White Road

ready.”
    Seregil would rather not have prolonged the process, but he could tell Mydri was heartbroken to see him go.
    Breakfast was a quiet affair, just Adzriel, Akaien, Mydri, and Säaban. Seregil was glad; they didn’t need any great send-off. Adzriel graciously put Alec on her left, but Seregil saw how she kept an eye on Sebrahn, crouched on a chair between Alec and Micum.
    “I have something for you,” Akaien said as they were finishing. Going to the sideboard, he lifted a long bundle wrapped in a tapestry and unrolled it to reveal two swords in plain leather scabbards. “I hadn’t intended for these to be a farewell gift.”
    Seregil recognized one at once; it was a twin to the one he’d lost. The tapered quillons were curved just enough to catch an opponent’s blade; the round pommel was set with a round disk of green Sarikali stone.
    The other was similar to the one Seregil had bought for Alec soon after they met. The curved bronze quillons ended in finials shaped like tightly coiled fern heads. The detailing was exquisite; each tiny leaflet peeking out from the coiled heads cast in sharp relief. The blade was longer, too; Akaien had taken account of Alec’s growth.
    Alec stared at his in amazement. “But—how on earth did you know?”
    Akaien smiled, obviously pleased with his reaction. “Weapons came up in conversation one day when Thero was still with us, and he mentioned yours. He greatly admired the design, and I sketched it to his description. Micum helped with the final details. I hope it pleases you.”
    “Oh, yes! Thank you! But I have nothing to give in return, Uncle.”
    Akaien smiled and patted his shoulder. “No need for that among family, my new nephew.”
    “By the Light, Uncle, thank you!” Seregil said, stepping away from the table to draw his. The steel was polished so fine he could see himself reflected. And like the last, it had a grooved fuller down the center of the blade, making it both strong and light. Alec’s was the same. He felt a lump in his throat, holding it and feeling the perfect balance. Akaien had made his very first sword for him, too.
    When they went out to their horses, they found Kheeta and his mother, as well as Alec’s three friends waiting for them.
    “You didn’t think you’d get away without saying good-bye, did you?” Korit chided. “Here, take this to remember me by.” He handed Alec an agate shatta.
    “We’ll miss you, but at least some of us will have a chance of winning again,” said Stellin, giving him one made from a white stone with a hole through it.
    “And we’ll have a chance to win them back when you return,” added Ethgil, gifting him with a shatta made of bone carved in the shape of a dragon’s head.
    Alec’s voice was a little hoarse as he thanked them.
    Kheeta clasped hands with him. “I’m beginning to think the only way to see you is to go with you.”
    “Another time, maybe,” Seregil replied, pulling him into a hug. Aunt Alira was in tears beside them.
    A tear spilled down Adzriel’s cheek, and her voice trembled as she bade them farewell. Seregil went to her and embraced her. “Don’t cry, sister.”
    Adzriel wiped her cheek on the front of his tunic. “You’re always having to go away.”
    “I know.”
    “When will we see you again?”
    “I can’t make you any promises,” he whispered against her hair, fighting back tears of his own.
    Stepping back, he motioned to Micum and Alec, who were finishing their own good-byes. “Time to go.”
    Alec mounted his shaggy horse. Micum passed Sebrahn up to him, then climbed into the saddle and fixed the longrein of the three packhorses to his saddle. Seregil allowed himself a backward look as they rode slowly out of the courtyard. Adzriel was weeping in her husband’s arms, and Mydri was already heading back into the house. Akaien waved. Seregil’s vision blurred for a moment, and he wiped away the tears before they could freeze.

CHAPTER 15
Closing In
    A S THEY moved farther south and the map grew more vague, Rieser found himself relying increasingly on Turmay and his moon goddess. But if the oo’lu visions were true, then their quarry were unexpectedly coming their way like charmed rabbits, almost as if the witch was luring the tayan’gil ever closer.
    In Nanta, Rieser’s gold had bought them and their horses passage on a large ship bound for the place on the map that Rieser had shown the master of the ship.
    “You want to go to Cirna?” the stupid