claudia j. edwards - bastard princess 01 - eldrie the healer

8/13/2019 Claudia J. Edwards - Bastard Princess 01 - Eldrie the Healer

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F or m at t ed , co rr ect ed, an d co nv ert ed t o H TM L/ LI T 2 6s ep0 1 b y W ys eGu y

For

my husband Tex,

and t he chi ld ren o f m y f ou rt h g rade class es

e ac h, i n t he ir s ep ar at e w ay s,

my constant inspiration

P ub li sh er 's N ot e: T hi s i s a w or k o f f icti on . T he charact er s, i ncid en ts , and d ialo gu es are p ro du ct s o f t he

a ut ho r' s i ma gi na ti on a nd a re n ot t o b e c on st ru ed a s r ea l. A ny r es em bl an ce t o a ct ua l e ve nt s o r p er so ns ,

living or dead, is entirety coincidental.

P A G EA N T B O OK S

2 2 5 P ar k A ve nu e S ou th

N ew Y or k. N ew Y or k 1 00 03

C op yr ig ht « 1 98 9 b y C la ud ia J . E dw ar ds

A ll r ig ht s r es er ve d- T he r ig ht t o r ep ro du ce t hi s b oo k o r

p or ti on s t hereof i n any f or m m us t b e o bt ai ned i n

writing from the Permissions Department

of the publisher,

P AG EA NT and col op ho n ar e t rademar ks o f t he p ub li sh er C ov er art wo rk b y L ar r y E lm or e

P ri nt ed i n t he U .S .A .

F ir st P ag ea nt B oo ks p ri nt in g: A pr il , 1 98 9 1 0 9 87 65 43 2 I

ELDRIE THE HEALER

by

C lau di a J . E dw ard s



C h ap t er O ne

IN ITSLAST d ay s, t he R ep ub li c m us t h av e s tr an gl ed i ts el f t o d ea th o n i ts p ap er . I d as he d a cr os s

r oo ms a nd c re pt d ow n c or ri do rs m at te d w it h s od de n p ul p, t he w re ck ag e l ef t b y t en y ea rs o f g ap in g

d oo rs , emp ty w in do w f rames, and b ro ken w al ls . T here! A no th er d oo r w as ahead , s ul len l ig ht s tr eami ng

i n w it h t he s ho ut s a nd c la ng or o f ba tt le . I p ul le d m y d is he ve le d j ac ke t a bo ut m e a nd m ut te re d a c lo ak in gs pell t o d is gu is e m y f em in in it y and m y b lo od ied s wo rd —a h ealer t ri es t o avo id k il li ng i f s he can —and

peered cautiously through the dismal rain into what had once been a gracious square.

Th e f ig ht in g w as h ea vy , t oo h ea vy . I t w as s ur e d ea th t o v en tu re o ut t he re . T he M on ar ch is ts w er e

o ut nu mb er ed b y t he s ob er ly cl ad T heo- cr at s , b ut w er e p ut ti ng u p a v al iant s tr ug gl e, n o q uar ter o ff ered o r

ask ed . I d od ged b ack i nt o t he l ab yr in th o f t he adm in is tr at iv e b ui ld in g. P el ti ng d ow n o ne cor ri do r, I t ur ned

i nt o a w id er cro ss h al l w it h m ut il at ed s tatu es ado rn in g i ts n iches. T hi s l ed i nt o a v as t, ech oi ng chamb er —

ech oi ng w it h t he s cr eams , s ho ut s, d eath s pell s, and m et al li c clatt er o f b at tl e. H er e t he M on ar ch is ts w er e

winning, slaughtering their foes with the same dedication with which their comrades outside were being

butchered.

Not t ha t I c ar ed wh ic h s ide w on o r l os t. T hi s o nc e f ai r l an d ha d gon e be yon d t he h op e of t ri um ph

o r e ve n c om pr om is e. I t w as a g ia nt i n i ts r d ea th t hr oe s, t ea ri ng i ts el f a pa rt i n a b it te r* . * . c ru el c iv il w ar .

I t w ou ld e nd o nl y a s a d es ol at io n o f c or ps es a nd d es tr uc ti on . I w an te d o ut o f; t hi s l et ha l t ra p o f a b ui ld in g

i n w hi ch I ha d b ee n d ri ve n t o h id e, a nd o ut o f t hi s n at io n o f f an at ic s a nd f oo ls . T he re w as a g al le ry a ro un d

t he h ug e chamb er . P er haps f ree cit izen s h ad o nce cheer ed t he cer em on ies o f a s el f- go vern in g s tate f ro m

t here, o r v is it in g d ig ni tari es m ar veled at t he w on der o f a p eo pl e w ho r ul ed t hems el ves f or t he g en er al

g oo d o f a ll . N ow i t o nl y o ff er ed a c ha nc e o f s li pp in g p as t t he b at tl e w it ho ut a tt ra ct in g n ot ic e. I w as n o

m ean s wo rd sw om an ; n o w om an w ho w an ders t he w or ld alo ne g oes u ns cath ed f or l on g w it ho ut eit her

m ar ti al s ki ll s or p ot en t m ag ic al p ro te ct ion . B ut n o wo ma n i n he r r ig ht m ind g oe s ou t of h er w ay t o

chall en ge h un dr eds o f b lo od -m ad zeal ot s , eit her. I s li pp ed u p t he s tai rs , edg ed p as t a r ot ti ng cor ps e— th isw as n ot t he f ir st b at tl e i n t he se p re ci nc ts , a nd n o o ne b ot he re d e ve n t o c ou nt t he d ea d a ny mo re , m uc h

l es s b ur y t he m— an d c re pt a bo ut t he b ac k o f t he g al le ry , h ea di ng f or t he d oo r o n t he f ar *i de . I r ea ch ed

t he o peni ng w it ho ut att ract in g n ot ice, and s tepp ed t hank fu ll y i nt o t he h al lw ay b ey on d. T here w er e n o

s te ps o n t hi s s ide , a nd I hu rr ie d dow n t he c or ri do r of t he s ec ond f loo r, l ook ing f or a wa y do wn a nd ou t.

I s oo n f ou nd t ha t t hi s s id e o f t he b ui ld in g w as h ea vi ly p op ul at ed w it h r ov in g b an ds f ro m bo th s id es .

I t m ad e n o d if fe re nc e w he th er t he y w or e t he g au dy r ag s o f t he M on ar ch is t l iv er y o r t he b la ck -a nd -g ra y

t at te rs of t he The oc ra ts , t he y a ll t ri ed t o ki ll m e a s s oon a s t he y s aw me . Th er e wa s no s an it y i n t he m.

I f oug ht . I r an w he n I c ou ld , b ut a ga in a nd a ga in I f ou nd m ys el f t ra pp ed a mo ng s tr ug gl in gc om ba ta nt s o r c or ne re d b y w il d- ey ed s in gl e s ol di er s. A nd I k il le d t he m. I h ad n o t im e t o b e m er ci fu l. I

h ad n ot t he l ei su re t o d is ar m t hem w it h t he clever t ri ck s m y r en ow ned and exact in g f en ci ng m as ter h ad

t au gh t m e, n or e ve n t o d is en ga ge a nd w it hd ra w. E ve n w or se , I c ut a nd s ta bb ed a nd s la sh ed a nd n ev er

l oo ke d t o s ee i f I h ad k il le d o r o nl y d ra wn b lo od , b ut s ta gg er ed a wa y w he n m y o pp on en t n o l on ge r

t hr ea te ne d m e a nd r an o n, d es pe ra te ly s ee ki ng t he o ut si de a ir a nd e sc ap e. I c ou ld n' t h el p t he w ou nd ed . I

w as b eg in ni ng t o d es pa ir o f s av in g m ys el f. I w as b et te r f ed, f re e o f t he d is ea se s t ha t a ff li ct ed t hi s r av ag ed

l an d, and s ane—t hese adv an tages alo ne k ep t m e al iv e.

I d id no t go un ma rke d, ho we ve r. I t wa s t oo m uc h t o h op e, w it h a ll t he bl ad es a nd a rr ows f ly ing

a bo ut , e ve n i f n on e o f t he m h ad b ee n d ir ec te d a t m e, t ha t I m ig ht p as s t hr ou gh t he m u ns ca th ed . N on e o f

t he m yr ia d w ou nd s t ha t I g ar ne re d w as i n i ts el f v er y s er io us , b ut I w as s tr ea mi ng w it h b lo od i n a d oz en

places and gasping with exhaustion when at last I found a staircase that was not blocked with struggling

f ig ht er s. I pa us ed t o m ut te r a q ui ck s pe ll t o s to p t he bl ood .



T he t ra mp in g o f a c on si de ra bl e b od y o f m en w as c om in g u p b eh in d m e. T he y w er en 't c ha si ng m e,

just running down the corridor baying after fresh blood. They drove me into action, as I had been driven

f or t hr ee d ay s n ow , a nd I p lu ng ed d ow n t he s ta ir s w it ho ut p au si ng t o c on si de r w ha t m ig ht a wa it m e a t t he

bottom.

Fo rt une wa s wi th me . I di d n ot f ind m ys el f a t onc e i n t he mi ds t of a ba tt le . B ut I c oul d he ar t hec la tt er of bo ot s o n t he s ta ir s, a nd t he re wa s a not he r bo dy of m en c om in g a t me f ro m t he c or ri dor a t t he

f oot o f t he s ta ir s. T he re w as d an ge r t ha t I w ou ld b e t ra pp ed b et we en t he m. I wh ir le d a nd f le d a s f as t a s I

c ou ld f or ce m y w ea ke ni ng b od y t o m ov e. I h ea rd t he c la mo r o f b at tl e b eh in d m e— no r et re at w ou ld b e

possible in that direction. I caught at the meeting of two walls with a trembling, bloody hand and hauled

m ys el f aro un d t he cor ner, s ag gi ng again st t he w al l o f t he n ew cor ri do r.

T he re w as a be ll ow l ik e a n e nor mou s bul l' s, a nd I l ook ed up , a gha st * A g ia nt of a ma n, s eve n f ee t

t al l, a s b ro ad a s a n o x, t hi ck -n ec ke d a nd p ow er fu l i n p ro po rt io n, s wu ng a v as t c la ym or e t wo -h an de d a t a

s hr in ki ng clu mp o f M on ar ch is ts . T he g or y evi dence o f t he s hamb les t hat h is t er ri bl e w eapo n cou ld creat e

l ay i n t wi tchi ng s labs and q ui veri ng h un ks abo ut h im , and even as I g azed i n t hu nd er st ru ck h or ro r, t heMonarchist troops turned and ran, shrieking.

W it ho ut p au si ng i n h is s wi ng , h e l um be re d a bo ut a nd c ha rg ed d ow n t he c or ri do r, e ye s g la ze d a nd

m ou th f oa mi ng . I k ne w I wa s w at chi ng m y d ea th c om in g d ow n up on m e. W ha t u se w ou ld m y p et ty l it tl e

blade be against that whistling brand? For how long could my exhausted strength stand against the sheer

s iz e a nd w ei gh t o f t he m on st er b ea ri ng d ow n u po n m e?

Ye t I wa s not one w ho c oul d e mbr ac e de at h w il li ngl y. I p us he d a wa y f rom t he w al l a nd r ai se d m y

w eapo n. T he m an w as b ig , b ut t here w as n o r easo ni ng m in d d ir ecti ng t hat t er ri bl e d es tr ucti ve energ y.

S ani ty m ig ht a ga in b e m y s al va ti on . A s he b or e d ow n u pon m e, I de fl ec te d t he w ei ght o f h is c la ym or e

w it h a f li ck o f my w ri st , f ei nt in g a t hi s he ar t a nd di ve rt ing h is s wi ng j us t e no ug h t o s li p be ne at h i t a nd c om eup w it h m y s houl de r i n h is mi dr if f, a ll ow ing h is ow n we ight a nd s pe ed t o c ar ry h im o ve r m e i nt o a

bone-jolting fall onto his back. Clanging and scraping on the marble floor, the claymore spun away and

clatt er ed again st t he w al l, o ut o f h is r each .

I s pu n a bo ut a nd l ea pe d p as t h im , t ur ni ng w it h m y s wo rd e xt en de d a s I l un ge d a t t he g ia nt 's

e xp os ed t hr oa t. I d id n' t w an t t hi s m on st er c ha si ng m e t hr ou gh t he ha ll s o f t hi s r ui n. A t ri ck l ike t ha t

w ou ld n' t w or k t wi ce . I w as w ea ke ni ng , a nd h is g re at w ei gh t h ad n ea rl y b or ne m e d ow n w he re I w ou ld

h av e b ee n e as y m ea t f or t he s la ug ht er .

S ti ll , I wa s a h ea le r, not a ki ll er , a nd I he si ta te d, no t q ui te a bl e t o p lun ge t he poi nt of my w ea po nh om e. T he g ia nt l oo ke d g ro gg il y u p a t m e p as t t he s le nd er b la de o f m y w ea po n. H is e ye s, n o l on ge r

g la ze d w it h b at tl e m ad ne ss , f el l up on t he h ea le r' s ki t I w or e s lu ng o ve r m y s ho ul de r. H e r ai se d h is h an d,

palm out. "Please," he gasped. "Do not—kill me, healer woman. I'll—take an oath—swear by God's

s ecret n am e. I 'l l b e y ou r arm sm an —I cry m er cy !"

Th e l as t t hi ng I w an te d w as a s wor n a rm s- ma n, n or w as h is o at h t o b e t rus te d. B ut h e h ad c ri ed

me rc y. I c oul d not f or m y l if e r un t he bl ade i nt o hi s t hr oa t. Hi s e ye s w er e on m y f ac e, a nd pe rha ps he

s aw i nd ecis io n t here, f or h e s po ke again . " Yo u' ll n ev er g et o ut o f h er e ali ve w it ho ut h el p, h ealer w om an .

Spa re my l if e, a nd I 'l l do wha t I c an t o de fe nd you. "

I r em ov ed t he po in t f ro m h is t hr oa t a nd s te pp ed w ar il y a wa y f ro m h im . W it h a f lu id m ov em en t h e

s we pt up t he c la ymor e a nd he ld i ts hi lt up t o me , kn ee li ng b ef or e m e. I r ea che d out a nd t ouc he d i t,

a cc ep ti ng h is o at h a nd t he r es po ns ib il it y f or h is w el fa re —I w an te d n ei th er , y et I d ar ed n ot t ur n m y b ac k



u po n h im w it hou t t he m. " By G od 's s ec re t n am e, " h e m um bl ed . " Co me , m is tr es s. W e' ve g ot t o g et o ut o f

h er e. I 'l l l ea d t he w ay —y ou g ua rd m y b ac k. "

He r ose , a nd I found t ha t he was not s o bi g a s I ha d t hought—s ix f ee t thre e or four, I s uppose d.

S ti ll , h e w as b ig e no ug h t ha t I c ou ld n' t s ee p as t h im . H e s et o ff d ow n t he c or ri do r. " St ay c lo se ," h e

s na pp ed o ve r h is s ho ul de r a t m e. " If y ou f ee l f ai nt , h ol d o nt o m y b el t. "

I t ma de a va st d if fe re nc e, ha vi ng hi m t o c le ar t he wa y f or m e. I di dn' t f ind i t ne ce ss ar y t o c li ng t o

h im , b ut I d id s ta y c lo se , s he lt er in g b eh in d h im l ik e a d in gh y b en ea th a m an -o '- wa r' s l ee . A nd i t w as n ot

l on g b ef or e w e b ur st o ut i nt o t he g ray, w eepi ng d ay li gh t. H e s wept t hr ou gh t he f ig ht er s, claym or e clear in g

ou r pa th a s m en s hr ank a wa y f rom i t. He s ee me d t o kn ow w he re he w as g oi ng, f or h e c ro ss ed t he

s qu ar e i n w hi ch w e f ou nd o ur se lv es a nd d od ge d b et we en t wo b ui ld in gs . I n t he p as sa ge b et we en t he m h e

t ur ned s ud denl y, s heat hi ng h is v as t w eapo n, r each in g f or m e; I w ou ld h av e r ecoi led f ro m h is g rasp h ad

h is m ov em en t n ot b ee n s o q ui ck t ha t I w as t ak en b y s ur pr is e.

S ei zi ng m e i n h is t wo h an ds , he f lu ng m e i nt o t he a ir , a nd I w as a st on is he d t o f in d m ys el f p er ch ed

on t he wi the rs of a hor se a s e nor mous f or hi s ki nd as my ne w a rms ma n wa s f or hi s. Ei ghte en ha nds a tl ea st , t he g re at d un b ea st m us t ha ve be en, a s br oa d a s a h ay w ago n, a nd I c lut che d a t a t hi ck a nd wo ol ly

black mane as the giant swung up behind me. "Sheathe your sword, mistress," he said, grasping me

a ro un d t he w ai st w it h h is l ef t a rm a nd g at he ri ng t he s tr ap s t ha t s er ve d f or r ei ns . T he re w as n ot hi ng t o d o

but obey. My weapon wasn't long enough to do any harm to any but the horse or the man from this dizzy

h ei gh t. T he claym or e r as ped as h e d rew i t again . T he h ug e h or se w heel ed p on dero us ly abo ut , l um beri ng

a cr os s t he p la za a nd i nt o t he b ro ad a ve nu e b ey on d, w he re h e b ro ke i nt o a t hu nd er in g g al lo p. T he re w as

s po radi c f ig ht in g h er e, t oo , b ut m y arm sm an 's m ou nt s im pl y p lo wed t hr ou gh t he com batant s and t he

claym or e m ad e s ho rt w or k o f any w ho t hr eatened o ur f li gh t.

A t s uc h a r at e, i t w as no t l ong be for e w e bur st t hr ou gh t he b it te r s tr ugg le a t t he c it y' s ga te a nd i nt o

t he s ub ur bs , w he re f ur ti ve l oo te rs s lu nk a bo ut . " St op ," I o rd er ed . " I h av e t o g et m y p on ie s. "

" Do y ou k no w w he re t he y a re , m is tr es s? " m y a rm sm an s ai d i n s om e s ur pr is e.

" I l ef t t he m i n a l it tl e w oo d w he re t he s ma ll er r iv er f lo ws i nt o t he S ta in e, " I s ai d. " Th er e w as g oo d

g ra ss a nd w at er a nd t he y w on 't h av e s tr ay ed f ar . M y p ac ks a re h id de n t he re , t oo , w it h a ll m y m ed ic in es ."

" Ve ry w el l. T he S ta in e l ie s t o t he n or th o f t he c it y. P er ha ps w e c an f in d y ou r p on ie s. " H e r ei ne d t he

h ug e b eas t abo ut .

My t wo g ood pa ck po ni es we re w ai ti ng , a s I ha d k no wn t he y w ou ld be , a nd c am e t hr ou gh t het re es w he n I c al le d t he m. G ra yl eg s a nd W hi te no se , t he y w er e n am ed , a nd t he y h ad g ro wn o ld i n m y

s er vi ce . I b ur ro we d i nt o t he l og w he re I h ad h id de n t he p ac ks . M y a rm sm an l if te d t he m f or m e. " We 'v e

g ot t o h ur ry , m is tr es s h ea le r. T hi s i s n ot a h ea lt hy l an d. T he f ar th er w e c an b e f rom he re w he n n igh t f al ls ,

t he b et ter I 'l l l ik e i t. "

" I' ll f re e y ou f ro m y ou r o at h n ow ," I s ai d b ri sk ly . " An d t ha nk s f or y ou r h el p. B ut I m us t l ea d t he

ponies and we can't keep up with your big gelding. Go home or wherever you like."

H e s ho ok h is h ea d. " An o at h g iv en a nd a cc ep te d i sn 't s o l ig ht ly d is ca rd ed , m is tr es s. I 'l l g ua rd y ou

y et . T he p on ie s c an k ee p u p. " W it h t ha t, h e t os se d m e u p o nt o t he g el di ng 's w it he rs a ga in a nd m ou nt ed

behind me. The saddle, I noted, seemed designed for such usage; the pommel was low and padded, so

t hat I cou ld r id e com fo rt ab ly b ef or e h im , s up po rt ed b y h is arm .



Th e e no rm ou s g el di ng h ad a s tr id e t ha t c ov er ed m or e g ro un d t ha n t hr ee o f m y p on ie s' s ho rt s te ps ,

but he moved with a dignified deliberation that made it easy for the ponies to follow. They were used to

m y l on g- rang in g s tr id es , w el l r es ted aft er t hr ee d ay s o f l azin g i n t he w oo ds , and t heir p acks w er e alm os t

empty.

T hi s w as a m at te r t ha t c onc er ne d m e. I nde ed , i t w as m y c ur re nt s ta te o f po ve rt y t ha t ha d l ed me t o

t hi s w ar -r av ag ed l an d, alo ng w it h m y con ti nu al q uest f or k no wl ed ge; i t h ad s eemed t o m e t hat w heret he re w as w ar a nd p la gue t he re wa s w or k f or a h ea le r. I ha d n ot c ou nt ed o n t he d es tr uc ti on I h ad f oun d.

T en y ears o f m er ci less s tr if e h ad l ef t t he l an d alm os t d ep op ul at ed and t he f ew w ho r em ai ned h ad n ot hi ng

w it h w hi ch t o p ay a ph ys ic ia n, n ot e ve n a s te wi ng c hi ck en o r a p in t o f m il k. I w as c on si de ra bl y w or se o ff

t ha n w he n I h ad c om e he re ; w he n o ne o f t he f ew r em ai ni ng c hi ld re n n ee de d h el p, c oul d I r ef us e i t j us t

because their parents had nothing with which to pay me? Could I pass by the wounded when my

medicines might save them?

I h ad s oon di sc ov er ed, t hou gh, t ha t t o t re at a ny on e o f e it he r pa rt y, e ve n a c hi ld , m ar ke d m e a s

e ne my t o t he o pp os in g p ar ty . S in ce i t w as n ot m y h ab it t o i nq ui re i nt o t he p ol it ic s o f t he s ic k, I w as

q ui ck ly o ut la we d b y b ot h s id es . M y m ed ic in es w er e a ll b ut d ep le te d, m y s up pl ie s w er e g on e, a nd m ym on ey p ou ch c on ta in ed n o m or e t ha n a f ew c op pe rs . A nd n ow I h ad t hi s s el f- ap po in te d g ua rd sm an a nd

h is e le ph an ti ne h or se t o f ee d a nd c ar e f or ! I t w as n ot a n i nc on si de ra bl e w or ry ; t he y b ot h w er e

u nd ou bt edl y p os ses sed o f v as t and h ealt hy app et it es.

Th e pa dd ed p om me l o f t he s ad dl e t hr ew m e b ac k a ga in st t he r ide r be hi nd m e. I t w oul d ha ve b ee n

q ui te a c om fo rt ab le w ay t o r id e, b ot h l eg s o n t he l ef t s id e o f t he h or se , s up po rt ed b y t he r id er 's m as si ve

a rm. Th e ho rs e' s b ac k wa s a s w id e a s a s of a, a nd hi s e no rm ou s s lo w s tr id e m ad e hi m a s c om fo rt abl e a

t ra ns po rt a s a r ive r ba rge . B ut I di dn' t l ike t o l ea n a ga ins t t he m an, a nd t he onl y wa y I c oul d ke ep f rom i t

w as t o l ea n f or wa rd a nd c li ng t o t he w oo ll y m an e. F ur th er mo re , I w as a l ot h ig he r o ff t he g ro un d t ha n I

l ik ed t o b e— ei gh te en h an ds t ra ns la te d I nt o s ix f ee t a t t he s ho ul de r, p lu s t he h ei gh t o f t he p ad de d s ad dl e.

I u su al ly w al ke d, l ea di ng m y p on ie s. T he m ed ic al a rt i s a s m uc h a m at te r of r ec og ni zi ng a nd

com po un di ng m ed icin es as i t i s d eali ng w it h p eo pl e and ani mals and t heir i ll ness es . I w as o n a con st an t

w at ch f or m ed ic in al h er bs a nd e ar th s w hi ch I c ol le ct ed , a nd i t w as e as ie r t o s ta y o n t he g ro un d a nd

g at he r t he m a s I w en t a lo ng t ha n t o b e s cr am bl in g u p a nd d ow n f ro m h or se ba ck a ll t he t im e.

I t w as u nd en ia bl e, t ho ug h, t ha t I w as g et ti ng a lo ng a l ot m or e r ap id ly t ha n I c ou ld h av e d on e a fo ot ,

I wa s e xha us te d, a s muc h i n mi nd a s body. I ha d be en on t he r un f or a lmos t e ve ry mi nut e of the t hr ee

d ay s s in ce I h ad p ac ke d m y s ho ul de r b ag w it h s ut ur es a nd d re ss in gs a nd v en tu re d i nt o t he c ap it al ,

s earchi ng f or t he o ld h eali ng m ag e I h ad h eard w as s ti ll l iv in g t here.

I f h e ha d b ee n, h e c ou ld ha ve t au gh t m e t he m ag ic al h ea li ng a rt , t o s up pl em en t m y s ki ll w it h

botanicals and the surgeon's knife. I had heard of magical healing and its miracles, but had never met any

m ag ic ia n w ho c ou ld t ea ch i t t o m e. S o m an y c as es I s aw w er e n ot a me na bl e t o h er ba l m ed ic in e! I l on ge d

t o a cq ui re t he s ki ll . B ut t he h ea li ng m ag e' s h ou se w as a b ur nt -o ut r ui n. T he re w er e p le nt y o f s ke le ta l

r ema ins in a nd a bout i t. I ha d no wa y of knowi ng i f a ny of t he m we re hi s, but i t wa s ha rd to avoi d t he

con cl us io n t hat t hi s r ar e and p ri celess m ag ic w as o ne m or e cas ualt y o f s en seless w ar .

I a wo ke a s t he l ig ht w as f ad in g, n es tl ed c onf idi ng ly i n t he a rm s o f m y h ug e l ie ge ma n, r oc ke d b y hi s

m ou nt 's l on g s tr id e. H e h ad w ra pp ed h is o il cl ot h c lo ak a ro un d u s b ot h. I w as w ar m a nd ( re la ti ve ly ) d ry .

B ut I c er ta in ly w ou ld n' t h av e c ho se n t o s le ep w he re I h ad ! I h ad b ee n o ve rt ak en b y m y e xh au st io n w hi le

I m us ed . I w on de re d w ry ly w hy m y t hr oa t w as s ti ll u nc ut .

" Whe re a re w e? " I a sk ed , s tr ugg li ng t o s it u p.



" I m ak e i t s om e t en o r t we lv e m il es w es t o f t he c it y, t ra ve li ng t ow ar d t he b or de r, " m y a rm sm an

s ai d. " No , m is tr es s h ea le r, h ol d s ti ll . Y ou 'l l d is ar ra ng e t he c lo ak a nd I o nl y j us t g ot i t f ix ed t o k ee p u s

both dry. I'm looking out for a place to spend the night, but there are few buildings standing hereabouts."

I l oo ke d a bo ut m e a nd s aw a s t rul y d is ma l a s ce ne a s I h ad e ve r t ra ve le d t hr ou gh. O nc e t hi s h ad

been a fair and prosperous farming district, but now the fields were gone to weeds, and the farmsteadsw er e b lack en ed r ui ns s lu mp in g i nt o t he ear th . T here w as n o s ig n o f h um an l if e. " Th er e m us t h av e b een

terrible fighting here," I said.

"T he c iv il w ar b eg an h er e. T hi s i s t he a re a w he re t he T he oc ra ts h ad t he ir s tr on ge st s up po rt . T he

M on ar ch is ts a tt ac ke d h er e f ir st , a nd p ut e ve ry on e t o t he s wo rd . T he n t he T he oc ra ts h ad t he ir t ur n, a nd

o n t he t heor y t hat any on e w ho s ur vi ved m us t h av e b een a M on ar ch is t s up po rt er , t hey s laug ht er ed

w ho me ve r w as l ef t. O cc as io na ll y, s om eo ne t ri es t o m ov e i n a nd w or k t he l an d a ga in , b ut o ne s id e o r t he

o th er c om es s we ep in g t hr ou gh a nd m ur de rs t he m. O r p la gu es t ak e t he m. I c ho se t hi s d ir ec ti on b ec au se I

k new w e w ou ld n' t r un i nt o any on e. "

I t wa s be gi nni ng to s ee m t o me t ha t I w as doi ng a n a wf ul l ot of obe yi ng f or so me one wi th h er own

s wor n gua rds ma n. H e h ad ye t t o a sk m e f or or de rs or p ay a ny a tt ent ion w he n I t ri ed t o gi ve t he m t o hi m.

Bu t i t wa s t rue t ha t h e kn ew l oc al c ondi ti ons b et te r t ha n I di d a nd i t w as ve ry l ike ly t ha t I 'd h ave or de re d

hi m to do e xa ct ly w ha t he wa s doi ng i f I 'd ha d t he i nf or ma ti on he h ad. " Ar e you a The oc ra t or a

Monarchist?" I asked.

" Ne it he r. I 'm a d ra ft ee . I w as a h un te r, c om e t o s el l f ur s a nd hi de s, w he n I wa s p re ss ed i nt o t he

T heocrati c f or ces. T here w as n ot hi ng f or i t b ut t o f ig ht , t ho ug h i n t ru th I d on 't even u nd er st an d t he

arg um en ts o f eit her s id e, and car e l es s t han I u nd er st an d. "

I c oul d s ee h ow t ha t mi ght ha ppe n, a nd t ru ly, h e ha dn' t t he l ook or t he a cc en t o f t hi s s or rowf ull an d. I h ad n ev er s ee n a m an l ik e h im , n or h ea rd h is m ea su re d i nt on at ion s be fo re . " Wh at 's y our n am e? " I

ask ed . I cou ld n' t g o o n t hi nk in g o f h im as " hi m. "

"Huard."

" Hu ar d. I 'v e n ev er h ea rd t ha t n am e b ef or e. "

" It 's a c om mon on e whe re I c om e f rom . M ay I kn ow yo ur na me , mi st re ss h ea le r? "

" Oh , o f c ou rs e. I t' s E ld ri e. "

I t ho ug ht I f el t h im s ti ff en m om en tari ly . " El dr ie. I s t hat all ? Y ou 'v e t he l oo k o f t he n ob il it y abo ut y ou .

A re y ou s ur e t hat t here's n o t er ri to ri al s uf fi x?"

I s ti rr ed u ne as il y. T hi s w as a m or e p er ce pt iv e q ue st io n t ha n I l ik ed . O nc e, l on g a go , t he re h ad

i nd ee d b ee n a s uf fi x t o m y n am e, b ut i t h ad c ar ri ed t he f it z p ar ti cl e t ha t d en ot ed i ll eg it im ac y a nd I ha d

s hed i t wi th re lie f whe n I we nt i nt o the wor ld t o ma ke my own wa y. " Not any mor e," I sa id s hor tly.

" Beg p ar do n, E ld ri e. I 'd n o i nt en ti on o f p ry in g. T here's a h ou se y on der t hat' s s ti ll p ar tl y r oo fed.

S ha ll w e s pe nd t he n ig ht t he re ?" *

" If y ou t hi nk i t s af e. "



" We 'r e n ot l ik el y t o f in d b et te r s he lt er . T he r ai n i s s et ti ng i n f or t he ni gh t. "

W e c am e u p t o w ha t h ad o nc e b ee n a r es pe ct ab le m an or h ou se . O ne w in g h ad be en b ur ne d, b ut

t he c en tr al s ec ti on w as i nt ac t, a nd t he w id e f ro nt d oo r s to od o pe n s ho wi ng a h al l s pa ci ou s e no ug h t o

s ta bl e t he h or se a nd po ni es . A qu ic k e xpl or at ion l ed t o a r oo m a t o ne s id e t ha t h ad on ce b ee n a g ra ci ou s

d ra wi ng r oo m o r r ec ep ti on r oo m. T he w in do ws w er e b ro ke n, o f c ou rs e, a nd t he f ur ni tu re a nd d ra pe ri es

w er e m ol de r- in g, b ut t he re w as a f ir ep la ce i nt ac t. H er e w e w ou ld b e d ry .

" I ha ve n' t m uc h t o gi ve you f or s up pe r," I w or ri ed , a s m uc h t o mys el f a s t o Hua rd. " I c oul d ma ke

some soup."

" If y ou w ou ld n' t m in d s et ti ng u p c am p, I 'l l h un t. I t' s b ee n t en y ea rs s in ce t hi s l an d w as i nh ab it ed ,

a nd t he g am e i s t hi ck a s f li es . T he re 's l ot s o f f ar m s to ck r un w il d, t oo . H um an m is fo rt un e i s t he g re at

g oo d l uck o f t he w il d t hi ng s. "

"Al l ri ght ," I sa id. " I' ll c le ar out s ome of this t ra sh a nd se e i f I c an l ight a f ir e i n the fi re pla ce."

I t ur ne d t he pon ie s ou t t o g ra ze , a nd p ic ke te d t he b ig ge ldi ng ; uns ur e i f he wa s t ra in ed t o s ta y n ea r

c am p. T he re w as a s tr ea m ne ar by, a nd I br oug ht w at er i n a po t f ro m m y c amp ing ge ar . Th en I c le ar ed

t he r oo m a s b es t I c oul d. M y ne xt bu si ne ss , w hi le t he w at er h ea te d, wa s t o e xa mi ne a nd t re at a s w el l a s I

c ou ld m y ma ny s ma ll w oun ds . I ha d ba re ly f ini she d t ha t wh en H ua rd r et ur ne d, c ar ry in g t he l oi n o f a c al f. I

q ui ck ly s li ce d t he m ea t a nd p ut i t t o b roi l.

" Le t m e h av e a l oo k a t y ou r w ou nd s, " I s ai d, b ri ng in g m y m ed ic in e b ag n ea r hi m.

" I h av en 't any w or th m en ti on in g, " h e s ai d. " Yo ur s are w or se t han m in e. "

" Le t m e h av e a l oo k, a ny wa y, " I s ai d. " Th er e' s n o r ea so n t o t ak e a c ha nc e w it h i nf ec ti on . B es id es ,if you're my armsman, it's my responsibility."

H e c hu ck le d. " Ve ry w el l, i f y ou i ns is t. T he re 's a n ic k o n m y e lbo w. C an y ou r ea ll y d o a ny th in g

abo ut i nf ecti on ? H ow d o y ou d ri ve t he evi l s pi ri ts o ut ?"

" Th er e aren' t any evi l s pi ri ts . T hat' s a s up er st it io n. I nf ecti on s are cau sed b y d ir t g et ti ng i nt o t he

w ou nd a nd g ro wi ng t he re . I c an 't a lw ay s s to p t he m, o nc e t he d ir t s ta rt s t o g ro w, b ut I c an u su al ly p re ve nt

them. Hmm—what's this? Take off your shirt."

" No . I t w ou ld n' t b e s ee ml y. "

" No ns en se . I 'm a h ea le r. T ak e o ff y ou r s hi rt !"

R el uctant ly , h e r em ov ed t he s hi rt . T here w as a g as h, s tart in g at h is l ef t col larb on e and r un ni ng

jaggedly across to just below his right nipple. I cleaned it carefully and rubbed it with bread-mold

o in tm en t— it w as n' t d eep eno ug h t o n eed s ti tchi ng , l ucki ly . H uard s hi vered w hen I t ou ch ed h im , and

g oo sefl es h r ai sed t he h ai r o n h is arm .

" No n ee d t o b e f ri gh te ne d o f m e, " I s ai d. " I wo n' t hu rt yo u. Yo u d on' t e ve n n ee d s ti tc he s. Y ou

s ho ul d h av e b een f ri gh tened o f t he s wo rd sm an w ho g av e y ou t hi s cut —h e n earl y s li ced y ou r h eart o ut ."

" Th at w as y ou , m is tr es s. Y ou 'r e a s q ui ck w it h y ou r w ea po n a s I 'v e e ve r s ee n. "



I f ro wn ed . I d id n' t r em em be r m ar ki ng h im , b ut i n p ar ry in g h is b la de a nd d uc ki ng u nd er i t, i t w as

possible. Huard was shivering in earnest now. "I won't do it again," I said gently. "It's all over now and

you 'r e w el l out of i t. N o n ee d t o l et i t ups et you ."

" I' m n ot up se t— not by t ha t. " H e c au gh t a t m y ha nds a s I b and age d t he ga sh. " Ei dr ie , we a re m an

a nd w oma n. Le t us c om for t o ne a no the r." H e p ul le d m e s udd enl y i nt o h is a rm s, n uz zl in g a t m y f ac e a s h e

t ri ed a wk wa rd ly t o k is s m e,

I s hou ld ha ve be en t er ri fi ed. He w as s o mu ch b igg er t ha n I , s o m uc h s tr ong er , a nd w e we re a lone

he re . My s wor d wa s w it h m y be dr ol l, t hr ee s te ps a wa y—a s un re ac ha bl e a s i f i t ha d be en a m il e. I wa s i n

t er ri bl e da nge r. B ut t he f ea r me lt ed b ef or e t he bl as t of m y r age . Ho w da re d h e? H e ha d c ri ed me rc y, a nd

I ha d gr ante d i t t o hi m. H e ha d s worn fe al ty. I ha d be en t ryi ng t o he lp hi m, a s w as m y dut y t o a l ie ge ma n.

W as I t o b e r ep ai d w it h r ape ? I s tr uc k h im i n t he f ac e wi th t he s ide s of bot h c le nc he d f is ts a nd e ve ry b it

o f s tr en gt h I c ou ld m us te r. " Ge t a wa y f ro m m e, y ou f il thy b ru te ," I r ag ed . " Is t hi s t he v al ue o f y ou r o at h?

H ow d ar e y ou even t hi nk o f o ff er in g m e t hi s i nd ecen cy ! G et away, d am n y ou , y ou f ou l, o at h- br eaki ng ,

sneaking monster! Get away!"

S uc h w as t he f or ce t ha t o ve rw he lm in g a ng er l en t m y b lo ws t ha t h e r ee le d u nd er t he m, r el ea si ng m e

a nd f li ng in g u p a s he lt er in g a rm t o pr ot ec t h is a lr ea dy b at te re d f ac e. I l ea pe d t o m y p il e o f b el on gi ng s a nd

g ra bb ed u p m y s wo rd , w hi rl in g t o d ef en d m ys el f, s ur e t ha t he w as e ve n n ow p ou nc in g u po n m e.

H e wa sn 't . He s too d wh er e I h ad l ef t hi m, s ta un chi ng a b loo dy n os e wi th on e of t he r ag s I ha d

been using to clean his wound. Over the rag, he stared at me. I waited, poised to repel his attack, ready

t o ki ll hi m i f n ec es sa ry. H e da bb ed a t hi s nos e, i ns pe ct ed t he r ag f or f re sh b lood , a nd wi pe d a wa y t he

s ta in s o n h is u pp er U p.

S at is fi ed t ha t t he b le ed in g w as u nd er c on tr ol , h e r in se d t he r ag i n t he w ar m w at er . I w at ch ed h is

prosaic actions, quivering with alert tension. He spread the damp rag to dry on a window sill.

" I b eg pa rdo n, " h e s ai d, a nd I s ta rt ed a t t he s oun d o f hi s vo ic e. " I m ea nt n o i nde ce nc y or

d is re sp ec t. I h av e b ee n v er y l on g w it ho ut t he c om fo rt o f a w om an 's c om pa ny , a nd t he t ou ch o f y ou r h an d

on m y ba re f le sh—w ell , i t l ed m e t o s pe ak a s I ought not t o ha ve . I t hought you f ound m e not

u na tt ra ct iv e. A t l ea st , y ou s le pt c om fo rt ab ly e no ug h i n m y a rm s a s w e r od e t hi s a ft er no on . I w on 't d o i t

again."

" Damn r ig ht , y ou w on 't ," I s ai d g ri ml y.

" I ha ve g ive n m y wo rd ," h e s ai d w it h s om e a ss ump ti on o f di gni ty. " Th e m ea t wi ll bu rn i f i t i sn 'tturned."

I s id le d o ve r t o t he f ir ep la ce a nd a dj us te d t he b ro il in g m ea t w it h m y l ef t h an d. H ua rd s at d ow n

whe re he w as wi th a s igh.

O ur m ea l w as s oo n r ea dy , a nd 1 ga ve hi m t he l ion 's s ha re ; b ig a s he wa s, he u nd ou bt ed ly n ee de d

it . I a te wi th my s word at my side, re ady to snat ch up. The re was no conver sat ion, and a s soon as we

w er e f in is he d a nd t he c le an in g u p d on e, w e b ro ug ht t he h or se a nd p on ie s i n a nd s ou gh t o ur b ed ro ll s, e ac h

w hi sp er in g o ur o wn cus to mary n ig ht s pell s t o w ar d u s f ro m d an ger w hi le w e s lept .

I l ay i n t he ru ddy s em id ark , l is te ni ng to t he be at of t he r ai n on t he w al ls a nd t he s te ady br ea thi ng of

m y c om pa ni on. I h ad l ai d " "t he s wor d w he re m y ha nd wo ul d f al l na tu ra ll y on t he hi lt , a nd m y da gg er w as

t uc ke d a wa y on t he o the r s id e. I ha d p ut i t t he re w he n H ua rd ha d s te pp ed o ut f or a m ome nt ; t he s wo rd



c ou ld h av e b ee n s na tc he d a wa y f ai rl y e as il y o nc e I w as a sl ee p, b ut t he d ag ge r m ig ht g o u nn ot ic ed . I w as

d et er mi ne d t o a wa ke n e ar ly a nd s li p a wa y b ef or e H ua rd w as a wa re . H e w as a d an ge ro us c om pa ni on .

A la s f or m y r es ol ut io n; I s pe nt a r es tl es s n ig ht , a wa ke ni ng w it h a s ta rt w he ne ve r h e s ti rr ed , a nd o nl y

f el l i nt o a de ep s le ep i n t he da rk ne ss be fo re da wn. Wh en m y e ye s a t l as t o pe ne d, t he da y wa s w el l

begun, the animals had been turned out on the grass, and breakfast was already cooking. The rain still

pattered down upon the walls; if this went on, I thought muzzily, flood would be added to the woes of thehapless populace.

" Go od m or ni ng , E ld ri e. " H uard w as s it ti ng o n h is b ed ro ll , w at ch in g s teak s b ro il . I j um ped.

" Go od m or ni ng ," I s ai d w ar il y. I w as a l it tl e s ur pr is ed t o h ave s ur vi ve d t he n ig ht , b ut gi ve n t ha t I

h ad , a d ea l m or e a st on is he d t o f in d h im s ti ll h er e, a ft er t he r ud e r eb uf f h e h ad r ec ei ve d t he n ig ht b ef or e.

Hi s nos e w as s wol le n ye t. I r os e a nd we nt out i nto t he mi st y r ai n t o t en d t o my na tur al ne ed s. W he n I

r et ur ned, I d el ved i nt o m y m ed icin e b ag f or a b ot tl e— my l as t b ot tl e— of a s oo th in g l ot io n.

" Sm oo th s om e o f t hi s o nt o y ou r n os e, " I s ai d, h ol di ng i t o ut t o h im .

He g la nc ed u p a t me . " Tha nk you, " he s ai d, t aki ng i t. H is ha ir w as w et , we tt er t ha n a s im pl e v ent ur e

i nt o t he d ri zz le c ou ld a cc ou nt f or , a nd h e w as f re sh ly s ha ve d. H e m us t h av e b at he d i n t he s tr ea m. I w as

t ar f ro m c le an m ys el f, I t ho ugh t wi st ful ly . C ol d a s i t wa s, a b at h w ou ld ha ve f el t h ea ve nl y. I pu ll ed a t ow el

o ut o f m y p ac k. " Go a he ad ," H ua rd s ai d, h is e ye s o n t he m ea t. " Yo u' ve t im e b ef or e b re ak fa st i s r ea dy i f

you hurry."

S ti ll , I h es it at ed . I w ou ld b e h or ri bl y v ul ne ra bl e w hi le I b at he d, s ep ar at ed f ro m m y c lo th es a nd m y

w ea pon . B ut I h ad s ur vi ve d t he n igh t— a nd I s ta nk of b loo d a nd s we at a nd c ar ri on a nd t he s cor che d

s tench o f b ur ned h ou ses .

" Go o n. I w on 't b ot he r y ou ," H ua rd s ai d.

I c ol or ed . " I d id n' t t hi nk y ou w ou ld ," I l ie d, a nd g at he re d u p a c ha ng e o f c lo th es , c ru mp le d f ro m t he

pack but clean, and a jar of herbal soap. And my sword.

T he m ea t w as d on e w he n I r et ur ne d, s hi ve ri ng , f ro m t he s tr ea m, a nd t he p ac ks w er e l as he d, r ea dy

t o l oa d. E ve n m y p er so na l b el on gi ng s w er e p ac ke d. I h ad n' t i nt en de d f or h im t o d o t ha t; I k ne w t ha t a n

a rms ma n w as no t a s er va nt a nd s ho ul d ne ve r be a sk ed t o do a s er va nt 's w or k. He wa s a f igh te r, p la ci ng

h is l if e at r is k i n h is l iege's d ef en se and ent it led t o f oo d, l od gi ng , and clo th in g i n exchang e. I s ho ul d h av e

d on e t he c oo ki ng a nd m y o wn p ac ki ng .

" Th an k y ou f or p ac ki ng ," I s ai d.

" Yo u' re w el co me ," h e a ns we re d, h ol di ng a p la te o ut t o m e. I f li nc he d a t t he s ud de n m ov em en t

before I could stop myself. "You needn't fear me," he said patiently. "I've sworn the oath and I intend to

k eep i t. "

I nod de d a nd t ook t he pl at e. " Th is i s m or e t ha n I c an e at ," I s ai d. "W il l yo u t ake ha lf of t hi s s te ak? "

" Be tt er e at i t. I t' s a ll w e ha ve ."

"I know. I'l l ge t some flour a s soon a s I ca n, and I should be a ble t o coll ect s ome wil d gr eens

t od ay , t ho ug h i t' s t oo e ar ly f or f ru it s. " I c ut t he s te ak i n h al f a nd p ut t he l ar ge r p or ti on o n h is p la te . I



s el dom a te m ea t. I wa s n o hunt er a nd i t w as t oo e xp ens ive t o b uy. I w as n ot doi ng t oo we lt a t pr ovi di ng

for my armsman, I thought wryly. Huard ate both pieces without difficulty.

S ad dl in g and p acki ng w er e eas il y d on e. S et ti ng o ff w as n ot s o s im pl e. W hen every th in g w as r eady ,

H ua rd t ur ne d t o m e a nd m ad e a s ti rr up w it h hi s l in ke d h an ds , o bv io us ly i nt en di ng t o b oo st m e t o m y

f or me r p er ch i n f ro nt o f h is s ad dl e. " No , t ha nk s/ ' I s ai d, b ac ki ng a wa y. " I' ll w al k. "

" I c an 't r id e w hi le y ou w al k. "

" Of c ou rs e yo u c an . Y ou 'r e t he a rm sm an. Y ou c an d o y ou r j ob b et te r f ro m h or se ba ck. I w on 't

e ve n be a bl e t o s ee t he gr ee ns a nd he rb s f ro m up t he re , m uc h l es s c ol le ct t he m. B es id es . . ." I s to pp ed ,

r eme mbe ri ng th at I ha d r idde n be for e hi m t he da y b ef or e a nd t ha t he ha d o ffe re d i t a s a n e xc us e f or hi s

adv an ces. A nd r em em beri ng t hat I h ad f ou nd r id in g s o t o b e n ot o nl y com fo rt ab le b ut com fo rt in g.

" Yo u w on 't w an t t o c ol le ct y ou r h er bs u nt il l at e i n t he a ft er no on . A nd y ou 'l l b e s oa ke d t o t he b on e

u nl es s y ou l et m e c ov er yo u w it h m y oi lc lo th . P ut y ou r f oo t h er e. "

I s ho ok m y h ea d s tu bb or nl y. B ef or e I q ui te r ea li ze d w ha t h e i nt en de d, H ua rd s ei ze d m e a nd t os se d

m e o nt o t he p om me l. " Da mn i t, E ld ri e, b e s en si bl e, " h e g ro wl ed a s h e s wun g u p b eh in d m e. " We c an b e

o ut o f t hi s n at io n o f d eath and d is as ter b y n ig ht fall i f y ou r id e. I 'm y ou r arm sm an ; t ru st m y j ud gm en t i n

this."

I s ti ff en ed . I w as n ot a cc us to me d t o t ak in g o rd er s n or t o a ll ow in g m ys el f t o b e m an ha nd le d b y

any on e, and I d is li ked v er y m uch t he r em in der t hat m y o nl y p ro tect io n w as H uard 's s el f- co nt ro l. I f h is

m ov e h ad b ee n a gg re ss iv e, I c ou ld h av e b ee n d ea d b y n ow , o r w is hi ng I w as . T he p ow er fu l a rm t ha t

s li pp ed a ro un d m y w ai st w as a n e lo qu en t d em on st ra ti on o f h ow r ea ll y h el pl es s I w ou ld b e i f h e c ho se t o

us e f or ce . Y et h e i nt end ed no ha rm , I k ne w. The w ar mt h o f hi s b ody wa s w el co me , a nd t he da y wo ul d

s ur el y b e v as tl y m or e com fo rt ab le w it hi n t he f ol ds o f t he o il cl ot h h e w as arr an gi ng abo ut u s even n ow . Is ig hed and l et m ys el f b e enf ol ded, f ul l o f m is gi vi ng s abo ut t he f ut ur e b ut u nabl e t o s tr ug gl e again st t he

present necessities.

Ch apt er T w o

"WHEREDOYOU w ant t o go, El dr ie ?" H ua rd a sk ed a s we r ode t hr oug h t he r ai n.

"Away," I replied fervently.

H e c hu ck le d. " Me t oo . B ut a wa y t o w he re ? N or th , s ou th , e as t, w es t? O nc e w e c ro ss t he b or de r,

w e m us t d ecid e w hi ch d ir ecti on t o g o. "

" I w an t t o f in d a h om e, " I s ai d, s ur pr is in g m ys el f. " I' ve b ee n a n i ti ne ra nt h er b d oc to r f or t oo m an y

y ea rs . M y p on ie s a re g et ti ng t oo o ld t o w an de r— th ey 'r e s ev en te en . I w an t a p as tu re f or t he m t o g ra ze i n

t he s umm er a nd a ba rn t o s he lt er t he m i n w int er . I w ant a r oof t o ke ep t he r ai n of f a nd s ome s he lve s t o

put things on."

H e n od de d. " An y p re fe re nc es a s t o c li ma te ?"



" No t t oo c ol d. N ot t oo w et . F ri en dl y p eop le , no t t oo i nq ui si ti ve , w ho n ee d a d oc to r a nd ha ve a

l it tl e m on ey t o p ay o ne."

" So ut h, t he n, o nc e w e' ve c ros se d t he p as s. I t' s w ar me r t he re . T he o th er t hi ngs w e c an s ea rc h f or

when we've found the right climate."

I s ho ok my he ad . " I' m j us t d re am in g, H ua rd. A ho us e wi th p as tu re s a nd a b ar n w ou ld c os t a t ot ."

" Do n' t y ou char ge f ees f or y ou r s erv ices?"

" Of c our se , bu t I do n' t a lw ays c ol le ct t he m. N o on e w an ts t o pa y a p hy si ci an mu ch , a nd t he

m ed ic in es u su al ly c os t m e n ea rl y a s m uc h a s t he f ee s b ri ng i n. A nd t he re a re a lw ay s pa ti en ts w ho c an 't

pay at all."

He wa s sil ent for a time. "Then we s ha ll have to wor k as we go, you as a hea ler and I as a hunte r.

B y t he t im e w e f in d t he r ig ht p lace, w e' ll h av e eno ug h m on ey ."

I w as t ou ch ed b y t hi s o ff er , b ut e xt re me ly d ub io us . H e a nd h is m ou nt w ou ld b e m or e e xp en si ve t o

m ai nt ai n t ha n I a nd b ot h m y p on ie s w er e, I h ad n o d ou bt . A nd i t w ou ld b e m y r es po ns ib il it y t o p ro vi de

f or t hem, w hi le any m on ey h e m ad e w ou ld b y r ig ht s b el on g t o h im .

O n t he ot he r ha nd , i t w as ve ry c om for ti ng t o ha ve m y o wn a rm sma n. I ha d n eve r f el t s o s af e s inc e I

r ea li ze d t ha t m y s ec ur it y hu ng on t he t en uou s t hr ea d o f m y f at he r' s l us t f or m y m ot he r. Th er e w as n o

knowi ng how l ong Huar d woul d choose t o st ay wi th me , a nd I wa s s til l ha lf a fr aid of hi m. But a s long as I

ha d h im, I wa s f re er of wor ri es a bou t m y s af et y t ha n I h ad e ve r be en.

I wa s g la d e nou gh t o g et dow n a nd wa lk i n t he l at e a ft er noon . Th er e w er e p le nt y of s al ad gr ee nsa nd p ot he rb s, y ou ng a nd c ri sp , j us t a t t he r ig ht s ta ge f or p ic ki ng . I e ve n f ou nd a l it tl e b an k o f g ol de ns ea l,

o ne o f t he r ar es t a nd m os t d if fi cu lt o f t he m ed ic in al h er bs t o f in d, a nd m ad e H ua rd w ai t w hi le I d ug s om e

o f t he m u p t en de rl y; t he r oo ts w er e u se fu l a s w el l a s t he l ea ve s. I n f ac t, I t he n a nd t he re b ru is ed e no ug h

o f t he h ai ry l ea ve s t o c ov er t he g as h o n H ua rd 's c he st a nd a pp li ed t he m t o i t, a s t he y w ou ld i nh ib it t he

g ro wt h o f t he i nf ecti ng d ir t i n t he w ou nd . H e m ad e n o d if fi cu lt y t hi s t im e abo ut r em ov in g h is s hi rt , t ho ug h

h e w as b reat hi ng h ar d w hen I f in is hed. " I d on 't h av e t im e f or y ou r f oo li sh p reju di ces again st f em al e

physicians," I told him severely. "Your wound needs to be tended, and it's my responsibility as well as my

profession to do so."

" I h av e n o p re ju di ce a ga in st f em al e d oc to rs ," h e s ai d, s hr ug gi ng b ac k i nt o h is s hi rt . " In f ac t, I 'dr at her h av e y ou r g en tl e h an ds t en di ng m y h ur ts t han s om e r ou gh -and -r eady s aw bo nes. "

L at e t ha t a ft er no on , w e c ro ss ed t he o ld b or de r o f t he R ep ub li c i nt o t he f oo th il ls o f t he c oa st al

r an ge, a l an d i nh ab it ed b y a f ew w an deri ng s heph er ds and h ar ds cr ab bl e f ar mers . B ecau se o f t he p ov er t y

o f t he r eg io n, i t h ad l ar gely b een s pared t he p ro sely ti zi ng o f t he T heocrats o r t he civ il izin g i nf lu en ce o f t he

M on ar ch is ts ; p eo pl e s ti ll l iv ed h er e. T here w as even a s mall i nn i n o perati on i n t he v il lage w e r each ed as

da rk b ega n t o c los e i n. The r ai n ha d i nc re as ed i n f or ce a nd I w as gl ad e nough t o t ur n i n a t t he ga te s.

" Is t he re a doct or i n your town? " I as ked t he l andl ord, once we ha d a gr eed on a pr ic e for two

cubbyhole s of rooms a nd I had turne d my gr eens ove r t o his c ook t o add i nt o our s te w a nd to ma ke a

crisp salad.

H e s hoo k hi s h ea d, g la nc in g a t m y m edi ci ne ba g. " No, we 'v e ne ve r ha d on e he re . I f yo u' re a



healer, there's custom aplenty for you."

" I' m a h ea le r, " I s ai d. " Is t he re s om ew he re I c ou ld s ee p at ie nt s? "

" Yo u c an u se t he p ar lo r, " h e s ai d. " It 's n ot l ik el y w e' ll g et a ny a ri st oc ra ti c t ra ve le rs w ho 'l l w an t t he ir

m ea l i n p ri va te . I 'l l s end t he p ot boy t o s pr ea d t he w or d. E r— I c oul d h av e t he c ook pu t a f ow l t o r oa st .

.."

" R he um at is m? " I a sk ed . I h ad s ee n t he k no tt ed k nu ck le s o f h is h an ds .

" Ye s, I k no w t he re 's n ot hi ng t o b e d on e f or i t, b ut m ay be y ou 'v e s om et hi ng f or t he p ai n. " " Co me

alo ng , t hen, y ou can b e t he f ir st p at ient . W here's t hi s p ar lo r?"

" I' ll s it o ut si de t he d oo r a nd c ol le ct t he f ee s, " H ua rd s ai d p oi nt ed ly .

" Dr ag u p t hat s mall t ab le and a chair ," t he l an dl or d s ai d, accep ti ng h is s ug gest io n r eadi ly .

B y t he t im e I h ad g iv en t he l an dl or d a n o in tm en t o f p op la r a nd t ar ra go n t o r ub i nt o h is a ch in g j oi nt s,

t he p at ie nt s w er e b eg in ni ng t o c om e i n. I s pe nt t he n ex t t wo h ou rs t re at in g t he u lc er s, t he f ev er s, a nd t he

t hi n b lo od d is ea se s t ha t I u su al ly s aw . I d id w ha t I c ou ld , o ff er ed g oo d a dv ic e a bo ut e at in g m an y d if fe re nt

k in ds o f f oo d and r es ti ng , and p as sed o ut s pari ng q uant it ies o f m ed icin es .

I s tr et che d w ea ri ly w he n t he l as t p at ie nt we nt out a nd no o ne e ls e c am e i n. H ua rd pu t h is he ad

t hr ou gh t he d oo r. " Th er e' s o ne m or e p at ient o ut h er e, " h e s ai d h es it an tl y.

" Send h im i n. "

" Sh e c an 't p ay —i t' s h er l it tl e b oy . I r em em be re d w ha t y ou s ai d a bo ut p at ie nt s w ho c an 't p ay a t a ll..."

I no dde d. " We 've do ne p re tt y w el l, h ave n' t w e? W e c an a ff or d on e c ha ri ty c as e. S en d he r i n. "

T he g ir l c an 't h av e b ee n t we nt y y et . S he w as t hi n t o e ma ci at io n, d ir ty , w it h a w il d e xp re ss io n o n h er

f ac e, a nd t he l it tl e b oy s he c ar ri ed w as a t l ea st f iv e ye ar s ol d. " I c an 't pa y," s he s ai d, he r w or ds

belligerent, the look in her eyes anxious. . I nodded. "What's wrong with the boy?"

" Th ey w on 't t ha nk y ou f or h el pi ng m e, " s he w en t o n b it te rl y. " Th e b oy 's a b as ta rd ."

" It m ak es n o d if fe re nc e t o m e, " I s ai d. I nd ee d, w ho w as I t o j ud ge a no th er 's i ll eg it im ac y? A nd i t

w as c er ta in t ha t t he g ir l wa sn' t t he t own w hor e or s he w ou ld ha ve be en a de al mo re pr os pe rou s t ha n s he

w as . S ed uc ed a nd b et ra ye d, n o do ubt . " Now , l et me h av e a l oo k a t t he c hi ld ."

" It 's t hi s l ump ." She s ho we d m e a l um p t he s iz e of a m an' s f is t ove r t he bo y' s r ibs . I no te d t ha t t he

c hi ld w as b et te r f ed t ha n t he m ot he r. S he h ad c le ar ly b ee n s ti nt in g h er se lf f or h er s on 's s ak e.

I e xa mi ne d t he l um p c ar ef ul ly, m y he ar t s in ki ng a s I di d s o. Ei the r i t w as a te rr ibl e a bs ce ss , or i t

wa s a t um or . I n t he l at te r c as e, t he re w as ve ry l it tl e t ha t c oul d be do ne . The c hi ld w as goi ng t o di e. A nd

t he re w as n o f ev er s uc h a s w ou ld h av e b ee n p re se nt i f t he l um p h ad r es ul te d f ro m i nf ec ti on. T he m ot he r

w at ch ed m e, e ye s f ix ed o n m y f ac e. " I' m s or ry ," I s ai d q ui et ly . " I' ll o pe n i t a nd s ee , b ut I 'm a fr ai d t ha t

y ou r l it tl e b oy i s v er y s ick i nd eed. "



Sh e c lo se d h er e ye s a nd t wo t ea rs s qu ee ze d b et we en t he l ids . " I' ve kn ow n i t f or a t im e, " s he s ai d.

I ga ve t he c hi ld a dr af t t o du ll t he pa in, t hough he wa s s o l et ha rgi c t ha t he ha d ha rdl y s ee me d t o f ee l

any th in g w hen I p ro bed t he l um p w it h n eces sari ly u ng en tl e f in gers . T hen I w en t t o t he d oo r, " Hu ar d, " I

s ai d, " coul d you f et ch me a c an of ve ry ho t wa te r a nd t he n c om e i n he re a nd he lp? "

H ua rd n od de d a nd d ep ar te d o n h is e rr an d. T he l an dl or d w as w ai ti ng n ea rb y. I nd ee d, t he re w er es ev er al p eo pl e s tand in g aro un d. " Ar e y ou g oi ng t o o perate?" h e ask ed , h is v oi ce u nn at ur al ly s tr ai ned.

" Ye s. T ho ug h I d ou bt i t w il l d o m uc h g oo d, " I s ai d t ar tl y.

" Wi ll y ou a sk C ar a w ho t he b oy 's f at he r i s? " he s ai d. " He oug ht t o be t ol d. "

I l oo ke d a t h im i n a ma ze me nt . " Yo u m ea n y ou d on 't k no w? "

He l ooke d un ea si ly a t t he g roup a ro und hi m. " Sh e n eve r wo ul d s ay . I t h as t o be s om eone f ro m t hi s

v il la ge . B ut s he 's p ro te ct ed h im a ll t he se y ea rs . H e m us t h av e b ee n m ar ri ed , b ec au se h e n ev er h ad t hec ou ra ge t o c om e f or wa rd a nd a dm it h is f au lt . B ut i f t he b oy —i f h e' s g oi ng t o d ie , t he f at he r n ee ds t o

know."

" It 's a l it tl e l at e n ow ," I s ai d. " Th e g ir l h as n' t h ad e no ug h t o e at i n m on th s, m ay be y ea rs . W ho ev er

t he f at he r i s, w ha t h e n ee ds i s a g oo d t hr as hi ng , n ot t o b e t en de rl y i nf or me d t ha t h is s on i s i n d an ge r. "

Hua rd a rr ive d wi th a s te am ing c an of hot wa te r a nd I c los ed t he d oor upo n t he v il la ge f ol k a nd t he ir

o ld s ca nd al . " I' ve g iv en h im a do se o f p op py ," I s ai d t o H ua rd. " It w il l du ll t he p ai n a l it tl e, b ut y ou 'l l h av e

t o hol d hi m f or me . Ca n you do tha t? "

Hu ar d nod de d. "Y ou ho ld hi s ha nd ," I s ai d t o t he mo the r. S he mu st h ave be en a m er e c hi ld h er se lf w he n t he b oy w as c on ce iv ed . " Ta lk t o h im a nd r ea ss ur e h im ."

H uard h el d t he chi ld f ir ml y, b ut h e s tr ug gl ed v er y l it tl e, and I w or ked w it h l ig ht ni ng r ap id it y. I t w as

a s I f ea re d. T he g ro wt h w as a m al ig n t um or , i nvo lvi ng t he r ibs a nd e xt end in g i nt o t he a bd om en . I

r em ove d wha t I c oul d of i t, b ut i t wa s hope le ss . I s ti tc he d t he c hi ld up .

I w as j us t f in is hi ng t he s ti tc he s a nd r ea ch in g f or a p ow de r t o s pr in kl e o n t he w ou nd w he n t he d oo r

burst open. A man stood there, dressed in good woolen garments with fur trim, a handsome, well-fed

m an w it h a t ou ch o f g ra y a t t he t em pl es . T he g ir l t ur ne d he r f ac e a wa y, a s ti ll f ro st ine ss u po n h er f ac e.

" Ca ra ?" h e s ai d. " Ca ra ?"

S he g es tur ed a t m e. I c on ti nu ed w it h my w or k. Th e ma n r ea che d ou t t o gr ab m y s hou lde r, a nd

H ua rd 's h ug e h and f la sh ed p as t m e t o c la mp up on h is w ri st . " Th e h ea le r i s b us y, " h e s ai d s of tl y. " Do n' t

bother her."

" The b oy i s m ine ," t he n ew co me r g ul pe d. " I h ave a r igh t— "

"To nothing," the girl interrupted.

" Ca ra , p le as e, " t he m an s ai d h el pl es sl y. " He al er , I 'l l p ay y ou r f ee s. J us t h el p t he b oy ."

" I 'm s or ry ," I s ai d. " Th e c hi ld i s b ey on d m y h el p. "



T he re wa s a l ong s il enc e. " Ar e t he re o the r d oc tor s w ho c ou ld he lp? " t he m an s ai d a t l as t.

I 'm a lwa ys r el uc ta nt t o d es tr oy a ll h ope . A nd w e k no w s o l it tl e. P er ha ps t he re w as a h ea le r

s om ew here w ho k new h ow t o h al t t he g ro wt h o f t hese v or acio us enemi es w it hi n t he b od y. B ut t hi s chi ld

h ad a f ew w ee ks , p er ha ps on ly a f ew da ys . " Pe rh ap s s om ew he re t he re m ay be a do ct or w ho c oul d h el p

yo ur s on, " I s ai d. " The re a re t hos e wh o he al by m agi c. I 've he ar d t ha t The y a re a bl e t o gui de a nd di re ctt he b od y' s o wn h ea li ng p ow er s w it h t he ir s pe ll s a nd b y t he p ow er s o f t he ir m in ds . P er ha ps o ne o f t ho se

could help him."

T he g ir l l oo ke d u p a t m y f ac e. " Yo u d on 't b el ie ve t ha t. Y ou 'r e j us t t ry in g t o g iv e u s h op e, a re n' t

y ou ? Y ou t hi nk h e' s g oi ng t o d ie."

I n od de d w ea ri ly . " Bu t I 'm o nl y a w an de ri ng h er b d oc to r, " I s ai d. " I d on 't k no w e ve ry th in g. "

" Do yo u know o f s uc h a ma gi ca l he al er ?" t he ma n a ske d.

I s ho ok m y h ea d. " I' ve m et m an y w ho c la im ed t he p ow er s, b ut t he y w er e a ll c ha rl at an s. I 'v e n ev er

m et o r e ve n k no wn a ny on e w ho h ad m et a t .r ue s pe ll d oc to r. " I h es it at ed . " Hu ar d, y ou 'v e t ra ve le d

w id el y, h av en 't y ou ? D o y ou k no w o f o ne ?"

" No . I 'v e he ar d o f t he m, bu t t he s tor ie s n ev er s ay w he re t he y' re t o be f ou nd ."

"W ha t c an w e d o? " t he g ir l a sk ed .

