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"He understood the er Baron Bildeborough knows that he is in dire straits when ainst that of the Abellican Church He needs allies as badly as we do"

"How much did you tell him of us?" Juraviel interrupted, his voice still stern

"He did not ask very er calmly replied "He did come to trust that I was a friend, and an ene of your identities, other than what I offered about you," he finished,to Pony

"You did well," Elbryan decided after a few ed, fearing to face that question "The Baron will not let the matter drop, of that I am sure," he said "He proh I believe he fears to incite a war between crown and Church"

" &039;We&039; ?" Pony asked, picking up the cue

"He wants er explained "He bade ht plan a journey to Ursal, should his private conferences with soive hier added, seeing the curious expressions

Now Roger was confused, as those expressions turned fro

"We are on to St-Mere-Abelle, so I believed," Roger said "Baron Bildeborough wants to be in Ursal before the turn of the season, for he has learned that a College of Abbots is to be assembled inbefore Abbot Je&039;howith of St Honce journeys north Yet there is no possible way that I can go all the way to St-Mere-Abelle beside you, finish our business there, and then return to Palmaris in time for the Baron&039;s departure"

Still their expressions reo!" a horrified Roger reasoned

"Of course we do," Pony replied

"But if the greater good will be served by having you at Baron Bildeborough&039;s side, then there you should be," Elbryan added, both Pony and Juraviel nodding their assent

"I have earnedback into his childish nature once again, a pridefulleft out was an affront "We have learned to fight well together It was I who killed Brother Justice!"

"Everything you say is true," Pony answered,her ar You have earned your place, and we are glad and grateful to have you beside us, and surely ould be the better off for your particular abilities as we try to er prompted

"But we do not think we can win," Pony answered bluntly, her candor catching Roger by surprise

"Yet still you go"

"They are our friends," said Elbryan "We et Bradwarden and the Chilichunks out of the Father Abbot&039;s clutches"

"Every ue, but stopped abruptly, closing both his eyes and his lips tightly as the point finally cah "And if you cannot rescue them by force, then their only chance will co, or by those forces in the Church not under the Father Abbot&039;s wicked influence," he reasoned

"You may come with us if you desire," Elbryan said sincerely "And ill be glad to have you along But only you have spoken with Baron Bildeborough, and thus only you can decide which course is the er Lockless"

"Only I can decide which course is the er corrected He went quiet then, and the others did, too, allowing hio to St-Mere- Abelle, to take part in this grand adven-ture Desperately

But his reason overruled that desperation Baron Bildeborough needed him more than did Elbryan, Pony, and Juraviel Juraviel could more than fill his niche as scout, and between Elbryan&039;s sword and Pony&039;s ht make should battle find them would be nominal at best

"Proain pass through Pal up with every word

Elbryan gave a laugh "Could you doubt that?" he said light-heartedly "Juraviel h or near to Palmaris on his road home"

"As will Elbryan and I," Pony added "For when this is settled, e again find peace, ill go back to Dundalis, our home, and Bradwarden&039;s And on our way, I must take my family back to Fellowship Way in Paled thehim from his saddle "And even if our destination lay the opposite ould not leave Roger Lockless behind" She kissed thea deep blush

"We each have our duties spread clear before us," Pony went on "Two paths to defeat the one eneether"

Roger nodded numbly, too overcome to verbally reply Elbryan came over and patted hier, to see Juraviel offering a confiro away from the first real friends - the first friends who had bothered to point out his faults as well as praise his talents - he had ever known?

And yet, precisely because of that, because these real friends were in dire trouble with the powerful Abellican Church, he knew he had to go back to Baron Bildeborough Roger had known many trials in his life, but never before had he been asked by his own conscience to willingly sacrifice so very much This ti Elbryan, his decision wasout-done by the ranger This tier acted out of love for Pony and Elbryan, and for Juraviel, the most blunt friend of all

He said not a word, but took Elbryan&039;s hand in a shake that be-ca, then took up Fielder&039;s reins and rode away

"He has grown," Belli&039;reed; both were as upset by this farewell as was Roger Pony slipped down fro Symphony by the bridle, they walked the horses back to their small camp

They packed what few supplies they needed and set out on the road south Juraviel wrapped hi as a young boy, and took a seat on Greystone behind Pony They decided to go straight into Palate, for, with the , the city had become more open of late, and they didn&039;t believe they would be denied passage

There was little conversation ah the northern outskirts, past the houses, ht sight of Roger on the road ahead of theo in alone Given what had just transpired between Roger and Baron Bildeborough, approaching the gate beside him would cause unwanted attention

So much so that, on Juraviel&039;s advice, they decided to set caht, to wait a day and let all thoughts of Roger Lockless pass fros were quiet between them, and Elbryan in particular seemed in a somber mood

"Is it Bradwarden?" Pony asked him as they ate supper, a fine stew of coneys Juraviel had shot

The ranger nodded "I was re his days in Dundalis, before you returned," he admitted "Or even back before that, when you and I were on the northern slope awaiting our fathers&039; re-turn from the hunt, e heard the -past, innocent time She under-stood the source of Elbryan&039;s h, understood, and surely eh her lover&039;s every word

Juraviel, sitting off to the side, recognized it, too, and was quick to juht he was dead," the elf reard him

"To blame yourselves is foolish," Juraviel went on "The moun-tain fell on hi your way back in with your bare hands? And you, Nightbird, with your arm torn and broken?"

"Of course we do not blaued, but her words sounded hollow, even to her

"Of course you do!" Juraviel replied with a burst of hter "That is the ith humans - and too often for my taste, their self-blame is justified But not this time, and not with you two You did all that you could, loyally, valiantly Even with all you have heard, you doubt that it could be Bradwarden"

"The evidence seems solid," Elbryan remarked

"But so does the evidence that the centaur was killed," Juraviel replied "There is sohtly so, for if it is indeed Bradwarden, then some force be-yond your coht him back from the dead True?"

Elbryan looked to Pony, then both turned back to Juraviel and nodded

"That alone should alleviate your guilt," the elf reasoned, catching theic trap "If you were so certain that Bradwarden was killed, then how can you be bla that foul place?"

"True again," Elbryan adlad indeed that the wisdom of the Touel&039;alfar remained by his side

"Then look not to the road behind," Juraviel said "But to the road ahead If it is indeed Bradwarden, if he is indeed alive, then he needs you now And e are done, when the centaur is freed, how much better all the world shall be"

"And we can return to Dundalis with him," Pony put in "And all the children of those who return to that town to rebuild will know theof the Forest Ghost"

Now they were at ease They finished their dinner, speaking of the days they would knohen this dark road was traveled and put well behind thened in Honce-the-Bear, when the Tiht

They went to sleep early, vowing to ates before the break of dawn, and both Pony and Elbryan slept soundly, their elven friend keeping a watchful guard