the point of such simple questions. The fierce leader continued to stare at Pagonel, trying to gain some measure, perhaps, or perhaps trying to weigh the potential good that could come from this un-expected meeting against the potential risks.
Ashwarawu was indeed leaning toward the possible benefits, Pagonel knew. How much stronger might his army become if the Jhesta Tu mystics were to side with him? For though Pagonel was likely the first Jhesta Tu Ashwarawu had ever seen, the legend of the warrior mystics from the Moun-tains of Fire was surely well-known through both lands, Behren and To-gai. And that legend, Pagonel also understood, had very likely become greatly inflated with each retelling.
You are another mouth in search of food," Ashwarawu said at length.
I need no supplies, but will find my own."
"And enough to feed some of my warriors, as well."
"Agreed."
And so on that cold winter day, nearing the end of God's Year 840, the Jhesta Tu master joined the band of a young outlaw, one who was gaining the eyes and ears of Yatol Grysh in Dharyan, and even of Chezru Chieftain Yakim Douan in faraway Jacintha.
Ashwarawu had no idea of what it all meant, but he remained thrilled at the prospects of enlisting the Jhesta Tu in his cause.
Pagonel had no idea of what it all meant, but that quiet voice within hirn understood that joining up with Ashwarawu's band, even as merely a spec-tator, would help him more quickly answer the many questions that had nagged at him since his vision after enlightenment had set him on the road to To-gai.
The wind-driven snow rode more horizontal than vertical, stinging Brynn and Runtly, forcing both to squint and often turn their heads. The tough pony trudged along, ears flat, but otherwise uncomplaining.
Brynn wasn't worried. These stinging ice and snowstorms were common-place on the steppes and rarely amounted to any deep accumulation.
The woman was growing frustrated, though, for she had been in the val-ley described by Barachuk and Tsolona for several days, with no sign of Ashwarawu and his band, no sign of any recent passage at all. She was anx-ious to get on with this part of her winding road, for she believed that this turn might lead her to her ultimate goal.
She knew that she wasn't going to track Ashwarawu, or anyone else, at that time, though; and so she was taking Runtly along the northern ridge of the hills, looking for some overhang or shallow cave where they could find shelter.
The wind was howling about her, but Brynn felt very quiet, falling very far within herself. She thought again of those she had left behind, of Belli'mar Juraviel and Cazzira, of Lady Dasslerond and the distant land of Andur'Blough Inninness.
Mostly of Belli'mar Juraviel.
Brynn remembered all the stories the unusual elf had told her about his previous protege, the famous Nightbird. She shivered, and not from the cold, when she recalled Juraviel's story of his encounter with the demon, Bestesbulzibar, how Lady Dasslerond had come to his rescue, using her magic to take Juraviel and those humans in his charge - and the demon dactyl! - back to Andur'Blough Inninness, where her magic was strongest, so that she could battle the great demon. That fight had left the encroach-ing rot in the elven valley.
Brynn sighed quietly to herself as she considered the implications of that demon stain. Because of that, Aydrian had been taken in by Lady Dasslerond, who had some mysterious plan to use him to battle the stain.Of that Dasslerond's interest in Brynn had become something more 'he usual elf-ranger relationship.
Thinking that her people might have ert their fair valley, Dasslerond had determined that Brynn would 'open the road south by liberating the To-gai-ru.
It all tied together in such a strange and unexpected way.
Brynn held no illusions, though. She was not there for the sake of Lady Dasslerond. No, she was there for the good of the To-gai-ru. If Dasslerond d the elves benefited from her actions taken for the gain of her own peo-pk, then all the better.
And she would take those actions, would tree lo-gai, the young woman believed. She just wished that Belli'mar Juraviel was there to help her along her road, to counsel her and guide her, to tell her when she was acting fool-ishly and when she was following the right fork in the path.
How she missed him! Both as mentor and friend!
Lost in the memories, Brynn did not notice Runtly's ears coming up sud-denly, nor even the little nicker