hi !7 I sai& %earily" 6He &oes not tease the be cruel" He teases the %ishes to be s$oken &o%n to"7 The brief %alk ha& tire& to a& it to her" #n& it %as te&ious constantly to &efen& hi She fro e

as he teases e'eryone" The chil&ren en4oy it" 5o chil& ore than I %ishe& to her"

a&e no re$ly" I beca e a%are of 5ighteyes sha&o%ing us" He &rifte& the shelter of a cluster of trees to the sno%la&en bushes of a gar&en" I

&oubte& his $resence %as a great secret! an& yet he %as uneasy about strolling
EDE

o$enly through the streets" It %as strangely co forting to kno% he %as close by" I trie& to fin& another to$ic" 6I ha'e not seen 9ha&e in so e &ays no%!7 I 'enture&" I hate& to fish for ne%s of hi " But he ha& not co e to y chil&" 6I sang for hi last night"7 She s ile& at the recollection" 6He %as at his ost %itty" He can e'en bring a s ile to (ettricken.s face" It is har& to belie'e he li'e& in such isolation for years" He &ra%s $eo$le to hi self like a flo%er &ra%s bees" He has a a& ire&" #n& ,7 69ha&e07 The %or& burst fro the ti e" I sang for hi e incre&ulously" 6Jentle anly07 6Of course!7 she sai& in a use ent" 6He can be )uite char ing! %hen he has an& (ettricken the other night! an& he %as )uite gracious in his thanks" # courtier.s tongue he has"7 She s ile& to herself! an& I coul& see that %hate'er 9ha&e ha& sai& ha& staye& $leasantly %ith her" To try to en'ision 9ha&e as a char er of %o en re)uire& y in& to ben& in an unaccusto e& &irection" I coul& think of nothing to say! an& so left her in her $leasant re'erie" #fter a ti e! she a&&e& unex$ecte&ly! 6He %ill not be going %ith us! you kno%"7 6;ho0 ;here07 I coul& not &eci&e if or if the instrel.s y ar She $atte& y recent fe'er ha& left e slo% %ilte& in& 4u $e& about like a flea" co fortingly" 6You are getting tire&" ;e ha& best turn ost inane ost gentle anly %ay of letting a %o an kno% she is e an& I %oul& not go to hi " I &i& not hate hi ! but I coul& not forgi'e his $lans for

back" I can al%ays tell %hen you are %earie&! you ask the

)uestions"7 She took a breath an& returne& to her to$ic" 69ha&e %ill not be going %ith us to seek Aerity" He has to go back to Buck! to $ass the %or& of your )uest an& hearten the folk there" Of course! he %ill res$ect your %ishes
EEH

an&

ake no

ention of you" Only that the Iueen has set forth to fin& the (ing to the throne"7 e to &e'ise so e si $le ay be easily learne& an& sung"7

an& restore hi

She $ause&! an& trie& to say casually! 6He has aske& &itties for hi ! base& on the ol& songs so they She s ile& at 6He %ill s$rea& the

e an& I coul& tell ho% $lease& she %as he ha& aske& this of her" a ong the ta'erns an& inns of the roa& an& like see&s there" Si $le songs saying that Aerity %ill ost i $ortant to kee$

they %ill s$rout an& trail fro

return to set things right an& that a Farseer heir %ill rise to the throne to unite the Six Duchies in both 'ictory an& $eace" He says it is the heart in the $eo$le! an& to kee$ before the I sorte& sai&" >s! %ho0 #n& going %here07 She sto$$e& off her glo'e an& set her han& to y forehea& )uickly" 6#re you fe'erish! again0 # bit! $erha$s" =et us turn back no%"7 #s %e began retracing our ste$s through the )uiet streets! she a&&e& $atiently" 6>s! you an& I an& (ettricken! going to fin& Aerity" Ha& you forgotten that %as %hy you ca e to the -ountains0 (ettricken says the %ay %ill be har&" It is not terribly &ifficult to tra'el to the scene of the battle" But if Aerity %ent on fro on one of the ancient $aths arke& on her ol& a$! an& they there! then it is ay not be $aths the i age of Aerity returning"7

y %ay back through her chatter of songs an& $ro$hecies" 6>s! you

at all any ore" Her father is $lainly not enthuse& %ith her un&ertaking" His in& is fixe& only on the %aging of %ar against Regal" F;hile you seek your husban& king! your false brother seeks to tol& her" So she not an& ake our folks his sla'es:. he has ust gather %hat su$$lies are gi'en to her %illingly! an& take

only such folk as %oul& go %ith her rather than stay to fight Regal" There are any of those! to be sure! an& ,7 y sto ach churning" I ha& forgotten that this ha& been the %ay of it at
EE1

6I %ish to go back to the Fool.s house!7 I sai& faintly" -y hea& %as s$inning

(ing Shre%&.s court" ;hy ha& I ex$ecte& it to be &ifferent here0 The $lans %oul& be a&e! the arrange ents un&ertaken! an& then they %oul& tell e to &o an& I %oul& &o it" Ha& not that al%ays been an! a e y %hat they %ishe& ne'er shocke& sa&&le&!

function0 To go to such an& such a $lace! an& kill that certain e so to fin& that all their e! as if I %ere no o entous $lanning ha&

an I.&

et before! all on so eone else.s say0 I &i& not kno% %hy it su&&enly o'e& on %ithout ore than a horse in a stall! %aiting to be yself" That

any %or&s fro

ounte&! an& reine& to the hunt" y life! if they %oul& but lea'e y chil& alone" ;hy be

;ell! %as not that the bargain I ha& offere& 9ha&e! I re in&e& they coul& ha'e

sur$rise&0 ;hy e'en be concerne& at all0 I shoul& si $ly go back to the Fool.s! to slee$ an& eat an& buil& ha'e e'er seen you so $ale"7 6I. fine!7 I assure& her &ully" 6I %as 4ust thinking it %oul& be $leasant to hel$ ake the $u$$ets for a ti e"7 near (ettricken an& e0 You nee& little ten&ing the Fool y strength until calle& for" e su&&enly! anxiously" 6I &on.t think I 6#re you all right07 Starling aske&

She fro%ne& again" 6I still &o not un&erstan& %hat you see in hi " ;hy &o not you co e to stay in a roo 6;hen the Iueen su ti e enough"7 ons any ore+ it is ti e you resu e& your rightful $lace at the Iueen.s si&e"7 e! I %ill go to her!7 I sai& &utifully" 6That %ill be

9H#*TER T;E5TY/T;O De$arture

EE2

9H#DE F#==ST#R O99>*IES a uni)ue niche in the history of the Six Duchies" #lthough he %as ne'er ackno%le&ge&! his strong $hysical rese blance to the Farseers to the royal line" Be that as it akes it al ost certain that he %as bloo&/relate& ay! %ho he %as $ales in significance co $are&

to %hat he %as" So e ha'e sai& he %as a s$y for (ing Shre%& for &eca&es before the Re&/Shi$ ;ars" Others ha'e linke& his na e to that of =a&y Thy e! %ho al ost certainly %as a $oisoner an& thief for the royal fa ily" These beliefs can ne'er be substantiate&" ;hat can be kno%n! %ithout a &oubt! %as that he e erge& into $ublic life follo%ing the &esertion of Buckkee$ by the *reten&er! Regal Farseer" He $ut his ser'ices at the beck an& call of =a&y *atience" She %as able to &ra% on his establishe& net%ork of $eo$le throughout the Six Duchies! both to gather infor ation an& to &istribute resources for the &efense of the coastline" There is uch e'i&ence to suggest that initially he en&ea'ore& to re ain a $ri'ate an& secreti'e figure" His uni)ue a$$earance &ashing ol& a&e this &ifficult an& he e'entually inns an& ta'erns at all a&e hi a& ire&" their backs aban&one& all atte $ts" Des$ite his years! he beca e so ething of a hero! a an! if you %ill! co ing an& going fro hours! elu&ing an& taunting Regal.s guar&s en! bringing ne%s an& $assing fun&s for the &efense of the 9oastal Duchies" His ex$loits #l%ays he ba&e the folk of the Six Duchies to take heart an& foretol& to the that (ing Aerity an& Iueen (ettricken %oul& return! to lift fro of songs ha'e been Starling Bir&song" a&e of his &ee&s! the the yokes of taxation an& %arfare un&er %hich they suffere&" ;hile a nu ber ost accurate is the song cycle instrel! 69ha&e Fallstar.s Reckoning!7 attribute& to Iueen (ettricken.s

EE8

-y

e ory rebels at recalling those last &ays in @haa $e" # bleakness of e! one that re aine& unchange& by frien&shi$ or bran&y" I yself" 6If fate is so e great %a'e that e as it %ill!7 I &eclare& e u$ an& &ash e against a %all! regar&less of %hat I choose!

s$irit settle& on is going to bear

coul& fin& no energy! no %ill to bestir

%hy then I choose to &o nothing" =et it &o %ith

gran&iosely! if a trifle &runkenly! to the Fool one e'ening" To this he sai& nothing" He si $ly continue& san&ing the shags into the %olf/$u$$et.s coat" 5ighteyes! %akeful but silent! lay at the Fool.s feet" ;hen I %as &rinking he shiel&e& his in& fro e an& ex$resse& his &isgust by ignoring e" (ettle sat e" # in the hearth corner! knitting an& alternating bet%een looking &isa$$ointe& or &isa$$ro'ing" 9ha&e sat in a straight backe& chair across the table fro cu$ of tea %as before hi an& his eyes %ere col& as 4a&e" 5ee&less to say! I ake the

%as &rinking alone! for the thir& straight night" I %as testing to the li its Burrich.s theory that %hile &rinking coul& sol'e nothing! it coul& unbearable tolerable" It &i& not see the less tolerable y frien&s" The &ay ha& brought e ore than I coul& bear" 9ha&e ha& co e to see e on the e finally! to say that (ettricken %ishe& to see %oul& be there" ;ith a bit of $ro&&ing fro at that o ent" It %as a $oor ti e for orro%" I allo%e& as I to be %orking for e" The y situation see e&" #n& the ore I &rank!

ore intolerable I beca e to

9ha&e! I agree& that I %oul& be atch %its or %or&s

$resentableG%ashe&! sha'en! cleanly attire&! an& sober" 5one of %hich I %as e to en&ea'or to %ith 9ha&e! but -olly carrie& y 4u&g ent %as such that I atte $te& it" I aske& bellicose cal ly" Yes! he ha& sus$ecte& oney an& shelter+ he ha& been

an& accusing )uestions" He ans%ere& the Burrich ha& alrea&y been seeing that she ha&

y chil&! an& yes! he ha& urge& Burrich to beco e her $rotector"

reluctant to share her &%elling! but %hen 9ha&e ha& $ointe& out the &angers to
EE<

her an& the chil& if anyone else figure& out the circu stances! Burrich ha& agree&" 5o! he ha& not tol& e" ;hy0 Because -olly ha& coerce& Burrich into e of her $regnancy" His con&ition for yself %hy -olly e! not e $ro ising her he %oul& not tell

guar&ing her as 9ha&e re)ueste& %as that 9ha&e %oul& also res$ect that $ro ise" Initially Burrich ha& ho$e& I %oul& $u11le out for ha& &isa$$eare&" He ha& also confi&e& to 9ha&e that as soon as the chil& %as born he %oul& consi&er hi self free& of his $ro ise an& %oul& tell that she %as $regnant! but that I ha& a chil&" E'en in that %as about as &e'ious as Burrich ha& e'er e" But %hen he ha& gone to tell &isco'ere& e'i&ence of y &eath" eet Burrich at the fish/ e of y state! I coul& see that

anage& to be" # $art of

a$$reciate& the &e$th of his frien&shi$ that he.& ben& his $ro ise that far for y &aughter.s birth! he ha& instea&

He ha& gone straight to Buck! to lea'e %or& %ith a stone ason there! %ho $asse& %or& to another an& so on until 9ha&e ca e to &ocks" They ha& both been incre&ulous" 6Burrich coul& not belie'e that you ha& &ie&" I coul& not un&erstan& %hy you ha& still been there" I ha& left %or& %ith y %atchers! all u$ an& &o%n the ri'er roa&! for I ha& been sure you e&iately set out for the -ountains" ust lea'e you alone! to &isco'er for a bo%! flying straight to ost" That you ha& &ie& %oul& not flee to Bingto%n! but %oul& i %hat I tol& to Burrich that night3 that %e

I ha& been so sure that &es$ite all you ha& en&ure&! your heart %as true" It %as yourself %here your loyalty %as" I ha& %agere& Burrich that left to your o%n &e'ices you %oul& be like an arro% release& fro Aerity" That! I think! %as %hat shocke& us both the there! an& not on the roa& to your king"7 6;ell!7 I &eclare& %ith a &runkar&.s elaborate satisfaction! 6you %ere both %rong" You both thought you kne% e so %ell! you both thought you ha& crafte& such a tool as coul& not &efy your $ur$oses" But I &i& 5OT &ie there:
EE?

5or &i& I go to seek in for e"7 9ha&e

y king" I %ent to kill Regal" For y ar s on y healing in4ury" 6For

yself"7 I leane& back

y chair an& crosse&

y chest" Then sat u$ abru$tly at the yself:7 I re$eate&" 65ot e! I %ent to kill hi " For

unco fortable $ressure on

y king or Buck or any of the Six Duchies" For erely looke& at e" But fro

the hearth corner %here (ettle rocke&!

her ol& 'oice rose in co $lacent satisfaction" 6The ;hite Scri$tures say! FHe shall thirst for the bloo& of his o%n kin! an& his thirst shall go unslake&" The 9atalyst shall hunger for a hearth an& chil&ren in 'ain! for his chil&ren shall be another.s! an& another.s chil& his o%n , 6 65o one can force e to fulfill any such $ro$hecies:7 I 'o%e& in a roar" 6;ho e" He s$oke il&ly! y a&e the ! any%ay07 (ettle %ent on rocking" It %as the Fool %ho ans%ere& %ithout looking u$ fro his %ork" 6I &i&" In &rea ing" Before I kne% you any%here! sa'e in 6You are &oo e& to fulfill the !7 (ettle tol& I sla e& y chil&hoo&! in the &ays of y &rea s"7 e gently"

y cu$ back onto the table" 6Da ne& if I %ill:7 I shoute&" 5o one his chi ney! corner" 6Da n you! girl:7 -olly ha& flinche& y hea& &o%n on y ar s to %ee$"

4u $e& or re$lie&" In a terrible instant of crystalline recall! I hear& -olly.s father.s 'oice fro 6-olly!7 I but ignore& hi " She ha& kno%n there %as no reasoning %ith a &runk" oane& so&&enly an& $ut #fter a ti e! I felt 9ha&e.s han&s on far of y shoul&ers" 69o e! boy! this a'ails you ust face your )ueen"7 There %as

nothing" To be& %ith you" To orro% you y churlishness"

ore $atience in his 'oice than I &eser'e&! an& I su&&enly kne% the &e$ths

EEB

I rubbe& he hel$e&

y face on e to

y slee'e an&

anage& to lift

y hea&" I &i& not resist as

y feet an& steere& e tire&ly"

e to%ar& the cot in the corner" #s I sat

&o%n on the e&ge of it! I sai& )uietly! 6You kne%" You kne% all along"7 6(ne% %hat07 he aske& 6(ne% all this about the 9atalyst an& the ;hite *ro$het"7 He ble% air out through his nose" 6I Fkno%. nothing of that" I kne% so ething of the %ritings about the " Recall that things %ere co $arati'ely settle& before your father ab&icate&" I ha& to%er! %hen y king &i& not re)uire uch ti e for rea&ing! an& *ro$het"7 His 'oice beca e )uestion" 6It %as only after the Fool ha& co e to Buckkee$! an& I ha& )uietly &isco'ere& that he ha& a strong interest in such %ritings! that You yourself once tol& y o%n interest %as $i)ue&" e that he ha& referre& to you as the 9atalyst" So I y back again" I rolle& to e" y si&e! any long years after I ha& taken to y ser'ices for y onths at a ti e" I ha&

any sources for scrolls" So I ha& encountere& il&er! as if he.& forgotten the anger in y

so e of the foreign tales an& %ritings that &eal %ith a 9atalyst an& a ;hite

began to %on&er , but in truth! I gi'e all $ro$hecies s all cre&ence"7 I lay back gingerly" I coul& al ost slee$ on kicke& off 6Fit107 6;hat07 I aske& 9ha&e gru&gingly" 6(ettricken is angry %ith you" Do not ex$ect her $atience to orro%" But kee$ in fro in& that she is not only our )ueen" She is a %o an %ho has lost a chil& an& her a&o$te& country! only to ha'e trouble &og her ste$s to her nati'e lan&" been ke$t in sus$ense o'er her husban&.s fate for o'er a year! houn&e& a%ay Her father is un&erstan&ably bitter" He turns a %arrior.s eyes to%ar& the Six Duchies an& Regal! an& has no ti e for )uests to search for the brother of his
EEC

y boots! an& &ragge& a blanket u$ o'er

ene y! e'en if he belie'e& he li'e&" (ettricken is alone!

ore grie'ously alone

than you or I can i agine" Fin& tolerance for the %o an" #n& res$ect for your )ueen"7 He $ause& unco fortably" 6You %ill nee& both to orro%" I can be of little hel$ to you %ith her"7 I think he %ent on after that! but I ha& cease& to listen" Slee$ soon &ragge& un&er its %a'es" It ha& been so e ti e since Skill &rea s ha& trouble& $hysical %eakness ha& finally banishe& guar& against Regal.s coterie ha& blocke& the bo&y %as as if a great han& ha& reache& insi&e &ragge& e out of fro e" I &o not kno% if y in&" That night e fro y y y y &rea s of battle! or if that snatche& y constant e

brief res$ite en&e&" The strength of the Skill &rea

e! sei1e&

e by the heart! an&

yself" I %as su&&enly in another $lace"

It %as a city! in the sense that folk &%elt there in great nu ber" But the folk %ere unlike any I ha& e'er seen! nor ha& I e'er seen such &%ellings" The buil&ings soare& an& s$irale& to airy heights" The stone of the %alls see e& to ha'e flo%e& into their for s" There %ere bri&ges of &elicate tracery an& gar&ens that both casca&e& &o%n an& ten&rile& u$ the si&es of the structures" There %ere fountains that &ance& an& others that $oole& silently" E'ery%here brightly cla& $eo$le o'e& through the city! as nu erous as ants" Yet all %as silent an& still" I sense& the flo% of folk! the $lay of the fountains! the $erfu e of the unfol&ing blosso s in the gar&ens" #ll %as there! but %hen I turne& to behol& it! it %as gone" The in& coul& sense the &elicate tracery of the bri&ge but the eye sa% only the fallen rubble gone to rust an& rot" Frescoe& %alls ha& been %in&/$olishe& a%ay to roughly $lastere& bricks" # turn of the hea& change& a lea$ing fountain to %ee&y &ust in a cracke& basin" The hastening cro%& in the arket s$oke only %ith the 'oice of a racing %in& o'e& through this ghost of a city! bo&iless an&
EED

hea'y %ith stinging san&" I

seeking! unable to &eci$her %hy I %as there or %hat %as &ra%ing neither light nor &ark there! neither su the final free&o " I sa% at last! far ahea& of er nor %inter" I a

e" It %as

outsi&e ti e! I

thought! an& %on&ere& if this %as the ulti ate hell of the Fool.s $hiloso$hy or e! a s all figure $lo&&ing along one of the 'ast o'er his fro the san& la&en %in&" He %as

streets" His hea& %as bo%e& to the %in& an& he hel& his cloak.s he outh an& nose as he %alke& to shiel& hi not a $art of the ghostly cro%& but kne% in that instant of sighting hi life I felt in

o'e& through the rubble! skirting the

$laces %here so e unrest in the earth ha& sunken or ri&ge& the $a'e& street" I that this %as Aerity" I kne% by the 4erk of e here %as the tiny y o%n consciousness" I sense& y chest! an& kne% then that %hat ha& $ulle&

$ebble of Aerity.s Skill that hi& still %ithin also that the &anger to hi %as at a great &istance fro along! alone an& i I hastene& after hi greete&

%as extre e" Yet I sa% nothing to threaten hi " He e! seen through the ha1y sha&o%s of buil&ings arket/&ay cro%&" He tru&ge& hea'ily

that ha& been! 'eile& in the ghosts of a nothing! but &anger loo e& o'er hi

une to the ghost city! an& yet ent%ine& in it" I sa% like a giant.s sha&o%" an& in the blinking of an eye %as besi&e hi " 6#h!7 he y han& in

e" 6So you ha'e co e at last! Fit1" ;elco e"7 He &i& not $ause as he

%alke&! nor turn his hea&" Yet I felt a %ar th as if he ha& clas$e& &anger"

greeting! an& I felt no nee& to re$ly" Instea& I sa% %ith his eyes the lure an& the # ri'er flo%e& ahea&" It %as not %ater" It %as not glistening stone" It $artook of both those things! but %as neither" It slice& through the city like a glea ing bla&e! sli&ing out of the ri'en &isa$$eare& into a ountain behin& us an& continuing until it of coal bare& by a ore ancient ri'er of %ater" =ike a sea

cutting ti&e! or gol& 'eining )uart1! it lay ex$ose& on the earth.s bo&y" It %as
EEE

agic" *urest ancient

agic! inexorable an& hee&less of

en! flo%e& there" agic as

The ri'er of Skill I ha& so te&iously learne& to na'igate %as to this $hysical existence as concrete as oth is &ra%n to a can&le fla e" It %as not 4ust the beauty of that shining flo%" The Aerity.s senses" The soun& of its rushing %as y o%n" I %as i

the bou)uet of %ine is %ine" That %hich I gli $se& %ith Aerity.s eyes ha& a e&iately &ra%n to it as a agic fille& e'ery one of

usical! a running of notes that o ent the

ke$t one %aiting an& listening! in the certainty that the soun& %as buil&ing to so ething" The %in& carrie& its scent! elusi'e an& changeable! one e'ery breath! an& longe& to $lunge the 'ague yearnings of %ell! that I e&ge of le on blosso s an& the next a s oky coiling of s$ices" I taste& it on yself into it" I %as su&&enly sure that it y bo&y but y bo&y to be here as coul& )uench e'ery a$$etite I ha& e'er suffere&! not 4ust those of y soul as %ell" I longe& for ight ex$erience it as co $letely as Aerity &i&" oisture" Su&&enly I coul& taste in the back of Aerity.s throat

Aerity $ause&! lifting his face" He &re% in a &ee$ breath! air la&en %ith Skill as fog is la&en %ith a hot etallic tang" The longing he ha& felt for it su&&enly beca e an all/

consu ing &esire" He thirste& for it" ;hen he got to it! he %oul& thro% hi self on his knees an& &rink his fill" He %oul& be fille& %ith all the consciousness of the %orl&! he %oul& $artake of the %hole an& beco e the %hole" #t last he %oul& kno% co $letion" But Aerity hi self %oul& cease to exist" I &re% back in fascinate& horror" I &on.t think there is anything frightening than to encounter the true %ill for self/&estruction" Des$ite attraction to the ri'er! it touche& off an anger in Aerity" 5either the co%ar&ly act" I looke& at hi ore y o%n

e" This %as not %orthy of

an nor the $rince I ha& kno%n coul& be ca$able of such a as if I ha& ne'er seen hi "
1HHH

#n& reali1e& ho% long it ha& been since I ha& seen hi " The bright blackness of his eyes ha& beco e a &ull &arkness" The cloak that the %in& sna$$e& about hi %as a rent rag of a thing" The leather of his boots ha& long ago cracke&! the stitches of the sea s gi'ing %ay an& ga$ing o$en" The ste$s he took %ere uncertain! une'en things" E'en if the %in& ha& not buffete& hi ! I &oubte& his stri&e %oul& ha'e been stea&y" His li$s %ere $ale an& cracke& an& his flesh ha& a grayish o'ertone to it as if the 'ery bloo& of his bo&y ha& forsaken it" There ha& been su lea'ing hi a gaunt skeleton of a ers %hen he Skille& against the uscle fell fro his bo&y! Re&/Shi$s to such an extent that the flesh an& an of sta ina alone! ro$y Only his %ill ke$t hi

an %ith no $hysical sta ina" 5o% he %as a

uscles stretche& on a fra e%ork of bones that o'ing" To%ar& the agic flo%"

%as scarcely cloake& in flesh at all" He %as the e bo&i ent of %eary $ur$ose" u$right an& I &o not kno% %here I foun& ha& $ause& an& focuse& y o%n %ill to resist it" *ossibly it %as because I y

yself on Aerity for an instant! an& seen all the %orl& yself into his $ath but he %alke&

%oul& lose if he cease& to exist as hi self" ;hate'er the source of strength! I $itte& it against his" I thre% through an& flung e" There %as nothing to

e! here" 6Aerity! $lease! sto$! %ait:7 I crie&

yself at hi ! a furious feather on the %in&" I ha& no effect on hi "

He &i&n.t e'en $ause" 6So eone has to &o it!7 he sai& )uietly" Three ste$s later he a&&e&! 6For a ti e! I ho$e& it %oul& not be e" But o'er an& o'er! I ha'e aske& e"7 an &oes %hen he has easure& the yself! F;ho else! then0. 6 He turne& to look at e %ith those burnt/to/ashes eyes" 65o other

ans%er has e'er co e" It has to be

6Aerity! sto$!7 I $lea&e&! but he continue& to %alk" 5ot hurrying! not lagging! but si $ly tru&ging along the %ay a

1HH1

&istance he

ust go an&

atche& his strength to it" He ha& the en&urance to get y strength ebbing" For a o ent! I feare& I %oul& ight

there if he %alke&" I %ith&re% a bit! feeling lose hi fin& by being &ra%n back to y slee$ing bo&y" Then I reali1e& an e)ually in that 'ein of agic" If I ha& ha& a bo&y in yself in the

$otent fear" =inke& so long! an& e'en no% being $ulle& along after hi ! I yself &ro%ne& alongsi&e hi

that real ! I $robably %oul& ha'e sei1e& onto so ething an& hel& on" #s I $lea&e& %ith Aerity to sto$ an& listen to others %hose li'es touche& ine3 -olly! e! I instea& anchore& only other %ay I coul& i agine" I reache& %ith y Skill! gras$ing after those so y gri$ e

y &aughter! 9ha&e an& the Fool! o ent ;ill

Burrich an& (ettricken" I ha& no true Skill links %ith any of the %as a tenuous one at best! lessene& by or 9arro& or e'en Burl y frantic fear that at any ight so eho% beco e a%are of

e" It see e& to

that it slo%e& Aerity" 6*lease %ait!7 I sai& again" 65o!7 he sai& )uietly" 6Don.t seek to &issua&e I ha& ne'er thought to easure e! Fit1" It.s %hat I ha'e to &o"7

y Skill/strength against Aerity.s" I ha& ne'er uch like a chil& kicking an& screa ing as his y attack! I o'e& i $lacably

i agine& %e coul& be o$$ose& to each other" But as I $rocee&e& to batter yself against hi ! I felt 'ery father cal ly carrie& hi off to be&" Aerity not only ignore&

sense& that his %ill an& concentration %ere else%here" He on to%ar& the black flo%! an& hi a%ay! to &rag hi Self/$reser'ation lent a frantic ne% strength to back! but it a'aile& But there %as a terrible &uality to o'er$o%ere& e an& &ragge& res$onsibility for it" I coul& o$en

y consciousness %as borne along %ith hi " y struggles" I stro'e to $ush to %in" If he e nothing"

y struggle" I longe& for hi

e &o%n %ith hi ! then I nee& take no yself to that flo% of $o%er an& be )uenche&
1HH2

in it" It %oul& be an en& to all tor ents! surcease at last" I %as so tire& of &oubts an& guilts! so %eary of &uties an& &ebts" If Aerity carrie& flo% of Skill %ith hi There ca e a I coul& finally surren&er %ith no sha e" e into that

o ent %hen %e stoo& on the brink of that iri&escent flo% of

$o%er" I stare& &o%n at it %ith his eyes" There %as no gra&ual shore" Instea& there %as a knife.s e&ge brink %here soli& earth ga'e %ay to a strea ing otherness" I stare& at it! seeing it as a foreign thing in our %orl&! a %ar$ing of our 'ery %orl&.s nature" *on&erously Aerity lo%ere& hi self to one knee" He stare& into that black lu inescence" I &i& not kno% if he hesitate& to say fare%ell to our %orl&! or if he $ause& to gather his %ill to &estroy hi self" -y %ill to resist %as sus$en&e&" This %as a &oor to an otherness I coul& not e'en i agine" Hunger an& curiosity &re% us closer to the brink" In the next o ent he $lunge& his han&s an& forear s into the uscle fro agic" as the hot I share& that su&&en kno%le&ge %ith hi " So I screa e& %ith hi current ate the flesh an& Yet it %as cro%&e& fro his face" -y link %ith hi that

his ar s" I s%ear I felt the aci& lick of it

across the bare& bones of his fingers an& %rist an& forear " I kne% his $ain" his features by the ra$turous s ile that o'er%hel e& %as su&&enly a clu sy thing that barre& e fro y o%n flesh to

sensing in full %hat he felt" I longe& to be besi&e hi ! to bare

agic ri'er" I share& his con'iction that he coul& en& all $ain if only he on his o'e& u$

%oul& gi'e in an& $lunge the rest of hi self into the strea " So easy" #ll he ha& to &o %as lean for%ar& a bit an& let go" He crouche& o'er the strea knees! s%eat &ri$$ing fro %hen it fell into the flo%" His hea& %as bo%e&! an& his shoul&ers an& &o%n %ith the strength of his $anting" Then he begge& tiny 'oice! 6*ull e back"7 his face only to &isa$$ear as tiny $uffs of stea e su&&enly! in a

1HH8

I ha& not ha& the strength to o$$ose his &eter ination" But %hen I 4oine& enough" He %as able to &ra% his forear s an& han&s free fro though it felt as if he &re% the out of soli& stone" It ga'e hi an& as he staggere& back I sense& in full for a

%ill to his an& together %e fought the terrible allure of the $o%er! it %as 4ust the stuff! u$ reluctantly

o ent %hat he ha& share&3

There %as the oneness of the %orl& flo%ing there! like a single s%eet note &ra%n $urely out" It %as not the song of hu anity but an ol&er! greater song of 'ast balances an& $ure being" Ha& Aerity surren&ere& to it! it %oul& ha'e en&e& all his tor ents" Instea&! he tottere& to his feet an& turne& a%ay fro it" He carrie& his forear s stretche& out before hi ! $al s u$! the fingers curle& into cu$s as if he begge& so ething" In sha$e they ha& not change&" But no% ar s an& fingers glea e& sil'er %ith the $o%er that ha& $enetrate& an& fuse& %ith his flesh" #s he began to %alk a%ay fro the strea %ith the sa e stu&ie& $ur$osefulness %ith %hich he ha& a$$roache& it! I felt ho% his ar s an& han&s burne& as if %ith frostbite" 6I &on.t un&erstan&!7 I sai& to hi " 6I &on.t %ant you to" 5ot yet"7 I felt a &uality in hi " The Skill burne& in hi like a forge/fire of incre&ible heat! but the strength of his bo&y %as only sufficient to kee$ hi fro %alking" It %as effortless for hi to to shiel& y in& the $ull of that ri'er no%" But for hi o'e his o%n bo&y u$ the $ath e" *lease"7 It %as no Skill an to

taxe& both his flesh an& his %ill" 6Fit1" 9o e to or&er this ti e! not e'en the co

an& of a $rince! only the $lea of a ore faith that %hat I

another" 6I ha'e no coterie! Fit1" Only you" If the coterie that Jalen create& for e ha& been true! then I %oul& ha'e Yet not only are they false to fear they ay %eaken ust &o is $ossible" e" They $eck at e e! but I e! but they seek to &efeat

like bir&s on a &ying buck" I &o not think their attacks can &estroy

e enough that I &o not succee&" Or %orse yet! that they

1HH<

ay &istract

e an& succee& in

y $lace" ;e cannot allo% that! boy" You an& an& their triu $h" You an& I" The Farseers"7 e an& lifte& one y y face" Di& he inten& %hat he &i&0 I &o not e& his shiel& into

I are all that stan& bet%een the terrible glea ing han& to cu$

I %as not there in any $hysical sense" Yet he s ile& at kno%" The 4olt %as as $o%erful as if a %arrior ha& sla

face" But not $ain" #%areness" =ike sunlight bursting through clou&s to illu inate a clearing in the forest" E'erything su&&enly stoo& out clearly! an& I sa% all the hi&&en reasons an& $ur$oses for %hat %e &i&! an& I un&erstoo& %ith a $ainful $urity of enlighten ent %hy it %as necessary I follo% the $ath before e" Then all %as gone! an& I &%in&le& off into blackness" Aerity %as gone an& co $leteness of it" Only I re aine& no%! but exist if I hel& on %ith all Fro y ight" So I &i&" ti e to y un&erstan&ing %ith hi " But for one brief instant! I ha& gli $se& the y self %as so tiny I coul& only

a %orl& a%ay I hear& Starling cry out in fear! 6;hat.s %rong %ith hi 07

#n& 9ha&e re$lie& gruffly! 6It.s only a sei1ure! such as he has fro I felt han&s gri$$ing an& restraining The Fool raise& $uckere& y e" I surren&ere&

ti e" His hea&! Fool! hol& his hea& or he.ll &ash his o%n brains out"7 Distantly yself to their care an& a sank into the &arkness" I ca e to! for a bit! so e ti e later" I recall little of it" y shoul&ers an& stea&ie& y hea& that I coul& &rink fro cu$ a concerne& 9ha&e hel& to y li$s" The fa iliar bitterness of elfbark e! li$s fol&e& in roun&!7 I hear&

outh" I ha& a gli $se of (ettle stan&ing o'er e" 6That shoul& bring hi

a tight line of &isa$$ro'al" Starling stoo& a%ay! her eyes huge as a cornere& ani al.s! not &eigning to touch 9ha&e say as I sank into a &ee$ slee$"

1HH?

The next

orning I arose early &es$ite e"

y $oun&ing hea& an& sought the baths"

I sli$$e& out so silently that the Fool &i& not %aken! but 5ighteyes arose an& ghoste& out %ith sense& ;here &i& you go! last night0 he &e an&e&! but I ha& no ans%er for hi " He y reluctance to think about it" I go to hunt no%! he infor e& e tartly" e at I a&'ise you to &rink but %ater after this" I assente& hu bly an& he left the &oor of the bathhouse" ;ithin %as the ineral stink of the hot %ater that bubble& u$ fro the earth" The -ountain folk tra$$e& it in great tanks! an& channele& it through $i$es to other tubs so that one ight choose the heat an& &e$th one %ishe&" I scrubbe& yself in the hottest %ater I coul& yself off in a %ashing tub! then sub erge&

stan& an& trie& not to recall the scal&ing of the Skill on Aerity.s forear s" I e erge& re& as a boile& crab" #t the cool en& of the bath but there! %ere se'eral re in&e& irrors on the %all" I trie& not to see y o%n face as I sha'e&" It e too 'i'i&ly of Aerity.s" So e of the gauntness ha& left it in the y bro% %as back an& sho%e& e'en y face! or to fin& y stea y scar y hair back in a %arrior.s tail" I %oul& not ha'e

last %eek or so! but the streak of %hite at ore $lainly %hen I boun& era&icate& an&

been sur$rise& to see Aerity.s han&$rint on But Regal.s scar on

y nose straightene&! such ha& been the $o%er of that touch" y face stoo& out $alli&ly against y re&&ene& face" y

5othing ha& i $ro'e& the broken nose" There %as no out%ar& sign of encounter last night at all" #gain an& again!

in& circle& back to that

o ent! to that touch of $urest $o%er" I fu ble& to recall it an& al ost coul&" But the absolute ex$erience of it! like $ain or $leasure! coul& not be recalle& in full! but only in $ale e ory" I kne% I ha& ex$erience& so ething extraor&inary" The $leasures of Skilling! %hich all Skill users %ere cautione&

1HHB

against! %ere like a tiny e ber co $are& to the bonfire of kno%ing! feeling! an& being that I ha& briefly share& last night" It ha& change& e" The anger I ha& been nursing to%ar& (ettricken an& 9ha&e y chil& but the entire situation fro all $ossible %as gutte&" I coul& fin& the e otion still! but I coul& not bring it back in force" I ha& briefly seen not only 'ie%s" There %as no in the alice in their intent! nor e'en selfishness" They belie'e& e feeling soulless" They %oul& take y

orality of %hat they &i&" I &i& not" But I coul& no longer &eny entirely -olly an& e" I coul& hate %hat they &i&! but I coul& not o ent" I looke& at yself in the

the sense of %hat they sought" It left chil& a%ay fro I shook focus that anger at the " y hea&! &ra%ing

yself back to the

irror! %on&ering ho% (ettricken %oul& see she look at

e" Di& she still see the young e! that the Fit1 she y scars" -y

an %ho ha& &ogge& Aerity.s ste$s an& so often ser'e& her at court0 Or %oul& y scarre& face an& think she &i& not kno% ha& kno%n %as gone0 ;ell! she kne% by no% ho% I ha& gaine& arks" I brace& in y ner'es! then turne& y back to the y back re in&e& irror" I looke& o'er y shoul&er" The center of in4ury in e of a sunken re& starfish y shoul&ers an& an& felt the y y s%or& ar

)ueen shoul& not be sur$rise&" I %oul& let her 4u&ge %ho stoo& behin& those

y flesh" #roun& it the skin %as tight an& shiny" I flexe&

%atche& the skin tug against the scar" I exten&e& shirt" I returne& to the Fool.s hut to clothe

tiny $ull of resistance there" ;ell! no sense %orrying about it" I $ulle& on yself afresh an& foun& to

y sur$rise y

that he %as &resse& an& rea&y to acco $any cot3 a %hite loose/slee'e& shirt of soft %ar

e" 9lothes %ere lai& out on

%ool! an& &ark leggings of a

1HHC

hea'ier %oolen %ea'e" There %as a short &ark surcoat to He tol& 6It suits you!7 the Fool obser'e&" He hi self ha& &resse&

atch the leggings" uch as he &i& e'ery

e that 9ha&e ha& left the " It %as all 'ery si $le an& $lain"

&ay! in a %oolen robe! but this one %as &ark blue %ith e broi&ery at the slee'es an& he " It %as closer to %hat I ha& seen the -ountain folk %ear" It accentuate& his $allor far ore than the %hite one ha&! an& a&e $lainer to y eyes the slight ta%niness his skin! eyes! an& hair %ere beginning to $ossess" His hair %as as fine as e'er" =eft to itself! it still see e& to float freely aroun& his face! but to&ay he %as bin&ing it back" 6I &i& not kno% (ettricken ha& su gri ly re$lie&! 6#ll the on you this one& you!7 I obser'e&! to %hich he yself" 9ha&e ca e to check ore reason to $resent

orning! an& %as concerne& to fin& you gone" I think he half fears

that you ha'e run off %ith the %olf again" But in case you ha& not! he left a essage for you" Other than those %ho ha'e been in this hut! no one in @haa $e has been tol& your true na e" -uch as it that the instrel ha& that heale&" Re e ber! you are To (ettricken feels she can s$eak before!7 I obser'e&" He chuckle&" 6You ha'e 'isite& here only briefly before this" Belie'e strangers here! %e are %ise to a'oi& being &ra%n into the ! as can"7 6Sa'e for the ones %e bring %ith us!7 I tol& hi ! an& he s ile& bitterly as he no&&e&" e! @haa $e bree&s intrigues e'ery bit as con'olute& as Buckkee$ &i&" #s uch as %e ust sur$rise you to fin& uch &iscretion" 5ot e'en the healer kno%s %ho she the she$her& until such ti e as Iueen ore $lainly to you" >n&erstan&07

I sighe&" I un&erstoo& all too %ell" 6I ne'er kne% @haa $e to host intrigue

1HHD

The &ay %as bright an& cris$" The sky gli $se& o'erhea& through the &ark e'ergreen boughs %as an en&less blue" # s all bree1e ran alongsi&e us! rattling &ry sno% crystals across the fro1en to$s of the sno%banks" The &ry sno% s)ueake& un&er our boots an& the col& roughly kisse& cheeks" Fro y freshly sha'en farther off in the 'illage! I coul& hear the shouts of chil&ren at e of seabir&s crying an& I su&&enly isse&

$lay" 5ighteyes $ricke& his ears to that! but continue& to sha&o% us" The s all 'oices in the &istance re in&e& the shores of Buck acutely" 6You ha& a sei1ure last night!7 the Fool sai& )uietly" It %as not )uite a )uestion" 6I kno%!7 I sai& briefly" 6(ettle see e& 'ery &istresse& by it" She )uestione& 9ha&e they %oul&! she %ent off in her corner" She sat there lou&ly an& $eering at hi finally left"7 I %on&ere& if Starling ha& staye&! but &i& not ask it" I &i& not e'en %ant to kno% %hy it attere& to e" 6;ho is (ettle07 the Fool aske& abru$tly" 6;ho is (ettle07 I aske&! startle&" 6I belie'e I 4ust sai& that"7 6(ettle is ,7 It su&&enly see e& o&& that I kne% so little about so eone I ha& tra'ele& %ith so long" 6I think she gre% u$ in Buck" #n& then she tra'ele&! an& stu&ie& scrolls an& $ro$hecies! an& returne& to seek the ;hite *ro$het"7 I shrugge& at the scantiness of 6Tell 6;hat07
1HHE

ost closely about

the herbs he $re$are& for you" #n& %hen they &i& not rouse you as he ha& sai& ost of the night! knitting e %hen they all &isa$$ro'ingly" It %as a relief to

y kno%le&ge"

e" Do you fin& her , $ortentous07

6Do you not feel there is so ething about her! so ething that ,7 He shook his hea& angrily" It %as the first ti e I ha& e'er seen the Fool searching for %or&s" 6So eti es! I feel she is significant" That she is %oun& u$ %ith us" Other ti es! she see s but a nosy ol& %o an %ith an unfortunate lack of taste in her choice of co $anions"7 6You 65o" I ean e!7 I laughe&" instrel"7 y $art! it is &isinterest" >nfortunately! she ake of it ean that interfering

6;hy &o you an& Starling &islike one another so07 I aske& tire&ly" 6It is not &islike! &ear Fit1y" On cannot concei'e of a her" She takes so e lack or fault in an %ho coul& look at her %ith no interest in be&&ing e" ;hilst I take offense at her $ro$rietary attitu&e

y si $le &is issal of her as an insult! an& stri'es to

to%ar& you" She has no true affection for Fit1! you kno%! only for being able to say she kne% Fit19hi'alry"7 I %as silent! fearing that %hat he sai& %as true" #n& so %e ca e to the $alace at @haa $e" It %as as unlike Buckkee$ as I coul& i agine" I ha'e hear& it sai& that the &%ellings at @haa $e o%e their origins to the &o e/sha$e& tents so e of the no a&ic tribes still use" The s aller &%ellings %ere still tent like enough that they &i& not startle its center$ole to%ere& i e as the $alace still &i&" The li'ing heart tree that %as ensely abo'e us" Other secon&ary trees ha& been su$$orts for the %alls" ;hen this li'ing ats of barkcloth ha& been &ra$e& gracefully

$atiently contorte& o'er years to for fra e%ork ha& been establishe&! o'er the to for

the basis for the s oothly cur'ing %alls" *lastere& %ith a ushroo ca$s" Des$ite its great si1e! the $alace see e& the rich soil of the ancient forest that

sort of clay an& then $ainte& in bright colors! the houses %oul& al%ays re in& e of tuli$ bu&s or sheltere& it"
1H1H

organic! as if it ha& s$route& u$ fro

Si1e

a&e it a $alace" There %ere no other out%ar& signs! no flags! no royal

guar&s flanking the &oors" 5o one sought to bar our entrance" The Fool o$ene& the car'e& %oo&/fra e& &oors of a si&e entrance! an& %e %ent in" I follo%e& hi as he threa&e& his %ay through a a1e of freestan&ing cha bers" Other roo s %ere on $latfor s abo'e us! reache& by la&&ers or! for the gran&er ones! staircases of %oo&" The %alls of the cha bers %ere fli sy things! %ith so e te $orary roo s of no ore than barkcloth ta$estries stretche& on fra e%orks" The insi&e of the $alace %as but only slightly %ar er than the forest outsi&e" The in&i'i&ual cha bers %ere heate& by freestan&ing bra1iers in the %inter" I follo%e& the Fool to a cha ber %hose outer %alls %ere &ecorate& %ith &elicate illustrations of %aterbir&s" This %as a Starling.s har$ fro %ithin an& the ore $er anent roo ! %ith sli&ing %oo&en &oors like%ise car'e& %ith bir&s" I coul& hear the notes of ur ur of lo% 'oices" He ta$$e& at the &oor! %aite& briefly! an& then sli& it o$en to a& it us" (ettricken %as %ithin! an& the Fool.s frien& @ofron an& se'eral other $eo$le I &i& not recogni1e" Starling sat on a lo% bench to one si&e! $laying softly %hile (ettricken an& the others e broi&ere& a )uilt on a fra e that al ost fille& the roo " # bright gar&en of flo%ers %as being create& on the )uilt to$" 9ha&e sat not far fro Starling" He %as &resse& in a %hite shirt an& &ark leggings %ith a long %ool 'est! gaily e broi&ere&! o'er the shirt" His hair %as $ulle& back in a gray %arrior.s tail! %ith the leather ban& on his bro% bearing the buck sigil" He looke& &eca&es younger than he ha& at Buckkee$" They! s$oke together softly than the usic" y ore

(ettricken looke& u$! nee&le in han&! an& greete& us cal ly" She intro&uce& e to the others as To ! an& $olitely aske& if I %ere reco'ering %ell fro in4ury" I tol& her I %as! an& she ba&e e be seate& an& rest yself a bit" The

1H11

Fool circle& the )uilt! co $li ente& @ofron on her stitchery! an& %hen she in'ite& hi ! he took a $lace besi&e her" He took u$ a nee&le an& floss! threa&e& it! an& began a&&ing butterflies of his o%n in'ention to one corner of the )uilt %hile he an& @ofron talke& softly of gar&ens they ha& kno%n" He see e& 'ery at ease" I felt at a loss! sitting i&ly in a roo %aite& for (ettricken to s$eak to eyes $ast et e as if %e %ere strangers" ostly ents on each other.s %ork" full of )uietly occu$ie& $eo$le" I y glance! looking e! but she %ent on %ith her %ork" Starling.s

ine an& she s ile& but stiffly" 9ha&e a'oi&e&

There %as con'ersation in the roo ! but it %as soft an& inter ittent! re)uests for a skein of threa& to be $asse&! or co e or $ai& e any in&" I %aite&"

Starling $laye& the ol& fa iliar Buck balla&s! but %or&lessly" 5o one s$oke to #fter a ti e! I began to %on&er if it %as a subtle for re ain relaxe&! but tension re$eate&ly built u$ in %oul& re e ber to unclench ti e for atten&ing y 4a%s an& loosen of $unish ent" I trie& to e" E'ery fe% inutes I any hours y shoul&ers" It took so e

e to see a si ilar anxiety in (ettricken" I ha& s$ent

y la&y in Buckkee$ %hen she ha& first co e to court" I ha& seen her

lethargic at her nee&le%ork! or li'ely in her gar&en! but no% she se%e& furiously! as if the fate of the Six Duchies &e$en&e& on her co $leting this )uilt" She %as thinner than I recalle&! the bones an& $lanes of her face sho%ing ore $lainly" Her hair! a year after she ha& cut it to There %ere lines in her face! aroun& her eyes an& The &o any ourn Aerity! %as still too outh! an& she fre)uently en sat u$ to in& to hunt short for her to confine it %ell" The $ale stran&s of it constantly cre$t for%ar&" che%e& on her li$s! a thing I ha& ne'er seen her &o before" orning see e& to &rag on! but finally one of the young ore to&ay" He aske& the %o an at his si&e if she ha& a
1H12

straight! then stretche& an& &eclare& his eyes %ere getting too %eary for hi

%ith hi

to&ay! an& she rea&ily agree&" #s if this %ere so e sort of signal! the ake their fare%ells to (ettricken" I %as

others began to rise an& stretch an&

struck at their fa iliarity %ith her! until I recalle& that here she %as not regar&e& as Iueen! but as e'entual Sacrifice to the -ountains" Her role a ong her o%n folk %oul& ne'er be seen as that of ruler! but as gui&e an& coor&inator" Her father (ing Eyo& %as kno%n a ongst his o%n folk as the Sacrifice! an& %as ex$ecte& to be e'er an& al%ays unselfishly a'ailable to his folk to hel$ in any %ay they Aerity ight re)uire" It %as a $osition that %as both less regal than that ore belo'e&" I %on&ere& i&ly if it ight not ha'e suite& of Buck royalty! an& 6Fit19hi'alry"7 I looke& u$ to (ettricken.s co ha& exclu&e& an&" Only she! I! Starling! 9ha&e! an& the y o%n here" The tone of one& e"7 Fool re aine& in the roo " I al ost looke& to 9ha&e for &irection" But his eyes e earlier" I sense& I %as on (ettricken.s 'oice 6Ex$lain yourself"7 The %in& outsi&e %as %ar er than her 'oice" I glance& u$ at her eyes" Blue ice" I lo%ere& y ga1e an& took a breath" 6Shall I re$ort! et! there %as no y )ueen07 6If it %ill ex$lain your failures! &o so"7 That startle& but though our glances e" -y eyes fle% to hers! iron ore in a a&e this a for al inter'ie%" I stoo& straight! an& then

ore to ha'e co e here an& been (ettricken.s consort"

anage& a rather stiff bo%" 6-y )ueen! you su

eeting" #ll the girl in (ettricken

ha& burne& a%ay! as the i $urities are burne& an& beaten fro ne$he%" She sat before feel that loss so keenly" Des$ite to y better 4u&g ent! I let ice cree$ into

foun&ry" ;ith it see e& to ha'e gone any feeling for her husban&.s bastar& e as ruler an& 4u&ge! not frien&" I ha& not ex$ecte& to y o%n 'oice" 6I shall sub it

y )ueen.s 4u&g ent on that!7 I offere&"

1H18

She %as

erciless" She ha&

e start not %ith

y o%n &eath! but &ays before

that! %hen %e ha& first begun $lotting to %hisk (ing Shre%& secretly fro Buckkee$ an& Regal.s reach" I stoo& before her! an& ha& to a& it that the 9oastal Dukes ha& a$$roache& e %ith the offer of recogni1ing e as (ing/in/ ;aiting rather than Regal" ;orse! I ha& to tell her that although I ha& refuse& that! I ha& $ro ise& to stan& %ith the ! assu ing the co %as as close to treason as an& of Buckkee$ e that it y 9astle an& the $rotection of Buck.s coast" 9ha&e ha& once %arne&

a&e no &ifference" But I %as tire& to &eath of all y o%n %or&s

secrets! an& I relentlessly bare& the " -ore than once I %ishe& Starling %ere not in the roo ! for I &rea&e& hearing &enouncing e" But if y $lace to )uestion it" So on I %ent! &o%n the %eary track of &ays" For the first ti e! she hear& fro e ho% (ing Shre%& ha& &ie& in to y ar s! an& ho% I ha& hunte& &o%n an& e" 6He ha& e beaten an& kille& both Serene an& @ustin in the Jreat Hall before e'eryone" ;hen it ca e y &ays in Regal.s &ungeon! she ha& no $ity on star'e&! an& I %oul& ha'e $erishe& there if I ha& not feigne& &eath!7 I sai&" It %as not goo& enough for her" 5o one! not e'en Burrich! ha& kno%n a full telling of those &ays" I steele& yself an& launche& into it" #fter a ti e! y 'oice began to shake" I faltere& in y telling" Then I looke& $ast her at the %all! took a breath! an& %ent on" I glance& at her once! to fin& her gone %hite as ice" I sto$$e& thinking of the e'ents behin& to Aerity fro Once y %or&s" I hear& y o%n 'oice &is$assionately relating all that ha& ha$$ene&" I hear& (ettricken &ra% in her breath %hen I s$oke of Skilling y cell" Other than that! there %as not a soun& in the roo " sitting! &eathly still! his 4a% set y eyes %an&ere& to 9ha&e" I foun& hi a&e into a song y )ueen &ee e& her %orthy of confi&ence! it %as not

as if he en&ure& so e tor ent of his o%n"

1H1<

I forge&

y %ay on through the story! telling %ithout 4u&g ent of agic that

y o%n

resurrection by Burrich an& 9ha&e! of the ;it

a&e it $ossible an& y 4ourneys in &etail! y

of the &ays that follo%e&" I tol& of our angry $arting! of

of the ti es %hen I coul& sense Aerity an& the brief 4oinings %e share&! of y soul his co y throat an& an& to co e to hi " On an& on!

atte $t on Regal.s life! an& e'en of ho% Aerity ha& un%ittingly i $lante& into y 'oice getting huskier as outh &rie& %ith the telling" I &i& not $ause nor rest until I ha& y final staggering trek into @haa $e" #n& %hen at last

finishe& telling her of

y full tale of &ays %as tol& out to her! I continue& to stan&! e $tie& an& %eary" So e $eo$le say there is a relief in the sharing of cares an& $ains" To e there %as no catharsis! only an unearthing of rotting cor$ses of to ask! 6Does y account excuse y failures! y )ueen07 ake no ention of e ories! a baring of still su$$urating %oun&s" #fter a ti e of silence! I foun& the cruelty But if I ha& thought to ren& her! I faile& there also" 6You your &aughter! Fit19hi'alry"7 It %as true" I ha& not Fear slice& through to y re$ort"7 ust!7 Iueen (ettricken sai& i $lacably" I force& yself to 6She ob'iously a&e ention of -olly an& the chil&" e like a col& bla&e" 6I ha& not thought of her as $ertaining

look at her" She clas$e& her han&s before her" Di& they tre ble! &i& she feel any re orse for %hat she sai& next0 I coul& not tell" 6Ji'en her lineage! she uch ore than F$ertains. to this &iscussion" I&eally! she shoul& be here! %here easure of safety to the Farseer heir"7 y 'oice" 6-y )ueen! you are istaken in na ing her so" to the throne" ;e are both on %e coul& guarantee a I i $ose& cal illegiti ate"7

5either I nor she ha'e any legiti ate clai

1H1?

(ettricken %as shaking her hea&" 6;e &o not consi&er %hat is or is not bet%een you an& her %hat you fe% ay clai other" ;e consi&er only her bloo&line" Irregar&less of her" I a chil&less"7 >ntil I for her! her lineage %ill clai

hear& her s$eak that %or& alou&! I &i& not gras$ %hat her &e$th of $ain %as" # o ents ago! I ha& thought her heartless" 5o% I %on&ere& if she %as ust be an heir to the Farseer throne" atter ho% they see e! co $letely sane any ore" Such %as the grief an& &es$air that one %or& con'eye&" She force& herself on" 6There 9ha&e has a&'ise& the sel'es" I a e that alone I cannot rally the $eo$le to $rotect ust fin& a %ay to unite the Six ust ha'e a

too foreign to their eyes still" But no

I re ain their )ueen" I ha'e a &uty to &o" I Duchies an& re$ulse the in'a&ers fro either" That

our shores" To &o that! they

lea&er" I ha& thought to offer you! but he has sai& that they %ill not acce$t you atter of your su$$ose& &eath an& use of Beast agic is too big an obstacle" That being so! there re ains only your chil& of the Farseer line" Regal has $ro'en false to his o%n bloo&" She! then! They %ill rally to her"7 I &are& to s$eak" 6She is only an infant! y )ueen" Ho% can she , 6 6She is a sy bol" It is all the $eo$le %ill re)uire of her right no%! that she exist" =ater! she %ill be their )ueen in truth"7 I felt as if she ha& knocke& the %in& fro sen&ing 9ha&e to fetch her here! %here she >nfortunately! %e ust $resent the chil& as e" She s$oke on" 6I shall be aybe ke$t safe an& $ro$erly other to be %ith her" ine! so eho%" Ho% I hate such ust be Sacrifice for our $eo$le"

e&ucate& as she gro%s"7 She sighe&" 6I %oul& like her &ece$tions" But 9ha&e has con'ince& be able to con'ince your &aughter.s shall ha'e to say that %e sai&

e of the necessity" I ho$e he %ill also other"7 -ore to herself! she a&&e&! 6;e ake Regal belie'e

y chil& %as stillborn to

1H1B

there %as no heir to threaten" -y $oor little son" His $eo$le %ill ne'er e'en kno% he %as born" #n& that! I su$$ose! is ho% he is Sacrifice for the "7 I foun& outrage& necessary! return hi you"7 6Shall he0 ;ill %e0 ;ill they07 #l ost she shook her hea& in &enial" 6It be! Fit19hi'alry" But for too long I $ut things ust be ay y faith in belie'ing that things %oul& yself looking at (ettricken closely! an& fin&ing there re aine& 'ery e" Yet y 'oice %as gentle as I aske&! 6;hy is any of this an& &o all I can to little of the Iueen I ha& kno%n at Buckkee$" I hate& %hat she %as saying+ it y )ueen0 (ing Aerity li'es" I shall fin& hi

to you" Together! you shall rule at Buckkee$! an& your chil&ren after

turn out as they shoul&" I %ill not fall $rey to those ex$ectations again" So e a&e certain before further risks can be taken" #n heir to the et y eyes cal ly" 6I ha'e a&e u$ the Farseer line ust be assure&"7 She

&eclaration an& gi'en a co$y to 9ha&e! %ith another to be ke$t safely here" Your chil& is heir to the throne! Fit19hi'alry"7 I ha& been kee$ing onths! I ha& lure& clai y &aughter as y soul intact %ith a tiny ho$e for so long" For so any yself along %ith the i&ea that %hen all %as o'er an& y o%n" Other en ight &rea of high honors or %ork! y han&s e

&one! I coul& so eho% go back to -olly an& %in again her lo'e! that I coul& riches or &ee&s of 'alor sung by instrels" I %ante& to co e to a s all cot as y back aching fro y la$ %hile a %o an %ho lo'e&

light fa&e&! to sit in a chair by a fire! rough %ith toil! an& hol& a little girl in tol&

e of her &ay" Of all the things I ha& e'er ha& to gi'e u$ si $ly by 'irtue an %ho ha& lie& to her! %ho ha& left her %ith her as

of the bloo& I carrie&! that %as the &earest" -ust I no% surren&er that0 -ust I beco e to -olly fore'er the %ell0
1H1C

chil& an& ne'er returne&! an& then cause& that chil& to be stolen fro

I ha& not

eant to s$eak alou&" I &i& not reali1e I ha& until the Iueen re$lie&"

6That is %hat it is to be Sacrifice! Fit19hi'alry" 5othing can be hel& back for oneself" 5othing"7 6I %ill not ackno%le&ge her! then"7 The %or&s burne& the " 6I %ill not clai her as ine"7 her as ine" 5o &oubt she %ill carry the 6You nee& not! for I shall clai y tongue to s$eak

Farseer looks" Your bloo& is strong" For our $ur$oses! it is sufficient that I kno% the chil& is yours" You ha'e alrea&y ackno%le&ge& that to Starling the instrel" To her you sai& you ha& fathere& a chil& %ith -olly! a can&le aker fro Buckkee$ To%n" In all of the Six Duchies! the %itness of a instrel is recogni1e& by la%" She has alrea&y set her han& to the &ocu ent! %ith her oath that she kno%s the chil& to be a true Farseer" Fit19hi'alry!7 she %ent on! an& her 'oice %as al ost kin&! though y ears rang to hear her %or&s an& I near reele& %here I stoo&" 65o one can esca$e fate" 5ot you! nor your &aughter" Ste$ back an& see this is %hy she ca e to be" ;hen all circu stances cons$ire& to &eny the Farseer line an heir! so eho% one %as yet you" #cce$t! an& en&ure"7 They %ere the %rong %or&s" She looke& aroun& at the They %ere silent" 6You %ant your king!7 I sai& to (ettricken" I %aite& until I sa% assent in her face" 6I %ant y chil&!7 I sai& )uietly" 6;hat are you saying07 (ettricken &e an&e& col&ly" ight ha'e been raise& to the ! but I ha& y eyes an& y face but their been tol&! 6The fight is not o'er until you ha'e %on it"7 I lifte& all" I &on.t kno% %hat they sa% on faces beca e still" 6I can fin& Aerity!7 I sai& )uietly" 6#n& I %ill"7 a&e" By

1H1D

6I a

saying that I %ant the sa e things you &o" I %ish to be %ith the one I et her eyes" 6Tell e I can ha'e that" It is

lo'e! to raise our chil& %ith her"7 I all I ha'e e'er %ante&"7 She et y eyes s)uarely" 6I cannot

ake you that $ro ise! Fit19hi'alry" She her"7 y

is too i $ortant for si $le lo'e to clai The %or&s struck choices! other %ays"

e as both utterly absur& an& co $letely true" I bo%e&

hea& in %hat %as not assent" I stare& a hole into the floor! trying to fin& other 6I kno% %hat you %ill say next!7 (ettricken sai& bitterly" 6That if I clai chil& for the throne! you %ill not hel$ an& %ell! kno%ing that this %ill se'er hi out on y o%n" I ha'e the e fro your hel$" I a your

e fin& Aerity" I ha'e consi&ere& long $re$are& to seek

a$" So eho%! I shall ,7 yself slo%ly shaking y

6(ettricken"7 I cut into her s$eech %ith her na e sai& )uietly! bereft of her title" I ha& not eant to" I sa% it startle& her" I foun& y king" 5o hea&" 6You &o not un&erstan&" ;ere -olly stan&ing here before &aughter! still I %oul& ha'e to seek atter ho% I a %ronge&" Still! I ust seek Aerity"7 e %ith our e! no

atter %hat is &one to

-y %or&s change& the faces in the roo " 9ha&e lifte& his hea& an& looke& at e %ith fierce $ri&e shining in his eyes" (ettricken turne& asi&e! blinking at tears" I think she legen&" But in to ser'e hi Skill" e there %as the o'erri&ing hunger for the absolute" Aerity ha& sho%n it y king.s Skill/co an& an& as I ha& 'o%e&" But another call beckone& e no% as %ell" The e! in its $ure $hysical for " I %oul& ans%er ay ha'e felt slightly asha e&" To the Fool! I %as once ore his 9atalyst" In Starling there bloo e& the ho$e that I ight still be %orthy of a

1H1E

9H#*TER T;E5TY/THREE The -ountains O5E -IJHT S>**OSE that the -ountain (ing&o ! %ith its s$arse ha lets an& scattere& folk! %as a ne% real region a king&o is truly a but recently gathere& together" In truth! its history far $re&ates any of the %ritten recor&s of the Six Duchies" To call this isno er" In ancient ti es! the &i'erse hunters! her&ers! an& far ers! both no a&ic an& settle&! gra&ually ga'e their allegiance to a @u&ge! a %o an of great %is&o ! %ho resi&e& at @haa $e" #lthough this $erson has co e to be calle& the (ing or Iueen of the -ountains by outsi&ers! to the resi&ents of the -ountain (ing&o ! he or she is still the Sacrifice! the one %ho is %illing to gi'e all! e'en life! for the sake of those %ho are rule&" The first @u&ge %ho li'e& at @haa $e as no% a sha&o%y figure of legen&! her &ee&s kno%n only by the songs of her that -ountain folk still sing" Yet ol& as those songs are! there is an e'en ol&er ru or of a ore ancient ruler an& ca$ital city" The -ountain (ing&o ! as %e kno% it to&ay! consists al ost entirely of the %an&ering folk an& settle ents on the eastern flanks of the -ountains" Beyon& the -ountains lie the icy shores that bor&er the ;hite Sea" So e fe% tra&e routes still ean&er through the shar$ teeth of the -ountains to reach the hunting folk %ho li'e in that sno%y $lace" To the south of the -ountains are the unsettle& forests of the Rain ;il&s! an& so e%here the source of the Rain Ri'er that is the tra&e boun&ary of the 9halce& States" These are the only lan&s an& folks that ha'e been truly charte& beyon& the -ountains" Yet there ha'e al%ays been legen&s of another lan&! one locke& an& lost in the $eaks beyon& the -ountain (ing&o " #s one tra'els &ee$er in the -ountains! $ast the boun&aries of the folk %ho o%e allegiance to @haa $e! the lan&
1H2H

beco es e'en

ore rugge& an& unyiel&ing" Sno% ne'er lea'es the taller $eaks! cracks in the ountains an& that the earth

an& so e 'alleys host only glacial ice" In so e areas! it is sai& that great stea s an& s okes $our u$ fro ay tre ble )uietly or %rench itself in 'iolent shakings" There are fe% reasons for anyone to 'enture into that region of scree an& cliffs" Hunting is easier an& ore $rofitable on the greener slo$es of the gra1ing to lure any she$her&.s flocks" Regar&ing that lan&! %e ha'e the usual tales that &istant lan&s s$a%n" Dragons an& giants! ancient tu ble&o%n cities! sa'age unicorns! treasure hoar&s an& secret a$s! &usty streets $a'e& %ith gol&! 'alleys of eternal s$ring %here the the groun&! &angerous sorcerers s$ell/locke& in %ater rises stea ing fro ountains" There is insufficient

ca'es of ge s an& ancient slee$ing e'ils e be&&e& in the earth" #ll are sai& to resi&e in the ancient! na eless lan& beyon& the boun&aries of the -ountain (ing&o " (ettricken truly ha& ex$ecte& &ays of e to refuse to hel$ her search for Aerity" In the on her ustere& su$$lies an& ani als" In the Six

y con'alescence she ha& &eter ine& she %oul& seek for hi

o%n! an& to that en& she ha&

Duchies! a )ueen %oul& ha'e ha& the royal treasury to &ra% on! as %ell the enforce& largesse of her nobles" Such %as not the case in the -ountain (ing&o " Here! %hile (ing Eyo& re aine& ali'e! she %as no hi so e&ay! it ga'e her no right to co ore than a younger relati'e of the Sacrifice" ;hile it %as ex$ecte& that she %oul& succee& an& the %ealth of her $eo$le" In truth! e'en %ere she Sacrifice! she %oul& ha'e not ha& access to riches an& resources" The Sacrifice an& his i e&iate fa ily li'e& si $ly %ithin their beautiful &%elling" #ll of @haa $e! the $alace! the gar&ens! the fountains! all

1H21

belonge& to the folk of the -ountain (ing&o " The Sacrifice &i& not %ant for anything! but neither &i& he $ossess excess" So (ettricken turne& not to royal coffers an& nobles eager to curry fa'or! but to ol& frien&s an& cousins for %hat she nee&e&" She ha& a$$roache& her father! but he ha& tol& her! fir ly but sa&ly! that fin&ing the (ing of the Six Duchies %as her concern! not that of the -ountain (ing&o " -uch as he grie'e& %ith his &aughter o'er the &isa$$earance of the su$$lies fro Duchies" Such %as the bon& bet%een the %ith un&erstan&ing" It sha e& not nursing an she lo'e&! he coul& not &i'ert fro Regal of the Six that she coul& acce$t his refusal &efen&ing the -ountain (ing&o

e to think of the rightful Iueen of the Six

Duchies turning to the charity of her relati'es an& frien&s" But only %hen I %as y resent ent to%ar& her" ine" I a$$ro'e& of e on She ha& &esigne& the ex$e&ition to her con'enience! not so e as$ects of it! but or frien&shi$" There %ere

little of it" In the fe% &ays before %e &e$arte&! she &eigne& to consult

y o$inions %ere o'erri&&en as often as they %ere any areas %here %e &isagree&! an& %hen %e &i&! y 4u&g ent in ight! the

listene& to" ;e s$oke to one another ci'illy! %ithout the %ar th of either anger she &i& as she 4u&ge& %isest" >ns$oken but i $lie& %as that the $ast ha& been faulty an& shortsighte&" I %ante& no beasts of bur&en that ;it left ight star'e an& free1e" Block as I e 'ulnerable to their $ain" (ettricken! ho%e'er! ha& $rocure& half a in& sno% an& col&! an& bro%se& e of long necke& goats %ith

&o1en creatures that she clai e& &i& not

rather than gra1e&" They %ere 4e$$as! creatures nati'e to so e of the re oter $arts of the -ountain (ing&o " They re in&e& enough to ake the $a%s instea& of hoo'es" I ha& s all faith that they %oul& be able to carry %orth the nuisance of &ealing %ith the " (ettricken tol& e cal ly that I %oul& soon get use& to the "
1H22

It all &e$en&s on ho% they taste! 5ighteyes suggeste& $hiloso$hically" I %as $rone to agree %ith hi " Her choice of co $anions for the ex$e&ition irke& e e'en ore" I sa% no sense to her risking herself! but on that $oint I kne% better than to argue" I resente& Starling.s going! once I &isco'ere& %hat she ha& bargaine& to be allo%e& to go" Her reason %as still to fin& a song that %oul& only if she %ere allo%e& to go %oul& she chil& %as stoutly ake her re$utation" She ha& bought her $lace in our grou$ by her uns$oken tra&e that ake %ritten recor& that -olly.s e! an& %isely a'oi&e& ine also" She kne% I felt she ha& betraye&

y co $any after that" ;ith us %oul& go three cousins of (ettricken.s! all big! uscle& folk %ell $ractice& in tra'eling through the -ountains" It e that if six %ere not enough to %oul& not be a large $arty" (ettricken assure&

fin& Aerity! then six hun&re& %oul& not suffice" I agree& %ith her that it %as easier to su$$ly a s aller $arty+ an& that often they tra'ele& faster than large grou$s" 9ha&e %as not to be of our $arty" He %as going back to Buckkee$! to bear the ti&ings to *atience that (ettricken %oul& seek out Aerity! an& to $lant the see&s of ru or that there %as! in&ee&! an heir to the Six Duchies throne" He %oul& also be seeing Burrich an& -olly an& the chil&" He ha& offere& to let -olly an& *atience an& Burrich kno% that I %as still ali'e" The offer ha& co e a%k%ar&ly! for he kne% full %ell that I hate& the $art he ha& $laye& in clai ing hi nothing of ha& alrea&y y &aughter for the throne" But I s%allo%e& y anger an& s$oke to $olitely an& %as re%ar&e& %ith his sole n $ro ise that he %oul& say e to any of the " #t the ti e it see e& like the %isest course" I ourne& e as &ea& once" If I &i& not sur'i'e this )uest! she ore than she ha&"
1H28

felt that only I coul& fully ex$lain to -olly %hy I ha& acte& as I ha&" #n& she %oul& not grie'e any

9ha&e ca e to bi&

e fare%ell the night he left for Buck" #t first %e both trie& e of Slink.s &eath" I to

to $reten& that all %as %ell bet%een us" ;e talke& of s all things that ha& once attere& to both of us" I felt genuine loss %hen he tol& trie& to talk hi into taking Ru&&y an& Sooty %ith hi ! to return the

Burrich.s care" Ru&&y nee&e& a fir er han& than he %as getting! an& the stallion coul& be far ore than trans$ortation to Burrich" His stu& ser'ice coul& ore %ealth to co e" But ust tra'el s%iftly an& attract no attention" ount" Ba&/te $ere& as he %as! he e! 'ery s%ift in a chase o'er ba& be sol& or tra&e&! an& Sooty.s foal re$resente& 9ha&e shook his hea& an& sai& he One

an %ith three horses %as a target for ban&its if nothing else" I ha& seen

the 'icious little gel&ing 9ha&e ha& for a %as tough an& agile an&! 9ha&e assure&

terrain" He grinne& as he sai& it! an& I kne% that that $articular ability of the horse ha& been %ell teste&" The Fool %as right! I thought then bitterly" ;ar an& intrigue &i& agree %ith hi " I looke& at hi ! in his tall boots an& s%irling cloak! at the ra $ant buck he %ore so o$enly on his bro% abo'e his green eyes! an& trie& to e)uate hi %ith the gentle/han&e& ol& an %ho ha& schoole& e in ho% to kill $eo$le" His years %ere there still! but he carrie& the &ifferently" *ri'ately I %on&ere& %hat &rugs he use& to $rolong his energy" Yet as &ifferent as he %as! he %as still 9ha&e" I %ante& to reach out to hi coul& not un&erstan& yself" Ho% coul& his o$inion still y chil& an& atter so an& kno% that there %as still a bon& of so e kin& bet%een us! but I coul& not" I uch to e! %hen I kne% he %as %illing to take y ha$$iness for the

sake of the Farseer throne0 I felt it as a %eakness in only a boyish sulkiness that ke$t %ishing hi chil&ish"
1H2<

yself that I coul& not fin&

the strength of %ill to hate hi " I reache& for that hatre&! an& ca e u$ %ith e fro clas$ing his han& at his &e$arture or a&e e feel e'en ore %ell" He ignore& y surliness! %hich

#fter he %as gone! the Fool ga'e

e the leather sa&&lebag he ha& left for

e"

Insi&e %as a 'ery ser'iceable sheath knife! a s all $ouch of coins! an& a selection of $oisons an& healing herbs! inclu&ing a generous su$$ly of elfbark" ;ra$$e& an& carefully labele& that it shoul& be use& only %ith the greatest caution an& in greatest nee& %as a s all $a$er of carris see&" In a battere& leather sheath %as a $lain but ser'iceable shorts%or&" I felt a su&&en anger at hi that I coul& not ex$lain" 6It is so ty$ical of hi !7 I exclai e&! an& &u $e& e" This is still ho% he sees e" Death is all he can i agine il&ly" the bag out on the table for the Foot to %itness" 6*oison an& kni'es" That is %hat he thinks of for e"7 on yourself!7 the Fool obser'e& the arionette he %as stringing" 6*erha$s he

6I &oubt he ex$ecte& you to use the He $ushe& the knife a%ay fro thought you ight use the

to $rotect yourself"7 any longer" He

6Don.t you un&erstan&07 I &e an&e& of hi " 6These are gifts for the boy 9ha&e taught to be an assassin" He can.t see that isn.t %ho I a can.t forgi'e 6#ny e for %anting a life of y o%n"7 for no longer being your bene'olent an& the ore than you can forgi'e hi

in&ulgent tutor!7 the Fool obser'e& &ryly" He %as knotting the strings fro control $a&&les to the hi

arionette.s li bs" 6It.s a bit of a threat! isn.t it! to see

stri&e about like a %arrior! $utting hi self 4oyfully in &anger for

so ething he belie'es in! flirting %ith %o en! an& generally acting as if he.& clai e& a life of his o%n for hi self07 It %as like a &ash of col& %ater in the face" #l ost! I ha& to a& it that 9ha&e ha& bol&ly sei1e& %hat still elu&e& snarle& at the Fool" The arionette he %as %orking on %agge& a rebuking finger at e %hile the Fool s irke& at e o'er his hea&" It ha& an uncanny rese blance to Ratsy"
1H2?

y 4ealousy

e" 6That isn.t it at all:7 I

6;hat I see!7 he obser'e& to no one in $articular! 6is that it is not Aerity.s buck hea& he %ears on his bro%" 5o! the sigil he chose is rese blance07 I %as silent for a ti e" Then! 6;hat of it07 I aske& gru&gingly" The Fool s%ung his arionette to the floor! %here the bony creature shrugge& ur&ere& &i& anger flare u$ arionette %agge& a finger at y sake0 ;hen the last thing I eerily" 65either (ing Shre%&.s &eath nor Aerity.s su$$ose& &eath flushe& that %easel out of hi&ing" Only %hen he belie'e& you in hi e" 6#re you trying to! say he &oes this for %oul& %ish is to see the throne clai The e! for y chil&07 hot enough for hi %oul& yet see a true Farseer on the throne"7 The to fling asi&e all hi&ing an& $retense an& &eclare he ore like one! oh! let e see! one that *rince Aerity chose for his bastar& ne$he%" Do not you see a

arionette crosse& its ar s an& %agge& its hea& thoughtfully" 6It see s to

e that 9ha&e has al%ays &one %hat he thought %as best for you" ;hether you agree& or not" *erha$s he exten&s that to your &aughter" She %oul& be! after all! his gran&niece! an& the last li'ing re nant of his bloo&line" Exclu&ing Regal an& yourself! of course"7 The you ex$ect a arionette &ance& a fe% ste$s" 6Ho% else %oul& an that ol& to $ro'i&e for a chil& so young0 He &oes not ex$ect it"7

to li'e fore'er" *erha$s he thought she %oul& be safer astri&e a throne than ri&&en o'er by another %ho %ishe& to clai I turne& a%ay fro %ash" It %oul& take the Fool an& a&e so e $retense of gathering clothing to

e a long ti e to think through %hat he ha& sai&"

I %as %illing to acce$t (ettricken.s choice of tents an& clothing for her ex$e&ition! an& honest enough to be grateful that she sa% fit to $ro'i&e for clothing an& shelter as %ell" Ha& she exclu&e&
1H2B

e totally fro

her entourage! I

coul& not ha'e co $letely faulte& her" Instea&! @ofron ca e one &ay bearing a stack of clothing an& be&&ing for e! an& to easure y feet for the sack like boots the -ountain folk fa'ore&" She $ro'e& erry co $any! for she an& the

Fool exchange& $layful barbs all the %hile" His fluency in 9hyur&a excee&e& y o%n! an& at ti es I %as har& $resse& to follo% the con'ersation! %hile half of the Fool.s %or&$lays esca$e& e" I %on&ere& in $assing exactly %hat %ent on bet%een those t%o" ;hen I ha& first arri'e&! I ha& thought her so e sort of &isci$le to hi " 5o% I %on&ere& if she ha& not affecte& that interest si $ly as an excuse to be near hi " Before she left! she an& aske& hi boots" 65e% boots07 I aske& hi He ga'e kno% I after she ha& gone" 6#s little as you 'enture outsi&e! erri ent fa&e& fro his face" 6You I %oul& scarcely think you nee& the "7 e a le'el look" The recent ust go %ith you!7 he $ointe& out cal ly" He s ile& an o&& s ile" easure& the Fool.s feet as %ell! )uestions as to %hat colors an& tri s he %ishe& %orke& into the

6;hy else &o you think %e ha'e been brought together in this far $lace0 It is by the interaction of the 9atalyst an& the ;hite *ro$het that the e'ents of this ti e shall be returne& to their $ro$er course" I belie'e that if %e succee&! the Re&/Shi$s %ill be &ri'en fro a throne"7 6That %oul& see $lague of the to fit ost of the $ro$hecies!7 (ettle agree& fro her hearth corner" She %as tying off the last ro% of knitting on a thick that %oul& fit another $ro$hecy as %ell"7 (ettle.s knack of $ro'i&ing a $ro$hecy for e'ery occasion %as beginning to grate on e" I took a breath! an& then aske& the Fool! 6#n& %hat &oes Iueen (ettricken say about your 4oining her $arty07
1H2C

the Six Duchies coast! an& a Farseer %ill inherit

itten" 6If the

in&less hunger is Forging! an& your actions $ut a sto$ to that!

6I ha'en.t &iscusse& it %ith her!7 he re$lie& blithely" 6I a Ia

not 4oining her! Fit1"

follo%ing you"7 # sort of be use ent ca e o'er his face" 6I ha'e kno%n aking $re$arations since

since I %as a chil& that together %e shoul& &o this task" It ha& not occurre& to e to )uestion that I %oul& go %ith you" I ha'e been the &ay you arri'e& here"7 6#s ha'e I!7 (ettle obser'e& )uietly" ;e both turne& to stare at her" She feigne& not to notice as she trie& on the itten an& a& ire& its fit" 65o"7 I s$oke bluntly" Ba& enough to look for%ar& to &ying $ack ani als" I %as not going to %itness the &eath of another frien&" It %as too ob'ious to 'oice that she %as ho$elessly too ol& for such a trek" 6I thought you eal an&G7 6I ex$ect to &ie on the 4ourney! if it.s any co fort to you"7 She took off the itten an& set it %ith its ate" 9asually she ins$ecte& %hat %as left of her e before then" I.'e a&e skein of %ool" She began to cast on stitches! the yarn flo%ing effortlessly through her fingers" 6#n& you nee&n.t %orry about $ro'ision for I.ll nee&"7 She glance& u$ at I ha& to a& ire her cal e fro yself" Done a bit of tra&ing! an& I ha'e the foo& an& such that her nee&les! an& a&&e& )uietly! 6I ha'e ight stay here! in y ho e!7 the Fool offere& ore gently" 6There is $lenty of fire%oo& for the rest of the %inter an& so e su$$lies of

the %here%ithal to see this 4ourney through to the en&"7 assu $tion that her life %as still her o%n! to &o %ith as she %ishe&" I %on&ere& %hen I ha& begun to think of her as a hel$less ol& %o an that so eone %oul& ha'e to look after no%" She looke& back &o%n to her knitting" 5ee&lessly! for her fingers continue& to %ork %hether she %atche& the that"
1H2D

or not" 6I see you un&erstan&

e!7 she sai& )uietly" #n& that %as

I ha'e ne'er kno%n any ex$e&ition to get off exactly as $lanne&" Jenerally! the larger one is! the ore &ifficulties it has" Ours %as no exce$tion" The orning before %e %ere sche&ule& to &e$art! I %as ru&ely shaken out of 6Jet u$! Fit1! %e ha'e to lea'e no%!7 (ettricken sai& tersely" I sat u$ slo%ly" I %as %i&e a%ake instantly! but encourage looking e to y healing back still &i& not o'e s%iftly" The Fool %as sitting on the e&ge of his be&! uch 'eno in one %or&" Her face %as 'ery y slee$"

ore anxious than I ha& e'er seen hi " 6;hat is it07 I &e an&e&"

6Regal"7 I ha& ne'er hear& so un&er a truce flag to

%hite an& she knotte& an& unknotte& her fists at her si&e" 6He has sent a courier y father! saying that %e harbor a kno%n traitor to the Six Duchies" He says that if %e release you to hi ! he %ill see it as a sign of goo& faith %ith the Six Duchies an& %ill not consi&er us an ene y" But if %e &o not! he %ill loose the troo$s he has $oise& on our bor&ers! for he %ill kno% that %e $lot %ith his ene ies against hi !7 She $ause&" 6-y father is consi&ering %hat to &o"7 6(ettricken! I a to but the excuse!7 I $roteste&" -y heart %as ha ering in y chest" 5ighteyes %hine& anxiously" 6You because he $lans to ust kno% it has taken hi no onths

ass those troo$s" They are not there because I a

here" They are in $lace atter %hat" You e o'er to hi "

o'e against the -ountain (ing&o

kno% Regal" It is all a bluff to see if he can get you to turn Once you &o! he %ill fin& so e other $retext to attack"7 6I a

not a si $leton!7 she sai& col&ly" 6Our %atchers ha'e kno%n of the ountains ha'e been our strongest &efense" But ne'er before ha'e ust

troo$s for %eeks" ;e ha'e been &oing %hat %e can to $re$are oursel'es" #l%ays our He %e confronte& an organi1e& foe in such nu bers" -y father is Sacrifice! Fit1" ust &o %hate'er %ill best ser'e the -ountain (ing&o " So no% he $on&er if by turning you o'er! he %ill ha'e a chance to treat %ith Regal" Do not
1H2E

think

y father is stu$i& enough to trust hi " But the longer he can &elay an

attack against his $eo$le! the better $re$are& they %ill be"7 6It soun&s as if there is little left to &eci&e!7 I sai& bitterly" 6There %as no reason for y father to ake e $ri'y to the courier.s et ine essage!7 (ettricken obser'e&" 6The &ecision is his"7 Her eyes

s)uarely! an& hel& a sha&o% of our ol& frien&shi$" 6I think $erha$s he offers e a chance to s$irit you a%ay" Before I %oul& be &efying his or&ers to turn you o'er to Regal" *erha$s he thinks to tell Regal you ha'e esca$e& but he inten&s to track you &o%n"7 Behin& (ettricken! the Fool %as $ulling on leggings un&er his nightshirt" 6It %ill be har&er than I ha& $lanne&!7 (ettricken confi&e& in Starling" #lone" #n& %e 6-eet ust lea'e no%! %ithin the hour"7 e" 6I cannot e! an& in'ol'e any other -ountain folk in this" It %ill ha'e to be you! 6I.ll be rea&y!7 I $ro ise& her" e behin& @oss.s %oo&she&!7 she sai&! an& left" e07 he &e an&e&" I looke& at the Fool" 6So" Do %e tell (ettle07 6;hy are you asking I ga'e a s all shrug" Then I got u$ an& began &ressing hastily" I thought of all the s all %ays in %hich I %as not $re$are& an& then ga'e it u$ as useless" In a 'ery short ti e! the Fool an& I shoul&ere& our $acks" 5ighteyes rose! stretche& thoroughly! an& %ent to the &oor to $rece&e us" I shall the hunting %ill be better" He acce$te& all so cal ly" The Fool took a careful look aroun& the hut! an& then close& the &oor behin& us" 6That.s the first $lace I.'e e'er li'e& that %as solely %e %alke& a%ay fro 6You lea'e so it" ine!7 he obser'e& as iss the fire$lace" But

uch behin& to &o this!7 I sai& a%k%ar&ly! thinking of his tools!

his half/finishe& $u$$ets! e'en the $lants gro%ing insi&e by the %in&o%"
1H8H

Des$ite

yself! I felt res$onsible for it" *erha$s it %as because I %as so gla& e an& shrugge&" 6I take yself %ith e" That.s all I truly

that I %as not going on alone" He glance& o'er at nee&! or o%n"7 He glance& back at the &oor he ha& $ainte& hi self" 6@ofron %ill take goo& care of it" #n& of (ettle! too"7 I %on&ere& if he left behin& ore than I kne%" ;e %ere nearly to the %oo&she& %hen I sa% so e chil&ren racing &o%n the $ath to%ar& us" 6There he is:7 one crie&! $ointing" I shot a startle& glance at the Fool! then brace& yself! %on&ering %hat %as to co e" Ho% coul& one &efen& oneself against chil&ren0 #t a loss! I a%aite& the attack" But the %olf &i& not %ait" He sank lo% to his belly in the sno%! e'en his tail flat" #s the chil&ren close& the &istance! he su&&enly shot for%ar& straight at the lea&er" 65O:7 I crie& alou& in horror! but none of the $a%s struck the boy.s chest! to &ri'e hi after another he caught u$ %ith the %ith the %olf an& tongue lolling" He felle& the shoul&er at all again! t%ice ore! before he halte& in one of his racing loo$s" He %atche& the chil&ren getting to their feet! then glance& o'er his e" He fol&e& his ears &o%n abashe&ly! then looke& back to the %ith a stri$ of leather! chil&ren! his tail %agging lo%" One girl %as alrea&y &igging a chunk of fatbrea& out of her $ocket %hile another tease& hi snaking it o'er the sno% an& trying to get hi feigne& not to notice" I.ll catch u$ %ith you later! he offere&"
1H81

$ai&

e any hee&" The %olf.s front

&o%n har& in the sno%" In a flash o%e& the &o%n" By the ti e he.&

5ighteyes %as u$ an& after the others! %ho fle&! shrieking %ith laughter as one an& felle& the last one! the first boy %as u$ an& after hi ! 'ainly trying to kee$ u$ aking %il& grabs at his tail as 5ighteyes flashe& by hi !

in'ol'e& in a tug/of/%ar" I

5o &oubt! I tol& hi

&ryly" The Fool an& I ke$t %alking" I glance& back once

to see the %olf! teeth set in the leather an& all four feet brace& %hile t%o boys &ragge& at the other en& of it" I sur ise& that I no% kne% ho% he ha& been s$en&ing his afternoons" I think I felt a $ang of en'y" (ettricken %as alrea&y %aiting" Six la&en 4e$$as %ere ro$e& together in a train" I %ishe& no% I ha& taken the ti e to learn aske& in &is ay" 6It %oul& take too long to un$ack the loa&s an& re$ack %ith only %hat %e nee&" *erha$s later %e.ll aban&on the extra su$$lies an& ani als" But for no%! I si $ly %ish to be gone as soon as $ossible"7 6Then let.s lea'e!7 I suggeste&" (ettricken looke& $ointe&ly at the Fool" 6;hat are you &oing here0 ;ishing Fit1 fare%ell07 6I go %here he goes!7 the Fool sai& )uietly" The Iueen looke& at hi an& so ething in her face al ost softene&" 6It %ill be the col& on the %ay col&! Fool" I ha'e not forgotten ho% you suffere& fro @haa $e"7 6I go %here he &oes!7 the Fool re$eate& )uietly" (ettricken shook her hea& to herself" Then she shrugge&" She stro&e to the hea& of the line of 4e$$as an& sna$$e& her fingers" The lea& ani al fla$$e& his hairy ears an& follo%e& her" The others follo%e& hi " Their obe&ience i $resse& e" I )ueste& briefly to%ar& the an& foun& such a strong her& instinct at %ork that they scarcely thought of the sel'es as se$arate ani als" #s long as the lea& ani al follo%e& (ettricken! there %oul& be no $roble s %ith the others"
1H82

ore about the ! but I ha& assu e&

the others %oul& ha'e the care of the " 6;e.re still taking all of the 07 I

here" ;here %e go! no%! the col& %ill linger long after s$ring has reache&

(ettricken le& us along a trail that %as little It %oun&

ore than a $ath"

ostly behin& the scattere& cottages that house& the %inter resi&ents

of @haa $e" In a 'ery short ti e %e left the last of the huts behin& an& tra'ele& through ancient forest" The Fool an& I %alke& behin& the string of ani als" I %atche& the one in front of us! sno% %alk" ;e ha& not gone too far before I hear& a shout behin& us" I flinche& an& glance& hastily o'er left %ithout obser'e&" She glare& at us! an& then hurrie& $ast us! floun&ering through the loose sno% besi&e the trail to $ass the 4e$$as an& catch u$ %ith (ettricken" Their 'oices carrie& clearly in the col& air" 6I tol& you I %as lea'ing right a%ay!7 the Iueen sai& tersely" 6Then I &i&"7 To y a a1e ent! Starling ha& the sense to be )uiet" For a brief ti e she e $ass her" She fell in atch" I felt sorry for struggle& along in the loose sno% besi&e (ettricken" Then she gra&ually ga'e it u$! letting first the 4e$$as! an& then the Fool an& behin& her" Then I thought of %as kee$ing u$" It %as the beginning of along! une'entful &ay" The $ath le& al%ays u$hill! ne'er stee$ly! but the constant gra&e %as taxing" (ettricken &i& not let u$ on the $ace! but ke$t us o'ing stea&ily" 5one of us talke& uch" I %as too busy y back" Soun& breathing! an& trying to ignore the gra&ually increasing ache in
1H88

arking ho% his %i&e! flat feet s$rea& on the

uch as the %olf.s &i&" They set a $ace slightly faster than a co fortable

y shoul&er" It %as Starling! co ing at a run! her $ack

4ouncing on her shoul&ers" ;hen she ca e u$ to us! she sai& accusingly! 6You e:7 y )ueen co an&e& it!7 I The Fool grinne&" I shrugge&" 6I left %hen

e" I kne% our $ace %oul& be &ifficult for her to

y &aughter! an& &i& not e'en look back to see if she

flesh co'ere& the arro% %oun& no%! but the of their ne% healing"

uscles un&er it still co $laine&

Jreat trees to%ere& abo'e us" -ost of the trees %ere e'ergreens! so e of ki&s I ha& ne'er seen before" They of the staggere& ranks of i For the a&e a $er$etual t%ilight of the brief %inter &ay.s ost of the scenery %as ense trunks an& a fe% lo% s%oo$ing branches" grayness" There %as little un&erbrush to struggle %ith+

ost $art! the li'e branches of the trees began far o'er our hea&s" Fro a&e by a great tree.s &e ise" The $ath %as %ell

ti e to ti e! %e $asse& $atches of s aller &eci&uous trees that ha& s$rung u$ in $atches of o$en forest $acke&! e'i&ently use& often by ani als an& by folk on skis" It %as narro%! an& if one &i& not $ay attention! it %as easy to ste$ off the $ath an& sink sur$risingly &ee$ in the un$acke& sno%" I trie& to $ay attention" The &ay %as il&! by ountain stan&ar&s! an& I soon &isco'ere& that the e %as 'ery efficient at kee$ing e y shirt to let clothing (ettricken ha& $rocure& for %ar " I loosene&

y coat at the throat an& then the collar of

bo&y heat esca$e" The Fool thre% back the fur ri

e& hoo& of his coat! to

re'eal that he %ore a gay %oolen hat %ithin it" I %atche& the tassel on the en& of it bobbing as he %alke&" If the $ace bothere& hi ! he sai& nothing about it" *erha$s! like Shortly after e! he ha& no breath left to co $lain" i&&ay! 5ighteyes 4oine& us"

6Joo& &oggie:7 I obser'e& alou& to hi " That $ales in co $arison to %hat (ettle is calling you" He obser'e& s ugly" I $ity you all %hen the ol& bitch catches u$ %ith the $ack" She has a stick" Is she follo%ing us0 She tracks )uite %ell! for a noseless hu an" 5ighteyes trotte& $ast us! o'ing %ith sur$rising ease e'en in the un$acke& sno% to the si&e of the trail" I coul& tell he %as en4oying the ri$$le of unease that his scent $ushe& through the
1H8<

trailing 4e$$as" I %atche& hi

as he $asse& the

all an& then (ettricken" Once

he %as in the lea&! he range& confi&ently ahea&! 4ust as if he kne% %here %e %ere going" I soon lost sight of hi ! but I &i& not %orry" I kne% he %oul& circle back often to check on us" 6(ettle is follo%ing us!7 I tol& the Fool" He shot e a )uestioning look" 65ighteyes says she is )uite angry %ith us"7 His shoul&ers rose an& fell in a )uick sigh" 6;ell" She has a right to her o%n &ecision!7 he obser'e& to hi self" Then! to a bit %hen you an& the %olf &o that"7 6Does it bother you0 That I a 6Does it bother you to eet ;itte&07 y eyes07 he re4oine&" e! he a&&e&! 6It still unner'es e

It %as enough" ;e ke$t %alking" (ettricken hel& us to a stea&y $ace for as long as the &aylight laste&" # tra $le& area un&er the shelter of so e of the great trees %as our sto$$ing $lace" ;hile it &i& not look fre)uently use&! %e %ere on so e sort of tra&ers. trail to @haa $e" (ettricken %as atter/of/fact in her total co an& of us" She the sno% by ay &e$en& gesture& Starling to a s all rick of &ry fire%oo& $rotecte& fro uch as %e use" -any folk sto$ here! an& in foul %eather! a life on that %oo& being there"7 Starling eekly obeye&" ushroo " That o'ing it into the elting sno%

can'as" 6>se so e to get a fire starte&! an& then take care to re$lace at least as

She &irecte& the Fool an& I as %e assiste& her in setting u$ a shelter" ;hen %e %ere finishe&! %e ha& a tent sha$e& rather like the ca$ of a &one! she $ortione& out the tasks of unloa&ing be&&ing an&

tent! unloa&ing the ani als an& $icketing the lea& ani al! an&

for %ater" She herself share& fully in the tasks" I %atche& the efficiency %ith

1H8?

%hich she establishe& our ca $ an& sa% to our nee&s" ;ith a $ang! I reali1e& she re in&e& e of Aerity" She %oul& ha'e a&e a goo& sol&ier" Once our basic ca $ %as establishe&! the Fool an& I exchange& glances" I %ent to %here (ettricken %as checking our 4e$$as" Those har&y beasts %ere alrea&y at %ork nibbling bu& ti$s an& bark fro of the ca $" 6I think (ettle shoul& go back an& look for her07 6To %hat en&07 (ettricken aske& e" The )uestion soun&e& callous! but she %ent on! 6If she can catch u$ %ith us! then %e %ill share %hat %e ha'e" You kno% that" But I sus$ect that she %ill %eary before she gets here! an& turn back to @haa $e" *erha$s she has alrea&y turne& back"7 #n& $erha$s she has beco e exhauste& an& sunk &o%n by the si&e of the trail! I thought" But I &i& not go back" I recogni1e& in (ettricken.s %or&s the harsh $racticality of the -ountain folk" She %oul& res$ect (ettle.s &ecision to follo% us" E'en if her atte $t to &o so kille& her! (ettricken %oul& not interfere %ith her o%n %ill for herself" I kne% that a ong the -ountain folk! it %as not unusual for an ol& $erson to choose %hat they calle& se)uestering! a self/ i $ose& exile %here col& e fro ight $ut an en& to all infir ities" I! too! res$ecte& (ettle.s right to choose her life $ath! or &ie in the atte $t" But it &i& not sto$ sen&ing 5ighteyes back &o%n our trail to see if she %as still co ing" I y $art" He ha& 4ust returne& to ca $ y re)uest! he stoo&! stretche&! an& eat! then" He &isa$$eare& into the chose to belie'e it %as only curiosity on %ith a bloo&y %hite hare in his 4a%s" #t %oefully co gathering &usk" The e'ening eal of $orri&ge an& hearth cakes %as 4ust finishe& cooking %hen e" The (ettle ca e into ca $ %ith 5ighteyes at her heels" She stalke& u$ to the fire an& stoo& %ar ing her han&s at it as she glo%ere& at the Fool an&
1H8B

the s aller trees that fronte& one si&e

ay be follo%ing us!7 I tol& her" 6Do you think I

an&e&

e! Juar&

Fool an& I exchange& a glance" It %as a guilty one" I hastily offere& (ettle the cu$ of tea I ha& 4ust $oure& for accusingly! 6You left %ithout a%ay! so the Fool an& IG7 6I ca e any%ay!7 she announce& triu $hantly! cutting through 6#n& I inten& to go on %ith you"7 6;e are fleeing!7 (ettricken sai& )uietly" 6;e can.t slo% our $ace for you"7 S$arks near lea$e& fro Iueen tartly" (ettricken shrugge&" 6@ust so you un&erstan&!7 she sai& )uietly" 6I &o!7 (ettle re$lie& as )uietly" #n& it %as settle&" I ha& %atche& this interchange %ith a sort of a%e" I felt an increase in res$ect for both of the %o en after%ar&" I think I fully gras$e& then ho% (ettricken $ercei'e& herself" She %as the Iueen of the Six Duchies an& she &i& not &oubt it" But unlike any! she ha& not hi&&en behin& a title or taken offense at ore I ha& gli $se& her ettle an& foun& (ettle.s )uick re$ly to her" Instea&! she ha& ans%ere& her! %o an to %o an! %ith res$ect but also authority" Once I coul& not fault it" ;e all share& the yurt that night" (ettricken fille& a s all bra1ier %ith coals fro our fire an& brought it %ithin" It a&e the shelter sur$risingly ore on y %ay co fortable" She $oste& a %atch an& inclu&e& both (ettle an& herself in that &uty" The others sle$t %ell" I lay a%ake for a ti e" I %as once to fin& Aerity" That brought a tiny Skillco an&" But I %as also on easure of release fro the incessant y in& y (ettle.s eyes" 6Di& I ask you to07 she aske& the y %or&s" yself" She took it an& &rank it before she sai& e"7 ust lea'e right

6Yes!7 I a& itte&" 6;e &i&" (ettricken ca e to us an& sai& %e

y %ay to the ri'er %here he ha& la'e& his y in&! but that night

han&s in ra% Skill" That se&ucti'e i age lurke& al%ays at the e&ge of no%" Resolutely I $ushe& the te $tation fro
1H8C

&rea s %ere full of it" ;e broke ca $ early! an& %ere on our %ay before the &ay %as fairly born" (ettricken bi& us &iscar& a secon&! s aller yurt that ha& been brought along to acco o&ate our original larger $arty" She left it ight fin& an& ake use carefully sto%e& at the sto$$ing $lace %here another ha& carrie&" I %as grateful! for the throbbing of

of it" The free& beast %as loa&e& instea& %ith the bulk of the $acks the hu ans y back %as unceasing no%" For four &ays (ettricken hel& us to that $ace" She &i& not say if she truly ex$ecte& $ursuit" I &i& not ask" There %ere no real o$$ortunities for $ri'ate talk %ith anyone" (ettricken al%ays le&! follo%e& by the ani als! the Fool an& e! Starling! an& often trailing us by )uite a &istance! (ettle" Both %o en ke$t their $ro ises" (ettricken &i& not slo% the $ace for the ol& %o an! an& (ettle ne'er co $laine& of it" Each night she ca e into ca $ late! usually acco $anie& by 5ighteyes" She %as often 4ust in ti e to share our foo& an& shelter for the night" But she arose the ne'er co $laine&" The fourth night! %hen %e %ere all %ithin the tent an& settling &o%n to slee$! (ettricken su&&enly a&&resse& on so ething!7 she &eclare&" I sat u$! intrigue& by the for ality of her re)uest" 6I a )ueen"7 Besi&e e! the Fool uffle& a snicker" I su$$ose %e both looke& a bit o&&! sitting in a %elter of blankets an& furs an& a&&ressing one another so for ally" But I ke$t y &e eanor" (ettricken a&&e& a fe% bits of &ry %oo& to the bra1ier to bring u$ a fla e an& light" She took out an ena ele& cylin&er! re o'e& the ca$! an& coaxe& out a $iece of 'ellu " #s she gently unrolle& it! I recogni1e& the ins$ire& Aerity to his )uest" It see e& o&& to look at the fa&e&
1H8D

o ent (ettricken &i& the next &ay an&

e" 6Fit19hi'alry! I %oul& ha'e your thoughts at your ser'ice! y

a$ that ha& a$ in this

setting" It belonge& to a

uch

ore secure ti e in

y life! %hen hot

eals of e an&

goo& foo& %ere taken for grante&! %hen ha& change& so

y clothes %ere tailore& to fit

I kne% %here I %oul& slee$ each night" It see e& unfair that uch since I ha& last seen the unchange&! an aging fla$ of 'ellu %here %e are!7 she tol&

y %hole %orl&

a$! but that it re aine&

%ith a %orn tracery of lines on it"

(ettricken hel& it flat on her la$ an& ta$$e& a blank s$ot on it" 6This is about e" She took a breath as if bracing herself" She ta$$e& another s$ot! like%ise un arke&" 6This is about %here %e foun& the signs of a battle" ;here I foun& Aerity.s cloak an& , the bones"7 Her 'oice )ua'ere& a bit on the %or&s" She looke& u$ su&&enly an& her eyes not since Buckkee$" 6You kno%! Fit1! it is har& for bones an& thought they %ere his" For so #n& no%! solely on your %or& of so e hel& those bones" #n& nor y nose that s ell"7 y la&y!7 I assure& her )uietly" arke& on this a$! the ones that Aerity sai& he %oul& follo%0 Or sure you gathere& fro that $lace all there %as to er an& ore than half of a ight fin& there y 6He li'es! the trails are any et ine as they ha& &ea&" e" I gathere& u$ those

onths! I belie'e& hi

agic that I &o not $ossess or

un&erstan&! I try to belie'e he is ali'e" That there is ho$e still" But , I ha'e y han&s cannot forget the %eight an& chill of the !

She sighe& again" 6Here is %hat I %oul& ask you" Shall %e go &irectly to %here &o you %ish to be taken to the battle site first07 I thought for a ti e" 6I a gather! y )ueen" Ti e has $asse&! $art of a su

%inter since you %ere last there" 5o" I can think of nothing I )ueen! an& he is not there" So let us not seek hi %oul& go"7

that your trackers &i& not %hen the groun& %as bare& of sno%" Aerity li'es!

there! but %here he sai& he

1H8E

She no&&e& slo%ly! but if she took heart fro Instea&! she ta$$e& the %as! it is still use&" The

y %or&s! she &i& not sho% it"

a$ again" 6This roa& here sho%n is kno%n to us" It ore re ote 'illages an& the solitary tra$$ers ha'e

%as a tra&e roa& once! an& although no one e'en recalls %hat its &estination their $aths to it! an& they then follo% it &o%n to @haa $e" ;e coul& ha'e been tra'eling on it all this ti e! but I &i& not %ish to" It is too %ell use&" ;e ha'e co e by the s%iftest route! if not the %i&est" To orro%! ho%e'er! %e shall cross it" #n& %hen %e &o! %e shall set our backs to%ar& @haa $e an& follo% it u$ into the -ountains"7 Her finger trace& it on the a$" 6I ha'e ne'er been to that $art of the -ountains!7 she sai& si $ly" 6Fe% ha'e! other than tra$$ers or occasional a&'enturers %ho go to see if the ol& tales are true" >sually they bring back tales of their o%n that are e'en stranger than the ones that $ro $te& the to go a&'enturing"7 a$" The faint lines of the I %atche& her $ale fingers %alk slo%ly across the

ancient roa& &i'erge& into three se$arate trails %ith &ifferent &estinations" It began an& en&e&! that roa&! %ith no a$$arent source or &estination" ;hate'er ha& once been arke& at the en& of those lines ha& fa&e& a%ay into inky a$! the terrain of the ghosts" 5either of us ha& any %ay of kno%ing %hich &estination Aerity ha& chosen" Though they &i& not look far se$arate& on the -ountains coul& trust in such an ol& a$ being reliably to scale" ean they %ere &ays or e'en %eeks a$art" I also ha& s all

6;here are %e going first07 I aske& her" She hesitate& briefly! then her finger ta$$e& one of the trail en&s" 6Here" I think this one %oul& be closest"7 6Then that is a %ise choice"7

1H<H

She

et

y eyes again" 6Fit1" 9oul& not you si $ly Skill to hi ! an& ask hi co e to us0 Or at least ask hi %hy he has not e07 y hea&! her eyes gre% %il&er" 6;hy not07 she agic of the Farseers

%here he is0 Or bi& hi returne& to #t each s all shake of cannot e'en call hi I ke$t

&e an&e& in a shaking 'oice" 6This great an& secret to us in such nee&07

y eyes on her face! but %ishe& there ha& been fe%er listening ears" e! I still felt 'ery uneasy s$eaking of the Skill y %or&s carefully" 6By Skilling to hi ! I y la&y" Or &ra% trouble &o%n on us"7

Des$ite all (ettricken kne% of ight $lace hi in great &anger!

%ith anyone sa'e Aerity" I chose 6Ho%07 she &e an&e&"

I briefly consi&ere& the Fool! (ettle! an& Starling" It %as har& to ex$lain to yself the uneasiness I felt at s$eaking bluntly of a guar&e& as a secret for so ha& aske& e a )uestion" I lo%ere& agic that ha& been y )ueen an& she any generations" But this %as

y eyes an& s$oke" 6The coterie Jalen

a&e %as ne'er loyal to the (ing" 5ot to (ing Shre%&! not to (ing Aerity" #l%ays they %ere the tool of a traitor! use& to cast &oubt on the (ing.s abilities an& un&er ine his ability to &efen& his king&o "7 Fro (ettle ca e a s all gas$ of in&ra%n breath! %hile (ettricken.s blue eyes ight fin& a %ay to listen" By such a Skilling! they ight fin& hi " %ent steely gray %ith col&" I continue&" 6E'en no%! %ere I to o$enly Skill to Aerity! they Or us" They ha'e gro%n strong in the Skill! an& ferrete& out %ays of using it that I ha'e ne'er learne&" They s$y on other Skill users" They can! using only the Skill! inflict $ain! or create illusion" I fear to Skill to (ettricken" That he has not chosen to Skill to is the sa e as his"7 e akes y king! Iueen y caution e belie'e

1H<1

(ettricken ha& gone sno% $ale as she Six Duchies at all07 I %eighe&

ulle&

y %or&s" Softly she aske&!

6#l%ays &isloyal to hi ! Fit10 S$eak $lainly" Di& not they ai& in &efen&ing the y %or&s as if I %ere re$orting to Aerity hi self" 6I ha'e no $roof! an&s that Aerity

y la&y" But I %oul& guess that Skill/ essages of Re&/Shi$s %ere so eti es ne'er relaye&! or %ere &eliberately &elaye&" I think the co Skille& forth to the coterie tell his essages an& co the kee$s they %ere to guar&" They obeye& hi e bers in the %atchto%ers %ere not $asse& on to enough that Aerity coul& not an&s ha& been &eli'ere& hours after he ha& sent

the " To his &ukes! his efforts %oul& a$$ear ine$t! his strategies unti ely or foolish"7 -y 'oice traile& a%ay at the anger that blosso e& in (ettricken.s face" 9olor ca e u$ in her cheeks! angry roses" 6Ho% any li'es07 she aske& harshly" 6Ho% any to%ns0 Ho% any &ea&! or %orse! Forge&0 #ll for a $rince.s s$ite! all for a s$oile& boy.s a bition for the throne0 Ho% coul& he ha'e &one it! Fit10 Ho% coul& he ha'e stoo& to let $eo$le &ie si $ly to ake his brother look foolish an& inco $etent07 yself say softly" 6*erha$s to hi they %ere only I &i& not ha'e any real ans%er to that" 6*erha$s he &i& not think they %ere $eo$le an& to%ns!7 I hear& for hi self"7 (ettricken close& her eyes" 6This cannot be forgi'en!7 she sai& )uietly to herself" She soun&e& ill %ith it" ;ith an o&&ly gentle finality! she a&&e&! 6You %ill ha'e to kill hi ! Fit19hi'alry"7 So o&&! to be gi'en that royal co it %hen last I trie&"7 65o!7 she correcte& e" 6;hen last you atte $te& it! it %as for yourself" Di& e0 This ti e! I tell you that you
1H<2

ga e $ieces" *ossessions of Aerity.s to be &estroye& if he coul& not %in the

an& at last" 6I kno% that!

y la&y" I kne%

not you kno% that ha& angere&

ust kill hi

for the sake of the Six Duchies"7 She shook her hea&! al ost sur$rise&" 6It is the only %ay in %hich he can be Sacrifice for his $eo$le" To be kille& for the before he can hurt the any ore"7 She looke& aroun& abru$tly at the circle of silent $eo$le hu&&le& in be&&ing! staring at her" 6Jo to slee$!7 she tol& all of us! as if %e %ere %illful chil&ren" 6;e ust get u$ early again to orro% an& once ore tra'el s%iftly" Slee$ %hile you can"7 Starling %ent outsi&e to take u$ her first night.s %atch" The others lay back! an& as the fla es fro sle$t" But &es$ite the bra1ier fell an& the light &i e&! I a sure they e o'ing y %eariness! I lay an& stare& into the &arkness" #bout

%ere only the soun&s of $eo$le breathing! of the night %in& barely alert for the un%ary

through the trees" If I )ueste& out! I coul& sense 5ighteyes $ro%ling about! e'er ouse" The $eace an& stillness of the %interboun& forest %as all aroun& us" They all sle$t &ee$ly! sa'e for Starling on %atch" 5o one else hear& the rushing &ri'e of the Skill/urge that gre% stronger %ithin e e'ery &ay of our 4ourneying" I ha& not s$oken to the Iueen of %oul& instea& i erse y other fear3 that if I reache& out to Aerity %ith the Skill! I %oul& ne'er return! but yself in that Skill ri'er I ha& gli $se& an& be fore'er e )ui'ering to the y %alls an& boun&aries! $utting e'ery y in&! but to kee$ yself borne a%ay on it" E'en to think on that te $tation brought e&ge of ac)uiescence" Fiercely I set guar& bet%een in it"

e an& the Skill that I ha& e'er been taught" But tonight I set

the ! not 4ust to kee$ Regal an& his coterie out of

9H#*TER T;E5TY/FO>R
1H<8

The Skill Roa& ;H#T IS THE true source of thing that agic0 Is one born %ith it in the bloo&! as so e &ogs are born to follo% a scent %hile others are best at her&ing shee$0 Or is it a ay be %on by any %ith the &eter ination to learn0 Or rather are agics inherent to the stones an& %aters an& earths of the %orl&! so that a chil& i bibes abilities %ith the %ater he &rinks or the air he breathes0 I ask these )uestions %ith no conce$t of ho% to &isco'er the ans%ers" Di& %e kno% the source! coul& a %i1ar& of great $o%er be &eliberately create& by one &esiring to &o so0 9oul& one bree& for agic in a chil& as one bree&s a horse for strength ight ta$ the ay" arke& on the a$" Our agic %here the earth is or s$ee&0 Or select a babe! an& begin instruction before the chil& coul& e'en s$eak0 Or buil& one.s house %here one richest %ith it0 These )uestions so frighten e that I ha'e al ost no &esire to

$ursue the ans%ers! sa'e that if I &o not! another

It %as early afternoon %hen %e ca e to the %i&e trail narro% $ath erge& into it as a strea

4oins a ri'er" For so e &ays %e %ere to %ithout sto$$ing" ;e

follo% it" So eti es it le& us $ast s all 'illages tucke& into sheltere& fol&s of the -ountains! but (ettricken hastene& us $ast the $asse& other tra'elers on the roa&! an& these she greete& courteously! but fir ly turne& asi&e all efforts at con'ersation" If any recogni1e& her as Eyo&.s &aughter! they ga'e no sign of it" There ca e a &ay! ho%e'er! %hen %e $asse& the entire &ay %ithout so uch as a gli $se of another tra'eler! let alone a 'illage or hut" The trail gre% narro%er! an& the only tracks u$on it %ere ol& ones! blurre& by fresh sno%" ;hen %e rose the next &ay an& set forth u$on it! it soon &%in&le& to no ore than a 'ague track through the trees" Se'eral ti es a&e us backtrack an& then go (ettricken $ause& an& cast about! an& once she

1H<<

on in a ne% &irection" ;hate'er signs she %as follo%ing %ere too subtle for e" That night! %hen %e ca $e&! she again took out her offere& no a&'ice! only ga1ing %ith her at the she glance& u$ at e" e the en& of the tra&e trail a$ an& stu&ie& it" I arkings" Finally sense& her uncertainty! an& ca e to sit besi&e her" I aske& no )uestions an& a$.s %orn

6I think %e are here!7 she sai&" Her finger sho%e&

%e ha& follo%e&" 6So e%here north of us! %e shoul& fin& this other roa&" I ha& ho$e& there %oul& be so e ancient connecting trail bet%een the t%o" It %as an i&ea that one e'en a&e sense to e! that this ol& roa& %oul& $erha$s connect to ore forgotten" But no% ,7 She sighe&" 6To orro%! I su$$ose %e

blun&er on an& ho$e for luck to ai& us"7 Her %or&s &i& not $ut heart into any of us" 5e'ertheless! the next &ay %e o'e& on" ;e o'e& stea&ily north! through forest that see e& to ha'e been fore'er untouche& by an axe" Tree branches lace& an& intert%ine& high abo'e us! %hile generations of lea'es an& nee&les lay &ee$ beneath the une'en blanketing of sno% that ha& filtere& &o%n to the forest floor" To y ;it/sense! these trees ha& a ghostly life that %as al ost oisture! soil an& air" ore ani al! as if they ha& ac)uire& so e a%areness si $ly by 'irtue of their age" But it %as an a%areness of the greater %orl& of light an& They regar&e& our $assage not at all! an& by afternoon I felt no significant than an ant" I ha& ne'er thought to be &is&aine& by a tree" #s %e tra'ele& on! hour after hour! I a sure I %as not the only one to %on&er if %e ha& lost our %ay co $letely" # forest this ol& coul& ha'e s%allo%e& a roa& a generation ago" Roots %oul& ha'e lifte& its cobbles! lea'es an& nee&les blankete& it" ;hat %e sought a$"
1H<?

ight no longer exist exce$t as a line on an ol&

It %as the %olf! ranging %ell ahea& of us as al%ays! %ho ca e u$on it first" I like this not at all! he announce&" 6The roa& is that %ay!7 I calle& to (ettricken ahea& of she hear& e an& looke& back" She took in e" -y $uny hu an 'oice see e& like a fly.s bu11ing in a great hall" I %as al ost sur$rise& %hen y $ointing han&! then! %ith a shrug! le& her $ack shee$ in a ore %esterly &irection" ;e still %alke& for

so e ti e before I sa% an arro%/straight break through the clustering trees ahea& of us" # stri$e of light $enetrate& the forest there" (ettricken le& her $ack shee$ &o%n onto its %i&e surface" ;hat is %rong %ith it0 He shook hi self all o'er as if to ri& his coat of %ater" It is too =ike a fire to cook I &o not un&erstan&" He lay back his ears" =ike a great force His ans%er a&e no sense to a&e s all an& bent to a an.s %ill" #l%ays fire seeks a %ay to esca$e contain ent" So &oes this roa&" e" Then %e ca e to the roa&" I %atche& e" The %i&e roa& %as a straight cut through (ettricken an& the 4e$$as $rece&e eat o'er" uch of an"

the trees! its surface lo%er than that of the forest floor! as %hen a chil& &rags a stick through san& an& lea'es a trough behin&" The forest trees gre% alongsi&e it an& leane& o'er it! but none of the co'ere& the roa&.s surface been not e'en the ha& sent roots thrusting out into the it" 5either ha& the sno% that roa&! nor ha& any sa$lings s$route& u$ fro

arre&! not e'en by a bir&.s track" There %ere

ute& sign of ol& tracks co'ere& %ith sno%" 5o one ha& tro&&en

this roa& since the %inter sno%s ha& begun" #s far as I coul& see! no ga e trails e'en crosse& it" I ste$$e& &o%n onto the roa&.s surface"

1H<B

It %as like %alking into trailing cob%ebs face/first" # $iece of ice &o%n the back" Ste$$ing into a hot kitchen after being out in an icy %in&" It %as a $hysical sensation that sei1e& e! as shar$ly as any of those others! an& yet as the li$ of the forest onto in&escribable as %et or &ry is" I halte&! transfixe&" Yet none of the others sho%e& any a%areness of it as they ho$$e& &o%n fro the roa& surface" Starling.s only co ent! to herself! %as that at least here the

sno% %as shallo%er an& the %alking better" She &i& not e'en ask herself %hy the sno% shoul& be shallo%er on the roa&! but only hurrie& after the trailing line of 4e$$as" I %as still stan&ing on the roa&! looking about halte&" For an instant! she see e& startle& an& Her eyes 4u $e& to e! so e inutes later %hen (ettle ste$$e& out of the trees an& onto the roa&.s surface" She! too! uttere& so ething" e stan&ing right there ountain boots 6Di& you say Skill/%rought07 I &e an&e& of her" e as if she ha& been una%are of before her" She glare&" For a 6 she &eclare&" 65ear t%iste& o ent she &i&n.t s$eak" Then! 6I sai& FHell/rot:. y ankle 4u $ing &o%n" These e an& tru&ge& off after the

are no stiffer than socks"7 She turne& a%ay fro

others" I follo%e& her" For so e reason! I felt as if I %ere %a&ing in %ater! sa'e %ithout the resistance of %ater" It is a &ifficult sensation to &escribe" #s if so ething flo%e& u$hill aroun& u$ to fin& hi e an& hurrie& e along %ith its current" It seeks a %ay to esca$e contain ent! the %olf obser'e& again sourly" I glance& trotting along besi&e e! but on the li$ of the forest rather than e" on the s ooth roa& surface" You.& be %iser to tra'el u$ here! %ith I thought about it" I see Yes! an& fire akes you %ar er! right u$ until the ti e it burns you" ore

to be all right" ;alking is easier here" S oother"

I ha& no re$ly to that" Instea& I %alke& alongsi&e (ettle for a %ay" #fter &ays of tra'eling single file on the narro% trail! this see e& easier an& co $anionable" ;e %alke& all the rest of the afternoon on the ancient roa&" It
1H<C

cli be& e'er u$%ar&! but al%ays angling across the faces of the hills! so that the going %as ne'er too stee$" The only things that e'er abo'e! an& arre& the s ooth trees coat of sno% on its surface %ere occasional &ea& branches &ro$$e& fro ani al tracks! either on the roa& or crossing it" 5ot e'en a sniff of any ga e! 5ighteyes confir e& %oefully" I shall ha'e to range this night to fin& fresh eat for yself" e sternly" e! so I %oul& not be alone" y You coul& go no%! I suggeste&" I trust you not alone u$on this roa&! he infor e& ;hat coul& har e0 (ettle is right here besi&e e %hat he

ost of these %ere &ecaying into sa%&ust" 5ot once &i& I see any

She is as ba& as you are! 5ighteyes insiste& stubbornly" But &es$ite )uestions! he coul& not ex$lain to Ti e an& again! I caught y eant" Yet as afternoon &ee$ene& into e'ening! I began to ha'e notions of in& &rifting in 'i'i& &ay&rea s! engrossing that co ing out of the

y o%n" usings so

%as like %aking %ith a start" #n& like e %ith al ost no recall of an&s as if she %ere ing as he &i& so" ilitary co

any a &rea ! they $o$$e& like bubbles! lea'ing %hat I ha& been thinking" *atience gi'ing

Iueen of the Six Duchies" Burrich bathing a baby an& hu

T%o $eo$le I &i& not kno%! setting charre& stones u$on one another as they rebuilt a house" Foolish! bright/colore& i ages they see e&! but e&ge& so 'i'i&ly that al ost I belie'e& a current urge& hurrying often on but y o%n usings" The easy %alking on the roa& an in'oluntary hurrying! as if y o%n %ill" Yet I coul& not ha'e been e all the afternoon" (ettle broke in y attention to a e" I en&ea'ore& to ans%er! that ha& see e& so $leasant at first began to see e on in&e$en&ent of uch! for (ettle ke$t $ace %ith y thoughts! to ask

e tri'ial )uestions! to &ra%

bir& o'erhea&! or to ask if

y back %as bothering

o ents later I coul& not recall %hat %e ha& been talking about" I coul&
1H<D

not bla e her for fro%ning at see to fin& a re e&y for

e! so

u&&le/%ilte& %as I! but neither coul& I in&" ;e $asse& a fallen log across the ention it to (ettle! aster it" So caught u$ %as I in nothing at

y absent

roa&" I thought of so ething o&& about it! an& inten&e& to but the thought fle& before I coul& all that %hen the Fool haile&

e! I startle&" I $eere& ahea&! but coul& not e'en

see the 4e$$as any ore" Then! 6Fit19hi'alry: 6 he shoute& again! an& I turne& aroun&! to fin& I ha& %alke& $ast not only hi ! but our %hole ex$e&ition" (ettle at &on.t y si&e uttere& to herself as she turne& back" The others ha& halte& an& %ere alrea&y unloa&ing the 4e$$as" 6Surely you ean to $itch the tent in the center of the roa&07 (ettle aske& in alar " %here they %ere stretching out the goat Starling an& the Fool looke& u$ fro aske& sarcastically" 6It.s flat an& le'el" =ast night! I ha& a root or a rock un&er Starling a&&e&" (ettle ignore& the %e shoul& an& s$oke to (ettricken" 6#n& %e.& be in full 'ie% for anyone %ho ste$$e& onto this roa& for )uite a %ay in both &irections" I think o'e off an& ca $ un&er the trees"7 $ursuit" I think ,7 y ar an& %alke& e to the e&ge of the roa&" e gruffly %hen %e got to the e&ge of the forest" I &i&! ore on forest oss" Once I %as there! I ya%ne&! ore alert" I glance& back to the o'e (ettricken glance& about" 6It.s nearly &ark! (ettle" #n& I &o not think %e ha'e a great &eal to fear fro 69li b u$!7 he tol& feeling I flinche& %hen the Fool took scra bling u$ to stan& once y be&&ing!7

leather sha$e of the yurt" 6Fear ye the hurrying throngs an& carts07 the Fool

y ears $o$" #l ost right a%ay! I felt

roa& %here Starling an& (ettricken %ere gathering u$ the yurt hi&es to ca $ off the roa&!7 I obser'e& stu$i&ly"
1H<E

the " (ettle %as alrea&y &ragging the $oles off the roa&" 6So! %e.'e &eci&e& to

6#re you all right07 the Fool aske& that"

e anxiously"

6Of course" -y back is no %orse than usual!7 I a&&e&! thinking he referre& to 6You %ere stan&ing there! staring off u$ the roa&! $aying no hee& to anyone" (ettle says you.'e been like that 6I.'e been a bit o%n face" 6I &on.t think I. e&ge& fe'er thoughts"7 6(ettle says she thinks it.s the roa&" She sai& that you sai& it %as Skill/ %rought"7 6She sai& I sai&0 5o" I thought that %as %hat she sai& %hen %e ca e onto it" That it %as Skill/%rought"7 6;hat is FSkill/%rought.07 the Fool aske& Skill use& to e" 6Sha$e& by the Skill!7 I re$lie&! then a&&e&! 6I su$$ose" I.'e ne'er hear& of the ake or sha$e so ething"7 I looke& %on&ering back at the roa&" It flo%e& so s oothly through the forest! a $ure %hite ribbon! 'anishing off un&er the trees" It &re% the eye! an& al ost I coul& see %hat lay beyon& the next fol& of the foreste& hillsi&e" 6Fit1:7 I 4erke& y attention back to the Fool in annoyance" 6;hat07 I &e an&e&" He %as shi'ering" 6You.'e 4ust been stan&ing there! staring off &o%n the roa& since I left you" I thought you.& gone to get fire%oo&! until I looke& u$ an& sa% you stan&ing here still" ;hat is the I blinke& yello% an& re& fruit hea$e& high in the atter07 arket stalls" But e'en as I gro$e& after y y eyes slo%ly" I ha& been %alking in a city! looking at the bright ost of the afternoon"7 y itten to touch y u&&le&!7 I a& itte&" I &ragge& off

getting a fe'er" But it %as like that , bright/

that &rea ! it %as gone! lea'ing only a confusion of color an& scent in

1H?H

in&" 6I &on.t kno%" *erha$s I a %oo&"7 6I. By

fe'erish" Or 4ust 'ery %eary" I.ll go get the

going %ith you!7 the Fool announce&" y knee! 5ighteyes %hine& anxiously" I looke& &o%n at hi " 6;hat.s the alou&" e! the fur bet%een his eyes ri&ge& %ith %orry" You &o not e" Jo an& hunt" I can feel your hunger"

atter07 I aske& hi He looke& u$ at see to hear

e" #n& your thoughts are not , thoughts"

I.ll be all right" The Fool is %ith

#n& I feel yours! he ans%ere& o inously" He left then! but reluctantly" I follo%e& the Fool into the %oo&s! but &i& little ore than carry the %oo& he $icke& u$ an& han&e& to e" I felt as if I coul& not )uite %ake u$" 6Ha'e you e'er been stu&ying so ething tre en&ously interesting! only to su&&enly look u$ an& reali1e hours ha'e $asse&0 That is ho% I feel 4ust no%"7 The Fool han&e& infor e& %eakening"7 6But he %as &rugge& then! against $ain!7 I $ointe& out" 6#n& I a 6That is %hat is frightening!7 he tol& e" not"7 e another stick of %oo&" 6You are frightening e!7 he e )uietly" 6You s$eak uch as (ing Shre%& &i& in the &ays he %as

;e %alke& together back to ca $" ;e ha& been so slo% that (ettle an& Starling ha& gathere& so e fuel an& got a s all fire going alrea&y" The light of it illu inate& the &o e/sha$e& tent an& the folk fire for later use! (ettle looke& u$ fro 6Ho% are you feeling07 she &e an&e&" 6Better! so e%hat!7 I tol& her" o'ing aroun& it" The 4e$$as %ere sha&o%s &rifting nearby as they bro%se&" #s %e $ile& our %oo& by the her cooking"

1H?1

I glance& about for any chores that nee&e& &oing! but ca $ ha& been set %ithout e" (ettricken %as insi&e the tent! $oring o'er the a$ by can&lelight" eant to &o! (ettle stirre& $orri&ge by the fire %hile! strange to say! the Fool an& Starling con'erse& )uietly" I stoo& still! trying to recall so ething I.& so ething I.& been in the 6Fit19hi'alry:7 I turne&! startle& at the shar$ness in (ettle.s call" 6;hat is it07 6;here are you going07 she aske&" She $ause&! as if sur$rise& by her o%n )uestion" 6I 6>sually he.s ean! is 5ighteyes about0 I ha'en.t seen hi for a bit"7 6He %ent to hunt" He.ll be back"7 I starte& to%ar& the roa& again" a&e his kill an& co e back by no%!7 she continue&" uch ga e near the roa&! he sai&" So he.s ha& to go I $ause&" 6There.s not the roa&" I turne& an& %alke& to%ar& it" i&&le of &oing" The roa&" I %ante& another look at

farther"7 I turne& a%ay again" 65o%! there.s a thing that see s o&&!7 she %ent on" 6There.s no sign of hu an traffic on the roa&" #n& yet the ani als a'oi& it still" Doesn.t ga e usually follo% %hate'er $ath is easiest07 I calle& back to her! 6So e ani als &o" Others $refer to kee$ to co'er"7 6Jo an& get hi ! girl:7 I hear& (ettle tell so eone shar$ly" 6Fit1:7 I hear& Starling call! but it %as the Fool %ho caught u$ %ith took e by the ar " e! tugging at y ar " orning! %hen %e.re tra'eling 69o e back to the tent!7 he urge& e an&

6I 4ust %ant to ha'e another look at the roa&"7 6It.s &ark" You.ll see nothing no%" ;ait until on it again" For no%! co e back to the tent"7 I %ent %ith hi ! but tol& hi Fool"7
1H?2

irritably! 6You.re the one %ho is acting strange!

6You.& not say that! ha& you seen the look on your face but a The rations that night %ere

o ent ago"7

uch the sa e as they ha& been since %e left e fro ug an&

@haa $e3 thick grain $orri&ge %ith so e cho$$e& &rie& a$$le in it! so e &rie& eat! an& tea" It %as filling! but not exciting" It &i& nothing to &istract the intent %ay the others %atche& &e an&e&! 6;hat07 5o one sai& anything at first" Then (ettricken sai&! bluntly! 6Fit1! you &on.t ha'e a %atch tonight" I %ant you to stay in the tent an& slee$"7 6I. For a fine! I can stan& a %atch!7 I began to ob4ect! but it %as o ent I fought y tongue" Then I bo%e& y )ueen %ho an&" or&ere&! 6I tell you to stay %ithin the tent tonight"7 y hea&" 6#s you co I a ! $erha$s! o'erly tire&"7 65o" It is ore than that! Fit19hi'alry" You scarcely ate tonight! an& unless one of us forces you to s$eak you &o nothing sa'e ga1e off into the &istance" ;hat &istracts you07 I trie& to fin& an ans%er to (ettricken.s blunt )uestion" 6I &o not kno%" Exactly" #t least! it is a &ifficult thing to ex$lain"7 The only soun& %as the tiny crackling of the fire" #ll eyes %ere on %ent on one e" 6;hen one is traine& to Skill!7 I agic itself has a &anger to ore slo%ly! 6one beco es a%are that the e" I finally set &o%n y tea

it" It attracts the attention of the user" ;hen one is using the Skill to &o a thing! ust focus one.s attention tightly on the intent an& refuse to be &istracte& y eyes fro the by the $ulling of the Skill" If the Skill user loses that focus! if he gi'es in to the Skill itself! he can beco e lost in it" #bsorbe& by it"7 I lifte& %as no&&ing e'er so slightly" 6To&ay! since %e foun& the roa&! I ha'e felt so ething that is al ost like the $ull of the Skill" I ha'e not atte $te& to Skill+ actually! for so e &ays! I ha'e
1H?8

fire an& looke& aroun& at their faces" E'eryone %as still sa'e for (ettle! %ho

blocke& the Skill fro coterie

yself as y

uch as I can! for I ha'e feare& that Regal.s in& an& &o e" =ike a e har " But &es$ite that! I ha'e usic I can al ost hear! or a 'ery

ay try to break into

felt as if the Skill %ere luring faint scent of ga e" I catch e ,7 I sna$$e&

yself straining after it! trying to &eci&e %hat calls

y ga1e back to (ettle! sa% the &istant hunger in her e'es" 6Is it

because the roa& is Skill/%rought07 # flash of anger crosse& her face" She looke& &o%n to her ol& han&s curle& in her la$" She ga'e a sigh of exas$eration" 6It ight" The ol& legen&s that I ha'e hear& say that %hen a thing is Skill/%rought! it can be &angerous to so e folk" 5ot to or&inary $eo$le! but to those %ho ha'e an a$titu&e for the Skill but ha'e not been traine& in it" Or to those %hose training is not a&'ance& far enough for the to kno% ho% to be %ary"7 6I ha'e ne'er hear& of any legen&s about Skill/%rought things"7 I turne& to the Fool an& Starling" 6Ha'e either of you07 Both shook their hea&s slo%ly" 6It see s to e!7 I sai& carefully to (ettle! 6that so eone as %ell/rea& as the instrel Fool shoul& ha'e co e across such legen&s" #n& certainly a traine& She crosse& her ar s on her chest" 6I a ago"7 6Ho% long ago07 I $resse&" #cross fro interfere" 6# 'ery long ti e ago!7 (ettle re$lie& col&ly" 6Back %hen young res$ecte& their el&ers"7 en e! (ettricken fro%ne&! but &i& not

shoul& ha'e hear& so ething about the "7 I continue& to look at her le'elly" not to bla e for %hat they ha'e not rea& or hear&!7 she sai& stiffly" 6I only tell you %hat I %as tol&! a long ti e

1H?<

The Fool.s face lit %ith a &elighte& grin" (ettle see e& to feel she ha& %on so ething! for she set her tea han&e& the to She got u$ an& sta $e& a%ay fro ca e to stan& besi&e ug in her $orri&ge bo%l %ith a clatter an& e se'erely" the fire an& into the tent" out %ith clean sno%! (ettricken e in her e" 6It is your turn to clean the &ishes!7 she tol&

#s I slo%ly gathere& the &ishes to %i$e the

e" 6;hat &o you sus$ect07 she aske&

forthright %ay" 6Do you think she is a s$y! an ene y a ong us07 65o" I &o not think she is an ene y" But I think she is , so ething" 5ot 4ust an ol& %o an %ith a religious interest in the Fool" So ething 6But you &on.t kno% %hat07 65o" I &on.t" Only I ha'e notice& that she see s to kno% a &eal Skill than I ex$ect her to" Still! an ol& $erson gathers lifeti e" It (ettricken" 6#l ost certainly" #n& %e shall be fortunate if it sto$s by gather orning" ;e shoul& ore fire%oo&! an& stack it near the tent.s &oor" 5o! not you" You ay be no ore about the uch o&& kno%le&ge in a ore than that"7

ore than that"7 I glance& u$ to %here the %in& %as

stirring the tree to$s" 6Do you think %e shall ha'e sno% tonight07 I aske&

shoul& go %ithin the tent" If you %an&ere& off no%! in this &arkness an& %ith sno% to co e! %e.& ne'er fin& you"7 I began to $rotest! but she sto$$e& 6Yes! y la&y"7 atters of e %ith a )uestion" 6-y Aerity" He is ore highly traine& than you are in the Skill07 6Do you think this roa& %oul& call to hi ! as it &oes to you07 6#l ost certainly" But he has al%ays been far stronger than I in Skill or stubbornness"7

1H??

# sa& s ile t%eake& her li$s" 6Yes! he is stubborn! that one"7 She sighe& su&&enly! hea'ily" 6;oul& that %e %ere only a fro both sea an& an an& a %o an! li'ing far y han&s fro ountains" ;oul& that things %ere si $le for us"7

6I %ish for that as %ell!7 I sai& )uietly" 6I %ish for blisters on si $le %ork an& -olly.s can&les lighting our ho e" 6

6I ho$e you get that! Fit1!7 (ettricken sai& )uietly" 6I truly &o" But %e.'e a long roa& to trea& bet%een here an& there"7 6That %e &o!7 I agree&" #n& a sort of $eace bloo e& bet%een us" I &i& not &oubt that if circu stances &e an&e& it! she %oul& take throne" But she coul& no y &aughter for the ore ha'e change& her attitu&e about &uty an& y chil& fro e"

sacrifice than she coul& ha'e change& the bloo& an& bones of her bo&y" It %as %ho she %as" It %as not that she %ishe& to take #ll I nee&e& &o to kee$ her" ;e %ent to be& later that night than ha& beco e our custo " #ll %ere %earier than usual" The Fool took first %atch &es$ite the lines of strain in his face" The ne% i'ory cast his skin ha& taken on like a statue of col& isery car'e& fro uch %hen %e %ere a&e hi look terrible %hen he %as col&! ol& bone" The rest of us &i& not notice the y &aughter %as to bring her husban& safely back to

o'ing &uring the &ay! but I &on.t think the Fool ur ur of co $laint" The rest of us lay

%as e'er co $letely %ar " Yet he bun&le& hi self %ar ly an& %ent to stan& outsi&e in the rising %in& %ithout a &o%n to slee$" The stor %as! at first! a thing that %as ha$$ening abo'e us! in the treeto$s" gre% ore =oose nee&les fell rattling against the yurt.s skin an& as the stor

intense! s all branches an& occasional &u $s of icy sno%" The col& gre% stronger an& beca e a thing that cre$t in at e'ery ga$ of blanket or gar ent" -i&%ay through Starling.s %atch! (ettricken calle& her in! saying the stor
1H?B

%oul& stan& %atch for us no%" ;hen Starling entere&! the %olf slunk in at her heels" To y relief! no one ob4ecte& 'ery lou&ly" ;hen Starling co ente& than that he carrie& sno% in %ith hi ! the Fool re$lie& that he ha& less on hi she &i&" 5ighteyes ca e i

e&iately to our $art of the tent! an& lay &o%n

bet%een the Fool an& the outer %all" He set his great hea& on the Fool.s chest an& hea'e& a sigh before closing his eyes" I al ost felt 4ealous" He.s col&er than you are" -uch col&er" #n&! in the city! %here hunting %as so $oor! he often share& foo& %ith You tell e" e" He sa'e& your life! fe& you fro his So" He is $ack! then0 I aske& %ith a trace of a use ent" e! 5ighteyes challenge& kills! an& share& his &en %ith you" Is he $ack %ith us or not0 I su$$ose he is! I sai& after a o ent.s consi&eration" I ha& ne'er seen things y be&&ing to be slightly iserably" Then he a&&e&! alou&" e e an& the %all" He gi'es off a in )uite that light before" >nobtrusi'ely! I shifte& in closer to the Fool" 6#re you col&07 I aske& hi 65ot so long as I kee$ shi'ering!7 he tol& 6#ctually! I. lot of heat"7 6He.s grateful for all the ti es you fe& hi The Fool s)uinte& at ani als carrie& That startle& e ories for that long"7 e into thinking about it" 6>sually! they &on.t" But tonight! he an& is grateful"7 in @haa $e"7 e through the tent.s &i ness" 6Really0 I &i& not think %ar er %ith the %olf bet%een

recalls that you fe& hi

The Fool lifte& a han& to scratch carefully aroun& 5ighteyes. ears" 5ighteyes a&e a $u$$y gro%l of $leasure an& ha$$ily snuggle& closer" I %on&ere& again at all the changes I %as seeing in hi " -ore an& thoughts %ere a ixture of hu an an& %olf" ore often! his reactions an&

1H?C

I %as too tire& to gi'e it

uch thought" I close&

y eyes an& starte& to sink y 4a% e that I

into slee$" #fter a ti e! I reali1e& that

y eyes %ere tightly shut!

clenche&! an& I %as no closer to slee$" I %ante& to si $ly let go of consciousness! so %eary %as I! but the Skill so threatene& an& lure& $osition that %as aske& ore relaxing! until (ettle on the other si&e of coul& not relax enough to slee$" I ke$t shifting! trying to fin& a $hysical e $ointe&ly e if I ha& fleas" I trie& to be still" y co $anions insi&e" I close& y eyes an& y in&

I stare& u$ into the &arkness of the tent.s ceiling! listening to the blo%ing %in& outsi&e an& the )uiet breathing of relaxe& y uscles! trying to at least rest y bo&y" I %ante& so &es$erately to

fall aslee$" But Skill &rea s tugge& at

e like tiny barbe& hooks in

until I thought I shoul& screa " -ost %ere horrible" So e sort of Forging cere ony in a coastal 'illage! a huge fire burning in a $it! an& ca$ti'es &ragge& for%ar& by 4eering OutIslan&ers an& offere& the choice of being Forge& or flinging the sel'es into the $it" 9hil&ren %ere %atching" I 4erke& back fro I caught go%n" Her the fla es" y breath an& cal e& y eyes" Slee$" In a night cha ber in an ol& %e&&ing y in&

Buckkee$ 9astle! =acey %as carefully re o'ing lace fro

outh %as $inche& shut %ith &isa$$ro'al as she $icke& out the tiny onth" He

threa&s that secure& the ornate %ork" 6It %ill bring a goo& $rice!7 *atience sai& to her" 6*erha$s enough to su$$ly our %atchto%ers for another %oul& un&erstan& %hat %e an& there %as ust &o for Buck"7 She hel& her hea& 'ery u$right!

ore gray in the black of her hair than I recalle& as her fingers

unfastene& the strings of tiny $earls that glistene& in scallo$ing at the neckline of the go%n" Ti e ha& age& the %hite of the go%n to i'ory! an& the luxuriant brea&th of the skirts casca&e& o'er their la$s" *atience cocke& her hea& su&&enly as if listening! a $u11le& fro%n on her face" I fle&"
1H?D

I use& all I %ille& e out of

y %ill to $ry

y eyes o$en" The fire in the s all bra1ier burne& ight lure

s all! she&&ing a re&&ish light" I stu&ie& the $oles that su$$orte& the taut hi&es" y breath to cal ness" I &are& not think of anything that y y o%n life! not -olly! not Burrich! not Aerity" I trie& to fin& so e in& u$on! so ething %ith no s$ecial connotations to

neutral i age to rest

y life" I calle& u$ a blan& lan&sca$e" # s ooth blank $lain of lan& cloake& in %hite sno%! a $eaceful night sky o'er it" Blesse& stillness , I sank into it as into a soft feather be&" # ri&er ca e! s%iftly! leaning lo%! clinging to his horse.s neck! urging hi There %as a si $le safe beauty to the &uo! the running horse! the on" an.s

strea ing cloak echoe& by the horse.s flo%ing tail" For a ti e! there %as no ore than this! the &ark horse an& ri&er clea'ing the sno%y $lain un&er an o$en oonlit night" The horse ran %ell! an effortless stretching an& gathering of uscles an& the an sat hi lightly! al ost a$$earing to ri&e abo'e hi rather than on his back" The oon glinte& sil'er off the an.s bro%! glistening u$on behin&! but those horses if the

the ra $ant buck ba&ge that he %ore" 9ha&e" Three ri&ers an& horses a$$eare&" T%o ca e fro chase %ent %ere running %earily! hea'ily" The lone ri&er %oul& out&istance the

uch longer" The thir& $ursuer cut the $lain at an angle to the high an& %ell! a %o an or a

others" The $iebal& horse ran %ith a %ill! un in&ful of the &ee$er sno% he churne& through in $ursuit" His s all ri&er sat hi young an" The oonlight &ance& lightly along a &ra%n bla&e" For a ti e it

looke& as if the young ri&er %oul& intersect %ith 9ha&e.s $ath of flight! but the ol& assassin sa% hi " He s$oke to his horse! an& the gel&ing $ut on a burst of s$ee&! incre&ible to see" He left the t%o lu bering $ursuers far behin&! but the $iebal& reache& the $acke& trail no% an& his legs stretche& long as he en&ea'ore& to catch u$" For a ti e! it looke& as if 9ha&e %oul& esca$e cleanly!
1H?E

but the $iebal& horse %as fresher" The gel&ing coul& not

aintain his burst of

s$ee&! an& the e'en $ace of the $iebal& slo%ly ate into his lea&" The ga$ close& gra&ually but relentlessly" Then the $iebal& ran right behin& the black gel&ing" The gel&ing slo%e& an& 9ha&e turne& in the sa&&le an& lifte& an ar in greeting" The other ri&er shoute& to hi ! her 'oice thin in the col& air" 6For Aerity the true (ing:7 She tosse& a bag to hi ! an& he thre% a $acket to her" #bru$tly they se$arate&! the t%o horses both 'eering fro The laboring the tro&&en $ath to go %i&e of one another" The hoofbeats &%in&le& in the night" ounts of the $ursuers %ere lathere& an& %et! stea ing in the u$! cursing! %hen they reache& the $lace ixe& %ith col& air" Their ri&ers $ulle& the

%here 9ha&e an& his cohort se$arate&" Snatches of con'ersation

curses floate& on" the air" 6Da ne& Farseer $artisans:7 an& 65o %ay to tell %hich one has it no%:7 an& finally 65ot going back to face a lash o'er this ess"7 They see e& to reach an agree ent! for they let their horses breathe! an& then $rocee&e& I foun& iste& ore slo%ly! follo%ing the tro&&en $ath a%ay fro %here'er they ha& co e" yself briefly" Strange to &isco'er I %as s iling e'en though s%eat y face" The Skilling %as strong an& true" I %as breathing &ee$ %ith it! but the s%eet rush of kno%ing %as

the strain of it" I trie& to &ra% back fro

too keen" I %as elate& at 9ha&e.s esca$e! elate& to kno% that there %ere $artisans %ho %orke& on Aerity.s behalf" The %orl& stretche& out %i&e before e! te $ting as a tray of s%eet cakes" -y heart chose instantly" # baby %aile&! in that en&less! ho$eless %ay that infants ha'e" -y &aughter" She lay on a be&! still %ra$$e& in a blanket that %as bea&e& %ith rain" Her face %as re& %ith the earnestness of her screa ing" The $ent frustration in -olly.s 'oice %as frightening as she sai&! 6Be )uiet" 9an.t you 4ust be )uiet:7
1HBH

Burrich.s 'oice! stern an& %eary" 6Don.t be cross at her" She.s only a babe" She.s $robably 4ust hungry"7 -olly stoo&! li$s $inche& tight! ar s fol&e& tightly across her chest" Her cheeks %ere re&! her hair ha& gone to %et stran&s" Burrich hung u$ his &ri$$ing cloak" They ha& all been so e%here! together! an& 4ust returne&" The ashes %ere &ea& in the fire$lace! the cottage col&" Burrich %ent to the hearth an& a%k%ar&ly knelt by it! fa'oring his knee! an& began to select kin&ling to buil& a fire" I coul& feel the tension in hi ! an& I kne% ho% he stro'e to contain his te $er" 6Take care of the baby!7 he suggeste& )uietly" 6I.ll get the fire going an& $ut so e %ater to boil"7 -olly took off her cloak an& o'e& &eliberately to hang it by his" I kne% ho% col&! an& tire&! an& hungry! an& %et" she hate& to be tol& %hat to &o" The baby continue& %ailing! as re orseless a &e an& as the %inter %in& outsi&e" 6I a She.s going to ha'e to learn that so eti es she 4ust has to %ait"7 Burrich leane& &o%n to blo% on a s$ark! curse& softly %hen it &i& not catch" 6She is col& an& hungry an& tire& an& %et! too!7 he $ointe& out" His 'oice %as getting cris$er" He continue& &ogge&ly %ith his fire aking" 6#n& she is too s all to &o anything about it" So she cries" 5ot to tor ent you! but to tell you she nee&s hel$" It.s like a $u$$y yel$ing! %o an! or a chick chee$ing" She &oesn.t &o it to annoy"7 His 'oice %as rising on e'ery sentence" 6;ell! it annoys e:7 -olly &eclare&! an& turne& to the fight" 6She %ill 4ust too tire& to &eal %ith her" #n& she.s getting s$oile&" #ll o ent to yself any longer" I can.t ha'e to cry it out" I.

she &oes is cry to be hel&" I ne'er ha'e a hol& the baby" That.s all

e'en slee$ a night through" Fee& the baby! %ash the baby! change the baby! y life is any ore"7 She liste& off her grie'ances aggressi'ely" That glint %as in her eye! the sa e one I.& seen %hen she &efie& her father! an& I kne% she ex$ecte& Burrich to stan& an& a&'ance on her"
1HB1

Instea&! he ble% on a tiny glo% an& grunte& in satisfaction %hen a narro% tongue of fla e licke& u$ an& kin&le& a curl of birch bark" He &i&n.t e'en turn to look at -olly or the %ailing chil&" T%ig after t%ig he set on the tiny fire! an& I ar'ele& that he coul& not be a%are of -olly seething behin& hi " I e an& %earing that %oul& not ha'e been so co $ose& %ere she behin& ex$ression" Only %hen the fire %as %ell establishe& &i& he rise! an& then he turne&! not to -olly but to the chil&" He %alke& $ast -olly as if she %ere not there" I &i& not kno% if he sa% ho% she steele& herself not to flinch fro half/ex$ecte& fro hi " It %rung the su&&en blo% she y heart to see this scar her father left on

her" Burrich leane& o'er the baby! s$eaking in his cal ing 'oice as he un%ra$$e& her" I %atche& in a sort of a%e as he co $etently change& her na$kin" He glance& about! then took u$ a %ool shirt of his that %as hanging on a chair back an& %ra$$e& her in it" She continue& to %ail! but on a &ifferent note" He $ro$$e& her against his shoul&er an& use& his free han& to fill the kettle an& set it on the fire" It %as as if -olly %ere not there at all" Her face %ent %hite an& her eyes %ere huge as he began to easure out grain" ;hen he foun& the %ater %as not yet boiling! he sat &o%n %ith the baby an& $atte& her back rhyth ically" The %ailing beca e less &eter ine&! as if the baby %as %earying of crying" -olly stalke& o'er to the " 6Ji'e e the baby" I.ll nurse her no%"7 Burrich slo%ly turne& his eyes u$ to her" His face %as i $assi'e" 6;hen you.re cal ! an& %ant to hol& her! I.ll gi'e her to you"7 6You.ll gi'e her to ake e no%: She.s y chil&:7 -olly sna$$e&! an& reache& for y her" Burrich sto$$e& her %ith a look" She ste$$e& back" 6#re you trying to e asha e&07 she &e an&e&" Her 'oice %as going shrill" 6She.s

1HB2

chil&" I ha'e a right to raise her as I see fit" She &oesn.t nee& to be hel& all the ti e" 6 6That.s true!7 he agree& blan&ly! but think I. %rong07 Burrich got u$! staggere& a half ste$ on his ba& leg! an& regaine& his balance" He took u$ the slightly back fro easure of grain" He s$rinkle& it o'er the boiling %ater! then the fire.s reach" #ll this %hile balancing the babe in the stirre& it to %et it e'enly" Then he $ut a tight li& on the $ot an& $ulle& it crook of one ar " I coul& tell he ha& been thinking %hen he ans%ere&! 65ot babies! $erha$s" But I kno% about young things" Foals! $u$$ies! cal'es! $iglets" E'en hunting cats" I kno% if you %ant the to trust you! you touch the often %hen they are s all" Jently! but fir ly! so they belie'e in your strength! too"7 He %ar e& to his sub4ect" I.& hear& this lecture a hun&re& ti es before! usually &eli'ere& to i $atient stableboys" 6You &on.t shout at the ! or o'es that look threatening" You gi'e the kee$ the clean an& gi'e the shelter fro ake su&&en goo& fee& an& clean %ater! an& the %eather"7 His 'oice &ro$$e& a ba& a&e no o'e to gi'e her the chil&" 6You other" But %hat &o you kno% about chil&ren! to say I.

accusingly as he a&&e&! 6You &on.t take out your te $er on the ! or confuse $unish ent %ith &isci$line"7 -olly looke& shocke& at his %or&s" 6Disci$line co es fro Burrich shook his hea&" 6I.& like to F$unish. the really learn fro $unish ent" # chil& learns &isci$line %hen she is $unishe& for &oing so ething %rong"7 an that beat that into you!7 he sai&! an& an e&ge of his ol& te $er cre$t into his 'oice" 6;hat &i& you your father taking his te $er out on you07 he &e an&e&" 6That to sho% ten&erness to your baby is a %eakness0 That to gi'e in an& hol& your chil& %hen she cries because she %ants you is so eho% not an a&ult thing to &o07
1HB8

6I &on.t %ant to talk about

y father!7 -olly &eclare& su&&enly! but there %as

uncertainty in her 'oice" She reache& for the baby like a chil& clutching at a fa'orite toy an& Burrich let her take the infant" -olly sat on the hearthstones an& o$ene& her blouse" The baby sought her breast gree&ily an& %as instantly silent" For a ti e the only soun&s %ere the %in& uttering outsi&e! the bubbling of the $orri&ge $ot! an& the s all stick noises of Burrich fee&ing the fire" 6You &i& not al%ays kee$ your $atience %ith Fit1 %hen he %as little!7 -olly uttere& chi&ingly" Burrich ga'e a brief snort of laughter" 6I &on.t think anyone %oul& ha'e been eternally $atient %ith that one" ;hen I got hi ! he %as fi'e or six! an& I kne% nothing of hi " #n& I %as a young an! %ith any other interests" You can $ut a colt in a corral! or tie a &og u$ for a ti e" 5ot so %ith a chil&" You can ne'er forget you ha'e a chil& for e'en an instant"7 He shrugge& his shoul&ers hel$lessly" 6Before I kne% it! he.& beco e the center of $ause" 6Then they took hi fro e! an& I let the # silence" I %ante& &es$erately to reach to the y life"7 #n o&& little that I li'e&" , #n& no% he.s &ea&"7

both! to tell the

But I coul& not" I coul& hear the ! I coul& see the ! but I coul& not reach the " =ike the %in& outsi&e the house! I roare& an& $oun&e& at the %alls! to no a'ail" 6;hat a I going to &o0 ;hat %ill beco e of us07 -olly aske& abru$tly of no ake y o%n %ay in the %orl&" E'erything I sa'e& is arry e" But he ne'er &i&" #n& no% he ne'er an to&ay! the one" The &es$air in her 'oice %as ren&ing" 6Here I a " 5o husban&! an& a chil&! an& no %ay to co e to fin& gone"7 She looke& at Burrich" 6I %as so stu$i&" I al%ays belie'e& he %oul& e! that he %oul& %ill"7 She began to rock as she clutche& the baby to her" Tears s$ille& unhee&e& &o%n her cheeks" 6Don.t think I &i&n.t hear that ol& one that sai& he.& seen e in Buckkee$ To%n an& I %as the ;it/Bastar&.s
1HB<

%hore" Ho% long before that tale races through 9a$elin Beach0 I &aren.t go to to%n any ore! I can.t hol& u$ in his han&" He y hea&"7 So ething %ent out of Burrich at her %or&s" He slu $e&! elbo% on knee! hea& uttere&! 6I thought you ha& not hear& hi " Ha& he not been a&e hi ans%er for his %or&s"7 an for s$eaking the truth!7 -olly sai& &is$irite&ly" half as ol& as Jo&! I.& ha'e 6You can.t challenge a

That brought Burrich.s hea& u$" 6You.re not a %hore:7 he &eclare& hotly" 6You %ere Fit1.s %ife" It.s not your fault if not all %ere $ri'y to it"7 6His %ife!7 -olly sai& arrie& e"7 e" I $ro ise you! I kno% this" Ha& he not ake you ockingly to herself" 6I %as not! Burrich" He ne'er

6Such %as ho% he s$oke of you to his %ife"7 6Oh! yes! he ha&

&ie&! he %oul& ha'e co e to you" He %oul&" He al%ays inten&e& to any intentions" #n& he s$oke

any lies" Intentions are not an $ro ise arriage %ere a a&e no

&ee&s! Burrich" If e'ery %o an %ho ha& hear& a an& %i$e& the tears fro

%ife! %ell! there.& be a s$ate less of bastar&s in the %orl&"7 She straightene& u$ her face %ith a %eary finality" Burrich ans%er to her %or&s" She looke& &o%n into the little face that %as finally at $eace" The babe %ent to slee$" She sli$$e& her little finger into the chil&.s outh to free her ni$$le fro 4ust colicky fro 6# tooth0 =et teething"7 e see:7 Burrich exclai e&! an& ca e to ben& o'er the baby as the touch! fro%ning the babe.s slee$y gri$ on it" #s -olly &i& u$ her blouse! she s ile& %eakly" 6I think I feel a tooth co ing through" -aybe she.s

-olly carefully $ushe& &o%n her $ink lo%er li$ to re'eal a tiny half/ oon of %hite sho%ing in her gu " -y &aughter $ulle& a%ay fro in her slee$" Burrich took her gently fro -olly an& carrie& her o'er to the

1HB?

be&" He settle& her into it! still %ra$$e& in his shirt" By the fire! -olly took the li& off the kettle an& ga'e the $orri&ge a stir" 6I.ll take care of you both!7 Burrich offere& a%k%ar&ly" He looke& &o%n at the chil& as he s$oke" 6I. not so ol& I can.t get %ork! you kno%" #s long as I can s%ing an axe! %e can tra&e or sell fire%oo& in to%n" ;e.ll get by"7 6You.re not ol& at all!7 -olly sai& absently as she s$rinkle& a bit of salt into the $orri&ge" She %ent to her chair an& &ro$$e& into it" Fro chair! she took u$ a $iece of %here to begin" 6You see out at the shoul&er sea a basket by her en&ing an& turne& it about in her han&s! &eci&ing to %ake u$ ne% each &ay" =ook at this shirt" Torn as if a gro%ing boy &i& it" I think you get younger y life" So eho%" I

each &ay" But I feel as if I get ol&er %ith e'ery $assing hour" #n& I can.t li'e on your kin&ness fore'er! Burrich" I.'e got to get on %ith 4ust can.t think ho% to begin! 4ust no%"7 6Then &on.t %orry about it! 4ust no%!7 he sai& co fortingly" He ca e to stan& behin& her chair" His han&s lifte& as if he %oul& $ut the ;e.ll $ut in a gar&en an& the fish runs %ill begin again" There hiring %ork &o%n in 9a$elin Beach" You.ll see! %e.ll get by"7 His o$ti is reache& so ething in her" 6I shoul& start no% an& ake so e er" %hen stra% hi'es" ;ith great goo& luck! I ight chance on a s%ar ing of bees"7 o'e into the 07 that %ay! but not until on her shoul&ers" Instea& he crosse& his ar s on his chest" 6Soon it %ill be s$ring" ay be so e

6I kno% a flo%ering fiel& u$ in the hills %here the bees %ork thick in su If %e set out hi'es there! %oul& the bees the ol& hi'e has too high su any bees" ;e -olly s ile& to herself" 6They are not like bir&s! silly" They only s%ar ight get a s%ar

er or autu n" 5o" 9o e s$ring! %hen the bees first stir! %e.ll try to y father hunt bees %hen I %as s aller! before I

fin& a bee tree" I use& to hel$

gre% %ise enough to %inter a hi'e o'er" You $ut out a &ish of %ar e& honey
1HBB

to &ra% the " First one! an& then another %ill co e" If you are goo& at it! an& I a ! you can fin& the bee line an& follo% it back to the bee tree" That is only the start! of course" Then you ha'e to force the s%ar hi'e you.'e 6Bee gu 07 6The $art of the tree they nest in"7 6Don.t they sting you07 Burrich aske& incre&ulously" 65ot if you &o it right!7 she tol& hi 6You.ll ha'e to teach cal ly" e ho%!7 he sai& hu bly" cut it &o%n an& take the bee gu ho e %ith you"7 out of the tree an& into the a&e rea&y" So eti es! if the bee tree is s all! you can si $ly

-olly t%iste& in her seat to look u$ at hi " She s ile&! but it %as not like her ol& s ile" It %as a s ile that ackno%le&ge& that they %ere $reten&ing it %oul& all go as they $lanne&" She kne% too %ell no% that no ho$e coul& be co $letely truste&" 6If you.ll teach e to %rite y letters" =acey an& *atience e"7 starte&! an& I can rea& a bit! but the %riting co es har&er to 5ettle" She na e&

6I.ll teach you an& then you can teach 5ettle!7 he $ro ise& her" y &aughter 5ettle! after the herb she lo'es! though it lea'es great rashes on her han&s an& ar s if she is careless %hen she gathers it" Is that ho% she felt about our &aughter! that she brought $ain e'en as she brought en4oy ent0 It $aine& e to think it %as so" So ething tugge& at y attention! but I clung fiercely %here I %as" If this %as as close as I coul& co e to -olly right no%! then I %oul& take %hat I coul& an& cling to it" 5o" Aerity s$oke fir ly" 9o e a%ay no%" You $ut the coul& hurt an& %eaken you0 #bru$tly I %as %ith Aerity" He %as so e%here col& an& %in&y an& &ark" I trie& to see ore of %hat %as aroun& us! but he blocke&
1HBC

in &anger" Do you

think they %oul& scru$le to &estroy the ! if they thought by &oing so they

y eyes" So

effortlessly he ha& brought off

e here against

y %ill! so effortlessly he close& %as frightening" Yet I coul& sense

y 'ision" The strength of Skill on hi

he %as tire&! %eary al ost to &eath &es$ite this 'ast $o%er" The Skill %as like a strong stallion an& Aerity %as the fraying ro$e that tethers it" It $ulle& at hi e'ery inute an& e'ery inute he resiste& it" nee&lessly" ore! think of the no ore! an& gi'e no ;e are co ing to you! I tol& hi I kno%" Hurry" #n& &o this no

thought at all to the na es of those %ho %oul& &o us har " E'ery %his$er here is a shout" They ha'e $o%ers you &o not i agine! in strengths you cannot &efy" ;here you go! your ene ies Fin& life" I sat u$ in y blankets! con'ulsi'ely gas$ing for air" It re in&e& e& &o%n on the flat of y back" For a e of e: he co an&e& ay follo%" So lea'e no trail" e a%ay fro hi " y o%n bo&y an& e! an& sla e& e back into But %here are you0 I &e an&e& as he thrust

%restling an& being sla looke& about

o ent I

a&e tiny soun&s as I sought to fill

y lungs" Finally I &re% a full breath" I ho%le&" The ore than

e in the &arkness" Outsi&e the tent! the %in&stor slee$ing close to it" e )uietly"

bra1ier %as a s all re& glo% in the center that illu inate& little (ettle.s hu&&le& for 6#re you all right07 the Fool aske&

65o!7 I sai& softly" I lay back &o%n besi&e hi " I %as su&&enly too tire& to think! too tire& to say another %or&" The s%eat on to shi'er" The Fool sur$rise& to hi e by $utting an ar y bo&y chille& an& I began aroun& e" I o'e& closer e" I y %olf %ra$$e&

gratefully! sharing %ar th" The sy $athy of

%aite& for the Fool to say so ething co forting" He %as too %ise to try" I fell aslee$ longing for %or&s that &i& not exist"
1HBD

9H#*TER T;E5TY/FIAE Strategy Six ;ise en ca e to @haa $e/to%n 9li be& a hill! an& ne'er ca e &o%n Foun& their flesh an& lost their skins Fle% a%ay on stony %ings" Fi'e ;ise en ca e to @haa $e/to%n ;alke& a roa& not u$ nor &o%n ;ere torn to any an& turne& to one! In the en&! left a task half/&one" Four ;ise en ca e to @haa $e/to%n They s$oke in %or&s %ithout a soun& They begge& their Iueen to let the go #n& %hat beca e of the ! no one can kno%" Three ;ise en ca e to @haa $e/to%n They.& hel$e& a king to kee$ his cro%n" But %hen they trie& to cli b the hill Do%n they ca e in a terrible s$ill" T%o ;ise en ca e to @haa $e/to%n Jentle %o en there they foun&" Forgot their )uest an& li'e& in lo'e *erha$s %ere %iser than ones abo'e" One ;ise an ca e to @haa $e/to%n" He set asi&e both Iueen an& 9ro%n
1HBE

Di& his task an& fell aslee$ Ja'e his bones to the stones to kee$" 5o %ise en go to @haa $e/to%n" uch ore bra'e To cli b the hill an& ne'er co e &o%n" FTis %iser far an& To stay at ho e an& face the gra'e" 6Fit10 #re you a%ake07 The Fool %as ben&ing o'er ine" He see e& anxious" 6I think so"7 I shut y eyes" I ages an& thoughts flickere& through %ere e" e by y e" y in&" I coul& not &eci&e %hich of the i $ortant to kno% that" 6Fit1:7 This %as (ettricken! shaking 6-ake hi shirtfront an& haule& night" I sai& so" 6It.s tea07 ;hile I %as trying to &eci&e! I forgot %hat she ha& aske& any $eo$le talking softly! I coul& not sort 6Fit1:7 the $ale shoul& bring hi your $ar&on!7 I tol& the %o an $olitely" 6;hat &i& you ask e" There %ere so theirs" 6I beg e an& &ragge& e07 y thoughts fro i&&ay!7 (ettricken sai& tersely" 6The stor hasn.t let u$ since last night"7 She $eere& at e closely" 6#re you hungry0 ;oul& you like a cu$ of sit u$!7 Starling suggeste&" (ettricken $ro $tly gri$$e& e to be a%ake in the ine" I trie& to re e ber if it %as e! his face 'ery close to

e into a sitting $osition" The su&&en change &i11ie&

I coul& not un&erstan& %hy they %ante&

i&&le of the

an hisse& in exas$eration" He reache& behin& back to hi self"7

a $ack o'er to hi " 6He has elfbark in here! for tea" 9ha&e left it %ith hi " It

1HCH

6He &oesn.t nee& that!7 an ol& %o an sai& shar$ly" She cra%le& closer to reache& u$! an& gri$$e& hol&" 6;ake u$:7 she tol& 6I. ;hile I looke& about y ear" She $inche& it tightly" e sternly" 6Right no%:7 e! she let go of

e!

6Ouch: (ettle:7 I rebuke& her! an& trie& to $ull a%ay" She ke$t her $ainful a%ake:7 I $ro ise& her! an& after a sco%l at e in so e confusion! she y ear"

uttere& angrily! 6;e.re too

close to that &a nable roa&"7 6It.s still stor y outsi&e07 I aske& be%il&ere&ly" 6You.'e only been tol& that six ti es!7 Starling retorte&! but I coul& hear the %orry that un&erlay her %or&s" 6I ha& , night ares last night" I &i&n.t slee$ %ell"7 I looke& aroun& at the circle of folk clustere& aroun& the s all bra1ier" So eone ha& bra'e& the %in& for a fresh su$$ly of %oo&" # kettle hung on a tri$o& o'er the bra1ier! hea$e& full of elting sno%" 6;here.s 5ighteyes07 I aske& as soon as I isse& hi " the 6Hunting!7 (ettricken sai& an&! ;ith 'ery little luck! ca e the echo fro back fro it" 5othing is y ar o'ing in this stor " I &on.t kno% %hy I bother" o ent! (ettle leane& o'er it %ith a cry" y ar " 5o one.s beha'ior e!

hillsi&e abo'e us" I coul& feel the %in& $ast his eyes" He ha& fol&e& his ears 9o e back an& stay %ar ! I suggeste&" #t that an& $inche& sa'agely" I 4erke& back fro e" 6*ay attention to us:7 she sna$$e& at a&e any sense to $eering into really here"7 6I &on.t kno%!7 I a& itte&" 6I feel caught in a &rea " #n& if I &on.t concentrate on staying a%ake! I start to fall right back to slee$"7
1HC1

6;hat are %e &oing07 I &e an&e& as I sat rubbing e to&ay" to $ass!7 Starling tol& 6;aiting for the stor

e" She leane& closer to

y face" 6Fit1! %hat is the

atter %ith you0 I feel as if you.re not

6Then concentrate!7 (ettle a&'ise& she see e& so angry %ith e"

e roughly" I coul& not un&erstan& %hy

6-aybe he shoul& 4ust slee$!7 the Fool suggeste&" 6He see s tire&! an& fro all the lea$ing an& yel$ing he &i& in his slee$ last night! his &rea s %ere scarcely restful"7 6So he %ill get to us! Fit1"7 6#bout %hat07 I he&ge&" (ettricken o'e& )uickly to the attack" 6Di& you &rea of Aerity last night07 one.s )ueen %ith a lie" that %ill e e to she &e an&e&" 6Is Skilling last night %hat has left you so &a1e& to&ay07 I sighe&" One &oes not ans%er a &irect )uestion fro 6Yes!7 I tol& her! but as her eyes lit I ha& to a&&! 6But it %as a &rea see no ore rest staying a%ake no% than fro ercilessly" She $oke& going back to &rea s like that!7 (ettle insiste& e su&&enly in the ribs" 6Talk

bring you s all co fort" He is ali'e! in a col&+ %in&y $lace" He %oul& let ore than that! an& %hen I aske& %here he %as! he si $ly tol& fin& hi "7

6;hy %oul& he beha'e so07 (ettricken aske&" The hurt on her face %as as if Aerity hi self ha& sho'e& her a%ay" 6He %arne& e se'erely against all Skilling" I ha& been , %atching -olly an& e a%ay fro there! an& %arne& e Burrich"7 It %as so har& to a& it this! for I %ante& to s$eak nothing of %hat I ha& seen there" 6Aerity ca e an& took that our ene ies ight fin& the %hy he conceale& his surroun&ings fro the ! so eho% Regal or his coterie 6Does he fear that they seek for hi 6So it see s to belie'e they %ill seek hi through e an& hurt the " I belie'e that is e" Because he feare& that if I kne%

ight co e to kno% the "7 also07 (ettricken aske& %on&eringly"

e" Though I ha'e felt no tre or of their $resence! he see s to out! either by the Skill or in the flesh"7
1HC2

6;hy shoul& Regal bother to &o so! %hen all belie'e Aerity &ea&07 (ettricken aske& e" ake certain that he ne'er returns to $ro'e the y )ueen" I sense that y king conceals any an& strong"7 y la&y" But it all uch I shrugge&" 6*erha$s to fro 6He e" He %arne& asters a stor

%rong" I &o not truly kno%!

e that the $o%ers of the coterie are

6But surely Aerity is as strong07 (ettricken aske& %ith a chil&.s faith" of $o%er such as I ha'e ne'er %itnesse&! takes all his %ill to control it"7 6#ll such control is an illusion!7 (ettle the un%ary"7 6(ing Aerity is scarcely un%ary! Da e (ettle:7 (ettricken retorte& angrily" 65o! he is not!7 I agree& in a conciliatory tone" 6#n& the %or&s %ere Aer , (ing Aerity.s! he no% &oes is beyon& y la&y" I only seek to e"7 such as this one"7 ine! not ake you un&erstan& that %hat u ble& to herself" 6# tra$ to &ecei'e

y co $rehension" #ll I can &o is trust that he kno%s

%hat he is about" #n& &o as he has or&ere& no%! this 'ery

6To fin& hi !7 (ettricken agree&" She sighe&" 6;oul& that %e coul& lea'e inute" But only a fool &efies a stor 6;hile %e bi&e here! Fit19hi'alry is in constant &anger!7 (ettle infor e& us" #ll eyes turne& to her" 6;hat akes you say so! (ettle07 (ettricken aske&" She hesitate&" 6#nyone can see it is so" >nless he is ke$t talking! his thoughts &rift! his eyes beco e e $ty" He cannot slee$ at night %ithout the Skill co ing u$on hi " It is ob'ious that the roa& is at fault"7 6;hile these things are so! it is not at all ob'ious to $roble " # lingering fe'er fro 65o"7 I riske& interru$ting e that the roa& is the his in4ury coul& be at fault! or ,7

y )ueen" 6It is the roa&" I ha'e no fe'er" #n& I &i&

not feel this %ay before I tra'ele& on it"7

1HC8

6Ex$lain this to

e!7 (ettricken co

an&e&" ore le'el than any roa& I ha'e

6I &on.t un&erstan& it

yself" I can only su$$ose that Skill %as so eho% use&

to construct that roa&" It runs straighter an& ani al tracks u$on it" #n& &i& you

e'er kno%n" 5o tree intru&es u$on it! &es$ite ho% little it is use&" There are no ark the one tree %e $asse& yester&ay! the log that ha& fallen across the roa&0 The stu $ an& the u$$er ost branches %ere still al ost soun& , but all of the trunk that ha& fallen u$on the roa& itself %as rotte& a%ay to al ost nothing" So e force (ettricken sat a aske& to try to e" o'e it in this %in&" I ust si $ly be a%are of the &anger to yself! o'es still in that roa&! to kee$ it so clear an& true" #n& I think %hate'er it is! it is relate& to the Skill"7 o ent consi&ering this" 6;hat &o you suggest %e &o07 she

I shrugge&" 65othing" For no%" The tent is %ell $itche& here" ;e.& be foolish an& en&ea'or to a'oi& it" #n& to orro%! or %hene'er the %in& falls! I shoul& %alk besi&e the roa& instea& of u$on it"7 6That %ill be little better for you!7 (ettle gru ble&" 6*erha$s" But as the roa& is our gui&e to Aerity! it %oul& be foolish to lea'e it" Aerity sur'i'e& this $ath! an& he %alke& it alone"7 I $ause&! thinking that I no% un&erstoo& better so e of the frag ente& Skill &rea s I ha& ha& of hi " 6I %ill anage! so eho%"7 e %ere not reassuring" 6You ust! I The circle of faces &oubtfully regar&ing you! Fit19hi'alry ,7 6There is none that I can think of!7 I a& itte&" 6Sa'e to kee$ his hi in& occu$ie& as best %e can!7 (ettle offere&" 6Do not let sit i&ly! nor slee$ o'er uch" Starling! you ha'e your har$! ha'e you not0

su$$ose!7 (ettricken conclu&e& &olefully" 6If there is any %ay %e can assist

9oul& not you $lay an& sing for us07

1HC<

6I ha'e a har$!7 Starling correcte& her sourly" 6It.s a $oor thing co $are& to y ol& one that %as taken fro the Skill $ulle& at e at -oonseye"7 For a o ent her face e $tie& an& her eyes turne& in%ar&" I %on&ere& if that %as ho% I looke& %hen e" (ettle reache& to $at her softly on one knee! but Starling it a bun&le& har$" #s ore than a flinche& to the touch" 6Still! it.s %hat I ha'e! an& I.ll $lay it! if you think it %ill hel$"7 She reache& behin& her for her $ack an& &re% fro she &re% the har$ fro its %ra$$ings! I coul& see that it %as little

fra e%ork of ra% %oo& %ith strings stretche& across it" It ha& the essential sha$e of her ol& har$! but %ith none of its grace an& $olish" It %as to Starling.s ol& har$ %hat one of Ho&.s $ractice bla&es %as to a fine s%or&+ a thing of utility an& function! no ore than that" But she settle& it on her la$ an& began tuning it" She began the o$ening notes of an ol& Buck balla& %hen she %as interru$te& by a sno%y nose $oking its %ay into the tent &oor" 65ighteyes:7 The Fool %elco e& hi " I.'e eat to share" This ca e as a $rou& announce ent" -ore than enough to gorge %ell on" It %as not an exaggeration" ;hen I cra%le& out of the tent to see his kill! it %as a sort of boar" The tusks an& coarse hair %ere black an& %hite" ;hen (ettricken 4oine& ha& seen fe% of the ear %ith a uch the sa e as those I ha& ottle& hunte& before! but this creature ha& larger ears an& the coarse hair %as before! but they %ere kno%n to roa

e! she exclai e& o'er it! saying she the forests an& ha&

a re$utation as 'icious ga e best left alone" She scratche& the %olf behin& the ittene& han& an& $raise& hi o'er uch for his bra'ery an& skill! until he fell o'er in the sno% o'erco e %ith $ri&e in hi self" I looke& at hi ! lolling near on his back in the sno% an& %in&! an& coul& not hel$ but grin" In an instant he ha& fli$$e& to his feet! to gi'e &e an& that I o$en its belly for hi "
1HC?

e a nasty $inch on the leg an&

The

eat %as fat an& rich" (ettricken an& I &i&

ost of the butchering! for the

col& sa'age& the Fool an& (ettle healing fingers" I &i& not ke$t y in& fro uch

ercilessly an& Starling begge& off for the in&" Both the task an& the harsh con&itions

sake of a har$ist.s han&s" 9ol& an& &a $ %ere not the best things for her still/ %an&ering as I %orke&! an& there %as an o&& $leasure to

being alone %ith (ettricken! e'en un&er such circu stances! for in sharing this hu ble %ork! %e both forgot station an& $ast an& beca e but t%o $eo$le in the col& re4oicing in a richness of eat" ;e cut off long ske%ering stri$s that %oul& cook s%iftly o'er the little bra1ier in sufficient )uantity for all of us to gorge" 5ighteyes took the entrails for hi self! re'eling in the heart an& li'er an& guts an& then a front leg %ith the satisfaction of bones to crack" He brought this gristly $ri1e into the tent %ith hi ! but no one his eat sa'e to $raise hi " I thought hi so+ he but infor e& a&e co ent on the sno%y! bloo&y %olf that lay along one si&e of the tent %all an& noisily che%e& insufferably satisfie& %ith hi self a&e so &ifficult a kill an& tol& hi his ears" Soon the rich s ell of cooking fille& the tent" It ha& been so e &ays since %e ha& ha& fresh eat of any kin&! an& the col& %e ha& en&ure& a&e the fat taste &oubly rich to us" It brought our s$irits u$ an& %e coul& al ost forget the ho%ling of the %in& outsi&e an& the col& that $resse& so fiercely against our s all shelter" #fter %e %ere all sate& %ith of nothing &o no ore %ar ing than hot eat! (ettle a&e tea for us" I kno% his corner" #n& I coul& the Fool! eat an& tea an& goo& fello%shi$" e that I ha& ne'er

alone! let alone &ragge& it back intact to share" #ll the %hile the Fool scratche&

This is $ack! 5ighteyes obser'e& in content ent fro ore than agree"

Starling cleanse& her fingers of grease an& took her har$ back fro %ho ha& aske& to see it" To

y sur$rise! he leane& o'er it %ith her! an& trace&

1HCB

&o%n the fra e %ith a $ale fingernail! saying! 6Ha& I think it ight fit your han&s better"7

y tools here! I coul&

sha'e the %oo& here! an& here! an& s ooth a cur'e like so along this si&e" I Starling looke& at hi stu&ie& his face for s$oke to us all! 6-y har&! caught bet%een sus$icion an& hesitancy" She aster %ho taught e har$ing %as goo& at the aking of

ockery! but foun& none" 9arefully she obser'e&! as if she e! an& I learne& the

har$s as %ell" Too goo&! $erha$s" He trie& to teach basics! but he coul& not stan& to %atch he $ut it" So I ne'er learne& for #n& %ith this han& still stiff ,7

e Ffu ble an& scra$e at fine %oo&!. as

yself the finer $oints of sha$ing the fra e" uch as you

6;ere %e back at @haa $e! I coul& let you fu ble an& scra$e as such kni'es as %e ha'e! I think I %oo&"7 The Fool s$oke o$enly" ight bring a

%ante&" To &o is truly the only %ay to learn" But for here! for no%! e'en %ith ore graceful sha$e out of this

6If you %oul&!7 she acce$te& )uietly" I %on&ere& %hen they ha& set asi&e their hostilities an& reali1e& I ha& not! for so e &ays! $ai& sa'e yself" I ha& acce$te& that Starling %ante& little uch attention to anyone ore to &o %ith e than a&e any of

to be $resent if I &i& so ething of 'ast i $ort" I ha& not

frien&shi$.s &e an&s u$on her" Both (ettricken.s rank an& her grief ha& i $ose& a barrier bet%een us that I ha& not 'enture& to breach" (ettle.s reticence about herself lately" ;hen you thro% u$ %alls against those %ho %oul& use Skill against you! you lock ore than your Skill/sense insi&e! 5ighteyes obser'e&" a&e any true con'ersation &ifficult" But I coul& think y thoughts of no excuse for ho% I ha& exclu&e& the Fool an& the %olf fro

1HCC

I sat $on&ering that" It see e& to ha& &i

e that

y ;it an& e"

y feeling for $eo$le

e& so e%hat of late" *erha$s

y co $anion %as right" (ettle $oke&

e su&&enly! shar$ly" 6Don.t %an&er:7 she chi&e& 6I %as 4ust thinking!7 I sai& &efensi'ely" 6;ell! think alou& then"7 6I.'e no thoughts %orth sharing 4ust no%"7 (ettle glo%ere& at 6Recite then!7 co e for being uncoo$erati'e"

an&e& the Fool" 6Or sing so ething" #nything to kee$ y turn to glo%er at the Fool" e ori1e&" But

yourself focuse& here"7 6That.s a goo& i&ea!7 (ettle agree&! an& it %as But all eyes %ere on e" I took a breath an& trie& to think of so ething to

recite" #l ost e'eryone ha& a fa'orite story or bit of $oetry

ost of %hat I ha& $ossesse& ha& to &o %ith the $oisoning herbs or others of the assassin.s arts" 6I kno% one song!7 I finally a& itte&" 6 F9rossfire.s Sacrifice". 6 5o% (ettle sco%le&! but Starling struck u$ the o$ening notes %ith an a use& s ile on her face" #fter one false start! I launche& into it! an& carrie& it off fairly %ell! though I sa% Starling flinch a ti e or t%o at a soure& note" For %hate'er reason at y choice of song &is$lease& (ettle! %ho sat gri an& staring e &efiantly" ;hen I ha& finishe&! the turn %as $asse& to (ettricken! %ho the -ountains" Then it %as the Fool.s turn! an& he ilk ai&" I belie'e I sa% Starling for that $erfor ance" That left (ettle! an& I

sang a hunting balla& fro gru&ging a& iration fro

hu ore& us %ith a ribal& folk song about courting a

ha& ex$ecte& her to beg off" Instea&! she sang the ol& chil&ren.s nursery rhy e about 6Six ;ise -en %ent to @haa $e/to%n! cli be& a hill an& ne'er ca e &o%n!7 all the ti e eyeing e as if each %or& fro her cracke& ol& 'oice %ere

1HCD

a barb

eant 4ust for

e" But if there %as a 'eile& insult there! I

isse& it! as

%ell as the reason for her ill %ill" ;ol'es sing together! 5ighteyes obser'e&! 4ust as (ettricken suggeste&! 6*lay us so ething %e all kno%! Starling" So ething to gi'e us heart"7 So Starling $laye& that ancient song about gathering flo%ers for one.s belo'e&! an& %e all sang along! so e %ith ore heart than others" the tent" I follo%e& her! an& #s the last note &ie& a%ay! (ettle obser'e&! 6The %in&.s &ro$$ing"7 ;e all listene&! an& then (ettricken cra%le& fro colors fro 6The stor to orro%"7 65one too soon for beating of Aerity" #n& the ri'er of Skill" 6#s for e!7 (ettricken sai& )uietly" 6;oul& that I ha& follo%e& y instincts a year ago! an& gone to the en&s of the any%ay! an& thus faile& hi both %ays"7 e %ith a$" But I reasone& that I coul& &o no e!7 I sai&" 9o e to e! co e to e still echoe& in the y heart" So e%here u$ in those -ountains! or beyon& the ! %as %e stoo& )uiet for a ti e in a %in& that ha& gone )uieter" Dusk ha& stolen the the %orl&" In the %ake of the %in&! sno% ha& begun thickly falling" has al ost blo%n itself out!7 she obser'e&" 6;e can be on our %ay

better than Aerity ha& &one" #n& I feare& to risk his chil&" # chil& I lost 6Faile& hi 07 I exclai e& in horror" 6By losing his chil&07 6His chil&! his cro%n! his king&o " His father" ;hat &i& he entrust that I &i& not lose! Fit19hi'alry0 E'en as I rush to be %ith hi ho% I can 6Oh! eet his eyes"7 istaken in this! I assure you" He %oul& not $ercei'e y )ueen! you are again! I %on&er

that you ha'e faile& hi ! but fears only that he aban&one& you in the greatest of &anger"7
1HCE

6He only %ent to &o %hat he kne% he cannot e'en tell 6;here he is! e %here he is07

ust!7 (ettricken sai& )uietly" #n& then

a&&e& $lainti'ely! 6Oh! Fit1! ho% can you s$eak for %hat he feels! %hen you y )ueen! is but a bit of infor ation! a s$ot on that in& to a$" But

%hat he feels! an& %hat he feels for you , that is %hat he breathes! an& %hen %e are together in the Skill! 4oine& in&! then I kno% such things! y al ost %hether I %oul& or no"7 I recalle& the other ti es I ha& been $ri'y un%illingly to Aerity.s feelings for his )ueen! an& %as gla& the night hi& face fro her"

6;oul& this Skill %ere a thing I coul& learn , Do you kno% ho% often an& ho% angry I ha'e felt %ith you! solely because you coul& reach forth to the one I longe& for! an& kno% his in& an& heart so easily0 @ealousy is an ugly thing! e" But so eti es it see s so in such a %ay! an& I a not"7 e" an& al%ays I ha'e trie& to set it asi&e fro onstrously unfair that you are 4oine& to hi It ha& ne'er occurre& to e that she $ointe& out! 6The Skill is as

ight feel such a thing" #%k%ar&ly! I y la&y! I &o not kno% that is a o ent! Fit1 , for that I %oul& , can y heart"

uch curse as it is gift" Or so it has been to

E'en if it %ere a thing I coul& gift you %ith! thing one %oul& &o to a frien&"7 6To feel his $resence an& his lo'e for e'en a you i agine ho% I 6I think I can! iss hi 07

acce$t any curse that ro&e %ith it" To kno% his touch again! in any for y la&y!7 I sai& )uietly" -olly" =ike a han& gri$$ing

9ho$$ing har& %inter turni$s on the tableto$" The knife %as &ull! she %oul& ask Burrich to $ut an e&ge on it if he e'er ca e in fro too har&! his leg %oul& be hurting hi 6Fit10 Fit19hi'alry:7
1HDH

the rain" He %as an %orke&

cutting %oo& to take &o%n to the 'illage an& sell to orro%" The tonight"

I sna$$e& back to (ettricken shaking 6I.

e by the shoul&ers" y eyes an& laughe&" 6Irony" #ll y

sorry!7 I sai& )uietly" I rubbe& at

life! it has been so &ifficult to use the Skill" It ca e an& %ent like the %in& in a shi$.s sails" 5o% I a Aerity %arns 6#s $ut ;e stoo& a y ar eI here! an& su&&enly Skilling is as effortless as breathing" ust belie'e he kno%s best"7 #n& I hunger to use it! to fin& out %hat is ha$$ening to those I lo'e best" But ust not! an& I ust I!7 she agree& %earily" o ent longer in the &i ness! an& I fought a su&&en i $ulse to aroun& her shoul&ers an& tell her it %oul& be all right! that %e the -ountains to be Aerity.s bri&e" But no% she %as the Iueen

%oul& fin& her husban& an& king" Briefly! she see e& that tall slen&er girl %ho ha& co e fro fro of the Six Duchies! an& I ha& seen her strength" Surely she nee&e& no co fort one such as I" ore slices of eat fro the free1ing boar an& then re4oine& our ;e cut

co $anions in the tent" 5ighteyes %as slee$ing contente&ly" The Fool ha& Starling.s har$ clutche& bet%een his knees an& %as using a skinning knife as a akeshift &ra%knife to gentle so e of the fra e.s lines" Starling sat besi&e hi ! %atching an& trying not to look anxious" (ettle ha& taken off a little $ouch she %ore about her neck an& o$ene& it! an& %as sorting out a han&ful of $olishe& stone" #s (ettricken an& I built u$ the s all fire in the bra1ier an& $re$are& to cook the eat! (ettle insiste& on ex$laining the rules of a ga e to e" Or atte $ting to" She finally ga'e u$! exclai ing! 6You.ll un&erstan& it %hen you.'e lost a fe% ti es"7 I lost ore than a fe% ti es" She ke$t e at it for long hours after %e ha& Starling.s har$! %ith any oo&y! eaten" The Fool continue& to sha'e %oo& fro until the Fool notice& her elancholy

$auses to $ut a fresh e&ge on the knife" (ettricken %as silent! al ost

oo& an& began to tell tales of Buckkee$

1HD1

life before she ha& co e there" I listene& %ith one ear! an& e'en I %as &ra%n back to those &ays %hen the Re&/Shi$s %ere no 'arious ore than a tale an& y life ha& been al ost secure if not ha$$y" So eho% the talk roun&e& into the instrels that ha& $laye& at Buckkee$! both fa ous an& lesser! an& yself caught u$ in the $lay of the stones" It %as strangely Starling $lie& the Fool %ith )uestions about the " I soon foun& soothing3 the stones the sel'es %ere re&! black! an& %hite! s oothly $olishe& an& $leasant to hol&" The ga e in'ol'e& each $layer ran&o ly &ra%ing stones fro the $ouch an& then $lacing the e&iately intro&uce& y in& fro on the intersections of lines on a e to ore co $licate& strategies" It $atterne& cloth" It %as a ga e at once si $le an& co $lex" Each ti e I %on a ga e! (ettle i engrosse& e an& free& e ories or $on&erings" ;hen finally

all the others %ere alrea&y &ro%sing in their slee$ing skins! she set u$ a ga e on the boar& an& ba&e e stu&y it" o'e of a black stone!7 she tol& e" 6But the 6It can be %on &ecisi'ely in one solution is not easy to see"7 I stare& at the ga e layout an& shook learn to $lay07 She s ile& to herself" 6#s a chil&! I %as a fast learner" But I %ill a& it you are faster"7 6I thought this ga e ca e fro 65o! it is an ol& Buck ga e"7 6I.'e ne'er seen it $laye& before"7 6It %as not unco that is of no the solution"7 on %hen I %as a girl! but it %as not taught to e'eryone" But orning! tell e atter no%" Stu&y the layout of the $ieces" In the so e far lan&"7 y hea&" 6Ho% long &i& it take you to

1HD2

She left the $ieces set u$ on the cloth by the bra1ier" 9ha&e.s long training of y e ory ser'e& e %ell" ;hen I lay &o%n! I 'isuali1e& the boar& an& ga'e the $lace of a re& stone an& yself one black stone %ith %hich to %in" There %ere )uite a 'ariety of $ossible I close& o'es! as a black stone coul& also clai force it to another intersection! an& a re& stone ha& si ilar $o%ers o'er a %hite" y eyes! but hel& on to the ga e! $laying the stone in 'arious %ays orning! I still ha& until I finally fell aslee$" Either I &rea e& of the ga e! or of nothing at all" It ke$t the Skill &rea s safely at bay! but %hen I a%oke in the no solution to the $u11le she ha& set $acke& full of ne% %et sno% to e" elt for orning tea" It %as substantially e! e'en as it y a&e e in& coul&

I %as the first one a%ake" I cra%le& out of the tent an& returne& %ith a $ot %ar er outsi&e than it ha& been in &ays" It cheere&

%on&er if s$ring %as alrea&y a reality in the lo%lan&s" Before his hea& on I. y shoul&er %here I sat"

start %an&ering! I returne& to $u11ling about the ga e" 5ighteyes ca e to rest tire& of &rea ing of rocks" =ift u$ your eyes an& see the %hole thing! little

brother" It is a hunting $ack! not isolate& hunters" See" That one" *ut the black there! an& &o not use the re& to &is$lace a %hite! but set it there to close the tra$" That is all" I %as still %on&ering at the a black stone fro ar'elous si $licity of 5ighteyes. solution %hen e if I ha& sol'e& it yet" In ans%er! I took a&e the o'es the %olf ha& suggeste&" e in a%e" e" ine"7 (ettle a%oke" ;ith a grin she aske& the $ouch an&

(ettle.s face %ent slack %ith astonish ent" Then she looke& u$ at 65o one has e'er figure& it out that ra$i&ly!7 she tol& 6I ha& hel$!7 I a& itte& shee$ishly" 6It.s the %olf.s ga e! not e carefully"
1HD8

(ettle.s eyes gre% roun&" 6You are 4esting %ith an ol& %o an!7 she rebuke&

65o" I a about it for

not!7 I tol& her! as I see e& to ha'e hurt her feelings" 6I thought ost of the night" I belie'e I e'en &rea e& about ga e strategies"

But %hen I %oke! it %as 5ighteyes %ho ha& the solution"7 She %as silent for a ti e" 6I ha& thought that 5ighteyes %as , a cle'er $et" One %ho coul& hear your co %or&s I s$eak07 #cross the tent! Starling %as $ro$$e& u$ on one elbo%! listening to the con'ersation" I trie& to think of a %ay to &isse ble! then re4ecte& it fiercely" I s)uare& y shoul&ers as if I %ere re$orting to Aerity hi self an& s$oke clearly" 6;e are ;it/boun&" ;hat I hear an& un&erstan&! he co $rehen&s as I &o" ;hat interests hi ! he learns" I &o not say he coul& rea& a scroll! or re e ber a song" But if a thing intrigues hi ! he thinks on it! in his o%n %ay" #s a %olf! usually! but so eti es al ost as anyone I struggle& to try an& $ut in %or&s so ething I an& re& an& %hite %ith that $ack! to things as he sees the ight ,7 yself &i& not un&erstan& an&s e'en if you &i& not s$eak the alou&" But no% you say he can co $rehen& a ga e" ;ill you tell e he un&erstan&s the

$erfectly" 6He sa% the ga e as a $ack of %ol'es &ri'ing ga e" 5ot as black arkers" #n& he sa% %here he %oul& go! %ere he hunting ake their kill ore likely" I su$$ose that so eti es I see , as a %olf" It is not %rong! I belie'e" Only a &ifferent

%ay of $ercei'ing the %orl&"7 There %as still a trace of su$erstitious fear in (ettle.s eyes as she glance& fro e to the slee$ing %olf" 5ighteyes chose that (ettle ga'e a shi'er" 6;hat you &o %ith hi to hu an! only to a %olf07 I starte& to shake y hea&! but then ha& to shrug" 6The ;it begins ore as a sharing of feelings" Es$ecially %hen I %as a chil&" Follo%ing s ells! chasing a
1HD<

o ent to let his tail rise an& hu an

fall in a slee$y %ag to in&icate he %as fully cogni1ant that %e s$oke of hi " , is it like Skilling fro

chicken because it %oul& run! en4oying foo& together" But %hen you ha'e been together as long as 5ighteyes an& I ha'e! it starts to be so ething else" It goes beyon& feelings! an& it.s ne'er really %or&s" I a that y in& li'es insi&e" He is ore a%are of ,7 aking choices! an& consi&ers %hat the best ore a%are of the ani al

Thinking" Of %hat co es before an& after choosing to &o an action" One beco es a%are that one is al%ays ones are" Exactly" I re$eate& his %or&s alou& for (ettle" By no% 5ighteyes %as sitting u$" He a&e an elaborate sho% of stretching an& then sat looking at her! his hea& cocke& to one si&e" 6I see!7 she sai& faintly" 6I see"7 Then she got u$ an& left the tent" Starling sat u$ an& stretche&" 6It gi'es one an entirely &ifferent outlook on scratching his ears!7 she obser'e&" The Fool ans%ere& her %ith a snort of laughter! sat u$ in his be&&ing! an& i behin& the ears" The %olf fell o'er on hi the an& %ent back to aking tea" uch ore &ifficult" ;e cut u$ e&iately reache& to scratch 5ighteyes in a$$reciation" I gro%le& at both of

;e %ere not as s%ift to be $acke& an& on our %ay" # thick layer of &a $ sno% o'erlay e'erything! aking breaking ca $ that %hat %as left of the boar an& took it %ith us" The 4e$$as %ere roun&e& u$+ &es$ite the stor ! they ha& not %an&ere& far" The secret see e& to be in the bag of s%eetene& grain that (ettricken ke$t to lure the lea&er" ;hen %e %ere loa&e& an& finally rea&y to lea'e! (ettle announce& that I to %alk on the roa&! an& that so eone at that! but they ignore& $artner" Starling ga'e hi ust al%ays be %ith ust not be allo%e& e" I bristle& a bit y first

e" The Fool 'olunteere& )uickly to be anfully" They ignore& that! too"

an o&& s ile an& a shake of her hea& o'er that" I

acce$te& their ri&icule by sulking

1HD?

In a short ti e the %o en an& the 4e$$as %ere %hile the Fool an& I scrabble& alongsi&e on the ber it" (ettle turne& to shake her %alking stick" 6Jet hi no%" Jo on"7

o'ing easily u$ the roa&! that arke& the e&ge of farther a%ay than that:7

she scol&e& the Fool" 6Jet to %here you can 4ust see us to follo% us" Jo on! So %e obe&iently e&ge& back into the %oo&s" #s soon as %e %ere out of sight of the others! the Fool turne& to 6You kno% as e an& excite&ly &e an&e&! 6;ho is (ettle07 uch as I &o!7 I $ointe& out shortly" #n& a&&e& a )uestion of e an& %inke& slyly" y %iles as you are! Fit1" ;hat can I tell you0 e in the &e$ths of her soul! but kno%s not ean by asking e! F;ho is

y o%n! 6;hat is bet%een you an& Starling no%07 He lifte& his eyebro%s at 6I &oubt that 'ery She $ines for 6#h! not all are as i uch!7 I retorte&" une to

e! she yearns for

ho% to ex$ress it! $oor thing"7 I ga'e it u$ as a ba& )uestion" 6;hat &o you (ettle0. 6 He ga'e e a $itying glance" 6It is not so co $lex a )uestion! $rinceling" ;ho uch of %hat troubles you! %ho su&&enly fishes entione& once in a 'ery ol& scroll! y life! is (ettle! an& %hy ountain is this %o an %ho kno%s so

out of a $ocket a ga e I ha'e only seen

%ho sings for us FSix ;ise -en ;ent to @haa $e/To%n. %ith t%o a&&itional 'erses I.'e ne'er hear& any%here" ;ho! O light of %ith us07 6You.re in fine s$irits this Surely! you Fool07
1HDB

&oes so ancient a %o an choose to s$en& her last &ays hiking u$ a orning!7 I obser'e& sourly"

6#ren.t I07 he agree&" 6#n& you are al ost as a&e$t at a'oi&ing ust ha'e so e usings on this

y )uestion"

ystery to share %ith a $oor

6She &oesn.t gi'e on!7 I returne&"

e enough infor ation about herself to base any %on&ering

6So" ;hat can %e sur ise about one %ho guar&s her tongue as closely as all that0 #bout so eone %ho see s to kno% so ething of the Skill as %ell0 #n& the ancient ga es of Buck! an& ol& $oetry0 Ho% ol& &o you su$$ose she is07 I shrugge&" 6She &i&n.t like su&&enly" 6#h! but that coul& easily ha'e been 4ust your singing" =et.s not gras$ at stra%s! here"7 In s$ite of yself! I s ile&" 6It has been so long since your tongue has ha& an ock e". uch sooner"7 He ystery ho'ers about that isse& it! I %oul& ha'e been ru&e to you ore serious" 6Fit19hi'alry! e&ge to it! it.s al ost a relief to hear you 6Ha& I kno%n you grinne&" Then he gre% y song about 9rossfire.s coterie!7 I offere&

%o an like flies on , s$ilt beer" She absolutely reeks of o ens an& $ortents an& $ro$hecies co ing into focus" I think it is ti e one of us aske& her a fe% &irect )uestions"7 He s ile& at e" 6Your best chance %ill be %hen she is she$her&ing you along this afternoon" Be subtle! of course" #sk her %ho %as king %hen she %as a girl" #n& %hy she %as exile&"7 6Exile&07 I laughe& alou&" 6There.s a lea$ of the i agination"7 6Do you think so0" I &on.t" #sk her" #n& be sure to tell &oesn.t say"7 6#n& in return for all this! you %ill tell an& Starling07 He ga'e %e e a si&e%ays glance" 6#re you sure you %ant to kno%0 The last ti e a&e such a tra&e! %hen I ga'e you the secret you.& bargaine& for! you e %hat is truly going on bet%een you e %hate'er she

foun& you &i& not %ant it"7 6Is this such a secret07
1HDC

He arche& one eyebro% at that

e" 6You kno%! I a

har&ly certain of the ans%er to

yself" So eti es you sur$rise

e! Fit1" -ore often! you &on.t! of

course" -ost often I sur$rise

yself" Such as %hen I 'olunteer to slog through

loose sno% an& &o&ge trees %ith so e bastar& %hen I coul& be $ara&ing u$ a $erfectly straight a'enue %ith a string of char ing 4e$$as"7 I got as little infor ation fro hi the rest of the orning" ;hen afternoon y %alking co $anion" I ca e! it %as not (ettle but Starling %ho %as bargaine& her kno%le&ge of

ex$ecte& that to be unco fortable" I still ha& not forgotten that she ha& y chil& in or&er to be $art of this ex$e&ition" But y anger ha& beco e a so eho% in the &ays since %e ha& begun our 4ourney! %oul& scru$le to use against nothing at all of -olly or But to e! an& so I guar&e&

%eary %ariness to%ar& her" I kne% no% there %as no bit of infor ation she y tongue! resol'ing to say uch goo& no%" e %ith y &aughter" 5ot that it %oul& &o

y sur$rise! Starling %as affable an& chatty" She $lie&

)uestions! not about -olly! but about the Fool! to the $oint at %hich I began to %on&er if she ha& concei'e& a su&&en affection for hi " There ha& been a fe% ti es at court %hen %o en ha& taken an interest in hi an& $ursue& hi " To those %ho %ere attracte& by the no'elty of his a$$earance! he ha& been ercilessly cruel in ex$osing the shallo%ness of their interest" There ha& been one gar&ener flo%ers for hi ai& %ho %as i $resse& %ith his %it so uch that she %as tongue/tie& in his $resence" I hear& kitchen gossi$ that she left bou)uets of at the base of his to%er stairs! an& so e sur ise& that she ha& other in a &istant to%n! an& that ha& been %here Starling! turning occasionally been in'ite& to ascen& those ste$s" She ha& ha& to lea'e Buckkee$ 9astle to care for her el&erly it en&e&! as far as I kne%" Yet as slight as this kno%le&ge of the Fool %as! I ke$t it fro asi&e her )uestions %ith banalities that the t%o of us %ere chil&hoo& frien&s
1HDD

%hose &uties ha& left us 'ery little ti e for sociali1ing" This %as actually 'ery close to the truth! but I coul& see it both frustrate& an& a use& her" Her other )uestions %ere as o&&" She aske& if I ha& e'er %on&ere& %hat his true na e %as" I tol& her that not being able to recall the na e e ha& left y o%n other ha& gi'en e chary of asking others such )uestions" That )uiete& her for a otleys &i& not suit her! but I truthfully tol& her &resse& in other than his 4ester.s y ans%ers ha& ore of

ti e! but then she &e an&e& to kno% ho% he ha& &resse& as a chil&" -y &escri$tions of his seasonal that until @haa $e I ha& ne'er seen hi s$arring in the

clothes" By afternoon.s en&! her )uestions an& $itche& at )uite a &istance fro E'en so! (ettle ke$t the sake of occu$ying ani al" ;hen the y the Skill roa&"

than con'ersation" I %as gla& to 4oin the others in a ca $! e busy! letting e &o her chores as %ell as y o%n for

in&" The Fool concocte& a res$ectable ste% fro e&iately

our su$$lies an& the $ork" The %olf contente& hi self %ith another leg off the eal things %ere finally cleare& a%ay! (ettle i e" e %ith a fro%n" 6You %ere e" astere& that strategy yourself! set out the ga ecloth an& $ouch of stones" 65o% %e shall see %hat you ha'e learne&!7 she $ro ise& not lying:7 she accuse& 6#bout %hat07 6#bout the %olf &e'ising the solution" Ha& you you %oul& $lay a &ifferent ga e no%" Because so eone ga'e you the ans%er rather than your &isco'ering it yourself! you &on.t fully un&erstan& it"7 #t the infor e& o ent the %olf rose an& stretche&" I %eary of stones an& cloth! he e" -y hunting is ore fun! an& offers real eat at the en& of it" But half a &o1en ga es later! she s)uinte& u$ at

So you are hungry0 5o" Bore&" He nose& the fla$ of the tent o$en an& sli$$e& out into the night"
1HDE

(ettle %atche& hi tea

go %ith $urse& li$s" 6I %as about to ask if you coul& not e to see ho% you $laye&"7 uttere&! a bit &isgruntle& that he ha& not in'ite&

together to $lay this ga e" It %oul& interest

6I think he sus$ecte& that!7 I e to 4oin hi "

Fi'e ga es later! I gras$e& the brilliant si $licity of 5ighteyes. noose tactic" It ha& lain before e all that ti e! but su&&enly it %as as if I sa% the stones in y next otion rather than resting on the 'ertices of the cloth.s $attern" In sa% ho% it coul& be e $loye& in a re'erse situation as %ell" #t the fourth %in! (ettle cleare& the cloth of stones" #roun& us the others ha& alrea&y sunk into slee$" (ettle a&&e& a han&ful of t%igs to the bra1ier to gi'e us one last burst of light" Ra$i&ly her knotte& ol& fingers set out the stones on the cloth" 6#gain! this is your ga e! an& it is your o'e!7 she infor e& e" 6But this ti e! you ha'e only a %hite stone to $lace" # little %eak %hite stone! but it can %in for you" Think %ell on this one" #n& no cheating" =ea'e the %olf out of it"7 I stare& at the situation to fix the ga e in The ga e she ha& set out for ga e or our &istance fro y in& an& then lay &o%n to slee$" e looke& ho$eless" I &i& not see ho% it coul& be

o'e! I e $loye& it to %in easily" I %on the next three ga es han&ily! for I

%on %ith a black stone! let alone a %hite one" I &o not kno% if it %ere the stone the roa&! but I sank )uickly into a slee$ that %as an& %as 4oyously ex$loring the ake the hiss an& s$it at &rea less until near &a%n" Then I 4oine& the %olf in his %il& running" 5ighteyes ha& left the roa& far behin& hi surroun&ing hillsi&es" ;e ca e on t%o sno% cats fee&ing off a kill! an& for a ti e he taunte& the ! circling 4ust out of reach to us" 5either %oul& be lure& fro about the 4e$$as! scaring the the eat an& after a ti e %e ga'e u$ the ga e

to hea& back for the yurt" #s %e a$$roache& the tent! %e circle& stealthily into a &efensi'e bunch an& then nu&ging the
1HEH

along to

ill about 4ust outsi&e the tent" ;hen the %olf cre$t back into the tent! as he $oke& the Fool ru&ely %ith an icy nose" e as I unlocke& y o%n bo&y"

I %as still %ith hi y in& fro

It is goo& to see you ha'e not lost all s$irit an& fun! he tol& his an& rouse& u$ in Aery goo&! I agree& %ith hi " #n& rose to face the &ay"

9H#*TER T;E5TY/SIK Sign$osts O5E THI5J I ha'e learne& %ell in y tra'els" The riches of one region are taken for grante& in another" Fish %e %oul& not fee& to a cat in Buckkee$ is $ri1e& as a &elicacy in the inlan& cities" In so e $laces %ater is %ealth! in others the constant floo&ing of the ri'er is both an annoyance an& a $eril" Fine leather! graceful $ottery! glass as trans$arent as air! exotic flo%ers , all of these I ha'e seen in such $lentiful su$$ly that the folk %ho $ossess the longer see the as %ealth" agic beco es or&inary" Instea& of a thing So $erha$s! in sufficient )uantity! no

of %on&er an& a%e! it beco es the stuff of roa&be&s an& sign$osts! use& %ith a $rofligacy that astoun&s those %ho ha'e it not" That &ay I tra'ele&! as before! across the face of a %oo&e& hillsi&e" #t first the flank of the hill %as broa& an& gentle" I coul& %alk in sight of the roa& an& only slightly belo% it on the hillsi&e" The huge e'ergreens hel& bur&en of %inter sno% abo'e ost of the e" The footing %as une'en an& there %ere

occasional $atches of &ee$ sno% but %alking %as not too &ifficult" By the en& of that &ay! ho%e'er! the trees %ere beginning to &%in&le in si1e an& the slo$e
1HE1

of the hill %as

arke&ly stee$er" The roa& hugge& the hillsi&e! an& I %alke& y co $anions an& I %ere

belo% it" ;hen it ca e ti e to ca $ that night!

har&/$resse& to fin& a le'el $lace to $itch the tent" ;e scrabble& )uite a %ay &o%n the hill before %e foun& a $lace %here it le'ele&" ;hen %e &i& ha'e the yurt u$! (ettricken stoo& looking back u$ at the roa& an& fro%ning to herself" She took out her aske& her %hat the She ta$$e& the a$ an& %as consulting it by the %aning &aylight %hen I atter %as" ittene& finger an& then gesture& to the slo$e abo'e

a$ %ith a

us" 6By to orro%! if the roa& kee$s cli bing an& the slo$es get stee$er! you %on.t be able to kee$ $ace %ith us" ;e.ll be lea'ing the trees behin& us by e'ening to orro%" The country is going to be bare! stee$ an& rocky" ;e shoul& take fire%oo& %ith us no%! as fro%ne&" 6;e Her blue eyes 6I.ll kee$ u$!7 I $ro ise& her" et ine" 6By the &ay after to orro%! you e stea&ily" y ay ha'e to 4oin us on the roa&"7 She looke& at uch as the 4e$$as can easily carry"7 She atch us"7 ay ha'e to slo% our $ace to allo% you to

6If I &o! then I.ll ha'e to co$e %ith it"7 I shrugge& an& trie& to s ile &es$ite uneasiness" 6;hat else can I &o07 6;hat else can any of us &o07 she uttere& to herself in re$ly"

That night %hen I ha& finishe& cleaning the cooking $ots! (ettle once again set out her cloth an& stones" I looke& at the s$rea& of $ieces an& shook ha'en.t %orke& it out!7 I tol& her" 6;ell! that is a relief!7 she tol& e" 6If you! or e'en if you an& your %olf ha&! I %oul& ha'e been too astonishe& for %or&s" It.s a &ifficult $roble " But %e shall $lay a fe% ga es tonight! an& if you kee$ your eyes o$en an& your %its shar$! you ay see the solution to your $roble "7 y hea&" 6I

1HE2

But I &i& not! an& lay &o%n to slee$ %ith ga ecloth an& $ieces scattere& in brain"

The next &ay.s %alk %ent as (ettricken ha& foretol&" By noon I %as scrabbling through brushy $laces an& o'er tu bles of bare& rock %ith Starling at y heels" Des$ite the breathless effort the terrain &e an&e&! she %as full of )uestions! an& all about the Fool" ;hat &i& I kno% of his $arentage0 ;ho ha& a&e his clothing for hi 0 Ha& he e'er been seriously ill0 It ha& beco e routine for e to ans%er her by gi'ing her little or no infor ation" I ha& ex$ecte& her to %eary of this ga e! but she %as as tenacious as a bull&og" Finally! I roun&e& on her in exas$eration an& &e an&e& to kno% exactly %hat it %as about hi that fascinate& her so" y # strange look ca e to her face! as one %ho steels oneself to a &are" She starte& to s$eak! $ause&! an& then coul& not resist" Her eyes %ere a'i& on face as she announce&! 6The Fool is a %o an! an& she is in lo'e %ith you"7 For a o ent it %as as if she ha& s$oken in a foreign language" I stoo& looking eant" Ha& she not begun aking y ight ha'e thought of a re$ly" But so ething in her laughter e so &ee$ly that I turne& y back on her an& continue& behin& &o%n on her an& trying to $u11le out %hat she ha& to laugh! I offen&e&

%ay across the stee$ slo$e" 6You.re blushing:7 she calle& fro can tell fro 5e'er e'en sus$ecte&07 6I think it.s a ri&iculous i&ea!7 I sai& %ithout e'en looking back" 6Really0 ;hat $art of it07 6#ll of it!7 I sai& col&ly" 6Tell e you absolutely kno% that I. %rong"7 e" -erri ent choke& her 'oice" 6I the back of your neck: #ll these years! an& you ne'er e'en kne%0

1HE8

I &i&n.t &ignify her taunt %ith an ans%er" I &i& forge through a $atch of thick brush %ithout $ausing to hol& the branches back for her" I kno% she kne% I %as getting angry! because she %as laughing" I $ushe& y %ay clear of the last of the trees an& stoo& looking out o'er a nearly sheer rock face" There %as al ost no brush! an& cracke& gray stone $ushe& u$ in icy ri&ges through the sno%" 6Stay back:7 I %arne& Starling as she $ushe& u$ besi&e aroun& e an& sucke& in her breath" e" She looke&

I looke& u$ the stee$ hillsi&e to %here the roa& %as score& across the ountain.s face like a gouge in a $iece of %oo&" It %as the only safe %ay across that sheer ountain face" #bo'e us %as the stee$ boul&er stre%n ountainsi&e" It %as not )uite sheer enough to call it a cliff3 There %as a scattering of %in&/%ar$e& trees an& bushes! so e %ith roots straggling o'er the rocky soil as uch as in it" Sno% froste& it une'enly" 9li bing u$ to the roa& %oul& be a challenge" The slo$e %e tra'erse& ha& been getting stee$er all orning" I shoul& not ha'e been sur$rise&! but I ha& been so intent on $icking the best $ath that it ha& been so e ti e since I ha& looke& u$ to the roa&" 6;e.ll ha'e to return to the roa&!7 I tol& Starling an& she no&&e& y feet! an& behin& utely" It %as easier sai& than &one" In se'eral $laces I felt rock an& scree sle% un&er ore than once I %ent on all fours" I coul& hear Starling $anting o'ing by lea$s u$ o ent the e" 6Only a little farther:7 I calle& back to her as 5ighteyes ca e

toiling u$ the slo$e besi&e us" He $asse& us effortlessly!

the slo$e until he reache& the e&ge of the roa&" He &isa$$eare& o'er the e&ge of it! an& then returne& to stan& on the li$ looking &o%n at us" In a calle& &o%n" 65o" ;e.ll ake it:7 I calle& back u$ to hi " I $ause&! crouching an& clinging y breath an& %i$e the s%eat fro y to the trunk of a stunte& tree! to catch Fool a$$eare& besi&e hi ! to ga1e &o%n at us anxiously" 65ee& any hel$07 he

1HE<

eyes" Starling halte& behin&

e" #n& su&&enly I felt the roa& abo'e

e" It ha&

a current like a ri'er! an& as the current of a ri'er stirs the air to %in& o'er it! so &i& the roa&" It %as a %in& not of %inter col&! but of li'es! both &istant an& near" The Fool.s strange essence floate& on it! an& (ettle.s close outhe& fear an& (ettricken.s sa& &eter ination" They %ere as se$arate an& recogni1able as the bou)uets of &ifferent %ines" 6Fit19hi'alry:7 Starling e $hasi1e& shoul&er bla&es" 6;hat07 I aske& her absently" 6(ee$ o'ing: I can.t cling here a&e uch longer! y cal'es are cra $ing: 6 e" I 6Oh"7 I foun& y bo&y an& cli be& the re aining &istance to the li$ of the e effortlessly a%are of Starling behin& ountain %illo% at y na e by hitting e bet%een the

roa&" The flo%ing Skill

coul& feel her $lacing her feet an& gri$$ing the scraggly

the e&ge of the cliff" I stoo& for an instant on the li$ of the roa&.s e&ge" Then I ste$$e& &o%n! onto the s ooth surface of the roa&! sli$$ing into its $ull like a chil& sli$$ing into a ri'er" The Fool ha& %aite& for us" (ettricken %as at the hea& of the line of 4e$$as! looking back anxiously to %atch us 4oin the " I took a &ee$ breath an& felt as if I %ere gathering han& %ith his nose" Stay %ith e! he suggeste&" I felt hi alar e& gro$ing for a fir er gri$ on our bon&" e" I looke& &o%n into his &ee$ eyes an& That I coul& not hel$ hi su&&enly foun& a )uestion" You.re on the roa&" I &i&n.t think ani als coul& co e on the roa&" He ga'e a snee1e of &isgust" There.s a &ifference bet%een thinking an action is %ise an& &oing it" #n& you ight ha'e notice& that the 4e$$as ha'e been tra'eling on the roa& for so e &ays"
1HE?

yself together" Besi&e

e! 5ighteyes su&&enly fli$$e&

It %as too ob'ious" ;hy &o the %il& ani als a'oi& it then0 Because %e still &e$en& on oursel'es for sur'i'al" The 4e$$as &e$en& on hu ans! an& %ill follo% the into any &anger! no atter ho% foolish it see s a %olf! either" Instea& they to the " Thus they ha'e not the sense to run fro ri'ers" =eft to the sel'es! they s%i fro the

flee back to you hu ans %hen I scare the " It.s a lot like horses or cattle an& only if &eath is right behin& the ! to s%i ri'ers any $re&ators or star'ation" But hu ans con'ince the %ith a s ile"

ti e the hu an %ishes to be on the other si&e" I think they are rather stu$i&" So %hy are you on this roa&0 I aske& hi Do not )uestion frien&shi$! he tol& 6Fit1:7 I startle&! an& turne& to (ettle" 6I. -y ;it sense usually a&e %alke& u$ right behin& fine!7 I tol& her! e'en as I kne% I %as not" e" But (ettle ha& e" e 'ery a%are of others aroun& e seriously"

e an& I.& not notice& until she s$oke to y in&"

So ething about the Skill roa& %as &ulling

y ;it" ;hen I &i& not think

s$ecifically of 5ighteyes! he fa&e& into a 'ague sha&o% in %orrie&ly" 6It %ill be all right" I 4ust ha'e to $ay attention!7 I tol& hi "

I.& be less than that! %ere I not stri'ing to stay %ith you! he $ointe& out

(ettle assu e& I %as s$eaking to her" 6Yes! you &o"7 *ointe&ly she took ar an& starte&

e %alking" The others ha& gone ahea&" Starling %as %alking e" I ga'e hi a no& an& he no&&e& back e" Talk to e"

%ith the Fool! an& singing so e lo'e &itty as she %alke&! but he %as looking o'er his shoul&er %orrie&ly at uneasily" Besi&e Tell e! (ettle $inche& y ar " 6*ay attention to I ga'e you07 ountain $eaks" If I thought

e" Ha'e you sol'e& the ga e $roble

65ot yet!7 I a& itte&" The &ays %ere %ar er! but the %in& that ble% $ast us no% still brought the threat of ice on the higher
1HEB

about it! I coul& feel the col& on on its surface" -y eyes tol& easily as if it %ere &o%n" #nother $inch fro

y cheeks! but the Skill roa& ba&e

e ignore

it" The roa& %as stea&ily cli bing no%" E'en so! I see e& to %alk effortlessly e that %e %ere going u$hill! but I stro&e along as e curtly"

(ettle" 6Think about the $roble !7 she ba&e

6#n& &o not be &ecei'e&" Your bo&y labors an& is col&" Si $ly because you are not constantly a%are of it &oes not ean you can ignore it" *ace yourself 6 y ore to e to %alk Her %or&s see e& both foolish an& %ise" I reali1e& that by hanging on to ar ! she %as not only su$$orting herself but %as forcing slo%ly" I shortene& an& slo%e& take no har fro y stri&e to it!7 I obser'e& to her" atch hers" 6The others see

6True" But they are neither ol& nor Skill/sensiti'e" They %ill ache tonight! an& to orro% they %ill slo% their $ace" This roa& %as built %ith the assu $tion that those %ho use& it %oul& be either una%are of its traine& in ho% to anage the "7 uch about it07 I &e an&e&" e! or about this roa&07 she sna$$e& angrily" e! 6Do you kno% your nursery 6Ho% &o you kno% so ore subtle influences! or

6Do you %ant to kno% about 6Both! actually!7 I tol& her"

She &i&n.t ans%er that" #fter a ti e she aske& rhy es07 I &on.t kno% %hy it recall a&e

e so angry" 6I &on.t kno%:7 I retorte&" 6I &on.t ost chil&ren learn the " I su$$ose you

y earliest chil&hoo&! %hen

coul& say I learne& stable rhy es instea&" Shall I recite for you the fifteen $oints of a goo& horse07 6Recite for 6In e instea& FSix ;ise en ;ent to @haa $e To%n.:7 she snarle&" y &ays! chil&ren %ere not only taught their learning rhy es! they kne%

1HEC

%hat they %ise

eant" This is the hill in the $oe ! you ignorant $u$: The one no y s$ine" There ha'e been a fe% ti es in y life %hen

an goes u$ an& ex$ects to co e &o%n again:7

# shi'er %alke& &o%n

I ha'e recogni1e& so e sy bolic truth in a %ay that stri$$e& it &o%n to its ost frightening bones" This %as one" (ettle ha& brought to the forefront of y in& a thing I ha& kno%n for &ays" 6The ;ise en %ere Skille& ones! in& ski$$e& u$ the stair of logic! substituting %eren.t they07 I aske& softly" 6Six! an& fi'e! an& four , coteries! an& the re ains of coteries ,7 -y intuition for nee&e& ost of the ste$s" 6So that.s %hat beca e of the Skille& ones! the

ol& one %e coul& not fin&" ;hen Jalen.s coterie &i& not %ork %ell! an& Aerity ore hel$ to &efen& Buck! Aerity an& I sought for ol&er Skille& ones! folk %ho ha& been traine& by Solicity before Jalen beca e Skill aster!7 I ex$laine& to (ettle" 6;e coul& fin& fe% recor&s of na es" #n& they ha& all either &ie&! or &isa$$eare&" ;e sus$ecte& treachery"7 (ettle snorte&" 6Treachery %oul& be nothing ne% to coteries" But %hat co only ha$$ene& is that as $eo$le gre% in the Skill! they beca e ore ore an&

ore attune& to it" E'entually the Skill calle& the " If one %ere strong enough in the Skill! one coul& sur'i'e the tri$ u$ this roa&" But if she %ere not! she $erishe&"7 6#n& if one succee&e&07 I aske&" (ettle ga'e e a si&elong glance! but sai& nothing" 6;hat is at the en& of this roa&0 ;ho built it! an& %here &oes it lea&07 6Aerity!7 she sai& )uietly at last" 6It lea&s to Aerity" You an& I nee& kno% no ore than that"7 6But you kno% ore than that:7 I accuse& her" 6#s &o I" It lea&s to the source of all Skill as %ell"7

1HED

Her glance beca e %orrie&! then o$a)ue" 6I kno% nothing!7 she tol& sourly" Then! as conscience s ote her! 6There is 6#n& ho% &o you kno% the 07 I $resse&" She turne& to regar& are"7 e le'elly" 6Because I a uch I sus$ect! an&

e any

half/truths ha'e I hear&" =egen&s! $ro$hecies! ru ors" Those are %hat I kno%"7 fate& to &o so" E'en as you

#n& not another %or& on the sub4ect %oul& she say" Instea&! she set u$ hy$othetical ga e boar&s an& &e an&e& to kno% %hat she ga'e the to e to kee$ y in& o'es I %oul& ake! gi'en a black! re&! or %hite stone" I trie& to focus on the tasks! kno%ing that y o%n" But ignoring the Skill/force of ake it sto$" In the y o%n I e! it &i& that roa& %as rather like ignoring a strong %in& or a current of icy %ater" I coul& choose not to $ay attention to it! but that &i& not thoughts an& belie'e the Gnot i&st of $u11ling out ga e strategy! I %oul& %on&er at the $attern of ha& so eho% ta$$e&" ;hile I coul& kee$ the ga e $u11le in front of not sto$ the gallery of 'oices %his$ering in the back of The roa& %oun& u$ an& u$" The y in&"

y o%n at all! but those of another %ho

ountain itself rose nearly sheer on our left! ean&ere& bet%een hills an&

an& &ro$$e& off as abru$tly on our right" This roa& %ent %here no sane buil&ers %oul& ha'e $lace& it" -ost tra&e routes o'er $asses" This one tra'erse& the face of a ountain! carrying us e'er higher"

By the ti e the &ay %as fa&ing! %e ha& fallen far behin& the others" 5ighteyes race& ahea& of us an& then ca e trotting back to re$ort that they ha& co e to a resting $lace! %i&e an& le'el! %here they %ere setting u$ the tent" ;ith the co ing of night! the ountain %in&s bit ore fiercely" I %as gla& to think of %ar th an& rest! an& $ersua&e& (ettle to try to hurry" 6Hurry07 she aske&" 6You are the one %ho kee$s slo%ing" (ee$ u$! no%"7

1HEE

The last

arch before rest al%ays see s longest" So the sol&iers of Buckkee$ e" But that night I felt %e %a&e& through col& syru$! so hea'y &i& e to co e along" E'en %hen %e roun&e& a fol& in the to ake yself e! an& y eyes brought the tent closer to

al%ays tol& y ar

y feet see " I think I ke$t $ausing" I kno% that se'eral ti es (ettle tugge& at an& tol& ountainsi&e an& sa% the lit tent ahea& of us! I coul& not see o'e faster" #s if in a fe'er &rea ! &i e& then set it afar" I $lo&&e& on" -ultitu&es %his$ere& aroun&

e" The night

y eyes" I ha& to s)uint to see in the col& %in&" # cro%& strea e& erchant $ass us" He carrie& a rack high on his to bi& her turn an& see it! but she e on" # boy stro&e $ast us! ountain flo%ers" Their

$ast us on the roa&! la&en &onkeys! laughing girls carrying baskets of bright yarn" I turne& to %atch a bell shoul&er! an& &o1ens of brass bells of e'ery sha$e an& tone 4ingle& an& rang as he %alke& along" I tugge& at (ettle.s ar only sei1e& y han& in a gri$ of iron an& hurrie&

going &o%n to the 'illage %ith a basketful of bright buy! a fe% for -olly to scent her can&les" 6Hel$ by e:7 (ettle calle&" I looke& to see %hat %as the

fragrance %as intoxicating" I $ulle& free of (ettle.s gri$" I hurrie& after hi ! to atter! but she %as not

e" I coul&n.t fin& her in the cro%&"

6(ettle:7 I calle&" I glance& back but then reali1e& I %as losing the flo%er onger" 6;ait:7 I calle& to hi " 6He.s getting a%ay:7 she crie&! an& there %as fear an& &es$eration in her 'oice" 5ighteyes su&&enly hit e fro behin&! his front $a%s striking y y shoul&ers" y han&s His %eight an& s$ee& thre% an& the $ain in e face/first on the thin layer of sno% co'ering the ittens! I skinne& the $al s of an& trie& to

roa&.s s ooth surface" Des$ite rise! but he caught

y knees %as like fire" 6I&iot:7 I snarle& at hi e by one ankle an& fli$$e&
11HH

e &o%n onto the roa& again"

This ti e I coul& look &o%n o'er the e&ge into the abyss belo%" -y $ain an& astonish ent ha& stille& the night! the folk ha& all 'anishe&! lea'ing %ith the %olf" 65ighteyes:7 I $roteste&" 6=et Instea& he sei1e& &rag hi e on y knees a%ay fro e u$:7 the roa&.s e&ge" I ha& not kno%n he ha& such e" I s%atte& at y %rist in his 4a%s! cla $e& his teeth &o%n an& began to e alone

strength! or rather! I ha& ne'er su$$ose& it %oul& be turne& on ineffectually %ith y feet" I coul& feel bloo& running on an& hoisting e to y feet" 6He.s gone y ar

y free han&! all the %hile yelling an& trying to get to %here one tooth ha& sunk in" e! sei1ing e by y u$$er ar s

(ettricken an& the Fool su&&enly flanke&

a&:7 I exclai e& as Starling race& u$ a hug" e! but

behin& the " Her face %as %hite! her eyes huge" 6Oh! %olf!7 she exclai e&! an& &ro$$e& to one knee to gi'e hi 5ighteyes sat $anting! ob'iously en4oying her e brace" 6;hat is the &i& not re$ly" -y first reaction %as a stu$i& one" I lifte& y han&s to y ears" But that ha& ne'er been ho% I ha& hear& 5ighteyes" He %hine& as I &i& so! an& I hear& that clearly" It %as 4ust a &og.s %hine" 65ighteyes:7 I crie&" He reare& u$ to stan& on his hin& legs! his front $a%s on look than that" I )ueste& out to%ar& hi y chest" He %as so big he coul& al ost ore %ith y ;itsense" I coul& not fin& hi " I e in the eye" I caught an echo of his %orry an& &es$eration! but no atter %ith you07 I &e an&e& of hi " He looke& u$ at

coul& not sense any of the " It %as as if they ha& all been Forge&" I looke& aroun& at their frightene& faces an& reali1e& they %ere talking! no! al ost shouting! so ething about the e&ge of the roa& an& the black colu n an& %hat %as the atter! %hat %as the atter0 For the first ti e it struck e ho% ungainly s$eech %as" #ll of those se$arate %or&s! strung together! e'ery
11H1

'oice

outhing the

&ifferently! an& this %as ho% %e co y na e! eaning

unicate& %ith e! I su$$ose!

each other" 6Fit1! fit1! fit1!7 they shoute&! of %ho

but each 'oice soun&ing the %or& &ifferently! an& each %ith a &ifferent i age they s$oke to an& %hy they nee&e& to s$eak to e" The %or&s %ere such a%k%ar& things! I coul& not concentrate on %hat they %ere trying to con'ey by the " It %as like &ealing %ith foreign tra&ers! $ointing an& hol&ing u$ fingers! s iling or fro%ning! an& guessing! al%ays guessing at %hat the other truly noises an& eant" to be silent! to sto$ their y attention" o'e to eant too ake any outh ust outhings" But the soun& of y o%n %or&s caught y 6*lease!7 I sai&" 6Hush" *lease:7 I only %ante& the 6*lease!7 I sai& again! things to ha'e any real ar'eling at all the %ays eaning at all" e to unharness a tea " It easure of one another! an& no task any sane anage&! cli bing all o'er the &ocile beasts! e so long! Burrich ha& e

that inexact soun&" 6Hush:7 I sai& again! an& reali1e& the %or& Once! %hen I %as 'ery ne% to Burrich! he ha& tol& %as %hen %e %ere still getting a an %oul& gi'e a chil&" But I

an& unfastening e'ery shining buckle an& clas$ until the harness lay in $ieces on the groun&" ;hen he ca e to see %hat %as taking been to &o" #s for So it %as for e! I ha& been a a1e& at ho% e then" #ll these soun&s to utely astoun&e& but unable to fault that I ha& &one %hat he ha& tol&

any $ieces there %ere to

so ething that ha& see e& to be all one thing %hen I ha& starte& in on it" ake a %or&! all these %or&s to y han&s" I ha& ne'er sto$$e& to fra e a thought" =anguage ca e a$art in

consi&er it before" I stoo& before the ! so &renche& in the Skill/essence on that roa& that s$eech see e& as chil&ishly a%k%ar& as eating $orri&ge %ith one.s fingers" ;or&s %ere slo% an& inexact! hi&ing as uch eaning as they re'eale&" 6Fit1! $lease! you ha'e to ,7 began (ettricken! an& so engrosse& &i&
11H2

I beco e in consi&ering e'ery $ossible that I ne'er hear& the rest of %hat she sai&" The Fool took hol& of I sat &o%n! an& took off $ut a hot ug into y han& an& le& y hat an&

eaning those fi'e %or&s

ight ha'e e until

e into the tent" He $ushe& at

ittens an& outer coat" ;ithout a %or&! he

y han&s" That I coul& un&erstan&! but the ra$i&! %orrie& e! to rest his big hea& on one behin& the ears!

con'ersation of the others %as like the frightene& s)ua%king of a coo$ full of chickens" The %olf ca e an& lay &o%n besi&e of He $resse& closer against thinking that I %as not y thighs" I reache& &o%n to stroke the broa& skull an& finger the soft ears" e as if $lea&ing" I scratche& hi ight be %hat he %ante&" It %as terrible not to kno%" y share of the chores! out of y han&s" Se'eral ti es I %as $inche&! e that I &i&n.t reali1e %hen she y hea& for%ar& an&

uch use to anyone that e'ening" I trie& to &o

but the others ke$t taking the the otion of her

or $oke& an& bi& 6;ake u$:7 by (ettle" One ti e I beca e so fascinate& by outh as she scol&e& %alke& a%ay fro e" I &on.t re e ber %hat I %as &oing %hen the back of

y neck %as sei1e& in her cla%like gri$" She &ragge& black stone in a ti e I trie& an& %hen I set 6Sorry!7 I 6I. ore y han&" For a ti e I 4ust stare& at the

ke$t her hol& %hile she ta$$e& each stone in turn on her ga ecloth" She $ut a arkers" Then su&&enly I e an& the ga e" For o'e! e" felt that shift in $erce$tion" There %as no s$ace bet%een y stone in $lace! it %as as if y eyes" I lifte&

y $ebble in 'arious $ositions" I finally foun& the $erfect y eyes to consi&er those aroun&

y ears ha& su&&enly cleare&! or

like blinking slee$ fro

uttere& ina&e)uately" 6Sorry"7 e softly" She s$oke as if I %ere a to&&ler" yself no%!7 I tol& her" I looke& u$ at her! su&&enly &es$erate" e07

6Better no%07 (ettle aske& 6;hat ha$$ene& to

11H8

6The Skill!7 she sai& si $ly" 6You 4ust aren.t strong enough in it" You nearly follo%e& the roa& %here it no longer goes" There is so e sort of other continuing across the carrie& a%ay in a cataclys arker there! an& once the roa& &i'erge& there! one track going &o%n into the 'alley an& the ountainsi&e" The &o%nhill $ath is sheare& off! years ago" There is nothing but tu ble& stone at the ruin an&

the botto ! but one can 4ust see %here the roa& e erges fro not ha'e gone there" But you nearly follo%e& its $ause& an& looke& at e se'erely" 6In

continues" It 'anishes in another 4u ble of stone in the &istance" Aerity coul& e ory to your &eath"7 She y &ays , you ha'en.t been traine&

enough to &o %hat you.'e been &oing! let alone face this challenge" If this is the best you %ere taught , #re you certain Aerity is ali'e07 she su&&enly &e an&e& of e" 6That he sur'i'e& this trial alone07 I &eci&e& one of us ha& to sto$ kee$ing secrets" 6I sa% hi ! in a Skill &rea " In a city! %ith folk such as %e $asse& to&ay" He la'e& his han&s an& ar s in a agic ri'er! an& %alke& a%ay la&en %ith $o%er"7 6Jo& of fishes:7 (ettle s%ore" So ething of horror an& so ething of a%e lit in her face" 6;e $asse& no folk to&ay!7 Starling ob4ecte&" I ha& not been a%are she ha& seate& herself by that close to e until she s$oke" I 4u $e&! startle& that so eone coul& get e an& I ha& not sense& it" uffle& to those ghosts! but Fit1 %alks here nake& as a

6#ll those %ho ha'e e'er tro&&en this roa& ha'e left so ething of the sel'es u$on it" Your senses are ne%born chil&" #n& as naP'e"7 (ettle leane& back su&&enly against her be&roll! an& all the lines in her face &ee$ene&" 6Ho% can such a chil& be the 9atalyst07 she aske& of no one in $articular" 6You &on.t kno% ho% to sa'e yourself fro yourself" Ho% are you going to sa'e the %orl&07

11H<

The Fool leane& o'er fro like strength flo%e& into his %or&s sank into

his be&roll su&&enly to take

y han&" So ething

e %ith that reassuring touch" His tone %as light! but

e" 69o $etence %as ne'er guarantee& in the $ro$hecies"

Only $ersistence" ;hat &oes your ;hite 9olu n say0 FThey co e like rain&ro$s against the stone to%ers of ti e" But in ti e it is al%ays the rain that $re'ails! not the to%er". 6 He ga'e 6Your fingers are like ice!7 I tol& hi 6I a y han& a s)uee1e" as he let go" e" He &re% his knees u$ to his chest

col& $ast belief!7 he agree& %ith y eyes fro hi

an& %ra$$e& his ar s aroun& the " 69ol& an& tire&" But $ersistent"7 I lifte& to fin& Starling %ith a kno%ing s ile on her face" y $ack!7 I suggeste& to the Fool" 6It o ent.s Jo&s! ho% it irke& e" 6I ha'e elfbark in

gi'es %ar th as %ell as strength"7 6Elfbark!7 (ettle sco%le&! as if it %ere &isgusting" But after a reflection! she sai& excite&ly! 6#ctually! that Elfbark tea"7 ;hen I took the &rug out of ight cut it into chi&e& yself on it" She y $ack! (ettle snatche& it out of uttere& to herself as she y han&s as if I easure& tiny $ortions of ight be a goo& i&ea" Yes"

ugs for us" 6I.'e seen %hat kin& of &oses you ex$ose yourself to!7 she e! an& bre%e& the tea herself" She $ut none of it in the tea she y hot tea! tasting first the acri& bite of the elfbark an& then the y belly" Its ener'ating heat s$rea& through e" I %atche& the relax in its e brace! e'en as his eyes began to s$arkle %ith a$ out an& %as fro%ning o'er it" 6Fit19hi'alry! stu&y this an&e&" I o'e& aroun& the bra1ier to sit

$re$are& for (ettricken! Starling! an& herself" I si$$e& at %ar th of it in Fool! an& sa% hi it" (ettricken ha& her %ith e!7 the Iueen su&&enly co

next to her" I %as scarcely settle& before she began" 6I belie'e %e are here!7 she
11H?

tol&

e" Her finger ta$$e& the first 4uncture of the trail that %as a$ %as

arke& on the a$"

a$" 6Aerity sai& he %oul& 'isit all three $laces that %ere I belie'e that %hen this ti e"7 Her blue eyes reache& this $oint07 I consi&ere& a looks no o ent" 6He.s a $rag atic et

arke& on the

a&e! the roa& that you nearly follo%e&

tonight %as intact" 5o% it is no longer there" #n& has not been there for so e ine" 6;hat &o you su$$ose Aerity &i& %hen he an" This other! secon& &estination here" I think he ight go there first!

ore than three or four &ays fro

seeking the El&erlings there" #n& this thir& one is but! oh! se'en &ays $ast there" I think he %oul& &eci&e it %oul& be fastest to 'isit those t%o $laces first" Then! if he ha& no success there! he &o%n to , %hate'er.s there"7 She %rinkle& her bro%" I su&&enly recalle& ho% s ooth it ha& been %hen she %as first his bri&e" 5o% I sel&o her face" 6He has been gone long! Because it took hi sa% her %ithout lines of care an& %orry in y husban&" Yet it &i& not take us all that ight return here! to try an& fin& a %ay

long to reach here" *erha$s he has not yet returne& because he is &o%n there" so long to fin& a %ay &o%n there to continue his 4ourney"7 in& that %e are %ell su$$lie& an& telling (ettricken that I sus$ecte& he ore e gro$ing out to%ar& Aerity" I shut y %alls again 6*erha$s!7 I agree& uneasily" 6Bear in an& %ith fe% resources"7 I refraine& fro anxiety" #gainst y %ill! I felt a $art of

tra'el together" By the ti e Aerity reache& this far! he %oul& ha'e been alone! ha& been in4ure& in that last battle" There %as no sense in gi'ing her y eyes an& resolutely seale& 6, s$lit the $arty07 6I beg $ar&on! y )ueen!7 I sai& hu bly"

yself in again" Ha& I i agine& a taint u$on the

Skill/current! a too/fa iliar feeling of insi&ious $o%er0 I set

11HB

I &i& not kno% if the look in her eyes %as exas$eration or fear" She took han& an& hel& it fir ly" 6#tten& e!7 she co

an&e&" 6I sai&! to orro% %e ore than three &ays" If

shall seek a %ay &o%n" If %e see anything that looks $ro ising! %e %ill atte $t it" But I think %e shoul& gi'e such a search no %e fin& nothing! %e shoul& sen& ,7 6I &o not think %e shoul& s$lit the $arty!7 I sai& hastily" 6You are ost likely correct!7 she conce&e&" 6But it takes so long! so 'ery y )uestions too long"7 long! an& I ha'e been alone %ith 5ighteyes. ears" -y brother" It %as a %his$er! no ore! but I looke& &o%n at 5ighteyes besi&e ake you e'en feel e" e" I reste& a han& on his ruff! strengthening the bon& %ith a touch" You %ere as e $ty as an or&inary hu an" I coul& not I kno%" I &on.t kno% %hat ha$$ene& to I &o" You are ;hat &o you o'ing e'er farther fro ean! e" y si&e to the other si&e" I fear you o'e on" But an alternati'e is to s$lit the $arty" To

I coul& think of nothing to say to that! so I $reten&e& to be busy rubbing

%ill go too far an& be unable to return3 I feare& it ha& alrea&y ha$$ene& to&ay" y si&e! an& the other si&e0 e %orrie&ly" I %as e" e" 6Ho% &i& 69an you hear the %olf again07 (ettricken aske&

sur$rise&! %hen I looke& u$! to see ho% anxiously she regar&e& 6Yes" ;e are together again!7 I tol& her" # thought occurre& to you kno% %e %ere unable to co so &istant fro e'eryone"7 y )ueen0 unicate07

She shrugge&" 6I su$$ose I assu e& it" He see e& so anxious an& you see e& She has the ;it" Don.t you!

I can not say for certain that so ething $asse& bet%een the " Once! long before in Buckkee$! I thought I ha& sense& (ettricken using the ;it" I su$$ose
11HC

she %ell coul& ha'e been using it then! for &i inishe& I coul& scarce sense

y o%n sense of it %as so

y o%n bon&/ani al" In any case 5ighteyes as you &o"

lifte& his hea& to look at her an& she returne& his ga1e stea&ily" ;ith a s all fro%n! (ettricken a&&e&! 6So eti es I %ish I coul& s$eak to hi Ha& I his s$ee& an& stealth at one not a$$arent to our eyes"7 If you can kee$ your ;its about you enough to tell her %hat I see! I %oul& not in& &oing such a task" 65ighteyes %oul& be offere&" She ga'e a %eary s ile" 6Then! I su$$ose! if you can kee$ a%are of both of us! you ay ser'e as go/bet%een"7 e! but I only no&&e& y y co $lete attention! or Her eerie echoing of the %olf.s thought unsettle& assent" E'ery as$ect of con'ersation no% &e an&e& it sli$$e& a%ay fro ost $lease& to hel$ you in such a %ay! y )ueen!7 I y &is$osal! I coul& be of the roa&! both before us an& behin&" He ore certain of the safety

ight be able to fin& a $ath &o%n!

e" It %as like being horribly tire& an& ha'ing to astering an ill/te $ere&

constantly fight off slee$" I %on&ere& if it %as this har& for Aerity" There is a %ay to ri&e it! but lightly! lightly! like stallion %ho rebels against e'ery touch of the rein or heel" But you are not rea&y to &o so yet" So fight it! boy! an& kee$ your hea& abo'e %ater" I %oul& that there %ere another %ay for you to co e to an& you ust follo% it" 5o! ake no re$ly to e" But there is only the roa&! e" (no% that there are others

that listen a'ariciously if not as keenly as I" Be %ary" Once! in &escribing &u $ out his uncle ha& y father! 9hi'alry! Aerity ha& sai& that %hen he Skille& it in&! y %as like being tra $le& by a horse! that 9hi'alry %oul& rush into his essages! an& flee" I no% ha& a better un&erstan&ing of %hat

eant" I felt rather like a fish su&&enly &eserte& by a %a'e" There

11HD

%as that ga$ing sense of so ething &e$arture" It took ea

issing in the instant after Aerity.s ight ha'e fainte&" #s it %as! the uffe& in a %ar ute&" I finishe& the little that

o ent to re e ber I %as a $erson" Ha& I not been e" I ha& a sense of being

fortifie& alrea&y %ith the elfbark! I think I &rug %as increasing its hol& on %as left in

soft blanket" -y %eariness %as gone! but I felt e" It &i&n.t co e" 6I &on.t think you use& enough!7 I tol& (ettle"

y cu$ an& %aite& for the flush of energy that elfbark usually ga'e

6You ha'e ha& $lenty!7 she sai& %ith as$erity" She soun&e& like -olly &i& %hen she thought I %as &rinking too of -olly to fill %arne& y uch" I brace& yself! ex$ecting i ages in&" But I staye& %ithin y o%n life" I &o not kno% if I e" @ust

felt relie'e& or &isa$$ointe&" I longe& to see her an& 5ettle" But Aerity ha& e , Belate&ly I announce& to (ettricken! 6Aerity Skille& to no%"7 Then I curse& re in&er to others seeking yself as a churl an& a lack%it as I sa% the ho$e flush her essage!7 I a en&e& hastily" 6@ust a %arning ay be to a'oi& Skilling" He still belie'es there

face" 6It %as not really a e that I a e that %ay"7

Her face fell" She shook her hea& to herself" Then she looke& u$ to &e an&! 6He ha& no %or& at all for )uestion" 65o %or&s!7 she sai& &ully as if she ha& not hear& our chil&07 6I &o not belie'e he &oes! y la&y" I sense no such grief in hi ! an& %ell I kno% ho% it %oul& grie'e hi "7 e" Her eyes %ere o$a)ue as she aske&" 6Does he kno% ho% I ha'e faile& hi 0 Does he kno% about , e07 e!7 I hastily si&este$$e& the 6I &o not kno% if he reali1es you are %ith

11HE

(ettricken s%allo%e&" I curse&

y clu sy %or&s! an& yet! %as it

y $lace to

utter %or&s of co fort an& lo'e to his %ife0 She straightene& u$ abru$tly! then rose" 6I think I shall bring in a bit ore fire%oo& for tonight!7 she announce&" to bro%se on here"7 6#n& grain the 4e$$as" There is scarcely a t%ig for the

I %atche& her lea'e the tent for the &ark an& still col& outsi&e" 5o one s$oke a %or&" #fter a breath or t%o! I rose an& follo%e& her" 6Don.t be long!7 (ettle %arne& e enig atically" The %olf sha&o%e& after e" Outsi&e the night %as clear an& col&" The %in& %as no %orse than usual" Fa iliar &isco forts can al ost be ignore&" (ettricken %as neither fetching %oo& nor graining the 4e$$as" I %as sure both tasks ha& alrea&y been &one earlier" Instea& she %as stan&ing at the e&ge of the clo'en roa&! staring out o'er the blackness of cliff at her feet" She stoo& tall an& stiff as a sol&ier re$orting to his sergeant an& a&e not a soun&" I kne% she %as crying" anners! a ti e for for al $rotocol! an& a ti e for e" e %hine& high" 6(ettricken!7 I sai& There is a ti e for courtly She ra&iate& kin& of a

hu anity" I %ent to her! took her by the shoul&ers! an& turne& her to face isery! an& the %olf besi&e

si $ly" 6He lo'es you" He %ill not bla e you" He %ill grie'e! yes! but %hat an %oul& not0 #s for Regal.s &ee&s! they are Regal.s &ee&s" Do not e! her e! take the bla e for those to yourself" You coul& not ha'e sto$$e& hi "7 She %i$e& a han& across her face an& &i& not s$eak" She looke& $ast face a $ale strangling on her sorro%" I set $ressing her face to y ar s about ask in the starlight" She sighe& hea'ily! but I coul& sense her y )ueen an& $ulle& her to y shoul&er" I stroke& her back! feeling the terrible tension ake another chil&! both of you %ill sit in the instrels sing" There %ill be $eace

there" 6It.s all right!7 I lie& to her" 6It.s going to be all right" In ti e! you.ll see" You.ll be together again! you.ll Jreat Hall at Buckkee$ an& listen to the

again! so eho%" You.'e ne'er seen Buckkee$ at $eace" There %ill be ti e for
111H

Aerity to hunt an& fish! an& you.ll ri&e at his si&e" Aerity %ill laugh an& shout an& roar through the halls like the north %in& again" 9ook use& to chase hi out of the kitchen for slicing the through! he %oul& co e ho e fro eat fro the roast before it %as cooke& the chase that hungry" He.& co e right in

an& cut the leg off a cooking fo%l! that he %oul&! an& carry it about %ith hi ! telling stories in the guar&roo ! %a'ing it about like a s%or& ,7 I $atte& her back as if she %ere a chil& an& tol& her tales of the bluff! hearty an I re e bere& fro y boyhoo&" For a ti e! her forehea& reste& on y shoul&er an& she %as co $letely still" Then she coughe& once! as if starting to choke! but instea& terrible sobs %elle& u$ fro her" She crie& su&&enly an& unabashe&ly as a chil& that has taken a ba& fall an& is hurt as %ell as frightene&" I sense& these %ere tears that ha& long gone unshe&! an& I &i& not try to hel$ her sto$" Instea& I %ent on talking an& $atting her! scarcely hearing %hat I %as saying yself! until her sobs began to )uiet an& her shaking to still" e a little! to gro$e in her $ocket for a kerchief" #t last she &re% a%ay fro 6I.

She %i$e& her face an& eyes an& ble% her nose before she trie& to s$eak" going to be all right!7 she sai&" To hear the strength of her belief in those a&e y heart ache" 6It.s 4ust , It.s har& 4ust no%" ;aiting to tell hi e so ight e" To the beginning! I kne% I an they.& choose for %or&s

all these terrible things" (no%ing ho% they %ill hurt hi " They taught any things about being Sacrifice! Fit1" Fro ha'e terrible sorro%s to bear" I a no one %arne& bear e that I ight co e to lo'e the

strong enough , to bear these things" But is another"7 Her throat ight begin to %ee$ e" -oonlight touche&

y sorro% is one thing" To bring sorro% to hi

close& on the %or&s an& she bo%e& her hea&" I feare& she again" Instea& %hen she lifte& her hea& she s ile& at see the an beneath the cro%n" I %ant hi
1111

the sil'er %etness on her cheeks an& lashes" 6So eti es I think only you an& I to laugh! an& roar about! an& lea'e

his bottles of ink o$en an& his about e an& hol&

a$s scattere& about" I %ant hi

to $ut his ar s

e" So eti es I %ant those things so

uch! I forget about

the Re&/Shi$s an& Regal an& , e'erything else" So eti es I think that! if %e coul& only be together again! all the rest %oul& co e right as %ell" It is not a 'ery %orthy thought to ha'e" # Sacrifice is su$$ose& to be # glint of sil'er behin& her caught ore ,7 y eyes" I sa% the black colu n o'er her

shoul&er" It leane& at a cant o'er the broken e&ge of the roa&! half its stone su$$ort gone" I &i& not hear the rest of %hat she sai&" I %on&ere& ho% I ha& not seen it before" It glea e& brighter than the oon on the s$arkling sno%" It %as oonlight on a he%n of black stone %ebbe& %ith glittering crystal" =ike screa ing behin& It %elco e& e"

ri$$ling ri'er of Skill" I coul& &eci$her no %riting on its surface" The %in& %as e as I reache& out an& ran a han& &o%n that s ooth stone"

9H#*TER T;E5TY/SEAE5 The 9ity THERE R>5S THRO>JH the -ountain (ing&o an ol& tra&e trail that ser'es none of the $resent/&ay to%ns of the -ountain (ing&o " *ortions of this ol& high%ay a$$ear as far south an& east as the shore of Blue =ake" The trail is not na e&! no one recalls %ho constructe& it! an& fe% use it e'en for the stretches that re ain intact" In $laces the roa& has been gra&ually &estroye& by the free1ing s%ells that are co on to the -ountains" In other $laces floo&ing an& lan&sli&es ha'e re&uce& it to rubble" Occasionally an a&'enturous -ountain youth %ill un&ertake to trace the roa& to its source" Those %ho return ha'e tall tales of ruine& cities an& stea ing 'alleys %here sulfurous $on&s
1112

s oke! an& they s$eak too! of the forbi&&ing nature of the territory the roa& s$ans" 5o ga e an& $oor hunting! they say! an& it is not recor&e& any%here that anyone has e'er been i $resse& enough to en&" I stu ble& to a y knees in the sno%y street" I got to y feet slo%ly! gro$ing for e" I %as in a e orial again" ake a return tri$ to the roa&.s

e ory" Ha& I got &runk0 The )ueasiness! the &i11iness %ere right for that"

But not this &arkly glea ing an& silent city" I looke& all aroun& of so e kin&" I blinke& y eyes! s)uee1e& the

to%n s)uare of so e sort! stan&ing in the sha&o% of a loo ing stone shut! then o$ene& the The nebulous light still fogge& e" I coul& scarcely see

ore than an ar .s

length in any &irection" I %aite& in 'ain for

y eyes to a&4ust to the 'ague

starlight" But soon I began to shi'er! so I began to %alk silently through the e $ty streets" -y natural %ariness ca e back first! follo%e& by a &i recollection of ha1y y co $anions! the tent! the sun&ere& roa&" But bet%een that y stan&ing u$ in this street! there %as nothing" e ory an&

I looke& back the %ay I ha& co e" Darkness ha& s%allo%e& the roa& behin& e" E'en y foot$rints %ere being fille& in by the slo%ly falling &a $ y eyelashes an& $eere& about e" I sno%flakes" I blinke& sno%flakes fro -y eyes coul& neither coul& I

sa% the &a $ly glistening si&es of stone buil&ings to either si&e of the street" ake no sense of the light" It %as sourceless an& e'enly ake out %here I %as going" The heights an& styles of the ystery" e anor" I %as terrifie& e an& fought it &o%n" The sensations I ha& re in&e& insufficient" There %ere no loo ing sha&o%s or es$ecially &ark alleys" But buil&ings! the &estinations of the streets re aine& a I felt $anic rise in

too 'i'i&ly of ho% I ha& been Skill/&ecei'e& in Regal.s

to gro$e out %ith the Skill lest I encounter ;ill.s taint in this city" But if I
1118

o'e& blin&ly on! trusting that I %as not being &ecei'e&! I tra$" In the shelter of a %all! I $ause& an& force& once co $anions an& %hy" 5othing ca e to %ere truly no li'ing creatures nearby! or if

ight blun&er into a y

yself to co $osure" I trie& y ;it/sense! ore faile&"

ore to recall ho% I ha& co e here! ho% long ago I ha& left e" I )ueste& out %ith y ;it/sense ha& once

trying to fin& 5ighteyes! but I sense& nothing else ali'e" I %on&ere& if there I ha& no ans%ers to that either" ;hen I listene&! I hear& only %in&" I s elle& only &a $ stone! fresh sno% an& so e%here! $erha$s! ri'er %ater" *anic rose in e once ore an& I leane& back against the %all" e" I $ercei'e& I %as leaning u$ %ithin I hear& the soun&s of a shrill $i$ing outh of the alley! han& in The city su&&enly s$rang to life aroun& against the %all of an inn" Fro

instru ent an& 'oices lifte& in an unfa iliar song" # %agon ru ble& $ast in the street! an& then a young cou$le &arte& $ast the slee$ing" I lifte& han&! laughing as they ran" It %as night in this strange city! but it %as not y eyes to the i $ossible heights of their strangely s$ire& an buil&ings! an& sa% lights burning in the u$$er stories" In the &istance! a calle& lou&ly to so eone" -y heart %as ha ering" ;hat %as %rong %ith e0 I steele& yself an& outh of y foun& the resol'e to go forth an& fin& out %hat I coul& about this strange city" I %aite& until another keg/la&en ale %agon ha& ru ble& $ast the alley" Then I ste$$e& a%ay fro #n& in that instant! all %as once song an& laughter fro the the %all" ore )uiet! glea ing &arkness" Jone %ere the

the ta'ern+ no one $asse& in the streets" I 'enture& to yself! the %eather %as il&er here

outh of the alley an& $eere& cautiously in both &irections" 5othing" Only

softly falling %et sno%" #t least! I tol& of/&oors! I %oul& not suffer too uch"
111<

than it ha& been on the roa& abo'e" E'en if I ha& to s$en& the entire night out/

I %an&ere& a ti e through the city" #t e'ery intersection! I chose the %i&est roa& to follo%! an& soon reali1e& a $attern of al%ays going gently &o%nhill" The ri'er s ell gre% stronger" I $ause& once to rest on the e&ge of a great circular basin that I ight ha'e enclose& a fountain or been a %ashing court" ore s$rang to life aroun& e" # tra'eler ca e an& e&iately the city once

%atere& his horse at the &ry basin so close that I coul& ha'e reache& out to touch hi " He notice& %alke& $ast e not at all! but I arke& %ell the strangeness of his garb an& the o&& sha$e of the sa&&le the horse %ore" # grou$ of %o en e! talking an& laughing )uietly together" They %ore long! straight their shoul&ers an& fluttere& about their cal'es gar ents that hung softly fro

as they %alke&" #ll %ore their long fair hair loose to their hi$s! an& their boots rang on the cobble& street" ;hen I rose to s$eak to the ! they 'anishe& an& the light %ith the " T%ice ore I %oke the city before I reali1e& all it took %as the touch of y han& on a crystal/'eine& %all" It took an unreasonable a ount of courage but I began to %alk %ith 4ust y fingers trailing along the buil&ings. si&es" ;hen I e as I %alke&" It %as night an& the &i& so! the city bloo e& into life about sla

)uiet sno% still fell" The $assing %agons left no tracks in it" I hear& the ing of &oors that ha& long since rotte& a%ay an& sa% folk %alk lightly ha& create& &o%n one street" It %as har& as ghosts %hen they calle& greetings alou& to one another" I o'er a &ee$ gully so e %il& rainstor to &is iss the

%as the one %ho %as ignore& an& in'isible as I &rifte& along" #t length I ca e to a %i&e black ri'er flo%ing s oothly un&er the starlight" Se'eral ghost )uays ran out into it an& t%o i in the ri'er" =ights shone fro ense shi$s %ere anchore& out their &ecks" Hogshea&s an& bales %aite&

&ocksi&e to be loa&e&" # hu&&le of folk %ere engage& in so e ga e of chance an& so eone.s honesty %as being lou&ly &is$ute&" They &resse& &ifferently
111?

fro

the ri'er rats %ho ca e into Buck an& the language %as &ifferent! but in

all else that I coul& tell! they %ere the sa e bree&" #s I %atche&! a fight broke out an& s$rea& to beco e a general bra%l" It &is$erse& )uickly %hen the %histle of the night %atch soun&e&! co batants fleeing in all &irections before the 9ity Juar& arri'e&" I lifte& y han& fro the %all" I stoo& a o ent in the sno% s$angle& &arkness! letting y eyes a&4ust" Shi$s! )uays! ri'erfolk %ere all gone" But the y feet as I a&'ance&" The %aters

)uiet black %ater still flo%e&! stea ing in the col&er air" I %alke& to%ar& it! feeling the roa& go rough an& broken un&er one to o$$ose the " ;hen I turne& Once again I )ueste& out about tugge& at the y of this ri'er ha& risen an& fallen o'er this street! %orking their &a age %ith no y back to the ri'er an& stu&ie& the skyline of the city! I coul& see the faint silhouettes of fallen s$ires an& cru $le& %alls" e! once again I foun& no life" I turne& back to the ri'er" So ething in the general configuration of the lan& e ory" It %as not $recisely here! I kne% that! but I felt sure that agic" 9autiously I %alke& o'er broken $a'ing stones u& this %as the ri'er %here I ha& seen Aerity la'e his han&s an& ar s an& bring out glea ing %ith right &o%n to the e&ge of the ri'er" It looke& like %ater! it s elle& like %ater" I crouche& &o%n besi&e it an& thought" I ha& hear& tales of $ools of tarry co'ere& o'er %ith %ater+ I kne% %ell ho% oil floate& u$on %ater" *erha$s beneath the black %ater there flo%e& another ri'er! one of sil'er $o%er" *erha$s! farther u$strea y 'ision" I &re% off y itten an& bare& y ar " I set y han& u$on the flo% of the %ater! feeling its icy kiss against y bare $al " Senses straining! I trie& to or &o%n! %as the tributary of $ure Skill I ha& seen in

&etect %hether there %as Skill beneath that surface+ I felt nothing" But $erha$s

111B

if I $lunge& in &are&

y ar

an& han&! they %oul& co e u$ glea ing %ith strength" I yself" agic ha& trie& his %ill" I y

yself to reach in to &isco'er for

That %as as far as %as no

y courage %ent" I %as no Aerity" I kne% the strength of his ersion in the arche& alone u$ the Skill roa& %hile I , -y

Skilling! an& I ha& seen ho% his i atch for it" He ha&

in& &arte& back to that $u11le" ;hen ha& I left the Skill roa& an& an& $atte& col& %ater on %on&er if I coul& &rea only ore )uestions" y face" I felt no &ifferent" I set y nails to e but only

co $anions0 *erha$s I ne'er ha&" *erha$s all this %as a &rea " I reache& u$ y face a&e e an& scratche& the skin until it hurt" It $ro'e& nothing to

$ain" I ha& foun& no ans%ers in this strange &ea& city! y ste$s back the %ay I ha& co e" Aisibility %as y foot$rints" ;ith reluctance I y %ay back that

;ith great resol'e I turne& set

$oor an& the clinging sno% %as ra$i&ly filling %ay! for the li'ing city ha& ha&

y fingers to the stone of a %all" It %as easier to trace

ore lan& arks than the col& cin&ers of it &i&"

Yet as I hurrie& through the sno%y streets! I %on&ere& %hen all these folk ha& been here" Di& I 'ie% the e'ents of a night a hun&re& years ago0 Ha& I co e here another night %oul& I 'ie% the sa e e'ents $laye& out or see a &ifferent night fro the city.s history0 Or &i& these sha&es of folk $ercei'e the sel'es y as li'ing no%! %as I an o&& col& sha&o% that cre$t through their li'es0 I force& yself to sto$ %on&ering about things I ha& no ans%er to" I ha& to trace %ay back the %ay I ha& co e" Either I ca e to the en& of $laces I coul& re e ber or I took a %rong turning" The result %as the sa e" I foun& unfa iliar" I traile& yself %an&ering u$ a roa& I %as sure %as y fingers &o%n the fronts of a ro% of sho$s! all locke& u$ e %ithout gi'ing
111C

tight for the night" I $asse& t%o lo'ers locke& in an e brace in a &oor%ay" # ghost &og $a&&e& $ast e so uch as a curious sniff"

Des$ite the

il&er %eather! I %as getting col&" #n& tire&" I glance& u$ at the orning" By &aylight! I coul& $erha$s cli b u$ one of

sky" It %oul& soon be

the buil&ings an& get the lay of the lan&" *erha$s %hen I a%oke! I %oul& recall ho% I ca e here" Foolishly! I cast about for so e o'erhanging e'e or she& %here I ight shelter before it occurre& to e that there %as no reason not to interior" Tables an& go insi&e one of the buil&ings" E'en so! I felt )ueer as I chose a &oor an& %alke& through it" ;hile I touche& a %all! I sa% a &i hearth" ;hen I lifte& traile& the y han& fro shel'es %ere la&en %ith fine $ottery an& glass%are" # cat sle$t by a banke& the %all! all %as col& an& $itch/black" So I y fingers along the %all! nearly stu bling o'er the cru bling re ains a&e a true fire of the %here the

of one of the tables" I stoo$e&! an& gathere& together the bits by touch an& took to the hearth" By great $erse'erance! I ghost fire burne&" ;hen it %as going %ell an& I stoo& o'er it to %ar sho%e& yself! its flickering light e a &ifferent 'ie% of the roo " Bare %alls an& &ebris/stre%n floor" long/fallen shel'es" I thanke& y luck that they ha& e fro the

There %as no trace of the fine crockery an& glass%are! though there %ere a fe% ore bits of %oo& fro been a&e of goo& oak! for surely they %oul& ha'e rotte& to s$linters long ago y cloak on the floor to sa'e e %ar y fire to kee$ e" enough" I lay &o%n an& close& folk sle$t in their

if they ha& not" I &eci&e& to lay stone.s chill an& trust be&s on the floor abo'e I trie& to set

y eyes an& trie& not to think of ghost cats or %hat $hanto

y Skill %alls before I sle$t! but it %as rather like &rying one.s uch of y %orl& %as e an& ho%

feet %hile stan&ing in a ri'er" The closer I ca e to slee$! the har&er it %as to recall %here those boun&aries lay" Ho% uch %as the folk I care& about0 I &rea e& first of (ettricken! Starling! (ettle! an& the Fool %an&ering about %ith torches %hile 5ighteyes ran back an& forth!
111D

back an& forth %hining" It %as not a co fortable &rea fro it an& &rifte& &ee$er into yself" Or so I su$$ose&"

an& I turne& a%ay

I foun& the fa iliar hut" I kne% the si $le roo ! the rough table! the ti&y hearth! the narro% be& so neatly a&e" -olly sat in her nightrobe by the hearth! rocking 5ettle an& singing softly a song about stars an& starfish" I coul& recall no lullabies an& %as as char e& by it as 5ettle" The baby.s %i&e eyes %ere on -olly.s face as her foun& no bore&o They close& outh other sang" She gri$$e& one of -olly.s onth! for a year! forefingers in her s all fist" -olly sang the song o'er an& o'er an& o'er! but I there" It %as a scene I coul& %atch for a an& ne'er kno% te&iu " But the babe.s eyeli&s sli& shut+ once! to o$en )uickly" ore slo%ly a secon& ti e! an& staye& close&" Her tiny $urse& o'e& as if she suckle& in her slee$" Her black hair ha& begun to curl"

-olly lo%ere& her face to brush her li$s across 5ettle.s forehea&" -olly rose %earily an& carrie& the baby to her be&" She $ulle& o$en the blanket! nestle& the chil& in! an& then %ent back to the table to blo% out the single can&le there" By the light fro the hearth! I %atche& her ease into be& both" She close& her eyes besi&e the chil& an& &ra% the blankets u$ o'er the

an& sighe& an& &i& not stir again" I %atche& o'er her lea&en slee$! recogni1ing it as the slee$ of exhaustion" I kne% su&&en sha e" This har&! bare life %as not anything I e'er en'isione& for her! let alone our chil&" ;ere it not for Burrich! life %oul& be e'en har&er for the " I fle& fro $ro ising for the " ;hen I return" 6I ex$ecte& that by the ti e I returne&! things %oul& be better" But this is too goo& to trust! in a %ay"7 seeing the this %ay! yself! Things %ill get better! so eho% I %ill ake things better

111E

It %as 9ha&e.s 'oice" He leane& o'er a table in a &arkene& roo ! stu&ying a scroll" # branch of can&les lit his face an& the unrolle& a$ before hi " He looke& tire& but in goo& s$irits" His gray hair %as &ishe'ele&" His %hite shirt %as half o$en an& loose of his breeches so it hung about his hi$s like a skirt" The ol& an %as lean an& a stea ing uscular %here before he %as skinny" He took a ug an& shook his hea& o'er so ething" 6Regal long &ra% fro

see s to gain no groun& in his %ar against the -ountains" In e'ery attack against the bor&er to%ns! the >sur$er.s troo$s feint an& then %ith&ra%" There is no concerte& effort to sei1e territory they ha'e ra'age&! no to force their %ay to @haa $e" ;hat is his ga e07 69o e here an& I.ll sho% you"7 9ha&e looke& u$ fro his scroll! half a use& an& half annoye&" 6I.'e a serious )uestion to $on&er" I.ll not fin& the ans%er to this in your be&"7 The %o an thre% back the be&&ing an& rose! to $a& softly o'er to the table" She o'e& like a stalking cat" Her nake&ness %as not 'ulnerability! but ar or" Her long bro%n hair ha& $ulle& loose of its %arrior tail to reach $ast her shoul&ers" She %as not young! an& long ago a s%or& ha& left its tracks &o%n her ribs" She %as still breathtaking in a for i&able! fe ale %ay" She bent o'er the a$ besi&e hi an& $ointe& to so ething" 6=ook here" #n& here" #n& here" ;ere you Regal! %hy %oul& you attack all these! $laces at once! %ith forces too s all to hol& any of the 07 ;hen 9ha&e &i& not ans%er! she o'e& her finger to ta$ another s$ot on the a$" 65one of those attacks ca e as any great sur$rise" -ountain troo$s that ha& been gathere& here %ere &i'erte& to these t%o 'illages" #nother secon& force fro this location %ent to the thir& 'illage" 5o%! see %here the -ountain troo$s %ere not07 6There.s nothing along there %orth ha'ing"7
112H

assing of troo$s

65othing!7 she agree&" 6But once there %as a tra&e route that %ent through the lesser $ass! here! an& thence into the heart of the -ountains" It by$asses @haa $e! an& is little use& any that %ill allo% the ore for that reason" -ost tra&ers %ant a route to sell an& tra&e in @haa $e as %ell as the lesser to%ns"7

6Of %hat 'alue is that to Regal0 Does he seek to take an& hol& it07 65o" 5o troo$s ha'e been seen there at all"7 6;here &oes the trail lea&07 65o%0 5o%here sa'e a fe% scattere& 'illages" But it is goo& tra'eling for a s all force o'ing fast"7 a$" 6But it 6;here &oes it go07 6It &%in&les a%ay at Shishoe"7 She ta$$e& another s$ot on the %oul& carry that hy$othetical ban& of %arriors &ee$ into -ountain territory" ;ell behin& all the troo$s %atching an& guar&ing the bor&er" ;est of @haa $e an& unsus$ecte&"7 6But %hat %oul& be their goal07 The %o an shrugge& casually! an& s ile& to see 9ha&e.s eyes lea'e the a$" 6*erha$s an assassination atte $t on (ing Eyo&0 *erha$s an atte $t to reca$ture this bastar& that is su$$ose& to be sheltering in the -ountains" You tell e" This is ore your tra&e than ine" *oison the %ells at @haa $e07 I to &o07 9ha&e su&&enly $ale&" 6It.s been a %eek" They.ll alrea&y be in $lace! their $lot alrea&y in that there otion"7 He shook his hea&" 6;hat a ay be s$ies at his back"7 y boots07 6;ere it I! I.& sen& a s%ift courier to (ing Eyo&" # lass on a horse" #lert hi 6I su$$ose that.s best!7 9ha&e agree&" There %as a su&&en %eariness in his 'oice" 6;here are 6Relax" The essenger %as sent yester&ay" By no% (ing Eyo&.s trackers %ill

be %orking the trail" He has 'ery goo& trackers" I can 'ouch for that"7
1121

9ha&e looke& at her consi&eringly in a %ay that ha& nothing to &o %ith her nake&ness" 6You kno% the )uality of his trackers" Yet you sent one of your o%n lasses to his 'ery &oorste$! %ith a %arn hi "7 F 6I sa% no goo& in letting such ti&ings %ait"7 9ha&e s oothe& his short bear& o'er his 4a%" 6;hen first I aske& your ai&! you tol& e you.& %ork for coin! not $atriotis " You tol& e that to a horse thief! one si&e of the bor&er %as as goo& as another"7 She stretche&! rolling her shoul&ers" She ste$$e& to face hi ! $lacing her han&s on his hi$s in cal ha'e %on her closer" I ca e to yself %ith a s all start an& shifte& unco fortably" I felt asha e& to as %ell" I $oke& a bit at y fire an& yself that -olly also sle$t alone! sa'e for the y slee$ %as restless e fro the ha'e s$ie& on 9ha&e! an& en'ious of hi lay &o%n again! re in&ing for the re ain&er of the night" ;hen I o$ene& y eyes again! a s)uare of %atery sunlight o'erlay unshuttere& %in&o%" -y fire ha& burne& to a fe% coals! but I %as not that col&" In the light of &ay! the cha ber I %as in %as &is al" I %ent an& $eere& into a secon& roo ! seeking a stair%ay to the u$$er stories that ight offer e a better 'ie% of the city3 Instea& I sa% the sagging re nants of %oo&en ste$s I &are& not trust e'en for a brief ascent" The &a $ %as hea'ier as %ell" The &ank col& stone %alls an& floor re in&e& e of the &ungeons of Buckkee$" I left the sho$! ste$$ing out into a &ay that see e& al ost %ar " =ast night.s sno% %as assu $tion" They %ere nearly of a height" 6*erha$s you use& as he &re% e to your si&e"7 issi'e $enne& by your o%n han&! to

His green eyes glea e& like a hunting cat.s" 6Ha'e I07 he

s all %ar th of our &aughter" It %as little co fort an&

1122

retreating into $u&&les" I took off y hair" S$ring! so e $art of Instea&! the light see e& to

y hat an& let the gentler %in&

o'e against

e %his$ere&" The e&ge of s$ring %as in the air" &eni1ens of the city" ake the stronger" Black stone %ith )uart1like e" But e'en %hen I touche& ur ur of their

I ha& ex$ecte& that &aylight %oul& 'an)uish the $hanto

'eins ha& been use& %i&ely in constructing the city! an& I ha& but to touch any $iece of it to see the city.s life a%aken aroun& nothing I still see e& to catch gli $ses of folk! to hear the tall! ostly intact buil&ing that %oul& offer

chatter an& sense the tu ult of their $assage" I %alke& for so e ti e! seeking a e the 'ie% I sought" By &aylight! oss running u$ their the city %as far ore ruine& than I ha& sus$ecte&" ;hole &o es of roofs ha&

fallen in! an& so e buil&ings ha& great cracks green %ith cha bers an& filling the street belo% %ith rubble I

%alls" In others! outer %alls ha& fallen a%ay entirely! ex$osing the inner ust cla ber o'er" Fe% of the taller buil&ings %ere totally intact an& so e leane& &runkenly against one another" I finally sa% a likely buil&ing %ith a tall s$ire $ee$ing u$ abo'e its neighbors! an& a&e y %ay to%ar& it" ;hen I reache& it! I %aste& so e little ti e in stan&ing an& staring u$ at it" I %on&ere& if it ha& been a $alace" Jreat lions of stone guar&e& the entrance ste$s" The exterior %alls %ere of the sa e shining black stone I ha& co e to regar& as the co on buil&ing aterial for the city! but affixe& to the %ere silhouettes of folk an& beasts all cut fro so e glea ing %hite stone" The a&e the ense $lo% behin& a

stark contrast of %hite on black an& the gran& scale of these i ages al ost o'er%hel ing" # giant of a %o an gri$$e& an i tea of

onstrous oxen" # %inge& creature! $erha$s a &ragon! took an entire e that as I &i& so! the ur uring of the city gre% lou&er an& ore

%all to hi self" I slo%ly cli be& the %i&e stone ste$s to the entry%ay" It see e& to insistently real" # grinning young an ca e hastening &o%n the ste$s! a scroll
1128

gri$$e& in one han&" I si&este$$e& to a'oi& colli&ing %ith hi ! but as he hastene& $ast I felt not the slightest sense of his being" I turne& to stare after hi " His eyes ha& been yello% as a ber" The great %oo&en &oors %ere close& an& ha& been latche&! but so rotte& %ere they that one cautious $ush tore the lock free" One &oor s%ung o$en %hile the other sagge& gratefully &o%n to colla$se on the floor" I $eere& in before I entere&" Streake& an& &usty %in&o%s of thick glass a& itte& the %inter sunlight" Dust otes fro the settling &oor &ance& in the air" I half ex$ecte& bats or $igeons or a scurrying rat or t%o" There %as nothing! not e'en a scent of ani al habitation" =ike the roa&! the city %as a'oi&e& by %il& beasts" I ste$$e& insi&e! y boots scuffing lightly on the &usty floors" y hea&" This cha ber alone coul& ha'e hel& There %ere the tatters of ancient hangings! a colla$se& %oo&en bench" I lifte& y eyes to a ceiling far abo'e fro e %ere stone ste$s the entire exercise groun&s at Buckkee$" I felt tiny" But across the cha ber arching u$ into the gloo " #s I crosse& to the ! I hear& the businesslike utter of talk! an& su&&enly the stairs %ere $eo$le& %ith atters"

tall robe& folk co ing an& going" -ost gri$$e& scrolls or clutche& $a$ers! an& the tone of their con'ersation %as that of $eo$le &iscussing %eighty They %ere subtly &ifferent fro that! uch else about the any folk I ha& e'er been a ong" The colors of ust ha'e been so e cha ber any bro%s

their eyes %ere too bright+ the bones of their bo&ies %ere elongate&" But for all %as or&inary" This of la%s or ruling I &eci&e&" Only such an& sco%ls on so atters $ut lines u$on so

any faces" There %ere a nu ber of folk in yello% robes an&

black leggings! bearing a sort of insignia $late u$on their shoul&ers! an& these I 4u&ge& to be officials" #s I cli be& first one staircase! an& then another fro the secon& floor! these yello%/robes increase& in nu ber"

112<

The stairs %ere so e%hat lit by the %i&e %in&o%s at each lan&ing" The first sho%e& e only the u$$er story of the next buil&ing" On the secon& lan&ing! I gaine& a 'ie% of so e roofs" The thir& floor I ha& to cross to reach another stair%ay" @u&ging by the generous tatters on the %alls! this floor ha& been e'en ore o$ulent" I began to $ercei'e ghostly furniture as %ell as $eo$le! as if the agic %ere stronger here" I ke$t to the e&ges. of the %alk%ays! loath to feel the untouch of folk %alking through tables recor&ing infor ation fro 'ie% of the city by an i e" There %ere any cushione& benches for any lesser scribes sitting at y )uest for a clear %aiting! another sure sign of official&o ! an&

the scrolls $resente& to the "

I %ent u$ yet another flight of stairs! but %as frustrate& in

ense %in&o% of staine& glass" The i age $resente&

%as one of a %o an an& a &ragon" They &i& not a$$ear to be at o&&s! but instea& stoo& as if s$eaking to one another" The %o an in this %in&o% ha& black hair an& black eyes an& %ore a ban& of bright re& on her bro%" She carrie& so ething in her left han&! but %hether it %as %ea$on or %an& of office I coul& not tell" The i ense &ragon %ore a 4e%ele& collar! but nothing inutes before I coul& else in its stance or &e eanor suggeste& &o estication" I stare& at the %in&o%! light glea ing through its &usty colors! for se'eral long a%ay fro it to sur'ey this u$$er cha ber" ain floor ha& been" Tall narro% go on" I felt it ha& so e significance I coul& not )uite gras$" #t last I turne& This floor %as better lit than the other ones ha& been" It %as all one huge o$en cha ber! but substantially s aller than the %in&o%s of clear glass alternate& %ith stretches of %all ornately &ecorate& %ith frie1es of battles an& agrarian scenes" I %as &ra%n to the art%ork! but resolutely &irecte& y ste$s to another staircase" This %as not broa&! but %as a outsi&e the s$iraling stair that I ho$e& le& u$ to the to%er I ha& gli $se& fro buil&ing" The city s$irits see e& less nu erous here"
112?

The cli b %as stee$er an& longer than I ha& ex$ecte& it to be" I o$ene& both y coat an& y shirt before I reache& the to$" The %in&ing ste$s %ere lit at inter'als by %in&o%s scarce %i&er than arro% slits" #t one a young %o an stoo& staring out o'er the city! an air of ho$elessness in her la'en&er eyes" She see e& so real I foun& yself begging her $ar&on as I ste$$e& aroun& her" She $ai& no hee&! of course" #gain I ha& the eerie feeling that I %as the ghost here" There %ere a fe% lan&ings on this stair an& &oors lea&ing to cha bers! but these %ere locke& an& ti e see e& to ha'e been air of the u$$er le'els ha& $reser'e& the %oo& an& ages0 -ol&ering bones0 5one ga'e to ho$e& I %oul& not fin& a locke& &oor as The %hole city %as a ystery to ore erciful here" The &ry etal" I %on&ere& %hat lay

behin& their un&isturbe& fastness" Jlea ing treasure0 The kno%le&ge of the y sho'ings! an& as I continue& u$! I y re%ar& at the to$ of the to%er"

e" The ghost life that tee e& through it %as

such a contrast to its utter &esertion no%" I ha& seen no sign of battle+ the only u$hea'als I ha& seen in the city see e& to be the result of the earth.s &ee$ unease" Here I $asse& ore locke& &oors+ I %on&er if E&a herself kne% %hat o'e& here as ghosts" %as behin& the " 5o one locks a &oor unless he ex$ects to return" I %on&ere& %here they ha& gone! the folk of this to%n %ho still ;hy %as this ri'er city aban&one&! an& %hen0 Ha& this been the ho e of the El&erlings0 ;ere they the &ragons I ha& seen on the buil&ings an& in the staine&/glass %in&o%0 So e folk en4oy a $u11le+ it ga'e &aybreak" I reache& at last the u$$er to%er cha ber" It o$ene& all aroun& cha ber %ith a &o e& ceiling" Sixteen $anels sunlight floo&ing into the roo through the !
112B

e a $oun&ing e since

hea&ache to co $li ent the nagging hunger that ha& been gro%ing in

e! a roun&

a&e u$ the %alls of the roo aking it at once lit an& gloo y"

an& eight %ere of thick glass! streake& an& filthy" They sub&ue& the %inter

One of the %in&o%s %as shattere& an& lay in shar&s both %ithin an& %ithout the cha ber! for a narro% $ara$et ran aroun& the outsi&e of the to%er" # great roun& table %as $artially colla$se& in the center of the roo " T%o once &o inate& the cha ber! &iscussing so ething" One of the )uite angry" I ste$$e& aroun& the $hanto &oor o$ene& easily out onto the balcony" There %as a %oo&en railing running about the e&ge of the $ara$et but I &i& not trust it" Instea& I %alke& a slo% circuit of that to%er! caught bet%een %on&er an& fear of falling" On the south si&e! a %i&e ri'er 'alley s$rea& out before e" In the far &istance %as an e&ging of &ark blue hills that hel& u$ the $ale %inter sky" The ri'er %oun&! a fat la1y snake! through the near $art of the 'alley" In the &istance I coul& see other to%ns on the ri'er" Beyon& the ri'er %as a %i&e green 'alley! thickly tree& or $o$ulate& %ith ti&y far stea&s %hich blinke& in an& out of existence %hen I shook y hea& to clear y eyes of ghosts" I sa% a %i&e black bri&ge across the ri'er an& the roa& continuing on beyon& it" I %on&ere& %here it le&" Briefly I sa% bright to%ers glinting in the &istance" I $ushe& the ghosts a%ay fro y in& an& sa% a &istant lake %ith stea rising off it in the %atery sunlight" ;as Aerity out there so e%here0 -y eyes %an&ere& to the southeast an& %i&ene& at %hat I sa% there" *erha$s there %as the ans%er to so e of y )uestions" # %hole section of the city %as gone" Si $ly gone" 5o cru ble of ruins %ere there! no fire/blackene& rubble" Only a great an& su&&en rift ga$e& in the earth! as if so e 'ast giant ha& &ri'en in a giant %e&ge an& s$lit it %i&e" The ri'er ha& fille& it in! a shining tongue of %ater intru&ing into the city" The re ains of buil&ings teetere& on its e&ge still! streets en&e& abru$tly at the %ater" -y eyes trace& this huge %oun& in the earth" E'en at this &istance! I coul& tell that the great crack exten&e& beyon&
112C

en an&

three %o en! all ar e& %ith $ointers! %ere gesturing at %here the table ha& en see e& table an& bureaucrats" # narro%

the far shore of the ri'er" The &estruction ha& $lunge& like a s$ear &ee$ into the heart of the city" The $laci& %ater shone sil'er un&er the %inter sky" I %on&ere& if so e su&&en earth)uake ha& been the &eath blo% to this city" I shook y hea&" Too uch of it re aine& stan&ing still" 5o &oubt it ha& been a e" great &isaster! but it &i& not ex$lain the city.s &eath to

I %alke& slo%ly aroun& to the north si&e of the to%er" The city s$rea& out at y feet! an& beyon& it I sa% 'ineyar&s an& grainfiel&s" #n& beyon& the ! a foreste& stretch %ith the roa& running through it" Se'eral &ays. ri&e a%ay %ere the ountains" I shook y hea& to yself" By all y bearings! I ust ha'e co e fro there" Yet I &i& not recall the inter'ening 4ourney at all" I leane&

back against the %all an& %on&ere& %hat to &o" If Aerity %ere so e%here in this city! I felt no tingle of his $resence" I %ishe& I coul& recall %hy I ha& left y co $anions an& %hen" 9o e to e! co e to e! %his$ere& through y ore bones" #n o'er%hel ing &reariness rose u$ in &o%n %here I %as an& &ie" I trie& to tell cha ber to get out of the chill %inter %in&" #s I ste$$e& back in through the shattere& %in&o%! a stick rolle& un&er y foot an& I nearly fell" ;hen I reco'ere&! I glance& &o%n an& %on&ere& that I ha& not notice& before" #t the base of the broken %in&o% %ere the re ains of a s all fire" Soot ha& s u&ge& so e of the hanging glass re aining in the si&e $art of the %in&o% fra e" I stoo$e& to touch it cautiously+ other%ise the %inter stor s %oul& ha'e %eathere& a%ay an& trie& to ake y %eary but it ha& inclu&e& sticks as fro y finger ca e onths+ %oo&! a%ay black" It %as not 'ery fresh! but neither %as it ol&er than a fe% in& %ork" The fire %as a&e fro e an& I longe& si $ly to lie

yself it %as the elfbark" It felt

like the aftereffects of near/constant failure" I %ent back into the central

ore of it a%ay" I ste$$e&

trees or bushes" So eone ha& &eliberately

112D

carrie& s all t%igs u$ here to kin&le this fire" ;hy0 ;hy not use the re ains of the table0 #n& %hy cli b this high to back against the stone %all! it ga'e ake a fire0 For the 'ie%0 y I sat &o%n besi&e the re ains of the fire an& trie& to think" ;hen I leane&

ore substance to the arguing $hanto s

aroun& the table" One shoute& so ething at another! an& then &re% an i aginary line %ith his $ointer o'er the colla$se& table" One of the %o en crosse& her ar s across her chest an& looke& stubborn! %hile another s ile& col&ly an& ta$$e& %ith her o%n stick on the table" 9ursing lea$e& to The secon& that I $ercei'e& it %as a # foolish grin s$rea& %i&e across roo ! a great table hol&ing the &ra%n on $a$er! but yself for an i&iot! I a&e the fire" y feet to look &o%n at the ancient ruins of the table" a$! I %as sure Aerity ha& y face" Of course" # tall %in&o%e& to%er ost $eculiar a$ I ha& e'er seen" It %as not

looking out o'er" the city an& surroun&ing countrysi&e! an& in the center of the a&e of clay to i ic the rolling countrysi&e" It ha& o&els of the

cracke& in the colla$sing of the table! but I coul& see ho% the ri'er ha& been %rought of shining chi$s of black glass" There %ere tiny buil&ings of the city besi&e the arro%/straight roa&s! tiny fountains fille& %ith blue chi$s of glass! e'en t%igs leafe& %ith green %ool to re$resent the greater trees in the city" #t inter'als throughout the city! s all crystals of stone %ere fixe& in the a$" I sus$ecte& they re$resente& co $ass $oints" #ll %as there! arket" Des$ite its ruin! it &elighte& onths of Aerity a$ in his Skill/ a$ e'en tiny s)uares to re$resent stalls in the

the eye %ith its &etail" I s ile&! 'ery certain that %ithin returning to Buckkee$! there %oul& be a si ilar table an& to%er" I bent o'er it! ignoring the $hanto s! to retrace but I still %as fairly certain of y $ath as
112E

y ste$s" I locate& the a$ %as

to%er easily" #s luck %oul& ha'e it that section of the

uch cracke&! y feet ha&

y fingers %alke& %here

the night before" Once

ore I

ar'ele& at the straightness of the roa&s an& the et" I %as not certain exactly %here I ha& first

$recise intersections %here they

6a%akene&7 the night before! but I %as able to select a section of the city that %as not too large an& say %ith certainty it %as %ithin that s)uare" -y eye returne& to the to%er an& I carefully note& the nu ber of intersections an& the turns I about! I ust ake to return to y starting $oint" *erha$s once there! if I cast y e ories of the issing ight fin& so ething that %oul& a%aken

&ays" I %ishe& su&&enly for a bit of $a$er an& a )uill to sketch out the surroun&ing area" ;hen I &i& so! the Aerity ha& use& a burnt stick to eaning of the fire %as instantly clear" ake his a$" But u$on %hat0 I glance&

aroun& the roo ! but there %ere no hangings on these %alls" Instea& the %alls bet%een the %in&o%s %ere slabs of %hite stone! incise& %ith , I stoo& u$ to get a closer look" ;on&er o'ertook e" I $ut y han& on the col& %hite stone! an& then $eere& out of the &irty %in&o% besi&e it" -y fingers trace& the ri'er I coul& see in the &istance! then foun& the s ooth track of the roa& that crosse& it" The 'ie% out of each %in&o% %as re$resente& by the $anel besi&e it" Tiny gly$hs an& sy bols ight ha'e been the na es of to%ns or hol&ings" I ost of the &irt %as on the outsi&e" scrubbe& at the %in&o%! but

The significance of the broken %in&o% %as su&&enly clear" Aerity ha& broken out that $ane! for a clearer 'ie% of %hat lay beyon& it" #n& then he ha& kin&le& that fire an& use& a burnt stick to co$y so ething! $robably to the a$ he ha& been carrying since Buckkee$" But %hat0 I %ent to the broken %in&o% an& stu&ie& the $anels to either si&e of it" # han& ha& s eare& the left one! %i$ing &ust a%ay fro it" I set y o%n han& u$on the $rint of Aerity.s $al in the &ust" He ha& cleare& this $anel an& stare& out the %in&o%! an& then co$ie& so ething &o%n" I coul& not &oubt that it %as his &estination" I %on&ere& if %hat %as arke& on the $anel so eho% coor&inate& %ith the
118H

arkings on the

a$ he ha& carrie&" I %ishe& in 'ain that I ha& (ettricken.s co$y %ith co $are the t%o" Out of the %in&o%! I coul& see the -ountains to the north of fro besi&e

e to

e" I ha& co e o ent I

there" I stu&ie& the 'ie% an& then trie& to relate it to the etche& $anel e" The flickering ghosts of the $ast %ere no hel$" One

looke& out o'er a foreste& countrysi&e+ the next I %as looking at 'ineyar&s an& grainfiel&s" The only feature that %as in co on to both 'ie%s %as the black ountains" -y fingers ountains" ribbon of roa& that %ent straight as an arro% to the So e gly$hs %ere I $ut they

tracke& the roa& u$ the $anel" There in the &istance it reache& the of crystal ha& been e be&&e& in the $anel there"

arke& there! %here the roa& &i'erge&" #n& a tiny s$arkle

y face close to the $anel an& trie& to stu&y the tiny gly$hs there" Di& atch the arkings on Aerity.s a$0 ;ere they sy bols (ettricken an& hastene& &o%n the stairs! $assing

%oul& recogni1e0 I left the to%er roo

through $hanto s that see e& to gro% stronger an& stronger" I hear& their %or&s clearly no% an& caught gli $ses of the ta$estries that ha& once grace& the %alls" There %ere any &ragons &e$icte& en the " 6El&erlings07 I aske& of y %or&s shi'ering u$ an& &o%n the stairs" the echoing stone %alls! an& hear&

I sought so ething to %rite u$on" The tattere& ta$estries %ere &a $ rags that cru ble& at a touch" ;hat %oo& there %as %as ol& an& rotten" I broke &o%n the &oor to one inner cha ber! ho$ing to fin& its contents %ell $reser'e&" Insi&e! I foun& the interior %alls line& %ith %oo&en racks of $igeonholes! each hol&ing a scroll" They looke& substantial! as &i& the %riting i $le ents on the table in the center of the roo " But y gro$ing fingers foun& little ore than the ghosts of $a$er! cris$ an& fragile as ashes" -y eyes sho%e& to fin& finally a usable frag ent no bigger than
1181

e a stack of

fresh 'ellu s on a corner shelf" -y gro$ing fingers $ushe& a%ay rotte& &ebris! y t%o han&s" It %as stiff an&

yello%e&! but it gone! but the

ight ser'e" # hea'y sto$$ere& glass $ot hel& the &rie& e to

re nants of an ink" The %oo&en han&les of their %riting i $le ents %ere etal ti$s ha& sur'i'e& an& they %ere long enough for a$ roo " gras$ fir ly" #r e& %ith these su$$lies! I returne& to the S$ittle restore& the ink to life an& I hone& the

etal nib on the floor until it ing"

shone clean again" I rekin&le& the re nants of Aerity.s fire! for the afternoon %as beco ing o'ercast an& the light through the &usty %in&o%s %as &i I knelt in front of the $anel Aerity.s han& ha& &uste& an& co$ie& as coul& of the roa&! the leather" *ainstakingly I s)uinte& at the tiny gly$hs an& transferre& as as I coul& to the 'ellu " *erha$s (ettricken coul& a$ of on feature %oul& *erha$s %hen %e co $are& this clu sy so e co %as setting outsi&e an& looke& &o%n on y fire no ine to the uch as I any of

ountains! an& other features onto the scra$ of stiffene& ake sense of the " a$ she carrie&!

ake sense" It %as all I ha& to go on" The sun ore than e bers %hen I finally finishe&" I

y scratchings ruefully" 5either Aerity nor Fe&%ren %oul& y %ork" But it %oul& ha'e to &o" ;hen I %as insi&e y shirt to y arkings"

ha'e been i $resse& %ith

certain the ink %as set an& %oul& not s ear! I $ut the 'ellu carry it" I %oul& not chance rain or sno% on it to blur

I left the to%er as night %as falling" -y ghostly co $anions ha& long since gone ho e to hearth an& su$$er" I %alke& the streets a ong scores of folk seeking their ho es or 'enturing out for an e'ening.s $leasure" I $asse& inns an& ta'erns that see e& to bla1e %ith light an& hear& %ithin" It %as beco ing har&er an& har&er for streets an& aban&one& buil&ings" It %as a s$ecial gro%ling an& erry 'oices fro y belly e to see the truth of the e $ty isery to %alk %ith

y throat &ry $ast inns %here $hanto s fille& the sel'es %ith

ghostly cheer an& shoute& alou& to one another in greeting"

1182

-y $lans %ere si $le" I %oul& go to the ri'er an& &rink" Then I %oul& &o of shelter in that 'icinity for the night! an& by to%ar& the co e here! so ething %oul& sti ulate y

best to return to the first $lace I re e bere& in the city" I %oul& fin& so e sort orning light I %oul& hea& back ountains" I ho$e& if I %ent by the $ath I ha& $robably use& to e ory" flat on the $a'ing stone! &rinking o ent the sky abo'e e %as e folk

I %as kneeling by the ri'er.s e&ge! one $al col& %ater %hen the &ragon a$$eare&" One

e $ty" Then there %as a gol&en light on e'erything an& the noise of great %ings beating! like the %hirring of a $heasant.s %ings in flight" #bout crie& out! so e in startle ent an& so e in &elight" The creature &i'e& &o%n on us an& circle& lo%" The %ake of %in& it $ut out set the shi$s to rocking an& the ri'er to ri$$ling" Once ore it circle& an& then %ithout %arning it $lunge& co $letely out of sight in the ri'er" The gol&en light it ha& she& %as extinguishe& an& the night see e& all the &arker by co $arison" I 4erke& back reflexi'ely fro the &rea %a'e that lea$e& against the shore as e! $eo$le %ere staring it the ri'er absorbe& the &ragon.s i $act" #ll aroun& %ater $arte& an& a great hea& e erge& fro

ex$ectantly at the %ater" I follo%e& their ga1es" #t first I sa% nothing" Then the the ri'er" ;ater &ri$$e& fro an& ran glea ing &o%n the gol&en ser$entine neck that next a$$eare&" #ll the tales I ha& e'er been tol& ha& allu&e& to &ragons as %or s or li1ar&s or snakes" But as this one e erge& fro the ri'er! hol&ing out its &ri$$ing %ings! I foun& a &i'e y in& as the huge yself thinking of bir&s" Jraceful cor orants rising out of the sea fro after fish! or brightly $lu age& $heasants! ca e to

creature e erge&" It %as fully as large as one of the shi$s an& the s$rea& of its %ings $ut the can'as sails to sha e" It $ause& on the ri'erbank an& $reene& the %ater fro its scale& %ings" The %or& 6scale7 &oes no 4ustice to the ornate
1188

$lates that sheathe& its %ings! yet 6feather7 is too airy a %or& to &escribe the " 9oul& a feather be a&e of finely beaten gol&! $erha$s it ight co e close to e! e erging the &ragon.s $lu age" I %as transfixe& %ith &elight an& %on&er" The creature ignore& fro the ri'er so close to the %ater that &ri$$e& fro e that ha& it been real! I %oul& ha'e been soake& by its outstretche& %ings" E'ery &ro$ that fell back er of ra% agic %ith it" The

into the ri'er carrie& the un istakable shi

&ragon $ause& on the ri'erbank! its four great cla%e& feet sinking &ee$ in the &a $ earth as it carefully fol&e& its %ings an& then $reene& its long! forke& tail" Jol&en light bathe& a%ay fro e an& illu inate& the gathering cro%&" I turne& the &ragon to regar& the " ;elco e shone in their faces an& great ake %ay for it! ur uring

&eference" The &ragon ha& the bright eyes of a gyrfalcon an& the carriage of a stallion as it stro&e u$ to the " The folk $arte& to res$ectful greetings" 6El&erling!7 I sai& alou& to street" Folk $oure& fro yself" I follo%e& it! y fingers trailing the buil&ing fronts! one %ith the entrance& cro%&! as it $ara&e& slo%ly u$ the ta'erns to a&& their greetings an& s%elle& the cro%& on e'ent" I &o not kno% %hat I that follo%e& it" Ob'iously this %as no co that ti e! sa'e to follo% this i the reason %hy the great 'isitors" It $ause& once before a great stone basin" Folk rushe& for%ar& to 'ie for the honor of %orking a %in&lass of sorts" Bucket after bucket rose on a loo$ of chain! each s$illing its cargo of li)ui& bri e& %ith the shi agic into the basin" ;hen the basin ering stuff! the El&erling gracefully bo%e& its neck
118<

ho$e& to &isco'er by follo%ing it" I &o not think I really thought of anything at ense! charis atic creature" I un&erstoo& no% ight i $e&e one of these ain streets of this city ha& been built so %i&e" It %as not to

allo% the $assage of %agons! but so that nothing

an& &rank" Jhost/Skill it insi&ious hunger in at %hat I ha& seen"

ight be! but e'en the sight of it a%akene& that ore the basin %as fille& an& t%ice ore the ar'eling arre& the

e" T%ice

El&erling &rank it &o%n before it $rocee&e& on its %ay" I follo%e&! #hea& of us su&&enly loo e& that great gash of &estruction that city.s sy to see e'eryone!

etrical for " I follo%e& the ghostly $rocession to the li$ of it! only an! %o an! an& El&erling! 'anish co $letely as they stro&e

unconcerne&ly out into the s$ace" In a short ti e I stoo& alone on the e&ge of that ga$ing cre'asse! hearing only the %in& %his$ering o'er the still &ee$ %ater" # fe% $atches of stars sho%e& through the o'ercast sky an& %ere reflecte& in the black %ater" ;hate'er other secrets of the El&erlings I ha'e learne& ha& been s%allo%e& long ago in that great cataclys " I turne& an& %alke& slo%ly a%ay! %on&ering %here the El&erling ha& been boun& an& for %hat $ur$ose" I shu&&ere& again as I recalle& ho% it ha& &runk &o%n the sil'er glea ing $o%er" It took y e so e ti e to retrace y ste$s first to the ri'er" Once there! I focuse& a$ roo earlier that &ay" -y y ribs no%! but I resolutely e %hen the in& on recalling %hat I ha& seen in the ight

hunger %as a hollo% thing that rattle& against ignore& it as I threa&e& e through a knot of bra%ling sha&o%s but one si&e to let the

y %ay through the streets" -y strength of %ill carrie& y resolution faile& assi'e horses" I lea$e& to e" I ore

9ity Juar& ca e charging &o%n the streets on their

$ass! an& %ince& as I hear& the soun&s of their falling

truncheons" >nreal as it %as! I %as gla& to lea'e the noisy &iscor& behin& a&e a right turn u$ a slightly narro%er street an& %alke& on $ast three intersections"

I halte&" Here" This %as the $la1a %here I ha& been kneeling in the sno% the night before" There! that $illar stan&ing at its center! I recalle& so e sort of
118?

onu ent or scul$ture loo ing o'er eyes it see e& to glea

e" I %alke& to%ar& it" It %as

a&e of y %eary

the sa e ubi)uitous black stone 'eine& %ith glea ing crystal" To brighter %ith the sa e

ysterious unlight the other

structures ga'e off" The faint shining outline& on its si&e gly$hs cut &ee$ into its surface" I %alke& slo%ly aroun& it" So e! I %as sure! %ere fa iliar an& $erha$s t%in to those I ha& co$ie& earlier in the &ay" ;as this then so e sort of gui&e$ost! labele& %ith &estinations accor&ing to co $ass hea&ings0 I reache& out a han& to trace one of the fa iliar gly$hs" The night bent aroun& e" # %a'e of 'ertigo s%e$t o'er e" I clutche& at the colu n for su$$ort! but so eho% ice" For a ti e I 4ust lay there! -y brother: 5ighteyes greete& face an& $a%e& at it: isse& it an& %ent stu bling for%ar&" -y y cheek against the icy roa&! blinking e 4oyously" He thrust his col& nose into y e" y

outstretche& han&s foun& nothing an& I fell face for%ar& into cruste& sno% an& useless eyes at the blackness of the night" Then a %ar ! soli& %eight hit y hea& to rouse

e" I kne% you %oul& co e back" I kne%

9H#*TER T;E5TY/EIJHT The 9oterie *#RT OF THE great i ages %e ha'e of the ystery that surroun&s the El&erlings is that the fe% bear s all rese blance to each other" This is true not ight

only of ta$estries an& scrolls that are co$ies of ol&er %orks an& hence

contain errors! but also of the fe% i ages of El&erlings that ha'e sur'i'e& fro (ing ;is&o .s ti e" So e of the i ages bear su$erficial rese blances to the legen&s of &ragons! featuring %ings! cla%s! scaly skin! an& great si1e" But
118B

others &o not" In at least one ta$estry! the El&erling is &e$icte& as si ilar to a hu an! but gol& of skin an& great of si1e" The i ages &o not e'en agree in the nu ber of li bs that bene'olent race $ossesse&" They as a an" because kno%le&ge on kno%le&ge" @ust as no ost basic attributes of %hat a akes sense" ay ha'e as any as four legs an& t%o %ings also! or ha'e no %ings at all an& %alk u$on t%o legs It has been theori1e& that so little %as %ritten about the of the El&erlings at that ti e %as regar&e& as co one sees fit to create a scroll that &eals %ith the

horse is! for it %oul& ser'e no useful $ur$ose! so no one thought that one &ay El&erlings %oul& be the stuff of legen&s" To a certain &egree! this are feature& as the stuff of co But one has only to look about at all the scrolls an& ta$estries in %hich horses on life to fin& a fla%" ;ere El&erlings so ore often &e$icte&" acce$te& a $art of life! surely they %oul& ha'e been #fter a 'ery confusing hour or t%o! I foun& others" The night see e& all the col&er for 'anishe& fro

yself back in the yurt %ith the y ha'ing s$ent an al ost %ar e I ha& of all I y

&ay in the city" ;e hu&&le& in the tent in our blankets" They ha& tol& the li$ of the cliff only the night before+ I ha& tol& the o'e& an& guilty to see ho%

ha& encountere& in the city" There ha& been a certain a ount of &isbelief on e'eryone.s $art" I ha& felt both uch anguish &isa$$earance ha& cause& the " Starling ha& ob'iously been %ee$ing! %hile both (ettle an& (ettricken ha& the o%ly look of folks %ho ha& not sle$t" The Fool ha& been the %orst! $ale an& silent %ith a slight tre bling to his han&s" It ha& taken a bit of ti e for all of us to reco'er" (ettle ha& cooke& a eal t%ice the si1e of %hat %e usually ha& an& all sa'e the Fool ha& eaten heartily" He ha& not see e& to ha'e the energy" ;hile the others sat in a circle aroun& the

118C

bra1ier listening to

y tale! he %as alrea&y curle& in his blankets! the %olf y a&'enture for the thir& ti e! (ettle

snug besi&e hi " He see e& co $letely exhauste&" #fter I ha& been o'er the e'ents of co ente& cry$tically! 6;ell! thank E&a you %ere &ose& %ith elfbark before e&iately" ean"7 She looke& about at all of us ust ha'e e!

you %ere taken+ other%ise you %oul& ne'er ha'e ke$t your %its at all"7 6You say Ftaken.07 I $resse& i She sco%le& at e" 6You kno% %hat I

staring at her" 6Through the gui&e$ost or %hate'er it is" They so ething to &o %ith it"7 # silence sa e %ay"7 6But %hy &i&n.t they take anyone else07 I $roteste&"

et her %or&s" 6It see s ob'ious to

that.s all" He left us at one! an& arri'e& there at one" #n& returne& to us the

6Because you are the only Skill/sensiti'e one a ong us!7 she $ointe& out" 6#re they Skill/%rought as %ell07 I aske& her bluntly" She et y glance" 6I looke& at the gui&e$ost by &aylight" It is he%n of black stone %ith %i&e threa&s of shining crystal in it" =ike the %alls of the city you &escribe" Di& you touch both $osts07 I %as silent a of its coul& 6I a o ent! thinking" 6I belie'e so"7 ake tra'el easier for those %ho She shrugge&" 6;ell! there you are" # Skill/i bue& ob4ect can retain the intent aker" Those $osts %ere erecte& to aster the "7 only s$eculating on %hat see s ob'ious to going to say" I. e!7 she tol& e stubbornly"

6I.'e ne'er hear& of such things" Ho% &o you kno% the 07 6#n& that is all I a going to slee$" I. exhauste&" ;e all

s$ent the entire night an& Ho%ling0

ost of the &ay looking for you an& %orrying about

you" ;hat hours %e coul& rest! that %olf ne'er sto$$e& ho%ling"7

118D

I calle& you" You &i& not ans%er" I &i& not hear you! or I %oul& ha'e trie&" I begin to fear! little brother" Forces $ull at you! taking you to $laces I cannot follo%! closing your e" You %ill not lose 6I a e! I $ro ise& hi ! but I %on&ere& if it %as a $ro ise I coul& kee$" 6Fit107 (ettricken aske& in a nu&ging 'oice" here!7 I assure& her" a$ you co$ie&"7 a$" ;e co $are& the t%o" It %as har& a$s %ere &ifferent" #t last %e a$" 6This to be the a$" On 6=et us look at the in& to ine" This! right no%! is as close as I ha'e e'er co e to being acce$te& into a $ack" But if I lost you! e'en it %oul& be lost to

I took it out an& she &re% out her o%n

to fin& any si ilarities! but the scales of the

&eci&e& that the $iece I ha& co$ie& &o%n in the city bore a su$erficial rese blance to the $ortion of trail that %as &ra%n on (ettricken.s $lace!7 I gesture& to one &estination The arke& on her a$! 6%oul& see city" If that is so! then this corres$on&s to this! an& this to this"7 a$ Aerity ha& set out %ith ha& been a co$y of this ol&er! fa&e& that one the trail I no% thought of as the Skill roa& ha& been arke&! but o&&ly!

as a $ath that began su&&enly in the -ountains an& en&e& abru$tly at three se$arate &estinations" The significance of those en&$oints ha& once been arke& on the ha& the a$! but those arkings ha& fa&e& into inky s ears" 5o% %e a$ I ha& co$ie& in the city! %ith those three en&$oints on it also" One the city.s a$" 6I.'e seen such ostly in

ha& been the city itself" The other t%o %ere no% our concern" (ettricken stu&ie& the gly$hs I ha& co$ie& fro arkings! fro any ore" # han&ful of the ti e to ti e!7 she a& itte& uneasily" 65o one truly rea&s the are still kno%n" One encounters the

o&& $laces" In a fe% $laces in the -ountains! there are raise& stones that ha'e
118E

such

arks" There are so e at the %est en& of the Jreat 9has arke& lan& boun&aries"7

Bri&ge" 5o one ark gra'es! but

kno%s %hen they %ere car'e&! or %hy" So e are thought to others say they 69an you rea& any of the 07 I aske& her"

6# fe%"" They are use& in a challenge ga e" So e are stronger than others ,7 Her 'oice traile& off as she stu&ie& y scratchings" 65one atch exactly the ones I kno%!7 she sai& at last! &isa$$oint ent hea'y in her 'oice" 6This one is al ost like the one for Fstone". But the others I ha'e ne'er seen at all"7 6;ell! it.s one of the ones that %as are" Shall %e go there next07 6I %oul& ha'e like& to see the city!7 the Fool sai& softly" 6I shoul& ha'e like& to see the &ragon! too"7 I no&&e& slo%ly" 6It is a $lace an& a thing %orth seeing" -uch kno%le&ge is there! if only %e ha& the ti e to ferret it out" Di& not I ha'e Aerity al%ays in y hea& %ith his F9o e to e! co e to e. I think I %oul& ha'e been of ore curious to ex$lore"7 I ha& sai& nothing to the 9ha&e" Those %ere $ri'ate things! as %as into y &rea s of -olly an& arke& here"7 I trie& to ake y 'oice cheery" 6Stone7 con'eye& nothing at all to e" 6It see s closest to %here %e

y ache to be ho e %ith her again"

6Doubtless you %oul& ha'e!7 (ettle agree&" 6#n& &oubtless gotten yourself ore trouble that %ay" I %on&er! &i& he so bin& you to kee$ you on the &istractions07 roa& an& $rotect you fro

I %oul& ha'e challenge& her again on her kno%le&ge! ha& not the Fool re$eate& softly! 6I %oul& ha'e like& to see the city"7 6;e shoul& all slee$ no%" ;e are u$ at first light! to tra'el har& to orro%" It heartens fills e to think that Aerity ha& been there before Fit19hi'alry! e'en as it ust get to hi )uickly" I can no longer stan& e %ith forebo&ing" ;e

%on&ering each night %hy he ne'er returne&"7

11<H

69o es the 9atalyst! to

ake stone of flesh an& flesh of stone" #t his touch

shall be %akene& the &ragons of the earth" The slee$ing city shall tre ble an& %aken to hi " 9o es the 9atalyst"7 The Fool.s 'oice %as &rea y" 6The %ritings of ;hite Da ir!7 (ettle a&&e& re'erently" She looke& at for a 65ot they all ter inate in you07 y fault!7 I sai& inanely" I %as alrea&y tucking y %ay into y blankets" I thought longingly of the al ost %ar an& I felt chille& to the bone" I %as &ro%sing off %hen the Fool reache& o'er to $at han&" 6Joo& you.re ali'e!7 he 6Thank you!7 I sai&" I %as su effort to kee$ han& is %ar :7 6Jo to slee$!7 Starling chi&e& e in an offen&e& tone" the Fool.s face an& touche& his I ignore& her" I &ragge& the blanket &o%n fro right07 6I &on.t feel %ar !7 he infor e& tire&"7 I began buil&ing u$ the fire in the bra1ier hastily" #roun& gloo " 6The Fool is ne'er %ar !7 I tol& the ! trying to 6In&ee&07 Starling aske& in an o&&ly sarcastic 'oice"
11<1

e an&

o ent %as annoye&" 6Hun&re&s of years of %ritings an& $ro$hecies an&

&ay I ha& ha&" The %in& %as blo%ing y face %ith a %ar

uttere&" oning u$ (ettle.s ga e boar& an& $ieces in an

in& to

yself for the night" I ha& 4ust begun to conte $late

the $roble " Su&&enly I sat u$! exclai ing! 6Your han& is %ar : Fool: Your

cheek" His eyes o$ene& slo%ly" 6You.re %ar !7 I tol& hi " 6#re you all e iserably" 6I feel col&" #n& 'ery! 'ery e the others %ere e through the un&erstan& y

stirring" Starling across the tent ha& sat u$ an& %as $eering at ake the

urgency" 6#l%ays! %hen you touch his skin! it is cool" 5o% he.s %ar "7

6Is he ill07 (ettle aske& tire&ly" 6I &on.t kno%" I.'e ne'er kno%n hi 6I a sel&o to be ill in y %hole life"7 ill!7 the Fool correcte& orning"7 ust tra'el to orro% orning!7 (ettricken sai& a$! or ore &etail for e )uietly" 6But this is a fe'er I ha'e

kno%n before" =ie &o%n an& slee$! Fit1" I.ll be all right" I ex$ect the fe'er %ill ha'e burne& out by 6;hether it has or not! %e

i $lacably" 6;e ha'e alrea&y lost a &ay lingering here"7 6=ost a &ay07 I exclai e&! al ost angrily" 6Jaine& a one! an& kno%le&ge that Aerity ha& been to the city" For yself! I &oubt not

that he %ent there as I &i&! an& $erha$s returne& to this 'ery s$ot" ;e ha'e not lost a &ay! (ettricken! but gaine& all the &ays it %oul& ha'e taken us to fin& a %ay &o%n to %hat re ains of the roa& &o%n there an& then tra $ to the city" #n& back again" #s I recall! you ha& $ro$ose& s$en&ing a &ay 4ust to seek for a %ay &o%n that sli&e" ;ell! %e &i&! an& %e foun& the %ay"7 I $ause&" I took a breath an& i $ose& cal either" 6 # glint ca e into (ettricken.s eyes! an& I brace& yself for battle" But the ore hu ane 'oice Fool forestalle& it" 6I shall tra'el to orro%! %ell or not!7 he assure& us both" 6That.s settle&! then!7 (ettricken sai& s%iftly" Then! in a she aske&! 6Fool! is there anything I can &o for you0 I %oul& not use you so harshly! %ere not the nee& so great" I ha'e not forgotten! an& ne'er shall! that %ithout you I %oul& ne'er ha'e reache& @haa $e ali'e"7 I sense& a story I %as not $ri'y to! but ke$t 6I %ill be fine" I a %ar e& e last night as nothing else has"7 y )uestions to yself" 4ust , Fit10 9oul& I beg so e elfbark of you0 That on y 'oice" 6I %ill not seek to force any of you to y %ill" But if the Fool is not %ell enough to tra'el to orro%! I shall not tra'el

11<2

69ertainly"7 I %as ru %arningly"

aging in

y $ack for it %hen (ettle s$oke out ore

6Fool! I counsel you against it" It is a &angerous herb! an& al ost often night before last07

&a aging than goo&" ;ho kno%s but you are ill tonight because you ha& so e 6It is not that $otent an herb!7 I sai& &is&ainfully" 6I.'e use& it for a nu ber of years! an& taken no lasting ill fro it"7 (ettle ga'e a snort" 65one that you are %ise enough to see! any%ay!7 she sai& sarcastically" 6But it is a %ar ing herb that gi'es energy to the flesh! e'en if it is &ea&ening to the s$irit"7 6I al%ays foun& it restore& e rather than &ea&ene& y e!7 I countere& as I foun& the s all $acket an& o$ene& it" ;ithout $ut %ater on to boil" 6I ne'er notice& it &ulling 6The one taking it sel&o to be tricke&! young $hysical energy for a ti e! you y asking her! (ettle got u$ to in&!7 I a&&e&" ay boost your

&oes!7 she retorte&" 6#n& %hile it

ust al%ays $ay for it later" Your bo&y is not

an" You %ill kno% that better %hen you are as ol& as I"

I fell silent" #s I thought back o'er the ti es I ha& use& elfbark to restore yself! I ha& the unco fortable sus$icion that she %as at least $artly right" But y sus$icion %as not enough to kee$ 4ust one" (ettle shook her hea& at e fro bre%ing t%o cu$s rather than ore" I e back the e $ty e! but lay back &o%n an& sai& no

sat besi&e the Fool as %e &rank our tea" ;hen he han&e& ug! his han& see e& %ar er! not cooler" 6Your fe'er is rising!7 I %arne& hi " 65o" It is 4ust the heat of the 6# bit!7 he a& itte&" Then his ug on y skin!7 he suggeste&" I ignore& hi " 6You are shaking all o'er"7

isery broke though an& he sai&! 6I a y 4a%s ache fro

11<8

col& as I

ha'e ne'er been before" -y back an&

shaking %ith it"7

Flank hi ! suggeste& 5ighteyes" The big %olf shifte& to $ress against hi " I a&&e&

ore closely

y blankets to those co'ering the Fool an& then cra%le&

in besi&e hi " He sai& not a %or& but his shi'ering lessene& so e%hat" 6I can.t recall that you %ere e'er ill at Buckkee$!7 I sai& )uietly" 6I %as" But 'ery sel&o ! an& I ke$t to little tolerance for for ine"7 ine07 I aske& after a ti e" He ha& e'en entione&" yself" #s you recall! the healer ha& y health to his e! an& I for hi " I %oul& not ha'e truste&

$urges an& tonics" Besi&e" ;hat %orks for your kin& so eti es &oes nothing 6Is your kin& so 'astly &ifferent fro brought us close to a to$ic %e ha& sel&o sur$rise e'en

6In so e %ays!7 he sighe&" He lifte& a han& to his bro%" 6But so eti es I yself"7 He took a breath! then sighe& it out as if he ha& en&ure& ay not e'en be truly ill" I ha'e been going so e $ain for an instant" 6I in a %his$er" 6You ha'e gro%n! an& gathere& color!7 I agree& softly" 6That is a $art of it"7 # s ile t%itche& o'er his face! then fa&e&" 6I think I a al ost an a&ult no%"7 I snorte& softly" 6I ha'e counte& you as a foun& your anhoo& before I &i& ine"7 o ent soun&e& al ost e" y an& set going to slee$ no%!7 he tol& an for any years! Fool" I think you

through so e changes in the $ast year" #s you ha'e notice&"7 He a&&e& the last

6Di& I0 Ho% &roll:7 he exclai e& softly! an& for a like hi self" His eyes sagge& shut" 6I a I %alls once

a&e no re$ly" I shoul&ere& &ee$er into the blankets besi&e hi

ore" I sank into a &rea less rest that %as not cautionless slee$" e! the Fool still an& iste& %ith s%eat"

I a%oke before first light %ith a forebo&ing of &anger" Besi&e sle$t hea'ily" I touche& his face! an& foun& it %ar I rolle& a%ay fro

hi ! tucking the blankets in tight aroun& hi " I a&&e& a

11<<

t%ig or t%o of $recious fuel to the bra1ier an& began &ra%ing )uietly" 5ighteyes %as i Joing out0 @ust to sniff about" Shall I co e0 (ee$ the Fool %ar " I %on.t be long" #re you sure you.ll be all right0 I.ll be 'ery careful" I $ro ise" The col& %as like a sla$" The &arkness! absolute" #fter a eyes a&4uste& but e'en so I coul& see little senses to fin& %hat ha& &isturbe& )ueste& out into the &arkness for Resolutely I set it asi&e an& $ushe& 9an you scent the 0 The %in& is %rong" Shall I go see0 Yes" But be unseen" Of course" See to the Fool" He %hi $ere& %hen I left hi " In the tent! I )uietly %oke (ettricken" 6I think there e&iately alert"

y clothes on

o ent or t%o!

y y

ore than the tent itself" #n y ;it that

o'ercast ha& blotte& the stars e'en" I stoo& still in the icy %in&! straining e" It %as not the Skill but

e" I sense& our $arty! an& the hunger of the long" #nother %orry" e" y senses further" I stiffene&" Horses0 Yes"

hu&&le& 4e$$as" Jrain alone %oul& not kee$ the #n& ri&ers0 I thought so" 5ighteyes %as su&&enly besi&e

ay be &anger!7 I tol& her not certain yet"7

softly" 6Horses an& ri&ers! $ossibly on the roa& behin& us" I. e'eryone" I %ant us u$ an& rea&y to shoul&er" o'e by light"7

6By the ti e %e are certain! they %ill be here!7 she sai& &ourly" 6;ake 6The Fool is still fe'erish!7 I sai&! e'en as I stoo$e& an& shook Starling.s

11<?

