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“Orven’s wife is with child I’ll not ask him to follow such a hazardous course”
“But I will, my lord Orven is a soldier and knows his duty, happy news or no”
He saw the ihness The other matter we discussed?”
Her hands twitched on the desk as her face hardened yet further “You ask much of me, Vaelin”
“He was not responsible”
“I know But the sight of my brother’s murder does not easily fade”
“If it’s punishment you desire, it seems the course I have proposed should provide it in aaze, the pale lines on her forehead standing out in the firelight, her voice flat with certainty “I desire but one thing, my lord; a secure future for this Realer of ive I find such sentirasp”
Had Janus had his ould be married now, Vaelin reflected He had taken leave of the others and cliht and breath nant darkness beyond the pass Would our children have been beautiful or terrible? Or both, like her
There was a faint shift in the wind gusting across the tower, carrying a slight scent: led woodsmoke and sweat “I know you’re there,” Vaelin said, not turning froh as he appeared at his side, unruly hair tuift has returned then?”
“There are other senses than sight” He let Lorkan’s hesitant fidgeting continue for several ain “I assume you come with a request?”
“Indeed, ether, eyes averted, atterand crusade of ours has provided all the excitement I could wish for Proud as I aree, has been valuable, the time has come for me to seek adventure in warmer climes”
“You wish to be released”
Lorkan inclined his head with a sift I could hardly coered, fidgeting soh
“Cara, my lord”
“She also wishes to be released?”
“No, she is firm in her determination to follow you However, if you were to order her to leave”
Vaelin turned away frorew harder “She is little ift She is welcome in my company and I am proud to have her loyalty” He went to the stairwell in the centre of the roof “You can keep your horse, weapons, and any booty gathered during the caone before sunrise”
“I can’t!” Lorkan was glaring at hih the pass “You know I can’t leave without her”
Vaelin cast a glance back at the young Gifted, face tense with anger and a little fear, his stance poised as he no doubt prepared to blink out of sight “I know that so but hard choices,” Vaelin told hi down the stairs “If you’re not here co, I’ll be sure to explain your absence to Cara”
• • •
They were five miles beyond the pass the next day when Kiral abruptly reined her pony to a halt, her eyes turning towards the west, features drawn in sharp scrutiny “Trouble?” Vaelin asked her
She narrowed her eyes, frowning in confusion “So?”