" Ma ke h im c om fo rt ab le . T he p ai n m ay b e q ui te b ad , t ow ar d t he l as t. I 'l l g iv e y ou e no ug h p op py

s yr up t o l as t— as l on g a s h e' s g ot . I 'm s or ry ."

"C ar a, " t he ma n s aid, " br in g hi m t o my hou se . Le t m e t ake c ar e of hi m. And you."

S he l oo ke d a t h im s co rn fu ll y. " An d w ha t w ou ld A un t I la s ay ? S he w as r ea dy e no ug h t o c as t m e o ff

w he n I w as f ou nd t o b e p re gn an t. "

The m an m ad e a p as si ona te m ove me nt . " I do n' t c ar e w ha t s he s ays . H e' s m y s on a s w el l a s y ou rs .

H er e. " H e y an ke d a p ur se f ro m h is b el t a nd t hr us t i t b li nd ly a t H ua rd . " Pl ea se c om e h om e w it h m e,

Cara."

S he d is da in ed t o a ns we r. H e s tu mb le d a s h e t ur ne d a wa y. " Yo u c an' t t ak e c ar e of t he b oy b yy ou rs el f, " I s ai d q ui et ly , m ot iv at ed b y I k ne w n ot w ha t; t he m an s ur el y d es er ve d e ve ry m ot e o f p ai n a nd

r ej ec ti on t ha t c am e h is w ay , y et t he g ir l a nd h er s on —t he ir s on —n ee de d s he lt er a nd h el p a nd g oo d f oo d.

S he bi t he r l ip . " Un cl e Ke l! " s he c al le d o ut . T he ma n s topp ed i n t he do or . " We 'l l c ome . J us t

u nt il —u nt il i t' s o ve r. " H e t ur ne d, a nd a s s he b un dl ed u p t he c hi ld , I g av e t he m an a b ot tl e o f p op py s yr up .

" On e s po on fu l. W he n h e n ee ds i t, " I s ai d.

I n t he m ai n r oo m o f t he i nn , t he w hi sp er in g c he ck ed s ud de nl y a nd t he a ss em bl ed p op ul ac e o f t he

t ow n p ar te d b ef or e t he m a s t he y w al ke d t o t he d oo r.

H ua rd w as p ac ki ng u p t he m ed ic in e b ag . " Yo ur s up pe r w il l b e r ea dy i n h al f a n h ou r, " t he l an dl or d

said.



"I 'll go t o my room and was h up," I sa id. I had no a ppet ite for the promis ed me al, but I had t o at

l ea st m ak e a n a pp ea ra nc e o f e at in g, a nd H ua rd c ou ld b e c ou nt ed u po n t o f in is h w ha te ve r I c ou ld n' t e at .

I w as s cr ub bi ng a nd s cr ub bi ng a t m ys el f b ef or e t he w as hs ta nd w he n H ua rd c am e i n w it h t he

m ed icin e b ag . " El dr ie, t hi s p ur se i s f ul l o f g ol d, " h e s ai d, " Hey! A re y ou all r ig ht ?"

I t i s un pr of es si on al f or a he al er t o l et a c as e a ff ec t h er t oo de ep ly. I t i nt er fe re s w it h he r a bi li ty t o

he lp he r p at ie nt s, a nd i f i t ha ppe ns t oo of te n i t c an de st roy he r o wn he al th a nd pe ac e of mi nd. Ye t a ll I

c oul d t hi nk of wa s t he dyi ng c hi ld . A t l ea st t he re ha d a lwa ys be en a pl ac e fo r me a t my f at he r' s t abl e. I

w as hi s b as ta rd, b ut I w as a ck no wl ed ge d a nd n o o ne d ou bt ed t ha t h is p ro te ct io n e xt end ed t o m e a t l ea st

a s l on g a s m y m ot he r w as i n h is k ee pi ng . I f m y f at he r' s q ue en a nd m y r oy al h al f b ro th er s a nd S is te r h ad

t re at ed m e w it h c on te mp t, t he y h ad n ot d ar ed b e a ct iv el y c ru el . A nd n on e c ou ld s ay t ha t m y m ot he r h ad

g on e un kn ow in gl y t o h is be d; s he w as a w om an g ro wn w he n s he b ec am e h is m is tr es s.

T ha t p oo r g ir l— he r b et ra ye r w as h er o wn u nc le , a nd m ig ht h av e b ee n e xp ec te d t o p ro te ct a nd

c ar e f or he r, n ot t o s ed uc e he r a nd t he n pe rmi t hi s wi fe t o c as t he r out . T he c hi ld— he m ight ha ve di edw it h n o o ne k no wi ng h is f at he r, d ea d o f n eg le ct l ik e a n u nw an te d k it te n. A nd e ve n I , I w ho o f a ll p eo pl e

c ou ld u nd er st an d h is c ir cu ms ta nc e, h ad b ee n u na bl e t o h el p h im . T he re w er e t ea rs o n m y f ac e, a nd I w as

s ha ki ng a s i f w it h a n a gu e.

" Here, n ow ," H uar d r emo ns tr at ed , h is v oi ce r ou gh ly g en tl e. " Here, n ow . Y ou d id t he b es t y ou

c ou ld . Y ou w er e m ag ni fi ce nt . I 'v e n eve r s ee n a ny th in g l ik e i t, a nd I 'v e s ee n a l ot o f h ea le rs a t w or k i n m y

time."

" It w as n' t g oo d e no ug h, " I s ai d b it te rl y.

" So meti mes n ot hi ng 's g oo d eno ug h, " h e s ai d s im pl y. " Yo u s it d ow n. I 'l l b e r ig ht b ack. "

He hur rie d out of the r oom. I c ontinued t o sc rub a t my ha nds; when he c ame bac k, he put the

bottles he had brought down, pushed a towel into my raw hands, and sat me down on the bed.

" Dr in k t hi s, " h e s ai d f ir ml y, r em ov in g t he t ow el , h an di ng m e a cup and s it ti ng d ow n i n t he r oo m' s

o nl y chair . " Go ahead , d ri nk i t. "

I t oo k a n i nc au ti ou s s wa ll ow a nd n ea rl y c ho ke d. I t w as d is ti ll ed s pi ri ts . I s el do m d ra nk w in e o r

e ve n b ee r; t he y w er e t oo e xp en si ve . " Dr in k u p, " H ua rd e nc ou ra ge d. " It 'l l d o y ou g oo d. " H e s ip pe d a t h is

o wn c up a nd p ou re d m or e i nt o m in e. O be di en tl y, I d ra nk , a nd h e r ef il le d t he c up a ga in . A nd I b eg an t ot al k, a g us h o f w or ds l ik e w in e f ro m a b ro ke n b ot tl e. Q ui te w it ho ut i nt en di ng t o d o s o, a nd w it ho ut h is

h av in g a sk ed a s in gl e q ue st io n, I p ou re d t he w ho le s to ry o f m y b ir th a nd c hi ld ho od o ut t o h im . H e

listened silently, his expression neither surprised nor disbelieving, and filled my cup whenever I emptied it,

I wa s dr un k a nd I k ne w i t, bu t s uc h wa s t he f or ce of hi s pe rs ona li ty t ha t I dr ank j us t be ca us e h e w il le d i t.

I w as b ab bl in g o f t hi ng s t ha t c ou ld b e o f n o p os si bl e i nt er es t t o h im , t ha t h e p ro ba bl y w ou ld n' t e ve n

believe. I knew that too, but there seemed to be no way to rein in my unruly tongue.

" Th er e w as n ot hi ng f or m e t o d o t he re ," I f in is he d. " My e xi st en ce w as a n e mb ar ra ss me nt t o t he

k in g. S o I l ef t. I a pp re nt ic ed m ys el f t o a n i ti ne ra nt p hy si ci an b ec aus e I l ik ed t he wa yf ar in g l if e a nd I l ik ed

t o f ee l t ha t s om eo ne n ee de d m e, a nd I 'v e b ee n w an de ri ng e ve r s in ce ."

"I s ee ," Hua rd s ai d ne ut ra ll y. I s tr ove t o f oc us my bl ur ry vi si on on hi s f ac e t o s ee i f t he re w as

de ri si on t he re , bu t he w as on ly a bl ob t o m e. " Ou r s up pe r' s r ea dy . Co me on, l et 's ge t s om et hi ng t o e at ."



W it h h is h and f ir ml y un de r m y e lb ow , I w as a bl e t o w al k w it h d ig ni ty t o t he t ab le i n t he m ai n r oo m,

w he re a f ea st o f s ou p, r oa st c hi ck en , f re sh ly b ak ed b re ad , g re en s w it h b ac on , a nd s al ad w ai te d f or u s.

W it h H ua rd 's ur gi ng, I a te a l it tl e o f e ac h d is h, t ho ug h I a da ma nt ly r ef us ed t he w in e. H is a pp et it e m or e

than made up for mine, I was ple as ed t o s ee. By t he e nd of t he me al , I wa s consider ably more s ober . Or

s o I t ho ug ht u nt il I c ou ld n' t s ta nd u p. H ua rd w al ke d a ro un d t he t ab le , p ic ke d m e u p w it h s uc h c as ua l

a pl om b t ha t on e wo ul d s uppos e he w as i n t he ha bi t of c ar ryi ng m e t o be d e ve ry ni ght , a nd bor e meaway. I fel l a sle ep even as he put me down on my be d and drew the blanket over me.

W he n I a wo ke t he n ex t m or ni ng , I h ad r eg ai ne d s om e o f m y c ar ef ul ly c ul ti va te d o bj ec ti vi ty . I w as

s ad de ne d b y t he c hi ld 's i mp en di ng d ea th , b ut t he re w er e a lw ay s p at ie nt s w ho d ie d. I m ig ht s av e t he n ex t

one a s I ha d m any ot he rs i n th e pa st . T he gui lt of hi s de ath wa s not on m y a cc ount , nor ye t t ha t of hi s

f at he r. I t w as n' t a ny on e' s f au lt . A nd i f I h ad n' t h ap pe ne d a lo ng , h is d yi ng w ou ld h av e b ee n a d ea l m or e

painful. My maudlin fit of the evening before had done its cathartic work, and though I usually didn't go

aro un d r ev eali ng m y r oy al p ar en tage t o s tr an gers —f or o ne t hi ng , t hey n ev er b el ieved m e— no h ar m h ad

c ome of i t.

T he re w as s un s tr ea mi ng i n t he w in do w. T ha t a lo ne w as e no ug h t o l if t m y s pi ri ts , a nd I o pe ne d t he

w in do w t o b re at he t he c le an s pr in g a ir . G la nc in g d ow n i nt o t he c ou rt ya rd , I n ot ic ed t ha t H ua rd w as

a lr ea dy u p a nd a bo ut , c ha tt in g w it h a p ac k- tr ai n m as te r. E ve n a s I w at ch ed h e h an de d t he m an a f la t

packet and turned away, glancing up at my window.

" Wh o w er e yo u t al ki ng t o t hi s m or ni ng? " I a sk ed a s w e s at do wn t o a go od b re ak fa st o f br ea d a nd

c he es e a nd s ma ll b ee r.

" A m er ch an t p as si ng t hr ou gh ," H uard ans wered. " I w as i nq ui ri ng abo ut w ar m d ry cli mates and

friendly people."

"And?"

"T he re a re p le nt y o f w ar m d ry c li ma te s. F ri en dl y p eo pl e a re a b it r ar er ."

" Wh at d id y ou g iv e h im ?"

" A m ap o f m y o wn t ravels . I nf or mati on i s a f ai r t rade f or i nf or mati on ."

I t h ad n' t l ook ed l ik e a m ap t o m e. B ut I f or eb or e t o c omm ent . I t w as n' t a ny o f m y b us ine ss , a ft er

all.

Tha nks to t he gol d, we we re a bl e t o purc has e a fe w s uppl ies , a nd the pac ks on t he poni es we re a

bit plumper as we set out for the winding trail that climbed over the pass in the coastal range. I rode in

f ro nt o f H ua rd u nt il w e r ea ch ed t he be gi nn in g o f t he a sc en t. F or o ne t hi ng , I d id n' t w an t t o a rg ue w it h hi m

a bout i t in fr ont of t he f olk of the vi ll age. Be si des , I kne w he wa s qui te c apa bl e of t hr owi ng me up a s he

h ad t he d ay b ef or e. B ut w he n t he t ra il s te ep en ed , I i ns is te d o n g et ti ng d ow n a nd l ea di ng t he w ay w it h

W hi te no se a nd G ra yl eg s, w hos e s ur ef oo te dn es s I k ne w a nd t rus te d. I h ad a s pe ll t o k ee p u s s af e on

perilous trails, of course, but I've often noticed that the main value of such charms is to give their user

c on fi de nc e; I u se d t he m b ut r el ie d o n c om mo n s en se a nd c au ti on m or e. W he n t he d ro p- of f o n t he r ig ht

s ide of t he t ra il go t h igh e nou gh t o be da ng er ous , a nd t he r oc ks b ega n t o r ol l a nd c la tt er of f t he e rode d

t rail i nt o t he b lu e- hazed r av in es b el ow , H uard j oi ned m e o n t he g ro un d.

T he re w as n o b re at h f or t al ki ng. U p a nd u p t he t ra il r os e, a nd t he hi gh er w e g ot , t he f ar th er ba ck



w e c li mb ed t hr ou gh t he s ea so ns . A t l en gt h w e r ea ch ed t he c ru st ed s no w o f w in te r, a nd t he p on ie s

breathed great plumes of steam. I wasn't cold; the labor of climbing in the thin air kept me sweating. My

e ar s r an g a nd m y c he st a ch ed . T he re w as a m et al li c t as te i n m y m ou th . T he t ra il w as a lm os t o bs cu re d b y

a s of t bl anke t of ne w s now; r ai n i n the va lle y ha d be en s now up he re . I pa us ed, w ipi ng my s wea ty

f or ehe ad a nd s qu int ing u p t he t ra il . U p t he re , i t c lun g t o a v er ti gi no us m oun ta in f ac e, a nd t he l as t I c oul d

s ee o f i t, i t w as s ti ll c li mb in g, m il es ( it s ee me d) a bov e u s.

W hi te nos e w as pr ic ki ng h is e ar s a nd s ta ri ng up t he t ra il . I ha d l ea rne d o ve r t he y ea rs t o t ru st hi s

k een s en ses; h e w as t he m or e act iv e and i nt el li gent o f t he t wo p on ies and G rayl eg s u su al ly f ol lo wed h is

l ea d. T he re w as s om et hi ng u p t he re t ha t d is tu rb ed h im , b ut h e s ho we d n o r el uc ta nc e t o m ov e o n w he n I

a ske d i t o f hi m. He w oul d ha ve be en mor e ne rvou s i f he ha d c aug ht t he s ce nt of a pr eda to r. S ti ll , t he re

w as s om et hi ng u p t here.

I t ur ne d a nd s ho ut ed t hr ou gh t he t hi n a ir t o H ua rd , " Wh it en os e s me ll s o r h ea rs s om et hi ng o n t he

trail ahead."

H e n od ded, h is chest h eavi ng h ug el y. " I' ll w at ch ," h e cal led b ack.

U p a nd u p w e c li mb ed , e ve ry l ea de n s te p t ak in g a n e ff or t, t he p on ie s p ic ki ng t he ir f ee t u p h ig h a s

t he y w ad ed t hr ou gh s no w t o t he ir k ne es . M y f ee t w er e g et ti ng c ol d. W hi te no se w as s ti ll l oo ki ng u p t he

t rail , b lo wi ng n er vo us ly . T he t rail n ar ro wed f ar th er and t he cli ff clo sed i n o n t he l ef t. O nce m y n um b f oo t

s li pp ed i n t he s no w a nd w en t o ve r t he e dg e o n t he r ig ht ; i t d an gl ed h ea rt st op pi ng ly o ve r a t ho us an d- fo ot

d ro p w hi le W hi teno se s en si bl y h al ted and p lant ed h is f eet again st t he s ud den t ug o n h is l ead r op e.

" El dr ie! A re y ou all r ig ht ?" H uard cal led f ro m b eh in d m e.

I c li mbe d c are ful ly t o my f ee t. "I 'm f ine ," I c al le d ba ck, a nd w e w ent on.

P resent ly H uard cal led, " Lo ok d ow n! T hat m us t b e w hat y ou r p on y s mell ed !"

I p ee re d ov er t he e dg e. T he re , f ar be low , s pr aw le d o n t he r oc ks a t t he v er ge o f a b ra wl ing

m ou nt ai n s tr ea m, w er e t he s ti ll c or ps es o f t hr ee m en . T he re w as n o q ue st io n o f c li mb in g d ow n t o t he m,

n or a ny r ea so n t o. T he y m igh t h av e f al le n i n t he s to rm s o f l as t a ut um n a nd b ee n p re se rv ed t hr ou gh t he

w int er by t he c ol d. Or p er ha ps t he c or ps es w er e f re sh er . I n e it he r c as e, w e w oul d be r is ki ng o ur l iv es f or

n ot hi ng t o g o d ow n t he re . T he e ag le s a nd w ol ve s w ou ld b e t he ir u nd er ta ke rs .

W hi te nos e b al ke d s udd en ly , a nd I w as n ea rl y j er ke d do wn b y t he s ud de n p ul l o n t he l ea d r ope . I t

s ave d my l if e. A hai ry, ra gged ma n l ea pe d out of a ni che i n the c li ff f ace , j abbi ng wit h a shor t pi ke a t the place I had been a second before. I heard a roar and a clang behind me, and knew that Huard too had

been attacked. I dragged my sword out, dropping the lead rope. The bandit recovered clumsily from his

a bo rt iv e l un ge , t ur ni ng t o c om e a t m e a ga in , a nd I c ou ld s ee o th er w il d s ha pe s r un ni ng d ow n t he p at h. I

d ef le ct ed t he p ik e a nd s wu ng a t t he m an 's f or ea rm . H e s hr an k a wa y f ro m t he b lo w, b ut i t m ar ke d h im

a ny wa y, a nd h e s qu ea le d a nd d ro pp ed t he p ik e. T he n ex t m an s ho ve d h im r ud el y a si de a nd r an a t m e.

O n t hi s n ar ro w t ra il , t he a tt ac ke rs c ou ld c om e a t me o nl y on e a t a t ime , a nd m y s ki ll a t we apon ry

w as f ar s up er io r t o t he ir s. H ad I b ee n a lo ne , I a ss ur ed ly w ou ld h av e j oi ne d t ho se s ti ll f ig ur es f ar b el ow ;

w it h H ua rd a t m y b ac k, I w as n ot g re at ly f ri gh te ne d. A nd t he b an di ts t he ms el ve s s oo n r ea li ze d t ha t

h av in g l os t t he adv an tage o f s ur pr is e t hey h ad l it tl e chance o f h ar mi ng u s, f or t hey d rew o ff , w it h h oo ti ng

c al ls f ro m on e gr ou p t o t he ot he r. I ki ck ed t he pi ke o ve r t he e dge a nd i t b ou nc ed a nd c la tt er ed do wn t he

m ou nt ai n t o l ie b es id e t he f or mer v icti ms o f t he b an di ts .



S wor d i n ha nd , I ga th er ed u p t he l ea d r op e a nd m ove d o n u p t he t ra il . I t w as i mp er at ive t ha t w e

k ee p g oi ng . I n a dd it io n t o t he p er il s o f c ol d a nd a lt it ud e, n ow w e h ad h um an f oe s t o c on te nd w it h. N ig ht

m us t n ot c at ch u s i n t he se h ei gh ts a nd o n t he se n ar ro w t ra il s. I n t he d ar k, w e w ou ld b e h el pl es s a ga in st

m en w ho w er e f am il ia r w it h t he t er ra in . A nd t he re w as n o q ue st io n o f g oi ng b ac k. T he t ra il w as t oo

n ar ro w f or e ve n t he p on ie s t o t ur n a ro un d, n ev er m in d t he e no rm ou s h or se .

A q ui ck g la nc e o ve r m y s ho ul de r s ho we d H ua rd , u nh ur t. H e h ad s en t t he b ig g el di ng o n b ef or eh im —I h ad n o i de a h ow h e h ad g ot te n p as t t he h or se —a nd w as b ri ng in g u p t he r ea r, c la ym or e i n h an d. I

gr iml y s et mys el f t o t he f as te st pa ce I c oul d ma na ge . T he t ra il ha d ye t to c re st out a nd the re w as s ti ll t he

d es ce nt o n t he f ar s id e t o m ak e.

O ccas io nall y, I h eard t he h oo ti ng cal ls o f t he m ou nt ai neer s, and I d iv id ed m y att en ti on b et ween m y

f oo ti ng o n t he s li pp er y t rail and a w ar y alert ness t o m or e p os si bl e amb us hes. W hi teno se f li ck ed h is ear s

a t t he c al ls , bu t s how ed no m or e un ea se a bout t he t ra il , a nd I pu she d o n, s tr ivi ng t o f or ce e ve r m or e

s peed o ut o f m y f lagg in g b od y.

T in y r ed a nd b la ck f le ck s w er e c ra wl in g a bo ut t he e dg es o f m y v is io n a nd m y b re at h w as a b ur ni ngw ei gh t i n t he m id dl e o f m y c he st w he n I r ea li ze d t ha t I wa s no l onge r c li mbi ng, b ut w al ki ng on l eve l

ground. Nor was I hemmed in by a cli ff on the one ha nd and empty blue air on the ot her. I stopped a nd

l ook ed a rou nd. A w hi te pe ak r os e o nl y a f ew h un dr ed f ee t a bove me ; t he g rou nd s lop ed u p t o a g en tl e

s ad dl e whe re I s to od wi th m y f ee t i n t he s now , a nd t o t he no rt h wa s a t ra ck le ss j um bl e of r ang e u pon

r an ge o f m ou nt ai ns . I c ou ld s ee t he e ag le s s oa ri ng b el ow m e a mo ng t ho se p ea ks . T he s un w as s li di ng

d ow n t he s ky i n t he w es t, f ar t oo r ap id ly f or m y c om fo rt . T he o nl y s ou nd s w er e t he h ea vi ng b re at hs o f

t he po ni es a nd t he k ee ni ng o f t he t hi n w in d a mo ng t he r oc ks .

W he re w as H ua rd ? A s f ar a s s ig ht or s ou nd w as c onc er ne d, I m igh t h av e b ee n a lo ne h er e o n t he

r oof of t he w or ld . H e ha d be en r ig ht be hi nd m e t he l as t t im e I l ook ed. Ha d h e be en a mb us he d a nd I h ad

w al ke d o ff a nd n ev er n ot ic ed ? I d ro pp ed t he l ea d r op e— th e p on ie s w ou ld b e g la d e no ug h t o s ta y w he ret he y we re f or a f ew mi nut es —a nd t ur ne d t o go ba ck d ow n t he t ra il . I w as s top pe d b y t he di st ant r ing of

i ro n- sh od h oo ves o n t he r ocks . P resent ly t he b ig g el di ng h eaved h im self i nt o v iew, s team in g and b lo wi ng .

Huard was clinging doggedly to his tail.

G ra yl eg s w hi nn ie d a g re et in g a s t he g el di ng c am e u p t o u s a nd s to pp ed , h ug e h ea d h an gi ng l ow ,

r ed -l in ed n os tr il s f la ri ng a s h e p an te d. H ua rd l et g o o f t he t ai l, s ta gg er ed a f ew f ee t f or wa rd , a nd f el l t o h is

knees.

H or ri fi ed , I r us he d t o h im , o pe ni ng m y m ed ic in e b ag . " Wh er e a re y ou h ur t? " I d em an de d. " Ho w

bad is it?"

H e s ho ok h is h ea d, g ul pi ng i n g re at r ag ge d b re at hs . " Th is i s n o t im e t o b e m od es t, " I s co ld ed ,

pulling at his shirt. "Did your wound reopen or did the bandits mark you?"

He s hoo k h is he ad a ga in a nd p us he d m y ha nd s a wa y.

I s at ba ck on m y he el s a nd gl ar ed a t hi m i n e xa spe ra ti on. " I' m j us t t ryi ng t o he lp you, " I s ai d.

H e n od ded. " N ot — hu rt — " h e g asp ed b etw een b reath s. " J us t —w i nd ed. "

" Oh ," I s ai d. " Yo u s ho ul dn 't o ve rd o a t t he se a lt it ud es . I f ee l i t t oo ."

" H ad t o —k eep u p— wi t h y ou ."



I s ho ok m y h ea d i n e xa sp er at io n. " I' ll f ix s om e t ea ," I s ai d. " We c an 't s ta y l on g, t ho ug h. I t' s n ot

mor e t ha n a n hour t o s undown a nd we have t o be down from he re be fore da rk. No, just s it ther e a nd

c at ch y ou r b re at h. I 'v e g ot e no ug h s ti ck s i n m y p ac k t o h ea t s om e w at er ."

I c le ar ed t he s now a wa y a nd bui lt a l it tl e f ir e, s et ti ng s om e s now t o me lt . W hi le t he w at er h ea te d, I

g av e t he p on ie s e ac h a d ou bl e h an df ul o f t he g ra in I ha d p ur ch as ed i n t he v il la ge , a nd t he h or se t wi cet ha t. T he w at er b oi le d b ef or e i t w as r ea ll y h ot , t ho ug h, a p he no me no n I h ad n ot ic ed b ef or e a t g re at

a lt it ud es . I s ti rr ed a g oo d h el pi ng o f s ug ar i nt o t he s te am in g t ea a nd g av e s om e t o H ua rd . H e g ul pe d t he

w ar m l iq ui d e ag er ly , a s d id I ; w e w er e b ot h t hi rs ty .

" Res te d now? " I as ke d a s I s tore d a wa y the pa n a nd the mugs .

" No , bu t I 'm r ea dy t o g o on. H ave a l it tl e m er cy o n a f la tl and er , t hough ."

Huar d, I rea liz ed, had a lot more bulk to haul up the t rai l than I did, a nd he was probably l es s us ed

t o w al ki ng . T he h or se , t oo , w ei gh ed a s m uc h a s b ot h m y p on ie s w it h a t hi rd f or g oo d m ea su re . " It 's a lldownhill from here," I said encouragingly.

T he w es te rn s lo pe o f t he m ou nt ai n w as w il de r t ha n t he e as te rn . T he t ra il w as w id er a nd l es s

precipitous, but we dropped quickly down into a maze of gorges and canyons. The low scrub that grew

a f ew hu ndr ed f ee t b el ow t he c re st s ee me d t o g ro w h ig he r a nd d ar ke r w it h e ve ry s te p w e t oo k. S oo n t he

s pr uc es b eg an t o c lo se a ro un d t he t ra il , u nt il i n p la ce s w e a ct ua ll y h ad t o p re ss b et we en t he l im be r,

r os in -s cen ted b ranches. T he t rail t wi st ed and d ou bl ed b ack, and s om et im es w e f ou nd o ur selv es g oi ng

e as t a nd nor th a nd s ou th t o ge t w es t. I t t ook t he c lo se st a tt ent io n t o s py out t he t ra il ; a t e ve ry t ur ni ng

g or ges w an dered o ff t hi s w ay and t hat, m an y w it h d as hi ng l it tl e w hi tewater s tr eams i n t hem. A t l east h er e

t he s no w w as m el te d e ve ry wh er e b ut o n t he n or th s id es a nd i n s ha dy s po ts .

A s t he s un w ent d ow n t he a ir be ga n t o gr ow c ol de r: Th er e w oul d b e a h ar d f ros t be for e mo rn ing , I

t ho ug ht . P er haps t hat w ou ld k eep t he b an di ts h ud dl ed aro un d t hei r f ir es. I h ad b een app rehens iv e s in ce

we ha d e nt er ed t hi s m az e. I c ou ldn' t ha ve i ma gi ne d a be tt er s po t f or a n a mbus h. Bu t t he re wa s no s ou nd

o th er t ha n t he s ig hi ng o f t he w in d i n t he t wi st ed b ra nc he s o f t he t re es . W e h ad n' t h ea rd t he h oo ts o f t he

bandits since coming over the crest.

W he n i t gr ew s o d ar k t ha t i t wa s ha rd t o s ee o ur f oo ti ng , H ua rd c al le d up t o m e, " Be tt er b e l oo ki ng

ou t f or a pl ac e t o c am p! W e wo ul dn' t wa nt t o w al k ov er a c li ff i n t he da rk! " I wa ve d a cq ui es ce nc e a nd

t ur ne d o ff t he p at h, w ea vi ng m y w ay t hr ou gh t he s pr uc es , h er e i nt er sp er se d w it h a f ew l of ty f ir s. I w as

c ar ef ul t o l ea d o ur l it tl e t ra in b et we en p at ch es o f s no w s o a s t o a vo id l ea vi ng t ra ck s. A s I h ad t ho ug ht ,t he i ncli ne r os e and t hen d ip ped d ow nw ar d again . O ne o f t he l it tl e s tr eams s pl as hed n oi si ly o ver t he

r oc ks a t t he f oo t o f t he s lop e; o n t he op pos it e s ide wa s a w ide f la t s he lf wi th t he s pr ac es gr ow ing c los e

abo ut i t— a p er f ect cam ps it e.

W e ha rd ly s pok e a s Hu ar d a ppl ie d h im se lf t o c ar in g f or t he s to ck a nd I pr ep ar ed a s im pl e me al

f ro m t he s up pl ie s I h ad b ou gh t b el ow . W e a te s ou p, r ic e a nd r ai si ns , a nd s hi p' s b re ad h un gr il y, w it h g re at

dr af ts of he rb te a. I t wa s da rk by t he n, a nd I wa s a ll owi ng t he f ir e t o di e do wn—no poi nt l ight ing t he wa y

t o ou r hi di ng pl ac e w it h a be ac on . I t c on ti nu ed t o g et c ol de r, a nd I kn ew t ha t our be dr ol ls wo ul d b e

i na de qu at e t o k ee p u s w ar m. E xh au st ed a s w e w er e, t oo p ro fo un d a c hi ll in g c ou ld b e d an ge ro us . T he re

w as a n o bv io us s ol ut io n, b ut I h es it at ed t o s ug ge st i t, l es t I b e m is un de rs to od .

I w as s hi ve ri ng , h ud dl in g c lo se r a nd c lo se r t o t he d yi ng e mb er s o f t he c am pf ir e. I t w as n ec es sa ry t o

s pe ak, a nd i f H ua rd a ss ume d t ha t I w as we lc omi ng h is a dva nc es by s o do ing, t ha t w oul d h ave t o be de al t



w it h. " Hu ar d, " I s ai d f ir ml y, " I' m a fr ai d t ha t i t w il l b e ne ce ss ar y f or u s t o s ha re ou r b la nke ts t on ig ht . I t' s

g oi ng t o b e b it te rl y c ol d a nd w e d ar en 't k ee p t he f ir e g oi ng . T ha t' s a ll I 'm s ug ge st in g, t ho ug h. D o y ou

understand?"

" I un de rs ta nd. Y ou wa nt t o s le ep wi th m e, but yo u don 't wa nt m e t o t hi nk t ha t y ou w ant m e t o

m ak e l ov e t o y ou ." T he v oi ce e ma na te d f ro m a f ea tu re le ss b la ck h ul k, m or e s en se d t ha n s ee n i n t he

s ha do w b en ea th t he s pr uc es . B ut t he t on e w as r ea so na bl e.

" Ex actl y, " I s ai d, r el ieved at t he q ui ck ness o f h is u nd er st an di ng . " Ar e y ou w il li ng t o s hare y ou r

blankets under those conditions?"

" I w as wo nde ri ng how t o s ugge st i t t o you t ac tf ul ly. A nd h ow t o l et you know t ha t you' re a s s af e i n

m y b ed t on ig ht a s y ou w er e i n y ou r c ra dl e. I 'm t oo t ir ed a nd t oo a lt it ud e- si ck t o b e i nt er es te d i n a ny th in g

but sleeping warm, myself."

I c hu ckl ed. " Me , t oo . V er y w el l, t he n, l et 's g o t o b ed ."

" Ju st a m in ut e, " h e s ai d. T ak in g t he s ho ve l f ro m m y p ac k, h e s pr ea d t he r em na nt s o f t he f ir e o ut

ov er a n a re a a bout s eve n f ee t b y f ou r. T hi s he c ove re d w it h t he di rt t ha t h ad be en t ha we d by t he he at o f

t he f ir e, a nd t he n wi th a l aye r of s pr ing y s pr uc e t wi gs . Ov er t hi s h e s pr ea d bot h b edr ol l c ov er s a s a

d ou bl e g ro un d c lo th , a nd t he n b ot h s et s o f b la nk et s. T he r es ul t, I f ou nd , w he n I h ad p re pa re d f or b ed

a nd c ra wl ed i n ne xt t o hi m, wa s as s of t and coz y as t he f ine st bed i n the be st i nn i n the c it y. The li nger ing

w ar mt h o f t he f ir e r ad iated u pw ar d, t he h ug e w ar m b od y n ex t t o m in e p ro vi ded n ot o nl y p hy si cal w ar mt h

but the comfort of companionship, and I fell into a dreamless sleep before I could suggest keeping a

watch.

C h apt er T h ree

I AWOKEBRIEFLY s ome ti me i n the night . The wei ght of a n ar m l ay ac ross me , t he re wa s a

s te ad y s us ur ra ti on o f b re at h n ea r m y e ar , a nd o ut si de o ur s nu g w ra pp in g o f b la nk et s i t w as s o c ol d t ha t

t he t op bl ank et c ra ckl ed w it h f ro st w he n I ne st le d l ow er . I s ighe d a nd s ank ba ck i nt o a w ar m d ar k po ol

o f s l eep.

I t w as b on e- ac hi ng c ol d w he n I a wo ke . H ua rd s ti ll s lu mb er ed p ea ce fu ll y b es id e m e. I s li pp ed o utof t he bed and made a fire i n rec ord time. By t he ti me Hua rd woke, t he s toc k had bee n fe d, t he fi re was

blazing merrily (and, as I had been careful to choose dry knots, smokelessly), and breakfast was

bubbling away.

I l ook ed u p w he n I h ea rd a s ti rr in g, t o s ee H ua rd 's h ea d e me rgi ng f ro m u nd er t he b la nke ts . H e

ya wne d a nd l ooke d a rou nd ; a bi g gr in s pr ea d o ve r h is f ac e a s h e s aw m e wo rki ng a bou t t he f ir e. He

s tr et ch ed c on te nt ed ly a nd I s mi le d t o m ys el f a s I w at ch ed t he p or ri dg e s im me r. H ua rd h ad d on e h is s ha re

a nd m or e s in ce w e h ad t ak en u p t og et he r; l et h im e nj oy a f ew m om en ts o f l ux ur io us l az in es s.

By t he t im e t he f ra gr an t t ea w as b re we d a nd t he m ea t p or ri dge c oo ke d, H ua rd w as a t t he f ir e,

s cr at ch in g h is b ri st ly chi n. " Is i t all r ig ht i f I h eat u p s om e w at er f or s havi ng ?"

" Pl ease d o, " I s ai d, f il li ng o ur m ug s w it h t ea and g iv in g h im t he emp ty k et tl e.



T he l and ha d l ev el ed ou t e no ugh t ha t we w er e a bl e t o r ide t he s ec on d p ar t o f t he da y.

T er mo n- tain e, t he cou nt ry i nt o w hi ch w e w er e com in g, w as h ig her i n elevati on t han t he coast al l an ds o n

t he f ar s id e o f t he m ou nt ai ns . A l on g, n ar ro w v al le y b et we en t he c oa st al m ou nt ai ns o n t he e as t a nd t he

h ig h, r ug ged W il dern es s R an ge t o t he w es t, i t w as n ot or io us t hr ou gh ou t t he k no wn w or ld as t he r ichest

agr icul tu ral l an d, t he b al mi es t cli mate, and t he m os t p ro vi ncial f ol k o f all t he l an ds .

I t w as i nd eed b eaut if ul , f uzzed w it h t he g reen o f n ew ly p lant ed cro ps , s qu ar ed w it h m il e u po n m il e

of orderly farms with gleaming white-painted cottages and rambling barns.

" Th is l oo ks l ik e t he p la ce y ou w er e t al ki ng a bo ut ," H ua rd c om me nt ed , a s w e r od e d ow n a l an e

between fenced pastures and orchards.

" I k no w, b ut i t i sn 't ," I s ai d.

"Why not?"

" We ll , i t' s t oo t am e. I t' s— I d on 't k no w. D ul l. S ur el y t he y d on 't n ee d m e h er e. "

" Perh ap s y ou 'r e r ig ht ," h e con ceded. " Th e p eo pl e d on 't s eem v er y f ri en dl y, eit her. " T hi s w as t ru e.

T he p eo pl e w e m et , t ho ug h t he y w en t a bo ut u na rm ed a nd s ee me d w el l- fe d a nd w el l- dr es se d, s ta re d a t

u s w it h c lo se d, s us pi ci ou s e xp re ss io ns , o ft en t ur ni ng t o w at ch u s o ut o f s ig ht , a s i f t o m ake s ur e w e l ef t

their vicinity without stealing anything.

W e c am e t o a t ow n a t t he c on fl ue nc e o f t wo s pa rk li ng l it tl e r iv er s. T he p ea ce fu l b ea ut y o f t he

l an ds ca pe w as f ur th er t am ed h er e; a ll w as s pi c- an d- sp an c le an a nd t he re w as h ar dl y a ny s me ll o f h or se

m an ur e. T he s ew er s ys te m m us t h av e r un i n d ra in s b en ea th t he g ro un d, f or t he g ut te rs w er e c le an a nd

d ry . T al l s ym me tr ic al t re es s ha de d t he p av ed s tr ee ts , m ak in g a p le as an t f re sh g re en t un ne l t o r id e o r w al k through. The buildings were harmonious, decorated with carvings of growing plants and flowers, echoed

by spring irises, crocus, and daffodils that bloomed amid beds that gave promise of a profusion of

summer and fall color.

I t wa s gr ow ing l at e, a nd i t s ee me d a go od i de a t o f ind a n i nn f or t he ni ght . The re we re s ev er al a lo ng

t he w ide b oul eva rd t ha t g ave i nt o t he t own s qua re a nd m or e f ront ing on t he s qu ar e. The se I pa ss ed by a s

being too elaborate and therefore no doubt expensive. The mean and shabby inns on the outskirts of

t ow n I a vo id ed a s b ei ng p ro ba bl y h au nt s o f t he c ri mi na l e le me nt s. I c ho se o ne t ha t s ee me d r es pe ct ab ly

middle-class.

N o ho st le rs c am e f or wa rd t o t ake o ur h or se s a s w e r od e i nt o t he s ta bl e y ar d, t ho ug h s eve ra l m en

d ress ed as s uch f un ct io nari es w ou ld b e w er e w or ki ng abo ut . " Yo u s tay w it h t he ani mals ," I t ol d H uard .

" I' ll g o i n and s ee abo ut acco mm od at io ns .' '

H e b ri st le d a l it tl e u nd er t he i ns ol en t s ta re s o f t he w or ke rs . " Al l r ig ht . W at ch y ou rs el f, " h e s ai d.

I s tr ol le d i nt o t he i nn. The re wa s a mod es t l obby, l ea di ng t o a publ ic r oom on t he l ef t a nd of fi ce s

a nd s ta ir s on t he r ig ht . T he c le rk a t t he c oun te r i gno re d me un ti l I s tr ode f or wa rd a nd r app ed on t he

d es k. " Yes?" h e s ai d, l oo ki ng m e u p and d ow n and o bv io us ly f in di ng m y p er so nal app earance w an ti ng .

I h ad l on g a go l ea rn ed n ot t o t ak e u nn ec es sa ry u mb ra ge a t t he r ud e t re at me nt a ff or de d t ra ve le rs i n

s om e p la ce s, b ut m y l ef t ha nd c lu tc he d t ig ht ly on t he h il t o f m y s wo rd . " Ha ve y ou r oo ms t o r en t a nd

stabling for animals?" I asked.



" No t t o f or ei gn er s, " h e s ai d w it h a s ne er . " We 'r e a r es pe ct ab le h ou se h er e. O ur c li en ts a re e it he r

kn ow n t o u s or r ec om me nd ed by o ne w ho i s k no wn t o us ." He t ur ne d a wa y.

I r em ov ed m y o bj ec ti on ab le p re se nc e f ro m t he i nn a nd e xp la in ed t he s it ua ti on t o H ua rd . " It b ea ts

e ve ryt hi ng I e ve r h ea rd o f, " I s ai d. " An i nn t ha t w on 't t ak e y ou r m one y u nl es s t he y k now y ou !"

H ua rd s ho ok h is h ea d. " We 'l l t ry f ar th er a lo ng ," h e s ai d.

Ou r r ec ept io n wa s t he s ame i n a ll of t he m od es t i nns w e t ri ed . A ft er t wo mo re e xpe ri enc es t ha t

m ir ro re d t he f ir st , I s en t H ua rd i n. " You g o, " I s ai d. " If I 'm t re at ed l ik e t ra sh o ne m or e t im e, I m ay k il l

s om eo ne, and t here's p ro babl y a l aw again st g et ti ng b lo od o n t he s t reet ."

Fr om t he c ou rt ya rd i n f ro nt of t he i nn, I c ou ld s ee t he c oun te r w he re Hu ar d s po ke t o a c le rk t ha t

m us t h av e b ee n a b ro th er t o t he o th er t hr ee . I wa sn 't s ur pr is ed w he n h e l ea ne d a cr os s t he c oun te r,

g at hered u p t he m an 's s hi rt f ro nt , and l if ted h im o ne-h an ded r i gh t acr os s t he d es k, s cat teri ng p ap er s and

i nk j ar s a s h e d id . T he y h el d f ur th er e ar ne st c on ve rs e, a nd s om e o f t he i nn -y ar d w or ke rs s ta rt ed f or t hedoor.

"G en tl em en ," I s ai d q ui et ly , a nd l et t he m s ee t he n ak ed b la de i n m y h an d. " My f ri en d i s b us y. L et 's

n ot bo th er h im ." I d on' t t hi nk t he y w er e f ri gh te ne d o f m e; t he y g ogg le d, a s t hu nd er st ru ck a s i f o ne o f t he

ponies had spoken. They simply didn't know what to do about me. One of them gave a nervous laugh,

but choked it off uncompleted, and they shifted uncertainly from foot to foot and glanced back and forth

a t o ne a no th er .

" He re , w om an , p ut t ha t s wo rd d ow n, " t he o ld es t o ne b lu st er ed .

" Why don' t you c ome a nd ta ke i t a wa y fr om me ?" I a ske d s il ki ly, a lmo st hopi ng he woul d t ry i t. Ahe al er i s no t s up pos ed t o s ee k o ut a f ight , bu t I wa s f ed u p. T he m an w is el y d ec id ed n ot t o.

Just then Huar d c ame out and off er ed me a l eg up, and I put my s wor d in it s sc abbar d a nd

s cr am bl ed abo ar d t he b ig g el di ng , H uard s wu ng u p b eh in d m e. " No ne o f t hese i nn s cat er t o f or ei gn er s, "

he told me as he reined the big horse out of the inn gate. "We'll have to go to dhe of the inns around the

green."

" We ll , i f we ha ve t o we ha ve t o," I s ai d. " We c an 't a ff or d t o s ta y l ong, t houg h. W ha t e ls e d id you

find out?"

" Yo u a re n' t g oi ng t o l ik e t hi s p ar t. "

" S om eh ow t hat d oesn 't s ur pr i se m e. W el l?"

" Si ng le w om en are n ot all ow ed i n t hi s l an d. "

"What?"

" Wo me n h av e n o l eg al r ig ht s a t a ll h er e. T he y a re t he p ro pe rt y o f t he ir h us ba nd s, a nd u nm ar ri ed

w om en s ta y a t h om e w it h t he ir p ar en ts , o r l ive w it h s om e m al e r el at iv e. W om en m ay o wn n o p ro pe rt y,

u se n o m on ey , f ol lo w a ny t ra de o r p ro fe ss io n, n or e ve n v en tu re o ut o n t he s tr ee ts a lo ne , a nd w he n t he y

do go o ut , t he y mus t s ta y a p rope r t hr ee pa ce s b ehi nd t he ir hus ba nd s. I 'm a ss ur ed t ha t no i nn i n t he l and

wi ll a dmi t you unl es s you pos e a s m y wi fe. And I don' t t hi nk I w as bei ng li ed t o, not a ft er I s hook t he



fellow a bit."

I w as s il en t, d ig es ti ng t he i mp li cati on s o f t hi s. T hen I l au gh ed . " Th os e s tabl eh an ds w er e ast ou nd ed

w he n I s ho we d t he m b ar e s te el . N o w on de r. "

Hu ar d l au gh ed t oo. " No w ond er i nd ee d. F ro m w ha t t he c le rk t ol d m e, w om en he re a re m ee k a s

mi ce . Why the y put up wi th it i s be yond me . I c an j ust ima gine what the women of my own pe ople woul ds ay i f t he ir m en t ri ed t o k ee p t he ir m on ey a nd p ro pe rt y f ro m t he m. A nd i f i t w er e s ug ge st ed t ha t t he y

w al k t hr ee s teps i n t he r ear— it d oesn 't b ear t hi nk in g o f! "

I g la nc ed a t t he s un . I t n ea rl y r es te d o n t he h or iz on . " Th er e i sn 't t im e t o r id e o ut o f t he c ul ti va te d

l an ds b ef or e d ar k. I s up po se d w e' ll h av e t o p la y- ac t f or t hi s o ne n ig ht ."

" I t hi nk s o. W ou ld y ou v er y m uc h m in d p re te nd in g t o w al k t hr ee p ac es i n t he r ea r? "

" Ye s, b ut I 'l l d o i t. I h op e wo me n a re a ll ow ed t o e at . I 'm s ta rv ed ."

" I' ll s ave you a c rus t f rom m y me al . A nd i f you' re ve ry good, I 'l l l et you us e m y ba thwa te r whe n I 'm

d on e w it h i t, " h e a ss ur ed m e s ol em nl y, a nd c hu ck le d w he n I t wi st ed a ro un d t o g la re a t h im .

Th e i nn i n t he s qu ar e w as t aw dr y a nd e la bo ra te , t he s or t of pl ac e w he re t he y c ha rg e y ou d ou bl e f or

h al f t he s er vi ce . B ut h os tl er s c am e f or wa rd t o t ak e t he a ni ma ls . I f ol lo we d H ua rd i nt o t he l ob by , m y

c loa k wr app ed a bou t me t o hi de m y r id in g c lo the s a nd t he we apo ns I c ar ri ed. Th e c le rk w as b y no

m ea ns p ol it e, b ut c on se nt ed t o r en t u s r oo ms —a dj oi ni ng r oo ms , a s w as p ro pe r.

" B es id es ," h e a dd ed , w it h a c on te mp tu ou s g la nc e a t m e, " yo u' ll w an t t o k ee p h er u nd er

s up er vi si on —s he h as a b ol d l oo k a bo ut h er ." I 'm s ur e m y k nu ck le s w er e w hi te a ro un d m y s wo rd h il t.

H uard g lanced i mp lo ri ng ly at m e. " Very w el l, w e' ll t ak e t he r oo ms ," h e s ai d. " We'l l w an t t o arr an ge

f or t wo b at hs , t oo, a nd f or a go od m ea l. "

T he c le rk s ni ff ed . " Al l o ur r oo ms h av e b at hs . W il l yo u e at i n t he r oom s w it h y ou r w if e o r s ho ul d

y ou p re fe r t o j oi n t he m as cu li ne c om pa ny d ow ns ta ir s? " H e l oo ke d p oi nt ed ly a t m e a s h e s ai d t hi s. I c ou ld

a lm os t h ea r hi m t hi nki ng t ha t i f he di dn 't pa ss me a h in t, I w ou ld ne xt be e xpe ct in g t o e at i n t he d in in g

room.

" I' ll e at i n t he r oo m, " H ua rd s ai d h as ti ly . T he c le rk p ro ce ed ed t o a rr an ge t he t im e f or t he m ea l, a nd

w e w er e l ed u ps ta ir s.

T he r oo ms q ui te s ur pa ss ed m y e xp ec ta ti on s. T he y w er e a lm os t w or th t he e xo rb it an t p ri ce w e p ai d.

T he y w er e s pa ci ous a nd a ir y, l ar ge e nou gh f or a d in in g t ab le a nd s of a a nd c ha ir i n e ac h w it hou t c ro wd in g

t he b ed . T he y l ook ed ou t ov er a pl ea sa nt ga rd en , a nd e ac h on e d id h av e a b at hr oom . I m ar ve le d a t m in e.

I t w as l ik e s om et hi ng y ou r ea d a bo ut i n t al es o f t he F ir st C iv il iz at io n b ut n ev er e xp ec t t o s ee . N ot o nl y

w as t he re a w at er c los et , b ut t he re w as a hu ge c op pe r t ub w it h t wo w oo de n s pi got s, w hi ch , w he n

t ur ne d, y ie lde d a gus h of hot wa te r f ro m one a nd c ol d f rom t he ot he r. Th er e w as a c le ve r dr ai n w it h a

woode n pl ug in t he bot tom , a nd w he n t he ba the r wa s f ini she d, he or s he c oul d j us t pul l i t up a nd le t the

w at er r un o ut . T he j ug o n t he w as hs ta nd c ou ld b e f il le d f ro m t he se s pi go ts —n o c al li ng f or h ot w at er a nd

w ai ti ng w hi le i t w as h eated and b ro ug ht . I enj oy ed m y h ot b at h i mm en sely .

Th e d in ne r wa s n ot t o t he s ta nd ar ds o f t he ba th ro om . I t w as g ood f re sh f ood a nd t he re w as p le nt y

o f i t, b ut i t w as o ve rc oo ke d a nd u ns ea so ne d. I l ai d d ow n m y s po on a ft er o ne t as te o f a s in gu la rl y



u ni ns pi re d p ud di ng . " Hu ar d, w hy d on 't y ou v is it t he t ap ro om a nd t al k t o t he m en ? I w ou ld n' t b e

welcome."

" I t hi nk i t m ig ht be a good i de a," he s ai d, not l ooki ng a t m e. " I w on' t s ta y l ong. Ca n I br ing y ou

anything?"

" No , I g ue ss I 'l l j us t g o t o b ed ," I s ai d. " He re 's a l it tl e w al ki ng -a ro un d m on ey ."

H e w av ed a si de t he c oi ns I h el d o ut . " I' ve g ot m on ey , t ha nk s. "

I w al ke d a ro un d m y r oom t wo o r t hr ee t im es , s or te d a nd r ep ar ce le d m y he rb s, wa she d m y o th er

s et of c lot he s i n t he t ub, wi sh ed I ha d s ome thi ng t o r ea d, w al ke d a rou nd t he r oom t wo or t hr ee t ime s,

h un g o ut t he w in do w a nd l oo ke d a t t he g ar de n, c on te mp la te d t ak in g a no th er b at h b ut d ec id ed i t w ou ld

be wasteful, walked around the room two or three times, and finally gave up and went to bed. I lay there

i n t he d ar kne ss f or a l ong t ime , wh en a t l as t H ua rd' s do or op ene d. H e m ov ed a bout i n h is r oom f or a

t im e. T he n h is b ed c re ak ed a nd h is l am p w as b lo wn o ut .

I l ay i n t he da rk a nd l is te ne d t o h im s ig hi ng a nd s hi ft ing h is w ei gh t a s he s et tl ed f or t he n igh t, a nd

wa s s ur pr is ed t o f ind ,t ha t I w as wi shi ng t ha t i t w as a s c ol d a s i t ha d be en l as t ni ght s o t ha t I woul d h ave

a n e xc us e t o s ha re h is b ed a ga in . I l ik ed H ua rd , I d is co ve re d. S om ew he re a mo ng t he m ou nt ai n p ea ks I

h ad l os t a ll f ea r of hi m. I n s pi te of hi s s iz e a nd t he f er oc it y o f h is a tt ac k i n t he c api to l b ui ld in g— on ly t hr ee

d ay s a go !— he w as a k in d a nd g en tl e m an .

I f el l a sl ee p o n t ha t t ho ug ht .

I wa s u p i n t he e ar li es t d awn , t hou gh I us ua ll y s le pt l at e w he n I h ad a c ha nc e t o s le ep un de r a r oof .

I di dn' t u sua ll y r et ir e r igh t a ft er s upp er , t ho ugh , a nd I wa s a wa ke a nd ba the d a nd m y pa ck do ne u p r ea dy

t o g o be fo re a ny s oun d e ma na te d f ro m H ua rd' s r oom , or t he r es t of t he i nn , f or t ha t ma tt er .

" Yo u' re l oo ki ng w el l t hi s m or ni ng ," H uard s ai d w it h a s mi le, s ti ck in g h is h ead t hr ou gh t he

c on ne ct in g a rc h ( th er e w as n o d oo r i n i t) .

" Th an k y ou . P lent y o f s leep ," I exp lain ed . " Ho w w as y ou r eveni ng ?"

H e c am e i nt o t he r oo m. " I h ad s om e i nt er es ti ng c on ve rs at io ns ," h e s ai d s he ep is hl y. " I t hi nk t he re 's a

l ot of m one y t o be m ade he re ."

" No t b y a n h er b d oc to r, " I s ai d. " No t a w om an do ct or , a ny wa y. "

" No , b ut a h un ter cou ld m ak e h is f or tu ne," h e s ai d. " Th e w ealt hi er f ol k— an d t hat' s alm os t

e ve ry bo dy h er e— pu t a l ot o f s to re b y f re sh g am e o n t he t ab le , e sp ec ia ll y w he n t he y h av e c om pa ny . B ut

t he y don' t hunt . A good f ar me r mi nds hi s f ar m, a nd a me rc ha nt hi s s hop, t he y s ay. So t he re 's a

t remend ou s u nf il led m ar ket f or g am e and t he p ri ces are s ky h ig h. "

" I don 't hu nt !' I ob je ct ed. " We ll , a l it tl e, f or t he pot , bu t n ot on a c om me rc ia l s ca le ."

" No ," h e s ai d, " bu t I d o. "

" I s ee ," I s ai d. " We ll , t ha nk y ou f or y ou r e sc or t t hi s f ar . G oo d l uc k w it h y ou r h un ti ng ." I t ur ne d t o

pick up my pack, and also so that he wouldn't see the disappointment on my face. I had always known

t ha t I wo ul dn' t b e a bl e t o k ee p h im b y m e l ong , b ut I ha dn' t know n how l os t I w oul d f ee l wh en w e



parted.

H e l ai d a r es tr ai ni ng ha nd on my a rm. " El dr ie , I won 't s ta y i f you wa nt t o go on t oda y. I 'l l go wi th

y ou . B ut I t ho ug ht w e c ou ld u se t he m on ey . W e c ou ld h un t t og et he r. I n t he m ou nt ai ns , w e' d b e p ar tn er s

l ik e w e' ve a lw ay s b ee n. I t' s o nl y w he n w e' re h er e t ha t w e' ll h av e t o o bs er ve t he c us to ms o f t he p la ce ."

I l ook ed i nt o hi s e ar ne st f ac e. He wa sn' t t ryi ng t o g et r id o f m e; he r ea ll y w ant ed m e t o s ta y wi thhim. I felt immediately better. "Well," I said uncertainly.

" It 'l l o nl y b e f or a f ew d ay s, a nd t he n w e' ll g o l oo ki ng f or a w ar m, d ry c li ma te a nd f ri en dl y p eo pl e, "

h e c oa xe d. " An d I w on 't l ea ve y ou a nd go o ff d ri nk in g i n t he t apr oo m a ga in ."

I sa w a whole new Hua rd onc e we we re in the woods. I ha d t hought of myse lf as fairly

woodswise—I could travel afoot in rough country without either crashing through the brush or losing

m ys el f, I c ou ld t el l a t a g la nc e t he t ra ck s o f d ee r f ro m t ho se o f w il d s wi ne , a nd o cc as io na ll y I s aw g am e

that ha dn't s ee n me. I was a novic e in the pr es ence of a ma st er of the a rt. In the fore st , Huard was a

shadow.

We t oo k G ra yl egs w it h us t o br ing b ac k t he qu ar ry, bu t we l ef t h im pi cke te d on t he g oo d gr as s ( he

w ou ld w an der i n s earch o f h is f ri en d W hi teno se i f l ef t f ree) , I f ol lo wed H uard , t ry in g t o emu late h is

c om pl et e s il en ce a nd h is a le rt ne ss t o t he m es sa ge s o f w in d a nd e ar th .

I t w as v en is on h e s ou gh t t od ay ; h is h un ter' s d iv in at io n charm s i nd icat ed p lent y o f d eer n earb y. H e

h ad a l it tl e p ou ch w it h m od el s of v ar io us g am e a ni ma ls i n i t. W he n h e s hoo k t he p ou ch a nd c ha nt ed a

s im pl e r hy th mi ca l v er se , t he l it tl e c ar ve n d ee r l ea pe d o ut a s i f b y i ts o wn a cc or d. H ua rd t ol d m e t ha t t he

d ee r w er e a br oa d e ve n i n t he l ig ht o f d ay , b ro ws in g e ag er ly u po n t he f re sh g re en l ea ve s o f s pr in g a ft er

the privations of winter.

I wa s s tr iv ing t o p la ce m y f ee t e xa ct ly a s h e di d, f or h e ne ve r c ra cke d a t wi g o r r us tl ed a l ea f, w he n

abr up tl y h e f ro ze. I f ol lo wed s ui t, p eeri ng eag er ly i n t he d ir ecti on h e w as l oo ki ng , b ut cou ld s ee n ot hi ng .

Glancing at his profile, I saw his nostrils quiver like a scenting hound's. Deliberately, moving with slow

f lu id it y, h e b ro ugh t u p h is h ea vy h un ti ng b ow , n oc ke d a n a rr ow , a nd d re w i t t o h is e ar . H e r em ai ne d t hu s

poised for many minutes, and I tried to breathe as s ha I lowly as I could. Stepping out of the brush, a

y earl in g b uck g lanced u ns eein g at o ur m ot io nl es s f or ms ; t he arr ow s an g; t he l it tl e b uck t um bl ed , p ierced

through the heart.

M ov in g w it h e xp er t e co no my o f m ot io n, H ua rd b le d t he k il l a nd r em ov ed t he s ce nt g la nd s f ro m t he

back legs. Then he pulled out a pack of knives and a whetstone, and, sitting down cross-legged, begant o pu t a r az or e dge o n hi s a lr ea dy s ha rp c ut le ry. " I' ve n eve r h unt ed wi th a b et te r p ar tn er . Y ou k now how

t o m ov e i n t he w oo ds . Y ou 'v e h un ted b ef or e, " h e r em ar ked adm ir in gl y.

" No t l ike t ha t! H ow d id yo u kn ow t ha t b uc k w as t he re ?"

" I s aw h is t ra ck s d own b y t he c re ek a nd f igu re d he 'd be i n t hi s t hi cke t a wa y f ro m t he f li es . An d I

s mell ed h im ." T ak in g u p h is t oo ls , h e d ress ed t he car cass and d is memb er ed i t. " If y ou 'l l b ui ld a l it tl e f ir e

and w hi tt le s om e t wi gs . I 'l l f ix y ou s om et hi ng g oo d. " H e r em ov ed t he l iv er and s li ced i t, w as hi ng t he

blood out in the creek. Then he toasted the bits over the tiny fire I had built. We ate them still sizzling, and

alt ho ug h i n t he u su al w ay o f t hi ng s I d is li ked l iv er , t hi s l iv er , abs ol ut el y f resh and h ot , w as t oo th so me

indeed.

W e b ur ie d t he o ff al a nd t he b lo od st ai ns . " If t he d ee r f in d i t, t he y' ll k no w t he re 's a p re da to r i n t he



f or es t and t hey' ll b e m or e w ar y, " h e exp lain ed .

" Wo n' t t he y m is s a m em be r o f t he h er d? "

"D ee r c an 't c ou nt , a nd t he re a re a lw ay s t oo m an y y ou ng b uc ks ."

T h e b uc k y ie ld ed a bo ut f if ty p ou nd s o f m ea t, e xp er tl y d re ss ed a nd p ac ka ge d i n t he h id e. H ua rdgo od -n at ur ed ly a ll owe d m e t o c ar ry t en po un ds o r s o o f i t. On t he w ay ba ck t o t he c le ar in g w he re we

h ad l ef t G ra yl eg s, h e t al ke d t o m e m or e t ha n h e e ve r h ad, s ha ri ng w it h m e a n e no rm ous a nd f as ci na ti ng

f un d o f f or es t l or e a nd w il d w is do m. I n o nl y o ne r es pe ct d id I s ur pa ss h im . A s h e p oi nt ed o ut t he s ig ns

a nd tr ac es of t he wi ld t hi ngs of t he f or es t, I w as a bl e t o t el l hi m a bout t he me di ci na l h erb s, r oot s, a nd

barks we passed. I even collected enough kinds I was short of that he eventually took back the package

o f m ea t I w as c ar ry in g.

W e w er e gr ee te d a t t he ga me b ut che r' s s ho p w it h a s ne ar t o e nt hus ia sm a s I ha d e ve r s ee n a mo ng

t he se d ou r f ol k. A s w e w er e u nl oa di ng G ra yl eg s a t t he b ac k d oo r, t he m er ch an t e ye d t he b ot an ic al s I

h ad f as te ne d o n t he p ac ks ad dl e t o d ry . " If y ou 'd l ik e t o s el l y ou r w if e' s s im pl es , t he a po th ec ar y y on de r w ou ld b e g la d e no ug h o f t he m, " h e s ai d a s h e c ou nt ed o ut a v er y r es pe ct ab le p il e o f c oi ns i nt o H ua rd 's

hand.

" Th an ks ," H uard r ep li ed n on co mm it tall y, s to wi ng t he coi ns i n h is p ocket. W hen t he f el lo w h ad

t ur ne d a wa y i nt o h is s ho p, h e g la nc ed a t m e.

" Why not ?" I s ai d. " The re a re pl ent y mor e whe re t ho se c ame f rom. " T rut h t o t el l, I wa s gl ad t o

m ake s om e c on tr ib ut io n; I ha d j us t b ee n s o mu ch e xc es s b ag ga ge a s f ar a s t he hu nt wa s c on ce rne d. I

d id n' t s ub sc ri be t o t he d oc tr in e o f s im pl es , w hi ch h ol ds t ha t t he h er ba l c ur e f or a ny d is ea se m us t a ri se i n

t he s am e a re a a nd of t he s am e c aus e a s t ha t di se as e. By t hi s d oc tr ine , a ll t ha t i s ne ce ss ar y t o c ur e t he

d is ea se i s t o d is co ve r i ts h er ba l c om pl em en t a nd t o g iv e m as si ve d os es o f t ha t o ne h er b f or s ev er al d ay s. Nor did I go by the doctrine of signatures, which held that the cure must resemble in shape or color the

aff li ct ed o rg an . B ut I w as w il li ng t o adm it t hat I d id n' t k no w every th in g, o r even a s mall p ar t o f every th in g,

a bo ut h er ba l m edi ci ne , a nd i f t he a po th ec ar y w an te d t d*b uy m y h er bs , I w ou ld g la dl y s el l m os t o f t he m

to him. There wer e a fe w ra re ones I me ant to keep for mysel f, a nd I put t he se a side.

S ur e e no ug h, w e go t a lm os t a s go od a p ri ce f or m y b ot an ic al s a s w e h ad f or H ua rd 's v en is on . I

plucked at Huard's sleeve, a gesture I had already seen many of the downtrodden females of this

benighted land use, and which I was picking up with lamentable speed. "Ask him if he knows of any

m ag ical h eal er s o r s pell d oct or s n earb y, " I w hi sp er ed , n od di ng at t he apo th ecar y.

" No ," t he m an a ns we re d w he n H ua rd t ra ns mi tt ed t he q ue st io n. " I' ve t al ke d t o p eo pl e w ho 'v e h ea rd

o f o ne , b ut I 'v e n ev er m et a ny on e w ho h ad a ct ua ll y t al ke d t o o ne ." H e p au se d a nd g la nc ed a t m y m id dl e.

" If b ar re nn es s i s y ou r w if e' s p ro bl em , I 'v e g ot a f or mu la h er e t ha t' s s ur e t o g et h er p re gn an t. "

H uar d ch ok ed. " Th ank s , b ut n o t han ks . "

T he f el low l ee re d a nd w ink ed. " Pr ef er t o t en d t o t ha t yo ur se lf , e h? " I e xpe ct I wa sn 't s upp os ed t o

u nd er st an d t ha t. " I' ve g ot a f or mu la t o h el p w it h t ha t, t oo , i n c as e s he 's a l it tl e r el uc ta nt ."

"Y ou k no w h ow i t i s, " H ua rd s id es te pp ed , a nd h us tl ed m e o ut .

I s mol de re d a s I w al ke d t he c us to ma ry t hr ee pa ce s b eh in d H ua rd t o t he i nn. W e w er e go in g t o

h av e t o l eave t hi s p lace q ui ck ly , b ef or e I m ur dered s om eo ne.



I n m y r oo m, H ua rd e mp ti ed h is p oc ke t. " Yo u k ee p t hi s, " h e s ai d. " Mo ne y n ev er s ti ck s t o m y

fingers for long."

" Al l ri ght ," I s ai d, a nd c oun te d ou t t wo pi le s, t he s ma ll er one t ha t we h ad g ot te n f or my he rbs a nd

t he l ar ge r o ne t ha t b el on ge d t o H ua rd . T ak in g a p ou ch o ut o f m y m ed ic in e k it , I s we pt t hi s l ar ge r p il e i nt o

i t. The s ma ll er pi le I p ut i nt o t he pu rs e w he re I k ept t he f und s f or ou r da y- to- da y e xpe ns es . W he n I h ads to we d b ot h a wa y, I g la nc ed u p a nd s aw H ua rd w at ch in g m e w it h a n a nx io us e xp re ss io n.

" Ar e you ma d a t m e? " he a ske d.

" Of c our se not ," I s na pp ed. " Wh y s hou ld I be ? An d wh at r igh t w oul d I h ave i f I di d ha ve a

reason?"

" Yo u ha ve a s tor my l ook a bout you . I 'm gl ad it 's not m e you' re ma d a t." Bu t hi s t one wa s s ti ll a l it tl e

doubtful. "I'll tell you what. Let's go shopping."

" F or w hat ?"

" Oh , f or s om et hi ng n ic e. W e' ve g ot a l it tl e e xt ra m on ey n ow , l et 's s pe nd s om e o f i t. "

" No w on de r y ou h av e t ro ub le h an gi ng o n t o y ou r m on ey ."

"Oh, come on. You'll e nj oy i t." He t ook a s tep towar d me and for a mome nt I thought he wa s

go in g t o r ea ch ou t a nd t ou ch m e. I s hi ed a wa y, s ta rt le d, a nd he s to pp ed. Th e e xpr es si on o n h is f ac e w as

s o m is er ab ly h ur t t hat I r el en ted.

