spoke angrily. “How can you judge? You have no children, unless you left one among the forest folk. None that you will ever know.”
Then he regretted his words. This was one who had fought by his side, had saved his life, and his daughter’s life, had done his best to guard them all.
A king’s man, wary and wise, an old fighter. That had been his thought, when he had first seen him.
He is a king’s man still. He will be loyal to Andiene. Useless to blame men for what they are. He said more softly, “I would rather take a knife and cut my heart out of my chest, than leave her, but a man is given only one chance to cheat fate. This is mine, my only one.”
Kallan looked at him long and hard, and nodded at last. “Your first allegiance is to your own, your flesh and blood.”
Ilbran gazed north and west. The city was hidden now, in these lowlands. “I knew I would never come again to the gates of Mareja.”
“There are other lands,” Kallan said. “Look.” He knelt to draw in the soft earth. “I know the roads to the north. This is the map.”
“I thank you. Take care of her,” Ilbran said, though the words almost choked him.
“I mean to.”
“I am not made for dealing with sorceresses, but I loved her.”
“I know. I will try to explain.” Both of them knew how useless that would be. Little to say at farewells. Kare had drifted back to stand at Ilbran’s side.
“I only regret I never had a chance to save your life,” he said, trying to smile.
Kallan looked at them both, as sober as the lord watching the prisoner he has condemned. “That debt was paid, twice over. You can thank your child for that.”
Ilbran nodded. “Good enough. Come, Kare.”
“Guard your back in a strange land,” the kingsman said. He reached out and rumpled Kare’s hair, and then stepped back.
“May your footsteps lead you to a safe shelter,” Ilbran said.
Kallan’s eyes filled with that same cruel self-mockery that Ilbran had seen before. “More likely I’ll come to my just reward. But I will take a gentle message back to your lady.”
“I am glad of that.” No more to be said. Ilbran took his daughter by the hand and turned to follow the winding paths to the north.
Chapter 23
It would be easy to leave without a farewell, Kallan thought. Not so easy to explain and speak gently. And he spoke with a divided mind, fighting back a fierce joy that he would not show, even to himself, for it was made of foolishness and treachery.
“Why did you not bring him back?” Andiene’s face and voice were filled with pain.
“What was I to do? March him back with my sword at his throat as though he were some felon? He was unsworn, free to come and go as he pleased.”
“Without one word.”
Such grief, such terrible grief was in her face. “My lady, he did not dare; he did not trust himself. He was almost torn in two with his own grief and longing.”
Then Andiene wept, unaccustomed tears. Neither he, nor Syresh nor any man but one, had seen her weep since she had come down from the dragon’s land. They watched in silence, the men from Oreja standing a little apart and murmuring among themselves, not understanding. And presently, Andiene raised her head, stony-faced, and gave the commands. They would turn and march west toward Mareja, as they had planned.
The day was spent descending into the foothills and shallow valleys of the kingdom. They passed a few people, gatherers and travelers, but not many, for most, seeing such a well-armed band, were quick to disappear into the brush at the side of the road. Andiene walked by herself. Kallan stayed back among the men he had recruited.
Syresh sought him out that evening, after they had eaten. “I do not like this. We are strong enough to frighten these weaponless villagers, but what use will we be against the army that Nahil will send when he learns where we are? He has had all summer to prepare and plan.”
“I trust her wisdom,” Kallan said. “I’ll not question it.”
Syresh looked doubtful. “Why did your friend leave?”
“He had reasons. He was no traitor, and no coward.”
On the other side of the campfire, Sireles, one of the archers who had shot their evening meal, spoke to Lenane. She smiled at him, but stepped past him. He spoke more urgently. Syresh began to