Tariel frowned. “I understand that the sea lords are fearsome,” she said, “but surely the king must understand that it is his duty to protect all of Carliss, not just the capitalcity.”
Lord Raffis shook his head, then changed the subject. “I must say I am very surprised in this change in Lord Traize’s son,” he said quietly. He glanced furtively at Wellion, who seemed to be paying them absolutely no attention. “Is it him that I have to thank for my rescue, oryou?”
“A bit of both, I think,” Tariel said with a smile. She briefly explained to him what happened, how she had come to the keep seeking to free Riann, but had managed to convince Wellion to come along withthem.
“I think he is tired of leading a life of crime,” she finished. “From what I understand, Lord Traize was planning on leaving him behind to take his place in society by marrying some wealthyheiress.”
“Preposterous,” Lord Raffis sputtered. “A man like Lord Traize would never be welcome amongst our own. None of us would marry our daughters off to acriminal.”
Wellion’s shoulders tightened, and Tariel wondered if he was listening to their conversation after all. But he said nothing as Lord Raffis continued. “In any case, I am grateful to both of you. I can only imagine that the goddess has wrought this miracle and steered the both of you to me—she holds sway over all mages from the Empire. Or perhaps Sokolan has finally answered myprayers.”
“I’m not sure the goddess had anything to do with it,” Tariel said. “I come from Fjordland, not theEmpire.”
“Nonsense.” Lord Raffis waved a hand. “Anyone looking at you can see Maroyan blood in your veins. If the goddess has decided to free Wellion from this life, then I shall respect her wishes and not turn him in to the authorities. But the reward will go to you, youngTariel.”
“How magnanimous of you,” Wellion saidmockingly.
So, hehadbeen listening. “Has anyone ever told you it is rude to eavesdrop?” shesaid.
He looked over his shoulder at her, an eyebrow raised. “It is hardly eavesdropping when you are standing right behind me. If you don’t want to be overheard, then perhaps you should use your magic to hide your words from myears.”
Tariel’s cheeks heated as she remembered the privacy bubble spell Yarim had taught her. Shecouldhave used it to talk to Lord Raffis, but she hadn’t thought of it, and besides, there was no need to hide theirconversation.
The thought of Yarim filled her with a surge of longing, and suddenly she could not wait to get to the end of the pass. Smiling, she reached for the bond to check on them. They seemed a bit farther away than they should be, but perhaps she had misjudged the length of the pass. But they were close enough, and soon, they would all bereunited.