"Al l r igh t, t he n, l et 's go s hoppi ng. " I he ld t he mo ne y ba g out t o hi m. He t ook i t a nd s tor ed i t i n a pocket. I put my cloak back on, and out we went.

T he f ir st e xt ra va ga nc e w as m in e. W e p as se d a s ho p t ha t s ol d b oo ks , t he p ri nt ed k in d i mp or te d

f ro m o ne o f t he s em il eg en dary u ni vers it y cit ies. O ne t it le cau gh t m y eye i mm ed iately and I s to pp ed .

H ua rd c am e h ur ry in g b ac k t o j oi n m e. " Wo ul d y ou l ik e t ha t b oo k? " h e a sk ed m e.

" En cy cl op aedi a M ed ica," I r ead alo ud . " I cert ai nl y w ou ld . B ut i t' s t oo exp en si ve. B es i des, w her e

w ou ld I pu t i t? "

" Yo u n ee d s om et hi ng t o p ut o n t ho se s he lv es y ou 'r e g oi ng t o h av e. " H e p us he d t hr ou gh t he d oo r,a nd w e t ho ro ug hl y s ca nd al iz ed t he s ho pk ee pe r w he n h e r ea li ze d t ha t I c ou ld a ct ua ll y r ea d. H e w as n' t t oo

s ca nd al iz ed t o t ry t o s ho rt ch an ge u s, t ho ug h. H ua rd s ho ok t he c or re ct a mo un t o ut o f h im a nd w e l ef t, m e

hugging my new treasure.

O ur n ex t s to p w as a c lo th ie r' s. I h ad n ev er s pe nt m uc h o n c lo th in g, f ig ur in g t ha t d ur ab le w as b et te r

t ha n f la sh y. I d is cove re d t ha t H ua rd h ad a s tr ea k of va ni ty . A s pl ea se d a s a c hi ld, h e pi cke d out a b ol t o f

blue satin. Draping the material over one shoulder and across his chest, he turned to me. "What do you

think?" he asked eagerly.

" I t hi nk y ou 'l l l oo k m ag ni fi cent i n t hat, " I s ai d t ru th fu ll y. T he col or m at ch ed h is eyes— I h ad n' t

n ot iced h ow i nt en sely b lu e t hey w er e— an d w it h h is t hi ck b lo nd h ai r and g reat h ei gh t h e w as as i mp os in g

a s a g odl in g. A nd t he f la sh in g s mi le o f pl ea sur e h e g av e m ad e hi m a s h an ds om e a s o ne , t oo . I f ou nd I

w as s tari ng at h im i n amazement .



H e d idn' t not ic e. " I' ll ha ve a s hi rt of t hi s," he t ol d t he c lot hi er . " An d b re ec he s a nd a ve st of t ha t

d ar ke r b lu e U ns ey -w oo ls ey , t oo . N ow , f or m y w if e, l et 's h av e a l oo k a t t ha t b ro ca de ."

" Oh , I d on 't n ee d a ny c lo th es ," I p ro te st ed , c as ti ng a n a pp al le d g la nc e a t t he w in e- re d b ro ca de h e

w as t ry in g t o d rape aro un d m y s ho ul ders .

" Ce rt ai nl y yo u d o. Yo u n ee d a ni ce d re ss . E ve ry p ri nc es s o ug ht t o h av e a t l ea st on e d re ss ."

" I' m n ot a p ri nc es s. "

" Yo ur f at he r i s a k in g, i sn 't h e? W e d on 't h av e r oy al ty a mo ng m y f ol k, b ut a ll t he k in gs ' d au gh te rs I

e ve r h ea rd o f w er e p ri nc es se s. A nd a ny wa y, y ou 'r e a p ri nc es s a s f ar a s I 'm c on ce rn ed . W ha t a bo ut t hi s

g re en s il k? " H e h el d i t a ga in st m e. " Ah , y es . P er fe ct . D ar k h ai r a nd b ro wn e ye s, a nd t hi s s of t g re en ,

f lo wi ng t o t he f lo or —d ef in it el y a p ri nces s' s d ress . W e' ll t ak e t hi s, m as ter d raper. M ak e i t u p s im pl e and

f lo wi ng , w it h a h ig h w ai st and g at hered o ver t he s ho ul ders . A nd t he cri ms on b ro cade, t oo , m or e f or mal,

c ut ve ry l ow . H er e. " H e pi cke d up a p ie ce of pa pe r a nd c ha rc oa l a nd s ke tc he d r api dl y on i t. " Li ke t hi s.C an y ou d o t hi s? "

T he c lot hi er t oo k t he dr awi ng a nd l oo ke d a t i t, t he n a ppr ai si ng ly a t me . "I c an do i t. I t' ll t ake

awhile."

H ua rd n od de d. " We a re n' t i n a h ur ry. Le t' s s ee , I ou gh t t o ha ve s om et hi ng t o g o wi th i t. T he re , t ha t

gol d ve lve t. A for ma l s uit of tha t." H e be ga n t o c ount out c oi ns , a nd I gul pe d a t t he he ight of t he s ta ck he

cheerfully handed over.

I learned as much of the ways of the wild in the next few days as I had in all my life before. I

l ea rn ed h ow t o s et t ra ps a nd s na re s f or s ma ll g am e, a nd t he m et ho ds o f w at er fo wl in g w it h a r ee d a rr owt rail in g t wi ne t o m ak e i t eas ier t o r et ri ev e t he g am e w it ho ut g et ti ng w et . H is f av or it e m et ho d o f h un ti ng

l ar ge g am e w as c ar ef ul ly t o s py ou t t he ha bi ts o f t he a ni ma l h e s ou gh t, a nd l ie i n w ai t un ti l t he q ua rr y

cam e w al ki ng b li th el y p as t. T hi s r eq ui red an end ur an ce o f p at ience t hat I f ou nd t ru ly p heno menal. H uard

could stand motionless for hours, oblivious to hunger, aching joints, mosquitos, and boredom, then flash

i nt o i ns tant act io n w hen h is g am e f in al ly app eared. O r h e cou ld g iv e u p w it ho ut chagr in w hen n ig ht f el l o r

i t be ga n t o r ai n a nd i t be ca me c le ar t ha t hi s l uc k wa s ou t f or t he da y. " It ha ppe ns ," h e' d s ay wi th a s hr ug

and a g ri n. " Th e w il d t hi ng s h av e t heir o wn r easo ns ."

H e c ou ld c ar ry w it ho ut a pp ar en t e ff or t b ur de ns t ha t I w ou ld h av e h es it at ed t o l oa d o nt o o ne o f m y

ponies. But he generally could not walk so far or so fast as I could in a day. He tired easily when pressedt o gr ea t s pe ed s, a nd I r ea li ze d t ha t t he h uge ho rs e t ha t he r od e w as a ne ce ss it y a nd n ot a l uxur y f or h im.

I e ag er ly a bs or be d t he l es so ns h e h ad t o t ea ch . O nc e w e w en t ou r s ep ar at e w ay s, I c ou ld f or es ee

m an y a t oo th so me m ea l o bt ai ne d b y t he s ki ll s h e i mp ar te d. B ut h e w as n ot a t ea ch er w ho s to od u po n h is

di gnit y; he wa s a s e age r to l ea rn wha t I ha d to te ll of t he pla nt s of t he for es t a nd pl ai n, t he m edi ci nal

h er bs , a nd t he m an y e di bl e g re en s a nd r oo ts . O ur d ay s, w he n n ot a ct iv el y e ng ag ed i n t he h un t, w er e a

pleasurable round of sharing information and congenial conversation.

W e p hi lo so ph iz ed a g oo d d ea l. H ua rd e xp la in ed t o m e h is p eo pl e' s c on ce pt o f t he h ar mo ny o f

n at ur e. " Th er e i s a p la ce f or e ve ry k in d o f c re at ur e a nd p la nt ," h e t ol d m e. " Ea ch s or t i s p ro vi de d w it h i ts

proper food and with its proper enemies, too, so that it doesn't out-breed and destroy its food supply, or

become so thick that plagues strike it. Only mankind is outside this system. The wolves take the weak

and s ickl y amo ng t he d eer. T hat w ay , t he h er d i s i mp ro ved i n t he n ex t g en er at io n. B ut h um an h un ters



t ak e t he be st a nd s tr ong es t, a nd t he he rd d wi ndl es a nd d ie s. Pe op le h av e n o s ens e o f t he ir p ro pe r p la ce

i n t he o rd er n or h av e t hey enemi es t hat k eep t heir n um bers t hi nn ed ."

"I 'm n ot s o s ur e o f t ha t, " I r et or te d. " Wa sn 't t he re a d ra st ic t hi nn in g g oi ng o n i n t he R ep ub li c w he n

w e e sc ape d? I t' s t rue t ha t t he br ave a nd wa rl ik e a re m os t of te n ki ll ed i n wa r, bu t w ho 's t o s ay t he h um an

he rd i sn' t be tt er of f wi th out t he m? W e' re a s m uc h a pa rt o f na tur e a s a ny w ol f p ac k. "

" An im al s r el y o n i ns ti nc t r at he r t ha n r ea so n t o g ui de t he ir a ct io ns ," h e s ai d. W e w er e d re ss in g a

l ar ge k il l o f n or th er n- bo un d d ucks , and arg ui ng ami ab ly w hi le u p t o o ur elb ow s i n f eath er s.

" I' ve n ev er n ot ic ed t ha t p eo pl e r ea so n m uc h e it he r, " I s ai d. " It s ee ms t o m e t ha t m os t p eo pl e r ea ct

o n a ba si s o f f ee li ng . W hy e ls e w ou ld t he p eop le o f t hi s p la ce , w hi ch s ur el y m us t be o ne o f t he f ai re st i n

t he k no wn w or ld , t reat each o th er w it h s uch h um or less col dn es s? T he w om en t ol er at e t reat ment I

wouldn't inflict upon one of my ponies, and the men deny themselves the intelligent companionship of their

w om en b ec au se t he y' re a fr ai d t he y' ll l os e c on tr ol o f t he m i f t he y' re c om pe te nt t o t ak e c ar e o f

themselves."

" And t he y' re r igh t, t oo. So w ho' s t o s ay t ha t f or t he m t he ir wa y i s wr on g? I wo ul dn' t l ike i t— I f ee l

l ik e a c om pl et e j ac ka ss s wa gg er ing do wn i he s tr ee t i n f ro nt of y ou —b ut t he y s ee m h ap py i n t he ir

c us to ms ." H ua rd w as a m an o f l ar ge t ol er an ce .

" Ma yb e, " I s ai d d ou bt fu ll y. " I a m l oa th e h av in g t o w al k b eh in d y ou . I 'd r at he r w al k a lo ne ."

"I t' s on ly f or a f ew m or e da ys ," he r ea ss ur ed m e. " As s oo n a s ou r ne w c lo the s a re f ini she d a nd w e

h av e a l it tl e e xt ra m on ey s av ed u p, w e' ll b e m ov ing o n a nd I 'l l b e t ak in g y our o rd er s m ee kl y a ga in ."

I s no rt ed . " Ag ai n? W he n w as t he f ir st t im e? "

H e g ri nn ed ami ab ly at m e. " Well , i n an emerg en cy s it uati on , d oesn 't y ou r f at her f ol lo w t he adv ice o f

his bodyguards?"

" He d oe sn 't h av e b od yg ua rd s. H e s ay s t ha t a k in g w ho c an 't w al k a mo ng h is p eo pl e w it ho ut f ea r o f

ass as si nati on p ro babl y d es er ves t o b e ass as si nated— an d h e' s a f or mi dabl e arm sm an h im self . B ut I

s up po se w hen h e d oes h av e t hem, w hen v is it in g ano th er cou nt ry o r s om et hi ng , h e l is tens t o t hem i f t he

need arises."

" Ho w d id h e f ee l a bo ut y ou l ea vi ng ?"

" I' m n ot s ur e h e n ot ic ed . M y m ot he r h ad f al le n f ro m f av or y ea rs b ef or e a nd m ar ri ed a w ea lt hy

m er ch an t. I r em ai ne d i n t he p al ac e w he n m y m ot he r l ef t, b ut m y f at he r s el do m e ve n s po ke t o m e a ft er

t ha t, a nd I wa sn' t s ur e wh et he r m y m ot he r l ef t m e t he re b ec aus e t he ki ng w an te d he r t o or be ca us e h er

n ew h us band w ou ld n' t h av e m e. I f I h ad b een g iv en s om et hi ng t o d o, s om et hi ng u sefu l, I 'd h av e t ho ug ht

t ha t p er ha ps I w as n ee de d, bu t t he re w as n' t a ny w or k f or m e." I g la nc ed o ve r a t m y c om pa ni on. H e wa s

clean in g t he d ucks w it h exp er t s tr ok es , l is teni ng t o m e att en ti vely . " Do y ou k no w, y ou 'r e t he f ir st p er so n I

e ve r t ol d t hi s t o t ha t b el ie ve d m e? "

" Wh y s ho ul dn 't I ? Y ou 'v e n ev er l ie d t o m e. P er ha ps y ou w er en 't g iv en a ny w or k b ec au se y ou w er e

a princess."

" I w as n' t a p ri nc es s. O nl y a q ue en 's d au gh te r i s a p ri nc es s. I w as a n a ck no wl ed ge d b as ta rd , t ha t' s

a ll . M y f at he r c oul d h av e g iv en m e a t it le ; h e c ho se n ot t o. "



" Th en m ayb e you w er e t oo yo ung t o be gi ve n a j ob. "

"I wa s s ixt ee n. Tha t' s ol d e no ugh t o be u se ful . I e ve n a ske d i f I m ight he lp i n t he s ta bl es — I wa s

m ad f or h or se s a s y ou ng g ir ls a re —b ut t he y d id n' t n ee d a no th er p ai r o f h an ds , t he y s ai d. "

"W he n w e l ea ve h er e, l et 's g o b ac k t o y ou r f at he r' s k in gd om ."

" Wh at f or ?" I h ad t wi st ed a nd t ur ne d i n m y w an de ri ng s f or a ll t he se y ea rs , b ut n ev er h ad m y s te ps

t ak en m e b ac k t o m y b ir th pl ac e. I n ev er i nt en de d t o r et ur n.

" To s ee y ou r f at he r. T o f in d o ut i f y ou 'r e n ee de d t he re . Y ou 'v e g ot r oy al b lo od . C er ta in

responsibilities go with that."

I f lu sh ed . " I d on 't n ee d y ou t o p oi nt o ut m y r es po ns ib il it ie s. M y r oy al b lo od h as n ev er d on e

any th in g f or m e. A nd h ow w ou ld I g et i n t o v is it m y f at her? H e p ro babl y w ou ld n' t r ecog ni ze m e. "

" He h as f ou r c hi ld re n. C ou ld a m an f or ge t h is o wn c hi ld ? H e c er ta in ly i sn 't s o o ld h e' s s en il e. H e

can 't h av e b een m uch o ver t hi rt y- fi ve w hen y ou r an away. "

" No t a s m uc h, I t hi nk. H ow d id y ou k no w t ha t? "

" Oh ," h e s ai d c as ua ll y, " yo u t ol d m e, b ac k i n t he v il la ge o n t he o th er s id e o f t he p as s. "

I e ye d h im d ou bt fu ll y, bu t hi s f ac e w as i nno ce nt o f g ui le . I d id n' t r em em be r t el li ng h im , b ut I h ad

been very upset. Who knew what I'd babbled? And how else would he have known? My father had

been married very young to a girl he had never met until his wedding day—he had been seventeen and

s he f ou rt een— an d s he h ad b or ne h im t hr ee chi ld ren i n q ui ck and g ru dg in g s uccess io n. W hen s he f ou ndh er se lf p re gn an t f or t he t hi rd t im e, s he h ad t ur ne d h er y ou ng a nd a rd en t h us ba nd o ut o f h er b ed , i n f av or

( it w as s ai d) o f h er t ru e s weet hear t. S ev er al s en ti ment al b al lads h ad b een w ri tt en abo ut t he t ou ch in g

d ev ot io n o f t hi s a du lt er ou s c ou pl e, a nd I h ad n ev er n ot ic ed t ha t m y f at he r m in de d m uc h. I h ad b ee n b or n

l es s t han t hr ee m on th s aft er m y y ou ng er h al f- br ot her. L et 's s ee, t he k in g m us t b e abo ut f if ty -o ne n ow .

W hy , t ha t w as n' t o ld a t a ll !

H ua rd w as p ac ki ng u p t he d uc ks n ow , w ra pp in g t he m i n c oo l d am p l ea ve s a nd p la ci ng t he m i n t he

packs. We had Whitenose with us today, and he was sidling around making a nuisance of himself. I went

t o h is h ea d t o s te ad y h im . " No ," I s ai d d ec id ed ly .

"Eh?"

" No , w e a re n' t g oi ng t o m y f at he r' s k in gd om . I 'v e m ad e m y w ay i n t he w or ld o ut si de i t. I 'm h ap py

and u sefu l and t hey' ve b een g et ti ng alo ng w it ho ut m e t hi s l on g; t hey can j us t con ti nu e t o d o s o, "

" Very w el l, " h e s ai d g oo d- natu redl y. " It w as j us t a t ho ug ht ."

C hap t er F o ur

THEREWASA d el eg at io n w ai ti ng f or u s— rath er , f or H uard —w hen w e g ot t o t he g am e



butcher's shop.

" We h ea r t ha t y ou 'r e a h un te r, " s ai d t he s po ke sm an , a s ma ll n er vo us m an w it h t he d ou r e xp re ss io n

com mo n t o t he f ol k o f t hi s f ai r and s mi li ng l an d.

H ua rd h an de d t he b ut ch er t he l as t o f t he d uc ks a nd t uc ke d a wa y t he m on ey b ef or e a ns we ri ng . " As

you s ee, " he s ai d. The f rie ndl y ope nne ss I s aw i n hi m wa s gone ; he wa s as gr im a nd l ac oni c a s t he me nw ho accos ted h im .

" We have work f or a hunter , if you c are f or the job," the ma n sai d.

H ua rd w ai te d. A t l as t t he ma n s ai d, " We ha ve a r og ue w il d b oa r t ha t' s do in g a d ea l of d am ag e t o

o ur c rop s. W e' d pa y a g oo d s um t o t he hu nt er w ho b ro ug ht t he b ea st d ow n. "

" Ho w go od a s um ?"

T he m an n am ed a n a mo un t o f m on ey t ha t H ua rd a nd I w or ki ng t og et he r w ou ld h av e h ad t ro ub lee ar ni ng i n a w ee k, s el li ng g am e a nd b ot an ic al s. H ua rd o nl y s hr ug ge d. " I c an do a s w el l he re ," he s ai d.

"Boars are dangerous."

" A f rai d, are y ou ?"

H uard g lanced con temp tu ou sl y at h im . T he m an s hi ft ed n er vo us ly , t hen n am ed a h ig her p ri ce.

" Wh er eabo ut s i s t hi s b oar?" H uard ask ed .

W e h ad b ee n h un ti ng a nd g at he ri ng i n t he m ou nt ai ns o ut o f w hi ch w e h ad r id de n. T he t ow n w e

w er e s ta yi ng i n w as o nl y a bo ut s ix m il es a wa y f ro m t he m, bu t t he W il de rn es s Ra nge , f ar m or e w il d a nd

r ug ge d, w as o ve r t we nt y m il es a wa y. T he se m en c am e f ro m G ra nt on , a t ow n u nd er t he v er y e av es o f t he primeval forest that spilled down out of the Wilderness Range, and quite a bit farther to the south.

" Th at 's t wo d ay s' j ou rn ey j us t t o g et t he re ," H ua rd s ai d, " an d l od gi ng w hi le I g et t o k no w t he

c ou nt ry —a w ee k a t l ea st . A nd t wo d ay s' j ou rn ey b ac k. "

T he s po ke sm an l oo ke d e ve n m or e s ou r. He c anv as se d h is p ar ty b y e ye , t he n t ur ne d ba ck t o

H uard . " Very w el l. E xp en ses f or f ou r d ay s' t ravel and l od gi ng f or a w eek i n G rant on ."

" Fo r m ys el f and m y w if e. "

T he m an l oo ke d s ho ck ed . " We c er ta in ly w ou ld n' t e xp ec t y ou t o l ea ve y ou r w if e b eh in d, t o f al l p re y

t o a ny p as si ng m al e. O f c ou rs e y ou a nd y ou r w if e. "

H ua rd g la nc ed a t m e a nd I s hr ug ge d i mp er ce pt ib ly . " Ve ry w el l, " h e s ai d. " We 'l l s et o ut i n t he

morning."

" We n ee dn 't c om e b ac k h er e, " I s ai d t o H ua rd w he n w e r ea ch ed t he p ri va cy o f ou r r oom s. " We

c ou ld j us t g o o n s ou th f ro m G ra nt on w he n w e g et t he b oa r. "

" Th ey d on 't n ee d t o k no w t ha t, " h e p oi nt ed o ut g en tl y. " Th es e f ol k d on 't r es pe ct y ou u nl es s y ou

c he at t he m r ou nd ly . I 'l l g o t o t he c lo th ie r' s a nd s ee a bo ut o ur n ew c lo th es . T he y s ho ul d b e r ea dy b y n ow .

Do you w ant t o c om e? "



"N o, I 'v e h ad e no ug h o f m ee k s ub se rv ie nc e f or o ne d ay . I 'l l s ta y a nd r ea d. " M y E nc yc lo pa ed ia

M ed ico, w as a w ei gh ty t om e i nd eed, i n m or e t han p ou nd ag e, b ut I w as p lo wi ng t hr ou gh i t d et er mi nedl y.

I di sa gr ee d wi th s ome o f w ha t I r ea d, bu t a ls o l ea rne d m uc h t ha t wo ul d m ake m e a b et te r h ea le r.

Hua rd gri nne d. " Al l r ight , but I 've got to t el l you t ha t I don' t l ike t he w ay you loo k a t me s ome ti me s

w he n y ou 'v e b ee n r ea di ng t ha t b oo k. I w ar n y ou f ai rl y: n o c ur in g m e o f d is ea se s I h ave n' t g ot !"

I l au gh ed . I h ad o nc e o r t wi ce s pe cu la te d u po n d os in g h im f or s om e a il me nt I h ad n' t e ve n

s us pe ct ed he ha d un ti l I r ea d of i t. Fo r e xa mp le , i t h ad c om e a s a r eve la ti on t o m e t ha t me n of r ud dy

c ol or at io n w er e m or e p ro ne t o s tr ok es t ha n p al er o ne s, a nd H ua rd w as po ss es se d o f w ha t, un ti l I r ea d

t ha t, I h ad c on si de re d a h ea lt hy c ol or u nd er h is t an . I h ad c on te mp la te d b ri ef ly t re at in g h im w it h a

preventive dose of bugwort, but I had never been very convinced of the plant's efficacy in the first place,

a nd i n t he s ec on d p la ce , I k ne w o f m y o wn e xp er ie nc e t ha t i t w as m en o f i ra sc ib le a nd i mp at ie nt

t em pe ra me nt w ho w er e a t r is k o f a po pl ex ie s. Y ou c ou ld n' t h av e f ou nd a m or e e as yg oi ng a nd l es s

i mp at ie nt m an t ha n H ua rd i f y ou 'd s ea rc he d f or a y ea r. " I p ro mi se ," I s ai d. " Yo u' re s af e f ro m m y

experiments."

I w as l ab or ing t hr ou gh a t re at is e o n h ow t o i de nt if y b or n c ri mi na ls b y t he s ha pe o f t he ir s ku ll s

( no ns en se, and p er ni cio us n on sens e at t hat) w hen H uard r et ur ned carr yi ng p ar cel s. I l ai d m y b oo k as id e.

" Ho w m an y p ie ce s d o t ho se c lo th es c om e i n? " I a sk ed , e ye in g t he m ou nd o f p ac ka ge s h e d ep os it ed o n

t he t ab le. A nd h er e cam e a d el iv er y b oy , f ol lo wi ng h im w it h even m or e b ox es and s tr in g- wr ap ped

parcels. And another!

" The re w er e a f ew l it tle t hi ngs we ne ede d t ha t I thought I m ight a s we ll pi ck up whi le I wa s out ," he

said airily. "Come and look."

He ha dn' t gi ve n m e t he mo ne y t ha t t he ga me but che r ha d gi ve n hi m f or t he duc ks , I r ea li ze d. B ut I

cou ld n' t f in d i t i n m y h eart t o m en ti on i t. H e h ad o bv io us ly h ad a m ar velo us t im e s pend in g i t, f ro m t hes pa rk le i n h is e ye a nd t he f lus h i n h is c he eks , a nd w as l oo ki ng f or wa rd e ag er ly t o t he e xc it em ent o f

s ho wi ng m e h is a cq ui si ti on s. B es id es , i t w as h is m one y t o d o a s h e l ike d w it h. I c ou ldn 't h el p b ut w ond er

wha t wa s going t o be come of hi m i n hi s old a ge , w it h no one t o l ook a ft er him a nd no mone y s ave d.

I c am e t o t he t ab le a nd s at d ow n. H ua rd b eg an p ic ki ng u p o ne p ar ce l a ft er a no th er , f ee li ng t he m,

and s or ti ng t hem i nt o p il es . " Here," h e s ai d, h an di ng m e a s mall f lat o ne. " Op en t hi s. "

I did s o. It was a lovel y soft s ca rf, the fil my ki nd tha t ca n be worn on t he hea d, or a round the neck

t o e mb el li sh a p la in d re ss , o r a ro un d t he w ai st a s a b el t. I t w as r os e- pi nk w it h g ol de n f ri ng es . " It 's

beautiful," I said, examining it. It was also absolutely useless for any practical purpose whatsoever.

" Tr y i t on, " H ua rd pr om pt ed. I p ut i t a round m y ne ck a nd t ie d i t l oo se ly. " The re ," h e c ro we d. " I

k new i t w ou ld l oo k b eaut if ul o n y ou ."

T he re w as n ot hi ng t o d o b ut t o t ha nk h im g ra ci ou sl y. H e o pe ne d a p ac ka ge , r ev ea li ng a t oo le d

l ea th er b el t w it h a s il ve r b uc kl e f or h im se lf , a nd h an de d m e a no the r p ac ka ge . I t w as a f ur m uf f. " Hu ar d

. .. " I s ai d, l oo ki ng at t hi s d ub io us ly . A f ur m uf f! F or an i ti nerant h er bali st !

" It 'l l c om e i n h an dy t hi s w in te r, " h e s ai d. " He re ." H e h an de d m e a no th er p ac ka ge , w hi ch p ro ve d t o

contain three silk blouses, blue, green, and primrose, delicately embroidered with botanical designs. "I

t hou gh t y ou m ig ht l ik e t he se , a s f on d o f h er bs a s y ou a re ," h e e xp la in ed .

I h el d u p t he b lu e o ne . " Th ey 'r e b ea ut if ul ," I s ai d. " Yo u c er ta in ly d o h av e e xq ui si te t as te . B ut ,



c ou ldn' t po ss ibl y a cc ept s uc h a t hi ng. As I s ta re d a t i t i n a we , I b ega n t o r ea li ze ho w c le ve rl y I ha d be en

m an ip ul at ed . F or I c ou ld n' t r ef us e i t, e it he r, n ot a ft er h av in g m ad e m y p ro te st a nd b ac ke d d ow n w it h

apologies.

I l ooke d up a t hi m, gr opi ng f or t he r ight wor ds t o s ay. He wa s wa tc hi ng me wi th a f aint a nxi et y i n

hi s e ye s. He kne w a s we ll a s I di d t ha t t he j ew el ry w as a n una cc ept abl y s pl end id gi ft . H e a ls o kne w w ha t

a d if fi cu lt p os it io n h e h ad p ut m e i n. " Wh er e i n t hi s b en ig ht ed l an d o f w it hered s ou ls d id y ou f in d t hi s?" Iasked.

H e s mi le d. " I s to pp ed i n t he j ew el er 's —t he re w as a s ti ck pi n i n t he w in do w I l ik ed —a nd h e

s ho we d m e t hi s. H e c ou ld n' t s el l i t h er e, h e s ai d; t he f ol k o f T er mo nt ai ne w ou ld c on si de r i t o bs ce ne . A nd

he c oul dn' t be ar t o me lt i t down f or t he go ld , s inc e i t wa s s o be aut if ul . He t ho ught t ha t s inc e I wa s a

barbarian from over the mountains, I might buy it. He asked a low price, almost nothing. And I knew

whe n I sa w i t t ha t i t wa s me ant t o bel ong to you."

I l oo ke d ba ck d own a t i t. " Hu ar d, " I s ai d, " you k no w I c an 't a cc ept i t. I t' s t oo ma gni fi ce nt . I t' s t oo

beautiful. It's too—well, it's the sort of thing a man gives his—well, his—"

"His wife?"

" Ye s, b ut o nl y i f h is w if e i s a ls o hi s m is tr es s a nd h is b es t f ri en d, " I s ai d, t ou ch ing t he i nc re di bl e

de li ca cy of t he wor k. " No t a w if e t ha t ha s b ee n f or ce d on hi m. I 'l l w ea r i t, i f yo u l ike , a s l ong a s we 'r e

t og et he r. B ut w he n w e p ar t, y ou m us t t ak e i t. I h op e t ha t s om ed ay y ou 'l l f in d t he w om an t o w ho m t hi s

really does belong."

"A nd I hope t ha t s om eda y y ou f ind t he m an f ro m w hom you woul d ha ve a cc ept ed i t, " he s aid

g ra ve ly . " Ve ry w el l, E ld ri e. I f y ou w on 't ha ve i t a s a g if t, t he n t ak e i t a s a l oa n. "

" I w il l. T hank y ou f or u nd er st an di ng w hy I cou ld n' t accep t i t. "

" He re 's t he g re en s il k g ow n, " h e s ai d. " Wi ll y ou w ea r t he s et w it h i t t on igh t f or d in ne r? "

I t oo k t he p ac ka ge . " Ye s. A nd t ha nk y ou f or a ll t he b ea ut if ul t hi ng s. "

H e n od de d g ra ve ly . " Yo u' re w el co me . I t w as m y p le as ur e t o b uy t he m f or y ou . A nd i f y ou f ee l

misgivings about accepting gifts from your sworn armsman, remember that I bought them with our

money."

H ua rd ha d bo ught a d ec k of c ar ds a nd t augh t m e a c om pl ex ga mbl ing ga me f rom hi s own l an d. We

played most evenings, and all our combined funds had moved back and forth between us so often that

w e j us t s pl it w ha te ve r a mo un t w e h ad a t t he b eg in ni ng o f e ac h e ve ni ng 's pl ay a nd r ef er re d t o a ll t he

m on ey a s " ou rs ." I w as k ee pi ng c lo se t ra ck o f t he a mo un t H ua rd e ar ne d w it h hi s h un ti ng , t ho ug h, s o t ha t

I c ou ld r et ur n i t t o h im w he n w e p ar te d. L ivi ng e xp en se s w er e s o h ig h h er e t ha t i t w ou ld l ea ve m e m or e

o r l es s d es ti tu te , b ut t ha t w as o ne o f t he r es po ns ib il it ie s I h ad a cc ep te d w he n I r ea ch ed o ut a nd t ou ch ed

h is s wo rd h il t. A ny wa y, I w as n o s tr an ge r t o p ov er ty .

W he n I ba the d, I w as he d my ha ir a nd r in se d i t wi th a l uke wa rm t ea o f l emo n g ra ss , l ave nde r, a nd

r os ema ry . T hi s da rk en ed t he c ol or a l it tl e a nd m ade i t f ul le r a nd s hi ni er . I f lu ff ed i t w it h m y f ing er s a s i t

d ri ed —n ot a l on g t im e, s in ce I k ep t i t s ho rt f or c om fo rt a nd c on ve ni en ce . T he n I p ut o n t he d re ss ,

da bb ed a l it tl e r ou ge c re am ( I ke pt i t t o s el l) on l ip a nd c he ek , d ar ke ne d m y l as he s a nd br ow s, a nd we nt

i nt o t he b ed ro om t o g et t he j ew el ry .



T he b ra ce le t s li pp ed e as il y o nt o m y w ri st a nd t he r in g w as m ad e a s i f t o f it t he f or ef in ge r o f m y r ig ht

h an d. T he h ol es i n m y e ar lo be s w er e s ti ll o pe n, t ho ug h I h ad n' t w or n e ar ri ng s f or m an y y ea rs , a nd t he

e ar ri ngs da ng le d r ic hl y a ga ins t t he a ngl e of m y j aw. Th e h ai r c li p I pu t i n m y n ewl y f lu ff y h ai r ove r my e ar

a nd l et i t pe ep t hr ough t he c ur ls . I w as e xa mi ni ng t he c la sp on t he pe ct or al w he n I he ar d a s of t s te p

behind me and turned to see Huard, dressed in his gold velvet suit, freshly shaven and magnificent. He

l oo ked f ar m or e p ri ncel y t han m y h al f- br ot hers , b ot h o f w ho m t oo k aft er t he q ueen and w er e i nd if ferenti n s tatu re, w it h s harp f eatu res.

" T he j ewe le r s ho we d me h ow t o w or k t he c la sp . S ha ll I he lp yo u? " he s ai d.

" Pl ea se ," I s ai d, h an di ng i t t o h im a nd t ur ni ng m y b ac k. I h ea rd h im t ak e a n i nd ra wn b re at h, a nd

t he n t he c ool gold wa s la id a gai ns t my s kin a nd I c oul d fe el hi s fi nger s at t he na pe of my ne ck. The y

t re mb le d a l it tl e a s he f as te ne d t he c la sp. H is h an ds C ro pp ed w he n t he t as k w as do ne , bu t he di dn 't s te p

a wa y f ro m m e, a nd i n my t ur n I t re mbl ed, m y s ki n p ri ckl ing a ll o ve r. I w as e xqu is it el y s en si ti ve t o h is

i nv is ib le c lo se ne ss ; h e r ad ia te d p re se nc e a s a g re at f ir e r ad ia te s h ea t. I t w as t oo m uc h, t oo s tr on g; I

s te pp ed f or wa rd q ui ck ly , a nd t ur ne d t o f ac e h im f ro m a s af e d is ta nc e.

T he re w as a n e xp re ss io n o n h is f ac e I h ad n' t s ee n b ef or e, a k in d o f f in e- dr aw n i nt en si ty . " El dr ie ,

you a re be aut if ul ," he s ai d, a hus ky ra sp i n hi s voi ce .

" No t s o b ea ut if ul a s y ou a re !" I e xc la im ed , w it h m or e t ru th t ha n e le ga nc e. A nd i t w as t ru e. G ol de n

h ai r, d eepl y b lu e eyes, a p ow er fu l, s ym metr ical f ig ur e, h e w as at t hat m om en t t he m os t b eaut if ul h um an

being I had ever seen. In his everyday hunting clothes, he was distinguished more for his kindly,

g oo d- natu red cou nt en an ce t hen f or any r eg ul ar it y o f f eatu re; d ress ed i n h is s pl en di d n ew cos tu me and

with that keen intensity of expression, he was magnificent.

H e l au gh ed , a nd t he go od hu mor r et ur ne d t o h is f ac e. " Ye s, i nd ee d, qu it e a pa ir , w e a re ," h e s ai d." Th es e p oo r p in ch ed f ol k w il l n ev er k no w w hat a s pl en di d t reat t hey' re m is si ng b y n ot all ow in g

t he ms el ve s a c ha nc e t o l oo k a t u s. "

T he w ai te r w ho c am e t o d el iv er o ur d in ne r e nt er ed a t t ha t m om en t a nd r ea ct ed m os t g ra ti fy in gl y.

H e s id led t hr ou gh t he d oo r w it h h is t ray. T ur ni ng , h e s aw u s, s tand in g b y t he t ab le i n o ur f in er y, l au gh in g.

H is m ou th f el l o pe n a nd h e n ea rl y d ro pp ed o ur d in ne r. G la nc in g f ro m o ne t o t he o th er o f u s, h e m ad e

ha st e t o s et t he t ab le a nd pu t ou r f oo d u po n i t. Th en h e s cur ri ed o ut .

Ne it he r of u s m ad e a ve ry g oo d m ea l. I w as t hor ou gh ly t ir ed o f t he bl and f oo d of fe re d h er e, a nd I

f el t v er y s tr an ge , a s i f I ha rd ly k ne w m ys el f. W e s po ke of t he or di na ry t hi ng s o f o ur l iv es , b ut a s i f w ew er e s tr an gers r ep eati ng s et l in es . T he air w as f ul l o f t en si on , t ho ug h I cou ld n' t i dent if y i ts s ou rce. W e

played cards afterward with a kind of distracted absentmindedness, and at last I laid down my cards.

" I'l l be gl ad t o ge t ba ck t o b eing my pl ain ol d s el f," I s ai d wi th a s igh. " I l ike us be tt er w he n we

aren' t s o m ag ni fi cent t hat w e can h ar dl y s tand o ur selv es ."

" Do y ou t hi nk t hat' s i t?" H uard i nq ui red. H e w as w at ch in g m e w it h t hat s tr an ge i nt en tn es s again .

" Wh at e ls e c an i t b e? W e a re n' t s ic ke ni ng f or s om et hi ng , a re w e? "

" No ," he s ai d, t he e xp re ss ion di sa ppe ar in g. " I b el ie ve I 'l l go t o b ed . W e' ll wa nt t o b e o n t he r oa d

ear ly i n t he m or ni ng . S hall I u nf as ten t he p ecto ral b ef or e I g o?"



S om eh ow , I w as r el uc ta nt t o l et h im . A ll t hi s a wk wa rd ne ss h ad s ta rt ed w he n I h ad l et h im f as te n i t.

B ut h e w as a lr ea dy c om in g a ro un d t he t ab le . A ny wa y, I d id n' t k no w h ow t o u nf as te n i t, a nd I c er ta in ly

d id n' t w an t t o t ak e a c ha nc e o f d am ag in g i t.

W hen h is h an d b ru sh ed m y s ho ul der, I s hu dd er ed . H e h ad s om e d if fi cu lt y f in di ng t he clasp , f or h is

f in ge rs m ov ed o ve r m y ba re n ec k f or w ha t s ee me d a v er y l on g t im e b ef or e t he y b us ie d t he ms el ve s w it h

t he ir w or k. I d is co ve re d t ha t I w as n' t b re at hi ng , a nd g as pe d i n a l un gf ul o f a ir . T he n t he c la sp o pe ne d,a nd he wa s ha ndi ng m e t he pe ct or al a nd bi ddi ng m e go od- ni gh t. I s at a t t he t abl e f or a t ime a ft er h e wa s

gone.

I t w as q ui te a l eng th y c ho re t o pa ck . A ll o ur n ew p os se ss io ns ha d t o b e p ut a wa y w it h du e

c on si de ra ti on f or w ri nk le s a nd s ta in s, a nd w e w ra ng le d a mi ab ly a s w e p ut t hi s h er e a nd t ha t t he re . T he

f la t b ox w it h t he j ewe lr y i n i t I i ns is te d o n c ar ryi ng i n my m ed ic ine b ag, whi ch ne ve r l ef t m y pe rs on w hi le I

w as t raveli ng . T he p on ies k new w e w er e m ov in g o n, and w er e g lad o f i t; W hi teno se, d is regard in g h is

v en er ab le y ea rs , p ra nc ed a l it tl e a s w e l oa de d h im a nd t hr ew t he h it ch o ve r h is p ac k.

Hua rd of fe re d h is c up pe d ha nd s, a nd I w as bo os te d t o m y pl ac e o n t he po mm el o f h is s add le . Th ef ol k o f t he i nn a ct ua ll y c am e o ut t o s ad ly b id us f ar ew el l, a nd I s aw t he w ai te r, p ee ri ng s us pi ci ou sl y a t u s.

B ut w e h ad r et ur ned t o o ur m un dane com fo rt ab le s el ves, t ravel- wo rn and a l it tl e r ag ged, w it h n o h in t o f

t he m ag ni fi cence o f t he eveni ng b ef or e, and h e t ur ned away, d is ap po in ted.

"Le t me down, I want to wal k," I sai d, once we were out of the town a nd travel ing down one of

t he t re e- sh ad ed h ig hw ay s. I w as c on sc io us o f a l if ti ng o f s pi ri ts t o b e o n t he r oa d a ga in , e ve n t ho ug h I

k ne w w e w er en 't l ea vi ng T er mo nt ai ne , a nd I w an te d t o f ee l t he r oa d u nd er m y f ee t a nd t he p le as ur ab le

flexing of muscles too long constrained from free action.

" Ri de w it h m e a l it tl e f ar th er ," H ua rd s ai d.

"Why?"

" If y ou wo n' t r id e, I 'l l h ave t o w al k t oo. I di dn' t l ik e i t whe n you w al ke d t hr ee p ac es b ehi nd me ;

h ow d o y ou t hi nk I 'd f ee l r id in g d ow n t he r oa d i n l or dl y s ta te w hi le yo u t ru dge d a lo ng b ehi nd? "

I h ad n' t c on si de re d t he m at te r i n t ha t l ig ht . I c ou ld s ee t ha t h e m ig ht f ee l t ha t w ay . W al ki ng w as

mo re o f a l abor f or h im t ha n f or m e. An d i f he wa lke d t oo , we 'd ha ve t o s top mo re f re que nt ly a nd f or

l on ge r r es ts . " Ve ry w el l, " I s ai d r el uc ta nt ly , " bu t I d on 't l ik e t ha t s ad dl e. I t t hr ow s m e b ac k a ga in st y ou .

W hy i s i t b ui lt l ik e t hat?"

" We ll , w e d on 't k ee p m an y h or se s i n m y h om el an d a nd t he y o ft en h av e t o p ro vi de t ra ns po rt at io n

f or m or e t ha n o ne r id er ."

" Bu t w ou ld n' t i t b e m or e p ra ct ic al t o h av e a p il li on b eh in d t he s ad dl e? "

" Som e of t he m a re a rr ange d l ike t ha t, b ut t hi s i s a c our ti ng s add le . The y s ay t ha t i f a m an a nd

w om an r ide a m il e t oge th er o n a s add le l ik e t hi s, t he y m igh t a s we ll g et m ar ri ed ."

I s tr ug gl ed b et ween amu sement and emb ar rass ment . " Kn ow in g t hat, i t w ou ld b e i nexcus ab le o f m e

t o t ea se y ou b y r id in g w it h y ou ."

" I p ro mi se n ot t o t ak e y ou r c lo se ne ss a s t ea si ng ," h e s ai d w it h a s mi le . " Or m ay be y ou c ou ld l ea rn

to like riding with me."



It w as a v er y u nc om fo rt ab le r id e. I k ep t l ea ni ng f or wa rd , w hi ch t hr ew m e o ut o f t he h or se 's r hy th m.

A t l as t H ua rd s ig he d. " El dr ie , f or h ea ve n' s s ak e l ea n b ac k. I 'm n ot g oi ng t o d o a ny th in g t o y ou .

D am n i t, I ga ve y ou m y p rom is e. "

" I kno w," I s ai d. " It i sn 't y ou, i t' s me . I t s ee ms wa nt on t o l ea n a ga ins t you. "

" I k no w— no ne b et te r! —t ha t y ou a re n' t a w an to n. L ea n b ac k. R es t y ou r h ea d o n m y s ho ul de r. I t

w on 't hu rt yo u t o r el ax a l it tl e. "

I l et my se lf s li de ba ck i n t he s ad dl e, a lt hough I di d not put my he ad o n h is s houl de r. I w as s o

f at ig ue d w it h s tr ug gl in g t o k ee p f or wa rd t ha t I w as g oi ng t o h av e t o l ea n b ac k s oo n a ny wa y— t hi s w as a

l ot m or e eff or t t han w al ki ng . I r es ted again st h is chest , alert f or any i nd icat io n t hat m y act io n m ig ht b e

m is un ders to od . A ft er a t im e, t he t en si on f ad ed f ro m m y m us cl es . H is arm clo sed a l it tl e m or e s nu gl y

a bo ut m y m id dl e; h e w as r el axi ng t oo . I t w as go in g t o b e a ll r igh t.

E xh au st ed m or e w it h t he e mo ti on al s tr ai ns o f t he d ay t ha n t he p hy si ca l e ff or t, w e s pe nt t he n ig ht i n

a s mall i nn i n a l it tl e v il lage alo ng t he w ay . A way f ro m t he l ar ger t ow ns , t he p eo pl e w er e a l it tl e f ri en dl ier.

I e ve n h ad a p at ie nt . A ft er s upp er , t he re c am e a s hy t ap pi ng on t he d oo r. W he n H ua rd o pe ne d i t, a

blushing girl stood there, her male escort hovering uncomfortably in the background.

" Ar e y ou t he w om an h ealer?" s he w hi sp er ed , i n an ago ny o f emb ar ras sm en t.

" Ye s," I s ai d, gl an ci ng a t Hua rd. H e t ur ne d t o t he ma n, w ho wa s ne ar ly a s r ed a s t he gi rl .

" Co me o ut t o t he t ap ro om a nd h av e a d ri nk ," h e i nv it ed g en ia ll y. " I c an s ee w e a re n' t w an te d h er e. "

I t wa sn' t m uc h, a m in or i nf ec ti on o f t he ge nit al ia . I ga ve he r a c re am to r ub i n a nd s ome a dvi ce

about cleanliness. "Newly married?" I asked.

" A m on th ago ," s he w hi sp er ed , b lu sh in g y et again .

" An d y ou r h us ba nd w as a v ir gi n t oo , I 'l l b et ." T hi s r ed uc ed h er t o c om pl et e c on fu si on . " Wa s t ha t

h im w it h y ou ?" S he n od ded. " Wait h er e. "

I p ut m y h ea d i n t he t ap ro om a nd c au gh t H ua rd 's e ye . " Er , H ua rd ," I s ai d, b lu sh in g a l it tl e m ys el f,

" wo ul d yo u h ave a w or d w it h t ha t y ou ng m an ? T he y' re n ew ly m ar ri ed , a nd h e' s b ei ng t oo r ou gh w it h h er .I d on' t t hi nk e it he r on e o f t he m ha s t he f og gi es t i de a w ha t t he y' re d oi ng ."

"You want me t o t ell hi m the fa cts of l if e? "

" Ye s, pl ea se . T el l h im t ha t h e ne eds t o be g en tl e a nd a ff ec ti on at e a nd n ot hu rr y he r. H e ne eds t o be

s ur e s he 's r ea dy f or h im ." I g av e h im a c lo se l oo k. " Yo u d o k no w w ha t I 'm t al ki ng a bo ut , d on 't y ou ?"

" I cer tain ly d o app reci at e y ou r f ai th i n m y exp er ti se," h e s ai d d ry ly . " Co ns id er in g t he w ay y ou f eel

about me yourself."

" I d on 't h av e any q ualm s abo ut y ou r s ki ll s, " I s ai d w it h d ig ni ty . " Wi ll y ou t al k t o h im ?"

" Fo rt if ie d b y t ha t t es ti mo ni al , c ou ld I d o a ny th in g e ls e? " H e r et re at ed a cr os s t he t ap ro om , a nd I



s aw h im l ay h is h and u po n t he m an 's s ho ul de r a nd l ea d h im o ut o f t he r oo m, p re su ma bl y i n s ea rc h o f

privacy.

The y we re gone f or qui te a l ong t ime , a nd I us ed t he oppor tuni ty t o g ive t he gi rl a l ec tur e on

pleasing a man and how to get him to please her. She was incredulous at first—it had apparently never

o cc ur re d t o h er t ha t m ar ri ed l ov e w as s up po se d t o b e p le as ur ab le —b ut s he w as s oo n a bs or bi ng

information avidly.

T he re w as a t ap pi ng o n t he d oo r. " Bu t n ot ," I f in is he d h as ti ly , " fo r a w ee k o r t wo —u nt il t he p ai n i s

g on e. " I l et h er o ut t o j oi n h er h us ba nd , n ot in g t ha t t he y b ot h b lu sh ed w he n t he y s aw o ne a no th er .

" Wh ew ," H uard w hi st led, w ip in g h is f or eh ead t heat ri call y w hen t he d oo r clo sed b eh in d h im . " It w as

touch and go there for a while. I didn't know if the lad was going to throw a punch at me or faint." I

g ri nn ed . " Wh ic h d id h e d o? " " Ne it he r, o nc e h e g ot o ve r t he s ho ck. T hi ng s a re g oi ng t o be v er y i nt er es ti ng

ove r a t t he ne wl ywe ds ' h ouse . I 'd l ike t o be a fl y o n t he wa ll ." " Sha me on you."

" Onl y l ong e no ugh t o he ar wh at t he y s ay t o e ac h ot he r. Fo r a k ing 's da ug ht er , y ou do h av e a na st ym in d. " He gl anc ed a t m e wi th a r og ui sh g le am i n hi s e ye . I c oul d a lm os t h ea r t he q ue st ion t re mb li ng o n hi s

l ip s— if i t w as n' t h is s ki ll I ha d q ua lm s a bo ut , w ha t w as i t? B ut a pp ar en tl y h e d ec id ed t ha t e ve n t he

q uest io n w ou ld b e a con tr av en ti on o f h is p ro mi se. " Beli ev e I 'l l t ur n i n, " h e s ai d i ns tead . " It 's b een a h ar d

da y. Goo d ni ght ." T he se r oo ms ha d n o c onne ct ing doo rwa y, a nd he we nt b ac k out i nt o t he h al l t o g o t o

his room.

I t wa s a s wel l he hadn't a ske d hi s que st ion, I mus ed a s I got r eady for be d. Bec aus e I di dn' t ha ve

a n a ns we r. M y f ir st s ig ht of hi m, c ha rg in g d ow n t ha t b lo ody ha ll a t m e, f oa m o n hi s l ips a nd c la ym or e

s wi ng in g, h ad cer tain ly n ot b een a r eass ur in g o ne. O n t he o th er h an d, I p ro babl y h ad n' t l oo ked esp eciall y

a tt ra ct iv e e it he r. H is i ni ti al a dv an ce s h ad b ee n t oo a br up t a nd m uc h t oo s oo n, a nd I h ad t ak en o ff en se a t

the fact that he had misinterpreted my medical ministrations.

He w as a n a tt ra ct ive e nou gh ma n, on ce yo u g ot u se d t o t he l ar ge r s ca le . H is f ac e w as a lwa ys

pleasant, and when he was dressed and combed and shaved, he was magnificent. His great size and

s tr en gt h i n ano th er m an m ig ht h av e g iv en m e p au se, f or i f h e h ad b een i ncli ned t o r ou gh ness h e cou ld

h av e i na dv er te nt ly d on e a l ot o f d am ag e. B ut I k ne w h im b et te r n ow , a nd I w ou ld h av e c he er fu ll y s ta ke d

m y l if e t ha t h e w ou ld p ro ve t o b e a g en tl e a nd c on si de ra te l ov er . N or c ou ld I d ou bt ( re me mb er in g t he

f ee l o f hi s f ing er s on t he n ap e of m y n ec k) t ha t t he f em ini ne i n me r es po nde d t o t he m as cu li ne i n hi m.

I t w ou ld p le as e h im , t oo , i f I t oo k h im f or a l ov er . T hi s w as n o s ma ll c on si de ra ti on . I w ou ld n' t

a cce pt a ma n who ca me t o my be d dri ve n only by hi s phys ic al ur ges , a ma n f or whom a ny w om an woul ddo . No r y et w ou ld I a cc ept on e w ho c am e r el uc ta nt ly, on ly t o pl ea se m e. H ua rd w ou ld va lue m e f or

myself.

Bu t! B ut I h ad go tt en i nt o t he ha bi t of de fe nd in g m ys el f f rom h im . Bu t h e m ig ht t hi nk I c am e t o h im

on ly f ro m g ra ti tu de f or t he gi ft s h e ga ve m e. B ut I m igh t s us pe ct m ys el f of u si ng m y bo dy t o ke ep hi m by

m e— un wo rt hy t ho ug ht ! S ur el y I w as n' t s o m uc h a w ho re a s t ha t— or w as I ? T he re w as o nl y o ne w ay t o

prove that to myself beyond all doubt, and that was to refuse myself to him and bid him farewell

c he er ful ly wh en he l ef t, a s he w as s ur e t o do.

On e t hi ng wa s c er ta in. I c ou ldn' t a sk h im t o but to n t he bl ou se s he ha d bou ght me . On t ha t di sma l

thought, I fell asleep.



C h ap t er F i ve

"ELDRIE, BOARS ARE d an ge ro us . A nd f ro m t he t ra ck s, t hi s i s t he b ig ge st o ne I 'v e e ve r s ee n. I

d on 't m ea n a ny i ns ul t t o y our c ou ra ge o r y ou r s ki ll w it h w ea po ns , b ut I d on 't w an t y ou w it h m e. I t i sn 't

safe."

" Hu ar d, " I m im ic ke d, " bo ar s a re d an ge ro us . N o o ne i n h is r ig ht m in d g oe s a ft er o ne a lo ne , w it ho ut

e ve n d og s t o d ra w i t o ff i f he g oe s do wn . A nd I 'm a ll t he h un ts ma n y ou 'v e g ot . A nd f ur th er mo re , i f y ou

t hi nk I' m goi ng t o s it i n thi s inn a nd wor ry about you a ll da y, you c an jus t thi nk aga in. Som eone has t o be

t he re t o t uc k yo ur gut s b ac k i n a nd s ew yo u u p a ft er t he b ea st di se mb ow el s you ."

He looke d at me a nd his j aw s et s tubbornly. "And who se ws you up? I'm no ha nd wit h a

n eed le. " *

" I h av e n o i nt en ti on o f g et ti ng c lo se e no ug h t o t he b ea st t o b e e nd an ge re d. S ur el y y ou 'v e b ee nhunti ng wi th me oft en e nough t o know t hat I know how t o s ta y out of the wa y. And be fore you gi ve me

that orde r I ca n s ee on your l ips, I want to remi nd you that you s wore to obe y me . Not the ot he r way

a ro un d. I 'm or de ri ng y ou t o l et m e g o w it h y ou ."

"Eldrie," he began dangerously.

" Lo ok , H ua rd , w e c an a rgu e a ll da y a bou t i t, a nd yo u ne ve r wi ll g et a ft er t he b oa r. Or y ou c an j us t

l ea ve a nd I c an f ol lo w y ou . B ut y ou c an 't s to p m e f ro m c om in g. "

H e t hr ew u p h is h and s. " Al l r ig ht . S ta y o ut of m y w ay , a nd i f y ou g et k il le d, I 'l l— I' ll —I 'l l ne ve r

forgive you!"

I gi gg le d, a nd hi s a ng ry g la re s of te ne d i nt o a r el uc ta nt g ri n. " I w on 't m in d h avi ng a l it tl e ba ck up, I

g uess ," h e adm it ted. " Th er e i sn 't any on e i n t he w or ld I 'd r at her h av e b acki ng m e, eit her. B ut , E ld ri e,

hon es tl y, you a re n' t bi g e noug h f or bo ar hunt in g. I t t ake s be ef a s we ll a s c our age t o hol d a boa r on t he

e nd of a s pea r."

" I k now ," I s ai d. " I' ve b ee n o n bo ar h un ts b ef or e. B ut w e a lw ays h ad d og s a nd a rc he rs t o p ro te ct

t he s pear h an dl er s. I 'm f ri gh tened f or y ou , H uard ."

" I' m f la tt er ed . C om e o n, l et 's g o. "

W e h ad s ee n t he d am ag e t he b oa r h ad d one — i nd ee d, t he f ol k of G ra nt on c oul d h ave p ai d u s

t hr ee t im es w ha t t he y h ad o ff er ed a nd s ti ll h av e b ee n a he ad b y t he e nd o f t he s um me r. A s s om et im es

ha ppe ns wi th a n ol d r og ue , t hi s bo ar m ade a ha bi t of d es tr oyi ng wh at he c oul dn' t e at . H is t ra cks we re a s

big around as soup bowls and there was a rank smell in the air that lingered around the wheat fields

whe re he ha d be en. The me re t hou ght of a tt ac kin g hi m ma de my s ki n c ra wl; I wa nt ed t o be g Hua rd t o

l ea ve t he mons te r a lone . I ha d be tte r s ense tha n to do tha t, of cours e. 1 pi cke d up my boar spe ar a nd

f ol lo wed h im o ut o f t he i nn .

" S ur el y y ou aren' t t ak in g y ou r w if e w it h y ou !" exclaim ed t he s po kesm an o f t he d el eg at io n. A s izab le

cro wd w as w at ch in g u s l eave.

" My w if e i sn 't l ik e t hese s wo on in g u seless f em al es o f y ou rs ," H uard s ai d coo ll y. " Sh e' s m y p ar tn er



a nd m y c om pa ni on , a s w el l a s a s ki ll ed h ea le r a nd a f or mi da bl e w ar ri or i n h er o wn r ig ht . Y ou t re at y our

w om en l ik e chi ld ren and t hey b eh av e l ik e chi ld ren. S er ves y ou r ig ht ." H e w as n er vo us t oo , I r eali zed; h e

n ev er w ou ld h av e s po ke n w it h s uc h b ru ta l d ir ec tn es s i f h e h ad n' t b ee n o n e dg e.

O ff en de d, t he m an f el l b ac k. " Sh e' s y ou r w if e, o f c ou rs e, " h e s ne er ed . " I w ou ld n' t c ar e t o r is k m in e

in such a dangerous business."

H uard col or ed . " Gent lemen, " I s ai d, i nt er ru pt in g w hat cou ld h av e b ecom e a h eated con fr on tati on .

" Th er e' s w or k t o b e d on e. " A ll eyes s wi veled t o m e w it h t hat ast on is hm en t t hat t he m en o f T er mo nt ai ne

s ho we d w he ne ve r a w om an s po ke u p.

Hu ar d s hou lde re d h is s pe ar a nd h el d o ut hi s ha nd, a nd I pu t m in e i nt o i t. W e wa lke d out o f t he

v il lage h an d i n h an d t o t he accom pani ment o f a cho ru s o f s ho ck ed w hi sp er s.

T he f or es t t ha t c lo ak ed t he W il de rn es s R an ge w as o ld a nd w il d a nd t an gl ed w it h t re es a nd

d ea dw oo d a nd b ra mb le s. T he b oa r h ad l on g b ee n u nc ha ll en ge d l or d o f h is r an ge a nd w as a rr og an t; h is

t ra ce h ad w or n a p at h t ha t w as e as y t o f ol lo w, w en di ng a mo ng t he r oc ks a nd t re es . H ua rd 's c on su mm at ew oo ds manahi p all ow ed h im t o m ov e t hr ou gh t he m os sy t ru nk s w it h com parati ve eas e, and I w as

l ea rni ng— I wou ld ne ve r be hi s e qua l, b ut I w as f ar m or e a t ho me i n t he w il d t ha n I ha d be en . I s ta ye d

just the right distance behind him so that I could protect his back and yet not interfere with his weapon.

A nd i t w as I w ho f ir st s en se d t he b oa r. " Hu ar d, " I m out he d, " sm el l t he a ir ."

H e p au se d a nd r ai se d h is h ea d, s am pl in g t he v ag ra nt c ur re nt s t ha t h ad b ro ug ht m e t he m er es t w hi ff

of t he bo ar 's r ank od or . R ea ch in g ba ck , h e h an de d m e hi s s pe ar , a nd I h el d i t a t hi s s id e w he re h e c ou ld

s na tc h i t w it h a m ov em en t o f h is w ri st . H e s tr un g h is b ow a nd n oc ke d a h ea vy a rr ow . T he n w e w ai te d.

T he bo ar d id n' t k now w e w er e he re ye t. W he n h e d id , he w oul dn 't f le e, h e w oul d a tt ac k. W e w er e

intruders in his domain.

T he air cur rent s s hi ft ed , s ti rr in g t he t en dr il s o f h ai r o n m y f or eh ead. H uard w as con cent rati ng o n t he

t hi ck et a he ad ; I k ep t g la nc in g a t a ll t he c ov er ts a bo ut . T he b oa r m ig ht w el l s ne ak a ro un d t o a tt ac k o n t he

f la nk ; i t w ou ld n' t b e t he f ir st t im e a c ra ft y o ld r og ue h ad d on e s o.

T he re w as a qu er ul ou s gr un ti ng . T he bo ar h ad c au gh t o ur s ce nt . H ua rd d re w t he b ow a s f ar a s i t

w ou ld g o. W it h a s qu ea l o f r ag e, t he b oa r b ro ke c ov er , t ai l s ta nd in g s ti ff a nd s tr ai gh t, r ed e ye s g le am in g.

T he b ow s an g; t he a rr ow b ur ie d i ts el f t o t he f ea th er s i n t he m as si ve c he st , a nd t he b ea st c ha rg ed , t us ks

swinging.

H ua rd s ei ze d h is s pe ar f ro m m y h an d a nd b ra ce d h im se lf t o m ee t t he r ag in g c ha rg e o f a c re at ur et ha t w ei gh ed a s m uc h a s o ne o f m y p on ie s. I d ro pp ed m y o wn s pe ar -p oi nt i nt o l in e, s hy in g o ut t o t he

r ig ht s o a s t o c at ch t he b oa r u nd er t he f or el eg a nd h op ef ul ly p en et ra te t o t he h ea rt , w hi le H ua rd h el d h im

upon his point.

Fa st er t ha n a g al lo pi ng h or se , t he f oa mi ng b ea st c am e d ow n u po n u s, n ot a t a ll i nc on ve ni en ce d b y a

y ar d o f m et al -t ip pe d a rr ow i n h is b od y. I nc he s f ro m t he g le am in g t ip o f t he b oa r s pe ar , h e s we rv ed ,

t hr ow in g f oam i n an archi ng s pr ay , and l un ged at m e, s qu eali ng . I ns ti ncti vely , I d ro pp ed t he p oi nt o f m y

s pe ar a nd b ra ce d m ys el f. W it h a n i mp ac t t ha t j ol te d m e t o t he b on e, h e h ur tl ed o nt o t he s pe ar -p oi nt . A nd

t hen I w as s tr ug gl in g t o h ol d h im , I i ns tead o f H uard w it h h is g reat s tr en gt h and w ei gh t. B li nd ly I clu ng t o

the shaft, knowing that if I lost my grip I was dead. I was flung about like a rag on the end of a whip,

battered against tree boles and boulders as I scrabbled for a foothold. Over the pounding and the

s qu ea li ng I c ou ld h ea r H ua rd c ur si ng a s I h ad n ot k no wn h e c ou ld . S ud de nl y a no th er s pe ar s pr ou te d

f ro m t he b oa r' s s ide , a nd a s s udd en ly s ha tt er ed. I w as s cr ea mi ng wi th f ea r a nd r ag e a nd e ve n a s or t of



mad exaltation.

" Ho ld o n, E ld ri e! H ol d o n! " H ua rd b el lo we d a s h e t ow er ed a bo ve t he b oa r' s b ac k, c la ym or e

r ai se d hi gh . The re wa s a c hunk! a s of a but ch er c ut ti ng m ea t wi th a c le ave r, a nd t he boa r s cr ea me d i n

c re sc en do , s pr ay in g b lo od . M y f ee t h it t he g ro un d a ga in a nd I b ra ce d m ys el f, s ta ri ng i nt o t he m ad r ed

e ye s. T he b ea st 's s pi ne h ad b ee n s ev er ed b y t ha t m ig ht y b lo w; s ti ll h e s tr ov e t o c li mb u p t he s pe ar a nd

d es tr oy m e, p aw in g at t he ear th w it h h is f or ef eet as h e d ragg ed h is u seless h in dq uart er s.

A ga in H ua rd s tr uc k, a nd a t l as t t he d oo me d b ea st b eg an t o f ai l, c on vu ls in g a s h e g ag ge d t o t he

ground, dragging my spear-point down with him. Even his dying convulsions were enough to fling me

a bo ut , a nd I c lu ng d og ge dl y t o t he h af t o f t he s pe ar i n s pi te o f t he b lo od -s li pp er in es s o f t he t hi ng . T he r ed

e ye s g la ze d. T he b oa r w as d ea d.

T he r ee li ng u ni ve rs e s et tl ed b ac k i nt o p la ce , s ky a bo ve a nd g ro un d b el ow . I s ta re d d ow n a t t he

de fe at ed e ne my t ha t h ad s o n ea rl y b ee n t he e nd of m e.

" El dr ie , yo u c an l et g o of t he s pe ar n ow . El dr ie ?" I s ta re d s tu pi dl y do wn a t t he b oa r. I he ar dH uard 's w or ds and u nd er st oo d t hem, b ut t hey con veyed n o i mp et us t o act io n. B ig h an ds cov er ed m in e

a nd be ga n t o pr y t he m l oos e. "L et go, E ldr ie , l et m e l ook a nd s ee w he re you 'r e hur t. "

W i th a t re me nd ou s e ff or t, I d ra gg ed m y a tt en ti on b ac k t o H ua rd . " I' m n ot h ur t, " I s ai d t hi ck ly . " Ar e

you hurt?"

" I' m f in e, E ld ri e, b ut y ou a re n' t. Y ou 'r e a ll o ve r b lo od . L et g o o f t he s pe ar , p le as e. "

I da re d n ot l et g o. I wa s b eg inn ing t o t re mb le wi th s hoc k a nd r ea ct ion . I f I h ad l et g o, I w oul d h ave

f al le n i n a h ea p a t H ua rd 's f ee t, a nd a ft er I h ad f or ce d m ys el f u po n h im , t ha t w ou ld h av e b ee n a c ru sh in g

h um il iati on . " Yo u w er e r ig ht , I 'm n ot b ig eno ug h t o h un t b oar, " I chatt er ed b et ween clenched t eeth .

" He ll a nd d am na ti on , y ou c ou ld n' t h av e d on e b et te r i f y ou 'd b ee n t hr ee t im es t he s iz e, " h e s ai d.

" Oh , E ld ri e, i f y ou e ve r s ca re m e l ik e t ha t a ga in , I 'l l— I' ll —h er e, l et g o t he s pe ar . H ol d o nt o m e. "

" I can 't , I 'l l f al l. "

" I wo n' t l et yo u f al l. L ook , I 've go t you . L et go . Y ou c an' t h ol d o nt o i t f or eve r."

A t l as t m y t re mb li ng e as ed e no ug h s o t ha t I c ou ld , f in ge r b y f in ge r, r el ea se m y d ea th g ri p o n t he

s pear , l eavi ng b lo od y h an dp ri nt s b eh in d. A nd H uard d id k eep m e f ro m f al li ng , s co op in g m e u p i nt o h isa rm s a nd c ar ry in g m e a wa y f rom t he r an k s te nc h o f t he b oa r' s c ar ca ss . " I c an w al k, " I l ie d i nd ig na nt ly .

" Fr om h er e t o t he oc ea n, n o do ubt ," Hu ar d a gr ee d, bu t he di dn' t p ut me d ow n. I pu t my n um b a rm s

a ro un d h is n ec k a nd l et m y h ea d f al l o n hi s s ho ul de r.