6If he stays here! he %on.t be fe'erish! he.ll be &ea&" #n& you %ith hi " Has the %olf gone to s$y for us07 6Yes"7 I kne% she %as right! but it %as still har& to force Fool to consciousness" He bun&le& our gear! I hurrie& hi of leggings" I %ra$$e& hi o'e& like a into his coat an& nagge& hi yself to shake the into an extra $air outsi&e %hile the an in a &a1e" ;hile the others

in all our blankets an& stoo& hi

rest of us struck the tent an& loa&e& it" Of (ettricken I aske& )uietly! 6Ho% uch %eight can a 4e$$a bear07 6-ore than the Fool %eighs" But they are too narro% to stra&&le co fortably! an& they are skittish %ith a li'e loa&" ;e it %oul& be unco fortable for hi 6;hat ne%s fro touch ight $ut hi ake on one for a %ays! but e ha$$y" an& the 4e$$a %oul& be &ifficult to control"7 e"

It %as the ans%er I ha& ex$ecte&! but it &i& not the %olf07 she aske&

I reache& for 5ighteyes! an& %as &is aye& to fin& %hat an effort it %as to in&s %ith hi " 6Six ri&ers!7 I tol& her" 6Frien& or foe07 she aske&" 6He has no %ay to kno%!7 I $ointe& out to her" To the %olf I aske&! Ho% &o the horses look0 Delicious" =arge! like Sooty0 Or s all! like -ountain horses0 Bet%een" One $ack ule" y folk &o not use horses this high in 6They are on horses! not -ountain $onies!7 I tol& (ettricken" She shook her hea& to herself" 6-ost of ene ies an& act accor&ingly"7 6Run or fight07 6Both! of course"7
11<B

the -ountains" They %oul& use $onies! or 4e$$as" =et us &eci&e they are

She ha& alrea&y taken her bo% fro a bush" Then %e %ait" =et.s go"7

one of the 4e$$a.s loa&s"

5o% she strung it to ha'e it rea&y" 6First %e look for a better $lace to stage an It %as easier sai& than &one" Only the s oothness of the roa& a&e it $ossible

at all" =ight %as only a ru or as %e starte& that &ay" Starling le& the 4e$$as ahea&" I brought the Fool behin& the ! %hile (ettle %ith her staff an& (ettricken %ith her bo% follo%e& us" #t first I let the Fool try to %alk on his o%n" He lurche& slo%ly along! an& as the 4e$$as &re% inexorably a%ay fro us! I kne% it %oul& not &o" I $ut his left ar about his %aist an& hurrie& hi struggling to kee$ his feet fro across y shoul&ers an& y ar along" In a short ti e he %as $anting an& &ragging" The unnatural %ar th of his bo&y on! $raying for co'er of so e sort"

%as frightening" 9ruelly! I force& hi stone" # great $ortion of the casca&e& &o%n" It ha& carrie& off

;hen %e ca e to it! it %as not the kin&ness of trees! but the cruelty of shar$ ountain abo'e the roa& ha& gi'en %ay an& ore than half the roa& %ith it! an& left %hat &o%n on a ore

re aine& hea$e& high %ith stone an& earth" Starling an& the 4e$$as %ere looking at it &ubiously %hen the Fool an& I li $e& u$" I set hi closely aroun& hi ! an& then %ent to stan& by Starling" 6It.s an ol& sli&e!7 she obser'e&" 6-aybe it %on.t be that har& to scra ble across it"7 6-aybe!7 I agree&! %ith the Fool07 6I su$$ose"7 She glance& o'er at hi " 6Ho% ba& is she07 y eyes alrea&y looking for a $lace to atte $t it" Sno% o'erlai& the stone! cloaking it" 6If I go first! %ith the 4e$$as! can you follo% stone! %here he sat! eyes close& an& hea& bo%e&" I $ulle& the blankets

11<C

There %as only %orry in Starling.s 'oice! so I s%allo%e& can stagger along! if he has an ar last ani al is u$ an&

y annoyance" 6He

to lean on" Don.t start to follo% until the

o'ing across it" Then follo% our tracks"7

Starling bobbe& her hea& in agree ent but &i& not look ha$$y" 6Shoul&n.t %e %ait for (ettricken an& (ettle07 I thought" 65o" If those ri&ers &o catch u$ %ith us! I &on.t %ant to be here %ith stone at y back" ;e cross the sli&e"7 uch I %ishe& the %olf %ere %ith us! for he %as t%ice as surefoote& as I an& )uicker of reflex" 9an.t co e to you %ithout their seeing roa& here! an& they are bet%een you an& Don.t fret about it" @ust %atch the s%iftly0 They %alk their horses an& argue uch a ong the sel'es" One is fat an& y brother" %eary of ri&ing" He says little but he &oes not hasten" Be careful! follo%e& e" It.s sheer rock abo'e an& belo% the e" e alerte&" Do they tra'el an& kee$

I took a &ee$ breath! an&! as no $lace looke& better than any other! si $ly y nose" #t first there %as 4ust a scattering of loose stone across the y %ay u$ this treacherous footing" The lea& 4e$$a roa&! but beyon& that %as a %all of great boul&ers! rocky soil! an& loose shar$/ e&ge& stone" I $icke& follo%e& e an& the others ca e behin& her un)uestioningly" I soon foun& that y leg

blo%ing sno% ha& fro1en across the rocks in thin sheets! often co'ering hollo%s an& cracks beneath the " I ste$$e& carelessly on one an& thrust &o%n to y knee in a crack" I extricate& yself carefully an& $rocee&e&" e y courage al ost faile&" ;hen I took a o ent an& looke& aroun&

#bo'e %as a great slo$e of sli&e &ebris going u$ to a sheer %all of rock" I %alke& on a hillsi&e of loose rock an& stone" =ooking ahea&! I coul& not see %here it en&e&" If it ga'e %ay! I %oul& tu ble an& sli&e %ith it to the e&ge of
11<D

the roa& an& shoot off it into the &ee$ 'alley beyon&" There %oul& be nothing! not a t%ig of greenery! not a boul&er of any si1e that I coul& cling to" S all things beca e su&&enly frightening" The 4e$$a.s ner'ous tugging at the lea& ro$e I clutche&! a su&&en shift in the $ush of the bree1e! e'en in y hair blo%ing y eyes %ere abru$tly life threatening" T%ice I &ro$$e& to all fours an& y %eight to it slo%ly"

cra%le&" The rest of the %ay! I %ent at a crouch! looking before I $lace& a foot an& trusting Behin& e ca e the line of 4e$$as! all follo%ing the lea& beast" They %ere not

as cautious as I" I hear& stone shift beneath the ! an& s all scatterings of rock that they loosene& %ent $ebbling an& boun&ing &o%n the slo$e! to shoot off in s$ace" Each ti e it ha$$ene&! I feare& it %oul& %aken other rocks an& set the sli&ing" They %ere not ro$e& together! sa'e for the lea& I ha& on the first beast" #t any o ent I &rea&e& to see one go sli$$ing &o%n the hillsi&e" They %ere e like corks on a net! an& far behin& the an& curse& ca e Starling yself as I reali1e& the y cra%ling $ace! %ith strung out behin&

an& the Fool" I sto$$e& once to %atch the

&ifficulty of the task I ha& gi'en her" They ca e at half in an& y

Starling gri$$ing the Fool an& %atching footing for both of the " -y heart %as outh %hen she stu ble& once an& the Fool s$ra%le& flat besi&e her" e staring back at her" #ngrily she lifte& an ar otione& to e to go on" I &i&" There %as nothing else I coul& &o" e ca e the lea& 4e$$a! She looke& u$ then an& sa%

The &u $ of rock an& stone en&e& as abru$tly as it ha& begun" I scrabble& &o%n to the roa&.s flat surface %ith gratitu&e" Behin& an& then the other beasts! 4u $ing fro to kee$ the scar$ to rock to roa& like goats as they

&escen&e&" #s soon as they %ere all &o%n! I scattere& so e grain on the roa& %ell bunche& an& cla bere& back u$ the sli&e.s shoul&er" I coul& see neither Starling nor the Fool"

11<E

I %ante& to run back across the face of the sli&e" Instea& I force& slo%ly! $icking

yself to go

y %ay back along the tracks the 4e$$as an& I ha& left" I tol&

yself that I shoul& be able to see their brightly colore& gar ents in this &ull lan&sca$e of grays an& blacks an& %hites" #n& finally I &i&" Starling %as sitting )uite still in a $atch of scree %ith the Fool stretche& out besi&e her on the stones" 6Starling:7 I calle& to her softly" She looke& u$" Her eyes %ere huge" 6It all starte& to o'e aroun& us" =ittle rocks an& then bigger ones" So I sto$$e& still to let it settle" 5o% I can.t get the Fool u$ an& I can.t carry her"7 She fought the $anic in her 'oice" 6Sit still" I. co ing"7 I coul& $lainly see %here a section of the surface rock ha& broken loose an& starte& tu bling" Rolling $ebbles ha& left their tracks o'er the sno%y surface" I si1e& u$ %hat I coul& see an& %ishe& I kne% ore of a'alanches" The an& to ha'e flo%e& y heart col& an& o'e ent of stone see e& to ha'e begun %ell abo'e the o'ing! it %oul& s%iftly carry us o'er the e&ge" I relie& on y hea&" e" 69o e to e" Aery slo%ly an& carefully"7 a&e

$ast the " ;e %ere still a goo& %ays abo'e the e&ge! but once the scree began

6Starling:7 I calle& to her softly again" It %as nee&less! her attention %as entirely focuse& on 6;hat about the Fool07 6=ea'e hi " Once you are safe! I %ill go back for hi " If I co e to you! all three of us %ill be at risk"7 It is one thing to see the logic of so ething" It is another to force oneself to kee$ a resol'e that s acks of co%ar&ice" I &o not kno% %hat Starling %as thinking as she got slo%ly to her feet" She ne'er straightene& u$ entirely! but 'enture& to%ar& e one slo% ste$ at a ti e! crouche& o'er" I bit
11?H

y li$ an&

ke$t silent though I longe& to urge her to hurry" T%ice s all her&s of $ebbles %ere loosene& by her ste$s" They %ent casca&ing &o%nhill! rousing others to 4oin the as they flo%e& &o%n the incline an& then boun&e& o'er the e&ge" ine" I stoo& Each ti e she fro1e in a crouch! her eyes fixe& &es$erately on ;oul& I fling

an& stu$i&ly %on&ere& %hat I %oul& &o if she starte& to sli&e %ith the rocks" yself uselessly after her! or %atch her go an& kee$ fore'er the e ory of those &ark eyes $lea&ing0 But at last she reache& the relati'e stability of the larger rocks %here I stoo&" She clutche& at her" #fter a long a$art fro e an& I hel& her! feeling the tre bling that rattle& through o ent! I gri$$e& her u$$er ar s fir ly an& hel& her a little

e" 6You ha'e to go on! no%" It.s not far" ;hen you get there! stay e an&

there an& kee$ the 4e$$as bunche& together" Do you un&erstan&07 She ga'e a )uick no& an& then took a &ee$ breath" She ste$$e& free of &istance a%ay before I took y first cautious ste$s to%ar& the Fool" ore noticeably un&er y greater %eight" I began cautiously to follo% the trail the 4e$$as an& I ha& left" I let her get a safe The rocks shifte& an& grate&

%on&ere& if I %oul& be %iser to %alk higher or lo%er on the slo$e than she ha&" I thought of going back to the 4e$$as for a ro$e! but coul& think of nothing to secure it to" #n& all the %hile I ke$t ti e" The Fool hi self &i& not Rocks began to tu ble& $ast coul& control flinging ake it o'e aroun& o'e" y feet! ta$$ing against un&er y ankles as they y feet" I halte& %here I %as! fro1en y feet start to sli$! an& before I o'ing for%ar&! one cautious ste$ at a

e! sli$$ing out fro

by the gra'el hurrying $ast beca e s%ifter an&

e" I felt one of

yself! I $lunge& for%ar& a ste$" The exo&us of s all rocks ore &eter ine&" I &i& not kno% %hat to &o" I thought of y %eight! but &eci&e& s%iftly it %oul& only e %ith the " 5ot one of the

yself flat an& s$rea&ing

ore easy for the tu bling rocks to carry

11?1

o'ing stones %as bigger than

y fist! but there %ere so

any of the " I fro1e

%here I %as an& counte& ten breaths before the rattlings settle& again" It took e'ery scra$ of courage I coul& uster to take the next ste$" I stu&ie& the y y next ste$" By the ti e I reache& y back an& y 4a% ache& groun& for a ti e an& selecte& a $lace that looke& least unstable" I ease& %eight to that foot an& chose a $lace for the Fool.s $rone bo&y! fro clenching it" I ease& y shirt %as s%eate& to yself &o%n besi&e hi "

Starling ha& lifte& the blanket.s corner to shelter his face! an& he still lay co'ere& like a &ea& an" I lifte& it a%ay! to look &o%n at his close& eyes" He %as a hue I ha& ne'er seen before" The &eathly %hite of his skin at Buckkee$ ha& taken on a yello%ish cast in the -ountains! but no% he %as a terrible &ea& color" His li$s %ere &ry an& cha$$e&! his eyelashes cruste& yello%" #n& he %as still %ar $art of hi u$ in to the touch" gently! but he e" 6I. a&e no res$onse" I s$oke on! ho$ing so e %oul& hear going to ha'e to lift you an& carry you" The 6Fool07 I aske& hi

footing is ba&! an& if I sli$! %e.re going to fall all the %ay" So once I ha'e you y ar s! you ust be 'ery! 'ery still" Do you un&erstan&07 He took a slightly &ee$er breath" I took it for assent" I knelt &o%nhill of hi an& %orke& scar in y han&s an& ar s un&er his bo&y" #s I straightene& u$! the arro% y face" I knelt u$right for a y balance" I y ar s! astering y $ain an& gaining y back screa e&" I felt s%eat $o$ out on y foot un&er

o ent! the Fool in shifte& one leg to get

e" I trie& to stan& u$ slo%ly! but as I &i&

so rocks began casca&ing $ast

e" I fought a terrible urge to clutch the Fool to

e an& run" The rattling an& scattering of loose shale %ent on an& on an& on" ;hen it finally cease&! I %as tre bling %ith the effort of stan&ing $erfectly still" I %as ankle &ee$ in loose scree" 6Fit19hi'alry07
11?2

I turne& sickene& at

y hea& slo%ly" (ettricken an& (ettle ha& caught u$" They %ere e! %ell off the $atch of loosene& stone" They both looke& y $re&ica ent" (ettricken %as the first to reco'er" ake it across07 I anage& a s all

stan&ing u$hill of

6(ettle an& I are going to cross abo'e you" Stay %here you are! an& be as still as you can" Di& Starling an& the 4e$$as no&" I ha& not the s$it to s$eak" 6I.ll get a ro$e an& co e back" I.ll be as )uick as it is safe to be"7 #nother no& fro e" I ha& to t%ist y bo&y to %atch the ! so I &i& not" 5or e! the stone ticke& un&er uch! for a y feet! an& I an gro%n" He &i& I look &o%n" The %in& ble% $ast

looke& &o%n into the Fool.s face" He &i& not %eigh than fist an& %eightier in so eho% I felt hi

ha& al%ays been slight an& bir& bone&! relying on his tongue for &efense rather uscle" But as I stoo& an& hel& hi ! he gre% %eightier an& y ar s" The circle of $ain in ake y back slo%ly ex$an&e&! an& y ar s ache %ith it" y ar s" 6Be still!7 I %his$ere&" He $ri1e& his oisten his li$s" 6;hat e" His tongue sought to

anage& to

gi'e a slight t%itch in

eyes o$en an& looke& u$ at are %e &oing07 he croake&"

6;e.re stan&ing 'ery still in the

i&&le of an a'alanche!7 I %his$ere& back"

-y throat %as so &ry it %as har& to talk" 6I think I coul& stan&!7 he offere& %eakly" 6Don.t o'e:7 I or&ere& hi " He took a slightly &ee$er breath" 6;hy are you al%ays near %hen I get into these sort of situations07 he %on&ere& hoarsely" 6I coul& ask you the sa e!7 I retorte&! unfairly" 6Fit107 I t%iste& y screa ing back to look u$ at (ettricken" She %as silhouette& against the sky" She ha& a 4e$$a %ith her! the lea& one" She ha& a coil of ro$e
11?8

loo$e& on one shoul&er" The other en& %as fixe& to the 4e$$a.s e $ty $ack harness" 6I. going to thro% the ro$e to you" Don.t try to catch it! let it go $ast you an& then $ick it u$ an& %ra$ it aroun& yourself" >n&erstan&07 6Yes"7 She coul& not ha'e hear& encouragingly" In a ake %ill" 6Fool! can you hol& on to 6You e0 I ha'e to try to $ick u$ the ro$e"7 6I think I can stan&!7 he offere& again" ay ha'e to!7 I a& itte& un%illingly" 6Be rea&y for anything" But e"7 %hate'er else! hol& on to 6I.ll &o y ans%er! but she no&&e& back to e e" It o ent the ro$e ca e flo$$ing an& uncoiling $ast

unsettle& a s all a ount of $ebbles! but their scurrying ar .s length fro

otion %as enough to y

e sick" The length of the ro$e s$ra%le& across the rock! less than an y foot" I looke& &o%n at it an& taste& &es$air" I steele&

6Only if you $ro ise to hol& on to the ro$e"7 y best!7 I $ro ise& gri ly" enG -y brother! they ha'e sto$$e& %here %e ca $e& last night" Of the six 5ot no%! 5ighteyes: Three ha'e gone &o%n as you &i&! an& three re ain %ith the horses" 5ot no%: The Fool shifte& his ar s to get an a%k%ar& hol& on &a nable blankets that ha& s%athe& hi to be" I clutche& at the Fool %ith so e%hat clear e'en though %ays I ha& thought I y ar y left ar an& got y shoul&ers" The %ere e'ery%here I &i&n.t %ant the y right han& an& ar

%as still un&er hi " I fought a ri&iculous e" I et the

i $ulse to laugh" It %as all so stu$i&ly a%k%ar& an& &angerous" Of all the ight &ie! this one ha& ne'er occurre& to
11?<

Fool.s eyes an& sa% the sa e $anicky laughter in the " 6Rea&y!7 I tol& hi ! an& crouche& to%ar& the ro$e" E'ery taut cra $e&" -y fingers faile& to touch the ro$e by a han&sbrea&th" I glance& u$ to %here (ettricken an& the 4e$$a %ere anxiously $oise&" It ca e to i&ea %hat %as su$$ose& to ha$$en once I ha& the ro$e" But alrea&y exten&e& too far to sto$ an& ask )uestions" I force& ro$e! e'en as I felt y right foot sli&ing out fro un&er e" e tightene& otion" I E'erything ha$$ene& si ultaneously" The Fool.s gri$ on e that I ha& no y uscles %ere y han& to the uscle in y bo&y screeche& an&

con'ulsi'ely as the %hole hillsi&e beneath us see e& to break into anage& to fli$ one %ra$ aroun&

gras$e& the ro$e but %as still sli&ing &o%nhill" @ust before it tightene& I y %rist" #bo'e us an& to the east of us! o'ing across the sli&e 1one" The ro$e e! but I &i&! an& e" I foun& a&e a yself e" (ettricken le& the surefoote& 4e$$a on" I sa% the ani al stagger as it took $art of our %eight" It &ug in its feet an& ke$t tightene&! biting into I &on.t kno% ho% I scrabble& s%inging like a slo% $en&ulu resistance to kee$ the as I ke$t y %rist an& han&" I hel& on" y feet un&er

se blance of %alking as the hill ke$t rattling a%ay beneath

%ith the taut ro$e $ro'i&ing

e 4ust enough

e ato$ the rattling stone sli&ing &o%nhill $ast

Su&&enly I felt fir er footing" -y boots %ere full of tiny $ebbles! but I ignore& y gri$ on the ro$e an& o'e& stea&ily across the sli&e area" By y no% %e %ere far &o%nhill of the original $ath I ha& chosen" I refuse& to look &o%n an& see ho% close %e %ere to the e&ge" I concentrate& on kee$ing a%k%ar& gri$ on the Fool an& the ro$e an& kee$ing #bru$tly! %e %ere out of &anger" I foun& ke$t y feet o'ing"

yself in an area of bigger rocks!

free of the loose scree that ha& nearly en&e& our li'es" #bo'e us! (ettricken o'ing stea&ily an& so &i& %e! an& then %e %ere cli bing &o%n onto the
11??

blesse&ly le'el roa& be&" In a fe% eyes"

ore

inutes %e %ere all on flat sno%y y ea

groun&" I &ro$$e& the ro$e an& slo%ly! sagge& &o%n %ith the Fool" I close& 6Here" Drink so e %ater"7 It %as (ettle.s 'oice! an& she %as offering %aterskin as (ettricken an& Starling $rie& the Fool out of so e %ater an& shook for a short %hile" E'ery $art of I sat reco'ering! so ething $ushe& into the front of staggere& to y feet" e at 6Six of the ! an& three ha'e gone &o%n as I &i&! he sai&"7 #ll eyes turne& to y

y ar s" I &rank in&" I su&&enly

e hurt as if bruise&" #s

y blurte& %or&s" (ettle %as getting %ater &o%n the uch better" Her outh %as $urse& %ith %orry an& e %as

Fool! but he &i& not look ore co $elling"

&is$leasure" I kne% %hat she feare&" But the fear the %olf ha& gi'en 6;hat &i& you say07 (ettricken aske& y in& %as %an&ering again"

e gently! an& I reali1e& they thought en on horses! one $ack ani al" %ent &o%n as

65ighteyes has been follo%ing the " Six I &i&"7

They sto$$e& at our ol& ca $site" #n& he sai& that three of the 6-eaning to the city07 (ettricken aske& slo%ly" To the city! 5ighteyes echoe&" It chille& herself"

e to see (ettricken no& as if to

6Ho% can that be07 Starling aske& softly" 6(ettle tol& us the sign$ost only %orke& for you because you ha& ha& Skill/training" It &i&n.t affect any of the rest of us"7 6They ust be Skille& ones!7 (ettle sai& softly an& looke& at e )uestioningly"

11?B

There %as only one ans%er" 6Regal.s coterie!7 I sai& an& shu&&ere&" The sickness of &rea& rose in to hurt $anic" (ettricken $atte& easily" ;ith y ar a%k%ar&ly" 6Fit1" They.ll not get $ast that sli&e off as they cross"7 (ettricken offere& y )ueen offering to $rotect the royal y bo%! I can $ick the e" They %ere so horribly close! an& they kne% ho% y in&" I fought e so ba&ly" #n o'er%hel ing fear of $ain floo&e&

these %or&s" There %as irony in assassin" So eho% it stea&ie& fro the coterie"

e! e'en as I kne% her bo% %as no $rotection e" Or Aerity"7 I took a &ee$ breath! y %or&s" 6They &on.t nee& to

6They &on.t nee& to co e here to attack

an& su&&enly hear& an a&&itional fact in

$hysically follo% us here to attack us" So %hy ha'e they co e all this %ay07 The Fool leane& u$ on an elbo%" He rubbe& at his $asty face" 6-aybe they &on.t co e here to $ursue you at all!7 he suggeste& slo%ly" 6-aybe they %ant so ething else"7 6;hat07 I &e an&e&" 6;hat &i& Aerity co e here for07 he &e an&e&" His 'oice %as %eak but he see e& to be thinking 'ery carefully" 6The ai& of the El&erlings0 Regal ne'er belie'e& in the " He sa% it only as a %ay to get Aerity out of his $ath"7 6*erha$s" But he kne% the tale he s$rea& of Aerity.s &eath %as a fabrication of his o%n" You yourself say that his coterie %aite& an& s$ie& u$on you" In %hat ho$es! if not to &isco'er Aerity.s %hereabouts0 By no%! he ust %on&er as ust killing uch as the Iueen &oes! %hy has Aerity not returne&0 #n& Regal %on&er! %hat erran& %as so i $ortant that the bastar& turne& asi&e fro hi ayhe " Regal ust %on&er %here it all lea&s"7
11?C

to set forth on it0 =ook behin& you! Fit1" You ha'e left a trail of bloo& an&

6;hy %oul& they go &o%n into the city07 I aske&! an& then a %orse )uestion! 6Ho% &i& they kno% ho% to go &o%n into the city0 I blun&ere& into it! but ho% &i& they kno%07 6*erha$s they are far stronger than you in the Skill" *erha$s the gui&e$ost s$oke to the ! or $erha$s they ca e here alrea&y kno%ing It %as all su&&enly clear to a going to kill the yself to I hea'e& y feet" e" I think she reali1e& at the o ent exactly %hat I uch ore than you &i&"7 (ettle s$oke carefully! but there %as no 6$erha$s7 in her 'oice" e" 6I &on.t kno% %hy they are here" But I kno% I e any further"7 before they can get to Aerity! or trouble

Starling sat staring at

%as" 5ot so e ro antici1e& $rinceling in exile %ho %oul& e'entually &o so e heroic task! but a killer" #n& not e'en a 'ery co $etent one" 6Rest a bit first!7 (ettricken a&'ise& I shook there" I. e" Her 'oice %as stea&y an& acce$ting" e is no%" in the the " y hea&" 6I %ish I coul&" But the o$$ortunity they.'e gi'en not going &o%n to eet the ! you see" I. no

I &on.t kno% ho% long they.ll be in the city" I ho$e they.ll s$en& so e ti e atch for the Skill" I can.t fight their in&s" But I can kill their bo&ies" If they.'e left their

horses! guar&s an& su$$lies behin& the ! I can take those things fro

Then %hen they co e back! they.ll be tra$$e&" 5o foo&! no shelter" 5o ga e to hunt aroun& here! e'en if they re e bere& ho% to hunt" I %on.t get a chance as goo& as this again"7 (ettricken %as no&&ing reluctantly" Starling looke& ill" The Fool ha& sagge& back into his be&&ing" 6I shoul& be going %ith you!7 he sai& )uietly" I looke& at hi alone"7 an& trie& to kee$ a use ent out of y 'oice" 6You07 6I.'e 4ust a feeling , that I shoul& go %ith you" That you shoul& not go

11?D

6I %on.t be alone" 5ighteyes is %aiting for

e"7 I )ueste& out briefly an& foun&

y co ra&e" He %as crouche& on his belly in the sno%! &o%ntrail of the guar&s an& horses" They ha& built a s all fire an& %ere cooking foo& o'er it" It %as aking the %olf hungry" Shall %e ha'e horse tonight0 ;e shall see! I tol& hi " I turne& to (ettricken" 6-ay I take your bo%07 She han&e& it o'er reluctantly" 69an you shoot it07 she aske&" It %as a 'ery fine %ea$on" 65ot %ell! but %ell enough" They.'e no co'er %orth entioning! an& they aren.t ex$ecting an attack" If I. before they kno% I. e'en aroun&"7 y eyes an& lucky! I can kill one

6You.ll shoot one %ithout e'en issuing a challenge07 Starling aske& faintly" I looke& into the su&&en &isillusion ent in her eyes" I close& focuse& on scente& y task instea&" 5ighteyes0 en $ay no attention" anage&" an0 eat! he a&&e&" y

Shall I &ri'e the horses o'er the cliff! or 4ust &o%n the trail0 They.'e alrea&y e an& are getting anxious" But the e I.& like the su$$lies they are carrying! if it can be ;hy &i& killing a horse bother ;e.ll see! 5ighteyes re$lie& 4u&iciously" -eat is I slung (ettricken.s )ui'er o'er $ro ising

ore than killing a

y back" The %in& %as kicking u$ again! yself" I looke& u$ to see y re ark as her

ore sno%" The thought of crossing the sli&e area again turne& e" She ha& e'i&ently taken

bo%els to %ater" 6There is no choice!7 I re in&e& Starling turning a%ay fro

re$ly" ;ell! it %oul& ser'e there as %ell" 6If I fail! they %ill co e after you!7 I sai& carefully" 6You shoul& get as far fro here as you can+ tra'el until you can.t see any ore" If all goes %ell! %e.ll catch u$ %ith you soon enough"7 I crouche& &o%n besi&e the Fool" 69an you %alk at all07 I aske& hi " 6For a %ay!7 he sai& &ully"
11?E

6If I 6;ish 6I.

ust! I can carry hi "7 (ettricken s$oke %ith )uiet certainty" I looke& at y hea&" retying e luck!7 I tol& the ! an& turne& back to the sli&e 1one" e the bo%" #n& follo% %here I %alk"7 o ent" 6;hy07 I &e an&e& at last" &oing crossing that rock" #n& I. ore than Fgoo& before they kno% %e.re

the tall %o an an& belie'e& her" I ga'e a short no& of

co ing %ith you!7 (ettle announce& abru$tly" She stoo& u$ fro

her boots" 6Ji'e

I %as s$eechless for a

6Because I kno% %hat I. there"7 6But ,7

enough. %ith a bo%" I.ll %ager I can &ro$ t%o of the

6She is 'ery goo& on the sli&e!7 (ettricken obser'e& cal ly" 6Starling! take the 4e$$as" I.ll bring the Fool"7 She ga'e us an unrea&able look" 69atch u$ as soon as you can"7 I recalle& that I.& trie& to lea'e (ettle behin& once before" If she %as going %ith e! I %ante& her to be %ith e" e! not co ing u$ behin& e %hen I &i&n.t ex$ect it" I glare& at her! but no&&e&" 6The bo%!7 she re in&e& 69an you really shoot %ell07 I aske& her as I gru&gingly surren&ere& it" # funny s ile t%iste& her face" She looke& &o%n at her crooke& fingers" 6I %oul& not tell you I coul& &o a thing if I coul& not" So e of still ine!7 she sai& )uietly" y ol& skills are

;e set out to cla ber back u$ onto the tu ble& rock" (ettle %ent first! her $robing staff in han&! an& I ca e behin& her! one staff length back as she ha& bi& e" She &i&n.t say a %or& to e as she glance& back an& forth bet%een the groun& at her feet an& %here she %ishe& to take us" I coul& not &iscern %hat it %as that &eci&e& her $ath! but the loose stone an& crystalline sno% re aine&

11BH

)uiet un&er her short ste$s" She foolish"

a&e it look easy enough that I began to feel

They are eating no%" #n& no one kee$s a %atch" I relaye& the infor ation to (ettle! %ho no&&e& gri ly" To bo% is one thing" To shoot a yself I frette& an& %on&ere& if she %oul& be able to &o %hat nee&e& &oing" To be goo& %ith a an &o%n %hile he is eating his &inner $eacefully an en" I e is another" I thought of Starling.s ob4ection! an& %on&ere& %hat kin& of %oul& sho% hi self an& issue a challenge before trying to kill all three touche& the hilt of so long ago" (illing for glory in the " ;e %ere su&&enly cla bering &o%n fro yet" But %hen %e get there! let #s soon as the not look for e! an& I e choose the loose rock of the sli&e area! y s$ot! an& get y first shot off" ay going 'ery )uietly an& carefully" (ettle s$oke 'ery softly" 6;e.'e a %ays to go an is &o%n! sho% yourself an& &ra% their attention" They ay get another clean shot"7 our ga e! Fit1" Fro here! let us go silently"7 y shorts%or&" ;ell! it %as %hat 9ha&e ha& $ro ise& y battle e ories ha&

y king! %ith none of the honor or glory of the sol&ier uch of honor or

on the battlefiel&" 5ot that any of

6Ha'e you &one this sort of thing before07 I aske& softly" 6It.s not that &ifferent fro I kne% then she ha& not kille& this %ay before! if she ha& e'er kille& a hu an before at all" I began to &oubt the %is&o losing *erha$s" There %as little co'er on the roa&" #bo'e an& belo% us! the ountainsi&e rose ountain sheer" The roa& itself %as flat an& bare" ;e roun&e& a shoul&er of the
11B1

of gi'ing her the bo%" #t the sa e

ti e! I %as selfishly grateful for her co $anionshi$" I %on&ere& if I %ere y courage" *erha$s you are learning that a $ack is best for such things"

an& their ca $ %as in $lain sight" #ll three guar&s still sat carelessly about the fire! eating an& talking" The horses caught our scent an& shifte& %ith s all snortings" But as the %olf ha& ke$t the the no rea&y" In the en&! it %as si $le" >gly go her arro% %hen one of the uneasy for so e ti e! the en $ai& in&" (ettle set an arro% to her bo% as %e %alke& an& carrie& it in&less slaughter! but si $le" She let through the chest" en notice& us" It took hi

The other t%o lea$e& to their feet! turne& to see us! an& &i'e& for their %ea$ons" But in that short s$ace of ti e! (ettle ha& nocke& another arro% an& let fly as the hel$less %retch &re% a s%or& clear" 5ighteyes ca e su&&enly fro behin& to bear the last %ith a s%or&" en s$ra%le& in the sno%" ule" 6(ettle" See %hat foo& they an &o%n an& hol& hi until I coul& rush in to finish hi

It ha& ha$$ene& s%iftly! al ost )uietly" Three &ea& Six s%eating! restless horses! one i $assi'e e! then slo%ly no&&e&" I %ent o'er the bo&ies! to see %hat they ight tell

ha'e on the horses!7 I tol& her! to sto$ her a%ful staring" She s%ung her ga1e to e" They &i& not %ear o'er!

Regal.s colors! but the origin of t%o %ere $lain in the features of their faces an& the cut of their clothes" Farro% en" The thir& one! %hen I turne& hi near sto$$e& y heart" I.& kno%n hi in Buckkee$" 5ot %ell! but enough to than that" I su$$ose& he ha& gone any of the ser'ants ha&" I

kno% his na e %as Tallo%" I crouche& looking &o%n into his &ea& face! asha e& that I coul& recall no on to Tra&efor& %hen Regal trie& to tell close& yself it &i& not y heart an& &i& ore of hi o'e& the court there+

atter %here he ha& begun! he ha& en&e& here" I

y tasks"

I tu ble& the bo&ies off the cliff.s e&ge" ;hile (ettle %ent through their stores an& sorte& out %hat she thought %e t%o coul& carry back! I stri$$e& the horses of e'ery bit of harness an& tack" This follo%e& the bo&ies &o%n the cliff" I %ent
11B2

through their bags! fin&ing little besi&es %ar ha'e of %ritten instructions0

clothes" The $ack ani al carrie& e bers

only their tent an& such things" 5o $a$ers" ;hat nee& %oul& coterie

Dri'e the horses %ell &o%n the roa&" I &oubt they.ll co e back here on their o%n" That uch eat! an& you %ant e to 4ust chase it a%ay0 eat an& If %e kill one here! it.s ore than %e can eat an& carry" ;hate'er %e left

%oul& fee& those three %hen they return" They %ere carrying &ry cheese" I.ll see your belly is full tonight" 5ighteyes %as not $lease&! but he hee&e& no i&ea %hat their chances %ere in the all"

e" I think he chase& the horses ali'e" I ha& ountains" *robably en& u$ in a

farther an& faster than he truly nee&e& to! but at least he left the

sno%cat.s belly! or as a feast for the ra'ens" I %as su&&enly horribly tire& of it 6Shall %e go on07 I aske& (ettle nee&lessly! an& she no&&e&" It %as a goo& tro'e of foo& she ha& $acke& for us to carry! but I $ri'ately %on&ere& if I.& be able to sto ach any of it" ;hat little %e coul& not carry nor the %olf stuff &o%n! %e kicke& o'er the e&ge" I looke& aroun& us" 6Dare I touch it! I.& try to $ush that $illar o'er the e&ge! too!7 I tol& (ettle" She ga'e e a look as if she thought I ha& aske& it of her" 6I fear to touch it it" ountains as %e %ent u$ the roa&! an& night ca e see e& afrai&! an& I %as su&&enly too %eary to care in& %an&er!7 (ettle chi&e& e as %e also!7 she sai& at last! an& %e both turne& a%ay fro E'ening cre$t across the &arkness" 5either of the

s%ift on her heels" I follo%e& (ettle an& the %olf across the lan&sli&e in near if I sur'i'e& the trek" 6Don.t let your y ar

finally ca e &o%n off the tu ble of stone an& onto the roa& again" She took an& gri$$e& it tightly" ;e %alke& for a ti e in al ost blackness!
11B8

si $ly follo%ing the straight flat roa& before us as it cut across the face of the ountain" The %olf %ent ahea& of us! co ing back fre)uently to check on us" 9a $.s not uch farther! he encourage& e after one such tri$" e after a ti e" 6Ho% long ha'e you been &oing this07 (ettle aske& I &i&n.t $reten& to tol& her" 6Ho% any en ha'e you kille&07 e against kee$ing a count" He sai& it %asn.t a %ell" 6Ho% It %as not the col& )uestion it soun&e&" I ans%ere& her seriously" 6I &on.t kno%" -y , teacher a&'ise& any &oesn.t Iuantity goo& i&ea"7 Those %eren.t his exact %or&s" I re e bere& the akes you neither better nor %orse"7 eant by that as (ettle sai& to the &ark! 6I kille& e about it if she %ishe&! but I really &i&n.t

isun&erstan& the )uestion" 6Since I %as about t%el'e!7 I

atter after one!7 9ha&e ha& sai&" 6;e kno% %hat %e are"

I $on&ere& no% %hat he ha& once before"7 I

a&e no re$ly" I.& let her tell in

%ant to kno%" Her ar burne& ine began to tre ble slightly" 6I kille& her! in a te $er" I &i&n.t e out" Sent e into exile fore'er"7 Her han& foun& think I coul&! she ha& al%ays been stronger" But I li'e& an& she &ie&" So they e out! an& turne& ine an& gri$$e& it tightly" ;e ke$t on %alking" #hea& of us! I s$ie& a tiny glo%" It %as ost likely the bra1ier burning insi&e the tent" 6It %as so unthinkable! to &o %hat I ha& &one!7 (ettle sai& %earily" 6It ha& ne'er ha$$ene& before" Oh! bet%een coteries! certainly! once in a great %hile! for ri'alry for the (ing.s fa'or" But I Skill/&uele& a coterie! an& kille& her" #n& that %as unforgi'able"7 e ber of y o%n

11B<

9H#*TER T;E5TY/5I5E The Rooster 9ro%n THERE IS # ga e $laye& a ong the -ountain folk" It is a co $lex ga e to learn! an& a &ifficult one to a&e fro fro aster" It features a co bination of car&s an& rune an.s han& an& chi$s" There are se'enteen car&s! usually about the si1e of a

any light/colore& %oo&" Each of these car&s features an e ble

-ountain lore! such as the Ol& ;ea'er/-an or She ;ho Tracks" The a&e fro a gray stone $eculiar to

ren&erings of these highly styli1e& i ages are usually &one in $aint o'er a burnt outline" The thirty/one rune chi$s are the -ountains! an& are incise& %ith gly$hs for Stone! ;ater! *asture! an& the like" The car&s an& stones are &ealt out to the $layers! usually three! until no ore re ain" Both car&s an& runes ha'e tra&itional %eights that are 'arie& %hen they are $laye& in co bination" It is re$ute& to be a 'ery ol& ga e" ;e %alke& the rest of the %ay to the tent in silence" ;hat she ha& tol& so i 'oice the hun&re&s of )uestions that s$rang u$ in she %oul& choose %hen to gi'e the back to She kille& %ithin her $ack0 So it see s" It ha$$ens" It is not goo&! but it ha$$ens" Tell her that" 5ot 4ust no%" 5o one sai& off the cliff"7 uch as %e ca e into the tent" 5o one %ante& to ask" So I )uietly sai&! 6;e kille& the guar&s an& &ro'e off the horses an& thre% their su$$lies to e silently an& s%iftly" He slunk close to e %as

ense I coul& not think of anything to say" It %oul& ha'e been stu$i& to e" She ha& the ans%ers! an& y heels" e" I kne% that no%" 5ighteyes ca e

11B?

Starling only stare& at us! %ithout co $rehension" Her eyes %ere %i&e an& &ark! bir&like" (ettricken $oure& ugs of tea for us an& )uietly a&&e& the stores of foo& %e ha& brought to our o%n &%in&ling su$$lies" 6The Fool is a bit better!7 she offere& by %ay of con'ersation" I looke& at hi slee$ing in his blankets an& &oubte& it" His eyes ha& a sunken y han& to his face! it %as al ost cool to look" S%eat ha& $lastere& his fine hair to his skull an& his restless slee$ ha& stoo& it u$ in tufts" But %hen I set aske& (ettricken" 6He &rank so e sou$" I think he.ll be all right! Fit1" He %as sick once before! for a &ay or so in Blue =ake" It %as the sa e! fe'er an& %eakness" He sai& then that it %ar ight not be a sickness! but only a change his kin& go through"7 e yester&ay!7 I agree&" She $ut a bo%l of sou$ in y han&s" For an instant it s elle& goo&" Then it s elle& like 6He sai& so e%hat the sa e to the touch" I snugge& the blanket closer aroun& hi " 6Di& he eat anything07 I

the re ains of the sou$ the $anicke& guar&s ha& s$ille& on the sno%y roa&" I clenche& I shook y 4a%s" e bers at all07 (ettricken aske& e" y hea&! then force& yself to s$eak" 65o" But there %as a big horse 6Di& you see the coterie

there! an& the clothing in his bags %oul& ha'e fit Burl" In another there %ere blue gar ents such as 9arro& fa'ors" #n& austere things for ;ill"7 I sai& their na es a%k%ar&ly! in a %ay fearing to na e the ! lest I su -ountains %oul& on the " In another %ay! I %as na ing those I ha& kille&" Skille& or not! the ake an en& of the " Yet I took no $ri&e in %hat I ha& &one! e this night" For an instant I nor %oul& I co $letely belie'e it until I sa% their bones" #ll I kne% for no% %as that it %as not likely they %oul& attack i agine& the returning to the $illar! ex$ecting to fin& foo& an& fire an&

11BB

shelter a%aiting the " They %oul& fin& col& an& &ark" They %oul& not see the bloo& on the sno%" I reali1e& the sou$ %as getting col&" I force& ha& a su&&en e ory of hi yself to eat it! outhfuls that I si $ly s%allo%e&! not %ishing to taste" Tallo% ha& $laye& the $enny%histle" I sitting on the back ste$s outsi&e the scullery! ai&s" I shut y eyes! %ishing 'ainly that I $laying for a cou$le of kitchen ser'ing the %rong aster" e"

coul& recall so ething e'il about hi " I sus$ecte& his only cri e ha& been 6Fit1"7 (ettle instantly $oke&

6I %asn.t %an&ering!7 I co $laine&" 6You %oul& ha'e! soon" Fear has been your ally this &ay" It has ke$t you focuse&" But you ha'e your ust slee$ so eti e tonight! an& %hen you &o! you ust in& %ell %ar&e&" ;hen they get back to the $illar! they %ill

recogni1e your han&i%ork an& co e hunting you" Do you not think so07 I kne% it %as so! but it %as still unsettling to hear it s$oken alou&" I %ishe& (ettricken an& Starling %ere not listening an& %atching us" 6So" ;e shall ha'e a bit of our ga e again! shall %e07 (ettle ca4ole&" ;e $laye& four chance ga es" I %on t%ice" Then she set u$ a ga e %ith al ost entirely %hite $ieces! an& ga'e trie& to focus y si $ly too tire&" I foun& calle& fore'er" 6Fit1" Don.t"7 I lifte& y eyes fro the ga e cloth to fin& (ettle %atching
11BC

e one black stone %ith %hich to %in" I

in& on the ga e! kno%ing it ha& %orke& before! but I %as yself thinking that it ha& been o'er a year since I eals ha& been reliable" O'er a year since I e lea'e her alone

ha& left Buckkee$ as a cor$se" O'er a year since I ha& sle$t in a real be& I y o%n" O'er a year since ha& hel& -olly in y ar s! o'er a year since she ha& bi&

e closely"

6You can.t in&ulge that" You ha'e to be strong"7 6I a too tire& to be strong"7 6Your ene ies %ere careless to&ay" They &i& not ex$ect you to &isco'er the " They %on.t be careless again"7 6I ho$e they.ll be &ea&!7 I sai& %ith a cheer I &i& not feel" 65ot that easily!7 (ettle re$lie&! unkno%ing of ho% her %or&s chille& they.ll go back to the city" They ha'e %ater there! an& I. you07 6I su$$ose not"7 5ighteyes sat u$ besi&e an& then )uiete& hi e %ith an anxious %hine" I )uelle& y in&! &rea ing y o%n &es$air %ith a touch" 6I 4ust %ish!7 I sai& )uietly! 6that I coul& y o%n &rea s! %ithout y hunger ight attack e" ;ithout fearing that eant" e" 6You sai& it %as %ar er &o%n in the city" Once they see they.'e no su$$lies! sure they took at yetGDo least so e su$$lies for the &ay" I &on.t think %e can &isregar& the

si $ly slee$ for a ti e" #lone in fearing %here I.ll go or %ho for the Skill %ill o'erco e

e" @ust si $le slee$"7 I s$oke to her &irectly! e cal ly" 6#ll I can gi'e you is the ga e"

kno%ing no% she un&erstoo& %ell %hat I 6I can.t gi'e you that!7 (ettle tol& bay"7 #n& so I bent to the boar& once

Trust it" It.s been use& by generations of Skill users to kee$ such &angers at ore! an& fixe& the ga e in y in&! an&

%hen I lay &o%n by the Fool that night! I ke$t it before reach a $lace 4ust short of slee$ an& kee$ cogni1ant of the &i light fro

y eyes" I ho'ere& that

night! like a nectar bir&! so e%here bet%een slee$ an& %akefulness" I coul& yself there by conte $lating e" (ettle.s ga e" -ore than once! I &rifte& back to %akefulness" I %oul& beco e the bra1ier an& the slee$ing for s besi&e Se'eral ti es I reache& out to check the Fool+ each ti e his skin see e& cooler
11BD

an& his o%n slee$ &ee$er" (ettricken! Starling! an& (ettle rotate& through %atches that night" I notice& that the %olf share& (ettricken.s" They still &i& not trust e to re ain %ary through one! an& I %as selfishly grateful for that" ore to fin& all still )uiet" I checke& the Fool! ore o ents of y o%n y eyes+ ho$ing to fin& a fe% @ust short of &a%n! I stirre& once an& then lay back an& close&

rest" Instea&! in horrific &etail! I behel& a great eye! as if the closing of eyes ha& o$ene& this one" I struggle& to o$en y

y o%n eyes again! I floun&ere& er" I resiste& %ith all y face!

&es$erately to%ar& %akefulness! but I %as hel&" There %as a terrible $ull on in&! like the sucking $ull of an un&erto% on a s%i y %ill" I coul& feel %akefulness 4ust abo'e trying to $ull stare& at for hi y %ay%ar& eyes o$en" e" One single i ense &ark eye" 5ot ;ill.s" Regal.s" He y struggles" It see e& effortless y $anic! I e! he %oul&" He ha& got $ast e" That %as still e! like I bubble I coul& break

into! if only I coul& touch it" But I coul& not" I struggle&! gri acing The eye %atche& to hol&

e! an& I kne% he took &elight in

e there! like a fly un&er a glass bo%l" Yet e'en in ore than hol& ore than threaten y

kne% that if he coul& ha'e &one enough to ake

y %alls! but ha& not the $o%er to &o

y heart $oun& %ith terror" in& like a col& ocean

6Bastar&! 6 he sai& fon&ly" The %or& broke o'er

%a'e" I %as &renche& in its threat" 6Bastar&! I kno% about the chil&" #n& your %o an" -olly" Tit for tat! Bastar&" 6 He $ause& an& his a use ent gre% as y terror s%elle&" 65o%! there.s a thought" Has she $retty tits! Bastar&0 ;oul& I fin& her a using07 65O:7 I %renche& clear of hi ! sensing for! an instant 9arro&! Burl! an& ;ill as %ell" I flung yself free"

11BE

I ca e a%ake abru$tly" I scrabble& fro an& uncloake&" 5ighteyes follo%e& at

y be&&ing an& fle& outsi&e! bootless y heels! snarling in e'ery &irection" e" 6;hat is it07

The sky %as black an& scattere& %ith stars" The air %as col&" I &re% breath after shu&&ering breath of it! trying to still the sick fear in I 4ust shook Starling &e an&e& fearfully" She %as on %atch outsi&e the tent" y hea& at her! unable to 'oice the horror of it" #fter a ti e! I y bo&y as if I ha& y u&&le of blankets" I coul& not sto$ $anting" e" (ettle stirre& e" She set her turne& an& %ent back insi&e" S%eat %as coursing &o%n been $oisone&" I sat &o%n in The ore I trie& to still

y $anic! the greater it beca e" : kno% about the chil&"

#n& your %o an" Those %or&s echoe& an& echoe& through in her be&&ing! then rose an& ca e across the tent to sit behin& han&s on y shoul&ers" 6They broke through to you! &i& they07 I no&&e&! trie& to s%allo% %ith a &ry throat" She reache& for a %aterskin an& han&e& it to an& then 69lear your in& of e'erything but the ga e"7

e" I took a &rink! al ost choke&! e"

anage& another s%allo%" 6Think about the ga e!7 she urge&

6The ga e:7 I crie& out sa'agely! 4erking both the Fool an& (ettricken a%ake" 6The ga e0 Regal kno%s about -olly an& 5ettle" He threatens the " #n& I a $o%erless: Hel$less"7 I felt the $anic buil&ing in e again! the unfocuse& fury" The %olf %hine&! then gro%le& &ee$ in his throat" 69an.t you Skill to the ! %arn the (ettricken ga'e e a look that so eho%07 (ettricken aske&" ingle& a$ology an& righteousness" 6I fear 65o:7 (ettle cut in" 6He shoul& not e'en think of the "7 9ha&e an& I %ere correct" The $rincess %ill be safer in the -ountain (ing&o " Do not forget that his task %as to fetch her" Take heart" *erha$s e'en no% 5ettle is %ith hi ! on her %ay to safety! out of Regal.s reach"7

11CH

(ettle calle&

y ga1e a%ay fro

the Iueen" 6Fit1" Focus on the ga e" Only on

the ga e" His threats coul& be a $loy! to trick you into betraying the " Don.t talk about the " Don.t think about the " Here" =ook here"7 Her tre bling ol& han&s o'e& y blanket a%ay an& s$rea& out the ga ecloth" She s$ille& stones into her han&! an& $lucke& out %hite ones to re/create the $roble " 6Sol'e this" Focus on this! an& this only"7 It %as next to i $ossible" I looke& at the %hite stones an& thought it all a stu$i& task" ;hat $layers coul& be so clu sy an& shortsighte& as to let the ga e &egra&e into such a clutter of %hite stones0 It %as not a $roble %orth sol'ing" But neither coul& I lie &o%n an& slee$" I scarcely &are& blink lest I see that eye again" Ha& it been Regal.s %hole countenance or both his eyes it %oul& not $erha$s ha'e see e& so a%ful" But the &ise bo&ie& eye see e& all/ seeing an& constant! inesca$able" I stare& at the ga e $ieces until the %hite stones see e& to float abo'e the 4unctures of the lines" One black stone! to bring a %inning $attern out of this chaos" One black stone" I hel& it in rubbing it %ith stone in aroun& y thu b" ountain.s flank! I hel& the %as about the Fool.s %aist! his ar y in& focuse&" until he #ll the next &ay! as %e follo%e& the roa& &o%n the y bare han&" -y other ar y neck" These t%o things ke$t y han&!

The Fool see e& so e%hat better" His bo&y %as no longer fe'erish! but he see e& unable to sto ach foo& or e'en tea" (ettle force& %ater on hi si $ly sat an& refuse& it! shaking his hea& %or&lessly" He see e& as in&is$ose& to talk as I %as" Starling an& (ettle %ith her staff le& our %eary little $rocession" The Fool an& I follo%e& the 4e$$as! %hile (ettricken %ith her bo% strung ke$t our rear guar&e&" The %olf $ro%le& restlessly u$ an& &o%n the line! no% ranging ahea&! no% lo$ing u$ our back trail"

11C1

5ighteyes an& I ha& gone back to a sort of %or&less bon&" He un&erstoo& that I &i& not %ish to think at all! an& &i& his best not to &istract unner'ing to sense hi trying to use the ;it to co e" It %as still unicate %ith (ettricken"

5o sign of anyone behin& us! he %oul& tell her as he trotte& $ast on one of his en&less tri$s" Then he %oul& go ranging far ahea& of the 4e$$as an& Starling! only to co e back to (ettricken an& assure her in $assing that all %as clear ahea& of us" I trie& to tell %oul& let sus$ecte& she %as beco ing yself that she ore an& erely ha& faith that 5ighteyes e kno% if he foun& anything a iss on his scouting tri$s" But I ore attune& to hi "

The roa& le& us 'ery s%iftly &o%n%ar&" #s %e &escen&e& the lan& change&" By late afternoon! the slo$e abo'e the roa& %as gentling an& %e began to $ass t%iste& trees an& ossy boul&ers" Sno% fa&e& an& beca e $atchy on the ake the hungry kno% that there y thoughts to hillsi&e %hile the roa& %as &ry an& black" Dry tufts of grass sho%e& green at their bases 4ust off the shoul&er of the roa&" It %as har& to 4e$$as kee$ the to o'ing" I a&e a 'ague ;it/effort to let the

%oul& be better bro%sing ahea&! but I &oubt that I ha& enough fa iliarity %ith ake any lasting i $ression on the " I trie& to li it the fact that fire%oo& %oul& be #t one ti e! the Fool ore $lentiful tonight! an& to gratitu&e that the

lo%er the roa& carrie& us the %ar er gre% the &ay" a&e a gesture to a lo% gro%ing $lant that ha& tiny %hite sorry" *ay no attention to y in&" e! I. sorry"7 bu&s on it" 6It %oul& be s$ring in Buckkee$ by no%!7 he sai& in a lo% 'oice! an& then a&&e& )uickly! 6I. 6#re you feeling any better07 I aske& hi ! resolutely thrusting s$ring flo%ers an& bees an& -olly.s can&les out of ore slo%ly"7 6# little"7 His 'oice shook an& he took a )uick breath" 6I %ish %e coul& %alk

11C2

6;e.ll ca $ soon!7 I tol& hi ! kno%ing that %e coul& not slo% our $ace no%" I felt a gro%ing urgency an& ha& &e'elo$e& the notion it ca e fro $ushe& that na e! too! fro it they %oul& once ore hol& y Aerity" I in&" E'en %alking &o%n the %i&e roa& in e un&er their $o%er" For an instant I ho$e&

&aylight! I feare& that Regal.s eye %as only a blink a%ay an& that if I gli $se& 9arro& an& ;ill an& Burl %ere col& an& hungry! but then reali1e& I coul& not safely think of the ! either" 6You! %ere sick like this before!7 I obser'e& to the Fool! so ething else" 6Yes" In Blue =ake" -y la&y )ueen s$ent the foo& that ight ha'e cause& it07 oney on a roo that I ight be in out of the rain"7 He turne& his hea& to stare at 69ause& %hat07 6Her chil& to be stillborn ,7 His 'oice &%in&le& off" I trie& to think of %or&s" 6I &on.t think it %as any one thing! Fool" She si $ly suffere& too the babe"7 6Burrich shoul& ha'e gone %ith her an& left e" He %oul& ha'e taken better care of her" I %asn.t thinking clearly at the ti e ,7 6Then I.& be &ea&!7 I $ointe& out" 6# ong other things" Fool! there is no sense in trying to $lay that ga e %ith the $ast" Here is %here %e are to&ay! an& %e can only ake our o'es fro here"7 #n& in that instant! I su&&enly $ercei'e& the solution to (ettle.s ga e $roble " It %as so instantly clear that I %on&ere& ho% I coul& not ha'e seen it" Then I kne%" Each ti e I ha& stu&ie& the boar&! I %on&ere& ho% it coul& ha'e got into such a sorry con&ition" #ll I ha& seen %ere the senseless ha& $rece&e& ine" But those o'es ha& no longer
11C8

ostly to think of

e" 6Do you think

any

isfortunes %hile she %as carrying

o'es that

attere&! once I hel& the

black stone in black stone"

y han&" # half/s ile crooke&

y li$s" -y thu b rubbe& the oo& sha&o% ine"

6;here %e are to&ay!7 the Fool echoe&! an& I felt his 6(ettricken sai& that you regar&ing this" 6It coul& be" I su$$ose" =ook"7 He &re% off his ight not truly be ill" That it

ight be , $eculiar to

your kin&"7 I %as unco fortable co ing e'en that close to a )uestion itten! then reache& u$! an&

&ragge& his nails &o%n his cheek" Dry %hite trails follo%e& the " He rubbe& at it an& the skin $o%&ere& a%ay beneath his han&s" On the back of his han&! the skin %as $eeling as if it ha& been blistere&" 6It.s like a sunburn $eeling a%ay" Do you think it.s the %eather you.'e been in07 6That! too! is $ossible" Sa'e that if it is like last ti e! I shall itch an& $eel o'er e'ery bit of changing07 I oblige& hi by eeting his ga1e" Fa iliar as I %as %ith hi ! it %as still not ore0 6*erha$s they ore than ale hel& u$ to the light" ;hat %ill ha$$en to o ents ha& $asse&" y bloo&line! there %as a again" But I an easy task" Ha& those colorless orbs &arkene& a trifle are a bit &arker" 5o you0 ;ill you continue to ha'e fe'ers an& gain color07 6*erha$s" I &on.t kno%!7 he a& itte& after a fe% 6Ho% coul& you not kno%07 I &e an&e&" 6;hat %ere your el&ers like07 6=ike you! foolish boy" Hu an" So e%here back in ;hite" In a co no on to ore ;hite than I a y e! as rarely ha$$ens! that ancient bloo& is gi'en for y $eo$le.0 I ha'e tol& you" I a y bo&y" #n& gain a bit ore color in the $rocess" #re y eyes

hu an" Di& you think that one such as I %as an ano aly! e'en a ong those

%ho share

ixe& lineage" Di& you think ;hite *ro$hets %ere born e'ery

11C<

generation0 ;e %oul& not be taken so seriously if %e %ere" 5o" ;ithin lifeti e! I a the only ;hite *ro$het"7

6But coul& not your teachers! %ith all those recor&s you sai& they ke$t! tell you anything of %hat to ex$ect07 He s ile&! but bitterness %as in his 'oice" 6-y teachers %ere too certain that they kne% %hat to ex$ect" They $lanne& to $ace $ro$hecies %ere &ifferent fro %ith e" They trie& to inter$ret y learning! to re'eal %hat y they thought I shoul& kno% %hen they thought I shoul& kno% it" ;hen y o%n %or&s for

%hat they ha& $lanne&! they %ere not $lease& e: There ha'e been other see that I %as the ake the

;hite *ro$hets! you see" But %hen I trie& to e! to try to con'ince ore I rea&! the nearly u$on e" ore e of

;hite *ro$het! they coul& not acce$t it" ;riting after %riting they sho%e& to y effrontery in insisting on such a thing" But the y ti e %as y certainty gre%" I trie& to tell the

#ll they coul& counsel %as that I shoul& %ait an& stu&y fin& I %as gone so young fro years"7 He ga'e co $lete

ore to be certain" ;e

%ere not on the best ter s %hen I left" I i agine they %ere )uite startle& to the ! e'en though I ha& $ro$hesie& it for e a strangely a$ologetic s ile" 6*erha$s if I ha& staye& to y sto ach" So uch ha& I co e to rely on uch &o you

y schooling! %e %oul& kno% better ho% to sa'e the %orl&"7

I felt a su&&en sinking in the $it of truly kno% of %hat is to co e07

a belief that the Fool! at least! kne% %hat %e %ere about" 6Ho%

He took a &ee$ breath! then sighe& it out" 6Only that %e &o it together! Fit1y/ fit1" Only that %e &o it together"7 6I thought you ha& stu&ie& all those %ritings an& $ro$hecies ,7 6I &i&" #n& %hen I %as younger! I &rea e& any &rea s! an& e'en ha& 'isions" But it is as I ha'e tol& you before+ nothing is a $recise fit" =ook you!
11C?

Fit1" If I sho%e& you %ool an& a loo

an& a set of shears! %oul& you look at it

an& say! Oh! that is the coat I %ill so e&ay %ear0 But once you ha'e the coat on! it is easy to look back an& say! Oh! those things foretol& this coat"7 6;hat is the goo& of it! then07 I &e an&e& in &isgust" 6The goo& of it07 he echoe&" 6#h" I ha'e ne'er )uite thought of it in those ter s before" The goo& of it"7 ;e %alke& for a ti e in silence" I coul& see %hat an effort it %as for hi horses an& get it $ast the sli&e area" 69an you rea& %eather sign! Fit10 Or ani al tracks07 6So e! for %eather" I a better at ani al tracks"7 6But in either one! are you al%ays sure you are right07 65e'er" You &on.t really kno% until the next &ay &a%ns! or you bring the beast to bay"7 6So it is %ith I oblige& hi y rea&ing of the future" I ne'er kno% , *lease! let us sto$! y breath! an& take a si$ of %ater"7 ossy boul&er 4ust off the roa&! an& he the roa& %ere e'ergreens of a ty$e I &i& ing %as reluctantly" There %as a! e'en if for only a bit" I nee& to get seate& hi self there" 5ot too far fro not kno%" It reste& to kee$ to the $ace! an& %ishe& 'ainly there ha& been a %ay to kee$ one of the

y eyes to look on trees again" I left the roa& to sit besi&e

hi ! an& %as instantly a%are of a &ifference" #s subtle as bees. hu y ears! an& su&&enly felt $asse& the skin to sai& to ore clearhea&e&"

the %orking of the roa&! but %hen it su&&enly cease&! I felt it" I ya%ne& to $o$ 6Years ago I ha& a 'ision!7 the Fool obser'e&" He &rank a bit e" 6I sa% a black buck rising fro ore %ater! then

a be& of shining black

stone" ;hen first I sa% the black %alls of Buckkee$ rising o'er the %aters! I yself! #h! that is %hat that eant: 5o% I see a young bastar& %hose black stone" -aybe that is %hat sigil is a buck %alking on a roa& %rought fro
11CB

the &rea

signifie&" I &on.t kno%" But

y &rea

%as &uly recor&e&! an&

so e&ay! in years to co e! %ise

en %ill agree as to %hat it signifie&" e" 6(ettle says there is a $ro$hecy

*robably after both you an& I are long &ea&"7 I aske& a )uestion that ha& long $rickle& about 6That there is!7 the Fool confir e& cal ly" 6Then you think -olly an& I are &oo e& to lose 5ettle to the throne of the Six Duchies07 65ettle" You kno%! I like her na e" Aery 6You &i& not ans%er 6#sk y )uestion! Fool"7 uch easier %hen one ore e tol& e he %oul& say no uch! I &o"7 y chil& , the chil& of the 9atalyst ,7

e again in t%enty years" These things are so

looks back"7 The si&e%ays glance he ga'e on that to$ic" I trie& a ne% tack"

6So you ca e! all that %ay! so that the Six Duchies %oul& not fall to the Re&/ Shi$s"7 He ga'e e an o&& look! then grinne& as if astonishe&" 6Is that ho% you see it0 That %e &o all this to sa'e your Six Duchies07 ;hen I no&&e&! he shook his hea&" 6Fit1! Fit1" I ca e to sa'e the %orl&" The Six Duchies falling to the Re&/ Shi$s is but the first $ebble in the a'alanche"7 He took another &ee$ breath" 6I kno% the Re&/Shi$s see your folk is no &isaster enough to you! but the isery they ake to ore ore than a $i $le on the %orl&.s buttocks" ;ere that all! %ere another! it %oul& be no

it si $ly one set of barbarians sei1ing lan& fro

than the or&inary %orking of the %orl&" 5o" They are the first stain of $oison s$rea&ing in a strea " Fit1! &o I &are tell you this0 If %e fail! the s$rea& is fast" Forging takes root as a custo ! nay! as an a use ent for the high ones" =ook at Regal an& his F(ing.s @ustice". He has succu be& to it alrea&y" He $leasures his bo&y %ith &rugs an& &ea&ens his soul %ith his sa'age a use ents" #ye!
11CC

an& s$rea&s the &isease to those aroun& hi ! until they take no satisfaction in a contest of skill that &ra%s no bloo&! until ga es are only a using if li'es are %agere& on the outco e" The 'ery coinage of life beco es &ebase&" Sla'ery s$rea&s! for if it is acce$te& to take a %iser to take it for $rofit07 His 'oice ha& gro%n in strength an& $assion as he s$oke" 5o% he caught his breath su&&enly an& leane& for%ar& o'er his knees" I set a han& on his shoul&er! but he only shook his hea&" #fter a o ent! he straightene&" 6I &eclare! talking to you is e at ore %earying than hiking" Take y %or&! Fit1" #s ba& as the Re&/Shi$s are! they are an.s life for a use ent! then ho% uch

a ateurs an& ex$eri enters" I ha'e seen 'isions of %hat the %orl& beco es in the cycle %hen they $ros$er" I 'o% it shall not be this cycle"7 He hea'e& hi self to his feet %ith a sigh an& crooke& out his ar " I took it an& %e resu e& our %alking" He ha& gi'en e uch to think about! an& I s$oke little" I took a&'antage of the gentling countrysi&e to %alk alongsi&e the roa& rather than u$on it" The Fool &i& not co $lain of the une'en groun&" #s the roa& $lunge& e'er &ee$er into the 'alley! the &ay %ar e& an& the foliage increase&" By e'ening! the terrain ha& Before be&ti e! I sho%e& (ettle %ell $lease&" She i ello%e& so uch that %e %ere the roa&" able to $itch the tent! not only off the roa&! but )uite a &istance fro

y solution to her ga e! an& she no&&e& as if looking for%ar& to truly slee$ing"7

e&iately began to set out a ne% $u11le" I sto$$e& her"

6I &o not think I %ill nee& that tonight" I a I looke& shocke&"

6#re you0 Then you shoul&n.t look for%ar& to %aking u$ again"7 She resu e& setting out her $ieces" 6You are one against three! an& those three a coterie!7 she obser'e& ore gently" 6#n& $ossibly those three are four" If ost likely has so e ability" ;ith the ai& of
11CD

Regal.s brothers coul& Skill! he

the others! he coul& learn to len& his strength to the "7 She leane& closer to

an& lo%ere& her 'oice! although the others %ere all busy %ith ca $ chores" 6You kno% it is $ossible to kill %ith the Skill" ;oul& he %ish to &o less than that to you07 6But if I slee$ off the roa&!7 I began" 6The force of the roa& is like the %in& that blo%s alike on all" The ill %ishes of a coterie are like an arro% that targets only you" Besi&es! there is no %ay you can slee$ an& not %orry about the %o an an& the chil&" #n& e'ery ti e you think of the ! it is $ossible the coterie sees the cro%& the I bent out of your in&"7 y hea& o'er the ga ecloth" orning to the $attering of rain on the tent skins" I lay for a e %ith a keenness I ha& not ha& through your eyes" You ust

I a%oke the next

ti e listening to it! grateful that it %as not sno% but &rea&ing a &ay of %alking in rain" I sense& the others %aking u$ aroun& slee$ily! 6;e %alke& fro 5ext to Exaggerate e'erything"7 6I see you are feeling better!7 Starling retorte&" 5ighteyes thrust his hea& into the tent! a bloo&y rabbit &angling in his 4a%s" The hunting is better! too" The Fool sat u$ in his blankets" 6Is he offering to share that07 -y kill is your kill! little brother" So eho% it stung to hear hi alrea&y eaten t%o this call the Fool 6brother"7 Es$ecially %hen you.'e sarcastically" orning0 I aske& hi in &ays" I felt al ost as if I ha& reste&" #cross the tent! Starling obser'e& %inter to s$ring yester&ay"7 uttere&! 6Ty$ical instrel" e the Fool shifte&! scratche& an&

5o one force& you to lie in be& all &a%n"

11CE

I %as silent a a$ologi1e&"

o ent" I ha'e not been

uch co $anion to you lately! I

I un&erstan&" It is no longer 4ust %e t%o" 5o% %e are $ack" You are right! I tol& hi The Scentless One hu bly" But this e'ening! I inten& to hunt %ith you" a%ay" ay co e too! if he %ishes" He coul& be a goo& hunter! &i& eat! he in'ites you to hunt %ith us this e'ening"7

he try! for his scent coul& ne'er gi'e hi 6He not only offers to share

I ha& ex$ecte& the Fool to &ecline" E'en at Buck he ha& ne'er sho%n any inclination to%ar& hunting" Instea& he incline& his hea& gra'ely to%ar& 5ighteyes an& tol& hi ! 6I %oul& be honore&" 6 ;e struck ca $ s$ee&ily an& %ere soon on our %ay" #s before I %alke& besi&e the roa& rather than u$on it! an& felt clearer/hea&e& for it" The Fool ha& eaten 'oraciously at breakfast an& no% see e& al ost his ol& self" He %alke& u$on the roa&! but %ithin hailing &istance! an& ke$t u$ a erry chattering to e all &ay" 5ighteyes range& ahea& an& behin& as al%ays! fre)uently at a gallo$" #ll of us see e& infecte& %ith the relief of %ar er %eather" The light rain soon ga'e %ay to a streaky sunlight! an& the earth stea e& fragrantly" Only his cohorts %arne& ight attack y y in& ke$t it fro y constant ache o'er -olly.s safety an& a nagging fear that at any ti e ;ill an& being a lo'ely &ay" (ettle ha& e like a col& black stone! e about letting in& &%ell on either $roble ! lest I attract the y fear insi&e

coterie.s attention" So I carrie& resolutely telling O&& thoughts $o$$e& into foun&

yself there %as absolutely nothing I coul& &o" y hea& all &ay" I coul& not see a flo%er bu&

%ithout %on&ering if -olly %oul& ha'e use& it for scent or color in her %ork" I yself %on&ering if Burrich %as as goo& %ith a %oo& axe as he %as %ith a battle/axe! an& if it %oul& be enough to sa'e the " If Regal kne% of

11DH

the ! he %oul& sen& sol&iers after the " 9oul& he kno% of the kno%ing exactly %here they %ere0 6Sto$ that:7 (ettle re$ri an&e& 6Sto$ %hat07 I &e an&e&" 6Thinking those thoughts" You kno% %hat I &isci$line"7 I &i&! an& reluctantly &re&ge& u$ the ga e $roble concentrate on" 6That.s better!7 (ettle tol& %ere lea&ing the 4e$$as"7 e in )uiet a$$ro'al" fro

%ithout

e shar$ly! %ith a light ra$ of her %alking

stick" I 4olte& back to full a%areness" The Fool glance& o'er at us curiously" ean" ;ere you thinking of

anything else! I %oul& not ha'e been able to %alk u$ behin& you" Fin& your the night before to

6;hat are you &oing back here07 I aske& su&&enly" 6I thought you an& Starling 6;e.'e co e to a fork in the roa&" #n& another $illar" Before %e $rocee&! %e %ant the Iueen to see it"7 The Fool an& I hastene& ahea&! lea'ing (ettle to go back an& tell (ettricken of the 4uncture" ;e foun& Starling sitting on so e orna ental stone%ork at the si&e of the roa& %hile the 4e$$as bro%se& gree&ily" The 4uncture of the roa& %as arke& by a great $a'e& circle! surroun&e& by o$en grassy ea&o%! %ith another onolith at its center" I %oul& ha'e ex$ecte& it to be cro%ne& %ith

oss an& scarre& by lichen" Instea& the black stone %as s ooth an& clean sa'e for &ust &e$osite& by %in& an& rain" I stoo& staring u$ at the stone! stu&ying the gly$hs %hile the Fool %an&ere& about" I %as %on&ering if any of the on this one atche& the arkings I ha& co$ie& to the arkings a$ %hen the Fool ea&o%s

exclai e&! 6There %as a 'illage here! once:7 He gesture& %i&e %ith his han&s" I glance& u$! an& sa% %hat he eant" There %ere in&entations in the %here stunte& grass cloake& ol&! $a'e& %alk%ays" # %i&e! straight %ay that
11D1

ight ha'e been a street once ran through the

ea&o% an& off beneath the

trees" -oss/ an& 'ine/shrou&e& u$thrusts %ere all that re aine& of cottage an& sho$ %alls that ha& line& it" Trees gre% %here once hearths ha& burne& an& folk ha& &ine&" The Fool foun& a large block of stone an& cli be& u$on it to s$y in all &irections" 6It It in ight ha'e been a si1able to%n! at one ti e"7 erce that I ha& seen arket %oul& s$ring a&e sense" If this roa& ha& been the high%ay for co y Skill/seeing! then it %as only natural that a to%n or

u$ at e'ery crossroa&s" I coul& i agine it on a bright s$ring &ay! %hen far ers brought fresh eggs an& ne% s$ring greens to to%n an& %ea'ers hung out their ne% goo&s to te $t the buyers an& , For half an instant! the circle about the $illar thronge& %ith folk" The 'ision began an& en&e& at the $a'e ent stones" Only %ithin the 'irtue of the black stone &i& the $eo$le laugh an& gesture an& barter %ith one another" # girl cro%ne& %ith a t%ist of green 'ine ca e through the cro%&! glancing back o'er her shoul&er at so eone" I s%ear she caught thought I hear& y na e calle& an& turne& &resse& in a flo%ing gar ent that shi y eye an& %inke& at e" I y hea&" >$on a &ais stoo& a figure

ere& %ith the glint of gol& threa&" She ore than a feather &uster

%ore a gil&e& %oo&en cro%n &ecorate& %ith cunningly car'e& an& $ainte& rooster hea&s an& tail feathers" Her sce$ter %as no but she gesture& %ith it royally as she issue& so e &ecree" In the circle about e! folk roare& %ith laughter" I coul& only stare at her ice %hite skin an& colorless eyes" She looke& right at Starling sla$$e& teeth ha& cut ha& not sla$$e& e" y neck %ith the force of her y outh %here y e! har&" -y hea& sna$$e& on

blo%" I looke& at her in astonish ent! bloo& $ooling in

y cheek" She lifte& her clenche& fist again! an& I reali1e& she e" I ste$$e& back hastily! catching her %rist as her fist %ent

by" 6Sto$ it:7 I crie& angrily"

11D2

6You , sto$ it:7 she $ante&" 6#n&

ake her sto$ it! too:7 She gesture& angrily i e of a statue"

to %here the Fool $erche& still u$on his stone! fro1en in artful like a stone" I ex$ecte& hi to change it to a han&s$ring in

He &i& not breathe nor blink" But as I %atche& he slo%ly to$$le& o'er! falling i&fall! to co e flashing to his

feet as he so often ha& %hen he a use& (ing Shre%&.s court" Instea& he easure& his length in the For a the ar s an& &ragge& hi ea&o% grass an& lay still" a%ay fro both the black circle an& the black stone a&e e take hi into sha&e an& lean hi o ent I stoo& stunne&" Then I race& to his si&e" I sei1e& the Fool un&er

he ha& cli be& u$on" So e instinct

back against the trunk of ali'e oak" 6Jet %ater:7 I sna$$e& at Starling! an& her scol&ing an& fluttering cease&" She ran back to the loa&e& 4e$$as an& got a %aterskin" I $ut y fingers alongsi&e his throat an& foun& his life $ulsing stea&ily there" an stunne&" I calle& his na e His eyes %ere only half/close& an& he lay like a skin an& let a col& strea

an& $atte& at his cheek until Starling returne& %ith the %ater" I unsto$$ere& the of it s$atter &o%n o'er his face" For a ti e there %as et ine an& he grinne& %il&ly" 6Such a folk an& no res$onse" Then he gas$e&! snorte& out %ater! an& sat u$ abru$tly" His eyes %ere blank" Then his ga1e %oul& fly such a &ay: It %as the announcing of Real&er.s &ragon! an& he ha& $ro ise& he e ,7 He fro%ne& su&&enly an& looke& about in confusion" 6It it fa&es! lea'ing less than its sha&o% behin& ,7 fa&es! like a &rea

(ettle an& (ettricken %ere su&&enly %ith us as %ell" Starling tattle& out all that ha& ha$$ene& %hile I hel$e& the Fool to &rink so e %ater" ;hen she %as finishe&! (ettricken looke& gra'e! but it %as (ettle %ho lashe& out at us" 6The ;hite *ro$het an& the 9atalyst:7 she crie& in &isgust" 6Rather na e the as

11D8

they are! the Fool an& the I&iot" Of all the careless! foolish things to &o: He has no training at all! ho% is he to $rotect hi self fro the coterie07 ust 6Do you kno% %hat ha$$ene&07 I &e an&e&! cutting into her tira&e" 6I , %ell! of course not" But I can sur ise" The stone he cla bere& on ti e the roa& sei1e& you both %ith its $o%er instea& of 4ust you"7 6Di& you kno% it coul& ha$$en07 I &i&n.t %ait for her re$ly" 6;hy &i&n.t you %arn us07 6I &i&n.t kno%:7 she retorte&! an& then a&&e& guiltily! 6I only sus$ecte&! an& I ne'er thought either of you %oul& be so foolish as to ,7 65e'er a%ay in&:7 the Fool cut in" #bru$tly he laughe& an& stoo& u$! $ushing y ar " 6Oh! this: This is such as I ha'e not felt in years! not since I %as gla&" ;e are not only %here y hea& su&&enly be a Skill/stone! the sa e stuff as the roa& an& the $illars" #n& so eho% this

a chil&" The certainty! the $o%er of it" (ettle: ;oul& you hear a ;hite *ro$het s$eak0 Then hearken to this! an& be gla& as I a %e ust be! %e are %hen %e ust be" #ll 4unctures coinci&e! %e &ra% closer ine" 6;e are e'en %ho

an& closer to the center of the %eb" You an& I"7 He clas$e& bet%een his t%o han&s an& $lace& his bro% against %e ust be:7 He free&

e su&&enly an& s$un a%ay" He launche& the

han&s$ring I ha& ex$ecte& earlier! ca e to his feet! curtsie& &ee$ly an& laughe& alou& again! exultantly" ;e all ga%ke& at hi " 6You are in great &anger:7 (ettle tol& hi se'erely" e su&&enly! 6Di& you see y 6I kno%!7 he re$lie&! al ost sincerely! an& then a&&e&! 6#s I sai&" Exactly %here %e nee& to be"7 He $ause&! then aske& cro%n0 ;asn.t it e ory07 6I sa% the rooster cro%n!7 I sai& slo%ly" 6But %hat to not kno%"7
11D<

agnificent0 I %on&er if I shall be able to car'e it fro ake of any of this! I &o

6You &on.t07 He cocke& his hea& at secrets &efy telling in

e! then s ile& $ityingly" 6Oh! Fit1y/fit1! ore than half a feeling! a

I %oul& ex$lain it if I coul&" It is not that I %ish to kee$ secrets! but these ere %or&s" They are e in this07 gras$ing of rightness" 9an you trust since the &ays %hen he ha& also"7 The three %o en stoo& glaring an& exclu&e&" ;hen I looke& at the outrage on Starling.s face! the rebuke in (ettle.s an& the exas$eration in (ettricken.s! I su&&enly ha& to grin" Behin& e the Fool chuckle&" #n& try as %e ight! %e coul& not ex$lain to their satisfaction exactly %hat ha& ha$$ene&" 5e'ertheless! %e %aste& )uite so e ti e in atte $ting it" (ettricken took out both acco $anying co a$s an& consulte& the " (ettle insiste& on y a$ back to the central $illar to co $are a$" They share& a nu ber of arks in ight not asha e& e %hen I took

6You are ali'e again!7 I sai& %on&eringly" I ha& not seen such light in his eyes a&e (ing Shre%& bello% %ith laughter" 6Yes!7 he sai& gently" 6#n& %hen %e ha'e finishe&! I $ro ise that you %ill be!

the gly$hs on it to the ones on the

on! but the only one that (ettricken recogni1e& %as the one she ha& e as the other one ha&! (ettricken a&a antly refuse&" I a

na e& before" Stone" ;hen I reluctantly offere& to see if this $illar trans$ort

to a& it I %as greatly relie'e&" 6;e began together! an& I inten& that %e shall finish together!7 she sai& &arkly" I kne% she sus$ecte& that the Fool an& I %ere kee$ing so ething fro her" 6;hat &o you $ro$ose then07 I aske& her hu bly" 6;hat I first suggeste&" ;e %ill follo% that ol& roa& that goes off through the trees" It a$$ears to atch %hat is arke& here" It cannot take us ore than t%o arches to reach the en& of it" Es$ecially if %e start no%"7

11D?

#n& %ith no

ore announce ent than that! she got u$ an& clicke& to the e&iately an& the rest obe&iently fell into line off &o%n the sha&y e" She shook

4e$$as" The lea&er ca e i roa&"

behin& her" I %atche& her long e'en stri&es as she le& the

6;ell! get along! both of you:7 (ettle sna$$e& at the Fool an&

her %alking stick an& I al ost sus$ecte& she %ishe& she coul& $ro& us along like errant shee$" But the Fool an& I both fell obe&iently into line behin& the 4e$$as! lea'ing Starling an& (ettle to follo% us" That night the Fool an& I left the tent.s shelter an& %ent %ith 5ighteyes" Both (ettle an& (ettricken ha& been &ubious as to the %is&o assure& the of this! but I ha& e I %oul& act %ith all caution" The Fool ha& $ro ise& not to let

out of his sight" (ettle rolle& her eyes at this! but sai& nothing" *lainly %e %ere both still sus$ecte& of being i&iots! but they let us lea'e any%ay" Starling %as sulkily silent! but as %e ha& not ha& %or&s! I assu e& her $i)ue ha& so e other source" #s %e left the firesi&e! (ettricken sai& )uietly! 6;atch o'er the ! %olf!7 an& 5ighteyes re$lie& %ith a %a'e of his tail" 5ighteyes le& us s%iftly a%ay fro country" The %oo&s that %e %i&e the grassy roa& an& u$ into the %oo&e& ore sheltere& hills" The roa& ha& been lea&ing us stea&ily &o%n%ar& into

o'e& through %ere o$en gro'es of oaks %ith

ea&o%s bet%een" I sa% sign of %il& boars but %as relie'e& %hen %e &i& e to carry for hi " #s %e %ere returning to the ca $ by a

not encounter any" Instea&! the %olf ran &o%n an& kille& t%o rabbits that he graciously allo%e& roun&about $ath %e ca e on a strea " The %ater %as icy an& s%eet an& cress gre% thick along one bank" The Fool an& I tickle& for fish until our han&s an& ar s %ere nu b %ith the col& %ater" #s I haule& out a final fish! its lashing tail s$lashe& the enthusiastic %olf" He lea$e& back fro it then sna$$e& at e in rebuke" The Fool $layfully scoo$e& u$ another han&ful an& flung it at hi "
11DB

5ighteyes lea$e&! 4a%s %i&e to strea %hen the %olf s$rang on

eet it" -o ents later! all three of us %ere e" Both Fool an& %olf %ere laughing heartily yself laughing also" I coul& not

in'ol'e& in a %ater battle! but I %as the only one %ho lan&e& bo&ily in the as I staggere& out! soake& an& chille&" I foun& returne& to ca $ late! but %ith fresh ha& alrea&y a&e $orri&ge for our

recall the last ti e I ha& si $ly laughe& alou& about so si $le a thing" ;e eat! fish! an& %atercress to share" eal! but (ettle 'olunteere& to cook again e There %as a s all! %elco ing fire burning outsi&e the tent" (ettle an& Starling for the sake of the fresh foo&" ;hile she %as $re$aring it! Starling stare& at until I &e an&e&! 6;hat07 6Ho% &i& you all get so %et07 she aske&" 6Oh" By the strea hi ock sna$ at %here %e got the fish" 5ighteyes $ushe& e in"7 I ga'e a&e a a $assing nu&ge %ith y leg" y knee as I hea&e& to%ar& the tent" He

6#n& the Fool fell in as %ell07 6;e %ere thro%ing %ater at one another!7 I a& itte& %ryly" I grinne& at her! but she &i& not s ile" Instea& she ga'e a s all snort as if &is&ainful" I shrugge& an& %ent into the tent" (ettricken glance& u$ at nothing" I rucke& through e fro her a$! but sai& y $ack an& foun& clothes that %ere &ry if not clean"

Her back %as turne& so I change& hastily" ;e ha& gro%n accusto e& to granting one another the $ri'acy of ignoring such things" 6Fit19hi'alry!7 she sai& su&&enly in a 'oice that co I &ragge& y shirt &o%n o'er an&e& y attention" y )ueen07 I a$" Instea&! e" y hea& an& buttone& it" 6Yes! et ine s)uarely"

ca e to kneel besi&e her! thinking she %ante& to consult on the she set it asi&e an& turne& to e" Her blue eyes

6;e are a s all co $any! all &e$en&ent on one another!7 she abru$tly tol& 6#ny kin& of strife %ithin our grou$ ser'es the $ur$ose of our ene y"7
11DC

I %aite&! but she sai& no sai& hu bly at last"

ore" 6I &o not un&erstan& %hy you tell

e this!7 I ore

She sighe& an& shook her hea&" 6I feare& as har the Fool"7 I %as s$eechless" (ettricken s$eare& fro I foun&

uch" #n& $erha$s I &o

than goo& to s$eak of it at all" Starling is tor ente& by your attentions to e %ith a blue glance! then looke& asi&e

e again" 6She belie'es the Fool is a %o an an& that you ke$t a tryst y tongue" 6-y la&y )ueen! I &o not &is&ain -istress Starling"7 -y e for al" 6In truth! she is the one %ho has a'oi&e& y y ;itte& an& ust fin& it as

%ith her tonight" It chagrins her that you &is&ain her so co $letely"7 outrage ha& ren&ere&

co $any an& $ut a &istance bet%een us since fin&ing that I a frien&shi$ u$on her" #s to %hat she says of the Fool! surely you lu&icrous as I &o"7 6Shoul& I07 (ettricken aske& that he is not a an like other

sustain a bon& %ith the %olf" Res$ecting her %ishes! I ha'e not $resse&

e softly" 6#ll I can truthfully say I kno% of it is en"7

6I cannot &isagree %ith that!7 I sai& )uietly" 6He is uni)ue a ong all the $eo$le I ha'e e'er kno%n"7 69annot you sho% so e kin&ness to her! Fit19hi'alry07 (ettricken burst out su&&enly" 6I &o not ask that you court her! only that you &o not let her be rent %ith 4ealousy"7 I fol&e& y li$s! force& y feelings to fin& courteous ans%er" 6-y )ueen! I y frien&shi$" She has gi'en e s all sign of ore right to say ore" But as to that to$ic! I &o not &is&ain e because your heart is %ill offer her! as I e'er ha'e!

late of e'en %anting that! let alone

her nor any other %o an" -y heart is gi'en alrea&y" It is no that I &is&ain Starling than it is to say that you &is&ain fille& %ith y =or& Aerity"7
11DD

(ettricken shot only

e an o&&ly startle& look" For a

o ent she see e& flustere&" y

Then she looke& &o%n at the heart al%ays" To ha'e Starling

a$ she still gri$$e&" 6It is as I feare&" I ha'e so tire&! Fit1" Des$air &rags at oo&y is like san& against ra% flesh to e" I but

a&e it %orse by s$eaking to you" I a

sought to $ut things right bet%een you" I beg your $ar&on if I ha'e intru&e&" But you are a co ely youth still! an& it %ill not be the last ti e you ha'e such cares"7 69o ely07 I laughe& alou&! both incre&ulous an& bitter" 6;ith this scarre& face an& battere& bo&y0 It haunts e! she shall turn asi&e fro so uch as I &rea&e& that -olly y night ares that %hen next -olly sees her! ourne& y scars" y a$$earance e in horror" 9o ely"7 I turne& asi&e fro ust look so e&ay on

y throat su&&enly too tight to s$eak" It %as not that I

6Fit1!7 (ettricken sai& )uietly" Her 'oice %as su&&enly that of a frien&! not the Iueen" 6I s$eak to you as a %o an! to tell you that although you bear scars! you are far fro heart not full %ith the grotes)ue you see to belie'e yourself You are! still! a y co ely youth! in %ays that ha'e nothing to &o %ith your face" #n& %ere han& an& ran cool fingers &o%n the ol& s$lit &o%n coul& erase it" -y heart turne& o'er in $assion for her a $lifie& by e" 6You %ell &eser'e 6Oh! &o not look at clas$ing the y lor&.s lo'e!7 I tol& her artlessly fro a full heart" e %ith his eyes!7 she sai& &olefully" She rose su&&enly!

y =or& Aerity! I %oul& not &is&ain you"7 She reache& out a y cheek! as if her touch e! an echo of Aerity.s e be&&e&

y gratitu&e that she %oul& say such a thing to

a$ to her breast like a shiel&! an& left the tent"

11DE

9H#*TER THIRTY Stone Jar&en DI-ITY (EE*! a 'ery s all hol&ing on the coast of Buck! fell shortly before Regal cro%ne& hi self (ing of the Six Duchies" # great any 'illages %ere a&e of all &estroye& in that &rea& ti e! an& there has ne'er been a true count

the li'es that %ere lost" S all kee$s like Di ity %ere fre)uent targets for the Re&/Shi$s" Their strategy %as to attack si $le 'illages an& the s aller hol&ings to %eaken the o'erall &efense line" =or& Bron1e! to %ho Di ity %as entruste&! %as an ol& the (ee$ of en in an! but nonetheless he le& his

&efen&ing his s all castle3 >nfortunately! hea'y taxation for general coastline $rotection ha& &raine& his resources for so e ti e! an& Di ity (ee$.s &efenses %ere in $oor re$air" =or& Bron1e %as a ong the first to fall" The Re&/ Shi$s took the kee$ al ost easily! an& re&uce& it %ith fire an& s%or& to the rubble/stre%n oun& that it is to&ay"

>nlike the Skill roa&! the roa& %e tra'ele& the next &ay ha& ex$erience& the full ra'ages of ti e" Doubtless once a %i&e thoroughfare! it ha& been narro%e& by the encroach ents of the forest to little see e& al ost carefree to threaten to steal &ay" I ke$t y in& fro ore than a track" ;hile to uttere& about the hu e it ocks! arch &o%n a roa& that &i& not at e'ery e! the others o ent

u$thrust roots! fallen branches! an& other obstacles %e scra ble& through all y thoughts to yself an& en4oye& the thick oss that o'erlai& the once/cobble& surface! the branchy sha&e of the bu&/leafe& trees that o'erarche& the roa&! an& the occasional $atter of fleeing ani als in the un&erbrush" 5ighteyes %as in his ele ent! racing ahea& an& then gallo$ing back to us! to trot $ur$osefully along besi&e (ettricken for a ti e" Then he %oul& go ranging
11EH

off again" #t one ti e he ca e &ashing back to the Fool an& $lentiful" I relaye& this to the Fool"

e! tongue

lolling! to announce that tonight %e %oul& hunt %il& $ig! for their sign %as 6I &i& not lose any %il& $igs" Therefore! I shall not hunt for any!7 he re$lie& loftily" I rather agree& %ith his senti ents" Burrich.s scarre& leg ha& ore than %ary of the great tuske& ani als" Rabbits! I suggeste& to 5ighteyes" =et us hunt rabbits" Rabbits for rabbits! he snorte& &is&ainfully! an& &ashe& off again" I ignore& the insult" The &ay %as 4ust $leasantly cool for hiking an& the 'er&ant forest s ells %ere like a ho eco ing to still ten&e& to %alk e" (ettricken le& us on! lost in her o%n thoughts! %hile (ettle an& Starling follo%e& us! caught u$ in talk" (ettle ore slo%ly! though the ol& %o an see e& to ha'e gaine& sta ina an& strength since our 4ourney ha& begun" But they %ere a co fortable &istance behin& us %hen I )uietly aske& the Fool! 6;hy &o you allo% Starling to belie'e you are a %o an07 He turne& to $rinceling07 6I. serious!7 I rebuke& hi " 6She thinks you are a %o an an& in lo'e %ith y shy one07 He leere& at e outrageously" y $roof! e" She thought that %e ha& a tryst last night"7 6#n& &i& %e not! 6Fool!7 I sai& %arningly" 6#h"7 He sighe& su&&enly" 6*erha$s the truth is! I fear to sho% her lest e'er after%ar& she fin& all other eaningfully at hi self" I looke& at hi 6-eaning07
11E1

a&e

e! %aggle& his eyebro%s an& ble%

e a kiss" 6#n& a

I not! fair

en a &isa$$oint ent"7 He gesture& atter %hat she

le'elly until he gre% sober" 6;hat &oes it

thinks0 =et her think %hate'er is easiest for her to belie'e"7

6She nee&e& so eone to confi&e in an&! for a ti e! chose 6That is one thing that in all

e" *erha$s it %as

easier for her to &o that if she belie'e& I %as a %o an! also"7 He sighe& again" y years a ong your folk I ha'e ne'er beco e accusto e& to" The great i $ortance that you attach to %hat gen&er one is"7 6;ell! it is i $ortant ,7 I began" 6Rubbish:7 he exclai e&" 6-ere $lu bing! %hen all is sai& an& &one" ;hy is it i $ortant07 I stare& at hi ! at a loss for %or&s" It all see e& so ob'ious to an& let the issue be lai& to rest07 6That %oul& scarcely lay it to rest! Fit1!7 he re$lie& 4u&iciously" He cla bere& o'er a fallen tree an& %aite& for kno% %hy! if I a in a e to follo%" 6For then she %oul& nee& to an! I &o not &esire her" It %oul& ha'e to be either a fault instrel.s failing" She e as to not an nee& saying" #fter a ti e! I sai&! 69oul& you not si $ly tell her you are a

e! or so ething I $ercei'e& as a fault in her" 5o" I &o not think anything atter ho% $ri'ate! shoul& be a to$ic for

nee&s to be sai& on that to$ic" Starling! ho%e'er! has the thinks that e'erything in the %orl&! no &iscussion" Or better yet! He struck a su&&en $ose in the a&e into a song" #h! yes:7

i&&le of the forest trail" His stance %as so

artfully re iniscent of Starling %hen she rea&ie& herself to sing that I %as horrifie&" I glance& back at her as the Fool launche& into su&&en! hearty song3 6Oh! %hen the Fool $isses *ray tell! %hat.s the angle0 Di& %e take &o%n his $ants ;oul& he &i $le or &angle07 -y eyes &arte& fro Starling to the Fool" He bo%e&! an e broi&ery of the arke& the en& of her $erfor ances" I %ante& at once elaborate bo% that often

to laugh alou& an& to sink into the earth" I sa% Starling re&&en an& start
11E2

for%ar&! but (ettle caught at her slee'e an& sai& so ething se'erely" Then they both glare& at e barrasse& e" It %as not the first ti e that one of the Fool.s esca$a&es ha& e! but it %as one of the ost keenly e&ge& ones" I a&e a

hel$less gesture back at the ! then roun&e& on the Fool" He %as ca$ering &o%n the $ath ahea& of 6I ga'e it as e" I hastene& to catch u$ %ith hi " ight hurt her feelings07 I aske& hi angrily" ight hurt y 'anity" 6Di& you e'er sto$ to think you ine"7 He roun&e& on

uch thought as she ga'e to %hether such an allegation

e su&&enly! %agging a long finger" 6#& it it" You an0 #h:7 His

aske& that )uestion %ith ne'er a thought as to %hether it %oul& hurt Ho% %oul& you feel if I &e an&e& $roof that you %ere a %aste %or&s on! %ith all else %e %ell" =et her refer to ignore it"7 e as Fshe. as

shoul&ers slu $e& su&&enly an& he see e& to lose all energy" 6Such a thing to ust confront" =et it go! Fit1! an& I %ill as uch as she %ishes" I %ill &o y best to

I shoul& ha'e left it alone" I &i& not" 6It is only that she thinks that you lo'e e!7 I trie& to ex$lain" He ga'e 6I 6I e an o&& look" 6I &o"7 an an& a %o an lo'e"7 e that he $reten&e& not to un&erstan& e" 6For ean! as a

He took a breath" 6#n& ho% is that07 ean ,7 It half/angere& be&&ing" For ,7 6#n& is that ho% a be&&ing07 6It.s a $art of it:7 I felt su&&enly &efensi'e but coul& not say %hy" He arche& an eyebro% at an& lo'e again"7 e an& sai& cal ly! 6You are confusing $lu bing an lo'es a %o an07 he interru$te& e su&&enly" 6For

11E8

6It.s

ore than $lu bing:7 I shoute& at hi " # bir& abru$tly fle% off! ca%ing" on the $ath" Then!

I glance& back at (ettle an& Starling! %ho exchange& $u11le& glances" 6I see!7 he sai&" He thought a bit as I stro&e ahea& of hi fro behin& e he calle& out! 6Tell %as un&er her skirts07 5o% it %as y turn to be affronte&! But I %as not going to let hi y cheeks" baffle e into silence" 6I lo'e -olly an& all that is a $art of her!7 I &eclare&" I hate& the heat that rose in 6There! no% you ha'e sai& it!7 the Fool re$lie& as if I ha& $ro'en his $oint for hi " 6#n& I lo'e you! an& all that is a $art of you"7 He cocke& his hea& an& the next %or&s hel& a challenge" 6#n& &o you not return that to e07 He %aite&" I &es$erately %ishe& I ha& ne'er starte& this &iscussion" 6You kno% I lo'e you!7 I sai& at last! gru&gingly" 6#fter all that has been bet%een us! ho% can you e'en ask0 But I lo'e you as a Fool leere& at e he %as about to &o so ething a%ful to e" that height! he ga'e Starling a e! he says: #n& I lo'e an lo'es another an ,7 Here the ockingly" Then a su&&en glint lit his eyes! an& I kne% that e! Fit1! &i& you lo'e -olly or that %hich

He lea$e& to the to$ of a fallen log" Fro

triu $hant look an& crie& &ra atically! 6He lo'es e on the trail" I ran y han& back through

hi :7 Then %ith a %hoo$ of %il& laughter he lea$t &o%n an& race& ahea& of y hair an& then slo%ly cla bere& o'er the log" I ents" I %alke& silently y outh shut" I %as y ;it so ething

hear& (ettle laughing an& Starling.s angry co certain that Starling %as si ha& al ost no %or&s for

through the forest! %ishing I.& ha& the sense to kee$

ering %ith fury" It %as ba& enough that lately she e" I ha& acce$te& that she foun&

of an abo ination" She %as not the first to be &is aye& by it at least she sho%e& so e tolerance for e" But no% the anger she carrie& %oul& ha'e a
11E<

ore $ersonal bite to it" One e greatly

ore s all loss of %hat little I ha& left" # $art of isse& the hu an y ar %hen y back! or su&&enly take

isse& the closeness %e ha& share& for a ti e" I

co fort of ha'ing her slee$ against su&&enly isse& that si $le %ar th"

%e %ere %alking" I thought I ha& close& #s if that thought ha& o$ene& a breach in

y heart against those nee&s! but I y %alls! I su&&enly thought of e" ;ithout %arning! y heart yself! an& re in&e& before

-olly" #n& 5ettle! both in &anger because of %as in y throat" I

ust not think of the ! I %arne&

yself that there %as nothing I coul& &o" There %as no %ay I coul& %arn the %ithout betraying the " There %as no $ossible %ay I coul& reach the an& cling to the ho$e that Regal &i& not truly kno% %here they %ere" I 4u $e& o'er a trickling creek an& foun& the Fool %aiting for si&e" He sai& nothing as he fell into $ace besi&e ha'e &eserte& hi " I re in&e& %ere safe" 6;hat you kno%! I can kno%"7 6;hat &i& you say07 I aske& the Fool uneasily" His %or&s ha& re$lie& so exactly to 6;hy07 6Exactly 65o" I y thought" ;hy %oul& I %ish to kno% %hat you kno%07 ean! %hy &i& you say that07 y thoughts that it sent a chill u$ y s$ine" 6I sai&! %hat you kno%! I can kno%!7 he re$eate& absently" yself that I scarcely kne% %here -olly an& Burrich %ere" Oh! I yself! they kne% the na e of a nearby 'illage! but as long as I ke$t that to e" His e on the other erri ent see e& to Regal.s hench en &i&" #ll I coul& &o %as trust to Burrich.s strong right ar !

11E?

6In truth! Fit1! I.'e no i&ea" The %or&s $o$$e& into a$ology" 6#s &o I!7 I agree&" I sai& no

y hea& an& I sai& the " I

often say things I ha'e not %ell consi&ere&"7 The last he sai& al ost as an ore to hi ! but it bothere& uch e" He see e&!

since the inci&ent at the $illar! to be %orrie& that he resol'e the " I see e& to cut ight ha'e too

ore of the Fool I re e bere& fro

Buckkee$" I %elco e& his su&&en gro%th in confi&ence an& s$irits but I also uch faith in e'ents flo%ing as they shoul&" I ore $rone to bare conflicts than ore than once! but in the context of also recalle& that his shar$ tongue %as yself ha& felt its e&ge

(ing Shre%&.s court! I ha& ex$ecte& it" Here! in such a s all co $any! it ore shar$ly" I %on&ere& if there %ere any %ay I coul& soften y hea& to yself! then resolutely &re&ge& u$ y in& e'en as I cla bere& an& ke$t it before his ra1or hu or" I shook (ettle.s latest ga e $roble

o'er/forest &ebris an& si&este$$e& hanging branches" #s late afternoon %ore on! our $ath le& us &ee$er an& &ee$er into a 'alley" #t one $oint the ancient trail affor&e& a 'ie% of %hat lay belo% us" I gli $se& the green/bea&e&! trailing branches of %illo%s co ing into leaf an& the rose/tinge& trunks of $a$er birches $resi&ing o'er a &ee$ly grasse& ea&o%" Beyon& I sa% the bro%n stan&ing husks of last year.s cattails &ee$er in the 'ale" Toe lush rankness of the grasses an& ferns foretol& s%a $lan& as surely as the green s ell of stan&ing %ater &i&" ;hen the ranging %olf ca e back %et to his flanks! I kne% I %as right" Before long %e ca e to %here an energetic strea ha& long ago %ashe& out a bri&ge an& &e'oure& the roa& to either si&e of it" 5o% it trickle& shining an& sil'er in a gra'elly be&! but the fallen trees on either bank atteste& to its floo& ti e fury" # chorus of frogs stille& su&&enly at our a$$roach" I %ent rock to rock to get $ast it %ith &ry feet" ;e ha& not gone far before a secon& strea
11EB

crosse& our $ath" Ji'en a choice of %et feet or %et boots! I chose the for er" The %ater %as icy" The only kin&ness %as that it nu be& stones in its be&" On the far si&e I $ut ha& close& its ranks as the trail gre% 6So y feet fro the y boots back on" Our s all co $any ore &ifficult" 5o% %e continue& to e&"

arch silently together" Blackbir&s calle& an& early insects hu still s%eet air" I foun& a yself no&&ing in agree ent" So

uch life here!7 (ettricken sai& softly" Her %or&s see e& to hang in the uch life aroun& us! y ;it/sense an& see e& to hang in the air like ountains an& the &eserte& Skill roa&!

both green an& ani al" It fille& this abun&ance of life %as hea&y" Then I sa% the &ragon" I halte& in follo%e&

ist" #fter the barren stones of the

y tracks an& lifte&

y ar s out in a su&&en gesture for both y co $anions. ga1es

stillness an& silence that all see e& to recogni1e" #ll of stare& at it! as un o'ing as it %as"

ine" Starling gas$e& an& the hackles on the %olf stoo& u$" ;e

Jol&en an& green! he s$ra%le& un&er the trees in their &a$$le& sha&e" He %as far enough off the trail that I coul& only see $atches of hi but those %ere i $ressi'e enough" His i bo&y! reste& &ee$ in the through the trees! ense hea&! as long as a horse.s

oss" His single eye that I coul& see %as close&" #

great crest of feather/scales! rainbo% hue&! lay lax about his throat" Si ilar tufts abo'e each eye looke& al ost co ical! sa'e that there coul& be nothing co ical about a creature so i hea$e& about it like a sort of nest" #fter a long breathless eyebro%s at %hat &angers it o ent! %e exchange& glances" (ettricken raise& her e! but I &eferre& to her %ith a tiny shrug" I ha& no conce$t of ight $resent! or ho% to face the " Aery slo%ly an& silently I
11EC

ense an& so strange" I sa% a scale&

shoul&er! an& %in&ing bet%een t%o trees! a length of tail" Ol& lea'es %ere

&re%

y s%or&" It su&&enly looke& like a 'ery silly %ea$on" #s %ell face a uscles %ere beginning to ache %ith the strain of re aining a&e a s all silent

bear %ith a table knife" I &on.t kno% ho% long our tableau hel&" It see e& an en&less ti e" -y otionless" The 4e$$as shifte& i $atiently! but hel& their $laces in line as long as (ettricken ke$t their lea&er still" #t last (ettricken otion! an& slo%ly starte& our $arty for%ar& again" ;hen I coul& no longer see the slu bering beast! I began to breathe a bit easier" @ust as )uickly! reaction set in" -y han& ache& fro hilt an& all fro hi y uscles su&&enly %ent rubbery" I %i$e& gri$$ing y s%or& y s%eaty hair back

y face" I turne& to exchange a relie'e& look %ith the Fool! only to fin& staring beyon& e %ith unbelie'ing eyes" I turne& hastily! an& like i e& y gesture" Yet again %e halte&! silently

flocking bir&s! the others

transfixe&! to stare at a slee$ing &ragon" This one s$ra%le& in the &ee$ sha&e of e'ergreen trees" =ike the first! she nestle& &ee$ in oss an& forest &ebris" But there the rese blance en&e&" Her long sinuous tail %as coile& an& %ra$$e& aroun& her like a garlan&! an& her s oothly scale& hi&e shone a rich! co$$ery bro%n" I coul& see %ings fol&e& tight to her narro% bo&y" Her long neck %as crane& o'er her back like a slee$ing goose.s an& the sha$e of her hea& %as bir&like also! e'en to a ha%klike beak" Fro the creature.s bro% s$irale& u$ a shining horn! %icke&ly e ore in in& of a shar$ at the ti$" The four li bs fol&e& beneath her $ut yet I ha& no other %or& for beings such as these" #gain %e stoo& silent an& staring %hile the 4e$$as shifte& restlessly" #bru$tly (ettricken s$oke" 6I &o not think they are li'ing beings" I think they are cle'er car'ings of stone"7

hin& than a li1ar&" To call both these creatures &ragons see e& a contra&iction!

11ED

-y ;it/sense tol&

e other%ise" 6They are ali'e:7 I cautione& her in a y the col&

%his$er" I starte& to )uest to%ar& one! but 5ighteyes near $anicke&" I &re% in&/touch back" 6They slee$ 'ery &ee$ly! as if still hibernating fro %eather" But I kno% they are ali'e"7

;hile (ettricken an& I %ere s$eaking! (ettle %ent to &eci&e it for herself" I sa% (ettricken.s eyes %i&en! an& turne& to look back at the &ragon! fearing it %as a%akening" Instea& I sa% (ettle $lace her %ithere& han& on the creature.s still bro%" Her han& see e& to tre ble as she touche& it! but then she s ile&! al ost sa&ly! an& stroke& her han& u$ the s$iraling horn" 6So beautiful!7 she use&" 6So cunningly %rought"7 She turne& back to us all" 6-ark ho% last year.s 'ine t%ine& about her tail ti$" See ho% &ee$ly she lies in the fallen lea'es of a score of years" Or $erha$s a score of scores" Yet each tiny scale still glea s! so $erfectly fashione& is she:7 Starling an& (ettricken starte& for%ar& %ith excla ations of %on&er an& &elight! an& %ere soon crouche& by the scul$ture! calling each other.s attention to crafte& &etail after &etail" The in&i'i&ual scales of each %ing! the flui&ly graceful loo$ing of the tail coils an& e'ery other ar'el of the artist.s &esign %ere a& ire&" Yet %hile they $ointe& an& touche& so a'i&ly! the %olf an& I hel& back" Hackles stoo& u$ all along 5ighteyes. back" He &i& not gro%l+ instea& he ga'e a %hine so high it %as al ost like a %histle" #fter a reali1e& the Fool ha& not 4oine& the others" I turne& to fin& hi fro afar! as a iser o ent! I regar&ing it

ight look on a $ile of gol& larger e'en than his &rea s"

There %as the sa e sort of %i&eness to his eyes" E'en his $ale cheeks see e& to hol& a rosy flush" 6Fit1! co e an& see: It is only col& stone! car'e& so %ell as to a$$ear ali'e" #n& look: There is another! %ith the antlers of a stag an& the face of a an:7 (ettricken lifte& a han& to $oint an& I gli $se& yet another figure s$ra%le&
11EE

slee$ing on the forest floor" They all &e$arte& the first effigy to regar& this ne% one! exclai ing ane% o'er the beauty an& &etails of it" I o'e& yself for%ar& on lea&en feet! the %olf $resse& tightly to y si&e" ;hen I stoo& next to the horne& one! I coul& see for yself the fu11y sac of

s$i&er%ebs affixe& in the hollo% of one hoofe& foot" The creature.s ribs &i& not o'e %ith the $u $ing of any lungs! nor &i& I feel any bo&y %ar th at all" I finally force& aroun& yself to set a han& to the col&! car'e& stone" 6It.s a statue!7 I yself to belie'e %hat y ;itsense &enie&" I looke& sai& alou&! as if to force

e! $ast the stag an that Starling still a& ire&! to %here (ettle an& its snout %ere as long as I %as

(ettricken stoo& s iling by yet another scul$ture" Its boarlike bo&y s$ra%le& on its si&e! an& the tusks that $rotru&e& fro its i tall" In all %ays it rese ble& the forest $ig that 5ighteyes ha& kille&! sa'e for ense si1e an& the %ings tucke& close to its si&e" 6I s$y at least a &o1en of these things!7 the Fool announce&" 6#n&! behin& those trees! I foun& another car'e& colu n such as %e ha'e seen before"7 He set a curious han& to the skin of the scul$ture! then al ost %ince& a%ay at the col& contact" 6I cannot belie'e they are lifeless stone!7 I tol& hi " 6I! too! ha'e ne'er seen such realistic &etail in a car'ing!7 he agree&" I &i& not try to tell hi he ha& isun&erstoo& e" Instea&! I stoo& $on&ering a y han&" It ha& oti'ate& their thing" Here! I sense& life! but there %as only col& stone un&er been the o$$osite %ith Forge& ones+ sa'age life ob'iously bo&ies! yet y ;itsense regar&e& the e but foun& sort of connection but foun& only the o&& co $arison" I glance& about o'ing fro y co $anions scattere& throughout the forest! scul$ture to scul$ture! an& calling to one another in &elight as

as but col& stone" I gro$e& for so e

they &isco'ere& ne% ones un&er cla bering i'y or engulfe& in fallen lea'es" I
12HH

&rifte& after the arke& on the

slo%ly" It see e& to

e that this

ight be the &estination a$ aker ha& ha& his

a$" It al ost certainly %as! if the ol&

scale correct" #n& yet! %hy0 ;hat %as i $ortant about these statues0 The significance of the city I ha& seen at once+ it habitation of the El&erlings" But this0 I hastene& after (ettricken" I foun& her by a %inge& bull" He sle$t! legs fol&e& un&er hi ! $o%erful shoul&ers bunche&! hea'y %as a $erfect re$lica of a bull in e'ery %ay! fro u11le &ro$$e& to his knees" It its %i&e s%ee$ of horns to its ight ha'e been the original

tufte& tail" His clo'en hoo'es %ere burie& beneath the forest loa ! but I &i& not &oubt they %ere there" She ha& stretche& her ar s %i&e to s$an the s%ee$ of his horns" =ike all the others! he ha& %ings! fol&e& in re$ose on his %i&e black back" 6-ay I see the a$07 I aske& her! an& she starte& out of her re'erie" e )uietly" 6I a con'ince& this is the 6I.'e alrea&y checke& it!7 she tol& %hat is sho%n on the a$" #n& the

arke& area" ;e $asse& the re ains of t%o stone bri&ges" That corres$on&s to arking on the colu n the Fool foun& a$! a$ corres$on&s to one you co$ie& in the city for this &estination" I think %e are on %hat %as once the shore of a lake" That is ho% I.'e been rea&ing the any%ay"7 6The shores of a lake"7 I no&&e& to ha& sho%n She %hat &o all these statues signify07 a&e a 'ague gesture aroun& at the forest" 6# gar&en or $ark of so e kin&! y hea&" 65ot like any gar&en I.'e e'er seen" $erha$s07 I looke& aroun& us an& shook The statues see ran&o " Shoul& not a gar&en $ossess unity an& the e0 #t yself as I consi&ere& %hat Aerity.s e" 6*erha$s" *erha$s it silte& in an& beca e s%a $" But then!

12H1

least! so *atience taught

e" Here I see only s$ra%le& statues! %ith no sign of o ent" 6I belie'e so" #n& I think that all are

$aths or be&s or , (ettricken0 #re all the statues of slee$ing creatures07 She fro%ne& to herself for a %inge&"7 6*erha$s it is a gra'eyar&!7 I 'enture&" 6*erha$s there are to bs beneath these creatures" *erha$s this is so e strange heral&ry! &ifferent fa ilies"7 (ettricken looke& about us! consi&ering" 6*erha$s it is so" But %hy %oul& that be arke& on the a$07 any 6;hy %oul& a gar&en07 I countere&" ;e s$ent the rest of the afternoon ex$loring the area" ;e foun& a great ore ani als" There %ere all kin&s an& a 'ariety of styles! but all %ere %inge& an& slee$ing" #n& they ha& been here a 'ery long ti e" # closer exa ination sho%e& e that these great trees ha& gro%n aroun& the statues! the statues ha& ol&" Of one! little re aine& to be seen sa'e a great toothe& a boggy bit of groun&" The bare& teeth shone sil'er an& not been $lace& aroun& the " So e %ere al ost ca$ture& by the encroaching oss an& leaf snout $ro4ecting fro the ti$s %ere shar$" 6Yet I foun& not a single one %ith a chi$ or a crack" E'eryone looks as $erfect as the &ay it %as create&" 5or can I &eci&e ho% the colors %ere $ut to the stone" It &oes not feel like $aint or stain! nor &oes it a$$ear %eathere& by the years"7 I %as ex$oun&ing y thoughts slo%ly to the others as %e sat about our y %et the others! to %ash ca $fire that e'ening" I %as trying to %ork (ettricken.s co b through hair" In the late afternoon! I ha& sli$$e& a%ay fro %ash out so e of the others ha& ha& arking the burial $laces for

thoroughly for the first ti e since %e ha& left @haa $e" I ha& also atte $te& to y clothes" ;hen I returne& to ca $! I ha& foun& that all of uch the sa e i&eas" (ettle %as
12H2

oo&ily &ra$ing %et

laun&ry on a &ragon to &ry" (ettricken.s cheeks %ere $inker than usual an& she ha& rebrai&e& her %et hair into a tight )ueue" Starling see e& to ha'e forgotten her earlier anger at e" In&ee&! she see e& to ha'e forgotten entirely about the using look on her face! together" I rest of us" She stare& at the fla es of the ca $fire! a

an& I coul& al ost see the tu bling %or&s an& notes as she fit the set for her

%on&ere& %hat it %as like! if it %as like sol'ing the ga e $u11les that (ettle e" It see e& o&& to %atch her face! kno%ing a song %as unfol&ing in y knee" I &o not like &enning in the e" e" She shook her ol& hea& ight a%aken!7 I obser'e&" in&"

5ighteyes ca e to lean his hea& against i&st of these li'ing stones! he confi&e& to 6It &oes see as if at any o ent they

(ettle ha& settle& %ith a sigh to the earth besi&e grie'e&" 6;ell! as %e cannot fatho announce&" their

slo%ly" 6I &o not think so!7 she sai& )uietly" She al ost soun&e& as if she ystery! an& %hat re ains of the roa& has

en&e& here! %e shall lea'e the

to orro% an& resu e our 4ourney!7 (ettricken a$

6;hat %ill you &o!7 the Fool aske& )uietly! 6if Aerity is not at the last &estination07

6I &o not kno%!7 (ettricken confi&e& to us )uietly" 65or shall I %orry about it until it ha$$ens" I still ha'e an action left to take+ until I ha'e exhauste& it! I shall not &es$air"7 It struck left that e then that she s$oke as if consi&ering a ga e! %ith one final ight yet lea& to 'ictory" Then I &eci&e& that I ha& s$ent too o'e uch y hair

ti e focusing on (ettle.s ga e $roble s" I yanke& a last snarl fro an& $ulle& it back into a tail" 9o e hunt %ith e before the last light is gone! the %olf suggeste&"
12H8

6I think I shall hunt %ith 5ighteyes tonight!7 I announce& as I stoo& an& stretche&" I raise& one eyebro% at the Fool! but he see e& lost in thought an& a&e no res$onse" #s I ste$$e&! a%ay fro you safe! alone07 6;e are far fro 6;e the Skill roa&" This has been the ost $eaceful &ay I.'e kno%n in so e ti e" In so e %ays"7 ay be far fro the Skill roa&! but %e are still in the heart of a lan& once occu$ie& by Skill users" They ha'e left their touch e'ery%here" You cannot say! %hile you %alk these hills! that you are safe" You shoul& not go alone"7 5ighteyes %hine& lo% in his throat! anxious to be gone" I longe& to go hunt %ith hi ! to stalk an& chase! to o'e through the night %ith no hu an thoughts" But I %oul& not &iscount (ettle.s %arning" 6I.ll go. %ith hi !7 Starling offere& su&&enly" She rose! &usting her han&s on her hi$s" If anyone besi&es it" I ex$ecte& at least a Do you yself thought it %as strange! no one a&e sign of ocking fare%ell fro the Fool! but he continue& to the fire! (ettricken aske& e! 6#re

ga1e off into the &arkness" I ho$e& he %as not getting sick again" in& if she goes %ith us0 I aske& 5ighteyes" the fire" I ore slo%ly an& Starling follo%e& e" e se'eral o ents later" The In re$ly he ga'e a s all sigh of resignation! an& trotte& a%ay fro follo%e& hi 6Shoul&n.t %e catch u$ %ith hi 07 she aske&

forest an& the &ee$ening &usk %ere closing in aroun& us" 5ighteyes %as no%here to be seen! but then! I &i& not nee& to see hi " I s$oke! not in a %his$er! but 'ery lo%" 6;hen %e hunt! %e co es s%iftly! either to interce$t! or to 4oin in the chase"7 -y eyes ha& a&4uste& to the &ark" Our )uest le& us a%ay fro a forest night innocent of the statues! into an.s %orkings" S$ring s ells %ere strong! an& the
12H<

o'e

in&e$en&ently of one another" ;hen one of us starts u$ so e ga e! the other

songs of frogs an& insects %ere all aroun& us" I soon struck a ga e trail an& began to can either o'e along it" Starling ca e behin& e! not silently! but not a%k%ar&ly either" ;hen one o'es through the forest by &ay or by night! one o'e& %ith the forest! &ucking un&er

o'e %ith it or against it" So e $eo$le kno% ho% to &o it

instincti'ely+ others ne'er learn" Starling

hanging branches an& si&este$$ing others as %e %o'e our %ay through the night" She &i& not try to force her %ay through the thickets %e encountere&! but turne& her bo&y to a'oi& being caught on the t%iggy branches" You are so a%are of her! you %ill not see a rabbit if you ste$ on it: 5ighteyes chi&e& #t that e" o ent! a hare starte& fro a bush right besi&e y $ath" I s$rang after o'ing

it! going &ouble& o'er to follo% it on the ga e trail" It %as far faster than I! but I kne% it %oul& ost likely circle" I also kne% that 5ighteyes %as also s%iftly to interce$t it" I hear& Starling hurrying after e but ha& no ti e to e" But the

think of her as I ke$t the rabbit in sight as it &o&ge& aroun& trees an& un&er snags" T%ice I nearly ha& it! an& t%ice it &ouble& a%ay fro secon& ti e it &ouble&! it race& straight into the 4a%s of the %olf" He s$rang! $inne& it to the earth %ith his front $a%s! then sei1e& its s all skull in his 4a%s" #s he stoo&! he ga'e it a shar$ shake! sna$$ing its neck" I %as o$ening its belly an& s$illing its entrails out for the %olf %hen Starling caught u$ %ith us" 5ighteyes sna$$e& the guts u$ %ith relish" =et.s fin& another! he suggeste&! an& 6He al%ays gi'es u$ the o'e& s%iftly off into the night" eat to you like that07 Starling aske& e" eat e carry it" He kno%s that no% is the best y belt"

6He &oesn.t gi'e it u$" He lets

hunting! an& so he ho$es to kill again s%iftly" If not! he kno%s I %ill kee$ safe for hi ! an& that %e %ill share later"7 I secure& the &ea& rabbit to

12H?

I starte& off through the night! the %ar as I %alke&"

bo&y flo$$ing lightly against

y thigh

6Oh"7 Starling follo%e&" # short ti e later! as if in ans%er to so ething I.& sai&! she obser'e&! 6I &o not fin& your ;it/bon& %ith the %olf offensi'e"7 65either &o I!7 I re$lie& )uietly" So ething in her choice of %or&s nettle& $a&! $a&! $a& of 5ighteyes feet off to %oul& scare ga e to%ar& ;hate'er I ay sus$ect"7 ittally" I &i& not slo% y $ace" uch goo& as hunter this night" e" y left an& ahea& of e" I continue& to $ro%l along the trail! eyes an& ears alert" I coul& hear the soft e" I ho$e& he

# short ti e later! Starling a&&e&! 6#n& I %ill sto$ calling the Fool Fshe". 6That.s goo&!7 I tol& her nonco I truly &oubt you %ill be This is not of I kno%" 6Do you %ant 6I , uh!7 I sta Fit19hi'alry"7 I roun&e& on her" 6;hy are you &oing this07 I &e an&e&" I s$oke in a nor al 'oice" I coul& sense 5ighteyes" He %as alrea&y to$$ing the hill! hunting alone no%" 6-y la&y )ueen bi& &eser'e to bear also e sto$ s$rea&ing &iscor& %ithin the co $any" She sai& any bur&ens I coul& not kno% of! an& &i& not e carefully" y &isa$$ro'al!7 she infor e& that =or& Fit19hi'alry carrie& e to a$ologi1e as %ell07 Starling aske& in a lo% straine& 'oice" ere&! an& fell silent! unsure of %hat this %as all about" y choosing"

6Aery %ell then!7 she sai& in an icily &eter ine& 'oice" 6I a$ologi1e! =or&

I %on&ere& %hen all this ha& co e to $ass! but &are& not ask it" 65one of this is necessary!7 I sai& )uietly" I felt o&&ly sha e&! like a s$oile& chil& %ho ha& sulke& until the other chil&ren ga'e in" I took a &ee$ breath! &eter ine& to
12HB

si $ly s$eak honestly an& see %hat ca e of it" 6I &o not kno% %hat %ith&ra% your frien&shi$! sa'e that I &isclose& un&erstan& your sus$icions of the Fool! or %hy they see 6You &o not &es$ise chil& as your get07 I gro$e& insi&e e! then0 For gi'ing

a&e you

y ;it to you" 5or &o I to anger you" I hate

this a%k%ar&ness bet%een us" I %ish %e coul& be frien&s! as %e %ere before"7 y %itness that you clai e& -olly.s

e after the lost feelings" It ha& been long since I ha& e'en

thought about it" 69ha&e alrea&y kne% of the !"7 I sai& )uietly" 6He %oul& ha'e foun& a %ay! e'en if you ha& not existe&" He is 'ery , resourceful" #n& I ha'e co e to un&erstan& that you &o not li'e by the sa e rules that I &o"7 6I use& to!7 she sai& softly" 6# long ti e ago" Before the kee$ %as sacke& an& I %as left for &ea&" #fter that! it %as har& to belie'e in the rules" E'erything %as taken fro e" #ll that %as goo& an& beautiful an& truthful %as lai& %aste by e! e'il an& lust an& gree&" 5o" By so ething e'en baser than lust an& gree&! so e &ri'e I coul& not e'en un&erstan&" E'en %hile the Rai&ers %ere ra$ing ocke& s$oke as they see e& to take no $leasure in it" #t least! not the kin& of $leasure , They y $ain an& struggling" Those %ho %atche& %ere laughing as they e into the &arkness of the $ast" I belie'e she e! gro$ing to un&erstan& so ething that &efie& e! so they &i& it" I ha& al%ays uch to herself as %aite&"7 She %as looking $ast

eaning" 6It %as as if they %ere &ri'en! but not by any lust or gree& that coul& be sate&" It %as a thing they coul& &o to belie'e&! $erha$s chil&ishly! that if you follo%e& the rules! you %oul& be $rotecte&! that things like that %oul& not ha$$en to you" #fter%ar&! I felt , tricke&" Foolish" Jullible! that I ha& thought i&eals coul& $rotect hol& the e" Honor an& courtesy an& 4ustice , they are not real! Fit1" ;e all $reten& to the ! an& u$ like shiel&s" But they guar& only against folk %ho carry the sa e

12HC

shiel&s" #gainst those %ho ha'e &iscar&e& the ! they are no shiel&s at all! but only a&&itional %ea$ons to use against their 'icti s"7 I felt &i11ie& for an instant" I ha& ne'er hear& a %o an s$eak of so ething like that so &is$assionately" -ostly it %as not s$oken of at all" The ra$es that occurre& &uring a rai&! the $regnancies that ight follo%! e'en the chil&ren s$oken of that Six Duchies %o en bore to the Re&/Shi$ Rai&ers %ere sel&o the s$ring night %as reaching abru$tly" 65o!7 she sai& flatly" 65ot yet" I fear I the &ark"7 It %as getting close to full &ark" But I le& her back to a %i&er ga e trail! an& %e foun& a log to sit &o%n on" #roun& us! the frogs an& insects fille& the night %ith ating songs" not!7 she sai& shortly" 6I nee& to ake you un&erstan&" I &i& not sell 6#re you all right07 I aske& her after %e ha& sat so e ti e in the silence" 65o" I a your chil& chea$ly! Fit1" I &i& not betray you casually" #t first! I &i& not e'en think of it that %ay" ;ho %oul& not %ant her &aughter to beco e a $rincess! an& e'entually a )ueen0 ;ho %oul& not %ant lo'ely clothes an& a fine ho e for his chil&0 I &i& not think that you or your %o an %oul& see it as a isfortune befalling her"7 6-olly is %oul& buy y %ife!7 I sai& )uietly! but I truly belie'e she &i& not hear e" 6Then! e'en after I kne% it %oul& not $lease you! I &i& it any%ay" (no%ing it e a $lace here! at your si&e! %itnessing , %hate'er it is you are instrel has e'er sung of before! like ust ha'e a e fore'er of a $lace of honor y only chance at a future" I going to &o" Seeing strange sights no those statues to&ay" Because it %as song! I ay cry! an& if I &o! I.& rather &o it in

as such" I su&&enly reali1e& %e ha& been stan&ing still a long ti e" The chill of e" 6=et.s go back to the ca $!7 I suggeste&

ust %itness so ething that %ill assure

12HD

a ong a

instrels" So ething that %ill guarantee kee$ to kee$"7

y sou$ an& %ine %hen I

too ol& to tra'el fro

69oul&n.t you ha'e settle& for a )uietly" 6It see s to there 65o its ust be one that ,7

an to share your life an& chil&ren07 I aske& catching a an.s eye" Surely

e you ha'e no $roble

an %ants a barren %o an to %e&!7 she sai&" Her 'oice %ent flat! losing usic" 6#t the fall of Di ity (ee$! Fit1! they left e for &ea&" #n& I lay

there a ong the &ea&! sure that I %oul& &ie soon! for I coul& not i agine continuing to li'e" #roun& e buil&ings %ere burning an& in4ure& folk %ere ore e'en" 6But I &i&n.t &ie" -y bo&y %as yself to %ater" So e any" >ntil t%o e %as %orse than screa ing an& I coul& s ell flesh scorching ,7 She sto$$e& s$eaking" ;hen she resu e&! her 'oice %as a bit stronger than other sur'i'ors foun& killing y %ill" On the secon& &ay! I &ragge&

e" I li'e&! an& %as better off than

onths later" By then I %as sure that %hat ha& been &one to 6So I %ent to a healer! %ho ga'e again! an& she %arne& $otion" It , e" a&e

e" I kne% I carrie& a chil& fathere& by one of those creatures" e herbs that &i& not %ork" I %ent to her e a &ifferent e! saying if they ha& not %orke&! then I ha& better e! but the blee&ing

lea'e it to ha$$en" But I %ent to another healer! %ho ga'e e blee&" I shook the chil& loose fro

&i& not sto$" I %ent back to the healers! both of the ! but neither coul& hel$ They sai& it %oul& sto$ on its o%n! in ti e" But the one tol& 6I kno% you think it slatternly! the %ay I a can ha$$en to %ith e that it %as

likely I %oul& ne'er ha'e other chil&ren"7 Her 'oice tightene&! then thickene&" en" But once you ha'e yself! ;ell! I kno% that it an& been force&! it is , &ifferent" E'er after" I say to %hen" There %ill ne'er be chil&ren for
12HE

e at any ti e" So this %ay! at least I &eci&e %ith %ho

e! an& hence there %ill ne'er be a

$er anent a&e $ro'e& no ,7

an" So %hy shoul& not I take

y $ick of %hat I can ha'e0 You

e )uestion that for a ti e! you kno%" >ntil -oonseye" -oonseye e right again" #n& fro -oonseye I ca e to @haa $e! kno%ing that I y o%n sur'i'al" For there %ill be ol&"7 Her 'oice %ent brittle e e %hen I a ust &o to assure

%as free to &o %hate'er I

an an& no chil&ren to look after

an& une'en as she sai&! 6So eti es I think it %ere better ha& they Forge&

65o" 5e'er say that" 5e'er"7 I feare& to touch her! but she turne& su&&enly an& burro%e& her face against e" I $ut an ar aroun& her an& foun& her tre bling" I felt co $elle& to confess you ha& suffere& that"7 6Oh"7 Her 'oice %as 'ery s all" 6I ha& thought you &ee e& it uni $ortant" I ha'e hear& it sai& in Farro% that ra$e bothers only 'irgins an& %i'es" I thought $erha$s you felt that to one such as I! it %as no ore than y &ue"7 e so 6Starling:7 I felt an irrational flash of anger that she coul& ha'e belie'e& y stu$i&ity" 6I &i& not un&erstan&"

;hen you sai& Burl.s sol&iers ha& ra$e& so e of the %o en , I &i& not kno%

heartless" Then I thought back" I ha& seen the bruises on her face" ;hy ha& not I guesse&0 I ha& ne'er e'en s$oken to her of ho% Burl ha& broken her fingers" I ha& assu e& she ha& kno%n ho% that ha& sickene& Burl.s threat of greater &a age to her that ha& ke$t that she %ith&re% frien&shi$ fro belie'e& of y &istance0 uch $ain into your life!7 I confesse&" 6Do not think I &o not instrel.s han&s" Or that I &iscount the 'iolation of your rea&y to listen" So eti es! talking 6I ha'e brought e because of e! that she kne% it %as e leashe&" I ha& thought y %olf" ;hat ha& she

kno% the 'alue of a hel$s"7

bo&y" If you %ish to s$eak of it! I a

121H

6So eti es it &oes not!7 she countere&" Her gri$ on

e su&&enly tightene&"

6The &ay you stoo& before us all! an& s$oke in &etail of %hat Regal ha& &one to you" I ble& for you that &ay" It &i& not un&o anything that %as &one to you" 5o" I &o not %ant to talk about it! or think about it"7 I lifte& her han& an& softly kisse& the fingers that ha& been broken on 6;hen I look at you! I see Starling Bir&song the She no&&e& her face against I sai& no an& share& that fear" ;e %oul& not li'e as 'icti s" ore than that! but only sat there" It ca e to e again that e'en if %e foun& Aerity! e'en if by so e iracle his return %oul& shift the ti&es of %ar instrel"7 y account" 6I &o not confuse %hat %as &one to you %ith %ho you are!7 I offere&" e! an& I kne% it %as as I sur ise&" She an& I

ake us 'ictors! for so e the 'ictory %oul& co e far too late" -ine ha& y o%n choosing" Starling ha& not e'en that" 5o e" #fter a ti e! her tre bling stille&" y han&" I starte& to lea& her e!7 she sai& si $ly" atter ho%

been a long an& %eary roa&! but I still &are& to belie'e that at the en& of it there ight be a life of far inlan& she ight flee! she %oul& ne'er esca$e the %ar" I hel& her closer an&

felt her $ain blee& o'er into

6It.s full &ark!7 I sai& at last" 6;e ha& best go back to the ca $"7 She sighe&! but she straightene& u$" She took back to ca $! but she tugge& back on other a%ay" Ji'e e that y han&" 6Be %ith

6@ust for here an& 4ust for no%" ;ith gentleness an& frien&shi$" To take the , uch of yourself"7 an& ali'e an& it %oul& yself an& %hat I felt to e+ I I %ante& her" I %ante& her %ith a &es$eration that ha& nothing to &o %ith lo'e! an& e'en! I belie'e! little to &o %ith lust" She %as %ar so eho% arisen fro it unchange& in ho% I thought of ha'e been s%eet an& si $le hu an co fort" If I coul& ha'e been %ith her! an& for -olly! I %oul& ha'e &one so" But %hat I felt for -olly %as not so ething that %as only for %hen %e %ere together" I ha& gi'en -olly that clai
1211

coul& not rescin& it si $ly because %e %ere a$art for a ti e" I &i& not think there %ere %or&s that coul& Starling ste$$e& close to a%ay!7 she sai& )uietly" 6I coul& not sen& hi Her han& on far enough that he %oul& not kno% e'erything of %hat %e share&!7 I tol& her truthfully" y face %as su&&enly still" 6E'erything07 she aske&" Her 'oice %as full of &is ay" E'erything" He ca e an& sat &o%n besi&e us" #nother rabbit &angle& in his 4a%s" 6;e are ;it/bon&e&" ;e share e'erything"7 She took her han& fro y face an& stoo& clear of e" She stare& &o%n at the &ark sha$e of the %olf" 6Then all I 4ust tol& you ,7 6He un&erstan&s it in his o%n %ay" 5ot as another hu an %oul&! but ,7 6Ho% &i& -olly feel about that07 she abru$tly &e an&e&" I took a shar$ breath" I ha& not ex$ecte& our con'ersation to take this turn" 6She ne'er kne%!7 I tol& her" 5ighteyes starte& back to the ca $" I follo%e& hi ore slo%ly" Behin& e ca e Starling" 6#n& %hen she &oes kno%07 Starling $resse&" 6She %ill 4ust acce$t this , sharing07 6*robably not!7 I uttere& un%illingly" ;hy &i& Starling al%ays ake e think of things I ha& a'oi&e& consi&ering0 6;hat if she forces you to choose bet%een her an& the %olf07 I halte& in y tracks for an instant" Then I starte& %alking again! a bit faster" e! but I refuse& to think about it" It coul& not be! it
1212

ake Starling un&erstan& that in choosing -olly I e" She ran a han& u$ y chest to the si&e of y outh" 6Sen& hi y

%as not re4ecting her" So instea& I sai&! 65ighteyes co es" He has a rabbit"7 neck" Her fingers trace& the line of y 4a% an& caresse&

The )uestion hung aroun&

coul& ne'er co e to that" Yet a 'oice %his$ere& insi&e the truth! it %ill co e to that" It )uestion I %as hi&ing fro " 6I &on.t kno%!7 I sai& gri ly" 6Oh!7 she sai&" Then after a ti e! she a&&e&! 6;hen a eans! F5o! I %on.t! but fro $reten& I e'entually inten& to &o it". 6 6;oul& you $lease shut u$07 There %as no strength in Starling follo%e& $ity" You! or her"7 6Both of us! $erha$s!7 I suggeste& stonily" I %ante& no ust"7

e! 6If you tell -olly e the one

6You are going to tell her! aren.t you07 Starling relentlessly aske&

an says that! it usually

ti e to ti e! I.ll toy %ith the i&ea! so I can y %or&s"

e silently" #fter a ti e! she obser'e&! 6I &on.t kno% %ho to ore %or&s about it"

The Fool %as on %atch %hen %e got back to ca $" (ettle an& (ettricken %ere aslee$" 6Joo& hunting07 he aske& in a co ra&ely %ay as %e a$$roache&" I shrugge&" 5ighteyes %as alrea&y gna%ing his %ay through the rabbit he ha& carrie&" He s$ra%le& contente&ly by the Fool.s feet" 6Joo& enough"7 I hel& u$ the other rabbit" The Fool took it fro $ole" 6Breakfast!7 he tol& rea& in y face! for he e cal ly" His eyes &arte& to Starling.s face! but if he a&e no 4est of it" I &on.t kno% %hat he ent on it" She follo%e& e into the tent" I y be&&ing" ;hen I felt her settle ake it easy to fall aslee$" anage& a &rea of a&e no co coul& tell she ha& been %ee$ing! he $ulle& off &eci&e& it e an& casually hung it fro the tent

y boots an& sank gratefully into y back a fe% eant she ha& forgi'en

herself against

o ents later! I %as not 'ery sur$rise&" I e" It &i& not y %alls! but so eho% I

But e'entually I &i&" I ha& set u$ an& 5ettle sle$t" The %olf %as at

y 'ery o%n" I &rea e& that I sat by -olly.s be& an& %atche& o'er her as she y feet! %hile in the chi ney corner the Fool
1218

sat on a stool an& no&&e& to hi self %ell $lease&" (ettle.s ga ecloth %as s$rea& on the table! but instea& of stones! it ha& tiny statues of &ifferent &ragons in %hite an& black" The re& stones %ere shi$s! an& it %as ha& the $iece in -olly slee$" It %as al ost a $eaceful &rea " y o'e" I y han& that coul& %in the ga e! but I only %ishe& to %atch

9H#*TER THIRTY/O5E Elfbark THERE #RE # nu ber of ol& 6;hite *ro$hecies7 that to the betrayal of the 9atalyst" ;hite 9olu n says of this e'ent! 6By his lo'e is he betraye&! an& his lo'e betraye& also"7 # lesser kno%n scribe an& $ro$het! Jant the ;hite! goes into ore &etail" 6The heart of the 9atalyst is bare& to a truste& one" #ll confi&ence is gi'en! an& all confi&ence betraye&" The chil& of the 9atalyst is gi'en into his ene ies. han&s by one %hose lo'e an& loyalty are abo'e )uestion"7 The other $ro$hecies are ore obli)ue! but in each case the inference is that the 9atalyst is betraye& by one %ho has his i $licit trust" Early the next consulte& her orning! as %e ate toaste& bits of rabbit eat! (ettricken an& I

a$ again" ;e scarcely nee&e& it any ore! %e both kne% it so

%ell" But it %as a thing to set bet%een us an& $oint at as %e &iscusse& things" (ettricken trace& a fa&ing line on the battere& scroll" 6;e shall ha'e to return to the colu n in the stone circle! an& then follo% the Skill roa& for so e little %ay beyon& it" Right u$ to our final &estination! I belie'e"7 6I ha'e no great %ish to %alk u$on that roa& again!7 I tol& her honestly" 6E'en %alking besi&e it strains e" But I su$$ose there is no hel$ for it"7
121<

65one that I can see"7 She %as too $reoccu$ie& to offer uch sy $athy" I looke& at the %o an" The once glea ing blon& hair %as a short scruffy brai&" 9ol& an& %in& ha& %eathere& her face! cha$$ing her li$s an& etching fine lines at the corners of her eyes an& outh! to say nothing of the &ee$er %orry lines in her bro% an& uster as a cha ber ai& in bet%een her eyes" Her clothing %as tra'el/staine& an& %orn" The Iueen of the Six Duchies coul& not e'en ha'e $asse& Tra&efor&" I su&&enly %ante& to reach out to her" I coul& think of no %ay to &o so" So I si $ly sai&! 6;e %ill get there! an& %e %ill fin& Aerity"7 She lifte& her eyes to eet ine" She trie& to $ut faith into her ga1e an& 'oice o'e& our ca $ so often! it no longer took any as she sai&! 6Yes! %e %ill"7 I hear& only courage" ;e ha& torn &o%n an& thought" ;e thought to yself" e" He ca e to $ush his hea& against ate akes you sen& y o'e& as a unit! al ost as a single creature" =ike a coterie! I

=ike a $ack! 5ighteyes correcte&

han&" I $ause& an& scratche& his ears an& throat thoroughly" He close& his eyes an& lai& back his ears in $leasure" If your shall iss this greatly" ake you choose" I %on.t let that ha$$en" You belie'e she %ill I refuse to think about it 4ust no%" #h: He fell o'er on his si&e! then rolle& to his back so I coul& scratch his belly" He bare& his teeth in a %olfish s ile" You li'e in the no% an& refuse to think of %hat ay co e" But I! I fin& I can think of little else sa'e %hat e! ay co e to be" These ti es ha'e been goo& for hunting together! sharing 9ubs are nee&e& to y brother" =i'ing %ith others! e a%ay! I

eat" But the ho%ling bitch ha& it aright last night"

ake a $ack" #n& your cub ,

121?

I cannot think of that 4ust no%" I sur'i'e! an& all I 6Fit10 #re you all right07 It %as Starling+ co ing to take looke& at her! %akene& fro grin" 6I.

ust think only of %hat I

ust &o to&ay to

ust &o before I can ho$e to go ho e" e by the elbo% an& gi'e e a s all shake" I

y be use ent" The ho%ling bitch" I trie& not to

fine" I %as %ith 5ighteyes" 6

6Oh"7 She glance& &o%n at the %olf! an& I sa% her struggle again to gras$ 4ust %hat %e share&" Then she shrugge& it off" 6Rea&y to lea'e07 6If e'eryone else is"7 6They see an& sa% hi to be"7 sitting silently on to$ of his $ack" His han& reste& lightly u$on She %ent to hel$ (ettricken loa& the final 4e$$a" I glance& about for the Fool! one of the stone &ragons an& he ha& a fara%ay look on his face" I %alke& u$ softly behin& hi " 6#re you all right07 I aske& )uietly" He &i& not 4u $" He ne'er startle&" He 4ust turne& his $ale ga1e u$ to eet ine" The look of his face %as a lost yearning %ith none of his usual shar$ %it to it" 6Fit1" Ha'e you e'er felt you recalle& so ething! but %hen you gro$e& after it! there %as nothing there07 6So eti es!7 I sai&" 6I think it ha$$ens to e'eryone"7 65o" This is &ifferent!7 he insiste& )uietly" 6Since I stoo& on that stone the &ay before yester&ay! an& su&&enly gli $se& the ol& %orl& that %as here , I kee$ ha'ing o&& half/ e ories" =ike hi "7 He stroke& the &ragon.s hea& gently! a lo'er.s caress to the %e&ge/sha$e& re$tilian hea&" 6I can al ost re e ber kno%ing hi "7 He su&&enly fixe& back then07 I ga'e a s all shrug" 6It %as like a $lying their tra&es" # busy &ay"7
121B

e %ith a $lea&ing look" 6;hat &i& you see! arket $la1a! %ith sho$s aroun& it! an& folk

6Di& you see 6I.

e07 he aske& 'ery )uietly"

not sure"7 I su&&enly felt 'ery uneasy! s$eaking about it" 6;here you

%ere! there %as so eone else" She %as like you! in a %ay" 5o color to her! an& beha'ing! I think! as a 4ester" You s$oke of her cro%n! car'e& like rooster hea&s an& tails"7 6Di& I0 Fit1! I can recall little of %hat I sai& i e&iately after%ar&" I only recall the feeling! an& ho% s%iftly it fa&e&" Briefly! I %as connecte& to e'erything" *art of it all" It %as %on&erful! like feeling a surge of lo'e or gli $sing so ething $erfectly beautiful or ,7 He struggle& for %or&s" 6The Skill is like that!7 I tol& hi %hat a Skill user softly" 6;hat you felt is the $ull of it" It is ust constantly resist! lest he be s%e$t a%ay on it"7

6So that %as Skilling!7 he obser'e& to hi self" 6;hen you first ca e out of it! you %ere ecstatic" You sai& so ething about so ebo&y.s &ragon that you %ere to intro&uce" It 6#h" -y &rea a&e s all sense" =et e think" Real&er.s &ragon" #n& he ha& $ro ise& to fly you"7 last night" Real&er" That %as your na e"7 He caresse& the y si&e! e'ery y neck stoo& statue.s hea& as he s$oke" ;hen he &i& so! the o&&est thing ha$$ene&" -y ;it/ sense of the statue surge& an& 5ighteyes ca e s$ringing to hackle on his back stan&ing erect" I kno% the hair on the back of shot us a $u11le& glance" 6;hat is it07 6The statues see ali'e to us" To both 5ighteyes an& e" #n& %hen you s$oke y breath as he sai& it! y that na e! it al ost see e& to stir"7 6Real&er!7 the Fool re$eate& ex$eri entally" I caught but felt no res$onse" He glance& at ar e an& I shook y hea&" 6@ust stone! Fit1"

u$ as %ell! an& I recoile&! ex$ecting the statue to su&&enly stir to life" The Fool

9ol& an& beautiful stone" I think $erha$s your ner'es are fraying"7 He took co $anionably an& %e %alke& a%ay fro
121C

the statues an& back to the

fa&e& trail" The others %ere alrea&y out of sight! sa'e for (ettle" She stoo& leaning on her stick an& glaring back at us" Instincti'ely I )uickene& ;hen %e got to the $lace %here she %aite&! she took y $ace" y other ar ! an& then y ar in

i $eriously %a'e& at the Fool to $rece&e us" ;e follo%e& hi ! but at a slo%er $ace" ;hen he %as a substantial &istance ahea& of us! she s)uee1e& a gri$ of steel an& &e an&e&! 6;ell07 For an instant I looke& at her blankly" Then! 6I ha'en.t %orke& it out yet!7 I a$ologi1e& to her" 6That uch is $lain!7 she tol& e se'erely" She sucke& on her teeth for a o ent! fro%ne& at For e! nearly s$oke! an& then shook her hea& briskly at y ar "

herself" She &i& not let go of ga e $u11le"

uch of the rest of the &ay! as I %alke&! silently by her si&e! I $on&ere& the

I &o not think there is anything )uite so te&ious as retracing one.s ste$s %hen one is &es$erate to get so e%here" 5o% that %e %ere no longer follo%ing an ancient roa& near in'isible in o'ergro%th! %e follo%e& our o%n tra $le& %ay back through the arshy forest an& u$ into the hills! an& a&e better s$ee& arch to the e&ge of the $la1a of y sake that lea'ing than %e ha& in getting there" ;ith the shifting of the seasons! the &aylight %as lingering longer! an& (ettricken $ushe& our black stone %hen %e &usk" Thus it %as that %e foun& oursel'es only one hill a%ay fro a&e our ca $ that night" I think it %as for ust"

(ettricken chose to ca $ on the ancient roa& for another night" I ha& no &esire to slee$ any closer to that crossroa&s than I 6I. Shall %e hunt0 5ighteyes &e an&e& as soon as our shelter %as set" going hunting!7 I announce& to the others" (ettle glance& u$ the Skill roa&!7 she %arne&
121D

&isa$$ro'ingly" 6Stay %ell a%ay fro e"

The Fool sur$rise& &oesn.t in&"7

e by co ing to his feet" 6I shall go %ith the " If the %olf

The Scentless One is %elco e" 6You are %elco e to go %ith us" But are you sure you feel that strong07 6If I get tire&! I can co e back!7 the Fool $ointe& out" #s %e stro&e off into the &ee$ening &usk! (ettricken %as $oring o'er her %arne& e as I left" 6#n& stay a%ay fro the Skill roa&!7 she re$eate&" oon saile&" =ight fro her cre$t an& a$ an& (ettle %as on %atch" 6Don.t be long! or I shall co e an& fin& you!7 she So e%here abo'e the trees! a full

snake& &o%n in sil'ery s$ills through the ne%ly leafe& branches to illu inate our %ay" For a ti e %e si $ly tra'ele& together through the $leasantly o$en %oo&s" The %olf.s senses su$$le ente& ine" The night %as ali'e %ith the s ells of gro%ing things an& the calls of tiny frogs an& night insects" The night air ha& a cris$er bite to it than the &ay &i&" ;e foun& a ga e trail an& follo%e& it" The Fool ke$t $ace %ith us! saying not a %or&" I breathe& in &ee$ly an& then sighe& it out" Des$ite e'erything else! I hear& Yes" It is" I shall iss it" ay ne'er co e" =et us 4ust hunt! I suggeste&! an& %e o'e& %ith the forest! sli&ing near yself say! This is goo&"

I kne% he %as thinking of %hat Starling ha& sai& the night before" =et us not think of to orro%s that &i&" The Fool an& I ke$t to the trail an& the %olf 'eere& off through the %oo&s! to s$ook ga e back to%ar& us" ;e noiselessly through the night! e'ery sense alert" I ca e across a $orcu$ine trun&ling along through the night! but I &i& not feel like clubbing it to &eath! let alone gingerly skinning it before %e coul& eat" I %ante& si $le eat tonight" e" If %e ;ith great &ifficulty! I $ersua&e& 5ighteyes to seek other $rey %ith s%ift of foot! I $ointe& out to hi "
121E

&o not fin& anything else! %e can al%ays co e back for it" They are not exactly

He agree& gru&gingly! an& %e )uartere& out again" On an o$en hillsi&e still %ar fro the sun! 5ighteyes s$otte& the flick of an ear an& the glint of a bright eye" In t%o boun&s he %as on to$ of the rabbit" His s$ring starte& another rabbit that fle& to%ar& the to$ of the hill" I ga'e chase! but the Fool calle& out he %as going back no%" Half%ay u$ the hill! I kne% I %oul& not catch hi " I %as tire& fro the long &ay of %alking an& the rabbit %as in fear o'e& lightly through the trees" On it I caught of its life" By the ti e I reache& the to$ of the hill! it %as no%here in sight" I halte&! $anting" The night %in& a scent! at once strange an& o&&ly fa iliar" I coul& not i&entify it! but all the connotations to it %ere un$leasant" ;hile I stoo&! nostrils flare&! trying to $lace it! 5ighteyes race& soun&lessly u$ to for &anger" 5o: Be s all in your in&" eant! an& thre% y Skill %alls u$ in a This ti e I instantly gras$e& %hat he e" Be s all: he or&ere& e" I &i&n.t $ause to think! but obeye&! crouching %here I %as an& $eering about

$anic" His keener nose ha& instantly associate& the faint scent on the air %ith the scent of Burl.s clothing in his sa&&lebags" I crouche& as s all as I coul& ake yself an& set an& reset y boun&aries about y in&! e'en as I $lea&e& %ith reality that it %as next to i $ossible that he be here" Fear can be a $o%erful s$ur to the in&" I su&&enly gras$e& %hat shoul& the crossroa&s $la1a an& al%ays ha'e been ob'ious" ;e %ere not that far fro not

the black gui&e$ost there" The sy bols car'e& on the gui&e$ost colu ns &i& erely in&icate %here the a&4acent roa&s le&+ they also in&icate& %here the the ancient city to any arke& location sign$osts coul& trans$ort one" #ny%here there %as a colu n! one coul& be trans$orte& to the next colu n" Fro %as no e right no%"
122H

ore than a ste$ a%ay" #ll three of the

coul& be but ste$s a%ay fro

5o" There is only the one! an& he is not e'en close to us" >se your nose! if not your brain! 5ighteyes scathingly reassure& offere& casually" *lease" But be careful of yourself" 5ighteyes snorte& softly in &is&ain" He is fatter far than that %il& $ig I kille&" He $uffs an& s%eats 4ust to %alk &o%n the trail" =ie still! little brother! %hile I get ri& of hi " Silent as &eath! the %olf o'e& off through the forest" y nostrils I crouche& an eternity! %aiting to hear so ething! a snarl! a screa ! the noises of so eone running through the brush" There %as nothing" I flare& to crouch an& %ait" I surge& to but coul& catch no trace of the elusi'e scent" Su&&enly I coul& no longer stan& y feet an& follo%e& the %olf! as silently lethal uch attention to it at all" as he" Before! %hen %e ha& been hunting! I ha& not $ai& e" Shall I kill hi for you0 he

%here %e ha& gone" 5o% I $ercei'e& that %e ha& a$$roache& closer to the Skill roa& than I ha& sus$ecte&+ that our ca $site %as not that far fro =ike a strain of &istant brush I. y senses %hile I %here I stoo& an& stoo& still" I %ille& y usic! I %as su&&enly a%are of their Skilling" I halte& in& to stillness! an& let their Skill $oise& a&e no res$onse"

close" Burl! breathless %ith both excite ent an& fear" I sense& hi

an& %aiting" I feel hi ! he &ra%s near" # $ause" Oh! I like not this $lace" I like it not at all" Be cal " # touch is all it %ill take" Touch hi %ill co e &o%n" ;ill s$oke! #n& if he has a knife0 He %on.t ha'e ti e to use it" Belie'e an& &o the rest" ;hy e0 ;hy not you or 9arro&0
1221

as I sho%e& you! an& his %alls

aster to a$$rentice" e" 5o an.s %alls can stan& before that

touch! I $ro ise you" #ll you nee& &o is touch hi " I %ill co e through you

;oul& you really rather ha'e 9arro&.s task0 Besi&es! you are the one %ho ha& the Bastar& in your $o%er an& %as stu$i& enough to try to hol& hi care to feel our king.s %rath again0 I felt Burl shi'er" #n& I tre ble&! too! for I felt hi " Regal" The thoughts %ere ;ill.s! but so eho%! so e%here! Regal hear& the ! too" I %on&ere& if Burl kne% as $lainly as I &i& that no Regal %oul& en4oy gi'ing hi atter %hether he kille& the Bastar& or not! e ory of torturing hi at all %ithout $ain again" That the in a cage" Jo an& co $lete the task you shoul& ha'e finishe& long ago" Or %oul& you

%as so $leasurable a one that Regal coul& no longer think of hi being re in&e& of ho% co $letely it ha& satiate& hi " Briefly" I %as gla& I %as not Burl" There: That %as the Bastar&: Fin& hi : I shoul& ha'e &ie& then! by all rights" ;ill ha& foun& taken" He baye& on There %as a y trail like a houn&" I ha'e hi :

e! ha& foun&

careless thought floating in the air" -y brief sy $athy for Burl %as all it ha& o ent of $oise& tension" -y heart ha e! ere& against y ribs as ouse %as

I sent the ;it )uesting out all aroun& Yet Burl ha& sai& he &re% near to fro y ;it/sense0 The thought

e" 5othing bigger than a

close by" I foun& 5ighteyes &o%n the hill fro a&e

o'ing %ith s%ift stealth"

e" Ha& he foun& a %ay to shiel& hi self y knees %eak"

So e%here far &o%n the hill! I hear& the crash of a bo&y through brush an& a an.s shout" The %olf %as on hi ! I thought" 5o! brother! not I" I coul& scarcely un&erstan& the %olf.s thought" I reele& %ith a Skilli $act! yet coul& feel no source for it" -y senses contra&icte& each other! as if I $lunge& into %ater an& felt it as san&" ;ith no clear i&ea of %hat I &i&! I began a sha bling run &o%n the hill"
1222

This is not hi : ;ill! in great anger an& agitation" ;hat is this0 ;ho is this0 # $ause of consternation" It.s that freak thing! the Fool: Then 'ast anger" ;here is the Bastar&0 Burl! you clu sy hi " But it %as not I! but 5ighteyes %ho charge& &o%n on Burl" E'en at y &istance! I coul& hear his snarls" In the &ark %oo&s belo%! a %olf launche& hi self at Burl! an& the Skill/shriek he sent u$ at the sight of those ra'ening 4a%s co ing to%ar& his face %as such that ;ill %as &istracte&" In that instant! I sla e& u$ y %alls! an& race& to 4oin y %olf in the $hysical attack on Burl" uch farther a%ay than I ha& I %as &oo e& to &isa$$oint ent" They %ere Fat an& clu sy as the %olf oron: You ha'e betraye& us all to

thought the " I ne'er e'en got a gli $se of Burl! sa'e through the %olf.s eyes" ight think Burl! he $ro'e& an excellent runner %hen the %olf %as at his heels" E'en so! 5ighteyes %oul& ha'e $ulle& hi &o%n if he ha& ha& any farther to go than he &i&" #t his first s$ring! 5ighteyes got only his cloak as Burl s$un" His secon& attack tore legging an& flesh! but Burl fle& as if unin4ure&" 5ighteyes sa% hi $al reach the e&ge of the black flagge& $la1a an& race u$ to the colu n! one han& outstretche& $lea&ingly" His sla$$e& the shining stone! an& Burl su&&enly 'anishe& into the colu n" the stan&ing stone as if Burl ha& lea$e& into a bla1ing it! snarling furiously! not only in anger but The %olf brace& his legs to halt! his feet skittering on the slick stone" He co%ere& back fro bonfire" He halte& a han&s$an fro stu bling in the &ark" Su&&enly there %as a %a'e of Skill" It i $act flung a&e no $hysical anifestation! yet the e" It left e &a1e&! e" I lay e to the groun& an& &ro'e the breath out of

in sa'age fear" #ll this I kne%! although I %as a hillsi&e a%ay! running an&

ears ringing! hel$lessly o$en to anyone %ho

ight %ish to $ossess

1228

there! sick an& stunne&" *erha$s that %as %hat sa'e& felt absolutely no trace of Skill %ithin yself"

e! that at that

o ent I

But I hear& the others" There %as no sense to their Skilling! only a%estruck fear" Then they fa&e& in the &istance! as if the Skill ri'er itself %ashe& the a%ay" I al ost %ent reaching after the ! in be%il&er ent %ashe& against 'oice" 5ighteyes: I. alrea&y on y %ay" 9atch u$: the %olf tol& e gri ly" I &i& as I %as tol&" e" The fire ha& y heart lessene& I %as scratche& an& &irty an& one trouser leg %as torn at the knee %hen I reache& the yurt" (ettle %as stan&ing outsi&e it! %aiting for been built u$ as a beacon" #t the sight of her the $oun&ing of I &e an&e& as I charge& u$ to her" 6The Fool!7 she sai&! an& a&&e&! 6;e hear& an outcry an& race& outsi&e" Then I hear& the %olf snarling" ;e %ent to%ar& the soun& an& foun& the Fool"7 She shook her hea&" 6I a not sure %hat has ha$$ene& to hi "7 e by the ar " She %as e to face her" 6You %ere I starte& to $ush $ast her into the tent! but she caught sur$risingly strong for an ol& %o an" She halte& attacke&07 she &e an&e&" 6In a %ay"7 Briefly I tol& her %hat ha& ha$$ene&" Her eyes %i&ene& as I s$oke of that Skill/%a'e" ;hen I %as finishe&! she no&&e& to herself! gri ly confir ing her sus$icions" 6They reache& for you an& sei1e& hi instea&" He has not the faintest i&ea of still"7 ho% to $rotect hi self" For all I kno%! they ha'e hi
122<

y a a1e ent at %hat I sense&"

They see e& to ha'e been shattere& to frag ents" Their &%in&ling e" I close& y eyes" y na e" *anic staine& her Then I hear& (ettle.s 'oice frantically calling

so e%hat" I ha& half/belie'e& that they %ere being attacke&" 6;hat.s %rong07

6;hat0 Ho%07 I aske& nu bly" 6Back there at the $la1a" You t%o %ere Skill/linke&! ho%e'er briefly! by the strength of the stone an& the strength of %ho you are" It lea'es a , sort of a $ath" The ore often t%o are linke&! the stronger it beco es" ;ith fre)uency it beco es a bon&! like a coterie bon&" Others %ho are Skille& can see such bon&s! if they look for the " Often they are like back &oors! unguar&e& %ays into a Skille& one.s in your stea&"7 The look on s$eaking to hi y face a&e her let go y ar " I $ushe& y %ay into the tent" There %as a tiny fire burning in the bra1ier" (ettricken knelt by the Fool! lo% an& earnestly" Starling sat un o'ing in her be&&ing! $ale an& staring at hi ! %hile the %olf restlessly $ro%le& the cro%&e& interior of the tent" His hackles still stoo& high" I %ent )uickly to kneel by the Fool" #t first gli $se of hi ! I recoile&" I ha& ex$ecte& hi to lie li $ly unconscious" Instea& he %as rigi&! his eyes o$en an& uscles an& the coolness of his eyeballs t%itching about as if he %atche& so e terrible struggle %e coul& not %itness" I touche& his ar " The rigi&ity of his his bo&y re in&e& of hearing 6Touch hi It sha es at first an& then e of a cor$se" 6Fool07 I aske& hi " He ga'e no sign at all in&" This ti e! ho%e'er! I %oul& say they foun& the Fool

e" 6Fool:7 I crie& lou&er! an& leane& o'er hi " I shook hi ! lightly ore 'iolently" It ha& no effect" e gruffly" 6But be careful" If uch as I lo'e& the Fool! I y han& an& Skill to hi !7 (ettle instructe& e to say that I fro1e for an instant" #s

they still ha'e hi ! you $ut yourself at risk as %ell"7 feare& ;ill still" I reache& at last! a secon& an& an eternity later! to $ut on his bro%" 6Don.t be afrai&!7 (ettle tol& $araly1e& e! 6If they ha'e hi e uselessly" #n& then a&&e& that %hich al ost an& hol& hi
122?

still! it is only a

atter of ti e

before they use the link bet%een you to take you as %ell" Your only choice is to battle the han& on &ro$$e& fro his in&" Jo on! no%"7 y shoul&er! an& for one eerie o ent! it %as Shre%&.s e" Then she ga'e e a y han&" I She set her han& to

y shoul&er! &ra%ing Skill/strength fro y Skill %alls"

reassuring little $at" I close&

y eyes! felt the Fool.s bro% un&er

The Skill ri'er flo%e&! full to floo&ti e! an& I fell into it" # e&ges of recoile& fro

o ent to gain

orientation" I kne% an instant of terror as I sense& ;ill an& Burl at the 'ery y $erce$tion" They %ere in great agitation about so ething" I the as if I ha& brushe& a hot sto'e! an& narro%e& y focus" The e! like a bright

Fool! the Fool! only the Fool" I sought for hi ! I al ost foun& hi " Oh! he %as $assing strange! an& sur$assing strange" He &arte& an& elu&e& gol& car$ in a %ee&y $ool! like the being &a11le& by the sun" #s %ell to clutch at the i&night $on& as to seek a gri$ on that bright $o%er in the briefest flashes of insight" In a otes that &ance before one.s eyes after oon.s reflection in a still ar'ele& in&" I kne% his beauty an& his

o ent I un&erstoo& an&

at all that he %as! an& in the next I ha& forgotten that un&erstan&ing" Then! %ith an insight %orthy of the stone ga e! I kne% %hat to &o" Rather than atte $t to sei1e hi ! I surroun&e& hi " I but si $ly to enco $ass all that I sa% of hi re in&e& this for to s$ill e! hel$ing e contain a&e no effort to in'a&e or ca$ture! an& hol& it se$arate fro har " It

e of %hen I ha& first been learning to Skill" Often Aerity ha& &one yself %hen the current of the Skill threatene& e %i&e to the %orl&" I stea&ie& the Fool as he gathere& hi self back y %rist" 6Sto$ it!7 he begge& gently" e that he thought he nee&e& that %or&" I y eyes" I blinke& a fe% ti es! an&

into hi self" I su&&enly felt a cool clas$ing of 6*lease!7 he a&&e&! an& it s ote %ith&re% fro

y seeking an& o$ene&

122B

then %as sur$rise& to fin&

yself shi'ering %ith the col& s%eat that cloake& outh! as if he %ere not sure he %as y ner'es been so ra% fro reaching

e" It %as i $ossible for the Fool to look any $aler than he al%ays %as! but there %as a tentati'e look to his eyes an& a%ake" -y eyes bon&! thin as a threa&! but there" Ha& not 6I &i& not like that!7 he sai& )uietly" 6I a sorry!7 I tol& hi gently" 6I thought they ha& hol& of you! so I %ent eant the others"7 He s%allo%e& as if in&! in y e ories" S ashing an& seeking you"7 He %a'e& a han& feebly" 6Oh! not you" I sickene&" 6They %ere %ithin e" In y et his! an& I felt al ost a 4olt of a%areness of hi " # Skill/

after hi ! I $robably %oul& not ha'e felt it at all"

befouling like e'il! la%less chil&ren" They ,7 His eyes %ent glassy" 6;as it Burl07 I suggeste& gently" 6#h" Yes" That is his na e! though he scarce re e bers it hi self these &ays" ;ill an& Regal ha'e taken hi hi into o'er for their o%n uses" They ca e through e! thinking they ha& foun& you ,7 His 'oice &%in&le& off" 6Or so it in& %ithout e your

see s" Ho% coul& I kno% such a thing07 6The Skill brings strange insights" They cannot o'erco e your sho%ing elfbark"7 Ii e&iately reache& for y $ack to &ig it out! but I coul& not resist asking ay gi'e hi the her chi&ingly! 6I thought you sai& this herb %as not beneficial"7 6It isn.t!7 she sai& tersely" 6For Skill users" But for hi ! it &oubt" If they can in'a&e hi ! e'en for a you" It is an ol& trick"7
122C

uch of their o%n!7 (ettle infor e& hi

gru&gingly" She took a

s all $ot of stea ing %ater off the bra1ier" To

e she a&&e&! 6Ji'e

$rotection he cannot $ro'i&e for hi self" They %ill try this again! I &o not o ent! they %ill use hi to fin&

6One I ha'e ne'er hear& of!7 I $ointe& out as I han&e& her

y bag of elfbark" y

She shook so e into a cu$! an& a&&e& boiling %ater" Then she cal ly $ut as useless asking for the 6Ho% &o you kno% so back" uch about Skill

bag of herbs into her $ack" It %as ob'iously not an o'ersight! an& I &is isse& atters07 the Fool aske& her

$ointe&ly" He %as reco'ering so e of his s$irit" 6*erha$s I learne& by listening instea& of asking $ersonal )uestions all the ti e!7 she sna$$e& at hi " 65o%! you are going to &rink this!7 she a&&e&! as if she regar&e& the to$ic as settle&" If I ha& not been so anxious! it %oul& ha'e been hu orous to see the Fool so &eftly )uelle&" The Fool took the cu$ but looke& o'er at the last0 They hel& fin& e" 6;hat %as that! that ha$$ene& at e! an& then su&&enly! it %as all earth)uake an& floo& an&

fire at once"7 He knit his bro%" 6#n& then I %as gone! scattere&" I coul& not yself" Then you ca e ,7 e %hat has ha$$ene& this night07 6;oul& anyone care to ex$lain to (ettricken aske& a bit testily" I half ex$ecte& (ettle to ans%er but she ke$t silent" The Fool lo%ere& his ug of tea" 6It is a har& thing to ex$lain! y )ueen" =ike your be& an& t%o ruffians bursting into your be&cha ber! &ragging you fro &isco'ere& I %as not the Fit1! they %ere 'ery angry %ith s$eaking! of course"7 6They let you go07 I aske& &elighte&ly" I instantly turne& to (ettle" 6They are not as cle'er as you feare&! then:7

shaking you! all the %hile calling you by another.s na e" #n& %hen they e" Then ca e the earth)uake an& I %as &ro$$e&" Do%n se'eral flights of stairs" -eta$horically/

122D

(ettle sco%le& at 6Di& they let hi $o%er %as that07

e" 65or you as cle'er as I ha& ho$e&!7 she go0 Or &i& a Skill/blast shake the

uttere& &arkly"

loose0 #n& if so! %hose e" 6They

6Aerity!7 I sai& %ith su&&en certainty" 9o $rehension %ashe& o'er attacke& Aerity tonight as %ell: #n& he &efeate& the :7

6Of %hat &o you s$eak07 (ettricken &e an&e& in her Iueen.s 'oice" 6;ho attacke& y king0 ;hat kno%le&ge of these others %ho attack the Fool &oes y la&y! I assure you:7 I &eclare& hastily" e" 6-y )ueen! I ha'e a scholar.s o ent back in the $la1a! I feare& tonight" *erha$s the (ettle ha'e07 65o $ersonal kno%le&ge! 6Oh! &o shut u$:7 (ettle sna$$e& at *ro$het an& 9atalyst %ere 4oine& for that they

kno%le&ge! if you %ill! of one %ho has stu&ie& but cannot &o a thing" Since ight share a bon& the Skill users coul& turn against the " But either the

coterie &oes not kno% this! or so ething &istracte& the Skill/%a'e that Fit1 s$oke of"7

6This Skill/%a'e , you belie'e it %as Aerity.s &oing07 (ettricken.s breath %as su&&enly s%ift! her color heightene&" 6Only fro hi ha'e I e'er felt such strength!7 I tol& her" an" #n& 6Then he li'es!7 she sai& softly" 6He li'es"7 6*erha$s!7 sai& (ettle sourly" 6To blast %ith Skill like that can kill a it ay not ha'e been Aerity at all" It Regal to get at Fit1"7 65o" I tol& you" It scattere& the 6#n& I tol& you" They like chaff in a %in&"7 ay ha'e &estroye& the sel'es in trying to kill you"7 ay ha'e been a faile& effort by ;ill an&

I ha& thought that (ettricken %oul& chi&e her! but both she an& Starling stare& %i&e/eye& in astonish ent on (ettle.s su&&en $rofessing of Skill kno%le&ge"

122E

6Ho% kin& of you both to ha'e %arne& courtesy" 6I &i&n.t kno% ,7 I began on it" ;e can

e so %ell!7 the Fool sai& %ith aci& e"

y $rotest! but again (ettle o'erro&e

6It %oul& ha'e &one no goo& to %arn you! sa'e to $ut your

in& to &%elling

ake this co $arison" It has taken all our co bine& effort to

kee$ Fit1 both focuse& an& sane on the Skill roa&" He %oul& ne'er ha'e sur'i'e& his 4ourney into the city! ha& not his senses been nu be& %ith elfbark first" Yet these others tra'el the roa& an& use the Skill beacons freely" Ob'iously their strength o'er atches his by &o07 5o one re$lie& to her )uestioning of herself" She looke& u$ su&&enly at the Fool an& e accusingly" 6This cannot be right" It si $ly cannot be right" The ore than boys" Jreen to *ro$het an& the 9atalyst! an& you are scarcely ones sent to sa'e the %orl&07 The Fool an& I exchange& glances! an& I sa% hi But at that take a breath to re$ly to her" akes the o ent! Starling sna$$e& her fingers" 6#n& that is %hat uch" #h! %hat to &o! %hat to

anhoo&! untraine& in Skill! full of $ranks an& lo'esick %oes" These are the

song:7 she exclai e& su&&enly! her face transfigure& %ith &elight" 65ot a song of heroic strength an& ighty/the%e& %arriors" 5o" # song of t%o! grace& only anhoo&!. so ething! ah ,7 %ith frien&shi$.s strength" Each $ossesse& of a loyalty to a king that %oul& not be &enie&" #n& that in the refrain , FJreen of The Fool caught y eye! glance& eaningfully &o%n at hi self" 6Jreen y )ueen! I burst out laughing"

anhoo&0 I really shoul& ha'e sho%e& her!7 he sai& )uietly" #n& &es$ite e'erything! &es$ite e'en the glo%ering of 6Oh! sto$ it!7 (ettle rebuke& us! %ith such &iscourage ent in her 'oice that I %as instantly sober" 6It is neither the ti e for songs nor kna'ery" #re you both too foolish to see the &anger you are in0 The &anger you $ut all of us in %ith
128H

your 'ulnerability07 I %atche& her as she reluctantly took &o!7 she a$ologi1e& to (ettricken" 6;hat is that07 she aske&" 6To &rug the Fool at least %ith elfbark" It %ill &eafen hi thoughts fro the "7 6Elfbark &oesn.t %ork like that:7 I ob4ecte& in&ignantly" 6Doesn.t it07 (ettle turne& on

y elfbark out of her

$ack again an& $ut her kettle back to boil" 6It is the only thing I can think of to

to the ! an& hi&e his

e fiercely" 6Then %hy %as it use& tra&itionally

for years for 4ust that $ur$ose0 Ji'en to a royal bastar& young enough! it coul& &estroy any $otential for Skill use" Often enough %as that &one"7 I shook y hea& &efiantly" 6I.'e use& it for years! to restore ercy:7 (ettle exclai e&" 6Tell y strength after Skilling" So has Aerity" #n& it has ne'er ,7 6S%eet E&a.s bring on e you are lying! $lease:7 an.s strength! though it ay 6;hy shoul& I lie about this0 Elfbark re'i'es a

elancholy s$irits follo%ing use" Often I %oul& carry elfbark tea u$

to Aerity in his Skill/to%er! to sustain hi "7 -y telling faltere&" The &is ay on (ettle.s face %as too sincere" 6;hat07 I aske& softly" 6Elfbark is %ell kno%n a ong Skille& ones as a thing to a'oi&!7 she sai& )uietly" I hear& e'ery %or&! for no one in the tent e'en see e& to be breathing" 6It &ea&ens a an to Skill! so that he can neither use the Skill hi self! nor ay others reach through its fog to Skill to hi " It is sai& to stunt or &estroy Skill talent in the young! an& to i $e&e its &e'elo$ ent in ol&er Skill users"7 She looke& at e %ith $ity in her eyes" 6You ust ha'e been strongly talente&! once! to retain e'en a se blance of Skilling"7 6It cannot be ,7 I sai& faintly" 6Think!7 she ba&e using it07
1281

e" 6Di& e'er you feel your Skillstrength %ax strong after

6;hat of

y lor& Aerity07 (ettricken su&&enly &e an&e&" e" 6;hen &i& he start using it07 any things %ere y hea& of the e to focus y in& on her %or&s" So

(ettle shrugge& reluctantly" She turne& to It %as har& for

su&&enly in a &ifferent light" Elfbark ha& al%ays cleare& i

$oun&ing that hea'y Skilling brought on" But I ha& ne'er trie& to Skill e&iately after I ha& use& elfbark" Aerity ha&! I kne% that" But ho% y elfbark use0 =ike a lightning bolt %as the i a&e a istake in gi'ing it to Aerity an& y ense kno%le&ge that e" 9ha&e ha& a&e a successfully! I &i& not kno%" -y erratic talent for Skilling , coul& that ha'e been 9ha&e ha&

istake" It ha& ne'er occurre& to istaken" 9ha&e %as been taught to Skill" 6Fit19hi'alry:7 (ettricken.s co

e! so eho%! that 9ha&e coul& be %rong or yself! he ha& ne'er yself"

aster! 9ha&e rea& an& stu&ie& an& kne% all the ol&

lore" But he ha& ne'er been taught to Skill" # bastar& like an& 4erke& e back to

6>h! so far as I kno%! Aerity began to use it in the early years of the %ar" ;hen he %as the only Skill user to stan& bet%een us an& the Re&/Shi$s" I belie'e he ha& ne'er use& the Skill so intensely as then! nor been as exhauste& by it" So 9ha&e began to gi'e hi elfbark" To kee$ u$ his strength"7 (ettle blinke& a fe% ti es" 6>nuse&! the Skill &oes not &e'elo$!7 she sai&! al ost to herself" 6>se&! it gro%s! an& begins to assert itself! an& one learns! al ost instincti'ely! the any uses to %hich it ay be $ut"7 I foun& yself eet ay no&&ing faintly to her soft %or&s" Her ol& eyes ca e u$ su&&enly to ine" She s$oke %ithout reser'ation" 6You are you" By the elfbark" Aerity! as a see an gro%n! ay ha'e reco'ere&" He

ost likely stunte&! both of the herb" #s you

ha'e seen his Skill gro% in the ti e he has s$ent a%ay fro to ha'e" 9ertainly he see s to ha'e

astere& the roa& alone"7 She sighe&"

6But I sus$ect those others ha'e not use& it! an& their talents an& usage of Skill
1282

ha& gro%n an& outstri$$e& %hat yours is" So no% you ha'e a choice! Fit19hi'alry! an& only you can hi You ake it" The Fool has nothing to lose by using ay kee$ the coterie fro fin&ing the &rug" He cannot Skill! an& by using it! he %ill be har&er for the Enough elfbark I looke& &o%n at %as only hi to e" the fire" The Fool hel& his ore of the bitter bark an& ug fro the a $inch to reach you! an&

again" But you , I can gi'e you this! an& it %ill &ea&en you to the Skill" It uch har&er for you to reach out" ore th%arting your talent" ore! our eyes e ight be safer that %ay" But you %ill be once

ay kill it off co $letely" #n& only you can choose"7 y han&s" Then I looke& u$ at the Fool" Once %ith y Skill" I felt nothing" *erha$s it e again" But it see e& likely to

et" Hesitantly! I gro$e& to%ar& hi

y o%n erratic talent cheating

that (ettle ha& been right+ the elfbark the Fool ha& 4ust &runk ha& &ea&ene& #s (ettle s$oke! she ha& been taking the kettle fro cu$ out to her %or&lessly" She ga'e hi the faces %atching sai& nothing to fille& it again %ith %ater" Then she looke& at

e! )uietly %aiting" I looke& at

e! but foun& no hel$ there" I $icke& u$ a

stacke& crockery" I sa% (ettle.s ol& face &arken an& her li$s tightene&! but she e" She si $ly reache& into the $ouch of elfbark! %orking her %here the bark ha& crushe& itself into $o%&er" I ug! %aiting" I glance& back u$ at (ettle" 6You sai& the fingers to get to the botto looke& into the e $ty Skillblast

ight ha'e &estroye& the 07

(ettle shook her hea& slo%ly" 6It is not a thing to count on"7 There %as nothing I coul& count on" 5othing that %as certain" Then I set the seeking hi ug &o%n an& cra%le& o'er to yself in elfbark! but it y blankets" I %as su&&enly ight not be enough to sta'e tre en&ously %eary" #n& frightene&" I kne% ;ill %as out there so e%here! e" I coul& hi&e off" It ight only %eaken y alrea&y stunte& &efenses against hi "
1288

#bru$tly I kne% I %oul& slee$ not at all that night" 6I.ll take the %atch!7 I offere& an& stoo& again" 6He shoul& not stan& alone!7 (ettle sai& gru $ily" 6His %olf %atches %ith hi !7 (ettricken tol& her confi&ently" 6He can ai& Fit1 against this false coterie as no one else can"7 I %on&ere& ho% she kne% that! but &are& not ask her" Instea& I took u$ like a con&e ne& an" y cloak an& %ent to stan& outsi&e by the &%in&ling fire! %atching an& %aiting

9H#*TER THIRTY/T;O 9a$elin Beach THE ;IT is hel& in uch &is&ain" In any areas it is regar&e& as a $er'ersion! agic! or %ith tales tol& of ;itte& ones cou$ling %ith beasts to gain this

offering bloo& sacrifice of hu an chil&ren to gain the gift of the tongues of beasts an& bir&s" So e tale/tellers s$eak of bargains struck %ith ancient &e ons of the earth" In truth! I belie'e the ;it is as natural a agic as a an can clai " It is the ;it that lets a flock of bir&s in flight su&&enly %heel as one! or a school of fingerlings hol& $lace together in a s%iftly flo%ing strea " It is also the ;it that sen&s a other to her chil&.s be&si&e 4ust as the babe is unication! an& that a%akening" I belie'e it is at the heart of all %or&less co

all hu ans $ossess so e s all a$titu&e for it! recogni1e& or not" The next &ay %e once stri&e a%ay for ore reache& the Skill roa&" #s %e traile& $ast the yself &ra%n to it" 6Aerity ay be but one

forbi&&ing $illar of stone! I felt e!7 I sai& )uietly"

128<

(ettle snorte&" 6Or your &eath" Ha'e you taken co $lete lea'e of your senses0 Do you think any one Skill user coul& stan& against a traine& coterie07 6Aerity &i&!7 I re$lie&! thinking of Tra&efor& an& ho% he ha& sa'e& rest of that %ithin orning! she %alke& %ith a thoughtful look on her face" y o%n" I felt I &i& not en&ea'or to get her to s$eak! for I carrie& a bur&en of e" The

e a nagging sense of loss" It %as al ost the irritating sensation of

kno%ing one ha& forgotten so ething! but %as unable to recall %hat" I ha& left so ething behin&" Or I ha& forgotten to &o so ething i $ortant! so ething I ha& been inten&ing to &o" By late afternoon! %ith a sinking feeling! I gras$e& %hat %as Aerity" ;hen he ha& been %ith ha& sought hi been %ith Di& it hi %ithin e! I ha& sel&o been sure of his $resence" =ike a any ti es I eant nothing" su&&enly hi&&en see& %aiting to unfurl %as ho% I ha& thought of hi " The yself an& faile& to fin& hi issing"

This %as not a &oubt or a %on&ering" This %as a gro%ing certainty" Aerity ha& e for o'er a year" #n& no% he %as gone" ense %a'e of Skill I iracle ean he %as &ea&0 I coul& not be certain" That i

ha& felt coul& ha'e been hi " Or so ething else! so ething that ha& force& to %ith&ra% into hi self" That %as $robably all it %as" It %as a that his Skill touch u$on e ha& laste& as long as it ha&" Se'eral ti es I starte& e! an& no% I

to s$eak of it to (ettle or (ettricken" Each ti e! I coul& not 4ustify it" ;hat %oul& I say3 Before this! I coul& not tell if Aerity %as %ith cannot feel hi face an& aske& $ushe& at all0 #t night by our fires! I stu&ie& the lines in (ettricken.s yself %hat $oint there %as in increasing her %orry" So I akes for onotony an& &ays that run together in the

y %orries &o%n an& ke$t silent"

9ontinuous har&shi$

telling" The %eather %as rainy! in a fitful! %in&y %ay" Our su$$lies %ere
128?

$recariously lo%! so that the greens %e coul& gather as %e %alke& an& %hate'er eat 5ighteyes an& I coul& bring &o%n at night beca e i $ortant to uttering of a ri'er of %ater besi&e e" The Fool us" I %alke& besi&e the roa& instea& of on it! but re aine& constantly a%are of its Skill/ ur ur! like the %as ke$t %ell &ose& %ith elfbark tea" Aery soon he began to exhibit both the boun&less energy an& bleak s$irits that %ere elfbark.s $ro$erties" In the Fool.s case! it eant en&less ca'orting an& tu bling tricks as %e a&e our %ay along the Skill roa&! an& a cruelly bitter e&ge to his %its an& tongue" He 4este& all too often of the futility of our )uest! an& to any encouraging re ark he ri$oste& %ith sa'age sarcas " By the en& of the secon& &ay! he re in&e& so e of nothing uch uch as an ill/ annere& chil&" He hee&e& no one.s rebukes! not e'en

(ettricken.s! nor &i& he recall that silence coul& be a 'irtue" It %as not so on us as that I %orrie& his constant noise %ith hi on to be )uiet &i& ight

that I feare& his en&less $rattle an& e&ge& songs %oul& bring the coterie &o%n ask their a$$roach" *lea&ing to shut u$" He %ore e as little goo& as roaring at hi

y ner'es until I &rea e& of throttling hi ! nor &o I think I %as alone in

that i $ulse" The kin&er %eather %as the only %ay in %hich our lot i $ro'e& on those long &ays as %e follo%e& the Skill roa&" The rain beca e lighter an& ore inter ittent" The lea'es o$ene& on the &eci&uous trees that flanke& the roa&! an& the hills about us greene& al ost o'er night" The health of the 4e$$as i $ro'e& %ith the bro%se! an& 5ighteyes foun& $lentiful s all ga e" The shorter hours of slee$ tol& on e! but letting the %olf hunt alone %oul& not e slee$" y in&" I resente& it! but ha'e sol'e& it" I feare& to slee$ any ore" ;orse! (ettle feare& to let Of her o%n accor&! the ol& %o an took charge of

%as not so stu$i& as to resist" Both (ettricken an& Starling ha& acce$te& her kno%le&ge of the Skill" I %as no longer $er itte& to go off alone! or in the sole
128B

co $any of the Fool" ;hen the %olf an& I hunte& at night! (ettricken %ent %ith us" Starling an& I share& a %atch! &uring %hich! at (ettle.s urging she ke$t y in& busy %ith learning to recite both songs an& stories fro y brief hours of slee$ (ettle %atche& o'er e! a Starling.s re$ertoire" During y throat an& &ouse

&ark ste%ing of elfbark at her elbo% %here! if nee& be! she coul& $our it &o%n y Skill" #ll of this %as annoying! but %orst %as &uring ight touch u$on the " Instea&! %e %orke& at ga e eal! or I recite& y in& %as not the &ay %hen %e %alke& together" I %as not allo%e& to s$eak of Aerity! or the coterie! or anything that $roble s! or gathere& %aysi&e herbs for the e'ening Starling.s stories for her" #t any ti e %hen she sus$ecte& fully %ith her! she infor e& There is no the i&st of y -olly to to e that it ight gi'e

e a shar$ ra$ %ith her %alking stick" The fe% ust a'oi&" thinking of so ething" In e a%ay fro e ho%

ti es I trie& to &irect our talk %ith )uestions about her $ast! she loftily ight lea& to the 'ery to$ics %e ore sli$$ery task than to refrain fro in&! an& fro

y busy%ork! the fragrance of a %aysi&e flo%er %oul& bring thence to Aerity %ho ha& calle&

her %as but a ski$ of thought" Or so e chance nattering of the Fool %oul& call y thoughts (ing Shre%&.s tolerance for his ockery! an& recall to y king ha& &ie& an& at %hose han&s" ;orst of all %as (ettricken.s silence" She coul& no longer s$eak to e of her anxiety o'er Aerity" I coul& not see her yself for e" %ithout feeling ho% she longe& to fin& hi ! an& then rebuking thinking of hi " #n& so the long &ays of our tra'eling $asse& for

Jra&ually the countrysi&e aroun& us change&" ;e foun& oursel'es &escen&ing &ee$er an& &ee$er into 'alley after %in&ing 'alley" For a ti e our roa& $arallele& that of a i ilky gray ri'er" In $laces its rising an& fallings ha& ore than a foot$ath" ;e ca e at length to an a &istance! the s$i&er%eb gna%e& the roa& at its si&e to no

ense bri&ge" ;hen %e first gli $se& it fro

128C

&elicacy of its s$an re in&e&

e of bones! an& I feare& that %e %oul& fin& it

re&uce& to s$lintere& frag ents of reaching ti bers" Instea& %e crosse& on a creation that arche& o'er the ri'er nee&lessly high! as if in 4oy that it coul&" The roa& %e crosse& on shone black an& shining! %hile the arch%ork that grace& abo'e an& belo% the s$an %as a $o%&ery gray" I coul& not i&entify %hat it %as %rought fro ! %hether true s$un threa& than ha ere& etal or strange stone! for it ha& ore the look of a etal or chisele& rock" The elegance an& grace of

it stille& e'en the Fool for a ti e" #fter the bri&ge! %e cli be& a series of s all hills! only to begin another &escent" This ti e the 'alley %as narro% an& &ee$! a stee$ly si&e& cleft in the earth as if so e giant ha& long ago clea'e& it %ith a %ar/axe" The roa& clung to one si&e of it an& follo%e& it inexorably &o%n" ;e coul& see little of %here %e %ere going! for the 'alley itself see e& full of clou&s an& greenery" This $u11le& e until the first ri'ulet of %ar %ater cut our $ath%ay" It bubble& u$ stea ily fro a s$ring right besi&e the roa&! but ha& long ago &is&aine& the a&e great sho% of consi&ering its stench an& ake e s ile" It %as for e as if

ornately car'e& stone %alls an& &rainage channel so e 'anishe& engineer ha& $lace& to contain it" The Fool %hether it shoul& be attribute& to rotten eggs or so e flatulence of the earth itself" For once not e'en his ru&eness coul& his kna'ery ha& gone on too long! the cruelty left" ;e ca e in early afternoon to a region of stea ing $ools" The lure of hot %ater %as too uch to resist! an& (ettricken let us ake ca $ early" ;e ha& the long/ isse& co fort of hot %ater for soaking our %eary bo&ies in! though the Fool &is&aine& it because of its s ell" To e it s elle& no %orse than the ore $otable %ater! stea ing %aters that rose to fee& the baths in @haa $e! but for once I %as 4ust as gla& to forgo his co $any" He %ent off in search of
128D

erri ent fle& an& only the cru&ity an&

%hile the %o en took o'er the largest $ool an& I sought out the relati'e $ri'acy of a s aller one at so e &istance" I soake& for a ti e! an& then &eci&e& to $oun& so e of the &irt fro far less than the o&or y clothing" The ineral stink of the %ater %as y ore in the %ater" 5ighteyes y o%n bo&y ha& left on the " That &one! I s$rea&

gar ents on the grass to &ry an& %ent to lie once ca e to sit on the bank an& %atch aroun& his feet" It feels goo&! I tol& hi It

e in $u11le ent! his tail tucke& neatly y $leasure"

nee&lessly! for I kne% he coul& sense

ust ha'e so ething to &o %ith your lack of fur! he &eci&e& at last"

9o e in an& I.ll scrub you off" It %oul& hel$ you she& of your %inter un&ercoat! I offere& hi " He ga'e a &is&ainful sniff" I think I.& $refer to scratch it off a bit at a ti e" ;ell! you nee&n.t sit an& %atch (ettricken0 So you na e her" Ho% aske& you0 He ga'e e an& I kne% her e a $u11le& glance" #s you %oul&" She looke& at in&" She %orrie& that you %ere alone" e an& be bore&" Jo hunting if you %ish" e to %atch you" So I shall" I %oul&! but the high bitch has aske&

Does she kno% you hear her0 Does she hear you0 #l ost! at ti es" He lay &o%n abru$tly on the s%ar& an& stretche&! curling his $ink tongue" *erha$s %hen your her" 5ot funny" He a&e no re$ly to e! but rolle& o'er onto his back an& $rocee&e& to roll about scratching his back" The to$ic of -olly %as no% an e&ge of uneasiness bet%een us! a rift I &are& not a$$roach an& one he obsessi'ely $eere& into" I %ishe& abru$tly that %e %ere as %e once ha& been! 4oine& an& %hole! li'ing
128E

ate bi&s you set

e asi&e! I shall bon& to

only in the no%" I leane& back! resting out of the %ater" I close& ;hen I o$ene& the

y hea& on the bank! half in an& half e" I

y eyes an& thought of nothing"

again! the Fool %as stan&ing looking &o%n on

startle& 'isibly" So &i& 5ighteyes! s$ringing to his feet %ith a gro%l" 6So e guar&ian!7 I obser'e& to the Fool" He has no scent! an& %alks lighter than falling sno%: the %olf co $laine&" 6He is al%ays %ith you! isn.t he07 the Fool obser'e&" 6One %ay or another!7 I agree&! an& lay back in the %ater" I %oul& ha'e to get out soon" The late afternoon %as beco ing e'ening" The a&&itional chill in the air only a&e the hot %ater ore soothing" #fter a o ent! I glance& o'er at e" 6Is so ething %rong07 I the Fool" He %as still 4ust stan&ing an& staring at aske& hi " He a&e an inconclusi'e gesture! an& then sat &o%n a%k%ar&ly on the bank" y best not to"7 y elbo%s to stare at the ockery of his! but his o ent.s 6I.'e been thinking about your can&le aker girl!7 he sai& su&&enly" 6Ha'e you07 I aske& )uietly" 6I.'e been &oing I rolle& o'er on y belly an& $ro$$e& He thought about this for a bit" 6If you &ie! %hat %ill beco e of her07 yself on Fool" I half ex$ecte& this %as the lea& line to so e ne%

face %as gra'e" 6Burrich %ill take care of her!7 I sai& )uietly" 6For as long as she nee&s hel$" She.s a ca$able %o an! Fool"7 #fter a consi&eration! I a&&e&! 6She took care of herself for years before , Fool! I.'e ne'er really taken care of her" I %as near her! but she al%ays stoo& on her o%n"7 I felt both sha e& an& $rou& as I sai& that" Sha e& that I ha& gi'en her so little besi&es trouble! an& $rou& that such a %o an ha& care& for 6But you %oul& at least %ant I shook y hea& slo%ly" 6She belie'es e" e to take %or& to her! %oul& you not07 e &ea&" They both &o" If in fact I &ie!

I.& 4ust as soon let her belie'e I &ie& in Regal.s &ungeons" For her to learn
12<H

other%ise %oul& only tar that I &i& not co e to her i

e blacker in her eyes" Ho% coul& you ex$lain to her e&iately0 5o" If so ething ha$$ens to e once e! I %ish ore" #n& if I sur'i'e& an& %ent ore! I ha& $ut y king ahea& of

no tales tol& her"7 Bleakness gri$$e&

back to her0 That %as al ost %orse to consi&er" I trie& to i agine stan&ing before her an& ex$laining to her that once her" I clenche& obser'e&" I o$ene& another"7 The Fool see e& a bit taken aback at this" 6But! that is! I To see for yself that she is %ell $ro'i&e& for" 6 e only %here I ay fin& her!7 he suggeste& %ith a I felt o&&ly touche&" 6I &on.t kno% %hat to say!7 I tol& hi " 6Say nothing! then" Tell s ile" 6I &on.t $recisely kno% that I &o not li'e through %hat %e of foretol&! is it not07 He ga'e e an o&& look" 6By %ho 07 uttere&" It e that I ha& ne'er aske& the Fool if y sur'i'al %as foretol&" 5ot y courage" 6Is it foretol& that -y heart sank" 6By so e ;hite *ro$het or other! I ha& ho$e&!7 I occurre& to e'ery an sur'i'es %inning a battle" I foun& yself!7 I a& itte& to hi " 69ha&e kno%s" If , if ust &o! ask it of hi "7 It felt unlucky to s$eak eant for your sake" y eyes" 6You0 I &i& not kno% that you ha& e'en s$oken to one y eyes tight shut at the thought of it"

6Still! %hen all this is &one an& gone! I shoul& like to see her again!7 the Fool

y o%n &eath! so I a&&e&! 6Of course! %e both kno% %e shall sur'i'e" It is

the 9atalyst li'es07 He a$$eare& to be thinking har&" He su&&enly obser'e&! 69ha&e lea&s a &angerous life" There is no assurance that he %ill sur'i'e either" #n& if he &oes

12<1

not! %ell! surely you e07

ust ha'e so e i&ea of %here the girl is" ;ill not you tell y )uestion see e& su&&enly ans%er enough" The y &aughter!

That he ha& not ans%ere&

9atalyst &i& not sur'i'e" It %as like being hit by a %a'e of col& salt %ater" I felt tu ble& in that col& kno%le&ge! &ro%ning in it" I.& ne'er hol& e" 6Fit19hi'alry07 the Fool $resse& %rist su&&enly" He looke& sickene&" 6It.s all right!7 I sai& faintly" 6*erha$s it.s better that I kno% %hat is to co e"7 I sighe& an& racke& y brain" 6I.'e hear& the s$eak of a 'illage" Burrich goes e" Tears stoo& in his eyes" there to buy things" It cannot be far" You coul& start there"7 The Fool ga'e a tiny no& of encourage ent to 69a$elin Beach!7 I sai& )uietly" # o ent longer he sat staring at e" Then he su&&enly to$$le& o'er si&e%ays" 6Fool07 There %as no res$onse" I stoo&! the %ar %ater running off e an& looke& o'er at hi " He s$ra%le& on his si&e as if aslee$" 6Fool:7 I calle& irritably" ;hen there %as still no res$onse! I %a&e& out of the $on& an& o'er to hi " He lay on the grassy bank! a&e a 'ague i ing the &ee$! e'en breathing of slee$" 6Fool07 I to co e lea$ing u$ in y face" Instea& he e beyon& aske& again! half ex$ecting hi e" He lifte& a han& to su&&enly co'er his ore" His other han& rose to gri$ his outh tightly! as if he coul& s$eak no ne'er feel -olly.s %ar th again" It %as al ost a $hysical $ain! an& it &i11ie&

otion as if I &isturbe& his &rea ing" It irritate&

%or&s that he coul& go so abru$tly fro

serious %or&s to so e kin& of

kna'ery" Yet it %as ty$ical of his beha'ior o'er the $ast fe% &ays" There %as su&&enly no relaxation or $eace left in the hot %ater" Still &ri$$ing! I began to
12<2

gather

y clothes" I refuse& to look at hi hi

as I brushe& an& shook

ost of the

%ater fro traile& at

y bo&y" The clothing I $ulle& on %as slightly &a $ any%ay" The an& %alke& back to ca $" 5ighteyes y heels" e as %e %alke&" shortly" 5ot one I en4oy"

Fool sle$t on as I turne& a%ay fro Is it a ga e0 he aske&

Of a kin&! I su$$ose! I tol& hi

The %o en %ere alrea&y back at the ca $" (ettricken %as $oring o'er her a$ %hile (ettle ga'e the 4e$$as tiny shares of the re aining grain" Starling %as sitting by the fire! %orrying a co b through her hair! but looke& u$ as I a$$roache&" 6Di& the Fool fin& clean %ater07 she aske& %ith hi "7 6;e.'e enough in the %aterskins to get by %ith! any%ay" I 4ust $refer fresh for the tea"7 6-e! too"7 I sat &o%n by the cook fire an& %atche& her" She see e& to gi'e no thought to her fingers at all as they &ance& o'er her hair! bin&ing the %et shining hair into s ooth brai&s" She coile& the &o%n securely" 6I hate %et hair fla$$ing aroun& y face!7 she obser'e&! an& I reali1e& I ha& been staring" I glance& a%ay! e barrasse&" 6#h! he can still blush!7 she laughe&" Then a&&e&! $ointe&ly! 6;oul& you like to borro% I lifte& y co b07 y o%n &raggle& hair" 6I su$$ose I shoul&!7 I uttere&" e" Instea& she ca e to kneel behin& y han& to to her hea& an& $inne& the e" I shrugge&" 65ot %hen I last sa% hi 3 #t least! if he ha&! he %asn.t carrying it

6Truly!7 she agree&! but &i& not $ass it to co b through it"

e" 6Ho% &i& you &o all this07 she %on&ere& alou& as she began to tug the

12<8

6It 4ust gets that %ay!7 I scal$ felt incre&ibly goo&"

u ble&" Her gentle touch! the soft tugging at et a Buck an %ith hair so fine"7

6It.s so fine! that.s the $roble " I ne'er -y heart o'e& si&e%ays in -olly on a re& blanket besi&e

y chest" # Buck beach on a %in&y &ay! an& e! her blouse not )uite lace&" She ha& tol& ost Buck eI

%as consi&ere& the best thing to ha'e co e out of the stables since Burrich" 6I think it is your hair" It is not as coarse as en.s"7 One brief interlu&e! of flirtatious co $li ents an& i&le talk an& her s%eet touch un&er the o$en sky" I al ost s ile&" But I coul& not recall that &ay %ithout also recalling that! like so any of our ti es together! it ha& en&e& in )uarreling an& tears" y hea&! trying to clear the e ories a%ay" y hair e %ith a shar$er tug on y hair" 6I.'e al ost got it -y throat close& u$ an& I shook 6Sit still!7 Starling chi&e&

s ooth" Brace yourself! this is the last snarl"7 She caught hol& of 6Ji'e e" (ettle ca e back fro $ointe&ly" I sighe&" 65ot yet" Soon!7 I $ro ise&" I haule& an& then le& e a%ay fro the ca $" yself to ten&ing the 4e$$as" 6#ny e the thong!7 she tol& e! an& took it fro e to bin&

abo'e it! an& ri$$e& out the snarl %ith a s%ift 4erk that I al ost &i&n.t feel" y hair back for e

eat07 she aske& y feet %earily"

6;atch hi ! %olf!7 (ettle aske& 5ighteyes" He ga'e a slight %ag of his tail It %as $ast &ark %hen %e returne& to ca $" ;e %ere %ell $lease& %ith oursel'es! for %e brought! not rabbit! but a clo'en/hoofe& creature rather like a s all ki&! but %ith a silkier hi&e" I ha& o$ene& its belly at the kill site! both to let 5ighteyes ha'e the entrails an& to lighten it for carrying" I slung the o'er eat y shoul&er! but regrette& that after a short ti e" ;hate'er biting 'er in

12<<

it ha& been carrying %ere only too ha$$y to transfer to to %ash yself again this night" eet I grinne& at (ettle as she ca e to any ore elfbark07

y neck" I %oul& ha'e

e an& unslung the ki& to hol& it u$ for

her ins$ection" But instea& of congratulations! she only &e an&e&! 6Ha'e you 6I ga'e you all I ha&!7 I tol& her" 6;hy0 Ha'e %e run out0 The %ay it the Fool beha'e! I.& al ost %elco e that ne%s"7 She ga'e hi 07 6;hat0 Of course not:7 6;e foun& hi ;e brought hi by the $ool %here you bathe&!7 she sai& )uietly" 6T%itching in back here! but he only sought his blankets" Since then! he has his slee$ like a &rea ing &og" I %oke hi ! but e'en a%ake! he see e& 'ague" been slee$ing like a &ea& thing"7 ;e ha& reache& the cook fire an& I &ro$$e& the ki& besi&e it an& hurrie& into the tent! 5ighteyes $ushing his %ay in front of slee$ again" He beha'es like a illness" I fear for hi "7 I scarcely hear& her" Once in the tent! I &ro$$e& to %orry" He looke& to irritation in e" al ost all the elfbark!7 (ettle %as going on" 6If I gi'e hi 6I.'e gi'en hi e si $ly like a y knees besi&e hi " He lay on his si&e! curle& in a ball" (ettricken knelt by hi ! her face clou&e& %ith an slee$ing" Relief %arre& %ith e" exhaustion! or a 'ery long 6He re'i'e&! but only for a bit!7 (ettle continue&" 6Then he &ro$$e& off to an reco'ering fro e an o&& look" 6Di& you )uarrel07 she &e an&e&" 6Di& you strike akes

%hat.s left no%! %e ha'e no reser'es if the coterie tries to attack hi "7 6Is there no other herb ,7 (ettricken began! but I interru$te& her"

12<?

6;hy &on.t %e si $ly let hi illness" Or

slee$0 *erha$s this is 4ust the en& of his other akes its &e an&s kno%n"7 ,7 e! I slee$

aybe an effect of the elfbark itself" E'en %ith $otent &rugs! one

can only trick the bo&y so long! an& then it

6That is true!7 (ettle agree& reluctantly" 6But this is so unlike hi

6He has been unlike hi self since the thir& &ay he %as using the elfbark!7 I $ointe& out" 6His tongue too shar$! his gibes too cutting" If you aske& %oul& say I $refer hi aslee$ to a%ake these &ays"7 ore! but &i& not" I %ent e" 6;ell" *erha$s there is so ething to %hat you say" ;e %ill let hi then!7 (ettle conce&e&" She took a breath! as if to say For a ti e! she 4ust sat silently %atching ani al" 6Hel$ eat %ill kee$ better in this %eather"7 The %hole thing0 Exce$t a generous $ortion for you" I %orke& I.ll %ant Trust ore than bones! 5ighteyes re in&e& y knife aroun& a knee 4oint! e" eat sna$$e& the shank free an& cut the re aining gristle" e! I tol& hi " By the ti e I %as finishe&! he ha& the hea&! hi&e! all four a&e it a%k%ar& to fasten the anage&" It %as a young ani al! an& though it &i& not ha'e eat %oul& be ten&er" The har&est $art %oul& be eat taunte& e" e )uietly" back outsi&e to $re$are the ki& for cooking" Starling follo%e&

e skin it out" It %as not that large an

e buil& u$ the fire an& %e.ll roast the %hole thing" 9ooke&

shanks! an& one hin& )uarter to hi self" It to a s$it! but I uch fat! I ex$ecte& the

%aiting for it to be cooke&" The fla es licke& their ti$s against it! searing it! an& the sa'ory s ell of roasting 6;hat07 I glance& o'er 6#re you so angry %ith the Fool07 Starling aske& y shoul&er at her"

6In the ti e %e ha'e tra'ele& together! I ha'e co e to see ho% you are %ith one another" 9loser than brothers" I %oul& ha'e ex$ecte& you to sit besi&e hi
12<B

an& fret! as you &i& %hen he %as ill" Yet you beha'e as if nothing is %rong %ith hi at all"7 y hair back fro y face an& e an& %e talke&" #bout %hat he %oul& e" 6He &oes not ex$ect e -instrels! $erha$s! see too clearly" I $ushe& thought" 6Earlier to&ay! he ca e to y hea&" ;hen other%ise"7 The look of &is ay on her face %as not co forting" It ga'e the lie to her %or&s %hen she insiste&! 6*ro$hets are not al%ays right" Di& he say! for certain! that he ha& seen your &eath07 6;hen I aske& hi ! he %oul& not ans%er!7 I re$lie&" 6He shoul& not ha'e e'en brought u$ such a to$ic!7 Starling su&&enly exclai e& angrily" 6Ho% can he ex$ect you to ha'e heart for %hate'er you ust &o! %hen you belie'e it %ill be your &eath07 I shrugge& u$" The y shoul&ers at her silently" I ha& refuse& to think of it the %hole ti e %e ha& been hunting" Instea& of going a%ay! the feelings ha& only built isery I su&&enly felt %as o'er%hel ing" Yes! an& the anger! too" I e" I force& yself to consi&er it" 6The %as furious at the Fool for telling

&o! for -olly! if I &i& not li'e to return to her"7 I looke& at Starling an& shook y throat %ent tight! it sur$rise& to sur'i'e" #n& %hen a $ro$het says such a thing! it is har& to belie'e

ti&ings are scarcely his &oing" #n& I cannot fault his intent" Yet it is har& to face one.s &eath! not as a thing that %ill ha$$en so e&ay! so e%here! but as so ething that %ill likely occur before this su hea& an& looke& aroun& the 'er&ant %il& er loses its green"7 I lifte& y ea&o% that surroun&e& us" ultitu&e of greens"

It is a a1ing ho% &ifferent a thing a$$ears %hen you kno% it is the last one you %ill ha'e" E'ery leaf on e'ery li b stoo& out! in a s ells of the cooking Bir&s sang challenges to one another! or %inge& by in flashes of color" The eat! of the earth itself! e'en the soun& of 5ighteyes
12<C

cracking a bone bet%een his 4a%s %ere all su&&enly uni)ue an& $recious things" Ho% ha'ing a any &ays like this ha& I %alke& through blin&ly! intent only on ust be taken for e that I shoul& ug of ale %hen I got to to%n or %hat horse

shoeing to&ay0 =ong ago! in Buckkee$! the Fool ha& %arne& &e$en&e& on tell the " Starling $ut her han&s on against ine" 6Fit1! I a only her belief in been a li'e ki&"

li'e each &ay as if it %ere significant! as if e'ery &ay the fate of the %orl& y actions" 5o% I su&&enly gras$e& %hat he ha& been trying to e ha& &%in&le& to %here I ight count e" 5o%! %hen the &ays left to

y shoul&ers" She leane& &o%n an& $ut her cheek eat cooking o'er the fla es" It ha&

so sorry!7 she sai& )uietly" I scarcely hear& her %or&s!

y &eath" I stare& at the

Death is al%ays at the e&ge of no%" 5ighteyes. thought %as gentle" Death stalks us! an& he is e'er sure of his kill" It is not a thing to &%ell on! but it is so ething %e all kno%! in our guts an& bones" #ll sa'e hu ans" ;ith shock! I behel& %hat the Fool ha& been trying to teach e about ti e" I su&&enly %ishe& to go back! to ha'e again each se$arate &ay to s$en&" Ti e" I %as tra$$e& in it! fence& into a tiny $iece of no% that %as the only ti e I coul& influence" #ll the soons an& to orro%s I ight be snatche& fro e at any all I ha&" I su&&enly stoo& u$" 6I un&erstan&!7 I sai& alou&" 6He ha& to tell e! to $ush e" I ha'e to sto$ acting as if there is a to orro% %hen I can $ut things right" It all has to be &one no%! right a%ay! %ith no concern for to orro%" 5o belief in to orro%" 5o fears for to orro%"7 6Fit107 Starling &re% back fro e a little %ay" 6You soun& as if you are going to &o so ething foolish"7 Her &ark eyes %ere full of %orry"
12<D

ight $lan %ere ghost things that

o ent" Intentions %ere nothing" 5o% %as

6Foolish!7 I sai& to

yself" 6Foolish as the Fool is" Yes" 9oul& you %atch the e an& %ent into the

eat! $lease07 I aske& Starling hu bly" I &i& not %ait for her re$ly" I stoo& as she ste$$e& free of yurt" (ettle sat by the Fool! si $ly %atching hi en&ing a sea to hi !7 I sai& si $ly" 6#lone! if you %oul& not the Fool ha& tol& in&"7 slee$" (ettricken %as

in her boot" They both glance& u$ as I ca e in" 6I nee& to talk

I ignore& their $u11le& glances" I alrea&y %ishe& I ha& not tol& Starling %hat e" Doubtless she %oul& tell the others! but 4ust no% I &i& lea'e the yurt" Instea& I sat &o%n not %ant to share it %ith the " I ha& so ething i $ortant to tell the Fool! an& I %oul& &o it no%" I &i& not %ait to %atch the besi&e the Fool" I touche& his face gently! feeling the coolness of his cheek" 6Fool!7 I sai& )uietly" 6I nee& to talk to you" I un&erstan&" I think I finally un&erstan& %hat you.'e been trying to teach It took e se'eral e all along"7 an at a ore efforts before he stirre& to %akefulness" I finally e through the

share& so e of (ettle.s concern" This %as not the si $le slee$ of a &ay.s en&" But finally he o$ene& his eyes an& $eere& u$ at gloo " 6Fit10 Is it goo& orning07 he aske&" 6E'ening" #n& there is fresh

eat roasting! an& soon it %ill be &one" I think a y ne% e" But no% I

eal %ill hel$ $ut you right"7 I starte& to hesitate! then recalle&

resolution" 5o%" 6I %as angry at you earlier! for %hat you tol& %asting hi for

think I un&erstan& %hy" You are right! I ha'e been hi&ing in the future an& y &ays"7 I took a breath3 6I %ant to gi'e Burrich.s earring o'er to y oath to y king" you! into your kee$ing" #f , after%ar&! I.& like you to take it to hi " #n& tell I &i& not &ie outsi&e so e she$her&.s hut! but kee$ing ean so ething to hi ! it e to be a ay $ay hi e" He taught That %ill back a bit for all he has &one y ear"

an" I &on.t %ant that left unsai&"7

I unfastene& the catch of the earring an& &re% it fro

12<E

I $resse& it into the Fool.s lax han&" He lay on his si&e! listening silently" His face %as 'ery gra'e" I shook Shre%& ga'e y hea& at hi " ore than that"7 I %as trying to kee$ y %or&s %as choking e" 6It y 6I ha'e nothing to sen& -olly! nothing for our chil&" She.ll ha'e the $in e so long ago! but little 'oice stea&y! but the i $ortance of ay be

%isest not to tell -olly that I li'e& $ast Regal.s &ungeons" If that can be anage&" Burrich %oul& un&erstan& the reason for such a secret" She has ourne& eyes" The Fool sat u$! his face full of concern" He gri$$e& you %ant 6I fear %e think of such things no%0 ;hat &o you fear07 y &eath"7 I a& itte& it" 6But fearing it %ill not sto$ it" So I e"7 ake %hat $ro'isions I can" #s I shoul& ha'e! long ago"7 I 6*ro ise et his s oky eyes s)uarely" y shoul&er gently" 6If ust e to fin& -olly! you kno% I %ill! if it co es to that" But %hy e as &ea& once! there is no sense in telling her other%ise" I a gla& y you %ill seek her out" -ake toys for 5ettle"7 #gainst y %ill! tears stung

He looke& &o%n at the earring in his han&" 6I $ro ise" Though %hy you think y chances are better than yours! I &o not kno%" 5or &o I kno% ho% I %ill fin& the ! but I %ill"7 I felt great relief" 6I tol& you earlier" I kno% only that their cottage is near a 'illage calle& 9a$elin Beach" There is that is true" But if you tell ore than one 9a$elin Beach in Buck! e you %ill fin& her! I belie'e you %ill"7 no% a $arty to

69a$elin Beach07 His eyes %ent &istant" 6I think I recall , I thought I ha& &rea e& that"7 He shook his hea& an& al ost s ile&" 6So I a one of the closest/hel& secrets in Buck" 9ha&e tol& essage for Burrich! so Burrich e that not e'en he kne%

$recisely %here Burrich ha& hi&&en -olly a%ay" He ha& only a $lace to lea'e a ight co e to hi " FThe fe%er %ho kno% a
12?H

secret! the fe%er can tell it!. he tol& -y heart %ent col&" 6;hat &o you Beach07

e" Yet it see s to

e I ha'e hear& that

na e before" 9a$elin Beach" Or &rea e& it! $erha$s"7 ean0 Ha'e you ha& a 'ision of 9a$elin ost! so

He shook his hea&" 65ot a 'ision! no" Yet a night are toothier than that %hen (ettle foun& an& %oke fleeing for

e! I felt I ha& not sle$t at all! but ha& been

y life for hours"7 He shook his hea& again slo%ly an& rubbe& at e"7 e of -olly an& , things" #n& then you ocking e!7 I

his eyes! ya%ning" 6I &o not e'en recall lying &o%n to slee$ outsi&e" But that is %here they foun& 6I shoul& ha'e kno%n so ething %as %rong %ith you!7 I a$ologi1e&" 6You %ere by the hot s$ring! s$eaking to a& itte& shee$ishly" He ga'e a tre en&ous ya%n" 6I &o not e'en recall seeking you out!7 he a& itte&" He sniffe& su&&enly" 6Di& you say there %as 6I. That eat roasting07 I no&&e&" 6The %olf an& I got a ki&" It.s young an& shoul& be ten&er"7 hungry enough to eat ol& shoes!7 he &eclare&" He thre% back his be&&ing eal %as a better ti e than %e ha& ha& in &ays" The Fool see e& %eary eat! though not ten&er an& left the tent" I follo%e& hi " an& $ensi'e! but ha& aban&one& his barbe& hu or" The su&&enly lay &o%n an& %ent to slee$" I thought you %ere

as fat la b! %as better than anything %e ha& ha& in %eeks" By the en& of the eal! I share& 5ighteyes. slee$y satiation" He curle& u$ outsi&e by (ettricken to share her %atch %hile I sought y blankets in the tent" uch of the ea I ha& half ex$ecte& the Fool to be %akeful after he ha& sle$t so ha& e'en &ragge&

afternoon a%ay" Instea& he %as first to his blankets an& &ee$ly aslee$ before I y boots off" (ettle set out her ga ecloth an& ga'e

12?1

$roble o'er

to consi&er" I lay &o%n to get %hat rest I coul& %hile (ettle %atche& y slee$"

But I got s all rest that night" 5o sooner ha& I &o1e& off than the Fool began to t%itch an& yi$ in his slee$" E'en 5ighteyes $oke& his hea& in the tent &oor to see %hat it %as about" It took (ettle se'eral tries to rouse hi ! an& %hen he &o1e& off again! he sli$$e& right back into his noisy &rea s" That ti e I reache& o'er to shake hi " But %hen I touche& his shoul&er! a%areness of hi surge& through e" For an instant! I share& his night terror" 6Fool! %ake u$:7 I an&! he sat u$" eet crie& out to hi ! an& as if in ans%er to that co

6=et go! let go:7 he crie& &es$erately" Then! looking roun& an& fin&ing that no one hel& hi ! he &ro$$e& back to his be&&ing" He turne& his eyes to ine" 6;hat %ere you &rea ing07 I aske& hi " He thought! then shook his hea&" 6It.s gone! no%"7 He took a shu&&ering breath" 6But I fear it %aits for %hate'er it %as I %as facing in I %atche& hi e! shoul& I close y &rea s"7 y blankets" I close& y eyes" y eyes" I think I shall see if (ettricken %ants so e co $any" I %oul& rather be a%ake than face , lea'e the tent" Then I lay back in ar'ele&"

I foun& it! faint as a sil'er shining threa&" There %as a Skillbon& bet%een us" #h" Is that %hat that is0 the %olf 9an you feel it! too0 Only so eti es" It is like %hat you ha& %ith Aerity" Only %eaker" ;eaker0 I think not" 5ighteyes consi&ere&" 5ot %eaker! &ifferent" Fashione& ore like a ;it/bon& than a Skill 4oining" y brother" But

He looke& u$ at the Fool as the Fool ca e out of the tent" #fter a ti e! the Fool fro%ne& to hi self an& looke& &o%n at 5ighteyes"
12?2

You see! sai& the %olf" He senses ears itch"

e" 5ot clearly! but he &oes" Hello! Fool" -y

Outsi&e the tent! the Fool reache& &o%n su&&enly to scratch the %olf.s ears"

9H#*TER THIRTY/THREE The Iuarry THERE #RE =EJE5DS! a ong the -ountain folk! of an ancient race! gifte& %ith tales are in agic an& kno%ing any things no% lost to uch en fore'er" These

any %ays si ilar to the tales of el'es an& Ol& Ones that are tol& ost ob'ious exa $le of this %oul&

in the Six Duchies" In so e cases! the tales are so si ilar as to be ob'iously the sa e story a&a$te& by &ifferent folk" The be the tale of the Flying 9hair of the ;i&o%.s Son" # ong the -ountain folk! that Buck tale beco es the Flying Sle& of the Or$han Boy" ;ho can tell %hich telling %as first0 The folk of the -ountain (ing&o res$onsible for so e of the %ill tell you that that ancient race is onu ents that one ay chance ore $eculiar

u$on in their forests" They are also cre&ite& %ith lesser achie'e ents! such as so e of the ga es of strategy that -ountain chil&ren still $lay! an& for a 'ery $eculiar %in& instru ent! $o%ere& not by a an.s lungs! but by breath tra$$e& in an inflate& bla&&er" Tales are also tol& of ancient cities far back in the ountains that %ere once the &%elling of these beings" But no%here in all their literature! s$oken or %ritten! ha'e I foun& any account of ho% these $eo$le cease& to be"

12?8

Three &ays later %e reache& the )uarry" ;e ha& ha& three &ays of hiking through su&&enly hot %eather" The air ha& been full of the scents of o$ening lea'es an& flo%ers an& the %histles of bir&s an& the &rones of insects" To either si&e of the Skill roa&! life burgeone&" I %alke& through it! senses keen! a%are of being ali'e than I ha& e'er been" The Fool ha& s$oken no %hate'er he ha& foreseen for %as right" (no%ing it %as har& enough" I %oul& not &%ell on it" Then %e ca e to the )uarry" #t first it see e& to us that %e ha& si $ly co e to a &ea& en&" The roa& ra $e& &o%n into a %orke& gorge of bare stone! an area t%ice the si1e of Buckkee$ 9astle" The %alls of the 'alley %ere 'ertically straight an& bare! scarre& %here i )uarrie& fro ense blocks of black stone ha& been the earth at the e&ge it" In a fe% $laces! casca&ing greenery fro ore ore about

e" For that I %as grateful" I ha& foun& 5ighteyes

of the )uarry co'ere& the sheare& rock si&es" #t the lo%er en& of the $it! rain%ater ha& collecte& an& stagnate& greenly" There %as little other 'egetation! for there %as $recious little soil" Beneath our feet! $ast the en& of the Skill roa&! %e stoo& on the ra% black stone the roa& ha& been %rought fro " ;hen %e looke& u$ at the loo ing cliff across fro 'eine& %ith sil'er i us! black stone et our eyes" On the floor of the )uarry a nu ber of

ense blocks ha& been aban&one& a i&st $iles of rubble an& &ust" The huge %ere the

blocks %ere bigger than buil&ings" I coul& not i agine ho% they ha& been cut! let alone ho% they %oul& ha'e been haule& a%ay" Besi&e the re ains of great achines! re in&ing %oo& ha& rotte&! their e so e%hat of siege engines" Their

etal ruste&" Their re ains hunche& together like e& the )uarry" e&iately caught y attention" The first %as the

ol&ering bones" Silence bri T%o things about the $lace i

black $illar that reare& u$ in our $ath%ay! incise& %ith the sa e ancient runes

12?<

%e ha& encountere& before" The secon& %as the absolute absence of ani al life" I ca e to a halt by the $illar" I )ueste& out! an& the %olf share& 9ol& stone" *erha$s %e shall learn to eat rocks! no%0 The %olf suggeste&" 6;e shall ha'e to &o our hunting else%here tonight!7 I agree&" 6#n& fin& clean %ater!7 a&&e& the Fool" (ettricken ha& sto$$e& by the $illar" The 4e$$as %ere alrea&y straying a%ay! searching &isconsolately for anything green" *ossessing the Skill an& the ;it shar$ene& fro before turne& to y $erce$tions of other folk" But for the o ent! I sense& nothing her" Her face %as still an& e $ty" # slackness ca e o'er it! as if she age& y eyes" Her eyes %an&ere& o'er the lifeless stone! an& by chance e" # sickly s ile s$rea& o'er her outh" ight ha'e ex$ecte& at y searching"

6He.s not here!7 she sai&" 6;e.'e co e all this %ay! an& he isn.t here"7 I coul& think of nothing to say to her" Of all the things I the en& of our )uest! an aban&one& stone )uarry see e& unlikeliest" I trie& to think of so ething o$ti istic to say" There %as nothing" This %as the last location arke& on our a$! an& e'i&ently the final &estination of the Skill roa& as %ell" She sank &o%n slo%ly to sit flat on the stone at the $illar.s base" She 4ust sat there! too %eary an& &iscourage& to %ee$" ;hen I looke& to (ettle an& Starling! I foun& the ha& co e so far" I s ell carrion" I &on.t" It %as the last thing I %ante& to think about 4ust no%" I &i&n.t ex$ect you %oul&! %ith your nose" But there is so ething 'ery &ea& not far fro here"
12??

staring at

e as if I %ere su$$ose& to ha'e an &ay $resse& &o%n on e" For this! %e

ans%er" I &i& not" The heat of the %ar

6So go roll in it an& ha'e &one %ith it!7 I tol& hi 6Fit1!7 (ettle rebuke&

%ith so e as$erity"

e as 5ighteyes trotte& $ur$osefully a%ay"

6I %as talking to the %olf!7 I tol& her la ely" The Fool no&&e&! al ost 'acantly" He ha& not been at all hi self" (ettle ha& insiste& that he continue taking the elfbark! though our s all su$$ly li ite& hi the sa e bark bre%e& o'er again" Fro an& return to a 'ery %eak &ose of ti e to ti e! I thought I caught a brief ore than that" ;hen I

hint of the Skill/bon& bet%een us" If I looke& at hi ! he %oul& so eti es turn y look! e'en across ca $" It %as little e! I a&e no s$oke of it to hi ! he sai& he so eti es felt so ething! but %as not sure %hat it %as" Of %hat the %olf ha& tol& oane& of fro ention" Elfbark tea or no! he to rest hi + he an reco'ering ore %orry for e of a re aine& sole n an& lethargic" His slee$ at night &i& not see uttere& through his &rea s" He re in&e& a long illness" He hoar&e& his strength in

any s all %ays" He s$oke

little+ e'en his bitter e to bear" It.s a an:

erri ent ha& 'anishe&" It %as but one

The stench of the cor$se %as thick in 5ighteyes. nostrils" I nearly retche& %ith it" Then! 6Aerity!7 I %his$ere& to yself in horror" I set out at a run in the ore slo%ly in y %ake! &irection the %olf ha& taken" The Fool follo%e& co $rehension" The bo&y %as %e&ge& bet%een t%o i ense blocks of stone" It %as hu&&le& y shirt &o%n o'er y han&" I as if e'en in &eath it sought to hi&e" The %olf circle& it restlessly! hackles u$" I halte& at so e &istance! then tugge& the cuff of lifte& it to co'er y nose an& outh" It hel$e& a bit! but nothing coul& ha'e yself to %hat I kne%

&rifting like &o%n on the %in&" The %o en %atche& us go %ithout

co $letely &ro%ne& that stink" I %alke& closer! steeling

12?B

ust &o" ;hen I got close to the bo&y! I reache& &o%n! sei1e& hol& of its rich

cloak! an& &ragge& it out into the o$en" 65o flies!7 the Fool obser'e& al ost &rea ily" He %as right" There %ere no flies an& no ha& been at %ork on the stare& at hi )uietly" 6# e ber of Regal.s coterie07 the Fool aske&! as if there coul& be another y shirt cuff! o'er y nose an& outh as I knelt besi&e hi " to bother hi ! but I 9arro& about" I no&&e&" I ke$t 6Ho% &i& he &ie07 the Fool aske&" The s ell &i& not see for so e aggots" Only the silent rot of &eath an.s features" They %ere &ark! like a $lo% an.s tan! o ents before I recogni1e& hi " 69arro&!7 I sai&

only &arker" Fear ha& contorte& the ! but I kne% it %as not Aerity" Yet I ha&

&i& not think I coul& s$eak %ithout gagging" I shrugge&" To ans%er I %oul& ha'e ha& to take a breath" I reache& gingerly to tug at his clothes" The bo&y %as both stiff an& softening" It %as har& to exa ine it! but I coul& fin& no sign of any 'iolence on hi " I took a shallo% breath an& hel& it! then use& both han&s to unbuckle his belt" I $ulle& it free of the bo&y %ith his $urse an& knife still on it! an& hastily retreate& %ith it" (ettricken! (ettle! an& Starling ca e u$ on us as I %as coaxing the outh of his $urse o$en" I &i& not kno% %hat I ha& ho$e& to fin&! but I %as &isa$$ointe&" # han&ful of coins! a flint! an& a s all %hetstone %ere all he carrie&" I tosse& it to the groun&! an& rubbe& The stench of &eath clung to it" 6It %as 9arro&!7 the Fool tol& the others" 6He 6;hat kille& hi 07 (ettle aske&" I et her ga1e" 6I &on.t kno%" I belie'e it %as the Skill" ;hate'er it %as! he it" Bet%een those rocks" =et.s get a%ay fro
12?C

y han& &o%n

y trouser leg"

ust ha'e co e by the $illar"7

trie& to hi&e fro

this s ell!7 I

suggeste&" ;e retreate& back to the $illar" 5ighteyes an& I ca e last an& y Skill %alls strong" Seeing 9arro& &ea& ha& shocke& e ber! I tol& If Aerity ha& kille& hi %ith the Skill! $erha$s that

ore

slo%ly" I %as $u11le&" I reali1e& I %as $utting e'erything I coul& into kee$ing e" One less coterie yself" But he %as here! right here in the )uarry %hen he &ie&" eant Aerity ha& been here y sus$icion

as %ell" I %on&ere& if %e %oul& stu ble across Burl an& ;ill so e%here in the )uarry! if they too ha& co e here to attack Aerity" 9ol&er %as that it %as (ettricken of these thoughts" I think the %olf an& I sense& it at the sa e ti e" 6There.s so ething ali'e back there!7 I sai& )uietly" 6Dee$er in the )uarry"7 6;hat is it07 The Fool aske& e" e" -y ;it/sense of %hate'er %as ore I trie& for a feel of %hat it %as+ the y heart to see ho$e )uicken once ore 6I &on.t kno%"7 # shi'ering ran all o'er back there ebbe& an& flo%e&" The ore it elu&e& in her eyes" 65o!7 I tol& her gently" 6I &on.t think so" It &oesn.t feel like a hu an" It.s like nothing I.'e e'er sense& before"7 I $ause& an& a&&e&! 6I think you shoul& all %ait here %hile the %olf an& I go see %hat it is"7 65o"7 (ettle s$oke! not (ettricken! but %hen I glance& back at sa% her co $lete agree ent" 6If anything! I shoul& ha'e you an& the Fool hang back %hile %e in'estigate!7 she tol& e se'erely" 6You are the ones at risk here" If 9arro& has been here! Burl an& ;ill coul& be back there"7 In the en& it %as &eci&e& %e %oul& all a$$roach! but %ith great caution" ;e s$rea& out in a fan an& o'e& for%ar& across the )uarry floor" I coul& not tell
12?D

ore likely %e %oul& fin& Aerity.s bo&y" But I sai& nothing to

e"

6Aerity07 (ettricken aske&" It broke

y )ueen! I

the

s$ecifically %here I sense& the creature! an& so %e %ere all on e&ge" The ense chil&.s blocks an& toys

)uarry %as like a nursery floor %ith so e i

scattere& across it" ;e $asse& one $artially car'e& block of stone" It ha& none of the finesse of the car'ings %e ha& seen in the stone gar&en" It %as lu $ish an& cru&e! an& so eho% obscene" It re in&e& foal" It re$ulse& 'antage $oint" The others %ere &oing like%ise! coul& see nothing o'ing fro co'er to co'er! all of us en&ea'oring to kee$ at least one other of our $arty in sight" I ha& thought I ore &isturbing than that cru&e stone car'ing! but the next e" So eone ha& car'e&! in heartbreaking &etail! a one %e $asse& %renche& at e of the fetus of a iscarrie& y next e an& I sli$$e& $ast it as s%iftly as I coul& to

ire& &ragon" The thing.s %ings %ere half s$rea& an& its half/li&&e& eyes %ere rolle& u$ in agony" # hu an ri&er! a young %o an! bestro&e it" She clutche& the un&ulant neck an& leane& her cheek against it" Her face %as a agony! her outh o$en an& the lines of her face taut! the ask of uscles of her throat

stan&ing out like cor&s" Both the girl an& the &ragon ha& been %orke& in &etaile& colors an& lines" I coul& see the %o an.s eyelashes! the in&i'i&ual hairs on her gol&en hea&! the fine green scales about the &ragon.s eyes! e'en the &ro$lets of sali'a that clung to the &ragon.s %rithing li$s" But %here the &ragon.s ighty feet an& lashing tail shoul& ha'e been! there %as only $u&&le& it! tears black stone! as if the t%o ha& lan&e& in a tar $it an& been unable to esca$e it" @ust as a statue! it %as %renching" I sa% (ettle turn her face asi&e fro starting in her eyes" But %hat unner'e& 5ighteyes an& back in the gar&en! but all the e %as the %rithing of

;it/sense that it ga'e off" It %as fainter than %hat %e ha& sense& in the statues ore $oignant for that" It %as like the final &eath throes of a tra$$e& creature" I %on&ere& %hat talent ha& been use& to infuse such a li'ing nuance into a statue" E'en as I a$$reciate& the artistry of %hat ha&
12?E

been &one! I %as not sure I a$$ro'e& it" But that %as true of %as %hat the %olf an& I ha& sense&" It $rickle&

uch that this

ancient Skille& race ha& %rought" #s I cre$t $ast the statue! I %on&ere& if this y skin to see the Fool turn an& stare back at it! his bro% furro%e& in &isco fort" *lainly he sense& it! though not as %ell" *erha$s this is %hat %e sense&! 5ighteyes" *erha$s there is no li'ing creature in the )uarry after all! only this 5o" I s ell so ething" I %i&ene& y nostrils! cleare& the %ith a silent snort! then took in a &ee$ slo% breath of air" -y nose %as not as keen as 5ighteyes.! but the %olf.s senses aug ente& y o%n" I s elle& s%eat an& the faint tang of bloo&" Both e an& as one %e slunk aroun& %ere fresh" Su&&enly the %olf $resse& close to the en& of a block of stone the si1e of t%o huts" I $eere& aroun& the corner! then cautiously cre$t forth" 5ighteyes sli$$e& $ast e" I sa% the Fool roun& the other en& of the stone! an& felt the others &ra%ing near as %ell" 5o one s$oke" It %as another &ragon" This one %as the si1e of a shi$" It %as all of black stone! an& it s$ra%le& slee$ing u$on the block of stone it %as e erging fro " 9hi$s an& chunks an& grin&ings of rock &ust surroun&e& the groun& aroun& the block" E'en fro a &istance! it i $resse& e" Des$ite its slee$! e'ery line of the e in in& of a creature s$oke of both strength an& nobility" The %ings fol&e& alongsi&e it %ere like furle& sails %hile the arch of the $o%erful neck $ut battle charger" I ha& looke& at it for so e flickering life I sense& ca e fro hi figure that s$ra%le& alongsi&e it" I stare& at hi o ents before I sa% the s all gray an& trie& to &eci&e if the onu ent to slo% &eath"

or the stone &ragon" y crunching

The &iscar&e& frag ents of stone %ere al ost a ra $ u$ to the block the &ragon %as e erging fro " I thought the figure %oul& stir to footste$s! but he &i& not o'e" 5or coul& I &etect any s all
12BH

otions of breath"

The others hung back! %atching 4erkily arose an& face& e"

y ascent" Only 5ighteyes acco $anie&

e!

an& he ca e hackles abristle" I %as %ithin ar .s reach of the figure %hen he He %as ol& an& thin! gray of both hair an& bear&" His ragge& gar ents %ere gray %ith stone/&ust! an& a s ear of gray coate& one of his cheeks" The knees that sho%e& through the legs of his trousers %ere scabbe& an& bloo&y fro kneeling on broken stone" His feet %ere %ra$$e& in rags" He gri$$e& a rea&y" I felt it taxe& his strength to hol& the bla&e at all" So e instinct lift y ar s %i&e of y bo&y! to sho% hi &ully for a bit+ then he slo%ly lifte& his eyes to his uch/ a&e e e notche& s%or& in a gray gauntlete& han&! but he &i& not bring it u$ to the I hel& no %ea$on" He looke& at

y face" For a ti e %e stare& at e of Har$er @osh" Then

one another" His $eering! near/blin& ga1e re in&e& sai& hesitantly"

outh ga$$e& %i&e in his bear&! baring sur$risingly %hite teeth" 6Fit107 he

I kne% his 'oice! &es$ite the rust" He ha& to be Aerity" But all I %as crie& out aghast that he coul& ha'e co e to this! this %reckage of a an" Behin& eI hear& the s%ift crunching of footste$s an& turne& in ti e to see (ettricken charging u$ the ra $ of cru bling stone" Ho$e an& &is ay battle& in her face! yet! 6Aerity:7 she crie&! an& there %as only lo'e in the %or&" She charge&! ar s reaching for hi ! an& I %as barely able to catch her as she hurtle& $ast e" 65o:7 I crie& alou& to her" 65o! &on.t touch hi :7 6Aerity:7 she crie& again! an& then struggle& against e go! let y gri$! crying out! 6=et y co an& e go to hi "7 It %as all I coul& &o to hol& her back" e"

65o!7 I tol& her )uietly" #s so eti es ha$$ens! the softness of a&e her sto$ struggling" She looke& her )uestion at

12B1

6His han&s an& ar s are co'ere& %ith ha$$en to you! %ere he to touch you"7 She turne& her hea& in

agic" I &o not kno% %hat %oul&

y rough e brace to stare at her husban&" He stoo&

%atching us! a kin&ly! rather confuse& s ile on his face" He tilte& his hea& to one si&e as if consi&ering us! then stoo$e& carefully to set &o%n his s%or&" (ettricken sa% then %hat I ha& gli $se& before" The betraying shi er of sil'er cra%le& o'er his forear s an& fingers" Aerity %ore no gauntlets+ the flesh of his ar s an& han&s %ere i $regnate& %ith ra% $o%er" The s u&ge on his face %as not &ust! but a s ear of $o%er %here he ha& touche& hi self" I hear& the others co e u$ behin& us! their footste$s crunching slo%ly o'er the stone" I &i& not nee& to turn to feel the 6Aerity! y $rince! %e ha'e co e"7 y hea&! an& I sa% staring" Finally the Fool sai& softly!

I hear& a soun& bet%een a gas$ an& a sob" That turne& her chest an& one to her

(ettle slo%ly settling! going &o%n like a hole& shi$" She clas$e& one han& to outh as she sank to her knees" Her eyes goggle& as y ar s! I e" I looke& at her stricken face! then let she stare& at Aerity.s han&s" Starling %as instantly besi&e her" In felt (ettricken cal ly $ush against

her go" She a&'ance& to Aerity a slo% ste$ at a ti e an& he %atche& her co e" His face %as not i $assi'e! but neither &i& he sho% any sign of s$ecial recognition" #n ar .s length a%ay fro stare& at hi hi ! she sto$$e&" #ll %as silence" She e07 for a ti e! then slo%ly shook her hea&! as if to ans%er the

)uestion she 'oice&" 6-y lor& husban&! &o you not kno%

6Husban&!7 he sai& faintly" His bro% crease& &ee$er! his &e eanor that of a an %ho recalls so ething once learne& by rote" 6*rincess (ettricken of the -ountain (ing&o " She %as gi'en little brought her to e to %ife" @ust a little sli$ of a girl! a %il& ountain cat! yello%/haire&" That %as all I coul& recall of her! until they e"7 # faint s ile ease& his face" 6That night! I unboun& gol&en
12B2

hair like a flo%ing strea ! finer than silk" So fine I &urst not touch it! lest it snag in y calluse& han&s"7 ore than a brush on her skull" It no% reache& the fat brai& that confine& it an& shook e to (ettricken.s han&s rose to her hair" ;hen %or& ha& reache& her of Aerity.s &eath! she ha& cut her hair to no al ost to her shoul&ers! but the fine silk of it %as gone! roughene& by sun an& rain an& roa& &ust" But she free& it fro it loose aroun& her face" 6-y lor&!7 she sai& softly" She glance& fro Aerity" 6-ay I not touch you07 she begge&" 6OhG7 He see e& to consi&er the re)uest" He glance& &o%n at his ar s an& han&s! flexing his sil'ery fingers" 6Oh! I think not! I. afrai&" 5o" 5o! it %ere better not"7 He s$oke regretfully! but I ha& the sense that it %as only that he ust refuse her re)uest! not that he regrette& being unable to touch her" (ettricken &re% a ragge& breath" 6-y lor&!7 she began! an& then her 'oice broke" 6Aerity! I lost our chil&" Our son! &ie&"7 I &i& not un&erstan& until then %hat a bur&en it ha& been for her! seeking for her husban&! kno%ing she ust tell hi this ne%s" She &ro$$e& her $rou& hea& as if ex$ecting his %rath" ;hat she got %as %orse" 6Oh!7 he sai&" Then! 6Ha& %e a son0 I &o not recall ,7 I think that %as %hat broke her! to &isco'er that her earthshaking ti&ings &i& not anger nor sorro% hi ! but only confuse& hi " She ha& to feel betraye&" Her &es$erate flight fro Buckkee$ 9astle an& all the har&shi$s she ha& en&ure& to onths of her $regnancy! cul inating ust tell her $rotect her unborn chil&! the long lonely lor& ho% she ha& faile& hi

in the heartren&ing stillbirth of her chil&! an& her &rea& that she

that ha& been her reality for the $ast year" #n& an

no% she stoo& before her husban& an& her king! an& he fu ble& to recall her an& of the &ea& chil& sai& only 6Oh"7 I felt sha e& for this &o&&ering ol& %ho $eere& at the Iueen an& s ile& so %earily"
12B8

(ettricken &i& not screa

or %ee$" She si $ly turne& an& %alke& slo%ly

a%ay" I sense& great control in that $assage! an& great anger" Starling! crouche& by (ettle! looke& u$ at the Iueen as she $asse&" She starte& to rise an& follo%! but (ettricken &escen&e& fro Jo %ith her0 *lease" But &o not bother her" Ia not stu$i&" e! to sha&o% off after (ettricken" Des$ite y caution to hi ! I 5ighteyes left a&e a tiny o'e ent of her han& that forba&e it" #lone she the great stone &ais an& stro&e off"

kne% he %ent straight to her! to co e u$ besi&e her an& $ress his great hea& against her leg" She &ro$$e& su&&enly to one knee an& hugge& hi ! $ushing her face against his coat! her tears falling into his rough fur" He turne& an& licke& her han&" Jo a%ay! he chi&e& et ine" so %eary!7 he sai& $iteously" 6#n& there is still so e! an& I $ulle& y a%areness back fro the " I blinke&! reali1ing I ha& been staring at Aerity all the %hile" His eyes He cleare& his throat" 6Fit19hi'alry!7 he sai&! an& &re% a breath to s$eak" Then he let half of it out" 6I a uch to &o"7 He gesture& at the &ragon behin& hi " *on&erously he sank! to sit besi&e the statue" 6I trie& so har&!7 he sai& to no one in $articular" The Fool reco'ere& his senses before I &i& Aerity looke& u$ at the slen&er $ale honore&!7 he sai& after a ine" 6-y lor& *rince Aerity!7 he began! then $ause&" 6-y king" It is I! the Fool" -ay I be of ser'ice to you07 an %ho stoo& before hi " 6I %oul& be y father an& y )ueen so %ell"7 o ent" His hea& s%aye& on his neck" 6To acce$t the

fealty an& ser'ice of one %ho ser'e& both flickere& out of his face again"

For an instant I gli $se& so ething of the ol& Aerity" Then the certainty

12B<

The Fool a&'ance& an& then knelt su&&enly besi&e hi " He $atte& Aerity on the shoul&er! sen&ing u$ a s all clou& of rock &ust" 6I %ill take care of you!7 he sai&" 6#s I &i& your father"7 He stoo& u$ su&&enly an& turne& to e to the %o en" 6Is (ettle all right07 he aske& Starling" 6She nearly fainte&!7 Starling began" But (ettle cut in abru$tly %ith! 6I %as shocke& to y core! Fool" #n& I a ust be &one"7 in no hurry to stan& u$" But Starling is free to go &o %hate'er e" 6I a going to fetch fire%oo&! an& fin& clean %ater!7 he announce&" He glance& $ast

6#h" Joo&"7 The Fool a$$eare& to ha'e taken co $lete control of the situation" He soun&e& as if he %ere organi1ing tea" 6Then! if you %oul& be so kin&! -istress Starling! %oul& you see to the setting u$ of the tent0 Or t%o tents! if such a thing can be contri'e&" See %hat foo& %e ha'e left! an& $lan a eal" # generous eal! for I think %e all nee& it" I shall return shortly %ith lucky"7 He cast a )uick look at e" fire%oo&! an& %ater" #n& greens! if I a

6See to the king!7 he sai& in a lo% 'oice" Then he stro&e a%ay" Starling %as left ga$ing" Then she arose an& %ent in search of the straying 4e$$as" (ettle follo%e& her 69o e to ore slo%ly" y (ing" here! y e!7 he ha& tol& e! an& I ha&" There %as an instant of $eace in uch as to hi " e an& %as busy &igging at el an& by #n& so! after all that ti e an& tra'el! I %as left stan&ing alone before reali1ing that that nagging 'oice %as finally stille&" 6;ell! I a king!7 I sai& )uietly! to Aerity yself as a&e no re$ly" He ha& turne& his back to

the statue %ith his s%or&" He knelt! clutching the s%or& by the $o foreleg" I ste$$e& close to %atch hi His face %as so intent! his

the bla&e an& scra$e& the ti$ along the stone at the e&ge of the &ragon.s scratching at the black rock of the &ais" o'e ent so $recise that I &i& not kno% %hat to

ake of it" 6Aerity! %hat are you &oing07 I aske& softly"

12B?

He &i& not e'en glance u$ at

e" 69ar'ing a &ragon!7 he re$lie&" onotonous scra$e! y teeth on e&ge an& shre&&e& our

Se'eral hours later! he still toile& at the sa e task" The scra$e! scra$e of the bla&e against the stone set e'ery ner'e in

y bo&y" I ha& re aine& on the &ais %ith hi " Starling an& the

Fool ha& set u$ our tent! an& a secon& s aller one cobble& together fro

no% excess %inter blankets" # fire %as burning" (ettle $resi&e& o'er a bubbling $ot" The Fool %as sorting the greens an& roots he ha& gathere& %hile Starling arrange& be&&ing in the tents" (ettricken ha& re4oine& us briefly! but only to get her bo% an& )ui'er fro his &ark eyes! an& I ha& hel& I kne% but little the 4e$$as. $acks" She ha& announce& she e one la bent glance fro %as going hunting %ith 5ighteyes" He ha& gi'en y tongue" hi "

ore than I ha& %hen %e ha& first foun& Aerity" His Skill %as e'en ore unner'ing" I

%alls %ere high an& tight" I recei'e& al ost no sense of the Skill fro ;hat I &isco'ere& %hen I )ueste& to%ar& hi

gras$e& the fluttering ;it/sense I ha& of hi ! but coul& not un&erstan& it" It %as as if his life an& a%areness fluctuate& bet%een his bo&y an& the great statue of the &ragon" I recalle& the last ti e I ha& encountere& such a thing" It ha& been bet%een the ;it/ an an& his bear" They ha& share& the sa e flo%ing of life" I sus$ecte& that if anyone ha& )ueste& to%ar& the %olf an& %oul& &isco'er the sa e sort of $attern" ;e ha& share& in so e %ays %e %ere one creature" But that &i& not ex$lain to s%or&" I longe& to grab hol& of the s%or& an& snatch it fro to interru$t hi " Earlier I ha& trie& asking hi )uestions" ;hen I aske& hi %hat ha& beco e of those %ho left %ith hi ! he ha& shaken his hea& slo%ly" 6They harrie& us as
12BB

e! they

in&s for so long that e ho% Aerity his gras$! but I

coul& ha'e bon&e& %ith a statue! nor %hy he $ersiste& in scra$ing at it %ith his refraine&" In truth! he see e& so obsesse& %ith %hat he &i& that I al ost feare&

a flock of cro%s %ill haunt an eagle" 9o ing close! s)ua%king an& $ecking! an& fleeing %hen %e turne& to attack the "7 69ro%s07 I ha& aske& hi ! blankly" He shook his hea& at y stu$i&ity" 6Hire& sol&iers" They shot at us fro y co'er" They ca e at us at night! so eti es" #n& so e of coterie.s Skill" I coul& not shiel& the go back+ I $resse& y o%n Skill/co en %ere baffle& by the

in&s of those %ho %ere susce$tible" an& into their in&s! to sa'e the fro

5ight fears they sent to stalk the ! an& sus$icion of one another" So I bi& the any other"7 It %as al ost the only )uestion he truly ans%ere&" Of the others I aske&! he &i& not choose to ans%er any! an& the ans%ers he &i& gi'e %ere yself either ina$$ro$riate or e'asi'e" So I ga'e it u$" Instea&! I foun& %atche& hi anchor hi

re$orting to hi " It %as a long accounting! for I began %ith the &ay I ha& ri&e a%ay" -uch of %hat I tol& hi ! I %as sure he alrea&y kne%! in& %as %an&ering! as I feare&! it y king.s ight to refresh his e ory" #n& if in& %as as shar$ as e'er but I re$eate& it any%ay" If his

beneath this &usty &e eanor! then it coul& not hurt for all the e'ents to be $ut in $ers$ecti'e an& or&er" I coul& think of no other %ay to reach hi " I ha& begun it! I think! to try to ake hi reali1e all! %e ha& gone through to be so e here" #lso! I %ishe& to a%aken hi to %hat %as ha$$ening in his king&o

%hile he loitere& here %ith his &ragon" *erha$s I ho$e& to %ake in hi

sense of res$onsibility for his folk again" #s I s$oke! he see e& &is$assionate! but occasionally he %oul& no& gra'ely! as if I ha& confir e& so e secret fear of his" #n& all the ti e the s%or& ti$ scra$e! scra$e" It %as 'erging on full &ark %hen I hear& the scuff of (ettle.s footste$s behin& e" I $ause& in recounting y a&'entures in the ruine& city an& turne& to look at her" 6I.'e brought you both so e hot tea!7 she announce&"
12BC

o'e& against the black stone! scra$e!

6Thank you!7 I sai&! an& took fro his $er$etual scra$ing"

ug fro

her! but Aerity only glance& u$

For a ti e! (ettle stoo& $roffering the cu$ to Aerity" ;hen she s$oke! it %as not to re in& hi of tea" 6;hat are you &oing07 she aske& in a gentle 'oice" e as The scra$ing sto$$e& abru$tly" He turne& to stare at her! then glance& at see e& to a a1e hi " He cleare& his throat" 6I a car'ing a &ragon"7 ore" y knife" #n&

if to see if I! too! ha& hear& her ri&iculous )uestion" The )uerying look I %ore 6;ith your s%or& bla&e07 she aske&" In her tone %as curiosity! no 6Only the rough $arts!7 he tol& her" 6For the finer %ork! I use then! for finest of all! sur'eying the i

y fingers an& nails"7 He turne& his hea& slo%ly! uch to &o0 So 'ery

ense statue" 6I %oul& like to say it is nearly &one!7 he sai&

falteringly" 6But ho% can I say that %hen there is still so 6Too late for %hat07 I aske& hi !

uch to &o , an& I fear it %ill all be too late" If it is not alrea&y too late"7 y 'oice as gentle as (ettle.s ha& been" e as if I y lan& 6;hy , too late to sa'e the folk of the Six Duchies"7 He $eere& at %ere si $le" 6;hy else %oul& I be &oing it0 ;hy else %oul& I lea'e an& out of y )ueen! to co e here07 e! but one o'er%hel ing )uestion $o$$e& y outh" 6You belie'e you ha'e car'e& this %hole &ragon07 a&! he a&&e&! 6It isn.t finishe& yet"7 He looke& again o'er his a$s" 6But ore uch has taken e a long ti e" # 'ery long ti e"7 I trie& to gras$ %hat he %as telling

Aerity consi&ere&" 65o" Of course not"7 But 4ust as I felt relief that he %as not co $letely e'en this &ragon %ith the fon&ly $rou& look he ha& once reser'e& for his best

6;on.t you &rink your tea %hile it.s hot! sir07 (ettle aske&! once $roffering the cu$"

12BD

Aerity looke& at it as if it %ere a foreign ob4ect" Then he took it gra'ely fro her han&" 6Tea" I ha& al ost forgotten about tea" 5ot elfbark! is it0 E&a.s ercy! ho% I hate& that bitter bre%:7 (ettle al ost %ince& to hear hi you" It is int"7 65ettle tea" -y other use& to gi'e us nettle tea as a s$ring tonic"7 He s ile& y &ragon" -y other.s nettle tea"7 He took a si$ , it has been so long since I ha& to hi self" 6I %ill $ut that in ti e to eat anything %ar "7 6Ho% long07 (ettle aske& hi con'ersationally" 6# , long ti e!7 Aerity sai&" He took another si$ of the tea" 6There are fish in a strea ! outsi&e the )uarry" But it is har& enough to take ti e to catch the ! let alone cook the " #ctually! I forget" I ha'e $ut so &ragon , $erha$s that %as one of the "7 6#n& ho% long since you sle$t07 (ettle $resse& hi " 6I cannot both %ork an& slee$!7 he $ointe& out to her" 6#n& the %ork &one"7 6#n& the %ork shall be &one!7 she $ro ise& hi " 6But tonight you %ill $ause! 4ust for a bit! to eat an& &rink" #n& then to slee$" See0 =ook &o%n there" Starling has a&e you a tent! an& %ithin it %ill be %ar ! soft be&&ing" #n& anage"7 yself!7 he %ar e& %ater! to %ash yourself" #n& such fresh clothing as %e can He looke& &o%n at his sil'ere& han&s" 6I &o not kno% if I can %ash confi&e& to her" 6Then Fit19hi'alry an& the Fool %ill hel$ you!7 she $ro ise& hi 6(ettricken" ;as not she here! a %hile ago0 Or &i& I &rea
12BE

s$eak of it" 65o! sir! no elfbark! I $ro ise afrai&" -ostly nettle! an& a bit of

a&e fro

%aysi&e herbs! I.

of it! an& then looke& startle&" 6It.s %ar

any things into the

ust be

blithely" uch of

6Thank you" That %oul& be goo&" But ,7 His eyes %ent afar for a ti e" her0 So

her %as %hat %as strongest! so I $ut it into the &ragon" I think that is %hat I ha'e isse& the ost! of all I ha'e $ut there"7 He $ause& an& then a&&e&! 6#t iss"7 the ti es %hen I can recall %hat I

6(ettricken is here!7 I assure& hi " 6She has gone hunting! but she %ill return soon" ;oul& you like to be %ashe& an& freshly clothe& %hen she returns07 I ha& $ri'ately resol'e& to res$on& to the $arts of his con'ersation that sense! an& not u$set hi by )uestioning the other $arts" e! a sha&e of $ri&e in his 'oice" uch %ork to &o"7 ore to&ay" ;ait until to orro%" It %ill ore of the tea" E'en that thin afrai& 6That one sees $ast such things!7 he tol& 6Still! it %oul& be nice , but there is so 6But it is getting too &ark to %ork any a&e

get &one!7 (ettle assure& hi " 6To orro%! I %ill hel$ you"7 Aerity shook his hea& slo%ly" He si$$e& you cannot" I ust &o it yself! you see"7 be'erage see e& to be strengthening hi " 65o!7 he sai& )uietly" 6I a

6To orro%! you %ill see" I think! if you ha'e strength enough by then! then it ay be $ossible for his u$$er ar e to hel$ you" But %e shall not %orry about it until then"7 ug back to her" Instea&! she )uickly gri$$e& his gras$! but he let it fall" I stoo$e& to y eyes &o%n the bla&e that to his feet" She %as strong for such an ol& %o an" He sighe& an& offere& the e $ty an& &re% hi

She &i& not seek to take the s%or& fro ha& &e$ri'e& hi

gather it u$" He follo%e& (ettle &ocilely! as if her si $le act of taking his ar of all %ill" #s I follo%e&! I ran ha& been Ho&.s $ri&e" I %on&ere& %hat ha& $ossesse& Aerity to take such a kingly %ea$on an& turn it into a rock/car'ing tool" The e&ges %ere turne& an& notche& fro uch like the the isuse! the ti$ no ore $ointe& than a s$oon" The s%or& %as &o%n to the ca $" an! I reflecte&! an& follo%e& the

;hen %e got &o%n to the firesi&e! I %as al ost shocke& to see that (ettricken ha& returne&" She sat by the fire! staring &is$assionately into it" 5ighteyes lay
12CH

al ost across her feet" His ears $ricke& to%ar& he a&e no o'e to lea'e the Iueen" (ettle gui&e& Aerity &irectly to the of %ater fro

e as I a$$roache& the fire! but

akeshift tent that ha& been $itche& for

hi " She no&&e& to the Fool! an& %ithout a %or& he took u$ a stea ing basin besi&e the fire an& follo%e& her" ;hen I 'enture& to enter the e an& (ettle a%ay" 6He %ill not be the to e"7 sternly" The Fool tiny tent also! the Fool shooe& both

first king I ha'e ten&e& to!7 he re in&e& us" 6Trust hi looke& a bit taken aback by that! but after a agree ent" #s I left he %as untying the Aerity obser'e! 6I ha'e %ith That %as har& for It %as necessary"7 isse& 9hari

6Touch not his han&s nor forear s:7 (ettle %arne& hi

o ent he ga'e a bobbing no& of uch/knotte& thong that close& co e

Aerity.s %orn 4erkin! s$eaking all the %hile of inconse)uential things" I hear& so" I shoul& ne'er ha'e let hi e! but he ha& ser'e& e so long , He &ie& slo%ly! %ith uch $ain"

e! %atching hi

&ie" But! he! too! has gone into the &ragon"

I felt a%k%ar& %hen I returne& to the fire" Starling %as stirring the $ot of ste% that %as bubbling into the fire! y hunger so that errily" # large chunk of eat on a s$it %as &ri$$ing fat e of aking the fla es lea$ an& hiss" The s ell of it re in&e& e"

y belly gro%le&" (ettle %as stan&ing! her back to the fire!

staring off into &arkness" (ettricken.s eyes flickere& to%ar& 6So!7 I sai& su&&enly! 6Ho% %as the hunting07

6#s you see!7 (ettricken sai& softly" She gesture& at the $ot! an& then tosse& a han& casually to in&icate a butchere& out %oo& so%" I ste$$e& o'er to a& ire it" It %as not a s all ani al" 6Dangerous $rey!7 I obser'e&! trying to soun& casual rather than horrifie& that y )ueen %oul& take on such a beast alone"

12C1

6It %as %hat I nee&e& to hunt!7 she sai&! her 'oice still soft" I un&erstoo& her only too %ell" It %as 'ery goo& hunting" 5e'er ha'e I taken so 5ighteyes tol& uch eat %ith so little effort! e" He rubbe& the si&e of his hea& against her leg in true

affection" She &ro$$e& a han& to $ull gently at his ears" He groane& in $leasure an& leane& hea'ily against her" 6You.ll s$oil hi !7 I uch ock/%arne& her" 6He tells e he has ne'er taken so e" #n& he has eat %ith so little effort"7 y first arro% &i& not &ro$ her! he hel& her at bay %hile I y bo%"7 She s$oke as if she ha& nothing else on her e! 6;hat is %rong %ith hi 07 not sure!7 I sai& gently" 6He has in&" #n&

6He is so intelligent" I s%ear! he &ro'e the ga e to%ar& courage" ;hen nocke& another one to But she su&&enly aske&

in& but this" I no&&e& to her %or&s! content to let our con'ersation be thus" I kne% she &i& not s$eak of the %olf" 6I a ,7 65o"7 (ettle.s 'oice %as brus)ue" 6That is not it at all" Though I %ill grant you he is %eary" #ny her" 6I &o!7 the ol& %o an re$lie& %ith certainty" 6It is as he tol& you" He hear& such a thing" E'en (ing ;is&o left of it %hen he reache& here"7 65o one coul& ha'e car'e& that statue %ith a s%or&!7 I sai& stubbornly" ;hat she %as saying %as nonsense" ust &o it hi self! an& so he has &one it"7 She shook her hea& slo%ly" 65e'er ha'e I ha& the hel$ of his coterie! or %hat %as an %oul& be! to &o %hat he has &one alone" ButG7 6You cannot belie'e he has car'e& that %hole &ragon hi self:7 I interru$te&

kno%n a great &eal of $ri'ation" *erha$s enough to , %eaken his

12C2

For ans%er! she rose an& stalke& off into the &arkness" ;hen she returne&! she &ro$$e& t%o ob4ects at iron y feet" One ha& been a chisel! once" Its hea& %as $eene& o'er into a lu $! its bla&e gone to nothing" The other %as an ancient allet hea&! %ith a relati'ely ne% %oo&en han&le set into it" 6There are in the city" Or &iscar&e& onths that Aerity ha& others! scattere& about" He $robably foun& the

hereabouts!7 she obser'e& before I coul& ask the )uestion" I stare& at the battere& tools! an& consi&ere& all the been gone" For this0 For the car'ing of a stone &ragon0 6I &on.t un&erstan&!7 I sai& faintly" (ettle s$oke clearly! as if I %ere slo%" 6He has been car'ing a &ragon! an& storing all his is e ories in it" That is $art of %hy he see s so 'ague" But there ore" I belie'e he use& the Skill to kill 9arro&! an& has taken grie'ous hurt

in so &oing"7 She shook her hea& sa&ly" 6To ha'e co e so close to finishing! an& then to be &efeate&" I %on&er ho% sly Regal.s coterie is" Di& they sen& one against hi ! kno%ing that if Aerity kille& %ith the Skill! he hi self07 6I &o not think any of that coterie %oul& %illingly sacrifice hi self"7 (ettle s ile& bitterly" 6I &i& not say he %as %illingly sent" 5or &i& I say he kne% %hat his fello%s inten&e&" It is like the ga e of stones! Fit19hi'alry" One $lays each stone to best a&'antage in the ga e" The ob4ect is to %in! not to hoar& one.s stones"7 ight &efeat

9H#*TER THIRTY/FO>R Jirl on a Dragon

12C8

E#R=Y I5 O>R resistance to the Re&/Shi$s! before anyone in the Six Duchies ha& begun to call it a %ar! (ing Shre%& an& *rince Aerity reali1e& that the task facing the Shre%& su %as o'er%hel ing" 5o in&i'i&ual an! no atter to ho% Skille&! coul& stan& alone to fen& the Re&/Shi$s fro one& before hi our coasts" (ing

Jalen! the Skill aster! an& &irecte& hi

create for Aerity a coterie to ai& the $rince.s efforts" Jalen resiste& this i&ea! es$ecially %hen he foun& that one of those he ust train %as a royal bastar&" %ere to ake the best of The Skill aster &eclare& that none of the stu&ents $resente& to hi %orthy of training" But (ing Shre%& insiste&! telling hi the bore his na e" It soon beca e a$$arent to *rince Aerity that the coterie! %hile internally cohesi'e! &i& not %ork %ell %ith the $rince at all" By then Jalen ha& &ie&! lea'ing Buckkee$ %ith no successor to the $ost of Skill aster" In &es$eration! Aerity sought for others traine& in the Skill %ho Shre%&.s reign! Aerity reasone& that there ight co e to his ai&" en an& %o en e bers #lthough there ha& been no coteries create& in the $eaceful years of (ing ight still li'e traine& for coteries before that" Ha& not the longe'ity of coterie or be able to train others in the Skill" But *rince Aerity.s efforts in this area a'aile& hi i&entify as Skill users fro recor&s an& %or& of nothing" Those he coul& outh %ere all either &ea&! or

that he coul&" ;hen Jalen gru&gingly ga'e in! he create& the coterie that

al%ays been legen&ary0 *erha$s he coul& fin& one %ho %oul& either hel$ hi !

ysteriously 'anishe&" So *rince Aerity %as left to %age his %ar alone" Before I coul& $ress (ettle to clarify her ans%ers! there %as a cry fro Aerity.s tent" E'ery one of us 4u $e&! but (ettle %as the first to the tent fla$" The Fool e erge&! gri$$ing his left %rist in his right han&" He %ent straight to
12C<

the %ater bucket an& $lunge& in his han&" His face %as contorte& %ith either $ain or fear! $erha$s both" (ettle stalke& after hi gri$$e&" She shook her hea& in &isgust" 6I %arne& you: Here! take it out of the %ater! it %on.t &o it any goo&" 5othing %ill &o it any goo&" Sto$" Think about it" It.s not really $ain! it.s 4ust a sensation you.'e ne'er felt before" Take a breath" Relax" #cce$t it" #cce$t it" Breathe &ee$! breathe &ee$"7 #ll the %hile she s$oke! she tugge& at the Fool.s ar his han& fro the %ater" (ettle i until he reluctantly &re% e&iately o'erset the bucket %ith her foot" to $eer at the han& he

She scuffe& rock &ust an& gra'el o'er the s$ille& %ater! all the %hile gri$$ing the Fool.s ar " I crane& y neck to $eer $ast her" His first three fingers on his %ith a shu&&er" I ha& left han& %ere no% ti$$e& %ith sil'er" He looke& at the ne'er seen the Fool so unner'e&" (ettle s$oke fir ly" 6It %on.t %ash off3 It %on.t %i$e off" It.s %ith you no%! so acce$t it" #cce$t it"7 6Does it hurt07 I aske& anxiously" 6Don.t ask hi In that:7 (ettle sna$$e& at e" 6Don.t ask hi e"7 y king" I stoo$e& to enter anything 4ust no%" See to the (ing! Fit19hi'alry! an& lea'e the Fool to y %orry o'er the Fool! I ha& all but forgotten

the tent" Aerity sat on t%o fol&e& blankets" He %as struggling to lace u$ one of y shirts" I &e&uce& that Starling ha& ransacke& all the $acks to fin& clean clothes for hi " It s ote 6#llo% e! e to see hi so thin that one of y shirts fit hi " y king!7 I suggeste&" behin& his back" 6Is the Fool e as I fought %ith the knotte& strings" He soun&e&

He not only &ro$$e& his han&s a%ay! he $ut the uch hurt07 he aske& al ost like y ol& Aerity"

12C?

6@ust three fingerti$s are sil'ere&!7 I tol& hi " I sa% that the Fool ha& lai& out a brush an& thong" I ste$$e& behin& Aerity! an& began to brush his hair back" He hastily snatche& his han&s aroun& in front of hi " So e of the gray in his hair ha& been rock &ust! but not all" His %arrior.s )ueue %as no% gray %ith black streaks in it an& coarse as a horse.s tail" I struggle& to s ooth it back" #s I tie& the thong I aske& hi ! 6;hat &oes it feel like07 6These07 he aske&! hol&ing u$ his han&s an& %aggling the fingers" 6Oh" =ike Skill" Only ore so! an& on y han&s an& ar s"7 y )uestion" 6;hy &i& you &o it07 I aske&" y han&s! the I sa% he thought he ha& ans%ere& stone

6;ell! to %ork the stone! you kno%" ;hen this $o%er is on

ust obey the Skill" Extraor&inary stone" =ike the ;itness Stones in

Buck! &i& you kno% that0 Only they are not nearly as $ure as %hat is here" Of course! han&s are $oor tools for %orking stone" But once you ha'e cut a%ay all the excess! &o%n to %here the &ragon %aits! then he can be a%akene& %ith your touch" I &ra% y han&s o'er the stone! an& I recall to it the &ragon" #n& all that is not &ragon shi'ers a%ay in shar&s an& chi$s" Aery slo%ly! of course" It took a %hole &ay 4ust to re'eal his eyes"7 6I see!7 I ur ure&! at a loss" I &i& not kno% %hether he %as a& or if I e07 belie'e& hi " He stoo& u$ as far as he coul& in the lo% tent" 6Is (ettricken angry %ith he aske& abru$tly" 6-y lor& king! it is not for the )uestion! Fit1"7 He soun&e& so like his ol& self I %ante& to e brace hi " Instea&! I sai&! 6I &o not kno% if she is angry" She is &efinitely hurt" She ca e a long an& %eary %ay to fin& you! bearing terrible ne%s" #n& you &i& not see
12CB

e to say ,7 e Aerity! an& for E&a.s sake! ans%er

6Aerity!7 he interru$te& %earily" 69all

to care"7

6I care! %hen I think of it!7 he sai& gra'ely" 6;hen I think of it! I grie'e" But there are so any things I ust think of! an& I cannot think of the all at once" I kne% %hen the chil& &ie&! Fit1" Ho% coul& I not kno%0 He! too! an& all I felt! I ha'e $ut into the &ragon"7 He %alke& slo%ly a%ay fro ol& e! an& I follo%e& hi out of the tent" Outsi&e! he stoo& u$ straight! but &i& not lose the stoo$ in his shoul&ers" Aerity %as an an no%! far ol&er than 9ha&e so eho%" I &i& not un&erstan& that! but I kne% it %as true" (ettricken glance& u$ at his a$$roach" She looke& back into the fire! an& then! al ost un%illingly she stoo&! ste$$ing clear of the slee$ing %olf" (ettle an& Starling %ere bin&ing the Fool.s fingers in stri$s of cloth" Aerity %ent straight to (ettricken an& stoo& besi&e her" 6-y )ueen!7 he sai& gra'ely" 6If I coul&! I %oul& e brace you" But you ha'e seen that ,7 He gesture& at the Fool an& let his %or&s trail a%ay" I ha& seen the look on her face %hen she ha& tol& Aerity about the stillbirth" I ex$ecte& her to turn asi&e fro hi ! to hurt hi as he ha& hurt her" But (ettricken.s heart %as larger than that" 6Oh! hi ! taking hi cheek a%ay fro you gi'e hi 6I na e& hi y husban&!7 she sai&! an& her y touch

'oice broke on the %or&s" He hel& his sil'ere& ar s %i&e! an& she ca e to in her e brace" He bo%e& his gray hea& o'er the rough gol& her" His 'oice %as husky an& broken as he aske& her! 6Di& of her hair! but coul& not allo% his han& to touch her" He turne& his sil'ere& a na e0 Our son07 accor&ing to the custo s of your lan&"7 She took a breath" The

%or& %as so soft I scarce hear& it" 6Sacrifice!7 she breathe&" She clung to hi tightly an& I sa% his thin shoul&ers con'ulse in a sob" 6Fit1:7 (ettle hisse& at the e shar$ly" I turne& to fin& her sco%ling at e" 6=ea'e alone!7 she %his$ere&" 6-ake yourself useful" Jet a $late for the Fool"7

12CC

I ha& been staring at the " I turne& a%ay! sha e& to ha'e been ga%king! but gla& to see the foo& for e brace! e'en in sorro%" I &i& as (ettle ha& or&ere&! getting yself at the sa e ti e" I took the $late to the Fool" He sat cra&ling

his in4ure& han& in his la$" He looke& u$ as I sat besi&e hi " 6It &oesn.t rub off on anything else!7 he co $laine&" 6;hy &i& it cling to 6I &on.t kno%"7 6Because you.re ali'e!7 (ettle sai& succinctly" She sat &o%n across fro if %e nee&e& su$er'ising" 6Aerity tol& e he can sha$e rock %ith his fingers because of the Skill on i&&le so that it fla$s at both en&s0 You talk too uch if you s$oke a bit ore!7 I re$lie&" 6Rock y the !7 I tol& her" 6Is your tongue hinge& in the uch:7 (ettle rebuke& is not ali'e"7 She looke& at e" 6You kno% that! &o you0 ;ell! %hat is the $oint of talking %hen you alrea&y kno% e'erything07 She attacke& her foo& as if it ha& &one her a $ersonal %rong" Starling 4oine& us" She sat &o%n besi&e e! her $late on her knees an& sai&! 6I &on.t un&erstan& about the sil'ery stuff on his han&s" ;hat is it07 The Fool snickere& into his $late like a naughty chil& %hen (ettle glare& at her" But I %as getting tire& of (ettle.s e'asions" 6;hat &oes it feel like07 I aske& the Fool" He glance& &o%n at his ban&age& fingers" 65ot $ain" Aery sensiti'e" I can feel the %ea'e of the threa&s in the ban&ages"7 His eyes starte& to get &istant3 He s ile&" 6I can see the an %ho %o'e it! an& I kno% the %o an %ho s$un it" The shee$ on the hillsi&e! rain falling on their thick %ool! an& the grass they ate
12CD

y fingers07 us as

e"

6*erha$s I %oul& not talk too

, %ool is fro

grass! Fit1" # shirt %o'en fro

grass" 5o! there is

ore" The

soil! black an& rich an& ,7 6Sto$ it:7 (ettle sai& harshly" #n& she turne& to asking hi ! Fit1" >nless you %ant hi 6Ho% is it you kno% so 6# ong us0 5ot She ga'e the Fool a shar$ $oke" 6Eat your foo&"7 uch about the Skill07 Starling su&&enly aske& her" 65ot you! too:7 (ettle angrily &eclare&3 6Is there nothing $ri'ate any ore07 uch!7 the Fool re$lie&! but he %as not looking at her" He %ee$ing! as she &ishe& u$ %as %atching (ettricken! her face still $uffy fro e angrily" 6#n& you sto$ to follo% it too far an& be lost fore'er"7

foo& for herself an& Aerity" Her %orn an& staine& clothing! her rough hair an& cha$$e& han&s an& the si $le! ho ely task she $erfor e& for her husban& shoul& ha'e a&e her see like any %o an" But I looke& at her an& sa% her han& the si $le %oo&en outhful of foo&" E'en $erha$s the strongest )ueen that Buckkee$ ha& e'er kno%n" I %atche& Aerity %ince slightly as he took fro &ish an& s$oon" He shut his eyes a across ca $ fro o ent! struggling against the $ull of the

i $le ent.s history" He co $ose& his face an& took a

hi ! I felt the su&&en a%akening of $lain hunger" It %as not

4ust hot foo& he ha& been long %ithout! it %as soli& sustenance of any kin&" He took a shu&&ering breath an& began to eat like a star'e& %olf" (ettle %as %atching hi " # look of $ity crosse& her face" 65o" Aery little $ri'acy left for any of us!7 she sai& sa&ly" 6The sooner %e get hi hi back to @haa $e! the sooner he can get better!7 Starling sai& soothingly" 6Shoul& %e start to orro%! &o you think0 Or gi'e a fe% &ays of foo& an& rest to rebuil& his strength07 back to @haa $e!7 (ettle sai&! an un&ercurrent of 6;e shall not be taking hi

sa&ness in her 'oice" 6He has begun a &ragon" He cannot lea'e it"7 She looke&

12CE

aroun& at us le'elly" 6The only thing %e can &o for hi hel$ hi finish it"7

no% is stay here an&

6;ith Re&/Shi$s torching the entire coastline of the Six Duchies an& Farro% attacking the -ountains! %e shoul& stay here an& hel$ the (ing car'e a &ragon07 Starling %as incre&ulous" 6Yes" If %e %ant to sa'e the Six Duchies an& the -ountains! that is exactly %hat %e shoul& &o" 5o%! you %ill excuse I set e" I think I shall $ut on ore eat to cook" Our king looks as if he coul& use it"7 y e $ty $late asi&e" 6;e shoul& $robably cook it all" In this %eather! eat %ill sour fast!7 I un%isely sai&" I s$ent the next hour butchering the $ig into $ortions that coul& &ry cook o'er the fire all night" 5ighteyes a%oke an& hel$e& &is$ose of scra$s until his belly %as &isten&e&" (ettricken an& Aerity sat talking )uietly" I trie& not to %atch the ! but e'en so! I %as a%are that his ga1e fre)uently straye& fro her to the &ais %here his &ragon crouche& o'er us" The lo% ru ble of his 'oice %as hesitant! an& often &ie& a%ay altogether until $ro $te& by another )uestion fro (ettricken" et (ettle.s sco%ls %ith a benign s ile" 6I. The Fool %as a using hi self by touching things %ith his Skillfingers3 a bo%l! a knife! the cloth of his shirt" He being careful!7 he tol& her once" 6You ha'e no i&ea of ho% to be careful!7 she co $laine&" 6You %on.t kno% you.'e lost your %ay until you.re gone"7 She got u$ fro together to get the " (ettricken hel$e& Aerity into the tent" #fter a into the o ent she rea$$eare& to go y )uick ain tent" She e erge& carrying her be&&ing" She caught
12DH

our butchery %ith a

grunt an& insiste& on reban&aging his fingers" #fter that! she an& Starling left ore fire%oo&" The %olf got u$ %ith a groan an& follo%e&

glance an& abashe& ittens fro

e by

eeting

y eyes s)uarely" 6I ha'e taken your long e cal ly" Then she 4oine& Aerity in

your $ack! Fit1!7 she tol& y cutting on the

the s aller tent" The Fool an& I looke& e'ery%here exce$t at each other" I %ent back to eat" I %as tire& of it" The s ell of the $ig eat an& I y elbo%s" The %orn cuffs of y shirt %ere %as su&&enly the s ell of so ething &ea& rather than that of fresh ha& s ears of sticky bloo& u$ to besi&e 6;hen e" y fingers brushe& Aerity.s ar ! I kne% hi !7 he sai& su&&enly" 6I e to follo%! as %orthy as his father before uch for y soake& %ith it" I continue& &ogge&ly %ith

y task" The Fool ca e to crouch

kne% he %as a %orthy king for

hi " I kno% %hat he inten&s!7 he a&&e& in a lo%er 'oice" 6It %as too &rea about Real&er"7

e to gras$ at first! but I ha'e been sitting an& thinking" #n& it fits in %ith # shi'er ran through &e an&e&"

e that ha& nothing to &o %ith chill" 6;hat07 I

6The &ragons are the El&erlings!7 the Fool sai& softly" 6But Aerity coul& not %ake the " So he car'es his o%n &ragon! an& %hen it is finishe&! he %ill %aken it! an& then he %ill go forth to fight the Re&/Shi$s" #lone"7 #lone" That %or& struck e" Once again! Aerity ex$ecte& to fight the Re&/ uch I &i&n.t )uite gras$" 6#ll the El&erlings in& %ent back to all the fanciful &ra%ings an& Shi$s alone" But there %as too %ere &ragons07 I aske&" -y

%ea'ings of El&erlings I ha& e'er seen" So e ha& been &ragon like! but ,7 65o" The El&erlings are &ragons" Those car'e& creatures back in the stone gar&en" Those are the El&erlings" (ing ;is&o ti e! to rouse the an& recruit the %as able to %ake the in his to his cause" They ca e to life for hi " uch of his

But no% they either slee$ too &ee$ly or they are &ea&" Aerity s$ent strength trying to rouse the

in e'ery %ay he coul& think of" #n& %hen he

12D1

coul& not! he &eci&e& that he %oul& ha'e to )uicken it! an& use it to fight the Re&/Shi$s"7

ake his o%n El&erling! an&

I sat stunne&" I thought of the ;it/life both the %olf an& I ha& sense& cra%ling through those stones" ;ith a su&&en $ang! I re e bere& the tra$$e& anguish of the girl on a &ragon statue in this 'ery )uarry" =i'ing stone! tra$$e& an& flightless fore'er" I shu&&ere&" It %as a &ifferent kin& of &ungeon" 6Ho% is it &one07 The Fool shook his hea&" 6I &on.t kno%" I &on.t think Aerity hi self kno%s" He blun&ers to%ar& it! blin& an& gro$ing" He sha$es the stone! an& gi'es it his e ories" #n& %hen it is finishe&! it %ill co e to life" I su$$ose"7 6Do you hear %hat you are saying07 I aske& hi " 6Stone is going to rise! an& &efen& the Six Duchies fro the the Re&/Shi$s" #n& %hat of Regal.s troo$s an& e" 6This is %hat %e ha'e co e the bor&er skir ishes %ith the -ountain (ing&o 0 ;ill this F&ragon. &ri'e off as %ell07 Slo% anger %as buil&ing in all this %ay for0 For a tale I %oul& not ex$ect a chil& to belie'e07 The Fool looke& il&ly affronte&" 6Belie'e it or not as you choose" I but kno% uch istaken! (ettle belie'es it as %ell" ust stay here! an& hel$ Aerity co $lete the about Real&er.s that Aerity belie'es it" >nless I a ;hy else %oul& she insist %e &ragon07 For a ti e! I $on&ere& this" Then I aske& hi ! 6Your &rea &ragon" ;hat &o you recall of it07 He ga'e a hel$less shrug" 6The feelings of it! ostly" I %as exuberant an& 4oyful! for not only %as I announcing Real&er.s &ragon! but he %as going to fly e on it" I felt I %as a bit in lo'e %ith hi ! you kno%" That sort of lift to the heart" But ,7 He faltere&" 6I cannot recall if I lo'e& Real&er or his &ragon" In y &rea ! they are ingle& , I think" Recalling &rea s is so har&" One ust

12D2

sei1e the

as soon as one a%akes! an& )uickly re$eat the

to oneself! to

har&en the &etails" Other%ise they fa&e so )uickly"7 6But in your &rea ! &i& a stone &ragon fly07 6I %as announcing the &ragon in ha& not yet seen it! in 6Then ti e fro bloo&"7 He looke& at e curiously" 6You &o not belie'e there are real &ragons! to&ay07 6I ha'e ne'er seen one"7 6In the city!7 he $ointe& out )uietly" 6That %as a 'ision of a &ifferent ti e! you sai& to&ay"7 He hel& one of his o%n $ale han&s u$ to the firelight" 6I think they are like kin&" Rare! but not I shook bloo& an& fire! %hence %oul& co e the i&ea for these stone car'ings07 y hea& %earily" 6This con'ersation goes in circles" I a ust &o"7 eat %here the heat tire& of ri&&les an& guesses an& beliefs" I %ant to kno% %hat is real" I %ant to kno% %hy %e ca e all this %ay! an& %hat it is %e the %oo&! he hel$e& %oul& &ri'e the fat fro But the Fool ha& no ans%ers to that" ;hen (ettle an& Starling got back %ith e layer the fire an& arrange the it" ;hat eat %e coul& not set to cook! %e bun&le& y ythical" Besi&es! if there %ere no &ragons of flesh an& y &rea "7 ca e! there %ere real &ragons! of flesh an& y &rea ! an& kne% I %as to fly u$on it" I

aybe it has nothing to &o at all %ith %hat Aerity &oes" *erha$s! in the %hich your &rea

asi&e in the $igskin" There %as a si1able $ile of bones an& scra$s" Des$ite ho% he ha& gorge& earlier! 5ighteyes settle& &o%n %ith a leg bone to gna%" I sur ise& he ha& regurgitate& $art of his bellyful so e%here" There is no such thing as ha'ing too contente&ly" uch eat in reser'e! he tol& e

12D8

a&e a fe% atte $ts to nee&le (ettle into talking to uch ust be $rotecte&! not only fro Regal.s coterie! but fro

e! but so eho% it ust be no%" He the Skill/$ull of

e'ol'e& into a lecture on ho% ob4ects that ight take his

ore a%are of the Fool I

in& %an&ering" For that reason! she %ishe& us to ust slee$ on his back! his

stan& our %atches together" She insiste& the Fool

bare& fingers u$turne& so they touche& nothing" #s the Fool usually sle$t hu&&le& in a ball! he %as not o'erly $lease&" But at last %e settle& for the night" I %as not &ue to take until I o$ene& y eyes" y %atch until the hours before &a%n" But it %as short of y cheek an& 4og y hea& that %hen the %olf ca e to $ush his nose un&er 6;hat07 I &e an&e& tire&ly" (ettricken %alks alone! %ee$ing" I &oubte& she %oul& %ant y co $any" I also &oubte& that she shoul& be eat" I kne% she ust ha'e seen alone" I rose noiselessly an& follo%e& the %olf out of the tent" Outsi&e! (ettle sat by the fire! $oking &isconsolately at the the Iueen lea'e! so I &i& not &isse ble" 6I. going to go fin& (ettricken"7 e she %as going to look at 6*robably a goo& i&ea!7 she sai& )uietly" 6She tol& his &ragon! but she has been gone longer than that"7 ;e nee&e& to say no $ur$osefully a%ay fro ore about it" I follo%e& 5ighteyes as he trotte& the fire" But he le& e! not to%ar& Aerity.s &ragon! oonlight! an& %hat there %as the a&e the

but back through the )uarry" There %as little

loo ing black blocks of stone see e& to &rink a%ay" Sha&o%s see e& to fall in all &ifferent &irections! altering $ers$ecti'e" The nee& for caution )uarry 'ast as I $icke& y %ay along in the %olf.s %ake" otionless as the

-y skin $rickle& as I reali1e& %e %ere going in the &irection of the $illar" But %e foun& her before %e reache& there" She %as stan&ing!
12D<

stone itself! by the girl on the &ragon" She ha& cla bere& u$ onto the block of stone that trick of the ire& the &ragon! an& reache& u$ to lay a han& on the girl.s leg" # oonlight a&e it look as if the girl.s stone eyes looke& &o%n at

her" =ight s$arkle& sil'er on a stone tear! an& glistene& on the tears on (ettricken.s face" 5ighteyes $a&&e& lightly u$! lea$e& %eightlessly u$on the &ais! an& leane& his hea& against (ettricken.s leg %ith a tiny %hine"" 6Hush!7 she tol& hi softly" 6=isten" 9an you hear her %ee$ing0 I can"7 ore strongly her before" outh as she turne& to e" I &i& not &oubt it! for I coul& feel her )uesting out %ith the ;it! than I ha& e'er sense& it fro 6-y la&y!7 I sai& )uietly" She startle&! her han& flying to her 6I beg your $ar&on" I &i& not here alone" (ettle fears there not so far fro the $illar"7 alone" 5or can I think of anything yself"7 y )ueen! as %ell as I &o" *lease! e %orse than %hat I ha'e &one to e"7 e" Instea& she sat &o%n an& isery %as ean to frighten you" But you shoul& not be out ay still be &anger fro the coterie! an& %e are

She s ile& bitterly" 6;here'er I a ! I a they coul& &o to 6That is only because you &o not kno% the co e back to the ca $ %ith She

o'e& an& I thought she %oul& ste$ &o%n to

leane& back against the &ragon" -y ;it/sense of the &ragon/girl.s

echoe& by (ettricken.s" 6I 4ust %ante& to lie besi&e hi !7 she sai& )uietly" 6To hol& hi " #n& to be hel&" To be hel&! Fit1" To feel , not safe" I kno% none of us are safe" But to feel 'alue&" =o'e&" I &i& not ex$ect %oul& not" He sai& he coul& not touch ar s glo'e&! he %oul& not touch e"7 ore than that" But he e" That he &are& not touch anything

li'e sa'e his &ragon"7 She turne& her hea& asi&e" 6E'en %ith his han&s an&

12D?

I foun& coul&"7

yself cla bering u$ the &ais" I took her by the shoul&ers an& &re% her

to her feet" 6He %oul& if he coul&!7 I tol& her" 6This I kno%" He %oul& if he She lifte& her han&s to co'er her face! an& her silent sli&ing tears su&&enly beca e sobs" She s$oke through the " 6You , an& your Skill" #n& hi " You s$eak so easily of kno%ing %hat he feels" Of lo'e" But I , I &on.t ha'e that" I a only , I nee& to feel it! Fit1" I nee& to feel his ar s about e! to be close in so y ar s to hi " To belie'e he lo'es e" #s I lo'e hi " #fter I ha'e faile& hi

any %ays" Ho% can I belie'e , %hen he refuses to e'en ,7 I $ut about her an& &re% her hea& &o%n on against both of us an& keene& softly"

y shoul&er! %hile 5ighteyes leane& u$

6He lo'es you!7 I tol& her" 6He &oes" But fate has lai& this bur&en u$on both of you" It ust be borne"7 6Sacrifice!7 she breathe&! an& I &i& not kno% if she na e& her chil& or &efine& her life" She continue& to %ee$! an& I hel& her! soothing her hair an& telling her it %oul& get better! it ha& to be better so e&ay! there %oul& be a life for the %hen all this %as o'er! an& chil&ren! chil&ren gro%ing u$ safe fro Re&/Shi$s ingle& an& or Regal.s e'il a bitions" In ti e I felt her )uiet! an& reali1e& it %as ;it as uch as %or&s I ha& been gi'ing her" The feeling I ha& for her ha& %ith the %olf.s an& 4oine& us" Jentler than a Skill/bon&! natural! I hel& her in y heart as uch as in against her! telling her he %oul& guar& her! that his %oul& be" It %as she %ho finally broke the e brace" She ga'e a final shu&&ering sigh! an& then ste$$e& a$art fro e" Her han& rose to s ear the %etness on her cheeks" 6Oh! Fit1!7 she sai&! si $ly! sa&ly" #n& that %as all" I stoo& still!
12DB

ore %ar

y ar s" 5ighteyes $resse& u$ eat %oul& e'er be her

eat! that she nee& fear nothing that ha& teeth! for %e %ere $ack! an& al%ays

feeling the chill a$artness %here for a ti e %e ha& been together" # su&&en $ang of loss assaile& e" #n& then a shi'er of fear as I reali1e& its source" The girl on the &ragon ha& share& our e brace! her ;it/ isery briefly console& by our closeness" 5o%! as %e &re% a$art! the far! chill %ailing of the stone rose u$ again! lou&er an& stronger" I trie& to lea$ lightly &o%n fro fro e" It %as frightening! but I aske& the &ais! but as I lan&e& I staggere& an& nearly fell" So eho% that 4oining ha& &ra%n strength y uneasiness as I silently acco $anie& (ettricken back to the ca $" I %as 4ust in ti e to relie'e (ettle on %atch" She an& (ettricken %ent to slee$! $ro ising to sen& the Fool out to stan& %atch %ith a$$ro'e&" # e" The %olf ga'e e an I a$ologetic glance an& then follo%e& (ettricken into the tent" I assure& hi

o ent later the Fool e erge&! rubbing his eyes %ith his left e as I looke& o'er the eat to see %hich $ieces nee&e&

han& an& carrying his right lightly curle& against his chest" He took a seat on a stone across fro turning" For a ti e he %atche& e silently" Then he stoo$e&! an& %ith his right o ent! he tucke& the %oo& into the fire an& e" 6So e forty years of gro%ing!

han&! $icke& u$ a $iece of fire%oo&" I kne% I shoul& rebuke hi ! but instea& I %atche&! as curious as he" #fter a %inter an& su nee& fear er! stor straightene&" 6Iuiet an& lo'ely!7 he tol&

an& fair %eather" #n& before that! it %as borne as a an"

nut by another tree" #n& so the threa& goes back! o'er an& o'er" I &o not think I uch fro natural things! only those that ha'e been %rought by Then the threa&s go ra'eling out" But trees! I think! %ill be $leasant to touch"7 6(ettle sai& you shoul& touch no li'e things!7 I re in&e& hi chil&" 6(ettle has not to li'e %ith this" I &o" I grinne& %icke&ly! an& ust &isco'er the li its it $laces on e" The sooner I fin& %hat I can an& cannot &o %ith y right han&! the better"7 He like a tattling

a&e a suggesti'e gesture to%ar& hi self"

12DC

I shook

y hea& at hi ! but coul& not kee$ fro uch it eans to

laughing" o ent ake you e that I can still

He 4oine& his laughter %ith later" 6You &o not kno% ho% 6It sur$rises

y o%n" 6#h! Fit1!7 he sai& )uietly a yself"7

laugh" If I can stir you to laughter! I can laugh 6;hen you can either laugh or cry! you

e that you can still 4est at all!7 I re$lie&" ight as %ell laugh!7 he re$lie&"

#bru$tly he aske&! 6I hear& you lea'e the tent earlier" Then! %hile you %ere gone , I coul& feel so ething of %hat ha$$ene&" ;here &i& you go0 There %as uch I &i& not un&erstan&"7 ay be gro%ing stronger I %as silent! thinking" 6The Skill/bon& bet%een us instea& of %eaker" I &o not think that is a goo& thing"7 6There is no elfbark left" I ha& the last of it t%o &ays ago" Joo& or ba&! it is as it is" 5o% ex$lain to e %hat ha$$ene&"7 I sa% little $oint in refusing" So I atte $te& to ex$lain" He interru$te& %ith a nu ber of )uestions! fe% of %hich I coul& ans%er" ;hen he &eci&e& he un&erstoo& it as %ell as %or&s coul& con'ey it! he )uirke& a s ile at us go see this girt on a &ragon!7 he suggeste&" 6;hy07 I aske& %arily" He lifte& his right han& an& %aggle& his sil'er fingerti$s at eyebro%" 65o!7 I sai& fir ly" 6#frai&07 he nee&le& 6Then you %ill go %ith e" se'erely" ight ha'e on you07 e to orro%!7 he suggeste&" 6;e are on %atch here!7 I tol& hi e as he lifte& one e" 6=et

6It is not %ise! Fool" ;ho kno%s %hat effect it be %ise07

12DD

65ot I" #n& that is exactly %hy I %ish to &o it" Besi&es" ;hat call has a Fool to

65o"7 6Then I shall ha'e to go alone!7 he sai& %ith a the bait" #fter a &o not07 I looke& at hi &oes not"7 6#h" That %as %ell s$oken" Those %or&s coul& ha'e been stolen fro he aske& next" 6Is this your night to ask unfortunate )uestions07 I &e an&e&" 6Of late! I ha'e no other kin&s"7 6#t the 'ery least! I &are to ho$e that 9arro&.s &eath has %eakene& the " It ust be a great shock to lose a losing a ;it/beast co $anion"7 6#n& %hat &o you fear07 the Fool $resse&" It %as a )uestion I ha& been $ushing a%ay fro yself" 6;hat &o I fear0 The arshaling greater %orst! of course" ;hat I fear is that they are so eho% e ber of your coterie" #l ost as ba& as e!7 he conce&e&" 6Do you %on&er %hy the coterie ha& not trie& to attack us again07 unco fortably" 6#bout as uch as I kno% about you that she o ent! he aske& ock sigh" I refuse& to rise to e! 6;hat is it you kno% about (ettle that I

strength against us! to offset Aerity.s $o%er" Or $erha$s they are setting a tra$ for us" I fear they are turning their Skill to seeking out -olly"7 I a&&e& the last %ith great reluctance" It see e& the greatest ba& luck e'en to think about it! let alone s$eak it alou&" 69annot you Skill a %arning to her so eho%07 #s if it ha& ne'er occurre& to but I cannot ake the a%are of e" 65ot %ithout betraying her" I ha'e ne'er able to see the ! ight e" I fear that e'en aking the effort been able to reach Burrich %ith the Skill" So eti es! I a be enough to ex$ose her to the coterie" He %here she is" You tol&

ay kno% of her! but not kno%

e that not e'en 9ha&e hi self kne% %here she %as"

12DE

#n& Regal has

any $laces to sen& his troo$s an& attention" Buck is far fro

Farro%! an& the Re&/Shi$s ha'e ke$t it in tur oil" Surely he %oul& not sen& troo$s into that for the sake of fin&ing one girl"7 6One girl an& a Farseer chil&!7 the Fool re in&e& That night! %hen they hel& burn %ithin insi&e rotting e gra'ely" 6Fit1! I &o not s$eak to grie'e you! but only to %arn you" I ha'e containe& his anger at you" e ,7 He s%allo%e& an& his eyes %ent &istant" 6I e ories at all! they seethe an& like aggots through an is a&" He ha'e trie& so har& to forget it" If I touch those

e like a $oison I cannot be ri& of" I ha'e felt Regal.s 'ery being

y o%n" Hatre& for you s)uir s through hi

eat"7 He shook his hea&! sickene& at recalling it" 6The

ascribes to you e'ery e'il a bition he can i agine" Your ;it he regar&s %ith loathing! an& terror" He cannot concei'e that %hat you &o! you &o for Aerity" In his in&! you ha'e &e'ote& your life to in4uring hi since you ca e to Buckkee$" He belie'es that both Aerity an& you ha'e co e to these -ountains not to %ake the El&erlings to &efen& Buck! but to fin& so e Skill/treasure or $o%er to use against hi " He belie'es he has no choice but to act first! to fin& %hate'er it is you seek an& turn it against you" To that! he ben&s all his resources an& &eter ination"7 I listene& to the Fool in a sort of fro1en horror" His eyes ha& taken on the stare of a an %ho recalls torture" 6;hy ha'e you not s$oken of this to e before07 I aske& hi gently %hen he $ause& to catch his breath" The skin of his ar s e" 6It is not a thing I en4oy recalling"7 He %as y in& like e'il! i&le chil&ren! the " But e e as less than a &og"

%as stan&ing u$ in gooseflesh" He looke& a%ay fro tre bling 'ery lightly" 6They %ere in they %ere not intereste& in #ngry! in that

s ashing %hat they coul& not gras$" I coul& kee$ nothing back fro e at all" They regar&e&

o ent of fin&ing I %as not you" They nearly &estroye&

12EH

because I %as not you" Then they consi&ere& ho% they you"7 He coughe&" 6If that Skill/%a'e ha& not co e ,7

ight use

e against

I felt like 9ha&e hi self as I sai& )uietly! 65o% I %ill turn that back u$on the " They coul& not hol& you in thrall like that %ithout re'ealing the sel'es to you" #s an& tell e all you can recall"7 saying it" Instea&! I let silence bi& uch of uch as you can! I ask you to reach back to that ti e!

