Shadows Return

yesterday. Did you get any of my letters?”
    “So you did write? No, not one,” Seregil replied. “Is Klia well?”
    “Oh yes, and well loved by your clan, and their allies.”
    “Do you think she’ll come back?” asked Magyana.
    Thero nodded. “Of course she will. She’s wanted nothing else since the Aurënfaie signed the accord. It’s been very difficult for her, getting news of the war but not being able to do anything.”
    The older wizard sighed. “Phoria has been very foolish, keeping such an able commander from the field.”
    “It looks like she finally figured that out,” said Seregil.
    “How’s Klia’s hand, Thero?” asked Alec.
    “It healed well.” During their diplomatic visit to Sarikali, an assassin’s poison had cost her two fingers on her right hand. “The poison caused no lasting damage but she has only limited use of it now.”
    “Did Phoria give you any idea what she has planned for you after you’ve done this?” asked Magyana.
    “No. I imagine she’s waiting to see if we actually obey.”
    “And?”
    “We will, of course. We’ve only just gotten settled in the new place. I’m not ready to be run out of town just yet. Not on her say-so, anyway. What about you, Thero? What will you do, without the Watchers to oversee?”
    “I have my own work. To be honest, I’m almost relieved. I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do. Nysander kept me out of most of his Watcher business until those last few months.” He paused, one corner of his mouth tightening with a hint of lingering bitterness. “It was always you and Micum, coming and going mysteriously, and whispers behind closed doors.”
    “He did trust you,” Seregil assured him. “He wouldn’t have kept you with him if he didn’t. You were the best student he ever had.”
    “Perhaps.”
    Seregil reached over and squeezed his hand. “He told me so himself, many times. Don’t ever doubt it.”
    Thero managed a sad smile, then changed the subject, telling them of his time at Bôkthersa, and giving Seregil news of his family and friends.
    “Well, we should be getting back before Micum storms the prison looking for us,” Seregil said when Thero finished, rising to go.
    “Please give him my regards, and ask him to visit me here soon,” said Thero.
    “A safe journey to you,” Magyana said, pressing travelers’ charms into their hands.
    “And Watchers or no Watchers, I will keep a close eye on Rhíminee, and on Klia when you bring her back,” Thero promised.
    Seregil clapped him on the shoulder. “I hope we live to see such services welcome again.”

CHAPTER 5
    Lovers and Enemies

    AS THEY RODE back to Wheel Street, Alec finally asked the question that had been niggling at him for days now. “Why
does
the queen dislike you so much?”
    Seregil gave him a smile that was patently false and shrugged. “Who knows why Phoria does anything?”
    Alec sensed the evasion but guessed this was something Seregil didn’t want to talk about in public, so he let it go until they reached the house. Micum and Kari were waiting anxiously for them, as expected, and Seregil soon put their minds at rest. He waited until Kari and the girls went off to the kitchen to see about the midday meal before telling Micum of Phoria’s orders regarding the Watchers.
    “That vindictive woman!”
    “What are you complaining about? I thought you were well out of all that, sitting by the hearth with your babes playing around your feet.”
    “I don’t know,” Micum mused sadly. “I’ve always thought I might have another journey or two in me. To be honest, I get a bit restless sometimes, missing the old days. With you two back, and now Thero, I thought maybe…” He tapped his boot with the tip of his cane. “I might not be able to cover so much ground on foot anymore, but I can ride as well as ever, and there’s nothing wrong with my sword arm.”
    “I’ll keep that in mind,” said Seregil. “We’ll miss you, you know, but I don’t think I dare go back and ask Phoria if you can go with us.”
    Micum laughed and clapped him on the shoulder. “I wouldn’t ask you to put your head in the bear’s mouth again so soon, anyway. There’s all the winter planting and work to be done, and I wouldn’t feel right, leaving it all to Kari.”
    “It never used to stop you,” Seregil pointed out.
    Micum glanced over at Kari, who’d come back with Gherin in her arms and Luthas swinging from her skirts. “Well, maybe it should