Pr es ent ly h e l ai d m e do wn on a gr as sy ba nk , a nd I w as g la d e nou gh t o s tr et ch o ut a nd c lo se m y

e ye s. I w as b eg in ni ng t o f ee l i ll , a nd t he p ai n o f m y n um er ou s br ui se s a nd s cr ap es f lo od ed i n f ro m e ve ry

l im b. I nc h b y i nc h, H ua rd e xa mi ne d m e, r un ni ng hi s h an ds o ve r e ac h a rm a nd l eg a nd do wn m y r ib s,

s ea rc hi ng f or b ro ke n b on es . I n s pi te o f t he t en de rn es s o f m y m ac er at ed s ki n, i t w as n ot a n u np le as an t

process.

"N ot hi ng br oke n, a s f ar a s I c an t el l, " he s ai d, s it ti ng ba ck wi th a s igh. " I t ol d you."

" Yo u a ls o t ol d m e y ou w er en 't h ur t. Y ou l oo k l ik e r aw m ea t. "



" Mo st o f t he bl ood i s t he bo ar 's . I 'v e go t a bu mp or t wo ," I s ai d, s tr uggl ing t o s it up . H ua rd c aug ht

me a round the s houl der s to s uppor t me . " Jus t l et me r es t a m inut e a nd wa sh up a nd I 'l l be f ine. " I n a ct ua l

f ac t, I w as b et te r t ha n I l oo ke d; I h ad e sc ap ed a ll b ut t he m os t s up er fi ci al i nj ur ie s. I w as m al in ge ri ng ,

enj oy in g t he att en ti on and con cern H uard w as l av is hi ng o n m e, and I w as ash am ed o f m ys el f, " Ho w

about you?"

" I' m i n a b ad wa y, my se lf ," H ua rd s ai d wi th a gr in. " Th at da mn boa r s te ppe d o n my t oe . An d I w as

h it w it h a f ly in g p ri nc es s t wo o r t hr ee t im es , b ut t ha t w as n' t s o b ad ; p ri nc es se s a re s of t. "

I r es te d f or a f ew mo re mo me nt s. The n H ua rd bui lt a f ir e whi le I w ob bl ed d own t o t he s tr ea m t ha t

ran a few yards away and washed off the blood as best I could. I made us each a cup of hot tea. Much

r es to re d, w e s et o ut f or t he v il la ge . T he re I w en t g ra te fu ll y t o b ed w hi le H ua rd t oo k t he d el eg at io n b ac k

to the sit e of t he kil l wi th a pa ck hor se. The boa r's me at would be t oo tough and ra nk to be edible, but

t he y w an te d t o b ri ng t he c ar ca ss i n a ny wa y.

" El dr ie , s up pe r' s r ea dy ." H ua rd w as b en di ng o ve r m e, h an d o n m y s ho ul de r. " Th ey 'r e p ut ti ng o n a party for us. Can't you get dressed and come?"

I s tr et ch ed l ux ur io us ly . " Al l r ig ht ," I s ai d l azil y. " I' ll w ear t he r ed b ro cade."

" Goo d f or you ! I 'l l go o n d own a nd s ta ll t he m. Ta ke yo ur t im e." He wa s dr es se d i n t he bl ue ou tf it

t ha t b ec am e hi m s o w el l; t he b el t w it h t he s il ve r b uc kl e w as a rou nd h is m id dl e.

S ay w hat y ou l ik e abo ut t he d ou r p eo pl e o f T er mo nt ai ne, I m us ed, s pl as hi ng b ri sk ly , t heir

bathrooms were incomparable. In this country inn, Huard and I had to share a bathroom, but still there

wa s hot water waiting to pour out of a tap. I would have to find out how the y did it and have one

i ns ta ll ed i n m y o wn h ome , i f I e ve r ha d o ne . M y h an ds w er e a l it tl e s wo ll en , b ut I f le xe d t he m v ig or ou sl ya nd m an ag ed t o d re ss m ys el f. I e ve n f ig ur ed o ut h ow t o f as te n t he c la sp o n m y p ec to ra l— no , H ua rd 's

pectoral, I reminded myself. I used a bit more of the rouge this time—the vivid color and daring cut of the

d re ss s ee me d t o c al l f or i t. I e ve n r ub be d s om e l ot io n o n m y w ri st s a nd t hr oa t— it w as i nt en de d f or i ns ec t

bites and poison ivy, but it smelled pleasantly spicy.

I c am e dow ns ta ir s a nd t ur ne d i nt o t he t apr oo m. T he re w as a s ce nt of f lo we rs a nd t he l igh t o f m any

l am ps —t he f ol k o f G ra nt on h ad b ee n b us y w hi le I s lu mb er ed t he a ft er no on a wa y. T he re h ad b ee n a

jocular remark on my lips to the effect that I was starving, but the sudden silence of the crowd in the

t ap ro om a s I c am e t hr ou gh t he d oo r p re ve nt ed m e f ro m s ay in g a ny th in g. I p au se d i n t he d oo rw ay a s a ll

t he s tari ng f aces t ur ned t ow ar d m e.

W ea ri ng t he h ee le d s li pp er s, I w as t al le r t ha n a ny on e i n t he r oo m, e xc ep t o f c ou rs e f or H ua rd . H e

t ur ne d a nd s aw m e. F or a m ome nt h e s too d a nd s ta re d a nd I w on de re d i f he r ec og ni ze d m e. H e hu rr ie d

t hr ou gh t he m ot io nl es s p eo pl e t ow ar d m e, b ut w he n h e c am e w it hi n a f ew s te ps , h e s to pp ed s ud de nl y

a nd m ade m e a s we epi ng a nd gr ac ef ul bo w. A s I ha d s ee n my f at he r a nd t he qu ee n do a t hou sa nd t im es

i n l ik e cir cu ms tances , I i ncli ned m y h ead g raci ou sl y and ext en ded m y h an d t o h im . T ak in g i t, h e w en t

do wn on o ne kn ee be fo re me a nd ki ss ed i t. The n h e r os e a nd bow ed a ga in , i nd ic at in g t he w ay t o t he

l ad en t ab les and r em ai ni ng d ow n u nt il I p as sed.

T he p eo pl e of G ra nt on , w ho ha d ne ve r s ee n r oy al ty b ef or e i n t he ir l iv es , p ar te d be for e m e, a nd a s I

w al ke d w it h s ta te ly g ra ce d ow n t he a is le t he y f or me d, t he y b ow ed o r m ad e a c ur ts y a cc or di ng t o t he ir

s ex . I n od de d w it h r eg al c on de sc en si on , s mi li ng f ir st t o o ne s id e a nd t he n t he o th er . O h, I k ne w h ow t o

play a royal part! I was as much entrapped by this ceremony as if I had been dragged in chains the whole



d i st ance. %

I went to the head of the table as if by right.

A s to rm o f c he er in g b ro ke o ut , a nd u nd er t he c ov er o f n oi se , s ti ll s mi li ng , I h is se d t o H ua rd , w ho

ha d f ol low ed a t my e lbo w ( cor re ct ly , i f I h ad be en w ha t I w as b ei ng f or ce d t o pr et en d t o be ), " Wh at

h av e y ou b een t el li ng t hese p eo pl e abo ut m e?"

" Jus t ho w you ki ll ed t he boa r. " T he re wa s n o t ime f or mo re ; t he c he er s w er e dyi ng a wa y a nd t he

t ow ns fo lk w er e g at he ri ng t o s ta nd b eh in d t he ir p la ce s. I w ai te d u nt il I w as s ur e e ve ry on e w as r ea dy , a nd

t he n I s at d ow n. I n a w av e of s ub du ed c ha tt er , t he pe op le s at do wn t oo. W ai te rs be ga n s cur ryi ng f or th

f ro m t he k it ch en s w it h t he f oo d, a nd b ow in g a wk wa rd ly a s t he y p re se nt ed i t t o m e f ir st ; I w ai te d w it h

l of ty p at ie nc e w hi le H ua rd s er ve d m e. E ve ry on e w at ch ed m e t o b e s ur e t ha t t he y d id n' t b eg in t o e at

before I did.

The re wa s a ma n s it ti ng on my l eft (H ua rd ha d be en pl ac ed a t my r ight ) who w as obvi ous ly a ma n

o f s om e s tand in g i n t he com mu ni ty . T im id ly , h e s po ke t o m e. " Er —Y ou r M aj es ty . . ."

I g la nc ed a t h im , t he t in ie st o f f ro wn s b et we en m y b ro ws . " Pr in ce ss E ld ri e i s c or re ct ly a dd re ss ed a s

' Yo ur H ig hn es s, ' " H uard i nf or med h im k in dl y and m en daci ou sl y, as I h ad n o v es ti ge o f a r ig ht t o eit her

t it le. " El dr ie F it zr oi " w as m y p ro per s ty li ng , b ut I w as n' t abo ut t o cor rect t he m is ap pr eh en si on .

" I b eg y ou r p ar do n, Y ou r H ig hn es s. W e' re j us t a l it tl e c ou nt ry t ow n a nd w e d on 't o ft en e nt er ta in

persons of your rank. Indeed, we've never had royalty here before."

" I u nd er st an d com pl et el y, " I s ai d k in dl y. " In f act, I 'm n ot h er e o n s tate b us in es s. I 'm t raveli ng

i ncog ni to , and I h op e y ou 'l l t reat m e j us t l ik e any o th er v is it or ."

" Oh , y es , o f c ou rs e. Y ou r H ig hn es s. I f y ou 'l l f or gi ve u s f or a ny l ap se s i n p ro pr ie ty ."

I g ra ci ous ly a gr ee d. I t wa s a s ti ff a nd un com for ta bl e m ea l. I ha d he ar d t ha t t hos e w ho h ave n o

r oy al ty o f t he ir o wn w er e m uc h m or e p ro fo un dl y i mp re ss ed t ha n t ho se t o w ho m a k in g w as j us t a no th er

o ff ic ia l, a nd i f t he se p eo pl e w er e a ny i ndi ca ti on , i t w as t ru e. I a ls o k ne w f ro m m y o wn o bs er va ti on t ha t

t ru e r oy al ty t ol er at ed r at her t han s ou gh t adu lati on , and I w as r ap id ly f in di ng o ut w hy —i t w as b or in g.

P er haps t he m easu re o f r oy al ty i s t he g raci ou s t ol er at io n o f b or ed om , I r ef lect ed r uefu ll y.

W he n t he m ea l w as o ve r, I m ov ed a bo ut t he r oo m, s pe ak in g k in dl y t o t he p eo pl e, e sp ec ia ll y t he

w om en , w ho b lu sh ed and s tamm er ed and m em or ized m y every w or d. T hey h ad a w on derf ul t im e. I

w it hd rew j us t b ef or e t he eveni ng b ecam e t oo l on g f or t hem, t hu s f reei ng t hem t o g o h om e and m ar vel.H uard att en ded m e w it h g rave p ro pr iety .

I t ur ne d t o h im w he n w e go t u p t o ou r r oo ms . " Hua rd , w ha t p os se ss ed y ou t o t el l t ho se po or

people that I was a princess?"

" I d id n' t, " h e s ai d d ef en si ve ly . " I t ol d t he m h ow y ou k il le d t he b oa r. T he n y ou a pp ea re d i n t he d oo r

a nd s to pp ed t he re . Y ou l oo ke d s o g ra nd a nd b ea ut if ul a nd q ue en ly t ha t I c ou ld n' t h el p m ys el f— I b ow ed

t o y ou. I t w as y ou t ha t c am e w al ki ng i nt o t he r oo m l ik e y ou w er e c on fe rr in g a b le ss in g o n u s j us t b y

breathing the same air." He smiled at me. "Eldrie, I wish you could have seen yourself then. No one could

h av e d ou bt ed f or a n i ns ta nt t ha t y ou w er e a k in g' s d au gh te r. I d id n' t h av e t o t el l t he m. T he y k ne w. A nd i t

w as y ou w ho s ho wed t hem. "

I s too d a nd l oo ke d a t hi m s te rnl y. " Hu ar d, I m ay be a k in g' s d aug ht er . B ut I a m no t a p ri nc es s.



A nd f ur th er mo re , I d id n' t k il l t he b oa r. Y ou d id , a nd s av ed m y l if e i nt o t he b ar ga in. "

H e b ow ed l ow t o m e, a nd, t ak ing m y ha nd a nd kne el in g be for e m e, ki ss ed i t. Lo oki ng up a t me

w it h a m is chi ev ou s s mi le , h e s ai d, " Bu t j us t t hi nk w ha t a t hr il l yo u g ave t ho se pe opl e. Al l t he r es t o f t he ir

d ul l l it tl e l iv es , t hey' ll b e t al ki ng abo ut t he p ri nces s w ho cam e and k il led t he b oar and ate d in ner w it h

t hem. T hey' ll t el l t heir g rand ch il dr en h ow k in d and g raci ou s s he w as , and h ow b eaut if ul and b rave."

I l au gh ed . " Oh , H ua rd . G et u p a nd d on 't t al k n on se ns e. "

H e r os e, s ti ll c hu ck li ng . " Sh al l I u nf as te n t he p ec to ra l f or y ou b ef or e I g o t o b ed ?"

Now , I h ad p ut t he t hi ng on by my se lf , a nd I wa s c er ta inl y c apa bl e of t aki ng i t of f. Al so, I h ad ve ry

s en si bl y d ec id ed n ot t o l et H ua rd t ou ch m e u nl es s i t w as a bs ol ut el y n ec es sa ry . B ut I m ee kl y t ur ne d m y

back on him and let him unfasten it, which he did with commendable dispatch. Even so, his breathing

q ui ck en ed , and h e t hr us t t he p ect or al at m e and t ur ned h as t il y t ow ar d t he con nect in g d oo rw ay b et ween

o ur r oo ms . " Hu ar d, " I s ai d s of tl y, a nd h e s to pp ed a br up tl y. " Er —t ha nk y ou f or s av in g m e f ro m t he b oa r. "

" Yo u' re w el co me." H e h es it ated. " El dr ie . .. "

" Yes ?" I ans wer ed q ui ckl y.

H e h es i tated again , t hen s ho ok h is h ead. " Go od n ig ht ."

" Goo d n ight ." H e we nt on t hr ough t he op eni ng , a nd I 'm s ur e he wi sh ed t ha t t he re wa s a do or i n t he

f rame s o t hat h e cou ld h av e clo sed i t w it h f ir m f in al it y.

I s tood i n t he m iddl e of t he f lo or , l ooki ng a t t he pe ct or al t ha t dr ape d ove r my ha nd i n l iqui d

profusion. It was I who had made this silence between us. I was as sure as a woman can be that he hadwa nt ed t o s ta y w it h me t on ight , t ha t he ha d a lm os t s poke n t he w or ds . I h ad wa nt ed hi m t o s ta y ( I

r em em be re d h is h an ds t ou ch in g m e a s h e s ea rc he d f or b ro ke n b on es ). Y et s o w el l h ad I s ch oo le d h im

t ha t he h adn' t da re d t o s pe ak. How w as I t o l et hi m know t ha t my f ee li ng s w er e c ha ngi ng, t ha t now I

might—no, I would—welcome his embraces?

I t ook the box out and pi ec e by pie ce la id t he j ewe lr y i n the pr ope r pla ce s. The re was no a cti on I

c ou ld t ak e, n o w or ds I c ou ld s ay . M y r ej ec ti on h ad b ee n t oo f in al . Y et I h ad l ai n t he re b li ss fu ll y e nj oy in g

hi s t ou ch a s he s ea rc he d f or br oke n bo ne s. I e xc or ia te d my se lf a s a h yp oc ri te . C om e t o t hi nk of i t, I w as

a ma ze d t ha t a ny on e c ou ld f ee l a ny d es ir e f or s uc h a s I . M ay be I h ad m is re ad h is f ee li ng s.

I took a shaky breath. No, I hadn't, nor mine either. It had taken me a time to come to it, but I

wa nt ed hi m a s m uc h a s he wa nt ed m e. The re wa s onl y on e t hi ng t o do , a nd t ha t w as t o m ake t he o ff er

m ys el f. T he i de a q ui te t oo k m y b re at h a wa y; I h ad n' t b ee n a ny wh er e n ea r a s f ri gh te ne d w he n I f ou nd

myself facing the charging boar.

F in ge rs t re mb li ng , I t oo k o ff t he b ro ca de d re ss . G oi ng i nt o t he b at hr oo m, I w as he d, p re pa ri ng

my se lf f or be d a s I a lwa ys di d. The n I we nt t o m y m edi ci ne ba g a nd t ook ou t a c er ta in j ar . I ma de mys elf

r ea dy s o t ha t i f h e a cc ep te d m y o ff er , I w ou ld n' t b ec om e p re gn an t.

I h es it at ed, t hi nk in g. I d id n' t q ui te h av e t he cou rage t o u nd ress com pl etely . A ny way, i f h e accept ed ,

I w an te d i t t o b e b ec au se h e w an te d m e, n ot b ec au se h e w as o ve rw he lm ed b y h is o wn m as cu li ne n at ur e.

He ha d t o h ave t he opt ion t o r ef us e, i f h e wi she d, a s I ha d. A nd i f he d id r ef us e, i t wou ld c er ta in ly be no

m or e t ha n I d es er ve d.



I w as w ea ri ng a l in en s hi ft , a s of t, s ha pe le ss ga rm ent . T ha t w ou ld d o. I t oo k a s te p t ow ar d t he

con nect in g d oo r, o nl y t o h al t, p ar al yzed b y n er vo us ness . T hi s w as n' t t he r ig ht n ig ht , I t ol d m ys el f

c ra ve nl y. I h ad s le pt a ll a ft er no on , b ut H ua rd w ou ld b e t ir ed . H e w as n o d ou bt a lr ea dy a sl ee p, a nd

w ou ld n' t t ha nk m e f or w ak in g h im . T om or ro w w ou ld b e b et te r. W e' d b e a wa y f ro m t he o pp re ss iv e e ff ec t

o f t he se s ou r- fa ce d p eo pl e a nd c am pi ng u nd er t he s ta rs . O r t he n ex t n ig ht . P er ha ps I s ho ul d w ai t a wh il e

a nd l et t he me mor y of my re jec tion of hi m grow dimme r. It would give me a cha nc e t o be s ur e of myf ee li ngs . I t oo k a s te p t ow ar d my o wn be d.

N o, I t ol d m ys el f f ie rc el y, b ea ti ng d ow n t he p an ic . D o i t n ow ! G et i t o ve r w it h! S ur el y h e' ll t ur n y ou

d ow n— wh at n or ma l h um an c ou ld p as s u p a n o pp or tu ni ty f or s o s we et a r ev en ge ? A nd t he n i t w il l b e

o ve r a nd d on e. C le nc hi ng m y f is ts , I t ur ne d a nd t ook a s te p t ow ar d t he d oor . Co me o n, I e xh or te d

my se lf s il ent ly. A ll he c an do i s s ay no , a nd t ha t won' t be f ata l. I t ook a not he r s te p.

B ut wh at i f he s ay s y es ? I a sk ed mys el f. An d s ome ti me do wn t he f ut ur e pa th, wh en we ha ve a

qua rr el , he poi nt s out i n a nge r t ha t i t wa s I who c am e i mp or tuna te t o h im ? W ha t c oul d I s ay t he n? Oh,

n o, I c ou ld n' t f ac e t ha t. S ur el y t he re w as s om e w ay I c ou ld h in t s ub tl y t o h im t ha t h is a dv an ce s w ou ld b ewe lc ome d. I n a fe w da ys , I mi ght r ema rk on how s ill y I had be en t o obj ect to ri di ng wi th hi m. Ma ybe

s om et im e l at er w hen I w as r id in g w it h h im , I cou ld n es tl e t ru st in gl y i nt o h is arm s and l oo k w is tf ul ly u p i nt o

hi s f ac e a nd s igh . I c ou ld a sk h im t o b ut ton u p a b lo us e— or b et te r y et , un bu tt on o ne . I r et re at ed t ow ar d

t he b ed .

I s ho ok m ys el f i n a s udd en f it o f s el f- loa thi ng. Wh at a c owa rd I wa s! He h ad be en br ave e nou gh t o

r is k r ej ec ti on , a nd b ee n b ru ta ll y h um il ia te d f or h is p ai ns . S ur el y I c ou ld t ak e t hr ee s te ps t o t he d oo r a nd

a t l ea st s ee i f he w er e a sl ee p. I f he we re , I wo ul dn 't b ot he r hi m. Tha t w oul dn 't b e r ight . T he p oor ma n

ne ede d hi s r es t. Thi s r es olu ti on c ar ri ed m e a s fa r a s t he door f ra me , w he re I c lun g, p ant in g a s if I ha d r un

a mile.

T he re w as q ui te a b it o f l ig ht s pi ll in g t hr ou gh t he d oor f ro m m y r oo m, b ut I c ou ld s ee n ot hi ng b ut a

h ea p o f b ed cl ot he s. I l is te ne d. T he re w as n o s ou nd , n ot e ve n t he r eg ul ar , h ea vy b re at hi ng o f s le ep . B ut

t he n, H ua rd d id n' t s no re . I f h e w er e a wa ke , w ou ld n' t h e ha ve a ske d w ho w as t he re ? N o, h e w as

probably asleep, and if I crept away very quietly, he'd never even know I had been there. Emboldened

by this thought, I whispered very, very softly—hardly a breath— "Huard, are you asleep?"

" No ." .

I j um pe d a nd c lu tc he d a t t he d oor f ra me . H e w as n' t a sl ee p— I ha d ne ve r h ea rd a nyo ne u tt er a

m on os yl la bl e t ha t s ou nd ed l es s a sl ee p— an d w or se y et , h e k ne w I w as t he re . W el l, t he re w as n ot hi ng f or i t n ow b ut t o g o t hr ou gh w it h i t. W it h s om e o f t he f at al is ti c r es ig nati on o f t he cri mi nal m ou nt in g t he

s ca ff ol d, I w al ke d a cr os s t he f lo or a nd s li pp ed i nt o H ua rd 's b ed .

Fo r a m ome nt he wa s s ti ll , a nd t he n h e r ai se d hi ms el f on hi s e lbow a nd l ooke d d ow n a t m e.

" El dr ie," h e s ai d awf ul ly , " yo u aren' t t easi ng m e, are y ou ?"

I c au gh t m y b re at h. " Hu ar d, i f I w er e t ea si ng , I w ou ld c er ta in ly d es er ve a ny th in g t ha t h ap pe ne d t o

m e, u p t o and i nclu di ng s tr an gu lati on , w ou ld n' t I ?" T en tati vely , I r each ed o ut and t ou ch ed h is l ip s v er y

l ig ht ly w it h t he t ip s o f m y f in gers . " Perh ap s I s ho ul d m ak e m ys el f clear er . H uard , w ou ld y ou p leas e m ak e

l ov e t o m e? I a sk i t of you k now ing pe rf ec tl y we ll t ha t I de se rv e t o b e d ump ed out of t hi s be d a nd s ent

back to my own room. But would you, please?"



"I want to learn how to heal with magic. There's so little I can do with my herbs and balms . If I had

k no wn m ag ic , I c ou ld h av e s av ed t ha t l it tl e b oy . A nd t he re h av e b ee n o th er s I c ou ld n' t s av e, l ot s o f

t he m. " He g ave m e a t rou bl ed l ook . " Th er e m us t b e s om e r ea son w hy t he re a re s o f ew s pe ll d oc to rs ,

E ld ri e. E it her i t' s v er y d if fi cu lt and d an gero us t o l earn , o r t he m ag ical h ealers d on 't t ak e s tu dent s. O r

perhaps you have to have some special inborn talent to become a healing mage."

" Pe rh ap s. B ut I 'd l ik e t o t ry . F or a ny p hy si ci an , l if e i s a l on g l ea rn in g p ro ce ss . Y ou s tr iv e a nds tr ugg le t o l ea rn mor e s o you c an s ave m or e p at ie nt s. I n t he e nd, no one l ea rns e nough. B ut yo u ha ve t o

keep trying."

" I t hi nk y ou s ho ul d g o h om e, " h e s ai d b lu nt ly .

" I h av en 't g ot a ho me ."

" Ye s, yo u do . Yo u s hou ld g o b ac k t o y ou r f at he r. E ld ri e, y ou a re r oy al . I do n' t c ar e w he th er y our

m ot he r w as we d t o y our f at he r or no t. I s aw y ou d ow n t he re l as t ni ght , a nd y ou a re no t l ik e ot he r pe opl e.

Aren't kings supposed to be given greater-than-common gifts and greater-than-common burdens?"

" No ns en se . K in gs a re j us t p eo pl e. T he y d on 't h av e a ny s pe ci al g if ts . A nd e ve n i f t he y d id , I

w ou ld n' t h av e any o f t hem. I 'm j us t an i ti nerant h ealer. "

He s hook his hea d. "No, you a re n't just a hea le r. You a re r oya l. Thos e peopl e f el t i t a s much as I

di d. The y ne ve r bow ed dow n i n a ll t he ir l ive s t o a nyone , b ut t he y bowe d dow n t o you. Yo u ha ve t he

gifts, all right."

"I 'm j us t l ik e a ny on e e ls e. Y ou s ho ul d k no w. A m I a ny d if fe re nt f ro m a ny o th er w om an y ou e ve r

lay with?"

" Ye s. O h, n ot p hy si ca ll y. Y ou rs i s a d el ic io us ly f em al e b od y, m ea nt t o g iv e p le as ur e a nd t o b e

pleasured. But there is a—I don't know, an invisible glow about you. Last night was like—well, lying with

a b ei ng f ro m a no th er w or ld , a b et te r w or ld . O h, I 'm n ot e lo qu en t e no ug h t o s ay w ha t I m ea n, "

" Bu t, H ua rd, I f el t t ha t t oo, a nd yo u s ay y ou 'r e no t of r oy al bi rt h. "

" I' m n ot . J us t a n o rd in ar y, c om mo n f am il y. B ei ng w it h y ou l en t m e a g ra ce , a g lo ry , t ha t d oe sn 't

belong to me; that must be one of the royal gifts, that you can imbue those around with a power they

d on 't h av e o f t he ms el ve s. Y ou m us t g o h om e, E ld ri e, t he y n ee d y ou t he re . Y ou r f at he r n ee ds y ou . Y ou

h ave t he r oy al g if ts , b ut y ou 'v e r un o ut on t he r oy al b ur de ns ."

" Hua rd, t he y do n' t n ee d me . I w as ne ve r mo re t ha n a n i nc onv en ie nc e a nd a pr obl em t o t he m. I 've

been gone for sixteen years and I've never hidden. If they needed me so badly, why did they never send

so much as a letter to ask me to come back?"

" I d on 't k no w, El dr ie . I o nl y f ee l w it h a ll m y b ei ng t ha t y ou m us t g o ho me ."

I s at u p, p et ti sh ly d ra wi ng t he c ov er s a bo ut m e. " Th at 's m ys ti ca l n on se ns e. R oy al p eo pl e a re o nl y

people, with only ordinary powers. And other people haven't got any business having premonitions about

t he m. I 'm g oi ng t o l oo k f or a m ag ic al h ea le r, H ua rd . Y ou c an d o a s y ou l ik e. "

G en tl y h e l ai d a h an d o n m y s ho ul de r a nd p ul le d m e d ow n a ga in . " Yo u' re m y p ri nc es s, E ld ri e. I 'l l

g o w he re ve r y ou l ik e a nd d o a s I a m c om ma nd ed . B ut y ou c an 't c om ma nd m e t o t hi nk a ny d if fe re nt ly



t ha n I d o."

I s nu gg le d n ex t t o h im a nd l et h im w ra p h is l on g a rm s a ro un d m e. " Yo u h av e n ev er , e ve r o be ye d

o ne s in gl e o rd er I ever g av e y ou ," I g ru mb led. " I cer tain ly w ou ld n' t t hi nk o f t ry in g t o com mand y ou r

thoughts."

"I a lw ay s o be y y ou , E ld ri e— at l ea st , I o be y t he r ea l c om ma nd s y ou g iv e m e. "

" Th en d on 't e ve r m en ti on g oi ng h om e a ga in . D on 't c al l m e a p ri nc es s. A nd d on 't n at te r o n a bo ut

royal gifts and royal burdens."

H e chu ck led. " Th os e ar en 't r eal com mand s. "

" So me ho w, I t ho ug ht n ot . O h, w el l. H ow a bo ut t hi s o ne ? L et 's g et u p a nd g et s om e b re ak fa st ."

" No w t ha t' s a n o rd er I c an f ol lo w w it h e nt hu si as m. I h ea r a nd o be y, O P ri nc es s. "

C hap ter S i x

HUARDWASWAITING wi th hi s hor se a nd the l oa de d poni es whe n I c ame down f rom a f ina l

c he ck of ou r r oom s f or f or got te n i te ms . He w as t al ki ng t o t he i nnke epe r, a nd a s I c am e i nt o t he s tr ee t

before the inn, I saw him give the man a folded paper. Turning away, he looped the ponies' lead through

a r in g o n h is s ad dl e. W it h a g ra ce fu l b ow , he h el d o ut h is h an d t o m e, a nd t he l oi te ri ng p eo pl e m ur mu re d

w it h d el ig ht . H e b oo st ed m e i nt o h is s ad dl e a nd l ed t he h or se o ut o f G ra nt on , c re at in g o ut o f o ur s im pl e

d ep ar tu re a r oy al p ro gr es s, w hi le I s at t he re i n m y du ll a nd w or n s hi rt a nd t ro us er s, n od di ng a nd s mi li nga t t he p eo pl e w ho g at he re d t o s ee u s g o. I f el t r id ic ul ou s, b ut a pp ar en tl y t he p eo pl e w er e p le as ed , i n s pi te

o f m y l ac k o f s pl en do r, f or t he y w av ed a nd s mi le d a nd c he er ed . I s up po se t he y t ho ug ht t ha t p ri nc es se s

traveling incognito always wore shabby clothes.

On ce w e we re c le ar o f t he t own a nd o ut of s ig ht , Hu ar d m ou nt ed be hi nd m e, a nd I s nug gl ed

again st h im . " I f or go t t o col lect o ur m on ey ," h e s ai d r eg retf ul ly .

" Ho w c ou ld a p ri nc es s p os si bl y a cc ep t a f ee f or p ro te ct in g t he p eo pl e? " I a sk ed s ev er el y. " Sh e

doe sn' t j us t p re se nt a bi ll ; onl y l es se r f ol k do t ha t. N ow, i f I w er e r ea ll y r oya l, I 'd l evy a t ax, a nd i t w oul d

c os t t he m a l ot mo re t ha n a f ee ."

" Yo u' re r ig ht , o f cou rs e, " h e s ig hed. " As ki ng f or t he m on ey w ou ld h av e r ui ned t he w ho le m ar velo us

i ll us io n. H ow are w e g oi ng t o f in d a m ag ical h ealer?"

" We 'l l t ra ve l u nt il w e f in d s om eo ne a nd t he n w e' ll a sk ," I s ai d. " So me on e w e m ee t w il l h av e h ea rd

o f o ne, and w e' ll f ol lo w t heir d ir ecti on s and ask again ."

" It s oun ds l ik e a l on g j ou rn ey w e' ve g ot a he ad. W hy don 't w e s ta rt b y go ing t o you r f at he r' s

country?"

"Huard," I said warningly.

" We ll , t he re 's a s m uc h c ha nc e y ou r p eo pl e k no w s om et hi ng a s a ny on e, " h e s ai d i n a n i nj ur ed t on e.



" So ut h. W e' re g oi ng s ou th ," I s ai d, o nl y b ec au se m y h om el an d l ay t o t he n or th .

" Very w el l, " H uard con ceded. " So ut h i t i s. "

A s p le as an t a s i t w as t o r ide wi th Hu ar d' s a rm s a bou t m e, I w al ke d m uc h o f t ha t da y. W he ne ve r

w e c am e t o a l it tl e v il la ge , H ua rd a nd I w ou ld i nq ui re o f t he i nn ke ep er a bo ut a h ea li ng m ag e. I t s ee me dt ha t m y c hoi ce of d ir ec ti ons ha d b ee n a n i ns pi re d on e, f or w he n t ho se we a ske d di d kno w of a r umo r o f

a s pe ll d oc to r, i t w as a lw ay s t o t he s ou th t he y p oi nt ed .

W e s ki rt ed t he m ou nt ai ns a nd t he e dg e o f t he a nc ie nt f or es t a ll t ha t d ay , a nd b y t he l at e a ft er no on ,

w e h ad l ef t t he s et tl ed f ar mi ng l an ds m il es b eh in d. I w as w al ki ng alo ng , enj oy in g t he coo li ng o f t he d ay

a nd t hi nk in g m y ow n t ho ug ht s, w hi le H ua rd p ut h is b ig m ou nt t o a j ar ri ng t ro t a nd r od e a he ad t o s py o ut

a c am pi ng p la ce f or t he n igh t. I s au nt er ed a rou nd a b en d a nd f oun d h im s it ti ng h is h or se a t a f or k i n t he

road.

" I t hought you mi ght l ike to s ee thi s," he s ai d a s I c ame up to him . " Whi ch wa y do you wa nt t o go? "

I l oo ke d d ow n t he s ou th er n r oa d. I t w as d wi nd li ng , b ec om in g r oc ki er a nd m or e w ee d- gr ow n a s i t

l ed of f t o t he s out h. I kn ew w he re i t w ent . I t l ed t o t he Pr ot ec to ra te , a d ingy l and i nha bi te d by gr as pi ng

m er ch an ts , w ho w er e t axed i nt o n ear b an kr up tcy t o s up po rt t heir P ro tecto r' s o st en tati ou sl y l avi sh

l if es ty le . A ny th in g a t a ll c ou ld b e p ur ch as ed i n t he P ro te ct or at e, w as t he ir b oa st , a nd i t w as p ar tl y

t ru e— an yt hi ng a t a ll t ha t w as s ho dd y a nd t aw dr y c ou ld b e p ur ch as ed f or t wi ce i ts w or th . T he p eo pl e o f

t he P ro tecto rate f an ci ed t hems el ves g reat r og ues and r ov er s; i n t ru th , t hey w er e m er el y s ly and d is ho nest ,

and t r am ped abo ut w it h t hei r p ack t rain s and g oo ds w ag on s o n w el l- tr aveled r oads , s tr iv in g t o cheat

w ho mever w as u nw ar y eno ug h t o b uy f ro m t hem. A t t hi s t hey d ou bt less w ou ld h av e b een n io re

s uc ce ss fu l w er e i t n ot f or t he ir h ab it o f b oa st in g a bo ut t he ir s ch em es t o d ef ra ud t he i nn oc en t. I h ad b ee n

t he re s ev er al t im es a nd w as a lw ay s g la d t o l ea ve .

I t ur ne d a nd l oo ke d up t he o th er r oa d. I t l ed i nt o t he f or es t, c li mb in g gr adu al ly a s f ar a s I c oul d s ee .

L as t y ea r' s l ea ve s l ay i n a b ro wn c ar pe t, u nd is tu rb ed s in ce t he y h ad f al le n a nd t he r ai ns o f w in te r h ad

packed them down. Yet it was a fair, broad highway, cleared of stumps and rocks, the overhanging limbs

t ha t m ig ht i mp ed e a h or se ma n' s p ro gr es s n ea tl y t ri mm ed b ac k. S uc h a r oa d a s t hi s w ou ld b e s ty le d t he

K in g' s Hi ghw ay i n a ny c iv il iz ed l an d. I kn ew n ot hi ng o f i t; I h ad n ev er s ee n i t o n a ny m ap I h ad s tu di ed.

The ti ps of my f inge rs t ingl ed as I thought of t he wi de and e asy r oad t ha t l ed to t he c ountr y of t he li ttl e

f ol k o f l eg en d. O r t he s to ry o f h ow t he o gr es m ad e i t c on ve ni en t f or w ea ry t ra ve le rs t o c om e t o t he ir

banquet halls, there to serve as the main course at the feast. I had been much addicted to fairy tales—

g ru es om e o nes —as a chi ld .

" I d on' t kn ow t hi s r oa d, " I s ai d a t l as t t o H ua rd ( no t m en ti on in g m y l ur id i ma gi ni ng s) . " Do yo u? "

" I d id n' t e ve n k no w i t w as h er e. W ha t l ie s i n t ha t d ir ec ti on ?"

" Mo re m ou nt ai ns , I t hi nk ," I s ai d d ou bt fu ll y. " I w on der w ho b ui lt i t and w hy ?"

" It s ur e i s a be tt er r oa d t ha n t he o ne s ou th t o t he Pr ot ec to ra te ," he s ai d wi st fu ll y.

" I' ll t el l you w ha t, Hu ar d, I k now t he re a re n' t a ny m ag es i n t he P rot ec tor at e. A nd i f we go t a ny

i nf or mati on t here, w e' d h av e t o b uy i t. "

" On ly t o d is co ve r i t w as a c om pl et e f ab ri ca ti on ," h e a gr ee d. " Sh al l w e r id e a lo ng t hi s r oa d f or a



w hi le , j us t t o s ee wh er e i t g oe s? W e c an a lw ays c om e b ac k t o t he P ro te ct or at e l at er ."

I s mi le d u p a t h im . " If t hi s w er e a f ai ry t al e, t ho se w or ds w ou ld m ak e i t a bs ol ut el y c er ta in t ha t w e' d

n ev er s ee t he P ro te ct or at e a ga in . O r e ve r b e h ea rd f ro m a ga in , m os t l ik el y. "

H e a ct ua ll y s hi ve re d. " Do n' t t al k l ik e t ha t. P re co gn it io n i s b ou nd t o b e o ne o f t he k in g' s g if ts ."

"H ua rd ," I s ai d w it h e xa sp er at io n, " th er e a re n o s uc h t hi ng s a s k in g' s g if ts . A nd i f t he re w er e, I

w ou ldn 't h av e t he m. I ha ve j us t a s m uc h r ig ht t o t al k n on se ns e a s a ny on e. "

He gr in ne d a t t ha t a nd e xt ende d a ha nd d own t o l if t me t o t he po mm el of h is s addl e. " Sor ry ," he

apo lo gi zed. " It 's j us t t hat o ccas io nall y i t all o verw helm s m e. M y l ov er i s a k in g' s d au gh ter! I can h ar dl y

believe that h should have happened to such an ordinary fellow as me!"

I s et tl ed m ys el f c om fo rt ab ly . " I c ou ld s ay j us t a s e as il y t ha t I c an h ar dl y b el ie ve t ha t i t h ap pe ne d t o

m e, p la in a nd u ne xc it in g a s I a m, t ha t m y l ov er i s t al l a nd h an ds om e a nd k in d a nd g ent le a nd g en er ou s, a

g re at h un te r a nd a f ie rc e w ar ri or . A nd g oo d a t f as te ni ng t hi ngs ." I f el t m ys el f d ra wn b ac k i nt o a ne mb ra ce , a nd r ai se d m y m ou th t o h is s we et , s ee ki ng k is se s.

Af te r a t im e— we w er e o ut of s ig ht of t he f or k i n t he r oa d wh en a t l as t I l oo ke d a ro un d— I a ske d

hi m, " Come to t hi nk of i t, why do you be li eve it ? I t's a pr ett y unl ike ly s tor y on t he f ac e of i t, a nd f or e ve ry

t ru e d au gh te r o f a k in g r oa mi ng t he w or ld , t he re m us t b e a t ho us an d w ho c la im t he p ar t f al se ly . N o o ne

els e ever b el ieved m e. "

" I e xp ec t t ha t no one e ls e e ve r l ooke d up f rom f la t on t he ir b ac k o n t he f loo r a nd s aw yo u s ta ndi ng

ove r t he m wi th a s wor d i n your ha nd a nd s te rn j us ti ce i n your f ac e, a s I di d. A nd t he n I be gg ed m er cy,

and s om eh ow , b y s om e i nf in it es im al m ar gi n, y ou f ou nd m e w or th y o f i t. I o ff er ed m y o at h, and y ou t oo k

i t a nd g ra nt ed m e y ou r p ro te ct io n. A nd w he n y ou a cc ep te d m y o at h, y ou a cc ep te d r es po ns ib il it y f or m e;no th ing l es s oc cur re d t o yo u. O h, I k ne w w ho you we re —o r a t l ea st wh at y ou w er e. A nd yo u t ru st ed

m e— th e o at h w as g iv en a nd t ak en a nd y ou k ne w— kn ew !— I w ou ld n' t h ar m y ou . I w as y ou r t ru e

l iegeman f ro m t he m om en t y ou f el l asl eep i n m y arm s. " T hi s h ad s tart ed o ut as a s im pl e exp lanati on , b ut

by the end, his face was shining. It was no less than a declaration, and how could I fail to respond to it?

I s at up . " Hu ar d," I s ai d gr ave ly, " if I we re t rul y r oya l, a nd i f I ha d you fo r a f ri end , I woul d c ount

m ys el f t he m os t f or tu na te o f r ul er s. A nd i f I w er e t he l ow es t p ea sa nt i n t he l and , a nd ha d y ou f or m y

l ov er , I w ou ld cou nt m ys el f t he l ucki es t o f w om en ."

H e w as s il en t f or a l on g t im e, w hi te t he b ig h or se c ar ri ed u s s ou nd le ss ly o ve r t he c ar pe t o f l ea ve sa nd t he p on ie s b ob be d a lo ng a ft er u s. " Do y ou s ti ll c la im n ot t o b e r oy al ?" h e s ai d i n s ha ke n t on es .

" El dr ie , I a m y our s. D on 't b li nd m e w it h y ou r gl or y, b ut r em em be r t ha t I 'm on ly a p oo r h un te r. "

I s ig hed, b ut s ai d n ot hi ng . T o h im , t he s im pl es t d eclarati on s o f h um an f ri en ds hi p w er e b eg in ni ng t o

t ak e o n a m ys ti ca l p ow er . H e w as p ut ti ng a n u nb ri dg ea bl e d is ta nc e b et we en u s; s oo n t he w om an w ho

o nl y l as t n ig ht h ad m oa ne d w it h pl ea su re i n h is a rm s w ou ld s ee m no l on ge r h um an t o hi m. A nd I , a lo ne

a nd i n s or e n ee d o f t he k in dn es s a nd c om pa ni on sh ip h e c ou ld o ff er s o a bu nda nt ly t o a m er el y h um an

w om an , w ou ld b e e ve n m or e a lo ne . T he re w as n ot hi ng I c ou ld s ay t o m ak e h im u nd er st an d t ha t I d id n' t

n eed h is w or sh ip , I n eeded h is f ri en ds hi p.

" I' ve d is ap po in ted y ou , h av en 't I ?" h e s ai d, i nt er ru pt in g m y r ev er ie. " Yo u l oo k as i f y ou r h eart

would br ea k. Wha t di d I s ay to ma ke you l ook s o s ad a nd def eat ed? "



I l ea ne d b ac k a ga in st h im a nd t ur ne d m y f ac e s o m y c he ek l ay a ga in st h is s ho ul de r. " Ho ld m e,

H ua rd . I n ee d y ou ," I w hi sp er ed . " La ug h a t m e. T ea se m e. P la y j ok es o n m e. D on 't v al ue m e s o h ig hl y

that you make me inhuman."

" I' ll t ry ," h e s ai d s lo wl y. " I t hi nk I u nd er st an d w hy y ou r an a wa y. T he y p ut a ll t he b ur de ns a nd n on e

of t he pr ivi le ge s of your bir th on you, di dn't t he y? And I wa s t ryi ng t o do t he s ame thi ng. I 'l l tr y t o t rea t

y ou a s i f yo u w er e a ny o the r p re tt y g ir l I 'd s ed uc ed a nd l ur ed i nt o r un ni ng a wa y w it h m e. B e p at ie nt w it hm e w hen I f or get t o b e d is resp ectf ul , w il l y ou ?"

W e c am pe d t ha t n ig ht i n t he m ur mu ri ng f or es t. T he a ir w as s we et w it h s um me r, a nd f ar a wa y i n t he

d ep th s o f t he w oo d, t he f ox es w er e c al li ng t he ir v ix en s. I n t he m or ni ng, w e c on ti nu ed o n o ur w ay . W e

h ad b ee n t ra ve li ng f or o nl y a c ou pl e o f h ou rs w he n w e b eg an t o s ee s ig ns o f h um an p re se nc e— lo ng g on e

and r ui no us , a f ew t um bl ed b lo ck s o verg ro wn w it h t rees h un dr ed s o f y ear s o ld , t heir r oo ts b ur ied d eepl y

i n t he l oa m o f d ec ay ed t re es t ha t w er e a nc ie nt w he n t he se m ig ht y f or es t l or ds h ad s pr ou te d. T he re w as a

s tr an ge f eeli ng as o f h id den eyes w at ch in g— no t t hr eateni ng , b ut w e w er e u nd er s om e u ncan ny

observation. In itself, that was unnerving.

B es id e t he r oa d, a b ub bl in g s pr in g h ad b ee n b ui lt i nt o a c ra ck ed a nd s ta in ed b ow l o f w hi te q ua rt z

r oc k. W hi te no se w as t hi rs ty , f or h e p ri ck ed h is e ar s a t t he m us ic o f t he w at er . T ur ni ng t ow ar d i t, h e

pulled the lead rope out of its ring and went to investigate, his faithful follower Graylegs right behind him.

" St ay he re ," I hi ss ed t o H ua rd. " Ma ke n o s ud de n mo ve s. " I s li d d ow n f ro m t he h or se 's b ac k a nd

w en t t o r et ri ev e t he s tr ay in g p on ies.

W hi te no se w as f ee li ng g oo d. H e w as w el l- fe d a nd l ig ht ly l oa de d, a nd h e h ad a lw ay s h ad a

m is ch ie vo us s tr ea k i n hi m. N in et y- ni ne t im es o ut o f a h und re d, I c ou ld h av e w al ke d u p a nd p ic ke d u p t he

l ea d r op e a nd h e w ou ld ha ve m ad e no o bj ec ti on . B ut no t t oda y. Q ui ck a s a c at , h e t wi tc he d t he r op e o ut

o f m y r ea ch a nd s id le d a wa y.

C ro on in g e nd ea rm en ts , I e as ed t ow ar d p on y a ga in . O ne e ar c oc ke d t ow ar d m e, h e m ov ed a wa y

just exactly fast enough to keep out of my reach. Graylegs's rope pulled out of its ring on Whitenose's

pack, and he stopped and looked about in bewilderment, as if asking someone to please explain the joke

t o h im . I p ic ke d up t he r ope a nd t oo k hi m t o Hu ar d, w ho wa s, a s I ha d a ske d, s it ti ng s ti ll on t he h or se 's

back. I handed the rope up to him.

W hi te no se w as e at in g a f lo we ri ng b us h, o ne e ye s ki nn ed b ac k t o b e s ur e t ha t I w as n' t g et ti ng c lo se

e no ug h t o g ra b h is r op e. H e w at ch ed m e m an eu ve r w it h a mu se d i nt er es t; w he n I w as n ea rl y i n po si ti on,

he ki ck ed up hi s he el s a nd da rt ed p as t me up one of t he s tr ang el y r egul ar a is le s t ha t l ed o ff t he r oa d.

T here w as n ot hi ng f or i t b ut t o f ol lo w h im . I t ru dg ed aft er h im , f ol lo wi ng t he n eat s mall h oo fp ri nt s

around incongruously square corners and past inexplicably cubical mounds, some higher than hills. I

h ad n' t g on e t we nt y y ar ds w he n I r ea li ze d t ha t I c ou ld n o l on ge r s ee H ua rd ; I h as te ne d o n, h op in g t o

c at ch t he p on y q ui ck ly a nd g et o ut o f t hi s l ab yr in th . I s te pp ed p as t a t hi ck g ro ve o f s ap li ng s a nd f ou nd a

r es en tf ul W hi te no se b ei ng h el d b y a m an d re ss ed i n m ot tl ed g ra y a nd b ro wn . H is s ki n w as t an ne d, h is

ha ir wa s br indl ed gr ay a nd br own. He wa s no t al le r t ha n I a nd a l it tl e s le nde re r, b ut hi s body wa s a lmo st

w ai st le ss . I nd ee d, h e w as s o l ik e t he t re e t ru nk s a mo ng w hi ch h e s to od t ha t f or a m om en t I t ho ug ht

W hi te no se h ad c au gh t h is r op e i n a b ra nc h.

M y s te p f al te re d, f or the ma n wa s l ooki ng a t m e wi th no w elc om e a t a ll in hi s l ight brow n e ye s.

T he n I s ai d, s of tl y, f or t hi s w as a p la ce o f s il en ce , " Th an k yo u f or c at ch ing m y p ony . I h um bl y a pol og iz e

f or i nt ru di ng he re a nd b eg t ha t i f a ny d am ag e ha s b ee n d one , y ou a ll ow m e t o m ak e i t r ig ht ."



T he ma n h an de d m e t he l ea d r ope a nd va ni sh ed . H e d id no t du ck i nt o t he b ru sh ; h e di d n ot s te p

a si de o r w al k a wa y. H e v an is he d w it h t he a br up tn es s o f a p op pi ng s oa p b ub bl e. T he h ai r o n m y a rm s

s to od a wa y f ro m m y s ki n a nd t in gl ed a s I c oi le d u p W hi te no se 's l ea d r op e a nd h as te ne d d ow n t he t ra il .

I w as a ppa ll ed t o f in d H ua rd , d ea d o r u nc ons ci ou s, d ra pe d o ve r t he s add le , f ac e d ow n. I h ad l ef t

h im s it ti ng h is h or se n or mall y; I h ad b een g on e n o m or e t han f if teen m in ut es . I h ad h eard n o d is tu rb an ce.W ha t c ou ld ha ve h ap pe ne d t o hi m? W as I a bou t t o be s tr uc k d ow n by t he s ame m ys te ri ou s a ge nt ?

I w as n ot , no r w as H ua rd d ea d. I t s ee me d a s i f he w er e s lum be ri ng, bu t no a mou nt o f s ha ki ng or

s ho ut in g b ro ug ht a ny r es po ns e, a nd I d id n' t w an t t o p ul l h im o ff t he h or se 's b ac k— I n ev er w ou ld h av e

been able to get him back on and we had definitely been given notice to leave.

I s cr amble d up on t he hor se 's bac k. It wa s a good thing the be as t wa s doci le , for it wa s a fa r cl imb

w it ho ut H ua rd t o g iv e m e a l eg u p. S tr ad dl in g t he b ig g el di ng w it h H ua rd 's b od y d ra pe d o ve r t he p ad de d

pommel in front of me, I kicked the horse into motion, and he started up willingly enough.

A t f ir st I w as m er el y c on ce rn ed w it h ge tt ing a wa y f ro m t he v ic in it y o f t he g ra y m en . T he o nl y w ay

o ut o f t he c le ar in g w as t he b ro ad r oa d u po n w hi ch w e h ad r id de n i nt o t hi s f or es t; t he d ir ec ti on t he

ani mals w er e p oi nt ed l ed u s f ar th er i nt o t he m ou nt ai ns , ang li ng g radu al ly t t he s ou th west . F or m il es I r od e

t hr ou gh t he alm os t o bl it er at ed r em ai ns o f s om e m et ro po li s m or e m ig ht y t han any i n t he k no wn w or ld . I t

w as w al led w it h t wi st ed o ld t ru nk s and w hi sp er in g g reen er y, and can op ied w it h t he l of ty , s pr eadi ng

c ro wn s o f t he t re es ; i f W hi te no se h ad n' t s tr ay ed , I d on 't t hi nk I e ve r w ou ld h av e n ot ic ed t he u nn at ur al

r eg ul ar it y o f t he j um bl ed h ea ps . I w as n ot t em pt ed t o e xp lo re . I t w as n ot p er mi tt ed .

I w as wo rr ie d a bou t H ua rd, b ut a s l ong a s w e w er e w it hi n t he pr ec inc ts o f t he a nc ie nt c it y, I d ar ed

no t s top t o e xa mi ne h im . W e w er en 't un es co rt ed. Ho w d id I k no w t he f ol low er s we re t he re ? N ot by

s ig ht , s ou nd , o r s mell . O nl y b y t he act io ns o f t he b ir ds and ani mals , b y W hi te-n os e' s o ccas io nal s nu ff li ngof t he a ir , by t he pr ic kl ing i n t he ba ck of my ne ck, w as I a wa re t ha t i n t hi s va st f ore st t he re we re

presences other than our own.

As I rode, t he ol d s kil ls ca me ba ck t o me. As a gi rl , I ha d l ove d hor se s a nd I had r idden e ve ry day

a ft er c la ss ro om l es so ns . N or ha d I be en t he s or t of h oyd en t ha t w as c on te nt t o s lo p a bo ut b ar eb ac k,

blissfully ignorant of the finer points of the horseman's art. I had been determined to learn from masters in

e ve ry b ra nc h of r id in g a nd d ri vi ng , a nd i n t hi s I ha d b ee n i nd ul ge d b y m y f at he r' s s ta bl em as te r. B y t he

t im e I h ad l ef t, I h ad b ee n a s ki ll ed h or se wo ma n, w an ti ng o nl y s ea so ni ng a nd p ra ct ic e t o b ec om e a

mistress of the classical equestrian arts myself.

I ha d r idd en v er y l it tl e s inc e I ha d go ne out t o m ake my ow n w ay i n t he w or ld. T he r ea sons f or t hi s

w er e m an y a nd c om pl ex . O nl y o n h or se ba ck w as I h om es ic k, f or o n h or se ba ck m y h ap pi es t c hi ld ho od

h ou rs h ad b ee n s pe nt . I h ad n ev er b ee n a bl e t o a ff or d a m ou nt o f t he s en si ti vi ty o f t he a ni ma ls t ha t h ad

been at my disposal in my father's stable, and it was sheer torture to ride the sort of underbred,

h ar d- mo ut hed, j ug -h eaded ani mal I cou ld h av e p ur ch as ed . B ut m ai nl y, o nl y o n h or seback d id I f eel any

v es ti ge of m y r oy al h er it ag e. O n h or se ba ck , I w as g ra nd a nd hi gh a nd i mpo rt an t ( in m y m in d' s e ye ), l ent

s ta tu re a nd i mp re ss iv en es s b y t he h or se t ha t c ar ri ed m e. S pe ed a nd f ea r w er e a t m y c om ma nd , a nd t he

a rr oga nc e t ha t I f ea re d I s ho ul d ha ve d ev el ope d i f I ha d be en a pr inc es s i ns te ad o f a m er e r oy al b as ta rd

l if ted m y chi n and s qu ar ed m y s ho ul ders . N o amo un t o f r em in di ng m ys el f t hat I w as t he m os t o rd in ar y o f

c om mo ne rs w ou ld s lum p m e i n m y s ad dl e o r a ll ow m y d is da in ful g az e t o d ro p t o e ar th .

S o h ad m y f at he r a lw ay s r id de n— as i f m ou nt ed u po n a n i mp er ia l d ra go n r at he r t ha n a m er e

h ay -eat in g h or se. I t w as s o I r em em bered h im m os t f on dl y, r id in g i n f ul l r oy al p an op ly i n s om e cer em on y



o r p ar ad e, t he p eo pl e c he er in g a nd h is g ra ci ou s n od s r ec og ni zi ng t he ir h om ag e f ir st o n o ne s id e a nd t he n

t he o th er . T he h ar ri ed , b us y, alw ay s t ir ed m an w ho d ealt d ai ly w it h a t ed io us m ul ti tu de o f adm in is tr at iv e

d ec is ion s a nd a h or de o f pe ti ti on er s w as o nl y m y f at he r, t hou gh I h ad be en t au gh t f ro m m y e ar li es t

me mor y not t o bot he r him a nd s o ha rdl y kne w hi m. The ma n on t he hor se wa s t he ki ng, whom I ha d

loved with all my childish heart.

P er haps m y o bs es si on w it h h or semans hi p h ad b eg un i n a cheri s hed h op e t hat t hat s pl en di d personage might recognize in that much a kinship between us, might someday call out to me to join him as

h e r od e do wn t he br oa d b ou le va rd t ha t l ed f rom t he c it y g at e t o t he p al ac e. H e n ev er ha d, o f c ou rs e.

F or a t im e t he n I h ad d ay dr ea me d o f e ar ni ng m y f at he r' s g ra ti tu de b y s om eh ow s av in g t he k in gd om

w it h m y s ki ll and d ar in g o n h or seback . I h ad p ract iced v au lt in g o n and o ff m y g al lo pi ng h or se and

w eavi ng h im t hr ou gh t he m os t t or tu ro us t an gl es . I h ad als o d ev el op ed a p as si on f or f en ci ng , and m y

f at her' s arm s m as ter h ad p ro ven s ur pr is in gl y w il li ng t o t each m e. I h ad b ro ken m y col larb on e f al li ng o ff

t he h or se a nd b ec om e a r at he r g oo d s wo rd sw om an b y t he t im e c ol d r ea li ty i nt ru de d i nt o m y d ay dr ea ms

a nd I r ea li ze d t ha t i f t he k in gd om h ad b ee n t hr ea te ne d, I c er ta in ly s ho ul dn 't h av e b ee n a ll ow ed t o g o

d as hi ng t o t he r es cu e.

Th e s im pl e f ac t, I ha d f ina ll y ha d t o r ea li ze , wa s t ha t my br ot he rs w er e r igh t. I wa s us el es s a nd a n

e mb ar ra ss me nt t o m y f at he r, a nd h e p re fe rr ed t o p re te nd t ha t I d id n' t e xi st . T he re w as n ot hi ng I c ou ld o r

s ho ul d d o t o b ri ng m ys el f t o h is no ti ce ; h e w ou ld s im pl y h av e a rr an ge d t o h av e m e r em ov ed t o a p la ce

w he re I w ou ld n' t p es te r h im . F or a t im e, I s oug ht t o f in d a n ic he f or m ys el f a bo ut t he p al ac e, b ut a lt ho ug h

m y b ir th w as n' t h ig h e nou gh t o e nt it le m e t o a ny p ri vi le ge s, i t w as e nt ir el y t oo hi gh f or m e t o be a ll ow ed t o

t ak e u p a ny u se fu l o cc up at io n. S o I l ef t, n or h ad I e ve r r eg re tt ed t he d ec is io n.

E x ce pt w he n I r od e o n h or se ba ck .

I e me rg ed f ro m m y r ev er ie t o d is co ve r t ha t I w as f in di ng i t v er y d if fi cul t t o r em em be r f ro m w ha t w ew er e f le ei ng . T he re w er e w is ps o f m em or ie s— Wh it en os e h ad e sc ap ed a nd r un i nt o t he d ar k a nd w e

m us tn 't g o t here—n o, t hat w as n' t r ig ht —b ut w hat w as r ig ht ? I r ub bed m y f or eh ead v ig or ou sl y and

m an ag ed t o c on ju re u p m en ta l p ic tu re s o f t re es a nd r ui ns o f b ui ld in gs a nd m en t ha t w er e a ls o t re es , b ut

t hey w er e j um bl ed and con fu sed.

I wa s f ar e nou gh u p t he r oa d t ha t I m igh t s top a nd t end t o Hu ar d. Pu ll in g up t he ho rs e a nd

d is mo unt in g, I e as ed hi m of f t he s ad dl e a nd do wn t o t he gr ou nd . U po n e xa mi ni ng h im , I f ou nd no s ign o f

i nj ur y, a nd I c on cl ud ed t ha t h e m us t h av e b ee n h ea vi ly d ru gg ed o r e ns pe ll ed . I c ou ld o nl y w ai t a nd h op e

f or his e ve nt ual r ec ove ry, a nd ca re f or him i n t he me ant ime . I s et up c amp ne ar a s ma ll s tr eam j ust on t he

e dge of t he r oa d. It se emed t o me t ha t as long as we ha d st aye d on t he r oa d, we ha d be en s afe , though Icouldn't quite think from what.

Wh at ev er h ad b ee n u se d on H ua rd , i t w as p ow er fu l. I t w as n ea rl y s uns et b ef or e h e a wo ke . I w as

g at he ri ng w oo d o n t he e dg e o f t he f or es t w he n I h ea rd a s ud de n a nd d es pe ra te s ho ut , " El dr ie !"

I h as te ne d b ac k. H ua rd h ad w ak en ed . N ot s ee in g m e, h e' d b ee n u nd er st an da bl y w or ri ed t ha t

s om et hi ng h ad h ap pe ne d t o m e. O r s o I t ho ug ht u nt il I c am e w it hi n r ea ch o f h is l on g a rm . I w as s ei ze d

w it h cru sh in g f or ce aro un d t he w ri st . " El dr ie! I t ho ug ht y ou h ad r un away, " h e s ai d, w il d- ey ed as h e

gl ar ed up a t me . " It won' t do you a ny good i f you do! I 'll c at ch y ou."

" Ou ch ! L et g o, y ou 'r e h ur ti ng m e. I w ou ld n' t r un a wa y f ro m y ou , H ua rd . T ak e i t e as y. I 'm r ig ht

here."



H e s ho ok h is h ea d a s i f c le ar in g a m is t f ro m b ef or e h is e ye s. " So rr y, " h e m ut te re d, s ha me fa ce d. " I

wa s f ri ght ene d. Ho w di d w e g et he re ? W hy w as I a sl ee p? "

I r ub bed m y b ru is ed w ri st , eyi ng h im d ub io us l y. H e h ad n' t s ou nd ed f ri gh tened. H e h ad s ou nd ed ,

a nd l oo ke d, t hr ea te ni ng . " Yo u w er e d ru gg ed ,' 1 I t ol d h im . " I b ro ug ht y ou h er e o n t he h or se . W e m us tn 't

g o b ack ."

"Why not?"

" Be ca us e— " I r ub be d m y f or eh ea d. M y h ea d f el t a ll f ul l o f c ot to n w he n I t ri ed t o r em em be r w ha t

h ad h ap pened. " Becau se t he p eo pl e— t he f or est — I t i s n' t s afe."

"What people?"

I c ou ld o nl y s ha ke m y h ea d. " I d on 't k no w, " I s ai d. " Do n' t y ou r em em be r? "

" Th e l as t t hi ng I r em em be r b ef or e t hi s c am p w as k is si ng y ou w hi le w e r od e u p a b ea ut if ul r oa d. "

I t was too lat e in t he day to move on, so we s pe nt the night ther e. In the mor ni ng, we rode on. The

f or es t w as f ul l o f s um mer, l if e s pr in gi ng exu berant ly f ro m t he v er y ear th . T here w as p lent y o f g am e and

plant foods, and we used our supplies very sparingly. Medicinal plants abounded, and as we traveled I

g at hered and d ri ed and p ackaged and s im mered and m ix ed , u nt il t he d ep en dabl e G rayl eg s n earl y

d is ap pear ed u nd er h is b ul ky b ut n ot v er y w ei gh ty b ur den o f t eas, eli xi rs , o in tm en ts , s al ves, and w as hes. I

w as f ul ly s to ck ed w it h a ll t he m ed ic in es t ha t c ou ld b e d er iv ed f ro m a g re at h ar dw oo d f or es t.

T he g ol de n d ay s o f s um me r w er e g il de d f ur th er b y t he c om pa ny o f m y l ov er . I h ad h ad l ov er s

before. If I liked a man, and if there was a spark of mutual attraction between us, I wanted him; and

t ho ugh I ha d t o a dm it t ha t I w as n' t b ea ut if ul , o ft en e no ug h I h ad a ch ie ve d m y d es ir e.

A lt ho ug h I h ad f ro m t im e t o t im e t ak en l ov er s, a nd s we et w er e t he m em or ie s I c he ri sh ed f or e ac h

o f t he m, I h ad n ev er t ra ve le d w it h o ne b ef or e. A ll d ay w e w al ke d o r r od e t hr ou gh a w il d a nd l ov el y l an d,

t he r ic h c le an o do rs o f t he f or es t a s s ub tl y i nt ox ic at in g a s s pa rk li ng w in e. W e s aw n o o ne , a nd o nl y t he

m ar ve lou s r oa d r em in de d u s o f t he p re se nc e o f o th er h um an b ei ng s i n t he w or ld .

T he t im es w e s pe nt a ho rs e w er e t im es f or t ou chi ng a nd k is si ng a nd l aug hi ng a t o ur f ol ly , a nd w he n

w e w al ke d, t he s of t l oa m o f t he f or es t f lo or w as a n e ve r- pr es en t b ed c le an ly s he et ed w it h t he f al le n

l ea ve s o f a ut um ns p as t. I f t he m oo d o ve rt oo k u s, w e m ig ht e as il y d ra w a si de f ro m t he r oa d, l ea vi ng t he

a ni ma ls t o g ra ze u po n t he g ra ss t ha t l in ed t he v er ge , a nd l ie d ow n t og et he r u nd er t he s pr ea di ng r eg alcan op y o f s om e d ig ni fi ed o ak .

I w as a lw ay s c ar ef ul t o e xc us e m ys el f f or a f ew m om en ts t o p re pa re f or s uc h o cc as io ns , h ow ev er .

I w an te d n o i ss ue o f t he se s we et i nt er lu de s! P er ha ps H ua rd , w ho w as b y h is o wn l ig ht s a n h on or ab le

m an , w ou ld h av e s ta ye d t o h el p m e r ai se o ur w oo ds -c ol t. H e m ig ht e ve n h av e o ff er ed t o m ar ry m e i n

o rd er t o l egi ti mi ze t he c hi ld. B ut I kn ew i n m y he ar t t ha t h owe ve r mu ch I m ig ht e nj oy Hu ar d, a nd

h ow ev er d eep and abi di ng t he aff ecti on w e m ig ht f eel f or each o th er , any p er manent arr an gement w ou ld

s oo n b ecom e u nb ear ab ly i r ks om e f or u s b ot h.

T here w as o nl y o ne f law t o t hese b eaut if ul d ay s and i dy ll ic n ig ht s. H uard w as l ab or in g u nd er s om e

t en si on . H e b ec am e i rr it ab le i f I w er e l ong o ut of hi s s ig ht , a nd I o ft en a wa ke ne d i n t he n ig ht t o f ind h im

clu tchi ng at m e. t *e claim ed t hat n ig ht mares d is tu rb ed h im , and I d os ed h im w it h a n er vi ne o f l em on b al m

a nd ba si l. But i t dis tur be d me t ha t t he long st or y he t ol d me t o a cc ount f or his ni ght ma re s wa s a l ie. I



h ad n' t k no wn h im w el l e no ug h b ef or e w e h ad b ec om e l ov er s t o j ud ge w he th er h e t ol d m e t he t ru th o r

not , but I ha d c ome t o a ss um e t ha t h e w as be ing a s hone st a nd s tr ai ght fo rwa rd w it h m e a s I wa s w it h

h im . I ha d n eve r c au gh t h im ou t i n a l ie be fo re .

I f or ce d m ys el f t o di smi ss t he m at te r f rom my mi nd; I di dn' t wa nt to e sc ape f rom hi m. We we re

go ing wh er e I w ant ed t o g o, a nd wh en i t b ec ame n ec es sa ry f or us t o p ar t c om pa ny, t he re w oul dn 't be

a ny th in g h e c ou ld d o t o s to p m e, s ho rt o f p hy si ca l r es tr ai nt . A nd t he re w as n o r ea so n w hy h e s ho ul d w is ht o h ol d m e again st m y w il l.