6You %oul& not ask that! if you kne% %hat you %ere asking"7 I thought I &i& kno%! but I refraine& fro hi think it through" Da%n %as graying the sky! an& I ha& 4ust returne& fro

%alking a circuit of our ca $ %hen next he s$oke" 6There %ere Skill books you kno% nothing about" Books an& scrolls that Jalen re o'e& fro Solicity.s roo s as she %as &ying" The infor ation they hel& any years to tinker those locks loose" # lock &oes no an honest! you kno%" Jalen foun& there ore %as for a Skill aster alone! an& so e %ere e'en fastene& shut %ith cle'er locks" Jalen ha& than kee$ an honest uch he &i& not

un&erstan&" But there %ere also scrolls listing those %ho ha& been Skill/ traine&" Jalen sought out all he coul& fin& an& )uestione& the " Then he &i& a%ay %ith the ! lest others shoul& ask the foun& uch in those scrolls" Ho% a an the sa e )uestions he ha&" Jalen ight li'e long an& en4oy goo& an" But in an

health" Ho% to gi'e $ain %ith the Skill! %ithout e'en touching a

the ol&est scrolls he foun& hints of great $o%er a%aiting a strongly Skille&

in the -ountains" If Regal coul& bring the -ountains un&er his s%ay! he coul& co e into $o%er no one coul& %ithstan&3 To that en& &i& he seek the han& of (ettricken for Aerity! %ith no intent that she %oul& e'er be his bri&e" He inten&e& that %hen Aerity %as &ea&! he %oul& take her in his brother.s stea&" #n& her inheritance" 6

12E1

6I &on.t un&erstan&!7 I sai& gently" 6The -ountains ha'e a ber an& furs an& ,7 65o" 5o"7 The Fool shook his hea&" 6It %as nothing like that" Jalen %oul& not &i'ulge the %hole of his secret to Regal! for he then %oul& ha'e ha& no hol& o'er his half/brother" But you can be sure that %hen Jalen &ie&! Regal i no e&iately $ossesse& those scrolls an& books an& set to stu&ying the " He is aster of the ol&er languages! but he feare& to seek the hel$ of others! lest

they &isco'er the secret first" But he $u11le& it out at last! an& %hen he &i&! he %as horrifie&" For by then he ha& eagerly &is$atche& Aerity into the -ountains to &ie on so e foolish )uest" He finally ci$here& out that the $o%er Jalen ha& sought for hi %as $o%er o'er the El&erlings" I e&iately he &eci&e& Aerity ha& cons$ire& %ith you to seek that 'ery $o%er for hi self" Ho% &are he seek to steal the 'ery treasure that Regal ha& %orke& so long to gain: Ho% &are he try to fro ake a fool of Regal in such a %ay:7 The Fool s ile& %eakly" 6In his in&! his &o ination o'er the El&erlings is his birthright" You seek to steal it hi " He belie'es he u$hol&s %hat is right an& 4ust by trying to kill you"7 yself" The $ieces all fit! e'ery one of the " Holes in oti'es %ere being close& u$! to $resent y e %ith a I sat no&&ing to

un&erstan&ing of Regal.s

frightening $icture" I ha& kno%n the

an %as a bitious" I also kne% he feare&

an& sus$ecte& anyone or anything he coul& not control" I ha& been a &ouble &anger to hi ! a ri'al for his father.s affection an& %ith a strange ;it/talent he coul& neither un&erstan& nor &estroy" To Regal! e'ery other $erson in the %orl& %as a tool or a threat" #ll threats alone" ust be &estroye&" hi %as to be left He ha& $robably ne'er consi&ere& that all I %ante& fro

12E2

9H#*TER THIRTY/FIAE (ettle.s Secrets 5O;HERE IS THERE ention of %ho raise& the ;itness Stones that stan& ay 'ery %ell $re&ate the actual buil&ing of on the hill near Buckkee$" They

Buckkee$ 9astle itself" Their su$$ose& $o%er see s to ha'e little to &o %ith the %orshi$ of E&a or El! but folk belie'e in it %ith the sa e fierce religious fer'or" E'en those %ho $rofess to &oubt the existence of any go&s at all %oul& still hesitate to gi'e false oath before the ;itness Stones" Black an& %eathere& those tall stones stan&" If e'er they bore inscri$tions of any kin&! %in& an& %ater ha'e erase& the " Aerity %as the first of the others to rise that orning" He ca e staggering fro

his tent as the first true light of &ay brought color back to the %orl&" 6-y &ragon:7 he crie& as he stoo& blinking in the light" 6-y &ragon:7 For all the %orl& as if he ex$ecte& it to be gone" E'en %hen I assure& hi $ersua&e& hi cooke& to &rink a his &ragon %as fine! he %as like a s$oile& chil&" He ug of nettle an& int tea! an& eat so e of the slo%/ ention (ettricken at all" %ishe& to resu e his %ork on it instantly" ;ith the greatest &ifficulty! I eat fro the ske%ers" He %oul& not %ait for the $orri&ge to boil! but eat an& s%or& in han&" He &i& not

left the fire %ith

In ti e the scra$e! scra$e! scra$e of the s%or&.s $oint against the black stone resu e&" The sha&o% I ha& seen of Aerity last night ha& fle& %ith the orning.s co ing" It see e& strange to greet a ne% &ay an& not i e&iately $ack u$ all our eat he ha& belongings" 5o one %as in a goo& hu or" (ettricken %as $uffy/eye& an& silent! (ettle sour an& reser'e&" The %olf %as still &igesting all the
12E8

consu e& the &ay before an& only %ante& to slee$" Starling see e& annoye& %ith e'eryone! as if it %ere our fault that our )uest ha& en&e& in such confusing &isa$$oint ent" #fter %e ha& eaten! Starling &eclare& that she %as going to check on the 4e$$as an& &o so e %ashing in the strea the Fool ha& foun&" (ettle gru $ily agree& to go %ith her for safety! though her eyes straye& often to Aerity.s &ragon" (ettricken %as u$ there also! gloo ily %atching her husban& an& king as he gouge& a%ay at the black stone" I busie& re o'ing the fire/&rie& $utting the rest of the 6=et.s go!7 the Fool in'ite& eat to &ry o'er it" e as soon as I %as finishe&" e" He set off eagerly! not e'en looking ust" ore until %e a$$roache& orning! but $erha$s I %as yself in eat! %ra$$ing it an& refueling the slo% fire an&

6;here07 I aske&! thinking longingly of a na$" 6The girl on a &ragon!7 he re in&e& back to see if I follo%e&" He kne% I

6I think this is a foolish i&ea!7 I calle& after hi " 6Exactly!7 he re$lie& %ith a grin! an& %oul& say no the great statue" The girl on a &ragon see e& erely beco ing statue" I follo%e& )uietly" 6Ho%07 6I can.t say"7 I stu&ie& her bent hea&! the stone tears fro1en on her cheeks" 6Does she look &ifferent to you07 6I &i&n.t really look at her that closely yester&ay"7 5o% that %e %ere actually here! the Fool.s banter see e& &a $ene&" Aery gingerly! I set a han& to the &ragon.s back" The in&i'i&ual scales %ere so
12E<

ore )uiescent this

ore accusto e& to the tra$$e& ;it/unrest I sense& there" e&iately cla bere& u$ on the &ais besi&e the e to&ay!7 I sai& ore slo%ly" 6She looks &ifferent to

The Fool &i& not hesitate! but i

cunningly %orke&! the cur'e of the beast.s bo&y so natural that I al ost ex$ecte& it to hea'e %ith breath" It %as col&! har& stone" I hel& &aring y breath! yself! then )ueste& to%ar& the stone" It felt unlike any )uesting I ha& e" There %as only y ;it/sense of life! tra$$e& $u $ing of

e'er &one before" There %as no beating heart! no rush of breath! nor any other $hysical sign of life to gui&e an& &es$erate" For a )ueste& back to o ent it elu&e& e+ then I brushe& against it! an& it y clothing against

e" It sought the feel of %in& on skin! the %ar er &ay! the sensation of

bloo&! oh! the scents of the su snatche& thought it

y skin! any an& all that %as $art of the ex$erience of li'ing it hungere& for" I y han& back! frightene& by the intensity of its reaching" #l ost I ight &ra% e in to 4oin it there" e as he %as! he felt the ri$$les of et ine an& hel& for so e ti e" Then he reache& a y %or&s" The

6Strange!7 %his$ere& the Fool! for linke& to y ex$erience" His eyes single bare sil'er fingerti$ to%ar& the girl"

6;e shoul& not &o this!7 I sai&! but there %as no force in an& san&als" The Fool touche& his finger to her u$$er ar " # Skill/screa

slen&er figure astri&e the &ragon %as &resse& in a slee'eless 4erkin! leggings of $ain an& outrage fille& the )uarry" The Fool %as flung e an& I fell besi&e the y ar s

back%ar& off the $e&estal! to lan& har& on his back on the rock belo%" He s$ra%le& there senseless" -y knees buckle& un&er &ragon" Fro sheltering e un&erfoot like a y hea&" the slick black stone %alls an& blocks all aroun& us" I %as the torrent of ;it/anger I felt! I ex$ecte& the creature to tra $le a&&ene& horse" Instincti'ely I curle& u$!

It %as &one in an instant! yet the echoes of that cry see e& to reboun& en&lessly fro shakily cla bering &o%n to check on the Fool %hen 5ighteyes ca e rushing u$ to us" ;hat %as that0 ;ho threatens us0 I knelt by the Fool" He ha& struck
12E?

his hea& an& bloo& %as leaking onto the black stone! but I &i&n.t think that %as %hy he %as unconscious" 6I kne% %e shoul&n.t ha'e &one it" ;hy &i& I let you &o it07 I aske& yself as I gathere& hi u$ to take hi back to ca $" the biggest of all! to ha'e 6Because you.re a bigger fool than he is" #n& I a still $uffing fro her hurry" y horror! there %as a bright sil'er e an& lifte&

left you alone an& truste& you to act %ith sense" ;hat &i& he &o07 (ettle %as 6He touche& the girl on the &ragon" ;ith the Skill on his finger"7 I glance& u$ at the statue as I s$oke" To flesh" (ettle follo%e& finger$rint on the girl.s u$$er ar ! outline& in scarlet against her bron1e/tone& y ga1e an& I hear& her gas$" She s$un on her gnarle& han& as if to strike tra$$e& there in t%o 6;e 'icious07 eant no har " ;e &i& not kno% ,7 atch hers" 6Don.t rebuke e %ith y 6Ignorance is al%ays the excuse use& by the cruelly curious:7 (ettle snarle&" -y o%n te $er su&&enly rose to ignorance! %o an! %hen all you ha'e &one is refuse to lift it for ight hel$ us" #n& %hen %e ake e" You hint e" Then she clenche& her han& into a contorte& all she once lo'e&0 You

fist that tre ble& an& force& it &o%n by her si&e" 6Is it not enough that she is isery fore'er! alone an& cut off fro ust co e to gi'e her $ain on to$ of all that: Ho% coul& you be so

an& %arn an& gi'e us o inous %or&s! but you refuse to s$eak anything that istakes! you rail at us! saying %e shoul& ha'e kno%n better" Ho%0 Ho% can %e kno% better %hen the one %ho &oes refuses to share her kno%le&ge %ith us07 In y ar s! the Fool stirre& faintly" The %olf ha& been $ro%ling about y feet" 5o% he ca e back %ith a %hine to sniff at the Fool.s &angling han&" 9areful: Don.t let his fingers touch you: ;hat bit hi 0
12EB

I &on.t kno%" 6I &on.t kno% anything!7 I sai& alou&! bitterly" 6I. in the &ark! hurting e'eryone I care about in the $rocess"7 6I &are not interfere!7 (ettle shoute& at o%n %ay! 9atalyst"7 The Fool o$ene& his eyes to look at an& leane& his hea& on

blun&ering ine set

e" 6;hat if so e %or& of

you on the %rong course0 ;hat of all the $ro$hecies then0 You

ust fin& your again y

e blankly" Then he close& the u$

y shoul&er" He %as starting to get hea'y an& I nee&e& ore fir ly in

to fin& out %hat %as %rong %ith hi " I shrugge& hi I turne& an& %alke& a%ay fro Fool! I sai& o'er the

ar s" I sa% Starling co ing u$ behin& (ettle! her ar s la&en %ith %et laun&ry" both" #s I hea&e& back to ca $ %ith the y shoul&er! 6-aybe that is %hy you are here" -aybe you aybe kee$ing your silence

%ere calle& here! %ith a $art to $lay" -aybe it is lifting our ignorance so %e can fulfill this be&a ne& $ro$hecy of yours" #n& is ho% you %ill th%art it" But!7 an& I halte& to fling the %or&s sa'agely o'er y shoul&er! 6I think you kee$ silent for reasons of your o%n" Because you are asha e&:7 I turne& a%ay fro the stricken look on her face" I co'ere& y anger" It ga'e y sha e to ha'e s$oken to her so %ith e ne% strength of $ur$ose" I %as aking e'eryone beha'e as they e into trouble! but

su&&enly &eter ine& that I %as going to start once y heart ha& sei1e& hol& of it!

shoul&" It %as the sort of chil&ish resolution that often got I carrie& the Fool into the big tent an& lai& hi

y anger gri$$e& it tight" out on his be&&ing" I took a

ragge& slee'e off %hat re aine& of a shirt! &a $e& it in cool %ater! an& a$$lie& it fir ly to the back of his hea&" ;hen the blee&ing slo%e&! I checke& it" It %as not a large cut! but it %as on to$ of a res$ectable lu $" I still felt that %as not %hy he ha& fainte&" 6Fool07 I sai& to hi )uietly! then ore

12EC

insistently! 6Fool07 I $atte& his face %ith %ater" He ca e a%ake %ith a si $le o$ening of his eyes" 6Fool07 6I.ll be all right! Fit1!7 he sai& %anly" 6You %ere right" I shoul& not ha'e touche& her" But I &i&" #n& I shall ne'er be able to forget it"7 6;hat ha$$ene&07 I &e an&e&" He shook his hea&" 6I can.t talk about it 4ust yet!7 he sai& )uietly" I shot to y feet! hea& sla$$ing against the tent roof an& nearly bringing the e" 65o one in this %hole co $any can talk e" #n& I inten& to talk about e" I &on.t kno% if his the tent! %hole structure &o%n aroun& e'erything"7 I left the Fool leaning u$ on one elbo% an& staring after ex$ression %as a use& or aghast" I &i&n.t care" I stro&e fro

about anything:7 I &eclare& furiously" 6Exce$t

scrabble& u$ the $ile of tailings to the $e&estal %here Aerity car'e& his &ragon" The stea&y scra$e! scra$e! scra$e of his s%or& $oint against the stone %as like a ras$ against $ai& fro I halte& a y soul" (ettricken sat by hi ! hollo%/eye& an& silent" 5either y breathing un&er control" I s%e$t y hair back e the slightest bit of attention" o ent an& got y face an& tie& y %arrior.s tail afresh! brushe& off y leggings an&

tugge& the staine& re nants of for al bo% inclu&e& (ettricken"

y shirt straight" I took three ste$s for%ar&" -y

6-y lor&! (ing Aerity" -y la&y! Iueen (ettricken" I ha'e co e to conclu&e y re$orting to the (ing" If you %oul& allo% it"7 I ha& honestly ex$ecte& both of the scra$e& t%ice Fit19hi'alry" I shall not cease to ignore e" But (ing Aerity.s s%or& ore then cease&" He looke& at e o'er his shoul&er" 69ontinue! e" (ettricken su&&enly sat her eyes! then no&&e&

y %ork! but I shall listen"7

There %as gra'e courtesy in his 'oice" It heartene&

u$ straighter" She brushe& the straggling hair back fro

12ED

her $er ission at

e" I &re% a &ee$ breath an& began! re$orting as I ha& been y 'isit to the ruine& city"

taught! e'erything that I ha& seen or &one since cease&" Aerity

So eti e &uring! that long telling! the scra$ing of the s%or& slo%e&! then o'e& $on&erously to take a seat besi&e (ettricken" #l ost he o'e& a trifle closer to starte& to take her han& in his! then sto$$e& hi self an& fol&e& his o%n han&s before hi " But (ettricken sa% that s all gesture! an& hi " They sat si&e by si&e! y threa&bare stone &ragon at their backs! an& listene& to e" e" onarchs! throne& on col& rock! a

By one an& by t%o! the others ca e to 4oin us" First the %olf! then the Fool an& Starling! an& finally ol& (ettle range& the sel'es in a half circle behin& ;hen y throat began to gro% &ry an& han& an& sent Starling for %ater" She returne& %ith tea an& took but a I hel& to y 'oice to ras$! (ettricken lifte& a eat for all of us" I e" e" I

outhful of the tea an& %ent on %hile they $icnicke& aroun& y resolution an& s$oke $lainly of all! e'en that %hich sha e& y fears nor foolishness" I tol& hi the na e of the e! telling hi of

&i& not lea'e out

ho% I ha& kille& Regal.s an I ha& recogni1e&" y fears for -olly an&

guar& %ithout %arning! e'en gi'ing hi 5or &i& I skirt about y chil&! inclu&ing %ay I coul&! not 4ust rea%aken hi bluntly as if it %ere only Aerity an&

y ;it ex$eriences as I once %oul& ha'e" I s$oke as y fear that if Regal &i& not fin& an& kill the ! 9ha&e y 'oice! but ;it an& Skill! I trie& to touch hi hi " an& ight! I

%oul& take the chil& for the throne" #s I s$oke! I reache& for Aerity in e'ery to %ho he %as" I kno% he felt that reaching! but try as I

coul& stir no res$onse fro

I finishe& by recounting %hat the Fool an& I ha& &one %ith the girl on a &ragon" I %atche& Aerity.s face for any change of ex$ression! but there %as none I coul& see" ;hen I ha& tol& hi )uestion all! I stoo& silent before hi ! ho$ing he %oul& e o'er y %hole tale again! e" The ol& Aerity %oul& ha'e taken
12EE

asking )uestions about e'ery e'ent! asking %hat I ha& thought! or sus$ecte&! of anything I ha& obser'e&" But this gray/hea&e& ol& ti es" He a&e as if to rise" &es$erately" e! nothing to tell e07 e" He cleare& his 6-y king:7 I begge& hi 6;hat is it! boy07 6Ha'e you nothing to ask He looke& at e! but I %as not sure he %as really seeing an only no&&e& se'eral

throat" 6I kille& 9arro& %ith the Skill" That is true" I ha'e not felt the others since then! but I &o not belie'e they are &ea&! but only that I ha'e lost the Skill to sense the " You to the bone" 65o" There is %orse"7 He glance& at the Fool" 6I fear that %hen you s$eak to the Fool! he listens %ith Regal.s ears" I fear it %as Regal %ho ca e to you that &ay! s$eaking %ith the Fool.s tongue! to ask you %here -olly %as"7 -y outh %ent &ry" I turne& to look at the Fool" He looke& stricken" 6I &o not recall , I ne'er sai& ,7 He took a half breath! then su&&enly to$$le& to one si&e in a faint" (ettle scrabble& o'er to hi " 6He breathes!7 she tol& us" Aerity no&&e&" 6I sus$ect they ha'e aban&one& hi that is true"7 His eyes ca e back to then" *erha$s" Do not trust e" I %as trying to re ain stan&ing" I ha& ake e ust be careful"7 ust be careful07 His %or&s ha& chille& e I ga$e& at hi " 6#n& that is all0 I

felt it as they fle& the Fool" Felt it like a silk threa& abru$tly $arting" They ha& not ha& a strong hol& on hi ! but it ha& been enough" Enough to re'eal all they nee&e& to kill each night since then! stealing %hate'er %as of use to the " I %ent to the Fool" I took his un/Skille& han& an& reache& for hi " Slo%ly his eyes o$ene& an& he sat u$" For a ti e he stare& at us all %ithout
18HH

y %ife an& chil&" Enough to ransack his &rea s

co $rehension" His eyes ca e back to

ine! sha e %ashing through their best shall betray hi ost y ele'enth year" 9ha&e! I e"7 He got slo%ly

s oky &e$ths" 6 F#n& the one %ho lo'es hi ha& tol&

foully". -y o%n $ro$hecy" I ha'e kno%n that since betrayer"7 He shook his hea& sa&ly" 6But it %as to his feet" 6I a fro sorry" So sorry"7

yself! %hen he %as %illing to take your chil&" 9ha&e %as your e" It %as

I sa% the start of tears on his face" Then he turne& an& %alke& slo%ly a%ay us" I coul& not bring yself to go after hi ! but 5ighteyes rose soun&lessly an& traile& at his heels" 6Fit19hi'alry"7 Aerity took a breath! then s$oke )uietly" 6Fit1! I %ill try to finish Des$air y &ragon" It is really all I can &o" I only ho$e it %ill be enough"7 a&e e bol&" 6-y king! %ill not you &o this for e0 ;ill not you ay flee 9a$elin Beach before e" 6E'en if I &are& to! e" -y bo&y! e" ;hen I e+ I

Skill a %arning to Burrich an& -olly! that they they are foun&07 6Oh!

y boy!7 he sai& $ityingly" He took a ste$ to%ar&

I fear I ha'e not the strength any y in&! an& y Skill" I a y Skill fle&

ore"7 He lifte& his eyes an& looke& at each

of us in turn" His ga1e lingere& longest on (ettricken" 6It all fails so tire&! an& there is so little left of kille& 9arro&!

e" -y %ork has been greatly slo%e& since then" agic" I fear I ay ha'e &efeate& yself" I

E'en the ra% $o%er on

y han&s %eakens! an& the $illar is close& to y task" In the en&! I

cannot $ass through it to rene% the fear I %ill not be able to co $lete you! an& the entire Six Duchies"7

ay fail you all" #ll of

(ettricken bo%e& her face into her han&s" I thought she %oul& %ee$" But %hen she lifte& her eyes again! I sa% the strength of her lo'e for the through %hate'er else she felt" 6If this is %hat you belie'e you let e hel$ you"7 She gesture& at the &ragon" 6There
18H1

an shining ust &o! then

ust be so ething I can

&o to hel$ you co $lete it" Sho% can %ork the &etails"7

e %here to cut stone a%ay! an& then you ust &o it yself" It all ea

He shook his hea& sa&ly" 6;oul& that you coul&" But I ust be &one by e"7

(ettle su&&enly surge& to her feet" She ca e to stan& besi&e glare as if e'erything %ere all She see e& to lose courage for a you are

e! gi'ing

y fault" 6-y lor&! (ing Aerity!7 she began" o ent! then s$oke again lou&er" 6-y king!

istaken" Fe% &ragons %ere create& by a single $erson" #t least! not a&e by Six

the Six Duchies &ragons" ;hate'er the others! the true El&erlings coul& &o on their o%n! I &o not kno%" But I kno% that those &ragons that %ere Duchies han&s %ere a single $erson"7 Aerity stare& at her shaking 'oice" 6I a saying %hat I kno%" Regar&less of ho% others ay co e to think of yself e"7 She ga'e one glance aroun& at us! as if bi&&ing us fare%ell" Then she $ut her back to us an& a&&resse& only the (ing" 6-y lor& king" I na e (estrel of Buck! once of Stanchion.s 9oterie" But by e ber of y o%n coterie! for 4ealousy o'er a y Skill I &i& slay a utely" Then! 6;hat are you saying07 he &e an&e& in a ost often a&e by an entire coterie %orking together! not

an" To &o so %as high e!

treason! for %e %ere the Iueen.s o%n strength" #n& I &estroye& that" For this I %as $unishe& as the Iueen.s @ustice sa% fit" -y Skill %as burne& out of lea'ing of &one by e as you see e+ seale& into yself! unable to reach beyon& the %alls e fro

y o%n bo&y! unable to recei'e the touch of those I ha& hel& &ear" That %as y o%n coterie" For the ur&er itself! the Iueen banishe& e a%ay so that no Skille& one %oul& be e" She sai& she coul& i agine no

the Six Duchies! for all ti e" She sent te $te& to take $ity on %orse $unish ent! that one &ay in

e an& try to free

y isolation I %oul& long for &eath"7 (ettle

18H2

sank slo%ly to her ol& knees on the har& stone" 6-y king! right" I ask your ercy no%" Either $ut lifte& her hea&" 6Or use your strength to reo$en ser'e you as coterie in the car'ing of this &ragon"7

y )ueen! she %as

e to &eath" Or ,7 Aery slo%ly she e to the Skill" #n& I %ill

#ll %as silence for a ti e" ;hen Aerity s$oke! it %as in confusion" 6I kno% of no Stanchion.s 9oterie"7 (ettle.s 'oice shook as she a& itte&! 6I &estroye& it! the $hysical &eath of one y lor&" There %ere but yself" They %ere their ser'ice to the fi'e of us" -y act left only three ali'e to the Skill! an& they ha& ex$erience& e ber an& the , burning of greatly %eakene&" I hear& that they %ere release& fro

Iueen! an& sought the roa& that once began in @haa $e to%n" They ne'er returne&! but I &o not think they sur'i'e& the rigors of this roa&" I &o not think they e'er a&e a &ragon such as %e once use& to &rea about"7 y y ;hen Aerity s$oke! he &i& not see to be re$lying to her %or&s" 65either

father nor either of his %i'es ha& coteries s%orn to the " 5or gran& other"7 His bro% %rinkle&" 6;hich )ueen &i& you ser'e! %o an07 6Iueen Diligence! har& stone" 6Iueen Diligence reigne& o'er t%o hun&re& years ago!7 Aerity obser'e&" 6She &ie& t%o hun&re& t%enty/three years ago!7 Starling inter$ose&" 6Thank you! 6I %as!

y king!7 (ettle sai& )uietly" She %as still kneeling on the

instrel!7 Aerity sai& &ryly" 6T%o hun&re& t%enty/three years e belie'e you %ere coterie to her"7 y Skill u$on yself! for I %ishe& to kee$ aster y ost

ago" #n& you %oul& ha'e

y lor&" I ha& turne&

youth an& beauty" It %as not regar&e& as an a& irable thing to &o! but Skille& ones &i& it to so e extent" It took e o'er a year to her 'oice"

y bo&y"

But %hat I ha& &one! I &i& %ell" To this &ay! I heal s%iftly" -ost illnesses $ass e by"7 She coul& not kee$ a note of $ri&e fro
18H8

6The legen&ary longe'ity of the coterie to hi self" He sighe&" 6There 9hi'alry an& I %ere ne'er

e bers!7 (ing Aerity obser'e& softly uch in Solicity.s books that e that!

ust ha'e been

a&e $ri'y to"7 ore confi&ence no%" 6It a a1es anage& to co e e to see not

6# great &eal"7 (ettle s$oke %ith

%ith as little training as you an& Fit19hi'alry ha'e! you ha'e

this far alone" #n& to car'e a &ragon alone0 It is a feat for a song"7 Aerity glance& back at her" 6Oh! co e! %o an! sit &o%n" It $ains you kneel" Ob'iously there is %orking"7 6Then I shall say to you only %hat nee&s ost to be sai&!7 (ettle offere&" She cla bere& $ainfully to her feet" 6I %as $o%erful in the Skill" Strong enough to kill %ith it! as fe% are"7 Her 'oice halte&! thickening" She took a breath an& resu e&" 6That $o%er is still %ithin o$en ay not be able to e" One strongly Skille& enough coul& e to it again" I belie'e you ha'e that strength" Though right no%! you aster it" You ha'e kille& %ith the Skill! an& that is a e ber %as not true to you! still! you y Skill! I coul& hel$ you uch you can an& shoul& tell e"7 He shifte&

restlessly an& glance& back at his &ragon" 6But %hile %e are talking! I a

heinous thing" E'en though the coterie

ha& %orke& together" In killing hi ! you kille& a $art of yourself" #n& that is %hy you feel you ha'e no Skill left to you" Ha& I heal yourself"7 Aerity ga'e a s all laugh" 6I ha'e no Skill! you ha'e no Skill! but if %e &i&! %e coul& heal one another" ;o an! this is like a tangle of ro$e %ith no en&s" Ho% is the knot to be un&one! sa'e %ith a s%or&07 6;e ha'e a s%or&! y king" Fit19hi'alry" The 9atalyst"7 e 6#h" That ol& legen&" -y father %as fon& of it"7 He looke& at Skill/burne& an& ne'er reco'ere&" For hi ! I so eti es thought it a
18H<

consi&eringly" 6Do you think he is strong enough0 -y ne$he% #ugust %as ercy"

The Skill %as lea&ing hi #l%ays so I sense& uch to &o"7 y king.s

&o%n a $ath ill/suite& to hi " I think I sus$ecte& uch to &o"

then that Jalen ha& &one so ething to the coterie" But I ha& so

in& %a'ering" I ste$$e& for%ar& resolutely" 6-y lor&! e to atte $t07 is in the &ragon no%! but that is a bit I e to free y Skill" #n& I %ill alou&

%hat is it you %ish often sai& to

6I %ish you to atte $t nothing" I %ish you to &o" There" That is %hat 9ha&e e" 9ha&e" -ost of hi left out" I shoul& $ut that in the &ragon"7 (ettle ste$$e& closer to hi " 6-y lor&! hel$ hel$ you to fill the &ragon"7 There %as so ething in the %ay she sai& those %or&s" She s$oke the before us all! yet I felt that only Aerity truly kne% %hat she sai&" #t last! 'ery reluctantly! he no&&e&" 6I see no other %ay!7 he sai& to hi self" 65o other %ay at all"7 6Ho% a I to &o a thing! %hen I &on.t e'en kno% %hat that thing is07 I (ettricken" in& uch as %e &o!7 Aerity rebuke& e )uietly" 6(estrel.s co $laine&" 6-y king!7 I a&&e&! at a rebuking look fro 6You kno% as

%as burne& %ith the Skill! by her o%n coterie! to con&e n her to isolation for the rest of her life" You ust use %hat Skill you ha'e in any %ay you can! to try to break through the scarring"7 6I ha'e no i&ea ho% to begin!7 I began" But then (ettle turne& an& looke& at e3 There %as $lea&ing in her ol& eyes" =oss! an& loneliness" #n& Skill/hunger that ha& built to the $oint at %hich it %as &e'ouring her fro hun&re& an& t%enty/three years! I thought to exile& fro bo&y" 6But I %ill try!7 I a en&e& %ithin" T%o yself" It %as a long ti e to be y han& to her"

one.s ho elan&" #n i $ossible ti e to be confine& to one.s o%n y %or&s" I $ut out

18H?

(ettle hesitate&! then set her han& in her an& trie& to tell or&ere& y

ine" ;e stoo&! clas$ing han&s! looking

at one another" I reache& for her %ith the Skill! but felt no res$onse" I looke& at yself I kne% her! that it shoul& be easy to reach (ettle" I in& an& recalle& all I kne% of the irascible ol& %o an" I thought e the Skill ga e! an& ho% often %e ha& $laye& it! yself sternly" Reach for

of her unco $laining $erse'erance! of her shar$ tongue! an& her cle'er han&s" I recalle& her teaching (ettle" But hea&s bent together o'er the ga ecloth" (ettle! I tol& y Skill foun& nothing there" uch ti e ha& $asse&" I only kne% that I %as 'ery thirsty" e! I &i& not kno% ho%

6I nee& a cu$ of tea!7 I tol& her! an& let go of her han&" She no&&e& at that I beca e a%are of ho% the sun ha& o'e& abo'e the

kee$ing her &isa$$oint ent %ell hi&&en" It %as only %hen I let go her han& ountainto$s" I hear& again the scra$e! scra$e! scra$e of Aerity.s s%or&" (ettricken still sat! silently %atching hi " I &i& not kno% %here the others ha& gone" Together %e left the &ragon an& %alke& &o%n to %here our fire still s ol&ere&" I broke %oo& into $ieces as she fille& the kettle" ;e sai& little as it heate&" There %ere still herbs that Starling ha& gathere& earlier for tea" They %ere %ilte&! but %e use& the ! an& then sat &rinking our tea together" The scra$ing of Aerity.s s%or& against the stone %as a backgroun& noise! not unlike an insect soun&" I stu&ie& the ol& %o an besi&e -y ;it/sense tol& %o an.s han& in e" e of a strong an& li'ely life %ithin her" I ha& felt her ol& y o%n! the flesh soft on the s%ollen! bony fingers sa'e outh" Ol&! her bo&y sai& to e" Ol&" But y ;it/

%here %ork ha& calluse& her skin" I sa% the lines in her face aroun& her eyes an& at the corners of her sense tol& e that there sat a %o an of y o%n years! li'ely an& %il&/hearte&! ight offer" Yearning+ but

yearning for lo'e an& a&'enture an& all that life tra$$e&" I %ille&

yself to see! not (ettle! but (estrel" ;ho ha& she been
18HB

before she ha& been burie& ali'e0 -y eyes su&&enly"

et hers" 6(estrel07 I aske& her ore!

6So I %as!7 she sai& )uietly! an& her grief %as still fresh" 6But she is no an& has not been for years"7

;hen I sai& her na e! I ha& al ost sense& her" I felt I hel& the key! but &i& not kno% %here the lock %as" There %as a nu&ge at the e&ge of y ;it" I looke& u$! annoye& at the interru$tion" It %as 5ighteyes an& the Fool" The Fool looke& tor ente& an& I ache& for hi " But he coul& not ha'e $icke& a %orse ti e to co e to s$eak to She tol& e" I think he kne% it" e %hat you %ere &oing" eeting y eyes" 6I 6I trie& to stay a%ay!7 he sai& )uietly" 6Starling tol&

e all that %as sai& %hile I %as gone" I kno% I shoul& %ait! that %hat the Betrayer"7 e! yes! but it %as

you &o is 'ital" But , I cannot"7 He su&&enly ha& trouble betraye& you!7 he %his$ere& softly" 6I a that! to ake hi

=inke& as %e %ere! I kne% the &e$th of his feelings" I trie& to reach through feel %hat I felt" He ha& been use& against fro no &oing of his o%n" But I coul& not reach hi " His sha e! guilt! an& re orse stoo& bet%een us! an& blocke& hi fro forgi'ing hi self" e the y forgi'eness" Blocke& hi ! too!

6Fool:7 I su&&enly exclai e&" I s ile& at hi " He looke& horrifie& that I coul& s ile at all! least of all at hi " 65o! it is all right" You ha'e gi'en slo%ly! be careful! I cautione& $al u$" 6Touch e!7 I co ans%er" You are the ans%er"7 I took a breath an& trie& to think carefully" Jo yself! an& then! 5o! I thought" 5o%" 5o% is y left %rist" I hel& it out to hi ! e"7 e like a an y an&e& hi " 6Touch e %ith the Skill on your the only ti e in %hich to &o this" I bare& fingers! an& see if I feel you ha'e betraye& in a &rea " He took

65o:7 (ettle crie&! aghast! but the Fool %as alrea&y reaching for

y han& in his right han&" Then he lai& three sil'er

18HC

fingerti$s against

y u$turne& %rist" #s I felt the col& burn of his fingers on

y %rist! I reache& o'er an& grabbe& (ettle.s han&" 6(ESTRE=:7 I crie& alou&" I felt the stir of her! an& I $ulle& her into us" I %as the Fool an& the Fool %as kne% hi fro e" He %as the 9atalyst an& so %as I" ;e agical! an& then he %as $ulling a$art %ere t%o hal'es of a %hole! sun&ere& an& co e together again" For an instant I in his entirety! co $lete an& e laughing! a bubble insi&e e! se$arate an& unkno%able! yet 4oine& to y

e" You &o lo'e

e: I %as incre&ulous" He ha& ne'er truly belie'e& it before" e" So this is the

Before! it %as %or&s" I al%ays feare& it %as born of $ity" But you are truly frien&" This is kno%ing" This is feeling %hat you feel for Skill" For a o ent he re'ele& in si $le recognition"

#bru$tly! another 4oine& us" #h! little brother! you fin& your ears at last: -y kill is e'er your kill! an& %e shall be $ack fore'er: The Fool recoile& at the %olf.s frien&ly onslaught" I thought he %oul& break the circle" Then su&&enly he leane& into it" This0 This is 5ighteyes0 This ighty %arrior! this great heart0 Ho% to &escribe that long! it shocke& o ent0 I ha& kno%n 5ighteyes so co $letely for so e0 Hairy an& &rooling0 honore& to kno% you as utual a$$ro'al e to see ho% little the Fool ha& kno%n of hi " the Fool! )uite sincerely" I a

Hairy0 That %as ho% you sa% Your $ar&on" This fro

you are" I ha& ne'er sus$ecte& such nobility %ithin you" Their %as al ost o'er%hel ing"

Then the %orl& settle& aroun& us" ;e ha'e a task! I re in&e& the " The Fool lifte& his touch fro y %rist! lea'ing behin& three sil'er $rints on ore %ithin y skin" E'en the air $resse& too hea'ily against that so e%here else" 5o% I %as once but o ents"
18HD

ark" For a ti e! I ha& been y o%n bo&y" It all ha& taken

I turne& back to (ettle" It %as an effort to look only through

y eyes" I still ine" I

gri$$e& her han&" 6(estrel07 I sai& )uietly" She lifte& her ga1e to kne% then of that tiny hair of Skill bet%een us" In the the Fool touching

looke& at her an& trie& to see her as she ha& once been" I &o not think she e'en o ent of her shock at e! I ha& $resse& $ast her guar&" It %as too fine a line to be

calle& a threa&" But I no% kne% %hat choke& it" 6#ll this guilt an& sha e an& re orse you carry! (estrel" Don.t you see0 That is %hat they burne& you %ith" #n& you ha'e a&&e& to it! all these years" The %all is of your o%n Take it &o%n" Forgi'e yourself" 9o e out"7 I caught at the Fool.s %rist an& hel& hi the easily" I &re% strength fro besi&e e" So e%here I felt in&s! but I coul& reach 5ighteyes as %ell" They %ere back %ithin their o%n aking"

the ! carefully! slo%ly" I &re% their strength

an& lo'e an& turne& it against (ettle! trying to force it into her through that tiny chink in her ar or" Tears began to trickle &o%n her sea e& cheeks" 6I can.t" That is the har&est $art" I can.t" They burne& e to $unish e" But it %as not enough" It %oul& e! trying to ake e ne'er be enough" I can ne'er forgi'e Skill %as starting to see$ fro flo%e& through that clas$ to yself asking" 6Jull" -y sister Jull:7 The na e %as torn fro her! an& I sense& she ha& refuse& to think of it! let alone utter it! for years" Her sister! not 4ust her coterie/ ate! but her sister" #n& she ha& kille& her in a fury %hen she ha& foun& her %ith Stanchion" The lea&er of the coterie0 6Yes!7 she %his$ere&! though no %or&s %ere nee&e& bet%een us no%" I %as $ast the burn %all" Strong! han&so e Stanchion" -aking lo'e to hi ! bo&y an&
18HE

yself"7 y han& bet%een both of hers" Her $ain

her as she reache& to

un&erstan&" She reache&! to clas$

e" 6;ho coul& forgi'e you then07 I foun&

Skill! an ex$erience of oneness like no other" But then she ha& co e u$on the ! hi an& Jull! together! an& she ha& ,7 6He shoul& ha'e kno%n better!7 I crie& out in&ignantly" 6You %ere sisters an& e bers of his o%n coterie" Ho% coul& he ha'e &one that to you0 Ho% coul& he07 6Jull:7 she crie& out lou&! an& for an instant I sa% her" She %as behin& a secon& %all" Both of the %ere" (estrel an& Jull" T%o little girls! running barefoot &o%n a san&y shore! 4ust out of reach of the icy %a'es licking u$ the san&" T%o little girls! as like as a$$le $i$s! their father.s 4oy! t%ins! racing to eet the little boat co ing in to shore! hurrying to see %hat *a$a ha& caught in his nets to&ay" I s elle& the salt %in&! the io&ine of the tangle&! s)ui&gy kel$ as they &ashe& through it s)uealing" T%o little girls! Jull an& (estrel! locke& an& hi&&en behin& a %all insi&e her" But I coul& see the thun&er! your e'en if she coul& not" I see her! I kno% her" #n& she kne% you! through an& through" =ightning an& other calle& you! for %hile your te $er flashe& an& %as gone! ore than either of you lo'e& Jull coul& carry a gru&ge for %eeks" But not against you! (estrel" 5e'er against you! an& not for years" She lo'e& you! ne'er ha'e %ishe& this on you" I , &on.t kno%" Yes! you! &o" =ook at her" =ook at you" Forgi'e yourself" #n& let the $art of her %ithin you li'e again" =et yourself li'e again" She is %ithin e0 ust be so" in&! to the $laces an& -ost certainly" I see her! I feel her" It ;hat &o you feel0 9autiously" Only lo'e" See for yourself" I took her &ee$ insi&e her e ories she ha& &enie& to herself" It %as not the burn %alls her coterie ha&
181H

Stanchion" #s you lo'e& her" #n& she %oul& ha'e forgi'en you" She %oul&

i $ose& on her that ha& hurt her herself an& the

ost" It %as the ones she ha& $ut u$ bet%een o ent of fury" T%o girls!

e ory of %hat she ha& lost in a

ol&er no%! %a&ing out to sei1e the line their father thre% to the ! an& hel$ing to $ull his la&en boat u$ onto the beach" T%o Buck girls! still as alike as a$$le $i$s! %anting to be the first ones to tell their *a$a they ha& been chosen for Skilltraining" *a$a sai& %e %ere one soul in t%o bo&ies" O$en! then! an& let her out" =et both of you out to li'e" I fell silent! %aiting" (estrel %as in a $art of her e ories she ha& &enie& for longer than other folk li'e&" # $lace of fresh %in& an& girlish laughter! an& a sister so like yourself you scarcely nee&e& to s$eak to one another" The Skill ha& been bet%een the I see %hat I &eter ination" I fro the o ent they %ere born" ust $ut her into the &ragon" She %ill li'e ust &o no%" I felt her o'er%hel ing surge of 4oy an& ust let her out! I

fore'er in the &ragon! 4ust as %e $lanne& it" The t%o of us! together again" (ettle stoo& u$! letting go of shock" I foun& yself back in y han&s so su&&enly that I crie& out at the y bo&y" I felt I ha& fallen there fro a 'ery e! but no longer a $art a s ith.s furnace"

great &istance" The Fool an& 5ighteyes %ere still near of a circle" I coul& scarcely feel the e like a ri$ti&e" Skill" E anating fro

for all else I felt" Skill" Racing through (ettle like heat fro

She glo%e& %ith it" She %rung her han&s! s ile& at the straightene& fingers" 6You shoul& go an& rest no%! Fit1!7 she tol& kne% no ore" e gently" 6Jo on" Jo to slee$"7 # gentle suggestion" She &i& not kno% her o%n Skillstrength" I lay back an&

;hen I a%oke! it %as full &ark" The %eight an& %ar th of the %olf.s bo&y %ere co fortable against e" The Fool ha& tucke& a blanket aroun&
1811

e an&

%as sitting by

e! staring ra$tly into the fire" ;hen I stirre&! he clutche& at

shoul&er %ith a shar$ intake of breath" 6;hat07 I &e an&e&" I coul& ake no sense of anything I hear& or sa%" Fires e! I ha& been kin&le& u$ on the stone &ais besi&e the &ragon" I hear& the clash of etal against stone! an& 'oices lifte& in con'ersation" In the tent behin& hear& Starling trying notes on her har$" 6The last ti e I sa% you slee$ like that! %e ha& 4ust taken an arro% out of your back an& I thought you %ere &ying of infection"7 6I ust ha'e been 'ery tire&!7 I s ile& at hi ! able to trust he un&erstoo&" 6#re you an& 5ighteyes"7 uch e" not you %earie&0 I took strength fro that the false coterie has fle&

6Tire&0 5o" I feel heale&"7 He &i& not hesitate! but a&&e&! 6I think it is as y bo&y! as kno%ing that you &o not hate

#n& the %olf" 5o%! he is a %on&er" #l ost! I can still sense hi "7 # 'ery strange s ile touche& his face" I felt hi to feel hi I. slee$y" y brother" I set y han& to the thick fur of his shoul&er" He %as ore slo% %ag to his Rest then! gro$ing out for 5ighteyes" He ha& not the strength to truly use the Skill or the ;it on his o%n" But it %as unner'ing try" 5ighteyes let his tail rise an& fall in one slo% %ag"

life an& strength an& frien&shi$ I coul& trust" He ga'e one to%ar& Aerity.s &ragon" 6;hat goes on! u$ there07

tail an& lo%ere& his hea& again" I looke& back to the Fool an& ga'e a no&

6-a&ness" #n& 4oy" I think" Sa'e for (ettricken" I think her heart eats itself hollo% %ith 4ealousy! but she %ill not lea'e"7 6;hat goes on u$ there07 I re$eate& $atiently" 6You kno% ore of it than I &o!7 he retorte&" 6You &i& so ething to (ettle" I coul& un&erstan& $art of it! but not all" Then you fell aslee$" #n& (ettle %ent
1812

u$ there an& &i& so ething to Aerity" I kno% not %hat! but (ettricken sai& it left the both %ee$ing an& shaking" Then Aerity &i& so ething to (ettle" #n& start attacking the stone aroun& the &ragon ournfully" They %ill not they both began to laugh an& to shout an& to cry out it %oul& %ork" I staye& long enough to %atch both of the %ith chisels an& allets an& s%or&s an& anything else that %as to han&" ;hile

(ettricken sits silent as a sha&o% an& %atches the

let her hel$" Then I ca e &o%n here an& foun& you unconscious" Or aslee$" ;hiche'er you $refer" #n& I ha'e sat here a long ti e! %atching o'er you an& aking tea or taking are a%ake"7 I recogni1e& his $aro&y of e re$orting to Aerity! an& ha& to s ile" I &eci&e& akes (ettricken sa&07 I aske&" e a $late of eat an& a ug of tea" that (ettle ha& hel$e& Aerity unlock his Skill an& that %ork %as $rocee&ing on the &ragon" But (ettricken" 6;hat 6She %ishes she %ere (ettle!7 the Fool ex$laine&! in a tone that sai& any oron %oul& ha'e kno%n that" He han&e& your s$ouse choose another to hel$ hi back an& forth like 6Ho% %oul& you feel! to ha'e co e this long an& %eary %ay! only to ha'e in his %ork0 He an& (ettle chatter ag$ies" #ll sorts of inconse)uential talk" They %ork an& other.s cat! Hiss$it! an& of thy e that gre% in the eat to anyone %ho yells at e for so e" #n& no% you

chi$! or so eti es! Aerity 4ust stan&s still! his han&s $resse& to the &ragon" #n& he tells her of his gar&en on the to%er" #n& all the %hile! (ettle s$eaks to hi ! %ith no break! of Jull %ho &i& this! an& Jull %ho &i& that! an& all she an& Jull &i& together" I thought they %oul& cease %hen the sun %ent &o%n! but that %as the only ti e that Aerity see e& to recall (ettricken %as ali'e" He aske& her to bring fire%oo& an& ake fires for light" Oh! an& I think he has allo%e& her to shar$en a chisel or t%o for hi "7

1818

6#n& Starling!7 I sai& stu$i&ly" I &i& not like to think of %hat (ettricken be feeling" I reine& an& y thoughts a%ay fro it"

ust

6She %orks on a song about Aerity.s &ragon" I think she has gi'en u$ on you e e'er &oing anything of note"7 yself" 6She is ne'er about %hen I &o anything of significance" y hea& to%ar& the yurt" yself" e" I s ile& to

;hat %e %rought to&ay! Fool! %as better than any battle I ha'e e'er fought" But she %ill ne'er un&erstan& all of that"7 I cocke& 6Her har$ soun&s ello%er than I recall it!7 I sai& to

In ans%er! he lifte& his eyebro%s an& %aggle& his fingers at -y eyes %i&ene&" 6;hat ha'e you been &oing07 I &e an&e&" 6Ex$eri enting" I think that if I sur'i'e all this!

y $u$$ets shall be the stuff e! 6 ake it so uch

of legen&" I ha'e al%ays been able to look at %oo& an& see %hat I %ishe& to call forth" These!7 an& again he %aggle& his fingers at easier"7 6Be cautious!7 I $lea&e& %ith hi " 6-e0 I ha'e no caution %ithin going07 6>$ to see the &ragon!7 I re$lie&" 6If (ettle can %ork on it! so can I" I be as strongly Skille&! but I.'e been linke& %ith Aerity for far longer"7 ay not e" I cannot be %hat I a not" ;here are you

9H#*TER THIRTY/SIK The ;it an& the S%or& THE O>TIS=#5DERS H#AE al%ays rai&e& the coastline of the Six Duchies" The foun&er of the Farseer onarchy %as! in fact! no ore than a rai&er gro%n %eary of the sea life" Taker.s cre% o'er%hel e& the original buil&ers of the
181<

%oo&en fort at the

outh of the Buck Ri'er an&

a&e it their o%n" O'er a onarch"

nu ber of generations! the black stone %alls of Buckkee$ 9astle re$lace& it! an& the OutIslan&er rai&ers beca e resi&ents an& Duchies an& the OutIslan&s" But the co Tra&e an& rai&ing an& $iracy ha'e all existe& si ultaneously bet%een the Six ence ent of the Re&/Shi$ rai&s arke& a change in this abrasi'e an& $rofitable interchange" Both the sa'agery an& &estruction of the rai&s %ere un$rece&ente&" So e attribute& it to the rise to $o%er in the OutIslan&s of a ferocious chieftain %ho es$ouse& a bloo&y religion of 'engeance" The ost sa'age of his follo%ers beca e Rai&ers an& cre% for his Re&/Shi$s" Other OutIslan&ers! ne'er before unite& un&er one lea&er! %ere coerce& into s%earing fealty to hi ! un&er threat of Forging for those an& their fa ilies %ho refuse& hi " He an& his rai&ers brought their 'icious hatre& to the shores of the Six Duchies" If he e'er ha& any intent beyon& killing! ra$ing! an& &estroying! he ne'er (ebal Ra%brea&" 6I &on.t un&erstan& %hy you &eny an& face e!7 I sai& stiffly" to turn a&e it kno%n" His na e %as

Aerity sto$$e&! his en&less cho$$ing at the &ragon" I ha& ex$ecte& hi &ust" I coul& scarcely belie'e the $rogress he ha&

e! but instea& he only crouche& lo%er! to brush a%ay rock chi$s an& a&e" The entire cla%e& right

foot of the &ragon no% reste& u$on the stone" True! it lacke& the fine &etail of the rest of the &ragon! but the leg itself %as no% co $lete" Aerity %ra$$e& a careful han& o'er the to$ of one of its toes" He sat creation! $atient an& still" I coul& not see any otionless besi&e his o'e ent of his han&! but I

coul& sense Skill at %ork" If I reache& to%ar& it at all! I coul& feel the tiny fissuring of stone as it flake& a%ay" It truly see e& as if the &ragon ha& been

181?

hi&&en in the stone! an& that Aerity.s task %as to re'eal it! one glea ing scale at a ti e" 6Fit1" Sto$ it"7 I coul& hear annoyance in his 'oice" #nnoyance that I %as Skill/sharing %ith hi ! an& annoyance that I %as &istracting hi %ork" 6=et e hel$ you!7 I begge& again" So ething about the %ork &re% e" Before! %hen Aerity ha& been scra$ing at the stone %ith his s%or&! the &ragon ha& see e& an a& irable ;ork of stone/car'ing" But no% there %as a shi %as i ering of Skill to hi as both Aerity an& (ettle e $loye& their $o%ers" It ensely attracti'e! in the %ay that a s$arkling creek gli $se& through fro his

trees &ra%s the eye! or the s ell of fresh/bake& brea& %akes hunger" I longe& to $ut han&s on! an& hel$ sha$e this $o%erful creature" The sight of their %orking a%akene& a Skill hunger in been Skill/linke& %ith you oar on the Rurisk! you tol& e such as I ha& ne'er kno%n" 6I ha'e e a%ay ore than anyone has" In the &ays %hen I $ulle& an e I %as your coterie" ;hy &o you turn

no%! %hen I coul& hel$! an& you nee& hel$ so ba&ly07 Aerity sighe& an& rocke& back on his heels" The toe %as not &one! but I coul& see the faint outline of scales u$on it no%! an& the beginning of the sheath for the %icke&ly cur'e& talon" I coul& feel ho% the cla% %oul& be! striate& like a ha%k.s talon" I longe& to reach &o%n an& &ra% forth those lines fro 6Sto$ thinking about it!7 Aerity ba&e to I &i&" I ha& fainte&" 6I kno% e fir ly" 6Fit1" Fit1! look at you07 e! %hen you tol& e" Do you re e ber the first ti e I took strength fro the stone" e" =isten

y o%n strength better no%!7 I re$lie&"

He ignore& that" 6You &i&n.t kno% %hat you %ere offering

e you %ere a (ing.s -an" I took you at your %or& that you kne% %hat you %ere &oing" You &i&n.t" I tell you $lainly right no% that you &on.t kno% %hat you are asking e for" I &o kno% %hat I a
181B

refusing you" #n& that is all"7

6But Aerity ,7 6In this! (ing Aerity %ill hear no buts! Fit19hi'alry"7 He &re% that line %ith e as he ha& so sel&o before" y frustration beco e anger" He $lace& his o ent to the clack! I took a breath an& refuse& to let

han& carefully on the &ragon.s toe again" I listene& a %as singing as she %orke&! so e ol& lo'e balla&" 6-y lor&! (ing Aerity! if you %oul& tell hel$ing you! then I coul& &eci&e for

clack! clack of (ettle.s chisel %orking the &ragon.s tail free of the stone" She e %hat it is I &on.t kno% about

yself! $erha$s! if , 6

6It is not your &ecision! boy" If you truly %ish to hel$! go get so e boughs an& ake a broo " S%ee$ the rock chi$s an& &ust a%ay" It is &a nable stuff to kneel in"7 6I %oul& rather be of real hel$ to you!7 I a%ay" 6Fit19hi'alry:7 There %as a shar$ note to Aerity.s 'oice! one I ha& not hear& since I %as a boy" I turne& back to it %ith &rea&" 6You o'erste$ yourself!7 he tol& going an& shar$ens 6Then you shall y chisels for e bluntly" 6-y )ueen kee$s these fires e" Do you $ut yourself abo'e such %ork07 uch as I hate to say ense uttere& &isconsolately as I turne&

#t such ti es! a brief ans%er suffices best" 65o! sir"7 ake e a broo " To orro%" For no%! it! %e all shoul& rest! at least for a ti e"7 He stoo& slo%ly! s%aye&! then righte& hi self" He $lace& a sil'er han& affectionately on the &ragon.s i shoul&er3 6;ith the &a%n!7 he $ro ise& it" I ha& ex$ecte& hi to call to (ettle! but she %as alrea&y stan&ing an& yself" ;or&s %ere no longer necessary" stretching" Skill/linke&! I thought to

But they %ere for his )ueen" He %alke& aroun& his &ragon to %here (ettricken sat near one of the fires" She %as grin&ing at a chisel.s e&ge" The rough ras$ing
181C

of her %ork hi& our soft footste$s fro aske& her )uietly"

her" For a ti e! Aerity looke& &o%n at

his )ueen as she crouche& at this chore" 6-y la&y! shall %e slee$ a%hile07 he She turne&" ;ith a gray/&uste& han& she %i$e& the straggling hair fro eyes" 6#s you %ish! $ain fro 6I a her 'oice" y lor& king" I %oul& continue %orking! if you %ill it"7 arke& that (ettricken &i& not not that tire&! her

y lor&!7 she re$lie&" She %as able to kee$ al ost all her

(ettle.s cheerful 'oice %as al ost 4arring" I

turn to look at her at all" Aerity only sai&! 6So eti es it is better to rest before you are tire&" If %e slee$ %hile it is &ark! %e %ill %ork better by the &ay.s light"7 (ettricken %ince& as if critici1e&" 6I coul& buil& the fires larger! that is %hat you %ish!7 she sai& carefully" 65o" I %ish to rest! %ith you besi&e It %as no y lor&"7 It hurt ;hat it is safe for -y king still rea& Di& you hunt0 ;ith all this eat left! %hy %oul& I hunt0 I notice& then the tu ble of $ig again! nose to tail! rich as any o ent.s en'y of his satisfaction" bones all roun& hi " He lay &o%n a ongst the %olf coul& e'er be" I kne% a e" If you %oul&! y )ueen"7 ore than the bones of his affection! but she sei1e& on it" 6I %oul&! e to see her content %ith so little" I una%are of her $ain" I gi'e her %hat I can" goo& night an& %ent off e to gi'e her" e so easily" 9hastene&! I bi& the y lor&! if

She is not content! Fit1 nor a

to the tent" #s %e &re% near! 5ighteyes rose u$! stretching an& ya%ning"

Starling sat %atch outsi&e the tent by the fire! her har$ nestle& in her la$" I starte& to go $ast her %ith a no&! then halte& to $eer at her har$" ;ith a &elighte& s ile! she hel& it u$ for y ins$ection"
181D

The Fool ha& out&one hi self" There %ere no gilt or curlicues! no inlays of i'ory or ebony such as so e %oul& say set a har$ a$art" Instea& there %as only the silken glea of cur'ing %oo&! an& that subtle car'ing that highlighte& the best of the %oo&.s grain" I coul& not look at it %ithout %anting to touch it an& hol& it" The %oo& &re% the han& to it" The firelight &ance& u$on it" (ettle sto$$e& to stare also" She fol&e& her li$s tightly" 65o caution" It %ill be the &eath of hi tent" Des$ite y long na$ earlier! I sank into slee$ al ost as soon as I lay &o%n" I o'ing softly u$ the than that they roo ! Burrich sat u$ &o not think I ha& sle$t long before I beca e a%are of a stealthy noise outsi&e" I ;it/)ueste& to%ar& it" -en" Four" 5o! fi'e of the ! hillsi&e to%ar& the hut" I coul& kno% little ca e in stealth! like hunters" So e%here in a &i the si&e of it! then touche& her ar softly" ore about the so e&ay!7 she sai& o inously" She then $rece&e& e into the

soun&lessly" He rose barefoot an& crosse& the hut to -olly.s be&" He knelt by 6Burrich07 She caught her breath on his na e! then %aite& in %on&er" 6-ake no soun&!7 he breathe&" 6Jet u$" *ut on your shoes an& %ra$ 5ettle %ell! but try not to %ake her" So eone is outsi&e! an& I &o not think they us %ell"7 I %as $rou& of her" She aske& no )uestions! but sat u$ i u$ the be&&ing aroun& 5ettle until she looke& like little blankets" The baby &i& not %ake" -ean%hile Burrich ha& &ra%n on his o%n boots an& taken u$ a shorts%or&" He otione& -olly to%ar& the shuttere& %in&o%" 6If I tell you to! go out that %in&o% %ith 5ettle" But not unless I say to" I think there are fi'e of the "7 e&iately" She $ulle& ore than a bun&le of her &ress on o'er her nightgo%n an& thrust her feet into her shoes" She fol&e& ean

181E

-olly no&&e& in the firelight" She &re% her belt knife an& stoo& bet%een her chil& an& &anger" Burrich stoo& to one si&e of the &oor" The entire night see e& to $ass as they %aite& silently for their attackers to co e" The bar %as in $lace! but it ha& little Burrich let the sla eaning on such an ol& &oorfra e" en into it t%ice! then! as it starte& to gi'e! he kicke& it out of

its brackets! so that on their next onslaught the &oor %as flung %i&e" T%o

ca e staggering in! sur$rise& at the su&&en lack of resistance" One fell! the other fell o'er the first! an& Burrich ha& $ut his s%or& in an& out of both of the before the thir& an %as in the &oor" an! re&hea&e& an& re&/bear&e&" He ca e in the &oor en %ho s)uir e& un&er his an bello%e&! 6In the na e The thir& an %as a big

%ith a roar! tra $ling right o'er the t%o in4ure& al ost t%ice Burrich.s reach" Behin& hi ! a stout an& stan& asi&e"7

boots" He carrie& a long s%or&! a lo'ely %ea$on" His si1e an& bla&e ga'e hi of the (ing! %e.'e co e for the ;it/Bastar&.s %hore: *ut &o%n your %ea$on He.& ha'e been %iser not to rouse Burrich.s anger any brighter than it %as" #l ost casually! Burrich &ro$$e& his bla&e to finish one of the en on the floor! an& then brought the bla&e back u$ insi&e Re&/bear&.s guar&" Re&/bear& retreate&! trying to get s$ace for the a&'antage of his bla&e" Burrich ha& no choice but to follo% hi ! for if the i an reache& a $lace %here he coul& s%ing an an& a %o an freely! Burrich %oul& ha'e s all chance" The stout #s I tol& you:7 -olly %as alrea&y by the %in&o%! clutching 5ettle! %ho ha& begun to %ail in fear" She lea$e& to a chair! snatche& the shutters o$en! an& got one leg out the %in&o%" Burrich %as busying Re&bear& %hen the %o an &ashe& behin& hi
182H

e&iately surge& into the &oor" Burrich s$are& a glance for the " 6-olly:

an& sank her knife into his lo%er back" Burrich crie& out hoarsely! an& frantically $arrie& the longer bla&e" #s -olly got her other leg o'er the %in&o%sill an& began to &ro$ outsi&e! the stout an& snatche& 5ettle fro Then she ran a%ay into the &arkness" Disbelief" I coul& feel Burrich.s &isbelief as $lainly as $ulle& her knife fro y o%n" The %o an his back an& lifte& it to strike again" He banishe& his $ain an lea$e& across the roo her ar s" I hear& -olly.s shriek of terror an& fury"

%ith anger! s$un to cut her a slash across her chest! an& then turne& back to Re&/bear&" But Re&/Bear& ha& ste$$e& back" His s%or& %as still at the rea&y but he stoo& otionless as the stout an sai&! 6;e.'e got the chil&" Dro$ your s%or& or the baby &ies here an& no%"7 He &arte& his eyes at the %o an clutching at her chest" 6Jet after the %o an" 5o%: 6 She glare& at hi ! but %ent %ithout a ur ur" Burrich &i& not e'en %atch her an.s ar s" Re&/bear& go" He ha& eyes only for the %ailing babe in the stout

grinne& as the ti$ of Burrich.s %ea$on slo%ly &ro$$e& to%ar& the floor" 6;hy07 Burrich aske& in consternation" 6;hat ha'e %e e'er &one! that you attack us an& threaten to kill The stout y &aughter07 an looke& &o%n at the re&/face& baby screa ing in his ar s"

6She.s not yours!7 he sneere&" 6She.s the ;it/Bastar&.s bastar&" ;e ha'e it on the best authority"7 He lifte& 5ettle high as if he %oul& &ash her against the floor" He stare& at Burrich" Burrich sit u$" 6She.s only a tiny baby!7 Burrich sai& hoarsely" #s if it %ere are istaken" She.s y o%n! I kne% the %ar th of the bloo& running &o%n Burrich.s back an& hi$" 6=et us go" You y o%n bloo&! I tell you! an& no threat to your king" *lease" I ha'e gol&" I.ll take you to it" But let us go"7
1821

a&e an incoherent soun&! half/fury! half/ an groane& an& trie& to

$lea" He &ro$$e& his s%or&" By the &oor! the in4ure&

Burrich! %ho %oul& ha'e stoo& an& s$it an& fought to the &eath! &ro$$e& his s%or& an& $lea&e& for the sake of y chil&" Re&/bear& roare& out his laughter! an ste$$e& to the table ine!7 he but Burrich &i& not e'en turn to it" Still laughing! the

an& casually lit the branch of can&les there" He lifte& the light to sur'ey the &ishe'ele& roo " Burrich coul& not take his eyes off 5ettle" 6She.s sai& )uietly! al ost &es$erately" 6Sto$ your lies!7 the stout #s tainte& as he %as"7 6That.s right" She is"7 #ll eyes turne& to the &oor" -olly stoo& there! 'ery $ale! breathing har&" Her right han& %as re&&ene& %ith bloo&" She clutche& to her chest a large %oo&en box" #n o inous hu %ea$ons an& free ing ca e fro it" 6The bitch you sent after e is &ea&!7 -olly sai& harshly" 6#s you %ill soon be! if you &on.t $ut &o%n your y chil& an& an"7 The stout an grinne& incre&ulously" Re&bear& lifte& his s%or&" Her 'oice shook only slightly as she a&&e&" 6The chil& is ;itte&! of course" #s a I" -y bees %ill not har us" But in4ure one of us! an& they %ill rise u$ an& illion burning stings" uch use against y ;it/bees07 She looke& follo% you an& gi'e you no )uarter" You shall &ie of a Think your s%or&s %ill be of fro an sai& &is&ainfully" 6She.s the ;it/Bastar&.s get"

face to face! her eyes flashing %ith anger an& her threat as she clutche&

the hea'y %oo&en hi'e box to her" One bee esca$e& it! to bu11 angrily about the roo " Re&/bear&.s eyes follo%e& it! e'en as he exclai e&! 6I &on.t belie'e it:7 Burrich.s eyes %ere floor" Her eyes easuring the &istance to his s%or& as -olly aske& softly! al ost coyly! 6Don.t you07 She s ile& o&&ly as she lo%ere& the hi'e to the et Re&/bear&.s as she lifte& the li& of the box" She reache& in an gas$e& alou&! she &re% out her han&! glo'e& %ith
1822

an& e'en as the stout

o'ing bees" She close& the li& of the hi'e an& then stoo&" She looke& &o%n at the bees coating her han& an& sai& )uietly! 6The one %ith the re& bear&! little ones"7 Then she hel& her han& out as if offering the It took a as a gift" o ent! but as each bee took flight! it unerringly sought out Re&/ back or %e kill the chil&:7 he crie& out

bear&" He flinche& as first one an& then another bu11e& $ast hi ! an& then ca e back! circling" 69all the su&&enly" He batte& at the ineffectually %ith the branch of can&les he hel&"

-olly instea& stoo$e& su&&enly an& hea'e& u$ the %hole hi'e as high as she coul&" 6You.ll kill her any%ay:7 she crie& out! her 'oice breaking on the %or&s" She ga'e the hi'e a shake! an& the agitate& hu beca e a roar" 6=ittle ones! they %oul& kill to the floor" The in4ure& 6Hol&:7 crie& the stout ing of the bees y chil&: ;hen I set you free!

a'enge us:7 She raise& the hi'e higher yet in her ar s! $re$atory to s ashing it an at her feet groane& lou&ly" an" 6I.ll gi'e you your chil&:7 y

-olly fro1e" #ll coul& see that she coul& not hol& the %eight of the hi'e box uch longer" There %as strain in her 'oice but she cal ly &irecte&! 6Ji'e baby to an& y an" =et the both co e to e" Or you shall all &ie! ost horribly"7 The stout ost certainly the table! but a%ay only

an looke& uncertainly at Re&/bear&" 9an&les in

one han& an& s%or& in the other! Re&/bear& ha& retreate& fro see e& to ake the

the bees still bu11e& confuse&ly about hi " His efforts to sla$ the 6Then &ie fro

ore &eter ine&" 6(ing Regal %ill kill us &o %e fail:7

y bees instea&!7 -olly suggeste&" 6There are hun&re&s of

bees in here!7 she a&&e& in a lo% 'oice" Her tone %as al ost se&ucti'e as she offere&! 6They %ill get insi&e your shirts an& the legs of your trousers" They %ill cling to your hair as they sting" They %ill cra%l into your ears to sting! an& u$ your noses" #n& %hen you screa ! they %ill cro%& into your outh! &o1ens

1828

of hu

ing! fu11y bo&ies! to sting your tongue until it %ill not fit insi&e your an crosse& the roo to

outh" You %ill &ie choking on the :7 Her &escri$tion see e& to &eci&e the " The stout Burrich! thrust the still/screa ing babe into his ar s" Re&bear& glare& but sai& nothing" Burrich took 5ettle! but &i& not neglect to stoo$ an& sei1e u$ his s%or& as %ell" -olly glare& at Re&/bear&" 6You" Jet o'er there besi&e hi " Burrich" Take 5ettle outsi&e" Take her to %here %e $icke& they force e to act! I &o not %ish her to see it" It ight bees %ho are her ser'ants"7 Burrich obeye&" Of all the things I ha& %itnesse& that night! that see e& to the e ost a a1ing" Once he %as outsi&e! -olly backe& slo%ly to%ar& the &oor" int yester&ay" If ake her fear the 'ery

6Do not follo%!7 she %arne& the " 6-y ;it/bees %ill be kee$ing %atch for e! right outsi&e the &oor"7 She ga'e the hi'e a final shake" The roaring hu increase& an& se'eral stout hi " The ore bees esca$e& into the roo ! bu11ing angrily" The her an stoo& fro1en! but Re&/bear& lifte& his s%or& as if it %oul& &efen& an on the floor ga'e an incoherent cry an& scrabble& a%ay fro

as -olly backe& outsi&e" She &ragge& the &oor shut behin& her! then leane& the hi'e against it" She took the li& off the hi'e an& then kicke& it before she turne& an& ran off into the night" 6Burrich:7 she calle& )uietly" 6I. co ing"7 She &i& e"! not go to%ar& the roa&! but off to%ar& the %oo&s" She &i& not look back" 69o e a%ay! Fit1"7 It %as no Skilling! but Aerity.s soft 'oice close by 6You ha'e seen the I o$ene& besi&e safe" ;atch no kno% %here they go" It is better if you &o not kno% yourself" 9o e a%ay"7 y eyes to the &i ness insi&e the tent" 5ot only Aerity! but (ettle sat e" (ettle.s outh %as set in a flat line of &isa$$ro'al" Aerity.s face ost angry %ith you" 5o% I say to you ore! lest others see %ith your eyes an&

%as stern! but un&erstan&ing %as also there" He s$oke before I coul&" 6Di& I belie'e you ha& sought that! I %oul& be
182<

$lainly" It is better if you kno% nothing of the " 5othing at all" Ha& you hee&e& e %hen I first a&'ise& you of that! none of the %oul& ha'e been threatene& as they %ere tonight"7 6You both %ere %atching07 I aske& )uietly" For an instant! I %as touche&" They both care& that 6She is uch for y chil&" e" y heir! too!7 Aerity $ointe& out relentlessly" 6Do you think I coul& the ! Fit1" For all our sakes" Do you un&erstan&07 e" I ha& alrea&y &eci&e& I

stan& by an& &o nothing if they ha& in4ure& her07 He shook his hea& at 6Stay a%ay fro I no&&e& y hea&" His %or&s coul& not &istress

%oul& choose not to kno% %here -olly an& Burrich took 5ettle" But not because she %as Aerity.s heir" (ettle an& Aerity stoo& an& left the tent" I flung yself back into y blankets" The Fool! %ho ha& been $ro$$e& on one elbo%! utely! his lay &o%n also" 6I %ill tell you to orro%!7 I tol& hi " He no&&e& stare& u$ into &arkness" 5ighteyes ca e to lie besi&e He e"

eyes huge in his $ale face" Then he lay back &o%n" I think he %ent to slee$" I He %oul& $rotect your cub as his o%n! he $ointe& out )uietly" That is $ack" eant the %or&s for co fort" I &i& not nee& the " Instea& I reache& to rest a &o%n0 I &e an&e& han& on his ruff" Di& you see ho% she stoo& an& face& the %ith $ri&e" # ost excellent bitch! 5ighteyes agree&" I felt I ha& not sle$t at all %hen Starling %oke the Fool an& I for our %atch" I ca e out of the tent stretching an& ya%ning! an& sus$ecting that kee$ing %atch %as not really a necessity" But the last shar& of night %as $leasantly Starling ha& left through a 6Starling sho%e& eat broth si ug %hen the Fool finally follo%e& e out" il&! an& ering at the fire.s e&ge" I %as half%ay

e her har$ last night!7 I sai& by %ay of greeting"

182?

He s irke& %ith satisfaction" 6# cru&e bit of %ork" #h! this %as but one of his early efforts! they shall say of it so e&ay!7 he a&&e& %ith straine& 6(ettle sai& you ha'e no caution"7 65o! I ha'e not! Fit1" ;hat &o %e &o here07 6-e0 ;hat I. broo tol&" ;hen y %atch is o'er! I. off to the hills! to gather t%igs" So that I can s%ee$ the rock chi$s out of Aerity.s %ay"7 o&esty"

6#h" 5o% there.s lofty %ork for a 9atalyst" #n& %hat shall a $ro$het &o! &o you su$$ose07 6You ight $ro$hesy %hen that &ragon %ill be finishe&" I fear %e shall think inutely" ake broo s an& har$s" This feels like a glu ly" But $ri'ately I %on&ere& if of nothing else until it is &one"7 The Fool %as shaking his hea& 6;hat07 I &e an&e&" 6I &o not feel %e %ere calle& here to lull to he e! y frien&" The lull before the stor "7

65o%! there.s a cheery thought!7 I tol& hi ight not be right" 6#re you going to tell ;hen

e %hat %ent on last night07 e" 6Think you the e&iately" #n& then

y account %as finishe&! the Fool sat grinning" 6# resourceful lass! that

one!7 he obser'e& $rou&ly" Then he cocke& his hea& at baby %ill be ;itte&0 Or be able to Skill07 I ha& ne'er sto$$e& to consi&er it" 6I ho$e not!7 I sai& i %on&ere& at &rank a y o%n %or&s"

Da%n ha& scarcely broken before both Aerity an& (ettle arose" They each ug of broth stan&ing! an& carrie& off &rie& eat as they hea&e& back ug of broth u$ to the &ragon" (ettricken ha& also co e out of Aerity.s tent" Her eyes %ere hollo% an& &efeat %as in the set of her outh" She ha& but half a

182B

before setting it asi&e" She %ent back into the tent an& returne& %ith a blanket fashione& into a carry/sack" 6Fire%oo&!7 she re$lie& flatly to 6Then 5ighteyes an& I y raise& eyebro%" t%igs ay as %ell go %ith you" I nee& to gather broo e"

an& a stick" #n& he nee&s to &o so ething besi&es slee$ an& gro% fat"7 #n& you fear to go off in the %oo&s %ithout *erha$s (ettricken %oul& bring her bo%0 But e'en as I turne& to to fetch it" 6In case %e ake the suggestion! she %as &ucking back into the tent eet another $ig!7 she tol& e as she ca e out" If so%s like that aboun& in these %oo&s! you are absolutely correct"

But it %as an une'entful ex$e&ition" Outsi&e the )uarry! the countrysi&e %as hilly an& $leasant" ;e sto$$e& at the strea hi I %oul& after I ha& finishe& gathering y broo to &rink an& %ash" I sa% the flash e&iately %ante& to fish" I tol& y heels! y broo " So he ca e at of a tiny fingerling in the %ater! an& the %olf i but reluctantly" I gathere&

t%igs an& foun& a long straight branch for

a han&le" Then %e fille& (ettricken.s carry/sack %ith %oo&! %hich I insiste& on bearing so her han&s coul& be free for her bo%" On the %ay back to ca $! %e sto$$e& at the strea " I looke& for a $lace %here $lants o'erhung the bank! an& it &i& not take us long to fin& one" ;e then s$ent far longer than I ha& inten&e& in tickling for fish" (ettricken ha& ne'er seen it &one before! but after so e i $atience! she caught the trick of it" They %ere a kin& of trout I ha& not seen before! tinge& %ith $ink along their bellies" ;e caught ten an& I cleane& the there! %ith 5ighteyes sna$$ing u$ the entrails as )uickly as I gutte& the " (ettricken threa&e& the I ha& not reali1e& ho% onto a %illo% stick! an& %e returne& to ca $" uch the )uiet interlu&e ha& soothe& y s$irits until %e e that! outh of the )uarry" It see e&

ca e in sight of the black $illar guar&ing the

ore o inous than e'er! like so e &ark scol&ing finger lifte& to %arn
182C

in&ee&! this

ight be the lull but the stor

%as co ing" I ga'e a s all shu&&er y %ill! I sto$$e& to stu&y e! an& only then &i& I

as I $asse& it" -y Skill/sensiti'ity see e& to be gro%ing again" The $illar ra&iate& controlle& $o%er luringly" #l ost against the characters incise& on it" 6Fit10 #re you co ing07 (ettricken calle& back to re4oine& the reali1e ho% long I ha& been ga%king" I hastene& to catch u$ %ith the ! an& 4ust as they %ere $assing the girl on a &ragon" I ha& &eliberately a'oi&e& that s$ot since the Fool ha& touche& her" 5o% I glance& u$ guiltily to %here the sil'er finger$rint still shone against her fla%less skin" 6;ho %ere you! an& %hy &i& you aske& her" But her stone eyes only looke& at s$ecke& cheeks" 6-aybe she coul& not finish her &ragon!7 (ettricken s$eculate&" 6See ho% its hin& feet an& tail are still tra$$e& in the stone0 -aybe that.s %hy it.s so sa&"7 6She ust ha'e car'e& it sa& to begin %ith! &on.t you see0 ;hether or not she e in a use ent" 6You still &on.t belie'e that Aerity.s finishe& it! the u$$er $ortion %oul& be the sa e"7 (ettricken looke& at &ragon %ill fly %hen it is finishe&0 I &o" Of course! I ha'e 'ery little else to belie'e in any ore" Aery little"7 I ha& been going to tell her I thought it a %or&s shut y outh" y broo together an& %ent at y s%ee$ing %ith y ore" Back at the &ragon! I boun& instrel.s tale for a chil&! but her final ake such a sa& car'ing07 I e $lea&ingly abo'e her tear/

a 'engeance" The sun %as high in a bright blue sky %ith a light an& $leasant bree1e" It %as altogether a lo'ely &ay an& for a ti e I forgot all else in si $le chore" (ettricken unloa&e& her fire%oo& an& soon left to get

5ighteyes follo%e& at her heels! an& I notice& %ith a$$ro'al that Starling an& the Fool hastene& after her %ith carry/sacks of their o%n" ;ith the rock chi$s
182D

an& &ust cleare& a%ay fro an& (ettle ha&

the &ragon! I coul& see

ore of the $rogress Aerity uch to Aerity! not really

a&e" The black stone of the &ragon.s back %as so shiny it in& an& heart %ere focuse& entirely on the &ragon" uch (ing Aerity" his crouch besi&e the

al ost reflecte& the blue of the sky" I obser'e& as ex$ecting an ans%er" His On all other to$ics his to # fe%

in& see e& 'ague an& %an&ering! but %hen he s$oke

e of his &ragon an& the fashioning of it he %as 'ery o ents later! he rocke& back on his heels fro

&ragon.s foot" He stoo& an& ran a sil'er han& tentati'ely o'er the &ragon.s back" I caught y breath! for in the %ake of his han& there %as su&&enly color" ere& there for an instant! then fa&e&" Aerity # rich tur)uoise! %ith e'ery scale e&ge& in sil'er! follo%e& the s%ee$ of Aerity.s finger" The hue shi stay!7 he tol& 4ealously" He a&e a s all soun& of satisfaction" 6;hen the &ragon is full! the color %ill e" ;ithout thinking! I reache& a han& to%ar& the &ragon! but e asi&e" 6Don.t touch hi !7 he %arne& e! al ost ust ha'e seen the shock on y face! for he looke& rueful" 6It.s Aerity abru$tly shoul&ere& not safe for you to touch hi

any ore! Fit1" He is too ,7 His 'oice traile& off!

an& his eyes %ent afar in search of a %or&" Then he a$$arently forgot all about e! for he crouche& back to his %ork on the creature.s foot" There is nothing like being treate& like a chil& to $ro'oke one to act that %ay" I finishe& the last of y s%ee$ing! set y broo asi&e! an& %an&ere& off" I %as not o'erly sur$rise& %hen I foun& see like se$arate entities to e hungrily" So yself staring u$ at the girl on a &ragon ore I cli be& u$ on the &ais besi&e isery" 6There is nothing I can &o for y %or&s" It %as

again" I ha& co e to think of the statue as 6Jirl/on/a/Dragon!7 for they &i& not e" Once her! once to%ar& ore I felt the s%irling of her ;it/life" It lifte& like fog an& reache& uch entra$$e&

you!7 I tol& her sa&ly! an& al ost felt that she res$on&e& to

too sa&&ening to re ain close to her for long" But as I cla bere& &o%n! I
182E

notice& that %hich alar e& ha& been chiseling at the an& shar$" The Fool! I tol& intention of seeking hi Fit19hi'alry" Return to I sighe& to a%ay fro out i

e" #roun& one of the &ragon.s hin& feet! so eone iring stone" I stoo$e& &o%n for a closer ins$ection" the cut! but the e&ges of it %ere ne% yself! %as truly %ithout caution" I stoo& %ith the e&iately" ore stone chi$s to s%ee$" For this I ust be

The chi$s an& &ust ha& been cleare& fro

e at once! $lease"

yself" *robably

-olly! %hile she fen&e& for herself" #s I %alke& back to the yself in forbi&&en thoughts of her" I %on&ere& if they ha&

&ragon! I in&ulge& little

foun& a $lace to shelter! an& ho% ba&ly Burrich %as hurt" They ha& fle& %ith ore than the clothes on their backs" Ho% %oul& they sur'i'e0 Or ha& en attacke& the again0 Ha& they &ragge& her an& the baby off to Regal.s

Tra&efor&0 Di& Burrich lie &ea& in the &irt so e%here0 Do you truly belie'e that coul& ha$$en an& you not kno% of it0 Besi&es" She see e& that ore than ca$able of caring for herself an& the chil&" #n& Burrich for atter" Sto$ thinking of the " #n& sto$ in&ulging in self/$ity" I ha'e a y broo " I ha& been s%ee$ing for e" 6#h! Fit1! there you are"7 He e"7 o ent by

task for you" I returne& to the &ragon an& $icke& u$ so e inutes before Aerity see e& to notice

stoo&! stretche&! arching his back to take the ache out of it" 69o e %ith I follo%e& hi &o%n to the ca $fire %here he busie& hi self for a $utting %ater to heat" He $icke& u$ a $iece of the &ry cooke& %ell"7 He turne& to

eat! looke& at it!

an& sai& sa&ly! 6;hat I %oul& not gi'e for one $iece of Sara.s fresh brea&" Oh! e" 6Sit &o%n! Fit1! I %ant to talk to you" I.'e been gi'ing e! an& I.'e an erran& for you"7 y hea& to yself" One an e+ the next he soun&e& 4ust like the
188H

uch thought to all you tol& o ent he

I sat &o%n slo%ly on a stone by the fire! shaking a&e no sense at all to

%ho ha& been thoughts"

entor for so long" He ga'e

e no ti e to

ull

6Fit1! you 'isite& the $lace of the &ragons! on your %ay here" You tol& Real&er.s &ragon! see e& al ost to a%aken %hen you calle& hi 6I get the sa e sense of life fro agree& %ith hi "

e that

you an& the %olf sense& life in the " ;it/life! you calle& it" #n& that one! by na e"7 the girl on the &ragon! in the )uarry!7 I

Aerity shook his hea& sa&ly" 6*oor thing! nothing can be &one for her! I fear" She $ersiste& in trying to kee$ her hu an sha$e! an& thus she hel& back fro filling her &ragon" There she is an& likely to re ain for all ti e" I ha'e taken to heart her %arning+ at least her error has &one that ha'e co e so far an& sacrifice& so That istake! at least! I shall not che%e& it thoughtfully" I ke$t silent" He ha& lost o%n thoughts brought hi e again" So eti es all I coul& &o %as %ait until his back to so e to$ic %here he a&e sense" I notice& uch goo&" ;hen I fill the ire& &ragon0 eat an& &ragon! I shall hol& nothing back" It %oul& be a $oor en&ing! %oul& it not! to uch! to en& only %ith a ake"7 He bit off a chunk of the &ry

he ha& a ne% s u&ge of sil'er at the to$ of his bro%! as if he ha& unthinkingly %i$e& s%eat a%ay" He s%allo%e&" 6#re there any tea herbs left07 he aske&! an& then a&&e&! 6I %ant you to return to the &ragons" I %ant you to see if you can use your ;it %ith your Skill to a%aken the " ;hen I %as there! try as I ight! I coul& &etect no life in any of the " I feare& they ha& slu bere& too long! an& star'e& the sel'es to &eath! fee&ing only on their o%n &rea s until nothing %as left"7 Starling ha& left a han&ful of %ilte& nettles an& y thoughts"
1881

int" I gingerly coaxe& the

into a $ot! then s$ille& the heate& %ater o'er the " ;hile they stee$e&! I sorte&

6You %ant great ga$s in

e to use the ;it an& Skill to a%ake the &ragon statues" Ho%07 e! there are still y kno%le&ge of the Skill" ;hen Jalen stole Solicity.s books! e! it %as a aster stroke against us" I

Aerity shrugge&" 6I &on.t kno%" Des$ite all (estrel has tol& an& cease& all training for 9hi'alry an& half brother! or %as he

still kee$ co ing back to that" Di& he e'en then $lot to secure the throne for his erely gree&y for $o%er0 ;e %ill ne'er kno%" 6 I s$oke then of a thing I ha& ne'er before 'oice&" 6There is so ething I &o not un&erstan&" (ettle says that your killing 9arro& %ith the Skill left you in4ure& yourself" Yet you &raine& Jalen! an& see e& to suffer nothing fro Serene an& @ustin see to take ill fro &raining the (ing"7 it" 5or &i&

6Draining off another.s Skill is not the sa e as killing one %ith a blast of Skill"7 He ga'e a brief snort of bitter laughter" 6Ha'ing &one both! I %ell kno% the &ifference" In the en&! Jalen chose to &ie rather than surren&er all his $o%er to e" I sus$ect that the y father a&e the sa e choice" I also sus$ect that eat in his han&! he &i& so to kee$ fro the kno%le&ge of %here I %as" ;hat secrets Jalen

&ie& $rotecting! %e no% ha'e an inkling"7 He looke& at the

set it asi&e" 6But %hat concerns us no% is %aking the El&erlings" You look about us an& see a lo'ely &ay! Fit1" I see fair seas an& a clean %in& to bring Re&/Shi$s to our shores" ;hile I chi$ an& scra$e an& labor! Six Duchies folk &ie or are Forge&" 5ot to $rotect his folk fro 6I a ention that Regal.s troo$s harry an& burn the e: 9oul& -ountain 'illages along the bor&er" -y o%n )ueen.s father ri&es to battle to y brother.s ar ies" Ho% that rankles %ithin you rouse the &ragons to their &efense! they coul& take flight no%"7 reluctant to un&ertake a task %hen I &o not kno% 4ust %hat it &e an&s!7 I e %ith a grin" e that 4ust yester&ay that %as %hat you %ere begging to &o! began! but Aerity sto$$e& 6It see s to Fit19hi'alry"7
1882

He ha&

e" 65ighteyes an& I %ill set out to orro%

orning!7 I offere&"

He fro%ne& at

e" 6I see no reason to &elay" It is no long 4ourney for you! but

erely a ste$ through the $illar" But the %olf cannot $ass through the stone" He %ill ha'e to stay here" #n& I %oul& that you %ent no%"7 He tol& e so cal ly to go %ithout e&iately07 atter of inutes" See %hat you can &o" If y %olf" I %oul& sooner ha'e gone stark nake&" 65o%0 #s in i

6;hy not0 You can be there in a

you are successful! I shall kno% it" If not! co e back to us tonight! through the $illar" ;e %ill ha'e lost nothing by trying"7 6Do you think the coterie is no longer a &anger07 6They are no greater a &anger to you there than here" 5o% go"7 6Shoul& I %ait for the others to return an& let the 6I %ill tell the kno% %here I ha'e gone07 e07 yself! Fit19hi'alry" ;ill you &o this thing for not sure ho% to use the $illar"7

There coul& be only one ans%er to such a )uestion" 6I %ill" I go no%"7 I hesitate& a final ti e" 6I a 6It is no ore co $licate& than a &oor! Fit1" *lace your han& on it! an& it &ra%s

on the Skill %ithin you" Here! this sy bol"7 He sketche& %ith a finger in the &ust" 6That is the one for the $lace of the &ragons" Si $ly $ut your han& on it an& %alk through" This!7 another sketch in the &ust! 6is the sign for the )uarry" It %ill bring you back here"7 He lifte& his &ark eyes to regar& there a test in those eyes0 6I shall be back this e'ening!7 I $ro ise& hi " 6Joo&" =uck ri&e %ith you!7 he tol& e" e! %alking to%ar& the $illar" I #n& that %as it" I rose an& left the fire behin& e stea&ily" ;as

$asse& Jirl/on/a/Dragon an& trie& not to be &istracte& by her" So e%here off in the %oo&s! the others %ere gathering fire%oo& %hile 5ighteyes range& all aroun& the "
1888

#re you really going %ithout I shall not be gone long!

e0

y brother" e! if you %oul&" e to&ay""

Shall I co e back an& %ait for you by the $illar0 5o! %atch o'er the Iueen for ;ith $leasure" She shot a bir& for efficiently0 # bitch %ho shares %ell" See that you sa'e so e for e! as %ell" e agnani ously" e" There %as the You can ha'e the fish! he assure&

I sense& his a& iration an& sincerity" ;hat finer thing than a bitch %ho kills

I looke& u$ at the black $illar that no% loo e& before through" *erha$s" But &o to lift I %ent fro

sy bol" #s si $le as a &oor! Aerity ha& sai&" Touch the sy bol an& $ass y sto ach %as full of butterflies an& it %as all I coul& et the the tall oisture y han& an& $ress it to the shining black stone" -y $al bright sunlight to cool &a$$ling sha&e" I ste$$e& a%ay fro

sy bol an& I felt a col& tug of Skill" I ste$$e& through" black $illar an& onto &ee$ly grasse& earth" The air %as hea'y %ith

an& $lant s ells" Branches that ha& been bea&e& %ith leaf bu&s the last ti e I ha& been here %ere no% lush %ith foliage" # chorus of insects an& frogs greete& it" 9autiously I lo%ere& behin& y Skill %alls an& reache& %arily out" Sa'e for the $illar ore than he reali1e&" *erha$s they feare& to yself %ith that thought as I set off e! I ha& no sense of Skill in use" I relaxe& a bit" *erha$s Aerity.s &irectly no%" I %ar e& e" The forest aroun& e s%ar e& %ith life" #fter the e $ty silence of the )uarry! it %as al ost o'er%hel ing" I stoo& for a ti e! 4ust a&4usting to

blasting of 9arro& ha& &one challenge hi through the luxuriant gro%th"

188<

I %as soon soake& to the knee" It %as not that there %as %ater un&erfoot! but that the riotous gro%th of grasses an& ree&s that I %a&e& through %ere la&en %ith oisture" O'erhea& t%ining 'ines an& hanging lea'es &ri$$e&" I &i& not in&" It see e& refreshing after the bare stone an& &ust of the )uarry" ;hat ha& been a ru&i entary $ath%ay the last ti e %e %ere here %as no% a narro% corri&or through leaning! s$ra%ling $lant life" I ca e to a shallo% gurgling strea ! an& took a han&ful of $e$$ery cress fro $ro ise& I %oul& take so e back to ca $ %ith recalle& yself to y They ha& not it to nibble as I %alke&" I e co e nightfall! an& then than it ha& there foun& ake

ission" Dragons" ;here %ere the &ragons0

o'e&! though greenery gre% taller aroun& the ight be the

been" I s$otte& a lightning/blaste& stu $ I re e bere&! an& fro Real&er.s &ragon" I ha& alrea&y &eci&e& he so e &ifference! I took a fe%

ost $ro ising one to

start %ith! for I ha& &efinitely felt a strong ;itlife in hi " #s if it coul& inutes to clear hi grasses" #s I &i& so! one thing struck

of 'ines an& %et! clinging

e" The %ay the slee$ing creature %as

s$ra%le& u$on the earth follo%e& the contour of the groun& beneath hi " It &i& not look like a statue car'e& an& then set in $lace here" It looke& like a li'ing creature that ha& flung itself &o%n to rest an& ne'er I trie& to force belief on o'e& again" yself" These %ere the 'ery El&erlings that rose to fro our shores" Fro the skies they fell

(ing ;is&o .s call" They fle% like great bir&s to the coast an& there they &efeate& the rai&ers an& &ro'e the on the shi$s! &ri'ing the cre%s great %in& fro a& %ith terror or o'ersetting the shi$s %ith the

their %ings" #n& they %oul& again! coul& %e but %ake the " y 'oice" I %alke& slo%ly about Real&er.s &ragon! trying to the %e&ge/sha$e& re$tilian hea& to the barbe& tail!

6I shall try!7 I sai& alou&! an& then re$eate&! 6I shall %ake the !7 an& sought to ha'e no &oubt in &eci&e ho% to begin" Fro

this %as one stone &ragon that %as all of the stuff of legen&" I reache& an
188?

a& iring han& to run it o'er the glea ing scales" I coul& sense the ;it curling la1ily through it like s oke" I %ille& yself to belie'e in the life in it" 9oul& any artist ha'e contri'e& so $erfect a ren&ering0 There %ere knobs of bone at the a$ex of its %ings! si ilar to those on a gan&er" I &i& not &oubt that it coul& clout a an &o%n %ith it" The barbs of its tail %ere still shar$ an& nasty" I coul& i agine it lashing through rigging or ro%ers! shearing! slicing! snagging" 6Real&er!7 I crie& alou& to it" 6Real&er:7 I felt no res$onse" 5ot a stirring of Skill! not e'en ;ell! I tol& uch &ifference in its ;it" y face to its y bo&y yself I ha& not ex$ecte& it to be that easy" In the next fe% hours! I

trie& e'ery %ay I coul& i agine to %ake that beast" I $resse& res$onse fro it than an earth%or %oul& ha'e gi'en

scaly cheek! an& )ueste& into that stone as &ee$ly as I coul& $robe" I got less e" I stretche& out besi&e that col& stone li1ar&! an& %ille& co an&e& it strenuously" E&a hel$ yself to oneness %ith it" I sought

to bon& %ith that la1y stirring of ;it %ithin it" I ra&iate& affection to%ar& it" I e! I e'en sought to threaten it %ith &ire y co an&" It all a'aile& y e nothing" conse)uences if it &i& not arise to obey the Skill &rea

I began to clutch at stra%s" I recalle& the Fool to it" 5othing" I reache& back for the Fool an& I ha& share&" I brought into in& e'ery &etail of the %o an in the rooster cro%n that I coul& recall" I offere& her to the &ragon" There %as no res$onse" I trie& basic things" Aerity sai& $erha$s they ha& star'e&" I 'isuali1e& $ools of cool! s%eet %ater+ fat! sil'ery fish there for the &e'ouring" I Skill/'isuali1e& Real&er.s &ragon being &e'oure& by a greater one! an& offere& it that $icture" 5o res$onse" I 'enture& to reach for an& sunken for It trouble& y king" If there is life in these stones! it is too s all e to reach" easure! %ith s all chance of success" I left
188B

e a little that Aerity &i& not e'en bother to re$ly" But $erha$s he

too ha& seen this as a &es$eration

Real&er.s &ragon an& %an&ere& for a ti e! fro )ueste& a ongst the ! looking for any that e that a fiel& ouse ha&

stone beast to stone beast" I ight ha'e a stronger flicker of

;it/life to the " Once! I thought I ha& foun& one! but a closer check sho%e& a&e its ho e un&er the &ragon.s chest" I chose a &ragon antlere& like a buck an& trie& again e'ery tactic I ha& trie& on Real&er.s &ragon! %ith as little result" By then! the &aylight %as %aning" #s I $icke& on y %ay through the trees back to the $illar! I %on&ere& if Aerity ha& o'e& fro &ragon to &ragon truly ex$ecte& any sort of success" Dogge&ly! I %hat sa'e& co ing fro I lifte& e" I fol&e& u$ behin& the boar" -y ha outh %as su&&enly &ry! y heart ering" He %as neither Aerity nor the Fool" That uch I kne% in an e" I straightene& fro

y %ay back to the $illar! gi'ing each one a last effort" It %as $robably one! thinking I felt a strong ;it/life beyon& hi " the next one" But %hen I got to hi ! the hulking %inge& boar

%ith his cur'ing ra1or tusks! I $ercei'e& the ;it %as co ing fro %il& $ig" Instea& I sa% a

y eyes an& $eere& through the trees! rather ex$ecting to see a &eer or an %ith a &ra%n s%or& stan&ing %ith his back to

instant.s glance" He %as so eone shorter than I! san&y/haire&! an& hol&ing a s%or& as if he kne% ho% to %iel& it" So eone &resse& in gol& an& bro%n" 5ot bulky Burl! nor slen&er &ark ;ill" So eone else! but Regal.s" In a o ent all beca e clear to e" Ho% stu$i& coul& I ha'e been0 I ha& ore0 ;ith the constant skir ishing along &estroye& ;ill an& Burl.s en! horses an& su$$lies" ;hat else %oul& they &o!

but Skill to Regal that they nee&e&

the -ountain bor&ers it %oul& be no trick for another rai&ing $arty to sli$ through! by$ass @haa $e! an& tra'el u$ the Skill roa&" The sli&e area %e ha& crosse& %as a for i&able barrier but not an insur ountable one" Risking his en.s li'es %as so ething Regal %as $roficient at" I %on&ere& ho%
188C

any ha&

atte $te& the crossing an& ho% an& Burl %ere once Then a

any ha& sur'i'e&" I %as sure no% that ;ill e" He ight be Skille&" There %as on! it %as not an to an

ore co fortably $ro'isione&" training others" He ha& all Solicity.s books an& y i agination ha& ulti$lie& the

ore chilling thought struck

nothing to sto$ ;ill fro excessi'ely rare" In ar y! all at least e" For a i

scrolls to &ra% on! an& %hile Skill/$otential %as not co o ents

arginally Skille&! all fanatically loyal to Regal" I leane& e in thrall" I ha& finally reali1e& the

against the stone boar! trying to breathe softly &es$ite the fear coursing through o ent! &es$air ha& ensity of the resources that Regal coul& turn against us" This %as no

$ri'ate 'en&etta bet%een us+ this %as a king! %ith a king.s ar ies an& $o%ers! out to exter inate those he ha& bran&e& as traitors" The only thing that ha& boun& Regal.s han&s before %as the $ossible e barrass ent if it %ere &isco'ere& that Aerity ha& not &ie&" 5o%! back in this re ote area! he ha& nothing to fear" He coul& use his sol&iers to &o a%ay %ith his brother an& ne$he%! his sister/in/la%! %ith all %itnesses" Then his coterie coul& &is$ose of the sol&iers" These thoughts $asse& through kne% I I felt y in& the %ay lightning illu inates the o ent! I blackest night" In one flash! I su&&enly sa% all &etails" In the next not alrea&y too late" yself cal as soon as I ha& a goal in yself to hi " I foun& in&" I consi&ere& Skilling to y ene y better! I %oul& e an& the $illar" Aerity! an& )uickly re4ecte& the i&ea" >ntil I kne% not risk ex$osing ga e" Stones to ca$ture or &estroy" The

ust get to the $illar an& back to the )uarry to %arn Aerity" If it %ere

yself seeing it as if it %ere (ettle.s an %as bet%een

That %as to be ex$ecte&" ;hat I no% ha& to &isco'er %as if there %ere others

188D

as %ell" I &re%

y o%n belt knife+ a s%or& %as no %ea$on to use in &ense the boar" o'e& e in goo& stea& as I

brush" I took a &ee$ stea&ying breath! an& sli$$e& a%ay fro I ha& a rough fa iliarity %ith the area" It ser'e& fro there %ere three coterie fro

&ragon to tree trunk to ol& stu $" Before &arkness %as co $lete! I kne% en an& that they see e& to be guar&ing the $illar" I &i& not e! but rather to kee$ anyone sa'e Regal.s the en ne%ly arri'e&" I coul& then rely that I

think they ha& co e here to hunt Skill roa&+ they %ere fresh! the

using the $illar" I ha& foun& the tracks of their $assage fro

kne% the lay of the lan& better than they &i&" I &eci&e& I %oul& belie'e the un/Skille&! as they ha& co e by the trail rather than by the $illar" But they %ere $robably 'ery able sol&iers" I also &eci&e& I shoul& belie'e ;ill an& Burl ight be 'ery close by" #ble to co e through the $illar at a For that reason I ke$t o ent.s notice" y Skill %alls high an& tight" #n& I %aite&" ;hen I &i& e" In truth! I &i& not y o%n fix to get

not return! Aerity %oul& kno% so ething %as %rong" I &i& not think he %oul& be so un%ary as to co e through the $illar in search of think he %oul& lea'e his &ragon for that long" This %as yself out of" #s &arkness fell! insects ca e out" Stinging! biting! s%ar ing insects by the hun&re&s! an& al%ays the one %ho insiste& on hu Jroun& ists began to rise! &a $ing y clothes to ing right by y ear" y bo&y" The guar&s ha& yself %on&ering yself an& en s$oke

a&e a s all fire" I s elle& hearth cakes cooking an& foun& if I coul& kill the little an& before they ha& eaten the ghoste& closer" 5ight an& a fire an& foo& usually black roa& ha& &ri'en so e enough to confir en

all" I grinne& har& to eant talk" These

ost of it %as in lo% tones" They &i& not care for this &uty" The long a&" But tonight it %as not the long %ay they en guar&ing this

ha& co e! but the stone &ragons the sel'es that bothere& the " I also hear& %hat I ha& guesse&" There %ere three
188E

$illar" There %ere a full &o1en guar&ing the one at the $la1a %here the Fool ha& ha& his 'ision" The ain bo&y of sol&iers ha& $ushe& on to%ar& the )uarry" fully as long to get there as it ha& The coterie %as seeking to close off esca$e routes for Aerity" I felt a bit of relief that it %oul& take the attack" But it %as only a left killing the enough for e to taken our $arty" For tonight! at least! Aerity an& the others %ere in no &anger of atter of ti e" -y resolution to get back through the $illar as s%iftly as $ossible har&ene&" I ha& no intention of fighting the " That by a bush! one by one! a feat I &oubte& e'en 9ha&e coul& off long ake a &ash for the $illar" the en! to %here I 4u&ge& I %as out of earshot! an& ha'e acco $lishe&" Or creating enough of a &i'ersion to &ra% the I sli$$e& %ell a%ay fro

$rocee&e& to gather &ry fire%oo&" It %as not an easy task in such a lush an& 'er&ant $lace! but I finally ha& a res$ectable ar ful" -y $lan %as si $le" I tol& yself it %oul& either %ork or it %oul&n.t" I &oubte& I %oul& get a secon& chance+ they %oul& be too cautious for that" I consi&ere& %here the sy bol for the )uarry %as on the $illar an& %orke& I chose the fierce/looking fello% %ith ear tufts that I ha& re arke& on 'isit here" He %oul& cast a fine sha&o%" I cleare& a s$ace behin& hi grass an& lea'es an& set to be but I ho$e& I %oul& not nee& a%ay fro y %ay aroun& to the &ragons that %ere on the o$$osite si&e of it" Of the &ragons! y first of %et

y fire there" I ha& only enough fuel for a s all fire! ore than that" I %ante& enough light an& s oke y %ay as close to y fire" I

ysterious %ithout enlightening" I got the fire going %ell! then sli$$e& it in the &arkness" Belly in the grass! I %orke&

the $illar as I &are&" 5o% I only nee& %ait until the guar&s notice& ho$e& at least one gone"
18<H

an %oul& go to in'estigate it! an& that the other t%o %oul&

%atch %here he ha& gone" Then a noiseless &ash! a sla$ to the $illar! an& I.& be

Sa'e that the guar&s &i& not notice

y fire" Fro

y 'antage! it see e&

glaringly ob'ious" There %as rising s oke an& a rosy glo% through the trees! $artially outlining the &ragon.s silhouette" I ha& ho$e& that %oul& $i)ue their interest" Instea& it %as blocking y fire too %ell" I &eci&e& a fe% %ell/$lace& y fire" -y gro$ing han&s foun& only lush y fire uch ore I sli$$e& out y nose as rocks %oul& &ra% their attention to

$lant life gro%ing in thick loa " #fter an inter inable %ait! I reali1e& %as going out! an& the guar&s ha& notice& it not at all" Once of earshot" Once as y eyes gui&e& ore I gathere& &ry sticks in the &ark" Then e back to y s ol&ering fire"

-y brother! you are long gone" Is all %ell0 There %as anxiety in 5ighteye.s faint thought" Ia fro hunte&" Be still" I shall co e as soon as I can" I $ushe& the %olf gently y thoughts an& stole through the &ark to%ar& y &%in&ling fire" it %hen I

I refuele& it an& %aite& for it to catch" I %as 4ust sli$$ing a%ay fro an ill t%ist of luck that as I # o'e& fro

hear& their 'oices raise& in s$eculation" I &o not think I %as careless" It %as but the co'er of a &ragon to that of a tree! y sha&o% into stark relief" 6There: e" I eele& a%ay through charge& out at one guar& lifte& his torch high! thro%ing an:7 one shoute&! an& t%o of the the %et un&erbrush" I hear& one tri$ an& fall! cursing! in a $atch of 'ines! but the secon& %as a s%ift an& agile fello%" He %as on fro y heels in an instant! an& I s%ear I felt the %in& it! an& foun& yself half y the first s%ee$ of his s%or&" I lunge& a%ay fro

lea$ing! half falling o'er the stone boar" I cli$$e& a knee $ainfully on his rocky back an& fell to the earth on the other si&e of hi " Instantly I scrabble& to feet" -y $ursuer lea$e& for%ar&! s%inging a ha'e clo'en ighty blo% that surely %oul&

e in t%o if he ha& not caught his leg on one cur'ing! ra1or tusk"

He tri$$e& an& fell s)uarely! i $aling hi self on the secon& tusk %here it
18<1

thrust u$ like a sci itar fro %as not a large one" I sa% hi %ho ha& been $ursuing of $ain" I ke$t

the boar.s re&

a%" The soun& the

an

a&e an

begin to struggle to rise! but the cur'e of the y feet! in&ful of the secon& e rose a long cry

tusk %as hooke& insi&e hi " I lea$e& to

e! an& fle& into the &ark" Behin&

y %its enough to circle" I ha& nearly reache& the $illar %hen I felt a an still guar&e& the y fire an&

)uesting t%ist of Skill" I recalle& the last ti e I ha& felt such a thing" ;as Aerity hi self un&er attack! back at the )uarry0 One $illar! but I &eci&e& to risk his s%or& to get back to the cries of the fallen y king" I e erge& fro e"

the trees! racing to%ar& the $illar %hile the guar& stare& off to%ar& an" #nother ten&ril of Skill brushe& 65o!7 I crie& out! 6&on.t risk yourself:7 as

y king ca e through the $illar! to%ar& the

notche& gray s%or& clutche& in his glea ing sil'er gri$" He e erge& behin& the guar& %ho ha& re aine& on $ost" -y foolish cry ha& turne& hi $illar! an& he ca e at terror" Aerity in their firelight looke& like a &e on out of a tale" His face %as s$lashe& %ith sil'er fro glea e& as if the careless touching of his han&s! %hile his han&s an& ar s a&e of $olishe& sil'er" His gaunt face an& ragge& clothes! the an" I %ill ha'e to gi'e y king! s%or& lifte&! e'en as his face betraye& his

utter blackness of his eyes %oul& ha'e terrifie& any

Regal.s guar& this3 He stoo& his $ost! an& caught the (ing.s first blo% an& turne& it" Or so he thought" It %as an ol& trick of Aerity.s" Instea& his bla&e %ra$$e& the other" His cut shoul& ha'e se'ere& the han& fro &ulle& bla&e sto$$e& at the bone" 5onetheless the the the ar ! but the an &ro$$e& his s%or&" #s

an fell to his knees clutching at the gouting %oun&! Aerity.s s%or& s%e$t the trees" His eyes fixe& on

in again! across his throat" I felt a secon& tre oring of Skill" The lone re aining guar& ca e racing to%ar& us fro
18<2

Aerity an& he crie& out in terror" He halte& %here he stoo&" Aerity took a ste$ to%ar& hi " 6-y king! enough: =et us lea'e:7 I crie& out" I &i& not %ant hi for e again" to risk hi self

Instea& Aerity glance& &o%n at his s%or&" He fro%ne&" Su&&enly he gras$e& the bla&e in his left han& 4ust belo% the hilt an& &re% it through his shining gri$" I gas$e& at %hat I sa%" The s%or& he bran&ishe& no% glea e& an& ca e to a $erfect $oint" E'en by torchlight! I coul& see the %a'ering ri$$les of the any fol&e& etal of the bla&e" The (ing glance& at e" 6I shoul& ha'e kno%n an.s I coul& &o that"7 He al ost s ile&" Then Aerity lifte& it to the other eyes" 6;hen you are rea&y!7 he sai& )uietly" ;hat ha$$ene& next stunne& e" e"7 Buck accent s$oke $lainly in The sol&ier fell to his knees! casting his s%or& into the grass before hi " 6-y king" I kno% you! e'en if you &o not kno% his tu bling %or&s" 6-y lor&! %e %ere tol& that you %ere &ea&" Dea& because your )ueen an& the Bastar& ha& cons$ire& against you" Those %ere %ho %e %ere tol& ight be foun& here" It %as half for that re'enge that I ca e" I ser'e& y lor&! an& if you li'e! I ser'e y king still"7 in the flickering torchlight" 6You.re Tig! aren.t you0 y lor&" Ser'ing you %ell at Buck! Rea'er.s boy07 The sol&ier.s eyes %i&ene& that Aerity recalle& hi " 6Tag! y king as y father &i& before ne'er left the $oint of the s%or& Aerity ha& le'ele& at hi " Aerity lo%ere& his bla&e" 6Do you s$eak truth! la&0 Or si $ly seek to sa'e your skin07 e"7 His 'oice shook a bit" His &ark eyes

Aerity $eere& at hi

18<8

The young sol&ier looke& u$ at Aerity an& &are& to s ile" 6I ha'e no nee& to fear" The $rince I ser'e& %oul& not strike &o%n a kneeling! unar e& &are say the (ing %ill not either"7 *erha$s no other %or&s %oul& ha'e con'ince& Aerity" Des$ite his %eariness! he s ile&" 6Jo then! Tag" Jo as s%ift as you ay an& as silent as you ay! for those %ho ha'e use& you %ill kill you if they kno% you are true to shall be returning" That I shall bring the throne! an& that that I co 6Yes! Buckkee$ 9astle! $resent yourself to en& you to her ser'ice"7 y king" (ing Aerity07 y goo& an& true Iueen %ith it after e" Return e! to sit an" I

to Buck" #n& on the %ay there! an& %hen you get there! tell e'eryone that I y heir %ill clai e" #n& %hen you get to

y brother.s %ife" Tell the =a&y *atience

6;hat is it07 6-ore troo$s are co ing" ;e are but the 'anguar&" ,7 He $ause&" He s%allo%e&" 6I accuse no one of treachery! least of all your o%n brother" But ,7 6=et it not concern you! Tag" ;hat I ha'e aske& you to &o is i $ortant to ha'e aske& you"7 6Yes! y king"7 65o%!7 Aerity suggeste&" #n& Tag rose! took u$ his s%or& an& sheathe& it! an& stro&e off into the &arkness" Aerity turne& an& his eyes shone %ith triu $h" 6;e can &o it:7 he tol& )uietly" He gesture& e fiercely to%ar& the $illar" I reache& to $al e" Aerity ca e on an& tu ble& through as the Skill clutche& at y heels" e the sy bol e" Jo )uickly an& challenge no one on your %ay" But carry back those ti&ings as I

18<<

9H#*TER THIRTY/SEAE5 Fee&ing the Dragon BY -IDS>--ER OF that final year! the Six Duchies situation ha& beco e &es$erate" Buckkee$ 9astle! so long a'oi&e& by the Rai&ers! ca e un&er su&&en siege fro since the " They ha& $ossesse& #ntler Islan& an& its %atchto%ers to the scourge that took Islan&! i&%inter" Forge! the first 'illage to fall 'icti

its na e! ha& long since beco e a %atering sto$ for Re&/Shi$s" There ha& been for so e ti e ru ors of OutIslan& sailing shi$s anchoring off Scri inclu&ing se'eral sightings of the elusi'e 6;hite Shi$"7 For no shi$s ha& ost of the s$ring!

a&e $assage either into or out of Buck Harbor" This strangle of erchants

tra&e %as felt not 4ust in Buck! but in e'ery tra&e 'illage on the Buck! Bear! an& Ain Ri'ers" The Re&/Shi$s ha& beco e a su&&en reality to the an& lor&s of Tilth an& Farro%" But at the high $oint of su er! the Re&/Shi$s ca e to Buckkee$ To%n" The Re&/Shi$s ca e in the &ea& of night after se'eral %eeks of &ece$ti'e )uiet" The fighting %as the sa'age &efense of a cornere& folk! but they %ere also a star'e& an& beggare& folk" #l ost e'ery %oo&en structure of the to%n %as burne& to the groun&" It is esti ate& that only one )uarter of the to%n.s resi&ents %ere able to flee u$ the stee$ hills to Buckkee$ 9astle" #lthough =or& Bright ha& en&ea'ore& to refortify an& su$$ly the castle! the %eeks of strangulation ha& taken their toll" The &ee$ %ells of Buckkee$ 9astle assure& the a goo& su$$ly of fresh %ater! but all other things %ere in scarce su$$ly" to the &efense of 9ata$ults an& other engines of %ar ha& been in $lace for &eca&es to &efen& the outh of the Buck Ri'er! but =or& Bright &i'erte& the Buckkee$ 9astle itself" >nchallenge&! the Re&/Shi$s beat their %ay u$ the
18<?

Buck Ri'er! carrying their %ar an& Forging &ee$ into the Six Duchies like a s$rea&ing $oison follo%ing a 'ein to the heart" #t a ti e %hen Re&/Shi$s threatene& Tra&efor& itself! the lor&s of Farro% an& Tilth %ere to &isco'er that a great $art of the Six Duchies ar ies ha& been sent far inlan&! to Blue =ake! an& beyon&! to the 'ery bor&ers of the -ountain (ing&o " The nobles of these &uchies su&&enly &isco'ere& that their o%n guar&s en %ere all that stoo& bet%een the I e erge& fro an& &eath an& ruin"

the $illar into a circle of frantic $eo$le" The first thing to e full force in the chest! &ri'ing e" a&e e: e! I a&e her un&erstan& e an& half in e back%ar&! so

ha$$en %as that a %olf hit I hi a&e her un&erstan& go after you" I e! I

that as Aerity e erge& he all but fell o'er

a&e her kno% you %ere in &anger an& she

a&e her un&erstan&

5ighteyes %as in a $u$$yish fren1y" He thrust his nose into y nose! then flung hi self to the groun& besi&e the

y face! ni$$e& at y la$" 6He ay yet %ake

stirre& a &ragon: 5ot )uite to %akening! but I felt one stir: ;e

all:7 This %as Aerity! laughing an& shouting to the others these goo& oon" I ha& no i&ea %hat he %as talking about" I sat flat on the

ti&ings as he cal ly ste$$e& o'er us" He flourishe& his shining s%or& aloft as if to challenge the a earth! staring aroun& at the " The Fool looke& %an an& %eary+ (ettricken! e'er irror to her king! s ile& at his exultation" Starling looke& at all of us %ith instrel eyes! e ori1ing e'ery &etail" #n& (ettle! her han&s an& ar s e to ask! 6#re you all right! gree&y

sil'er to the elbo%! knelt carefully besi&e Fit19hi'alry07 I looke& at her her"

agic/coate& ar s an& han&s" 6;hat ha'e you &one07 I aske&

18<B

6Only %hat %as necessary" Aerity took %ork %ill $rocee&

e to the ri'er in the city" 5o% our e off so I

ore s%iftly" ;hat ha$$ene& to you07

I &i& not ans%er her" Instea& I $inne& Aerity %ith a glare" 6You sent e out of the %ay:7 I coul& not conceal the outrage an& betrayal I felt" Aerity ga'e

%oul& not follo% you: You kne% I coul& not %ake the &ragons! but you %ante& e one of his ol& grins! &enying all regrets" 6;e kno% one another

'ery %ell! &on.t %e07 %as all he offere& by %ay of a$ology" Then his grin gre% %i&er" 6Yes! it %as a fool.s erran& I sent you on" But I %as the fool! for you &i& it" You %oke one! or stirre& hi I shook y hea& at hi " ust ha'e felt it! that ri$$ling of Skill! 4ust before I reache& 6Yes! you &i&" You 6# at least"7

you" ;hat &i& you &o! ho% &i& you stir hi 07 an &ie& on the stone boar.s tusks!7 I sai& flatly" 6*erha$s that is ho% you ine an& gi'en it to (ettle" He o%e& that Skill/ uch for e the car'ing of his &ragon0 rouse these &ragons" ;ith &eath"7 I cannot ex$lain the hurt I felt" He ha& taken %hat shoul& ha'e been closeness to hi 0 Ho% coul& he &eny e! no other" ;ho else ha& co e so far! gi'en u$ so

It %as Skill/hunger! $ure an& si $le! but I &i& not kno% it then" #t that ti e! all I coul& feel %as ho% $erfectly linke& he %as %ith (ettle! an& ho% fir ly he re$ulse& e fro 4oining that link" He %alle& e out as fir ly as if I %ere e to yself Regal" I ha& forsaken the ri'er! been besi&e to $ush his hea& un&er least! %as ine" y %ife an& chil& an& crosse& all of the Six Duchies to e a%ay" He shoul& ha'e taken e as I ha& that ex$erience" I ha& ne'er kno%n

be of ser'ice to hi ! an& no% he turne&

ca$able of such 4ealousy" 5ighteyes ca e back fro

frisking about (ettricken

y ar " I rubbe& his throat an& hugge& hi " He! at

18<C

She un&erstoo& hi he ust go"

e! he re$eate& anxiously" I

a&e her un&erstan&! an& she tol&

(ettricken! co ing to stan& besi&e nee&e& hel$" It took for you" #re you I got to co $any"7 %oul& treat uch hurt07

e! sai&! 6I ha& the strongest feeling you

uch urging! but finally Aerity left the &ragon an& %ent yself off" 6Only y $ri&e! that y king

y feet slo%ly! &usting e as a chil&" He

ight ha'e let

e kno% he $referre& (ettle.s e recall to %ho I s$oke"

# flash of so ething in (ettricken.s eyes 65ot by

a&e

But she hi& her t%in hurt %ell! saying only! 6# But I sa% no stirring of &ragons"7

an %as kille&! you say07

e" He fell on the stone boar.s tusks in the &ark an& gutte& hi self" ight be it"

65ot the &eath! but the s$ille& life!7 (ettle sai& to Aerity" 6That =ike the scent of fresh hungry!

eat rousing a &og star'e& near to &eath" They are

y king! but not $ast rousing" 5ot if you fin& a %ay to fee& the "7

6I like not the soun& of that:7 I exclai e&" 6It is not for us to like or &islike!7 Aerity sai& hea'ily" 6It is the nature of &ragons" They ust be fille&! an& life is %hat fills the " It ust be gi'en offere& %illingly to create one" But &ragons %ill take %hat they nee& to sustain the ! once they rise in flight" ;hat ha& you su$$ose& that (ing ;is&o the in return for &efeating the Re&/Shi$s07

(ettle $ointe& a scol&ing finger at the Fool" 6*ay hee& to that! Fool! an& un&erstan& no% %hy you are so %eary" ;hen you touche& her %ith Skill! you linke& %ith her" She &ra%s you to her no%! an& you think you go out of $ity" But she %ill take fro life"7 you %hate'er she nee&s to rise" E'en if it is your %hole

18<D

65o one is returne& to

aking any sense!7 I &eclare&" Then! as ore than a fe% &ays a%ay at

y o%n scattere& %its arch

e! I exclai e&! 6Regal has sent sol&iers" They are on the

here3 They are no

ost" I sus$ect they $ush

the sel'es an& tra'el s%iftly" The $re'ent Aerity.s esca$e"7 It %as

en guar&ing the $illars are $lace& there to

uch later that night before I ha& it all sorte& out" (ettle an& Aerity ha&

in&ee& gone to the ri'er! al ost as soon as I left" They ha& use& the $illar to get &o%n to the city! an& there they ha& la'e& (ettle.s ar s in the stuff an& rene%e& the $o%er in Aerity.s" E'ery gli $se of that sil'ering of her ar s %oke in fro e a Skill/hunger that %as al ost a lust" It %as so ething I e to confront it" I aske& aske& yself an& atte $te& to hi&e fro Aerity" I &o not belie'e he %as y 4ealousy %ith

&ecei'e&! but he &i& not force other excuses" I tol& the

both hotly it %as only the $urest luck they ha& not e all the ore that e'en y anger left hi

encountere& the coterie there" Aerity ha& cal ly re$lie& that he ha& kno%n the risk an& taken it" So eho% it hurt so un o'e&" It ha& been on their return that they ha& &isco'ere& the Fool chi$$ing at the stone that ire& Jirl/on/a/Dragon" He ha& cleare& an area aroun& one foot! an& began on the other" The foot itself re aine& a sha$eless chunk of stone but the Fool insiste& that he coul& feel the foot! intact insi&e the stone" He felt certain that all she %ishe& fro hi %as that he cho$ the &ragon free of that %hich ire& it" He ha& been shaking %ith exhaustion %hen they foun& hi " (ettle ha& insiste& he go right to be&" She ha& taken the last $iece of often boile& elfbark an& groun& it &o%n fine! to to %hat ha& ha$$ene& to ake one last &ose of tea for hi " Des$ite the &rug! he re aine& &etache& an& %eary! scarcely e'en asking a )uestion as e" I felt &ee$ uneasiness for hi "

18<E

The ne%s I ha& brought of Regal.s

en stirre& e'eryone to action" #fter foo&! outh of the )uarry! to kee$ y

Aerity sent Starling! the Fool! an& the %olf to the

%atch there" I sat by the fire for a ti e! %ith a col& %et rag %ra$$e& aroun&

s%ollen an& &iscolore& knee" >$ on the &ragon &ais! (ettricken ke$t her fires burning! an& Aerity an& (ettle %orke& the stone" Starling! in hel$ing (ettle search for ore elfbark! ha& &isco'ere& the carris see&s that 9ha&e ha& gi'en an& bre%e& the u$ into a sti ulant &rink e" (ettle ha& a$$ro$riate& the te $o" They ha& also foun& the sunskirt see&s I ha& bought so long ago as a $ossible substitute for elfbark" ;ith a sly grin! Starling aske& e %hy I %as carrying anage& to those" ;hen I ex$laine&! she ha& snorte& %ith laughter! an& finally to e an& shook y hea& to yself" # $art of

she an& Aerity %ere sharing" The noise of their %ork ha& taken on a frightening

ex$lain they %ere regar&e& as an a$hro&isiac" I recalle& the herb/seller.s %or&s e sa% the hu or! but I coul& not fin& a s ile" #fter a ti e of sitting alone by the cook fire! I )ueste& to%ar& 5ighteyes" Ho% goes it0 # sigh" The instrel %oul& rather be $laying %ith her har$" The Scentless One %oul& rather be chi$$ing at that statue" #n& I %oul& rather be hunting" If there is &anger co ing! it is a long %ay a%ay" =et us ho$e it stays there" (ee$ %atch! y frien&" I left the ca $ an& gi $e& u$ the scree of stone to the &ragon &ais" Three of its feet %ere free no%! an& Aerity %orke& on the final front foot" I stoo& for a ti e besi&e hi ! but he &i& not &eign to notice scra$ing! an& all the %hile e" Instea& he %ent on chi$$ing an& uttere& ol& nursery rhy es or &rinking songs to

hi self" I li $e& $ast (ettricken listlessly ten&ing her fires back to %here (ettle %as s oothing her han&s o'er the &ragon.s tail" Her eyes %ere &istant as
18?H

she calle& for the scales! an& then &ee$ene& their &etail an& a&&e& texture to the " *art of the tail also re aine& hi&&en in the stone" I starte& to lean on the thick $ortion of the tail to take %eight off i e&iately sat u$ an& hisse& at I straightene& a%ay fro it &i& no har "7 6That %as before" He is uch closer to co $letion no%"7 She lifte& her eyes to ark ho% thickly rock &ust coate& her ine" E'en in the firelight! I coul& hi " 6I touche& hi y bruise& knee! but she e" 6Don.t &o that: Don.t touch hi :7 before!7 I sai& in&ignantly" 6#n&

features an& clung to her eyelashes" She looke& &rea&fully tire& an& yet ani ate& by so e fierce energy" 6#s close as you are to Aerity! the &ragon %oul& reach for you" #n& you are not strong enough to say no" He %oul& $ull you in co $letely" That.s ho% strong he is! ho% agnificently strong"7 She all but croone& the last %or&s as she stroke& her han&s again &o%n the tail" For an instant! I sa% a sheen of color right behin& their $assage" 6Is anyone e'er going to ex$lain any of this to She ga'e your e07 I aske& $etulantly" e a be use& look" 6I try" Aerity tries" But you of all $eo$le shoul&

kno% ho% %eariso e %or&s are" ;e try an& try an& try to tell you! an& still in& &oes not gras$ it" It is not your fault" ;or&s are not big enough" #n& ake e un&erstan& after the &ragon is finishe&07 it is too &angerous to inclu&e you in our Skilling no%"7 6;ill you be able to She looke& at e an& so ething like $ity crosse& her face" 6Fit19hi'alry" -y

&ear frien&" ;hen the &ragon is finishe&0 Rather say that %hen Aerity an& I are finishe&! the &ragon %ill be begun"7 6I &on.t un&erstan&:7 I snarle& in frustration" 6But he tol& you" I sai& it again %hen I %arne& the Fool" Dragons fee& on life" # %hole life! %illingly gi'en" That is %hat it takes to usually not 4ust one" In ol&en ti es! %hen %ise
18?1

ake a &ragon rise" #n&

en sought out @haa $e to%n!

they ca e as a coterie! as a %hole that %as ga'e that all o'er into a &ragon" The &ragon kno%s I ha'e li'e& ore than

ore than the su

of its $arts! an& ust e" E&a

ust be fille&" Aerity an& I

$ut all of oursel'es! e'ery $art of our li'es! into it" It is easier for in this bo&y" It is har&er!

y share of years! an& I ha'e no &esire to go on

uch har&er! for Aerity" He lea'es behin& his throne!

his $retty lo'ing %ife! his lo'e of &oing things %ith his han&s" He lea'es behin& ri&ing a fine horse! hunting stags! %alking a ongst his o%n $eo$le" Oh! I feel the all %ithin the &ragon alrea&y" The careful inking of color onto a un&er his han&s" I e'en kno% the all into the &ragon" It is har& for hi " is one ore thing he $uts into the ay a$! the feel of a clean $iece of 'ellu s ells of his inks! no%" He has $ut the But he &oes it! an& the $ain it costs hi is only one thing he has hel& back fro ake hi fall short of his goal"7 et ine" 6You" He has refuse& to allo% you to be $ut into the 6;hat is that07 I aske& her un%illingly" Her ol& eyes &ragon" He coul& &o it! you kno%! %hether you %ille& it or not" He coul& si $ly reach out an& $ull you into hi " But he refuses" He says you lo'e your life too too uch! he %ill not take it fro you" That you ha'e alrea&y lai& &o%n e0 I sus$ect she uch of it for a king %ho has returne& you only $ain an& har&shi$"7 uch of her $ast &uring our Skill/sharing" I kne% the so &istant %hen I got here" I stoo& u$

&ragon" It %ill fuel his fury to%ar& the Re&/Shi$s %hen he rises" In fact! there his &ragon" Only one thing that

Di& she kno% that %ith her %or&s she ga'e Aerity back to &i&" I ha& seen

ex$erience ha& to ha'e flo%e& both %ays" She kne% ho% I ha& lo'e& hi ! an& ho% hurt I ha& been to fin& hi i e&iately to go s$eak %ith hi " e back" I turne& to her" 6T%o things I %oul& ha'e you ay fin& the "7
18?2

6Fit1:7 she calle& kno%! $ainful as you

I brace& in your

yself" 6Your

other lo'e& you!7 she sai& )uietly" 6You say you

cannot recall her" #ctually! you cannot forgi'e her" But she is there! %ith you! e ories" She %as tall an& fair! a -ountain %o an" #n& she lo'e& you"7 e" I $ushe& a%ay the kno%le&ge she e" Ti e e an& &i11ie& you" It %as not her choice to $art fro Her %or&s angere& offere& e" I kne% I ha& no

e ories of the %o an %ho ha& borne

an& again! I ha& searche& She &i& not react to

yself! an& foun& no trace of her" 5one at all" 6#n&

the secon& thing!7 I aske& her col&ly" y anger! sa'e %ith $ity" 6It is as ba&! or $erha$s %orse" y li'ing &eath to &ying life! are things you #gain! it is a thing you alrea&y kno%" It is sa&! that the only gifts I can offer you! the 9atalyst %ho has change& alrea&y $ossess" But there it is! an& so I %ill say it" You %ill li'e to lo'e again" You kno% you ha'e lost your s$ringti e girl! your -olly on the beach %ith the %in& in her bro%n hair an& re& cloak" You ha'e been gone too long fro an& too her! uch has befallen you both" #n& %hat you lo'e&! %hat both of you

truly lo'e&! %as not each other" It %as the ti e of your life" It %as the s$ring of your years! an& life running strong in you! an& %ar on your &oorste$ an& your strong! $erfect bo&ies" =ook back! in truth" You %ill fin& you recall fully as any )uarrels an& tears as you &o lo'e aking an& kisses" Fit1" Be %ise" =et her go! an& kee$ those that erry little e ories intact" Sa'e %hat you can of her! an& let her ore than e ories any ore"7 She shook her kee$ %hat she can of the %il& an& &aring boy she lo'e&" Because both he an& iss are no hea&" 65o ore than e ories"7 e! in

6You are %rong:7 I shoute& furiously" 6You are %rong:7 The force of y cries ha& brought (ettricken to her feet" She stare& at fear an& %orry" I coul& not look at her" Tall an& fair" -y other ha& been tall

an& fair" 5o" I recalle& nothing of her" I stro&e $ast her! hee&less of the %rench
18?8

of $ain

y knee ga'e

e at e'ery ste$" I %alke& aroun& the &ragon! &a ning it an& s$oke in a

%ith e'ery ste$ I took! an& &efying it to sense %hat I felt" ;hen I reache& Aerity %orking on the left forefoot! I crouche& &o%n besi&e hi sa'age %his$er" 6(ettle says you are going to &ie %hen this &ragon is &one" That you %ill $ut all of yourself into it" Or so! %ith it" Tell eIa %rong"7 il&ly" 6Fetch your broo ! %oul& you! an& clear this07 an& ca e u$ besi&e hi ! al ost of a y si in& to break it o'er ering fury! but he still y feeble un&erstan&ing of her %or&s! I take

He leane& back on his heels an& s%i$e& at the chi$s he ha& loosene&" 6You are %rong!7 he sai& I fetche& his hea& y broo

ore than use it" I kne% he sense&

gesture& for

e to clear his %orks$ace" I &i& so %ith one furious brush" 65o%!7

he sai& gently" 6That is a fine anger you ha'e" *otent an& strong" That! I think! I shall take for hi "7 Soft as the brush of a butterfly.s %ing! I felt the kiss of his Skill" -y anger %as snatche& fro e! flaye& %hole fro y soul an& s%e$t a%ay to , Aerity! an& I sna$$e& back to yself sitting flat on the stone %hile the y hea&" I curle& for%ar& slo%ly! 65o" Don.t follo% it"7 # gentle Skill/$ush fro y bo&y" #n instant later! I foun& bringing u$ y knees to lean %hole uni'erse s%ung &i11yingly aroun& %as gone! re$lace& by a %eary nu bness" 6There!7 Aerity continue&" 6#s you aske& for! I ha'e &one" I think you un&erstan& better no%! %hat it is to $ut so ething into the &ragon" ;oul& you care to fee& it I shook ore of yourself07 utely" I feare& to o$en y outh" y hea&

y hea& against" I felt %retche&ly ill" -y anger

6I %ill not &ie %hen the &ragon is finishe&! Fit1" I %ill be consu e&! that is true" Iuite literally" But I %ill go on" #s the &ragon"7
18?<

I foun&

y 'oice" 6#n& (ettle07 e" #n& her sister Jull" But I shall be the &ragon"7

6(estrel %ill be a $art of

He ha& gone back to his %retche& stone chi$$ing" 6Ho% can you &o that07 -y 'oice %as fille& %ith accusation" 6Ho% can you &o that to (ettricken0 She.s gi'en u$ e'erything to co e here to you" #n& you %ill si $ly lea'e her! alone an& chil&less07 He leane& for%ar& so that his forehea& reste& against the &ragon" His en&less chi$$ing sto$$e&" #fter a ti e! he s$oke in a thick 'oice" 6I shoul& ha'e you stan& here an& talk to e %hile I %ork! Fit1" @ust %hen I think I a in e"7 He lifte& his face to regar& $ast any e" His great feelings at all! you stir the

tears ha& cut t%o $aths through the gray rock &ust" 6;hat choice &o I ha'e07 6Si $ly lea'e the &ragon" =et us go back to the Six Duchies! an& rally the folk! an& fight the Re&/Shi$s %ith s%or& an& Skill! as %e &i& before" *erha$s ,7 6*erha$s %e %oul& all be &ea& before %e e'en reache& @haa $e" Is that a better en& for y )ueen0 5o" I shall carry her back to Buckkee$! an& clean the coasts! an& she shall reign long an& %ell as Iueen" There" That is %hat I choose to gi'e her"7 6#n& an heir07 I aske& bitterly" He shrugge& %earily an& took u$ his chisel again" 6You kno% %hat Your &aughter %ill be raise& as heir"7 65O: Threaten e %ith that again! an& regar&less of the risk! I %ill Skill to il&ly" He a$$eare& to be in& to the Skill years Burrich to flee %ith her"7 6You cannot Skill to Burrich!7 Aerity obser'e& ago! to kee$ hi against you"7 fro easuring for the &ragon.s toe" 69hi'alry close& his ust be"

being use& against 9hi'alry" #s the Fool %as use&

18??

#nother s all

ystery lai& to rest" For all the goo& it &i&

e" 6Aerity! $lease" I

beg you" Do not &o this thing to gi'e you anything you ask of 6I cannot e" 69annot you un&erstan&! no I ha'e $ut the I (ing or to%ar& hi Aerity"

e" Far better I shoul& be consu e& in the y life an& fee& it to the &ragon" I %ill e that y &aughter %ill not be

&ragon as %ell" I offer you that" Take sacrifice& to the Farseer throne"7

e" But $ro ise

ake you that $ro ise!7 he sai& hea'ily" e any ore!7 I began! but he interru$te&

6If you bore any feelings at all for

atter ho% often you are tol&0 I ha'e feelings" But ore to say to hi "

into the &ragon"7

anage& to stan& u$" I li $e& a%ay" There %as nothing

an! uncle or frien&! I see e& to ha'e lost all kno%le&ge of %ho he %ith the ;it! I foun& his life flickering bet%een hi self an& the

%as" ;hen I Skille& to%ar& hi ! I foun& only his %alls" ;hen I )ueste& stone &ragon" #n& of late! it see e& to burn brighter %ithin the &ragon! not There %as no one else in ca $ an& the fire %as nearly out" I flung on it! an& then sat eating &rie& again" She see e& to bring ore %oo&

eat besi&e it" The $ig %as nearly gone" ;e.&

ha'e to hunt again soon" Or rather! 5ighteyes an& (ettricken shoul& hunt eat &o%n easily for hi " -y self/$ity %as losing its sa'or! but I coul& think of no better solution than to %ish I ha& so e bran&y to &ro%n it in" #t last! %ith fe% other interesting alternati'es! I %ent to be&" I sle$t! after a fashion" Dragons $lague& o&& y &rea s an& (ettle.s ga e took on eanings as I trie& to &eci&e if a re& stone %as $o%erful enough to ca$ture y slee$! to stare at the &ark insi&e the tent" I )ueste& out once to

-olly" -y &rea s %ere ra bling an& incoherent! an& I broke often to the surface of %here 5ighteyes $ro%le& near a s all fire %hile Starling an& the Fool sle$t
18?B

turn an& turn about" They ha& %here they coul& co

o'e& their sentry $ost to the bro% of a hill

an& a goo& 'ie% of the %in&ing Skill roa& belo% the "

I shoul& ha'e %alke& out an& 4oine& the " Instea& I rolle& o'er an& &i$$e& into y &rea s again" I &rea e& of Regal.s troo$s co ing! not by &o1ens or scores! but hun&re&s of gol&/an&/bro%n troo$s $ouring into the )uarry! to corner us against the 'ertical black %alls an& kill us all" I a%oke in the tol& orning to the col& $oke of a %olf.s nose" You nee& to hunt! he y tent! I sa% the &ais" Da%n %as breaking! her fires %ere et as I stoo& u$" She glance& at 5ighteyes" e seriously! an& I agree& %ith hi " #s I e erge& fro

(ettricken 4ust co ing &o%n fro an& scra$ing %ent on" Our eyes fetch

nee&e& no longer" She coul& slee$! but u$ by the &ragon! the en&less clinking 6Joing hunting07 she aske& us both" The %olf ga'e a slo% %ag to his tail" 6I.ll y bo%!7 she announce&! an& 'anishe& into her tent" ;e %aite&" She ca e out %earing a cleaner 4erkin an& carrying her bo%" I refuse& to look at Jirl/on/a/Dragon as %e $asse& her" #s %e $asse& the $illar! I obser'e&! 6Ha& %e the folk to &o it! %e shoul& $ut t%o on guar& here! an& t%o o'erlooking the roa&"7 (ettricken no&&e& to that" 6It is o&&" I kno% they are co ing to kill us! an& I see s all %ay for us to esca$e that fate" Yet %e still go out to hunt for if eating %ere the 6Still! to li'e! one ost i $ortant thing"7 ust eat!7 (ettricken echoe& 5ighteyes. thought" It is" Eating is li'ing" ;e sa% no ga e truly %orthy of her bo%" The %olf ran &o%n a rabbit! an& she brought &o%n one brightly colore& fo%l" ;e en&e& u$ tickling for trout an& by i&&ay ha& the ore than enough fish to fee& us! at least for that &ay" I cleane& in& if yself"
18?C

eat! as

on the bank of the strea ! an& then aske& (ettricken if she %oul&

I staye& to %ash

6In truth! it u$strea fish guts" fro

ight be a kin&ness to us all!7 she re$lie&! an& I s ile&! not at her e! %hile 5ighteyes &o1e& on the creek bank! his belly full of

teasing! but that she %as still able to &o so" In a short ti e I hear& her s$lashing

#s %e $asse& Jirl/on/a/Dragon on the %ay back to ca $! %e foun& the Fool curle& u$ on the &ais besi&e her! soun& aslee$" (ettricken %oke hi ! an& scol&e& hi for the fresh chisel arks about the &ragon.s tail" He $rofesse& no regrets! but only state& that Starling ha& sai& she %oul& kee$ %atch until e'ening! an& he %oul& really $refer to slee$ here" ;e insiste& he return to ca $ %ith us" ;e %ere talking a ongst oursel'es as %e returne& to the tent" (ettricken it %as %ho sto$$e& us su&&enly" 6Hush:7 she crie& out" #n& then! 6=isten:7 ;e fro1e %here %e %ere" I half ex$ecte& to hear Starling crying a %arning to us" I straine& y ears! but hear& nothing sa'e the %in& in the )uarry an& &istant o ent for e to gras$ the i $ortance of that" 6Aerity:7 bir& soun&s" It took a (ettricken $asse& e" both &ea&! attacke& by Regal.s coterie in our absence"

I exclai e&" I sho'e& our fish into the Fool.s han&s an& began to run" I ha& feare& to fin& the

;hat I foun& %as al ost as strange" Aerity an& (ettle stoo&! si&e by si&e! staring at their &ragon" He shone black an& glistening as goo& flint in the afternoon sunlight" The great beast %as co $lete" E'ery scale! e'ery %rinkle! e'ery cla% %as i $eccable in its &etail" 6He sur$asses e'ery &ragon %e sa% in the stone gar&en!7 I &eclare&" I ha& %alke& about hi ste$ I took! the %on&er of hi t%ice! an& %ith e'ery increase&" ;it/life burne& $o%erfully in hi

no%! stronger than it &i& in either Aerity or (ettle" It %as al ost shocking that his si&es &i& not bello% %ith breath! that he &i& not t%itch in his slee$" I glance& to Aerity! an& &es$ite the anger I still harbore&! I ha& to s ile"
18?D

6He is $erfect!7 I sai& )uietly" 6I ha'e faile&!7 he sai& %ithout ho$e" Besi&e hi ! (ettle no&&e& years ol&" So &i& Aerity" 6But he is finishe&! you y lor&!7 (ettricken sai& )uietly" 6Is not this %hat you sai& ust &o0 Finish the &ragon07 iserably" The lines in her face ha& gone &ee$er" She looke& e'ery bit of t%o hun&re&

Aerity shook his hea& slo%ly" 6The car'ing is finishe&" But the &ragon is not co $lete&"7 He looke& aroun& at us! %atching hi ! an& I coul& see ho% he struggle& to ake the %or&s hol& his eaning" 6I ha'e $ut all I a into hi " y E'erything sa'e enough to kee$ enough"7 He %alke& for%ar& slo%ly! to lean against his &ragon" He $illo%e& his face on his thin ar s" #ll about hi ! %here his bo&y reste& against the stone! an aura of color ri$$le& on the &ragon.s skin" Tur)uoise! e&ge& %ith sil'er! the scales flashe& uncertainly in the sunlight" I coul& feel the ebbing of his Skill into the &ragon" It see$e& fro Aerity into the stone as ink soaks into a $age" 6(ing Aerity!7 I sai& softly! %arningly" ;ith a groan! he stoo& free of his creation" 6Do not fear! Fit1" I %ill not let hi take too uch" I %ill not gi'e u$ y life to hi %ithout reason"7 He lifte& his hea& an& looke& aroun& at us all" 6Strange!7 he sai& softly" 6I %on&er if this is %hat it feels like to be Forge&" To be able to recall %hat one once felt! but unable to feel it any ore" -y lo'es! y fears! y sorro%s" #ll ha'e gone into the &ragon" 5othing ha'e I hel& back" Yet it is not enough" 5ot enough"7 6-y lor& Aerity"7 (ettle.s ol& 'oice %as cracke&" #ll ho$e ha& run out of it" 6You %ill ha'e to take Fit19hi'alry" There is no other %ay"7 Her eyes! once so y heart beating an& the breath flo%ing in

bo&y" #s has (ettle" That! too! %e coul& gi'e" But it %oul& still not be

18?E

shiny! looke& like &ry black $ebbles as she looke& at re in&e& I no&&e& e" 6#ll your life"7 y hea&" 6If you %oul& not take

e" 6You offere& it!7 she

y chil&!7 I a&&e& )uietly" I &re% a

breath &ee$ into ust ha'e

y lungs" =ife" 5o%" 5o% %as all the life I ha&! all the ti e I ay fly! I offer it"7 e" 6#l ost! you ake

coul& truly gi'e u$" 6-y king" I no longer seek any bargain of any kin&" If you y life so that the &ragon Aerity s%aye& slightly %here he stoo&" He stare& at e! but at (ettle" His co

e feel again" But"7 He lifte& a sil'er finger an& $ointe& it accusingly" 5ot at an& %as as soli& as the stone of his &ragon as he again" I sai&! 65o" I ha'e tol& you that" 5o" You %ill not s$eak of it to hi

forbi& it"7 Slo%ly he sank &o%n to his knees! then sat flat besi&e his &ragon" 6Da n this carris see&!7 he sai& in a lo% 'oice" 6It al%ays lea'es you! 4ust %hen you nee& its strength ost" Da n stuff"7 6You shoul& rest no%!7 I sai& stu$i&ly" In reality! there %as nothing else he coul& &o" That %as ho% carris see& left one" E $ty an& exhauste&" I kne% that only too %ell" 6Rest!7 he sai& bitterly! his 'oice failing on the %or&" 6Yes" Rest" I shall be %ell reste& %hen y brother.s sol&iers fin& e an& cut y throat" ;ell reste& %hen his coterie co es an& tries to clai think it %ill ,7 His y &ragon as their o%n" -ake no ight!7 he sai& in ight be

istake! Fit1" That is %hat they seek" It %on.t %ork! of course" #t least! I &on.t in& %as %an&ering no%" 6Though it the faintest of breaths" 6They %ere Skill/linke& to enough that they coul& kill ato$ each other07 Behin& hi ! (ettle ha& fol&e& herself u$! her face against her knees" I thought she %e$t! but %hen she slo%ly fell o'er onto her si&e! her face %as lax an&
18BH

e! for a ti e" It

e an& take hi "7 He s ile& a ghastly s ile"

6Regal as &ragon" Do you think he %ill lea'e t%o stones of Buckkee$ 9astle

still! her eyes close&" Dea&! or slee$ing the exhauste& slee$ of the carris see&" #fter %hat Aerity ha& sai& to e! it scarcely see e& to atter" -y king stretche& hi self out on the bare gritty $e&estal" He sle$t besi&e his &ragon" (ettricken %ent an& sat &o%n besi&e hi " She bo%e& her hea& to her knees an& %e$t" 5ot )uietly" The ren&ing sobs that shook her shoul& ha'e rouse& e'en the &ragon of stone" They &i& not" I looke& at her" I &i& not go to her! I &i& not touch her" I kne% it %oul& ha'e been of no use" Instea& I looke& to the Fool" 6;e shoul& bring blankets an& hel$lessly" 6#h" Of course" ;hat better task for the ;hite *ro$het an& his 9atalyst07 He linke& ar s %ith e" His touch rene%e& the threa& of Skill bon& bet%een us" %ith his bloo&" The Six Duchies Bitterness" Bitterness flo%e& through hi %oul& fall" The %orl& %oul& en&" ;e %ent to fetch blankets" ake the ore co fortable!7 I sai&

9H#*TER THIRTY/EIJHT Aerity.s Bargain ;HE5 #== THE recor&s are co $are&! it beco es $lain that no $rocee&e& $ast Turlake to ore than t%enty Re&/Shi$s actually 'enture& inlan& as far as Turlake! an& only t%el'e enace the 'illages a&4oining Tra&efor&" The instrels %oul& ha'e us belie'e there %ere scores of shi$s! an& literally hun&re&s of Rai&ers u$on their &ecks" In song! the banks of the Buck an& Ain Ri'ers %ere re& %ith fla es an& bloo& that su for this" The er" They are not to be faulte& isery an& terror of those &ays shoul& ne'er be forgotten" If a

18B1

instrel

ust e broi&er the truth to hel$ us recall it fully! then let her! an& let uch larger than facts"

no one say she has lie&" Truth is often

Starling ca e back %ith the Fool that e'ening" 5o one aske& her %hy she no longer ke$t %atch" 5o one e'en suggeste& that $erha$s %e shoul& flee the )uarry before Regal.s troo$s cornere& us there" ;e %oul& stay an& %e %oul& stan&! an& %e %oul& fight" To &efen& a stone &ragon" #n& %e %oul& &ie" That %ent %ithout saying" Iuite literally! it %as kno%le&ge that none of us uttere&" ;hen (ettricken ha& fallen aslee$! exhauste&! I carrie& her &o%n to the tent she ha& share& %ith Aerity" I lai& her &o%n on her blankets! an& co'ere& her %ell" I stoo$e& an& kisse& her line& forehea& as if I %ere kissing %as all I ha& for certain" #s &usk fell! Starling an& the Fool sat by the fire" She $laye& her har$ softly! %or&lessly! an& looke& into the fla es" # bare& knife lay on the groun& besi&e her" I stoo& a ti e an& %atche& ho% the firelight touche& her face" Starling Bir&song! the last instrel to the last true Farseer (ing an& Iueen" She %oul& %rite no song that anyone %oul& recall" The Fool sat still an& listene&" They ha& foun& a frien&shi$! of sorts" I thought to yself! if this is the last night she can $lay! he can gi'e her no finer thing usic lull hi %ith her skill" sitting there an& took u$ a full %aterskin" Slo%ly I cli be& the ra $ e" Earlier! I ha& built a fire on the &ais" %hat re aine& of (ettricken.s fire%oo&! an& then sat &o%n ost of a %eek to reco'er" #ll than that" To listen %ell! an& let her I left the u$ to the &ragon" 5ighteyes follo%e& 5o% I fe& it fro y slee$ing chil&" It %as a fare%ell! of sorts" Better to &o things no%! I ha& &eci&e&" 5o%

besi&e it" Aerity an& (ettle sle$t on" Once 9ha&e ha& use& carris see& for t%o &ays straight" ;hen he colla$se&! he ha& taken
18B2

he ha& %ante& to &o %as slee$ an& &rink %ater" I &oubte& that either %oul& a%aken soon" It %as all right" There %as nothing left to say to the I si $ly sat besi&e Aerity an& ke$t %atch o'er y king" y na e" I sat u$ e" 6-y king!7 I I %as a $oor %atch an" I ca e a%ake to his %his$ering instantly an& reache& for the %aterskin I ha& brought %ith sai& )uietly" But Aerity %as not s$ra%le& on the stone! %eak an& hel$less" He stoo& o'er e" He a&e a sign to e to rise an& follo% hi " I &i&! o'ing as )uietly as he e" ;ithout a %or&! I e" He cleare& his y o%n! et &i&" #t the base of the &ragon.s &ais! he turne& to offere& hi any%ay" So

the %aterskin" He &rank half of %hat it hel&! $ause& a bit! an& then

&rank the rest" ;hen he %as finishe&! he han&e& it back to

throat" 6There is a %ay! Fit19hi'alry"7 His &ark eyes! so like $assions"7 6I kno%!7 I sai&" The %or&s ca e out bra'ely" I %as e'er been in y life" Regal ha& scare& of y tunic"

ine s)uarely" 6You are the %ay" So full of life an& hungers" So torn %ith ore frightene& than I ha&

e ba&ly in his &ungeon" But that ha&

been $ain" This %as &eath" I su&&enly kne% the &ifference" -y traitorous han&s t%iste& the front he 6I a 6You %ill not like it!7 he %arne& e" 6I &o not like it" But I see no other %ay"7 ore" To kno%

rea&y!7 I lie&" 6Only , I shoul& like to see -olly once

that she an& 5ettle are safe" #n& Burrich"7 He $eere& at e" 6I recall the bargain you offere&" That I %oul& not take 5ettle e" 6;hat I ask of you %ill be %orse" y ore yself one for the throne"7 He glance& a%ay fro

Your actual life" #ll the life an& energy of your bo&y" I ha'e s$ent all $assions! you see" I ha'e nothing left" If I coul& but kin&le in %o an I lo'e& in y ar s ,7 His 'oice &%in&le& a%ay fro
18B8

night of feelings , if I coul& recall %hat it %as to &esire a %o an! to hol& the e" 6It sha es

e to ask it of you" Sha es %hen you %ere no

ore than %hen I &re% strength fro et

you!

ore than an unsus$ecting boy"7 He

y eyes again an&

I kne% ho% he struggle& to use %or&s" I $erfect %or&s" 6But you see! e'en that" The sha e I feel! the $ain that I &o this to you , e'en that is %hat you gi'e &ragon to e" E'en that I can $ut into the &ragon"7 He looke& a%ay fro ust fly! Fit1" He ust"7 e" 6-y frien&"7 His eyes ca e back e" 6The

6Aerity" -y king"7 He stare& a%ay fro

ine" 6It is all right" But , I shoul& like to see -olly again" E'en briefly"7

6It is &angerous" I think %hat I &i& to 9arro& %oke true fear in the " They ha'e not trie& their strength against us since then! only their cunning" But ,7 6*lease"7 I sai& the s all %or& )uietly" Aerity sighe&" 6Aery %ell! boy" But y heart isgi'es e"7 5ot a touch" He &i&n.t e'en take a breath" E'en as Aerity &%in&le&! that %as the $o%er of his Skill" ;e %ere there! %ith the " I sense& Aerity retreating! gi'ing e the illusion I %as there alone" It %as an inn roo " 9lean an& %ell furnishe&" # branch of can&les burne& besi&e a loaf of brea& an& a bo%l of a$$les on a table" Burrich lay shirtless on his si&e on the be&" Bloo& ha& clotte& thickly about the knife %oun& an& soake& the %aist of his breeches" His chest aslee$! his right ar the o'e& in the slo%! &ee$ rhyth s of slee$" He %as curle& aroun& 5ettle" She %as snugge& against hi ! &ee$ly o'er her $rotecti'ely" #s I %atche&! -olly leane& o'er un&er Burrich.s ar " 5ettle &i& not stir as e ories of %ar ilk" Her bro% an& &eftly sli& the babe fro

she %as carrie& o'er to a basket in the corner an& tucke& into the blankets that line& it" Her s all $ink outh %orke& %ith %as s ooth beneath her sleek black hair" She see e& none the %orse for e'erything she ha& en&ure&"

18B<

-olly

o'e& efficiently about the roo " She $oure& %ater into a basin! an&

took u$ a fol&e& cloth" She returne& to crouch besi&e Burrich.s be&" She set the basin of %ater on the floor besi&e the be& an& &i$$e& the rag into it" She %rung it out %ell" #s she set it to his back he 4erke& a%ake %ith a gas$" Fast as a striking snake! he ha& caught her %rist" 6Burrich: =et go! this has to be cleane&"7 -olly %as annoye& %ith hi " 6Oh" It.s you"7 His 'oice %as thick %ith relief" He release& her" 6Of course it.s e" ;ho else %oul& you ex$ect07 She s$onge& at the knife %oun& gently! then &i$$e& the rag in the %ater again" Both the rag in her han& an& the basin of %ater besi&e her %ere tinge& %ith bloo&" His han& gro$e& carefully o'er the be& besi&e hi " 6;hat ha'e you &one %ith y baby07 he aske&" 6Your baby is fine" She.s aslee$ in a basket" Right there"7 She %i$e& his back again! then no&&e& to herself" 6The blee&ing has sto$$e&" #n& it looks clean" I think the leather of your tunic sto$$e& ban&age it"7 Slo%ly Burrich o'e& to sit u$" He ga'e one tiny gas$! but %hen he %as his face" sitting u$! he grinne& at her" He $ushe& a straggle of hair back fro the first ti e he ha& sai& it" 6It %as all I coul& think of!7 -olly $ointe& out" She coul& not kee$ fro s iling back" 6It %orke&! &i& it not07 6;on&rously!7 he conce&e&" 6But ho% &i& you kno% they.& go after the re&/ bear&e& one0 That %as %hat $ersua&e& the " #n& &a n near $ersua&e& %ell:7 e as ost of her thrust" If you sit u$! I can

6;it/bees!7 he sai& a& iringly" He shook his hea& at her" I coul& tell it %as not

18B?

She shook her hea& to herself" 6It %as luck" #n& the light" He ha& the can&les an& stoo& before the hearth" The hut %as &i " Bees are &ra%n to light" #l ost like oths are"7 6I %on&er if they are still insi&e the hut"7 He grinne& as he %atche& her rise to take a%ay the bloo&y rag an& %ater" 6I lost y bees!7 she re in&e& hi sa&ly" er akes 6;e %ill go burning for the ore!7 Burrich co forte& her"

She shook her hea& sa&ly" 6# hi'e that has %orke& the %hole su

ost honey"7 #t a table in the corner! she took u$ a roll of clean linen ake!7 she obser'e&"

ban&aging an& a $ot of unguent" She sniffe& at it thoughtfully" 6It &oesn.t s ell like %hat you 6It %ill $robably %ork all the sa e!7 he sai&" # fro%n crease& his bro% as he looke& slo%ly aroun& the roo " 6-olly" Ho% are %e to $ay for all this07 6I.'e taken care of it"7 She ke$t her back to hi " 6Ho%07 he aske& sus$iciously" ;hen she looke& back at hi ! her outh %as flat" I.& kno%n better than to argue %ith that face" 6Fit1.s $in" I sho%e& it to the innkee$er to get this roo " #n& %hile you both sle$t this afternoon! I took it to a 4e%eler an& sol& it"7 He ha& o$ene& his 6Its %orth %as His outh! but she ga'e hi no chance to s$eak" 6I kno% ho% to bargain an& I got its full %orth"7 ore than coins" 5ettle shoul& ha'e ha& that $in!7 Burrich sai&" be& an& $orri&ge far ore than she nee&e& a sil'er $in to kno% that"7 any &ays to outh %as as flat as hers"

65ettle nee&e& a %ar

%ith a ruby in it" E'en Fit1 %oul& ha'e ha& the %is&o earn it back for her"7

O&&ly enough! I &i&" But Burrich only sai&! 6I shall ha'e to %ork

18BB

-olly took u$ the ban&ages" She &i& not an! an& I a Burrich %as silent" I coul& al ost see hi

eet his eyes" 6You are a stubborn trying to &eci&e if that eant he ha& on the be& to a&e no soun&3

sure you %ill &o as you $lease about that!7 she sai&"

%on the argu ent" She ca e back to the be&" She sat besi&e hi s ear the oint ent on his back" He clenche& his 4a%s! but she co

Then she ca e to crouch in front of hi " 6=ift your ar s so I can %ra$ this!7 an&e& hi " He took a breath an& lifte& his ar s u$ an& a%ay fro his bo&y" She %orke& efficiently! unrolling the ban&aging as she %ra$$e& it aroun& hi " She tie& it o'er his belly" 6Better07 she aske&" 6-uch"7 He starte& to stretch! then thought better of it" 6There.s foo&!7 she offere& as she %ent to the table" 6In a her o ent"7 I sa% his look &arken" So &i& -olly" She turne& back to hi ! outh gone s all" 6-olly"7 He sighe&" He trie& again" 65ettle is (ing sure he %ill"7 He scratche& an I kno%

Shre%&.s great gran&chil&" # Farseer" Regal sees her as a threat to hi " He ay try to kill you again" Both of you" In fact! I a at his bear&" Into her silence! he suggeste&! 6*erha$s the only %ay to $rotect you both is to $ut you un&er the true king.s $rotection" There is a , $erha$s Fit1 tol& you of hi " 9ha&e07 She shook her hea& utely" Her eyes %ere going blacker an& blacker" slo%ly! reluctantly" ine" #n& I %ill not an& $ractically s$at the 6He coul& take 5ettle to a safe $lace" #n& see you %ere %ell $ro'i&e& for"7 The %or&s ca e out of hi -olly.s re$ly %as s%ift" 65o" She is not a Farseer" She is sell her! not for coin or safety"7 She glare& at hi %or&s" 6Ho% coul& you think I %oul&:7 He s ile& at her anger" I sa% guilty relief on his face" 6I &i& not think you %oul&" But I felt oblige& to offer it"7 His next %or&s ca e e'en ore hesitantly" 6I ha& thought of another %ay" I &o not kno% %hat you %ill think of
18BC

it" ;e %ill still ha'e to tra'el a%ay fro folk %oul& ne'er )uestion that she %as his eyes an&

here! fin& a to%n %here %e are not ine ,7

kno%n"7 He looke& at the floor abru$tly" 6If %e %ere %e& before %e got there! -olly stoo& as still as if turne& to stone" The silence stretche&" Burrich lifte& et hers $lea&ingly" 6Do not take this %rong" I ex$ect nothing of e" There are ;itness instrel" I coul& stan& before you , that %ay" But , e'en so! you nee& not %e& Stones in (e'&or" ;e coul& go there! %ith a the ! an& s%ear she %as that0 To kee$ 5ettle safe07 He no&&e& slo%ly" His eyes ne'er left her face" She shook her hea&" 65o! Burrich! I %ill not ha'e it" It is the %orst of luck! to &o such a thing" #ll kno% the tales of %hat beco es of those %ho $rofane the ;itness Stones %ith a lie"7 6I %ill chance it"7 He s$oke gri ly" I ha& ne'er kno%n the -olly kne% %hat he %as offering her" She &i&" 65o" You %ill not lie"7 She s$oke %ith certainty" 6-olly" *lease"7 6Be )uiet:7 she sai& %ith great finality" She cocke& her hea& an& looke& at hi ! $u11ling so ething out" 6Burrich07 she aske& %ith a tentati'e note to her 'oice" 6I ha'e hear& it tol& , =acey sai& that once you lo'e& *atience"7 She took a breath" 6Do you lo'e her still07 she aske&" Burrich looke& al ost angry" -olly Burrich looke& a%ay fro lo'e Fit1"7
18BD

ine" 5o one %oul& e'er )uestion it"7

6You.& lie before a ;itness Stone07 -olly aske& incre&ulously" 6You.& &o

an to lie before

5ettle ha& co e into his life" 5o% he offere& to gi'e a false oath" I %on&ere& if

et his stare %ith a $lea&ing look until y uch as you still

her" She coul& barely hear his %or&s" 6I lo'e

e ories of her" #s she %as then! as I %as then" *robably

It %as -olly.s turn to %ince" 6So e of the things I re e ber , yes"7 She no&&e& as if re in&ing herself of so ething" Then she looke& u$ an& Burrich.s eyes" 6But he is &ea&"7 So o&&ly final! those %or&s co ing fro Then! %ith a $lea in her 'oice! she a&&e&! 6=isten to it.s been , First struck lo'e& y father" He al%ays tol& e an& curse& e an& touche& e! it ne'er felt like lo'e to e" @ust listen" #ll e he lo'e& et her" y life

e" But %hen he e"

e" Then Fit1" He s%ore he

e gently" But his lies ne'er soun&e& like lo'e to

5o% you , Burrich! you ne'er s$eak to e! not in anger nor &esire" But both your silence an& your look s$eak &es$erately"

e of lo'e" You ha'e ne'er touche& ore of lo'e to e than e'er their

%or&s or touches &i&"7 She %aite&" He &i& not s$eak" 6Burrich07 she aske& 6You are young!7 he sai& softly" 6#n& lo'ely" So full of s$irit" You &eser'e better"7 6Burrich" Do you lo'e e07 # si $le )uestion! ti i&ly aske&" He fol&e& his %ork/scarre& han&s in his la$" 6Yes"7 He gri$$e& his han&s together" To sto$ their tre bling0 -olly.s s ile broke forth like the sun fro a clou&" 6Then you shall arry e" the e0 #n& after%ar&! if you %ish! I shall stan& before the ;itness Stones" #n& I %ill a& it to all that I %as %ith you before %e %ere %e&" #n& I %ill sho% the chil&"7 He finally lifte& his eyes. to hers" His look %as incre&ulous" 6You.& #s I a 0 Ol&0 *oor0 Scarre&07 6You are none of those things to e" To e! you are the an I lo'e"7 ore" 6#n& after %hat He shook his hea&" Her ans%er ha& only baffle& hi lie07
18BE

arry

you 4ust sai& about ba& luck0 You %oul& stan& before a ;itness Stone an&

She s ile& a &ifferent sort of s ile at hi " One I ha& not seen in a long ti e" One that broke y heart" 6It nee& not be a lie!7 she $ointe& out )uietly" His nostrils flare& like a stallion.s as he surge& to his feet" The breath he &re% s%elle& his chest" 6;ait!7 she co &arkene& roo I fle&" 6Oh! fro y boy" I a the so sorry"7 y 'oice" 6He %ill be goo& to her" #n& 5ettle" He both"7 a&e you"7 Aerity soun&e& genuinely I shook y hea& silently" -y eyes %ere s)uee1e& tight shut! but tears leake& any%ay" I foun& an she &eser'es" 5o! Aerity" I shoul& take co fort in it" To an&e& hi to his ar s" softly! an& he &i&" She licke& her thu b an& forefinger" She s%iftly $inche& out all but one can&le" Then she crosse& the

is the sort of

kno% he %ill be %ith her! caring for the 6It see s a 'ery $oor bargain I ha'e grie'e& for )uickly"7 6#re you sure07 6#s you %ill"7 He took y life fro e" e" 65o" It.s all right"7 I caught

9o fort" I coul& fin& no co fort in it" Only $ain"

y breath" 65o%! Aerity" I %oul& it %ere &one

It %as a &rea

I ha& ha& before" I kne% the feel of an ol&

an.s bo&y" The e"

other ti e! I ha& been (ing Shre%&! in a soft nightshirt! in a clean be&3 This ti e %as harsher" I ache& in e'ery 4oint of #n& I ha& scal&e& yself! on y bo&y" -y gut burne& insi&e y face an& han&s" There %as ore $ain than

18CH

life left in this bo&y" =ike a can&le al ost burne& to the socket" I o$ene& eyes stickily" I s$ra%le& on col&! gritty stone" # %olf sat %atching This is %rong! he tol& ti e! I $ushe& e" e"

I coul& think of nothing to say to that" It certainly &i& not feel right" #fter a yself u$ to y han&s an& knees" -y han&s hurt" -y knees yself u$ an& e! on a &ais! hurt" E'ery 4oint in y bo&y creake& an& co $laine& as I &re%

looke& aroun&" The night %as %ar ! but I still shi'ere&" #bo'e an inco $lete &ragon slu bere&" I &o not un&erstan&" 5ighteyes $lea&e& for an ex$lanation" I &o not %ish to un&erstan&" I &o not %ant to kno%"

But %hether I %ishe& it or not! I &i& kno%" I %alke& slo%ly an& the %olf ca e at y heels" ;e %alke& $ast a &ying fire bet%een t%o tents" 5o one ke$t (ettricken.s tent! there %ere s all noises" Aerity.s face %as %hat %atch" Fro

she sa% in the &i ness" Aerity.s &ark eyes! looking into hers" She belie'e& her husban& ha& finally co e to her" In truth! he ha&" I &i& not %ant to hear! I &i& not %ant to kno%" I %alke& on %ith y ol& an.s careful $acing" Jreat black blocks of stone loo e& aroun& us" #hea& of us! so ething clicke& an& chinke& softly" I %alke& through the shar$/e&ge& stone sha&o%s an& into Once you share& oonlight again" y bo&y" Is this like that0 y 'oice! I hear& a s all

65o"7 I s$oke the %or& alou&! an& in the %ake of scrabbling" ;hat.s that0 I.ll go an& see" The %olf

elte& into the sha&o%s" He returne& instantly" It.s you" He &oes not kno% you" y ti e" This bo&y ha& all it coul& &o

only the Scentless One" He hi&es fro to o'e! let alone

I kne% %here I %oul& fin& hi " I took

o'e s%iftly" ;hen I ca e to Jirl/on/a/Dragon! it %as

18C1

horribly har& to cla ber u$ on her &ais" Once I %as u$! I coul& see the fresh rock chi$s e'ery%here" I sat &o%n by the &ragon.s feet! a cautious lo%ering of y bo&y to col& stone" I looke& at his %ork" He ha& al ost cut her free" 6Fool07 I calle& out softly in the night" He ca e slo%ly! fro ,7 I no&&e& slo%ly! %or&lessly" #t the base of the &ais! 5ighteyes %hine&" The Fool glance& &o%n at hi ! then back u$ at 6-y lor&07 he aske&" I reache& for the threa& of Skill/bon& bet%een us an& foun& it" The Fool.s face gre% 'ery still as he struggle& to un&erstan&" He ca e to sit besi&e stare& at at last" 65or I!7 I agree&" 6;hy ha'e you ,7 6Better not to kno%!7 I sai& briefly" For a ti e %e sat in silence" Then the Fool reache& back to brush a han&ful of fresh stone chi$s fro about the &ragon.s foot" He et y eyes! but there %as er %as a stone" still furti'eness as he &re% a chisel fro 6That.s Aerity.s chisel"7 6I kno%" He &oesn.t nee& it any ore! an& carefully to the rock" 6It %orks another s all chi$ free" I aligne& y knife broke"7 He set the e&ge ta$ uch better any%ay"7 I %atche& hi y thoughts %ith his" y touch hurt her"7 He his shirt" His ha e" He e! as if he coul& see through Aerity.s skin" 6I like this not!7 he sai& e" *u11le ent crosse& his face" the sha&o%s! to stan& eyes &o%n before e" 6-y king!7 he sai& softly" 6I trie&" But I cannot hel$ yself" I cannot 4ust lea'e her here

6She &ra%s on your strength!7 I obser'e& )uietly" 6I kno%"7 #nother chi$ ca e free" 6I %as curious" #n& $lace& his chisel again" 6I feel I o%e her so ething"7
18C2

6Fool" She coul& take all you offer her an& it %oul& still not be enough"7 6Ho% &o you kno%07 I shrugge&" 6This bo&y kno%s"7 Then I stare& as he lai& his Skill/fingers to the $lace %here he ha& chisele&" I %ince&! but sense& no $ain fro tor ent her" 6She re in&s hair"7 I sat in stunne& silence" He &i& not look at to see her again" She use& to s$oil seen all y fa ily again"7 His tone %as no e try07 e a look that %as al ost 4ealous" 6She e" ay not acce$t you!7 he e as he a&&e&! 6I shoul& ha'e like& ore than %istful as he o'e& his e outrageously" I %oul& ha'e like& to ha'e e of y ol&er sister!7 he sai& into the night" 6She ha& gol&en her" She took so ething fro hi " But he ha& not the Skill to sha$e her %ith his han&s" ;hat he ga'e her %as only enough to

fingers i&ly against the chisele& stone" 6Fool0 =et He ga'e %arne&

I s ile& at hi " Aerity.s s ile! through his bear&" 6There is a link bet%een us" Fine as threa& an& neither the elfbark nor your %eariness ai& it" But it is there" *ut your han& to y shoul&er"7 e isse&" I refuse& to sto$ an& %on&er" 5ot thinking %as y neck" Instincti'ely! he %as right" Skin y eyes an& I &i& not kno% %hy I &i& it" *erha$s because he ha& ne'er before s$oken to of a sister or a ho e he so not to

uch easier! an& not feeling %as easiest of all" He $ut his unskille& han&! y shoul&er! but to the si&e of better" I hel& Aerity.s sil'er han&s u$ before

to skin! I kne% hi I coul& change forefoot bet%een y

ar'ele& at the " Sil'er to the eye! scal&e& an& ra% to the senses" Then! before in&! I reache& &o%n an& gras$e& the &ragon.s sha$eless y t%o han&s"
18C8

Instantly! I coul& feel the &ragon" #l ost it s)uir e& %ithin the stone" I kne% the e&ge of each scale! the ti$ of each %icke& cla%" #n& I kne% the %o an %ho ha& car'e& it" The %o en" # coterie! so long ago" Salt.s 9oterie" But Salt ha& been too $rou&" Her features %ere on the car'en face! an& she ha& sought to re ain in her o%n for ! car'ing herself u$on the &ragon that her coterie sha$e& aroun& her" They ha& been too loyal to ob4ect" #n& al ost she ha& succee&e&" The &ragon ha& been finishe&! an& al ost fille&" The &ragon ha& )uickene& an& began to rise as the coterie %as absorbe& into it" But Salt ha& stri'en to re ain only %ithin the car'e& girl" She ha& hel& back fro the stone! the &ragon" #n& the &ragon ha& fallen before it coul& e'en rise! sinking back into iring &o%n fore'er" =ea'ing the coterie tra$$e& in the &ragon an& Salt tra$$e& in the girl" #ll this I kne%! s%ifter than lightning" I felt too! the hunger of the &ragon" It $ulle& at e! $lea&ing for sustenance" -uch ha& it taken fro the Fool" I sense& %hat he ha& gi'en! light an& &ark" The 4eering taunts of gar&eners an& cha berlains %hen he %as young at Buckkee$" # branch of a$$le blosso s outsi&e a %in&o% in s$ring" #n i age of e! y 4erkin fla$$ing as I hurrie& ake y shorter legs atch his across the yar& at Burrich.s heels! trying to The &ragon tugge& at e here" Take y

long stri&e" # sil'er fish lea$ing abo'e a silent $on& at &a%n" e insistently" I su&&enly kne% %hat ha& really &ra%n e ories of y other! an& the feelings that %ent %ith y throat %hen I at all" Take the ache in

the " I &o not %ant to kno% the Take their brilliance an& lea'e e recall the to kee$! an& let %ithout cutting e sto$ feeling

think of -olly! take all the shar$/e&ge&! bright/colore& &ays I recall %ith her" e but the sha&o%s of %hat I sa% an& felt" =et yself on their shar$ness" Take y &ays an& e" Take it

nights in Regal.s &ungeons" It is enough to kno% %hat %as &one to

y face against that stone floor! hearing the

18C<

soun& of

y nose breaking! s elling an& tasting y father! take

y o%n bloo&" Take yG

y hurt

that I ne'er kne%

y hours of staring u$ at his $ortrait %hen

the great hall %as e $ty an& I coul& &o so alone" Take Fit1" Sto$" You gi'e her too 'oice insi&e

uch! there %ill be nothing left of you" The Fool.s

e %as horror/stricken at %hat he ha& encourage&" e" Take that i age of -olly going so %illingly to

G e ories of that to%er/to$! of the bare %in&s%e$t Iueen.s Jar&en an& Jalen stan&ing o'er Burrich.s ar s" Take it an& )uench it an& seal it a%ay %here it can ne'er sear e again" TakeG -y brother" Enough" 5ighteyes %as su&&enly bet%een e an& the &ragon" I kne% I still gri$$e& that ore of e" scaly foreleg! but he snarle& at it! &efying it to take I &o not care if it all is taken! I tol& 5ighteyes" But I &o" I %oul& sooner not be bon&e& %ith a Forge& one" Jet back! 9ol& One" He snarle& in s$irit as %ell as besi&e To go" Jet a%ay fro night all aroun& that: y eyes! sur$rise& to fin& it %as still e" aroun& 5ighteyes" 6Fit1!7 he sai& )uietly" He s$oke into clearly" 6Fit1! I a sorry" But you cannot thro% e" y shoul&er" =et y sur$rise the &ragon yiel&e&" -y co $anion ni$$e& at

I let go of the &ragon.s foreleg" I o$ene& The Fool ha& his ar

the %olf.s ruff! but I hear& hi

a%ay all your $ain" If you sto$ feeling $ain ,7 I &i& not listen to the rest of %hat he sai&" I stare& at the &ragon.s foreleg" ;here y t%o han&s ha& reste& against the lu $y stone there %ere t%o uch &ragon it brought e" Then I han&$rints no%" ;ithin those sha$es! each scale stoo& fine an& $erfect" #ll of that! I thought" #ll of that! an& this is ho% thought of Aerity.s &ragon" It %as i ense" Ho% ha& he &one it0 ;hat ha& he

18C?

hel& insi&e hi ! all those years! to ha'e enough for the sha$ing of such a &ragon0 6He feels uch! your uncle" Jreat lo'es" Aast loyalty" So eti es I think that y t%o hun&re&/o&& years $ale besi&e %hat he has felt in his forty/so e"7 #ll three of us turne& to (ettle" I felt no sur$rise" I ha& kno%n she %as co ing an& I ha& not care&" She leane& hea'ily on a stick an& her face see e& to hang fro the bones of her skull" She et y eyes an& I kne% that she kne% e'erything" Skill linke& as she %as to Aerity! she kne% it all" 6Jet &o%n fro there" #ll of you! before you hurt yoursel'es"7 ;e obeye& slo%ly an& I slo%est of all" Aerity.s 4oints ache& an& his bo&y %as %eary" (ettle looke& at $ointe& out" 6He %oul&n.t let e" You %oul&n.t let e"7 65o" ;e %oul&n.t ha'e" =et course" #ll e tell you so ething! Fit1" You are going to an.s skin! they can heal" In e balefully %hen I finally stoo& besi&e her" 6If you ight ha'e $ut it in Aerity.s &ragon instea&!7 she %ere going to &o that! you

iss %hat you ga'e a%ay" You %ill reco'er so e of the feelings in ti e! of e ories are connecte&! an& like a ti e! left to the sel'es! those e ories %oul& ha'e sto$$e& hurting you" You y o%n &oubt" 6I still ha'e $lenty

ay so e&ay %ish you coul& call u$ that $ain"7 6I &o not think so!7 I sai& cal ly! to co'er of $ain left"7 (ettle lifte& her ol& face to the night" She &re% a long breath in through her nose" 6Da%n co es!7 she sai&! as if she ha& scente& it" 6You ust return to the &ragon" To Aerity.s &ragon" #n& you t%o!7 her hea& s%i'ele& to regar& the Fool an& 5ighteyes" 6You t%o shoul& go u$ to that lookout $oint an& see if Regal.s troo$s are in sight yet" 5ighteyes! you let Fit1 kno% %hat you see" Jo on! both of you" #n& Fool" You lea'e Jirl/on/a/Dragon alone after this" You
18CB

%oul& ha'e to gi'e her your entire life" #n& e'en then! it

ight not be enough"

That being so! sto$ torturing yourself" #n& her" Jo on! no%:7 They %ent! but not %ithout so e back%ar& looks" 69o e on!7 (ettle or&ere& e tersely" She began to hobble back the %ay she ha& co e" I follo%e&! %alking as stiffly as she! through the black an& sil'er sha&o%s of the blocks that littere& the )uarry" She looke& e'ery bit of her t%o hun&re&/o&& years" I felt e'en ol&er" #ching bo&y! 4oints that caught an& creake&" I lifte& an& scratche& insects chirre& 6I a y han& y ear" Then I snatche& it &o%n! chagrine&" Aerity %oul& ha'e a ore lou&ly no%"

sil'er ear no%" #lrea&y the skin of it burne&! an& it see e& the &istant night sorry! by the %ay" #bout your -olly girl an& all" I &i& try to tell you"7

(ettle &i& not soun& sorry" But I un&erstoo& that no%" #l ost all of her feelings %ere in the &ragon" She s$oke of %hat she kne% she %oul& ha'e felt! once" She still ha& $ain for 6Only the things %e kee$ fro at e! but she no longer recalle& any $ain of her o%n oursel'es!7 she re$lie& sa&ly" She looke& o'er one last night of youth an& $assion"7 ore of it! then"7 to co $are it %ith" I only aske&! )uietly! 6Is there nothing $ri'ate any ore07 e" 6It is a goo& thing you &o this night" # kin& thing"7 Her li$s starte& to e! the set look on y face" 6I shall say no

s ile but her eyes teare&" 6To gi'e hi She stu&ie&

I %alke& the rest of the %ay besi&e her in silence" I sat by the %ar e bers of last night.s fire an& %atche& the &a%n co e" The orning challenges of 'ery %ell no%" It %as strange! I thought! to sit shrilling of night insects change& gra&ually to the &istant bir&s" I coul& hear the an& %ait for

yself" (ettle sai& nothing" She breathe& &ee$ of the changing

scent of the air as night turne& to &a%n an& %atche& the lightening of the sky %ith a'i& eyes" Storing it all u$ to $ut into the &ragon"

18CC

I hear& the grate of boot against stone an& looke& u$" I %atche& -y stri&e %as confi&ent an& brisk! y %et hair slicke& back fro bo&y %ell" Our eyes et in the early light" I sa%

yself co ing" y

y hea& u$" -y face %as freshly %ashe&!

y bro% into a %arrior.s tail" Aerity %ore

y eyes narro% as Aerity a$$raise& his y clothes off" e"

o%n bo&y" I stoo& u$ an& %ithout thinking! began to brush laugh boo e& out! lou&er than I use& it" Aerity shook 6=ea'e it! boy" There.s no any%ay"7 He sla$$e& like this!7 he tol& that felt" So hi fro any%ay"7 # %a'e of gi&&iness" Black close& fro u$ y knees an& sank &o%n to kee$ fro looking &o%n on the e&ges of falling" e" I stare& u$ at hi aking it better" #n& I. of y chest %ith the $al y hea& at

Then I reali1e& %hat I %as &oing" This %as not a shirt I ha& borro%e&" -y al ost finishe& %ith it uch of ho% e $eering at

y han&" 6Once I ha& a bo&y

e! as if I ha&n.t kno%n" 6I ha& forgotten so his face as he regar&e&

uch"7 The s ile fa&e& fro

his o%n eyes" 6Take care of it! Fit1" You only get one" To kee$! y 'ision! an& I fol&e&

6Sorry!7 Aerity sai& )uietly! an& it %as in his o%n 'oice" I looke& u$ to fin& hi utely" I coul& s ell (ettricken.s scent on too uch effort" Aerity.s eyes y skin" -y bo&y %as 'ery tire&" I kne% a et ine an& acce$te& all I felt" sorry0 I a

o ent of total outrage" Then it creste& an& fell a%ay as if the e otion %ere 6I %ill neither a$ologi1e to you nor thank you" 5either %oul& be a&e)uate"7 He shook his hea& to hi self" 6#n& in truth! ho% coul& I say I a not"7 He looke& a%ay fro &ee$ breath" 65o" I a e! out o'er )ueen %ill bear a chil&" I %ill &ri'e the Re&/Shi$s fro 6Fit19hi'alry" #re you sorry07
18CD

y hea&" 6-y &ragon %ill rise" -y our shore"7 He took a e"

not sorry for our bargain"7 His eyes ca e back to

Slo%ly I stoo& u$" 6I &on.t kno%"7 I trie& to &eci&e" 6The roots of it go too &ee$!7 I sai& at last" 6;here %oul& I start to un&o %oul& I ha'e to reach! ho% this! or to say I %as not sorry no%07 The roa& is e $ty belo% us" 5ighteyes s$oke in sent you along to kee$ hi Oh" #re you all right0 6Fit19hi'alry" #re you all right07 There %as concern in Aerity.s 'oice" But it coul& not co $letely &ragon" Behin& e! I hear& (ettle ask eagerly! 6#re %e rea&y to )uicken hi 07 y ears" 65o" 5ot 4ust yet" For a little %hile yself" For a short ti e ore! I %oul& e ories to Aerity.s soft 'oice carrie& to longer! I %oul& ha'e these re ain a an"7 her tent" She %ore the ask the triu $h there as %ell" both" 6Of course not"7 I %alke& a%ay fro the 6Of course not!7 I tol& the y in&" I kno%" (ettle kno%s! too" She but looke& for so ething to busy the Fool an& safe" You can co e back no%" y $ast0 Ho% far back uch %oul& I ha'e to change in or&er to change

#s I $asse& through the ca $! (ettricken e erge& fro caught back fro

sa e tra'el/%earie& tunic an& leggings she ha& the &ay before" Her hair %as her face in a short! thick brai&" There %ere still lines in her outh" But her face ha& the %ar lu inescence bro% an& at the corners of her orning air an& s ile& at I hurrie& $ast her" The strea %ater %as 'ery col&" 9oarse horsetail grasses gre% along one bank" to scrub yself" -y %et clothes %ere &ra$e& on the I use& han&fuls of the

of the finest $earls" Rene%e& faith shone in her" She took a &ee$ breath of the e ra&iantly"

bushes on the other si&e of the strea " The heat of the &ay $ro ise& they

18CE

%oul& soon be &ry" 5ighteyes sat on the bank an& %atche& bet%een his eyes" I &o not un&erstan&" You &o not s ell ba&" 5ighteyes" Jo hunting" *lease" You %ish to be alone0 #s uch as that is $ossible any ore" e as he &i& so" He stoo& u$ an& stretche&! curtseying lo% to %ill heal" -ay %e both li'e to see that! I agree& %holehearte&ly"

e %ith a $ucker

So e&ay! it %ill be only you an& I" ;e shall hunt an& eat an& slee$" #n& you

The %olf sli$$e& off through the trees" Ex$eri entally! I scrubbe& at the Fool.s finger$rints on y %rist" They &i& not co e off! but I learne& a great &eal y about the life cycle of a horsetail fern" I ga'e it u$" I &eci&e& I coul& take strea ! &ashing the %ater off

entire skin off an& still not feel free of %hat ha& ha$$ene&" I %a&e& out of the yself as I %ent" -y clothing %as &ry enough to y boots on" I nearly thought of $ut back on" I sat &o%n on the/bank to $ut

-olly an& Burrich but I )uickly $ushe& the i age a%ay" Instea& I %on&ere& ho% soon Regal.s sol&iers %oul& arri'e an& if Aerity %oul& ha'e his &ragon finishe& before then" *erha$s it %as e'en no% finishe&" I shoul& %ant to see it" I %ante& ore to be alone" I lay back on the grass an& looke& u$ into the blue sky o'erhea&" I trie& to feel so ething" Drea&! excite ent! anger" Hate" =o'e" Instea& I felt only confuse&" #n& tire&" ;eary of flesh an& s$irit" I close& the sky"" The har$ notes %alke& alongsi&e the soun&s of the strea blen&e& %ith it! then &ance& a$art" I o$ene& Starling" She sat on the strea bank besi&e
18DH

y eyes against the brightness of flo%ing" They

y eyes to it an& s)uinte& at

e an& $laye&" Her hair %as &o%n!

&rying in ri$$les &o%n her back in the sun" She ha& a ste

of green grass in her et y eyes but

outh an& her bare feet nestle& against the soft grass" She

sai& nothing" I %atche& her han&s $lay on the strings" Her left han& %orke& har&er! co $ensating for the stiffness in the last t%o fingers" I shoul& ha'e felt so ething about that" I &i&n.t kno% %hat" 6;hat goo& are feelings07 I &i&n.t kno% I ha& the )uestion until I s$oke it alou&" Her fingers $oise& o'er the strings" She furro%e& her bro% at think there.s an ans%er to that )uestion"7 6I. not fin&ing ans%ers to uch of anything lately" ;hy aren.t you back in the )uarry! %atching the song to s$ring fro "7 6Because I a here %ith you!7 she sai& si $ly" Then she grinne&" 6#n& because e'eryone else see s busy" (ettle slee$s" (ettricken an& Aerity , she %as co bing his hair %hen I left" I &o not think I ha& seen (ing Aerity s ile before" ;hen he &oes he looks a great &eal like you! about the eyes" #ny%ay" I &o not think they %ill 6#n& the Fool07 She shook her hea&" 6He chi$s at the stone aroun& Jirl/on/a/Dragon" I kno% he shoul& not! but I &o not think he can sto$" 5or &o I kno% any %ay to force hi "7 6I &on.t think he can hel$ her" But I &on.t think he can resist trying" For all his )uick tongue! he has a soft nature"7 6I kno% that" 5o%" In so e %ays I.'e co e to kno% hi he %ill al%ays be unkno%able to e"7 'ery %ell" In others! iss e"7 co $lete the &ragon0 Surely that is the stuff for a e" 6I &on.t

18D1

I no&&e& silently to that" The silence laste& a ti e" Then! subtly! it beca e a &ifferent kin& of silence" 6#ctually!7 Starling sai& unco fortably! 6the Fool suggeste& I shoul& fin& you"7 I groane&" I %on&ere& 4ust ho% 6I. uch he ha& tol& her" y ar an& $ut it across y eyes sorry to hear about -olly ,7 she began"

6But not sur$rise&!7 I fille& in for her" I lifte& to block the sunlight"

65o"7 She s$oke )uietly" 65ot sur$rise&"7 She cast about for so ething to say" 6#t least you kno% she is safe an& care& for!7 she offere&" I kne% that" It sha e& e that I coul& fin& so little co fort in it" *utting it into the &ragon ha& hel$e& in the sa e %ay that cutting off an infecte& li b hel$e&" Being ri& of it %as not the sa e as being heale& of it" The e $ty $lace insi&e e itche&" *erha$s I %ante& to hurt" I %atche& her fro frien&shi$" To chase a the sha&e of y ar " e! at the 6Fit1!7 she sai& )uietly" 6I aske& you once! for yourself" In gentleness an& e ory a%ay!7 She looke& a%ay fro sunlight glinting on the strea " 65o% I offer that!7 she sai& hu bly" 6But I &on.t lo'e you!7 I sai& honestly" #n& instantly kne% that it %as the %orst thing I coul& ha'e sai& 4ust then" Starling sighe& an& set her har$ asi&e" 6I kno% that" You kno% that" But it %as not a thing that ha& to be sai& 4ust no%"7 6#n& I kno% that" 5o%" It is 4ust that I &on.t %ant any lies! s$oken or uns$oken ,7 She leane& o'er &isco'er" #n& In or&er to e an& sto$$e& a y outh %ith hers" #fter a ti e she lifte& ore about lying than you %ill e'er an nee&s ost" her face a little" 6I a instrel" I kno%

instrels kno% that so eti es lies are %hat a

ake a ne% truth of the "7

6Starling!7 I began"
18D2

6You kno% you %ill 4ust say the %rong thing!7 she tol& be )uiet for a ti e0 Don.t %hile"7 #ctually! it %as )uite a %hile" ;hen I a%oke! she still lay %ar looking &o%n at on y ar " against

e" 6So %hy &on.t you

ake this co $licate&" Sto$ thinking! 4ust for a

y si&e" 5ighteyes stoo& o'er us! y eyes! sali'a fell

e! $anting %ith the heat of the &ay" ;hen I o$ene&

he fol&e& his ears back an& ga'e his tail a slo% %ag" # &ro$ of %ar 6Jo a%ay"7

The others are calling you" #n& looking for you" He cocke& his hea& at offere&! I coul& sho% (ettricken %here to fin& you" I sat u$ an& s)uashe& three reache& for os)uitoes on

e an&

y chest" They left bloo&y s ears" I

y shirt" Is so ething %rong0 iss Aerity %aking the

5o" They are rea&y to %ake the &ragon" Aerity %ishes to tell you goo&bye" I shook Starling gently" 6;ake u$" Or you %ill &ragon"7 She stirre& la1ily" 6For that! I shall get u$" I can think of nothing else that %oul& stir e" Besi&es! it ay be y last chance at a song" Fate has rule& that I ake no songs about 9hi'alry.s Bastar& e a last secret s ile" 6That $art! at al%ays be else%here %hene'er you &o so ething interesting"7 I ha& to s ile at that" 6So" You %ill after all07 I tease& her" 6One! $erha$s" # lo'e song"7 She ga'e least! %as interesting"7 I stoo& u$ an& &re% her to her feet" I kisse& her" 5ighteyes %hine& his i $atience! an& she turne& )uickly in lo% to her" ;hen she turne& back to 6I %arne& you!7 I tol& her"
18D8

y ar s" 5ighteyes stretche& an& bo%e& e! her eyes %ere %i&e"

She only laughe& an& stoo$e& to gather u$ our clothes"

9H#*TER THIRTY/5I5E Aerity.s Dragon SIK D>9HIES TROO*S $oure& into Blue =ake an& took shi$ for the farther si&e an& the -ountain (ing&o on the 'ery &ays that the Re&/Shi$s %ere by fast beating their %ay u$ the Ain Ri'er to Tra&efor&" Tra&efor& ha& ne'er been a fortifie& city" #lthough %or& of the shi$s. co ing $rece&e& the essenger! the ne%s %as greete& %ith general &is&ain" ;hat %as alerte&! an& so e of the &ocksi&e goo&s fro they &i& enace %ere

t%el'e shi$s of barbarians to such a great city as Tra&efor&0 The 9ity Juar& erchants took ste$s to re o'e their %arehouses close to the %ater! but the general attitu&e %as that if anage to get as far u$ the ri'er as Tra&efor&! archers %oul& easily ust be bringing so e offer of treaty to the (ing uch &iscussion as to ho% uch of the 9oastal

$ick off the Rai&ers before they coul& &o any real &a age" The general consensus %as that the shi$s of the Six Duchies" There %as

Duchies they %oul& ask ce&e& to the ! an& the $ossible 'alue of reo$ening tra&e %ith the OutIslan&s the sel'es! not to &o%n the Buck Ri'er" This is but one ore exa $le of the errors that can be a&e %hen one thinks one kno%s %hat the ene y &esires! an& acts u$on it" The folk of Tra&efor& ascribe& to the Re&/Shi$s the sa e &esire for $ros$erity an& $lenty that they the sel'es felt" To base their esti ation of the Re&/Shi$s on that grie'ous istake" oti'e %as a ention restoring the tra&e flo%

18D<

I &on.t think (ettricken ha& acce$te& the i&ea that Aerity &ragon to )uicken until the actual

ust &ie for the

o ent he kisse& her goo&bye" He kisse&

her so carefully! his han&s an& ar s hel& %i&e of her! his hea& cocke& so that no sil'er s ear %oul& touch her face" For all that! it %as a ten&er kiss! a hungry an& lingering one" # softly to her" She i o ent longer she clung to hi " Then he sai& so ething e&iately $ut her han&s to her lo%er belly" 6Ho% can you y first task ust be to return you to

be so sure07 she aske& hi ! e'en as the tears began to course &o%n her cheeks" 6I kno%!7 he sai& fir ly" 6#n& so @haa $e" You ust be ke$t safe this ti e"7

6-y $lace is in Buckkee$ 9astle!7 she $roteste&" I ha& thought he %oul& argue" But! 6You are right" It is" #n& thither I shall bear you" Fare%ell! y lo'e"7 %alk a%ay fro her! an (ettricken &i& not re$ly" She stoo& %atching hi intense look of inco $rehension on her face" For all the &ays %e ha& s$ent stri'ing for this 'ery thing! at the en& it see e& rushe& an& unti&y" (ettle $ace& stiffly by the &ragon" She ha& bi& us all fare%ell %ith a &istracte& air" 5o% she ho'ere& besi&e the &ragon! breathing as if she ha& 4ust run a race" #t e'ery lingere&! fa&ing slo%ly" Aerity took for she carries is 6I shall &o ore care %ith his goo&byes" To Starling! he a& onishe&! 69are an e'er &oubt the chil& ine" ;ith that truth I charge you! y best! instrel"7 y la&y" Sing your songs %ell an& true! an& let no o ent! she %as touching the &ragon! a fingerti$ caress! a &ragging han&" 9olor ri$$le& in the %ake of her touch an&

y king!7 Starling re$lie& gra'ely" She %ent to stan&

besi&e (ettricken" She %as to acco $any the )ueen on the &ragon.s broa& back" She ke$t %i$ing her &a $ $al s &o%n the front of her tunic an&

18D?

checking to She ga'e

ake sure the $ack that carrie& her har$ %as secure to her back" ore fare%ell than that" e yet again" y &ecision to stay" 6Regal.s troo$s &ra%

e a ner'ous s ile" 5either of us nee&e& o ent!7 Aerity re in&e&

There ha& been so e furor about nearer %ith e'ery $assing re in&e& hi "

6Then you shoul& hurry! so I %ill not be in this )uarry %hen they arri'e!7 I He fro%ne& at that" 6If I see any of Regal.s troo$s u$on the roa&! I shall see they &o not get this far!7 he offere& 6Take no risks %ith 5ighteyes %as e" y )ueen!7 I re in&e& hi " sure Aerity kne% the real reasons" I &i& not think I a&e Starling $ro ise e that there e in song" It ha& not been an easy $ro ise to %ring

y excuse to stay" He ha& no %ish to ri&e u$on a &ragon" I

%oul& not lea'e hi " I a %oul& be no fro a ention of

shoul& return to Buck" I ha& alrea&y

instrel" But I ha& insiste&" I ne'er %ante& either Burrich or -olly to e )uietly" She coul& offer e %oul& e'er $ass her li$s" to go %ith ore a instrel" He consistently refuse&" 6The ;hite *ro$het %ill e no greater co $li ent" I kne% no

kno% that I yet li'e&" 6In this! &ear frien&! you ha'e been Sacrifice!7 (ettricken ha& tol& %or& of

The Fool %as the one %ho %as being &ifficult" #ll of us urge& hi the Iueen an& the

stay %ith the 9atalyst!7 %as all he %oul& say" I $ri'ately belie'e& it %as her an& it frightene&

case of the Fool staying %ith Jirl/on/a/Dragon" He ha& beco e obsesse& %ith e" He %oul& ha'e to lea'e her before Regal.s troo$s that! an& he ha& no&&e& easily! arri'e& at the )uarry" I ha& $ri'ately tol& hi run out of ti e to argue %ith hi " There ca e a ti e %hen there %as no reason left for Aerity to linger" ;e ha& sai& little to one another! but I felt there %as little %e coul& say" E'erything
18DB

but %ith a &istracte& look" I &oubte& not that he ha& $lans of his o%n" ;e ha&

that ha& ha$$ene& no% see e& ine'itable to

e" It %as as the Fool sai&"

=ooking back! I coul& see %here his $ro$hecies ha& long ago s%e$t us into this channel" 5o one coul& be bla e&" 5o one coul& be bla eless" He ga'e e a no&! before he turne& an& %alke& to%ar& the &ragon" Then he e! %ra$$ing the belt loosely about the sheath as he ca e" to ha'e i&stri&e! as if halte& su&&enly" #s he turne& back! he %as unbuckling his battere& s%or& belt" He ca e to%ar& 6Take y s%or&!7 he sai& abru$tly" 6I %on.t nee& it" #n& you see

lost the last one I ga'e you"7 He halte& su&&enly in reconsi&ering" He hastily &re% the s%or& fro

the sheath" One last ti e he ran

a sil'er han& &o%n the bla&e! lea'ing it glea ing behin& his touch" His 'oice %as gruff as he sai&! 6It %oul& be a $oor courtesy to Ho&.s skill to $ass this on %ith a blunte& bla&e" Take better care of it than I &i&! Fit1"7 He resheathe& it an& han&e& it to e" His eyes et ine as I took it" 6#n& better care of yourself than I &i&" I &i& lo'e you! you kno%!7 he sai& brus)uely" 6Des$ite all I.'e &one to you! I lo'e& you"7 #t first I coul& think of no ans%er to that" Then! as he reache& his &ragon an& $lace& his han&s on its bro%! I tol& hi ! I ne'er &oubte& it" 5e'er &oubt I lo'e& you" I &on.t think I shall e'er forget that final s ile o'er his shoul&er" His eyes %ent a last ti e to his )ueen" He $resse& his han&s fir ly to the &ragon.s chisele& hea&" He %atche& her as he %ent" For an instant! I coul& s ell (ettricken.s skin! recall the taste of her shoul&ers gri$$e& in outh on ine! the s ooth %ar th of her bare e ory %as gone an& Aerity y Skill they &isa$$eare& as y han&s" Then the faint y ;it an&

%as gone an& (ettle %as gone" To

co $letely as if they ha& been Forge&" For an unner'ing instant! I sa% Aerity.s e $ty bo&y" Then he flo%e& into the &ragon" (ettle ha& been leaning on the statue.s shoul&er" She %as gone faster than Aerity! s$rea&ing out across the
18DC

scales as tur)uoise an& sil'er" 9olor floo&e& the creature an& suffuse& hi " 5o one breathe&! sa'e that 5ighteyes keene& softly" # great stillness hel& un&er the su er sun" I hear& (ettricken gi'e a single! choke& sob" Then! like a su&&en %in&! the great scale& bo&y &re% air into its lungs" His eyes! %hen he o$ene& the ! %ere black an& shining! the eyes of a Farseer! an& I kne% Aerity looke& out of the " He lifte& his great hea& u$on his sinuous neck" He stretche& like a cat! bo%ing an& rolling re$tilian shoul&ers an& s$rea&ing cla%s" #s he &re% his cla%e& feet back! his talons score& the black stone &ee$ly" Su&&enly! like a sail catching the %in&! his i ense %ings sleek unfurle&" He rattle& the ! a ha%k settling his $lu age! an& refol&e& the

to his bo&y" His tail ga'e a single lash! stirring rock &ust an& grit into the air" The great hea& turne&! his eyes &e an&ing %e be as $lease& %ith this ne% self as he %as" Aerity/as/Dragon stro&e for%ar& to $resent hi self to his )ueen" The hea& he bent to her &%arfe& her" I sa% her %hole reflection in one glea ing black eye" Then he &i$$e& a shoul&er to her! bi&&ing her ount" For one instant! grief controlle& her face" Then (ettricken &re% a breath an& beca e Iueen" Fearlessly she stro&e for%ar&" She $lace& her han& on Aerity.s shining blue shoul&er" His scales %ere slick an& she sli$$e& a trifle as she cla bere& to his back an& then cra%le& for%ar& to %here she coul& stra&&le his neck" Starling ga'e Iueen once e a look! of terror an& a a1e ent! an& follo%e& the ore slo%ly" I sa% her take her $lace behin& (ettricken! an& check ore that her har$/$ack %as secure& to her back" in fare%ell to us" She shoute& so ething! but the e in the %in& of the &ragon.s o$ening %ings" Once! t%ice! y face an& 5ighteyes $resse& close against
18DD

(ettricken lifte& an ar %or&s %ere lost to stingingly against

thrice he fla$$e& the ! as if getting the feel of the " Rock &ust an& grit fle% y leg" The

&ragon crouche& as he gathere& his great legs un&er hi " The %i&e tur)uoise %ings beat again an& he s$rang u$ su&&enly" It %as not a graceful launch! an& he %obble& a bit as he took flight" I sa% Starling clutch &es$erately at (ettricken! but (ettricken leane& for%ar& against his neck! shouting her encourage ent" In four beats! his %ings carrie& hi sa% hi half the length of the )uarry" He lifte&! circling o'er the hills an& trees that surroun&e& the )uarry" I &i$ his %ings an& turn to ins$ect the Skill roa& that le& to the )uarry" higher an& higher" His against the Then his %ings began to beat stea&ily! carrying hi su

belly %as a bluish %hite! like a li1ar&.s" I s)uinte& to see hi Buck" =ong after he %as gone fro I let out sight! I stare& after hi " y eyes on

er sky" Then! like a blue an& sil'er arro%! he %as gone! s$ee&ing to%ar& y breath finally" I %as tre bling" I %i$e& y slee'e an&

turne& to%ar& the Fool" ;ho %as gone" 65ighteyes: ;here is the Fool07 ;e both kno% %here he is gone" There is no nee& to shout" I kne% he %as right" Yet I coul& not &eny the urgency I felt" I ran &o%n the ra $ of stone! lea'ing the e $ty &ais behin& e" 6Fool07 I crie& as I reache& ight be $acking u$ %hat the tent" I e'en $ause& to look insi&e! ho$ing that he

%e.& nee& to take %ith us" I &on.t kno% %hy I in&ulge& such a foolish ho$e" 5ighteyes ha& not %aite&" ;hen I reache& Jirl/on/a/Dragon! he %as alrea&y there" He %as sitting $atiently! tail neatly coile& about his feet! looking u$ at the Fool" I slo%e& %hen I sa% hi " -y $re onition of &anger fa&e&" He %as sitting on the e&ge of the &ais! feet &angling! hea& leane& back against the &ragon.s leg" The surface of the &ais %as littere& %ith fresh chi$s fro this &ay.s efforts" I %alke& to%ar& hi " His eyes %ere lifte& to the sky an& the ex$ression on his face %as %istful" 9ontraste& against the &ragon.s rich green hi&e! the Fool %as %hite no longer! but the $alest of gol&s" There %as e'en a
18DE

ta%ny e&ge to his silky fine hair" The eyes he turne& to 'ery slo%ly shook his hea& at her $e&estal"

e %ere $ale to$a1" He

e! but he &i& not s$eak until I leane& against ust

6I ha& been ho$ing" I coul& not hel$ ho$ing" But I ha'e seen to&ay %hat be $ut into a &ragon so it can fly"7 He shook his hea& consu e all of e! it %oul& not be enough"7 Starling Bir&song" I let hi

ore forcefully" 6#n&

e'en if I ha& the Skill to gi'e it! I &o not ha'e it to gi'e" E'en %ere she to I &i& not say that I kne% that" I &i& not e'en say that I ha& sus$ecte& it all along" I ha& finally learne& so ething fro ha'e a silence for a ti e" Then I sai&! 65ighteyes an& I are going to go get t%o 4e$$as" ;hen I co e back! %e ha& better $ack s%iftly an& be gone" I &i& not see Aerity gi'e chase to anything" *erha$s that But I &on.t %ant to take any chances"7 He &re% a &ee$ breath" 6That is %ise" It is ti e for this Fool to be %ise" ;hen you co e back! I shall hel$ you $ack"7 I reali1e& then I %as still gri$$ing Aerity.s s%or& in its sheath" I took off the $lain shorts%or& an& re$lace& it %ith the bla&e Ho& ha& %eighe& strangely against this07 He glance& at I left hi e! a $u11le& look" 6;hat for0 I. a Fool! not a killer" I.'e ne'er e'en learne& to use one"7 there! to say his fare%ells" #s %e %en&e& our %ay out of the )uarry an& to%ar& the %oo&s %here %e ha& been $asturing the 4e$$as! the %olf lifte& his nose an& snuffe&" 5othing left of 9arro& but a ba& s ell! he note& as %e $asse& the 'icinity of the bo&y" 6I su$$ose I shoul& ha'e burie& hi !7 I sai& as
18EH

eans Regal.s troo$s are still far a%ay"

a&e for Aerity" It

e" I offere& the shorts%or& to the Fool" 6;ant

uch to

yself as hi "

5o sense in burying 4e$$as on a hillsi&e

eat that is alrea&y rotten! he note& %ith $u11le ent" ea&o%" They %ere ore reluctant to be caught than I ha& u$ consi&erably ore than they or a%ay! the others

I $asse& the black $illar! but not %ithout a s all shu&&er" I foun& our straying ex$ecte&" 5ighteyes en4oye& roun&ing the

I &i&" I chose the lea& 4e$$a an& one other! but as I le& the

&eci&e& to trail along after us as %ell" I shoul& ha'e ex$ecte& it" I ha& rather ho$e& the rest %oul& stay an& go %il&" I &i& not relish the i&ea of six 4e$$as at y heels all the %ay back to @haa $e" # ne% thought ca e to $ast the $illar an& into the )uarry" I &i& not ha'e to return to @haa $e" The hunting here is as goo& as any %e.'e foun&" ;e.'e the Fool to think of! as %ell as oursel'es" I %oul& not let hi go hungry: #n& %hen %inter co es0 ;hen %inter co es! then , He is attacke&: 5ighteyes &i& not %ait for e" He streake& $ast e! gray an& lo%! cla%s y scratching against the black stone of the )uarry floor as he ran" I let go of 4e$$as an& ran after hi " The %olf.s nose tol& instant later! he ha& i&entifie& Burl! e'en as he hurtle& to%ar& the " The Fool ha& not left Jirl/on/a/Dragon" That %as %here Burl ha& foun& hi " He ust ha'e co e )uietly! for the Fool %as ne'er easy to take una%ares" an& &ri$$e& fro his fingerti$s" He *erha$s his obsession ha& betraye& hi " ;hate'er the case! Burl ha& got the first cut in" Bloo& ran &o%n the Fool.s ar ha& left s ears of it all u$ the &ragon as he cli be& her" 5o% he clung! feet brace& against the girl.s shoul&ers an& one han& gri$$ing the &ragon.s ga$ing lo%er 4a%" In his free han& he gri$$e& his knife" He stare& &o%n at Burl balefully! %aiting" Skill boile& fro Burl! angry an& frustrate&"
18E1

e as I le& the

e of hu an scent in the air" #n

Burl ha& cli be& u$ onto the &ais an& %as seeking to cla ber u$ the &ragon itself no% as he stro'e to reach u$ an& i $ose a Skill/touch on the Fool" The s oothly scale& hi&e %as &efying hi " Only one as agile as the Fool coul& ha'e shinnie& u$ to the $erch %here he clung 4ust out of Burl.s reach" Burl &re% his s%or& in frustration an& s%ung it at the Fool.s brace& feet" Its ti$ isse&! but not by uch! an& its bla&e rang against the girl.s back" The Fool crie& out as lou&ly as if the bla&e ha& bit truly! an& sought to scrabble higher" I sa% his han& sli$ %here his o%n bloo& ha& grease& the &ragon.s hi&e" Then he %as sli&ing &o%n! scrabbling frantically as he ca e &o%n har& right behin& the girl.s seat on the &ragon.s back" I sa% his hea& bounce glancingly against her shoul&er" He looke& half stunne&! an& clung %here he %as" Burl lifte& his s%or& for a secon& s%ing! one that coul& easily se$arate the Fool.s leg fro his bo&y" Instea&! soun&less as hate coul& be! the %olf surge& behin&" I %as still running to%ar& the as u$ onto the &ais an& took Burl fro

I sa% 5ighteyes. i $act &ri'e Burl for%ar& to s ack against Jirl/on/a/ Dragon" He sank to his knees against the statue" His s%or& blo% race& a%ay fro that clash of etal against stone! like the ri$$les isse& the a&e %hen Fool an& rang again against the &ragon.s glea ing green hi&e" Ri$$les of color one tosses a $ebble in a still $on&" I reache& the &ais as 5ighteyes &arte& his hea& in" His 4a%s close&! gri$$ing Burl fro behin&! bet%een his shoul&er an& neck" Burl screa e&! his 'oice like a rabbit" Then the %olf ore sure of his gri$" e at the sa e going a a1ingly shrill" He &ro$$e& his s%or& an& lifte& his han&s to clutch at the %olf.s ra'ening 4a%s" 5ighteyes %orrie& hi brace& his front feet on Burl.s %i&e back an& a&e

So e things ha$$en too s%iftly to tell %ell" I felt ;ill behin&

o ent that the %il& s$attering of Burl.s bloo& beca e a su&&en gushing" 5ighteyes ha& se'ere& the great 'ein in his throat! an& Burl.s life %as $u $ing
18E2

out in 4u $ing gouts of scarlet" For you!

y brother: 5ighteyes tol& the Fool" again" The bloo&

This kill for you: 5ighteyes still &i& not let go! but shook hi

lea$e& like a fountain as Burl struggle&! not kno%ing he %as alrea&y &ea&" The bloo& struck the &ragon.s glea ing hi&e an& ran &o%n it! to $u&&le in the chisele& troughs the Fool ha& a&e atte $ting to free his feet an& tail" #n& there the bloo& bubble& an& stea e&! eating into the stone as scal&ing %ater %oul& ha'e eaten into a chunk of ice" The scales an& cla%s of the &ragon.s hin& feet %ere un'eile&! the &etail of the %hi$like tail ex$ose&" #n& as 5ighteyes finally flung &o%n Burl.s lifeless bo&y! the &ragon.s %ings o$ene&" Jirl/on/a/Dragon soare& u$ into the sky as she ha& straine& to &o for so long" It see e& an effortless lifting! al ost as if she floate& a%ay" The Fool %as borne a%ay %ith her" I sa% hi blan& eyes an& still no lean for%ar&! clutching instincti'ely at the su$$le e" I gli $se& the erely another in %aist of the girl before hi " His face %as turne& a%ay fro ore se$arate fro the &ragon than its tail or %ing+

outh of the girl.s face" *erha$s her eyes sa%! but she %as

a$$en&age! one to %hich the Fool clung as they rose higher an& higher" I sa% all these things! but not because I stoo& an& stare&" I sa% the u$ behin& gli $ses! an& through the %olf.s eyes" -y o%n ga1e I turne& on ;ill as he ran e" He carrie& a bare& bla&e in his han& an& ran easily" I &re% Aerity.s s%or& as I turne&! an& foun& it took longer co ing out of its sheath than the shorts%or& I ha& beco e accusto e& to" The strength of ;ill.s Skill hit y %alls against hi " He kne% e" I kne% again the shock of e'en if it &i& not strea e in a buffeting %a'e 4ust as the ti$ of e %ell" That first %a'e ha& been co $oun&e& y broken nose! I felt the burn of y s$lit face Aerity.s bla&e ca e free of the scabbar&" I staggere& back a ste$ an& thre% u$ not 4ust of fear! but of s$ecific $ains" They ha& been $re$are& es$ecially for hot bloo& &o%n
18E8

y chest as it once ha&" For a fro1en

heartbeat! all I coul& &o %as hol& s%or& I gri$$e& see e& su&&enly &roo$ing to%ar& the earth" Burl.s &eath sa'e& e" In the

y %alls against that cri$$ling $ain" The a&e of lea&" It sagge& in y han&! its ti$

o ent that 5ighteyes flung his lifeless bo&y

&o%n! I sa% that &eath la$ against ;ill" His eyes sagge& al ost shut %ith the i $act of it" The last e ber of his coterie %as gone" I felt ;ill &i inish y in& an i age of 9arro&.s rotting bo&y an& abru$tly! not 4ust as Burl.s Skill no longer su$$le ente& his o%n! but as grief %ashe& o'er hi " I foun& in flung that at hi for goo& easure" He staggere& back"

6You.'e faile&! ;ill:7 I s$at the %or&s" 6Aerity.s &ragon has alrea&y risen" E'en no% it %ings to%ar& Buck" His )ueen ri&es %ith hi ! an& she bears %ithin her his heir" The rightful king %ill reclai 5o y his throne an& cro%n! he %ill the -ountains" y si&e" scourge his coasts of Re&/Shi$s an& scour Regal.s troo$s fro outh" 6I %in"7 Snarling! 5ighteyes a&'ance& to stan& at

atter %hat you &o here no%! you are &efeate&"7 # strange s ile t%iste& e out of his eyes" He %as as

Then ;ill.s face change&" Regal looke& at

un o'e& by Burl.s &eath as he %oul& be by ;ill.s" I sense& no grief! only anger at a lessening of his $o%er" 6*erha$s!7 he sai& %ith ;ill.s 'oice! 6$erha$s then! all I shoul& care for is killing you! Bastar&" #t %hate'er the cost"7 He s ile& at e! the s ile of a an %ho kno%s ho% the tu bling &ice y y %ill fall before they lan&" I kne% a o ent of uncertainty an& fear" I flung

%alls u$ tighter against ;ill.s insi&ious tactics" 6Do you really think a one/eye& s%or&s an has a fighting chance against bla&e an& y %olf! Regal0 Or &o you $lan to thro% his life a%ay as casually as

you ha'e the rest of the coterie07 I flung the )uestion in a faint ho$e of stirring &iscor& bet%een the "

18E<

6;hy not07 Regal aske& truly as stu$i& as # %a'e of Skill struck before it! then regaine& ;ill! ho% it

e cal ly %ith ;ill.s 'oice" 6Or &i& you think I %as e %ith the force of a %all of %ater" I staggere& back yself an& charge& at ;ill" I.& ha'e to kill hi if he kille& e %ith a Skillblast" I coul& feel hi y heart into killing as he et y first

y brother! to be content %ith only one coterie07

)uickly" Regal ha& control of ;ill.s Skill" He little care& %hat it %oul& &o to ight scorch hi &ra%ing u$ Skill $o%er into hi self" Yet e'en as I $ut all ;ill! Regal.s %or&s ate at e" #nother coterie0 y battere& One/eye& or not! ;ill %as fast" His bla&e %as a $art of hi

thrust an& turne& it" I %ishe& for an instant for the fa iliarity of breaking $ast his guar&" The %olf sought to close on Regal fro again" I sli$$e& a%ay fro fast for that" 6Young! strong Skill users" To car'e &ragons of %hose bree1e I felt" 6Dragons at y beck! loyal to o'e& s%iftly $ast

shorts%or&" Then I thre% such thoughts asi&e as useless an& thought only of e! belly lo%! as he y bla&e ;ill.s blin& si&e" his thrust an& trie& to %ra$ his bla&e" He %as too y o%n"7 # s%i$ing slash e" Dragons to bring &o%n eet

6Three ne% coteries:7 ;ill.s 'oice gas$e& %ith effort as he $arrie&

Aerity! in bloo& an& scales"7 He s$un an& &arte& a thrust at 5ighteyes" The %olf lea$t %il&ly a%ay" I s$rang in! but his bla&e %as alrea&y back to illusion he force& on The -ountains %ill be then"7 His bla&e struck $oun&e& against e0 e" #n& o$en the -ountain $asses" e y shoul&er" His %or&s 4olte& aster the ine as %ell" I shall be a hero" 5o one %ill o$$ose ine har&! a 4olt I felt in ine" He fought %ith incre&ible s$ee&" #nother use of the Skill0 Or a Skill/ 6Then they shall clear the Re&/Shi$s" For

e as %ell" They rang %ith truth an& &eter ination" Skill/i bue&! they e %ith the soli& force of ho$elessness" 6I shall
18E?

Skill roa&" The ancient city %ill be &renche& in the ri'er.s agic"7

y ne% ca$ital" #ll

y Skill users shall be his shoul&er" #n&

#nother s%i$e at 5ighteyes" It sha'e& a %is$ of hair fro again that o$ening $asse& too s%iftly for shoul&er/&ee$ in %ater an& fought a

y o%n clu sy bla&e" I felt I stoo&

an %hose bla&e %as light as a stra%"

6Stu$i& Bastar&: Di& you truly think I care& about one $regnant %hore! one &ragon a/%ing0 The )uarry itself is the true $ri1e! the one you ha'e left unguar&e& for rise: 6 Ho% ha& %e been so stu$i&0 Ho% ha& %e not seen %hat Regal truly sought0 ;e ha& thought %ith our hearts! of Six Duchies folk! of far ers an& fisher en %ho nee&e& their king.s ar to &efen& the " But Regal0 He ha& thought only e" #n& in the of %hat the Skill coul& %in for hi " I kne% his next %or&s before he flung the " 6In Bingto%n an& 9halce& they %ill ben& their knees to OutIslan&s! they %ill co%er at Others co e: #n& abo'e us: 5ighteyes. %arning nearly kille& s$rang at behin& hi ! fro the e" For in the instant I lifte& y eyes! ;ill e" I ga'e groun&! all but running back%ar& to a'oi& his bla&e" Far outh of the )uarry! a &o1en ere troo$s coul& ha'e en ran to%ar& us! far o'e& not in ste$ but %ith a oneness to the y na e"7 e" The stuff fro %hich a score! no! a hun&re& &ragons shall

bran&ishing bla&es" They ore cohesi'e than any

astere&" # coterie" I sense& eet the ! teeth bare&! in&:

their Skill as they a$$roache& like the stor %in&s that $rece&e a s)uall" ;ill su&&enly halte& his a&'ance" -y %olf race& to snarling" 5ighteyes: Sto$: You cannot fight t%el'e bla&es %iel&e& by one ;ill lo%ere& his bla&e! then casually sheathe& it" He calle& to the coterie o'er his shoul&er" 6Don.t bother %ith the " =et the archers finish the "7
18EB

# glance at the to%ering %alls of the )uarry sho%e&

e this %as no bluff3

Jol&/an&/bro%n/cla& sol&iers %ere co ing into $osition" I gras$e& this %as %hat the troo$s %ere about" 5ot to &efeat Aerity! but to take an& hol& this )uarry" #nother %a'e of hu iliation an& &es$air %ashe& o'er y bla&e an& charge& at ;ill" Hi ! at least! I %oul& kill" #n arro% clattere& across the stone %here I ha& stoo&! an other skittere& right bet%een 5ighteyes. legs" # screa rose fro the %alls of the )uarry to the e! the Fool on her back! a gol&/ an %as gone su&&enly! %est of us" Jirl/on/a/Dragon s%e$t lo% o'er a $uff of s oke or stea e" Then I lifte&

an&/bro%n archer %rithing in the &ragon.s 4a%s"" The

s%e$t a%ay by the %in& of her $assage" She banke&

her %ings! ca e in lo% again! snatching u$ another archer an& sen&ing one lea$ing into the )uarry to a'oi& her" #nother $uff of s oke" On the floor of the )uarry! all of us %ere fro1en! ga$ing u$" ;ill reco'ere& ore )uickly than I &i&" #n angry shout to his archers! ringing %ith Skill" 6Fire u$on her: Bring her &o%n:7 #l ost instantly a $halanx of arro%s %ent singing to%ar& her" So e arche& an& fell before they e'en reache& her" The rest she &eflecte& %ith a single $o%erful beat of her %ings" The arro%s su&&enly %obble& in the gust of her %in&! an& fell tu bling like stra%s to shatter on the )uarry floor" Jirl/on/a/ Dragon abru$tly stoo$e& an& ca e &i'ing &irectly at ;ill" He fle&" I belie'e Regal aban&one& hi for at least as long as it took hi to ake that &ecision" He ran! an& for an instant it a$$eare& that he chase& the %olf %ho ha& nearly close& the &istance bet%een hi the an& the coterie" Sa'e at %ith a o ent the coterie reali1e& that ;ill %as fleeing to%ar& the

&ragon sheering through the air behin& the ! the coterie turne& on their heels an& fle& as %ell" I caught a brief flash of 5ighteyes. &elighte& triu $h that

18EC

t%el'e s%or&s en %oul& not stan& to

eet his charge" Then he co%ere& to the

earth as Jirl/on/a/Dragon s%e$t lo% o'er all of us" It %as not only the harsh %in& of her $assage that I felt! but also a &i11ying s%ee$ of Skill! that in an instant snatche& fro an& then han&e& back to #hea& of y in& e'ery thought I ha& been hol&ing" #s if the %orl& ha& been $lunge& briefly into absolute &arkness e in full brightness it %as" I stu ble& as I ran! an& for an instant coul& not recall %hy I carrie& a bare& s%or& or %ho I chase&" e ;ill faltere& as her sha&o% s%e$t hi ! an& then the coterie staggere& in their turn" Her cla%s snatche& fruitlessly at ;ill as she $asse&" The scattere& blocks of black stone %ere his sal'ation! for such %as her %ings$an that he coul& elu&e her in the narro%ness of their a1e" She shrieke& her frustration! the high %il& ake a secon& s%ee$ at hi " I cry of a ha%k th%arte&" She rose an& banke& to

gas$e& as she fle% right into a singing flight of arro%s" They rattle& uselessly off her hi&e as if the archers ha& targete& the black stone of the )uarry itself" Only the Fool co%ere& a%ay fro consu e hi fro in an instant" e! an& again a o ent of y life %as snatche& uch as a y y eyes to fin& ;ill gone" Then I caught a brief gli $se of a ha%k" I coul& no longer see the coterie! the sha&o% of a stone block to race by the " Jirl/on/a/Dragon change& course their i&st an& abru$tly! to fly lo% o'er the archers an& snatch another fro #gain her sha&o% s%e$t o'er e" I o$ene&

hi ! 'eering as he ran &o&ging bet%een the stan&ing blocks of stone hare breaks his trail as he flees fro but su&&enly 5ighteyes s$rang fro si&e" Oh!

y brother! the Scentless One hunts %ell: he exulte&" ;e %ere %ise to into our $ack: y kill: I &eclare& to hi "
18ED

take hi ;ill is

Your kill is

y kill! he $ointe& out! )uite seriously" That is $ack" #n& he shall

be no one.s kill unless %e s$rea& out to fin& hi " He %as right" #hea& of us! I hear& shouts an& occasionally sa% a gol&/an&/ bro%n flash as a But ost of the an &ashe& across a %i&e s$ace bet%een the blocks of stone" ha& ra$i&ly un&erstoo& that the %ay to re ain sheltere& fro ense stone blocks"

the &ragon %as to cling closely to the e&ges of the i for hi there"

They are running for the $illar" If %e get to %here %e can see it! %e can %ait It see e& logical" To flee through the $illar %oul& be the only %ay they coul& ho$e to esca$e the &ragon for any length of ti e" I still hear& the occasional clatter as arro%s raine& &o%n in the &ragon.s %ake! but a goo& $ortion of the archers %ho ha& ringe& the )uarry %alls ha& retreate& to the shelter of the surroun&ing forest" 5ighteyes an& I aban&one& all efforts to fin& ;ill an& si $ly %ent &irectly to the $illar" I ha& to a& ire the &isci$line of so e of Regal.s archers" Des$ite all else! if the %olf an& I broke co'er for cry of 6There they are:7 an& %here %e ha& been" ;e reache& the $illar in ti e to see t%o of Regal.s ne% coterie &ash across the o$en! han&s reaching! to $lunge into the &ark $illar itself the o ent they o'e touche& it" The rune for the stone gar&en %as the one they chose! but $erha$s it %as only because it %as the si&e of the $illar closest to co'er" ;e &i& not fro the angle of a great block that sheltere& us fro arro%s" Di& he go through alrea&y0 *erha$s" ;ait" Se'eral eternities $asse&" I beca e certain that ;ill ha& elu&e& us" #bo'e us Jirl/on/a/Dragon s%e$t her sha&o% o'er the )uarry %alls" The cries of her
18EE

ore than a fe% stri&es! %e %oul& hear a

o ents later arro%s %oul& be hailing &o%n

'icti s %ere less fre)uent" The archers %ere using the co'er of trees to hi&e the sel'es" Briefly I %atche& her rise! circling high abo'e the )uarry" She hung shining green high against the blue sky! rocking on her %ings" I %on&ere& %hat it %as like for the Fool to ri&e so" #t least he ha& the girl $art of the &ragon to cling to" #bru$tly Jirl/on/a/Dragon ti$$e&! si&e sli$$e& in the sky! an& then fol&e& her %ings! $lu eting &o%n to%ar& us" #t the o ent she &i&! ;ill broke co'er an& ran for the $illar" 5ighteyes an& I lea$e& after hi " ;e %ere agoni1ingly close behin& hi " I ran fast! but the %olf ran faster! an& ;ill fle& the fastest of all" #t the %hen his reaching fingerti$s brushe& the $illar! the %olf His front $a%s sla $illar" #s I sa% hi snatche& a%ay fro blackness" Tales aboun& of heroes %ho ha'e %restle& &ark foes in the un&er%orl&" There are a fe% tol& of those %ho ha'e %illingly entere& the &ark unkno%n to rescue frien&s or lo'ers" In a ti eless hol& hi o ent! I %as offere& )uite clearly a choice" I e an& in& an& being" coul& sei1e ;ill an& choke the life out of hi " Or clas$ 5ighteyes to together against all the forces that tore at his %olf.s It %as! really! no &ecision at all" ;e e erge& into cool sha&e an& tra $le& grass" One scrabble& to o ent there %as only &arkness an& $assage+ in the next %e breathe&! an& felt again" #n& feare&" I y feet! a a1e& to fin& I still gri$$e& Aerity.s s%or&" 5ighteyes hea'e& hi self u$! staggere& t%o ste$s an& fell o'er" Sick" *oisone&" The %hole %orl& s%ays"
1<HH

o ent

a&e a final s$ring"

e& into ;ill.s back! sen&ing hi

hea& first to%ar& the

elting into it! I crie& out a %arning to 5ighteyes an& back" He sei1e& one of ;ill.s cal'es as ;ill %as o ent that his 4a%s close& on ;ill.s flesh! the y gri$ on the %orl& an& fell into us" #t the

gri$$e& his fur to &rag hi

&ragon.s sha&o% s%e$t o'er us" I lost

=ie still an& breathe" I stoo& before hi -ost of the

an& lifte&

y eyes to glare aroun& us" ost of Regal.s ne% coterie" at the

-y ga1e %as returne&! not only by ;ill but by

%ere still breathing har&! an& one ga'e a shout of alar

sight of us" ;hen ;ill shoute&! a nu ber of Farro% guar&s ca e running as %ell" They fanne& out to surroun& us" ;e ust go back through the $illar" It.s our only chance" I cannot" You go" 5ighteyes. hea& &roo$e& to%ar& his $a%s an& his eyes close&" That is not $ack: I tol& hi kille& hi yself first" e an archer %ho can shoot a an off a sternly" I lifte& Aerity.s s%or&" So this %as ho% I e" I $robably %oul& ha'e %as going to &ie" I %as gla& the Fool ha& not tol&

6@ust kill hi !7 ;ill or&ere& the " 6;e.'e %aste& enough ti e on hi " (ill an& the %olf" #n& then fin& &ragon.s back for be %akene& an& e"7 Regal turne& ;ill.s back to e an& stro&e a%ay! still

issuing or&ers" 6You! Thir& 9oterie" You tol&

e a finishe& &ragon coul& not

a&e to ser'e" ;ell! I ha'e 4ust seen an un/Skille& Fool &o

that 'ery thing" You %ill fin& out ho% it %as &one" You %ill begin no%" =et the Bastar& test his Skill against s%or&s"7 I lifte& y s%or& an& 5ighteyes $ulle& hi self to his feet" His )ueasiness y fear as the circle of sol&iers close& aroun& us" ;ell! if I ore to fear" *erha$s I %oul& try y %alls! flinging the ust y Skill against their la$$e& against

&ie no%! there %as no s%or&s" I &iscar&e&

asi&e &is&ainfully" The Skill %as a yself %ith it" # secon& breath y

ri'er that rage& all aroun& banishe&

e! a ri'er that in this $lace %as al%ays in floo&" #s

easily as &ra%ing a breath it %as to fill %olf" Besi&e

y bo&y.s %eariness an& $ains" I reache& out %ith strength to a&e hi

e! 5ighteyes ga'e hi self a shake" The rising of his hackles an& t%ice as large" -y eyes circle& the s%or&s
1<H1

the baring of his teeth

that surroun&e& us" Then %e no longer %aite&! but s$rang to s%or&s lifte& to to slash a eet an.s leg fro behin&"

eet the " #s

ine! 5ighteyes race& for%ar& an& un&er the ! then s$un

5ighteyes beca e a creature of s$ee&! teeth! an& fur" He &i& not try to bite an& hol&" Instea& he use& his %eight to knock stu bling into one another! ha stringing the his teeth rather than biting" For o ent a #s for an turne& to hi en off balance! sen&ing the %hen he coul&! slashing %ith as

e the challenge beca e not to strike at hi

he &ashe& thither an& yon" He ne'er trie& to challenge their s%or&s" The an& a&'ance&! he fle&! to shoul&er $ast the legs of e" those %ho sought to confront

e I %iel&e& Aerity.s s%or& %ith a grace an& a skill I ha& ne'er before e! an& if such a thing %ere $ossible! I %oul& say that the s$irit of e as I %iel&e& it" I e in! but neither coul& they get

kno%n %ith such a %ea$on" Ho&.s lessons an& Ho&.s %ork finally ca e together for the s%or& aster %as in the %ea$on an& that she sang to coul& not break out of the circle they $inne& $ast y guar& to &o ore than inor &a age" y s%or& an& ste$ to%ar& the ! but e" I

In that first flurry of battle! %e fought %ell an& &i& %ell! but the o&&s %ere i $ossible" I coul& force in the next coul& o ent I en back fro ust turn to fight those %ho ha& close& behin& e ali'e" Other

o'e the circle of battle! but not esca$e it" Still! I blesse& the greater en %ere co ing at a run to

reach of Aerity.s s%or& that ke$t 5ighteyes an& Jet clear of the e! forcing hi

the &in an& shouts of fighting" Those %ho ca e &ro'e a %e&ge bet%een e'er farther a%ay" y brother" en hacke& at each other in a futile the all! then su&&enly ca e loo$ing back! all an& run" Run" =i'e! i&st" Regal.s

For ans%er he race& a%ay fro charging right through their

effort to sto$ hi " They %ere not use& to an o$$onent less than half the height
1<H2

of a the

an an& %ith t%ice the s$ee& of one" -ost ai e& cho$$ing blo%s at hi ore than clea'e the earth in his %ake" In an instant! he %as $ast ore into the lush forest" -en glare& about an& ha& 'anishe& once

that &i& no

%il&ly! %on&ering %here next he %oul& co e fro " But e'en at the hottest of the fight! I kne% the ho$elessness of %hat %e &i&" Regal %oul& %in" E'en %ere I to kill e'ery %oul& %in" Ha& alrea&y %on for all that al%ays %oul&0 Ha& not I kno%n! fro &estine& to rule0 I took a su&&en ste$ for%ar&! took off a o entu ti$ across the face of another an.s ar at the elbo%! an& use& the of that blo% to call the s%or&.s bla&e back in an arc that took the an" #s the t%o fell! tangling together! there %as y Skill y y y in&" I felt a bla&e lick against y attacker.s s%or&! then ba&e a&e goo& like a &rill/%or an here! ;ill inclu&e&! Regal atter" #n& ha& I not kno%n he

the 'ery beginning! that Regal %as

a tiny o$ening in the circle" I took a ste$ into the brief s$ace+ focuse& an& sei1e& ;ill.s insi&ious gri$ u$on bo&y think for itself for a o ent an& left shoul&er as I &i& so" I s$un to engage

y gri$ on ;ill" ;oun& e'en if he ha& been eat an&

through ;ill.s consciousness I foun& Regal! t%iste& into hi in a &eer.s heart" ;ill coul& not ha'e broken free of hi able to think of &oing it" #n& it see e& to ;ill to e'en for

e that there %as not enough left of

a thought for hi self" ;ill %as a bo&y! a 'essel of

bloo&! hol&ing Skill for Regal to %iel&" Bereft of the coterie that ha& strengthene& hi ! he %as not all that for i&able a %ea$on any ore" =ess 'aluable" One that ight be use& an& cast asi&e %ith little re orse" y gri$ on ;ill.s in&! ine! an& stro'e to &irect y bo&y as %ell" In y right I coul& not fight in both &irections at once" I ke$t force& his thoughts a%ay fro the next instant! I took t%o cuts! one to

y left calf an& one to

1<H8

forear " I kne% I coul& not sustain it" I coul& not see 5ighteyes" He at least ha& a chance" Jet clear of this! 5ighteyes" It.s all o'er" It but begins: he contra&icte& Fro fro e" He surge& through e like a flash of heat" in& so e other $art of the ca $! I hear& a cry in ;ill.s 'oice" So e%here! a ;ill.s" I cla $e& y hol& tighter on the both" Stay an& face it! Regal: it an& stu ble& against y back to hi yself u$right again" It %as

;it/%olf ra'age& his bo&y" I coul& sense Regal trying to un%in& his The $oint of a s%or& foun& y hi$" I 4erke& a%ay fro

stone! lea'ing a bloo&y han&$rint as I $ushe& thankfully an& turne& to face

Real&er.s &ragon+ I ha& &ragge& the battle that far" I $ut $lainly Regal ha& learne& so ething fro %olf %ith Skill! but he coul& %ra$ hi ore to the Skill! fille&

y attackers" 5ighteyes an& ;ill still fought+ his tortures of ;itte& ones" He %as %ith layer u$on layer of fear" y ears" I o$ene& yself once

not as 'ulnerable to the %olf as he once %oul& ha'e been" He coul& not hurt the 5ighteyes. heart %as su&&enly thun&ering in Skill strength as ;it to 5ighteyes" For you! at ;ill! breaking free of hi both" I longe& to gi'e chase! but behin& in Real&er.s &ragon" In a brief stench!

yself an& &i& that I ha& ne'er atte $te& before" I fe& y brother" I felt 5ighteyes re$el for an instant" ;ill use& that instant to flee us e! I felt an ans%ering stir of the ;it y bloo&y han&$rint on his hi&e s oke& of torn lea'es as a great

a%ay" He stirre&" He %as a%akening" #n& he %as hungry" There %as a su&&en crackling of branches an& a stor %in& broke into the still heart of the forest" Jirl/on/a/Dragon lan&e& abru$tly in the s all cleare& s$ace by the $illar" Her lashing tail cleare& the area aroun& her of en" 6O'er there:7 the Fool shoute& to her! an& in a o ent her hea& snake& out! to sei1e one of y attackers in her fearso e 4a%s" He 'anishe& in a

$uff of s oke! an& I felt her Skill s%ell %ith the life she ha& consu e&"

1<H<

Behin&

e! a %e&ge/sha$e& re$tilian hea& lifte& su&&enly" For a

o ent all

%as blackness as that sha&o% $asse& o'er s%ifter than a striking snake! to sei1e the stea near &eafene& -y brother0 I li'e! 5ighteyes" #s &o I! brother" #S DO I! BROTHER" #5D I H>5JER: e" of %hat he ha& been stinking briefly $ast

e" Then the hea& &arte& out! an nearest us" He 'anishe&! the e" The roar the &ragon ga'e

The ;it/'oice of a 'ery large carni'ore" Ol& Bloo& in&ee&" The strength of it shi'ere& through y bones" 5ighteyes ha& the %it to re$ly" Fee&! then! large brother" -ake our kill yours! an& %elco e" That is $ack" Real&er.s &ragon &i& not ha'e to be in'ite& t%ice" ;hoe'er Real&er ha& been! he ha& $ut a healthy a$$etite into his &ragon" Jreat cla%e& feet tore clear of the oss an& earth+ a tail lashe& free! felling a s all tree as it $asse&" I %as barely able to scra ble out of his $ath as he lunge& to engulf another Farro% an in his 4a%s" Bloo& an& the ;it: That is %hat it takes" Bloo& an& the ;it" ;e can %ake the &ragons" Bloo& an& the ;it0 #t the He un&erstoo& In the e instantly" ost! a contest the %olf easily his coat onto it! then bi& it! eat" #n& as each great bo&y o ent! %e are &renche& in both"

i&st of slaughter! 5ighteyes! an& I $laye& an insane chil&.s ga e" It

%as al ost a contest to see %ho coul& %ake the %on" He %oul& &art to a &ragon! shake bloo& fro ;ake! brother! an& fee&" ;e ha'e brought you

s oke& %ith %olf/bloo& an& then stirre&! he %oul& re in& it! ;e are $ack:

1<H?

I foun& (ing ;is&o " His %as the antlere& &ragon! an& he rouse& fro slee$ shouting! Buck: For Buckkee$: E&a an& El! but I a There are Re&/Shi$s a$lenty off the coast of Buck! Stone an& souls ha& hungry:

his

y lor&" They but a%ait

your 4a%s! I tol& hi " For all his %or&s! there %as little hu an left about hi " erge&! to beco e &ragons in truth" ;e un&erstoo& one another as carni'ores &o" They ha& hunte& as a $ack before! an& that they recalle& %ell" -ost of the other &ragons ha& nothing at all hu an about the " They ha& been sha$e& by El&erlings! not ha& been for e& by coteries ha& &i It %as not those strange Behin& in&s" ore &ragons in the un&erbrush" eat! but life" Trees y knee! the e" *ain %as y han& e! %here Regal.s sol&iers ha& ca $e&! I hear& the cries of hunte& en! an& %e un&erstoo& little ore of one another than that %e %ere brothers an& ha& brought the e ories that boun& the to e! but eat" Those %ho

recollections of Buck an& Farseer kings" y $ro ise of foo&" I uch on those

counte& it as the greatest blessing that I coul& i $rint that There ca e a ti e %hen I coul& fin& no

en an& the roaring of &ragons as they co $ete& for not

ga'e %ay before their charges an& their lashing tails slice& brush as a scythe cuts grain stalks" I ha& $ause& to breathe! one han& brace& on other still gri$$ing Aerity.s s%or&" Breath ca e harsh an& &ry to beginning to break through the Skill I ha& i $ose& on &ri$$ing fro &o%n 6Fit107 I turne& as the Fool ran u$ to e" He caught e in his ar s! hugge& e har&" all that 6You still li'e: Thank all go&s e'ery%here" She flies like the %in& itself! an& she kne% %here to fin& you" So eho% she felt this battle! fro &istance"7 He $ause& for breath! an& a&&e&! 6Her hunger is insatiable" Fit1! you
1<HB

y bo&y" Bloo& %as

y fingers" =acking a &ragon to gi'e it to! I %i$e&

y 4erkin"

ust co e %ith %ith &o"7

e! no%" They are running out of $rey" You

ust

ount her

e! an& lea& the

to %here they can fee&! or I &o not kno% %hat they %ill uch ga e to

5ighteyes 4oine& us" This is a large an& hungry $ack" It %ill take fill the " Shall %e go %ith the ! to their hunting0 5ighteyes hesitate&" On the back of one0 Through the air0 That is ho% they hunt" That is not this %olf.s %ay" But if you I &o not lea'e you! ust lea'e

e! I %ill un&erstan&"

y brother" I &o not lea'e you" ust lea& the " On Jirl/on/a/

I think the Fool sense& so ething of %hat $asse& bet%een us! for he %as alrea&y shaking his hea& before I s$oke" 6You Dragon" Take the back to Buck an& Aerity" They %ill hearken to you! for you a&e for this! this slaughter: This taking of life is not

are $ack %ith us" It is so ething they un&erstan&"7 6Fit1! I cannot" I %as not scroll" I fear I %hy I ca e" I ha'e ne'er seen this! not in any &rea ! nor rea& of it in any ay lea& ti e a%ry"7 the 9atalyst! an& I ca e to change all things" y o%n et the Fool.s 65o" This is right" I feel it" I a

*ro$hets beco e %arriors! &ragons hunt as %ol'es"7 I har&ly kne% 'oice as I s$oke" I ha& no i&ea %here such %or&s ca e fro " I unbelie'ing eyes" 6It is as it ust be" Jo"7

6Fit1! I ,7 Jirl/on/a/Dragon ca e lu bering to%ar& us" On the groun&! her airy grace &eserte& her" Instea& she %alke& %ith $o%er! as a hulking bear or a great horne& bull &oes" The green of her scales shone like &ark e eral&s in sunlight" The girl on her back %as a breathtaking beauty! for all her e $ty ex$ression" The &ragon hea& lifte& an& she o$ene& her tongue out to taste the air" -ore0
1<HC

outh an& &arte& her

6Hurry!7 I bi& hi " He e brace& e al ost con'ulsi'ely! an& shocke& a han& as she &re% hi e %hen he kisse& y outh" He s$un an& ran to%ar& Jirl/on/a/Dragon" The girl $art of her leane& &o%n! to offer hi 6To u$ to sit behin& her" The ex$ression on her face ne'er change&" @ust another $art of the &ragon" e:7 he crie& to the &ragons that %ere alrea&y gathering aroun& us" The e %as a ocking s ile" an&e& the uch before I coul& think" eat" Hearken to hi ! for he last look he ga'e He is a

Follo% the Scentless One: 5ighteyes co ighty hunter an& %ill lea& you to is $ack %ith us"

Jirl/on/a/Dragon lea$e& u$! her %ings o$ene&! an& %ith $o%erful beats they carrie& her stea&ily u$%ar&" The Fool clung behin& her" He lifte& a han& in fare%ell! then )uickly $ut it back to clutch at her %aist" It %as hi " The others follo%e&! gi'ing cry in a %ay that re in&e& trail! sa'e they soun&e& such that I co'ere& besi&e y last sight of e of houn&s on a

ore like the shrilling of ra$tor bir&s" E'en the %inge&

boar rose! ungainly as %as his lea$ into the air" The beating of their %ings %as y ears an& 5ighteyes shrank belly/&o%n to the earth e" Trees s%aye& in that great $assage of &ragons! an& &ro$$e&

branches both &ea& an& green" For a ti e the sky %as fille& %ith 4e%ele& creatures! green an& re& an& blue an& yello%" ;hene'er the sha&o% of one $asse& o'er e! I kne% a blackness! but y eyes %ere o$ene& an& %atching as fro y 'ie%" Jra&ually their Real&er.s &ragon lifte&! last of the cries fa&e&" 6Your &ragons are co ing! Aerity!7 I tol& the an I ha& once kno%n" 6The El&erlings ha'e risen to Buck.s &efense" @ust as you sai& they %oul&"7 all! to follo% that great $ack into the sky"

In a short ti e! the cano$y of the trees hi& the

1<HD

9H#*TER FORTY Regal THE 9#T#=YST 9O-ES to change all things" In the %ake of the &ragons. &e$arture! there %as a great silence! broken only by the %his$ers of lea'es as a fe% sifte& &o%n to the forest floor" 5ot a frog croake&! not a bir& sang" The &ragons ha& broken the roof of the forest in their &e$arture" Jreat shafts of sunlight shone &o%n on soil that ha& been sha&e& since before I %as born" Trees ha& been u$roote& or sna$$e& off an& great troughs ha& been gouge& in the forest floor by the $assage of their i bo&ies" Scaly shoul&ers ha& gashe& the bark fro secret %hite ca biu grasses ga'e u$ their rich o&ors to the %ar the &estruction! 5ighteyes at to look for %ater" Our $assage took us through the ca $" It %as an o&& battle scene" There %ere scattere& %ea$ons an& occasional hel s! tra $le& tents an& scattere& gear! but little ore than that" The only bo&ies that re aine& %ere those of sol&iers that eat+ they fe& y 5ighteyes an& I ha& kille&" The &ragons ha& no interest in &ea& on the life that fle& such tissue" I foun& the strea I ha& recalle& an& thre% yself flat by it to &rink as if thirst ha& no botto " 5ighteyes la$$e& besi&e e! then flung hi self to the ense ancient trees! baring the i&st of

beneath" The slashe& earth an& trees an& tra $le& afternoon" I stoo& in the y si&e! an& looke& about slo%ly" Then %e %ent

cool grass by the strea " He began a slo%! careful licking of a slash on his fore$a%" It ha& $arte& his hi&e! an& he $resse& his tongue into that ga$! cleaning it carefully"
1<HE

It %oul& heal as a fusing of &ark hairless skin" @ust another scar! he &is isse& y thought" ;hat shall %e &o no%0 I %as carefully $eeling I set y shirt off" Drying bloo& a&e it cling to y in4uries" y teeth an& 4erke& it loose" I leane& o'er the strea ! to s$lash col& %ater ore scars! I tol& yself glu ly"

u$ onto the s%or& cuts I ha& taken" @ust a fe% #n& %hat shall %e &o no%0 Slee$"

The only thing that %oul& soun& better than that %oul& be eating" 6I.'e no sto ach to kill anything else right no%!7 I tol& hi " That.s the trouble %ith killing hu ans" #ll that %ork! an& nothing to eat for it" I hea'e& I left yself %earily to y feet" 6=et.s go look through their tents" I nee& ust ha'e so e foo& stores"7 so ething to use for ban&aging" #n& they %eight see e& too ha'e been too

y ol& shirt %here it ha& fallen" I.& fin& another" Right no%! e'en its uch to bother carrying" I.& $robably ha'e &ro$$e&

Aerity.s s%or&! exce$t that I ha& alrea&y sheathe& it" Dra%ing it again %oul& uch trouble" I %as su&&enly that tire&" The tents ha& been tra $le& flat in the &ragons. hunting" One ha& colla$se& into a cook fire an& %as s ol&ering" I &ragge& it a%ay an& tra $le& it out" Then the %olf an& I began syste atically to sal'age %hat %e %oul& nee&" His nose )uickly foun& their foo& su$$lies" There %as so e &rie& eat! but it %as ostly tra'el brea&" ;e %ere too fa ishe& to be fussy" I ha& gone so long %ithout brea& of any kin& that it taste& al ost goo&" I e'en foun& a skin of %ine! but one taste $ersua&e& e to use it to %ash y in4uries instea&" I boun& e %ash his y %oun&s in bro%n ca bric fro a Farro% an.s shirt" I still ha& so e %ine

left" I taste& it again" Then I trie& to $ersua&e 5ighteyes to let in4uries! but he refuse&! saying they alrea&y hurt enough" I %as starting to stiffen! but I force& an& &iscar&e& fro yself to

y feet" I foun& a sol&ier.s $ack

it all things useless to

1<1H

e" I rolle& u$ t%o blankets an& tie&

the

snugly! an& foun& a gol&/an&/bro%n cloak to %ear against chilly age& u$ ore brea& an& $ut it in the $ack"

e'enings" I ru

;hat are you &oing0 5ighteyes %as &ro%sing! nearly aslee$" I &on.t %ant to slee$ here tonight" So I gather %hat I %ill nee& for our 4ourney" @ourney0 ;here are %e going0 I stoo& still for a o ent" Back to -olly an& Buck0 5o" 5e'er again" @haa $e0 ;hy0 ;hy tra'el that long an& %eariso e black roa& again0 I coul& think of no goo& reasons" ;ell! I still &on.t %ant to slee$ here tonight" I.& like to be %ell a%ay fro that $illar before I rest again" Aery %ell" Then! ;hat %as that0 ;e fro1e as %e stoo&! e'ery sense $rickling" 6=et.s go an& fin& out!7 I suggeste& )uietly" #fternoon %as 'enturing into e'ening! an& the sha&o%s un&er the trees %ere &ee$ening" ;hat %e ha& hear& %as a soun& that &i&n.t belong a ongst the creakings of the frogs an& insects an& the fa&ing calls of the &ay bir&s" It ha& co e fro the $lace of battle" ;e foun& ;ill on his belly! &ragging hi self to%ar& the $illar" Rather! he ha& been &ragging hi self" ;hen %e foun& hi ! he %as still" One of his legs %as gone! se'ere& a%ay 4agge&ly" Bone thrust out of the torn flesh" He ha& boun& a slee'e about the stu $! but not tightly enough" Bloo& still leake& fro it" 5ighteyes bare& his teeth as I stoo$e& to touch hi " He li'e&! but barely" 5o &oubt he ha& ho$e& to reach the $illar an& sli$ through to fin& others of Regal.s en to ai& hi " Regal hi that long" ore tightly" Then I lifte& his hea&! an& outh"
1<11

ust ha'e kno%n he still li'e&! but he ha& sent no one an %ho ha& ser'e&

back for hi " He ha& not e'en the &ecency to be loyal to a I loose& the slee'e! an& boun& it &ribble& a little %ater into his

;hy &o you bother0 5ighteyes aske&" ;e hate hi ! an& he.s nearly &ea&" =et hi &ie" e! ;ill07 a bit ore %ater" He outhful" He took a &ee$er 5ot yet" 5ot 4ust yet" 6;ill0 9an you hear The only sign %as a change in his breathing" I ga'e hi breathe& so e in! gas$e&! then s%allo%e& the next breath! an& sighe& it out" I o$ene& yself an& gathere& Skill" &ie" This is the &oing of carrion bir&s! to $eck ay be the last chance I.ll e'er get at e" He %atche& as I -y brother! lea'e this" =et hi at a &ying thing" 6It.s not ;ill I. Regal" I. He &re% still 9oul& I su after! 5ighteyes" This going to take it"7 ore Skill into on enough0 yself" Ho% uch! I %on&ere&! &i& it take to kill0

a&e no re$ly! but lay &o%n on the groun& besi&e

;ill %as so %eak I al ost felt sha e&" I thrust $ast his &efenses as easily as one %oul& $ush asi&e a sick chil&.s han&s" It %as not 4ust the loss of bloo& an& the $ain" It %as Burl.s &eath! follo%ing so close on 9arro&.s" #n& it %as the shock of Regal.s aban&on ent" His o%n loyalty to Regal ha& been Skill/ i $rinte& on hi " He coul& not gras$ that Regal ha& felt no real bon& %ith hi " It sha e& hi ahea&" I. that I coul& see that in hi " (ill e no%! Bastar&" Jo &ying any%ay" as if I %ere $robing a %oun& for an arro%hea&" He struggle& y in'asion! but I ignore& that" I shuffle& through his ore than grou$s of e ories!

It.s not about you! ;ill" It %as ne'er about you" I sa% that clearly no%" I gro$e& insi&e hi feebly against an& green! little

but foun& little that %as useful" Yes! Regal ha& coteries! but they %ere young en %ith $otential for the Skill" E'en the
1<12

ones I ha& seen at the )uarry %ere uncertain" Regal %ante& hi coteries! so they coul& $ool closeness coul& not be force&! nor share& by that

to

ake large

ore $o%er" Regal &i& not un&erstan& that any" He ha& lost four young

Skill users on the Skill roa&" They %ere not &ea&! but 'acant/eye& an& 'ague" #nother t%o ha& co e through the $illars %ith hi ! but ha& lost all ability to Skill after%ar&" 9oteries %ere not so easily a&e" e but I linke& %ith hi ! an& fiercely" #n& there! I %ent &ee$er an& ;ill threatene& to &ie on &ee$ %ithin hi !

force& strength into hi " You %on.t &ie" 5ot yet! I tol& hi

y $robing finally foun& %hat I sought" # Skill/link to

Regal" It %as tenuous an& faint+ Regal ha& aban&one& hi ! &one all he coul& to lea'e ;ill behin&" But it %as as I ha& sus$ecte&" They ha& been linke& too strongly for too long for the bon& to be easily &issol'e&" I gathere& y Skill! centere& yself! an& seale& yself" I $oise& yself! an& be& that has then I lea$e&" #s %hen a su&&en rain gathers an& fills a strea been &ry all su Regal" #t the last $ossible hi " He sle$t" 5o" He al ost sle$t! his lungs thick %ith S oke! his fro co'erlets %ar outh nu b bran&y" I &rifte& into his &rea s" The be& %as soft beneath hi ! the o'er hi " This last falling fit ha& been a ba& one! a 'ery ba& o ent! I hel&

er! so I flo%e& through that Skill link bet%een ;ill an& yself back" I see$e& into Regal.s

in& like slo% $oison! listening %ith his ears! seeing %ith his eyes" I kne%

one" It %as &isgusting! to fall an& t%itch like the Bastar& Fit1" 5ot $ro$er for this to ha$$en to a king" Stu$i& healers" They coul& not e'en say %hat ha& brought these fits on" ;hat %oul& $eo$le think of hi 0 The tailor an& his a$$rentice ha& seen+ no% he %oul& ha'e to kill the " 5o one ust kno%" They %oul& laugh at hi " The healer ha& sai& he %as better! last %eek" ;ell! he %oul& fin& a ne% healer! an& hang the ol& healer to orro%" 5o" He %oul& gi'e
1<18

hi

to the Forge& ones in the (ing.s 9ircle! they %ere 'ery hungry no%" #n&

then let the big cats out %ith the Forge& ones" #n& the bull! the big %hite one %ith the s%ee$ing horns an& the hu $" He trie& to s ile an& tell hi self it %oul& be a using! to tell hi self that to orro% %oul& bring hi $leasure" The roo %as thick %ith the cloying o&or of S oke! but e'en it coul& scarcely soothe hi " #ll ha& been going so %ell! so 'ery 'ery %ell" #n& then the Bastar& ha& ruine& it all" He ha& kille& Burl! an& %akene& the &ragons an& sent the to Aerity" Aerity! Aerity! it %as al%ays Aerity" E'er since he.& been born" Aerity an& 9hi'alry got tall horses! %hile he %as ke$t to a $ony" Aerity an& 9hi'alry got real s%or&s! but he ust $ractice %ith %oo&" Aerity an& 9hi'alry! al%ays together! al%ays ol&er! al%ays bigger" #l%ays thinking they %ere better! e'en though he ca e of finer bloo& than they! an& by right shoul& ha'e inherite& the throne" His ba&e hi other ha& %arne& hi of their 4ealousy of hi " His other ha& if they al%ays be careful! an& ore than careful" They %oul& kill hi

coul&! they %oul&! they %oul&" -other ha& &one her best! she ha& seen the sent a%ay as uch as she coul&" But e'en sent a%ay! they ight co e back" 5o" There %as only one %ay to be safe! only one %ay" ;ell! he %oul& %in to orro%" He ha& coteries! &i& he not0 9oteries of fine strong young %oul& ake en! coteries to ore coteries an& ake &ragons for hi ! an& hi ore &ragons! an& alone" The ore in coteries %ere boun& to hi an& the &ragons %oul& be boun& to hi " #n& he ore! until he ha& far

than Aerity" Exce$t ;ill ha& been teaching the coteries for hi ! an& no% ;ill %as useless" Broken like a toy! the &ragon bit his leg off %hen he flung hi # the air! an& ;ill ha& lan&e& in a tree like a kite %ith no %in&" It %as &isgusting" an %ith one leg" He coul&n.t stan& broken things" His blin& eye ha& been en think of a king %ho ke$t a ba& enough! but to lose a leg! too0 ;hat %oul&
1<1<

cri$$le& ser'ant0 His

other ha& ne'er truste& cri$$les" They are 4ealous! she

ha& %arne& hi ! al%ays 4ealous! an& they %ill turn on you" But ;ill he ha& nee&e& for the coteries" Stu$i& ;ill" It %as all ;ill.s fault" But ;ill %as the one %ho kne% ho% to %ake Skill in $eo$le an& for ;ill0 Regal Skille& tentati'ely to%ar& us" 5ot exactly" I close& =et hi e go: =et off fro e go: a%ay fro hi ! close& y Skill aroun& hi " It %as ri&iculously easy! like its $erch" $icking u$ a slee$ing hen fro I felt hi the into coteries" So aybe he shoul& sen& so eone back for ;ill" If ;ill still li'e&"

reaching for his other coteries" I sla$$e& the

their Skilling" He ha& no strength! he ha& ne'er ha& any real e! o'er a year.s ti e no%" Of than their horses an&

Skill/strength" It ha& all been the coterie.s $o%er that he ha& $u$$eteere&" It shocke& e" #ll the fear I ha& borne insi&e %hat0 Of a %hining! s$oile& chil& %ho sche e& to take his ol&er brothers. toys" The cro%n an& the throne %ere no a cro%n an& &oing %hat he %ishe&" First his his sche ing for hi " He ha& learne& fro the ore to hi s%or&s ha& been" He ha& no conce$t of go'erning a king&o + only of %earing other an& then Jalen ha& &one only a sly cunning as to ho% as he %as3 a

to get his %ay" If Jalen ha& not boun& the coterie to hi ! he %oul& ne'er ha'e %iel&e& any true $o%er" Stri$$e& of his coterie! I sa% hi This is %hat %e ha'e feare& an& fle&0 This0 5ighteyes! %hat &o you here0 Your kill is take" Regal s)uir e& an& thrashe&! literally sickene& by the ;it/touch of the %olf against his in&" It %as unclean an& &isgusting! a &irty &oggy thing! nasty an&
1<1?

cossete& chil& %ith a $enchant for cruelty that ha& ne'er been &enie&"

y kill!

y brother" I %oul& see %hat

eat %e ha'e co e so far to

s elly! as ba& as that rat creature that scuttle& in his roo s at night an& coul& not be caught , 5ighteyes leane& closer! $resse& the ;it against hi coul& s ell hi all that %ay a%ay" Regal retche& an& shu&&ere&" Enough! I tol& 5ighteyes! an& the %olf relente&" If you are going to kill hi ! &o it soon! 5ighteyes a&'ise&" The other one %eakens an& %ill &ie if you &o not hurry" He %as right" ;ill.s breath ha& gone shallo% an& ra$i&" I gri$$e& Regal fir ly! then fe& ore strength into ;ill" He trie& not to take it! but his self/ astery ore strongly" Once ore I &re% Skill y attention %as not that strong" Ji'en a chance! the bo&y %ill al%ays choose to li'e" #n& so his lungs stea&ie& an& his heart beat into yself" I centere& back to Regal" If you kill e %ith it" I ha& thought of that" I ha& ne'er I force& uch en4oye& being Skille&" I ha& rather far in& the fanatical coterie he ha& y Skill u$on hi " %ater be ;itte& than Skille&" It %oul& be no loss" yself to recall Jalen" I calle& to y $ur$ose" create& for Regal" It ga'e sha$e to e! you %ill burn yourself" You %ill lose your o%n Skill if you kill yself in it an& hone& its $ur$ose" I turne& as if he

#s I ha& longe& to &o for so long! I loose& %hen he aske& for it" I e'en co'ere& hi $u11le& the %olf!

#fter%ar&! there %as little left of ;ill" But I sat by hi + an& ga'e hi

%hen he co $laine& faintly of col&" It

y &eath%atch" # knife across his throat %oul& ha'e been so

uch faster for both of us" (in&er! $erha$s" But I ha& &eci&e& I %as no longer an assassin" So I %aite& for his last breath! an& %hen he sighe& it out! I stoo& u$ an& %alke& a%ay"

1<1B

It is a long %ay fro

the -ountain (ing&o

to the coast of Buck" E'en as the the e $ty Stone Jar&en! far

&ragon flies! tirelessly an& s%ift! it is a long! long %ay" For a fe% &ays! 5ighteyes an& I kne% $eace" ;e tra'ele& far fro fro foun& a goo& trout strea the black Skill roa&" ;e %ere both too stiff to hunt %ell! but %e ha& an& %e follo%e& it" The &ays %ere al ost too %ar !

the nights clear an& kin&" ;e fishe&! %e ate! %e sle$t" I thought only of things that &i& not hurt" 5ot of -olly in Burrich.s e brace! but of 5ettle sheltere& by his goo& right ar " He %oul& be a goo& father to her" He ha& ha& $ractice" I e'en foun& it in Shi$s &ri'en fro e to ho$e that she ight ha'e younger brothers an& sisters in years to co e" I thought of $eace returning to the -ountain (ing&o ! of Re&/ the coast of the Six Duchies" I heale&" 5ot co $letely" # scar is ne'er the sa e as goo& flesh! but it sto$s the blee&ing" I %as there on the su er afternoon %hen Aerity/as/Dragon a$$eare& in the

skies o'er Buckkee$" ;ith hi ! I sa% the shining black to%ers an& turrets of Buckkee$ 9astle far belo% us" Beyon& the castle! %here Buckkee$ To%n ha& been! %ere the blackene& shells of buil&ings an& %arehouses" Forge& ones a ble& through the streets! $ushe& asi&e by s%aggering Rai&ers" -asts %ith tatters of can'as &angling fro the thrust u$ through the cal %aters" # &o1en Re&/Shi$s rocke& $eacefully in the harbor" I felt the heart of Aerity/as/ Dragon s%ell %ith anger" I s%ear I hear& (ettricken.s cry of anguish at the sight" Then the great tur)uoise/an&/sil'er &ragon %as alighting in the center groun&s of Buckkee$ 9astle" He ignore& the flight of arro%s that rose to sha&o% s$rea& o'er the eet hi + ignore&! too! the cries of the sol&iers %ho co%ere& before hi ! senseless as his an& his great %ings beat to lo%er his bulk to the groun&" It %as a %on&er he &i& not crush the " E'en as he %as alighting!
1<1C

(ettricken %as trying to stan& u$ u$on his shoul&ers! crying to the guar& to lo%er their $ikes an& stan& a%ay" On the groun&! he &i$$e& his shoul&er to let a &ishe'ele& Iueen (ettricken &is ount" Starling Bir&song sli& &o%n behin& her an& &istinguishe& herself by bo%ing to the line of $ikes that %ere $ointe& at the " I sa% not a fe% faces I recogni1e&! an& share& Aerity.s $ain at ho% $ri'ation ha& transfor e& the " Then *atience ca e forth! $ike gri$$e& tightly! hel aske% u$on her bun&le& the hair" She $ushe& through the a%estricken guar&s! her ha1el eyes flinty in a $inche& face" #t the sight of the &ragon! she halte&" Her ga1e %ent fro %or&" 6El&erling"7 Then she thre% both hel Iueen to the &ragon.s &ark eyes" She took a breath! caught it! then breathe& the an& $ike into the air %ith a %hoo$! an& rushe& for%ar& to e brace (ettricken! crying! 6#n El&erling: I kne% it! I kne% it! I kne% they %oul& co e back:7 She s$un on her heel! issuing a flurry of or&ers that inclu&e& e'erything fro Iueen to rea&ying a charge fro al%ays hol& in her harbor" The =a&y *atience of Buckkee$ ha& beco e use& to being obeye& s%iftly" Aerity rose an& %ent to the battle as he al%ays ha&" #lone" Finally! he ha& his %ish! to confront his ene ies! not %ith the Skill! but in the flesh" On his 'ery first $ass! a slash of his tail shattere& t%o of their shi$s" He inten&e& that none shoul& esca$e hi " It %as but hours later that the Fool an& Jirl/on/a/Dragon an& their follo%ers arri'e& to 4oin hi ! but by then not a Re&/Shi$ re aine& in Buck Harbor" They 4oine& hi in his hunting through the stee$ streets of %hat ha& been Buckkee$ To%n" It %as not yet e'ening %hen the streets %ere e $ty of Rai&ers" Those %ho ha& sheltere& in the castle $oure& back into the to%n! to
1<1D

a hot bath for the

the gates of Buckkee$ 9astle" But %hat I %ill o ent %hen she turne& back! to sta $ her foot to hurry u$ an& get those &a ne& shi$s out of

y heart is the

at Aerity/as/Dragon an& tell hi

%ee$ at the %reckage! it is true! but also to co e near an& %on&er at the El&erlings %ho ha& returne& to sa'e the " Des$ite the nu ber of &ragons %ho ca e! Aerity %as the &ragon that the folk of Buck %oul& re e ber clearest" 5ot that folk re e ber anything too clearly %hen &ragons are flying o'erhea&! casting their sha&o%s belo%" Still! he is the &ragon one sees on all the ta$estries of the 9leansing of Buck" It %as a su %oul& fit into er of &ragons for the 9oastal Duchies" I sa% it all! or as uch as y slee$ing hours" E'en a%ake! I %as a%are of it! like thun&er the &istance" I kne% %hen Aerity le& the &ragons

ore felt than hear& fro

north%ar&! to $urge all Buck an& Bearns an& e'en the 5ear Islan&s of Re&/ Shi$s an& Rai&ers" I sa% the scouring of Ri$$le(ee$! an& the return of Faith! Duchess of Bearns! to her $ro$er kee$" Jirl/on/a/Dragon an& the Fool fle% south along the coast of Ri$$on an& Shoaks! rooting Rai&ers out fro stronghol&s on the islan&s as %ell" Ho% Aerity con'eye& to the of the Six Duchies feare& the not" 9hil&ren ran out fro their that they

ust fee& only on the Rai&ers! I &o not kno%! but that line %as hel&" The folk huts an& cottages! to $oint o'erhea& at the 4e%ele& $assing of the creatures" ;hen the &ragons sle$t! te $orarily satiate&! on the beaches an& in the $astures! the $eo$le ca e out to %alk a ong the fearlessly! to touch %ith their o%n han&s these 4e%el/ glittering creatures" #n& e'ery%here the Rai&ers ha& establishe& stronghol&s! the &ragons fe& %ell" The su er &ie& slo%ly! an& autu n ca e to shorten the &ays an& $ro ise stor s to co e" #s the %olf an& I ga'e thought to shelter for the %inter! I ha& &rea s of &ragons flying o'er shores I ha& ne'er seen before" ;ater churne& col& against those harsh shores! an& ice encroache& on the e&ges of their narro% bays" The OutIslan&s! I sur ise&" Aerity ha& al%ays longe& to bring the

1<1E

%ar to their shores! an& &i& so %ith a 'engeance" #n& that! too! %as as it ha& been in (ing ;is&o .s ti e" It %as %inter an& sno%s ha& co e to the higher reaches of the -ountains but not to the 'alley %here the hot s$rings stea e& in the chill air %hen the &ragons last $asse& o'er y hea&" I ca e to the &oor of y hut to %atch the $ass! flying in great for ations like o'er e! the %orl& blinke& aroun& igrating geese" 5ighteyes turne& his hea& e an& I lost all but the 'aguest e ory of

to their strange calls! an& sent u$ a ho%l of his o%n in ans%er" #s they s%e$t it" I coul& not tell you if Aerity le& their flight! or e'en if Jirl/on/a/Dragon %as a ong the " I only kne% that $eace ha& been restore& to the Six Duchies an& that no Re&/Shi$s %oul& 'enture near our shores again" I ho$e& they %oul& all slee$ %ell in the Stone Jar&en as they ha& before" I %ent back into the hut to turn the rabbit on the cooking s$it" I looke& for%ar& to a long )uiet %inter" So the $ro ise& ai& of the El&erlings %as brought to the Six Duchies" They ca e! 4ust as they ha& in (ing ;is&o .s ti e! an& &ro'e the Re&/Shi$s fro the shores of the Six Duchies" T%o great saile& ;hite Shi$s %ere sunk as %ell in that great cleansing" #n& 4ust as in (ing ;is&o .s ti e! their outstretche& sha&o%s on the folk belo% stole #ll the o ents of life an& e ory as they $asse&" yria& sha$es an& colors of the &ragons a&e their %ay into the scrolls

an& ta$estries of that ti e! 4ust as they ha& before" #n& folk fille& in %hat they coul& not re e ber of the battles %hen &ragons fille& the sky o'erhea&! %ith guesses an& fancies" -instrels a&e songs of it" #ll the songs say that Aerity ca e ho e hi self u$on the tur)uoise &ragon! an& ro&e the beast into the battle against the Re&/Shi$s" #n& the best songs say that %hen the fighting %as o'er! Aerity %as carrie& off by the El&erlings! to feast %ith the in great honor an& then slee$ besi&e the in their agic castle until such ti e as Buck shall nee& to call on hi
1<2H

again" So the truth beca e! as

Starling ha& tol&

e! so ething bigger than the facts" It %as! after all! a ti e ar'elous things to occur"

for heroes an& all sorts of

#s %hen Regal hi self ca e ri&ing! at the hea& of a colu n of six thousan& Farro% en! to bring ai& an& su$$lies! not 4ust to Buck! but to all the 9oastal Duchies" The ne%s of his return ha& $rece&e& hi ! as ha& the barges of li'estock! grain! an& treasures fro strea starte& u$ fro su Tra&efor& Hall itself that ca e in a stea&y &o%n the Buck Ri'er" #ll s$oke in %on&er! of ho% the $rince ha& a &rea ! an& run half/&resse& through the halls of Tra&efor&!

iraculously foretelling the return of (ing Aerity to Buckkee$ an& the oning of the El&erlings to sa'e the Six Duchies" Bir&s %ere sent! the -ountains an& offering his ost hu ble one& his onarch" onetary re$aration to (ing Eyo&" He su %ith&ra%ing all troo$s fro a$ologies an& generous nobles! to foretell to the

that Iueen (ettricken %oul& bear Aerity.s chil&! an&

that! he! Regal! %ishe& to be first to $le&ge fealty to the next Farseer

In honor of the &ay! he ha& or&ere& all gallo%s $ulle& &o%n an& burne&! all $risoners $ar&one& an& free&! an& the (ing.s 9ircle %as to be rena e& the Iueen.s Jar&en! an& $lante& %ith trees an& flo%ers fro all six of the &uchies as a sy bol of ne% unity" ;hen later that &ay the Re&/Shi$s attacke& the outskirts of Tra&efor&! Regal hi self calle& for his horse an& ar or! an& ro&e to lea& the &efense of his folk" Si&e by si&e he fought! next to co on folk of Tra&efor&" ;hen he announce& his allegiance erchants an& ust al%ays be longshore en! nobles an& beggars" He gaine& in that battle the lo'e of the to the chil& Iueen (ettricken carrie&! they 4oine& their 'o%s to his" ;hen he reache& Buckkee$! it is sai& he re aine& on his knees an& robe& only in sackcloth at the gate of Buckkee$ 9astle for so e &ays until the Iueen herself &eigne& to co e forth an& acce$t his ost ab4ect a$ologies for e'er &oubting her honor" Into her han&s he returne& both the cro%n of the Six
1<21

Duchies! an& the si $ler ban& of the (ing/in/;aiting" He no longer %ishe&! he tol& her! to hol& any higher title than uncle to his onarch" The Iueen.s $aleness an& silence at his %or&s %ere $ut &o%n to the uneasy sto ach her $regnancy ga'e her" To =or& 9ha&e! the Iueen.s a&'iser! he returne& all the scrolls an& books of Skill aster Solicity! %ith the $lea that he guar& the for there %as fro uch in the %ell! that coul& be turne& to e'il in the %rong han&s" He

ha& lan&s an& a title he %ishe& to confer on the Fool! as soon as he returne& his %arrioring to Buckkee$" #n& to his &ear! &ear sister/in/la% =a&y *atience! he returne& the rubies that 9hi'alry ha& gi'en her! for they coul& ne'er grace any neck as finely as they &i& her o%n" I ha& consi&ere& ha'ing hi y best ha'e no erect a statue in y e ory! but ha& &eci&e& that %oul& be %oul& be going too far" The fanatical loyalty I ha& i $rinte& on hi ore loyal sub4ect" in his be&

e orial" ;hile Regal li'e&! Iueen (ettricken an& her chil& %oul&

>lti ately! of course! that %as not long" #ll ha'e hear& of the tragic! an& bi1arre &eath of *rince Regal" The rabi& creature that sa'age& hi one night left bloo&y tracks! not 4ust on his be&clothes! but all about the be&cha ber! as if it ha& exulte& in its &ee&" Jossi$ ha& it that it %as an extre ely large ri'er rat that ha& so eho% 4ourneye& %ith hi fro Tra&efor&" It %as all the %ay ost &isturbing to all the folk in the (ee$" The Iueen ense rat

ha& the rat &ogs brought in! to scour e'ery cha ber! but to no a'ail" The beast %as ne'er ca$ture& or kille&! though ru ors of sightings of the i onths after%ar&! =or& 9ha&e %as sel&o seen %ithout his $et ferret" %ere ra $ant a ong the kee$ ser'ants" So e say that that %as %hy! for

1<22

9H#*TER FORTY/O5E The Scribe IF THE TR>TH be kno%n! Forging %as not an in'ention of the Re&/Shi$s" ;e ha& taught it %ell to the ! back in the &ays of (ing ;is&o " The El&erlings that took our re'enge on the OutIslan&s soare& any ti es o'er that any country of islan&s" -any OutIslan&ers %ere &e'oure& outright! but

others %ere o'erflo%n by &ragons so often that they %ere stri$$e& of their e ories an& feelings" They beca e callous strangers to their o%n kin" That %as the grie'ance that ha& rankle& so a ongst that long/ e orie& folk" ;hen the Re&/Shi$s saile&! it %as not to clai their great/great/gran& others" ;hat one folk kno%! another ay &isco'er" They ha& scholars an& %ise folk of as barbarians" So it %as that e that their o%n! &es$ite Six Duchies &is&ain of the Six Duchies territory or %ealth" It %as for re'enge" To &o to us as so long ago %e ha& &one to the ! in the &ays of

ention of &ragons %ere stu&ie& by the ! in e'ery ancient scroll they coul& fin&" ;hile it %oul& be &ifficult to fin& absolute $roof! it see s to so e co$ies of scrolls collecte& by the Skill asters of Buck ha'e been sol&! in the &ays before the Re&/Shi$s ight actually

enace& our coasts! to

OutIslan&er tra&ers %ho $ai& %ell for such things" #n& %hen the slo% o'e ent of glaciers bare&! on their o%n shores! a &ragon car'e& of black stone an& outcro$$ings of ore of that black stone! their %ise en co bine& their kno%le&ge %ith the insatiable lust for 'engeance of one (ebal Ra%brea&" They resol'e& to create &ragons of their o%n! an& 'isit u$on the Six Duchies the sa e sa'age &estruction %e ha& once ser'e& u$on the " Only one ;hite Shi$ %as &ri'en ashore by the El&erlings %hen they cleanse& Buck" The &ragons &e'oure& all her cre%! &o%n to the last an" In her hol& %ere foun& only great blocks of shining black stone" =ocke& %ithin the ! I
1<28

belie'e! %ere the stolen li'es an& feelings of the folk of the Six Duchies %ho ha& been Forge&" Their stu&ies ha& le& the OutIslan&er scholars to belie'e that stone sufficiently i bue& %ith life/force coul& be fashione& into &ragons to ser'e the OutIslan&ers" It is chilling to think ho% close they ca e to &isco'ering the co $lete truth of creating a &ragon" 9ircles an& circles! as the Fool once tol& shore! so (ing ;is&o e" The OutIslan&ers rai&e& our back" #n& the brought the El&erlings to &ri'e the

El&erlings Forge& the OutIslan&ers %ith Skill %hen they fle% o'er their huts so fre)uently" Jenerations later! they ca e to rai& our shores an& Forge our folk" So (ing Aerity %ent to %ake the El&erlings! an& the El&erlings &ro'e the back" #n& Forge& the fester until , I sigh an& set y )uill asi&e" I ha'e %ritten too uch" 5ot all things nee& to be ake y slo% %ay in the $rocess" I %on&er if once ore the hate %ill

tol&" 5ot all things shoul& be tol&" I take u$ the scroll an& to the hearth" -y legs are cra $e& fro an& the fog off the ocean has foun& e'ery ol& in4ury on on e'ery $art of %eather any y bo&y" I thro% the 'ellu ine &o"

sitting on the " It is a col& &a $ &ay! y bo&y an& a%akene&

it" The arro% %oun& is still %orst" ;hen col& tightens that scar! I feel its $ull onto the coals" I ha'e to ste$ o'er 5ighteyes to &o it" His ore than u11le is graying no% an& his bones &o not like this

You are getting fat" #ll you &o any ore is lie by the hearth an& bake your brains" ;hy &on.t you go hunting0 He stretches an& sighs" Jo bother the boy instea& of %oo&" But before I can call hi ! the s ell of burning 'ellu y boy co es into the roo " He %rinkles his nose at an& gi'es
1<2<

e" The fire nee&s

ore

e a scathing look" 6You shoul& ha'e

4ust aske& costs07 I

e to bring

ore %oo&" Do you kno% ho%

uch goo& 'ellu e" He goes out to still not

ake no re$ly! an& he 4ust sighs an& shakes his hea& o'er Starling" I ha'e ha& hi

re$lenish the %oo& su$$ly" He is a gift fro brought hi to for t%o years no%! an& I a use& to hi " I &o not belie'e I %as e'er a boy such as he is" I recall the &ay she e! an& I ha'e to s ile" She ha& co e! as she &oes! so e t%ice e an& chi&e e for y her it %ays" But that ti e she e&iately turne& an& e" He ha& sat outsi&e on a skinny $ony %hile she here"7 or thrice a year! to 'isit ha& brought the boy to $oun&e& on

y &oor" ;hen I o$ene& to her! she ha& i

calle& to hi ! 6Jet &o%n an& co e insi&e" It.s %ar He ha& sli& fro stare& at

the $ony.s bare back an& then stoo& by hi ! shi'ering! as he

e" His black hair ble% across his face" He clutche& an ol& cloak of e"

Starling.s about his narro% shoul&ers" 6I.'e brought you a boy!7 Starling announce&! an& grinne& at I et her ga1e incre&ulously" 6Do you ean , he is ine07 ight &o you goo&"7 She instrel.s life ,7 She shrugge& at e" 6If you.ll ha'e hi " I thought he ight &o hi

$ause&" 6#ctually! I thought you eals an& such" I.'e care& for hi She let her %or&s trail off"

goo&" ;ith clothing an& regular

as long as I can! but a

6Then he is , Di& you! &i& %e ,7 I floun&ere& &enying y ho$e" 6He is your son0 -ine07

y %ay through the %or&s!

Her grin ha& %i&ene& at that! e'en as her eyes ha& softene& in sy $athy" She shook her hea&" 6-ine0 5o" Yours0 I su$$ose it.s $ossible" Di& you $ass through Floun&er 9o'e about eight years ago0 That.s %here I foun& hi onths ago" He %as eating rotten 'egetables fro other is &ea&! an& his eyes &on.t a 'illage six i&&en hea$" His

atch! so her sister %oul&n.t ha'e hi " She

1<2?

says he.s a &e on gotten bastar&"7 She cocke& her hea&/at she a&&e&! 6So I su$$ose he hi " You.ll like 5ighteyes"7 Ha$ is a strange boy! one bro%n eye an& one blue" His erciful! an& his early &oes not see to -isha$" *erha$s! to her! he %as" I fin& I call hi in&" I ha'e taught hi

e an& s ile& as again an&

ight be yours"7 She turne& back to hi

raise& her 'oice" 69o e insi&e! I tell you" It.s %ar " #n& a real %olf li'es %ith other ha& not been

e ories are not gentle ones" She ha& na e& hi 6boy7 as often as not" He to e" his letters an& his nu bers an& the

gro%ing an& har'esting of herbs" He %as se'en %hen she brought hi hunts %ell for the ol& %olf" ;hen Starling co es! she brings %elco e it" Too

5o% he is nearly ten" He is goo& %ith a bo%" 5ighteyes a$$ro'es of hi " He e ne%s" I &o not kno% that I al%ays uch is strange" =a&y uch $a$er no% as

any things ha'e change&! too

*atience rules at Tra&efor&" Their he $ fiel&s yiel& fully as

they &o fine ro$e" The si1e of the gar&ens there ha'e &ouble&" The structure that %oul& ha'e been the (ing.s 9ircle is no% a botanical gar&en of $lants gathere& fro e'ery corner of the Six Duchies an& beyon&" Burrich an& -olly an& their chil&ren are %ell" They ha'e 5ettle an& little 9hi'alry an& another on the %ay" -olly ten&s her hi'es an& can&le sho$! %hile Burrich has use& stu& fees fro Ru&&y an& Ru&&y.s colt to begin to bree& horses again" Starling kno%s these things! for it %as she %ho tracke& the &o%n an& sa% to it that Ru&&y an& Sooty.s colt %ere gi'en o'er to hi " *oor ol& Sooty %as too ol& to sur'i'e the 4ourney ho e fro an& Burrich both belie'e I a In that! I a truly the -ountains" -olly any years &ea&" So eti es I belie'e that! too"

I ha'e ne'er aske& her %here they li'e" I ha'e ne'er seen any of the chil&ren" y father.s son"

1<2B

(ettricken bore a son! *rince Dutiful" Starling tol& coloring! but looks as if he %ill be a tall slen&er Rurisk! $erha$s" She thinks he is -ountain (ing&o

e he has his father.s

an! like (ettricken.s brother the

ore serious than a boy shoul& be! but all of

his tutors are fon& of hi " His gran&father 4ourneye& all the %ay fro

to see the la& %ho %ill so e&ay rule both lan&s" He %as his treaty aking"

%ell $lease& %ith the chil&" I %on&ere& %hat his other gran&father %oul& ha'e thought of all that ha& co e to $ass fro 9ha&e no longer li'es in the sha&o%s! but is the honore& a&'iser to the Iueen3 #ccor&ing to Starling! he is a fo$$ish ol& an %ho is entirely too fon& of the sure co $any of young %o en" But she s iles as she says it! an& 69ha&e Fallstar.s Reckoning7 %ill be the song she is re e bere& for %hen she is gone" I a he kno%s %here I a ! but he has ne'er sought %hen Starling co es! she brings strange herbs" #t other ti es she brings e out" It is as %ell" So eti es!

e curious ol& scrolls! an& see&s an& roots for e fine $a$er an& clear 'ellu " I &o y o%n y

not nee& to ask the source" Occasionally! I gi'e her in return scrolls of ti e in that ancient city+ recor&s of beyon&" She bears the Once it %as a

%riting3 &ra%ings of herbs! %ith their 'irtues an& &angers+ an account of &utifully a%ay" e fro

y 4ourneys through 9halce& an& the lan&s hi " It %as

a$ of the Six Duchies that she brought to

carefully begun in Aerity.s han& an& inks! but ne'er co $lete&" So eti es I look at it an& think of the $laces I coul& fill in u$on it" But I ha'e hung it as it is u$on hi Ia y %all" I &o not think I %ill e'er change it" e&iately acclai e& Regal" 5o after that" #s for the Fool! he returne& to Buckkee$ 9astle" Briefly" Jirl/on/a/Dragon left there! an& he %e$t as she rose %ithout hi " He %as i as a hero an& a great %arrior" sure that is %hy he fle&" He acce$te& neither title nor lan& fro one is )uite sure %here the Fool %ent or %hat beca e of hi
1<2C

Starling belie'es he returne& to his ho elan&" *erha$s" *erha$s! so e%here there is a toy aker %ho akes $u$$ets that are a &elight an& a ar'el" I ho$e y %rist he %ears an earring of sil'er an& blue" The finger$rints he left on ha'e fa&e& to a &usky gray" I think I %ill al%ays iss hi " y %ay back to Buck" One %e s$ent in the uch of I %as six years in fin&ing

-ountains" One %as s$ent %ith Black Rolf" 5ighteyes an& I learne& best" Des$ite Holly.s best effort! Ollie.s girl looke& at an excuse to o'e on again"

our o%n kin& in our seasons there! but &isco'ere& %e like our o%n co $any e an& &eci&e& I %oul& ost &efinitely not &o" -y feelings %ere not in4ure& in the least an& it $ro'i&e& ;e ha'e been north to the 5ear Islan&s! %here the %ol'es are as %hite as the bears" ;e ha'e been south to 9halce&! an& e'en beyon& Bingto%n" ;e ha'e %alke& u$ the banks of the Rain Ri'er an& ri&&en a raft back &o%n" ;e ha'e &isco'ere& that 5ighteyes &oes not like tra'eling by shi$! an& I &o not like lan&s that ha'e no %inters" ;e ha'e %alke& beyon& the e&ges of Aerity.s a$s" I ha& thought I %oul& ne'er return to Buck again" But %e &i&" The autu n %in&s brought us here one year! an& %e ha'e not left since" The cottage %e clai e& as ours once belonge& to a charcoal burner" It is not far fro to%n an& &ro%ne& the e'il e ories of it" So e&ay! $erha$s! e! an& tells e I a Forge! or rather %here Forge use& to be" The sea an& the %inters ha'e &e'oure& that en %ill co e an yet" y again to seek the rich iron ore" But not soon" ;hen Starling co es! she chi&es ;hat! she &e an&s of ha'e a life of %riting an& y %olf an& a young e! beca e of all y insistence that one &ay I %oul& y cottage! %ith e an& I lie

y o%n0 I tell her I ha'e foun& it" Here! in

y boy" So eti es! %hen she be&s %ith

1<2D

a%ake after%ar& listening to her slo% breathing! I think I %ill rise on the orro% an& fin& so e ne% tra$$e& in a young eaning to y life" But ost ornings! %hen I an ol& an! a%ake aching an& stiff! I think I a The Skill &oes not slee$ easily in not a young e" In su an at all" I a

an.s scarre& bo&y" ers es$ecially! %hen I %alk te $te& to reach forth as ate of the $assing e! is that no one e'er a&ness! e an& ans%er"

along the sea cliffs an& look out o'er the %ater! I a

Aerity once &i&" #n& so eti es I &o! an& I kno% for a ti e! of the fisher%o an.s catch! or the &o estic %orries of the erchant shi$" The tor ent of it! as Aerity once tol& reaches back" Once! %hen the Skill/hunger %as on I e'en reache& for Aerity/as/Dragon! i $loring hi He &i& not" Regal.s coteries long ago &isban&e& for lack of a Skill aster to teach the " E'en on the nights %hen I Skill out in &es$air as lonely as a %olf.s ho%ling! begging anyone! anyone to res$on&! I feel nothing" 5ot e'en an echo" Then I sit by gri$ y %in&o% an& look out through the y han&s to kee$ the fro ists $ast the ti$ of #ntler Islan&" I yself e a%ay" It tre bling an& I refuse to $lunge

e to the $oint of to hear

%hole into the Skill ri'er that is %aiting! al%ays %aiting to s%ee$ %oul& be so easy" So eti es all that hol&s in& against ine" eans! an& he -y boy has learne& %hat that look carefully to &ea&en e to on feet" ;e &rea of car'ing our &ragon"
1<2E

e back is the touch of a %olf.s easures the elfbark ask

e" 9arry e he a&&s that I

ay slee$! an& ginger to

the elfbark.s bitterness" Then he brings y %riting" He kno%s that %hen y &esk! slee$ing a i&st

e $a$er an& )uill an& ink an& lea'es orning co es! he %ill fin& e! hea& y

y scattere& $a$ers! 5ighteyes s$ra%le& at

Royal #ssassin Farseer Trilogy Book 2 Robin Hobb *RO=OJ>E Drea s an& #%akenings ;HY IS IT forbi&&en to %rite &o%n s$ecific kno%le&ge of the agics0 of *erha$s because %e all fear that such kno%le&ge %oul& fall into the han&s of one not %orthy to use it" 9ertainly there has al%ays been a syste a$$renticeshi$ to ensure that s$ecific kno%le&ge of lau&able atte $t to $rotect us fro ignores the fact that the agic is $asse& only to

those traine& an& 4u&ge& %orthy of such kno%le&ge" ;hile this see s a un%orthy $ractitioners of arcane lore! it this s$ecific kno%le&ge" agic is either inborn or lacking" For ay also occur as a 6%il& strain both the inlan& tribes an& the in&! no agics are not &eri'e& fro

The $re&ilection for a certain ty$e of instance! the ability for the

agics kno%n as the Skill is tie& closely to bloo&

relationshi$ to the royal Farseer line! though it 6 a ong folk %hose ancestors ca e fro

Outislan&ers" One traine& in the Skill is able to reach out to another.s

atter ho% &istant! an& kno% %hat he is thinking" Those %ho are strongly Skille& can influence that thinking! or ha'e con'erse %ith that $erson" For the con&ucting of a battle! or the gathering of infor ation! it is a Folklore tells of an e'en ol&er agic! Fe% %ill a& it a talent for this ost useful tool" uch &es$ise& no%! kno%n as the ;it"

agic! hence it is al%ays sai& to be the agic of those %ho li'e& on the

$ro'ince of the folk in the next 'alley! or the ones %ho li'e on the other si&e of the far ri&ge" I sus$ect it %as once the natural
1<8H

lan& as hunters rather than as settle& folk+ a

agic for those %ho felt kinshi$

%ith the %il& beasts of the %oo&s" The ;it! it is sai&! ga'e one the ability to s$eak the tongues of the beasts" It %as also %arne& that those %ho $ractice& the ;it too long or too %ell beca e %hate'er beast they ha& bon&e& to" But this ay be only legen&" There are the He&ge $al agics! though I ha'e ne'er been able to &eter ine the agics both 'erifie& an& sus$ect! inclu&ing source of this na e" These are of other

rea&ing! %ater ga1ing! the inter$retation of crystal reflections! an& a host agics that atte $t to $re&ict the future" In a se$arate unna e& agics that cause $hysical effects! such as in'isibility! otion or life to inani ate ob4ects/all the these agics of the ol&

category are the le'itation! gi'ing legen&s! fro see

the Flying 9hair of the ;i&o%.s Son to the 5orth ;in&.s -agic agics as their o%n" They

Tablecloth" I kno% of no $eo$le %ho clai &istant $laces! or beings of

to be solely the stuff of legen&! ascribe& to folk li'ing in ancient ti es or ythical or near/ ythical re$utation3 &ragons!

giants! the El&erlings! the Others! $ecksies" I $ause to clean y $en" -y %riting %an&ers fro s$i&ery to blobbish on this

$oor $a$er" But I %ill not use goo& $arch ent for these %or&s+ not yet" I a not sure they shoul& be %ritten" I ask yself! %hy $ut this to $a$er at all0 ;ill outh to those %ho are not this kno%le&ge be $asse& &o%n by %or& of of these things! ay be a %on&er an& a

%orthy0 *erha$s" But $erha$s not" ;hat %e take for grante& no%! the kno%ing ystery so e&ay to our &escen&ants" agic" I %ork laboriously! tracing There is 'ery little in any of the libraries on

a threa& of kno%le&ge through a $atch%ork )uilt of infor ation" I fin& scattere& references! $assing allusions! but that is all" I ha'e gathere& it! o'er these last fe% years! an& store& it in y hea&! al%ays inten&ing to co
1<81

it

kno%le&ge to $a$er" I %ill $ut &o%n %hat I kno% fro $oor fool! in ti es to co e! %ho of the %is&o the agics %ithin hi

y o%n ex$erience! as

%ell as %hat I ha'e ferrete& out" *erha$s to $ro'i&e ans%ers for so e other ight fin& hi self as battere& by the %arring I to set y %ill against the as I ha'e been" e0 Shall I set &o%n in $lain lettering ust un&ergo before being agics ha'e to $a$er

But %hen I sit &o%n to the task! I hesitate" ;ho a of those %ho ha'e gone before

etho&s by %hich a ;itgifte& one can ex$an& her range! or can bon& a

creature to hi self0 Shall I &etail the training one ne'er been like so lea&s

recogni1e& as a Skille& one0 The He&ge %i1ar&ries an& legen&ary ine" Ha'e I any right to &ig out their secrets an& $in the any butterflies or lea'es collecte& for stu&y0

I try to consi&er %hat one the lo'e of a %o an0 I offere& any such to the %hen offere&"

ight &o %ith such kno%le&ge! un4ustly gaine&" It e" *o%er! %ealth! ock yself" 5either the Skill nor the ;it has e'er

e to consi&er %hat this kno%le&ge has gaine& for

e" Or if they &i&! I ha& not the sense nor a bition to sei1e

*o%er" I &o not think I e'er %ante& it for its o%n sake" I thirste& for it! so eti es! %hen I %as groun& &o%n! or %hen those close to Fro the o ent that I! his bastar& gran&son! $le&ge& e suffere& beneath ones %ho abuse& their $o%ers" ;ealth" I ne'er really consi&ere& it" yself to (ing Shre%&! ore he al%ays sa% that all y nee&s %ere fulfille&" I ha& $lenty to eat!

e&ucation than I so eti es care& for! clothes both si $le an& those annoyingly fashionable! an& often enough a coin or t%o of Jro%ing u$ in Buckkee$! that %as %ealth enough an& y o%n to s$en&" ost boys in ore than

Buckkee$ To%n coul& clai " =o'e0 ;ell" -y horse Sooty %as fon& enough of e! in her o%n $laci& %ay" I ha& the truehearte& loyalty of a houn& na e& 5osy! an& that took hi to his gra'e" I %as gi'en the fiercest of lo'es by a
1<82

terrier $u$! an& it %as like%ise the &eath of hi " I %ince to think of the $rice %illingly $ai& for lo'ing e" #l%ays I ha'e $ossesse& the loneliness of one raise& a i& intrigues an& clustering secrets! the isolation of a boy %ho cannot trust the co $leteness of his heart to anyone" I coul& not go to Fe&%ren! the court scribe! %ho $raise& e for y neat lettering an& %ell/inke& illustrations! an& confi&e that I %as y aster in the Di$lo acy of the (nife! y e erging alrea&y a$$rentice& to the royal assassin! an& thus coul& not follo% his %riting tra&e" 5or coul& I &i'ulge to 9ha&e! the frustrating brutality I en&ure& trying to learn the %ays of the Skill fro Jalen the Skill -aster" #n& to no one &i& I &are s$eak o$enly of $rocli'ity for the ;it! the ancient beast taint to any %ho use& it" 5ot e'en to -olly" -olly %as that though that %as co $any of ost cherishe& of ite s3 a genuine refuge" She ha& absolutely y &ay/to/&ay life" It %as not 4ust that she %as fe ale! ystery enough to e" I %as raise& al ost entirely in the y natural other an& father! but of any e" #s a chil&! y care %as y father.s any nothing to &o %ith agic! sai& to be a $er'ersion an& a

en! bereft not only of

bloo& relations that %oul& o$enly ackno%le&ge right/han&

entruste& to Burrich! the gruff stable aster %ho ha& once been an" The stable han&s an& the guar&s %ere

y &aily co $anions"

Then as no%! there %ere %o en in the guar& co $anies! though not so then as no%" But like their their ti e" I ha& no %o en %ho offere& %o en" 5one sa'e -olly"
1<88

ale co ra&es! they ha& &uties to $erfor ! an& y o%n" There %ere no

li'es an& fa ilies of their o%n %hen they %ere not on %atch" I coul& not clai other! nor sisters or aunts of e the s$ecial ten&erness sai& to be the $ro'ince of

She %as but a year or t%o ol&er than

yself! an& gro%ing the sa e %ay a s$rig

of greenery forces its %ay u$ through a ga$ in the cobblestones" 5either her father.s near/constant &runkenness an& fre)uent brutality nor the grin&ing chores of a chil& trying to aintain the $retense of both ho e an& fa ily et her! she %as as %il& an& %ary as a business coul& crush her" ;hen I first bore the

fox cub" -olly 5oseblee& she %as calle& a ong the street chil&ren" She often arks of the beatings her father ga'e her" Des$ite his cruelty! she ho e after one of his binges an& $ut hi to be&" #n& %hen care& for hi " I ne'er un&erstoo& that" He %oul& gru ble an& berate her e'en as she tottere& hi There %ere only he a%oke! he ne'er ha& any re orse for his &runkenness an& harsh %or&s" ore criticis s3 ;hy ha&n.t the chan&lery been s%e$t an& fresh stre%ing herbs $ut on the floor0 ;hy ha&n.t she ten&e& the beehi'es! %hen they %ere nearly out of honey to sell0 ;hy ha& she let the fire go out un&er the tallo% $ot0 I %as %o an %ho left ute %itness ore ti es than I care to re e ber" er! into a young ine an& turn y But through it all! -olly gre%" She flo%ere&! one su&&en su $art! she see e& totally una%are of ho% her eyes coul& tongue to leather in y outh" 5o $roof against the acci&ental touch of her han& against e against the a%k%ar&ness that o'er%hel e& eyes shifte& fro a ong the e'er %ork the eet

e in a%e of her ca$able %ays an& %o anly char s" For her agic I $ossesse&! no Skill! no ;it! %as ine! nor coul& &efen& e at the )uirk of her s ile" oo& an& the

Shoul& I catalog her hair flo%ing %ith the %in&! or &etail ho% the color of her &ark a ber to rich bro%n &e$en&ing on her color of her go%n0 I %oul& catch a gli $se of her scarlet skirts an& re& sha%l arket throng! an& su&&enly be a%are of no one else" These are ight set the &o%n on $a$er! no other coul& %ith such skill" agics I %itnesse&! an& though I

1<8<

Ho% &i& I court her0 ;ith a boy.s clu sy gallantries! ga$ing after her like a si $leton %atching the %hirling &isks of a 4uggler" She kne% I lo'e& her before I &i&" #n& she let e court her! although I %as a fe% years younger than she! an& not one of the to%n boys an& $ossesse& of s all $ros$ects as far as she kne%" She thought I %as the scribe.s erran& boy! a $art/ti e hel$er in the stables! a (ee$ runner" She ne'er sus$ecte& I %as the Bastar&! the unackno%le&ge& son that ha& to$$le& *rince 9hi'alry fro line of succession" That alone %as a big enough secret" Of other $rofession! she kne% nothing" -aybe that %as %hy I coul& lo'e her" It %as certainly %hy I lost her" I let the secrets an& failures an& $ains of There %ere for a fro y other li'es kee$ e too busy" agics to learn! secrets to ferret out! en to kill! intrigues to e e'ery%here else" y %orl&" Instea&! I y his $lace in the agics an& y

sur'i'e" Surroun&e& by the ! it ne'er occurre& to She %as a$art fro

e that I coul& turn to -olly

easure of the ho$e an& un&erstan&ing that elu&e& any touch of the " I ne'er trie& to &ra% her into

these things! unsullie& by the " I carefully $reser'e& her

%ent to hers! to the fishing an& shi$$ing $ort to%n %here she sol& can&les an& honey in her sho$! an& sho$$e& in the beaches %ith e" To not e'en &are to ho$e she There ca e a ti e %hen arket! an&! so eti es! %alke& on the e to lo'e" I &i& isery so atter to e! it %as enough that she existe& for ight return that feeling" y training in the Skill groun& y failure e into a ight not yself for being

&ee$ I &i& not think I coul& sur'i'e it" I coul& not forgi'e unable to learn it+ I coul& not i agine that others" I cloake&

y &es$air in surly %ith&ra%al" I let the long %eeks $ass! an&

ne'er sa% her or e'en sent her %or& that I thought of her" Finally! %hen there %as no one else that I coul& turn to! I sought her" Too late" I arri'e& at the
1<8?

Beebal

9han&lery in Buckkee$ To%n one afternoon! gifts in han&! in ti e to asculinity of his su$erior years" >nnotice&! %alk off ar in ar " I %atche& her yself onths that follo%e&! I trie& to con'ince

see her lea'ing" 5ot alone" ;ith @a&e! a fine broa&/cheste& sea an! %ith a bol& earring in one ear an& the sure go! an& I let her go! an& in the that ha& run after the think of so I got on %ith &efeate&! I slunk a%ay an& %atche& the

y heart ha& let her go as %ell" I %on&er %hat %oul& ha'e ha$$ene& if I that afternoon! if I ha& begge& one last %or& of her" O&&! to is$lace& $ri&e an& his schoole& y thoughts! an& s$oke of her to no one" any e'ents turning u$on a boy.s y life" e as his assassin %ith a great cara'an of folk going to

acce$tance of &efeats" I set her out of (ing Shre%& sent bri&e" -y

%itness the $le&ging of the -ountain *rincess (ettricken as *rince Aerity.s ission %as to )uietly cause the &eath of her ol&er brother! *rince Rurisk! subtly of course! so that she %oul& be left the sole heir to the -ountain throne" But %hat I foun& %hen I arri'e& there %as a %eb of &eceit an& lies engineere& by fro y youngest uncle! *rince Regal! %ho ho$e& to to$$le Aerity the *rincess as his o%n bri&e" I %as the the line of succession an& clai

$a%n he %oul& sacrifice for this goal+ an& I %as the $a%n %ho instea& to$$le& the ga e $ieces aroun& hi ! bringing his %rath an& 'engeance &o%n on yself! but sa'ing the cro%n an& the *rincess for *rince Aerity" I &o not think this %as herois " 5or &o I think it %as $etty s$ite %reake& on one %ho ha& al%ays bullie& an& belittle& oath" The $rice %as e" It %as the act of a boy beco ing a an! an& &oing %hat I ha& s%orn to &o years before I co $rehen&e& the cost of such an y healthy young bo&y! so long taken for grante&" orning ca e %hen I a%oke an& belie'e& that y long =ong after I ha& &efeate& Regal.s $lot! I lingere& in a sickbe& in the -ountain (ing&o " But finally a illness %as finally o'er" Burrich ha& &eci&e& I %as reco'ere& enough to begin
1<8B

the long 4ourney back ho e to the Six Duchies" *rincess (ettricken an& her entourage ha& left for Buckkee$ %eeks before! %hen the %eather %as still fine" 5o% %inter sno%s alrea&y s othere& the higher $arts of the -ountain (ing&o " If %e &i& not lea'e @haa $e soon! %e %oul& be force& to %inter there" I %as u$ early that orning! &oing y final $acking! %hen the first s all yself! %ith tre ors began" Resolutely! I ignore& the " I %as 4ust shaky! I tol&

not ha'ing eaten breakfast yet! an& the excite ent of the 4ourney ho e" I &onne& the gar ents that @on)ui ha& furnishe& for our %inter 4ourney through the -ountains an& across the $lains" For e there %as a long re& shirt! $a&&e& y %ith %ool )uilte& into it" The )uilte& trousers %ere green! but e broi&ere& %ith re& at the %aist an& cuffs" The boots %ere soft! al ost sha$eless until sheare& %ool an& tri feet %ere lace& insi&e the " They %ere like sacks of soft leather! $a&&e& %ith e& %ith fur" They fastene& to the feet %ith long a&e tying the a &ifficult %ra$$ings of leather stri$s" -y tre bling fingers ountains! but to be%are of getting the %et" y reflection" 5ot y

task" @on)ui ha& tol& us they %ere %on&erful for the &ry sno% of the There %as a looking glass in the roo " #t first! I s ile& at gar ents! y face %as thin an& $ale! e" But I tol& aking

e'en (ing Shre%&.s fool &resse& as gaily as this" But abo'e the bright y &ark eyes too large! %hile fe'er/shorn hair! black an& bristly! stoo& u$ like a &og.s hackles" -y illness ha& ra'age& asi&e fro ho e to the yself I %as finally on y han&s" e" I $icke& u$ a y %ay ho e" I turne& irror" #s I $acke& the fe% s all gifts I ha& selecte& to take

y frien&s! the unstea&iness gre% in

For the last ti e Burrich! Han&s! an& I sat &o%n to break fast %ith @on)ui" I thanke& her once again for all she ha& &one to%ar& healing s$oon for the $orri&ge! an& sil'ery sha$e fall an& fell after it"
1<8C

y han& ga'e a t%itch" I &ro$$e& it" I %atche& the

The next thing I re e ber is the sha&o%y corners of the be&roo " I lay for a long ti e! not ine to co trust o'ing or s$eaking" I %ent fro a state of e $tiness to in& %ere kno%ing I ha& ha& another sei1ure" It ha& $asse&+ both bo&y an& an& once ol&! an age %hen

ore" But I no longer %ante& the " #t fifteen years the si $lest task" It %as &a age&! an& I re4ecte& it e! y raging &isa$$oint ent" ;hy coul&n.t I

ost %ere co ing into their full strength! I coul& no longer

y bo&y to $erfor

fiercely" I felt sa'agely 'in&icti'e to%ar& the flesh an& bone that enclose& an& %ishe& for so e %ay to ex$ress heal0 ;hy ha&n.t I reco'ere&0

6It.s going to take ti e! that.s all" ;ait until half a year has $asse& since the &ay you %ere &a age&" Then assess yourself"7 It %as @on)ui the healer" She %as sitting near the fire$lace! but her chair %as &ra%n back into the sha&o%s" I ha&n.t notice& her until she s$oke" She rose slo%ly! as if the %inter bones ache! an& ca e to stan& besi&e 6I &on.t %ant to li'e like an ol& you %ill sur'i'e that 6I shoul& not an"7 ol&! an& so is y brother (ing Eyo&" e" But I y be&" a&e her

She $urse& her li$s" 6Sooner or later you %ill ha'e to" #t least! I so %ish that any years" I a ;e &o not fin& it so great a bur&en"7 in& an ol& an.s bo&y if the years ha& earne& it for can.t go on like this"7 She shook her hea&! $u11le&" 6Of course you can" Healing is te&ious so eti es! but to say that you cannot go on """ I &o not un&erstan&" It is! $erha$s! a &ifference in our languages07 I took a breath to s$eak! but at that better07 6#%ake" 5ot feeling better!7 I gru ble&" E'en to yself! I soun&e& like a e" She ca e to the fretful chil&" Burrich an& @on)ui exchange& glances o'er
1<8D

o ent Burrich ca e in" 6#%ake0 Feeling

be&si&e! $atte& heal began"

y shoul&er! an& then left the roo

silently" Their ob'ious

tolerance %as galling! an&

y i $otent anger rose like a ti&e" 6;hy can.t you y )uestion" 6It.s not that si $le!7 he

e07 I &e an&e& of Burrich"

He %as taken aback by the accusation in 6;hy not07 I haule&

yself u$ straight in the be&" 6I.'e seen you cure all ange """ you.re e07 yself! %ell! if all" ;hy can.t you cure

anner of ail ents in beasts" Sickness! broken bones! %or s! stable aster! an& I.'e seen you treat the it.s seriously ill" I.'e taken &rastic

6You.re not a &og! Fit1!7 Burrich sai& )uietly" 6It.s si $ler %ith a beast! %hen easures! so eti es! telling the ani al &ies! at least it.s not suffering any ore! an& this &o that %ith you" You.re not a beast"7 6That.s no ans%er: Half the ti e the guar&s co e to you instea& of the healer" You took the hea& of an arro% out of Den" You lai& his %hole ar o$en to &o it: ;hen the healer sai& that Jrey&in.s foot %as too infecte& an& she.& ha'e to lose it! she ca e to you! an& you sa'e& it" #n& all the ti e the healer %as saying the infection %oul& s$rea& an& she.& &ie an& it %oul& be your fault"7 Burrich fol&e& his li$s! )uelling his te $er" If I.& been healthy! I.& ha'e been %ary of his %rath" But his restraint %ith a&e e &uring y con'alescence ha& &one kne% the risks" e bol&" ;hen he s$oke! his 'oice %as )uiet an& controlle&" 6Those ay heal it" I can.t

%ere risky healings! yes" But the folk %ho %ante& the

#n&!7 he sai&! raising his 'oice to co'er the ob4ection I.& been about to utter! 6they %ere si $le things" I kne% the cause" Take out the arro%hea& an& haft fro his ar an& clean it u$" *oultice an& &ra% the infection fro Jrey&in.s foot" But your sickness isn.t that si $le" 5either @on)ui nor I really kno% %hat.s %rong %ith you" Is it the after ath of the $oison (ettricken fe& you %hen she thought you ha& co e to kill her brother0 Is this the effects of the
1<8E

$oisone& %ine that Regal arrange& for you0 Or is it fro after%ar&0 Fro &on.t kno%"7

the beating you took

being near &ro%ne&0 Or &i& all those things co bine to &o

this to you0 ;e &on.t kno%! an& so %e &on.t kno% ho% to cure you" ;e 4ust His 'oice clenche& on his last %or&s! an& I su&&enly sa% ho% his sy $athy for e o'erlay his frustration" He $ace& a fe% ste$s! then halte& to stare into the fire" 6;e.'e talke& long about it" @on)ui has uch in her -ountain lore that I ha'e ne'er hear& of before" #n& I.'e tol& her of cures I kno%" But %e both agree& the best thing to &o %as gi'e you ti e to heal" You.re in no &anger of &ying that %e can see" *ossibly! in ti e! your o%n bo&y can cast out the last 'estiges of the $oison! or heal %hate'er &a age %as &one insi&e you"7 6Or!7 I a&&e& )uietly! 6it.s $ossible that I.ll be this %ay the rest of to kick e like that %hen I %as trusse& alrea&y"7 y life" That the $oison or the beating &a age& so ething $er anently" Da n Regal! Burrich stoo& as if turne& to ice" Then he sagge& into the chair in the sha&o%s" Defeat %as in his 'oice" 6Yes" That is 4ust as $ossible as the other" But &on.t you see %e ha'e no choice0 I coul& $hysick you to try to force the $oison out of your bo&y" But if it.s &a age! not $oison! all I %oul& &o %as %eaken you! so that your bo&y.s o%n healing %oul& take that uch longer"7 He stare& into the fla es! an& lifte& a han& to touch a streak of %hite at his te $le" I %as not the only one %ho.& fallen to Regal.s treachery" Burrich hi self %as but ne%ly reco'ere& fro a skull blo% that %oul& ha'e kille& anyone less thickhea&e& than he" I kne% he ha& en&ure& long &ays of &i11iness an& blurre& 'ision" I &i& not recall he ha& co $laine& at all" I ha& the &ecency to feel a bit of sha e" 6So %hat &o I &o07 Burrich starte& as if rouse& fro &o1ing" 6;hat %e.'e been &oing" ;ait" Eat" Rest" Be easy on yourself" #n& see %hat ha$$ens" Is that so terrible07
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I ignore& his )uestion" 6#n& if I &on.t get better0 If I 4ust stay like this! %here the tre ors or fits can co e o'er e at any ti e07 His ans%er %as slo% in co ing" 6=i'e %ith it" -any folk ha'e to li'e %ith %orse" -ost of the ti e you.re fine" You.re not blin&" You.re not $araly1e&" You.'e your %its! still" Sto$ &efining yourself by %hat you can.t &o" ;hy &on.t you consi&er %hat you &i&n.t lose07 6;hat I &i&n.t lose0 ;hat I &i&n.t lose07 -y anger rose like a co'ey of bir&s taking flight an& like%ise &ri'en by $anic" 6I. back to Buckkee$ like this: I. useless" I. hel$less! Burrich" I can.t go a %aiting ight be %orth it" %orse than useless! I.

'icti " If I coul& go back an& batter Regal into a $ul$! that to a an %ho $lotte& to o'erthro% Aerity an& kill seeing s ile at %hat he has a&e

Instea&! I %ill ha'e to sit at table %ith *rince Regal! to be ci'il an& &eferential e as an a&&e& s$ice" I can.t e+ I &on.t %ant to %atch hi en&ure hi e tre ble %ith %eakness! or su&&enly fall in a sei1ure" I e again" ;e both kno% that" *erha$s he e" I.ll be one

&on.t %ant to see hi

sa'or his triu $h" He %ill try to kill has learne& he is no

atch for Aerity! $erha$s he %ill res$ect his ol&er

brother.s reign an& ne% %ife" But I &oubt he %ill exten& that to Sitting by the fire like a $alsie& ol&

ore %ay he can strike at Aerity" #n& %hen he co es! %hat shall I be &oing0 an! &oing nothing" 5othing: #ll I.'e been e about taking care of beasts: #ll a traine& for! all Ho&.s %ea$onry instruction! all Fe&%ren.s careful teachings about lettering! e'en all you.'e taught %aste: I can &o none of it" I. tol& $ractically shouting at hi too! I %as useless no%" #ll 4ust a bastar& again! Burrich" #n& so eone once y fury an&

e that a royal bastar& is only ke$t ali'e so long as he is useful"7 I %as as I sai& the last %or&s" But e'en in y training as an assassin" #t that!

