Stalking Darkness

use for a couple of trustworthy spies.”
    Seregil shrugged noncommittally. “Winter’s not that far off. Idrilain is supposed to be somewhere above Keston now. There won’t be much to do once the snow flies. Maybe in the spring.”
    Kari shifted Gherin in her arms and embraced him tightly, then Alec. Blinking back tears, she whispered, “Take care, both of you.”
    Micum rested a hand on Seregil’s shoulder, looking at him as if he didn’t expect to see him again. “By the Flame, it’s hard not riding out with you. I wish you’d take my sword.”
    Seregil shook his head. “That blade belongs with you. I’ll find another if I ever feel the need of one again. In the meantime, Alec’ll keep an eye on me.”
    “You see that you do, Alec, or you’ll answer to us,” Micumsaid with gruff affection, exchanging a quick look with Kari. They’d both noted the new light in Seregil’s eyes whenever he looked at Alec, and how that same warmth was returned.
    After all their farewells had been said, Seregil and Alec swung up on their Aurënfaie mounts and rode out the gate.
    “What if the Queen doesn’t want us for spies in the spring?” Alec asked as they cantered down toward the bridge.
    Seregil shrugged again. “Well then, we’re still some of the best damned thieves I know of. Never any shortage of work there.”
    Kicking their mounts into a gallop, they raced down the hill side by side, and swung north to the open road beyond.

About the Author
    Lynn Flewelling grew up in Presque Isle, Maine. Since receiving a degree in English from the University of Maine in 1981, she has studied veterinary medicine at Oregon State, classical Greek at Georgetown University, and worked as a personnel generalist, landlord, teacher, necropsy technician, advertising copywriter, and freelance journalist, more or less in that order. She currently lives in western New York with her husband, two sons, and other assorted mammals.