I w as a lm os t s or ry w he n w e r ea li ze d t ha t t he r oa d, w hi ch h ad b ee n g en tl y d ec li ni ng i n a lt it ud e f or

s om e d ay s o f t ra ve l, w as l ea vi ng t he m ou nt ai ns a nd t he f or es t a nd t ak in g u s i nt o o pe n c ou nt ry . T hi s l and

became more and more arid day by day—almost mile by mile. By the time we reached the foothills and

t he e nd of the roa d, we we re i n the de ser t.

I t w as a l an d of b lu e di st anc es a nd f ur na ce he at , a nd t he s we et r ic h s me ll of t he f or es t w as r epl ac ed

by a spicy pungency that tickled the nose. We found it more comfortable to shade up for the middle of

t he d ay u nd er s om e t hi n- fo li ag ed d es er t t re e ( I c ol le ct ed a g oo d s up pl y o f t he g um f ro m t he se t re es , a nimportant medical ingredient). Then in the invigorating cool of the evening we would travel on, sometimes

u nt il l at e a t n ig ht . W e w ou ld s le ep f or a f ew h our s a nd t he n r is e v er y e ar ly t o t ra ve l o n a ga in u nt il t he he at

became too oppressive.

W a te r w as a c on st an t w or ry , b ut t hi s w as a t ra de r' s w ag on r oa d a nd t oo k t ha t n ec es si ty i nt o

con si der at io n. T he r ou te p as sed b y eno ug h l it tl e d es ert s pr in gs and s tr eams t hat w e w er e n ev er s er io us ly

e nd an ge re d, t ho ug h w e d id g et t hi rs ty a t im e o r t wo .

I f ou nd t ha t I w as c om in g t o l ov e t ha t wi ld a nd s ec re t de se rt I l ik ed t he op en ne ss . Th e pl ant s

f as ci nated m e and t he ani mals charm ed m e. I esp eciall y l ov ed t he l it tl e s hall ow s tr eams t hat m eand er ed

o ve r s an dy be ds va st e no ug h f or m igh ty r ive rs ; t he y w er e h av en s o f l if e i n a h ar sh a nd t ho rn y l and . B ir dsand ani mals abo un ded i n t he cot to nw oo ds and w il lo ws t hat l in ed t heir b an ks , and every s tr et ch o f w et

s and w as a s i gn at ur e-b oo k o f v is i to rs ' t r ack s.

" Hu ar d, " I s ai d d re am il y, o ne h ot a ft er no on a s w e l az ed i n t he d en se s ha de o f a m ur mu ri ng

cottonwood, "I've found it."

" Wh at ?" h e as ked d r ow s il y.

" Hom e. T hi s i s wh ere I wa nt t o l ive ."

H e l au gh ed . " He re ? I n t hi s w il de rn es s? W e t ra ve le d t oo l at e t hi s m or ni ng . Y ou 'v e g ot h ea t s tr ok e. "

" No, I m ea n i t. I l ike i t h er e. I 'd go up i nt o t he mou nt ai ns f or t he s umm er a nd t o c ol le ct he rbs . B ut

t hi s i s w he re I w an t t o l ive ."

" Bu t, E ld ri e, t he re a re n' t a ny p eo pl e h er e. H ow w ou ld y ou m ak e a l iv in g? "

" Th at d oes p resent a d if fi cu lt y, " I adm it ted. " Bu t t hi s r oad m us t g o s om ew here, m us tn 't i t? T here

m us t be p eo pl e t he re ." \

H e r ol le d o ve r a nd l oo ke d a cr os s a t m e ( we d id n' t s nu gg le u p t oo c lo se ly d ur in g o ur d ay ti me

r es ts —i t w as t oo h ot ). " El dr ie , d on 't s et y ou r h ea rt o n l iv in g h er e. Y ou h av e t o g o h om e. "



" T hi s i s h om e. "

H e s igh ed . " Wi ll y ou go h om e a nd a t l ea st s ee i f yo u' re ne ede d t he re b ef or e w e s et tl e do wn h er e?

I f y ou 'l l d o t ha t, I 'l l n eve r m ent ion i t a ga in. " " Yo u d on 't h ave t o s et tl e d ow n h er e, " I p oi nt ed o ut . " If y ou

d o, I h av e t o. Y ou 'r e m y p ri nc es s a nd I 'm y ou r l ie ge ma n. "

I forebore t o a rgue . We 'd s ee just how fa r his oat h went when i t ca me ri ght down t o i t." Nevert heless ," I s ai d f ir ml y, " I' m n ot g oi ng h om e. I 'd n ev er g et away again ."

Th e r oa d l ed us o n i nt o t he d es er t, a nd w e f ou nd t ha t t he re w er e t ow ns s it ed ne ar t he bi g de se rt

r iv er s. T hese h ad s ub st an ti al p lant at io ns o f i rr ig at ed l an d r ou nd abo ut and t ow n w al ls o f r am med ear th .

T he p eo pl e w er e f ri en dl y a nd h os pi ta bl e. T ha t t he y w er e i n t ou ch w it h t he r es t o f t he k no wn w or ld w as

e as y t o s ee f ro m t he c on te nt s o f t he m ar ke t s ta ll s, w hi ch c on ta in ed g oo ds f ro m m an y n at io ns . E ac h t ow n

h ad t wo o r t hr ee c om fo rt ab le l it tl e i nn s, t oo , t he k in d w he re t he a cc om mo da ti on s a re s im pl e a nd t he h os t

i s a nx io us t o p le as e. H is w if e w as u su al ly t he c oo k, a nd p ri de d h er se lf u po n h er t as ty a nd w ho le so me

food.

I l ik ed t he se c he er fu l, m us ic al p eo pl e, a nd b eg an t o t hi nk s er io us ly o f s et tl in g d ow n i n o ne o f t he ir

t ow ns . B ut n on e w as q ui te l ar ge eno ug h t o s up po rt a p hy si ci an f ul l- ti me, esp eciall y s in ce t he p eo pl e w er e

t he h ea lt hi es t I h ad e ve r c om e a cr os s, w el l b ut s im pl y f ed , u se d t o t he r ig or s o f a n o ut do or l if e, c le an i n

t heir h ab it s and p er so ns . M an y h ealer s w ou ld d is ag ree, I k new, b ut I j ud ged t hat t hei r h ap py d is po si ti on s

i mp ro ved t heir r es is tance t o d is ease. F requ en tl y t hey s an g as t hey w or ked, and w hen g an gs o f t hem

l ab or ed , t he y s an g e la bo ra te h ar mo ni es . E ve ry on e h ad a s mi le a nd a w av e f or a ny p as se rb y. T he y o ft en

w er e t o b e s ee n, r es ti ng f ro m t he ir l ab or s a nd a dm ir in g s om e b ea ut y o f n at ur e, t he a nt ic s o f a c al f o r

l am b, o r t he att ract iv en es s o f s om e f lash in g- ey ed b lack -h ai red g ir l, o r i f t hey w er e w om en , a

clean-limbed laughing youth.

W hatever t he r easo ns , t ho ug h t here w er e alw ay s s ev er al cas es o f i nj ur ies and t he i nf ir mi ti es o f c hi ld hood o r a ge t o be l ook ed a t w he n we a rr iv ed i n a t ow n, t he re w as l it tl e f or m e t o d o, a nd no hu nt ing

a t a ll f or H ua rd . T he p eo pl e w er e a pp al le d a t t he t ho ugh t t ha t a ny on e w oul d k il l t he w il d a ni ma ls , w hi ch

t he y r ega rd ed m or e a s u ni ve rs al p et s t ha n a s a s ou rc e o f f ood a nd l ea the r.

The n I ma de a di sc ove ry t ha t dro ve a ll t hought s of ma ki ng a home out of m y he ad. At e ve ry i nn

a nd s hop, I a lw ay s a sk ed a bou t a he al in g ma ge . O ne da y a s w e we re a rr an gi ng f or a r oom , i ns te ad o f t he

u su al v ag uely p os it iv e ans wer, t he i nn keep er s ai d cas uall y, " Oh , y es , t here's M en nefer, o f cou rs e. Y ou

w il l h av e h eard o f h er , t ho ug h. "

" No ," I s ai d e ag er ly . " Do es s he l iv e n ea r h er e? "

H e g es tu re d a t t he r ed -r oc k b ad la nd s a cr os s t he v al le y f ro m t he r iv er . " Ov er t he re . I c ou ld d ra w

y ou a ma p i f yo u l ike ; i t' s a l it tl e h ar d f or s tr an ge rs t o f in d. "

" S ur el y m an y p eo pl e g o t o h er ."

" Oh , n o, w e d on 't l ik e t o b ot he r h er . S he w on 't t ak e a ny f ee s, a nd m ag ic al h ea li ng i s t er ri bl y

difficult. They never live long, healing mages don't."

H ua rd c au gh t m y e ye s ig ni fi ca nt ly a t t hi s. I i gn or ed h im . " Do es s he t ak e s tu de nt s? " I a sk ed . I w as

t remb li ng w it h t he i nt en si ty o f m y n eed t o k no w.

" Well , n ow , I d on 't k no w, " t he i nn keep er s ai d, r ub bi ng h is chi n. " Sh e' s j us t y ou ng h er self . Y ou



tales."

" Do you s ee , E ldr ie Fi tz roi ? D o y ou s ee now wh y y ou mus t go ho me ?" Hua rd s ai d, hi s voi ce de ep

and v ib rati ng . " Yo u are t ru ly r oy al , and y ou h av e t he r oy al g if ts ! C ou ld any on e l es s i ns pi re s uch a v is io n?"

Th e i nn ke ep er l ook ed a t me , a nd t he g low di ed ou t of h is f ac e t o be r ep la ce d b y m ing le d f ea r a nd

a we . " Ar e y ou r ea ll y r oy al ? F or gi ve m e, I a ll ow ed m y e nt hu si as m t o g et t he »b et te r of m e. I 'm n ot r ea ll y ac ar to gr ap he r, I 'm j us t a s tu pi d i nn ke ep er ." B ow in g, h e b ac ke d o ut o f t he r oo m i n c on fu si on a nd w en t

fluttering off,

I r ound ed o n Hu ar d. " How d ar e y ou ? Th at po or m an— and yo u ha d t o s poi l i t w it h you r ba bbl ing .

I f I we re r oya l, I 'd ha ve you f logge d unt il you bl ed. How da re you! " I wa s s o a ngr y I wa s his si ng l ike a

cat.

Hua rd gave me a l ong ha rd s ta re. " How da re I s pe ak t he t rut h? How da re I not ? Your f athe r s ays

t ha t t he m os t v al ua bl e m em be r o f h is c ou rt i s t he m an w ho d ar es t o t el l h im w he n h e' s w ro ng . W el l,

y ou 'r e w ro ng , E ld ri e, a nd I 'm t el li ng y ou s o. F lo g m e i f y ou l ik e— as s oo n a s w e g et b ac k t o M ar it ie ne ."

My a nge r d ie d. " I w ou ldn 't ha ve you f logg ed, Hua rd, e ve n i f I ha d t he po we r, w hi ch I d on' t. An d

e ve n i f w e w er e g oi ng h om e, w hi ch w e a re n' t. B ut p le as e, p le as e d on 't t al k l ik e t ha t i n f ro nt o f o th er

people. That poor man! He was so proud of his beautiful maps, and now he'll be waiting and wondering

a nd w or ryi ng w he th er s om e d ay h e m ig ht n ot be c al le d t o M ar it ie ne . H e' ll n ev er b e r ea ll y h app y w it h

t hese again ." I w av ed a h an d at t he exq ui si te cart og raph ical creat io ns aro un d u s.

" As s oo n a s y ou g et b ac k, s en d f or h im . G iv e h im t he t hi ng s y ou s ai d y ou w ou ld . H e' ll d el iv er j us t

what he promised. Remember it."

" I a m n ot goi ng ho me !" I s tor me d o ut of t he i nn , gr abb ed up t he pon ie s' l ea ds , a nd j er ke d t he ma roun d, s et ti ng of f d ow n t he r oa d a t s uc h a pa ce t ha t Hu ar d ha d t o t ro t hi s bi g h or se t o c at ch up w it h us .

" Co me o n, E ld ri e. D on 't b e a ng ry w it h m e f or t el li ng t he t ru th ." H ua rd l ea ne d d ow n f ro m t he s ad dl e

a nd he ld out a ha nd t o he lp me up. " I' ll a dmi t t ha t I wa s wr ong t o t al k i n f ront of Be nne m. I t s ee me d l ike

s uc h a g oo d o pp or tu ni ty t o m ak e y ou s ee h ow w ro ng -h ea de d y ou 'r e b ei ng . I f y ou w er e t o g o h om e,

y ou 'd h av e t he p ow er t o d o t he k in ds o f t hi ng s y ou w er e t al ki ng a bo ut ."

I t ook hi s h and a nd l et hi m l if t m e ont o t he pa dde d p om me l. " Th at 's w he re y ou' re de ad wr ong,

Hua rd. I w oul dn' t ha ve a ny powe r t o do a nyt hin g a t a ll , not e ve n t o c on duc t my own l if e a s I s ee f it . Y ou

d on 't u nd er st an d. I a m t he k in g' s d au gh te r a nd t he re a re m an y, m an y t hi ng s t ha t I c ou ld n' t d o f or f ea r o f s ho ck in g a nd u ps et ti ng m y f at he r' s p eo pl e. I c ou ld n' t, f or e xa mp le , s et u p a p ra ct ic e a s a p hy si ci an i n

Maritiene City.

"But on the other hand, I am a bastard. I have no rank or st anding in my own right, not from my

m ot he r, w ho 's t he y ou ng er d au gh te r o f a p et ty m er ch an t, n or f ro m m y f at he r. M y f at he r c ou ld h av e

a rr ange d t ha t I be gi ve n a r an k a nd t he dut ie s a nd r es pons ibi li ti es t ha t go wi th i t, but h e c ho se not t o.

T he re 's o nl y o ne u se t he y c ou ld h av e f or m e. T he re m ig ht b e s om e p et ty b or de r l or d, s om e h al f- ba nd it o f

a b ar on w ho se l oy al ty i t w ou ld b e c on ve ni en t f or m y f at he r t o s ec ur e. N o o ne w it h a ny r ea l p ow er , m in d

y ou ; s uc h a s t ha t c ou ld n' t b e f ob be d o ff w it h a b as ta rd . B ut i f t he re w er e s om eo ne i ns ig ni fi ca nt e no ug h t o

a cc ep t m e, I m ig ht be m ar ri ed t o h im . I t w ou ld s ec ur e hi s l oy al ty a nd s av e m y f at he r a l it tl e a nn oya nc e.

A nd I m ig ht l an gu is h f or t he r es t o f m y l if e i n s om e v er mi no us k eep. "

H uard l is tened t o t hi s o ut po ur in g o f o ld b it tern es s w it h s il en t att en ti on . " I' m s or ry ," h e s ai d at l as t. " I



ha dn' t r ea li ze d w ha t m igh t b e a ske d of you . I t hou ght t ha t you w er e ne ede d f or w ha t y ou a re , not a s a

pawn in some sleazy power brokerage."

"T ha t i sn 't t he w or st t ha t c ou ld h ap pe n, " I s ai d. " My f at he r i s a r el at iv el y y ou ng m an , b ut h e w on 't

be king forever. My older half-brother will be king then—and both my brothers hate me. If one of them

w as s co ld ed b y t he ir t ut or , a nd n ei th er o f t he m w er e k ee n s ch ol ar s, h e c ou ld a lw ay s g o a nd s la p m e

aro un d u nt il I cri ed m er cy . L at er , w hen t hey ent er ed p ub er ty , t hey cou ld r ev en ge t hems el ves o n m e f or exi st in g b y p oi nt in g o ut t o m e i n g reat d et ai l h ow u gl y I w as , h ow u nd es ir ab le,- h ow r ev ol ti ng t o any m an

w it h any f in er f eeli ng at all . T hey emb ar rass ed and h um il iated m e every w ay t hey cou ld ."

"Your father permitted this?"

" Wh o w ou ld t el l h im ? A nd w hat w ou ld t hey t el l h im ? I magi ne t el li ng t he k in g, ' Yo ur M aj es ty , t he

princes are being mean to your bastard. They call her names and yesterday they circulated a poem

claim in g t hat s he h ad b ul li ed a s tabl eb oy i nt o eng ag in g i n u nn at ur al car nal act s w it h h er i n t he m an ur e p il e.

P er mi t m e t o q uo te i t, Y ou r M aj es ty .' "

" Ch il dr en c an b e c ru el . B ut s ur el y y ou r b ro th er s a re g ro wn m en n ow ."

" Su re ly t he y a re . B ut m y o ld er b ro th er w as e ig ht ee n w he n I l ef t, a nd o nl y t he d ay b ef or e h e t ri pp ed

me whe n I wa s goi ng i n t o s upp er s o t ha t I fe ll fi at on my f ac e i n f ront o f t he Pr ot ec tor 's a mb as sa dor ."

" Do y ou h at e y ou r b ro th er s , E ld ri e?"

I c ons ide re d. "No," I s aid at la st. "I gave as good as I got. Not t he s ame kind of thi ng, of c our se .

B ut I w as b et te r a t e ve ry th in g t ha n e it he r o f t he m. I w as q ui ck er w it h m y s tu di es , a nd I 'm a fr ai d I w as n' t

above showing my superior understanding off in circumstances that made them look like fools—even my

ol de r b ro the r. I r od e be tt er , t oo, a nd I c ou ld t ouc h e it he r o f t he m a t wi ll w he n w e f enc ed t oge the r. A bo utt he onl y wa y t he y c ould be st me wa s by ga ngi ng up on me . The ir na st y l it tle poe m wa sn' t t rue , but I ha d

d on e a l it tl e k is si ng a nd e xp lo ri ng w it h o ne o f t he s ta bl e l ad s a nd t he y ou ng er p ri nc e c au gh t u s a t i t o nc e. I

g ue ss y ou m igh t s ay , i f y ou we re c on si de ri ng t hi ng s f rom m y b ro the rs ' po in t of v ie w, t ha t I w as a

poisonous brat, and I'm sure they heaved a sigh of heartfelt relief when I was found to be gone."

H uard chu ck led. " I' ll adm it t hat I w as h av in g a l it tl e t ro ub le v is uali zi ng y ou as a h el pl es s v icti m. "

" Ne ve r t ha t. H ua rd , h ow d id y ou k no w w ha t m y f at he r s ay s? "

"Eh?"

" Ba ck a t t he i nn, yo u s ai d, ' Yo ur f at he r s ays t ha t t he b es t f ri en d a k ing c an h ave i s on e w ho i sn 't

a fr ai d t o t el l h im w he n h e' s w ro ng. ' T ha t' s r ig ht , I 'v e h ea rd h im s ay i t a h un dr ed t im es . B ut h ow di d y ou

know?"

"O h . .. I 'v e v is it ed i n M ar it iene. E very on e q uo tes t he k in g' s s ay in gs . I 'm f ro m N or dr on , t ho ug h. "

" I s ee ." N or dr on w as f ar n or th a nd i nl an d f ro m M ar it ie ne , a nd t he re w as l it tl e c om me rc e b et we en

t he c ou nt ri es . T he N or dr on s w er e p ro ud a nd d if fi cu lt t o d ea l w it h a nd t he ir c ou nt ry w as p oo r i n

r es ou rc es t ha t t he y m ig ht h av e s ol d t o o th er n at io ns . B es id es , t he m os t d ir ec t r ou te s b et we en o ur

cou nt ri es l ay acr os s t he l an ds o f M ar it iene's h er ed it ar y enemy , A damar, and t hr ou gh t he S al if er , t he g reat

s al t m ar sh , w hi ch w as i mp as sa bl e w he n i t w as n' t f ro ze n. I k ne w m uc h l es s a bo ut t he m t ha n I d id a bo ut

t he o th er n at io ns o f t he k now n w or ld . I ha d n ev er b ee n t o N or dr on .



F or a m om en t, I f el t s us pi ci ou s o f H ua rd — p ro ba bl y b ec au se I h ad b ee n t al ki ng a bo ut m y

brothers, a reminder of past deceptions. But then I dismissed the suspicion. What devious purpose might

h e ha ve ? E ve n i f h e h ad be en i n M ar it ie ne C it y a nd h ea rd m y f at he r w it h h is o wn e ar s, he c ou ld h ar dl y

h av e b ee n i n t he w ar -t or n R ep ub li c l oo ki ng f or m e. A nd w hy s ho ul d h e? T he re w as n o p ri ce o n m y h ea d.

But i t ma de me unc omfor ta ble t ha t he ha d li ed t o me onc e a ga in. I so muc h wa nte d t o t rust hi m!

T he a ni ma ls ' i ro n- sh od h oo ve s r an g l ik e b el ls o n t he r ed s an ds to ne o f t he b ad la nd s. S cu lp te d b y

w at er a nd p ol is he d b y t he w in d, s pi re s o f r ud dy s to ne r os e o n a ll s id es l ik e t wi st ed s ta tu es w ro ug ht b y

s om e d em en ted g iant . T here w as n o l if e i n t hi s w il dern es s o f r ock and w in d- bo rn e p at teri ng s an d. " Do

y ou s up po se t he i nn keep er s en t u s i n h er e d el ib er at el y, and t hi s M en nefer d oesn 't even exi st ?" H uard

ask ed t hr ou gh cracked and b leed in g l ip s.

"N o," I s ai d f ir ml y. " We 'r e r ight o n t he pa th he dr ew f or us . He woul dn 't ha ve gone t o a ll t hi s

t ro ub le j us t t o s en d u s i n h er e t o d ie —a ny f ab ri ca ti on w ou ld h av e d on e. " F or t hr ee d ay s w e h ad t ru dg ed

t hr ou gh t he b ad la nd s. T he f ur na ce h ea t o f t he s un r ef le ct ed o ff t he j um bl e o f r oc k a ll a ro un d u s, r oa st in g

us i n a n e er ie s un se t gl ow a ll da y. I n t ha t t hr ee da ys w e ha d ha d onl y a f ew s wa ll ows of w at er . We ha d brought water with us, of course, but the animals had been suffering and I had insisted upon sharing our

canteens with them.

" Le t me s ee t he m ap a ga in, " H ua rd r eq ue st ed , l ur chi ng t o a h al t. W e w er e bot h wa lki ng t o s pa re

t he h or se , w hi ch h ad s uf fe re d t he m os t o f a ny o f u s. H e ha d r ef us ed h is g ra in t hi s m or ni ng, a nd e ve n m y

g re ed y p on ie s h ad o nl y l ip pe d a t t he ir s. H ua rd 's g re at s iz e a nd l ac k o f s ta mi na w as b eg in ni ng t o t el l o n

h im ; h e w as g au nt a nd h ol lo w- ey ed a nd m ad e e ve ry e xc us e t o s to p a nd r es t. T he re w as n ot hi ng I c ou ld

d o t o h el p hi m, e ve n t ho ug h I w as r el at iv el y f re sh.

I t ook t he ma p out of my medi cine bag and handed it to him. He unfolded i t a nd pe ered a t it

t hr ou gh e ye s r ed -r im me d f rom t he c on st an t g la re o f t he s un . H e w as a m an o f t he m is ty n or th ; t hi s d es er tw as h ar d on hi m, I t hou ght s ym pa th et ic al ly . I s ho ul d h av e f re ed hi m f rom hi s oa th a nd s ent h im on hi s

w ay b ef or e I d ragg ed h im i nt o t hi s r ed -r ock w il dern es s. " Acco rd in g t o t hi s, " h e s ai d, " th er e are d rago ns

here."

He p oi nt ed ou t t he t in y, pe rf ec t d ra wi ng, a nd I t ook t he m ap a nd t il te d i t t o g et a b et te r l ight . I t wa s

a d ra go n, r ig ht e no ug h, a nd t he i nn ke ep er h ad b ee n r ig ht a bo ut t he s on g d og s a nd t he t in y s an d d ee r.

" Yo u' re r ig ht ," I s ai d. " Ma yb e t he re a re d ra go ns . O r m ay be i t' s a d ec or at io n. L et 's g o s ee ." I f ol de d t he

m ap w it h t en de r c ar e a nd t uc ke d i t b ac k i nt o m y m ed ic in e b ag a s I s ta rt ed o ff a ga in , t ow in g t he r el uc ta nt

ponies behind me.

P r es en tl y H ua rd s po ke a ga in . " Lo ok , t he re 's t he r oc k t ha t l oo ks l ik e a s hi p u nd er f ul l s ai l. T he t ra il

turns here."

" So i t d oe s, a nd go es do wn a n i nc li ne . W e' re n ea rl y t he re . I h op e t he re 's w at er b el ow . O h . .. "

We h ad wa lke d a rou nd t he s hi p r oc k a nd w er e s ta nd ing a t t he t op o f a n ea rl y v er ti ca l c li ff o f

polished sandstone. Hundreds of feet below, a narrow ribbon of sand led among jumbled boulders,

d is ap pe ar in g t o t he r ig ht . T he t ra il d ow n t he c li ff w as a f oo t w id e a nd c lu ng t o t he s he er r oc k w al l a s

precariously as a spider web.

"W e c an 't g et d ow n t ha t, " H ua rd p ro te st ed .

" I d on 't t hi nk w e h av e a ny c ho ic e, " I s ai d g ri ml y. " Th er e m us t b e w at er a t M en ne fe r' s p la ce . W e



k no w t he re i sn 't a ny w at er b et we en h er e a nd t he r iv er . T he a ni ma ls w ou ld n ev er m ak e i t b ac k. Y ou r

ho rs e i s n ea rl y do ne i n, a nd t he p oni es a re n' t mu ch be tt er . W e ha ve t o g et d own i t. "

H uar d s wall ow ed . " El dr ie, I ' m s cared o f h ei gh ts ."

" Yo u d id f in e b ac k o n t he c oa st al r an ge . T hi s i sn 't n ea rl y a s h ig h. W e' ll t ur n t he p on ie s l oo se ; t he y' ll

f ol lo w t he h or se d ow n. " I t oo k t he l ea d r op es o ff t he h al te rs a nd t uc ke d t he m i nt o t he p ac ks . " Gi ve m ey ou r h and ," I s ai d w it h m or e c onf id enc e t ha n I f el t. " I' ll l ea d t he wa y. "

H e pl ac ed h is h an d i n m in e, a nd n ot w it hou t m is gi vi ng s o f m y o wn , I s te pp ed o ff t he r im .

O nc e o n t he t ra il , w e h ad t o s tr id e a lo ng b ri sk ly ; t he h ug e h or se r ig ht b eh in d u s w as s li pp in g a nd

s li di ng , h is i ro n s ho es s tr ik in g o ff l on g t rail s o f s park s. H uard clu tched con vu ls iv el y at m y h an d, b ut

g am el y h e k ep t c om in g. I d id n' t l oo k d ow n; t he s en se o f s pa ce a nd b lu e a ir w as a lm os t p al pa bl e. T he

w al l b es id e us w as c lo se e no ug h t o t ou ch w it h o ur f in ge rs ; t he t ra il c up pe d s li gh tl y a nd t he e dg e w as a

f oo t' s w id th away. T he cli ff s lo ped j us t eno ug h away f ro m t he t rail t hat t he p on ies cou ld m an ag e t heir

packs, though again and again I heard the scraping sound of canvas pack covers on rough sandstone. Iw in ce d w he n I h ea rd i t; i f t he a br as io n w or e a wa y t he l as t r op es , t he p ac k w ou ld s hi ft a nd s ur el y

precipitate the pony carrying it over the ledge into the blue airy space Beyond.

T he re w as on e pl ac e t ha t w as r ea ll y ba d. He re a gr ea t b ul ge of h ar de r s ton e s we ll ed ou t of t he c li ff

l ik e t he v as t s ai l o f s om e p et ri fi ed s hi p, b il lo wi ng i n a t im el es s w in d. T he t rail w as o nl y a s cu ff ed l in e o f

s cr at ch es a cr os s t hi s a nd s lo pe d s ha rp ly t ow ar d t he d ro p- of f. H ua rd s to pp ed a nd m ad e a w hi mp er in g

s oun d i n hi s t hr oa t whe n he s aw i t, b ut I s te ppe d out on i t d et er mi ne dl y. T he re w as no goi ng ba ck a nd i t

w as a s w el l t o d ie q ui ck ly i n a f al l a s s low ly f ro m t hi rs t.

M y h ea rt h am me re d a nd m y k ne es t re mb le d a s w e s tr ug gl ed a cr os s i t, a nd g ra vi ty s ee me d t o c ur ve

o ur p at h i nexo rabl y t ow ar d t he h or ri fi c f al l. I t w as a r ace b et ween o ur m om en tu m cro ss in g t he s li pp er ys tone a nd t he d ra g of t he e ar th f ar be low ; by th e s li mm es t of m ar gi ns , w e r ea che d t he t ra il on t he f ar s ide .

T he ani mals cam e f lo un deri ng aft er , w il d- ey ed and b lo wi ng i n t er ro r. T hey m ad e i t t oo , and w e all

s to pp ed a nd l ea ne d a ga in st t he c li ff f ac e, c he st s h ea vi ng . I g la nc ed a t H ua rd . H is e ye s w er e c lo se d a nd

h is n os tr il s p in ch ed ; he w as a s l at he re d w it h s we at a s i f h e h ad r un f or m il es .

" I' m g la d y ou 'r e w it h m e, H ua rd ," I p an te d. " I' ve n ev er b ee n s o t er ri fi ed i n m y l if e. B ut I 'd n ev er

h av e b ro ug ht y ou i f I 'd k no wn abo ut t hi s. "

As I 'd i nt ende d, t hi s br ou ght hi m ou t o f hi s da ze of t er ror . " I' d ne ve r ha ve l et you c ome i f I 'd kno wn

a bo ut t hi s, not i f I 'd ha d t o t ie y ou up a nd c ar ry you a wa y ov er my s houl de r, " he r et or te d.

I f or eb or e t o a rg ue w it h h im a bo ut t hi s s ta te me nt , b ut s ta rt ed o ut a ga in . T he re w as l on g a nd l on g t o

g o on t hi s t er ri bl e t ra il a nd t he a ft er no on w as w ani ng . D ow n w e w en t, a nd do wn , u nt il t he m us cl es i n t he

back of my legs ached and my knees wobbled with the strain of holding back. The trail switched back

again and again , d ro pp in g l ow er w it h every l eg , and f li gh ts o f s hall ow s teps app eared— no t car ved b y

m an 's h an d, I j ud ge d, b ut w or n i nt o t he n at iv e r oc k b y t he s lo w, p at ie nt f or ce s o f n at ur e.

I t was a s ur pr is e t o me whe n I found that I was wal ki ng on s and. I ha lt ed and l ooked ar ound. We

w er e i n d ee p s ha de a t t he b ot to m o f a n ar row c le ft ; t he a ir w as t hi ck a nd pu rp le . T he h or se s to od , l egs

s pr ead w id e and h ead d ro op in g u nt il h is m uzzl e alm os t r es ted o n t he s an d. G rayl eg s l ay d ow n u nd er h is

pack. Huard's head was bowed on his chest, staring unseeing at the sand beneath his feet.

" W e m ad e i t! W e' re d ow n! " I s ai d j ub il an tl y.



S lo wl y H ua rd r ai se d h is h ea d a nd l oo ke d a ro un d. " I h op e y ou l ik e i t h er e, " h e s ai d b it te rl y.

" Be ca us e i f t ha t' s t he o nl y w ay o ut , w e' re g oi ng t o s pe nd t he r es t o f o ur l iv es d ow n h er e. "

A f ter m as teri ng t hat v er ti gi no us t rail , i t s ho ul d h av e b een as s af e s tr ol li ng alo ng t he f lat s an dy

bottom of the canyon as sleeping snug in our beds at home. Yet it was here that disaster struck.

T he s an d w as n' t eas y w al ki ng ; i t s li pp ed f ro m b en eath o ur f eet, f ur th er t ir in g o ur alr eady w eary l eg s

a s we p ic ke d ou r wa y a mo ng t he f al le n s la bs of s an ds ton e. Th e ho rs e a nd Gr ay -l egs h ad t o be c oa xe d

a lo ng . B ut n ot W hi te no se . H e l oo ke d t o b e t he m or e d el ic at e o f t he t wo p on ie s, b ut t ho se p ip es te m l eg s

w er e s in ew ed w it h i ro n. I n a ll t he ye ar s I h ad p ac ke d hi m, s om et im es h ea vi ly , a nd l ed h im f or l on g w ea ry

mi le s, I h ad ne ve r known hi m t o be t rul y t ire d. As s o i t wa s now. The re wa s a s udde n f la sh of move me nt

i n t he s an d p ra ct ic al ly u nd er h is f ee t a nd a s ix -f oo t s an d- co lo re d s er pe nt d ar te d i nt o t he r oc ks .

W hi teno se s hi ed . O ne f or eho of cam e d ow n o n a t eet er in g s lab o f s and st on e, w hi ch p iv ot ed . T he p on y

w en t d ow n s ud denl y, h is o th er f eet s cr ab bl in g v ai nl y f or p ur ch as e i n t he s hi ft in g s an d. T he b ou ld er ,

r el ieved o f h is w ei gh t, cam e crash in g d ow n, and I cou ld clear ly h ear t he o mi no us s nap o f b reak in g b on e.

" Wh it en os e! " I cri ed i n ago ny , and r an t o h im , d ro pp in g G rayl eg s' s l ead r op e. H eari ng m y v oi ce,

W hi teno se q ui t s tr ug gl in g and l ay s ti ll , w ai ti ng t ru st fu ll y f or m e t o d o s om et hi ng t o r el ieve h is p ai n. I h ad

a lw ay s h el pe d h im b ef or e; h ow c ou ld h e d ou bt t ha t I w ou ld d o s o n ow ? T he g re at , d ar k, a nx io us e ye s

f ix ed u po n m e. I l ai d a h an d u po n h is h al ter, s tead yi ng h im as H uard b en t h is p ow er fu l m us cl es t o l if ti ng

t he s la b o ff t he p on y' s l eg . H e h ea ve d u nt il h is m us cl es c ra ck ed , a nd t he s an ds to ne r os e, a nd w ob bl ed ,

a nd p lun ge d o ve r, r ai si ng a s ho we r of s an d. I s tr ip pe d of f t he pa ck a nd pa ck s add le , a nd f re ed o f hi s

burden, Whitenose lunged to his feet. Three of them. One slender foreleg he held trembling above the

s an d, t ou ch ed i ts t oe d ow n, l if te d i t a ga in , c ha mp in g h is j aw s. T he n h e s to od p at ie nt ly w ai ti ng f or m e t o

work my miracle.

I k ne w— oh , I k ne w! —t ha t t he re w as o nl y o ne m ir ac le I c ou ld w or k f or t ha t f ai th fu l p on y a nd t ha twas to put hi m out of re ac h of s uff er ing. But I kne lt t o fe el the l eg anyway. In the mi ddl e of t ha t f ine

f lat- bo ned can no n t here w as a f eeli ng o f r ou gh ness , an aud ib le g rati ng s ou nd , and alr eady t he f lesh

aro un d t he area w as b eg in ni ng t o s well . W hi teno se b en t h is n eck t o t hr us t o nce, l ig ht ly , at m y s ho ul der

w it h h is m uz zl e, p ro te st in g t he p ai n I w as c au si ng h im . I c rou che d t he re i n t he d us t, h idi ng t he t ea rs t ha t

s ta rt ed f ro m m y e ye s a nd r an b ur ni ng d ow n m y f ac e.

H e w as on ly a p on y— an o ld, u se d- up p on y, a t t ha t. H e h ad b ee n m ar ke d a s n ot v er y va lu ab le

f rom bi rt h by hi s gr ay c ol or . F or t he l as t ye ar or s o he ha d b ee n t roub le d wi th w ind pu ff s a nd I s us pe ct ed

he m ight ha ve a r in g b one s ta rt ing i n hi s of f f or e. Bu t f or a il hi s f aul ts , h e h ad be en m y f ai thf ul c omp ani on

a nd s er va nt f or f if te en y ea rs . I ha d n o h um an f ri en d w ho w ou ld h av e s to od by m e h al f s o l on g.

"E ld ri e. " H ua rd 's v oi ce w as g en tl er t ha n I h ad e ve r h ea rd i t, a s h is b ig h an ds g ra sp ed m y s ho ul de rs .

" El dr ie , t ak e t he o th er p on y a nd t he h or se o n d ow n t he c an yo n. I 'l l t ak e c ar e o f h im ."

I s ho ok m y h ea d, u na bl e t o s pe ak . I m ea nt t o c onv ey t ha t I w ou ld d o w ha t w as ne ce ss ar y m ys el f,

but Huard misunderstood.

"You c an 't he lp hi m, c an you? He c an' t move f rom H er e a nd w e c an' t s ta y wi th hi m. And he 's i n

pain, Eldrie. He doesn't understand. Let me put him down. I'll do it quickly and gently, I promise."

" No, " I c hok ed. " He w as m y f ri end . I 'l l do i t."

T he h an ds c lo se d a bo ut m y s ho ul de rs a nd l if te d m e t o m y f ee t. " Do n' t b e a bs ur d, " h e s ai d. " Yo u



c an' t e ve n s ee w ha t y ou 'r e do in g. N ow go on a nd H I— "

" Wh at a b ea ut if ul l it tl e p on y! A nd h e' s h ur t! W ha t a s ha me , p oo r l it tl e f el lo w. L et m e h el p. "

S ta rt le d b y t he s we et , l ig ht v oi ce , b ot h H ua rd a nd I t ur ne d, t o f in d a y ou ng w om an c om in g a ro un d

t he b en d i n t he c an yo n w al l. A s m el od io us a s t he v oi ce h ad b ee n— th e w or ds w er e m or e s un g t ha n

s po ke n— th e g ir l w as m or e b ea ut if ul a nd h ar mo ni ou s s ti ll . A s t al l a s I bu t f ar m or e s le nd er , h ip a nd b re as to nl y j us t s well in g i nt o a w om an 's p ro po rt io ns , s he h ad l on g, l on g h ai r as b lack as m id ni gh t and w id e g ray

e ye s. H er l im bs w er e s le ek , h er h an ds a nd f ee t w er e d el ic at el y t ap er ed a nd e ve ry m ov em en t w as f il le d

w it h u ns tu di ed g race. S he cam e q ui ck ly f or ward , m ov in g w it h t hat con tr ol led s ur et y t hat i s m or e s oo th in g

t o ani mals t han any amo un t o f h on ey ed w or ds . W h it en os e f li nched as s he t ou ch ed h im , b reat hed i n h er

flower-sweet scent, and sighed, eyelids drooping lazily.

" I h av e q ui et en ed t he p ai n f or n ow ," t he g ir l t ol d us s of tl y, l oo ki ng u p i nt o H ua rd 's f ac e w it h a k in d

o f i nn oc en t w on de r. " Wi ll y ou t ak e t he o th er t wo a ro un d t he t ur n o f t he c an yon a nd i nt o m y va ll ey ?

T here's w at er and g rass t her e and t hey' r e v er y t hi rs ty ."

I us ed m y s le eve t o wi pe a wa y m y t ea rs a nd gl anc ed a t H ua rd, wo nd er in g wh y he d idn 't a ns we r.

H e w as s ta ri ng a t t he g ir l a s i f b es pe ll ed, da wn in g gl or y i n h is f ac e. I f i n t ha t mo me nt he f el l i n l ove , I

l earn ed t o h at e. I t w as l ik e b ei ng b last ed w it h l ig ht ni ng , a b it ter, p oi so no us b ol t o f w it heri ng j ealo us y. H e

ha d ne ve r l oo ke d a t m e l ik e t ha t. No m an ha d e ve r l oo ke d a t m e s o, a nd I k ne w wi th u tt er c er ta in ty t ha t

n o m an e ve r w ou ld .

I k new t hat m y b li gh ti ng h at red o f t hi s chi ld -w om an w as u nj us t and cru el and u nf ai r. T he

k no wl ed ge m ad e m e w ri th e i nt er nall y w it h s el f- lo at hi ng even as j ealo us s pi te s ur ged l ik e b il e i nt o t he b ack

o f m y t hr oat.

" I' ll u nl oa d a nd p ic ke t t he m a nd c om e ba ck t o h el p, " Hu ar d s ai d, a nd h e c ou ld n' t ke ep t he j oy o uto f h is v oi ce e ve n i n s o p ro sa ic a n u tt er an ce .

" Th an k y ou . P leas e b ri ng s om e s to ut s ti ck s, abo ut —o h, t hi s l on g, " s he s ai d, h ol di ng o ut h er h an ds

t o s ho w t he m ea su re . " An d j us t t ur n t he a ni ma ls l oo se . M y g ar de n i s f en ce d t o k ee p o ut t he d ra go nd ee r

a nd t he y' re w el co me t o w ha te ve r e ls e t he y m ay f in d. " S he l oo ke d u p a t h im a nd t he n a wa y, s ud de nl y s hy .

" My n am e i s M en nefer, " s he add ed , s of tl y.

" I' m Hua rd, " he s ai d. " I' ll br ing t he s ti cks ." For b ot h of t he m, I ha d c ea se d t o e xi st. I f el t i t mys el f,

a s i f I w er e t hi nn in g i nt o a m is t a nd b lo wi ng a wa y on t he b re ez e. E ve n W hi te no se ne ed ed m e n o m or e,

n ow t hat t hi s ext raor di nary y ou ng w om an h ad t ak en charg e. S he w ou ld h el p h im . I cou ld o nl y h av ede st roye d hi m. I n ea rl y c hok ed on t ea rs , no t of s or ro w f or t he m or ta l i nj ur y of a f ri end, b ut of r age a nd

humiliation and self-pity.

M enn ef er cam e f or ward and k nelt b y W hi te-n os e' s i nj ur ed f or el eg , h er l on g b lack h ai r f al li ng

a ro un d h er l ik e a c ur ta in . I c ou ld a lm os t s ee t he c ur re nt s o f p ow er s ur gi ng a nd s ee th in g a s s he g at he re d

t he m f ro m w ha t s ou rc e I k ne w n ot . I f ou nd i t u nb ea ra bl e t ha t s he —s he !— co ul d s av e h im a nd I c ou ld

n ot . M en nefer b eg an t o s tr ok e t he i nj ur ed p lace v er y l ig ht ly , j us t w it h t he t ip s o f h er f in gers , w hi le t ho se

alm os t v is ib le energ ies p layed and f lo wed abo ut h er and f ro m h er i nt o W hi teno se's l eg .

I t w as o nl y a f ew s ec on ds —a m in ut e, a t m os t. N or d id W hi te no se w al k a wa y s ou nd . M en ne fe r

l ooke d up , t he pow er f ad ing a s r api dl y a s i t ha d c om e. "I c an' t me nd t he bone ," s he s ai d, wi th a s mi le . " It

wi ll ha ve t o he al on i ts own. I t w il l be s ome we eks be for e he c an l ea ve he re . But I ha ve me lde d t he tw o

ends firmly together, and the healing has begun."



" Th an k y ou, " I s ai d, f or ci ng t he b it te r e nv y ba ck i nt o i ts f oul h id in g pl ac e a nd c om in g f or wa rd t o

r ub t he s pot be hi nd t he p ony' s e ar t ha t he l ov ed t o ha ve s cr at ch ed. " Tha nk y ou. H e' s m y be st f ri end i n

the world."

M en ne fe r g av e m e a s ta rt le d g la nc e. " Do y ou c al l a p on y y ou r b es t f ri en d? W ha t o f y ou r h us ba nd ?"

"I ha ve n o hu sb an d . .. oh , y ou m ea n H ua rd. H e' s n ot m y h us ba nd . H e' s my a rm sm an, n o m or e t o

m e t ha n t ha t. I 'v e k no wn h im f or l es s t ha n a m ont h. I 'v e k no wn W hi te no se f or f if te en y ea rs ." W hy d id I

l ie ? I d on 't k no w, u nl es s i t w as t he s am e d es pa ir in g b ra va do t ha t s en ds t he d ef ea te d s ol di er c ha rg in g o nt o

t he s pe ar s o f h is e ne my . I f n o on e k ne w t ha t I c ar ed w he the r I l os t Hu ar d or no t, pe rha ps t he l os s

wouldn't hurt.

W ha te ve r t he r ea so n f or t he l ie , M en ne fe r a cc ep te d i t a s s im pl e t ru th . A s we et u nk no wn j oy f il le d

h er f ac e, w he re e ve ry e mo ti on s ho we d a s c le ar ly a s t he p eb bl y b ot to m o f a s pr in g- fe d p oo l. " Th en —t he n

he has no wife, no woman of his own?" she aske d, so softly I had to strain to hea r.

I s hr ug ge d. I t w as n ot a q ue st io n I h ad e ve r a sk ed hi m— or m uc h c ar ed a bou t. " I c ou ld n' t s ay . I

c an 't b e b ot he re d t o f er re t o ut t he p er so na l l if e o f a n a rm sm an ."

M en ne fe r g av e m e a s ta rt le d a nd s om ew ha t a we d g la nc e. S he o bv io us ly b el ie ve d t ha t I m us t h av e

a t hou sa nd s uc h a s H ua rd a t m y b ec k a nd c al l t o s pe ak s o c on te mp tuo us ly of t he m. I s cof fe d a t he r

credu li ty w hi le i nw ar dl y I cri ng ed i n t er ri bl e p ai n. I h ad n ev er b een s o i nn ocen t, s o t ru st in g— ho w cou ld I

h av e b ee n, r ai se d a b as ta rd a mi d t he i nt ri gu e a nd d ec ei t o f a k in g' s p al ac e? —a nd I f el t s oi le d a nd m ea n

by comparison.

H ua rd r et ur ne d w it h t he s ti ck s, a nd I m ad e a s pl in t, w el l p ad de d w it h t or n s tr ip s f ro m m y s ha bb ie r

blanket, to immobilize the joints and allow the bruised tissues to heal while the broken ends of the boneg re w t og et he r. W hi le I d id t hi s, H ua rd a nd M en ne fe r s to od a l it tl e a pa rt a nd t al ke d o n t wo l ev el s. O ne

l ev el , t he l ev el o f w or ds , w as a s im pl e s ha ri ng o f i mm ed ia te h is to ri es , b ut t he o th er w as d ee pe r, s po ke n i n

a l an gu ag e o f l oo ks and p au ses and i mp er cept ib le m ov em en ts , a m el di ng and b on di ng o f h op es and f ears

a nd d re am s. I g la nc ed a t t he m o nc e a s I w or ke d. T he y s to od t og et he r, f ai r a nd d ar k, H ua rd s mi li ng

k in dl y d ow n u po n M en nefer as s he l oo ked u p l au gh in g, n o t race o f art if ice o r coq uett is hn es s m ar ri ng h er

beauty. It was as if perfection itself had been their matchmaker. I bent back to my task, trembling with

r ag e a nd h at re d.

W he n I wa s f ini she d, t he t hr ee o f us s pl it t he pa ck a mon g us a nd c oa xe d a nd l ed W hi te nos e

a ro un d t ha t l as t b en d i nt o M en ne fe r' s v al le y. O h, i t w as a p la ce o f b ea ut y! I t w as a w id e, s ha ll owc an yo n, r im me d w it h c li ff s a nd j um bl ed b ou ld er s. T he n ar ro w c le ft w e h ad f ol lo we d w as t he b ed o f a

s ea so na l s tr ea m t ha t i n s pr ing m us t h ave s pr ea d a ll o ve r t he f lo or of t he c an yo n, m aki ng i t a s ha ll ow l ak e

a nd e nd ow in g i t w it h l us hne ss f or t he r es t o f t he ye ar . F ru it a nd n ut t re es g re w i n w hi sp er ing g ro ve s.

F rom a l ow c li ff t o t he l ef t, a w at er fa ll gu sh ed , p la yi ng a s we et l iq ui d m el od y a s i t bo un de d do wn a s er ie s

o f s teps i nt o g li mm er in g t ur qu oi se p oo ls , each l ow er t han t he l as t, u nt il t he w at er f ed i nt o a s ti ll l ak e t hat

c en te re d t he v al le y l ik e a h ug e d ar k e ye . T he h or se a nd G ra yl eg s, t he ir t hi rs t s la ke d, w er e g ra zi ng o n t he

belly-deep grass , with complete absorption; gallant little White-nose threw up his head and hobbled

s ti ff -l eg ge d t o t he n ea re st p oo l, w he re h e p lu ng ed h is m uz zl e i nt o t he w at er a nd d ra nk u nt il I c ou ld s ee h is

s ide s s we ll . T he n he t oo b ega n t o e at t he g ra ss .

" Co me t o m y cas tl e, " M en nefer s ai d, l oo ki ng u p at H uard w it h a s weet, u ncon scio us ly ado ri ng

s mi le . I c ho se t o a ss um e t ha t I h ad b ee n i nc lu de d i n t he i nv it at io n; i t w ou ld h av e b ee n g ra ce le ss t o s et u p

a camp h er e, al mo st i n M en nefer 's d oo ry ar d.



Ca st le , i nd ee d! I h ad p ic tu re d s om e r ud e h ut , c ha rm in gl y r us ti c, s ha de d p er ha ps b y o ne o f t he n ut

t re es , m ay be w it h a f ew c hi ck en s s cr at ch in g i n t he y ar d. N o s uc h t hi ng . M en ne fe r l iv ed i n a s er ie s o f

cav er ns h ol lo wed o ut o f t he l iv in g r ock b y a m il li on g en er at io ns o f f lo wi ng w at er , b ut n ow f lo or ed w it h

d ry s an d. T he re w er e h al ls a nd c ha mb er s a nd r oo ms a nd w in di ng c or ri do rs e no ug h f or a h un dr ed p eo pl e.

H er m ai n r oo m w as l ar ger t han t he g rand b al lr oo m i n m y f at her' s p al ace, and m or e f an tast ical ly

d ecor at ed w it h t apes tr i es o f s tai ned and chann el ed s and st on e.

A nd t he p la ce w as f ur ni sh ed i n k ee pi ng w it h t he m ag ni fi ce nc e o f t he r oo ms . T he w oo ds w er e

c ar ve d a nd p ol is he d a nd d ar ke ne d* wi th a ge . M en ne fe r s le pt i n a s to ne c ha mb er i n a p os te re d b ed b ig

e nough for a m an and his s eve n wi ve s. The be d mus t ha ve bee n bui lt in the r oom; i t wa s t oo huge to ha ve

been carried into it. The coverlets were woven of a soft, silky wool, which, in a finer weave, Mennefer

al so w or e.

T here w as s om et hi ng p at heti call y b rave i n all t hi s m ag ni fi cence. F or h er e M en nefer, a g ir l o n t he

v er ge o f w om an ho od , b ur st in g w it h l if e and v it al it y and t he s weet j ui ce o f y ou th , l iv ed all alo ne. S he w ov e

t he f abr ic s t o m ak e t he bl ank et s. S he t oi le d i n h er g ar de n t o g ro w t he f ood , s he c oo ke d i t, a nd t he n,s it ti ng alo ne at t he g leam in g p ol is hed b an qu et t ab le, s he ate i t. W it h w hat p hant as ms m us t s he h av e

con vers ed , w it h w hat charm in g cou rt iers m us t h er b us y m in d h av e p eo pl ed t hi s s il en t h al l!

Oh , I h at ed h er ! I b ur ne d w it h a bi tt er j ea lou sy o f he r be au ty a nd h er y ou th a nd h er i nno ce nc e! I

s ee th ed w it h r ag e a t t he u nc on sc io us e as e w it h w hi ch s he h ad c ap tu re d H ua rd 's f ic kl e h ea rt ! I w as

o ff en de d t o t he c or e o f m y b ei ng t ha t t he y i gn or ed m e i n t he ir a bs or pt io n w it h e ac h ot he r! A nd I p it ie d

h er p ro fo un dl y, a nd w as g la d f or h er t ha t s he h ad f ou nd H ua rd t o l ov e— sh e m us t l on g a go h av e g iv en u p

h op e t hat any on e w ou ld ever com e w an deri ng i nt o h er i so lated v al ley t o w ho m s he cou ld g iv e h er

g en er ou s h eart . I f emo ti on s h ad t he p al pabl e f or ce o f m ag ic, I w ou ld h av e exp lo ded i nt o a m il li on

s co rched and g lass y f ragm en ts f ro m t he con fl ict t hat r ag ed w it hi n m e.

S he a nd H ua rd p re pa re d s up pe r. I w en t t o c he ck o n W hi te no se ; h e h ad e at en t o r ep le ti on a nd w as

l yi ng d ow n, h is s pl in ted l eg t hr us t awk ward ly o ut b ef or e h im . T he h or se w as l yi ng d ow n t oo , and

G rayl egs , w ho h ad app ar ent ly b een app oi nt ed s en tr y, d ozed h ip sh ot n earb y.

A t l ea st , I t ol d m ys el f w ry ly , I c ou ld b e g ra te fu l t ha t t he y h ad r em em be re d m y e xi st en ce t o t he

point of preparing enough food for me. They talked through the meal in breathy, laughing tones, oblivious

t o my e xi st enc e, a nd I a te i n a s m uc h s ol it ar y s ta te a s I ha d s ome ti me s s ee n m y f at he r do.

I t w as a m ea l w it ho ut m ea t. T he re w er e m an y d el ic io us v eg et ab le d is he s, m il k t o d ri nk , a nd a d is h

o f e gg s. " I d on 't l ik e t o k il l t hi ng s j us t t o e at t he m, " M en ne fe r e xp la in ed t o H ua rd . " An d a s l on g a s I d on 'th av e t he s me ll o f a m ea t- ea te r, I c an m ov e a mo ng t he w il d p la nt -e at er s a nd t he y d on 't f ea r m e. " H ua rd ,

t he p ro fess io nal h un ter, g ravely agr eed w it h t he w is do m o f t hi s.

S up per f in is hed, I l eft t hem l in geri ng o ver t he h on ey -s weetened n ut meal cak es , t oo k u p a l am p, and

w en t t o s ea rc h o ut q ua rt er s f or m ys el f. O ur t hi ng s w er e i n t he g ue st b ed ch am be r n ex t t o M en ne fe r' s;

H ua rd , I s up po se d, h ad p ut t he m t he re w hi le s o e nc ha nt ed h e h ar dl y k ne w w ha t h e d id .

H e cer tain ly h ad n' t t ho ug ht t hi ng s t hr ou gh . D id h e i nt en d t o cou rt M en nefer w hi le I s hared h is b ed ?

Ev en s he wa sn' t s o i nn oc en t a s t ha t— a t l ea st s he h ad he r wi ts a bout he r! O r d id he i nt en d t o l ea ve me i n

t he g uest b ed ro om and g o t o M en nefer t hi s v er y n ig ht ? I ncon ceiv ab le—s he w ou ld b e s hy and f ri gh tened,

u na cc us to me d e ve n t o t he t ou ch o f a h an d. I t w ou ld t ak e l on g a nd p at ie nt c ou rt in g a nd a s lo w g ro wt h o f

i nt im ac y b ef or e s he w as r ea dy t o r ec ei ve h im . ( As o pp os ed t o h is l at es t l ov er , w ho h ad a ll b ut b ul li ed h im

into servicing her, I thought, shuddering with humiliation and self-condemnation.)



B ut H ua rd wa s a m an w ho c ou ld b e p at ie nt a nd k in d a nd g en tl e, a nd h e w ou ld kn ow be tt er t ha n t o

r us h h er . I f I c li mb ed i nt o t he i nv it in g b ed a nd w en t t o s le ep , h e w ou ld j us t g o e ls ew he re . A nd t he re I

w ou ld b e, r ig ht n ex t t o t hem w hen at l as t M en nefer' s m ai denl y r el uctance w as o vercom e. N o, t hank y ou !

B es id es , t here w as s om et hi ng u ncan ny abo ut t he r oo m, s om et hi ng t hat g av e m e a s hu dd er in g

a ve rs io n t o i t. I w ou ld n' t h av e w an te d t o s le ep t he re , e ve n i f t hi ng s h ad b ee n d if fe re nt .

I s or te d my t hi ngs o ut f rom H ua rd 's , t ook t he s et o f g ol de n j ewe lr y t ha t he ha d bou ght i n

T er mo nt ai ne o ut o f m y m ed ic in e b ag , a nd t hr us t i t d ee p i nt o t he b ot to m o f h is p ac k.

T he re w er e m an y u nu se d r oo ms i n M en ne fe r' s c as tl e, b ut t ho se t wo w er e t he o nl y f ur ni sh ed

bedrooms. I wandered through the maze of interconnected chambers and halls until I found an empty

c ha mb er f ar f ro m M en ne fe r' s b ed ro om a nd o n a h ig he r l ev el . I t h ad a c ra ck t hr ou gh w hi ch I c ou ld s ee

s ta rs . I t w ou ld b e l ig ht i n t he d ay ti me , a nd t he re w as a s te ep ly s lo pi ng r am p t ha t l ed t o t he m ai n c ha mb er

n ear t he l of ty o peni ng —I cou ld g o and com e as I p leas ed w it ho ut f al li ng all o ver t he m oo ns tr uck p ai r.

The mere thought of interfering in their courtship afflicted me with an almost physical nausea.

I s pre ad my be dr ol l and c urs ed a s I re me mber ed tha t I ha d t or n up my othe r bl anke t to pa d the

pony's splint, and had improvidently neglected to filch one of Huard's, who would have the silken-soft

c ov er le ts o n t he b ed a nd w ou ld n' t n ee d h is o wn . A s I s ea rc he d t hr ou gh t he p ac k f or s om et hi ng t o p ro te ct

m y w ea ry b one s f ro m t he f lo or , w hi ch w as r oc k o n t hi s hi gh er l eve l, I c am e a cr os s a n u nf am il ia r pa rc el ,

c ar ef ul ly w ra pp ed . F or a m om en t, I w on de re d w ha t i t w as . O pe ni ng i t, I d is co ve re d t he t hr ee b lo us es

H ua rd ha d b ou gh t f or m e. I h ad ne ve r w or n t he m, a nd now I ne ve r w oul d. I c oul dn' t a sk H ua rd t o

button them up for me, not since Mennefer had struck him like lightning. I sat with my head bowed over

t he l ov el y, s il ky , i mp ract ical g ar ment s w it h t heir d el icat e emb ro id er y, and g ri ev ed f or t he l os s o f

s om et hi ng I h ad o nl y t ho ug ht I h ad .

I s pe nt a n un co mf or ta bl e n igh t on a ha rd s ton e f lo or a nd w as a wa ke wi th t he d aw n. I we nt o ut t o

t he l ak e i n t he s ti ll ness b et ween f ir st l ig ht and s un ri se, w hen t he b reeze l ies q ui et ly w ai ti ng f or t he n ew d ay

t o gi ve i t d ir ec ti on a nd e ve n t he b ir ds a re o nl y g iv in g s le ep y c hi rp s t o c le ar t he ir t hr oa ts . I pl un ge d i nt o t he

c ol d w at er a nd s cr ub be d a nd s cr ub be d, a s i f t o c le an se m ys el f o f h at re d a nd b it te rn es s a nd s el f- pi ty , a nd

cam e o ut s hi veri ng and chas tened. I checked W hi teno se's l eg , p lu ck ed b er ri es f ro m M en nefer' s b ramb les

f or m y br ea kf as t, a nd e xp lo re d t he a re a be tw ee n t he c av er ns a nd t he l ake . Fo r a t im e I w at che d t he

n oi sy du cks c om e e xc la im in g o ne by o ne o ut o f t he ir n oc tur na l h id ing p la ce s i n t he r ee ds . T he n I s at i n t he

l ev el r ay s o f t he r is in g s un b es id e t he t ur qu oi se p oo ls and w at ch ed f at t ro ut r is e f or f li es , w on deri ng i f

Mennefer's ban on flesh foods included fish.

" T he re y ou a re ! I 'v e b ee n h un ti ng a ll o ve r f or y ou ."

I s ta rt ed s o t ha t I n ea rl y s li d o ff t he b ou ld er f ro m w hi ch I h ad b ee n p ee ri ng i nt o t he c ry st al li ne

pools. "Huard," I acknowledged, "flood morning. Look at the trout! Have you ever seen any like these

w it h t he g re en o n t he ir b ac ks a nd t he p in k s po ts a lo ng t he ir s id es ?"

H e s at d ow n on t he ne xt r oc k. " Wh er e di d y ou d is ap pe ar t o l as t ni gh t? I t ho ug ht pe rh ap s yo u h ad

run away."

I s no rt ed . " An d l ea ve W hi te no se ? N ot l ik el y. N o, I 'm a f ix tu re h er e u nt il h e' s w el l e no ug h t o t ra ve l. "

W he th er y ou a nd M en ne fe r l ik e i t o r n ot , I a dd ed s il en tl y.

" Yo u t ook yo ur s tuf f o ut o f t he be dr oom ," he s ai d.



"I was me ani ng t o ask you if I could bor row one of your bla nke ts; I r ipped mine up t o pa d the

splint yesterday."

" Wh er e d id y ou s le ep ?"

"I n a hi gh c ha mber t o t he r ight a nd up f rom t he ma in hal l. I 'm goi ng t o c ut som e gr as s pr es ent ly toma ke a be d." I r ubb ed r ue ful ly a t a s pot on t he s ma ll of my ba ck t ha t wa s s ti ll s or e.

"But, Eldrie, why?"

I s tu bb or nl y r efu sed t o u nd er st and h is q uest i on . " Becau se t hat r ock i s h ar d! "

" I' m n ot a sk in g w hy y ou w an t t o c ut s om e g ra ss , I 'm a sk in g w hy y ou d id n' t s le ep i n t he b ed ro om ."

H uar d w ou ld n ot b e d iv er ted.

I g la nc ed a t h im . H e s ti ll h ad n' t r ea li ze d w ha t h ad h ap pe ne d t o h im . T he re w as a g lo w a bo ut h imt hi s m or ni ng, a s i f l it tl e s pa rk le s we re s wi rl ing a bou t h im . " It s ee ms l ik e a g oo d i de a, " I s ai d. " Ca n I

borrow that blanket?"

" Ar e you ma d a t me? "

" No. L oo k, i f yo u do n' t w an t t o l en d m e t he bl an ke t I 'l l us e o ne of t he pa ck c ov er s. "

H e m ad e a n i mp at ie nt g es tu re o f s wa tt in g a n a nn oy an ce a si de . " Of c ou rs e y ou c an b or ro w a

blanket—both of them, if you like. But it isn't right, me sleeping in the bed and you on the floor. As

y ou 'v e p oi nt ed o ut o ft en e no ug h, I 'm t he a rm sm an a nd y ou' re t he l ie ge l ady . S ho w m e w he re y our s tu ff i s

a nd I 'l l m ove i t t o t he be dr oo m. I 'l l s le ep by t he g at e i f y ou t hi nk i t' s ne ce ss ar y f or s om eone t o s le epthere."

" Tr y n ot t o b e a ny d en se r t ha n a bs ol ut el y n ec es sa ry /' I s na pp ed , f ed u p w it h a ll t hi s c oy ne ss . H e

r eall y w an ted t o k no w i f I i nt en ded t o d em an d s ex ual f av or s f ro m h im , w it ho ut ask in g d ir ectl y l es t I

s ho ul d i nt er pr et t he q ue st io n a s m ea ni ng t ha t h e w an te d m e. A nd n o d ou bt w on de ri ng h ow t o r ef us e

t ac tf ul ly i f I d id . W el l, l et h im s uf fe r. H e w oul dn 't s uf fe r on e t en th w ha t I a lr ea dy ha d.

I s li d d ow n f ro m t he b ou lde r, f et che d my s wo rd, a nd b ega n us in g i t t o c ut a pi le o f r ee ds . M y

f at he r' s a rm s m as te r w ou ld h av e g iv en m e a h id in g f or u si ng a w ea po n b la de i n s uc h a w ay , b ut I d id n' t

car e. I t f el t b lack ly g oo d t o b e k il li ng s om et hi ng , even i f o nl y r eeds ; H uard h ad d es tr oy ed t he p recari ou si nn er p ea ce I h ad w on w it h s uc h a s tr ug gl e.

By the ti me the r ee ds we re c ut and s pr ea d to dr y on a fla t boulder , a nd an even lar ge r pil e of gr as s

h ad b ee n l ik ew is e t re at ed , I w as h ot a nd i tc hy . I h ad w or ke d o ff t he i rr it at io n, b ut a p er va di ng

m el ancho ly h ad r ep laced i t. T here w as o nl y o ne cur e— hard w or k, w or k u nt il I d ro pp ed f ro m exh au st io n.

I c he ck ed W hi te no se a ga in , s li pp ed m y m ed ic in e b ag o ve r m y s ho ul de r, a nd s et o ut t o e xp lo re t he u pp er

end o f t he v al ley.

Chapter Eight



MENNEFER'S VALLEY w as a t re as ur e t ro ve o f m ed ic in al p la nt s. I s pe nt h ou rs i n t he f ar th er

r each es o f t he can yo n, s earchi ng amo ng t he clu tt er o f f al len b ou ld er s and s labs and cru mb led cli ff s. I

found cliffrose, an excellent wound wash; datura, dangerous, but sometimes used to prevent miscarriage

and i n m en tal i ll ness ; f leab an e, i ts p ur po se o bv io us f ro m i ts n am e; g lo bemall ow , g oo d f or s or e eyes;

skeleton weed, for increasing the flow of milk in nursing mothers; barberry, for rheumatism; bladderpod,

f or s nake b it e; cro wn bear d, f or s ki n d is eases; j oi nt -f ir , u sed ( no t v er y eff ecti vely ) f or s yp hi li s; and a

d ozen o th er p lant s m ed ical ly r ar e and v al uabl e. S om e o f t hem I cou ld i dent if y o nl y f ro m h av in g s een d ri eds peci mens i n h ig h- pr iced apo th ecar y s ho ps . I p icked n ot hi ng ; t hey w er e t oo v al uabl e f or m e t o t ak e

w it ho ut p er mi ss io n. B ut I v ow ed t o a sk M en ne fe r' s p er mi ss io n t o t ak e s om e i f I h ad t o t hr ow a b uc ke t o f

c ol d w at er on h er t o g et h er a tt en ti on .

S uc h h er oi c m ea su re s w er e n ot n ec es sa ry . I a rr iv ed b ac k a t t he c av er ns i n t he t wi li gh t c oo ln es s,

d ra nk t hi rs ti ly f ro m a h ig h r oc k p oo l n o b ig ge r t ha n a s ou p t ur ee n, a nd w en t t o c he ck W hi te no se 's l eg .

H e w as a l it tl e l ac ka da is ic al , a l it tl e f ev er is h, bu t n o m or e t ha n m ig ht be e xp ec te d f ro m s o s ev er e a n

i nj ur y. I w as w al ki ng b ac k t ow ar d M en ne fe r' s c as tl e w he n s he a nd H ua rd c am e t ow ar d m e, a lm os t

running.