&es$air! I &i& not s$eak alou& of 9ha&e an&

y stealth an& sleight of han&! all the $recise %ays

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to kill a by

an by touch! the $ainstaking

ixing of $oisons! all %ere &enie& y breath an&

y o%n rattling bo&y" e out" ;hen y anger ran out an& y be&! clas$ing y traitorously tre bling han&s together! he

Burrich sat )uietly! hearing I sat gas$ing in s$oke cal ly"

6So" #re you saying %e &on.t go back to Buckkee$07 That $ut e off balance" 6;e07 an %ho %ears that earring" There.s a long story 6-y life is $le&ge& to the

behin& that! one that $erha$s I.ll tell you so e&ay" *atience ha& no right to gi'e it to you" I thought it ha& gone %ith *rince 9hi'alry to his gra'e" She $robably thought it 4ust a si $le $iece of 4e%elry her husban& ha& %orn! hers to kee$ or to gi'e" In any %ise! you %ear it no%" ;here you go! I follo%"7 I lifte& y han& to the bauble" It %as a tiny blue stone caught u$ in a %eb of sil'er net" I starte& to unfasten it" 6Don.t &o that!7 Burrich sai&" The %or&s %ere )uiet! &ee$er than a &og.s gro%l" But his 'oice hel& both threat an& co unable to )uestion hi %atche& o'er I coul& see of hi an&" I &ro$$e& y han& a%ay! an %ho ha& y on this at least" It felt strange that the

e since I %as an aban&one& chil& no% $ut his future into

han&s" Yet there he sat before the fire an& %aite& for

y %or&s" I stu&ie& %hat

in the &ance of firelight" He ha& once see e& a surly giant to as a an" The &ark hair an& eyes %ere $re'alent in

e! &ark an& threatening! but also a sa'age $rotector" 5o%! for $erha$s the first ti e! I stu&ie& hi those %ho carrie& Outislan&er bloo&! an& in this %e rese ble& each other" But his eyes %ere bro%n! not black! an& the %in& brought a re&ness to his cheeks abo'e his curling bear& that bes$oke a fairer ancestor so e%here" ;hen he %alke&! he li $e&! 'ery noticeably on col& &ays" It %as the legacy of turning asi&e a boar that ha& been trying to kill 9hi'alry" He %as not so big as he ha&
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once see e& to co $actness to hi his si1e that ha&

e" If I ke$t on gro%ing! I %oul& $robably be taller than he assi'ely uscle&! but instea& ha& a uscle an& in&" It %as not if that %as a rea&iness of both a&e hi

before another year %as out" 5or %as he

both feare& an& res$ecte& at Buckkee$! but his

black te $er an& his tenacity" Once! %hen I %as 'ery young! I ha& aske& hi

he ha& e'er lost a fight" He ha& 4ust sub&ue& a %illful young stallion an& %as in the stall %ith hi ! cal ing hi " Burrich ha& grinne&! teeth sho%ing %hite as a %olf.s" The s%eat ha& stoo& out in &ro$lets on his forehea& an& %as running &o%n his cheeks into his &ark bear&" He s$oke to %in it! Fit1" That.s all you ha'e to re e ber" 5o thinks" Or the horse"7 I %on&ere& if I %ere a fight he ha& to %in" He.& often tol& by y existence" Yet he.& gi'en e o'er to this e that I %as the to raise e last task 9hi'alry ha& gi'en hi " -y father ha& ab&icate& the throne! sha e& an! an& tol& hi %ell" -aybe Burrich thought he ha&n.t finishe& that task yet" 6;hat &o you think I shoul& &o07 I aske& hu bly" 5either the %or&s nor the hu ility ca e easily" 6Heal!7 he sai& after a fe% not a s ile t%iste& his li$s" 6Do you think %e shoul& go back07 I $resse&" He leane& back into the chair" He crosse& his boote& feet at the ankle an& stare& into the fire" He took a long ti e ans%ering" But finally he sai&! al ost reluctantly! 6If %e &on.t! Regal %ill think he has %on" #n& he %ill try to kill Aerity" Or at least &o %hate'er he thinks he brother.s cro%n" I a s%orn to ust to ake a grab for his y king! Fit1! as are you" Right no% that is
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e o'er the si&e of the stall" atter %hat the other an

6=ost a fight07 he.& aske&! still out of breath" 6The fight isn.t o'er until you

o ents" 6Take the ti e to heal" It can.t be

force&"7 He glance& &o%n at his o%n legs stretche& to%ar& the fire" So ething

(ing Shre%&" But Aerity is king/in/%aiting" I &on.t think it right that he shoul& ha'e %aite& in 'ain"7 6He has other sol&iers! 6Does that free you fro 6You argue like a $riest"7 6I &on.t argue at all" I It %as erely aske& you a )uestion" #n& one other" ;hat &o y king! an& all I ha& s%orn to hi " e" I astere& so e arcane you forsake! if you lea'e Buckkee$ behin&07 y turn to fall silent" I &i& think of I thought of *rince Aerity! an& his bluff heartiness an& o$en %ays %ith recalle& ol& 9ha&e an& his slo% s ile %hen I ha& finally bit of lore" =a&y *atience an& her for e! but that y a&e the an& -istress Hasty the sea stress" There %ere not so ore ca$able than I"7 your $ro ise07

ai& =acey! Fe&%ren an& Ho&! e'en 9ook any folk that ha& care& iss all of the e like an e ber yself s$eaking

ore significant! not less" I %oul&

if I ne'er %ent back to Buckkee$" But %hat lea$e& u$ in rekin&le& %as e ory of -olly" #n& so eho%! I foun& of her to Burrich! an& hi

4ust no&&ing as I s$ille& out the %hole story" e only that he ha& hear& that the Beebal

;hen he &i& s$eak! he tol&

9han&lery close& %hen the ol& &runkar& that o%ne& it ha& &ie& in &ebt" His &aughter ha& been force& to go to relati'es in another to%n" He &i& not kno% %hat to%n! but he %as certain I coul& fin& it out! if I %ere &eter ine&" 6(no% your heart before you &o! Fit1!7 he a&&e&" 6If you.'e nothing to offer her! let her go" #re you cri$$le&0 Only if you &eci&e so" But if you.re &eter ine& that you.re a cri$$le no%! then $erha$s you.'e no right to go an& seek her out" I &on.t think you.& %ant her $ity" It.s a $oor substitute for lo'e"7 #n& then he rose an& left e! to stare into the fire an& think" y %ill! not Regal.s! ha& $re'aile&" -y $rince Aerity %as
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;as I a cri$$le0 Ha& I lost0 -y bo&y 4angle& like ba&ly tune& har$ strings" That %as true" But

still in line for the Six Duchies throne! an& the -ountain *rincess %as his %ife no%" Di& I &rea& Regal s irking o'er y tre bling han&s0 9oul& I not s irk e" ake sure that Regal kne% I ha& back at he %ho %oul& ne'er be king0 # sa'age satisfaction %elle& u$ in Burrich %as right" I ha& not lost" But I coul& %on" If I ha& %on against Regal! coul& I not %in -olly as %ell0 ;hat stoo& bet%een her an& e0 @a&e0 But Burrich ha& hear& she ha& left Buckkee$ To%n! not %e&" Jone $enniless to li'e %ith relati'es" Sha e u$on hi ! ha& @a&e let her &o so" I %oul& seek her out! I %oul& fin& her an& %in her" -olly! %ith her hair loose an& blo%ing! -olly %ith her bright re& skirts an& cloak! bol& as a re&/ robber bir&! an& eyes as bright" The thought of her sent a shi'er &o%n s$ine" I s ile& to yself! an& then felt beco e a shu&&ering" -y bo&y s$as e& an& the back of y y li$s set like a rictus! an& the shi'er y hea& reboun&e&

shar$ly off the be&stea&" I crie& out in'oluntarily! a gargling %or&less cry" In an instant @on)ui %as there! calling Burrich back! an& then they %ere both hol&ing &o%n y flailing li bs" Burrich.s bo&y %eight %as flung ato$ y thrashing" #n& then I %as gone" a &ee$ &i'e into %ar e! the blankets %ere soft e as he stro'e to restrain

I ca e out of blackness into light! like surfacing fro %aters" The &ee$ &o%n of the feather be& cra&le& an& %ar " I felt safe" For a feeling goo&" 6Fit107 Burrich aske&! leaning o'er The %orl& ca e back" I kne% e" yself a

o ent all %as $eaceful" I lay )uiescently! al ost

angle&! $itiful thing! a $u$$et %ith e in the %orl& I ha& once inhabite&" none of

half its strings tangle& or a horse %ith a se'ere& ten&on" I %oul& ne'er be as I %as before+ there %as no $lace left for the "
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Burrich ha& sai& $ity is a $oor substitute for lo'e" I %ante& $ity fro

6Burrich"7 He leane& closer o'er To orro%/7 6To orro% you lea'e for Buckkee$!7 I tol& hi " He fro%ne&" 6=et.s take it slo%ly" Ji'e yourself a fe% &ays to reco'er! an& then %e.ll/7 65o"7 I &ragge& yself u$ to a sitting $osition" I $ut e'ery bit of strength I ha& a&e a &ecision" To orro% you %ill go back to ine" 5ot any ore"7 ine"7 into the %or&s" 6I.'e e" 6It %asn.t that ba&!7 he lie&" 6@ust rest no%"

Buckkee$" There are $eo$le an& ani als %aiting for you there" You.re nee&e&" It.s your ho e an& your %orl&" But it.s not He %as silent for a long I shook I shook 6The girl07 y hea& again! ore 'iolently" 6She.s taken care of one cri$$le e so I can alrea&y! an& s$ent her youth &oing so! only to fin& that he left her a &ebtor" Shall I go back an& seek her out! like this0 Shall I ask her to lo'e better off no% as she is"7 The silence stretche& long bet%een us" @on)ui %as busy in! a corner of the roo ! concocting yet another herbal &raft that %oul& &o nothing for Burrich stoo& o'er ba&ly he %ante& to shake e! ho% he longe& to cuff the stubbornness fro e" e" e! black an& to%ering as a thun&erclou&" I kne% ho% be a bur&en to her like her father %as0 5o" #lone or %e& to another! she.s o ent" 6#n& %hat %ill you &o07

y hea&" 6That.s no longer your concern" Or anyone.s! sa'e

But he &i& not" Burrich &i& not hit cri$$les" 6So!7 he sai& at last" 6That lea'es only your king" Or &o you forget you are s%orn as a (ing.s -an07 6I &o not forget!7 I sai& )uietly" 6#n& &i& I belie'e go back" But I a not! Burrich" I a yself a an still! I %oul& a liability" On the ga e boar&! I ha'e
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beco e but one of those tokens that taking! $o%erless to &efen& as a (ing.s -an is to re o'e king in the &oing"7 Burrich turne& asi&e fro

ust be $rotecte&" # hostage for the ake y

yself or anyone else" 5o" The last act I can yself! before so eone else &oes an& in4ures

e" He %as a silhouette in the &i

roo ! his face

unrea&able by the firelight" 6To orro% %e %ill talk!7 he began"! 6Only to say fare%ell!7 I interru$te&" 6-y heart is fir reache& u$ to touch the earring in 6If you stay! then so y ear" y father tol& you to stay behin&! on this! Burrich"7 I

ust I"7 There %as a fierceness in his lo% 'oice"

6That isn.t ho% it %orks!7 I tol& hi " 6Once! still nee&s you"7 6Fit19hi'alry! I &on.t/7 6*lease"7 I &on.t kno% %hat he hear& in still" 6I a

an& raise a bastar& for hi " 5o% I tell you to lea'e! to go to ser'e a (ing %ho

y 'oice" Only that he %as su&&enly

so tire&" So &a nably tire&" The only thing I kno% is that I can.t an.s" 65o atter %hat I ought to &o" 5o e left to kee$ rocke& aroun& atter %hat I

li'e u$ to %hat e'eryone else thinks I shoul& &o" I 4ust can.t &o it"7 -y 'oice )ua'ere& like an ol& a $le&ge& to &o" There isn.t enough of ine" I trie&! but """7 The roo y %or&" -aybe that.s e as if so eone else

not right! but that.s ho% it is" E'eryone else.s $lans" E'eryone else.s goals" 5e'er %ere s$eaking! an& I %as shocke& at %hat he %as saying" But I coul&n.t &eny the truth of his %or&s" 6I nee& to be alone no%" To rest!7 I sai& si $ly" Both of the 4ust looke& at e" 5either one of the s$oke" They left the roo ! yself to breathe out" I the slo%ly! as if ho$ing I %oul& relent an& call the felt &i11y %ith the &ecision I ha& back" I &i& not"

But after they ha& gone! an& I %as alone! I $er itte& I %as going to &o! I ha& no i&ea" I ha& s%e$t
1<<C

a&e" I %asn.t going back to Buckkee$" ;hat y broken bits of life fro

ga e table" 5o% there %as roo

to set out ane% %hat $ieces I still ha&! to $lot uch ore bearable to o'e

a ne% strategy for li'ing" Slo%ly! I reali1e& I ha& no &oubts" Regrets %arre& %ith relief! but I ha& no &oubts" So eho% it %as $le&ge& to so eone else.s %ill" 5ot e'en for%ar& into a life %here no one %oul& recall %ho I ha& once been" # life not y king.s" It %as &one" I lay back in all fare%ell! to stan& one last y be&! an& for the first ti e in %eeks! I relaxe& co $letely" Fare%ell! I thought %earily" I %oul& ha'e like& to %ish the ti e before ha'e a&e hi y king an& see his brief no& that I ha& &one %ell" *erha$s I coul& un&erstan& %hy I &i& not %ish to go back" It %as not to be" It sorry! y king!7 I e" uttere&" I stare& into the

%as! &one no%! all &one" 6I a

&ancing fla es in the hearth until slee$ clai e&

9H#*TER O5E Siltbay To be (ing/in/ ;aiting! or the Iueen/in/ ;aiting! is to fir ly stra&&le the fence bet%een res$onsibility an& authority" It is sai& the $osition %as create& to satisfy the a bitions of an heir for $o%er! %hile schooling hi the sixteenth birth&ay" Fro Jenerally! he i in the exercising of it" The el&est chil& in the royal fa ily assu es this $osition u$on that &ay on! the (ing/ or Iueen/in/;aiting onarch cares assu es a full share of res$onsibility for the running of the Six Duchies" e&iately assu es such &uties as the ruling reign to reign" least for! an& these ha'e 'arie& greatly fro

>n&er (ing Shre%&! *rince 9hi'alry first beca e king/in/%aiting" To hi ! (ing Shre%& ce&e& o'er all that ha& to &o %ith the bor&ers an& frontiers3 %arfare! negotiations an& &i$lo acy! the &isco forts of exten&e& tra'el an&
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the

iserable con&itions often encountere& on the ca $aigns" ;hen 9hi'alry

ab&icate& an& *rince Aerity beca e king/in/%aiting! he inherite& all the uncertainties of the %ar %ith the Outislan&ers! an& the ci'il unrest this situation create& bet%een the Inlan& an& 9oastal Duchies" #ll of these tasks %ere ren&ere& ore &ifficult in that! at any ti e! his &ecisions coul& be o'erri&&en by the (ing" Often he %as left to co$e %ith a situation not of his creating! ar e& only %ith o$tions not of his choosing" E'en less tenable! $erha$s! %as the $osition of Iueen/in/;aiting (ettricken" Her -ountain %ays arke& her as a foreigner in the Six Duchies court" In ore tolerance" But $eaceful ti es! $erha$s she %oul& ha'e been recei'e& %ith Re&/Shi$s fro

the court at Buckkee$ seethe& %ith the general unrest of the Six Duchies" The the Outislan&s harrie& our shoreline as they ha& not for ore than they stole" The first %inter of (ettricken generations! &estroying far

Fs reign as )ueen/in/%aiting sa% also the first %inter rai&ing %e ha& e'er ex$erience&" The constant threat of rai&s! an& the lingering tor ent of Forge& ones in our i&st rocke& the foun&ations of the Six Duchies" 9onfi&ence in the onarchy %as lo%! an& (ettricken ha& the unen'iable $osition of being an una& ire& king/in/%aiting.s outlan&ish )ueen" 9i'il unrest &i'i&e& the court as the Inlan& Duchies 'oice& their resent ent at taxes to $rotect a coastline they &i& not share" The 9oastal Duchies crie& out for %arshi$s an& sol&iers an& an effecti'e %ay to battle the Rai&ers that al%ays struck %here %e %ere least $re$are&" Inlan&/bre& *rince Regal sought to gather $o%er to hi self by courting the Inlan& Dukes %ith gifts an& social attentions" (ing/in/;aiting Aerity! con'ince& that his Skill %as no longer sufficient to hol& the Rai&ers at bay! $ut his attentions to buil&ing %arshi$s to guar& the 9oastal Duchies! %ith little ti e for his ne% )ueen" O'er all! (ing Shre%&

1<<E

crouche& like a great s$i&er! en&ea'oring to kee$ $o%er s$rea& a ong hi self an& his sons! to kee$ all in balance an& the Six Duchies intact" I a%akene& to so eone touching y hea& asi&e fro y forehea&" ;ith an annoye& grunt! I turne& e+ I fought e"

the touch" -y blankets %ere %eltere& aroun&

y %ay clear of their restraint an& then sat u$ to see %ho ha& &are& &isturb (ing Shre%&.s fool $erche& anxiously on a chair besi&e hi %il&ly! an& he &re% back fro here" I ha& ne'er kno%n hi y look" >neasiness assaile& to lea'e the (ing.s si&e for e"7 any

y be&" I stare& at iles an& ore than a y

The Fool shoul& ha'e been back in Buckkee$! %ith the (ing! &ays fro frien&! as 'isit fro

fe% hours or a night.s rest" That he %as here bo&e& no goo&" The Fool %as uch as his strangeness allo%e& hi hi al%ays ha& a $ur$ose! an& such $ur$oses %ere sel&o

to be frien&s %ith anyone" But a tri'ial or

$leasant" He looke& as %eary as I ha& e'er seen hi " He %ore an unfa iliar otley of greens an& re&s an& carrie& a fool.s sce$ter %ith a rat.s hea& on it" The gay gar ents contraste& too strongly %ith his colorless skin" They hi a translucent can&le %reathe& in holly" His clothing see e& substantial than he &i&" His fine $ale hair floate& fro like a &ro%ne& hair back fro 6Hello!7 I fire$lace shone in his eyes" I rubbe& a&e ore

the confines of his ca$

an.s hair in sea%ater! %hile the &ancing fla es of the y gritty eyes an& $ushe& so e of the y slee$" y outh felt &ry! y face" -y hair %as &a $+ I.& been s%eating in

anage&" 6I &i&n.t ex$ect to see you here"7 -y

tongue thick an& sour" I.& been sick! I recalle&" The &etails see e& ha1y" 6;here else07 He looke& at $lucke& at e %oefully" 6For e'ery hour you.'e sle$t! the y lor&" =et e ake you co fortable"7 He a%ay" So ething %as %rong less reste& you see " =ie back! here" 5e'er ha& he s$oken

y $illo%s fussily! but I %a'e& hi

e so fair" Frien&s %e %ere! but the Fool.s %or&s to

1<?H

e %ere al%ays as $ithy an& sour as half/ri$ene& fruit" If this su&&en kin&ness %as a sho% of $ity! I %ante& none of it" I glance& &o%n at y e broi&ere& nightshirt! at the rich be&co'ers" So ething see e& o&& about the " I %as too tire& an& %eak to $u11le it out" 6;hat are you &oing here07 I aske& hi " He took a breath an& sighe&" 6I a ust be foolish" Yet you ask healer"7 I leane& back against y $illo%s" They %ere s%eat &a $! an& s elle& sour to an& he %oul&" But I %oul& 4ust y co'ers %ith gnarle& istrust this su&&en inistrations" I fear e" I kne% I coul& ask the Fool to change the fingers" I aske& hi He took %eakness" You see that his kno%le&ge is ten&ing you" ;atching o'er you %hile you the Fool" You kno% then that I e y lor&! let e sen& for another slee$" I kno% you think it foolish! but then! I a then $ro$ose so ething %iser" I beg you!

e this sa e thing e'ery ti e you a%ake" =et

s%eat ane% if he &i&" It %as useless" I clutche& at

bluntly! 6;hy ha'e you co e here07 to take no goo& fro this healer.s

y han& in his an& $atte& it" 6-y lor&! I uch s aller than his o$inion of it"7 y lor&: He

6Burrich07 I aske& incre&ulously" 6Burrich0 ;oul& that he %ere here! for all that! I %arrant he is s%eats you"7 6;allace0 Burrich is not here07 The Fool.s face gre% gra'er" 65o! %ell you kno%"7 6Your king!7 I sai&! an& atte $te& to laugh" 6Such 65e'er! y lor&!7 he sai& gently" 65e'er"7 ockery"7 y king" He re aine& in the -ountains! as ay be the stable aster! but ore of a healer than this ;allace %ho &oses an&

1<?1

His ten&erness confuse&

e" This %as not the Fool I kne%! full of t%isting

%or&s an& ri&&les! of sly 4abs an& $uns an& cunning insults" I felt su&&enly stretche& thin as ol& ro$e! an& as fraye&" Still! I trie& to $iece things together" 6Then I a in Buckkee$07 outh" y betrayal" So eho% I ha& been He no&&e& slo%ly" 6Of course you are"7 ;orry $inche& his I %as silent! $lu bing the full &e$th of returne& to Buckkee$" #gainst acco $any 6=et e" e" 6You al%ays feel better after by the

y %ill" Burrich ha& not e'en seen fit to

e get you so e foo&!7 the Fool begge&

you ha'e eaten"7 He rose" 6I brought it u$ hours ago" I.'e ke$t it %ar hearth"7 -y eyes follo%e& hi co'ere& tureen a%ay fro

%earily" #t the big hearth he crouche&! to coach a the e&ge of the fire" He lifte& the li& an& I s elle& onths since I.& assi'e utton an& goat.s flesh" -y

rich beef ste%" He began to la&le it into a bo%l" It ha& been ha& beef" In the -ountains! it %as all 'enison an&

eyes %an&ere& %earily about the roo " The hea'y ta$estries! the

%oo&en chairs" The hea'y stones of the fire$lace! the richly %orke& be& hangings" I kne% this $lace" This %as the (ing.s be&cha ber at Buckkee$" ;hy %as I here! in the (ing.s o%n be&0 I trie& to ask the Fool! but another s$oke %ith fro $ushe& y y li$s" 6I kno% too any things! Fool" I can no longer sto$ yself kno%ing the " So eti es it is as if another controlle& y %ill! an&

in& %here I %oul& rather it &i& not go" -y %alls are breache&" It erse& in a s%ift flo%ing of col& %ater" 6#

all $ours in like a ti&e"7 I &re% a &ee$ breath! Fbut I coul& not sta'e it off" First a chill tingling! then as if I %ere i rising ti&e!7 I gas$e&" 6Bearing shi$s" Re&/keele& shi$s """7 The Fool.s eyes %i&ene& in alar " 6In this season! Your -a4esty0 Surely not: 5ot in %inter:7
1<?2

-y breath %as $resse& tight in

y chest" I struggle& to s$eak" 6The %inter has the fog"7 e" He

cre$t in too softly" She has s$are& us both her stor s an& her $rotection" =ook" =ook out there! across the %ater" See0 They co e" They co e fro I lifte& y ar to $oint" The Fool ca e hastily! to stan& besi&e

crouche& to $eer %here I $ointe&! but I kne% he coul& not see" Still! he loyally $lace& a hesitant han& on the %alls an& the For a y thin shoul&er! an& stare& as if he coul& %ill a%ay an& y 'ision" I longe& to be as y shoul&er" iles that stoo& bet%een hi

blin& as he" I clas$e& the long/fingere& $ale han& that reste& on o ent I looke& &o%n at clung to a bony finger behin& a s%ollen knuckle" Then &ra%n u$ an& y 'ision taken afar"

y %ithere& han&! at the royal signet ring that y reluctant ga1e %as

-y $ointing han& in&icate& the )uiet harbor" I struggle& to sit u$ taller! to see ore" The &arkene& to%n s$rea& out before I thought to s%eat on e like a $atch%ork of houses an& e! cooling the ol& roa&s" Fog lay in hollo%s an& %as thick u$on the bay" ;eather change co ing! yself" So ething stirre& in the air that chille& y skin so that I shi'ere&" Des$ite the blackness of the night an& the

fog! I ha& no &ifficulty in seeing e'erything $erfectly" Skill %atching I tol& yself! an& then %on&ere&" I coul& not Skill! not $re&ictably! not usefully" But as I %atche&! t%o shi$s broke out of the ists an& e erge& into the oonlight! I kne% their o'e& like slee$ing harbor" I forgot %hat I coul& or coul& not &o" They %ere sleek an& tri ! those shi$s! an& though they %ere black un&er the keels %ere re&" Re&/Shi$ Rai&ers fro the Outislan&s" The shi$s

kni'es through the %a'elets! cutting their %ay clear of the fog! slicing into the $rotecte& %ater of the harbor like a thin bla&e slicing into a $ig.s belly" The oars o'e& silently! in $erfect unison! oarlocks uffle& %ith rags" They ca e the first ake fast to a $iling" #n alongsi&e the &ocks as bol&ly as honest erchants co e to tra&e" Fro

boat! a! sailor lea$e& lightly! carrying a line to

1<?8

oars an fen&e& her off the &ock until the aft line %as thro%n an&

a&e fast as

%ell" #ll so cal ly! so blatantly" The secon& shi$ %as follo%ing their exa $le" The &rea&e& Re&/Shi$s ha& co e into to%n! bol& as gulls! an& tie& u$ at their 'icti s. ho e &ock" 5o sentry crie& out" 5o %atch an ble% a horn! or thre% a torch onto a %aiting hea$ of $itch$ine to kin&le a signal fire" I looke& for the ! an& instantly foun& the " Hea&s on chests! they %ere i&ling at their $osts" Joo& %oolen ho es$un ha& gone fro gray to re& so$$ing u$ the bloo& of their slit throats" Their killers ha& co e )uietly! o'erlan&! sure of each sentry $ost! to silence e'ery %atcher" 5o one %oul& %arn the slee$ing to%n" There ha& not been that any sentries" There %as not uch to this little to%n! scarce enough to &eser'e a &ot on the a$" The to%n ha& counte& on the rai&s such as this" Joo& %ool

hu bleness of its $ossessions to shelter it fro

they gre% there! an& they s$un a fine yarn! it %as true" They har'este& an& s oke& the sal on that ca e right u$ their ri'er! an& the a$$les here %ere tiny but s%eet! an& they enough to a&e a goo& %ine" There %as a fine cla beach to the %est of to%n" These %ere the riches of Siltbay! an& if they %ere not great! they %ere ake life treasure& by those %ho li'e& here" Surely! though! they an %oul& %ere not %orth co ing after %ith a torch an& a bla&e" ;hat sane

think a keg of a$$le %ine or a rack of s oke& sal on %orth a rai&er.s ti e0 But these %ere Re&/Shi$s! an& they &i& not co e to rai& for %ealth or treasures" They %ere not after $ri1e bree&ing cattle or e'en %o en for %i'es or boys for galley sla'es" The %ool/fat shee$ %oul& be utilate& an& slaughtere&! the s oke& sal on tra $le& un&erfoot! the %arehouses of fleeces an& %ines torche&" They %oul& take hostages! yes! but only to Forge the " The Forge agic %oul& lea'e the the less than hu an! bereft of all e otions an& any but ost basic thoughts" The Rai&ers %oul& not kee$ these hostages! but %oul&
1<?<

aban&on the lo'e& the

here! to %ork their &ebilitating anguish u$on those %ho ha& kin" Stri$$e& of e'ery hu an sensiti'ity! Forge&

an& calle& the

ones %oul& scour their ho elan& as $itilessly as %ol'erines" This setting of our o%n kin to $rey u$on us as Forge& ones %as the Outislan&ers. cruelest %ea$on" This I alrea&y kne% as I %atche&" I ha& seen the after ath of other rai&s" I %atche& the ti&e of &eath rise to inun&ate the little to%n" The Outislan&er $irates lea$e& fro the shi$ to the &ocks an& flo%e& u$ into the 'illage" They trickle& silently u$ the streets in ban&s of t%os an& threes! as &ea&ly as $oison unfurling in %ine" So e fe% $ause& to search the other 'essels tie& to the &ock" -ost of the boats %ere s all o$en &ories! but there %ere t%o larger fishing 'essels an& one tra&er" Their cre%s into the chicken house" They calle& out to thick fog gul$e& their cries gree&ily" It et s%ift &eath" Their frantic struggles %ere as $athetic as fo%l fla$$ing an& s)ua%king %hen a %easel gets e %ith 'oices full of bloo&" The ore than a&e the &eath of a sailor no

the keening of a seabir&" #fter%ar&! the boats %ere torche&! carelessly! %ith no thought to their 'alue as s$oils" These Rai&ers took no real booty" *erha$s a han&ful of coins if easily foun&! or a necklace fro ra$e& an& kille&! but little ore than that" the bo&y of one they ha&

I coul& &o nothing exce$t %atch" I coughe& hea'ily! then foun& a breath to s$eak" 6If only I coul& un&erstan& the !7 I sai& to the Fool" 6If only I kne% %hat they %ante&" There is no sense to these Re&/Shi$s" Ho% can %e fight those %ho %ar for a reason they %ill not &i'ulge0 But if I coul& un&erstan& the """7 a&ness of a&ness" I The Fool $urse& his $ale li$s an& consi&ere&" 6They $artake of the he %ho &ri'es the " They can only be un&erstoo& if you share that yself ha'e no %ish to un&erstan& the " >n&erstan&ing the the "7
1<??

%ill not sto$

65o"7 I &i& not %ant to %atch the 'illage" I ha& seen this night are too often" But only a heartless %as the a%ay" 5o an coul& ha'e turne& a%ay as if it %ere a $oorly stage& y $eo$le %as %atch the e" So I %atche&" soft slee$ to the rough gri$ of a strange &ie" It also an far $u$$et sho%" The least I coul& &o for ore coul& be ex$ecte& fro

ost I coul& &o for the " I %as sick an& a cri$$le! an ol&

I %atche& the little to%n a%aken fro chil& &ragge& fro

han& on the throat or breast! to a knife o'er a cra&le! or the su&&en cry of a slee$" =ights began to flicker an& glo% throughout the 'illage+ so e %ere can&les kin&le& on hearing a neighbor.s outcry+ others %ere torches or burning houses" #lthough the Re&/Shi$s ha& terrori1e& the Six Duchies for o'er a year! for this folk it beca e co $letely real tonight" They ha& thought they %ere $re$are&" They ha& hear& the horror stories! an& resol'e& ne'er to let it ha$$en to the " But still the houses burne& an& the screa s rose to the night sky as if borne on the s oke" 6S$eak! Fool!7 I co an&e& hoarsely" 6Re e ber for%ar& for e" ;hat &o they say about Siltbay0 # rai& on Siltbay! in %inter"7 He took a shu&&ering breath" 6It is not easy! nor clear!7 he hesitate&" 6#ll %a'ers! all is change still" Too out in all &irections there" 6 6S$eak any you can see!7 I co 6They y shoul&er still+ through stan&ing besi&e an&e&" a&e a song about this to%n!7 the Fool obser'e& hollo%ly" He gri$$e& y nightshirt! the clutch of his long! strong fingers ere& uch is in flux! Your -a4esty" The future s$ills

%as col&" # tre bling $asse& bet%een us an& I felt ho% he labore& to continue e" 6;hen it is sung in a ta'ern! %ith the refrain ha out to the beat of ale ugs u$on a table! none of this see s so ba&" One can a&e! going &o%n fighting rather than

i agine the bra'e stan& these folk

surren&ering" 5ot one! not one single $erson! %as taken ali'e an& Forge&" 5ot
1<?B

one"7 The Fool $ause&" # hysterical note

ingle& %ith the le'ity he force& into

his 'oice" 6Of course! %hen you.re &rinking an& singing! you &on.t see the bloo&" Or s ell the burning flesh" Or hear the screa s" But that.s un&erstan&able" Ha'e you e'er trie& to fin& a rhy e for R&is e bere& chil&.0 So eone once trie& Rre e bere& %il&. but the 'erse still &i&n.t )uite scan"7 There is no erri ent in his banter" His bitter 4ests can shiel& neither hi ore! nor e" He falls silent once kno%le&ge %ith ine" I %itness in silence" 5o 'erse %oul& tell of a $arent $ushing a $oison $ellet into a chil&.s outh to kee$ hi fro the Rai&ers" 5o one coul& sing of chil&ren elo&y coul& bear the %eight of telling crying out %ith the cra $s of the s%ift! harsh $oison! or the %o en %ho %ere ra$e& as they lay &ying" 5o rhy e nor of archers %hose truest arro%s sle% ca$ture& kinfolk before they coul& be &ragge& a%ay" I $eere& into the interior of a burning house" Through the fla es! I %atche& a ten/year/ol& boy bare his throat for the slash of his other.s knife" He hel& the bo&y of his baby sister! strangle& alrea&y! for the Re&/Shi$s ha& co e! an& no lo'ing brother %oul& gi'e her to either the Rai&ers or the 'oracious fla es" I sa% the chil&ren.s bo&ies an& carrie& the other.s eyes as she lifte& her y &uty to into the fla es %ith her" Such things are y $risoner &oo e& to share his $ainful

better not re e bere&" But I %as not s$are& the kno%le&ge" It %as kno% these things! an& to recall the "

5ot all &ie&" So e fle& into the surroun&ing fiel&s an& forests" I sa% one young an take four chil&ren un&er the &ocks %ith hi ! to cling in the chill %ater to the barnacle& $ilings until the Rai&ers left" Others trie& to flee an& %ere slain Fas they ran" I sa% a %o an in a nightgo%n sli$ fro a house" Fla es %ere alrea&y running u$ the si&e of the buil&ing" She carrie& one chil& in her ar s an& another clung to her skirts an& follo%e& her" E'en in the &arkness! the light
1<?C

fro

the burning huts %oke burnishe& highlights in her hair" She glance& about outh set gri ly! eyes narro%e& fiercely"

fearfully! but the long knife she carrie& in her free han& %as u$ an& at the rea&y" I caught a gli $se of a s all Then! for an instant! I sa% that $rou& $rofile li ne& against firelight" 6-olly:7 I gas$e&" I reache& a cla%e& han& to her" She lifte& a &oor an& shooe& the chil&ren &o%n into a root cellar behin& the bla1ing ho e" She lo%ere& the &oor silently o'er the all" Safe0 5o" They ca e aroun& the corner! t%o of the " One carrie& an ax" They %ere %alking slo%ly! s%aggering an& laughing alou&" The soot that s eare& their faces a&e their teeth an& the %hites of their eyes stan& out" One %as a %o an" She %as 'ery beautiful! laughing as she stro&e" Fearless" Her hair %as brai&e& back %ith sil'er %ire" The fla es %inke& re& in it" The Rai&ers a&'ance& to the &oor of the root cellar! an& the one s%ung his ax in a great arcing blo%" The ax bit &ee$ into the %oo&" I hear& the terrifie& cry of a chil&" 6-olly:7 I shrieke&" I scrabble& fro y be&! but ha& no strength to stan&" I cra%le& to%ar& her" The &oor ga'e %ay! an& the Rai&ers laughe&" One &ie& laughing as -olly ca e lea$ing through the shattere& re nants of the &oor to $ut her long knife into his throat" But the beautiful %o an %ith the shining sil'er in her hair ha& a s%or&" #n& as -olly struggle& to $ull her knife clear of the &ying %as falling! falling! falling" #t that instant so ething ga'e %ay in the burning house %ith a shar$ crack" The structure s%aye& an& then fell in a sho%er of s$arks an& an u$burst of roaring fla es" # curtain of fire soare& u$ bet%een e an& the root cellar" I coul& see nothing through that inferno" Ha& it fallen across the &oor of the root cellar an& the Rai&ers attacking it0 I coul& not see" I lunge& forth! reaching out for -olly"
1<?D

an! that s%or&

But in an instant! all %as gone" There %as no burning house! no $illage& to%n! no 'iolate& harbor! no Re&/Shi$s" Only thrust at y han& into the fire an& y %rist to $ull an& sei1e& y han& fro yself! crouching by the hearth" I ha& the fire" I shook hi off! then looke& o'e& the y fingers clutche& a coal" The Fool crie& out

y blistere& fingers &ully" e! carefully y knee" He oistene& a na$kin in the %ine he ha& $oure& y fingers" I let hi " I coul& not feel the e" His %orrie& eyes stare& into ine" I

6-y king!7 the Fool sai& %oefully" He knelt besi&e tureen of sou$ by for y eal! an& fol&e& it o'er

burne& skin for the great %oun& insi&e

coul& scarcely see hi " He see e& an insubstantial thing! %ith the faltering fla es of the fire$lace sho%ing in his colorless eyes" # sha&o% like all the other sha&o%s that ca e to tor ent e" in y other han&" ;hat e like a -y burne& fingers throbbe& su&&enly" I clutche& the fit! an& then &e$arte&! lea'ing flo%e& in to fill

ha& I been &oing! %hat ha& I been thinking0 The Skill ha& co e on

e as &raine& as an e $ty glass" ;eariness

e! an& $ain ro&e it like a horse" I struggle& to retain %hat I

ha& seen" 6;hat %o an %as that0 Is she i $ortant07 6#h"7 The Fool see e& e'en %earier! but struggle& to gather hi self" 6# %o an at Siltbay07 He $ause& as if racking his brains" 65o" I ha'e nothing" It is all a u&&le! y king" So har& to kno%"7 6-olly has no chil&ren!7 I tol& hi " 6It coul& not ha'e been her"7 6-olly07 6Her na e is -olly07 I &e an&e&" -y hea& throbbe&" #nger su&&enly $ossesse& e" 6;hy &o you tor ent e like this07 6-y lor&! I kno% of no -olly" 9o e" 9o e back to your be&! an& I %ill bring you so e foo&"7

1<?E

He hel$e& the focus of there" I

e to

y feet an& I tolerate& his touch" I foun&

y 'oice" I floate&! en %ho s$oke

y eyes co ing an& going" One

o ent I coul& feel his han& on an& the

y ar ! the next it see e& as if I &rea e& the roo she is &ying" Fool! I ha'e to kno%"7 The Fool sighe& hea'ily" 6It is not a thing I can co that" =ike your 'isions! fro the ta$estry! but ine rule ust look %here

anage& to s$eak" 6I ha'e to kno% if that %as -olly" I ha'e to kno% if an&! y king" You kno% y

e! not the re'erse" I cannot $luck a threa& y eyes are $ointe&" The future!

king! is like a current in a channel" I cannot tell you %here one &ro$ of %ater goes! but I can tell you %here the flo% is strongest"7 6# %o an at Siltbay!7 I insiste&" *art of Try" ;ho %as she07 6She is significant07 6Yes" I a sure of it" Oh! yes"7 The Fool sat cross/legge& on the floor" He $ut his long thin fingers to his te $les an& $resse& as if trying to o$en a &oor" 6I kno% not" I &on.t un&erstan& """ #ll is a u&&le! all is a crossroa&s" The tracks are tra $le&! the scents gone e" So eho% I ha& stoo&! but he sat on the floor at e" His $ale eyes goggle& in his eggshell face" He a%ry """"7 He looke& u$ at y feet! looking u$ at s%aye& fro e $itie& y $oor fool! but another $art insiste&" 6I %oul& not ha'e seen her so clearly if she %ere not i $ortant"

the strain! s ile& foolishly" He consi&ere& his rat sce$ter! %ent ore in a $osition to kno%" The an& %alke& slo%ly

nose to nose %ith it" 6Di& you kno% any such -olly! Ratsy0 5o0 I &i&n.t think you %oul&" *erha$s he shoul& ask so eone %or s! $erha$s"7 # silly giggling sei1e& hi " >seless creature" Silly ri&&ling soothsayer" ;ell! he coul& not hel$ %hat he %as" I left hi back to y be&" I sat on the e&ge of it"
1<BH

I foun& I %as shaking as if %ith an ague" # sei1ure! I tol& yself or risk a sei1ure" Di& I %ant the Fool to see &i&n.t care" 5othing

yself" I

ust cal

e t%itching an& gas$ing0 I y -olly! an& if

attere&! exce$t fin&ing out if that %as

so! ha& she $erishe&0 I ha& to kno%" I ha& to kno% if she ha& &ie&! an& if she ha& &ie&! ho% she ha& &ie&" 5e'er ha& the kno%ing of so ething been so essential to e" a an" 6It.s a 'ery gla& song! The Fool crouche& on the rug like a $ale toa&" He %et his li$s an& s ile& at e" *ain so eti es can %ring such a s ile fro the one they sing about Siltbay!7 he obser'e&" 6# triu $hant song" The 'illagers %on! you see" Di&n.t %in life for the sel'es! no! but clean &eath" ;ell! &eath any%ay" Death! not Forging" #t least that.s so ething" So ething to ake a song about an& hol& on to these &ays" That.s ho% it is in Six Duchies ake 'ictory songs no%" ;e kill our o%n so the Rai&ers can.t! an& then %e hol& on to"7 -y 'ision softene&" I kne% su&&enly that I &rea e&" 6I. sai& faintly" 6This is a &rea " I &rea that I a not e'en here!7 I (ing Shre%&"7 ust be so" I! too! then! yself07

about it" # a1ing %hat folk %ill take co fort in %hen there.s nothing else to

He hel& his $ale han& u$ to the firelight! consi&ere& the bones li ne& so $lainly in the thin flesh" 6If you say so! &rea I looke& &o%n at y liege! it you are (ing Shre%&" If I $inch you! $erha$s! shall I a%aken

y han&s" They %ere ol& an& scarre&" I close& the ! %atche& an ol& an no%! I thought to yself" This is

'eins an& ten&ons bulge beneath the $a$ery surface! felt the san&y resistance of y o%n s%ollen knuckles" I. ;hen each &ay can only be fifteen" Fro %hat it really feels like to be ol&" 5ot sick! %here one ore &ifficult! each ight get better" Ol&"

onth is another bur&en to the

bo&y" E'erything %as sli$$ing si&e%ays" I ha& thought! briefly! that I %as so e%here ca e the scent of scorching flesh an& burning hair"
1<B1

5o! rich beef ste%" 5o! @on)ui.s healing incense" The

ingling scents

a&e

e nauseous" I ha& lost track of %ho I %as! of %hat %as i $ortant" I scrabble& at the sli$$ery logic! trying to sur ount it" It %as ho$eless" 6I &on.t kno%!7 I %his$ere&" 6I &on.t un&erstan& any of this"7 6#h!7 sai& the Fool" 6#s I tol& you" You can only un&erstan& a thing %hen you beco e it"7 6Is this %hat it eans to be (ing Shre%&! then07 I &e an&e&" It shook e to ust y core" I ha& ne'er seen hi en&ure! &ay after &ay07 6I fear it is! y liege!7 the Fool re$lie& gently" 69o e" =et e hel$ you back into your be&" Surely! to orro% you %ill feel better"7 65o" ;e both kno% I %ill not"7 I &i& not s$eak those terrible %or&s" They ca e fro $art of (ing Shre%&.s li$s! an& I hear& the ! an& kne% that this %as the e ache&" I ha& not kno%n that flesh coul& be so hea'y! that the e to be&! let ere &ebilitating truth (ing Shre%& bore e'ery &ay" I %as so terribly tire&" E'ery ben&ing of a finger coul& &e an& a $ainful effort" I %ante& to rest" To slee$ again" ;as it I! or Shre%&0 I shoul& let the Fool $ut ha'e his rest" But the Fool ke$t hol&ing that one key abo'e y sna$$ing 4a%s" He 4uggle& a%ay the one $ossess to be %hole" 6Di& she &ie there07 I &e an&e&" He looke& at e sa&ly" He stoo$e& abru$tly! $icke& u$ his rat sce$ter again" # tiny $earl of a tear trickle& &o%n Ratsy.s cheek" He focuse& on it an& his eyes %ent afar again! %an&ering across a tun&ra of $ain" He s$oke in a %his$er" 6# %o an in Siltbay" # &ro$ of %ater in the current of all the %o en of Siltbay" ;hat ight ha'e befallen her0 Di& she &ie0 Yes" 5o" Ba&ly burne&! but ali'e"
1<B2

like this! racke& by the $ains of age but still

relentlessly confronte& by the $ains of his sub4ects" 6Is this %hat he

y king ust

orsel of infor ation 4ust ote of kno%le&ge I

Her ar

se'ere& at the shoul&er" 9ornere& an& ra$e& %hile they kille& her a roster" His 'oice ha& no inflection" 6Roaste& ali'e

chil&ren! but left ali'e" Sort of"7 The Fool.s eyes beca e e'en e $tier" It %as as if he rea& alou& fro %ith the chil&ren %hen the burning structure fell on the " Took $oison as soon as her husban& a%oke her" 9hoke& to &eath on s oke" #n& &ie& of an infection in a s%or& %oun& only a fe% &ays later" Die& of a s%or& thrust" Strangle& on her o%n bloo& as she %as ra$e&" 9ut her o%n throat after she ha& kille& the chil&ren %hile Rai&ers %ere hacking her &oor &o%n" Sur'i'e&! an& ga'e birth to a Rai&er.s chil& the next su but li'e& a short/7 6Sto$:7 I co an&e& hi " 6Sto$ it: I beg you! sto$"7 e! focuse& on e" 6Sto$ y liege" uffling fingers" He $ause& an& &re% a breath" His eyes ca e back to er" ;as foun& %an&ering &ays later! ba&ly burne&! but recalling nothing" Ha& her face burne& an& her han&s hacke& oft!

it07 He sighe&" He $ut his face into his han&s! s$oke through

6Sto$ it0 So shrieke& the %o en of Siltbay" But it is &one alrea&y! late"7 He lifte& his face fro his han&s" He looke& 'ery %eary"

;e cannot sto$ %hat.s alrea&y ha$$ening" Once it.s co e to $ass! it.s too 6*lease!7 I begge& hi " 69annot you tell e of the one %o an I sa%07 I e"

su&&enly coul& not recall her na e! only that she %as 'ery i $ortant to only %ay to fin& out %oul& be to go there"7 He looke& u$ at co 6Su an& it! I shall &o so"7 on Aerity!7 I tol& hi instea&" 6I ha'e instructions for hi "7

He shook his hea&! an& the s all sil'er bells on his ca$ 4ingle& %earily" 6The e" 6If you

6Our sol&iers cannot arri'e in ti e to sto$ this rai&!7 he re in&e& hel$ to &ouse the fires an& assist the folk there in $icking fro left to the "7 6Then so they shall &o!7 I sai& hea'ily"
1<B8

e" 6Only to

the ruins %hat is

6First! let #n& let

e hel$ you return to your be&! e bring you foo&"7

y king" Before you take a chill"

65o! Fool!7 I tol& hi

sa&ly" 6Shall I eat an& be %ar ! %hile the bo&ies of u&0 Fetch e instea& y robe an& buskins" #n&

chil&ren are cooling in the then be off to fin& Aerity"7

The Fool stoo& his groun& bol&ly" 6Do you think the &isco fort you inflict on yourself %ill gi'e e'en one chil& another breath! Siltbay is &one" ;hy 6;hy ust you suffer07 y y liege0 ;hat ha$$ene& at

ust I suffer07 I foun& a s ile for the Fool" 6Surely that is the sa e king" But ore! because I a a an! an& I

)uestion that e'ery inhabitant of Siltbay aske& tonight of the fog" I suffer! fool! because they &i&" Because I a sa% %hat ha$$ene& there" 9onsi&er it! Fool" ;hat if e'ery Duchies sai& to hi self! R;ell! the %orst that can befall the ha$$ene&" ;hy shoul& I gi'e u$ tonight than any one of the y eal an& %ar e! these are %ith it0. Fool! by the bloo& that is in

an in the Six has alrea&y yself ore an

be& to concern y folk" Do I suffer

&i&0 ;hat is the $ain an& tre bling of one

co $are& %ith %hat ha$$ene& at Siltbay0 ;hy shoul& I shelter y folk are slaughtere& like cattle07

yself %hile e %ith an

6But t%o %or&s are all I nee& say to *rince Aerity"7 The Fool 'exe& ore %or&s" 6 RRai&ers. an& RSiltbay!. an& he kno%s as nee&s to" =et e rest you in your be&! %ith those %or&s"7 65o"7 # fresh clou& of $ain blosso e& in the back of the sense fro y thoughts! but I hel& fir " I force& anage& to lo%er chair besi&e the hearth" I

uch as any

y lor&! an& then I shall race to hi y skull" It trie& to $ush y bo&y to %alk to the y youth

yself into it" 6I s$ent

&efining the bor&ers of the Six Duchies to any %ho challenge& the " Shoul& y life be too 'aluable to risk no%! %hen there is so little left of it! an& all of
1<B<

that ri&&le& %ith $ain0 5o! Fool" Fetch e! since go" JO:7 consi&er %hat %e see! an&

y son to

e at once" He shall Skill for ust be &one" 5o%

y o%n strength for it is at an en& this night" Together! %e shall ake our &ecisions as to %hat

The Fool.s feet $attere& on the stone floor as he fle&" I %as left alone %ith $ainful s ile crease to%ar& e to touch yself" -ysel'es3 I $ut y face as I foun& y y han&s to y te $les" I felt a yself" So! boy" There you are" -y

king slo%ly turne& his attention to

e" He %as %eary! but he reache& his Skill

in& as softly as blo%ing s$i&er%eb" I reache&

clu sily! atte $ting to co $lete the Skill bon& an& it all %ent a%ry" Our contact tattere&! fraying a$art like rotten cloth" #n& then he %as gone" I hunkere& alone on the floor of y be&cha ber in the -ountain (ing&o ! y nightclothes %ere y te $les" an unco fortably close to the hearth fire" I %as fifteen! an&

soft an& clean" The fire in the hearth ha& burne& lo%" -y blistere& fingers throbbe& angrily" The beginnings of a Skill hea&ache $ulse& in I o'e& slo%ly! cautiously as I rose" =ike an ol& %hose health %as still I refuse& the $on&ering" ;hen Burrich ca e at first light to bi& hi " e fare%ell! I %as rea&y to ri&e %ith en&ing" I kne% the &ifference no%" an0 5o" =ike a young

-y soft! clean be& beckone&! like a soft clean to orro%" both" I took the chair by the hearth an& stare& into the fla es!

9H#*TER T;O The Ho eco ing

1<B?

B>9((EE* HO=D OAER=OO(S the finest &ee$/%ater harbor in the Six Duchies" To the north! the Buck Ri'er s$ills into the sea! an& %ith its %aters carries ri'er ost of the goo&s ex$orte& fro the interior Duchies of Tilth an& Farro%. Stee$ black cliffs $ro'i&e the seat for the castle! %hich o'erlooks the outh! the harbor! an& the %aters beyon&" The to%n of Buckkee$ clings the great ri'er.s floo&$lain! %ith a $recariously to those cliffs! %ell a%ay fro

goo& $ortion of it built on &ocks an& )uays" The original stronghol& %as a log structure built by the original inhabitants of the area as a &efense against Outislan&er rai&s" It %as sei1e& in ancient ti e! by a rai&er na e& Taker! %ho %ith the sei1ing of the fort beca e a resi&ent" He re$lace& the ti ber structure %ith %alls an& to%ers of black stone )uarrie& fro the cliffs the sel'es! an& in the $rocess sank the foun&ations of Buckkee$ &ee$ into the stone" ;ith each succee&ing generation of the Farseer line! the %alls %ere forte& an& the to%ers built taller an& stouter" Since Taker! the foun&er of the Farseer line! Buckkee$ has ne'er fallen to ene y han&s" Sno% kisse& fro y face! %in& $ushe& the hair back fro y toiling horse %ar e& y forehea&" I stirre& e" Beneath e! Sooty

a &ark &rea

to a &arker one! to a %intersca$e in forestlan&" I %as col&!

sa'e %here the rising heat of

%as $lo&&ing stoli&ly along" through %in&/banke& sno%" I thought I ha& been ri&ing long" Han&s the stable boy %as ri&ing before an& shoute& so ething back to the sa&&le" I caught at her e" yself" Stea&ily falling flakes e" He turne& in his sa&&le

Sooty sto$$e&! not abru$tly! but I %as not ex$ecting it! an& I nearly sli& fro ane an& stea&ie& 'eile& the forest aroun& us" The s$ruce trees %ere hea'y %ith accu ulate& sno%! %hile the inters$erse& birches %ere bare black silhouettes in the clou&e& %inter oonlight" There %as no sign of a trail" The %oo&s %ere thick aroun&
1<BB

us" Han&s ha& reine& in his black gel&ing in front of us! an& that %as %hy Sooty halte&" Behin& the lifelong horse an" I %as col&! an& shaky %ith %eakness" I looke& aroun& &ully! %on&ering %hy %e ha& sto$$e&" The %in& guste& shar$ly! sna$$ing 6Surely you sa% that07 I leane& for%ar& to $eer through sno% that fell like fluttering lace curtains" 6I think so!7 I sai&! the %in& an& falling sno% s%allo%ing the $ale blue %ill o. the %is$s that still occasionally $lague& y %or&s" For an y 'ision" instant I ha& gli $se& tiny lights" They ha& been yello% an& stationary! unlike 6Do you think it.s Buckkee$07 Han&s shoute& through the rising %in&" 6It is!7 Burrich asserte& )uietly! his &ee$ 'oice carrying effortlessly" 6I kno% %here %e are no%" This is %here *rince Aerity kille& that big &oe about six years ago" I re e ber because she lea$e& %hen the arro% %ent in! an& tu ble& &o%n that gully" It took us the rest of the &ay to get &o%n there an& $ack the eat out"7 ore than a line of brush gli $se& through the e" The lay of this The gully he gesture& to %as no y &a $ cloak against e" Sooty.s flank" Han&s $ointe& su&&enly" 6There:7 He looke& back at e Burrich sat his roan are %ith the $ractice& ease of

falling sno%" But su&&enly it all sna$$e& into $lace for

hillsi&e! the ty$es of trees! the gully there! an& so Buckkee$ %as that %ay! 4ust a brief ri&e before %e coul& clearly see the fortress on the sea cliffs o'erlooking the bay an& Buckkee$ To%n belo%" For the first ti e in &ays! I kne% %ith absolute certainty %here %e %ere" The hea'y o'ercast ha& ke$t us fro checking our course by the stars! an& the unusually &ee$ sno%fall ha& er" But I $icke& u$ %hat altere& the lay of the lan& until e'en Burrich ha& see e& unsure" But no% I kne% that ho e %as but a brief ri&e a%ay" In su %as left of y &eter ination"
1<BC

65ot

uch farther!7 I tol& Burrich"

Han&s ha& alrea&y starte& his horse" The stocky little gel&ing surge& ahea& bra'ely! breaking trail through the banke& sno%" I nu&ge& Sooty an& the tall are reluctantly ste$$e& out" #s she leane& into the hill I sli& to one si&e" #s I scrabble& futilely at reache& out! sei1e& 6It.s not I y sa&&le Burrich nu&ge& his horse abreast of e by the back of y collar! an& &ragge& ake it"7 e in the last yself u$ yself bitterly" I $ulle& y shoul&ers" 5early ho e" ine" He e u$right again"

uch farther!7 he agree&" 6You.ll y better e'enings! I tol&

anage& a no&" It %as only the secon& ti e he.& ha& to stea&y

hour or so" One of

straighter in the sa&&le! resolutely s)uare& constant har&shi$s ha& not i $ro'e&

The 4ourney ha& been long an& ar&uous" The %eather ha& been foul! an& the y health" -uch of it I re e bere& like a &ark &rea + &ays of 4olting along in the sa&&le! barely cogni1ant of our $ath! nights %hen I lay bet%een Han&s an& Burrich in our s all tent an& tre ble& %ith a %eariness so great I coul& not e'en slee$" #s %e ha& &ra%n closer to Buck Duchy I ha& thought our tra'el %oul& beco e easier" I ha& not reckone& on Burrich.s caution" #t Turlake! %e ha& sto$$e& a night at an inn" I ha& thought that %e.& take $assage on a ri'er barge the next &ay! for though ice to our roo ! for I ha& not ex$ecte& the ight line the banks of the Buck Ri'er! its strong current ke$t a channel clear year/roun&" I %ent straight uch sta ina" Burrich an& Han&s %ere both antici$ating hot foo& an& co $anionshi$! to say nothing of ale" I ha& not to co e soon to the roo " But scarcely t%o hours ha& $asse& an& silent! but after he ha& gone to be&! Han&s %his$ere& to Buckkee$! I &oubt they %oul& ha'e s$oken so freely" But
1<BD

before they both ca e u$ to rea&y the sel'es for be&" Burrich %as gri e fro his be& ho% $oorly the (ing %as s$oken of in this to%n" 6Ha& they

kno%n %e %ere fro

cla& as %e are in -ountain gar ents! they thought us tra&ers or

erchants" #

&o1en ti es I thought Burrich %oul& challenge one of the " In truth! I &o not kno% ho% he containe& hi self" #ll co $lain about the taxes for &efen&ing the coast" They sneer! saying that for all the taxes they blee&! the Rai&ers still ca e unlooke& for in autu n! %hen the %eather laste& fine! an& burne& t%o ore to%ns"7 Han&s ha& $ause&! an& uncertainly a&&e&! 6But they s$eak unco only %ell of *rince Regal" He $asse& through here escorting an at the table calle& her a great %hite fish (ettricken back to Buckkee$" One

of a %ife! fit for the coast (ing" #n& another s$oke u$! saying that at least *rince Regal bore hi self %ell &es$ite his har&shi$s! an& looke& e'er as a *rince shoul&" Then they &rank to the *rince.s health an& long life"7 # col& settle& in e" I %his$ere& back! 6The t%o Forge& 'illages" Di& you hear %hat ones they %ere07 6;hale4a% u$ in Bearns" #n& Siltbay in Buck itself"7 The &arkness settle& &arker aroun& The next e! an& I lay %atching it all night" e orning %e left Turlake" On horseback" O'erlan&" Burrich %oul& not e asi&e! to fiercely &e an&! 6Do you %ant to &ie07

e'en let us kee$ to the roa&" I ha& $roteste& in 'ain" He listene& to co $lain! then took I looke& at hi blankly" He snorte& in &isgust" "

6Fit1! nothing has change&" You.re still a royal bastar&! an& *rince Regal still regar&s you as an obstacle" He.s trie& to be ri& of you! not once! but t%ice" Do you think he.s going to %elco e you back to Buckkee$0 5o" E'en better for hi if %e ne'er ake it back at all" So let.s not ake easy targets of oursel'es" ;e go o'erlan&" If he or his hirelings %ant us! they.ll ha'e to hunt us through the %oo&s" #n& he.s ne'er been uch of a hunter"7 6;oul&n.t Aerity $rotect us07 I aske& %eakly"

1<BE

6You.re a (ing.s -an! an& Aerity is king/in/%aiting!7 Burrich ha& $ointe& out shortly" 6You $rotect your king! Fit1" 5ot the re'erse" 5ot that he &oesn.t think %ell of you! an& %oul& &o all he coul& to $rotect you" But he has %eightier atters to atten&" Re&/Shi$s" # ne% bri&e" #n& a younger brother %ho thinks the cro%n %oul& sit better on his o%n hea&" 5o" Don.t ex$ect the (ing/in/;aiting to %atch o'er you" Do that for yourself"7 #ll I coul& think of %as the extra &ays he %as $utting bet%een e an& of y y search for -olly" But I &i& not gi'e that reason" I ha& not tol& hi E'eryone %oul& kno% he %as the ur&erer"7

&rea " Instea&! I sai&! 6Regal %oul& ha'e to be cra1y to try to kill us again" 65ot cra1y! Fit1" @ust ruthless" Regal is that" =et.s not e'er su$$ose that Regal abi&es by the rules %e obser'e! or e'en thinks as %e &o" If Regal sees an o$$ortunity to kill us! he.ll take it" He %on.t care %ho sus$ects so long as no one can $ro'e it" Aerity is our king/in/%aiting" 5ot our king" 5ot yet" ;hile (ing Shre%& is ali'e an& on the throne! Regal %ill fin& %ays aroun& his father" He %ill get a%ay %ith any things" E'en ur&er" 6 the %ell/tra'ele& roa&! $lunge& off e as if he felt ill" But %e ha& Burrich ha& reine& his horse asi&e fro

through &rifts an& u$ the un arke& sno%y hillsi&e beyon&! to strike a straight course for Buckkee$" Han&s ha& looke& at follo%e&" #n& e'ery night %hen %e ha& sle$t! bun&le& all together in a single tent for %ar th instea& of in be&s in a co1y inn! I ha& thought of Regal" E'ery floun&ering ste$ u$ each hillsi&e! lea&ing our horses extra hour bet%een -olly an& e %ere &uring ore often than not! an& e'ery cautious &escent! I ha& thought of the youngest *rince" I tallie& e'ery e" The only ti es I felt strength surge through y &ay&rea s of battering Regal into ruin" I coul& not $ro ise

yself re'enge" Re'enge %as the $ro$erty of the cro%n" But if I coul& not ha'e re'enge! Regal %oul& not ha'e satisfaction" I %oul& return to Buckkee$! an& I
1<CH

%oul& stan& tall before hi ! an& %hen his black eye fell u$on flinch" 5or! I 'o%e&! %oul& Regal e'er see su$$ort! or $ass a han& before he ha& co e to %inning it all"

e! I %oul& not

e tre ble! or catch at a %all for

y blurry eyes" He %oul& ne'er kno% ho% close the

So at last %e ro&e to Buckkee$! not u$ the %in&ing seacoast roa&! but fro ble% the clou&s asi&e! an& a fine oon

foreste& hills behin& her" The sno%" &%in&le&! then cease&" The night %in&s a&e Buckkee$.s stone %alls shine black as 4et against the sea" =ight shone yello% in her turrets an& besi&e the si&e gate" 6;e.re ho e!7 Burrich sai& )uietly" ;e ro&e &o%n one last hill! struck the roa& at last! an& ro&e aroun& to the great gate of Buckkee$" # young sol&ier stoo& night guar&" He lo%ere& his $ike to block our %ay an& &e an&e& our na es" Burrich $ushe& his hoo& back fro his face! but the la& &i&n.t o'e" 6I. Burrich! the stable aster:7 Burrich infor e& hi stable aster here for longer than you.'e been ali'e! be asking you %hat your business is here at fro y gate:7 incre&ulously" 6The ost likely" I feel I shoul&

Before the flustere& la& coul& re$ly! there %as a tu ble an& rush of sol&iers the guar&house" 6It is Burrich:7 the %atch sergeant exclai e&" Burrich en! all shouting greetings an& talking to silence! ostly so he coul& s$eak an!7 the ight not be the %as instantly the center of a cluster of sergeant! one Bla&e! finally shoute& the his o%n co

at once %hile Han&s an& I sat our %eary horses at the e&ge of the hubbub" The ents easily" 6;e ha&n.t looke& for you until s$ring!

burly ol& sol&ier &eclare&" 6#n& e'en then! %e %as tol& you

an that left here" But you look goo&! you &o" # bit col&! an& outlan&ishly &resse&! an& another scar or t%o! but yourself for all that" ;or& %as that you %as hurt ba&! an& the Bastar& like to &ie" *lague or $oison! the ru ors %as"7

1<C1

Burrich laughe& an& hel& out his ar s that all For a o ent I sa% Burrich as they

ight a& ire his -ountain garb"

ust ha'e seen hi ! his $ur$le/an&/yello%

)uilte& trousers an& s ock an& buskins" I no longer %on&ere& at ho% %e ha& been challenge& at the gate" But I &i& %on&er at the ru ors" 6;ho sai& the Bastar& %oul& &ie07 I &e an&e& curiously" 6;ho.s asking07 Bla&e &e an&e& in return" He glance& o'er looke& e in the eye! an& kne% y gar ents! y horse! e not" But as I sat u$ straighter on

he ga'e a start" To this &ay! I belie'e he kne% Sooty an& that %as ho% he recogni1e& e" He &i& not co'er his shock" y first inkling of 4ust ho% ba& I looke& to those %ho kne% 6Fit10 There.s har&ly half of you left: You look like you.'e ha& the Bloo& *lague"7 It %as e" 6;ho sai& I ha& been $oisone&! or afflicte& %ith $lague07 I re$eate& the )uestion )uietly" Bla&e flinche& an& glance& back o'er his shoul&er" 6Oh! no one" ;ell! no one in $articular" You kno% ho% it is" ;hen you &i&n.t co e back %ith the others! %ell! so e su$$ose& this an& so e that! an& $retty soon it %as al ost like %e kne% it" Ru ors! guar&roo s$rea& too talk" Sol&iers gossi$" ;e %on&ere& %hy you &i&n.t co e back! that %as all" 5o one belie'e& anything that %as sai&" ;e any ru ors oursel'es to gi'e gossi$ any cre&ence" ;e 4ust y stare" I %on&ere& %hy you an& Burrich an& Han&s ha&n.t co e back"7 He finally reali1e& he %as re$eating hi self an& fell silent before let the silence stretch long enough to can tell the ans%er this )uestion" Then I shrugge& it a%ay" 65o har ha'e kno%n Burrich %oul& $hysick look like a cor$se"7
1<C2

ake it $lain that I &i&n.t inten& to &one! Bla&e" But you ali'e an& %ell+ I 4ust

all the Bastar& isn.t &one for yet" *lagues or $oisons! you shoul& e through it" I.

6Oh! Fit1! la&! I &i&n.t 6I sai&! no har

ean it that %ay" It.s 4ust that/7

&one! Bla&e" =et it go"7 regar&ing e strangely" ;hen I

6Joo& enough! sir!7 he re$lie&" I no&&e&! an& looke& at Burrich to fin& hi his face" I coul& not guess the reason" 6;ell! goo& night to you! Sergeant" Don.t chi&e your &i& %ell to sto$ strangers at Buckkee$.s gate"7 6Yes! sir" Joo& night! sir"7 Bla&e ga'e so e of the %eariness fell fro e a rusty salute an& the great %oo&en e! Han&s.s horse %hinnie& softly the kee$ %all to the e by the gates s%ung %i&e before us as %e entere& the kee$" Sooty lifte& her hea& an& her" Behin& an& Burrich.s snorte&" 5e'er before ha& the roa& fro slee'e an& hel& light our %ay" 6;e.'e been so e ti e in the -ountain (ing&o ! Fit1!7 Burrich cautione& e in a lo% 'oice" 6>$ there! no one cares %hat si&e of the sheets you %ere born on" But %e.re ho e no%" Here! 9hi'alry.s son is not a *rince! but a bastar&"7 6I kno% that"7 I %as stung by his &irectness" 6I.'e kno%n it all all y life"7 y life" =i'e& it an %ith the $ike" He turne& to exchange a $u11le& glance %ith Han&s! I et the sa e startle ent on

stables see e& so long" #s Han&s &is ounte&! Burrich caught

e back" Han&s greete& the &ro%sy stable boy %ho a$$eare& to

6You ha'e!7 he conce&e&" # strange look stole o'er his face! a s ile half/ incre&ulous an& half/$rou&" 6So %hy are you &e an&ing re$orts of the sergeant! an& gi'ing out co en&ations as briskly as if you %ere 9hi'alry en ca e to heel" hi self0 I scarce belie'e& it! ho% you s$oke! an& ho% those reali1e you.& ste$$e& u$ an& taken co an& a%ay fro e"7

You &i&n.t e'en take notice of ho% they res$on&e& to you! you &i&n.t e'en

1<C8

I felt a slo% flush cree$ u$ accusto e&

y face" #ll in the -ountain (ing&o

ha& treate&

e as if I %ere a *rince in fact! instea& of a *rince.s bastar&" Ha& I so )uickly yself to that higher station0 y ex$ression! then )uickly gre% sober" 6Fit1! you nee& to Burrich chuckle& at

fin& your caution again" (ee$ your eyes &o%n an& &on.t carry your hea& like a young stallion" Regal %ill take it as a challenge! an& that.s so ething %e aren.t rea&y to face" 5ot yet" -aybe not e'er"7 I no&&e& gri ly! y eyes on the churne& sno% of the stable yar&" I ha& beco e careless" ;hen I re$orte& to 9ha&e! the ol& assassin %oul& not be $lease& %ith his a$$rentice" I %oul& ha'e to ans%er for it" I ha& no &oubt that he %oul& kno% all about the inci&ent at the gate before he next su one& e" y usings 6Don.t be a sluggar&" Jet &o%n! boy"7 Burrich interru$te& to our co $arati'e $ositions at Buckkee$" Ho%

abru$tly" I 4u $e& to his tone an& reali1e& that he! too! %as ha'ing to rea&4ust any years ha& I been his stable boy an& %ar&0 Best that %e resu e those roles as closely as $ossible" It %oul& sa'e kitchen gossi$" I &is ounte& an&! lea&ing Sooty! follo%e& Burrich into his stables" Insi&e it %as %ar an& close" The blackness an& col& of the %inter night %ere shut outsi&e the thick stone %alls" Here %as ho e! the lanterns shone yello% an& the stalle& horses breathe& slo% an& &ee$" But as Burrich $asse&! the stables ca e to life" 5ot a horse or a &og in the %hole $lace &i&n.t catch his scent an& rouse to gi'e greeting" The stable aster %as ho e! an& he %as greete& %ar ly by those %ho kne% hi houn& or horse! Burrich %as in full co best" T%o stable boys soon traile& an& here! no&&ing sagely an& asking after us! rattling off si ultaneously e'ery bit of ne%s concerning ha%k or a terse )uestion or t%o as he absorbe& e'ery &etail" His reser'e only broke %hen his ol& bitch houn& Aixen ca e %alking stiff to greet hi " He %ent
1<C<

&o%n on one knee to hug an& thu $ her an& she %iggle& $u$$yishly an& trie& to lick his face" 65o%! here.s a real &og!7 he greete& her" Then he stoo& again! to continue his roun&" She follo%e& hi ! hin&)uarters %obbling %ith e'ery %ag of her tail" I lagge& behin&! the %ar th robbing the strength fro ca e hurrying back to lea'e a la $ %ith eagerly! snorting her a$$reciation" I set e" Ho e" This %as ho e! ore than y li bs" One boy e! an& then hastene& a%ay to $ay y light on its shelf an& looke& about y cha ber u$ in the castle! ore than

court to Burrich" I ca e to Sooty.s stall an& unlatche& the &oor" She entere&

any%here else in the %orl&" # stall in Burrich.s stable! safe in his &o ain! one of his creatures" If only I coul& turn back the &ays! an& burro% into the &ee$ stra% an& &rag a horse blanket o'er y hea&" e all those &ays an& her back an& etal of the y elbo%" I y fingers %ork Sooty snorte& again! this ti e rebukingly" She.& carrie&

%ays! an& &eser'e& e'ery co fort I coul& gi'e her" But e'ery buckle resiste& y nu be& an& %eary fingers" I &ragge& the sa&&le &o%n fro buckles &ancing before y eyes" Finally I close& the an& let 'ery nearly &ro$$e& it" I fu ble& at her bri&le en&lessly! the bright alone to take her bri&le off" ;hen I o$ene& no&&e& at hi ! an& the bri&le &ro$$e& fro y eyes! Han&s %as at

y lifeless fingers" He glance& at

it! but sai& nothing" Instea& he $oure& for Sooty the bucket of fresh %ater he ha& brought! an& shook out oats for her an& fetche& an ar ful of s%eet hay %ith $ast uch green still to it" I ha& taken &o%n Sooty.s brushes %hen he reache& e an& took the fro y feeble gri$" 6I.ll &o this!7 he sai& )uietly" e &o it" You

6Take care of your o%n horse first!7 I chi&e& hi " 6I alrea&y &i&! Fit1" =ook" You can.t &o a goo& 4ob on her" =et ti e! %hen %e ri&e! you can &o Stoutheart for
1<C?

can barely stan& u$" Jo get so e rest"7 He a&&e&! al ost kin&ly! 6#nother e"7

6Burrich %ill ha'e

y hi&e off if I lea'e

y ani al.s care for so eone else"7

65o! he %on.t" He %oul&n.t lea'e an ani al in the care of so eone %ho can barely stan&!7 Burrich obser'e& fro outsi&e the stall" 6=ea'e Sooty to Han&s! are at the south en& of the the other horses an& boy" He kno%s his 4ob" Han&s! take charge of things here for a bit" ;hen you.'e &one %ith Sooty! check on that one s$otte& sick" If you fin& it so! ha'e the boys stables" I &on.t kno% %ho o%ns her or %here she ca e fro ! but she looks o'e her a%ay fro scrub out the stall %ith 'inegar" I.ll be back in a bit after I see Fit19hi'alry to his )uarters" I.ll bring you foo&! an& %e.ll eat in Han&s no&&e&! alrea&y busy %ith Burrich took foun& y roo " Oh" Tell a boy to start us a fire there" *robably col& as a ca'e u$ there"7 y horse" Sooty.s nose %as in her oats" as %e %alke& the long ro% of stalls" y ar " 69o e along!7 he sai&! 4ust as he s$oke to a horse" I

yself un%illingly leaning on hi

#t the &oor he $icke& u$ a lantern" The night see e& col&er an& &arker after the %ar th of the stables" #s %e %alke& u$ the fro1en $ath to the kitchens! the sno% began falling again" -y %asn.t sure %here in& %ent s%irling an& &rifting %ith the flakes" I y feet %ere" 6It.s all change&! fore'er! no%!7 I obser'e& to ight

the night" -y %or&s %hirle& a%ay %ith the sno%flakes" 6;hat has07 Burrich aske& cautiously" His tone bes$oke his %orry that I be getting fe'erish again" 6E'erything" Ho% you treat Han&s treats e" ;hen you aren.t thinking about it" Ho% y horse for e" But e" The e like a e" T%o years ago he an& I %ere frien&s" @ust t%o boys %orking e like so e sickly %eakling """ not e'en so eone he can to &o things like that for e" E'en you! Burrich" Six onths or a year

in the stables" He.& ne'er ha'e offere& to brush &o%n tonight! he treate& insult about it" =ike I shoul& 4ust ex$ect hi en at the gate &i&n.t e'en kno% ago! if I took sick! you.& ha'e &ragge&
1<CB

e u$ to your loft an& &ose&

houn&" #n& if I.& co $laine&! you.& ha'e ha& no tolerance for it" 5o% you %alk e u$ to the kitchen &oors an&/7 6Sto$ %hining!7 Burrich sai& gruffly" 6Sto$ co $laining an& sto$ $itying yourself" If Han&s looke& like you &o! you.& &o the sa e for hi "7 #l ost un%illingly he a&&e&! 6Things change! because ti e" $asses" Han&s hasn.t sto$$e& being your frien&" But you are not the sa e boy %ho left Buckkee$ at har'est ti e" That Fit1 %as an erran& boy for Aerity! an& ha& been boy! but %asn.t uch s all i $ortance to any sa'e (ing&o ! you sho%e& yourself y stable ore than that" # royal bastar&! yes! but that see e& of e" But u$ at @haa $e in the -ountain ore than that" It &oesn.t atter if your face is o'e as

$ale! or if you can barely %alk after a &ay in the sa&&le" You

9hi'alry.s son shoul&" That is %hat sho%s in your bearing! an& %hat those guar&s res$on&e& to" #n& Han&s"7 He took a breath an& $ause& to shoul&er the hea'y kitchen &oor o$en" 6#n& I! E&a hel$ us all!7 he a&&e& in a But then! as if to belie his o%n %or&s! he steere& the kitchen an&/uncere oniously &u $e& the scarre& %oo&en table" The %atch roo %here any sol&ier! no atter ho% utter" off e into the %atch roo

e at one of the long benches besi&e s elle& incre&ibly goo&" Here %as ering o'er the fire here! er

u&&y or sno%y or &runk! coul& co e an&

fin& co fort" 9ook al%ays ke$t a kettle of ste% si butter fro barley an& For a te $te&

an& brea& an& cheese %aite& on the table! as %ell as a slab of yello% su ugs of col& ale to go %ith the brea& an& butter an& cheese" e to one

the &ee$ lar&er" Burrich ser'e& us u$ bo%ls of hot ste% thick %ith

o ent I 4ust looke& at it! too %eary to lift a s$oon" But the s ell outhful an& that %as all it took" -i&%ay through! I $ause& y )uilte& s ock an& break off another slab of brea&" I y secon& bo%l of ste% to fin& Burrich %atching e %ith

to shoul&er out of looke& u$ fro

a use ent" 6Better07 he aske&"

1<CC

I sto$$e& to think about it" 6Yes"7 I %as %ar ! fe&! an& though I %as tire&! it %as a goo& %eariness! one that ight be cure& by si $le slee$" I lifte& y legs stea&y un&er y e" han& an& looke& at it" I coul& still feel the tre ors! but they %ere no longer ob'ious to the eye" 6-uch better"7 I stoo&! an& foun& 65o% you.re fit to re$ort to the (ing"7 I stare& at hi in &isbelief" 65o%0 Tonight0 (ing Shre%&.s long abe&" I %on.t ust at least get $ast his &oor guar&"7 6*erha$s not! an& you shoul& be grateful for that" But you announce yourself there tonight" It.s the (ing.s &ecision as to %hen he %ill see you" If you.re turne& a%ay! then! you can go to be&" But I.ll %ager that if (ing Shre%& turns you asi&e! (ing/in/;aiting Aerity %ill still %ant a re$ort" #n& $robably right a%ay"7 6#re you going back to the stables07 6Of course"7 He s ile& in %olfish self/satisfaction" 6-e! I. hi so ething to eat"7 4ust the stable aster! Fit1" I ha'e nothing to re$ort" #n& I $ro ise& Han&s I.& bring I %atche& silently as he loa&e& a $latter" He slice& the brea& length%ise an& co'ere& t%o bo%ls of the hot ste% %ith a slab of it! an& then loa&e& a %e&ge of cheese an& a thick slice of yello% butter onto the si&e of it" 6;hat &o you think of Han&s07 6He.s a goo& la&!7 Burrich sai& gru&gingly" 6He.s ore than that" You chose hi to stay in the -ountain (ing&o an& ri&e ho e %ith us! %hen you sent all the others back %ith the ain cara'an"7

6I nee&e& so eone stea&y" #t that ti e you %ere """ 'ery ill" #n& I %asn.t uch better! truth to tell"7 He lifte& a han& to a streak of %hite in his &ark hair! testi ony to the blo% that ha& nearly kille& hi " 6Ho% &i& you co e to choose hi 07
1<CD

6I &i&n.t! really" He ca e to ake y eyes focus" I felt hi

e" So eho% he foun& %here they.& house& us! stan&ing there ore than sa% hi " I aske& hi

an& then talke& his %ay $ast @on)ui" I %as still ban&age& u$ an& scarce able to %hat he %ante&! an& he tol& because %ith 6#n& that i $resse& you"7 6He got to the $oint" 5o i&le )uestions about e! or you! or %hat %as going on" an" in charge" He anage& it ight nee& a He ha& foun& the thing he coul& &o an& co e to &o it" I like that in a (no%ing %hat he can &o! an& &oing it" So I $ut hi %ell" I ke$t hi an %ho coul& &o that" #n& also to see for %hen I sent the others ho e because I kne% I e that I nee&e& to $ut so eone in charge!

e sick an& 9ob gone! the stable hel$ %ere getting slo$$y"7

yself %hat he %as" ;as he all an o%es a beast

a bition! or %as there a genuine un&erstan&ing of %hat a %ell/being of his ani als07 6;hat &o you think of hi 6I a no%07 not so young as I once %as" I think there still

%hen he clai s to o%n hi 0 Di& he %ant $o%er o'er those un&er hi ! or the

ay be a goo& stable aster

in Buckkee$ stables %hen I can no longer %e are both still young enough! hi satisfaction in that"7

anage an ill/te $ere& stallion" 5ot uch he nee&s to be taught" But e to teach" There is a e" 5o% %e both

that I ex$ect to ste$ &o%n soon" There is still

to learn an&

I no&&e&" Once! I su$$ose&! he ha& $lanne& that s$ot for kne% it %oul& ne'er be"

He turne& to go" 6Burrich!7 I sai& )uietly" He $ause&" 65o one can re$lace you" Thank you" For all you.'e &one these last fe% 4ust that you sa'e& e fro E'er since I %as six" 9hi'alry %as onths" I o%e you e y life" 5ot et hi " &eath" But you ga'e y life! an& %ho I a "

y father! I kno%" But I ne'er

1<CE

You.'e fathere& a$$reciate/7

e &ay in an& &ay out! o'er a lot of years" I &i&n.t al%ays

Burrich snorte& an& o$ene& the &oor" 6Sa'e s$eeches like that for %hen one of us is &ying" Jo re$ort! an& then go to be&"7 6Yes! sir!7 I hear& He %as ho e there" #n& this! here! %as straighten &ishes fro #s I %as a&e y ho e" Ti e I &ealt %ith that" I took a y %et s ock o'er y ar " ore brightly than they o ent to y &a $ clothing an& run a han& through the table an& then fol&e& y %ay fro y hair" I cleare& our yself say! an& kne% that he s ile& e'en as I &i&" He shoul&ere& the &oor o$en an& bore Han&s.s &inner out to the stables for hi "

the kitchen to the hall! an& then to the Jreat Hall! I

ystifie& by %hat I sa%" Di& the ta$estries glo%

once ha&0 Ha& the stre%ing herbs al%ays s elle& so s%eet! the car'e& %oo&%ork by each &oor%ay al%ays glea e& so %ar ly0 Briefly I $ut it &o%n to y relief at finally being ho e" But %hen I $ause& at the foot of the great y %ay u$ to y cha ber! I notice& that the ore! that an e broi&ere& cloth stair to take u$ a can&le to light grace& it" (ettricken" There %as a Iueen at Buckkee$ no%" I foun& yself s iling foolishly" So" y absence" Ha& Aerity This great fortress castle ha& ha& a going/o'er in

table there %as not bes$attere& %ith %ax! an&

bestirre& hi self an& his folk before her arri'al! or ha& (ettricken herself &e an&e& this 'ast scrubbing out0 It %oul& be interesting to fin& out" #s I cli be& the great staircase I notice& other things" The ancient soot arks abo'e each sconce %ere gone" 5ot e'en the corners of the ste$s hel& &ust" There %ere no cob%ebs" The can&elabra at each lan&ing %ere full an& bright %ith can&les" #n& a rack at each lan&ing hel& bla&es! rea&y for &efense" So this
1<DH

%as %hat it

eant to ha'e a Iueen in resi&ence" But e'en %hen Shre%&.s

)ueen ha& been ali'e! I &i&n.t recall that Buckkee$ ha& looke& or s elle& so clean or been so brightly lit" The guar& at (ing Shre%&.s &oor %as a &our/face& 'eteran I ha& kno%n since I %as six" # silent 6Only that I. an! he $eere& at e closely! then recogni1e& e" He allo%e& y co ing an to ake ight" So he on e a brief s ile as he aske&! 6#nything critical to re$ort! Fit107 back!7 I sai&! an& he no&&e& sagely" He %as use& to an& going here! often at so e 'ery o&& hours! but he %as not a assu $tions or &ra% conclusions! or e'en s$eak to those %ho Fit1 %as here" In a a%ay fro fro his &oor!

ste$$e& )uietly insi&e the (ing.s cha ber! to $ass the %or& to so eone that o ent the %or& ca e back that the (ing %oul& su aking ore of his e at his con'enience! but also that he %as gla& I %as safe" I ste$$e& )uietly essage than if those %or&s ha& co e any other an" Shre%& ne'er outhe& $olite nothings" an let Aerity kno% I %as back an&

Farther &o%n the sa e corri&or %ere Aerity.s cha bers" Here again I %as recogni1e&! but %hen I re)ueste& the %ishe& to re$ort! he re$lie& only that *rince Aerity %as not %ithin his cha ber" 6In his to%er! then07 I aske&! %on&ering %hat he %oul& be %atching for at this ti e of year" ;inter stor s ke$t our coast safe fro fe% onths of the year" y $u11le& glance! it Rai&ers for at least these

# slo% s ile stole o'er the guar&.s face" ;hen he sa% #n& then a&&e&3 6I shall see that he gets your the For a orning"7

beca e a grin" 6*rince Aerity is not in his cha bers 4ust no%!7 he re$eate&" essage as soon as he a%akes in

o ent longer I stoo&! stu$i& as a $ost" Then I turne& an& %alke& )uietly eant for there to be a

a%ay" I felt a sort of %on&er" This! too! %as %hat it Iueen in Buckkee$"
1<D1

I cli be& another t%o flights of stairs! an& %ent &o%n the hall to

y o%n

cha ber" It s elle& stale! an& there %as no fire in the hearth" It %as col& %ith &isuse! an& &usty" 5o touch of a %o an.s han& here" It see e& as bare an& colorless as a cell" But it %as still %ar er than a tent in the sno%! an& the feather be& %as as soft an& &ee$ as I re e bere& it" I she& gar ents as I %alke& to%ar& it" I fell into it an& slee$" y tra'el/staine&

9H#*TER THREE Rene%ing Ties THE O=DEST REFERE59E to the El&erlings in the Buckkee$ library is a battere& scroll" Aague &iscolorations u$on the 'ellu a $arti/colore& beast! one test of ti e %ell! but in The lettering ink is one &eri'e& fro suggest that it ca e fro ottle& in a %ay unfa iliar to any of our hunters" s)ui& ink an& bell root" It has stoo& the

uch better than the colore& inks that originally su$$lie& ite that has gna%e&

illustrations an& illu inations for the text" These ha'e not only fa&e& an& ble&! any $laces ha'e &ra%n the attentions of so e an& stiffene& the once/su$$le $arch ent! to unroll" >nfortunately! the &a age %as concentrate& recor&e& else%here" Fro nee& &ro'e hi ost at the inner ost $arts of the scroll! %hich &eal %ith $ortions of (ing ;is&o .s )uest that %ere not these frag ente& re ains! one can glean that sore ercilessly" Tatters hint that he ro&e to seek the ho elan& of the El&erlings" His troubles are aking $arts of the scroll too brittle

fa iliar ones+ shi$s rai&e& his coastline %oul& lea& hi to the ho e of the

off to%ar& the -ountain (ing&o " ;e &on.t kno% %hy he sus$ecte& that %ay ythical El&erlings" >nfortunately the final
1<D2

stages of his 4ourney an& his encounter %ith the El&erlings see

to ha'e been

richly illustrate&! for here the $arch ent is re&uce& to a lacy %eb of tantali1ing %or& bits an& bo&y $arts" ;e &o not kno% anything of this first encounter" 5or ha'e %e e'en an inkling as to ho% he in&uce& the El&erlings to beco e his allies" -any songs! rich in eta$hor! tell ho% the El&erlings &escen&e&! like our shores" ay con4ecture+ 6stor s! 6 like 6ti&al %a'es! 6 like 6'engeance gone gol&! 6 an& 6%rath e bo&ie& in flesh of stone7 to &ri'e the Rai&ers a%ay fro =egen&s also tell that they s%ore to ;is&o nee& of their ai&! they %oul& rise again to our &efense" One that if e'er the Six Duchies ha&

any ha'e! an& the 'ariety of legen&s that surroun& this alliance are $roof of that" But (ing ;is&o .s scribe.s recounting of the e'ent has been lost to il&e% an& %or s fore'er" -y cha ber ha& a single tall %in&o% that looke& out o'er the sea" In %inter a %oo&en shutter close& out the stor y roo to lay )uietly fin&ing %in&s! an& a ta$estry hung o'er that ga'e an illusion of co1y %ar th" So I a%akene& to &arkness! an& for a ti e yself" Jra&ually the subtle soun&s of the (ee$ filtere& in orning soun&s" Ho e! I reali1e&" y be&

e" -orning soun&s" Aery early

Buckkee$" #n& in the next instant! 6-olly!7 I sai& alou& to the &arkness" -y bo&y %as %eary an& aching still" But not exhauste&" I cla bere& fro into the chill of I stu ble& to bring u$ y roo " y long/&isuse& hearth an& kin&le& a s all fire" I nee&e& to a fickle yello% uscle fro y the chest at the foot of y be&! only to fin& the

ore fire%oo& soon" The &ancing fla es lent the roo

light" I took clothing fro

gar ents o&&ly ill/fitting" -y long illness ha& %aste& the fra e! but I ha& still so eho% 5othing fit" I $icke& u$ y shirt fro

anage& to gro% longer in the legs an& ar s" yester&ay! but a night in clean be&&ing
1<D8

ha& refreshe&

y nose" I coul& no longer abi&e the s ell of the tra'el/staine& y clothes chest again" I foun& one soft bro%n shirt that ha& e! an& no% 4ust fit" I $ut it on %ith y

gar ent" I &ug in green )uilte&

once been too long in the slee'e for

ountain trousers an& buskins" I ha& no &oubt that as soon as I

encountere& the =a&y *atience or -istress Hasty! I %oul& be attacke& an& the situation re e&ie&" But not! I ho$e&! before breakfast an& a tri$ into Buckkee$ To%n" There %ere se'eral $laces there %here I ight get %or& of -olly" I foun& the castle" stirring but not yet fully a%ake" I ate in the kitchen as I ha& %hen a chil&! fin&ing that there! as al%ays! the brea& %as freshest an& the $orri&ge s%eetest" 9ook exclai e& to see e! one inute co enting on ho% uch I ha& gro%n! an& the next la enting ho% thin an& %orn I looke&" I sur ise& that before the &ay %as out! I %oul& be heartily sick of these obser'ations" #s traffic in the kitchen increase& I fle&! carrying off a thick slice of brea& %ell buttere& an& la&en %ith rosehi$ $reser'es" I hea&e& back to%ar& y roo to get a %inter cloak" ore an& ore e'i&ence of In e'ery cha ber I $asse& through! I foun& an& re$resenting a

(ettricken.s $resence" # sort of ta$estry! %o'en of &ifferent/colore& grasses ountain scene! no% grace& the %all of the =esser Hall" There %ere no flo%ers to be ha& this ti e of year! but in o&& $laces I encountere& fat $ottery bo%ls full of $ebbles! an& these hel& bare but graceful branches! or &rie& thistles an& cattails" The changes %ere s all but un istakable" I foun& an& fro yself in one of the ol&er sections of Buckkee$! an& then cli bing the an&e& a %i&e 'ie% of our seacoast! er 'igil for rai&ing shi$s" Fro its tall %in&o%s Aerity ke$t his su &usty ste$s to Aerity.s %atchto%er" It co here he %orke& the Skill

agic that ke$t the Rai&ers at bay! or at least ga'e us

so e %arning of their co ing" It %as a thin &efense at ti es" He shoul& ha'e

1<D<

ha& a coterie of un&erlings traine& in the Skill to assist hi " But I &es$ite y bastar& bloo&! ha& ne'er been able to control y ran&o abilities" Jalen! our Skill lacke& a true co aster! ha& &ie& before he ha& traine&

yself! Skill

ore than a

han&ful in the Skill" There %as no one to re$lace hi ! an& those he ha& traine& union %ith Aerity" So Aerity Skille& alone against our before his ti e" I %orrie& that he %oul& o'ers$en& ene ies" It ha& age& hi too uch" y long

hi self u$on it! an& succu b to the a&&icting %eakness of those %ho Skille& By the ti e I reache& the to$ of the s$iraling to%er ste$s! I %as %in&e& an& legs ache&" I $ushe& at the &oor an& it ga'e easily on oile& hinges" Fro

habit! I ste$$e& )uietly as I entere& the roo " I ha& not really ex$ecte& to fin& Aerity or anyone else there" The sea stor s %ere our %atch en in %inter! guar&ing our coasts fro that %as floo&ing in fro Rai&ers" I blinke& in the su&&en gray light of orning the unshuttere& to%er %in&o%s" Aerity %as a &ark sky" He &i& not turn" 6Shut the &oor!7 he sai& akes this roo as %in&y as a chi ney"7

silhouette against a gray stor )uietly" 6The &raft u$ the stairs

I &i& so! an& then stoo& shi'ering in the chill" The %in& brought the scent of the sea %ith it! an& I breathe& it in as if it %ere life itself" 6I ha& not ex$ecte& to fin& you here!7 I sai&" He ke$t his eyes on the %ater" 6Di&n.t you0 Then %hy &i& you co e07 There %as a use ent in his 'oice" It 4olte& e" 6I &on.t really kno%" I hea&e& back to y roo """"7 -y 'oice &%in&le& a%ay as I trie& to recall %hy I ha& co e here" 6I Skille& you!7 he sai& si $ly" I stoo& silent an& thought" 6I felt nothing"7

1<D?

6I &i&n.t inten& that you shoul&" It is as I tol& you a long ti e ago" The Skill can be a soft %his$er in a co an&"7 e! an& as y eyes a&4uste& to the light y heart an" ;hen I ha& left Buckkee$ at He slo%ly turne& to face an.s ear" It &oesn.t ha'e to be a shout of

lea$e& %ith 4oy at the change I sa% in the

har'est ti e! he ha& been a %ithere& sha&o%! %orn thin by the %eight of his &uties an& his constant %atchfulness" His &ark hair %as still salte& %ith gray! but there %as uscle once ore on his stocky fra e! an& 'itality sna$$e& in y $rince!7 I sai& inanely" y shi$s!7 he an& looke& his &ark eyes" He looke& e'ery bit a (ing" 6-arriage see s to agree %ith you! That flustere& hi " 6In so e %ays!7 he conce&e& as a boyish flush rose on his cheeks" He turne& back )uickly to his %in&o%" 69o e an& see co an&e&" y turn to be baffle&" I ste$$e& to the %in&o% besi&e hi e by the shoul&ers an& turne& it as s oke rose fro It %as

out o'er the harbor! an& then o'er the sea itself" 6;here07 I aske& in be%il&er ent" He took co ing an& going fro e to%ar& the shi$yar&" # long barn of a buil&ing of ne% yello% $ine ha& been erecte& there" -en %ere chi neys an& forges there" Dark ense ti bers that ha& been orning! I look out to sea an& I ust co e" But so eti es! too! I %hat it against the sno% %ere se'eral of the i (ettricken.s bri&e offering to hi " 6So eti es! %hen I stan& u$ here on a %inter can al ost see the Re&/Shi$s" I kno% they can see the shi$s %e shall ha'e to hel$less this s$ring!

eet the " They %ill not fin& their $rey so

y boy" #n& by next %inter I inten& to teach the y grin irror his as our eyes et"

is to be rai&e&"7 He s$oke %ith a sa'age satisfaction that %oul& ha'e been frightening! ha& I not share& it" I felt

1<DB

#n& then his look change&" 6You look terrible!7 he offere&" 6#s ba& as your clothes" =et.s go so e%here %ar er an& fin& you so e so ething to eat"7 6I.'e eaten!7 I tol& hi " 6#n& I. thank you"7 6Don.t be $rickly!7 he a& onishe& kno%" 5or lie to shi'ering as you stan& there"7 6You.re using the Skill on Skill to you! but coul& not e!7 I accuse& hi ! an& he no&&e&" ake you a%are of e" I %as concerne& %hen you $lease& that he has 6I.'e been a%are of your a$$roach for so e &ays no%" I trie& se'eral ti es to left the roa&! but I un&erstan& Burrich.s concern" I a %ent on at @haa $e" I a any suggestions07 6Your %or& of thanks %oul& be all he %oul& acce$t" He %oul& bri&le that you thought he nee&e& %oul& be a ore" -y o%n feelings are that no ob4ect you ga'e hi e" The %ay to han&le hi is to tell hi atch for %hat he &i& for e" 6#n& &on.t tell e %hat I alrea&y e" The cli b u$ the stairs has exhauste& you! an& you.re uch better than I %as a fe% onths ago! ulle& %ine an&

looke& after you so %ell+ not 4ust in bringing you ho e safe! but in all that at a loss as to ho% to re%ar& hi " It %oul& ha'e to be subtle" Ji'en %ho %as in'ol'e&! a $ublic recognition %oul& not &o" Ha'e you

to take his $ick of the likely t%o/year/ol&s! for his horse is gro%ing ol&" He.& un&erstan& that"7 I consi&ere& it carefully" 6Yes" You 6-ight I07 Aerity aske& his 'oice" I %as su&&enly a a1e& at sai& hu bly" # s ile cur'e& his li$s an& his han& fell on l aske& you! &i& I not0 For a y shoul&er in a hea'y $at" 6;ell! o ent I %oul& ha'e s%orn it %as ol& 9hi'alry
1<DC

ight &o that"7

e &ryly" There %as an aci& e&ge to the a use ent in y o%n bol&ness" 6I forgot yself! y $rince!7 I

instructing

e in han&ling

en! rather than

y young ne$he%" Your tri$ to eant %hat I sai& about a

@haa $e has )uite change& you! boy" 9o e" I later in the &ay" #n& *atience! too! I i agine"7 -y heart sank as he hea$e& the tasks before like a lo&estone" But this %as inconse)uential things" He tol& hi to bring %ine an& ;e left the to%er an& I follo%e& hi

%ar er s$ot an& a glass of so ething" (ettricken %ill be %anting to see you e" Buckkee$ To%n $ulle& at e

y king/in/%aiting" I bo%e&

y hea& to his %ill"

&o%n the stairs! s$eaking of

e to tell -istress Hasty I nee&e& ne% clothes+

I aske& after =eon! his %olfhoun&" He sto$$e& a la& in the corri&or an& aske& eat $ies to his stu&y" I follo%e& hi ! not u$ to his at once fa iliar an& strange" The last ti e I ha& it" cha bers! but to a lo%er roo an& roots for the

been in it! Fe&%ren the scribe ha& been using it to sort an& &ry herbs an& shells aking of his inks" #ll signs of that ha& been cleare& fro # fire burne& lo% in the s all hearth" Aerity $oke& this u$ an& a&&e& %oo& as I looke& aroun&" There %as a large car'e& oak table an& t%o s aller ones! a 'ariety of chairs! a scroll rack! an& a battere& shelf littere& %ith ob4ects" S$rea& out on the table %as the beginnings of a iscellaneous a$ of the 9halce&

States" The corners of it %ere %eighte& %ith a &agger an& three stones" Aarious scra$s of $arch ent that littere& the tableto$ %ere co'ere& %ith Aerity.s han& an& $reli inary sketches %ith notes scratche& across the " The frien&ly litter that co'ere& the t%o s aller tables an& se'eral of the chairs see e& fa iliar" #fter a o ent I recogni1e& it as the layer of Aerity.s $ossessions that ha& a%akening y raise& eyebro%s" 6-y )ueen/in/%aiting has e! Rcan you ho$e to create $re'iously been scattere& about his be&cha ber" Aerity rose fro the fire an& s ile& ruefully at $recise lines in the of a s all $atience %ith clutter" RHo%!. she aske& ilitary enca $ ent" So I hi&e

i&st of such &isor&er0. Her o%n cha ber has the $recision yself a%ay &o%n here! for I )uickly

1<DD

foun& that in a clean an& s$arse cha ber I coul& get no %ork &one at all" Besi&es! it gi'es e a $lace for )uiet talk! %here not all kno% to seek e"7 %ith He ha& scarcely finishe& s$eaking %hen the &oor o$ene& to a& it 9hari a tray" I no&&e& to Aerity.s ser'ing see ha& al%ays en4oye&" He ti&ying

an! %ho not only see e& unsur$rise& to briefly! aking $erfunctory e! an& he scarce see e& to left"

e! but ha& a&&e& to Aerity.s re)uest a certain ty$e of s$ice brea& that I o'e& about the roo otions as he shifte& a fe% books an& scrolls to free a chair for

then 'anishe& again" Aerity %as so accusto e& to hi

notice hi ! sa'e for the brief s ile they exchange& as 9hari Fro the ti e you left Buckkee$"7

6So!7 he sai&! as soon as the &oor %as fairly shut" 6=et.s ha'e a full re$ort" This %as not a si $le recounting of y 4ourney an& the e'ents of it" I ha& been y earliest &ays

traine& by 9ha&e to be a s$y as %ell as an assassin" #n& since

Burrich ha& al%ays &e an&e& that I be able to gi'e a &etaile& account of anything that %ent on in the stables in his absence" So as %e ate an& &rank I ga'e Aerity an accounting of all I ha& seen an& &one since I ha& left Buckkee$" This %as follo%e& by 9hari y su ation of %hat I ha& conclu&e& fro y ex$eriences! an& then by %hat I sus$ecte& fro ha& returne& %ith another %hat I ha& learne&" By then! for the "

eal" ;hile %e consu e& this Aerity

li ite& our talk to his %arshi$s" He coul& not conceal his enthusias yself to fetch hi " He clai e& to be an ol& So I set the a$$rentices %ork! an& I refuse e to #n& I sho%e& hi

6-astfish has co e &o%n to su$er'ise the buil&ing" I %ent u$ to High&o%ns an no%" RThe col& %oul& stiffen e" y bones+ I can.t buil& a boat in %inter any ore! that %as the %or& he sent y face" ;hen he got here! I took hi

yself %ent to fetch hi " He coul& not &o%n to the shi$yar&s"

the heate& she&! big enough to house a %arshi$! built so he

ight %ork an& not be col&" But that %as not %hat con'ince& hi " It %as the
1<DE

%hite oak that (ettricken brought

e" ;hen he sa% the ti ber! he coul& not

%ait to $ut a &ra%knife to it" The grain is straight an& true throughout" The $lanking is %ell begun alrea&y" They %ill be lo'ely shi$s! s%an/necke&! sinuous as snakes u$on the %ater"7 Enthusias asts %hen they %ere un&er %ay" Then the &ishes an& o&& ents %ere $ushe& to one si&e! an& he began to )ui1 e u$on the e'ents in @haa $e" He force& inci&ent fro 'i'i& once I ha& reli'e& the entire e$iso&e an& ore" e to reconsi&er each se$arate e! y betrayal %as fresh an& e'ery $ossible $ers$ecti'e" By the ti e he %as finishe& %ith y anger at s$ille& fro hi " I coul& alrea&y i agine the rising an& falling of the oars! the bellying of the s)uare

Aerity %as not blin& to it" He leane& back in his chair to reach for another log" He fli$$e& it onto the fire! sen&ing a sho%er of s$arks u$ the chi ney" 6You ha'e )uestions!7 he obser'e&" 6This ti e you han&s )uietly into his la$ an& %aite&" I trie& to aster y e otions" 6*rince Regal! your brother!7 I began carefully! 6is guilty of the highest treason" He arrange& the killing of your bri&e.s el&er brother! *rince Rurisk" He atte $te& a $lot that %oul& ha'e resulte& in your &eath" His ai forcing %as to usur$ both your cro%n an& your bri&e" #s little ore than a s$ice! he t%ice trie& to kill e" #n& Burrich"7 I $ause& to breathe! ay ask the "7 He fol&e& his

y heart an& 'oice back to cal ness" il&ly" y face asi&e fro e! for y anger" The 'ery intensity of it frightene& y

6You an& I both acce$t those things as true" They %oul& be &ifficult for us to $ro'e!7 Aerity obser'e& Aerity until I coul& I ha& not allo%e& aster 6#n& he relies u$on that:7 I s$at out! an& then turne&

yself to feel it until no%" -onths ago! %hen I %as using all in& clear" There ha&

y %its to stay ali'e! I ha& $ushe& it asi&e to kee$

1<EH

follo%e& the %asting Aerity ha&

onths of con'alescence as I reco'ere& fro

Regal.s

botche& $oisoning atte $t" 5ot e'en to Burrich ha& I been able to tell all! for a&e it clear that he %ishe& no one to kno% any ore about the situation than coul& be hel$e&" 5o% I stoo& before %ith the force of yself once ore" ore )uietly" #ll this %hile Aerity ha& not y outburst" He sat gra'ely at his en& e %ith of t%itches" That &is aye& 6Regal relies u$on it!7 I sai& y $rince an& tre ble& u$on

y o%n anger" -y face s$as e& su&&enly in a 'iolent series e enough that I %as able to force cal

bu&ge& nor change& ex$ression &es$ite

of the table! his %ork/scarre& han&s co $ose& before hi ! %atching

&ark eyes" I looke& &o%n at the tableto$ an& trace& %ith a fingerti$ the car'e& scroll%ork on the corner" 6He &oes not a& ire you! that you kee$ the la%s of the king&o " He sees it as a %eakness! as a %ay to circu 'ent 4ustice" He try to kill you again" #l ost certainly! he %ill 6Then %e I lifte& ust be careful! %e t%o! y outrage" your king/in/%aiting" You are s%orn to y y father" #n&! if it co es to it! you are s%orn to y eyes to look hi ake an atte $t u$on e"7 ustn.t %e07 Aerity obser'e& il&ly" e07 I aske& ay

in the face" 6That is all you say to

tightly! choking &o%n 6Fit19hi'alry" I a e! as uch as to

your $rince" I a

brother as %ell"7 Aerity rose su&&enly to take a $ace aroun& the roo " 6@ustice" There.s a thing %e shall e'er thirst after! an& e'er be $arche&" 5o" ;e content oursel'es %ith la%" #n& this is only ore true! the higher a an.s rank rises" y el&er @ustice %oul& $ut you next in line for the throne! Fit1" 9hi'alry %as ake any clai grab it fro to the cro%n" So e e07
1<E1

brother" But la% says you %ere born outsi&e of %e&lock! an& hence can ne'er ight say I ha& snatche& the throne fro y younger brother shoul& %ant to y brother.s son" Shoul& I be shocke& that

I ha& ne'er hear& Aerity s$eak like this! his 'oice so e'en but so fraught %ith e otion" I ke$t silent" 6You think I shoul& $unish hi " I coul&" I nee& not $ro'e his %rong&oing to ake life un$leasant for hi " I coul& sen& hi so e contri'e& erran&! an& kee$ hi fro loa& hi as e issary to 9ol& Bay! on here at court! but so there! in unco fortable con&itions! far

court" I coul& all but banish hi " Or I coul& kee$ hi

%ith un$leasant &uties that he has no ti e for that %hich a uses hi " %oul& rally to his &efense" The Inlan& other.s lan& that &e an&e&

He %oul& un&erstan& he %as being $unishe&" So %oul& e'ery noble %ith half a %it" Those %ho sy $athi1e %ith hi Duchies coul& contri'e so e e ergency in his He

the $resence of her son" Once there! he coul& buil& further su$$ort for hi self" ight 'ery %ell be able to fo ent the ci'il unrest he sought before! an& loyal only to hi " E'en if he &i& not achie'e that en&! ust ha'e if I a to &efen& foun& an inlan& king&o our king&o "7 He sto$$e& s$eaking" He lifte& his eyes an& glance& aroun& the roo " I follo%e& his ga1e" The %alls %ere hung %ith his a$s" There %as Bea s! there %as Shoaks! an& here %as Ri$$on" On the o$$osite %all! Buck! Farro%! an& Tilth" #ll &one in Aerity.s $recise han&! e'ery ri'er blue/inke&! e'ery to%n na e&" Here %ere his Six Duchies" He kne% the ha& ri&&en those roa&s! hel$e& set the as Regal ne'er %oul&" He arkers of those boun&aries" Follo%ing

he coul& cause enough unrest to steal the unity I

9hi'alry! he ha& treate& %ith the folk %ho bor&ere& our lan&s" He ha& s%ung a s%or& in &efense of it! an& kno%n %hen to set &o%n that s%or& an& negotiate a $eace" ;ho %as I to be telling hi 6(ee$ hi " He is %ine" 6-y father.s ho% to rule at ho e0 y father.s son"7 He $oure& hi self ore 6;hat %ill you &o07 I aske& )uietly" y brother" #n& ost cherishe&+ youngest son" I ha'e gone to
1<E2

y father! the

(ing! an& suggeste& that Regal this" I ex$ect to be

ight be

ore content %ith his lot if he ha& the Re&/Shi$s"

ore to &o %ith the running of the king&o " (ing Shre%& has consente& to uch occu$ie& %ith &efen&ing our lan& fro So to Regal %ill fall the task of raising the re'enues %e shall nee&! an& he %ill also be &ealing %ith any other internal crises that an& &issensions"7 6#n& Regal is content %ith this07 Aerity s ile& a thin s ile" 6He cannot say he is not" 5ot if he %ishes to kee$ the i age of a young only soun& in the roo 6To orro% I an o&& tone" I looke& u$ an& fro et his eyes" I s%allo%e&" I brought ight """ $ursue erran&s of yself to y o%n"7 in&" 9ertainly y feet" 6-y $rince!7 I began for ally" 6I %oul& ask your kin& $er ission to be excuse& &uties to orro%! that I e stan& for a He let o ent" Then3 6Oh! sit &o%n! Fit1" *etty" I su$$ose that e in such a fra e of y business" -ight I ask an a&e$t at ruling an& but %aiting for o$$ortunity to %as the sna$$ing of the fla es as they consu e& the e to orro%!7 he began" yself!7 I tol& hi " e" 6-ust you07 he aske& in $ro'e hi self"7 He lifte& his %ineglass an& turne& to stare into the fire" The %oo&" 6;hen you co e to ust ha'e for ay arise" ;ith a circle of nobles to assist hi ! of course" He is full %elco e to &eal %ith their bickering

He set &o%n his %ineglass an& turne& to look at

%as $etty of

e" Thinking of Regal $uts

you can ha'e the &ay! boy" If anyone asks! you are on %hat this urgent erran& is07

I looke& into the fire at the lea$ing fla es" 6-y frien& %as li'ing in Siltbay" I nee& to fin& out/7 6Oh! Fit1"7 There %as ore sy $athy in Aerity.s 'oice than I coul& %ithstan&"

1<E8

# su&&en %a'e of %eariness %ashe& o'er han&s began to tre ble" I $ut the

e" I %as gla& to sit again" -y to still y %eakness no%"

belo% the table an& clas$e& the

the " I still felt the tre ors! but at least no one coul& see He cleare& his throat" 6Jo to your roo %ant a I shook y hea& &u bly! su&&enly an& a&e an to ri&e %ith you to Siltbay to orro%07

an& rest!7 he sai& kin&ly" 6Do you iserably certain of %hat I %oul& e" I trie& the fit that threatene&" I

&isco'er" The thought to breathe slo%ly! to cal 6Sha e to for e" I a

e sick" #nother shu&&er %ent through yself an& e&ge back fro yself that %ay before Aerity"

coul& not abi&e the thought of sha ing silently" He set his glass of %ine before I force& yself to

e! not you! to ha'e ignore& ho% ill you ha'e been"7 He ha& arisen e" 6The &a age you took %as taken a$$alle& by %hat I allo%e& to befall you"7 eet Aerity.s eyes" He kne% all that I trie& to conceal" (ne% iserable %ith guilt" e! but his eyes &i& not change" 6You are an excellent liar! Fit1" an %ho has ay uch as I ha'e! not 4ust these last fe% &ays! but often &uring an says to you! RI kno% 4ust ho% you feel!. you e acce$t it as truth" #n& I kno% that %ith

it! an& %as He s ile& at

6It is not often this ba&!7 I offere& hi " Do not think your training has gone a%ry" But you cannot lie to a been %ith you as your illness" If any other

regar& it as a $oliteness" But fro onths hence" I &o offer you 6I can ho% $lainly he sa%

you it is as it is %ith Burrich" I shall not offer you the $ick of the colts a fe% y ar ! if you %ish it! to get back to your roo "7 e! but also of yself" anage!7 I sai& stiffly" I %as a%are of ho% he honore& y %eakness" I %ante& to be alone! to hi&e you"7

He no&&e&! un&erstan&ing" 6;oul& that you ha& offer you strength! 4ust as I ha'e too often taken it fro

astere& the Skill" I coul&

1<E<

6I coul& not!7 I the

uttere&! unable to

ask ho% &istasteful I %oul& fin& the y o%n" I instantly regrette&

&ra%ing off of another

an.s strength to re$lace y $rince.s eyes"

o ent of sha e I sa% in

6I! too! coul& once s$eak %ith such $ri&e!7 he sai& )uietly" 6Jo get so e rest! boy"7 He turne& slo%ly asi&e fro an& his 'ellu once e" He busie& hi self setting out his inks ore" I left )uietly"

;e ha& been closete& for the %hole &ay" Outsi&e! it %as full &ark" The castle ha& the settle& air of a %inter.s e'ening" The tables cleare&! the folk %oul& be gathere& about the hearths in the Jreat Hall" -instrels $u$$eteer ight be singing! or a o'ing his gangly charges through a story" So e folk %oul& %atch atching arkers or &ro%sing against their $arents. knees or on areas %here folk ha& y shoul&ers as if yself to $ause

%hile fletching arro%s! so e %oul& be $lying nee&les! chil&ren %oul& be s$inning to$s or shoul&ers" #ll %as secure" Outsi&e! the %inter stor s ble% an& ke$t us safe" I %alke& %ith a &runkar&.s caution! a'oi&ing the co gathere& for the e'ening" I fol&e& chille&! an& so stille& the tre bling in for a count of ten! then force& But as I set %o an y ar s an& hunche&

y ar s" I cli be& the first flight of

stairs slo%ly! as if lost in thought" On the lan&ing I $er itte& yself to begin the next flight" yself! she still

y foot to the first ste$! =acey ca e boun&ing &o%n" # $lu $ o'e& &o%n the she sei1e& e is$lace&

ore than a score of years ol&er than

ste$s %ith a chil&.s ski$$ing gait" #s she reache& the botto fro her se%ing basket" She clutche& y ar fir ly an& turne&

%ith a cry of 6There you are:7 as if I %ere a $air of shears she.&

e to%ar& the

hall" 6I.'e been u$ an& &o%n those stairs a &o1en ti es to&ay if I.'e been once" -y! you.'e gotten taller" =a&y *atience has not been at all herself an& it.s your fault" #t first she ex$ecte& you to ta$ on the &oor any $lease& you %ere finally ho e"7 She $ause& to look u$ at
1<E?

o ent" She %as so e %ith her bright

bir& eyes" 6That %as this ;ithout gi'ing

orning!7 she confi&e&" Then3 6You ha'e been ill:

Such circles un&er your eyes"7 e a chance to re$ly! she %ent on! 6By early afternoon! %hen you ha&n.t arri'e&! she began to be insulte& an& a bit cross" By &inner she %as in such a te $er o'er your ru&eness she coul& scarcely eat" Since then! she.s &eci&e& to belie'e the ru ors about ho% sick you.'e been" She.s sure that you.'e either colla$se& so e%here! or that Burrich has ke$t you &o%n in the stables cleaning u$ after horses an& &ogs &es$ite your health" 5o%! here %e are! in you go! I ha'e hi ! cha bers" =acey.s chatter ha& an o&& un&ertone to it! as if she a'oi&e& so ething" I entere& hesitantly! %on&ering if *atience herself ha& been ill or if so e isfortune ha& befallen her" If either %ere so! then it ha&n.t affecte& her li'ing habits at all" Her cha bers %ere uch as they al%ays %ere" #ll her greenery ha& gro%n an& t%ine& an& &ro$$e& lea'es" # ne% layer of su&&en interests o'erlay all the &iscar&e& ones in the roo " T%o &o'es ha& been a&&e& to her enagerie" # &o1en or so horseshoes %ere scattere& about the roo " # fat bayberry can&le burne& on the table! gi'ing off a $leasant scent! but &ri$$ing %ax onto so e &rie& flo%ers an& herbs on a tray besi&e it" So e o&&ly car'e& little sticks in a bun&le %ere also threatene&" They a$$eare& to be fortune/ telling sticks such as the 9hyur&a use&" #s I entere&! her tough little terrier bitch ca e u$ to greet again" To co'er e" I stoo$e& to $at her! then %on&ere& if I coul& stan& the floor" It %as a y &elay! I carefully $icke& u$ a tablet fro her loo to greet e" e crouch" e forget ake y la&y"7 #n& she %hiske& e into *atience.s

rather ol& one! an& $robably rare! on the use of the fortune/telling sticks" *atience turne& a%ay fro 6Oh! get u$ an& sto$ being ri&iculous!7 she exclai e& at seeing 6Joing &o%n on one knee is i&iocy" Or &i& you think it %oul&
1<EB

ho% ru&e you.'e been in not co ing to see brought

e right a%ay" ;hat.s that you.'e uch on the

e0 Oh! ho% thoughtful: Ho% &i& you kno% I.& been stu&ying the 0

You kno%! I.'e searche& all the castle.s libraries an& not foun& $re&icting sticks at all:7 She took the tablet fro y han& an& s ile& u$ at e" I ga'e a

e at the su$$ose& gift"

O'er her shoul&er! =acey %inke& at tablets" She turne& back to %hile her s all straight e" For a

inuscule shrug in return" I e %ar ly! then

glance& back at =a&y *atience! %ho set the tablet ato$ a teetering stack of o ent she regar&e& she calle& u$ a fro%n to her face" Her bro%s gathere& o'er her ha1el eyes! outh hel& a fir line" The effect of her re$ro'ing y shoul&er no%! an& e!7 I sai&! an& bol&ly fro y han& look %as rather s$oile& by the fact that she ca e 4ust to that she ha& t%o i'y lea'es stuck in her hair" 6Excuse $lucke& the fro seriously! as if they %ere i $ortant! an& set the 6;here ha'e you been! all these %e&&ing! you.'e &e an&e&" 6Your uncle.s bri&e arri'e& nobles" Here I a ! ex$en&ing all

the unruly &ark curls" She took the

ato$ the tablet" isse& the for al

onths! %hen you %ere nee&e& here07 she onths ago" You.'e

isse& the feasting an& the &ancing an& the gathering of the y energies to see that you are treate& as the e! but go all about the (ee$

son of a *rince! an& there you are! a'oi&ing all your social obligations" #n& %hen you &o get ho e! you &on.t co e to see %here anyone else ight talk to you! &resse& like a ragge& tinker" ;hate'er

$ossesse& you to cut your hair like that07 -y father.s %ife! once horrifie& to &isco'er that he ha& sire& a bastar& before they %ere %e&! ha& gone fro abhorring e to aggressi'ely bettering e" So eti es that %as ore &ifficult to &eal %ith than if she ha& ostraci1e& thought that you e" 5o% she &e an&e&! 6Ha& you no ore i $ortant than

ight ha'e social &uties here that %ere

galli'anting about %ith Burrich looking at horses07

1<EC

6I a

sorry!

y la&y"7 Ex$erience ha& taught

e ne'er to argue %ith *atience" e to &istraction on a

Her eccentricity ha& &elighte& *rince 9hi'alry" It &ro'e

goo& &ay" Tonight I felt o'er%hel e& by it" 6For a ti e I %as ill" I &i& not feel %ell enough to tra'el" By the ti e I reco'ere&! the %eather &elaye& us" I a sorry to ha'e isse& the %e&&ing"7 6#n& that %as all0 That %as the sole reason for your &elay07 She s$oke shar$ly! as if sus$ecting so e heinous &ece$tion" 6It %as!7 I ans%ere& gra'ely" 6But I &i& think of you" I ha'e so ething for you! out in y $acks" I ha'en.t brought the u$ fro the stable yet! but I %ill to orro%"7 6;hat is it07 she &e an&e&! curious as a chil&" I took a &ee$ breath" I &es$erately %ishe& for # si $le one! for they are &elicate! an& the y be&" 6It.s a sort of an herbal" ore ornate ones %oul& not ha'e

stoo& u$ to the tri$" The 9hyur&a &on.t use tablets or scrolls for teaching herbs! as %e &o" Instea&! this is a %oo&en case" ;hen you o$en it! you %ill &isco'er tiny %ax herb to o&els of the herbs! tinte& to the correct colors an& scente& %ith each ake it easier to learn the " The lettering is in 9hyur&a! of course! but

I still thought you %oul& en4oy it"7 6It soun&s )uite interesting!7 she sai&! an& her eyes shone" 6I look for%ar& to seeing it"7 6Shall I bring hi inter4ecte&" 6Oh! of course! =acey" Sit &o%n! boy" Tell There" That %as truthful" =acey brought %a'e of %eariness $asse& through e" e! %hat %as your illness07 " e a s all stool an& I sat gratefully" # 6I ate so ething! one of the foreign herbs! an& ha& a strong reaction to it"7 a chair! y la&y0 He &oes look as if he has been ill!7 =acey

1<ED

6Oh" I see"7 She &is isse& su&&enly &e an&e&! 6Tell $ut y

y illness" She took a breath! glance& about! then e" Ha'e you e'er consi&ere& arriage07

The abru$t change in sub4ect %as so like *atience that I ha& to s ile" I trie& to in& to the )uestion" For a o ent I sa% -olly! her cheeks re&&ene& %ith the %in& that tease& her &ark hair loose" -olly" To orro%! I $ro ise& yself" Siltbay" 6Fit1: Sto$ that: I %on.t ha'e you staring through you hear e0 #re you %ell07 yself back" 65ot really!7 I ans%ere& honestly" 6It.s e """"7 ;ith an effort I calle& been a tiring &ay for e as if I %ere not here" Do

6=acey! fetch the boy a cu$ of el&erberry %ine" He &oes look %orn" -aybe this isn.t the best ti e for talk!7 =a&y *atience &eci&e& falteringly" For the first ti e she really looke& at suggeste& softly! after a a&'entures"7 I looke& &o%n at y $a&&e& ountain buskins" The truth ho'ere& insi&e e! then fell an& %as &ro%ne& in the &anger of her kno%ing all that truth" 6# long 4ourney" Ba& foo&" Dirty inns %ith sour be&s an& sticky tables" That su s it u$" I &on.t think you really %ant to hear all the &etails"7 #n o&& thing ha$$ene&" Our eyes ti es et! an& I kne% she sa% y lie" She no&&e& any slo%ly! acce$ting the lie as necessary! an& looke& asi&e" I %on&ere& ho% y father ha& tol& her si ilar lies" ;hat &i& it cost her to no&0 y han& fir ly" I lifte& it! an& the s%eet sting anage& to s ile at y 'oice )ua'ere& yself! e" I hel& it in both han&s an& e!7 I began! an& &es$ite =acey $ut the cu$ of %ine into of the first si$ re'i'e& *atience o'er it" 6Tell like an ol& e" Jenuine concern gre% in her eyes" 6*erha$s!7 she o ent! 6I &o not kno% the full tale of your

an.s" I cleare&

y throat to stea&y it" 6Ho% ha'e you been0 I

1<EE

i agine that ha'ing a Iueen here at Buckkee$ has Tell e of all I ha'e isse&"7

a&e your life

uch busier"

6Oh!7 she sai&! as if $ricke& %ith a $in" 5o% it %as *atience.s turn to look asi&e" 6You kno% %hat a solitary creature I a " -y health is not al%ays strong" To stay u$ late! &ancing an& talking! lea'es after%ar&" 5o" I ha'e $resente& ol& an& o&&! an& $robably be y life is full of e abe& for t%o &ays yself to the Iueen an& sat at table %ith her a y o%n interests """"7 y bones an& y teeth y

ti e or t%o" But she is young an& busy an& caught u$ in her ne% life" #n& I a 6(ettricken shares your lo'e of gro%ing things!7 I 'enture&" 6She %oul& ost intereste&/7 # su&&en tre or rattle& chattere& to stillness" R"RI a an& %ine sloshe& o'er an& 4ust """ a bit col&"7 I excuse& yself an& lifte&

%ine cu$ again" I took a gul$ instea& of the si$ I ha& inten&e&" -y han&s shook y chin an& &o%n y shirtfront" I 4u $e& u$ in &is ay y traitorous han&s let go the cu$" It struck the car$et an& rolle& a%ay! yself to try to still y shaking" 6I a 'ery tire&!7 I her" I y

lea'ing a trail of &ark %ine like bloo&" I sat &o%n again abru$tly an& clas$e& y ar s aroun& atte $te&" =acey ca e at %i$e& face" 65o! Fit1! forget the %ine" ;e can ti&y u$" You are tire&! an& half/sick" @ust take yourself u$ to be&" 9o e an& see boy" Off to be&"7 I stoo&! grateful for the re$rie'e! an& a&e y cautious courtesies" =acey sa% e anxiously as far as the e as far as the &oor! an& then stoo& %atching after
1?HH

e %ith a cloth an& &abbe& at

e until I took it fro

y chin an& blotte&

ost of the %ine fro

y shirt" But %hen I

crouche& &o%n to

o$ u$ %hat ha& s$ille&! I al ost $itche& for%ar& onto

e %hen you.'e reste&" I.'e so ething

serious to &iscuss %ith you! but it %ill kee$ another night" 5o% off you go!

lan&ing" I trie& to %alk as if the %alls an& floors %eren.t %a'ering" I $ause& at the stairs to gi'e her a s all %a'e! an& then starte& u$ the " Three ste$s u$ an& out of her sight! I sto$$e& to lean on the %all an& catch y han&s to shiel& %ashing o'er y eyes fro e in %a'es" ;hen I o$ene& y eyes! y breath" I lifte& the brilliant can&lelight" Di11iness %as y 'ision %as %reathe& e" It $ause& t%o ste$s yself y han&s to the "

in rainbo% fogs" I close& the abo'e a&e 6=et

tight an& $resse&

I hear& a light ste$ co ing &o%n the stairs to%ar& 6# bit too

e" 6#re you all right! sir07 so eone aske& uncertainly" uch to &rink!7 I lie&" 9ertainly the %ine I ha& &u $e& o'er o ent"7 ight be &angerous"7 There %as y eyes an& $eere& through e s ell like a &runk" 6I.ll be fine in a e hel$ you u$ the stairs" # stu ble here

starche& &isa$$ro'al in the 'oice no%" I o$ene& &oubt she.& ha& to &eal %ith &runks before" I shook

y fingers" Blue skirts" Of the sensible fabric that all the ser'ants %ore" 5o y hea&! but she ignore& that! 4ust as I %oul& ha'e in her $osition" I y u$$er ar fir ly! %hile her other ar encircle& y e" I leane& on her!

felt a strong han& gri$

%aist" 6=et.s 4ust get you u$ the stairs!7 she encourage& not %anting to! an& stu ble& u$ to the next lan&ing" 6Thank you!7 I gri$" uttere&! thinking she %oul& lea'e

e no%! but she ke$t her

6#re you sure you belong on this le'el0 The ser'ants. )uarters are the next flight u$! you kno%"7 I anage& a no&" 6Thir& &oor" If you &on.t in&"7 She %as silent for longer than a o ent" 6That.s the Bastar&.s roo "7 The y hea&"

%or&s %ere flung like a col& challenge" I &i& not flinch to the %or&s as I %oul& ha'e once" I &i& not e'en lift 6Yes" You ay go no%"7 I &is isse& her as col&ly"
1?H1

Instea& she ste$$e& closer" She sei1e& I 4erke& y hea& u$" I coul& not ake

y hair! 4erke&

y hea& u$ to face her"

65e%boy:7 she hisse& in fury" 6I shoul& &ro$ you right here"7 y eyes focus on her eyes! but all the er afternoon" Relief crashe& o'er e sa e! I kne% her! kne% the sha$e of her face an& ho% her hair fell for%ar& on her shoul&ers! an& her scent! like a su like a %a'e" It %as -olly! out" -y heart lea$e& in her" #t least! I atte $te& to" She stiff/ar e& kiss a &runk" That.s one $ro ise I.'e 6I. not &runk! I. e a%ay! saying gruffly! 6I shall ne'er a&e to yself an& shall al%ays kee$" a&e y y -olly the can&le aker" 6You.re ali'e:7 I crie& y ar s an& kisse&

e like a hooke& fish" I took her in

5or be kisse& by one"7 Her 'oice %as tight" """ sick!7 I $roteste&" The surge of excite ent ha& y feet" 6It &oesn.t hea& s$in She stea&ie& ore than e'er" I s%aye& on atter any%ay"

You.re here an& safe"7 e" # reflex she ha& learne& taking care of her father" 6Oh" I see" ingle& in her 'oice" 6You.re not the You.re not &runk"7 Disgust an& &isbelief

scriber.s boy! either" 5or a stable han&" Is lying ho% you al%ays begin %ith $eo$le0 It see s to be ho% you al%ays en&"7 6I &i&n.t lie!7 I sai& )uerulously! confuse& by the anger in her 'oice" I %ishe& I coul& ake y eyes eet hers" 6I 4ust &i&n.t tell you )uite """ it.s too 4ust so gla& you.re all right" #n& here in Buckkee$: I e! hol&ing e on co $licate&" -olly! I. y feet" 6I.

thought I %as going to ha'e to search """7 She still gri$$e& to a& it ho% %eak I a "7 6#n& so you lie"7 Her 'oice cut like a %hi$" 6You shoul& be to lie! 5e%boy" Or is lying $er itte& to a *rince.s son07

not &runk" Really" I &i& lie 4ust no%! because it %as e barrassing ore e barrasse&

1?H2

She let go of

e an& I sagge& against a %all" I trie& to get a gri$ on y bo&y 'ertical" 6I.

%hirling thoughts %hile kee$ing sai& at last" 6I.

not a *rince.s son!7 I

a bastar&" That.s &ifferent" #n& yes! that %as too

e barrassing to a& it! too" But I ne'er tol& you I %asn.t the Bastar&" I 4ust al%ays felt! %hen I %as %ith you! I %as 5e%boy" It %as nice! ha'ing a fe% frien&s %ho looke& at by e an& thought! R5e%boy. instea& of Rthe Bastar&". 6 e! uch ore roughly than before! y roo " I %as a a1e& at y be&" #s soon as I anage& to sit bet%een y e" I coul&n.t e &o%n the hall to -olly &i&n.t re$ly" Instea& she grabbe& y shirtfront! an& haule&

ho% strong %o en %ere %hen they %ere angry" She shoul&ere& the &oor o$en as if it %ere a $ersonal ene y an& $ro$elle& &o%n" By clutching e to%ar& %as close! she let go an& I fell against it" I righte& knees! I coul& control yself an&

y han&s tightly together an& gri$$ing the y tre bling" -olly stoo& glaring at

$recisely see her" Her outline %as blurre&! her features a s ear! but I coul& tell by the %ay she stoo& that she %as furious" #fter a o ent I 'enture&! 6I &rea e& of you" ;hile I %as gone"7 y effort to kee$ y 'oice fro She still &i&n.t s$eak" I felt a bit bra'er" 6I &rea e& you %ere at Siltbay" ;hen it %as rai&e&"7 -y %or&s ca e out tight %ith shaking" 6I &rea e& of fires! an& Rai&ers attacking" In hel& like a %all against %ho coul& ha'e seen stea&y y &rea ! there %ere

t%o chil&ren you ha& to $rotect" It see e& like they %ere yours"7 Her silence y %or&s" She $robably thought I %as ten kin&s of an e so un anne&! %hy &i& it ha'e to be -olly0 The gla& you.re safe" But %hat are you &oing at i&iot! babbling about &rea s" #n& %hy! oh %hy! of all the $eo$le in the %orl& silence ha& gro%n long" 6But you %ere here! at Buckkee$ an& safe"7 I trie& to y )ua'ering 'oice" 6I. Buckkee$07

1?H8

6;hat a

I &oing here07 Her 'oice %as as tight as

ine" #nger

a&e it col&!

but I thought it %as he&ge& %ith fear! too" 6I ca e looking for a frien&"7 She $ause& an& see e& to strangle for a bit" ;hen she s$oke again! her 'oice %as artificially cal ! al ost kin&" 6You see! So y cre&itors took y sho$ fro %ith the har'est! to earn %illing to loan y father &ie& an& left e a &ebtor" e" I %ent to stay %ith relati'es! to hel$ y cousin %as y nieces """"7

oney to start again" In Siltbay" Though ho% you

ca e to kno% of it! I cannot e'en guess" I earne& a bit an& Buckkee$ the next &ay" But Siltbay %as rai&e&" I %as there! %ith

e the rest" The har'est ha& been goo&" I %as to co e back to

Briefly! her 'oice traile& a%ay" I re e bere& %ith her" The shi$s! the fire! the laughing %o an %ith the s%or&" I looke& u$ at her an& coul& al ost focus on her" I coul& not s$eak" But she %as looking off! o'er cal ly" 6-y cousins lost e'erything they o%ne&" They counte& the sel'es lucky! for their chil&ren sur'i'e&" I coul&n.t ask the they coul&n.t e'en ha'e $ai& to loan e oney still" Truth %as! e for the %ork I ha& &one! if I ha& thought to y hea&" She s$oke on

ask" So I ca e back to Buckkee$! %ith %inter closing in! an& no $lace to stay" #n& I thought! I.'e al%ays been frien&s %ith 5e%boy" If there.s anyone I coul& ask to loan e oney to ti&e e o'er! it %oul& be hi " So I ca e u$ to e the (ee$! an& aske& for the scriber.s boy" But e'eryone shrugge& an& sent e to *atience"7 -olly $ause& significantly" I trie& to i agine that but shu&&ere& a%ay fro it" 6She took e on as a la&y.s softly" 6She sai& it %as the least she coul& &o! after you ha& sha e& 6Sha e& you07 I 4erke& u$right" The %orl& rocke& aroun& 'ision &issol'e& into s$arks" 6Ho%0 Ho% sha e& you07 e an&

to Fe&%ren" #n& Fe&%ren listene& as I &escribe& you! an& fro%ne&! an& sent eeting! e"7 y blurry ai&!7 -olly sai&

1?H<

-olly.s 'oice %as )uiet" 6She sai& you ha& ob'iously %on then left arry e" >n&er e! I.& let you court e"7

y affections! an&

y false assu $tion that you %oul& so e&ay be able to

6I &i&n.t """7 I faltere&! an& then3 6;e %ere frien&s" I &i&n.t kno% you felt any ore than that """"7 6You &i&n.t07 She lifte& her chin+ I kne% that gesture" Six years ago she %oul& ha'e follo%e& it %ith a $unch to s$oke It %as say that" It.s an easy thing to say"7 y turn to be nettle&" 6You.re the one %ho left e! %ith not e'en a %or& of fare%ell" #n& %ith that sailor! @a&e" Do you think I &on.t kno% about hi 0 I %as there! -olly" I sa% you take his ar &i&n.t you co e to an& %alk a%ay %ith hi " ;hy e! then! before lea'ing %ith hi 07 y father ha& y sto ach" I still flinche&" But she 4ust ore )uietly %hen she sai&! 6I su$$ose I shoul& ha'e ex$ecte& you to

She &re% herself u$" 6I ha& been a %o an %ith $ros$ects" Then I beca e! all un%ittingly! a &ebtor" Do you i agine that I kne% of the &ebts incurre&! an& then ignore&0 5ot till after he %as burie& &i& the cre&itors co e knocking" I lost e'erything" Shoul& I ha'e co e to you as a beggar! ho$ing you.& take against e in0 I.& thought that you.& care& about e" I belie'e& that you %ante& """ El &a n you! %hy &o I ha'e to a& it this to you:7 Her %or&s rattle& e like flung stones" I kne% her eyes %ere bla1ing! her cheeks flushe&" arry e! that you &i& %ant a future %ith e %ith e" I 6I thought you &i& %ant to

%ante& to bring so ething to it! not co e to you $enniless an& $ros$ectless" I.& i agine& us %ith a little sho$! borro% y can&les an& herbs an& honey! y cousin! to ask to y $assage to Siltbay! y &o%n an& you %ith your scriber.s skills """" #n& so I %ent to oney" He ha& none to s$are! but arrange& for

to talk to his el&er brother Flint" I.'e tol& you ho% that en&e&" I %orke& %ay back here on a fishing boat! 5e%boy! gutting fish an& $utting the
1?H?

in salt" I ca e back to Buckkee$ like a beaten &og" #n& I s%allo%e& $reten&e& an& lie& to For a e" You are a bastar&! 5e%boy" You are"7

y $ri&e

an& ca e u$ here that &ay! an& foun& out ho% stu$i& I %as! ho% you.& o ent I listene& to an o&& soun&! trying to co $rehen& %hat it %as" y face" Or I.& reach her! an& she.& knock e first07 for hel$! an& he o ent of e

Then I kne%" She %as crying! in little catches of her breath" I kne% if I trie& to stan& an& go to her! I.& fall on flat" So stu$i&ly as any &runk! I re$eate&! 6;ell! %hat about @a&e! then0 ;hy &i& you fin& it so easy to go to hi 0 ;hy &i&n.t you co e to 6I tol& you: He.s took y cousin! you 6;hen you.re in trouble! you turn to your fa ily" I aske& hi oron:7 Her anger flare& $ast her tears"

e to his fa ily.s far ! to hel$ out %ith the har'est"7 #

silence" Then! incre&ulously3 6;hat &i& you think0 That I %as the ty$e of %o an %ho coul& ha'e another court 65o" I &i&n.t say that"7 6Of course you %oul&"7 She sai& it as if it su&&enly all like @ust like you" ROh! I. a&e sense" 6You.re any lies hi self" y father" He al%ays belie'e& I lie&! because he tol& so an on the si&e07 Icily" 6That I %oul& let you e! an& be seeing so eone else07

not &runk!. %hen you stink of it an& you can barely

stan&" #n& your stu$i& story3 RI &rea e& of you at Siltbay". E'eryone in to%n kne% I %ent to Siltbay" You $robably hear& the %hole story tonight! %hile you %ere sitting in so e ta'ern"7 65o! I &i&n.t! -olly" You ha'e to belie'e be& to kee$ e"7 I clutche& at the blankets on the e" yself u$right" She ha& turne& her back on

65o" I &on.t: I &on.t ha'e to belie'e anyone any ore"7 She $ause&! as if consi&ering so ething" 6You kno%! once! a long ti e ago! %hen I %as a little! little girl" Before I e'en et you"7 Her 'oice %as getting o&&ly cal er" y &a&&y E $tier! but cal er" 6It %as at S$ringfest" I re e ber %hen I aske&
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for so e $ennies for the fair booths! he sla$$e&

e an& sai& he %oul&n.t %aste e in the sho$ an& %ent an telling fortunes %ith

oney on foolish things like that" #n& then he locke& booths any%ay! 4ust to see the " One %as an ol&

&rinking" But e'en then I kne% ho% to get out of the sho$" I %ent to the fair crystals" You kno% ho% they &o" They hol& the crystal to a can&le.s light! an& tell your future by ho% the colors fall across your face"7 She $ause&" 6I kno%!7 I a& itte& to her silence" I kne% the ty$e of He&ge %i1ar& she eant" I.& seen the &ance of colore& lights across a %o an.s close/eye& face" Right no% I only %ishe& I coul& see -olly clearly" I thought if I coul& her eyes! I coul& I %oul& not sha e ake her see the truth insi&e yself in front of her again" an notice& y to her an& try to hol& her again" But she thought eet e" I %ishe& I &are& stan&! to go e &runk! an& I kne% I.& fall"

6# lot of the other girls an& %o en %ere getting their fortunes tol&" But I &i&n.t ha'e a $enny! so I coul& only %atch" But after a bit the ol& e" I guess he thought I %as shy" He aske& e if I &i&n.t %ant to kno%

fortune" #n& I starte& crying! because I &i&! but I &i&n.t ha'e a $enny" Then Brinna the fish%ife laughe&! an& sai& there %as no nee& for it" E'eryone kne% %ife of a &runk! an& the laughing" E'en the ol& e to $ay to kno% y future alrea&y" I %as the &aughter of a &runk! I.& be the other of &runks"7 She %his$ere&! 6E'eryone starte& an"7 e"

6-olly!7 I sai&" I &on.t think she e'en hear&

6I still &on.t ha'e a $enny!7 she sai& slo%ly" 6But at least I kno% I %on.t be the %ife of a &runk" I &on.t think I e'en %ant to be frien&s %ith one"7 6You ha'e to listen to y %or&s" 6I/7 The &oor sla e&" e" You.re not being fair:7 -y traitorous tongue slurre&

1?HC

6/&i&n.t kno% you like& roo " The shaking o'ertook again" I rose an& %ent to

e that %ay!7 I sai& stu$i&ly to the col& an& e $ty

e in earnest" But I %asn.t going to lose her that easily e an& I e" If I e" -y er" I ha&

anage& t%o stri&es before the floor rocke& beneath

y knees" I re aine& there a bit! hea& hanging like a &og" I &i&n.t y be& instea&! an& cla bere& back y blanket o'er

think she.& be i $resse& if I cra%le& after her" She.& $robably kick coul& e'en fin& her" I cra%le& back to 'ision &i e&! closing in black fro onto it" I &i&n.t un&ress! but 4ust &ragge& the e&ge of

the e&ges! but I &i&n.t slee$ right a%ay"

Instea&! I lay there an& thought %hat a stu$i& boy I ha& been last su &ifference in age ha& thought she ha& seen attere& so uch to

courte& a %o an! thinking that I %as %alking out %ith a girl" Those three years e! but in all the %rong %ays" I ha& e as a an" #n& the boy ha& hurt e as a boy! an& &es$aire& of %inning her" So I ha& acte& ake her see

like a boy! instea& of trying to

her! an& yes! &ecei'e& her! an& in all likelihoo&! lost her fore'er" The &ark close& &o%n! blackness e'ery%here but for one %hirling s$ark" She ha& lo'e& the boy! an& foreseen a life together for us" I clung to the s$ark an& sank into slee$"

9H#*TER FO>R Dile as their tasks to go into an #S REJ#RDS THE ;it an& the Skill! I sus$ect that e'ery hu an has at least so e ca$acity" I ha'e seen %o en rise abru$tly fro a&4acent roo for %here an infant is 4ust beginning to a%ake" 9annot this be so e

of the Skill0 Or %itness the %or&less coo$eration that arises a ong a

1?HD

cre% that has long ten&e& the sa e 'essel" They function! %ithout s$oken %or&s! as closely as a coterie! so that the shi$ beco es al ost a beast ali'e! an& the cre% her life force" Other folk sense an affinity for certain ani als! an& ex$ress it in a crest or in the na es they besto% u$on their chil&ren" The ;it o$ens one to that affinity" The ;it allo%s a%areness of all ani als! but folklore insists that an& finally the for ost ;it users e'entually &e'elo$ a bon& %ith one certain of the beasts they bon&e& to" These tales! I belie'e! %e can Beast agic" ani al" So e tales recount that users of the ;it e'entually took on the %ays &is iss as scare tales to &iscourage chil&ren fro I a%oke in the afternoon" -y roo clung to

%as col&" 5o fire at all" -y s%eaty clothes y roo " I got back into e" I &on.t

e" I staggere& &o%nstairs to the kitchen! ate so ething! %ent out to

the bathhouse! began tre bling! an& %ent back u$ to

y be&! shaking %ith col&" =ater so eone ca e in an& talke& to but I coul& ignore it an& &i&" I a%oke in early e'ening" There %as a fire in brea& an& %ater fro

re e ber %hat %as sai&! but I &o re e ber being shaken" It %as un$leasant! y hearth! an& a neat $ile of y be&! an& so e %as %aiting for

fire%oo& in the ho&" # little table ha& been &ra%n u$ near %ith tatte& e&ges" # fat $ot %ith bre%ing herbs in the botto

eat an& cheese %as set out on a $latter ato$ an e broi&ere& cloth the 'ery large kettle stea ing o'er the fire" # %ashtub an& soa$ y be&+ it %asn.t one of y $u11le ent" I y ol& ones" It ight actually fit

%ere set out on the other si&e of the hearth" # clean nightshirt ha& been left across the foot of e" -y gratitu&e out%eighe& anage& to get out of be& an& take uch better" -y &i11iness %as a&'antage of e'erything" #fter%ar& I felt

re$lace& by a feeling of unnatural lightness! but that )uickly succu be& to the
1?HE

brea& an& cheese" The tea ha& a hint of elfbark in it+ I instantly sus$ecte& 9ha&e an& %on&ere& if he %as the one %ho.& trie& to %ake only su one& e at night" y hea& %hen the &oor o$ene& otley of y roo " He %as in his %inter I %as &ragging the clean nightshirt o'er )uietly" The Fool ca e sli$$ing into gar ents %ere e" But no! 9ha&e

black an& %hite! an& his colorless skin see e& e'en $aler because of it" His a&e of so e silky fabric! an& cut so loosely that he looke& like a stick s%athe& in it" He.& gotten taller! an& e'en thinner! if that %ere $ossible" #s al%ays! his %hite eyes %ere a shock! e'en in his bloo&less face" He s ile& at e! an& then %aggle& a $ale $ink tongue &erisi'ely" beneath his ca$ in a halo as he akes y task of 6You!7 I sur ise&! an& gesture& Froun&" 6Thank you"7 65o!7 he &enie&" His $ale hair floate& out fro checking on you less onerous" I. I let his co shook his hea&" 6But I assiste&" Thank you for bathing" It ent $ass" 6You.'e gro%n!7 I obser'e&"

gla& you.re a%ake" You snore abo inably"7

6Yes" So ha'e you" #n& you.'e been sick" #n& you sle$t )uite a long ti e" #n& no% you are a%ake an& bathe& an& fe&" You still look terrible" But you no longer s ell" It.s late afternoon no%" #re there any other ob'ious facts you.& like to re'ie%07 6I &rea e& about you" ;hile I %as gone"7 He ga'e you"7 6I.'e face" 6Ho% &roll" Does that ex$lain %hy you.'e been $laying the fool yourself so uch07 6I su$$ose" Sit &o%n" Tell e %hat.s been ha$$ening %hile I %as gone"7
1?1H

e a &ubious look" 6Di& you0 Ho% touching" I can.t say I &rea e& of

isse& you!7 I sai&! an& en4oye& the brief flash of sur$rise on the Fool.s

6I can.t" (ing Shre%& is ex$ecting is $recisely %hy I ust go to hi

e" Rather! he isn.t ex$ecting

e! an& that

no%" ;hen you feel better! you shoul& go

an& see hi " Es$ecially if he isn.t ex$ecting you"7 He turne& abru$tly to go" He %hiske& hi self out the &oor! then leane& back in abru$tly" He lifte& the sil'er bells at the en& of one ri&iculously long slee'e an& 4ingle& the &oor close& silently behin& hi " I %as left alone" I $oure& yself another cu$ of tea an& si$$e& at it" -y &oor ore se'erely! &e an&e&! 6;hy &i&n.t you say e to &eath! you slee$ing a %hole &ay o$ene& again" I looke& u$! ex$ecting the Fool" =acey $eeke& in an& announce&! 6Oh! he.s a%ake!7 an& then! ho% tire& you %ere0 It.s fair scare& at e" 6Fare%ell! Fit1" Do try to &o a bit better at not letting $eo$le kill you"7 The

Froun& like that"7 She &i& not %ait to be in'ite&! but bustle& into the roo ! clean linens an& blankets in her ar s an& =a&y *atience on her heels" 6Oh! he is a%ake:7 she exclai e& to =acey! as if she ha& &oubte& it" They ignore& y hu iliation at confronting the uch to &o in in y nightshirt" =a&y *atience y &irty a&e it u$ seate& herself on &ishes! $oke& at fresh! gathere& y be& %hile =acey fusse& about the roo ! $utting it to y bare cha ber! but she stacke& y be&! y fire! tsk/tske& o'er y &irty clothes o'er her ar y &irty bath%ater an& scattere& %ith a &is&ainful sniff! glance&

rights" There %as not

gar ents" I stoo& at bay by the hearth %hile she stri$$e& about! an& then saile& out the &oor %ith her $lun&er" 6I %as going to ti&y that u$!7 I &on.t belie'e I ha'e e'er felt

uttere&! e barrasse&! but =a&y *atience &i&n.t ore at a &isa&'antage" She e $hasi1e& it by e"

a$$ear to notice" She gesture& i $eriously at the be&" Reluctantly I got into it" I leaning o'er an& tucking the co'ers aroun&

6#bout -olly!7 she announce& abru$tly" 6Your beha'ior that night %as re$rehensible" You use& your %eakness to lure her to your roo " #n& u$set her
1?11

no en& %ith your accusations" Fit1! I %ill not allo% it" If you %ere not so sick! I %oul& be furious %ith you" #s it is! I a si $ly say that it %ill ha$$en no e'ery %ay"7 # si $le serious isun&erstan&ing bet%een -olly an& atter" 6There.s been a e ha& su&&enly beco e a istake here!7 I sai&! trying to soun& in&! that it is not at all gra'ely &isa$$ointe&" I cannot think %hat to say about ho% you &ecei'e& that $oor girl! an& le& her on" So I %ill ore" You shall beha'e honorably to her! in

co $etent an& cal " 6-olly an& I nee& to straighten it out" By talking together! $ri'ately" I assure you! for your $eace of %hat you see 6Bear in to think it is"7 Fit19hi'alry" 9hi'alry.s bastar&"7 *atience uch I ha& change& since I ha& left y tone as I $ointe& out! 65ot the $ro$er e" Her ha1el eyes et ine

in& %ho you are" The son of a *rince &oes not/7

6Fit1!7 I re in&e& her fir ly" 6I a

looke& stricken" I felt again ho% see e as I %as" Still! I trie& to soften

Buckkee$" I %as not a boy any ore for her to su$er'ise an& correct" She ha& to son of *rince 9hi'alry! She sat on the foot of ca$able of y la&y" Only your husban&.s bastar&"7 y be& an& looke& at

s)uarely an& hel&" I sa% $ast her gi&&iness an& &istractibility! into a soul ore $ain an& 'aster regret than I ha& e'er sus$ecte&" 6Ho% &o you y throat as I sought for an ans%er" I %as rescue& by =acey.s en an& a cou$le of s all boys" The %hile ore cu$s! an& easure& out y bath an& y &ishes %as %hiske& a%ay by the think I coul& e'er forget that07 she aske& )uietly" -y 'oice &ie& in &irty %ater fro return" She ha& recruite& t%o ser'ing

=acey set out a tray of s all $astries an& t%o ser'ing folk left the roo " =acey

fresh bre%ing herbs for another $ot of tea" *atience an& I %ere silent until the a&e the tea! $oure& cu$s for all! an& then settle& herself %ith her e'er$resent tatting"
1?12

6It is $recisely because of %ho you are that this is

ore than a

isun&erstan&ing"7 *atience launche& back into the to$ic! as if I ha& ne'er &are& interru$t" 6If you %ere 4ust Fe&%ren.s a$$rentice! or a stable han&! then you %oul& be free to court an& slightly on the %or&//of that line ha'e the (ing.s $er ission to he ight consi&er the case.s arry ho%e'er you %ishe&" But you are not! ust obser'e certain custo s" #n& $ractice ust Fit19hi'alry Farseer" You are of the royal bloo&" E'en a bastar&7/she stu ble& certain &iscretions" 9onsi&er your $osition in the royal househol&" You (ing Shre%& &e an&e& that you infor hi

arry" Surely you are a%are of that" 9ourtesy to of your intention to court so that or not" He erits! an& tell you if it $lease& hi

%oul& consi&er it" Is it a goo& ti e for you to %e&0 Does it benefit the throne0 Is the atch an acce$table one! or is it likely to cause scan&al0 ;ill your courting interfere %ith your &uties0 #re the la&y.s bloo&lines acce$table0 Does the (ing %ish you to ha'e offs$ring07 ;ith each )uestion she $ose&! I felt the shock go &ee$er" I lay back on -olly" Fro y $illo%s an& stare& at the be& hangings" I ha& ne'er really set out to court a chil&hoo& frien&shi$! %e ha& &rifte& to a &ee$er y heart %ishe& it to go! but y face $lainly" y hea& ha& co $anionshi$" I ha& kno%n ho%

ne'er sto$$e& to consi&er it" She rea&

6Re e ber! too! Fit19hi'alry! that you ha'e alrea&y s%orn an oath to another" Your life belongs to your king alrea&y" ;hat %oul& you offer -olly if you %e& her0 His lea'ings0 The bits of ti e that he &i& not &e an&0 # an %hose an can &uty is s%orn to a (ing has little ti e for anyone else in his life"7 Tears stoo& su&&enly in her eyes" 6So e %o en are %illing to take %hat such a 9oul& ne'er be enough" You %or&s %ere %rung fro honestly offer! an& content the sel'es %ith it" For others! it is not enough" ust """7 She hesitate&! an& it see e& as if the ust consi&er that" One horse cannot bear
1?18

her" 6You

t%o sa&&les" Ho%e'er

uch he

ay %ish to """7 Her 'oice &%in&le& off on the

last %or&s" She close& her eyes as if so ething hurt her" Then she took a breath an& %ent on briskly! as if she ha& ne'er $ause&! 6#nother consi&eration! Fit19hi'alry" -olly is! or %as! a %o an of $ros$ects" She has a tra&e! an& kno%s it %ell" I ex$ect she %ill be able to reestablish herself! after a ti e of hiring out" But %hat about you0 ;hat &o you bring to her0 You %rite a fair han&! but you cannot clai a full scriber.s skills" You are a goo& stable han&! yes! but that is not ho% you earn your brea&" You are a *rince.s bastar&" You li'e in the (ee$! you are fe&! you are clothe&" But you ha'e no fixe& allo%ance" This coul& be a co fortable cha ber! for one $erson" But &i& you ex$ect to bring -olly here to li'e %ith you0 Or &i& you seriously belie'e the (ing %oul& grant you $er ission to lea'e Buckkee$0 #n& if he &i&! then %hat0 ;ill you li'e %ith your %ife an& eat the brea& she earns %ith the %ork of her han&s! an& &o naught0 Or %oul& you be content to learn her tra&e! an& be a hel$ to her07 She finally $ause&" She &i& not ex$ect boy" I kno% you anyone" But eant no har ! an& %e e to ans%er any of her )uestions" I &i& ust see that no har co es of it" To not try" She took a breath an& resu e&" 6You ha'e beha'e& as a thoughtless ost es$ecially to -olly" You ha'e gro%n u$ a i&st the gossi$

an& intrigues of the royal court" She has not" ;ill you let it be sai& she is your concubine! or %orse! a (ee$ %hore0 For long years no%! Buckkee$ has been a an.s court" Iueen Desire %as """ the Iueen! but she &i& not hol& court as Iueen 9onstance &i&" ;e ha'e a Iueen at Buckkee$ again" #lrea&y! things are &ifferent here! as you %ill &isco'er" If you truly ho$e to %ife! she herself an outcast a ong $olitely no&&ing $eo$le" I a ake -olly your ust be brought into this court a ste$ at a ti e" Or she %ill fin& s$eaking $lainly to cruel to you no%

you! Fit19hi'alry" 5ot to be cruel to you" But far better I a

1?1<

than that -olly li'e a lifeti e of casual cruelty"7 She s$oke so cal ly! her eyes ne'er lea'ing For a y face" ust I &o07 et y eyes again" y ser'ing a&e -olly one of e in the She %aite& until I aske& ho$elessly! 6;hat 6For no%! nothing" I %o en" I a an& scent

o ent she looke& &o%n at her han&s" Then she ean exactly that" I ha'e

teaching her! as best I can! the %ays of the court" She is $ro'ing ost $leasant teacher for atters of herbs ust aking" I a ha'ing Fe&%ren teach her letters! so ething she is ust be ha$$ening" She y la&ies/not the Bastar&.s

an a$t stu&ent! as %ell as a

ost eager to learn" But for no%! that is all that be acce$te& by the %o en of the court as one of %o an" #fter a ti e you

ay begin to call u$on her" But for no% it %oul& be

unsee ly for you to see her alone! or e'en seek to see her at all"7 6But I nee& to s$eak to her alone" @ust once! 4ust briefly! then I $ro ise I.ll abi&e by your rules" She thinks I &eliberately &ecei'e& her! *atience" She thinks I %as &runk last night" I ha'e to ex$lain """"7 But *atience %as shaking her hea& before the first sentence %as out of y outh! an& continue& until I faltere& to a halt" 6;e ha'e alrea&y ha& a s$rinkling of ru ors! because she ca e here seeking you" Or so the gossi$ %as" I ha'e crushe& it! assuring e'eryone that -olly ca e to %as facing &ifficulties an& her she &oes ha'e the right to seek %hen first I ca e to Buckkee$07 6Di& you kno% -olly.s other07 I aske& curiously" arry a chan&ler! before I ca e to Buckkee$" But I e"7 She &is isse& y )uestion" 65ot really" She ha& left! to e because she other ha& been a tiring %o an to =a&y e out! for %as not =a&y Heather a frien& to e

Heather &uring the ti e of Iueen 9onstance.s court" ;hich is true! an& hence

&i& kno% =a&y Heather! an& she %as kin& to

6But coul&n.t I co e to your cha bers! an& s$eak to her there! $ri'ately! an&/7
1?1?

6I %ill not ha'e a scan&al:7 she &eclare& fir ly" 6I %ill not te $t a scan&al" Fit1! you ha'e ene ies at court" I %ill not let -olly beco e their 'icti their ai s of hurting you" There" Ha'e I s$oken $lainly enough at last07 She ha& s$oken $lainly! an& of things I ha& belie'e& her ignorant" Ho% &i& she kno% of y ene ies0 Di& she think it uch erely social0 Though that for

%oul& be enough at court" I thought of Regal! an& his sly %itticis s! an& ho% he coul& turn an& s$eak softly to his hangers/on at a feast an& all %oul& s irk to one another an& a&& soft/'oice& co thought ho% I %oul& ha'e to kill hi " 6By the set of your 4a%! I see you un&erstan&"7 *atience arose! setting her teacu$ on the table" 6=acey" I belie'e %e shoul& lea'e Fit19hi'alry to rest no%"7 6*lease! at least tell her not to be angry %ith &runk last night" Tell her I ne'er har "7 6I %ill carry no such essage: 5or shall you! =acey: Don.t think I &i&n.t see that %ink" Both of you! I insist that you %ill be &ecorous" Re e ber this! Fit19hi'alry" You &o not kno% -olly" -istress 9han&ler" She &oes not kno% you" It is ho% it so e rest tonight"7 They left e" #lthough I trie& to catch =acey.s eyes an& %in her alliance! she e" The &oor close& behin& the y an& I leane& back on y in& rattle against the restrictions *atience ha& set refuse& to glance at u$on ust be" 5o% co e! =acey" Fit19hi'alry! I ex$ect you to get e!7 I begge&" 6Tell her I %asn.t eant to &ecei'e her! or to cause her any ents to the *rince.s criticis " I

$illo%s" I trie& not to let %oul& see I arose fro looke& about

e" #nnoying as it %as! she %as right" I coul& only ho$e that -olly y beha'ior as thoughtless rather than &eceitful or conni'ing" y be& an& %ent to $oke at the fire" Then I sat on the hearth an& y cha ber" #fter y
1?1B

onths in the -ountain (ing&o ! it

see e& a bleak $lace in&ee&" The closest a rather &usty ta$estry of (ing ;is&o the ta$estry critically" It %as ol& an& ;o'en in an ol& style! (ing ;is&o

y cha ber ca e to &ecoration %as y be&" I stare& u$ at e night ares"

befrien&ing the El&erlings" It ha& co e oth/eaten+ I coul& see %hy it ha& been a$$eare& strangely elongate&! %hile the eant to

%ith the cha ber! as ha& the ce&ar chest at the foot of

banishe& to here" ;hen I ha& been younger! it ha& gi'en

El&erlings bore no rese blance to any creatures I ha& e'er seen" There %as a suggestion of %ings on their bulging shoul&ers" Or $erha$s that %as the " I &o1e&" I a%akene& to a &raft on y shoul&er" The secret &oor besi&e the hearth that le& u$ to 9ha&e.s &o ain %as %i&e/o$en an& beckoning" I arose stiffly! stretche&! an& %ent u$ the stone stairs" Thus ha& I first gone! so long ago! cla& then as I %as no% in 4ust ol& offere& to teach y nightshirt" I ha& follo%e& a frightening y an %ith a $ocke& 'isage an& eyes shar$ an& bright as a ra'en.s" He ha& e to kill $eo$le" He ha& also offere&! %or&lessly! to be be a halo of light surroun&ing the " I leane& back on the hearth to consi&er

frien&" I ha& acce$te& both offers" The stone ste$s %ere col&" Here there %ere still cob%ebs an& &ust an& soot abo'e the sconces on the %alls" So the housecleaning ha&n.t exten&e& to this staircase" 5or to 9ha&e.s )uarters" They %ere as chaotic! &isre$utable! an& co fortable as e'er" #t one en& of his cha ber %as his %orking hearth! bare stone floors an& an i $estles! sticky &ishes of ense table" The usual clutter o'erflo%e& it3 ortars an& eat scra$s for Slink the %easel! $ots of &rie& herbs!

tablets an& scrolls! s$oons an& tongs! an& a blackene& kettle! still sen&ing a reeking s oke curling into the cha ber" But 9ha&e %as not there" 5o! he %as at the other en& of the cha ber! %here a fatly cushione& chair face& a hearth %ith a &ancing fire" 9ar$ets o'erlay one
1?1C

another o'er the floor there! an& an elegantly car'e& table hel& a glass bo%l of fall a$$les an& a &ecanter of su fro er %ine" 9ha&e %as ensconce& in the chair! a ore &esiccate&0 I $artially unrolle& scroll hel& to the light as he rea& it" Di& he hol& it farther his nose than once he ha&! an& %ere his s$are ar s %on&ere& if he ha& age& in the onths I ha& been a%ay! or if I ha& si $ly not

notice& before" His gray %oolen robe looke& as %ell/%orn as e'er! an& his long gray hair o'erlay its shoul&ers an& see e& the sa e color" #s al%ays! I stoo& silent until he &eigne& to look u$ an& recogni1e change&! but so e things &i& not" ! He finally lo%ere& the scroll an& looke& y %ay" He ha& green eyes! an& their lightness %as al%ays sur$rising in his Farseer face" Des$ite the $oxlike scars that sti$$le& his face an& ar s! his bastar& bloo&lines %ere al ost as $lain/ arke& as ine" I su$$ose I coul& ha'e clai e& his as a great/uncle! but our e a$$rentice/to/ aster relationshi$ %as closer than a bloo& tie" He looke& gra'e as he co an&e&! 6Boy! co e into the light"7 e as intently y $resence" So e things

o'er an& I self/consciously stoo& straighter un&er his scrutiny" His 'oice %as I a&'ance& a &o1en ste$s an& stoo& a$$rehensi'ely" He stu&ie& ake sure folk

as he ha& stu&ie& the scroll" 6;ere %e a bitious traitors! you an& I! %e %oul& arke& your rese blance to 9hi'alry" I coul& teach you to ake you a$$ear ol&er" You ha'e ost of his height" You stan& as he stoo&+ you alrea&y %alk as he &i&" I coul& sho% you ho% to a&& lines to your face to coul& learn his catch$hrases! an& the %ay he laughe&" Slo%ly! %e coul& gather $o%er! in )uiet %ays! %ith none e'en recogni1ing %hat they %ere conce&ing" #n& one &ay! %e coul& ste$ u$ an& take $o%er"7 He $ause&" " Slo%ly I shook y hea&" Then %e both s ile&! an& I ca e to sit on the y back felt goo&" hearthstones by his feet" The %ar th of the fire on
1?1D

6It.s

y tra&e! I su$$ose"7 He sighe& an& took a si$ of his %ine" 6I ha'e to

think of these things! for I kno% that others %ill" One &ay! sooner or later! so e $etty noble %ill belie'e it an original i&ea an& a$$roach you %ith it" ;ait an& see if I a not right"7 6I $ray you are %rong" I ha'e ha& enough of intrigues! 9ha&e! an& not fare& as %ell at that ga e as I ha& ex$ecte& to" 6You &i& not &o ba&ly! %ith the han& you %ere &ealt" You sur'i'e&"7 He looke& $ast e into the fire" # )uestion hung bet%een us! al ost $al$ably" e in the $osition of re$orting to an& taking or&ers fro e a%ay to Regal! to &istract hi a an fro ;hy ha& (ing Shre%& re'eale& to *rince Regal that I %as his traine& assassin0 ;hy ha& he $ut %ho %ishe& e &ea&0 Ha& he tra&e&

his other &iscontents0 #n& if I ha& been a sacrificial $a%n! %as I still being &angle& as bait an& a &istraction to the younger *rince0 I think not e'en 9ha&e coul& ha'e ans%ere& all y )uestions! an& to ask any of the %oul& ha'e been blackest betrayal of %hat %e %ere both s%orn to be3 (ing.s -en" Both of us long ago ha& gi'en our li'es into Shre%&.s kee$ing! for the $rotection of the royal fa ily" It %as not for us to )uestion ho% he chose to s$en& us" That %ay lay treason" So 9ha&e lifte& the su er %ine an& fille& a %aiting glass for e" For a brief ti e %e con'erse& of things that %ere of no i $ort to any sa'e us! an& all the ore $recious for that" I aske& after Slink the %easel! an& he haltingly offere& sy $athy o'er 5osy.s &eath" He aske& a )uestion or t%o that let %ell" I %as fille& in on the e kno% he %as $ri'y to e'erything I ha& re$orte& to Aerity! an& a lot of stable gossi$ as inor gossi$ of the (ee$! an& all the &oings I ha& %hat he isse& a ong the lesser folk %hile I %as gone" But %hen I aske& hi thought of (ettricken! our )ueen/in/%aiting! his face gre% gra'e"

1?1E

6She faces a &ifficult $ath" She co es to a Iueenless court! %here she herself is an& yet is not the Iueen" She co es in a ti e of har&shi$! to a king&o facing both rai&ers an& ci'il unrest" But ost &ifficult for her is that she co es to a court that &oes not un&erstan& her conce$t of royalty" She has been besiege& %ith feasts an& gatherings in her honor" She is use& to %alking out a ong her o%n $eo$le! to ten&ing her o%n gar&ens an& loo s an& forge! to sol'ing &is$utes an& sacrificing herself to s$are her $eo$le har&shi$" Here! she fin&s! her society is solely the nobility! the !$ri'ilege&! the %ealthy" She &oes not un&erstan& the consu $tion of %ine an& exotic foo&s! the &is$lay of costly fabrics in &ress! the flaunting of 4e%els that are the $ur$ose of these gatherings" #n& so she &oes not Rsho% %ell". She is a han&so e %o an! in her %ay" But she is too big! too heartily uscle&! too fair a ongst the Buckkee$ %o en" She is like a charger stable& a ong hunters" Her heart is goo&! but I &o not kno% if she %ill be sufficient to the task! boy" In truth! I $ity her" She ca e here alone! you kno%" Those fe% %ho acco $anie& her here ha'e long since returne& to the -ountains" So she is 'ery alone here! &es$ite those %ho court her fa'or"7 6#n& Aerity!7 I aske&! trouble&" 6He &oes nothing to allay that loneliness! nothing to teach her of our %ays07 6Aerity has little ti e for her!7 9ha&e sai& bluntly" 6He trie& to ex$lain this to (ing Shre%& before the arriage %as arrange&! but %e &i& not listen to hi " (ing Shre%& an& I %ere beguile& %ith the $olitical a&'antages she offere&" I forgot there %oul& be a %o an here! in this court! &ay after &ay" Aerity has his han&s full" ;ere they 4ust a an an& a %o an! an& gi'en ti e! I think they ust &e'ote all ust ha'e seen coul& genuinely care for one another" But here an& no%! they to get to kno% one another! let alone care for one another"7 He
1?2H

their efforts to a$$earance" Soon an heir %ill be &e an&e&" They ha'e no ti e

the $ain in

y face! for he a&&e&! 6That.s ho% it has al%ays been for royalty!

boy" 9hi'alry an& *atience %ere the exce$tion" #n& they bought their ha$$iness at the cost of $olitical a&'antages" It %as unhear& of! for the (ing/in/ ;aiting to thing it %as"7 6#n& I.& al%ays %on&ere& if he.& care&"7 6It cost hi !7 9ha&e sai& )uietly" 6I &on.t think he regrette& his &ecision" But he %as king/in/%aiting" You &on.t ha'e that latitu&e"7 Here it ca e" I.& sus$ecte& he.& kno% e'erything" #n& useless to ho$e he.& say nothing" I felt a slo% flush steal u$ y face" 6-olly"7 He no&&e& slo%ly" 6It %as one thing %hen it %as &o%n in to%n! an& you %ere ore or less a boy" That coul& be ignore&" But no% you.re being seen as a an" ;hen she ca e here asking after you! it starte& tongues %agging an& folk s$eculating" *atience %as re arkably agile at hushing the ru ors an& taking charge of the situation" 5ot that I.& ha'e ke$t the %o an here! ha& it been left to it e" But *atience han&le& it %ell enough"7 ore shar$ly" 69ha&e! you is4u&ge her" #n& e" It began as a frien&shi$! a e! not 6The %o an """7 I re$eate&! stung" If he.& sai& 6the %hore7 I coul&n.t ha'e felt long ti e ago! an& if anyone %as at fault in """ ho% things %ent! it %as -olly" I.& al%ays thought that the frien&s I there as R5e%boy. belonge& to foolishness of y %or&s" arry for lo'e" I. sure you.'e hear& o'er an& o'er ho% foolish a

a&e in to%n! that the ti e I s$ent

e"7 I faltere& to a halt! hearing only the

6Di& you think you coul& lea& t%o li'es07 9ha&e.s 'oice %as soft but not gentle" 6;e belong to the (ing! boy" (ing.s -en" Our li'es belong to hi " E'ery o ent! of e'ery &ay! aslee$ or a%ake" You ha'e no ti e for your o%n concerns" Only his"7

1?21

I shifte& slightly! to look into the fire" I consi&ere& %hat I kne% of 9ha&e in that light" I seen hi et hi here! by &arkness! in these isolate& cha bers" I ha& ne'er e" out an& about aroun& Buckkee$" 5o one s$oke his na e to

Occasionally! &isguise& as =a&y Thy e! he 'enture& forth" Once %e ha& ri&&en together through the night! to that first a%ful Forging at Forge" But e'en that ha& been at the (ing.s co an&" ;hat &i& 9ha&e ha'e for a life0 # cha ber! goo& foo& an& %ine! an& a %easel for a co $anion" He %as Shre%&.s ol&er brother" But for his bastar&y! he %oul& be u$on the throne" ;as his life a foresha&o%ing of %hat 65o"7 I ha&n.t s$oken! but as I looke& u$ into 9ha&e.s face he guesse& 6I chose this life! boy" #fter a face! I %ishe& yself &ea&" For y thoughts" e" I y ishan&le& $otion ex$lo&e& an& scarre& onths I &i& not stir out of ine %as to be0

%as han&so e! once" #n& 'ain" #l ost as 'ain as Regal" ;hen I ruine&

y cha bers"

;hen I finally %ent forth! it %as in &isguises! not =a&y Thy e! not then! no" But &isguises that co'ere& foun& yself y face an& y han&s" I left Buckkee$" For a long an I ha& been %as &ea&" I uch ay be ti e" #n& %hen I ca e back! that han&so e young

ore useful to the fa ily! no% that I %as &ea&" There is e into" I &i& it yself" Your fixture an&"7

ore to that story! boy" But kno% that I chose the %ay I li'e" It %as not so ething Shre%& force& 9uriosity $ro&&e& Regal07 9ha&e s ile& in an o&& %ay" 6I %as a sort of a kin&ly ste$/uncle to the t%o ol&er boys! if you can belie'e it" I %atche& o'er the ! in so e %ays" But once I %as scarre&! I ke$t yself e'en fro the " Regal ne'er kne% e" His other ha& a horror of the $ox" I think she belie'e& all the legen&s of the *ocke& -an!
1?22

&ifferent" But &o not i agine it is yours to co

e" 6Is that %hy 9hi'alry an& Aerity kne% of you! but not

harbinger of &isaster an&

isfortune" For that

atter! she ha& an al ost ai& or e'en a ser'ing

su$erstitious &rea& of anyone %ho %as not %hole" You see it in Regal.s reaction to the Fool" She %oul& ne'er kee$ a clubfoote& an %ith a issing finger or t%o" So" ;hen I returne&! I %as ne'er intro&uce&

to the la&y! or the chil& she bore" ;hen 9hi'alry beca e king/in/%aiting to Shre%&! I %as one of the things re'eale& to hi " I %as shocke& to fin& he recalle& e! an& ha& isse& e" He brought Aerity to see ake the e that e'ening" I ha& to scol& hi o'er that" It %as &ifficult to un&erstan& they coul&

not co e calling on an& s ile& at his

e anyti e they chose" Those boys"7 He shook his hea& e ories" I can not ex$lain the t%inge of 4ealousy I felt" I yself"

calle& the con'ersation back to

6;hat &o you think I shoul& &o07 9ha&e $urse& his li$s! si$$e& his %ine! an& thought" 6For no%! *atience has gi'en you goo& a&'ice" Ignore or a'oi& -olly! but not ob'iously" Treat her as if she %ere a ne% scullery ai&+ courteously! if you encounter her! but not fa iliarly" Do not seek her out" De'ote yourself to the Iueen/in/;aiting" Aerity %ill be gla& of your &istracting her" (ettricken %ill be gla& of a frien&ly face" #n& if your intent is to %in $er ission to %ell" Bear in arry -olly! the Iueen/in/ ;aiting coul& be a $o%erful ally" #s you &i'ert (ettricken! %atch o'er her as in& there are those %hose interests &o not su$$ort Aerity ha'ing an heir" Those sa e ones %ho %oul& not be enthuse& about your ha'ing chil&ren" So be %ary an& alert" (ee$ your guar& u$"7 6Is that all07 I aske&! &aunte&" 65o" Jet so e rest" Dea&root %as %hat %as use& on you! by Regal07 I no&&e& an& he shook his hea&! narro%ing his eyes" Then he looke& face" 6You are young" You ay be able to reco'er! e s)uarely in the ostly" I.'e seen one other

an sur'i'e it" But he tre ble& the rest of his life" I see the s all signs of it on
1?28

you yet" It %ill not sho%

uch! exce$t to those %ho kno% you %ell" But &o not

o'ertire yourself" ;eariness %ill bring on tre blings an& blurre& 'ision" *ush yourself! an& you %ill ha'e fits" You &o not %ant anyone to kno% you ha'e a %eakness" The best course is to con&uct your life in such a %ay that the %eakness ne'er sho%s"7 6;as that %hy there %as elfbark in the tea07 I aske& nee&lessly" He raise& an eyebro% at e" 6Tea07 y roo """"7 6*erha$s it %as the Fool.s &oing" I a%oke to foo& an& tea in 6#n& if it ha& been Regal.s &oing07 It took a o ent for the reali1ation to &a%n" 6I coul& ha'e been $oisone&"7 6But you %eren.t" 5ot this ti e" 5o! it %as neither I nor the Fool" It %as =acey" There is so eone &ee$er than you cre&it" The Fool &isco'ere& you! an& so ething $ossesse& hi scatterbraine& as her to tell *atience" ;hile she %as flustering! =acey istress" Ji'e her the slightest o$ening! an& she %ill )uietly or&ere& it all &one" I think that $ri'ately she consi&ers you as o'e in an& organi1e your life" Joo& as her intentions are! you cannot allo% that! Fit1" #n assassin nee&s $ri'acy" Jet a latch for your &oor"7 6Fit107 I %on&ere& alou&" 6It is your na e" Fit19hi'alry" #s it see s to ha'e lost its sting %ith you! I %ill use it no%" I %as beginning to %eary of boy"7 I bo%e& y hea&" ;e %ent on to talk of other things" It %as an hour or so until y o%n" I %ent e" I ha& al%ays stifle& the hi&&en anger I felt at e! so I coul& not rest" I thre% y outgro%n clothes! left the (ee$! an& %alke& orning %hen I left his %in&o%less cha bers an& returne& to back to be&! but slee$ elu&e& off y blankets an& &resse& in y $osition at court" 5o% it s ol&ere& %ithin &o%n into Buckkee$ To%n"

1?2<

The brisk %in& off the %ater ble% &a $ col& like a %et sla$ in the face" I $ulle& y cloak ore tightly aroun& yself an& tugge& u$ y hoo&" I %alke& y anger briskly! a'oi&ing icy s$ots on the stee$ roa&%ay &o%n to to%n" I trie& not to think! but I foun& that the brisk $u $ing of ore than y bloo& %as %ar ing y flesh" -y thoughts &ance& like a reine&/in/horse"

;hen I ha& first co e to Buckkee$ To%n! it ha& been a busy! grubby little $lace" In the last &eca&e it ha& gro%n an& a&o$te& a 'eneer of so$histication! but its roots %ere only too $lain" The to%n clung to the cliffs belo% Buckkee$ 9astle! an& %hen those cliffs ga'e %ay to the rocky beaches! the %arehouses an& she&s %ere built out on &ocks an& $ilings" The goo& &ee$ anchorage that sheltere& belo% Buckkee$ attracte& north! %here the Buck Ri'er closest to the ri'er erchant 'essels an& tra&ers" Farther to the et the sea! there %ere gentler beaches! an& the

%i&e ri'er to carry tra&ing barges far inlan& to the Inlan& Duchies" The lan& outh %as susce$tible to floo&ing! an& the anchorage un$re&ictable as the ri'er shifte& in its course" So the folk of Buckkee$ To%n li'e& cro%&e& together on the stee$ cliffs abo'e the harbor like the bir&s on Egg Bluffs" It a&e for narro%! ba&ly cobble& streets that %oun& back an& a&e their %ay &o%n to the %ater" The forth across the stee$ness as they

houses! sho$s! an& inns clung hu bly to the cliff face! en&ea'oring to offer no resistance to the %in&s that %ere al ost constant there" Higher u$ the cliff face! the ore a bitious ho es an& businesses %ere of ti ber! %ith their foun&ations cut into the stone of the cliffs the sel'es" But I kne% little of that stratu " I ha& run an& $laye& as a chil& a ong the hu bler sho$s an& sailors inns that fronte& al ost on the %ater itself" By the ti e I reache& this area of Buckkee$ To%n! I %as ironically reflecting that both -olly an& I %oul& ha'e been better off ha& %e ne'er beco e frien&s" I ha& co $ro ise& her re$utation! an& if I continue&
1?2?

y attentions! she %oul&

ost likely beco e a target for Regal.s ha& felt at belie'ing she ha& blithely left I ca e out of

alice" #s for

yself! the anguish I

e for another %as but a scratch y traitorous feet ha& carrie&

co $are& %ith the blee&ing no% at kno%ing she thought I ha& &ecei'e& her" y bleak thoughts to reali1e that e to the 'ery &oor of her chan&lery" 5o% it %as a tea/an&/herb sho$" @ust %hat Buckkee$ To%n nee&e&+ another tea/an&/herb sho$" I %on&ere& %hat ha& beco e of -olly.s beehi'es" It ga'e sense of &islocation e a $ang to reali1e that for -olly the her li'elihoo& an& ust be ten ti es/no! a hun&re& ti es %orse" I ha& so a&e her a ser'ant in the oo&! I notice& ho% ore folk uch it eant

easily acce$te& that -olly ha& lost her father! an& %ith hi her $ros$ects" So easily acce$te& the change that (ee$" # ser'ant" I clenche& ha& change& in the last six I %an&ere& the to%n ai lessly" Des$ite y bleak y teeth an& ke$t %alking"

onths" E'en on this col& %inter &ay! it bustle&" ore folk! an&

The construction of the shi$s ha& brought

ore tra&e" I sto$$e& in a ta'ern %here -olly! Dirk! (erry! an& I ha& use& to share a bit of bran&y no% an& then" The chea$est blackberry bran&y %as usually %hat %e got" I sat by aroun& yself an& &rank y short beer in silence! but e tongues %agge& an& I learne& uch" It %as not 4ust the shi$

construction that ha& bolstere& Buckkee$ To%n.s $ros$erity" Aerity ha& $ut out a call for sailors to by en an& %o en fro an his %arshi$s" The call ha& been a $ly ans%ere&! all of the 9oastal Duchies" So e ca e %ith a gru&ge

to settle! to a'enge those kille& or Forge& by the Rai&ers" Others ca e for the a&'enture! an& the ho$e of booty! or si $ly because in the ra'age& 'illages! they ha& no other $ros$ects" So e %ere fro ra'age& 'illages" It attere& little" fisher or erchant fa ilies! %ith sea ti e an& %ater skills" Others %ere the for er she$her&s an& far ers of #ll ha& co e to Buckkee$ To%n! eager to she& Re&/Shi$ bloo&"
1?2B

For no%!

any %ere house& in %hat ha& once been %arehouses" Ho&! the %ea$ons training! %inno%ing out ight be suitable for Aerity.s shi$s" The others %oul& be

Buckkee$ %ea$ons aster! %as gi'ing the those she thought

offere& hire as sol&iers" These %ere the extra folk that s%elle& the to%n an& cro%&e& the inns an& ta'erns an& eating $laces" I hear& co $laints! too! that so e of those %ho ca e to &is$lace& fro an the %arshi$s %ere i igrant Outislan&ers! enace& our their o%n lan& by the 'ery Re&/Shi$s that no%

coasts" They! too! clai e& to be eager for re'enge! but fe% Six Duchies folk truste& the ! an& so e businesses in to%n %oul& not sell to the " It ga'e an ugly charge& un&ercurrent to the busy ta'ern" There %as a snickering &iscussion of an Outislan&er %ho ha& been beaten on the &ocks the &ay before" 5o one ha& calle& the to%n $atrol" ;hen the s$eculation beca e e'en uglier! that these Outislan&ers %ere all s$ies an& that burning the out %oul& be a %ise an& sensible $recaution! I coul& no longer sto ach it! an& left the ta'ern" ;as there no%here I coul& go to be free of sus$icions an& intrigues! if only for an hour0 I %alke& alone through the %intry streets" # stor col& t%iste& an& churne& insi&e ha& no right to &o this to to li'e ben& # e to their %ill! use e! s%itching fro %as blo%ing u$" The anger to hatre& to erciless %in& $ro%le& the t%isting streets! $ro ising sno%" The sa e angry frustration an& back to anger again! buil&ing to an unbearable $ressure" They e" I ha& not been born to be their tool" I ha& a right e ho%e'er they %oul&! an& I %oul& ne'er retaliate0 e! face shrou&e& in his hoo& against the %in&" He et" He blanche& an& turne& asi&e! to hurry back the ight" I felt y anger buil&ing to an y life freely! to be %ho I %as born to be" Di& they think they coul&

5o" # ti e %oul& co e" -y ti e %oul& co e" an hurrie& to%ar& glance& u$ an& our eyes

%ay he ha& co e" ;ell! an& so he

1?2C

unbearable heat" The %in& %hi$$e& at

y hair an& sought to chill

e! but I e

only stro&e faster! an& felt the strength of I turne& a corner an& foun& stor ! the $oorer an& yself in the

y hatre& gro% hotter" It lure&

an& I follo%e& it like the scent of fresh bloo&" arket" Threatene& by the co ing their blankets erchants %ere $acking u$ their goo&s fro

ats" Those %ith stalls %ere fastening their shutters" I stro&e $ast the " y %ay" I brushe& $ast the ! not caring ho% they stare&" yself" He %as e balefully! an& the %a'es of hatre& y $itiful hu an

*eo$le scuttle& out of

I ca e to the ani al 'en&or.s stall! an& stoo& face/to/face %ith gaunt! %ith bleak &ark eyes" He glare& at $ulsing out fro rhyth " I felt hi %ashe& o'er

e in greeting" Our hearts beat to the sa e y e otion back un&er control" But e! an& lifte& his black

y u$$er li$ t%itch! as if to snarl u$ an& bare y features! battere&

teeth" I straightene&

the cage& %olf cub %ith the &irty gray coat stare& u$ at

li$s to re'eal all his teeth" I hate you" #ll of you" 9o e! co e closer" I.ll kill you" I.ll ri$ out your throat after I ha string you" I.ll feast on your entrails" I hate you" 6You %ant so ething07 6Bloo&!7 I sai& )uietly" 6I %ant your bloo&"7 6;hat07 I 4erke& y eyes fro the %olf u$ to the an" He %as greasy an& &irty" He stank! by El! ho% he reeke&" I coul& s ell s%eat an& ranci& foo& an& his o%n &ro$$ings on hi " He %as s%a&&le& in $oorly cure& hi&es! an& the stench of the hung about hi as %ell" He ha& little ferret eyes! an& cruel &irty han&s! an& an oak stick boun& in brass that hung at his belt" It %as all I coul& &o to kee$ fro sei1ing that hate& stick an& s$lattering his brains out %ith it" He e an& I gri$$e& killing hi "
1?2D

%ore thick boots on his kicking feet" He ste$$e& too close to y cloak to kee$ fro

6;olf!7 I %olf"7

anage& to get out" -y 'oice soun&e& guttural! choking" 6I %ant the ean one"7 He nu&ge& the cage %ith his foot an& I y u11le

6You certain! boy0 He.s a s$rang at it! clashing or ne'er let go" 5o" Jet back! get out of regar&e& e otions" 6Do you! eh07 The

y teeth against the %oo&en bars! bruising

again! but I &i&n.t care! if I coul& get 4ust one gri$ on his flesh! I.& tear it loose y hea&" I shook y hea& to clear it" The erchant

e strangely" 6I kno% %hat I %ant"7 I s$oke flatly! refusing the %olf.s an stare& at e! 4u&ging y %orth" He.& charge %hat he y youth" as a cub" an %oul& uch"

thought I coul& affor&" -y outgro%n clothes &i&n.t $lease hi ! nor But I sur ise& he.& ha& the %olf for a %hile" He.& ho$e& to sell hi 5o%! %ith the %olf nee&ing 6;hat &o you %ant hi in hi "7 ore foo& an& not getting it! the an aske& casually" $robably take %hate'er he coul& get" #s %ell for for07 the 6*its!7 I sai& nonchalantly" 6He.s scra%ny! but there

e" I &i&n.t ha'e

ight be a bit of s$ort left

The %olf su&&enly flung hi self against the bars! 4a%s %i&e! teeth flashing" I.ll kill the ! I.ll kill the all! ri$ their throats out! tear their bellies o$en """" entally ga'e hi a $ush an& the %olf Be silent! if you %ant your free&o " I

lea$e& back as if stung by a bee" He retreate& to the far corner of his cage an& co%ere& there! teeth bare&! but tail &o%n bet%een his legs" >ncertainty floo&e& hi " 6Dog fights! eh0 Oh! he.ll $ut u$ a goo& fight"7 The of coin! this one %ill" He.s erchant nu&ge& at the cage again %ith a thick boot! but the %olf &i&n.t res$on&" 6He.ll %in you a lot eaner than a %ol'erine"7 He kicke& the cage! har&er" The %olf co%ere& s aller"
1?2E

6Oh! he certainly looks as if he %ill!7 I sai& &is&ainfully" I turne& asi&e fro the %olf as if I.& lost interest" I stu&ie& the cage& bir&s behin& hi " The $igeons an& &o'es looke& as if they %ere care& for! but t%o 4ays an& a cro% %ere cro%&e& into a filthy cage littere& %ith rotting scra$s of &ro$$ings" The cro% looke& like a beggar eat an& bir& an in black tatters of feathers" *ick

at the bright bug! I suggeste& to the bir&s" *erha$s you.ll fin& a %ay out" The cro% $erche& %earily %here he %as! hea& sunk &ee$ in his feathers! but one 4ay fluttere& to a higher $erch an& began to ta$ an& tug at the the cage fastene&" I glance& back at the %olf" 6I ha&n.t inten&e& to fight hi &ogs to %ar 6Oh! but he.& to e"7 He rolle& back a slee'e to bare a gri y %rist stri$e& %ith li'i& slashes! but half/heale& still" I leane& o'er as if han&07 6FS not infecte&" @ust slo% healing! that.s all" =ook here! boy! a stor .s co ing u$" I got to $ut to 6He ake ight y %ares in y cart an& haul off before it hits" 5o%! you going ake you a fine fighter"7 ore than that" I.ll gi'e you! oh! six uch e an offer for that %olf0 He.ll ake bear bait! but not il&ly intereste&" 6=ooks infecte&" Think you.ll lose your e but a the any%ay" I %as only going to thro% hi for a fight"7 foo& %hen he %ent for to the u$" # bit of bloo& $ri es the etal $in that hel&

ake you a fine fighter" Here! look at this" This is %hat he &one onth gone" #n& e trying to gi'e hi

co$$ers"7 I ha& a gran& total of se'en" 69o$$ers0 Boy! %e.re talking sil'ers here! at least" =ook! he.s a fine ani al" Fee& hi u$ a bit! he.ll get bigger an& eaner" I coul& get six co$$ers for his hi&e alone! right no%"7

1?8H

6Then you.& best &o it! before he gets any the %olf co%ere& %ith u$ at the sky" 6Stor #t that

angier" #n& before he &eci&es to e" -y aster %oul& be furious killing hi "7 I glance&

take your other han& off"7 I leane& closer to the cage! $ushing as I &i& so! an& ore &ee$ly" 6=ooks sick to e if I brought hi in an& the &ogs got sick fro to you"7 an an&

is co ing" I.& better be off"7

6One sil'er! boy" #n& that.s gi'ing hi

o ent the 4ay succee&e& in $ulling the $in" The cage &oor s%ung e! I hear& the 4ays ho$ out to the to$ of the $igeons. cage" rattle his $athetic feathers" I ho e e y belt! hefte& it thoughtfully" 6# sil'er0 I &on.t ha'e a

o$en an& he ho$$e& to the &oor.s e&ge" I casually ste$$e& bet%een the the cage" Behin& Door.s o$en! I $ointe& out to the cro%" I hear& hi caught u$ the $ouch at sil'er" But it.s no %ith Behin& cro% ha&

atter! really" I 4ust reali1e& I.'e no %ay to cart hi

e" Best I &on.t buy hi "7 e! the 4ays took flight" The an bla1e& out a curse an& lunge& $ast yself clear of the anage& to get entangle& %ith hi so that %e both fell" The erchant

to%ar& the cage" I an& 4u $e& to #s the

a&e it as far as the cage &oor" I shook

y feet! 4arring the cage to s$ook the bir& out into the free air" to the roof of a nearby inn"

He beat his %ings laboriously! but they carrie& hi ca%e& &erisi'ely" 6There.s a %hole cageful of u$ this:7 I exclai e&! an&

erchant lu bere& to his feet the cro% o$ene& his threa&bare %ings an& y %ares gone:7 he began accusingly! but I caught aster.s going to be angry o'er glare for glare"

y cloak an& $ointe& to a tear in it" 6-y atche& hi

He glance& u$ at the cro%" The bir& ha& huffe& its feathers against the stor an& si&le& into the shelter of a chi ney" He.& ne'er catch that bir& again" Behin& e! the %olf %hine& su&&enly"

1?81

65ine co$$ers:7 the that &ay! I.& %ager"

erchant offere& su&&enly! &es$erately" He.& sol& nothing ho e:7 I countere&" I tugge& u$ to free1e! too col& to y hoo&! elt" By

6I tol& you! I.'e no %ay to take hi

glance& at the sky" 6Stor .s here!7 I announce& as the thick %et flakes began to fall" This %oul& be nasty %eather! too %ar 6Ji'e &aylight! the streets %oul& be shining %ith ice" I turne& to go" e your six &a ne& co$$ers! then:7 the out hesitatingly" 6#n& %ill you cart hi out of y han&" e an& you kno% it"7 y angry re onstrance as arket aroun& us erchant bello%e& in to %here I li'e07 I frustration" I fu ble& the 69arry hi aske& as he snatche& the

yourself! boy" You.'e robbe&

;ith that! he sei1e& u$ his cage of &o'es an& $igeons an& hea'e& it into the cart" The e $ty cro%.s cage follo%e&" He ignore& he cli be& u$ on the seat an& shook the $ony.s reins" The ol& beast &ragge& the creaking cart off! into the thickening sno% an& &usk" The %as aban&one&" The only traffic no% %ere folk hurrying ho e through the stor ! collars an& cloaks tight against the %et %in& an& blo%ing sno%" 65o% %hat a =et I to &o %ith you07 I aske& the %olf" e" any &ogs that %oul& $ack u$ for his hi&e" Or for e out" Free

I can.t" 5ot safe" If I turne& a %olf loose here in the heart of to%n! he.& ne'er fin& his %ay to the %oo&s ali'e" There %ere too to bring hi &o%n! too any en %ho %oul& shoot hi

being a %olf" I bent to%ar& the cage! inten&ing to heft it an& see ho% hea'y it %as" He lunge& at e! teeth bare&" an" You.& kee$ e in this cage! Jet back: I %as instantly angry" It %as contagious" I.ll kill you" You.re the sa e as he %as! a %oul& you0 I.ll kill you! I.ll ri$ your belly out an& tussle %ith your guts"
1?82

You.ll get back: I $ushe& at hi ! har&! an& he co%ere& a%ay again" He snarle& an& %hine& his confusion at %hat I ha& &one! but he shrank a%ay fro shifting of his %eight &i&n.t e into the corner of his cage" I sei1e& the cage! lifte& it" It %as hea'y! an& the frantic ake it any easier" But I coul& carry it" 5ot 'ery out of the to%n" uch as I &i&" But he %as skinny! an& y chest" If he %ent for e no%! he coul& e into the far far! an& not for long" But if I took it in stages! I coul& get hi Full gro%n! he.& $robably %eigh as I hea'e& the cage u$! hel& it against corner" It I hate you" Ho% &i& he catch you0 He re e bere& a &en! an& t%o brothers" # bloo& an& s oke an& his brothers an& other %ho brought hi fish" #n& other beca e s elly hi&es for the boot young" Younger than I ha& guesse& at first glance" &o so e &a age" But he only %hine& an& co%ere& back fro a&e it 'ery a%k%ar& to carry hi " Ho% &i& he catch you0

an" He %as &ragge& out last an& thro%n into a cage that s elle& like ferrets! an& ke$t ali'e on carrion" #n& hate" Hate %as %hat he ha& thro'e u$on" You %ere %hel$e& late! if your He sulke& at e" y shoul&ers ache& %ith the a%k%ar& bur&en of yself that I yself" I other %as fee&ing you on the fish runs"

#ll the roa&s %ere u$hill! an& the sno% %as starting to stick" -y %orn boots sli& on the icy cobbles! an& the cage" I feare& I %oul& start tre bling" I ha& to sto$ fre)uently to rest" ;hen I &i&! I fir ly refuse& to think about %hat I %as &oing" I tol& %as 4ust going to fee& this cub u$ an& then turn hi again" ;ho %oul& ha'e thought such a %oul& not bon& %ith this %olf! or any other creature" I ha& $ro ise&

loose so e%here" Burrich

nee& ne'er kno%" I %oul& not ha'e to face his &isgust" I hefte& the cage u$ angy little cub coul& be so hea'y0

1?88

5ot

angy" In&ignant" Bugs" The cage is full of bugs" y chest" ;on&erful" I.& ha'e to bathe y be& %ith fleas the rest of the %inter" here! there %ere only a

So I %asn.t i agining that itching on again tonight! unless I %ante& to share

I ha& reache& the e&ge of Buckkee$ To%n" Fro

scattering of houses! an& the roa& %oul& be stee$er" -uch stee$er" Once again I lo%ere& the cage to the sno%y groun&" The cub hu&&le& in it! s all an& iserable %ithout anger an& hate to sustain hi " He %as hungry" I &ecision" I. going to take you out" I. going to carry you" e stea&ily as I %orke& the catch on the cage e an& 'anish 5othing fro hi " He %atche& a&e a

an& s%ung the &oor o$en" I ha& thought he %oul& charge $ast reache& into the cage an& sei1e& hi %as on e! &ri'ing into u$ 4ust in ti e to sho'e y forear by the scruff to &rag hi

into the night an& the falling sno%" Instea& he crouche& %here he %as" I out" In a flash he y ar y gri$ on y chest! 4a%s going %i&e for y ar har& into his y throat" I got

cross%ays into his 4a%s" I ke$t

the scruff of his neck an& $ushe& like&" His hin& legs tore at

outh! &ee$er than he

y belly! but

y 4erkin %as thick enough to &i'ert

ost of the &a age" In an instant %e %ere rolling o'er an& o'er in the sno%! both sna$$ing an& snarling like back an& hel& hi he calle& a& things" But I ha& the %eight an& the on his le'erage an& the ex$erience of tussling %ith &ogs for years" I got hi

there! hel$less! %hile his hea& thrashe& back an& forth an&

e 'ile na es that hu ans ha'e no %or&s for" ;hen he ha& essage he un&erstoo&" I e:

exhauste& hi self I leane& for%ar& o'er hi " I gri$$e& his throat an& leane& &o%n to stare into his eyes" This %as a $hysical a&&e& to it" I a I hel& hi the ;olf" You are the 9ub! You %ill obey

there staring into his eyes" He )uickly looke& a%ay! but still I hel& e an& I sa% the change in the " I let go of
1?8<

hi ! until he looke& back u$ at

hi

an& stoo& u$ an& ste$$e& a%ay" He lay still" Jet u$" 9o e here" He rolle& e! belly lo% to the groun&! tail bet%een his legs" ;hen he e! he fell o'er on his si&e an& then sho%e& his belly" He %hine&

o'er an& ca e to got close to softly" #fter a

o ent I relente&" It.s all right" ;e 4ust ha& to un&erstan& each other" I e no%" I reache& o'er to scratch his

&on.t inten& to hurt you" 9o e %ith ;here are you hurt0 I sa% the brass/boun& club of the cage I trie& to be gentle as I felt hi kicke& the cage sa'agely asi&e fro

chest! but %hen I touche& hi ! he yel$e&" I felt the re& flash of his $ain" an" E'ery%here" y

o'er" Ol& scabs! lu $s on his ribs" I stoo&! an& our $ath" He ca e an& leane& against y thoughts fro ine again" his" ;as it

leg" Hungry" 9ol&" So tire&" His feelings %ere blee&ing o'er into ;hen I touche& hi ! it %as &ifficult to se$arate atter" I gathere& hi

y outrage o'er ho% he ha& been treate&! or his o%n0 I &eci&e& it &i&n.t u$ carefully an& stoo&" ;ithout the cage! hel& close to uch" He %as ostly fur an& long gro%ing yself to y chest! he &i&n.t %eigh nearly as

bones" I regrette& the force I.& use& on hi ! but also kne% that it %as the only language he %oul& ha'e recogni1e&" 6I.ll take care of you!7 I force& say alou&" ;ar ! he thought gratefully! an& I took a His senses %ere fee&ing *atience.s $erfu e" I &i& snugge& hi to ine" I coul& s ell o ent to $ull y cloak o'er hi " yself! a thousan& ti es stronger y a%areness of his senses" I

than I %ante& to" Horses an& &ogs an& %oo& s oke an& beer an& a trace of y best to block out e an& carrie& hi u$ the stee$ $ath to Buckkee$" I kne% of a

&isuse& cottage" #n ol& $ig

an ha& once li'e& in it! out back behin& the y $ur$oses" I.& $ut hi there!

granaries" 5o one li'e& there no%" It %as too tu ble&o%n! an& too far fro e'eryone else at Buckkee$" But it %oul& suit
1?8?

%ith so e bones to gna% an& so e boile& grain! an& so e stra% to be& &o%n in" # %eek or t%o! -eat0 I sighe&" -eat! I $ro ise&" 5e'er ha& any beast sense& co $letely! or ex$resse& his o%n to ;ar ! he contra&icte& his y thoughts so e so clearly" It %as goo& that %e %oul& y shoul&er an& fell aslee$! aybe a onth! an& he.& be heale& u$ an& strong enough to out %est of Buckkee$ an& turn hi loose" care for hi self" Then I.& take hi

not be aroun& one another for long" Aery goo& that he.& be lea'ing soon" e" He set his hea& ato$ y ear" u11le snuffling &a $ly against

9H#*TER FIAE Ja bit 9ERT#I5=Y THERE IS an ancient co&e of con&uct! certainly its custo s %ere harsher than ours to&ay" But I %oul& 'enture that %e ha'e not %an&ere& so far fro those custo s so uch as $ut a 'eneer o'er the " # %arrior.s %or& into &ishonor" The la%s of an.s table to she& bloo& is still his bon&! an& a ong those %ho ser'e si&e by si&e! there is nothing so foul as one %ho lies to his co ra&es! or lea&s the on his floor" ;inter &ee$ene& aroun& Buckkee$ 9astle" The stor s ca e in off the sea! to $oun& us %ith icy fury an& then &e$art" Sno% usually fell in their %ake! great &u $s of it that ice& the battle ents like s%eet $aste on nut cakes" The great &arks of the long nights gre% longer! an& on clear nights the stars burne& col& o'er us" #fter y long 4ourney ho e fro
1?8B

hos$itality still forbi& those %ho ha'e share& salt at a

the -ountain (ing&o ! the ferocity

of the %inter &i&n.t threaten

e as it once ha&" #s I %ent y cheeks

y &aily roun&s to y

the stable an& to the ol& $ig hut!

ight burn %ith col& an&

eyelashes cling together %ith frost! but I al%ays kne% that ho e an& a %ar hearth %ere close by" The stor s an& the &ee$ col&s that snarle& at us like %ol'es at the &oor %ere also the %atch beasts that ke$t the Re&/Shi$s a%ay fro our shores" e" I calle& on (ettricken each &ay! as 9ha&e ha& suggeste&! uch alike for us" I a sure I irritate& her as uch any hours %ith the cub! lest %e bon&" I any hours to the &ay! an& all %ere y slee$ing y bright y -olly! Ti e &ragge& for as she &i& fille& %ith

but our resti'eness %as too

e" I &are& not s$en& too

ha& no other fixe& &uties" There %ere too in& %as beyon& y control! an&

y thoughts of -olly" 5ights %ere the %orst! for then y &rea s %ere full of

re&/skirte& can&le aker! no% gone so &e ure an& &rab in ser'ing/girl blue" If I coul& not be near her by &ay! an& energy that y &rea ing self courte& her %ith an earnestness ustere& the courage for" ;hen %e ine" I kisse& her y %aking self ha& ne'er

%alke& the beaches after a stor ! her han& %as in co $etently! %ithout uncertainty! an& one coul& kee$ her fro e" In #t first! 9ha&e.s training of y &rea s" e se&uce&

et her eyes %ith no secrets to hi&e" 5o e into s$ying u$on her" I kne% e

%hich roo " on the ser'ants. floor %as hers! I kne% %hich %in&o% %as hers" I learne&! %ithout intention! the hours of her co ings an& goings" It sha e& to stan& %here I her going out on her Though I arket erran&s! but try as I ight hear her ste$ u$on the stairs an& catch a brief gli $se of ight! I coul& not forbi&

yself to be there" I kne% %ho her frien&s %ere a ong the ser'ing %o en" ight not s$eak to her! I coul& greet the ! an& ha'e a chance bit of ention of -olly" I yearne& after talk %ith the ! ho$ing al%ays for so e stray

1?8C

her ho$elessly" Slee$ elu&e& hel& any interest for e"

e! an& foo& hel& no interest for

e" 5othing

I %as sitting one e'ening in the guar&roo

off the kitchen" I ha& foun& a $lace y boots u$ on the yself into a y seat! then e alone" ug of ale that ha& gone %ar

in the corner %here I coul& lean against the %all an& $ro$ o$$osite bench to &iscourage co $any" # hours ago sat in front of 4erke& out fro un&er

e" I lacke& e'en the a bition to &rink y $ro$$e& feet" I nearly fell fro

stu$or" I %as looking at nothing! atte $ting not to think! %hen the bench %as reco'ere& to see Burrich seating hi self o$$osite 6Ha'e you ha& another sei1ure07 I looke& back at" the table" I s$oke as )uietly" 6# fe% tre bling fits! but no real sei1ures" They only see concern in the to co e on e if I strain yself"7 e" The y 'oice y hea&! He no&&e& gra'ely! then %aite&" I looke& u$ to fin& his &ark eyes on touche& so ething in e" I shook o ent" ai& for *atience" But *atience su&&enly gone" 6It.s -olly!7 I sai& after a e" 6;hat ails you07 he

aske& %ithout niceties" He leane& for%ar& an& $itche& his 'oice for

6You ha'en.t been able to fin& %here she %ent07 65o" She.s here! at Buckkee$! %orking as a %on.t let e see her" She says """7 y first %or&s" 5o% he glance& aroun& us! then as he le& e back to his Burrich.s eyes ha& %i&ene& at

tosse& his hea& at the &oor" I arose an& follo%e& hi

stables! an& then u$ to his roo " I sat &o%n at his table! before his hearth! an& he brought out his goo& Tilth bran&y an& t%o cu$s" Then he set out his leather/ en&ing tools" #n& his $er$etual $ile of harness to be sa&&le skirt" He &re% u$ his o%n stool an& looke& at en&e&" He han&e& e a halter that nee&e& a ne% stra$" For hi self! he lai& out so e fancy %ork on a e" 6This -olly" I.'e

1?8D

seen her then! in the %asher courts %ith =acey0 9arries her hea& $rou&0 Re& glint to her coat07 6Her hair!7 I correcte& hi gru&gingly" 65ice %i&e hi$s" She.ll bear easily!7 he sai& %ith a$$ro'al" I glare& at hi " 6Thank you!7 I sai& icily" He shocke& e by grinning" 6Jet angry" I.& rather you %ere that than self/ e"7 uch ore than I %oul& ha'e in the guar&roo ! for &o%n y throat! an& the fa iliar e" Here! if any%here y $ain" He yself out! he $itying" So" Tell

#n& I tol& hi " *robably sights an& s ells of his roo in &i& not s$eak or in the leather"

here %e %ere alone! the bran&y %ent %ar

an& %ork %ere all aroun&

y life! I ha& al%ays been safe" It see e& safe to re'eal to hi ake any co ents" E'en after I ha& talke&

ke$t his silence" I %atche& hi

rub &ye into the lines of the buck he ha& incise& yself ask" e! of course! because you ha'e note& any chil&ren07 ine! an& &one y

6So" ;hat shoul& I &o07 I hear& looke& about his roo " 6You ask rare success at $ro'i&ing

He set &o%n his %ork! &rank off his bran&y! an& then refille& his cu$" He yself %ith a fon& %ife an&

The bitterness in his 'oice shocke&

e! but before I coul& react to it! he ga'e a

choke& laugh" 6Forget I sai& that" >lti ately! the &ecision %as I stare& at hi 6;hat aske& orosely"

a long ti e ago" Fit19hi'alry! %hat &o you think you shoul& be &oing07 a&e things go %rong in the first $lace07 ;hen I &i& not re$ly! he e! 6Di& not you yourself 4ust tell e that you courte& her as a boy! an" So &on.t an"7 He &rank &o%n half his an.s0 She %as looking for a

%hen she consi&ere& your offer a bran&y! then refille& both our cu$s"

go sulking about like a th%arte& chil&" Be a

1?8E

6Ho%07 I &e an&e&" 6The sa e %ay you.'e sho%n yourself a not an else%here" #cce$t the &isci$line! in&" =ook at yourself" Your hair li'e u$ to the task" So you cannot see her" If I kno% anything of %o en! it &oes ean she &oes not see you" (ee$ that in looks like a $ony.s %inter coat! I.ll %ager you.'e %orn that shirt a %eek straight! an& you.re thin as a %inter foal" I &oubt you.ll regain her res$ect that %ay" Fee& yourself u$! groo exercise instea& of get onto the "7 I no&&e& slo%ly to the a&'ice" I kne% he %as right" But I coul& not hel$ $rotesting! 6But all of that %ill &o e to see -olly"7 6In the long run! -olly"7 6#n& (ing Shre%&!7 I sai& %ryly" He glance& u$ at e )ui11ically" an cannot be s%orn to a (ing an& gi'e his heart arrie& a (ing/in/;aiting! an& %as content %ith en&e& halter" 6#ccor&ing to *atience! a e" This fro a %o an %ho y boy! it is not about you an& *atience" It is about you an& e no goo& if *atience %ill still not $er it yourself &aily! an& in E&a.s na e! get so e o$ing about the guar&roo " Set yourself so e tasks an&

fully to a %o an as %ell" RYou cannot $ut t%o sa&&les on one horse!. she tol& %hate'er ti e he ha& for her"7 I reache& to han& Burrich the

He &i& not take it" He ha& been in the act of lifting his bran&y cu$" He set it &o%n on the table so shar$ly that the li)ui& lea$e& an& slo$$e& o'er the e&ge" 6She sai& that to you07 he aske& e hoarsely" His eyes bore& into e as y o%n"7 e" ine" I no&&e& slo%ly" 6She sai& it %oul& not be honorable to ex$ect -olly to be content %ith %hate'er ti e the (ing left to Burrich leane& back in his chair" # chain of conflicting e otions &ragge& across his features" He looke& asi&e into the hearth fire! an& then back at
1?<H

For a

o ent he see e& on the 'erge of s$eaking" Then he sat u$! &rank off

his bran&y in one gul$! an& abru$tly stoo&" 6It.s too )uiet u$ here" =et.s go &o%n to Buckkee$ To%n! shall %e07 The next &ay I arose an& ignore& %hat ha& lost her to ti e %as %ell" So I arose each &ay early! before e'en the $ri'acy of an ol& sta'e" I %oul& %ork to the baths to stea orning cooks %ere u$" In the y roo ! I stretche& an& then %orke& through s$arring &rills %ith yself into s%eat an& &i11iness! an& then go &o%n y sta ina began to return" y bones" The ne% uscle on yself" Slo%ly! 'ery slo%ly! y $oun&ing hea& to set yself the task of y

not beha'ing like a lo'esick boy" # boy.s i $etuosity an& carelessness %ere e" I resol'e& to atte $t a an.s restraint" If bi&ing y only $ath to her! I %oul& take Burrich.s a&'ice an& use that ti e

I gaine& %eight an& began to rebuil& the clothing that -istress Hasty ha& inflicte& on of the tre ors that so eti es assaile& al%ays anage& to return to e that *atience tol&

e began to fit" I %as still not free yself by falling" e

e" But I ha& fe%er sei1ures! an&

y roo s before I coul& sha e yself again"

y color %as better! %hile =acey &elighte& in fee&ing

at e'ery o$$ortunity" I began to feel I ate %ith the guar&s each ore i $ortance than

orning! %here )uantity consu e& %as al%ays of

anners" Breakfast %as follo%e& %ith a tri$ to the

stables! to take Sooty out for a sno%y canter to kee$ her in con&ition" ;hen I returne& her to the stables! there %as a ho ey co fort in taking care of her yself" Before our stables" So there %as her grain isa&'entures in the -ountain (ing&o ! Burrich an& I ha& y use of the ;it" I ha& been all but barre& fro the ore than satisfaction in rubbing her &o%n an& seeing to s ells of the been on ba& ter s o'er

yself" There %as the busyness of the stables! the %ar

1?<1

beasts! an& the gossi$ of the (ee$ as only the stable han&s coul& tell it" On fortunate &ays! Han&s or Burrich %oul& take ti e to sto$ an& talk %ith the e" #n& on other &ays! busy &ays! there %as the bitters%eet satisfaction of seeing conferring o'er a stallion.s cough! or &octoring the ailing boar that so e e fro their circle" It %as as far er ha& brought u$ to the (ee$" On those &ays they ha& little ti e for $leasantries an&! %ithout inten&ing it! exclu&e& it ha& to be" I ha& hel& a4ar for e fore'er" e" -y ne% o'e& on to another life" I coul& not ex$ect the ol& one to be

That thought &i& not $re'ent a $ang of guilt as I sli$$e& a%ay each &ay to the &isuse& cottage behin& the granaries" ;ariness al%ays stalke& too fresh in y $eace %ith Burrich ha& not existe& so long that I took it for grante&+ it %as only e ory exactly ho% $ainful losing his frien&shi$ ha& been" If yself Burrich e'er sus$ecte& that I ha& returne& to using the ;it! he %oul& aban&on e 4ust as s%iftly an& co $letely as he ha& before" Each &ay I aske& %olf cub" -y only ans%er %as! I ha& no choice" I coul& no 9ub than I coul& ha'e %alke& a%ay fro Burrich! the ;it that so eti es left ore ha'e turne& asi&e fro in&s of ani als %as a a star'e& an& cage& chil&" To an in&ulge&" He ha& all but exactly %hy I %as %illing to ga ble his frien&shi$ an& res$ect for the sake of a

e o$en to the

$er'ersion! a &isgusting %eakness that no true hi self" If he &i&! I ha& ne'er caught hi ani al" #s a boy!

a& itte& to the latent ability for it! but staunchly insiste& that he ne'er use& it at it" The o$$osite %as ne'er true" ;ith uncanny $erce$tion! he ha& al%ays kno%n %hen I %as &ra%n to an y in&ulgence in the ;it %ith a beast ha& usually le& to a e back to y &uties" ;hen I ha& ra$ on the hea& or a soun& cuff to rouse e fro

li'e& %ith Burrich in the stables! he ha& &one e'erything in his $o%er to kee$ bon&ing to any ani al" He ha& succee&e& al%ays! sa'e t%ice" The
1?<2

keen $ain of losing

y bon& co $anions ha& con'ince& an %ho coul& turn asi&e fro

e Burrich %as right" the $lea of a beaten

Only a fool %oul& in&ulge in so ething that ine'itably le& to such loss" So I %as a fool! rather than a an& star'e& cub" I $ilfere& bones an& ti es of eat scra$s an& crusts! an& &i& y best that no one! not e'en 9ook or the Fool! kne% of y acti'ity" I took elaborate $ains to 'ary the

y 'isits each &ay! an& to take e'ery &ay a &ifferent $ath to a'oi& anage& it" y &aily

creating too beaten a trail to the back cottage" Har&est ha& been s uggling clean stra% an& an ol& horse blanket out of the stables" But I ha& 5o atter %hen I arri'e&! I foun& 9ub %aiting for e" It %as not 4ust the e" He kne%

%atchfulness of an ani al a%aiting foo&" He sense& %hen I began hike to the back cottage behin& all the granaries an& a%aite& %hen I ha& ginger cakes in 5ot that his sus$icions of

y $ocket! an& too )uickly beca e fon& of the " e ha& 'anishe&" 5o" I felt his %ariness! an& ho% he %as one ore $lank of

shrank in on hi self each ti e I ste$$e& %ithin reach of hi " But e'ery &ay that I &i& not strike hi ! e'ery bit of foo& I brought hi be sternly aloof fro feare& he hi ! to kno% hi trust in the bri&ge bet%een us" It %as a link I &i& not %ant to establish" I trie& to through the ;it as little as $ossible" I an is a ight lose the %il&ness that he %oul& nee& to sur'i'e on his o%n" ust kee$ yourself hi&&en" E'ery ust kee$ yourself %ithin this structure!

O'er an& o'er I %arne& hi ! 6You an& i

&anger to you! as is e'ery houn&" You ake no soun& if anyone is near"7 #t first it %as easy for hi

to obey" He %as sa&ly thin! an& %oul& fall e as he lay to

e&iately u$on the foo& I brought an& &e'our it all" >sually he %as aslee$

in his be&&ing before I left the cottage! or 4ealously eyeing o'e! an& lost his fear of

gna%ing a treasure& bone" But as he %as fe& a&e)uately! an& ha& roo

e! the innate $layfulness of a cub began to reassert

1?<8

itself" He took to s$ringing u$on

e in

ock attacks as soon as the &oor %as for being too noisy! or for the tracks

o$ene&! an& ex$ressing &elight in knuckly beef bones %ith snarls an& tusslings inflicte& on the " ;hen I rebuke& hi co%er before conce&e y &is$leasure" aske& sa'agery in his eyes at those ti es" He &i& not e" Only a sort of $ack seniority" He bi&e& his ti e until %ith the fir intent of returning hi to that betraye& his night ro $ in the sno%y fiel& behin& the cottage! he %oul& But I note& as %ell the astery to

his &ecisions shoul& be his o%n" *ainful as it %as so eti es! it %as as it nee&e& to be" I ha& rescue& hi free&o " # year fro &istance at night" I tol& hi no%! he %oul& be but one ore %olf ho%ling in the

this re$eate&ly" #t first! he %oul& &e an& to kno% the s elly (ee$ an& the confining stone %alls soon! as soon as he %as fe& to strength of the

%hen he %oul& be taken fro

that fence& it" I %oul& $ro ise hi

again! as soon as the &ee$est sno%s of %inter %ere $ast an& he coul& fen& for hi self" But as %eeks $asse&! an& the stor s outsi&e re in&e& hi snugness of his be& an& the goo& =oneliness ate at back fro e fro often" So eti es I forgot to re in& hi " insi&e an& out" #t night I %oul& %on&er %hat %oul& yself e" There ha$$en if I cre$t u$stairs an& knocke& at -olly.s &oor" By &ay I hel& bon&ing to the s all cub %ho &e$en&e& so co $letely on %as only one other creature in the (ee$ %ho %as as lonely as I %as" 6I a sure you ha'e other &uties" ;hy &o you co e to call on e in the forthright -ountain %ay" It %as e each &ay07 eat fille& out on his bones! he aske& less

(ettricken aske&

i& orning! on a ight %atch

&ay follo%ing a night of stor " Sno% %as falling in fat flakes! an& &es$ite the chill! (ettricken ha& or&ere& the %in&o% shutters o$ene& so she it" Her se%ing cha ber o'erlooke& the sea! an& I thought she %as fascinate& by
1?<<

the i

ense an& restless %aters" Her eyes %ere

uch the sa e color as the y )ueen/in/

%ater that &ay" 6I ha& thought to hel$ ti e $ass %aiting"7 6*assing ti e"7 She sighe&" She cu$$e& her chin in her han& an& leane& on her elbo% to stare $ensi'ely out at the falling sno%" The sea %in& tangle& in her $ale hair" 6It is an o&& language! yours" You s$eak of $assing ti e as in the -ountains %e s$eak of $assing %in&" #s if it %ere a thing to be gotten ri& of"7 Her little ai& Rose ary! seate& at her feet! giggle& into her han&s" Behin& us! her t%o la&ies tittere& a$$rehensi'ely! then bent their hea&s in&ustriously o'er their nee&le%ork again" (ettricken herself ha& a large e broi&ery fra e set u$! %ith the beginning of aking ountains an& a %aterfall in it" I ha& not notice& her uch $rogress on it" Her other la&ies ha& not $resente& the sel'es ostly" She &i& not see to un&erstan& that she %as being slighte& ore $leasantly for you!

to&ay! but ha& sent $ages %ith excuses as to %hy they coul& not atten& her" Hea&aches! by their inattention" I &i& not kno% ho% to ex$lain it to her! an& on so e &ays I %on&ere& if I shoul&" To&ay %as one of those &ays" I shifte& in &oors so y chair an& crosse& y legs the other %ay" 6I eant only that in %inter! Buckkee$ can beco e a te&ious $lace" The %eather kee$s us %ithin uch+ there is little that is a using"7 e" Her 6That is not the case &o%n at the shi$%rights. she&s!7 she infor e&

eyes got a strangely hungry look" 6There it is all a bustle! %ith e'ery bit of &aylight use& in the setting of the great ti bers an& the ben&ing of the $lanks" E'en %hen the &ay is &i or %il& %ith stor ! %ithin the she&s shi$buil&ers are etal forges! they ake still he%ing an& sha$ing an& $laning %oo&" #t the

chains an& anchors" So e %ea'e stout can'as for sails! an& others cut an& se% it" Aerity %alks about there! o'erseeing it all" ;hile I sit here %ith fancy%ork!
1?<?

an& $rick

y fingers an& strain

y eyes to knot in flo%ers an& bir&s. eyes" So

that %hen I a

finishe&! it can be set asi&e %ith a &o1en other $retty %orks"7 y la&y!7 one of her %o en burst in i $ulsi'ely" uch treasure& %hen you gift it out" In Shoaks there

6Oh! not set asi&e! no! ne'er! 6;hy! your nee&le%ork is Ri$$on/7

is a fra e& bit in =or& She shy.s $ri'ate cha bers! an& Duke (el'ar of (ettricken.s sigh cut short the %o an.s co $li ent" 6I %oul& I %orke& at a sail instea&! %ith a great iron nee&le or a %oo&en fi&! to grace one of husban&.s shi$s" There %oul& be a %ork that %as %orthy of res$ect" Instea&! I a gi'en toys to a use y y ti e! an& his

e! as if I %ere a s$oile& chil& that the shi$yar&s %as as easily

&i& not un&erstan& the 'alue of ti e %ell s$ent"7 She turne& back to her %in&o%" I notice& then that the s oke rising fro 'isible as the sea" *erha$s I ha& 6Shall I sen& for tea an& cakes! Both of the istaken the &irection of her attention" y la&y07 one of her la&ies in)uire& ho$efully"

sat %ith their sha%ls $ulle& u$ o'er their shoul&ers" (ettricken

&i& not a$$ear to notice the chill sea air s$illing in the o$en %in&o%! but it coul& not ha'e been $leasant for those t%o to sit an& $ly their nee&les in it" 6If you %ish the !7 (ettricken re$lie& &isintereste&ly" 6I &o not hunger or thirst" In&ee&! I fear I %ill gro% fat as a $enne& goose! sitting at nee&le%ork an& nibbling an& si$$ing all &ay" I long to &o so ething of significance" Tell e true! Fit1" If you &i& not feel re)uire& to call u$on i&ly in your cha bers0 Or &oing fancy%ork at a loo 07 65o" But then! I a ne'er hear& fro not the Iueen/in/;aiting"7 y title"7 # bitterness I ha& y lan&! as her before cre$t into her 'oice" 6But Iueen0 In 6;aiting" #h! I un&erstan& %ell no% that $art of e! %oul& you be sitting

%ell you kno%! %e &o not say Iueen" ;ere I there no%! an& ruling instea& of

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y father! I %oul& be calle& Sacrifice" -ore! I %oul& be Sacrifice" To %hate'er %as to the goo& of y lan& an& y $eo$le"7 ore co fortable area of con'ersation" It %as a 6;ere you there no%! in the &ee$ of %inter! %hat %oul& you be &oing07 I aske&! thinking only to fin& a istake" She gre% silent an& stare& out the %in&o%" 6In the -ountains!7 she sai& softly! 6there %as ne'er ti e to be i&le" I %as the younger of course! an& &uties of Sacrifice fell u$on y father an& ost of the y ol&er brother" But! as @on)ui

says! there is al%ays enough %ork to go Froun& an& so e to s$are" Here! in Buckkee$! all is &one by ser'ants! out of sight! an& one sees only the results! the ti&ie& cha ber! the $o$ulous $lace"7 She $ause& a o ent an& her eyes %ent afar" 6In @haa $e! in %inter! the hall an& the to%n itself gro% )uiet" Sno%s fall thick an& hea'y! an& great col& closes in on the lan&" The lesser/use& trails &isa$$ear for the %inter" ;heels are re$lace& by runners" Aisitors to the city ha'e long gone ho e by no%" In the $alace at @haa $e! there is only the fa ily! an& those %ho choose to stay an& hel$ the " 5ot ser'e the ! no! not exactly" You ha'e been to @haa $e" You kno% there are no ones %ho only ser'e! sa'e for the royal fa ily" In @haa $e! I %oul& rise early! to fetch the %ater for the househol& $orri&ge! an& to take %oul& y turn at the stirring of the kettle" (eera an& Sennick an& @ofron an& I ake the kitchen li'ely %ith talk" #n& all the young ones &ashing about! eal on the table" *erha$s it is because this is such a

bringing in the fire%oo& an& setting out the $lates an& talking of a thousan& things"7 Her 'oice faltere&! an& I listene& to the silence of her loneliness" #fter a bit she %ent on3 6If there %as %ork to be &one! hea'y or light! %e all 4oine& in it" I ha'e hel$e& to ben& an& lash the branches for a barn" E'en in the &ee$ of %inter! I ha'e hel$e& to clear sno% an& raise ne% roof arches for a
1?<C

fa ily &e'astate& by a fire" Do you think a Sacrifice cannot hunt &o%n a cranky ol& bear that has turne& to killing goats! or strain against a ro$e to hel$ brace a bri&ge battere& by floo&%aters07 She looke& at eyes" 6Here! in Buckkee$! %e &o not risk our )ueens!7 I tol& her si $ly" 6#nother shoul&er can brace a ro$e! %e ha'e &o1ens of hunters %ho %oul& 'ie for the honor of &is$atching a cattle killer" ;e ha'e but one Iueen" There are things a Iueen can &o that no other can"7 Behin& us in the roo ! her la&ies ha& all but forgotten her" One ha& su one& a $age! an& he ha& returne& %ith s%eet cakes an& stea ing tea in a $ot" They chatte& together! %ar ing their han&s about their teacu$s" Briefly I looke& at the ! to re e ber %ell %hat la&ies ha& chosen to atten& their )ueen" (ettricken! I %as co ing to see! u$on" (ettricken.s little ight not be the easiest of Iueens to atten& ai&! Rose ary! sat on the floor by the tea/table! e %ith real $ain in her

&rea y/eye&! a s%eet cake clas$e& in her s all han&s" I su&&enly %ishe& I %ere eight years ol& again an& coul& 4oin her there" 6I kno% %hat you s$eak of!7 (ettricken sai& bluntly" 6I a $leasure" I only %ish I %ere sure %atching his shi$s arise fro no &anger to y lor& share& here to bear an heir to Aerity" It is a &uty I &o not a'oi&! for I &o not consi&er it a &uty! but a y senti ents" #l%ays he is %ith a%ay an& about the to%n on business" I kno% %here he is to&ay+ &o%n there! $lanks an& ti bers" 9oul& I not be %ith hi yself0 Surely! if only I can bear his heir! only he can sire it" ;hy erses hi self in the task of $rotecting our y ti e there! I y re$ly" I

ust I be confine& here %hile he i

$eo$le0 That is a task I shoul& be sharing as Sacrifice for the Six Duchies"7 #ccusto e& as I ha& beco e to -ountain forthrightness in %as still shocke& at ho% bluntly she s$oke" It foun& a&e e o'erbol& in

yself rising to lean $ast her an& $ull the shutters tight o'er the &rafty
1?<D

%in&o%" I took a&'antage of the closeness to %his$er fiercely! 6If you think that is the only &uty that our )ueens bear! you are gra'ely istaken! y la&y" To s$eak as $lainly as you ha'e! you neglect your &uties to your la&ies! %ho are here this &ay only to atten& u$on you an& con'erse %ith you" Think" 9oul& they not be &oing this sa e nee&le%ork in the co1iness of their o%n cha bers! or in the co $any of -istress Hasty0 You sigh after %hat you $ercei'e as a ore i $ortant task+ but before you is a task the (ing hi self cannot &o" You are here to &o it" Rebuil& the court at Buckkee$" -ake it a &esirable an& attracti'e $lace to be" Encourage his lor& an& la&ies to 'ie for his attention+ ake the eager to su$$ort hi in his en&ea'ors" It has been long since there %as a congenial Iueen in this castle" Instea& of looking &o%n at a shi$ that other han&s are suit yourself to it" I finishe& re&ra$ing the ta$estry that co'ere& the shutters an& hel$e& to seal out the col& of the sea stor s" I then ste$$e& back an& y chagrin! she %as as chastene& as if she %ere a et y )ueen.s eyes" To ilk ai&" Tears stoo& in her ore ca$able of buil&ing! take u$ the task you are gi'en! an&

$ale eyes! an& her cheeks %ere as re& as if I ha& sla$$e& her" I glance& at her la&ies! %ho %ere still taking tea an& chatting" Rose ary! un%atche&! %as taking the o$$ortunity to $oke at the tarts carefully to see %hat %as insi&e the " 5o one a$$eare& to ha'e notice& anything a iss" But I %as learning ra$i&ly ho% a&e$t court la&ies %ere at such &issi ulation! an& feare& s$eculation as to %hat the Bastar& bring tears to her eyes" I curse& y clu siness! an& re in&e& uch ol&er than yself that ho%e'er tall (ettricken yself! an& in a foreign $lace alone" I ight be! she %as not to 9ha&e! an& let hi ight ha'e sai& to the Iueen/in/;aiting to

shoul& not ha'e s$oken to her! but shoul& instea& ha'e $resente& the $roble ani$ulate so eone into ex$laining it to her" Then it
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&a%ne& on her" I

e that he ha& alrea&y selecte& so eone to ex$lain such things to to her face" -y heart

et her eyes again an& 'enture& a ner'ous s ile" Iuickly she follo%e&

y glance to the la&ies! an& as s%iftly returne& &ecoru surge& %ith $ri&e in her" 6;hat &o you suggest07 she aske& )uietly" 6I suggest!7 I sai& hu bly! 6that I a loyal la&ies so e es$ecial faithfulness"7 She no&&e& her co $rehension" 6#n& that fa'or s$ecial instrel or $u$$eteer" It

asha e& at ho% bol&ly I ha'e s$oken to for their

y )ueen" I ask her forgi'eness" But I suggest! also! that she sho% these t%o ark of royal fa'or! to re%ar& the

ight be07 she aske& softly"

6# $ri'ate gathering %ith their )ueen in her $ersonal cha bers! $erha$s for a atters not %hat entertain ent you $ro'i&e+ only that those %ho ha'e not chosen to atten& you as faithfully be exclu&e&"7 6That soun&s like so ething Regal %oul& &o"7 6*robably" He is 'ery a&e$t at creating lackeys an& hangers/on" But he %oul& &o it s$itefully! to $unish those %ho ha& not &ance& atten&ance u$on hi "7 6#n& I07 6#n& you! y Iueen/in/;aiting! you &o it as a re%ar& to those %ho ha'e" ;ith no thought of $unishing those %ho ha'e not! but only of en4oying the co $any of those %ho ob'iously reci$rocate that feeling"7 6I see" #n& the instrel07 ost gallant %ay of singing to e'ery la&y in the roo "7 to e 6-ello%" He has a

6;ill you see if he is free this e'ening07 6-y la&y"7 I ha& to s ile" 6You are the Iueen/in/;aiting" You honor hi re)uest his $resence" He %ill ne'er be too busy to atten& u$on you"7 She sighe& again! but it %as a s aller sigh" She no&&e& her &is issal of an& rose to a&'ance s iling u$on her la&ies! begging the
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to excuse her

%an&ering thoughts this

orning! an& then asking if they

ight also atten& her

this e'ening in her o%n cha bers" I %atche& the =a&y -o&esty" I bo%e& notice&"

exchange glances an& s ile! yself =a&y Ho$eful an& y &e$arture scarcely

an& kne% %e ha& &one %ell" I note& their na es to y %ay out of the roo !

So I ca e to be a&'iser to (ettricken" It %as not a role I relishe&! to be co $anion an& instructor! to be the %his$erer that tol& her %hat ste$s she next ust &ance" In truth! it %as an unco fortable task" I felt I &i inishe& her by y chi&ing! an& that I corru$te& her! teaching her the s$i&ery %ays of $o%er in the %eb of the court" She %as right" These %ere Regal.s tricks" If she %orke& the %ith higher i&eals an& kin&er %ays than Regal &i&! y intentions %ere selfish enough for both of us" I %ante& her to gather $o%er into her han&s! an& %ith it bin& the throne fir ly to Aerity in the in&s of one an& all" e co $letely at her e to e Early each e'ening! I %as ex$ecte& to call on =a&y *atience" She an& =acey both took these 'isits )uite seriously" *atience consi&ere& &is$osal! as if I %ere her $age still! an& thought nothing of re)uiring that I sho% her

co$y so e ancient scroll for her onto her $recious ree& $a$er! or to &e an& y i $ro'e ent in $laying the sea $i$es" She al%ays took e %hilst atte $ting to instruct to task for not sho%ing enough effort in that area! an& %oul& s$en& the better $art of an hour confusing e in it" I trie& to be e fro &oes not tractable an& $olite! but felt entra$$e& in their cons$iracy to kee$ seeing -olly" I kne% the %is&o of *atience.s course! but %is&o e fro allay loneliness" Des$ite their efforts to kee$

her! I sa% -olly

e'ery%here" Oh! not her $erson! no! but in the scent of the fat bayberry can&le burning so s%eetly! in the cloak left &ra$e& o'er a chair! e'en the honey in the honey cakes taste& of -olly to e" ;ill you think e a fool that I sat close by ight lean against her the can&le an& s elle& its scent! or took the chair that I
1??1

sno% &a $e& cloak as I sat0 So eti es I felt as (ettricken &i&! that I %as &ro%ning in %hat %as re)uire& of that %as for e alone" e that su&&enly the la&ies ore than that! an& %ho ost ena ore& of Regal %ere ust %arn her! %ho to treat y to genuinely s ile u$on" e! an& that there %as nothing left in y life

I re$orte& %eekly to 9ha&e u$on (ettricken.s $rogress in court intrigue" 9ha&e it %as %ho %arne& courteously! but no courting fa'or %ith (ettricken as %ell" #n& so I So eti es I thought to Shre%& su The atten& one& e" orning! an& I a&e a&e haste to &ress one& yself to e to his $resence

yself that I %oul& rather be )uietly killing for

king than to be so e broile& in all these secreti'e sche es" But then (ing essage ca e 'ery early one

y king" This %as the first ti e he ha& su

since I ha& returne& to Buckkee$" It ha& he &is$lease& %ith ha'e tol&

e uneasy to be ignore&" ;as e" I trie& to ake great

e! o'er %hat ha& ha$$ene& at @haa $e0 Surely he %oul& y a$$earance" I

e so &irectly" Still" >ncertainty gna%e&

haste to %ait u$on hi ! an& yet to take s$ecial care %ith

en&e& u$ &oing $oorly at both" -y hair! shorn for fe'er %hen I %as in the -ountains! ha& gro%n back as bushy an& un anageable as Aerity.s" ;orse! y bear& %as beginning to bristle as %ell" T%ice Burrich ha& tol& ha& better &eci&e to %ear a bear&! or to atten& se'eral ti es that ore closely to y bear& ca e in as $atchy as a $ony.s %inter coat! I &iligently cut noticeable than all the bloo&" I currie& so long ago gi'en fro e to ark y hair back fro e that I y face y sha'ing" #s

orning! before &eci&ing that a bit of bristle %oul& be less y face an& %ishe& I y king" y shirt the $in that Shre%& ha&

coul& bin& it back in a %arrior.s tail" I set into

e as his" Then I hurrie& to atten&

#s I stro&e hastily &o%n the hall to the (ing.s &oor! Regal ste$$e& abru$tly his o%n &oor%ay" I halte& not to run into hi ! an& then felt tra$$e& there!
1??2

staring at hi " I ha& seen hi ! se'eral ti es since I ha& returne&" But it ha& al%ays been across a hall! or a $assing gli $se of hi another" #l ost! %e coul& ha'e been %hile I %as engage& in so e task" 5o% %e stoo&! scarce an ar .s length a$art! an& stare& at one istaken for brothers! I reali1e& %ith ore aristocratic" His y %ren colors! I lacke& shock" His hair %as curlier! his features finer! his bearing gar ents %ere $eacock.s feathers co $are& %ith sil'er at y throat an& on

y han&s" Still the sta $ of the Farseers %as $lain

on us both" ;e share& Shre%&.s 4a% an& the fol& of his eyeli&s an& the cur'e of his lo%er li$" 5either of us %oul& e'er co $are %ith Aerity.s %i&ely uscle& buil&! but I %oul& co e closer than he %oul&" =ess than a &eca&e of years se$arate& our ages" Only his skin se$arate& e fro his bloo&" I et his eyes an& %ishe& I coul& s$ill his guts u$on the clean s%e$t floor" He s ile&! a brief sho%ing of %hite teeth" 6Bastar&!7 he greete& to yourself"7 His careful $ronunciation left no roo 6*rince Regal!7 I re$lie&! an& let first" For a ti e %e hel& our $ositions! eyes locke&" Then he glance& &o%n! to flick i aginary &ust fro He &i& not 4ostle his slee'e" He stro&e $ast e" I &i& not ste$ asi&e for hi " e into the (ing.s e as once he %oul& ha'e" I took a breath an& %alke& on" yself another task" I %oul& learn na es an& faces y tone e $leasantly" His s ile gre% shar$er" 6Or! that is! -aster Fits" # fitting na e you.'e taken for &oubting his insult" ean the sa e as e ake the %or&s

his" I %aite& %ith an icy $atience I ha& not kno%n I o%ne&" He ha& to strike

I &i& not kno% the guar&s an at the &oor! but he %a'e& cha ber" I sighe& an& set foun&

again" 5o% that the court %as s%elling %ith folk co e to see the ne% Iueen! I yself being recogni1e& by $eo$le I &i&n.t kno%" 6That.& be the onger say to his a$$rentice Bastar&! by the look of hi !7 I.& hear& a bacon

1??8

the other &ay outsi&e the kitchen &oors" It %ere changing too fast for e" (ing Shre%&.s cha ber shocke& as a ca$tain recei'ing re$orts fro shar$ ol& %as not in his sitting roo $eere& %ithin the o$en &oor" Insi&e! the roo

a&e

e feel 'ulnerable" Things

e" I ha& ex$ecte& to fin& the %in&o%s a4ar his lieutenants" #l%ays he ha& been so! a

to the brisk %inter air! to fin& Shre%& u$ an& &resse& an& alert at table! as keen an! strict %ith hi self! an early riser! shre%& as his na e" But he at all" I 'enture& to the entry of his be&cha ber!

%as half in sha&o% still" # ser'ant rattle& cu$s an& $lates at a e! then a%ay! usty! as if the e!

s all table &ra%n u$ by the great curtaine& be&" He glance& at e'i&ently thinking I %as a ser'ing boy" The air %as still an& roo

%ere &isuse& or ha& not been aire& in a long ti e" I %aite& a ti e for the

ser'ant to let (ing Shre%& kno% I ha& co e" ;hen he continue& to ignore I a&'ance& %arily to the e&ge of the be&" 6-y king07 I as you bi& e"7 a&e bol& to a&&ress hi

%hen he &i& not s$eak" 6I ha'e co e

Shre%& %as sitting u$ in the curtaine& sha&o%s of his be&! %ell $ro$$e& %ith cushions" He o$ene& his eyes %hen I s$oke" 6;ho """ ah" Fit1" Sit! then" ;allace! bring hi #s the ser'ant 9heffers" ;ith I %ante& &one"7 6I re e ber hi ! %ore hi y lor&" ;here is he! then07 6# cough took hi " He caught it in the fall! an& it ne'er left hi " It slo%ly a%ay! until he coul&n.t take a breath %ithout %hee1ing"7 an! but not so ol& either" I I recalle& the ser'ant" He ha& not been a young e for so a chair" # cu$ an& $late! too"7 e! 6I &o iss any ore %hat o'e& to his bi&&ing (ing Shre%& confi&e& to any years! an& I ne'er ha& to tell hi

%as sur$rise& to hear of his &eath" I stoo& silently! %or&less! %hile ;allace
1??<

brought the chair an& a $late an& cu$ for seate& &esigne& his o%n $rotocol" 6#n& you! (ing Shre%& s%iftly" E'ery rise slo%ly" By %hen I %as not

e" He fro%ne& &isa$$ro'ingly as I

yself! but I ignore& it" He %oul& soon enough learn that (ing Shre%& y king0 #re you %ell0 I cannot recall orning07 ost annoying" 5ot a sickness e if I o'e

that I e'er kne% you to kee$ to your be& in the a&e an i $atient noise" 6It is

really" @ust a gi&&iness! a sort of &i11iness that s%ee$s &o%n u$on Buckkee$ rock un&er e" So I kee$ to

orning I think it gone! but %hen I try to rise! the 'ery stones of y be&! an& eat an& &rink a bit! an& then ay be fro an ol& s%or& cut! taken i&&ay I a yself" I think it has so ething to &o %ith the

%inter col&! though the healer says it

uch ol&er than you are no%" See! I bear the scar still! though I his left

thought the &a age long heale&"7 (ing Shre%& leane& for%ar& in his curtaine& be&! lifting %ith one shaky han& a sheaf of his graying hair fro te $le" I sa% the $ucker of the ol& scar an& no&&e&" 6But! enough" I &i& not su on you for consultations about y health" I sus$ect you guess %hy you are here07 6You %oul& like a co $lete re$ort of the e'ents at @haa $e07 I guesse&" I glance& about for the ser'ant! sa% ;allace ho'ering near" 9heffers %oul& ha'e &e$arte& to allo% Shre%& an& s$eak before this ne% an" uch you coul& tell e to talk freely" I %on&ere& ho% $lainly I &are&

But Shre%& %a'e& it asi&e" 6It is &one! boy!7 he sai& hea'ily" 6Aerity an& I ha'e consulte&" 5o% %e let it go" I &o not think there is e that I &o not kno%! or guess alrea&y" Aerity an& I ha'e s$oken at length" I """ regret """ so e things" But" Here %e are! an& here is al%ays the $lace %e ust start fro " Eh07 ;or&s s%elle& in y throat! nearly choking e" Regal! I %ante& to say to hi " Your son %ho trie& to kill e! your bastar& gran&son" Di& you s$eak at length
1???

%ith hi ! also0 #n& %as it before or after you $ut clearly as if 9ha&e or Aerity ha& s$oken to to )uestion Shre%& et youngest son" I clenche& y 4a%s an& hel&

e into his $o%er0 But! as y life o'er to his

e! I kne% su&&enly I ha& no right y %or&s unuttere&"

y king" 5ot e'en to ask if he ha& gi'en

y eyes" His eyes flickere& to ;allace" 6;allace" Take yourself

to the kitchens for a bit" Or %here'er you %ish that is not here"7 ;allace looke& &is$lease&! but he turne& %ith a sniff an& &e$arte&" He left the &oor a4ar behin& hi " #t a sign fro 6Sir"7 I et his eyes for a Shre%&! I arose an& shut it" I returne& to o ent! then looke& &o%n" en &o foolish things" ;hen y seat" 6Fit19hi'alry!7 he sai& gra'ely" 6This %ill not &o"7 He s$oke hea'ily" 6So eti es! a bitious young %on&ering if he ex$ecte& an a$ology fro

they are sho%n the error of their %ays! they a$ologi1e"7 I looke& u$ su&&enly! e" But he %ent on" 6I ha'e been e!7 ten&ere& such an a$ology" I ha'e acce$te& it" 5o% %e go on" In this! trust en&e&"7 I leane& back in ha& astere& y chair" I took a breath! sighe& it carefully out" In a yself" I looke& u$ at e! y king07 ay follo% if I &o not" He &oes not think it """ o ent I y king %ith an o$en face" 6-ay I ask

he sai&! an& he s$oke gently but it %as not a re)uest" 6=east sai& is soonest

%hy you ha'e calle&

6#n un$leasantness!7 he sai& &istastefully" 6Duke Bra%n&y of Bearns thinks I shoul& resol'e it" He fears %hat $olitical to take &irect action hi self" So I ha'e grante& the re)uest! but gru&gingly" Ha'e not %e enough to face %ith the Rai&ers at our &oorste$! %ithout internal strife0 Still" They ha'e the right to ask it of to oblige any %ho asks" Once He tol& e! an& I the &uty Sealbay ore you %ill bear the (ing.s 4ustice! Fit1"7

e concisely of the situation in Bea s" # young %o an fro

ha& co e to Ri$$lekee$ to offer herself to Bra%n&y as a %arrior" He ha& been

1??B

$lease& to acce$t her! for she %as both %ell

uscle& an& a&e$t! skille& at

sta'es! bo%s! an& bla&es" She %as beautiful as %ell as strong! s all an& &ark an& sleek as a sea otter" She ha& been a %elco e a&&ition to his guar&! an& soon %as a $o$ular figure in his court as %ell" She ha&! not char ! but that courage an& strength of %ill that &ra%s others to follo%" Bra%n&y hi self ha& gro%n fon& of her" She enli'ene& his court an& instille& ne% s$irit in his guar&" But lately she ha& begun to fancy herself a $ro$hetess an& soothsayer" She clai e& to ha'e been chosen by El the sea go& for a higher &estiny" Her na e ha& been -a&4a! her $arentage unre arkable! but no% she ha& rena e& herself! in a cere ony of fire! %in&! an& %ater! an& calle& herself Airago" She ate only not either her co eat she ha& taken herself! an& ke$t in her roo s nothing that she ha& a&e herself or %on by sho% of ar s" Her follo%ing %as s%elling! any of the sol&iers un&er an&" To all she $reache& the nee& to return to El.s %orshi$ an&

an& inclu&e& so e of the younger nobles as %ell as

honor" She es$ouse& the ol& %ays! a&'ocating a rigorous! si $le life that glorifie& %hat a $erson coul& %in by her o%n strength" She sa% the Rai&ers an& Forging as El.s $unish ent for our soft %ays! an& bla e& the Farseer line for encouraging that softness" #t first she ha& s$oken circu s$ectly of such things" Of late! she ha& beco e ore o$en! but ne'er so out bol& as to 'oice outright treason" Still! there ha& been bullock sacrifices on the sea cliffs! an& she ha& bloo&/$ainte& a nu ber of young folk an& sent the sought a on s$irit )uests as in the 'ery ol& &ays" Bra%n&y ha& hear& ru ors that she an %orthy of herself! %ho %oul& 4oin her to thro% &o%n the Farseer throne" They %oul& rule together! to begin the ti e of the Fighter an& $ut an en& to the &ays of the Far er" #ccor&ing to Bea s! )uite a nu ber of young en %ere rea&y to 'ie for that honor" Bra%n&y %ishe& her sto$$e&! before he hi self ha& to accuse her of treason! an& force his
1??C

en to choose bet%een

Airago an& hi self" Shre%& offere& the o$inion that her follo%ing %oul& $robably &ro$ off &rastically! %ere she to be beste& at ar s! or ha'e a se'ere acci&ent or beco e 'icti %ere to a %asting illness that &e$lete& her strength an& beauty" I %as force& to agree that %as! $robably so! but obser'e& that there any cases %here folks %ho &ie& beca e like go&s after%ar&" Shre%& sai& certainly! if the $erson &ie& honorably" Then! abru$tly! he change& the to$ic" In Ri$$lekee$! on Sealbay! there %as an ol& scroll that Aerity %ishe& co$ie&! a listing of all those fro ser'e& the (ing in the Skill! as coterie Ri$$lekee$ there %as a relic fro Shre%& %ishe& e to lea'e on the Bea s %ho ha& e bers" It %as also sai& that at

the &ays of the El&erling &efense of that city" orro%! to go to Sealbay an& co$y the a re$ort of it" I %oul& also con'ey to

scrolls an& to 'ie% the relic an& bring hi %oul& soon be $ut to rest" I un&erstoo&"

Bra%n&y the (ing.s best %ishes an& his certainty that the Duke.s unease

#s I stoo& to lea'e! Shre%& raise& a finger to bi& 6#n& &o you feel I a It a&e e s ile" kee$ing )uestion! the one he ha& al%ays aske& 6Sir! I &o!7 I sai& as I al%ays ha&" e after our

e $ause" I stoo&! %aiting" eetings %hen I %as a boy"

y bargain %ith you07 he aske&" It %as the ol&

6Then see that you kee$ your en& of it as %ell"7 He $ause&! then a&&e&! as he ne'er ha& before+ 6Re e ber! Fit19hi'alry" #ny in4ury &one to one of o%n is an in4ury to 6Sir07 6You %oul& not in4ure one of I &re% not in4ure one of yours" I a ine! %oul& you07 yself u$" I kne% %hat he aske& for! an& I ce&e& it to hi " 6Sir! I %ill s%orn to the Farseer line"7
1??D

e"7

He no&&e& slo%ly" He ha& %rung an a$ology fro

Regal! an& fro

%or& that I %oul& not kill his son" He $robably belie'e& he ha& bet%een us" Outsi&e his &oor! I $ause& to $ush the hair back fro ha& 4ust force& a&e a $ro ise! I re in&e& yself to look at %hat it coul& cost yself! crushe& the

a&e $eace y eyes" I e!

yself" I consi&ere& it carefully an& e to kee$ it" Bitterness floo&e& e shoul& I break it" Then I foun& the

until I co $are& %hat it %oul& cost reser'ations in y $ro ise to ha'e that

fir ly" I for e& a resol'e! to cleanly kee$ e feeling better! an& I the

y king" I ha& no true $eace %ith Regal! but at least I coul& yself" The &ecision left

uch $eace %ith

stro&e $ur$osefully &o%n the hall" I ha& not re$lenishe& y stocks of $oisons since I ha& returne& fro -ountains" 5othing green sho%e& outsi&e no%" I.& ha'e to steal %hat I nee&e&" The %ool &yers %oul& ha'e so e I %oul& yiel& the stairs" Serene %as co ing u$ the stairs" ;hen I sa% her! I halte& %here I %as" The sight of her a&e e )uail as Regal ha& not" It %as an ol& reflex" Of all the fiel&! arke& the ers! Jalen.s coterie! she %as no% the strongest" #ugust ha& retire& fro ha& been entirely blaste& out of hi &uring the final encounter that e others" -y ight use! an& the healer.s stock in& %as busy %ith this $lanning as I starte& &o%n

gone far inlan& to li'e in orchar& country an& be a gentle an there" His Skill en& of Jalen" Serene %as no% the key Skill user of the coterie" In su she re aine& at Buckkee$! an& all the other

e bers of the coterie! scattere&

to to%ers an& kee$s u$ an& &o%n our long coast! channele& all their re$orts to the (ing through her" During %inter! the entire coterie ca e to Buckkee$! to rene% their bon&s an& fello%shi$" In the absence of a Skill -aster! she ha& assu e& uch of Jalen.s status at Buckkee$" She ha& also assu e&! %ith e" She re in&e& e too great enthusias ! Jalen.s $assionate hatre& of
1??E

'i'i&ly of $ast abuses! an& ins$ire& in I ha& a'oi&e& her since The staircase %as looking u$ at

e a &rea& that %oul& not yiel& to logic" e"

y return! but no% her ga1e $inne&

ore than sufficiently %i&e to allo% t%o $eo$le to $ass" i&&le of a ste$" E'en

>nless one $erson &eliberately $lante& herself in the

e! I felt she ha& the a&'antage" Her bearing ha& change& since i&night/blue robe %as richly e broi&ere&"

%e ha& been Jalen.s stu&ents together" Her %hole $hysical a$$earance reflecte& her ne% $osition" Her Her long black hair %as boun& back intricately %ith burnishe& %ire strung %ith i'ory orna ents" Sil'er grace& her throat an& ringe& her fingers" But her fe aleness %as gone" She ha& a&o$te& Jalen.s ascetic 'alues! for her face %as thinne& to bone! her han&s to cla%s" #s he ha&! she burne& %ith self/ righteousness" It %as the first ti e she ha& &irectly accoste& &eath" I halte& abo'e her! %ith no i&ea of %hat she %ante& fro %or& %oul& e'er lose its sting %ith 6You &i& not &ie in the -ountains"7 65o" I &i& not"7 Still she stoo& there! blocking you &i&" I kno% %hat you are"7 Insi&e! I %as )ui'ering like a rabbit" I tol& not yself it %as $robably taking e'ery e" I tol& yself that it %as bit of Skill strength she ha& to i $ose this fear on %or&s fro y throat" a (ing.s -an"7 e" an at all!7 she asserte& cal ly" She s ile& u$ at y %ay" Aery )uietly she sai&! 6I kno% %hat e" anage" e since Jalen.s e"

6Bastar&!7 she sai& flatly" It %as a na ing! not a greeting" I %on&ere& if that 6Serene!7 I sai&! as tonelessly as I coul&

y true e otion! but only %hat her Skill suggeste& I shoul& feel" I force&

6I! too! kno% %hat I a " I a 6You are no kin& of a

6So e&ay e'eryone %ill kno% that"7

1?BH

Fear feels re arkably like fear! regar&less of the source" I stoo&! res$onse" E'entually! she ste$$e& asi&e to allo% %ent to rea&y things for a fe% &ays" I ha'e no goo& e ories of that erran&"" I e to $ass" I

aking no

a&e a s all

'ictory of that! though in retros$ect there %as little else she coul& ha'e &one" I y tri$ to Bea s! su&&enly gla& to lea'e the (ee$ for et Airago! for she %as herself a y scribe tasks" She %as as uscle&! %ho o'e& lithe ale y

guest at Ri$$lekee$ %hile I %as there &oing

Shre%& ha& &escribe& her! a han&so e %o an! %ell

as a little hunting cat" She %ore the 'itality of her health like a gla our" #ll eyes follo%e& her %hen she %as in a roo " Her chastity challenge& e'ery %ho follo%e& her" E'en I felt task" Our 'ery first e'ening at table together! she %as seate& across fro Bra%n&y ha& a certain s$icy a&e eat &ish I %as fon& of" His libraries %ere at e" I %as &iscussing e" Duke e 'ery %elco e in&ee&! e'en to ha'ing his cook $re$are y &is$osal! an& yself &ra%n to her! an& agoni1e& about

the ser'ices of his lesser scribe" His youngest &aughter ha& e'en exten&e& her shy co $anionshi$ to sur$rise& y scroll erran& %ith 9elerity! %ho eal! e %ith her soft/s$oken intelligence" -i&%ay through the

Airago re arke& )uite clearly to her &ining co $anion that at one ti e bastar&s %ere &ro%ne& at birth" The ol& %ays of El &e an&e& it! she sai&" I coul& ha'e ignore& the re ark! ha& she not leane& across the table to s ilingly ask e! 6Ha'e you ne'er hear& of that custo ! bastar&07 I looke& u$ to Duke Bra%n&y.s seat at the hea& of the table! but he %as engage& in a li'ely &iscussion %ith his el&est &aughter" He &i&n.t e'en glance y %ay" 6I belie'e it is as ol& as the custo Bra%n&y ha& seate& e across the table fro
1?B1

of one guest.s courtesy to another y eyes an& 'oice stea&y" Bait" her as bait" 5e'er before ha& I

at their host.s table!7 I re$lie&" I trie& to kee$

been so blatantly use&" I steele& #t least I %as rea&y"

yself to it! trie& to set $ersonal feelings asi&e"

6So e %oul& say it %as a sign of the &egeneracy of the Farseer line! that your father ca e unchaste to his %e&&ing be&" I! of course! %oul& not s$eak against y king.s fa ily" But tell %hore&o 07 I s ile& $leasantly" I su&&enly ha& fe%er )ual s about recall uch of y y task" 6I &o not other or her kin!7 I offere& con'ersationally" 6But I e" Ho% &i& your other.s $eo$le acce$t her

i agine they belie'e& as I &o" Better to be a %hore! or the chil& of a %hore! than a traitor to one.s king"7 I lifte& y %ineglass an& turne& y eyes back to 9elerity" Her &ark blue eyes %i&ene& an& she gas$e& as Airago.s belt knife $lunge& into Bra%n&y.s table but inches fro turne& to I s$oke guest07 6#re you not unbloo&ie&07 she aske& by %ay of re$ly" 6#s are you" I %oul& not sha e y &uke.s table by letting it be sai& that he ha& allo%e& guests to kill one another o'er his brea&" Or &o you care as little for your courtesy to your &uke as you &o your loyalty to your king07 6I ha'e s%orn no loyalty to your soft Farseer king!7 she hisse&" Folk shifte&! so e unco fortably! so e for a better 'antage" So so e ha& co e to %itness her challenge e! at Bra%n&y.s table" #ll of this ha& been as y cuff0 I s$oke bol&ly! carefully $lanne& as any battle ca $aign" ;oul& she kno% ho% %ell I ha& $lanne& also0 Di& she sus$ect the tiny $ackage in
1?B2

y elbo%" I ha& ex$ecte& it an& &i& not flinch" Instea&! I

eet her eyes" Airago stoo& in her table $lace! eyes bla1ing an& il&ly" 6Tell e" You teach the ol& %ays! &o you not0 Do you not then

nostrils flare&" Her heightene& color enfla e& her beauty" hol& to the one that forbi&s the she&&ing of bloo& in a house %here you are a

$itching

y 'oice to carry" 6I ha'e hear& of you" I think that those you te $t to an his ne%

follo% you into treachery %oul& be %iser to go to Buckkee$" (ing/in/;aiting Aerity has issue& a call for those skille& in ar s to co e an& all" That! I think! %oul& be a better %aste bull.s bloo& &o%n a cliffsi&e by I s$oke $assionately! an& kne%" I foun& I aske&! 6Tell %arshi$s an& bear those ar s against the Outislan&ers! %ho are ene y to us easure of a %arrior.s skill" Is not that oonlight! %hen the sa e eat ight uch I ore honorable a $ursuit than to turn against lea&ers one has s%orn to! or to go to fee& our kin &es$oile& by Re&/Shi$s07 y 'oice gre% in 'olu e as she stare& at ho% yself caught u$ in y o%n %or&s! for I belie'e& the " I leane& y face close to hers as

across the table! o'er Airago.s $late an& cu$! to thrust

e! bra'e one" Ha'e you e'er lifte& ar s against one %ho %as ai a neighbor.s son! than to kill one %ho e"

not your o%n country an0 #gainst a Re&/Shi$ cre%0 I thought not" Far easier to insult a host.s hos$itality! or ca e to kill our o%n"7 ;or&s %ere not Airago.s best %ea$on" Enrage&! she s$at at I leane& back! cal ly! to %i$e challenge e! in a y face clean" 6*erha$s you %oul& care to

ore a$$ro$riate ti e an& $lace" *erha$s a %eek hence! on ore of a challenge than your bo'ine %arrior &i&07 y han&s $lante& to

the cliffs %here you so bol&ly sle% the co%.s husban&0 *erha$s I! a scribe! ight $resent you Duke Bra%n&y su&&enly &eigne& to notice the &isturbance" 6Fit19hi'alry: Airago:7 he rebuke& us" But our ga1es re aine& locke&! either si&e of her $lace setting as I leane& to confront her" I think the an besi&e her ight ha'e challenge& e also! ha& not Duke Bra%n&y then sla e& his salt bo%l against the table! near shattering it! an&

re in&e& us forcefully that this %as his table an& his hall an& he.& ha'e no bloo& she& in it" He! at least! %as ca$able of honoring both (ing Shre%& an&
1?B8

the ol& %ays at once! an& suggeste& %e atte $t to &o the sa e" I a$ologi1e& ost hu bly an& elo)uently! an& Airago resu e&! an& the uttere& her 6sorrys"7 The eal e so instrels sang! an& o'er the next fe% &ays I co$ie& the scroll ore i $resse&

for Aerity an& 'ie%e& the El&erling relic! %hich looke& like nothing to uch as a glass 'ial of 'ery fine fish scales" 9elerity see e& %ith

e than I %as co fortable %ith" The other si&e of that coin %as facing the y challenge! for before the %eek %as out! Airago.s tongue

col& ani osity in the faces of those %ho si&e& %ith Airago" It %as a long %eek" I ne'er ha& to fight an& outh ha& broken out in the boils an& sores that %ere the legen&ary

$unish ent for one %ho lie& to ar s co $anions an& betraye& s$oken 'o%s" She scarce %as able to &rink! let alone eat! an& so &isfiguring %as her affliction that all those close to her forsook her co $any for fear it s$rea& to the as %ell" Her $ain %as such that she coul& not go forth into the col& to fight! an& there %as no one %illing to stan& her challenge for her" I %aite& on the cliffs! for a challenger %ho ne'er ca e" 9elerity %aite& %ith score of casual talk! an& &rank entirely too e'ening fell! a essenger fro e! as &i& $erha$s a e" ;e a&e inor nobles that Duke Bra%n&y ha& urge& to atten&

uch bran&y to kee$ oursel'es %ar " #s

the kee$ ca e to tell us that Airago ha& left e %ith a hug" ;e y

Ri$$lekee$! but not to face her challenger" She ha& ri&&en a%ay! inlan&" #lone" 9elerity clas$e& her han&s together! an& then astonishe& returne& chille& but e" 6You kno%!7 he obser'e& to your father beco es through e"
1?B<

erry to en4oy one

ore

eal at Ri$$lekee$ before

&e$arture for Buckkee$" Bra%n&y sat

e at his left han&! an& 9elerity besi&e eal" 6Your likeness to

e! to%ar& the en& of the

ore re arkable e'ery year"7

#ll of the bran&y in Bea s coul& not ha'e &efeate& the chill his %or&s sent

9H#*TER SIK Forge& Ones THE T;O SO5S of Iueen 9onstance an& (ing Shre%& ;ere 9hi'alry an& Aerity" Only t%o years se$arate& their births! an& they gre% u$ as close as t%o brothers can be" 9hi'alry %as the el&est! an& the first to assu e the title (ing/ in/;aiting on his sixteenth birth&ay" He %as al ost i on! he %as sel&o after 9hi'alry ha& %as not so at Buckkee$ for ore than a fe% e&iately &is$atche& by that ti e onths at a ti e" E'en his father to &eal %ith a bor&er &is$ute %ith the 9halce& States" Fro arrie&! he %as sel&o

allo%e& to s$en& his &ays at rest" It

uch that there %ere so

any bor&er u$risings at that ti e as that

Shre%& see e& intent on for ali1ing his boun&aries %ith all his neighbors" -any of these &is$utes %ere settle& %ith the s%or&! though as ti e %ent on! 9hi'alry beca e ore astute at e $loying &i$lo acy first" to his &eath" Others say it %as Shre%&.s a&e for al a$$lication to So e sai& that assigning 9hi'alry to this task %as the $lot of his ste$ other! Iueen Desire! %ho ho$e& to sen& hi %ay of $utting his el&est son out of his ne% )ueen.s sight an& authority" *rince Aerity! con&e ne& by his youth to re ain at ho e! his father e'ery efforts to interest hi onth to be allo%e& to follo% his brother" #ll of Shre%&.s in res$onsibilities of his o%n %ere %aste&" *rince Aerity o ent that he

$erfor e& the tasks gi'en hi ! but ne'er let anyone think for a birth&ay! after six years of re)uesting

%oul& not rather be %ith his ol&er brother" #t last! on Aerity.s t%entieth onthly to be allo%e& to follo% his brother! Shre%& reluctantly conce&e& to hi "

1?B?

Fro

then! until the &ay four years later %hen 9hi'alry ab&icate& an& Aerity

assu e& the title (ing/in/;aiting! the t%o *rinces %orke& as one in for ali1ing boun&aries! treaties! an& tra&e agree ents %ith the lan&s bor&ering the Six Duchies" *rince 9hi'alry.s talent %as for &ealing %ith $eo$le! as in&i'i&uals or as a folk" Aerity.s %as for the &etail of agree ents! the $recise a$s that &elineate& agree& bor&ers! an& the su$$orting of his brother in his authority both as a sol&ier an& as a $rince" *rince Regal! youngest of Shre%&.s sons an& his only chil& %ith Iueen Desire! s$ent his youth at ho e at court! %here his hi as a can&i&ate for the throne" other a&e e'ery effort to groo

I tra'ele& ho e to Buckkee$ %ith a sense of relief" It %as not the first ti e I ha& $erfor e& such a task for e! for it ha& a&e y king! but I ha& ne'er &e'elo$e& a relish for e an& baite& y %ork! y %ork as an assassin" I %as gla& at ho% Airago ha& insulte&

y task bearable" #n& yet! she ha& been a 'ery beautiful y king.s co an&" Such %ere y thoughts as Sooty

%o an! an& a skille& %arrior" It %as a %aste! an& I took no $ri&e in sa'e that I ha& obeye& carrie& e u$ the last rise to%ar& ho e"

I looke& u$ the hill! an& scarce coul& belie'e %hat I sa%" (ettricken an& Regal on horseback" They ro&e si&e by si&e" Together" They looke& like an illustration fro one of Fe&%ren.s best 'ellu s" Regal %as in scarlet an& gol& %ith glossy black boots an& black glo'es" His ri&ing cloak %as flung back fro one shoul&er! to &is$lay the brilliant contrast of the colors as they billo%e& in the orning %in&" The %in& ha& brought a re&ness of the out&oors to his its $recise arrange ent of curls" His an! I thought! astri&e the tall black cheeks! an& tousle& his black hair fro &ark eyes shone" #l ost! he looke& a

horse that carrie& itself so %ell" He coul& be this if he chose! rather than the
1?BB

langui& $rince %ith al%ays a glass of %ine in han& an& a la&y besi&e hi " #nother %aste" #h! but the la&y besi&e hi %as another atter" 9o $are& %ith the entourage that follo%e& the ! she sho%e& as a rare an& foreign blosso " She ro&e astri&e in loose trousers! an& no Buckkee$ &yeing 'at ha& $ro&uce& that crocus $ur$le" Her trousers %ere a&orne& %ith intricate e broi&eries in rich colors! an& tucke& securely into her boot to$s" Her boots ca e al ost to her knee+ Burrich %oul& ha'e a$$ro'e& that $racticality" She %ore! not a cloak! but a short 4acket of 'olu inous %hite fir! %ith a high collar to shiel& her neck fro %hite fox! I guesse&! fro the %in&" # the tun&ra on the far si&e of the -ountains" Her

han&s %ere glo'e& in black" The %in& ha& $laye& %ith her long yello% hair! strea ing it out an& tangling it o'er her shoul&ers" #to$ her hea& %as a knitte& ca$ of e'ery bright color I coul& i agine" She sat her horse high an& for%ar&! in the -ountain style! an& it %alk" The chestnut shar$ as icicles in the brisk She brought to fro a&e Softste$ think she ust $rance instea& of are.s harness %as a /4ingle %ith tiny sil'er bells! ringing orning" 9o $are& %ith the other %o en in their a northern cli e or an a&'enturer her la&ies! not as a highborn an&

'olu inous skirts an& cloaks+ she looke& agile as a cat" in& an exotic %arrior fro so e ancient tale" It set her a$art fro

%ell/a&orne& %o an sho%s her status a ong those less royal! but al ost as a ha%k %oul& a$$ear cage& %ith songbir&s" I %as not sure she shoul& sho% herself so to her sub4ects" *rince Regal ro&e at (ettricken.s si&e! s iling an& talking to her" Their con'ersation %as li'ely! s$ice& often %ith laughter" #s I a$$roache& closer I let Sooty slo% her $ace" (ettricken reine& in! s iling! an& %oul& ha'e sto$$e& to gi'e e greeting! but *rince Regal no&&e& icily an& are! not to be left behin&! tugge& at her those %ho knee& his horse to a trot" (ettricken.s

bit an& ke$t $ace %ith hi " I recei'e& as brisk a greeting fro
1?BC

traile& after the Iueen an& *rince" I halte& to %atch the

$ass! an& then

continue& u$ to Buckkee$ %ith an uneasy heart" (ettricken.s face ha& been ani ate&! her $ale cheeks $ink %ith the col& air! an& her s ile at Regal ha& been as genuinely erry as the occasional s iles she still ga'e e" Yet I coul& not belie'e she %oul& be so gullible as to trust hi " I $on&ere& this %hile I unsa&&le& Sooty an& rubbe& her &o%n" I ha& bent &o%n to check her hoo'es %hen I felt Burrich %atching I aske& hi ! 6For ho% long07 He kne% %hat I %as asking" 6He began a fe% &ays after you left" He brought her &o%n here one &ay! an& s$oke e fair! saying he thought it )uite a sha e that the Iueen %as s$en&ing to teach all her &ays shut u$ in the (ee$" She %as use& to such an o$en an& hearty life u$ in the -ountains" He clai e& he ha& allo%e& her to $ersua&e hi her to ri&e as %e ro&e here in the lo%er lan&s" Then he ha& %ith the sa&&le Aerity ha& %as I to &o or say07 he aske& e sa&&le Softste$ e o'er the %all of the stall"

a&e for his )ueen! an& off they %ent" ;ell! %hat e fiercely as I turne& to look at hi

)uestioningly" 6It is as you ha'e sai& before" ;e are (ing.s -en" S%orn" #n& Regal is a *rince of the Farseer house" E'en if I %ere faithless enough to refuse hi ! there %as an& sa&&le her"7 # slight otion of y han& re in&e& Burrich that his %or&s soun&e& close to e! to scratch behin& Sooty.s ears ust %on&er %hat his real treason" He ste$$e& into the stall besi&e $ensi'ely as I finishe& %ith her" 6You coul& &o nothing else!7 I conce&e&" 6But I intent is" #n& %hy she suffers hi "7 6His intent0 *erha$s 4ust to %riggle his %ay back into fa'or %ith her" It is no secret that she $ines in the castle" Oh! she is fair/s$oken to all" But there is too
1?BD

y )ueen/in/%aiting! ex$ecting

e to fetch her horse for her

uch honesty in her for her to not"7

ake others belie'e she is ha$$y %hen she is y hea& as su&&enly as a &og &oes one& by y

6*erha$s!7 I conce&e& gru&gingly" I lifte& %hen his

aster %histles" 6I ha'e to go" (ing/in/;aiting Aerity """7 I let the y sa&&lebags %ith the ar&uously co$ie& scrolls insi&e to y clothes! or e'en to %ar

%or&s trail a%ay" I &i& not ha'e to let Burrich kno% I ha& been su the Skill" I slung shoul&er an& hea&e& u$ to the castle" I &i& not $ause to change once an& then entere&" Aerity leane& o'er a ackno%le&ge $latter of col& straightene& u$"

yself at the kitchen

fires! but %ent straight to Aerity.s

a$ roo " The &oor %as a4ar! an& I ta$$e&

a$ secure& to his table" He scarcely glance& u$ to ulle& %ine alrea&y a%aite& e! an& a generous

e" Stea ing

eats an& brea& stoo& on a table near the hearth" #fter a bit he

6You block too %ell!7 Aerity sai& by %ay of a greeting" 6I ha'e been trying to get you to hurry for the $ast three &ays! an& %hen &o you finally kno% you are Skille&0 ;hen you are stan&ing in y o%n stables" I tell you! Fit1! %e ust any y fin& ti e to teach you so e sort of control o'er your Skill"7 But I kne% e'en as he s$oke that there %oul& ne'er be that ti e" Too other things &e an&e& his attention" #s al%ays! he i s$ine" 6The Re&/Shi$s ha'e struck again0 This &ee$ in %inter07 I aske& incre&ulously" 65o" #t least %e are still s$are& that" But it see s that the Re&/Shi$s can lea'e us an& go ho e to their hearths! an& still lea'e their $oison a ong us"7 He his concern" 6Forge& ones!7 he sai&" I felt a chill of forebo&ing run u$ e&iately $lunge& into

1?BE

$ause&" 6;ell! go on" ;ar sa e ti e"7 #s I hel$e& sa e $roble yself to the

yourself an& eat" You can che% an& listen at the ulle& %ine an& foo&! Aerity lecture& e" 6It is the ust gi'e

as before" Re$orts of Forge& ones! robbing an& &es$oiling! not the sites of any

4ust tra'elers! but isolate& far s an& houses" I ha'e in'estigate&! an& cre&ence to the re$orts" Yet the attacks are ha$$ening far fro rai&s+ an& in e'ery case the folk clai but grou$s of the ! acting in concert"7 I consi&ere& for a

there are not one or t%o Forge& ones!

o ent! s%allo%e&! then s$oke" 6I &on.t think Forge& ones unity" Of share& hu anity" They can

are ca$able of acting in ban&s or e'en as $artners" ;hen one encounters the ! one fin&s they ha'e no sense of """ co s$eak! an& reason! but only selfishly" They are as %ol'erines %oul& be if gi'en hu an tongues" They care for nothing but their o%n sur'i'al" They see each other only as ri'als for foo& or co fort of any kin&"7 I refille& y ug! grateful for the s$rea&ing %ar th of the %ine" #t least it $ushe& asi&e the $hysical col&" The chill thought of the bleak isolation of the Forge& ones it coul& not touch" It %as the ;it that ha& let the at all" The ;it ga'e e &isco'er this about Forge& ones" So &ea&ene& e a certain access to that %eb that boun& all that net! as isolate& or a ri'er in floo&" %ere they to all sense of kinshi$ %ith the %orl& that I coul& scarcely sense creatures together! but the Forge& ones %ere se$arate fro as stones! as hungry an& attack e" erciless as an unthinking stor To encounter one unex$ecte&ly %as as startling to

e as if a stone rose u$ to

But Aerity only no&&e& thoughtfully" 6Yet e'en %ol'es! ani als as they are! attack as a $ack" #s &o tearfish on a %hale" If these ani als can ban& together to bring &o%n foo&! %hy not the Forge& ones07
1?CH

I set &o%n the brea& I ha& $icke& u$" 6;ol'es an& tearfish &o as they &o by their nature! an& share the flesh %ith their young" They &o not kill! each for his o%n eat! but for eat for the $ack" I ha'e seen Forge& ones in grou$s! but ore than one Forge& one! against each e %as that I %as able to turn the they &o not act together" The ti e I %as attacke& by the only thing that sa'e& ca e after in e again! they

other" I &ro$$e& the cloak they &esire&! an& they fought o'er it" #n& %hen they ore got in one another.s %ay than hel$e& one y 'oice stea&y as the e ory of that night rose u$ another"7 I fought to kee$

e" S ithy ha& &ie& that night! an& I ha& first kille&" 6But they &o not fight ight benefit"7 e" I &on.t &is iss it" o ent he ca e back to a$ s$rea& out

together" That is %hat is beyon& the Forge& ones+ the i&ea of coo$erating so that all I looke& u$ to fin& Aerity.s &ark eyes full of sy $athy" 6I ha& forgotten that you ha& ha& so e ex$erience fighting the " Forgi'e There is 4ust so uch besieging see e& to be listening to so ething far a%ay" #fter a e lately"7 His 'oice &%in&le& a%ay an& he

hi self" 6So" You belie'e they cannot coo$erate" #n& yet it see s to be ha$$ening" See! here!7 an& he brushe& his han& lightly o'er a on his table" 6I ha'e been track of ho% arking the $laces of the co $laints! an& kee$ing

any are sai& to be there" ;hat &o you think of this07 hi " I

I %ent to stan& besi&e hi " Stan&ing next to Aerity %as no% like stan&ing next to a &ifferent sort of hearth" The strength of the Skill ra&iate& fro hi an& s$rea& his consciousness o'er the %hole king&o " a$! Fit1!7 he recalle& e! an& I %on&ere& ho% uch he kne% of y yself to concentrate on the task at han&" The a$ sho%e& a$ a&e %on&ere& if he stro'e to hol& it in check! if it al%ays threatene& to s$ill out of 6The

thoughts" I force&

Buck! &one in %on&rous &etail" Shallo%s an& ti&e flats %ere

arke& along the

coast! as %ell as inlan& lan& arks an& lesser roa&s" It %as a

1?C1

lo'ingly! by a concern %as"

an %ho ha& %alke& an& ri&&en an& saile& the area" Aerity ha& arkers" I stu&ie& the ! trying to see %hat his real arkers" 6So e %ithin a their

use& bits of re& %ax as

6Se'en &ifferent inci&ents"7 He reache& to touch his these Forge& ones be co ing fro 0 They

&ay.s ri&e of Buckkee$" But %e ha'e ha& no rai&s that close! so %here %oul& ight be &ri'en a%ay fro ho e 'illages! true! but %hy %oul& they con'erge u$on Buckkee$07 6*erha$s these are &es$erate $eo$le $reten&ing to be Forge& ones %hen they go out to steal fro their neighbors07 %hat the 'icti s say" But o'e& closer to atch those of 6*erha$s" But it is troubling that the inci&ents are ha$$ening closer an& closer to Buckkee$" There are three &ifferent grou$s! fro each ti e there is a re$ort of a robbery or a barn broken into or a co% butchere& in the fiel&! the grou$ res$onsible see s to ha'e halte& e as I began to s$eak//the &escri$tions of one grou$ Buckkee$" I can think of no reason for Forge& ones to &o such a thing" #n&7/he another attack! re$orte& o'er a 6It &oes not see onth ago" If these are the sa e Forge& ones!

they ha'e co e a long %ay in that ti e"7 like Forge& ones!7 I sai&! an& then carefully! I aske&! 6Do you sus$ect a cons$iracy of so e kin&07 Aerity snorte& bitterly" 6Of course" ;hen &o I not sus$ect cons$iracies any ore0 But for this! at least! I think I can look further afiel& than Buckkee$ to fin& the source"7 He halte& abru$tly! as if hearing ho% bluntly he ha& s$oken" 6=ook into it for listen" Tell e! Fit1! %ill you0 Ri&e out an& about a bit! an& e %hat sign you fin& on e %hat they say in the ta'erns! an& tell e07

the roa&s" Jather gossi$ of other attacks! an& kee$ track of the &etail" Iuietly" 9an you &o that for

1?C2

6Of course" But %hy )uietly0 It see s to hear ore s%iftly of %hat goes on"7 6;e %oul& hear

e that if %e alerte& folk! %e %oul& uch ore of

ore! that.s true" -ore of ru ors! an&

co $laint" So far these are in&i'i&ual co $laints" I a %ho has $ut together a $attern fro Iuietly! Fit1" Iuietly"7 6@ust look into it )uietly"7 I &i& not 'oice it as a )uestion"

the only one! I think!

the " I &o not %ant Buckkee$ itself u$ in

ar s! co $laining that the (ing cannot e'en $rotect his ca$ital city" 5o"

Aerity ga'e his broa& shoul&ers a s all shrug" But it %as

ore like a

an

shifting a bur&en than &islo&ging a loa&" 6*ut a sto$ to it %here you can"7 His 'oice %as s all an& he looke& into the fire" 6Iuietly! Fit1" Aery )uietly"7 I no&&e& slo%ly" I ha& ha& these kin&s of assign ents before also" (illing Forge& ones &i& not bother e as uch as killing a an &i&" So eti es I trie& yself" It %as a ust al%ays to $reten& I %as laying a restless soul to $eace! $utting a fa ily.s anguish to a final en&" I ho$e& I %oul& not beco e too a&e$t at lying to luxury an assassin coul& not affor&" 9ha&e ha& %arne& re e ber %hat I truly %as" 5ot an angel of the goo& of the (ing" Or the (ing/in/;aiting" It %as throne secure" -y &uty" I hesitate&! then s$oke" 6-y $rince" #s I %as co ing back I sa% our Iueen/in/;aiting (ettricken" She %as ri&ing out %ith *rince Regal"7 6They ake a han&so e $air! &o they not0 #n& &oes she sit her horse %ell07 his 'oice" Aerity coul& not entirely kee$ bitterness fro 6#ye" But in the -ountain style still"7 6She ca e to better" I co ri&ing e! saying she %ishe& to learn to ri&e our tall lo%lan& horses en&e& the i&ea" I &i& not kno% she %oul& choose Regal as a a$! stu&ying &etail that %as not there" e that I

ercy! but a killer %ho %orke& for y &uty to kee$ the

aster"7 Aerity leane& o'er his

1?C8

6*erha$s she ho$e& you %oul& teach her"7 I s$oke thoughtlessly! to the not the *rince"

an!

6*erha$s"7 He sighe& su&&enly" 6Oh! I kno% she &i&" (ettricken is lonely! so eti es" Often"7 He shook his hea&" 6She shoul& ha'e been younger son! to a arrie& to a an %ith ti e on his han&s" Or to a (ing %hose king&o

%as not on the 'erge of %ar an& &isaster" I &o not &o her 4ustice! Fit1" I kno% this" But she is so """ young" So eti es" #n& %hen she is not being so young! she is so fanatically $atriotic" She burns to sacrifice herself for the Six Duchies" #l%ays I ha'e to hol& her back! to tell her that is not %hat the Six Duchies nee&" She is like a ga&fly" There is no $eace in her for %ants to be ro $e& like a chil&! or she is )ui11ing so e crisis I a trying to set asi&e for a fe% o ents"7 e! Fit1" Either she e on the 'ery &etails of

I thought su&&enly of 9hi'alry.s single/ in&e& $ursuit of the fri'olous *atience! an& caught a gli $se of his oti'es" # %o an %ho %as an esca$e for hi " ;ho %oul& Aerity ha'e chosen! ha& he been allo%e& to choose for hi self0 *robably so eone ol&er! a $laci& %o an $ossesse& of inner self/ %orth an& $eace" 6I gro% so tire&!7 Aerity sai& softly" He $oure& hi self It %asn.t really a )uestion" I &i&n.t e'en bother to re$ly" 6I %ish your father %ere ali'e! an& king/in/%aiting" #n& I his right/han& still" He %oul& be telling e %hat tasks I he aske&" I %oul& be at $eace %ith you belie'e in07 He looke& u$ at last to eet y eyes" 6-y $rince!7 I sai& )uietly" 6I belie'e I &o"7
1?C<

ore

ulle& %ine an&

ste$$e& to the hearth to si$ at it" 6Do you kno% %hat I %ish07 an

ust tackle! an& I %oul& be &oing as atter ho% har& y %ork! for I an

yself! no

%oul& be sure he kne% best" Do you kno% ho% easy it is! Fit1! to follo% a

For a

o ent Aerity %as 'ery still" Then3 6#h!7 he sai&" He hel&

y eyes %ith

his! an& I &i& not nee& the %ar th of his Skilling to feel the gratitu&e he sent e" He ste$$e& a%ay fro %aiting stoo& before the hearth! &re% hi self u$ straighter" -y king/in/ ore" He &is isse& e %ith a tiny otion! an& I y life I y roo ! for the first ti e in e once

%ent" #s I cli be& the stairs to

%on&ere& if I shoul& not be grateful to ha'e been born a bastar&"

9H#*TER SEAE5 Encounters IT H#D #=;#YS been the custo an& the ex$ectancy that %hen a (ing or Iueen of Buckkee$ %e&! the royal s$ouse %oul& bring an entourage of his or her o%n as atten&ants" Such ha& been the case %ith both of Shre%&.s )ueens" But %hen Iueen (ettricken of the -ountains ca e to Buckkee$! she ca e as Sacrifice! as %as her country.s custo " She ca e alone! %ith no %o en or en to atten& her! not e'en a ai& to be a confi&ante" 5o $erson in Buckkee$ %as there to gi'e the co fort of fa iliarity to her in her ne% ho e" She began her reign surroun&e& co $letely by strangers! not 4ust at her o%n social le'el! but exten&ing &o%n to ser'ants an& guar&s as %ell" #s ti e $rogresse& she gathere& frien&s to her! an& foun& ser'ants as %ell %ho suite& her! though at first the I&ea of ha'ing a $erson %hose life%ork %as to %ait on her %as a foreign an& &istressing conce$t to her" 9ub ha& isse& y co $any" Before I &e$arte& for Bea s! I ha& left hi the

carcass of a &eer! %ell fro1en an& conceale& behin& the hut" It shoul& ha'e been a $le to fee& hi for the ti e I %as gone" But in true %olf fashion! he ha&
1?C?

gorge&! an& sle$t! an& gorge& an& sle$t again! until the &ays ago! he infor e& e! lea$ing an& &ancing about but %as a litter of %ell/gna%e& bones" He greete& u$on it ra'enously an& $ai& into a sack" Too e no

eat %as gone" T%o e" The interior of the eat I brought" He fell

e %ith frantic enthusias !

&oubly infor e& by the ;it an& his nose of the fresh

in& at all as I gathere& his che%e& bones surre$titiously as I

uch of this ty$e of litter %oul& &ra% rats! an& the (ee$ rat uscles in his shoul&ers as he brace& his forefeet arro%" This %as

houn&s %oul& follo%" I coul&n.t chance that" I %atche& hi ti&ie&! sa% the ri$$ling of against the chunk of

eat an& tore a $iece of flesh free" I note&! too! that all but

the thickest &eer bones ha& been cracke& an& licke& clean of ha& cracke& %ere thicker than the bones in But %hy %oul& I turn on you0 You bring the His thought %as la&en %ith brought $ortion of y ar "

cub.s $lay no longer! but the %ork of a $o%erful young ani al" The bones he eat" #n& ginger cakes" back a

eaning" This %as the %ay of a $ack" I! an el&er! an& foun& that! for hi ! our

eat to fee& 9ub! a young one" I %as the hunter! bringing hi y kill" I )ueste& to%ar& hi

se$arateness %as fa&ing" ;e %ere $ack" It %as a conce$t I ha& ne'er encountere& before! going &ee$er than co $anion or $artner" I feare& that to hi 6I a it eant %hat bon&ing &i& to eaning fro e" I coul& not $er it it" to kno% in all his a hu an" You are a %olf"7 I s$oke the %or&s alou&! kno%ing he %oul&! y thoughts! but trying to force hi

get their

senses our &ifferences" Out%ar&ly" Insi&e! %e are $ack" He $ause& an& licke& his nose co $lacently" Bloo& &otte& his fore$a%s" 65o" I fee& you an& $rotect you here" But only for a ti e" ;hen you are able to hunt for yourself! I %ill take you to a far $lace an& lea'e you there"7 I ha'e ne'er hunte&"
1?CB

6I %ill teach you"7 That! too! is of the $ack" You %ill teach share Ia any kills an& uch rich eat" e here! sa'e that I %ill it" He lolle& his y assu $tion" eat e! an& I %ill hunt %ith you" ;e %ill

I %ill teach you to hunt! an& then I %ill set you free" alrea&y free" You &o not hol& tongue out o'er %hite teeth! laughing at You are arrogant! 9ub" #n& ignorant" So teach e" He turne& his hea& si&e%ays to let his back teeth scissor the bone he %as %orking on" It is your $ack &uty" y king" ine also" ;e are $ack" #s his belly fille& he of a $ack that you cannot be $art of" an&! ten&on fro

;e are not $ack" I ha'e no $ack" -y allegiance is to If he is your lea&er! then he is %as beco ing In ore an& ore co $lacent about it"

I change& tactics" 9ol&ly I tol& hi ! I a $ack"

y $ack! all are hu ans" You are not a hu an" You are a %olf" ;e are not

# stillness %elle& in hi " He &i& not try to re$ly" But he felt! an& %hat he felt chille& e" Isolation! an& betrayal" =oneliness" there" But I coul& not hi&e fro hi ho% har& it %as for like that! nor conceal the &ee$ sha e at refusing hi " I ho$e& e %hen he took 5osy a%ay fro e I turne& an& left hi e to lea'e hi

he sense& also that I belie'e& it %as %hat %as best for hi " -uch! I reflecte&! as Burrich ha& felt it %as best for hasten a%ay! I fle&" E'ening %as falling as I returne& to the (ee$ an& 'isite& y roo a&e y %ay u$ the stairs" I a&e y %ay for certain bun&les I ha& left there! an& then because I ha& bon&e& to the $u$$y" The thought burne& e an& I &i& not 4ust

&o%nstairs again" -y traitorous feet slo%e& as I $asse& the secon& lan&ing" I kne% that 'ery shortly -olly %oul& be co ing this %ay! bearing a%ay the tray
1?CC

an& &ishes fro

*atience.s

eal" *atience sel&o

chose to &ine in the hall %ith

the other lor&s an& la&ies of the (ee$! $referring the $ri'acy of her o%n roo s an& =acey.s easy co $anionshi$" Her shyness ha& begun to take on o'ertones of reclusi'eness lately" But it %as not concern o'er that %hich ke$t kne% I shoul& e loitering on the stairs" I hear& the ta$ of -olly.s feet co ing &o%n the hall+ I o'e on! but it ha& been &ays since I ha& e'en gli $se& her" a&e e ore acutely a%are of ho% I e si $ly to %ish her goo& uch for 9elerity.s shy flirtations ha& only e'ening as I

isse& -olly" Surely it coul& not be too

ight any other ser'ant girl" I kne% I shoul& not! I kne% that if

*atience hear& of it! I %oul& be rebuke&" #n& yet """ I $reten&e& to be" stu&ying a ta$estry on the lan&ing! a ta$estry that ha& hung there since before I ha& e'er co e to Buckkee$" I hear& her footste$s a$$roaching! I hear& the $al s of e'ening!7 I y han&s %ere slo%" -y heart %as thun&ering high in y chest! the oist %ith s%eat as I turne& to see her" 6Joo&

anage&! bet%een a s)ueak an& a %his$er"

6Joo& e'ening to you!7 she sai& %ith great &ignity" Her hea& %ent u$ a notch higher! her chin fir e&" Her hair ha& been ta e& into t%o thick brai&s an& $inne& about her hea& like a cro%n" Her &ress of si $le blue ha& a collar of &elicate %hite lace! an& there %ere lace cuffs to it as %ell" I kne% %hose fingers ha& %orke& that scallo$e& $attern" =acey treate& her %ell an& gifte& her %ith the %ork of her han&s" That %as goo& to kno%" -olly &i& not falter as she $asse& e" Her eyes skittere& si&e%ays to y s ile a blush so %ar e once! an& I coul& not forbear to s ile! an& at suffuse& her e! le on

face an& throat that al ost I felt the heat of it" Her bal

outh %ent into a fir er

line" #s she turne& an& &escen&e& the stairs her scent %afte& back to Fe ale" 5ice" Aast a$$ro'al"
1?CD

an& ginger ri&ing on the s%eeter scent that %as si $ly -olly.s o%n"

I lea$e& as if stung an& s$un about! ex$ecting foolishly to &isco'er 9ub behin& e" He %as not! of course" I )ueste& out! but he %as not %ith )ueste& farther! foun& hi %arne& hi " Stay out of Do not be %ith I %ill seek your y in&! unless I bi& you be %ith e &o0 e to be %ith you0 e" e in y in&" I &o1ing on his stra% in the hut" Don.t &o that! I

9onsternation" ;hat is it you bi&

e! exce$t %hen I %ish you to" in& %hen I %ant you"

Then ho% %oul& I kno% %hen you %ishe&

# long )uiet" #n& I shall seek yours %hen I %ant you! he offere&" Yes! this is $ack" To call %hen one nee&s hel$! an& to be al%ays rea&y to hear such a call" ;e are $ack" 5o: That is not %hat I a thoughts %ith you" You ake no sense at all" Shall I only breathe %hen you are not snuffing the in&! y in&! it is all the $ack in&" ;here else shall I think! but e! &o not listen" ake sense of the thought" I reali1e& I %as e goo& e'ening! an& I one&! but I %a'e& ake hi un&erstan&" air0 Your telling you" I a saying you ust kee$ out of y in& %hen I &o not %ish you to be there" I &o not %ish to be al%ays sharing

here0 If you &o not %ish to hear I stoo& &u bfoun&e&! trying to

staring off into s$ace" # ser'ing boy ha& 4ust %ishe&

ha& offere& no res$onse" 6Joo& e'ening!7 I re$lie&! but he ha& alrea&y $asse& e" He glance& back in $u11le ent! to see if he %as su hi on" I shook *atience.s roo " I %oul& &iscuss it %ith 9ub later! an& ex$erience asi&e" I ta$$e& at *atience.s &oor an& %as a& itte&" I sa% that =acey ha& gone on one of her $erio&ic ra $ages an& restore& a sort of or&er to the roo " There %as
1?CE

y hea& to clear it of cob%ebs an& starte& &o%n the hall to in&" I $ushe& the

#n& soon he %oul& be off on his o%n! out of touch! out of

e'en a cleare& chair to sit u$on" They %ere both gla& to see y tri$ to Bea s! a'oi&ing any *atience %oul& hear of it! an& confront the

e" I tol& the

of

ention of Airago" I kne% that e'entually e about it! an& I %oul& then assure her e" Tiny i'ory fish! &rille& to be

that gossi$ ha& greatly exaggerate& our encounter" I ho$e& that %oul& %ork" In eanti e I ha& brought gifts back %ith strung as bea&s or attache& to a gar ent for =acey! an& for *atience a ber/ an&/sil'er earrings" #n earthen%are $ot of %intergreen berries $reser'e& an& seale& %ith a li& of %ax" 6;intergreen0 I.'e no taste for %intergreen!7 *atience $u11le& %hen I offere& it to her" 6Ha'en.t you07 I feigne& $u11le ent as %ell" 6I thought you tol& fla'or an& scent you isse& fro %ho brought you %intergreen07 65o" I recall no such con'ersation"7 6*erha$s it %as =acey! then07 I aske& sincerely" 65ot I! aster" Stings y nose to taste it! though it has a nice scent in the air"7 istake"7 I set it asi&e on the table" e" I coul& sense her 6#h! %ell! then" -y e it %as a your chil&hoo&" Di& not you ha'e an uncle

6;hat! Sno%flake0 5ot $regnant again07 This I a&&resse& to *atience.s %hite terrier %ho ha& finally &eci&e& to co e forth an& sniff at &oggy little in& $u11ling o'er 9ub.s scent on e"

65o! she.s 4ust getting fat!7 =acey inter4ecte& for her! stoo$ing to scratch her behin& the ears" 6-y la&y lea'es s%eet eats an& cookies about on $lates! an& Sno%flake is al%ays getting at the "7 6You kno% you shoul&n.t let her" It.s 'ery ba& for her teeth an& coat!7 I rebuke& *atience! an& she re$lie& that she kne% it! but Sno%flake %as too ol& to be taught better" The con'ersation ra ble& fro there! an& it %as another

1?DH

hour before I stretche& an& tol& the re$ort to the (ing" 6I %as earlier turne& asi&e fro guar&" His

ust be going! to try once

ore to

his &oor!7 I

entione&" 6Though not by any e entry"

an ;allace ca e to the &oor %hen I knocke&! to refuse

;hen I aske& %hy there %as no guar& on the (ing.s &oor! he sai& they ha& been relie'e& of that &uty" He ha& assu e& it hi self! the better to kee$ things )uiet for the (ing"7 6The (ing.s not %ell! you kno%!7 =acey offere&" 6I.'e hear& that he.s sel&o seen out of his cha bers before noon" Then! %hen he co es forth! he is like a an $ossesse&! full of energy an& a$$etite! but by early e'ening! he fa&es again! an& begins to shuffle an& %orry"7 6It is!7 I agree&! an& about it" #n& I %ith after a a&e y &e$arture! al ost &rea&ing to hear yself" In ore" So the (ing.s health %as no% talk for the (ee$" That %as not goo&" I ust see for I ha& encountere& only the officious ;allace" ;allace ha& been ission" He beha'e& as if the (ing %ere the ust ask 9ha&e ost brus)ue u ble his %or&s" He takes his &inner in his roo s! an& cook says the tray co es back as full as it %ent u$" It.s )uite a

y earlier atte $t to re$ort to the (ing!

e! as if I %ere co e si $ly to $ass the ti e of &ay! rather than to re$ort ost &elicate of in'ali&s bothering hi " ;allace! I

an& took it u$on hi self to kee$ anyone fro %ere" He %as a ost annoying

&eci&e&! ha& not been 'ery %ell taught as to %hat the &uties of his $osition an" #s I talke& I %as %on&ering ho% long it ust kno% I ha& eant it for %oul& take -olly to fin& the %intergreen" She

her+ it %as a taste she ha& al%ays been gree&y for %hen %e %ere chil&ren" ;allace ca e to the &oor an& o$ene& it a crack to $eer out" He fro%ne& at &isco'ering e" He s%ung the &oor %i&er! but fille& the o$ening %ith his bo&y!

1?D1

as if

y gli $sing the (ing

ight &o hi

har " He ga'e

e no greeting! only

&e an&e&! 6Di& not you co e before! earlier to&ay07 6Yes" I &i&" #t that ti e you tol& again! to ake 6#h" It is i $ortant! this re$ort07 6I think the (ing can 4u&ge if it is! an& sen& ti e" I suggest you tell hi shar$ness of y tone" o'ing fro the &oor" I foun& yself si1ing hi u$! otion! Ia e a%ay if he thinks I %aste his here"7 I s ile& belate&ly! trying to soften the e (ing Shre%& sle$t" #n& so I ha'e co e y tone ci'il" y re$ort"7 I trie& to kee$

6The (ing has little energy" I try to see that he ex$en&s it only %here it is nee&e&"7 He %asn.t %on&ering if I coul& 4ust shoul&er $ast hi " That %oul& create a co an& if the (ing %ere ill! I &i& not %ish that" So eone ta$$e& on front of e! bet%een ;allace an& e" ake such 4u&g ents07 The Fool took u$ y ine"

y shoul&er!

but %hen I turne& to look! no one %as there" Turning back! I foun& the Fool in 6#re you his $hysician! then! to con'ersation for e

e" 6For surely! you %oul& be an excellent one" You $hysick ust our &ear king be! %ho languishes all &ay in your

erely %ith your looks! an& your %or&s &is$el your %in& as %ell as

Ho% $hysicke& then $resence07

The Fool bore a tray co'ere& %ith a na$kin" I s elle& goo& beef broth an& egg brea& %ar fro the o'en" His %inter otley of black an& %hite he ha& a&e erry %ith ena ele& bells an& a garlan& of holly ban&e& his ca$" His fool.s sce$ter %as tucke& u$ un&er his ar " # rat again" This one ha& been set ato$ the %an& as if $rancing" I ha& obser'e& hi hol&ing long con'ersations %ith it in front of the Jreat Hearth! or on the ste$s before the (ing.s throne" 6Begone! Fool: You.'e been in here t%ice to&ay alrea&y" The (ing has alrea&y gone to his be&" He has no nee& of you"7 The
1?D2

an s$oke sternly" But ;allace

%as the one %ho retreate&! %ithout inten&ing to" I sa% he %as one of those $eo$le %ho coul& not his %hite han&" 6T%ice shall be thrice! ;all #ss! &ear! an& your $resence re$lace& %ith then so y $resents" To&&le off hence! an& tell Regal all your tattling" If %alls ha'e ears! ust you! for you.'e alrea&y the ;all.s #ss" Such ears are fille& to ight $hysick our &ear $rince ethinks! betokens o'erflo%ing %ith the (ing.s business" You eet the Fool.s $ale eyes! an& )uaile& fro the touch of

%hile you enlighten hi " For the &arkness of his glance! that his bo%els ha'e backe& u$ so far as to blin& hi "7

6Dare you s$eak so of the *rince07 ;allace s$uttere&" The Fool %as alrea&y insi&e the &oor an& I on his heels" 6He shall hear of this"7 6S$eak so0 S$eak! so%" I &oubt not that he hears all that you &o" Do not 'ent your %in& at e! ;all #ss &ear" Sa'e that for your $rince! %ho &elights in such ight gust at hi an& he ost s%eet"7 back! $uffing" He is at his s okes no%! I belie'e! an& you

shall &ro%se an& no& an& think you s$eak %isely an& your airs

The Fool continue& his a&'ance as he nattere& on! the la&en tray like a shiel& before hi " ;allace ga'e groun& rea&ily! an& the Fool force& hi through the sitting roo an& into the (ing.s be&cha ber" There the Fool set

the tray &o%n at the (ing.s be&si&e %hile ;allace retreate& to the other &oor of the cha ber" The Fool.s eyes gre% brighter" 6#h! not abe& at all! our king! unless you.'e hi&&en hi #ss! y s%eet" 9o e out! co e out! y king! un&er co'erlets! ;all y Shre%& one" (ing Shre%&

you are! not king of shre%s to hi&e an& cree$ about the %alls an& un&er the be&&ing"7 The Fool began to $oke so assi&uously a ong the ob'iously e $ty be& an& co'erlets! an& to sen& his rat sce$ter $ee$ing u$ a ong the be& curtains! that I coul& not contain y laughter"

1?D8

;allace leane& back against the inner &oor! as if to guar& it fro instant it o$ene& fro sat &o%n hea'ily on the floor" 6-in& hi :7 the Fool obser'e& to he seeks to $ut hi self in %ith his clu sy $ratfalls" Such a

us! but at that e" 6See ho%

%ithin! an& he all but tu ble& into the (ing.s ar s" He y $lace before the (ing.s feet! an& to $lay the fool an &eser'es the title Fool! but not the $ost:7 e

Shre%& stoo& there! robe& as for rest! a fro%n of 'exation on his face" He looke& &o%n in $u11le ent at ;allace on the floor! an& u$ at the Fool an& ;allace as he scrabble& to his feet" 6This stea ;allace" It but akes y hea& ache all the &oes %aiting for hi ! an& then &is isse& %hate'er the situation %as" He s$oke to e no goo& at all! y as ight &ri'e ore! an& lea'es a foul taste in

outh as %ell" Take it a%ay! an& tell Regal I think his ne% herb

flies a%ay!but not sickness" Take it a%ay no%! before it stinks u$ this roo 9o e in! sit &o%n" ;allace! &o you hear han&! Shre%& s%atte& the

%ell" #h! Fool! you are here" #n& Fit1! you ha'e finally co e to re$ort as %ell" e0 Re o'e that %retche& $ot: 5o! &o not bring it through here! take it out the other %ay"7 #n& %ith a %a'e of his an a%ay as if he ha& been an annoying fly" fir ly! as if to kee$ the stink fro Shre%& shut the &oor to his bathing roo fire" In a

s$rea&ing into his be&cha ber! an& ca e to take a straight/backe& chair by the o ent the Fool ha& &ra%n a table u$ besi&e it! the cloth co'ering the ai& coul& ha'e &one" Sil'er%are an& a na$kin a$$eare&! a foo& ha& beco e a tablecloth! an& he ha& set out foo& for the (ing as $rettily as any ser'ing sleight of han& that ha& e'en Shre%& s iling! an& then the Fool fol&e& hi self u$ on the hearth! knees nearly to his ears! chin cu$$e& in his long/fingere& han&s! $ale skin an& hair $icking u$ re& tones fro His e'ery the fire.s &ancing fla es" o'e %as as graceful as a &ancer.s an& the $ose he struck no% %as

artful as %ell as co ical" The (ing reache& &o%n to s ooth his flying hair as if the Fool %ere a kitten"
1?D<

6I tol& you I %as not hungry! Fool"7 6That you &i&" But you &i& not tell 6#n& if I ha&07 6Then I shoul& tell you this is not foo&! but a stea ing $ot such as ;all #ss afflicts you %ith! to fill your nostrils %ith a scent at least a$$ly at once"7 6#h"7 (ing Shre%& &re% his table a bit closer an& took u$ a s$oonful of the sou$" Barley shoul&ere& against bits of carrot an& an& then began to eat" 6# I not at least as goo& a $hysician as ;all #ss07 the Fool $urre&! %ell y ser'ant"7 $lease& %ith hi self" 6;ell you kno% ;allace is not a $hysician! but si $ly not %ell"7 6Enough of your nattering" Ste$ u$! Fit1! &on.t stan& there grinning like a si $leton" ;hat ha'e you to tell e07 I glance& at the Fool! an& then &eci&e& I %oul& insult neither (ing nor Fool by asking if I coul& re$ort freely in front of hi " So I &i&! a si $le re$ort! %ith no ention of y ore clan&estine actions other than their results" Shre%& ent! other than to rebuke e anners at the Duke.s table" He then aske& if Duke Bra%n&y listene& gra'ely! an& at the en& he ha& no co il&ly for $oor 6;ell I kno% it! an& %ell &o you! but ;all #ss kno%s it not! an& hence you are eat in it" Shre%& taste&! ore $leasing than his" #n& this be not brea&! but a $laster for your tongue! %hich you shoul& e not to bring foo&"7

of Bea s see e& %ell an& content %ith the $eace in his Duchy" I re$lie& that he ha& %hen I left" Shre%& no&&e&" Then he re)ueste& the scrolls I ha& co$ie&" These I took out an& &is$laye& for hi ! an& %as re%ar&e& by a co $li ent on the gracefulness of y han&i%ork" He tol& e to take the to Aerity.s a$ roo ! an& be sure Aerity kne% of the " He aske& if I ha& 'ie%e& the
1?D?

