Bright Fang moved then, just a few steps forward.Aramal translated.“There’s nothing here, no sign of Dust.”Halithe watched as Bright Fang drooped, his ears flat.“They must have perished, gone over the edge.”
“You don’t know that,” Ritathan’s voice was soft, with more sympathy than Halithe had given him credit for.“If she traveled with a marcus, she may be well.
“At any rate, there is no more to learn here and we shouldn’t linger.”
“Agreed,” Ritathan nodded.
The trip down went faster due in large part to the fact that the “borders of Athelbryght” got stretched a tad.But no one raised the issue, even Bright Fang.There was a weight to the knowledge they carried.
Halithe felt especially for Bright Fang.The joy was gone from him.Every move reflected grief.She made it a point to lie close to him at night, offering what warmth she could, unsure of how else to offer comfort.
Their arrival drewattention.Halithe noted heads turning as they passed, runners being sent.
By the time they arrived at the Great Hall, Latarie was seated in the Chosen’s chair, surrounded by the Packmoot.Aramal and Bright Fang did the talking.Ritathan stood silent and still.Halithe, dirty and tired, did the same and watched as the weight of their news pressed down on those gathered, vore and human alike.
Latarie was resigned as she spoke.“Our thanks, Aramal, Bright Fang, for your service.Please seek out your rest and return to your duties tomorrow.”
Aramal gave a nod, glanced at Ritathan, then disappeared into the crowd without a word, Bright Fang beside him.
“We thank you for your service as well,” Latarie said, focused on Ritathan.“We will shelter you for this night and then set you on your path.We will see you safely to the border.”
Fog turned his head slightly to look at Halithe.
She squared her shoulders.She knew they’d try again to convince her to stay, to live in Athelbryght.But the image of the flames rose again in her mind’s eye and she felt their warmth and wonder.And herwant.
In the morning, she stood at Ritathan’s shoulder as their escort prepared to depart, seeing to horse and packs.
Aramal approached, Bright Fang at his side.
“Bright Fang wants to say good-bye,” Aramal said.“He wishes you well in your journey.”
Bright Fang nudged Halithe’s hand and on impulse, she knelt and hugged the huge vore.
“And you?”Ritathan asked, his tone brittle.“You’re wishing us well, I trust.”
“No,” Aramal said, and as Halithe rose she realized he was once again dressed for travel.“I am coming with you,” he said, looking oddly defiant and nervous.“I let you walk out of my life once before.Not again.”
“Oh.”Ritathan just stared at him.
Bright Fang barked what had to be a laugh and trotted off, tail high.
“Besides,” Aramal said, taking up the reins of his horse as a groom brought it forward, “you have the trail sense of a blind chicken.Have you ever really cooked over a fire, or cared for a horse on the road?Idiot.You already told me you can’t portal.There isn’t an inn every mile, you know.Someone has to make sure you don’t collapse on the road and die of sheer stupidity.”
Halithe stifled a giggle.
“Well, I—” Ritathan cleared his throat.“If you insist.”
“Mount up.”Aramal bid them.“We’ve a long ride before you can ‘ignite’ a campfire.”
Chapter Sixteen
In the Palace of Xy
Bonding a person to do your will wasn’t that difficult.Riven knew of at least three ways, assuming you had the person’s blood, but they all had limitations and expirations.Frankly, it was easier to manipulate them in other ways.
Someone was always willing to be paid.
Bonding a babe had honestly never occurred to him, simply due to the waiting period.Invest that time and energy into something that was useless until it aged?There were no immediate benefits, and most blood mages didn’t plan that long-term.