" Wh er e h av e y ou b ee n a ll d ay ?" H ua rd d em an de d.

I g av e h im a d an ge ro us l oo k. " Wa lk in g, " I s ai d, c oo ll y. " Di d y ou n ee d m e f or s om et hi ng ?"

" I n ee de d t o kn ow wh er e you w er e! Don 't go of f l ike t ha t a ga in w it ho ut t el li ng m e. Or be tt er ye t,

taking me with you."

" Wh o d o y ou t hi nk y ou a re ?" I a sk ed w it h s il ky d ea dl in es s. T hi s w as m or e t ha n e no ug h. H e h ad

d es er ted m e f or a b eaut if ul , i nn ocen t, ado ri ng g ir l o n t wo m in ut es ' acq uain tance. H e h ad f or ced m e t o

s le ep o n a ha rd r oc k f lo or w it h o nl y one b la nke t ( I wa s i n no mo od t o be f ai r) . He h ad t ri ed d es pe ra te ly

t o w ri gg le o ut o f h av ing t o m ak e l ov e t o m e w it hou t ha vi ng t he s im pl e c ou ra ge t o c om e o ut a nd s ay t ha th e n o l on ge r w ant ed m e. H e h ad h ad t he a uda ci ty t o q ue st io n m y m ov em en ts —t wi ce . A nd a s i f a ll t ha t

w er en' t e no ug h, h e w as g iv in g m e— me !— o rd er s. M y h an d a ct ua ll y w en t t o t he h il t o f m y s wo rd a s I

s tepp ed s of tl y t ow ar d h im , k nees b en t, chi n t hr us t b el li gerent ly f or ward . " Ju st w ho d o y ou t hi nk y ou are?

W ho ga ve y ou t he r ig ht t o kno w whe re I go a nd t o be i nf or me d o f m y de ci si on s? Do yo u d ar e ov er st ep

yourself so far, you ignorant backwoods commoner?"

I w as w ea ry— ti re d t o de at h. I w as s ma rt in g i n a ll t he t end er es t pa rt s o f m y p ri de —a s a he al er a nd

a s a w om an . I w as a ng ry a nd l on el y a nd I h ad s pe nt t he l as t t we nt y- fo ur h ou rs s tr ug gl ing h er oi ca ll y t o

s ub du e a ll t he m ea n, p et ty , s pi te fu l f au lt s i n m y c ha ra ct er . I w an te d— an d s in ce i t w as a ll I c ou ld h av e, I

felt entitled to it—deference. Respect. Apologies. A little groveling wouldn't have come amiss!

H e w as u na rm ed, a nd I c ou ld h av e r un h im r ig ht t hr ou gh a nd l ef t h im b le ed ing i n t he d us t, a nd a t

t ha t m om en t I w as a lm os t r ea dy t o d o i t. I w ou ld n' t h av e, o f c ou rs e. B ut M en ne fe r d ar te d b ra ve ly

between us and stood facing me, chin up, arms extended protectively, eyes flashing.

" Pl ea se , Y ou r H ig hn es s. D on 't b e a ng ry w it h h im . H e w as v er y w or ri ed a bo ut y ou . P le as e f or gi ve

h im . H e d id n' t m ean t o b e d is resp ectf ul —h e w as o verw ro ug ht ."

I s tr ai gh te ne d u p a nd s no rt ed d er is iv el y. H e w as o ve rw ro ug ht , w as h e? B ut m y h an d f el l a wa y f ro m

t he h il t o f m y s wo rd . E ncou raged, M en nefer cam e h es it an tl y t ow ar d m e. " Pl ease, Y ou r H ig hn es s. S ur el y

y ou c an f or gi ve h im f or of fe ns es c om mi tt ed be ca us e he l ov es yo u. E ve n i f he i s on ly a c om mon er , t he

l ove of s uc h a m an i s n ot t o b e de spi se d. " She d idn 't un de rs ta nd ye t w ha t ha d h app en ed t o t he m, e it he r, I

s ur mi se d. W as I t he o nl y p er so n h er e c ap ab le o f s ee in g t hi ng s a s t he y w er e?



" Ve ry w el l, M en ne fe r, s in ce y ou a sk i t, I f or gi ve h im ," I s ai d a s g ra ci ou sl y a s I c ou ld , t ak in g a d ee p

breath to cool the angry heat in my brain. "Huard, you've been talking out of turn again."

" Oh ," h e s aid , d is con cer ted. " Well , I t ho ug ht —"

" I k no w w ha t y ou t ho ug ht ," I i nt er ru pt ed. H ow c ou ld h e k ee p s ec re ts f ro m t hi s g ir l, o f a ll g ir ls i n t hew or ld ? " Never m in d. D id y ou s av e m e s om et hi ng t o eat ?"

" We h av en 't e at en y et ," M en ne fe r s ai d e age rl y. " We w er e w ai ti ng f or y ou . I 'l l g o a nd f ix i t n ow ."

S he d as hed away, r un ni ng w it h l it he g race.

" Do n' t h ur ry , I ne ed a b at h, " I c al le d a ft er he r.

" El dr ie, I d on 't u nd er st an d w hat 's h ap pened t o y ou ," H uard com pl ain ed . " Yo u w on 't t el l m e w hat' s

w ron g a nd y ou' re a s t ou ch y a s a be ar wi th a t oo tha che ."

I s igh ed, de fe at ed b y hi s d en se ne ss . " Hua rd, I onl y wa nt W hi te nos e t o be w el l. T he n I w an t t o g et

o ut o f h er e. T he re i sn 't a ny th in g y ou c an d o a bo ut w ha t' s t he m at te r w it h m e. "

" Do n' t y ou w ant t o l ea rn t o be a h ea li ng ma ge a ny mo re ?"

"No. Now go away, I want to take a bath and then I have to get those reeds and grass up to my

r oo m be fo re i t g et s t oo d ar k t o s ee ."

" We f ix ed y ou a b ed . I f y ou d on 't m in d, I 'l l b at he w it h y ou ." W e h ad b at he d t og et he r s ev er al t im es

w he n w e h ad b ee n l ov er s. I t h ad b ee n a l ot o f f un a nd i ne vi ta bl y l ed t o o th er t hi ng s. H ua rd w as t es ti ng

m e, I kne w, t o s ee i f I w as de te rmi ne d t o pur sue hi m.

" No !" I s ai d s ha rpl y. " I w an t t o ba th e a lon e. G o a wa y. "

" El dr ie , I d on 't u nd er st an d! " h e s ai d v io le nt ly . " Wh y, a ll o f a s ud de n, a re y ou a ct in g l ik e I 'v e

contracted some incurable disease? I'm still your loyal liegeman!"

" Al l r ig ht , yo u' re s ti ll i n m y l ie ge ma n, t ho ug h y ou kn ow yo u c an h av e yo ur oa th b ac k f or t he a sk in g.

B ut y ou a re n' t m y l ov er a ny mo re , H ua rd . I d on 't w an t t o— I c an 't —d is cu ss i t. T hi s i s a ll h ar d e no ug h

w it ho ut k eepi ng o n and o n abo ut i t. "

" Ca n' t you e ve n t el l me why? Ha ve I o ff ende d you? W as I t oo r ough wi th you? You ha ve n' t f ou nd

s om eo ne y ou w an t m or e— th er e i sn 't any on e h er e! "

I t ur ne d a nd w al ke d a wa y f rom h im t ow ar d t he l ak e. H e w ou ld ne ve r s ee t he t ea rs i n m y e ye s.

" No , H ua rd ," I c al le d o ve r m y s ho ul de r. " It 's n ot hi ng y ou 'v e d on e, a nd t he re i sn 't a ny on e e ls e. " N o, t he re

w as n' t any on e, n ot i n t hi s v al ley, n ot i n t he w ho le w or ld .

" I w on 't t ak e m y o at h b ac k! " h e s ho ut ed f ie rc el y.

S up pe r w as a s il en t m ea l. A s w e f in is he d o ur d es se rt , I t ur ne d t o M en ne fe r. " Yo u' re a w on de rf ul

c ook ," I s ai d wa rm ly. I t wa s not t he c hi ld' s f aul t t ha t I di sl ike d he r s o m uc h. I w oul d ha ve t o b e e xt ra

gr ac io us t o he r t o m ak e u p f or i t.



" Th an k y ou ," s he s ai d s hy ly . " I' m s ur e y ou 'v e h ad m an y m or e elabo rate m eals i n y ou r f at her' s

palace."

" Oh , y es , m or e e la bo ra te , t ho ug h t he c hi ld re n a te i n t he n ur se ry a nd I w as h ar dl y m or e t ha n a c hi ld

w he n I l ef t. B ut I 'v e n ev er h ad a b et te r m ea l. M en ne fe r, t he re a re s om e v er y v al ua bl e p la nt s i n t he

c an yo ns a nd on t he c li ff s a t t he f ar e nd o f y ou r v al le y. I w as w on de ri ng i f yo u' d m in d i f I t oo k s om e. "

" Pi ck w ha te ve r y ou l ik e, " s he s ai d. " Th e p la nt s d on 't b el on g t o m e. H ow d o y ou m ea n, v al ua bl e?

A re t he y w or th a l ot o f m on ey ?"

" Th ey 'r e v al ua bl e a s m ed ic in es ," I e xp la in ed. " So me of t he m m ig ht b e w or th a bi t o f m on ey , I

s up po se , i n a n a po th ec ar y' s s ho p. B ut I w an t t he m f or t he ir m ed ic in al u se s. S om e o f t he m a re r ar e

e ls ew he re , a nd h ar d t o f in d. I 'm a n h er b d oc to r. "

" Oh !" s he s ai d. " An h er b d oc to r! W il l y ou t ea ch m e s om et hi ng a bo ut t he h er bs y ou f in d? H ea li ng

m ag ic i s s o l im it ed —I 'v e o ft en l on ged t o k no w abo ut m ed icin es and t reat ment s. "

"I 'll be gl ad to t eac h you. And now, if you'll excuse me, I'l l go to bed. I' ve had a l ong day. Good

ni ght ." I a voi de d H ua rd' s e ye s a s I t ook a l amp a nd h ea de d f or m y c ha mbe r.

Hua rd ha d be en t el lin g t he t rut h w he n he t ol d me t he y ha d f ix ed m e a be d. The y ha d ma de a s im pl e

f rame b y n ot ch in g and l as hi ng s mall l og s t og et her. T hen t hey h ad w ov en s mall er , s pr in gy b ranches acr os s

t he se . M y r ee ds , n ic el y d ri ed , w er e l ai d a cr os s t hi s y ie ld in g b as e, a nd a m at tr es s o f d ow n o ve r t ha t.

S ev er al o f t he s of t, s il ky w oo le n b la nk et s h ad b ee n u se d t o m ak e u p t he b ed , a nd p il lo ws s tu ff ed w it h

s we et -s ce nt ed , r us tl y d ry g ra ss w er e p il ed a t t he h ea d. I s an k i nt o t hi s d el ic io us c om fo rt w it h a s ig h o f

weary pleasure.

But I f oun d i t ha rd t o s le ep. M y m ind mul le d t ena ci ou sl y ov er t he e ve nt s of t he da y. Th er e wa ss om et hi ng a mi ss , t ho ug h I c ou ldn 't q ui te p in i t d ow n t o i ts s ou rc e. I t h ad s om et hi ng t o d o w it h H ua rd 's

act io ns . H e w as clear ly f al li ng i n l ov e w it h M en nefer, and as clear ly , h is adm ir at io n w as r et ur ned. T hen

why wa s he n ot c ont en t t o a cc ept gr at ef ul ly t he f re edo m f rom m y be d I ha d of fe re d? He f el t no d es ir e f or

m e any l on ger; m ay be h e n ev er h ad . T o r es um e o ur r el at io ns hi p h er e w ou ld cer tain ly i nj ur e h is chances

with Mennefer, who hadn't outgrown the absurd sensitivity of adolescence.

I kne w Hua rd we ll e nough now t ha t he coul d no m ore hi de hi s f ee li ngs f rom me t ha n one of t he

ponies could, and I knew that these things were true. Furthermore, Huard was no fool, and certainly not

s o f ar o ut of t ou ch w it h hi s ow n f ee li ng s a s t o m is ta ke h is g ro wi ng a ff ec ti on a nd p as si on f or M en ne fe r f or

t he c om fo rt a nd c om pa ni on sh ip h e a nd I s ha re d— he w ou ld n' t b e l ik el y t o m is ta ke a c oz y c an dl e f or t he blazing sun! Then why had he protested when I broke off the relationship that was now only an

inconvenience to him?

I t d id n' t m ak e s en se .

I t oo k M en nefer t he E ncyclo paed ia M ed ico i n t he m or ni ng . " Th er e are s ev er al v er y g oo d art icles

a bou t t he p ri nc ip le s o f h er ba l m ed ic in e i n t hi s, " I t ol d h er . " And m an y o f t he pl an ts I f ou nd ye st er da y a re

d is cu ss ed i n g reat d et ai l i n art icles o f t heir o wn ."

S he r eached o ut and t ou ch ed t he b oo k, r un ni ng h er f in ger h es it an tl y o ver t he cal fs ki n cov er . " Oh ,"

s he s aid. "But I c an't re ad. I ne ve r had t he ne ed t o le ar n a nd t her e ar e no books her e. Can' t you s how

me t he pla nt s a nd te ll me wha t t he y' re for ? I have a good m em or y."



" Have y ou l iv ed h er e all y ou r l if e, t hen?" I ask ed , r eali zi ng t hat h er exp er ience w as l im it ed i nd eed i f

t ha t w er e s o.

"Ne ar ly. I 've be en to the t own thre e t imes . And I was n't born he re . I was a s ic kl y ba by and my

m ot her b ro ug ht m e h er e w hen every on e h ad g iv en u p h op e t hat I w ou ld l iv e. T he h eali ng m ag e w ho l iv ed

he re t he n c ur ed m e, bu t m y m ot he r di ed . As s he ha d ne ve r t ol d t he m age who my f at he r w as o r w he re

s he wa s fr om, t he m age ke pt m e he re a nd r ai se d m e upo n t he mi lk of dr ago nde er . She t aught me a ll In eed ed t o k no w. "

" Th en t he a rt s o f t he h ea li ng m ag es c an b e t au gh t? T he y d on 't h av e t o b e i nb or n? "

" The po we r m us t be pr es ent t o s om e d eg re e. Th e s ki ll t o f oc us a nd di re ct i t c an be l ea rn ed ."

" Co ul d I l ea rn i t? "

W it ho ut ans weri ng , M en nefer p laced h er coo l f in gers o n m y f or eh ead. I f el t a t in gl in g t hat b ro ug ht a

s hi ve r d ow n m y b ac kb on e. " No ," M en ne fe r s ai d w it h c er ti tu de . " Yo u h av e a v er y g re at p ow er , b ut i t i sn ot t he h ea li ng p ow er . I do n' t k no w w ha t i t i s. I 'v e ne ve r f el t a ny thi ng l ike i t. "

" It 's t he po we r of t he r oya l gi ft s, " H ua rd s ai d. N ei the r of us ha d he ar d hi m c ome i n. " It c an

s tr en gt hen o r o verm as ter any o th er k in d o f p ow er ."

" No ns en se," I s ai d s harp ly . " I' m g oi ng w il d- cr af ti ng t od ay . I 'l l r et ur n t hi s eveni ng and s ho w y ou h ow

t o u se t he p la nt s I 'v e f ou nd ."

" I' ll g o w it h y ou ," H ua rd s ai d p ro mp tl y, r eg re t i n t he g la nc e h e c as t a t M en ne fe r. H e t ho ug ht I

cou ld n' t s ee i t.

" No, t ha nk y ou ," I s ai d. " I' ll t ake Gr ay le gs t o c ar ry t he pl ant s b ac k. An d I h av e m y s wo rd. Y ou

stay here and make yourself useful."

"You might need—"

" I s ai d, I w il l g o a lo ne ," I s ai d s of tl y. E ve n I h ea rd t he u na cc us to me d r in g o f a ut ho ri ty i n m y v oi ce . I

c oul d not c omma nd m y ow n l ove r, I r ea li ze d. I l ike d a ma n t o ta ke t he domi na nt r ol e i n be d a nd H ua rd,

e sp ec ia ll y, w as t oo v ig or ou sl y m as cu li ne t o b e a bl e t o t ak e o rd er s f ro m h is w om an . B ut I w as n o l on ge r

h is w om an . An d i f h e w as n ot m y l ov er , t he n h e w as n ot hi ng t o m e b ut m y l ie ge ma n. I c oul d c om ma nd

m y a rm sm an , a nd h e m us t o be y.

H uard f el t t he chang e i n m e. I nv ol un tari ly , h e ass um ed a r es pect fu ll y s tr ai gh t p os tu re, h al ted i n h is

protest as if by a bolt of lightning. Even Mennefer, at whom the words had not been directed, felt their

a ut ho ri ty . S he s hr an k b ac k a ga in st t he t ab le , e ye s w id e. I g la nc ed o nc e a t e ac h o f t he m, c at ch in g t he ir

e ye s. I w ou ld b e o be ye d.

I w or ke d h ar d t ha t d ay , p ic ki ng a nd s or ti ng a nd d ig gi ng a nd p ac ki ng . I n t he h ea t a nd d is co mf or t, i n

t he we ar in es s o f l ab or , I s ou ght t o gr ind ou t t he p oi son o f j ea lou sy a nd ha tr ed . B y da y' s e nd, I ha d a t

l ea st m ad e a s ta rt . I t w as a s i f t he c or ro si ve a ci d g en er at ed b y t ho se l oa th so me e mo ti on s w er e w or ki ng

o ut t o t he s ur face, I m us ed w ry ly , i ns pect in g m y b li st er ed h an ds . A nd I h ad g ar nered an i mp ress iv e

col lect io n o f b ot an ical s t hat cou ld b e m ad e u p i nt o a v ar iety o f u sefu l m ed icin es . O ut o f evi l m ig ht y et

c om e go od, i f I c oul d j us t m as te r m y ba se r s el f.



I c am e i nt o t he c av er n q ui et ly , u ns ee n i n t he f ul l d ar k a lr ea dy c ov er in g t he v al le y, a nd u nh ea rd . I

s aw be for e me a t ende r s ce ne . Hua rd a nd Me nne fe r we re s it ti ng in t he pool of l ight c as t by a s ingl e oi l

l am p. A s de li ca te ly a s a f lo we r t ur ni ng t ow ar d t he s un , H ua rd w as l ea ni ng o ve r t o k is s M en ne fe r, h is l ip s

just touching hers, floating above them, drawing away. Her eyes were enormous, startled, wondering.

" Th er e, t ha t wa sn' t s o ba d, w as i t? " I h ea rd hi m s ay, hi s v oi ce ge nt le .

" Oh, no, " s he s ai d. " Is t ha t a ll t he re i s t o i t? "

I w it hd re w i n h as te , p ur su ed b y H ua rd 's h ap py c hu ck le . I n t hi s v er y p ri va te m om en t, I w as a n

i nt ru de r. I w as h un gr y, b ut t he o nl y w ay i nt o t he k it ch en w as p as t t he c ou rt in g c ou pl e a nd I h ad g on e t o

bed dinnerless before this. I groped my way up the passage to my room in the dark. The effort of finding

f li nt a nd s te el i n t he p ro fo un d d ar kn es s a nd o f s tr ik in g a l ig ht w as be yo nd m e; I u nd re ss ed b y f ee l a nd

c re pt i nt o m y b ed .

H ow I e nv ie d t he m t he ir h ap pi ne ss , a t t he s am e t im e I r ea li ze d m or e p oi gn an tl y t ha n e ve r b ef or e

t hat ki nd of ha ppi ne ss wa s not for me . I mi ght t ake a l over , mi ght gl or y in hi m f or a f ew we eks , a f ewm on th s, even p er haps a y ear. B ut i n t im e I w ou ld b ecom e b or ed . S om e l au gh in g, r am sh ackl e adv en tu rer

w ou ld p as s m y w ay , a t wi nk le i n h is eye; o r s om e g rave, d ig ni fi ed , s ob er -s id ed b ur gh er w ou ld amaze

h im self b y h is u naccus to med p as si on w hen I g av e h im a s id el on g s mi li ng l oo k; o r s om e b lu sh in g, s weet

l ad w oul d s ta mm er o ut h is s hy a do ra ti on ; a nd m y i nt er es t w ou ld s tr ay . N o, t he re w as n one o f l if el on g

l ov es , h om e, h eart h, and chi ld ren f or m e.

I c oul d not but be gl ad f or Me nne fe r, e ve n a s I w ri the d on m y p il low wi th j ea lous y. Hua rd w as t he

f ir st l ov er t ha t e ve ry g ir l d re am s a bo ut a nd v er y f ew e ve r g et . H e w ou ld b e g en tl e w it h h er . H e w ou ld

e xp la in t o h er w ha t h e w as d oi ng . H e w ou ld b e p at ie nt w it h h er f ea rs a nd h er i gn or an ce , a nd h e w ou ld

c on vi nc e h er t ha t s he w as t he v er y m os t d es ir ab le a nd l ov in g w om an i n a ll t he w or ld— an d e ve ry s hy

v ir gi n w an ts t o b e t ho ug ht i mp os si bl y s ki ll ed b y h er l ov er .

W ha t a c ont ra st wi th my ow n f ir st e xpe ri enc e! My c ra ft mi st re ss a nd I ha d be en s ta yi ng i n a t own

i n t he F or el t; t he re w as pl ent y o f w or k t he re . I h ad be en ne ar ly r ea dy t o l ea ve he r a nd s tr ike o ut on m y

own as a he al er, a nd s he ha d not s cr uple d to se nd me out on the s impler ca ses . Ther e was a woman,

wi fe of a c lot h w hole sa le r, who ha d t oo l itt le t o do a nd a di spos iti on t o be a il ing ( not t he s ame t hi ng a s a n

a il in g d is pos it io n) . I w ent t o he r e ve ry d ay w it h s ome n ew p ot io n f or h er va st a rr ay o f i ma gi na ry i ll s. Th e

m er ch an t' s h ou se w as b eh in d h is s ho p, a nd h e s po ke t o m e p le as an tl y a s I p as se d t hr ou gh e ve ry d ay . H e

w as a f ri en dl y m an , o ld e no ugh t o b e m y f at he r, o r c on si de ri ng ho w v er y y ou ng m y ow n f at he r h ad b ee n

w he n I w as b or n, m y g ra nd fa th er —a bo ut f if ty , I s up po se , w hi ch s ee me d a v as t a ge t o m e a t e ig ht ee n.

I f h e w as n' t b us y, h e w ou ld i nv it e m e i nt o h is p ri va te o ff ic e, a nd w e w ou ld l au gh t og et he r a nd dr in k

a cup of tea . I liked him; he had a wry sense of humor a nd a quic k mind, and when he kissed me one

d ay , I m ad e n o o bj ecti on . " El dr ie," h e s ai d, s mi li ng w it h g en tl e s el f- depr ecat io n, " I s ho ul d l ik e t o m ak e

l ove t o you. I know I s ee m v ery ol d t o you, b ut you' re a s fr es h a nd l ive ly a nd e xc it in g a gi rl a s I 've e ve r

k no wn . I w ant y ou , E ld ri e, a nd I n ee d y ou . W il l y ou c om e t o m e t on ig ht ?"

I w as c ur io us . I h ad d on e a l it tl e a do le sc en t e xp lo ra ti on w it h m y f ri en d i n t he s ta bl es , J an ni , b ut h e

h ad f la tl y r ef us ed t o g o a ny f ar th er t ha n s om e h as ty a nd n er vo us k is si ng a nd t ou ch in g— a nd I ha d h ad

practically to bully him to do that. And I liked the merchant. I knew that his wife had denied him her bed

s eve ra l y ea rs a go, f or s he ha d t ol d me a bout i t— she c al le d t he a ct of l ove " al l t ha t. " I l ooke d i nt o hi s

f ac e, a nd s aw f or t he f ir st t im e t he s ig ns o f a ro us ed d es ir e t he re : t he s ho rt en ed b re at h, t he s li gh t f lu sh , t he

i nt en tn es s o f t he e ye s, a nd k ne w t ha t h e d id w an t m e. T he k no wl ed ge a wo ke a n a ns we ri ng d es ir e i n m e

a nd I n od de d. " I' ll c om e, " I w hi sp er ed .



H e k is se d m e qu ic kl y. " Go od g ir l! C om e a ft er da rk t o t he s ho p d oo r a nd t ap . I of te n w or k l at e a t

m y b oo ks ari d n o o ne w il l t hi nk any th in g abo ut i t. "

W he n I t app ed o n t he d oo r, i t w as o pe ne d qu ic kl y a nd I w as a lm os t s na tc he d t hr ou gh t he na rr ow

g ap . I w as h as te ne d i nt o a s to ra ge r oo m, a nd t he re , o n a p il e o f b ol ts o f c lo th , m y c ur io si ty c on ce rn in g

w hat m en and w om en d id t og et her w as s at is fi ed , t ho ug h I w as l ef t w on deri ng w hy any on e b ot hered. Iw as b us tl ed o ut a nd t hr us t t hr ou gh t he p ar tl y o pe n d oo r a ga in ; I d on 't t hi nk m or e t ha n t en m in ut es h ad

passed since I entered. Nor did the man guess that I was a virgin, I'm sure. There was little blood and the

w ho le t hi ng w as ov er t oo q ui ckl y f or m e t o f ee l a ny p ai n.

T he n ex t d ay a s I p as se d t hr ou gh t he s ho p, t he m er ch an t w as c ur t, a lm os t b ru sq ue , i n h is g re et in g,

a nd k ep t h is f ac e a ve rt ed . I s aw t he m in gl ed s ha me a nd d is gu st i n h is e xp re ss io n, t ho ug h, a nd m y h ea rt

r ec oi le d. W he n I s aw h is wi fe , I k ne w a t o nc e t ha t h e ha d go ne t o he r a nd c on fe ss ed h is gui lt , a nd I w as

l et t o kn ow t ha t I w as no l ong er w ant ed i n t ha t h ous e. C le ar ly s he r ega rde d me a s t he a ggr es sor . I

s up po se t he m er ch an t h ad t ol d h er s o t o excus e h is i nf id el it y.

M en ne fe r w ou ld b e s pa re d a ny s uc h d eg ra di ng e xp er ie nc e. I w as g la d f or t ha t, e ve n w hi le I a lm os t

c he we d t he pi ll ow s i n a n a go ny of l us t a nd l on el ine ss , f or w hi ch i n t hi s v al le y t he re w as n o r el ie f. I wa sn 't

t ir ed e no ug h, I d ec id ed g ri ml y. T om or ro w I w ou ld h av e t o w or k h ar de r a nd l on ge r, s o t ha t I d ro pp ed

into my bed completely exhausted.

No on e wa s a st ir i n t he m or ni ng wh en I we nt c aut iou sl y d own t o t he m ai n r oom. I s li ppe d out ,

exami ned W hi teno se, and r ew rapp ed h is l eg aft er a g oo d r ub bi ng t o p ro mo te t he cir cu lati on . " Get w el l

f as t, l it tl e f el low ," I t ol d h im . " I m us t, mu st ge t o ut of he re s oon or I s ha ll g o m ad. A nd I a bs ol ut el y w il l

not l ea ve y ou f or he r t o ha ve t oo! "

I l ef t t he p la nt s I ha d g at he re d t he da y b ef or e d ra pe d ov er M en ne fe r' s g ar de n f en ce t o dr y. T ak in gG ra yl eg s a ga in , w it h e mp ty p ac ks , I h ur ri ed t o t he f ar e nd o f t he v al le y. T hi s t im e I c la mb er ed u p t he

c ru mb li ng c li ff s t o t he h ig h p la te au t ha t ba ck ed t he m. I w al ke d a t l ea st t en m il es a t s uc h a d ri vi ng p ac e

t ha t p oo r l it tl e G ra yl eg s h ad t o t ro t t o k ee p u p. T he n I s et t o w or k, c ol le ct in g q ua nt it ie s o f s ag e,

brittlebush, creosote, and other plants that grew on this high, windswept, dry plateau.

I n ea rl y f ai nt ed f ro m w ea kn es s b ef or e I r ea li ze d t ha t I h ad n' t e at en s in ce y es te rd ay m or ni ng . T he re

w er e n um ber s o f r ab bi ts h er e, and alt ho ug h I w ou ld h av e r esp ected M en nefer 's d iet ar y p ref er ences

dow n i n t he va ll ey, up he re wa s un cl ai me d l and a nd I c oul d do a s I l ike d. A s na re t ha t Hua rd ha d t au ght

me how t o s et c aught m e a me al . W hi le i t w as r oa st ing, I m ade m ys el f a s tr ong, bi tt er c up of s ag e t ea ,

w hi ch w as s ai d t o s up pr es s e xc es si ve s ex ua l d es ir e; I 'd n ev er n ot ic ed a ny s uc h e ff ec t i n m ys el f, b ut I h adn ev er h ad s uc h n ee d o f i t, e it he r. I t w as w or th a t ry . T he re w er e a f ew m ar ip os as a bou t, a nd 1 ga th er ed

the small bulbs, though it was risky—they were almost indistinguishable from death-lilies. In my present

r eckl es s and m el an ch ol y m oo d, I d id n' t m uch car e i f t hey w er e d eath -l il ies. T hey w er en 't , t ho ug h, and I

baked them in the coals and ate them with the lean dry roasted rabbit.

T he m ea l f in is he d a nd ha lf t he r abb it w ra ppe d u p a nd s tow ed i n m y p ac k f or s up pe r, I we nt b ac k

t o w or k, ke epi ng m ys el f f ur iou sl y a t i t u nt il t he w es te ri ng s un w ar ne d m e t ha t I m us t ge t ba ck t o t he

c ru mbl in g c li ff s i f I w er e t o h av e da yl igh t wi th w hi ch t o pi ck m y w ay do wn . I a te a s I w al ke d, c as ti ng t he

bones aside, and managed to get down into the valley in the last afterglow of sunset. I went directly to

W hi te no se , r ub be d h is l eg a ga in , a ll b ut f el l i nt o t he l ak e t o b at he , a nd c re pt b ac k i nt o t he c av er n i n f ul l

d ar kn es s, m y l eg s t wi tc hi ng w it h w ea ri ne ss . M y l as t t ho ug ht a s I s an k i nt o m y b ed w as t ha t I w ou ld h av e

t o s pe nd t om or ro w p re pa ri ng m ed ic in es f ro m t he p la nt s I h ad g at he re d f or t he l as t t wo d ay s o r t he y

wo ul d s poi l a nd b e w as te d. I wo ul d ha ve t o a sk M enne fe r f or oi l a nd h one y a nd be es wa x, f or w hi ch I



Ba ff le d, I l et m y ha nd f all . " But s ur el y you don' t wa nt t o l ea ve he r w it h a ba by t o r ai se ," I s ai d

helplessly.

" I w ou ld n' t l ea ve h er . S he k no ws t ha t. A nd s he d oe sn 't t hi nk I 'm t oo c om mo n t o f at he r h er c hi ld ."

"F or h ea ve n' s s ak e, d o y ou t hi nk I t ho ug ht t ha t? "

" We ll , y ou c er ta in ly t oo k c ar e t o a vo id t he p os si bi li ty . I t d id n' t b ot he r y ou a ny t o m ak e m e w ai t

while you fixed yourself up."

I l os t m y t emp er . " Don' t be a n i di ot . Ho w d o yo u t hi nk I 'd r ai se a b ab y, t ra ve li ng a rou nd t he w ay I

do ?" I s na ppe d. " It n ev er oc cu rr ed t o m e t ha t yo u wa nt ed t o f at he r a c hi ld o n m e. P re tt y i nc ons ide ra te , I

call it."

" Wh at m an w oul dn 't l ik e t o t hi nk t ha t h is s on m ig ht b e a k in g? " h e g row le d. " Wh at m an w an ts t o

t hi nk t ha t a w om an t hi nk s h e' s go od e no ug h t o l ie w it h b ut do es n' t w ant h is b ab y? "

" Hu ar d, " I s ai d w it h e xa gg er at ed p at ie nc e, " it w as n' t y ou r b ab y I d id n' t w an t, i t w as a ny b ab y. A nd

i f y ou h ad g ot te n m e p re gn an t, t he p oo r l it tl e t yk e w ou ld h av e h ad a bo ut a s m uc h c ha nc e o f b ec om in g a

ki ng as your hors e ove r the re . The ba st ar d s on of a ba st ar d, be come a ki ng? Com e on." *•

" He w ou ld n' t h av e b ee n a b as ta rd ."

" Oh , ye s, he wo ul d ha ve . Y ou ma y b e good i n b ed, b ut I c er ta in ly wou ldn' t h ave ma rr ie d yo u, " I

s ai d, k now ing t ha t i t w as a c rue l a nd u gl y t hi ng t o s ay. " An d e ve n i f I ha d, h e s ti ll w oul dn 't h av e be en i n

l in e f or t he t hr on e. I h av e t wo l eg it im at e h al f- br ot he rs w ho p ro ba bl y h av e s on s o f t he ir o wn b y n ow , a nd

s ho ul d t hey all b e w ip ed o ut i n s om e u ni magi nabl e d is as ter, m y f at her i s p er fect ly cap ab le o f s ir in g m or esons."

H ua rd r os e s lo wl y f ro m h is r oc k. " El dr ie , y ou 'r e a ng ry w it h m e o n a cc ou nt o f M en ne fe r, " h e s ai d.

" I don 't bl am e yo u. You ha d e ve ry r igh t t o a ss ume t ha t I be longe d t o you. How c an I e xp la in t o you wha t

happened?"

" No n ee d, " I s ai d w ea ri ly . " I s aw i t h ap pe ni ng . I w on 't c la im m y f ee li ng s w er en 't h ur t, b ec au se t he y

we re . But a ft er a ll , i t w as I who s ed uc ed you. I s upp os e I s hou ldn' t ha ve be en s ur pr is ed t ha t y ou f el l i n

l ov e w it h M en ne fe r; I k ne w p er fe ct ly w el l t ha t y ou d id n' t l ov e m e. A nd I o we y ou a n a po lo gy f or s ay in g

t hat abo ut m ar ry in g y ou . I t w as cru el and u nn eces sary ."

H e l ook ed d ow n a t t he gr ou nd . " No, " he s ai d q ui et ly . " You di dn' t s ed uc e m e. I t ri ck ed y ou i nt o

c om in g t o m e, t ha t' s a ll . I t' s on e o f t he h un te r' s gi ft s, t o kn ow h ow t o g et t he q ua rr y t o w al k w il li ng ly i nt o

t he t ra p. " I s ta re d a t h im i n s ur pr is e. " Yo u d id n' t t hi nk t ha t r oy al ty w er e t he on ly o ne s t o h av e g if ts , d id

y ou ? I n N or dr on , w e s ay t ha t e ve ry on e h as g if ts a cc or di ng t o t he ir t ru e c al li ng . I h av e t he h un te r' s g if t.

M en nefer h as t he h ealer' s g if t. A nd y ou h av e t he k in g' s g if ts ."

I d is mi ss ed t hi s a s s o m uc h s up er st it io us n on se ns e, t ho ug h I w as g oi ng t o h av e t o t hi nk a bo ut t he

m at te r o f w he the r I h ad s ed uc ed hi m o r he h ad t ri ck ed m e i nt o hi s be d. " We ll ," I s ai d s ti ff ly , " yo u' ll h av e

t o d o a s y ou t hi nk b es t a bou t t he c on tr ac ept iv e, of c our se . He re i t i s, i n c as e yo u w ant i t. " I p ut t he j ar

do wn on a r oc k. " As s oo n a s Wh it eno se i s- he al ed e no ugh t o t ra ve l, I 'l l be o n m y wa y, a nd i n t he

m eant im e, I h av e p lent y t o d o g at heri ng p lant s and b rewi ng m ed icin es . Y ou w on 't s ee m e o ft en ." I t ur ned

away.



I w or ke d h ar d f or t he n ex t f ew d ay s. O ft en I p ac ke d G ra yl eg s w it h a l ig ht c am pi ng o ut fi t a nd s pe nt

t he n ig ht b es id e s om e s tagn an t p oo l o f alk al in e w at er , h av in g w al ked t went y m il es o r m or e d ur in g t he

da y. I a te w ha t I c ou ld c at ch o r f in d. B ot h Gr ayl egs a nd I g re w ha rd a nd ga unt , a nd I t an ne d a nd

w in d- bu rn ed u nt il I w as a s b ro wn a s t he s he ll s o f t he h az el nut s t ha t g re w i n M en ne fe r' s v al le y. I g at he re d

h un dr ed s o f p ou nd s o f b ot an ic al s. I t al ke d t o t he p on y o ft en , b ut t he s ou nd o f a ny o th er h um an v oi ce

g re w t o b e s tr an ge a nd s ta rt li ng t o m e.

O ccas io nall y, o ut o f n eces si ty , I s pent t he d ay m an uf actu ri ng m ed icin es and r eadi ng t he

E nc yc lo pa ed ia M ed ic a a t m y " wo rk sh op " o n t he f ar s id e o f t he l ak e f ro m t he c av er n. I t w as u po n o ne o f

t he se d ay s t ha t H ua rd a nd M en ne fe r c am e s tr ol li ng a ro un d t he l ak e, h an d i n h an d. I w at ch ed t he m c om e,

s ig hi ng env io us ly as I s aw h ow com fo rt ab le t hey h ad b ecom e w it h each o th er , l ik e an o ld m ar ri ed cou pl e.

R em in di ng m ys el f s harp ly t hat I w as b y n at ur e u ns ui ted t o t hat p ar ti cu lar k in d o f f el icit y, I r os e t o m eet

them.

" He ll o, E ld ri e, " H ua rd s ai d, l oo ki ng m e u p a nd d ow n. " Wh at h av e y ou b ee n d oi ng t o y ou rs el f?

Y ou 'r e t hi n a s a r ai l. B e s ur e a nd c om e f or s up pe r t on ig ht ."

" Th an k y ou , n o, " I s ai d. I c ou ld a cc ep t t ha t H ua rd a nd M en ne fe r h ad f ou nd a k in d o f c on te nt me nt

t og et her t hat I cou ld h ar dl y u nd er st an d, m uch l es s asp ir e t o, b ut I f ou nd i t i nexp li cabl y p ai nf ul t o w at ch

t he m t og et he r, s o t en de rl y s ol ic it ou s o f e ac h o th er a s t he y w er e. T he f ew m ea ls I h ad a tt en de d a t t he

cav er n h ad exacerb at ed m y l on el in es s u nend ur ab ly . " I h av e a d ecocti on b rewi ng t hat I h av e t o w at ch .

Good evening, Mennefer."

S he d ro pp ed a g ra ce fu l c ur ts y. " Go od e ve ni ng , Y ou r H ig hn es s. D id I d o t ha t r ig ht ?"

" Ye s, i t w as we ll don e, bu t n ot t o t he r ig ht pe rs on. I h ave no r ight t o t he t it le nor t o t he c our te sy ."

" El dr ie , M en ne fe r i s t ak in g m e t o s ee t he d ra go ns t om or ro w, " H ua rd s ai d. " Pl ea se c om e w it h u s. "

" Yes, d o, p leas e, " M en nefer s econ ded, s mi li ng w in ni ng ly at m e. " I t hi nk t here m ay b e a y ou ng o ne.

T hey d on 't cal ve v er y o ft en ; t hi s i s a r ar e o pp or tu ni ty ."

" Yo u' ve b ee n w or ki ng t oo h ar d, " H ua rd s ai d, l oo ki ng a t t he r an ks o f j ar s a nd t he t ot te ri ng p il es o f

packets of teas and powders. "You already have more than the two ponies can carry. You need a day of

relaxation. Come with us."

" Dr ag on s? " I s ai d, l oo ki ng f ro m o ne t o t he o th er , s us pi ci ou s f or a m om en t t ha t t he y w er e p la yi ngs om e j ok e o n m e. " Real l iv in g d rago ns ? I t ho ug ht t hey w er e o nl y a m yt h. "

" No , t ho ug h I t hi nk t hey m ay s oo n b ecom e ext in ct ," M en nefer s ai d. " Th ey 'r e a b eaut if ul s ig ht . N ot

m an y p eo pl e c an s ay t he y' ve s ee n t he d ra go ns . W on 't y ou c om e w it h u s? "

" Be si de s, p oo r o ld G ra yl eg s n ee ds a r es t t oo . Y ou c ou ld h an g y ou r h at o n h is h ip bo ne s, " H ua rd

added.

T hi s w as u nd en ia bl y t ru e, a nd I d id w an t t o s ee t he d ra gon s— ve ry m uc h! Pe rha ps a d ay s pe nt i n

t he c om pa ny o f t he t wo l ov er s n ee d n ot b e t oo i mp os si bl y u nc om fo rt ab le i f I j us t a vo id ed l oo ki ng a t

t hem. " Well ," I s ai d.

" Oh , w on de rf ul ! Y ou w il l c om e! I 'l l g o a nd m ak e a s pe ci al d in ne r t o c el eb ra te . H ua rd , w ou ld y ou



l ik e t o s ta y a nd h el p E ld ri e p ut a wa y h er m ed ic in es ? T he n y ou c ou ld w al k o ve r t o s up pe r w it h h er l at er ."

S he d ar te d a wa y w it ho ut w ai ti ng f or a n a ns we r, a nd H ua rd b eg an g at he ri ng b un ch es o f d ri ed

h er bs . T here w as n o d ecocti on s im meri ng o n t he f ir e, b ut h e t actf ul ly f or eb or e t o m en ti on i t. " We h av en 't

s ee n m uc h o f y ou l at el y, " he s ai d, bu sy w it h h is w or k. " You s el do m s le ep i n y ou r r oo m a nd y ou a lm os t

n ev er com e i n f or m eals . H av e y ou b een l on el y?"

" Ce rt ai nl y n ot . I 'v e b ee n b us y. T he p on ie s a re a ll t he c om pa ny I n ee d. "

" Go od . I t ho ug ht p er ha ps y ou w er e s ta yi ng a wa y b ec au se o ur c om pa ny w as u np le as an t t o y ou . I 'm

gl ad t o kno w i t wa s on ly be ca us e yo u ha d s o m uc h t o d o. "

I g la nc ed a t h im , s us pi ci ou s o f s ar ca sm , b ut h is e xp re ss io n w as b la nd . " Th er e, " h e s ai d. " I t hi nk

t hat' s every th in g. Y ou k no w, t hi s w ou ld b e eas ier t o d o i n M en nefer' s k it ch en . T hen y ou w ou ld n' t h av e

s o f ar t o c ar ry t hi ng s t o put t he m i n out of t he we at he r. " I h ad t ak en o ve r t he c ha mbe r ne ar es t m y

bedroom for a storeroom.

" So me o f t he m ed ic in es g iv e o ff q ui te a s te nc h w he n b re wi ng ," I s ai d. " It s ee me d m or e c on si de ra te

n ot t o s mell u p M en nefer' s h om e. "

H e n od de d. " Th at w as t ho ug ht fu l. " T he re w as a s ti lt ed a nd a wk wa rd f ee l a bo ut t he w ho le

c on ve rs at io n, a nd I c ou ld n o l on ge r s en se h is f ee li ng s. W e h ad b ec om e s tr an ge rs t o e ac h o th er o nc e

again.

Menn ef er h ad o ut do ne h er self i n t he p reparati on o f t he m eal, con si deri ng t he l im it ed n um ber o f

i ng redi en ts s he h ad t o d raw u po n. T hey w er e b ot h d et er mi ned t o i nclu de m e i n t heir con vers at io n ( I

i ma gi ne d t he m d is cu ss in g m e— "P oo r o ld E ld ri e, s he f ee ls l ef t o ut . L et 's b e s ur e t o t al k t o h er a t s up pe r

t on ig ht ." " Goo d i de a, s he m us t b e a wf ul ly l on el y. W e' ll a sk h er t o g o t o s ee t he d ra gon s w it h u st om or ro w" ). I 'd h av e b ee n m or e c om fo rt ab le i f t he y' d j us t l ef t m e a lo ne . I e xc us ed m ys el f t o g o t o b ed

r ig ht aft er t he m eal.

C hap ter N i ne

THE DRAGONSWERE i ncredi bl y b eaut if ul . F ro m t he f ai ry t al es o f m y chi ld ho od , I h ad

exp ected s caly r ep ti li an m on st er s. T hese d rago ns w er e clear ly m am mals , m or e clo sely r el at ed t o b at st han t o s nakes. T ak e a f ly in g f ox . M ag ni fy h im a t ho us an d t im es . S tr et ch h im o ut t o an att en uated t hi nn es s

almost beyond imagining, giving him a long arching neck and tapered tail. Clothe him with rich auburn fur,

patterned with chestnut dapples. Give him foot-long fangs so sharp and gleaming they positively sing with

k ee nn es s. Pu t g re at c ur vi ng c la ws o n t he w ri st j oi nt o f h is w ing s, w it h w hi ch h e c an c li ng t o a c li ff f ac e

l ik e s om e h ug e i ncredi bl e l iv in g t ap es tr y, o r w al k f ou r- legg ed u po n t he g ro un d. T hen y ou w ou ld h av e an

app ro xi mati on o f a d rago n— bu t y ou s ti ll w ou ld n' t h av e t he g race, t he awe, t he b eaut y o f t he l iv in g

c re at ur es b ef or e u s. W e c ro uc he d o n t he r im o f a c an yo n a nd w at ch ed t he m, f as ci na te d.

" I t ho ug ht d rago ns h ad f ou r l eg s and w in gs ," H uard w hi sp er ed .

" I t ho ug ht s o t oo ," I w hi sp er ed b ac k. " Bu t n ow t ha t I s ee t he se , i t m ak es s en se . T he y' re a ni ma ls

l ike us . If t he y ha d s ix l imb s, I s uppos e t he y' d be a k ind of i ns ec t."



" Lo ok a t t he ir e ye s, " M en ne fe r s ai d s of tl y. " Th ey h av e w is e e ye s. T he y a re n' t i ns ec ts , o r s na ke s

either."

S he w as r ig ht . T he e ye s o f t he se e no rm ou s c re at ur es w er e a lm os t h um an , s et i n t he f ro nt o f t he ir

f ac es a bo ve t he ir t oo th y m uz zl es . I h ad s ee n m on ke ys a nd a pe s o ft en i n c ir cu se s a nd m en ag er ie s; t he se

d ra go ns h ad m uc h t he s am e l oo k a bo ut t he m, a s i f a n a li en s ap ie nc e d we lt i n t he ir n ar ro w s ku ll s. T he y

w er en 't r el at iv es o f t he b at s, e it he r. T he y w er e p ri ma te s, a nd t hu s o ur o wn c ou si ns .

O ne l ea pe d a wa y f ro m t he c li ff w al l, s tr et ch in g o ut i ts w in gs w it h a c ra ck l ik e t hu nd er , t il ti ng a s i t

s co op ed t he w in d i nt o t he v as t m em br an es . Th ey w er e s o de li ca te ! I t w as e as y t o s ee , no w t ha t o ne wa s

i n f li gh t, w hy t he y h ad b ee n m is ta ke n f or s er pe nt s; t hi s o ne m us t ha ve H ad a w in gs pa n o f s ix ty f ee t, y et i t

c ou ld h ave w ei ghe d n o m or e t ha n a h un dr ed a nd f if ty p ou nd s. I t w as a ll m em br ane a nd f ur a nd g le am in g

fangs.

I r ea li ze d, wi th a l ur ch of m y h ea rt , t ha t i t ha d s ee n us . I t ba nk ed a nd s woo pe d, i ns pe ct ing us a s i t

w ent b y. S ee mi ng t o f ind i n us n ei th er p re y n or d an ge r, i t s ai le d a wa y, c li mbi ng a bo ve t he c an yo n b y

s om e m ag ic, o r p er haps a r is in g w in d.

"Look!" Mennefer whispered excitedly. "There's the baby!"

S ur e eno ug h, a s mall o ne w as b ei ng car ef ul ly s heph er ded t ow ar d t he l it tl e s tr eam t hat w ou nd

t hr ou gh t he m idd le o f t he w ide c an yon f lo or . I t w as s ti ll wo bb ly on i ts l eg s a nd i ts w in g m em br an es w er e

c ru mp le d. I t w ou ld b e a l on g t im e b ef or e t he l it tl e c re at ur e w ou ld b e a bl e t o f ly . I ts m ot he r, t oo , g av e t he

i mp ress io n o f b ei ng ear th bo un d. H er b reas ts , p laced o n h er chest l ik e a h um an w om an 's , w er e s wo ll en

w it h m il k. S he l oo ke d a s i f c ar in g f or a n ew bo rn d ra go n w er e e xh au st in g w or k.

T he re w er e h er ds o f t he d ee rl ik e c re at ur es , s uc h a s M en ne fe r k ep t f or t he ir m il k, s ma ll er t ha n

g oa ts , w it h s ha rp s pi ky l it tl e h or ns . T he y w er e g ra zi ng u po n t he g ra ss o f t he c an yo n f lo or ; o ne o f t heo th er d rago ns , ano th er f em al e, s tr od e t ow ar d o ne o f t he h er ds w it h a s ho ul der- sw in gi ng , h un ch in g g ai t.

S he i ns pe ct ed t he a ni ma ls c ar ef ul ly . T he n, a s d el ic at el y a s a l ad y p ic ki ng a c and ie d c he rr y o ff a p la te , s he

plucked one of the deer out of the herd, crunched it expertly, and ate it. The rest of the herd seemed

s ub li mely u naware t hat o ne o f t heir m at es w as g on e, con ti nu in g t o eat t he g rass b us il y. T he d rago n p icked

up a not he r d ee r, c run che d i t, a nd t ook i t t o t he ne w mo the r, s ti ll c ro uc hi ng a t t he e dge of t he w at er . S he

accepted the tidbit gratefully.

W e c on ti nu ed t o w at ch , b em us ed a nd e nt hr al le d b y t he e th er ea l b ea ut y o f t he c re at ur es . D ra go n

wa s t oo ha rs h a w or d f or t he m. The re s ho ul d ha ve be en a mo re m us ic al t er m.

"T he se a re a ll t he re a re ," M en ne fe r t ol d u s s ad ly .

1 w as h or ri fi ed . " Al l? A ny wh er e?" I cou nt ed t hem. T here w er e f ou r f em al es and t hr ee m al es ,

i nclu di ng t he o ne t hat h ad f lo wn . A nd t he i nf an t.

" As f ar a s I kn ow , t he re a re no m or e d ra gon s, a ny wh er e. C er ta inl y no t i n t he k no wn w or ld . A nd

s ti ll m en c on ti nu e t o h unt t he m, f or t he ir f le sh, w hi ch i s s ai d t o c on ve y wi sd om, a nd f or t he ir pe lt s a nd t he

m em br an es o f t heir w in gs . T hey g ro w f ew er every y ear. "

"I f I r ea ll y w er e r oy al ," I d ec la re d, " I w ou ld m ak e a l aw p ro te ct in g t he m. "

" Th e r oy al w ri t o f M ar it iene d oesn 't ext en d t hi s f ar ," H uar d p oi nt ed o ut .



"No. Nor coul d I use i t i f i t di d," I re tor ted.

T he l ig ht o f b at tl e w as i n H ua rd 's e ye ; I w as o nl y s pa re d a n a rg um en t b y M en ne fe r' s s ud de n,

"Hush! Look! Something's happening!"

T he b ig m al e t hat h ad f lo wn w as com in g b ack, b ut h e w as f ly in g err at ical ly , f lapp in g h is w in gs

r ag ge dl y w he re o nc e h e ha d s oa re d. T he o the r t wo m al es s pr an g i nt o t he a ir a nd be at t he ir wa y up t om eet h im , cal li ng agi tatedl y, w hi le t he f em al es o n t he g ro un d s tr et ch ed u p t heir n ecks t o w at ch h im . T heir

cal ls w er e l ik e t he s ou nd o f t ru mp et s, u nd er laid w it h t he r ev er berati on s o f g reat b el ls .

T he m al e w he el ed c ra zi ly t o a l an di ng , s pr aw li ng w it h o ne w in g s pr ea d o ut o n t he g ra ss y g ro un d

l ik e a f al le n t en t. E ve n f rom t he c li ff a bo ve , w e c ou ld s ee t he b el lo ws -h ea vi ng o f h is b ro ad c he st , t he

t remb li ng o f h is f lank s, t he f ace t wi st ed i nt o a g ri mace o f p ai n. " Oh !" cri ed M en nefer. " He's h ur t! " A nd

before either c4us could stop her, she slid over the lip of the cliff and scrambled down it in a rain of

d is l od ged p ebb l es and s and .

A vi vi d i ma ge o f t he c ru nc hi ng o f t he l it tl e d ee r f la sh ed a cr os s m y m in d' s e ye . T he re w as n ot hi ngm or e d an ge ro us t o a pp ro ac h t ha n a w ou nd ed a ni ma l, a nd o f a ll a ni ma ls , s ur el y t he re w as n on e m or e

d an ge ro us t ha n a d ra go n! " St ay t he re !" I o rd er ed H ua rd , a nd I u se d a t on e o f c om ma nd . I k ne w, w it ho ut

k no wi ng h ow I k ne w, t ha t h e w ou ld b e f ro ze n i n h is p la ce f or a f ew m in ut es . H e l it er al ly c oul d no t

d is ob ey m e. A nd I a ls o k ne w t ha t I c ou ld , f or a f ew p re ci ou s s ec on ds , c om ma nd t he d ra go ns . P er ha ps

f or l on g e nou gh t o s av e hi s l ov e f or hi m.

Ove r t he ve rg e o f t he c li ff I we nt , a nd f or t he ne xt f ew s ec onds , a ll m y a tt ent io n w as on f ee t a nd

h an ds a nd l it tl e n ub s a nd c ra ck s i n t he r oc k. T he n m y f ee t h it t he l ev el g ro un d. I l oo ke d a ro un d.

Mennefer was running across the canyon floor toward the injured dragon, her midnight hair rippling

behind her. The dragons were raising startled heads, swiveling eyes and ears in her direction, baring fangs

and spreading wings.

I pe lt ed a ft er he r. I w as f as t, a nd i n r oc k- ha rd c ond it ion ; I wa s c at ch ing up w it h he r r ap idl y.

S ud de nl y s he s to pp ed a nd w en t d ow n t o o ne k ne e. " Le t m e h el p y ou ," I h ea rd h er p le ad in g. " Pl ea se l et

me help you!"

Th e i nj ur ed dr agon t ur ne d hi s da ze d e ye s on h er . Th e f angs gl it te re d a s he dr ew ba ck hi s l ip s i n a

d ef ia nt s na rl . T he o th er d ra go ns l ur ch ed a s t he y s wu ng t ow ar d h er , t ee th b ar ed . I l ea pe d i n f ro nt o f h er .

H ol di ng u p b ot h h and s, I g at he re d m y v oi ce a s i f i t w er e a t ra il in g g ar me nt . " St op !" I c om ma nd ed . I d id n' t

s ay i t l ou dl y, b ut t he a ir r an g w it h t he w or d n ev er th el es s, a nd t he c an yo n e ch oe d w it h i t a s i f i t h ad b ee n

t he s ho ut o f t ho us an ds . T he d rago ns t hr ew b ack t hei r s tart l ed h eads , t ru mp et i ng —b rass and f lu tes andt he t ol li ng o f h ug e b el ls . E ven t he w ou nd ed d rago n g ro an ed alo ud and t wi st ed h is n eck.

" Go od !" e xc la im ed M en ne fe r. " Ho ld t he m! " I d ar ed n ot m ov e o r s pe ak . O nl y t he f or ce o f m y w il l

w as h ol di ng b ac k t he r ag e o f t he se a we -" so me b ea st s, a nd t ha t f or o nl y a f ew p re ca ri ou s s ec on ds , u nt il

they overcame their amazement. And Mennefer, with sublime and completely unjustified confidence in my

powers, was walking coolly up to an injured and enraged dragon. No! I longed to call to her. No! Run!

Ru n t o Hu ar d w ho l ove s you! I c annot hol d t he se unc an ny b ea st s f or m or e t ha n a f ew s ec onds ! I f yo u

d on 't r un , yo u' ll di e, a nd I 'l l h ave s ac ri fi ce d m ys el f f or n ot hi ng ! B ut I c oul d on ly s ta re i nt o t he g re at e ye s

of t he dr agons , s o l ike t ho se of me n a nd w om en t ha t a s 1 l os t a ll s en se of p er sp ec ti ve I t hou ght I wa s

s tari ng i nt o h um an eyes, eyes w it h w is do m and k no wl ed ge and g reat s ad ness b eh in d t hem.

I d on 't k no w h ow l on g I s to od f ro ze n, l oc ke d i n m ot io nl es s c om ba t o f w il l w it h t he w in ge d

creat ur es . T hey t ow er ed abo ve m e, s wayi ng l ik e h yp no ti zed s nakes. P er i ph er al l y, I w as aware o f



M en nefer m ov in g abo ut t he w ou nd ed d rago n, w hi ch w as s tr et ch ed l im pl y o n t he g rass , eyes h al f clo sed.

I kn ew w he n t he e ne rgy b ega n t o s pa rk a rou nd h er a s i t h ad w he n s he t re at ed W hi te no se , on ly a

t ho us an d t im es s tr on ger. T hen t he u ni vers e d is so lv ed i nt o a s wi rl in g s to rm o f g ray f leck s and t he s ap ient

e ye s of dr ag ons . I r eme mb er ed t ha t i n t he f ai ry t al es i t wa s s ai d t o be da nge ro us t o l oo k i nt o t he e ye s of

dragons.

" El dr ie , E ld ri e. I t' s d on e. C om e, w e c an g o n ow . T he y' ll l et u s g o. " I t w as M en ne fe r, p lu ck in g a tm y s leev e, p ul li ng m e away. T he u ni vers e l ur ch ed and s et tl ed , and I g lanced away f ro m t he d rago ns '

e ye s. T he s un w as h al fw ay d ow n t he h or iz on ; i t h ad s to od a t t he z en it h w he n t he d ra go ns h ad b eg un t o

c al l. M enn ef er w as w hi te a nd dr ai ne d, s wa yi ng w it h f at ig ue . I p ut m y a rm a ro un d h er t o h el p h er a lon g,

a nd w as s ur pr is ed t o f ind t ha t I w as a s we ak a s s he . T oge the r/ we dr agg ed b ac k t o t he c li ff , a nd a lo ng i t,

l oo ki ng f or a p la ce t o c li mb i t— in o ur c on di ti on , t he re w as n o q ue st io n o f g oi ng b ac k u p t he w ay w e h ad

c om e do wn. W e c am e t o a pl ac e w he re a s ea son al s tr ea m h ad w or n a wa y a c ha nne l i n t he r oc k, a nd ,

cli ng in g t o t he cru mb li ng w al ls , w er e abl e t o clamb er p ai nf ul ly b ack u p t o t he anx io us H uard .

H e pi cke d M enne fe r up i n hi s a rm s. " Ca n y ou ma ke i t? " h e s ai d t o me , h is e ye s on M enn ef er 's

pinched face. Her head sank down on his shoulder, the closed eyelids smudged with blue veins in their transparency.

" Ye s, " I s ai d, s in ce t he re w as n o o th er p os si bl e a ns we r. I c ou ld n' t s ta y h er e a nd H ua rd c er ta in ly

c ou ld n' t c ar ry b ot h o f u s.

H e s et o ff i n t he d ir ec ti on o f M enn ef er 's v al le y. T hi s w as u nk no wn l an d t o m e; a ll m y e xp lo ra ti on s

ha d be en t o t he e as t o f t he v al le y a nd t he dr ago ns ' c any on w as t o t he s ou th. I gr it te d m y t ee th a nd s et

myself to the overwhelmingly difficult task of placing one foot before the other.

E ve n bu rde ne d a s he wa s, H ua rd qu ic kl y o ut di st an ce d m e. I wa sn 't i n a ny p ai n a nd I h ad o ft en

been more tired. But I had never been so weak. I was as limp as if the blood had all been drained out of m e. M y k ne es w ob bl ed w it h e ve ry s te p; I h ad t o c on ce nt ra te t o k ee p t he m f ro m b uc kl in g. W he n I t ri ed

t o l if t m y ha nd t o s te ad y m ys el f on a bou lde r a s I p as se d, I c oul dn' t m us te r t he e ne rgy t o r ai se i t a nd

bumped my hip painfully on the rough rock. Presently I realized that I was kneeling in the hot sand with

no v er y c le ar i de a o f h ow I h ad g ot te n t he re .

I t ho ug ht a bou t t he e ff or t r eq ui re d t o r is e t o m y f ee t. I t w as a d au nt ing t as k, o ne I c on te mp la te d

wi thout e nthu sia sm . I da re d not s it o r l ie down. I f I go t a ny l owe r t ha n I w as a lr ea dy, I f elt I woul d ne ve r

rise agai n. I put my palms down on the sand before me ; it was so hot that the y were stung by the hea t. I

wi shed tha t I ha d fa ll en in t he s ha de of t he boul der on m y le ft , onl y a fe w fe et a wa y, but it w as m uc h t oo

f ar t o c ra wl . A s an d s er pe nt c am e w hi sp er in g p as t, i ts s ca le s r us tl in g d ry ly a ga in st t he s an d. I t f li ck ed i tst on gu e a t m e a nd p ou re d i ts el f a wa y b et we en t wo r oc ks .

I w is he d w e h ad br ou gh t G ra yl eg s w it h u s. H e w ou ld h av e s to od q ui et ly w hi le I p ul le d m ys el f u p

his l eg or hi s t ail , a nd t hen a ll owed me to c li ng to his ma ne a s we wa lke d al ong. I ra n my tongue over my

d ry l ip s. H ua rd h ad t he c an te en . I t w as e nt ir el y r ea so na bl e t ha t h e s ho ul d h av e g on e o ff c ar ry in g

M enn ef er , b ut I r ea ll y f el t t ha t he m ig ht ha ve l ef t m e t he c an te en.

P re se nt ly t he s un d ro pp ed b eh in d t he r im o f t he g or ge a nd t he c oo ln es s w as s o r ef re sh in g t ha t I

w as a bl e t o s cr am bl e a wk wa rd ly t o m y f ee t a nd b eg in o nc e a ga in t o f ol lo w t he R en te d f oo tp ri nt s i n t he

s an d. I w as s ur pr is ed , a ft er a t im e, t o h ea r a g al lo pi ng h or se c om e u p t he c an yo n f ro m t he d ir ec ti on o f

Me nne fe r' s va ll ey . H ad on e of th e a ni ma ls s tr aye d? I t oc cu rr ed t o me t ha t I w as r ight i n i ts w ay a nd t ha t I

ha d be tt er move ove r t o t he wa ll of t he c anyon i f I wi she d t o a voi d be ing tr am ple d. But i t w as a l ong

w ay —t hr ee e xt ra s te ps , a t l ea st —a nd I h at ed t o l en gt he n m y j ou rn ey b y s o m uc h.



H ua rd 's h or se c am e p ou nd in g a ro un d t he b en d, t hr ow in g u p a s pr ay o f s ti ng in g s an d. H ua rd w as

o n h is b ac k, t oo . H e pu ll ed t he s we at in g b ea st t o a s to p.

" Whe re a re you goi ng i n s uc h a hur ry? " I a ske d, l ooki ng up a t hi m.

" I c ame to get you," he s ai d.

" Wh y?" I ask ed , f ai nt ly alarm ed . S om et hi ng m us t h av e h ap pened t o h av e i ns pi red h im t o s uch

haste.

H e s li d o ff t he h or se 's b ac k, g iv in g m e a n e xa sp er at ed l oo k. " Be ca us e y ou n ee d h el p g et ti ng h om e, "

h e s ai d.

" No , I d on 't ," I r ea ss ur ed h im . " No w t ha t i t' s c oo le r I 'm f in e. Y ou m ig ht h av e l ef t m e t he c an te en ,

though. I'm thirsty."

He held out his interlaced hands to give me a leg up on the horse. "We'll be home in just a few

minutes. Up you go."

" I d on 't w an t t o r id e w it h yo u, Hu ar d. "

" No ," he s ai d, s low ly, " I d ar es ay yo u do n' t, a nd I c an' t bl am e y ou f or i t. B ut yo u' re g oi ng t o

anyway."

" I' m q ui te cap ab le o f w al ki ng ."

" Ma ybe . Bu t you 'r e go ing t o r ide . C ome on. " W it h t ha t, he s ei ze d m e o n e it he r s ide of my wa is ta nd t os se d m e up. Be fo re I c oul d d o a nyt hi ng a bout i t, h e ha d l ea pe d up a nd w he el ed t he h ug e be as t,

k ic ki ng h im i nt o a w al lo wi ng g al lo p. I w as t oo j ol te d a nd t os se d a ro un d t o do a ny th ing m or e t ha n c li ng t o

t he w oo ll y m an e; w he n I s ta rt ed t o o rd er h im t o p ut m e d ow n, I a cc id en ta ll y b it m y t on gu e.

I t w as n' t l on g b ef or e h e w as d ra wi ng r ei n b ef or e t he c av er n e nt ra nc e. I s li d d ow n b ef or e h e c ou ld

he lp m e a nd ma de s ti ff ly f or t he c ool ha ngi ng ja r of wa te r t ha t M enne fe r ke pt i n a br ee zy s po t. I dr ank

d eepl y, f eeli ng m y s un -d ri ed t is su es exp an di ng . T hen I h eaded f or t he s lo pi ng p as sage t hat l ed t o m y

r oo m. I s ho ul d ha ve c he cke d t o s ee t ha t M en ne fe r wa s we ll , I s upp os ed, b ut H ua rd c oul d t ak e c ar e o f

h er — t hat w as w here h e s ho ul d h av e b een, i ns tead o f g al lo pi ng t hr ou gh t he can yo ns r es cu in g p eo pl e w ho

d id n' t w an t t o b e r es cu ed .

I f el l a cr os s t he b ed f ul ly d re ss ed , t o b e a wa ke ne d s om e t im e l at er w he n s om eo ne p ul le d o ff m y

boots. I grumbled sleepily, was hushed and covered up. Had the voice not been masculine, I would have

t ho ugh t t ha t t im e h ad r ev er se d i ts el f a nd m y n ur se w as t uc ki ng m e i nt o m y b ed i n t he r oy al nu rs er y.

I a wo ke i n t he m or ni ng t ir ed a nd l et ha rg ic . I t w as f ul l d ay li gh t o ut ; I h ad p la nn ed t o g o

w il d- cr af ti ng , s in ce G ra yl eg s h ad h ad t wo f ul l d ay s o f r es t. B ut i t w as t oo l at e; t he d ay 's h ea t w as f ar

a dv an ce d, a nd I w ou ld n' t b e a bl e t o t ra ve l be yo nd t he a re as I ha d a lr ea dy c ol le ct ed. I w ou ld j us t ha ve t o

s pe nd t he d ay h er e i n M en ne fe r' s v al le y. W el l, I c ou ld w as h a nd m en d m y c lo th es ; t he y w er e p as t d ue

f or i t. I ga the re d t he m up.