El&erling.s relic" I &escribe& it to hi

in &etail" #n& all the %hile the Fool

$erche& on the hearthstones an& %atche& us silent as an o%l" (ing Shre%& ate his sou$ an& brea& un&er the Fool.s %atchful eyes as I rea& the scroll alou& to hi " ;hen I %as finishe&! he sighe& an& leane& back in his chair" 6So! let.s see this scroll%ork of yours!7 he co Once an&e&! an& $u11le&! I surren&ere& it to hi " ore he looke& it o'er carefully! then re/rolle& it" #s he ga'e it back to a$ roo ! an& see that he kno%s of it"7 oti'e in

e he sai&! 6You.'e a graceful %ay %ith a $en! boy" ;ell lettere& an& %ell &one" Take it to Aerity.s 6Of course! fro to bi& y king"7 I faltere&! confuse&" I &i& not un&erstan& his hi

re$eating hi self! an& %as unsure if he %ere %aiting for so e other res$onse e" But the Fool %as rising! an& I caught fro so ething less than a aking glance+ not )uite the lift of an eyebro%! not )uite the turn of a li$! but enough e to silence" The Fool gathere& u$ the &ishes! all the %hile erry talk %ith the (ing! an& then both of us %ere &is isse& together" #s %e left! the (ing %as staring into the fla es" Out in the hall! %e exchange& glances Fool co stairs" Then he $ause& an& caught at ore o$enly" I began to s$eak! but the y slee'e! an& %e halte& on the stair%ay! also" Still! it %as not e'en the Fool y nose ust re e ber uch to sho% ence& to %histle! an& &i& not cease until %e %ere half%ay &o%n the

bet%ixt floors" I sense& he ha& chosen this s$ot carefully" 5one coul& see or hear us s$eak here! sa'e that %e sa% the that s$oke to e! but the rat ato$ the sce$ter" He brought it u$ before

an& s)ueake& in the rat.s 'oice! 6#h! but you an& I! %e %hate'er he forgets! Fit1! an& kee$ it safe for hi " It costs hi t%ice! you ust cherish an& obey! for it

as strong as he &i& tonight" Do not be &ecei'e& about that" ;hat he sai& to you! eans he hel& it t%ice as har& in his in& to be sure he %oul& say it to you"7

1?DB

I no&&e& an& resol'e& to &eli'er the scroll that 'ery night to Aerity" 6I &o not uch care for ;allace!7 I co ente& to the Fool" 6FTis not ;all.s #ss you shoul& ha'e a care for! but ;all.s Ears!7 he re$lie& sole nly" #bru$tly he balance& the tray on one long/fingere& han& an& lofte& it high o'er his hea&! an& %ent ca$ering off &o%n the stairs before e alone to think" I &eli'ere& the scroll that night! an& in the &ays that follo%e&! I took u$ the tasks Aerity ha& assigne& 'ehicles for e earlier" I use& fat sausage an& s oke& fish as the ight easily scatter e" Each y $oisons! %ra$$e& in s all bun&les" These I a$ in Aerity.s e! lea'ing

as I fle&! in the ho$es there %oul& be sufficient for all %ho $ursue& orning I stu&ie& the took yself an& y $oisons out %here I thought it

a$ roo ! an& then sa&&le& Sooty an& ost likely I %oul& be set y $re'ious ex$eriences! I carrie& a short

u$on by Forge& ones" Re e bering

s%or& on these ri&ing ex$e&itions! so ething that affor&e& both Han&s an& Burrich so e a use ent at first" I ga'e it out that I %as scouting for ga e in case Aerity %ishe& to $lan a %inter hunt" Han&s acce$te& it easily! Burrich %ith a tightene& not tell hi outh that sho%e& he kne% I lie&! an& kne% also that I coul& the truth" He &i& not $ry! but neither &i& he like it" y sa&&lebags as I %ent" They fell u$on eat before stuffing it into their

T%ice in ten &ays I %as set u$on by Forge& ones! an& t%ice fle& easily! letting y $oisone& $ro'isions tu ble fro the gree&ily! scarcely un%ra$$ing the

ouths" I returne& to each site the follo%ing &ay! to &ocu ent for Aerity ho% any I ha& slain an& the &etails of their a$$earances" The secon& grou$ &i& not atch any &escri$tion %e ha& recei'e&" ;e both sus$ecte& this %ere I &i& ore Forge& ones than %e ha& hear&" y task! but I took no $ri&e in it" Dea&! they %ere e'en ore $itiful than eant there

ali'e" Ragge&! thin creatures! frostbitten an& battere& by their fights a ong
1?DC

the sel'es they %ere! an& the sa'agery of the )uick harsh $oisons I use& t%iste& their bo&ies into caricatures of eyebro%s! an& the bloo& fro their en" Frost glistene& on their bear&s an& a&e re& clu $s like fro1en rubies an& set the afla e" I cannot y &ee&" ouths

in the sno%" Se'en Forge& ones I kille& this %ay! an& then hea$e& the fro1en bo&ies %ith $itch$ine! an& $oure& oil on the say %hat I foun& 9ub ha& initially begge& to go %ith ost &istasteful! the $oisoning! or the concealing of

e %hen he un&erstoo& that I %as ri&ing

out each &ay after fee&ing hi ! but at one $oint! as I stoo& o'er the fro1en stick en I ha& slain! I hear&! This is not hunting! this" This is no $ack.s &oing" This is an.s &oing" His $resence %as gone before I coul& rebuke hi y in& again" fires! &ry clothes e an& for intru&ing into

E'enings I returne& to the (ee$! to hot fresh foo& an& %ar those co forts" I felt

an& a soft be&! but the s$ecters of those Forge& ones stoo& bet%een

yself a heartless beast that I coul& en4oy such things

after s$rea&ing &eath by &ay" -y only co fort %as a $rickly one! that at night %hen I sle$t! I &rea e& of -olly! an& %alke& an& talke& %ith her! unhaunte& by Forge& ones or their frost ri e& bo&ies" 9a e a &ay I ro&e out later than I ha& inten&e&! for Aerity ha& been in his roo see an& ha& ke$t e o'erlong in talk" # stor a$ %as co ing u$! but it &i& not than I ha& ex$ecte&"

too se'ere of one" I ha& not inten&e& to go far that &ay" But I foun& fresh y $rey! an& sign of a larger grou$ of the y fi'e senses! for the sixth of the ;it e &o%n ga e yself uch

sign instea& of

#n& so I ro&e on! e'er at the alert %ith fro the sky

%as no hel$ at all in fin&ing Forge& ones" The gathering clou&s stole the light ore s%iftly than I ha& ex$ecte& an& the sign le& e this &ay! I foun& trails %here Sooty an& I foun& it slo% going" ;hen I finally glance& u$ fro y tracking! a& itting that they ha& elu&e& farther fro Buckkee$ than I ha& inten&e& an& %ell off any tra'ele& roa&"
1?DD

The %in& began to blo%! a nasty col& one that foretol& sno% to follo%" I %ra$$e& y cloak ore tightly about yself an& turne& Sooty.s hea& to%ar& ho e! relying on her to $ick her $ath an& $ace" Darkness fell before %e.& gone far! an& sno% %ith it" Ha& I not tra'erse& this area so fre)uently of late! I %oul& surely ha'e been lost" But %e $resse& on! going al%ays! it see e&! into the teeth of the %in&" The col& soake& right through I feare& the shi'ering such as I ha& not suffere& for a long ti e" I %as grateful %hen the %in&s finally tore a rent in the clou& co'er! an& oonlight an& starlight leake& through to gray our %ay" ;e a&e a better $ace then! &es$ite the fresh sno% that Sooty %a&e& through" ;e broke out of a thin birch forest! onto a hillsi&e that lightning ha& burne& off a fe% years ago" The %in& %as stronger here %ith nothing to o$$ose it! an& I gathere& y cloak an& turne& u$ the collar again" I kne% that once I creste& the hill! I %oul& see the lights of Buckkee$! an& that another hill a%ay an& a 'ale %oul& fin& a %ell/ use& roa& to take e ho e" So I %as of better cheer as %e cut our %ay across ake s$ee&! the hill.s s ooth flank" Su&&en as thun&er! I hear& the hoofbeats of a horse struggling to %hinnie&" #t the sa e &o%nhill of but so eho% encu bere&" Sooty slo%e&! then thre% back her hea& an& o ent I sa% a horse an& ri&er break out of the co'er! e an& to the south" The horse carrie& a ri&er! an& t%o other an clutching at the e! an& I began to shi'er" ight actually be the beginnings of tre bling an& a fit

$eo$le clung to it! one to its breast stra$ an& one to the ri&er.s leg" =ight glinte& on a bla&e that rose an& fell! an& %ith a cry the ri&er.s leg fell a%ay to %allo% an& shriek in the sno%" But the other figure ha& caught the horse.s hea&stall! an& as he trie& to &rag the beast to a halt! t%o other $ursuers burst fro ri&er" "
1?DE

the trees to con'erge on the struggling horse an&

The

o ent of recogni1ing (ettricken is inse$arable fro a&e no sense to yself %hat

the

o ent I set y

heels to Sooty" ;hat I sa% res$on&ing" I &i& not ask

e! but that &i& not $re'ent

y )ueen/in/%aiting %as &oing out here! yself

at night! unacco $anie& an& set u$on by robbers" Rather! I foun& slashe& at the en %ho trie& to &rag her &o%n" I &re%

a& iring ho% she ke$t her seat an& set her horse to %heeling as she kicke& an& y s%or& as %e close& on the struggle! but I &o not recall that I %hite like a a&e any soun&" -y recollection of

the %hole struggle is a strange one! a battle of silhouettes! &one in black an& ountain sha&o% $lay! soun&less sa'e for the grunts an& cries of %ith bloo&! but still he ore than the Forge& ones as one after another they fell" (ettricken ha& slashe& one across the face! blin&ing hi clung to her an& trie& to &rag her fro the sa&&le" The other ignore& the $light

of his fello%s! tugging instea& at sa&&lebags that $robably carrie& no a bit of foo& an& bran&y $acke& for a &ay.s ri&e" Sooty took

e in close to the one gri$$ing Softste$.s hea&stall" I sa% it %as a y s%or& %as into her an& out again! as soulless an exercise e! her

%o an an& then

as cho$$ing %oo&" Such a $eculiar struggle" I coul& sense (ettricken an& the fright of her horse an& Sooty.s battle/traine& enthusias ! but fro shrieke& for attention" To I %atche& as in a &rea y ;it! they %ere not there at all! any e"

attackers! nothing" 5othing at all" 5o anger throbbe&! no $ain of their %oun&s ore than the sno% or the %in& that like%ise o$$ose& his hea& back that she

as (ettricken sei1e& her attacker by the hair an& leane& ight cut his throat" Bloo& s$ille& black in the in the sno%" I s%ung y short s%or& at

oonlight! &renching her coat an& lea'ing a sheen on the chestnut.s neck an& shoul&er before he fell back to s$as the last one! but isse&" (ettricken &i& not" Her short knife &ance& in! an&

$unche& through 4erkin an& rib cage an& into his lung! an& out again as s%ift"
1?EH

She kicke& hi

a%ay" 6To

e:7 she sai& si $ly into the night! an& $ut heels to

her chestnut! &ri'ing Softste$ straight u$ the hill" Sooty ran %ith her nose at (ettricken.s stirru$! an& so %e creste& the hill together! gli $sing the lights of Buckkee$ briefly before %e $lunge& &o%n the other si&e" There %as brush at the botto of the slo$e! an& a creek hi&&en by the sno%! so e take the lea& a&e I kicke& Sooty into the lea& an& turne& Softste$ before she coul& blun&er into it an& fall" (ettricken sai& nothing as I turne& her horse! but let as %e entere& the forest on the other si&e of the strea " I o'e& us as s%iftly oonlight fro

as I &are&! ex$ecting al%ays figures to shout an& lea$ out at us" But %e the roa& at last! 4ust as the clou&s close& u$ again! stealing the us" I slo%e& the horses an& let the silence! both intently listening for any soun&s of $ursuit"

breathe" For so e ti e %e tra'ele& in

#fter a ti e %e felt safer! an& I hear& (ettricken let out her $ent breath in a long! shaky sigh" 6Thank you! Fit1!7 she sai& si $ly! but coul& not kee$ her 'oice )uite stea&y" I a&e no co ent! half ex$ecting that at any o ent she %oul& burst into %ee$ing" I %oul& not ha'e bla e& her" Instea& she gra&ually gathere& herself! tugging her clothes straight! %i$ing her bla&e on her $ants an& then resheathing it at her %aist" She leane& for%ar& to $at Softste$.s neck an& ur ur %or&s of $raise an& co fort to the horse" I felt Softste$.s tension ease an& a& ire& (ettricken.s skill to ha'e so s%iftly gaine& the confi&ence of the tall horse" 6Ho% ca e you here0 Seeking I shook e07 she aske& at last" e to y hea&" Sno% %as beginning to fall again" 6I %as out hunting! an&

%ent farther than I ha& inten&e&" It %as but goo& fortune that brought for you07

you"7 I $ause&! then 'enture&! 6Di& you get lost0 ;ill there be ri&ers searching

1?E1

She sniffe&! an& took a breath" 65ot exactly!7 she sai& in a shaky 'oice" 6I %ent out ri&ing %ith Regal" # fe% others ro&e %ith us! but %hen the stor Regal an& I ca e ore slo%ly" He %as telling e a folktale fro began to his ho e threaten! %e all turne& back to Buckkee$" The others ro&e on before us! but Duchy! an& %e let the others ri&e ahea&! that I shoul& not ha'e to hear it through their chatter"7 She took a breath an& I hear& her s%allo% back the last of the night.s terror" Her 'oice %as cal er %hen she %ent on" 6The others %ere far ahea& of us! %hen a fox starte& u$ su&&enly fro brush by the $ath" RFollo% e! an& he turne& his horse fro the e! if you.& like to see real s$ort:. Regal challenge& the $ath an& set off after the ani al" ;hether a& thing! all

I %oul& or no! Softste$ s$rang after the " Regal ro&e like a

stretche& out on his horse! urging it on %ith a )uirt"7 There %as consternation! an& %on&er! but also a stain of a& iration in her 'oice as she &escribe& hi " Softste$ ha& not ans%ere& the rein" #t first she ha& been fearful of their $ace! for she &i& not kno% the terrain an& feare& that Softste$ %oul& stu ble" So she ha& trie& to rein in her ount" But %hen she ha& reali1e& that she coul& no longer see the roa& or the others! an& that Regal ha& gotten far ahea& of her! she ha& gi'en Softste$ her hea&! in the ho$es of catching u$" ;ith the $re&ictable result that as the stor close& in she ha& lost her %ay co $letely" She ha& turne& back to retrace her trail to the roa&! but the falling sno% an& blo%ing %in& ha& )uickly erase& it" #t last she ha& gi'en Softste$ the bit! trusting her horse to fin& her %ay ho e" *robably she %oul& ha'e! if those %il& en ha& not set u$on her" Her 'oice &%in&le& a%ay into silence" ore fir ly3 6They e07 6Forge& ones!7 I tol& her )uietly" 6Forge& ones!7 she re$eate& in a %on&ering 'oice" Then! ha'e no hearts left" So it %as ex$laine& to 6# e"7 I felt I so $oor a Sacrifice that there are folk %ho %oul& kill
1?E2

ore than sa% her glance"

In the &istance %e hear& the %in&ing of a horn" Searchers" 6They %oul& ha'e set u$on any that crosse& their $aths!7 I tol& her" 6For the ! there %as no thought that it %as their )ueen/in/%aiting they attacke&" I &oubt greatly that they kne% %ho you %ere at all"7 I close& har ! neither ha& he ke$t her fro He ha& 6I think y 4a%s fir ly before I coul& a&& that such %as not the case %ith Regal" If he ha& not inten&e& her co ing to it" I &i& not belie'e he ha& e'er inten&e& to sho% her 6s$ort7 in chasing a fox across sno%y hills in the t%ilight" eant to lose her" #n& &one so han&ily" y lor& %ill be 'ery %roth %ith e!7 she sai&! %oeful as a chil&" #s if en

in ans%er to her $re&iction! %e roun&e& the shoul&er of the hill an& sa% ore clearly! an& in a fe% forerunners of the

on horseback bearing torches co ing to%ar& us" ;e hear& the horn again! o ents %e %ere a ong the " They %ere the ain search $arty! an& a girl set out at once gallo$ing back

to tell the (ing/in/;aiting that his )ueen ha& been foun&" In the light of the torches! Aerity.s guar&s exclai e& an& s%ore o'er the bloo& that glinte& yet on Softste$.s neck! but (ettricken ke$t her co $osure as she assure& the that none of it %as hers" She s$oke )uietly of the Forge& ones %ho ha& set u$on her an& %hat she ha& &one to &efen& herself" I sa% a& iration of her gro%ing a ong the sol&iers" I hear& then for the first ti e that the bol&est attacker ha& &ro$$e& out of a tree u$on her" Hi then3 6Begging your $ar&on! 6It she ha& slain first" eant: 6 y horse.s hea&!7 6Four she &one! an& not a scratch u$on her:7 exulte& one gri11le& 'eteran! an& y la&y )ueen" 5o &isres$ect ight ha'e been a &ifferent tale ha& not Fit1 co e to free a&e sure I recei'e& y &ue as %ell"

(ettricken sai& )uietly" Their res$ect for her gre% as she &i& not glory in her triu $h! but They congratulate& her lou&ly! an& s$oke angrily of scouring the %oo&s to orro% all about Buckkee$" 6It sha es us all as sol&iers! that our o%n )ueen
1?E8

cannot ri&e forth safely:7 &eclare& one %o an" She set her han& to the hilt of her bla&e an& s%ore on it to ha'e it bloo&e& %ith Forge& bloo& by the orro%" Se'eral others follo%e& her exa $le" The talk gre% lou&! bra'a&o an& relief at the Iueen.s safety fueling it" It beca e a triu $hal $rocession ho e! until Aerity arri'e&" He ca e at a &ea& gallo$! on a horse lathere& by both &istance an& s$ee&" I kne% then that the search ha& not been a brief one! an& coul& only guess at ho% la&y %as any roa&s Aerity ha& tra'ele& since he ha& recei'e& %or& his issing"

6Ho% coul& you be so foolish as to go so far astray:7 %ere his first %or&s to her" His 'oice %as not ten&er" I sa% her hea& lose its $rou& lift! an& hear& the uttere& co ents of the an closest to e" Fro there nothing %ent %ell" %ince as she tol& hi He &i& not scol& her before his en! but I sa% hi

$lainly %hat ha& beco e of her an& ho% she ha& kille& to &efen& herself" He %as not $lease& to ha'e her s$eak so $lainly of a ban& of Forge& ones! bra'e enough to attack the Iueen! an& scarce out of Buckkee$.s sha&o%" That %hich Aerity ha& sought to kee$ )uiet %oul& be on e'eryone.s li$s to orro%! %ith the a&&e& filli$ that it ha& been the Iueen herself they.& &are& to attack" Aerity shot co e a ur&erous glance! as if it %ere all y &oing! an& roughly the ! carrying her back ake the an&eere& fresh horses fro t%o of his guar& to take hi self an& his

)ueen back to Buckkee$" He %hiske& her a%ay fro

to Buckkee$ at a gallo$ as if arri'ing there sooner %oul& so eho% honor of bringing her safely ho e" I

breach of safety less real" He see e& not to reali1e he ha& &enie& his guar& the yself ro&e back slo%ly %ith the ! trying not to hear the &isgruntle& %or&s ore on her s$irit an& thought it sa& she.& not been

of the sol&iers" They &i& not )uite critici1e the (ing/in/;aiting! but co $li ente& the Iueen

1?E<

%elco e& back %ith an e brace an& a kin& %or& or t%o" If any ga'e thought to Regal.s beha'ior! they &i& not s$eak it alou&" =ater that night! in the stables! after I.& seen to Sooty! I hel$e& Burrich an& Han&s $ut Softste$ an& Truth! Aerity.s horse! to rights" Burrich gru ble& at ho% har& both beasts ha& been use&" Softste$ ha& taken a the attack! an& her %ar outh %as sore! bruise& fro inor scratch &uring fighting for her hea&! but

neither ani al %oul& take $er anent hurt" Burrich sent Han&s off to fix a ash of grain for the both" Only then &i& he )uietly tell ho% Regal ha& co e in! gi'en his horse o'er for stabling! an& gone u$ to the (ee$ %ithout so uch as entioning (ettricken" Burrich hi self ha& been alerte& by a stable boy! asking %here Softste$ %as" ;hen Burrich ha& set about to fin& out! an& a&e so bol& as to ask Regal hi self! Regal ha& re$lie& that he ha& thought (ettricken ha& staye& on the roa& an& co e in %ith her atten&ants" So Burrich ha& been the one to soun& the alar ! %ith Regal 'ery 'ague as to %here he ha& actually left the roa&! an& %hat &irection the fox ha& le& hi ! an& $resu ably (ettricken" 6He.s co'ere& his tracks %ell!7 Burrich -y feet %ere lea&en as I a&e uttere& to e as Han&s y heart ca e back %ith the grain" I kne% he &i& not refer to the fox" y %ay u$ to the (ee$ that night! an& as %ell" I &i& not %ant to i agine %hat (ettricken %as feeling! nor &i& I care to consi&er %hat the talk %as in the guar&roo " I $ulle& off into be&! an& instantly into a slee$" -olly %as %aiting for an& the only $eace I kne%" I %as a%akene& a short ti e later! by so eone $oun&ing on a$ roo " I tol& hi befallen us no%"
1?E?

y clothes an& fell e in y &rea s!

y latche& &oor" I e to Aerity.s

arose an& o$ene& it to a slee$y $age! %ho.& been sent to fetch I kne% the %ay an& sent hi

back to be&" I &ragge& on

y clothes hastily an& race& &o%n the stairs! %on&ering %hat &isaster ha&

Aerity %as %aiting for

e there! the hearthfire al ost the only light in the his be& hi self! an& I brace& an&e& yself for

roo " His hair %as ru $le&! an& he ha& thro%n a robe on o'er his nightshirt" *lainly he ha& 4ust co e fro %hate'er ne%s he.& recei'e&" 6Shut the &oor:7 he co e tersely" I &i&

an& then ca e to stan& before hi " I coul& not tell if the glint in his eyes %as anger or a use ent as he abru$tly &e an&e&! 6;ho is =a&y Re&/Skirts! an& %hy &o I &rea of her e'ery night07 y tongue" Des$erately I %on&ere& 4ust ho% $ri'y to ore ex$ose&" ight ha'e starte& as a e! es$ecially so these last y e" Ha& I stoo& nake& before the I coul& not fin&

&rea s he ha& been" E barrass ent &i11ie& %hole court! I coul& not ha'e felt

Aerity turne& his face asi&e an& ga'e a cough that $ri'y to your secret+ rather you ha'e thrust it u$on fe% nights" #n& I nee&

chuckle" 69o e! boy! it is not as if I cannot un&erstan&" I &i& not %ish to be y slee$! not to start u$ in be& fe'ere& %ith your """

a& iration for this %o an"7 He sto$$e& s$eaking abru$tly" -y fla ing blush %as %ar er than any hearthfire" 6So!7 he sai& unco fortably" Then abru$tly3 6Sit &o%n" I a hea&" 6Strange! Fit1! that you can block in& at ti es! but s$ill your the night" I su$$ose it s$rings fro I ha& not going to teach your you to guar& your thoughts as %ell as you guar& your tongue"7 He shook his y Skilling so co $letely fro ost $ri'ate &esires out like a %olf ho%ling into %hat Jalen &i& to you" ;oul& %e coul&

un&o that" But as %e can.t! I shall teach you %hat I can! %hene'er I can"7 o'e&" Su&&enly neither of us coul& look at the other" 69o e here!7 e" =ook into the fla es"7 e an exercise to $ractice! one that %oul& he re$eate& gruffly" 6Sit &o%n here %ith #n& in the s$ace of an hour! he ga'e kee$ y &rea s to yself! or

ore likely! ensure that I ha& no &rea s at all"

1?EB

;ith a sinking heart I reali1e& I %oul& lose e'en the -olly of as surely as I.& lost the real one" He sense& y glu ness"

y i agination

69o e! Fit1! it %ill $ass" (ee$ a rein on yourself an& en&ure" It can be &one" -ay co e a &ay %hen you %ill %ish your life to be as e $ty of %o en as it is no%" #s I &o"7 6She &i&n.t Aerity shot ean to get lost! sir"7 e a baleful glance" 6Intentions cannot be exchange& for results" ust al%ays think! not once! but thrice!

She is )ueen/in/%aiting! boy" She before she takes action"7 6She tol& that horse"7

e that Softste$ follo%e& Regal.s horse! an& %oul& not res$on& to

the rein" You can fault Burrich an& I for that+ %e.re su$$ose& to ha'e traine& He sighe& su&&enly" 6I su$$ose so" 9onsi&er yourself rebuke&! an& tell Burrich to fin& y la&y a less s$irite& horse to ri&e until she is a better horse%o an"7 e sa&ly %ith those great blue eyes! but s$eak not a %or& y $eo$le think of her07 He sighe& again! &ee$ly" 6I su$$ose she %ill consi&er that a $unish ent fro e" She %ill look at against it" #h! %ell" It cannot be hel$e&" But &i& she ha'e to kill! an& then to s$eak of it so blithely0 ;hat %ill 6She scarcely ha& a choice! sir" ;oul& it ha'e been better for her to &ie0 #s to %hat folk %ill think """ %ell" The sol&iers %ho first foun& us thought her $lucky" #n& ca$able" 5ot ba& )ualities for a Iueen! sir" The %o en! es$ecially! in your guar& s$oke %ar ly of her as %e returne&" They see her as their )ueen no%! knife %ill gi'e us hi&es behin& %alls"7 uch ore than if she %ere a %ee$ing! )uailing thing" They %ill follo% her %ithout )uestion" In ti es like these! $erha$s a Iueen %ith a ore heart than a %o an %ho &ra$es herself in 4e%els an&

1?EC

6*erha$s!7 Aerity sai& )uietly" I sense& he &i& not agree! 6But no% all shall kno%! #n& fro ost 'i'i&ly! of the Forge& ones %ho are gathering about Buckkee$"7 the " the talk of your guar& as %e ca e back! I think there shall be far 6They shall kno%! too! that a &eter ine& $erson can &efen& herself fro fe%er Forge& ones a %eek hence"7 6I kno% that" So e %ill be slaying their o%n kin" Forge& or not! it is Six Duchies bloo& %e are she&&ing" I ha& sought to a'oi& ha'ing o%n $eo$le"7 # s all silence fell bet%een us as %e both reflecte& he ha& not scru$le& to set e to that sa e task" #ssassin" That %as the %or& for %hat I %as" I ha& no honor to $reser'e! I reali1e&" 65ot true! Fit1"7 He ans%ere& y thought" 6You $reser'e y honor" #n& I honor you for that! for &oing %hat ust be &one" The ugly %ork! the hi&&en ust re ain secret" y guar& kill y

%ork" Do not be sha e& that you %ork to $reser'e the Six Duchies" Do not think I &o not a$$reciate such %ork si $ly because it Tonight! you sa'e& sur'i'e&"7 6;ell" ;e %on.t %on&er about that"7 He $ause&! then sai& a%k%ar&ly! 6I re%ar& you! you kno%"7 ;hen I o$ene& y outh to $rotest! he hel& u$ a forbi&&ing han&" 6I kno% uch bet%een us that ost folk y gratitu&e" But you re)uire nothing" I kno%! too! that there is alrea&y so nothing I coul& gi'e you %oul& be sufficient for ust y )ueen" I &o not forget that either"7

6She nee&e& little sa'ing! sir" I belie'e that e'en alone! she %oul& ha'e

kno% nothing of that" ;ill you ha'e it sai& in Buckkee$ To%n that you sa'e& the Iueen.s life! an& the (ing/in/;aiting ackno%le&ge& you not at all0 But I a at a loss to kno% %hat to gift you %ith """ it shoul& be so ething 'isible! ust carry it about %ith you for a %hile" That
1?ED

an& you

uch I kno% of

statecraft! at least" # s%or&0 So ething better than that $iece of iron you %ere carrying tonight07 6It.s an ol& bla&e Ho& tol& %orks"7 6Ob'iously" I shall ha'e her select a better one for you! an& &o a bit of fancy%ork on the hilt an& scabbar&" ;oul& that &o it07 6I think so!7 I sai& a%k%ar&ly" 6;ell" =et.s back to be&! shall %e0 #n& I shall be able to slee$ no%! %on.t I07 There %as no ane%" 6Sir" I ha'e to ask""""7 I fu ble& the har& %or&s out" 6Do you kno% %ho I %as &rea ing about07 He shook his hea& slo%ly" 6Do not fear you ha'e co $ro ise& her honor" I kno% only that she %ears blue skirts! but you see the lo'ing her" Only to sto$ Skilling it about at night" I a such Skilling! though I belie'e I a signature on the &rea as re&" #n& that you lo'e her %ith an ar&ency that is a$$ro$riate to youth" Do not struggle to sto$ not the only one o$en to the only one %ho %oul& recogni1e your an can be istaking the a use ent in his 'oice no%" -y cheeks burne& e to take to $ractice %ith!7 I &efen&e& yself" 6It

so $lain" Still! be cautious" Jalen.s coterie is not fro his Skill &rea s" ust ha'e hear& e back to

%ithout Skill! e'en if they use it clu sily an& %ith little strength" # un&one %hen his ene ies learn %hat is &earest to hi

(ee$ your guar& u$"7 He ga'e an ina&'ertent chuckle" 6#n& ho$e your =a&y Re&/Skirts has no Skill in her bloo&! for if she &oes at all! she you all these any nights"7 y hea&! he &is isse& #n& ha'ing $ut that unsettling thought into

y cha bers an& be&" I &i& not slee$ again that night"

1?EE

9H#*TER EIJHT The Iueen #%akes Oh! so e folk ri&e to the %il&/boar hunt Or for elk they nock their arro%s But y lo'e ro&e %ith the Aixen Iueen To lay to rest our sorro%s" She &i& not &rea 5or fear %hat $ain #n& of fa e that &ay ight fin& her"

She ro&e to heal her $eo$le.s hearts y lo'e ro&e behin& her" /7The Aixen Iueen.s Hunt7 The %hole (ee$ %as astir early the next &ay" There %as a fe'ere&! al ost festi'al air in the courtyar& as Aerity.s $ersonal guar& an& e'ery %arrior %ho ha& no sche&ule& &uties that &ay asse& for a hunt" Tracking houn&s baye& assi'e 4a%s an& barrel chests resti'ely! %hile the $ull/&o%n &ogs %ith their %oul& hunt the

huffe& excite&ly an& teste& their restraints" Bets %ere alrea&y being set on %ho ost successfully" Horses $a%e& the earth! bo%strings %ere checke&! %hile $ages ran helter/skelter e'ery%here" Insi&e the kitchen! half the cooking staff %as busy $utting u$ $ackages of foo& for the hunters to take %ith the " Sol&iers young an& ol&! ale an& fe ale! strutte& an& laughe& alou&! bragging of $ast confrontations! co $aring %ea$ons! buil&ing s$irit for the hunt" I ha& seen this a hun&re& ti es! before a %inter hunt for elk! or bear" But

1BHH

no% there %as an e&ge to it! a rank s ell of bloo&lust on the air" I hear& snatches of con'ersations! %or&s that 6""" no a&e e )ueasy3 ercy for that &ung """7! 6""" co%ar&s an& traitors! to &are to attack the y %ay through an area busy as a stirre&

Iueen """7! 6""" shall $ay &early" They &on.t &eser'e a s%ift &eath """"7 I &ucke& hastily back into the kitchen! threa&e& for re'enge" I foun& Aerity in his a$ roo " I coul& tell he ha& %ashe& an& &resse& hi self afresh this &ay! but he %ore last night as $lainly as a &irty robe" He %as attire& for a &ay insi&e! a ong his $a$ers" I ta$$e& lightly at the &oor! although it stoo& a4ar" He sat in a chair before the fire! his back to not look u$ at e" He no&&e&! but &i& e as I entere&" For all his stillness! there %as a charge& air to anthill" Here! too! I hear& the sa e sorts of senti ents 'oice&! the sa e cra'ing

the roo ! the gathering of a stor " # tray of breakfast reste& on a table besi&e his chair! untouche&" I ca e an& stoo& )uietly besi&e hi ! al ost certain I ha& been Skille& here" #s the silence gre% longer I %on&ere& if Aerity hi self kne% %hy" #t length I &eci&e& to s$eak" 6-y $rince" You &o not ri&e %ith your guar& to&ay07 I 'enture&" It %as as if I ha& o$ene& a floo&gate" He turne& to look at e+ the lines in his face ha& been gra'en &ee$er o'ernight" He looke& haggar&! sickene&" 6I &o not" I &are not" Ho% coul& I countenance such a thing! this hunting &o%n of our o%n folk an& kin: #n& yet %hat is %aiting: I &are not forbi& Ia y y alternati'e0 To hi&e an& o$e %ithin y )ueen/in/ the (ee$ %alls %hile others go out to a'enge this insult to en to u$hol& their honor" So I una%are of %hat goes on in the courtyar&" #s if I a

ust beha'e as if a si $leton! or a

laggar&! or a co%ar&" There %ill be a balla& %ritten about this &ay! I &oubt it not" ;hat shall it be calle&0 RAerity.s -assacre of the ;itless.0 Or RIueen (ettricken.s Sacrifice of the Forge&.07 His 'oice rose on e'ery %or&! an&
1BH1

before he %as half/&one! I ha& ste$$e& to the &oor an& shut it fir ly" I looke& about the roo these %or&s" 6Di& you slee$ at all! y $rince07 I aske& %hen he ha& run &o%n" y first y He s ile& %ith bleak a use ent" 6;ell you kno% %hat $ut an en& to cha ber"7 I felt y ears begin to %ar " ;hate'er he %as about to tell e! I &i& not %ant last night" erciless" to hear it" I ha& no %ish to kno% %hat ha& $asse& bet%een the Iuarrel or a en& ent! I %ante& to kno% nothing of it" Aerity %as 65ot %ee$ing! as you against night fears! or reassure& of as he rante&! %on&ering %ho else besi&es yself %as hearing

atte $t at rest" -y secon& %as less """ engaging" -y la&y ca e to

ight think she %oul&" 5ot for co fort" 5ot to be hel& y regar&" But s%or& stiff as a rebuke& y $ar&on for her ob!

sergeant! to stan& at the foot of the be& an& beg he reali1e& he betraye& too not I" She ca e to e in the no ans%er for her! any anger for (ettricken"

transgressions" ;hiter than chalk an& har& as oak """7 His 'oice traile& off! as if uch of hi self" 6She foresa% this hunting i&&le of the night! asking %hat ust %e &o" I ha& his

ore than I &o no%/7

6#t least she foresa% this!7 I 'enture&! ho$ing to bring so e res$ite fro

6#n& I &i& not!7 he sai& hea'ily" 6She &i&" 9hi'alry %oul& ha'e" Oh! 9hi'alry %oul& ha'e kno%n it %oul& ha$$en fro bring her s%iftly ho e! an& ho$e not too coul& be: #n& so to&ay I think to rest on y bro%! it %ill be in a the o ent she %ent issing! an& %oul& ha'e ha& all sorts of contingency $lans" But I &i& not" I thought only to any hear& of it" #s if such a thing yself that if e'er the cro%n &oes co e to an %ith his confi&ence in

ost un%orthy $lace"7 atch (ettricken %as for hi " It %as not her
1BH2

This %as a *rince Aerity I ha& ne'er seen before! a tatters" I finally sa% ho% $oor a

fault" She %as strong! an& raise& to rule" Aerity often sai& hi self he ha& been raise& as a secon& son" The right sort of %o an %oul& ha'e stea&ie& hi sea anchor! hel$e& hi certain he %as a a&e hi %ee$ing to his be&! to be cu&&le& an& reassure&! %oul& ha'e let hi like a arise rise to assu e his kingshi$" # %o an %ho ha& co e

an an& fit to be a (ing" (ettricken.s &isci$line an& restraint

&oubt his o%n strength" -y $rince %as hu an! I su&&enly $ercei'e&"

It %as not reassuring" 6You shoul& at least co e out an& s$eak to the !7 I 'enture&" 6#n& say %hat0 RJoo& hunting.0 5o" But you go! boy" Jo an& %atch an& bring e %or& of %hat is ha$$ening" Jo no%" #n& shut I turne& an& &i& as he bi& y &oor" I ha'e no &esire to see anyone else until you return %ith %or& of %hat goes on"7 e" #s I left the Jreat Hall an& %ent &o%n the u$ an& about orning ha& been no choice of $assage to the courtyar&! I encountere& Regal" He %as sel&o this early! an& he looke& as if his arising this %ere

his" His clothing an& hair %ere %ell arrange&! but all the tiny $ri $ing touches issing3 no earring! no carefully fol&e& an& $inne& silk at his throat! an& the only 4e%elry %as his signet ring" His hair %as co be&! but not scente& an& curle&" #n& his eyes %ere net%orke& in re&" Fury ro&e hi " #s I sought to $ass hi he sei1e& e an& 4erke& e to face hi " That! at least! %as his intention" I y o'e uscles" #n& foun&! to e" He turne& to face y &elight an& e! eyes bla1ing! e eye to eye" I y outh! but it &i& not resist! but an& foun& out that he erely laxe&

a a1e ent! that he coul& not

ust look u$! e'er so slightly! to glare at

ha& gro%n an& $ut on %eight" I ha& kno%n that! but ha& ne'er consi&ere& this &elightful si&e effect" I sto$$e& the grin before it reache& ust ha'e sho%e& in rock e" # bit" y eyes" He ga'e e a 'iolent sho'e! an& I allo%e& it to

6;here.s Aerity07 he snarle&"

1BH8

6-y $rince07 I )uerie&! as if not gras$ing %hat he &esire&" 6;here is anage&" I &i& not lie" 6So e &ays he goes early to his to%er" Or he I su$$ose" Or in the baths """7 I offere&" 6>seless bastar&!7 Regal &is isse& e! an& %hirle&! to hurry off in the &irection of the to%er" I ho$e& the cli b %oul& a use hi " #s soon as he %as out of sight! I broke into a run! not to %aste the $recious ti e I ha& gaine&" The o ent I entere& the courtyar&! the reason for Regal.s fury %as a&e clear" (ettricken stoo& ato$ a %agon seat! an& e'ery hea& %as turne& u$ to%ar& her" She %ore the sa e clothes she ha& the night before" By &aylight! I coul& see ho% a s$ray of bloo& ha& arke& the slee'e of the %hite fur 4acket! an& ho% a hea'ier $lu e of it ha& soake& an& staine& her $ur$le trousers" She %as boote& an& hatte&! rea&y to ri&e" # s%or& %as buckle& at" her hi$" Dis ay rose in e" Ho% coul& she0 I glance& about! %on&ering %hat she ha& been o ent an an& %o an see e& to be hol&ing breath! a%aiting saying" E'ery face %as turne& to her! eyes %i&e" I ha& e erge& into a of utter silence" E'ery ay be breakfasting! y brother0 That %retche& %ife of his/7 He broke off! strangling on y brother usually at this ti e of &ay07 he finally his anger" 6;here is

her next %or&s" ;hen they ca e! they %ere uttere& in a s$eaking 'oice! cal ly! but so silent %as the cro%& that her clear 'oice carrie& in the col& air" 6This is not a hunt! I say!7 (ettricken re$eate& gra'ely" 6*ut asi&e your erri ent an& boasts" Re o'e fro your bo&ies e'ery bit of 4e%elry! e'ery sign of rank" =et your hearts be sole n an& consi&er %hat %e &o"7 Her %or&s %ere accente& still %ith the fla'or of the -ountains! but a cool $art of y in& obser'e& ho% carefully chosen %as each %or&! ho% balance& each $hrase"

1BH<

6;e &o not go to hunt!7 she re$eate&" 6But to clai lay to rest those the Re&/Shi$s ha'e stolen fro

our casualties" ;e go to

us" The Re&/Shi$s ha'e taken

the hearts of the Forge& ones! an& left their bo&ies to stalk us" 5onetheless! those %e $ut &o%n to&ay are of the Six Duchies" Our o%n" 6-y sol&iers! I ask of you that no arro% be loose& to&ay! no blo% struck sa'e for a clean kill" I kno% you skille& enough to &o this" ;e ha'e all suffere& enough" =et each &eath to&ay be as brief an& uch resol'e an& regret as if %e se'ere& a is %hat %e &o" 5ot 'engeance! healing" Do as I say! no%"7 For so e fe% folk began to fro inutes she stoo& still an& looke& &o%n at us all" #s in a &rea ! o'e" Hunters re o'e& feathers an& ribbons! tokens an& 4e%elry to $ages" The oo& of erri ent an& erciful as %e can anage! for all our sakes" =et us clench our 4a%s! an& re o'e that %hich infects us! %ith as ai e& li b fro a bo&y" For such y $eo$le! but surgery! to be follo%e& by a

their gar ents an& han&e& the

boasting ha& e'a$orate&" She ha& stri$$e& that $rotection a%ay! force& all to consi&er truly %hat they %ere about to &o" 5o one relishe& it" #ll %ere $oise&! %aiting to hear %hat she %oul& say next" (ettricken ke$t her absolute silence an& stillness! so that each eye %as $erforce &ra%n back to her" ;hen she sa% she ha& the attention of all! she s$oke again" 6Joo&!7 she $raise& us )uietly" 6#n& no% hee& y %or&s %ell" I &esire horse/ &ra%n litters! or %agons """ %hate'er you of the stable 4u&ge best" *a& the %ell %ith stra%" 5o bo&y of our folk %ill be left to fee& foxes or be $ecke& by cro%s" They %ill be brought back here! na es note& if kno%n! an& $re$are& for the $yre that is the honor of those fallen in battle" If fa ilies be kno%n an& be near! they shall be su one& to the ourning" To those %ho li'e far! %or& %ill be sent! an& the honors &ue those %ho ha'e lost their bloo& kin as sol&iers"7 Tears ran unchecke&! untouche& &o%n her cheeks" They glinte& in
1BH?

the early/%inter sunlight like &ia on&s" Her 'oice thickene& as she turne& to co an& another grou$" 6-y cooks an& ser'ing folk: Set all tables in the ay $re$are the bo&ies of our folk for burning" #ll ourn the "7 She ga1e& about! eeting e'ery eye" ake rea&y to an&e& us" Jreat Hall an& $re$are a funeral feast" Set the =esser Hall %ith %ater an& herbs an& clean gar ents that %e return! to burn our &ea& an& others! lea'e your or&inary &uties" Fetch %oo& an& buil& a $yre" ;e shall So ething in her face set" She &re% the s%or& fro her belt an& $ointe& it aloft

in an oath" 6;hen %e ha'e &one %ith our grie'ing! %e shall she lo%ere& her bla&e! sheathe& it cleanly" #gain her eyes co 6#n& no% %e ri&e! y folk:7 e! -y flesh stoo& u$ in goose bu $s" #roun&

a'enge the : Those %ho ha'e taken our folk shall kno% our %rath:7 Slo%ly

en an& %o en %ere

ounting horses an& a hunt %as for ing u$" ;ith i $eccable ti ing! Burrich %as su&&enly besi&e the %agon! %ith Softste$ sa&&le& an& a%aiting her ri&er" I %on&ere& %here he ha& gotten the black/an&/re& harness! the colors of grief an& 'engeance" I %on&ere& if she ha& or&ere& it! or if he ha& si $ly kno%n" She ste$$e& &o%n! onto her horse.s back! then settle& into the sa&&le! an& Softste$ stoo& stea&y &es$ite the no'el s%or&" The hunt surge& forth behin& her3 6Sto$ her:7 hisse& Regal behin& stoo& at gi'en the e! an& I s$un to fin& that both he an& Aerity y back! co $letely unnotice& by the cro%&" all so ething back" I &on.t kno% %hat it is! but they ha'e been sore ount" She lifte& her han&! an& it hel& a

65o:7 I &are& to breathe alou&" 69annot you feel it0 Do not s$oil it" She.s issing it for a long ti e"7 6It is $ri&e!7 Aerity sai&! his &ee$ 'oice a ru ble" 6;hat %e ha'e all been issing! an& I ost of all" There ri&es a Iueen!7 he continue& in soft a a1e ent" ;as there a sha&e of en'y there as %ell0 He turne& slo%ly an&
1BHB

%ent )uietly back into the (ee$" Behin& us a babble of 'oices arose! an& folk hastene& to &o as she ha& bi&&en the " I %alke& behin& Aerity! near stunne& by %hat I ha& %itnesse&" Regal $ushe& $ast e! to lea$ in front of Aerity an& confront hi " He %as )ui'ering %ith outrage" -y $rince halte&" 6Ho% can you ha'e allo%e& this to ha$$en0 Ha'e you no control o'er that %o an at all0 She akes ockery of us: ;ho is she! to thus issue co an&s an& take out an ar e& guar& fro 6-y %ife!7 Aerity sai& chose" Father assure& the (ee$: ;ho is she! to &ecree all this so

highhan&e&ly:7 Regal.s 'oice cracke& in his fury" il&ly" 6#n& your )ueen/in/%aiting" The one you e you %oul& choose a %o an %orthy to be a Iueen" I

think you $icke& better than you kne%"7 6Your %ife0 Your un&oing! you ass: She un&er ines you! she cuts your throat as you slee$: She steals their hearts! she buil&s her o%n na e: 9annot you see it! you &olt0 You Ia not:7 y shoe so I coul& not %itness that ay be content to let that -ountain 'ixen steal the cro%n! but

I turne& asi&e hastily an& bent to retie an o$enhan&e& blo% to a

*rince Aerity struck *rince Regal" I &i& hear so ething 'ery like the crack of an.s face an& a bitten off cry of fury" ;hen I outh" 6(ing/in/;aiting Aerity %ill y ine as looke& u$! Aerity %as stan&ing as )uietly as before! %hile Regal hunkere& for%ar& %ith a han& o'er his nose an& brook no insults to Iueen/in/;aiting (ettricken" Or e'en to hi self" I sai& la&y ha& rea%akene& $ri&e in our sol&iers" *erha$s she has stirre& %ell"7 Aerity looke& il&ly sur$rise& as he consi&ere& this" his face! looke& 6The (ing %ill hear of this:7 Regal took his han& a%ay fro

aghast at the bloo& on it" He hel& it u$! shaking! to sho% Aerity" 6-y father %ill see this bloo& you ha'e she&:7 he )ua'ere&! an& choke& on the bloo&

1BHC

coursing fro a%ay fro

his nose" He leane& for%ar& slightly an& hel& his bloo&y han&

hi self so as not to s$oil his clothing %ith a stain" anage that! co e an& sho% an&s are %ell obeye&:7 a&e haste to obey an& to e as %ell:7 To e3 6Fit1:

6;hat0 You inten& to blee& all the %ay to this afternoon! %hen our father arises0 If you can that take in the y la&y.s co Ha'e you nothing better to &o than stan& about ga$ing0 Be off %ith you" See Aerity turne& an& stro&e off &o%n the corri&or" I

yself out of Regal.s range" Behin& us! he sta $e& an& curse& like a chil& i&st of a tantru " 5either of us turne& back to hi ! but I at least ho$e& arke& %hat ha& trans$ire&" a&e a 'isit to (ing a$ roo " I kno% not %hat

that no ser'ants ha&

It %as a long an& $eculiar &ay about the (ee$" Aerity Shre%&.s roo s! an& then ke$t hi self to his

Regal &i&" #ll folk turne& out to &o the Iueen.s bi&&ing! %orking s%iftly! but al ost silently! gossi$ing )uietly a ong the sel'es as they $re$are& the one hall for foo& an& the other for bo&ies" One great change I %o en %ho ha& been arke&" Those ost faithful to the Iueen no% foun& the sel'es

atten&e&! as if they %ere sha&o%s of (ettricken" #n& these nobly born %o en su&&enly &i& not scru$le to co e the sel'es to the =esser Hall! to su$er'ise the $re$aring of the herb/scente& %ater an& the laying out of to%els an& linens" I yself hel$e& %ith the fetching of %oo& for the re)uire& $yre" By late afternoon! the hunt returne&" They ca e )uietly! ri&ing in sole n guar& aroun& the %agons they escorte&" (ettricken ro&e at their hea&" She looke& tire&! an& fro1en in a %ay that ha& nothing to &o %ith the col&" I %ante& to go to her! but &i& not steal the honor as Burrich ca e to take her horse.s hea& an& assist her &is ount" Fresh bloo& s$attere& her boots an& Softste$.s shoul&ers" She ha& not or&ere& her sol&iers to &o that %hich she %oul& not &o herself" ;ith a )uiet co an&! (ettricken &is isse& the guar& to %ash the sel'es! to
1BHD

co b hair an& bear&s! an& to return freshly clothe& to the hall" #s Burrich le& Softste$ a%ay (ettricken stoo& briefly alone" # sa&ness grayer than anything I ha& e'er felt e anate& fro She &i& not turn" 6I her" She %as %eary" So 'ery %eary" y la&y )ueen!7 I sai& softly" yself" Then she o'e& yself" But be close! in case I nee& you"7 She I a$$roache& her )uietly" 6If you ha'e nee&! ust &o this s$oke so )uietly I a ackno%le&ge& the

sure none hear& her but

for%ar&! an& the %aiting (ee$ folk $arte& before her" Hea&s bobbe& as she gra'ely" She %alke& silently through the kitchens! no&&ing ore at the foo& she sa% $re$are&! an& then $ace& through the Jreat Hall! once

no&&ing a$$ro'al of all she sa% there" In the =esser Hall! she $ause&! then re o'e& her gaily knit ca$ an& her 4acket! to re'eal un&erneath a si $le soft shirt of $ur$le linen" The ca$ an& 4acket she ga'e o'er to a $age! %ho looke& stunne& by the honor" She ste$$e& to the hea& of one of the tables an& began to fol& her slee'es back" #ll si $ly" The $itiful bo&ies %ere carrie& in! a heartbreaking strea count ho% any" -ore than I ha& ex$ecte&! o'e& fro of the " I &i& not ore than Aerity.s re$orts ha& le& o'e ent in the hall cease& as hea&s turne& to %atch her" She looke& u$ to our a a1e& regar&" 6Bring in our &ea&!7 she sai&

us to belie'e" I follo%e& behin& (ettricken! an& carrie& the basin of %ar scente& %ater as she bo&y to bo&y! an& gently bathe& each ra'age& face an& close& tor ente& eyes fore'er" Behin& us ca e others! a snaking $rocession as each bo&y %as un&resse& gently! co $letely bathe&! hair co be&! an& %oun& in clean cloth" #t so e $oint I beca e a%are that Aerity %as there! a young scribe besi&e hi ! going fro One na e I su$$lie& hi bo&y to bo&y! taking &o%n the na es of those fe% %ho %ere recogni1e&! %riting briefly of e'ery other" yself" (erry" The last -olly an& I ha& kno%n of this street boy! he ha& gone off as a $u$$eteer.s a$$rentice" He.& en&e& his
1BHE

&ays as little

ore than a $u$$et" His laughing

outh %as stille& fore'er" #s e

boys! %e.& run erran&s together! to earn a $enny or t%o" He.& been besi&e

the first ti e I got $uking &runk! an& laughe& until his o%n sto ach betraye& hi " He.& %e&ge& the rotten fish in the trestles of the ta'ern kee$er.s table! the one %ho ha& accuse& us of stealing" The &ays %e ha& share& I alone %oul& re e ber no%" I su&&enly felt less real" *art of e" ;hen %e %ere &one! an& stoo& silently looking at the tables of bo&ies! Aerity ste$$e& for%ar&! to rea& his tally alou& in the silence" The na es %ere fe%! but he &i& not neglect those unkno%n" 6# young an! ne%ly bear&e&! &ark hair! the scars of fishing on his han&s """7 he sai& of one! an& of another! 6# %o an! curly/haire& an& co ely! tattooe& %ith the $u$$eteers. guil& sign"7 ;e listene& to the litany of those %e ha& lost! an& if any &i& not %ee$! they ha& hearts of stone" #s a $eo$le! %e lifte& our &ea& an& carrie& the set the to the funeral $yre! to carefully ato$ this last be&" Aerity hi self brought the torch for the y $ast! Forge& a%ay fro

kin&ling! but he han&e& it off to the Iueen! %ho %aite& besi&e the $yre" #s she set fla e to the $itch/la&en boughs! she crie& out to the &ark skies! 6You shall not be forgotten:7 #ll echoe& her %ith a shout" Bla&e! the ol& sergeant! stoo& besi&e the $yre %ith shears! to take fro hair! a sy bol of the e'ery sol&ier a finger.s/length lock of ourning for a fallen co ra&e" Aerity 4oine& the )ueue!

an& (ettricken stoo& behin& hi ! to offer u$ a $ale lock of her o%n hair" There follo%e& a night such as I ha& ne'er kno%n" -ost of Buckkee$ To%n ca e to the (ee$ that night! an& %ere a& itte& %ithout )uestion" #ll follo%e& the Iueen.s exa $le an& ke$t a %atching fast until the $yre ha& burne& itself to ash an& bone" Then the Jreat Hall an& the =esser %ere fille&! an& $lanks lai& as tables outsi&e in the courtyar& for those %ho coul& not cro%& %ithin" (egs of &rink %ere rolle& out! an& such a setting out of brea& an& roaste&
1B1H

eat an&

other 'ian&s as I ha& not e'en i agine& that Buckkee$ $ossesse&" =ater I %as to learn that offere& freely" The (ing &escen&e&! as he ha& not for so e %eeks! to sit in his throne at the high table an& $resi&e o'er the gathering" The Fool ca e! too! to stan& besi&e an& behin& his chair an& acce$t fro this night he a&e not his $late %hate'er the (ing offere&" But ute erry for the (ing+ his fool.s $rattle %as stille&! an& eet that night! but for e! the glance carrie& no uch of it ha& si $ly co e u$ fro the to%n! unsought but

e'en the bells on his ca$ an& slee'es ha& been tie& in stri$s of fabric to the " Only once &i& our eyes &iscernible

essage" To the (ing.s right %as Aerity! to his left (ettricken" ourning" He sco%le& an& sulke& an& &rank! an& e! I coul& sense

Regal %as there! too! of course! in so su $tuous a costu e of black that only the color &enote& any sort of I su$$ose for so e his surly silence $asse& for grie'ing" For

the anger seething %ithin hi ! an& kne% that so eone! so e%here %oul& $ay for %hat he sa% as insult to hi self" E'en *atience %as there! her a$$earance as rare as the (ing.s! an& I sense& the unity of $ur$ose %e &is$laye&" The (ing ate but little" He %aite& until those at the High Table %ere fille& before he arose to s$eak" #s he s$oke! his %or&s %ere re$eate& at the lo%er tables! an& in the =esser Hall! an& e'en outsi&e in the courtyar& by instrels" He s$oke briefly of those %e ha& lost to the Re&/Shi$s" He sai& nothing of Forging! or of the &ay.s task of hunting &o%n an& killing the Forge& ones" He s$oke instea& as if they ha& but recently &ie& in a battle against the Re&/Shi$s! an& sai& only that %e ust re e ber the " Then! $lea&ing fatigue an& grief! ore than re$eat (ettricken.s %or&s ust ake he left the table to return to his o%n cha bers" Then it %as that Aerity arose" He &i& little of earlier! that %e grie'e& no%! but %hen the grie'ing %as o'er! %e

rea&y our 'engeance" He lacke& the fire an& i $assion ent of (ettricken.s
1B11

earlier s$eech! but I coul& see all at table res$on&ing to it" Folk no&&e& an& began to talk a ong the sel'es! %hile Regal sat an& glo%ere& silently" Aerity an& (ettricken left the table late that night! she on his ar ! an& they that all seek I arke& ho% they left together" Regal re aine&! &rinking an& y o%n be&" yself on y be& to stare into e&iately to ascen& to to hi self" I a&e sure uttering

yself sli$$e& a%ay shortly after Aerity an& (ettricken left! to

a&e no atte $t to fall aslee$! but only flung

the fire" ;hen the conceale& &oor o$ene&! I rose i 9ha&e.s cha bers" I foun& hi

a/4itter %ith an infectious excite ent" There

%as e'en a $inkness to his $ale cheeks about his $ock scars" His gray hair %as %il&! his green eyes glittere& like ge s" He %as $acing about his cha bers! an& as I entere& he actually sei1e& laughe& alou& at e in a rough e brace" He ste$$e& back an& y shocke& ex$ression" ay yet sa'e us all:7"

6She %as born to rule: Born to it! an& so eho% no% she has a%akene& to it: It coul& not ha'e co e at a better ti e: She His exultation %as unholy in its glee" 6I kno% not ho% any folk &ie& to&ay!7 I rebuke& hi " 6#h: But not in 'ain: #t least not in 'ain: Those %ere not %aste& &eaths! Fit19hi'alry" By El an& E&a both! (ettricken has the instinct an& the grace: I ha& not sus$ecte& it in her" 5o% ha& %e still your father ali'e! boy! an& hi $aire& %ith her on the throne! %e coul& ha'e a $air as coul& cu$ the %hole %orl& in their han&s"7 He took another si$ of his %ine an& $ace& again about his cha bers" I ha& ne'er seen hi so elate&" He all but ca$ere&" # co'ere& basket reste& on a table close to han&! an& its contents ha& been set out on a cloth" ;ine! cheese! sausages! $ickles! an& brea&" So e'en here in his to%er! 9ha&e share& the funeral feast" Slink the %easel $o$$e& u$ fro the other si&e

1B12

of the table! to regar& broke e fro

e $ast the foo& %ith a'aricious eyes" 9ha&e.s 'oice

y thoughts"

6She has an a $le share of %hat 9hi'alry ha&" The instinct for sei1ing the o ent an& turning it to a&'antage" She took an una'oi&able! un entionable situation an& a&e high trage&y of %hat ight ha'e been si $le slaughter in lesser han&s" Boy! %e ha'e a Iueen! a Iueen again at Buckkee$:7 I felt slightly re$ulse& by his 4oy" #n&! for an instant! cheate&" Hesitantly! I aske&! 6Do you think! really! that the Iueen &i& as she &i& for sho%0 That it %as all a calculate& $olitical acte& fro you think o'e07 ake it any less tactically brilliant" #h! y ignorance" The truth is! I kno% only eant to us" I kno% ostly en &ie& inor! in He halte& in his tracks! consi&ere& briefly" 65o" 5o! Fit19hi'alry! I belie'e she her heart" But that &oes not e heartless" Or callous in

too %ell" (no% far better than you %hat to&ay to&ay.s action" I can tell you ho% so! I ex$ect to kno%

to&ay" I e'en kno% that six of our o%n force took in4uries!

any Forge& ones fell! an& %ithin a &ay or e! inclu&e&

ost of their na es" 5a es alrea&y liste& by

in the tallies of all the Re&/Shi$s ha'e &one to us" It %ill be I! boy! %ho sees that the $urses of bloo& gol& are $ai& to sur'i'ing kin" Those fa ilies %ill be tol& the (ing regar&s their fallen as the e)uals of any of his sol&iers %ho fall in battle %ith the Re&/Shi$s" #n& entreats their ai& in taking 'engeance for the " They %ill not be $leasant letters to $en! Fit1" But $en the king07 6I beg $ar&on" It %as 4ust that you see e& so began" 6#n& erry I a : #s you shoul& be" ;e ha'e been ru&&erless an& &rifte&! $oun&e& by the %a'es an& $ushe& by e'ery %in&" #n& no%! co es a %o an!
1B18

I shall! in Aerity.s y

o%n han&! for Shre%&.s signature" Or &i& you think I &i& naught but kill for

erry %hen first I entere&7 I

to take the tiller an& cry the course" I fin& it a course full to e'eryone in the king&o on our knees" ;e rise! boy! %e rise to fight:7

y liking: #s shall being al%ays

%ho has sickene& these $ast years fro

I sa% then ho% his ebullience %as borne on the %a'e of his fury an& his grief" I re e bere& the ex$ression he ha& %orn %hen first %e ro&e into Forge to%n on that black &ay an& sa% %hat the Rai&ers ha& left of our folk" He ha& tol& then that I %oul& learn to care! that it %as in toaste& our )ueen" Then 9ha&e gre% his su that I %atch o'er (ettricken" 6I.'e been 6I. eaning to s$eak to you about that+ that Shre%& so eti es no% ent alrea&y a&e"7 re$eats an or&er alrea&y gi'en or a co e y bloo&" ;ith a rush I felt the

rightness of his senti ent! an& sei1e& u$ a glass to 4oin hi " Together %e ore sober! an& &i'ulge& the reason for ore re$eate& his or&er ons" The (ing! Shre%& hi self! ha& once

a%are enough of that! Fit1" ;hat can be &one! is" But the (ing.s health is yself assure you that his re$etition a&e this re)uest again ake in&" 5o" The (ing

another to$ic for another ti e" For no%! I %as not the rattling of a sickly

to&ay as he %as $re$aring hi self to &escen& to &inner" He re$eats it to follo% her! the Iueen $uts herself 6Regal!7 I snorte&" 6*rince Regal07 9ha&e )uerie&"

sure your efforts %ill be re&ouble&" He sees! as I &o! that by arousing folk to ore at risk" Though he %oul& not s$eak it so $lain" Be on your guar& for her safety"7

6He is %ho %e ha'e to fear! es$ecially no% that the Iueen has taken a $lace of $o%er"7 6I sai& nothing of the kin&" 5or shoul& you!7 9ha&e obser'e& )uietly" His 'oice %as cal but his face %as se'ere"

1B1<

6;hy not07 I challenge& hi " 6;hy one another07 6To one another! %e an&

ay not %e! at least once! s$eak $lain to

ight! if %e %ere entirely alone an& it concerne& only you

e" But such is not the case" ;e are (ing.s -en s%orn! an& (ing.s -en

&o not entertain e'en thoughts of treason! let alone """7 There %as a gagging noise! an& Slink &isgorge& hi self" On the table! besi&e the foo& basket" He snorte&! s$raying &ro$s of unconcerne&ly" I foun& a rag to clean u$ the yself" He %a'e& tersely" 6Jo on! ol& I carrie& hi ess" But %hen I got there! Slink %as lying on his e the e si&e! $anting! %hile 9ha&e $oke& at the 'o it %ith a ske%er" I nearly retche& y rag asi&e! $icking u$ Slink instea& an& han&ing an! go to Fit1! he.ll see to you"7 This to the %easel" y shirt" #t y &o%n an& $ulle& shi'ering creature" 69al hi ! an& get %ater &o%n hi !7 he &irecte& oisture" 6Jree&y little %retch: 9hoke& yourself! &i& you07 9ha&e rebuke& hi

o'er by the fire! %here he $ro $tly $uke& all &o%n

closer range! the s ell %as o'er$o%ering" #s I set hi shirt off! I caught an un&erlying scent! o$ene& y outh to s$eak 9ha&e confir e&

ore bitter than 'o it e'en" E'en as I y sus$icions" 6Aarta lea'es"

9rushe& fine" The s$iciness of the sausage %oul& conceal the taste %ell" =et.s ho$e the %ine %asn.t $oisone& as %ell! or %e.re both &ea&"7 E'ery hair on y bo&y stoo& u$ in horror" 9ha&e looke& u$ to see e to $ick Slink u$" He offere& hi e fro1en! an& $ushe& gently $ast stuffe& his a&e hi a saucer of %ater

an& looke& $lease& %hen Slink sa $le& it" 6I think he.ll li'e" The little $ig outh full! an& got a better taste of it than a hu an %oul& ha'e" >$ gag! not the $oison"7 it ca e" The stuff on the table looks che%e&! but not &igeste&" I think the taste

1B1?

6I ho$e so!7 I sai& faintly" E'ery one of

y ner'es %as tune& to an inner y

%aiting" Ha& I been $oisone&0 Di& I feel slee$y! nauseous! &i11y0 ;as tre ble" 5ot again"

outh nu b! &ry! %atering0 I broke out in a su&&en s%eat an& began to 6Sto$ it!7 9ha&e sai& )uietly" 6Sit &o%n" Drink so e %ater" You.re &oing this to yourself! Fit1" That bottle %as %ell seale& %ith an ol& cork" If the %ine %as $oisone&! it %as &one years ago" I kno% of fe% en %ith the $atience to $oison a bottle of %ine! an& then age it" I think %e.re fine"7 I &re% a shaky breath" 6But such %as not so eone.s intent" ;ho brought your foo&07 9ha&e ga'e a snort" 6I $re$are& %as fro y o%n foo&! as al%ays" But that on the table ti e to ti e folk seek to y a gift basket left for =a&y Thy e" Fro

curry fa'or %ith her! as it is ru ore& she has the (ing.s ear" I &i& not think as)uera&e %o an a likely target for $oison"7

6Regal!7 I sai& again" 6I tol& you he belie'es she is the (ing.s $oisoner" Ho% coul& you ha'e been so careless0 You kno% he bla es =a&y Thy e for his other.s &eath: Shall %e be so $olite as to let hi until the throne is his"7 6#n& I tell you again! I %ill hear nothing of treason:7 9ha&e all but shoute& the %or&s" He sat &o%n in his chair an& cra&le& Slink in his la$" The little beast sat u$! ti&ie& his %hiskers! an& then curle& u$ again to co $ose hi self for slee$" I %atche& 9ha&e.s $ale han&! the stan&ing ten&ons! the $a$er skin! as he stroke& his s all $et" He looke& only at the %easel! his face close&" #fter a o ent he s$oke torture& eyes to ore cal ly" 6I think our king %as right" ;e shoul& all ine" 6;atch o'er your %o en! boy" 5either innocence nor re&ouble our caution" #n& not 4ust for (ettricken" Or oursel'es"7 He lifte& ignorance is any $rotection against this night.s %ork" *atience! -olly! e'en
1B1B

kill us all0 He %ill not sto$

=acey" Fin& a %ay! a subtle %ay! to gi'e Burrich %arning as %ell"7 He sighe&! aske& of no one! 6Ha'e %e not ene ies enough outsi&e our %alls07 6#$lenty!7 I assure& hi " But I sai& no He shook his hea&" 6This is an ill %ay for 6;here07 6;here I nee& to go" 5o% I think I nee& al ost as hea& to hi self" 6Take care of yourself %hile I. to %atch o'er you"7 #n& that %as as uch to stay"7 He shook his gone! boy" I %on.t be about e" e ore ore of Regal to hi " e to begin a 4ourney"7

6# 4ourney0 You07 I %as incre&ulous" 9ha&e ne'er left the (ee$" #l ost"

uch as he %oul& tell

;hen I left hi ! he %as still staring into the fire! his lax han&s sheltering Slink" I %ent &o%n the stairs on 4elly legs" The atte $t on 9ha&e ha& shaken shiel& hi " #n& there %ere other! easier targets! 4ust as close to I &a ne& the bra'a&o that ha& earlier let e stronger I ha& gro%n" I ha& been a fool to te $t hi ha'e kno%n he %oul& fin& a less ob'ious target" In into fresh clothing" Then I left to attack than anything e'er ha&" 5ot e'en the secret of his existence ha& been enough to y heart" uch e+ I shoul& ake Regal a%are of ho%

y roo ! I change& hastily

y cha ber! cli be& the stairs! an& %ent ost

straight to -olly.s be&cha ber" I ta$$e& lightly on the &oor" 5o ans%er" I &i& not ta$ lou&er" It lacke& but an hour or t%o until &a%n+ $erson to see secon&s an& behin& e" o ent! letting y eyes a&4ust! then I o'e& carefully e at -olly.s &oor" Yet I ha& to kno%" atter of a&e note to yself that she %oul& ha'e a better one before an& &re% the &oor close& of the (ee$ %as exhauste&! abe&" Still! I ha& no &esire to rouse the %rong Her &oor %as latche&! but it %as a si $le one" I sli$$e& it in a to orro% night" Soft as sha&o%! I entere& her roo

# fire ha& burne& lo% in the hearth" Its lingering e bers cast an uncertain ha1e of light" I stoo& still a

1B1C

into the roo ! staying a%ay fro rhyth of -olly.s breath fro yself that she But I tease& &eath slee$ fro

the hearth light" I coul& hear the stea&y slee$ her be&" It shoul& ha'e been enough for yself that I %oul& &o no e" ight be fe'ere& an& sinking e'en no% into a ore than touch ore than that" I

$oison" I $ro ise&

her $illo%! 4ust to see if skin %as fe'ere& or nor al" 5o &rifte& to the be&si&e" Besi&e the be& I stoo& co'ers in the &i breathe&" Silently she s$rang u$ at 5o fe'erish $oison 'icti otionless" I coul& 4ust

ake out her sha$e un&er the an& s%eet" Healthy"

light" She s elle& heathery an& %ar

sle$t here" I kne% I shoul& go" 6Slee$ %ell!7 I e" The e ber light ran re& along the bla&e in her y

han&" 6-olly:7 I crie& as I $arrie& her knife han& asi&e %ith the back of the roo %as silent an&

forear " She fro1e! her other han& &ra%n back in a fist! an& for an instant all in otionless" Then3 65e%boy:7 she hisse& furiously! e to &eath: ;hat &o y roo : I an& $unche& e in the belly %ith her left han&" #s I &ouble& o'er! gas$ing for the be&" 6You i&iot: You frightene& y latch an& sneaking about in

air! she rolle& fro

you think you.re about! rattling at

shoul& call the (ee$ guar&s en to $ut you out:7 65o:7 I begge& as she thre% %oo& on the fire! an& then kin&le& a can&le at it" 6*lease" I.ll go" I all right"7 6;ell! I. not:7 she stor e& in a %his$er" Her hair %as confine& for the night e shar$ly of the little girl I ha& et so long e staring at her" She thre% a hea'ier robe a shaking %reck: I shan.t into t%o thick brai&s! re in&ing ago" # girl no longer" She caught eant no har or offense" I 4ust %ante& to be sure you %ere

about her shoul&ers an& belte& it at her %aist" 6I. &runk! then0 ;hat &o you %ant07
1B1D

slee$ another %ink tonight: You.'e been &rinking! ha'en.t you0 #re you

She a&'ance& on her" I &re%

e %ith the can&le as if it %ere a %ea$on" 65o!7 I assure& y shirt straight" 6I $ro ise you! I. ight ha$$en to

yself u$right an& tugge& a&e

not &runk" #n& truly! I ha& no ba& intentions" But """ so ething ha$$ene& tonight! so ething that e %orry that so ething ba& you! so I thought I ha& best co e an& ake sure you %ere all right! but I kne%

*atience %oul& not a$$ro'e! an& I certainly &i&n.t %ant to go %aking u$ the %hole (ee$! so I thought I %oul& 4ust sli$ in an&/7 65e%boy" You.re babbling!7 she infor e& It %as true" 6I. 6Don.t get co fortable!7 she %arne& %ith the (ee$ guar&s" Your choice"7 6I.ll go!7 I $ro ise&! stan&ing hastily" 6I 4ust %ante& to be sure you %ere all right"7 6I. fine!7 she sai& testily" 6;hy %oul&n.t I be fine0 I. as fine tonight as I %ere %as last night! as I ha'e been for the last thirty nights" On none of the you ins$ire& to co e an& ins$ect Ba& things ha$$en! that bastar&"7 The lines of her su$$ose& to outh %ent as flat as her 'oice as she aske&! 6;hat is that ean07 a&e e belie'e you ight be in ake y health" So %hy tonight07 ore ob'ious than others" e take stock of %hat %orse things coul& I took a breath" 6Because on so e nights threats are e icily" sorry!7 I sai& again! an& sat &o%n on the corner of the be&" e" 6You %ere 4ust lea'ing" #lone! or

ha$$en" On so e nights! it is not the healthiest thing to be the belo'e& of a

I took a breath! &eter ine& that I %oul& be as honest %ith her as I %as able" 6I cannot tell you %hat ha$$ene&" Only that it &anger" You %ill ha'e to trust/7 6That isn.t the $art I you &are to call eant" ;hat &o you ean! belo'e& of a bastar&0 Ho% &o e that07 Her eyes %ere bright %ith anger"
1B1E

I s%ear that through na e you

y heart thu&&e& to a halt in

y chest" The col& of &eath s%e$t

e" 6It is true! I ha'e no right!7 I sai& haltingly" 6But neither is there y belo'e& %oul& not &eter those %ho ight seek to in4ure e by y lo'e

any %ay I coul& sto$ caring for you" #n& %hether or not I ha'e the right to striking at you" Ho% can I say" I lo'e you so you! or at least coul& refrain fro uch that I %ish I &i& not lo'e

sho%ing that I lo'e& you! because

$uts you in such &anger! an& ha'e those %or&s be true07 Stiffly! I turne& to go" 6#n& ho% coul& I $ossibly &are to say I ha'e it be true07 -olly %on&ere& alou&" So ething in her 'oice ca e to take a a&e e turn aroun&" For a o ent %e 4ust looke& at e" 65e%boy" You e" To break into y one another" Then she burst out laughing" I stoo&! affronte& an& gri ! as she e! still laughing" Then she $ut her ar s aroun& ost roun&about $ath to finally &eclare you lo'e a&e sense of your last state ent an&

roo ! an& then to stan& there! tying your tongue in knots about the %or& Rlo'e". 9oul& not you si $ly ha'e sai& it! a long ti e ago07 I stoo& stu$i& in the circle of her ar s" I looke& &o%n at her" Yes! I reali1e& &ully! I ha& gro%n that uch taller than she" o ent I %as $u11le&" 6;ell07 she $ro $te&! an& for a cautiously! I $ut She s ile& u$ at

6I lo'e you! -olly"7 So easy to say! after all" #n& such a relief" Slo%ly! y ar s aroun& her" e" 6#n& I lo'e you"7 o ent of that kiss! so e%here near Buckkee$!

So! finally! I kisse& her" In the

a %olf lifte& u$ his 'oice in a 4oyous ululation that set e'ery houn& to baying an& e'ery &og to barking in a chorus that rang against the brittle night sky"

1B2H

9H#*TER 5I5E Juar&s an& Bon&s OFTE5TI-ES I >5DERST#5D an& co he his %ay! $a$er %oul& be as co bring to $ass all he ho$es" He gra'e each ti e a en& Fe&%ren.s state& &rea " Ha& on as brea&! an& e'ery chil& %oul& learn ourns of all the kno%le&ge that goes into a onest of en" He s$eaks of a ti e

his letters before he %as thirteen" But e'en %ere it so! I &o not think this %oul& an &ies! e'en the co

to co e %hen a blacks ith.s %ay of setting a shoe! or a shi$%right.s knack for $ulling a &ra%knife %oul& be set &o%n in letters! that any %ho coul& rea& coul& learn to &o as %ell" I &o not belie'e it is so! or e'er %ill be" So e things ay be learne& fro %or&s on a $age! but so e skills are learne& first by a an.s han&s an& heart! an& later by his hea&" I ha'e belie'e& this e'er since I sa% -astfish set the fish/sha$e& block of %oo& that he %as na e& after into Aerity.s first shi$" His eyes ha& seen that his han&s to sha$ing %hat his heart kne% be learne& fro co es! as &oes the Skill or the ;it! fro I returne& to astfish before it existe&! an& he set ust be" This is not a thing that can

%or&s on a $age" *erha$s it cannot be learne& at all! but the bloo& of one.s forebears" y hearth!

y o%n cha ber an& sat %atching the &ying e bers in

%aiting for the rest of the (ee$ to a%aken" I shoul& ha'e been exhauste&" Instea&! I al ost tre ble& %ith the energy rushing through $recisely %here her cheek ha& touche& y shirt fro that &ay! to carry that scent %ith e" I fancie& that if e" I kne% I sat 'ery still! I coul& still feel the %ar th of -olly.s ar s aroun&

ine" # 'ery faint scent of her clung to y clothing uch

our brief e brace! an& I agoni1e& o'er %hether to %ear the shirt e! or to set it asi&e carefully in y %is&o ! not

chest! to $reser'e it" I &i& not think it a foolish thing at all to care so about that" =ooking back! I s ile! but it is at
1B21

y folly"

-orning brought stor it only reco'er oursel'es fro

%in&s an& falling sno% to Buckkee$ 9astle! but to

a&e all insi&e the co1ier" *erha$s it %oul& gi'e us all a chance to yester&ay" I &i& not %ant to think about those $oor

ragge& bo&ies! or bathing the still! col& faces" 5or of the roaring fla es an& heat that ha& consu e& (erry.s bo&y" ;e coul& all use a )uiet &ay insi&e the (ee$" *erha$s the e'ening %oul& fin& all gathere& about the hearths! for storytelling! I tor ente& usic! an& con'ersation" I ho$e& so" I left yself! kno%ing %ell the exact y cha bers to go to *atience an& =acey" o ent %hen -olly %oul& &escen& the stairs to fetch a breakfast tray for *atience! an& also %hen she %oul& ascen& the stairs carrying it" I coul& be on the stairs or in the hall%ay as she $asse&" It %oul& be a inor thing! a coinci&ence" But I ha& no )uestion that e! an& they %oul& ake note there %ere those %ho ha& been set to %atching

of such 6coinci&ences7 if they occurre& too often" 5o" I ha& to hee& the %arnings that both the (ing an& 9ha&e ha& gi'en ha& a an.s self/control an& forbearance" If I y roo her! then I %oul&" So I sat in an& agoni1e& until I %as sure that she %oul& ha'e left y %atch u$on *atience an& =acey *atience.s cha bers" Then I &escen&e&! to ta$ u$on the &oor" #s I %aite& for =acey to o$en it I reflecte& that re&oubling extracting a $ro ise fro %as easier sai& than &one" But I ha& a fe% i&eas" I ha& begun last night! by -olly that she %oul& bring u$ no foo& she ha& not the co on ser'ing $ots" She ha& snorte& y face" She ost ar&ent goo&/bye" 65o% you soun& 4ust like e still staring at it" 6Jo to be&!7 she chi&e& of e" I ho$e I ha'e $lague& your $re$are& herself! or taken fresh fro at this! for it ha& co e after a =acey!7 she ha& rebuke& o$ene& it a e" I %oul& sho% -olly I ust %ait before I coul& court

e! an& gently close& the &oor in

o ent later! to fin&

e" Blushing! she a&&e&! 6#n& &rea

1B22

&rea s lately as to

uch as you ha'e

ine"7 Those %or&s sent

e fleeing &o%n y

y roo ! an& e'ery ti e I thought of it! I blushe& again" ust belie'e it a

5o%! as I entere& *atience.s roo ! I trie& to $ut all such thoughts fro in&" I %as here on business! e'en if *atience an& =acey social call" (ee$ y in& on y tasks" I cast secure& the &oor an& foun& it %ell to to it! they

y eyes o'er the latch that ha&

y liking" 5o one %oul& be sli$$ing that

%ith a belt knife" #s for the %in&o%! e'en if anyone ha& scale& the outer %all ust burst through not only stoutly barre& %oo&en shutters! but a ta$estry! an& then rank u$on rank of $ots of $lants! sol&iere& in ro%s before the close& %in&o%" It %as a route no $rofessional %oul& %illingly choose" =acey resettle& herself %ith a bit of en&ing %hile *atience greete& e" =a&y e *atience herself %as see ingly i&le! seate& on the hearth before the fire as if she %ere but a girl" She $oke& at the coals a bit" 6Di& you kno%!7 she aske& 5ot 4ust those born as Farseers! either" -any a Farseer *rince has %o an %hose na e ca e to o'ersha&o% his in the telling of &ee&s"7 6Do you think (ettricken %ill beco e such a Iueen07 I aske& $olitely" I ha& no i&ea %here this con'ersation %oul& lea&" 6I &o not kno%!7 she sai& softly" She stirre& the coals i&ly again" 6I only kno% that I %oul& not ha'e been one"7 She sighe& hea'ily! then lifte& her eyes to say al ost a$ologetically! 6I a fills not"7 There see e& little re$ly I coul& ake" to such a state ent" She sighe& again! a %o an of an& &re% on the hearthstones %ith the ash coate& $oker" 6I a y hea& is %hat ne'er ha'e allo%e& hi ha'ing one of those ornings! Fit1! %hen all that ight ha'e been an& %hat coul& ha'e been" I shoul& to ab&icate" I.& %ager he.& be ali'e to&ay! if he ha& su&&enly! 6that there is a substantial history of strong Iueens at Buckkee$0 arrie& a

longings to&ay! Fit1" ;hile e'eryone else yester&ay %as stirre& to a a1e ent
1B28

at %hat (ettricken &i&! it a%akene& in

e the &ee$est &iscontent %ith

yself"

Ha& I been in her $osition! I %oul& ha'e hi&&en a%ay in

y cha ber" @ust as I

&o no%" But your gran& other %oul& not ha'e" 5o% there %as a Iueen" =ike (ettricken in so e %ays" 9onstance %as a %o an %ho s$urre& others to action" Other %o en es$ecially" ;hen she %as )ueen! o'er half our guar& %as fe ale" Di& you kno% that0 #sk Ho& about her so eti e" I un&erstan& that Ho& ca e %ith her %hen 9onstance ca e here to be Shre%&.s )ueen"7 *atience fell silent" For a fe% &i&"7 She s ile& al ost shyly" 6She kne% I &i& not care for cro%&s" So! so eti es! she %oul& su an& only s$eak $leasantest on e! y e e! to co e an& atten& her in her gar&en" #n& %e %oul& not e'en e ories of Buckkee$ are of those ti es"7 She looke& u$ at et" -y $arents brought o ents she %as so )uiet I thought she %as e! Iueen 9onstance finishe& s$eaking" Then she a&&e& softly! 6She like&

uch! but only %ork )uietly in the soil an& the sunlight" So e of

su&&enly" 6I %as 4ust a little girl then" #n& your father %as 4ust a boy! an& %e ha& not e'er really e to Buckkee$! the ti es they uch care for all the fol&erol ca e to court! e'en though they kne% I &i& not

of court life" ;hat a %o an Iueen 9onstance %as! to notice a ho ely! )uiet little girl! an& gi'e her of her ti e" But she %as like that" Buckkee$ %as a &ifferent $lace then+ a uch errier court" Ti es %ere safer! an& all %as ore stable" But then 9onstance &ie&! an& her infant &aughter %ith her! of a birth fe'er" #n& Shre%& re arrie& a fe% years later! an& """7 She $ause& an& sighe& again su&&enly" Then her li$s fir e&" She $atte& the hearth besi&e her" 69o e an& sit here" There are things %e I &i& as she bi& ust s$eak of"7 e! like%ise sitting on the hearthstones" I ha& ne'er seen her usual fey $rattle that it al ost
1B2<

*atience so serious! nor so focuse&" #ll of this! I felt! %as lea&ing u$ to so ething" It %as so &ifferent fro

frightene&

e" Once I %as seate&! she

otione&

e closer" I scoote& for%ar& ust be s$oken of" ust %arn you that ight belie'e"7 ore

until I %as nearly in her la$" She leane& for%ar& an& %his$ere&! 6So e things are best not s$oken of" But there co es a ti e %hen they Fit19hi'alry! y &ear! &o not think e ean/s$irite&" But I your uncle Regal is not as %ell &is$ose& to%ar& you as you I coul&n.t hel$ it" l laughe&" *atience %as instantly in&ignant" 6You flatterer he can be! an& I ha'e an& ust atten& e:7 she %his$ere& urgently" 6Oh! I kno% he is gay an& char ing an& %itty" I kno% %hat a arke& %ell ho% all the young %o en of the en i ic his clothes uch a bition" court flutter their fans at hi ! an& ho% all the young #n& I a

anneris s" But un&erneath those fine feathers there is

afrai& there is sus$icion there! an& 4ealousy! also" I ha'e ne'er tol& y un&ertaking your schooling! as %ell

you this" But he %as totally o$$ose& to

as to your learning to Skill" So eti es I think it is as %ell that you faile& at that! for ha& you succee&e&! his 4ealousy %oul& ha'e kno%n no boun&s"7 She $ause&! an& fin&ing that I %as listening %ith a sober face! she %ent on3 6These are unsettle& ti es! Fit1" 5ot 4ust because of the Re&/Shi$s that harry our shores" It is a ti e %hen any b """ born as you %ere shoul& be careful" There are those %ho s ile fairly at you! but ay be your ene y" ;hen your father %as ore an& ali'e! %e relie& on the fact that his influence %oul& be enough to shelter you" But after he %as """ he &ie&! I reali1e& that as you gre% you %oul& be ore at risk! the closer you ca e to force& there %as! an& I foun& you %orthy of anhoo&" So! %hen I &ecently coul&! I y hel$" So I 'o%e& to &o all I coul& to

yself to co e back to court! to see if there truly %as nee&" I foun&

e&ucate an& $rotect you"7 She allo%e& herself a brief s ile of satisfaction" 6I %oul& say I ha& &one fairly %ell by you so far" But7 an& she leane& closer// co es a ti e %hen e'en I %ill not be able to $rotect you" You
1B2?

ust begin to

take care of yourself" You %ith her often" You But you are al ost a

ust recall your lessons fro

Ho&! an& re'ie% the

ust be cautious of %hat you eat an& &rink! an& be %ary of an no%! an& ust begin to think of such things"7

'isiting isolate& $laces alone" I hate to $ut these fears into you! Fit19hi'alry" =aughable" #l ost a farce" So I coul& ha'e seen it! to ha'e this sheltere&! reclusi'e %o an s$eaking to sur'i'e& in since I %as six" Instea&! I foun& tears stinging the corners of life in the y eyes" I ha& al%ays been ystifie& as to %hy *atience ha& co e back to Buckkee$! to li'e a her it.s i&st of a society she ob'iously &i& not care for" 5o% I kne%" She e! for y sake" To $rotect e" e" So ha& 9ha&e! an& e'en Aerity in his %ay" #n& of e as his o%n! 'ery early" But all of the ! in one y sur'i'al" E'en Burrich %oul& ha'e anage& to ur&er e %hile I ha& co e for e so earnestly of the realities of the %orl& I ha&

Burrich ha& sheltere&

course Shre%& ha& clai e&

%ay an& another! ha& stoo& to gain by

seen it as a great loss of $ri&e if so eone ha& abhorre& foolish an& e! ha& co e to shelter e for

%as un&er his $rotection" Only this %o an! %ho by all rights shoul& ha'e y sake only" She %as so often et I e&&leso e an& so eti es ost annoying" But as our eyes

kne% she ha& breache& the final %all I ha& ke$t bet%een us" I greatly &oubte& that her $resence ha& &one anything to &eter ba& %ill to%ar& her interest in fathere& e e" But it %as not the &ee&! but the intention that e+ if anything! e" She ha& ust ha'e been a constant re in&er to Regal of %ho ha& o'e&

gi'en u$ her )uiet life! her orchar&s an& gar&ens an& %oo&s! to co e here! to a &a $ castle of stone on the sea cliffs! to a court full of folk she care& nothing about! to %atch o'er her husban&.s bastar&" 6Thank you!7 I sai& )uietly" #n& eant it %ith all y heart"

1B2B

6;ell"7 She turne& asi&e fro kno%"7

y look )uickly" 6;ell" You are %elco e! you orning thinking that $erha$s

6I kno%" But the truth %as! I ca e here this unstable here! an& you

so eone shoul& %arn you an& =acey to be careful of yoursel'es" Ti es are ight be seen as an """ obstacle"7 ore than ten inutes0 5o% *atience laughe& alou&" 6I: I0 Funny! &o%&y! foolish ol& *atience0 *atience! %ho cannot kee$ an i&ea fixe& in her hea& for *atience! all but talk of a&e e" 5o one $ercei'es a& by her husban&.s &eath0 -y boy! I kno% ho% they e as a threat to anyone" ;hy! I a a&e s$ort of" I a but another e" #n& y face" I )uite safe! I assure you"

fool here at the court! a thing to be =acey"7

But! e'en if I %ere not! I ha'e the habits of a lifeti e to $rotect 6=acey07 I coul& not kee$ incre&ulity fro y s ile" Before I coul& e'en unfol& fro y 'oice nor a grin fro

turne& to exchange a %ink %ith =acey" =acey glare& at

e as if affronte& by y

the hearth! =acey s$rang u$ fro y ribs" I 'ery

her rocking chair" # long nee&le! stri$$e& of its eternal yarn! $ro&&e& 4ugular 'ein! %hile the other $robe& a certain s$ace bet%een nearly %et &are& not ake a %or&"

yself" I looke& u$ at a %o an I su&&enly kne% not at all! an&

6Sto$ teasing the chil&!7 *atience rebuke& her gently" 6Yes! Fit1! =acey" The ost a$t $u$il that Ho& e'er ha&! e'en if she &i& co e to Ho& as a gro%n %o an"7 #s *atience s$oke =acey took her %ea$ons a%ay fro y bo&y" She e" She a&e y reseate& herself! an& &eftly rethrea&e& her nee&les into her %ork" I s%ear she &i&n.t e'en &ro$ a stitch" ;hen she %as finishe&! she looke& u$ at # 'ery chastene& assassin left their a$art ents so eti e later" #s I %ay &o%n the hall I reflecte& that 9ha&e ha& %arne&
1B2C

%inke&" #n& %ent back to her knitting" I re e bere& to start breathing again" e I %as un&eresti ating

=acey" I %on&ere& %ryly if this %as his i&ea of hu or! or of teaching greater res$ect for see ingly il& folk" y Thoughts of -olly $ushe& their %ay into in to the ! but coul& not resist lo%ering on the shoul&er of I. hungry" locate (ettricken" I ha& &uties" The thought intru&e& %ithout %arning" Sha e floo&e& nothing yester&ay" I ha& all but forgotten hi cottage" Do you think I cannot care for substantial %oul& be $leasing" Soon! I $ro ise& hi " There is a thing I ust &o first" # &ay.s fast is nothing" Besi&es! I foun& a nest of

in&" I resolutely refuse& to gi'e y face an& set off to

y face to catch that faint scent of her

y shirt" I took the foolish s ile fro

e" I ha& taken 9ub

in the s%ee$ of the &ay.s e'ents" ice beneath a corner of the ore yself at all0 But so ething

In (ettricken.s sitting cha ber! I foun& only t%o young $ages! ostensibly ti&ying! but giggling as I ca e in" 5either of the -istress Hasty.s %ea'ing roo ! as it %as a %ar there" She tol& Aerity this e that her kne% anything" I next trie& an& frien&ly cha ber %here

any of the (ee$ %o en gathere&" 5o (ettricken! but =a&y -o&esty %as istress ha& sai& she nee&e& to s$eak %ith *rince a$ roo " 9hari %as there! by )uality" orning" *erha$s she %as %ith hi " an& se$arating the

But Aerity %as not in his cha bers! nor his ho%e'er! sorting through sheets of 'ellu Aerity! he tol& she&" Yes! (ettricken ha& been there this left! an& once 9hari He %as not certain" By this ti e I %as star'ing! an& I excuse& e! ha& arisen 'ery early an& i

e&iately set out for his boat

orning! but it ha& been after Aerity

ha& tol& her he %as gone! she! too! ha& &e$arte&" ;here0 y tri$ to the kitchens on the

groun&s that gossi$ al%ays gre% thickest there" *erha$s so eone there %oul&
1B2D

kno% %here our )ueen/in/%aiting ha& gone" I %as not %orrie&! I tol& 5ot yet"

yself"

The kitchens of Buckkee$ %ere at their best on a col& an& blustery &ay" Stea fro bubbling ste%s ingle& %ith the nourishing aro a of baking brea& an& roasting eat" 9hille& stable boys loitere& there! chatting %ith the kitchen hel$ ist if Burrich a$$eare& in the &oor" I cut the yself a slab of

an& $ilfering fresh/bake& rolls an& the en&s of cheeses! tasting ste%s an& &isa$$earing like col& eal $u&&ing fro orning.s cooking! an& reinforce& it %ith honey

an& so e bacon en&s that 9ook %as ren&ering &o%n for cracklings" #s I ate I listene& to the talk" O&&ly enough! fe% $eo$le s$oke &irectly of the $re'ious &ay.s e'ents" I gras$e& it %oul& take a %hile for the (ee$ to co e to ter s %ith all that ha& ha$$ene&" But there %as so ething there! a feeling al ost of relief" I ha& seen that before! in a an %ho ha& ha& his ai e& foot re o'e&! or the fa ily that e! al ost finally fin&s their &ro%ne& chil&.s bo&y" To finally confront the %orst there is! to look it s)uarely in the face an& say! 6I kno% you" You ha'e hurt fro to &eath! but still I li'e" #n& I %ill go on li'ing"7 That %as the feeling I got the folk of the (ee$" #ll ha& finally ackno%le&ge& the se'erity of our the Re&/Shi$s" 5o% there %as a sense that %e ight begin to ight in4uries fro

heal! an& to fight back" I &i& not %ish to ake &irect in)uiries &o%n here as to %here the Iueen be" #s luck %oul& ha'e it! one of the stable boys %as s$eaking of Softste$" So e of the bloo& I ha& seen on the horse.s shoul&er the $re'ious &ay ha& been her o%n! an& the boys %ere talking of ho% the horse ha& sna$$e& at Burrich %hen he trie& to %ork on her shoul&er! an& ho% it ha& taken t%o of the to hol& her hea&" I %angle& y %ay into the con'ersation" 6*erha$s a

1B2E

horse of less te $era ent %oul& be a better suggeste&"

ount for the Iueen07 I e! e!

6#h! no" Our )ueen likes Softste$.s $ri&e an& s$irit" She sai& so herself! to %hen she %as &o%n in the stables this horse! an& to ask %hen she ight be ri&&en again" She s$oke &irectly to

orning" She ca e herself! to see the

she &i&" So I tol& her! no horse %ante& to be ri&&en on a &ay such as this! let alone %ith a gashe& shoul&er" #n& Iueen (ettricken no&&e&! an& %e stoo& talking there! an& she aske& ho% I ha& lost y tooth"7 6#n& you tol& her a horse ha& thro%n his hea& back %hen you %ere exercising hi : Because you &i&n.t %ant Burrich to kno% %e.& been %restling u$ in the hayloft an& you.& fallen into the gray colt.s stall:7 6Shut u$: You.re the one %ho $ushe& ine:7 #n& the t%o %ere off! $ushing an& scuffling %ith each other! until a shout fro 9ook sent the tu bling fro the kitchen" But I ha& as uch infor ation as I nee&e&" I hea&e& out for the stables" I foun& it a col&er an& nastier &ay outsi&e than I ha& ex$ecte&" E'en %ithin the stables! the %in& foun& e'ery crack an& ca e shrieking through the &oors each ti e one %as o$ene&" The horses. breath stea e& in the air! an& stable an& aske& %here Burrich %as" 69utting %oo&!7 he sai& )uietly" 6For a funeral $yre" He.s been &rinking since &a%n! too"7 #l ost this &ro'e rea& y face" y )uest fro y in&" I ha& ne'er kno%n such a thing to be" Burrich &rank! but in the e'enings! %hen the &ay.s %ork %as &one" Han&s ates leane& co $anionably close for the %ar th they coul& share" I foun& Han&s! e! so it %as your fault as uch as

1B8H

6Aixen" His ol& bitch houn&" She &ie& in the night" Yet I ha'e ne'er hear& of a $yre for a &og" He.s out behin& the exercise $en no%"7 I turne& to%ar& the $en" 6Fit1:7 Han&s %arne& ha& care of e! he $ut e urgently" eant to hi " The first night he e" She no e in a stall besi&e her! an& tol& her to guar& 6It %ill be all right! Han&s" I kno% %hat she ha& a $u$ besi&e her! 5osy """7 Han&s shook his hea&" 6He sai& he %ante& to see no one" To sen& hi )uestions to&ay" 5o one to talk to hi " He.s ne'er gi'en 6#ll right"7 I sighe&" Han&s looke& &isa$$ro'ing" 6#s ol& as she %as! he shoul& ha'e ex$ecte& it" She coul&n.t e'en hunt %ith hi ti e ago"7 I looke& at Han&s" For all his caring for the beasts! for all his gentleness an& goo& instincts! he coul&n.t really kno%" Once! I ha& been shocke& to &isco'er y ;it sense as a se$arate sense" 5o% to confront Han&s.s total lack of it %as to &isco'er his blin&ness" I 4ust shook y hea& an& &ragge& y in& back to y original erran&" 6Han&s! ha'e you seen the Iueen to&ay07 6Yes! but it %as a %hile ago"7 His eyes scanne& to y face anxiously" 6She ca e in the e an& aske& if *rince Aerity ha& taken Truth out of the stables an& &o%n to any ore" He shoul& ha'e re$lace& her a long e an or&er like that"7

to%n" I tol& her no! that the *rince ha& co e to see hi ! but ha& left hi

stables to&ay" I tol& her the streets %oul& be all ice& cobbles" Aerity %oul& not risk his fa'orite on a surface like that" He %alks &o%n to Buckkee$ To%n as often as not these &ays! though he co es through the stable al ost e'ery &ay" He tol& e it.s an excuse to be out in the air an& the o$en"7 -y heart sank" ;ith a certainty that %as like a 'ision! I kne% that (ettricken ha& follo%e& Aerity into Buckkee$ To%n" On foot0 ;ith no one
1B81

acco $anying her0 On this foul &ay0 ;hile Han&s berate& hi self for not foreseeing the Iueen.s intention! I took Si&ekick! a %ell/na e& but surefoote& ule! fro his stall" I &are& not take the ti e to go back to y roo for %ar er clothes" So I borro%e& Han&s.s cloak to su$$le ent #re you co ing no%0 5ot no%! but soon" There is so ething I -ay I go! too0 5o" It isn.t safe" 5o% be )uiet an& stay out of I sto$$e& at the gate to )uestion the guar& ha& co e this %ay this tra&es a&e this tri$ necessary! no y thoughts" ost bluntly" Yes! a %o an on foot en on ust see to" ine an& &ragge&

the reluctant ani al out of the stables an& into the %in& an& falling sno%"

orning" Se'eral of the ! for there %ere so e %hose atter the %eather" The Iueen0 The

%atch exchange& glances" 5o one re$lie&" I suggeste& $erha$s there ha& been a %o an! hea'ily cloake&! an& hoo&e& %ell0 ;hite fur tri ing the hoo&0 # young guar& no&&e&" E broi&ery on the cloak! %hite an& $ur$le at the he 0 They exchange& unco fortable glances" There ha& been a %o an like that" They ha& not kno%n %ho she %as! but no% that I suggeste& those colors! they shoul& ha'e kno%n """ In a col&ly le'el 'oice! I berate& the as &olts an& orons" >ni&entifie& folk $asse& unchallenge& through our gates0 They ha& looke& on %hite fur an& $ur$le e broi&ery! an& ne'er e'en guesse& it ight be the Iueen0 #n& none ha& seen fit to acco $any her0 5one chose to be her guar&0 E'en after yester&ay0 # fine $lace %as Buckkee$ these &ays! %hen our )ueen ha& not e'en a foot sol&ier at her heels %hen she %ent out %alking in a sno%stor &o%n to Buckkee$ To%n" I kicke& Si&ekick an& left the a ong the sel'es" settling bla e

1B82

The going %as

iserable" The %in& %as in a fickle

oo&! changing &irections y

as often as I foun& a %ay to block it %ith %in& caught u$ the fro1en crystals fro

y cloak" The sno% not only fell! the

the groun& an& s%irle& it u$ un&er

cloak at e'ery o$$ortunity" Si&ekick %as not ha$$y! but he $lo&&e& along through the thickening sno%" Beneath the sno%! the une'en trail to to%n %as gla1e& %ith treacherous ice" The an& trie& to urge hi 5onsense: I tol& fro as i ule beca e resigne& to y stubbornness an& y eyelashes y in&" tru&ge& &isconsolately along" I blinke& the clinging flakes fro

to greater s$ee&" I ages of the Iueen! cru $le& in the

sno%! the blo%ing flakes co'ering her o'er! ke$t trying to $ush into yself fir ly" 5onsense"

I %as on the outskirts of Buckkee$ To%n before I o'ertook her" I kne% her behin&! e'en if she ha& not been %earing her $ur$le an& %hite" She stro&e une to the col& as I %as to salt bree1e an& &a $" 6Iueen (ettricken: e:7 e! s ile& an& %aite&" I sli& fro through the &rifting sno% %ith a fine in&ifference to it! her -ountain/bre& flesh =a&y: *lease! %ait for

She turne& an&! as she caught sight of until the relief floo&e& through 6-y la&y"7

Si&ekick.s back as I ca e abreast of her" I ha& not reali1e& ho% %orrie& I %as e at seeing her unhar e&" 6;hat are you &oing out here! alone! in this stor 07 I &e an&e& of her! an& belate&ly a&&e&! She looke& about her as if 4ust noticing the falling sno% an& gusting %in&! then turne& back to e %ith a rueful grin" She %as not the least bit chille& or unco fortable" To the contrary! her cheeks %ere rosy %ith her %alk! an& the %hite fir aroun& her face set off her yello% hair an& blue eyes" Here! in this %hiteness! she %as not $ale an& colorless! but ta%ny an& $ink! blue eyes s$arkling" She looke& ore 'ital than I ha& seen her in &ays" Yester&ay she ha& been Death astri&e a horse! an& Jrief %ashing the bo&ies of her slain" But
1B88

to&ay! here! in the sno%! she %as a

erry girl! esca$e& fro y husban&"7

(ee$ an& station

to go hiking through the sno%" 6I go to fin&

6#lone0 Does he kno% you are co ing! an& like this! afoot07 She looke& startle&" Then she tucke& her chin an& bri&le& 4ust like 6Is he not I go afoot an& alone0 Do I see so inco $etent to you that I y ule" y husban&0 Do I nee& an a$$oint ent to see hi 0 ;hy shoul& not ight beco e

lost on the roa& to Buckkee$ To%n07 She set off %alking again! an& I %as force& to kee$ $ace %ith her" I &ragge& the ule along %ith but she cut e off" e" any &ays! I felt as if I %ere ali'e an& ha& a e" If I %ish to 'isit y la&ies e" Si&ekick %as not enthuse&" 6Iueen (ettricken!7 I began!

6I gro% so %eary of this"7 She halte& abru$tly an& turne& to face 6Yester&ay! for the first ti e in %ill of y o%n" I &o not inten& to let that sli$ a%ay fro

y husban& at his %ork! I shall" ;ell &o I kno% that not one of

%oul& care for this outing! in this %eather an& afoot! or other%ise" So I a alone" #n& any horse %as in4ure& yester&ay! an& the footing here is not kin& to a beast any%ay" So I &o not ri&e" #ll of this follo%e& e an& %hy &o you )uestion e07 akes sense" ;hy ha'e you

She ha& chosen bluntness as the %ea$on! so I took it u$ as %ell" But I took a breath an& tune& y 'oice to courtesy before I began" 6-y la&y )ueen! I ule.s follo%e& to be sure you ha& not co e to any har " Here! %ith only a to$$le Aerity fro

ears to hear us! I %ill s$eak $lainly" Ha'e you so s%iftly forgotten %ho trie& to the throne in your o%n -ountain (ing&o 0 ;oul& he hesitate to $lot here as %ell0 I think not" Do you belie'e it an acci&ent you %ere lost an& astray in the %oo&s t%o nights ago0 I &o not" #n& &o you think that your actions yester&ay %ere $leasing to hi 0 Iuite the contrary" ;hat you &o for the sake of your $eo$le! he sees as your $loy to take $o%er to yourself"
1B8<

So he sulks an&

utters an& &eci&es you are a greater threat than before" You

ust kno% all this" So %hy &o you set yourself out as a target! here %here an arro% or a knife coul& fin& you %ith such ease an& no %itnesses07 6I a not so easy a target as that!7 she &efie& e! one e" 6 It %oul& take an excellent archer in&ee& to ake an arro% fly true in these shifting %in&s" #s for a knife! ust co e %here I can strike back"7 an"

%ell! I.'e a knife! too" To strike She turne& an& stro&e off again"

I follo%e& relentlessly" 6#n& %here %oul& that lea&0 To your killing a

#n& all the (ee$ in an u$roar! an& Aerity chastising his guar&! that you coul& be so en&angere&0 #n& %hat if the killer %ere better %ith a knife than you0 ;hat conse)uence for the Six Duchies if I %ere no% $ulling your bo&y out of a &rift07 I s%allo%e& an& a&&e&! 6-y )ueen"7 Her $ace slo%e&! but her chin %as still u$ as she aske& softly! 6;hat conse)uence for so e $layer sets 6;here07 She $ointe&! but he ha& 'anishe& like a s%irl of sno%! lea'ing only a ghostly laughter in Si&este$" The y in&" # o ent later a trick of the %in& brought his scent to ar'ele&" angy! ho eless beast out to sniff ule" ule snorte& an& tugge& at his lea& ro$e" 6I &i& not kno% %e ha& y la&y" *robably so e hungry enough to eat that e if I sit &ay after &ay in the (ee$! gro%ing soft an& blin& as not a ga e $iece! to sit otion" I a y s$ace on the boar& until e in """ there.s a %olf %atching us:7 a grub0 Fit19hi'alry! I a

%ol'es so near:7 (ettricken 6@ust a to%n &og! You think not0 I.

an& $a% through the 'illage trash hea$" He is nothing to fear"7 Jo back an& %ait" I shall co e soon" The trash hea$ is no%here near here" Besi&es! it.s full of seagulls an& stinks of their &ro$$ings" #n& other things" The ule %oul& be fresh an& s%eet"

1B8?

Jo back! I tell you" I.ll bring you 6Fit19hi'alry07 This fro I sna$$e& %an&ere&"7

eat later" y la&y" -y in&

(ettricken! %arily"

y eyes back to her face" 6I beg $ar&on! e07

6Then that anger in your face is not for 65o" #nother has """ crosse& anger" ;ill not you 6I %ish to see Aerity"7

y %ill this &ay" For you! I ha'e concern! not e take you back to the (ee$07

ount Si&ekick an& let

6-y )ueen! it %ill not $lease hi ! to see you co e so"7 She sighe& an& gre% a bit s aller insi&e her cloak" She looke& asi&e fro as she aske& un&erstan& 6I &o7 6To be his )ueen/in/%aiting! to be sacrifice for Buckkee$! this I kno% I &o %ell" But there is another $art of his husban&ing" To that I a to it" But he co es sel&o soon"7 She turne& back to &ashe& the to e """ I a %o an to his s%orn as %ell! an& a ust an an& %ife to e ore )uietly! 6Ha'e you ne'er %ishe& to $ass your ti e in

so eone.s $resence! Fit1! %hether they %elco e& you or not0 9annot you y loneliness """ 07

ore %illing than &utiful

e! an& %hen he &oes! he s$eaks little an& lea'es

e" Tears s$arkle& su&&enly on her eyelashes" She

a%ay an& a note of anger cre$t into her 'oice" 6You s$oke once of y be& night after night:7 y face"

y &uty! of &oing %hat only a Iueen can &o for Buckkee$" ;ell! I shall not get %ith chil& lying alone in 6-y )ueen! She %as fro y la&y! $lease!7 I begge& her" Heat rose in

erciless" 6=ast night! I &i& not %ait" I %ent to his &oor" But the guar& ust labor in y be&"7 5ot

clai e& he %as not there" That he ha& gone to his to%er"7 She looke& asi&e e" 6E'en that %ork is $referable to ho% he e'en that bitterness coul& co'er the hurt un&er her %or&s"
1B8B

I reele& %ith the things I &i& not %ant to kno%" The col& of (ettricken alone in her be&" Aerity! &ra%n to Skill at night" I &i& not kno% %hat %as %orse" -y 'oice shook as I sai&! 6You of this to 6Then let e is not right/7 e go an& s$eak to hi " He is the one %ho nee&s to hear this! I going to s$eak it: If he %ill not co e to ust co e for his &uty"7 ust bear if the $ack is to increase" y in&" Ho e is a $ack! not a col& e for his heart.s ust not tell e these things! y )ueen" To s$eak

kno%" #n& I a sake! then he This

akes sense" She is the one %ho

Stay out of this" Jo ho e" Ho e: # &erisi'e bark of laughter in %ith hi e $ty $lace" =isten to the fe ale" She s$eaks %ell" ;e shoul& all go! to be %ho lea&s" You fear foolishly for this bitch" She hunts %ell! %ith a keen tooth! an& her kills are clean" I %atche& her yester&ay" She is %orthy of he %ho lea&s" ;e are not $ack" Be silent" Ia " #t the corner of y eye! I caught a flash of o'e ent" I turne& )uickly! but there %as nothing there" I turne& back to fin& (ettricken stan&ing silent before e still" But I sense& the s$ark of anger that ha& s$irite& her %as no% &a $e& in $ain" It ble& her resol'e fro Buckkee$"7 She &i& not re$ly! but $ulle& her hoo& u$ aroun& her face an& tightene& it to hi&e ost of her face" Then she %alke& to the ule an& ounte& an& suffere& e to lea& the beast back to Buckkee$" It see e& a longer! col&er %alk in her sub&ue& silence" I %as not $rou& of the change I ha& %rought in her" To take y in& fro it! I )ueste& out about e carefully" It &i& not take e long to her" e take you back to I s$oke )uietly through the %in&" 6*lease! la&y! let

1B8C

fin& 9ub" He stalke& an& sha&o%e& us! &rifting like s oke through the tree co'er! using the %in&blo%n &rifts an& falling sno% to hi&e hi self" I coul& ne'er once actually s%ear that I sa% hi " I caught Think you I a rea&y to hunt0 a&e y re$ly se'ere" otion fro the corner of %ell" y eye! of a tiny bit of his scent on the %in&" His instincts ser'e& hi 5ot until you are rea&y to obey" I angry" ;e %ere &ra%ing near to the outer %all of Buckkee$" I %on&ere& ho% he ha& gotten outsi&e the (ee$ %ithout $assing through a gate" Shall I sho% you0 # $eace offering" *erha$s later" ;hen I co e %ith eat" I felt his assent" He %as no longer e" I i&entifie& yself $acing us! but ha& race& off ahea&! an& %oul& be at the cottage %hen I got there" The guar&s at the gate abashe&ly challenge& e" In the courtyar& I halte& Si&ekick that she for ally! an& the sergeant ha& the %it not to insist that I i&entify the la&y %ith ight &is ount an& offere& her e" I turne&! an& sa% the %ell" She stoo& y han&" #s she cli be& &o%n I all but felt eyes on -olly" She carrie& t%o buckets of %ater fresh &ra%n fro still! looking at

;hat then shall I &o %hen I hunt alone! $ackless one0 He %as stung! an&

e! $oise& like a &eer before flight" Her eyes %ere &ee$! her

face 'ery still" ;hen she turne& asi&e! there %as a stiffness to her carriage" She &i& not glance at us again as she crosse& the courtyar& an& %ent to%ar& the kitchen entrance" I felt a col& forebo&ing insi&e y han& an& gathere& her cloak to%ar& the &oor" I returne& Si&ekick to the stable an& sa% to hi " Han&s ca e by an& raise& an eyebro% at e" I no&&e&! an& he %ent on about his %ork" So eti es! I think
1B8D

e" Then (ettricken let go of

ore closely about herself" She &i& not look at

e either! but only sai& softly! 6Thank you! Fit19hi'alry"7 She %alke& slo%ly

that %as %hat I like& best about Han&s! his ability to lea'e alone that %hich %as not his concern" I a&e bol& y heart for that %hich I &i& next" I %ent out behin& the exercise eat $ens" There %as a thin trail of s oke rising an& a nasty scent of scorching

an& hair" I %alke& to%ar& it" Burrich stoo& next to the fire! %atching it burn" The %in& an& sno% ke$t trying to $ut it out! but Burrich %as &eter ine& it %oul& burn %ell" He glance& at s$eak to e as I ca e u$ but %oul& not look at e or e" His eyes %ere black hollo%s full of &u b $ain" It %oul& turn to y knife fro e ory ca e y hea& a finger.s/length lock of hair" I a&&e& it to the ost excellent bitch" #

anger if I &are& s$eak to hi " But I ha& not co e for hi " I took y belt an& cut fro to $yre! an& %atche& as it burne&" Aixen" # e" She lay besi&e #fter a

e an& I s$oke it alou&" 6She %as there the first ti e Regal e'er looke& at e an& snarle& u$ at hi "7 y %or&s" He! too! ha& been there" I turne& eaty bones left o'er fro o ent Burrich no&&e& to

an& slo%ly %alke& a%ay" -y next sto$ %as the kitchen! to filch a nu ber of yester&ay.s %ake" They %ere not fresh Burrich.s $ain ha& rene%e& eat! but they.& ha'e to &o" 9ub %as

right" He.& ha'e to be $ut out on his o%n soon! to hunt for hi self" Seeing y resol'e" Aixen ha& li'e& a long life! for a houn&! but still too short for Burrich.s heart" To bon& to any ani al %as to $ro ise oneself that future $ain" -y heart ha& been broken sufficient ti es alrea&y" I %as still $on&ering the best %ay to &o this as I a$$roache& the cottage" I lifte& y hea& su&&enly! getting only the briefest $recognition! an& then his full %eight hit e" He ha& co e! s%ift as an arro%! s$ee&ing o'er the sno%! to y knees! shoul&ering e onto e &o%n as he o entu thre%
1B8E

fling his %eight against the backs of $asse&" The force of his

y face in the sno%" I lifte&

y hea& an& got

y ar s un&er

e as he %heele& tightly an& race& u$ to

again" I flung u$ an ar exuberance" Half%ay to to shiel& he

but he $lo%e& o'er

e again! shar$ cla%s &igging into

y flesh for $urchase as he ran" Jot you! got you! got you: Jlorious y feet! an& he hit e again! full in y chest" I flung u$ a forear

y throat an& face an& he sei1e& it in his 4a%s" He gro%le& &ee$ly as y balance un&er his attack an& %ent &o%n in the to e! an& %e rolle& o'er e in a &o1en $laces! so e $ainful! an& all the

ock/%orrie& it" I lost

sno%" This ti e I ke$t a gri$ on hi ! hugging hi an& o'er an& o'er" He ni$$e&

ti e Fun! fun! fun! got you! got you! an& got you again: Here! you.re &ea&! here! I broke your fore$a%! here! your bloo& runs out: Jot you! got you! got you: Enough: Enough: #n& finally3 6Enough:7 I roare&! an& he let go of a circle an& co e racing back at he only sei1e& coul& not let hi e" I flung y ar s u$ to shelter e an& lea$e& a%ay" He fle& o'er the sno%! boun&ing ri&iculously! to fling hi self in y face! but y bag of bones an& race& off %ith it! &aring e to follo%" I

%in so easily" So I lea$e& after hi ! tackling hi ! sei1ing the atch! at %hich he cheate& by har& enough to nu b y han&! off e on the forear

bag of bones! an& it &egenerate& into a tugging letting go su&&enly! ni$$ing

an& then grabbing the bag again" I ga'e chase again" Jot you" # tug on the tail" Jot you: I knee& his shoul&er! $ushing hi balance" Jot the bones: an& for an instant I ha& the e full s)uare in the back! all four $a%s! an& &ro'e sei1e& the tro'e! an& %as off again" I &o not kno% ho% long %e $laye&" ;e ha& flung oursel'es finally &o%n in the sno% to rest an& lay $anting together in thoughtless si $licity" The sacking of the bag %as torn in $laces! the bones $eeking through! an& 9ub sei1e& one! to
1B<H

an& %as running" He hit e face&o%n in the sno%!

shake an& &rag it fro

the clinging fol&s" He set to u$on it! scissoring the

eat eaty

an& then $inning the bone &o%n %ith his $a%s as his 4a%s cracke& the knuckly cartilage on the en&" I reache& for the sack an& tugge& at a bone! a goo& one! a thick arro% bone! an& &re% it forth" an again" =ike a%aking fro y self fro a &rea ! like the $o$$ing of e as if I ha& s$oken" #n& abru$tly %as a

a soa$ bubble! an& 9ub.s ears t%itche& an& he turne& to But I ha& not" I ha& only se$arate& ha& gotten insi&e the to$s of stan&ing %elts on y boots an& at

his" #bru$tly I %as col&! sno% y %aist an& collar" There %ere y

y forear s an& han&s %here his teeth ha& &ragge& o'er

flesh" -y cloak %as torn in t%o $laces" #n& I felt as groggy as if I %ere 4ust co ing out of a &rugge& slee$" ;hat.s %rong0 Real concern" ;hy &i& you go a%ay0 I can.t &o this" I can.t be like this! %ith you" This is %rong" *u11le ent" ;rong0 If you can &o it! ho% can it be %rong0 Ia a an! not a %olf" ust" I &on.t %ant to be bon&e& %ith you like this" ust li'e the life I %as eant for" eant to lea&! let alone threaten to force eant to be" You &eny it e'en So eti es! he agree&" But you &on.t ha'e to be all the ti e" Yes! I ;e cannot ha'e this closeness" I ha'e to set you free! to li'e the life you %ere eant to li'e" I can you clai # &erisi'e snort! a sneer of fangs" This is it! brother" ;e are as %e are" Ho% to kno% %hat life I %as e into it0 You cannot e'en acce$t %hat you are or your ears to hear" ;e are as %e &o" Brother" I &i& not &ro$ y guar&" I &i& not gi'e hi lea'e" But he s%e$t through y in& like a %in& s%ee$s through an unshuttere& %in&o% an& fills a roo " The night an& the sno%" -eat in our 4a%s" =isten! snuff! the %orl& is ali'e tonight
1B<1

as you are it" #ll your )uibbling is nonsense" #s %ell forbi& your nose to snuff!

an& so are %e: ;e can hunt until &a%n! %e are ali'e an& the night an& the forest are ours: Our eyes are keen! our 4a%s are strong! an& %e can run &o%n a buck an& feast before be: # o ent later I ca e to yself" I %as on y feet! stan&ing! an& I %as tre bling fro su&&enly hea& to foot" I lifte& y han&s an& looke& at the ! an& orning" 9o e: 9o e back to %hat you %ere born to

y o%n flesh see e& foreign an& confining! as unnatural as the

clothes I %ore" I coul& go" I coul& go! no%! tonight! an& tra'el far to fin& our o%n kin&! an& no one %oul& e'er be able to follo% us! let alone fin& us" He offere& to ea oonlit %orl& of blacks an& %hites! of foo& an& rest! so si $le! e" ;hat ha'e the likes of us to &o %ith outhful of en an& all so co $lete" Our eyes %ere locke&! an& his %ere la bent green an& beckoning e" 9o e" 9o e %ith their $etty $lotting0 There is not one eat to be ha& in all their

%rangling! no clean 4oys in their sche ing! an& ne'er a si $le $leasure taken unthinkingly" ;hy &o you choose it0 9o e! co e a%ay: I blinke&" Sno%flakes clung to y eyelashes! an& I %as stan&ing in the &ark! e! a %olf stoo& u$ an& shook e! an& rubbe& his hea& y han&s! the soli&ity chille& an& shaking" # short &istance fro along of his y leg an& %ith his nose ga'e

hi self all o'er" Tail out flat! ears u$! he ca e to

y col& han& a fli$" I %ent &o%n on one

knee an& hugge& hi ! felt the %ar th of his ruff against

uscle an& bone" He s elle& goo&! clean an& %il&" 6;e are %hat %e into the &en he.& scuffe& out un&er

are! brother" Eat %ell!7 I tol& hi " I rubbe& his ears briefly! an& then stoo&" #s he $icke& u$ the sack of bones to &rag the %ent to%ar& the the cottage! I turne& a%ay" The lights of Buckkee$ %ere al ost blin&ing! but I any%ay" I coul& not ha'e sai& %hy 4ust then" But I &i& it"

1B<2

9H#*TER TE5 Fool.s Erran& I5 TI-ES OF $eace! the teaching of the Skill %as restricte& to those of royal bloo&! to kee$ the agic ore exclusi'e an& re&uce the chance of it being turne& against the (ing" Thus+ %hen Jalen beca e a$$rentice to Skill -aster Solicity! his &uties consiste& of assisting in co $leting the training of 9hi'alry an& Aerity" 5o others %ere recei'ing instruction at that ti e" Regal! a &elicate chil&! %as 4u&ge& by his other to be too sickly to %ithstan& the rigors of the Skill training" Thus! after Solicity.s unti ely &eath! Jalen ca e to the title of Skill -aster! but ha& fe% &uties" So e! at least! felt that the ti e he ha& ser'e& as a$$rentice to Solicity %as insufficient to be the full training of a Skill -aster" Others ha'e a'erre& that he ne'er $ossesse& the Skill strength necessary to be a true Skill -aster" In any case! &uring those years he ha& no o$$ortunity to $ro'e hi self! an& &is$ro'e his critics" There %ere no young *rinces or *rincesses to train &uring the years that Jalen %as Skill -aster" It %as only %ith the Re&/Shi$ rai&s that it %as &eci&e& that the circle of those traine& in the Skill ust be ex$an&e&" # $ro$er coterie ha& not existe& for years" Tra&ition tells us that in $re'ious troubles %ith the Outislan&ers! it %as not unusual for three! or e'en four coteries to exist" These usually consiste& of six to eight reigning his coterie e bers! utually chosen! %ell suite& to be bon&e& a ong e ber $ossessing a strong a ity %ith the onarch all that essaging! or infor ation/ e bers in e ber re$orte& &irectly to the the sel'es! an& %ith at least one onarch" This key

e bers relaye& to hi ! if they %ere a

gathering coterie" Other coteries existe& to $ool strength an& exten& to the onarch their Skilling resources as he ight nee& the " The key these coteries %ere often referre& to as a (ing.s or Iueen.s -an or ;o an"
1B<8

Aery rarely! such a one existe& in&e$en&ent of any coterie or training! but si $ly as one %ho ha& such an affinity for the ta$$e&! usually by a $hysical touch" Fro na e& after its key 9rossfire.s coterie" Jalen chose to ignore all tra&ition in the creation of his first an& only coterie" Jalen.s coterie ca e to be na e& after the Skill -aster %ho fashione& it! an& retaine& that na e e'en after his &eath" Rather than creating a $ool of Skille& ones an& letting a coterie e erge fro %oul& be it! Jalen hi self selecte& those %ho e bers of it" The coterie lacke& the internal bon&ing of the e ber! initially #ugust! re$orte& to Jalen fully as onarch that strength coul& be e ber! the onarch coul& this key

&ra% en&urance as nee&e& to sustain a Skilling effort" By custo ! a coterie %as e ber" Thus %e ha'e legen&ary exa $les such as

legen&ary grou$s! an& their truest affinity %as to the Skill -aster rather than to the (ing" Thus! the key often as he re$orte& to (ing Shre%& or! (ing/in/;aiting Aerity" ;ith the &eath of Jalen an& the blasting of #ugust.s Skill sense! Serene rose to be key e ber of Jalen.s coterie" The other sur'i'ing @ustin! ;ill! 9arro&! an& Burl" By night I ran as a %olf" The first ti e I thought it a singularly 'i'i& &rea " The %i&e stretch of %hite sno% %ith the inky tree sha&o%s s$ille& on it! the elusi'e scents on the col& %in&! the ri&iculous fun of boun&ing an& &igging after shre%s that 'enture& out of their %inter burro%s" I a%oke clear/ in&e& an& goo&/te $ere&" But the next night I &rea e& again so 'i'i&ly" I a%oke kno%ing that %hen I blocke& fro Aerity an& hence yself y &rea s of -olly! I left yself %i&e to the %olf.s night thoughts" Here %as a %hole real Skille& one coul& follo% %here not Aerity nor any e bers of the grou$ %ere

e" It %as a %orl& bereft of court intrigues or

1B<<

$lotting! of %orries an& $lans" -y %olf li'e& in the $resent" I foun& his clean of the cluttering &etail of e ories" Fro necessary to his sur'i'al" He &i& not re e ber ho%

in&

&ay to &ay! he carrie& only that any shre%s he ha& kille&

t%o nights ago! but only larger things! such as %hich ga e trails yiel&e& the ost rabbits to chase or %here the s$ring ran s%ift enough that it ne'er ice& o'er" This! then! %as %hen an& ho% I first sho%e& hi so %ell at first" I still arose 'ery early each I tol& yself that it %as but a s all corner of ho% to hunt" ;e &i& not &o foo& as nee&e&" yself" It y life that I ke$t for orning to take hi

%as as the %olf ha& sai&! not a thing I &i&! but so ething I %as" Besi&es! I $ro ise& yself" I %oul& not let this 4oining beco e a full bon&" Soon! 'ery a%ay to be yself that I only $er itte& hi into y &rea s that I soon! he %oul& be able to hunt for hi self! an& I %oul& sen& hi free" So eti es I tol& ight teach hi I returne& fro to hunt! the sooner to set hi one of

free" I refuse& to consi&er %hat

Burrich %oul& think of such a thing" y early/ orning ex$e&itions to fin& t%o sol&iers s$arring %ith one another in the kitchen yar&" They ha& sta'es an& %ere goo&/ nature&ly insulting one another as they huffe& an& shifte& an& tra&e& %hacks in the col& clear air" The an I &i& not kno% at all! an& for a o ent I thought e" 6Ho: both %ere strangers" Then the %o an of the $air caught sight of I stare& at her! trying to $lace her" Her o$$onent hi

Fit19hi'alry" # %or& %ith you:7 she calle&! but %ithout retiring her sta'e" isse& a $arry an& she cli$$e& shar$ly %ith her sta'e" #s he ho$$e& she &ance& back an& laughe& alou&!

an un istakable high/$itche& %hinny" 6;histle07 I aske& incre&ulously" The %o an I ha& 4ust a&&resse& flashe& her fa ous ga$toothe& s ile! caught her $artner.s sta'e a ringing blo%! an& &ance& back again" 6Yes07 she aske& breathlessly" Her s$arring $artner! seeing her occu$ie&! courteously lo%ere& his
1B<?

sta'e" ;histle i

e&iately &arte& hers at hi " ;ith so

uch skill he al ost

looke& la1y! his sta'e lea$e& u$ to counter hers" #gain she laughe& an& hel& u$ her han& to ask a truce" 6Yes!7 she re$eate&! this ti e turning to chosen to co e an& ask a fa'or of you"7 I gesture& at the clothes she %ore" 6I &on.t un&erstan&" You.'e left Aerity.s guar&07 She ga'e a tiny shrug! but I coul& see the )uestion &elighte& her" 6But not to go far" Iueen.s guar&" Aixen ba&ge" See07 She tugge& the front of the short %hite 4acket she %ore to hol& the fabric taut" Joo& sensible %oolen ho es$un! I sa%! an& sa%! too! the e broi&ere& snarling %hite fox on a $ur$le backgroun&" The $ur$le atche& the $ur$le of her hea'y %oolen trousers" The loose $ants cuff atche& hers" Iueen.s a&e sense" ha& been tucke& into knee boots" Her $artner.s garb guar&" In light of (ettricken.s a&'enture! the unifor The s ile fa&e& a bit fro e" 6I.'e co e """ that is! I.'e been

6Aerity &eci&e& she nee&e& a guar& of her o%n07 I aske& &elighte&ly" ;histle.s face" 65ot exactly!7 she he&ge&! an& then e" 6;e &eci&e& she nee&e& a Iueen.s guar&" straightene& as if re$orting to

-e an& so e of the others that ro&e %ith her the other &ay" ;e got to talking about """ e'erything! later" #bout ho% she han&le& herself out there" #n& back here" #n& ho% she ca e here! all alone" ;e talke& about it then! that so eone shoul& get $er ission to for $aying u$ a guar& for her" But none of us really kne% ho% to a$$roach it" ;e kne% it %as nee&e&! but no one else see e& to be uch attention """ but then last %eek! at the gate! I hear& you got $retty hot about ho% she.& gone out! on foot an& alone! an& no one at her back" ;ell! you &i&: I %as in the other roo ! an& I hear&:7 I bit back y $rotest! no&&e& curtly! an& ;histle %ent on3 6So" ;ell! %e 4ust &i&" Those of us %ho felt %e %ante& to %ear the $ur$le an& %hite 4ust sai& so"
1B<B

It %as a $retty e'en s$lit" It %as ti e to take in so e ne% bloo& any%ay+ of Aerity.s guar& %as getting a bit long in the tooth" #n& soft! fro too ti e in the (ee$" So %e re/for e&! gi'ing rank to so e %ho shoul& ha'e

ost uch a&e

it long ago! if there.& been any o$enings to fill! an& taking in so e recruits to fill in %here nee&e&" It all %orke& out $erfectly" These ne%co ers %ill gi'e us so ething to hone our skills on %hile %e teach the " The Iueen %ill ha'e her o%n guar&! %hen she %ants one" Or nee&s one"7 6I see"7 I %as beginning to get an uneasy feeling" 6#n& %hat %as the fa'or you %ante& of e07 6Ex$lain it to Aerity" Tell the Iueen she has a guar&"7 She sai& the %or&s si $ly an& )uietly" 6This %alks close to &isloyalty!7 I sai& 4ust as si $ly" 6Sol&iers of Aerity.s o%n guar&! setting asi&e his colors to take on his )ueen.s """7 6So e ight see it that %ay" So e ight s$eak it that %ay"7 Her eyes et ine s)uarely! an& the s ile %as gone fro her face" 6But you kno% it is not"

It.s a nee&e& thing" Your """ 9hi'alry %oul& ha'e seen it! %oul& ha'e ha& a guar& for her before she e'en arri'e& here" But (ing/in/;aiting Aerity """ %ell! this is no &isloyalty to hi " ;e.'e ser'e& hi %ell! because %e lo'e hi " Still &o" This is those %ho.'e al%ays %atche& his back! falling back an& re/for ing to %atch his back e'en better" That.s all" He.s got a goo& Iueen! is %hat %e think" ;e &on.t %ant to see hi I &i&" But still" I looke& a%ay fro ;hy lost e0 a $art of lose her" That %as all" ;e &on.t think any the her $lea! shook y hea&! an& trie& to think" o ent I.& y $lace" less of our (ing/in/%aiting" You kno% that"7 e &e an&e& angrily" Then I kne%! that in the e about not re e bering

y te $er an& berate& the guar& for not $rotecting their )ueen! I.&

'olunteere& for this" Burrich ha& %arne&

1B<C

6I %ill s$eak to (ing/in/;aiting Aerity" #n& to the Iueen! if he a$$ro'es this"7 ;histle flashe& her s ile again" 6;e kne% you.& &o it for us" Thanks! Fit1"7 #s )uickly she %as s$inning a%ay fro turne& a%ay fro e! sta'e at the rea&y as she &ance& threateningly to%ar& her $artner! %ho ga'e groun& gru&gingly" ;ith a sigh! I the courtyar&" I ha& thought -olly %oul& be fetching %ater at this ti e" I.& ho$e& for a gli $se of her" But she %as not! an& I left feeling &isa$$ointe&" I kne% I shoul& not $lay at such ga es! but so e &ays I coul& not resist the te $tation" I left the courtyar&" The last fe% &ays ha& beco e a s$ecial sort of self/torture for allo% in the kitchen but a e" I refuse& to yself to see -olly again! but coul& not resist sha&o%ing her" So I %as o ent after she ha& left! fancying I coul& still catch the yself in the Jreat Hall of an

trace of her $erfu e in the air" Or I statione&" atter %hat a use ent %as offere&! %here'er -olly

e'ening! an& trie& to be %here I coul& %atch her %ithout being notice&" 5o instrel or $oet or $u$$eteer! or 4ust folk y eyes %oul& be &ra%n al%ays to e" #l%ays she s$oke %ith talking an& %orking on their han&icrafts!

ight be" She looke& so sober an& &e ure in her &ark blue

skirts an& blouse! an& she ha& ne'er a glance for

the other (ee$ %o en! or on the rare e'enings %hen *atience chose to &escen&! she sat besi&e her an& atten&e& to her %ith a focus of attention that &enie& I e'en existe&" So eti es I thought been a &rea " But at night I coul& go back to ha& hi&&en in the botto en&ure&" # nu ber of &ays ha& $asse& since %e ha& burne& the Forge& ones on their funeral $yre" In a&&ition to the for ation of the Iueen.s guar&! other changes
1B<D

y brief encounter %ith her ha& y roo an& take out the shirt I y face! I

of

y clothes chest! an& if I hel& it close to

fancie& I coul& still s ell the faint trace of her $erfu e u$on it" #n& so I

%ere afoot %ithin an& %ithout the (ee$" T%o other unsu Aerity ha& been &elighte&" But e'en

aster boat buil&ers!

one&! ha& co e to 'olunteer their skills for the buil&ing of the shi$s" ore so ha& Iueen (ettricken been

a$$ro'e&! for it %as to her that they $resente& the sel'es! saying that they &esire& to be of ser'ice" Their a$$rentices ca e %ith the ! to s%ell the ranks of those %orking in the shi$yar&s" 5o% the la $s burne& both before &a%n an& after the sun.s setting! an& %ork $rocee&e& at a breakneck $ace" So Aerity %as a%ay all the ore! an& (ettricken! %hen I calle& on her! %as ore sub&ue& than e'er" I te $te& her %ith books or outings to no a'ail" She s$ent ost of her ti e sitting near i&ly at her loo ! gro%ing %ith e'ery $assing &ay" Her &ark so that to 'isit her roo ore $ale an& listless oo& infecte& those la&ies %ho atten&e& her!

%as as cheery as kee$ing a &eath%atch" to ask that I be e" Then! %ith a

I ha& not ex$ecte& to fin& Aerity in his stu&y! an& %as not &isa$$ointe&" He %as &o%n at the boat she&s! as al%ays" I left %or& %ith 9hari su one& %hene'er Aerity ight ha'e the ti e to see resol'e to kee$ cha bers" I ha& resol'e& to teach her so e of the ga es of chance that the lor&s an& la&ies %ere fon& of! in the ho$es that she &ra% her to sociali1e Her bleak ight ex$an& her circle of ight y co $anionshi$" entertain ents" I also ho$e&! %ith less ex$ectations! that such ga es ore %i&ely an& to &e$en& less on her" oo& %as beginning to bur&en

yself busy an& to &o as 9ha&e ha& suggeste&! I returne& to e! an& hea&e& for the Iueen.s

y roo " I took both &ice an& tally sticks %ith

e %ith its o$$ressi'eness! so that I

often heartily %ishe& to be a%ay fro

6Teach her to cheat first" Only! 4ust tell her that.s ho% the ga e is $laye&" Tell her the rules $er it &ece$tion" # bit of sleight of han&! easily taught! an& she

1B<E

coul& clean Regal.s $ockets for hi The Fool! of course" #t kne% that once eyes" 6I think our )ueen/in/%aiting &o you not co e %ith

a ti e or t%o before he &are& sus$ect her" e! his rat

#n& then %hat coul& he &o0 #ccuse Buckkee$.s la&y of cheating at &ice07 y elbo%! co $anionably $acing alongsi&e sce$ter 4ouncing lightly on his shoul&er" I &i& not startle $hysically! but he ore! he ha& taken e by sur$rise" His a use ent shone in his isinfor e& her" ;hy

ight take it a iss if I so

e instea&! to brighten her s$irits a bit0 I shall set asi&e

the &ice! an& you can 4uggle for her!7 I suggeste&" 6@uggle for her0 ;hy! Fit1! that is all I &o! all &ay long! an& you see it as but y foolery" You see y %ork an& &ee it $lay! %hile I see you %ork so earnestly at $laying ga es you ha'e not yourself &e'ise&" Take a Fool.s a&'ice on this" Teach the la&y not &ice! but ri&&les! an& you %ill both be the %iser"7 6Ri&&les0 That.s a Bingto%n ga e! is it not07 6FT%ere one $laye& %ell at Buckkee$ these &ays" #ns%er 6I ha'e ne'er been any goo& at this ga e! Fool"7 65or any other of your bloo&line! fro %hat I ha'e hear&" So ans%er this" ;hat has %ings in Shre%&.s scroll! a tongue of fla e in Aerity.s book! sil'er eyes in the Rellto%n Aellu s! an& gol&/scale& skin in your roo 07 6That.s a ri&&le07 He looke& at e $ityingly" 65o" # ri&&le is %hat I 4ust aske& you" That.s an on one07 ore &irectly! but his eyes %ere al%ays El&erling" #n& the first ri&&le %as! ho% &o you su -y stri&e slo%e&" I looke& at hi &ifficult to eet" e this one! if you can" Ho% &oes one call a thing %hen one &oes not kno% ho% to call it07

6Is that a ri&&le0 Or a serious )uestion07 6Yes"7 The Fool %as gra'e"
1B?H

I sto$$e& in

i&stri&e! co $letely be u&&le&" I glare& at hi " In ans%er! he ore than his uncle or his gran&father" 5one of the kno%

%ent nose to nose %ith his rat sce$ter" They si $ere& at one another" 6You see! Ratsy! he kno%s no ho% to su on an El&erling"7 e strangely" 6You kno% this07

6By the Skill!7 I sai& i $etuously" The Fool looke& at 6I sus$ect it is so"7 6;hy07 6I &on.t kno%" 5o% that I consi&er it! I &o not think it likely" (ing ;is&o a&e a long 4ourney to fin& the El&erlings" If he coul& si $ly ha'e Skille& to the ! %hy &i&n.t he0 6In&ee&" But so eti es there is truth in i $etuosity" So ri&&le e this! boy" # (ing is ali'e" =ike%ise a *rince" #n& both are Skille&" But %here are those %ho traine& alongsi&e the (ing! or those %ho traine& before hi 0 Ho% co e %e to this! this $aucity of Skille& ones at a ti e %hen they are so grie'ously nee&e&07 6Fe% are traine& in ti es of $eace" Jalen &i&n.t see fit to train any! u$ until his last year" #n& the coterie he create& """7 I $ause& su&&enly! an& though the corri&or %as e $ty! I su&&enly &i& not %ant to s$eak any ore about it" I ha& al%ays ke$t %hate'er Aerity tol& cannot %ear it! no 6#n& he %ho atter %ho e about the Skill in confi&ence" e" 6If the shoe &oes not fit! one The Fool $rance& in a su&&en circle about I no&&e& gru&gingly" 6Exactly"7 a&e it is gone" Sa&" So sa&" Sa&&er than hot eat on the table an& re& %ine in your glass" But he %ho is gone %as 6Solicity" But she is also gone"7 a&e by so eone in turn"7

a&e it for you!7 he &eclare&"

1B?1

6#h" But Shre%& is not" 5or Aerity" It see s to

e that if there are t%o she y i $atience &o%n! other"

create& still breathing! there ought to be others" ;here are they07 I shrugge&" 6Jone" Ol&" Dea&" I &on.t kno%"7 I force& trie& to consi&er his )uestion"/ 6(ing Shre%&.s sister! -erry" #ugust.s

She %oul& ha'e been traine&! $erha$s! but she is long &ea&" Shre%&.s father! (ing Bounty! %as the last to ha'e a coterie! I belie'e" But 'ery fe% folk of that generation are still ali'e"7 I halte& Solicity ha& traine& as there so ol&er than Aerity """" 6Dea&! too ans%er to out at any of the ! if you ask e" I &o kno%"7 The Fool inter4ecte& an blankly" He stuck his tongue y uns$oken )uestion" I looke& at hi ust be so e of the y tongue" Aerity ha& once tol& e that any in the Skill as she coul& fin& the talent in" Surely left ali'e+ they %oul& be no ore than a &eca&e or

e! %alt1e& a%ay fro

e a bit" He consi&ere& his sce$ter! chucke& the

rat lo'ingly un&er the chin" 6You see! Ratsy" It is as I tol& you" 5one of the kno%" 5one of the are s art enough to ask"7 i&/$irouette! he lo%ere& his heels to the ake 6Fool! cannot you e'er s$eak $lain07 I crie& out in frustration" He halte& as su&&enly as if struck" In you listen to floor an& stoo& like a statue" 6;oul& it hel$ any07 he aske& soberly" 6;oul& e if I ca e to you an& &i& not s$eak in ri&&les0 ;oul& that you $ause an& think an& hang u$on e'ery %or&! an& $on&er those %or&s later! in your cha ber0 Aery %ell then" I shall try" Do you kno% the rhy e RSix ;ise en %ent to @haa $e to%n.07 I no&&e&! as confuse& as e'er" 6Recite it for e"7 e 6RSix ;ise en %ent to @haa $e/to%n! cli be& a hill an& ne'er ca e &o%n! turne& to stone an& fle% a%ay """". 6 The ol& nursery rhy e elu&e&

1B?2

su&&enly" 6I &on.t recall it all" It.s nonsense any%ay! one of those rhy ing things that sticks in your hea& but conclu&e&" 6I &on.t kno%:7 I retorte&" I su&&enly felt irritate& beyon& en&urance" 6Fool! you are &oing it again" #ll you s$eak is ri&&les! e'er: You clai but your truth elu&es e" 6 ake folk" think" To fin& ne% truth in e" Ho% shall I reach it0 ay """" Your brain elu&es y s%eet! 6Ri&&les! &ear Fit1y/fit1! are su$$ose& to ol& sa%s" But! be that as it 6RBastar& *rinceling! Fit1 to s$eak $lain! eans nothing"7 6That! of course! is %hy it is enscrolle& %ith the kno%le&ge 'erses!7 the Fool

*erha$s if I ca e to you! by &ark of night! an& sang un&er your %in&o%3 You %aste your hours to your o%n &efeat" You %ork to sto$! you stri'e to refrain! ;hen all your effort shoul& go to a gain" He ha& flung hi self to one knee! an& $lucke& nonexistent strings on his sce$ter" He sang )uite lustily! an& e'en %ell" The tune belonge& to a $o$ular lo'e balla&" He looke& at ournfully3 6R;hy &oes a Farseer look ne'er afar! ;hy &%ells he co $letely in things as they are0 Your coasts are besiege&! your $eo$le beset" I %arn an& I urge! but they all say! 6not yet:7 O Bastar& *rinceling! gentle Fit1! ;ill you &elay until cho$$e& to bits0. 6 # $assing ser'ant girl $ause& to stan& be use& an& listen" # $age ca e to the &oor of one cha ber an& $ee$e& out at us! grinning %i&ely" # slo% flush began to heat y cheeks! for the Fool.s ex$ression %as both ten&er an& ar&ent as he
1B?8

e! sighe& theatrically! %et his li$s! an& continue&

looke& u$ at

e" I trie& to %alk casually a%ay fro

hi ! but he follo%e&

on his knees! clutching at ri&iculous struggle to free u$ at

y slee'e" I %as force& to stan&! or engage in a yself" I stoo&! feeling foolish" He si $ere& a s ile y eyes to see %ho %as so en4oying y

e" The $age giggle&! an& &o%n the hall I hear& t%o 'oices conferring in outhe& a kiss u$ at e" He let his 'oice sink to a

a use ent" I refuse& to lift &isco fort" The Fool

confi&ential %his$er as he sang on3 6F;ill fate se&uce you to her %ill0 5ot if you struggle %ith all your Skill" Su 9onsu on your allies! locate the traine&! ate all fro %hich you.'e refraine&"

There.s a future not yet fashione&! Foun&e& by your fiery $assions" If you use your ;its to %in! You.ll sa'e the Duchies for your kin" Thus begs a Fool! on ben&e& knee! =et not a &arkness co e to be" =et not our $eo$les go to &ust ;hen =ife in you has $lace& this trust".6 He $ause&! then sang lou&ly an& 4o'ially3 6#n& if you choose to let this $ass =ike so Behol& uch farting fro your ass! see:.6 e in a so ersault that e" y a a1e ent nor y re'erence for thee! en sel&o y cuff! to tu ble a%ay fro

Feast" eyes on %hat He su&&enly release&

so eho% reache& a finish %ith his $resentation of his bare buttocks to They %ere shockingly $ale! an& I coul& conceal neither
1B?<

affront" The Fool 'aulte& to his feet! suitably clothe& again! an& Ratsy on his sce$ter bo%e& left ost hu bly to all %ho ha& $ause& to %atch y hu iliation" There %as general laughter an& a scattering of a$$lause" His $erfor ance ha& e s$eechless" I looke& asi&e an& trie& to %alk $ast hi ! but %ith a boun& y $assage once again" The Fool abru$tly assu e& a stern erry: To giggle an& $oint at a boy.s ost &ear to hi 0 #h! he the Fool blocke&

stance an& a&&resse& all %ho still grinne&" 6Fie an& sha e u$on you all! to be so broken heart: Do not you kno% the Fit1 has lost one $assion unslake&" That

hi&es his grief beneath his blushes! but she has gone to her gra'e an& left his ost stubbornly chaste an& 'irulently flatulent of eat" But s$oile& eat! you say! has ai&ens! &ear =a&y Thy e! has $erishe&" Of her o%n stench! I &oubt it not! though so e say it ca e of eating s$oile& a ost foul o&or! to %arn off any fro consu ing it" Such %e can say of =a&y

Thy e also! an& so $erha$s she s elle& it not! or &ee e& it but the $erfu e of her fingers" -ourn not! $oor Fit1! another shall be foun& for you" To this I shall &e'ote yself! this 'ery &ay: I s%ear it! by Sir Ratsy.s skull" #n& no% I bi& ine uch too long" you hasten on your tasks! for in truth I ha'e &elaye& *oor &isconsolate youth: #h! Fit1! $oor $oor Fit1 """7 #n& he %an&ere& off &o%n the hall fro e! shaking his hea& %oefully! an& y ake so conferring %ith Ratsy as to %hich el&erly &o%ager he shoul& court on behalf" I stare& in &isbelief after hi " I felt betraye&! that he coul& $ublic a s$ectacle of

Fare%ell! $oor Fit1" Bra'e! sa& heart: To $ut so bol& a face on your &esolation:

e" Shar$/tongue& an& flighty as the Fool coul& be! I ha& ake e un&erstan& %hat y

ne'er ex$ecte& to be the $ublic butt of one of his 4okes" I ke$t %aiting for hi to turn aroun& an& say so e last thing that %oul& ha& 4ust ha$$ene&" He &i& not" ;hen he turne& a corner! I $ercei'e& that

or&eal %as finally at an en&" I $rocee&e& &o%n the hall%ay! fu ing %ith
1B??

e barrass ent an& &a1e& %ith $u11le ent at the sa e ti e" The &oggerel of his rhy es ha& store& his %or&s in his lo'e song y hea&! an& I kne% that I %oul& $on&er eanings hi&&en uch in &ays to co e! to try to %orry out the

there" But =a&y Thy e0 Surely he %oul& not say such a thing! %ere it not 6true"7 But %hy %oul& 9ha&e allo% his $ublic $ersona to &ie in such a %ay0 ;hat $oor %o an.s bo&y %oul& be carrie& out as =a&y Thy e! no &oubt to be carte& off to &istant relati'es for burial0 ;as this his that Regal the hall a 4ostle& etho& of beginning his 4ourney! a %ay to lea'e the (ee$ unseen0 But again! %hy let her be &ea&0 So ight belie'e he ha& succee&e& in his $oisoning0 To %hat en&0 o ent! to reco'er y a$lo b an& co $ose y face" Su&&enly the e" His o entu Thus be use&! I finally ca e to the &oors of (ettricken.s cha ber" I stoo& in &oor across the hall flung o$en an& Regal stro&e into e asi&e! an& before I coul& reco'er right! Fit1" I scarcely ex$ect an a$ology fro e erge& fro

yself! he gran&ly offere&! 6It.s all one so berea'e& as yourself"7 He en follo%ing hi

stoo& in the hall%ay! straightening his 4erkin as the young an& then leane& close to

his cha ber! tittering in a use ent" He s ile& Froun& at the ! e to ask! in a )uietly 'eno ous 'oice! 6;here %ill sure you

you suckle u$ no% that the ol& %hore Thy e is &ea&0 #h! %ell" I a to a younger one no%07 He &are& to s ile at The insult to the Iueen $oisone& as I ha& ne'er ex$erience&" I felt strength rushe& through e+ I kno%

%ill fin& so e other ol& %o an to co&&le you" Or are you co e to %hee&le u$ e! before he %heele& on his heel an& stro&e off in a fine flutter of slee'es! traile& by his three syco$hants" e into rage" It ca e %ith a su&&enness such y chest an& throat s%ell %ith it" # terrible y u$$er li$ lifte& in a snarl" Fro afar I

sense&! ;hat0 ;hat is it0 (ill it: (ill it: (ill it: I took a ste$! the next %oul& ha'e been a s$ring! an& I kno% throat eets shoul&er"
1B?B

y teeth %oul& ha'e sunk into the $lace %here

But3 6Fit19hi'alry!7 sai& a 'oice! full of sur$rise" -olly.s 'oice: I turne& to her! lor&!7 an& brushing $ast y e otions %renching fro rage to &elight at y e! seeing her" But as s%iftly she %as turning asi&e! saying! 6Beg $ar&on! e" Her eyes %ere &o%n! her 6-olly07 I calle&! ste$$ing after her" She $ause&" ;hen she looke& back at her face %as e $ty of e otion! her 'oice neutral" 6Sir0 Ha& you an erran& for a ste$ to%ar& her! $itche& you so" -olly! I/7 6This is not see ly! sir" I beg you to excuse an& %alke& a%ay fro e" e"7 She turne&! $rou&ly! cal ly! e07 y 'oice lo% for her ears only" 65o" I.'e 4ust isse& 6#n erran&07 Of course" I glance& about us! but the corri&or %as e $ty" I took

anner that of a ser'ant"

6;hat &i& I &o07 I &e an&e&! in angry consternation" I &i& not really ex$ect an ans%er" But she $ause&" Her blue clothe& back %as straight! her hea& erect un&er her tatte& haircloth" She &i& not turn back to corri&or! 65othing" You &i& nothing at all! after her" #fter a o ent I reali1e& I %as e! but sai& )uietly! to the y lor&" #bsolutely nothing"7 aking a soun& so e%here bet%een

6-olly:7 I $roteste&! but she turne& the corner an& %as gone" I stoo& staring a %hine an& a gro%l" =et us go hunting instea&" *erha$s! I foun& ;hy not no%0 I &on.t really kno%" I co $ose& yself an& knocke& at (ettricken.s &oor" It %as o$ene& by little e as she in'ite& e in" Once %ithin! Rose ary! %ho &i $le& a s ile at yself agreeing! that %oul& be the best thing" To go hunting! ore than that" to kill! to eat! to slee$" #n& to &o no

1B?C

-olly.s erran& here %as e'i&ent" (ettricken %as hol&ing a fat green can&le un&er her nose" On the table %ere se'eral others" 6Bayberry!7 I obser'e&" (ettricken looke& u$ %ith a s ile" 6Fit19hi'alry" ;elco e" 9o e in an& be seate&" -ay I offer you foo&0 ;ine07 I stoo& looking at her" # sea change" I felt her strength! kne% she stoo& in the center of herself" She %as &resse& in a soft gray tunic an& leggings" Her hair %as &resse& in her custo ary %ay" Her 4e%elry %as si $le! a single necklace of green an& blue stone bea&s" But this %as not the %o an I ha& brought back to the (ee$ a fe% &ays ago" That %o an ha& been &istresse&! angry! hurt! an& confuse&" This (ettricken %elle& serenity" 6-y )ueen!7 I began hesitantly" 6(ettricken!7 she correcte& say ore" e that her cha bers ha& the e cal ly" She o'e& about the roo ! setting so e of the can&les on shel'es" It %as al ost a challenge in that she &i& not I ca e farther into her sitting roo " She an& Rose ary %ere the only occu$ants" Aerity ha& once co $laine& to $recision of a furnishe& ilitary enca $ ent" It ha& not been an exaggeration" The issing here" Si $le ats of stra% %ere on

si $le furnishings %ere s$otlessly clean" The hea'y ta$estries an& rugs that ost of Buckkee$ %ere the floor! an& fra es su$$orte& $arch ent screens $ainte& %ith &elicate s$rays of flo%ers an& trees" There %as no clutter at all" In this roo ! all %as finishe& an& $ut a%ay! or not yet begun" That is the only %ay I can &escribe the stillness I felt there" I ha& co e in a roil of conflicting e otions" 5o% I stoo& still an& silent! breathing stea&ying an& y y heart cal ing" One corner of the cha ber ha& been

turne& into an alco'e %alle& %ith the $arch ent screens" Here there %as a rug of green %ool on the floor! an& lo% $a&&e& benches such as I ha& seen in the
1B?D

ountains" (ettricken $lace& the green bayberry can&le behin& one of the screens" She kin&le& it %ith a fla e fro the hearth" The &ancing can&lelight behin& the screen ga'e the life an& %ar th of a sunrise to the $ainte& scene" (ettricken %alke& aroun& to sit on one of the lo% benches %ithin the alco'e" She in&icate& the bench o$$osite hers" 6;ill you 4oin scent of bayberry surroun&e& took ea e07 I &i&" The gently lit screen! the illusion of a s all $ri'ate roo ! an& the s%eet e" The lo% bench %as o&&ly co fortable" It y 'isit" 6-y )ueen! I thought you o ent to recall the $ur$ose of

ight like to learn so e of the ga es of chance %e $lay at Buckkee$" So you coul& 4oin in %hen the other folk are a using the sel'es"7 6*erha$s another ti e!7 she sai& kin&ly" 6If you an& I %ish to a use oursel'es! an& if it %oul& $lease you to teach e the ga e" But for those reasons only" I one.s true fortunate" I ha'e been ha'e foun& the ol& a&ages to be true" One can only %alk so far fro self before the bon& either sna$s! or $ulls one back" I a $ulle& back" I %alk once you sense to&ay"7 6I &on.t un&erstan&"7 She s ile&" 6You &on.t nee& to"7 She fell silent again" =ittle Rose ary ha& gone to sit by. the hearth" She took u$ her slate an& chalk as if to a use herself" E'en that chil&.s nor al erri ent see e& $laci& to&ay" I turne& back to (ettricken an& %aite&" But/ she only sat looking at #fter a e! a be use& s ile on her face" o ent or t%o! I aske&! 6;hat are %e &oing07 ore in trueness to

yself! Fit19hi'alry" That is %hat

65othing!7 (ettricken sai&" I co$ie& her silence" #fter a long ti e she obser'e&! 6Our o%n a bitions an& tasks that %e set for oursel'es! the fra e%ork %e atte $t to i $ose u$on the %orl&! is no ore than a sha&o% of a tree cast across the sno%" It %ill change
1B?E

as the sun

o'es! be s%allo%e& in the night! s%ay %ith the %in&! an& %hen the

s ooth sno% 'anishes! it %ill lie &istorte& u$on the une'en earth" But the tree continues to be" Do you un&erstan& that07 She leane& for%ar& slightly to look into y face" Her eyes %ere kin&" e a look al ost of $ity" 6You %oul& if you sto$$e& trying to e! an& 6I think so!7 I sai& uneasily" " She ga'e un&erstan& it! if you ga'e u$ %orrying about %hy this is i $ortant to bi& you to &o that" I bi& no one &o anything here"7 She sat back again! a gentle loosening that a&e her straight s$ine see e e" It e an& flo% aroun& effortless an& restful" #gain she &i& nothing" She si $ly sat across fro an& unfurle& herself" I felt her life brush u$ against

si $ly trie& to see if it is an i&ea that has %orth in your o%n life" But I &o not

%as but the faintest touching! an& ha& I not ex$erience& both the Skill an& the ;it! I &o not think I %oul& ha'e sense& it" 9autiously! as softly as if I assaye& a bri&ge a&e of cob%eb! I o'erlay y senses on hers" ight be y sensing" (ettricken &i& She )ueste&" 5ot as I &i&! to%ar& a s$ecific beast! or to rea& %hat close by" I &iscar&e& the %or& I ha& al%ays gi'en to

not seek after anything %ith her ;it" It %as as she sai&! si $ly a being! but it %as being a $art of the %hole" She co $ose& herself an& consi&ere& all the %ays the great %eb touche& her! an& %as content" It %as a &elicate an& tenuous thing an& I o$ene& %oul& sense ar'ele& at it" For an instant I! too! relaxe&" I breathe& out" I e" I ha& ne'er &one anything to co $are it %ith before" e& floo&! su&&enly release&! to rush out to fill yself! ;it %i&e to all" I &iscar&e& all caution! all %orry that Burrich

(ettricken.s reaching %as as &elicate as &ro$lets of &e% sli&ing &o%n a stran& of s$i&er%eb" I %as like a &a lo%lan&s"
1BBH

ol& channels to o'erflo%ing an& to sen& fingers of %ater in'estigating the

=et us hunt: The ;olf! 4oyfully" In the stables! Burrich straightene& fro #cross fro # o ent cleaning a hoof! to fro%n at no one" e as if I ha& s$oken alou&" Sooty sta $e& in her stall" -olly shrugge& a%ay an& shook out her hair" e! (ettricken starte& an& looke& at ore I %as hel&! sei1e& fro a thousan& si&es! stretche& an& ouse

ex$an&e&! illu inate& $itilessly" I felt it all! not 4ust the hu an folk %ith their co ings an& goings! but e'ery $igeon that fluttere& in the ea'es! e'ery that cre$t unnotice& behin& the %ine kegs! e'ery s$eck of life! that %as not an& ne'er ha& been a s$eck! but ha& al%ays been a no&e on the %eb of life" 5othing alone! nothing forsaken! nothing %ithout eaning! nothing of no significance! an& nothing of i $ortance" So e%here! so eone sang! an& then fell silent" # chorus fille& in after that solo! other 'oices! &istant an& &i ! saying! ;hat0 Beg $ar&on0 Di& you call0 #re you here0 Do I &rea 0 They $lucke& at a%ay! I coul& co e unra'ele& like a $iece of fabric" I blinke& yself insi&e askance at shifte& I resettle& yself again" I breathe& in" e" I a$$eare& not to notice" I reache& u$ to scratch yself fir ly" I let a fe% ore y nose" I e! as beggars $luck at strangers. slee'es! an& I su&&enly felt that if I &i& not &ra% y eyes! sealing

5o ti e ha& $asse&" # single breath! a %ink of an eye" (ettricken looke& y %eight" inutes $ass before I sighe& an& afrai&!7 I offere&"

shrugge& a$ologetically" 6I &o not un&erstan& the ga e! I a un&erstan& it! or R&o. it" Si $ly sto$ all else! an& be" I a&e a sho% of

I ha& succee&e& in annoying her" 6It is not a ga e" You &on.t ha'e to aking another effort" I sat still for se'eral y cuff until she looke& at o ents! then y

fi&gete& absently %ith

e &oing it" Then I cast

eyes &o%n as if asha e&" 6The can&le s ells 'ery s%eet!7 I co $li ente& her"

1BB1

(ettricken sighe& an& ga'e u$ on

e" 6The girl %ho e

akes the

has a 'ery

keen a%areness of scents" #l ost she can bring e %ith their fragrances" Regal brought after that I sought out her %ares ha'e the ti e or resources to she brings the to offer to e37 ake too

y gar&ens an& surroun&

e one of her honeysuckle ta$ers! an& any" So I count yself fortunate %hen

yself" She is a ser'ing girl here! an& &oes not

6Regal!7 I re$eate&" Regal s$eaking to -olly" Regal kno%ing her %ell enough to kno% of her can&le aking" E'erything insi&e e clenche& %ith forebo&ing" 6-y )ueen! I think I &istract you fro co $any07 6This exercise &oes not exclu&e co $any! Fit19hi'alry"7 She looke& at sa&ly" 6;ill not you try again to let go0 For a e o ent I thought """ 5o0 #h! %hat you %ish to be &oing" That is not

y &esire" -ay I lea'e you no%! to return again %hen you %ish to ha'e

then! I let you go"7 I hear& regret an& loneliness in her 'oice" Then she straightene& herself" She took a breath! breathe& it out slo%ly" I felt again her consciousness thru strong! but she has it" I left her roo alerte& to )uietly" There %as a tiny bit of a use ent to %on&ering %hat y night hunts %ith Burrich %oul& think if he kne%" -uch less a using to recall ho% she ha& been e %hen I )ueste& out %ith the ;it" I thought of the %olf" ;oul& soon the Iueen begin to co $lain of strange &rea s0 # col& certainty %elle& u$ in e" I %oul& be &isco'ere&" I ha& been too agic" I foun& y resol'e an& careless! too long" I kne% that Burrich coul& sense %hen I use& the ;it" ;hat if there %ere others0 I coul& be accuse& of Beast har&ene& yself to it" To orro%! I %oul& act" ing in the %eb" She has the ;it! I thought to yself" 5ot

1BB2

9H#*TER E=EAE5 =one ;ol'es THE FOO= ;I== al%ays re ain one of Buckkee$.s great ysteries" It is al ost $ossible to say that nothing is &efinitely kno%n of hi " His origin! age! sex! an& race ha'e all been the sub4ect of con4ecture" -ost a a1ing is ho% such a $ublic $erson aintaine& such an aura of $ri'acy" The )uestions about agic at all! or %as it erely that his assu $tion the Fool %ill al%ays outnu ber the ans%ers" Di& he e'er truly $ossess any ystical $o%ers! any $rescience! any )uick %its an& ra1or tongue of forekno%le&ge! he s%aye& sa% fit" ;hite on %hite" #n ear t%itche&! an& that You see0 I $ro $te& hi " I scent" I see" I flicke& sufficient" I see: He lea$e&! the rabbit starte&! an& 9ub %ent floun&ering after it" The rabbit ran lightly o'er the un$acke& sno%! %hile 9ub ha& to surge an& boun& an& lea$ through it" The rabbit &arte& elusi'ely! this %ay! that %ay! aroun& the tree! aroun& the clu $ of bushes! into the bra bles" Ha& he staye& in there0 9ub snuffe& ho$efully! but the &ensity of the thorns turne& his sensiti'e nose back" It.s gone! I tol& hi " #re you sure0 ;hy &i&n.t you hel$0
1BB8

a&e it see

as if he kne% all before it ca e to sha$e the future as he

$ass0 If he &i& not kno% the future! he a$$eare& to! an& by his cal any of us to hel$ hi

inute

o'e ent betraye& all"

y eyes to%ar& the $rey" 5o

ore a

o'e ent than that" It %as

I can.t run &o%n ga e in loose sno%" I s$ring is sufficient"

ust stalk an& s$ring only %hen one

#h" Enlighten ent" 9onsi&eration" There are t%o of us" ;e shoul& hunt as a $air" I coul& start ga e an& &ri'e it to%ar& you" You coul& be rea&y to lea$ out an& sna$ its neck" I shook y hea& slo%ly" You in& or in flesh" eant to hunt alone" any &o" #s you %ill" But I &i& not inten& that you shoul& e lea&" ;e ha& left the (ee$ before ore than a soft/shoul&ere& ust learn to hunt alone! 9ub" I %ill not al%ays be %ith you! in # %olf is not *erha$s not" But He fell in at

start %ith rabbits" 9o e on" y heels! content to let %inter light ha& e'en graye& the skies" 5o% they %ere blue an& o$en! clear an& col& abo'e us" The trail %e %ere follo%ing %as no groo'e in the &ee$ sno%" I sank calf/&ee$ at e'ery ste$" #bout us! the forest %as a %inter stillness! broken only by the occasional &art of a s all bir&! or the far/off ca%ing of a cro%" It %as o$en forest! goo& $asturage for goats in su ostly sa$lings %ith the occasional giant that ha& sur'i'e& the fire that ha& cleare& this hillsi&e" It %as er" Their shar$ little hoo'es ha& cut the trail er" this orning" He ha& sho%n %e %ere no% follo%ing" It le& to a si $le stone hut an& a tu ble&o%n corral an& shelter for the goats" It %as only use& in su 9ub ha& been &elighte& %hen I %ent to get hi

e his roun&about $ath for sli$$ing $ast the guar&s" #n ol& cattle gate! long firicke& u$! %as his egress" So e shift of the earth ha& unsettle& the stone an& ortar blocking it! creating a crack %i&e enough for hi beaten/&o%n sno% sho%e& light of stars an& %alls! %e ha& ghoste& a%ay fro the (ee$! to sli$ through" The e that he ha& use& it often" Once outsi&e the o'ing like sha&o%s in the not/ the (ee$! 9ub

oon on %hite sno%" Once safely a%ay fro

1BB<

ha& turne& the ex$e&ition into stalking $ractice" He race& ahea& to lie in %ait! to s$ring out an& tag exertion that %ar e& #l%ays! I ke$t us %ere iles fro e %ith a s$laye& $a% or a shar$ ni$! an& then race a%ay e fro behin&" I ha& let hi $lay! %elco ing the in&less ro $ing" e! as %ell as the sheer 4oy of the in a great circle! to attack

o'ing! so that by the ti e the sun an& light foun& us! %e 'isite& &uring the %inter" -y

Buckkee$! in an area sel&o

s$otting of the %hite rabbit against the %hite sno% ha& been $ure ha$$enstance" I ha& e'en hu bler ga e in in& for his first solo hunt" ;hy &o %e co e here0 9ub &e an&e& as soon as %e ca e in sight of the hut" To hunt! I sai& si $ly" I halte& so e &istance a%ay" The cub sank &o%n besi&e e! %aiting" ;ell! go ahea&! I tol& hi " Jo check for ga e sign" Oh! this is %orthy hunting! this" Sniffing about so e Dis&ainful" " 5ot scra$s" Jo look" He surge& for%ar&! an& then angle& to%ar& the hut" I %atche& hi &rea hunts together ha& taught hi uch! but no% I %ishe& hi ore $rocrastination" entirely in&e$en&ently of go" Our to hunt an &en for scra$s"

e" I &i& not &oubt that he coul& &o it" I chi&e& uch as he coul&" He a$$roache& the hut otions no%

yself that &e an&ing this $roof %as 4ust one He staye& in the sno%y brush as

cautiously! ears alert an& nose %orking" Ol& scents" Hu ans" Joats" 9ol& an& gone" He fro1e an instant! then took a careful ste$ for%ar&" His %ere calculate& an& $recise" Ears for%ar&! tail straight! he %as totally intent an& focuse&" -O>SE: He s$rang an& ha& it" He shook his hea&! a )uick sna$! an& then let the little ani al go flying" He caught it again as it ca e &o%n" -ouse: he announce& gleefully" He fli$$e& his kill u$ into the air an& &ance& u$ after it on his hin& legs" He caught it again! &elicately! in his s all front teeth! an& tosse& it u$ again" I ra&iate& $ri&e an& a$$ro'al at hi " By the ti e
1BB?

he ha& finishe& $laying %ith his kill! the to e"

ouse %as little

ore than a so&&en

rag of fur" He gul$e& it &o%n finally in a single sna$ an& ca e boun&ing back -ice: The $lace is ri&&le& %ith the " Their s ell an& sign are e'ery%here all about the hut" I thought there %oul& be $lenty here" The she$her&s co $lain about the ! that the ice o'errun this $lace an& s$oil their $ro'isions in the su er" I guesse& they %oul& %inter here! too" Sur$risingly fat! for this ti e of year! 9ub o$ine&! an& %as off again %ith a boun&" He hunte& %ith frantic enthusias ! but only until his hunger %as sate&" Then it %as y turn to a$$roach the hut" Sno% ha& &rifte& u$ against the rickety %oo&en &oor! but I shoul&ere& it o$en" The interior %as &is al" Sno% ha& sifte& in through the thatche& roof an& lay in streaks an& stri$es on the fro1en &irt floor" There %as a ru&i entary hearth an& chi ney! %ith a kettle hook" # stool an& a %oo&en bench %ere the only furnishings" There %as still a bit of fire%oo& left besi&e the hearth! an& I use& it to buil& a careful fire on the blackene& stones" I ke$t it s all! 4ust enough to %ar brea& an& interior" =ots of ice: yself to a&&! You %on.t star'e here" the corner he.& been sniffing" He a&'ance& a et ine e here" I kno%" I hesitate&! then force& He lifte& his nose abru$tly fro fe% ste$s to%ar& eat I ha& $acke& %ith the sharing than for any hunger" He yself an& to tha% the ore for e" 9ub ca e for a taste of that!

a&e a leisurely ex$loration of the hut.s

e! then sto$$e&! stan&ing stiff/legge&" His eyes

an& hel&" The %il&s %ere in their &arkness" You.re aban&oning

1BBB

Yes" There is foo& in $lenty here" In a %hile I %ill co e back! to be sure you are all right" I think you %ill be fine here" You %ill teach yourself to hunt" -ice at first! an& then larger ga e """ You betray e" You betray $ack" setting you free! 9ub" ;e are beco ing too close" 5o" ;e are not $ack" I a

That is not goo&! for either of us" I %arne& you! long ago! that I %oul& not bon&" ;e can ha'e no $art of each other.s li'es" It is better for you to go off! alone! to beco e %hat you %ere I %as eant to be a ake eant to be" e" ;ill you tell e ber of a $ack He le'ele& his stare at e $art of their $ack0 hi " 5o" There are no %ol'es here" One %oul&

e that there are %ol'es near here! ones %ho %ill acce$t an intru&er into their territory an& ha'e to tra'el freely" Then %hat is there here for e0 ine" e! an& then abru$tly turne& asi&e" He circle& e" -en it is y o%n" I Foo&" Free&o " Your o%n life! in&e$en&ent of Isolation" He bare& his teeth at $ast not $ack! but I %as force& to look asi&e fro

any &ays to co e to a $lace %il& enough for %ol'es to run

e! a %i&e circle as he %ent to the &oor" -en" He sneere&" Truly you are an" He $ause& in the o$en &oor to look back at

%ho think they can rule others. li'es but ha'e no bon&s to the " Do you think that to bon& or not to bon& is for you alone to &eci&e0 -y heart is gi'e it %here I %ill" I %ill not gi'e it to one %ho thrusts about this be like the en.s lair! to sna$ at the e asi&e" 5or %ill I

obey one %ho &enies $ack an& bon&" Do you think I %ill stay here an& snuff ice %ho ha'e co e for their lea'ings! to en0 5o" If %e are not ice! things that li'e on the &ro$$ings of

$ack! then %e are not kin" I o%e you nothing! an& least of all obe&ience" I shall not stay here" I shall li'e as I $lease"
1BBC

# slyness to his thoughts" He %as hi&ing so ething! but I guesse& it" You shall &o as you %ish! 9ub! but for one thing" You shall not follo% Buckkee$" I forbi& it" You forbi&0 You forbi&0 Forbi& the %in& to blo% $ast your stone &en! then! or the grass to gro% in the earth aroun& it" You ha'e as He snorte& an& turne& a%ay fro ti e to hi " 69ub:7 I sai& in s all ears %ent back at y e" I har&ene& uch right" You forbi&" y %ill! an& s$oke a final e! startle&" His e" But before e back to

an 'oice" He turne& back to

y tone" #l ost he sneere& his teeth at

he coul&! I re$elle& at hi " It %as a thing I ha& al%ays kno%n ho% to &o! as instincti'ely as one kno%s to $ull the finger back fro the fla e" It %as a force e! an& I &i& not %hen he %as I ha& use& but sel&o ! for once Burrich ha& turne& it against al%ays trust it" This %as not a $ush! such as I ha& use& on hi cage&" I $ut force into it! the thing as he recoile& fro 6JO:7 I shoute& at hi ! re$elle& hi

ental re$ulsing beco ing al ost a $hysical

e" He lea$e& back a stri&e then stoo& s$lay/legge& an.s %or&! an.s 'oice! an& at the sa e ti e yself %ithin yself!

on the sno%! rea&y for flight" His eyes %ere shocke&" again %ith e'ery bit of ;it I ha&" He fle&! not gracefully! but %ith y in& an& ake sure that he &i& not sto$" 5o" I e"

lea$ing an& scrabbling a%ay through the sno%" I hel& refusing to follo% hi %ith&ra%ing of

%as &one %ith that" The re$elling %as a breaking of that bon&! not only a yself fro hi ! but a $ushing back of e'ery tie he ha& to Se'ere&" #n& better to let the re ain that %ay" Yet as I stoo& staring at the issing" I ha'e hear& en

$atch of brush %here he ha& &isa$$eare&! I felt an e $tiness that %as 'ery like to col&! a tingling itch of so ething lost! so ething fore'er" s$eak so of an a $utate& li b" # $hysical gro$ing about for a $art gone

1BBD

I left the hut an& began stri$$e& of skin an& I ha& &one it to

y hike ho e" The farther I %alke&! the

ore I hurt"

5ot $hysically! but that is the only co $arison I ha'e" #s ra% an& flaye& as if eat" It %as %orse than %hen Burrich ha& taken 5osy! for yself that I &i& not feel asha e&" I ha& &one %hat e" ;hat life %oul& ight be isolate&! yself" The %aning afternoon see e& chillier than the &ark of

&a%n ha&" I trie& to tell

%as necessary" #s I ha& %ith Airago" I $ushe& that thought asi&e" 5o" 9ub %oul& be fine" He %oul& be better off than if he %ere %ith the (ee$ &ogs or hunters or anyone %ho he it be for that %il& creature! skulking about! al%ays in &anger of &isco'ery! by ight s$ot hi 0 He ight be lonely! but he %oul& be ali'e" Our connection %as se'ere&" There e! to see if I coul& sense hi ine at all" I sternly resiste& it! in& still touche&

%as an insistent te $tation to )uest out about still! to gro$e an& fin& if his an& seale& follo% to look back"

y thoughts against his as fir ly as I coul&" Jone" He %oul& not like that" 5o" I tra $e& on an& refuse&

e" 5ot after I ha& re$elle& hi

Ha& I not been so &ee$ in thought! so intent on re aining isolate& insi&e yself! I ight ha'e ha& so e %arning" But I &oubt it" The ;it %as ne'er any e! or if I blun&ere& %as %hen the %eight hit y feet ales! one use against Forge& ones" I &o not kno% if they stalke& right $ast their hi&ing $lace" The first I kne% of the co e back to challenge

y back an& I %ent &o%n face/first in the sno%" #t first I thought it %as 9ub! y &ecision" I rolle& an& ca e al ost to y shoul&er" Forge& ones! three uscle&" -y before another one sei1e& hol& of young! t%o large an& once %ell categori1ing the

in& recor&e& it all )uickly!

as neatly as if this %ere one of 9ha&e.s exercises" One big the col&! filthy bear&s! shaggy hair" Faces bruise&

one %ith a knife! the others ha& sticks" Torn an& filthy clothing" Faces re&&ene& an& $eeling fro

1BBE

an& cut" Di& they fight a ong the sel'es! or ha& they attacke& so eone else before e0 as I coul&" ore Forge& e in the to %orry I broke the one.s gri$ an& lea$e& back! trying to get as clear of the %oul& not nee& any %ea$on to&ay+ I ha& thought there %ere no ones any%here near Buckkee$" They circle& %i&e of center of their ring" They let the " 6;hat &o you %ant0 -y cloak07 I un&i& the catch an& let it fall" One.s eyes follo%e& it &o%n! but none of the co $letely behin& han&s! tosse& the the %atching lea$e& for it as I ha& ho$e&" I shifte&! fro y turning! trying to %atch all three at once! trying to ha'e none of the e" It %asn.t easy" 6-ittens07 I stri$$e& the as a $air to%ar& the one %ho a$$eare& youngest" He let e get y knife clear" It &i&n.t see

I ha& a belt knife" It %as not a long bla&e! but it %as all I ha&" I ha& thought I e! kee$ing

fall at his feet" They grunte& as they shuffle&! rocking on their feet! e" 5o one %ante& to be the first to attack" They kne% I ha& a knife+ eet the bla&e" I took a ste$ or t%o to%ar& an y esca$e"

%hoe'er %ent first %oul&

o$ening in the ring" They shifte& to block the ! an& for a

6;hat &o you %ant07 I roare& at the " I s$un aroun&! trying to look at each of o ent locke& eyes %ith one" There %as less in his eyes than isery of $hysical an& he blinke&" hi " e but a fight:7 there ha& been in 9ub.s" 5o clean %il&ness! only the &isco fort an& %ant" I stare& at hi 6I ha'e no 6-eat"7 He grunte& as if I ha& %rung the %or& fro

eat! no foo& at all" You.ll get nothing fro

6You!7 huffe& another! in a $aro&y of laughter" -irthless! heartless" 6-eat:7 I ha& $ause& a su&&enly to o ent too long! looke& too long at one! for another s$rang e! $inning one of y ar s! y back" He flung his ar s aroun&

1BCH

an& then su&&enly! horribly! his teeth sank into y shoul&er" -eat" -e" # horror beyon& thought engulfe& o%n" The ele ents %ere

y flesh %here

y neck

et

e an& I fought" I fought 4ust as I ha& the in&less brutality that ri'ale& their

first ti e I ha& battle& Forge& ones! %ith a

y only ally! for they %ere ra'age& by col& an& ine %as ne% an& strong %ithin e %hile theirs

$ri'ation" Their han&s %ere clu sy %ith col&! an& if %e %ere all $o%ere& by the fren1y for sur'i'al! at least the ha& been %orn &o%n by the brutality of their current existence" I left flesh in outh of that first attacker! but tear yself free I &i&" That I recall" The rest y knife in the young one.s e across the y neck is not so clear" I cannot $ut it in or&er" I broke off ribs" I recall a thu b gouging into fro shoul&ers %ith his stick! until I see e& but a %ar too in

y eye! an& the sna$ %hen I &islocate& it ate to eet the blo%" I

its socket" =ocke& in a struggle %ith one! another $oun&e& anage& to turn his

&on.t recall that I felt the $ain of that $oun&ing! an& the torn flesh at yself! no &aunting of throttling y &esire to kill the

s$ot %here bloo& flo%e&" I ha& no sense of &a age to all" I coul& not %in" There %ere its entangle ent

any" The young one %as &o%n in the sno%! coughing bloo&! but one %as e %hile the other trie& to 4erk the s%or& free fro y flesh an& slee'e" I %as kicking an& flailing! trying uselessly to inflict any y attackers %hile the e&ges of the %orl& gre% black an&

sort of &a age on Brother:

the sky began to s$in" He ca e! slashing teeth an& %eight hitting our tangle& struggle like a battering ra " ;e all %ent &o%n in the sno% then! an& the i $act loosene& the Forge& one.s gri$ enough that I caught a %histle of air into s%ear I sa% yself! face $ur$le& fro y lungs" -y hea& cleare&! an& su&&enly I ha& heart to fight again! to ignore $ain an& &a age! to fight: I strangling! the rich bloo& strea ing an&
1BC1

soaking an& the s ell so &o%n an& a%ay fro

a&&ening" I bare&

y teeth" Then 9ub bore the one an coul& atch!

e" He attacke& hi

%ith a s$ee& no

slashing an& sna$$ing an& lea$ing clear before the gras$ing han&s coul& sei1e his coat" He &arte& back in su&&enly" I kno% that I kne% %hen 9ub.s 4a%s close& in his throat" I felt that &eath rattle in y o%n 4a%s an& the s%ift s$urting bloo& that &renche& y 4o%ls" I shook y hea&! y u11le an& flo%e& out o'er y teeth tearing flesh! setting all

the life loose to run free &o%n his stinking gar ents" Then %as a ti e of nothing" Then I %as sitting in the sno%! back against a tree" 9ub %as lying in the sno% not far fro I lifte& e" His fore$a%s %ere &a$$le& %ith bloo&" He %as licking his y outh an& chin" I %i$e& a%ay bloo&" It %as not y bile coul& cleanse the &ea& ine" legs clean! a careful! slo%! thorough licking" y slee'e to I knelt su&&enly for%ar& in the sno%! to s$it out bear& hairs! an& then to 'o it! but not e'en the aci& taste of bloo& fro y an.s flesh an& outh" I glance& at his bo&y! looke& a%ay" His throat %as torn y teeth" I shut y eyes tight" I sat 'ery still" y eyes" He sat besi&e e! regar&ing

out" For a terrible instant I coul& recall ho% I ha& che%e& &o%n! the ten&ons of his throat taut against 9ol& nose against e" 9ub" 5ighteyes! he correcte& y litter to get aroun& at the fallen e" -y other/na e& e 5ighteyes" I %as the last of y eyes o$en" He snuffe&! then snee1e& su&&enly" He looke& en" I follo%e& his ga1e un%illingly" -y knife ha& taken y cheek" I o$ene&

the young one! but he ha& not &ie& )uickly" The other t%o """ I kille& faster! 5ighteyes obser'e& )uietly" But I ha'e not the teeth of a co%" You &i& %ell! for your kin&" He stoo& u$ an& shook hi self" Bloo&! both col&

1BC2

an& %ar ! s$attere& significance" You.re blee&ing"

y face" I gas$e& an& %i$e& it a%ay! then reali1e& the

So are you" He $ulle& the bla&e out of you to $ut it in =et e look at it" ;hy0

e"

The )uestion hung bet%een us in the col& air" 5ight %as about to fin& us" O'erhea& the tree branches ha& gone black against the e'ening sky" I &i& not nee& the light to see hi " I &i& not e'en nee& to see hi " Do you nee& to see your ear to kno% it is $art of you0 #s useless to &eny that $art of ine as to &eny 5ighteyes" ;e are brothers" ;e are $ack! I conce&e&" #re %e0 I felt a reaching! a gro$ing! a tugging for y attention" I let yself recall that I y focus! y uscle an& cla%! an& ha& felt this before an& &enie& it" 5o% I &i& not" I ga'e hi un&i'i&e& attention" 5ighteyes %as there! hi&e an& tooth! gone bet%een t%o big reache& out to hi y flesh %as

I &i& not a'oi& hi " I kne% the s%or& thrust in his shoul&er an& felt ho% it ha& uscles there" He hel& his $a% curle& to his chest" I e" Trust is not trust until it is co $lete" So y hesitate&! an& then felt his hurt that I %oul& hesitate" So I $ause& no longer! but as he ha& to close %ere %e! I &o not kno% %hich of us offere& this thought" For an instant I ha& a &ouble a%areness of the %orl& as 5ighteyes. $erce$tions o'erlay o%n! his scenting of the bo&ies! his hearing telling alrea&y cree$ing closer! his eyes bon&e&" the &uality %as gone! an& his senses %ere e of sca'enger foxes ine his" ;e %ere

aking no &ifficulty of the fa&ing light" Then ine! an&

1BC8

9ol& %as settling! on the lan& an& into %i&e a%ay fro &es$ite

y bones" ;e foun& anage& to &rag

y cloak! clotte& y ittens on

%ith frost! but I shook it out an& $ut it on" I &i& not try to fasten it! but ke$t it %here I ha& been bitten" I y in4ure& forear " 6;e.& better go!7 I tol& hi softly" 6;hen %e get

ho e! I.ll see to cleaning an& ban&aging us" But first! %e.& better get there an& get %ar "7 I felt his assent" He %alke& besi&e e as %e %ent! not behin& e" He lifte& his nose once! to snuff &ee$ly of the fresh air" # col& %in& ha& co e u$" Sno% began to fall" That %as all" His nose brought no e the kno%le&ge that I nee& fear ingling %ith the ore Forge& ones" The air %as clean sa'e for the stench of those behin& us!

an& e'en that %as fa&ing! turning into carrion s ell! sca'enger foxes co e to fin& the "

You %ere %rong! he obser'e&" 5either of us hunts 'ery %ell alone" Sly a use ent" >nless you thought you %ere &oing %ell before I ca e along0 6# %olf is not eant to hunt alone!7 I tol& hi " I trie& for &ignity" e" Don.t fear! little brother" I.ll be here" e" I felt his strength ingling %ith He lolle& his tongue at 5ot

;e continue& %alking through the cris$ %hite sno% an& the stark black trees" uch farther to ho e! he co forte& ine as %e li $e& on" It %as nearly noon %hen I $resente& forear yself at Aerity.s a$/roo &oor" -y y

%as snugly ban&age& an& in'isible insi&e a 'olu inous slee'e" The

%oun& itself %as not that se'ere! but it %as $ainful" The bite bet%een

shoul&er an& neck %as not so easily conceale&" I ha& lost flesh there! an& it ha& ble& $rofusely" ;hen I ha& seen it %ith a looking glass the night before! I %as nearly sick" 9leaning it ha& chunk of a&e it blee& e'en ore $rofusely+ there %as a ore of e e gone" ;ell! an& if 5ighteyes ha& not inter'ene&!
1BC<

%oul& ha'e follo%e& that that thought" I ha& ha& $ulle&

outhful" I cannot ex$lain ho% sickening I foun&

anage& to get a &ressing on it! but not a 'ery goo& one" I

y shirt high an& fastene& it in $lace to conceal the ban&aging" It y throat as it o$ene&"

chafe& $ainfully against the %oun&! but it conceale& it" #$$rehensi'ely! I ta$$e& on the &oor! an& %as clearing 9hari 9hari tol& e Aerity %as not there" There %as a %orry &ee$ in his eyes" I y banter" 65o" >$ in his to%er!7 the ol& ser'ant e as uch" I ha& trie& to forget that $art of our e as I sought the to%er stairs" Aerity ha& in

trie& not to share it" 6He can.t lea'e the boatbuil&ers to that %ork! can he07 shook his hea& to sai& shortly" I turne& asi&e as he slo%ly shut the &oor" ;ell! (ettricken ha& tol& con'ersation" Drea& cre$t through su

no reason to be in this to%er" This to%er %as %here he Skille& fro

ers! %hen the %eather %as fine an& the Rai&ers harrie& our shores" There

%as no reason to be u$ there in %inter! es$ecially %ith the %in& ho%ling an& the sno% &ro$$ing as it %as to&ay" 5o reason sa'e the terrible attraction of the Skill itself" I ha& felt that lure! I re in&e& =ike the clotte& ca e back to yself as I gritte& y teeth an& began the long cli b to the to$" I ha& kno%n! for a ti e! the hea&y exuberance of the Skill" e ory of long/ago $ain! Jalen the Skill -aster.s %or&s e" 6If you are %eak!7 he ha& threatene& us! 6if you lack focus aster you" *ractice the &enial of all

an& &isci$line! if you are in&ulgent an& incline& to $leasure! you %ill not aster the Skill" Rather! the Skill %ill $leasures to yourself+ &eny all %eaknesses that te $t you" Then! %hen you are as steel! $erha$s you %ill be rea&y to encounter the lure of the Skill an& turn asi&e fro it" If you gi'e in to it! you %ill beco e as a great babe! in&less an& &rooling"7 Then he ha& schoole& us! %ith $ri'ations an& $unish ents that %ent far $ast any sane le'el" Yet %hen I ha& encountere& the Skill 4oy! I ha&
1BC?

not foun& it the ta%&ry $leasure Jalen ha& i $lie&" Rather! it ha& been the sa e rush of bloo& an& thun&er of heart that so eti es usic brought to e! or a su&&en flight of bright $heasant in an autu n %oo&! or e'en the $leasure of taking a horse $erfectly o'er a &ifficult 4u $" That instant %hen all things co e into balance! an& for a it laste& for as long as a o ent turn together as $erfectly as bir&s o ent" Rather %heeling in flight" The Skill ga'e that to one! but not for 4ust a

an coul& sustain it! an& beca e stronger an& $urer as

one.s ability %ith the Skill refine&" Or so I belie'e&" -y o%n abilities %ith the Skill ha& been $er anently &a age& in a battle of %ills %ith Jalen" The &efensi'e of ental %alls I ha& erecte& %ere such that not e'en so eone as e" -y o%n ability to reach out strongly Skille& as Aerity coul& al%ays reach horse" I $ause& outsi&e Aerity.s &oor" I took a 'ery &ee$ breath! then breathe& it out slo%ly! refusing to let the blackness of s$irit settle on &one! that ti e %as gone" 5o sense railing to e" Those things %ere y ol& yself about it" #s %as

yself ha& beco e an inter ittent thing! skittish an& flighty as a s$ooky

habit! I entere& %ithout knocking! lest the noise break Aerity.s concentration" He shoul& not ha'e been Skilling" He %as" The shutters of the %in&o% %ere o$en an& he leane& out on the sill" ;in& an& sno% s%irle& throughout the roo ! s$eckling his &ark hair an& &ark blue shirt an& 4erkin" He %as breathing in &ee$! long stea&y breaths! a ca&ence so e%here bet%een a 'ery &ee$ slee$ an& that of a runner at rest an& catching his %in&" He see e& obli'ious of 6*rince Aerity07 I sai& softly" He turne& to Skille& into $ossessing For a e! an& his ga1e %as like heat! like light! like %in& in e %ith such force that I felt &ri'en out of ine so co $letely that there %as no roo left to be y face" He in& yself in it" yself! his e"

o ent I %as &ro%ning in Aerity! an& then he %as gone! %ith&ra%ing so

1BCB

ra$i&ly that I %as left stu bling an& gas$ing like a fish &eserte& by a high %a'e" In a ste$ he %as besi&e feet" 6I. hi sorry!7 he a$ologi1e&" 6I %as not ex$ecting you" You startle& e"7 6I shoul& ha'e knocke&! He glance& asi&e fro y $rince!7 I re$lie&! an& then ga'e a )uick no& to e" 65ot uch" So e boys on the cliffs! %atching a e! catching y elbo% an& stea&ying e on y

that I coul& stan&" 6;hat.s out there! that you %atch so intently07

$o& of %hales s$orting" T%o of our o%n boats! fishing halibut" E'en in this %eather! though not en4oying it uch"7 6Then you are not Skilling for Outislan&ers """"7 6There are not any out there! this ti e of year" But I kee$ a %atch"7 He glance& &o%n at y forear ! the one he ha& 4ust release&! an& change& the sub4ect" e" Out on the 6;hat ha$$ene& to you07 6That.s %hat I ca e to see you about" Forge& ones attacke& goather&.s she&"7 He no&&e& )uickly! his &ark bro%s knitting" 6I kno% the area" Ho% Describe the "7 I )uickly sketche& y attackers for hi an& he no&&e& briefly! unsur$rise&" 6I o'ing in this &irection! e'ery &ay" out"7 ha& a re$ort of the ! four &ays ago" They shoul& not be this close to Buckkee$ this soon+ not unless they are consistently #re they finishe&07 6Yes" You ex$ecte& this07 I %as aghast" 6I thought %e ha& %i$e& the 6;e %i$e& out the ones %ho %ere here then" There are others! &irection" I ha'e been kee$ing track of the ex$ecte& the to be so close so soon"7 o'ing in this any0 face of the ri&ge! the one %here the s$ruce/hen hunting is goo&" 5ear the

by the re$orts! but I ha& not

1BCC

I struggle& briefly! got Aerity

y 'oice un&er control" 6-y $rince! %hy &o %e si $ly

kee$ track of the 0 ;hy &o not %e """ take care of this $roble 07 a&e a s all noise in his throat an& turne& back to his %in&o%" o'e! in or&er to e07 e" I hesitate& 6So eti es one has to %ait! an& let the ene y co $lete a &isco'er %hat the full strategy is" Do you un&erstan& 6The Forge& ones ha'e a strategy0 I think not! 6Re$ort to e in full!7 Aerity &irecte&

y $rince" They %ere/7

e %ithout looking at

briefly! then launche& into a co $lete retelling" To%ar& the en& of the struggle! y account beca e a bit incoherent" I let the %or&s &ie on anage to break his gri$ on He &i& not take his eyes fro Fit19hi'alry" You al%ays see 6I kno%! e" #n& all three of the to get hurt in the "7 e/7 y li$s" 6But I &i& &ie& there"7

the sea" 6You shoul& a'oi& $hysical struggles!

y $rince!7 I a& itte& hu bly" 6Ho& &i& her best %ith

6But you %ere not really traine& to be a fighter" You ha'e other talents" #n& those are the ones you shoul& be $utting to use to $reser'e yourself" Oh! you.re a co $etent s%or&s an+ but you.'e not the bra%n an& %eight to be a bra%ler" #t least! not yet" #n& that is %hat you al%ays see a&&e&! 6 y $rince"7 65o" You %on.t be"7 He see e& to s$eak fro tol& afar" # slight tension in the air afrai& I ust sen& you %hy! fro e that he Skille& out e'en as %e s$oke" 6Yet I. to re'ert to in a fight"7 6I %as not offere& the selection of %ea$ons!7 I sai&! a bit testily! an& then

out again" I think you are $erha$s right" I ha'e %atche& %hat is ha$$ening long enough" The Forge& ones are con'erging on Buckkee$" I cannot fatho an& yet $erha$s kno%ing that is not as i $ortant as $re'enting the *erha$s this ti e I can kee$ y o%n la&y fro

attaining their goal" You %ill again un&ertake the re o'al of this $roble ! Fit1" beco ing in'ol'e& in it" I un&erstan& that if she %ishes to go ri&ing! she no% has a guar& of her o%n07
1BCD

6#s you ha'e been tol&! sir!7 I tol& hi ! cursing s$eak to hi sooner of the Iueen.s guar&" He turne& to regar& ru or reache&

yself for not co ing to

e le'elly" 6The ru or I hear& %as that you ha&

authori1e& the creation of such a guar&" 5ot to steal your glory! but %hen such e! I let it be su$$ose& that I ha& re)ueste& it of you" #s! I su$$ose! I &i&" Aery in&irectly"7 6-y $rince!7 I sai&! an& ha& the goo& sense to kee$ )uiet" 6;ell" If she ust ri&e! at least she is guar&e& no%" Though I %oul& greatly ore encounters %ith Forge& ones" ;oul& I coul& think of $refer she ha& no

so ething to busy her!7 he a&&e& %earily" 6The Iueen.s Jar&en!7 I suggeste&! recalling *atience.s account of it" Aerity cocke& his eye at e" to clear 6The ol& ones! ato$ the to%er!7 I ex$laine&" 6They ha'e been unuse& for years" I sa% %hat %as left of the ! before Jalen or&ere& us to &is antle the s$ace for our Skill lessons" It Tubs of earth an& greenery! statuary! cli bing 'ines"7 Aerity s ile& to hi self" 6#n& basins of %ater! too! %ith $on& lilies in the ! an& fish! an& e'en tiny frogs" The bir&s ca e there often in su on strings! a&e of glass an& bright er! to &rink an& to s$lash" 9hi'alry an& I use& to $lay u$ there" She ha& little char s hung etal" #n& %hen the %in& stirre& the ! yself other ke$t a little they %oul& chi e together! or flash like 4e%els in the sun"7 I coul& feel %ar ing %ith his e ory of that $lace an& ti e" 6-y hunting cat! an& it %oul& lounge on the %ar ust ha'e been a char ing $lace at one ti e"

stone %hen the sun struck it"

Hiss$it+ that %as her na e" S$otte& coat an& tufte& ears" #n& %e %oul& tease her %ith string an& tufts of feathers! an& she %oul& stalk us a ong the $ots of flo%ers" ;hile %e %ere su$$ose& to be stu&ying tablets on herbs" I ne'er $ro$erly learne& the " There %as too uch else to &o there" Exce$t for thy e"

1BCE

I kne% e'ery kin& of thy e she ha&" -y cat int"7 He %as s iling"

other gre% a lot of thy e" #n& uch in the

6(ettricken %oul& lo'e such a $lace!7 I tol& hi " 6She gar&ene& -ountains"7

6Di& she07 He looke& sur$rise&" 6I %oul& ha'e thought her occu$ie& %ith ore """ $hysical $asti es"7 I felt an instant of annoyance %ith hi " 5o! of so ething annoyance" Ho% coul& it be that I kne% ke$t gar&ens!7 I sai& )uietly" 6Of that gre% therein" I ha'e tol& you of the ore than ore of his %ife than he &i&0 6She yself"7 e!

any herbs! an& kne% all the uses of those

6Yes! I su$$ose you ha'e"7 He sighe&" 6You are right! Fit1" Aisit her for

an& tell her of the Iueen.s Jar&en" It is %inter no%! an& there is $robably little she can &o %ith it" But co e s$ring! it %oul& be a %on&rous thing to see it restore& """"7 6*erha$s! you yourself! y $rince!7 I 'enture&! but he shook his hea&" a$s" I 6I ha'en.t the ti e" But I trust it to you" #n& no%! &o%nstairs" To the ha'e things I %ish to &iscuss %ith you"7 I turne& i &oor for hi e&iately to%ar& the &oor" Aerity follo%e& e!7 he a& itte& to ore slo%ly" I hel& the e! cal ly! si $ly! as if o ent %hen I a not an& on the threshol& he $ause& an& looke& back o'er his shoul&er e! at any

at the o$en %in&o%" 6It calls busie&" #n& so I

obser'ing that he en4oye& $lu s" 6It calls to 6I see!7 I sai& slo%ly! not at all sure that I &i&"

ust be busy! Fit1" #n& too busy"7

65o" You &on.t"7 Aerity s$oke %ith great certainty" 6It is like a great loneliness! boy" I can reach out an& touch others" So e! )uite easily" But no one e'er reaches back" ;hen 9hi'alry %as ali'e """ I still iss hi ! boy"

1BDH

So eti es I a

so lonely for hi + it is like being the only one of so ething in y s$ine" 6;hat of (ing Shre%&07 I 'enture& to ask" no%" His strength for it has &%in&le&! in&"7 ;e %ent &o%n a fe% ore ste$s"

the %orl&" =ike the 'ery last %olf! hunting alone"7 # shi'er %ent &o%n He shook his hea&" 6He Skills sel&o an& it taxes his bo&y as %ell as his

6You an& I are the only ones no% to kno% that!7 he a&&e& softly" I no&&e&" ;e %ent &o%n the stairs slo%ly" 6Has the healer looke& at your ar 07 he )uerie&" I shook y hea&" 65or Burrich"7 He %as stating this as fact! alrea&y kno%ing it %as true" I shook y hea& again" The arks of 5ighteyes. teeth %ere too $lain u$on y %olf to hi " y skin! although he ha& gi'en those bites in $lay" I coul& not sho% Burrich the arks of the Forge& ones %ithout betraying Aerity sighe&" 6;ell" (ee$ it clean" I su$$ose you kno% as %ell as any ho% to kee$ an in4ury clean" 5ext ti e you go out! re e ber this! an& go $re$are&" #l%ays" There ay not al%ays be one to ste$ in an& ai& you"7 uch &o you kno%0 #bout """ this"7 ore than you think I &o"7 I ca e to a slo% sto$ on the stairs" Aerity continue& &o%n" I took a &ee$ breath" 6Aerity!7 I aske& )uietly" 6Ho% 6=ess than you &o!7 he sai& 4o'ially" 6But 6You soun& like the Fool!7 I sai& bitterly" 6Yes" So eti es" He is another one %ho has a great un&erstan&ing of aloneness! an& %hat it can &ri'e a thought he I follo%e& hi an to &o"7 He took a breath! an& al ost I e for it" any in" ight say that he kne% %hat I %as! an& &i& not con&e n silently no%! %on&ering ho% he kne% so

Instea&! he continue&! 6I belie'e the Fool ha& %or&s %ith you! a fe% &ays ago" uch about so things" The Skilling! of course" ;e ca e to his stu&y an& I follo%e& hi
1BD1

9hari ! as e'er! %as alrea&y %aiting for us" Foo& %as set out! an& %ine" Aerity set u$on it %ith a great a$$etite" I sat across fro %atching hi eat" I %as not 'ery hungry! but it built uch he en4oye& this si $le! robust hi !

ulle& ostly

y a$$etite to %atch ho%

eal" In this he %as still a sol&ier! I e uch satisfaction to see

thought" He %oul& take this s all $leasure! this goo&! %ell/ser'e& foo& %hen he %as hungry! an& relish it %hile he coul&" It ga'e hi su %ith this uch life an& a$$etite to hi " I %on&ere& ho% he %oul& be next in& to set the astray %hile

er! %hen he %oul& ha'e to Skill for hours e'ery &ay! kee$ing %atch for

Rai&ers off our coast! an& using the tricks of his su

gi'ing our o%n folk early %arning" I thought of Aerity as he ha& been last er by har'est ti e! %orn to thinness! face line&! %ithout the energy to eat er! his hunger for the Skilling %oul& sa'e that he &rank the sti ulants that 9ha&e $ut in his tea" His life ha& beco e the hours he s$ent Skilling" 9o e su %on&ere&" #fter %e ha& eaten! Aerity %ent o'er his any %ere istaking the $attern that e erge&" o'ing to%ar& Buckkee$" It a&e no sense to e" The ones I ha& a$s %ith e" There %as no longer re$lace e'ery other hunger in his life" Ho% %oul& (ettricken react to that0 I

Regar&less of %hat obstacles! forest or ri'er or fro1en $lains! the Forge& ones encountere& see e& all but bereft of their senses" I foun& it &ifficult to belie'e that any one of the of the %oul& concei'e of tra'eling o'erlan&! &es$ite har&shi$s! to be o'ing si $ly to co e to Buckkee$" 6#n& these recor&s you.'e ke$t in&icate that all ha'e" #ll of the Forge& ones that you.'e i&entifie& see to%ar& Buckkee$"7 6Yet you ha'e &ifficulty seeing it as a coor&inate& $lan07 Aerity aske& )uietly" 6I fail to see ho% they coul& ha'e any $lan at all" Ho% ha'e they contacte& each other0 #n& it &oesn.t see a concerte& effort" They aren.t
1BD2

eeting u$ an&

tra'eling here in ban&s" It si $ly see s that each an& e'ery one sets out this %ay! an& so e of the 6=ike fall in together"7 oths &ra%n to a can&le fla e!7 Aerity obser'e&" use&" 6I %ish I kne%

6Or flies to carrion!7 I a&&e& sourly" 6The ones to fascination! the others to fee&!7 Aerity %hich it is that &ra%s the Forge& ones to 6;hy &o you think you their target07 6I &o not kno%" But if I fin& out! I chance that all the Forge& ones against I nee& to un&erstan& %hy"7 6To un&erstan& the ! you The )uestion Fool ocke& a&e ust beco e the "7 e" 6-y $rince! %hen the e ory" I ha& 6Oh"7 He looke& less than a use&" 65o% %ho soun&s like the Fool07 e uneasy an& I let it sli$ by e the other &ay """7 I hesitate&! still stung by the y ay un&erstan& y ene y" I &o not think it o'e e" o'e against ake their %ay to Buckkee$" I think they e" *erha$s another thing entirely"7

ust kno% %hy they co e0 Do! you think you are

e! Fit1" *erha$s not of their o%n %ill! but it is still a

al%ays belie'e& the Fool to be $ut i&eas in fro

y frien&" I trie& to $ush the e otion asi&e" 6He

in&" In his teasing %ay" He sai&! if I un&erstan& his ri&&les

aright! that I shoul& be seeking for others %ho are Skille&" -en an& %o en your father.s generation! traine& by Solicity before Jalen beca e Skill ore about the one&! %hat can they &o0 ;hat are they07 en" #n& yet! neither is e'en y father -aster" #n& he see e& also to say that I shoul& be fin&ing out El&erlings" Ho% are they su of those )uests

Aerity leane& back in his chair an& stee$le& his fingers o'er his chest" 6Either ight be enough for a &o1en sufficient for one! for the ans%ers to either )uestion are so scarce" To the first! yes! there shoul& yet be Skille& ones a ongst us! folk ol&er than e'en! traine& for the ol& %ars against the Outislan&ers" It %oul& not ha'e been
1BD8

co

on folk kno%le&ge as to %ho %as traine&" Training %as &one $ri'ately! ight kno% of fe% outsi&e their o%n circle" Still! sure there %ere! at one ti e" But %hat has Solicity or a ong his things after

an& e'en those in a coterie

there shoul& ha'e been recor&s" I a

beco e of the ! no one can say" I i agine that they %ere $asse& fro &o%n to Jalen" But they %ere not foun& in his roo he """ &ie&"7

It %as Aerity.s turn to $ause" ;e both kne% ho% Jalen ha& &ie&! in a sense ha& both been there! though %e ha& ne'er s$oken hi " Instea&! Aerity ha& borro%e& kee$ all e otion fro y 'oice" y o%n! anage& to uch of it" Jalen ha& &ie& a in &raining Jalen" It traitor! in the act of trying to Skill/ta$ Aerity.s strength an& &rain it off an& kill y strength to ai& hi %as not a thing either of us en4oye& recalling" But I s$oke bol&ly! trying to 6Do you think Regal %oul& kno% %here such recor&s are07 6If he &oes! he has sai& nothing of it"7 Aerity.s 'oice %as as flat as a fe% Skille& ones" The na es! at least" In e'ery case! those I ha'e &isco'er ha'e either alrea&y &ie& or cannot be locate& no%"7 6> "7 I recalle& hearing so ething of this fro &i& you &isco'er their na es07 6So e y father coul& recall" The e bers of the last coterie! %ho ser'e& to (ing Bounty" Others I kne% 'aguely! %hen I %as 'ery s all" # fe% others I &isco'ere& by talking to so e of the 'ery ol& folk in the (ee$! asking the recall %hat ru ors they coul& of %ho Though of course I &i& not ask in so %ish y )uest to be kno%n"7 6-ay I ask %hy07 ight ha'e been traine& in the Skill" any %or&s" I &i& not! an& still &o not! 9ha&e so e ti e ago" 6Ho% $utting an en& to that to$ic" 6But I ha'e ha& so e s all success in unco'ering

1BD<

He fro%ne& an& no&&e& to%ar& his %as! of y boy" 9hi'alry coul&

a$s" 6I a

not as brilliant as your father likely to you that e'ery e ight not be

ake lea$s of intuition that see e& nothing short

agical" ;hat I &isco'er are $atterns" Does it see

Skille& one I can &isco'er shoul& be either &ea&! or unfin&able0 It see s to that if I fin& one! an& his na e is kno%n as a Skille& one! it healthy for hi "7 For a ti e %e sat in silence" He %as letting %as %ise enough not to 'oice the e co e to

y o%n conclusions" I

alou&" 6#n& El&erlings07 I aske& at last"

6# &ifferent sort of ri&&le" #t the ti e they %ere %ritten about! all kne% %hat they %ere" So I sur ise" It %oul& be the sa e if you %ent to fin& a scroll that ex$laine& exactly %hat a horse %as" You %oul& fin& any $assing entions of the ! an& a fe% that relate& &irectly to shoeing one! or to one stallion.s bloo&line" But %ho a ongst us %oul& see the nee& to &e'ote the labor an& ti e to %riting out exactly %hat a horse is07 6I see"7 6So! again! it is a sifting out of &etail" I ha'e not ha& the ti e re)uire& to &e'ote yself to such a task"7 For a o ent he sat looking at e" Then he o$ene& a little stone box on his &esk an& took out a key" 6There is a cabinet in y be&cha ber!7 he sai& slo%ly" 6I ha'e gathere& there %hat scrolls I coul& fin& that a&e e'en a $assing ention of the El&erlings" There are also so e relate& to the Skill" I gi'e you lea'e to $ore through the " #sk Fe&%ren for goo& $a$er! an& kee$ notes of %hat you &isco'er" =ook for $atterns a ong those notes" #n& bring the I took the little brass key in to e! e'ery onth or so"7 y han&" It %eighe& strangely hea'y! as if attache& e to the Fool to to be an

to the task the Fool ha& suggeste& an& Aerity ha& confir e&" =ook for $atterns! Aerity ha& suggeste&" I su&&enly sa% one! a %eb %o'en fro Aerity an& back again" =ike Aerity.s other $atterns! it &i& not see
1BD?

acci&ent" I %on&ere& %ho ha& originate& the $attern" I glance& at Aerity! but his thoughts ha& gone afar" I rose )uietly to go" #s I touche& the &oor he s$oke to orning" To 6Sir07 6*erha$s %e ay yet &isco'er another Skille& one! unsus$ecte& in our i&st"7 y to%er"7 e" 69o e to e" Aery early to orro%

9H#*TER T;E=AE Tasks *ERH#*S THE -OST &e'astating $art of our %ar %ith the Re&/Shi$s %as the sense of hel$lessness that o'er$o%ere& us" It %as as if a terrible $aralysis lay o'er the lan& an& its rulers" The tactics of the Rai&ers %ere so inco $rehensible that for the first year %e stoo& still as if &a1e&" The secon& year of rai&ing! %e trie& to &efen& oursel'es" But our skills %ere rusty+ for too long they ha& been e $loye& only against the chance Rai&ers! the o$$ortunistic or the &es$erate" #gainst organi1e& $irates %ho ha& stu&ie& our seacoasts! our %atchto%er $ositions! our ti&es an& currents! %e %ere like chil&ren" Only *rince Aerity.s Skilling $ro'i&e& any $rotection for us" Ho% any shi$s he turne& asi&e! ho% any na'igators he u&&le& or $ilots he confuse&! %e %ill ne'er kno%" Because his $eo$le coul& not gras$ %hat he &i& for the ! it %as as if the Farseers &i& nothing" Folks sa% only the rai&s that %ere successful! ne'er the shi$s that %ent onto the rocks or saile& too far south &uring a stor " The $eo$le lost heart" The Inlan& Duchies bri&le& at taxes to $rotect a coastline they &i&n.t share+ the 9oastal Duchies labore& un&er taxes that see e& to ake no &ifference" So if the enthusias
1BDB

for Aerity.s %arshi$s

%as a fickle thing! rising an& falling %ith the folk.s current assess ent of hi ! %e cannot really bla e the $eo$le" It see e& the longest %inter of I %ent fro y life"

Aerity.s stu&y to Iueen (ettricken.s a$art ents" I knocke& an& erry little e of so e $ool s$rite" ;ithin!

%as a& itte& by the sa e little $age girl as $re'iously" ;ith her face an& &ark curly hair! Rose ary re in&e& the at os$here of the roo

see e& sub&ue&" Se'eral of (ettricken.s %o en

%ere there! an& they all sat on stools aroun& a fra e hol&ing a %hite linen cloth" They %ere &oing e&ge%ork on it! flo%ers an& greenery &one in bright threa&s" I ha& %itnesse& si ilar $ro4ects in -istress Hasty.s a$art ents" >sually these acti'ities see e& erry! %ith tongues %agging an& frien&ly banter! nee&les flashing as they &ragge& their tails of bright threa& through the hea'y cloth" But here! it %as near silent" The %o en %orke& %ith their hea&s bent! &iligently! skillfully! but %ithout gay talk" Scente& can&les! $ink an& green! burne& in each corner of the roo " Their subtle fragrances scents o'er the fra e" (ettricken $resi&e& o'er the %ork! her o%n han&s as busy as any" She see e& the source of the stillness" Her face %as co $ose&! e'en $eaceful" Her self/ contain ent %as so e'i&ent I coul& al ost see the %alls aroun& her" Her look %as $leasant! her eyes kin&! but I &i& not sense she %as really there at all" She %as like a container of cool still %ater" She %as &resse& in a long si $le robe of green! ore of the ountain style than of Buckkee$" She ha& set her 4e%elry e an& s ile& )uestioningly" I felt like an intru&er! an aster" So instea& of in&ful of y $resence" I s$oke for ally! asi&e" She looke& u$ at ingle&

interru$tion to a grou$ of stu&ying $u$ils an& their si $ly greeting her! I trie& to 4ustify all the %atching %o en"

1BDC

6Iueen (ettricken" (ing/in/;aiting Aerity has aske& you"7

e to bring a

essage to

So ething see e& to flicker behin& her eyes! an& then %as still again" 6Yes!7 she sai& neutrally" 5one of the nee&les $ause& in their 4u $ing &ance! but I %as sure that e'ery ear %aite& for %hate'er ti&ings I ight be bringing" 6#to$ a to%er! there %as once a gar&en! calle& the Iueen.s Jar&en" Once! (ing Aerity sai&! it ha& $ots of greenery! an& $on&s of %ater" It %as a $lace of flo%ering $lants! an& fish! an& %in& chi es" It %as his %ishes you to ha'e it"7 The stillness at the table gre% $rofoun&" (ettricken.s eyes gre% 'ery %i&e" 9arefully! she aske&! 6#re you certain of this 6Of course! hi essage07 y la&y"7 I %as $u11le& by her reaction" 6He sai& it %oul& gi'e other.s" -y )ueen! he

a great &eal of $leasure to see it restore&" He s$oke of it %ith great

fon&ness! es$ecially recalling the be&s of flo%ering thy e"7 The 4oy in (ettricken.s face unfurle& like the $etals of a flo%er" She lifte& a han& to her exclai e&" 6I outh! took a shi'ering breath through her fingers" Bloo& flushe& ust see it!7 she ust see it no%:7 She stoo& abru$tly" 6Rose ary0 -y cloak an& e07 otherly cast to her features! =a&y y through her $ale face! rosing her cheeks" Her eyes shone" 6I

glo'es! $lease"7 She bea e& about at her la&ies" 6;ill not you fetch your cloaks an& glo'es also! an& acco $any 6-y )ueen! the stor is But another! an ol&er %o an %ith a ost fierce to&ay """"7 one began hesitantly"

-o&esty! stoo& slo%ly" 6I shall 4oin you on the to%er to$" *luck:7 # s all boy %ho ha& been &ro%sing in the corner lea$e& to his feet" 6Dash off an& fetch cloak an& glo'es" #n& gar&en %ell! fro y hoo&"7 She turne& back to (ettricken" 6I recall that

Iueen 9onstance.s &ays" -any a $leasant hour I s$ent there

in her co $any" I %ill take 4oy in its restoration"7

1BDD

There %as a heartbeat.s $ause! an& then the other la&ies %ere taking si ilar action" By the ti e I ha& returne& %ith y o%n cloak! they %ere all rea&y to go" I felt &istinctly $eculiar as I le& this $rocession of la&ies through the (ee$! an& then u$ the long cli b to the Iueen.s Jar&en" By then! counting the $ages an& the curious! there %ere nearly a score of $eo$le follo%ing (ettricken an& e" #s I le& the %ay u$ the stee$ stone ste$s! (ettricken %as right on y heels" The others traile& out in a long tail behin& us" #s I $ushe& on the hea'y &oor! forcing it o$en against the layer of sno% outsi&e it! (ettricken aske& softly! 6He.s forgi'en I $ause& to catch re$ly" 6-y lor& Aerity has forgi'en e" #n& this is his %ay of sho%ing it" Oh! I shall again"7 #s I stare& at ake a gar&en for us to share" I shall ne'er sha e hi e! hasn.t he07 throbbe& &ully" 6-y )ueen07 I aske& in y breath" Shoul&ering the &oor o$en %as &oing the in4ury on

y neck no goo& at all" -y forear

her ra$t s ile she casually $ut her o%n shoul&er to the &oor an& sho'e& it o$en" ;hile I stoo& blinking in the chill an& the light of the %inter &ay! she %alke& out onto the to%er to$" She %a&e& through cruste& sno% calf/&ee$! an& $ai& it no ha& lost y in& at all" I looke& aroun& the barren to%er to$ an& %on&ere& if I in&" There %as nothing here! only the blo%n an& cruste& sno%

un&er the lea&en sky" It ha& &rifte& u$ o'er the &iscar&e& statuary an& $ots along one %all" I brace& for (ettricken.s &isa$$oint ent" Instea&! in the center of the to%er to$! as the %in& s%irle& the falling flakes aroun& her! she stretche& out her ar s an& s$un in a circle! laughing like a chil&" 6It.s so beautiful:7 she exclai e&" I 'enture& out after her" Others ca e behin& one %all" She brushe& sno% fro e" In a o ent (ettricken %as by the tu ble& $iles of statuary an& 'ases an& basins that %ere hea$e& along a cherub.s cheek as ten&erly as if she %ere its
1BDE

other" She s%e$t a loa& of sno% fro

a stone bench! an& then $icke& u$ the the

cherub an& set it ato$ it" It %as not a s all statue! but (ettricken use& her si1e an& strength energetically as she extricate& se'eral other $ieces fro a& ire the " I stoo& a little a$art fro $ain in the " The col& %in& ble% $ast e har& e! a%akening the y in4uries an& bringing e ories" Here I ha& stoo& once! er the Skill ability into e as if I %ere a &og" e still" I %on&ere& if e if it stoo& ato$ &rifte& sno%" She exclai e& o'er the ! insisting that her %o en co e an&

near nake& to the col&! %hile Jalen ha& trie& to ha e" Here I ha& stoo&! in this 'ery s$ot! %hile he beat #n& here I ha& struggle& %ith hi any gar&en! no

an&! in the struggle! burne& an& scarre& o'er

%hate'er Skill I ha& once ha&" This %as a bitter $lace to atter ho% green an& $eaceful! coul& char this stone" One lo% %all beckone& that fall ha& once offere&

e" Ha& I gone to it an& looke& o'er the e again" I $ushe& Jalen.s

e&ge! I kne% I %oul& look &o%n on rocky cliffs belo%" I &i& not" The )uick en& e %oul& ne'er te $t ol& Skill suggestion asi&e" I turne& back to %atch the Iueen" #gainst the %hite back&ro$ of sno% an& stone! her colors ca e ali'e" There is a flo%er calle& a sno%&ro$! that so eti es bloo s e'en as the banke& sno%s of %inter are retreating" She re in&e& that %oul& bloo e of one" Her $ale hair %as su&&enly gol& against the green cloak she %ore! her li$s re&! her cheeks $ink as the roses here again" Her eyes %ere &arting blue 4e%els as she exca'ate& an& exclai e& o'er each treasure" In contrast! her &ark/tresse& la&ies %ith eyes of black or bro%n %ere cloake& an& hoo&e& against the %inter chill" They stoo& )uietly! agreeing %ith their )ueen an& en4oying her en4oy ent! but also rubbing chille& fingers together! or hol&ing cloaks tightly close& against the %in&" This! I thought! this is ho% Aerity shoul& see her! glo%ing %ith

1BEH

enthusias

an& life" Then he coul& not hel$ but lo'e her" Her 'itality burne&!

e'en as his &i& %hen he hunte& or ro&e" Or ha& once" 6It is! of course! )uite lo'ely!7 one =a&y Ho$e 'enture& to say" 6But 'ery col&" #n& there is little that can be &one here until the sno% gro%s kin&er"7 6Oh! but you are %rong:7 Iueen (ettricken exclai e&" She laughe& alou& as she straightene& u$ fro her treasures! %alke& again to the center of the to%er ust s%ee$ the sno% an& ice fro the ust be to$" 6# gar&en begins in the heart" I elts an& the %in&

to%er to$ to orro%" #n& then! all these benches an& statues an& $ots set out" But ho%0 =ike the s$okes of a %heel0 #s a char ing arrange&! an& I chil&hoo&:7 ust ex$eri ent" >nless! $erha$s!

a1e0 For ally!

by 'ariation of height an& the e0 There are a thousan& %ays they coul& be y lor& %ill re e ber it for e 4ust as it once %as" Then I shall restore it to hi ! the gar&en of his 6To orro%! Iueen (ettricken" For the skies gro% &ark! an& col&er!7 a&'ise& =a&y -o&esty" I coul& see %hat the cli b follo%e& by stan&ing in the col& ha& cost the ol&er %o an" But she s ile& kin&ly as she s$oke" 6I coul&! $erha$s! tell you tonight %hat I re e ber of this gar&en"7 6;oul& you07 (ettricken exclai e&! an& clas$e& both of her han&s in her o%n" The s ile she she& on =a&y -o&esty %as like a blessing" 6I shoul& be gla& to"7 #n& on those %or&s %e slo%ly began to file fro go" I $ulle& the &oor close& behin& a&4ust to the &arkness in the to%er" Belo% follo%e& ore slo%ly! y %hole ar ! fro the roofto$" I %as the last to o ent letting y eyes e an& stoo& for a

e! can&les bobbe& as the others bite to s%or& cut! throbbing

&escen&e&" I blesse& %hate'er $age ha& thought to run an& fetch the " I nastily" I thought of (ettricken.s 4oy! an& %as gla& of it! e'en as I guiltily
1BE1

reflecte& that it %as built on a false foun&ation" Aerity ha& been relie'e& at significance to hi

suggestion to turn the gar&en o'er to (ettricken! but the act ha& not the that it &i& to (ettricken" She %oul& attack this $ro4ect as if orro% Aerity she %ere buil&ing a shrine to their lo'e" I &oubte& that by the &escen&e& the ste$s" I %ent to the e'ening an& took eal thinking I %ishe& to be alone" So I a'oi&e& the hall off the kitchen" There I encountere& e to 4oin the ! I eal" ;hen they in'ite& yself instea& to the guar&roo

%oul& e'en recall he ha& gifte& her %ith it" I felt traitorous an& foolish both as I

both Burrich an& Han&s at their not exclu&e share&3 The i elu&e& e fro

coul& not refuse" But once I %as seate&! it %as as if I %ere not there" They &i& their con'ersation" But they s$oke of a life I no longer e%s en ensely rich &etail of all that %ent on in the stables an&

e no%" They &iscusse& $roble s %ith the confi&ent briskness of

%ho share& an inti ate backgroun& kno%le&ge" -ore an&

ore! I foun&

yself no&&ing at their %or&s! but contributing nothing" They got along %ell" Burrich &i& not s$eak &o%n to Han&s" But Han&s &i& not conceal his res$ect for a an he clearly regar&e& as his su$erior" Han&s ha& learne& uch fro Burrich in a short ti e" He ha& left Buckkee$ as a lo%ly stable boy last fall" He no% s$oke co $etently of the ha%ks an& &ogs an& aske& soli& )uestions concerning Burrich.s bree&ing choices for the horses" I %as still eating %hen they got u$ to lea'e" Han&s %as concerne& about a &og that ha& been kicke& by a horse earlier in the &ay" They %ishe& together as they %ent out the &oor" I sat )uietly" There %ere others about e! guar&s an& sol&iers! eating an& a %heel %as like a &rinking an& talking" The $leasant soun&s of talk! of s$oon against the $ot.s si&e! the thu& as so eone cut a %e&ge of cheese fro usic" The roo s elle& of foo& an& folk! of the %oo& fire an& s$ille& ale an&
1BE2

e goo& e'ening! an& %ere still talking

the rich ste% bubbling" I shoul& ha'e felt content! not restless" 5or 5ot alone" Brother0 9o ing" -eet e at the ol& $ig she&"

elancholy"

5ighteyes ha& been hunting afar" I %as there first! an& I stoo& in the &arkness an& %aite& for hi " There %as a $ot of unguent in of bones as %ell" The sno% %hirle& aroun& anage& to s$ring out an& startle than a ni$ an& a shake on e" He %as y $ouch! an& I bore a sack near! but he still e no ore e! an en&less &ance of %inter erciful! gi'ing

s$arks" -y eyes $robe& the &arkness" I sense& hi ! felt hi

y unin4ure& %rist" ;e %ent insi&e the hut" I kin&le&

the stu $ of a can&le an& looke& at his shoul&er" I ha& been %eary last night! an& in $ain! so I %as $lease& to see I ha& &one a goo& 4ob" I ha& sheare& the &ense hair an& un&ercoat close to his hi&e aroun& the cut an& %i$e& the in4ury %ith clean sno%" The scab on it %as thick an& &ark" I coul& tell it ha& ble& a bit ore to&ay" But not uch" I s eare& y unguent o'er it in a thick greasy y inistrations" #fter%ar&! he layer" 5ighteyes %ince& slightly! but suffere&

turne& his hea& an& ga'e a )uestioning sniff to the s$ot" Joosegrease! he obser'e&! an& began to lick at it" I let hi " 5othing in the e&icine %oul& har than y fingers coul&" ice in $lenty along the ol& %all" Then! as he got a %hiff an& he flung hi self &o%n besi&e eaty knuckle e" Hungry0 I aske&" 5ot really" There are of the bag I.& brought3 But a bit of beef or 'enison %oul& be 4ust as %elco e" I tu ble& the bones out in a hea$ for hi the to $ossess the " He snuffe& the o'er! then $icke& out a hi ! an& his tongue %oul& $ush it into the %oun& better

to %ork on" ;e hunt soon0 He i age& Forge& ones for

In a &ay or so" I %ant to be able to %iel& a s%or& the next ti e"

1BE8

I &on.t bla e you" 9o%.s teeth are not long" ;hy is that0

uch of a %ea$on" But &on.t %ait too

Because I sa% so e to&ay" Senseless ones" They ha& foun& a %inter/kille& buck on a strea bank an& %ere eating it" Foule&! stinking eat! an& they %ere y eyes! an& eating it" But it %on.t hol& the Then %e hunt to orro%" Sho% for long" To orro%! they.ll be co ing closer" e %here you sa% the " I close& e" l &i& not kno% you

recogni1e& the bit of creek bank that he recalle& for

range& that far: Di& you go all that %ay to&ay! %ith an in4ure& shoul&er0 It %as not so far" I sense& a bit of bra'a&o in that ans%er" #n& I kne% %e %oul& be seeking the " I can tra'el the It is scarcely hunting! 5ighteyes" 5o" But it is a thing %e &o for our $ack" I sat %ith hi free& fro for a %hile in co $anionable silence! %atching hi the confines of a cage! he ha& $ut on %eight an& oisture fro gna% on the uscle" Sno% reaching his bones I ha& brought hi " He ha& gro%n %ell this %inter" Ji'en a goo& &iet an& ight fall on his coat! but the thicker black guar& hairs inters$erse& throughout his gray coat she& the sno%flakes an& ke$t any skin" He s elle& healthy! too! not the rank &ogginess of an o'erfe& canine ke$t insi&e an& unexercise&! but a %il&! clean scent" You sa'e& You sa'e& frien&" He sto$$e& che%ing his bone an& looke& u$ at look at e in il& a use ent" # e" Bon& brother! an& frien&0 Too s all a %or& for it! brother" #n& in the %rong &irection" So &o not e like that" I %ill be to you %hat you are to
1BE<

uch faster alone" Easier for for the hunting"

e to fin&

out alone! an& then take you to the

y life! yester&ay" eant to ha'e a

e fro

a &eath in a cage"

I think that I ha& been alone so long! I ha& forgotten %hat it

$ack" But I a

not all you %ill e'er nee&" He %ent back to che%ing his bone! as I left" oon ay yet break through this o'ercast an& ay slee$"

an& I sat che%ing o'er %hat he ha& 4ust a&'ise&" Slee$ %ell! brother! I tol& hi gi'e He snorte&" Slee$0 Har&ly" The I no&&e& an& left hi

e so e hunting light" But if not! I

to his bones" #s I %alke& back to the castle I felt less ine" It &i& not see a clean

&is al an& alone than I ha& before" But I also ha& a t%inge of guilt that 5ighteyes %oul& so a&a$t his life an& %ill to thing for hi to &o! this snuffing out of Forge& ones"

For the $ack" This is for the goo& of the $ack" The senseless ones are trying to co e into our territory" ;e cannot allo% it" He soun&e& co fortable %ith it! an& sur$rise& that it shoul& bother $ushe& I cli be& the stairs to e" I no&&e& to oursel'es in the &ark an& y %ay through the kitchen &oor! back into yello% light an& %ar th" y roo ! thinking of %hat I ha& %rought o'er the $ast

fe% &ays" I ha& resol'e& to set the cub free" Instea&! %e ha& beco e brothers" I %as not sorry" I ha& gone to %arn Aerity of ne% Forge& ones near Buckkee$" Instea&! I ha& foun& he alrea&y kne% about the ! an& ha& gaine& for ha& aske& hi to gi'e the gar&en to (ettricken! to busy her yself the task of stu&ying the El&erlings an& trying to &isco'er other Skille& ones" I in& a%ay fro her hurts" Instea&! I ha& &ecei'e& her! an& boun& her Aerity" I $ause& to catch e0 I felt again the brass key in y $ocket" 5o% %as as goo& a ti e as any" Aerity %as" He ha& no )ual s about allo%ing back to y roo an& set %as not in his be&cha ber! but 9hari there %ere ore to her lo'e for

y breath on a lan&ing" *erha$s! I reflecte&! %e all

&ance& to the Fool.s tune" Ha& not he suggeste& so e of these 'ery things to

e to co e in an& use the key" I took an ar loa& of the scrolls I foun& there+ ore than I ha& ex$ecte&" I bore the
1BE?

the

&o%n on

y &ressing chest" I built u$ the fire in the fire$lace" I $eeke& at y neck" It %as an ugly %a& of cloth! saturate& %ith

the &ressing on the bite on ore %oo& on

bloo&" I kne% I shoul& change it" I &rea&e& $ulling it loose" In a %hile" I $ut y fire" I sorte& through the scrolls" S$i&ery little %riting! fa&e& y eyes an& looke& aroun& y roo " illustrations" Then I lifte&

# be&" # chest" # s all stan& by the be&" # e%er an& bo%l for %ash %ater" # truly ugly ta$estry of (ing ;is&o branch of can&les on the li'e& here fro the first night I ha& conferring %ith a yello%ish El&erling" # o'e& into it" It %as a bare an& &reary antel" It ha& scarcely change& in the years I ha&

roo ! &e'oi& of i agination" Su&&enly I %as a bare an& &reary $erson! &e'oi& of i agination" I fetche& an& I hunte& an& I kille&" I obeye&" -ore houn& than an" #n& not e'en a fa'ore& houn&! to be $ette& an& $raise&" One of the %orking $ack" ;hen %as the last ti e I ha& hear& fro E'en the Fool abi&e roo " ;hen I knocke& at the &oor of *atience.s roo ! there %as a $ause" 6;ho is it07 ca e =acey.s 'oice" 6Only Fit19hi'alry"7 6Fit19hi'alry:7 # bit of sur$rise in the tone" It %as late for a 'isit fro e" >sually I ca e &uring the &ay" Then I %as co forte& to hear the soun& of a bar being re o'e&! an& a latch %orke&" She ha& $ai& attention to %hat I ha& tol& her! I thought" The &oor o$ene& slo%ly an& =acey ste$$e& back to a& it s iling &ubiously" I ste$$e& in! greeting =acey %ar ly! an& then glance& about for *atience" She %as in the other cha ber! I sur ise&" But in a corner! eyes lo%ere& o'er
1BEB

Shre%&0 Or 9ha&e"

ocke&

e" ;hat %as I! any ore! to anyone! exce$t a tool0 e! yself0 Su&&enly I coul& no longer y

;as there anyone left %ho care& for

y o%n co $any" I set &o%n the scroll I ha& $icke& u$ an& left

e!

nee&le%ork! sat -olly" She &i& not look u$ at %o an! her blue &ress regar&ing %ay" It took

e or ackno%le&ge

y $resence

at all" Her hair %as ti&ie& back in a bun un&er a lacy little ca$" On another ight ha'e been si $le an& o&est" On -olly it %as e ga'e &rab" Her eyes staye& &o%n on her %ork" I glance& at =acey to fin& her e le'elly" I looke& at -olly again an& so ething insi&e e four ste$s to cross the roo e! I sei1e& her han& an& carrie& it to y li$s" her" to her" I knelt besi&e her chair an& e %as outrage&" I glance& at her

as she &re% back fro

6Fit19hi'alry:7 *atience.s 'oice behin& -olly ha& turne& her face asi&e fro cannot go on like this any ore" 5o &angerous! no you"7 She $ulle& her han& a%ay fro s$eak to atter %hat any other

fra e& in the &oor%ay" Her li$s %ere set flat in anger" I turne& a%ay fro atter ho%! foolish! no

e" I hel& her han& an& s$oke )uietly" 6I atter ho% ay think" I cannot be al%ays a$art fro

e! an& I let it go not to hurt her fingers" But I

gras$e& at her skirt an& clutche& a fol& of it like a stubborn chil&" 6#t least e!7 I begge& her! but it %as *atience %ho s$oke" y father to court you as he uch as I &o right no%"7 I 6Fit19hi'alry! this is not see ly" Sto$ it at once"7 6It %as not see ly! nor %ise! nor a$$ro$riate for &i&! either" But he &i& not hesitate" I sus$ect he felt &i& not look a%ay fro That %on that I of ea -olly" *atience" But it %as -olly %ho o ent of startle& silence fro

set asi&e her nee&le%ork an& rose" She ste$$e& a%ay! an& %hen it beca e clear ust let go or tear the fabric of her skirt! I release& it" She ste$$e& clear y la&y *atience %ill excuse e for the e'ening07 e" 6If

69ertainly!7 *atience re$lie&! but her 'oice %as not at all certain" 6If you go a%ay! there is nothing for still on y knees by her chair"
1BEC

e"7 I kne% I soun&e& too &ra atic" I %as

6If I stay! there is still nothing for you"7 -olly s$oke le'elly as she took off her a$ron an& hung it on a hook" 6I a that! o'er the last fe% %eeks"7 65o"7 I rose an& ste$$e& to%ar& her! but forbore to touch her" 6You are -olly an& I a 5e%boy"7 ake e than it is! sir" You ust lea'e e in $eace" I ha'e no%here 6-aybe" Once!7 -olly conce&e&" Then she sighe&" 6But not no%" Do not this har&er for else to go+ I asi&e fro a ser'ing girl" You are a young noble! of the royal fa ily" There can ne'er be anything bet%een us" I.'e co e to see

ust stay here an& %ork! at least until I earn enough """"7 She y la&y" =acey" Sir"7 She turne& e" =acey stoo& silently" I notice& she &i& not o$en the &oor for

shook her hea& su&&enly" 6Joo& e'ening!

-olly! but -olly &i& not $ause there" The &oor shut 'ery fir ly behin& her" # terrible silence %elle& u$ in the roo " 6;ell!7 *atience breathe& at last" 6I a an& all but attack y hea& into alone"7 6That is %hy you ca e here07 *atience soun&e& al ost offen&e&" 65o" I ca e here to see you" I &i& not kno% she %oul& be here" But %hen I sa% her! it 4ust ca e o'er e" It.s true! *atience" I cannot go on like this"7 6;ell! you.& better! because you.re going to ha'e to"7 The %or&s %ere har&! but she sighe& as she sai& the " 6Does -olly s$eak of it """ of e0 To you" I ust kno%" *lease"7 I battere& at e to lea'e her alone0 e0 I their silence an& exchange& looks" 6Does she truly %ish y ai&07 'ery %eary of being so gla& to see that at least one of you has so e sense" ;hat on earth %ere you thinking! Fit19hi'alry! to barge in here 6I %as thinking that I lo'e& her!7 I sai& bluntly" I &ro$$e& into a chair an& $ut y han&s" 6I %as thinking that I a

Ha'e I beco e so &es$ise& of her0 Ha'e I not &one all you &e an&e& of
1BED

ha'e %aite&! *atience" I ha'e a'oi&e& her! I ha'e taken care not to cause talk" But %hen is an en& to it0 Or is this your $lan0 To kee$ us a$art until %e forget each other0 It cannot %ork" I a hi&e fro 6I a e! to &istract heart an& I %ill not let her go"7 afrai& you ust"7 *atience sai& the %or&s hea'ily" y %or&s a%ay as if they %ere flies" 65o" She is not fickle! not 6;hy0 Has she chosen another07 *atience batte& that one" She is s art an& &iligent an& full of %it an& s$irit" I can see ho% you lost your heart to her" But she also has $ri&e" She has co e to see %hat you refuse" That you co e! each of you! fro no 'ery eeting in the $laces so far a$art that there can be arriage! %hich I i&&le" E'en %ere Shre%& to consent to a not a babe! an& this is not so e bauble you y e %ith other toys" This is -olly" #n& she is

uch &oubt! ho% %oul& you li'e0 You cannot lea'e the (ee$! to go &o%n

to Buckkee$ To%n an& %ork in a can&le sho$" You kno% you cannot" #n& %hat status %oul& she en4oy if you ke$t her here0 Des$ite her goo&ness! $eo$le %ho &i& not kno% her %ell %oul& see only the &ifferences in your rank" She %oul& be seen as a lo% a$$etite you ha& in&ulge&" ROh! the Bastar&! he ha& an eye for his ste$ other.s too ean"7 I &i&" 6I &on.t care %hat folk %oul& say"7 6*erha$s you coul& en&ure it" But %hat of -olly0 ;hat of your chil&ren07 I %as silent" *atience looke& &o%n at her han&s i&le in her la$" 6You are young! Fit19hi'alry"7 She s$oke 'ery )uietly! 'ery soothingly" 6I kno% you &o not belie'e it no%" But! you ay eet another" One closer to your station" #n& she ay also" -aybe she &eser'es that chance at ha$$iness" *erha$s you shoul& ai&" I fancy he caught her aroun& the corner one ti e any! an& no% he has to $ay the $i$er". You kno% the kin& of talk I

1BEE

&ra% back" Ji'e yourself a year or so" #n& if your heart has not change& by then! %ell """7 6-y heart %ill not change"7 65or %ill hers! I fear"7 *atience s$oke bluntly" 6She care& for you! Fit1" 5ot kno%ing %ho you really %ere! she ga'e her heart to you" She has sai& as I &o not %ish to betray her confi&ences to hol& e har less for the $ain I uch" e! but if you &o as she asks an&

lea'e her alone! she can ne'er tell you herself" So I %ill s$eak! an& ho$e you ust gi'e you" She kno%s this can ne'er be" arrying a noble" She &oes not %ant her She &oes not %ant to be a ser'ant a

chil&ren to be the &aughters an& sons of a (ee$ ser'ant" So she sa'es the little I able to $ay her" She buys her %ax an& her scents! an& %orks still at her eans to sa'e enough! so eho%! to begin tra&e! as best as she is able" She

again! %ith her o%n chan&lery" It %ill not be soon" But that is her goal"7 *atience $ause&" 6She sees no $lace in that life for you"7 I sat a long ti e! thinking" 5either =acey nor *atience s$oke" =acey slo%ly through our stillness! bre%ing tea" She $ushe& a cu$ of it into I lifte& kno%! fro the beginning! that it %oul& co e to this07 I aske&" o'e& y han&"

y eyes an& trie& to s ile at her" I set the tea carefully asi&e" 6Di& you

6I feare& it!7 *atience sai& si $ly" 6But I also kne% there %as nothing I coul& &o about it" 5or can you"7 I sat still! not e'en thinking" >n&er the ol& hut! in a scratche&/out hollo%! 5ighteyes %as &o1ing %ith his nose o'er a bone" I touche& hi %aking hi " His cal Tears stung breathing %as an anchor" I stea&ie& 6Fit10 ;hat %ill you &o07 y eyes" I blinke&! an& it $asse&3 6;hat I a tol&!7 I sai& hea'ily" 6;hen ha'e I e'er &one other%ise07 softly! not e'en yself against hi "

1CHH

*atience %as silent as I got slo%ly to

y feet" The %oun& on

y neck %as

throbbing" I su&&enly %ante& only to slee$" She no&&e& to

e as I excuse&

yself" #t the &oor I $ause&" 6;hy I ca e this e'ening" Besi&es to see you" Iueen (ettricken %ill be restoring the Iueen.s Jar&en" The one on to$ of the to%er" She her"7 *atience hesitate&" 6I &o recall it" Aery %ell"7 She %as )uiet for a Iueen"7 I et her eyes" 6I think you shoul& go to her" I think it %oul& $lease her 'ery uch"7 6Fit1! I ha'e ne'er been goo& %ith $eo$le"7 Her 'oice faltere&" 6I a %oul& fin& e o&&" Boring" I coul& not/7 Her 'oice stuttere& to a halt" sure she o ent! then brightene&" 6I %ill &ra% it out for you! an& ex$lain it" Then you coul& go to the entione& she %oul& like to kno% ho% the gar&en %as originally arrange&" In Iueen 9onstance.s ti e" I thought $erha$s you coul& recall it for

6Iueen (ettricken is 'ery alone!7 I sai& )uietly" 6There are la&ies aroun& her! but I &o not think she has real frien&s" Once! you %ere )ueen/in/%aiting" 9annot you recall %hat it %as like07 6Aery &ifferent for her than it %as for lo'ing husban&"7 Behin& e *atience e! I shoul& think"7 a&e a s all shocke& soun&" 6#n& I &o sure it is 'ery &ifferent for her" -uch 6*robably!7 I agree&" I turne& to go" 6For one thing! you ha& an attenti'e an& not think *rince Regal %as as """ cle'er then as he is no%" #n& you ha& =acey to su$$ort you" Yes! =a&y *atience" I a har&er"7 6Fit19hi'alry: 6 I $ause& at the &oor" 6Yes! y la&y07 6Turn about %hen I s$eak to you:7

1CH1

I turne& slo%ly an& she actually sta $e& the floor at you" You seek to sha e kno% y &uty07 6-y la&y07 6I shall go to her! to orro%" #n& she %ill think flighty" She %ill be bore& %ith shall a$ologi1e to 6I a e for aking sure you kno% best! e &o it"7 e: Think you that I &o not &o

e" 6This ill beco es y &uty0 That I &o not

e o&& an& a%k%ar& an&

e an& %ish I ha& ne'er co e" #n& then you

y la&y"7

6Take your courtier.s

anners an& go" Insufferable boy"7 She sta $e& her foot

again! then %hirle& an& fle& back into her be&cha ber" =acey hel& the &oor for e as I left" Her li$s %ere fol&e& in a flat line! her &e eanor sub&ue&" 6;ell07 I aske& her as I left! kno%ing she ha& %or&s left to say to e" 6I %as thinking that you are 'ery like your father!7 =acey obser'e& tartly" 6Exce$t not )uite as stubborn" He &i& not gi'e u$ as easily as you ha'e"7 She shut the &oor fir ly behin& e" y roo " I kne% I y neck %oun&" I cli be& the flight of stairs! I looke& at the close& &oor for a %hile! then hea&e& back to ha& to change the &ressing on y ar

throbbing at e'ery ste$" I halte& on the lan&ing" For a ti e I %atche& inutes" # yello% can&lelight ha& been co ing

the can&les burning in their hol&ers" I cli be& the next flight of stairs" I knocke& stea&ily for se'eral out out the crack un&er her &oor! but as I knocke&! it su&&enly %inke& out" I took y knife an& ex$eri ente&! lou&ly! %ith the latch on her &oor" She.& y change& it" There see e& to be a bar as %ell! a hea'ier one than the ti$ of bla&e %oul& lift" I ga'e it u$ an& left" Do%n is al%ays easier than u$" In fact! it can be too ar the rocks far a%ay" 5ighteyes ha& been right" The
1CH2

uch easier! %hen one anage& to co e

is alrea&y in4ure&" I looke& &o%n at the %a'es breaking like %hite lace on oon ha&

out for a bit" The ro$e sli$$e& a bit through y in4ure& ar let ha& to take yself &o%n another t%o ste$s" y ar

y glo'e& han& an& I grunte& as ore! I $ro ise& yself" I

y %eight" Only a little

The le&ge of -olly.s %in&o% %as narro%er than I ha& ho$e& it %oul& be" I ke$t the ro$e in a %ra$ aroun& as I $erche& there" -y knife bla&e sli$$e& easily into the crack bet%een the shutters+ they %ere 'ery $oorly fitte&" The u$$er catch ha& yiel&e& an& I %as %orking on the lo%er one %hen I hear& her 'oice fro insi&e" 6If you co e in! I shall screa " The guar&s %ill co e"7 6Then you.& best $ut on tea for the !7 I re$lie& gri ly! an& %ent back to %riggling at the lo%er catch" In a o ent -olly snatche& the shutters o$en" She stoo& fra e& in the %in&o%! the &ancing light of the fire on the hearth illu inating her fro behin&" She %as in her night&ress! but she ha&n.t brai&e& her hair back yet" It %as loose an& glea ing fro shoul&ers" 6Jo a%ay!7 she tol& e fiercely" 6Jet out of here"7 6I can.t!7 I $ante&" 6I ha'en.t the strength to cli b back u$! an& the ro$e isn.t long enough to reach to the base of the %all"7 6You can.t co e in!7 she re$eate& stubbornly" 6Aery %ell"7 I seate& yself on the %in&o%sill! one leg insi&e the roo ! the e! stirring her night robe o ent she began to other &angling out the %in&o%" ;in& guste& $ast shi'er" 6;hat &o you %ant07 she &e an&e& angrily" brushing" She ha& thro%n a sha%l o'er her

an& fanning the fla es of the fire" I sai& nothing" #fter a

1CH8

6You" I %ante& to tell you that to orro% I a $er ission to -olly stare& a you"7 6I %asn.t going to tell hi 6You are intolerable:7 6Yes" #n& 'ery col&" *lease! at least let She &i& not gi'e 4u $e& lightly in! ignoring the 4olt to %ell %ith logs to chase the chill fro that $art"7 I foun& arry you"7 The %or&s ca e out of

going to the (ing to ask y outh %ith no $lanning" arry

I %as su&&enly gi&&ily a%are that I coul& say an& &o anything" #nything at all" o ent" Her 'oice %as lo% as she sai&! 6I &o not %ish to yself grinning at her"

e co e in out of the col&"7 the %in&o%" I y ar " I close& an& fastene& the the roo " Then I stoo&! tha%ing y

e $er ission" But she &i& stan& back fro

shutters" I %alke& across the roo " I knelt by her hearth an& built u$ the fire han&s at it" -olly sai& not a %or&" She stoo& s%or& straight! her ar s crosse& on her chest" I glance& o'er at her an& s ile&" She &i&n.t s ile" 6You shoul& go"7 I felt y o%n s ile fa&e" 6-olly! $lease! 4ust talk to e" I thought! the last e! you ti e %e s$oke! that %e un&erstoo& each other" 5o% you &on.t s$eak to bet%een us"7 65othing"7 She su&&enly looke& 'ery fragile" 65othing is ha$$ening bet%een us" 5othing can ha$$en bet%een us" Fit19hi'alry 6/an& that na e soun&e& so strange on her li$s/7I.'e ha& ti e to think" If you ha& co e to %eek ago! or a e! like this! a onth ago! i $etuous an& s iling! I kno% I %oul& ha'e been er &ay" e as

turn a%ay """" I &on.t kno% %hat change&! I &on.t un&erstan& %hat is ha$$ening

%on o'er"7 She $er itte& herself the ghost of a sa& s ile" #s if she %ere re e bering the %ay a &ea& chil& ha& ski$$e& on so e long/ago su #n& foolish as it ay soun&! that hurt e" I tol& 6But you &i&n.t" You %ere correct an& $ractical! an& &i& all the right things" yself that if you lo'e&

1CH<

&ee$ly as you ha& &eclare& you &i&! nothing/not %alls! not re$utation or $rotocol/%oul& get in the %ay of your seeing

anners or

e" That night!

%hen you ca e! %hen %e """ but it change& nothing" You &i& not co e back"7 6But it %as for your sake! for your re$utation/7 I began &es$erately" 6Hush" I tol& you it %as foolish" But feelings &o not ha'e to be %ise" Feelings 4ust are" Your lo'ing e %as not %ise" 5or y caring for you" I.'e co e to see e" So outrage&" He a&e e that" #n& I.'e co e to see that %is&o &efiant! he ga'e ust o'errule feelings"7 She sighe&" 6I

%as so angry %hen your uncle first s$oke to bet%een us" But I a

e a steel resol'e to stay in s$ite of e'erything that stoo& not a stone" E'en if I %ere! e'en a stone can be %orn on sense"7 yself" 5othing! he a&e e angry" It

a%ay by the constant col& &ri$ of co She no&&e& slo%ly" 6He %ishe&

6-y uncle0 *rince Regal07 I %as incre&ulous at the betrayal" e to kee$ his 'isit to sai&! coul& be gaine& by your kno%ing of it" He nee&e& to act in his fa ily.s best interests" He sai& I shoul& un&erstan& that" I &i&! but it %as only o'er ti e that he a&e e see that it %as in y o%n best interests as

%ell"7 She $ause& an& brushe& a han& o'er her cheek" She %as crying" Silently! 4ust the tears running as she s$oke" I %alke& across the roo butterfly that ore to her" Tentati'ely! I took her into y ar s" She &i&n.t resist! an& that sur$rise& her forehea& barely reste& on e" I hel& her carefully! as if she %ere a y chest" 6In a fe% y o%n again" e"

ight be crushe& too easily" She leane& her hea& for%ar&! so that y shoul&er! an& s$oke into

onths! I %ill ha'e sa'e& enough that I can start out on

5ot o$en a business! but rent a roo

so e%here! an& fin& %ork to sustain

#n& begin to start sa'ing for a sho$" That.s %hat I inten& to &o" =a&y *atience is kin&! an& =acey has beco e a real frien& to e" But I &o not like being a ser'ant" #n& I %ill &o it no longer than I ha'e to"7 She sto$$e& s$eaking an&
1CH?

stoo& still in 6;hat &i& tears on ca e to

y ar s" She %as tre bling lightly! as if fro

exhaustion3 She

see e& to ha'e run out of %or&s" y uncle say to you07 I aske& carefully" o'e& her face lightly against e" I think she %i$e& to say" ;hen first he ore scan&als" He it %as y shirt" 6Only %hat I shoul& ha'e ex$ecte& hi e! he %as col& an& aloof" He thought 6Oh"7 She s%allo%e&! an&

e a """ street %hore! I su$$ose"

He %arne&

e sternly that the (ing %oul& tolerate no

&e an&e& to kno% if I %as %ith chil&" Of course! I %as angry" I tol& hi

i $ossible that I shoul& be" That %e ha& ne'er """7 -olly $ause& an& I coul& feel ho% sha e& she ha& been that anyone coul& e'en ask such a )uestion" 6So then he tol& e that if that %as so! it %as goo&" He aske& %hat I thought I y guts" The fury I felt %as ight s$eak it all out" yself as uch as you ha& &eser'e&! as re$aration for your &ece$tions"7 The %or& %as like a little knife t%iste& in buil&ing! but I force& 6I tol& hi &ecei'e& yself to kee$ silent that she e

I ex$ecte& nothing" That I ha& &ecei'e& e" So then he offere&

oney" To go a%ay" #n& ne'er s$eak of

you" Or %hat ha& ha$$ene& bet%een us"7 She %as ha'ing trouble s$eaking" Her 'oice ke$t getting higher an& tighter on each $hrase" She fought for a se blance of cal offere& $ai& to sto$ lo'ing so eone" That if the offer of su&&en shu&&ering sob! then hel& herself still" I horse.s 6Regal ane! an& sleeker" She ha& fallen silent" akes ischief!7 I hear& yself say" 6He seeks to in4ure e by &ri'ing yself! e by hurting you"7 I shook
1CHB

I kne% she &i&n.t feel" 6He I coul& not be ake e lo'e! or oney coul& o'e&

e enough to o$en a chan&lery" I %as angry" I tol& hi

not lo'e! then I %as truly a %hore" He gre% 'ery angry! but he left"7 She ga'e a y han&s lightly o'er her shoul&ers! feeling the tension there" I stroke& her hair+ softer than any

you a%ay" To sha e

y hea& to

%on&ering at he

y stu$i&ity" 6I shoul& ha'e foreseen this" #ll I /thought %as that to befall you" But an has no orals! he is boun& by no rules"7 ore shoul&

ight %his$er against you" Or arrange for $hysical har

Burrich is right" The

6He %as col&! at first" But ne'er coarsely ru&e" He ca e only as the (ing.s essenger! he sai&! an& ca e hi self to sa'e scan&al! that no kno% of it than nee&e& to" He sought to a'oi& talk! not ha& talke& a fe% ti es! he sai& he regrette& to see %oul& tell the (ing it %as not of ake it" =ater! after %e e!

e cornere& so! an& that he

y &e'ising" He e'en bought can&les of

an& arrange& for others to kno% %hat I ha& to sell" I belie'e he is trying to hel$! Fit19hi'alry" Or so he sees it"7 To hear her &efen& Regal cut le'el at e &ee$er than any insult or rebuke she coul& carefully" e" -y fingers tangle& in her soft hair an& I un%oun& the

Regal" #ll the %eeks I ha& gone alone! a'oi&ing her! not s$eaking to her lest it cause scan&al" =ea'ing her alone! so that Regal coul& co e in courting her! no! but %inning her %ith his $ractice& char 9ho$$ing a%ay at her i age of y stea&" 5ot an& stu&ie& %or&s"

e %hile I %as not there to contra&ict anything y tongue before I

he sai&" -aking hi self out to be her ally %hile I %as left 'oiceless to beco e the unthinking callo% youth! the thoughtless 'illain" I bit s$oke any ore ill of hi striking back at one %ho sought to &eny his %ill" 6Ha'e you e'er s$oken of Regal.s 'isits to *atience or =acey0 ;hat &i& they say of hi 07 She shook her hea&! an& the cautione& o'e ent loose& the fragrance of her hair" 6He e not to s$eak of it" R;o en talk. he sai&! an& I kno% that is true" I e ore if it see e& I ha& reache& this &ecision on y o%n" He to her" It %oul& only soun& like a shallo% angry boy

shoul& not e'en ha'e s$oken of it to you" He sai& that *atience an& =acey %oul& res$ect

1CHC

sai&! also """ that you %oul& not let fro hi " That you 6He kno%s

e go """ if you thought the &ecision ca e you on y o%n"7 e! e

ust belie'e that I turne& a%ay fro

e that %ell!7 I conce&e& to her" ur ure&" She $ushe& a little a%ay fro y eyes" 6I &on.t kno% %hy I &i&"7

6I shoul& not ha'e tol& you!7 she to look u$ into

Her eyes an& her hair %ere the colors of a forest" 6*erha$s you &i& not %ant to let you go07 I 'enture&" 6You ust!7 she sai&" 6;e both kno% there is no future for us"7

For an instant all %as stillness" The fire crackle& softly to itself" 5either of us o'e&" But so eho% I ste$$e& to another $lace! %here I %as achingly a%are of e'ery scent an& touch of her" Her eyes an& the herb scents of her skin an& hair %ere one $iece %ith the %ar th an& su$$leness of her bo&y un&er the soft %oolen night robe" I ex$erience& her as if she %ere a ne% color su&&enly re'eale& to y eyes" #ll concerns! e'en all thoughts! %ere sus$en&e& in that y shoul&ers her han&s" I e" ;ar th flo%e& through e fro su&&en a%areness" I kno% I tre ble&! for she $ut her han&s on an& clas$e& the ! to stea&y She kisse& e" outh to ine! %as like the o$ening of a looke& &o%n into her eyes an& %on&ere& at %hat I sa% there" That si $le act! of offering u$ her $ause to consi&er %is&o or

floo&gate" ;hat follo%e& %as a sea less continuation of her kiss" ;e &i& not orality! %e &i& not hesitate at all" The $er ission %e ga'e each other %as absolute" ;e 'enture& together into that ne%ness! an& I cannot i agine a &ee$er 4oining than our share& a a1e ent brought us" ;e both ca e %hole to that night! unfettere& by ex$ectations or e ories of others" I ha& no ore right to her than she ha& to e" But I ga'e an& I took an& I s%ear I shall ne'er regret it" The a%k%ar&ness is the truest $ossession of
1CHD

e ory of that night.s s%eet

y soul" -y tre bling fingers

4u ble& the ribbon at the neck closure of her nightgo%n into a ho$eless knot" -olly see e& %ise an& sure as she touche& e! only to betray her sur$rise atter" Our %ith her shar$ly in&ra%n breath %hen I res$on&e&" It &i& not an& strong! but foun&

ignorance yiel&e& to a kno%ing ol&er than us both" I stro'e to be both gentle yself a a1e& at her strength an& gentleness both" en s$eak arket I ha'e hear& it calle& a &ance! I ha'e hear& it calle& a battle" So e

of it %ith a kno%ing laugh! so e %ith a sneer" I ha'e hear& the stur&y

%o en chuckling o'er it like hens clucking o'er brea& cru bs+ I ha'e been a$$roache& by ba%&s %ho s$oke their %ares as bol&ly as $e&&lers ha%king fresh fish" For yself! I think so e things are beyon& %or&s" The color blue bare& shoul&er! the uni)uely fe inine softness of a akes %hen all barriers su&&enly yiel&! the can only be ex$erience&! as can the scent of 4as ine or the soun& of a flute" The cur'e of a %ar breast! the startle& soun& one

$erfu e of her throat! the taste of her skin are all but $arts! an& s%eet as they ay be! they &o not e bo&y the %hole" # thousan& such &etails still %oul& not illustrate it" The fire$lace logs burne& &o%n to &ark re& e bers" The can&les ha& long since guttere& out" It see e& %e %ere in a $lace %e ha& entere& as strangers! an& &isco'ere& to be ho e" I think I %oul& ha'e gi'en a%ay all the rest of the %orl&! 4ust to re ain in the &ro%sy nest of tousle& blankets an& feather )uilts! breathing her %ar stillness" Brother! this is goo&" I lea$e& like a hooke& fish! 4olting -olly out of her &ro%sing re'erie" 6;hat is it07 6# cra $ in y calf!7 I lie&! an& she laughe&! belie'ing a&e into lies by lea'ing the
1CHE

e" So si $le a fib! y li$s to

but I %as su&&enly sha e& by the lie! by all the lies I ha& e'er s$oken an& all the truths I ha& uns$oken" I o$ene&

tell her all" That I %as the royal assassin! the (ing.s killing tool" That the kno%le&ge of her that she ha& gi'en en an& share& his life %ith an ani al" It %as unthinkable" To tell her those things %oul& hurt an& sha e her" She %oul& ha'e felt $er anently &irtie& by the touch %e ha& share&" I tol& that I coul& stan& to ha'e her &es$ise &es$ise herself" I tol& yself that I clenche& yself! then0 aroun& e! %ith the length of her bo&y yself e! but I coul& not stan& to ha'e her y li$s shut because it %as the yself %as better than to let the e that night ha& been share& by y brother the %olf" That she ha& gi'en herself so freely to a an %ho kille& other

nobler thing to &o! to kee$ these secrets to truth &estroy her" Di& I lie to Don.t %e all0 I lay there! %ith her ar s t%ine& %ar %ar ing $ro ise& I %oul& y si&e! an& $ro ise& yself! ake 5ighteyes un&erstan& %hy I

yself that I %oul& change" I %oul& sto$

being all those things! an& then I %oul& ne'er nee& tell her" To orro%! I I %oul& tell 9ha&e an& Shre%& that I %oul& no longer kill for the " To orro%! ust se'er y bon& %ith hi " To orro%" But to&ay! in this &ay that %as alrea&y beginning to &a%n! I ha& to go forth %ith the %olf at y si&e! to hunt the Forge& ones an& slay the " Because I in the oo& to grant y killing %as &one! I %oul& yself that his $er ission an %ho %oul& no longer ha'e %ante& to go to Shre%& %ith a fresh triu $h! to $ut hi the boon I %oul& ask" This 'ery e'ening! %hen ask hi %oul& to allo% -olly an& ark the beginning of e" e to y ne% life as a arry" I $ro ise&

to kee$ secrets fro ar s softly asi&e fro

the %o an he lo'e&" I kisse& her forehea&! then set her

1C1H

6I ha'e to lea'e you!7 I %his$ere& as she stirre&" 6But I $ray it %ill not be for long" To&ay I go to Shre%&! to ask $er ission to nake& fro gathere& blushe&" 6I feel %e are %e& alrea&y!7 she %his$ere&" 6I cannot i agine ho% the s$eaking of any 'o%s coul& ake us ore truly 4oine&"7 ine once y heart has e in letting all kno% of it" #n& 65or I"7 I ca e to sit on the e&ge of her be&! to take her han&s in again" 6But there %ill be great satisfaction to that! alrea&y 'o%e& to you" But for no%! I 65ot yet" Stay a%hile yet" I a anyone else begins to stir"7 I leane& o'er her to kiss her" 6I ha'e to go no%! to retrie'e a certain ro$e that is hanging fro co ent"7 e change the &ressings on your ar an& eant to ask you last night! but """7 ore interesting things to $ursue" orning! in y an as no %or&s e'er ha& before" e&iately after%ar&! but the battle ents to y la&y.s %in&o%" Other%ise! it ight excite ust go"7 y la&y! re)uires a %e&&ing" #n& a $ublic s$eaking of all her be&" I $ut fastening arry you"7 She stirre& an& o$ene& her eyes" She %atche& in a sort of %on&er as I %ent ore %oo& on the fire! then a'oi&e& her ga1e as I on" She %as not so shy! for as I e! s iling" I y belt! I foun& her eyes u$on y scattere& clothes an& $ut the

looke& u$ fro

sure %e ha'e so e s all ti e left before

6#t least stay long enough to let

neck" Ho%e'er &i& you hurt yourself so0 I I s ile& &o%n at her" 6I kno%" There %ere 5o! roo "7 To call her 6 y &ear7 I kisse& her! $ro ising foun& a&e

y &ear" But I $ro ise you I shall take care of it this e feel a yself that I %oul& go i

yself lingering to her touch on

y neck" I sighe&" 6I &o ha'e to go"7

6I kno%" But you ha'e not tol&

e ho% you in4ure& yourself"7

1C11

I coul& hear in her 'oice that she &i& not think trie& to use the sub4ect to &etain trie& to

y hurts %ere serious! but only e! an& I

e at her si&e" But still it sha e&

ake the lie as har less as $ossible" 6Dog bites" # bitch in the stable e"7

%ith $u$s" I guess I &i& not kno% her as %ell as I ha& thought" I bent to $ick u$ one of her $u$s! an& she %ent for easily"7 6I.ll clean it again %hen I &ress it" 5o%" I ust go"7 I co'ere& her o'er %ith the feather )uilt! but not %ithout a t%inge of regret at lea'ing that %ar th" 6Jet %hat little slee$ is left for you before &ay breaks"7 6Fit19hi'alry: 6 I $ause& at the &oor! turne& back" 6Yes07 69o e to I o$ene& 6*ro ise return to e tonight" Regar&less of %hat the (ing y outh to $rotest" e you %ill your %ife atter %hat the (ing ay say! kno% this" I a ay say"7 6*oor boy" ;ell" #re you sure you cleane& it %ell0 #ni al bites infect 'ery

e: Other%ise! I shall not sur'i'e this &ay" *ro ise e" For no

no%" #n& al%ays %ill be" #l%ays"7 -y heart stoo& still in -y look an& gol&en as lock u$ after i&su e at that gift! an& I coul& &o no ore than &u bly no&" e %as bright ust ha'e been enough! for the s ile she besto%e& on

er sunshine" I lifte& the bar an& unhooke& the latch of her into the little

the &oor" Easing it o$en! I $eere& out into the &arkene& hall%ay" 6Be sure you e!7 I %his$ere&! an& then I sli$$e& a%ay fro that %as left of the night"

9H#*TER THIRTEE5
1C12

Hunting THE S(I==! =I(E any other &isci$line! can be taught in nu ber of %ays" Jalen! Skill -aster un&er (ing Shre%&! use& techni)ues of &e$ri'ation an& enforce& har&shi$ to break &o%n a stu&ent.s inner %alls" Once re&uce& to a le'el of co%ering sur'i'al! the stu&ent %as susce$tible to Jalen.s in'asion of his in& an& his enforce& acce$tance of Jalen.s Skilling techni)ues" ;hile the stu&ents %ho sur'i'e& his training an& %ent on to beco e his coterie coul& all Skill reliably! none %ere es$ecially strong of talent" Jalen re$orte&ly congratulate& hi self at taking stu&ents of little talent! an& teaching the Skill reliably" This One $otential! an& groun& the &o%n to a&e)uate tools" to ay be the case" Or $erha$s he took stu&ents %ith great

ay contrast Jalen.s techni)ues %ith that of Solicity! Skill -istress uch %as

before hi " She su$$lie& the initial instruction to the then young *rinces Aerity an& 9hi'alry" Aerity.s account of his instruction in&icates barriers" Both Aerity an& 9hi'alry e erge& fro acco $lishe& by gentleness an& lulling her stu&ents into lo%ering their her training as a&e$t an& strong Skill users" Her &eath unfortunately occurre& before their full a&ult instruction %as co $lete! an& before Jalen ha& a&'ance& to a 4ourney status as a Skill instructor" One can only %on&er ho% re&isco'ere&" I s$ent little ti e in I felt there %as y roo that orning" The fire ha& gone out! but the chill %as an e $ty ore barren than e'er" I stoo&! uch kno%le&ge of the Skill %ent agic ay ne'er be to her gra'e %ith her! an& %hat $otentials of this royal

ore than that of an un%ar e& roo " This roo

shell of a life soon to be left behin&" It see e& bare& to the %aist! an& shi'ere& as I %ashe&

yself %ith un%ar e& %ater! an&

1C18

belate&ly change& the ban&aging on I &resse& %ar ly! a $a&&e&

y ar

an& neck" I &i& not &eser'e for

those %oun&s to look as clean as they &i&" 5onetheless! they %ere healing %ell" ountain shirt going on un&er a hea'y leather close to y legs y %ork bla&e an& ar e& yself %ith a y 4erkin" I $ulle& on hea'y leather o'er trousers an& lace& the %ith stri$s of leather" I took &o%n short &agger as %ell" Fro roo " I %ent straight to Aerity.s to%er" I kne% he %oul& be a%aiting %ork %ith e! ex$ecting to that I e on Skilling" So eho% I %oul& ha'e to con'ince hi y life %as $resently focuse& on the

y %orking kit! I took a s all $ot of $o%&ere&

&eath.s ca$" Des$ite all this! I felt un$rotecte&! an& e)ually foolish! as I left

nee&e& to hunt Forge& ones this &ay" I cli be& the stairs s%iftly! %ishing this &ay %ere o'er" #ll of The the o ent %hen I arry -olly" coul& knock on (ing Shre%&.s &oor an& ask his $er ission to ere thought of her floo&e& unfa iliar feelings that yself" =ike a

e %ith such a strange co bination of

y stri&es on the stairs slo%e& as I trie& to consi&er y resol'e an& s$urre& e on" I

all" Then I ga'e it o'er as useless" 6-olly!7 I sai& alou&! but softly! to agic %or&! it strengthene&

sto$$e& outsi&e the &oor an& ra$$e& lou&ly" I felt rather than hear& Aerity.s $er ission to enter" I $ushe& o$en the &oor an& %ent insi&e" I shut the &oor behin& *hysically! the roo e" the o$en %in&o% %as still" # cool bree1e s$rang in fro

an& Aerity sat enthrone& before it on his ol& chair" His han&s reste& i&ly on the %in&o%sill an& his eyes %ere fixe& on the &istant hori1on" His cheeks %ere $ink! his &ark hair the %in&o%! the roo usse& by the %in&.s fingers" Sa'e for the soft current fro %as still an& silent" Yet I felt as if I ha& ste$$e& into a e an& I %as &ra%n into his

%hirl%in&" Aerity.s consciousness %ashe& against

in&! s%e$t along %ith his thoughts an& his Skilling far out to sea" He carrie&
1C1<

e %ith hi

on a &i11ying tour of e'ery shi$ %ithin the range of his hi

in&" to a

Here %e brushe& the thoughts of a net

erchant ca$tain! 6""" if the $rice is goo&

enough! loa& u$ %ith oil for the return tri$ """"7 an& then ski$$e& fro

en&er $atching hastily! her fi& flying! gru bling to herself as the ca$tain

raile& at her to be faster about her task" ;e foun& a $ilot %orrying about his $regnant %ife at ho e! an& three fa ilies out &igging cla s in the &i orning light before the ti&e ca e in to co'er the be&s again" These an& a &o1en others %e 'isite& before Aerity su&&enly recalle& us to our o%n bo&ies an& $lace" I felt as gi&&y as a s all boy %ho has been booste& aloft by his father to $ercei'e the %hole chaos of the fair before being returne& to his o%n feet an& his chil&.s 'ie% of knees an& legs" I a$$roache& the %in&o% to stan& besi&e Aerity" He still stare& out o'er the %ater to the hori1ons" But I su&&enly un&erstoo& his o$ene& his $al a$s an& %hy he create& e %ere as if he ha& the " The net%ork of li'es he ha& touche& so briefly for

to re'eal he cu$$e& a han&ful of $riceless ge s" *eo$le" His

$eo$le" It %as not so e rocky coast or rich $asturelan& that he stoo& %atch o'er" It %as these folk! these bright gli $ses of other li'es unli'e& by hi ! but cherishe& all the sa e" This %as Aerity.s king&o " Jeogra$hical boun&aries arke& on $arch ent enclose& the baffle ent that anyone coul& %ish har fierce &eter ination that not one The %orl& stea&ie& aroun& to$" Aerity &i& not look at for hi " For a o ent I share& his on these $eo$le! an& share&! too! his

ore life shoul& be lost to the Re&/Shi$s"

e! as 'ertigo $assing! an& all %as still in the to%er e as he s$oke" 6So" Hunting to&ay"7 atter" 6Yes" The

I no&&e&! not caring that he &i& not see the gesture" It &i&n.t Forge& ones are closer than %e sus$ecte& e'en"7 6Do you ex$ect to fight the 07 6You tol& e to go $re$are&" I %ill try the $oison first"
1C1?

But they e" So I.

ay not be as eager to gobble it &o%n" Or they taking y bla&e! in case"7 y han&s" For a a&e by a

ay still try to attack

6So I sur ise&"" But take this one instea&"7 He lifte& a sheathe& s%or& fro besi&e his chair an& ga'e it into $ossesse& by %ea$ons an& tools bla&e in his $resence" The o ent I coul& only look at it" The leather %as fancifully toole&! the hilt ha& that beautiful si $licity aster" #t Aerity.s no&! I &re% the ere&! the ha ering an& etal glea e& an& shi

fol&ing that ha& gi'en it strength recalle& as a %atery ri$$ling of light &o%n its length" I hel& it out an& felt it $erch in a uch finer s%or& than y han&! %eightless an& %aiting" It %as y skill &eser'e&" 6I shoul& $resent it to you %ith ight ask it back of you so that I

$o $ an& cere ony! of course" But I gi'e it to you no%! lest for the lack of it you can.t return later" During ;interfest! I ay $resent it to you $ro$erly"7 I sli$$e& it back into its sheath! then &re% it out! s%ift as an in&ra%n breath" I ha& ne'er $ossesse& anything so finely you or so ething!7 I sai& a%k%ar&ly" Aerity $er itte& hi self a s ile" 65o &oubt Regal %oul& re)uire so e such oath" #s for alrea&y s%orn Juilt assaulte& e! I &on.t think a e his life"7 e" I took y courage in both han&s" 6Aerity! y $rince" I go an nee& s%ear his s%or& to e %hen he has a&e" 6I feel as if I shoul& s%ear it to

forth to&ay to ser'e you as an assassin"7 E'en Aerity %as taken aback" 6Direct %or&s!7 he heart has gro%n %eary of it" I ha'e s%orn co an& it! so ser'e you"7 use& guar&e&ly" y 6It is ti e for &irect %or&s! I think" That is ho% I ser'e you to&ay" But ust I continue" But I ask that you fin& for

y life to you! as you say! an& if you e another %ay to

1C1B

Aerity %as silent for %hat see e& a long ti e" He reste& his chin on his fist an& sighe&" 6;ere it only I you %ere s%orn to! $erha$s I coul& ans%er s%iftly an& si $ly" But I a king" #s only king/in/%aiting" This re)uest ust be a&e of your ust your re)uest to %e&"7 no% gre% 'ery %i&e an& &ee$! aking a &istance in&! you

The silence in the roo

bet%een us" I coul& not break it" Aerity s$oke at last" 6I sho%e& you ho% to %ar& your &rea s! Fit19hi'alry" If you neglect to enclose your cannot bla e others for %hat you &i'ulge"7 I $ushe& &o%n y anger an& s%allo%e& it" 6Ho% uch07 I aske& col&ly" y o%n 6#s little as $ossible! I assure you" I a %ell use& to guar&ing

thoughts! less so to blocking out those of others" Es$ecially the thoughts of one as strongly! if erratically Skille&! as yourself" I &i& not seek to be $ri'y to your """ assignation"7 He %as silent" I &i& not trust yself to s$eak" It %as not 4ust that y o%n $ri'acy ha& been so ba&ly betraye&" But -olly: Ho% I %as e'er to ex$lain this to -olly! I coul& not i agine" 5or coul& I tolerate the i&ea of yet another silence asking an uns$oken lie bet%een us" #s al%ays! Aerity %as as true as ine" Aerity %as s$eaking! 'ery )uietly" y choice! you shoul& be %e& to&ay" If arry %hen an& %here Aerity" It is one thing to an you care for his na e" The carelessness ha& been 6Truth to tell! I en'y you! boy" ;ere it =a&y Re&/Skirts3 %hen I a

Shre%& &enies you $er ission to&ay! hol& this in your heart! an& i $art it to king! you %ill be free to e"7 you choose" I %ill not &o to you %hat %as &one to sy $athi1e %ith a fro

I think then that I gras$e& all that ha& been taken fro

an %hose %ife %as chosen for hi " It is another to co e

the be& of one.s belo'e&! an& su&&enly reali1e that a

%ill ne'er kno% the fullness of %hat I ha& ex$erience& %ith -olly" Ho% bitter

1C1C

ust it ha'e been to gli $se %hat -olly an& I share&! an& %hat he fore'er &enie&" 6Aerity" Thank you!7 I tol& hi " He et y eyes briefly an& ga'e e a %an s ile"

ust be

6;ell" I su$$ose"7 He hesitate&" 6This is not a $ro ise! so &o not take it as such" There ay be so ething I can &o about the other as %ell" You ight not ha'e ti e to function as a """ &i$lo at! if you %ere gi'en other &uties" Duties ore 'aluable to us"7 6Such as07 I aske& cautiously" 6-y shi$s gro%! &ay by &ay! taking sha$e un&er their again! I a There is &enie& %hat I uch co on sense to that" Here! I a asters. han&s" #n& ost &esire" I %ill not be allo%e& to sail on the " able to look out o'er all an&

&irect all" Here! %here it is

y life is not riske& to the 'iolence of the Re&/Shi$ $irates"

Here! I can coor&inate the attacks of se'eral 'essels at once! an& &is$atch ai& ost nee&e&"7 He cleare& his throat" 6On the other han&! I %ill not y han&! killing s%iftly an& cleanly! ore cal ly" 6So" For those shi$s e feel the %in& or hear it sna$$ing in the sail! an& I %ill ne'er be allo%e& to fight the Rai&ers as I long to! %ith a bla&e in s$oke" #fter a recei'e taking bloo& for the bloo& they ha'e taken"7 9ol& fury ro&e his features as he o ent.s $ause he %ent on to function best! there ust be so eone aboar& each one %ho can at least

y infor ation" I&eally! that one %oul& also be able to relay to

&etaile& infor ation as to %hat is going on aboar& the shi$" You ha'e seen! this &ay! ho% I a &irect the susce$tible to li ite&" I can tell the thoughts of certain folk! yes! but I cannot able to fin& one ore y Skill! an& influence his thoughts" But this is not the sa e as to %hat they think about" So eti es! I a

thing as ha'ing a )uick res$onse to a &irect )uestion" 6Ha'e you e'er consi&ere& sailing! Fit19hi'alry07
1C1D

To say I %as taken aback %oul& be an un&erstate ent" 6I """ you ha'e 4ust re in&e& training/7 6#n& I no% re in& you that it is i&%inter" There are not any onths until afrai& s$ring" I ha'e tol& you it is a $ossibility! no ore than that" I %ill be able to aster by then" I a e that y ability %ith the Skill is erratic! sir" #n& re in&e& e! yester&ay! that in a fight! I a ore a bra%ler than a s%or&s an! &es$ite Ho&.s

gi'e you only the barest hel$ %ith %hat you nee& to your Skill an& your bla&e07 6#s you sai& to e!

it is entirely u$ to you! Fit19hi'alry" 9an you! by s$ring! learn to control both y $rince" I cannot $ro ise! but it %ill be e stea&ily for a long y intention"7

6Fine"7 Aerity looke& at

o ent" 6;ill you begin to&ay

6To&ay0 To&ay I ha'e to hunt" I &are not neglect that &uty! e'en for this"7 6They nee& not exclu&e each other" Take I stare& at hi blankly for a e %ith you! to&ay"7 o ent! then no&&e& assent" I ha& thought he y forear " y thoughts as a y an sorts

%oul& arise! to go an& $ut on %inter clothes an& fetch a s%or&" Instea&! he reache& out to%ar& e an& took hol& of #s his $resence flo%e& into e it %as instinct to struggle against hi " This %as in&" I ha& not e" Do

not like other ti es %hen he ha& shuffle& through been so in'a&e& since Jalen ha& brutali1e& but it %as like iron on I &on.t kno%" Think about it! he ba&e y thoughts" -y This %as a thing I e" He %ith&re% a trifle"

scattere& $a$ers on a &esk" This %as a true occu$ation of

e" I trie& to 4erk free of his gri$!

y %rist" E'erything $ause&" You ha'e to trust

you0 I stoo& s%eating an& shu&&ering like a horse %ith a snake in its stall"

I coul& still sense hi ! %aiting! but kne% he %as hol&ing hi self a$art fro in& race& frantically" There %ere too ust &o if I %ishe& to %in
1C1E

any things to 4uggle" a life as an

yself free fro

assassin" It %as a chance to this! an& kee$ secret fro hi

ake all the secrets ol& secrets rather than an 5ighteyes an& all that %e share&0 I )ueste& ust kee$ it so" To&ay! then! I ay trust ust

ongoing exclusion of -olly an& her trust" I ha& to take it" But ho% coul& I &o to%ar& 5ighteyes" Our bon& is a secret" I hunt alone" Do you un&erstan&0 5o" It is stu$i& an& &angerous" I shall be there! but you unseen an& unkno%able" 6;hat &i& you &o! 4ust then07 It %as Aerity! s$eaking alou&" His han& %as on y %rist" I looke& &o%n into his eyes" There %as no harshness to his )uestion" He aske& it as I ight ask it of a s all chil& foun& car'ing on the %oo&%ork" I yself" I longe& to unbur&en yself! to ha'e one $erson in e! e'erything that I %as" ust trust e! also!7 I foun& stoo& fro1en insi&e e to be

the %orl& %ho kne% all about

You alrea&y &o! 5ighteyes ob4ecte&" It %as true" #n& I coul& not en&anger hi " 6You yself saying to Do you07 6Yes"7 ;ith one %or&! he ga'e e his trust! an& %ith it his confi&ence that har " It soun&s a si $le thing! hi y y loyalty! %ith a e than any of %hate'er I ha& been &oing %oul& not bring hi y king/in/%aiting" e consi&eringly! I aske&! 6-y $rince" #n& %hen he re aine& looking u$ at

but for a (ing/in/;aiting to $er it his o%n assassin to kee$ secrets fro %as a staggering act" Years ago! his father ha& bought shirtfront" Aerity.s si $le act of trust %as su&&enly these things" The lo'e I ha& al%ays felt for hi Ho% coul& I not trust hi 0 He s ile& shee$ishly" 6You can Skill! %hen you.'e heart to"7 ;ith no than that! he entere& y in& again" #s long as his han& %as on
1C2H

$ro ise of foo& an& shelter an& e&ucation an& a sil'er $in thrust into ore to

su&&enly kne% no boun&s" ore

y %rist! the

4oining of thoughts %as effortless" I felt his curiosity an& tinge of %oe at looking &o%n at his o%n face through ha'e age&" ;ith hi ensconce& in y in&! it %oul& ha'e been useless to &eny the truth o ent I ha& &i11ying &ouble 'ision! e" of %hat he sai&" So! it %as a necessary! sacrifice! I agree&" He lifte& his han& fro looking at his o%n eyes once y %rist" For a yself! looking at hi ! an& then it settle&" He turne& carefully to set ore on the hori1on! an& then seale& that 'ision fro in&s %as a &ifferent thing" I left the roo y eyes" # looking glass is kin&er" I

;ithout his touch! this clas$ing of

slo%ly an& %ent &o%n the stairs as if I %ere balancing a %ineglass full to the bri " Exactly" #n& in both cases! it is easier to &o if you &o not look at it an& think about it so hea'ily" @ust carry" I %ent &o%n to the kitchens! %here I ate a soli& breakfast an& trie& to beha'e nor ally" Aerity %as right" It %as easier to $lateful of biscuits into turne& about" I no&&e&" 6;ell! be careful" ;hat are you going after07 6;il& boar!7 I i $ro'ise&" 6@ust to locate one! not to atte $t a kill to&ay" I thought it too ight be a fine a use ent &uring ;interfest"7 out of the (ee$! $et" (ee$s 6For %ho0 *rince Aerity0 You %on.t bu&ge hi taken a real aintain our contact if I &i&n.t anage& to sli$ a e as she focus on it" ;hile e'eryone there %as busie& at other tasks! I

y carry sack" 6Joing hunting07 9ook aske&

uch to his roo s these &ays! he &oes! an& $oor ol& (ing Shre%& hasn.t eal %ith us in %eeks" I &on.t kno% %hy I kee$ cooking his uss his curls"7 There %as a general clucking of ai&s at that" -y cheeks burne& at 9ook.s here! boy" #n& naught of %hat is sai&

fa'orites! %hen the tray co es back as full as I sent it" 5o%! *rince Regal! he ight go! long as it &i&n.t laughter a ong the kitchen

bol&ness" Stea&y" They &on.t kno% I.

1C21

to you shall be hel& against the

by

e" Don.t betray us no%" I sense& Aerity.s yself a grin! thanke& 9ook

a use ent! an& also his concern" So I $er itte& Sooty %as resti'e in her stall!

for the $asty she insiste& I take! an& left the (ee$ kitchen" ore than eager for an outing" Burrich $asse& by y leathers an& the toole& sheath y %ork" #t one e" ;hen he as I %as sa&&ling her" His &ark eyes took in ne'er been able to &eci&e exactly ho% ti e! in the -ountains! I ha& &i'ulge& reco'ere& fro

an& fine hilt of the s%or&" He cleare& his throat! but then stoo& silent" I ha& uch Burrich kne% of y assassin.s training to hi " But that e ories of the &ay that

ha& been before he took a blo% on the hea& atte $ting to $rotect it! he $rofesse& to ha'e lost the

$rece&e& it" But so eti es I %on&ere&" *erha$s it %as his sage %ay of kee$ing a secret a secret+ that it coul& not be &iscusse& e'en by those %ho share& it" 6Be careful!7 he sai& at last! gruffly" 6Don.t you let that Des$ite y erran&s it %as still early are co e to har "7 6;e.ll be careful!7 I $ro ise& hi ! an& then le& Sooty out $ast hi " orning! %ith 4ust enough %inter light to herself %ithout allo%ing her to break a ake it safe to canter" I let Sooty out! allo%ing her to choose her $ace an& ex$ress her s$irits! an& letting her %ar s%eat" There %as broken clou& co'er! an& the sun %as sli$$ing through it to touch the trees an& banke& sno% %ith glistening fingers" I $ulle& Sooty in! $acing her" ;e %oul& be taking a roun&about %ay to get to the creek be&+ I &i& not %ant to lea'e the tro&&en $aths until %e Aerity %as %ith $ri'y to (ee$! the ust" orning air! Sooty.s the ore a touch he e e'ery secon&" It %as not that %e con'erse&! but he %as y o%n bo&y" But the farther I %ent fro utual effort

y internal &ialogue" He en4oye& the fresh

res$onsi'eness! an& the youth of ha& initially i $ose& on

ore a%are I beca e of kee$ing a gri$ on Aerity" Fro e! the sharing ha& change& to a

like clas$ing han&s" I %on&ere& if I %oul& be able to

1C22

aintain it" Don.t think

about it" @ust &o it" E'en breathing beco es a task if you $ay attention to e'ery breath" I blinke& %as a%are of 9hari y eyes! su&&enly a%are that he %as no% in his stu&y! orning tasks" =ike the hu ing of fara%ay bees! I consulting %ith hi about so ething" carrying on his nor al

I coul& &etect no sign of 5ighteyes" I %as trying not to think about hi ! nor look for hi ! a strenuous reaching out for ental &enial that %as fully as &e an&ing as kee$ing e" So )uickly ha& I beco e accusto e& to a%aiting fro y touch that I felt isolate&! y belt" The only e for y y in& %as -olly.s! an& as less than honorable" y in& reine& a%ay y issing fro Aerity.s consciousness %ith an& as unbalance& as if

y %olf an& fin&ing hi

y fa'orite knife %ere

i age that coul& co $letely &is$lace hi

that! too! %as one I &i& not %ish to &%ell on" Aerity ha& not rebuke& actions of the night before! but I kne% he regar&e& the I ha& an uneasy feeling that if I allo%e& fro that! too" ost of y

yself ti e to truly consi&er all that

ha& ha$$ene&! I %oul& agree %ith hi " 9o%ar&ly! I ke$t I reali1e& I %as $utting hea& a shake an& o$ene&

ental effort to not thinking" I ga'e

yself u$ to the &ay" The roa& I %as follo%ing %as en" Se'eral &eca&es ago a lightning fire ha& ostly birch an&

not %ell tra'ele&" It %oun& through the rolling hills behin& Buckkee$! an& far ore shee$ an& goats tro& it than cleare& it of trees" The first gro%th of trees on it %as suite& to far ing! an& ser'e& but fro $ath lea&ing fro ostly as su

cotton%oo&! no% stan&ing bare but for sno% bur&en" This hilly country %as ill/ er $asturage for gra1ing ani als! ti e to ti e I %oul& catch a %hiff of %oo& s oke an& see a tro&&en the roa& to a %oo&cutter.s cottage! or a tra$$er.s hut" It %as

an area of s all! isolate& ho estea&s occu$ie& by folk of hu bler $ersuasions" The roa& beca e narro%er! an& the trees change& as I entere& an ol&er $art of the forest" Here the &ark e'ergreens still stoo& thick an& cro%&e& close to the
1C28

roa&.s e&ge" Their trunks %ere i sno% lay in une'en hu

ense+ an& beneath their s$rea&ing branches

ocks on the forest floor" There %as little un&erbrush" the trail here" ;e tra'ele& un&er the

-ost of the year.s sno%fall %as still u$ abo'e! resting on those thickly nee&le& li bs" It %as easy to turn Sooty asi&e fro &i ness of the great trees" You are seeking a s$ecific $lace" You ha'e &efinite infor ation as to %here the Forge& ones are0 They %ere seen on a certain creek bank! eating fro yester&ay" I thought %e coul& trail the ;ho sa% the 0 I hesitate&" # frien& of e" > " I coul& sense Aerity.s reser'ations as he consi&ere& shall ask no half/%it girl %ho use& to co e an& sit at attention to her" But once I ca e u$on the other about a y y reticence" ;ell" I other ke$t her uch y ore" So e secrets are necessary! I su$$ose" I re e ber a little other.s feet" -y ine" He is shy of ost folk" But I ha'e gaine& his e an& tells confi&ence! an& so eti es! %hen he sees o&& things! he co es to fro there" a %inter/kille& &eer" @ust sno%la&en cano$y through a grayish &aylight" The &ay see e& hushe& in the

clothe& an& fe& an& ga'e her trinkets an& s%eets" 5o one e'er $ai& una%ares! an& hear& her telling

an in a ta'ern %ho ha& been selling $retty necklaces an& uch" yself

ar ban&s" =ater that %eek the (ing.s guar& arreste& Rife the high%ay an in the 'ery sa e ta'ern" Iuiet folk often kno% In&ee&" ;e ro&e on in a co $anionable silence" Occasionally I ha& to re in& that Aerity %as not here in the flesh" But I begin to %ish I %ere" It has been too long! boy! since I ro&e through these hills si $ly for the sake of ri&ing" -y life

1C2<

has beco e too hea'y %ith $ur$ose" I cannot re e ber the last ti e I &i& so ething si $ly because I %ante& to &o it" I %as no&&ing to his thought %hen the screa control shattere& the forest )uiet" It %as i&shriek! an& before I coul& y in& to it! but turne& the %or&less cry of a young creature! cut off in an& su&&en horror fro 5ighteyes" I seale& off

yself! I )ueste& to%ar& it" -y ;it foun& %or&less $anic! &eath fear!

Sooty.s hea& that %ay an& urge& her to%ar& it" 9linging lo% to her neck! I nu&ge& her along through the a1e of banke& sno% an& fallen li bs an& clear y %ay u$ a hill! ne'er getting u$ to groun& that %as the forest floor" I %orke& on a scene I shall ne'er be able to forget" There %ere three of the ! ragge&y an& bear&e& an& s elly" They snarle& an& uttere& at each other as they fought" They ga'e off no life sense to but I recogni1e& the as the Forge& ones that 5ighteyes ha& sho%n y ;it! e the

the s$ee& I su&&enly so &es$erately %ante&" I creste& the hill! an& looke& &o%n

night before" She %as s all! three $erha$s! an& the %oolly tunic she %ore %as bright yello%! the lo'ing %ork of so e other.s han&s" They fought o'er her as if she %ere a snare& rabbit! &ragging on the li bs of her little bo&y in an angry tug/of/%ar %ith no hee& to the s all life that still resi&e& in her" I roare& y fury at the sight an& &re% his hea& an& turne& to y s%or& 4ust as one Forge& one.s &eter ine& y cry! one of the en lifte& 4erk on her neck sna$$e& her free of her bo&y" #t her &eath to begin fee&ing" I kicke& Sooty an& ro&e &o%n on the %oo&s to like 'engeance on horseback" Fro the y left! 5ighteyes burst onto the scene" He %as u$on the an.s neck" One turne& to before I

e! his bear& bright %ith bloo&" He ha& not %aite& for

%as! lea$ing to the shoul&ers of one an& o$ening his 4a%s %i&e to set his teeth into the back of the e as I ca e &o%n! an& thre% y u$ a useless han& to shiel& hi self fro
1C2?

y s%or&" -y blo% %as such that

fine ne% bla&e half se'ere& his neck fro s$ine" I $ulle& %ith the The y belt knife an& launche&

his bo&y before %e&ging in his yself fro Sooty.s back to gra$$le

an %ho %as trying to $lunge his knife into 5ighteyes" The thir& a&&ene& bear! sna$$ing an& stabbing at us e'en after I

Forge& one snatche& u$ the girl.s bo&y an& race& off into the %oo&s %ith it" an fought like a ha& o$ene& u$ his belly" His entrails hung o'er his belt! an& still he ca e stu bling after us" I coul& not e'en take ti e for the horror I felt" (no%ing he %oul& &ie! I left hi curse& an& %e $lunge& off after the one %ho ha& fle&" 5ighteyes %as a befurre& gray streak that un&ulate& u$ the hillsi&e! an& I y slo% t%o legs as I s$e& after hi " The trail %as $lain! tra $le& in& %as not %orking sno% an& bloo& an& the foul stench of the creature" -y ti e to un&o her &eath an& bring her back" To %as an illogical &ri'e that s$e& He ha& &ouble& back" Fro e on! e" He %as big an&

%ell" I s%ear that as I race& u$ that hillsi&e I so eho% thought I coul& be in ake it ha'e ne'er ha$$ene&" It

behin& a great stu $ he lea$e& at us! flinging the

girl.s bo&y at 5ighteyes an& then lea$ing bo&ily onto si1e an& strength ha& ke$t hi u$on

uscle& like a s ithy" >nlike other Forge& ones I ha& encountere&! this one.s fe& an& %ell clothe&" The boun&less anger of a e! lifting crushing e clear off y feet! an& then fell e! y throat" He lan&e& ato$ hunte& ani al %as his" He sei1e& e %ith one knotty forear y back! $inning barrel chest on

y! chest an& one ar

to the earth belo% hi "

I reache& back! to sink &ots s$otte&

y knife t%ice into a

eaty thigh" He roare& %ith anger

an& increase& the $ressure" He $resse& y back" I thought

y face into the fro1en earth" Black an.s back

y 'ision! an& 5ighteyes %as a su&&en a&&ition to the %eight on y s$ine %oul& sna$" 5ighteyes slashe& at the

%ith his fangs! but the Forge& one only &re% his chin into his chest an&

1C2B

hunche& his shoul&ers against the attack" He kne% he %as killing strangle" Ti e enough to &eal %ith the %olf %hen I %as &ea&" The struggle o$ene& u$ the %oun& on The a&&e& $ain %as a tiny s$ur to gri$! an& the sli$$eriness of on e" He began to ben& y neck an& %ar

e %ith his

bloo& s$ille& out" y hea& %il&ly in his e turn y throat

y struggle" I shook

y o%n bloo& %as enough to let

a tiny bit" I got in one &es$erate %hee1e of air before the giant shifte& his gri$ y hea& back" If he coul& not throttle uscle for it" e! he %oul& si $ly break y neck" He ha& the

5ighteyes change& tactics" He coul& not o$en his 4a%s %i&e enough to get the an.s hea& into the ! but his scra$ing teeth foun& enough $urchase to tear $art of the knee& an.s scal$ fro his skull" He set his teeth in the fla$ of flesh an& e as the Forge& one roare& %or&lessly an& to flail at 5ighteyes" $ulle&" Bloo& raine& &o%n on

e in the s all of the back" He let go %ith one ar

I %heele& aroun& in his ar s! to bring one knee u$ into his groin! an& then to get a goo& knife thrust into his si&e" The $ain &i& not release he began to crush That is as %hat ca e o'er ust ha'e been incre&ible+ but he ine in a flash of e to hi as e! $inning e" Instea& he cracke& his hea& against y chest" e next+ $erha$s it %as the &eath fury so e legen&s s$eak of" his bo&y %here'er I

blackness! an& then %ra$$e& his huge ar s aroun&

uch of the struggle as I can re e ber coherently" I &on.t kno%

Teeth! nails! an& knife I fought hi ! taking flesh fro

coul& reach it" Still! I kno% it %oul& not ha'e been enough ha& not 5ighteyes also been attacking %ith the sa e boun&less fren1y" So eti e later I cra%le& fro un&er the an.s bo&y" There %as a foul co$$ery taste in y han&s &o%n y outh an& I s$at out &irty hair an& bloo&" I %i$e& rubbe& the y $ants an& then

in clean sno%! but nothing coul& e'er cleanse the "

1C2C

#re you all right0 5ighteyes lay $anting in the sno% a yar& or t%o %ay" His 4a%s %ere like%ise bloo&ie&" #s I %atche& he sna$$e& u$ a great outhful of sno%! then resu e& his $anting" I rose an& stu ble& a ste$ or t%o to%ar& hi " Then I sa% the girl.s bo&y an& sank &o%n besi&e it in the sno%" I think that %as %hen I reali1e& I %as too late! an& ha& been too late fro s$otte& the " She %as tiny" Sleek black hair an& &ark eyes" Horribly! her little bo&y %as still %ar an& lax" I lifte& her to y la$ an& s oothe& the hair back fro her face" # s all face! e'en baby teeth" Roun& cheeks" Death ha& not yet clou&e& her ga1e+ the eyes that stare& u$ into that ha& run &o%n fro chil& on ine see e& fixe& on a $u11le beyon& un&erstan&ing" Her little han&s %ere fat an& soft an& streake& %ith the bloo& the bites on her ar s" I sat in the sno% %ith the &ea& y hea& o'er her s ooth hair an& %e$t" Su&&en y cheek an& y in& to y shoul&er an& I su&&enly reali1e& I ha& shut y la$" So this %as ho% a chil& felt in one.s ar s" So s all! an& once e! uncontrollably" 5ighteyes snuffe& at the instant I ha&

so %ar " So still" I bo%e& shu&&ers ran o'er hi hi ga'e out" I touche& hi %hine&" He $a%e& roughly at

%ith a )uieting han&! but coul& not o$en

or anything else" He %hine& again! an& I finally hear& the hoofbeats" He y cheek an a$ologetic lick an& then 'anishe& into the %oo&s" y feet! still hol&ing y chil&" The ri&ers creste& the hill abo'e

I staggere& to

e" Aerity in the lea&! on his black! %ith Burrich behin& hi ! an& Bla&e! an& half a &o1en others" Horribly! there %as a %o an! roughly &resse&! ri&ing behin& Bla&e on his horse" She crie& out alou& at the sight of )uickly fro sei1e& on the horse.s back! running to%ar& e! an& sli& e %ith han&s reaching for the

chil&" I coul& not bear the terrible light of ho$e an& 4oy in her face" Her eyes ine for an instant an& I sa% e'erything &ie in her face" She cla%e& y ar s! snatche& at the cooling face on the lolling neck!
1C2D

her little girl fro

an& then began to screa " The &esolation of her grief broke o'er %a'e! s%ee$ing ne'er sto$$e&" y %alls a%ay an& carrying

e like a

e un&er %ith her" The screa ing

Hours later! sitting in Aerity.s stu&y! I coul& still hear it" I 'ibrate& to the soun&! long shu&&ers that ran o'er %hile behin& e uncontrollably" I %as stri$$e& to the %aist! sitting on a stool before the fire$lace" The healer %as buil&ing the fire u$ e a stonily silent Burrich %as s%abbing $ine nee&les an& &irt y neck" 6This! an& this aren.t fresh %oun&s!7 he obser'e& y ar " I sai& nothing" #ll oistene& a e" In a basin of hot %ater besi&e hi ! &rie& iris flo%ers yrtle floating besi&e the " He" y throat" 6The s ith ha& big out of the gouge on %or&s ha& &eserte&

at one $oint! $ointing &o%n to the other in4ury on %ere uncurling %ith bits of bog han&s!7 he obser'e& alou&"

cloth in the %ater an& s$onge& at the bruises on

6You kne% hi 07 the healer aske& as he turne& to look at Burrich" 65ot to talk to" I.& seen hi ! a ti e or t%o! at S$ringfest %hen so e of the outlying tra&e folk co e to to%n %ith their goo&s" He use& to bring fancy sil'er%ork for harness"7 They fell silent again" Burrich %ent back to %ork" The bloo& tingeing the %ar %ater %asn.t ine! for the ost $art" Other than a lot of bruises an& sore ostly scratches an& scra$es an& one huge lu $ on uscles! I.& esca$e& %ith

y forehea&" I %as so eho% asha e& that I ha&n.t been hurt" The little girl ha& &ie&+ I shoul& ha'e at least been in4ure&" I &on.t kno% %hy that thought a&e sense to e" I %atche& Burrich ea ake a neat %hite ban&age snug on y forear " The healer brought all he sai& to the ug of tea" Burrich took it fro hi ! sniffe&

it thoughtfully! then ga'e it o'er to

e" 6I %oul& ha'e use& less 'alerian!7 %as

an" The healer ste$$e& back an& %ent to sit by the hearth"

1C2E

9hari

ca e in %ith a tray of foo&" He cleare& a s all table an& began to set it o ent later Aerity stro&e into the roo " He took his cloak off arket!7 he sai&"

out on it" #

an& flung it o'er a chairback" 6I foun& her husban& in the %ent to the strea glance& to%ar&

6He.s %ith her no%" She ha& left the chil& $laying on the &oorste$ %hile she for %ater" ;hen she got back! the chil& %as gone"7 He e! but I coul&n.t eet his eyes" 6;e foun& her calling her ay go"7 y chest an& un&er y y

little girl in the %oo&s" I kne%""""7 He glance& abru$tly at the healer" 6Thank you! De " If you.'e finishe& %ith Fit19hi'alry! you 6I ha'en.t e'en looke& at/7 6He.s fine"7 Burrich ha& run a length of ban&aging across y o$$osite ar shoul&er an& neck" It %as useless" The bite %as right ato$ the an& u$ again in an effort to kee$ a &ressing in $lace on uscle bet%een the ti$ of

y neck" I trie& to fin& so ething a using in the irritate& look e" I began to lift the ug to y li$s! but

the healer ga'e Burrich before he left" Burrich &i&n.t e'en notice it" Aerity &ragge& u$ a chair to face Burrich casually reache& o'er an& took it fro y han&" 6#fter you.'e talke&" &u $ out half of the

There.s enough 'alerian in here to &ro$ you in your tracks"7 He took it an& hi self out of the %ay" O'er by the hearth! I %atche& hi tea an& &ilute %hat %as left %ith I shifte& ar s on his chest an& leane& against the ore hot %ater" That &one! he crosse& his antel$iece! %atching us" to s$eak" fighting o'er her" Then you

y ga1e to Aerity.s eyes! an& %aite& for hi

He sighe&" 6I sa% the chil& %ith you" Sa% the e'en %ith all

%ere su&&enly gone" ;e lost our 4oining! an& I coul&n.t fin& you again! not y strength" I kne% you %ere in trouble an& set out to reach you sorry I %asn.t faster"7 ight be too yself u$ an& tell Aerity e'erything" But it as soon as I coul&" I. I longe& to o$en

re'ealing" To $ossess a *rince.s secrets &oes not gi'e one the right to &i'ulge
1C8H

the " I glance& at Burrich" He %as stu&ying the %all" I s$oke for ally" 6Thank you! y $rince" You coul& not ha'e co e faster" #n& e'en if you ha&! it %oul& ha'e been too late" She &ie& at al ost the sa e instant I sa% her"7 Aerity looke& &o%n at his han&s" 6I kne% that" (ne% it better than you &i&" -y concern %as for you"7 He looke& u$ at sur'i'ing it"7 Fro the corner of y eye! I sa% Burrich shift! o$en his outh to s$eak! then close it again" 9ol& &rea& uncoile& in only thing that coul& ha'e e" He ha& seen the bo&ies of the Forge& y heart %ere e an& trie& for a s ile" 6The ost &istincti'e $art of your fighting style is the incre&ible %ay you ha'e of

ones! seen the tracks" He kne% I ha&n.t fought alone against the " It %as the a&e the &ay %orse" I felt as if su&&enly caught in a col& stillness" That Burrich ha& not s$oken of it yet! that he %as reser'ing his accusations for a $ri'ate ti e only 6Fit19hi'alry07 Aerity calle& I starte&" 6I beg your $ar&on! y attention back to hi " y $rince"7 a&e it %orse"

He laughe&! al ost! a brief snort" 6Enough of R y $rince". Rest assure& that I &o not ex$ect it of you 4ust no%! an& neither &oes Burrich" He an& I kno% each other %ell enough+ he &i& not R y $rince. Recall that he %as king.s an to an& oftenti es not gently" I a to$ of that ri&ge" 6 I looke& to Burrich! %ho no&&e& slo%ly" 5either of us %as certain %hy he %as being inclu&e& here" 6I lost touch %ith you %hen you %ent into a battle fren1y" If I a I %ish! that cannot ha$$en"7 Aerity &ru for a to use you as e& his fingers lightly on his thighs y brother at o ents like this" y brother" 9hi'alry &re% on his strength! sure Burrich kno%s that I ha'e use& you

like%ise" #n& kno%s also that I ro&e %ith your eyes to&ay! at least as far as the

o ent! in thought" 6The only %ay I can see for you to learn this thing is
1C81

to $ractice it" Burrich" 9hi'alry once tol& better %ith an ax than a s%or&"7

e that in a tight s$ot! you %ere

Burrich looke& startle&" *lainly he ha& not ex$ecte& Aerity to kno% this about hi " He no&&e& again! slo%ly" 6He use& to bra%ler.s tool! not a gentle an.s %ea$on"7 Aerity $er itte& hi self a tight s ile" 6#$$ro$riate for Fit1.s style! then" You %ill teach hi to use one" I &on.t belie'e it.s so ething Ho& teaches as a e %ith hi %hile he learns it" If both at once" y general rule" Though no &oubt she coul& if I aske& her" But I.& rather it %as you" Because I %ant Fit1 to $ractice kee$ing %e can tie the t%o lessons together! $erha$s he can $resence a secret" 9an you &o it07 Burrich coul& not co $letely &isguise the &is ay that cre$t o'er hi " 6I can! y $rince"7 6Then &o so! $lease" Beginning to orro%" Earlier is better for e" I kno% you ha'e other &uties as %ell! an& fe% enough hours to yourself" Don.t hesitate to $ass so e of your &uties on to Han&s %hile you are busy %ith this" He see s a 'ery ca$able an"7 6He is!7 Burrich agree&" Juar&e&ly" #nother ti&bit of infor ation that Aerity ha& at his fingerti$s" 6Fine! then"7 Aerity leane& back in his chair" He sur'eye& us both as if he %ere briefing a %hole roo ful of of this07 I sa% the )uestion as a $olite closing" 6Sir07 Burrich aske&" His &ee$ 'oice ha& gone 'ery soft an& uncertain! 6If I ay """ I ha'e """ I &o not inten& to )uestion I hel& y breath" Here it ca e" The ;it"
1C82

ock

e about it" Sai& it %as a

aster the

#n& if you are teaching hi ! then he.ll not be too &istracte& about kee$ing

en" 6Does anyone ha'e any &ifficulties %ith any

y $rince.s 4u&g ent! but """7

6S$eak it out! Burrich" I thought I ha& Burrich stoo& u$ straight! an&

a&e it clear that the R y $rincing. %as

to be sus$en&e& here" ;hat %orries you07 et the (ing/in/;aiting.s eyes" 6Is this """ fitting0 Bastar& or no! he is 9hi'alry.s son" ;hat I sa% u$ there! to&ay """7 Once starte&! the %or&s s$ille& out of Burrich" He %as fighting to kee$ anger fro his 'oice" 6You sent hi """ He %ent into a slaughterhouse situation! any %ays to ser'e y king! an& that alone" -ost any other boy of his age %oul& be &ea& no%" I """ try not to $ry into %hat is not y area" I kno% there are so e are not as $retty as others" But u$ in the -ountains """ an& then %hat I sa% to&ay" 9oul& not you fin& so eone besi&es your brother.s chil& for this07 I glance& back to Aerity" For the first ti e in y life I sa% full anger on his face" 5ot ex$resse& in a sneer or a fro%n! but si $ly as t%o hot s$arks &ee$ in his &ark eyes" The line of his li$s %as flat" But he s$oke e'enly" 6=ook again! Burrich" That.s no chil& sitting there" #n& think again" I &i& not sen& hi alone" I %ent %ith hi ! into a situation that %e ex$ecte& to be a stalk an& a hunt! not a &irect confrontation" It &i&n.t turn out that %ay" But he sur'i'e& it" #s he has sur'i'e& si ilar things before" #n& likely %ill again"7 Aerity stoo& su&&enly" The %hole air of the roo %as abru$tly charge& to y senses! e a glance! boiling %ith e otion" E'en Burrich see e& to feel it! for he ga'e about the roo " 65o" This isn.t %hat I %oul& choose for hi " This isn.t %hat I %oul& choose for yself" ;oul& that he ha& been born in better ti es: ;oul& that he ha& arriage be&! an& y brother still u$on the throne: But I %as been born in a

then force& hi self to stan& still! like a sol&ier at attention %hile Aerity stalke&

not gi'en that situation! nor %as he" 5or you: #n& so he ser'es! as I &o" Da n e! but (ettricken has ha& it right all along" The (ing is the sacrifice of the $eo$le" #n& so is his ne$he%" That %as carnage u$ there to&ay" I kno% of %hat
1C88

you s$eak+ I sa% Bla&e go asi&e to $uke after he sa% that bo&y! I sa% hi %ell clear of Fit1" I kno% not ho% the boy """ this %hate'er he ha& to! I su$$ose" So %hat can I &o! hi " I nee& hi y an& traine& to &o it" @ust as skills he ust call u$on/7 y breath %as ice in y lungs"M y father sets

%alk

an sur'i'e& it" By &oing an0 ;hat can I &o0 I nee& e burn

for this ugly! secret battling! for he is the only one e)ui$$e& e in that to%er! an& bi&s ust &o! %hate'er

in& out %ith sneaking! filthy killing" ;hate'er Fit1

L-y heart stoo& still! 6//then let hi Because/7 6They are stare at ol&

use" Because that is %hat %e are about no%" Sur'i'al"

y $eo$le"7 I &i& not reali1e I ha& s$oken until they both s%ung to e that I %oul& so e&ay un&erstan& so ething" He sai& that the y $eo$le! that it %as in y o%n"7 I blinke& y bloo& to care about o ent" en" 5ot y eyes! to clear 9ha&e an& that anage& to say after a

e" Su&&en silence in the roo " I took a breath" 6# long ti e ago an

an tol&

Six Duchies $eo$le %ere the ! to feel their hurts as &ay at Forge fro 6They kille& I

y 'ision" 6He %as right!7 I

y chil& to&ay! Burrich" #n& fro

y s ith! an& t%o other

the Forge& ones" The Re&/Shi$ Rai&ers" #n& I ust &ri'e the is a thing I Their eyes tre bling of ust &o"7 et o'er

ust ha'e their bloo& in return!

y coast" It is as si $le no% as eating or breathing" It y hea&" 6Bloo& %ill tell!7 Aerity obser'e& )uietly" But rose in e" I ha& &one the right thing

there %as a fierceness in his 'oice! an& a $ri&e that stille& the &aylong y bo&y" # &ee$ cal to&ay" I su&&enly kne% it as a $hysical fact" >gly! &e eaning %ork! but it %as ine! an& I ha& &one it %ell" For looking at a litter sho%e& unusual $ro ise"
1C8<

y $eo$le" I turne& to Burrich! an& he %as

e %ith that consi&ering ga1e usually reser'e& for %hen the runt of

6I.ll teach hi !7 he $ro ise& Aerity" 6;hat fe% tricks I kno% %ith an ax" #n& a fe% other things" Shall %e begin to orro%! before first light07 6Fine!7 Aerity agree& before I coul& ob4ect" 65o% let us eat"7 I %as su&&enly fa ishe&" I rose to go to the table! but Burrich %as su&&enly besi&e e" 6;ash your face an& han&s! Fit1!7 he re in&e& e gently" The scente& %ater in Aerity.s basin %as &ark %ith the s ith.s bloo& %hen I %as through"

9H#*TER FO>RTEE5 ;interfest ;I5TERFEST IS #S uch a celebration of the &arkest $art of the year as a festi'al of the returning light" For the first three &ays of ;interfest! %e $ay ho age to the &arkness" The tales tol& an& $u$$et sho%s $resente& are those that tell of resting ti es an& ha$$y en&ings" The foo&s are salt fish an& s oke& flesh! har'este& roots an& fruit fro the year! an& ne% har'este& fro the co ing su last su er" Then! on the i&&ay of the festi'al! there is a hunt" 5e% bloo& is she& to celebrate the breaking $oint of eat is brought fresh to the table! to be eaten %ith grain er" The loo s are threa&e& %ith gayer threa&! an& the the year before" The next three &ays are &ays that look to%ar&

%ea'ers take o'er an en& of the Jreat Hall to 'ie a ong the sel'es for the brightest $atterns an& lightest %ea'e" The tales tol& are ones that tell of beginnings of things! an& of ho% things ca e to be" I trie& to see the (ing that afternoon" Des$ite all that ha& trans$ire&! I ha& not forgotten y $ro ise to yself" ;allace turne&
1C8?

e a%ay! saying that (ing

Shre%& felt $oorly an& %as seeing no one" I longe& to ha shout for the Fool to ake ;allace a& it $ut

er on the &oor an&

e" But I &i& not" I %as not so sure e in in& of his %or&s! an& %hen I anuscri$ts"

of the Fool.s frien&shi$ as I ha& once been" ;e.& ha& no contact since that last ocking song of his" Thinking of hi %ent back to Rea&ing a&e y roo ! I once ore roote& through Aerity.s

e slee$y" E'en the &ilute& 'alerian ha& been a strong &ose" y li bs" I $ushe& the scrolls asi&e! no %iser than %hen I atter ho% ol& or ho% %eak! %ere e" 5one of the

=ethargy took o'er

ha& begun" I $on&ere& other a'enues" *erha$s a $ublic tru $eting at ;interfest that those traine& in the Skill! no being sought0 ;oul& that ha& any fon&ness for rule& #ugust out i ake targets of any %ho res$on&e&0 I thought again ean they %ere not still faithful to

of the ob'ious can&i&ates" Those %ho ha& traine& alongsi&e e! but that &i& not

Aerity" Tainte& $erha$s by Jalen.s attitu&es! but coul& not that be cure&0 I e&iately" His final ex$erience of the Skill at @haa $e ha& burne& his abilities out of hi " He ha& retire& )uietly to so e to%n on the Ain Ri'er! ol& before his ti e! it %as sai&" But there ha& been others" Eight of us ha& sur'i'e& the training" Se'en of us ha& co e back fro faile& it! #ugust ha& been burne& clean of it" That left fi'e" 5ot uch of a coterie" I %on&ere& if they all hate& e for Jalen.s &eath an& e as uch as Serene &i&" e" ;ere the all" She bla e& a&e no secret of it to the testing" I ha&

others as kno%le&geable as to %hat ha& ha$$ene&0 I trie& to recall the once been a slee$y! likable boy" The fe% ti es I ha& seen hi beco e a coterie

@ustin" Aery taken %ith hi self an& too $rou& of his Skilling" 9arro&" He ha& since he ha& e ber! his eyes ha& see e& al ost e $ty" #s if nothing

%as left of %ho he ha& been" Burl ha& let his $hysical strength run to fat once he coul& Skill instea& of car$enter for a li'ing" ;ill ha& al%ays been unre arkable" Skilling ha& not i $ro'e& hi " Still! they %ere all $ro'en to
1C8B

ha'e Skill ability" 9oul& not Aerity retrain the 0 *erha$s" But %hen0 ;hen &i& he ha'e ti e for such an un&ertaking0 So eone co es" I ca e a%ake" I %as s$ra%le& face&o%n on e" I ha&n.t been using eant to slee$! an& sel&o y o%n senses to %atch o'er y be&! scrolls tu ble& aroun& e! I %oul& ha'e been taken y roo ease o$en" The fire ha& sle$t so &ee$ly" Ha& 5ighteyes not

co $letely una%are" I %atche& the &oor of

burne& lo% an& there %as little other light in the roo " I ha& not latche& the &oor+ I ha&! not ex$ecte& to slee$" I lay 'ery )uiet! %on&ering %ho ca e so softly! ho$ing to take gathere& y e una%ares" Or %as it so eone ho$ing to fin& y han& to y roo e $ty! so eone after the scrolls $erha$s0 I ease& y belt knife!

uscles for a s$ring" # figure ca e sli$$ing aroun& the &oor!

$ushe& it )uietly shut" I ease& the knife out of its sheath" It.s your fe ale" So e%here! 5ighteyes ya%ne& an& stretche&" His tail ga'e a la1y %ag" I foun& confir e& to yself taking a &ee$ breath through y nose" -olly! I yself %ith satisfaction as I took in her s%eet scent! an& then felt

an a a1ing $hysical )uickening" I lay still! eyes close&! an& let her co e to the be&" I hear& her softly chi&ing excla ation! an& then the rustling as she gathere& u$ the scattere& scrolls an& set the she touche& y cheek" 65e%boy07 e an& the be& e! %eight" She leane& o'er outh ato$ an sel&o e! an& as I lay $erfectly safely ato$ the table" Hesitantly!

