She blinked in surprise. “You’re a Gleaner?”
I nodded, hating even the sound of the word, but as I’d told her, I was desperate.
“That is a rare gift,” she said. “It occurs only once per generation usually. The only other Gleaner I’ve ever heard of is…”
Her sentence died as her curious expression shifted to one of horror. She didn’t have to finish the thought because it was written across her face.
The son of the King.
“Please,” I said then shifted to mind-to-mind communication so she’d be assured of my honesty.
I’m not a threat. I’ll tell no one of this place. I’m just as much an outcast to our people as you are—for the same reason—helping humans.
“So it’s humans now, is it? More than one friend?”
I nodded. “And one of them is near death and suffering greatly. Just let me take it and relieve his pain.”
I’ll come right back.
Solfrid looked at me for a long while, apparently debating it. Finally, she gave me her answer.
“No. The people of Havendor need my gift too much for me to risk you not coming back.”
My shoulders slumped as the hope drained out of me.
“But I will gladly help him if you bring him here,” the healer said.
Renewed energy filled me as I had a new idea. “Will you come with me to the valley and do it there?”
Again she refused me. “I don’t leave the village. Though the valley is obscure and little-traveled, I dare not take the chance of being seen by outsiders and dragged back to the royal city for punishment. I’m sure you understand.”
I did, though I was sorely disappointed.
“The villagers protect me,” she said. “I’m sure they’d also protect anyoneelsewho might happen to be trying to avoid the King’s notice. Bring him here, Prince Pharis.”
“I might be able to domorethan relieve his pain, depending on his condition,” she said.
I assure you… your friends will be safe.
That was it then. Either I allowed Wyll to continue suffering and die in pain—and his daughters to witness it—or I went and got them and brought them here in the hopes that Solfrid could ease him. Possibly even heal him.
It was worth the risk.
“I’ll return soon,” I told her and walked back to Cimmerian, taking him away from his new fans and back down into the valley.
Chapter19
Taken
Pharis
All three of the Hennessey women ran up to Cimmerian as we returned to the meadow.
“You’re back.” Raewyn released an audible sigh of relief.
“Pharis, Pharis,” the girls cried as if I was their favorite person and had been gone for days.
“How is he?” I asked, dismounting.