T he t wo s hi rt s w er e di rt y— it w as a t os s- up w he th er I ou gh t t o w as h t he m o r bu ry t he m. So we re

both pairs of trousers. I searched around for something to wear white I did my laundry.



M y gl anc e f el l on t he p ac ka ge of bl ous es H ua rd ha d bo ug ht f or me . Th ey we re c le an a nd ne w;

perhaps I could contort myself enough to fasten the buttons. The skirts were still in the pack. I dug out

t he p ac ka ge t he y w er e i n a nd t oo k o ne o ut , s el ec ti ng t he b lu e s et . T he n I s li pp ed i nt o m y d ir ty c lo th es

a nd c ar ri ed t he f re sh d own t o t he l ak e. I s tr ipp ed of f t he ol d c lot he s a nd put t he m t o s oa k, we ig ht ing

t he m d ow n w it h s ton es , w hi le I ba th ed w it h s lo w l ux ur y. T he n I d re ss ed i n t he n ew c lo the s, n ea rl y

d is lo cati ng m y s ho ul der b lades— bu t I g ot t hem b ut to ned. I t w as eas ier t han I h ad ant icip at ed ; t hey w er ea l ot l oo se r o n me t ha n t he y wo ul d h av e be en a f ew we eks b ef or e.

Cl ea n a nd pr es en ta bl e a t l as t, I l ef t t he c lot he s t o s oa k a nd w al ke d u p t o t he c av er ns , mo vi ng

s lowl y i n t he he el ed s li ppe rs s o a s not t o s pr ai n a n a nkl e. A s I c ame i nt o t he ma in hal l, Hua rd a nd

M en ne fe r r os e f ro m t he t ab le a nd c am e t ow ar d m e. A bs ur dl y, H ua rd b ow ed a nd M en ne fe r c ur ts ie d;

H ua rd h ur ri ed t o t he e nd o f t he t abl e a nd he ld t he g re at c ar ve n c ha ir t ha t w as p la ce d t he re . N o o ne ha d

s at t he re s in ce w e ha d c om e t o t hi s c ur se d be aut if ul va ll ey ; I w as b ei ng of fe re d t he p la ce a s a t ri but e t o

t he r an k H ua rd i ns is te d u po n i nv es ti ng w it h m e. I w as t oo t ir ed a nd h un gr y t o a rg ue . I t oo k t he c ha ir ,

nodding my thanks.

M en nefer , l oo ki ng r em ar kabl y r est ed , r efr es hed, and l ov el y even aft er h er h er oi c exer ti on s o f t he

d ay b ef or e, s cu rr ied i n f ro m t he k it ch en w it h d is hes, w hi ch s he p laced b ef or e m e. H uard g ravely h el ped

m e t o g en er ou s p or ti on s o f e ac h, s ta nd in g b eh in d m y c ha ir o n t he l ef t a s I h ad s ee n m y f at he r' s

c ha mb er la in d o. A nd a s m y f at he r ha d d on e, I a cc ept ed a di sh wi th a no d o r w av ed on e a wa y.

M en ne fe r, s ta nd in g b y t he t un ne l t ha t l ed t o t he k it ch en , w at ch ed , c ar ri ed p la te s a nd b ow ls a wa y a nd

brought new ones.

" An excel lent m eal, M en nefer, " I s ai d g raci ou sl y, l ay in g asi de m y n ap ki n. I f t hey w an ted i t s o m uch,

I w ou ld pl ay t he ir l it tl e g am e o f r oy al ty , t hou gh I f ou nd i t s ad a nd d is he ar te ni ng t o ha ve s uc h a n

u nc om fo rt ab le d is ta nc e p la ce d b et we en m e a nd m y o nl y a ss oc ia te s. I t w as b ey on d m e w hy s o m an y

people dreamed and schemed to attain royal honors. Didn't they know how lonely and boring it was, being treated forever as someone apart and different? The life of a traveling healer, with its excitement

and variety, was infinitely preferable.

" Th an k y ou , Y ou r H ig hn es s, " s he s ai d, a s s ud de nl y s hy a s i f s he h ad n ev er s ee n m e b ef or e. S he

h ad n ot , I s ud de nl y r ea li ze d, p la nn ed t o a tt ac h m y e rs tw hi le l ov er 's a ff ec ti on s a nd t o l ea ve m e a lo ne a nd

l one ly . I t ha d ne ve r oc cu rr ed t o he r t ha t I ha d t he s ame s im pl e h uma n ne ed s a s a ny ot he r wom an. An d

by detaching myself from their company, I had fostered her mistake. I should have stayed and fought for

H ua rd . I w ou ld h av e l os t, b ut I w ou ld n' t h av e d is ta nc ed m ys el f s o p ro fo un dl y. I h ad s om eh ow m ov ed

beyond even Huard's understanding in the last few weeks—and he certainly should have known how

very ordinarily human I was! Royalty, though, are often credited with more-than-humanl us ti ness —p er haps h e h ad att ri bu ted m y com in g t o h im t o t hat cau se.

W hi le t hese t ho ug ht s w er e p as s in g t hr ou gh m y b rain , M en nefer and H uard h ad clear ed t he t ab le.

R em em beri ng m y s oaki ng clo th in g, I r os e— ti me t o s li p b ack i nt o t he m un dane w or ld .

H ig h t im e! H ua rd r us he d a ro un d t o p ul l o ut m y c ha ir . I s te pp ed a wa y f ro m t he t ab le , t o f in d

M en ne fe r k ne el in g a t m y f ee t. " Ge t u p, c hi ld, " I s ai d. " Yo u m us tn 't o ff er c our te si es t o w hi ch I h av e n o

r ig ht ." B ut I h ad err ed ; I h ad u sed t he d im in ut iv e s ob ri qu et " ch il d" —r oy al ty u sed t hat n am e f or l es ser

people for whom they felt some fondness.

M en ne fe r l oo ke d u p i nt o m y f ac e. " El dr ie , w il l y ou a cc ep t m y o at h? W il l y ou t ak e m e f or y ou r

liegewoman?"



" No ," I s ai d, a s k in dl y a s I c ou ld . " Yo u d on 't u nd er st an d t he i mp li ca ti on s o f s uc h a n o at h. I t w ou ld

obl ig at e m e t o c ar e f or y ou— and I ha ve e no ugh t o do t o c ar e f or m ys el f. "

" Pl ea se . I do u nd er st an d. I wa nt t o s er ve yo u. Y es te rda y, i n y ou r p re se nc e, I ha d s uc h a h ea li ng

power as I have never had—the dragon flies on a sound wing today. And you held the dragons immobile

w it h y ou r w il l w hi le l en di ng m e o nl y a s mall p ar t o f y ou r s tr en gt h. P leas e accep t m y o at h! "

H ua rd c am e a nd k ne lt b es id e h er . " I a m y ou r l ie ge ma n, E ld ri e F it zr oi . A ll ow m e t o a dd m y p le a t o

hers . Whe n we l eave her e, I want t o ta ke he r wit h us—s he ha s bec ome ver y dea r to me, But s he ca n' t

v en tu re i nt o a w or ld s he h ar dl y k no ws a nd d oe sn 't u nd er st an d. W on 't y ou g ra nt h er y ou r p ro te ct io n a nd

accept h er s erv ice?"

I would have spurned her oath. I wanted none of it. I wanted to go back to what I had been. I

wa nt ed t o l augh a nd j oke i n a t ave rn w it h f ri end s w ho ha d no i de a I ha d be en s ir ed b y a ki ng, a nd

wouldn' t have be lie ve d me i f I t old t he m. I wa nt ed t o f li rt wit h a ll t he me n a nd t ake the one t ha t ma de me

l au gh t he m os t t o be d w it h m e, h al f- dr un k a nd g ig gl in g i n t he d ar k. I w an te d t o b in d u p a c hi ld 's c ut a nd

s oot he a n ol d l ady's quea sy t um my wi th a c up of m int t ea . I did not wa nt to go t ra il ing a bout t he wor ldwith an entourage, burdened with responsibilities and watched by critical eyes.

I wo ul d ha ve s pu rne d he r oa th. B ut I c oul d no t. I c oul d no t, a ny m or e t ha n H ua rd c ou ld h av e

d is ob ey ed m y v oi ce o f c om ma nd o r t he d ra go ns c ou ld h av e h ar me d u s. I w as b eg in ni ng t o h av e s om e

i nk li ng o f t he n at ur e o f H uard 's " ki ng 's g if t. " I t d id n' t r es id e i n t he r oy al p er so nage, b ut i n t he f ol lo wers .

T he y i nv es te d i t u po n t he o bj ec t o f t he ir d em an di ng l oy al ty a nd i n s o d oi ng t he y we re f ar m or e s ur el y

c on tr ol li ng t ha n r ul ed . I c ou ld n ot s pu rn a n o at h o ff er ed i n s in ce ri ty b y a w or th y p er so n. I c ou ld n ot .

I r ea ch ed o ut w it h i nf in it e r el uc ta nc e a nd l ai d m y f in ge rs a ga in st h er f or eh ea d. S he c lo se d h er e ye s.

" Menn ef er , h eali ng m ag e, g iv e m e y ou r o at h, t hen, " I s ai d s ad ly .

" I p ro mi se t o s er ve and o bey y ou i n ever yt hi ng ," s he s ai d b reat hl es sl y.

" No t e ve ry th in g, c hi ld ," I c or re ct ed . " Yo u s ay , ' in t he p ra ct ic e o f m y c ra ft a nd t he s er vi ce o f m y

h an d. ' N o l iegewo man i s exp ected t o g iv e u p h er p er so nal r ig ht s. "

" In t he p ra ct ic e o f m y c ra ft a nd t he s er vi ce o f m y h an d, " s he r ep ea te d o be di en tl y. " Yo ur c om ma nd s

w il l b e a s l aw s t o m e, a nd m y l oy al ty , yo ur s. "

" I, E ld ri e F it zr oi , a cc ep t y ou r o at h o f f ea lt y, " I s ai d. " Fr om t hi s d ay u nt il w e e ac h a nd s ev er al ly

a gr ee t o e nd t he o bl ig at io n b et we en u s. F or y ou r s er vi ce , I g ra nt y ou m y p ro te ct io n, a nd f or y ou r l oy al ty ,m y c ar e. " I l et m y f ing er s f al l f rom h er f or eh ea d a nd ga ve h er m y ha nd ; s he k is se d t he f ing er s.

" Ma y I r en ew m y o at h? " H ua rd a sk ed , h ol di ng o ut h is s wo rd . " Th e f ir st w as t ak en i n h as te . A cc ep t

my oath, Eldrie Fitzroi, offered after due consideration and freely."

I h ad j us t a cc ep te d M en ne fe r' s; H ua rd h ad s er ve d m e l oy al ly { if n ot a t a ll d ef er en ti al ly ) f or a m uc h

l onge r t ime . I t would be a gr ave i nsul t t o r ef us e t he oa th now. I l ai d my ha nd on t he hi lt of Hi s swor d a nd

o ff er ed h im m y h an d t o k is s w he n t he c er em on y w as d one .

" No w, " I s ai d, a l it tl e t es ti ly , " I h av e t o g o f in is h w as hi ng m y c lo th es . W it h t he p er mi ss ion o f t he c iv il

and m il it ar y b ranches o f m y g ov er nm en t?" I n od ded r es pect iv el y t ow ar d M en nefer and H uard .

" I d on 't t hi nk y ou s ho ul d w as h y ou r o wn clo th es ," M en nefer o bj ected u ncer tain ly .



" Wh os e s ho ul d I w as h, t he n? " F ee li ng a l it tl e b et te r f or h av in g s co re d a h it , I w en t a bo ut m y t as ks .

I t w as n ow m id su mm er . E very aft er no on , h ig h t hu nd er head s p il ed u p and d is tant t hu nd er g ru mb led

i n t he m ou nt ai ns . B et ween m y s ol icit ou s car e and M en nefer' s m ag ic, W hi teno se w as s ou nd again . I t w as

t im e t o l eave. O nce t he s um mer r ai ns b eg an , t he d es er t w as hes cou ld f lo od w it ho ut w ar ni ng . H uard and

M en nefer, s ti ll t en der w it h each o th er and f lu sh ed w it h n ew l ov e, s to red t he m ov ab le con tent s o f h er c as tl e i n d ee p i nn er c ha mb er s, w hi le I p ac ke d u p m y m ed ic in es . W e d ec id ed t o l oa d W hi te -n os e o nl y

l ig ht ly ; H ua rd 's h or se w ou ld h av e t o c ar ry m os t o f w ha t t he p on y u su al ly c ar ri ed a s w el l a s a ll o f

Mennefer's belongings—not, after all, a heavy load.

A ll o ur b lank et s w er e r ep laced w it h M en nefer' s m ar velo us l y s of t, t hi ck , w ar m b lank et s and o ur

bedrolls repacked. Good supplies of twice-baked ship's bread, dried fruits, other foodstuffs, and grain

f or t he a ni ma ls w er e m ad e u p i nt o p ar ce ls a nd s to we d i n t he p ac ks w he re q ue st in g l it tl e p on y n os es

c ou ld n' t g et a t t he m. E ac h o f u s c ar ri ed a f ul l c an te en , a nd t ig ht -w ov en w at er b ag s w er e s lu ng o n e ac h

pony and the horse.

A s m uc h a s Me nn ef er l ooke d f or wa rd t o h er ne w l if e w it h H ua rd , a s c ur io us a s s he wa s a bout t he

g re at w or ld b ey on d h er v al le y, s ti ll t he re m us t h av e b ee n a p an g i n h er h ea rt a s s he s to od i n t he e nt ra nc e

t o t he v al le y a nd l oo ke d b ac k, g at he ri ng o ne l as t p ic tu re o f h er l if el ong h om e t o c he ri sh. I s aw a g li tt er i n

h er eye. B ut t he n ex t m om en t s he w as s tr id in g con fi dent ly o ut , l eadi ng G rayl eg s w it h h is p ack o f

medicines, smiling bravely up at Huard.

For m ys el f, be aut if ul a s t he va ll ey wa s, I l ef t i t wit h a r ight good wi ll . I t ha d be en a pl ac e of l onel y

t or me nt f or m e. T he f ut ur e l oo me d a he ad , a s i ne sc ap ab le a s t he t er ri bl e t ra il t ha t w e h ad t o c li mb t o g et

o ut o f t hi s l it tl e p ar ad is e; I c ou ld n' t k no w w ha t w ou ld h ap pe n, b ut I w as f ul l o f f or eb od in g. I t w ou ld n ot

be the future I thought I had chosen for myself. Even so, I was conscious of an uplift of spirits. Better to

g o b ol dl y t o m eet w hat await ed t han t o w rest le d ar kl y w it h p hant as ms f ro m t he cob webb y f or go tt enc or ne rs o f m y o wn h ea rt .

" It i sn 't s o b ad g oi ng u p, " M en ne fe r s ai d, l oo ki ng u p t he t ra il . F ro m b el ow , i t w as a lm os t i nv is ib le .

I l oo ke d up f rom m y t as k, w ra ppi ng e ac h hoof i n l ea th er b oot s. T hi s wa s my i de a; I t hou ght i t

w ou ld g iv e t he ani mals m or e t ract io n o ver t hat s lo pi ng p recari ou s b ul ge i n t he cli ff t han t heir i ro n s ho es ,

w hi ch w er e n ea rl y w or n o ut i n a ny c as e. T he b oo ts n ee d l as t o nl y t ha t f ar , a nd t he n i t w ou ld n' t m at te r i f

t he y w or e t hr oug h, " I h ope not ." I s ai d. "I do n' t l ike t he l ooks of t ha t. " I nod de d a t t he b la cki sh c lo ud t ha t

h ad b oi le d u p e ar li er t ha n u su al t od ay . Ev en a s we a ll gl an ce d a t i t, i t w as r en t w it h s ul le n l igh tn in g.

" A ll d on e?" H uard s ai d, s tr ai gh teni ng f ro m h is s im il ar t as k b es id e h is h or se and d us ti ng o ff h is

h an ds . " Th en w e' d b et ter g et g oi ng . E ld ri e, y ou f ir st w it h W hi teno se. T hen M en nefer and G rayl eg s. I 'l l

f ol lo w w it h t he h or se . H e i sn 't u se d t o b al an ci ng a p ac k, a nd i f h e f al ls I d on 't w an t h im t ak ing a ny on e

down with him."

I n od de d a nd b eg an m y c li mb . " Do n' t c om e t oo c lo se b eh in d, " I c al le d. " Le av e a l it tl e s pa ce f or

s af et y' s s ake . A nd m ov e a lo ng s ma rt ly! " T he n I w as h ig h e nou gh t o b e o ut o f s ig ht a nd a ro un d t he f ir st

s wi tc hba ck ; I c oul d no l onge r be he ar d a nd I b ent my e ff or ts t o t he c li mb.

Tr ul y, i t w as n' t a s ba d goi ng u p. Ev en t he b ul ge wa s be ne at h m y f ee t b ef or e I r ea li ze d i t, a nd t he

l ea the r b oo ts on W hi te no se 's ho ov es c lun g t o t he r oc k a s I ha d h ope d t he y w ou ld . On ce s af el y a cr os s, I

paused and peered back and down, but only a few small sections of the trail on each level as it zigzagged

back and forth across the face of the cliff were visible, and none of these were occupied by any living



figures. The thunder muttered almost continuously now. I leaned into the climb again.

So me t im e l at er , a s I pa us ed t o l et W hi te nos e b re at he , f at d ro ps o f r ai n b eg an t o s pl as h d own , o ne

h er e, a no th er o ve r t he re . O ne s tr uc k m e f ai r b et we en t he s ho ul de r b la de s, a h al f- cu p o f w at er , i cy s ti ll

w it h t he col d o f t he h ei gh ts f ro m w hi ch i t h ad f al len. W hi teno se s ho ok h im self v ig or ou sl y as I g as ped at

t he s ho ck . I s te pp ed t o t he e dge o f t he t ra il a nd l oo ke d d ow n. T he re wa s n ot hi ng t o b e s ee n; f rom t he

w es t, a c ur ta in o f r ai n a dva nc ed . H ad M enn ef er a nd H ua rd ma de i t a cr os s t he bu lge o f r oc k? I f t he yd id n' t d o s o b ef or e t he t hu nd er st or m h it , t he y n ev er w ou ld . T he e xc es s o f e mp ty a ir m ad e m e g id dy a nd I

s te pp ed a wa y f ro m t he e dg e.

W hi te no se w as n er vo us ly d em an di ng t o m ov e o n. W is e o ld f el lo w t ha t h e w as , h e k ne w w ha t

portended. I climbed on up the trail. There was nothing I could do to help my followers now. The rain

w as com in g d ow n m or e t hi ck ly , i n s ti ng in g l it tl e l an ces. T he t em peratu re h ad d ro pp ed t hi rt y d eg rees i n

t he l as t h al f h ou r; i t h ad s ti ll b ee n b la zi ngl y h ot w he n I c ros se d t he bu lg e.

T he r ai n i nc re as ed , d ri vi ng i ts el f d ow n u po n W hi te no se a nd m e a s i f t o s we ep u s f ro m t he t ra il . A

g ur gl in g s tr ea m w as r unn in g d ow n t he c up pe d t ra il , a nd o ft en I c oul dn 't s ee w he re t o pu t m y f ee t t o f in d as af e p ur ch as e. I w as b li nd ed , d ea fe ne d, n ea rl y s uf fo ca te d b y t he f or ce o f t he w at er , b ut s ti ll I p re ss ed o n,

g as pi ng . H al f m y att en ti on w as g iv en t o m y o wn p redi cament , t he o th er h al f t o M en nefer and H uard ,

s om ew he re b eh in d m e. I h ad f or go tt en h ow m uc h m or e o f a w al ke r I w as t ha n e it he r, a nd h ow m uc h

better conditioned to physical effort. By how far had I outstripped them? Was I once again alone, with

but a single pony? However much rancor I might feel for Huard's desertion, no matter how deep the

jealousy I felt for Mennefer, I hoped desperately that they were safe and coming up the trail behind me. I

c er ta in ly w ou ld n ev er , e ve n i n m y d ar ke st m om en ts , w is h t he m t o p lun ge t o t he ir d ea th s. I w ou ld p la y t he

princess for their amusement forever rather than that!

Almost without realizing it, I topped out, breathing heaving lungfuls of the intoxicatingly sweet

r ai n- wa sh ed d es er t a ir . W hi te no se a nd I w er e a t t he h ea d o f t he t ra il , s oa ke d a nd s hi ve ri ng , b ut s af e. If ou nd a p la ce i n t he r oc ks n ea rby t ha t w as a l it tl e s he lt er ed f rom t he d ir ec t f or ce of t he r ai n, a nd s et a bout

s ea rc hi ng f or d ry w oo d w it h w hi ch t o b ui ld a f ir e. S ur el y t he y w er e c lo se b eh in d m e a nd w oul d

a pp re ci at e a h ot c up o f t ea w it h p le nt y o f s ug ar i n i t w he n t he y a rr iv ed .

T he s um me r r ai ns i n t he d es er t f al l w it h s uc h o ve rw he lm in g f or ce t ha t f or a t im e t he y d on 't s oa k i nt o

t he g ro un d, b ut r un o ff i n vi ol en t r iv er s o f a f ew h our s' d ur at io n. B y d igg ing a ro un d t he b as es o f t he

gr ea se wo od , I w as a bl e t o f ind e nou gh d ry r oo ts f or a g oo d f ir e, a nd s oon I ha d wa te r bo il in g a nd t ea

brewing. I huddled against the rock beside my fire, peering anxiously through the translucent curtains of

falling water.

A ft er a t im e, I d ra nk a c up o f t ea m ys el f. T he r ai n w as s la ck en in g n ow ; t he s ud de n t hu nd er st or m

wa s a lm os t ov er . I ga the re d m or e w oo d a nd pu t i t b y t he f ir e t o dr y. S udd enl y W hi te -no se t hr ew up hi s

h ea d a nd w hi nn ie d s hr il ly , a nd h is g re et in g c al l w as a ns we re d, n ot o nc e, b ut t wi ce ! O ve r t he r im o f t he

cli ff cam e M en nefer, s oaked, b ed ragg led, h er h ai r cli ng in g t o h er cheek s i n r op es , b ut s mi li ng as s he s aw

me a nd t he f ir e. An d t he re wa s Hua rd, c lo se be hi nd he r, t rudg ing w ea ri ly. I he ld out c ups o f t ea a s t he y

c am e u p, a nd t he y d ro pp ed g ra te fu ll y t o t he g ro un d b es id e t he f ir e a nd a cc ep te d t he m.

" Lo ok ," I s ai d, g es tu ri ng t o t he o pe n g or ge b eh in d t he m. S pa nn in g t ha t a ir y c ha sm w as a g le am in g

rainbow.

Ch apt er T en



WEWEREAMAZED t o f ind a ne w l an dl or d a t t he i nn wh er e we h ad s ta ye d b ef or e; t rue , we

ha d be en go ne s ome we ek s, but Be nn em a nd hi s wi fe ha d ha d a n a ir of pe rm ane nc e a bo ut t he m. Th e

m ys te ry w as e xp la in ed s ho rt ly ; a s w e s at d ow n t o s up pe r ( no t u p t o t he p re vi ou s s ta nd ar d) , t he n ew

i nn ke ep er c am e u p t o H ua rd a nd s po ke q ui et ly i n h is e ar . H e e xc us ed h im se lf a nd f ol lo we d t he m an o ut .

M en ne fe r a nd I f in is he d o ur m ea l a nd w er e s ip pi ng t he t hi n d ry w in e o f t he c ou nt ry w he n H ua rd

r et ur ned, f ol lo wed b y B en nem and a s mall , r ou nd , s mi li ng w om an . H uard 's f ace w as g rave.

" El dr ie ," h e s ai d, " Be nn em a nd h is w if e M al li e a re h er e t o s pe ak t o y ou . W il l y ou s ee t he m? "

I g la nc ed s us pi ci ou sl y a t h im . H e h ad b et te r s en se t ha n t o b eh av e c er em on io us ly f or n o r ea so n a t

all. Bennem and Mallie were almost clinging together with nervousness, bobbling shyly in the background

as t hey w ai ted f or p er mi ss io n t o s peak . " Cert ai nl y, " I s ai d g raci ou sl y.

"I w as v er y s or ry t o m is s t he m w he n w e a rr iv ed t hi s a ft er no on ."

B en nem b ow ed as h e cam e f or ward , b eami ng —n ot an i nn keeper' s p ro fess i on al s mi l e, b ut a

g en ui ne s mi le o f r el ief and d el ig ht . M al li e, a p rett y, p lu mp w om an p er haps t en y ears m y s en io r, d ip ped a

graceful curtsy. "Your Highness," Bennem began.

"P le as e c al l m e E ld ri e, " I i nt er ru pt ed . " I p re fe r i t t o m y c or re ct s ty li ng . A nd d o, p le as e, s it d ow n

a nd ha ve a gl as s of wi ne , bot h of you."

B en ne m g ul pe d a l it tl e. " As yo u w is h, Y ou r— El dr ie ." T he y s at g in ge rl y a t t he t ab le i n w ha t ha d

o nc e b ee n t he ir o wn i nn a nd a cc ep te d t he w in e H ua rd p ou re d f or t he m.

" Wh y i n t he wo rl d d id yo u s el l t hi s d el ig ht fu l i nn ?" I a ske d t he m. " In a ll m y t ra ve ls , a nd I h ave

t ra ve le d a ll m y l if e, I h av e n ev er b ee n m ad e s o c om fo rt ab le , f ed s o w el l, o r h ad c le an er , m or e c he er fu l

surroundings."

" Tha nk y ou , Y ou r— El dr ie . W e f el t t ha t w ha te ve r we ha d t o p ut o ur h an d t o, w e o ug ht t o do t he

ve ry be st we c oul d a t i t. B ut ne ithe r of our he ar ts we re i n i t, i f you know wha t I m ea n. And whe n you

s po ke a bo ut e xp lo ri ng f ar p la ce s a nd m ak in g m ap s, w el l, i t s tr uc k a c ho rd . F or t ha t' s w ha t w e w an te d t o

d o. W e s ta ye d h er e f or t we nt y y ea rs , a nd l is te ne d t o t he t ra ve le rs ' t al es , a nd m ad e o ur m ap s o f i ma gi na ry

l an ds , a nd a il t he w hi le , o ur h ea rt s w er e y ea rn in g t o s ee t ho se p la ce s o ur se lv es . W e f ig ur ed t ha t i f w e

s ol d up a nd w ent w it h yo u, w e c oul d s ave a ye ar o r mor e g et ti ng s ta rt ed. A nd w e a re n' t s o you ng a nym or e t ha t w e h av e a y ea r t o s pa re . I 'm f or ty -s ix a nd M al li e' s f or ty -t hr ee , t ho ug h y ou w ou ld n' t k no w i t t o

l oo k a t h er ." H e p au se d t o t wi nk le a t h is w if e, w ho b lu sh ed p re tt il y. " So w e s ol d t he i nn , a nd b ou gh t

m ul es a nd a n o ut fi t, a nd w e' re r ea dy t o o ff er Y ou r— yo u o ur o at hs o f a ll eg ia nc e a nd g o w it h y ou no w. "

I s ta re d a t t he m, a bs ol ut el y a pp al le d. T he se p oo r d el ud ed p eo pl e h ad g iv en u p t he ir l iv el ih oo d a nd

t he ir c om fo rt ab le l iv es , t he ir d ra st ic d ec is io n b as ed o n a f ew c ar el es s w or ds I h ad l et s li p a nd H ua rd h ad

accid en tall y con fi rm ed . " Bu t— bu t— wh at abo ut y ou , M al li e? D o y ou r eall y w an t t o l eave y ou r h om e and

g o j un keti ng aro un d t he k no wn w or ld and b ey on d?"

Sh e r ai se d he r c hi n. " Oh , ye s, I do !" s he e xc la ime d. " It w as I w ho i ns is te d t ha t w e a sk you i f w e

c oul d go wi th y ou no w. I 've a lw ays w ant ed t o t ra ve l. W it h your pe rmi ss io n, I know I c oul d d o a f in e j ob

of planning and supplying and outfitting the exploring parties."



" I t' s t ru e, " B en ne m s ai d p ro ud ly . " He r a dv ic e i s s ou gh t b y t ra de rs f ro m a ll o ve r t he se p ar ts w he n i t

c om es t o p la nni ng t ri ps . A nd s he c an out ri de a nd ou tw al k a ny on e I e ve r kn ew . S he w as bor n t o b e a

caravan master."

I g la nc ed d ub io us ly a t h er c om fo rt ab ly r ou nd f or m. S he s aw t he l oo k. " Tr y m e, Y ou r

H igh ne ss —e r, E ldr ie . O n t he t ri p b ac k t o y ou r c ou nt ry , yo u s ee i f I d on' t ke ep up a nd c ar ry my s ha re o f

t he c ho re s. " T he f ir m l it tl e c hi n c am e u p a ga in. " Co me a nd l ook a t t he p re pa ra ti on s I 'v e m ad e f or t hi s l it tl et ri p and s ee i f t hey aren' t eff icient ."

" I' m s ur e t hey are," I s ai d, cap it ul at in g t o h er d et er mi nati on .

" Th en y ou w il l a cc ep t o ur o at hs ?" B en ne m d em an de d. I s aw t he ir h an ds c re ep t og et he r a nd

i nt er tw in e u nt il t he k nu ck les w hi tened. I h ad g iv en t hese p eo pl e a g li mp se o f an o pp or tu ni ty t o r eali ze

t he ir l if el on g d re am s. I t w as f ar m or e i mp or ta nt t o t he m t ha t I a cc ep t t he m t ha n a ny th in g h ad e ve r b ee n t o

m e. T he s wear in g o f o at hs , t he accep ti ng o f f ealt y and i ts r ecip ro cal r es po ns ib il it y, w as a m er e f or mali ty .

They had already committed themselves.

"I s ha ll ," I s ig he d. I s to od , a nd t he y k ne lt b ef or e m e a nd o ff er ed t he ir a ll eg ia nc e, a nd —o n t he s am e

t er ms a s I h ad a cc ep te d M en ne fe r, u nt il i t w as m ut ua ll y a gr ee d t o d is so lv e t he o at h— I a cc ep te d t he ir

s er vi ce . T he r es t o f t he p at ro ns o f t he i nn w at ch ed i n r es pe ct fu l s il en ce u nt il t he c er em on y w as o ve r, a nd

o nc e i t w as c on cl ud ed , a p ar ty c om me nc ed o f i ts o wn a cc or d.

I mo ve d a ro und t he t abl e unt il I s at wi th my ba ck t o t he wa ll a nd w at che d t he me rr im ent , f rom

w hi ch I w as e xc lu de d b y t he s ta tu s t he se f ol k h ad e nd ow ed m e w it h i n t he ir i ma gi na ti on s. I w as t re at ed

w it h e ve ry s ig n o f d ef er en ce a nd r es pe ct ; t he f in es t b ot tl e o f w in e i n t he h ou se w as o pe ne d a nd p la ce d

before me with a polished crystal glass; a tray of the finest nibbling foods the establishment could devise

w as r es er ve d f or m e a lon e t o s am pl e; a nd I w as s ta re d a t, wh is pe re d a bout , a nd l ef t c ar ef ul ly t o m y ow n

e xa lt ed c om pa ny . T he se f ol k h ad n o v er y c le ar i de a o f w ha t a p ri nc es s m ig ht d o, b ut t he y w er e p os it iv et ha t s he d id n' t c ar e t o d ri nk t he c om mo n w in e, t o l au gh a nd t al k w it h c om mo ne rs , a nd c er ta in ly n ot t o

d em ean h er self b y f li rt in g w it h o rd in ar y m en , t ho ug h m an y o f t hese w er e as att ract iv e i n t heir o wn w ay as

a ny I ha d s ee n a nd I wo uld ha ve l ike d t o ha ve e xc ha nge d a l it tl e ba nt er wi th s om e of t he m.

I s aw H uard and M en nefer, each t he cen ter o f t heir o wn l it tl e cir cl e o f adm ir in g l is teners , enj oy in g

t hems el ves h ug el y w it h t heir t al es , w hi ch ( fr om t he awed g lances t hr ow n m y w ay ) w er e add in g

i mm easu rabl y t o t he cat al og o f m y exp lo it s. H uard w as t el li ng t he g reat ly emb el li sh ed s to ry o f o ur

m ee ti ng ; I w as b ei ng p or tr ay ed a s a p os it iv e m is tr es s o f s wo rd pl ay , I w as s ur e. M en ne fe r w as r el at in g

h ow I h ad q uell ed t he w rath o f t he d rago ns w it h a s in gl e g lance. O ccas io nall y B en nem o r M al li e w ou ld

l ea d up a l it tl e g rou p o f s hy a nd m um bl in g pe op le t o p re se nt t he m. I h ad s ee n m y f at he r m an y t im esr ecei vi ng t hese p resent at io ns , and h e h ad alw ay s b een g raci ou s, k in d, and s mi li ng . N ow I m od el ed m y

behavior on his. I even invited some of them to sit and talk, but they were uncomfortably tongue-tied and

in mercy I soon had to let them go.

T he p ar ty r ea ch ed t he p oi nt a t w hi ch t he y w ou ld r ea ll y s et t he r af te rs r es ou nd in g w it h t he ir

m er ri me nt i f I h ad n' t b ee n p re se nt t o c as t a p al l o f r es pe ct ab il it y o n t he p ro ce ed in gs , a nd I j ud ge d i t t im e

t o l ea ve s o t he y c ou ld e nj oy t he ms el ve s. I r os e, a nd m ad e m y w ay t ow ar d t he s ta ir s, t he a ss em bl ed

c om pa ny o pe ni ng o ut t o m ak e a n a is le . I b ade t he m a d ig ni fi ed g oo dn ig ht , a t w hi ch t he y a ll b ow ed , a nd

w en t u p t o m y r oo m, accom pani ed b y m y ent ou rage, h av in g b een, I s up po sed g ru mp il y, m ag ical ly

d ep ri ve d i n t he l as t t wo h ou rs o f t he a bi li ty t o p ut m ys el f t o b ed w it ho ut a ss is ta nc e. I d id t ak e a dv an ta ge

o f t he o pp or tu ni ty t o a sk B en ne m t o h av e t he l an dl or d s en d u p a no th er b ot tl e o f w in e w he n t he y r ej oi ne d

t he m er ry maki ng , and h e f et ch ed i t h im self . I w as t ho ro ug hl y d ru nk b ef or e t he p ar ty d ow ns tair s b ro ke u p,

t ho ug h i t d id n' t h el p m e s leep . N or all ev iate m y l on el in es s.



M al li e h ad i nd ee d d on e a n i mp re ss iv e j ob o f p re pa ri ng f or t he j ou rn ey t o w he re ve r w e w er e g oi ng .

I h ad n' t d ec id ed y et a nd t he r es t s ee me d t o b el ie ve t ha t o ur g oa l w as e nt ir el y m y r es po ns ib il it y. E ve n

H ua rd h ad g iv en u p u rg in g m e t o g o b ac k t o M ar it ie ne .

B en ne m a nd M al li e h ad p ur ch as ed f ou r o f t he s po tt ed m ul es t ha t w er e s o u se fu l f or c ro ss in g t he

d es er t. T hese w er e t ou gh , end ur in g ani mals , w it h h ar d l it tl e h oo ves. L ik e all m ul es , t hey w er e u ncer tain o f temperament—they seemed to hold their very existence against their human owners, as well they might.

B ut t hese w er e w el l t rain ed and i n t he s hi ny p in k o f con di ti on . T wo w er e amb lers , t he eas y- gait ed r id in g

m ul es , a nd t wo w er e pa ck a ni ma ls , of t he s ame s toc k bu t n ot g ai te d. Th e p ac ks t he y b or e h ad b ee n

s el ec te d w it h g re at c ar e t o b e l ig ht , w el l- ba la nc ed , a nd c om pl et e, a nd a ll e qu ip me nt w as o f t he v er y b es t

q ua li ty , u se d e no ug h t o b e w el l b ro ke n i n, b ut n ow he re w or n o r f ra ye d. I i ns pe ct ed t he c on te nt s o f t he

packs with delighted surprise. By some inspired guess, Mallie had planned for five, and we would travel

i n g re at er c om fo rt a nd w it h m or e c on ve ni en ce t ha n I h ad e ve r m an ag ed b ef or e. M y t wo p on ie s w ou ld

h av e n ot hi ng t o car ry b ut m y p er so nal k it and m y m ed icin es .

B en nem and M al li e h ad t heir amb li ng m ul es . H uard and M en nefer w ou ld r id e t he h or se. T hi s l ef tme to walk, le adi ng the poni es, as I ha d done for ma ny year s. I was c ontent t o ha ve it s o. Not my

ent ou rage! T hey w er e s can dali zed b y t he v er y i dea.

" We 'l l j us t h av e t o b uy y ou a h or se ," B en ne m s ai d f ir ml y.

"I c an w al k, " I i ns is te d.

" It w ou ld n' t b e f it ti ng ," M al li e s ai d.

" Wh at w ou ld p eo pl e t hi nk ?" H uar d add ed .

" An d w e' d a ll h av e t o w ai t f or y ou ," c on tr ib ut ed M en ne fe r.

" Al lo w m e t o a ss ur e yo u t ha t y ou w ill not h ave t o wa it f or me ," I s ai d. " As k Hua rd. And a nyw ay, I

d on 't h av e e no ug h m on ey t o b uy a h or se ."

T hey t raded g lances amo ng t hems el ves. H av in g t o d eal w it h a l iege l ad y w ho i ns is ted u po n b ei ng

difficult was clearly wearing.

" Of cou rs e n ot ," M al li e s ai d com fo rt in gl y. " Wh o w ou ld exp ect r oy al ty t o car ry m on ey ? D o y ou

want to come and he lp me pick out a hors e, or sha ll I choos e one f or you? "

" I' ll p ic k o ut m y o wn h or se ," I s ai d, s ur re nd er in g. I t w as b ec om in g a l it tl e r id ic ul ou s e ve n t o m e.

E ve ryo ne i n t he p ar ty r id in g e xc ep t f or t he l ie ge l ad y? E ve n t ho ug h I w as n' t a p ri nc es s, I w as , b y v ir tu e o f

ha vi ng a ll t he ot he rs a s my l ie ge me n, t he le ade r of t he gr oup. And I kne w I di dn' t wa nt a mul e. I t t ake s a

s pe ci al k in d o f p er so n t o d ea l w it h a m ul e' s w ar pe d a nd d ev io us o ut lo ok o n l if e, a nd w hi le I c ou ld

est ab li sh r ap po rt w it h alm os t any h or se o r p on y, w heth er s tall io n, m ar e o r g el di ng , a m ul e' s m ot iv at io ns

r em ai ne d a m ys te ry t o m e.

T he h or se d ea le r' s p en s w er e f ul l o f t he s po tt ed m ul es , t he p ie ba ld j ac ka ss es t ha t s ir ed t he m, a nd

t he s tu rd y b ro od ma re s t ha t w er e p ut t o t he j ac ks t o p ro du ce t he m. T he re w er e, f ew r id in g h or se s, a nd

n on e o f any q uali ty . I l oo ked o ver t he l ackadais ical s peci mens w it h m ar ked l ack o f ent hu si as m. T hey

w er e j ug headed, g reen- br ok e, s t rai gh t- s ho ul dered cr eat ur es, g uar an teed t o j ol t a r id er ' s eyeteeth w it h

e ve ry s te p a nd t o g o l am e a t e ve ry o pp or tu ni ty .



M al li e p ic ke d t he be st o f a b ad l ot a nd be ga n di ck er ing w it h t he t ra de r. I l os t i nt er es t a nd

w and er ed of f t o h av e a l ook a t t he b ro od ma re s. A nd s o I d is cov er ed , n eg le ct ed a nd u nk em pt , a r ar e

jewel, coated with the dust and manure of the broodmare pens.

I t w as h er e ye t ha t c au gh t m y a tt en ti on . I t w as a n a le rt , i nt el li ge nt e ye , t ha t l oo ke d a cr os s t he b ac ks

o f t he l ar ge r b ro od ma re s a t m e w it h i nt er es t. A bo ve i t w er e t wo p er ky e ar s, t he t ip s i nc li ne d i nw ar d u nt ilt hey w er e w it hi n an i nch o f t ou ch in g. T he f ace w as w id e b et ween t he eyes, s li gh tl y d is hed, w it h l ar ge,

f la ri ng n os tr il s o n a t in y m uz zl e. T he s tr in gy m an e gr ac ed a n ec k a s c ur ve d a nd d el ic at e a s a s wa n' s— an d

that was a ll I c ould s ee of he r.

I duc ke d t hr ough t he ba rs of t he pe n a nd ma de my w ay t hr ough the mi ll ing c rowd of ma re s w ith

t he ir m ul e f oa ls u nt il I c ou ld s ee h er w ho le . S he w as a d ar k, d ap pl ed g ra y, a nd t ho ug h h er l eg s w er e

blemished with the scars of kicks from the other mares, they were basically as clean and straight as any I

h ad e ve r s ee n. H er h oo ve s n ee de d a tt en ti on b ad ly —t he y w er e o ve rg ro wn a nd c ra ck ed —b ut I c ou ld s ee

t ha t w he n pr ope rl y t ri mm ed, t he y wo ul d be of a good s iz e f or t he s iz e of th e ma re , da rk a nd h ard a s f li nt ,

bell-shaped for greater resilience. Her back was short and broad across the loin. Her hip was long andalm os t l ev el , t he t ai l car ri ed w it h h ig h and j au nt y p ri de abo ve w id e, w el l- mu scled h au nches. A nd t ho se

s ho ul ders ! T hat chest ! T he s ho ul ders w er e l ai d b ack t o an ang le p ro mi si ng a l on g and eno rm ou sl y

powerful, springy stride. The angle was reflected in the fetlock; her rider would hardly know when her

f ee t hi t t he g ro un d. A nd f as t! I w ou ld ha ve be t m y v ir tu e ( ha d I s ti ll h ad a ny ) t ha t t hi s m ar e c oul d o ut ru n

and o ut last any r aceh or se i n m y f at her' s s tabl es . A nd o ut maneuv er any w ar h or se, i nt o t he b ar gain .

W hy w as t hi s e xq ui si te c re at ur e h er e a mo ng t he se n on de sc ri pt b ro od ma re s? T he re w as a w ee dy

mu le f oa l a t he r s ide —a nyone c oul d t el l t o l ook a t h er t ha t a j ac k wa s no f it ma te f or he r; why ha d s he

been so misused? What was wrong with her?

I app ro ached h er q ui et ly and h el d o ut m y h an d. S he s ni ff ed i t w it h cur io si ty , s ho wi ng n ei th er v ic io us ne ss n or f ea r. I t w as n' t i n t em pe ra me nt t ha t s he c ou ld b e f au lt ed , t he n. N or i n a ge ; I e st im at ed

f ro m h er c ol or t ha t s he w as s ev en o r e ig ht , a s d ap pl e g ra ys f ad e o ut u nt il t he y' re a lm os t w hi te b y t he t im e

t he y' re t en o r s o. A gl anc e a t h er t ee th ve ri fi ed m y g ue ss ; t he s eve n- ye ar ho ok w as pr es ent . W as s he

u ns ou nd ? I r an m y h an ds d ow n h er l eg s, w hi ch s he l if ted w il li ng ly , and f ou nd g oo d f lat b on e, s tr on g

t en do ns , a nd l ar ge f re e- mo vi ng j oi nt s. S he h ad a s ma ll s pl in t o n h er r ig ht f or e c an no n, b ut n o o th er f la ws

o f c on fo rm at io n. C la pp in g m y h an ds , I u rg ed h er i nt o m ot io n, a nd s he m ov ed s qu ar e a nd t ru e, w it h n o

n od di ng o f t he h ea d. A h an d r un d ow n h er s pi ne b ro ug ht a n e xp re ss io n o f b li ss fu l p le as ur e, n ot a w in ce

o f p ai n. S he w as s ou nd . A nd f rom t he s add le m ar ks , b ro ke t o r ide , t oo .

I h ur ri ed b ac k t o M al li e, w ho w as d ic ke ri ng s pi ri te dl y w it h t he t ra de r a nd , f ro m t he e xp re ss io n o nh is f ac e, ge tt in g t he b et te r o f hi m. " Ma ll ie ," I s ai d u rg ent ly , " I d on' t w an t t ha t g el di ng. I w an t o ne o f t he

broodmares."

Bo th M al li e a nd t he t ra de r l ook ed a t m e a s i f I h ad g on e c ra zy . " Th os e m ar es a re n' t br ok e t o r id e, "

he s aid. "Now, thi s ge ldi ng i s t he fc es t ri di ng hors e I 've got, a nd I ca n ge t a pr et ty pe nny for hi m a t t he f al l

f ai r. B ut s in ce M al li e' s an o ld f ri en d, I 'l l g iv e y ou a s peci al p ri ce."

" Wi ll y ou s el l m e o ne o f t he m ar es ?" I s ai d i ns is te nt ly .

" We ll , i f y ou w ant , I g ue ss ," h e s ai d du bi ou sl y. " Whi ch o ne d id yo u ha ve i n m ind ?"

" The da ppl e gr ay w it h t he s ta r a nd s tr ipe . I n t hi s pe n o ve r he re . I 'l l s how y ou. "



I ducked int o t he pen and wal ke d up t o the mar e, and s he gr eet ed me li ke a n old fri end. I put my

h an d o n h er n ec k a nd s he f ol lo we d m e o be di en tl y t o t he g at e, w hi ck er in g t o h er l on g- ea re d s on t o

f ol low . T he t ra de r w as w ai ti ng w it h a h al te r, a nd I s li pp ed i t o n h er a nd l ed h er o ut . T he l it tl e m ul e h id

bashfully behind his dam and peered out.

" I' m n ot o ne t o r un d ow n m y o wn s to ck ," t he t ra de r s ai d r ue fu ll y, " bu t t ha t m ar e' s j us t a bo ut

u se le ss . S om e t ra de rs b ro ug ht h er i n. T he y g ot h er f ro m a t ra ve le r w ho g ot h er f ro m s om e s av ag e t ri beaway out t o the we st, cle ar on the other s ide of the des ert , and fr om what they s aid, s he was a l ong wa y

f rom hom e e ve n t he n. I ne ve r J ia d a good f oa l f rom he r; t he y' re a ll a s l it tl e a nd w ee dy a s s he is , a nd a s

ha rd t o ha ndl e. She' s br oke t o r ide , but she 's as t ouchy a s a r at tle snake a nd a s ha rd to s it on. You don' t

want this mare."

"I f wha t you s ay i s tr ue , you ought to be gla d t o ge t ri d of he r, and a t a re as onable pri ce, too."

He shook his he ad. "I f you wer e j ust a nybody. I 'd s el l he r t o you and good ri dda nc e t o a poor nag.

But I' ve neve r s ol d a hor se to a pri nce ss bef or e. I wa nt i t to be t he bes t one I' ve got . You ca n't ri de this

mare; she's dangerous."

" Ge t me a s ad dl e a nd br id le t ha t wi ll f it he r.

A b ri dl e w it h a s na ff le b it , m in d; n ot o ne o f t ho se j aw -c ra ck er s y ou u se o n t he m ul es ."

" I' ve g ot t he t ac k s he w as w ea ri ng w he n I b ou gh t h er ," h e s ai d s lo wl y. " Th er e' s a s na ff le o n t he

bridle, too, come to think of it, I'll get it. It's the only saddle I've got with a high enough gullet for her

w it he rs ." M ul es t en d t o h av e a lm os t n o w it he rs a t a ll ; t he m ar e h ad g oo d, p ro mi ne nt w it he rs . T he t ra de r

w en t a wa y a nd p re se nt ly r et ur ne d, b ru sh in g a t t he d us t o n t he m os t o ut la nd is h s ad dl e I h ad e ve r s ee n. I t

w as m ad e o f e la bo ra te ly c ar ve d r ed l ea th er , w it h a h ig h, c ur ve d p om me l a nd a p ad de d c an tl e. T he w id e

s ki rt s h ad p ou ch es b ui lt i nt o t he m, a nd t he s ti rr up s w er e w oo de n a nd c ov er ed w it h a l ea th er h oo d. T he rew as a w id e g ir th a nd a f ri ng ed b re as t c ol la r. T he b ri dl e w as s im il ar ly o rn at e, d ec or at ed w it h t as se ls o f

s ca rl et w oo l, a nd t he b it , r us ty a s i t w as , w as c ha se d w it h t hi n i nl ay s o f s il ve r. T he t hi ck s ad dl e p ad w as

w ov en o f l ay er s of t he s ame s ca rl et w ool t ha t t as se le d t he br idl e. W e c le ane d t he ge ar a s b es t w e c ou ld,

and I l et the mar e look t he t hings over before I t ac ke d he r up.

S he s to od l ik e a s ta tu e w he n I m ou nt ed a nd s et tl ed i nt o t he s tr an ge s ad dl e. I t f el t d if fe re nt f ro m a ny

o th er s ad dl e I h ad e ve r r id de n; i t h el d m e i n a f or wa rd p os it io n, a nd c le ar ly t he s ti rr up s w ou ld h av e t o b e

l onge r t ha n I wa s us ed t o. Th e t ra de r l engt he ne d t he m f or me . I t ouc he d th e ma re w it h t he c al ve s of m y

l eg, a nd s he s te pp ed o ut w il li ng ly a nd f re el y. W it h a s ec on d t ou ch , s he s pr an g i nt o a g al lo p; e it he r s he

h ad b ee n t au gh t n ev er t o t ro t o r I h ad n' t g iv en t he c or re ct s ig na l. W he n I t ig ht en ed t he r ei nsi mp er ce pt ib ly , s he t uc ke d h er c hi n a nd s lo we d t o a c an te r, a nd r ep ea te d s ig na ls b ro ug ht o nl y s lo we r a nd

s lo we r c an te ri ng , u nt il s he w as l op in g a lm os t i n p la ce . I l oo se ne d t he r ei ns a nd s he w as g on e l ik e a n

a rr ow , s o f as t t he w in d br ough t t ea rs t o my e ye s. I wa nt ed t o l ea n f or wa rd ove r t he w it he rs a s m y

m as te rs h ad t au gh t m e, b ut t he s ad dl e h el d m e u pr igh t, s wi ng ing l oo se ly t o h er g ai t. I b ro ugh t h er t o a

w al k o nc e m or e a nd t ou ch ed h er l ig ht ly o n o ne s id e o nl y; s he s id ep as se d a cr os s t he f ie ld a s e as il y a nd

c ol le ct ed ly a s s he h ad m ov ed f or wa rd . A t ou ch a l it tl e f ar th er b ac k o n h er b ar re l, a nd s he h al f- pa ss ed

d iago nall y; b ack f ar th er y et and s he s wu ng h er h in dq uart er s aro un d h er f or eh an d. A r es tr ai ni ng h an d o n

t he b it a nd a t ou ch i n f ro nt o f t he g ir th , a nd s he p ir ou et te d n ea tl y o n h er q ua rt er s. T ru ly , s he w as a m ar ve l

of training and sensitivity. No wonder these ham-handed clods, used to muscling recalcitrant mules about,

ha d b ee n un ab le t o r id e h er .

T he t ra de r s ho ok h is h ea d i n a ma ze me nt w he n I r od e u p a nd d is mo un te d. " I n ev er w ou ld h av e

t ho ug ht i t, " h e exclaim ed . " Sh e' s a m ou nt f or r oy al ty , r ig ht eno ug h, and i t w il l b e m y p leas ur e t o g iv e h er



t o y ou . B ut I 'l l h av e t o c ha rg e yo u f or t he m ul e. "

" I d on 't w an t t he m ul e, " I s ai d, l oo ki ng d ow n at t he l it tl e f el lo w, w ho h ad s camp er ed f ai th fu ll y alo ng

w it h u s, cop yi ng all h is d am 's m an eu vers . J us t n ow , h e w as t ucki ng i nt o s om e l un ch , eno rm ou s ear s f lat

along his neck.

" He 's t op y oun g t o w ea n, " t he t ra de r s ai d. " And I m ig ht a s w el l t el l y ou , t he ma re 's b re d ba ck. I 'ms or ry , b ut I d id n' t k no w a ny on e w ou ld w an t h er f or r id in g, a nd I t ho ug ht s he m ig ht a s w el l e ar n h er k ee p.

D o y ou s ti ll w an t h er ?"

I l ooke d a t t he m ul e f oa l. He wa s t oo young, a ll r ight , pe rha ps t wo mon ths ; i f I i ns is te d u pon

s ep ar at in g h im f ro m h is d am , h e w ou ld d ie . A nd t he m ar e w ou ld b e pr es en ti ng m e w it h j us t s uc h a no th er

n ex t s pr in g! B ut I h ad n ev er r id de n s uc h a h or se . I h ad t o h av e h er ! " We ll ," I s ai d r el uc ta nt ly , " wh at d o

you want for him?"

H e n am ed a r easo nabl e p ri ce, and M al li e i mm ed iately j um ped i nt o act io n, b ar gain in g h im d ow n and

i ns is ti ng u po n t he s ad dl e and b ri dl e b ei ng t hr ow n i n f or g oo d m easu re. " An d w e d on 't exp ect any th in g t o be knocked off because the mare's in foal," she added magnanimously.

T he t ra de r s no rt ed . " I w as g oi ng t o g iv e y ou t he t ac k a ny wa y, " h e s ai d w it h i nj ur ed d ig ni ty , " an d I

w on 't c ha rg e y ou a s tu d f ee f or t he j ac k' s s er vi ce . F ai r e no ug h? "

M al li e p ai d h im . I w as n' t p ay in g att en ti on ; I w as g lo at in g o ver t he m ar e. P ro perl y s ho d, g ro om ed ,

a nd g ra in ed u p, s he w ou ld b e a f in e a ni ma l. I w as g oi ng t o e nj oy r id in g h er .

I di d e nj oy i t w he n we r ode ou t t he ne xt da y. I ha d wo rke d l ovi ngl y ove r h er t he w ho le a ft er no on ,

a nd h er gr ay c oa t g le am ed , h er m an e a nd t ai l r ip pl ed l ik e a l ad y' s ha ir . T he f ar ri er , h avi ng r es hod a ll t he

o th er s to ck t he d ay b ef or e, h ad t ri mm ed h er c hi pp ed f ee t a nd s ho d h er , w it h m e s ta nd in g o ve r h ims up er vi si ng , a nd B en ne m h ad p ol is he d t he t ac k u nt il i t s ho ne r ic hl y r ed . T he re w as a d ar ke r s ta in d ow n

t he l ef t s id e o f t he p om me l t ha t n o p ol is hi ng w ou ld r em ov e— bl oo d, I w as s ur e. T he b lo od o f t he m ar e' s

o wn er a nd t ra in er . H e o r s he h ad t o b e d ea d. N o o ne w ou ld w il li ng ly p ar t w it h a n a ni ma l s o p at ie nt ly a nd

l ov in gl y t rain ed . T he m ar e, even w it h h er u gl y l it tl e s on d an gl in g at h er h eels , w as as r oy al amo ng h or ses

as m y l oy al l it tl e f ol lo wi ng w ou ld h av e l ik ed t o h av e b el ieved I w as amo ng p eo pl e. S he car ri ed h er self

wi th gr ac e a nd di gni ty , nodd ing t o t he c rowd on t he r igh t a nd l ef t a s we r ode ou t of t ow n, a nd t he t ra de r

w as t he re t o c he er m or e l ou dl y t ha n a ny bo dy .

W e r od e e as t. I h ad s pe nt a l ong n ight do ing s ome t hi nki ng. I w as now r es po ns ibl e f or f our ot he r

s ou ls a nd t he t hi ng t he y n ee de d m os t w as a p ur po se i n l if e. I l s ee me d t o m e t ha t B en ne m' s v is io n o f e xp lo ri ng p ar ti es w as w ha t w e w er e b es t s ui te d f or . W e w er e a h un te r, a h ea li ng m ag e, a c ar av an

m is tr es s, a car to gr ap her, and a w ar ri or ( my self —I cou ld t hi nk o f n o o th er u sefu l r ol e t hat I cou ld f il l

com pet en tl y) . W e w er e m ou nt ed and equ ip ped. C ou ld a b et ter exp lo ri ng p ar ty h av e b een p lann ed ? B ut

s uc h a pa rt y w oul d n ee d s upp li es , s upp or t, a nd a ho me b as e— an d I kn ew o f n o p la ce t o a cqu ir e t he se

other than in Maritiene.

P er haps as F it zr oi I s ti ll h ad eno ug h credi bi li ty w it h t he m er ch an t b an kers t here t o arr an ge f un di ng

f or s uc h a n e nt er pr is e. T he re w as s ur el y n ow he re e ls e t ha t i t w as e ve n f ea si bl e t o c on te mp la te s uc h a

t hi ng . N on e o f t he o th er n at io ns o f t he k no wn w or ld h ad t he w il l o r t he r es ou rc es - t o m ou nt s uc h a n

exp ed it io n, and cer tain ly n on e w here E ld ri e F it zr oi w as any th in g b ut a f or ei gn p hy si ci an . S o i t s eemed

t ha t H ua rd w ou ld h av e h is w ay a t l as t— I w ou ld g o h om e.

W it h a l it tl e s im pl e d is cr et io n, m y h al f- br ot hers and o th er enemi es at t he p al ace w ou ld n ev er even



k no w I w as t he re . T he p ri nc es I r em em be re d w ou ld f ee l o nl y c on te mp t f or t he d oi ng s o f t he m er ch an t

c om mu ni ty . I f w e s ta ye d a t a m od es t i nn a nd a vo id ed t he p la ce s w he re t he c ou rt t oo k t he ir p le as ur es ,

t he re w as n o r ea so n a ny on e w ho m igh t r ec og ni ze m e w ou ld e ve r s ee m e. I c ou ld e ve n vi si t m y m ot he r

w it h p er fe ct s af et y. S he h ad n ev er b ee n v er y i mp or ta nt t o m e, n or s ee me d m uc h c on ce rn ed w it h w ha t

became of me, but she was my mother, after all.

T he re w as o nl y o ne d if fi cu lt y w it h t he p la n, a nd t ha t w as M en ne fe r. I f s he w er en 't p re gn an t y et , s hes oo n w ou ld b e— in f ac t, I b ur ie d m y h ea d u nd er m y p il lo w a nd w ra pp ed i t a ro un d m y h ea d t o m uf fl e t he

g igg le s a nd s ig hs c om in g f ro m t he r oo m n ex t d oo r e ve n n ow . A p re gn an t g ir l c ou ld n' t b e e xp ec te d t o

u nd er go t he h ar ds hi ps t he m em bers o f an exp lo ri ng exp ed it io n w ou ld h av e t o end ur e. I nd eed, w e m ig ht

w el l b e g on e f or s ev er al y ears , w hi ch w ou ld m ean t raveli ng i n u nk no wn l an ds w it h a s mall b ab y.

I l ed t he w ay whe n w e s ta rt ed out , r idi ng m y b ea ut if ul m ar e, w hom I ha d na me d St ar , f or t he

m ar ki ng o n h er f or eh ead, w it h t he m ul e col t f ri sk in g abo ut u s. I h ad n am ed h im R ab bi t— con si deri ng t he

n eat ear s h is m ot her h ad , h is w er e t ru ly p heno menal. H uard and M en nefer f ol lo wed, o n H uard 's h or se.

B en nem and M al -l ie, r id in g s id e b y s id e o n t heir amb li ng m ul es , b ro ug ht u p t he r ear, l eadi ng t he t wo

s um pt er m ul es and t he t wo p on ies. I h ad t ho ug ht t hi s m ig ht cau se d if fi cu lt ies, b ut t he p ack ani malsseemed to associate amiably enough.

So we r od e e as t. I i nt en de d t o f ol low t he r oa d onl y a s f ar a s t he f oot hi ll s, t ur ni ng no rt h a long t he

o ld T ra de rs ' R oa d. I t w ou nd a lo ng w es t o f t he m ou nt ai ns , i n t he w el l- wa te re d z on e b et we en t he

m ou nt ai ns a nd t he D ry P la in s. B en ne m h ad s ev er al g oo d m ap s o f i t. T he re w er e w ar ni ng s of b an di ts a nd

l ar ge p re da to rs , b ut i t w as s ur el y p re fe ra bl e t o f ol lo wi ng t he r oa d b ac k t hr ou gh t he f or es t a nd t he

m ou nt ai ns . S om et hi ng t ru ly f ears om e l ur ked t here, I k new, t hat H uard and I h ad b ar el y escap ed , t ho ug h I

c ou ld n' t r em em be r e xa ct ly w ha t. B ut I k ne w t ha t I f el t a n u nc on qu er ab le a ve rs io n t o t ha t r oa d, a nd

H ua rd c on fi rm ed t ha t h e d id , t oo .

Whe n I h ad t ra ve le d w it h H ua rd, or w it h H ua rd a nd M en ne fe r, I ha d d on e my f ai r s ha re o f t hec am p c ho re s. N ow t ha t I w as t ra ve li ng w it h a n e nt ou ra ge , I w as n' t p er mi tt ed t o d o a ny th in g m or e t ha n

c ar e f or m y own hor se , a nd t ha t onl y by i ns is ti ng up on i t. W hi le I ba th ed o r wa she d up, c am p w as s et up;

I wa s gi ve n t he be st pl ac e t o s it a nd a c up o f t ea t o s ip w hi le t he w ome n b us tl ed a round p re pa ri ng

s up per. H uard m ig ht h un t, i f h is d iv in in g charm s g av e p ro mi se o f g am e; B en nem car ed f or t he s to ck and

t he n a dde d t o t he ma p of o ur t ra ve ls h e wa s ke epi ng. I s towe d c ar ef ul ly i n t he bot tom of my pe rs on al

pack the canvas-bound casebook I had started as an apprentice and kept up ever since. I had a

premonition that I would never again be allowed to be a practicing physician.

I w ou ld ha ve be en s er ve d f ir st a t me al s, a nd a ll ow ed t o e at i n s ol it ar y s ta te , bu t t hi s I wo ul d n ot

t ol er at e, I h ad o ft en , i n m y d ay s a s a w and er in g h er b do ct or , b ou gh t a m ea l f or s om e p oo r p as se rby s othat I wouldn' t have to ea t alone, and it wa s foolis h for t he re st to ea t col d food. And so I told them

r ou nd ly . S o w e a te i n t he u su al c am p f as hi on , s ea te d c ro ss -l eg ge d a ro un d t he p er im et er o f a c an va s p ac k

c ov er , t he f oo d i n t he c en te r, d is cu ss in g t he t ra ve ls o f t he d ay a nd p la ns f or t he m or ro w.

Whe n t he e nd of a da y' s tr avel s br ought us nea r one of t he des er t t owns, we st aye d a t a n inn, a nd I

s tr ic tl y e nj oi ne d e ve ry on e t o k ee p m y " ra nk " a s ec re t. A t o ne o f t he se t ow ns I p ur ch as ed a l on g

h or se ma n' s s ab er a nd a w oo de n l an ce . S ta r, I ha d di sc ov er ed, w as a w ar m ar e o f t he m os t e xqu is it e

d eg ree o f t rain in g, and t he p ur po se o f t he h ig h- po mm el ed s add le w as m or e r eadi ly app reci at ed . I t w ou ld

h av e b een alm os t i mp os si bl e t o f al l o ut o f i t, even w ou nd ed , o r ( rememb er in g t he o mi no us s tain ) d ead.

H ua rd a nd I w or ke d o ut a d ef en si ve s tr at eg y, h e a fo ot , w it h h is b ow a nd c la ym or e, I m ou nt ed , w it h

l an ce a nd s ab er .

Th e Tr ad er s' Ro ad w as r ou gh a nd wi ld. I n m os t pl ac es i t w as n o m or e t ha n a w in di ng t ra ck. Th er e



w er e i so la te d h am le ts , b ut t he p eo pl e w er e s ul le n a nd s hi ft y. T he re w er e g oo d w at er a nd g ra ss , t ho ug h,

a nd w e ma de ma ny mi le s e ve ry da y. Da y b y d ay, St ar a nd I b ec am e mo re of a t ea m, mo re s ens it ive t o

e ac h ot he r, u nt il I c ou ld g ui de h er b y t he m er es t i nc li na ti on o f t he h ea d. I t s ee me d a t t im es a s i f t he re

w er e s om e s up er natu ral l in k b et ween u s. P oo r l it tl e R ab bi t t oo k t o s pend in g h is t im e w it h t he p on ies,

w ho d ot ed o n h im as eld er ly g el di ng s w il l s om et im es w it h f oals , o r w it h M en nefer, w ho f el t s or ry f or t he

unwanted waif.

W e h ad a f ew e nc ou nt er s w it h b an di ts . O ur d ef en si ve s tr at eg y w or ke d w el l e no ug h t ha t w e w er e

n ev er r ea ll y t hr ea te ne d, n or d id w e h av e t o k il l a ny on e. T he s ig ht o f H ua rd , h is g re at b ow b en t, a nd m y

l an ce l ev el ed , w ar m ar e q ui ve ri ng w it h e ag er ne ss t o c ha rg e b ut h el d i n p er fe ct c he ck , w as e no ug h t o

d is co ur ag e a ll b ut t he b ol de st a tt ac ke rs . A nd t he b ol de st h ad t he ir m in ds c ha ng ed f or t he m b y o ne

l ig ht ni ng -f as t charg e and an arr ow p laced p reci sely at t heir f eet.

S ne ak t hi ev es w er e a w or se p ro bl em . W e* 4» ad t o g ua rd o ur g oo ds a nd o ur s to ck c on st an tl y

w he ne ve r w e we re ne ar o ne of t he t own s. I t w as a s w el l t he re we re f ive o f u s.

A t l as t w e l ef t t he f oo th il ls be hi nd a nd t ur ne d s ou the as t t hr ou gh a g ap i n t he m ou nt ai n r an ge s. T hi sw ou ld l ea d u s a lo ng t he s ou th er n b or de r o f A ur ie nn e, j us t t o t he n or th o f T er -m on ta in e, a nd s o b y w ay o f

s mu gg lers ' p at hs i nt o t he F or el t, f am il iar t er ri to ry f or m e. W e cou ld h av e t ak en t he n or th er n b ranch o f t he

r oad, t hr ou gh A ur ienn e; L om el w here t he h ai ry h al f- men l iv ed ; and s o i nt o N or dr on , H uard 's h om e. B ut

t hen t he o nl y w ay t o M ar it iene l ay t hr ou gh t he S al if er , t he g reat s al t m ar sh es , and A damar, m y cou nt ry 's

gr ea te st e ne my. I w as not s uc h a f ool a s t o pu t a me mbe r of t he r oya l f am il y, e ve n a ba st ar d one , i nt o t he

h an ds o f t he a ut ar ch s o f A da ma r.