I coul& not resist the te $tation to feign slee$" She sat besi&e ga'e s%eetly %ith her %ar otionless she set her soft

ine" I reache& out an& &re% her to

ar'eling" Yester&ay! I ha& been a seeking to throttle

touche&3 the cla$ of a frien& on y $ersonal contact" Then! e! gently

y shoul&er! or the casual 4ostling of a cro%&! or too often lately! han&s e" That ha& been the extent of last night! an& no% this" She finishe& the kiss an& then lay besi&e
1C8C

arranging herself against

e" I took a &ee$ breath of her scent an& ke$t still! ine an& a&e %ar th" The

sa'oring the $laces %here her bo&y touche& lest it 'anish" 5ice! agree& 5ighteyes" 5ot so 65e%boy0 ;hat.s %rong07 -ine" This is 6@ust a

sensation %as like a soa$ bubble floating on the %in&+ I feare& e'en to breathe uch aloneness here" -ore like $ack" -olly"

I stiffene& an& $ulle& slightly a%ay fro

ine! an& not a thing to share %ith you" Do you un&erstan&0 eat! a&e ore or less by sharing" uscle"7

Selfish" This is not a thing like ;hich one0 S irking" 5o! it is not like 4oin

o ent! -olly" I.'e cra $e& a

eat" -eat I %oul& al%ays share %ith you! an& shelter! an& e" #l%ays I %ill let you y """

al%ays I %ill co e to fight besi&e you if you nee& fe ale" This I not exist" The &efen& the 0 ust ha'e to yself" #lone"

e in the hunt! an& al%ays I %ill hel$ you hunt" But this! %ith

5ighteyes snorte&! scratche& at a flea" You are al%ays

arking off lines that &o

eat! the hunt! the &efen&ing of territory! an& fe ales """ these

are all $ack" ;hen she bears cubs! shall l not hunt to fee& the 0 Shall I not 5ighteyes """ I cannot ex$lain this to you 4ust no%" I shoul& ha'e s$oken %ith you earlier" For no%! %ill you %ith&ra%0 I $ro ise %e shall &iscuss it" =ater" I %aite&" 5othing" 5o sense of hi 65e%boy0 #re you all right07 6I. fro in the fine" I 4ust """ nee& a o ent"7 I think it %as the har&est thing I ha'e e'er e! su&&enly hesitant! on the $oint of $ulling a%ay y boun&aries! on $lacing y in& y thoughts" I took the breaths &one" -olly %as besi&e i&&le of at all" One &o%n! one to go"

e" I ha& to concentrate on fin&ing

yself an& setting li its to

1C8D

an& let the

out e'enly" #&4usting harness" That %as %hat it al%ays re in&e& yself to y o%n bo&y! lest I startle Aerity a%ake" sorry" I shoul& not ha'e ight nee& """ but aybe %hat you nee& is to be yself across

e of! an& the i age I al%ays use&" 5ot loose enough to sli$! not tight enough to bin&" 9onfining 6I hear& the ru ors!7 -olly began! then sto$$e&" 6I. co e" I thought $erha$s you alone"7 65o! -olly! $lease! -olly! co e back! co e back!7 an& I flung the be& after her an& She turne& back to anage& to catch the he e! still full of uncertainty" of her skirt as she stoo&"

6You are al%ays exactly %hat I nee&" #l%ays"7 # s ile ghoste& across her li$s an& she sat on the e&ge of the be&" 6You see e& so &istant"7 6I %as" So eti es I 4ust nee& to clear else I coul& say %ithout lying to her" I %as &eter ine& to &o that no longer" I reache& an& took her han& into 6Oh!7 she sai& after a ore 6I. ine" o ent" There %as an a%k%ar& little $ause as I offere& y in&"7 I sto$$e&! uncertain of %hat

no further ex$lanation" 6#re you all right07 she aske& carefully after a fe% o ents ha& sli$$e& by" fine" I &i&n.t get in to see the (ing to&ay" I trie&! but he %asn.t feeling

%ell! an&/7 6Your face is bruise&" #n& scratche&" There %ere ru ors """"7 I took a silent breath" 6Ru ors07 Aerity ha& en4oine& the Burrich %oul&n.t ha'e s$oken! nor Bla&e" *erha$s none of the anyone %ho ha&n.t been there" But 6Don.t $lay cat an& ouse %ith %itnesse& together! an& it %oul&n.t take en to silence" ha& s$oken to

en %ill al%ays &iscuss %hat they ha'e uch for anyone to o'erhear the " e! then say so"7

e" If you &on.t %ant to tell

1C8E

6The (ing/in/;aiting aske& us not to s$eak of it" That isn.t the sa e as not %anting to tell you about it"7 -olly consi&ere& a o ent" 6I su$$ose not" #n& I shoul&n.t listen to gossi$! I kno%" But the ru ors %ere so strange """ an& they brought bo&ies back to the (ee$! for burning" #n& there %as a strange %o an! %ee$ing an& %ee$ing in the kitchen to&ay" She sai& that Forge& ones ha& stolen an& kille& her chil&" #n& so eone sai& you ha& fought the to try an& get the baby back! an& 4ust as a bear attacke& the " Or another sai&! no! that you.& co e u$on the

so ething" The ru ors %ere so confusing" So eone sai& you ha& kille& the all! an& then so eone %ho ha& hel$e& burn the bo&ies sai& that at least t%o of the at ha& been aule& by an ani al of so e kin&"7 She fell silent an& looke& e" I &i&n.t %ant to think about any of it" I &i&n.t %ant to lie to her! nor e'en

to tell her the truth" I coul&n.t tell anyone the co $lete truth" So I 4ust looke& into her eyes an& %ishe& that things %ere si $ler for us" 6Fit19hi'alry07 I %oul& ne'er get use& to hearing that na e fro her" I sighe&" 6The (ing aske& us not to s$eak of it" But """ yes! a chil& %as kille& by Forge& ones" #n& I %as there! too late" It %as the ugliest! sa&&est thing I ha'e e'er %itnesse&"7 6I. sorry" I &i&n.t ean to $ry" It.s 4ust so har&! not kno%ing"7 y 6I kno%""7 I reache& out to touch her hair" She leane& her hea& against han&" 6I tol& you once that I ha& &rea e& of you! at Siltbay" I 4ourneye& fro the -ountain (ing&o ! all the %ay back to Buckkee$! not kno%ing if you ha& sur'i'e&" So eti es I thought the burning house ha& fallen on the cellar+ other ti es! I thought the %o an %ith the s%or& ha& finishe& you """"7 -olly looke& at e le'elly" 6;hen the house fell! a great %in& of s$arks an& y back %as to it" I """ I kille& s oke %hooshe& to%ar& us" It blin&e& her! but

1C<H

her %ith the ax"7 She su&&enly starte& to tre ble" 6I tol& no one of it" 5o one" Ho% &i& you kno%07 6I &rea e& it"7 I $ulle& gently at her han& an& she ca e &o%n on the be& besi&e e" I $ut y ar s aroun& her! an& felt her tre bling still" 6I ha'e true e" Her eyes searche& y face" 6You %oul& not lie &rea s! so eti es" 5ot often!7 I tol& her )uietly" She &re% back a little fro to e about this! 5e%boy07

The )uestion hurt! but I &eser'e& it" 65o" This is not a lie" I $ro ise you that" #n& I $ro ise that I shall ne'er lie/7 Her fingers sto$$e& -ake y li$s" 6I ho$e to s$en& the rest of y shirt" It %as y life %ith you" e no $ro ises that you cannot kee$ for the rest of your &ays"7 Her y turn to tre ble" outh" #t so e ti e -olly got u$ an& his 4ourneying" It %as

other han& %ent to the lacing of latche& an& barre&

I kisse& her fingers" #n& then her

y &oor" I re e ber sen&ing u$ a fer'ent $rayer that this

%oul& not be the night that 9ha&e finally returne& fro ore fa iliar! but no less %on&rous to She left refuse& e"

not" Instea& I 4ourneye& afar that night! into a $lace that %as beco ing e'er e in the &ee$ of the night! shaking e a%ake to insist that I latch an&

bar the &oor after her" I %ante& to &ress an& %alk her back to her roo ! but she e in&ignantly! saying she %as $erfectly ca$able of going u$ so e stairs! an& that the less %e %ere seen together! the better" I reluctantly conce&e& her logic" The slee$ I fell into then %as &ee$er than any the 'alerian ha& in&uce&" I a%oke to thun&er an& shouting" I foun& confuse&" #fter a shouting %as Burrich.s re$etition of yself on y feet! &a1e& an& y &oor! an& the anage& to call o ent the thun&er turne& to $oun&ing on y na e" 6# o ent:7 I

back" I ache& e'ery%here" I &ragge& on so e clothes an& staggere& to the &oor"

1C<1

It took a long ti e for &e an&e&" Burrich 4ust stare& at an& carrying t%o axes" 6Oh"7

y fingers to

anage the catch" 6;hat.s %rong07 I

e" He %as %ashe& an& &resse&! hair an& bear& co be&!

6Aerity.s to%er roo " Hurry u$! %e.re alrea&y late" But %ash first" ;hat is that scent07 6*erfu e& can&les!7 I exte $ori1e&" 6They.re su$$ose& to bring restful &rea s"7 Burrich snorte&" 6That.s not the kin& of &rea s that scent %oul& bring full of usk! boy" Your %hole roo reeks of it" -eet e" It.s y e u$ in the to%er"7 orning" I %ashe& on %hen the

#n& he %as gone! stri&ing $ur$osefully &o%n the hall" I %ent back into roo ! groggily reali1ing that this %as his i&ea of early %ar

yself thoroughly %ith col& %ater! not en4oying it! but lacking the ti e to any" I &ug about for fresh clothes an& %as &ragging the y &oor began again" 6I. $oun&ing at nearly there!7 I calle& out" The orning" I 4erke& the &oor o$en to

$oun&ing %ent on" That

eant Burrich %as angry" ;ell! so %as I" Surely he

coul& un&erstan& ho% ba&ly I ache& this a ne%

confront hi ! an& the Fool sli$$e& in as s oothly as a %aft of s oke" He %ore otley of black an& %hite" The slee'es of his shirt %ere all e broi&ere& oon" ;interfest! I thought &ully" Tonight %as the first ark the i&$oint of it" %ith black 'ines cra%ling u$ his ar s like i'y" #bo'e the black collar! his face %as as $ale as a %inter night of ;interfest" The %inter ha& alrea&y been as long as any fi'e others I ha& kno%n" But tonight %e %oul& begin to 6;hat &o you %ant07 I &e an&e&! in no oo& for his silliness" y face" I %as

He took a &ee$ a$$reciati'e sniff" 6So e of %hat you ha& %oul& be lo'ely!7 he suggeste&! an& then &ance& back gracefully at the look on
1C<2

instantly angry" He lea$e& lightly to the center of

y tousle& be&! then to the e in girlish rebuke e an& I

other si&e! $utting it bet%een us" I lunge& across it after hi " 6But not fro you!7 he exclai e& co)uettishly an& fluttere& his han&s at before retreating again" 6I.'e no ti e for you!7 I tol& hi cannot kee$ hi 6Out of y roo "7 y roo ! then sto$$e& abru$tly" 6#re you truly &isguste&ly" 6Aerity.s ex$ecting %aiting"7 I rolle& off the be& an& stoo& to a&4ust y clothing"

6#h! such a tone" Ti e %as %hen the Fit1 coul& han&le a 4est better than this"7 He $irouette& in the center of angry %ith I ga$e& to hear hi of e07 he &e an&e& straightfor%ar&ly" s$eak so bluntly" I consi&ere& the )uestion" 6I %as!7 I sai& e out" 6You a&e a fool

guar&e&ly! %on&ering if he %as &eliberately &ra%ing e that &ay! %ith that song! before all those $eo$le"7

He shook his hea&" 6Don.t take titles to yourself" Only I a those $eo$le"7 6You a&e e &oubt our frien&shi$!7 I sai& bluntly" 6#h! goo&" For &oubt not that others are to re ain &oughty frien&s"7

the Fool" #n& the

Fool is al%ays only %hat I a " Es$ecially that &ay! %ith that song! before all

ust al%ays &oubt our frien&shi$ if %e

6I see" Then it %as your en& to so% ru ors of strife bet%een us" I un&erstan&! then" But I still ust go"7 y failing 6Fare%ell! then" Ha'e fun $laying at axes %ith Burrich" Try not to be &u bstruck %ith all he teaches you to&ay"7 He $ut t%o logs onto fire an& a&e a great sho% of settling hi self before it" y frien&! I kno%" But I like not to y roo ! %hile I a gone"7 6Fool!7 I began unco fortably" 6You are lea'e you here! in

1C<8

6I like it not %hen others enter archly" I flushe&

y roo

%hen I a

not there!7 he $ointe& out y curiosity" I

iserably" 6That %as long ago" #n& I a$ologi1e& for

assure you! I ha'e ne'er &one it again"7 65or shall I! after this" #n& %hen you co e back! I shall a$ologi1e to you" Shall that &o07 I %as going to be late" Burrich %as not going to be a use&" 5o hel$ for it" I sat &o%n on the e&ge of the ru $le& be&" -olly an& I ha& lain here" Su&&enly it %as a $ersonal area" I trie& to be casual as I tugge& the )uilts u$ o'er the feather be&s" 6;hy &o you %ant to stay in y roo 0 #re you in &anger07 6I li'e in &anger! Fit1y/fit1" #s &o you" ;e are all in &anger" I shoul& like to stay here for $art of the &ay! an& try to fin& a %ay out of that &anger" Or at least a %ay to lessen it"7 He shrugge& significantly to%ar& the scatter of scrolls" 6Aerity entruste& those to e!7 I sai& uneasily" an %hose 4u&g ent he trusts" So! to e07 6Ob'iously because he feels you are a $erha$s you shall 4u&ge it safe to entrust the allo% hi offere&" 6The less connection bet%een Aerity an& The Fool s$oke flatly" 6You &o not care for Aerity07 I %as startle&" 6I a the (ing.s fool" He is the (ing/in/;aiting" =et hi %ait" ;hen he is softly" king! I shall be his" If he &oes not get us all kille& before then"7 6I %ill hear nothing s$oken against *rince Aerity!7 I tol& hi 65o0 Then you ust %alk about %ith your ears closely sto$$ere& these &ays"7
1C<<

It is one thing to trust a frien& %ith one.s o%n $ossessions" It is another to those another has $ut in your safe kee$ing" I foun& I ha& no &oubt of y o%n trust of the Fool" But" 6*erha$s it %oul& be %iser to ask Aerity first!7 I e! the better it is for both of us"7

I %alke& to the &oor! set alrea&y late"7 I ke$t as if ai e& at aster" 5o e"

y han& to the latch" 6;e

ust lea'e no%! Fool" I a e as &ee$ly

y 'oice stea&y" His sneer at Aerity ha& cut y role" Think" # ine07 before you"7

6Do not be the Fool! Fit1" That is atter %hat your li$s ake for that" Do you fault

an can ser'e only one

ay say! Aerity is your king" I fault you not ock of hi atter ho%

e that Shre%& is

6I &o not fault you" 5or &o I

65or &o you co e to 'isit hi ! no %ell"7

any ti es I ha'e urge& it"7

6I %as at his &oor 4ust yester&ay" I %as turne& a%ay" They sai& he %as not 6#n& if that %ere to ha$$en at Aerity.s &oor! %oul& you take it so That a&e e sto$ an& think" 65o" I &on.t su$$ose I %oul&"7 u$ so easily07 The Fool s$oke softly! like a an 6;hy &o you gi'e hi a%ay Shre%&.s eekly07

grie'e&" 6;hy &oes not Aerity bestir hi self for his father! instea& of luring en to his si&e07 e" #s for 6I ha'e not been lure& a%ay" Rather Shre%& has not seen fit to see fa'ors of his sons"7 6Do all kno% that0 Then &o all kno% as %ell %here Regal.s heart is truly set07 6So e &o!7 I sai& briefly" This %as &angerous talk" 6Reflect on this" Both of us ser'e the (ing %e lo'e best" Yet there is another that %e lo'e least" I &o not think %e ha'e a conflict of loyalty! Fit1! %hile %e are unite& in %ho %e lo'e least" 9o e" 9onfess to e that you ha'e scarce ha& ti e to set your eyes u$on the scrolls! an& I shall re in& you that the ti e you ha'e not ha& has fle& us all too s%iftly" This is not a task that can %ait u$on your con'enience"7

Aerity! %ell! I cannot s$eak for hi " But all kno% it is Regal that Shre%&

1C<?

I teetere& on the &ecision" The Fool ca e su&&enly closer" His eyes %ere al%ays har& to eet an& har&er to rea&" But the set of his outh sho%e& e his &es$eration" 6I %ill tra&e you" I offer you a bargain you %ill fin& no%here else" # secret I hol&! $ro ise& to you! after you ha'e let secret %hich ay not e'en be there"7 e an& stare& at the %all" 6The ystery of 6;hat secret07 I aske& reluctantly" 6-y secret"7 He turne& asi&e fro no ore" e" 6Freely gi'en07 I aske&" the Fool" ;hence co es he an& %hy07 He cast The curiosity of a &o1en years lea$e& in 65o" Offere& as a bargain! as I sai&"7 I consi&ere&" Then3 6I.ll see you later" =atch the &oor %hen you lea'e"7 #n& I sli$$e& out" There %ere ser'ing folk force& entere&" Burrich turne& to roo e! greeting e %ith a fro%n" The S$artan furnishings of the e ore slo%ly! %ith outh! a ha& alrea&y been $ushe& to one %all! sa'e for Aerity.s %in&o% chair" o'ing about in the corri&ors" I %as grie'ously late" I yself into a creaking trot! an& then to a run" I &i& not slo% for the stairs e a si&elong glance an& sai& e search the scrolls for a

to Aerity.s to%er! but rushe& u$ their full length! knocke& once! an& then

Aerity %as alrea&y ensconce& in it" He turne& his hea& to laxness $ainful to see %hen one kne% %hat it

eyes still full of &istance" There %as a &rugge& look to his eyes an& at hi " I feare& that %hat he %ishe& to teach

eant" The Skill hunger gna%e& e %oul& only fee& it an&

increase it" Yet ho% coul& either of us say no0 I ha& learne& so ething yester&ay" It ha& not been a $leasant lesson! but once learne&! it coul& not be un&one" I kne% no% that I %oul& &o %hate'er I fro ust to &ri'e the Re&/Shi$s y shore" I %as not the (ing! I %oul& ne'er be the (ing! but the folk of
1C<B

the Six Duchies %ere 6I beg $ar&on that I a

ine! 4ust as they %ere 9ha&e.s" I un&erstoo& no% %hy late" I %as &etaine&" But I a regar&ing rea&y to begin no%"7

Aerity s$ent hi self so recklessly" 6Ho% &o you feel07 The )uestion ca e fro curiosity" I turne& to fin& hi so e $u11le ent" 6Stiff! sir" # bit" The run u$ the stairs %ar e& yester&ay" But other%ise I a all right"7 e u$ so e" Sore! fro Burrich! aske& %ith genuine

e as sternly as before! but also %ith

# bit of a use ent )uirke& at his face" 65o tre ors! Fit19hi'alry0 5o &arkening at the e&ge of your 'ision! no &i11y s$ells07 I $ause& to think for a o ent" 65o"7 6Be &a ne&"7 Burrich ga'e a snort of a use ent" 6E'i&ently the cure has been to beat it out of you" I.ll re e ber that the next ti e you nee& a healer"7 O'er the next hour he see e& intent on a$$lying his ne% theory of healing" The hea&s of the axes %ere blunt ones! an& he ha& bun&le& the for this first lesson! but that &i& not $re'ent bruises" To be honest! I earne& %ith that &ay! but only to teach To kee$ Aerity %ith %arnings! but us" He %as silent %ithin both in rags ost of the

y o%n clu siness" Burrich %as not trying to lan& any blo%s e to use the %hole %ea$on! not 4ust the hea& of it" %ith e that &ay! offering no counsels or obser'ations or y eyes" Burrich tol& e that the ax %as not e! in e %as effortless! for he re aine& in the sa e roo

erely ri&ing %ith

a so$histicate& %ea$on! but %as a 'ery satisfactory one if use& correctly" #t the en& of the session! he $ointe& out to %ent &o%n the stairs rather e that he ha& been gentle %ith consi&eration of the %oun&s I alrea&y bore" Aerity &is isse& us! an& %e both ore slo%ly than I ha& co e u$" e as %e $arte& at the kitchen &oor! 6Be on ti e to orro%!7 Burrich charge&

he going back to his stables! an& I to fin& breakfast" I ate as I ha& not in &ays!
1C<C

%ith a %olf.s a$$etite! an& %on&ere& at the source of

y o%n su&&en 'itality"

>nlike Burrich! I &i& not $ut it &o%n to any beating I ha& recei'e&" -olly! I thought! ha& heale& %ith a touch %hat all the herbs an& rest in a year coul& ne'er ha'e $ut to rights" The &ay su&&enly stretche& long in front of unbearable allo%e& us to be together again" I set her resolutely fro &o1en i $ro ise& y in& an& resol'e& to fill the &ay %ith tasks" # in&" I ha& been neglecting *atience" I ha& in e&iately lea$e& to e! full of inutes of unen&urable hours before nightfall an& the kin&ly &ark

y ai& %ith (ettricken.s gar&en" #n ex$lanation %as o%e& to o'ing to the to$ of the list" y crockery

Brother 5ighteyes" # 'isit %as o%e& (ing Shre%&" I trie& to or&er the i $ortance" -olly ke$t fro I resolutely set her to last" (ing Shre%&! I &eci&e&" I gathere& $u11le& otione& the e for a

the table an& took it back to the kitchen" The bustle %as &eafening" It o ent! until I recalle& that tonight %as the first night of the brea& she %as knea&ing an&

;interfest" Ol& 9ook Sara looke& u$ fro

e o'er" I %ent an& stoo& besi&e her as I often ha& as a chil&!

a& iring the &eft %ay her fingers sha$e& han&fuls of &ough into rolls an& set to rise" She %as flour to her &i $le& elbo%s! an& flour s u&ge& one cheek as %ell" The racket an& rush of the kitchen create& a strange sort of $ri'acy" She s$oke )uietly through the clatter an& chatter! an& I ha& to strain to hear her" 6I 4ust %ante& you to kno%!7 she grunte& as she fol&e& an& $ushe& a ne% batch of &ough! 6that I kno% %hen a ru or is nonsense" #n& I s$eak it so %hen anyone tries to tell it here in laun&ry court! an& tattle tales as ha'e ill sai& of you here in y kitchen" They can gossi$ all they like in the uch as they %ish %hile they s$in! but I.ll not e %ith sna$$ing e0 y kitchen"7 She glance& u$ at

black eyes" -y heart stoo& still %ith &rea&" Ru ors0 Of -olly an&
1C<D

6You.'e et at than

y tables! an& often enough! stoo& asi&e

e an& stirre& a $ot ore than

%hile %e chatte& %hen you %ere s all" I think that ost" #n& the half beast are talking e'il nonsense" The seen %orse &one by

aybe I kno% you better

%hat says you fight like a beast because you.re

bo&ies %as tore u$ ba&! but I.'e arket!

en in a rage" ;hen Sal Flatfish.s &aughter %as ra$e&! she

cut u$ that beast %ith her fish knife! cho$! cho$! cho$! right there in the that"7

4ust like she %as cutting bait to set her lines" ;hat you &one %as no %orse than I kne% an instant of &i11ying terror" -ore than half beast """ It %asn.t so long ago or far a%ay that folk %ith the ;it %ere burne& ali'e" 6Thank you!7 I sai&! fighting for a cal that %as the "7 6Jinna.s &aughter" You nee& not hi&e %or&s fro like to you to &efen& the ! no coul& &o"7 6I. afrai& it %as! 9ook"7 The shu&&er that ran o'er e %as not feigne&" I sa% again the lines of bloo& trickle& o'er a fat little fist" I blinke&! but the i age staye&" 6I.'e got to hurry off no%" I. to %ait on (ing Shre%& this &ay"7 6#re ye0 ;ell! there.s a s$ot of goo& ne%s! then" You 4ust run these u$ %ith you! then"7 She trun&le& o'er to a cu$boar& to take out a co'ere& tray of s all $astries bake& rich %ith soft cheese an& currants" She set a $ot of hot tea besi&e the an& a clean cu$" She arrange& the $astries lo'ingly" 6#n& you see he eats goo&! too"7 the ! Fit1" His fa'orites! they are! an& if he tastes one! I kno% he.ll eat the all" #n& &o hi -ine! too"
1C<E

'oice" I a&&e& a

o&icu

of truth %hen I sai&! 65ot all of

y &oing" They %ere fighting o'er """ their $rey %hen I ca e on e! Fit1" I.'e chil&ren of y

o%n! gro%e& no%! but if any %as to attack the ! %hy! I.& $ray there.& be one atter ho%" Or a'enge the ! if that.s all you

I 4u $e& as if $oke& %ith a $in" I trie& to co'er! it %ith a cough! as if I ha& su&&enly choke&! but 9ook still looke& at no&&e& at her" 6I. e o&&ly" I coughe& again! an& e" I s ile& e %as sure he.ll lo'e the !7 I sai& in a choke& 'oice! an& bore

the tray out of the kitchen" Se'eral sets of eyes follo%e& $leasantly an& trie& to $reten& I &i&n.t kno% %hy" I &i&n.t reali1e you %ere still %ith

e! I tol& Aerity" # tiny $art of

re'ie%ing e'ery thought I.& ha& since I left his to%er! an& %as thanking E&a that I ha& not &eci&e& to seek out 5ighteyes first! e'en as I $ushe& such thoughts asi&e! unsure ho% $ri'ate they %ere" I kno%" I &i&n.t inten& to be s$ying on you" Only to sho% you that %hen you &o not focus so tightly on this! you are able to &o it" I gro$e& after his Skilling" -ore your effort than cli be& the stairs" You.re annoye& %ith a%are of a bit e" Beg $ar&on" Fro no% on! l shall be sure you are e e %hene'er I a %ith you" Shall I lea'e you to your &ay0 e feeling e barrasse&" 5o" 5ot yet" Ri&e %ith ine! I $ointe& out as I

-y o%n surliness ha& left

ore %hile I 'isit (ing Shre%&" =et.s see ho% far %e can carry this" y hair back an& tugge& y 4erkin straight" -y y

I sense& his assent" I $ause& before Shre%&.s &oor an& balance& the tray %ith one han& as I hastily s oothe& hair ha& begun to be a $roble fe'ers in the lately" @on)ui ha& cut it short &uring one of

ountains" 5o% that it %as gro%ing out! I &i&n.t kno% %hether to y shoul&ers uch too ol& to %ear it in the half brai& of a uch

tie it back in a tail as Burrich an& the guar&s en &i&! or kee$ it at as if I %ere a $age still" I %as chil&"

Tie it back! boy" I.& say you.& earne& the right to %ear it as a %arrior! as curls as Regal &oes"
1C?H

as any guar&s an" @ust &on.t start fussing about it an& t%ining it into oile&

I fought the s irk off

y face an& knocke& at the &oor" ore lou&ly" 9ook"7 I set y han& an on

I %aite& a bit! then knocke& again!

#nnounce yourself an& o$en it! Aerity suggeste&" 6It.s Fit19hi'alry! sire" I.'e brought you so ething fro to the &oor" It %as latche& fro %ithin" y father.s %ay to latch a &oor" *ut a That.s $eculiar" It has ne'er been *robably" But let 6# o ent: # consi&erably

it! yes! but not latch it an& ignore so eone knocking" 9an you sli$ it0 e try knocking again first" I all but $oun&e& on the &oor" o ent:7 so eone %his$ere& fro insi&e" But it %as un&er a

ore than that before se'eral latches %ere un&one an& the &oor e like a rat fro

o$ene& a han&.s %i&th" ;allace $eere& out at 6#u&ience %ith the (ing"7

cracke& %all" 6;hat &o you %ant07 he &e an&e& accusingly" 6He.s aslee$" Or %as before you ca e $oun&ing an& shouting" Be off %ith you"7 6# sel&o o ent"7 I sho'e& y boote& foot into the closing &oor" ;ith one free y 4erkin to ex$ose the re&/stone& $in I %as y foot" I $ut a shoul&er han&! I turne& u$ the collar of against it! leane& as 6This %as gi'en to

%ithout" The &oor %as close& fir ly on

uch as I coul& %ithout &ro$$ing the tray I still carrie&" e by (ing Shre%& a nu ber of years ago" ;ith it he ga'e

the $ro ise that %hene'er I sho%e& it! I %oul& be a& itte& to see hi "7 6E'en if he.s aslee$07 ;allace aske& sni&ely" 6He $lace& no li itations on it" Do you07 I glare& at hi &oor" He consi&ere& a 6By all o ent! then ste$$e& back fro it" through the cracke&

eans! then! &o co e in" 9o e an& see your king aslee$! trying to get

the rest he so ba&ly nee&s in his con&ition" But &o you &isturb it! I as his healer

1C?1

shall tell hi again"7 6You

to take a%ay that $retty $in an& see that you &o not bother hi en& that as you %ish" #n& if y king &esires it! I shall not

ay reco

&is$ute it"7 He stoo& asi&e fro that kno%ing sneer fro &igestion an& tax hi I ke$t e %ith an elaborate bo%" I &es$erately %ante& to knock his face! but I ignore& it" ore" Thoughtful la&! aren.t you07 there0 ;ell! %hy not0 You.'e sho%n no other

6;on&erful!7 he elaborate& as I $asse& hi " 6S%eet $astries to u$set his all the y te $er" Shre%& %as not in his sitting roo " The be&cha ber0

6;ill you truly bother hi sni&e con&escension" I gri$$e& a&'ice fro y te $er" Don.t 4ust acce$t that fro

anners! %hy shoul& I ex$ect consi&eration no%07 ;allace.s 'oice %as full of

hi " Turn an& face hi

&o%n no%" This %as not

Aerity! but a co

an&" I set the tray &o%n ato$ a s all table

carefully" I took a breath an& turne& to face ;allace" 6Ha'e you a &islike of e07 I aske& &irectly" He took a ste$ back but trie& to kee$ his sneer in $lace" 6# &islike0 ;hy shoul& I! a healer! finally resting07 6This roo S oke0 #n herb they use in the -ountains" Sel&o else %ill halt" But #s &i& his for e&icine! sa'e $ains nothing ore often the burning fu es are breathe& for $leasure" irthleaf" reeks of S oke" ;hy07 in& if so eone co es to &isturb an ill an %hen he is

-uch as %e use carris see& at S$ringfest" Your brother has a liking for it" other" If it is the sa e herb" She calle& it

1C?2

#l ost the sa e leaf! but the -ountain $lant gro%s taller %ith fleshier lea'es" #n& thicker s oke" -y exchange %ith Aerity ha& taken less than a blink of an eye" One can Skill infor ation as fast as one can think it" ;allace %as still $ursing his li$s o'er y )uestion" 6#re you clai ing to be a healer07 he &e an&e&" 65o" But I.'e a %orking kno%le&ge of herbs! one that suggests S oke is not a$$ro$riate to a sick ;allace %as still a 6*erha$s they are an.s cha bers"7 o ent as he for ulate& an ans%er" 6;ell" # (ing.s ine! then!7 I offere&! an& turne& a%ay fro hi " I $icke&

$leasures are not his healer.s area of concern"7 u$ the tray an& $ushe& o$en the &oor to the (ing.s &i ly lit be&cha ber" The reek of S oke %as hea'ier here! the air thick an& cloying %ith it" Too hot a fire %as burning! see e& hea'y in aking the roo close an& stuffy" The air %as still an& stale for %eeks" -y o%n breath as if no fresh %in& ha& blo%n through the roo

y lungs" The (ing lay still! breathing stertorously beneath a

oun& of feather )uilts" I looke& about for a $lace to set &o%n the tray of $astries" The s all table close to his be& %as littere&" There %as a censer for S oke! the &rifting ash thick on its to$! but the burner %as out an& col&" Besi&e it %as a goblet of luke%ar re& %ine! an& a bo%l %ith so e nasty gray y gruel in it" I set the 'essels on the floor an& brushe& the table clean %ith %as a fusty! feti& s ell that beca e e'en stronger as I leane& o'er the (ing" This is not like Shre%& at all" Aerity share& y &is ay" He has not su one& e uch of late" #n& I ha'e been too busy to call u$on hi unless he bi&s e to" The last ti e I sa% hi

shirtslee'e before setting the tray &o%n" #s I a$$roache& the (ing.s be& there

%as in his sitting roo ! in an e'ening" He co $laine& of hea&aches! but this """

1C?8

The thought traile& a%ay bet%een us" I glance& u$ fro not %hether to call it satisfaction or confi&ence! but it rouse& ste$s I ha& reache& the &oor" I sla hi I

the (ing to fin& e to fury" In t%o

;allace $eering Froun& the &oor at us" There %as so ething in his face+ I kno% e& it! an& ha& the satisfaction of hearing y lifeti e"

yel$ as he 4erke& his $inche& fingers out" I &ro$$e& into $lace an ancient o'e& to the tall %in&o%s! 4erke& asi&e the ta$estries that co'ere& it! an&

bar that ha& $robably ne'er been use& in

flung %i&e the %oo&en shutters" 9lear sunlight an& fresh col& air s$ille& into the roo " Fit1! this is rash" I a&e no re$ly" Instea&! I fro o'e& about the roo ! &u $ing censer after censer y its reek" Fro about the roo I gathere& half a of ash an& herb out the o$en %in&o%" I brushe& the clinging ash out %ith han& to free the roo

&o1en sticky goblets of stale %ine! an& a trayful of bo%ls an& $lates of untouche& or half/eaten foo&" I stacke& the crack" 6Hush:7 I tol& hi by the &oor" ;allace %as $oun&ing on it an& ho%ling %ith fury" I leane& against it an& s$oke through the s%eetly" 6You.ll %aken the (ing"7 %ater" #n& tell -istress Hasty that the Ha'e a boy sent %ith e%ers of %ar Such or&ers cannot co e fro an& you.ll see %hy it roo any ust be so" to a &ungeon" There %as half a e%er by the hearth" I %i$e& his be& aging bol&ly

(ing.s be& re)uires clean linens! I re)ueste& of Aerity" e" # $ause" Don.t %aste ti e in anger" Think!

I un&erstoo&! but kne% also that I %oul& not lea'e Shre%& in this &ingy! s elly ore than I %oul& aban&on hi of %ater! stale! but ostly clean" I set it to %ar

table clean of ash an& set out the tea an& $astry tray ato$ it" Ru

through the (ing.s chest! I foun& a clean nightshirt! an& then %ashing herbs"

1C?<

=efto'er! no &oubt! fro a 'alet"

9heffers.s ti e" I ha& ne'er thought I %oul& so

iss

;allace.s $oun&ing cease&" I &i& not

iss it" I took the %ar e& %ater scente&

%ith the herbs an& a %ashing cloth an& set it by the (ing.s be&si&e" 6(ing Shre%&!7 I sai& gently" He stirre& slightly" The ri s of his eyes %ere re&! the lashes gu at the light" 6Boy07 He s)uinte& about the roo " 6;here is ;allace07 6#%ay for the fro o ent" I.'e brought you %ar %ash %ater an& fresh $astries the kitchen" #n& hot tea"7 e about taking a chill"7 e& together" ;hen he o$ene& his li&s! he blinke& re& 'eine& eyes

6I """ I &on.t kno%" The %in&o%.s o$en" ;hy is the %in&o% o$en0 ;allace has %arne& 6I o$ene& it to clear the air in the roo " But I.ll close it if you like"7 6I s ell the sea" It.s a clear &ay! isn.t it0 =isten to those gulls cry a stor co ing """" 5o" 5o! close the %in&o%! boy" I &are not take a chill! not as ill as I a I alrea&y"7 o'e& slo%ly to close the %oo&en shutters" 6Has Your -a4esty been ill long0 uch has been sai& of it about the $alace"7 uch that I a ill as that I a sick! an& then I get a bit better! but as soon as I try to &o sick again! an& %orse than e'er" I a so %eary of being sick!

5ot

6=ong enough" Oh! fore'er it see s" It is not so ne'er %ell" I a anything! I a

boy" So tire& of al%ays feeling tire&"7 69o e! sir" This %ill ake you feel better"7 I &a $e& the cloth an& %i$e& his otion e asi&e as he %ashe& his ore fir ly" I %as a$$alle& at ho% face gently" He reco'ere& hi self enough to o%n han&s! an& then %i$e& his face again

the %ash %ater ha& yello%e& as it cleanse& hi "

1C??

6I.'e foun& a clean nightshirt for" you" Shall I hel$ you into it0 Or %oul& you rather that I sent for a boy to bring a tub an& %ar linens for the be& %hile you bathe&"7 6I! oh! I ha'en.t the energy! boy" ;here is that ;allace0 He kno%s I cannot anage alone" ;hat $ossesse& hi 6# %ar bath to lea'e e07 an+ I think that his ight hel$ you to rest!7 I trie& $ersuasi'ely" >$ close! the ol& e ore than anything else" %ater0 I %oul& bring clean

an s elle&" Shre%& ha& al%ays been a cleanly grubbiness &istresse& an& %hisk! I.

6But bathing can lea& to chills" So ;allace says" # &a $ skin! a cool %in&! gone" Or so he says"7 Ha& Shre%& really beco e this fretful ol& hi " an0 I coul& scarcely belie'e %hat I %as hearing fro

6;ell! $erha$s 4ust a hot cu$ of tea! then" #n& a $astry" 9ook Sara sai& these %ere your fa'orites"7 I $oure& the stea ing tea into the cu$ an& sa% his nose t%itch a$$reciati'ely" He ha& a si$ or t%o! an& then sat u$ to look at the carefully arrange& $astries" He ba&e licking the rich filling fro the &oor" 6>nbar it! Bastar&" Or the co e to $lease& %ith e" e to hear the (ing.s 'oice crack )uerulously" ore uscular guar&s sei1e& e" They %ore his satin en %ith e %ill take it &o%n" #n& if any har has y father! you shall &ie %here you stan&"7 Regal &i& not soun& at all e 4oin hi ! an& I ate a $astry %ith hi ! y fingers" I un&erstoo& %hy they %ere his

fa'orites" He %as %ell into a secon& %hen there %ere three soli& thu&s against

6;hat.s this! boy0 The &oor barre&0 ;hat goes on here0 Regal! %hat goes on here07 It $aine& I crosse& the roo ! I unbarre& the &oor" It %as flung o$en before I coul& touch it! an& t%o of Regal.s colors like bull&ogs %ith ribbons about their necks" I offere& no resistance! so they ha& no real excuse to thro% e u$ against the %all! but they &i&" It a%oke
1C?B

e'ery $ain I still bore fro

yester&ay" They hel&

e there %hile ;allace

rushe& in! tut/tutting about ho% col& the roo this! %hy! it %as no less than $oison to a Regal stoo&! han&s on hi$s! 'ery through narro%e& eyes" Rash! y boy" I 'ery uch the

%as! an& %hat %as this! eating an in (ing Shre%&.s con&ition" an in charge! an& stare& at e

uch fear that %e ha'e o'er$laye& our han&"

6;ell! Bastar&0 ;hat ha'e you to say for yourself0 Exactly %hat %ere your intentions07 Regal &e an&e& %hen ;allace.s litany ran &o%n" He actually a&&e& another log to the fire in the alrea&y stifling roo ! an& took the half/ eaten $astry fro the (ing.s han&" ore fro $ain than ner'ousness" I hate& to see e" usty" 6I ca e to re$ort" #n& fin&ing the (ing ill care& for! sought to re e&y that situation first"7 I %as s%eating! Regal s ile at it" 6I.ll care& for0 ;hat exactly are you saying07 he accuse& Dirty $lates left about" The linens of his be& unchange&/7 6Dare you to say such things07 Regal hisse&" 6I &o" I s$eak the truth to y king! as I e'er ha'e" =et hi look about %ith his o%n eyes an& see if it is not so"7 So ething in the confrontation ha& stirre& Shre%& to a sha&o% of his ol& self" He $ushe& hi self u$ in be& an& looke& about hi self" 6The Fool has like%ise a&e these co $laints! in his o%n aci& %ay/7 he began" ;allace &are& to interru$t hi " 6-y lor&! the state of your health has been ten&er" So eti es uninterru$te& rest is ore i $ortant than rolling you out of your be& to fuss %ith a change of blankets or linen" #n& a &ish or t%o stacke& about is less annoyance than the rattle an& $rattle of a $age co e in to ti&y"7 I took a breath for courage" Truth" 6I foun& his cha ber unti&y an&

1C?C

(ing Shre%& looke& su&&enly uncertain" -y heart s ote the Fool ha& %ishe& e to see! %hy he ha& so often urge& e" This %as ;hy ha& not he s$oken $lainly0 Sha e rose in Aerity! an& king at the 'ery

e" This %as %hat e to 'isit the (ing"

ore $lainly0 But then! %hen &i& the Fool e'er s$eak y king! the (ing I ha& s%orn to" I lo'e& y e ost" 9ha&e %as gone! for ho% ore than the Fool to %as un)uestioning" But I ha& aban&one&

y loyalty to hi

o ent %hen he nee&e&

long I &i& not kno%" I ha& left (ing Shre%& %ith no before0 #l%ays that ol& I chi&e& an ha& been

$rotect hi " #n& yet %hen ha& (ing Shre%& e'er nee&e& anyone to shelter hi ore than ca$able of guar&ing hi self" ore e $hatic %ith 9ha&e about the ore %atchful of e" yself that I shoul& ha'e bee

changes I note& %hen first returne& ho e" I shoul& ha'e been y so'ereign"

6Ho% &i& he get in here07 Regal su&&enly &e an&er %ith a sa'age glare at 6-y $rince! he ha& a token fro (ing ha& $ro ise& al%ays to see hi if he but sho%e& that $in/7

the (ing hi self! he clai e&" He sai& the

6;hat rot: You belie'e& such nonsense/7 6*rince Regal! you kno% it is true" You %ere %itness %hey (ing Shre%& first ga'e it to e"7 I s$oke )uietly but clearly ;ithin uch" #t e! Aerity %as silent! %aiting an& %atching! an& learning y ex$ense! I thought bitterly! an& then

stro'e to call back the thought" -o'ing cal ly an& unthreateningly! I $ulle& one %rist free of a bull&og.s gri$" I turne& back the collar of see" 6I recall no such thing!7 Regal sna$$e&! but Shre% sat u$" 69o e closer! boy!7 he instructe& tugge& e" 5o% I shrugge& clear of y guar&s an& y clothing straight" Then bore the $in u$ to the (ing.s be&si&e" y 4erkin an& &re% the $in out" I hel& it u$ for all to

1C?D

Deliberately! (ing Shre%& reache& out" He took the $in a%ay fro hear sank insi&e e" 6Father! this is/7 Regal began annoye&ly! but Shre%s interru$te& hi "

e" -y

6Regal" You %ere there" You &o recall it! or you shoul&". The (ing.s &ark eyes %ere bright an& alert as I re e bere& the ! but also $lain %ere the lines of $ain about those eyes an& the corner of his outh" (ing Shre%& fought for this y %or& in exchange for his"7 luci&ity He hel& the $in u$ an& looke& at Regal %ith a sha&o% of his ol& calculating glance" 6I ga'e the boy this $in" #n& 6Then I suggest you take the of co back again! $in an& %or& both" You %ill ne'er

get %ell %ith this ty$e of &isru$tion going on in your roo s"7 #gain! that e&ge an& in Regal.s 'oice" I %aite&! silent" his 'oice" ay not The (ing lifte& a han& to shakily rub his face an& eyes" 6I ga'e those things!7 he sai&! an& the %or&s %ere fir ! but the strength %as fa&ing fro 6Once gi'en! a an.s %or& is no longer his to call back" # Fit19hi'alry0 Do you agree that once a 6#s e'er I ha'e! I right about this!

an has gi'en his %or&! he

take it back07 The ol& test %as in that )uestion" y king! I agree %ith you" Once a an has gi'en his %or&! he e" I took ay not call it back" He it fro hi ! relief so i ust abi&e by %hat he has $ro ise&"7 ense it %as like 'ertigo" He leane& back into his o ent" I kne% those $illo%s! this be&" I ha&

6Joo&! then" That.s settle&" It.s all settle&"7 He $roffere& the $in to $illo%s" I ha& another &i11ying y fingers in that fire$lace """" The (ing hea'e& a hea'y sigh" There %as exhaustion in it" In another he %oul& be aslee$" 6Forbi& hi co an&e&"
1C?E

lain there! an& looke& %ith the Fool &o%n on the sack of Siltbay" I ha& burne& o ent

to co e an& &isturb you again! unless you su

on hi !7 Regal

(ing Shre%& $rie& his eyes o$en one $atte&

ore ti e" 6Fit1" 9o e here! boy"7

=ike a &og! I ca e closer to hi " I knelt by his be&" He lifte& a thinne& han&! e a%k%ar&ly" 6You an& I! boy" ;e ha'e an un&erstan&ing! &on.t %e07 y %or&" You see e 6it stronger in the # genuine )uestion" I no&&e&" 6Joo& la&" Joo&" I.'e ke$t %ere better if you ca e to see e in the afternoons" I a

that you kee$ yours! no%" But7/he glance& at Regal! an& that $aine& afternoons"7 He %as sli$$ing a%ay again" 6Shall I co e back this afternoon! sire07 I aske& )uickly"

He lifte& a han& an& %a'e& it in a 'aguely &enying gesture" 6To orro%" Or the next &ay"7 His eyes close& an& he sighe& out as hea'ily as if he %oul& ne'er breathe in again" 6#s you %ish! a y lor&!7 I concurre&" I bo%e& &ee$ly! for ally" #s I y 4erkin la$el" I let the all s$en& e! y e &o that" Then3 6If you %ill excuse straightene& I carefully returne& the $in to o ent or t%o %atching $rince07 I re)ueste& for ally" 6Jet out of here!7 Regal gro%le&" I bo%e& less for ally to hi ! turne& carefully! an& left" His guar&s. eyes %atche& e go" I %as outsi&e the roo e before I recalle& that I ha& ne'er brought u$ the sub4ect of arrying -olly" 5o% it see e&

unlikely I %oul& ha'e an o$$ortunity to for so e ti e" I kne% that afternoons %oul& no% fin& Regal or ;allace or so e s$y of theirs al%ays at (ing Shre%&.s si&e" I ha& no %ish to broach that to$ic before anyone sa'e Fit10 I.& like to be alone for a %hile 4ust no%! He 'anishe& fro &o%n the stairs" y y $rince" If you &o not in&0 a&e y %ay in& like a bursting soa$ bubble" Slo%ly I y king"

1CBH

9H#*TER FIFTEE5 Secrets *RI59E AERITY 9HOSE to un'eil his fleet of %arshi$s on the ;interfest that &ecisi'e year" Tra&ition %oul& ha'e ha& hi co ing of better %eather! to launch the consi&ere& a i&&ay of %ait until the

on the first &ay of S$ringfest" That is

ore aus$icious ti e to launch a ne% shi$" But Aerity ha& $ushe& i&&ay of ;interfest! he ensure& hi self a

his shi$%rights an& their cre%s har& to ha'e all four 'essels rea&y for a i&%inter launch" By choosing the hel& that &ay! %ith the large au&ience! both for the launch an& for his %or&s" Tra&itionally! a hunt is eat brought in seen as a harbinger of &ays to co e" ;hen" he ha& the shi$s $ushe& out of the she&s on their rollers! he announce& to the gathere& folk that these %ere his hunters! an& that the only $rey that %oul& slake the %oul& be Re&/Shi$s" The reaction to his announce ent %as y belief that the $eo$le their in&s! to hi&e ute&! an& clearly not %hat he ha& ho$e& for" It is %ante& to $ut all thoughts of the Re&/Shi$s fro

the sel'es in %inter an& $reten& that the s$ring %oul& ne'er co e" But Aerity refuse& to let the " The shi$s %ere launche& that &ay! an& the training of the cre%s begun" 5ighteyes an& I s$ent the early afternoon hunting" He gru ble& about it! saying it %as a ri&iculous ti e of &ay to hunt! an& %hy ha& I %aste& the early &a%n hours tussling %ith y litter ate0 I tol& hi that that %as si $ly a thing e not a little that he coul& be that ha& to be! an& %oul& continue to be for se'eral &ays! an& $ossibly longer" He %as not $lease&" But neither %as I" It rattle&

1CB1

so clearly a%are of ho% I s$ent He laughe& at

y hours e'en if I ha& no conscious sense of ake you hear as %ell0 uch fat" I $ro ise& e so eti es" Shoul& I

being in touch %ith hi " Ha& Aerity been able to sense hi 0 e" Har& enough to batter through to you an& then shout for hi to bring hi %hy I set kitchen scra$s on the ating a$art fro

Our hunting success %as s all" T%o rabbits! neither %ith con'eying to hi

orro%" I ha& e'en less success at

y &e an& for $ri'acy at certain ti es3 He coul& not gras$ other $ack acti'ities such as hunting or ho%ling"

-ating suggeste& offs$ring in the near future! an& offs$ring %ere the care of the $ack" ;or&s cannot con'ey the &ifficulties of that &iscussion" ;e con'erse& in i ages! in share& thoughts! an& such &o not allo% for &iscretion" His can&or horrifie& ate an& y ating" I begge& hi hi e" He assure& e he share& y &elight in not to" 9onfusion" I finally left hi uch y eating eat" The

his rabbits" He see e& $i)ue& that I %oul& not acce$t a share of the best I ha& been able to get fro to be a%are of hi sharing

%as his un&erstan&ing that I &i& not %ant

y a%areness of -olly" That %as scarcely %hat I co $letely %as not a thought he coul& %on&ering o ent to yself" e an& be alone"

%ante&! but it %as the best I coul& con'ey it to hi " The i&ea that at ti es I %oul& %ant to se'er co $rehen&" It y bon& to hi a&e no sense! he argue&" It %as not $ack" I left hi

if I %oul& e'er again really an& truly ha'e a

I returne& to the (ee$ an& sought the solitu&e of *hysically! any%ay" #s if to fuel

y o%n roo " If only for a

o ent! I ha& to be %here I coul& close the &oor behin&

y )uest for )uiet! the halls an& stair%ays

%ere full of hurrying folk" Ser'ants %ere cleaning a%ay ol& rushes an& s$rea&ing ne% ones! fresh can&les %ere being $lace& in hol&ers! an& boughs of e'ergreen %ere hung in festoons an& s%ags e'ery%here" ;interfest" I &i&n.t uch feel like it"
1CB2

I finally reache&

y o%n &oor an& sli$$e& insi&e" I shut it fir ly behin& into grou$s"

e"

6Back so soon07 The Fool looke& u$ fro I stare& at hi

the hearth! %here he crouche& in a

se icircle of scrolls" He see e& to be sorting the 6;hy &i&n.t you tell e of the (ing.s con&ition07

%ith unconceale& &is ay" In an instant it flashe& into anger" o ent set it in the $ile to his right" 6But

He consi&ere& another scroll! after a That set 65one of

I &i&" # )uestion in exchange for yours3 %hy &i&n.t you alrea&y kno% of it07 e back" 6I a& it I.'e been lax in calling u$on hi " But/7 y %or&s coul& ha'e ha& the i $act of seeing for yourself" 5or &o

you $ause to think %hat it %oul& ha'e been like ha& I not been there e'ery single &ay! e $tying cha ber $ots! s%ee$ing! &usting! carrying out &ishes! co bing his hair an& his bear& """"7 #gain he ha& shocke& ato$ frightens e into silence" I crosse& the roo ! sat &o%n hea'ily y clothing chest" 6He.s not the (ing I re e ber!7 I sai& bluntly" 6It e that he coul& sink so far! so fast"7 e" #t least you.'e another (ing %hen this one.s

6Frightens you0 #$$alls

been $laye&"7 The Fool fli$$e& another scroll onto the $ile" 6;e all &o!7 I $ointe& out carefully" 6So e ore than others!7 the Fool sai& shortly" y han& rose to tuck the $in tighter in a&e y 4erkin" I.& al ost an %oul& ha'e e think of all it ha& sy boli1e& all these years" The ore ruthless ;ithout thinking! lost it to&ay" It ha&

(ing.s $rotection! for a bastar& gran&son that a sy boli1e to e no%0

&one a%ay %ith )uietly" #n& no% that he nee&e& $rotection0 ;hat &i& it 6So" ;hat &o %e &o07 6You an& I0 *recious little" I. but a Fool! an& you are a bastar&"7

1CB8

I no&&e& gru&gingly" 6I %ish 9ha&e %ere here" I %ish I kne% %hen he %as co ing back"7 I looke& to the Fool! %on&ering ho% 6Too late for the (ing! I i agine!7 he a&&e& 6So %e are $o%erless07 6You an& I0 5e'er" ;e.'e too uch $o%er to act here+ that is all" In this area! ost $o%erful" *erha$s you are right+ they a&e a sho% arionette %ith tangle& strings" the $o%erless ones are al%ays the uch he kne%"" 6Sha&e0 Sha&e returns %hen the sun &oes! I.'e hear&"7 E'asi'e as al%ays" ore )uietly"

are %ho %e shoul& consult in this" #n& no% """7 Here he rose an& of shaking all his 4oints loose as if he %ere a

He set e'ery bell he ha& to 4ingling" I coul& not hel$ but s ile" 6-y king %ill be co ing into his best ti e of &ay" #n& I %ill be there! to &o %hat little I can for hi "7 He ste$$e& carefully out of his ring of sorte& scrolls an& tablets" He ya%ne&" 6Fare%ell! Fit1"7 6Fare%ell"7 He halte&! $u11le&! by the &oor" 6You ha'e no ob4ections to 6I belie'e I ob4ecte& first to your staying"7 65e'er ban&y %or&s %ith a Fool" But &o you forget0 I offere& you a bargain" # secret for a secret"7 I ha& not forgotten" But I %as not sure! su&&enly! that I %ante& to kno%" 6;hence co es the Fool! an& %hy07 I aske& softly" 6#h"7 He stoo& a o ent! then aske& gra'ely! 6You are certain you %ish the ans%ers to these )uestions07 6;hence co es the Fool! an& %hy07 I re$eate& slo%ly" For an instant he %as &u b" I sa% hi then" Sa% hi as I ha& not in years! not as the Fool! glib/tongue& an& %its as cutting as any barnacle! but as a s all an& slen&er $erson! all so fragile! $ale flesh! bir&/bone&! e'en his hair see e& less
1CB<

y going07

substantial than that of other

ortals" His

otley of black an& %hite tri

e&

in sil'er bells! his ri&iculous rat sce$ter %ere all the ar or an& s%or& he ha& in this court of intrigues an& treachery" #n& his his curiosity ha& been less consu ing" He sighe&" He glance& about ta$estry of (ing ;is&o y roo ! then %alke& o'er to stan& before the greeting the El&erling" He glance& u$ at it! then e s)uarely once ystery" The in'isible cloak of y ystery" I %ishe& for an instant he ha& not offere& the bargain! an& that

s ile& sourly! fin&ing so e hu or there I ha& ne'er seen" He assu e& the stance of a $oet about to recite" Then he halte&! looke& at ore" 6You are certain you %ish to kno%! Fit1y/fit107 =ike a liturgy! I re$eate& the )uestion" 6;hence co es the Fool an& %hy07 6;hence0 #h! %hence07 He %ent nose to nose %ith Ratsy for a for ulating a re$ly to his o%n )uestion" Then he To lan&s $ast the e&ges of e'ery e&ges of the a$s et o ent! y eyes" 6Jo south! Fit1"

a$ that Aerity has e'er seen" #n& $ast the

a&e in those countries as %ell" Jo south! an& then east

across a sea you ha'e no na e for" E'entually! you %oul& co e to a long $eninsula! an& on its snaking ti$ you %oul& fin& the 'illage %here a Fool %as born" You ight e'en fin&! still! a other %ho recalle& her %or y/%hite babe! breast an& sang"7 He glance& u$ at an& ho% she cra&le& $icture it! can you0 =et trans$arency e against her %ar e

y incre&ulous! enra$ture& face an& ga'e a short laugh" 6You cannot e'en ake it har&er for you" Her hair %as long an& &ark an& curling! an& her eyes %ere green" Fancy that: Of such rich colors %as this a&e" #n& the fathers of the colorless chil&0 T%o cousins! for of that lan&" One broa& an& s%arthy an& full of laughter! that %as the custo

ru&&y/li$$e& an& bro%n/eye&! a far er s elling of rich earth an& o$en air" The other as narro% as the one %as %i&e! an& gol& to his bron1e! a $oet an& songster! blue/eye&" #n&! oh! ho% they lo'e&
1CB?

e an& re4oice& in

e: #ll the

three of the ! an& the 'illage as %ell" I %as so lo'e&"7 His 'oice gre% soft! an& for a o ent he fell silent" I kne% %ith great certainty that I %as hearing %hat hi " I re e bere& the ti e I ha& 'enture& into no other ha& e'er hear& fro

his roo ! an& the ex)uisite little &oll in its cra&le that I ha& foun& there" 9herishe& as the Fool ha& once been cherishe&" I %aite&" 6;hen I %as """ ol& enough! I ba&e the all fare%ell" I set off to fin& y $lace in history! an& choose %here I %oul& th%art it" This %as the $lace I selecte&+ the ti e ha& been &estine& by the hour of began to t%ist the %as %o'en after I shook an& color the e"7 y y birth" I ca e here! an& beca e y han&s! an& I Shre%&.s" I gathere& u$ %hate'er threa&s the fates $ut into

as I coul&! in the ho$es of affecting %hat

y hea&" 6I &on.t un&erstan& a thing you 4ust sai&"7 ake you un&erstan& it"7

6#h"7 He shook his hea&! setting his bells to 4ingling" 6I offere& to tell you secret" I &i&n.t $ro ise to 6# &irect )uote fro 9ha&e"

essage is not &eli'ere& until it is un&erstoo&!7 I countere&" This %as a

The Fool teetere& on acce$ting it" 6You &o un&erstan& %hat I sai&!7 he co $ro ise&" 6You si $ly &o not acce$t it" 5e'er before ha'e I s$oken so $lainly to you" *erha$s that is %hat confuses you"7 He %as serious" I shook is &one an& behin& us"7 He shook his hea&! slo%ly this ti e" 6History is %hat %e &o in our li'es" ;e create it as %e go along"7 He s ile& enig atically" 6The future is another kin& of history"7 65o an can kno% the future!7 I agree&" y hea& again" 6You ake no sense: You %ent so e%here to &isco'er your $lace in history0 Ho% can that be0 History is %hat

1CBB

His s ile %i&ene&" 69annot they07 he aske& in a %his$er" 6*erha$s! Fit1! so e%here! there is %ritten &o%n all that is the future" 5ot %ritten &o%n by one $erson! kno%! but if the hints an& 'isions an& $re onitions an& foreseeings of an entire race %ere %ritten &o%n! an& cross/reference& an& relate& to one another! %ea'ing of the future07 6*re$osterous!7 I ob4ecte&" 6Ho% %oul& anyone kno% if any of it %ere true07 6If such a loo %ere a&e! an& such a ta$estry of $re&ictions %o'en! not for a in& that those %ho en" #n& fe% years! but for tens of hun&re&s of years! after a ti e it coul& be sho%n that it $resente& a sur$risingly accurate foretelling" Bear in lo'ely race! that occasionally kee$ these recor&s are another race! an excee&ingly long/li'e& one" # $ale ingle& its bloo&lines %ith that of then: 6 He s$un in a circle! su&&enly fey! $lease& insufferably %ith hi self" 6#n& then! %hen certain ones %ere born! ones future history" #n& they arke& so clearly that history ust recall the ! they are calle& to ste$ for%ar&! to fin& their $laces in that ight further be exhorte& to exa ine that $lace! that 4uncture of a hun&re& threa&s! an& say! these threa&s! here! these are the ones I shall t%eak! an& in the t%eaking! I shall change the ta$estry! I shall %ar$ the %eft! alter the color of %hat is to co e" I shall change the &estiny of the %orl&"7 He %as ocking e" I %as certain of it no%" 6Once! in $erha$s a thousan& an ca$able of aking such a great change in the years! there ay co e a ight not such a $eo$le create a loo to hol& the

%orl&" # $o%erful (ing! $erha$s! or a $hiloso$her! sha$ing the thoughts of thousan&s" But you an& I! Fool0 ;e are $a%ns" 9i$hers"7 He shook his hea& $ityingly" 6This! %hole ga e ore than anything else! is %hat I ha'e ne'er un&erstoo& about your $eo$le" You can roll &ice! an& un&erstan& that the ay hinge on one turn of a &ie" You &eal out car&s! an& say that
1CBC

all a

an.s fortune for the night

ay turn u$on one han&" But a

an.s %hole

life! you sniff at! an& say! %hat! this naught of a hu an! this fisher an! this car$enter! this thief! this cook! %hy! %hat can they &o in the great %i&e %orl&0 #n& so you $utter an& s$utter your li'es a%ay! like can&les burning in a &raft"7 65ot all en are &estine& for greatness!7 I re in&e& hi " a&e no 6#re you sure! Fit10 #re you sure0 ;hat goo& is a life li'e& as if it ;hy shoul& not a

&ifference at all to the great life of the %orl&0 # sa&&er thing I cannot i agine" other say to herself! if I raise this chil& aright! if I lo'e an& care for her! she shall li'e a life that brings 4oy to those about her! an& thus I ha'e change& the %orl&0 ;hy shoul& not the far er that $lants a see& say to his neighbor! this see& I $lant to&ay %ill fee& so eone! an& that is ho% I change the %orl& to&ay07 6This is $hiloso$hy! Fool" I ha'e ne'er ha& ti e to stu&y such things"7 65o! Fit1! this is life" #n& no one has ti e not to think of such things" Each creature in the %orl& shoul& consi&er this thing! e'ery beating" Other%ise! %hat is the $oint of arising each &ay07 6Fool! this is beyon& e!7 I &eclare& uneasily" I ha& ne'er seen hi so i $assione&! ne'er hear& hi s$eak so $lainly" It %as as if I ha& stirre& gray/ o ent of the heart.s

coate& e bers an& su&&enly foun& the cherry/re& coal that glo%e& in their &e$ths" He burne& too brightly" 65o! Fit1" I ha'e co e to belie'e it is through you"7 He reache& out an& ta$$e& e lightly %ith Ratsy" 6(eystone" Jate" 9rossroa&s" 9atalyst" #ll these you ha'e been! an& continue to be" ;hene'er I co e to a crossroa&s! %hene'er the scent is uncertain! %hen I $ut y nose to the groun&! an& cast about an& bay an& snuffle! I fin& one scent" Yours" You create $ossibilities" ;hile you exist! the future can be steere&" I ca e here for you! Fit1" You are the threa& I t%eak" One of the ! any%ay" 6
1CBD

I felt a su&&en chill of forebo&ing" ;hate'er shi'er ran u$ secret fro e! setting u$ e'ery hair on

ore he ha& to say! I &i& not %ish i&&ay" # y bo&y" 6You.'e ha& your 4oke!7 I

to hear it" So e%here! far a%ay! a thin ho%l arose" # %olf baying in

sai&! laughing ner'ously" 6I shoul& ha'e kno%n better than to ex$ect a real you"7 y birth" Oh! not in your 6You" Or not you" =inch$in! anchor! knot in the line" I ha'e seen the en& of the %orl&! Fit1" Seen it %o'en as $lainly as I.'e seen lifeti e! nor e'en ine" But shall %e be ha$$y! to say that %e li'e in the &usk

rather than in the full night0 Shall %e re4oice that %e shall only suffer! %hile your offs$ring %ill be the ones to kno% the tor ents of the &a ne&0 Shall this be %hy %e &o not act07 6Fool" I %ish not to hear this"7 6You ha& a chance to &eny e" But thrice you &e an&e& it! an& hear it you of the Six Duchies o'e& on fro shall"7 He lifte& his staff as if lea&ing a charge! an& s$oke as if he a&&resse& the full 9ouncil of the Six Duchies" 6The fall of the (ing&o %as the $ebble that starte& the lan&sli&e" The soulless ones

there! s$rea&ing like a bloo&stain &o%n the %orl&.s best shirt" Darkness &e'ours! an& is ne'er satiate& until it fee&s u$on itself" #n& all because the line of House Farseer faile&" That is the future as it is %o'en" But %ait: Farseer07 He cocke& his hea& an& $eere& at e! consi&ering as a gore/cro%" 6;hy &o they call you that! Fit10 ;hat ha'e your ancestors e'er foreseen afar to gain such a na e0 Shall I tell you ho% it co es about0 The 'ery na e of your house is the future reaching back in ti e to you! an& na ing you by the na e that so e&ay your house %ill &eser'e" The Farseers" That %as the clue I took to y heart" That the future reache& back to you! to your house! to %here your y lifeti e! an& na e& you so" I ca e here! an& bloo&lines intersecte& %ith

%hat &i& I &isco'er0 One Farseer! %ith no na e at all" >nna e& in any history!
1CBE

$ast or future" But I ha'e seen you take a na e! Fit19hi'alry Farseer" #n& I shall see that you &eser'e it"7 He a&'ance& on e! sei1e& e by the shoul&ers" 6;e are here! Fit1! you an& I! to change the fixture of the %orl&" To reach out an& hol& in $lace the tiny $ebble that coul& trigger the boul&er.s tu bling"7 65o"7 # terrible col& %as %elling u$ insi&e began to chatter! an& the bright e" I shook %ith it" -y teeth y otes of light to s$arkle at the e&ges of

'ision" # fit" I %as going to ha'e another fit" Right here! in front of the Fool" 6=ea'e:7 I crie& out! unable to abi&e the thought" 6Jo a%ay" 5o%: Iuickly" Iuickly: 6 I ha& ne'er seen the Fool astonishe& before" His 4a% actually &ro$$e& o$en! re'ealing his tiny %hite teeth an& $ale tongue" # o ent longer he gri$$e& ight feel at y e! an& then he let go" I &i& not sto$ to think of %hat he I shut it behin& hi ! latche& it! an& then staggere& to %a'e of &arkness surge& through 6-olly:7 I crie& out" 6-olly! sa'e I sank alone into y blackness"

abru$t &is issal" I snatche& the &oor o$en an& $ointe& out it! an& he %as gone" y be& as %a'e after e! an& e" I fell face&o%n on the co'erlets" e:7 But I kne% she coul& not hear

The brightness of a hun&re& can&les! festoons of e'ergreen an& s%ags of holly an& bare black %inter branches hung %ith s$arkling sugar can&ies to &elight the eye an& tongue" The clacking of the $u$$ets. %oo&en s%or&s an& the &elighte& excla ations of the chil&ren %hen the *iebal& *rince.s hea& actually ca e flying off an& arce& out o'er the cro%&" -ello%.s outh %i&e in a ba%&y song as his unatten&e& fingers &ance& in&e$en&ently o'er his har$ strings" # blast of col& as the great &oors of the hall %ere thro%n o$en an& yet another grou$ of erry akers ca e into the Jreat Hall to 4oin us" The slo% kno%le&ge stole o'er e that this %as no longer a &rea ! this %as ;interfest! an& I %as
1CCH

%an&ering benignly through the celebration! s iling blan&ly at e'eryone an& seeing no one" I blinke& %on&erful slee$iness fille& fro%ning an& asking %ashing against the y eyes slo%ly" I coul& &o nothing )uickly" I %as e" So eone touche& y ar " I turne&" Burrich cal ly" 6Don.t %ith %ra$$e& in soft %ool! I %as &rifting like an un anne& sailboat on a still &ay" # e so ething" His 'oice! al%ays so &ee$! al ost a color hi ! %afting through the roo

e %hen he s$oke" 6It.s all goo&!7 I tol& hi

%orry! it.s all goo&"7 I floate& a%ay fro illing of the cro%&"

(ing Shre%& sat on his throne! but I kne% no% that he %as

a&e of $a$er" The

Fool sat on the ste$ by his feet an& clutche& his rat sce$ter like an infant clutches a rattle" His tongue %as a s%or&! an& as the (ing.s ene ies &re% closer to the throne! the Fool sle% the ! slashe& the back fro the $a$er an on the throne" a&e of hungers! like to bits! an& turne& the

#n& here %ere Aerity an& (ettricken on another &ais! $retty as the Fool.s &oll! each of the " I looke& an& sa% they %ere both containers a&e of e $tiness" I felt so sa&! I.& ne'er be able to fill either of erry as a cro%! an& not a iserable eye/$ecker of

the ! for they %ere both so terribly e $ty" Regal ca e to s$eak to the ! an& he %as a big black bir&! not a cro%! no! not so a bir&! circling! circling! &rea ing of the He s elle& of carrion! an& I co'ere& %alke& a%ay fro the " e an& y ra'en! he ha&n.t the cheery cle'erness of a ra'en! no! a

as carrion for hi self to feast on" outh an& nose %ith a han& an&

I sat &o%n on a hearth! next to a giggling girl! ha$$y in her blue skirts" She chattere& like a s)uirrel an& I s ile& at her! an& soon she leane& against began to sing a funny little song about three ilk ai&s" There %ere others

sitting an& stan&ing about the hearth! an& they 4oine& in the song" ;e all

1CC1

laughe& at the en&! but I %asn.t sure %hy" #n& her han& %as %ar ! resting so casually on 6Huh07 Your $rey" 6I feel fine"7 " 6Do you! sir0 Then I &o! too"7 She s ile& u$ at eyes! curly hair $eeking out fro She $atte& before" 6Fit19hi'alry: 6 I looke& u$ slo%ly" *atience %as stan&ing o'er s ile& to see her there" She so sel&o su e! %ith =acey at her elbo%" I ca e out of her roo s to sociali1e" e" 9hubby little face! &ark e un&er her ca$" Aerity %oul& like this one" in& is clou&e&" Your thoughts are bloo&less an& sickly" You o'e like y thigh" a&0 Ha'e you eaten fishbones! are you burne& by fe'er0 Brother! are you

y leg co $anionably" # bit higher than she ha& touche&

Es$ecially in %inter" ;inter %as a har& ti e for her" 6I shall be so gla& %hen er returns! an& %e can %alk in the gar&ens together!7 I tol& her" e silently for a o ent" 6I ha'e so ething hea'y I %ish e07 y roo s" ;ill you bring it for e" I like& your song"7 e! an& =acey glare& at her" *atience.s cheeks She looke& at carrie& u$ to other nee&s

69ertainly"7 I stoo& carefully" 6I ha'e to go!7 I tol& the little ser'ant girl" 6-y 6Joo&/bye! sir:7 she chir$e& at the foot of the stairs" 6I forget ho% to &o these!7 I tol& her" 6#n& %here is the hea'y thing you %ish carrie&07

%ere 'ery rosy" I follo%e& her through the ebb an& $ress of folk" ;e ca e to

1CC2

6That %as an excuse to get you a%ay fro &isgrace& yourself:7 she hisse& at coul& you beha'e so ba&ly0 #re you &runk07

there before you co $letely atter %ith you0 Ho%

e" 6;hat is the

I thought about it" 65ighteyes sai& I %as $oisone& by fishbones" But I feel fine"7 =acey an& *atience looke& at an& gui&e& e 'ery carefully" Then they each took an ar a&e tea" I talke& to =acey" I tol& her ho% arry her as soon as the (ing sai& e tea" Aery soon I y forehea& an& aske& %hat I.& eaten e ore tea" I $uke& again" I y roo " e u$stairs" *atience

uch I lo'e& -olly an& that I %as going to I coul&" She $atte& $uke&" =acey ga'e y han& an& felt

to&ay an& %here" I coul&n.t re e ber" *atience ga'e e col& %ater" *atience ga'e sai& I &i&n.t %ant any

ore tea" *atience an& =acey argue&" =acey sai& she e back to an& %hat ha& been real! if

thought I.& be all right after I sle$t" She took

I %oke u$ %ith no clear i&ea of %hat ha& been &rea

anything" -y entire recall of the e'ening.s e'ents ha& the sa e &istance as e'ents that ha& ha$$ene& years ago" This %as co $oun&e& by the o$en staircase %ith its beckoning yello% light an& the &raft fro roo " I scrabble& out of be&! s%aye& for a o'ertook e! an& then slo%ly eet col& stone %all to reassure 9ha&e ca e &o%n to He $ut his free ar you!7 I tol& hi " ;ith aroun& it chilling y o ent as a %a'e of &i11iness i&%ay u$ the ste$s! an&e&! an& I &i&" isse&

ounte& the stairs! one han& al%ays touching the y ar !7 he co

yself that it %as real" #bout e" 6Here! take

e an& %e %ent u$ the stairs together" 6I.'e

y next breath! I tol& hi ! 6(ing Shre%& is in &anger"7 eal

6I kno%" (ing Shre%& is al%ays in &anger"7 ;e gaine& the to$ of the stair%ell" There %as a fire in his hearth! an& a set out next to it on a tray" He gui&e& e to%ar& both"

1CC8

6I think I

ight ha'e been $oisone& to&ay"7 # su&&en shi'ering ran u$ ore alert" 6I see

e an&

I shu&&ere& all o'er" ;hen it $asse&! I felt in stages" I kee$ thinking I.

to be %aking u$

a%ake! an& then su&&enly e'erything is clearer"7 for hi " -any ti es the burne& resi&ue

9ha&e no&&e& gra'ely" 6I sus$ect it %as the ash resi&ue" You %eren.t thinking %hen you ti&ie& (ing Shre%&.s roo of an herb concentrates the $otency of the herb" You got it all o'er your han&s an& then sat there eating $astries" There %as little I coul& &o" I thought you %oul& slee$ it off" ;hat $ossesse& you to go &o%nstairs07 6I &on.t kno%"7 Then3 6Ho% &o you al%ays kno% so as he $ushe& e &o%n into his ol& chair" He took hearthstones" E'en in uch07 I aske& $ee'ishly y usual $erch on the o'e&! as if an.s bo&y"

y fu&&le& state! I notice& ho% flui&ly he

he ha& so e%here aban&one& the cra $s an& aches of an ol&

There %as %in&burne& color to his face an& ar s as %ell! the tan fa&ing the $ocks. stig a" I ha& once notice& his rese blance to Shre%&" 5o% I sa% Aerity in his face as %ell" 6I ha'e 6Ho% y little %ays of fin&ing things out"7 He grinne& at uch &o you re e ber of ;interfest tonight07 y e ory" tonight! e" e %olfishly"

I %ince& as I consi&ere& it" 6Enough to kno% that to orro% is going to be a &ifficult &ay"7 The little ser'ant girl su&&enly $o$$e& u$ in =eaning on y shoul&er! her han& on tonight an& so eho% ex$lain things to her" If she ca e to an& I %asn.t there to ans%er her knock """ I starte& u$ in another shi'er ran u$ o'er I. sure *atience y thigh" -olly" I ha& to get to -olly y roo y chair! but then

e" It felt al ost like a skin being $eele& off

6Here" Eat so ething" *uking your guts out %asn.t the best thing for you! but eant %ell" #n& un&er other circu stances! it coul& ha'e been a lifesa'er" 5o! you i&iot! %ash your han&s first" Ha'en.t you hear& a %or& I.'e sai&07
1CC<

I notice& then the 'inegar %ater set out besi&e the foo&" I %ashe& face! a a1e& at ho% uch

y han&s y

carefully to re o'e e'ery trace of %hate'er ha& clung to the ! an& then exten&e& &rea ! all &ay """ is this %hat Shre%& has been feeling07

ore alert I su&&enly felt" 6It.s been like an

6I.'e no i&ea" *erha$s not all those burning herbs &o%n there are %hat I think they are" It %as one of the things I %ante& to &iscuss %ith you tonight" Ho% has Shre%& been0 Has this co e on hi calling hi self a healer07 6I &on.t kno%"7 I hung he &i& not &isagree %ith y hea& in sha e" I force& e" uch is e consi&eringly" 6-uch yself to re$ort to 9ha&e 4ust ho% lax I ha& been in his absence" #n& ho% stu$i&" ;hen I %as finishe&! 6;ell!7 he sai& hea'ily" 6;e can.t un&o! %e can only sal'age" Too ha$$ening here to sort at one sitting"7 He looke& at of %hat you tell uch e &oes not sur$rise su&&enly0 Ho% long has ;allace been

e" Forge& ones con'erging still on akes

Buckkee$! the (ing.s illness lingering" But (ing Shre%&.s health has &ecline& ore s%iftly than I can account for! an& the s)ualor in his roo s no sense to e" >nless """7 He &i& not finish the thought" 6*erha$s they belie'e an isolate& ol& an! an obstacle to be re o'e&" Your out! $erha$s

that =a&y Thy e %as his only &efen&er" *erha$s they think %e no longer care+ $erha$s they belie'e hi %e can cut the hi o%n+ the I bit carelessness has &ra%n the out! at least" #n& ha'ing &ra%n the

off"7 He sighe&" 6I thought I coul& use ;allace as a tool! lea&

subtly through the a&'ice of others" He has little kno%le&ge of herbs of his an is a &abbler" But the tool I left carelessly lying about! $erha$s

another e $loys no%" ;e shall ha'e to see" Still" There are %ays to sto$ this"7 y tongue before I coul& utter Regal.s na e" 6Ho%07 I aske& instea&" 9ha&e s ile&" 6Ho% %ere you ren&ere& ineffecti'e as an assassin in the -ountain (ing&o 07
1CC?

I %ince& at the

e ory" 6Regal re'eale&

y $ur$ose to (ettricken" 6

6Exactly" ;e shall shine a bit of &aylight on %hat goes on in the (ing.s cha bers" Eat %hile I talk"7 #n& so I &i&! listening to hi as he outline& y assign ents for the next &ay! but also noting %hat he chose to fee& ingeste&! an& also ho% uch it colore& e" The fla'or of garlic $re&o inate&! y recollection of y con'ersation y

an& I kne% his confi&ence in its $urifying abilities" I %on&ere& 4ust %hat I ha& %ith the Fool" I flinche& as I recalle& y brus)ue &is issal of hi " He %oul&

be another I %oul& ha'e to seek out to orro%" 9ha&e notice& to un&erstan& you are not $erfect"7 I no&&e&! then su&&enly ya%ne& i saying07 65o! no" Jo to be&" Rest" It.s the real healer"7 ensely" 6Beg $ar&on!7 I

$reoccu$ation" 6So eti es!7 he obser'e& obli)uely! 6you ha'e to trust $eo$le uttere&" -y

eyeli&s %ere su&&enly so hea'y I coul& barely kee$

y hea& u$" 6You %ere

6But I ha'en.t e'en aske& you %here you.'e been" Or %hat you.'e been &oing" You o'e an& act as if you.& lost ten years of age"7 outh" RIs that a co $li ent0 5e'er ay sa'e the in&" Such )uestions for another ti e! an& be y con&ition """ %ell! the 9ha&e $uckere& his

%oul& be useless any%ay! so you

frustrate& then %hen I refuse to ans%er the " #s to ore one forces one.s bo&y to &o! the I o$ene& be&"7 I ya%ne& again as I rose! an& stretche& until father.s height"7
1CCB

ore it can &o" It %as not an easy going to say" To be&! no%! Fit1" To y 4oints $o$$e&" 6You.'e gro%n

4ourney" Yet I belie'e it %as %orth the har&shi$"7 He hel& u$ a halting han& as y outh" 6#n& that is all I a

again!7 9ha&e co $laine& a& iringly" 6#t this rate! you.ll e'en to$ your

6I.'e

isse& you!7 I

u ble& as I hea&e& to%ar& the stair"

6#n& I you" But %e shall ha'e to orro% night for catching u$" For no%! be& for you"7 I %ent &o%n his stairs %ith the sincere intention of follo%ing his suggestion" #s it al%ays &i&! the staircase seale& itself echanis &ying fire an& then crosse& to scent on o ents after I exite& it! by a ore logs on y y shirt off" I I ha& ne'er been able to &isco'er" I thre% three

y be&" I sat &o%n on it to $ull y shirt off" I sat a

%as exhauste&" But not so tire& that I coul& not catch a faint trace of -olly.s y o%n skin as I $ulle& o ent longer! hol&ing y &oor an& y shirt in y han&s" Then I $ut it back on an& rose" I %ent to

sli$$e& out into the hall%ay" It %as late! by any other night.s stan&ar&" Yet this %as the first night of ;interfest" There %ere any belo% %ho %oul& not think of their be&s until &a%n %as on the hori1on" Others %ho %oul& not fin& their o%n be&s at all this night" I s ile& su&&enly as I reali1e& I inten&e& to be $art of the latter grou$" There %ere others in the halls that night an& on the staircases" -ost %ere too inebriate&! or too engrosse& in the sel'es to notice resol'e& to let ;interfest be e" #s for the others! I e the next y excuse for any )uestions aske& of

&ay" Still! I %as &iscreet enough to be sure the corri&or %as clear before I ta$$e& on her &oor" I hear& no re$ly" But as I lifte& &oor s%ung silently o$en into &arkness" It terrifie& e" In an instant I %as sure har ha& co e to her! that so eone ha& e an& 6Hush:7 she been here an& hurt her an& left her there in the &arkness" I s$rang into the roo ! crying out her na e" The &oor s%ung shut behin& co an&e&" o ent for y eyes to a&4ust to the &arkness" the hearth fire %as the only illu ination in the roo ! an& it %as
1CCC

y han& to ta$ again! the

I turne& to fin& her! but it took a The light fro

to

y back" ;hen

y eyes &i& $enetrate the &arkness! I felt as if I coul& not e07 I aske& at last" erry aking in the Jreat Hall"7 Slo%ly it

breathe" 6;ere you ex$ecting In a little cat 'oice! she re$lie&! 6Only for hours"7 6I thought you %oul& be at the &a%ne& on that one I stoo& 6I kne% I %oul& not be e that I ha& not seen her there" isse& there" Exce$t by one" #n& I thought $erha$s e here"7 e to

ight co e seeking

otionless an& looke& at her" She %ore a %reath of holly ato$ the

tu ble of her hair" That %as all" #n& she stoo& against the &oor! %anting

look at her" Ho% can I ex$lain the line that ha& been crosse&0 Before %e ha& 'enture& into! this together! ex$loring an& in)uisiti'e" But this %as &ifferent" This %as a %o an.s frank in'itation" 9an there be anything so co $elling as the kno%le&ge that a %o an &esires you0 It o'er%hel e& an& so eho% re&ee e& ;interfest" The heart of night.s secret" Yes" She shook e a%ake before &a%n! an& $ut e before shooing e out of her roo s" The fare%ell kiss that she ga'e e out the &oor %as such that I stoo& in e fro e an& blesse& e e'ery stu$i& thing I ha& e'er &one"

the hall trying to $ersua&e off y face" I straightene&

yself that &a%n %as not all that close" #fter a fe% y ru $le& shirt an& hea&e& for the stairs" e" Ho% long y be& an&

o ents I recalle& that &iscretion %as calle& for! an& %i$e& the foolish s ile Once insi&e &ragge& close& y roo ! an al ost &i11ying %eariness o'ertook

ha& it been since I ha& ha& a full night.s slee$0 I sat &o%n on y eyes"
1CCD

y shirt off" I &ro$$e& it to the floor" I fell back onto the be& an&

# soft ta$ at

y &oor 4erke&

e u$right" I crosse& the roo

s%iftly! s iling to the %ay you looke&

yself" I %as still s iling as I s%ung the &oor %i&e" 6Joo&! you.re u$: #n& al ost &resse&" I %as afrai& fro last night that I.& be &ragging you out of your be& by the scruff of your neck"7 It %as Burrich! freshly %ashe& an& brushe&" The lines across his forehea& %ere the only 'isible signs of the last night.s re'elry" Fro )uarters %ith hi ! I kne% that no %oul& be gi'en" Instea& I %ent to $ut it on as I follo%e& hi fe% ti es in y years of sharing ight ha'e! atter ho% fierce a hango'er he

he %oul& still rise to face his &uties" I sighe&" 5o goo& asking )uarter! for none y clothes chest an& foun& a clean shirt" I ental" There ha'e been but a to Aerity.s to%er"

There is an o&& threshol&! $hysical as %ell as extraor&inary thing ha$$ene&" That

y life that I ha'e been $ushe& o'er it! but each ti e an orning %as one of those ti es" #fter an

hour or so ha& $asse&! I stoo& in Aerity.s to%er roo ! shirtless an& s%eating" The to%er %in&o%s %ere o$en to the %inter %in&! but I felt no chill" The $a&&e& ax Burrich ha& gi'en brain out ca e at e %as but a little lighter than the %orl& itself! y in& felt as if it %ere forcing y ax u$ to guar& y yself" Burrich an& the %eight of Aerity.s $resence in e again! an& I a&e no

y eyes" I coul& no longer kee$

ore than a token &efense" He batte& it asi&e

%ith ease! then ca e in s%iftly! one! t%o blo%s! not har&! but not softly either" 6#n& you.re &ea&!7 he tol& to the floor" >seless" ;ithin y in&! Aerity %as 'ery still" I glance& o'er to %here he sat staring orning light %as harsh on y eyes a o ent! too out the %in&o% across the sea to the hori1on" The for%ar&" His $osture irrore& %hat I felt" I close&
1CCE

e! an& stoo& back" He let the hea& of his ax sag to y o%n ax thu& hea&first

the floor an& stoo& leaning on it an& breathing" I let

the lines in his face an& the gray in his hair" His shoul&ers %ere slu $e&

%eary to &o anything any ore" #n& su&&enly %e us only to kill an&

eshe&" I sa% to the hori1ons

of our fixture" ;e %ere a country besiege& by a ra'enous ene y %ho ca e to ai " That %as their sole goal" They ha& no fiel&s to $lant! fro their rai&ing" But no chil&ren to &efen&! no stock to ten& to &istract the oursel'es fro

%e stro'e to li'e our &ay/to/&ay li'es at the sa e ti e %e trie& to $rotect their &estruction" For the Re&/Shi$ Rai&ers! their ra'ages %ere their &ay/to/&ay li'es" That singleness of $ur$ose %as all they nee&e& to &estroy us" ;e %ere not %arriors+ ha& not been %arriors for generations" ;e &i& not think like %arriors" E'en those of us %ho %ere sol&iers %ere sol&iers %ho ha& traine& to fight against a rational ene y" Ho% coul& %e stan& against an onslaught of -yself as Aerity" One an" One an! aking hi self ol& as he stro'e to %alk the line bet%een &efen&ing his $eo$le an& being s%e$t a%ay in the a&&icti'e ecstasy of the Skill" One an! trying to rouse us! trying to ignite us to &efen& oursel'es" One an! %ith his eyes afar! as %e s)uabble& an& $lotte& an& bickere& in the roo s belo% hi " It %as useless" ;e %ere &oo e& to fail" The ti&e of &es$air s%e$t o'er aroun& e! but su&&enly! in the e an& threatene& to $ull e &o%n" It s%irle& i&&le of it! I foun& a $lace to stan&" # $lace a& en0 ;hat %ea$ons &i& %e ha'e0 I looke& aroun&" -e"

%here the 'ery uselessness of it %as funny" Horribly funny" Four little %arshi$s! not )uite finishe&! %ith untraine& cre%s" ;atchto%ers an& fire signals to call the ine$t &efen&ers forth to the slaughter" Burrich %ith his ax! an& %hole e stan&ing in the col&" Aerity staring out the %in&o%! %hile belo%! Regal in&! an& inheriting the ess! I &i&n.t &oubt" It %as all so totally useless" #n& so unthinkable to insi&e e! an& I coul& not contain it" I y ax! an& laughe& as if the %orl& %ere the funniest thing I.&
1CDH

fe& his o%n father &rugs" In the ho$es of stealing his gi'e it u$" # laughter %elle& u$ fro stoo& leaning on

e'er seen! %hile Burrich an& Aerity both stare& at s ile crooke& the corners of Aerity.s a&ness" 6Boy0 #re you all right07 Burrich aske& 6I. fine" I. absolutely fine!7 I tol& the ha& subsi&e&" I $ulle& yself u$ to stan& straight" I shook e"

e" # 'ery faint ans%ering y

outh+ a light in his eyes share&

both %hen

y %a'es of laughter

y hea&! an& I s%ear I al ost felt ine" It

y brain settle" 6Aerity!7 I sai&! an& e brace& his consciousness to so ething to lose by &oing it" ;e &i& not %ell/loa&e& $ack" I took a breath an& lifte& #s he ca e at e I no longer allo%e& hi

%as easy+ it ha& al%ays been easy! but before! I ha& belie'e& there %as el& into one $erson! but instea& fit e co fortably! like a an %ith an y ax" 6#gain!7 I sai& to Burrich" to be Burrich" He %as a y o entu ! I ha& lai& hi together like bo%ls stacke& in a cu$boar&" He ro&e

ax! co e to kill Aerity! an& before I coul& sto$ face" #gain %e ca e together! an& again I he tol& T%ice

out on the floor" He rose! shaking his hea&! an& I sa% a touch of anger in his a&e a telling touch" 6Thir& ti e!7 cleanly" one of y e! an& his battle s ile lit u$ his %eathere& face" ;e ca e together ore %e clashe& before Burrich su&&enly ste$$e& back fro

again %ith a 4olt in the 4oy of struggle! an& I o'er atche& hi

blo%s" He lo%ere& his ax to the floor an& stoo&! hunkere& slightly for%ar& until his breath ca e easy again" Then he straightene& an& looke& at Aerity" 6He.s got it!7 he sai& huskily" 6He.s caught the knack of it no%" 5ot that he.s fully hone& yet" Drill %ill ake hi shar$er! but you.'e ine"7 a&e a %ise choice for hi " The ax is his %ea$on"7 Aerity no&&e& slo%ly" 6#n& he is

1CD1

9H#*TER SIKTEE5 Aerity.s Shi$s I5 THE THIRD su er of the Re&/Shi$ ;ar! the Six Duchies %arshi$s %ere bloo&e&" #lthough they nu bere& only four! they re$resente& an i $ortant change in tactics to &efen&ing our real " Our encounters that s$ring %ith the Re&/Shi$s s%iftly taught us that %e ha& forgotten uch of being %arriors" The Rai&ers %ere right+ %e ha& beco e a race of far ers" But %e %ere far ers %ho ha& &eter ine& to take a stan& an& fight" ;e )uickly foun& the Rai&ers to be resourceful an& sa'age fighters" This %as true to the extent that none of the e'er surren&ere& or %ere taken ali'e" That! $erha$s! shoul& ha'e been our first clue as to the nature of Forging an& %hat %e actually battle&! but at the ti e it %as too subtle a hint! an& %e %ere too busy sur'i'ing to %on&er at it" The rest of that %inter $asse& as s%iftly as the first half ha& &ragge&" The se$arate $arts of the then! y life beca e like bea&s an& I the string that ran through all" I belie'e if I ha& e'er $ause& to consi&er the intricacy of all I &i& to uch younger than I sus$ecte&! an& so eho% I foun& the energy an&

kee$ those $arts se$arate! I %oul& ha'e foun& it i $ossible" But I %as young ti e to &o an& be it all" -y &ay began before &a%n! %ith a session %ith Aerity" #t least t%ice a %eek Burrich an& his axes %ere inclu&e&" But He %orke& on in& for ost often it %as Aerity an& I alone" e in" I learne& to see through his ental co entary e y Skill sense! but not as Jalen ha&" He ha& s$ecific tasks in the use of ine" I $ractice& being a%are of the subtle %ay

e! an& these %ere %hat he traine&

eyes! an& to gi'e hi he %oul& steer that ke$t hi

y attention! an& in kee$ing u$ a constant

infor e& of all that %as going on aroun& us" This in'ol'e&
1CD2

lea'ing the to%er! an& carrying his $resence about %ith %rist as I %ent about %ith hi I coul& sustain the Skill bon&! but as ti e %ent on I ho%e'er" It %as not a true Skilling fro bon& that ha& to be rene%e&" It still ga'e able to &o at least this uch"

e like a ha%k on y

y in&

y other &aily tasks" #t first a fe% hours %ere as long as anage& to share

for &ays at a ti e" The bon& &i& %eaken %ith the $assing of ti e! e to Aerity! but a touch/i $ose& e a sense of acco $lish ent to be o'ing an& then shifting a&e sure Aerity %as %ith

I $ut in a fair share of ti e in the Iueen.s Jar&en! the arrange ents there" For those hours I al%ays e" I ho$e& it %oul& &o hi %hen she %as caught u$ in the enthusias

again benches an& statuary an& $ots! until (ettricken %as finally satisfie& %ith goo& to see his )ueen as others sa% her! es$ecially of her sno%y gar&en s$ot" Jlo%ing

$ink/cheeke& an& gol&/haire&! %in& kisse& an& li'ely3 this %as ho% I sho%e& her to hi " He hear& her s$eak freely of the $leasure she ho$e& this gar&en %oul& bring hi " ;as this a betrayal of (ettricken.s confi&ences to $ushe& such uneasiness fir ly a%ay" I took hi to *atience an& =acey" I also trie& to carry Aerity out an& a ong the folk his hea'y Skill &uties! he %as sel&o en4oye&" I took hi a ong the co ore" Since he ha& begun on folk he ha& once so e to the boat %ith e %hen I $ai& e0 I y &uties

to the kitchen! an& the %atch roo ! to the stables! an&

&o%n to the ta'erns in Buckkee$ To%n" For his $art! he steere&

she&s! %here I %atche& the final %ork being &one on his shi$s" =ater I fre)uently 'isite& the &ock %here the shi$s %ere tie&! to talk to the cre%s as they got to kno% their 'essels" I beco e cre% a&e hi a%are of the gru bling of the en %ho thought it treasonous that so e Outislan&er refugees ha& been allo%e& to e bers of our &efense 'essels" It %as $lain to any eye that these en %ere ex$erience& in the han&ling of sleek rai&ing 'essels an& %ere
1CD8

aking our shi$s the Six Duchies sai& nothing of en" He %as %ith

ore effecti'e %ith their ex$ertise" *lain! too! that en resente& an& &istruste& the han&ful of i y o%n &oubts! but only sho%e& hi the

any of

igrants a ong utterings of other ake e

the " I %as not sure if Aerity.s &ecision to use the

ha& been %ise" Ho%e'er! I

e! too! the ti es %hen I calle& u$on Shre%&" I learne& to orning or early afternoon" ;allace sel&o a& itte&

y 'isits in late

easily! an& it al%ays see e& there %ere others in the roo ! ser'ing i $atiently for a chance to talk %ith hi frien&shi$ to e before other eyes" His $ri'ately about y

ai&s I &i& arriage

not kno%! a %ork an ostensibly re$airing a &oor! %hen I %ent to 'isit" I ho$e& a bitions" The Fool %as there al%ays! an& ke$t his %or& not to sho% ockery %as shar$ an& stinging! an& anage to fluster or irritate e" e'en though I kne% its $ur$ose! he still coul&

The only satisfaction I coul& take %as in the changes I sa% in the roo " So eone ha& tattle& to -istress Hasty about the state of the (ing.s cha ber" In the i&st of the ;interfest acti'ities! such a troo$ of house ai&s an& that it brought the festi'ities to the (ing" an& o'ersa% it all! ser'ing boys flocke& to the roo

-istress Hasty! fists on hi$s! stoo& at the center of the roo

all the %hile berating ;allace for e'er letting things reach such a state" E'i&ently he ha& been assuring her that he ha& been $ersonally seeing to the ti&ying an& laun&ering in an effort to kee$ the (ing fro s$ent one 'ery being &isturbe&" I erry afternoon there! for the acti'ity a%oke Shre%&! an& soon as floors %ere

he see e& al ost his ol& self" He hushe& -istress Hasty %hen she berate& her o%n folk for laxness! an& instea& exchange& banter %ith the cleansing oil" -istress Hasty bun&le& a 'eritable scrubbe&! fresh ree&s stre%n! an& the furniture rubbe& %ell %ith fragrant ountain of )uilts ato$ the aire&" She! too! (ing %hile she or&ere& the %in&o%s o$ene& an& the roo
1CD<

sniffe& at all the ashes an& burn $ots" I )uietly suggeste& that ;allace best see to their cleansing! as he %as herbs that ha& burne& there" He %as a uch ore &ocile an& tractable

ight an

ost fa iliar %ith the )ualities of the

%hen he returne& %ith the $ots" I %on&ere& if he hi self kne% 4ust %hat effect his s okes ha& u$on Shre%&" But if these s okes %ere not his &oing! then %hose0 The Fool an& I exchange& ore than one secret significant glance" a&e bright as %ell! %ith festi'e 5ot only %as the cha ber scrubbe& out! but

can&les an& %reaths! e'ergreens an& bare branches of trees gil&e& an& hung %ith $ainte& nuts" It brought the color back into the (ing.s cheeks" I sense& Aerity.s )uiet a$$ro'al" ;hen that night the (ing &escen&e& fro usicians an& songs! I took it as a $ersonal 'ictory" So e %ith fro o ents %ere solely ine! of course! an& not 4ust y nights %ith -olly" #s often as I coul& anage! I %oul& cree$ off fro the (ee$ to run an& hunt his cha bers to 4oin us in the Jreat Hall! an& actually calle& out for his fa'orite

y %olf" Bon&e& as our hi ! but a si $le

in&s %ere! I %as ne'er co $letely isolate& o'ing as one! for a e" His $resence

in& link &i& not ha'e the &ee$ satisfaction of sharing a

hunt" It is har& to ex$ress the co $leteness of t%o beings

single $ur$ose" Those ti es %ere really the fulfilling of our bon&" But e'en %hen I %ent &ays %ithout $hysically seeing hi ! he %as %ith %as like a $erfu e! %hich one is a%are of greatly %hen one first encounters it! but then beco es si $ly a $art of the air one breathes" I kne% he %as there in s all %ays" -y sense of s ell see e& ex$ertise in rea&ing %hat the air brought aroun& $erfu es s all sensory clues I ore acute! an& I attribute& this to his e" I beca e ore a%are of others e to ore sa'ory! y a$$etite for y back! an& alerting

e! as if his consciousness %ere guar&ing

ight other%ise ha'e ignore&" Foo& %as

ore tangible" I trie& not to exten& this logic to

1CD?

-olly.s co $any" I kne% he %as there! but as he ha& $ro ise&! he &i& nothing o'ert to # tol& ake e a%are of hi at such ti es" yself thro%n into a ne% labor" Aerity ha& yself su one& one &ay to the aster of the 'essel onth after ;interfest! I foun& e he %ishe&

e aboar& a shi$" I foun&

&eck of the Rurisk an& assigne& a s$ot at an oar" The not &is$ute the )uestion" -ost of the yself into en aroun&

o$enly %on&ere& %hy he ha& been sent a t%ig %hen he aske& for a log" I coul& e %ere bra%ny fello%s an& yself %as to thro% uster" #t least I ha& the seasone& shi$ han&s" -y only $ossible chance to $ro'e y tasks %ith e'ery bit of energy I coul& satisfaction of kno%ing I %as not alone in

y inex$erience" ;hile the other

en aboar& ha& all ser'e& in so e fashion on other 'essels! all sa'e the Outislan&ers a ong the cre% %ere ne% to this style of shi$" Aerity ha& ha& to seek out our ol&est shi$%rights to co e u$ %ith en %ho kne% ho% to buil& a fighting shi$" The Rurisk %as the largest of the four 'essels launche& at ;interfest" The lines of the boat %ere sleek an& sinuous! an& her shallo% &raft eant that she coul& ski across a cal sea like an insect on a $on&! or ri&e out rough s%ell as han&ily as any gull" In t%o of the other boats! the $lanking %as $egge& e&ge to e&ge into the ribs! but the Rurisk an& her s aller sister shi$ 9onstance %ere clinker/built! %ith the $lanking o'erla$$e&" The Rurisk ha& been built by -astfish! an& the $lanking %as %ell fitte&! but still ha& the gi'e to %ithstan& any battering the seas Only a ini u this shi$ been crafte&" Her ight offer" of caulking %ith tarre& ro$e ha& been nee&e&! so lo'ingly ha& ast of $ine su$$orte& a sail of s$un flax reinforce&

%ith ro$e" Aerity.s buck grace& the sail of the Rurisk" The ne% shi$s still s elle& of %oo& sha'ings an& tarre& ro$e" Her &ecks %ere scarcely scarre&! an& the oars %ere clean their entire length" Soon the Rurisk %oul& take on a character of its o%n+ a bit of
1CDB

arlins$ike %ork to

ake it

easier to gri$ an oar! a s$lice in a line! all the nicks an& &ings of a %ell/use& shi$" But for no%! the Rurisk %as as green as %e %ere" ;hen %e took the shi$ out! it re in&e& e of an inex$erience& ri&er on a green/broke horse" She si&le& about! shie& an& curtsie& a ong the %a'es! an& then! as %e all foun& a rhyth ! ste$$e& out an& cut through the %ater like a grease& knife" It %as Aerity.s %ill that I i erse yself in these ne% skills" I %as gi'en a y shi$ ates" I learne& to be aster %as Six bunk in the %arehouse %ith the rest of Duchies through an& through! but the There %ere t%o other Outislan&er i learning the shi$ or &oing the Six Duchies folk to

unobtrusi'e! but energetic in 4u $ing to any or&er" The

ate %as an Outislan&er! an& he it %as igrants aboar&! an& %hen %e %eren.t

%ho really taught us to han&le the Rurisk an& 4ust %hat the shi$ coul& &o" aintenance an& slee$ing! they congregate& an&

s$oke )uietly a ong the sel'es" I %on&ere& that they &i&n.t see ho% this set uttering" -y bunk %as near to theirs! an& oftenti es e to $ay attention as I lay trying to fall aslee$! I %as a%are of Aerity urging he a&e

to soft %or&s s$oken in a language I &i&n.t un&erstan&" So I &i&! kno%ing that ore sense of the soun&s than I &i&" #fter a ti e I ca e to reali1e that the Duchies. tongue! an& that I coul& yself" I foun& no talk of betrayal or the by en it %as not so 'ery &ifferent fro

un&erstan& so e of %hat %as sai& for

utiny a ong the " Only soft! sa& %or&s of kin Forge& a%ay fro against their o%n kin&" They %ere not so &ifferent fro Forging" Juiltily! I %on&ere& ho% obli'ion of &eath" It e bers"

their o%n country en! an& harsh bitter 'o%s of 'engeance to be carrie& out the Six Duchies an& %o en of the cre%" #l ost e'eryone onboar& ha& lost so eone to any of those lost souls I ha& sent into the e an& the other cre% a&e a s all barrier bet%een

1CDC

Des$ite the fury of the %inter stor s! %e took the shi$s out nearly e'ery &ay" ;e fought or ra ock battles against each other! $racticing techni)ues for gra$$ling aster %as at ing another shi$! an& also gauging a lea$ so that one boar&e& the other

'essel rather than en&ing u$ in the %aters bet%een the " Our %oul& be far fro ho e! an& alrea&y %orn fro

$ains to ex$lain all our a&'antages to us" The ene y %e %oul& encounter %eeks at sea" They %oul& ha'e been li'ing aboar& their 'essels! cra $e& an& $unishe& by the %eather! %hile %e %oul& be fresh each &ay an& %ell fe&" The rigors of their 4ourney %oul& &e an& that e'ery oars an kee$ing our oars fully 4ourney %ere %hat ust also be a Rai&er! %hile %e coul& carry ate shaking his hea& o'er a&&itional fighters %ho coul& use their bo%s or boar& another 'essel %hile anne&" Often I sa% the these %or&s" *ri'ately! he confi&e& to his fello%s that the rigors of a rai&ing a&e a cre% har& an& fierce" Ho% coul& soft! %ell/fe& yself! an& those &ays I s$ent at the far ers ho$e to $re'ail against sea/hone& Re&/Shi$ Rai&ers0 One &ay out of ten I %as allo%e& a &ay to (ee$" They %ere scarcely restful" I re$orte& to (ing Shre%&! &etailing to hi y ex$eriences aboar& the Rurisk! an& taking $leasure in the interest that a%oke in his eyes at such ti es" He see e& better! but %as still not the robust (ing I re e bere& fro 'isit! an& I hurry back to y youth" *atience an& =acey like%ise &e an&e& a a&e a &utiful call on (ettricken as %ell" #n hour or t%o for y o%n cha ber for the rest of the night so that I on ight be there

5ighteyes! a clan&estine 'isit to -olly.s cha bers! an& then the excuses to %hen 9ha&e %oul& su e for his )ui11ings" The follo%ing &a%n! a brief

re$ort to Aerity! %here %ith a touch he rene%e& our Skill bon&" Often it %as a relief to return to the cre%.s )uarters to get a soli& night of slee$" Finally! as %inter &re% to a close! chance affor&e& e an o$$ortunity to s$eak y &ays a%ay $ri'ately %ith Shre%&" I ha& gone to his cha bers on one of
1CDD

fro

the boat! to re$ort to hi

on our training $rogress" Shre%& %as in better

health than usual an& %as sitting u$ in his chair by the fire" ;allace %as not about that &ay" Instea&! there %as a young %o an! ostensibly ti&ying the cha ber! but al ost certainly s$ying for Regal" The Fool! too! %as un&erfoot as al%ays! an& taking a keen $leasure in aking her unco fortable" I ha& gro%n u$ %ith the Fool! an& ha& al%ays acce$te& his %hite skin an& colorless eyes as si $ly the %ay he %as" The %o an ob'iously felt &ifferently" She began! it ust be a& itte&! $eering at the Fool %hene'er she thought he ight not be $aying attention" But as soon as he note& it! he began to $eek back at her! an& each ti e affecte& a ore an& ore lasci'ious glance than the last" She beca e ust $ass by us %ith her bucket! ore ner'ous! an& %hen finally she

an& the Fool sent Ratsy on his sce$ter to $eek u$ un&er her skirts! she lea$e& back %ith a shriek! &ousing herself an& the floor she ha& 4ust scrubbe& %ith &irty %ater" Shre%& rebuke& the Fool! %ho gro'ele& extra'agantly an& re orselessly! an& then &is isse& the %o an to get &ry clothes on" I s$rang to y o$$ortunity" She %as scarcely clear of the roo So e note in hi y 'oice before I s$oke" 6-y liege! there is so ething I ha'e been %ishing to $etition you about! for so e ti e"7 ust ha'e alerte& both fool an& king! for I instantly ha& their un&i'i&e& attention" I glare& at the Fool! an& he kne% $lainly I %ishe& to %ith&ra%! but instea& he leane& closer! actually resting his hea& against e infuriatingly" I refuse& to let it rattle e" I Shre%&.s knee as he si $ere& at looke& at the (ing beseechingly" 6You ay s$eak! Fit19hi'alry!7 he sai& for ally" arry"7 I &re% a breath" 6-y liege! I %oul& ask your $er ission to

1CDE

The Fool.s eyes gre% roun& %ith sur$rise" But you ean to court her first07

y king s ile& as in&ulgently

as if I %ere a chil& begging a s%eet eat" 6So" Finally! it has co e" But surely -y heart %as thun&ering in y chest" -y king looke& entirely too kno%ing" y king! I fear I

But $lease&! 'ery $lease&" I &are& to ho$e" 6-ay it $lease $resu $tuously" It 4ust """ ca e about"7

ha'e alrea&y begun to court her" Yet kno% I &i& not inten& to &o so He laughe& goo&/nature&ly" 6Yes" So e things &o" Though %hen you &i& not s$eak out sooner! I %on&ere& %hat your intentions %ere! an& if the la&y ha& &ecei'e& herself"7 -y outh %ent &ry" I coul& not breathe" Ho% uch &i& he kno%0 He s ile& at y terror" 6I ha'e no ob4ections" In fact! I a The s ile that broke out on %ell $lease& %ith your choice """"7 y face %as a a1ingly echoe& by one on the e that he %oul& like to &elay this! at e" Shre%&

Fool.s countenance" I &re% a tre bling breath! until Shre%& continue&! 6But her father has reser'ations" He has tol& least until her ol&er sisters are $le&ge&"7 6;hat07 I coul& barely utter the %or&" 9onfusion %hirle& in s ile& benignly" 6Your la&y! it see s! is as goo& as her na e" 9elerity aske& her father for $er ission to court you the 'ery &ay you left for Buckkee$" I think you %on her heart %hen you s$oke so $lainly to Airago" But Bra%n&y &enie& her! for the reason I ha'e tol& you" I un&erstan& the la&y raise& )uite a stor father! but Bra%n&y is a fir take offense" He %ishes us to kno% he has no o$$osition to the only to her $rece&ing her sisters in but fourteen07
1CEH

%ith her atch itself!

an" He &i&! ho%e'er! sen& %or& to us! lest %e arriage" I acce&e& in this" She is! I belie'e!

I coul& not s$eak" 6Do not look so &istresse&! boy" You are both young! an& there is $lenty of ti e" ;hile he &oes not choose to allo% a for al courting to begin as yet! I a sure he &oes not inten& that you shall not see each other"7 (ing Shre%& looke& on e so tolerantly! %ith so uch kin&liness in his eyes" The Fool.s eyes onths" I %oul& not allo% this to continue! to y tongue! for e& %or&s in y flickere& back an& forth bet%een us" I coul& not rea& his face" I %as tre bling! as I ha& not in beco e any %orse than it %as alrea&y" I foun& Silence &escen&e&" I Instea& I looke& at hi et

&ry throat" 6-y king! that is not the la&y I %as consi&ering"7 y king.s eyes! an& sa% his look change" Ha& I not that &is$leasure" ight un&erstan&" ;hen he ai&! but in her o%n been so &es$erate! I kno% I %oul& ha'e looke& asi&e fro beseechingly! $raying he &i& not s$eak further! I atte $te& to" 6-y king! the %o an I s$eak of is $resently a la&y.s right she is not a ser'ant" She is/7 6Be silent"7 It coul& not ha'e been shar$er if he ha& struck Shre%& looke& force of all his frien&! as %ell as e" I %as still" e u$ an& &o%n carefully" ;hen he s$oke! it %as %ith the a4esty" I thought I felt e'en the $ressure of the Skill in his y y &uke" 5either he! nor his &aughter! shall be offen&e& or

'oice" 6Be entirely certain of %hat I say to you! Fit19hi'alry" Bra%n&y is

slighte& by you" #t this ti e you shall court no one" 5o one" I suggest you consi&er %ell all you are offere& %hen Bra%n&y consi&ers you fa'orably as a atch for 9elerity" He ha'e the %is&o akes no atter of your birth" Fe% others %oul& &o so" e! if you 9elerity %ill ha'e lan& an& a title of her o%n" #s %ill you! fro fin& that it is the %ise choice" I %ill tell you %hen you
1CE1

to bi&e your ti e an& &o %ell by the la&y" You %ill co e to ay begin courting her"7

I su

one& the last of

y courage" 6-y king! $lease! y %or& on this sub4ect" There is no ore

6Enough! 9hi'alry: You ha'e hear& to say:7 # short ti e later he &is isse& again of ho% he ha& calle&

e! an& I %ent shaking fro

his roo s" I &o yself

not kno% if fury or heartbreak %ere the force behin& e by

y tre bling" I thought y father ha& e" I %ent back

y father.s na e" *erha$s! I tol&

s$itefully! it %as because in his heart he kne% I %oul& &o as (ing Shre%& %as in his gra'e! for Aerity to kee$ his %or& to to tears" Instea& I lay on

&one" I %oul& %e& for lo'e" E'en! I thought sa'agely! if I ha& to %ait until y roo s" To ha'e %e$t %oul& ha'e been a relief" I coul& not e'en fin& y be& an& stare& at the hangings" I coul& not i agine y king an& e" Telling yself

telling -olly %hat ha& 4ust trans$ire& bet%een

that not to s$eak %as also a &ece$tion! I resol'e& to fin& a %ay to tell her" But not right a%ay" # ti e %oul& co e! I $ro ise& yself! a ti e %hen I coul& y king unless I %ere ex$lain an& she %oul& un&erstan&" I %oul& %ait for it" >ntil then! I %oul& not think about it" 5or! I resol'e& col&ly! %oul& I go to su one&" en as carefully as tokens anne&! an& their #s s$ring &re% closer Aerity arrange& his shi$s an&

on a ga e boar&" The %atchto%ers on the coast %ere al%ays

signal fires ke$t e'er rea&y for a torch" Such signal fires %ere for the $ur$ose of alerting local citi1enry that Re&/Shi$s ha& been sighte&" He took the re aining the e bers of the Skill coterie Jalen ha& fashione& an& &istribute& y ne esis an& heart of Jalen.s e ber Skill in the to%ers an& on the shi$s" Serene!

coterie! re aine& at Buckkee$" *ri'ately I %on&ere& %hy Aerity use& her there! as a center for the coterie! rather than ha'ing each in&i'i&ually to hi " ;ith Jalen.s &eath! an& #ugust.s force& retire ent fro the coterie! Serene ha& taken on Jalen.s $ost! an& see e& to consi&er herself
1CE2

the Skill -aster" In so e %ays! she al ost beca e hi " It %as not 4ust that she stalke& Buckkee$ in austere silence an& %ore al%ays a &isa$$ro'ing fro%n" She see e& to ha'e ac)uire& his testiness an& foul hu or as %ell" The ser'ing folk no% s$oke of her %ith the sa e &rea& an& &istaste they ha& once reser'e& for Jalen" I un&erstoo& she ha& taken o'er Jalen.s $ersonal )uarters as %ell" I a'oi&e& her assi&uously on the &ays I %as ho e" I %oul& ha'e been relie'e& if Aerity ha& $lace& her else%here" But it %as not u$ to e to )uestion y king/in/%aiting.s &ecisions" e! %as assigne& as coterie e at e'ery e since %e ha& stu&ie& the Skill @ustin! a tall gangly young an %ith t%o years on ore

e ber to the Rurisk" He ha& &es$ise& o$$ortunity" I bit )uarters of the shi$ y tongue an& &i&

together an& I ha& faile& so s$ectacularly at it" He snubbe&

y best not to encounter hi " The close e! Aerity $lace& 9arro& aboar& the

a&e that &ifficult" It %as not a co fortable situation"

#fter great &ebate! %ith hi self an& To%er u$ in Bea s that co

9onstance! Burl at the 5eatbay To%er! an& sent ;ill far north! to the Re& an&e& such a %i&e 'ie% of the sea as %ell as the a$s! it e of the surroun&ing countrysi&e" Once he ha& arrange& their tokens on his a&e a reality of the $athetic thinness of our &efenses" 6It re in&s Aerity" He s ile& %ithout hu or" 6;oul& that I coul& gri ly" T%o of the shi$s Aerity set to &uty as ro'ing $atrol 'essels" T%o he ke$t in reser'e! one &ocke& at Buckkee$! an& that %as the Rurisk! %hile the Stag anchore& in South 9o'e" It %as a $itifully s all fleet to $rotect the Six Duchies. straggling coastline" # secon& set of shi$s %as being constructe&! but it %as not ex$ecte& they %oul& be finishe& soon" The best of the seasone&
1CE8

ol& folktale of the beggar %ho ha& but a hat to co'er his nake&ness!7 I tol& o'e y shi$s as s%iftly as he &i& his hat!7 he %ishe&

%oo& ha& been use& in the first four 'essels! an& his shi$%rights cautione& hi he %oul& be %iser" to %ait than to atte $t to use green %oo&" It chafe& hi ! but he listene& to the " Early s$ring sa% us $racticing &rills" The coterie tol& essages" His situation %ith e %as a e bers! Aerity $ri'ately e! functione& al ost as %ell as carrier $igeons at relaying si $le ore frustrating one" For his o%n e in the Skill" e an&

reasons! he ha& chosen not to &isclose to anyone his training of

I belie'e he %as en4oying the a&'antages of being able to go %ith un&erstoo& that the Rurisk.s re)uire& at a certain location i Then! one early s$ring

obser'e an& listen un&etecte& to the e'ery&ay life of Buckkee$ To%n" I aster ha& been gi'en %or& that I %as to be e&iately" I fear he sa% this ostly as Aerity.s hee&e& if I re)ueste& a su&&en change in course or announce& that %e %ere in&ulgence of his bastar& ne$he%! but in this he follo%e& his or&ers" orning! %e re$orte& to our shi$ for yet another aneu'ering our shi$" This $ractice" ;e functione& %ell as a cre% no% in

exercise %as to ha'e us ren&e1'ous %ith the 9onstance at an un&isclose& location" It %as a Skill exercise that so far %e ha& not succee&e& at" ;e %ere resigne& to a frustrating &ay! sa'e for @ustin! %ho %as stonily intent on succee&ing" #r s crosse& on his chest! &resse& all in &ark blue LI belie'e he thought the blue robe a&e hi a$$ear ore Skille&M! he stoo& on the &ock an& stare& out into the thick fog that blankete& the ocean" I %as force& to $ass hi as I $ut a keg of %ater aboar&" " 6To you! Bastar&! it.s an o$a)ue blanket" But to 6bastar&"7 I ha& all but forgotten ho% rather see the fog than your face of a e! all is as clear as a irror"7 6Ho% unfortunate for you!7 I sai& kin&ly! ignoring his use of the %or& uch sting coul& be $ut into a %or&" 6I.& orning"7 *etty! but satisfying" I ha& the

a&&itional satisfaction of %atching his robe bin& about his legs as he boar&e&" I
1CE<

%as sensibly &resse&! in snug leggings! an un&ershirt of soft cotton! an& a leather 4erkin o'er that" I ha& consi&ere& so e sort of shook his hea& o'er it" 6Better to &ie cleanly fro o'erboar& an& &ro%n!7 he.& a&'ise& e" %ith too uch ail! but Burrich ha& a %ea$on.s %oun& than fall

Aerity ha& )uirke& a s ile at that" 6=et.s not bur&en hi o ent" So I ha& aban&one& any thought of strain against! no slee'es to catch on astonishe& a$$ro'al" I settle& into cure that" Su

o'erconfi&ence!7 he suggeste& %ryly! an& e'en Burrich ha& s ile&" #fter a ail or ar or" #t any rate! to&ay %oul& be y forear s" I %as inor&inately $rou& of y shoul&ers! s iling as I

a ro%ing &ay! an& %hat I %ore %as co fortable for that" 5o shoul&er sea s to the chest an& shoul&ers I %as &e'elo$ing" E'en -olly ha& ex$resse& an y seat an& rolle& thought of her" I.& ha& far too little ti e %ith her lately" ;ell! only ti e %oul& er brought the Rai&ers" #s the long fair &ays ca e on I.& ha'e e" o ent! as e'en less ti e %ith her" #utu n coul& not co e too soon for

;e settle& in! a full co $le ent of ro%ers an& %arriors" #t so e

ro$es %ere cast off an& the steers an took his $ost an& the oars began their stea&y beat! %e beca e one ani al" It %as a $heno enon I ha& note& before" *erha$s I %as ore sensiti1e& to it! ner'es abra&e& clean by ost of the y Skill sharing %ith Aerity" *erha$s it %as that all the single $ur$ose! an& that for en an& %o en onboar& share& a it %as 'engeance" ;hate'er it %as! it

lent a unity to us that I ha& ne'er sense& before in a grou$ of folk" *erha$s! I thought! this %as a sha&o% of %hat it %as to belong to a coterie" I felt a $ang of regret! of o$$ortunities lost" You are y coterie" Aerity! like a %his$er behin& e" #n& so e%here! fro the &istant hills! so ething less than a sigh" #re %e not $ack0

1CE?

I &o ha'e you! I thought back to the " Then I settle& in an& $ai& attention to %hat I %as &oing" Oars an& backs &i$$e& an& rose in unison an& the Rurisk %ent nosing bol&ly out into the fog" Our sail hung li $" In a o ent %e %ere a %orl& unto oursel'es" Soun&s of %ater! of the rhyth ic unity of our breathing as %e ro%e&" # fe% of the fighters s$oke softly a ong the sel'es! their %or&s an& thoughts uffle& by the ist" >$ in the bo%! @ustin stoo& besi&e the aster! staring out into the fog" His bro% %as line&! his eyes &istant! an& I kne% he reache& for 9arro& aboar& the 9onstance" #l ost i&ly! I reache& out! too! to see if I coul& sense %hat he Skille&" Sto$ that: %arne& Aerity! an& I &re% back feeling as if he sla$$e& I. not rea&y for anyone to ha'e sus$icions about you yet" ore than I coul& &e'ote yself to 4ust of y There %as a lot behin& that %arning! y han&"

no%" #s if %hat I ha& begun to &o %ere actually a 'ery &angerous action" I %on&ere& %hat he" feare&! but I concentrate& on the stea&y rhyth ro%ing! an& let $asse& in a y eyes stare into the infinite gray" -ost of that ist" Se'eral ti es @ustin aske& the orning

aster to ha'e the steers an uch the sa e" The stea&y e into a %aking &rea

change his course" It

a&e little &ifference that I coul& see! sa'e in the texture

of the ro%ing" #ll of the insi&e of a fog bank looks $hysical effort! the lack of anything to focus on $ut about nothing" The cries of the young %atch an broke I lea$e& u$ fro glare& at 6I """

y trance" 6 F;are treachery:7 he y oar aster

crie& out! his shrill 'oice &ee$ening as bloo& engulfe& it" 6;e are attacke&:7 y ro%ing bench! staring %il&ly all about" Fog" Only &angling an& ski$$ing on the surface of the %ater! %hile y fello% oars en

e for breaking the rhyth " 6You! Fit1: ;hat ails you07 the y oar again"

&e an&e&" @ustin stoo& at his si&e! clear/bro%e& an& self/righteous" y back cra $e&" Sorry"7 I stoo$e& to
1CEB

6(el$y! relie'e hi " Stretch an& back!7 the

o'e about a bit! boy! then take your oar y bench an& y eyes an& e so fir ly"

ate &irecte& in his thick accent"

6#ye! sir"7 I ackno%le&ge& his or&er an& stoo& to let (el$y ha'e %as asha e&! too! to take a rest %hen the others &i& not" I rubbe& ga'e y hea& a rattle! %on&ering %hat night are ha& sei1e& ;hat %atch an0 ;here0

oar" It &i& feel goo& to $ause" -y shoul&ers cracke& %hen I rolle& the " But I

#ntler Islan&" They ca e in un&er the fog.s co'er" 5o to%n there! but the signal to%er" I think they inten& to slaughter the %atchers! an& then &o their best to &estroy the to%ers" # brilliant strategy" #ntler Islan& is one of our first lines of &efense" The outer to%er %atches the sea! the inner to%er $asses on the signals to both Buckkee$ an& 5eatbay" Aerity.s thoughts! al ost cal a %ith the sa e stea&iness that sei1es one as a %ea$on is brought to the rea&y" Then! after o ent3 The single/ in&e& slug is so intent on reaching 9arro&! he %on.t let e through" Fit1" Jo to the aster" Tell hi #ntler Islan&" If you get into the

channel! the current %ill $ractically fly you to the co'e %here the to%er is" The Rai&ers are there alrea&y! but they.ll ha'e to beat against the current to get out again" Jo no%! an& you ay catch the on the beach" 5O;: aster to turn an& aster rather Easier to gi'e or&ers than to obey the ! I thought! an& then hurrie& for%ar&" 6Sir07 I re)ueste&! an& then stoo& an eternity %aiting for the s$eak to e! %hile the ate glare& at than through hi " 6Oars an07 the aster sai& at last" ake for it no%! an& catch the current in the channel! 6#ntler Islan&" If %e e for going straight to the

%e.ll $ractically fly to the co'e %here the to%er is"7 6That.s true" Do you rea& currents! then! boy0 It.s a useful skill" I thought I %as the only an onboar& %ith an i&ea of %here %e actually are"7
1CEC

65o! sir"7 I took a &ee$ breath" Aerity ha& or&ere& this" 6;e shoul& go there! sir" 5o%"7 The 6no%7 &re% his bro%s together in a fro%n" 6;hat is this nonsense:7 @ustin &e an&e& angrily" 6#re you trying to ;hy &o you %ant or&er fro e to fail0 So you %on.t feel so alone07 yself straight an& tol& the truth" 6# secret e %ith a no& an& I returne& to y ake e look a fool0 You.& sense& that %e %ere getting close to each other! &i&n.t you0 I %ante& to kill hi " Instea& I &re% a&&resse& only the bench ari& took into the ist"

the (ing/in/;aiting! sir" One I %as to $ass on to you at this ti e"7 I aster" He &is isse& y oar back fro (el$y" The aster stare& &is$assionately

6@harck" Ha'e the steers an s%ing her about an& catch the current" Take her a bit &ee$er into the channel"7 The ate no&&e& stiffly! an& in an instant %e ha& change& course" Our sail bellie& slightly! an& it %as as Aerity ha& sai& it %oul& be" The current co bine& %ith our ro%ing sent us skating &o%n the channel" Ti e $asses o&&ly in a fog" #ll senses are &istorte& in it" I &on.t kno% ho% long I ro%e&! but soon 5ighteyes %his$ere& that there %as a tinge of s oke in the air! an& al ost i the e&iately %e beca e a%are of the cries of en in battle! carrying clear but ghostly through the fog" I sa% @harck the Shi$ attacking our to%er"7 #nother about aroun& o ent an& the stink of the s oke %as &istinguishable in the fog! as en" Su&&en strength lea$e& in e! an& e I sa% the sa e! the clenche& 4a%s! the uscles that knotte& an& %ere the battle cries an& screa s of ate exchange glances %ith

aster" 6*ut your backs into it:7 he snarle& su&&enly" 6;e.'e got a Re&/

s$rang as %e ro%e&! e'en a &ifferent tang to the s%eat of those %ho labore& e" If %e ha& been one creature before! %e %ere no% $art of the sa e
1CED

enrage& beast" I felt the lea$ of the heating anger igniting an& s$rea&ing" It %as a ;it thing! a surging of hearts on the ani al le'el that floo&e& us %ith hate" ;e &ro'e the Rurisk for%ar&! sen&ing her ski ing u$ finally into the the shallo%s of the co'e! an& then %e lea$e& out an& ran her u$ the beach 4ust as %e ha& $ractice&" The fog %as a treacherous ally! concealing us fro attackers that %e %oul& in turn attack! but concealing fro us also the lay of

the lan& an& a 'ie% of exactly %hat %as ha$$ening" ;ea$ons %ere sei1e& an& %e rushe& to%ar& the soun&s of the fighting" @ustin staye& %ith the Rurisk! stan&ing an& staring into the fog to%ar& Buckkee$ earnestly! as if that %oul& hel$ hi Skill the ne%s to Serene" ainlan&" Both ha& The Re&/Shi$ %as &ra%n u$ on the san&! 4ust as the Rurisk %as" 5ot far fro her %ere the t%o s all boats that ser'e& as ferries to the been sto'e in" There ha& been Six Duchies the Re&/Shi$s arri'e&" So e of the en &o%n here on the beach %hen see e& to be our o%n

%ere still there" 9arnage" ;e ran $ast

cru $le& bo&ies leaking bloo& into the san&" #ll of the

folk" Su&&enly the #ntler Islan& inner to%er loo e& gray abo'e us" #to$ it her signal fire burne& a ghostly yello% in the fog" The to%er %as besiege&" The Rai&ers %ere &ark uscular en! %iry rather than assi'e" -ost %ere hea'ily bear&e& an& their hair hung black an& %il& to their shoul&ers" They %ore bo&y ar or of $laite& leather an& carrie& hea'y bla&es an& axes" So e %ore hel s of etal" Their bare& ar s %ere arke& in coils of scarlet! but %hether this %as tattoo or $aint I coul& not tell" They %ere confi&ent! s%aggering! laughing! an& talking like %ork en co $leting a task" The guar&ians of the to%er %ere cornere&+ the structure ha& been built as a basis for a signal light! not as a &efensible ra $art" It %as a atter of ti e before all the cornere& en %ere &ea&" The Outislan&ers &i& not look back to%ar& us as %e ca e $ouring u$ the rocky incline" They belie'e& they ha& nothing to fear fro
1CEE

behin& the " One

to%er gate hung on its hinges! a hu&&le of encircle& Rai&ers" 5one of the hit"

en insi&e barrica&e& behin& a %all

of bo&ies" #s %e a&'ance& they sent a thin hail of arro%s out to%ar& the I ga'e a cry bet%een a %hoo$ an& a ho%l! terrible fear an& 'engeful 4oy erge& into one soun&" The e otions of those %ho ran besi&e in e! an& s$urre& the " ;e caught the Rai&ers bet%een us" Our shi$.s cre% outnu bere& the ! an& at sight of us! the beleaguere& &efen&ers of the to%er took heart an& $oure& forth the sel'es" Scattere& bo&ies about the to%er gate atteste& to se'eral efforts before this one" The young %atch an still lay %here I ha& seen hi &rea " Bloo& ha& s$ille& fro shirt" # &agger thro%n fro rushe& for%ar& to 4oin in the his elee" en ore than fall in y outh an& soake& into his e broi&ere& e foun& 'ent e on" The attackers turne& to see us as %e close& %ith

behin& ha& taken hi " #n o&& &etail to note as %e

There %as no strategy! no for ation! no $lan of/battle" Si $ly a grou$ of an& %o en su&&enly offere& the o$$ortunity for 'engeance" It %as enough"

If I thought I ha& been one %ith the cre% before! I %as no% engulfe& in the " E otions battere& an& thrust %hich feelings %ere e for%ar&" I %ill ne'er kno% ho% uch or y o%n" They o'er%hel e& e! an& Fit19hi'alry %as

lost in the " I beca e the e otions of the cre%" #x raise&! roaring! I le& the %ay" I ha& no &esire for the $osition I ha& sei1e&" Instea& I %as thrust for%ar& by the cre%.s extre e &esire for so eone to follo%" I su&&enly %ante& to kill as any Rai&ers as I coul&! as fast as I coul&" I %ante& y uscles to crack %ith each s%ing! I %ante& to fling yself for%ar& through a ti&e of

&is$ossesse& souls! to trea& on the bo&ies of fallen Rai&ers" #n& I &i&"

1DHH

I ha& hear& legen&s of berserks" I ha& thought the %ere o'ersensiti1e&! unable to &efen& their o%n &o not kno%" I ha'e hear& tales of So e%here! %ithin

ani alistic brutes! $o%ere& in&s fro the e otions that

by bloo&lust! insensiti'e to the &a age they %rought" *erha$s! instea&! they rushe& in to &ri'e the ! unable to hee& the $ain signals of their o%n bo&ies" I yself on that &ay" E'en a song" I &o not recall that I e! %ere both Aerity an& 5ighteyes! but they! too! %ere e" I kno% I kille& the first Rai&er aster of a& rush" I also kno% that I finishe& the last

frothe& an& roare& as I fought" But neither &o I recall that I &i& not" &ro%ne& in the $assions of those aroun& that %ent &o%n before our stan&ing

an! in a battle %e fought ax to ax" The song says it %as the

the Re&/Shi$ 'essel" I su$$ose it coul& ha'e been" His leather surcoat %as %ell a&e! an& s$attere& %ith the bloo& of other about hi exce$t ho% y ax crushe& his hel bloo& goute& fro beneath the en" I &on.t recall another thing &ee$ into his skull! an& ho% the

etal as he sank to his knees" uch for e" I

So the battle en&e&! an& &efen&ers rushe& forth to e brace our cre%! to shout the 'ictory an& $oun& one another.s backs" The change %as too stoo&! leaning on ha& aban&one& y ax! an& %on&ere& %here y strength ha& fle&" The anger into another" I coul& ha'e e %ater! an& then %alke& e a %hile hi ! he

e as su&&enly as carris see& lea'es an a&&ict" I felt &raine& one &rea

an& &isoriente&! as if I ha& %akene& fro

&ro$$e& an& sle$t a ong the bo&ies! so totally exhauste& %as I" It %as 5onge! one of the Outislan&ers in the cre%! %ho brought e clear of the bo&ies so I coul& sit &o%n to &rink it" Then he %a&e& back in a ong the carnage to 4oin in the looting" ;hen he ca e back to later! he hel& out to e a bloo&ie& e&allion" It %as ha sil'er chain" # crescent oon" ;hen I &i& not reach to take it fro ere& gol&! on a

loo$e& it o'er the gory hea& of

y ax" 6It %as Harek.s!7 he sai&! fin&ing the

1DH1

Six Duchies %or&s slo%ly" 6You fought hi to ha'e it" He %as a goo& e'en ask hi na es"

%ell" He &ie& %ell" He.& %ant you to ha'e the

an! before the (orriks took his heart"7 I &i& not

%hich one ha& been Harek" I &i& not %ant any of the

#fter a ti e I began to be ali'e again" I hel$e& to clear the bo&ies fro &oor of the to%er! an& then fro Six Duchies

the battlefiel&" The Rai&ers %e burne&! the an.s heels lea'e a snaking trail u$" 5ot that he laste& long

en %e lai& out an& co'ere&! for kin to clai " I re e ber o&&

things about that long afternoon" Ho% a &ea& hi

in the san& %hen you &rag hi " Ho% the young %atch an %ith the &agger in %asn.t )uite &ea& %hen %e %ent to gather hi after%ar&" He soon %as 4ust one alrea&y" ;e left our %arriors %ith %hat %as left of the to%er guar& to hel$ fill u$ the %atches until ore en coul& be sent out" ;e a& ire& the 'essel %e.& ca$ture&" Aerity %oul& be $lease&! I thought to yself" #nother shi$" # 'ery %ell/ a&e one" I kne% all these things! but felt nothing about any of the " ;e returne& to the Rurisk! %here a $ale @ustin a%aite& us" In a nu be& silence! %e launche& the Rurisk an& took our $laces at the oars an& hea&e& back to Buckkee$" ;e encountere& other boats before %e %ere half%ay there" # hastily organi1e& flotilla of fishing 'essels la&en %ith sol&iers haile& us" The (ing/in/;aiting ha& sent the ! at @ustin.s urgently Skille& behest" They see e& al ost &isa$$ointe& to fin& that the fighting %as o'er! but our aster assure& the they %oul& be %elco e& at the to%er" That! I think! %as %hen I reali1e& I coul& no longer sense Aerity" #n& ha&n.t for so e ti e" I gro$e& after 5ighteyes i e&iately! as another an ight gro$e after his $urse" He %as ore bo&y to a&& to a ro% that %as too long

1DH2

there" But &istant" Exhauste&! an& a%e&" 5e'er ha'e I s elle& so he tol& e" I agree&" I still stank of it"

uch bloo&!

Aerity ha& been busy" ;e %ere scarcely off the Rurisk before there %as another cre% aboar& to take her back to #ntler Islan& To%er" ;atch sol&iers an& another cre% of ro%ers set her hea'y in the %ater" Aerity.s $ri1e %oul& be tie& u$ at his ho e &ock by this night" #nother o$en boat follo%e& the ! to bring our slain ho e" The su aster! the ate! an& @ustin &e$arte& on $ro'i&e& y cre% ates" Faster than I %oul& ha'e horses to re$ort &irectly to Aerity" I felt only relief that I ha&n.t been one& also" Instea&! I %ent %ith thought $ossible! %or& of the battle an& our $ri1e s$rea& through Buckkee$ To%n" There %as not a ta'ern that %as not anxious to $our us full of ale an& hear our ex$loits" It %as al ost like a secon& battle fren1y! for %here'er %e %ent! folk ignite& aroun& us %ith sa'age satisfaction in %hat %e ha& &one" I felt &runk on the surging e otions of those aroun& o'er%hel e& ha& &one! but e" 5ot that I hel& back fro y &rinking ore than y e long before the ale that" I tol& fe% tales of %hat %e ore to kill the taste of the 'o it"

a&e u$ for it" I thre% u$ t%ice! once in

an alley! an& later in the street" I &rank So e%here in the back of So eti e before

in&! 5ighteyes %as frantic" *oison" That %ater e out of a ta'ern" He %as stonily e!

is $oisone&" I coul&n.t fra e a thought to reassure hi " orning! Burrich haule& sober! an& his eyes %ere anxious" In the street outsi&e the ta'ern! he sto$$e& by a &ying torch in a street sconce" 6There.s still bloo& on your face!7 he tol& an& stoo& barrel! an& %i$e& e u$ straight" He took out his han&kerchief! &i$$e& it in a rain y face as he ha& not since I %as a chil&" I s%aye& un&er his y ga1e to focus"

touch" I looke& into his eyes an& force& sicken e like this! after%ar&07

6I.'e kille& before!7 I sai& hel$lessly" 6;hy is this so &ifferent0 ;hy &oes it

1DH8

6Because it &oes!7 he sai& softly" He $ut an ar long" Aery )uiet" He sent I shoul& ha'e staye& in %as abu11! an& one she $ulle& a%ay fro you! I $ro ise& 6But I. e to the baths an& tol&

aroun&

y shoul&ers! an& I

%as sur$rise& %e %ere of a height" The %alk back to Buckkee$ %as stee$" Aery e to go to be& after%ar&" y o%n be&! but I ha& not the sense" =uckily the castle e in" But %hen I trie& to touch her! e! al ost crying" 6I tol&

ore &runk cla bering u$ a staircase %as not re arkable" e" 6You.re &runk!7 she tol&

Stu$i&ly! I %ent to -olly.s roo " She let

yself to ne'er kiss a &runk" Or be kisse& by one"7 e" #n& turne& e out of her

not &runk that %ay!7 I insiste&"

6There.s only one %ay to be &runk!7 she tol& roo s! untouche&" By noon the next &ay! I kne% ho%

uch I ha& hurt her by not co ing straight

to her to fin& co fort" I coul& un&erstan& %hat she felt" But I also kne% that %hat I ha& carrie& that night %as nothing to take ho e to so eone you lo'e&" I %ante& to ex$lain that to her" But a boy ca e running u$ to nee&e& on the Rurisk! an& right no%" I ga'e hi %atche& hi thought of (erry" I trie& to re e ber hi han&! running at table" 5o one! I tol& crescent hol& it for e to tell e I %as a $enny for his troubles an&

&ash off %ith it" Once! I ha& been the boy earning the $enny" I as the boy %ith the $enny in his y si&e! but fore'er no% he %as the Forge& one &ea& on a yself! ha& been taken for Forging yester&ay" e!7 I aske& hi "

Then I hea&e& &o%n to the &ocks" On the %ay I sto$$e& at the stable" I ga'e the oon o'er into Burrich.s han&s" 6(ee$ this safe for ore! y cre% share fro e """ %hat I 6#n& there %ill be a bit the rai&" I %ant to ha'e you

ake at &oing this" It.s for -olly" So if e'er I &on.t

co e back! you be certain she gets it" She &oesn.t like being a ser'ant"7

1DH<

I ha&n.t s$oken so $lainly of her to Burrich in a long ti e" # line crease& his bro%! but he took the bloo&ie& 6I &on.t kno%!7 I tol& hi 6Fit19hi'alry"7 I turne& back to hi " Burrich he.& say to not the kin& of %ork a 6I %ill try!7 I tol& hi et y eyes as he s$oke" 6I &on.t kno% %hat $rou& of you" It.s e" But I kno% I can say this for hi ! to you" I. oon" 6;hat %oul& your father say to hi " e07 he %on&ere& alou& as I turne& %earily a%ay fro

bluntly" 6I ne'er kne% hi " Only you"7

an &oes that says he can be $rou& or not" It.s ho% he y shi$" et the

&oes it" Be $rou& of yourself"7 )uietly" I %ent back to Our next encounter %ith a Re&/Shi$ %as a less &ecisi'e 'ictory" ;e

on the sea! an& they %ere not sur$rise&! for they ha& seen us co ing" Our aster stoo& the course! an& I think they %ere sur$rise& %hen %e began the engage ent by ra ing the " ;e sheare& off a nu ber of their oars! but isse& the steering oar %e ha& targete&" There %as little &a age to the shi$ itself+ the Re&/Shi$s %ere as flexible as fish" Our gra$$les fle%" ;e outnu bere& the ! an& the aster inten&e& to use that a&'antage" Our %arriors boar&e& the ! an& half our oars en lost their hea&s an& 4u $e& in! too" It beca e a chaos that s$rea& briefly to our o%n &ecks" It took e'ery bit of %ill I coul& %ith gri$$e& uster to %ithstan& the 'ortex of e otions that engulfe& us! but I staye& y oar as I ha& been or&ere&" 5onge! at his oar! %atche& y oar an& groun& y teeth until I coul& fin& e strangely" I uttere& a yself" I

curse %hen I &isco'ere& that I.& lost Aerity again" I think our %arriors let u$ a bit %hen they kne% %e ha& re&uce& our ene y.s cre% to %here they coul& no longer anage their 'essel" It %as a istake" One of the Rai&ers set fire to their o%n sail %hile a secon& one atte $te& to cho$ through their o%n $lanking" I guess they ho$e& the fire %oul& s$rea& an& they
1DH?

coul& take us &o%n %ith the " 9ertainly at the en& they fought %ith no care for the &a age they took to their shi$ or their o%n bo&ies" Our fighters finally finishe& the ! an& %e got the fire $ut out! but the $ri1e %e to%e& back to Buckkee$ %as s oking an& &a age&! an& an for an! %e ha& lost ore li'es than they ha&" Still! it %as a 'ictory! %e tol& oursel'es" This ti e! %hen the others %ent out &rinking! I ha& the sense to seek out -olly" #n& early the next orning! I foun& an hour or t%o for 5ighteyes" ;e %ent hunting together! goo& clean hunting! an& he trie& to $ersua&e the istake of telling hi best for hi ! an& hurt his feelings" It took %hat I ha& eant" I %ent back to effort it took to kee$ the the su count the e to run a%ay %ith hi " I a&e that he coul& lea'e if he %ishe&! y shi$ %on&ering if eaning only the

e another hour to con'ey to hi y ties %ere %orth the the last battle of e they %ere"

intact" 5ighteyes assure&

That %as the last clear 'ictory for the Rurisk" It %as far fro us! an& e'ery fine &ay %as a &ay %hen I as &ays on %hich I ga'e $ursuit any ti es! an& it &i& see

er" 5o! the clear $leasant %eather stretche& i $ossibly long before ight kill so eone" I trie& not to any skir ishes! an& a&e it all the ore ight be kille&" ;e ha&

there %ere fe%er rai&s atte $te& in

the area %e regularly $atrolle&" So eho% that only

frustrating" #n& there %ere successful rai&s for the Re&/Shi$s! ti es %hen %e $ut into a to%n but an hour or so after they ha& left! an& coul& &o no in& that he coul& not get essages ore than y hel$ stack bo&ies or $ut out fires" Then Aerity %oul& roar an& curse in

ore s%iftly! that there %ere not enough y brain" There %as ight bring us" ;e

shi$s an& %atches to be e'ery%here" I %oul& rather ha'e face& the fury of a battle than Aerity.s sa'age frustration racking through ne'er any en& in sight! sa'e the res$ite that ba& %eather

coul& not e'en $ut an accurate nu ber to the Re&/Shi$s that $lague& us! for

1DHB

they %ere $ainte& i&entically! an& as like as $eas in a $o&" Or &ro$s of bloo& on the san&" ;hile I %as an oars an on the Rurisk that su clear su *oint" He %ante& us to o'ertake it in the &ark" @ustin stoo& in our $ro%! Skill/linke& to Serene in Aerity.s to%er" Aerity %as a %or&less u ble in y in& as he felt our %ay through the &ark to%ar& the gro$ing out! beyon& the shi$ he sense&" #n& so ething else0 I coul& feel hi Re&/Shi$! like a ;e %ere allo%e& no talk! an& our oars %ere 5ighteyes %his$ere& to er night! %e ha& been tu ble& fro er+ %e ha& one other encounter %ith a Re&/Shi$ that is %orth telling for the strangeness of it" On a our be&s in the cre% she& an& sent racing to%ar& our shi$" Aerity ha& sense& a Re&/Shi$ lurking off Buck

an feeling for%ar& in the &arkness" I sense& his uneasiness" uffe& as %e ca e closer" e that he ha& scent of the ! an& then %e s$otte& their &eck+ they ha& seen us" Our y han&s to tre ble" The terror that

the " =ong an& lo% an& &ark! the Re&/Shi$ %as cutting through the %ater ahea& of us" # su&&en cry %ent u$ fro engulfe& e" -y heart began to ha er! aster shoute& to us to lay into our oars! but as %e &i&! a sick %a'e of fear s%e$t through e %as a chil&.s na eless fear of things lurking in the &ark! a y oar but coul& fin& no strength to $ly it" an groan in a thick Outislan&er accent" I think it %as

hel$less fear" I gri$$e& 6(orrikska!7 I hear& a

5onge" I beca e a%are I %as not the only one un anne&" There %as no stea&y beat to our oars" So e sat on their sea chests! hea& bo%e& o'er their oars! %hile others ro%e& frantically! but out of rhyth ! the bla&es of the oars ski$$ing an& sla$$ing against the %ater" ;e skittere& on the surface like a cri$$le& skater bug %hile the Re&/Shi$ forge& $ur$osefully to%ar& us" I lifte& u$ y eyes an& %atche& y &eath co ing for
1DHC

e" The bloo& ha

ere& so in

y ears that I coul& not hear the cries of the $anic/stricken about e" I coul& not e'en take" a breath" I lifte& u$

en an& %o en

y eyes to the hea'ens"

Beyon& the Re&/Shi$! al ost glo%ing on the black %ater! %as a %hite shi$" This %as no rai&ing 'essel+ this %as a shi$! easily three ti es the si1e of the Re&/Shi$! her t%o sails reefe&! ri&ing at anchor on the )uiet %ater" Jhosts stro&e her &eck! or Forge& ones" I felt no hint of life fro stoo& on the after&eck" The the ! an& yet they an o'e& $ur$osefully! rea&ying a s all boat to be lo%ere& o'er the si&e" # o ent I sa% hi ! I coul& not look a%ay" li ne& against the &ark sky as clearly as e" 6Here.s one co e to e! an& e y chest" He looke& at He %as cloake& in gray! yet I sa% hi &ark curly bear& that fra e& his laughe& alou& again! an& I felt

if a lantern illu inate& hi " I s%ear I coul& see his eyes! the 4ut of his nose! the outh" He laughe& at y heart s)uee1e in us:7 he calle& out to so eone! an& lifte& a han&" He $ointe& it at

%ith a terrible singleness! as if I alone of our cre% %ere his $rey" I looke& back at hi ! an& I sa% hi ! but I coul& not sense hi " There: There: I shrieke& the %or& alou&! or $erha$s the Skill I coul& ne'er control sent it boun&ing off the insi&es of y skull" There %as no res$onse" 5o Aerity! no 5ighteyes! no one! e y nothing" I %as alone" #ll the %orl& ha& gone silent an& still" #roun&

cre% fello%s rattle& %ith terror an& crie& out alou&! but I felt nothing" They %ere no longer there" 5o one %as there" 5o gull! no fish in the sea! no life any%here as far as any of y inner senses %oul& reach" The cloake& figure on e" He %as the shi$ leane& far out on the rail! the accusing finger $ointing at e! coile& about I re$elle& at it" In a reflex I &i& not kno% I ha&! I use& the ;it to $ush a%ay fro it as har& as I coul&" *hysically! I %as the one that fle% back%ar&! lan&ing in the bilge ato$
1DHD

laughing" I %as alone" It %as a loneliness too great to be en&ure&" It %ra$$e& e! blankete& e! an& began to s other e"

the th%arts! tangle& in the feet of the other oars en" I sa% the figure on the shi$ stu ble! sag! an& then tu ble o'er the si&e" The s$lash %as not large! but there %as only one" If he rose to the surface at all! I &i& not see it" 5or %as there ti e to look for hi " The Re&/Shi$ hit us a i&shi$s! shattering oars an& sen&ing oars en flying" The Outislan&ers %ere shouting %ith their confi&ence! #roun& ocking us %ith their laughter as they lea$e& fro y feet an& lunge& to their shi$ to y ax" et our ours" I scrabble& to y bench! reaching for

e! the others %ere

aking the sa e sort of reco'ery" ;e %ere not

battle rea&y! but neither %ere %e $araly1e& by fear any ore" Steel boar&ers an& battle %as 4oine&"

There is no $lace so &ark as the o$en %ater at night" Fello% an& foe %ere in&istinguishable in the &ark" # his foreign harness! bore hi ha& briefly clenche& $ulling a%ay fro us to finish the an lea$e& onto e+ I caught at the leather of &o%n! an& strangle& hi " #fter the nu bness that

e! there %as a sa'age relief in his terror beating against

e" I think it ha$$ene& )uickly3 ;hen I straightene& u$! the other boat %as us" She ha& only about half her oars en! an& there %as still en" Our aster %as shouting at an&" By the an& be after the Re&/Shi$" It %as a useless co an& thro%n the fighting on our &ecks! but she %as lea'ing her ti e %e ha& kille& the

off our &ecks! the other shi$ %as lost

in the &arkness" @ustin %as &o%n! throttle& an& battere&! ali'e! but inca$able of Skilling to Aerity 4ust then" In any case! one bank of our oars %as a s$lintere& ess" Our aster curse& us all soun&ly as the oars %ere re&istribute& an& y sea chest an& turne& slo%ly in a shi$$e&! but it %as too late" He shoute& us &o%n to stillness! but %e coul& hear nothing! an& see nothing" I stoo& on ore strange to co $lete circle" E $ty black %ater" Of the oare& 'essel! no sign" But e'en e %as %hat I s$oke alou&" 6The %hite shi$ %as at anchor" But she.s gone! too:7
1DHE

#roun&

e! hea&s turne& to stare at

e" 6;hite shi$07

6#re you all right! Fit107 6# Re&/Shi$! boy! it %as a Re&/Shi$ %e fought"7 6S$eak not of a %hite shi$" To see a %hite shi$ is to see your o%n &eath" Ba& luck"7 This last %as hisse& to e by 5onge" I o$ene& y outh to ob4ect that I e y outh an& ha& seen an actual shi$! not so e 'ision of &isaster" He shook his hea& at an& then turne& a%ay to stare out o'er the e $ty %ater" I close&

sat &o%n slo%ly" 5o one else ha& seen it" 5or &i& any of the others s$eak of the terrible fear that ha& gri$$e& us an& change& our battle $lans to $anic" ;hen %e got back! to to%n that night! the %ay it %as tol& in the ta'erns %as that %e ha& co e u$ on the shi$! engage& battle! only to ha'e the Re&/Shi$ flee us" 5o e'i&ence re aine& of that encounter but so e shattere& oars! so e in4uries! an& so e Outislan&er bloo& on our &ecks" ;hen I $ri'ately conferre& %ith both Aerity an& 5ighteyes! neither ha& seen anything" Aerity tol& yself to hi not e that I ha& exclu&e& hi as soon as %e sighte& the e of %hite shi$s+ he %as ention of the %hite erciless other 'essel" 5ighteyes %as iffe& to a& it that I ha& co $letely close&

as %ell" 5onge %oul& say nothing to

uch for con'ersation on any to$ic" =ater I foun&

shi$ in a scroll of ol& legen&s" There it %as an accurse& shi$! %here the souls of &ro%ne& sailors un%orthy of the sea %oul& %ork fore'er for a aster" I %as force& to set asi&e all The rest of the su ention of it or be thought a&"

er! the Re&/Shi$s e'a&e& the Rurisk" ;e %oul& catch anage& to run one &o%n" Once it %as

sight of the ! an& gi'e chase! but ne'er

our goo& fortune to chase one that ha& 4ust rai&e&" She thre% her ca$ti'es o'erboar& to lighten herself an& fle& us" Of t%el'e folk they thre% in! %e rescue& nine! an& returne& the unForge& to their 'illage" The three %ho

1D1H

&ro%ne& before %e reache& the fate than Forging" The other shi$s ha& the

%ere

ourne&! but all agree& it %as a better

uch the sa e luck" The 9onstance ca e u$on Rai&ers in anage a )uick 'ictory! but ha& all &o%n! for they scattere& into

i&st of attacking a 'illage" They &i&n.t

the foresight to &a age the beache& Re&/Shi$ so that the Rai&ers coul& not ake a clean esca$e" It took &ays to hunt the the %oo&lan&s %hen they sa% %hat ha& been &one to their shi$" The other 'essels ha& si ilar ex$eriences3 %e ga'e chase! %e &ro'e off Rai&ers! the other shi$s e'en ha& so e fe% successes at sinking rai&ing 'essels! but %e ca$ture& no ore intact shi$s that su er" ake a &ifference in ho% So! the Forgings %ere re&uce&! an& each ti e %e sent a shi$ &o%n! %e tol& oursel'es it %as one less" But it ne'er see e& to another %ay! %e ga'e the the threat of Rai&ers fro For e! that long su any re aine&" In one sense! %e brought ho$e to the folk of Six Duchies" In &es$air! for &es$ite all %e &i&! %e coul& not &ri'e our shore" er %as a ti e of terrible isolation an& incre&ible e! yet I foun& I coul& ne'er see to sustain

closeness" Aerity %as often %ith the aelstro

the contact once any sort of fighting ha& begun" Aerity hi self %as a%are of of e otions that threatene& to o'er%hel e each ti e our cre% engage&" He 'enture& the theory that in atte $ting to &efen& against the thoughts an& feelings of others! I set u$ y boun&aries so fir ly that not e'en ight ean I %as strong in y he coul& breach the " He also suggeste& that this barriers &uring a battle &ro%ne&

the Skill! stronger than he %as e'en! but so sensiti1e& that to let &o%n

e in the consciousnesses of e'eryone aroun&

e" It %as an interesting theory! but one that offere& no $ractical solutions to the $roble " Still! in the &ays %hen I carrie& Aerity about! I &e'elo$e& a feel

1D11

for hi

that I ha& for no other

an! sa'e $erha$s Burrich" ;ith chilling

fa iliarity! I kne% ho% the Skill hunger gna%e& at hi " ;hen I %as a boy! (erry an& I ha& one &ay cli be& a tall cliff o'er the ocean" ;hen %e reache& the to$ an& looke& out o'er it! he confesse& to e an al ost o'er%hel ing i $ulse to fling hi self off" I think this %as akin to %hat Aerity felt" The $leasure of the Skill entice& hi ! an& he longe& to fling all of hi self! e'ery ounce of his being! out into its %eb" His close contact %ith it" #n& yet %e &i& too uch goo& for the Six Duchies for hi e'en though the Skill %as eating hi e only fe& any to gi'e it u$!

hollo%" *erforce I share& %ith hi

of his hours at his lonely to%er %in&o%! the har& chair %here he sat! the %eariness that &estroye& his a$$etite for foo&! e'en the &ee$ bone aches of inacti'ity" I %itnesse& ho% he %aste& a%ay" I &o not kno% that it is goo& to kno% so eone so %ell" 5ighteyes %as 4ealous! an& sai& so $lainly" #t least %ith hi slighte&! as he sa% it" It %as a it %as an o$en anger about being uch" ;hy &i& I! of all ore &ifficult thing %ith -olly"

She coul& see no real reason %hy I ha& to be a%ay so that Aerity %ishe&

$eo$le! ha'e to cre% on one of the %arshi$s0 The reason I %as able to gi'e her! e to! satisfie& her not at all" Our brief ti es together began of $assion! to ha'e a $re&ictable $attern" ;e %oul& co e together in a stor %as lonely! she hate& being a ser'ant! the little bit of for herself gre% terribly slo%ly! she uch %hen I %as the only thing that once %ith the offer of %hat %e %ere 4oine& in %hen that isse&

fin& $eace in each other briefly! an& then begin to %rangle about things" She oney she coul& set asi&e e! %hy &i& I ha'e to be gone so

a&e her life bearable0 I a$$roache& her ine until

oney I ha& earne& aboar& the shi$! but she

stiffene& as if I ha& calle& her a %hore" She %oul& take nothing of ight ha$$en" I still ha& ne'er foun& the
1D12

arriage before all" #n& I coul& offer her no real ho$e as to o ent in %hich to re'eal

Shre%&.s $lans for 9elerity an&

e" ;e %ere a$art so

uch! %e lost the

threa&s of one another.s &ay/to/&ay li'es! an& %hen %e &i& co e together! %e al%ays reche%e& the bitter rin&s of the sa e argu ents o'er an& o'er" One night! %hen I ca e to her! I foun& her %ith her hair boun& back all in re& ribbons an& graceful sil'er earrings sha$e& like %illo% lea'es &angling against her bare neck" 9la& as she %as in her si $le %hite nightgo%n! the sight of her took y breath a%ay" =ater! &uring a )uieter o ent %hen %e ha& breath for e that %hen s$eaking! I co $li ente& her on the earrings" #rtlessly! she tol&

*rince Regal ha& last co e to buy can&les of her! he ha& gifte& her %ith the ! for he sai& he %as so $lease& %ith %hat she create& that he scarcely felt he $ai& her %hat such finely scente& can&les %ere %orth" She s ile& $rou&ly as she tol& e this! her fingers toying %ith y %arrior.s )ueue %hile her o%n hair y e3 that """ 6 an& ribbons tangle& %il&ly u$on the $illo%s" I &o not kno% %hat she sa% in face! but it %i&ene& her eyes an& she &re% back fro 6You %ill take gifts fro fro

Regal07 I aske& her col&ly" 6You %ill not acce$t

e coin that I ha'e honestly earne&! but you take 4e%elry fro

I teetere& on the e&ge of treason! but coul& fin& no %or& to ex$ress %hat I thought of hi " -olly.s eyes narro%e&! an& it %as is not bet%een Regal an& fro think he ga'e the to y turn to &ra% back" 6;hat shoul& I ha'e arry e.0 There sai& to hi 0 R5o! sir! I cannot acce$t your largesse! until you

e %hat there is bet%een us" This %as a $er)uisite y fa'ors07 anage& to s$eak %hat she %as a&e the istake of to her solely because he kne% it ight kno% %hat %as

a custo er! such as is often gi'en to a skille& crafts an" ;hy &i& you e0 In exchange for

;e stare& at one another! an& after a ti e I suggesting that $erha$s he ha& gi'en the %oul& 'ex

al ost %illing to acce$t as an a$ology" But then I e" #n& then she %ante& to kno% ho% Regal
1D18

bet%een us+ an& &i& I think her %ork so $oor that a largesse such as the earrings %as not &ue her0 Suffice to say that %e en&e& our )uarrels as %ell as en&e& $ot is ne'er as %e coul& in the short ti e %e ha& left together" But a ti e at all %ith her" In the ti es %hen I leane& on y oar an& ke$t $erfect rhyth yself an& trie& to think of nothing at all! I often foun& %aiting that su issing *atience an& =acey! 9ha&e!

soun& as a %hole one! an& I returne& to the shi$ as lonely as if I ha& ha& no

(ettricken! or e'en Burrich" The fe% ti es I %as able to call on our )ueen/in/ er! I al%ays foun& her on her to%er/to$ gar&en" It %as a uch of the -ountains in her for her beautiful $lace! but &es$ite her efforts! it %as nothing like the other Buckkee$ gar&ens ha& e'er been" There %as too e'er to con'ert entirely to our %ays" There %as a hone& si $licity to ho% she arrange& an& traine& the $lants" Si $le stones ha& been a&&e&! an& bare &rift%oo& branches t%iste& an& s oothe& by the sea reste& against the stark beauty" I coul& ha'e in the %ar %in& of su in e&itate& cal ly there! but it %as not a $lace to loll er! an& I sus$ecte& that %as ho% Aerity ha& recalle&

it" She ke$t herself busy there! an& en4oye& it! but it &i& not bon& her to Aerity as she ha& once belie'e& it %oul&" She %as as beautiful as e'er! but al%ays her blue eyes %ere clou&e& gray %ith a $reoccu$ation an& a %orry" Her bro% %as furro%e& so often that %hen she &i& relax her face! one sa% the $ale lines of the skin the sun ha& ne'er reache&" In the ti es I s$ent %ith her there! she often &is isse& ost of her la&ies! an& then )ui11e& e about the Rurisk.s acti'ities as thoroughly as if she %ere Aerity hi self" ;hen I ha& finishe& re$orting to her! often she fol&e& her li$s into a fir the en& of su line an& %ent to stare out o'er the to$ of the to%er %all an& beyon& to the sea touching the e&ge of the sky" To%ar& er! as she %as staring so one afternoon! I 'enture& close to her her $resence to return to
1D1<

to ask to be excuse& fro

y shi$" She scarcely

see e& to hear %hat I ha& aske&" Instea&! she sai& softly! 6There has to be a final solution" 5othing! no one can go on like this" There ake an en& of this"7 6#utu n stor s co e soon! co es $eace for us"7 6*eace0 Ha"7 She snorte& in &isbelief" 6Is it $eace to lie a%ake an& %on&er %ho %ill &ie next! %here %ill they attack next year0 That is not $eace" That is a torture" There fin& it"7 Her %or&s soun&e& al ost like a threat" ust be a %ay to $ut an en& to the Re&/Shi$s" #n& I inten& to y la&y )ueen" #lrea&y! frost has touche& so e of your 'ines" Stor s are ne'er far behin& the first chilling! an& %ith the ust be a %ay to

9H#*TER SEAE5TEE5 Interlu&es OF STO5E ;ERE their bones -ountains" Their flesh %as hearts %ere They ca e fro afar! those a&e! of the s$arkling 'eine& stone of the en" a&e of the shining salts of the earth" But their en! a long an& trying %ay" They &i& not hesitate

a&e of the hearts of %ise

to lay &o%n the li'es that ha& beco e a %eariness to the " They en&e& their &ays an& began eternities! they $ut asi&e flesh an& &onne& stone! they let fall their %ea$ons an& rose on ne% %ings" El&erlings" ;hen the (ing finally su Bitterness still ate at one& e! I %ent to hi " True to y $ro ise to

yself! I ha& not 'oluntarily gone to his cha bers since that afternoon" e o'er his arrange ents %ith Duke Bra%n&y concerning
1D1?

9elerity an& He sent for flung at

e" But a su

ons fro

one.s king %as not a thing to be ignore&! e still" onths since I

regar&less of %hat anger churne& insi&e e on an autu n

orning" It ha& been at least t%o

ha& last stoo& before (ing Shre%&" I ha& ignore& the %oun&e& looks the Fool e %hen I encountere& hi ! an& turne& asi&e Aerity.s occasional )uery as to %hy I ha& not sought out Shre%&.s cha ber" It %as easy enough" ;allace still guar&e& his &oor like a ser$ent on the hearth! an& the (ing.s $oor health %as no secret fro noon any ore" So I tol& i $ortant" I ha& thought the 'icious autu n stor orning %oul& belong to e" #n unseasonably early an& ha& $oun&e& us for t%o &ays" The &ri'ing %in& %as anyone" 5o one %as a& itte& to his roo s before yself this orning su ons betokene& so ething

erciless! %hile &renching rain $ro ise& that anyone in an o$en boat %oul& be fully occu$ie& %ith bailing" I ha& s$ent the e'ening before in the ta'ern %ith the rest of the Rurisk.s cre%! toasting the stor an& %ishing the Re&/Shi$s the y be&! orning" But a e! an& then full kiss of it" I ha& co e back to the (ee$ to tu ble so&&enly into certain that I coul& slee$ as long as I %ishe& the next &eter ine& $age ha& battere& &eli'ere& to I steele& I %ashe&! sha'e&! s oothe& confi&ent I %as aster of y &oor until slee$ forsook ons" y s ol&ering resent ent" ;hen I %as y cha ber" I $resente& yself at the e asi&e" But this e the (ing.s for al su

y hair back into a tail! an& &onne& clean clothes" yself! I left

yself to betray nothing of

(ing.s &oor" I fully ex$ecte& ;allace to sneer an& turn orning he o$ene& the &oor $ro $tly to &isa$$ro'ing! but he i e&iately ushere&

y knock" His glance %as still e into the (ing.s $resence" yself! y heart!

Shre%& sat before his hearth in a cushione& chair" Des$ite

sank at ho% %aste& he ha& beco e" His skin %as $a$ery an& translucent as
1D1B

$arch ent! his fingers gone to bone" His face sagge&! skin &roo$ing %here flesh ha& once hel& it fir " His &ark eyes %ere sunken into his face" He clas$e& his han&s in his la$ in a gesture I kne% %ell" Thus &i& I hol& conceal the tre bling that occasionally o'ertook elbo% su$$orte& a censer! an& S oke rose fro y han&s to a&e a e still" # s all table at his it" The fu es alrea&y e" e" I o'e& to stan&

bluish ha1e about the rafters" The Fool s$ra%le& &isconsolately at his feet" 6Fit19hi'alry is here! Your -a4esty!7 ;allace announce& The (ing starte& as if $oke&! then shifte& his ga1e to before hi " 6Fit19hi'alry!7 the (ing ackno%le&ge& -y bitterness %as still strong in hi so" He %as still y king" y e" There %as no force behin& the %or&s! no $resence at all" e! but it coul& not &ro%n the $ain I felt to see

6-y king! I ha'e co e as you or&ere&!7 I sai& for ally" I trie& to cling to col&ness" He looke& at

e %earily" He turne& his hea& asi&e! coughe& once into his e for a o ent" He took a &ee$ Duke ostly essenger arri'e& fro

shoul&er" 6So I see" Joo&"7 He stare& at breath that %his$ere& into his lungs" 6#

Bra%n&y of Bea s last night" He brought the har'est re$orts an& such! you"7 He hel& it out to 6Bra%n&y.s

ne%s for Regal" But Bra%n&y.s &aughter 9elerity also sent this scroll" For e" # s all scroll! boun& %ith a yello% ribbon an& seale& sure

%ith a blob of green %ax" Reluctantly I ste$$e& for%ar& to take it" essenger %ill be returning to Bea s this afternoon" I a that by that ti e you %ill ha'e create& an a$$ro$riate re$ly"7 His tone &i& not ake this a re)uest" He coughe& again" The roil of conflicting e otions I felt for hi soure& in y sto ach"
1D1C

6If I

ay!7 I re)ueste&! an& %hen the (ing &i& not ob4ect! I broke the seal on han&" I

the scroll an& untie& the ribbon" I un%oun& it to &isco'er a secon& scroll coile& insi&e it" I glance& o'er the first one" 9elerity %rote %ith a clear! fir eyes on sen& e" I et the %ithout e otion" 6She %rites to %ish unrolle& the secon& one an& consi&ere& it briefly" I looke& u$ to fin& Shre%&.s e %ell! an& to e a co$y of a scroll she foun& in the Ri$$lekee$ libraries" Or! $ro$erly! a the %ra$$ing! she belie'e& it $ertaine& to &uring y 'isit to Ri$$lekee$" It y interest in the

co$y of %hat %as still legible" Fro El&erlings" She ha& note& looks to

e as if the %riting %as actually $hiloso$hy! or $erha$s $oetry"7 o ent he took the " He unfurle&

I offere& the scrolls back to Shre%&" #fter a

the first one an& hel& it out at ar .s length" He furro%e& his bro%! glare& at it briefly! then set it &o%n in his la$" 6-y eyes are befogge&! so eti es! of a orning!7 he sai&" He rerolle& the t%o scrolls together! carefully! as if it %ere a &ifficult task" 6You %ill %rite her a $ro$er note of thanks"7 6Yes! y king"7 -y 'oice %as carefully for al" I recei'e& once e" ;hen I ha& stoo& before hi e! I 'enture&! 6# for so e I &is isse&! ore the o ents scrolls he $roffere&

longer %hile he stare& through 65o"7 He coughe& again!

y king07

ore hea'ily" He took another long sighing breath"

6You are not &is isse&" Ha& I &is isse& you! it %oul& ha'e been years ago" I %oul& ha'e let you gro% u$ in so e back%ater 'illage" Or seen that you &i& not gro% u$ at all" 5o! Fit19hi'alry! I ha'e not &is isse& you"7 So ething of his ol& $resence ca e back into his 'oice" 6So e years ago I struck a bargain %ith you" You ha'e ke$t your en& of it" #n& ke$t it %ell" I kno% ho% I a ser'e& by you! e'en %hen you &o not see fit to re$ort to ho% you ser'e little e! e'en %hen you are bri ore than %hat you ha'e gi'en e $ersonally" I kno% e" I coul& ask ing %ith anger at e"

e"7 He coughe& again! su&&enly! a &ry

racking cough" ;hen he coul& s$eak! it %as not to

1D1D

6Fool! a goblet of the %ar e& %ine! $lease" #n& ask ;allace for the """ s$icing herbs to season it"7 The Fool rose i shoul& ha'e &ra%n bloo&" The (ing kee$ e&iately! but I sa% no %illingness on his e a look that e to %ait" He a&e a s all gesture at face" Instea&! as he $asse& behin& the (ing.s chair! he ga'e rubbe& his eyes! an& then stille& his han&s once %oul& &o

ore in his la$" 6I but seek to

y en& of the bargain!7 he resu e&" 6I $ro ise& to see to your nee&s" I ore than that" I %oul& see you %e& to a la&y of )uality" I %oul& see arke& ho% he fille& the goblet but of the o ent e

you """ ah" Thank you"7 The Fool %as back %ith the %ine" I unfa iliar herbs half%ay! an& ho% the (ing $icke& it u$ %ith both han&s" I caught a %aft of ingle& %ith the rising scent of the %ine" The ri goblet chattere& t%ice against Shre%&.s teeth before he stille& it %ith his outh" He took a long &ee$ &raft of it" He s%allo%e&! then sat still a once ore! he see e& briefly $u11le&" #fter a longer! eyes close& as if listening" ;hen he o$ene& his eyes to look u$ at

o ent he recollecte& hi self"

6I %oul& see you %ith a title! an& lan& to ste%ar&"7 He lifte& the goblet an& &rank again" He sat hol&ing it! %ar ing his thin han&s aroun& it %hile he consi&ere& e" 6I shoul& like to re in& you it is no s all thing that Bra%n&y atch for his &aughter" He &oes not hesitate o'er your birth" atch gi'es &ee s you a fit

9elerity %ill co e to you %ith a title an& estates of her o%n" Your Is this so har& to un&erstan&07 The )uestion left Bra%n&y &oes

e the o$$ortunity to see that you ha'e the sa e" I %ish only the best for you" e free to s$eak" I took a breath an& trie& to reach hi " 6-y e %ell" I a %ell a%are of the honor that Duke an coul& e" The =a&y 9elerity is as fair a %o an as any y choosing"7

king! I kno% you %ish %ish" But the la&y is not of

1D1E

His look &arkene&" 65o% there you soun& like Aerity!7 he sai& crossly" 6Or your father" I think they suckle& stubbornness fro hea&" 6Fool" -ore %ine! $lease"7 6I ha'e hear& the ru ors!7 he resu e& hea'ily after the Fool ha& taken his cu$" 6Regal brings the to e an& %his$ers the like a kitchen ai&" #s if they %ere i $ortant" 9hickens clucking" Dogs barking" @ust as i $ortant"7 I %atche& the Fool obe&iently refill the goblet! his reluctance $lain in e'ery uscle of his slen&er bo&y" ;allace a$$eare& as if su hea$e& one& by agic" He ore S oke onto the censer! ble% on a tiny coal %ith carefully $urse& their other.s breasts"7 He lifte& the goblet an& &raine& it off" He leane& back in his chair an& shook his

li$s until the hea$ s ol&ere&! an& then &rifte& a%ay" Shre%& leane& carefully so that the fu es curle& $ast his face" He breathe& in! ga'e a tiny cough! then &re% in ore of the S oke" He leane& back in his chair" # silent Fool stoo& hol&ing his %ine" 6Regal clai s you are ena ore& of a cha ber ai&" That you $ursue her relentlessly" ;ell! all %illing en are young once" #s are all ai&s"7 He acce$te& his y cheek! y goblet an& &rank again" I stoo& before hi ! biting the insi&e of $hysical exertion no longer %rung fro chest to still the ! but I ke$t crushing the s all scroll I gri$$e&" (ing Shre%& lo%ere& the goblet" He set it on the table at his elbo% an& sighe& hea'ily" He let his lax han&s uncurl )uietly in his la$ as he leane& his hea& back against the cushions of his chair" 6Fit19hi'alry!7 he sai&" I stoo& nu bly before hi an& %aite&" I %atche& as his eyeli&s &roo$e&! then outh!7 he sai&" His eyes &roo$e& again" 6I
1D2H

y eyes to stoniness" -y traitorous han&s began the shaking that the " I longe& to cross y ar s on y han&s at y si&e" I concentrate& on not

close&" Then o$ene& again a crack" His hea& %a'ere& slightly as he s$oke" 6You ha'e 9onstance.s angry

%oul& like to &o %ell by you!7 he fro his slack ;hen finally I &ro$$e& %renche& y eyes fro

uttere&" #fter a

o ent a snore bu11e&

outh" #n& still I stoo& before hi

an& ga1e& at hi " -y king"

hi ! I sa% the only thing that coul& ha'e e furiously! his

e into greater tur oil" The Fool hu&&le& &isconsolately at e& in his colorless eyes" y hearth" The feelings insi&e e

Shre%&.s feet! his knees &ra%n u$ to his chest" He stare& at outh a flat line" 9lear tears bri I fle&" ;ithin seare& y cha ber! I $ace& a bit before e" I force&

yself to cal ness! sat &o%n! an& took out $en an& $a$er" I y shirt straight!

$enne& a brief! correct note of thanks to Duke Bra%n&y.s &aughter! carefully rolle& it u$! an& seale& it %ith %ax" I stoo& u$! tugge& s oothe& y hair back! an& then thre% the scroll onto e at table! an& stoo& %ith y su Then I sat &o%n again %ith shy girl %ho ha& flirte& %ith #n& then I %rote to her of after &ay" Of y hearth fire" e on the cliffs in the

y %riting tools" I %rote a letter to 9elerity! the

%in& an& %aite& for a challenge that ne'er ca e" I thanke& her for the scroll" er" Of $ulling an oar on the Rurisk! &ay a&e the ax y %ea$on" I %rote y clu siness %ith a s%or& that

of our first battle! in ruthless &etail! an& of ho% sickene& I ha& been after%ar&" I tol& her of sitting fro1en %ith terror at neglecte& to y oar %hile a Re&/Shi$ attacke& us" I y long illness in yself as ention the %hite shi$ I ha& seen" I finishe& by confi&ing that I

%as still trouble& by tre ors occasionally as the after ath of a co

the -ountains" I rea& it o'er carefully" Satisfie& that I ha& $resente&

on oars an! an oaf! a co%ar&! an& an in'ali&! I rolle& the letter into a ight $eruse

scroll an& tie& it %ith the sa e yello% ribbon she ha& use&" I &i& not seal it" I &i& not care %ho rea& it" Secretly! I ho$e& that Duke Bra%n&y this letter to his &aughter! an& then forbi& her e'er to ention y na e again"

1D21

;hen I knocke& again at (ing Shre%&.s &oor! ;allace ans%ere& if %ith his usual gri &is$leasure" He took the scroll fro e as if it %ere &irtie& %ith y roo so ething! an& shut the &oor fir ly in y face" #s I %ent back u$ to y king"

I thought of %hat three $oisons I %oul& use on hi ! %ere I gi'en the o$$ortunity" It %as less co $licate& than thinking of Back in y roo ! I flung yself &o%n on safe to go to -olly" Then I thought of antici$ation 'anishe&" I bounce& u$ fro y be&" I %ishe& it %ere night an& y secrets! an& e'en that $leasant y be& to fling o$en the %in&o% e"

shutters %i&e to the stor " But e'en the %eather cheate& black clou&s boiling an&

Blue ha& cracke& the o'ercast %i&e! to a& it a %atery sunlight" # bank of ountaining o'er the sea $ro ise& that this res$ite %oul& not last long" But for no% the %in& an& the rain ha& cease&" There %as e'en a hint of %ar th in the air" 5ighteyes ca e to &aylight" Only sense& the %ar y in& i e&iately" It.s too %et to hunt" ;ater clings to e'ery bla&e of grass" Besi&es! it.s full en are stu$i& enough to hunt in full &aylight" satiation of his full belly" hi ! then snatche& u$ y cloak" -y feelings %ere not e %arre& %ith &is ay at y king fro e" -y =a1y houn&! I rebuke& hi " I kne% he %as curle&! nose to tail! in his &en" I *erha$s tonight! he suggeste&! an& &rifte& back to slee$" I $ulle& back fro con&uci'e to a &ay %ithin %alls" I left the (ee$ an& hea&e& &o%n to%ar& Buckkee$ To%n" #nger at Shre%&.s &ecision for ho% he ha& %eakene&" I %alke& briskly! trying to esca$e the (ing.s tre bling han&s! his &rugge& slee$" Da n ;allace: He ha& stolen king ha& stolen y life fro Dri$$ing %ater an& yello%/e&ge& lea'es fell fro e" I refuse& to think any ore" the trees as I $asse&" Bir&s the &o%n$our" The

sang clearly an& 4oyously at the unex$ecte& res$ite fro

1D22

sun gre% stronger! scents u$ fro e"

aking e'erything s$arkle %ith the %et! an& stea ing rich y tur oil! the beauty of the &ay touche& yself in ake

the earth" Des$ite

The recent &o%n$ours ha& %ashe& Buckkee$ To%n clean" I foun& the arket! in the $urchases an& rush the glare& about the ho e before the stor

i&st of an eager cro%&" E'ery%here folk hurrie& to y sour

coul& &rench us again" The oo&! an& I y eye"

a iable busyness an& frien&ly clatter %as at o&&s %ith -y heart turne& o'er insi&e (ee$! but %hen she ca e to e" -olly

arket until a bright scarlet cloak an&" hoo& caught

ight %ear ser'ant blue about the the rain" I erchant"

arket! she still %ore her ol& cloak of re&" 5o

&oubt *atience ha& sent her out on erran&s &uring this res$ite fro fro 9halce&" I lo'e& the 4ut of her chin as she shook her hea& at the y heart" y $ockets!

%atche& her! unnotice&! as she haggle& stubbornly o'er $ackets of s$ice& tea # su&&en ins$iration lifte& I ha& coin in

y oars an.s $ay" ;ith it I bought four s%eet eat" I bought! too!

a$$les! t%o currant buns! a bottle of %ine! an& so e $e$$er e'ery skill 9ha&e ha& e'er taught unobtrusi'ely as she %ent to the e to ake

a string bag to carry it in an& a thick %ool blanket" Re&" It took e'ery bit of y $urchases an& still kee$ sight of -olly %ithout being seen" E'en ore taxing %as to follo% her

illiner.s to buy silk ribbon! an& then to trail

behin& her as she starte& u$ to%ar& Buckkee$" #t a certain ben& in the $ath! o'ersha&o%e& by trees! I caught u$ to her" She gas$e& as I light/foote& u$ behin& her! to lift an& s%ing her su&&enly in kiss her out of &oors an& un&er the bright sun! I cannot say" I only kno% all troubles su&&enly fell fro I e" y la&y 4oin
1D28

y y

ar s" I lan&e& her on her feet an& kisse& her soun&ly" ;hy it felt so &ifferent to

a&e a s%ee$ing bo% to her" 6;ill

e for a brief re$ast07

6Oh! %e cannot!7 she re$lie&! but her eyes s$arkle&" 6;e.ll be seen"7 I fro a&e a great sho% of glancing about us! then sei1e& her ar the roa&" Beneath the trees there %as not an& $ulle& her uch un&erbrush" I hurrie& her

through the &ri$$ing trees! o'er a fallen log! an& $ast a $atch of buckbrush that clutche& %etly at our legs" ;hen %e ca e to the cliff.s e&ge abo'e the boo an& susurrus of the ocean! %e scra ble& like chil&ren &o%n the rock chi neys to get to a s all san&y beach" Drift%oo& %as $ile& ha$ha1ar&ly in this nook in the bay" #n o'erhang of the cliffs ha& ke$t a s all $atch of san& an& shale al ost &ry! but &i& not block the reaching sunbea s" The sun shone no% %ith sur$rising %ar th" -olly took the foo& an& blanket fro e! an& co an&e& that I asse ble fire%oo&" She a&e it %as the one %ho finally got the &a $ %oo& to burn! ho%e'er" The salt

burn %ith greens an& blues! an& it ga'e enough heat that %e both set asi&e our cloaks an& hoo&s" It %as so goo& to sit %ith her an& look at her out un&er the o$en sky! %ith the bright sun bringing out glints on her hair an& the %in& rosying her cheeks" It %as so goo& to laugh alou&! to fro ingle our 'oices %ith the cries of the gulls %ithout fear of a%akening anyone" ;e &rank the %ine the bottle! an& ate %ith our fingers! an& then %alke& &o%n to the %a'es. our han&s" ore like yself than I ha& since I ha& uch the %il& ai&en of e&ge to %ash the stickiness fro

For a brief ti e %e scra ble& about on the rocks an& &rift%oo&! looking for treasures tosse& u$ by the stor " I felt returne& fro the -ountains! an& -olly looke& 'ery

y chil&hoo&" Her hair ca e unbrai&e& an& ble% about her face" She sli$$e& %hen I chase& her! an& stu ble& into a ti&e $ool" ;e %ent back to the blanket! %here she took off her shoes an& hose to let the back on the blanket an& stretche&" Taking things off su&&enly see e& a 'ery goo& i&ea"
1D2<

&ry by the fire" She leane&

-olly %as not as sure of that as I" 6There.s fully as this blanket" I.'e no %ish to go back %ith bruises u$ I leane& o'er her to kiss her" 6# 6You0 Of course not:7 She ga'e

uch stone as san& un&er y back:7 e s$ra%ling on y breath a%ay"

not I %orth it07 I aske& $ersuasi'ely" e a su&&en $ush that sent e" 6But I a "7 e took

y back" Then she flung herself bol&ly ato$ #fter she ha& clai e&

The %il& s$arkle in her eyes as she looke& &o%n on

e ruthlessly! I &isco'ere& she ha& been right! both

about the rocks! an& her being %ell %orth the bruises" I ha& ne'er seen anything so s$ectacular as the blue sky gli $se& through the casca&e of her hair o'er y face" ore than half ato$ e an& %e &o1e& in the chill s%eet air" #fter%ar& she lay

E'entually she sat u$! shi'ering! to $ull her clothing back aroun& herself" Reluctantly I %atche& her lace u$ her blouse again" Darkness an& can&lelight ha& al%ays hi&&en too stuck her tongue out at uch fro e" She looke& &o%n at y be use& look! its tail" e! then $ause&" -y hair ha& co e loose fro

She $ulle& it for%ar& to fra e girl"7 I snorte&" 6I a usculature of not so

y face! then set a fol& of her re& cloak across

y forehea&" She shook her hea&" 6You %oul& ha'e been a singularly ho ely uch better as a an! either"7

She looke& offen&e&" 6You are not ill/fa'ore&"7 She trace& a finger &o%n the y chest s$eculati'ely" 6The other &ay! in the %ashing courts! ost Buck en"7 She so e %ere saying you %ere the best thing to! co e out of the stables since Burrich" I think it is your hair" It is not near as coarse as t%ine& stran&s of it through her fingers" 6Burrich:7 I sai& %ith a snort" 6You cannot tell %o en:7 e he is fa'ore& a ong the

1D2?

She )uirke& a bro% at clean an&

e" 6#n& %hy not0 He is a 'ery %ell/ a&e

an! an&

annere& besi&es" He has goo& teeth! an& such eyes: His &ark ai&s agree& that &ay that %ere he to turn u$ in their out"7

hu ors are &aunting! but not a fe% %oul& like to try their han&s at lightening those" The %ashing sheets! they %oul& not hurry to shake hi

6But that is not likely to ha$$en!7 I $ointe& out" 65o!7 she agree& $ensi'ely" 6That %as another thing they agree& on" Only one clai e& to ha'e e'er ha& hi ! an& she a& itte& he %as 'ery &runk at the ti e" #t a S$ringfest! I belie'e she sai&"7 -olly glance& at the incre&ulous look on ark of his teeth on not e! then laughe& alou& at y face" 6She sai&!7 -olly %ent on teasingly! 6 RHe

has use& his ti e %ell a ongst the stallions to learn their %ays" I carrie& the y shoul&ers for a %eek". 6 atter ho% &runk he %as"7 e as her ni ble fingers set to istreate&"7 She glance& at 6That cannot be!7 I &eclare&" -y ears burne& for Burrich.s sake" 6He %oul& istreat a %o an! no 6Silly boy:7 -olly shook her hea& o'er e coyly" 6Or &is$lease&"7 6I still &o not belie'e it!7" I &eclare& Burrich0 #n& the %o an ha& like& it0 6Has he really a s all scar! here! sha$e& like a crescent han& high on I o$ene& y y hi$ an& looke& at e fro oon07 She $ut her un&er her lashes"

brai&ing her hair u$ again" 65o one sai& she %as

outh! shut it again" 6I cannot belie'e that %o en chatter of such

things!7 I sai& at last" 6In the %ashing courts! they talk of little else!7 -olly &i'ulge& cal ly" I bit y tongue until curiosity o'er%hel e& e" " e" 6;hat &o they say of Han&s07 ;hen %e ha& %orke& in the stables together! his tales of %o en ha& al%ays astonishe&

1D2B

6That he has $retty eyes an& lashes! but that all the rest of hi %ashe&" Se'eral ti es"7

nee&s to be e" 6#n& y

I laughe& 4oyously! an& sa'e& the %or&s for %hen next he bragge& to Regal07 I encourage& her" 6Regal" > "7 She s ile& &rea ily at

e! then laughe& at the sco%l on y &ear" So e $ro$riety is ke$t"7

face" 6;e &o not s$eak of the *rinces! I $ulle& her back &o%n besi&e no% fille&

e an& kisse& her" She fit her bo&y to

ine an&

%e lay still un&er the arching blue sky" *eace that ha& elu&e&

e for so long y y y

e" I kne% that nothing coul& e'er $art us! not the $lans of kings against e an& listene& e that I

nor the 'agaries of fate" It see e&! finally! to be the right ti e to tell her of $roble s %ith Shre%& an& 9elerity" She reste& %ar bitterness at the a%k%ar& $osition it brought %as an i&iot until I felt a %ar neck" 6-olly07 I aske& in sur$rise as I sat u$ to look at her" 6;hat.s %rong07 silently as I s$ille& out to her the foolishness of the (ing.s $lan an& e" It &i& not occur to tear s$ill an& then sli&e &o%n the si&e of

6;hat.s %rong07 Her 'oice %ent high on the %or&s" She took a shu&&ering breath" 6You lie besi&e you ask 6The only one I a e an& tell e you are $ro ise& to another" #n& then e %hat.s %rong07 $ro ise& to is you!7 I sai& fir ly" ust court her07 e" She looke& at

6It.s not that si $le! Fit19hi'alry"7 Her eyes %ere 'ery %i&e an& serious" 6;hat %ill you &o %hen the (ing tells you that you 6Sto$ bathing07 I aske&" I ha& ho$e& she %oul& laugh" Instea& she $ulle& a%ay fro e %ith a %orl& of sorro% in her eyes" 6;e ha'en.t got a chance" 5ot a ho$e"7 #s if to $ro'e her %or&s! the sky &arkene& su&&enly abo'e us an& the s)uall %in&s rose" -olly lea$e& to her feet! snatching u$ her cloak an& shaking san&
1D2C

fro ha&"

it" 6I.

going to get soake&" I shoul& ha'e been back to Buckkee$ hours

ago"7 She s$oke flatly! as if those t%o things %ere the only concerns that she 6-olly! they %oul& ha'e to kill She gathere& u$ her e to kee$ e fro you!7 I sai& angrily"

arket $urchases" 6Fit1! you soun& like a chil&!7 she sai& a&e &i $les in the san& an& s%e$t across e s$eechless" I coul& not think of a it" She $ulle& her cloak tight y 4a%" I ess! or e"

)uietly" 6# foolish! stubborn chil&"7 ;ith a $attering like flung $ebbles! the first rain&ro$s began to hit" They %orse thing for her to ha'e sai& to the rain in sheets" Her %or&s ha& left

I gathere& u$ the re& blanket! shook san& fro obser'e&" She ca e close to

against the %in& that %hi$$e& at it" 6Best %e &on.t go back together!7 she e! stoo& on ti$toe to kiss the angle of coul& not &eci&e %ho I %as angrier at! (ing Shre%& for creating this

-olly for belie'ing in it" I &i& not turn to her kiss" She sai& nothing of that! but only hurrie& a%ay! to scrabble lightly u$ the rock chi ney an& 'anish fro sight" #ll 4oy ha& gone out of y afternoon" ;hat ha& been as $erfect as a glea ing y feet" I %alke& &isconsolately ho e y hair an& it seashell %as no% crushe& bits un&er %hi$$e& in lank stran&s across can an& ble& re& &ye onto a use&

through gusting %in&s an& $elting rain" I ha& not reboun& y han&s" I %ent u$ to y roo

y face" The %et blanket stank as only %ool an& &rie& off! then ixe& fine an&

yself by carefully $re$aring the $erfect $oison for ;allace" One that

%oul& rack his bo%els before he &ie&" ;hen the $o%&er %as taking it %on&ering

$ut in a t%ist of $a$er! I set it &o%n an& looke& at it" For a %hile I consi&ere& yself" Instea&! I took u$ nee&le an& threa& to &e'ise a $ocket insi&e a&e e feel ore a co%ar& than e'er"
1D2D

y cuff %here I coul& carry it" I %on&ere& if I %oul& e'er use it" The

I &i& not go &o%n to &inner" I &i& not go u$ to -olly" I o$ene& let the stor s$ill rain across

y shutters an&

y floor" I let the hearth fire go out an& refuse& to y be&! staring out into the

light any can&les" It see e& a ti e for gestures like those" ;hen 9ha&e o$ene& his $assage to rain" #fter a ti e I hear& hesitant footste$s co e &o%n the stairs" 9ha&e a$$eare& in y &arkene& roo an& sla e& the like a %raith" He glare& at shut" #s he hooke& the e! then crosse& to the shutters e angrily! 6Ha'e you he aske& e! I ignore& it" I sat on the foot of

any i&ea of the kin& of &raft that creates in

y roo s07 ;hen I &i&n.t re$ly! he

lifte& his hea& an& snuffe&! for all the %orl& like a %olf" 6Ha'e you been %orking %ith baneleaf in here07 he aske& su&&enly" He ca e to stan& before e" 6Fit1! you.'e not &one anything stu$i&! ha'e you07 6Stu$i&0 -e07 I choke& on a laugh" 9ha&e stoo$e& to $eer into al ost kin&ly 'oice" He took y face" 69o e u$ to y ar y cha ber!7 he sai&! in an an& I %ent %ith hi "

The cheery roo ! the crackling fire! the autu n fruit ri$e in a bo%l+ all of it clashe& so ba&ly %ith %hat I felt that I %ante& to s ash things" Instea& I aske& 9ha&e! 6Does anything feel %orse than being angry %ith $eo$le you lo'e07 #fter a bit he s$oke" 6;atching so eone you lo'e &ie" #n& being angry! but not kno%ing %here to &irect it" I think that.s %orse"7 I flung yself onto a si&e chair! kicke& y feet out in front of e" 6Shre%& has taken u$ Regal.s habits" S oke" -irth%ee&" El only kno%s %hat else in his %ine" This the orning! %ithout his &rugs! he began to shake! an& then he &rank y e! again! that I ust court an& arry 9elerity! for y o%n ixe& %ith his %ine! took a chestful of S oke! an& %ent to slee$ in

face" #fter telling

goo&"7 The %or&s s$ille& fro e'erything I tol& hi "

e" I ha& no &oubt that 9ha&e alrea&y kne% of

1D2E

I $inne& 9ha&e %ith

y eyes" 6I lo'e -olly!7 I tol& hi eans the best for I lo'e07

bluntly" 6I ha'e tol& e" Ho% cannot he

Shre%& that I lo'e another" Yet he insists that I %ill be $aire& %ith 9elerity" He asks ho% I cannot un&erstan& he un&erstan& that I %ish to %e& %ho

9ha&e looke& consi&ering" 6Ha'e you &iscusse& this %ith Aerity07 6;hat goo& %oul& that &o0 He coul& not e'en sa'e hi self fro kne% it %as true" 6;oul& you care for %ine07 9ha&e aske& 65o"7 He raise& his eyebro%s at orning """7 I let e" an ne'er young07 by his $arents" He ake hi 65o" Thank you" #fter %atching Shre%& Rcal . hi self %ith %ine this y co $laint trail a%ay" 6;as that 6Once! he %as 'ery young"7 9ha&e $er itte& hi self a s all s ile" 6*erha$s he re e bers that 9onstance %as a %o an chosen for hi &i& not court her %illingly! nor %e& her gla&ly" It took her &eath to e il&ly" 6It ight cal you"7 being %e& off to a %o an he &i& not &esire"7 I felt &isloyal to (ettricken as I sai& this" But I

kno% ho% &ee$ly he ha& co e to lo'e her" Desire! on the other han&! he chose for hi self! in a $assion that fe'ere& hi "7 He $ause&" 6I %ill not s$eak ill of the &ea&"7 6This is &ifferent!7 I sai&" 6Ho%07 6I a not to be king" ;ho I %e& affects no one but e"7 6;oul& it %ere that si $le!7 9ha&e sai& softly" 69an you belie'e you can refuse 9elerity.s courtshi$ %ithout offen&ing Bra%n&y0 #t a ti e %hen the Six Duchies nee& e'ery bon& of unity07 6I a con'ince& I can ake her &eci&e she &oes not %ant e"7 6Ho%0 By being an oaf0 #n& sha ing Shre%&07
1D8H

I felt cage&" I trie& to think of solutions! but foun& only one ans%er in %ill 9ha&e.s eyes" He shook his hea&" 6Then you %ill shall ha'e a life together"7 6#n& little bastar&s of your o%n"7 I stoo& con'ulsi'ely! y fists knotting of their o%n accor&" hi 6Don.t say that!7 I %arne& 9ha&e" I turne& a%ay fro behin& e an& $ut his han&s on arry no one!7 he $ointe& out" 6*erha$s not!7 I acce&e&" 6*erha$s %e shall ne'er be

e" 6I et

arry no one exce$t -olly"7 I felt better si $ly by saying it alou&" I

arrie& in na e" But %e

to glare into his fire"

6I %oul&n.t" But" e'eryone else %ill"7 He sighe&" 6Fit1! Fit1! Fit1"7 He ca e u$ y shoul&ers" Aery! 'ery gently! he sai&! 6It e of y anger" I lifte& y han&s ight be best to let her go"7 The touch an& the gentleness ha& &isar e& to co'er y face" 6I cannot!7 I sai& through 6;hat &oes -olly nee&07 # little chan&lery %ith beehi'es in the backyar& of it" 9hil&ren" # legiti ate husban&" 6You are &oing this for Shre%&" To accuse& 9ha&e" He lifte& his han&s fro sat &o%n before his fire" 6I. sorry"7 e" 6So e&ay! Fit19hi'alry!7 he %arne& e! 6those %or&s %ill an than to ask He looke& at hi 6I a 6So a y shoul&ers" I listene& to hi %alk a%ay! to %ine to his chair an& being $oure& into a single cu$" He brought his %ine %ith hi ake e &o as he %ishes!7 I y fingers" 6I nee& her"7

not be enough" So eti es it is easier to $ull a knife out of a sorry!7 I re$eate&" I!7 he sai& shortly"
1D81

to forget %or&s you ha'e uttere&" E'en %or&s uttere& in anger"7

#fter a ti e I aske& hu bly! 6;hy &i& you %ish to see He sighe&" 6Forge& ones" South%est of Buckkee$"7

e tonight07

I felt ill" 6I ha& thought I %oul& not ha'e to &o that any ore!7 I sai& )uietly" 6;hen Aerity $ut e on a shi$ to Skill for hi ! he sai& that $erha$s/7 Aerity" It %as re$orte& to Shre%&! an& he %ishes it 6This &oes not co e fro

taken care of" Aerity is alrea&y """ o'ertaxe&" ;e &o not %ish to trouble hi %ith anything else 4ust no%"7 I $ut y hea& back into y han&s" 6Is there no one else %ho can &o this07 I begge& hi " 6Only you an& I are traine& for this"7 6I &i& not ean you!7 I sai& %earily" 6I &o not ex$ect you to &o that sort of %ork any ore"7 6Don.t you07 I looke& u$ to fin& the anger back in his eyes" 6 You arrogant $u$: ;ho &o you think ke$t the the nee& for such %ork cease&07 I %as as sha e& then as I ha'e e'er been" I looke& asi&e fro 9ha&e" I a any ore07 6Both" E'erything"7 I conce&e& it all su&&enly" 6*lease! 9ha&e! if one $erson I care about beco es angry %ith it"7 I lifte& eyes" He lifte& a han& to scratch at his bear&" 6It has been a long su us" *ray El for stor s to &ri'e the Re&/Shi$s a%ay fore'er"7 ;e sat a ti e in silence"
1D82

fro

Buckkee$ all su

er! Fit1! %hile you

%ere out on the Rurisk0 Di& you think that because you %ishe& to a'oi& a task! his anger" 6Oh!

sorry"7 e inca$able of &oing it ore y

6Sorry that you a'oi&e& it0 Or sorry that you thought

e! I &on.t think I shall be able to bear eet

y hea& an& looke& at hi

stea&ily until he %as force& to

er for both of

6So eti es!7 9ha&e obser'e&! 6it %oul& be than to gi'e one.s life to hi "7 I bo%e&

uch easier to &ie for one.s king

y hea& in assent" The rest of the night %e s$ent $re$aring the y king again"

$oisons I %oul& nee& in or&er to begin killing for

9H#*TER EIJHTEE5 El&erlings THE #>T>-5 HF the thir& year of the Re&/Shi$ ;ar %as a bitter one for (ing/in/;aiting Aerity" His %arshi$s ha& been his &rea " He ha& foun&e& all his ho$es on the " He ha& belie'e& he coul& ri& his o%n coast of Rai&ers! an& be so successful at it that he coul& sen& forth rai&ers against the hostile Outislan& coasts e'en &uring the %orst of the %inter stor s" Des$ite early 'ictories! the shi$s ne'er achie'e& the co they %oul&" Early %inter foun& hi an& of the coast that he ha& ho$e& %ith a fleet of fi'e shi$s! t%o of %hich ha&

recently sustaine& se'ere &a age" One intact %as the ca$ture& Re&/Shi$ 'essel! %hich ha& been refitte& an& sent out %ith a cre% to assist in $atrols an& escorting of erchant 'essels" ;hen the %in&s of autu n finally arri'e&! only asters ex$resse& enough confi&ence in his cre%.s skills an& one of his shi$s. other

his 'essel to be %illing to un&ertake a rai& against the Outislan&er coasts" The asters argue& for at least one %inter of $racticing sea anshi$ along our er of $racticing tactics! before un&ertaking en! but neither &i& he hi&e his o%n rough coast! an& another su such an a bitious goal" Aerity %oul& not sen& un%illing &isa$$oint ent" He ex$resse& it %ell %hen he outfitte& the one %illing shi$! for the Re'enge! as the 'essel ha& been rena e&! %as $ro'isione& han&so ely"
1D88

The

aster.s han& $icke& cre% %ere outfitte& as %ell! in %hate'er ar or they

chose for the sel'es! an& %ere gi'en ne% %ea$ons of the best crafts anshi$ a'ailable" There %as )uite a cere ony at her sen&/off! %ith e'en (ing Shre%& in atten&ance &es$ite his failing health" The Iueen herself hung the gull.s feathers fro the shi$.s ast that are sai& to bring a 'essel s%iftly an& safely any ti es o'er that e'ening" back to her ho e $ort" # great cheer arose as the Re'enge set out! an& the health of the ca$tain an& cre% %ere &runk # onth later! to 'erity.s chagrin! %e %oul& recei'e %or& that a 'essel atching the Re'enge.s &escri$tion %as $irating in the cal er %aters to the south of the Six Duchies an& bringing uch isery to the erchants of Bingto%n an& the 9halce& States" That %as as Outislan&ers a ong the cre%! but there %ere as uch ne%s" of the ca$tain an& any goo& Six Duchies han&s

cre% an& shi$ as e'er ca e back to Buckkee$" So e bla e& it on the aboar& as Outislan&ers! an& the ca$tain ha& been raise& right in Buckkee$ To%n" This %as a crushing blo% to Aerity.s $ri&e an& to his lea&ershi$ of his $eo$le" So e belie'e it %as then that he &eci&e& to sacrifice hi self in the ho$es of fin&ing a final solution" I think the Fool $ut her u$ to it" 9ertainly he ha& s$ent a great any hours in

the to%er/to$ gar&en %ith (ettricken! an& his a& iration for %hat she ha& acco $lishe& there %as unfeigne&" -uch goo&%ill can be %on %ith a sincere co $li ent" By the en& of the su er! not only %as she laughing at his 4ests %hen he ca e u$ to entertain her an& her la&ies! but he ha& $ersua&e& her to be a fre)uent caller in the (ing.s cha bers" #s )ueen/in/%aiting! she %as i une to ;allace.s hu ors" (ettricken herself un&ertook to ix (ing Shre%& strengthening tonics! an& for a ti e the (ing &i& see to rally un&er

1D8<

her care an& attention" I think the Fool &eci&e& that he %oul& acco $lish through her %hat he ha& been unable to nag Aerity an& e into &oing" e" I %as u$ ore It %as a %intry fall e'ening %hen she first broache& the sub4ect to ten&er of the $lants there! that they

on the to%er to$ %ith her! hel$ing her to tie bun&les of stra% about the This %as so ething *atience ha& &ecree&

ight better %ithstan& the %inter sno%s" ust be &one! an& she an& =acey e" She e atters of gro%ing

%ere $erfor ing the sa e task on a be& of %in&bo%er $lants behin& ha& beco e a fre)uent a&'iser to Iueen (ettricken in things! albeit a 'ery ti i& one" =ittle Rose ary %as at

y elbo%! han&ing

t%ine as %e nee&e& it" T%o or three of (ettricken.s other la&ies! %ell bun&le&! ha& staye&! but they %ere at the other en& of the gar&en! talking )uietly together" The others she ha& &is isse& back to their hearths %hen she ha& note& the shi'ering an& blo%ing on their fingers" -y bare han&s %ere near y ears! but (ettricken see e& $erfectly co fortable" #s %as y skull" He ha& insiste& that I start ore I %as going out after y in& e! as she nu b! as %ere carrying hi

Aerity! tucke& a%ay so e%here insi&e

again after he ha& &isco'ere& that once

Forge& ones alone" I scarcely notice& his $resence in the back of any ore" Yet I belie'e that I felt hi El&erlings" 6=ittle enough! $ro ise to y la&y )ueen!7 I re$lie& honestly! an& once ore startle %hen (ettricken aske&

knotte& a string about a bun&le& $lant I %as su$$orting! %hat I kne% of the a&e a

yself to go through the long/neglecte&

anuscri$ts an& scrolls"

6;hy not07 she &e an&e&" 6;ell! little %as actually %ritten about the " I belie'e at one ti e a kno%le&ge of the %as so co on as not to nee& %riting &o%n" #n& the bits that are are scattere& here an& there! not gathere& in one $lace" It %ritten about the

%oul& take a scholar to track &o%n all the re nants """"7

1D8?

6# scholar like the Fool07 she aske& tartly" 6He see s to kno% than anyone else I ha'e aske&"7 6;ell" He is fon& of rea&ing! you kno%! an&/7

ore of the

6Enough of the Fool" I %ish to s$eak to you of the El&erlings!7 she sai& abru$tly" I startle& at her tone! but foun& her staring! gray/eye&! out o'er the sea once ore" She ha& not inten&e& either a rebuke or a ru&eness" She %as si $ly intent u$on her ob4ecti'e" I reflecte& that in ore certain of herself" -ore )ueenly" 6I kno% a little bit!7 I offere& hesitantly" 6#s &o I" =et us see if %hat each of us kno%s agrees" I shall begin"7 6#s you %ish! rai&ers fro su y )ueen"7 %as bitterly besiege& by She cleare& her throat" 6=ong ago! (ing ;is&o y onths a%ay she ha& beco e

the sea" ;hen all else ha& faile& hi ! an& he feare& that the next

er of kin& %eather %oul& bring the en& of the Six Duchies an& House

Farseer! he resol'e& to s$en& the %inter searching for a legen&ary folk" The El&erlings" Do %e agree so far07 6-ostly" #s I ha'e hear& it! the legen&s calle& the religious fanatic! al ost a not a folk! but near go&s" so ething of a e" 6I #n& the folk of the Six Duchies ha& al%ays belie'e& ;is&o 6-en of $assion an& 'ision are often seen as

a& an %here such things %ere concerne&"7 a&!7 she cal ly infor e& ore infor ation than that ountains of the

shall continue" He left his castle one fall! %ith no

the El&erlings resi&e& in the Rain ;il&s beyon& the tallest

-ountain (ing&o " So eho%! he foun& the ! an& he %on their alliance" He returne& to Buckkee$! an& together they &ro'e the rai&ers an& in'a&ers a%ay fro the coasts of the Six Duchies" *eace an& tra&e %ere reestablishe&" #n&

1D8B

the El&erlings s%ore to hi return" Do %e still agree07 6#s before!

that if they %ere e'er nee&e& again! they %oul& any instrels say that the en&ing is a

ostly" I ha'e hear&

stan&ar& one in tales of heroes an& )uests" #l%ays! they $ro ise that if e'er they are nee&e& again! they %ill return" So e e'en $le&ge to return fro beyon& the gra'e if they ust"7 6#ctually!7 *atience su&&enly obser'e&! rocking back on her heels! 6;is&o hi self ne'er returne& to Buckkee$" The El&erlings ca e to his &aughter! *rincess -in&ful! an& it %as to her they offere& allegiance"7 6;hence &o you ha'e that kno%le&ge07 (ettricken &e an&e&" *atience shrugge&" 6#n ol& $lant" (ettricken consi&ere& a 6It &oesn.t o ent" The %in& tease& loose a long lock of her hair e through the $ale %eb" ight &o so again! if a an& ble% it across her face like a net" She looke& at sought the ! an& they ga'e ai&! &o you not think they (ing again beseeche& the 0 Or a Iueen07 6*erha$s!7 I sai& gru&gingly" *ri'ately I %on&ere& if the Iueen longe& for her ho elan& an& %oul& ake any excuse for a 'isit there" Folk %ere beginning to any la&ies atten&e& her no%! she talk about her lack of $regnancy" ;hile instrel y father use& to ha'e al%ays sang it that %ay"7 >nconcerne&! she %ent back to knotting t%ine about a stra%/bun&le&

atter %hat the tales say about their returning" If a (ing once

really ha& no fa'orites that %ere genuinely her frien&s" =onely! I sus$ecte&" 6I think """7 I began gently! $ausing to consi&er ho% to fra e a &iscouraging re$ly" Tell her she shoul& co e to e an& s$eak of it" I %ish to kno% ore of %hat e" she has gleane&" Aerity.s thought )ui'ere& %ith excite ent" It unsettle&

1D8C

6I think you shoul& take your i&ea to the (ing/in/;aiting an& &iscuss it %ith hi !7 I &utifully suggeste& to her" She %as silent a long ti e" ;hen she s$oke! her 'oice %as $itche& 'ery lo%! for y ears alone" 6I think not" He %ill consi&er it another one of o'e things about on his table as he %aits for e on y foolishnesses" He %ill listen for a bit! an& then begin to look at the %all! or s ile an& no& an& sen& again" She turne& fro %hen he Skille&" She.s crying0 I coul& not conceal fro Bring her to 6-y )ueen07 6# o ent"7 (ettricken looke& asi&e fro e" ;ith her face a%ay fro e! she $reten&e& to be scratching her nose" I kne% she brushe& at tears" 6(ettricken07 I 'enture& the fa iliarity as I ha& not for hi no% %ith this i&ea" #t once" I %ill go %ith you"7 e" 6You &o not think it is ust She s$oke hesitantly! not turning to look at foolish07 I %oul& not lie! I re in&e& yself" 6I think that as things stan&! %e consi&er any $ossible sources of ai&"7 #s I s$oke the %or&s I foun& I belie'e& the " Ha& not both 9ha&e an& the Fool hinte&! no! $lea&e& for this 'ery i&ea0 *erha$s Aerity an& I %ere the ones %ho %ere shortsighte&" She took a shu&&ering breath" 6;e shall &o it! then" But """ you e outsi&e but a short ti e"7 She turne& to *atience! s$oke
1D8D

a$s on the

e to finish so he can

y %ay" #gain"7 Her 'oice hoarsene& on the her face! then brushe& at her eyes

last %or&" She brushe& the hair back fro

e to look out o'er the sea again! as &istant as Aerity

Aerity

y annoyance that this sur$rise& hi "

e" 5o%! at once:

onths" 6=et us go to

ust %ait for

y cha ber" I %ish to fetch se'eral scrolls to sho% hi " I %ill be ore lou&ly" 6=a&y *atience!

ight I ask you to finish these $lants for %ish to atten& to"7 6Of course!

e as %ell0 I ha'e so ething else I

y )ueen" I shoul& be $lease& to"7 ore than ai& Rose ary %as behin& her!

;e left the gar&en! an& I follo%e& her to her cha bers" I %aite& for a short ti e" ;hen she e erge&! her little

insisting on carrying the scrolls for her" (ettricken ha& %ashe& the soil fro her han&s" #n& change& her go%n! an& a&&e& scent an& &resse& her hair an& %as %earing the 4e%elry Aerity ha& sent to her %hen she %as $le&ge& to hi " She s ile& at I 'enture&" 6You flatter e as %il&ly as Regal &oes!7 she $roclai e&! an& hastene& a%ay e0 an so astute at rea&ing en be &o%n the hall! but a blush %ar e& her cheeks" She &resses so 4ust to co e to s$eak to so ignorant of %o en0 *erha$s he has ha& little ti e e'er to learn I cla $e& y in& shut on uch of their %ays" y )ueen" ;e lea'ing" He %as carrying an y thoughts an& hastene& after She &resses so to """ attract you" Ho% coul& a e cautiously as I looke& at her" 6-y la&y )ueen! I a &a11le&!7

arri'e& at Aerity.s stu&y 4ust in ti e to see 9hari soft shirt of $ale blue linen! an& the li'ely in the air" It re in&e& a fe%

ar ful of laun&ry" It see e& o&& until %e %ere a& itte&" Aerity %as %earing a ingle& scents of la'en&er an& ce&ar %ere ore than e of a clothes chest" His hair an& bear& %ere

freshly s oothe&+ %ell I kne% that his hair ne'er staye& that %ay for as I ha& not for onths" The su er of Skilling ha& %aste& hi

inutes" #s (ettricken a&'ance& shyly to curtsy to her lor&! I sa% Aerity again" The uch gray

fine shirt belle& about his shoul&ers! an& the s oothe& hair %as as as black no%" There %ere lines! too! about his eyes an& notice& before"
1D8E

outh that I ha& ne'er

Do I look so $oorly! then0 5ot to her! I re in&e& hi " #s Aerity took her han& an& &re% her to sit &o%n besi&e hi the fire! she looke& at hi on a bench near %ith a hunger as &ee$ as his Skill &ri'e" Her fingers e

clung to his han&! an& I looke& asi&e as he lifte& her han& to kiss it" *erha$s Aerity %as right about a Skill sensiti'ity" ;hat (ettricken felt battere& at as roughly as the fury of co still a an&e& y cre% ates &uring battle" Aerity" Then3 Shiel& yourself! he y skull" I stoo& I felt a flutter of astonish ent fro

e brus)uely! an& I %as su&&enly alone insi&e

o ent! &i11ie& by the abru$tness of his &e$arture" He really ha& no yself thinking! an& felt gla& the thought re aine& $ri'ate" o ent or t%o of your ti e for """ an i&ea I e" 6Fit19hi'alry! %ill you 4oin

i&ea! I foun&

6-y lor&! I ha'e co e to ask a

ha'e"7 (ettricken.s eyes searche& his face as she s$oke )uietly" 69ertainly!7 Aerity agree&" He glance& u$ at us07 6If you %ill! y lor&"7 I took a seat on a stool on the o$$osite si&e of the y elbo% %ith her ar loa& of scrolls" y roo by the Fool! I sus$ecte&" But as (ettricken hearth" Rose ary ca e an& stoo& at *robably filche& fro

began to talk to Aerity she took u$ the scrolls one by one! in each case to illustrate her argu ent" ;ithout exce$tion! they %ere scrolls that &ealt! not %ith the El&erlings! but %ith the -ountain (ing&o " 6(ing ;is&o ! you the -ountain (ing&o ! for anything other than the ay recall! %as the first of Six Duchies nobility to co e to our lan& """ to the lan& of aking of %ar u$on us" So ones a&e he is %ell re e bere& in our histories" These scrolls! co$ie& fro

in his ti e! &eal %ith his &oings an& tra'els in the -ountain (ing&o " #n& thus! in&irectly! %ith the El&erlings"7 She unrolle& the last scroll" Aerity an& I both leane& for%ar& in a a1e ent" #
1D<H

a$" Fa&e& %ith ti e! $oorly co$ie&

$robably! but a

a$" Of the -ountain (ing&o ! %ith $asses an& trails arke& here!

arke&

on it" #n& a fe% straggling lines lea&ing into the lan&s beyon&" 6One of these $aths! ust lea& to the El&erlings" For I kno% the trails of the -ountains! an& these are not tra&e routes! nor &o they go to any 'illage I kno%" 5or &o they lie in con4unction %ith the trails as I kno% the no% to be" These are ol&er roa&s an& $aths" #n& %hy else %oul& they be arke& here! sa'e that they go %here (ing ;is&o to light the a$ better" He s oothe& the 'ellu %ent07 lo'ingly %ith his han&s an& 69an it be that si $le07 Aerity rose )uickly! to return %ith a branch of can&les leane& close o'er it" 6There are se'eral $aths arke& that go off into the Rain ;il&s" If that is %hat to ha'e anything arke& at the en&" Ho% all this green re$resents" 5one see

%oul& %e kno% %hich one07 I ob4ecte&" 6*erha$s they all go to the El&erlings!7 (ettricken 'enture&" 6;hy shoul& they resi&e in but one $lace07 65o:7 Aerity straightene& u$" 6T%o at least ha'e so ething inten& to fin& out %hat"7 E'en (ettricken looke& astonishe& at the enthusias shocke&" I ha& ex$ecte& hi %holehearte&ly" He rose su&&enly! $ace& a )uick turn aroun& the roo " The Skill energy ra&iate& off hi like heat fro a hearth" 6The full stor s of %inter are u$on the %hile the $asses can still be use&" I can force coast no%" Or %ill be! any &ay no%" If I lea'e )uickly! in the next fe% &ays! I can be to the -ountain (ing&o hel$ %e nee&"7
1D<1

arke& at the en&"

Or ha& so ething" The &a ne& ink has fa&e&" But there %as so ething there" I in his 'oice" I %as

to heather out $olitely! not to en&orse her $lan

y %ay through to """ %hate'er is there" #n& return by s$ring" *erha$s %ith the

I %as s$eechless" (ettricken

a&e it %orse" ight not

6-y lor&! I ha& not inten&e& that you shoul& go" You shoul& re ain here" I ust go" I kno% the -ountains+ I %as born to their %ays" You sur'i'e there" In this! I shoul& be Sacrifice"7 It %as a relief to see Aerity as &u bfoun&e& as I %as" *erha$s! ha'ing hear& it fro her li$s! he %oul& no% reali1e ho% i $ossible it %as" He shook his hea& ust &o this" I" In so any other %ays I ha'e faile& slo%ly" He took both her han&s in his an& looke& sole nly at her" 6-y )ueen/ in/%aiting"7 He sighe&" 6I the Six Duchies" #n& you" ;hen first you ca e here to be )ueen! I ha& no $atience %ith your talk of Sacrifice" I thought it a girl.s i&ealistic notion" But it is not" ;e &o not s$eak it here! but it is %hat is felt" It is %hat I learne& fro y $arents" To $ut the Six Duchies al%ays ahea& of that" But no% I see that al%ays I ha'e sent others in it is true! an& you ha'e an inkling %hat it has cost yself" I ha'e trie& to &o y $lace" I sat an& Skille&! e" But it has been sailors e" #n& &es$ite e07

an& sol&iers %ho I ha'e sent out to $ut &o%n their li'es for the Six Duchies" -y o%n ne$he%! e'en! &oing the cru&e an& bloo&y %ork for this last chance! to this har& thing" Shall I sen& &o%n at the fire as she suggeste&! 6*erha$s %e those I ha'e sent to be sacrifice&! our coast is still not safe" 5o% it co es to y )ueen to &o it for ight go together07 6*erha$s """7 (ettricken.s 'oice ha& gone husky %ith uncertainty" She looke& Aerity consi&ere&" He actually earnestly consi&ere& it! an& I sa% (ettricken reali1e he ha& taken her re)uest seriously" She began to s ile! but it fa&e& as he slo%ly shook his hea&" 6I &are not!7 he sai& )uietly" 6So eone here" So eone I trust" (ing Shre%& is """ For his health" ;ith stan& in y stea&"7 yself a%ay! an& y father ill! there ust re ain y father is not %ell" I fear for hi " ust be so eone to

She looke& asi&e" 6I %oul& rather go %ith you!7 she sai& fiercely"
1D<2

I a'erte& face so he

y eyes as he reache& an& took her chin in his fingers an& lifte& her ight see her eyes" 6I kno%!7 he sai& e'enly" 6That is the sacrifice I ake" To stay here! %hen you %oul& rather go" To be alone!

ust ask you to

yet again" For the sake of the Six Duchies"7 So ething %ent out of her" Her shoul&ers sagge& as she bo%e& her hea& to his %ill" #s Aerity gathere& her to hi an& %e left the I %as in $age ca e to rolle& o'er ex$ecte& alone" y &oor that afternoon" 6You are su one& to the (ing.s e" Dis ay I rose silently" I took Rose ary %ith e

y roo ! $oring belate&ly o'er the scrolls an& tablets there! %hen the essage he ga'e oning

cha bers! in the hour after &inner!7 %as the only e" It ha& been t%o %eeks since not %ish to confront the (ing again" If he %ere su I feare& I %oul& lose control of

y last 'isit to his cha ber" I &i& e to say that he

e to begin courting 9elerity! I &i& not kno% %hat I %oul& &o or say" yself" Resolutely I unrolle& one of the

El&erling scrolls an& trie& to stu&y it" It %as ho$eless" I sa% only -olly" In the brief nights %e ha& share& since our &ay on the beach! -olly ha& refuse& to &iscuss 9elerity %ith ha& also sto$$e& teasing e any further" In so e %ays it %as a relief" But she e about all she %oul& &e an& fro e %hen I %as

truly her husban& an& all the future chil&ren %e %oul& ha'e" She ha& )uietly gi'en u$ ho$e that %e %oul& e'er be %e&" If I sto$$e& to think of it! it grie'e& e to the e&ge of not of a&ness" She &i& not rebuke e %ith it! as she kne% it %as y choosing" She &i& not e'en ask %hat %as to beco e of us" =ike

5ighteyes! she see e& to li'e only in the $resent no%" Each night of closeness %e share&! she acce$te& as a thing co $lete! an& &i& not )uestion if there %oul& be another" ;hat I sense& fro her %as not &es$air! but contain ent3 a fierce resol'e that %e %oul& not lose %hat %e ha& no% to %hat %e coul& not ha'e to orro%" I &i& not &eser'e the &e'otion of such a faithful heart"
1D<8

;hen I &o1e& besi&e her in her be&! safe an& %ar ha& no ;it" Her

a i& the $erfu e of her

bo&y an& her herbs! it %as her strength that $rotecte& us" She &i& not Skill! she agic %as a stronger kin&! an& she %orke& it by her %ill e late at night! she create& alone" ;hen she close& an& bolte& her &oor behin& $lace& her life an& ha$$iness in $ay for her &e'otion to enough to turn a%ay fro of $oisone& brea&! I kne%

%ithin her cha ber a %orl& an& a ti e that belonge& to us" If she ha& blin&ly y han&s! it %oul& ha'e been intolerable" But e" #n& I %as not y an ost this %as e'en %orse" She belie'e& there %oul& e'entually be a terrible $rice to e" Still she refuse& to forsake her an& bi& her seek a ha$$ier life" In

lonely hours! %hen I ro&e the trails aroun& Buckkee$ %ith once tol& Aerity I coul& not &ra% off another scroll fell fro y lax fingers" -y roo

y sa&&lebags full y o%n!

yself for a co%ar&! an& %orse than a thief" I ha& an.s strength to fee&

that I %oul& not" Yet e'ery &ay! that %as %hat I &i& to -olly" The El&erling %as su&&enly suffocating" I $ushe& asi&e the tablets an& scrolls I ha& been atte $ting to stu&y" In the hour before &inner! I sought out *atience.s cha ber" It ha& been so e ti e since I ha& last calle& u$on her" But her sitting cha ber ne'er see e& to change! sa'e in the u$$er ost layer of litter that reflecte& her current $assion" This &ay %as no exce$tion" Fall gathere& herbs! bun&le& for &rying! %ere sus$en&e& e'ery%here! filling the roo %as strolling through an in'erte& foliage" 6You.'e hung these a bit lo%!7 I co $laine& as *atience entere&" 65o" You.'e at you no%"7 I obeye&! e'en though it left e %ith a bun&le of cat int resting on
1D<<

%ith their scents" I felt I

ea&o% as I &ucke& to a'oi& the &angling

anage& to gro% a bit too tall" Stan& u$ straight an& let

e look

y hea&"

6;ell" #t least ro%ing about killing $eo$le all su

er has left you in goo& e last %inter" I ay

health" -uch better than the sickly boy %ho ca e ho e to as %ell hel$ ;ithout e hang u$ these lot"7

tol& you those tonics %oul& %ork" #s long as you.'e gotten that tall! you ore a&o! I %as $ut to %ork stringing lines fro

sconces to be&$osts

to anything else that a string coul& be tie& to! an& then to fastening bun&les of herbs to the " She ha& you iss -olly07 e any goo&07 I aske& her )uietly after a o ent as if thinking" She han&e& e as I fastene& the o ent" I &i& y best e tree&! u$ on a chair an& tying bun&les of balsa ! e about ho% uch %hen she &e an&e&! 6;hy &o you no longer %hine to 6;oul& it &o

to soun& resigne&" 65o"7 She $ause& a e yet another bou)uet u$! 6are sti$$le/leaf" of lea'es" 6Those!7 she infor e&

Aery bitter" So e say they %ill $re'ent a %o an concei'ing" They &on.t" #t least! not &e$en&ably" But if a %o an eats the ill fro &oes not concei'e as easily" But I %oul& not reco of all anyone I care& about"7 I foun& y tongue! sought a casual air" 6;hy &o you &ry the ! then07 in the %o en.s gar&en"7 like a bo&y fro a 6#n infusion of the ! gargle&! %ill hel$ a sore throat" So -olly 9han&ler tol& e! %hen I foun& her gathering the 6I see"7 I fastene& the lea'es to the line! &angling the for too long! she can beco e en& the to anyone! least the "7 She $ause& as if consi&ering" 6*erha$s! if a %o an is sick! she

noose" E'en their o&or %as bitter" Ha& I %on&ere&! earlier! ho% Aerity coul& be so una%are of %hat %as right before hi 0 ;hy ha& I ne'er thought of this0 Ho% ust it be for her! to &rea& %hat a rightfully arrie& %o an %oul& long for0 ;hat *atience ha& longe& for in 'ain0 6"""sea%ee&! Fit19hi'alry07
1D<?

I starte&" 6Beg $ar&on07 6I sai&! %hen you ha'e an afternoon free! %oul& you gather sea%ee& for The black! crinkly sort0 It has the %orry0 Ho% uch bitterness ost fla'or this ti e of year"7 any years %oul& -olly ha'e to 6I %ill try!7 I re$lie& absently" For ho% e0

ust she s%allo%0

6;hat are you looking at07 *atience &e an&e&" 65othing" ;hy07 6Because I.'e aske& you t%ice to get &o%n so %e can all these other $ackets to hang! you kno%"7 6Beg $ar&on" I &i&n.t get uch slee$ last night+ it.s left e &ull/%itte& to&ay"7 ints"7 6I agree" You shoul& start slee$ing bit hea'ily" 65o% co e &o%n an& I &i&n.t eat ore at night"7 These %or&s %ere uttere& a o'e the chair so %e can hang these o'e the chair" ;e.'e

uch at &inner" Regal %as alone on the high &ais! looking sullen"

His usual circle of fa%ners clustere& at a table 4ust belo% hi " I &i& not un&erstan& %hy he chose to &ine se$arately" 9ertainly! he ha& the rank to! but %hy choose this isolation0 He su Farro%" #ll of the a&'enture of Regal.s one& one of the ore flattering of the %ere fro instrels he ha& recently i $orte& to Buckkee$" -ost of the

affecte& the nasal intonations of that region an& fa'ore& aternal gran&father" I listene& as little as I %as able+ it

the long! chanting styles of e$ics" This one sang a long telling of so e see e& to ha'e to &o %ith ri&ing a horse to &eath in or&er to be the one to shoot a great stag that ha& elu&e& a generation of hunters" It $raise& en&lessly the greathearte& horse %ho ha& gone to his &eath at his nothing of the eat an& a rack of antlers" 6You look half/sick!7 Burrich obser'e& as he $ause& besi&e table an& %alke& through the hall %ith hi "
1D<B

aster.s bi&&ing" It sai&

aster.s stu$i&ity in %asting such an ani al to gain so e tough e" I rose to lea'e

6Too

uch on

in&" Too

any &irections to think in all at once" I y in& on 4ust one $roble ! I coul&

so eti es feel that if I ha& ti e to focus 6E'ery

sol'e it" #n& then go on to sol'e the others"7 an belie'es that" It isn.t so" Slay the ones you can as they co e to han&! an& after a %hile you get use& to the ones you can &o nothing about"7 6Such as07 He shrugge& an& gesture& &o%n%ar&" 6Such as ha'ing a ga e leg" Or being a bastar&" ;e all get use& to things %e once s%ore %e coul& ne'er li'e %ith" But %hat.s eating your li'er this ti e07 65othing I can tell you about 4ust yet" 5ot here! any%ay"7 6Oh" -ore of those! huh"7 He shook his hea&" 6I &on.t en'y you! Fit1" So eti es all a an nee&s is to gro%l about his $roble s to another an" They.'e &enie& you e'en that" But take heart" I ha'e faith you can han&le the e'en if you think you can.t"7 He cla$$e& e on the shoul&ers! an& then left in a blast of col& air fro the outer &oors" Aerity %as right" The %inter stor s %ere rising! if tonight.s %in& %as any in&icator" I %as half%ay u$ the stairs before I reflecte& that Burrich no% s$oke to an& %ent u$ to I $ut e straight across" He finally belie'e& I %as a y roo " anage& to an gro%n" ;ell! y shoul&ers aybe I %oul& &o better if I belie'e& that about yself" I s)uare&

ore effort into &ressing than I ha& in a long ti e" #s I &i& I thought of

Aerity hastily changing his shirt for (ettricken" Ho% ha& he e'er sake that I ha& ne'er reali1e&0 -y

be so blin& to her0 #n& I to -olly0 ;hat other things &i& -olly &o for our isery returne&! stronger than e'er" e" I coul& not let her continue y in&" I $ulle& Tonight" Tonight after Shre%& %as &one %ith

her sacrifices" For no%! I coul& &o nothing sa'e $ut it out of

y hair back into the %arrior.s tail that I felt fully earne& no%! an& tugge& the
1D<C

front of

y blue 4erkin straight" It %as a bit snug across the shoul&ers! but so y roo " as they $resente& the sel'es

%as e'erything I o%ne& lately" I left

In the hall%ay outsi&e (ing Shre%&.s a$art ents! I encountere& Aerity %ith (ettricken on his ar " 5e'er ha& I seen the no%" Here! su&&enly! %as the (ing/in/;aiting an& his )ueen" Aerity %as &resse& in a long for al robe of &ee$ forest green" #n e broi&ere& ban& of styli1e& bucks grace& the slee'es an& he " He %ore on his bro% the sil'er circlet %ith the blue ge seen hi that %as the ark of the (ing/in/;aiting" I ha& not %ear it in so e ti e3 (ettricken %as &resse& in the $ur$le an& %hite

that she so often chose" Her go%n of $ur$le %as 'ery si $le! the slee'es cut short an& %i&e to re'eal narro%er an& longer slee'es of %hite beneath the " She %ore the 4e%elry! that Aerity ha& gifte& her %ith! an& her long blon& hair ha& been intricately &resse& %ith a net of sil'er chain 4uncture& %ith a ethysts" I halte& at the sight of the " Their faces %ere gra'e" They coul& be going no%here exce$t to see (ing Shre%&" I $resente& ha& su 65o!7 he tol& Relief floo&e& $rince07 I He looke& at nee&"7 6Oh"7 I shoul& ha'e notice& the )uiet $age! all in black! bearing an ar ful of scrolls an& tablets" The boy.s face %as %hite an& stiff" I %oul& %ager he ha& ne'er before &one anything ore for al for Aerity than %ax his boots"
1D<D

yself for ally! an& carefully let Aerity kno% that (ing Shre%& e" e gently" 6I su one& you to $resent yourself to (ing Shre%&" y e" I %ishe& you %itness for this"7

one&

#long %ith (ettricken an& anage& to ask"

e" This %as not about 9elerity! then" 6;itness for %hat!

e as if I %ere &aft" 6I ask the (ing.s $er ission to lea'e on a

)uest" To seek out the El&erlings an& bring back the ai& %e so &es$erately

Rose ary! freshly %ashe& an& clothe& in (ettricken.s colors! re in&e& returne& y look gra'ely"

e of

a scrubbe& $ur$le/an&/%hite turni$" I s ile& at the chubby chil&! but she ;ithout $rea ble! Aerity ra$$e& once on (ing Shre%&.s &oor" 6# that this %as Aerity he %as kee$ing out" He ha& a hesitation before he s%ung the &oor %i&e" 6Sir!7 he )ua'ere&" 6I &i& not ex$ect you" That is! I %as not infor e& that the (ing %as to ha'e/7 6You are not nee&e& for this" You &is iss e'en a $age so col&ly" 6But """ the (ing ay ha'e nee& of e """"7 The an.s eyes shifte& %il&ly one&" In fact! you about" He feare& so ething" Aerity.s eyes narro%e&" 6If he &oes! I %ill see you are su ay %ait" @ust outsi&e the &oor" Be there if I call for you"7 #fter an instant.s $ause ;allace ste$$e& outsi&e the &oor an& stoo& besi&e it" ;e entere& the (ing.s cha bers" Aerity hi self set han& to the &oor an& shut it" 6I &o not like that an!7 he obser'e&! ore than lou&ly enough to be hear& through the &oor" 6He is officiously subser'ient! an& greasily obse)uious" # 'ery $oor co bination"7 The (ing %as not in his sitting roo " #s Aerity crosse& it the Fool su&&enly a$$eare& in Shre%&.s be&roo lift of 4oy! an& then is as I ha'e foretol&! the off the Fool.s &oor%ay" He goggle& at us! grinne& in a su&&en a&e a floor/s%ee$ing bo% to all of us" 6Sire: #%aken: It instrels ha'e arri'e&: 6 of his robe" (ettricken lifte& a ay go! no%"7 >sually Aerity &i& not o ent:7

calle& a 'oice" ;allace.s" He o$ene& the &oor a crack! glare& out! then reali1e& o ent of too ob'ious

6Fool!7 Aerity gro%le&! but it %as goo&/nature&" He brushe& $ast hi ! fen&ing ocking atte $ts to kiss the he han& to s other a s ile an& follo%e& Aerity" The Fool all but succee&e& in
1D<E

tri$$ing

e %ith a su&&enly stretche&/forth foot" I a'oi&e& it! but e! then ca$ere& o'er to Shre%&.s be&si&e" He lifte& the ol&

a&e a an.s

clu sy entrance! nearly colli&ing %ith (ettricken" The Fool grinne& an& si $ere& at callers"7 In the be&! Shre%& stirre& an& took a su&&en &ee$ breath" 6;hat.s this0 ;ho.s here0 Aerity0 *ull back the curtains! Fool! I can scarcely see %ho.s here" Iueen (ettricken0 ;hat.s all this0 The Fit1: ;hat is this about07 His 'oice %as not strong! an& there %as a )uerulous note to it! but for all that! he %as better than I ha& ex$ecte&" #s the Fool &re% back the be& curtains an& $ro$$e& $illo%s behin& hi ! I foun& yself facing a an %ho looke& ol&er than 9ha&e" ore arke& as Shre%& The rese blance bet%een the t%o see e& to beco e han&! $atte& it %ith true gentleness" 6Your -a4esty0 Your -a4esty0 You ha'e

age&" The flesh of the (ing.s face ha& fallen! to re'eal the sa e bro%line an& cheekbones as his bastar& brother" The eyes beneath those bro%s %ere alert! but %eary" He see e& better than the last ti e I ha& seen hi " He $ushe& hi self ore u$right to confront us" 6;ell! %hat is this about07 he &e an&e&! his eyes scanning our circle" Aerity bo%e& &ee$ly! for ally! an& (ettricken echoe& it %ith her curtsy" I &i& as I kne% %as re)uire&3 %ent &o%n on one knee an& staye& there! hea& bo%e&" I still anage& to $eek u$ %hen Aerity s$oke" 6(ing Shre%&" -y father" I co e to ask your $er ission for an un&ertaking"7 6;hich is07 the (ing aske& testily" Aerity lifte& his eyes to $icke& ban& of eet his father.s" 6I %ish to lea'e Buckkee$ %ith a took so a&e to en! to atte $t to follo% the sa e $ath (ing ;is&o to kee$ the $le&ge they

long ago" I %ish to 4ourney this %inter to the Rain ;il&s beyon& the -ountain (ing&o ! to fin& the El&erlings an& ask the our ancestor"7
1D?H

#n incre&ulous look $asse& briefly o'er Shre%&.s face" He $ushe& hi self u$right in be&! s%ung his thin legs o'er the si&e" 6Fool" Bring %ine" Fit1! get u$ an& hel$ hi " (ettricken! &ear! your ar if you %ill to hel$ e to that chair by the fire" Aerity! fetch the s all table by the %in&o%" *lease"7 ;ith this han&ful of re)uests! Shre%& $o$$e& the bubble of for ality" (ettricken hel$e& hi bon& %ith the ol& roo %ith a fa iliarity that sho%e& e she ha& a genuine the s all store an" The Fool $rance& off to the cu$boar& in the sitting e to select a bottle of %ine fro

for %ineglasses! lea'ing

that Shre%& ke$t in his roo s" The bottles %ere co'ere& in &ust! as if he ha& not taste& these %ines for a long ti e" I %on&ere& sus$iciously %hat %as the source for %hat ;allace ga'e hi " #t least the rest of the roo ! I note&! %as in goo& or&er" -uch better than it ha& been before ;interfest" The S oke censers that ha& so &istresse& e stoo& col& in the corner" #n& tonight the (ing see e& to ha'e his %its still" The Fool hel$e& the (ing into a thick %oolen robe an& knelt to sli$$er his feet" Shre%& settle& into his chair by the fire an& set his %ineglass on the table at his elbo%" Ol&er" -uch ol&er" But the (ing I ha& re$orte& to so often in once ore hel& council before s$eaking to hi tonight" This shar$/eye& ol& y king into" y ti e" Des$ite the (ing.s infor ality! Aerity an& an y youth y e" Su&&enly I %ishe& I coul& be the one ight actually hear out

reasons for %ishing to %e& -olly" I felt a ne% roiling of anger at ;allace for the habits he ha& le& But this %as not they %aite&" 6Tell it si $ly!7 Shre%& re)ueste& of Aerity! an& he &i&" (ettricken.s scrolls %ere unfurle& one at a ti e! an& Aerity rea& alou& the $ertinent $assages" The
1D?1

(ettricken %ere strung tight as bo%strings" The Fool an& I brought chairs that ight be seate& to either si&e of Shre%&" I stoo& behin& Aerity an&

ol&

a$ %as stu&ie& at length" Shre%& &i& nothing but ask )uestions at first! ents or 4u&g ents until he %as sure he ha& fro the e'ery e

aking no co an&

scra$ of infor ation" The Fool stoo& at his elbo%! alternately bea ing at aking terrible faces at Aerity.s $age in an atte $t to boy at least s ile" I think it curtains" ;hen Aerity ha& finishe& s$eaking! an& (ettricken ha& a&&e& her co

ake the $etrifie&

ore likely he frightene& the la&" Rose ary forgot

entirely %here she %as an& %an&ere& off to toy %ith the tassels on the be& ents!

the (ing leane& back in his chair" He &raine& the bit of %ine that %as still in his glass! then hel& it out to the Fool to refill" He took a si$! sighe&! then shook his hea&" 65o" There is too uch of $ecksies an& nursery tales to this for you e enough to e to confir ake e an of your choosing! he is to un&ertake it right no%! Aerity" You ha'e sho%n belie'e it %orth our %hile to sen& an e issary there" # %ith a fitting entourage! gifts! an& letters fro resources to s$are 4ust no%" Regal %as at -oney is beco ing scarce" #n& it you lea'e the city"7 6I &o not flee! I lea'e on a )uest" # )uest %ith their benefit as lea'e behin& y )ueen/in/%aiting! to re$resent in& a cara'an %ith e to the &i& not ha'e in y goal" #n& I gone" I %hile I a you an&

there at our behest" But yourself! the (ing/in/;aiting0 5o" ;e ha'e not the e earlier to&ay! going o'er the costs ake the folk feel safe to ha'e of the ne% shi$s being built! an& the fortifying of the to%ers on #ntler Islan&" ight not

instrels an& cooks an& e broi&ere&

tents! sir" ;e %oul& be tra'eling on sno%y roa&s! going into the heart of %inter itself" I %oul& take a ha'e"7 6#n& you think this %oul& i $ress the El&erlings0 If you fin& the 0 If they e'er existe& at all07
1D?2

ilitary contingent! an& tra'el as sol&iers &o" #s I al%ays

6=egen& has it that (ing ;is&o Skilling an&

%ent on his o%n" I belie'e the El&erlings y

existe&! an& that he foun& the " If I fail! I %ill return! to take u$ again %ith $o%erful ally"7 6#n& if you &ie in the seeking07 Shre%& aske& hea'ily" Aerity o$ene& his outh to re$ly" But before he coul& s$eak! the sitting roo

y %arshi$s" ;hat %ill %e ha'e lost0 If I succee&! I bring back a

&oor %as flung o$en an& Regal boile& into the roo " His face %as flushe&" 6;hat goes on here0 ;hy %as I not infor e& of this council07 He shot 'eno ous look" Behin& hi ! ;allace $eeke& in at the &oor" Aerity $er itte& hi self a s all s ile" 6If you %ere not infor e& by your s$ies! %hy are you here no%0 Rebuke the that you &i& not kno% sooner! not e"7 ;allace.s hea& 4erke& back out of sight" 6Father! I &e an& to kno% %hat goes on here:7 Regal 'ery nearly sto $e& his foot" Behin& Shre%&! the Fool face" (ing Shre%& a&&resse& Aerity instea&" 6Is there a reason that you %ishe& *rince Regal exclu&e& fro this &iscussion07 6I &i& not see that it concerne& hi "7 He $ause&" 6#n& I %ishe& to be sure the &ecision reache& %as exclusi'ely your o%n"7 Aerity! faithful to his na e" Regal hackle&! his nostrils $inching %hite! but Shre%& hel& u$ a han& to )uell hi " #gain he s$oke only to Aerity" 6Does not concern hi 0 But on %ho %oul& fall the antle of authority %hile you %ere gone07 y reign! of antle of authority still! y king"7 Aerity.s eyes %ent icy" 6-y )ueen/in/%aiting %oul& re$resent course" You %ear the 6But if you &i& not return """ 07 i icke& Regal.s facial ex$ression" #t this! Aerity.s $age finally s ile&! but then his eyes %i&ene& an& he straightene& his ea

1D?8

6I a

sure

y brother coul& a&a$t to that situation at a

o ent.s notice"7

Aerity &i& not bother to

ask the &islike in his 'oice" I kne% then ho% &ee$ the

$oison of Regal.s treacheries ha& %orke& into hi " ;hate'er bon& they ha& e'er share& as brothers %as eaten a%ay by it" Solely ri'als! no%" Shre%& hear& it! too! I &i& not &oubt" I %on&ere& if he %as sur$rise& at all by it" If he %as! he co'ere& it %ell" #s for Regal! his ears ha& $ricke& u$ at the ention of Aerity lea'ing" He no% o ent stoo& as a'ariciously alert as a &og begging at table" He s$oke 4ust a to e %here Aerity is going! $erha$s I coul& s$eak for

too soon to ha'e any ring of sincerity to his 'oice" 6If so eone %oul& ex$lain yself as to %hat I ight be rea&y to assu e"7 Aerity ke$t his tongue" 9lear/bro%e& an& silent! he looke& at his father" 6Your brother7/the $hrase soun&e& a bit hea'y to hi y ears/7%ishes the e to grant the hel$ lea'e for a )uest" He %ishes to go! an& soon! to the Rain ;il&s beyon& the

-ountain (ing&o " To seek out the El&erlings an& obtain fro once $ro ise& us"7

Regal.s eyes %ent o%ly" I &on.t kno% if he coul& not belie'e in the notion of El&erlings! or if he coul& not belie'e the )uantity of goo& fortune he ha& su&&enly been &ealt" He licke& his li$s" 6I! of course! ha'e forbi&&en it"7 Shre%& %atche& Regal as he sai& it" 6But %hy07 Regal &e an&e&" 6Surely all courses that the buil&ing of the %arshi$s an& the ha'e all but &raine& our reser'es07 Regal.s eyes flickere& as s%iftly as a snake.s tongue" 6But I ha'e ha& the rest of the har'est re$orts since then! Father" I ha& not kno%n they %oul& be so goo&" Fun&s coul& be foun&" *ro'i&e& he %as %illing to tra'el si $ly"7
1D?<

ust be consi&ere& """"7 e! 4ust a short ti e ago!

6The ex$ense is $rohibiti'e" Di& not you re$ort to

anning an& $ro'isioning of the

Aerity breathe& out through his nose" 6I thank you for your consi&eration! Regal" I ha& not reali1e& such &ecisions %ere your $ro'ince"7 6I but a&'ise the (ing! 4ust as you &o!7 Regal $ointe& out hastily" 6You &o not think sen&ing an e issary %oul& be the lea'ing Buckkee$ at such a ti e! an& on such an erran&07 6#n e issary07 Regal a$$eare& to consi&er it" 6I think not" 5ot for all %e ask" Do not the legen&s say that (ing ;is&o ust %ent hi self0 ;hat &o %e ore sensible thing to &o07 Shre%& $robe&" 6;hat %oul& the $eo$le think of their king/in/%aiting

kno% of these El&erlings0 Do %e &are take a chance of sen&ing an un&erling to offen& the 0 In this! no! I belie'e the son of the (ing at least is calle& for" #s for his lea'ing Buckkee$ """ %ell! you are the (ing! an& you are still here" #s %oul& his %ife be"7 6-y )ueen!7 Aerity gro%le&! but Regal continue& s$eaking" 6#n& I" Buckkee$ %oul& har&ly be aban&one&" #n& the erran& itself0 It ight ca$ture the $eo$le.s i agination" Or! if you choose! the reason for his going ight be ke$t )uiet" It coul& be seen as a si $le 'isit to our allies the -ountain folk" Es$ecially if his %ife %ent along"7 6-y )ueen re ains here"7 Aerity use& her title $ointe&ly" 6To re$resent reign" #n& to $rotect y interests"7 an in his chair by the fire" The 6Do not you trust our father to &o that07 Regal aske& blan&ly" Aerity hel& his tongue! an& looke& at the ol& )uestion in his look %as $lain to anyone %ith eyes" 9an I trust you0 it aske& hi " But Shre%&! true to his na e! re$lie& only %ith a )uestion of his o%n" 6You ha'e hear& *rince Regal.s thoughts on this un&ertaking" #n& kno% your o%n" Ji'en these counsels! %hat &o you no% %ish to &o07 I blesse& Aerity then! for he no% turne& an& looke& only at (ettricken" 5o no&! no %his$er $asse& bet%een the " But he turne& back to his father %ith their
1D??

ine" You

accor&" 6I %ish to go to the Rain ;il&s beyon& the -ountain (ing&o " #n& I %ish to lea'e as soon as $ossible"7 #s (ing Shre%& slo%ly no&&e&! y heart fell into the $it of y belly" But o'e&" behin& his chair! the Fool turne& back fli$s across the roo ! an& then cart%heele& back! to stan& as attenti'ely behin& hi an& thank hi as if he ha& ne'er Regal %as unsettle& by this" But as Aerity knelt to kiss (ing Shre%&.s han& for his $er ission! the s ile that s$rea& across Regal.s face %as ore to the council" Aerity %ishe& to lea'e in se'en &ays" %i&e enough to engulf a shark" There %as little Shre%& acce$te& it" He %ishe& to choose his o%n entourage" Shre%& acce$te& that! though Regal looke& thoughtful" I %as not $lease&! %hen the (ing finally &is isse& all of us! to note ho% Regal &a%&le& behin&! to con'erse %ith ;allace in the sitting roo %oul& allo% such i %ante& as %e file& out" I foun& yself %on&ering if 9ha&e y sol'ing Regal e to kill ;allace" He ha& alrea&y forbi&&en

that %ay! an& I ha& since $ro ise& to unity"

y king I %oul& not" But ;allace ha& no e" I &are& to ask hi %hy he ha& ore than

In the hall%ay! Aerity briefly thanke& e $resent"

6To %itness!7 he sai& hea'ily" 6;itnessing so ething is hearing about it after%ar&" To kee$ in your sai& """ so they ay not be forgotten"7 ons fro 9ha&e that night" yself I kne% then to ex$ect a su fanne&

uch

e ory all the %or&s that %ere

But I coul& not resist going to -olly" Seeing the (ing as a (ing again ha& y failing ho$e" I $ro ise& y 'isit %oul& be brief! 4ust to talk y cha bers to her! to let her kno% I a$$reciate& all she &i&" I %oul& be in before the s all hours 9ha&e fa'ore& for our con'ersations"

1D?B

I knocke& on her &oor furti'ely+ she let &ri'en I %as! for she ca e i that ca e o'er

e in )uickly" She

ust ha'e seen ho%

e&iately into

y ar s! %ithout )uestions or

)ual s" I stroke& her shining hair! I looke& &o%n into her eyes" The $assion e su&&enly %as like a s$ring floo& that bursts su&&enly &o%n e fiercely! then a creek! flinging all %inter.s &ebris out of its %ay" -y intentions of )uietly talking %ere s%e$t a%ay" -olly gas$e& as I hel& her to surren&ere& herself to It see e& kisse& &esire kee$ e"

onths rather than &ays since %e ha& last been together" ;hen she

e hungrily! I felt su&&enly a%k%ar&! uncertain as to %hy she %oul& e" She %as so young an& so beautiful" It see e& 'anity to belie'e she e to y &oubts! but &re% e &o%n ato$ her %ithout hesitation" Dee$ in that e to her an& clas$e& e in her strong $ale

coul& %ant so eone as battere& an& %orn &o%n as I" She &i& not allo%

sharing! I finally recogni1e& the reality of the lo'e in her blue eyes" I glorie& in the $assionate %ay she $ulle& scents of honey%oo& an& ar s" =ater I %oul& recall gli $ses of gol&en hair s$rea& across a $illo%! the ountains%eet on her skin! e'en the %ay she thre% y intensity a&e e see a back her hea& an& ga'e soft 'oice to her fer'or" #fter%ar&! -olly %his$ere& in a a1e ent that &ifferent an" Her hea& %as $illo%e& on y chest" I ke$t silent! an& stroke&

the &ark hair that s elle& al%ays of her herbs" Thy e an& la'en&er" I close& y eyes" I kne% I ha& %ar&e& %ell habit %hen I %as %ith -olly" Aerity! then! ha& not" I ha& not %ille& %hat ha& ha$$ene&" I &oubte& that anyone ha&" *erha$s! I ho$e&! I %as the only one %ho ha& sense& it fully" Then there har ight be no real &one! as long as I ne'er s$oke of it" #s long as I coul& blot fore'er fro y thoughts" It ha& long ago beco e a

1D?C

in& the s%eetness of (ettricken.s

outh! an& the softness of her %hite!

%hite skin"

9H#*TER 5I5ETEE5 -essages (I5J/I5/;#ITI5J Aerity &e$arte& Buckkee$ at the beginning of the thir& %inter of the Re&/Shi$ ;ars" He took %ith hi follo%ers %ho %oul& acco $any hi guar&! %ho %oul& tra'el %ith hi a s all grou$ of han&$icke& an& re ain on his )uest! as %ell as his $ersonal

as far as the -ountain (ing&o

there to a%ait his return" His reasoning %as that a s aller ex$e&ition nee&e& a s aller baggage train! an& tra'eling through the -ountains in %inter &e an&e& that all foo& su$$lies be carrie& %ith hi " He ha& also &eci&e& that he &i& not %ish to con'ey a -ountain (ing&o artial as$ect to the El&erlings" His real ission %as &isclose& to fe% exce$t his co $anions" Ostensibly he %ent to the to treat %ith his )ueen.s father! (ing Eyo&! about $ossible ilitary su$$ort" against the Re&/Shi$s" Of those he aske& to acco $any hi ! there are se'eral %orth noting" Ho&! ar s aster for Buckkee$! %as one of the first he selecte&" Her gras$ of tactics %as not excee&e& by any %ithin the real hi a so long an& acco $anie& hi e ber of Aerity.s issing an eye an& other an& her $ro%ess %ith %ea$ons %as still any ca $aigns! it %as unthinkable re arkable &es$ite her years" 9hari ! Aerity.s bo&y ser'ant! ha& been %ith on so to either of the that he be left behin&" 9hestnut! bro%n as his na e! ha& been ilitary guar& for o'er a &eca&e of years" He %as e bers of Aerity.s ost of an ear! but &es$ite that see e& t%ice as alert as any

an" (eef an& (ef! born t%ins! an& like 9hestnut!

1D?D

honor guar& for years! %ent also" One other! Burrich! the $roteste&! he $ointe& out that he left an able stables! an& that the $arty %oul& nee& a

aster of stables at

Buckkee$! 4oine& the $arty of his o%n accor&" ;hen his lea'ing Buckkee$ %as an in charge of Buckkee$.s i&%inter" an %ho %as kno%le&geable of

ani als in or&er to get the beasts ali'e through the -ountains in

His abilities as a healer an& his ex$erience as a (ing.s -an to *rince 9hi'alry %ere also )ualifications he $ointe& out! but this last one %as kno%n to but a fe%" The night before Aerity %as to lea'e! he su one& e to his stu&y" 6You e" afrai& e to

&on.t a$$ro'e of this! &o you0 You think it.s a fool.s erran&!7 he greete& I ha& to s ile" Ina&'ertently! he ha& exactly state& %hat I thought" 6I a I ha'e serious &oubts!7 I agree& cautiously" 6#s &o I" But %hat else is left to actually &o so ething yself to &eath"7 He ha& $ainstakingly reco$ie& (ettricken.s last %eek ha& a&e in the an a a1e& too any e0 This! at least! is a chance for

yself" Other than sit in that be&a ne& to%er an& Skill a$ o'er the last fe% &ays" #s I

%atche& he rolle& it carefully an& sli& it into a leather case" The &ifference the e" He %as still gray! his bo&y still onths of sitting" But he o'e& %ith eat %ith %orn an& sa&ly &%in&le& fro since the &ecision ha& been an a$$etite! an& once of the an& hi

energy! an& both he an& (ettricken ha& grace& the Jreat Hall e'ery e'ening a&e" It ha& been a $leasure to %atch hi ore linger o'er a glass of %ine %hile -ello% or another left her lor&.s

instrels entertaine& us all" The rene%e& %ar th bet%een (ettricken %as another a$$etite he ha& reco'ere&" Her eyes sel&o instrels entertaine&! her

countenance %hen they %ere at table" ;hile the

fingers %ere al%ays resting on the back of his forear " She glo%e& in his
1D?E

$resence like a burning can&le" Shiel& ho% $assions by i ersing

yself as I

ight! I %as all too a%are of their y

uch they en4oye& their nights" I ha& atte $te& to hi&e fro

yself in -olly" I en&e& u$ feeling guilty that -olly y rene%e& ar&or" Ho% %oul& she feel if she kne% y o%n0 ight call to a

%as so $lease& %ith

a$$etites %ere not entirely an an& &rain hi

The Skill" I ha& been %arne& of its $o%ers an& $itfalls! of ho% it

of e'erything exce$t a hunger for its use" This %as one tra$ y soul y o%n again" """7 er! boy" an has been to

I ha& ne'er been %arne& about" In so e %ays! I %as looking for%ar& to Aerity lea'ing so I coul& call 6;hat you &o in that to%er is not a lesser task" If folk coul& but un&erstan& ho% you burn yourself for the 6#s you un&erstan& only too %ell" ;e.'e gro%n close this su 9loser than I.& e'er ha'e thought $ossible" 9loser than any e since your father &ie&"7 9loser e'en than you 6;e ha'e"7 6I.'e a fa'or to ask you" T%o! actually"7 6You kno% that I %on.t refuse you"7 65e'er say that so easily" The first is that you look after until I return"7 6That is al%ays yours %ithout asking! %ell" In your y $rince"7 6#n& the other"7 He took a breath! sighe& it out" 6I %ish to try to stay here as in&" For as long as I can"7 6-y $rince"7 I hesitate&" He %as right" This %as not a thing I %ishe& to grant hi " But I ha& alrea&y sai& I %oul&" I kne% that for the sake of the king&o ! it %as a %ise thing to &o" But for yself0 #lrea&y I ha& felt the boun&aries of
1DBH

ight sus$ect!

y $rince" But I &i& not utter those %or&s"

y la&y" She has

gro%n %iser in Buckkee$ %ays! but she is still far too trusting" (ee$ her safe

self ero&ing before Aerity.s strong $resence" ;e %ere not talking about a contact of hours no%! or &ays! but of %eeks an& likely this %as %hat ha$$ene& to coterie se$arate li'es" 6;hat of your coterie07 I aske& )uietly" 6;hat of the 07 he retorte&" 6I lea'e the y shi$s for no%" ;hate'er In ust kno%! they can Skill essages they y absence! she %ill take the in $lace! in the %atchto%ers an& on ust sen&! they can sen& to Serene" onths" I %on&ere& if e bers! if e'entually they cease& ha'ing

to Shre%&" If there is anything they feel I

e"7 He $ause&" 6There %ill be other sorts of yself" Ho% Regal %oul& e $loy his

infor ation that I %oul& seek through you" Things I %oul& $refer ke$t $ri'ate"7 Ti&ings of his )ueen! I thought to $o%ers in his brother.s absence" Jossi$ an& intrigues" In one sense! trifling things" In another! the &etail that secure& Aerity.s $osition" I %ishe& for the thousan&th ti e that I coul& Skill reliably of to reach out to hi at any ti e" But as y o%n accor&" If I ha& ha& that e" I %oul& ha'e been able ability! Aerity %oul& not ha'e nee&e& to ask this of bon& %e ha& use& o'er the su instructions fro loyalty to hi in

atters stoo&! the touch/i $ose& Skill

er %as our only resource" Through it! he coul&

be a%are of %hat %ent on at Buckkee$ %hen he chose to! an& I coul& recei'e hi " I hesitate&! but alrea&y kne% that I %oul& acce&e" Fro yself" 5ot fro any Skill hunger an& to the Six Duchies! I tol&

yself" I looke& u$ at hi " 6I %ill &o it"7

6(no%ing %ell that this is ho% it begins!7 he sai&" It %as not a )uestion" #lrea&y! this %as ho% accurately %e coul& rea& one another" He &i& not %ait for y ans%er" 6I %ill be as incons$icuous as I can!7 he $ro ise&" I %alke& to y shoul&er" Aerity %as %ith e again! as e to hi " He lifte& a han& an& touche& shiel& yself"

he ha& not consciously been since the &ay in his stu&y %hen he ha& bi&

1DB1

The &ay of the &e$arture %as fine! cris$ly col&! but the skies %ere clear blue" Aerity! true to his %or&! ha& ke$t his ex$e&ition to a been &is$atche& the allo% hi ini u " Ri&ers ha& on his route an& orning after the council to $rece&e hi

arrange su$$lies an& lo&gings in the to%ns %here he %oul& $ass" This %oul& to tra'el s%iftly an& lightly through y uch of the Six Duchies" #s his ex$e&ition set off that chill Aerity fare%ell" He nestle& insi&e the &e$arture fro fare%ells to hi orning I alone of the cro%& &i& not bi& in&! s all an& silent as a see& %aiting

for s$ring" #s unnotice&! al ost! as 5ighteyes" (ettricken ha& chosen to %atch the frosty %alls of the Iueen.s Jar&en" She ha& sai& her earlier! an& chosen this s$ot so that if she %e$t! none %oul&

take it a iss" I stoo& at her si&e an& en&ure& the resonance of %hat she an& Aerity ha& co e to share in the last %eek" I %as both gla& for her an& heartsick that %hat she ha& so recently foun& an& ust so )uickly be taken fro her" Horses en! $ack ani als an& banners finally $asse& behin& a shoul&er of hills y s$ine" She ;it/ y y

an& out of our sight" Then I felt that %hich sent a chill u$ heart! 5ighteyes sat u$! eyes afla e! an& aske&! ;hat.s this0

)ueste& after hi " Aery faintly! it %as true! but enough that so e%here in 5othing" 5othing to &o %ith us! any%ay" I a&&e&! ;e hunt together soon! brother! as %e ha'e not for too long" For a fe% &ays after the ca'alca&e.s &e$arture! I al ost ha&

y o%n life again" to both

I ha& &rea&e& Burrich.s lea'ing %ith Aerity" I un&erstoo& %hat &ro'e hi follo% his king/in/%aiting! but felt unco fortably ex$ose& %ith the gone" That tol& insi&e e uch about

yself that I really &i& not %ant to kno%" But

the other si&e of that coin %as that %ith Burrich gone an& Aerity.s $resence e coile& tight! 5ighteyes an& I %ere finally free to use the ;it as iles fro the (ee$" o$enly as %e %ishe&" #l ost e'ery &a%n I %as %ith hi !

On the &ays %hen %e sought Forge& ones! I ro&e Sooty! but she &i& not e'er
1DB2

feel co $letely co fortable aroun& the %olf" #fter a ti e there see e& far fe%er of the ! an& no ore co ing into the area" ;e began to be able to hunt ore co $anionably er" e! I felt I ha& the full an" y $hysical i $ro'e ent o'er the su ga e for oursel'es" For that! I %ent afoot! for %e hunte& that %ay" 5ighteyes a$$ro'e& of use of That %inter! for the first ti e since Regal ha& $oisone& y bo&y an& strength again" The 'igorous

ornings of hunting an& the

&ee$ hours of the night %ith -olly %oul& ha'e been enough life for any There is so ething co $letely satisfying about si $le things such as these" I su$$ose I %ante&

y life to be al%ays this si $le an& co $lete" I trie& to y in&

ignore things I kne% %ere &angerous" The continue& fine %eather! I tol& yself! %oul& assure Aerity a fine start to his 4ourney" I $ut fro %hether there %oul& be any en&/of/season rai&s fro the Re&/Shi$s %hile %e

%ere so un$rotecte&" I a'oi&e&! too! Regal an& the su&&en roun& of social occasions that fille& Buckkee$ %ith his follo%ers an& ke$t the torches burning late e'ery night in the Jreat Hall" Serene an& @ustin %ere also e'i&ence about Buckkee$" I ne'er entere& a roo e'enings! %here I felt the arro%s of their &islike" I began to a'oi& the co co e to s%ell our %inter court" Aerity ha& not been gone ore than t%o &ays before I hear& ru ors that the ission" Burrich true $ur$ose of his )uest %as to seek the El&erlings" I coul& not bla e these on Regal" Those Aerity ha& han&/chosen ha& kno%n of their true ha& ferrete& it out for hi self" If he coul&! so coul& another! an& noise it about" But %hen I o'erhear& t%o $antry boys laughing about 6(ing ;is&o .s folly! an& *rince Aerity.s Skilling ha& a&e hi yth!7 I sus$ecte& the ri&icule %as Regal.s &oing" Aerity.s too uch the recluse" Folk %on&ere& %hat he &i& so uch ore in %here they %ere but that I on roo s in the

ust either encounter the ! or Regal.s guests %ho ha&!

long alone in his to%er" That is! they kne% he Skille&! but that %as too ta e a
1DB8

to$ic for gossi$" His $reoccu$ie& stare! his o&& hours for eating an& rest! his silent ghosting through the castle %hile other folks %ere abe& %ere all grist for this ill" Ha& he lost his in&! an& set out on a a& an.s erran&0 S$eculation began to gro%! an& Regal ga'e it fertile groun&" He foun& excuses an& reasons for all sorts of ban)uets an& gatherings of his nobles" (ing Shre%& %as sel&o %ell enough to be $resent an& (ettricken &i& not en4oy the co $any of the %itty kna'es that Regal culti'ate&" I kne% enough to stay a%ay" I ha& only yself an& 9ha&e to gru ble to about the cost of these $arties %hen Regal ha& insiste& that there %ere scarcely fun&s for Aerity.s ex$e&ition" 9ha&e only shook his hea&" The ol& an ha& beco e ore close outhe& of late! e'en %ith e" I ha& the unco fortable feeling that 9ha&e ke$t a secret fro e" Secrets in the sel'es e &irectly" I

%ere nothing ne%" The ol& assassin %as stuffe& full of secrets" I si $ly coul& not be ri& of the feeling that this secret so eho% touche& on coul& not ask hi hea'y use %hen I %as not about" E'en stranger! all %ork ha& been cleane& %as bi1arre" For years I ha& ti&ie& after hi outright! but I %atche& hi " His %orktable sho%e& signs of esses associate& %ith that one& e" This to e or a eticulously a%ay %hene'er he su

an& his 6cooking"7 5o% for hi

straighten u$ after hi self see e& either a shar$ rebuke to conceal ent of %hate'er he ha& been &oing" >nable to resist! I %atche& hi secret! but sa%

%hene'er I coul&" I learne& nothing of his isse&" 9ha&e %as getting ol&" The

uch that I ha& $re'iously

stiffness col& %eather brought to his 4oints no longer yiel&e& to the co1y e'enings before his hearth" He %as Shre%&.s el&er half brother! bastar& as I %as! an& &es$ite his stiffness! he still see e& the younger of the t%o" But he hel& scrolls farther fro his nose %hen he rea& no% an& a'oi&e& reaching for

1DB<

anything o'er his hea&" To %atch these changes in hi kno% he ke$t a secret fro e" T%enty/three &ays after Aerity left! I ca e back fro

%as as $ainful as to a &a%n hunt %ith

5ighteyes to fin& the (ee$ abu11" The feeling %as that of a stirre& ant nest! but %ith none of their $ur$osefulness" I %ent straight to 9ook Sara an& aske& her %hat ha& ha$$ene&" The kitchen of any kee$ is the heart of the ru or ore accurate" 6# ri&er co e in! his horse near to &ea&" Sai& there.s been a rai& u$ at Ferry" The %hole city near gone fro the fires they set" Se'enty folk Forge&" Ho% ore %ill &ie! a&e ho eless in this any &ea&! there.s not telling yet" #n& ill! secon& only to the guar&roo " #t Buckkee$! the kitchen gossi$ %as usually

col&" Three shi$loa&s of Rai&ers! the boy sai&" He %ent straight to *rince Regal! he &i&! an& re$orte&" *rince Regal sent hi guar&roo here to be fe&+ he.s in the no%! aslee$"7 She lo%ere& her 'oice" 6That boy ca e all this %ay essage for hi " He tol& e that

on his o%n" Jot fresh horses in to%ns he %ent through! co ing &o%n the coast roa&! but %oul&n.t let no one else carry his e'ery leg of the %ay! he ke$t ex$ecting to fin& hel$ co ing! to hear fro so eone that they alrea&y kne% an& that shi$s ha& been sent out" But there %as nothing"7 6Fro Ferry0 Then it.s been at least fi'e &ays since it ha$$ene&" ;hy %eren.t essage bir&s sent to Jull an& the signal to%er fires lit07 I &e an&e&" 6Or the shoul& ha'e been able to see the light fro

Sealbay0 (ing/in/;aiting Aerity left a $atrol shi$ in that area" The $atrol shi$ Jull or Ferry" #n& there.s a coterie e ber! ;ill! at Re& To%er" He shoul& ha'e seen the signal fires" He shoul& ha'e sent %or& back here! to Serene" Ho% coul& it be that no %or& %as recei'e& here+ ho% coul& %e kno% nothing at all of this07

1DB?

9ook lo%ere& her 'oice e'en

ore! ga'e the &ough she %as knea&ing a

eaningful thu $" 6Boy sai& the signal fires %ere lit! at Ferry an& at Ice To%n" He says the bir&s %ere sent to Jull" The shi$ ne'er ca e"7 6Then %hy &i&n.t %e kno%07 I took a &ee$ shu&&ering breath! set asi&e useless anger" ;ithin e! I felt a faint stirring of concern fro y Aerity" Too

faint" The Skill bon& %as fa&ing! 4ust %hen I %ishe& it strong" 6;ell! I su$$ose. it.s no goo& asking that 4ust no%" ;hat has Regal &one0 Sent out the Rurisk0 I %ish I.& been here to go %ith the "7 9ook snorte& an& $ause& to throttle the &ough a bit" 6Jo no%! then! for you %on.t be late" 5othing.s been &one! no one sent that I.'e hear&" 5o one sent! no one is being sent" 5o one" 6You kno% I.'e no tongue for gossi$! Fit1! but %hat %as %his$ere& %as that *rince Regal &i& kno% of it" ;hen the boy ca e in! oh! the *rince %as so kin&! so full of sy $athy as to ake the la&ies. hearts elt" # eal! a ne% coat! a s all $urse for his troubles" But he tol& the boy it %as too late no%" The Rai&ers %oul& be long gone" 5o sense to sen& a shi$ out no%! or sol&iers"7 6Too late to fight Rai&ers! $erha$s" But %hat of those burne& out in Ferry0 # contingent of %orkers to hel$ re$air houses! so e %agons of foo& """ 6Says there.s no coin for it"7 9ook bit each %or& off se$arately" She began to break her &ough into rolls an& to sla$ each one &o%n to rise" 6Says the treasury %as &raine& to buil& shi$s an& an the " Sai& Aerity took %hat little %as left for this ex$e&ition to fin& El&erlings"7 # %orl& of &is&ain on that last %or&" 9ook $ause& to %i$e her han&s on her a$ron" 6Then he sai& he %as 'ery sorry" Aery truly sorry"7 # col& fury uncoile& insi&e e" I $atte& 9ook.s shoul&er an& assure& her that an in a &a1e! I left the kitchen an& %ent e'erything %oul& be all right" =ike a

to Aerity.s stu&y" Outsi&e the stu&y! I $ause&! gro$ing" One clear gli $se of
1DBB

Aerity.s intent" In the back of a &ra%er! I %oul& fin& an anti)ue e eral& necklace! the stones set in gol&" It ha& been his enough to hire &oor! an& halte&" Aerity" %as an unti&y the " To another sa% the roo an! an& he ha& $acke& hastily" 9hari ha& gone %ith hi + he ha& not been here to clean u$ after hi " But this %as no act of either of an.s eyes! $robably little %oul& ha'e see e& a iss" But I yself an& as Aerity" It ha& been gone through" ;hoe'er both as other.s! other.s" It %oul& be en! an& buy grain to sen& %ith the " I $ushe& o$en the stu&y

ha& &one it ha& either not care& if it %as &etecte&! or ha& not kno%n Aerity %ell" E'ery &ra%er %as neatly shut! e'ery cu$boar& close&" The chair %as $ushe& u$ close to the table" It %as all too ti&y" ;ithout uch ho$e! I %ent to the &ra%er an& o$ene& it" I $ulle& it co $letely o$en an& $eere& into the back corner" *erha$s Aerity.s o%n unti&iness ha& sa'e& it" I %oul& not ha'e looke& for an e eral& necklace un&er a 4u ble that inclu&e& an ol& s$ur! a broken belt buckle! an& a $iece of antler $artly %orke& into a knife haft" But it %as there! %ra$$e& u$ in a scra$ of ho es$un" There %ere se'eral other s all but 'aluable ite s to be re o'e& fro not inor 'aluables! then %hat0 a$s! an& then began to re o'e (ettricken the %all" #s I %as carefully rolling one of the a&e the roo " #s I gathere& the I %as $u11le&" If these ha& not been taken! %hat ha& been the goal of the search0 If -etho&ically! I sorte& out a &o1en 'ellu se'eral others fro entere& silently" -y ;it ha& fir

e a%are of her before she ha& e'en eet her eyes %ithout sur$rise" I stoo& e" The sight of e e" She %as lo'ely! $ale an& slen&er in a

touche& the &oor! so I glance& u$ to her see e& to strengthen hi )ui11ically" %ithin

before the surge of Aerity.s e otion that rushe& through

robe of soft blue %ool" I caught

y breath an& looke& asi&e" She looke& at

1DBC

6Aerity %ante& these $ut a%ay %hile he %as gone" Da $ can har this roo rolling the is sel&o a$"

the ! an&

heate& %hen he is not here!7 I ex$laine& as I finishe&

She no&&e&" 6It see s so e $ty an& col& in here %ithout hi " 5ot 4ust the col& hearth" There is no scent of hi ! none of his clutter """"7 6Then you ti&ie& in here07 I trie& to ask it casually" 65o:7 She laughe&" 6-y ti&ying only &estroys %hat little or&er he kee$s here" 5o! I %ill lea'e it as he left it! until he returns" I %ant hi it" I sent a $age to fin& you this ne%s about Ferry07 6Only the gossi$!7 I re$lie&" 6Then you ha'e hear& as Then she turne& to fro uch as I" I %as not su one&!7 she sai& col&ly" ost of it ai&" The e! an& there %as $ain in her eyes" 6I hear& the an talking to her of the orning! but you %ere out" Ha'e you hear& the to co e ho e to his is the least of o%n things in their $laces"7 Her face gre% gra'e" 6But this roo

=a&y -o&esty! %ho hear& Regal.s ser'ing e0 Do not they think of

guar&s en %ent to Regal! to tell hi shoul& ha'e sent to

essenger.s arri'al" Surely! they e as a Iueen at all07 essage shoul& en!

6-y la&y )ueen!7 I re in&e& her gently" 6By all rights! the %ho in& the (ing.s &oor! sent for hi instea& of you"7

ha'e been taken &irectly to (ing Shre%&" I sus$ect it %as! an& Regal.s Her hea& ca e u$" 6There is a thing that at that silly ga e"7 6I %on&er if other essages ha'e si ilarly gone astray!7 I s$eculate& alou&" ean07 Her blue eyes turne& gray %ith chill" 6;hat &o you

ust be re e&ie&! then" T%o can $lay

1DBD

6The

essage bir&s! the signal fires" # Skill

essage! fro

;ill in Re& To%er

to Serene" Surely at least one of these things shoul& ha'e brought us %or& that Ferry %as attacke&" One Her face $ale&! her in& ight go astray! but all three07 a&e the lea$" 6The Duke of Bearns %ill belie'e his outh" She

call for ai& %ent unhee&e&"7 She lifte& a han& to co'er her roun& an& she hisse& at e su&&enly! 6It shall not be tolerate&:7

%his$ere& through it! 6This is treachery to &efa e Aerity:7 Her eyes gre% 'ery She turne& an& rushe& for the &oor! anger in her e'ery able to lea$ in front of her" I $ut )ueen! I beg you! %ait: ;ait an& consi&er:7 69onsi&er %hat0 Ho% best to re'eal the &e$th of his $erfi&y07 6;e are not in the best $osition of $o%er in this" *lease! %ait" Think %ith You think! as I &o! that Regal silent" But %e ha'e no $roof" 5one at all" #n& $erha$s %e are %rong" ;e $erson to s$eak to e" ust ust ha'e kno%n so ething of this an& ke$t otion" I %as barely y la&y

y back to it! hel& it close&" 6=a&y!

go a ste$ at ti e! lest %e bring &issension %hen %e %ant it least" The first ust be (ing Shre%&" To see if he has been a%are of this at all! to see if he has sanctione& Regal to s$eak on his behalf"7 6He %oul& not:7 she &eclare& angrily" 6He is often not hi self!7 I re in&e& her" 6But he! not you! ust be the one to rebuke Regal $ublicly! if it is to be $ublic" If you s$eak out against hi ! an& the (ing later su$$orts hi ! the nobles %ill see the Farseers as a house &i'i&e&" #lrea&y! there has been too uch &oubt an& &iscor& so%n a ongst the " This is not a ti e to set Inlan& Duchies against 9oastal ones! %ith Aerity not here"7 She halte&" I coul& see that she still )ui'ere& %ith anger! but at least she %as hearing e" She took a breath" I sense& her cal ing herself" e"7 y turn to be 4olte&"
1DBE

6This %as %hy he left you here! Fit1" To see these things for 6;hat07 It %as

6I thought you ha& kno%n" You He sai& to rely on you"7

ust ha'e %on&ere& %hy he &i& not ask you to %ho I shoul& trust! as an a&'iser"

acco $any hi " It %as because I aske& hi

Ha& he forgotten 9ha&e.s existence0 I %on&ere&! an& then reali1e& that (ettricken kne% nothing of 9ha&e" He go/bet%een" Insi&e al%ays" 6Think %ith e again!7 she ba&e e" 6;hat %ill ha$$en next07 She %as right" This %as not an isolate& instance" 6;e %ill ha'e 'isitors" The Duke of Bearns an& his lesser nobles" Duke Bra%n&y is not a an to sen& e issaries on a ission like that" He %ill co e ost ex$ose& of all! sa'e that hi self an& he %ill &e an& ans%ers" #n& all the 9oastal Dukes %ill be listening to %hat is sai& to hi " His coast is the of Buck itself"7 6Then %e ust ha'e ans%ers %orth hearing!7 (ettricken &eclare&" She close& o ent! then $resse& her o%n e again" 6I go to her eyes" She set her han&s to her forehea& for a herself! cal ust ha'e kno%n I %oul& function as a yself! I felt Aerity.s agree ent" 9ha&e" In the sha&o%s as

cheeks" I reali1e& ho% great a control she %as kee$ing" Dignity! she %as telling an& rationality" She took a breath an& looke& at see (ing Shre%&!7 she announce&" 6I shall ask hi %hole situation" I shall ask hi $osition 6I ust be affir e& to hi "7 e! if you are al%ays at y si&e! it %ill ake about e'erything" This

%hat he inten&s to &o" He is the (ing" His

6I think that is a %ise &ecision!7 I tol& her" ust go alone" If you go %ith e a$$ear %eak" It un&erstan& this07 6I &o"7 Though I longe& to hear for yself %hat Shre%& ight say to her" ay gi'e rise to ru ors of a schis in the reign" You

1DCH

She gesture& at the $lace for those07

a$s an& ite s I ha& sorte& onto a table" 6You ha'e a safe

9ha&e.s cha bers" 6I &o"7 6Joo&"7 She gesture& %ith a han&! an& I reali1e& I %as still blocking her fro the &oor" I ste$$e& asi&e" #s she s%e$t $ast engulfe& e for a e her ountains%eet scent o ent" -y knees %ent %eak! an& I curse& the fate that sent in her han&s this o ent!

e eral&s to rebuil& houses %hen they shoul& ha'e gir&le& that graceful throat" But I kne%! too! %ith a fierce $ri&e! that if I set the she %oul& insist they be s$ent for Ferry" I sli$$e& the loose fro into a $ocket" *erha$s

she %oul& be able to rouse (ing Shre%&.s %rath! an& he %oul& rattle the coin Regal.s $ocket" *erha$s! %hen I returne&! these e eral&s coul& still skin" clas$ that %ar

If (ettricken ha& looke& back! she %oul& ha'e seen the Fit1 blushing %ith her husban&.s thoughts" I %ent &o%n to the stables" It ha& al%ays been a soothing $lace for %ith Burrich gone I felt a certain obligation to look in on it fro 5ot that Han&s ha& sho%n any signs of nee&ing a$$roache& the stable &oors! there %as a knot of e! an& ti e to ti e"

y hel$" But this ti e as I en outsi&e the ! an& 'oices ense

raise& in anger" # young stable boy hung on to the hea&stall of an i atte $ting to take the horse fro so eone %as going to get hurt" I ste$$e& bol&ly into the i&st of it! $lucking the lea& fro the boy! as a

&raft horse" #n ol&er boy %as tugging at a lea& attache& to the horse.s halter! an in Tilth colors looke& on" o ent The usually $laci& ani al %as beco ing &istresse& at the tugging" In a

the startle& boy.s e as

han& e'en as I )ueste& soothingly to%ar& the horse" He &i& not kno% the stable boy"
1DC1

%ell as he once ha&! but he cal e& at the touch" 6;hat goes on here07 I aske&

6They ca e an& took 9liff out of his stall" ;ithout e'en asking" He.s to take care of each &ay" But they &i&n.t e'en tell 6I ha'e or&ers/7 began the 6I a an %ho ha& been stan&ing by"

y horse

e %hat they %ere &oing"7

s$eaking to so eone!7 I infor e& hi ! an& turne& back to the boy" 6Has

Han&s left or&ers %ith you about this horse07 6Only the usual ones"7 The boy ha& been close to tears %hen I first ca e on the struggle" 5o% that he ha& a $otential ally! his 'oice %as fir ing" He stoo& u$ straighter an& fro et y eyes" o'es fro the Buckkee$ stable %ithout the kno%le&ge 6Then it.s si $le" ;e take the horse back to his stall until %e ha'e other or&ers Han&s" 5o horse of the acting stable aster"7 The boy ha& ne'er let go his gri$ on 9liff.s hea&stall" 5o% I $lace& the lea& ro$e in his han&s" 6Exactly %hat I thought! sir!7 he tol& lu bering $laci&ly after hi " 6I ha'e or&ers to take that ani al" Duke Ra ri'er i e" 6He &oes! &oes he0 #n& has he cleare& that %ith our stable aster07 I %as sure he ha& not" 6;hat goes on here07 This %as Han&s co e running! 'ery $ink about the ears an& cheeks" On another %as angry" The Tilth haughtily" an &re% hi self u$ straight" 6This an! an& one of your stable the stables:7 he &eclare& han&s! interfere& %hen %e ca e to get our stock fro an it ight ha'e looke& funny" I kne% it eant he e&iately"7 The of Tilth %ishes hi sent u$ the an in Tilth colors %as breathing through his nose at e chi$$ily" He turne& on his heel" arche& off %ith the big horse 6Thank you! sir" 9o e on! 9liffie"7 The boy

1DC2

69liff isn.t Tilth stock" He %as foale& right here at Buckkee$" Six years ago" I %as $resent at the ti e!7 I $ointe& out" The an ga'e e a con&escen&ing look" 6I %as not s$eaking to you" I %as acting as y stable" #s s$eaking to hi "7 He 4erke& a thu b at Han&s" 6I ha'e a na e! sir!7 Han&s $ointe& out col&ly" 6Han&s" I. too" Fit19hi'alry" He assists &oes y stable boy! an& e fro ti e to ti e" He belongs in y stable"7 stable aster %hile Burrich is gone %ith king/in/%aiting Aerity" He has a na e! y horse" #s to you! if you ha'e a na e! I ha'en.t

been tol& it" I kno% of no reason %hy you shoul& be in our backs an& began to go back into the stables" 6I a =ance! a stable

Burrich ha& taught Han&s %ell" ;e exchange& a glance" In accor&! %e turne& an for Duke Ra " That horse %as sol& to y &uke" #n&

not 4ust hi " T%o s$otte&

ares! an& a gel&ing as %ell" I ha'e the $a$ers here"7 an $roffere& a scroll" -y heart lurche& at ashe& into it" It looke& real" o'e& to stan&

#s %e turne& back slo%ly the Tilth Han&s took it slo%ly" He ga'e

the sight of a blob of re& %ax %ith the buck sign

e a si&e%ays glance! an& I

besi&e hi " He ha& so e letters! but rea&ing %as usually a lengthy business for hi " Burrich ha& been %orking on it %ith hi ! but letters &i& not co e easily to hi " I looke& o'er his shoul&er as he unrolle& the scroll an& began to stu&y it" 6It.s )uite clear!7 sai& the Tilth to you07 6Don.t bother!7 I tol& hi an& the the "7 6(ing/in/;aiting Aerity is a%ay" *rince Regal acts in his stea& no%"7
1DC8

an" He reache& for the scroll" 6Shall I rea& it

as Han&s rerolle& the scroll" 6;hat.s %ritten there is ay sell

as $lain as %hat.s not" *rince Regal has signe& it" But 9liff is not his horse" He! ares an& gel&ing! are Buckkee$ horses" Only the (ing

I $ut a restraining han& on Han&s.s shoul&er" 6(ing/in/;aiting Aerity is in&ee& a%ay" But (ing Shre%& is not" 5or is Iueen/in/;aiting (ettricken" One of those *rince Regal.s ust sign to sell a horse fro Buckkee$ stable"7 =ance snatche& his scroll back! exa ine& the signature for hi self" 6;ell! ark shoul& be goo& enough for you! %ith Aerity a%ay" #fter in& ost of the ti e" #n& all! e'eryone kno%s the ol& (ing is not in his right 6*rince"7 I s$oke the %or& cris$ly" 6To say less of hi I let the i $lie& threat settle into his

(ettricken is! %ell """ not of the fa ily" Really" So! %ith Aerity gone! Regal is/7 %oul& be treason" #s it of %oul& be to say he %ere king" Or )ueen" ;hen he is not"7 in&" I %oul& not &irectly accuse hi treason! for then he %oul& ha'e to &ie for it" 5ot e'en a $o $ous ass like =ance &eser'e& to &ie 4ust for $arroting %hat his alou&" I %atche& his eyes gro% %i&e" 6I eant nothing """"7 is &one!7 I fille& in" 6#s long as you re e ber one cannot buy a an %ho &oesn.t o%n it" #n& these are Buckkee$ horses! o%ne& sure there a 6#n& no har horse fro by the (ing"7 6Of course!7 =ance &ithere&" 6*erha$s this is the %rong $a$er" I a is a istake of so e kin&" I %ill go back to y aster"7 6# %ise choice"7 Han&s s$oke softly besi&e aster ha& no &oubt s$oken

e! taking authority back" aster" I scarcely bla e&

6;ell! co e along! then!7 =ance sna$$e& at his boy an& ga'e the la& a sho'e" The boy glo%ere& at us as he traile& off after his hi " =ance %as the sort %ho 6Either that! or Regal 6So" ;hat 6;ill they be back! &o you think07 Han&s aske& ust gi'e Ra ;e silently consi&ere& the likelihoo& of that" ust I &o %hen they co e back07
1DC<

ust 'ent his ill te $er so e%here" " e )uietly" his coin back"7

6If it.s only Regal.s u$on it! then you 6One of those

ark! nothing" If the (ing or Iueen/in/;aiting.s the horses" 6

ark is

ust gi'e hi

ares is $regnant:7 Han&s $roteste&" 6Burrich has big $lans for e if he co es back an& those horses are gone07 an&"7

the foal" ;hat %ill he say to

6;e ha'e al%ays ha& to re e ber that these horses belong to the (ing" He %ill not fault you for obeying a $ro$er co 6I &on.t like this"7 He looke& u$ at e %ith anxious eyes"

6I &on.t think this %oul& be ha$$ening if Burrich %ere still here"7 6I think it %oul&! Han&s" Don.t take any bla e to yourself I &oubt that this is the %orst that %e.ll see before the %inter is o'er" But! sen& co e back"7 He no&&e& gra'ely an& I left hi ! re ain by the en& of %inter" I %alke& slo%ly across the courtyar& an& then insi&e an& u$ the stairs to insi&e yself! he coul& con'ey his %ill to y roo " I $ause& on the lan&ing" Aerity0 5othing" I coul& sense his $resence e an& so eti es e'en his thoughts" But still! %hene'er I trie& to reach out to hi ! there %as nothing" It frustrate& e" If only I ha& been able to Skill reliably! none of this %oul& be ha$$ening" I $ause& to carefully curse Jalen an& all he ha& &one to an& he ha& burne& it out of it" But %hat about Serene0 Or @ustin! or any of the others of the coterie0 ;hy %as not Aerity using the %ill be kno%n0 # cree$ing &rea& fille& e" The essenger bir&s fro Bea s" The signal unications %ithin lights! the Skille& ones in the to%ers" #ll the lines of co
1DC?

e %or& if they &o

y 'isit to the stables soure&" I &i& not %ant any horses %oul& still

to %alk &o%n the ro%s of stalls an& %on&er ho%

e" I ha& ha& the Skill! of

e! an& left

e %ith but this un$re&ictable for

to kee$ in touch %ith %hat %as ha$$ening! an& to let his

the king&o

an& %ith the (ing see e& not to be %orking 'ery %ell" They %ere a&e of us a king&o rather than ore than e'er %e nee&e& on fro e soon" uch of

%hat stitche& the Six Duchies into one an& the " ;hy %ere they failing0

an alliance of Dukes" 5o%! in these trouble& ti es!

I sa'e& the )uestion to ask 9ha&e! an& $raye& that he %oul& su He calle& councils as I once ha& been" ;ell! an& ha& not I exclu&e& hi ke$t fro

e less often than he ha& once! an& I felt I %as not as $ri'y to his

y life as %ell0 *erha$s %hat I felt %as only a reflection of all the secrets I hi " *erha$s it %as the natural &istance that gre% bet%een assassins" y roo 4ust as Rose ary ha& gi'en u$ knocking" e07 I aske& her" I arri'e& at the &oor of 6Di& you nee&

She &ro$$e& a gra'e curtsy" 6Our la&y! the Iueen/in/;aiting (ettricken! %ishes you to atten& her at your earliest con'enience"7 6That.s right no%!! isn.t it07 I trie& to get a s ile out of her" 65o"7 She fro%ne& u$ at that right07 6#bsolutely" ;ho has you $racticing your She hea'e& a great sigh" 6Fe&%ren"7 6Fe&%ren is back fro his su er tra'els alrea&y07 of ho% %ell you s$oke 6He.s been back for t%o %eeks! sir:7 6;ell! see ho% little I kno%: I shall be sure to tell hi %hen next I see hi "7 6Thank you! sir"7 Forgetting her careful &ecoru ! she %as ski$$ing by the ti e she reache& the to$ of the stairs! an& I hear& her light footste$s go casca&ing &o%n the like a tu ble of $ebbles" # likely chil&" I &oubte& not that Fe&%ren essenger" It %as one of his &uties as scribe" I %ent %as groo ing her to be a anners so assi&uously07 e" 6I sai& Rat your earliest con'enience! sir". Isn.t

1DCB

into

y roo

briefly to $ut on a fresh shirt! an& then took

yself &o%n to

(ettricken.s cha bers" I knocke& on the &oor an& Rose ary o$ene& it" 6It is no% y earliest con'enience!7 I tol& her! an& this ti e %as re%ar&e& y istress you are here!7 she infor e& e" She %ithin! I %ith a &i $le& s ile" 6Enter! sir" I shall tell gesture& coul& hear a )uiet gli $se& the In a e to a chair an& 'anishe& into the inner cha ber" Fro

uttering of la&ies. 'oices" Through the o$en &oor I e"

at their nee&le%ork an& chatter" Iueen (ettricken tilte& her e" For an instant I 4ust looke& at her"

hea& to Rose ary! an& then excuse& herself to co e to o ent (ettricken stoo& before

The blue of the robe $icke& u$ the blue of her eyes" The late/fall light fin&ing its %ay through the %horle& glass of the %in&o%s glinte& off the gol& of her hair" I stare&! I reali1e&! an& lo%ere& She &i&n.t %ait for (ing07 she aske& e %ithout $rea ble" y la&y )ueen"7 concerne& for hi "7 e y eyes" I rose i e&iately an& bo%e&" e to straighten u$" 6Ha'e you been recently to 'isit the

65ot in the last fe% &ays! 6#s you %ish! here to say" #fter a

6Then I suggest you &o so this e'ening" I a

y )ueen"7 I %aite&" Surely that %as not %hat she ha& calle&

o ent she sighe&" 6Fit1" I a e (ettricken an& treat

alone here as I ha'e ne'er been before" e as a $erson for a bit07 y

9annot you call

The su&&en change in tone took Danger0 Ho%0 This is not your through

e off balance" 69ertainly!7 I re$lie&! but

'oice %as too for al" Danger! 5ighteyes %his$ere&" ate" This is the lea&er.s ate" y

It %as like fin&ing an aching tooth %ith your tongue" The kno%le&ge 4arre& e" There %as a &anger here! one to guar& against" This %as
1DCC

)ueen! but I %as not Aerity an& she %as not set to beating at the sight of her" But she %as

y lo'e! no

atter ho%

y heart

y frien&" She ha& $ro'en that in the -ountain (ing&o " I o%e& e" She gesture& e to sit an& took a chair of

her the co fort that frien&s o%e one another" 6I %ent to see the (ing!7 she tol& her o%n across the hearth fro 'oice an& leane& to%ar& been su e" Rose ary fetche& her little stool to sit at &irectly %hy I ha& not y )uestion"

(ettricken.s feet" Des$ite our being alone in the roo ! the Iueen lo%ere& her e as she s$oke" 6I aske& hi one& %hen the ri&er ca e in" He see e& $u11le& by

But before he coul& e'en begin an ans%er! Regal ca e in" He ha& co e in haste! I coul& tell" #s if so eone ha& run to tell hi i 6He e&iately &ro$$e& e'erything to co e"7 a&e it i $ossible for e to s$eak to the (ing" Instea&! he insiste& on essenger as he ca e to I no&&e& gra'ely" ex$laining it all to e" He clai e& that the ri&er ha& been brought &irectly to I %as there! an& he ha&

the (ing.s cha ber! an& that he ha& encountere& the

'isit his father" He ha& sent the boy to rest %hile he talke& %ith the (ing" #n& that together they ha& &eci&e& that nothing coul& be &one no%" Then Shre%& ha& sent hi ex$lain to the to announce that to the boy an& the gathere& nobles! an& to the state of the treasury" #ccor&ing to Regal! %e are 'ery near ust be %atche&" Bea ust look out for e" #n& %hen I aske& if Bea .s o%n %ere not Six e that Bea ha& al%ays stoo& ore or less on its o%n"

on the brink of ruin! an& e'ery $enny Bea .s o%n! he tol& Duchies folk! he tol&

It %as not rational! he sai&! to ex$ect that Buck coul& guar& a coast so far to the north of us! an& so long" Fit1! &i& you kno% that the 5ear Islan&s ha& alrea&y been ce&e& to the Rai&ers07 I shot to y feet" 6I kno% that no such thing is true:7 I blurte& in outrage"
1DCD

6Regal clai s it is so!7 (ettricken continue& i $lacably" 6He says that Aerity ha& &eci&e& before he left that there %as no real ho$e of kee$ing the fro Aerity Skille& to 9arro&! the coterie ho e for re$airs"7 6That shi$ %as refitte& 4ust after har'est" Then she %as sent out! to kee$ the coast bet%een Sealbay an& Julls! an& to be rea&y shoul& the 5ear Islan&s call for her" It is %hat her aster aske& for+ ore ti e to $ractice sea anshi$ in %inter %aters" Aerity %oul& not lea'e that stretch of coast un%atche&" If the Rai&ers establish a stronghol& on the 5ear Islan&s! %e shall ne'er be free of the " They can rai& %inter an& su er alike fro there"7 6Regal clai s that is %hat they ha'e &one alrea&y" He says our only ho$e no% is to treat %ith the "7 Her blue eyes searche& ha'e been ke$t fro y face" e irrore& y I sank &o%n slo%ly! near stunne&" 9oul& any of this/be true0 Ho% coul& it e0 -y sense of Aerity %ithin confusion" He kne% nothing of this either" 6I &o not think the (ing/in/;aiting %oul& e'er treat %ith the Rai&ers" Sa'e %ith the shar$ of his s%or&"7 6This is not! then! a secret ke$t fro e lest it &istress e0 Regal i $lie& as e! as beyon& y ore uch! that Aerity %oul& kee$ these things secret fro that the 5ear Islan&s safe the Rai&ers" #n& that is %hy he calle& back our shi$ 9onstance" He says e ber on the shi$! to or&er the shi$ back

un&erstan&ing"7 There %as a tre bling in her 'oice" It %ent beyon& her anger ight ha'e been aban&one& to the Rai&ers! to a y ar s an& co fort her that I ache& insi&e" y li$s as surely as it ca e of $ersonal $ain that her lor& ight ha'e foun& her un%orthy of his confi&ences" I

longe& so ba&ly to take her in fro

6-y la&y!7 I sai& hoarsely" 6Take this truth fro

Aerity.s o%n" #ll this is as false as you are true" I shall fin& the botto

this net of lies an& slash it %i&e o$en" ;e shall see %hat sort of fish falls out"7 6I can trust you to $ursue this )uietly! Fit107
1DCE

6-y la&y! you are one of the fe% %ho kno%s the extent of un&ertakings"7

y training in )uiet

She no&&e& gra'ely" 6The (ing! you un&erstan&! &enies none of this" But neither &i& he see to follo% all that Regal sai&" He %as """ like a chil&! listening to his el&ers con'erse no&&ing! but un&erstan&ing little """"7 She glance& &o%n fon&ly at Rose ary at her feet" 6I shall go to see the (ing as %ell" I $ro ise! I shall ha'e ans%ers for you! an& soon"7 6Before Duke Bearns arri'es!7 she cautione& I o%e hi at least that"7 ore than 4ust the truth for hi ! y la&y )ueen!7 I $ro ise& y $ouch" I kne% she %oul& not 6;e shall ha'e begru&ge the " e" 6 ust ha'e the truth by then"

her" The e eral&s %eighe& hea'y still in

9H#*TER T;E5TY -isha$s D>RI5J THE YE#RS of the Re&/Shi$ rai&s! the Six Duchies suffere& significantly fro their atrocities" The folk of the Six Duchies at that ti e learne& a greater hatre& of the Outislan&ers than e'er they ha& felt before" In their gran&fathers. an& fathers. ti es! Outislan&ers ha& been both tra&ers an& $irates" Rai&s %ere carrie& out by solitary shi$s" ;e ha& not ha& a rai&ing 6%ar7 such as this since the &ays of (ing ;is&o " #lthough $irate attacks %ere not rare occurrences! they %ere still far ore infre)uent than the Outislan& shi$s that ca e to our shores to tra&e" The bloo& ties a ong the

1DDH

noble fa ilies to Outislan& kin %ere o$enly ackno%le&ge&! an& o%ne& to a 6cousin7 in the Outislan&s"

any a fa ily

But after the sa'age rai&ing that $rece&e& Forge! an& the atrocities at Forge! all frien&ly talk of the Outislan&s cease&" Their shi$s ha& al%ays been ore %ont to 'isit our shores than our tra&ers to seek out their ice $lague& harbors an& s%ift/ti&e& channels" 5o% tra&e cease& entirely" Thus our folk kne% nothing of their Outislan& kin &uring the &ays %hen %e suffere& the Re&/Shi$s" 6Outislan&er7 beca e synony ous %ith 6Rai&er! 6 an& in our Outislan& 'essels ha& re& hulls" But one! 9ha&e Fallstar! a $ersonal a&'iser to (ing Shre%&! took it u$on hi self to tra'el to the Outislan&s in those $erilous &ays" Fro ha'e this3 (ebal Ra%brea& %as not e'en a na e kno%n in the Six Duchies" It %as a na e not breathe& in the Outislan&s" The in&e$en&ent folk of the scattere& an& isolate& 'illages of the Outislan&s ha& ne'er o%e& allegiance to any one (ing" 5or %as (ebal Ra%brea& thought of as a (ing there" Rather he %as a ale'olent force! like a free1ing %in& that so coats a shi$.s rigging %ith ice that in a hour she turns belly/u$ on the sea" The fe% folk I encountere& that &i& not fear to talk sai& (ebal ha& foun&e& his $o%er by sub&uing the in&i'i&ual $irates an& rai&ing shi$s to his control" ;ith those in han&! he turne& his efforts to 6recruiting7 the best na'igators! the ca$able ca$tains! an& the ost ost skillful fighters the scattere& 'illages ha& to his 4ournals %e in&s! all

offer" Those %ho refuse& his offers sa% their fa ilies escralle&! or Forge&! as %e ha'e co e to call it" Then they %ere left ali'e to co$e %ith the shattere& re nants of their li'es" -ost %ere force& to $ut fa ily to aintain or&er a ongst fa ily e bers to &eath %ith their o%n han&s+ Outislan&er custo s are strict regar&ing a househol&er.s &uty e bers" #s %or& of these inci&ents s$rea&!
1DD1

fe%er resiste& the offers of (ebal Ra%brea&" So e fe% fle&3 their exten&e& fa ilies still $ai& the $rice of escral" Others chose suici&e! but again! the fa ilies %ere not s$are&" Such exa $les left fe% &aring to &efy Ra%brea& or his shi$s" E'en to s$eak against hi in'ite& escral" S$arse as %as the kno%le&ge I gaine& here" # on this 'isit! it %as gaine& %ith great &ifficulty" Ru ors I gathere& as %ell! though they %ere as s$arse as black la bs in a %hite flock" I list the 6%hite shi$ 6 is s$oken of! a shi$ that co es to se$arate souls" 5ot to take the ! or &estroy the 3 to se$arate the " They %his$er! too! of a $ale %o an %ho e'en (ebal Ra%brea& fears an& re'eres" -any relate& the tor ents of their lan& to the un$rece&ente& a&'ances of the 6ice %hales7 or glaciers" #l%ays $resent in the u$$er reaches of their narro% 'alleys! they no% a&'ance& ore s%iftly than in the e ory of any li'ing an" They %ere ra$i&ly co'ering %hat little arable soil the Outislan&s $ossesse& an&! in a %ay no one coul& or %oul& ex$lain to e! bringing a 6change of %ater" 6 y $art"

I %ent to see the (ing that e'ening" It %as not %ithout tre$i&ation on He %oul& not ha'e forgotten our last talk about 9elerity! any re in&e& yself fir ly that this 'isit %as not for

ore than I ha&" I e"

y $ersonal reasons but for

(ettricken an& Aerity" Then I knocke& an& ;allace gru&gingly a& itte&

The (ing %as sitting u$ in his chair by the hearth" The Fool %as at his feet! staring $ensi'ely into the fire" (ing Shre%& looke& u$ as I entere&" I $resente& yself an& he greete& e %ar ly! then ba&e e be seate& an& tell hi ho% y &ay ha& gone" #t this! I shot the Fool a brief $u11le& glance" He returne& e a bitter s ile" I took a stool o$$osite the Fool an& %aite&" (ing Shre%& looke& &o%n on &ay0 Tell e about it"7
1DD2

e benignly" 6;ell! la&0 Di& you ha'e a goo&

6I ha'e ha& a """ %orriso e &ay! Fool! $our 6;illingly! y boy a cu$ of tea"7

y king"7

6Ha'e you! no%0 ;ell! ha'e a cu$ of tea" It &oes %on&ers to soothe the ner'es" y king" I &o so at your co an& e'en ore %illingly than I &o it this

for yourself"7 ;ith a sur$rising alacrity! the Fool lea$e& to his feet" There %as a fat clay $ot of tea %ar ing in the e bers at the e&ges of the fire" Fro the Fool $oure& I took the ug fro ea ug an& then han&e& it to &ee$ly as our king &oes! an& you shall share his serenity"7 his han& an& lifte& it to y li$s" I inhale& the 'a$ors! then an& s$icy! an& let the li)ui& la$ lightly against tingle& $leasantly against &irectly" He s ile& &o%n on it is goo& for ha'e! the e" 65ot in such a s all )uantity" ;allace has assure& y a$$etite as %ell"7 ore you e y ner'es! an& for y tongue" It s elle& %ar e! %ith the %ish! 6Drink as

y tongue" I &i& not &rink! but lo%ere& the cu$ %ith errybu& a&&icti'e07 I aske& the (ing

a s ile" 6# $leasant bre%! but is not

6Yes! it &oes %on&ers for the a$$etite!7 the Fool chi e& in" 6For the ha'e co $any soon" The

ore you shall %ant" Drink yours )uickly! Fit1! for no &oubt you %ill ore you &rink! the less you shall ha'e to share"7

;ith a gesture like a $etal unfurling! the Fool %a'e& to%ar& the &oor at the $recise instant that it o$ene& to a& it Regal" 6#h! ore 'isitors"7 (ing Shre%& chuckle& $leasantly" 6This shall be a a ug of y tea to soothe hi "7 erry e'ening in&ee&" Sit &o%n! 65o &oubt it %ill &o hi on y boy! sit &o%n" The Fit1 %as 4ust telling us he.& %ell!7 Regal agree& $leasantly" He turne& his s ile atter &o%n at the stables" One of

ha& a 'exatious &ay" So I offere& hi e" 6# 'exatious &ay! Fit107

6# troubling one" First! there %as the s all Duke Ra .s

en %as &o%n there! clai ing that the Duke ha& $urchase& four
1DD8

horses" One of the hi there

9liff! the stu& horse %e use for the cart

ares" I $ersua&e& back to e+ sure

ust be so e

istake! for the $a$ers %ere not signe& by the (ing"7 at all" But it is all taken care of no%! an& I a a&e a %ise bargain"7 Buckkee$"7 I

6Oh! those:7 The (ing chuckle& again" 6Regal ha& to bring the I.& forgotten to sign the Ra %ill fin& the " He the horses %ill be on their %ay to Tilth by the

orro%" Joo& horses! too! Duke

6I ha& ne'er thought to see us sell our best stock a%ay fro s$oke )uietly! looking to Regal"

6#n& neither &i& I" But %ith the treasury as &e$lete& as it is! %e ha'e ha& to take har& sell the easures"7 He regar&e& no% than to see the e coolly a o ent" 6Shee$ an& cattle are o'er any%ay" Better to to be sol& as %ell" ;e ha'e not the grain to %inter the star'e this %inter"7

I %as outrage&" 6;hy ha'e not %e hear& of these shortages before0 I ha'e hear& nothing of a faile& har'est" Ti es are har&! it is true! but/7 6You ha'e hear& nothing because you ha'e not been listening" ;hile you an& y brother ha'e i to tell the buy the ;ithin aske&" (ing Shre%& starte&" He looke& o'er at e an& blinke& his eyes a fe% ti es" 6I in& ha& &i& sign those $a$ers! &i& I not07 He see e& $u11le&! an& I think his erse& yoursel'es in the glories of %ar! I ha'e been &ealing ust either labor for the %ith the $urse to $ay for it" #n& it is %ell nigh e $ty" To orro%! I %ill ha'e en %orking on the ne% shi$s that they lo'e of it or lea'e off their %ork" There is no longer coin to $ay the ! nor to aterials that %oul& be nee&e& to finish the shi$s"7 He finishe& his e" y king07 I e! Aerity roile&" I looke& to (ing Shre%&" 6This is true! s$eech an& leane& back! consi&ering

gone back to a $re'ious con'ersation" He ha& not follo%e& our talk at all" #t his feet! the Fool %as strangely silent" 6I thought I ha& signe& the $a$ers" ;ell!
1DD<

bring the

to

e no%! then" =et us get this &one! an& then get on %ith a

$leasant e'ening"7 6;hat is to be &one about the situation in Bea s0 Is it true that the Rai&ers ha'e taken $arts of the 5ear Islan&s07 6The situation in Bea s!7 he sai&" He $ause&! consi&ering" He took another si$ of his tea" 65othing can be &one about the situation in Bea s!7 Regal sai& sa&ly" S oothly he a&&e&! 6It is ti e Bea s took care of Bea s.s troubles" ;e cannot beggar all Six Duchies to $rotect a barren stretch of coastline" So the Rai&ers ha'e hel$e& the sel'es to a fe% fro1en rocks" I %ish the 4oy of the " ;e ha'e folk of our o%n to care for! 'illages of our o%n to rebuil&"7 I %aite& in 'ain for Shre%& to rouse! to say so ething in &efense of Bea s" ;hen he %as silent! I aske& )uietly! 6The to%n of Ferry is scarcely a fro1en rock" #t least! it %asn.t until the Re&/Shi$s calle&" #n& %hen &i& Bea s cease to be $art of the Six Duchies07 I looke& to Shre%&! trie& to you ay counsel together about this"7 ouse" 6;hen &i& the &og boy e sa'agely" 6;hy cannot ake hi eet y eyes" 6-y king! I beg you! or&er Serene to co e" Ha'e her Skill to Aerity! that Regal gre% su&&enly %eary of our cat an& you un&erstan& that the (ing can

co e to be so concerne& %ith $olitics07 he aske&

ake &ecisions %ithout the $er ission of the a&e so ething of a $et of you!

(ing/in/;aiting0 Do you )ui1 your king on his &ecisions! Fit10 Ha'e you so far forgotten your $lace0 I kne% Aerity ha& an& $erha$s your a&'entures %ith your ax ha'e gi'en you large i&eas of yourself" But *rince Aerity has seen fit to go galli'anting off after a chi era! an& I a left to kee$ the Six Duchies rattling along as best I ay"7

1DD?

