The Pillars Of The World

stallion, who had been moving closer to them, suddenly reared and laid his ears back.
    Ahern snorted, sounding very much like a horse. “You can walk them over in the morning,” he said dryly. “Then I’ll deal with them. And I think a little more time here will do that mare more good than I can do her.” When he turned toward Ari, his expression was grim.
    Neall felt Ari press against him for support. When he glanced at Morag, he saw that her expression was equally grim.
    “Now, girl,” Ahern said. “There are things happening in Sylvalan that make it necessary for you and Neall to leave as soon as you can. Tomorrow would be good.”
    “Tomorrow?” Ari’s mouth fell open. “We can’t possibly leave tomorrow. There are all the things to pack
    —”
    “You need to get as far away from here as fast as you can,” Ahern said bluntly. “The two of you can travel fastest on horseback, so that’s the way you’ll go. You can make a list of what you want from the cottage. Neall can tell me where to find you. I’ll see that a wagon is packed, and I’ll have a couple of my men bring it to your new place.”
    “But—” Ari stammered. “But there’s the harvest—”
    “May the Mother blight the harvest,” Morag said fiercely.
    Neall felt the shock run through Ari that anyone would say anything that . . . obscene.
    “The men who created the creatures that harmed that mare may be coming here soon,” Morag said. “
    You have to be gone before they arrive.”
    Ari stared at Morag. “If they’re coming to harm Brightwood, then I should stay to protect the land.”
    “They aren’t coming here for the land. They’re coming to kill you . Just like they’ve killed the others who are like you.”
    Ari paled, and Neall wondered what Morag had told her. It didn’t matter. Morag had just said enough to convince him not to delay.

    “Ari—”
    Ari shook her head.
    Mother’s mercy, Neall thought. This was no time for her to get stubborn.
    “Your grandmother wants you to go,” Morag said.
    Ari’s knees gave out so suddenly Neall grabbed her to keep her from falling.
    “But— But you said she was gone,” Ari whispered.
    “I lied. She didn’t want me to tell you she was still here.”
    “My . . . mother?”
    “She has gone on to the Summerland.” Morag gentled her voice. “Your grandmother wanted to wait until you and Neall left Brightwood. She wanted you to go, Ari. She still wants you to go. And . . . the Inquisitors aren’t the only reason you should leave Brightwood as soon as you can.” She flicked a glance at Neall.
    Ari stiffened as if she were braced to fight—or defend. Then she sagged again, and asked hesitantly, “
    What about Merle?”
    “The pup can stay with me for a few weeks,” Ahern said impatiently. “He’ll come along with the wagon
    — and the harvest.”
    “Ari . . .” Morag took a step toward them, her eyes so full of emotion Neall had to look away. “Ari, please go. Death is coming. I want you gone before it arrives.”
    Ari closed her eyes. When she opened them again, they were filled with bleak resignation.
    Neall’s heart ached for her. This wasn’t the way she wanted to leave Brightwood. This wasn’t the way he wanted her to leave. “Ari . . .”
    Her hand closed over his arm, held on tight. “I need tomorrow to take care of things. Then, if Ahern doesn’t mind, I could stay there tomorrow night and we could leave first thing in the morning the day after.”
    Looking at Morag and Ahern, Neall held his breath.
    Ahern appeared to be doing the same thing, his attention focused on the black-haired woman beside him.
    She seemed to be listening to something only she could hear.
    “All right,” Morag finally said. “The day after tomorrow should be soon enough.”
     

 

     
     

Chapter Thirty

 

     
     

     
    Ari looked doubtfully at the pile of clothing on her bed, then at the saddlebags Morag had given her. “I’

    ve never been anywhere before. Except to Seahaven once, but I was only gone for a couple of days.
    How can I know what I’ll need?”
    Morag picked up the comb, brush, and handmirror from the dressing table and brought them over to the bed. After wrapping a camisole around the mirror, she put it in the still-empty saddlebags. “You pack clothing, since that’s what you’ll need immediately, toiletries—and whatever you use for personal needs.”
    Ari puzzled over that last part until Morag added pointedly, “a woman’s