Dust huffed. “There was no other choice, in order to flee with a newborn.”
“Amari gave me no reason not to trust her,” Vren added. “Orval is known to us, and he swore the oath.”
“You should have fled with the babe, brought her to us,” another Elder insisted.
“Risky enough to flee with a newborn. Riskier still, to travel with one any great distance.” Yet another Elder spoke. “Winter comes on.”
“Then there is this,” Vren reached out his hand and formed the mental image of the vial. The blood within shone bright red. “Xykara gave me her blood memories.”
“You have the permissions?” The Liam leaned forward.
“Yes,” Vren said. “And one other thing.” He held up the key and the ring he had found when he’d changed the babe.
“The Ring of Xy,” the Liam breathed.
“Skies above, is that a mage key?” The elder closest to Vren squinted at the thing in Vren’s hand.
“It was sewn into Xylara’s nappy,” Vren explained. “A few stitches secured it, as if done in haste.”
“Xywellan had a Chained Mage, did he not? What do we know of him?”
“Little,” responded another.
“What was Kara thinking?” The Liam lifted his eyes as if asking the skies themselves. “The Ring I understand, it rightly belongs to the child. But what reason would she have to pass the key to a babe?” The Liam shook his head. “The answers are in that vial.”
Vren nodded.
The Liam heaved a great sigh. “We could debate for hours and still see no clear path. So I say this. In truth the child may be safer where she is for a time.”
Vren glanced at Dust, who shook her head. “Master, Orval is trusted, but he is a bachelor who lives for his books and scrolls.”
The Liam chuckled. “Well, he’s in for a bit of a shock, but for now we will leave the babe with him and the wet nurse. Come to us, Vren. Bring Kara’s memories to us. Others will be sent to ward the babe.”
Vren bowed his head in obedience.
“Dust, you have our thanks for all you have done,” The Liam said. “You are not a member of Our Order. Where does your path now lead?”
Dust inclined her head and spoke firmly. “The vore search for those Chosen, born with the birthmark of the Dagger-Star. Neither babe bore the mark.” She paused. Vren’s heart sank, then rose again at her next words. “I will travel with Vren as long as our paths intertwine. My goal is Athelbryght, where I can inform the Packmoot.”
“My path takes me through there,” Vren said quickly. Too quickly, perhaps. The Liam’s look was sharp and knowing, but all he did was nod.
“Excellent,” the Liam said. “The marcusi also watch. If the birthmark is seen, we will report to you and yours. Our thanks, Vore Dust.”
The Liam raised a hand to end the senel, but Vren interrupted. “Where will you be, Master?” he asked. “Where will I find you?”
The Liam’s mouth quirked. “Where our ancient Order was founded. Where we have always been, and always will be. In the Wastes, within sight of the Heart that was shattered.”
Chapter Nineteen
The day had finally come.
Amari lit the small copper lantern on the mantel and watched the flame flicker to life. The glow illuminated the symbol of the Lord and Lady of the Hearth.
She drew a breath, released it, folded her hands, and recited the prayer she’d been taught by her mother and grandmother, the one recited by all the Hearth Mothers before her.
“Gracious Ancestors, hold us in your hands,
May our windows open to light and knowledge.