6I %as $resent %hen you en&orse& (ing/in/;aiting Aerity.s $ro$osal to seek the El&erlings!7 I $ointe& out" (ing Shre%& see e& to ha'e gone off into another %aking &rea " He stare& into the fire" 6#n& %hy that %as so! I ha'e no i&ea!7 Regal re4oine& s oothly" 6#s I obser'e&! you ha'e co e to ha'e large i&eas of yourself" You eat at the high table! an& are clothe& by the (ing.s largesse! an& so eho% you ha'e co e to belie'e this gi'es you $ri'ileges rather than &uties" =et really are! Fit1"7 Regal $ause&" To gauging ho% safe it %as for hi the co &o no to s$eak" instrel.s" 6You are e tell you %ho you e it see e& he looke& at the (ing! as if

6You!7 he continue& in a lo%ere& 'oice! tone as s%eet as a

isbegotten bastar& of a $rinceling %ho ha& not e'en the courage to on bree&ing sho%e& in the co on %o an her el&est son be&&e& to

continue as (ing/in/;aiting" You are the gran&son of a &ea& Iueen %hose concei'e you" You %ho take the na e to yourself of Fit19hi'alry Farseer nee& ore than scratch yourself to fin& 5a eless the &og boy" Be grateful I in Regal.s &o not sen& you back to the stables! but suffer to let you abi&e in the (ee$"7 I &o not kno% %hat I felt" 5ighteyes %as snarling to the 'eno %or&s! %hile Aerity %as ca$able of fratrici&e at that Shre%&" He cu$$e& his fire" Fro the corner of e" o ent" I glance& at (ing

ug of s%eet tea in both han&s an& &rea e& into the y eyes! I ha& a gli $se of the Fool" There %as fear in

his colorless eyes! fear as I ha& ne'er seen there before" #n& he %as looking! not at Regal! but at looking u$ at I abru$tly reali1e& that I ha& arisen an& %as stan&ing o'er Regal" He %as e" ;aiting" There %as a glint of fear in his eyes! but also the e for it" I felt ho% the fabric shine of triu $h" #ll I %oul& ha'e to &o %as strike at hi ! an& he coul& call the guar&s" It %oul& be treason" He %oul& hang of y shirt %as bin&ing on y shoul&ers an& chest! so s%ollen %ith rage %as I"
1DDB

I trie& to exhale! %ille& the balle& fists of 'oice un&er control! I s$oke" 6-any things ha'e been fro your $resence"7 a&e clear to

y han&s to loosen" It took a e kille&" ;hen I ha& y

o ent" Hush! I tol& the " Hush! or you.ll get

e this night!7 I sai& )uietly" I turne& to

(ing Shre%&" 6-y lor& king! I bi& you goo& e'ening! an& ask to be excuse& 6Eh0 So you """ ha& an anxious &ay! la&07 6I &i&! y lor& king!7 I sai& softly" His &ee$ eyes looke& u$ into ine as I stoo& before hi ! %aiting to be release&" I looke& &ee$ into their &e$ths" He %as not there" 5ot as he once ha& been" He looke& at fe% ti es" 6;ell" *erha$s you ha& best get so e rest! then" #s shoul& I" Fool0 Fool! is be& $re$are&0 ;ar y it %ith the %ar ing $an" I gro% so col& at night these e $u11le&ly! blinke& a

&ays" Ha: #t night these &ays: There.s a bit of nonsense for you! Fool" Ho% %oul& you say it! to get it aright07 The Fool s$rang to his feet! bo%e& &ee$ly before the (ing" 6I %oul& say there.s the chill of &eath about the &ays these nights as %ell! Your -a4esty" # col& fair to curl the bones! it is" # %ar e (ing Shre%& chuckle&" 6You &on.t goo& night"7 I sli$$e& out %hile Regal %as saying a fro ore for al goo& night to his father" It y o%n roo " I %oul& %as all I coul& &o to %alk $ast ;allace.s si $ering s ile %ithout s ashing it his face" Once in the hall outsi&e! I s%iftly sought take the Fool.s a&'ice! I thought! an& hi&e before the heat of the (ing.s son"
1DDC

an coul& take his &eath of it" It %oul& ake a bit of sense! Fool" But then you

ore to hi&e in your sha&e than to stan& before your sun.s heat"7

ne'er &i&" Joo& night to all! an& off to be&! la&s! both of you" Joo& night!

yself in 9ha&e rather than stan&

I s$ent the rest of that e'ening in

y roo

alone" I kne% that as night on the energy to sli$ out of y

&ee$ene&! -olly %oul& %on&er %hen I &i& not co e ta$$ing at her &oor" But I ha& no heart for it tonight" I coul& not su roo %orrying that so eone an& foun& a an& go cree$ing u$ the stairs an& slinking &o%n the corri&ors! al%ays ight ste$ out abru$tly an& fin& e %here I ha& no

right to be" #t one ti e I %oul& ha'e sought out -olly.s %ar th an& affection easure of $eace there" That %as no longer the case" 5o% I eetings! an& a guar&e&ness that &i& not e" For Aerity ro&e %ithin e! an& e'er &rea&e& the stealth an& anxiety of our e'en en& %hen her &oor close& behin& I link I share& %ith Aerity" I ga'e u$ on the scroll I ha& been trying to rea&" ;hat use no% to learn of El&erlings! any%ay0 Aerity %oul& fin& %hate'er Aerity foun&" I flung back on $eace in e" y flesh+ so ust a snagge& fish feel ore subtle yself y be& an& stare& u$ at the ceiling" E'en still an& silent! there %as no

ust guar& that %hat I felt an& thought %ith -olly &i& not s$ill o'er into the

-y link to Aerity %as like a hook in

%hen it fights the line" -y ties to 5ighteyes %ere on a &ee$er! yself" These $arts of

le'el! but e'er he %as there as %ell! green eyes la bent in a &ark corner of e ne'er sle$t! ne'er reste&! %ere ne'er )uiescent at all" e" e" I y #n& that constant strain %as beginning to tell on air of y roo let

Hours later the can&les %ere guttering an& the fire burne& lo%" # change in the e kno% that 9ha&e ha& o$ene& his soun&less &oor to arose an& %ent to hi " But %ith e'ery ste$ I took u$ that &rafty staircase! en" This %as an anger born as uch fro %eariness an& frustration as fro an to sto$ e'erything! to say

anger gre%" It %as not the kin& of anger that le& to ranting an& blo%s bet%een any hurt" This %as the sort of anger that le& a si $ly! 6I cannot bear this any ore"7
1DDD

69annot bear %hat07 9ha&e aske& genuine concern in his 'oice" It

e" He looke& u$ fro a&e

%here he hunche& an I

o'er so e concoction he %as grin&ing on his staine& stone table" There %as e really sto$ an& look at the a&&resse&" # tall! skinny ol& assassin" *ox/scarre&" Hair gone al ost entirely %hite no%" ;earing the fa iliar gray %ool robe! al%ays %ith stains or the tiny burns he inflicte& on his clothes %hile he %orke&" I %on&ere& ho% he ha& kille& for his king! kille& si $ly at a %or& or no& fro Su&&enly I ha& a )uestion! a )uestion )uestion" 69ha&e!7 I aske&! 6ha'e you e'er kille& a He looke& startle&" 6For 6Yes" 6To $rotect 6Yes" I &on.t y o%n life07 ean %hen on the (ing.s business" I e strangely" ean kille& a an to """ y o%n sake07 an for your o%n sake07 any en an" Shre%&" (ille&

%ithout )uestion! true to his oath" For all those &eaths! he %as a gentle

ore $ressing than ans%ering his

ake your life si $ler"7 He snorte&" 6Of course not"7 He looke& at 6;hy not07 I $resse&" He looke& incre&ulous" 6One si $ly &oes not go about killing $eo$le for con'enience" It.s %rong" It.s calle& 6>nless you &o it for your king"7 6>nless you &o it for your king!7 he agree& easily" 69ha&e" ;hat.s the &ifference0 If you &o it for yourself! or if you &o it for Shre%&07 He sighe& an& ga'e u$ on the But of yself! as y ixture he %as aking" He o'e& aroun& the et y en& of the table! sat on a tall stool there" 6I re e ber asking these )uestions" entor %as gone by the ti e I %as your age"7 He
1DDE

ur&er! boy"7

eyes fir ly" 6It co es &o%n to faith! boy" Do you belie'e in your king0 #n& your king has to be has to be ore to you than your half brother! or your gran&father" He ore than goo& ol& Shre%&! or fine honest Aerity" He has to be the

(ing" The heart of the king&o ! the center of the %heel" If he is that! an& if you ha'e faith that the Six Duchies are %orth $reser'ing! that the goo& of all our $eo$le are furthere& by &is$ensing the (ing.s 4ustice! then! %ell"7 6Then you can kill for hi "7 6Exactly"7 6Ha'e you e'er kille& against your o%n 4u&g ent07 6You ha'e any )uestions this night!7 he %arne& e )uietly" all" ;hen %e et 6*erha$s you ha'e left uch" But no% I &o"7 He no&&e& slo%ly" 6Thinking is not al%ays """ co forting" It is al%ays goo&! but not al%ays co forting" Yes" I.'e kille& against y o%n 4u&g ent" #gain! it ca e &o%n to faith" I ha& to belie'e that the folk %ho ga'e the or&er kne% ore than I &i&! an& %ere %iser in the %ays of the %i&er %orl&"7 I %as silent for a long you about/7 6Ha'e you e'er kille& solely on the basis of your o%n 4u&g ent0 For the goo& of the king&o 07 For a ti e 9ha&e looke& at e! trouble&" I &i& not look a%ay" He &i&! finally! ake those 4u&g ents"7 staring &o%n at his ol& han&s! rubbing their $a$ery/%hite skin against each other as he fingere& the brilliant re& $ocks" 6I &o not He looke& u$ at is not our $lace! boy" Those &ecisions are for the (ing"7
1DEH

e alone too long to think of the

near nightly! an& talke& often an& I %as busy all the ti e! I &i& not think so

o ent" 9ha&e starte& to relax" 69o e in" Don.t stan&

there in the &raft" =et.s ha'e a glass of %ine together! an& then I nee& to talk to

e su&&enly" 6I ne'er acce$te& that bur&en! nor %ishe& to" It

6I a

not Rboy!.!7 I $ointe& out! sur$rising

yself" 6I a

Fit19hi'alry" 6

6;ith an e $hasis on the Fit1!7 9ha&e $ointe& out harshly" 6You are the illegiti ate get of a an %ho &i& not ste$ u$ to beco e king" He ab&icate&" hi self the aking of 4u&g ents" #n& in that ab&ication! he set asi&e fro

You are not king! Fit1! nor e'en the son of a true (ing" ;e are assassins"7 6;hy &o %e stan& by %hile the true (ing is $oisone&07 I aske& bluntly then" 6I see it! you see it" He is lure& into using herbs that steal his cannot think %ell! lure& to use ones that kno% its i hi His %or&s cut %as loyal to It %as ake hi e'en in& an&! %hile he ore foolish" ;e

e&iate source! an& I sus$ect its true source" #n& yet %e %atch e like kni'es" 6I &o not kno% %here your faith is" I ha& thought e" That I kne% y eyes" #fter a ore about it than you &i&! an& that I o ent I crosse& the roo slo%ly! to y king"7

&%in&le an& gro% feeble" ;hy0 ;here is the faith in that07

$erha$s it %oul& be in y turn to &ro$

the cabinet %here 9ha&e ke$t the %ine an& the glasses" I took &o%n a tray an& $oure& t%o careful glasses fro hearthstones" #fter a o ent y the glass/sto$$ere& bottle" I took the tray to any years! I seate& the tray an& si$$e&" yself on the aster ca e an& took his $lace in his %ell/ the s all table by the hearth" #s I ha& for so cushione& chair" He lifte& his %ineglass fro 6You ha'e so sel&o calle&

6This last year has not been an easy ti e for either of us"7 e" #n& %hen you &o! you are full of secrets"7 I y 'oice! but coul&n.t )uite" y offen&e& look" ;hen e" # use ent trie& to kee$ the accusation fro

9ha&e ga'e a short bark of laughter" 6#n& you being such an o$en s$ontaneous fello%! that annoys you07 He laughe& again! ignoring he ha& &one! he %et his still &ance& in his &ark eyes" outh %ith %ine again! then looke& at

1DE1

6Do not glo%er at y in& that a

e! boy!7 he tol&

e" 6I ha'e not ex$ecte& anything fro e t%ofol&" #n& ore" For I ha'e it in his

you that you ha'e not &e an&e& fro stu&ent"7 6You &o!7 I sai& after so e

aster has so e right to ex$ect faith an& trust fro o ents" 6#n& you are right" I ha'e

y secrets as y

%ell! an& I ha'e ex$ecte& you to trust that they are honorable ones" But secrets &o not constrain you as yours &o kill ;allace! an& restore 6You %ish to kill

ine" E'ery ti e I 'isit the (ing.s

cha bers! I see %hat ;allace.s S okes an& $otions are &oing to hi " I %ant to y king to his %its" #n& after that! I %ant to """ finish the task" I %ant to eli inate the source of the $oisons"7 e! then07 isun&erstoo&" ost ob4ect to"7 outh ine y It %as like being &ouse& %ith col& %ater" 6You are the source of the $oisons ;allace gi'es to the (ing07 I %as sure I ha& -y heart %as col& an& still insi&e He looke& at He no&&e& slo%ly" 6So e of the " *robably the ones you e" 6But! 9ha&e! %hy07 o ent he o$ene& his e! his li$s fol&e& tight" #fter a

an& s$oke softly" 6# (ing.s secrets belong to a (ing only" They are not to gi'e a%ay! no atter if I think the recei'er %oul& kee$ the fro you" #n& fro if you %oul& only use your &e&uce uch on your o%n"7 e" 69ha&e" I a e07 y $ro ise to in& as I ha'e traine& you! you %oul& kno%

safe or not" But

secrets" For I ha'e not hi&&en the I turne& to $oke at the fire behin&

y secret! you coul&

so %eary" Too %eary to y king" ;hat I

$lay at ga es" 9annot you si $ly tell &o is ba& enough"7

6Of course I coul&" But it %oul& co $ro ise

6You are s$litting hairs o'er this:7 I exclai e& angrily" 6*erha$s! but they are ine to s$lit!7 he re$lie& %ith e)uani ity"
1DE2

His 'ery cal ness infuriate& $u11le a%ay fro aske& flatly"

e" I shook

y hea& 'iolently! $ut the %hole on e tonight07 I

yself for a bit" 6;hy &i& you su

There %as a sha&o% of hurt behin& the cal kno% that

in his eyes no%" 6*erha$s 4ust to

see you" *erha$s to forestall your &oing so ething foolish an& $er anent" I uch of %hat is going on right no% &istresses you greatly" I assure ust continue on our allotte& $aths" you! I share your fears" But for no%! %e to rights"7 6I &on.t kno%!7 I a& itte& gru&gingly" 6It shocke& $lan" By the ti e he returns! half his king&o the %ay Regal is going at things"7 9ha&e looke& at e le'elly" 6 RHis. king&o is still (ing Shre%&.s king&o " Re e ber0 *erha$s he has faith in his father to kee$ it intact"7 6I &o not think (ing Shre%& can e'en kee$ hi self intact! 9ha&e" Ha'e you seen hi 9ha&e.s is"7 I shook 6;hat I force& y hea& slo%ly" 6If you ha& seen hi tonight! 9ha&e! you %oul& share y anxiety"7 akes you so sure I &i& not07 9ha&e %as nettle& no%" I ha& no %ish to an" But it see e& to be going all %rong! no atter ho% I s$oke" yself to kee$ silent no%" Instea& of s$eaking! I took another si$ of anger the ol& of late07 outh %ent to a flat line" 6Yes"7 He bit the %or& off3 6I see hi %hen to belie'e he e %hen he set off on this ri&iculous )uest" He shoul& ha'e staye& here an& continue& %ith his original %ill be beggare& or gi'en a%ay!

;ith faith" Surely you belie'e that Aerity %ill return before s$ring! an& $ut all

no one else &oes" I tell you that he is not the feeble i&iot you see

y %ine" I stare& into the fire"

1DE8

6#re the ru ors about the 5ear Islan&s true07 I aske& at last" -y 'oice %as o%n again"

9ha&e sighe& an& rubbe& at his eyes %ith his knuckly han&s" 6#s in all ru ors! there is a ger of truth" It ay be true that the Rai&ers ha'e establishe& a base there" ;e are not certain" ;e ha'e certainly not ce&e& the 5ear Islan&s to the " #s you obser'e&! once they ha& the 5ear Islan&s! they %oul& rai& our coast %inter an& su er"7 6*rince Regal see e& to belie'e that they coul& be bought off3 That $erha$s those islan&s an& a bit of Bea s.s coast %ere %hat they %ere truly after"7 It %as an effort! but I ke$t 6-any y 'oice res$ectful as I s$oke of Regal" ake it so!7 9ha&e sai& ust kno% better!7 he a&&e& as a &arker en ho$e that by saying a thing they can

neutrally" 6E'en %hen they afterthought"

6;hat &o you think the Rai&ers %ant07 I aske&" He stare& $ast e into the fire" 65o%! there is a $u11le" ;hat &o the Rai&ers in&s %ork! Fit1" ;e think they attack us because they us" But surely! if they %ante& so ething! by no% they ust %ant0 It is ho% our %ant so ething fro

%oul& ha'e &e an&e& it" They kno% the &a age they &o to us" They They si $ly go on rai&ing"7 6They ake no sense"7 I finishe& the thought for hi ". 65ot the %ay %e see sense!7 he correcte& assu $tion is %rong07 I 4ust stare& at hi "

kno% that %e %oul& at least consi&er their &e an&s" But they ask for nothing"

e" 6But %hat if our basic

6;hat if they &on.t %ant anything! exce$t %hat they alrea&y ha'e0 # nation of 'icti s" To%ns to rai&! 'illages to torch! $eo$le to torture" ;hat if that is their entire ai 07
1DE<

6That.s insane!7 I sai& slo%ly" 6*erha$s" But %hat if it is so07 6Then nothing %ill sto$ the " Exce$t &estroying the "7 He no&&e& slo%ly" 6Follo% that thought"7 6;e &on.t ha'e enough shi$s to e'en slo% the o ent" 6;e ha& best all ho$e the Because it see s to &o%n"7 I consi&ere& a yths about the El&erlings are true"

e they! or so ething like the ! is our only ho$e"7

9ha&e no&&e& slo%ly" 6Exactly" So you see %hy I a$$ro'e of Aerity.s course"7 6Because it.s our only ho$e of sur'i'al"7 ;e sat for a long ti e together! staring into the fire silently" ;hen I finally returne& to attackers! for y be& that night! I %as assaile& by night ares of Aerity attacke& y king ha& not sai& I coul&" an& battling for his life %hile I stoo& by an& %atche&" I coul& not kill any of his

T%el'e &ays later! Duke Bra%n&y of Bea s arri'e&" He ca e &o%n the coast roa&! at the hea& of enough He ha& ustere& as en to be i $ressi'e %ithout being an o$en threat" coul& affor&" His uch $o $ an& $ano$ly as his &uke&o

&aughters ro&e at his si&e! sa'e for the el&est! %ho ha& re aine& behin& to &o all that coul& be &one for Ferry" I s$ent ost of the early afternoon in the e bers a&e stables! an& then in the guar&roo ! listening to the talk of the lesser

of his entourage" Han&s ac)uitte& hi self %ell at seeing that there %as s$ace an& care for their beasts! an& as al%ays! our kitchens an& barracks folk fro their su the sel'es hos$itable $laces" Still! there %as $lenty of har& talk a ong the Bea s" They s$oke bluntly of %hat they ha& seen at Ferry! an& ho% ons for hel$ ha& gone unhee&e&" It sha e& our sol&iers that there ust either

%as little they coul& say to &efen& %hat (ing Shre%& ha& a$$arently &one" #n& %hen a sol&ier cannot &efen& %hat his lea&er has &one! he
1DE?

agree %ith the criticis

or fin& another area in %hich to &isagree" So there %ere en an& Buckkee$ troo$s! isolate& inci&ents for the ore unsettling" It ight encounter y y

fistfights bet%een Bea s

ost $art! an& o'er tri'ial &ifferences" But such things &i& not usually ha$$en un&er the &isci$line at Buckkee$! an& so they %ere all the un&erscore& to or %hat e the confusion a ong our o%n troo$s" e" I ha& gli $se& 9elerity t%ice that &ay! an& Bea s I &resse& carefully for &inner that e'ening! unsure as to %ho I ight be ex$ecte& of

each ti e sli$$e& a%ay before I coul& be notice&" I ex$ecte& she %oul& be &inner $artner! an& &rea&e& it" 5o% %as no ti e to gi'e anyone fro %orrying" I foun& any sort of affront! but I &i& not %ish to encourage her" I coul& ha'e sa'e& an& the younger ones at that" I s$ent an unco fortable e'ening as a ne% ex$erience for %ere fro e an& not one I relishe&" It a&e

yself seate& far &o%n the table! a ong the lesser nobility! inor

no'elty" Se'eral of the girls at the table atte $te& to be flirtatious" This %as a e reali1e 4ust ho% great Regal.s $late! but as an influx of folk ha& s%ollen the Buckkee$ court that %inter" -ost of the the Inlan& Duchies! sniffing after scra$s fro these young %o en $lainly in&icate&! they %oul& be ha$$y to court $olitical influence %here'er they coul&" The effort to follo% their atte $ts at %itty banter an& res$on& on a le'el of at least i $ossible for o&erate $oliteness a&e it nearly e to gi'e any attention to %hat %as going on at the High

Table" (ing Shre%& %as there! seate& bet%een Iueen/in/;aiting (ettricken an& *rince Regal" Duke Bra%n&y an& his &aughters 9elerity an& Faith %ere seate& closest to the " The rest of the table %as fille& %ith Regal.s $ets" Duke Ra of Tilth an& his =a&y *laci&! an& their t%o sons %ere the ost note%orthy" Regal.s cousin =or& Bright %as there as %ell+ the young heir to the Duke of Farro% %as ne% to court"

1DEB

Fro

%here I sat! I coul& see little! an& hear e'en less" I felt Aerity.s churning ore %eary than &a1e& that e'ening! %hich I took to be $ositi'e" to be eating uch! an& see e& gra'er an& ore

frustration at the situation! but there %as nothing I coul& &o about it" The (ing looke& (ettricken! seate& besi&e hi ! %as near colorless sa'e for t%o s$ots of $ink on her cheeks" She &i& not see Duke Ra silent than usual" *rince Regal! in contrast! %as both social an& an& his &aughters! but his Duke Bra%n&y %as a large han& erri ent clearly grate& on the 'isitors. an! an& %ell erry" ;ith oo&"

an& =a&y *laci& an& their boys" He &i& not )uite ignore Bra%n&y uscle& e'en in his ol& age" Shocks hi ! in&igo/

of %hite hair in his black %arrior.s tail atteste& to ol& battle in4uries! as &i& a issing a fe% fingers" His &aughters sat 4ust &o%ntable fro eye& %o en %hose high cheekbones tol& of his late )ueen.s 5ear Islan& ancestry" Faith an& 9elerity %ore their hair cut short an& sleek in the northern style" The )uick %ays they turne& their hea&s to obser'e e'eryone at the table re in&e& e of ha%ks on a %rist" These %ere not the gentle& nobility of the Inlan& Duchies that Regal %as use& to &ealing %ith" Of all the Six Duchies! the folk of Bearns ca e closest to being %arriors still" Regal %as courting &isaster to co $letely at o&&s %ith their ake light of their grie'ances" I kne% they ission here" I %on&ere& if he kne% ho% ba&ly %oul& not ex$ect to &iscuss Rai&ers at the table! but his festi'e tone %as he offen&e& the " (ettricken ob'iously &i&" -ore than once I sa% her clench her 4a%! or cast her eyes &o%n%ar& at one of Regal.s %itticis s" He %as &rinking too hea'ily as %ell! an& it began to sho% in his extra'agant han& gestures! an& the lou&ness of his laughter" I %ishe& &es$erately I coul& hear %hat he %as fin&ing so hu orous in his o%n %or&s" ! Dinner see e& inter inable" 9elerity ra$i&ly locate& %as har& $ut to a'oi& the easuring looks she sent
1DEC

e at table" #fter that! I y %ay" I no&&e& affably

to her the first ti e our eyes locke&+ I coul& tell she %as $u11le& by %here I ha& been seate&" I &are& not ignore e'ery look she sent offensi'e enough %ithout y %ay" Regal %as y a$$earing to snub Bea s.s &aughter as %ell" I to hel$ hi fro the roo " Regal a&e no effort a&e y

felt I teetere& on a fence" I %as grateful %hen (ing Shre%& rose an& Iueen (ettricken insiste& on taking his ar fro%ne& a trifle &runkenly to see the $arty &is$erse so soon! but

to $ersua&e Duke Bra%n&y an& his &aughters to stay at table" They excuse& the sel'es rather stiffly as soon as Shre%& ha& &e$arte&" I like%ise excuse of a hea&ache an& left roo " #s I o$ene& y giggling co $anions for the solitu&e of y be&cha ber! I felt y &oor an& %ent into

yself the

ost $o%erless $erson in the (ee$" 5a eless the &og boy in&ee&" 6I see &inner %as absolutely fascinating for you!7 the Fool obser'e&" I sighe&" I &i&n.t ask ho% he ha& gotten in" 5o $oint to asking )uestions that %oul& not be ans%ere&" He %as sitting on 4ingling of bells! no tu bling y hearth! silhouette& against the &ancing fla es ocking %or&s" y be& %ith a of a s all fire he ha& kin&le& there" There %as a $eculiar stillness to hi ! no 6Dinner %as insufferable!7 I tol& hi " I &i& not bother %ith can&les" -y hea&ache ha& not been entirely a fiction" I sat! then lay back on sigh" 6I &o not kno% %hat Buckkee$ is co ing to! nor %hat I can &o about it"7 6*erha$s %hat you ha'e alrea&y &one is enough07 the Fool 'enture&" 6I.'e &one nothing note%orthy lately!7 I infor e& hi " 6>nless you count kno%ing %hen to sto$ talking back to Regal"7 6#h" That.s a skill %e.re all learning! then!7 he agree& orosely" He &re% his knees u$ to his chin! reste& his ar s ato$ the " He took a breath" 6Ha'e you no ne%s! then! that you.& care to share %ith a Fool0 # 'ery &iscreet Fool07

1DED

6I.'e no ne%s to share %ith you that you %oul& not alrea&y kno%! an& $robably sooner than I &i&"7 The &arkness of the roo hea&ache %as easing" 6#h"7 He $ause& &elicately" 6Shall I! $erha$s! ask a )uestion0 To be ans%ere& or not as you see fit07 6Sa'e your breath an& ask it" You kno% you shall! %hether I gi'e you $er ission or no"7 6In&ee&! there you are right" ;ell then" The )uestion" #h! I sur$rise blush! I &o" Fit19hi'alry! ha'e you I sat u$ slo%ly on 6;hat &i& you ask your chil&07 I s$rang at hi fro the be&! caught hi by the throat! an& &ragge& hi u$ to his feet" I &re% back re'eale& on his face" 6Batter a%ay!7 he suggeste& )uietly" 65e% bruises %ill not sho% the ol& ones" I can cree$ about unseen for a fe% I snatche& co y han& back fro it no% see e& so ore &ays"7 uch ato$ y fist! an& then sto$$e&! shocke& by %hat the firelight a&e a fit1 of your o%n07 o'e nor flinch" y be& an& stare& at hi " He &i& not e07 I &e an&e& )uietly" ust kno%" Is -olly carrying yself! I %as restful" -y

He s$oke softly! al ost a$ologetically no%" 6I

hi " Strange! ho% the act I ha& been about to e! as if his e" It %as as if

onstrous %hen I &isco'ere& so eone else ha&

alrea&y &one it" #s soon as I release& hi ! he turne& a%ay fro &elicate bone structure a&e it all the ore horrifying to

&iscolore& an& s%ollen face sha e& hi " *erha$s the $allor of his skin an& his so eone ha& &one this to a chil&" I knelt by the fire an& began to buil& it u$" 6Di&n.t get a goo& enough look07 the Fool aske& aci&ly" 6I.ll %arn you! it gets no better by gi'ing ore light to it"7

1DEE

6Sit on &i&n.t

y clothes chest an& take your shirt off!7 I tol& hi

brus)uely" He y s all

o'e" I ignore& that" I ha& a s all kettle for tea %ater" This I set to heat" ato$ the table! an& then took out any in y roo + I %ishe& no% I ha& y roo %ere

I lit a branch of can&les an& set the store of herbs" I &i& not kee$ that

Burrich.s full store to &ra% on! but I %as sure that if I left to go to the stables! the Fool %oul& be gone %hen I returne&" Still! those I ke$t in ostly for bruises an& cuts an& the ty$es of in4uries ex$ose& e to ost often" They %oul& &o" y %ashbasin an& a&&e& a as I &i& so" I foun& an outgro%n shirt o'ing hesitantly an& shyly" I &o%n ato$ ;hen the %ater %as %ar ! I $oure& so e into generous han&ful of herbs! crushing the in as a re)uest" #fter a looke& at hi y other $rofession

y clothing chest an& tore it into rags" 69o e into the light"7 This I $hrase& o ent he &i& so! but briefly! then took hi by the shoul&ers an& sat hi

y clothing chest" 6;hat ha$$ene& to you07 I aske&! a%e& by the &a age to his face" His li$s %ere cut an& s%ollen! an& one eye s%ollen near close&" 6I.'e been going about Buckkee$! asking ba&/te $ere& in&i'i&uals if they.'e fathere& bastar&s lately"7 His one goo& eye 6You shoul& kno% enough Sit still no%"7 I face" #fter a %asn.t et y glare straight on" Re& %ebbe& the %hite of it" I foun& I coul& neither be angry %ith hi ! nor laugh" e&icine to take better care of so ething like this" a&e the rag into a co $ress! hel& it gently but fir ly to his o ent he relaxe&" I s$onge& a%ay so e &rie& bloo&" There y fingers lightly &o%n the lines

uch+ he ha& ob'iously cleane& hi self u$ after this beating! but so e

of the cuts ha& continue& to oo1e bloo&" I ran 6;ho &i& this to you07 I aske& hi "

of his 4a%! an& aroun& his eye sockets" #t least no bone see e& &a age&" 6I %alke& into a series of &oors" Or the sa e one se'eral ti es" It &e$en&s on %hich &oor you ask"7 He s$oke glibly for so eone %ith
1EHH

ashe& li$s"

6That %as a serious )uestion!7 I tol& hi " 6#s %as ine"7 again an& he &ro$$e& his eyes" For a o ent neither of us e for cuts an& as I took the li& isse& I glare& at hi

s$oke as I searche& out a $ot of sal'e Burrich ha& gi'en scra$es" 6I.& really like to kno% the ans%er!7 I re in&e& hi off the $ot" The fa iliar biting scent rose to Burrich %ith an a a1ing intensity" 6#s %oul& I"7 He flinche& slightly un&er kne% it stung" I also kne% it %orke&" 6;hy &o you ask such a )uestion of He consi&ere& a e07 I finally &e an&e&"

y nostrils! an& I su&&enly

y touch as I a$$lie& the sal'e" I

o ent" 6Because it is easier to ask of you than to ask

(ettricken if she carries Aerity.s chil&" #s far as I can &eter ine! Regal has share& his fa'ors only %ith hi self of late! so that &is isses hi " You or Aerity! then! I looke& at hi ust be the father"7 blankly" He shook his hea& sa&ly for e" 69annot you feel it07

he aske& in a near %his$er" He stare& off in the &istance &ra atically" 6Forces shift" Sha&o%s flutter" Su&&enly there is a ri$$ling in the $ossibilities" # reor&ering of the futures! as &estinies again"7 He looke& back to certain of it"7 Ha'e you e'er isse& a ste$ in the &ark0 There is that su&&en feeling of ay fall" I sai&! far too teetering on the e&ge! an& no kno%le&ge of ho% far you fir ly! 6I ha'e fathere& no chil&"7 The Fool regar&e& e %ith a ske$tical eye" 6#h!7 he sai& %ith false heartiness" ust be (ettricken %ho is carrying"7 6Of course not" Then it! ulti$ly" #ll $aths &i'erge! an& &i'erge e" I s ile& at hi ! thinking he 4este&! but his

outh %as sober" 6There is an heir to the Farseer line!7 he sai& )uietly" 6I a

1EH1

6It

ust!7 I agree&! but

y heart sank" If (ettricken %ere $regnant! she %oul& e" I felt su&&enly &i11ie&!

ha'e no reason to conceal it" ;hereas -olly %oul&" #n& I ha& not been to see -olly in se'eral nights" *erha$s she ha& ne%s for but I force& the Fool" 6=et.s see your chest"7 6I.'e seen it! thank you! an& I assure you it.s fine" ;hen they $o$$e& the bag o'er y hea&! I $resu e it %as to $ro'i&e a target" They %ere sickene& ost conscientious about striking no%here else"7 The brutality of %hat they ha& &one to hi finally anage& to ask" y hea&0 9o e no%" 9an you see through a bag07 e in &isbelief" 6If you &o not kno% %hat those e cut ust ha'e sus$icions"7 6;ith a bag o'er 65o" But you e into silence" 6;ho07 I yself to take a long cal ing breath" 6Take your shirt off!7 I tol&

He cante& his hea& at

sus$icions are alrea&y! then you are the one %ith your hea& in a bag" =et Aerity the $reten&er" Sen& hi thunk! against 65ot no ore

a bit of a hole for you" R;e kno% you are false to the (ing! that you s$y for essages! for if you &o! %e shall kno% of it". 6 He turne& to stare into the fire! s%ung his heels briefly! thunk! thunk! y clothing chest" 6Aerity the $reten&er07 I aske& in outrage" y %or&s" Theirs!7 he $ointe& out" y anger &o%n! trie& to think" 6;hy %oul& they sus$ect you s$y for essages07 sure you &o"7 I force&

Aerity0 Ha'e you sent hi y king" You

6I ha'e a (ing!7 he sai& softly" 6#lthough he &oes not al%ays re e ber he is ust look out for your king" #s I a 6;hat %ill you &o07 6;hat I ha'e al%ays &one" ;hat else can I &o0 I cannot sto$ &oing %hat they co an& e to sto$! for I ha'e ne'er begun it"7
1EH2

# cree$ing certainty shi'ere& u$

y s$ine" 6#n& if they act again07 y %orrying about it! for I y roo %ill

He ga'e a lifeless laugh" 6There is no $oint to

cannot $re'ent it" That is not to say I look for%ar& to it" This!7 he sai&! %ith a half gesture to%ar& his face" 6This %ill heal" ;hat they &i& to not" I shall be %eeks $icking u$ that ess"7 e" I ha& been The %or&s tri'iali1e& it" # terrible hollo% feeling %elle& u$ in

in the Fool.s to%er cha ber once" It ha& been a long cli b u$ a &isuse& staircase! $ast the &ust an& litter of years! to a cha ber that looke& out o'er the $ara$ets an& containe& a gar&en of %on&er" I thought of the bright fish s%i ing in the fat $ots! the oss gar&ens in their containers! the tiny cera ic y eyes as he a&&e& to e" To think there %as such a chil&! so eticulously care& for! in its cra&le" I close& ost thorough" Silly

the fla es! 6They %ere

thing as a safe $lace in the %orl&"7 I coul& not look at hi " Sa'e for his tongue! he %as a &efenseless $erson %hose only &ri'e %as to ser'e his king" #n& sa'e the %orl&" Yet so eone ha& s ashe& his %orl&" ;orse! I sus$ecte& the beating he ha& taken %as in re'enge for so ething I ha& &one" 6I coul& hel$ you set it to rights!7 I offere& )uietly" He shook his hea& tightly! )uickly t%ice" 6I think not!7 he sai&" Then he a&&e& in a ore nor al 'oice! 65o offense inten&e&"7 65one taken"7 I bun&le& the cleansing herbs %ith the $ot of sal'e an& the lefto'er rags fro y shirt" He ho$$e& off the y clothes chest" ;hen I offere& the to hi ! he took gra'ely" He %alke& to the &oor! stiffly &es$ite his clai s that they ha& e07 He $ause& significantly" His 'oice &ro$$e&" 6#fter all! if this

only &a age& his face" #t the &oor he turne&" 6;hen you kno% for certain! you %ill tell

1EH8

is %hat they &o to a (ing.s fool! %hat (ing/in/;aiting.s heir07 6They %oul&n.t &are!7 I sai& fiercely"

ight they &o to a %o an carrying a

He snorte& &is&ain" 6;oul&n.t they0 I no longer kno% %hat they %oul& or %oul& not &are! Fit19hi'alry" 5either &o you" I.& fin& a soun&er %ay to latch y &oor! if I %ere you" >nless you %ish to fin& your hea& in a bag as %ell"7 He ga'e a s ile that %asn.t e'en a sha&o% of his usual $lace" I leane& 6But for y back against it an& sighe&" ocking grin! an& sli$$e& out again" I %alke& to the &oor after he ha& left it! an& &ro$$e& the bar into 6It.s all 'ery %ell for the rest of the ! Aerity!7 I sai& alou& to the silent roo " yself! I think you shoul& turn yourself about right no% an& ri&e ore afoot than Re&/Shi$s! an& so eho% I uch hel$ against the other threats %e face"7 hi " e" I %as sel&o certain of is&oubt that ho e" There.s

El&erlings %oul& be

I %aite&! ho$ing to feel so e sort of ackno%le&g ent or agree ent fro There %as nothing" -y frustrations %hirle& in %hen Aerity %as a%are %ith

e! an& ne'er sure if he sense& the thoughts I er about Re&/Shi$s+

%ishe& to sen& hi " I %on&ere& again at %hy he &i& not &irect Serene as to the actions he %ishe& taken" He ha& Skille& to her all su %hy %as he so silent no%0 Ha& he Skille& to her alrea&y! an& she conceale& it0 Or re'eale& it! $erha$s! to Regal only" I consi&ere& it" *erha$s the bruises on the Fool.s face reflecte& Regal.s frustration at fin&ing Aerity a%are of %hat %as going on in his absence" ;hy he ha& chosen the Fool as the cul$rit %as anyone.s guess" *erha$s he ha& si $ly chosen hi as a 'ent for his rage" The Fool ha& ne'er a'oi&e& offen&ing Regal" Or anyone else" =ater that night! I %ent to -olly" It %as a &angerous ti e to go! for the (ee$ %as abu11 %ith extra folk an& extra ser'ants taking care of the " But y

1EH<

sus$icions %oul& not let 6It.s

e stay a%ay" ;hen I ta$$e& on the &oor that night!

-olly aske& through the %oo&! 6;ho is it07 e!7 I re$lie& incre&ulously" She ha& ne'er aske& before" 6Oh!7 she re$lie&! an& o$ene& the &oor" I sli$$e& insi&e an& bolte& it behin& e as she crosse& to the hearth" She knelt before it! a&&ing %oo& it &i&n.t nee& an& not looking at 6I. e" She %as &resse& in her blue ser'ant.s &ress! an& her hair e" I %as in trouble again" uch lately"7 %as still bun&le& u$" E'ery line of her bo&y %arne& sorry I ha'en.t been here I!7 -olly sai& shortly" e uch in the %ay of o$enings" 6# lot has been going on! e $retty busy"7 6So a

She %asn.t lea'ing 6;ith %hat07

an& they.'e been kee$ing

I sighe&" I alrea&y kne% %here this con'ersation %as going" 6;ith things I can.t talk to you about"7 6Of course"7 For all the cal ness an& coolness in her 'oice! I kne% her fury %as raging 4ust beneath the surface" The slightest %rong %or& %oul& set it off" So %oul& not saying anything" So on" 6-olly! the reason I ca e tonight/7 6Oh! I kne% there ha& to be so e s$ecial reason for you to finally &ro$ by" The only thing that really sur$rises straight to you y roo after e is yself" ;hy a I here0 ;hy &o I co e y &uties each &ay an& %ait! on the off chance that y )uestion ight as %ell be tackle& hea&/

ight sho% u$0 There are other things I coul& be &oing" There are

instrels an& $u$$et sho%s a$lenty lately" *rince Regal sees to that" I coul& be at one of the lesser hearths %ith the other ser'ants! en4oying their co $any" Instea& of u$ here alone" Or I coul& be getting so e %ork &one" 9ook lets e use the kitchen %hen it.s not a busy ti e" I ha'e %icking an& herbs an& tallo%+
1EH?

I shoul& be using the a fe% o ents %ith e"

%hile the herbs still ha'e their full $otency" But no! I e an& %ant to s$en& a

u$ here! on the off chance that you.ll re e ber

I stoo& like a rock in the battering %a'es of her %or&s" There %as nothing else I coul& &o" E'erything she sai& %as true" I looke& at y feet %hile she caught her 'oice! to be her breath" ;hen she s$oke again! the anger ha& fa&e& fro re$lace& %ith so ething %orse" -isery an& &iscourage ent" 6Fit1! it.s 4ust so har&" E'ery ti e I think I ha'e acce$te& it! I turn a corner an& catch yself ho$ing again" But there.s ne'er going to be anything for us! is there0 5e'er going to be a ti e that belongs 4ust to us! ne'er going to be a $lace that is 4ust ours"7 She $ause&" She looke& &o%n! biting on her lo%er li$" ;hen she s$oke! her 'oice tre ble&" 6I.'e seen 9elerity" She.s beautiful" I e'en a&e an excuse to s$eak to her """" I aske& if they nee&e& ore can&les for e their roo s """" She s$oke back! shyly! but courteously" She e'en thanke& Oh! they.ll ne'er gi'e you $er ission to arry a ser'ant07 6You are not a ser'ant to 6Then %hat a 6In sha e& I0 I a e!7 I sai& )uietly" 6I ne'er think of you that %ay"7 iserably" It %as a $itiful co fort to offer her" It y shoul&er" o ents! then $ulle& her into a %ar er e brace" not a %ife!7 she $ointe& out )uietly" arry

for being concerne&! as fe% here thank ser'ants" She.s """ she.s nice" # =a&y" e" ;hy %oul& you %ant to

y heart! you are!7 I sai&

e that she acce$te& it! an& ca e to rest her forehea& on

I hel& her gently for a fe% #s she nestle& against to ask you"7 6;hat07 6#re you """ %ith chil&07 6;hat07 She $ulle& back fro

e I sai& softly into her hair! 6There.s so ething I ha'e

e! to look u$ into
1EHB

y face"

6#re you carrying 6I """ no" 5o! I. su&&en07 6It 4ust occurre& to 6I kno% %hat you

y chil&07 not"7 # $ause" 6;hat akes you ask such a thing all of a ean/7

e to %on&er" That.s all" I ean" If %e %ere

arrie&! an& I %eren.t $regnant by no%! e before" I kne% that so e folk

the neighbors %oul& be shaking their hea&s o'er us"7 6Really07 Such a thing ha& ne'er occurre& to %on&ere& if (ettricken %ere barren! as she ha& not concei'e& in o'er a year of arriage! but a concern o'er her chil&lessness %as a $ublic issue" I ha& ne'er thought of neighbors %atching ne%ly%e&s ex$ectantly" 6Of course" By no%! so eone %oul& ha'e offere& 6Oh really07 I gathere& her closer to 6> "7 She s ile& back u$ at e a tea reci$e fro their other.s telling" Or $o%&ere& boar.s tusk to sli$ into your ale at night"7 e! grinning foolishly" e" The s ile fa&e& slo%ly" 6#s it is!7 she sai& e that &ay" 6So e herbs like that! for long"7

)uietly! 6there are other herbs I take" To be sure that I &o not concei'e"7 I ha& all but forgotten *atience scol&ing I.'e hear&! can 6I kno% %hat I. ake a %o an ill! if she takes the

&oing!7 she sai& flatly" 6Besi&es! %hat is the alternati'e07

she a&&e& %ith less heart" 6Disaster!7 I conce&e&" She no&&e& her hea& against e" 6Fit1" If I ha& sai& yes tonight" If I %ere $regnant """ %hat %oul& you ha'e &one07 6I &on.t kno%" I ha'en.t thought about it"7 6Think about it no%!7 she begge& e" I s$oke slo%ly" 6I su$$ose I.& """ get a $lace for you! so eho%! so e%here"7 LI.& go to 9ha&e! I.& go to Burrich! an& I.& beg for hel$" In%ar&ly I blanche& to

1EHC

think of it"M 6# safe $lace" #%ay fro 6You.& set

Buckkee$" >$ri'er!

aybe" I.& co e to y chil&"7

see you %hen I coul&" So eho%! I.& take care of you"7 e asi&e is %hat you.re saying" -e! an& our """ 65o: I.& kee$ you safe! $ut you %here no one %oul& $oint sha e at you or ock you for ha'ing a chil& alone" #n& %hen I coul&! I.& co e to you an& our chil&"7 6Ha'e you e'er consi&ere& that you coul& co e %ith us0 That %e coul& lea'e Buckkee$! you an& I! an& go u$ri'er no%07 6I can.t lea'e Buckkee$" I.'e ex$laine& that to you e'ery %ay I kno% ho%"7 6I kno% you ha'e" I.'e trie& to un&erstan& it" But I &on.t see %hy"7 6The %ork I &o for the (ing is such that/7 6Sto$ &oing it" =et so eone else &o it" Jo a%ay %ith e! to a life of our o%n"7 6I can.t" It.s not that si $le" I %oul&n.t be allo%e& to 4ust lea'e like that"7 So eho%! %e ha& co e uncou$le&" 5o% she fol&e& her ar s across her chest" 6Aerity.s gone" #l ost no one belie'es he.s co ing back" (ing Shre%& gro%s ore feeble each &ay! an& Regal $re$ares hi self to as king0 ;hy %oul& he %ant to inherit" If half of Regal.s feelings for you are %hat you say they are! %hy on earth %oul& you %ish to stay here %ith hi kee$ you here0 Fit1! can.t you see that it.s all tu bling a$art0 The 5ear Islan&s an& Ferry are 4ust the beginning" The" Rai&ers %on.t sto$ there"7 6#ll the $eo$le"7 6One an can.t sto$ the !7 -olly $ointe& out" 65ot e'en a an as stubborn as you" ;hy not take all that stubbornness an& fight for us instea&0 ;hy &on.t %e run a%ay! u$ the ri'er an& inlan&! a%ay fro the Rai&ers! to a life of our o%n0 ;hy shoul& %e ha'e to gi'e u$ e'erything for a ho$eless cause07 ore reason for e to stay here" To %ork an&! if nee& be! fight for our

1EHD

I coul&n.t belie'e %hat I %as hearing fro an& a chil& that &i&n.t exist yet %ere Duchies co bine&" I sai& as 6;ell!7 she aske& uch" e! looking at

her" If I ha& sai& it! it %oul& ha'e onest sense" #s if she an& I

been treason" But she sai& it as if it %ere the co

ore i $ortant than the (ing an& the Six e" If you %ere y

e le'elly" 6It.s true" To

husban& an& I ha& our chil&! that.s ho% i $ortant it %oul& be to i $ortant than the %hole rest of the %orl&"7

e" -ore

#n& %hat %as I to say to that0 I reache& for the truth! kno%ing it %oul&n.t satisfy her" 6You %oul& be that i $ortant to e" You are that i $ortant to e" But it.s also %hy I ha'e to stay here" Because so ething that i $ortant isn.t so ething you run a%ay an& hi&e %ith" It.s so ething that you stan& an& &efen&"7 6Defen&07 Her 'oice %ent u$ a notch" 6;hen %ill you learn %e aren.t strong enough to &efen& oursel'es0 I kno%" I.'e stoo& bet%een Rai&ers an& chil&ren of y o%n bloo&! an& 4ust barely sur'i'e&" ;hen you.'e &one that! talk to e about &efen&ing: 6 I %as silent" 5ot 4ust that her %or&s cut brought back to ea e" They &i&! an& &ee$ly" But she e ory of hol&ing a chil&! stu&ying the bloo& that ha&

trickle& &o%n her cooling" ar " I coul&n.t abi&e the thought of e'er &oing it again" But it coul& not be fle&" 6There is no running a%ay! -olly" ;e either stan& an& fight here! or are slaughtere& %hen the fighting o'ertakes us"7 6Really07 she aske& e col&ly" 6It isn.t 4ust your $utting your loyalty to a (ing eet her eyes" She snorte&" 6You.re 4ust uch you.re like hi :7 ahea& of %hat %e ha'e07 I coul& not like Burrich" You &on.t e'en kno% ho% alone that she sai& it as if it %ere a fault" 6Yes"7 She %as &ecisi'e"
1EHE

6=ike Burrich07 I %as left floun&ering" I %as startle& that she sai& it at all! let

6Because I a o%n life"7

true to

y king07 I %as still gras$ing at stra%s"

65o: Because you $ut your king before your %o an """ or your lo'e! or your 6I &on.t kno% %hat you.re talking about:7 6There: You see: You really &on.t" #n& you go about! acting like you kno% all these great things an& secrets an& e'ery i $ortant thing that e'er ha$$ene&" So ans%er e this" ;hy &oes *atience hate Burrich07 e" But I kne% so eho% -olly %oul& for e"7 ake a connection" I %as co $letely at a loss no%" I ha& no i&ea ho% this figure& into %hat %as %rong %ith Jingerly I trie&3 6She bla es hi e" She thinks Burrich le& 9hi'alry into

ba& %ays """ an& hence into concei'ing tol& e one night" # bit too

6There" You see" That.s ho% stu$i& you are" It.s nothing of the kin&" =acey uch el&erberry %ine! an& I %as talking of you arry her! e'en if her an& she of Burrich an& *atience" *atience lo'e& Burrich first! you i&iot" But he %oul&n.t ha'e her" He sai& he lo'e& her! but he coul&n.t father %oul& gi'e consent for her to %e& beneath her station" Because he %as alrea&y s%orn! life an& s%or&! to a lor& of his o%n" #n& he &i&n.t think he coul& &o 4ustice to both of the " Oh! he sai& he %ishe& he %ere free to her! an& that he %ishe& he ha&n.t s%orn before he.& he sai& he %asn.t free to about no arry et her" But all the sa e!

arry her 4ust then" He sai& so ething stu$i& to her! ore i $ortant to you than I

atter ho% %illing the horse! it can only %ear one sa&&le" So she tol&

hi ! %ell! go off! then! go follo% this lor& %ho.s

a " #n& he &i&" @ust as you %oul&! if I tol& you that you ha& to choose"7 There %ere t%o s$ots of high color on her cheeks" She tosse& her hea& as she turne& her back on e" y fault" But y in& %as reeling as bits an& ents su&&enly fell into $lace" Burrich.s tale of first
1E1H

So there %as the connection to $ieces of stories an& co

eeting *atience" She.& been sitting in an a$$le tree! an& she.& &e an&e& that he take a s$linter out of her foot" Scarcely so ething a %o an %oul& ask of her lor&.s an" But so ething a &irect young ai& ight ask of a young an %ho ha& caught her eye" #n& his reaction the night I ha& s$oken to hi 6Di& 9hi'alry kno% anything of all this07 I aske&" -olly s$un about to consi&er ex$ecte& Burrich.s e" It %as ob'iously not the )uestion she ha& e to ask" But she coul&n.t resist finishing the story either" 65o" 5ot aster" Burrich ha& ne'er tol& her %hat lor& he %as s%orn to" #t first %hat =acey says! he lo'e& her to arry aster" #n& only because 9hi'alry ount an& about

-olly an& *atience! an& re$eate& *atience.s %or&s about horses an& sa&&les"

at first" ;hen *atience first ca e to kno% hi ! she ha& no i&ea he %as *atience %oul& ha'e nothing to &o %ith 9hi'alry" Burrich still hel& her heart! you see" But 9hi'alry %as stubborn" Fro hi ! that she foun& out he %as Burrich.s &istraction" He %on her heart" It %asn.t until after she ha& sai& yes! she.& sent Burrich to &eli'er a s$ecial horse to her"7 I su&&enly re e bere& Burrich in the stable! looking at *atience.s to go to a %o an he.& lo'e&! as a gift fro 4ealousy that 9hi'alry coul& care so e'en stranger one" #n& infinitely to the an she.& saying! 6I traine& that horse"7 I %on&ere& if he.& traine& Silk! kno%ing she %as arry" I.& bet it %as so" I ha& al%ays thought that *atience.s &is&ain for Burrich %as a sort of uch for hi " 5o% the triangle %as an y eyes an& shook y ore $ainful" I close&

hea& at the unfairness of the %orl&" 65othing is e'er si $le an& goo&!7 I sai& yself" 6There is al%ays a bitter $eel! a sour $i$ so e%here"7 e a%ay" I took her han& an& 6Yes"7 -olly.s anger see e& su&&enly s$ent" She sat &o%n on the be&si&e! an& %hen I %ent an& sat besi&e her! she &i&n.t $ush hel& it" # thousan& thoughts cluttere& y in&" Ho% *atience hate& Burrich.s

&rinking" Ho% Burrich ha& recalle& her la$&og! an& ho% she al%ays carrie& it
1E11

about in a basket" The care he al%ays took %ith his o%n a$$earance an& beha'ior" 6@ust because you cannot see a %o an &oes not sel&o ro&e any ore" #t least *atience ha& ha& a ean she &oes not an she lo'e&! see you"7 Oh! Burrich" The extra ti e he still took! groo ing a horse that she arriage to a an& so e years of ha$$iness! co $licate& as they %ere by $olitical intrigues" But so e years of ha$$iness! any%ay" ;hat %oul& -olly an& I e'er ha'e0 Only %hat Burrich ha& no%0 She leane& against so eho% in that e an& I hel& her for a long ti e" That %as all" But elancholy hol&ing that night! %e %ere closer than %e ha&

been for a 'ery long ti e"

9H#*TER T;E5TY/O5E Dark Days (I5J EYOD OF the -ountains hel& the -ountain throne &uring the years of the Re&/Shi$s" The &eath of his el&er son! Rurisk! ha& left his &aughter! (ettricken! sole heir to the -ountain throne" By their custo s! she %oul& beco e )ueen of the -ountains! or 6Sacrifice! 6 as that $eo$le call it! u$on the &e ise of her father" Thus her arriage to Aerity ensure& not only that %e ha& of the Six Duchies" That the an ally at our back &uring those unstable years! but also $ro ise& the e'entual 4oining of a 6se'enth &uchy7 to the (ing&o -ountain (ing&o Farro% bor&ere& only on the t%o Inlan& Duchies of Tilth an&

a&e the $ros$ect of any ci'il sun&ering of the Six Duchies of es$ecial

concern to (ettricken" She ha& been raise& to be 6Sacrifice" Her &uty to her folk %as of su$re e i $ortance in her life" ;hen she beca e Aerity.s )ueen/ in/%aiting! the Six Duchies folk beca e her o%n" But it coul& ne'er ha'e been
1E12

far fro ore clai

her heart that on her father.s &eath! her -ountain folk %oul& once her as 6Sacrifice7 as %ell" Ho% coul& she fulfill that obligation if

Farro% an& Tilth stoo& bet%een her an& her folk! not as $art of the Six Duchies! but as a hostile nation0 # thick stor set in the next &ay" It %as a ixe& blessing" 5o one nee& fear

Rai&ers any%here along the coast on a &ay like that! but it also ke$t a restless an& &is$arate grou$ of sol&iers $enne& u$ together" >$ in the (ee$ itself! Bea s %as as 'isible as Regal %as not" ;hene'er I 'enture& into the Jreat Hall! Duke Bra%n&y %as there! $acing restlessly or staring col&ly into one of the bla1ing hearths" His &aughters flanke& hi like guar&ian sno%cats" 9elerity ore $lainly an& Faith %ere young yet! an& their i $atience an& anger sho%e&

on their faces" Bra%n&y ha& re)ueste& an official au&ience %ith the (ing" The longer he %as ke$t %aiting! the greater the i $lie& insult" It &enie& the i $ortance of %hat ha& brought hi here" #n& the Duke.s continue& $resence in our Jreat Hall %as a $lain announce ent to his follo%ers that! as yet! the (ing ha& not consente& to see hi " I %atche& that kettle co ing to a slo% boil an& %on&ere& %ho %oul& be scal&e& %orst %hen it s$ille& o'er" I %as aking y fourth cautious sur'ey of the roo %hen (ettricken a$$eare&" She %as &resse& si $ly! a long straight robe of $ur$le %ith an o'er%ra$ of soft %hite %ith 'olu inous slee'es that o'erhung her han&s" Her hair %as long an& loose on her shoul&ers" She ca e in %ith her usual lack of cere ony! $rece&e& only by Rose ary! her little ai&! an& acco $anie& only ore her by =a&y -o&esty an& =a&y Ho$eful" E'en no% that she ha& beco e a bit %hen she %as alone! an& she often honore& the by aking the

$o$ular %ith the la&ies! she &i& not forget that these t%o ha& follo%e& her first!

1E18

co $anions" I &o not belie'e Duke Bra%n&y recogni1e& his )ueen/in/%aiting as the si $ly cla& %o an %ho a$$roache& hi &irectly" She s ile& an& took his han& in greeting" It %as a si $le -ountain %ay of recogni1ing one.s frien&s" I &oubt she reali1e& ho% she honore& hi ! or ho% uch that si $le gesture &i& to assuage his hours of %aiting" Only I sa% the %eariness in her face! I a 9elerity %ere i sure! or the ne% circles un&er her eyes" Faith an& e&iately char e& by this attention to their father"

(ettricken.s clear 'oice carrie& throughout the Jreat Hall! so those at any hearth %ho %ishe& to hear un&oubte&ly &i&" #s she ha& inten&e&" 6I ha'e calle& on our king t%ice this orning" I regret that he has been """ ill ust be &one ight %ish both ti es" I ho$e you ha'e not foun& this %aiting fretful" I kno% you %ill %ant to s$eak &irectly to the (ing about your trage&y an& all that to hel$ our folk" But! for no%! %hile he rests! I thought $erha$s you to 4oin e for so e refresh ent"7 uch to soothe his ru $le& feathers" But Bra%n&y %as not one to be

6That %oul& be %elco e! la&y )ueen!7 Bea s re$lie& cautiously" #lrea&y she ha& &one 6I a #ll too easily char e&" $lease&!7 (ettricken re$lie&" She turne& an& stoo$e& slightly to %his$er ai& ga'e a )uick no& an& turne& an& fle& like a rabbit" o ents she %as back! this ti e at the hea& of a o'e& &o%n before the arke& her exit" In but to Rose ary" The little

$rocession of ser'ing folk" # table %as clai e& an&

Jreat Hearth" # sno%y cloth %as s$rea&! an& then one of (ettricken.s bo%l gar&ens set to grace the center of it" # $ara&e of kitchen folk troo$e& $ast! each to &e$osit $latters! or cu$s of %ine or s%eet eats or late/fall a$$les in a %oo&en bo%l" So %on&erfully %as it orchestrate& that it see e& al ost agical" In o ents the table %as set! the guests %ere seate&! an& -ello% a$$eare& %ith his lute! alrea&y singing as he entere& the Jreat Hall" (ettricken
1E1<

beckone& her la&ies to 4oin the ! an& then es$ying %ith a no&" She chose others fro

e as %ell! su

one&

the other hearths at ran&o + not by their

nobility or %ealth! but folk I kne% she consi&ere& interesting" Fletch %ith his hunting stories! an& Shells! a frien&ly girl of an age %ith Bra%n&y.s &aughters %ere a ong those su it so" ;hen so e bit of foo& an& talk ha& been en4oye&! she signale& -ello% to soften his stru Ferry07 He hesitate& briefly" He ha& brought his co $laint for the (ing to hear an& act on" But ho% coul& he refuse a Iueen/in/;aiting %ho ha& treate& hi graciously0 He lo%ere& his eyes a so o ent! an& %hen he s$oke! his 'oice %as ing" She turne& to Bra%n&y an& sai& si $ly! 6;e ha'e hear& only the bare bones of your ne%s" ;ill you share %ith us %hat has befallen one&" (ettricken seate& herself at Bra%n&y.s right to arrange han&! an& again I &o not think she reali1e& all the honor she &i& hi

husky %ith unfeigne& e otion" 6-y la&y )ueen! %e ha'e taken grie'ous hurt!7 he began" E'ery 'oice at the table %as )uickly stille&" #ll eyes turne& to hi " I $ercei'e& that all of those chosen by the Iueen %ere attenti'e listeners as %ell" Fro the ti e he launche& into his tale! there %as not a soun& at the table! sa'e utters of anger at %hat the Rai&ers ha& a&e a &ecision! an& %ent on to ons for ai&! an& %aite& in 'ain for any soft excla ations of sy $athy or tell ho% they ha& sent forth their su res$onse" The Iueen hear& hi For a fe% long

&one" He $ause& once in his tale! then 'isibly

out! %ith no ob4ections or &enials" ;hen his

tale of %oe %as &one! his bur&en ha& 'isibly lifte& si $ly in the telling of it" o ents all %ere silent" e is ne% to y ears!7 (ettricken sai& )uietly at last" yself! for no%! I %ill say 6-uch of %hat you tell %ill ha'e to %ait for hi

6#n& none of it is goo&" I &o not kno% %hat our king %ill say of all this" You to hear his %or&s" But for
1E1?

that

y heart is full of grief for

y $eo$le" #n& anger" I $ro ise you that! for y folk be left

yself! these %rongs shall not go unre&resse&" 5or shall shelterless in %inter.s bite"7

Duke Bra%n&y of Bea s looke& &o%n at his $late an& toye& %ith the e&ge of the tablecloth" He looke& u$! an& there %as fire in his eyes! but also regret" ;hen he s$oke! his 'oice %as fir " 6;or&s" These are but %or&s! nightfall"7 (ettricken et his eyes s)uarely" So ething see e& to tighten insi&e her" 6;ell &o I kno% the truth of %hat you say" But %or&s are all I ha'e to offer you 4ust no%" ;hen the (ing is %ell enough to see you! %e shall see %hat can be &one for Ferry"7 Bra%n&y leane& to%ar& her" 6I ha'e )uestions! is al ost as great as y nee& for oney an& y )ueen" -y nee& for ans%ers en" ;hy &i& our su ons for y la&y at )ueen" The folk of Ferry cannot eat %or&s! nor shelter beneath the

hel$ go unhee&e&0 ;hy &i& the shi$ that shoul& ha'e co e to our ai& instea& set sail for ho e $ort07 (ettricken.s 'oice tre ble& 'ery slightly" 6To these )uestions! I ha'e no ans%ers! sir" #n& that is a sha eful thing for situation reache& Strong y ears until your young isgi'ings arose in e to a& it" 5o %or& of your essenger arri'e& on horseback"7

e as she s$oke" Shoul& the Iueen ha'e a& itte&

these things to Bra%n&y0 *erha$s not! for the sake of $olitical %is&o " But (ettricken! I kne%! ser'e& truth before $olitics" Bra%n&y looke& long into her face! an& the lines aroun& his 6#re not you )ueen/in/%aiting07 (ettricken.s eyes %ent s%or& gray as she if I lie to you07 et his ga1e" 6I a " Do you ask e outh &ee$ene&" Bol&ly! he aske&! but softly!

1E1B

It %as Bra%n&y.s turn to look asi&e" 65o" 5o! ne'er in fro y in&"7

y )ueen! that thought %as

The silence stretche& o'erlong" I &o not kno% if there %as so e subtle signal (ettricken! or if it %as si $ly -ello%.s instincts that s%e$t his fingers o ent his 'oice took u$ a %inter one& to the ore 'igorously across the strings" In a

song! full of blo%ing notes an& skirling choruses" -ore than three &ays $asse& before Bra%n&y %as finally su entertain a an %hose (ing.s cha bers" (ettricken trie& to $ro'i&e a use ents! but it is har& to in& is on his &uke&o .s 'ulnerability" He %as courteous! but &istracte&" Faith! his secon& &aughter! )uickly for e& a frien&shi$ %ith Shells! an& see e& to forget so e of her sorro%s in her co $any" 9elerity! ho%e'er! clung to her father.s si&e! an& %hen her &ark blue eyes &i& eet ine! they %ere like %oun&s" I ex$erience& a strange 'ariety of that ga1e" I %as relie'e& that she &i& not seek e out as an e %as e otions fro

in&i'i&ual to $ay attention to" #t the sa e ti e I kne% her coolness to her slighting of ;hen the su Ia

a reflection of her father.s $resent feelings to%ar& all of Buckkee$" I %elco e& e+ at the sa e ti e it rankle&! as I &i& not feel I &eser'e& it" ons ca e at last! an& Bra%n&y hastene& to the (ing! I ho$e&

that the a%k%ar&ness %oul& be o'er" sure I %as not the only one %ho notice& that Iueen (ettricken %as not in'ite& to the council" 5either %as I $resent! being also unin'ite&" But it is not often that a Iueen is relegate& to the sa e social stan&ing as a bastar& ne$he%" (ettricken ke$t her e)uani ity! an& %ent on sho%ing Bra%n&y.s &aughters an& Shells a -ountain techni)ue for %ea'ing bea&s into e broi&ery %ork" I ho'ere& near the table! but &oubte& that their ore than ine %as" in&s %ere on their craft any

1E1C

;e ha& not long to %ait" In less than an hour! Duke Bra%n&y rea$$eare& in the Jreat Hall %ith all the bluster an& chill of a stor %in&" To Faith! he sai&! yself 6*ack our things"7 To 9elerity3 6Tell our guar& to be rea&y to &e$art %ithin the hour"7 He ga'e Iueen (ettricken a 'ery stiff bo%" 6-y )ueen! I excuse to &e$art" #s House Farseer %ill offer no ai&! Bea s o%n"7 6In&ee&" I see your nee& for haste!7 (ettricken re$lie& gra'ely" 6But I shall re)uire that you atten& e for but one ore eal" It is not goo& to &e$art on a 4ourney on an e $ty sto ach" Tell %as a&&resse& to his &aughters as father" #fter a e" Do you en4oy gar&ens07 Her )uestion uch as to Bea s" They looke& to their ust no% ten& to its

o ent he ga'e a curt no&"

Both the &aughters a& itte& cautiously to (ettricken that they en4oye& gar&ens" But their $u11le ent %as $lain" # gar&en0 In %inter! &uring a ho%ling stor 0 I share& their (ettricken gesture& to 6Fit19hi'alry" #tten& to e" y %ish" Rose ary! go %ith =or& Fit19hi'alry to the isgi'ings! es$ecially as at that o ent

kitchens" *re$are foo& as he &irects you an& bring it to the Iueen.s Jar&en" I shall escort our guests there"7 I %i&ene& y eyes at (ettricken &es$erately" 5o" 5ot there" The cli b to the any! let alone taking a cu$ of tea on a stor /lashe& %hat she thought she %as about" The s ile she out of the Jreat Hall! %hile the to%er alone %as taxing to to%er to$" I coul& not fatho returne&

y anxious look %as as o$en an& serene as any I ha& seen" Taking

Duke Bra%n&y.s ar ! she steere& hi change& her or&ers" 6Jo fin& %ar foo&"7
1E1D

&aughters traile& behin& %ith the Iueen.s la&ies" I turne& to Rose ary an& %ra$s for the ! an& catch u$ %ith the " I.ll take care of the

The chil& sca $ere& $astries an& hot

errily off %hile I hastene& to the kitchen" I tersely e" 6Take these yourself! an& I.ll sen& ight refer to ore

infor e& Sara of our su&&en nee&! an& she )uickly create& a $latter of %ar e& ulle& %ine for %ith a boy in a bit"7 I s ile& to yself as I took the tray an& hurrie& off to%ar& e as =or& e off

the Iueen.s Jar&ens" The Iueen herself %ith a tray of foo&" It %as o&&ly co forting"

Fit19hi'alry! but Sara the cook %oul& ne'er think t%ice of or&ering

I took the stairs as )uickly as I coul&! then $ause& to breathe at the to$ lan&ing" I brace& %as as yself for the rain an& %in&! an& $ushe& the &oor o$en" The to%er to$ iserable as I ha& ex$ecte& it to be" The Iueen.s la&ies an& Bra%n&y.s er"

&aughters an& Shells %ere hu&&le& in a bit of shelter offere& by t%o a&4oining %alls an& a stretch of can'as that ha& been set u$ as a sha&y s$ot last su It broke %ar fro ost of the %in&! an& &i'erte& a great &eal of the free1ing rain as %ell"

There %as a s all table %ithin its $athetic shelter an& here I set the tray of foo&" Rose ary! snugly bun&le&! s ile& s ugly as she snitche& a $astry the e&ge of the tray" =a&y -o&esty $resi&e& o'er ser'ing the foo&" ugs of %ar e& %ine for the Iueen an& Duke

#s )uickly as I coul&! I secure&

Bra%n&y an&! on $retext of ser'ing the ! 4oine& the " They %ere at the 'ery e&ge of the $ara$et! looking out o'er the crenate& %all at the o$en sea belo%" The %in& ha& lashe& it to %hite froth! an& %as flinging seagulls about %ith a fine &isregar& for the bir&s. atte $ts to fly" #s I a$$roache& I coul& see they %ere s$eaking softly! but the roar of the %in& frustrate& ea'es&ro$" I %ishe& I ha& thought to get a cloak for through al ost instantly an& the %in& ble% off %hat heat by shi'ering" I trie& to s ile $ast the %ine" y atte $t to yself" I %as soake& y bo&y generate& %ith

y chattering teeth as I $resente& the

1E1E

6=or& Fit19hi'alry is kno%n to you07 she aske& Bra%n&y as they took the %ine fro e" at y o%n table!7 Bra%n&y 6In&ee&! I ha'e ha& the $leasure of ha'ing hi %arrior.s tail to fla$$ing" 6You %oul& not s$ring sunshine" I %on&ere& if (ettricken kne% that Bra%n&y %oul& see her re)uest as a 'eile& co an&" to offer! y 6I %oul& %elco e his counsels! if you consi&er he has %is&o )ueen!7 Bra%n&y ac)uiesce&" 6I ha& ho$e& you %oul&" Fit19hi'alry" Fetch yourself so e %ine! an& re4oin us here! $lease"7 6#s y )ueen %ishes"7 I bo%e& lo% an& hurrie& off to obey" -y contact %ith ore tenuous %ith each $assing &ay that he 4ourneye& farther o ent I coul& sense his nu&ging! eager curiosity" I hastene& Aerity ha& gro%n a%ay! but at that back to in&! then! if I aske& hi to 4oin us in our con'ersation07 Des$ite the rain that soake& her! the Iueen s$oke cal ly! as if %e baske& in

assure& her" Rain &ri$$e& off his bushy eyebro%s %hile the %in& ha& set his

y )ueen.s si&e"

6There is no un&oing %hat has been &one!7 the Iueen %as saying as I returne& to the " 6I grie'e that %e %ere not able to $rotect our folk" Yet if I cannot un&o %hat the Rai&ers fro hel$ to shelter the fro the sea ha'e &one alrea&y! at least! $erha$s! I can the stor s to co e" This! I bi& you take the ! fro a&e no ention of (ing Shre%&.s e'i&ent refusal her ar %as alrea&y &ri$$ing %ith col&

their )ueen.s han& an& heart"7 I notice& in $assing that she to act" I %atche& her" She o'e& leisurely an& $ur$osefully at once" The loose

%hite slee'e that she &re% back fro

rain" She ignore& it as she bare& her $ale ar ! to re'eal a snaking of gol& %ire
1E2H

u$ her ar ! %ith the &ark o$als of her -ountains caught here an& there in its %eb" I ha& seen the &ark flash of -ountain o$als before! but ne'er ones of this si1e" Yet she hel& out her ar for e to unfasten the catch! an& %ith no her ar " Fro her other slee'e! outh o$en as she sli& the bracelets into hesitation at all! she un%oun& the treasure fro she &re% a s all 'el'et bag" I hel& its your king/in/%aiting Aerity an& i $ulse in

it" She s ile& %ar ly at Duke Bra%n&y as she $resse& it into his han&" 6Fro e!7 she sai& )uietly" I barely resiste& Aerity.s e to fling hi self on his knees at the feet of this %o an an&

&eclare her far too royal for his insignificant lo'e" Bra%n&y %as left stuttering his a a1e& thanks an& 'o%ing to her that not a $enny of its %orth %oul& go to %aste" Stout houses %oul& rise once bless the Iueen for the %ar th of the " I su&&enly sa% the reason for the Iueen.s Jar&en as a site" This %as a Iueen.s gift! not contingent on anything Shre%& or Regal (ettricken.s choice of $lace! an& her that clear to hi " She &i& not tell hi Aerity %as )uiet" I fasten the a&e no ight ha'e to say" a&e e anner of $resenting it to Bra%n&y! to kee$ it secret+ she &i& not nee& to" y clothes chest! but %ithin ore in Ferry! an& the folk there %oul&

I thought of the e eral&s hi&&en in a corner of

o'e to get the " I ho$e& to see Aerity hi self a bastar&" For that

about his )ueen.s neck one &ay" 5or &i& I %ish to lessen the

significance of her gift to Bra%n&y by a&&ing another fro her $resentation of it stan& alone in his Bra%n&y turne& fro this young e ory"

%as ho% I %oul& ha'e ha& to $resent it" 5o! I &eci&e&" =et the Iueen.s gift an& his )ueen to consi&er e" 6-y )ueen! you see ake hi to hol&

an in consi&erable estee ! to

$ri'y to your counsels"7 y trust in hi "7

6I &o!7 (ettricken re$lie& gra'ely" 6He has ne'er betraye&

Bra%n&y no&&e&! as if confir ing so ething to hi self" He $er itte& hi self a s all s ile" 6-y youngest &aughter! 9elerity! %as so e%hat trouble& by a
1E21

issi'e fro isgi'ings to %hat

=or& Fit19hi'alry" Es$ecially as her ol&er sisters ha& o$ene& it uch there to tease her %ith" But %hen she brought her an %ho so can&i&ly a& its to to go e y trust to a an %ho coul& kill e! I tol& her that it is a rare

for her! an& foun&

ight be seen as shortco ings" Only a braggart %oul& clai

fearless into battle" 5or %oul& I %ish to gi'e su&&enly on the shoul&er/7I %oul& say a su

an& not feel heart/lost after%ar&" #s to your $hysical health7/he cla$$e& an ax ha& &one you goo&"7 His ha%k.s eyes $ierce& that"7 I sai& the %or&s I kne% I ust" 6Thank you! sir"7

er of $ulling oars an& %iel&ing ine" 6I ha'e not change&

y assess ent of you! Fit19hi'alry" 5or has 9elerity" I %ish you to be sure of

He turne& to look o'er his shoul&er" I follo%e& his ga1e through the blo%ing rain to %here 9elerity ga1e& at us" Her father ga'e her a tiny no&! an& her s ile broke like the sun fro %hen Bra%n&y tol& behin& a clou&" Faith! %atching her! sai& so ething! ay bi& y &aughter fare%ell! if you %ish"7 an& 9elerity turne& blushing to gi'e her sister a $ush" -y guts turne& to ice e! 6You There %ere fe% things I %ishe& less to &o" But I %oul& not un&o %hat (ettricken ha& so laboriously %rought" I coul& not" So I bo%e& an& excuse& yself! an& force& &istance to %atch us" I bo%e& to her %ith absolute correctness" 6=a&y 9elerity! I again for the scroll you sent #s %as hers! I a She s ile& at sure! for a co $letely &ifferent reason" e through the falling rain" 6I %as gla& to sen& it! an& gla&&er of e" I ho$e you &o not take it a iss that I ust thank you e!7 I sai& a%k%ar&ly" -y heart %as $oun&ing" yself to cross the rain/$elte& gar&en to $resent yself to 9elerity" Faith an& Shells i e&iately %ith&re% to a not/)uite/&iscreet

your re$ly" -y father ex$laine& it to

sho%e& it to hi " I &i& not un&erstan& %hy you %oul& belittle yourself so" He
1E22

sai&! RThe he tol&

an %ho

ust brag for hi self kno%s that no one else %ill". Then

e there is no better %ay to learn the sea than at the oar of a boat" #n& e a &ory of our o%n! next su er! that %e can take out on the uch $referre& that she &o the

that! in his younger years! the ax %as al%ays his %ea$on! too" He has $ro ise& y sisters an& 65ot at all! talking" 6-y la&y!7 she re$eate& softly! an& then blushe& as furiously as if I ha& kisse& her right there" I looke& asi&e fro her! only to fin& Faith.s %i&e eyes on us! her outh an O of scan&ali1e& &elight" I agining %hat she i agine& I ha& sai& to her sister brought the color an& heat to burst out giggling" It see e& an eternity before %e left the stor /battere& Iueen.s Jar&en" Our guests sought their roo s! both to change fro so&&en clothing an& to $re$are iss anything of their ount" So for their 4ourney" I &i& like%ise! &ressing hastily lest I y face as %ell" #s I %ent scarlet she an& Shells sea on fine &ays """"7 She faltere& su&&enly" 6I chatter! &o I not07 y la&y!7 I assure& her )uietly" I

&e$arture" I %as at the outer courtyar& to see Bra%n&y an& his guar&

%as Iueen (ettricken! in her no% fa iliar $ur$le an& %hite! an& her honor guar& ha& been turne& out as %ell" She stoo& besi&e Bra%n&y.s horse to bi& hi fare%ell! an& before he ounte&! he %ent &o%n on one knee an& kisse& her han&" So e brief %or&s %ere s$oken! I kno% not %hat! but the Iueen s ile& as the %in&s lashe& her hair about her face" Bra%n&y an& his troo$s set off into the teeth of the stor " There %as anger yet in the set of Bra%n&y.s shoul&ers! but his obeisance to the Iueen sho%e& lost" 9elerity an& Faith both looke& back to e as they ro&e off! an& 9elerity &are& go! to lift a han& in fare%ell" I returne& the gesture" I stoo& %atching the
1E28

e that as of yet not all %as

chille& by

ore than the rain" I ha& su$$orte& Aerity an& (ettricken this &ay! yself0 ;hat %as I &oing to 9elerity0 ;as -olly! $erha$s! y res$ects to y king" He ha& not e not to

but at %hat cost to right about all this0

=ater that e'ening! I %ent to $ay su one& if Aerity %ille& it in e or if it %as

e" I &i& not inten& to &iscuss 9elerity %ith hi " I %ent! %on&ering y o%n heart cautioning e! %ith a stern %arning that the ust not %eary hi " %as ost

aban&on hi " ;allace gru&gingly a& itte&

(ing %as still not feeling co $letely hi self! an& I

(ing Shre%& %as sitting u$ before his fire$lace" The air of the roo an& blues! sat at the (ing.s feet" He ha& the goo& fortune to be belo% the that ;allace so thoughtfully $ro'i&e& for # fe% o ents after I ha& $resente& e" He regar&e& e blearily for a fe% e"

cloying %ith S oke" The Fool! his face still an interesting lan&sca$e of $ur$les $ungent le'el of the ha1e" I ha& no such luck as I took the lo% backless stool yself an& sat &o%n! the (ing turne& to o ents as his hea& s%aye& on his e belate&ly" 6Ho% ha'e your lessons eet y eyes! but $oke& orosely at the

neck" 6#h! Fit1!7 the (ing greete& I glance& at the Fool! %ho &i& not fire" 6Yes!7 I sai& )uietly" 6He has sai& our bargain0 Ha'e I ke$t It %as our ol& litany" Once %oul& fee& the e! clothe

been0 Is -aster Fe&%ren $lease& %ith your $rogress07

y lettering is goo&"7 an ay be $rou& of" #n& %hat of e" He y e"

6That.s fine" # clear han& is a thing any y %or& to you07

ore I consi&ere& the ter s he ha& offere&

e! an& e&ucate

e! an& in return he %oul& ha'e

co $lete loyalty" I s ile& at the fa iliar %or&s! but an %ho sai& the 6Yes! y king" You ha'e!7 I ans%ere& softly"
1E2<

y throat close& at ho%

ha& %aste& a%ay! an& %hat they ha& co e to cost

6Joo&" Then see you kee$ your %or& to in his chair"

e as %ell"7 He leane& back hea'ily et ine as he

6I shall! Your -a4esty!7 I $ro ise&! an& the Fool.s eyes %itnesse& again that $ro ise" For a fe% o ents the roo

%as still! sa'e for the crackling of the fire" Then

the (ing sat u$ as if startle& by a soun&" He looke& about confuse&ly" 6Aerity0 ;here.s Aerity07 6He.s gone on a )uest! Re&/Shi$s fro y king" To seek the hel$ of the El&erlings to &ri'e the o ent! I thought """7 He in& tugge& at ine our shores"7 y skin $rickle& u$" I coul& feel inca$able of Skilling

6#h! yes" Of course" Of course he has" But 4ust for a leane& back in his chair" Then all the hair on hi

'aguely Skilling! in an unfocuse& fu bling %ay" His

like ol& han&s seeking for a gri$" I ha& belie'e& hi tol& e once that Shre%& use& his talent but sel&o

any ore! I ha& thought that he ha& burne& out his talent years ago" Aerity ha& any ore" I ha& set those y %or&s asi&e as his loyalty to his father" But the ghostly Skill $lucke& at this ne% in'asion" Silence! I cautione& hi " -y breath snagge& su&&enly on an i&ea" Fostere& by Aerity %ithin asi&e all cautions! re in&e& o'e& e0 I set an yself that this %as %hat I ha& $ro ise& this ine" y boy! there you

thoughts like unschoole& fingers at har$ strings" I sense& 5ighteyes hackling at

so long ago" =oyalty in all things" 6-y king07 I aske& his $er ission as I y stool closer to his chair" I took his %ithere& han& in yself into a rushing ri'er" 6#h! Aerity! It %as like $lunging are:7 @ust for a

o ent I gli $se& Aerity as (ing Shre%& still sa% hi " # ore frien&ly than s art! not so tall as his big

chubby boy of eight or nine!

brother! 9hi'alry" But a soun& an& likable *rince! an excellent secon& son! not too a bitious! not too )uestioning" Then! 4ust as if I ha& ste$$e& off a
1E2?

ri'erbank! I tu ble& into a black! rushing roar of Skill" It %as &isorienting to see su&&enly through Shre%&.s eyes" The e&ges of his 'ision %ere fil y %ith ha1e" For a o ent I gli $se& Aerity forging %earily through sno%" ;hat.s this0 Fit10 Then I %as %hirle& a%ay! carrie& into the heart of (ing Shre%&.s $ain" Skille& &ee$ insi&e hi ! beyon& %here the herbs an& s oke &ea&ene& hi ! I %as scorche& %ith the agony" It %as a slo% gro%ing $ain! along his s$ine an& in his skull! a $ushing cro%&ing thing that %oul& not be ignore&" His choices %ere to be consu e& by the agony that %oul& not let hi think! or to &ea&en his bo&y an& But &ee$ insi&e his fogge& hi in& %ith herbs an& S okes to hi&e fro it" in&! a (ing still li'e& an& rage& at his

confine ent" The s$irit %as still there! battling the bo&y that no longer obeye& an& the $ain that &e'oure& the last years of his life" I s%ear I sa% hi ! a an! $erha$s a year or so ol&er than yself" His hair ha& been as bushy young

an& unruly as Aerity.s! his eyes %ere %i&e an& li'ely! an& once his face.s only lines ha& been fro young %ay out07 I felt a %i&e grin" This %as %ho he still %as! in his soul! this e! asking %il&ly! 6Is there a e! sent e an! tra$$e& an& &es$erate" He sei1e& on yself sinking %ith his gri$" erging! another force crashe& against

Then! like t%o ri'ers stea&ie&

s$inning %ith its current" Boy: 9ontain yourself" It %as as if strong han&s e an& establishe& e as a se$arate stran& in the t%isting ro$e %e %ere for ing" Father" I a Yes" I a here" here" #re you in nee&0

5o" 5o" #ll is as it has been for so e ti e" But Aerity """ Bearns is no longer true to us" Bra%n&y harbors Re&/Shi$s there! in exchange for $rotection for his o%n 'illages" He has turne& on us" ;hen you co e ho e! you ust """ The thought %an&ere&! lost strength"
1E2B

Father" ;hence co e these ti&ings0 I sense& Aerity.s su&&en &es$eration" If %hat Shre%& s$oke %as true! there %as no ho$e for Buckkee$ to stan& the %inter" Regal has s$ies" They bring %or& to hi ! an& he co es to Bra%n&y" Or until %e &eci&e to aban&on hi turn on Bra%n&y an& $unish hi 9an this be so0 #ll Regal.s s$ies confir a&e it" #n& I fear %e can no longer trust your foreign arke& ho% she &allie& %ith hi ! an& %ife" ;hile Bra%n&y %as here! Regal o'erthro% the throne" THIS IS 5OT SO: The force of this &enial %ent through $assing through e" Aerity sense& it! stea&ie& e again" ;e e like a s%or&.s ust be careful of $oint" For an instant I %as &ro%ning again! lost! selfless! in the floo& of Skill the boy" He has not the strength to be use& like this" Father" I beg you" Trust y )ueen" I kno% she is not false" #n& be %ary of %hat Regal Fs s$ies re$ort to you" *ut s$ies u$on the s$ies! before you act on any of their re$orts" 9onsult %ith 9ha&e" *ro ise Ia e this" y throne" a burning sto'e" I sagge& not a fool! Aerity" I kno% ho% to hol& e" This ust re ain a secret! for a ti e! until %e ha'e the strength to strike back at to his Re&/Shi$ frien&s" Yes" Buck! an& then they %ill That is Regal.s $lan" To hol& the Re&/Shi$s off fro

for us" Bra%n&y e'en sent a false call for

hel$! in the ho$es of luring our %arshi$s to their &estruction"

any excuses for $ri'ate talk" He fears that she $lots %ith our ene ies to

Joo&" Joo& then" -ake sure the boy is ten&e& to" He is not traine& for this" So eone snatche& for%ar&! $ut e" 5ext to y han& back then! as if fro y hea& &o%n bet%een y knees %hile the %orl& s$un aroun& y han&! then %ent back to

e! I coul& hear (ing Shre%& $anting for his breath as if he ha&

run a race" The Fool $ushe& a glass of %ine into

1E2C

urging s all si$s of %ine into the (ing" #n& o'er all! su&&enly! ;allace.s 'oice! &e an&ing! 6;hat ha'e you &one to the (ing07 6It is both of the :7 There %as a shar$ e&ge of fear to the Fool.s 'oice" 6They %ere talking together! )uite cal ly! then su&&enly this: Take the &a ne& S oke censers a%ay: I fear you ha'e kille& the 6Silence! Fool: Do not accuse ;allace.s ste$ as he both:7 y healing of this:7 But I hear& the hurry in %ith brass cu$s" In a o ent the e" I

a&e the roun&s of the roo ! $inching out the burning

t%ists in each censer or ca$$ing the

%in&o%s %ere thro%n %i&e to the icy %inter night" The cool air stea&ie& anage& to sit u$ an& take a si$ of the %ine" Jra&ually to

y senses ca e back

e" E'en so! I %as still sitting there %hen Regal ca e bustling into the

roo ! &e an&ing to kno% %hat ha& ha$$ene&" He a&&resse& the )uestion to e! as the Fool %as hel$ing ;allace $ut the (ing to be&" I shook y hea& at hi &u bly! an& the gi&&iness %as not all $reten&e&" 6Ho% is the (ing0 ;ill he reco'er07 he calle& to ;allace" ;allace i e&iately ca e hurrying to Regal.s si&e" 6He see s to be stea&ying! *rince Regal" I &o not kno% %hat o'erca e hi " There %as no sign of a struggle! but he is as %earie& as if he ha& run a race" His health %ill not stan& this sort of excite ent! gro%le&" 6I0 5othing"7 That at least %as truthful" ;hate'er ha& ha$$ene&! it ha& been the (ing.s &oing an& Aerity.s" 6;e %ere talking )uietly" Su&&enly I felt o'er%hel e&" Di11y" ;eak" #s if I %ere losing consciousness"7 I turne& ga1e to ;allace" 69oul& it ha'e been the S oke07 y y $rince"7 e" 6;hat &i& you &o to y father07 he Regal turne& an a$$raising glance on

1E2D

6*erha$s!7 he conce&e& unha$$ily" He looke& ner'ously at Regal.s &arkening stare" 6;ell! it see s e'ery &ay I 6SI=E59E:7 Regal cut hi offal" 6Jet hi #t that o ent Shre%& ust ake it stronger! for it to ha'e any e as if I %ere effect at all" #n& still he co $lains that/7 off %ith a roar" He gesture& at out of here" Then get back here to ten& the (ing"7 oane& in his slee$! an& I felt again the feathersoft y senses" -y hair hackle&"

brushing of the Skill against

65o" Jo to the (ing no%! ;allace" Fool" You get the Bastar& out of here" #n& see that this is not s$oken of a ongst the ser'ants" I shall kno% if I a &isobeye&" Hurry u$! no%" -y father is not %ell"7 I ha& thought I coul& rise on y o%n an& &e$art! but foun& that I &i& nee& the y feet! I teetere& along Fool.s assistance! at least to stan&" Once I %as u$ on the floor hea'e& gently beneath slo% s%ell" 6I can anage fro here!7 I tol& the Fool once %e %ere outsi&e the &oor" He e )uietly! an& then y &oor" He %aite&! shook his hea&" 6You are too 'ulnerable to be left alone 4ust no%!7 he tol& linke& ar s %ith front of ca ara&erie on hel$ing 6I tol& you! I a lie &o%n" 6#re you0 #n& ho% is y king0 ;hat &i& you &o to hi ! back there07 y be&" -y hea& %as 6I &i& nothing:7 I gritte& out as I sat &o%n on the foot of e u$ the stairs an& to e in" e! an& began so e nonsensical &iscourse" He $ut a fine

$recariously! feeling as if I tottere& on stilts" ;alls loo e& near an& then far! e like the &eck of a shi$ %hen she ri&es a

chattering on! %hile I unlatche& it an& then follo%e&

all right!7 I sai& %ith so e annoyance" #ll I %ante& to &o %as

beginning to $oun&" Elfbark tea" That %as %hat I nee&e& 4ust no%" I ha& none"

1E2E

6You &i&: You aske& his $er ission! an& then you took his han&" #n& in the next instant you %ere both gas$ing like fish"7 6@ust an instant07 It ha& felt like hours to s$ent" 65o ore than three heartbeats"7 y han&s to y te $les! trie& to $ush y skull back into one 6Ooh"7 I $ut e" I ha& thought the %hole e'ening

$iece" ;hy &i& Burrich ha'e to be gone 4ust no%0 I kne% he %oul& ha'e elfbark" The $ain &e an&e& I take a chance" 6Do you ha'e any elfbark0 For tea07 6;ith e0 5o" But I coul& go beg so e of =acey" She kee$s a hor&e of all sorts of herbs"7 6;oul& you07 6;hat &i& you &o to the (ing07 The tra&e he offere& %as $lain" The $ressure in for you07 # silence" 6*erha$s" #re you really in that I lay back 'ery slo%ly on uch $ain07 y hea& &o%n hurt" y roo o$en an& shut" I y be&" E'en $utting y hea& built! $ushing out on e is for hi y eyes" 65othing!7 I gas$e&" 6#n& %hat he &i& to to tell" If he chooses" Is that $lain enough

6I.ll be back shortly!7 he offere&" I hear& the &oor of for e& itself in y in&" Des$ite

lay still! eyes close&" Jra&ually the sense of %hat I ha& ea'es&ro$$e& on y $ain! I sorte& infor ation" Regal ha& uch a traitor as s$ies" Or clai e& to" Bra%n&y %as a traitor" Or so Regal clai e& his su$$ose& s$ies ha& infor e& hi " I sus$ecte& Bra%n&y %as as re e bere& the $ain" Ha& not 9ha&e bi& taught to fin& an ans%er to (ettricken %as" Oh! the s$rea&ing $oison" #n& the $ain" Su&&enly I e si $ly to obser'e as I ha& been e all the y )uestion0 It ha& been $lain before

1E8H

ti e! if only I ha& not been so blin&e& %ith fears of traitors an& $lots an& $oisons" # &isease %as eating (ing Shre%&! gna%ing hi a%ay fro the insi&e" He in& y &rugge& hi self against the $ain" In an effort to ha'e so e corner of his 4ust tol& e of that a fe% hours ago! I %oul& ha'e scoffe&" 5o%! lying on

to hi self! a $lace %here the $ain coul& not co e an& rob hi " If so eone ha& be&! trying to breathe softly because the slightest o'e ent triggere& another

%a'e of agony! I coul& un&erstan&" *ain" I.& only been en&uring this for a fe% inutes! an& I.& alrea&y sent the Fool running for elfbark" #nother consi&eration $ushe& itself into for the rest of left to I hear& y in&" I ex$ecte& this $ain to $ass! that by it" ;hat if I ha& to face it e'ery o ent to orro% I %oul& rise u$ free fro

y life! %ith the certainty that it %as &e'ouring %hat hours %ere

e0 5o %on&er Shre%& ke$t hi self &rugge&" y &oor o$en an& close )uietly" ;hen I &i& not hear the Fool begin to y eyes o$en" @ustin an& Serene stoo& insi&e the &oors of

ake tea! I force&

y roo " They stoo& fro1en! as if in the lair of a sa'age beast" ;hen I shifte& y hea& slightly to look at the ! Serene.s li$s actually &re% back as if she snarle&" ;ithin e! 5ighteyes snarle& back" The te $o of y y hea& ba&e y heart su&&enly increase&" Danger here" I trie& to loosen action" But the $ain blu&geoning &i&n.t hear your knock!7 I 'oice echoe& in $ainful to o'er y skull" uch $o%er she ha& uscles! to be rea&y to take any e only be still! be still" 6I y

anage& to say" Each %or& %as e&ge& in re& as

6I &i&n.t knock!7 Serene sai& harshly" Her clearly s$oken %or&s %ere as e as a clubbing" I $raye& she &i&n.t kno% ho% e 4ust then" I $raye& for the Fool to co e back" I trie& to a$$ear y be& only because I consi&ere& Serene.s 'isit so

nonchalant! as if I ke$t to uni $ortant"

1E81

6Di& you nee& so ething fro cost too 65ee&0 5e'er!7 Serene scoffe&" Skill Fnu&ge&

e07 I soun&e& brus)ue" In reality! each %or&

uch effort to %aste e'en one" e" 9lu sily" @ustin! $ro&&ing at e" -y king.s use of e" I coul& not re$ress the e ha& left y in& as ra% as

shu&&er that %ent through y brain"

a blee&ing %oun&" @ustin.s a%k%ar& Skilling %as like ha'ing cat.s cla%s rake Shiel& yourself" Aerity %as a %his$er" I coul& not fin& enough of @ustin %as $ushing into y a&e an effort to set y guar&s! but

yself to &o it" Serene %as s iling" in& like a han& sho'ing into a $u&&ing" -y y hea&! he %as a terrible rotten

senses 4u ble& su&&enly" He s elle& foul in

greenish yello% an& soun&e& like s$urs 4ingling" Shiel&! Aerity $lea&e&" He soun&e& &es$erate! %eak! an& I kne% he %as trying 'ery har& to hol& the tattere& $ieces of Hel$ Fro e: Aerity! nothing" Our link %as fa&ing like $erfu e in the %in& as y yself together for e" He.s going to kill you %ith sheer stu$i&ity" He &oesn.t e'en kno% %hat he.s &oing"

strength &%in&le&" ;E #RE *#9(: @ustin sla %as @ustin.s o%n e& back against the &oor of in&" It %as a hybri& y roo so har& his hea& bounce&" It %ithin ore than re$elling" I ha& no %or& for %hat 5ighteyes &i& fro

agic! 5ighteyes using the ;it through a %ithin @ustin.s

bri&ge the Skill ha& create&" He attacke& @ustin.s bo&y fro

in&" @ustin.s han&s fle% to his throat! fighting 4a%s he coul& not sei1e" 9la%s shre&&e& skin an& raise& re& %elts on the skin beneath @ustin.s fine tunic" Serene screa e&! a s%or& of a soun& slashing through @ustin! trying to hel$ hi "
1E82

e! an& flung herself on

Don.t kill" Don.t kill: DO5.T (I==: 5ighteyes finally hear& e" He &ro$$e& @ustin! flinging hi e! guar&ing asi&e like a rat" He ca e an& stoo& astra&&le ha$$ene&" I curle& e" #l ost I coul& hear his $anting

breath! feel the %ar th of his hi&e" I ha& no energy to )uestion %hat ha& yself into a $u$$y! sheltere& beneath hi " I kne% no one e" to his feet" coul& get through 5ighteyes. &efense of

6;hat %as that0 ;hat %as that0 ;hat %as that07 Serene %as screa ing hysterically" She ha& @ustin by the shirtfront an& ha& &ragge& hi There %ere li'i& I coul& see the arks on his throat an& chest! but through barely o$ene& eyes! fa&ing ra$i&ly" Soon there %as no sign of 5ighteyes. attack like a &oll" 6@ustin: O$en your eyes" @ustin:7 y &oor stoo& o$en %i&e" # $assing

sa'e the %et stain s$rea&ing &o%n the front of @ustin.s trousers" His eyes sagge& close&" Serene shook hi 6;hat are you &oing to that an& sur$rise! fille& an07 The Fool.s stage 'oice! ex$ressing outrage

y roo " Behin& hi !

ai&! ar s full of shirts! $ee$e& in! startle&! then sto$$e& to stare" The little $age girl carrying a basket behin& her ca e hurrying to $eek aroun& the &oor.s e&ge" The Fool set the tray he %as carrying &o%n on the floor an& ca e into y roo " 6;hat is the eaning of this07 6He attacke& @ustin!7 Serene sobbe&" Disbelief floo&e& the Fool.s face" 6Hi 0 He looks like he coul& not attack a $illo%" You %ere the one I sa% %orrying that boy" 6 Serene let go of @ustin.s collar! an& he &ro$$e& like a rag at her feet" The Fool looke& &o%n at hi $ityingly" e" e 6*oor fello%: ;as she trying to force herself on you07 6Don.t be ri&iculous:7 Serene %as outrage&" 6It %as hi :7 She $ointe& at The Fool looke& at e consi&eringly" 6This is a gra'e accusation" #ns%er truthfully! Bastar&" ;as she really trying to force herself on you07
1E88

65o"7 -y 'oice ca e out like I felt" Sick! exhauste& an& groggy" 6I %as slee$ing" They ca e )uietly into y roo " Then """7 I knit y bro%s! an& let y 'oice trail off" 6I think I ha'e ha& too sho% of lust I ha'e sel&o an& uch S oke this night"7

6#n& I agree:7 There %as fine &is&ain in the Fool.s 'oice" 6Such an unsee ly seen:7 The Fool s$un su&&enly on the $ee$ing $age ai&" 6This sha es all of Buckkee$: To fin& our o%n Skille& ones

beha'ing so" I charge you to s$eak of this to no one" =et no gossi$ about this begin"7 He turne& back su&&enly on Serene an& @ustin" Serene.s face %as floo&e& scarlet! her trying to stan&" 6I &o not lust after this hi "7 6;ell! %hate'er it is you are &oing! it %ere better &one in your o%n cha bers:7 The Fool cut across her %or&s sternly" ;ithout another glance at her! he turne&! $icke& u$ his tray! an& bore it off &o%n the hall%ay" #t the sight of the elfbark tea &e$arting! I coul& not contain a groan of &es$air" Serene s$un back to e! li$s &ra%n back in a gri ace" of this:7 she snarle& at e" anage& to lift a han& as they $asse&" -y 6I %ill get to the botto an!7 she sai& col&ly an& clearly" 65or &i& I attack outh o$en in outrage" @ustin $ulle& hi self to a sitting $osition at her feet an& sat! s%aying" He clutche& at her skirts like a to&&ler

I took a breath" 6But in your o%n cha bers! $lease"7 I %ake" The I felt as if %ith ai& an& $age &re% back in &istaste fro y hea& %ere so ething I balance& on the

an& $oint at the o$en &oor" She stor e& out! %ith @ustin staggering along in her cha ber &oor %as left stan&ing a4ar" It took a 'ast effort to rise an& go close it" y shoul&ers" Once the &oor %as close&! I &i&n.t e'en try to return to be&! but 4ust sli& &o%n the %all to sit y back to the &oor" I felt ra%!" -y brother" #re you &ying0
1E8<

5o" But it hurts" Rest" I %ill stan& %atch" I cannot ex$lain %hat ha$$ene& next" I let go of so ething! so ething I ha& clutche& all %ar y life %ithout being a%are of gri$$ing it" I sank &o%n into soft y eyes" &arkness! into a safe $lace! %hile a %olf ke$t %atch through

9H#*TER T;E5TY/T;O Burrich =#DY *#TIE59E! SHE %ho %as )ueen/in/%aiting to 9hi'alry.s king/in/ %aiting! ca e originally of inlan& stock" Her $arents! =or& Oak&ell an& =a&y #'eria! %ere of 'ery a *rince of the real inor nobility" For their &aughter to rise in rank to arry ha& to ha'e been a shock to the ! es$ecially gi'en their ight say! obtuse nature" 9hi'alry.s a'o%e& arriage! he gaine& no 'aluable alliances or

&aughter.s %ay%ar& an&! so e father! (ing Shre%&" By this

a bition to %e& =a&y *atience %as the cause of his first &ifference %ith his $olitical a&'antages+ only a highly eccentric %o an %hose great lo'e for her husban& &i& not $reclu&e her forthright &eclaring of un$o$ular o$inions" 5or &i& it &issua&e her fro the single/ in&e& $ursuit of any a'ocation that caught her fleeting fancy" Her $arents $rece&e& her in &eath! &ying in the year of the Bloo& *lague! an& she %as chil&less an& $resu e& barren %hen her husban&! 9hi'alry! fell to his &eath fro a horse" yself" I %as in y be&! surroun&e& by yself for $ain"

I a%oke" Or! at least! I ca e back to %ar th an& gentleness" I &i&n.t

o'e! but cautiously searche&

-y hea& no longer $oun&e&! but I felt tire& an& achy! stiff as one so eti es is
1E8?

after $ain $asses" # shi'er %ent u$ breathing gently against

y back" -olly %as nake& besi&e

e!

y shoul&er" The fire ha& burne& lo%! nearly out" I

listene&" It %as either 'ery 'ery late! or 'ery early" The (ee$ %as near silent" I &i&n.t re e ber getting here" I shi'ere& again" Besi&e close& her eyes again" 5ighteyes: Ia here" He %as al%ays there" yself" Su&&enly I coul&n.t ask! I &i&n.t %ant to kno%" I 4ust lay still! feeling sick an& sa& an& sorry for &raine& you" That 6Other One7 is our king" Your king" ;ol'es ha'e no kings" ;hat &i& """ I let the thought trail off" Thank you for guar&ing He sense& %as grie'ing" I &on.t kno%" =et us not talk of it" -olly %as sa&! an& he ha& co forte& her0 I &i&n.t e'en kno% %hy she %as sa&" Ha& been sa&! l a en&e&! looking at the soft s ile on her slee$ing face" I sighe&" Better face it sooner than later" Besi&es! I ha& to sen& her back to her o%n roo " It %oul& not &o for her to be here %hen the (ee$ a%oke" 6-olly07 I sai& gently" She stirre& an& o$ene& her eyes" 6Fit1!7 she agree& slee$ily" 6For safety.s sake! you ha'e to go back to your o%n roo "7 e" y reser'ations" ;hat shoul& I ha'e &one0 Turne& her a%ay0 She I trie& to rouse you! but you %ere not rea&y to co e back" That Other One ha& e! -olly stirre&" She $ulle& closer to e! s ile& slee$ily" 6You are so strange so eti es!7 she breathe&" 6But I lo'e you"7 She

1E8B

6I kno%" I shoul&n.t ha'e co e in the first $lace"7 She sto$$e&" 6#ll those things I sai& to you a fe% &ays ago" I &i&n.t/7 I $ut a finger across her li$s" She s ile& $ast it" 6You silences """ 'ery interesting"7 She $ushe& Then she sli& fro slo%ly" She glance& o'er at ake these ne% e %ar ly" o'ing ore y han& asi&e! kisse&

y be& an& began to &ress briskly" I arose!

e! her face full of lo'e" 6I.ll go alone" It.s safer" e! s all han& on y

;e shoul& not be seen together"7 6So e&ay! that %ill/7 I began" This ti e she silence& li$s" 6;e %ill talk of nothing like that no%" =et us lea'e tonight as it is" *erfect"7 She kisse& e again! )uickly! an& sli$$e& fro y ar s an& then out the &oor" y chair by the hearth anage" 9ha&e %as She shut it silently behin& her" *erfect0 I finishe& &ressing an& built u$ y fire" I sat &o%n in an& %aite&" It %as not long before I %as re%ar&e&" The entrance to 9ha&e.s &o ain o$ene&" I %ent u$ the stairs as )uickly as I coul& sitting before his hearth" 6You ha'e to listen to eyebro%s rose in alar $ut e'ery hair on stoo& in the at the intensity in y o$$osite hi ! an& I took it" I o$ene& e!7 I greete& hi " His

y 'oice" He gesture& at the chair outh to s$eak" ;hat 9ha&e &i& then a&e a

y bo&y on en&" He glance& all aroun& hi self! as if %e e until our hea&s %ere nearly ering in y chest" Of

i&st of a great cro%&" Then he touche& his o%n li$s! an&

gesture for softness" He leane& to%ar& touching" 6Softly! softly" Sit &o%n" ;hat is it" I sat! in sai& here" 6#ll right!7 he breathe& out to e" 6Re$ort"7

y ol& $lace on the hearth" -y heart %as ha

all $laces in Buckkee$! I ha& ne'er ex$ecte& to ha'e to use caution in %hat I

1E8C

I took a breath an& began" I left out nothing! re'ealing that the entire story %oul& an& (ettricken.s offering to Bea s! as %ell as e'ening" Serene an& @ustin in $urse& his regar&e& e cal ly" outh! but &i& not see

y link %ith Aerity so

ake sense" I $ut in e'ery &etail3 the Fool.s beating! y ser'ice to the (ing that y roo " ;hen I %his$ere& of Regal.s s$ies! he o'erly sur$rise&" ;hen I %as finishe&! he all this07 he aske& e! as if

# %his$er again" 6#n& %hat &o you conclu&e fro it %ere a $u11le he ha& set 6-ay I s$eak frankly of # no&" e as a lesson"

y sus$icions07 I aske& )uietly" e o'er the

I sighe& in relief" #s I s$oke of the $icture that ha& e erge& for

$ast %eeks! I felt a great bur&en lifting" 9ha&e %oul& kno% %hat to &o" #n& so I s$oke! )uickly! tersely" Regal kne% that the (ing %as &ying of &isease" ;allace %as his tool! to kee$ the (ing se&ate& an& o$en to Regal.s %his$erings" He %oul& &iscre&it Aerity! he %oul& stri$ Buckkee$ of e'ery bit of %ealth that he coul&" He %oul& aban&on Bea s to the Re&/Shi$s! to kee$ the busy %hile Regal acte& on his o%n a bitions" *aint (ettricken as a uch of the foreigner %ith a bitions to the throne" # &e'ious! &isloyal %ife" Jather $o%er to hi self" His e'entual ai ! as e'er! %as the throne" Or at least as the Inlan& Dukes an& their nobles" 9ha&e no&&e& un%illingly as I s$oke" ;hen I $ause&! he in4ecte& softly! 6There are any holes in this %eb you say Regal is %ea'ing"7 essages go to hi first! an& only those he 6I can fill in a fe%!7 I %his$ere&" 6Su$$ose the coterie that Jalen create& is loyal to Regal0 Su$$ose all a$$ro'es continue to their inten&e& &estination07 9ha&e.s face gre% still an& gra'e"
1E8D

Six Duchies as he coul& gather to hi self" Hence his la'ish entertain ents for

-y %his$er gre% to

ore &es$erate" 6;hat if an"7

essages are &elaye& 4ust enough akes Aerity look a fool!

ake our efforts to &efen& oursel'es $athetic0 He

he un&er ines confi&ence in the 6;oul&n.t Aerity be able to tell07 I shook

y hea& slo%ly" 6He is $o%erfully Skille&" But he cannot be listening

e'ery%here at once" The strength of his talent is his ability to focus it so tightly" To s$y on his o%n coterie! he %oul& ha'e ha& to gi'e off %atching the coast %aters for Re&/Shi$s"7 6Does he """ is Aerity a%are of this &iscussion right no%07 I shrugge& asha e&ly" 6I &on.t kno%" That is the curse of %ith hi is erratic" So eti es I kno% his e an& s$oke it alou&" #t other ti es I a night! %hen they s$oke through about insi&e &raine&" 6Tea07 9ha&e aske& e gently" y 6*lease" #n& if I coul& 4ust sit for a bit longer! )uietly" I &on.t kno% %hen hea& has throbbe& this ba&ly"7 9ha&e set the kettle o'er the fire" I %atche& %ith &istaste as he herbs for it" So e elfbark! but not near as recogni1e& ixe& bre%ing uch as I %oul& ha'e re)uire& y fla%s" -y link at all" =ast ore than in& as clearly as if he stoo& besi&e scarcely a%are of hi

e! I hear& e'ery %or&" Right no% """7 I felt y hea& in y han&s" I felt

yself! a $ocket/$atting sort of thinking" 6I feel nothing

that %e are still linke&"7 I leane& for%ar& an& $ut

earlier" *e$$er int an& cat int lea'es" # bit of $recious ginger root" I uch of %hat he use& to gi'e Aerity for his Skill exhaustion" Then e again" 6It coul& not be" ;hat you suggest the coterie to Regal"7 he ca e back to sit close besi&e %oul& re)uire blin& loyalty fro &i& to

6It can be create& by one strongly Skille&" -y fla% is a result of %hat Jalen e" Do you re e ber Jalen.s fanatical a& iration of 9hi'alry0 That
1E8E

%as a create& loyalty" Jalen coul& ha'e &one it to the ! before he &ie&! %hen he %as finishing their training"7 9ha&e shook his hea& slo%ly" 6Do you think Regal coul& be so stu$i& as to think the Re&/Shi$s %oul& sto$ at Bea s0 E'entually they %ill %ant Buck! they %ill %ant Ri$$on an& Shoaks" ;here &oes that lea'e hi 07 6;ith the Inlan& Duchies" The only ones he cares about! the only ones %ith %hich he has a utual loyalty" It %oul& gi'e hi a 'ast $eri eter of lan& as an insulation against anything the Re&/Shi$s ight &o" #n& like you! $erha$s! he

ay belie'e they are not after territory! but only a rai&ing groun&s" They are sea folk" They %ill not co e that far inlan& to trouble hi " #n& the 9oastal Duchies %ill be too busy fighting the Re&/Shi$s to turn on Regal"7 6If the Six Duchies loses her seacoast! she loses her tra&e! her shi$$ing" Ho% $lease& %ill his Inlan& Dukes be %ith that07 I shrugge&" 6I &o not kno%" I ha'e not all the ans%ers! 9ha&e" But this is the only theory I.'e been able to $ut together in %hich al ost all the $ieces fit"7 He rose! to $our stea ing %ater fro co $oun&e&" I %atche& hi the kettle into a fat bro%n $ot" He rinse& it %ell %ith the boiling %ater! then &u $e& in the $a$er of herbs he ha& $our the boiling %ater o'er the herbs" The scent of an $utting the li& on setting the $ot on the y heart" #ge %as o ent of hi a gar&en fille& his cha bers" I took the i age of the ol& the $ot! %ra$$e& u$ the ho ey si $le

tray %ith so e cu$s! an& sto%e& it carefully so e%here in

cree$ing u$ on 9ha&e! 4ust as surely as &isease &e'oure& Shre%&" His &eft o'e ents %ere no longer )uite so sure! his bir& alertness not as )uick as it once ha& been" -y heart ache& su&&enly %ith he set a %ar cu$ of stea ing tea in y gli $se of the ine'itable" #s y ex$ression" y han&! he fro%ne& at

6;hat.s %rong07 he %his$ere&" 6Do you %ant so e honey in that07

1E<H

I shook felt y

y hea& to his )uestions! took a si$ of tea! an& near scal&e&

tongue" # $leasant taste o'erlay the bite of the elfbark" #fter a fe% 6That.s hi self" uch better"7 I sighe&! an& 9ha&e sketche& a bo% at

o ents I

in& clear an& a $ain I ha& scarcely been a%are of %ent back to slee$" e! $lease& %ith

He leane& close again" 6It is still a %eak theory" *erha$s %e si $ly ha'e a self/ in&ulgent *rince! %ho $leases hi self %ith entertain ents for his flatterers %hile the heir is a%ay" He neglects $rotecting his coastline because he is shortsighte&! an& because he ex$ects his brother %ill co e ho e an& ti&y u$ his ess" He rai&s the treasury an& sells off horses an& cattle to a ass %ealth to hi self %hile there is no one to sto$ hi "7 6Then %hy $aint Bea s as a traitor0 #n& set u$ (ettricken as an outsi&er0 ;hy s$rea& ru ors of ri&icule about Aerity an& his )uest07 6@ealousy" Regal has al%ays been his father.s s$oile& $et" I &o not think he %oul& turn on Shre%&"7 So ething in 9ha&e.s 'oice a& inisters to Shre%& for his $ain"7 6I &o not &oubt your herbs" But I think others are a&&e& to the "7 6;hat %oul& be the $oint0 E'en if Shre%& &ies! Aerity is still the heir"7 6>nless Aerity &ies first"7 I hel& u$ y han& as 9ha&e o$ene& his outh to $rotest" 6It nee& not really ha$$en" If Regal controls the coterie! he can su$$ly %or& of Aerity.s &eath at any ti e" Regal beco es king/in/%aiting" Then """7 I let y %or&s trail off" e enough to $on&er" I ust %atch y o%n resources" For no%! you 9ha&e let out a long sigh" 6Enough" You ha'e gi'en %ill look into these i&eas! %ith a&e e reali1e this %as %hat he &es$erately %ishe& to belie'e" 6I su$$ly the herbs that ;allace

o'er yourself" #n& (ettericken" #n& the Fool" If there is e'en a &ro$ of truth in your theories! you all beco e obstacles to Regal.s goal"7
1E<1

6#n& %hat of you07 I aske& )uietly" 6;hat is this caution %e no% suffer07

ust

6There is a cha ber! %hose %all a&4oins this one" #l%ays before! it %as left e $ty" But one of Regal.s guests is no% ensconce& in it" Bright! Regal.s cousin! an& heir to Farro% Duchy" The an is a 'ery light slee$er" He has an is o'erly co $laine& to the ser'ants of rats s)ueaking in the %alls" Then! last night! Slink o'erset a kettle! %ith )uite a clatter" It a%oke hi " The in Buckkee$" #n& I ha'e hear& hi sure" But a bit I felt there %as curious as %ell" He asks ser'ants no% if s$irits ha'e e'er been kno%n to %alk ta$$ing at the %alls" I think he sus$ects uch+ soon he %ill be lea'ing! I. this cha ber" It nee& not concern us all that ore caution is calle& for"7 ore! but %hate'er he &i& not %ish to say %oul& not be gaine& ore! ho%e'er" 69ha&e" #re you still able to see the

by )uestions" I aske& one (ing once a &ay07

He glance& &o%n at his han&s an& shook his hea& slo%ly" 6Regal see s to sus$ect y existence" I %ill a& it that to you" #t least! he sus$ects so ething! akes life ay go an& see s al%ays to ha'e so e of his folk lurking about" It right"7 #n& then 9ha&e began a long &iscussion of El&erlings! base& on %hat little %e kne% of the " ;e chatte& of ho% it %oul& be if Aerity succee&e&! an& s$eculate& %hat for the El&erlings. ai& %oul& take" 9ha&e see e& to s$eak y belief %ith great ho$e an& sincerity! e'en enthusias " I trie& to share it! but our i&st" It %as not long before he sent e back to

&ifficult" But enough of our %orries" =et us try to think of ho% things

%as that the sal'ation of the Six Duchies &e$en&e& on eli inating the 'i$er in y o%n roo " I lay &o%n on the be&! inten&ing to rest for 4ust a fe% instea& fell into a &ee$ slee$"
1E<2

inutes before facing the &ay! but

;e %ere blesse& %ith stor s for a ti e" Each &ay that I %oke to &ri'ing %in& an& rain against y shutters %as a &ay to be treasure&" I trie& to be unobtrusi'e eant taking all y eals in the that @ustin an& Serene ight enter" ;ill! about the (ee$! a'oi&ing Regal e'en if it %atch roo ! &rifting out of any roo too! ha& returne& fro occasions I sa% hi

his Skill $ost at the Re& To%er in Bea s" On rare in co $any %ith Serene an& @ustin" -ore often he e %as not the focuse& hatre& that Serene an& @ustin as %ell" I tol& yself I %as %ise! y king as often as I %as allo%e& to" It y &oor

&a%&le& in the hall at table! his half/li&&e& eyes al%ays see ing on the 'erge of closing" His &islike of share& for but feare& 9a e a e! but all the sa e I a'oi&e& hi yself a co%ar&" I atten&e&

%as not often enough" orning %hen I %as 4olte& a%ake to so eone $oun&ing on y na e" I stu ble& fro an& yelling y be& an& 4erke& the &oor o$en" # y &oorste$" 6Han&s says co e to the essage! but race& off as if se'en y face %ith %ater! or e

%hite/face& stable boy stoo& shaking on stables" Right no%:7 He ga'e

e no ti e to re$ly to his urgent

kin&s of &e ons %ere after hi " I $ulle& on yester&ay.s clothes" I thought of s$lashing s oothing y hair back into its tail afresh! but those thoughts occurre& to

half%ay &o%n the stairs" #s I race& across the courtyar& I coul& alrea&y hear the raise& 'oices of a )uarrel in the stable" I kne% Han&s %oul& not ha'e calle& e for a si $le s)uabble a ong stable han&s" I coul& not i agine %hat he %oul& call e for" I $ushe& o$en the stable &oors! then sho'e& y %ay $ast a otion" gaggle of stable boys an& groo s to get to the center of the co

It %as Burrich" He %as no longer shouting" Tra'el %orn an& %eary! he no% stoo& silent" Han&s %as besi&e hi ! %hite/face& but stan&ing fir " 6I ha& no

1E<8

choice!7 he sai& )uietly in ans%er to so ething Burrich ha& sai&" 6You %oul& ha'e ha& to &o the sa e"7 Burrich.s face looke& ra'age&" His eyes %ere unbelie'ing! e $ty %ith shock" 6I kno%!7 he sai& after a o ent" 6I kno%"7 He turne& to look at e" 6Fit1" -y horses are gone"7 He s%aye& slightly on his feet" 6It %asn.t Han&s.s &oing!7 I sai& )uietly" Then I aske&! 6;here is *rince Aerity07 His bro%s knit an& he looke& at $ause&! sai& the 07 6;e.'e hear& nothing" ;hat ha$$ene&0 ;hy are you back07 He looke& aroun& at the ga$ing stable boys! an& so ething of the Burrich I kne% ca e into his eyes again" 6If you ha'e not hear& yet! then it is not for gossi$ an& co on talk" I ust go straight to the (ing"7 He &re% hi self u$ straight! looke& aroun& again at the boys an& groo s" The ol& %hi$lash %as back in his 'oice as he &e an&e&! 6Ha'e you no %ork to &o0 I shall be looking o'er ho% you ha'e care& for things in (ee$"7 =ike fog in the sunlight! the %orkers &issi$ate&" Burrich turne& to Han&s" 6;oul& you care for &ays" Treat hi y horse0 *oor Ru&&y.s been $oorly treate& these last %ell! no% that he.s ho e"7 y absence as soon as I return fro the e o&&ly" 6You &i& not ex$ect e07 He ore lou&ly! 6-essages %ere sent ahea& of e" Di&n.t you get

Han&s no&&e&" 6Of course" Shall I sen& for the healer0 I coul& ha'e hi %aiting here for you %hen you co e back"7 Burrich shook his hea&" 6;hat can be &one for this! I can &o for Fit1" Ji'e e your ar "7 y ar an& Burrich took it! leaning on e hea'ily" For In &isbelief! I offere& yself" 9o e!

the first ti e I glance& &o%n" ;hat I ha& taken to be hea'y %inter leggings at
1E<<

first glance %as actually a thick %ra$ of ban&aging on his ba& leg" He fa'ore& it! $utting ost of his %eight on e as he li $e& along" I coul& feel the exhaustion thru %as as unlike the )uietly as I hel$e& hi He ga'e be ali'e0 You insult ing through hi " >$ close! I coul& s ell the s%eat of $ain an I kne% as anything I coul& i agine" 6*lease!7 I sai& to%ar& the castle" 6Is Aerity all right07 e" Besi&es! use your %its" You.& kno% if he %as &ea&" e carefully" 6;oul&n.t you07

on hi " His clothing %as staine& an& torn! his han&s an& face begri e&" This

e a ghost of a s ile" 6You think our $rince coul& be &ea&! an& I still

Or in4ure&"7 He $ause& an& stu&ie&

It %as $lain %hat he s$oke of" #sha e&ly! I a& itte&! 6Our link is not reliable" So e things are clear" So e are not" Of this! I kne% nothing" ;hat.s ha$$ene&07 He looke& thoughtful" 6Aerity sai& he %oul& try to sen& %or& through you" If you.'e relaye& no ti&ings to Shre%&! then this infor ation shoul& first go to the (ing"7 I aske& no ore )uestions" entione& this to Burrich! I ha& forgotten ho% long it ha& been since Burrich ha& seen (ing Shre%&" -ornings %ere not the (ing.s best ti es! but %hen I he sai& he %oul& rather re$ort i infor ation" So %e knocke& an&! to Instea&! as I entere&! the Fool aske& eyes et ine" 6The *rince07 ight as %ell e&iately at a ba& ti e than &elay y sur$rise! %ere a& itte&" Once %ithin! I e graciously! 6Back for ocking grin fa&e& fro ore S oke07 his face" His

reali1e& this %as because ;allace %as no%here about" Then! as he caught sight of Burrich! the 6Burrich has co e to re$ort to the (ing"7 6I shall try to rouse hi " Though the %ay he has been of late! one re$ort to hi slee$ing as a%ake" He takes as
1E<?

uch notice either %ay"7

#ccusto e& as I %as to the Fool.s bit %rong! for there %as too I shook y hea& at hi

ockery! this still 4arre& y king07

e" The sarcas

uch resignation in his 'oice" Burrich looke& at to take a seat"

e %orrie&ly" He %his$ere&! 6;hat is %rong %ith for )uiet an& trie& to get hi 6I stan& before 6He is y king! until he bi&s

e be seate&!7 he sai& stiffly"

6You are in4ure&" He %oul& un&erstan&"7 y king" That is %hat I un&erstan&"7 ore than a ti e" #t last So I ga'e off urging hi " ;e %aite& for a ti e! an& 6It has taken e a ti e to ake hi

the Fool ca e out of the (ing.s be&cha ber" 6He is not %ell!7 he cautione& us" un&erstan& %ho is here" But he says he %ill hear your re$ort" In his cha bers"7 So Burrich leane& on e as %e %ent into the &i ness an& s oke of the (ing.s be&cha ber" I sa% Burrich %rinkle his nose in &istaste" #cri& fu es of S oke hung hea'y here! an& se'eral s all censers burne&" The Fool ha& &ra%n back the be& curtains! an& as %e stoo& he $atte& an& $oke& cushions an& $illo%s behin& the (ing.s back until Shre%& %a'e& hi I looke& at our asi&e %ith a s all gesture" onarch an& %on&ere& ho% I ha& not seen the signs of his

&isease" They %ere $lainly there %hen one looke&" The general %asting of his bo&y! the sour e&ge of his s%eat! the yello% in the %hites of his eyes3 these %ere the least things I shoul& ha'e seen" The shock on Burrich.s face tol& $lainly that the change since Burrich ha& last seen hi co'ere& it %ell an& &re% hi self u$ straight" 6-y king! I ha'e co e to re$ort!7 he sai& for ally" Shre%& blinke& slo%ly" 6Re$ort!7 he sai& 'aguely! an& I %as not sure if he ga'e Burrich an or&er! or si $ly re$eate& the %or&" Burrich took it as a co an&" He %as as thorough an& exact as he ha& al%ays insiste& I be" I y shoul&er as he tol& of 4ourneying stoo&! an& he su$$orte& his %eight on
1E<B

%as i

ense" But he

%ith *rince Aerity through the %inter sno%s! tra'eling al%ays to%ar& the -ountain (ing&o " He &i& not ince %or&s! but s$oke $lainly" The 4ourney essengers sent ahea& of Aerity.s ha& been full of har&shi$s" Des$ite

ex$e&ition! hos$itality an& ai& along the %ay ha& been $oor" Those nobles %hose ho es lay along their route $rofesse& to ha'e kno%n nothing of Aerity.s co ing" In the hos$itality no any cases! they foun& only ser'ants to greet the ! an& ore than %hat %oul& ha'e been offere& to any or&inary at ore grie'ously than the ti e to ti e" The an take

tra'eler" Su$$lies an& extra horses that shoul& ha'e been %aiting for the assigne& locations %ere not" The horses ha& suffere& en" The %eather ha& been sa'age" #s Burrich re$orte& I felt a tre or run through hi a &ee$ breath! stea&y hi self! an& go on" fro %as at the e&ge of co $lete exhaustion" But each ti e he shook! I felt hi

His 'oice )ua'ere& only slightly as he tol& ho% they ha& been a bushe& on the $lains of Farro%! before they ca e in sight of Blue =ake" He &re% no conclusions hi self! but only obser'e& that these high%ay en fought in a ilitary style" ;hile they %ore no Duke.s colors! they see e& %ell &resse& an& %ell ar e& for brigan&s" #n& Aerity %as ob'iously their inten&e& target" ;hen t%o of the baggage ani als broke loose an& fle&! none of their attackers broke a%ay to follo% the " Ban&its usually %oul& ha'e $referre& chasing la&en $ack beasts to fighting ar e& en" Aerity.s en ha& finally foun& a off" Their attackers ha& $lace to take a stan& an& ha& successfully stoo& the

finally gi'en u$ %hen they reali1e& that Aerity.s guar& %oul& &ie to the last an before surren&ering or gi'ing %ay" They ha& ri&&en off! lea'ing their fallen &ea& in the sno%" 6They ha& not &efeate& us! but %e %ere not unscathe&" ;e lost a goo& $ortion of our su$$lies" Se'en en an& nine horses %ere kille& outright" T%o of us
1E<C

%ere in4ure& seriously" Three others took

inor in4uries" It %as *rince Aerity.s en" as far as the

&ecision to sen& the in4ure& back to Buckkee$" ;ith us he sent t%o soun& His $lan %as to continue his )uest! to take his guar& %ith hi -ountain (ing&o ! an& to ha'e the

stay there to a%ait his return" (een %as

$lace& in charge of those of us returning" To hi ! Aerity entruste& %ritten infor ation" I &o not kno% %hat that infor ation $acket containe&" (een an& the others %ere kille& fi'e &ays ago" ;e %ere a bushe& 4ust outsi&e the bor&er of Buck! as %e %ere tra'eling by the Buck Ri'er" #rchers" It %as 'ery """ )uick" Four of us %ent &o%n right a%ay" -y horse %as struck in the flank" Ru&&y.s a young beast" He $anicke&" He $lunge& o'er an e bank ent into the ri'er! an& I %ith hi " The ri'er is &ee$ there! an& the current strong" I clung to Ru&&y! but %e %ere both s%e$t &o%nri'er" I hear& (een shouting to the others to ri&e! that so e an& I ust ake it back to Buckkee$" But none of the &i&" ;hen Ru&&y anage& to cla ber out of the Buck! %e %ent back" I foun& the bo&ies"

The $a$ers (een ha& carrie& %ere gone"7 He stoo& straight as he re$orte&! an& his 'oice %as clear" His %or&s %ere si $le" His re$ort %as a si $le &escri$tion of %hat ha& ha$$ene&" He entione& nothing of %hat he ha& felt at being sent back! or at being the sole sur'i'or to return" He %oul& &rink hi self so&&en tonight! I sus$ecte&" I %on&ere& if he %oul& %ant co $any for that" But for no%! he stoo&! silent! a%aiting his king.s )uestions" The silence stretche& o'erlong" 6-y king07 he 'enture&" (ing Shre%& shifte& in the sha&o%s of his be&" 6It re in&s e of y younger &ays!7 he sai& hoarsely" 6Once I coul& sit a horse an& hol& a s%or&" ;hen a an loses that %ell! once that is gone! he has actually lost far But your horse %as all right07 ore than that"

1E<D

Burrich furro%e& his bro%" 6I &i& %hat I coul& for hi ! no $er anent har For a fro it"7

y king" He %ill take

6;ell" #t least there is that! then" #t least there is that"7 (ing Shre%& $ause&" o ent %e listene& to his breathing" He see e& to be %orking at it" 6Jo an!7 he sai& at last! gruffly" 6You look terrible" I ay """7 an& get so e rest! reste&" I a

He $ause& an& took t%o breaths" 6I %ill call you back later" ;hen you are sure there are things to ask """"7 His 'oice traile& off! an& again he an takes %hen the $ain is al ost too si $ly breathe&" The &ee$ breaths a

uch to bear" I re e bere& %hat I ha& felt that night" I trie& to i agine listening to Burrich re$ort %hile en&uring such $ain" #n& struggling not to sho% it" The Fool leane& in o'er the (ing to look into his face" Then he looke& at us an& ga'e a tiny shake to his hea&" 69o e!7 I sai& softly to Burrich" 6Your king has gi'en you an or&er"7 He see e& to lean on 6He &i& not see 6He &oes" Trust e ore hea'ily as %e left the (ing.s be&cha ber" e as %e o'e& to care!7 Burrich sai& )uietly! carefully to

laboriously &o%n the corri&or" e" He cares &ee$ly"7 ;e ha& co e to the staircase" I hesitate&" # flight &o%n! through the hall! the kitchen! across the court! an& into the stables" Then u$ the stee$ stairs to Burrich.s loft" Or u$ t%o flight of ste$s an& &o%n the hall to hi " 65o" I %ant to be in ease& hi y o%n $lace"7 He soun&e& fretful as a sick chil&" fir ly" He &i& not resist as I in" I 6In a %hile" #fter you.'e reste& a bit!7 I tol& hi %all %hile I unlatche& trie& to get hi y roo " 6I. taking you u$ to y roo !7 I tol&

u$ the ste$s" I &on.t think he ha& the strength" He leane& against the y &oor" Once the &oor %as o$en! I hel$e& hi to lie &o%n on y be&! but he insiste& on the chair by the

hearth" Once ensconce& there! he leane& his hea& back an& close& his eyes"
1E<E

;hen he relaxe&! all the $ri'ations of his 4ourney sho%e& in his face" Too uch bone sho%e& beneath his flesh! an& his color %as terrible" He lifte& his hea& an& looke& aroun& the roo 6Fit10 Ha'e you anything to &rink u$ here07 I kne% he &i&n.t ean tea" 6Bran&y07 ight ha'e so e of that u$ here"7 e" ost of the to the Fool" 6The chea$ blackberry stuff you &rink0 I.& sooner &rink horse lini ent"7 I turne& back to hi ! s iling" 6I I built u$ 6Burrich! I. He &i&n.t react" It %as as if he ha&n.t hear& y roo " There %asn.t as if he.& ne'er seen it before"

y fire" I )uickly sorte& through the s all su$$ly of herbs I ke$t in uch there" I ha& gi'en going to go get you so e foo&! an& a fe% things" #ll right07

There %as no re$ly" He %as alrea&y &ee$ly aslee$ sitting there" I %ent to stan& by hi " I &i& not e'en nee& to touch the skin of his face to feel the fe'er burning there" I %on&ere& %hat ha& ha$$ene& to his leg this ti e" #n in4ury ato$ an ol& in4ury! an& then tra'ele& on" It %oul& not be soon heale&! that %as $lain to e" I hurrie& out of y roo " aking! to tell her that Burrich y roo " I lie& an& sai& he %as ra'enously In the kitchens! I interru$te& Sara at $u&&ing %as in4ure& an& sick an& in %ater" She i

hungry! an& to $lease sen& a boy u$ %ith foo&! an& so e buckets of clean hot e&iately $ut so eone else to stirring the $u&&ing an& began to clatter trays an& tea$ots an& cutlery" I %oul& ha'e enough foo& to su$$ly a s all ban)uet 'ery )uickly" I ran out to the stables to let Han&s kno% that Burrich %as u$ in y y roo an& %oul& be for a %hile" Then I cli be& the ste$s to Burrich.s roo " I ha& it in in& to get the herbs an& roots I %oul& nee& there" I o$ene& the &oor" The ustiness" I a&e a ental ake a fire! an& bring in a su$$ly of %oo&!
1E?H

cha ber %as col&" The &a $ ha& got into it! an& note to ha'e so eone co e u$ an&

%ater! an& can&les" Burrich ha& ex$ecte& to be gone all %inter" 9haracteristically! he ha& ti&ie& his roo the %ith hi ! or gi'en the to the $oint of se'erity" I foun& a fe% $ots of herbal sal'e! but no stores of freshly &rie& herbs" Either he ha& taken a%ay before he left" an& looke& aroun& e" It ha& been onths y hea&" e ories ca e cro%&ing back into I stoo& in the center of the roo since I.& been here" 9hil&hoo& Hours s$ent before that hearth! a hi a%ay! to try to break

en&ing or oiling harness" I.& use& to slee$ on y hea& at the floo& of

at before the fire" 5osy! the first &og I.& e'er bon&e& to" Burrich ha& taken e of using the ;it" I shook

conflicting e otions! an& )uickly left the roo " The next &oor I knocke& on %as *atience.s" =acey o$ene& it an&! at the look on y face! &e an&e& i e&iately! 6;hat.s %rong07 y roo " He.s ba&ly hurt" I &on.t ha'e uch 6Burrich.s co e back" He.s u$ in in the %ay of healing herbs/7 6Di& you sen& for the healer07 I hesitate&" 6Burrich has al%ays like& to &o things his o%n %ay"7 6In&ee& he has"7 It %as *atience! entering the sitting roo " 6;hat.s that a& an &one to hi self no%0 Is *rince Aerity all right07 6The *rince an& his guar& %ere attacke&" The *rince %as not har e& an& has continue& to the -ountains" He sent back those %ho %ere in4ure&! %ith t%o soun& en as an escort" Burrich %as the only one to sur'i'e an& get ho e"7 aterials for ban&aging" along the %ay" 6;as the 4ourney back so &ifficult07 *atience aske&" =acey %as alrea&y o'ing about the roo ! gathering herbs an& roots an& But the &o%nstrea 6It %as col& an& treacherous" =ittle hos$itality %as offere& the bor&er" Burrich.s horse carrie& hi

en &ie& %hen they %ere a bushe& by archers! 4ust across the Buck off into a ri'er" They %ere s%e$t )uite a %ays+ it %as $robably the only thing that sa'e& hi "7
1E?1

6Ho% is he hurt07 5o% *atience %as

o'ing! too" She o$ene& a little cu$boar&

an& began to take out $re$are& sal'es an& tinctures" 6His leg" The sa e one" I &on.t kno% exactly! I ha'en.t looke& at it yet" But it %on.t take his %eight+ he can.t %alk by hi self" #n& he has a fe'er"7 *atience took &o%n a basket an& began loa&ing the %hat are you stan&ing about for07 she sna$$e& at your roo these"7 I s$oke bluntly" 6I &on.t think he.ll let you hel$"7 6;e.ll see!7 *atience sai& cal ly" 65o% go see that there is hot %ater"7 The buckets of %ater I ha& aske& for %ere outsi&e %ater in 9ook sent u$ t%o trays of foo&! an& %ar e& arri'e& an& began to set out her herbs on =acey to fetch a table for her! an& t%o ;ith a fa iliarity that astoun&e& y &oor" By the ti e the y roo " y kettle %as boiling! $eo$le ha& begun to con'erge on e&icines into it" 6;ell! o ent %ith e as I %aite&" 6Jo back to

an& see %hat you can &o for hi " ;e.ll be u$ in a

ilk as %ell as hot tea" *atience y

y clothing chest" She )uickly sent ore chairs" Burrich sle$t on in

chair! &ee$ly aslee$ &es$ite occasional bouts of shi'ering" e! *atience felt his forehea&! then searche& un&er the angle of his 4a% for s%elling" She crouche& slightly to look into his slee$ing face" 6Burr07 she )uerie& )uietly" He &i& not e'en t%itch" Aery gently! she stroke& his face" 6You are so thin! so %orn!7 she grie'e& softly" She &a $e& a cloth in %ar his shoul&ers" She caught %ater an& gently %i$e& his face an& han&s as if he y be& an& tucke& it carefully about e" 6I nee& a basin of an& e staring at her! an& glare& at %ere a chil&" Then she s%e$t a blanket off

%ar e& %ater!7 she sna$$e&" #s I %ent to fill one she crouche& before hi

cal ly took out her sil'er shears an& sni$$e& u$ the si&e of the ban&aging %ra$$ing his leg" The staine& %ra$$ings &i& not look as if they ha& been change& since his &unk in the ri'er" It %ent u$ $ast his knee" #s =acey took the
1E?2

basin of %ar e& %ater an& knelt next to her! *atience o$ene& the soile& ban&aging as if it %ere a shell" Burrich ca e a%ake %ith a groan! &ro$$ing his hea& for%ar& onto his chest as his eyes o$ene&" For a anage&" 6This is a confronte& hi ess!7 *atience tol& hi " She rocke& back on her heels an& as if he.& tracke& uck on a clean floor" 6;hy ha'en.t you at o ent he %as &isoriente&" He looke& at e stan&ing o'er hi ! an& then at the t%o %o en crouche& by his leg" 6;hat07 %as all he

least ke$t it clean07 Burrich glance& &o%n at his leg" Ol& bloo& an& ri'er silt %ere cake& together o'er the s%ollen fissure &o%n his knee" He recoile& 'isibly fro it" ;hen he e into re$lie& to *atience! his 'oice %as lo% an& harsh" 6;hen Ru&&y took

the ri'er! %e lost e'erything" I ha& no clean ban&aging! no foo&! nothing" I coul& ha'e bare& it an& %ashe& it! an& then fro1en it" Do you think that %oul& ha'e i $ro'e& it07 6Here is foo&!7 I sai& abru$tly" It see e& the only %ay to $re'ent their )uarreling %as to $re'ent the of his %ay" I $oure& hi ho% hungry he %as" 6Don.t gul$ that:7 *atience ob4ecte&" Both =acey an& I shot her %arning looks" But the foo& see e& to take Burrich.s attention co $letely" He set &o%n the ug an& took a %ar roll that I ha& slathere& butter onto" He ate e to refill his ug" It %as o&& to see hi ost of it in begin to anage& to the s$ace of ti e it took a fro talking to each other" I o'e& the s all table la&en %ith one of 9ook.s trays o'er besi&e hi " *atience stoo& to be out ug of the %ar e& ilk an& $ut it into his han&s" outh" I ha& not reali1e& They began to shake slightly as he raise& it to his

shake once he ha& the foo& in his han&s" I %on&ere& ho% he ha& hol& hi self together before that"
1E?8

6;hat ha$$ene& to your leg07 =acey aske& hi He ga'e a shu&&er an& %ent $aler! but refraine& fro &rank so e ore ilk" e! so

gently" Then3 6Brace aking a soun&" He

yourself!7 she %arne& hi ! an& $lace& a %ar ! &ri$$ing cloth onto his knee"

6#n arro%!7 he sai& at last" 6It %as 4ust &a nably ba& luck that it struck %here it &i&" Right %here that boar ri$$e& against the bone" Aerity cut it out for chair! as if the faintly" 6#n& e'ery ti e I bent any years ago" #n& it lo&ge& e"7 He leane& back su&&enly in the ore"7

e ory sickene& hi " 6Right on to$ of the ol& scar!7 he sai& y knee! it $ulle& o$en an& ble& so e

6You shoul& ha'e ke$t the leg still!7 *atience obser'e& sagely" #ll three of us stare& at her" 6Oh! I su$$ose you coul&n.t! really!7 she a en&e&" 6=et.s take a look at it no%!7 =acey suggeste&! an& reache& for the %et cloth" Burrich fen&e& her off %ith a gesture" 6=ea'e it" I.ll see to it eaten"7 6#fter you.'e eaten! you.ll rest!7 *atience infor e& hi " 6=acey! $lease asi&e"7 To y a a1e ent! Burrich sai& nothing ore" =acey ste$$e& back! out of the %ay! an& =a&y *atience knelt before the stable aster" He %atche& her! a strange ex$ression on his face! as she lifte& the cloth a%ay" She &a $e& the corner of the cloth in clean %ater! %rung it out! an& &eftly s$onge& the %oun&" The %ar %et cloth ha& loosene& the cruste& bloo&" 9leane&! it &i& not look as e'il as it ha& at first" It %as still a nasty in4ury! an& the har&shi$s that Burrich ha& en&ure& %oul& co $licate its healing" The $arte& flesh ga$e& an& $rou& flesh ha& for e& %here it shoul& ha'e close&" But e'eryone 'isibly relaxe& as *atience cleane& it" There %as re&ness! an& s%elling! an& infection at one en&" But there %as no $utrefaction! no &arkening of the flesh aroun& it" *atience stu&ie& it a o ent" 6;hat &o you think07 she aske& alou&! of no one in
1E?<

yself! after I.'e o'e

$articular" 6De'il.s/club root0 Hot! =acey07 6So e!

ashe& in a $oultice0 Do %e ha'e any!

y la&y!7 an& =acey turne& to the basket they ha& brought an& began e" 6#re those $ots fro y roo 07

to sort through it" Burrich turne& to #t it here"7 He took it fro y han&s an& lifte& the sto$$er fro its outh" 6This" I ha& so e of this! %hen I set out fro ani als! &uring the first a bush"7 6;hat is it07 *atience aske&" She ca e! &e'il.s/club root in han&! to ga1e curiously" 69hick%ee& an& $lantain lea'es" Si into a sal'e"7 6That shoul& %ork %ell!7 she conce&e&" 6#fter the root $oultice" 6 I brace& yself for his argu ent! but he only no&&e&" He su&&enly looke& 'ery ore closely about hi self" His tire&" He leane& back an& $ulle& the blanket eyes sagge& shut" There %as a knock at y &oor" I %ent to ans%er it! an& foun& (ettricken y la&ies tol& e there e into stan&ing there! %ith Rose ary at her elbo%" 6One of the roo " 6It.s true! then" #n& he.s hurt0 ;hat of ere& in oil! then %orke& %ith bees%ax Buckkee$! but it %as lost %ith the $ack y no&! he no&&e& in return" 6I thought so" That fat little bro%n one" Bring

%as a ru or Burrich ha& returne&!7 she began" Then she looke& $ast Aerity07 She %ent su&&enly $aler than I thought she coul& be" 6He.s fine!7 I reassure& her" 69o e in"7 I curse& thoughtlessness" I shoul& ha'e sent %or& to her i

y lor&! oh! %hat of yself for y

e&iately of Burrich.s the

return an& of the ti&ings he carrie&" I shoul& ha'e kno%n that other%ise she %oul& not be tol&" #s she entere&! *atience an& =acey looke& u$ fro
1E??

&e'il.s/club root they %ere stea ing to %elco e her %ith )uick curtsies an& ur urs of greeting" 6;hat.s ha$$ene& to hi 07 (ettricken &e an&e&" #n& so I tol& her+ re$orting all that Burrich ha& tol& (ing Shre%&! for I thought she ha& as ention of the attack on Aerity! but ke$t silent until 6Thank all our go&s that he &ra%s closer to safe! fro $liable uch right to %or& of her husban& as Shre%& ha& to %or& of his son" She blanche& again at y telling %as &one" y -ountains" There he %ill be

en at least"7 That sai&! she &re% closer to %here *atience an& ass! an& they %ere letting it cool before a$$lying it to the infection" akes an excellent %ash for such an in4ury!7 she

=acey %ere $re$aring the root" It ha& been stea e& soft enough to crush into a 6-ountain ash berry suggeste& alou&" *atience looke& u$ at her shyly" 6I ha'e hear& of that" But this %ar e& root %ill &o uch to &ra% the infection fro the %oun&" #nother goo& %ash for $rou& flesh such as this is ras$berry leaf an& sli$$ery el " Or as a $oultice"7 6;e ha'e no ras$berry leaf!7 =acey re in&e& *atience" 6The &a $ got into it so eho% an& it $re$are& it for a ol&e&"7 orning tea" It %as a re e&y y aunt taught e"7 She looke& 6I ha'e ras$berry leaf if you are in nee& of it!7 (ettricken sai& softly" 6I ha& &o%n an& s ile& o&&ly" 6Oh07 =acey aske& in su&&en interest" 6Oh y &ear!7 *atience su&&enly exclai e&" She reache& to take (ettricken.s han& %ith a su&&en! strange fa iliarity" 6#re you sure07 6I a " #t first I thought it %as 4ust """ But then I began to ha'e the other signs" So e ornings! e'en the s ell of the sea can ake e so iserable" #n& all I %ant to &o is slee$"7

1E?B

6But you shoul&!7 =acey exclai e& %ith a laugh" 6#s for the )ueasiness! it $asses! after the first fe% onths"7 I stoo& 'ery still! foreign! exclu&e&! forgotten" #ll three %o en su&&enly laughe& together" 65o %on&er you %ere so anxious to ha'e %or& of hi " Di& he kno%! before he left07 6I &i& not e'en sus$ect it then" I so long to tell hi ! to %atch his face"7 6You.re %ith chil&!7 I sai& stu$i&ly" They all turne& to look at burst out laughing ane%" 6It.s a secret! still!7 (ettricken cautione& e" 6I %ant no ru ors before the (ing has been tol&" I %ant to be the one to tell hi "7 6Of course not!7 I assure& her" I &i& not tell her that the Fool alrea&y kne%! an& ha& kno%n for &ays" Aerity.s chil&! I thought to shi'ering race& o'er su&&en yself" # su&&en strange e" The branching of the $ath that the Fool ha& seen! the ore ste$ a%ay fro the throne" One e! an& then

ulti$lying of $ossibilities" One factor e erge& abo'e all others3 the an& the $o%er he cra'e&" Ho% little he

su&&en re o'al of Regal! $ushe& one ore s all life stan&ing bet%een hi %oul& care for that" 6Of course not!7 I re$eate& uch &anger as her husban&"

ore heartily" 6This ne%s is best ke$t an absolute

secret"7 For once it %as out! I ha& no &oubt that (ettricken %oul& be in as

9H#*TER T;E5TY/THREE Threats TH#T ;I5TER S#; Bearns &e'oure& slo%ly! as a cliff is eaten by stor ti&es" #t first! Duke Bra%n&y sent ti&ings to (ettricken on a regular basis"
1E?C

;or& ca e to her by li'erie&

essengers co ing on horseback &irectly fro

the Duke" #t first the ti&ings they brought %ere o$ti istic" Her o$als rebuilt Ferry" The folk there sent her not only their thanks! but a s all chest of the 'ery tiny $earls so $ri1e& by the " O&&" ;hat ha& been too treasure& to be sacrifice& e'en to rebuil& their o%n 'illage %as freely offere& in thanks to a Iueen %ho ha& surren&ere& her 4e%els that they that the significance of their sacrifice %oul& ha'e (ettricken %e$t o'er the tiny chest" =ater essengers brought gri er ti&ings" Bet%een stor s! the Re&/Shi$s essengers re$orte& to (ettricken that Duke e ber ha& left the Re& To%er" ;hen struck again an& again" The ight ha'e shelter" I &oubt eant as uch to any other"

Bra%n&y %on&ere& %hy the coterie

(ettricken bol&ly )uestione& Serene as to %hether this %as so! she sai& it ha& beco e too &angerous to kee$ ;ill there! for his Skill %as too $recious to be riske& to the Re&/Shi$s" The irony %as lost on fe% folk" ;ith each arri'ing essenger! the ne%s %orsene&" The Outislan&ers ha& establishe& foothol&s on Hook an& Besha islan&s" Duke Bra%n&y asse ble& fishing 'essels an& %arriors an& bol&ly attacke& on his o%n! but foun& the Re&/Shi$s too %ell entrenche& there" Shi$s an& %arriors $erishe&! an& Bearns re$orte& gra'ely that there %ere no fun&s for another ex$e&ition" #t that 4uncture! Aerity.s e eral&s %ere turne& o'er to (ettricken" She sent the recei'e&" -essages fro Bearns beca e off %ithout a )ual " If they &i& any goo&! %e &i& not hear of it" ;e %ere not e'en certain they %ere e'er ore erratic! an& it %as soon ob'ious unication %ith essengers ha& been sent ha& begun to harry that there ha& been ti&ings sent that %e ha& not recei'e&" 9o Bra%n&y broke &o%n entirely" #fter t%o of her o%n forth fro ore li'es" By then! the Rai&ers fro

Buckkee$! ne'er to return! (ettricken 'o%e& she %oul& risk no Hook an& Besha e&iate 'icinity of Buckkee$! but

farther &o%n the coast! a'oi&ing the i

1E?D

aking feints an& challenges to both the north an& south of us" To all these rai&s! Regal re aine& staunchly in&ifferent" He clai e& he %as conser'ing resources until 'erity coul& return %ith the El&erlings to &ri'e the Rai&ers a%ay once an& for all" But the e'er ore generous" By hi i&afternoon! Burrich %as back in his o%n cha bers" I ha& %ante& to kee$ %here I coul& %atch o'er hi ! but he ha& scoffe& at the i&ea" =acey erri ent an& entertain ents at Buckkee$ beca e ore la'ish an& fre)uent! an& his gifts to his Inlan& &ukes an& nobles e'er

herself ha& seen to getting his cha ber rea&y! an& Burrich ha& gru ble& enough about that" #ll she ha& &one %as to buil& u$ the fire! see %ater brought fresh! the be&&ing aire& an& shaken! an& the floors s%e$t an& fresh rushes stre%n" One of -olly.s can&les burne& in the center of his table! $utting a fresh $iney scent into the usty roo " But Burrich ha& gro%le& that it scarcely felt there! %ell $ro$$e& u$ in be& an& %ith a through the like his o%n roo " I ha& left hi bottle of bran&y close to han&" I ha& un&erstoo& the bottle only too %ell" #s I ha& hel$e& hi horses %ere in the stables an& u$ to his loft! %e ha& $asse& one e $ty stall after another" 5ot only issing+ $ri e hunting &ogs %ere gone" I ha& no heart to go look like%ise $lun&ere&" Han&s ha& e%s+ I %as sure I %oul& fin& the

%alke& besi&e us! silent but stricken" His efforts %ere $lain" The stables the sel'es %ere i e $ty cu$boar&! no aculate! the re aining horses groo e& until an" I they shone" E'en the e $ty stalls %ere scrubbe& an& %hite%ashe&" But an atter ho% clean! is no co fort to a star'ing un&erstoo& that the stables %ere Burrich.s treasure an& ho e" He ha& co e back to fin& both loote&"

1E?E

#fter I left Burrich! I took a %alk &o%n to the barns an& $ens" Here the best of the bree&ing stock %ere %intere& o'er" I foun& the $en! there %ere only six e%es an& one runty ra %hat other stock ha& once been there! but too at a ti e of year %hen all %ere usually full" Fro the barns! I %an&ere& through the storage houses an& outbuil&ings" en %ere loa&ing sacks of grain into a %agon" T%o other Outsi&e of one+ so e as &e$lete& as the stables" left" I %as not as a%are of *ri1e bulls %ere gone" Of the curly/backe& black shee$ that use& to fill one any $ens an& stalls %ere e $ty

%agons! alrea&y loa&e&! stoo& nearby" I stoo& a bit! %atching the ! an& then offere& to hel$ as the %agon.s loa& gre% higher an& the sacks har&er to loa&" They acce$te& y hel$ rea&ily! an& %e talke& as %e %orke&" I %a'e& the a cheery goo&/bye %hen the %ork %as &one! an& %alke& slo%ly back to the (ee$! %on&ering %hy a full %arehouse of grain %as being loa&e& onto a barge an& sent u$ri'er to Turlake" I &eci&e& I %oul& check on Burrich before going back to y o%n cha bers" I cli be& the ste$s to his cha bers an& %as unsettle& to fin& the &oor a4ar" Fearing so e sort of treachery! I $ushe& in! startling -olly! %ho %as setting out &ishes on a s all table besi&e Burrich.s chair" The sight of her there rattle& e! an& I stare& at her" ;hen I turne& to Burrich! I foun& hi 6I thought you %ere alone!7 I sai& la ely" Burrich regar&e& e o%lishly" He ha& a&e inroa&s on his bottle of bran&y" 6I thought I %oul& be!7 he sai& gra'ely" #s e'er! he hel& his s$irits %ell! but -olly %as not &ecei'e&" Her li$s %ere set in a thin line" She continue& %ith her &uties! ignoring e" Instea& she s$oke to Burrich" e to see that you ha& hot orning" I shall be lea'ing as soon as I ha'e set out 6I shall not &isturb you long" =a&y *atience sent foo&! for you ate little this his eal"7
1EBH

%atching

e"

6#n& taking

y thanks %ith you!7 Burrich a&&e&" His eyes %ent fro istress! an&

e to y in4ury

-olly! sensing the a%k%ar&ness! an& also her &is$leasure %ith hi " He atte $te& an a$ology" 6I ha'e ha& a harsh 4ourney! gi'es e so e $ain" I ho$e I ha'e not gi'en offense"7 y $lace to take offense at anything you %ish to &o! sir!7 she re$lie&" ake you co fortable07 she aske&" There %as courtesy in her e at all" y thanks" 5ot 4ust for the foo&! but also for the can&les e to bring the here" I %as y 6It is not

She finishe& setting out the foo& she ha& brought" 6Is there anything else I can &o for you to 'oice! no ore than that" She &i& not look at

6You coul& acce$t that freshene&

y cha ber" I un&erstan& they are your han&i%ork"7

I sa% her tha% slightly" 6=a&y *atience aske& ha$$y to oblige her"7 6I see"7 The next %or&s he s$oke cost hi thanks to her" #n& to =acey as %ell! I a 6I shall" There is nothing fro To%n for =a&y *atience" She tol& to%n! I shoul& fetch it for you"7 sure"7

ore" 6Then $lease exten&

ore that you nee&! then0 I ha'e erran&s in Buckkee$ e that if there %as anything you re)uire&

65othing" But it %as kin& of her to think of it" Thank you"7 6You are %elco e! sir"7 #n& -olly! e $ty basket on her ar ! $ast e as if I %ere not e'en there" y in&" 6It.s not 4ust the stables!7 I tol& hi ! an& briefly arche& out

Burrich an& I %ere left regar&ing one another" I glance& after -olly! then trie& to $ut her out of re$orte& %hat I ha& seen in the barns an& %arehouses" 6I coul& ha'e tol& you a bit of that!7 he sai& gruffly" He looke& at the foo& -olly ha& brought! then $oure& hi self ore bran&y" 6#s %e ca e &o%n the Buck Ri'er roa& there %ere ru ors an& ti&ings" So e sai& Regal sol& the beasts an& grain off to fun& the &efense of the coasts" Others that he sent the
1EB1

bree&ing stock inlan& to safer $astures in Tilth"7 He &rank his bran&y &o%n" 6The best of the horses are gone" I sa% that at a glance %hen I ca e back" In ten years! I ight bree& stock u$ again to the )uality of %hat %e ha&" But! I y life.s %ork gone! Fit1" # an likes to &oubt it"7 He $oure& again" 6There.s

think he.ll lea'e his touch on the %orl& so e%here" The horses I ha& brought together here! the bloo&lines I %as establishing/gone no%! scattere& throughout the Six Duchies" Oh! not that they %on.t i $ro'e anything they.re bre& to" But I.ll ne'er see %hat %oul& ha'e co e if I.& been allo%e& to continue" Stea&y %ill be stu&&ing rangy Tilth ares! no &oubt" #n& %hen E ber &ro$s her next foal! %hoe'er rubs it off %ill think it 4ust another horse" For six generations! I.'e been %aiting for 4ust that foal" They.ll take the finest coursing horse that.s e'er been foale& an& hook it to a $lo%"7 There %as nothing to say about that" I feare& it %as all true" 6Eat so ething!7 I suggeste&" 6Ho%.s your leg no%07 He lifte& the blanket to ins$ect it casually" 6Still there! any%ay" I su$$ose I shoul& be grateful for that" #n& better than it %as this kno%s her herbs"7 I &i& not nee& to ask to %ho he referre&" 6#re you going to eat07 I $ro&&e&" He set &o%n his cu$ an& took u$ a s$oon" He taste& the sou$ -olly ha& set out! gru&gingly no&&e& his a$$ro'al" 6So!7 he obser'e& bet%een bites! 6that %as the girl" -olly"7 I no&&e&" 6See e& a bit cool %ith you to&ay"7 6# bit!7 I sai& &ryly" Burrich grinne&" 6You.re as testy as she %as" I i agine *atience &i& not s$eak %ell of e to her"7
1EB2

orning" The &e'il.s/

club &i& &ra% out the infection" 9hicken/braine& as she is! the %o an still

6She &oesn.t like &runks!7 I tol& hi

bluntly" 6Her father &rank hi self to anage& to ake her life un$leasant

&eath" But before he finishe& the 4ob! he got too big to beat"7 6Oh"7 Burrich carefully refille& his cu$" 6I. 6She %as sorry to li'e it"7 He looke& at %as here" I.

for years" Beating her %hen she %as s aller" Railing an& berating her %hen she sorry to hear that"7

e le'elly" 6I &i& not &o it! Fit1" 5or %as I ru&e to her %hen she not e'en &runk" 5ot yet" So stuff your &isa$$ro'al! an& tell e

%hat.s been going on at Buckkee$ %hile I %as a%ay"7 So I stoo& an& re$orte& to Burrich! 4ust as if he ha& a right to &e an& it" In a %ay! I su$$ose he &i&" He ate as I s$oke" ;hen I %as finishe&! he $oure& hi self ore bran&y an& leane& back in his chair! hol&ing it" He s%irle& the e" 6#n& (ettricken is %ith bran&y in the cu$! looke& &o%n at it! then u$ at 6I thought you %ere aslee$"7 6I %as" I half thought I.& &rea e& that con'ersation" ;ell"7 He &o%ne& the bran&y" He sat u$! s%e$t the blanket off his leg" #s I %atche& he &eliberately bent his knee until the $ulling flesh began to ga$ the %oun& o$en" I %ince& at the sight of it! but Burrich only looke& thoughtful" He $oure& &rank it off" The bottle %as half/gone" 6So" I. straight! if I. %hat I.ll nee&" ;ill you fetch it for &on.t nee& a s$lint if you.re in be&"7 He ga'e e a long look" 6;ho guar&s (ettricken.s &oor07 6I &on.t think """ I assu e she has %o en %ho slee$ in the outer cha ber of her a$art ents"7
1EB8

chil&! but neither the (ing nor Regal kno% of it yet"7

ore bran&y! e" 6You kno%

going to ha'e to s$lint the leg

going to kee$ that close&"7 He glance& u$ at e07

6I think you shoul& stay off it for a &ay or" so" Ji'e it a chance to rest" You

6You kno% he.ll try to kill her an& the unborn chil&! as soon as he fin&s out"7 6It.s a secret still" If you start guar&ing her &oor! all %ill kno%"7 6By y count! fi'e of us kno%" That.s no secret! Fit1"7 6Six!7 I a& itte& ruefully" 6The Fool sur ise& it so e &ays ago"7 6Oh:7 I ha& the satisfaction of seeing Burrich look shocke&" 6;ell! at least that.s one tongue that %on.t go %agging" Still! as you see! it %on.t be secret long" Ru ors %ill fly before the &ay.s out! this night"7 6-ust it be you0 9an.t you rest! an& I %ill/7 6# an can &ie of failure! Fit1" Do you kno% that0 Once! I tol& you! the fight y excuse for gi'ing u$" Sha e enough for e" I shall not fail hi e that y $rince %ent e isn.t o'er until you.'e %on" This7/an& he gesture& at his leg in &isgust 6this %ill not be on %ithout here" Besi&es7/he ga'e a bark of sour e" 5o%" ;ill you go get the s$lint s ear the %oun& %ith his ark y %or&s" I guar& her &oor

laughter/7there.s not enough in the stables no% to kee$ both Han&s an& busy" #n& the heart for it has gone out of %orks07 So I &i&! an& took the back to hi ! an& hel$e& hi

sal'e before %e %ra$$e& it %ell an& s$linte& it" He cut a $air of ol& trousers to go o'er the s$lint! an& I hel$e& hi an& &octore&" I left hi night! an& %hy" I knocke& at her cha ber &oor an& %as a& itte& by Rose ary" The Iueen %as in&ee& there! an& a selection of her la&ies" -ost %ere %orking e broi&ery or s all la$ loo s as they talke&" The Iueen herself ha& her %in&o% o$ene& to the il& %inter &ay an& %as looking out o'er the cal
1EB<

&o%n the stairs" Then! &es$ite his %or&s!

he %ent to Ru&&y.s stall to see if his horse.s arro% %oun& ha& been cleane& there an& %ent back u$ to the (ee$" I %ante& to s$eak an on guar& on her &oor that to (ettricken! to let her kno% there %oul& be a

sea %ith a fro%n" She

re in&e&

e of Aerity %hen he Skille&! an& I sus$ecte& that

uch the sa e

%orries $lague& her" I follo%e& her ga1e! an& %on&ere&! like her! %here the Re&/Shi$s %oul& strike to&ay! an& %hat %as going on u$ in Bearns" >seless to %on&er" Officially! there %as no %or& at all fro the coasts ran re& %ith bloo&" 6Rose ary" I %ish a )uiet %or& %ith Her -a4esty"7 Rose ary no&&e& gra'ely an& %ent o'er to curtsy to her )ueen" In a the Iueen looke& u$! an& %ith a no& an& a gesture in'ite& o ent e to 4oin her in her Bea s" The ru ors %ere that

%in&o% seat" I greete& her )uietly an& gesture& s ilingly out o'er the %ater as if %e chatte& of the fine %eather" But softly I sai&! 6Burrich %ishes to guar& your &oor! beginning this night" He fears that %hen others &isco'er you are %ith chil&! your life %ill be in &anger"7 #nother %o an ight ha'e blanche& or at least see e& sur$rise&" Instea&! (ettricken lightly touche& the 'ery ser'iceable knife she al%ays %ore besi&e her keys" 6#l ost! I %oul& %elco e so &irect an attack"7 She consi&ere&" 6I su$$ose it is %ise" ;hat har can co e of letting the kno% %e sus$ect" 5ay! of an arro% through e" that %e kno%" ;hy shoul& I be circu s$ect an& tactful0 Burrich has alrea&y recei'e& their greetings! in the for 6He ay take the guar& $ost! an& %ith it to &o this &uty07 the leg"7 The bitterness in her 'oice! an& the ferocity beneath it! shocke& an! but I %oul& not ha'e the trust in hi in4ury $er it hi

y thanks" I coul& choose a soun&er that I ha'e in Burrich" ;ill his leg

6I &o not think his $ri&e %oul& $er it any other to &o it"7 6Fine! then"7 She $ause&" 6I %ill ha'e a chair $lace& for hi "7 6I &oubt he %ill use it"7 She sighe&" 6;e all ha'e our o%n %ays of offering sacrifice" It shall be there! nonetheless"7
1EB?

I bo%e& roo

y hea& in acce$tance an& she &is isse&

e" I %ent back u$ to y roo

inten&ing to ti&y a%ay all that ha& been &ragge& out for Burrich.s use" yself insi&e it" #fter a

But as I %alke& softly &o%n the hall I %as startle& to see the &oor of o$en slo%ly" I ease& to another &oor%ay an& flattene& o ent @ustin an& Serene e erge& fro the " 6Still looking for a s$ot for your tryst07 I aske& aci&ly"

y roo " I ste$$e& out to confront

They both fro1e" @ustin ste$$e& back! stoo& al ost behin& Serene" Serene glare& at hi ! then stoo& fir anything"7 65ot e'en for being in y roo 0 Di& you fin& anything interesting there07 et his eyes" He @ustin %as breathing as if he.& 4ust run a race" I &eliberately %as s$eechless" I s ile& at hi " 6;e nee& not s$eak to you at all!7 Serene announce&" 6;e kno% %hat you are" 9o e! @ustin"7 6You kno% %hat I a 0 Interesting" Rest assure& that I kno% %hat you are" #n& that I a 6Beast to Skill:7 His arro% ha& struck ho e an& )ui'ere& in let it sho%" 6I a stea&ily" I sai& no &o%n! the easuring the y ost secret fear" I trie& not to u$ an& loyal to (ing Shre%&"7 Face co $ose&! I ga1e& at the ore than that" 5ot in %or&s" But I looke& the against %hat they shoul& be! an& foun& the lacking" In not the only one %ho kno%s"7 an:7 @ustin hisse&" 6You %allo% in the filthiest of agics" Di& you before e" 6;e &on.t ha'e to ans%er to you for

think you coul& go un&etecte& a ongst us0 5o %on&er Jalen foun& you unfit

inute shifting of their feet! in their )uick glances at one another! I &eci&e&

that they kne% they %ere traitors" They re$orte& to Regal+ they kne% they shoul& re$ort to the (ing" They %ere not &ecei'e& as to %hat they %ere+ they
1EBB

un&erstoo&" *erha$s Jalen ha& burne& a loyalty to Regal into their $erha$s they coul& not concei'e of turning against hi " But $arts of the s%orn to" I tucke& a%ay that bit of kno%le&ge+ it %as a crack that so e&ay hol& a %e&ge" I ste$$e& for%ar&! an& en4oye& %atching Serene shrink a%ay fro @ustin co%ere& bet%een her an& the %all" But I back to the an& o$ene& y &oor" #s I entere& y %is$ of Skill gro$e at the e&ges of Aerity ha& taught &i& not &ignify the For a y roo

in&s+ still ight

kne% that Shre%& %as king! an& that they %ere &isloyal to a (ing they ha&

e %hile y

a&e no attack" I turne&

I felt a sneaky little

in&" ;ithout thinking! I blocke& as

e to" 6(ee$ your thoughts to yourself!7 I %arne& the ! an& by looking back at the " I shut the &oor" y in& guar&s" y latches" Once the &oor %as secure&! I e that assassins ore skill than they &o" It is the only y roo ! close& y eyes!

o ent I stoo& breathing" 9al " 9al " I &i& not relax y roo " 9ha&e ha& once tol&

Then )uietly! carefully! I %orke& o'e& cautiously through

ust al%ays belie'e the other $erson has

%ay to re ain ali'e an& kee$ shar$" So I touche& nothing lest it ha& been coate& %ith $oison" Instea&! I stoo& in the center of y eyes an& looke& for changes in the roo " The s all tray of herbs %as s)uarely ato$ y clothing chest" I ha& left it to one y clothing chest" onths! no% en&! %ithin easy reach of Burrich" So they ha& been through hung straight" That %as all I coul& see" It $u11le& ha& been looking for" That they ha& &ug through suggest it %as a s all enough ite look behin& it0 I stoo& still! thinking a an& trie& to recall exactly ho% it ha& looke& %hen I last left it" Then I o$ene&

The ta$estry of (ing ;is&o ! that ha& been slightly aske% for

e" I ha& no i&ea %hat they y clothing chest see e& to

to fit in there" But %hy lift a ta$estry an& o ent" This ha& not been a ran&o

search" I %as not sure %hat they ha& been ho$ing to fin&" But I sus$ecte& they
1EBC

ha& been tol& to look for a secret $assage%ay in sus$icions %ere stronger than 9ha&e ha& le& a$art ents" It ga'e I ins$ecte& e'ery ite e in

y roo " That

eant that

Regal ha& conclu&e& that killing =a&y Thy e ha& not been enough" His e to belie'e" I %as al ost grateful I ha& ne'er been able to &isco'er ho% to %ork the entry to 9ha&e.s ore confi&ence in its secrecy" y roo before I han&le& it" I sa% that e'ery scra$ of y

foo& that ha& re aine& on 9ook.s trays %as &is$ose& of %here no one an& nothing %oul& taste it" I &iscar&e& the %ater in the buckets as %ell as that in e%er" I ins$ecte& checke& y be&&ing for $o%&er! an& reluctantly &iscar&e& y su$$ly of fire%oo& an& can&les for $o%&ers or resins! y co $lete su$$ly issing! nor y y guar&! I

of herbs" I %oul& take no chances" I coul& &isco'er no $ossessions that anything ha& been a&&e& to be&! feeling exhauste& an& unner'e&" I %oul& ha'e to be encounter a bag an& a beating the next ti e I entere& -y roo su&&enly see e& confining! a tra$ that I ore on

y roo " So eti e later I sat &o%n on

conclu&e&" I recalle& the Fool.s ex$erience an& $on&ere& it" I &i& not %ant to y roo " ust return to each &ay" I see I &i&

left it! not bothering to lock it as I %ent" =ocks %ere useless" =et the not fear their intrusion" E'en though I &i&" Outsi&e! it %as a at

il&! clear late afternoon" The unseasonably kin& %eather ate y %alk through the inner circle of the (ee$" I y

e! e'en as I en4oye&

&eci&e& I %oul& %alk &o%n to to%n! to $ay a 'isit to the Rurisk an&

shi$ ates there! an& then $erha$s go into a ta'ern for a beer" It ha& been too long since I.& %alke& to to%n! an& far too! long since I.& listene& to the gossi$ of to%n folk" It %oul& be a relief to get a%ay fro %hile" I %as going out the gate %hen a young guar&s an ste$$e& into 6Stan&:7 he co an&e& y $ath" e" e! then3 6*lease! sir!7 he a&&e& as he recogni1e&
1EBD

Buckkee$ intrigues for a

I halte& obe&iently" 6Yes07 He cleare& his throat! then su&&enly %ent scarlet all the %ay to his hairline" He took a breath! then stoo& silent" 6Di& you nee& so ething fro 6*lease to %ait a e07 I aske&" o ent later an ol&er o ent! sir!7 the boy blurte&" e gra'ely! took a breath as if to steel

The la& &isa$$eare& back into the guar&house! an& a %atch officer e erge&" She regar&e& 6;hat07 I coul& not belie'e $assage out of the (ee$"7 # surge of anger heate& She stoo& fir before y ears"

herself! then sai& )uietly+ 6You are &enie& $assage out of the (ee$"7 She &re% herself u$" ;hen she s$oke! her 'oice %as fir er" 6You are &enie& e" I force& it &o%n" 6By %hose co e" 6-y co an&s co e fro an&07

the ca$tain of the %atch!

sir" That is all I kno% of it"7 6I %oul& s$eak to that ca$tain"7 I ke$t 6He is not in the guar&roo " Sir"7 6I see"7 But I &i& not! )uite" I coul& $ercei'e all the nooses tightening about e! but coul& not un&erstan& %hy 4ust no%" The other ob'ious )uestion to ask! ho%e'er! %as 6%hy not07 ;ith Shre%&.s enfeeble ent! Aerity ha& beco e y $rotector" But he %as a%ay" I coul& turn to (ettricken! but only if I %ere %illing to bring her into o$en conflict %ith Regal" I %as not" 9ha&e %as! as al%ays! a sha&o% $o%er" #ll of this $asse& through turning a%ay fro the gate %hen I hear& 9o ing u$ the hill fro y in& )uickly" I %as y na e calle&" I turne& back" y 'oice courteous"

to%n %as -olly" Her ser'ant.s blue &ress fla$$e&

aroun& her cal'es as she ran" #n& she ran hea'ily! une'enly! unlike her usual graceful stri&e" She %as exhauste&! or nearly so" 6Fit1:7 she crie& out again! an& there %as fear in her 'oice"
1EBE

I starte& to go to her! but the guar& ste$$e& su&&enly into y or&ers"7 I %ante& to s ash her fro y $ath" I force&

y $ath" Fear %as on

her face! too! but also &eter ination" 6I cannot let you go out of the gate" I ha'e y rage &o%n" # struggle %ith

her %oul& not hel$ -olly" 6Then you go to her! &a n you: 9an.t you see the %o an is in trouble of so e kin&07 She stoo& eye to eye %ith e! un o'ing" 6-iles:7 she calle&! an& the boy lea$e& out" 6Jo see %hat is %rong %ith that %o an" Iuickly no%:7 The boy took off like a shot" I stoo&! %ith the guar& stan&ing s)uarely before e! an& %atche& hel$lessly o'er her shoul&er as -iles race& to -olly" ;hen he reache& her! he $ut an ar aroun& her an& took her basket on his other ar " y ar s" =eaning hea'ily on hi ! gas$ing an& near %ee$ing! -olly ca e to%ar& the gate" It see e& to take fore'er before she %as through the gate an& in 6Fit1! oh Fit1!7 she sobbe&" 69o e!7 I tol& her" I turne& her a%ay fro an& s all fro it" e07 -olly $ante&" not to lea'e Buckkee$!7 I e" I took her e" They ha'e or&ers I a the guar&! %alke& her a%ay fro thing! but I felt sha e& the gate" I kne% I ha& &one the sensible thing! the cal 6;hy &i&n.t you """ co e to 6The guar& %oul& not let

sai& )uietly" I coul& feel her tre bling as she leane& against the gate" I hel& her in ha$$ene&07 I trie& to

aroun& the corner of a %arehouse! out of sight of the guar&s stan&ing ga$ing in y ar s until she )uiete&" 6;hat.s %rong0 ;hat ake y 'oice soothing" I brushe& back the hair that o ents she )uiete& in y ar s" Her

hung about her face" #fter a fe%

breathing stea&ie&! but she still tre ble&"

1ECH

6I ha& gone into to%n" =a&y *atience ha& gi'en nee&e& to get a fe% things """ for 6#n& then07 lessene&" I tilte& her chin u$ so that she looke& into

e the afternoon" #n& I y eyes"

y can&les"7 #s she s$oke! her tre bling

6I %as """ co ing back" I %as on the stee$ bit! 4ust outsi&e of to%n" ;here the al&ers gro%07 I no&&e&" I kne% the s$ot" 6I hear& horses co ing" In a hurry" So I ste$$e& off the roa& to e" But su&&enly they %ere right behin& %ere co ing right at the brush! an& still they ro&e right at 6Hush: ;ait a bit" 9al the 07 She shook her hea& %il&ly" 6T%o" I coul&n.t see their faces" I %as running a%ay! an& they %ere %earing the kin& of hel an& nose" They chase& that co es &o%n o'er your eyes e" Her&ing the " their e" It.s stee$ there! you kno%! an& brushy" I trie& to get ake %ay for the "7 She starte& to tre ble again" 6I ke$t %alking! thinking they %oul& $ass e! an& %hen I looke& back! they e" I 4u $e& back into e" 5ot on the roa&! but right at

e" I turne& an& ran! but they ke$t co ing any of the 0 Di& you kno%

""""7 Her 'oice %as getting higher an& higher" &o%n" Think" Ho%

a%ay! but they 4ust ro&e their horses right through the brush after Then I fell! I caught horses" One $inne&

e! like &ogs her& shee$" I ran! an& ran! but I coul&n.t get a%ay fro y foot on a log an& I fell" #n& they 4u $e& fro e &o%n %hile the other snatche& u$

y basket" He

&u $e& it all out! like he %as looking for so ething! but they %ere laughing an& laughing" I thought """7 -y heart %as ha fiercely" ering as har& as -olly.s no%" 6Di& they hurt you07 I aske&

1EC1

She $ause&! as if she coul& not &eci&e! then shook her hea& %il&ly" 65ot like you fear" He 4ust """ hel& #gain she $ause& a e &o%n" #n& laughe&" The other one! he sai& """ he yself be use& by a bastar&" They sai& """7 e" It %as like a s%or& through e! sai&! I %as $retty stu$i&! letting

o ent" ;hate'er they ha& sai& to her! calle& her %as

ugly enough that she coul& not re$eat it to 6They %arne&

that they ha& been able to hurt her so ba&ly she %oul& not e'en share the $ain" e!7 she %ent on at last" 6They sai& stay a%ay fro the bastar&" Don.t &o his &irty %ork for hi " They sai& """ things I &i&n.t un&erstan&! about essages an& s$ies an& treason" They sai& they coul& %ith greater force" She &efie& e to flinch fro ake sure that e'eryone kne% I %as the Bastar&.s %hore"7 She trie& 4ust to say the %or&! but it ca e out it" 6Then they sai& """ I %oul& e" #n& they be hange& """ if I &i&n.t $ay attention" That to run erran&s for a traitor %as to be a traitor"7 Her 'oice gre% strangely cal er" 6Then they s$it on left e" I hear& the ha'e ne'er been so scare&"7 She looke& at %oun&s" 65ot e'en I hel& her close to y father e'er scare& e" 6It.s all ri&e a%ay! but for a long ti e I %as afrai& to get u$" I e an& her eyes %ere like o$en e that ba&"7

y fault"7 I &i& not e'en kno% I ha& s$oken e! to look u$ in $u11le ent"

alou& until she &re% back fro 65o" I a no traitor" But I a

6Your fault0 Di& you &o so ething %rong07 a bastar&" #n& I.'e let that s$ill o'er onto you" e of! e'erything 9h// e'eryone %arne& e E'erything *atience %arne&

about! it.s all co ing true" I.'e got you caught u$ in it"7 6;hat is ha$$ening07 she aske& softly! eyes %i&e" Her breath su&&enly caught" 6You sai& """ the guar& %oul&n.t let you out the gate" That you can.t lea'e Buckkee$0 ;hy07

1EC2

6I &on.t kno%! exactly" There.s a lot I &on.t un&erstan&" But one thing I &o kno%" I ha'e to kee$ you safe" That #n& you fro this:7 65o" That.s not it" ;e ha'e to you again"7 6They ha'e scare& obey the e! you i&iot:7 she hisse& at e" 6One thing I kno%" Once that $erson" If I e to &o other things! to so eone kno%s you.re afrai& of hi ! you.re ne'er safe fro no%! they %ill co e after in y fear"7 e again" To tell see ho% far I.ll obey the ake the belie'e that they.'e scare& you! that you.re obeying the " Then you.ll be safe" They.ll ha'e no reason to co e after eans staying a%ay fro you! for a ti e" e alone in e" Do you un&erstan&07

# glint of anger ca e into her eyes" 6I un&erstan& you.re lea'ing

These %ere the scars her father ha& left on her life" Scars that %ere a kin& of strength! but also a 'ulnerability" 65o% is not the ti e to stan& u$ to the !7 I %his$ere&" I ke$t looking o'er her shoul&er! ex$ecting that at any &ee$er into the besi&e o ent the guar& %oul& co e to see %here %e ha& 'anishe&" 69o e!7 I sai&! an& le& her a1e of %arehouses an& outbuil&ings" She %alke& silently ine" e for a %ays! then su&&enly 4erke& her han& fro

6It is ti e to stan& u$ to the !7 she &eclare&" 6Because once you start $utting it off! you ne'er &o it" ;hy shoul& not this be the ti e07 6Because I &on.t %ant you caught u$ in this" I &on.t %ant you hurt" I &on.t %ant $eo$le saying you are the Bastar&.s %hore"7 I coul& barely force the %or&s fro 6Ha'e you07 65o" But/7 6 FBut". Your fa'orite %or&!7 she sai& bitterly" She %alke& a%ay fro
1EC8

outh" asha e& of!7 she sai& e'enly"

-olly.s hea& ca e u$" 6I ha'e &one nothing I.

e"

6-olly:7 I s$rang after her! sei1e& her by the shoul&ers" She s$un an& hit e" 5ot a sla$" # soli& $unch in the y outh that rocke& e back an& $ut bloo& in caught u$ in it" Ji'e %as running o'er the an& ake the outh" She stoo& glaring! &aring e to touch her

again" I &i&n.t" 6I &i&n.t say I %oul&n.t fight back" Only that I &i&n.t %ant you e a chance to fight this $ay" -y %ay" 5o%" Tell y %ay!7 I sai&" I kne% bloo& e about the en" ;hat they y chin" I let her look at it" 6Trust that gi'en ti e! I can fin&

%ore! ho% they ro&e" ;hat &i& the horses look like0 Di& they s$eak like Buck folk! or Inlan&ers0 Di& they ha'e bear&s0 9oul& you tell the color of their hair! their eyes07 I sa% her trying to think! sa% her in& 'eer a%ay fro thinking about it" 6Bro%n!7 she sai& at last" 6Bro%n horses! %ith black face &o%n in the &irt"7 6Joo&" That.s goo&!7 I tol& her! though she ha& tol& looke& &o%n! a%ay fro 6You.re afrai&"7 6Yes:7 I hisse&" 6Yes! I. you" To hurt afrai&" #frai& they.ll hurt you! afrai& they.ll kill e or not" She fol&e& her e" I %on.t en&anger you by co ing to you"7 the bloo& on e nothing at all" She ore )uietly" 6I y face" 6-olly!7 I sai& anes an& tails" #n& the

en talke& like anybo&y else" One ha& a &ark bear&" I think"" It.s har& to see

%on.t be co ing """ to your roo " 5ot for a %hile" Because """7

She stoo& still" I coul& not tell if she %as listening to ar s across her chest! hugge& herself"" 6I lo'e you too yself" She turne& an& %alke& a%ay fro herself fro

uch to see that ha$$en"7 -y %or&s soun&e& %eak! e'en to e" She still hugge& herself! as if to kee$

flying a$art" She looke& 'ery alone! in her &raggle& blue skirts

1EC<

%ith her $rou& hea& bo%e&" 6-olly Re&skirts!7 I %his$ere& after her! but I coul& no longer see that -olly" Only %hat I ha& a&e of her"

9H#*TER T;E5TY/FO>R 5eatbay THE *O9(ED -#5 Is the legen&ary harbinger of &isaster for the folk of the Six Duchies" To see hi ! stri&ing &o%n the roa&! is to kno% that &isease an& $estilence %ill soon co e to call" To &rea &eath to co e" Often the tales of hi $unish ent! but so eti es he is use&! general o en of &isaster to co e" # %ill %itness a trage&y" The &ays of %inter &ragge& agoni1ingly slo%" ;ith e'ery $assing hour! I %as brace& for so ething to ha$$en" I ne'er %alke& into a roo the %ell %ithout sur'eying e in a I it first! ate no foo& I ha& not seen $re$are&! &rank only the %ater I &re% fro yself" I sle$t $oorly" The constant %atchfulness tol& on e casually! hun&re& %ays" I %as sna$$ish to those %ho s$oke to coul& ha'e unbur&ene& of bringing yself! &i& not su on oo&y %hen of hi is sai& to be a %arning of a sho% hi a$$earing to those &eser'ing of

ost often in $u$$et sho%s! as a arionette of the *ocke& -an! hung

&angling across the scenery! is a %arning to all in the au&ience that soon they

I checke& on Burrich! reticent %ith the Iueen" 9ha&e! the only one to %ho e" I %as &are& not go to -olly" I ke$t

iserably alone" I

y 'isits to Burrich as brief as $ossible for fear

y troubles &o%n on hi " I coul& not o$enly lea'e Buckkee$ to

s$en& ti e %ith 5ighteyes! an& I feare& to lea'e by our secret %ay lest I be

1EC?

%atche&" I %aite& an& I %atche&! but that nothing further ha$$ene& to beca e a so$histicate& torture of sus$ense" I &i& call on (ing Shre%& &aily" I %atche& hi the Fool beco e &aily %inter %eather to %ere atch ore y orose! his hu or &%in&le before

y eyes! sa%

ore aci&" I longe& for sa'age

oo&! but the skies continue& blue an& the %in&s onings of instrels to co $ete for fat $urses"

cal " ;ithin Buckkee$! the e'enings %ere noisy %ith gaiety an& re'el" There aske& balls! an& su The Inlan& Dukes an& nobles ate %ell at Regal.s table! an& &rank %ell %ith hi late into the night" 6=ike ticks on a &ying &og!7 I sai& sa'agely to Burrich one &ay as I %as changing the &ressing on his leg for hi " He ha& of the re'elry %oul& ha'e 6;ho.s &ying07 he aske&" 6#ll of us" One &ay at a ti e! %e.re all &ying" Di& no one e'er tell you that0 But this is healing! an& sur$risingly %ell for all you.'e &one to it"7 He looke& &o%n at his bare& leg an& cautiously flexe& it" The tissue $ulle& une'enly! but hel&" 6-aybe the gash is close& u$! but it &oesn.t feel heale& insi&e!7 he obser'e&" It %as not a co $laint" He lifte& his bran&y cu$ an& &raine& it off" I eye& it narro%ly" His &ays ha& a $attern no%" Once he left (ettricken.s &oor in the back to his roo orning! he %ent to the kitchen an& ate" Then he ca e change to slee$" #n& o'er to Han&s! an& began &rinking" #fter I a$$eare& an& hel$e& hi a&e it &ifficult to slee$" a&e co ent that it %as no trick to stay a%ake on his night guar& &uty at (ettricken.s &oor! for the noise

the ban&aging on his leg! he %oul& &rink until it %as ti e for hi He no longer &i& anything in the stables" He ha& gi'en the

%ake u$ in the e'ening! 4ust in ti e to eat an& then go guar& (ettricken.s &oor" %ho %ent about looking as if the 4ob %ere a $unish ent he ha&n.t &eser'e&"

1ECB

E'ery other &ay or so! *atience sent -olly u$ to ti&y Burrich.s roo sur$risingly! tolerate& the " I ha& ixe& feelings about the " 5o

for hi " I atter ho%

kne% little of these 'isits other than that they ha$$ene&! an& that Burrich! uch Burrich &rank! he al%ays treate& %o en graciously+ yet the e $tie& bran&y bottles in a ro% coul& not but re in& -olly of her father" Still! I %ishe& the to kno% one another" One &ay I tol& Burrich that -olly ha& been e" 6#ssociation07 he ha& aske& threatene& because of her association %ith shar$ly" 6So e fe% kno% that I care for her!7 I a& itte& gingerly" 6# an &oes not bring his $roble s &o%n on a %o an he cares for!7 he tol& the fe% &etails -olly ha& recalle& e se'erely" I ha& no re$ly to that" Instea& I ga'e hi about her attackers! but they suggeste& nothing to hi " For a ti e he ha& stare& off! right through the %alls of his roo " #fter a ti e he $icke& u$ his cu$ an& &raine& it" He s$oke carefully" 6I a about her" I a a going to tell her that you are %orrie& ust co e to et e" I y eyes" 6I a going to tell her that if she fears &anger! she

ore in a $osition to &eal %ith it"7 He looke& u$ an&

going to tell her that you are %ise to stay a%ay fro %as right" #n& she %as %ise to sen& her to e"7

her! for her sake"7 #s he

$oure& hi self another &rink he ha& a&&e& )uietly to the tableto$! 6*atience I blanche& to consi&er the fill i $lications of that state ent" For once! I %as s art enough to kno% %hen to be )uiet" He &rank his bran&y &o%n! then looke& at the bottle" Slo%ly! he sli& it across the table to%ar& back on the shelf for e! %ill you07 he re)ueste&" Buckkee$" So e %ere e" 6*ut that

#ni als an& %inter stores continue& to be &raine& fro

sol& off chea$ly to Inlan& Duchies" The 'ery finest of the hunting an& ri&ing
1ECC

horses %ere barge& u$ the Buck! to an area near Turlake" Regal announce& this as a $lan to $reser'e our best bree&ing stock far fro Shi$s" The the ra'ages of the Re&/ e! %as that if utter of the folk in Buckkee$ To%n! so Han&s tol&

the (ing coul& not hol& his o%n castle! %hat ho$e %as there for the 0 ;hen a shi$ ent of fine ol& ta$estries an& furniture %ere sent u$ri'er as %ell! the ur ur beca e that soon the Farseers %oul& aban&on Buckkee$ entirely! %ithout e'en a fight! %ithout e'en %aiting for an assault" I ha& the unco fortable sus$icion the ru or %as correct" 9onfine& as I %as to Buckkee$! I ha& little &irect access to the talk of the co on folk" # silence greete& y entry to the %atchroo no%" ;ith! y restriction to the (ee$ ha& co e gossi$ an& s$eculation" The talk that ha& flo%n about e on the &ay I ha& faile& to sa'e the little girl fro ake the Forge& ones foun& ne% life" Fe% of the guar& s$oke to %eather or other $leasantries" ;hile they &i& not banishe& fro that on too %ere fille& the %atchroo " To talk to e of anything other than the e a total $ariah! I %as

the easy con'ersations an& ra bling argu ents that usually e ha& beco e ba& luck" I %oul&n.t inflict

en an& %o en I care& about"

I %as still %elco e about the stables! but I stro'e not to talk to any one $erson uch! or a$$ear too close to any of the beasts" The stable %orkers %ere a ore fre)uent" The stable han&s %ere y a4or source of ne%s an& orose lot these &ays" There %as not enough %ork to busy the ! so )uarrels ru ors" 5one of it %as cheery" There %ere garble& stories of rai&s on Bea s to%ns! gossi$ about bra%ls in the ta'erns an& on the &ocks of Buckkee$ To%n! an& accounts of folk $erishe&" =ike o'ing south or inlan& as their eans allo%e&" ;hat talk there %as of Aerity an& his )uest %as &e eaning or ri&iculing" Ho$e ha& e! the folk of Buckkee$ %ere %aiting in sus$ense for &isaster to co e to their &oorste$s"
1ECD

;e ha& a %ere

onth of stor y %eather! an& the relief an& re4oicing in Buckkee$

ore &estructi'e than the $rece&ing $erio& of tension ha& been" #

%aterfront ta'ern caught fire &uring an es$ecially %il& e'ening of re'elry" The fire s$rea&! an& only the &renching rain that follo%e& the gusting %in&s sa'e& it fro s$rea&ing to the &ock %arehouses" That %oul& ha'e been a &isaster in ore than one %ay! for as Regal &raine& the (ee$ %arehouses of grain an& su$$lies! folk in the to%n sa% little reason to conser'e %hat %as left" E'en if the Rai&ers ne'er ca e to Buckkee$ itself! I %as resigne& to short rations before the %inter %as out" I %oke one night to stark stillness" The ho%l of the stor rose to a clear blue Skill against orning! %in&s an& the rattling e! an& %hen I of rain ha& stille&" -y heart sank" # terrible $re onition fille&

y &rea& increase&" Des$ite the sunny &ay! the e a&! for I &i& not kno% if it %as e further" The (ing! %aste& e %ith! 6#h! Aerity! y a&e

at os$here in the (ee$ %as o$$ressi'e" Se'eral ti es I felt the tickling of the y senses" It nearly &ro'e Aerity atte $ting better contact! or @ustin an& Serene $rying" # late/afternoon 'isit to (ing Shre%& an& the Fool &isheartene& to little to%ar& as ore than bones! %as sitting u$ an& s iling 'aguely" He Skille& feebly e as I ca e in the &oor! an& then greete&

la&" Ho% &i& your s%or& lesson go to&ay07 The rest of his con'ersation uch sense" Regal a$$eare& al ost i straight/backe& chair! ar s crosse& on his chest! an& looke& at %ere exchange& bet%een us" I coul& not &eci&e if or self/restraint" I esca$e& hi look fro the Fool"

e&iately after I arri'e&" He sat on a e" 5o %or&s y silence %ere co%ar&ice

as soon as I &ecently coul&! &es$ite a rebuking

The Fool hi self looke& little better than the (ing" On so colorless a creature as the Fool! the &ark circles un&er his eyes looke& $ainte& on" His tongue ha& gro%n as still as the cla$$ers in his bells" ;hen (ing Shre%& &ie&! nothing
1ECE

%oul& stan& bet%een the Fool an& Regal" I %on&ere& if there %as any %ay I coul& ai& hi " #s if I coul& ai& In the solitu&e of yself! I reflecte& sourly" y roo that e'ening! I &rank ore than I shoul& of the it

chea$ blackberry bran&y that Burrich &es$ise&" I kne% I %oul& be sick fro to orro%" I &i&n.t care" Then I lay on of erri ent fro the Jreat Hall" I %ishe& -olly %ere there to scol&

y be&! listening to the &istant soun&s e for

being &runk" The be& %as too large! the linens glacier %hite an& col&" I close& y eyes an& sought co fort in the co $any of a %olf" 9onfine& as I %as to !the (ee$! I ha& begun to seek his &rea ha'e an illusion of free&o " I ca e a%ake 4ust before 9ha&e sei1e& recogni1e& hi e an& shook e" It %as goo& I ha& sure I %oul& ha'e trie& in that s$lit instant! for other%ise I a co $any on a nightly basis! 4ust to

to kill hi " 6>$:7 he %his$ere& hoarsely" 6Jet u$! you so&&en fool! you i&iot: 5eatbay is un&er siege" Fi'e Re&/Shi$s" I %ager they.ll lea'e nothing stan&ing if %e &elay" Jet u$! &a n you:7 I staggere& to his %or&s" 6;hat can %e &o07 I aske& stu$i&ly" 6Tell the (ing" Tell (ettricken! tell Regal" Surely not e'en Regal can ignore this! it is at our 'ery &oorste$" If the Re&/Shi$s take an& hol& 5eatbay! they %ill ha'e us brackete&" 5o shi$s %ill get out of Buck Harbor" E'en Regal %ill see that" 5o% go: Jo:7 I &ragge& on trousers an& a tunic! ran for the &oor barefoot %ith &raggling about this %arning co es07 y hair y face" I halte& there" 6Ho% &o I kno% this0 ;hence &o I say y feet! the u11iness of &rink gi'ing %ay before the shock of

1EDH

9ha&e ho$$e& u$ an& &o%n in frustration" 6Da n an& &a n: Tell the anything: Tell Shre%& you ha& a &rea you the ne%s: Say anything! but get the of the *ocke& -an scrying it in a $ool an El&erling brought to act an& no%:7 ere& on Shre%&.s &oor" #t the of %ater: He at least shoul& un&erstan& that: Tell the

6Right:7 I race& off &o%n the hall%ay! ski&&e& &o%n the ste$s! an& race& &o%n the corri&or to (ing Shre%&.s cha bers" I ha looke& at far en& of the hall! Burrich stoo& besi&e his chair outsi&e (ettricken.s &oor" He e! &re% his short s%or&! an& took a rea&y stance! eyes &arting e'ery%here" 6Rai&ers:7 I calle& &o%n the hall to hi ! not caring %ho o'erhear& or ho% they reacte&" 6Fi'e Re&/Shi$s in 5eatbay: Rouse Her -a4esty! tell her they nee& our ai& no%:7 Burrich turne& %ithout a )uestion to ta$ on (ettricken.s &oor an& be i e&iately a& itte&" It &i& not go so easily for Regal of e" ;allace finally o$ene& y ti&ings" I belie'e it %as the &oor a gru&ging crack! but %oul& not bu&ge until I suggeste& he shoul& be the one to race &o%n the stairs an& infor the $ros$ect of before all the aking a &ra atic entrance an& conferring %ith the *rince erry akers that &eci&e& hi " He left the &oor unguar&e& as he ake hi self $resentable"

hurrie& to his s all antecha ber to S oke" I took a can&le fro

The (ing.s be&cha ber %as in total &arkness an& hea'y %ith the reek of his sitting roo ! kin&le& it at the &%in&ling fire! an& hastene& in" In the &arkness! I nearly tro& u$on the Fool! %ho %as curle& u$ like a cur at the (ing.s be&si&e" I ga$e& in astonish ent" He ha& not so uch as a blanket or cushion for co fort! but hu&&le& on the rug besi&e the (ing.s be&" He uncurle& stiffly! co ing a%ake! an& then alar e& in an instant" 6;hat is it0 ;hat.s ha$$ene&07 he &e an&e&" 6Rai&ers in 5eatbay" Fi'e Re&/Shi$s" I ha'e to rouse the (ing" ;hat are you &oing! slee$ing here0 #re you afrai& to go back to your o%n roo
1ED1

any ore07

He laughe& bitterly" 6-ore like I fear to lea'e this one! lest I ne'er be allo%e& in again" The last ti e ;allace locke& ya ering an& ha e out! it took e an hour of issing an& ering before the (ing reali1e& I %as

&e an&e& to kno% %here I %as" The ti e before that! I sli$$e& in %ith the breakfast things" The ti e before that/7 6They seek to se$arate you fro the (ing07 e a $urse %ith ake yself $resentable an& co e &o%n to e to %aste y youth ore He no&&e&" 6;ith honey or a %hi$" This night! Regal offere& fi'e bits of gol& in it! if I %oul&

entertain the " Oh! ho% he &i& go on after you ha& left! o'er ho% ba&ly I %as isse& at the court belo%! an& %hat a sha e it %as for congenial than that of other fools! he flung the tea$ot at fair bit of a huff! for he ha& 4ust bre%e& u$ as nasty a ake one long for the $erfu e of farts"7 The Fool ha& been kin&ling can&les an& $oking u$ the fire on the (ing.s hearth as %e s$oke" 5o% he &re% back one of the hea'y be& curtains" 6-y liege07 he sai& as gently as one #t first the (ing it" 6(ing Shre%&07 6-y king! your folk ha'e nee& of you"7 The %or&s tu ble& fro &es$eration" 65eatbay is besiege& by Re&/Shi$s" Fi'e of the " ;e ai& no%! or all is lost" Once they ha'e a toehol& there/7 6They coul& close Buck Harbor"7 The (ing.s eyes o$ene& as he s$oke" He &i& not o'e fro his $rone $osition! but he s)uee1e& his eyes ore tightly shut as if clenching the against $ain" 6Fool" # bit of the re& %ine" *lease"7 His 'oice
1ED2

shut a%ay u$ here" #n& %hen I sai& I foun& (ing Shre%&.s co $any

e" *ut ;allace in a

ess of herb tea as %oul&

ight s$eak to a slee$ing chil&" 6Fit19hi'alry is here %ith

i $ortant ti&ings for you" ;ill you a%aken an& hear hi 07 a&e no res$onse" 6Your -a4esty07 the Fool calle& to hi again" He &a $e& a cloth in a bit of cool %ater an& $atte& the (ing.s face %ith e in ust sen&

%as soft! scarce 6;hat

ore than a breath! but it %as the 'oice of

y king" -y heart aster"

surge& as if I %ere an ol& &og hearing the 'oice of a returning ust %e &o07 I begge& of hi "

6E'ery shi$ %e ha'e! &o%n the coast to the " 5ot 4ust the %arshi$s" Roust out the fishing fleet" ;e fight for our li'es no%" Ho% &are they co e this close! ho% ca e they to such bol&ness: Sen& horse o'erlan&" On their %ay tonight! %ithin the hour! I say" They sen& the -y heart fli$/flo$$e& in &ea&" 9o ing back fro high%ay en"7 The Fool glare& at fa&e& fro an"7 The (ing took the %ine the Fool $roffere&" He si$$e&! an& see e& to &ra% strength %ith it" 6(erf" Ji'e it to (erf! then"7 # sha&e of the confi&ence ca e back" I bit y tongue against saying that %hat horse %e ha& left %as not %orth sen&ing" Doubtless the folk of 5eatbay %oul& %elco e %hoe'er ca e to reinforce the " (ing Shre%& consi&ere&" 6;hat is the %or& fro out %arriors an& shi$s07 6Your -a4esty! there is no %or& fro there as yet"7 This %as not a lie" 6;hat goes on here07 The shouting began before he e'en reache& the be&cha ber" It %as Regal! $uffy %ith &rink an& fury" 6;allace:7 He $ointe& an accusing finger at e" 6Jet hi out of here" Jet hel$ to &o it if you nee& it" You nee&n.t be gentle: 6
1ED8

ay not get there until &ay after to orro%! but

all the sa e" *ut (een in charge of it"7 y chest" 6Your -a4esty!7 I broke in gently" 6(een is the ountains! %ith Burrich" They %ere attacke& by y interru$tion" The co an&

e! an& I instantly regrette&

(ing Shre%&7s 'oice" >ncertainly! he sai&! 6(een is &ea&07

I took a breath" 6Yes! Your -a4esty" But there is Re&" (erf is also a goo&

South 9o'e0 Ha'e they sent

;allace ha& not far to look" T%o of Regal.s bra%ny inlan& guar&s en ha& follo%e& hi burly u$ fro the feasting" I %as lifte& off y feet+ Regal ha& chosen en for this &uty" I looke& about for the Fool! for any ally! but the Fool

ha& 'anishe&" I caught a gli $se of a $ale han& 'anishing un&er the be& an& resolutely looke& a%ay" I &i& not bla e hi " There %as nothing he coul& &o for e by staying exce$t be thro%n out %ith e" 6-y father! has he &isturbe& your rest %ith his %il& tales0 #n& you so ill07 Regal bent solicitously o'er the be&" They ha& but co e al ost to the &oor %hen the (ing s$oke" His 'oice %as not lou&! an& %as in it" 6Stan& %here you are!7 (ing Shre%& or&ere& the ust sen& ai&"7 essage of any

guar&s" He still %as $rone in his be&! but he turne& his eyes to Regal" 65eatbay is besiege&!7 (ing Shre%& sai& fir ly" 6;e you an& steal rest fro kin&"7 One of the guar&s %as 'ery $rofessional in his gri$" The other see e& intent on &islocating y shoul&er e'en if I refuse& to struggle against hi " I carefully e ori1e& his face %hile trying not to sho% the $ain" 6You nee& not ha'e trouble& yourself! Regal" I %ill &isco'er the truth or the lie here"7 Iueen (ettricken ha& $ause& to &ress" Short %hite fur 4acket! $ur$le trousers an& boots" Her long -ountain s%or& %as at her si&e an& Burrich stoo& in the &oor! hol&ing a hea'y/hoo&e& ri&ing cloak an& glo'es" She s$oke as one %oul& to a s$oile& chil&" 6Jo back to your guests" I %ill ri&e to 5eatbay"7 6I forbi& it:7 Regal.s 'oice rang out strangely shrill" Stillness su&&enly floo&e& the roo " Iueen (ettricken $ointe& out )uietly %hat e'eryone in the roo 6# *rince &oes not forbi& the Iueen/in/;aiting" I ri&e tonight"7
1ED<

Regal shook his hea& sa&ly" 6It is 4ust another of the Bastar&.s $loys! to u$set you" There has been no call for hel$! no

alrea&y kne%"

Regal.s face $ur$le&" 6This is a hoax! a $lot of the Bastar&.s to thro% Buckkee$ into an u$roar! an& instill fear in the folk" There has been no %or& of an attack on 5eatbay"7 6Silence:7 The (ing s$at out the %or&" E'eryone in the roo 6Fit19hi'alry0 Da n it! release that Re$ort" ;hence ca e your ne%s07 I tugge& before y 4erkin s)uare again an& s oothe& y king I %as $ainfully a%are of y hair back" #s I %ent to stan& y bare feet an& tousle& hair" I took a e the Re&/Shi$s at 5eatbay"7 fro1e" e" an" Fit19hi'alry! stan& before

breath an& thre% it all a%ay" 6In

y slee$ I ha& a 'ision! sire" Of the *ocke& before the " One of the guar&s en

-an! scrying in a $ool of %ater" He sho%e& I &are& e $hasi1e no %or&" I stoo& fir (ettricken

snorte& in &isbelief" Burrich.s 4a% &ro$$e& o$en an& his eyes %i&ene&" erely looke& confuse&" On the be&! (ing Shre%& close& his eyes out of here"7 I ha& ne'er hear& so e an& breathe& out slo%ly" 6He.s &runk!7 Regal &eclare&" 6Jet hi again" 6#s """7//the (ing &re% a &ee$ breath in! ob'iously fighting $ain//7I co an&e&"7 He foun& a bit of strength" 6#s I co y ar s free fro an&e&" Jo no%" 5O;:7 I 4erke& the astonishe& guar&s" 6Yes! Your -a4esty!7 I sai& any of the fishing fleet as can be rallie&" #n& an&"7 uch satisfaction in Regal.s 'oice" His guar&s reacte& s%iftly to sei1e

into the silence" I s$oke clearly for the benefit of all" 6That is! all %arshi$s &is$atche& to 5eatbay! an& as all a'ailable horse to be sent o'erlan&! un&er (erf.s co eyes" 6Yes! I or&er it so" 5o% go"7 6So e %ine! y liege07 The Fool ha& ateriali1e& on the other si&e of the be&" I %as the only one %ho startle&" The Fool s ile& a secret s ile o'er that"
1ED?

6Yes"7 The (ing sighe& the %or&" He s%allo%e&! took a breath! o$ene& his

Then he bent o'er the (ing! hel$ing hi bo%e& &ee$ly! &ee$ly! to 6You ay ri&e %ith

to raise his hea& an& si$ at the %ine" I e"

y king" I straightene& an& turne& to lea'e the roo "

y guar&! if you %ish!7 Iueen (ettricken tol& flatly" erely no&&e&"

Regal.s face %as scarlet" 6The (ing &i& not tell you to go:7 he s$uttere& at her" 65or &i& he Rforbi&. it"7 The Iueen looke& at hi ri&e"7 I looke& at her in astonish ent" (ettricken She glance& at that"7 Burrich shook out the Iueen.s cloak for her" 6Is aske& her guar&" 6Han&s $ro ise& it at the &oor by the ti e you &escen&e&"7 6I %ill nee& but a o ent or t%o to rea&y yself!7 Burrich sai& )uietly" I notice& he &i& not $hrase it as a re)uest" 6Jo then" Both of you" *lan on catching u$ %ith us as )uickly as you can"7 Burrich no&&e&" He follo%e& %inter garb fro in a an& %ash your face!7 he or&ere& e to y roo ! %here he hel$e& hi self to ore confi&ence y clothing chest %hile I got &resse&" 6Brush your hair back e tersely" 6;arriors ha'e y horse rea&y07 (ettricken e" 6You.& best 6-y )ueen:7 One of her guar& announce& herself at the &oor" 6;e are rea&y to ake haste! Fit1" >nless you $lan to ri&e like

an %ho looks like he ex$ecte& to be a%ake at this hour"7

I &i& as he a&'ise& an& then %e hastene& &o%n the stairs" His la e leg see e& forgotten tonight" Once %e %ere in the courtyar&! he starte& bello%ing for stable boys to bring u$ Sooty an& Ru&" He sent another boy scra bling to fin& (erf an& $ass on the or&ers! an& another to rea&y e'ery a'ailable horse in the stables" Four en he &is$atche& to to%n! one to the %arshi$s! three others to an& a%ay fro e until %e %ere ounting" ake the roun&s of the ta'erns an& rally the fleet" I en'ie& his efficiency" He &i& not reali1e he ha& taken co

1EDB

He looke& su&&enly unco fortable" I s ile& at hi " 6Ex$erience counts!7 I tol& hi " ;e ro&e for the gates" 6;e shoul& be able to catch u$ %ith Iueen (ettricken before she reaches the coast roa&!7 Burrich %as saying 4ust as a guar&s an ste$$e& out to bar our %ay" 6Hol&:7 he co &e an&e&" The an stoo& fir " 6You ay $ass! sir!7 he tol& Burrich res$ectfully" 6But I ha'e or&ers that the Bastar& is not allo%e& out of Buckkee$"7 6The Bastar&07 I ha& ne'er hear& such outrage in Burrich.s 'oice" 6Say FFit19hi'alry! son of *rince 9hi'alry". 6 The an ga$e& at hi in astonish ent" hi in %a'es I coul& feel" an babble&" y or&ers" 6Say it no%:7 Burrich bello%e&! an& $ulle& steel" He su&&enly see e& t%ice as large as he ha&" #nger ra&iate& fro 6Fit19hi'alry! son of *rince 9hi'alry!7 the He is not allo%e& out"7 65ot an hour ago I hear& our )ueen co as s%iftly as %e The guar&house" Burrich snorte&" 6;hoe'er traine& hi on our honor to kee$ us fro Burrich glare& at ought to be asha e&" He relies entirely ri&ing through"7 o ent the ca$tain of the %atch ca e out" He an looke& uncertain" 6One an& us to ri&e %ith her! or to catch u$ o ent! sir"7 He ste$$e& back into the ight" Do you say your or&er is su$erior to hers07 an&e&! his 'oice breaking on the %or&" Our horses reare& back in alar " ;e reine& in" 6;hat.s this07 Burrich

He took a breath an& s%allo%e&" 6But ho%e'er I call hi ! I ha'e

6-aybe he 4ust kno%s you!7 I suggeste&" e" #fter a grinne& at us" 6Ri&e %ell! an& best of luck at 5eatbay"7
1EDC

Burrich flung hi

so ething bet%een a salute an& a fare%ell! an& %e urge& our oon"

horses through" I let Burrich choose the $ace" It %as &ark! but once %e %ere &o%n the hill! the roa& %as straight an& goo& an& there %as a bit of a Burrich %as as reckless as I ha& e'er seen hi ! for he $ut the horses to a canter an& ke$t u$ the $ace until %e sa% the Iueen.s guar& ahea& of us" He slo%e& us 4ust short of 4oining the " I sa% the raise& a han& in greeting" 6# $regnant o'er at sai& hesitantly" I grinne& at hi " 6#n& you think I &o07 I shook y hea& an& gre% sober" 6I &on.t kno%" So e %o en &on.t ri&e at all %hen they are carrying" So e &o" I think (ettricken %oul& not $ut Aerity.s chil& at risk" Besi&es" She is safer %ith us here than left behin& %ith Regal"7 Burrich sai& nothing! but I sense& his assent" It %as not all I sense&" ;e hunt together again at last: Iuietly: I %arne& hi %ith a si&e%ays glance at Burrich" I ke$t y thoughts tiny an& $ri'ate" ;e go far" ;ill you be able to kee$ $ace %ith the horses0 O'er a short &istance they can outs$ee& trotting %olf" Burrich stiffene& slightly in his sa&&le" I kne% 5ighteyes %as off to the si&e of the roa&! trotting through the sha&o%s" It &i& feel goo& to be out an& alongsi&e hi again" It felt goo& to be out an& &oing things" It %as not that I re4oice& at 5eatbay being attacke&+ it %as that at last I %oul& ha'e a chance to &o so ething about it! e'en if it %as only to clean u$ %hate'er %as left stan&ing" I glance& o'er at Burrich" #nger ra&iate& fro 6Burrich07 I 'enture&"
1EDD

turn to recogni1e us! an& one sol&ier

are! in early $regnancy! &oes %ell to be exercise&"7 He looke& uch about %o en!7 he

e through the &arkness" 6I &on.t kno% that

e" But nothing out&istances the

hi "

6It.s a %olf! isn.t it07 Burrich s$oke gru&gingly into the &arkness" He looke& straight ahea& as %e ro&e" I kne% the set of his Burrich flinche& as if $oke&" 65ighteyes!7 I a& itte& )uietly! ren&ering the i age of his na e into hu an %or&s" Drea& sat e" Burrich ha& sense& hi " He kne%" 5o $oint in &enying e" anything any ore" But there %as a tiny e&ge of relief in it as %ell" I %as &eathly tire& of all the lies I li'e&" Burrich ro&e on silently! not looking at I ga'e hi silence" I $ut y han& on Sooty.s neck! took co fort in the %ar th an& life there" I %aite&" Burrich still sai& nothing" 6I kno% you %ill ne'er a$$ro'e!7 I sai& )uietly" 6But it is not so ething I can choose" It is %hat I a "7 It is %hat %e all are" 5ighteyes s irke&" 9o e! Heart of the *ack! s$eak to ;ill not %e hunt %ell together0 Heart of the *ack0 I %on&ere&" He kno%s it is his na e" It is %hat they calle& hi ! all those &ogs that %orshi$e& hi ! %hen they all ga'e tongue in the chase" It %as %hat they taunte& one another %ith" 6Heart of the *ack! here! here! the ga e is here! an& I ha'e foun& it for you! for you:7 So they all yel$e& an& trie& to be first to yel$ it to hi " But no% they are all gone! taken far a%ay" They &i& not like to lea'e hi " They kne% he hear&! e'en if he %oul& not re$ly" Ha& you ne'er hear& the 0 I su$$ose I trie& not to" # %aste" ;hy choose to be &eaf0 Or 6-ust you &o this in ute0 y $resence07 Burrich.s 'oice %as stiff3
1EDE

outh"

You kno% I a " # grinning! tongue/lolling re$ly"

6I &i& not inten& for it to ha$$en" It 4ust &i&"7 #n ex$lanation" 5ot an a$ology" no choice" 5ighteyes %as being 'ery 4ocular about Burrich.s

e"

6Beg $ar&on!7 I sai&! gra'ely a%are that he %as truly offen&e&" 5ighteyes snickere& again" I ignore& hi " Burrich %oul& not look at e" #fter a bit he nu&ge& Ru&&y an& cantere& for%ar& to o'ertake (ettricken.s guar&" I hesitate&! then ke$t $ace %ith hi " He for ally re$orte& to (ettricken of all he ha& &one before lea'ing Buckkee$! an& she no&&e& gra'ely as if accusto e& to taking such re$orts" #t a signal fro her! %e %ere honore& to fall back an& ri&e ounte& sol&iers fro Buckkee$ ha& an& to her left! %hile her ca$tain of the guar&! one Foxglo'e! ro&e to her right" Before &a%n foun& us! the rest of the caught u$ %ith us" ;hen they 4oine& us! Foxglo'e slo%e& the $ace for a ti e! to allo% their %in&e& horses to breathe" But after %e ha& co e to a strea e" Years earlier! I ha& an& a&e a tri$ to 5eatbay as $art of Aerity.s entourage" Then it ha& taken us fi'e &ays! but %e ha& tra'ele& %ith %agons an& litters! 4ugglers usicians an& 'alets" This ti e %e tra'ele& by horse! %ith seasone& i& orning of our first &ay out! a %inter %arriors! an& %e nee& not kee$ to the %i&e coast roa&" The only thing that &i& not fa'or us %as the %eather" By stor s%e$t in" It %as iserable ri&ing! not 4ust for the $hysical &isco fort but let all the beasts %ater! %e $ushe& on &eter ine&ly" Burrich &i& not s$eak to

in the unsettling kno%le&ge that the &ri'ing %in&s %oul& slo% our co $anion shi$s" ;hene'er our $ath took us o'erlooking the %ater! I %atche& for sails! but ne'er sa% any" The $ace Foxglo'e set %as &e an&ing but not &estructi'e to horse or ri&er" ;hile sto$s %ere not fre)uent! she 'arie& the $ace an& sa% that no ani al %ante& for %ater" #t such sto$s! there %as grain for the horses an& har& brea& an& &rie& fish for their ri&ers" If anyone e'er notice& a %olf sha&o%ing us! no one s$oke of it" T%o full &ays later! as &a%n an& a ga$ in the %eather foun& us! %e %ere looking out o'er the %i&e ri'er 'alley that o$ene& onto 5eatbay"
1EEH

Bayguar& %as the (ee$ of 5eatbay" #n& Bayguar& %as the ho e (ee$ of Duke (el'ar an& =a&y Jrace! the heart of Ri$$on Duchy" The %atchto%er %as on a san&y cliff abo'e the to%n" The (ee$ itself ha& been built on fairly le'el lan&! but fortifie& %ith a series of earthen %alls an& &itches" Once I ha& been tol& that no ene y ha& e'er a&e it $ast the secon& %all" It %as no longer true" ;e halte& an& looke& out o'er the &estruction" The fi'e Re&/Shi$s %ere still &ra%n u$ on the beach" The boats of 5eatbay! ostly s all fishing 'essels! %ere a burne& an& scuttle& %reckage s$rea& along the beach" The ti&es ha& $laye& %ith the fro %here they ha& lan&e&! since the Rai&ers ha& &estroye& the " Blackene& buil&ings an& s ol&ering %reckage fanne& out arking their $ath like a s$rea&ing contagion" Foxglo'e stoo& in her stirru$s an& $ointe& out o'er 5eatbay! co bining her obser'ations %ith %hat she kne% of the to%n an& (ee$" 6It.s a shallo%! san&y bay! all the %ay out" So %hen the ti&e goes out! it goes %ay out" They.'e &ra%n their boats u$ too high" If %e can force the to retreat! %e %ant to &o it on a uch of an effort to lo% ti&e! %hen their shi$s are sitting high an& &ry" They.'e cut through the to%n like a hot knife through butter3 I &oubt there %as the first sight of a re& keel" It looks to &efen& it! it.s not really &efensible" *robably e'eryone hea&e& for the (ee$ at e like the Outislan&ers ha'e battere& off their %ay in $ast the thir& circle" But (el'ar shoul& be able to hol& the

al ost in&efinitely no%" The fourth %all is %orke& stone" It took years to buil&" Bayguar& has a goo& %ell! an& her %arehouses shoul& still be fat %ith grain! this early in %inter" She %on.t fall unless she falls to treachery"7 Foxglo'e sto$$e& gesturing an& settle& in her sa&&le again" 6It attack!7 she sai& akes no sense! this ore softly" 6Ho% can the Re&/Shi$s ex$ect to sustain a long

siege0 Es$ecially if they are! in turn! attacke& by our forces07

1EE1

6The ans%er coul& be that they &i& not ex$ect anyone to co e to Bayguar&.s ai&!7 (ettricken sai& succinctly" 6They ha'e the to%n to $illage for su$$lies! an& $erha$s other shi$s are ex$ecte&"7 She turne& to (erf! otione& hi alongsi&e Foxglo'e" 6I ha'e no battle ex$erience!7 she sai& si $ly" 6You t%o %ill ha'e to $lan this" I listen no%! as a sol&ier" ;hat shoul& %e &o next07 I sa% Burrich %ince" Such honesty is a& irable! but not al%ays goo& lea&ershi$" I sa% Foxglo'e an& (erf exchange (erf has Foxglo'e offere& )uietly" (erf looke& &o%n! as if seen far u$ su&&enly" 6I co il&ly asha e&" 6Burrich %as 9hi'alry.s to you! y )ueen"7 o ent his eyes an" He has ore battles than I ha'e!7 he obser'e& to his en& hi are.s neck" He looke& easuring glances" 6-y )ueen! an&!7 ore battle ex$erience than I" I %oul& acce$t his co

Burrich.s face %as a struggle of conflicting e otions" For a lit" Then I sa% a hesitation buil&"

Heart of the *ack! they %ill hunt %ell for you! 5ighteyes urge& hi " 6Burrich! take co Fro an&" They %ill fight %ith heart for you"7 -y skin $rickle& to hear Iueen (ettricken 'irtually echo 5ighteyes. thought" %here I sat! I coul& actually see a shi'er run o'er Burrich" He in this flat straightene& in his sa&&le" 6;e ha'e no ho$e of sur$rising the for the " ;e are not a 'ast force" ;hat %e ha'e ost of!

country" #n& the three circles they ha'e alrea&y gaine& can beco e &efenses y )ueen! is ti e" ;e can $en the " They ha'e no access to fresh %ater" If Bayguar& stan&s! an& %e kee$ the Outislan&ers tra$$e& %here they are! bet%een the thir& earth%ork an& the %all! %e can si $ly %ait for our shi$s to arri'e" #t that ti e %e can 4u&ge if %e %ish to 4oin an attack on the ! or si $ly star'e the 6This see s %ise to e!7 the Iueen a$$ro'e&" out"7

1EE2

6They are fools if they ha'e not left at least a s all force %ith their shi$s" Those %e %ill ha'e to conten& %ith i e&iately" Then %e ust set our o%n guar&s to the shi$s! %ith or&ers to &estroy the shi$s to a&& to (ing/in/;aiting Aerity.s fleet"7 6This! too! see s sensible"7 The i&ea clearly $lease& (ettricken" 6It is ti&y! but only if %e act s%iftly" They %ill soon be a%are of us! if they are not alrea&y" 9ertainly they %ill see the situation as clearly as %e ha'e" ;e nee& to get &o%n there! an& contain those besieging the (ee$ an& &estroy those guar&ing the shi$s"7 (erf an& Foxglo'e %ere both no&&ing" Burrich looke& at the " 6I %ant your archers for our circle aroun& the (ee$" ;e %ant to contain the into any close fighting" Si $ly $in the there! not get ost &o%n %here they are" ;here'er they if it looks like any of the

Outislan&ers ha'e gotten $ast us an& are trying to esca$e" If not! you %ill ha'e

breache& the %alls is %here they %ill try to trickle out again" Juar& %ithin the outer %all at all" =et the Terse no&s fro scuttle about like crabs in a $ot"7

hea'ily there! but %atch all along the outer %all" #n& for no%! &o not try to go both ca$tains" Burrich continue&"

6I %ant s%or&s for the shi$s" Ex$ect the fighting to be nasty" They.ll be &efen&ing their only esca$e routes" Sen& a fe% lesser archers! an& ha'e the $re$are fire arro%s" If all else fails! burn the shi$s %here they.re beache&" But try to take the first"7 o ent 6The Rurisk : 6 So eone in the back ranks ga'e a cry" #ll hea&s turne& to the %ater" There %as the Rurisk! roun&ing the north tooth of 5eatbay" In a a secon& sail a$$eare&" Behin& us! the beyon& our shi$s! anchore& in &ee$ %ater! %hite as a &ea& sails as bloate&! floate& the %hite shi$" The slice& y guts"
1EE8

ounte& %arriors raise& a shout" But out an.s belly an& her o ent I sa% it! an icicle of terror

6The %hite shi$:7 I choke&" Fear sent a shu&&er through like $ain"

e that %as al ost e that

6;hat07 Burrich aske&! startle&" It %as the first %or& he ha& s$oken to &ay" 6The %hite shi$:7 I re$eate&! an& $ointe& a han&"

6;hat0 ;here0 That0 That.s a fog bank" Our shi$s are co ing into the harbor o'er there"7 I looke&" He %as right" # fog bank! elting in the orning sun e'en as I clou&s a %atche&" -y terror rece&e& like the ghost of ocking laughter" But the &ay

see e& su&&enly chillier! an& the sun that ha& briefly $arte& the stor 6S$lit your forces an& &e$loy the our shi$s to

%eak an& %atery thing" #n e'il cast lingere& on the &ay! like a ba& s ell" no%!7 Burrich sai& )uietly" 6;e &on.t %ant eet any resistance as they co e into shore" Iuickly! no%" Fit1"

You.re to go %ith the force that attacks the Re&/Shi$s" Be there %hen the Rurisk beaches! an& let those on boar& kno% %hat %e.'e &eci&e&" #s )uickly as those Re&/Shi$s are cleane& out! %e shall %ant all fighters to 4oin us in containing the Outislan&ers" I %ish there %as a %ay to get %or& to Duke (el'ar of %hat %e.re &oing" I su$$ose he.ll see! soon enough" ;ell! let.s get going"7 There %as so e illing about! so e conferring bet%een (erf an& Foxglo'e! yself ri&ing behin& Foxglo'e %ith a isse& %as the ax I er" o'ing y s%or&! but %hat I really but in a sur$risingly short ti e I foun& contingent of %arriors" I ha&

ha& beco e so co fortable %ith o'er the su

5othing %as as ti&y as %as $lanne&" ;e encountere& Outislan&ers in the %reckage of the to%n! long before %e reache& the beach" They %ere back to%ar& their shi$s an& %ere ha $ere& %ith a coffle of $risoners" ;e attacke& the Rai&ers" So e stoo& an& fought! an& so e aban&one& their $risoners an& ran before our horses" Our troo$s %ere soon scattere& throughout
1EE<

the still/s ol&ering buil&ings an& &ebris scattere& streets of 5eatbay" So e of our force staye& to cut the ro$es on the $risoners an& hel$ the as best they coul&" Foxglo'e s%ore at the &elay! for the Rai&ers that ha& fle& %oul& %arn the shi$ guar&s" S%iftly she s$lit our force! lea'ing a han&ful of sol&iers to hel$ the battere& to%nsfolk" The s ells of &ea& bo&ies an& rain on charre& ti bers brought back y e ories of Forge %ith a 'i'i&ness that al ost un anne& ore than %e ha& ex$ecte& to fin&" e" There %ere bo&ies e'ery%here! far hi " Foxglo'e curse& us all %ith sur$rising skill! an& then organi1e& those she ke$t %ith her into a %e&ge" ;e s%e$t &o%n on the Re&/Shi$s in ti e to see one being launche& into the retreating ti&e" There %as little %e coul& &o about that! but %e %ere in ti e to $re'ent a secon& shi$ fro ones %ith sur$rising alacrity" There %ere not cre%" ;e e'en anage& to kill the getting off" ;e kille& those any! only a skeleton ro%ing ost of their yself! not

So e%here I sense& a %olf $ro%ling through the ruins! an& took co fort fro

before they coul& slay

ca$ti'es %ho lay boun& on the th%arts of the shi$s" ;e sus$ecte& that the shi$ that got off ha& been si ilarly la&en" #n& hence! I sur ise& to on the one that ha& elu&e& us" But the Re&/Shi$s ha& been out%ar& boun& %ith hostages" To %here0 To a ghost shi$ that only I ha& gli $se&0 E'en to think of the %hite shi$ brought a shu&&er o'er e an& a $ressure in y hea& like the beginning of $ain" *erha$s they ha& inten&e& to &ro%n their hostages! or to Forge the ! ho%e'er that %as &one" I %as not in a $osition to gi'e it great thought then! but I sa'e& the kno%le&ge for 9ha&e" Each of the three re aining beache& shi$s ha& a contingent of %arriors! an& they fought as &es$erately as Burrich ha& $re&icte& initially $lanning to engage the Rurisk or any of the shi$s that no% con'erge&

1EE?

they %oul&" One shi$ %as set afire by an! o'er1ealous archer! but the others %ere taken intact" ;e ha& secure& all the shi$s by the ti e the Rurisk %as beache&" There %as ti e no% to lift y hea& an& to look out o'er 5eatbay" 5o sign of the %hite a flotilla of fishing 'essels an& e'en a cou$le of ha& to anchor out in the shallo% harbor! but the the fishing 'essels shi$" *erha$s it ha& been only a clou& bank" Behin& the Rurisk ca e the 9onstance! an& behin& the erchant shi$s" -ost of the en aboar& the an&

%ere ferrie& s%iftly ashore" The %arshi$ cre%s %aite& for

their ca$tains to hear %or& of %hat %ent on! but those fro The traine& cre%s fro

erchant shi$s s%e$t $ast us an& hea&e& &irectly for the besiege& (ee$" the %arshi$s soon o'er took the ! an& by the ti e %e lack of foo&

reache& the outer %alls of the (ee$! there %as an attitu&e of coo$eration! if not any real organi1ation" The $risoners %e ha& free& %ere %eak fro an& %ater! but reco'ere& )uickly an& %ere in&is$ensable in gi'ing us inti ate kno%le&ge of the outer earth%orks" By afternoon! our siege of the besiegers %as in $lace" ;ith &ifficulty! Burrich $ersua&e& all in'ol'e& that at least one of our %arshi$s shoul& re ain fully anne& an& on alert! in the %ater" His orning! %hen t%o ore Re&/Shi$s off! but they $re onition %as $ro'en correct the next

saile& aroun& the northern $oint of the bay" The Rurisk ran the

fle& too easily for us to take any satisfaction in it" #ll kne% they %oul& si $ly fin& an un&efen&e& 'illage to rai& farther u$ the coast" Se'eral of the fishing 'essels belate&ly ga'e chase! though there %as little chance of the the oare& 'essels of the Rai&ers" By the secon& &ay of %aiting! %e %ere beginning to be bore& an& unco fortable" The %eather ha& turne& foul again" The har& brea& %as starting to taste of ol&! the &rie& fish %as no longer co $letely &ry" To cheer us! Duke (el'ar ha& a&&e& the Buck flag of the Six Duchies to his o%n $ennon
1EEB

catching

flying o'er Bayguar& to ackno%le&ge us" But like us! he ha& chosen a %aiting strategy" The Outislan&ers %ere $enne&" They ha& not atte $te& to break out $ast us! nor to a&'ance closer to the (ee$" #ll %as still an& %aiting" 6You &on.t listen to %arnings" You ne'er ha'e"7 Burrich s$oke )uietly to 5ight ha& fallen" It %as the first ti e since our arri'al that %e ha& ha& than a fe% in front of hi " I crouche& by the fire! trying to %ar e" ore

o ents together" He sat on a log! his in4ure& leg stretche& straight y han&s" ;e %ere

outsi&e a te $orary shelter set u$ for the Iueen! ten&ing a 'ery s oky fire" Burrich ha& %ante& her to settle in one of the fe% intact buil&ings left in 5eatbay! but she ha& refuse&! insisting on staying close to her %arriors" Her guar& ca e an& %ent freely! in her shelter an& at her fire" Burrich fro%ne& o'er their fa iliarity! but also a$$ro'e& her loyalty" 6Your father! too! %as like that!7 he obser'e& su&&enly as t%o of (ettricken.s guar& e erge& fro shelter an& %ent to relie'e others still on %atch" 6Di&n.t take %arnings07 I aske& in sur$rise" Burrich shook his hea&" 65o" #l%ays his sol&iers! co ing an& going! at all hours" I.'e al%ays %on&ere& %hen he foun& the $ri'acy to create you"7 I ust ha'e looke& shocke&! for Burrich su&&enly flushe& as %ell" 6Sorry" I. y leg is """ unco fortable" I %asn.t thinking %hat I %as saying"7 e again" # tire& an& her

I foun& a s ile unex$ecte&ly" 6It.s all right!7 I sai&! an& it %as" ;hen he ha& foun& out about 5ighteyes! I %as afrai& he %as going to banish aske& hu bly" He sighe&" 6You sai& it" ;e are as %e are" #n& he sai& it" So eti es they &on.t gi'e you a choice" They 4ust bon& to you"7 So e%here off in the &arkness! a &og ho%le&" It %as not really a &og" Burrich glare& at e" 6I can.t control hi at all!7 I a& itte&"
1EEC

4est! e'en a rough 4est! %as %elco e" 6You %ere saying about %arnings07 I

5or I! you" ;hy shoul& there be control! one of the other0 65or &oes he stay out of $ersonal con'ersations!7 I obser'e&" 65or $ersonal anything!7 Burrich sai& flatly" He s$oke in the 'oice of a %ho kne%" 6I thought you sai& you ne'er use& """ it"7 E'en out here! I %oul& not say 6the ;it7 alou&" 6I &on.t" 5o goo& co es of it" I %ill tell you $lainly no% %hat I.'e tol& you before" It """ changes you" If you gi'e in to it" If you li'e it" If you can.t shut it out! at least &on.t seek after it" Don.t beco e/7 6Burrich07 ;e both 4u $e&" It %as Foxglo'e! co e )uietly out of the &arkness to stan& on the other si&e of the fire" Ho% 6Yes0 Is there a $roble 07 She hunkere& &o%n in the &arkness! lifte& her re& han&s to the fire" She sighe&" 6I &on.t kno%" Ho% &o I ask this0 #re you a%are she.s $regnant07 Burrich an& I exchange& glances" 6;ho07 he aske& le'elly" 6I.'e got t%o chil&ren of She $ukes e'ery y o%n! you kno%" #n& ost of her guar& is %o en" orning! an& li'es off ras$berry/leaf tea" She can.t e'en look uch ha& she hear&0 an

at the salt fish %ithout retching" She shoul&n.t be here! li'ing like this"7 Foxglo'e no&&e& to%ar& the tent" Oh" The Aixen" Shut u$" 6She &i& not ask our a&'ice!7 Burrich sai& carefully" 6The situation here is un&er control" There is no reason she shoul& not be sent back to Buckkee$!7 Foxglo'e sai& cal ly" 6I can.t i agine Rsen&ing her back. to any%here!7 Burrich obser'e&" 6I think it %oul& ha'e to be a &ecision she reache& on her o%n"7
1EED

6You 6So

ight suggest it to her!7 Foxglo'e 'enture&" ight you!7 Burrich countere&" 6You are ca$tain of her guar&" The

concern is rightly yours"7 6I ha'en.t been kee$ing %atch outsi&e her &oor each night!7 Foxglo'e ob4ecte&" 6*erha$s you shoul& ha'e!7 Burrich sai&! then te $ere& it %ith a 65o% that you kno%"7 Foxglo'e looke& into the fire" 6*erha$s I shoul&" So" The )uestion is! %ho escorts her back to Buckkee$07 6#ll of her $ersonal guar&! of course" # Iueen shoul& tra'el %ith no less"7 So e%here off in the &arkness there %as a su&&en outcry" I s$rang to 6Stan& fast:7 Burrich sna$$e& at kno% %hat is ha$$ening:7 In a o ent ;histle of the Iueen.s guar& reache& our fire" She stoo& before Foxglo'e to re$ort" 6T%o/$ronge& attack" #t the breach 4ust belo% the south to%er! they trie& to break out" #n& so e got through at7 #n arro% s%e$t through her an& carrie& off fore'er %hate'er she ha& begun to tell us" Outislan&ers %ere su&&enly u$on us! ha& the sli co fort of hearing ore of the than y in& coul& gras$! an& all con'erging on the Iueen.s tent" 6To the Iueen:7 I shoute&! an& y cry taken u$ farther &o%n the line" Three y s%or& in y han&! an& fro guar&s rushe& out of the tent to $ut their backs to its fli sy %alls %hile Burrich an& I stoo& our groun& in front of it" I foun& the corner of 6Don.t guar& 6It.s here! the ar of a a$$eare& su&&enly in the &oor of the tent" e:7 she rebuke& us" 6Jet to %here the fighting is"7 an %ho ha& 'enture& too close"
1EEE

y feet"

e" 6;ait for %or&" Don.t rush off until you

y eye sa% firelight run re& u$ the e&ge of Burrich.s" The Iueen

y la&y!7 Burrich grunte& an& ste$$e& for%ar& su&&enly to take off

I re e ber those %or&s clearly an& I re e ber seeing Burrich take that stri&e" It is the last coherent an& bloo&! e ory I ha'e of that night" #fter that! all %as shouting e as all aroun& etal an& fire" ;a'es of e otions $oun&e& against

e sol&iers an& Rai&ers fought to the &eath" Early on! so eone set fire to the tent" Its to%ering bla1e lit the battle scene like a stage" I re e ber seeing (ettricken! robe loo$e& u$ an& knotte&! fighting bare/legge& an& barefoot on the fro1en groun&" She hel& her ri&iculously long -ountain s%or& in a t%o han&e& gri$" Her grace &istracte& shouting co a$$eare& fro a&e a &ea&ly &ance of the battle that %oul& ha'e e at any other ti e" an&s! but coul& not ake sense of any of the " 5ighteyes

Outislan&ers continue& to a$$ear" #t one $oint I %as sure I hear& Aerity ti e to ti e! fighting al%ays at the e&ge of the light! a lo%

su&&en %eight of fur an& teeth! ha stringing %ith a slash! a&&ing his %eight to change a Rai&er.s charge to a stu ble" Burrich an& Foxglo'e fought back/to/ back at one $oint %hen things %ere going $oorly for us" I %as $art of the circle that $rotecte& the Iueen" #t least! I thought I %as! until I reali1e& she %as actually fighting besi&e #t so e ti e I &ro$$e& But at the e" y s%or& to snatch u$ a fallen Rai&er.s ax" I $icke& the fro1en groun&! cruste& %ith u& an& bloo&" ore

y bla&e u$ the next &ay fro

o ent I &i& not e'en hesitate to &iscar& Aerity.s gift for a

sa'agely effecti'e %ea$on" ;hile %e %ere fighting there %as only the no% to consi&er" ;hen at last the ti&e of the battle turne&! I &i& not consi&er the %is&o of it! but $ursue& an& hunte& scattere& ene y through the night/black fire/stinking %reckage of 5eatbay 'illage" Here! in&ee&! 5ighteyes an& I hunte& 'ery %ell together" I stoo& toe to toe %ith y final kill! ax against ax! %hile 5ighteyes snarle& an& sa'age& his %ay $ast a s aller an.s s%or&" He finishe& his but secon&s before I &ro$$e&
2HHH

an"

That final slaughtering hel& for

e a %il& an& sa'age 4oy" I &i& not kno% a

%here 5ighteyes left off an& I began+ only that %e ha& %on an& %e both still li'e&" #fter%ar& %e %ent to fin& %ater together" ;e &rank &ee$ fro co unal %ell.s bucket! an& I la'e& the bloo& fro ist" 5ighteyes leane& %ar against y han&s an& face" Then e! an& %e &i& not e'en e" I looke& u$

%e sank &o%n an& $ut our backs to the brick %ell to %atch the sun rise beyon& the thick groun& think" I su$$ose I &o1e& a bit! for I %as 4ostle& alert as he )uickly left at to see %hat ha& startle& hi ! only to &isco'er a frightene& 5eatbay girl staring e" The early sun struck glints off her re& hair" # bucket %as in her han&" I y ax in greeting! but she sheere& off like a a&e y %ay stoo& an& grinne&! lifting

frightene& rabbit a ong the ruine& buil&ings" I stretche&! then i ages of last night.s %olf hunting ca e back to shar$! too re& an& black! an& I $ushe& the %hat Burrich ha& eant by his %arning0 e" The

back through the trailing fog to %here the Iueen.s tent ha& been" #s I %alke&! e ories %ere too y in&" ;as this &o%n &ee$ in

E'en by the light of &ay! it %as still &ifficult to un&erstan& all that ha& ha$$ene&" The earth aroun& the blackene& re ains of the Iueen.s shelter %as tra $le& into u&" Here the fighting ha& been hea'iest" Here %as %here ost of the ene y ha& fallen" So e bo&ies ha& been &ragge& asi&e an& tu ble& into a hea$" Others still lay %here they ha& fallen" I a'oi&e& looking at the " It is one thing to kill in fear an& anger" It is another thing to consi&er one.s han&i%ork by the chill gray light of orning" aking it as far as their shi$s an& That the Outislan&ers ha& trie& to break through our siege %as un&erstan&able" They ha&! $erha$s! ha& a chance of reclai ing one or t%o of the " That the attack see e& to focus on the Iueen.s

2HH1

tent %as least co $rehensible" Once clear of the earth%orks! %hy ha& not they sei1e& their chance for sur'i'al an& hea&e& for the beach0 6*erha$s!7 obser'e& Burrich! gritting his teeth as I $robe& the angry s%elling on his leg! 6they &i& not ho$e to esca$e at all" It is their Outislan&er %ay! to &eci&e to &ie! an& then to atte $t to &o as they attacke& here! ho$ing to kill our )ueen"7 I ha& &isco'ere& Burrich! li $ing about the battlegroun&" He &i& not say he ha& been looking for that" 6Ho% &i& they kno% it %as the Iueen in that tent07 I $on&ere&" 6;e fle% no banners! %e issue& no challenges" Ho% &i& they kno% she %as here0 There" Is that any better07 I checke& the ban&age for snugness" 6It.s &ry an& it.s clean an& the %ra$$ing see s to hel$ the $ain" I &on.t su$$ose %e can &o leg har&! I. They &i& see uch ore than that" I sus$ect that %hene'er I %ork that going to ha'e the s%elling an& heat in it"7 He s$oke as to ake straight for the Iueen.s tent! &i&n.t they07 y bo&y" His relief at seeing e %as e'i&ence enough of uch &a age before &oing so" So

&is$assionately as if he &iscusse& a horse.s ba& leg" 6#t least it staye& close&" 6=ike bees to honey!7 I obser'e& tire&ly" 6The Iueen is in Bayguar&07 6Of course" E'eryone is" You shoul& ha'e hear& the cheer %hen they o$ene& the gates to us" Iueen (ettricken %alke& in! her skirts still bun&le& to one si&e! her &ra%n bla&e still &ri$$ing" Duke (el'ar %ent &o%n on his knees to kiss her han&" But =a&y Jrace looke& at her! an& sai&! ROh! &ra%n for you at once"7 65o% there is the stuff they ruins"7 ake songs of!7 I sai&! an& %e laughe&" 6But not all are u$ at the (ee$" I sa% a girl 4ust no%! co ing for %ater! &o%n in the y &ear! I shall ha'e a bath

2HH2

6;ell! u$ at the (ee$ they are re4oicing" There %ill be so e %ho %ill ha'e s all heart for that" Foxglo'e %as %rong" The folk of 5eatbay &i& not yiel& easily before the Re&/Shi$s" -any! retreate& to the (ee$"7 6Does anything strike you as o&& about that07 6That folk shoul& &efen& the sel'es0 5o" It is/7 6Does not it see to you that there %ere too any Outislan&ers here0 -ore than fi'e shi$s. %orth07 Burrich halte&" He looke& back to the scattere& bo&ies" 6*erha$s those other shi$s ha& left the en"7 6;here07 6Jone no%" I think I gli $se& it! going into that fog bank"7 ;e fell" silent" Burrich sho%e& e to %here he ha& tethere& Ru&&y an& Sooty ingle& an& %e ro&e together u$ to Bayguar&" The great &oors of the (ee$ stoo& %i&e o$en! an& a co bination of Buckkee$ sol&iers an& Bayguar& folk there" ;e %ere greete& %ith a shout of %elco e! an& offere& bri an& to ing cu$s of here! an& then gone out on $atrol """"7 6That is not their %ay" I sus$ect a larger shi$! trans$orting a si1able force of any &ie& before the 5eatbay folk

ea& before %e %ere e'en &is ounte&" Boys begge& to take our horses for us! y sur$rise! Burrich let the " ;ithin the hall %as genuine re4oicing that scente& %ater ha& been set out %oul& ha'e $ut any of Regal.s re'els to sha e" #ll of Bayguar& ha& been thro%n o$en for us" E%ers an& basins of %ar none of it har& brea& or salt fish" ;e re aine& three &ays at 5eatbay" During this ti e our &ea& %ere burie&! an& the bo&ies of the Outislan&ers burne&" Buckkee$ sol&iers an& Iueen.s guar& fell in alongsi&e the $eo$le of 5eatbay to assist in the re$airs to
2HH8

in the Jreat Hall for us to refresh oursel'es! an& tables %ere hea'y %ith foo&!

Bayguar&.s fortifications an& in sal'aging %hat %as left of 5eatbay To%n" I a&e a fe% )uiet in)uiries" I foun& that the %atchto%er signal ha& been lit as soon as the shi$s %ere sighte&! but that the Re&/Shi$s ha& it one of their first goals" ;hat of their coterie at a&e extinguishing e ber0 I aske&" (el'ar looke&

e in sur$rise" Burl ha& been recalle& %eeks ago! for so e essential &uty South 9o'e" They ha& not

inlan&" He ha& gone to Tra&efor&! (el'ar belie'e&" The &ay after the battle! reinforce ents arri'e& fro seen the signal fire! but the the " I %as $resent %hen (ettricken co in setting u$ a relay of horse for such essengers sent out on horse ha& gotten through to en&e& Duke (el'ar for his foresight essages! an& sent her thanks also to

Duke She shy of Shoaks for his res$onse" She suggeste& they &i'i&e the ca$ture& Re&/Shi$s! that they nee& no longer %ait for %arshi$s to arri'e! but coul& &is$atch their o%n! for utual &efense" This %as a su $tuous gift! an& it %as recei'e& in an a%e& silence" ;hen Duke (el'ar reco'ere& hi self! he rose to offer a toast to his )ueen an& to the unborn Farseer heir" So s%iftly ha& the ru or beco e general kno%le&ge" Iueen (ettricken colore& $rettily! but anage& her thanks %ell" Those brief &ays of 'ictory %ere a healing bal to us all" ;e ha& fought! an& fought %ell" 5eatbay %oul& rebuil&! an& the Outislan&ers ha& no hol& in Bayguar&" For a brief ti e it see e& $ossible that %e coul& %in free of the entirely" Before %e ha& left 5eatbay! the songs %ere alrea&y being sung! about a Iueen %ith her skirts bun&le& u$ stan&ing bol& against the Re&/Shi$s! an& of the chil& in her %o b %ho %as a %arrior before birth" That the Iueen %oul& risk not only herself but the heir to the throne for Ri$$on Duchy %as not lost u$on any of the " First Duke Bra%n&y of Bea s! an& no% (el'ar of Ri$$on! I thought to yself" (ettricken %as &oing %ell at %inning the Duchies. loyalty"
2HH<

I ha& seeing

o ents at 5eatbay! both %ar ing an& chilling" For =a&y Jrace! on e an& ca e to s$eak to e" 6So!7 she e )uietly! 6 y kitchen &og boy has the bloo& of kings e so %ell! those years ago"7 She ha& gro%n e al ost as

e in the Jreat Hall! recogni1e&

ha& sai& after greeting

in hi " 5o %on&er you a&'ise&

%ell into being a la&y an& a Duchess" Her feist &og still %ent e'ery%here %ith her! but no% he ran about at her heels! an& this change $lease& 6;e ha'e both change& uch as her easy carriage of her title an& her ob'ious affection for her &uke" uch! =a&y Jrace!7 I re$lie&! an& she acce$te& the co $li ent I inten&e&" The last ti e I ha& seen her ha& been %hen I ha& tra'ele& here %ith Aerity" She ha& not then been so co fortable being a Duchess" I ha& et her in the kitchens! %hen her &og ha& been choking on a bone" I ha& $ersua&e& her then that her &uke.s coin %as better s$ent on %atchto%ers than 4e%elry for her" Back then! she ha& been 'ery ne% to being a Duchess" 5o% she see e& ne'er to ha'e been anything else" 65ot a &og boy any ore07 she aske& %ith a %ry s ile" 6Dog boy0 -an %olf:7 obser'e& so eone" I turne& to see %ho ha& s$oken! but the hall %as cro%&e& an& no face see e& turne& to %atch us" I shrugge& as if the re ark %ere of no conse)uence! an& =a&y Jrace a$$eare& not to ha'e e'en hear& it" She $resente& a&e! to re in& e %ith a token of her fa'or before I left" It still akes e s ile to think on it3 a tiny $in in the sha$e of a fish.s bones" 6I ha& this e """ I shoul& like you to ha'e it no%"7 She herself sel&o e" She han&e& it to e on a balcony! on a %ore 4e%elry any ore! she tol& &ia on&s against the black sky"

&ark e'ening %hen the lights of Duke (el'ar.s %atchto%ers glittere& like

2HH?

9H#*TER T;E5TY/FIAE Buckkee$ TR#DEFORD 9#ST=E O5 the Ain Ri'er %as one of the tra&itional resi&ences of the ruling fa ily of Farro%" This %as the $lace %here Iueen Desire ha& s$ent her chil&hoo&! an& here she returne& %ith her son Regal &uring the su center for co ers of his chil&hoo&" The to%n of Tra&efor& is a li'ely $lace! a erce in the heart of orchar&/an&/grain country" The Ain Ri'er aking tra'el easy an& $leasant" Iueen Desire

is a slee$ily na'igable %ater! ha'e ser'e&

ha& al%ays insiste& it %as su$erior to Buckkee$ in e'ery regar& an& %oul& uch better as a seat for the royal fa ily"

The tri$ back to Buckkee$ %as e'entful only in s all %ays" (ettricken %as %orn an& tire& by the ti e %e %ere to return" #lthough she trie& not to sho% it! it %as e'i&ent in the circles un&er her eyes an& the set of her her that its s%aying only an& ro&e ho e astri&e her a&e her are" outh" Duke (el'ar furnishe& her %ith a litter for the tri$ ho e! but a brief ri&e in it sho%e& ore nauseate&" She returne& it %ith thanks

Our secon& night on the roa& ho e! Foxglo'e ca e to our fire an& tol& Burrich she thought she ha& seen a %olf! se'eral ti es that &ay" Burrich shrugge& in&ifferently an& assure& her it %as $robably 4ust curious! an& %as no threat to us" #fter she left! Burrich turne& to too often"7 6;hat07 6# %olf! seen in your 'icinity" Fit1! ha'e a care" There %ere ru ors! back %hen you kille& those Forge& ones" There %ere tracks all about! an& the on those en %ere ne'er a&e by any bla&e" So eone tol& arks e they sa% a %olf e an& sai&! 6That.s going to ha$$en once

$ro%ling 5eatbay the night of the battle" I e'en hear& a %il& tale about a %olf
2HHB

%ho change& into a

an %hen the battle %as o'er" There %ere tracks in the that night+ as %ell for you that uch of a hurry to &is$ose of the &ea&" There an.s han&"7

u& outsi&e the Iueen.s 'ery tent fro e'eryone %as so tire& an& in so # fe%0 Fa: %ere a fe% there that &i& not &ie at a

Burrich.s face contorte& in anger" 6That %ill cease" 5o%"7 You are strong! Heart of the *ack! but The thought %as broken an& I hear& a su&&en yel$ of sur$rise fro brush" Se'eral of the horses startle& an& looke& in that &irection" I staring at Burrich" He ha& re$elle& at 5ighteyes! fiercely an& fro =uckily for you! fro 5ighteyes" Burrich.s ga1e s%ung to fro you &i& that constantly in e" 6I sai&! that %ill cease: 5o%:7 He looke& asi&e y $resence" It offen&s e"7 e that he e in &isgust" 6I.& rather you ro&e %ith your han& in your $ants than that off in the yself %as

a &istance"

a &istance+ for the strength of that """ I began to %arn

I coul& think of nothing to say" Years of li'ing together ha& taught to 5ighteyes" That he %oul& still tolerate unben&" I nee& not constantly re in& hi bo%e& &rea s %ere y o%n" the stones %ith her belt knife an& eating the

%oul& not be argue& out of his feelings about the ;it" He kne% I %as bon&e& y $resence %as as far as he coul& that the %olf an& I share& in&s" I y

y hea& in assent" That night! for the first ti e in a long ti e!

I &rea e& of -olly" She %ore re& skirts again! an& crouche& on the beach! cutting sheel fro looke& u$ at ra'e" She e an& s ile&" I ca e closer" She lea$e& u$ an& ran barefoot e" I chase& her! but she %as as fleet as she ha&

&o%n the beach in front of

e'er been" Her hair ble% back off her shoul&ers! an& she only laughe& %hen I

2HHC

calle& out to her to %ait! %ait" I a%oke feeling strangely gla& that she ha& outrun e! an& %ith the &rea scent of la'en&er still in y in&" ;e ex$ecte& to be %ell greete& at Buckkee$" The shi$s! gi'en the kin&er %eather! shoul& ha'e eet us" ;hat &i& see a&e lan& before us! to gi'e ti&ings of our success" So strange %as that after they sighte& us! they continue& an yelle&! or %a'e& a greeting" Instea& they ca e %e %ere not sur$rise& to see a contingent of Regal.s guar& co ing forth to to %alk their horses" 5ot a the baton the lea& ti&ings" He turne& to e as %e %atche& the a$$roach" Drea& %as %ritten large on his e" # frightene& boy insi&e e gas$e& face" 6(ing Shre%& has &ie&07 he suggeste& softly" I felt no sur$rise! only a ga$ing loss in that no% no one an& nothing coul& stan& bet%een e an& Regal" In another 6Jran&father7

to%ar& us silent an& sober as ghosts" I think Burrich an& I sa% at the sa e ti e an carrie&! the s all $olishe& stick that betokene& serious

$art! I %on&ere& %hat it %oul& ha'e been like to call hi eant to this (ing.s -an" Shre%& ha& sha$e& goo& or ill" He ha& $icke& u$ %rite! e! a&e

instea& of 6 y king"7 But those selfish $arts %ere s all co $are& %ith %hat it e %hat I %as! for ust rea& an& e that y life one &ay! a boy $laying un&er a table in

the Jreat Hall! an& set his sta $ u$on it" His &ecision that I %ith his $assing! I ust take res$onsibility for

ust be able to %iel& a s%or& or &is$erse a $oison" It see e& to

y o%n acts no%" It %as a

strangely frightening thought" #ll ha& beco e a%are of the lea& an.s bur&en" ;e halte& on the roa&" =ike a to a$$roach her" # u&&y roa&" curtain $arting! (ettricken.s guar& o$ene& to allo% hi re& sealing %ax flake& a%ay fro

terrible silence hel& as he han&e& her the baton! an& then the s all scroll" The her nail" I %atche& it fall to the Slo%ly she o$ene& the scroll an& rea& it" So ething %ent out of her in that
2HHD

rea&ing" Her han& fell to her si&e" She let the scroll follo% the %ax to the

u&!

a thing &one %ith! a thing she ne'er %ishe& to $eruse again" She &i& not faint! nor cry out" Her eyes looke& afar! an& she set her han& gently ato$ her belly" #n& in that otion! I kne% it %as not Shre%& %ho %as &ea&! but Aerity" e! a I reache& for hi " So e%here! surely so e%here! coile& s all insi&e

s$ark of a link! the tiniest threa& of a connection """ no" I &i& not e'en kno% %hen it ha& 'anishe&" I recalle& that %hene'er I fought! I %as likely to break y link %ith hi " It &i& not hel$" I recalle& no% %hat ha& see e& 4ust an o&&ity on the night of the battle" I ha& thought I ha& hear& Aerity.s 'oice! crying out! issuing or&ers that %or& of %hat he a&e no sense" I coul& not recall one in&i'i&ual e that they ha& ight ha'e shoute&" But no% it see e& to

been battle or&ers! or&ers to scatter! to seek co'er $erha$s! or """ but I coul& not recall anything %ith certainty" I looke& o'er at Burrich! to fin& the )uestion in his eyes" I ha& to shrug" 6I &on.t kno%!7 I sai& )uietly" His bro% furro%e& as he consi&ere& this" Iueen/in/;aiting (ettricken sat 'ery still on her horse" 5o one touch her! no one s$oke a %or&" I glance& at Burrich! o'e& to et his eyes" I sa%

fatalistic resignation there" This %as the secon& ti e he ha& seen a (ing/in/ ;aiting fall before ascen&ing the throne" #fter a long silence! (ettricken turne& in her sa&&le" She sur'eye& her guar&! an& the ounte& sol&iers %ho follo%e& her" 6*rince Regal has ha& ti&ings that (ing/in/;aiting Aerity is &ea&"7 She &i& not raise her 'oice! but her clear %or&s carrie&" -erri ent fa&e&! an& the triu $h %ent out of Buckkee$" any an eye" She ga'e it a fe% o ents to settle in" Then she nu&ge& her horse to a %alk! an& %e follo%e& her back to

2HHE

;e a$$roache& the gate unchallenge&" The sol&iers on %atch looke& u$ at us as %e $asse&" One a&e a sketchy salute to the Iueen" She &i& not notice it" Burrich.s sco%l &ee$ene&! but he sai& nothing" ;ithin the castle courtyar&! it see e& an or&inary &ay" Stable hel$ ca e to take the horses %hile other ser'ants an& folk ner'es like stones" Aerity %as &ea&" It &i& not see in such a %orka&ay fashion" Burrich ha& hel$e& (ettricken to &is ount into a cluster of her la&ies" # $art of e note& the look on Foxglo'e.s face as (ettricken %as hustle& a%ay by court la&ies %ho %ere exclai ing o'er ho% %orn she looke&! %as she %ell! a i& excla ations of sy $athy! regret! an& sorro%" # t%inge of 4ealousy $asse& o'er the face of the ca$tain of the Iueen.s guar&" Foxglo'e %as but a sol&ier! s%orn to $rotect her )ueen" She coul& not! at this ti e! follo% her into the (ee$! no atter ho% uch she care& about her )ueen" (ettricken %as in the care of her court la&ies no%" But I kne% Burrich %oul& not stan& guar& alone before (ettricken.s &oor tonight" The solicitous let ur uring of her la&ies on (ettricken.s behalf %as enough to e kno% that the ru or of her $regnancy ha& been s$rea&" I %on&er if it on kno%le&ge" I o'e& about on the or&inary y right that life shoul& go on business of the (ee$" So eho% the 'ery fa iliarity of it rattle& against

ha& yet been share& %ith Regal" I %as %ell a%are that so e gossi$ circulate& al ost entirely through the %o en before beco ing co su&&enly %ante& 'ery ba&ly to kno% if Regal kne% that (ettricken carrie& the heir to the throne" I han&e& Sooty.s reins to Han&s! thanke& hi ! an& $ro ise& to tell hi shoul&er" 6# %or& %ith you" 5o%"7 all later" But as I hea&e& for the (ee$ Burrich.s han& fell on y

2H1H

So eti es he treate&

e al ost as if I %ere a *rince! so eti es as less than a e Sooty.s reins

stable boy" These %or&s no% %ere no re)uest" Han&s ga'e as he le& Ru&&y into the stables" He ha& no $roble ;e both began

back %ith a %ry s ile an& 'anishe& to see to other ani als" I follo%e& Burrich fin&ing an e $ty stall for any stalls a'ailable" Ru&&y near Sooty.s regular stall" There %ere only too

atter/of/factly to %ork on the horses" The ol& fa iliarity of

that routine! seeing to a horse %hile Burrich %orke& nearby! %as co forting" Our en& of the stable %as relati'ely )uiet! but he %aite& until no one %as about before asking! 6Is it true07 6I &on.t kno%! exactly" -y link %ith hi %hen I get into a fight" He says I $ut aroun& e that I %all hi out"7 is gone" It ha& been faint before %e aintaining y link to Aerity y guar& u$ so strongly against those %ent to 5eatbay! an& I al%ays ha'e a $roble

6I &on.t un&erstan& any of that! but I kne% of that $roble " #re you sure that is %hen you lost hi 07 So I tol& hi ! about a 'ague sense of Aerity &uring the battle! an& the $ossibility that he ha& been un&er attack at the sa e ti e" Burrich no&&e& i $atiently" 6But can.t you Skill out to hi ! no% that things are cal 0 Rene% the link07 I took an instant! $ushe& &o%n &on.t ha'e the Skill that %ay"7 Burrich fro%ne&" 6=ook" ;e kno% that essages ha'e gone a%ry lately" Ho% &o %e kno% that this one hasn.t been in'ente&07 6;e &on.t! I su$$ose" Though it is har& to belie'e that e'en Regal %oul& be so bol& as to say Aerity %as &ea& if he %as not"7 6There is nothing I belie'e hi inca$able of!7 Burrich sai& )uietly" y o%n seething frustration" 65o" I can.t" I

2H11

I straightene& u$ fro

cleaning the

u& out of Sooty.s hoo'es" Burrich %as

leaning on the &oor of Ru&&y.s stall! staring off into &istance" The %hite streak in his hair %as a 'i'i& re in&er of 4ust ho% ruthless Regal coul& be" He ha& or&ere& Burrich kille& as casually as one ne'er see e& to gi'e Regal a He ha& no fear of retribution fro ight s%at an annoying fly" It ha& o ent.s concern that he ha& not staye& &ea&" a stable aster or a bastar&" an %ho

6So" ;hat %oul& he say %hen Aerity ca e back07 I aske& )uietly" 6Once he %as king! he coul& see that Aerity ne'er ca e back" The incon'enient"7 Burrich &i& not look &irectly at let the barb go by sits on the throne of the Six Duchies can &o a%ay %ith $eo$le %ho are e as he sai& this! an& I trie& to e" It %as true" Once Regal %as in $o%er! I ha& no &oubt e"

there %oul& be assassins rea&y to &o his bi&&ing" *erha$s there alrea&y %ere so e" That thought $ut a )ueer chill u$ 6If %e %ant &efinite %or& that Aerity is still ali'e! our only choice is to sen& so eone to fin& hi ! an& to co e back %ith ti&ings of hi "7 I consi&ere& Burrich" 6#ssu ing the essenger anage& to sur'i'e! it %oul& still take too long" essenger is nothing to hi " The bearer alou&" ;e nee& $roof that Aerity is Once Regal is in $o%er! the %or& of a

of such ti&ings %oul& not &are s$eak the

ali'e! $roof that (ing Shre%& %ill acce$t! an& %e nee& it before Regal co es into $o%er" That one %oul& not be king/in/%aiting long"7 6(ing Shre%& an& (ettricken.s chil& still stan& bet%een hi $roteste&" 6That location has $ro'en unhealthy for full/gro%n! strong ailing ol& can07
2H12

an& the throne!7 I en" I &oubt an

an or an unborn chil& %ill fin& it any luckier a $lace to be"7 Burrich

shook his hea& an& set that thought asi&e" 6So" You cannot Skill to hi " ;ho

6#ny of the coterie"7 6*ah" I ha'e faith in none of the "7 6(ing Shre%& fro e"7 y hea&" 6I &on.t kno%" That is %hy I sai& R ight". 6 ust not be left to ight be able to!7 I suggeste& hesitantly" 6If/he took strength

6E'en if your link %ith Aerity is broken07 Burrich aske& intently" I shrugge& an& shook He ran a final han& &o%n Ru&&y.s ne%ly sleek coat" 6It %ill ha'e to be trie&!7 he sai& &ecisi'ely" 6#n& the sooner the better" (ettricken fret an& grie'e if there is no cause for it" She sighe& an& looke& at Shre%& fin&s out"7 6Burrich!7 I $roteste&! 6there are too any uncertainties" I &o not e'en kno% a (ing.s -an in the Skill ore at stake that the (ing %ill be a%ake tonight! or able to Skill! or that he %ill if I ask it" If %e &o this! Regal! an& all else! %ill kno% that I a sense" #n&"""7 6Sorry! boy"7 Burrich s$oke abru$tly! al ost callously" 6There is here than your %ell/being" 5ot that I &o not care about you" But I think you %ill be safer if Regal thinks you can Skill! an& all kno% Aerity is ali'e! than if all belie'e Aerity is &ea& an& Regal thinks it ti ely to be ri& of you" ;e try tonight" *erha$s %e shall not succee&" But %e ust try"7 6I ho$e you can get so e elfbark so e%here!7 I gru ble& to hi " 6#re you &e'elo$ing a fon&ness for that0 Be %ary"7 But then he grinne&" 6I a sure I can get so e"7 I returne& the grin! an& then %as shocke& at &ea&" That %as %hat I a& itte& to yself" I &i&n.t belie'e Aerity %as y yself %ith that grin" I &i& not belie'e ust ight lose the chil& of it"7 He

e" 6Jo get so e rest" *lan on 'isiting the (ing tonight"

Once I see you go in! I %ill see that there are %itnesses to %hate'er (ing

king/in/%aiting %as &ea&! an& I %as about to stan& toe to toe %ith *rince Regal
2H18

an& $ro'e it %as so" The only %ay that coul& ha'e been be if I coul& &o it %ith an ax in 6Do 6;hat07 he aske& guar&e&ly" 6Be 'ery 'ery careful of yourself"7 6#l%ays" See that you &o the sa e"7 I no&&e&! then stoo& silent! feeling a%k%ar&3 #fter a I shook y han&s" Yet" e one fa'or07 I aske& of Burrich"

ore satisfying %oul&

o ent Burrich sighe& an& sai&! 6Out %ith it" If I ha$$en to see -olly! e to tell her """ %hat07 y hea& at yself" 6Only that I iss her" ;hat else can I say to her0

you.& like

I.'e nothing to offer her but that"7 He glance& at e! an o&& look" Sy $athy! but no false co fort" 6I.ll let her kno%!7 he $ro ise&" I left the stables feeling that so eho% I ha& gro%n" I %on&ere& if I %oul& e'er sto$ easuring yself by ho% Burrich treate& e" I %ent &irectly to the kitchen! inten&ing to get so ething to eat! then go rest as Burrich ha& suggeste&" The %atch roo %as $acke& %ith the returning y o%n $ro'isions an& sol&iers! telling stories to the ones %ho ha& staye& ho e %hile &e'ouring ste% an& brea&" I ha& ex$ecte& that! an& inten&e& to fin& carry the off to bubbling! brea& %as rising! an& y roo " But %ithin the kitchen! e'ery%here! kettles %ere eat %as turning on s$its" (itchen ser'ants

%ere cho$$ing! stirring! an& going to an& fro hurrie&ly" 6There is a feast tonight0. I aske& stu$i&ly" 9ook Sara turne& to face e" 6Oh! Fit1! so you.re back an& ali'e an& in one e" 6Yes! of $iece for a change"7 She s ile& as if she ha& co $li ente& neglect you"7
2H1<

course! there.s a feast to celebrate the 'ictory at 5eatbay" ;e %oul& not

6;ith Aerity &ea&! %e still sit &o%n to feast07 9ook looke& at ore than e le'elly" 6;ere *rince Aerity here! %hat %oul& he %ish07 I sighe&" 6He %oul& $robably say to celebrate the 'ictory" That folk nee& ho$e ourning"7 e this orning!7 9ook sai& %ith 6So exactly *rince Regal ex$laine& it to

satisfaction" She turne& back to rubbing s$ices into a leg of 'enison" 6;e.ll ourn hi ! of course" But you ha'e to un&erstan&! Fit1" He left us" Regal is the one %ho staye& here" He staye& here to look after the (ing! an& 5eatbay is not fallen to the Rai&ers"7 I bit y tongue an& %aite& for the fit to $ass" 65eatbay &i& not fall because ake certain that 9ook %as both in the sa e y nose tol& e" #n& erely entioning the Regal staye& here to $rotect us"7 I %ante& to connecting those t%o e'ents! not lecture" She no&&e& as she ke$t rubbing the eat" *oun&e& sage! rose ary" 6It.s %hat.s been nee&e& all along" Sol&iers sent right a%ay" Skilling is fine! but %hat.s the goo& of kno%ing %hat.s ha$$ening if no one &oes anything about it07 6Aerity al%ays sent out the %arshi$s"7 6#n& they al%ays see e& to get there too late"7 She turne& to *rince Aerity %as a goo&hearte& $rotect us" I. e! %i$ing her han&s &o%n the front of her a$ron" 6Oh! I kno% you %orshi$e& hi ! la&" Our an! %ho %ore hi self to &eath trying to only saying that Skilling an& inute he hear&! that.s %hat not s$eaking against the &ea&" I. in& the coasts as best as he coul&" Aerity is gone! but Regal is still here %ith us" #n&

chasing &o%n El&erlings are not the %ay to fight these Re&/Shi$s" ;hat *rince Regal &one! sen&ing the sol&iers an& shi$s out the 6;hat about (ing Shre%&07 I aske& softly"
2H1?

%as nee&e& all along" -aybe %ith *rince Regal in charge! %e.ll sur'i'e here"7

She

isun&erstoo&

y )uestion" In &oing so! she sho%e& an" He.s suffering so

e %hat she really an"7

thought" 6Oh! he.s as goo& as can be ex$ecte&" He.ll e'en be &o%n to the feast tonight! at least for a bit" *oor Dea& $oor an" She as uch" *oor! $oor uch as sai& it" (ing no longer! Shre%& %as 4ust a $oor!

an to her" Regal ha& it" 6Do you think our )ueen %ill be at the feast07 I

aske&" 6#fter all! she has 4ust hear& of the &eath of her husban& an& king"7 6Oh! I think she.ll be there"7 Sara no&&e& to herself" She turne& the leg o'er %ith a thu&! to begin $ricking the other si&e full of herbs" 6I.'e hear& it sai& she.s saying she.s %ith chil& no%"7 The cook soun&e& ske$tical" 6She.ll %ant to announce it tonight"7 6Do you &oubt she.s %ith chil&07 I aske& bluntly" 9ook %as not offen&e& by it" 6Oh! I &on.t &oubt she.s $regnant! if she says she is" It 4ust see s a bit o&&! is all! her telling it after %or& of Aerity.s &eath ca e in instea& of before"7 6Ho%.s that07 6;ell! so e of us are boun& to %on&er"7 6;on&er %hat07 I aske& col&ly" 9ook &arte& a glance at e an& I curse& y i $atience" Shutting her u$ %as y listening ears" 6;hat.s al%ays not %hat I %ante& to &o" I nee&e& to hear the ru ors! all of the " 6;ell """7 She hesitate&! but coul& not &eny %on&ere&! %hen a %o an &oesn.t concei'e! an& then %hen her husban&.s a%ay! su&&enly she announces she.s $regnant by hi "7 She glance& about to see %ho else ight be listening" #ll see e& busy at their %ork! but I &i&n.t i&&le of &oubt a fe% ears %ere tilte& our %ay" 6;hy no%0 #ll of a su&&en" #n& if she kne% she %as $regnant! %hat %as she thinking of! racing off in the throne.s heir"7 the night! right into battle0 That.s strange beha'ior for a Iueen carrying the

2H1B

6;ell7/I trie& to

ake

y 'oice

il&/7I su$$ose %hen the chil& is born %ill oons on their fingers

sho% %hen it %as concei'e&" Those %ho %ant to count

ay &o so then" Besi&es7/an& I leane& in cons$iratorially/7 I hear& that so e of her la&ies kne% of it before she left" =a&y *atience! for instance! an& her ai& =acey"7 I %oul& ha'e to ake sure that *atience bragge& of her early y ho$es of an easy 'ictory" kno%le&ge! an& that =acey noise& it about a ong the ser'ants" 6Oh" That one"7 9ook Sara.s &is issal )uashe& =acey is soli&" But she &on.t say ha'e to say either"7 6;ell7/I s ile& an& ti$$e& her a %ink/7that %as %here I hear& it fro " #n& I hear& it %ell before %e left for 5eatbay"7 I leane& in closer" 6#sk about" I bet you.ll fin& Iueen (ettricken.s been &rinking ras$berry/leaf tea for her orning sickness" You check! an& see if I. right" I.ll %ager a sil'er bit I a "7 e before" #n& all I 6# sil'er bit0 Ohe" #s if I.'e such to s$are" But I.ll ask! Fit1! that I %ill" #n& sha e on you for not sharing such a rich bit of gossi$ %ith tell you:7 6;ell! here.s so ething for you! then" Iueen (ettricken.s not the only one %ith chil&:7 6Oh0 ;ho else07 I s ile&" 69an.t tell you 4ust yet" But you.ll be a ong the first to kno%! fro %hat I.'e hear&"7 I ha& no i&ea %ho nee&e& to kee$ 9ook $lease& %ith She no&&e& sagely at ight be $regnant! but it %as safe to say y ru or" I e if I %ere to count on her for court talk" that so eone in the (ee$ %as! or %oul& be! in ti e to substantiate e! an& I %inke&" 6;ell! not to offen&! Fit1! but she can be a bit &aft on occasion" =acey! though! uch! an& &on.t %ant to listen to %hat others

2H1C

She finishe& her 'enison leg" 6Here! Do&! co e take this an& $ut it on the %ith you! no%" (ettle0 ;here.s that ilk I aske& you to fetch07

eat

hooks o'er the big fire" Highest hooks! I %ant it cooke&! not scorche&" Jo on I snagge& brea& an& a$$les before I left for to one as hungry as I" I %ent straight to to rest" I to y roo " *lain fare! but %elco e

y roo ! %ashe& u$! ate! an& lay &o%n

ight ha'e s all chance at the (ing tonight! but I still %ante& to be as

alert as $ossible &uring the feast" I thought of going to (ettricken to ask her not ourn Aerity 4ust yet" But I kne% I %oul& ne'er get $ast her la&ies for a )uiet %or& %ith her" #n& %hat if I %ere %rong0 5o" ;hen I coul& $ro'e Aerity %as still ali'e %oul& be soon enough to tell her" I a%oke later to a ta$ on Fool stoo& outsi&e y &oor" I lay still for a o ent!" not sure if I ha& ore sur$rise& that he ha& y roo ! closing e to a& ire hear& anything! then rose to un&o y latches an& o$en the &oor a crack" The

y &oor" I &o not kno% if I %as

knocke& instea& of sli$$ing the latches! or at the %ay he %as attire&" I stoo& ga$ing at hi " He bo%e& genteelly! then $ushe& his %ay into of the roo the &oor behin& hi " He fastene& a cou$le of latches! then ste$$e& to the center an& exten&e& his ar s" He turne& in a slo% circle for hi " 6;ell07 6You &on.t look like you!7 I sai& bluntly" 6I a not inten&e& to"7 He tugge& his o'er4erkin straight! then $lucke& at his slee'es to &is$lay better not only the e broi&ery on the ! but the slashes that sho%e& off the rich fabric of the slee'es beneath the " He fluffe& his $lu e& hat! set it once ore ato$ his colorless hair" Fro &ee$est in&igo to $alest a1ure %ent the colors! an& the Fool.s %hite face! like a $eele& egg! $ee$ing out of the " 6Fools are no longer in fashion"7 I sat &o%n slo%ly on y be&" 6Regal has &resse& you like this!7 I sai& faintly"

2H1D

6Har&ly" He su$$lie& the clothing! of course! but I &resse&

yself" If Fools are

no longer in fashion! consi&er ho% lo%ly %oul& be the 'alet of a Fool"7 6Ho% about (ing Shre%&0 Is he no longer in fashion07 I aske& aci&ly" 6It is no longer in fashion to be o'erly concerne& %ith (ing Shre%&!7 he re$lie&" He cut a ca$er! then sto$$e&! &re% hi self u$ %ith &ignity as befitte& his ne% clothes! an& took a turn about the roo " 6I a table tonight! an& be full of it07 6Better far than I!7 I sai& sourly" 69are you not at all that Aerity is &ea&07 69are you not at all that the flo%ers are bloo ing beneath the su 6Fool! it is %inter outsi&e"7 6The one is as true as the other" Belie'e e"7 The Fool stoo& su&&enly still" 6I ha'e co e to ask a fa'or of you! if you can belie'e that"7 6The secon& as easily as the first" ;hat is it07 6Do not slay I looke& at hi 6Oh! I &are y king %ith your a bitions for your o%n"7 in horror" 6I %oul& ne'er slay y king: Ho% &are you say it:7 an& $ace& about uch! these &ays"7 He $ut his han&s behin& hi er sun07 to sit at the *rince.s erri ent an& %it" Do you think I shall &o %ell at

the roo " ;ith his elegant clothes an& unaccusto e& $ostures! he frightene& e" It %as as if another being inhabite& his bo&y! one I kne% not at all" 65ot e'en if the (ing ha& kille& your # terrible sick feeling rose in %his$ere&" The Fool %hirle& at the $ain in y 'oice" 65o" 5o: You istake e entirely:7 There %as sincerity in his 'oice! an& for an instant I coul& see kille& your other! your uch/cherishe&! lo'ing! in&ulgent y frien& again" other! ha& kille& other07 e07 I e" 6;hat are you trying to tell

6But!7 he continue& in a softer! al ost sly tone! 6if you belie'e& the (ing ha&

2H1E

her an& snatche& her fore'er a%ay fro hi 07

you" Do you think you ea

ight then kill

I ha& been blin& for so long that it took kne% Regal belie'e& his of his hatre& for

o ent to un&erstan& hi " I

other ha& been $oisone&" I kne% it %as one source

e! an& for 6=a&y Thy e"7 He belie'e& %e ha& carrie& out other ha& been o'erly fon& of both &rink an& %orry" ;hen she Rha& not been able to

the killing" #t the behest of the (ing" I kne% it all to be false" Iueen Desire ha& $oisone& herself" Regal.s those herbs that bring surcease fro

rise to the $o%er she belie'e& %as her right! she ha& taken refuge in those $leasures" Shre%& ha& trie& se'eral ti es to sto$ her! ha& e'en a$$lie& to 9ha&e for herbs an& $otions that %oul& en& her cra'ings" 5othing ha& %orke&" Iueen Desire ha& been $oisone&! it %as true! but it %as her o%n self/in&ulgent han& that ha& a& inistere& it" I ha& al%ays kno%n that" #n& kno%ing it! I ha& &iscounte& the hate that %oul& bree& in the heart of a co&&le& son! su&&enly bereft of his other" 9oul& Regal kill o'er such a thing0 Of course he coul&" ;oul& he be %illing to bring the Six Duchies to the teetering e&ge of ruin as an act of 'engeance0 ;hy not0 He ha& ne'er care& for the 9oastal Duchies" The Inlan& Duchies! al%ays ore loyal to his inlan& other! %ere %here his heart %as" If Iueen Desire ha& not %e& (ing Shre%&! she %oul& ha'e re aine& Duchess of Farro%" So eti es! %hen in her cu$s an& hea&y %ith herbal intoxicants! she %oul& ruthlessly suggest that if she ha& re aine& as Duchess! she %oul& ha'e been able to %iel& ore $o%er! enough to $ersua&e Farro% an& Tilth to unite un&er her as )ueen an& shrug off their allegiance to the Six Duchies" Jalen! the Skill -aster! Iueen Desire.s o%n bastar& son! ha& nurture& Regal.s hatre& along %ith his o%n" Ha& he hate& enough to sub'ert his coterie to Regal.s re'enge0
2H2H

To

e it see e& a staggering treason! but I foun&

yself acce$ting it" He

%oul&" Hun&re&s of folk slain! scores Forge&! %o en ra$e&! chil&ren or$hane&! entire 'illages &estroye& for the sake of a *rinceling.s 'engeance o'er an i agine& %rong" It staggere& I use&" e" But it fit" It fit as snug as a coffin li&" 6I think $erha$s the $resent Duke of Farro% shoul& ha'e a care for his health!7 6He shares his ol&er sister.s fon&ness for fine %ine an& intoxicants" ;ell su$$lie& %ith these! an& careless of all else! I sus$ect he %ill li'e a long life"7 6#s $erha$s (ing Shre%& # s$as ight07 I 'enture& carefully" ight be an easy one! rather than one of $ain t%itche& across the Fool.s face" 6I &oubt that a long life is left

to hi !7 he sai& )uietly" 6But %hat is left of bloo&she& an& 'iolence"7 6You think it %ill co e to that07

6;ho kno%s %hat %ill s%irl u$ front the botto su&&enly to 6I cannot"7 He $resse& his forehea& to the &oor! a

of a stirre& kettle07 He %ent

y &oor! an& set his han& to the latch" 6That is %hat I ask you!7 he

sai& )uietly" 6To forgo your t%irling! Sir S$oon" To let things settle"7 ost un/Fool/like gesture" 6Then you here" This is one thing of %hich

shall be the &eath of kings"7 Jrie'e& %or&s in a lo% 'oice" 6You kno% """ %hat I a " I ha'e tol& you" I ha'e tol& you %hy I a Ia sure" The en& of the Farseer line %as one of the turning $oints" (ettricken

carries an heir" The line %ill continue" That is %hat %as nee&e&" 9annot an ol& an be left to &ie in $eace07 6Regal %ill not let that heir be born!7 I sai& bluntly" E'en the Fool %i&ene& his eyes to hear e s$eak so $lain" 6That chil& %ill not co e to $o%er %ithout a uch as sai& so" 9an you let (ettricken en&ure the tor ent
2H21

(ing.s han& to shelter un&er" Shre%&! or Aerity" You &o not belie'e Aerity is &ea&" You ha'e as

of belie'ing it is so0 9an you let the Six Duchies go &o%n in bloo& an& ruin0 ;hat goo& is an heir to the Farseer throne! if the throne is but a broken chair in a burne&/out hall07 The Fool.s shoul&ers slu $e&" 6There are a thousan& crossroa&s!7 he sai& )uietly" 6So e clear an& bol&! so e sha&o%s %ithin sha&o%s" So e are nigh onto certainties+ it %oul& take a great ar y or a 'ast $lague to change those $aths" Others are shrou&e& in fog! an& I &o not kno% %hat roa&s lea& out of the ! or to %here" You fog e! bastar&" You ulti$ly the fixtures a so e of those fogs go the i&&le $ath" I thousan&fol&! 4ust by your existing" 9atalyst" Fro blackest! t%iste& threa&s of &a nation! an& fro long for a si $le &eath for a ser'ant"7 He to a&e no e! as his ore rebuke than that" He lifte& the latches an& un&i& the bolts a&e hi a$$ear &efor e& otley an& ca$ers ne'er ha&" I close& the &oor softly behin& hi yself ost carefully for &inner that e'ening" ;hen I %as finally e! I looke& al ost as fine ourn Aerity! nor e'en gi'e e that an& left )uietly" The rich clothing an& careful %alk

others shining t%ines of gol&"

To the &e$ths or the heights! it see s! are your $aths" I long for a

aster %ho %as kin& to a freakish! 4eering

an& then stoo& leaning against it as if I coul& hol& the fixture out" I $re$are& &resse& in -istress Hasty.s latest set of clothes for as the Fool" I ha& &eci&e& that as yet I %oul& not the a$$earance of ha& been su I foun& taken

ourning" #s I &escen&e& the stairs it see e& to

ost of the (ee$ %as con'erging on the Jreat Hall this e'ening" E'i&ently all one& to atten&! gran& folk an& hu ble" yself seate& at a table %ith Burrich an& Han&s an& other of the stable e un&er his %ing! an& yet the co $any %as ore to y liking than that

folk" It %as as hu ble a s$ot as I ha& e'er been gi'en since (ing Shre%& ha& of the higher tables" For the honore& tables of the Jreat Hall %ere $acke& %ith
2H22

folk little kno%n to the

e! the Dukes an& 'isiting nobility of Tilth an& Farro% for

ost $art" There %ere a scattering of faces I kne%! of course" *atience %as

seate& as al ost befit her rank! an& =acey %as actually seate& at a table abo'e e" I sa% no sign of -olly any%here" There %ere a scattering of folk fro Buckkee$ To%n! ost of the the %ell/to/&o! an& ost of the seate& ore fa'orably than I %oul& ha'e ex$ecte&" The (ing %as ushere& in! leaning on the ne%ly elegant Fool! follo%e& by (ettricken" Her a$$earance shocke& ha& cut her hair for e" She %ore a si $le robe of &rab bro%n! an& she ourning" She ha& left herself less than a han&.s %i&th of

hair! an& bereft of its rich %eight! it stuck out about her hea& like a &an&elion gone to see&" Its color see e& to ha'e been cut a%ay %ith its length! lea'ing it as $ale as the Fool.s" So accusto e& ha& I been to seeing the hea'y gol& brai&s of her hair that her hea& no% a$$eare& o&&ly s all ato$ her %i&e shoul&ers" Her $ale blue eyes %ere not look like a a&e strange by eyeli&s re&&ene& by %ee$ing" She &i& y )ueen! nothing of (ettricken in her ourning Iueen" Rather she a$$eare& bi1arre! a ne% kin& of

fool for the court" I coul& see nothing of

gar&en! nothing of the barefoot %arrior &ancing %ith her bla&e+ only a foreign %o an! ne%ly alone here" Regal! in contrast! %as as la'ishly clothe& as if to go a/courting! an& o'e& as surely as a hunting cat" ;hat I %itnesse& that e'ening %as as cle'erly $ace& an& carefully le& as a $u$$et $lay" There %as ol& (ing Shre%&! &o&&ering an& thin! no&&ing off o'er his &inner! or aking 'ague an& s iling con'ersation to no one in $articular" There %as the Iueen/in/;aiting! uns iling! barely eating! silent an& ourning" *resi&ing o'er it all %as Regal! the &utiful son seate& next to the failing father! an& besi&e hi the Fool! agnificently cla& an& $unctuating ake the *rince.s con'ersation ore Regal.s con'ersation %ith %itticis s to

s$arkling than it truly %as" The rest of the High Table %as the Duke an&
2H28

Duchess of Farro%! an& the Duke an& Duchess of Tilth! an& their current fa'orites a ong the lesser nobility of those &uchies" Bea s! Ri$$on! an& Shoaks Duchies %ere not re$resente& at all" Follo%ing the eat! t%o toasts %ere offere& to Regal" The first ca e fro the Duke Hol&er of Farro%" He toaste& the *rince la'ishly! &eclaring hi lau&ing also his courage in taking the of the Six Duchies" That a&e

&efen&er of the real ! $raising his s%ift action on behalf of 5eatbay! an& easures necessary for the best interests y ears" But it %as all a bit 'ague! e $rick u$

congratulating an& $raising! but ne'er )uite laying out exactly %hat Regal ha& &eci&e& to &o" Ha& it gone on any longer! it %oul& ha'e been suitable as a eulogy" Early into the s$eech! (ettricken ha& sat u$ straighter an& looke& incre&ulously at Regal! ob'iously unable to belie'e that he %oul& )uietly no& an& s ile to $raises not his &ue" If anyone besi&es none co Tilth" He offere& a toast to the yself notice& the Iueen.s ex$ression! Duke Ra of ente& on it" The secon& toast! $re&ictably! ca e fro

e ory of (ing/in/;aiting Aerity" This %as a

eulogy! but a con&escen&ing one! s$eaking of all that Aerity ha& atte $te& an& inten&e& an& &rea e& of an& %ishe& for" His achie'e ents alrea&y ha'ing been hea$e& on Regal.s $late! there %as little left to a&&" (ettricken gre%! if anything! %hiter an& ore $inche& about the outh" I belie'e that %hen Duke Ra finishe&! she %as on the 'erge of rising to s$eak

herself" But Regal arose! al ost hastily! hol&ing u$ his ne%ly fille& glass" He otione& all to silence! then exten&e& that glass to%ar& the Iueen" 6Too uch has been sai& of e this night! an& too little of our ost fair ost Iueen/in/;aiting! (ettricken" She has returne& ho e to fin& herself sa&ly berea'e&" Yet I &o not think

y late brother Aerity %oul& %ish sorro%

for his &eath to o'ersha&o% all that is &ue his la&y by her o%n effort" Des$ite
2H2<

her con&ition7/an& the kno%ing s ile of Regal.s face %as $erilously close to a sneer/7she &ee e& it in the best interests of her a&o$te& king&o forth to confront the Re&/Shi$s herself3 Doubtless to 'enture any Rai&ers fell to her

'aliant s%or&" 5o one can &oubt that our sol&iers %ere ins$ire& by the sight of their )ueen! &eter ine& to &o battle on their behalf! regar&less of %hat she riske&"7 T%o s$ots of high color began to glo% on (ettricken.s cheeks" Regal continue&! sha&ing his account of (ettricken.s &ee&s %ith con&escension an& flattery" The insincerity of his courtier.s $hrases so eho% &i inishe& her &ee& to so ething &one for sho%" I looke& in 'ain for so eone at the High Table to cha $ion her" For fro al ost y co ore on $lace an& $it e to rise y 'oice against Regal.s %oul& ha'e see e&

ocking" (ettricken! ne'er sure of her $lace in her husban&.s to sustain her! see e& to shrink in on herself" a&e the see )uestionable an& reckless

court! an& no% %ithout hi

Regal.s retelling of her ex$loits

rather than &aring an& &ecisi'e" I sa% her &%in&le before herself! an& kne% she %oul& not s$eak u$ for herself no%" The (ing.s 'ague efforts at con'ersation" But %orse %as to co e" #t the en& of the $u$$eteers to follo% the but one ore thing" #fter eal! but aske& the eal! Regal once ore calle& for instrels an& silence" He $ro ise& the asse ble& folk that there %oul& be eal resu e& %ith a 'ery sub&ue& Iueen atten&ing to the a&&le& (ing Shre%& besi&e her! gra'e an& silent to the

to en&ure %hile he announce&

uch gra'e consi&eration an& great consultation! an&

%ith great reluctance! he ha& reali1e& %hat the attack at 5eatbay ha& 4ustly $ro'en" Buckkee$ itself %as no longer the safe an& secure $lace it %as once" It %as certainly no $lace for anyone of &elicate health" #n& so! a &ecision ha& been reache& that (ing Shre%& Lan& the (ing lifte& u$ his hea& an& blinke&
2H2?

about at the

ention of his na eM %oul& be 4ourneying inlan&! to resi&e in aking the

safety at Tra&efor& on the Ain Ri'er in Farro% until his health ha& i $ro'e&" Here he $ause& to la'ishly thank Duke Hol&er of Farro% for greatly $lease& it %as so accessible to both the Tra&efor& 9astle a'ailable to the royal fa ily" He a&&e&! too! that he %as ain castles of Farro% an& ost loyal Dukes! in these trouble&! Tilth! for he %ishe& to re ain in goo& contact %ith these %ho ha& so often of late 4ourneye& so far to assist hi

trouble& ti es" It %oul& $lease Regal to bring the life of the royal court to the ones %ho ha& $re'iously ha& to tra'el far to en4oy it" Here he $ause& to acce$t their no&&e& thanks an& i ur urs of continue& su$$ort" They subsi&e& in e&iate obe&ience %hen he next raise& his han&" ore safe! she %oul& fin& it ore co fortable! for other %ere erry court

He in'ite&! nay! he entreate&! he begge& the Iueen/in/;aiting to 4oin (ing Shre%& there" She %oul& be Tra&efor& 9astle ha& been built as a ho e! not a fortress" It %oul& $ut the in&s of her sub4ects at rest to kno% that the co ing heir an& his %ell care& for an& %ell a%ay fro effort %oul& be %oul& re/for %ere to be a&e to there" -any ake her feel at ho e" He $ro ise& her a ake the the &angerous coast" He $ro ise& that e'ery

any of the furnishings an& treasures of Buckkee$ o'e less u$setting

o'e& there %hen the (ing %ent! to

for hi " Regal s ile& all the %hile that he relegate& his father to a $osition of el&erly i&iot an& (ettricken to broo& are" He &are& to $ause to hear her acce$tance of her fate" 6I cannot!7 she sai& %ith great &ignity" 6Buckkee$ is %here e! an& before he &i& so! he co is %here y chil& %ill be born"7 her! but actually to y la&y en&e& it to y lor& Aerity left y care" Here I shall stay" This

Regal turne& his hea&! ostensibly to hi&e a s ile fro

&is$lay it better to the asse blage" 6Buckkee$ shall be %ell guar&e&!

2H2B

)ueen" -y o%n cousin! =or& Bright! heir to Farro%! has ex$resse& an interest in assu ing the &efense of it" The full ha'e no nee& of the of one ilitia %ill be left in $lace here! for %e at Tra&efor&" I &oubt that they shall nee& the assistance e" It %as a cru&e re ark! a %itticis ore e of

ore %o an ha $ere& by her skirts an& a burgeoning belly"7

The laughter that eru$te& shocke& nothing so

%orthy of a ta'ern bra%ny than a *rince in his o%n (ee$" It re in&e&

uch as of Iueen Desire %hen she %as at her %orst! infla e& %ith %ell"

%ine an& herbs" Yet they laughe&! at the High Table! an& not a fe% at the lo%er tables 4oine& the " Regal.s char s an& entertain ents ha& ser'e& hi 5o sit an& acce$t it %ith the atter %hat insult or buffoonery he ser'e& u$ tonight! these fa%ners %oul& eat an& %ine they gobble& at his table" (ettricken y &ear!7 he sai&! an& e" I %ish you at y

see e& inca$able of s$eech" She actually rose an& %oul& ha'e left the table! ha& not the (ing reache& out a tre bling han&" 6*lease! his faltering 'oice carrie& all too clearly" 6Do not lea'e si&e"7 6You see! it is the %ish of your king!7 Regal hastily a& onishe& her! an& I &oubt that e'en he coul& fully token the goo& luck that ha& le& the (ing to ake such a re)uest of her at such a ti e" (ettricken sank back un%illingly in her seat" Her lo%er li$ tre ble& an& her face flushe&" For one terrifying instant I thought she %oul& burst into tears" It %oul& ha'e been the final triu $h for Regal! a betrayal of her e otional %eakness as a bree&ing fe ale" Instea&! she took a &ee$ breath" She turne& to the (ing an& s$oke lo% but au&ibly as she took his han&" 6You are y king! to %ho Ia s%orn" -y liege! it shall be as you %ish" I shall not lea'e your si&e"7 She bo%e& her hea&! an& Regal no&&e& affably! an& a general outbreak of con'ersation congratulate& itself on her agree ent" Regal nattere& on a bit longer %hen the &in &ie& &o%n! but he ha& alrea&y achie'e& his goal" He s$oke
2H2C

ostly of the %is&o

of his &ecision! an& ho% Buckkee$ %oul& be better able onarch" He e'en ha& the au&acity to

to &efen& itself %ithout fearing for its %oul& be

suggest that by re o'ing hi self an& the (ing an& Iueen/in/;aiting! he aking Buckkee$ a lesser target for the Rai&ers! as they %oul& ha'e less to gain by ca$turing it" It %as all a nothing! a %in&ing &o%n for sho%" 5ot long after! the (ing %as taken a%ay! carte& off back to his cha ber! his &is$lay &uty &one" Iueen (ettricken excuse& herself to acco $any hi " The feast broke &o%n into a general caco$hony of entertain ents" (egs of beer %ere brought out! along %ith casks of the lesser %ines" Aarious inlan& instrels hel& forth at o$$osite corners of the Jreat Hall! %hile the *rince an& his cohorts chose the a use ent of a $u$$et sho%! a ba%&y $iece entitle& The Se&uction of the Innkee$er.s Son" I $ushe& back eyes et! an& %e rose as one" y $late an& looke& to Burrich" Our

9H#*TER T;E5TY/SIK Skilling THE FORJED O5ES a$$eare& to be inca$able of any e otion" They %ere not e'il! they &i& not take 4oy in their %icke&ness or cri es" ;hen they lost their ca$acity to feel anything for fello% hu ans! or any other creatures of the %orl&! they lost their ability to be $art of society" #n unsy $athetic harsh an! an insensiti'e an! a an still retains enough sensibilities to kno% that he

cannot al%ays ex$ress ho% little he cares for others! an& still be acce$te& into the kinshi$ of a fa ily or a 'illage" The Forge& ones ha& lost e'en the ability to &isse ble that they felt for their fello%s" Their e otions &i& not si $ly sto$+

2H2D

they %ere forgotten! lost to the # Skille& one

so entirely that they coul& not e'en $re&ict the an can

beha'ior of other hu ans base& on e otional reaction" ight be seen as the other en& of this s$ectru " Such a reach forth an& tell fro afar %hat others are thinking an& feeling" He can! if

strongly Skille&! i $ose his thoughts an& feelings on others" In this increase& sensiti'ity to the e otions an& thoughts of others! he has a surfeit of %hat Forge& ones lack entirely" (ing/in/;aiting Aerity confi&e& that the Forge& ones see e& i thoughts" This &oes not! ho%e'er! reaching out a%aken in the Buckkee$! the see e& to abate" /9ha&e Fallstar ;e arri'e& at (ing Shre%&.s &oor an& knocke&" The Fool o$ene& it" I ha& arke& %ell that ;allace %as one of the feasters belo%! an& ha& re aine& %hen the (ing ha& &e$arte&" 6=et I $ut e in!7 I sai& )uietly %hile the Fool glare& at e" 65o!7 he sai& flatly" He starte& to close the &oor" y shoul&er to it! an& Burrich assiste&" It %as the first an& last ti e I asi&e %as %oul& e'er use force against the Fool" I took no 4oy in $ro'ing that I %as $hysically stronger than he %as" The look in his eyes as I force& hi so ething no one shoul& e'er see in a frien&.s face"
2H2E

une to his

Skilling abilities" That is! he coul& not feel %hat they felt! nor &isco'er their ean that they %ere insensible to the Skill" to Buckkee$0 Di& his 9oul& Aerity.s Skilling ha'e been %hat &re% the

a hunger! a re e brance $erha$s of %hat they ust ha'e been intense" #n& %hen Aerity &e$arte& o'e ent of Forge& ones to%ar& Buckkee$

ha& lost0 Dra%n as they %ere! through ice an& floo&! to tra'el al%ays to%ar& oti'ation Buckkee$ on his )uest! the

The (ing %as sitting before his hearth! 'a$i&ly (ettricken rose fro aske& )uietly" I %ent s%iftly to her si&e" 6I ha'e

u bling" The Iueen/in/

;aiting sat &esolately besi&e hi ! %hile Rose ary &o1e& at her feet" her seat to regar& us %ith sur$rise" 6Fit19hi'alry07 she uch to ex$lain! an& a 'ery little ti e in ust be &one no%! tonight"7 I $ause&!

%hich to &o it" For %hat I nee& to &o $le&ge& yourself to Aerity07 6Of course:7 She looke& at

trie& to &eci&e ho% best to ex$lain it to her" 6Do you re e ber %hen you e as if I %ere cra1y" e ber! to co e an& stan& %ith you in your

6He use& #ugust! then! a coterie

in&! to sho% you his heart" Do you re e ber that07 She colore&" 6Of course I &o" But I &i& not think anyone else kne% exactly %hat ha& ha$$ene& then"7 6Fe% &i&"7 I looke& aroun&! to fin& Burrich an& the Fool follo%ing the con'ersation %i&e/eye&" 6Aerity Skille& to you! through #ugust" He is strong in the Skill" You kno% that! you kno% ho% he guar&s our coasts %ith it" It is an ancestral talent of the Farseer line" Aerity inherite& it fro easure of it fro 6;hy are you telling Skill! I a rouse hi ine"7 e this07 agic! a his father" #n& I inherite& a

6Because I &o not belie'e Aerity is &ea&" (ing Shre%& use& to be strong in the tol&" That is no longer the case" His illness has stolen it a%ay! as it any other things" But if %e can $ersua&e hi to try! if %e can ay be to the effort! I can offer hi y strength to sustain hi " He has stolen so

able to reach Aerity"7 6It %ill kill hi "7 The Fool s$oke his challenge flatly" 6I ha'e hear& of %hat the Skill takes out of a an" -y king has not that left to gi'e"7
2H8H

6I &on.t think it %ill" If %e reach Aerity! Aerity %ill break it off before it hurts his father" -ore than once he has &ra%n back fro sure of not in4uring e"7 &raining y strength! to be

6E'en a Fool can see the failure of your logic"7 The Fool tugge& at the cuffs of his fine ne% shirt" 6If you reach Aerity! ho% %ill %e kno% it is true! an& not a sho%07 I o$ene& y outh in an angry $rotest! but the Fool hel& u$ a forbi&&ing han&" y &ear! &ear Fit1! %e shoul& all belie'e you! as you are our frien&! ay be a fe% others bit at e 6Of course!

%ho has only our 'ery best interests at heart" But there like aci&! but I

$rone to &oubt your %or&! or regar& you as so selfless"7 His sarcas

anage& to stan& silent" 6#n& if you &on.t reach Aerity! %hat ust %on&er! in a&&ition to all her other an %ho is not &ea& yet" That is the %orst

&o %e ha'e0 #n exhauste& an& &raine& (ing to be further flaunte& about as inca$able" # grie'ing Iueen! %ho $ains! if $erha$s she grie'es for a

ty$e of grie'ing there is" 5o" ;e gain nothing! e'en if you succee&! for our belief in you %oul& not be enough to sto$ the %heels that are alrea&y turning" #n& %e ha'e uch to lose if you fail" Too uch"7 e to &o" (ettricken stoo& 'ery Their eyes %ere" on he &ebate& the %is&o e" There %as )uestion e'en in Burrich.s &ark eyes! as if of %hat he ha& urge&

still! trying not to $ounce on the bare bone of ho$e that I ha& thro%n at her feet" I %ishe& that I ha& %aite&! to talk first %ith 9ha&e" I sus$ecte& I %oul& ne'er ha'e another chance after this night! to ha'e these $eo$le in this roo ! ;allace out of the %ay! an& Regal busy belo%" It ha& to be no% or it %oul& not be" I looke& at the only one %ho %as not %atching )uietly" 6=et us ask hi ! an& let hi &eci&e"7 e" (ing Shre%& i&ly %atche& the lea$ an& $lay of the fla es in his hearth" 6He is still the (ing!7 I sai&

2H81

65ot fair: He is not hi self:7 The Fool flung hi self bet%een us" He stoo& high on his feet to try to look tractable as a $lo% horse" #sk hi to han& hi a the knife"7 y fool! I e in the eye" 6On the herbs fe& hi ! he is as to cut his o%n throat! an& he.ll %ait for you

65o"7 The 'oice )ua'ere&" It ha& lost its ti bre an& resonance" 65o! not so far gone as that"7 ;e %aite&! breathless! but (ing Shre%& s$oke no ine" 6(ing Shre%&07 I begge&" His eyes ca e to at e"

ore" #t last I slo%ly ake his eyes eet

crosse& the roo " I crouche& &o%n besi&e hi ! trie& to

ine! &arte& a%ay! ca e back un%illingly" #t last he looke&

6Ha'e you hear& all %e ha'e sai&0 -y king! &o you belie'e Aerity is &ea&07 He $arte& his li$s" His tongue %as grayish behin& the " He took a long breath" 6Regal tol& 6Fro e Aerity is &ea&" He ha& %or&"""" 6 essenger """ I think"7 essenger" Fro the %here07 I aske& gently"

He shook his hea& slo%ly" 6# -ountains! for Aerity %ay fro herself"7 6It

I turne& to the others" 6It %oul& ha'e to ha'e co e by %hen Burrich %as sent back" I &o not belie'e a

ust be there by no%" He %as nearly to the -ountains essenger %oul& co e all the

the -ountains! an& not stay to con'ey such ne%s to (ettricken an an& one

ight ha'e co e by relay!7 Burrich sai& un%illingly" 6For one

horse! it is too exhausting a tri$" # ri&er %oul& ha'e to exchange horses" Or $ass on the %or& to another ri&er! %ho %oul& go on! on a s%ift horse" The last is ost likely"7 6*erha$s" But ho% long %oul& such %or& take to co e to us all the %ay fro the -ountains0 I kno% Aerity %as ali'e on the &ay Bea s &e$arte& here"
2H82

Because that %as %hen (ing Shre%& use& belie'e I felt hi %ith

e to s$eak to hi " That night %hen

I all but fainte& on this hearth" That %as %hat ha& ha$$ene&! Fool"7 I $ause&" 6I e &uring the battle at 5eatbay"7 in&" He shrugge& un%illingly" 6It is I sa% Burrich count back the &ays in his i

still $ossible" If Aerity %ere kille& that &ay! an& %or& %ere sent out e&iately! an& the ri&ers an& horses %ere both goo& """ it coul& be so" y ho$e into Barely"7 6I &on.t belie'e it"7 I turne& to the rest of the ! trie& to force the " 6I &on.t belie'e Aerity is &ea&"7 I turne& once feel anything07 69hi'alry """ %ent like that" =ike a fa&ing %his$er" RFather!. he sai&! I think" Father"7 # silence see$e& into the roo " I %aite&! crouche& on s all s$ace to %eight of e! reste& on y shoul&er" For a y heels! for y king.s &ecision" Slo%ly his han& lifte&! as if it ha& a life of its o%n" It crosse& the o ent+ that %as all" @ust the y eyes an& %e $lunge& an tra$$e& y king.s han& on y shoul&er" (ing Shre%& shifte& slightly in his ore I face& the &es$erate young y eyes u$ to (ing Shre%&

ore" 6Do you0 Do you belie'e your son coul& ha'e &ie&! an& you not

chair" He took a breath through his nostrils" I close& into the black ri'er again" Once

in (ing Shre%&.s &ying bo&y" ;e tu ble& together in the s%ee$ing current of the %orl&" 6There.s no one here" 5o one here but us any ore"7 Shre%& soun&e& lonely" I coul&n.t fin& hi yself" I ha& no bo&y! no tongue here" He hel& e un&er %ith in the rush an& the roar" I coul& har&ly think at all! let alone re e ber Jalen.s harsh instruction" It e ori1e& s$eech %hile being throttle&" I ga'e u$" I so e%here! like a feather floating in a bree1e! or a
2H88

%hat little of the Skill lessons I ha& retaine& fro %as like trying to recite a ga'e it all u$" Then fro

ote &ancing in a sunbea ! ca e Aerity.s 'oice telling si $ly not being close&"7

e! 6Being o$en is

The %hole %orl& %as a s$aceless $lace! all things insi&e of all other things" I &i& not say his na e alou& or think of his face" Aerity %as there! ha& al%ays been right there! an& 4oining hi %as effortless" You li'e: Of course" But you %on.t! s$illing all o'er like this" You.re $ouring out e'erything you ha'e in one gush" Regulate your strength" Be $recise" He stea&ie& Father: Aerity $ushe& at e roughly" Jet back: =et go of hi ! he hasn.t the strength yself an& o$ene& y for this" You.re &raining hi ! you i&iot: =et go: It %as like being re$elle&! but rougher" ;hen I foun& eyes! I %as s$ra%le& on y si&e before the fire$lace" -y face %as e! sha$e& e back into yself! then gas$e& in recognition"

unco fortably close to it" I rolle& o'er! groaning! an& sa% the (ing" His li$s %ere $uffing in an& out %ith each breath! an& there %as a bluish cast to his skin" Burrich an& (ettricken an& the Fool %ere a hel$less circle stan&ing about hi " 6Do """ so ething:7 I gas$e& u$ at the " 6;hat07 &e an&e& the Fool! belie'ing I kne%" I floun&ere& about in an& listene& to the ha& Skille&" I ha& ta$$e& y king.s strength to &o it" e" # $ro$hecy or a shre%& int to &isguise it" I y eyes 6You %ill be the &eath of kings!7 the Fool ha& tol& guess0 # Shre%& guess" Tears ca e to $rie& y eyes o$en a crack"
2H8<

in&! ca e u$ %ith the only re e&y I coul& recall" ke$t turning black" I shut y eyes

6Elfbark!7 I croake&" The e&ges of the roo

$anicking about" Slo%ly I un&erstoo& %hat I ha& &one" I

I s elle& elfbark tea" *lain strong elfbark! no ginger or

6It.s too hot:7 hisse& the Fool" 6It cools )uickly in the s$oon!7 Burrich insiste&! an& la&le& so e into the (ing.s outh" He took it in! but I &i& not see hi s%allo%" ;ith the casual outh" ex$ertise of years in the stables! Burrich tugge& gently at the (ing.s lo%er 4a% an& then stroke& his throat" He la&le& another s$oonful into his slack 5ot to y uch %as ha$$ening" e" She lifte& y hea& to her knee! $ut a hot cu$ outh" I sucke& at it! too hot! I &i&n.t care! I sucke& in air %ith it! (ettricken ca e to crouch by

noisily" I s%allo%e& it! fought choking against its bitterness" The &arkness rece&e&" The cu$ ca e back! I si$$e& again" It %as strong enough to near nu b y tongue" I looke& u$ at (ettricken! foun& her eyes" I 6He li'es07 she aske& softly" 6Yes"7 It %as all I coul& anage" 6He li'es:7 She crie& it out alou& to the others! 4oy in her 'oice" 6-y father:7 Regal shoute& the %or&s" He stoo& s%aying in the &oor! face re& %ith &rink an& anger" Behin& hi I gli $se& his guar&! an& little Rose ary anage& to sli$ $ast the $ee$ing aroun& the corner! %i&e/eye&" So eho% she hel&" Then Regal s%e$t into the roo ! ranting! &e an&ing! )uestioning! but gi'ing no one a chance to s$eak" (ettricken ke$t a $rotecti'e crouch besi&e s%ear Regal.s guar&s %oul& ha'e ha& his li$s! an& I %as relie'e& to see hi $oisone& by a stable han&:7 e again" #bo'e e! or I e! in his chair! the anage& a tiny no&"

en! to race to (ettricken an& clutch at her skirts" For an instant our tableau

(ing ha& a bit of color again in his face" Burrich $ut another s$oonful of tea to si$ at it" y father Regal %as not" 6;hat are you gi'ing hi 0 Sto$ that: I %on.t ha'e

2H8?

6The (ing ha& another attack! tea is a co on restorati'e" I a

y $rince!7 the Fool sai& su&&enly" His 'oice a&e a hole that beca e a silence" 6Elfbark ocke& or conciliate&" ollifie&" 6;ell! %hat! sure that e'en ;allace has hear& of it"7

cut through the chaos in the roo !

The *rince %as &runk" He %as not sure if he %as being He glare& at the Fool! %ho s ile& benignly back" 6Oh"7 He sai& it gru&gingly! not really %ishing to be then! of hi 07 He gesture& at e in anger" 6Drunk"7 (ettricken stoo& u$! letting con'incing thu $" Flashes of light in her 'oice" 6Stable aster" Jet hi none of his o%n"7 arre&

y hea& &ro$ to the floor %ith a y 'ision" There %as only &isgust

out of here" You shoul& ha'e sto$$e& hi

before he got this far" 5ext ti e! see that you use your 4u&g ent %hen he has 6Our stable aster is %ell/kno%n for ha'ing his o%n taste for the cu$! la&y )ueen" I sus$ect they ha'e been at it together"7 Regal sneere&" 6The ne%s of Aerity.s &eath hit hi 4erke& e fro har&!7 Burrich sai& si $ly" He %as true to y shirtfront! y feet hi self! offering an ex$lanation! but no excuse" He took hol& of until he gri$$e& e

the floor" ;ith no effort at $layacting! I s%aye& on

ore fir ly" I caught a $assing gli $se of the Fool hastily e roughly out of the roo ! I hear& Iueen (ettricken

s$ooning another &ose of elfbark into the (ing" I $raye& no one %oul& interru$t hi " #s Burrich ushere& rebuking Regal! saying he shoul& be belo% %ith his guests! an& $ro ising that she an& the Fool coul& get the (ing to be&" #s %e %ere going u$ the stairs I hear& Regal an& his guar& going &o%n" He %as still %orrie& on" uttering an& then ranting! co $laining that he %as not stu$i&! he coul& tell a $lot %hen he sa% one" It e! but I %as fairly certain he ha& no real i&ea of %hat ha& been going

2H8B

#t

y &oor! I %as %ell enough to %ork ore elfbark07

y latches" Burrich follo%e&

e in" 6If

I ha& a &og that %as sick as often as you are! I.& $ut it &o%n!7 he obser'e& kin&ly" 6Do you nee& 6It %oul&n.t hurt int or rose hi$s07 He ga'e e a look" I sat on y chair %hile he $oke& at the $athetic e bers in to glo%" He built u$ a fire! $ut %ater in the y fire$lace until he got the foun& a e any" But in a gentler &ose" Do you ha'e any ginger or

kettle! an& set it to heat" He foun& a $ot an& $ut in the flake& elfbark! then ug an& %i$e& the &ust out of it" He set the things out rea&y! then looke& about hi self" So ething like &isgust %as on his face" 6;hy &o you li'e like this07 he &e an&e&" 6=ike %hat07 6In so bare a roo ! %ith so little care for it0 I.'e seen %inter/)uarter tents that %ere ho ier than this roo " It.s as if you.'e ne'er ex$ecte& to stay here than a night or t%o longer"7 I shrugge&" 6I.'e ne'er gi'en it uch thought"7 There %as a silence for a bit" 6You shoul&!7 he sai& un%illingly" 6#n& you shoul& think about ho% often you.re hurt! or sick"7 6This! %hat ha$$ene& tonight! this coul&n.t be hel$e&"7 6You kne% %hat it %oul& &o to you! but you %ent ahea& %ith it any%ay!7 he $ointe& out" 6I ha& to"7 I %atche& hi 6Di& you0 It see e& to 6So"7 6I kno% a bit about the Skill!7 Burrich sai& )uietly" 6I %as king.s 9hi'alry" 5ot often! an& it &i& not lea'e
2H8C

ore

$our stea ing %ater o'er the elfbark in the $ot" e the Fool ha& a $retty con'incing argu ent against

it" Yet you %ent ahea&" You an& (ing Shre%&! both of you"7 an to

e as ba& as you are no%! sa'e for

once or t%ice" But I.'e felt the excite ent of it! the/7 He gro$e& for %or&s! sighe&" 6The co $letion of it" The oneness %ith the %orl&" 9hi'alry once s$oke to e about it" # an can get a&&icte&! he sai&" So that he looks for o'ing excuses to Skill! an& then finally he is absorbe& into it"7 He a&&e& after a o ent! 6It is not unlike the rush of battle! in so e %ays" The sense of unha $ere& by ti e! of being a force ore $o%erful than life itself"7 e"7 6#s I cannot Skill alone! I &aresay it is not a &anger to

6You offer yourself 'ery often to those %ho can"7 Bluntly s$oken" 6#s often as you %illingly $lunge yourself into &angerous situations that offer that sa e kin& of excite ent" In a battle! you go into a fren1y" Is that %hat ha$$ens to you %hen you Skill07 I ha& ne'er consi&ere& the t%o together in such a light" So ething like fear nibble& at e" I $ushe& it asi&e" y &uty" Besi&es! %as not this e'ening your it" You %ere 6To be a (ing.s -an is suggestion07 6It %as" But I %oul& ha'e let the Fool.s %or&s &issua&e us fro shoul& ha'e a care for yourself"7 6I kno% %hat I. %hat I &o%n on &oing"7 I s$oke ore shar$ly than I inten&e&! an& Burrich a&e! an& han&e& it to e %ith a 6see ug an& stare& into the fire" He sat &i& not re$ly" He $oure& the tea he ha& ean7 look on his face" I took the y clothing chest" &eter ine&" You $ut no 'alue at all on %hat it %oul& &o to you" *erha$s you

6Aerity is ali'e!7 I sai& )uietly" 6So I hear& the Iueen say" I ha& ne'er belie'e& he %as &ea&"7 He acce$te& it 'ery cal ly" #s cal ly! as he a&&e&! 6But %e ha'e no $roof"7 6*roof0 I s$oke to hi " The (ing s$oke to hi " Isn.t that enough07 6For e! ore than enough" For ost other folks! %ell """7
2H8D

6;hen the (ing reco'ers! he %ill bear

e out" Aerity li'es"7 $roclai ing hi self (ing/in/

6I &oubt it %ill be enough to $re'ent Regal fro it tonight! sa'e that e'ery Duke su&&enly a&e the roo

;aiting" The cere ony is sche&ule& for next %eek" I think he %oul& ha'e &one ust be $resent to %itness it"7 arch of e'ents! yself in front of a in& it brought y e $ty cu$" e" I felt I ha& thro%n Elfbark battling %ith exhaustion! or si $ly the unrelenting tilt aroun& %agon to sto$ it! an& instea& it ha& rolle& o'er (ettricken" # su&&en %elling of &es$air fille& The Six Duchies king&o return to a

e" The Fool ha& been right" e" I set &o%n

;hat I ha& &one tonight counte& for little! sa'e the $eace of

%as falling a$art" -y king/in/%aiting! Aerity! %oul&

ockery of %hat he ha& left3 a sun&ere& country! a ra'age&

coastline! a $lun&ere& an& e $ty (ee$" *erha$s if I ha& belie'e& in El&erlings! I coul& ha'e foun& so e %ay to belie'e it %oul& all co e out right" #ll I coul& see no% %as y failure" e o&&ly" 6Jo to be&!7 he suggeste&" 6# bleak s$irit is ight account for Aerity.s often &our ay look better"7 He ga'e a bark of ay not" But the rest %ill at Burrich %as looking at I no&&e&" To oo&s" 6Jet so e real rest" In the orning! things laughter an& s ile& %olfishly" 6Then again! they ca e to y roo ! earlier"7

so eti es %hat follo%s an o'erin&ulgence in elfbark" Or so I ha'e hear&"7 yself! I %on&ere& if that

least lea'e you better $re$are& to face the "7 He $ause&! sobering" 6-olly 6Is she all right07 I &e an&e& to kno%" 6Bringing can&les she kne% I &i& not nee&!7 Burrich %ent on as if I ha& not s$oken" 6#l ost as if she %ante& an excuse to s$eak to 6;hat &i& she say07 I rose fro y chair" e """7

2H8E

65ot 'ery

uch" She is al%ays 'ery correct %ith isse& her"7

e" I a

'ery &irect %ith her"

I si $ly tol& her you 6#n& she sai&07

65othing"7 He grinne&" 6But she blushes 'ery $rettily"7 He sighe&! su&&enly serious" 6#n&! as &irectly! I aske& her if anyone ha& gi'en her any further cause to fear" She s)uare& her little shoul&ers an& tucke& in her chin like I %as trying to force a bit in her teeth" She sai& she thanke& e kin&ly for y concern! as she ha& before! but that she %as ca$able of seeing to herself"7 In a )uieter 'oice! he aske&! 6;ill she ask for hel$ if she nee&s it07 6I &on.t kno%!7 I confesse&" 6She has her o%n store of courage" Her o%n %ay of fighting" She turns an& confronts things" -e! I slink about an& try to ha string the co%ar&"7 Burrich stoo& u$! stretching so that his shoul&ers cracke&" 6You.re no co%ar&! Fit1" I.ll 'ouch for you there" *erha$s you 4ust un&erstan& o&&s better than she &oes" I %ish I coul& $ut your as %ell as I can" #s 6Han&s aske& in& at rest about her" I can.t" I.ll %atch o'er her e"7 He ga'e e a si&e%ays glance" e so often"7 uch as she.ll let %hen they aren.t looking" So eti es! she akes e feel a

e to&ay %ho the $retty la&y is %ho calls on

6;hat &i& you tell hi 07 65othing" I 4ust looke& at hi "7 I kne% the look" There %oul& be no Burrich left an& I s$ra%le& on bo&y be still! reasoning that at least of his king.s $light" I a into the (ee$"
2H<H

ore )uestions fro

Han&s" a&e y y

y be&! trying to rest" I coul& not" I

y flesh %oul& take so e rest! e'en if

in& $ersiste& in rattling on" # better her roo " ;hen I coul& stan& it no

an.s thoughts %oul& ha'e been solely ine %ent to -olly! alone in y be& an& ghoste& out

afrai& a goo& share of

ore! I rose fro

Soun&s of &ying re'elry still &rifte& u$ fro

the Jreat Hall belo%" The corri&or yself I %oul& be 'ery!

%as e $ty" I 'enture& silently to%ar& the stairs" I tol& o ents! 4ust to see she %as all right" 5o 'isits """ You are follo%e&" 5ighteyes. ne% caution of Burrich tiniest %his$er in I scratche& glance behin& Snuff" y hea&" I &i& not halt" That %oul& ha'e let y shoul&er! e" I sa% no one"

'ery careful! that all I %oul& &o %as ta$ at her &oor! $erha$s go in for a fe% ore than that" @ust the briefest of a&e his 'oice but the

y follo%er kno% I %as sus$icious" Instea& y hea& about an&

aking it an excuse to s%i'el

I &i&! a short breath follo%e& by a &ee$er intake" # bare scent on the air" S%eat an& garlic" I )ueste& gently an& halfli&&e&" The coterie y bloo& %ent col&" There! at the far en& of Bea s" Aery e in the hall! conceale& in a &oor%ay" ;ill" Dark! slen&er ;ill! %ith his eyes al%ays e ber %ho ha& been recalle& fro fro cautiously I touche& the Skill shiel& that hi& hi e! a subtle bi&&ing that y %ay to bolster uch ore &elicate

I not notice hi ! a )uiet scent of self/confi&ence sent a touch than either Serene or @ustin ha& e'er sho%n # uch ore &angerous an" e"

&oing %hate'er I %ishe& to &o" Aery guileful" Aery artful!

I %ent to the lan&ing of the stairs an& took can&les fro there! then returne& to ;hen I close& y roo as if that ha& been e! y y &oor behin&

the extra ones store&

y sole erran&" y in&"

outh %as &ry" I sighe& out a y thoughts! e" Ha&

shu&&ering breath" I force& He ha& not been in

yself to exa ine the guar&s that %ar&e& e to ake it easier for hi to sha&o%

e! that I coul& tell" He %as not sniffing out

then! but only i $osing his on

it not been for 5ighteyes! he %oul& ha'e follo%e&

2H<1

e right to -olly.s &oor

tonight" I force&

yself to lie &o%n on

y be& again! to try to recall all of

actions since ;ill ha& returne& to Buckkee$" I ha& been &is issing hi ene y si $ly because he &i& not ra&iate the hatre& for be an unre arkable I ha& been a fool" I &o not think he has follo%e& you before" But I cannot be sure either" 5ighteyes! y brother" Ho% &o I thank you0 e ginger cake" Stay ali'e" # $ause" #n& bring an! scarce %orth anyone.s attention"

as an

e that Serene an&

@ustin &i&" He ha& al%ays been a )uiet an& uni $osing youth" He ha& gro%n to

You shall ha'e it! I $ro ise& fer'ently" Burrich.s fire ha& burne& lo% an& I still ha& not sle$t %hen I felt 9ha&e.s &raft s%ee$ through I foun& hi on y roo " It %as al ost a relief to rise an& go to hi " e i $atiently! $acing about his s all roo " He $ounce& e in a hiss" 6So eho%! I ne'er got that a%aiting

e as I ca e out of the stair%ell"

6#n assassin is a tool!7 he infor e&

across to you" ;e are tools" ;e &o not &o anything of our o%n 'olition"7 I sto$$e& still! shocke& at the anger in his 'oice" 6I ha'en.t kille& anyone:7 I sai& in&ignantly" 6Shush: S$eak softly" I %oul& not be too sure of that! %ere I you!7 he re$lie&" 6Ho% e07 I sai& nothing" He looke& at e an& sighe&! the anger an& strength going out of hi " Softly he sai&! 6So eti es! the best you can &o is 4ust sal'age %ork" So eti es %e ha'e to resign oursel'es to that" ;e are not the ones to set the %heels in otion! boy" ;hat you &i& tonight %as ill/consi&ere&"7
2H<2

any ti es ha'e I &one

y 4ob! not by $utting the knife in

yself! but

si $ly by gi'ing so eone else sufficient reason an& o$$ortunity to &o it for

6So the Fool an& Burrich ha'e both tol& agree"7

e" I &on.t think (ettricken %oul&

6(ettricken an& her chil& coul& both ha'e li'e& %ith her grief" #s coul& (ing Shre%&" =ook at %hat they %ere" # foreign %o an! %i&o% of a &ea& (ing/in/ ;aiting! other of a chil& that isn.t 'isible yet! an& %ho %ill be unable to an! useful as a $u$$et $erha$s! but har less enough" Regal ha& asi&e" Oh! I agree (ettricken.s $osition %as %iel& $o%er for years to co e" Regal 4u&ge& Shre%& to be but a &o&&ering hel$less ol& no i e&iate reason to $ut the

not as secure as it coul& be! but she %as not in &irect o$$osition to Regal" That is %here she is no%"7 6She &i& not tell hi %hat %e ha& &isco'ere&!7 I sai& un%illingly" 6She &i& not ha'e to" It %ill sho%! in her bearing an& in her %ill to resist hi " He ha& re&uce& her to a %i&o%" You ha'e restore& her to a Iueen/in/;aiting" But it is for Shre%& that I %orry" Shre%& is the one %ho hol&s the key! %ho can stan& u$ an& say! e'en in a %his$er! RAerity still li'es! Regal has no right to be king/in/%aiting". He is the one Regal ust fear"7 6I ha'e seen Shre%&! 9ha&e" Really seen hi " I &o not think he %ill betray %hat he kno%s" Beneath that faltering bo&y! beneath the nu bing &rugs an& the sa'age $ain! there is a shre%& sagacious an to foolish acts" # an still"7 ore so! %ill &ri'e a an &ying of his %oun&s %ill lea$ to his ake a an take risks! or assert hi self in 6*erha$s" But he is burie& &ee$" Drugs! an& $ain e'en horse to lea& a last charge" *ain can strange %ays"7 ;hat he %as saying a&e all too uch sense" 69annot you counsel hi y %ay" It ani$ulate against letting Regal kno% that he kno%s Aerity is ali'e07 6I coul& try! $erha$s" ;ere not that &a nable ;allace al%ays in %as not so ba& at first+ at first! he %as tractable an& useful! easy to
2H<8

fro

afar" He ne'er kne% I %as behin& the herbs the $e&&lers brought hi + a%ay for long" I sel&o ha'e ore than a fe%

ne'er e'en sus$ecte& I existe&" But no% he clings to the (ing like a li $et! an& not e'en the Fool can &ri'e hi for half of the "7 There %as so ething in his 'oice" I lo%ere& sai& )uietly" 6So eti es I forget that he is y hea&! sha e&" 6I a sorry!7 I en! %ho ore to you than 4ust your king"7 inutes %ith Shre%& at a ti e any ore" #n& I a lucky if y brother is luci&

6;ell" ;e %ere ne'er really that close! that %ay" But %e are t%o ol&

ha'e gro%n ol& together" So eti es that is a greater closeness" ;e ha'e co e through ti e to your &ay an& age" ;e can talk together! )uietly! an& share e ories of a ti e that exists no ore" I can tell you ho% it %as! but it is not the reality the sa e" It is like being t%o foreigners! tra$$e& in a lan& %e ha'e co e to! unable to return to our o%n! an& ha'ing only each other to confir of the $lace %e once li'e&" #t least! once %e coul&"7 I thought of t%o chil&ren running %il& on the beaches of Buckkee$! $lucking sheel off the rocks an& eating the recall it" I no&&e&" 6#h" ;ell" Tonight %e conte $late sal'age" 5o%" =isten to ha'e your %or&" You %ill not take actions of conferring %ith s all actions of e first" #gree&07 %illing to agree to it" But lately e'en ake a choice su&&enly! %ith ine see to take on conse)uences like a $ebble in a I looke& &o%n" 6I %ant to say yes" I a e" On this I ust a4or conse)uence %ithout ra%" -olly an& I" It %as $ossible to be ho esick for a ti e! an& to be lonely for the only other $erson %ho coul&

lan&sli&e" #n& e'ents $ile u$ to %here I ha'e to try" Is that enough07 6I su$$ose" 9atalyst!7 he uttere&"
2H<<

no chance to consult anyone else" So I cannot $ro ise" But I %ill $ro ise to

6So the Fool calls

e! too!7 I co $laine&" i&st of starting to say so ething" 6Does he

9ha&e sto$$e& abru$tly in the really07 he aske& intently" 6He clubs

e %ith the %or& e'ery chance he gets"7 I %alke& &o%n to 9ha&e.s

hearth an& sat &o%n before his fire" The heat felt goo&" 6Burrich says that too strong a &ose of elfbark can lea& to bleak s$irits after%ar&"7 6Do you fin& it so07 6Yes" But it coul& be the circu stances" Yet Aerity see e& often &e$resse&! an& he use& it fre)uently" #gain! it coul& be the circu stances"7 6It ay be %e shall ne'er kno%"7 oti'es"7 6You s$eak 'ery freely tonight" 5a ing na es! ascribing

6#ll is gaiety in the Jreat Hall tonight" Regal %as certain he ha& bagge& his ga e" #ll his %atches %ere relaxe&! all his s$ies gi'en a night.s liberty"7 He looke& at e sourly" 6I a sure it %ill not be the sa e again for a %hile"7 there it is $ossible I coul& be o'erhear& by 6So you think %hat %e say here can be listene& to"7 6#ny%here I can listen an& $ee$! fro taking chances"7 #n ol& e ory su&&enly a&e sense" 6You once tol& e that in the Iueen.s Jar&en! you are blin&"7 6Exactly"7 6So you &i& not kno%/7 6I &i& not kno% %hat Jalen %as $utting you through! at the ti e he %as &oing it" I %as $ri'y to gossi$! uch of it unreliable an& all of it far after the fact" But e strangely" on the night he beat you an& left you to &ie """ 5o"7 He looke& at 6You ha& $ro ise& not to interfere %ith
2H<?

an& s$ie& u$on" Only 4ust $ossible" But one &oes not get to be as ol& as I a

6Ha& you belie'e& I coul& kno% of such a thing an& take no action07 y instruction!7 I sai& stiffly"

9ha&e took his chair! leane& back %ith a sigh" 6I &on.t think you %ill e'er co $letely trust anyone" Or belie'e that so eone cares about you"7 Silence fille& forcing Sal'age"7 6;hat &o you %ant 6But """7 6#bsolutely nothing" Re e ber this at all ti es" (ing/in/;aiting Aerity is &ea&" =i'e that belief" Belie'e that Regal has the right to clai he has the right to &o all the things he &oes" *lacate hi nothing to fear" ;e I thought for a ust ake hi belie'e he has %on"7 y belt knife" o ent" Then I stoo& an& &re% his s$ot! belie'e for no%! gi'e hi e to &o07 He breathe& out through his nose" 65othing"7 e" I &i&n.t kno% the ans%er" First Burrich an& no% 9ha&e! yself in unco fortable %ays" y silence" 6#s I began to say earlier" e to look at

6#h! %ell!7 9ha&e conce&e& to

6;hat are you &oing07 9ha&e &e an&e&" 6;hat Regal %oul& ex$ect reache& in back of %arrior.s tail" 6I ha'e shears!7 9ha&e $ointe& out in annoyance" He %ent an& got the stoo& behin& (ing"7 6#re you sure07 6It.s %hat Regal %oul& ex$ect of e"7 y hair at the knot" y 4a%" #s if 6That.s true! I su$$ose"7 ;ith a single cli$! 9ha&e took off e" 6Ho% uch07 ourning hi as a cro%ne& I consi&ere&" 6#s extre e as I can be! short of an& e to &o! &i& I truly belie'e Aerity %as &ea&"7 I y hair back in a y hea&! to %here a leather thong boun&

It felt strange to ha'e it su&&enly fall for%ar&! short! not e'en to

2H<B

I %ere a $age again" I reache& u$ an& felt its shortness as I aske& hi ! 6;hat %ill you be &oing07 F 6Trying to fin& a safe $lace for (ettricken an& the (ing" I rea&y for their flight" ;hen they go! they light co es"7 6#re you sure this is necessary07 6;hat else is left for us0 They are no Shre%&" (ettricken has ore than hostages no%" *o%erless" The ust tug Inlan& Dukes ha'e turne& to Regal! the 9oastal Dukes ha'e lost faith in (ing a&e herself allies a ongst the ! ho%e'er" I at the strings she has s$un an& see %hat I can arrange" #t least %e can see the $lace& %here their safety cannot be use& against Aerity %hen he co es back to reclai his cro%n"7 e sourly" 6Try to 6If he returns!7 I sai& gloo ily" 6;hen" The El&erlings %ill be %ith hi "7 9ha&e looke& at belie'e in so ething! boy" For $erio& of y sake"7 ust ake all things ust 'anish like sha&o%s %hen the

;ithout a &oubt! the ti e that I s$ent un&er Jalen.s tutelage %as the %orst y life at Buckkee$" But the %eek that follo%e& that night %ith atter %here I y life 9ha&e runs a close secon&" ;e %ere an anthill! kicke& a$art" 5o ha& been shattere&" 5othing %oul& e'er be as it %as before" There %as a great influx of folk fro the Inlan& Duchies! co e to %itness Regal beco ing king/in/%aiting" Ha& not our stables been so &e$lete& alrea&y! it %oul& ha'e taxe& Burrich an& Han&s to kee$ u$ %ith the " #s it %as! it see e& like Inlan&ers %ere e'ery%here! tall! to%hea&e& Farro% Buckkee$ sol&iers %ith their occurre&" The gru ble fro en! an& bra%ny Tilth far ers an& cattle en" They %ere a bright contrast to the glu ourning cro$$e& hair" 5ot a fe% clashes of 4ests co $aring Buckkee$ To%n took the for
2H<C

%ent in the (ee$! there %ere constant re in&ers that the foun&ations of

the in'asion of the Inlan&ers %ith the rai&s of the Outislan&ers" The hu or ha& al%ays a bitter e&ge" For the counter$oint to this influx of folk an& business in Buckkee$ To%n %as the outflo% of goo&s fro Buckkee$" Roo s %ere stri$$e& sha elessly" Ta$estries an& rugs! furniture an& tools! su$$lies of all kin&s %ere &raine& out of the (ee$! to be loa&e& on barges an& taken u$ri'er to Tra&efor&! al%ays to be 6ke$t safe7 or 6for the co fort of the (ing"7 -istress Hasty %as at her %it.s en& to house so any guests %hen half the furniture %as being haule& off to %as &e'oure& before he left" barges" So e &ays it see e& that Regal %as atte $ting to see that all he coul& not carry off %ith hi #t the sa e ti e he %as s$aring no ex$ense to be sure that his cro%ning as king/in/%aiting %oul& be as full of $o $ an& cere ony as $ossible" I truly &i& not kno% %hy he bothere& %ith it at all" To Fool ha& once %arne& %heat %ith e! at least! it see e& $lain he easure Regal.s $lanne& on aban&oning four of the Six Duchies to their o%n &e'ices" But as the e! there %as no $oint to trying to y bushels" ;e ha& no co on stan&ar&" *erha$s to insist the of re'enge I coul& not to

Dukes an& nobles of Bearns an& Ri$$on an& Shoaks co e to %itness hi assu e Aerity.s cro%n %as so e subtle for un&erstan&" =ittle enough &i& he care %hat har&shi$ it %orke& u$on the

co e to Buckkee$ at a ti e %hen their shores %ere so beleaguere&" I %as not sur$rise& that they %ere slo% to arri'e! an& that %hen they &i&! they %ere shocke& at the sacking of Buckkee$" ;or& of Regal.s $lan to re o'e hi self an& the (ing an& (ettricken ha& not been s$rea& to the 9oastal Duchies by any eans other than ru or" But long before the 9oastal Dukes arri'e&! %hile I still en&ure& the greater general chaos! the rest of began to haunt y life began to rattle into $ieces" Serene an& @ustin e! but e" I %as a%are of the ! often $hysically follo%ing
2H<D

4ust as often Skilling at the e&ges of &ay&rea s or any unguar&e& sa% the about y being a%are of ;ill.s

y consciousness" They %ere like $ecking ight ha'e! snatching at casual y life" That %as ba& enough" But I e fro y guar&s ost strongly

bir&s co e after any loose thoughts I o ent of

no% as only the &istraction! the &i'ersion create& to kee$ ore subtle haunting" So I set

in&! kno%ing I $robably shiel&e& out Aerity as %ell" I feare& this yself! using e'ery sense 5ighteyes an& I $ossesse&" I ore %ary! an& set yself the task of &isco'ering %hat the

%as their actual intent! but &are& re'eal that fear to no one" I %atche& constantly behin& 'o%e& I %oul& be other coterie

e bers %orke& at" Burl %as at Tra&efor&! ostensibly hel$ing

$re$are the $lace for (ing Shre%&.s co fort" I ha& no i&ea %here 9arro& %as! an& there %as no one I coul& &iscreetly ask" The only thing I coul& &isco'er for certain %as that he %as no longer on the 9onstance" So I %orrie&" #n& beca e al ost a& %ith %orry that I &i& not &etect ;ill sha&o%ing after y life as if e'ery o'e I a&e %ere %atche&" the stables" Burrich e any ore" Di& he kno% I ha& beco e a%are of hi 0 Or %as he so goo& I coul& not &etect hi 0 I began to li'e tol& e one Horses an& bree&ing stock %ere not all that %as taken fro

orning that Han&s %as gone" He ha& not ha& ti e to bi& anyone o'erlan& to e! here" e%s

goo&/bye" 6They took the last of the goo& stock yester&ay" The best is long gone! but these %ere goo& horses! an& they %ere taking the $rotesting! but I tol& hi taking care of the I follo%e& hi Tra&efor&" Han&s %as si $ly tol& he %as to go along" He ca e to in their ne% ho e" Besi&es! there is nothing for hi orning roun&s" The

to go" #t least the horses %ill ha'e %ell/traine& han&s

There is no stable left for anyone to be stable aster o'er"7 silently on %hat ha& once been our hel& only ancient or in4ure& bir&s" The cla or of &ogs ha& been re&uce& to a s$arse baying an& a fe% yi$s" The horses that re aine& %ere the unsoun&! the
2H<E

al ost $ro ising! the $ast their $ri e! the in4ure& that ha& been ke$t in the ho$es of bree&ing so ething fro han&s" Burrich $ut a han& on tol& the the " ;hen I ca e to Sooty.s e $ty stall! anger! y face in y y heart stoo& still" I coul& not s$eak" I leane& on her

y shoul&er" ;hen I looke& u$ at hi ! he s ile& last %eek" #n& truly they %ere

o&&ly" He shook his cro$$e& hea&" 6They ca e for her an& Ru&&y yester&ay" I they %ere fools! they ha& taken the anage& to ask" ore %oul& he say of it to e" fools! for they belie'e& 6;here07 I e" They &i& get your sa&&le"7

6Better you &on.t kno%!7 Burrich sai& &arkly" 6One of us &angling as a horse thief %oul& be )uite enough"7 5o # late/afternoon 'isit to *atience an& =acey %as not the )uiet interlu&e I ha& ho$e& for" I knocke&! an& there %as an uncharacteristic $ause before the &oor %as o$ene&" I foun& the sitting roo things %ere on the floor than usual" 6# ne% $ro4ect07 I ha1ar&e&! atte $ting a bit of le'ity" =acey looke& at a%ay" #n& e glu ly" 6They ca e this orning to take y la&y.s table y be&" They clai e& they %ere nee&e& for guests" ;ell! I uch of the rest of the things gone u$ri'er" But again"7 in a sha bles! %orse than I ha& e'er seen any ore it! an& =acey &is$irite&ly trying to $ut things to rights" # great

shoul&n.t be sur$rise&! %ith so

I greatly &oubt that %e.ll see either ite

6;ell! $erha$s they.ll be %aiting for you %hen you get to Tra&efor&!7 I suggeste& inanely" I ha& not reali1e& the %hole extent of the liberties Regal %as taking" There %as a 'ery long silence before =acey s$oke" 6Then they.ll %ait a long ti e! Fit19hi'alry" ;e are not a ong those to be taken to Tra&efor&"7 65o" ;e.re a ong the o&& folk to be left here! %ith the o&& ents of furniture"7 This fro *atience as she abru$tly reentere& the roo " Her eyes
2H?H

%ere re& an& her cheeks $ale! an& I su&&enly kne% she ha& hi&&en herself %hen I first knocke& until she ha& her tears un&er control" 6Then surely you shall return to ;ithy%oo&s!7 I suggeste&" -y %orking 'ery s%iftly" I ha& assu e& that Regal %as $ut in& %as o'ing the entire

househol& to Tra&efor&" 5o% I %on&ere& %ho else %as to be aban&one& here" I yself at the hea& of the list" I a&&e& Burrich an& 9ha&e" The Fool0 ight *erha$s that %as %hy he see e& lately to be Regal.s creature" That he be allo%e& to follo% the (ing to Tra&efor&" O&&! ho% I ha& not e'en consi&ere& that the (ing an& (ettricken %ere to be %hiske& not only out of 9ha&e.s reach! but confining ine" Regal ha& rene%e& his or&ers ake %a'es" e to Buckkee$ itself" I ha& not %ante& to trouble (ettricken to

o'erri&e the " I ha&! after all! $ro ise& 9ha&e not to

6I cannot return to ;ithy%oo&s" #ugust rules there! the (ing.s ne$he%3 He %ho %as hea& of Jalen.s coterie! before his acci&ent" He has no fon&ness for e! an& I ha'e no right to &e an& to be there" 5o" ;e shall be staying here! an& aking the best %e can of it"7 e bring it"7 you" ;ere it &o%n here! e I floun&ere& for %hate'er co fort I coul& offer" 6I ha'e a be& still" I shall ha'e it brought &o%n here for =acey" Burrich %ill hel$ =acey shook her hea&" 6I.'e a&e u$ a $allet! an& I.ll be co fortable enough"

(ee$ it %here it is" *erha$s they &aren.t take it fro no &oubt it %oul& 4ust be carrie& off to orro%"7

6Has (ing Shre%& no care for %hat is ha$$ening07 =a&y *atience aske& of sa&ly" 6I &o not kno%" #ll are turne& a%ay fro he is too ill to see anyone"7

his &oor these &ays" Regal has sai&

2H?1

6I thought $erha$s it %as 4ust

e he %oul& not see" #h! %ell" *oor co e to this" Tell

an" To

lose t%o sons! an& see his king&o

e! ho% is Iueen

(ettricken0 I ha'e not ha& a chance to go see her"7 6;ell enough! last I sa% her" Jrie'e& by her husban&.s &eath! of course! but/7 6Then she %as not in4ure& in her fall0 I feare& she %oul& turne& asi&e fro co%ar&ly to go an& see her 6Her fall07 I sai& stu$i&ly" 6Ha& not you hear&0 On those a%ful ste$s co ing &o%n fro Jar&en" There %as talk that so e statuary ha& been re o'e& fro great tu bling fall! but hea'ily" On her back on those stone ste$s"7 I coul& not kee$ y in& on *atience.s con'ersation after that" -uch of it yself! on the fli sy e at once not to centere& on the &e$letion of the libraries! a thing I &i& not %ish to think of any%ay" #s soon as I graciously coul&! I excuse& $ro ise that I %oul& bring the I %as turne& a%ay fro &irect %or& of the Iueen" the Iueen.s the gar&ens! iscarry"7 *atience e! to ga1e at a %all bereft of a fa iliar ta$estry" 6I %as too yself! if you %oul& kno% the truth" I kno% too

%ell the $ain of losing a chil& before you ha'e hel& it in your ar s"7

an& she ha& gone u$ to see %hat! an& on her %ay back &o%n she fell" 5ot a

(ettricken.s &oor" Se'eral la&ies tol&

fret! not to %orry! she %as fine! she but nee&e& to rest! oh! but it %as terrible """" I en&ure& enough to be sure that she ha& not to the Iueen.s Jar&en" I carrie& a la $ %ith iscarrie&! then fle&" e! an& %ent ost carefully" On ore 'aluable of But I &i& not go back to *atience" 5ot yet" Instea&! I slo%ly cli be& the stairs the to%er to$! I foun& it %as as I ha& feare&" The s aller an& $ieces! I %as sure" The the &oor carefully behin&

the statuary ha& been re o'e&" Only the sheer %eight ha& sa'e& the larger issing bits took a%ay the careful balance of e an& %ent &o%n the ste$s" E'er so slo%ly" E'er so
2H?2

(ettricken.s creation an& a&&e& to the &esolation of the gar&en in %inter" I shut

carefully" On the ninth ste$ &o%n! I foun& it" I nearly &isco'ere& it as (ettricken ha&" But I caught ste$" =a $black ha& been y balance an& then crouche& lo% to stu&y the ixe& %ith the grease! to take the sheen off it an& ost u&

blen& it %ith the %ell/use& ste$s" It %as right %here the foot %oul& 9lose enough to the to%er to$ that a sli$ coul& be bla e& on slush or fro on y fingers! then sniffe& at it"

naturally fall! es$ecially if one %ere hastening &o%n the stairs in a te $er" the gar&ens still on a shoe" I rubbe& at the black on the ste$ that ca e off y feet an& nearly fell y balance back"

6# fine bit of $ork fat!7 obser'e& the Fool" I lea$e& to &o%n the ste$s" # %il& $in%heeling of y ar s brought 6Interesting" Do you think you coul& teach

e to &o that07 y ner'es are a 4angle"7 I e!

65ot funny! Fool" I ha'e been follo%e& of late! an&

$eere& &o%n the stair%ell into the &arkness" If the Fool ha& cre$t u$ on been a&e on (ettricken! I ha& no faith in Shre%&.s safety"

coul& not ;ill0 6Ho%.s the (ing07 I &e an&e& )uietly" If this atte $t ha& 6You tell bruises that s$lit" One ar shoul&er" 65ot again!7 I gas$e&" 6Exactly %hat I sai& to the " They $ai& s all attention" So e folk 4ust ha'e not the knack of con'ersation"7 6;hat ha$$ene&0 I thought you an& Regal/7 6Yes! %ell! not e'en a Fool can see stu$i& enough to $lease Regal" I &i& not %ish to lea'e (ing Shre%&.s si&e to&ay" They %ere )uestioning hi relentlessly about %hat ha& ha$$ene& the night of the feast" I beca e $erha$s a
2H?8

e"7 The Fool ste$$e& out of the sha&o%s" Jone %ere his fine otley of blue an& re&" It %ent %ell %ith the ne% ottle& one si&e of his face" On his right cheek! the flesh ha& been carrie& the other close to his chest" I sus$ecte& a &islocate&

clothes! re$lace& %ith an ol&

trifle too %itty in suggesting other %ays they thre% e out"7 -y heart sank in %hat Regal

ight a use the sel'es" They

e" I %as sure I kne% exactly %hich guar& ha& assiste& hi e" One coul& ne'er kno%

out the &oor" It %as as Burrich ha& al%ays %arne&

ight &are" 6;hat &i& the (ing tell the 07

6#h: 5ot! %as the (ing all right! or %as the (ing reco'ering0 5o" Only %hat &i& the (ing tell the 0 Do you fear your $recious hi&e is in &anger! *rinceling07 65o"7 I coul& feel no resent ent at his )uestion! or e'en ho% he $hrase& it" I &eser'e& it" I ha& not taken goo& care of our frien&shi$ lately" Des$ite that! %hen he nee&e& hel$! he ha& co e to e" 65o" But as long as the (ing says nothing of Aerity being ali'e! then Regal has no reason to/7 6-y king %as being """ taciturn" It ha& starte& out as a $leasant con'ersation bet%een father an& son! %ith Regal telling hi ha'e hi ho% $lease& he shoul& be to of finally as king/in/%aiting" (ing Shre%& %as rather 'ague! as he often

is these &ays" So ething about it irritate& Regal! an& he began to accuse hi $lot! a cons$iracy to see that he ne'er ca e to the throne" 5o &angerous as the

not being $lease&! of e'en being o$$ose&" Finally he began to insist there %as a an is so an" an %ho cannot &eci&e %hat he fears" Regal is that

E'en ;allace %as $ut a4ar by his rantings" He ha& brought the (ing one of his bre%s! to &ea&en his &ashe& it fro accuse& hi fro in& along %ith his $ain! but as he brought it near! Regal his han&s" He then s$un on the $oor tre bling ;all.s #ss an& of being $art of the cons$iracy" He clai e& ;allace ha& inten&e& fro s$eaking %hat he kne%" He or&ere& ;allace until he ha& seen e out as %ell! then" -y reluctance

to &rug our king to kee$ hi

the roo ! saying the (ing %oul& ha'e no nee& of hi

fit to s$eak $lainly to his son" He or&ere&

to lea'e %as o'erco e by a cou$le of his hulking inlan& $lo% en"7

2H?<

# cree$ing &rea& rose in herbs to o'er%hel

e" I re e bere&

o ent of sharing the (ing.s an being ca$able of this"

$ain" Regal %oul& re orselessly %atch %hile that $ain cre$t $ast the nu bing his father" I coul& not i agine a Yet I kne% Regal %oul& &o it" 6;hen &i& this ha$$en07 6@ust an hour or so ago" You are not an easy $erson to fin&"7 I looke& ore closely at the Fool" 6Jo &o%n to the stables! to Burrich" See %hat he can &o for you"7 The healer! I kne%! %oul& not touch the Fool" =ike any aroun& the (ee$! he feare& his strange a$$earance" 6;hat %ill you be &oing07 the Fool aske& )uietly" 6I &on.t kno%!7 I re$lie& honestly" This %as exactly one of the situations I ha& %arne& 9ha&e about" I kne% %hether I acte& or not! the conse)uences %oul& be gra'e" I nee&e& to &istract Regal fro %hat he %as &oing" 9ha&e! I %as ight be sure! %as a%are of %hat %as going on" If Regal an& all others coul& be lure& a%ay for a ti e """ I coul& think of only one $iece of ne%s that i $ortant enough to Regal to 6You.ll be all right07 The Fool ha& sunk &o%n to sit on the col& stone ste$s" He leane& his hea& against the %all" 6I su$$ose so" Jo"7 I starte& &o%n the ste$s" 6;ait:7 he calle& su&&enly I halte&" 6;hen you take 6I y king a%ay! I go %ith hi "7 hi " It I 4ust stare& u$ at hi " ean it" I %ore Regal.s collar for the sake of that $ro ise fro ake no $ro ises!7 I sai& )uietly" eans nothing no% to hi "7 6I can ake hi lea'e Shre%&"

2H??

6I can" I $ro ise that if

y king is taken! an& I &o not go %ith hi ! I %ill

betray e'ery one of your secrets" E'ery one"7 The Fool.s 'oice %as shaking" He $ut his hea& back against the %all" I turne& a%ay hastily" The tears on his cheeks %ere tinge& $ink fro on his face" I coul& not bear to see the " I ran &o%n the stairs" the cuts

9H#*TER T;E5TY/SEAE5 9ons$iracy The *ocke& -an at your %in&o% The *ocke& -an at your &oor The *ocke& -an brings the $lague &ays To stretch you on the floor" ;hen blue fla es at your can&les suck You kno% a %itch has got your luck" Don.t suffer a snake u$on your hearthstone Or $lague %ill %hittle your chil&ren to bone" Your brea& not to rise! your Your butter not to churn" Your arro% shafts to t%ist as they &ry! Your o%n knife to turn an& cut you! Your roosters to cro% by oonlight
2H?B

ilk to stan& sour!

By these

ay a househol&er kno% hi self curse&" so e%here"7 (ettricken ha& hear& e out! an& no%

6;e %ill nee& bloo& fro

a&e this re)uest as cal ly as if asking for a cu$ of %ine" She looke& fro *atience to =acey seeking for i&eas" 6I.ll go fetch a chicken!7 =acey sai& un%illingly at last" 6I.ll nee& a sack to $ut it in to kee$ it )uiet/7 6Jo then!7 *atience tol& her" 6Jo )uickly" Bring it back to bloo& back here" The less %e &o here! the less %e Iueen.s atten&ants on ha& gone before la&ies! telling the &ressing a &oll" #s =acey an& *atience left the roo y go%n an& hi I fear a not allo% that iscarriage fro (ettricken looke& to e" 6I %ill s$latter y be&&ing %ith the bloo&! an& I %ill sen& for ;allace! telling y fall" But that is as far as I %ill go! Fit1" I %ill e! nor be so foolish as to &rink or eat fro an to lay a han& on y o%n" ;hile I y roo " I shall fetch a knife an& a basin! an& %e shall &o it there! an& bring but a cu$ of the ust conceal"7 y roo ! they I ha& gone first to *atience an& =acey! kno%ing I %oul& ne'er get $ast the a&e a )uick 'isit to e to the Iueen! ostensibly taking her a s$ecial herbal tea but e" She ha& &is isse& all her she %oul& be fine %ith 4ust *atience an& =acey! an& then e" Rose ary $laye& by the hearth no%! absorbe& in

really to )uietly beg a $ri'ate au&ience for sent Rose ary to fetch

anything of his concocting" I &o this only for the sake of &istracting hi fiercely" It chille&

y king" 5or %ill I say I ha'e lost the chil&" Only that I fear it"7 She s$oke e that she acce$te& so easily %hat Regal ha& &one an& %as ust &o as a counter o'e" I %ishe& &es$erately I
2H?C

&oing! an& %hat I sai& she

%as sure her trust in

e %as %ell $lace&" She &i& not s$eak of treachery or e'il"

She only &iscusse& strategy as col&ly as a general $lanning a battle" 6It %ill be enough!7 I $ro ise& her" 6I kno% *rince Regal" ;allace %ill run to hi %ith the tale! an& he %ill follo% ;allace here! no atter ho% ina$$ro$riate" He %ill not be able to resist! he %ill long to see exactly ho% %ell he has succee&e&"7 6It is te&ious enough to ha'e all y %o en al%ays co iserating %ith s$eak as if e o'er Aerity.s &eath" It %ill be all I can bear to ha'e the %ere gone as %ell" But I can bear it! if I the (ing07 (ettricken aske&" 6#s soon as they lea'e to 'isit you! I inten& to knock on the &oor an& create a &i'ersion" I %ill &eal %ith any guar& they ha'e left"7 6But if you are &ra%ing off the guar&! ho% can you ho$e to acco $lish anything07 6I ha'e a """ another %ho %ill be assisting 9ha&e ha& ne'er let as this" 6Trust su one e!7 he ha& al%ays tol& e"7 I ho$e&" I curse& again that in situations such e establish so e %ay of reaching hi y chil&

ust" ;hat if they lea'e a guar& %ith

e" 6I %atch! I listen %here I shoul&" I

on you %hen it is safe to &o so" # secret is only a secret as long as only an kno%s it"7 I %oul& not confi&e to anyone that I ha& alrea&y &i'ulge& y fire$lace! in the ho$es 9ha&e %as so eho% listening" I ho$e& res$ite fro his $ain! that he ight %ithstan& Regal.s y thoughts"

y $lans to

that in the brief ti e I %oul& be able to buy! 9ha&e %oul& fin& a %ay to the (ing! to bring hi ba&gering" 6It a ounts to torture!7 (ettricken sai& )uietly! as if able to rea& 6To aban&on an ol& an like that to his $ain"7 She looke& at &o not trust your )ueen enough to tell e %ho your assistant is07 e &irectly" 6You

2H?D

6It is not

y secret to share! but

y king.s!7 I tol& her gently" 6Soon! I belie'e!

it %ill ha'e to be re'eale& to you" >ntil then/7 6Jo!7 she &is isse& e" She shifte& unco fortably on her couch" 6#s bruise& isery" Only tolerance of a an %ho as I a ! at least I shall not ha'e to feign

%oul& seek to kill his unborn kin an& tor ent his age& father"7 6I go!7 I sai& )uickly! sensing her rage buil&ing an& not &esiring to fee& it" #ll ust be con'incing for this as)uera&e" She ust not re'eal that she no% kne% her fall ha& not been any clu siness of her o%n" I %ent out! brushing $ast =acey! %ho %as carrying a tray %ith a tea$ot" *atience %as on her heels" There %oul& not be tea in that $ot" #s I %ent $ast the Iueen.s la&ies in her antecha ber! I took care to look concerne&" Their reactions to the Iueen.s re)uest that (ing Shre%&.s $ersonal healer be sent for %oul& be genuine enough" I ho$e& it %oul& be enough to &ra% Regal out of his lair" I sli$$e& into *atience.s roo s an& left the &oor 4ust barely a4ar" I %aite&" #s I %aite& I thought of an ol& )uestioning an! the herbs fa&ing fro his bo&y an& his $ain an relentlessly rea%akening in hi " I ha& 'isite& that $ain" Ji'en that! an& a

e! ho% long coul& I re ain silent an& 'ague0 Days see e& to

$ass" Finally there %as a flurry of skirts an& $attering footste$s &o%n the hall! an& a fren1ie& knocking at (ing Shre%&.s &oor" I &i& not nee& to hear %or&s! it %as all in the tone! the frightene& $lea&ing of the %o en %ith so eone at the &oor! then Regal.s angry )uestions! turning su&&enly to feigne& concern" I hear& hi i call ;allace fro %hate'er corner he ha& been banishe& to! hear& an to atten& the Iueen y breath" That iscarriage" the excite ent in his 'oice as he or&ere& the e&iately! she %as suffering a The la&ies clattere& $ast trot! that

y &oor again" I stoo& still! hol&ing

utter! that %oul& be ;allace! la&en no &oubt %ith all sorts of

re e&ies" I %aite&! taking slo% )uiet breaths! trying to be $atient! %aite& until I
2H?E

%as sure

y $loy ha& faile&" Then I hear& the

ore &eliberate stri&es of Regal! y

an& then the running stri&es of a

an o'ertaking hi " 6That.s goo& %ine! you

i&iot! &on.t 4ostle it!7 Regal rebuke& hi ! an& then they %ere out of Iueen.s a$art ents! I force&

hearing" I %aite& again" =ong after I %as sure he ha& been a& itte& to the yself to %ait for another hun&re& count" #n& y ta$$ing %as insistent an& unen&ing" then I ease& out of the &oor an& %ent to the (ing.s" I ta$$e&" I &i& not knock lou&ly! but #fter a o ent or t%o a 'oice &e an&e& to kno% %ho %as there" "

6Fit19hi'alry!7 I sai& bol&ly" 6I &e an& to see the (ing" # silence" Then3 65o one is to be a& itte&"7 6By %hose or&er07 6*rince Regal"7 6I bear a token fro the (ing! one on %hich he ga'e %hene'er I so %ishe&"7 y 'oice &ro$ lo%er as I uttere& a fe% e his %or& that I %oul& al%ays be a& itte& to see hi

6*rince Regal sai& s$ecifically that you %ere not to be a& itte&"7 6But that %as before """7 #n& I let eaningless syllables" 6;hat &i& you say07 I uttere& again" 6S$eak u$"7 6This is not for all the (ee$ to hear:7 I retorte& in&ignantly" 6This is no ti e to s$rea& a $anic"7 That &i& it" The &oor o$ene& a tiny crack" 6;hat is it07 the hi an hisse&" I leane& in close to the &oor! looke& u$ an& &o%n the corri&or" I $eere& $ast through the crack" 6#re you alone07 I aske& sus$iciously" 6Yes:7 I $atiently" 65o% %hat is it0 It ha& better be goo&:7

2HBH

I lifte&

y han&s to

outh as I leane& to%ar& the &oor! un%illing to let the iste& his face" He staggere&

slightest breath of ga'e a )uick $uff of

y secret esca$e" The guar& leane& closer to the crack" I y li$s an& a %hite $o%&er

back! cla%ing at his eyes an& strangling" In an instant he %as &o%n" 5ight ist3 it %as )uick! it %as effecti'e" It %as also often &ea&ly" I coul& not fin& it in yself to care" It %as not so uch that this %as y shoul&er/%renching frien&" an& This guar& coul& not ha'e stoo& in the antecha ber of Shre%&.s roo been totally una%are of %hat %ent on %ithin" I ha& reache& in through the crack an& %as struggling to un&o the chains that secure& the &oor %hen I hear& a fa iliar hiss" 6Jet out of here" =ea'e the &oor alone! 4ust go a%ay" Don.t unlatch it! you fool:7 I ha& a brief gli $se of a $ocke& 'isage an& then the &oor %as shut fir ly in ti e ha'ing his another en cho$ through it" E'ery y face" 9ha&e %as right" It %oul& be best for Regal to encounter a fully latche& &oor! an& to s$en& his o ent Regal %as shut out %as o ent that 9ha&e ha& %ith the (ing" a&e frien&ly talk %ith the cook! an& then aske& her %hat ore" I a&e y %ay into yself to eat

;hat follo%e& %as har&er to &o than %hat I ha& alrea&y &one" I %ent &o%n the stairs to the kitchen! the co otion u$stairs ha& been" Ha& the Iueen lost her baby0 She banishe& off the kitchen to consu e a s all beer an& force y sto ach like so

e )uickly to fin& folk to talk to %ho %oul& kno% the %atch roo s$oke to e as if I %ante& to" The foo& lay in ebbe& an& flo%e& aroun&" big! slo%/ o'ing

uch gra'el" 5o one

uch! but I %as a $resence" The gossi$ about the Iueen.s fall e" There %ere Tilth an& Farro% guar&s here no%! ore bitter than bile to hear the s$eak a'i&ly en! $art of their &ukes. retinues! hobnobbing %ith the ean to Regal.s chances for the throne" It

Buckkee$ counter$arts" It %as

of %hat the loss of the chil& %oul& %as as if they bet on a horse race"

2HB1

The only other gossi$ that coul& co $ete %ith it %as a ru or that a boy ha& seen the *ocke& -an by the castle %ell in the courtyar&" It %as su$$ose& to ha'e been nearly i&night %hen the la& sa% hi " 5ot one ha& the sense to %on&er %hat the boy %as &oing out there! or %hat light his eyes ha& use& to see this 'ision of ill o en" Instea& they %ere 'o%ing to stay %ell a%ay fro %ater! for surely this o en eant the %ell ha& gone ba&" #t the rate at %hich en %ith axes sent they %ere &rinking beer! I &eci&e& they ha& little to %orry about" I staye& until %or& %as sent &o%n that Regal %ante& three strong i &uring it! I )uietly left the roo an& %ent to the stables" yet" e&iately to the (ing.s cha bers" That excite& a fresh roun& of talk! an&

I ha& inten&e& to seek out Burrich an& see if the Fool ha& foun& hi to cli b the " She looke& &o%n at the astoun&e& look on But it %as a short laugh! an& it ne'er reache& her eyes"

Instea& I encountere& -olly co ing &o%n his stee$ stairs 4ust as I ha& begun y face an& laughe&"

6;hy &i& you go to see Burrich07 I &e an&e&! an& instantly reali1e& ho% ru&e y )uestion %as" I ha& feare& she ha& gone seeking hel$" 6He is y frien&!7 she sai& succinctly" She starte& to $ush $ast e $ast:7 she hisse& sa'agely" e" ;ithout thinking! I stoo& fir " 6=et Instea& I $ut she $ushe& at

y ar s aroun& her" 6-olly+ -olly! $lease!7 I sai& hoarsely as e %ithout heart" 6=et us fin& a $lace to talk! if only for a e that %ay! %hen I s%ear I ha'e y heart

o ent" I cannot bear to ha'e you look at

&one you no %rong" You act as if I ha'e cast you off! but you are in al%ays" If I cannot be %ith you! it is not because I &o not %ish to"7 She sto$$e& struggling su&&enly" ! 6*lease07 I begge& her" She glance& about the &i here"7
2HB2

barn" 6;e %ill stan& an& %e %ill talk" Briefly" Right

6;hy are you so angry %ith She nearly ans%ere&

e07 y

e" I sa% her bite back %or&s! then turn su&&enly col&"

6;hy &o you think that %hat I feel about you is the center ost $illar of life07 she retorte&" 6;hy &o you think I ha'e no other concerns but you07 I ga$e& at her" 6*erha$s because it is ho% I feel about you!7 I sai& gra'ely" 6It is not"7 She %as exas$erate&! correcting chil& %ho insiste& the sky %as green" 6It is!7 I insiste&" I trie& to gather her to 6Your king/in/%aiting Aerity %as ticke& the 6I kno% e! but she %as %oo&en in y ar s" ore i $ortant" (ing Shre%& is y faults" e"7

e the %ay she %oul& correct a

ore

i $ortant" Iueen (ettricken an& her unborn chil& are off on her fingers as if she %ere nu bering y &uty!7 I sai& )uietly"

ore i $ortant"7 She

6I kno% %here your heart is!7 she sai& flatly" 6#n& it is not first %ith sai& reasonably" 6So! for this ti e! I floun&ere& uselessly after %or&s" 6I a 6I a y o%n %o an"7 -olly yself"7 %ill take care of ust $ut the ahea& of

6Aerity is """ is no longer here to $rotect his )ueen! his chil&! or his father!7 I y o%n life" ore but """7 I #hea& of e'erything I hol& &ear" 5ot because I lo'e the

a (ing.s -an!7 I sai& hel$lessly"

a&e it the loneliest state ent in the %orl&" 6I

65ot fore'er!7 I $roteste&" 6So e&ay %e %ill be free" Free to %e&! to &o/7 6;hate'er your king asks you to &o!7 she finishe& for %as finality in her 'oice" *ain" She $ushe& a%ay fro blo%ing bet%een us! she s$oke" 6I ha'e to tell you so ething!7 she sai&! al ost gently" 6There is another in life no%" One %ho is for y e %hat your king is for you" One %ho co es before e" 65o! Fit1"7 There e! ste$$e& $ast e on

the staircase" ;hen she %as t%o ste$s a%ay an& all of %inter see e& to be

2HB8

y o%n life! %ho co es ahea& of all else I hol& &ear" By your o%n %or&s! you cannot fault bear it" 6For the sake of that one! I a this"7 6-olly! $lease! he cannot lo'e you as I &o!7 I begge&" She &i& not look at not a He ust be first in e" 65or can your king lo'e you as I """ use& to" But" It is e!7 she sai& slo%ly" 6It is %hat I feel for hi " e" >n&erstan& this" It is not y life" He nee&s that fro atter of %hat he feels for going a%ay!7 she tol& e" 6To a safer $lace than e"7 She looke& back u$ at e" I &o not kno% %hat I looke& like! only that she looke& asi&e as if she coul& not

that I no longer care for you" It is that I cannot $ut that feeling ahea& of %hat is best for hi "7 She %ent &o%n t%o there" I stoo& on the ste$s! %atching her go" #n& su&&enly that feeling %as too fa iliar! the $ain too %ell/kno%n" I flung 6-olly!7 I sai&! 6$lease"7 She sai& nothing" She &i& not e'en resist to 65o e0 I can.t 4ust let you go:7 ore can you ake e stay!7 she $ointe& out in a lo% 'oice" I felt e! because she begge&" 6@ust let y gri$ on her ar " ake you un&erstan& %hat you are 6;hat can I gi'e you! %hat can I tell you to yself &o%n the ste$s after her! I sei1e& her ar ! I $ulle& her un&er the loft stairs into the &arkness there" ore ste$s" 6Joo&/bye! 5e%boy"7 She no y heart as if bran&e& ore than breathe& those final %or&s! but they sank into

so ething go out of her" So e anger! so e s$irit! so e %ill" I ha'e no %or& for it" 6*lease!7 she sai&! an& the %or& hurt e go" Don.t ake it har&" Don.t ake I let go of her ar ! but she &i& not lea'e" 6# long ti e ago!7 she sai& carefully! 6I tol& you that you %ere like Burrich"7 F
2HB<

e cry"7

I no&&e& in the &arkness! not caring that she coul& not see

e"

6In so e %ays you are" In others you are not" I &eci&e for us! no%! as he once &eci&e& for *atience an& hi self" There is no future for us" So eone alrea&y fills your heart" #n& the ga$ bet%een our stations is too great for any lo'e to bri&ge" I kno% that you lo'e e" But your lo'e is """ &ifferent fro ine" I ore %ante& us to share all our li'es" You %ish to kee$ e in a box! se$arate fro

your life" I cannot be so eone you co e to %hen you ha'e nothing e" You ha'e ne'er e'en share& that 6Don.t tell cannot uch %ith e"7

i $ortant to &o" I &on.t e'en kno% %hat it is that you &o %hen you are not %ith 6You %oul&n.t like it!7 I tol& her" 6You &on.t really %ant to kno%"7 e that!7 she %his$ere& angrily" 6Don.t you see that that is %hat I e e'en &eci&e that for yself0 You e" You ha'e no right: If you cannot e'en tell e07 y king" I. an assassin! -olly"7 cannot li'e %ith! that you &o not let ake that &ecision for e that! ho% can I belie'e you lo'e 6I kill $eo$le!7 I hear&

yself say" 6For

6I &on.t belie'e you:7 she %his$ere&" She s$oke too )uickly" The horror in her 'oice %as as great as the conte $t" # $art of her kne% I ha& s$oken the truth to her" Finally" # terrible silence! brief but so col&! gre% bet%een us as she %aite& for e to a& it a lie" # lie she kne% %as truth" #t last she &enie& it for for e: But you %ant e" e to 6You! a killer0 You coul&n.t e'en run $ast the guar& that &ay to see %hy I %as crying: You &i&n.t ha'e the courage to &efy the belie'e you kill $eo$le for the (ing"7 She i $ress e07 y secrets ha& been a&e a choking soun&! of anger an&

&es$air" 6;hy &o you say such things no%0 ;hy no%! of all ti es0 To 6If I ha& thought it %oul& i $ress you! I $robably %oul& ha'e tol& you a long ti e ago!7 I confesse&" #n& it %as true" -y ability to kee$

2HB?

soun&ly base& on right" 6=ies!7 she sai&!

y fear that telling -olly %oul& ore to herself than

ean losing her" I %as the 'ery

e" 6=ies! all lies" Fro

beginning" I %as so stu$i&" If a

an hits you once! he.ll hit you again! they say" it as fro e" a blo%"

#n& the sa e is true for lying" But I staye&! an& I listene& an& I belie'e&" ;hat a fool I.'e been:7 This last! so sa'agely that I recoile& fro She stoo& clear of 6You.'e a&e this so e" e!7 she %arne& in a lo% 'oice" 6Don.t you e'er &are to touch uch easier for e" 6Thank you! Fit19hi'alry!7 she sai& col&ly! for ally" e"7 She turne& a%ay fro

6-olly!7 I begge&" I reache& to take her ar ! but she s$un about! her han& raise& to sla$ 6Don.t touch e again:7 She left" #fter a ti e I re e bere& I %as stan&ing un&er Burrich.s stairs in the &ark" I shi'ere& %ith col& an& so ething back fro feare& that instant %hat y lies %oul& ake ore" 5o" So ething less" -y li$s &re% y teeth in so ething neither a s ile nor a snarl" I ha& al%ays e lose -olly" But the truth ha& se'ere& in an ust I learn fro that0 y lies ha& hel& together for a year" ;hat

I %on&ere&" Aery slo%ly I cli be& u$ the ste$s" I knocke& on the &oor" 6;ho is it07 Burrich.s 'oice" 6-e"7 He unlatche& the &oor an& I ca e into the roo " 6;hat %as -olly &oing here07 I aske& hi ! not caring ho% it ight soun&! not caring that the ban&age& Fool sat still at Burrich.s table" 6Di& she nee& hel$07 Burrich cleare& his throat" 6She ca e for herbs!7 he sai& uneasily" 6I coul& not hel$ her! I &i& not ha'e %hat she %ante&" Then the Fool ca e! an& she staye& to hel$ e %ith hi "7 6*atience an& =acey ha'e herbs" =ots of the !7 I $ointe& out"
2HBB

6That is %hat I tol& her"7 He turne& a%ay fro

e! an& began clearing a%ay e to the next

the things he ha& use& to %ork on the Fool" 6She &i& not %ish to go to the "7 There %as so ething in his 'oice! al ost $ro&&ing! $ushing )uestion" 6She.s going a%ay!7 I sai& in a s all 'oice" 6She.s going a%ay"7 I sat &o%n on a chair before Burrich.s fire an& clenche& 6Di& you succee&07 the Fool aske& )uietly" I sto$$e& rocking" I s%ear that for an instant I ha& no i&ea %hat he %as talking about" 6Yes!7 I sai& )uietly" 6Yes! I think I &i&"7 I ha& succee&e& at losing -olly! too" Succee&e& at %earing a%ay her loyalty an& her lo'e! taking her for grante&! succee&e& at being so logical an& $ractical an& loyal to ha& 4ust lost any chance of e'er ha'ing a life of y king that I y o%n" I looke& at Burrich" y han&s bet%een y knees" I beca e a%are I %as rocking back an& forth! trie& to sto$"

6Di& you lo'e *atience07 I aske& su&&enly" 6;hen you &eci&e& to lea'e07 The Fool starte&! then 'isibly goggle&" So there %ere so e secrets e'en he &i& not kno%" Burrich.s face %ent as &ark as I ha& e'er seen it" He crosse& his ar s on his chest! as if to restrain hi self" He ha'e to kno%"7 He glare& at e! then s$oke carefully" 6I a not a changeable an!7 he tol& e" 6If I ha& lo'e& her! I %oul& lo'e her still"7 So" It %oul& ne'er go a%ay" 6But! still! you &eci&e&/7 6So eone ha& to &eci&e" *atience %oul& not see it coul& not be" So eone ha& to en& the tor ent for us both"7 #s -olly ha& &eci&e& for us" I trie& to think 4ust %hat I shoul& &o next" 5othing ca e to 6I. e" I looke& at the Fool" 6#re you all right07 I aske& hi " better off than you are!7 he re$lie& sincerely"
2HBC

ight kill

e! I thought" Or

aybe he sought only to hol& so e $ain insi&e hi self" 6*lease!7 I a&&e&! 6I

6I

eant! your shoul&er" I ha& thought """7

6;renche&! but not broken" -uch better than your heart"7 # )uick bantering of %itty %or&s" I ha& not kno%n he coul& %eight a 4est %ith so uch sy $athy" The kin&ness $ushe& e to the e&ge of breaking" 6I &on.t kno% %hat to &o!7 I sai& brokenly" 6Ho% can I li'e %ith this07 The bran&y bottle a&e a 'ery s all thu& as Burrich set it in the center of the table" He $ut out three cu$s aroun& it" 6;e %ill ha'e a &rink!7 he sai&" 6To -olly fin&ing ha$$iness so e%here" ;e %ill %ish it for her %ith all our hearts"7 ;e &rank a roun& an& Burrich refille& the cu$s" The Fool s%irle& the bran&y in his cu$" 6Is this %ise! 4ust no%07 he aske&" 6@ust no%! I a glass alongsi&e ;e &one %ith being %ise!7 I tol& hi " 6I %oul& rather be a fool"7 e" #ll the sa e! he raise& his ine" To fools of all kin&s" #n& a thir& ti e! to our king" 6You &o not kno% of %hat you s$eak!7 he tol&

a&e a sincere effort! but fate &i& not allo% us sufficient ti e" #

&eter ine& ra$$ing at Burrich.s &oor $ro'e& to be =acey %ith a basket on her ar " She ca e in )uickly! shutting the &oor fast behin& her" 6Jet ri& of this for e! %ill you07 she aske&! an& tu ble& the slain chicken out on the table before us" 6Dinner:7 announce& the Fool enthusiastically" It took =acey a o ent to reali1e the state %e %ere in" It took her less than that to be furious" 6;hile %e ga ble our li'es an& re$utations! you get &runk:7 She roun&e& on Burrich" 6In t%enty years! you ha'e not learne& that it sol'es nothing: 6 Burrich flinche& not at all" 6So e things cannot be sol'e&!7 he $ointe& out $hiloso$hically" 6Drink akes those things uch ore tolerable"7 He ca e to

2HBD

his feet easily! stoo& rock stea&y before her" Years of &rinking see e& to ha'e taught hi the knack of han&ling it %ell" 6;hat &i& you nee&0 o ent" She &eci&e& to follo% %here he ha& $ointe& the =acey bit her li$ a

con'ersation" 6I nee& that &is$ose& of" #n& I nee& an oint ent for bruises"7 6Does no one aroun& here e'er use the healer07 the Fool aske& of no one in $articular" =acey ignore& hi " 6That is %hat I su$$ose&ly ca e here for! so I ha& best return %ith it! in case so eone asks to see it" -y real ission is to fin& the Fit1! an& ask hi if he kno%s there are guar&s cho$$ing &o%n (ing Shre%&.s &oor %ith axes"7 I no&&e& gra'ely" I %asn.t going to atte $t Burrich.s graceful stance" The Fool lea$e& to his feet instea&! crying! 6;hat07 He roun&e& on sai& you ha& succee&e&: ;hat success is this07 6The best I coul& anage on 'ery short notice!7 I retorte&" 6It %ill either be all a %hile to get through it" #n& %hen right! or it %on.t" ;e.'e &one all %e can 4ust no%" Besi&es! think on it" That.s a goo& stout oaken &oor" It %ill take the like%ise bolte& an& barre&"7 6Ho% &i& you anage that07 Burrich aske& )uietly" 6I &i&n.t!7 I sai& brus)uely" I looke& at the Fool" 6I ha'e sai& enough! for no%" It is ti e to ha'e a bit of trust"7 I turne& to =acey" 6Ho% are the Iueen an& *atience0 Ho% %ent our as)uera&e07 her fall! an& for yself! I a iscarriage fro 6;ell enough" The Iueen is sore bruise& fro a fall &oes not al%ays ha$$en i they &o! I fancy they %ill fin& the inner &oor to the (ing.s be&cha ber is e" 6I thought you

not all that sure that the babe is out of &anger of being lost" # ;allace %as concerne& but ineffectual" For a snorte&! but sai& no ore"
2HBE

e&iately" But let us not borro% trouble" an %ho clai s to be a healer!

he kno%s re arkably little of the true lore of herbs" #s for the *rince """7 =acey

6Does no one besi&e

yself think there is a &anger to letting a ru or of a

iscarriage circulate07 the Fool aske& airily" 6I ha& no ti e to &e'ise anything else!7 I retorte&" 6In a &ay or so! the Iueen %ill &eny the ru or! saying that all see s to be %ell %ith the chil&"7 6So" For the Tra&efor&07 6Trust" I ask for one &ay of trust!7 I sai& carefully" I ho$e& it %oul& be enough" 6#n& no% %e ust &is$erse an& go about our li'es as nor ally as %e can"7 6# stable aster %ith no horses an& a Fool %ith no king!7 the Fool obser'e&" 6Burrich an& I can continue to &rink" I belie'e that is a nor al life un&er these circu stances" #s for you! Fit1! I ha'e no i&ea %hat title you gi'e yourself these &ays! let alone %hat you nor ally &o all &ay" Hence/7 65o one is going to sit about an& &rink!7 =acey intone& o inously" 6*ut the bottle asi&e an& kee$ your %its shar$" #n& &is$erse! as Fit1 here sai&" Enough has been sai& an& &one in this roo to $ut us all s%inging fro a tree for treason" Sa'e you! of course! Fit19hi'alry" It %oul& ha'e to be $oison for you" Those of the royal bloo& are not allo%e& to s%ing"7 Her %or&s ha& a chilling effect" Burrich $icke& u$ the cork an& resto$$ere& the bottle" =acey left first! a $ot of Burrich.s oint ent in her basket" The Fool follo%e& her a short ti e later" ;hen I left Burrich! he ha& finishe& cleaning the fo%l an& %as $lucking the last stubborn feathers fro nothing" I %ent out an& %an&ere& about a bit" I %atche& behin& e for sha&o%s" (ettricken %oul& be resting! an& I &i& not think I coul& %ithstan& *atience.s nattering! or her insights 4ust then" If the Fool %as in his cha ber! it %as because he &i& not %ant co $any" #n& if he %as else%here! I ha& no i&ea
2HCH

o ent %e are as secure& as %e

ay be!7 Burrich obser'e&" 6But

%hat co es next0 #re %e to see the (ing an& Iueen (ettricken carrie& off to

it" The

an %aste&

%here that

ight be" The %hole of Buckkee$ %as as $lague& %ith Inlan&ers as

a sick &og %ith fleas" I strolle& through the kitchen! $urloining gingerbrea&" Then I %an&ere& about &isconsolately! trying not to think! trying to a$$ear %ithout $ur$ose as I hea&e& back to the hut %here once I ha& hi&&en 5ighteyes" The hut %as e $ty no%! as col& %ithin as %ithout" It ha& been so e ti e since 5ighteyes ha& laire& here" He $referre& the foreste& hills behin& Buckkee$" But I &i& not %ait long before his sha&o% crosse& the threshol& of the o$en &oor" *erha$s the greatest co fort of the ;it bon& is ne'er ha'ing to ex$lain" I &i& not nee& to recount the last &ay.s e'ents to hi ! &i& not ha'e to fin& %or&s to &escribe ho% it felt to %atch -olly %alk a%ay fro )uestions or to lean e" 5or &i& he ask a&e s all an& ake sy $athetic talk" The hu an e'ents %oul& ha'e e on the &irty floor" I coul& $ut an ar

sense to hi " He acte& on the strength of %hat I felt! not %hy" He si $ly ca e e an& sat besi&e en aroun& hi y face against his ruff an& sit" ake! he obser'e& to e after a %hile" Ho% can you hunt

Such $acks I

together %hen you cannot all run in the sa e &irection0 a&e no re$ly to this" I kne% no ans%er an& he &i& not ex$ect one" ate no%0 ulti$ly0 ate" That %as the He leane& &o%n to nibble an itch on his foreleg" Then he sat u$! shook hi self all o'er! an& aske&! ;hat %ill you &o for a 5ot all %ol'es take -y lea&er has a ates"

The lea&er al%ays &oes" Ho% else %oul& the $ack

ate! an& she is %ith chil&" *erha$s %ol'es ha'e it aright! an& a&e long ago" That he coul& not ha'e both a

en shoul& $ay attention" *erha$s only the lea&er shoul& &ecision that Heart of the *ack ate! an& a lea&er he follo%e& %ith all of his heart"

2HC1

That one is Jingerbrea&0

ore %olf than he cares to a& it" To anyone" # $ause"

I ga'e it to hi " He gobble& it gree&ily %hile I %atche&" I.'e isse& your &rea s at night" y &rea s" They are y life" You are %elco e to the ! so long They are not

as Heart of the *ack &oes not get angry %ith us" =ife share& is better" # $ause" You %oul& rather ha'e share& the fe ale.s life" It is y %eakness to %ant too e" uch" any" -y life is uch si $ler" He blinke& his &ee$ eyes" You lo'e too He lo'e& only that is so" I sighe& hea'ily" 5ighteyes snee1e& su&&enly! then shook hi self all o'er" I islike this insi&e ouse &ust" But before I go! use your so cle'er han&s to scratch e to &o %ell %ithout lea'ing %elts" y ears" It is har& for

That is true" The only real &ifficulty I ha'e is kno%ing that you %ill ne'er trust

#n& so I scratche& his ears! an& un&er his throat an& the back of his neck! until he fell o'er on his si&e like a $u$$y" 6Houn&!7 I tol& hi through affectionately" e har& For that insult! you $ay: He fli$$e& hi self u$ onto his feet! bit y slee'e to sur'ey the &ee$ %hite &ents in blee&ing" ;olf hu or" The brief %inter &ay ha& en&e&" I %ent back to the (ee$ an& force& go through the kitchens! to allo% 9ook to tell full of $lu (ing.s roo cake an& utton as she tol& iscarriage! an& then ho% the yself to e e all the gossi$" She stuffe&

y slee'e! an& then &arte& out the &oor an& %as gone" I $ulle& back y flesh that %ere not )uite

e of the Iueen.s $ossible

en ha& cho$$e& through the outer &oor of the

after his guar& ha& su&&enly $erishe& of a$o$lexy" 6#n& the

2HC2

secon& &oor! too! all the ti e *rince Regal %orrying an& urging the

on! for

fear so ething ha& befallen the (ing hi self" But %hen they got through! &es$ite all that cho$$ing! the (ing %as slee$ing like a babe! sir" #n& so &ee$ a slee$ they coul& not rouse hi a%ay"7 6# a1ing!7 I agree&! an& she %ent on to the lesser gossi$ of the (ee$" I foun& that centere& these &ays ostly on %ho %as an& %as not inclu&e& in the flight to Tra&efor&" 9ook %as to go! for the sake of her gooseberry tarts an& bun&le cakes" She &i& not kno% %ho %as to take o'er the cooking here! but no &oubt it %oul& be one of the guar&s" Regal ha& tol& her she ight take all her best $ots! iss %as the %est for %hich she %as grateful! but %hat she %oul& really the at all! to tell hi %hy they.& cho$$e& his &oors

hearth! for she ha& ne'er cooke& on a better! for the &raft being 4ust right an& eat hooks at all the right heights" I listene& to her! an& trie& to think only of her %or&s! to be fully intrigue& by the s all &etails of %hat she consi&ere& i $ortant in her life" The Iueen.s guar&! I foun&! %as to stay at Buckkee$! as %oul& those fe% %ho still %ore the colors of (ing Shre%&.s $ersonal guar&" Since they ha& lost the $ri'ilege of his roo s! they ha& beco e a &is$irite& lot" But Regal insiste& it %as necessary those grou$s stay! to $resence in Buckkee$" Rose ary %oul& go! an& her 5o%! there %as a 'oice she %oul& inlan& %arbling after a %hile" She ne'er thought to ask #s I cli be& the stairs to si $le ca $aign foo& the e if I %as going" y roo I trie& to 'isuali1e Buckkee$ as it %oul& be" eal! the foo& ser'e& %oul& be the ost fa iliar %ith" For as long aintain a royal other! but that %as

har&ly sur$rising! seeing as %ho they ser'e&" Fe&%ren %oul& not! nor -ello%" iss! but she.& $robably get use& to that

The High Table %oul& be e $ty at e'ery

ilitary cooks %ere

as the foo& su$$lies laste&" I ex$ecte& %e %oul& eat a lot of %il& ga e an&
2HC8

sea%ee& before s$ring" I %orrie&

ore for *atience an& =acey than I &i& for e! but it %as not %hat

yself" Rough )uarters an& coarse foo& &i& not bother elancholy nature &i& not o'ertake hi their $a$er us" 6;here ha'e you been! Bastar&07 Serene! ste$$ing out su&&enly fro 6You s ell like a &og"7

they %ere use& to" #t least there %oul& be -ello% still to sing! if his at his aban&on ent" #n& Fe&%ren" ;ith fe% chil&ren to teach! $erha$s he an& *atience coul& finally stu&y out aking" So $utting a bra'e face on it all! I trie& to fin& a future for

a &oor%ay" She ha& ex$ecte&

e to startle"

I ha& kno%n by the ;it so eone %as there" I &i& not flinch" 6Out"7 6#t least I ha'e the excuse of ha'ing been %ith &ogs" ;hat fe% are left in the stable"7 It took her an instant to &isco'er the insult in 6You s ell like a &og because you are agicker"7 I nearly res$on&e& %ith so e re ark about her truly recalle& her ho% your ink so07 She stare& at e sullenly! turning the re ark e'ery %hich %ay in her in&! trying to &isco'er so e insult or slight or trick in it" 6;hat of it07 she aske& at last! unable to lea'e it hanging" 65othing" I but re e bere& it" ;as a ti e %hen I hel$e& you getting the tails right on your letters"7 6That has nothing to &o %ith no%:7 she &eclare& angrily" 65o! it &oes not" This is y &oor" ;ere you ex$ecting to co e in %ith
2HC<

y $olite re$ly"

ore than half a &og yourself" Beast/ other" Instea&! I su&&enly an&

other" 6;hen %e %ere first learning to scribe! re e ber a&e you %ear a &ark s ock! for you s$lattere& your

other al%ays

e07

She s$at! not )uite at

e! but it lan&e& on the floor at

y feet" For so e reason!

I &eci&e& she %oul& not ha'e &one it ha& not she been lea'ing Buckkee$ %ith Regal" It %as no longer her ho e! an& she felt free to soil it before lea'ing it" It tol& Insi&e e uch" She ne'er ex$ecte& to co e back here" y roo ! I reset e'ery latch an& bolt eticulously! then a&&e& the hea'y y hearth to &o1e y %in&o% an& foun& it %ell shuttere&

bar to the &oor" I %ent an& checke& still" I looke& un&er until 9ha&e su one& e"

y be&" Finally! I sat &o%n in a chair by

I ca e out of a light &o1e to a ta$$ing at

y &oor" 6;ho is it07 I calle&"

6Rose ary" The Iueen %ishes to see you"7 By the ti e I ha& un&one the latches an& catches! the chil& %as gone" She %as only a girl! but it still unner'e& &oor" I groo e& e to ha'e such a essage 'ocali1e& through a yself hastily an& then hurrie& &o%n to the Iueen.s an I kne%"

cha bers" I note& in $assing the %reckage that ha& once been the oak &oor to Shre%&.s roo " # bulky guar& stoo& in the ga$+ an Inlan&er! not a Iueen (ettricken %as reclining on a couch near her hearth" Se'eral knots of her la&ies gossi$e& in &ifferent corners of the roo ! but the Iueen herself %as alone" Her eyes %ere close&" She looke& so utterly %orn that I %on&ere& if Rose ary.s essage ha& been an error" But =a&y Ho$eful ushere& e a lo% stool to $erch u$on" She offere& e to the e a cu$ Iueen.s si&e an& fetche&

of tea an& I acce$te&" #s soon as =a&y Ho$eful &e$arte& to bre% it! (ettricken o$ene& her eyes" 6;hat next07 she aske& in so lo% a 'oice that I ha& to lean closer to hear it" I looke& askance at her" 6Shre%& slee$s no%" He cannot slee$ fore'er" ;hate'er %as gi'en hi %ear off! an& %hen it &oes! %e are back to %here %e %ere"7 %ill

2HC?

6The (ing/in/;aiting cere ony a$$roaches" *erha$s the *rince %ill be busie& %ith that" 5o &oubt there are ne% clothes to be se%n an& trie& u$on hi ! an& all the other &etails he glories in" It 6#fter that07 =a&y Ho$eful %as back %ith aske& if she y cu$ of tea" I took it %ith ur ure& thanks! an& as she $ulle& u$ a chair besi&e us! Iueen (ettricken s ile& %eakly an& ight ha'e one also" I %as al ost sha e& by ho% s%iftly =a&y ur ure& in re$ly to her earlier )uestion" y -ountains" He %oul& be honore& an& Ho$eful lea$e& to &o her bi&&ing" 6I &o not kno%!7 I 6I &o" The (ing %oul& be safe in ay kee$ hi fro the (ing"7

$rotecte&! an& $erha$s @on)ui %oul& kno% of/oh! thank you! Ho$eful"7 Iueen (ettricken took the $roffere& cu$ an& si$$e& at it as =a&y Ho$eful settle& herself" I s ile& at (ettricken! an& chose y %or&s carefully! trusting her to rea& y eaning" 6But it is so far to the -ountains! y )ueen! an& the %eather so har& other.s ight offer

this ti e of year" By the ti e a courier got through to seek your re e&y! it %oul& be nigh on to s$ring" There are other $laces that the sa e cure for your troubles" Bea s or Ri$$on! $erha$s!

ight offer if %e

aske&" The %orthy Dukes of those $ro'inces can &eny you nothing! you kno%"7 6I kno%!7 (ettricken s ile& %earily" 6But they ha'e such $roble s of their o%n 4ust no%! I hesitate to ask anything I think"7 She si$$e& again at her tea" 6;ho to sen& %ith such a re)uest+ ah! that %oul& be the har&est )uestion!7 I $ointe& out" Surely she coul& see the &ifficulties of sen&ing a sick ol& on a 4ourney to the -ountains in %inter" He coul& not go alone" 6The %ent %oul& ha'e to be 'ery trust%orthy an& strong of %ill"7
2HCB

ore of the " Besi&es! the root %e call

li'elong gro%s only in the -ountains" # &eter ine& courier coul& tra'el there!

an off an that

6Such a laughe&

an soun&s like a %o an to errily! ore to see the Iueen.s

e!7 (ettricken )ui$$e&! an& Ho$eful oo& lightene& than at the %itticis " y eyes

(ettricken $ause& %ith her cu$ at her li$s" 6*erha$s I shoul& ha'e to go yself! to see the thing &one right!7 she a&&e&! an& s ile& %hen %i&ene&" But the look she ga'e (ettricken that I $ro ise& to &o eaning" ;hen I excuse& %oul& kee$ her fro e %as serious" ostly fictitious herbs fro y roo ! I %on&ere& ho% I y best to fin& for her" I belie'e& I took her There follo%e& so e light talk! an& a reci$e of yself an& %ent back to

acting before 9ha&e coul&" It %as a $retty $u11le" y &oor catches an& bars before I felt a &raft u$ stan&ing a4ar" I cli be&

I ha& scarcely refastene& all

y back" I turne& to fin& the entry to 9ha&e.s real unable to close y eyes"

the stairs %earily" I longe& to slee$! but kne% that once I lay &o%n! I %oul& be The s ell of foo& entice& out" 6Sit &o%n an& eat!7 he tol& I %as t%o bites into a think %e e as I entere& 9ha&e.s cha ber! an& I %as e tersely" 6;e ust $lot together"7 e softly! 6Ho% long &o you

su&&enly a%are I %as hungry" 9ha&e %as alrea&y at the s all table he ha& set eat $ie %hen he aske&

ight kee$ (ing Shre%& here! in these cha bers! un&etecte&07

I che%e& an& s%allo%e&" 6I.'e ne'er been able to fin& a %ay into this cha ber!7 I $ointe& out )uietly" 6Oh! but they &o exist" #n& as foo& an& other necessities ust go in an& out of the ! there are so e fe% %ho are a%are of the ! %ithout kno%ing exactly %hat they kno%" -y %arren connects to roo s in the (ee$ %hich are regularly stocke& %ith su$$lies for e" But y life %as uch si $ler %hen foo& an& linens %ere su$$lie& for =a&y Thy e"7 6Ho% %ill you fare after Regal is gone to Tra&efor&07 I aske&"

2HCC

6=ikely not as %ell as I ha'e" So e tasks %ill be &one out of habit! if those %ith the habits re ain! no &oubt" But as foo& beco es scarcer so e %ill %on&er %hy they store su$$lies of it in a &isuse& $art of the (ee$" But %e %ere s$eaking of Shre%&.s co fort! not by or&inary eans! you ine"7 hi&&en here for so e ti e" But if ers to %ork on the %alls of the 6It &e$en&s on ho% Shre%& &isa$$eare&" If Regal thought he ha& left the (ee$ ight kee$ hi en %ith ha Regal kno%s he is %ithin Buckkee$ still! he %ill sto$ at nothing" I sus$ect his first or&er %oul& be to $ut (ing.s be&cha ber"7 6Direct! but effecti'e!7 9ha&e concurre&" 6Ha'e you foun& a safe $lace for hi ! at Bearns or Ri$$on07 6#s s%ift as that0 Of course not" ;e %oul& ha'e to hi&e hi $erha$s %eeks before a $lace %as out of the (ee$" It %oul& a&e rea&y" #n& then he ean fin&ing here! for &ays or ust be s uggle&

en %ho can be bribe&! an& kno%ing en that can be bribe& to &o a thing e"

%hen they are on the gate" >nfortunately!

can be bribe& to s$eak of it later" >nless they ha& acci&ents"7 He looke& at thinking of y %olf.s %ay" 6;e ha'e another $roble

6=et that not be a concern" There is another %ay out of Buckkee$!7 I tol& hi ! also! an& that is (ettricken" She %ill act on her o%n if she &oes not soon kno% %e ha'e a $lan" Her o%n thoughts ha'e taken her in the sa e &irection as yours" Tonight she $ro$ose& herself taking Shre%& to the -ountains for safety"7 6# $regnant %o an an& a sick ol& an in i&%inter0 Ri&iculous"7 9ha&e on $ause&" 6But" It %oul& ne'er be ex$ecte&" They %oul& ne'er look for the Buck Ri'er! one ore %o an an& her ailing father %oul& scarcely be

that roa&" #n& %ith all the flo% of folk that Regal has create& going u$ the arke&"7 6It.s still ri&iculous!7 I $roteste&" I &i& not like the s$arks of interest I ha& seen kin&le in 9ha&e.s eyes" 6;ho coul& go %ith the 07
2HCD

6Burrich" It %oul& sa'e hi he coul& nee&" ;oul& he go07

fro

&rinking hi self to &eath fro

bore&o ! an&

anage their ani als for the " #n& likely

uch else they %oul&

6You kno% he %oul&!7 I sai& un%illingly" 6But Shre%& %oul& ne'er sur'i'e such a tri$"7 6He is ore likely to sur'i'e such a tri$ than to sur'i'e going %ith Regal" That %ill continue to &e'our his life! %here'er he is"7 He fro%ne& so uch ore s%iftly these &ays is beyon& e to say"7 yet" Shre%& %hich eats at hi ore &arkly" 6But %hy it eats at hi 6The col&" The $ri'ation" It %ill not hel$ hi "7 6There are inns for $art of the %ay" I can fin& so e coin for the looks so little like he use& to! %e al ost nee& not fear hi being recogni1e&"

The Iueen %oul& be trickier" There are fe% %o en %ith her coloring an& height" Still! clothe& hea'ily! %e coul& increase her girth" Hoo& her hair! an&/7 6You cannot be serious"7 6To orro% night!7 he re$lie&" 6;e %ill $robably not be 4ourney" # sli$ fro ba& 6Regal.s assassin07 9ha&e ga'e is07 6Serene"7 The na e $o$$e& to y li$s" e a $itying look" 6You &on.t su$$ose our $rince is u$ to s$rea&ing grease an& la $black on ste$s hi self! &o you0 ;ho &o you think it ust &o so ething by to orro% night" For that is %hen the slee$ing $otion I ga'e Shre%& %ill %ear off" #nother atte $t a&e on the Iueen until she is on her %ay to Tra&efor&" any acci&ents can ha$$en on a eal of a barge into a free1ing ri'er! a runa%ay horse! a But once Regal has her in his $o%er! %ell! so

eat" If his assassin is half as goo& as %e are! he.ll succee&"7

2HCE

6Then

ost ob'iously it is not her" 5o! %e %ill fin& it to be so e

ouse of a out at all"

an %ith a $leasant &e eanor an& a settle& life" If %e e'er fin& hi stalking another assassin"7 6;ill!7 I sai& )uietly" 6;ill %hat07 he aske&" I tol& hi

#h! %ell! set it asi&e for no%" Though there.s nothing )uite as challenging as

of ;ill! )uickly an& )uietly" #s he listene& his eyes %i&ene&"

6It %oul& be brilliant!7 he sai& a& iringly" 6# Skille& assassin" It.s a %on&er no one thought of it before"7 6*erha$s Shre%& &i&!7 I sai& )uietly" 6But $erha$s his assassin faile& to learn """"7 9ha&e leane& back in his chair" 6I %on&er!7 he sai& s$eculati'ely" 6Shre%& is close outhe& enough to ha'e such an i&ea! an& kee$ it e'en fro &oubt! an& no yself! that ;ill is any istaking that" You e" But I ore than a s$y! 4ust no%" # for i&able one!

ust be es$ecially 'igilant" But I &o not think %e ust be a&e fro the (ing.s roo "

nee& fear hi You

as an assassin"7 He cleare& his throat" 6#h! %ell" The urgency for

s$ee& beco es e'er $lainer" The esca$e 6During the (ing/in/;aiting cere ony/7

ust fin& a %ay to &ra% the %atchers all off again"7

65o" ;e &are not %ait that long" To orro% night" 5o later than that" You nee& not kee$ the 6;e the you %ish occu$ie& long" @ust a fe% inutes %ill be all I %ill nee&"7 eans telling ust %ait: Other%ise! the %hole $lot is i $ossible" By to orro% night! e to ha'e the Iueen an& Burrich $re$are&! %hich you exist" #n& Burrich %ill ha'e to see to horses an& su$$lies/7

6*lug horses" 5othing fine" They %oul& be notice& too )uickly" #n& a litter for the (ing"7

2HDH

6*lug horses %e ha'e in $lenty! for they are all that is left" But it %ill stick in Burrich.s cra% for his king an& )ueen to ri&e the "7 6#n& a ule for hi self" They are to be hu ble folk! %ith scarce the coin to ule" 6It cannot be &one!7 I sai& )uietly" 4ourney inlan&" ;e ha'e no %ish to attract high%ay en" 6 I snorte& to think of Burrich astri&e a 6The ti e is too short" It 6#nything that thoughtfully a ust be &one the night of the (ing/in/;aiting

cere ony" #ll %ill be &o%n at the feasting"7 ust be &one! can be &one!7 9ha&e asserte&" He sat o ent" 6*erha$s you ha'e a $oint" Regal cannot ha'e the (ing

inca$acitate& for the cere ony" If he is not there! not one of the 9oastal Dukes %ill gi'e it any cre&ence" Regal %ill ha'e to allo% Shre%& his $ain herbs! to kee$ hi tractable! if nothing else" Aery %ell! then" The night after to orro%" ust s$eak to e to orro%! $ut so e bitterbark on your #n& if you absolutely I %ill o$en the %ay"7 6The Fool %ill %ant to go %ith the (ing"7 I re in&e& yself slo%ly" 6He cannot!7 9ha&e sai& &ecisi'ely" 6There is no &isguising hi " He %oul& only increase the &anger" Besi&es! it is necessary he stay" ;e %ill nee& his hel$ to $re$are for this &isa$$earance"7 6I &o not think that %ill change his 6=ea'e the Fool to getting a%ay fro in&"7 that his (ing.s life &e$en&s on his ust be create&! in %hich the e" I can sho% hi

hearthfire" 5ot a lot! I ha'e no %ish to be s oke& out" But a generous han&ful"

here cleanly" #n Rat os$here. fro

(ing an& Iueen.s &isa$$earance is not seen as """ ah! %ell" =ea'e that $art to e" I %ill &iscourage the s ashing %alls" The Iueen.s role is easy" #ll the cere ony! an& &eclare that she %ishes to ons the " If all goes %ell! %e shoul& be
2HD1

she nee& &o is retire early fro

slee$ long! an& sen& her atten&ants a%ay" She shoul& lea'e %or& she &oes not %ish to be &isturbe& until she su

able to gi'e Shre%& an& (ettricken &istance"7 He s ile& at

ost of the night hours to gain so e uch $lanning as ore

e kin&ly" 6;ell" I think that is as

%e can &o" 5o! no! I kno% nothing is fixe&" It is better this %ay" ;e are #n& I.'e uch to &o right no%" I ust ix enough

flexible" 5o% go get %hat slee$ you can! boy" You.'e a busy &ay to orro%" e&icines to take (ing clearly" Burrich rea&s! Shre%& all the %ay to the -ountains" #n& $ackage the &oes he not07 6Aery %ell!7 I assure& hi " I $ause&" 6;ere you at the (ee$ %ell last night! about i&night0 Su$$ose&ly the *ocke& -an %as seen" So e are saying it eans the %ell %ill go ba&" Others are seeing it as a ba& o en for Regal.s cere ony"7 6Oh0 ;ell! an& $erha$s it is"7 9ha&e chuckle& to hi self" 6O ens an& $ortents they shall ha'e! boy! until a 'anishing (ing an& a but a natural thing in the &ro$$e& fro his face" So ething like their ol& s$ark of issing Iueen see ischief ca e into his i&st of it"7 He grinne& like a boy! an& the years

green eyes" 6Jo get so e rest" #n& let Burrich an& the Iueen kno% of our $lans" I shall s$eak to Shre%& an& the Fool" 5o others are to kno% e'en a %his$er" For so e of it! %e stairs" ust trust to luck" But for the rest! trust to e:7 His laughter %as not a %holly reassuring soun& as it follo%e& e &o%n the

9H#*TER T;E5TY/EIJHT Treasons an& Traitors *RI59E REJ#= ;#S the only chil& of (ing Shre%& an& Iueen Desire to sur'i'e birth" So e say the i&%i'es ne'er care& for the Iueen an& &i& not &o
2HD2

o'er uch to see her babes li'e&" Others that the s$are the Iueen her birth $angs! ga'e her too se'en onths in her %o b! ost

i&%i'es! in their anxiety to uch of those herbs that &ull ore than

$ain" But as only t%o of her stillborn chil&ren ha& been carrie&

i&%i'es say the Iueen.s use of intoxicants

%as at fault! as %ell as her e'il habit of carrying her belt knife %ith the bla&e to%ar& her belly! as all kno% this is ba& luck for a %o an of chil&bearing years" I &i& not slee$" ;hene'er I $ushe& bet%een the ! %ea'ing -olly back fro e a coat of y %orries about (ing Shre%& fro isery an& %orry" I $ro ise& y

in&! -olly stoo& there instea&! besi&e so eone else" -y

in& shuttle& yself that

as soon as (ing Shre%& an& (ettricken %ere safe! I %oul& fin& a %ay to %in %hoe'er ha& stolen her fro ore" y be&" I ghoste& $ast e $ty e out! e" That &eci&e&! I turne& o'er an& stare& into the &ark so e

5ight.s reign %as still soli& %hen I rolle& fro

stalls an& slee$ing ani als to go silently u$ Burrich.s stairs" He hear& then aske& gently! 6#re you sure you.'e not ha& a ba& &rea 07 6If I ha'e! it.s laste& ost of y life!7 I $ointe& out )uietly" 6I begin to feel that %ay

yself!7 he agree&" ;e %ere talking in the &ark" He

%as still in be& an& I %as sitting on the floor besi&e it! %his$ering" I %oul& not suffer Burrich to buil& u$ his fire! or e'en light a can&le! for I &i& not &esire anyone to %on&er about a su&&en &e$arture fro acco $lish all he is asking in t%o &ays his routine" 6For us to ust be &one eans that e'ery task

$erfectly the first ti e" I ha'e co e to you first" 9an you &o it07 He %as silent an& in the &arkness I coul& not see his face" 6Three stur&y horses! a ule! a litter! an& su$$lies for three" #ll %ithout anyone noticing it"7 #nother

2HD8

silence" 6I can.t 'ery %ell 4ust loa& u$ the (ing an& Iueen an& ri&e out through the gates of Buckkee$! either"7 6You kno% that co$se of al&er %here the big &og fox use& to &en0 Ha'e the horses %aiting there" The (ing an& (ettricken %ill Reluctantly I a&&e&! 6The %olf %ill gui&e the to you"7 eet you there"7

6-ust they kno%! as %ell as I! %hat you &o07 He %as aghast at the thought" 6I use %hat tools I ha'e" #n& I &o not $ercei'e it as you &o" 6Ho% long can you share further than his next %hat %ill you be07 6# guar&s an07 I ha1ar&e&" Des$ite hi self! Burrich ga'e a snort of laughter" 6I %as serious!7 he sai& after a o ent" I! about the (ing an& Iueen" ;e o ent" 6So so eho% I. ust $ut our in&s to ho% %e %ill 6So a in&s %ith one %ho scratches an& licks hi self! %ho a& %hen a fe ale is in season! %ho thinks no %ill roll in carrion! %ho goes

eal! before you acce$t his 'alues as your o%n0 Then

acco $lish this" I no longer care %hat I sacrifice to acco $lish it"7 He %as )uiet a to get four ani als an& a litter out of Buckkee$ %ithout exciting any interest07 I no&&e& in the &ark! then 69an it be &one07 Jru&gingly he sai&! 6There.s a stable han& or t%o left that I trust" It.s not a fa'or I like to ask of anyone" I &on.t %ant a la& s%inging o'er so ething I aske& hi to &o" But I su$$ose it coul& be a&e to look as if they %ere $art of issing! they.ll figure a coffle being taken u$ri'er" But it out )uickly"7 69hoose one %ho lo'es the (ing"7 y la&s are not stu$i&+ I %on.t ha'e a stu$i&

han& in the stable" Once the ne%s is out that the (ing is

2HD<

Burrich sighe&" 6Foo& su$$lies" It %on.t be su $tuous rations" -ore like arching fare" # I to su$$ly %inter clothing as %ell07 65o" Only for yourself" (ettricken can %ear an& carry %hat she.ll nee&" #n& 9ha&e can see to the (ing.s nee&s"7 69ha&e" The na e is al ost fa iliar! as if I hear& it before! long ago"7 6He is su$$ose& to ha'e &ie&! long ago" Before that! he %as seen about the (ee$"7 6To li'e all these years as a sha&o%"7 He ar'ele&" 6#n& he $lans to go on li'ing as a sha&o%"7 6You nee& not fear I.ll betray hi "7 Burrich soun&e& hurt" 6I kno%" I a 4ust so/7 e enough for e to &o y $art" I.ll be 6I kno%" Jo on! then" You.'e tol&

there %ith the horses an& su$$lies" ;hat ti e07 6So eti e in the night! %hen the feasting is still li'ely" I &on.t kno%" I.ll get %or& to you so eho%"7 He shrugge&" 6#s soon as it gets &ark! I.ll go out there an& %ait"7 6Burrich" Thank you"7 6He is y king" She is y )ueen" I nee& no thanks fro you to &o y &uty"7 I left Burrich to cree$ &o%n his staircase" I ke$t to the sha&o%s an& exten&e& e'ery sense I ha& to try to be sure no one %as s$ying on of the stables! I flitte& fro ;hy a I calle& back fro %arehouse to sty to $en! fro y hunting0 ay nee& you" ;ill you stay here! %ithin e until I ca e to the ol& hut" 5ighteyes ca e $anting to To orro% night! %hen it gets &ark" I Of course" But %hy su on e" Once I %as clear sha&o% to sha&o% eet e" ;hat is it0

the (ee$! to co e )uickly if I sen& for you0 e here for this0 You nee& not be this close to to ask such a si $le fa'or"
2HD?

I crouche& &o%n in the sno% an& he ca e to shoul&er" I hugge& hi Foolishness! he tol& e" -y thanks" -y brother" Stealth an& haste battle& as I roo " I fastene& through #t a&e har&"

e! to rest his throat on

e gruffly" Jo on! no%" I %ill be here in case you nee&

y %ay back to the (ee$ an& u$ to

y &oor shut an& lay &o%n on

y be&" Excite ent thun&ere& ea

e" I %oul& kno% no real rest until all ha& been acco $lishe&"

i& orning I %as a& itte& to the Iueen.s cha ber" I brought %ith

nu ber of scrolls on herbs" (ettricken %as reclining on a couch before the hearth! $laying the $art of both berea'e& %ife an& anxious coul& see that it %ore on her! an& that her fall ha& cause& her but I greete& her %ar ly an& $rocee&e& to %ork liste&! one after the other! %ith succee&e& in boring three to bring tea! fin& her &o1e& off in a %ar other/to/be" I ore $ain in truth

than she care& to a& it" She looke& little better than she ha& the night before! y %ay through e'ery herb uch &iscussion as to the benefits of each" I

ost of her la&ies a%ay! an& she finally &is isse& the last ore $illo%s! an& look for another scroll on herbs

that (ettricken sai& %as in Aerity.s stu&y" =ittle Rose ary ha& long since corner by the hearth" #s soon as the rustle of their skirts ha& fa&e&! I s$oke )uickly! kno%ing I ha& little ti e" 6You %ill be lea'ing to orro% night! after the (ing/in/;aiting cere ony!7 I tol& her! an& s$oke on although she ha& $arte& her li$s to ask a )uestion" 6Dress %ar ly an& take %inter things" 5ot any" Jo to your be&cha ber ust slee$! an& tell alone! as early as you &ecently can" *lea& that the cere ony an& your grief ha'e exhauste& you" Sen& your atten&ants a%ay! say you the not to co e back until you su
2HDB

on the " Bar your &oor" 5o" Only

listen" There is little ti e" Rea&y yourself to lea'e! an& then stay in your roo " One %ill co e for you" Trust the *ocke& -an" The (ing is going %ith you" Trust e!7 I tol& her &es$erately as %e hear& returning footste$s" 6#ll else %ill e"7 be arrange&" Trust

Trust" I &i& not trust that any of it %oul& co e to $ass" Daffo&il %as back %ith the $illo%s! an& shortly after that! the tea arri'e&" ;e chatte& a iably! an& one of (ettricken.s younger la&ies e'en flirte& %ith e" Iueen (ettricken aske& e to lea'e the herbal scrolls %ith her! as her back still $aine& her" She ha& &eci&e& she %oul& retire early this e'ening! an& $erha$s the scrolls %oul& hel$ her %hile a%ay the ti e before she sle$t" I esca$e&" 9ha&e ha& sai& he %oul& han&le the Fool" I ha& $lanning the esca$e" 5o% all that re aine& %as for the (ing to be alone after the cere ony" # fe% aske& for" I %on&ere& if I %oul& ha'e to gi'e asi&e" @ust a fe% a&e y $athetic atte $ts at e so eho% to arrange for inutes %ere all 9ha&e ha& a&e y gracious fare%ells an&

y life for the " I $ut the notion

inutes" The t%o broken &oors %oul& be a hin&rance or a

hel$" I %asn.t sure %hich" I consi&ere& all the ob'ious $loys" I coul& feign &runkenness an& bait the guar&s out to fight" >nless I ha& an ax! it %oul&n.t take the ore than a fe% inutes to &eal %ith e" *lain fisticuffs ha& ne'er %orke& 'ery %ell for Ho% On e" 5o" I %ante& to re ain functional" I consi&ere& an& uch &e$en&e& on factors I coul&n.t control"

re4ecte& a &o1en sche es" Too

any guar&s %oul& be there! %oul& they be ones I kne%! %oul& ;allace y earlier foray to (ettricken.s roo ! I ha& notice& that akeshift curtains

be there! %oul& Regal ha'e &ro$$e& by for a chat0 ha& been tacke& u$ o'er the s$lintere& &oor fra es of the (ing.s cha bers" -ost of the %reckage ha& been carrie& off! but bits of oaken &oor still littere&

2HDC

the corri&or" 5o %ork en ha& been calle& in to &o re$airs" #nother sign that Regal ha& no intention of e'er returning to Buckkee$" I trie& to fin& so e excuse to intro&uce yself into that roo " The (ee$ &o%nstairs %as busier than e'er! for to&ay the Dukes of Bea s! Ri$$on! an& Shoaks Duchies %ere ex$ecte& to arri'e %ith their retinues to %itness the (ing/ in/;aiting cere ony for Regal" They %ere being $ut in the lesser guest roo s! across the (ee$" I %on&ere& ho% they %oul& react to the su&&en &isa$$earance of the (ing an& Iueen" ;oul& it be seen as treachery! or %oul& Regal fin& so e %ay to conceal it fro begin so0 I $ut it fro cha ber" I left y roo an& %ent $acing through Buckkee$! ho$ing for ins$iration" Instea& I foun& only confusion" 5oble folk of e'ery &egree %ere arri'ing for Regal.s cere ony! an& the influx of guests an& their househol&s an& ser'ants s%e$t an& e&&ie& about the outflo% of goo&s an& folk that Regal %as sen&ing inlan&" -y feet carrie& &istinct o&or of e un$lanne& to Aerity.s stu&y" The &oor %as a4ar an& usty %ith &isuse" There %as a I %ent in" The hearth %as col&! the roo y the 0 ;hat %oul& it auger for his ne% reign to in&+ it %asn.t hel$ing e get the (ing alone in his

ouse in the air" I ho$e& %hate'er scrolls they %ere nesting in

%eren.t irre$laceable" I %as fairly certain I ha& re o'e& the ones Aerity treasure& to 9ha&e.s roo s" I %alke& about the roo ! touching his things" I su&&enly isse& hi acutely" His unyiel&ing stea&iness! his cal ness! his a$ table" Scuffs an& scribbles of ink %here he ha& trie& strength+ he %oul& ne'er ha'e let things co e to such a situation" I sat &o%n in his %ork chair at his colors on it arre& the tableto$" Here %ere t%o ba&ly cut )uills! &iscar&e& %ith e! in the sa e %ay that

a brush %orn hairless" In a box on the table %ere se'eral little $ots of color! cracke& an& &rie& no%" They s elle& like Aerity to

2HDD

leather an& harness oil al%ays s elle& like Burrich" I leane& for%ar& on the table an& $ut I cannot co e" I lea$e& to y feet! y legs tangling in the chair.s! an& fell on the rug" y feet! an& e'en ore frantically scrabble& after the e on your o%n! ha'e Frantically I scrabble& to contact" Aerity: I hear you" ;hat is it! boy0 # $ause" You.'e reache& you0 ;ell &one: ;e nee& you to co e ho e right no%: ;hy0 Thoughts tu ble& so uch faster than %or&s! an& in far greater &etail than he gro% sa& %ith the infor ation! an& coul& ha'e %ishe& to kno%" I felt hi coul& not clai y hea& in y han&s" 6Aerity! %e nee& you no%"7

%earier" 9o e ho e" If you %ere here! you coul& $ut it all to rights" Regal to be (ing/in/;aiting! he coul& not stri$ Buckkee$ like this! or no%" Think this through" I coul& not co e ho e in ti e to e" But I a too close no% to gi'e u$ y goal" %ith this ne% feeling/it ust be to retain the Six take a%ay the (ing" I cannot" Be cal #n& if I a $re'ent any of this" It grie'es beco es e'en inherit" ;hat a I to &o0 y %ife! an& y chil&+ it is a %eighty ore than that" @ust as you ha'e $lanne&" -y father!

to be a father /his thoughts %ere %ar ore i $ortant that I succee&" -y goal

Duchies intact! an& %ith a coast free& of sea %ol'es" This! for the chil& to

bur&en I ha'e $ut u$on you" He soun&e& su&&enly uncertain" I %ill &o %hat I can &o! I tol& hi ! fearing to $ro ise any I ha'e faith in you" He $ause&" Di& you feel that0 ;hat0
2HDE

#nother is here! trying to break in! to listen on our Skilling" One of Jalen.s s$ying broo& of 'i$ers" I &i& not think that $ossible: Jalen foun& a %ay! an& schoole& his $oisonous offs$ring in it" Skill no e no%" I felt so ething si ilar to %hen he ha& broken our Skill contact the last ti e to sa'e Shre%&.s strength! but Skill contact broke" He %as gone! as abru$tly as I ha& foun& hi " I gro$e& tentati'ely after our contact! foun& nothing" ;hat he ha& sai& about another listening in on us rattle& e" Fear %arre& %ith triu $h in e" I ha& Skille&" ;e ha& been s$ie& uch ha& they the table! sat a o ent longer in the u$on" But I ha& Skille&! alone an& unai&e&: But ho% o'erhear&0 I $ushe& back the chair fro stor of uch rougher" # surging out%ar& of Aerity.s Skill us" I thought I felt the effort it cost hi " Our that $ushe& so eone a%ay fro ore to

y thoughts" Skilling ha& been easy" I still &i&n.t kno% )uite ho% I o'es" The kno%le&ge that ore

ha& initiate& it! but it ha& been easy" I felt like a chil& %ho ha& %orke& a $u11le box! but %as unable to recall the exact se)uence of it coul& be &one %eight" I s$rang u$ an& rushe& out of the stu&y! al ost tri$$ing o'er @ustin" He sat! legs outstretche&! %ith his back against the %all" He looke& &runk" I kne% better" He %as half/stunne& by the $ush Aerity ha& gi'en hi " I brought co $ose& for ;allace so long ago still ro&e in a $ocket in guess y thoughts! he co%ere& a%ay fro
2HEH

a&e

e %ant instantly to atte $t it again" I set the

te $tation asi&e fir ly" I ha& other tasks to acco $lish! ones of far

yself

u$ short an& stare& &o%n at hi " I kne% I shoul& kill hi " The $oison I ha& y cuff" I coul& force it &o%n his throat" But it %as not &esigne& to act )uickly" #s if he coul& e! scrabbling along the %all"

For a not bi&

o ent longer I stare& at hi ! stri'ing to think cal ly" I ha& $ro ise& ore actions on y o%n %ithout consulting hi " Aerity ha& e" One of the har&est things I ha'e @ustin" Half a &o1en stri&es e fin& an& kill the s$y" He coul& ha'e! in less than an instant of yself to %alk a%ay fro

9ha&e to take no

thought" This &ecision &i& not belong to e'er &one %as to force &o%n the hall! I su&&enly hear& hi

blurt! 6I kno% %hat you.'e been &oing:7 ake e kill hi " Frightening

I roun&e& to confront hi " 6;hat are you talking about07 I aske& in a lo% 'oice" -y heart began to thun&er" I ho$e& he.& to kno% su&&enly ho% ba&ly I %ante& to" He blanche& but &i& not back &o%n" He re in&e& e behin& you are a e of a braggart chil&" 6You e! an& ake ock of %alk like you are the (ing hi self! you sneer &o%n at

y back" Don.t think I &on.t kno% it:7 He cla%e& his %ay u$ the aster! but your Skilling stinks of your &og agic: Do not think you y te $er" 6Do you

%all! staggere& to his feet" 6But you are not so great" You Skill once! an& think %ill %alk so $rou& al%ays" You %ill be brought &o%n: #n& soon:7 # %olf cla ore& in &are to s$y u$on the courage"7 6You kno% I &i&! Bastar&" I &o not fear you so that I uch+ Bastar&: -uch gro%ing bra'er by the inute" e ber0 Yet you s$y ust hi&e fro you" I &are ore than you %oul& su$$ose"7 His stance sho%e& hi e for instant 'engeance" I leashe& y Skilling to *rince Aerity! @ustin0 I &i& not think you ha&

65ot if I su$$ose treachery an& treason! though" Has not (ing/in/;aiting Aerity been &eclare& &ea&! oh loyally s%orn coterie u$on For a e Skilling to hi ! an& you ex$ress no sur$rise07 o ent @ustin stoo& stock/still" Then he gre% bol&" 6Say %hat you like!

Bastar&" 5o one %ill belie'e you if %e &eny it"7

2HE1

6Ha'e the sense to be silent at least!7 Serene &eclare&" She ca e &o%n the hall%ay like a shi$ un&er full sail" I &i& not ste$ asi&e! but force& her to brush $ast e" She sei1e& @ustin.s ar ! clai ing hi a%ay fro like a &ro$$e& basket" 6Silence is but another for %as %alking hi of lying! Serene"7 She ha& turne& @ustin about an& e" 6You kno% that (ing Aerity still li'es:7 I

shoute& after the " 6Do you think he %ill ne'er return0 Do you think you %ill ne'er ha'e to ans%er for the lie you li'e07 They turne& a corner an& %ere gone! lea'ing inci&ent ha& $ushe& e to seethe silently! an& curse ust conceal" But the in&" I left Aerity.s stu&y yself for shouting so blatantly alou& %hat as yet %e e into an aggressi'e fra e of

an& $ro%le& the (ee$" The kitchens %ere abustle an& 9ook ha& no ti e for e! other than to ask if I ha& hear& that a ser$ent ha& been foun& lying before the fire on the ain hearth" I sai& &oubtless it ha& cra%le& into the fire%oo& to shelter for the %inter an& co e in %ith a log" The %ar th %oul& ha'e brought it to life" She 4ust shook her hea& an& sai& she ha& ne'er hear& of the like! but that it bo&e& e'il" She tol& e again of the *ocke& -an by the %ell! but in her the bucket! an& %hen he lo%ere& it fro his story! he ha& been &rinking fro

s$otte& face! the %ater that ran &o%n his chin %as re& as bloo&" She %as aking the kitchen boys bring %ater fro the %ell in the %ashing courts for all the cooking" She.& ha'e no one &ro$$ing &ea& at her table" On that cheerful note! I left the kitchen! %ith a cou$le of s%eet cakes I ha& light/fingere& fro a tray" I ha& not gotten far before a $age stoo& before e cautiously" arke& hi e" 6Fit19hi'alry! son of 9hi'alry07 he a&&resse& His %i&er cheekbones

as $robably being Bearns stock! an& %hen I

looke& for it! I foun& the yello% flo%er that %as the Bearns sigil se%n to his $atche& 4erkin" For a boy of his height! he %as %retche&ly thin" I no&&e& gra'ely"
2HE2

6-y

aster! Duke Bra%n&y of Bea s! &esires that you %ait u$on hi

as soon

as you han&ily $age long"

ay"7 He s$oke the %or&s carefully" I &oubte& he ha& been a

6That %oul& be no%"7 6Then shall I sho% you to hi 07 6I can fin& hi y %ay" Here" I shoul& not take these u$ there %ith &oubtfully" e to see a for you! sir07 he aske& seriously! an& it s ote for e! an& if they suit you! you e"7 I han&e& the s%eet cakes! an& he recei'e& the

6Shall I sa'e the

boy $ut such a high 'alue on foo&" 6*erha$s you %oul& eat the 5o ight go in the a skinny boy e! half of one kitchens an& tell our cook Sara %hat you think of her %ork"7 atter ho% busy it %as in there! I kne% a co $li ent fro at least a bo%l of ste%" y or&ers an& he hastene& a%ay fro outh" ostly because their %oul& %in hi

6Yes! sir:7 His face lit at cake alrea&y in his

The lesser guest roo s %ere those on the o$$osite si&e of the Jreat Hall fro the (ing.s roo s" They %ere consi&ere& lesser! I su$$ose! %in&o%s face& onto the other %ay" Sa'e that the last ti e I ha& been a& itte& to one! it ha& been &ecently furnishe&" Bea s guar&s a& itte& e to a sitting roo that offere& only three i&&le" Faith greete& e! chairs in %hich to sit an& a bare rickety table in the ountains rather than the sea! an& hence the roo s

%ere gloo ier" But the cha bers %ere no s aller! nor less han&so e in any

neutrally for al! an& then %ent to let Duke Bra%n&y kno% I %as there" The ta$estries an& hangings that ha& once %ar e& the %alls an& gi'en color to the stone cha ber %ere gone" It %as as cheery as a &ungeon! sa'e that a %ar on the hearth brightene& it" I re aine& stan&ing in the center of the roo
2HE8

fire until

Duke Bra%n&y e erge& fro

his be&cha ber to greet

e" He in'ite&

e to be

seate&! an& a%k%ar&ly %e &re% t%o of the chairs closer to the hearth" There shoul& ha'e been brea&s an& $astries u$on the table! there shoul& ha'e been kettles an& ugs an& bre%ing herbs for tea! an& bottles of %ine in these roo s e that there %ere not" Faith ho'ere& to %elco e Buckkee$.s guests" It $aine& 9elerity %as" ;e exchange& a fe% inor $leasantries! an& then Bra%n&y $lunge& into his uch too busy %ith $re$arations to$ic like a &raft horse into a sno%&rift" 6I un&erstan& (ing Shre%& is ill! too ill to see any of his &ukes" Regal! of course! is for to orro%"7 The sarcas she has been %as hea'y as thick crea " 6So I %ishe& to 'isit e in the $ast" But at her &oor! her la&ies tol&

in the backgroun& like a hunting ha%k" I coul& not hel$ but %on&er %here

Her -a4esty Iueen (ettricken!7 he announce& $on&erously" 6For as you kno%! ost courteous to e she %as not %ell an& shoul& not ha'e 'isitors" I ha'e hear& a ru or that she %as %ith chil&! an& that no%! in her grief an& her foolishness at ri&ing to Ri$$on.s &efense! she has lost it" Is this so07 I took a breath! stu&ie& fair %or&s for like%ise in&is$ose&! but I a y res$onse" 6Our king is! as you say! 'ery ill" I &o not think you shall see hi ! sa'e at the cere ony" Our )ueen is sure that if she ha& been tol& you %ere at her &oor yourself! you %oul& ha'e been a& itte&" She has not lost the chil&" She ro&e to the &efense of 5eatbay for the sa e reasons she has gifte& you %ith o$als+ for fear that if she &i& not act! no other %oul&" 5or %as it her actions at 5eatbay that threatene& her chil&! but a fall &o%n a to%er stair here at Buckkee$" #n& the chil& %as only threatene&! not lost! though our )ueen %as sorely bruise&"7 6I see"7 He sat back in his chair an& $on&ere& for a bit" The silence took root bet%een us an& gre% %hile I %aite&" #t last he leane& for%ar& an&
2HE<

otione&

e to &o the sa e" ;hen our hea&s %ere close together! he aske& )uietly! 6Fit19hi'alry! ha'e you any a bitions07 This %as the o ent" (ing Shre%& ha& $re&icte& it years ago! an& 9ha&e a&e no i e&iate ans%er! Bra%n&y %ent on as if each e" 6The heir to the Farseer the throne0 ;e &o not" For ore recently" ;hen I

%or& %ere a stone he sha$e& before han&ing it to ;aiting! &o you think he %ill %ait long to clai although these %or&s co e fro

throne is a babe as yet unborn" Once Regal has &eclare& hi self (ing/in/ y li$s! I s$eak for Ri$$on an& Shoaks

Duchies as %ell" Shre%& has beco e ol&! an& feeble" # (ing in na e only" ;e ha'e ha& a taste of %hat kin& of king Regal %oul& be" ;hat shoul& %e suffer %hile Regal hol&s title until Aerity.s chil& co es of age0 5ot that I ex$ect the chil& %ill anage to be born! let alone y silence" an %e kne%" You bear his looks an& any %ho uch a right to call yourself royal as ount the throne"7 He $ause&! cleare& his throat! an& looke& at our talk" I ke$t 6You.re a e earnestly" Faith stoo& by the &oor as if guar&ing

an %e kno%! a son of a

al ost his na e" You.'e as

ha'e %orn the cro%n"7 He $ause& again" ;aiting" #gain I ke$t silent" It %as not! I tol& hi betray y king" et y eyes" 6Ti es are yself! a te $tation" I %oul& si $ly hear out" That %as all" He ha& sai& nothing! as yet! that suggeste& I %oul&

He floun&ere& for %or&s! then looke& u$ an& &ifficult"7 6They are!7 I agree& )uietly"

He looke& &o%n at his han&s" They %ere %orn han&s! han&s that bore the s all scars an& roughness of a %ashe& an& occasion" Ti es an %ho &i& things %ith the " His shirt %as freshly a&e es$ecially for this en&e&! but it %as not a ne% gar ent

ight be har& in Buckkee$! but they %ere har&er in Bea s"

2HE?

Iuietly he sai& it" 6If you sa% fit to o$$ose Regal! to &eclare yourself king/in/ %aiting in his stea&! Bea s an& Ri$$on an& Shoaks %oul& su$$ort you" It is y belief that Iueen (ettricken %oul& su$$ort you as %ell! an& that Buck %oul& follo% her"7 He looke& u$ at %ith you as regent than %ith Regal"7 So" They ha& &is isse& Shre%& alrea&y" 6;hy not follo% (ettricken07 I aske& carefully" He looke& into the fla es" 6It.s a har& thing to say! after she has sho%n herself so true" But she is foreign/born! an& in so e %ays untrie&" It is not that %e &oubt her+ %e &o not" 5or %oul& %e be setting her asi&e" Iueen she is! an& %oul& re ain! an& her chil& to reign after her" But in these ti es! %e nee& both king/in/%aiting an& )ueen"7 # )uestion bubble& in e" # &e on %ante& e to ask! 6#n& if! %hen the chil& co es of age! I &o not %ish to relin)uish $o%er! %hat then07 They ha& to ha'e aske& the sel'es! they ha& to ha'e agree& on so e ans%er to ha'e rea&y for e" For a o ent longer I sat still an& silent" #l ost I coul& feel the e&&ies of e+ %as this %hat the Fool %as al%ays $rattling isty crossroa&s %here I al%ays stoo& in the center0 e" e! $ossibility s%irling about about! %as this one of his 69atalyst!7 I taunte& e again" 6;e ha'e talke& uch of this" ;e belie'e Aerity.s chil& %oul& stan& a better chance of gaining the throne

yself )uietly"

6Beg $ar&on07 Bra%n&y leane& closer to You are a

69hi'alry!7 I sai&" 6#s you ha'e sai&! I bear his na e" #l ost" Duke Bearns" an har&/$resse&" I kno% %hat you ha'e riske& in s$eaking to a an& I %ill be as blunt %ith you" I a the cro%n of an %ith a bitions" But I &o not &esire

y king"7 I took a breath an& looke& into the fire" For the first

ti e I really consi&ere& %hat it %oul& &o to Bea s! Ri$$on! an& Shoaks for both Shre%& an& (ettricken su&&enly to &isa$$ear" The 9oastal Duchies %oul&
2HEB

beco e like a ru&&erless shi$ %ith &ecks a%ash" Bra%n&y ha& as ti e" To %his$er to hi the

uch as sai& at this

they %oul& not follo% Regal" Yet I ha& nothing else I coul& offer the

that Aerity li'e& %oul& &e an& that they rise

to orro%! to &eny Regal.s right to &eclare hi self king/in/%aiting" To %arn that both Shre%& an& (ettricken %oul& su&&enly 'anish %oul& be no ean that too any folk %oul& assurance at all to the ! but %oul& certainly

not be sur$rise& %hen it ha$$ene&" Once they %ere safely in the -ountain (ing&o ! then! $erha$s! the 9oastal Dukes coul& be tol& all" But that coul& be %eeks a%ay" I trie& to think %hat I coul& offer hi ho$es" 6For %hat it is %orth! I! as a an! a %ith you"7 I sai& the %or&s carefully! $le&ge&" To Iueen loyal" I foresee &ark &ays ahea& of us! go to Tra&efor&" Our li'es are %on&ering if I s$oke treason" 6To (ing Shre%& I a (ettricken! an& the heir she carries! I a an& the 9oastal Duchies here! an& here %e ;ith no%! %hat assurances! %hat

ust act as one against the Rai&ers" ;e ha'e no ti e

to %orry %hat *rince Regal &oes inlan&" =et hi ust stan& an& fight"7 y o%n %or&s! I felt a sea change in its cocoon! I felt

e" =ike the she&&ing of a cloak! or yself e erge" Regal %as lea'ing e

an insect cra%ling fro %ith those I

here at Buckkee$! aban&oning

e as he thought! to har&shi$ an& &anger! along

ost care& about" ;ell let hi " ;ith the (ing an& Iueen e" ;hat ha& Burrich sai&! a ti e ago0 That I ight see ight

(ettricken safely stashe& in the -ountains! I %oul& no longer fear Regal" -olly %as gone! lost to that one safer in 9oul& I not see her! but $erha$s she an stan&ing coul& ake Buckkee$ e" =et her see! then! that I coul& act! in& %as racing"

ake a &ifference" *atience an& =acey %oul& be

y kee$ing than inlan& as Regal.s hostages" -y

y o%n! an& hol& it for Aerity until he returne&0 ;ho

%oul& follo%

e0 Burrich %oul& be gone" I coul& not count on using his

2HEC

influence" But those s%illing inlan& sol&iers %oul& be gone as %ell" ;hat %oul& be left %oul& be Buckkee$ %arriors! %ith a 'este& interest in kee$ing this col& rock of a castle fro falling" So e ha& %atche& e gro% u$! so e ha& learne& ho% to s$ar an& s%ing a s%or& at the sa e ti e I ha&" (ettricken.s guar& I kne%! an& the ol& sol&iers %ho still %ore the colors of (ing Shre%&.s guar& kne% e" I ha& belonge& to the before I ha& belonge& to (ing Shre%&" e! an& if I ha& been a %olf! e )uickene&" 6I a no ;oul& they re e ber that0 Des$ite the %ar th of the fire! a shi'er %ent u$ king" I a no $rince" I a y hackles %oul& ha'e stoo& on en&" The s$ark in

but a bastar&! but one %ho lo'es Buck" I %ant no

bloo&she& %ith Regal! no confrontation" ;e ha'e no ti e to %aste! an& I ha'e no heart for the killing of Six Duchies folk" =et Regal flee inlan&" ;hen he an& the &ogs that sniff after hi can rally to follo% s all 'oice insi&e 9ha&e &eclare e"7 it ent a&e" Treason! traitor! %his$ere& a o ent that the only %ay to e" But in y heart I kne% the rightness of %hat I &i&" are gone! I a yours" #n& as uch of Buck as I

The %or&s %ere s$oken! the co ight not see it

y %ay" But I felt in that

yself for Shre%& an& Aerity an& (ettricken.s chil& %as to &eclare

yself %ith those %ho %oul& not follo% Regal" Yet I %ante& to be sure they un&erstoo& that loyalty clearly" I looke& &ee$ into Bra%n&y.s %eary eyes" 6This is y goal! Duke Bra%n&y of Bea s" I s$eak it $lainly! an& I %ill back ust hear no other" I %ill see a unite& Six Duchies! %ith her coastline free& of Rai&ers! $lace a cro%n u$on the hea& of (ettricken.s an& Aerity.s chil&" I you say that you share that goal"7 6I s%ear that I &o! Fit19hi'alry! son of 9hi'alry"7 To scarre& ol& an took y han&s in his an& $lace& the y horror! the %ar/ on his forehea& in the

ancient sign of one %ho gi'es fealty" It %as all I coul& &o not to snatch the
2HED

a%ay" =oyalty to Aerity! I tol& ust see that this is ho% I go on"

yself" This is ho% I ha'e begun this! an& I

6I %ill s$eak to the others!7 Bra%n&y %as going on )uietly" 6I %ill tell the that this is ho% you %ish it" In truth! %e ha'e no %ish for bloo&she&" It is as you say" =et the %hel$ run inlan& %ith his tail bet%een his legs" Here is %here the %ol'es shall stan& an& fight"7 -y scal$ $rickle& at his choice of %or&s" 6;e %ill atten& his cere ony" ;e %ill e'en stan& before hi ! an& s%ear once ore to be loyal to a (ing of the Farseer line" But he is not that (ing" 5or e'er shall be" I un&erstan& he &e$arts the 'ery &ay after the cere ony" ;e shall let hi go! though by tra&ition a ne% (ing/in/;aiting is boun& to stan& before his ay be that %e shall linger close! a &ay or so uch to &iscuss" The $lace ent &ukes an& hear their counsels" It

longer! after Regal has &e$arte&" Buckkee$ at least shall be yours! ere %e &e$art" ;e shall see to that" #n& there %ill be not07 #t y short no&! Bra%n&y grinne& in %olfish satisfaction" 6;e shall see the launche&! you an& I" Regal has $lun&ere& Buckkee$ of su$$lies+ this is kno%n to all" ;e %ill ha'e to look into re$lenishing your %arehouses" The far ers an& she$her&s of Buck %ill ha'e to un&erstan& that they ust fin& ore! ust gi'e of %hat they hel& back! if their sol&iers are to kee$ their coast free" It %ill be a har& %inter for all of us! but lean %ol'es fight fiercest! or so they say"7 #n& %e are lean! y brother+ oh! %e are lean" e" I %on&ere& %hat I ha& &one" I %oul& ha'e to ust Skill to Aerity! as soon as I $ossibly coul&" # terrible forebo&ing rose in" ha& not turne& on her" #n& I ;oul& he un&erstan&0 He of our shi$s" There are other shi$s! half/finishe& in the boat she&s! are there

fin& a %ay to s$eak to (ettricken before she &e$arte&! to so eho% assure her I ust" He ha& al%ays been able to see into the &e$ths
2HEE

of

y heart" Surely he %oul& see %hat

y intentions %ere" #n& (ing Shre%&0 y loyalty! he ha& sai& to e by offering you e! 6If ore

Once! long ago! %hen he ha& first bought e'er any than I &o! then co e to you gi'e Buckkee$ into e! an& tell

an or %o an seeks to turn you against

e of the offer! an& I shall

eet it"7 ;oul&

y han&s! ol& (ing0 I %on&ere&"

I reali1e& that Bra%n&y ha& fallen silent" 6Do not fear! Fit19hi'alry!7 he sai& )uietly" 6Do not &oubt the rightness of %hat %e &o! or %e are all un&one" If yours %as not the han& that reache& forth to clai as %e are" Regal has gone %here none of us beneath his fro other.s be&" ;e Buckkee$! another %oul& ha'e" ;e coul& not lea'e Buck %ith no one at the hel " Be gla& it is yourself! ay follo%! fle& inlan& to hi&e ust stan& on our o%n" #ll the o ens an& ain hearth in the Jreat ust $lunge into the bloo&y to the

$ortents $oint us that %ay" They say the *ocke& -an %as seen &rinking bloo& a Buckkee$ %ell! an& that a ser$ent coile& on the Hall an& &are& to strike at a chil&" I sea to a'oi& the ! she turne& an&! in &i'e on her fro yself! ri&ing south to be here! %itnesse& a i&air! sei1e& a cro% that ha& sought to an& &ro$$e& hi

young eagle be&e'ile& by cro%s" But 4ust as I thought she abo'e" She clenche& hi

%ater! an& all the other cro%s fle& s)ua%king an& fla$$ing" These are signs! Fit19hi'alry" ;e.& be fools to ignore the "7 Des$ite y ske$ticis for such signs! a shi'er ran u$ e! setting the hair on y ar s u$right" Bra%n&y glance& a%ay fro e to the inner &oor of the

cha ber" I follo%e& his eyes" 9elerity stoo& there" The short &ark hair fra e& her $rou& face an& her eyes glea e& fierce blue" 6Daughter! you ha'e chosen %ell!7 the ol& an tol& her" 6I %on&ere&! once! %hat you sa% in a scriber" *erha$s no% I see it as %ell"7

21HH

He beckone& her into the roo ! an& she ca e in a rustle of skirts" She stoo& by her father! looking bol&ly at e" For the first ti e I gli $se& the steel %ill that e" 6You ha'e sho%n hi& insi&e the shy chil&" It %as unner'ing" 6I ba&e you %ait! an& you ha'e!7 Duke Bra%n&y sai& to yourself a take an of honor in this" I ha'e gi'en you y &aughter.s $le&ge to be your %ife as %ell07 et 9elerity.s eyes" She ha& no &oubts" If I y loyalty this &ay" ;ill you

;hat a $reci$ice I teetere& on" I

ha& ne'er kno%n -olly! I %oul& ha'e foun& her beautiful" But %hen I looke& at her! all I coul& see %as %ho she %as not" I ha& no heart left to gi'e to any %o an! let alone at a ti e like this" I turne& &eter ine& to s$eak fir ly" 6You &o #t e ore honor than I &eser'e! sir" But! Duke Bra%n&y! it is as you ha'e sai&" These are e'il ti es! an& uncertain" ;ith you! your &aughter is safe" y si&e! she coul& kno% only greater uncertainty" ;hat %e ha'e &iscusse& e in a )uestionable en&ea'or! nor that you ga'e your yself to look back at 9elerity! to eet y here! to&ay! so e %oul& call treason" I %ill not ha'e it sai& that I took your &aughter to bin& you to &aughter for such a reason"7 I force& $osition is y eyes back to her father!

her eyes" 6Bra%n&y.s &aughter is safer than Fit19hi'alry.s %ife" >ntil ore certain! I $le&ge no one to is great! =a&y 9elerity" I a not a Duke! nor e'en a lor&" I a as I a

e in any %ay" -y regar& for you na e&! ore than that! I %ill seek y %or&s" 6I

an illegiti ate son of a *rince" >ntil I can say I a no %ife! nor court any %o an"7

9elerity %as clearly &is$lease&" But her father no&&e& slo%ly to see the %is&o

of your %or&s" -y &aughter! I fear! sees only the &elay"7 He

looke& at 9elerity.s $out! s ile& fon&ly" 6So e&ay she %ill un&erstan& that the $eo$le %ho seek to $rotect her are the $eo$le %ho care for her"7 He ran his

21H1

eyes o'er I left hi

e as if I %ere a horse" 6I belie'e!7 he sai& )uietly! 6that Buck %ill %ith those %or&s echoing in y in&" #gain an& again! I tol& yself

stan&" #n& that Aerity.s chil& shall inherit the throne"7 I ha& &one nothing %rong" If I ha& not reache& forth to clai another %oul& ha'e" 6;ho07 9ha&e &e an&e& angrily of I sat looking &o%n at e so e hours later" ore likely to cause bloo&she&" Buckkee$!

y feet" 6I &on.t kno%" But they %oul& ha'e foun&

so eone" #n& that $erson %oul& ha'e been far (ettricken an& Shre%& clear of this ess"7

To act at the (ing/in/;aiting cere ony! an& 4eo$ar&i1e our efforts to get 6If the 9oastal Dukes are as close to rebellion as your re$ort in&icates! then $erha$s %e shoul& reconsi&er that $lan"7 I snee1e&" The roo &i& not co e to still s elle& of bitterbark" I ha& use& too uch" 6Bra%n&y e s$eaking of rebellion! but of loyalty to the true an& rightful

(ing" #n& that %as the s$irit in %hich I res$on&e&" I ha'e no %ish to o'erthro% the throne! 9ha&e! only to secure it for its la%ful heir"7 6I kno% that!7 he sai& briefly" 6Other%ise I/%oul& go straight to (ing Shre%& %ith this """ yet """7 6I a no traitor to y king"7 I s$oke %ith )uiet 'ehe ence" 65o0 =et e ask you this! then" If! &es$ite! or sa'e us all! because of our efforts a&ness" I kno% not %hat to call it" It is not treason! )uite! an&

to sa'e Shre%& an& (ettricken! they both $erish %ith the chil& unborn! an& Aerity ne'er returns" ;hat then0 ;ill you still be so eager to ce&e the throne to the rightful (ing07 6Regal07 6By the line of succession! yes"7
21H2

6He is no king! 9ha&e" He.s an in&ulge& *rinceling! an& al%ays %ill be" I.'e as uch Farseer bloo& as he &oes"7 6#n& so you ight say of (ettricken.s chil&! %hen the ti e ca e" Do you see %hat a &angerous $ath %e set oursel'es on %hen %e set oursel'es abo'e our $laces0 You an& I! %e s%ore to the Farseer line! of %hich %e are but ran&o shoots" 5ot to (ing Shre%& alone! or to a %ise (ing alone! but to u$hol& the rightful (ing of the Farseer line" E'en if he is Regal"7 6You %oul& ser'e Regal07 6I ha'e seen ore foolish *rinces than he beco e %ise as they age&" ;hat you conte $late %ill bring us ci'il %ar" Farro% an& Tilth/7 6Ha'e no interest in any kin& of a %ar" They %ill say goo& ri&&ance to us an& let the 9oastal Duchies go" Regal has al%ays sai& as uch"7 6#n& he $robably thinks he belie'es it" But %hen he fin&s that he cannot buy fine silk! an& that the %ines of Bingto%n an& beyon& no longer flo% u$ the Buck Ri'er to his $alate! he %ill think better" He nee&s his $ort cities! an& he %ill co e back for the "7 6So %hat are %e to &o0 ;hat shoul& I ha'e &one07 9ha&e sat &o%n across fro refuse& hi an& rebuke& hi e! clas$e& his ottle& han&s bet%een his bony ol& knees" 6I &o not kno%" Bra%n&y is &es$erate in&ee&" If you ha& loftily %ith treason! %ell """ I &on.t say he.& ha'e &one uch for one ol& a%ay %ith you" But re e ber he ha& no hesitation about &ealing )uickly %ith Airago %hen she re$resente& a threat to hi " This is all too assassin" ;e nee& a (ing"7 6#ye"7 69oul& you Skill again to Aerity07 6I fear to try" I &o not kno% ho% to guar& against @ustin an& Serene" Or ;ill"7 I sighe&" 6Still! I %ill try" Surely Aerity %ill kno% if they ri&e %ith
21H8

y Skilling"7

#nother thought intru&e&" 69ha&e! to orro% night! %hen you lea& (ettricken to esca$e! you an& assure her of ust fin& a o ent or t%o! to tell her of %hat has trans$ire&! y loyalty"7

6Oh! those %ill be reassuring ti&ings to gi'e her as she flees back to the -ountains" 5o" 5ot to orro% night" I %ill see that %or& reaches her! %hen she is safe" #n& you I ha& to shake s$y u$on us"7 6You $robably shoul& ha'e kille& @ustin!7 9ha&e gru ble& to hi self" Then he laughe& at y outrage& look" 65o! no! cal yourself" I %ill not rebuke you that you refraine& fro it" ;oul& that you ha& been so circu s$ect %ith the sche e ust continue to try to reach Aerity! but be%are of ha'ing y hea&" 6But I belie'e they are safe" I ha& tol& all to Aerity your Skilling s$ie& u$on" #re you sure our $lans are unkno%n to the 07 %hen first I Skille& hi " It %as not until the en& that he sai& so eone trie& to

that Bra%n&y brought you" E'en a breath of this %oul& be sufficient for Regal to ha'e your neck stretche&" #n& %ere he ruthless an& foolish! he coul& try to hang his &ukes as %ell" 5o" =et us not e'en think of that: The halls of Buckkee$ %oul& run bloo& before that %as &one" ;oul& you ha& foun& a %ay to turn the con'ersation! before e'er he say! that they a&e you such an offer" Sa'e! as you ight ha'e foun& another" #h! %ell" ;e cannot $ut ol& hea&s on

young shoul&ers" >nfortunately! Regal coul& re o'e your young hea& fro your young shoul&ers all too easily"7 He knelt an& $ut another $iece of %oo& on the fire" He took a breath an& sighe& it out" 6Ha'e you got all other things in rea&iness07 he aske& abru$tly" I %as only too gla& to change the to$ic" 6#s uch as I coul&" Burrich %ill be in $lace an& %aiting! in the al&er co$se %here the &og fox use& to &en"7 9ha&e rolle& his eyes" 6Ho% &o I fin& that0 #sk a $assing &og fox07 I s ile& ina&'ertently" 69lose" ;here %ill you e erge fro
21H<

Buck 9astle07

He %as stubbornly silent for a back fro the stables"7

o ent" Still! that ol& fox hate& to re'eal his

back &oor" Finally he sai&! 6;e %ill co e out of the grain she&! the one thir& I no&&e& slo%ly" 6# gray %olf %ill gates"7 For a long ho% to 65o o ent 9ha&e 4ust looke& at e" I %aite&" For con&e nation! for a look of &isgust! e'en for curiosity" But the ol& assassin ha& stu&ie& too long ask his feelings" He sai& at last! 6;e are fools if %e &o not use e'ery utton to be %ea$on that co es to han&" Is he any """ &anger to us07 ore than I a " You nee& not %ear %olfsbane! nor offer hi allo%e& to $ass"7 I %as as fa iliar %ith the ol& folklore as 9ha&e %as" 6Si $ly sho% yourself! an& he %ill a$$ear to gui&e you" He %ill take you through the %alls! an& out to the co$se %here Burrich %aits %ith the horses"7 6Is it a long %alk07 I kne% he %as thinking of the (ing" 6It is not o'erly long! but it is not short! an& the sno% is &ee$ an& un$acke&" It %ill not be easy to scrabble through the ga$ in the %all! but it can be &one" I coul& ask Burrich to you anage07 the soun& of things" I a not %illing to bring any others ore an& ore untenable"7 eet you at the %all instea&! but I &o not %ish to &ra% attention to it" *erha$s the Fool coul& hel$ 6He %ill ha'e to! fro I bo%e& eet you" Follo% hi silently! an& he %ill

sho% you a %ay out of the %alls of Buck that &oes not take you through the

in on this $lot" Our $osition see s only to beco e

y hea& to the truth of that" 6#n& you07 I 'enture& to ask" e" He has s$irite& a%ay both clothing an& coin for his king.s

6-y tasks are &one as co $letely as they coul& be! ahea& of ti e" The Fool has assiste& 4ourney" Shre%& has reluctantly agree& to our $lan" He kno%s it is %ise! but e'ery $art of it chafes hi " Des$ite all! Fit1! Regal is his son! his fa'ore&
21H?

youngest" E'en ha'ing felt Regal.s ruthlessness! it is still har& for hi %oul& turn on hi

to say

the *rince threatens his life" You see ho% he is boun&3 to a& it that Regal is to a& it he %as %rong about his son" To flee Buckkee$ is e'en %orse! for that is a& itting not only that Regal %oul& turn on hi ! but that flight is his only o$tion" Our king has ne'er been a co%ar&" It galls hi no% to run fro one %ho shoul& be ost loyal of all to hi " Yet he ust" Of that I ha'e con'ince& hi + ostly! I.ll a& it! by saying that %ithout his on the throne"7 e&icines! ake it" I ha'e $re$are& the

ackno%le&g ent! (ettricken.s chil& %ill ha'e a $oor clai 9ha&e sighe&" 6#ll is as rea&y as I can an& all is %ell $acke&"7 6The Fool un&erstan&s he cannot go %ith his king07

9ha&e rubbe& his forehea&" 6He inten&s to follo%! a fe% &ays behin&" He %oul& not be &issua&e& entirely" The best I coul& &o %as to get hi se$arately"7 6Then it but &e$en&s on 6#h! yes!7 9ha&e obser'e& out! sa'e for the actual &ee&"7 ;e stare& together into the fire" e to fin& a %ay to e $ty the (ing.s roo a%ay"7 of %itnesses! an& for you to s$irit hi to tra'el

irthlessly" 6#ll is %ell $lanne& an& rea&y to carry

9H#*TER T;E5TY/5I5E Esca$es an& 9a$tures THE O>TBRE#( OF strife bet%een the coastal an& Inlan& Duchies at the en& of (ing Shre%&.s reign %as not a ne% sun&ering! but rather a resu $tion of ol& &ifferences" The four 9oastal Duchies! Bearns! Buck! Ri$$on! an& Shoaks!
21HB

%ere a king&o

long before the Six Duchies ca e to be" ;hen the unifie&

battle tactics of the 9halce& States con'ince& (ing ;iel&er that their con)uest %oul& be un$rofitable! he turne& his a bitions inlan&" The Farro% region! %ith its scattere& no a&ic tribal $o$ulations! fell easily to the organi1e& ar ies he le&" The ore $o$ulous an& settle& Tilth gru&gingly surren&ere& to hi %hen the erst%hile (ing of that region foun& his territory surroun&e& an& his tra&e routes se'ere&" Both the ol& king&o of Tilth an& the region that %oul& co e to be kno%n as Farro% %ere hel& as con)uere& territory for o'er a generation" The %ealth of their granaries! orchar&s! an& her&s %ere ex$loite& la'ishly for the benefit of the 9oastal Duchies" Iueen -unificence! gran&&aughter of ;iel&er! %as %ise enough to see that this %as bree&ing &iscontent in the inlan& areas" She sho%e& great tolerance an& %is&o in ele'ating the tribal el&ers of the Farro% folk an& arriages an& grants of aneu'ers coul& not that the for er ruling fa ilies of Tilth to nobles" She use& king&o as the Six Duchies" But all of her $olitical

lan& to forge alliances bet%een coastal an& inlan& folk" She first referre& to her change the geogra$hic an& econo ic interests of the &ifferent areas" 9li ate! folk! an& li'elihoo&s of the Inlan& Duchies re aine& 'astly &ifferent fro of the coastal $eo$les" During Shre%&.s reign! the &iffering interests of the t%o regions %ere exacerbate& by the offs$ring of his t%o )ueens" His el&er sons! Aerity an& 9hi'alry! %ere the sons of Iueen 9onstance! a noble%o an of Shoaks %ith relati'es a ong the nobility of Bearns as %ell" She %as 'ery coastal folk" Shre%&.s secon& )ueen! Desire! %as fro Farseer connections" Hence ca e her oft/re$eate& clai uch of the Farro%! but trace& her that her son Regal %as

fa ily lineage back to the long foun&ere& royalty of Tilth as %ell as to &istant

21HC

ore royal than either of his half brothers! an& hence ha& throne"

ore right to the

;ith the &isa$$earance of (ing/in/;aiting Aerity an& ru ors of his &eath! an& the ob'ious failing of (ing Shre%&! it a$$eare& to the 9oastal Dukes that $o%er an& title %oul& be $asse& on to *rince Regal! born of inlan& lineage" They $referre& to align %ith the unborn chil& of Aerity! a coastal *rince! an& $re&ictably &i& all they coul& to retain an& consoli&ate $o%er in the coastal bloo&lines" Threatene& as the 9oastal Duchies %ere by Rai&ers an& Forgings! it %as really the only rational choice they coul& ake"

The (ing/in/;aiting cere ony %as too long" Folk %ere asse ble& %ell ahea& of ti e! to allo% Regal to ake a stately entrance through our ranks an& ascen& to the high seat! %here a &ro%sing (ing Shre%& a%aite& hi " Iueen (ettricken! $ale as a %ax ta$er! stoo& behin& Shre%& at his left shoul&er" Shre%& %as be&ecke& in robes an& fur collars an& the full regalia of the royal 4e%els! but (ettricken ha& resiste& Regal.s suggestions an& entice ents" She stoo& 'ery tall an& straight in a $lain robe of $ur$le! belte& abo'e her roun&ing belly" # si $le circlet of gol& confine& the cro$$e& re nants of her hair" Other than that ban& of etal at her te $les! she ight ha'e been a ser'ant stan&ing a&e her look rea&y to atten& Shre%&" I kne% she sa% herself still as Sacrifice rather than )ueen" She coul& not see that the starkness of her attire &ra atically foreign to the court" The Fool %as there as %ell! in a %ell/%orn Ratsy once otley of black an& %hite! an& %ith ore ato$ his sce$ter" He ha& stri$e& his face in black an& %hite as otley" He ha& a$$eare& so eti e before Regal ha&! an& ha&

%ell! an& I %on&ere& if this %as to ca ouflage his bruises! or si $ly to co $le ent his 'ery ob'iously en4oye& the s$ectacle he create& by sauntering u$ the aisle!
21HD

%a'ing Ratsy about in airy bene&iction! before he curtsie& to the asse blage an& then $lo$$e& gracefully at the (ing.s feet" Juar&s ha& begun to o'e to interce$t hi ! but %ere blocke& by grinning! craning $eo$le" ;hen he arri'e& at the &ais an& seate& hi self! the (ing ha& reache& &o%n to absently tousle the Fool.s s$arse locks! an& so he ha& been suffere& to re ain %here he %as" Sco%ls or grins %ere exchange& o'er the Fool.s $erfor ance! &e$en&ing largely on ho% &ee$ly one ha& $le&ge& his allegiance to Regal" I that it %oul& be the Fool.s last $rank" The at os$here in the (ee$ all &ay ha& been like to that of a seething $ot" -y trust that Bea s %as a tight/li$$e& an ha& been is$lace&" Entirely too any inor nobles %ere su&&enly no&&ing to exchange& look" I feare& it coul& not be so ha& ke$t yself to y roo e! or catching y eye for an inions! an& yself feare&

isse& by any of Regal.s

or! for a goo& $art of the early afternoon! in e ory cleanly to y in&! but I faile&"

Aerity.s to%er! %here I ha& 'ainly atte $te& to Skill forth to hi " I ha& chosen that s$ot in the ho$es of in'oking his Instea& I foun& yself straining for a hint of ;ill.s footste$ on the to%er stairs! y Skill sense"

or a brush of @ustin.s or Serene.s $resence against %oul& e $ty the (ing.s roo fair ble% rising stor

#fter I ga'e u$ on Skilling! I sat long! $on&ering the unsol'able ri&&le of ho% I of guar&s" Outsi&e! I coul& hear the $oun&ing of the sea an& the %in&! an& %hen I o$ene& the %in&o%s briefly the gusting stor e across the roo " -ost sa% this as a fair &ay for the cere ony+ the ight kee$ Rai&ers berthe& %here'er they %ere at $resent an& aking the roa&s treacherously slick! an& i agine& Burrich

assure us no ne% rai&s" I %atche& the free1ing rain $utting a crust on the banke& sno% %hile tra'eling through it by night %ith the Iueen an& (ing Shre%& in his litter" It %as not a task I %oul& en4oy"

21HE

The tone for so ething of great $ortent to ha$$en ha& been %ell set" 5o%! in a&&ition to stories of the *ocke& -an an& snakes on the hearth! there %as &es$air in the kitchens" The &ay.s bake of brea& ha& faile& to rise! an& the ha& cur&le& in the casks before e'en the crea coul& be ski e& fro ilk it" *oor

9ook Sara ha& been shaken to her core an& &eclare& that ne'er before ha& such a thing &are& to ha$$en in her kitchens" The $ig soure& failure of the brea& ha& en %oul& not e'en let the ilk be gi'en to the s%ine! so sure %ere all that it %as curse&" The eant t%ice the catch/u$ %ork for the kitchen ser'ants!

%ho %ere alrea&y o'erbur&ene& %ith fee&ing all the guests %ho ha& co e for the cere ony" I coul& no% 'ouch that the te $ers of an entire (ee$ coul& be &isturbe& by an unha$$y kitchen cre%" There ha& been short rations for the %atch roo ! an& the ste% ha& been o'erly salte&! %hile so eho% the beer ha& gone flat" The Duke of Tilth co $laine& of 'inegar instea& of %ine in his roo s! %hich le& the Duke of Bea s to co ent to those of Shoaks an& Ri$$on that e'en a bit of 'inegar %oul& ha'e been %elco e as a sign of hos$itality in their roo s" The unfortunate re ark %as con'eye& so eho% to -istress Hasty! %ho soun&ly scol&e& all the cha berlains an& ser'ing folk %ho ha& not so eho% anage& to s$rea& the thin cheer left at Buckkee$ to inclu&e the lesser guest roo s" There %as a co $laint a ong the lesser ser'ants that an or&er ha& co e &o%n to kee$ ex$enses for those guests to a ini u ! but no one coul& be foun& %ho %oul& yself in Aerity.s to%er" uch %oul& ha'e of a shirt %ith a& it to gi'ing such an or&er! or e'en to $assing it &o%n" #n& so the &ay ha& gone! so that I ha& been altogether relie'e& to isolate But I &are& not been inferre& fro entrance" -y iss the (ing/in/;aiting cere ony! for too that" #n& so I stoo&! an unco fortable 'icti

o'erfull slee'es an& so e 'ery itchy leggings! $atiently a%aiting Regal.s in& %as not on his $o $ an& cere ony+ rather it %hirle& %ith
211H

)uestions an& %orries of

y o%n" I frette& o'er %hether Burrich ha& been able

to s uggle out the horses an& litter" It %as &ark no%" He %as $robably sitting outsi&e in this stor ! in the $athetic shelter of the al&er co$se" He %oul& ha'e blankete& the horses! no &oubt! but that %oul& &o little against the sleet that no% fell stea&ily" He ha& gi'en %eekly bribes! an& to check on the This he ha& a&e e the na e of the s ithy %here Sooty an& ust fin& a %ay to kee$ u$ the an.s often to be sure they %ere %ell care& for" Ru&&y ha& been taken" So eho% I

e $ro ise to entrust to no one else" ;oul& the Iueen be that 9ha&e ight s$irit hi a%ay0

able to retire alone to her roo 0 #n& again an& again! ho% %as I to e $ty (ing Shre%&.s roo # utter of %on&er broke e fro y re'erie" I glance& to%ar& the &ais

%here e'eryone see e& to be staring" There %as a brief flickering! an& for an instant one of the %hite ta$ers burning there flickere& blue" Then another s$at a s$ark! an& burne& blue for an instant" There %as another utter! but the %ay%ar& can&les settle& after that to burning e'enly an& %ell" 5either (ettricken nor (ing Shre%& a$$eare& to notice anything a iss! but the Fool sat u$ an& shook Ratsy at the errant can&les in rebuke" #t length Regal &i& a$$ear! res$len&ent in re& 'el'et an& %hite silk" # little ai& %alke& before hi ! s%inging a censer of san&al%oo& incense" Regal s ile& u$on all as he a&'ance& leisurely to%ar& the throne! eye an& no&&ing eeting any an any an ackno%le&g ent on his %ay to that high seat" I a to rea&" #t length

sure it &i& not go off so finely as Regal ha& $lanne&" (ing Shre%& faltere& an& then looke& $u11le& o'er the scroll that ha& been gi'en hi (ettricken took it fro alou& the %or&s that his shaky han&s! an& he s ile& u$ at her as she rea& ust ha'e cut her to the heart" It %as a careful listing of

the chil&ren that (ing Shre%& ha& sire&! inclu&ing a &aughter %ho ha& &ie& in infancy! by the or&er of their births! an& then by or&er of their &eaths! all
2111

lea&ing u$ to Regal as sole sur'i'or an& legiti ate heir" She &i& not hesitate at Aerity.s na e! but rea& alou& the brief state ent 6=ost to she carrie&! no (ing/in/;aiting" The chil& coul& not ste$ for%ar& to clai sixteen" (ettricken ha& taken fro ge Aerity.s chest the si $le sil'er circlet %ith the blue that %as cro%n for a (ing/in/;aiting! an& the $en&ant of gol& an& as if be%il&ere&" He a&e no o'e to besto% the to take that title until he or she %as at least ention %as isfortune %hile on a )uest to the -ountain (ing&o 7/as if it %ere an ingre&ient list" Of the chil& a&e" # chil& as yet unborn %as an heir! but not a

e eral& in the sha$e of a lea$ing buck" These she $asse& first to (ing Shre%&! %ho looke& &o%n at the the u$on Regal" #t length Regal reache& for the ! an& Shre%& allo%e& hi

out of his han&s" #n& so Regal set the cro%n u$on his o%n hea&! an&

sli$$e& the $en&ant about his o%n neck! an& stoo& before us all! the ne% (ing/ in/;aiting of the Six Duchies" 9ha&e.s ti ing %as slightly off" The can&les &i& not seriously begin to flicker blue until the Dukes %ere %en&ing their %ays for%ar& to $le&ge once House Farseer" Regal trie& to ignore this $heno enon! until the the folk threatene& to &ro%n out Duke Ra ore to uttering of

of Tilth.s oath" Then Regal turne& e&iately %ent blue! an& he uch of a $ortent %hen a

an& casually $inche& out the offen&ing can&le" I a& ire& his a$lo b! es$ecially %hen a secon& can&le al ost i re$eate& the gesture" I torch set in a sconce by the yself thought it %as a bit too

ain &oor su&&enly %hooshe& out a blue fla e an&

a foul stench before it guttere& &ark" #ll eyes ha& turne& to %atch it" Regal %aite& it out! but I sa% the clench of his 4a% an& the tiny 'ein that throbbe& on his te $le"

2112

I &o not kno% ho% he ha& $lanne& to en& his cere ony! but he brought it to a rather abru$t close after that" #t his curt signal! %hile at another no& the &oors o$ene& an& la&en! %hile boys hastene& after the instrels struck u$ abru$tly! u$on" #t eats an& en bore in table boar&s alrea&y

%ith the trestles to set the

least for this feast he ha& s$are& nothing! an& the %ell/$re$are&

$astries %ere %elco e& by all" If there see e& to be so ething of a shortage of brea&! no one thought to co $lain of it" 9loths an& tables ha& been set in the =esser Hall for the gran& folk! an& thither I sa% (ettricken slo%ly escorting (ing Shre%& %hile the Fool an& Rose ary traile& after the " For those of us %ith lesser rank! there %ere si $ler but $lentiful foo&s to han& an& a cleare& floor for &ancing" I ha& $lanne& to I %as accoste& by et ake yself a hearty eal at the feasting! but again an& again y shoul&er too fir ly or %o en %ho en %ho cla$$e&

y eyes too kno%ingly" The 9oastal Dukes %ere at table %ith the other

high nobles! ostensibly breaking brea& %ith Regal an& ce enting their ne% relationshi$ to hi " I ha& been tol& that all three 9oastal Dukes %oul& kno% I concurre& %ith their $lan" It %as unner'ing to fin& e'i&ence that this %as kno%n a ong the lesser nobility as %ell" 9elerity e as escort! but as *lainly she %ishe& a&e e ner'ously a%are of a&e no o'ert clai u$on e about yself by follo%ing

utely as a houn&" I coul& not turn but I foun& her a half/&o1en ste$s a%ay" e to s$eak to her! but I &i& not trust y %its to fin& Shoaks casually aske&

suitable %or&s" I al ost broke %hen a lesser noble fro Bay" ;ith a sinking heart! I su&&enly reali1e&

e if I thought any of the %arshi$s %oul& be harbore& as far south as False y error" 5one of the feare& Regal"

They sa% no &anger! only a s$oile& $o$in4ay of a boy %ho %ishe& to %ear fine

2118

clothes an& a circlet an& clai

a title to hi self" They belie'e& he %oul& go

a%ay an& they coul& ignore hi " I kne% better" I kne% %hat Regal %as ca$able of! in search of $o%er! or on a %hi ! or si $ly because he belie'e& he coul& get a%ay %ith it" He %oul& lea'e Buckkee$" He &i& not %ant it" But if he thought I &i&! he %oul& &o e'erything %ithin his $o%er to see that I &i& not get it" I %as su$$ose& to be &u $e& here! like a stray! left to star'e or be rai&e&" 5ot ascen& to $o%er on the %reckage he ha& left" If I %ere not 'ery careful! they %oul& get e kille&" Or %orse! if there %as anything Regal coul& &e'ise that he sa% as %orse" T%ice I trie& to sli$ a%ay! an& each ti e %as cornere& by so eone %ho %ante& a )uiet o ent of talk %ith e" I finally $lea&e& a hea&ache an& ust be resigne& to at least a e goo& night in y ost o$enly announce& I %as seeking &o1en folk hastening to %ish y be&" Then I

e goo& night before I retire&" @ust as I thought I ine an& %ishe&

%as free 9elerity touche& a shy han& to rattle& e

such a &is$irite& 'oice that I kne% that I ha& hurt her feelings" That! I think! ore than anything else that e'ening" I thanke& her an&! in e" I fle& u$ the stairs" #s I cli be& the co%ar&ly act of that night! &are& to kiss her fingerti$s" The resurgence of light in her eyes sha e& I %on&ere& ho% that Aerity ha& e'er stoo& this sort of thing! or y father" If I ha& e'er thought or

&rea e& of being a real *rince instea& of a bastar&! I aban&one& the &rea that this %as ho% life %oul& be for $o%er clung to I %ent to #s I tugge& on e no%! an& too

night" It %as entirely too $ublic a $rofession" ;ith a sinking heart! I reali1e& e until Aerity returne&" The illusion of any %oul& be &a11le& by it"

y o%n cha ber an&! %ith great relief! change& into sensible clothes" y shirt I felt the tiny bulge of ;allace.s $oison! still se%n into e luck" I left y roo

y cuff" *erha$s! I reflecte& bitterly! it %oul& bring

211<

an& then co

itte& $ossibly

ost foolish act of the e'ening" I %ent u$ to

-olly.s cha ber" The ser'ants. hall %as e $ty! the corri&or but &i ly lit %ith t%o %a'ering torches" I ta$$e& at her &oor" There %as no re$ly" I trie& the latch softly! but it %as not fastene&" The &oor s%ung o$en at an& kin&le& it at a torch" Then I %ent back in her roo y touch" an& shut the &oor" I Darkness" E $tiness" The s all hearth hel& no fire" I foun& a bit of a can&le stoo& there %hile the &e'astation finally beca e real" It %as all too -olly" The stri$$e& be&! the hearth s%e$t clean! but %ith a s all stack of %oo& set rea&y for a fire for the next resi&ent3 Those %ere the touches that tol& e she ha& ti&ie& herself out of the roo " 5ot a ribbon! not a ta$er! not e'en a scra$ of %icking re aine& of the %o an %ho ha& li'e& a ser'ant.s life here" The e%er set u$si&e &o%n in the basin to kee$ the &ust out" I sat in her chair before the col& hearth! I o$ene& her clothing chest an& $eere& %ithin" But it %as not her chair! or hearth! or chest" These %ere 4ust ob4ects she ha& touche& in the brief ti e she ha& been here" -olly %as gone" She %asn.t co ing back" I ha& hel& yself together by refusing to think of her" This e $ty roo y eyes" I looke& into 4erke& for the blin&fol& fro yself an& &es$ise& %hat I sa%" I e0 I no longer

%ishe& I coul& call back the kiss I ha& $lace& on 9elerity.s fingerti$s" Bal a girl.s %oun&e& $ri&e! or the lure to bin& her an& her father to

kne% %hich it ha& been" 5either coul& be 4ustifie&" Both %ere %rong! if I belie'e& at all in the lo'e I ha& $le&ge& to -olly" That one act %as $roof I %as guilty of all she ha& charge& her" I ha& &angle& herself nor belief in e %ith" I %oul& al%ays $ut the Farseers ahea& of e by lea'ing e" ;hat she coul& not ust carry arriage before -olly like bait! left her %ith no $ri&e in e" She ha& hurt

lea'e behin& %as %hat I ha& &one to her belief in herself" That she
211?

%ith her fore'er! a belief that she ha& been tricke& an& use& by a selfish lying boy %ho lacke& e'en the courage to fight for her" 9an &esolation be a source of courage0 Or %as it erely recklessness an& a &esire for self/&estruction0 I %ent bol&ly back &o%nstairs an& %ent &irectly to the (ing.s cha bers" The torches in the %all sconces outsi&e his &oor annoye& e by s$itting blue s$arks as I $asse&" # little too &ra atic! 9ha&e" I %on&ere& if he ha& treate& e'ery can&le an& torch in the (ee$" I $ushe& the hanging curtain asi&e an& entere&" 5o one %as there" 5ot in the sitting roo ! not e'en in the (ing.s be&cha ber" The $lace ha& a threa&bare look to it! %ith all the best things taken a%ay an& carte& off u$ri'er" It re in&e& guar& on the &oor" In a strange %ay! it re in&e& e of a roo in a e&iocre inn" 5othing left here %as %orth stealing! or Regal %oul& ha'e left a e of -olly.s roo " Here there %ere ob4ects left! be&&ing! gar ents! an& the like" But this %as no longer y king.s roo " I %ent an& stoo& by a table! in the exact s$ot %here I ha& stoo& as a young boy" Here! %hile Shre%& breakfaste&! he ha& )ui11e& astutely on fro y lessons each %eek! an& a&e e! that if I %as his sub4ect! he %as also this roo " The clutter of an acti'e y king" That e e a%are! e'ery ti e he s$oke to an %as gone! stri$$e&

an! the boot trees! the bla&es! the a long ti e ago" Tonight I

scatter of scrolls ha& been re$lace& %ith censers for burning herbs an& sticky cu$s of &rug tea" (ing Shre%& ha& left this roo %oul& take a%ay a sick ol& hanging an& stoo& roo " ;allace" That an" yself for y clu siness" I sli$$e& behin& a ur ur of 'oices fro the sitting y ake I hear& footste$s an& curse&

otionless" I hear& the

ocking re$ly %oul& be the Fool" I ghoste& fro

hi&ing $lace to stan& 4ust insi&e the be&cha ber an& $eer through the

shift curtain" (ettricken sat on the couch besi&e the (ing! talking %ith hi softly" She looke& %eary" Dark circles s u&ge& beneath her eyes! but she
211B

s ile& for the (ing" I %as $lease& to hear hi

ur ur a re$ly to %hate'er she

ha& aske& hi " ;allace crouche& on the hearth! a&&ing sticks of %oo& to the fire %ith excessi'e care" On the other si&e of the hearth! Rose ary ha& colla$se& in a hea$! her ne% &ress bunche& u$ about her" #s I %atche& she ya%ne& slee$ily! then hea'e& a sigh an& straightene& herself u$" I $itie& her" The long cere ony ha& left e feeling exactly the sa e %ay" The Fool stoo& e! as if the behin& the (ing.s chair" He su&&enly turne& an& stare& &irectly at curtain %ere no barrier at all" I coul& see no one else in the roo " The Fool turne& abru$tly back to ;allace" 6Yes! blo%! Sir ;allace! blo% %ell an& hot" *erchance %e shall not nee& the fire at all! %ith the %ar th of your breath to &ri'e the chill fro ;allace &i& not rise fro shoul&er" 6Bring the roo "7 his crouch! but turne& to glare at the Fool o'er his to

e so e %oo&! %oul& you0 5ot a stick of this %ill catch" The

fla e runs along it %ell! but the %oo& &oes not burn" I nee& hot %ater if I a ake the (ing his slee$ing tea"7 6;oul& I bring %oo&0 ;oo&0 ;oul& I0 ;oo&en a %oul& I burn! no u$ fro

I not! fair ;allace" 5or e" Juar&s: a&e a

atter ho% closely you huffe& an& $uffe& u$on

Ho! guar&s: Enter! an& bring %ith you %oo&! if you %oul&:7 The Fool lea$e& his $lace behin& the (ing an& ca$ere& to the &oor! %here he great sho% of atte $ting to treat the curtain as if it %ere a $ro$er &oor" #t last he thrust his hea& out into the hall an& calle& lou&ly again for the guar&s" He &re% his hea& back in after a o ent an& returne& to the roo %ith a &e4ecte& an" ;allace ore air" 65o guar&s! no %oo&" *oor ;allace"7 He gra'ely stu&ie& the turn! bo% to stern! an& blo% thus u$on the fire! the fla es errily for you" Fore to aft! to create a &raft! bra'e ;allace"7

%as on his han&s an& knees! $oking angrily at the fire" 6*erha$s %ere you to ight &ance

211C

One of the can&les that lit the roo ha'e thought hi a su$erstitious

su&&enly s$at blue s$arks" #ll! e'en the

Fool! flinche& to its hissing! %hile ;allace lu bere& to his feet" I %oul& not an! but there %as a brief %il&ness in his eyes that s$oke %ell of ho% little he like& this o en" 6The fire si $ly %ill not burn!7 he announce&! an& then as if reali1ing the significance of %hat he sai&! he $ause&! outh aga$e" 6;e are %itche&!7 sai& the Fool benignly" On the hearth! little Rose ary &re% her knees u$ un&er her chin an& looke& about %ith roun& eyes" #ll trace of slee$iness %as gone fro of the roo her" 6;hy are there no guar&s07 ;allace &e an&e& angrily" He stro&e to the &oor an& $eere& out into the hall%ay" 6The torches burn blue! e'ery one of the :7 he gas$e&" He &re% his hea& back in! looke& about %il&ly" 6Rose ary" Run an& fetch the guar&s" They sai& they %oul& follo% us shortly"7 Rose ary shook her hea& an& refuse& to bu&ge" She hugge& her knees tightly" 6Juar&s %oul& follo% us0 ;oo& follo% us0 Follo%e& by %oo&0 5o% that.s a knotty sub4ect: ;oul& %oo&en guar&s burn07 6Sto$ your nattering:7 ;allace sna$$e& at the Fool" 6Jo fetch the guar&s"7 6Jo fetch0 First he thinks I a fetch the %oo&+ the stick you %oo&! no% that I a his little $et &og" #h: Jo ean" ;here.s the stick07 #n& the Fool began to as if in search of a thro%n stick"

bark like a feist an& frolic about the roo

6Jo fetch the guar&s:7 ;allace all but ho%le&" The Iueen s$oke fir ly" 6Fool" ;allace" Enough" You %eary us %ith your antics! an& ;allace! you are frightening Rose ary" Jo an& fetch the guar&s yourself! if you are so set on ha'ing the $eace" I a %eary" Soon I ust retire"7 not a
211D

here" #s for

e! I %oul& ha'e a little

6-y )ueen! there is so ething ill afoot this night!7 ;allace insiste&" He glance& about hi %arily" 6I a an s%aye& by chance o ens! but of

late there ha'e been too

any to ignore" I shall go fetch the guar&s! since the fro %oo& that %ill

Fool here lacks the courage/7 6He cla ors an& %ee$s for the guar&s to co e guar& hi not burn! but I! I a the one %ho lacks courage0 #h! e:7 otion!

6Fool! $eace! $lease:7 The Iueen.s $lea see e& genuine" 6;allace" Jo bring! not guar&s! but si $ly &ifferent %oo&" Our king %ishes not this co but si $ly rest" Jo no%" Jo"7 ;allace ho'ere& at the &oor! $lainly reluctant to bra'e the blue light of the corri&or alone" The Fool si $ere& at hi " 6Shall I co e %ith! to hol& your han&! bra'e ;allace07 That at last sent hi once stri&ing fro the roo " #s his footste$s fa&e&! the Fool ore looke& to%ar& y hi&ing $lace! his in'itation $lain" 6-y )ueen!7 I

sai& softly! an& a )uickly in&ra%n breath %as the only sign that I startle& her as I ste$$e& out of the (ing.s be&cha ber" 6If you %ishe& to retire! the Fool an& I coul& see the (ing to his be&" I kno% you are %eary an& that you %ishe& to rest early this night"7 Fro Rose ary" Joo& night! She s%e$t fro chil& ga'e us the hearth! Rose ary regar&e& y king"7 e %ith roun& eyes" 6*erha$s I shall!7 sai& (ettricken! rising %ith sur$rising alacrity" 69o e! the roo ! %ith Rose ary $ractically trotting at her heels" The any a back%ar& glance" #s soon as the &oor curtain fell behin& gently" 6I shall

the ! I %as at the (ing.s si&e" 6-y king! it is ti e!7 I tol& hi you07 He s%allo%e&! then focuse& his eyes on

kee$ %atch here as you go" Is there anything s$ecial you %ishe& to take %ith e" 65o" 5o! there is nothing here for

e" 5othing to lea'e behin&! an& nothing to stay for"7 He close& his eyes!

211E

s$oke softly" 6I ha'e change& in y o%n be& this night"7

in&! Fit1" I think I shall stay here! an& &ie

The Fool an& I %ere both struck &u b for an instant" 6#h! no:7 the Fool crie& softly! %hile I sai&! 6-y king! you are but tire&"7 6#n& the only thing I shall get is out at e fro ore tire&"7 There %as a strange luci&ity in e" -y son has beco e a his eyes" The boy (ing I ha& touche& briefly %hen %e Skille& together looke& that $ainracke& bo&y" 6-y bo&y fails ser$ent" Regal kno%s his brother li'es" He kno%s the cro%n he %ears is not rightfully his" I &i& not think he %oul& """ I thought at the last! he %oul& think better """"7 Tears %elle& in his ancient eyes" I ha& thought to sa'e betrayal of a son" He reache& a han& to%ar& %oul& ha'e hi kno%! fro e! a han& gone fro y king fro the a uscle& e a &isloyal *rince" I shoul& ha'e kno%n there %as no sa'ing a father fro

s%or& hol&er to a gaunt an& yello%e& cla%" 6I %oul& say fare%ell to Aerity" I e! that I &i& not countenance any of this" =et e to hi "7 at least kee$ that uch faith %ith the son %ho ke$t faith %ith e"7 He $ointe&

to a s$ot by his feet" 69o e! Fit1" Take There %as no refusing that co

an&" I &i& not hesitate" I ca e an& knelt

before hi " The Fool stoo& behin& hi ! tears cutting gray $aths through the black/an&/%hite $aint on his face" 65o!7 he %his$ere& urgently" 6-y king! rise! let us go into hi&ing" There you this no%"7 Shre%& $ai& hi no in&" I felt Shre%&.s han& settle on y shoul&er" I o$ene& y strength to hi ! sorro%fully sur$rise& that I ha& at last learne& ho% to &o that at %ill" ;e $lunge& together into the black Skill ri'er" ;e turne& in that current as I %aite& for hi e" Son of -y king"
212H

ay think this through" You nee& not &eci&e

to gi'e us &irection" Instea&! he su&&enly e brace& y bloo&" In y o%n %ay! I ha'e lo'e& you"

y son! bloo& of

-y young assassin" ;hat ha'e I

a&e of you0 Ho% ha'e I t%iste&

y o%n

flesh0 You &o not kno% ho% young you still are" 9hi'alry.s son! it is not too late to gro% straight again" =ift u$ your hea&" See beyon& all this" I ha& s$ent y life beco ing %hat he %ishe& e to be" These %or&s no% fille& e %ith confusion an& )uestions there %as no ti e to ans%er" I coul& feel his strength fa&ing" Aerity! I %his$ere& to re in& hi " I felt hi reach out! an& stea&ie& that reaching for hi " I felt the brush of an in &ee$ %ater" I sei1e& his Aerity.s $resence! an& then a su&&en &%in&ling of the (ing" I gro$e& after hi as one %oul& &i'e after a &ro%ning consciousness! hel& it to in Then he %as gone" =ike a bubble $o$$ing" I ha& thought I ha& gli $se& the frailty of life %hen I hel& the &ea& chil& in ar s" 5o% I kne% it" Here! an& then not here" E'en a snuffe& can&le a trailing %is$ of s oke" -y king %as si $ly gone" But I %as not alone" I think e'ery chil& has fli$$e& o'er the &ea& bir& foun& in the %oo&s! only to be shocke& an& terrifie& by the busy %orkings of the aggots on the un&ersi&e" e" Here! ist et Fleas cluster thickest an& ticks gro% fattest on a &ying &og" @ustin an& Serene! like sucking leeches forsaking a &ying fish! rose an& trie& to fasten to that ha& clou&e& his aster! ha& the source of their increase& strength an& the (ing.s slo% failing" Here the a&e Aerity his target" But he ha& isse& his kill! an& instea& y ay lea'e e! but it %as like gri$$ing a sha&o%" He %as a boy

y ar s! frightene& an& struggling against he kne% not %hat"

in& an& fille& his &ays %ith %eariness" Jalen! their

his o%n &eath" Ho% long these ha& been fastene& to the (ing! ho% long they ha& sucke& Skill strength fro hi ! I %oul& ne'er kno%" They %oul& ha'e
2121

been $ri'y to all he Skille& through clear to ho% to e'a&e the " I felt the o ents"

e to Aerity" -uch %as su&&enly e! kne% they %ere &ra%ing off it! they %oul& kill

a&e y e in

e! but it %as all too late" They close& on fasten to

e! an& I ha& no conce$t of

strength no%! an& that %ith no reason to refrain fro

Aerity! I crie& out! but I %as alrea&y too %eakene&" I %oul& ne'er reach hi " Off hi ! curs: # fa iliar snarl! an& then 5ighteyes re$elle& through e" I &i& not think it %oul& %ork! but as before! he force& the ;it %ea$on u$on the through the channel the Skill ha& o$ene&" The ;it an& the Skill %ere t%o &ifferent things! as unlike as rea&ing an& singing! or s%i horse" Yet %hen they %ere linke& to 'ulnerable to this other of the both" >$ an& run: Flee those you cannot fight: I foun& it a %ise suggestion" Fear &ro'e sla e& the guar&s of y o$ene& e back into y o%n bo&y an& I in& close& to their Skill touch" ;hen I coul&! I agic" I felt the e by the Skill! they re$ulse& fro ing an& ri&ing a ust ha'e been

e! but there %ere t%o

to %ithstan& the i $act of 5ighteyes. attack" It %oul& not &efeat the

y eyes" I lay on the floor of the (ing.s stu&y! gas$ing! %hile abo'e e" I %ith&re% &ee$ e" #n& still I

e the Fool ha& thro%n his bo&y across the (ing.s an& %as %il&ly %ee$ing" I felt the cree$ing ten&rils of the Skill sense gro$ing after into felt their $resence! like ghostly fingers $lucking at y skin" It fille& e %ith re'ulsion" y king! you rotten e" yself! shiel&e& frantically in the %ay Aerity ha& taught

y clothes! trailing &o%n

6You.'e kille& hi ! you.'e kille& hi : You.'e kille& traitor: 6 the Fool shrieke& at 65o: It %as not I:7 I coul& barely gas$ out the %or&s"

2122

To

y horror ;allace stoo& in the &oor! taking in the %hole scene %ith %il&

eyes" Then he lifte& his glance an& screa e& alou& in horror" He &ro$$e& the ar ful of %oo& he ha& brought" Both the Fool an& I turne& our hea&s" Stan&ing in the &oor of the (ing.s be&cha ber %as the *ocke& -an" E'en kno%ing it %as 9ha&e! I still kne% one o ent of hair/raising terror" He %as il&e%" His long gray &resse& in tattere& gra'e clothes! s eare& %ith earth an& that the li'i& scars ;allace" The ya

hair hung in filthy locks about his face! an& he ha& s eare& his skin %ith ash ight stan& out the better" He lifte& a slo% han& to $oint at an screa e&! an& then fle& shrieking &o%n the halls" His

ering for the guar&s echoe& through the (ee$"

6;hat goes on here07 9ha&e &e an&e& as soon as ;allace ha& fle&" He crosse& to his brother in a single stri&e! lai& long thin fingers across the (ing.s throat" I kne% %hat he %oul& fin&" I cla bere& $ainfully to %ail" The Skill fingers $lucke& at y feet" 6He.s &ea&" I DID 5OT (I== HI-:7 -y shout cut across the Fool.s rising e insistently" 6I go to kill those %ho &i&" e as if he ha& ne'er seen e Take the Fool to safety" Ha'e you the Iueen07 9ha&e.s eyes %ere 'ery %i&e" He stare& at before" #ll the can&les in the roo only fitting" 6Jet her to safety!7 I or&ere& this roo thing" 6Take hi ho%e'er you can! 9ha&e: His life &e$en&s on it:7 I grabbe& the sa'agely" His hea& %hi$$e& back an& Fool by the shoul&ers an& shook hi tonight"7 a& y %ent su&&enly to s$uttering blue" It see e& aster" 6#n& see the Fool goes

%ith her" If he stays here! he.s &ea&" Regal %ill let no one li'e %ho has been in 65o: I %ill not lea'e hi :7 The Fool.s eyes %ere %i&e an& e $ty as a

forth on his thin neck" 6Jo %ith 9ha&e an& be silent" Be silent! if you %ant your king.s &eath a'enge&" For that is %hat I go to &o"7 # su&&en tre or ran
2128

o'er

e an& the %orl& rocke&! black at the e&ges" 6Elfbark:7 I gas$e&" 6I nee& you" Then flee:7 I thrust the Fool into 9ha&e.s ar s! an& the ol& in his ro$y gras$" It %as like %atching hi taken into the ar s of

elfbark fro an took hi

&eath" They left the roo ! 9ha&e $ro$elling the %ee$ing Fool along" #fter a o ent I hear& the barest grating of stone on stone" I kne% they %ere gone" I sank to y knees! then coul& not kee$ fro to$$ling" I fetche& u$ against the chair ar to rest ato$ y &ea& king.s la$" His cooling han& fell fro the " Blackness s%irle& at the e&ge of $lucke& at y %alls! scra$ing at the y hea&"

6# stu$i& ti e for tears!7 I sai& alou& to the e $ty roo " But that &i& not sto$ y 'ision" The ghostly Skill fingers ortar! trying e'ery stone" I $ushe& at e! I su&&enly

the ! but they ca e right back" The %ay 9ha&e ha& looke& at &oubte& that he %oul& be back" Still" I took a breath" 5ighteyes" Jui&e the e erge fro -y brother0 Jui&e the ! y heart: I $ushe& hi feebly a%ay! an& felt hi to the fox.s &en" I sho%e& hi ust go" It %as all I coul&

the she& they %oul& anage" go" Still the

an& %here they

foolish tears tracke& &o%n the (ing.s %aist" I o$ene&

y face" I reache& to stea&y y eyes! force&

yself" -y han& fell at an carries at his %aist! its

y 'ision to clear" His knife" 5ot

so e 4e%ele& &agger! but the si $le knife that e'ery sheath" I hel& it in

for the si $le &ay/to/&ay tasks he &oes" I took a breath! then $ulle& it fro

y la$ an& looke& at it" #n honest bla&e! hone& thin fro y fingers lightly o'er it! an& they foun& %hat y

years of use" # han&le of antler! $robably car'e& once! but %orn s ooth %ith the gri$ of his han&" I ran eyes coul& no longer rea&" Ho&.s sign" The %ea$ons aster ha& her king" #n& he ha& use& it %ell" # e ory tickle& at the back of y in&" 6;e are tools!7 9ha&e ha& tol& e" I %as the tool he ha& forge& for the (ing" The (ing ha& looke& at
212<

a&e this for

e! an&

%on&ere&! ;hat ha'e I (ing.s assassin" In

a&e of you0 I &i& not nee& to %on&er" I %as the as I

ore %ays than one" But I %oul& see that I ser'e& hi e" 9ha&e" I turne&

ha& been inten&e&! one last ti e" So eone crouche& besi&e 69arris see&!7 he tol& into hi&ing as %ell"7 65o"7 I took the s all cake of carris see& co $resse& %ith honey" I $ut the %hole thing in y outh an& che%e&! grin&ing the see& bet%een y back teeth to release the full strength" I s%allo%e&" 6Jo!7 I bi& hi " 6I ha'e a task! an& so ha'e you" Burrich is %aiting" The alar %ill kee$ the He release& That He left busy"7 e" 6Joo&/bye! boy!7 he sai& gruffly! an& stoo$e& to kiss e ali'e again" e on %ill be raise& soon" Jet the Iueen a%ay )uickly! %hile you ha'e a chance of getting ahea& of the hunt" I y hea& slo%ly to look at hi " e take you e" 65o ti e to $re$are elfbark" 9o e" =et

the forehea&" It %as fare%ell" He &i&n.t ex$ect to see a&e t%o of us"

e there! an& before e'en I hear& the grate of stone on stone! I felt the

%orking of the carris see&" I ha& ha& the see& before! at S$ringfest %hen e'eryone &oes" # tiny $inch of it s$rinkle& across the to$ of a sugar cake brings a erry gi&&iness to the heart" Burrich ha& %arne& e that so e &ishonest horse tra&ers fe& their charges carris oil on their grain! for the $ur$ose of %inning a race! or to ha& also %arne& hi ake a sick horse sho% %ell at an auction" He e that a horse so treate& %as often ne'er the sa e beast

again" If he sur'i'e&" I kne% 9ha&e ha& use& it! on occasion! an& I ha& seen &ro$ like a stone %hen the effects %ore off" Yet I &i& not hesitate" *erha$s! e" The ecstasy of the e" -y I conce&e& briefly! $erha$s Burrich %as right about

Skill! or the frantic flush an& heat of the hunt" Di& I taunt self/&estruction! or &i& I &esire it0 I &i& not %orry about it for long" The carris see& took
212?

strength %as as the strength of ten! an& to I knelt before left hi

y heart soare& like an eagle" I s$rang y bro% as I

y feet" I starte& for the &oor! then turne& back" y &ea& king" I lifte& his knife! hel& it before

s%ore to hi ! 6This bla&e shall take your 'engeance"7 I kisse& his han& an& there before the fire" If I ha& thought the can&les s$itting blue s$arks %ere unner'ing! then the blue glo% of the torches in the hall %ere other%orl&ly" It %as like looking &o%n through still &ee$ %ater" I s$rinte& &o%n the hall! giggling to fla es an& the *ocke& -an! he %as ya as I ha& thought! an& no% ti e %aite& for ering" 5ot as yself" Belo%! I coul& hear a cla or! %ith ;allace.s 'oice raise& shrill abo'e the rest" Blue uch ti e ha& $asse& e" =ight as the %in& I &arte& &o%n y &oor" I let the reach

the hall" I foun& a &oor that %oul& o$en an& sli$$e& %ithin" I %aite&" They took fore'er to co e u$ the stairs! e'en longer to go $ast y hi&ing $lace an& &ashe& &o%n the stairs" So eone shoute& after e as I fle&! but no one ga'e chase" I %as to the botto e" I of the stairs before I hear& so eone finally gi'e the or&er to catch the (ing.s cha ber! an& %hen I hear& the shouts of alar begin! I s$rang fro

laughe& alou&" #s if they coul&: Buckkee$ 9astle %as a %arren of back %ays an& ser'ants. $assages for a boy %ho ha& gro%n u$ there" I kne% %here I %as going! but I &i&n.t go there &irectly" =ike a fox I ran! a$$earing briefly in the Jreat Hall! &ashing across the cobbles of the %ashing courts! terrifying 9ook %ith y frantic &ash through her kitchens" #n& al%ays! al%ays! the $ale Skill e! not kno%ing at all that I %as co ing! co ing! fingers $lucke& an& fingere& y &ears! co ing to fin& you" Jalen! born an& raise& in Farro%! ha& al%ays hate& the sea" He feare& it! I think! an& so his cha ber ha& been on the si&e of the (ee$ that face& the ountains" #fter he ha& &ie&! I ha& hear& it ha& beco e a shrine to hi "
212B

Serene ha& taken o'er his be&cha ber! but ke$t his sitting roo

as a gathering

$lace for the coterie" I ha& ne'er 'isite& his roo s! but I kne% the %ay" I took the ste$s u$ like an arro% in flight! %hiske& &o%n the hall $ast a cou$le in a heate& e brace an& sto$$e& at a hea'y &oor ban&e& %ith iron" But a thick &oor that is not $ro$erly barre& is no barrier at all! an& in o$en to y touch" o ents this one s%ung

There %as a se icircle of chairs set u$ aroun& a tall table" # fat can&le burne& in the center of it" For focus! I i agine&" Only t%o of the chairs %ere occu$ie&" @ustin an& Serene sat si&e by si&e! han&s clas$e&! eyes close&! hea&s lolle& back in the throes of Skilling" 5o ;ill" I ha& ho$e& to fin& hi I %as flattere& that they $ut so uch effort to breaking &o%n here as %ell" y %alls" Their For the barest instant I looke& at their faces" *ers$iration glea e& on the ! an& ouths t%itche& in s all s iles! resisting the ecstasy of the Skill user! focusing on the ob4ect rather than on the $leasure of the $ursuit" I &i& not hesitate" 6Sur$rise:7 I sai& softly" I 4erke& Serene.s hea& back an& $ulle& the (ing.s bla&e across her ex$ose& throat" She 4erke& once! an& I let her fall to the floor" There %as a re arkable a ount of bloo&" @ustin lea$e& to his feet %ith a shriek an& I brace& foole& yself for his onslaught" He e! though" He fle& s)uealing &o%n the hall an& I follo%e&! knife in ost &irect route to the Jreat Hall! shrieking all the %ay" e incre&ible to recall that! but I

han&" He soun&e& 4ust like a $ig! an& he %as incre&ibly fast" 5o fox tricks for @ustin! he fa'ore& the I laughe& as I ran" E'en no% it see s to think! ha'ing kille& e an& hi 0 In the Jreat Hall! usicians ha& been $laying an& folk &ancing! but @ustin.s entrance $ut an en& to that" I ha& gaine& on hi ! so that there %ere scarce a
212C

cannot &eny it" Di& he su$$ose Regal %oul& &ra% s%or& to &efen& hi 0 Di& he y king! that anything in the %orl& coul& stan& bet%een

score of ste$s bet%een us %hen he caro e& into one of the la&en tables" Folk %ere still stan&ing shocke& at his entrance %hen I lea$e& on hi hi for &o%n" I $unche& the knife in an& out of hi an& $ulle& half a &o1en ti es before y back! an&

anyone thought they shoul& interfere" #s Regal.s Farro%/bre& guar&s reache& e I flung his t%itching bo&y into the ! foun& a table at lea$e& onto it" I hel& u$ all:7 6He.s a&:7 so eone crie&" 6Aerity.s &eath has &ri'en hi a&:7 6Shre%&:7 I crie& in fury" 6(ing Shre%& has fallen to treachery this night:7 Regal.s Inlan&er guar&s hit that %ere screa ing! but as y table in a %a'e" I ha& not thought there %ere any of the " ;e all %ent &o%n in a %a'e of foo& an& crockery" Folk any surge& for%ar& to %itness as retreate& in horror" e" ;ith the king.s belt knife! I hel& off three uch too fast for e cause& e no $ain" I score& t%o goo& y &ri$$ing bla&e" 6The (ing.s knife:7 I tol& the !

an& sho%e& it Froun&" 6Taking bloo& in 'engeance for the (ing.s &eath" That is

Ho& %oul& ha'e been $rou& of the

en %ith short s%or&s" I &ance&! I lea$e&! I $irouette&" I %as an& the cuts they &i& inflict on

slashes on t%o of the ! si $ly because they &i& not think I %oul& &are lunge close enough to inflict the " So e%here back in the cro%&! so eone raise& a cry" 6#r s: To the Bastar&: They are killing Fit19hi'alry:7 # struggle began! but I coul& not see %ho %as in'ol'e&! nor gi'e it any attention at all" I stabbe& one of the guar&s in the han& an& he &ro$$e& his bla&e" 6Shre%&:7 so eone crie& abo'e the &in" 6(ing Shre%& is slain:7 By the soun&s of the other struggle! floor! an& a screa ore folk %ere beco ing in'ol'e&" I coul& not look to see" I hear& another table crash to the across the roo " Then Buckkee$.s o%n guar& ca e $ouring into the roo " I hear& (erf.s 'oice raise& abo'e the general &in" 6Se$arate the : Iuell it: Try not to s$ill bloo& in the (ing.s o%n hall:7 I sa%
212D

y attackers ringe&! sa% Bla&e.s look of consternation as he sa% Fit1:7 6Se$arate the : Disar

e an& then

crie& out o'er his shoul&er! 6It.s Fit19hi'alry: They.re trying to take &o%n the the :7 (erf butte& hea&s %ith one of Regal.s guar&s! I sa% knots of struggling break out as Buck guar&s y eyes fro y

&ro$$ing hi " Beyon& hi

fell on Regal.s $ersonal guar&! battering bla&es &o%n an& &e an&ing that s%or&s be sheathe&" I ha& s$ace for a breath! an& coul& lift o%n struggle to see that! in&ee&! a great any folk ha& beco e in'ol'e&! an&

not 4ust guar&s" Fistfights ha& broken out a ong the guests as %ell" It looke& to beco e both bra%l an& riot %hen su&&enly Bla&e! one of our o%n guar&s en! shoul&ere& bet%een t%o of 6Bla&e:7 I greete& hi y attackers! sen&ing the e" an ally" Then! as I notice& his s$ra%ling to the floor" He lea$e& for%ar& an& confronte&

%ith &elight! thinking hi

&efensi'e stance! I tol& hi ! 6You kno% I %oul& not &ra% bla&e against you:7 6I kno% that %ell! la&!7 he tol& for%ar& to tra$ hea&! or %ith %hat" e sa&ly! an& the ol& sol&ier flung hi self e on the back of the e in a bear hug" I &o not kno% %ho hit

9H#*TER THIRTY Dungeons IF # HO>5DS-#5 sus$ects that a &og boy is using the ;it to &efile an& &i'ert the houn&s to his o%n en&s! he shoul& be %atchful for these signs" If the boy s$eaks not o'er uch to his fello%s! be %ary" If the houn&s $erk u$ before the boy is in sight! or %hine before he has left! be %atchful" If a houn& %ill lea'e off his snuffing for a bitch in season! or turn asi&e fro
212E

a bloo& trail an&

lie )uiet at the boy.s %or&! be certain" =et the boy be hange&! o'er %ater if $ossible! %ell a%ay fro the stables! an& his bo&y burne&" =et e'ery houn& he aster! but is has traine& be &ro%ne&! as %ell as all sire& by &efile& houn&s" # houn& %ho has kno%n the ;it use %ill neither fear nor res$ect any other sure to turn 'icious %hen &e$ri'e& of the ;itte& one" # ;itte& boy cannot be truste& to beat an unruly houn&! nor %ill he suffer his ;it houn& to be sol& a%ay! or use& as bear bait! no atter ho% ol& the &og" # ;it boy %ill turn his aster.s houn&s to his o%n $ur$oses! an& ne'er has any true loyalty to his aster! but only to his ;it houn&" I %oke u$ so eti e" Of all the cruel 4ests fate ha& recently $laye& on &eci&e& that a%akening %as the cruelest" I lay still an& cataloge& &isco forts" The exhaustion fro the exhaustion fro nasty s%or& cuts to not at all" 5one of the to e! I

y 'arious

y carris/see& fren1y co bine& %ell %ith y left thigh that I recalle& atte& a&e e unconscious ha&

y Skill battle %ith @ustin an& Serene" I ha& taken so e y right forear ! an& one to ha& been &resse&+ y slee'e an& trousers %ere

y skin %ith &rie& bloo&" ;hoe'er ha& knocke&

sure of his %ork %ith se'eral o$ene& The roo y eyes"

ore blo%s" Other than that! I %as fine" I tol& y left leg an& ar " I

yself this a nu ber of ti es! ignoring the tre bling in

I %as in %as s all an& stone" There %as a $ot in the corner" ;hen I o'e! I crane& y hea& enough to see that there %as a

finally &eci&e& I coul&

&oor! %ith a s all barre& %in&o% in it" This %as the light source! fe& by a torch so e%here &o%n a hall%ay outsi&e" Oh" Yes" The &ungeons" -y curiosity satisfie&! I close& y eyes again an& sle$t" 5ose to tail! I reste& safe in a &ee$ uch as &en co'ere& o'er by the blo%ing sno%" The illusion of safety %as as

218H

5ighteyes coul& offer isty" Safe" That %as as

e" So %eak I %as that e'en his thoughts to uch as he coul& con'ey"

e see e&

I a%oke again" I coul& tell ti e ha& $asse& by ho% bench I %as lying on %as also

uch thirstier I %as" Other e

than that! e'erything %as re arkably the sa e" This ti e I &eter ine& that the a&e of stone" There %as nothing bet%een an& the stone sa'e the clothes I %ore" 6Hey:7 I calle&" 6Juar&s:7 There %as no ans%er" E'erything see e& a bit 'ague" #fter a ti e I coul& not recall if I ha& alrea&y crie& out! or if I %as su i agine &oing anything else" I a%oke to *atience.s 'oice arguing" ;hoe'er she %as arguing %ith %asn.t ans%ering uch! an& %asn.t gi'ing in" 6It.s ri&iculous" ;hat are you afrai& I.ll since he %as a chil&"7 #nother silence" 6He.s e to at least look at his in4uries0 &o07 # silence" 6I.'e kno%n hi You can hang hi silence" #fter a ti e I &eci&e& I ight be able to o'e" I ha& a lot of bruises an& y clothing scra$es I coul&n.t account for! $robably gaine& on the 4ourney bet%een the Jreat Hall an& here" The %orst $art of it %as a 'ery long %ay fro o'ing %as that it tugge& against the scabbe& o'er cuts" I &eci&e& I coul& stan& it" For such a s all roo ! the be& to the &oor" ;hen I got there! I &isco'ere& y I coul& 4ust see out the little barre& %in&o%" ;hat I coul& see %as the stone %all on the o$$osite si&e of the narro% corri&or" I gri$$e& the bars %ith goo& left han&" 6*atience07 I croake&" 6Fit10 Oh! Fit1! are you all right07 oning the strength to &o so" #fter a bit ore ti e I &eci&e& I &i& not ha'e the strength" I %ent back to slee$" I coul&n.t

hurt" ;hat $ossible &a age can it &o for

%hole as easily as you can %oun&e&! can.t you07 #nother

2181

Such a )uestion" I starte& to laugh an& coughe& instea&! finishing %ith the taste of bloo& in that" 6I. y outh" I &i&n.t kno% %hat to say" I %asn.t fine! but it %asn.t e" E'en as fu&&le& as I %as! I kne% e fro &o%n the hall" The %or&s issing! of all of it" They say/7 healthy for her to be too intereste& in all right!7 I croake& at last" her in her haste to tell e all" 6#n& Iueen (ettricken is

6Oh! Fit1! the (ing is &ea&:7 she calle& to tu ble& fro

an& (ing/in/;aiting Regal says you are at the botto She ignore& hi "

6=a&y *atience! you.ll ha'e to lea'e no%!7 the guar& atte $te& to break in" 6/you %ent cra1y in grief o'er Aerity.s &eath! an& kille& the (ing an& Serene an& @ustin! an& they &on.t kno% %hat you.'e &one %ith the Iueen! an& no one can/7 6You cannot s$eak to the $risoner! $ai& no in&" a&a :7 He s$oke %ith con'iction! but she

6/fin& the Fool" ;allace! he.s the one! he sai& he sa% you an& the Fool )uarreling o'er the (ing.s bo&y! an& then he sa% the *ocke& -an! co e to carry his s$irit a%ay" The #n&/7 6-a&a : You ha'e to lea'e no%! or I %ill ha'e to ha'e you taken a%ay"7 6Then &o that!7 *atience s$at at hi " 6I 4ust &are you to try" =acey! this bothering e" #h: You &are to think of touching )ueen/in/%aiting: 5o%! =acey! &o not hurt hi ! he.s only a boy" # boy! but a boy nonetheless"7 6=a&y *atience! I beg you """"7 # change in tone fro the guar&" an is e: I! %ho %as 9hi'alry.s annerless an is cra1y: #n& Regal accuses you! too! of the lo% agic! of ha'ing the soul of a beast: That.s ho% he sai& you kille& the (ing"

2182

6You can.t 'ery %ell &rag you think I. %o en %ith your s%or&07

e a%ay fro

here %ithout lea'ing your $ost" Do

so stu$i& I can.t see that0 ;hat %ill you &o0 #ttack t%o ol&

69hester: 9hester! %here are you07 the guar& on &uty bello%e&" 6Da n you! 9hester:7 I coul& hear the frustration in his 'oice as he yelle& for his $artner! %ho ha& taken a break" He %as $robably u$ in the %atch roo off the kitchen" e" o ent I Drinking col& beer" Eating hot ste%" # %a'e of &i11iness $asse& o'er lea'e =a&y *atience by his $ost an& go looking for his co ra&e" In a hear& the light $atter of her sli$$ers outsi&e fingers on

69hester07 The guar&.s 'oice %as fa&ing" He ha& actually been fool enough to y &oor" I felt the touch of her

y han& that gri$$e& the bar" She %as not tall enough to look in!

an& the corri&or %as so narro% she coul& not ste$ back %here I coul& see her" But the touch of her han& %as as %elco e as sunlight" 6(ee$ %atch for hi co ing back! =acey!7 she &irecte&! then s$oke to y ears alone" e" 6Ho% are you! really07 She s$oke lo%! $itching her 'oice for ha$$ening in the (ee$07 69o $lete &isor&er" The Buckkee$ guar&s broke u$ the riot in the Jreat Hall! but then! outsi&e! there %as a bra%l bet%een so e of the Inlan&ers that Regal brought in an& the Buckkee$ guar&" Iueen (ettricken.s guar& &ro'e a %e&ge bet%een the ! an& their officers beat their troo$s back into line" Still! it.s tense" The fighters %eren.t all sol&iers" -any a guest has a black eye or %alks %ith a li $ still" =uckily! no one a ongst the guests took serious har " Bla&e took about the %orst in4uries! they say" He %ent &o%n kee$ing the Farro% en off you" 9racke& his ribs an& blacke& his eyes! &i& so ething to one of his ar s" But Burrich says he %ill be all right" The lines ha'e been &ra%n! ho%e'er! an& the Dukes %alk about bristling at one another like &ogs"7
2188

6Thirsty" Hungry" 9ol&" In $ain"7 I sa% no $oint in lying to her" 6;hat is

6Burrich07 I aske& hoarsely" 6Di& not get in'ol'e& at all!7 she sai& reassuringly" 6He.s fine" If being ill/ te $ere& an& surly to all is fine" ;hich! for hi ! I su$$ose is nor al"7 -y heart thun&ere& insi&e 6#n& Regal07 I aske&" She snorte&" 6One gets the feeling that %hat really irritates Regal is that he no longer has an excuse to aban&on Buckkee$" Before! you kno%! he %as taking (ing Shre%& an& (ettricken inlan& so they %oul& be safe! an& gutting the castle so they ight ha'e fa iliar things about the " He has no such excuse an of their choosing" He has offere& his cousin =or& uch as he no%! an& the 9oastal Dukes ha'e &e an&e& he stay an& &efen& the (ee$! or at least $ut in that $lace a Bright of Farro%! but the 9oastal Dukes &o not like hi " 5o% that Regal fin&s hi self su&&enly a (ing! I &o not think he is en4oying it as ex$ecte& to"7 6Has he cro%ne& hi self! then07 # roaring threatene& gri$$ing the bars" -ust not faint! I tol& 6;e ha'e all been I ha& only this ti e to hear %hat %as going on" uch too busy burying the (ing! an& then searching for the Iueen" ;hen the (ing %as foun& &ea&! %e %ere sent to %ake her! but foun& her &oors locke& an& no ans%er to our knocking" Finally Regal resorte& to his en an& axes again" The inner/cha ber &oor %as close& an& locke& as %ell" But the Iueen %as gone" It is a great hurt" 6=ittle! sa'e that she an& her chil& are surely &ea&! an& you ha'e brought it about so eho%" He s$eaks %il& charges of Beast
218<

e" Burrich" ;hy %asn.t he gone0 I &are& ask no any! an& *atience %oul& get curious" So"

ore about hi " One )uestion too

y ears" I stoo& by

yself" The guar& %oul& be back soon"

ystery to all of us"7

6;hat &oes Regal say of it07 -y hea& %as clearing of cob%ebs" Oh! ho% I

agic! saying you ha'e slain

the (ing %ith your ;it" #ll &e an& $roof for his clai s! an& he kee$s saying! soon! soon"7 5o ention of searching the roa&s an& by%ays for (ettricken! then" I ha& yself! if he ha& sent out searchers! I &oubte& they %ere or&ere& to ga ble& that his Skill s$ies ha& not foun& out the %hole of our $lot" But! I cautione& bring her back ali'e an& safe" 6;hat &oes ;ill &o07 I aske&" 6;ill07 6;ill! Hostler.s son" # e ber of the coterie"7 about! that I recall"7 e" Su&&enly logic elu&e& e" I 6Oh" Hi " I ha'e not seen hi kne% I shoul& ask

6#h"7 #nother %a'e of &i11iness threatene&

ore )uestions! but I coul& not think of %hat they shoul& be"

Burrich %as still here! but the Iueen an& the Fool %ere gone" ;hat ha& gone %rong0 There %as no safe %ay to ask *atience" 6Does anyone else kno% you are here07 I anage& to ask" Surely! if Burrich ha& kno%n she %ere co ing! he essage" %oul& ha'e sent a

6Of course not: This %as not an easy thing to $lan! Fit1" =acey ha& to get an e etic into the one guar&.s foo& so he %oul& lea'e only one on %atch" Then %e ha& to %atch for hi to lea'e/oh" =acey sai& to bring you these" She is %ise! that one"7 Her han& %ent a%ay! an& then ca e back! to fu ble one! an& then t%o s all a$$les through the bars" They hit the floor before I coul& catch the " I resiste& the urge to $ounce on the 6;hat &o they say of She %as silent a e07 I aske& )uietly" i e&iately3

o ent" 6-ostly! folk say that you are cra1y" So e! that you

%ere %itche& by the *ocke& -an to bring &eath a ongst us that night" There is so e gossi$ that you ha& $lanne& to lea& a rebellion! an& kille& Serene an& @ustin because they foun& out about it" Others! not
218?

any! agree %ith Regal!

saying you ha'e the Beast

agic" ;allace!

ostly! says such things" He

&eclares the can&les &i& not burn blue in the (ing.s cha ber until you entere& it" #n& he says the Fool %as shouting that you ha& kille& the (ing" But the Fool is gone! too" There ha'e been so no% """"7 Her 'oice &%in&le& a%ay" 6I &i& not kill the (ing!7 I sai& )uietly" 6@ustin an& Serene &i&" That %as %hy I kille& the ! %ith the (ing.s o%n knife"7 6The guar&s are co ing back:7 # hiss fro 6But @ustin an& Serene %eren.t e'en/7 6I &on.t ha'e ti e to ex$lain" It %as &one %ith Skill" But they &i&! *atience" I s%ear it"7 I $ause&" 6;hat &o they $lan to &o %ith 6It isn.t &eci&e&! really"7 6;e.'e no ti e for $olite lies"7 I actually hear& her s%allo%" 6Regal %ants to hang you" He.& ha'e ha& you kille& right there that night! in the Jreat Hall! sa'e that Bla&e hel& off his guar&s until the riot %as )uelle&" Then the 9oastal Dukes stoo& u$ for you" =a&y Jrace of Ri$$on re in&e& Regal that no carrier of the Farseer bloo& can be $ut to &eath by s%or& or hanging" He &i& not %ish to conce&e you %ere of royal bloo&! but too Beast agic"7 ust lea'e no%! you ust! or I. not the one that %ill be ore than y any raise& a shout %hen he &enie& it" 5o% he s%ears he ust be &one for one that uses can sho% you ha'e the ;it! an& hanging is %hat 6=a&y *atience: You e07 =acey" *atience ignore& it" any o ens of e'il! an& so any fear

hanging:7 The guar& %as back! %ith 9hester e'i&ently! for there %as fingers"

one set of footste$s" They %ere hurrying &o%n to the cell" *atience let go of

6I %ill &o %hat I can for you!7 she %his$ere&" She ha& trie& so har& not to let any fear co e into her 'oice! but no% it broke on those %or&s"
218B

#n& then she %as gone! scol&ing at the guar& like a 4aybir& all the %ay as 9hester or %hoe'er escorte& her fro they %ere %ithere& fro thirst" I sat on the cells" The o ent she %as gone! I &elicious" I ate y yself laboriously stoo$e& &o%n to gather u$ e'en the ste s" The little y a$$les" They %ere not large! an&

being %inter/store&! but I foun& the y hea& in

oisture they containe& &i& nothing to )uench y han&s! forcing

y bench for a bit! hol&ing

to stay alert" I kne% I ha& to think! but it %as terribly har&" -y focus" I %as te $te& to $ick y shirt free of the cuts on

in& %oul& not

y ar ! but force& y

yself to lea'e it alone" #s long as they %ere not festering! I %oul& not bother the " I coul& not affor& to blee&" It took all &oor" 6Juar&s:7 I croake&" They ignore& e" y re)uest" 6I %ant %ater" #n& foo&"7 ;here are you0 #nother ans%ere& Beyon& your reach! Fine" But I ha'e #l ost I thought y frien&" Ho% are you0 to the horses0 y strength to hobble back to

isse& you" You sle$t so &ee$! al ost I thought you &ea&" yself &ea&" That night" Di& you gui&e the I %as a half/bree& you ha&

I &i&" #n& they left" Heart of the *ack tol& the ta e&" =ike I %as a cur! &oing tricks" He sought to $rotect %ith the 0 I &o not kno%" ;hat shall %e &o no%0 ;ait"

e! not to insult you" ;hy &i& not Heart of the *ack go

6Juar&s:7 I calle& again! as lou&ly as I %as able" It %asn.t 'ery lou&" 6Jet back fro yself at all"
218C

the &oor"7 The

an.s 'oice %as right outsi&e

y cell" I ha&

been so occu$ie& %ith 5ighteyes I ha& not hear& hi

a$$roach" I %as not

# s all $anel at the botto 6Thank you"7

of the &oor sli& o$en" # $ot of %ater an& a half a

loaf %ere set insi&e" The $anel close& again" There %as no re$ly" I $icke& the u$! exa ine& both carefully" The %ater

s elle& as if it ha& been stan&ing for so e ti e! but neither s ell nor a cautious si$ re'eale& any trace of $oison" I broke the loaf into s aller $ieces! looking for flecks in the &ough or any &iscoloration" It %as not fresh! but it %as not $oisone& in any %ay I coul& &etect" #n& so eone ha& eaten the other half of it" In a 'ery short ti e they %ere gone" I %ent an& lay on again! an& trie& to fin& the least unco fortable $osition" The cell %as &ry! but col&! in the %ay that any unuse& cha ber in Buckkee$ %as col& &uring the %inter" I kne% exactly %here I %as" The cells %ere not far fro the %ine cellars" I kne% I coul& screa y lungs bloo&y an& no one but foun& y guar&s %oul& hear" I ha& ex$lore& &o%n here as a boy" I ha& sel&o occu$ants in the cells! an& e'en of 4ustice at Buckkee$ eant there %as sel&o y stone bench

ore rarely guar&s u$on the " The s%iftness a reason to hol& a $risoner for

ore than a fe% hours" Transgressions of the la% usually &e an&e& you $ay %ith your life! or %ith the %ork of your han&s" I sus$ecte& these cells %oul& see a &eal ore use! no% that Regal clai e& to be king" e" Instea&! I shifte& about on the yself that if the I trie& to slee$! but insensibility ha& &eserte&

col& har& stone an& thought" I trie& for a %hile to con'ince %ante&! %asn.t it0 Instea&! I foun& s%ift for fro

Iueen ha& gotten a%ay! I ha& %on" #fter all! %inning %as getting %hat you yself thinking of ho% )uickly (ing e! %oul& it be that yself Shre%& ha& gone" =ike a bubble $o$$ing" If they hange&

e0 Or %oul& I strangle an& &angle a long ti e0 To &i'ert

those $leasant thoughts! I %on&ere& ho% long a ci'il %ar Aerity %oul& a$ once

ha'e to fight %ith Regal before he coul& $ut the Six Duchies on a
218D

ore as the Six Duchies" #ssu ing! of course! that Aerity returne& an& %as able to ri& the coast of Re&/Shi$s" ;hen Regal aban&one& Buckkee$! as I %as sure he %oul&! I %on&ere& %ho %oul& ste$ for%ar& to take it" *atience ha& sai& the 9oastal Dukes %ante& nothing of =or& Bright" Buck ha& a fe% lesser nobles! but none of the the ha& the so bol& as to clai Buckkee$! I thought" *erha$s one it" 5o" 5one of of the three 9oastal Dukes %oul& reach out a han& an& clai

ight right no% to care for anything beyon& their o%n bor&ers" It

%oul& be each for his o%n no%" >nless Regal staye& at Buckkee$" ;ith the Iueen issing an& Shre%& &ea&! he %as! after all! the rightful (ing" >nless one kne% that Aerity %as ali'e" But fe% &i&" ;oul& the 9oastal Duchies acce$t Regal as king no%0 ;oul& the 9oastal Duchies acce$t Aerity as their king %hen he returne&0 Or %oul& they scorn the foolish )uest0 Ti e $asse& slo%ly in that unchanging $lace" I %as not gi'en foo& nor %ater unless I aske& for the ! an& so eti es not then! so the &ay" #%ake! I %as a $risoner of eals %ere no easure of y thoughts an& %orries" Once I trie& to y 'ision an& a long an %ho ha& left the for a

Skill to Aerity! but the effort brought on a &arkening of

$erio& of $oun&ing hea&ache" I ha& not the strength for a secon& effort" Hunger beca e a constant! as unrelenting as the col& of the cell" I hear& the guar&s t%ice turn *atience a%ay! hear& the herself fro refuse to gi'e e the foo& an& ban&ages she ha& brought" I &i& not call to her" I %ante& her to gi'e u$! to &isassociate e" -y only res$ite ca e %hen I sle$t an& &rea /hunte& %ith 5ighteyes" I trie& to use his senses to ex$lore %hat %ent on at Buckkee$! but he attache& only a %olf.s i $ortance to things! an& %hen I %as %ith hi ! I share& his 'alues" Ti e %as not &i'i&e& by &ays an& nights! but fro kill" The eat I &e'oure& %ith hi coul& not sustain kill to y hu an bo&y! an& yet

there %as satisfaction in the gorging" ;ith his senses I foun& the %eather
218E

changing! an& a%oke one

orning kno%ing that a clear %inter &ay ha& uch longer in

&a%ne&" Rai&er %eather" The 9oastal Dukes coul& not linger Buckkee$! if they ha& lingere& at all" #s if to bear

e out! there %ere 'oices at the guar& station an& the ras$ of

boots against the stone floor" I hear& Regal.s 'oice! straine& %ith anger! an& the guar&.s conciliatory greeting! an& then they ca e &o%n the corri&or" For the first ti e since I ha& a%akene& there! I hear& a key in the lock of $eere& in at e" I anage& to co e to y feet" Behin& y cell! an& the &oor %as s%ung o$en" I sat u$ slo%ly" Three Dukes an& a traitor *rince y lor&s stoo& a ro% of e" He &i& sol&iers ar e& %ith $ikes! as if rea&y to hol& a not un&eresti ate y hatre&" an! y a&&ene& beast at bay" # guar&

%ith a &ra%n s%or& stoo& besi&e the o$en &oor! bet%een Regal an&

6You see hi !7 Regal &eclare& flatly" 6He is ali'e an& %ell" I ha'e not &one a%ay %ith hi " But kno% also that I ha'e the right to" He kille& a ser'ant! right in to his life! for those cri es alone"7 6(ing/in/;aiting Regal" You charge Fit19hi'alry kille& (ing Shre%& using the ;it!7 Bra%n&y state&" ;ith $on&erous logic he a&&e&! 6I ha'e ne'er hear& of such a thing being $ossible" But if this is so! then the council has first right to his life! for he %oul& ha'e kille& the (ing first" It %oul& take a con'ening of the council! to &eci&e his guilt or innocence! an& to set his sentence"7 Regal sighe& in exas$eration" 6Then I %ill con'ene the council" =et us get it &one an& ha'e it o'er %ith" It is ri&iculous to &elay ur&erer.s execution"7 6-y lor&! a (ing.s &eath is ne'er ri&iculous!7 Duke She shy of Shoaks $ointe& out )uietly" 6#n& %e %ill ha'e &one %ith one (ing before %e ha'e another! Regal! (ing/in/;aiting" 6
21<H

y hall" #n& a %o an u$stairs in her cha ber" I ha'e a right

y coronation for a

6-y father is &ea& an& burie&" Ho% retort"

uch

ore &one %ith hi

can you be07

Regal %as beco ing reckless" There %as nothing of grief or res$ect in his 6;e %ill kno% ho% he &ie&! an& at %hose han&!7 Bra%n&y of Bea s tol& hi " 6Your an ;allace sai& Fit19hi'alry kille& the (ing" You! (ing/in/;aiting Regal! agree&! saying he use& the ;it to &o it" -any of us belie'e that Fit19hi'alry %as singularly &e'ote& to his king an& %oul& not &o such a thing" #n& Fit19hi'alry sai& the Skill users &i&"7 For the first ti e Duke Bra%n&y looke& &irectly at king"7 6Silence: 6 Regal ba%le&" He lifte& his han& as if to strike e" I &i& not flinch" 6#n& so I kille& the !7 I continue&! looking only at Bra%n&y" 6;ith the (ing.s knife" ;hy else %oul& I ha'e chosen such a %ea$on07 69ra1y hi 6I a 6That en &o strange things"7 This fro Duke (el'ar of Ri$$on! %hile Regal strangle&! li'i& %ith fury" I et (el'ar.s eyes cal ly" =ast I ha& s$oken %ith ore cra1y that night than I %as on talk that he e" I et his eyes an& s$oke to hi as if %e %ere alone" y 6@ustin an& Serene kille& hi !7 I sai& )uietly" 6By treachery! they kille&

ha& been at his o%n table! at 5eatbay" not cra1y!7 I asserte& )uietly" 6I %as no

the night I %iel&e& an ax outsi&e the %alls of Bayguar&"7 ay be so!7 (el'ar affir e& thoughtfully" 6It is co goes berserk %hen he fights"7 # glint ca e into Regal.s eyes" 6It is co %ith bloo& on his on talk! too! that he has been seen outh after he has fought" That he beco es one of the

ani als that he %as raise& %ith" He is ;itte&"7 Silence greete& this re ark" The Dukes exchange& glances! an& %hen She shy glance& back at e! there %as &istaste in the look" Bra%n&y finally ans%ere& Regal" 6This is a gra'e charge you le'el" Ha'e you a %itness07
21<1

6To bloo& on his

outh0 Se'eral"7 an ay finish a battle %ith a bloo&y face" #n ore than that"7

Bra%n&y shook his hea&" 6#ny

ax is not a ti&y %ea$on" I can attest to that" 5o" It %oul& take ;allace has to say about ho%

6Then let us con'ene the council!7 Regal re$eate& i $atiently" 6Hear %hat y father &ie& an& at %hose han&"7 e! consi&ering" The three Dukes exchange& glances" Their eyes ca e back to

Duke Bra%n&y le& the coast no%" I %as certain of it %hen he %as the one %ho s$oke" 6(ing/in/;aiting Regal" =et us s$eak $lainly" You ha'e accuse& Fit19hi'alry! son of 9hi'alry! of using the ;it! the Beast agic! to slay (ing Shre%&" This is in&ee& a gra'e charge" To satisfy us of it! %e ask that you $ro'e to us that not only is he ;itte&! but that he can use it to &o in4ury to another" #ll of us %ere %itness that there %ere no treachery! %e arks on (ing Shre%&.s bo&y! no sign of a &eath struggle at all" Ha& not you raise& this cry of ight ha'e acce$te& that he ha& &ie& of his years" So e! e'en! alou& that %e ay confront the "7 ore at his ha'e %his$ere& that you but seek an excuse to be ri& of Fit19hi'alry" I kno% you ha'e hear& these ru ors+ I s$eak the Bra%n&y $ause&! as if &ebating %ith hi self" He glance& once his throat an& continue&" 6;e ha'e a $ro$osal! (ing/in/;aiting Regal" *ro'e to us! sir! that Fit19hi'alry is ;itte&! an& that he use& that ;it to kill (ing Shre%&! an& %e %ill let you $ut hi to &eath as you see fit" ;e %ill %itness your coronation as king of the Six Duchies" Further! %e %ill acce$t =or& Bright as your $resence in Buckkee$ an& allo% you to retire your court to Tra&efor&"7 Triu $h glea e& briefly on Regal.s face" Then sus$icion Duke Bra%n&y! I &o not $ro'e this to your satisfaction07 aske& it" 6#n& if!

$eers" ;hen neither (el'ar nor She shy ga'e sign of &issension! he cleare&

21<2

6Then Fit19hi'alry li'es!7 Bra%n&y cal ly &ecree&" 6#n& you gi'e hi ste%ar&shi$ of Buckkee$ an& the forces of Buck in your absence"7 #ll three 9oastal Dukes lifte& their eyes to eet Regal.s" 6This is treason an& treachery:7 Regal hisse&" She shy.s han& al ost %ent to his s%or&" (el'ar re&&ene& but sai& nothing" The tension in the line of 6#gain! %e %ill &e an& the #fter a haste! gone en behin& the tightene& a notch" Only Bra%n&y ore charges07 he aske& cal ly" re aine& un o'e&" 6-y lor&! &o you bring

$ro'e&" It coul& further &elay your coronation"7 e" Bereft of y father.s gui&ance an to hasty e"

o ent of their stony eyes an& silence! Regal sai& )uietly! 6I s$oke in y &ukes" These are trying ti es for y brother! our la&y )ueen an& the chil& she carries

so su&&enly! berea'e& of

issing """ These surely are enough cause to &ri'e any

state ents" I """ 'ery %ell" I %ill ac)uiesce to this """ bargain you set before I %ill $ro'e Fit19hi'alry ;itte&! or I %ill set hi 65o! set" If innocent! Fit19hi'alry %ill be set in co $ro'e hi

free" Does that satisfy you07 an& of Buckkee$" If you e bers0

y king/in/%aiting!7 Bra%n&y sai& )uietly" 6Such %ere not the ter s %e guilty! %e shall acce$t Bright" Those %ere our ter s"7 ay $ut at his &oor" He has a& itte& as e shoul& ha'e kille& e %ith e right there" Ho% ur&ering Shre%&" But for

6#n& the &eaths of @ustin an& Serene! 'aluable ser'ants an& coterie Those &eaths at least %e kno% %e uch"7 The look Regal turne& on &ee$ly he &e an&e& %as

ust ha'e regrette& charging

;allace.s %il& accusations an& Regal.s backing of the ! he coul& ha'e e &ro%ne& for @ustin.s &eath" That! as e'eryone ha& %itnesse&! e %as %hat %as sta'ing off y &oing" Ironically! his o%n &esire to 'ilify

y execution" 6You %ill ha'e e'ery chance to $ro'e hi ;itte& an& the killer of your father" For those cri es! only! %ill %e let you hang hi " #s to the others """ he clai s
21<8

they %ere the killers of the (ing" If he is not the guilty one! %e are %illing to acce$t that those he kille& &ie& 4ustly"7 6This is intolerable:7 Regal s$at" 6-y lor&! those are our ter s!7 Bra%n&y returne& cal ly" 6#n& if I refuse the 07 Regal flare& angrily" Bra%n&y shrugge&" 6The skies are clear! us %ith coasts" ;e %e y lor&" Rai&er %eather! for those of ust &is$erse to our o%n (ee$s! to guar& our coasts as %ell an to hol& Buck in your stea&" You ust %inter e to your

ay" ;ithout the con'ening of the full council! you cannot cro%n yourself y lor&! an& confront the sea $irates e'en as %e &o"7 " e Froun& %ith tra&itions an& $etty la%s! all to force I not07 Regal &e an&e& bluntly"

king! nor la%fully a$$oint a at Buckkee$! 6You ring %ill" #

I your king or a

6You are not our king"7 Bra%n&y $ointe& it out )uietly but fir ly" 6You are our king/in/%aiting" #n& likely to continue %aiting until these charges an& this issue is resol'e&"7 The blackness of Regal.s glare $lainly sho%e& ho% little this %as to his liking" 6Aery %ell!7 he sai& flatly! all too )uickly" 6I su$$ose I bargaining" Re e ber that you ha'e &ecree& it turne& an& looke& at blackene& the e&ges of t%o ste$s back fro ust sub it to this """ ust be this %ay! not I"7 He y o%n &eath

e" I kne% then that he %oul& not kee$ his %or&+ I kne% I y 'ision! set e s%aying on y feet" I felt I ha& taken e" e! y face!

%oul& &ie in this cell" That sick an& su&&en kno%le&ge of life" # col&ness cre$t u$ insi&e

6Then %e are agree&!7 Bra%n&y sai& s oothly" He turne& his eyes back to an& fro%ne&" So ething of %hat I %as feeling ust ha'e sho%e& on

for he aske& )uickly! 6Fit19hi'alry" #re you fairly treate& here0 Do they fee& you07 #s he aske& this he unfastene& the brooch at his shoul&er" His cloak %as

21<<

uch %orn! but of %ool! an& %hen he thre% it to e back against the %all" I clutche& the cloak! %ar ore )uietly" 6It.s better than Bra%n&y regar&e&

e! the %eight of it knocke&

still %ith his bo&y heat! gratefully" 6;ater" Brea&!7

I sai& briefly" I looke& &o%n at the hea'y %ool gar ent" 6Thank you!7 I sai& any ha'e:7 Regal retorte& angrily" 6Ti es are har&!7 he e for a fe% o ents" I sai& nothing" Finally he s%ung a so e stra% to slee$ on!

a&&e& la ely" #s if those he s$oke to &i& not kno% that better than he &i&" col& look to Regal" 6Too har& to at least gi'e hi instea& of a slab of stone07 Regal returne& his glare" Bra%n&y &i& not )uail" 6;e %ill nee& $roof of his guilt! (ing/in/;aiting Regal! before %e %ill countenance his execution" In the eanti e %e ex$ect you to kee$ hi 6#t least gi'e hi ha'e $a $ere& hi hang or to co ali'e"7 an! either for you to arching rations!7 (el'ar a&'ise&" 65o one %ill say you %ith those! an& %e shall ha'e a li'e

an& at Buck for us"7 a&e no re$ly" I kne% I %oul& get but

Regal crosse& his ar s on his chest an& fro flung

%ater an& half a loaf" I think he %oul& ha'e trie& to take Bra%n&y.s cloak a%ay e! sa'e that he kne% I %oul& ha'e fought for it" ;ith a 4erk of his chin! y &oor" #s it sla e& shut I yself for%ar&! to gri$ the bars an& stare after the " I thought of calling all that Regal %oul& not let e li'e! that he %oul& fin& a e" They still as I &i&! they e" e here" But I &i& not" They %oul& not ha'e belie'e& Regal in&icate& to the guar& that he coul& close out! of telling the %ay to kill

&i& not fear Regal as they nee&e& to" If they ha& kno%n hi %oul& ha'e kno%n that no $ro ise coul& bin& hi kill e" I %as too &ee$ly %ithin his $o%er for hi

to their bargain" He %oul& to resist en&ing

21<?

I let go of the &oor an& %alke& %oo&enly back to ore than thought a&e

y bench" I sat &o%n" Reflex y shoul&ers" The ore fille& y any yself

e &ra$e Bra%n&y.s cloak about

col& I felt no% %oul& not be %ar e& a%ay by %ool" #s the %a'e of a rising ti&e rushes into a sea ca'ern! so the kno%le&ge of e" Once again! I thought I o%n thoughts of ho% Regal ti e! he back fro $ainfully" ;ith a $eculiar lightening of heart! I reflecte& that I coul& cheat hi " ;ithin y bloo&/ atte& slee'e cuff %as the tiny $ocket that still hel& the $oison I ha& so long ago $re$are& for ;allace" Ha& it offere& a less horren&ous &eath! I %oul& ha'e taken it right then" But I ha& not for ulate& that $oison for a )uick an& $ainless slee$! but for cra $s an& flux an& fe'er" =ater! I thought! it thought" I lay back on y slab an& rolle& iss it too ight beco e $referable to %hate'er Regal offere&" There %as no co fort in that yself u$ %ell in Bra%n&y.s a $le uch" It %as $robably the last kin& cloak" I ho$e& he %oul& not sub erging yself into ight choose to kill a&e y &eath once ight faint" I $ushe& at it! 'aguely re$elling at e" There %ere so

%ays" I sus$ecte& he %oul& try to %ring a confession fro ight be successful" The thought

e" Ji'en enough

e sick" I trie& to $ull

the brink! not to reali1e so thoroughly that I %as going to &ie

thing anyone %oul& e'er &o for I a%oke later fro trickling into e """" a hu an &rea

e" I &i& not fall aslee$" I fle&! %illfully in %hich 9ha&e ha& been lecturing e for

y %olf.s %orl&" yself s aller in Bra%n&y.s cloak" Torchlight

not $aying attention" I &re%

y cell" Day or night! I coul& not tell! but I thought it %as &ee$

night" I trie& to fin& slee$ again" 9ha&e.s urgent 'oice ha& been $lea&ing %ith I sat u$ slo%ly" The ca&ence an& tone of the ufe& 'oice %as &efinitely

9ha&e.s" It see e& fainter %hen I sat u$" I lay &o%n again" 5o% it %as lou&er!
21<B

but I still coul&n.t $ick out the %or&s" I $resse& I got u$ slo%ly an& not The o'e& about

y ear to the stone bench" 5o" %all to corner an& back y e $ty cell"

y s all cell! fro

again" There %as one corner in %hich the 'oice %as lou&est! but I still coul& ake out the %or&s" 6I can.t un&erstan& you!7 I sai& to ore lou&ly" " ufe& 'oice $ause&" Then it s$oke again! a )uestioning inflection" ore excite&ly! but no lou&er"

6I can.t un&erstan& you:7 I sai& 9ha&e.s 'oice resu e&! Footste$s outsi&e

6I can.t un&erstan& you:7 I shoute& in frustration" y cell" 6Fit19hi'alry:7 The guar& %as short" She coul&n.t see in" 6;hat07 I aske& slee$ily" 6;hat %ere you shouting07 6;hat0 Oh" Ba& &rea "7 The footste$s %ent a%ay" I hear& her laugh to the other guar& an& say! 6Har& to i agine %hat &rea inlan& accent" I %ent back to y bench an& lay &o%n" 9ha&e.s 'oice ha& sto$$e&" I ten&e& to e" I &oubte& it %oul& be agree %ith the guar&" I %oul& not slee$ again for a %hile! but %oul& %on&er %hat 9ha&e ha& been so &es$erately trying to tell goo& ne%s! an& I &i& not %ant to i agine ba&" I %as going to ha'e to &ie here" #t least let it be because I ha& ai&e& the Iueen.s esca$e" I %on&ere& ho% far she %as on her 4ourney" I thought of the Fool! an& %on&ere& ho% %ell he %oul& %ithstan& the rigors of a %inter 4ourney" I forba&e %hy Burrich %as not %ith the " Instea&! I thought of -olly" I ust ha'e &ro%se&! for I sa% her" She %as toiling u$ a $ath! a yoke of %ater buckets on her shoul&ers" She looke& $ale an& sick an& %orn" On to$ of the hill %as a tu ble&o%n cottage! sno% banke& against its %alls" She sto$$e& an& set her %ater buckets &o%n at the &oor an& stoo& looking out! o'er the sea" She
21<C

coul& be %orse than %aking u$ for hi "7 She ha& an

yself to %on&er

fro%ne& at the fair %eather an& the light %in& that only ti$$e& the %a'es %ith %hite" The %in& lifte& her thick hair 4ust as I use& to an& sli& its han& along the cur'e of her %ar bri neck an& 4a%" Her eyes %ent su&&enly %i&e" Then tears e& the " 65o!7 she sai& alou&" 65o" I %on.t think of you any ore" 5o"7

She stoo$e& an& lifte& the hea'y buckets an& %ent into the cottage" She shut the &oor fir ly behin& her" The %in& ble% $ast it" The roof %as $oorly thatche&" The %in& ble% har&er an& I let it carry I tu ble& on it! &o'e through it! an& let it flo% &i'ing &ee$er! &o%n into the a%ay! right out of I.& stan& back fro yself an& all e a%ay" y $ains a%ay" I thought of e entirely y han&s in that e"

ain flo% of it! %here it coul& s%ee$ y $etty %orries" I traile& o'ing ri'er" It tugge& at o ent"

&ee$er current! s%ift an& hea'y as a that if I %ere you" ;oul& you0 I let Aerity consi&er

y situation for a

*erha$s not! he re$lie& gri ly" So ething like a sigh" I shoul& ha'e guesse& at ho% ba& it %as" It see s it takes great $ain! or illness! or extre e &uress of so e kin& to break &o%n your %alls so you can Skill" He $ause& long an& %e %ere both silent! thinking of nothing an& e'erything all at once" So" -y father is &ea&" @ustin an& Serene" I shoul& ha'e guesse& so eho%" His %eariness an& &%in&ling strength+ those are the hall arks of a (ing.s -an! &raine& too lo% too often" I sus$ect it ha& been going on long! $robably since before Jalen """ &ie&" Only he coul& ha'e concei'e& such a thing! let alone &e'ise& a %ay to &o it" ;hat a loathso e %ay to use the Skill" #n& they s$ie& u$on us0 Yes" I &o not kno% ho% Da n uch they learne&" #n& there is another to fear" ;ill" e thrice for a fool" =ook at it! Fit1" ;e shoul& ha'e kno%n" The shi$s

%orke& so %ell for us at first! an& then! as soon as they kne% %hat %e %ere u$ to! you an& I! they foun& %ays to block us" The coterie has been in Regal Fs $ocket since they %ere for e&" Thus %e ha'e &elaye&
21<D

essages! or

essages

not &eli'ere&" Hel$ al%ays sent too late! or ne'er sent at all" He is as full of hate as a tick is full of bloo&" #n& he has %on" 5ot )uite! y king" I reine& y in& back fro y" $rince" y thanks" *erha$s %e e! at least" thinking of (ettricken safely on her %ay to the -ountains" Instea&! I re$eate&! There is still ;ill" #n& Burl an& 9arro&" ;e ust be circu s$ect! # sha&e of %ar th" l shall" But you kno% the &e$ths of $ai& highly! but %hat %e bought %as %orth it" To To u$0 5ot yet" But like yours! %hat I so easy" Aerity rea& that e %ith ease! I kne%" But I ha& to reach for hi an& for all he %as not con'eying to e" I sense& the great col& that surroun&e& hi ! an& an in4ury ho e! an& for hi " Ho&! I thought! y future &oes not see $ro ising" The others are all uch farther I ust go" Or &ea& or fle& I %ill go on" But I &on.t kno% ho% ust &o %hen I get there" #n& I a

e! also" I sense& the %eariness in hi ! an& the resignation" #re you gi'ing

so 'ery tire&" To gi'e in %oul& be

a&e it $ainful to breathe" His aloneness! an& the $ain of kno%ing that

those %ho ha& &ie& ha& &ie& so far fro

y o%n grief echoing his" 9hari " Jone fore'er" #n& so ething else! so ething he coul& not )uite con'ey" # te $tation! a teetering at the brink" # $ressure! a $lucking! 'ery si ilar to the Skillish $lucking I ha& felt fro Serene an& @ustin" I trie& to $ush $ast hi ! to look at it hel& e back" ore &angerous %hen confronte&! he %arne& sure it is the $ath I ust follo%! if I a e" This to fin& the So e &angers beco e is one of the " But I a El&erlings" 6*risoner:7 ore closely! but he

21<E

I 4olte& out of

y trance" # key turne& in the lock of

y &oor an& it s%ung

o$en" # girl stoo& in the &oor%ay" Regal %as besi&e her! one han& co fortingly on her shoul&er" T%o guar&s! Inlan&ers both by the cut of their clothes! flanke& the " One leane& for%ar& to thrust a torch into that hi 07 Regal aske& the girl gently" She $eere& at back! trying to &eci&e %hy she looke& fa iliar" 6Yes! sir! =or& *rince! (ing! sir" That.s hi " I %ent to the %ell that orning! ha& to! ha& to ha'e %ater! or the baby %oul& &ie! 4ust as sure as if the Rai&ers kille& hi " #n& it ha& been )uiet a%hile! all 5eatbay as )uiet as the &ea&" So I %ent to the %ell in the early #n& the %in& o'es the orning! cree$ing like through the ist! sir" Then e" an! there %as this %olf there! right by the %ell! an& he starts u$ an& stares at ist! an& the %olf is gone! he.s a an no%" That sir" Your -a4esty (ing"7 She continue& to stare at I recalle& her no%" The e %i&e/eye&" y cell" I co%ere& back ina&'ertently! then sat blinking in the unaccusto e& light" 6Is e fearfully" I $eere&

orning after the battle for 5eatbay an& Bayguar&"

5ighteyes an& I ha& $ause& to rest by the %ell" I recalle& ho% he ha& 4ostle& e a%ake as he fle& at the girl.s a$$roach" 6You.re a bra'e girl!7 Regal $raise& her! an& $atte& her shoul&er again" 6Here! guar&! take her back abo'e to the kitchens! an& see she gets a goo& be& so e%here" 5o! lea'e eal an& a e the torch"7 They backe& out of the &oor! an& the

guar& shut it fir ly behin& hi " I hear& &e$arting footste$s! but the light outsi&e the &oor staye&" #fter the footste$s ha& &%in&le&! Regal s$oke again" 6;ell! Bastar&! it looks as if this ga e is $laye& out" Your cha $ions %ill aban&on you fairly )uickly! I sus$ect! once they un&erstan& %hat you are" There are other %itnesses! of course" Ones %ho %ill s$eak of ho% there %ere %olf tracks an& en &ea& of bites e'ery%here you fought at 5eatbay" There are ust a& it that e'en so e of our o%n Buckkee$ guar& %ho! %hen $ut to oath!
21?H

%hen you ha'e fought Forge& ones! so e of the bo&ies ha'e borne the of hi

arks

of teeth an& cla%s"7 He hea'e& a great sigh of satisfaction" I hear& the soun&s setting the torch into a %all sconce" He ca e back to the &oor" He %as e" 9hil&ishly I stoo&! an& a$$roache& the &oor to 4ust tall enough to $eer in at

look &o%n at hi " He ste$$e& back" I felt $etty satisfaction" It ha& t%eake& his te $er" 6You %ere so gullible" Such a fool" You ca e li $ing ho e fro the -ountains %ith your tail bet%een your legs! an& all" #ll of the ! Bastar&" #ll your little e" things! you tol& her" The (ing things she ha& $acke&"7 He thought that Aerity.s fa'or %oul& be all you nee&e& to sur'i'e" You an& all your foolish $lottings" I kne% of the chats %ith our )ueen! the to%er/gar&en bribes to turn Bra%n&y against E'en her $lans to lea'e Buckkee$" Take %ar

%ill go %ith you"7 He stoo& on ti$toe to be sure I coul& see his s ile" 6She left %ith neither! Bastar&" 5ot the (ing! nor the %ar sa'ing the for a long ti e" He %atche& $ause&" 65ot e'en a horse"7 His 'oice caresse& the last %or&s as if he ha& been y face a'i&ly" I su&&enly kne% yself for nine kin&s of a fool" Rose ary" S%eet! slee$y

chil&! al%ays no&&ing off in a corner" So bright one coul& trust her %ith any erran&" So young one forgot she %as e'en there" Yet I shoul& ha'e kno%n" I %as no ol&er %hen 9ha&e ha& first begun to teach ust ha'e sho%n on e y tra&e" I felt ill! an& it y face" I coul& not recall %hat I ha& or ha& not sai& in

front of her" I ha& no %ay of kno%ing %hat secrets (ettricken ha& confi&e& o'er that little &ark curly hea&" ;hat talks %ith Aerity ha& she %itnesse&! %hat chats %ith *atience0 The Iueen an& the Fool %ere issing" That only I kne% for certain" Ha& they e'er gotten out of Buckkee$ ali'e0 Regal %as grinning! %ell satisfie& %ith hi self" The barre& &oor bet%een us %as the only thing that ke$t y $ro ise to Shre%& intact" He left! still grinning"
21?1

Regal ha& his $roof that I ha& the ;it" The 5eatbay girl %as the bin&ing knot for that" #ll that re aine& no% %as for hi it %oul& take! he ha&" I sank &o%n onto the floor" Aerity ha& been right" Regal ha& %on" to torture fro e a confession uch ti e as that I ha& kille& Shre%&" He ha& $lenty of ti e for that" Ho%e'er

9H#*TER THIRTY/O5E Torture B>T 5OTHI5J ;O>=D satisfy the ;illful *rincess but that she ro&e the *iebal& Stallion to the hunt" #ll her la&ies %arne& her! but she turne& asi&e her hea& an& %oul& not hear the " #ll the lor&s %arne& her! but she scoffe& at their fears" E'en the stable aster sought to say her nay! telling her! 6=a&y *rincess! the stallion shoul& be $ut &o%n in bloo& an& fire! for he %as traine& by Sly o. the ;it! an& only to hi %roth an& sai&! 6#re these not %hich of is he true: 6 Then the ;illful *rincess gre% y stables an& y horses! an& ay I not choose

y beasts I shall ri&e07 Then all gre% silent before her te $er! an&

she or&ere& the *iebal& Stallion sa&&le& for the hunt" Forth they %ent! %ith a great baying of houn&s an& fluttering of colors" #n& the *iebal& Stallion bore her %ell! an& carrie& her far ahea& of the fiel&! an& at last out of sight of the other hunters entirely" Then! %hen the ;illful *rincess %as far an& a%ay! o'er the hill an& beneath the green trees! the *iebal& Stallion bore her this %ay an& that! until she %as lost an& the crying of the houn&s but an echo in the hills" #t last she sto$$e& by a strea the ;it! as to si$ the cool %ater but lo! %hen she turne&! the *iebal& Stallion %as gone! an& in his $lace stoo& Sly o. ottle& as his ;it beast" Then he %as %ith her as a stallion is %ith
21?2

are! so that ere the! year ha& turne&! she %ent hea'y %ith chil&" #n& %hen ottle& on the face an&

those %ho" atten&e& her birth sa% the babe! all

shoul&ers! they crie& alou& %ith fear" ;hen the ;illful *rincess sa% hi ! she screa e&! an& ga'e u$ her s$irit in bloo& an& sha e! that she ha& borne Sly.s ;it chil&" So the *iebal& *rince %as born in fear an& sha e! an& that %as %hat he brought into the %orl& %ith hi " /7=egen& of the *iebal& *rince7 The torch Regal ha& left set the sha&o%s of the bars to &ancing" I %atche& the for a ti e! thoughtless! ho$eless" (no%le&ge of Jra&ually y 9ha&e ha& been trying to tell y o%n &eath nu be& e" in& began to %ork again! but %ithout or&er" ;as this %hat e0 ;ithout her horse+ ho% eet hi uch ha& Regal

kno%n about the horses0 Ha& he kno%n the &estination0 Ho% ha& Burrich esca$e& &etection0 Or ha& he0 -ight not I in the torturer.s cha ber0 ore &irect Di& Regal think *atience %as connecte& to the esca$e $lan0 If he &i&! %oul& he still be content si $ly to aban&on her! or %oul& he take 'engeance0 ;hen they ca e for as I coul& %ith e! shoul& I fight0 any of his inlan&/bre& curs 5o" I %oul& go %ith &ignity" 5o" I %oul& kill as Regal" I kne% he %oul& be there! to %atch to kill one of his o%n0 It no longer boun& #fter Regal ha& torture& a confession fro $leasure0 ;oul& *atience co e to %atch coul& kee$ her a%ay" I ha& thro%n

y bare han&s" 5o" I %oul& go )uietly! an& %ait for a chance at e &ie" -y $ro ise to Shre%&! not e" Di& it0 5o one coul& sa'e e """ %oul& he kee$ e"

Don.t e'en %on&er if 9ha&e %oul& act! if *atience coul& &o anything at all" e ali'e to hang an& )uarter before all0 Of course he %oul&" ;hy &eny hi self that e &ie0 I ho$e& not" -aybe =acey y )ueen y life a%ay! sacrifice& all for nothing" #t

least! I ha& kille& Serene an& @ustin Ha& it been %orth it0 Ha&
21?8

esca$e& at all! or %as she still hi&&en so e%here %ithin the castle %alls0 ;as that %hat 9ha&e ha& been trying to tell so eone! anyone" I force& to Burrich" -y brother0 I reache& for 5ighteyes" Ia Tell here" I a al%ays here" e of that night" the (ee$ to Heart of the *ack" e0 5o" -y in& $a&&le& an& scrabble& through thoughts like a rat fallen into a rain barrel" I longe& to talk to yself to cal ness! to rationality! an& finally foun& a gri$" 5ighteyes" 5ighteyes ha& sai& that he ha& taken the ! ha& gui&e& the

;hat night0 The night you gui&e& the $eo$le fro #h" I sense& hi struggling" His %ays %ere a %olf.s %ays" # thing &one %as a onth or a year ago! unless they touche&

thing &one" He $lanne& no further ahea& than the next kill! recalle& al ost nothing of e'ents that ha$$ene& a ost &irectly on his o%n sur'i'al" Thus he recalle& the cage I ha& taken hi fro ! but %here he ha& hunte& four nights ago %as lost to hi " Jeneral things he recalle&3 a %ell/use& rabbit trail! a s$ring that &i& not free1e o'er! but s$ecific &etails of ho% fore'er" I hel& I took the )uill in any rabbits he ha& kille& three &ays ago %ere lost e ho$e" y breath! ho$ing he coul& gi'e

all to Heart of the *ack" I %ish you %ere here" I.'e a $orcu$ine i&st of all else! I still ha& to s ile" He kne%

y li$" I can.t $a% it loose" It hurts"

#n& ho% &i& you get that0 In the It isn.t funny"

better but ha& not been able to resist the fat %a&&ling creature" I kno%" Truly! it %as not funny" # )uill %as a nasty barbe& thing that %oul& only %ork &ee$er! festering all the %ay" It coul& get ba& enough to kee$ hi fro hunting" I turne& y attention to his $roble " >ntil I ha& sol'e& it for
21?<

hi ! he %oul& be able to focus on nothing else" Heart of the *ack %oul& get it out for you! if you aske& hi He $ushe& Di& he0 # slo% %orking through of thought" That night" ;hen I gui&e& the He sai& to *icture e! 6Bring the here to e! not to the &og fox $lace" 6 e the $lace you %ent" to hi " nicely" You can trust hi " e" e %hen I s$oke to hi " But then he s$oke to

This %as har&er for hi " But as he trie& he recalle& the roa&si&e! e $ty in the blo%ing sno%! sa'e for Burrich astri&e Ru&&y an& lea&ing Sooty" I gli $se& the Fe ale an& the Scentless One! as he thought of the " 9ha&e he re e bere& %ell! chiefly for a fat beef bone besto%e& on 5ighteyes at their $arting" Di& they s$eak to one another0 O'erly Try as I lay &o%n uch" I left the yi$$ing to one another" e" It %as enough that I kne% the inute" O&&" I ha& been %illing to ight! that %as really all he ha& for

$lans ha& change& &rastically an& at the last felt about gi'ing u$

y life for (ettricken! but at the last accounting! I %as not sure ho% I y horse" Then I recalle& I %oul& $robably ne'er ri&e a e to the hanging tree" #t least Sooty ha&

horse again! sa'e the one that carrie&

gone %ith so eone I care& about" #n& Ru&&y" ;hy those t%o horses0 #n& only those t%o0 Ha& Burrich been unable to get others out of the stable0 ;as that %hy he ha& not gone0 The )uill hurts! 5ighteyes re in&e& 9annot you ask hi I s ile& to e" I cannot eat for the $ain" ust ask Heart of the *ack" it" But if you go I %ish I coul& co e to hel$ you! but I cannot" You to &o it0 He &oes not $ush you"

yself" He &i& once" It %as enough+ I learne& fro

to hi ! asking for hel$! he %ill not re$el you"

21??

9annot you ask hi I cannot s$eak to hi I let hi

to hel$

e0 e to yi$ at hi "

as %e s$eak" #n& he is too far a%ay for ake hi un&erstan&

I %ill try! then! 5ighteyes sai& &oubtfully" go" I thought of trying to y situation" I &eci&e& against it" There %as nothing he coul& &o+ it %oul& only &istress hi " 5ighteyes %oul& tell Burrich I ha& sent hi + Burrich %oul& kno% I %as still ali'e" There %as little else to con'ey that he %oul& not alrea&y kno%" # long slo% ti e $asse& then" I foo& an& %ater through easure& it in the s all %ays I coul&" The torch Regal ha& left burne& out" The guar& change&" So eone ca e an& $ut y &oor" I ha& not aske& for it" I %on&ere& if that an an& a %o an" But they s$oke in lo% ur urs! an& the laughter" So e sort of a ur urs! in a 'ery res$ectful tone" y feet! cre$t to y &oor" eant a 'ery long ti e ha& $asse& since I ha& last eaten" The guar& change& again" These %ere a chatty $air! a 'oices! an& all I hear& %ere the

ribal& flirtation bet%een the t%o! I sur ise&" Interru$te& by so eone.s arri'al" The frien&ly chatter su&&enly cease&" =o% -y sto ach roile& col& insi&e e" Iuietly I ca e to

I $eere& through the &oors to%ar& the guar&s. station" He ca e like a sha&o% &o%n the hall" Silently" 5ot furti'e" He %as so unobtrusi'e! he &i& not nee& to %orry about being furti'e" This %as Skill as I ha& ne'er seen it use& before" I felt the hairs on the back of %hen ;ill sto$$e& outsi&e the &oor an& looke& in at I &are& not" E'en looking at hi %as gi'ing hi too yself" Yet I feare& to look a%ay" The Skill shi aura of a%areness" I coile& &ee$ insi&e e'erything I felt or thought! sla ing y neck hackle e" He &i& not s$eak an& uch of an o$ening to like an ere& aroun& hi

yself! tighter an& tighter! $ulling back y %alls u$ as s%iftly as I coul&! but uch about y e" E'en y e" E'en as outh an& throat

kno%ing! so eho%! that e'en those %alls tol& hi &efenses %ere a %ay for this one to rea&
21?B

%ent &ry %ith fear! a )uestion ho'ere&" ;here ha& he been0 ;hat ha& been so i $ortant to Regal that he ha& set ;ill u$on it rather than using hi the cro%n0 ;hite shi$" The ans%er ca e to e fro &ee$ %ithin e! foun&e& on a connection so &ee$ I coul& not unearth it" But I &i& not &oubt it" I looke& at hi ! consi&ering hi in con4unction %ith the %hite shi$" He fro%ne&" I felt an increase in the tension bet%een us! a $ressing of the Skill against or $luck at balance& not hol& hi y boun&aries" He &i& not scrabble e like Serene an& @ustin ha&" -ore I coul& co $are it" to an to secure

engage ent of bla&es! %here one tests the strength of his o$$onent.s attack" I yself against hi ! kno%ing that if I %a'ere&! if for one instant I &i& out! he %oul& sli$ $ast y guar& an& ske%er a%" y &oor! ake that y soul" His eyes e %ith a brief look of uncertainty" But he follo%e& it

%i&ene& an& sur$rise&

%ith a s ile as %elco ing as a shark.s

6#h!7 he sighe& out" He see e& $lease&" He ste$$e& back fro stretche& like a la1y cat" 6They ha'e un&eresti ate& you" I shall not

istake" ;ell I kno% the a&'antages one gains %hen your ri'al un&er'alues you"7 Then he left! neither abru$tly nor slo%ly! but like s oke &rifts a%ay on a bree1e" Here! an& then gone" #fter he %as gone! I %ent back to y slab an& sat" I took a &ee$ breath an& e" I felt I ha& $asse& through a trial! y o%n" I leane& back against the col& y &oor" y leg tore o$en afresh" I ering! I force& sighe& it out to still the )ui'ering insi&e an& that this ti e! at least! I ha& hel& stone %all an& glance& once ore at e" ;ill.s half/li&&e& eyes bore& into glare& at

I lea$e& u$ so su&&enly the scabbe&/o'er in4ury on

y %in&o%" 5othing" He %as gone" Heart ha

21?C

yself to go to the tiny %in&o% an& $eer out it" 5o one %as there! that I coul& see" He %as gone" But I coul& not I li $e& back to e" I stare& at sha&o%y light fro outsi&e if I coul& feel hi I set ake yself belie'e he %as gone" otion! for so e change in the y seat an& sat &o%n again! gathering Bra%n&y.s cloak about y %in&o%! looking for the guar&.s torch! for anything to in&icate that ;ill lurke& out there" I &are& not" I coul& not 'enture out of y thoughts an&! a fe% yself! the fiercer yself

y &oor" There %as nothing" I longe& to )uest out! ;it an& Skill! to see

%ithout lea'ing a %ay for another to $ush in" y guar&s about o ents later! reset the " The y ribs har&er I trie& to cal an& the si&es of $ast y $anic beca e %hen it rose" I ha& e if he got e

been fearing $hysical torture" 5o% the sour fear s%eat trickle& &o%n y face as I consi&ere& all that ;ill coul& &o to y %alls" Once he got insi&e

y hea&! I %oul& stan& before all the Dukes y &eath a self/$roclai e&

an& tell in &etail ho% I ha& kille& (ing Shre%&" Regal ha& in'ente& for so ething %orse than forgi'eness before all" erely &ying" I coul& go to

co%ar& an& traitor as %ell" I %oul& co%er at Regal.s feet an& beg his I think the ti e that $asse& %as a night" I sle$t for none of it! sa'e to &o1e off an& then %ake %ith a start fro a &rea of eyes at y %in&o%" I &are& not e'en reach out to 5ighteyes for co fort! an& I ho$e& he %oul& not try to reach e %ith thoughts" I ca e out of such a &o1e %ith a start! thinking I ha& hear& footste$s &o%n the hall" -y eyes %ere san&y! 'igilance! an& y uscles %ere knotte& fro the bench! conser'ing e'ery bit of strength that I ha&" The &oor %as flung o$en" # guar& thrust a torch into %ith the torch" Farro% %as in his accent"
21?D

y hea& ache& %ith

tension" I staye& %here I %as on y cell! then cautiously

follo%e& it" T%o other guar&s follo%e&" 6You" On your feet:7 barke& the one

I sa% no $oint in refusing to obey" I stoo& u$! letting Bra%n&y.s cloak fall back on the bench" Their lea&er chances" 5one of the excuses" They took %ere a&e a curt gesture! an& I fell in bet%een the t%o y cell! %aiting" Regal %as taking no no en I kne%" They all %ore the colors of Regal.s guar&s" There %ere four others outsi&e

guar&" I coul& tell their or&ers by the looks on their faces" I ga'e the

e &o%n the hall a short %ays! $ast the &eserte& guar&

$ost! to the larger cha ber that ser'e& once as a guar&roo " It ha& been cleare& of furniture! sa'e for a co fortable chair" E'ery sconce boaste& a torch! aking the roo stan&ing in the ore than ho$e ;e %aite&" ;aiting! stan&ing! in a brightly lit roo un&eresti ate& as a for surroun&e& by hostile en can be y %eight of torture" I trie& to stan& )uietly! to shift $ainfully bright to i&&le of the roo a&e e assess y light &e$ri'e& eyes" The guar&s left e an& 4oine& others lining the %alls" Habit y situation" I counte& fourteen guar&s" e" Both &oors to the cha ber %ere close&"

Surely that %as an excess! e'en for

unobtrusi'ely" I ra$i&ly gre% tire&" It %as frightening to &isco'er ho% )uickly star'ation an& inacti'ity ha& %eakene& re onstrating %ith hi " 6""" unnecessary" #nother night or so %oul& be all I re)uire&"7 6I $refer this!7 Regal sai& aci&ly" ;ill bo%e& his hea& in silent assent" Regal %as seate&! an& ;ill took a $osition behin& his left shoul&er" Regal consi&ere& e for a o ent! then leane& back negligently in his chair" He cocke& his hea& to one si&e an& breathe& out through his nose" He lifte& a finger! in&icate& a $resentable once ore" You un&erstan&"7
21?E

e" I felt al ost a sense of relief %hen

the &oor finally o$ene&" Regal entere&! follo%e& by ;ill" ;ill %as )uietly

an" 6Bolt" You" I ake hi

%ant nothing broken" ;hen %e ha'e %hat %e %ant! I.ll %ant to

Bolt no&&e& briefly" He stri$$e& off his %inter cloak an& let it fall! $ulle& off his shirt as %ell" The other en %atche& stony/eye&" Fro so e long/ago &iscussion %ith 9ha&e! a s all bit of a&'ice ca e to %on.t" I.'e hear& of you %ill say! you in&" 6You can hol& out

longer un&er torture if you focus on %hat you %ill say rather than %hat you en re$eating the sa e $hrase! o'er an& o'er! long $ast the $oint %here they coul& hear the )uestions any ore" By focusing on %hat ake it less likely you.ll say that %hich you &on.t %ish to"7 ight not &o uch for e" Regal &i& not see to But his theoretical a&'ice ha'e any )uestions to ask" Bolt %as taller than I %as! hea'ier than I %as" He looke& as if his &iet inclu&e& a lot ore than brea& an& %ater" He li bere& an& stretche& as if %e %ere going et y look an& e li$lessly" I %atche& hi $ull on a $air of fingerless leather glo'es" to %restle for a ;interfest $urse" I stoo& %atching hi " He s ile& at

He.& co e $re$are& for this" Then he bo%e& to Regal! an& Regal no&&e&" ;hat.s this0 Be silent: I or&ere& 5ighteyes" But as Bolt ste$$e& $ur$osefully to%ar& felt a snarl t%itch at one of y o%n! an& then o'e& back as he s%ung again" Des$eration lent eI e y u$$er li$" I &o&ge& his first $unch! ste$$e& in to lan& yself! I ha& ex$ecte& to be

agility" I ha& not ex$ecte& a chance to &efen&

boun& an& tor ente&" Of course! there %as $lenty of ti e for that" Regal ha& all the ti e he nee&e&" Don.t think of that" I ha& ne'er been goo& in this kin& of a fight" Don.t think of that either" Bolt.s fist gra1e& %ary" I %as luring hi to o$en u$! taking his y cheek stingingly" Be easure! %hen the Skill %ra$$e&

e" I reele& in ;ill.s onslaught! an& Bolt lan&e& his next three blo%s effortlessly" @a%! chest! an& high on a y cheek" #ll )uick an& soli&" The style of an %ho en4oye& it" an %ho &i& this a lot" The s ile of a

21BH

There follo%e& a ti eless $erio& for ;ill an& &efen& yself fro

e" I coul& not both shiel&

yself fro

Bolt battering

e" I reasone&! if the thinking one y bo&y ha& its o%n &efenses ight be the only 'ictory I o'e a%ay

&oes in such a state can be calle& reasoning! that against $hysical $ain" I.& $ass out! or &ie" Dying coul& ho$e for here" So I chose to &efen& I 'eer a%ay fro fro his blo%s an& force hi to $ursue y

in& rather than bo&y" y eyes on hi ! to block y 'igil against ;ill.s

recalling that beating" -y token &efense %as to e! to kee$ e fro

%here I coul& as long as it &i& not &istract Skill $ressure" I hear& the guar&s 4eer at fought back" ;hen one of his blo%s sent again" I coul& not &e'ote the fe% ti es yself! to ta$

y su$$ose& lack of s$irit as I scarcely e staggering back against the e back to%ar& Bolt

sol&iers %ho ringe& us! their sho'es an& kicks &ro'e

y thoughts to strategy" ;hen I s%ung! I s%ung %il&ly! an& yself at Bolt an& ha er at hi any

y fists lan&e&! it %as %ith s all i $act" I longe& to release y fury an& 4ust fling e %i&e o$en to ;ill.s intentions" 5o" I e! Bolt ha& y

%ay I coul&" But that %oul& ha'e left

ha& to re ain cool an& en&ure" #s ;ill increase& his $ressure on ar s to shelter either an& y hea& or y bo&y" He

a leisurely ti e of it" E'entually! I %as re&uce& to t%o choices" I coul& use horror %as that I kne% the

erely shifte& targets" The et ;ill.s ga1e face/on" I y nose"

an %as hol&ing back! striking only to inflict $ain y han&s once an&

inor &a age" I &ro$$e&

ha& the 'ery brief satisfaction of seeing the s%eat that strea e& &o%n his face" #t that o ent! Bolt.s fist connecte& soli&ly %ith Bla&e ha& once &escribe& to e the soun& that he hear& as his nose broke in a

bra%l" ;or&s &i& not &o it 4ustice" # sickening soun& co bine& %ith incre&ible $ain" *ain so intense it %as su&&enly the only $ain I %as a%are of" I blacke& out"
21B1

I &on.t kno% ho% long I %as out" I fluttere& to the e&ge of consciousness! ho'ere& there" So eone ha& fli$$e& straightene& fro be able to sho% hi to so eone else" 65ot a $roble ! (ing Regal!7 so eone assure& hi " That $erson bent o'er took a fir gri$ on the bri&ge of cru&e setting of it hurt %orse than the breaking! an& once e! y nose! an& &ragge& it straight again" That ore I &i$$e& &o%n e for so e ins$ecting e o'er onto y back" ;hoe'er it %as angrily" 6I ha'e to e" 65ose is broke!7 he announce&" e so e %ine!7 he a&&e& irritably in an asi&e

6Bolt! I sai&! nothing broken:7 Regal re onstrate& %ith hi intact" Bring

into unconsciousness" I lingere& there! hearing the 'oices &iscuss ti e before they resol'e& into %or&s an& the %or&s into sense"

Regal.s 'oice" 6So %hat is he su$$ose& to be able to &o0 ;hy hasn.t he &one it yet07 6I kno% only %hat Serene an& @ustin tol& tire&" 6They clai e& he %as %eary fro e! Your -a4esty"7 ;ill.s 'oice %as Skilling! an& @ustin %as able to force

his %ay into hi " Then the Bastar& """ fought back in so e %ay" @ustin sai& he belie'e& hi self attacke& by a great %olf" Serene sai& she actually sa% the arks of cla%s on @ustin! but that they fa&e& shortly after%ar&"7 I hear& the creak of %oo& as Regal flung hi self back in his chair" 6;ell! ake hi 6I a &o it" I %ish to see this ;it for yself7 # $ause" 6Or are not you strong enough0 *erha$s @ustin %as the one I shoul& ha'e hel& in reser'e"7 stronger than @ustin %as! Your -a4esty!7 ;ill asserte& cal ly" 6But Fit1 y intent" He %as not ex$ecting @ustin.s attack"7 -ore )uietly he an&e& in &isgust" y anger at Regal! to re$el at hi
21B2

is a%are of

a&&e&! 6He is stronger far than I %as le& to belie'e"7 6@ust &o it:7 Regal co %as insi&e So Regal %ante& to see the ;it0 I &re% a breath! gathere& %hat little strength e" I trie& to focus har& enough

to &ri'e hi at e

through the %all" But I coul& not" I %as too ri&&le& %ith $ain to e" #ll Regal &i& %as start! an& then look ay is e

concentrate" -y o%n %alls &efeate& ore closely"

6He.s a%ake!7 he obser'e&" #gain his finger lifte& la1ily" 6Aer&e" You ha'e hi " But ha'e a care to his nose" =ea'e his face alone" The rest of hi easily co'ere&"7 Aer&e &e'ote& so e little ti e to hauling uch &a age as his fists" I coul& not see y ar s to shiel& e to y feet so he coul& knock y feet un&er

&o%n again" I %earie& of that re$etition long before he &i&" The floor &i& as to kee$ e! nor lift ake e yself" I retreate& insi&e yself! s aller an& s aller! e to alertness an& e an& cause

hu&&ling there until sheer $hysical $ain %oul& force

e struggle again" >sually 4ust before I $asse& out again" I beca e a%are of another thing" Regal.s en4oy ent" He &i& not %ant to bin& $ain" He %ante& to %atch fro this s$ort" He use& e struggle! to see e to take their e atte $t to fight back an& fail" yself not to care y

He %atche& his guar&! too! noting! no &oubt! %hich ones turne& their eyes a%ay easure" I force& that he took $leasure fro y $ain" #ll that truly attere& %as kee$ing

%alls u$ an& kee$ing ;ill out of

y hea&" That %as the battle I ha& to %in" y cell" # terrible snuffling! y breathing" e" It %as the soun& of

The fourth ti e I a%oke! I %as on the floor of %hee1ing soun& %as %hat ha& %akene& I re aine& %here they ha& &u $e& Bra%n&y.s cloak &o%n fro

e" #fter a ti e I lifte& a han& an& $a%e& e" I lay a ti e

the bench" It fell $artially ato$

longer" Regal.s guar&s ha& listene& to hi " 5othing %as broken" E'erything hurt! but no bones %ere broken" #ll they ha& gi'en coul& &ie fro " I cra%le& o'er to y %ater" I %ill not enu erate the $ains it cost for yself ha& left e to lift it an& &rink" -y initial atte $ts to &efen&
21B8

e %as $ain" 5othing I

y han&s s%ollen

an& sore" I trie& 'ainly to kee$ the e&ge of the %ater $ot fro y outh" Finally! I e all the

bu $ing against e! to ake

anage& to &rink" The %ater strengthene&

ore a%are of e'ery%here I hurt" -y half loaf of brea& %as there as y %ater! an& then sucke& the y outh" I %as a%are of y the the loaf as it softene&" It taste& like bloo&" Bolt.s initial yself to touch it

%ell" I stuck the en& of it in %hat %as left of soake& brea& fro battering of nose as an i %ith y hea& ha& loosene& teeth an& cut

ense area of throbbing $ain" I coul& not bring e alongsi&e y $ain"

y fingers" There %as no $leasure in eating! only a $artial relief fro

hunger that cla%e& at

#fter a ti e I sat u$" I &ragge& the cloak aroun& kne%" Regal %oul& batter at ;ill coul& get in y

e an& consi&ere& %hat I anifeste& the ;it in y %alls enough that

e $hysically until I either

an attack his guar&s coul& %itness! or until I &ro$$e& in& an& ins$ire

e to confess" I %on&ere& %hich %ay he beat e to &eath before I either y %eakene&

%oul& rather %in" I &i& not &oubt he %oul& %in" -y sole %ay out of this cell %as by &ying" O$tions" To try to use& the ;it or &ro$$e& a&e for ;allace" I %oul& &ie fro though" ;retche&ly $ainful" One kin& of $ain see e& as goo& as another" =aboriously I fol&e& back ha'e co e loose at a slight tug" But bloo& ha& y bloo&ie& right cuff" The hi&&en $ocket %as secure& by a threa& that shoul& atte& it close&" I $icke& at it e ore %ater to get carefully" -ustn.t s$ill it" I.& nee& to %ait until they ga'e %orking at it %hen I hear& 'oices &o%n the hall%ay" It &i& not see fair they %oul& co e back at e so soon" I listene&" It %asn.t e" # &ee$ Regal" But anyone co ing &o%n here eant so ething to &o %ith ake the y Skill barrier to ;ill" Or! to take the $oison I ha& it" That %as &efinite" In

state! it %oul& $robably be faster than I ha& $lanne& it for hi " Still $ainful!

it &o%n" Other%ise I.& 4ust gag an& retch on the bitter $o%&er" I %as still

21B<

'oice! ru bling along in a ra bling %ay" The guar&s re$lying briefly! in hostile tones" #nother 'oice! interce&ing! reasoning" The ru bling again! getting lou&er! an& the belligerence $lain" Su&&enly a shout" 6You.re going to &ie! Fit1: Hange& o'er %ater! an& your bo&y burne&: 6 Burrich.s 'oice" # strange 6Jet hi %as ob'iously an Inlan&er" 6I %ill! I %ill"7 I kne% that 'oice" Bla&e" 6He.s 4ust ha& a bit too that.s all" It.s al%ays been a $roble uch to &rink! %ith hi " #n& he ha& the boy as his aybe"7 atters" ix of anger an& threat an& $ain" out of here"7 One of the guar&s! s$eaking lou& an& $lain no%" She

a$$rentice &o%n there in the stables for years" E'eryone.s saying he shoul& ha'e kno%n about it! &i& kno% about it an& &i&n.t &o anything! 6Yessss"7 Burrich &re% out the angry affir ation" 6#n& I. bastar&: 5o ore buck.s crest for out of a 4ob no%!

e: ;ell! by El.s ass! it har&ly

Horses are gone" Best &a n horses I e'er traine&! gone inlan& no%! gi'en o'er to fools: Dogs are gone! ha%ks are gone: #ll that.re left are the scrubs an& a cou$le ules" Don.t ha'e one horse I.& a& it to o%ning:7 His 'oice %as a&ness in it" gro%ing closer" There %as

I scrabble& u$ the &oor! clung to the bars to see" I coul&n.t see the guar& $ost! but their sha&o%s %ere on the %all" Burrich.s sha&o% %as atte $ting to co e &o%n the hall %hile the guar&s an& Bla&e trie& to &rag hi 6;ait" 5o%! 4ust %ait a back" inute!7 Burrich re onstrate& &runkenly" 6;ait" y &oor" the bra%l!

=ook" I only %ant to talk to hi " That.s all"7 The cluster of $eo$le surge& &o%n the hall! halte& again" The guar&s %ere bet%een Burrich an& Bla&e %as clinging to Burrich.s ar " He still sho%e& the 6@ust get arks fro an& one of his ar s %as in a sling" He coul& &o little to sto$ Burrich" ine in before Regal gets his" That.s all" That.s all"7 Burrich.s 'oice inute" ;hat.s it going %as &ee$ an& slurry %ith &rink" 69o e on" @ust for a
21B?

to

atter any%ay0 He.s goo& as &ea&"7 #nother $ause" 6=ook" I.ll

ake it

%orth your %hile" =ook here"7 The guar&s %ere exchanging glances" 6>h! Bla&e! you got any coin left07 Burrich %as &igging through his $ouch! then snorte& %ith &isgust an& u$en&e& it o'er his han&" 9oins fell in a sho%er! s$illing $ast his fingers" 6Here! here"7 There %as the chink an& rattle of coins &ro$$e& an& rolling on the stone floor of the $assage%ay an& he flung his ar s %i&e in a gesture of largesse" 6Hey! he &oesn.t ean it! Burrich! you &on.t bribe guar&s like that! you.re aking going to get yourself tosse& in a cell! too"7 Bla&e stoo$e& hastily! alongsi&e hi an& I sa% a han& ake a furti'e tri$ fro y %in&o%" For a floor to $ocket" o ent %e stoo& eye to

a$ologies as he hurrie& to gather u$ the s$ille& coins" The guar&s stoo$e& Su&&enly Burrich.s face $eere& in %ebbe& re& fro at

eye at the barre& %in&o%" Jrief an& outrage battle& in his face" His eyes %ere his &rinking! an& his breath %as strong %ith it" The fabric of it" He glare& o ent our e! his eyes %i&ene& in shock" For a y face" e" #ll the his shirt sho%e& ragge& %here the buck crest ha& been torn fro e! then! as he looke& at

ga1e hel&! an& I thought so ething of un&erstan&ing an& fare%ell $asse& bet%een us" Then he leane& back an& s$at full in 6That! for you!7 he snarle&" 6That for hours! all the &ays I s$ent u$on you" Better that you ha& lain &o%n an& &ie& a ongst the beasts before you let this co e to $ass" They.re going to hang you+ boy" Regal.s ha'ing the gallo%s built! o'er %ater! like the ol& %is&o says" They.ll hang you! then cut you u$ an& burn you &o%n to bones" 5othing left to bury" He.s $robably afrai& the &ogs %oul& &ig you u$ again" You.& like that! hey! boy0 Burie& like a bone! for so e &og to &ig u$ later0 Better to 4ust lie &o%n an& &ie right %here you are"7
21BB

y life! %hich you took fro

I ha& recoile& fro s%aying on

hi

%hen he s$at at a&ness an& &rink"

e" 5o% I stoo& back fro

y &oor! e! his eyes

y feet %hile he gri$$e& the bars an& stare& in at

%i&e an& bright %ith

6You.re so goo& %ith the ;it! they say" ;hy &on.t you change into a rat an& scuttle out of there0 Huh07 He leane& his forehea& against the bars an& $eere& in at e" #l ost $ensi'ely! he sai&! 6Better that than to hang! %hel$" 9hange into a beast an& run off %ith your tail bet%een your legs" If you can """ I hear& you can """ they say you can turn into a %olf" ;ell! unless you can! you.re going to hang" Hang by your neck! choking an& kicking """7 His 'oice traile& off" His &ark eyes locke& %ith ine" They %ere teary %ith &rink" 6Better to lie &o%n an& &ie right there than hang"7 Su&&enly he see e& full of fury" 6-aybe I.ll hel$ you lie &o%n an& &ie:7 he threatene& through gritte& teeth" 6Better you &ie y %ay than Regal.s: 6 He began to %rest at the bars! shaking the &oor back an& forth against its locks" The guar&s %ere instantly on hi ! one to an ar ! tugging an& cursing %hile he ignore& the " Ol& Bla&e 4igge& u$ an& &o%n behin& the ! saying! 6Ji'e it u$! co e on! Burrich! you ha& your say! co e on! trouble"7 They &i& not $ry hi loose! but he ga'e it u$ su&&enly! 4ust &ro$$ing his ar s to his si&es" It caught the guar&s by sur$rise an& they both stu ble& back" I clutche& at the barre& %in&o%" 6Burrich"7 It %as har& to you" I. coul&"7 He shook his hea& at e! his face contorting %ith grief an& anger" 6=ie &o%n e" an& &ie! boy" @ust lie &o%n an& &ie"7 He turne& an& %alke& a%ay fro
21BC

an! before there.s real

ake

outh for

%or&s" 6I ne'er

eant to hurt e you

sorry"7 I took a breath! trie& to fin& so e %or&s to en& so e of the

tor ent in his eyes" 65o one shoul& bla e you" You &i& the best %ith

Bla&e %as %alking back%ar&! a$ologi1ing a hun&re& ti es o'er to the t%o flustere& guar&s %ho follo%e& hi ollify the guar&s" I s%i$e& at the s$ittle on y s%ollen face an& %ent slo%ly back to y stone e bench" I sat a long ti e! re e bering" Fro fro e" I ha& fought hi the beginning he ha& %arne& u$ the corri&or" I %atche& the go! an& then %atche& Burrich.s sha&o% go lurching off! %hile Bla&e.s staye& a bit to

off the ;it" The first &og that I ha& e'er bon&e& to! he ha& for that &og! re$elle& at hi strength I ha&! an& he ha& 4ust &eflecte& it back at ignoring if not acce$ting

ercilessly taken %ith e'ery bit of

e" So har& I ha& not e'en

atte $te& to re$el anyone for years after that" #n& %hen he ha& relente&! y bon& %ith the %olf! it ha& reboun&e& onto hi " e! an& all those ti es I ha& been so The ;it" #ll those ti es he ha& %arne& sure I kne% %hat I %as &oing" You &i&" 5ighteyes" I ackno%le&ge& hi " I ha& no s$irit to &o 9o e %ith this" In a %hile! $erha$s! I $ut hi off" I &i& not ha'e the strength to &eal %ith hi " y life that I ha& not faile&! ha& I sat a long ti e! actually" -y encounter %ith Burrich hurt as ba&ly as the beating ha&" I trie& to think of one $erson in not &isa$$ointe&" I coul& think of no one" I glance& &o%n at Bra%n&y.s cloak" I %as col& enough to %ant it! but too sore to $ick it u$" # $ebble on the floor besi&e it caught in y cell" y eye" It $u11le& e" I ha& looke& at this floor long enough to kno% there %ere no loose &ark $ebbles 9uriosity is a &isturbingly strong force" Finally! I leane& %ay o'er an& $icke& u$ the cloak! an& the $ebble next to it" It took so e ti e to get the cloak
21BD

ore than that" all of

e" 9o e %ith

e an& %e %ill hunt" I can take you far fro

aroun& stung

e" Then I exa ine&

y $ebble" It %asn.t a $ebble" It %as &ark an& e0 9autiously I hel& it u$ to the fickle y

%et" # %a& of so ething0 =ea'es" # $ellet of %a&&e& lea'es" # $ellet that ha& y chin %hen Burrich s$at at light that %an&ere& in the barre& %in&o%" So ething %hite secure& the outer leaf" I $icke& it loose" ;hat ha& caught eye %as the %hite en& of a $orcu$ine )uill! %hile the black barbe& ti$ ha& secure& the leaf %ra$$ing" >nfol&e&! the leaf re'eale& a sticky bro%n %a&" I lifte& it to y nose an& sniffe& it cautiously" # ixture of herbs! but one ercifully extinguish life" &o inate&" I recogni1e& the scent )ueasily" 9arry e" # -ountain herb" # $o%erful $ainkiller an& se&ati'e! so eti es use& to (ettricken ha& use& it %hen she ha& trie& to kill 9o e %ith 5ot 4ust no%" This %as Burrich.s $arting gift to e0 # erciful en&0 I thought o'er %hat he the an %ho ha& taught ha& sai&" Better to 4ust lie &o%n an& &ie" This! fro Heart of the *ack says you shoul& co e %ith 5ighteyes %as $utting into relaying this I %as silent! thinking" He took the )uill fro e! no%! tonight" I consi&ere& the three things that lay in I &on.t un&erstan& %hat he %ants y han&" The leaf! the )uill! the $ellet" I re%ra$$e& the $ellet in the leaf! secure& it %ith the )uill again" e to &o! I co $laine&" y li$! Brother" I think %e can trust hi " 9o e %ith e" e in the -ountains"

e the fight %asn.t o'er until you ha& %on it0 The contra&iction %as too shar$" e" 5o%" Tonight" =ie &o%n! he says" Be a bone for the &ogs to &ig u$ later! he says" I coul& feel the effort essage"

21BE

=ie &o%n an& be still" Still yourself! an& go %ith only if you ust" Only if you cannot co e to

e! as

yself" # long $ause

as 5ighteyes %orke& so ething through in his hea&" Eat %hat he ga'e you e on your o%n" y slee'e" ;hen it I ha'e no i&ea %hat he is u$ to" But! like you! I think %e can trust hi " In the &i ness! $ast all %eariness! I sat $icking at the stitching in $ushe& the leaf/%ra$$e& $ellet in" I looke& at the $a$er $acket in &%ell on it" I gri$$e& it in an& slo%ly lay finally ca e loose! I coaxe& the tiny $a$er $acket of $o%&er out an& then anage& to force the )uill to hol& it there" I e! but I refuse& to yself in Bra%n&y.s cloak y han&" # tiny i&ea ca e to

y han&" Then I %ra$$e&

yself &o%n on the bench" I kne% I shoul& kee$ 'igil! lest ;ill %ith you! 5ighteyes"

co e back" I %as too ho$eless an& too %eary" I a

;e s$e& a%ay together! o'er cruste& %hite sno%! into a %olf %orl&"

9H#*TER THIRTY/T;O Execution ST#B=E-#STER B>RRI9H ;#S reno%ne& &uring his years at Buckkee$ as an extraor&inary horse han&ler as %ell as a houn&s an an& falconer" His skill %ith beasts %as near legen&ary e'en in his o%n lifeti e" He began his years of ser'ice as a co bought herself free fro a Bingto%n on sol&ier" It is sai& he ca e fro aster by an extraor&inary ser'ice" to the attention of a young folk %ho ha& settle& in Shoaks" So e say his gran& other %as of sla'e stock! %ho #s a sol&ier! his fierceness in battle brought hi &isci$linary

*rince 9hi'alry" It is ru ore& that he first a$$eare& before his $rince on a atter regar&ing a ta'ern bra%l" He ser'e& 9hi'alry for a ti e as a in %ea$ons $artner! but 9hi'alry &isco'ere& his gift for ani als an& $ut hi
21CH

charge of his guar&s. horses" He %as soon caring for 9hi'alry.s houn&s an& ha%ks as %ell! an& e'entually ca e to o'ersee the entire stables of Buckkee$" His sage &octoring of beasts an& kno%le&ge of their internal %orkings exten&e& to cattle! shee$! an& s%ine an& the occasional treat ent of fo%l" 5o one excee&e& hi in his un&erstan&ing of beasts" itigate& the )uick an& sa'age an" Ho%e'er! it is also true he Se'erely in4ure& in a boar/hunting acci&ent! Burrich ac)uire& a li $ he %as to suffer the rest of his life" It see s to ha'e te $er that %as his re$utation as a young re aine& a

an that fe% %illingly crosse& to the en& of his &ays"

His herbal re e&y %as res$onsible for halting the outbreak of scallers that afflicte& the la bs in Bearns Duchy follo%ing the Bloo& *lague years" He sa'e& the flocks fro total &eci ation! as %ell as ke$t the &isease fro s$rea&ing into Buck Duchy" # clear night un&er shining stars" # soun& healthy bo&y! surging &o%n a sno%y hillsi&e in a series of exuberant lea$s" Our $assage left sno% casca&ing fro bushes in our %ake" ;e ha& kille&! %e ha& eaten" #ll hungers %ere satisfie&" The night %as fresh an& o$en! cracking col&" 5o cage hel& us! no en beat us" Together! %e kne% the fullness of our free&o " ;e %ent to %here the s$ring %elle& u$ so strongly it al ost ne'er fro1e! an& la$$e& the icy %ater" 5ighteyes shook oursel'es all o'er! then took a &ee$ snuff of the air" -orning co es" I kno%" I &o not %ish to think of it" -orning! %hen &rea s reality be en&ure&" You ust co e %ith e" e! all the %ay" You
21C1

ust en& an&

5ighteyes! I a 5o" You

alrea&y %ith you" ust let go"

ust co e %ith

So he ha& tol& a a1e&

e! at least t%enty ti es alrea&y" I coul& not

istake the

urgency of his thoughts" His insistence %as $lain! an& his single/ in&e&ness e" It %as not like 5ighteyes to cling so fir ly to an i&ea that ha& ust nothing to &o %ith foo&" This %as a thing he an& Burrich ha& &eci&e&" I go %ith hi " I coul& not fatho %hat he %ante& e to &o" that I %as tra$$e&! as he urge& y bo&y in a cage! in& coul& go %ith hi ! for a e to" Each ti e he tol& O'er an& o'er! I ha& ex$laine& to hi ti e at least! but I coul& not go %ith hi back to it again" I sense& hi atte $ting $atience" You ust co e %ith e! no%" #ll the %ay" Before they co e to %ake you" I cannot" -y bo&y is locke& in a cage" =ea'e it: he sai& sa'agely" =et go: ;hat0 =ea'e it! let go of it! co e %ith You ean! &ie0 Eat the $oison0 ore" e" =et go of it" You &i& it once before" Re e ber0 aking e a%are of our bon&" e" So e%here I %as e"

4ust as he ha& once been tra$$e& in a cage" -y

e that he un&erstoo& that! but I %as not un&erstan&ing hi " #n& no% %e %ere

Only if you ha'e to" But &o it no%! )uickly! before they can hurt you =ea'e it an& co e %ith The effort of The $ain of aking sense of his %or&s %as

y o%n racke& bo&y broke through to haunt y ribs" I scrabble& a%ay fro

stiff %ith the col&! an& aching %ith $ain" So e%here! e'ery breath brought an ans%ering t%inge fro strong soun& bo&y" That.s right! that.s right" @ust lea'e it" 5o%" =et go of it" @ust let go" that! back to the %olf.s

21C2

I kne% abru$tly %hat he %ante&

e to &o" I &i& not kno% )uite ho% to &o it! y

an& I %as not sure that I coul&" Once! yes! I re e bere& that I ha& let go of

bo&y an& left it in his care" Only to a%aken hours later besi&e -olly" But I %as not sure ho% I ha& &one it" #n& it ha& been &ifferent" I ha& left the %olf to guar& boun& e! %hen I ha& gone %here'er I ha& gone" This ti e he %ante& y consciousness free fro e to 4ust break y bo&y" To %illingly let go the tie that

in& to flesh" E'en if I coul& &isco'er ho% to &o it! I &i& not kno% if I e" e"

ha& the %ill to &o it" @ust lie &o%n an& &ie! Burrich ha& tol& Yes" That.s right" Die if you I to lose0 I &re% a &ee$ breath! $oise& insi&e 5o" 5o! 4ust let go" I a " I a " I gro$e& about insi&e bo&y" I slo%e& yself" 5o: 5o: 5ighteyes ho%le& in &es$eration" To co e to e: utter of 'oices" # shu&&er of fear e! an& &es$ite yself! I co%ere& &ee$er into Bra%n&y.s cloak" e the sa e &i ly lit cell! the sa e tiny e! so ething ore e! so ething But there %as the scuff of footste$s! an& the %ent through One eye %oul& o$en a bit" It sho%e& e: 9o e to e! let go of that! yself! looking for %hate'er boun& y heart to beat e to y y breathing! I %ille& ore slo%ly" I refuse& all of it! &ee$ into yself as for a &i'e into col& %ater" ust! but co e %ith

a&e an abru$t &ecision" Trust" Trust Burrich! trust the %olf" ;hat &i& I ha'e

the sensations of $ain! of col&! of stiffness" I sank a%ay fro

barre& %in&o%" There %as a &ee$ col& $ain insi&e %as torn" I kne% it"

insi&ious than hunger" They ha& broken no bones! but insi&e

21C8

You are back in the cage: 5ighteyes crie&" =ea'e it: =ea'e your bo&y an& co e to e: It.s too late! I %his$ere&" Run a%ay! run a%ay" Don.t share this" #re %e not $ack0 Des$eration as throbbing as a %olf.s &ra%n/out ho%l" They %ere at shook y &oor! it %as s%inging o$en" Fear sei1e& y cuff to y e in its 4a%s an& y a&e a y fist an& e" #l ost I lifte& outh an& che%e& the $ellet fro

slee'e right then" Instea&! I gri$$e& the tiny $a$er $acket in &eter ine& resolution to forget about it" The sa e

an %ith the torch! the sa e t%o guar&s" The sa e co

an&" 6You"

On your feet"7 I $ushe& Bra%n&y.s cloak asi&e" One of the guar&s %as still hu an enough to $ale at %hat he sa%" The other t%o %ere stoli&" #n& %hen I coul& not s%iftly enough to suit the ! one sei1e& e by the ar an& 4erke& e to o'e y

feet" I crie& out %or&lessly %ith $ain+ I coul& not hel$ it" #n& that res$onse set e to tre bling %ith fear" If I coul& not kee$ fro hol& y &efenses against ;ill0 e fro y cell an& &o%n the hall" I &o not say I %alke&" #ll an& on y They took crying out! ho% coul& I

bruises ha& stiffene& in the night" The beating ha& reo$ene& the s%or& cuts on y right forear y thigh" Those $ains! too! ha& been rene%e&" *ain yself" In the y e an& I fell" I lay on the floor on %as like air no%+ I o'e& through it! I breathe& it in an& out of

center of the guar&roo ! one sho'e&

si&e" I sa% no $oint to struggling to sit u$+ I ha& no &ignity to sa'e" Better that they thought I coul& not stan&" ;hile I coul&! I %oul& be still an& %hate'er strength I coul& still call yself an& began to set the guar&s on yself a%ay behin& the " The %alls of
21C<

arshall

y o%n" Slo%ly! laboriously! I cleare& y y in&" O'er an& o'er! through the in& %ere %hat I ust guar&! not

$ain ha1e! I %ent o'er the Skill %alls I ha& erecte&! strengthening the ! sealing

the flesh of

y bo&y" #roun& y %alls an&

e in the roo ! y $ain"

en line& the %alls" They

shuffle&! an& s$oke )uietly a ong the sel'es! %aiting" I scarcely notice& the " -y %orl& %as There %as the creak an& &raft of an o$ene& &oor" Regal ca e in" ;ill %alke& behin& hi ! carelessly ra&iating Skill strength" I %as a%are of hi ne'er before been a%are of a as I ha& an" E'en %ithout sight! I coul& sense hi ! the

sha$e of hi ! the heat of the Skill that burne& insi&e hi " He %as &angerous" Regal su$$ose& he %as only a tool" I &are& a tiny satisfaction in kno%ing Regal &i& not kno% the $erils of such a tool as ;ill" Regal took his chair" So eone brought a s all table for hi " I hear& a bottle o$ene&! then s elle& %ine as it %as $oure&" The $ain ha& tune& ho% 6Dear taken sense" ;ill %alke& slo%ly to%ar& face" I gri$$e& foot an& I gas$e& &es$ite Skill strength against e! stoo& o'er e" I &i& not try to o'e to see his e& his y tiny store of strength fir ly" He nu&ge& e shar$ly %ith his uch I longe& for it" e" =ook at hi " Do you su$$ose %e ha'e gone too far! ;ill07 e that he ha& y ti e ore than %ine to&ay" S oke! $erha$s0 So early0 The %olf ha& sai& y senses to an unbearable keenness" I listene& to Regal &rink" I refuse& to ackno%le&ge

So ething in the arch a use ent in Regal.s 'oice infor e&

&a%n" Regal %oul& ne'er be u$ at &a%n """ so ething %as %rong %ith

yself" #t al ost the sa e instant he sla

e" There! at least! I hel& fir " ;ill took a short breath uch as you can to his bo&y! %ithout onth hence" But %ithin! he in&! but it &oes not %ar&ing his

through his nose! snorte& it out" He %alke& back to Regal" 6Your -a4esty" You.'e &one al ost as still resists" *ain can &istract hi fro risking &a age that %oul& $lainly sho% e'en a

21C?

inherently %eaken his Skill strength" I &o not think you %ill break hi %ay"7 6I &i& not ask you that! ;ill:7 Regal rebuke& hi shift hi self to a ;ill! 6#l ost as 6=ea'e hi see hi &ukes gro% i $atient" He suggest as the next ste$07 alone %ith e" I can get %hat you %ish fro hi "7 65o"7 Regal.s refusal %as flat" 6I kno% %hat you ;ant fro

this

shar$ly" I listene& to hi

ore co fortable $osition" 6#h! this takes too long" -y ust be broken to&ay"7 #l ost $ensi'ely! he aske& uch as I can! you say! to his bo&y0 ;hat then %oul& you

hi ! ;ill" You

as a fat %ineskin! full of Skill strength! %hich you %oul& like to &rain" to stan& before the Dukes an& confess hi self a traitor" -ore! I ercy" I %ill ha'e hi e" He! hi self! shall accuse the " 5o

;ell! $erha$s! at the en&! there %ill be a %ay for you to ha'e hi " But not 4ust yet" I %ant hi %ant hi to gro'el before the throne an& beg for

&enounce all those %ho ha'e &efie&

one %ill &oubt it %hen he says they are traitors" =et Duke Bra%n&y see his o%n &aughter accuse&! let all the court hear that the =a&y *atience %ho cries so lou&ly for 4ustice has herself betraye& the cro%n" #n& for hi aker girl! that -olly"7 -y heart lurche& si&e%ays insi&e 6I ha'e not yet foun& her! hearten hi e" y lor&!7 ;ill 'enture&" """ that can&le

6Silence:7 Regal thun&ere&" #l ost! he soun&e& like (ing Shre%&" 6Do not %ith that" She nee& not be foun& to be &eclare& a traitor by his o%n &ung hea$ to li$s" ;e can fin& her at our leisure" He can go to his &eath! kno%ing she %ill follo% hi ! betraye& by his %or&s" I %ill cleanse Buckkee$ fro to%er to$ of all %ho ha'e sought to betray in a toast to hi self an& &rank &ee$ly" e an& &efy e:7 He lifte& his cu$

21CB

He soun&e&! I thought to

yself! 'ery like Iueen Desire ha& in her cu$s" One ore"

$art braggart to one $art sni'eling co%ar&" He %oul& fear e'eryone he &i& not control" #n& the next &ay he %oul& fear those he controlle& e'en =et.s continue! shall %e0 (elfry! stan& hi (elfry %as a co $etent u$ for us"7 e! gri$$ing Regal set his %ine cu$ &o%n %ith a thu&" He leane& back in his chair" 6;ell" an %ho took no 4oy in his %ork" He %as not gentle! e u$right" Ho& ha& not traine& hi " I kne% if I y hea& back s%iftly struck e as only y

but neither %as he rougher than he nee&e& to be" He stoo& behin& e by the u$$er ar s to kee$ sna$$e&

y hea& back s%iftly! I coul& break his nose an& $ossibly take out y o%n feet %oul& be" I stoo&!

so e of his front teeth" Sna$$ing han&s curle& &efensi'ely o'er strength" #fter a I ran o ent I lifte&

slightly si $ler than $icking u$ the floor un&er

y belly! $ushing the $ain asi&e! gathering y hea& an& regar&e& Regal" y outh to free y li$s fro

y tongue about the insi&e of

y teeth!

then s$oke" 6You kille& your o%n father"7 Regal stiffene& in his chair" The forcing hi feet" 6But not before %e ha& Skille& to Aerity"7 I broke s%eat on co ing at in a&e y 'oice lou&er" The effort y ga1e to ;ill! $ut threat e" 6Aerity.s ali'e! an& he kno%s e'erything"7 Regal %as to su$$ort y %eight" an hol&ing e tense&" I leane& in his ar s!

6Serene an& @ustin &i& it! but you or&ere& it!7 I sai& )uietly" Regal ca e to his

e! %ith ;ill right behin& hi " I s%ung e as Regal backhan&e&

y 'oice" 6He kno%s about you! too! ;ill" He kno%s it all"7 e" Once" #nother sla$! an& I felt the yself! got rea&y" y face s$lit un&er the i $act" Regal &re% his fist back" I set

The guar& hel& s%ollen skin of

yself to take it! $ushe& a%ay all $ain! centere&

6=ook out:7 ;ill yelle&! an& s$rang to knock Regal asi&e"

21CC

I ha& %ante& it too ba&ly! he ha& Skille& %hat I inten&e& to &o" #s Regal s%ung I 4erke& free of y guar&! sli$$e& asi&e fro Regal.s blo%! then ste$$e& y in" ;ith one han& I sei1e& the back of Regal.s neck! to $ull his face to%ar& to rub it into his nose an& kill hi " ;ill s$oile& it all" -y s%ollen fingers %oul& not close on Regal.s neck" ;ill snatche& Regal fro y %oo&en gras$! s%ung hi si&e%ays a%ay fro e" #s ;ill.s shoul&er colli&e& %ith y chest I reache& for his face instea&! outh an& eyes" gas$ at the

other han& that gri$$e& the no% crushe& $a$er of $o%&er" -y intent ha& been outh! to ho$e against ho$e he.& get enough of it to

groun& the torn $a$er an& fine %hite $o%&er into his nose an& -ost of it floate& u$ in a fine clou& bet%een us" I sa% hi I &o'e for unconsciousness! but it elu&e& see e& to fro un&er -y tears atter to anyone sa'e e" I felt the

bitterness an& then %e %ere &o%n! both of us! un&er a %a'e of Regal.s guar&s" e" I %as struck! kicke&! an& get off e! felt the &rag ;ill y face" throttle& before Regal.s fren1ie& cries of 6Don.t kill hi : Don.t kill hi :7 e! but I coul& not see" Bloo& %as sheeting &o%n o'er

ingle& %ith it" -y last chance! an& I ha& faile&" I ha& not e'en uttering o'er hi " an&" 6See if in the

gotten ;ill3 Oh! he %oul& be sick for a fe% &ays! but I &oubte& he %oul& &ie of it" E'en no% I hear& the 6Take hi hea&07 I thought that he s$oke of out" So either I ha& gotten kicke& hi e! until I hear& the soun&s of ;ill being carrie& ore into hi than I ha& thought! or so eone ha& to a healer! then"7 I hear& Regal finally gi'e the co

he can figure out %hat.s %rong %ith hi " Di& one of you kick hi

in the hea&" *erha$s his gas$ ha& $ulle& it into his lungs" I ha& no $ain" 9autiously I relaxe&
21CD

i&ea %hat it %oul& &o there" #s I felt his Skill $resence fa&ing it %as relief al ost as blesse& as surcease fro y 'igilance

against hi " It %as like setting &o%n a terribly hea'y %eight" #nother thought blesse& e" They &i&n.t kno%" 5o one ha& seen the $a$er an& $o%&er! it ha& ight not e'en think of $oison until it an ha$$ene& too )uickly for the " They %as too late for hi " 6Is the Bastar& &ea&07 Regal &e an&e& angrily" 6If he is! I s%ear! e'ery of you %ill hang:7 So eone stoo$e& hastily besi&e e! to lay fingers at the $ulse in y throat" 6He.s ali'e!7 a sol&ier sai& gruffly! al ost sullenly" So e&ay Regal %oul& learn not to threaten his o%n guar&" I ho$e& he.& be taught it by an arro% through his back" # o ent later so eone &ashe& a bucket of col& %ater o'er e" The shock of e" If all that bloo& it 4arre& e'ery $ain I ha& to ne% fren1y" I $ulle& %as all be" -y y one eye o$en" The first

thing I sa% %as the %ater an& bloo& on the floor in front of in& &i& not see

ine! I %as in trouble" Da1e&ly! I trie& to think of %hose else it coul& to be %orking 'ery %ell" Ti e see e& to be flo%ing e! angry an& &ishe'ele&! an& then e" Burrich0 5o" That

in 4u $s" Regal %as stan&ing o'er So eone knelt besi&e %as a &rea Farro% fro

su&&enly he %as sitting in his chair" In an& out" =ight an& &ark an& light again" e! ran co $etent han&s o'er long ago" This an ha& blue eyes an& the nasal t%ang of a y cracke& li$s! ore )uestions

an" 6He.s blee&ing a lot! (ing Regal" But %e can sto$ that"7 So eone y bro%" # cu$ of %atere& %ine! hel& against y outh" I choke& on it" 6You see! he.s ali'e" I.& lea'e off! for $rofessional o$inion"

$ut $ressure on s$lashe& into

to&ay! Your -a4esty" I &oubt if he.ll be able to ans%er any before to orro%" He.ll 4ust faint on you"7 # cal ;hoe'er it %as stretche& # s$as rattle& through Di&n.t think I coul& kee$ e out on the floor again an& left"

e" Sei1ure co ing soon" Joo& thing ;ill %as gone" y %alls u$ through a sei1ure"
21CE

6Oh! take hi

a%ay"7 Regal! &isguste& an& &isa$$ointe&" 6This has been y ti e to&ay"7 His chair.s legs scra$e& on the floor as

nothing but a %aste of the roo " So eone grabbe& screa not &ie" I.

he left it" I hear& the soun&s of his boots on the stone floor as he stro&e fro e by the shirtfront! 4erke& e to y feet" I coul& not e'en e" 6You.& better

for the $ain" 6Stu$i& $iece of &ung!7 he snarle& at

not going to take lashes o'er the likes of you &ying"7 ocke& hi " 6;hat are you going to &o to hi uch as ine" =et.s get hi

6Jreat threat! Aer&e!7 so eone after he.s &ea&07

6Shut u$" It.ll be your back flaye& to the bone as out of here an& clean this u$"7 The cell" The blank %all of it" They ha& left rolling o'er 4ust to see if they.& left 5o" It %as too uch trouble" #re you co ing no%0

e on the floor! facing a%ay fro

the &oor" So eho% that see e& unfair of the " I.& ha'e to &o all the %ork of e any %ater"

I really %ant to! 5ighteyes" But I 4ust &on.t kno% ho%" 9hanger" 9hanger: -y brother: 9hanger" ;hat is it0 You ha'e been silent for so long" #re you co ing no%0 I ha'e been """ silent0 Yes" I thought you ha& &ie&! %ithout co ing to 5ighteyes" Right here" Then co e to # e" Hurry! before you &ie" o ent" =et us be sure of this"
21DH

e first" I coul& not reach you" right here!

*robably a sei1ure" I &i&n.t kno% it ha& ha$$ene&" But no% I a

I trie& to think of a reason not to" I kne% there ha& been so e! but I coul& no longer recall the " 9hanger! he ha& calle& 4ust as the Fool or 9ha&e calle& Regal" The last thing I coul& &o %as e" -y o%n %olf! calling e that! e" If e a catalyst" ;ell" Ti e to change things for ake sure I &ie& before Regal broke y bo&y" y chest" -y li$s %ere y shirt cuff to ine %oul& i $licate

I ha& to go &o%n! I %oul& &o it alone" 5o %or&s of anyone else" I ho$e& the Dukes %oul& &e an& to see It took a long ti e to get cracke& an& s%ollen! y y ar fro the floor to y teeth aching in

y gu s" But I $ut

outh an& foun& the tiny lu $ of the leaf $ellet insi&e the fabric" I bit o ent the taste of ore strongly" y outh" It %as not un$leasant" *ungent" #s the herb y outh! I coul& che% at y slee'e

&o%n at it as har& as I coul&! then sucke& on it" #fter a carry e floo&e& &ea&ene& the $ain in in y li$"

Stu$i&ly! I trie& to be careful of the $orcu$ine )uill" Di&n.t %ant to get a )uill It really hurts %hen that ha$$ens" I kno%! 5ighteyes" 9o e to I. e" ea o ent" y si&e! che%ing &iligently at y toes" I taste& sno% an& yself all o'er" y trying" Ji'e

Ho% &oes one lea'e one.s bo&y behin&0 I trie& to ignore it! to be a%are of yself only as 5ighteyes" (een nose" =ying on a lu $ of sno% %a&&e& u$ in the s$ace bet%een

o%n $a% as I nibble& an& licke& it a%ay" I looke& u$" E'ening co ing on" It %oul& soon be a goo& ti e to hunt" I stoo& u$! shook That.s right! 5ighteyes encourage& a col& stone floor" @ust to think of it e" " a&e it ore real" # tre or ran through it!

But there %as still that threa&! that tiny a%areness of a stiff an& aching bo&y on rattling its bones an& teeth" Sei1ure co ing" Big one this ti e"
21D1

Su&&enly it %as all so easy" Such an easy choice" =ea'e that bo&y for this one" It &i&n.t %ork 'ery %ell any ore any%ay" Stuck in a cage" 5o $oint to kee$ing it" 5o $oint to being a I. here" I kno%" =et us hunt" #n& %e &i&" an at all"

9H#*TER THIRTY/THREE ;olf Days THE EKER9ISE FOR centering oneself is a si $le one" Sto$ thinking of %hat you inten& to &o" Sto$ thinking of %hat you ha'e 4ust &one" Then! sto$ thinking that you ha'e sto$$e& thinking of those things" Then you %ill fin& the 5o%! the ti e that stretches eternal! an& is really the only ti e there is" Then! in that $lace! you %ill finally ha'e ti e to be yourself There is a cleanness to life that can be ha& %hen you but hunt an& eat an& slee$" In the en&! no ore than this is really nee&e& by anyone" ;e ran alone! %e the ;olf! an& %e lacke& for nothing" ;e &i& not long for 'enison %hen a rabbit $resente& itself nor begru&ge the ra'ens that ca e to $ick through our lea'ings" So eti es %e re e bere& a &ifferent ti e an& a &ifferent %ay" ;hen %e &i&! %e %on&ere& %hat ha& been so i $ortant about any of it" ;e &i& not kill %hat %e coul& not eat! an& %e &i& not eat %hat %e coul& not kill" Dusks an& &a%ns %ere the best ti es for hunting! an& other ti es %ere goo& for slee$ing" Other than this! ti e ha& no eaning"

21D2

For %ol'es! as for &ogs! life is a briefer thing than for by counting &ays an& ho% cub %olf &oes all a

en! if you

easure it

any turns of a season one sees" But in t%o years! a to be a hunter or a ate or a an.s" In a any" #

an &oes in a score" He co es to the full of his strength

an& si1e! he learns all that is nee&ful for hi &eca&e of years! he &oes all that a li'es al%ays in the no%"

lea&er" The can&le of his life burns briefer an& brighter than a year $asses for a %olf as a &eca&e &oes for a an" Ti e is no

an &oes in fi'e or six ti es that

iser %hen one

So %e kne% the nights an& the &ays! the hunger an& the filling" Sa'age 4oys an& sur$rises" Snatch u$ a ouse! fling it u$! eat it &o%n %ith a sna$" So goo&" To start a rabbit! to $ursue it as it &o&ges an& circles! then su&&enly! to stretch your stri&e an& sei1e it in a flurry of sno% an& fur" The shake that sna$s its neck! an& then the leisurely eating! the tearing o$en of its belly an& nosing through the hot entrails! an& then the thick 9hase a &oe o'er $on& ice! kno%ing %e cannot eat of the haunches! the easy ake such a kill! but re4oicing crunching of its backbone" Surfeit an& slee$" #n& %aken to hunt again" in the hunt" ;hen through the ice she goes! an& %e circle! circle! circle en&lessly as she battles her hoo'es against the ice an& finally cla bers out! too %eary to e'a&e the teeth that slash her ha strings! the fangs that close in her throat" Eating to satiation! not once! but t%ice fro the carcass" # stor co es full of sleet to &ri'e us to the &en" Slee$ing snug! nose to tail! %hile the %in& flings icy rain an& then sno% about outsi&e the &en" #%ake to $ale light glistening in through a layer of sno%" Dig out to snuff the clear col& &ay that is 4ust fa&ing" There is fro %aiting for you0 9o e" ;e $ause" 5o! the eat is %aiting" ;e trot on"
21D8

eat still on the &oe! fro1en re& an& s%eet! rea&y to be &ug ore satisfying than to kno% of eat that is

the sno%" ;hat can be

9o e no%" 9o e to ;e.'e

e" I.'e

eat for you" ons you" eat closer" It is

eat alrea&y" #n& closer"

5ighteyes" 9hanger" Heart of the *ack su

;e $ause again" Shake all o'er" This is not co fortable" #n& %hat is Heart of the *ack to us0 He is not $ack" He $ushes us" There is &eci&e&" ;e go to the $on&.s e&ge" Here" So e%here here" #h" Dig &o%n to her through the sno%" The cro%s co e to %atch us! %aiting for us to be finishe&" 5ighteyes" 9hanger" 9o e" 9o e no%" Soon it %ill be too late" The it fro eat is fro1en! cris$ an& re&" Turn our hea& to use our back teeth to scissor the bones" # cro% flies &o%n! lan&s on the sno% nearby" Ho$! ho$" He to flight again" Our eat! eat"

cocks his hea&" For s$ort! %e lunge at hi ! $ut hi all of it" Days an& nights of are nee&e&" 9o e" 9o e"

9o e" *lease" 9o e" *lease" 9o e soon! co e no%" 9o e back to us" You He &oes not go a%ay" ;e $ut back our ears! but still %e hear hi ! co e! co e! co e" He steals the $leasure fro Joo&" That.s goo&" 9o e to the eat %ith his %hining" Enough" ;e ha'e e" eaten enough for no%" ;e %ill go! 4ust to still hi " e! co e to ;e go! trotting through the gathering &arkness" # rabbit sits u$ su&&enly! sca $ers a%ay across the sno%" Shall %e0 5o" Belly is full" Trot on" 9ross a an.s $ath! an o$en e $ty stri$ un&er the night sky" ;e fa&e across it s%iftly! trot on through the %oo&s that bor&er it" 9o e to e" 9o e" 5ighteyes! 9hanger! I su on you" 9o e to e" The forest en&s" There is a cleare& hillsi&e belo% us! an& beyon& that a flat bare $lace! shelterless un&er the night sky" Too o$en" The cruste& sno% is untracke&! but at the botto of the hill! there are hu ans" T%o" Heart of the
21D<

*ack &igs %hile another %atches" Heart of the *ack &igs fast an& har&" His breath s okes in the night" The other has a light! a too bright light that shrinks the eye to behol&" Heart of the *ack sto$s his &igging" He looks u$ at us" " 9o e! he says" 9o e" He 4u $s into the hole he has &ug" There is black earth! fro1en chunks of it! ato$ the clean sno%" He lan&s %ith a thu& like &eer antlers on a tree" He crouches an& there is a tearing soun&" He uses a tool that thu&s an& tears" ;e settle &o%n to %atch hi ! %ra$$ing tail aroun& to %ar su&&enly through the night" ;ait" # o ent longer" ;ait" He gro%ls to the other! an& that one hol&s the light to the hole" Heart of the *ack ben&s his back an& the other reaches to hel$ hi " They &rag so ething fro the hole" The s ell of it sets our hackles a4ar" ;e turn! %e lea$ to run! %e circle! %e cannot lea'e" There is a fear here! there is a &anger! a threat of $ain! of loneliness! of en&ings" 9o e" 9o e &o%n to us here! co e &o%n" ;e nee& you no%" It is ti e" This is not ti e" Ti e is al%ays! is e'ery%here" You nee& us! but $erha$s %e &o not %ant to be nee&e&" ;e ha'e ore eat! an& a %ar $lace to slee$! an& e'en &en! %hat else is to eat for another ti e" ;ith a full belly an& a %ar front feet" ;hat has this to &o %ith us0 ;e are full! %e coul& go to slee$ no%" He looks u$ at us

be nee&e&0 Yet" ;e %ill go closer" ;e %ill snuff it! %e %ill see %hat it is that threatens an& beckons" Belly to sno%! tail lo%! %e slink &o%n the hill" Heart of the *ack sits in the sno% hol&ing it" He otions the other a%ay! an& that one ste$s back! back! back taking his $ainful light %ith hi " 9loser" The hill is behin& us no%! bare! shelterless" It is a far run back to hi&ing if %e are threatene&" But nothing o'es" There is only Heart of the *ack an& that %hich eat" he hol&s" It s ells of ol& bloo&" He shakes it! as if to %orry off a$iece of
21D?

Then he rubs at it! a%ay"

o'ing his han&s like a bitch.s teeth go o'er a cub to ri& it

of fleas" ;e kno% the s ell of it" 9loser %e co e" 9loser" It is but a lea$ ;hat &o you %ant0 ;e &e an& of hi " 9o e back" ;e ha'e co e" 9o e back here" 9hanger" He is insistent" 9o e back to this" He lifts an ar ! hol&s u$ a han&" He sho%s us a hea& lolling on his shoul&er" He turns its hea& to sho% us its face" ;e &o not kno% it" That0 This" This is yours! 9hanger" It s ells ba&" It is s$oile& $on& than that" 9o e here" 9o e closer" This is not a goo& i&ea" ;e %ill co e no closer" He looks at us an& gri$s us %ith his eyes" He e&ges closer to us! bringing it %ith hi " It flo$s in his ar s" Easy" Easy" This is yours! 9hanger" 9o e closer" ;e snarl! but he &oes not look a%ay" ;e co%er! tail to belly! %anting to lea'e! but he is strong" He takes its han& an& $uts it on our hea&" He hol&s the scruff of our neck to still us" 9o e back" You ust co e back" He is so insistent" ;e co%er &o%n! &igging cla%s into the sno%y earth" Hu $ing our back! %e try to $ull a%ay! struggle to take one ste$ back%ar&" He still hol&s on to the scruff of our neck" ;e gather strength to %heel an& break a%ay" =et hi go! 5ighteyes" He is not yours" # hint of teeth in those %or&s! his eyes stare at us too har&" He is not yours! either! 5ighteyes says"
21DB

eat! %e &o not %ant it" There is better

eat by the

;hose a #

I! then0

o ent of teetering! of balancing bet%een t%o %orl&s! t%o realities! t%o too uch strangeness" #to$ a hill he sto$s! to $oint his nose

fleshes" Then a %olf %heels an& flees! tail tucke&! o'er the sno%! running a%ay alone! fleeing fro at the sky an& ho%l" Ho%l for the unfairness of it all" I &o not ha'e a 4ust in rubbing y e ory of that fro1en gra'eyar& that is y o%n" I ha'e a sort e

of &rea " I %as %retche&ly col&! stiff! an& the ra% taste of bran&y burne&! not outh! but all through e" Burrich an& 9ha&e %oul& not lea'e alone" They &i&n.t care ho% #n& e'ery ti e I close& rag" 6Stay %ith uch they %ere hurting e! they 4ust ke$t on y ar s" e like a e" 9o e e to y e an& shake e! stay %ith

y han&s an& feet! careless of the ol& bruises! the scabs on y eyes! Burrich %oul& sei1e e! Fit1!7 he ke$t saying" 6Stay %ith

on! boy" You.re not &ea&" You.re not &ea&"7 Then su&&enly he hugge& hi ! his bear&e& face bristling against face" He rocke& 6You.re not &ea&! son" You.re not &ea&"7 ine an& his hot tears falling on e back an& forth! sitting in the sno% at the e&ge of

y gra'e"

E*I=OJ>E IT ;#S # thing Burrich ha& hear& of! in a tale tol& by his gran& other" # tale of a ;itte& one %ho coul& lea'e her bo&y! for a &ay or so! an& then co e back to it" #n& Burrich ha& tol& it to 9ha&e! an& 9ha&e ha& %oul& take e to the brink of &eath" They tol& ha& but slo%e& to an a$$earance of &eath" I &o not belie'e that" ixe& the $oisons that y bo&y e I ha& not &ie&! that

21DC

#n& so I li'e& once I &i& not resu e %ho ha& kno%n e'ery %ay that ha& lo'e& to gi'e the I ha& &ie& in %roth about ;it fro

ore in

an.s bo&y" Though it took

e so e &ays an&

ti e to re e ber that I ha& been a

an" #n& so eti es! still! I &oubt it"

y life" -y life as Fit19hi'alry lay in s oking ruins behin& e! fe% re e bere& attere& to e as a in e %ith s iles" Regal ha& kille& e! in

e" In all the %orl&! only Burrich an& 9ha&e kne% I ha& not &ie&" Of those an" To $resent yself to any of those %ho

e! to stan& before the $roof of the

y hu an flesh %oul& ha'e only been yself %ith" y

agic I ha& tainte&

y cell! a &ay or t%o after that final beating" The Dukes ha& been y &eath! but Regal ha& ha& enough e'i&ence an& %itnesses to

agic to sa'e face %ith the " I belie'e that his guar&s sa'e& the sel'es the lash by testifying that I ha& attacke& ;ill %ith the ;it! an& that %as e to break y ;it hol& e! y any %itnesses! the Dukes not only aban&one&

%hy he lay ill so long" They sai& they ha& ha& to beat on hi " In the face of so

but %itnesse& Regal.s coronation! an& the a$$oint ent of =or& Bright as castellan for Buckkee$ an& all of Buck.s coast" *atience ha& begge& that on y behalf! uch to her husban&.s &isgust" Only those t%o stoo& by that he ga'e bo&y not be burne&! but be burie& %hole" The =a&y Jrace ha& also sent %or& e! in the face of Regal Fs $roof of consi&eration for the y ;it taint" But I &o not think it %as out of any e u$! but only that by &ying ahea& of

ti e! I ha& s$oile& the s$ectacle that hanging an& burning %oul& ha'e affor&e&" 9heate& of his full 'engeance! Regal si $ly lost interest" He left Buckkee$ to go inlan& to Tra&efor&" *atience clai e& To this life &i& Burrich a%aken e" 5othing sa'e &ri'en fro y bo&y to bury e" onths to e! to a life in %hich there %as nothing left for

y king" The Six Duchies %oul& cru ble in the

co e! the Rai&ers %oul& $ossess our goo& harbors al ost at %ill! our folk %ere their ho es! or brought to sla'ery %hile the Outislan&ers s)uatte&
21DD

there" Forgings flourishe&" But as y )ueen! seeking

y $rince Aerity ha& &one! I turne&

y back

on all of it! an& %ent inlan&" But he %ent to be a (ing! an& I %ent! follo%ing y king" Har& &ays follo%e&" ost hea'ily an& none of the herbs can y s$irit! I recall y Yet e'en no%! %hen the $ain $resses &ays as a ;olf! an& kno% the in'itation %his$ers in an& al%ays your o%n" ;ol'es ha'e no (ings"

turn its &ee$ ache! %hen I consi&er the bo&y that entra$s

not as a fe% but as a season of li'ing" There is e! the

a co fort in their recalling! as %ell as a te $tation" 9o e! hunt %ith

y heart" =ea'e the $ain behin& an& let your life be your

o%n again" There is a $lace %here all ti e is no%! an& the choices are si $le

21DE