I t s ee me d t ha t a ll t he d is ad va nt ag es o f r oy al b ir th w er e m in e. I c ou ld n ot g o f re el y w he re ve r I

wa nt ed t o f or f ea r t ha t I mi gh t be s ei ze d a nd u se d a ga ins t m y c ount ry. I c ou ld n ot a ss oc ia te on e as y

t er ms w it h o th er p eo pl e, n ot b ec au se I w as t oo p ro ud , b ut b ec au se t he y t ho ug ht t he ms el ve s t oo h um bl e.

A no th er d is ad va nt ag e b ec am e a pp ar en t a s I b eg an t o r ea li ze t ha t I w as a lo ne a mo ng t ho se w ho w er e i ne ve ry w ay t og et he r. H ua rd a nd M en ne fe r, o f c ou rs e, w er e s ti ll i n t he f ir st b lo om o f l ov e, g et ti ng t o k no w

each o th er , adj us ti ng t o each o th er , exp lo ri ng every n uance o f n ew ly awakened s en su al it y.

B en ne m a nd M al li e h ad b ee n w ed t o e ac h o th er f or n ea rl y t we nt y y ea rs , a nd o ne m ig ht h av e

t ho ugh t t he y w ou ld h av e g ro wn b or ed w it h e ac h o th er i n t ha t t im e. O ne w ou ld h av e b ee n w ro ng . T he y

l ov ed each o th er d ev ot ed ly and w it h a s im pl e, ear th y d ir ectn es s t hat m ad e t heir s hari ng o f b lank et s n ot

just a matter of habit and comfort but of frequent passion, as well. Often one pair would set the other off,

and I w ou ld f in d m ys el f s ur ro un ded b y a v er it ab le cho ru s o f w hi sp er s and g ig gl es and t hr as hi ng b ed ro ll s.

I gr itt ed m y t ee th a nd s pe nt a l ot of t ime wi th my he ad unde r t he r ough pi llow . I ha d ne ve r be en s o a lone

w he n I h ad n o c om pa ni on s a t a ll !

N or ha d I e ve r b ee n i n s uc h ne ed of m al e c om pa ni ons hi p. I ha d o f ne ce ss it y s pe nt l ong pe ri ods o f

t im e cel ib at e. A h ealer' s b us in es s o ft en t ak es h er i nt o p lagu e- ri dd en , f am in e- st ru ck o r w ar -t or n l an ds

w he re l ig ht d al li an ce i s i na pp ro pr ia te o r i mp os si bl e. B ut t he re h ad a ls o b ee n t im es w he n I h ad h ad s om e

w ar m, a ff ec ti on at e m an t o s ha re m y b la nk et s. I h ad l ea rn ed f ro m e ac h o ne , e ve n t ho se w ho h ad s ta ye d

wi th me a we ek or t wo a nd t he n de ca mp ed wi th a c he er y a dmon it ion t o t ake c ar e of m ys el f. Som e,

t ho ugh , h ad s ta ye d w it h m e f or m on th s, a nd o nc e I ha d l iv ed w it h o ne f or t hr ee y ea rs , a nd m ig ht h av e

been with him yet if it hadn't been for—well, no point dwelling on dead history.

I ha d c ome t o k now a nd c he ri sh t he se m en , wh o h ad a ll owe d m e a s ha re i n t he ir l ive s, t hou gh I ha d

t o a dm it t ha t t he p ar ti ng s w er e h ar de r w he n I a ll ow ed m ys el f t o g ro w f on d o f t he m. T ho se w er e p re ci ou s

t im es , e nc ha nt ed t im es o ut si de t he m ai n b us ine ss of l if e, t he t im es w he n I ha d b ee n br ie fl y t he h al f o f a

pair, and I had occasionally sought the opportunity for developing such a relationship when I felt the



need.

An d now I f el t t he n ee d, no t onl y s ex ua l, t ho ugh t ha t ne ed w as pr es en t t oo, but e mo ti on al . I

n ee de d d es pe ra te ly t o b e t ou ch ed* an d he ld a nd t o t ou ch a nd h ol d. I n ee de d s om eo ne t o t al k t o, a nd

s om eo ne w ho n ee de d m e t o l is te n t o h im . A nd t he re w as n o o ne f or m e. M en ne fe r h ad H ua rd ; M al li e

h ad B enn em ; a nd I b ur ie d m y h ea d un de r m y p il lo w.

Chapter Eleven

THEFORELT! T he s ec re t, w in di ng p at hs , e ac h k no wn o nl y t o a c er ta in b an d o f s mu gg le rs ! T he

t ow ns , p er ch ed l ik e s tair st ep s u po n t he s id es o f t he m ou nt ai ns ! T he s il en t d ar k- cl ad p eo pl e w it h t heir

s id el on g, k no wi ng s mi le s! I h ad s pe nt m uc h o f m y e ar ly a du lt ho od h er e. I k ne w t hi s p la ce , t he se p eo pl e.

I h ad cli mb ed t hese i nt er mi nabl e s tair s, l iv ed i n t hat cot tage u nd er t ho se t ow er in g p in es . I cou ld cal l

g reet in gs t o w el l- rememb er ed f aces , and r ecei ve g reet in gs i n r et ur n. T he clean , coo l air s mell ed o f r es ina nd s mo ke a nd d ar k p on ie s.

" Is n' t t he re a ny f la t l an d i n t he F or el t, t ha t t he p eo pl e m us t b ui ld u p a nd d ow n t he c li ff s? " H ua rd

a ske d, c ra ni ng hi s n ec k t o p ee r u p a s tr ee t of s ta ir s. W e h ad l ef t our s toc k a t t he i nn a nd w er e s tr ol li ng

a bo ut , s tr et ch in g o ur l eg s a nd e nj oy in g t he s im pl e b ea ut y o f T hr ee P in es , t he t ow n. T he f ol k o f t he F or el t

d on 't b el ieve i n cro wd in g t heir n ei gh bo rs , and n at iv e cau ti on com mend s t hem t o k eep t heir r es id en ces

private, so each home is almost as isolated as if it were in the midst of a forest, cunningly hidden by

boulders, trees, folds in the flanks of the mountains. The visible parts of the towns are inns, shops, and

public buildings.

" No t m uc h f la t l an d, a nd w ha t t he re i s, i s n ee de d f or p as tu re s. " I l au gh ed , t ak in g a d ee p b re at h." Besi des, t hey l ik e l iv in g p er ch ed o n t he s id es o f t he m ou nt ai ns ."

" Wh at d o t he y d o f or a l iv in g? " M en ne fe r a sk ed i nn oc en tl y. " Th er e d on 't s ee m t o b e a ny f ar ms o r

workshops."

" Ne ve r a sk a Fo re lt ia n t ha t! Mo st of t he m a re s mug gl er s, a nd he re y ou c an b uy go od s f rom a ll

ove r t he know n w or ld, a nd ne ve r p ay a c ent of t ax. But t he y' re a pt t o s us pe ct you of be ing a n i nf or me r i f

yo u a sk q ue st io ns , a nd I da re sa y t he re i sn' t a m an, w om an, or c hi ld o ve r t he a ge of t en i n Thr ee P ine s

w ho w ou ld n' t h av e h is n eck s tr et ch ed i n any o f t he civ il ized n at io ns i f t heir cus to ms o ff icer s cou ld o nl y l ay

h an ds u po n t he m. T he y s ay t ha t t he F or el t h as n o n at ur al r es ou rc es o th er t ha n t he c le ve rn es s o f i ts people, and that's largely true."

"L oo k a t t he d ot h i n t hi s s ho p! " M en ne fe r e xc la im ed . " An d s o c he ap ! A re t he se t he t ru e p ri ce s? "

" On ly i f y ou' re w il li ng t o p ay t he m, " I c hu ck le d. " Ba rg ai n a b it w it h t he s ho pk ee pe r a nd y ou c an g et

w ha t y ou w an t f or t wo -t hi rd s t he p ri ce . L es s i f y ou b uy i n q ua nt it y. "

" We a ll c ou ld u se s om e n ew c lot he s, " s he s ai d, w it h a m ea ni ng ful g la nc e a t m y r agg ed g ar b.

" I' ll com e w it h y ou , s weet ," H uard s ai d, w it h a com ical ly r es ig ned s ig h. " It 'l l s av e h av in g t o b uy a

donke y t o ge t the s tuf f ba ck t o the i nn." Fr om t he t wi nkl e i n his e ye, he wa s loo king f orw ard t o t he

s ho pp in g a s m uc h a s s he w as . I r em em be re d w it h a n os ta lg ic t wi ng e h ow h e h ad e nj oy ed s ho pp in g i n

T er mo nt ai ne; h e s ho ul d h av e t he t im e o f h is l if e i n t hi s s tr eet o f s ho ps .



M al li e, B en ne m, a nd I s tr ol le d b ac k t o t he i nn ; t he a lt it ud e h er e, c ou pl ed w it h a ll t he s te ps w e h ad

t o c li mb , m ad e u s s ho rt o f b re at h. A s w e e nt er ed t he l ob by , M al li e r em ar ke d, " I b el ie ve I 'l l v is it i n t he

ki tc he n, j us t t o s ee how t he y do t hi ngs he re . W hy don' t you t wo ha ve a dr ink i n t he t apr oom? "

T hi s w as a gr ee abl e. I o rde re d a q ua rt o f t he t hi ck d ar k b ee r I r em em be re d s o w el l, a nd l aug he d t o

s ee t he w in e- dr in ki ng B en ne m p ul l a f ac e a t t he b it te rn es s o f t he s tu ff . P re se nt ly t he l an dl or d c am e u p. H eh ad b een t al ki ng w it h M al li e i n t he k it ch en and h ad d is co vered t hat B en nem w as a f or mer i nn keep er

h im self ; t hey f el l i nt o con vers at io n. H uard w as com in g i n t he d oo r, l ad en w it h p ackages.

" Co me b ac k t o m y o ff ic e, " i nv it ed t he F or el ti an , " an d I 'l l s ho w y ou t he b oo ki ng s ys te m I 'v e s et u p. "

B en ne m g la nc ed u p, s aw H ua rd , a nd s ai d t o m e, " He re 's H ua rd a nd M en ne fe r c om in g b ac k.

Woul d you mind i f I j ust have a look? "

" Of c ou rs e n ot . G o a he ad ," I s ai d, u na bl e t o i ma gi ne a ny th in g t ha t w ou ld b or e m e m or e p ro fo un dl y

than an inn's booking system.

H ua rd s to pp ed b y m y t ab le , p ee ri ng o ve r t he s ta ck o f b un dl es . " He ll o, w he re a re B en ne m a nd

Mallie?" he asked.

" M al li e s te pp ed b ac k t o t he k it ch en f or a m om en t o r t wo , a nd B en ne m' s v is it in g w it h t he

innkeeper," I answered. "Where's Mennefer?"

" Oh, " h e c hu ckl ed, " she f oun d a s ho p t ha t s el ls f ur s a nd l ea the r goo ds . I ha d a bo ut a ll I c an c ar ry

s o I 'm d ro ppi ng i t b y b ef or e s he s ta rt s l oa di ng m e u p a ga in . W il l y ou b e a ll r ig ht h er e by y ou rs el f? "

I s ig he d. " I' ve b ee n a ll r ig ht b y m ys el f f or t he l as t s ix te en y ea rs . I t i sn 't I w ho 's s pe nd in g m on ey l ik ew at er . Y ou 'd be tt er g et b ac k t o M en ne fe r be fo re w e h av e t o bu y a no th er p on y t o c ar ry h er s tu ff ."

" Tr ue ," he s ai d. "A nd I s aw a fu r j er ki n t ha t I 'm s ur e w oul d f it m e. I 'l l s ee you l at er , t he n."

H e c la tt er ed up t he s ta ir s t o o ur r oo ms a nd d ow n a ga in , w avi ng a s h e w en t by t he e nt ra nc e t o t he

t ap ro om . I o rd er ed a no th er b ee r. A p ar ty o f q ui et , s om be rl y c la d y ou ng m en c am e i n o n c at f ee t, d ri ft in g

acr os s t he f lo or w it h a m in im um o f att en ti on -cat ch in g m ov em en t, and t oo k a s hado wy t ab le—a b an d o f

s mu gg le rs , r es ti ng b et we en r un s, o r I m is se d m y g ue ss . I s mi le d t o s ee t he m. W ha t m em or ie s t he y

brought back! I had honed my surgical skills patching up just such as they, after their clashes with the

border guards.

O ne o f t he m g la nc ed a t m e, t he n g la nc ed a ga in . P re se nt ly h e g ot u p a nd a pp ro ac he d m y t ab le .

" Pard on ," h e s ai d d if fi dent ly , " bu t aren' t y ou a h ealer? I sn 't y ou r n am e E ld ri e?"

" Y es, " I s ai d, m ys t if ied.

" I' m D in el . Y ou d on 't r ecog ni ze m e, I s ee," h e s ai d, s mi li ng . " Li kely eno ug h y ou n ev er n ot iced m y

f ac e, but I r ec kon i f you c oul d s ee t he ot he r s id e of m e, t he m emor y mi ght c ome ba ck. "

I pe er ed m or e c los el y a t hi m. " Oh , ye s," I e xc la im ed. " I r eme mb er . I du g a n i ron a rr ow he ad out of

your—"

"Other side," he interrupted hastily.



I g ri nn ed. " Si t do wn , i f y ou c an ," I i nv it ed . " How di d i t he al ?"

He pulled up a chair. "I can sit jus t fine. I think it was the pat that did it."

I c ho ke d w it h s up pr es se d m ir th . H e l oo ke d a t m e, a nd h is e ye s b eg an t o t wi nk le . H el pl es sl y, w e

both broke into gales of laughter. He had been brought to me with a rather serious wound in the leftc he ek o f h is b ut to ck s, n or h ad h is c om pa ni on s m ad e i t a ny e as ie r f or h im , w it h t he ir t ea si ng . H e h ad b ee n

just my age, and boys of nineteen are often absurdly sensitive. He had complained feverishly of the pain;

h is f ri en ds h ad r al li ed h im o n b ei ng s uc h a ba by . I h ad c ha se d t he m ou t w it h c ut ti ng w or ds a nd gi ve n h im

a m il d p op py d ra ft , f or h e r ea ll y h ad b ee n i n c on si de ra bl e d is tr es s, p hy si ca l a s w el l a s e mo ti on al . I h ad

d ug o ut t he a rr ow he ad a nd s ti tc he d h im u p.

An d t he n, be ca us e I f el t s or ry f or hi m a nd be ca us e he r ea ll y di d ha ve a c ut e l it tl e r ea r, I ha d pa tt ed

h im , o n t he r ig ht s id e, o f c ou rs e, a nd h e h ad t wi st ed h im se lf a rou nd t o l oo k a t m e, a nd s mi le d t hr ou gh t he

t ea rs of pa in a nd t he ha ze of t he poppy dr af t. I ha d move d on t he ne xt mor ni ng a nd ne ve r s ee n h im a ga in,

no r e xpe ct ed t o, bu t I wa s gl ad t ha t t he w ou nd h ad h ea le d w el l.

He f et che d hi s b ee r ove r f ro m hi s f ri en ds ' t ab le , a nd w he n h e r et ur ne d, he s li d i n b es ide m e o n t he

bench. I looked into his face and smiled with pure joy. This was just exactly what I needed, a little

att en ti on , w it h t he p os si bi li ty o f aff ecti on and a n ig ht o r t wo t og et her. T here w ou ld b e n o com mi tm en ts ,

n o r es po ns ib il it y, and I w ou ld w ak e u p s om e m or ni ng and f in d h im g on e— th e s mu gg lers cou ld m ov e l ik e

s ha do ws w he n t he y w an te d t o, a nd I w ou ld n ev er h ea r h im g o. W he n h is a rm c re pt a ro un d m y s ho ul de r

a s we t al ke d o f p as t t ime s a nd ol d a cqua in ta nc es a nd t he t ime s s inc e w e m et l as t, a nd h is o the r ha nd

r es te d l ig ht ly o n my k ne e, I m ove d a l it tl e c lo se r t o h im.

P re se nt ly he l ea ne d t ow ar d m e, s o t ha t h is br ea th t ic kl ed my e ar . " It 's go ing t o be a l on g, c ol d ni gh t

tonight," he said.

" It doe sn' t ha ve t o be ," I s ai d, l et ti ng m y f in ge rs t ra il ov er t he ba ck of t he ha nd on my l ap.

" N o, " h e s ai d, s mi li ng d ee p i n h is d ar k e ye s. " It m ig ht n ot b e l on g e no ug h. "

A s ha do w l oo me d o ve r u s, a nd w e b ot h l oo ke d up . H ua rd s too d t he re , l ook ing g ri m a nd

eno rm ou s, h an d r es ti ng o n t he h il t o f h is claym or e. D in el d rew h as ti ly away f ro m m e. " So rr y, " h e s ai d. " I

d id n' t r eali ze y ou w er e claim ed ." L oo ki ng u p at H uard , h e s ai d apo lo geti call y, " No o f- fens e m eant . I

t ho ug ht s he w as a lo ne ." H e c as t a r ep ro ac hf ul g la nc e a t m e, d ar te d o ut f ro m b eh in d t he t ab le , a nd w as

g on e, H uar d w at ch ed h im g o, eyes n ar r ow ed .

I c le nc he d m y f is ts , a lm os t c ho ki ng w it h r ag e. I f el t l ik e a c hi ld w ho se p ro ff er ed t re at h as b ee n

s en se le ss ly s na tc he d a wa y. I w as h um il ia te d b y H ua rd 's a ss um pt io n t ha t h e h ad a r ig ht t o c en so r m y

act iv it ies and b y D in el 's p er fect ly j us ti fi ab le con cl us io n t hat I h ad b een r eady t o cheat o n a h us band o r

l ov er a nd h ad o nl y b ee n p re ve nt ed f ro m d oi ng s o b y h is u ne xp ec te d r et ur n.

" I s ho ul dn 't h av e l ef t y ou alo ne," H uard s ai d con vers at io nall y, t ur ni ng b ack t o m e. " I t ho ug ht t hese

s mu gg lers w ou ld h av e m or e d is cr et io n . .. " T hen h e encou nt er ed m y f ur io us g aze and r ecoi led.

I c ou ld n' t t ru st m ys el f t o s pe ak , o r e ve n t o m ov e. M en ne fe r c am e t im id ly u p, p il ed w it h p ac ka ge s,

a nd Hua rd ha st en ed t o t ak e s om e of t he m a nd l ea d h er a wa y. W he n I ha d m y br ea thi ng un de r c ont ro l, I

w en t u p t o m y r oo m, l oc ke d t he d oo r b eh in d m e, a nd w en t t o t he w in do w, s ta ri ng o ut i nt o t he g at he ri ng

twilight.



T he re wa s a s ti rr ing ne xt do or , a nd a m ut te r of v oi ce s. I g as pe d w it h r ene we d r ag e. T he y w er e

t al ki ng o ve r w ha t h ad h ap pe ne d, w er e t he y? W el l, t he y w er e i n f or a s ho ck i n t he m or ni ng , w he n t he y

f oun d m e go ne . Ye s, I wa s l ea vi ng t he m f or good. I c oul dn 't s ta nd i t a ny m or e. I t wa sn' t f ai r. I t w as n' t

r ig ht . The y ha d e ac h ot he r, a nd I h ad no o ne , a nd t he y da re d t o i nt er fe re wh en I t ri ed t o f in d s om eo ne ,

even o nl y f or a f ew n ig ht s o f p leas ur e and com pani on sh ip . A nd t hen t hey t al ked o ver m y h um il iati on

a mon g t he m! I woul d t ake St ar a nd t he po ni es a nd t he c ol t a nd my m edi ci ne s a nd ge ar a nd l ea ve ! And i f t he y d ar ed t ry t o s to p m e, i f t he y d ar ed, i f t he y s o mu ch a s t houg ht a bou t i t . ..

T here w as a t im id t ap pi ng o n t he d oo r. " El dr ie?" came M al li e's t ro ub led v oi ce. " Su pp er ' s r eady ,

Eldrie."

I ope ne d my mouth to te ll her to go away, and f ound tha t I had no voic e. My throat wa s c lose d a s

i f clu tched i n s tr an gl in g f in gers . T he t ap pi ng cam e again , m or e s tr on gl y. " El dr ie? A re y ou all r ig ht ? L et m e

in, please, Eldrie." Then footsteps went clicking hurriedly away.

B an g! B an g! " El dr ie ! O pe n t he d oo r! " I t w as H ua rd 's v oi ce . " Lo ok , I 'm s or ry i f y ou 'r e u ps et . L etme i n and we c an t al k a bout i t."

C ou ld n' t t he y u nd er st an d t ha t I j us t w an te d t o b e a lo ne ? I t c er ta in ly d id n' t b ot he r t he m t o l ea ve m e

a lo ne a nd l on el y w he n I n ee de d c om pa ny d es pe ra te ly ! N ow t ha t t he o nl y t hi ng I w an te d i n t he w ho le

w or ld w as t o be l ef t a lon e, t he y c am e ba ngi ng a t t he do or . M y l ip s f or me d t he wor ds , g o a wa y, b ut no

s ou nd c am e o ut . T he re w as a no th er c on fu se d s ti r o ut si de , a nd t he m ur mu r o f v oi ce s. A k ey r at tl ed i n t he

lock. There were disadvantages to having your companions chummy with the innkeepers.

T he d oo r o pe ne d s lo wl y a nd H ua rd t hr us t h is h ea d i n. " El dr ie ? A re y ou a ll r ig ht ?" I c ou ld s ee f ac es

peering anxiously past him. Tiptoeing, they all came trooping nervously in, exclaiming to see me.

" Ge t o ut ," I c ho ke d.

" Ma yb e t he r es t o f y ou b et te r g o, " H ua rd s ai d g ri ml y. " Th is i s m y f au lt . I 'l l t al k t o h er ." H e c lo se d

t he d oo r b eh in d t hem. " I d on 't u nd er st an d w hy y ou 'r e s o ang ry ," h e s ai d, r ep ro achf ul ly . " Menn ef er h as s o

m an y p re tt y t hi ng s t o s ho w y ou , a nd y ou w on 't e ve n s ee h er . M al li e a nd t he l an dl ad y f ix ed u p a n e xt ra

n ic e d in ne r, a nd y ou w on 't c om e a nd e at i t. "

Th er e wa s no thi ng I c oul d s ay t o hi m. H ow c ou ld I s ay, yo u dum pe d m e f or Me nne fe r, a nd yo u

t wo a nd B en ne m a nd M al li e h av e b ee n m aki ng l ov e p ra ct ic al ly e ve ry n ig ht , a nd I 'm l on el y a nd I n ee d a

man, and I almost ha d a ve ry nice one that I like d a lot and you sca red him away? I couldn't say that. Its ou nd ed w hi ny and s el f- pi ty in g. N o r eal r oy al ty w ou ld ever adm it t o s uch i gn ob le t hi ng s.

" Li st en ," H ua rd t ri ed a ga in , " yo u m ig ht n ot t hi nk s o, b ut w e a ll c ar e a l ot a bo ut y ou a nd e ve ry on e' s

ve ry hu rt t ha t y ou' re a ct in g t hi s w ay. I f you 'r e ma d, s ay s o. W ha t good do yo u t hi nk i t d oe s f or you t o

r ef us e t o s pe ak t o us ?"

"I t k ee ps m e f ro m m ur de ri ng y ou ," I s ai d.

H ua rd m an ag ed t o l oo k r el ie ve d a nd s ta rt le d a ll a t o nc e. " Bu t w hy ?" h e a sk ed p la in ti ve ly . " Wh at

did I do? "

" Loo k, " I s ai d, " non e of t hi s p ri nc es s s tuf f w as my i de a. Fo r o nc e a nd f or a ll , H ua rd, I a m not a

princess. I'm an ordinary woman, and I can't live like the four of you seem to want me to live. I get



l on el y. I h ave n ee ds . H ow d ar e y ou i nt er fe re w it h m e t he w ay y ou j us t d id ?"

H e s ta re d. " Int er fe re ? Y ou me an you w ant ed t ha t c ri mi na l t o p aw yo u a ll ove r t he w ay he w as

doing?"

" If I h ad n' t w an te d h im t o, h e w ou ld n' t h av e b ee n d oi ng i t. T hi nk b ac k a m in ut e, H ua rd ."

"W el l, y es ," h e s ai d, d ab bi ng r em in is cent ly at h is n os e. " Bu t, E ld ri e, a com mo n t hu g? A s neak in g

little border thief?"

" He 's a s mu gg le r, a nd a v er y u nc om mo n o ne . A nd I k ne w h im w he n I w as y ou ng ."

" Al l r ig ht , t he n, I 'm s or ry, " H ua rd s ai d, t hr ow in g u p h is h an ds a nd u si ng a t on e o f v oi ce t ha t s ai d h e

w as n' t a b it s or ry .

" Yo ur a pol og y i s a cc ep te d, " I s ai d s ti ff ly , i n a t on e t ha t m ea nt t ha t I h ad no i nt en ti on o f f or gi vi ng

him.

" Al l I c an s ay i s t ha t he di dn' t s ta nd up f or hi ms elf ve ry w ell . I don' t c ar e how l ong you kne w hi m,

h e i sn 't w or th y t o— to —"

" We ll , t he n, " I s pa t, t ur ni ng o n h im f ie rc el y, " wh o i s w or th y? J us t w ho t he bl oo dy h el l i s? A nd w ho

ga ve y ou t he r ight t o ma ke t ha t j udgm ent ? Sha ll I t rot e ve ry ma n t ha t I wa nt t o t ak e t o be d p as t y ou f or

you t o ve t? Y ou don' t c ar e i f I 'm a lone f or t he r es t of m y l ife . Why s hould you? You ha ve Me nne fe r. An d

Be nne m a nd M all ie ha ve e ac h ot he r. And who ha ve I got ? Te ll me th at , Hua rd. Who ha ve I got ?" To m y

i nf in it e emb ar rass ment , t he t ears I h ad b een s tr ug gl in g s o v al iant ly t o m as ter cam e b ur st in g p as t m y

defenses and went straggling messily down my cheeks.

" So t ha t' s i t. I s ee ." H e h es it at ed . " El dr ie , p le as e b el ie ve m e. I t' ll w or k o ut f or y ou . I k no w i t' s t ou gh

r ig ht n ow , b ut y ou d es er ve b et te r t ha n— th an o ne n ig ht w it h a t ap ro om a cq ua in ta nc e. Y ou 'd b e t wi ce a s

l on el y i n t he m or ni ng w hen h e w as g on e, p ro babl y t ak in g every th in g o f v al ue h e cou ld l ay h is h an ds o n. "

" Ce rt ai nl y I d es er ve b et te r, " I s ai d w it h b it te r s ar ca sm . " I' m a k in g' s d au gh te r. I d es er ve a p ri nc e i n

s hi ni ng a rm or o n a s no w- wh it e s te ed . W hy d id n' t I t hi nk o f t ha t? A nd t he y' re s o e as y c om e b y, t oo . J us t

t hi ck h er ea bo ut s. G o r ou nd u p f iv e o r s ix a nd I 'l l p ic k o ne o ut ."

" I d id n' t r ea li ze y ou w er e s o u nh ap py ," h e s ai d g en tl y. " Le t m e g o a nd t al k t o M en ne fe r. I 'm s ur e

she'll understand. I'll spend the night with you tonight."

" Yo u w il l n ot ," I s ai d c on te mp tu ou sl y. " Ge t o ut o f h er e. A nd d on 't e ve r, e ve r i nt er fe re a ga in , e ve n i f

I p ic k o ut t he l ou si es t b egg ar i n t he f il thi es t g ut te r i n t he kn ow n w or ld . B y a ll t he g ods of a ll t he n at io ns , i f

you' re goi ng t o m ake a pr inc es s of me , t he n I 'l l a ct t he pr inc es s. A nd t ha t, m y m an, ma ke s you j us t one of

t he p eas an ts . G et o ut ."

He l ef t, c lo si ng t he door ge nt ly be hi nd h im. I ha d s cor ed a vi ct or y of s or ts . A t l ea st I ha d c er ta inl y

m ad e h im f ee l a g re at d ea l w or se . U nf or tu na te ly , t ha t d id n' t m ak e m e f ee l a ny b et te r. N or i s i t t ru e t ha t a

g oo d c ry m ak es a w om an f ee l b et te r; i t o nl y m ak es h er f ee l p uf fy a nd r ed -e ye d a nd s tu ff y- no se d.

W he n I p ul le d m ys el f t og et he r f in al ly a nd w en t d ow n t o s ee a bo ut s up pe d, t he o th er s h ad a lr ea dy

e at en . B ut t he y c le ar ed a wa y t he c ru mb s a nd s et t he b es t m ea l t he y c ou ld s cr at ch t og et he r b ef or e m e.

T he r es t w at ch ed m e e at , p at he ti ca ll y a nx io us t ha t I s ho ul d e nj oy m y f oo d. I t a ll t as te d l ik e d us t. B ut I



s en t M al li e b ac k t o t he k it ch en w it h a c om pl im en t f or t he c oo k, a ny wa y, a nd m ad e m ys el f s it w it h t he m

s ip pi ng h ot a le w it h s pi ce d b ak ed a pp le s f lo at in g i n t he b ow l. B ut i t d id n' t w or k. E ve ry on e w as s tr ai ne d

a nd s ti ff a nd t he t ea rs k ep t s ta rt in g t o m y e ye s a ga in .

T he n ex t m or ni ng M en nefer and M al li e w er e b us y w it h t heir p ur ch as es o f t he d ay b ef or e, m ak in g

u p t he clo th i nt o g ar ment s and p acki ng t hi ng s, w it h B en nem h el pi ng t hem. I d el ved i nt o m y p ur se and

cou nt ed w hat I h ad l ef t o ver f ro m s el li ng t he b ot an ical s i n t he T er mo nt ai ne—n ot m uch.

" Wh at are y ou d oi ng ?" H uard i nq ui red cur io us ly , w hen h e f ou nd m e r um magi ng i n t he p ack t hat

Graylegs usually carried.

" We ll , I w an te d t o d o a l it tl e s ho pp ing t oo, a nd I do n' t h ave e nou gh m on ey, s o I t ho ugh t I 'd s el l a

f ew o f t he se m ed ic in es a t t he a po th ec ar y s ho p. I t d oe sn 't m uc h l oo k l ik e I 'm g oi ng t o n ee d t he m, " I

add ed . M y i nt en ti on t o r un away f ro m m y r es po ns ib il it ies h ad evapo rated o vern ig ht . N ot o nl y w as i t n ot

t he r ig ht t hi ng t o d o, i t p ro ba bl y w ou ld n' t e ve n w or k. T he y' d j us t f ol lo w m e, a nd w it h H ua rd 's s up er b

t rack in g s ki ll s, i t w ou ld n' t b e l on g b ef or e t hey f ou nd m e.

" Yo u c an 't d o t ha t. A ny wa y, y ou s ho ul d h av e p le nt y o f m on ey . L et 's s ee ."

I h an de d h im t he p ur se . " Fo ur h un dr ed a nd t we nt y- tw o a nd s ix t en th s o f t ha t i s y ou rs ," I e xp la in ed .

"Twelve and nine tenths is mine."

" I d on' t m ind i f yo u u se m in e. "

"I mind."

He s ig he d. I w as b ei ng d if fi cu lt a ga in . " Th en d ec la re a h ea d t ax . Y ou a nn ou nc ed t ha t y ou w er e t he

princess and I was the peasant. Isn't that what princesses keep peasants for? Paying taxes?"

I f el t t he t ea rs pr ic kl e up t o t he s ur fa ce a ga in a nd t ur ne d m y h ea d s o t ha t he c oul dn' t s ee . " I' d r at he r

s el l t he m ed ic in es . Y ou 'r e a m ar ri ed m an n ow , H ua rd , a nd l ik el y t o b e a f at he r b ef or e l on g. F ou r h un dr ed

a nd t we nty- two i s a lot of m one y a nd a ma n wi th a f am il y has t o thi nk of t hes e t hi ngs. In f act , c ount out

m y t we lve a nd n ine t ent hs a nd k ee p t he r es t. I do n' t wa nt t o do i t a ny mor e."

" Do n' t w or ry abo ut s up po rt in g m y f am il y. P leas e t ak e t he m on ey . I h av e p lent y. "

I s ho ok m y h ea d s tu bb or nl y a nd w en t o n s or ti ng o ut t he m ed ic in es . H e s ig he d a ga in , b ut p ic ke d u p

the bundl e and c ar rie d i t for me to the apot he ca ry s hop, wer e I got a good pr ice for some of the moree xo ti c p la nt s a nd p oc ke te d e ig ht y- tw o a nd t hr ee t en th s w he n t he b ar ga in in g w as d on e. A dd ed t o m y

t we lv e, t hi s m ad e a r es pe ct ab le a mo un t f or s ho pp in g, e no ug h t o b uy a s tu rd y n ew s ui t o f c lo th es , s om e

boots, and a pair of gloves, if one chose carefully. I wandered up and down the center of town, looking

i n t he s ho p w in do ws . I c ou ld n' t f in d a ny th in g I w an te d t o b uy , a t a p ri ce I c ou ld a ff or d t o p ay , t ho ug h,

a nd w e r et ur ne d t o t he i nn a t n oo n e mp ty -h an de d.

T he w om en a nd B en ne m w en t b ac k t o t he ir w or k a ft er l un ch , a nd I w en t s ho pp in g a ga in . T hi s t im e

I f ou nd a p ai r o f g lo ve s I l ik ed, w hi ch I l et H ua rd c ar ry f or m e, s in ce h e i ns is te d u po n t ra il in g m e a ro un d.

I a ls o b ou ght a s ug ar c ake i n a ba ke ry— onc e I ha d be en ve ry f ond of t he m, b ut m y t as te s ha d c ha nge d.

T he ne xt m or ni ng I di sc ov er ed w ha t pr oj ec t i t w as t ha t ha d k ep t e ve ryo ne s o b us y— it wa s a n ew

r idi ng s ui t f or m e, c ha rc oa l g ra y t ri mm ed w it h b la ck a nd c ri ms on t o m at ch S ta r a nd h er t ac k. T he y h ad

bought a hat, cloak, and boots to match, too. I was touched by the gesture. I had been making things



qu ee n, on t he o the r ha nd , w as o f t he ol d a ri st oc ra cy t ha t ba se d i ts w ea lt h o n t he l and a nd t he c he ap l abo r

o f i gn or an t t en an t f ar me rs . T he se t ur ne d u p t he ir n os es a t h on es t w or k a nd a t m on ey t ha t w as e ar ne d

r at he r t ha n i nh er it ed . T o t he m, t he re w as o nl y o ne f it t ra de f or e ve n t he m os t i mp ov er is he d s pr ou t o f a

n ob le f am il y— th e m il it ar y. M y b ro th er s h ad l earn ed t hi s att it ud e at t heir m ot her' s k nee, s o t o s peak ,

w hi le m y m ot her w as o f t he m er ch an t class h er self .

M ar it ie ne w as n ot a f ir st -c la ss m il it ar y p ow er , I k ne w. I ts ' s ub si di ze d t he m er ch an t m ar in e t o a rmand d ef en d i ts o wn s hi ps and m ai nt ai ned an adequ at e arm y t o d ef en d i ts b or ders , n ei th er s tr on g eno ug h

t o e mb ar k o n a ny w ar s o f c on qu es t. A da ma r t o t he n or th p ee re d a cr os s o ur c om mo n bo rde r a nd l ic ke d

w ol fi sh cho ps at t he t en der p rey o f M ar it iene, b ut alt ho ug h t he aut ar ch s m ai nt ai ned a h ug e arm y, i t w as

an ill-equipped, half-starved, usually unpaid rabble in no condition to match the much smaller but highly

professional and completely up-to-date force that my father stationed along the northern border.

T he p ri nc e- bi sh op o n t he s ou th w ou ld a ls o h av e d ea rl y l ik ed t o h av e d ip pe d i nt o t he w ea lt h o f

M ar it ie ne , b ut , h av in g n o d ec en t h ar bo r a ny wh er e o n h is c oa st a nd t he re fo re n o n av y t o s pe ak o f, w as

obl ige d t o c ons id er w ha t a ny f or ays a cr os s t he bor de r w oul d c os t h im i n t he w ay of r ai ds f rom t he s ea .

H is p eo pl e, h am pered i n t heir agr icul tu re b y p oo r s oi l and r es ol ut el y con serv at iv e f ar mers , w er e als og re at ly d ep en de nt u po n t he f ar ms o f M ar it ie ne f or f oo d, a nd a n e mb ar go o n e xp or ts w ou ld h av e b ro ug ht

Hi m t o hi s kne es i n s ho rt or de r.

T h e F or el t w as n o p ro bl em , e xc ep t t o t he c us to ms s er vi ce , a nd t he p eo pl e o f g lo om y W in te r- ho lt

h ad a ll t he y c ou ld d o t o s ur vi ve f ro m o ne y ea r t o t he n ex t. T he y w er e a n ui sa nc e o nl y, r ai di ng a cr os s t he

border for enough food to fill the empty bellies of their children, too weak from semi-starvation to do

m or e. I f I ha d b ee n m y f at he r, I w ou ld h av e s ee n t o i t t ha t t he ir s uf fe ri ng s w er e a ll ev ia te d a nd t hus

s ec ur ed t ha t s ec ti on of my b or de r; but I wa sn' t my f at he r a nd dou bt le ss h e ha d hi s r ea son s f or a ct in g a s

h e d id .

B et te r t ha t t he se s ho ul d b e m y o ld er b ro th er 's p ro bl em s t ha n m in e; t he k in g o f M ar it ie ne w as a juggler perpetually on stage, balancing all these factors and more to keep the nation on a smooth course.

No wonder my father had been always tired! But I hoped my brother*had grown and matured since last

I s aw hi m.

I t w as a s ho ck t o m e w he n I di sc ov er ed t ha t m y ol de r br ot he r w as d ea d. I ha d c er ta in ly n eve r

been fond of him. On a personal level, he had been a braggart and a bully and stupid into the bargain. But

h e h ad b ee n t he h ei r t o t he t hr on e a nd I h ad t ho ugh t ( wi th out r ea ll y t hi nk in g a bo ut i t) t ha t h e w as i mm une

t o t he accid en ts t hat b ef el l o rd in ar y f ol k.

We ha d p au se d i n o ne of t he r iv er 's po rt s f or t he f ir st d ay of t he H ar ve st F es ti va l, a nd w er ee nj oy in g t he m us ic a nd d an ci ng i n t he p ub li c s qu ar e, w he n I h ap pe ne d t o g la nc e u p a nd s ee t he p ic tu re s

d is pl ay ed o n t he f ro nt h al l. " Th at 's F el an !" I exclaim ed , f ocus in g o n t he p ictu re t o t he l ef t o f K in g E ld ran' s.

"Why isn't Jovian's picture up there?"

" Eh ?" s ai d B en ne m, w ho h ap pe ne d t o b e s ta nd in g n ex t t o m e.

" Th at 's F el an 's p ictu re, m y y ou ng er —er, t he y ou ng er p ri nce. S ir , excus e m e, w hy i s t hi s p ictu re u p

t he re o f Pr in ce F el an i ns te ad of Pr in ce J ov ia n? " I l ai d my ha nd on t he a rm o f a l au gh in g y ou ng m an i n t he

cos t um e o f a p ro sp er ou s f ar m er .

He l oo ke d me up a nd d ow n— I w as we ar ing t he g re en go wn i n h on or o f t he oc ca si on a nd I wo ul d

h av e enj oy ed t he app reci at io n i n h is g lance u nd er b et ter cir cu ms tances . B ut h e s ob er ed . " Di dn 't y ou

k no w? P ri nc e J ov ia n w as k il le d i n a h un ti ng a cc id en t, o h, m us t b e t hr ee y ea rs a go n ow . N o, t wo . S o



P ri nc e F el an i s t he h ei r. S ay , l ad y, a re y ou a ll r ig ht ?" H e t oo k m y a rm s ol ic it ous ly; I m us t ha ve t ur ne d

pale.

I n t rut h, I f el t pr of ou ndl y s hoc ke d. I s hou ld ha ve he ar d a bou t t hi s. " I t ha nk y ou, s ir , i t c ame a s a bi t

of a s ur pr is e t o m e. I 've be en out of t he c ount ry f or s om e t ime . B ut I 'm f ine ."

" Well , i t' s n ot a com pl et el y b ad t hi ng ," t he y ou ng f ar mer s ai d, s li pp in g an arm aro un d m y w ai st ." Pr in ce F el an i s a b it o f a s is sy , b ut J ov ia n w as d ow nr ig ht m ea n, a r ea l d em on 's -c hi ld , f ro m w ha t I h ea r.

Co me ove r t o t he r ef re shm ent t ent , pr et ty l ady, a nd I 'l l b uy you a c up of t ea a nd t el l you w ha t I kn ow

about it."

I s lipped out of his hold. "Tha nk you for the thought, lad, but I ha ve to ke ep an eye on my son over

t he re . H e t en ds t o l os e h is h ea d o ve r t he m os t u ns ui ta bl e g ir ls ." I p oi nt ed o ut H ua rd , w ho w as s tu dy in g

t he g i m e r ack con tent s o f a b oo th s el li ng t ri nk et s f or f ai ri ng s w it h s av ag e con cent rati on .

T he y oun g f ar me r l oo ke d a t m e, l ook ed a t H ua rd, a nd t he n ba ck a t m e. A s lo w g ri n s pr ea d ov er

h is f ac e. H e w as n' t s tu pi d, t ha t o ne . " I u nd er st an d, p re tt y l ad y. B et te r k ee p a n e ye o n y ou r g ra nd so n,t oo ." H e p oi nt ed t o B en ne m, w ho w as w at ch in g u s a nx io us ly . W it h a c he er y s al ut e, h e m el te d b ac k i nt o

t he c ro wd. I w at ch ed h im g o w it h d ef in it e r eg re t.

"I wasn't interfering," Huard said.

I s ig he d. " No . B ut t hi s w as d if fe re nt ."

H ua rd s cr at ch ed h is h ea d. " I d on 't u nd er st an d. Y ou p it ch ed a f it w he n I c ha se d a wa y a s mu gg le r, a

com mo n cri mi nal w ho w il l d ou bt less end h is car eer o n a g al lo ws . T hat y ou ng m an w as r es pect ab le,

clean, n eat , p ol it e, and p ro babl y k in d and con si derat e. "

" In te ll ig en t, t oo ," I a gr ee d. " He h ad a n ic e s mi le , h e w as n' t m ar ri ed , a nd h e h as a f in e f ut ur e i n s to re

m an ag in g h is ow n f ar m. H e' s d oub tl es s a r is in g y ou ng m em be r o f t he l oc al gr an ge , a nd i f he i sn 't a n

a cc om pl is he d l ov er , h e c ou ld e as il y b e t au gh t t o b e. " %

"Well, then, why—"

" We'r e i n M ar it iene. A n aff ai r w it h t hat est im ab le y ou ng m an cou ld d es tr oy h is p ro mi si ng f ut ur e and

emb ar rass m y f at her. T hi nk abo ut i t. O rd in ar y f ar mer t ak es t he k in g' s d au gh ter f or h is m is tr es s. W or d o f

i t g et s o ut . O the r f ar me rs a re b it te rl y j ea lo us ; h e l os es h is i nf lu enc e i n t he g ra ng e. Th e g ir ls h e s ho ul d b e

c ou rt in g g iv e u p o n h im , k no wi ng t he y c an 't c om pe te w it h w ha t t he y p er ce iv e a s r an k a nd p ow er . P eo pl es tar t w hi s peri ng —d id y ou h ear abo ut E ld ri e F it zr oi ? S he's b ed ded a f arm er u pcou nt r y. N o, t hr ee

f ar me rs . T en f ar me rs a nd t hr ee r iv er b oa tm en . E ld ri e F it zr oi c an b e h ad b y a ny th in g i n p an ts . A nd s o o n.

And wha t good c oul d c ome of i t? None fo r hi m, none f or m e, none f or t he c ount ry."

" Oh ." T he re w as a l on g s il en ce . " An d e ve n i f a ny on e h ad f ou nd o ut a bo ut t he s mu gg le r, n o o ne

would have believed it."

" In t he F or el t, I 'm j us t E ld ri e t he p hy si ci an . T hey' ve n ev er m ad e t he con nect io n b et ween t he h ealer

and t he F it zr oi —w hy s ho ul d t hey? A nd t ho se s mu gg lers n ev er ask q uest io ns and t hey n ev er t el l any on e

anything."

" Oh . I s ee . I 'm s or ry . I d id n' t u nd er st an d. " T hi s t im e t he re w as g en ui ne c on tr it io n i n h is v oi ce . T he

r es t o f o ur p ar ty ha d ga th er ed u p a nd we m ov ed o ff t ow ar d t he ga me bo ot hs .



" Le t i t g o, H ua rd . T hi s i s t he H ar ve st F es ti va l. W e' re g oi ng t o h av e a g oo d t im e w he th er a ny on e

wa nt s t o or no t. Th er e, a r in g t os s. Wh o c an t hr ow t he r in gs ove r t he p egs a nd w in a pr iz e? "

T he r es t m ov ed e ag er ly t o t he b oo th s, a nd s oo n w er e a bs or be d i n t he g am es , s pe nd in g m on ey a nd

l au gh in g w it h d el ig ht w hen t hey w on . H uard , h is arm s l oaded w it h t aw dr y o rn am en ts , t oy s, and g ew gaws ,

s tr ol led alo ng w it h m e. E vi dent ly h e h ad n o t as te f or t he g am es eit her, " I alw ay s t ho ug ht t hat r oy al ty cou ldd o a ny th in g t he y w an t. Th at 's n ot s o, i s i t? "

"In a way, i t i s. No one ca n stop a king from doing as he ple ase s, i f he' s utte rly c are less of the

con sequ en ces o f h is act io ns . T hat' s t he s it uati on i n t he P ro tecto rat e. T he P ro tecto r i s an ego mani ac. H e

act s o nl y f or t he i mm ed iate g rati fi cati on o f h is o wn w hi ms , n ot f or t he g oo d o f h is cou nt ry . B ut con si der

w ha t a s ta te t he P ro te ct or at e i s i n! "

" I s ee w ha t y ou m ea n, " H ua rd a gr ee d r ue fu ll y.

" Th e t r ou bl e i s, t he act io ns o f r oy al ty h av e m or e d rast ic con sequ en ces t han t he acti on s o f o rd in ar yf ol k. C om pa re w ha t m ig ht h av e h ap pe ne d i if I h ad c ra wl ed i nt o t ha t f ar me r' s b ed w it h w ha t w oul d

h ap pen i f, s ay , M en nefer h ad d on e t he s am e t hi ng . Y ou 'd h av e b een h ur t, p ro babl y y ou r r el at io ns hi p

w ou ld h av e b ee n d am ag ed , t he f iv e o f u s m igh t h av e b ee n u ps et , b ut t he re w ou ld h ave be en n o l as ti ng

eff ects o n any b ut t he p er so nal l ev el . T ru e r oy al ty h as t o t ak e all t hese t hi ng s i nt o con si derati on . I 'm g lad

I 'm n ot a r eal p ri nces s; l et ti ng h im p ut an arm aro un d m y w ai st m ig ht w el l h av e p reci pi tated a d is as tr ou s

w ar ! I w on 't b reat he eas il y again u nt il w e' re s af el y o ut o f M ar it iene."

"I b egi n t o s ee w hy y ou di dn' t w ant t o c om e hom e. "

" Yo u can b e g ratefu l y ou w on 't f in d o ut even m or e p er so nall y. "

" Wh at d o y ou m ea n? "

" We ll , s up po se I d id g o t o t he p al ac e a nd c la im w ha te ve r p os it io n I h av e. A s m y H eg em en , y ou 'd

a ll go wi th me ; i t's my r ight to have peopl e of m y own a bout me , though f or a ba st ar d, f our woul d be

s tr ai ni ng t he p ri vi le ge a b it . B ut t he n i t w ou ld b e y ou w ho w ou ld b e w at ch ed , a nd w hi sp er ed o ve r a nd

gos si pe d a bout . T ha t woul d do you no ha rm , not unl es s you c ar ed a bout t he h ar m i t w as d oi ng me ! And

y ou 'd b e t he t ar ge t o f i nt ri gu es t o d is cr ed it y ou , a nd t hr ou gh y ou , m e. Y ou 'd b e o ff er ed b ri be s t o u se

y ou r s up po sed i nf l uence w it h m e t o f or ward s om eo ne's s ch em es . Y ou 'd b e b lackm ai led and h ar as s ed

a nd ma de t he but t o f c rue l j ok es . A s I s ai d, b e gr at ef ul . W e wo n' t g o a ny wh er e ne ar t he c our t. W e' ll onl y

m ee t t he m er ch an t b an ke rs , w ho a re b us in es sl ik e p eo pl e. I f t he y t ur n u s d ow n, i t' ll b e b ec au se t he yh on es tl y d on 't s ee t he o pp or tu ni ty f or a p ro fi t com mens ur at e w it h t he r is k, n ot b ecau se t hey' re

m an eu veri ng f or an adv an tage i n s om e g am e o f p rest ig e and p ow er ."

H ua rd g ri nn ed r ue fu ll y. " An d f ro m a ll t hi s, y ou r an a wa y j us t a s s oo n a s y ou c ou ld p os si bl y m ak e i t

o n y ou r o wn ."

"Something like that. I didn't escape uncorrupted, though."

" Yo u d id ," h e s ai d, t ak in g m y h an d. " I' ve a lw ay s b ee n p ro ud t o b e y ou r l ie ge ma n. H ow c ou ld

a ny on e b e p ro ud t o s er ve a c or ru pt l ie ge l ad y? "

I onl y s hook my hea d. My he ar t wa s f ul l of the knowle dge of m y own e vi l, but I c oul dn' t e xpl ai n i t

t o H ua rd . I k ne w w ha t m ig ht h ap pe n t o t he l ov er o f t he k in g' s d au gh te r, h er e i n t he k in g' s o wn l an ds ; h ad



I n ot t ho ug ht less ly d es tr oy ed m y o nl y f ri en d J an ni b y j us t t ho se m eans , i n s pi te o f h is p lead in g w it h m e t o

l ea ve h im a lo ne ? A nd he h ad n' t e ve n b ee n m y r ea l l ov er .

Chapter Twelve

I CHOSE THE INN w e w er e t o p at ro ni ze c ar ef ul ly . I t w as a l ar ge o ne , c om fo rt ab le b ut n ot

l ux ur io us , o n t he o ut sk ir ts o f M ar it iene C it y. I t w as a f av or it e o f t he o wn er s o f s mall t rans po rt com pani es

a nd t he ir r iv er bo at c ap ta in s a nd w ag on m as te rs ; t he re w as a l ot o f c om in g a nd g oi ng , p le nt y o f

a cc om mo da ti on f or s to ck , a nd m an y l ar ge p ar ti es s ta yi ng t he re a t a ny o ne t im e. O n t he o th er h an d, i t w as

famous neither for its cuisine, which was good but not distinguished, nor for the entertainment available.

W e w ou ld g o u nn ot ic ed h er e, n or w as t he re m uc h c ha nc e o f m ee ti ng a ny on e f ro m t he p al ac e.

B en ne m w en t i nt o t he i nn ke ep er 's o ff ic e t o d ic ke r o ve r t he p ri ce o f l od gi ng s. I w en t o ut t o t el l

Hu ar d t o t ur n t he h or se s ov er t o t he h os tl er s a nd br in g o ur pa ck s i n. I w as s ur pr is ed t o s ee hi m ha nd ings om et hi ng t o o ne o f t he b oy s w ho a lw ay s h un g a bo ut t he c ou rt ya rd s o f i nn s w ai ti ng f or o dd j ob s a nd

m es sa ge s t o d el iv er . T he b oy l oo ke d u p a t h im , w id e- ey ed a nd o pe n- mo ut he d.

" Ge t a lo ng w it h y ou , q ui ck , r un ," H ua rd s ai d, s ho oi ng t he b oy o ut o f t he g at e.

" Whe re i n t he w or ld we re you s end ing t he bo y? " I a sk ed, a s I c am e up t o hi m. " I d idn' t kno w yo u

knew anybody in Maritiene City."

H e j um pe d a s i f s ta rt le d. " Er - I 'v e v is it ed h er e b ef or e, y ou k no w, " h e s ai d t ig ht ly . " I w as j us t

s endi ng a me ss age to a n old f rie nd t o le t him know I wa s i n town."

I s un -e ye d h im . T he re w as s om et hi ng o dd i n t hi s. " I w ou ld h av e b ee n h ap py t o l et y ou g o v is it h im

i n p er so n, " I s ai d. " I h ar dl y t hi nk I 'v e b ee n s uc h a h ar sh t as km as te r a s a ll t ha t. "

" No, of c our se yo u ha ve n' t, " he s ai d. " But I wa nt ed t o s ta y wi th y ou. H e c an c om e v is it me wh en

h e h as t im e. "

" So meth in g cer tain ly d id s ur pr is e t he m es seng er ," I com ment ed . " I h op e y ou d id n' t t el l h im w ho I

am."

"Of c ours e not. I e xpec t the boy had gi ve n up hope of a j ob for the da y, tha t's al l."

H e w as l yi ng t o m e a ga in. But why ? I c oul d s ee a bs ol ut el y no r ea so n f or hi m t o de ce iv e m e. I

l ook ed i nt o h is f ac e, b ut t he re w as n ot hi ng bu t t he m os t l im pi d c and or i n h is c le ar bl ue e ye s.

" Hm ," I s ai d d ub ious ly. " We ll , w e h ave a s ui te of t hr ee r oom s a nd a pa rl or f or t wo w ee ks . I f w e

h av en 't a rr an ge d f in an ci ng b y t he n w e m ig ht a s w el l f or ge t i t. G et a c ou pl e o f p or te rs a nd t ak e a ll o ur g ea r

up t o t he r oom s, i f y ou w oul d. W e' ll c ha nge c lo the s. I ne ed t o l oo k a s i mpo rt ant a nd p ros pe rou s a s I c an

when I vis it t he ba nks . We 'll have a bi te of lunc h and the n we m ight a s wel l st art ma ki ng the rounds of the

bankers' counting houses."

A ft er con si derabl e h es it at io n, I cho se t he g ray r id in g* s ui t, t ho ug h I s tr ict ly f or bade t he o th er s t o

w ea r t he ir m at ch ing g ra y l iv er y. " I w an t t o l oo k p ro spe ro us ," I t ol d t he m, " bu t I c er ta in ly d on 't w an t t o

att ract t he att en ti on o f t he p al ace. "



" Is n' t t he g ra y a l it tl e c as ua l f or c it y w ea r? I t hi nk y ou s ho ul d w ea r y ou r r ed b ro ca de ," M al -l ie

objected.

" No t i n t he d ay ti me . I s ho ul d w ea r a w al ki ng d re ss i n a c on se rv at iv e c ol or f or t hi s k in d o f b us in es s.

B ut a t l ea st I l oo k l ik e a n e xp lo re r, i f n ot a b us in es sw om an ."

" Yo u' re g oi ng t o h av e t o t el l t he b an ke rs w ho y ou a re ," B en ne m s ai d. " Yo ur n am e i s a bo ut t he o nl y

a ss et y ou 'v e g ot . Y ou s ho ul d d re ss t he p ar t o f a k in g' s d au gh te r. "

" Ho w a bo ut o ne o f t he s il k b lo us es a nd l in en s ki rt s? " H ua rd s ug ge st ed .

"I f I ha d a j acke t a nd a ha t t o ma tch, t hat woul d be good," I c onc ede d.

"We 'll ha ve to s top at a cl othing shop and a mi lliner's on the way and buy you a ja cke t a nd a ha t,

then," Huard said.

" I g ue ss I c an w ea r t he p ri mr os e a nd b uy a g ra y j ac ke t, " I m us ed . " Al l r ig ht . M al li e, w ou ld y ou

mind buttoning me up?"

I w as a nn oy ed t o d is co ve r t ha t t he y h ad a pp ar en tl y i nt er pr et ed m y c ha ng e o f p la ns a s p er mi ss io n

t o w ea r t he ir g ra y l iv er y w he n I c am e d ow n t o t he d in in g r oom . I w as e ve n m or e a nn oy ed w he n t he y a ll

s to od gr ave ly a nd w ai te d f or me t o t ake m y pl ac e a t t he he ad of t he t abl e; p eopl e w er e s ta ri ng. H al f t he

s ta ff of t he i nn wa s l ine d up t o s er ve m y pa rt y, ha vi ng di sc ove re d wh o I wa s, or a t l ea st t ha t I w as

s om eb od y, a nd t he e le ga nt b ow s m y p eo pl e o ff er ed m e a s I a pp ro ac he d d id n' t d o a ny th in g t o r ed uc e t he

gawking delight with which I was being regarded.

" Wh at d o y ou t hi nk y ou 'r e d oi ng ?" I h is se d, a s I w as h el pe d c er em on io us ly t o a c ha ir .

" Yo u d on 't t hi nk t he b an kers w il l i nq ui re at t he i nn w here y ou 'r e s tayi ng ?" H uard ask ed .

" I don' t c ar e i f t he y do, da mn i t. I t el l you , I 'm i n da ng er e ve ry m inut e I 'm i n Ma ri ti ene , a nd t wi ce a s

m uch h er e i n t he cit y. I t ho ug ht y ou u nd er st oo d. "

" Be li ev e m e, I u nd er st an d, " H ua rd *s ai d. T he re w as a n ot e i n h is v oi ce t ha t s ta rt le d m e

a nd I l ook ed s ha rpl y a t h im , bu t hi s he ad w as be nt o ve r a p la tt er t ha t w as be ing o ff er ed H im a nd I

cou ld n' t s ee h is f ace.

T he re w as a c la tt er i n t he c ou rt ya rd o f t he i nn —a s iz ab le p ar ty a rr iv in g w it h c ar ri ag es a nd o n

h or seback , evi dent ly . T here w as s tamp in g and excit ed s ho ut in g. S lo wl y I p ut m y n ap ki n asi de and

l oo ke d a t H ua rd . H e w as n' t e at in g. M en ne fe r w as l oo ki ng f ro m h im t o m e w it h d il at ed e ye s.

T he m es sa ge h e s en t t hi s m or ni ng . I nd ee d, t he m es sa ge s h e h ad s en t f ro m e ve ry i nn w e s ta ye d a t.

T he de te rm in at io n w it h w hi ch h e ha d s ta ye d w it h m e, n o m at te r h ow I t ri ed t o f re e h im . T he e as e w it h

w hi ch h e h ad b el ieved m y p repo st er ou s s to ry o f b ei ng a k in g' s d au gh ter. T he i nn um er ab le t im es h e h ad

t rie d to ta lk m e i nt o c omi ng home . Thi s Hua rd wa s no s im pl e hunt er . He wa s a Hunt er, a nd I wa s hi s

prey. With what infinite patience, with what immeasurable persistence, he had stalked me! With what

c un ni ng w il es h e h ad d ec ei ve d m e! A nd a t l as t, a s i t w as s ai d t ha t t he H un te rs a lw ay s d id , h e h ad b ro ug ht

in his quarry.



I r os e a nd s te ppe d f ro m b eh in d t he t ab le . I t w as t oo l at e t o f le e; t he do or s of t he d in in g r oom w er e

even n ow b ei ng f lu ng w id e and all t he b ri ll iance and col or o f t he cou rt w as f lo od in g t hr ou gh t hem. I n t he

cen ter o f t he cro wd , m or e b ri ll iant t han all t he r es t, m y b ro th er F el an s to od , r em ov in g h is emb ro id er ed

gloves with finicky care.

I d ro ppe d a pr of ou nd c ur ts y, b ei ng dr es se d i n s ki rt s, a nd F el an mo ve d f or wa rd t o t ak e m y ha nd i n

h is . " My d ea r s is te r! " h e s ai d i n h is c le ar t en or . " El dr ie , m y d ea r! W el co me h om e, E ld ri e! W e' ve b ee ns ea rc hi ng f or y ou f or s o l ong !" H e s qu ee ze d my h an ds s o t ig ht ly i t h ur t.

" Yo ur H ig hn es s, " I m ur mu re d. " My c on do le nc es o n t he l os s o f y ou r b ro th er . I o nl y h ea rd

yesterday."

" Yo u a lw ay s u se d t o c al l m e F el an , w he n w e w er e c hi ld re n t og et he r, " h e s ai d. " Pl ea se c al l m e t ha t

n ow . M y d earest s is ter— al mo st m y t wi n! D o y ou t hi nk I w an t h on or if ics f ro m y ou ?"

I ga ve hi m a s ta rt le d l oo k. Tr ue , w e ha d be en r ai se d a lm os t i n t he s am e c ra dl e; t he re w as o nl y t wo

m on th s d if fe re nc e i n o ur a ge s. I n s pi te o f t ha t w e h ad n ev er b ee n v er y c lo se —r iv al s, r at he r. Y et t he rew er e a ct ua l t ea rs i n h is e ye s, a nd hi s ha nd s t ha t c lut che d m in e w er e t re mb li ng . " As y ou w is h, F el an ," I

said. "Are you well?"

" As wel l as I ca n be , with all—but t her e'l l be ti me for t his . Come to t he pala ce. As soon as we

k ne w t he H un te r h ad f ou nd y ou , a s ui te w as p re pa re d f or y ou ."

I c as t a bit te r l ook a t Hua rd, who di dn't ra is e his e yes to mi ne . "I don' t wis h to re turn to the pal ac e,

F el an . T he re 's n ot hi ng f or m e t he re , a nd n ot hi ng I c an d o t o h el p a ny on e. P le as e j us t l et m e g o. "

" Oh , E ld ri e, " h e w hi sp er ed i n ang ui sh , " can y ou ever f or gi ve m e? I 'l l n ev er f or gi ve m ys el f— t here

h as n' t b een a s in gl e d ay s in ce y ou l ef t t hat I h av en 't b lamed m ys el f. "

T o s ay t ha t I w as a st ou nde d w as t o s ay t ha t t he g re at oc ea n wa s da mp. " Fo rgi ve yo u f or w ha t? " I

asked blankly.

"F or d ri vi ng y ou a wa y, a nd f or a ll t he t er ri bl e t hi ng s t ha t h av e h ap pe ne d t o y ou s in ce y ou l ef t, a nd

for—for—but come. Father's waiting. The carriage is outside. Your people can bring your belongings."

H e w as p ul li ng m e t ow ar d t he d oo r, s ti ll h ol di ng m e b y m y t wo h an ds . " Ne ve r s ay y ou a re n' t n ee de d.

F at he r n ee ds y ou . I n ee d y ou . C om e, E ld ri e, p le as e. " H e w as t ug gi ng m e o ut si de , w he re f oo tm en i n t he

r oy al l iv er y w er e h ol di ng o pe n t he d oo r o f a c oa ch .

I f I s et f oo t i n t ha t c ar ri age , I wa s l os t. I b el ie ve d not o ne w or d of a nyt hi ng Fe la n ha d s ai d— he ha d

a lw ay s l ov ed t o b ai t m e. F ra nt ic al ly I t ri ed t o f re e m y h an ds f ro m h is g ra sp , b ut h e w as s tr on ge r t ha n

w he n I h ad l ef t.

" Al lo w m e t o a ss is t y ou , E ld ri e F it zr oi ," H ua rd s ai d f ro m b eh in d m e, a nd I w as p ic ke d u p

eff or tl es sl y and d ep os it ed i ns id e. F el an s cr am bl ed i n aft er m e.

" Damn y ou r s ou l t o h el l, y ou s neak in g, l yi ng , cow ar dl y t rait or ," I g ri tt ed at H uard . T he car ri ag e

s tart ed o ff w it h a l ur ch .

" Br in g y ou r t hi ng s and y ou r ani mals t o t he p al ace, " F el an s ho ut ed o ut t he w in do w. S et tl in g b ack

beside me, he turned to look at me, taking my hand again. "Why didn't you ever come back?" he asked.

" Or e ve n w ri te t o t el l u s w he re y ou w er e? "



I s ig he d, d ef ea te d. I w as c au gh t, f ai r a nd t ru e a nd b y m y o wn f oo li sh c ar el es sn es s. " I d id n' t t hi nk

a ny on e c ar ed w he re I w as ," I s ai d. " An d I d idn 't c om e b ac k b ec aus e I w as n' t n ee de d h er e. "

" It wa s I wh o t ol d you t ha t," he s ai d. " An d I w as l yi ng . Yo u w er e e ve ryon e' s f avo ri te , y ou kno w.

Jovian ha te d you be cause Fa ther l oved you bes t of any of us , and I was too muc h of a c owar d t o defe nd

y ou f ro m h im . Oh , El dr ie , y ou s ho ul d h av e k no wn I w as l yi ng ! I f on ly y ou c oul d h av e w ai te d un ti l I w ass tr on g eno ug h, I w ou ld h av e p ro tect ed y ou f ro m J ov ian! "

T hi s s ta te me nt w as p at en tl y a bs ur d. J ov ia n h ad a lw ay s b ee n s tr on g f or h is a ge , a nd , l ik e t he

d em on 's -c hi I d h e h ad b ee n n am ed , h e e nj oy ed h ur ti ng p eo pl e. F el an e ve n n ow w as n o t al le r t ha n I , a nd

probably not as heavy. He had always preferred subtle barbs to physical blows. I could make no sense

o f h is s ud den p ro test at i on s o f con cern .

" Fe la n, " I s ai d s lo wl y, " I h av e n ev er b la me d y ou f or a ny th in g— ex ce pt t he p oe m a bo ut t he s ta bl e

boy—and I didn't leave because of anything you said."

H e f li nc he d. " I di d w ri te t he poe m, " h e c onf es se d. " I w as s o j ea lo us ! Bu t I ne ve r me ant a ny one t o

r ead i t. "

"Jealous?"

" Je al ou s t ha t y ou h ad s om eo ne t o l ov e y ou ," h e e xp la in ed . " It s ee me d s o u nf ai r. F at he r l ov ed y ou

best, Jovian had already had two or three of the maids, Mother had Uncle Joss. I had no one. So I made

up t ha t poe m. I kn ew i t wa sn' t t ru e."

" We ll ," I s ai d w ea ri ly, " it 's a ll l on g p as t a nd o ve r w it h. I 'l l f or gi ve yo u t he p oe m a nd yo u f or gi ve m e

f or r un ni ng a wa y. W ha t d oe s F at he r • wa nt m e f or , d o y ou k no w? "

" I' d b et ter l et h im t el l y ou t hat, " F el an s ai d. T he car ri ag e r um bl ed t hr ou gh t he p al ace g at es —t he

f am il y e nt ra nc e, I n ot ed , n ot t he p ubl ic o ne . T he y c la sh ed s hu t be hi nd u s w it h a s ou nd l ik e p ri so n b ar s

closing forever. I shuddered.

" Do y ou h at e c om in g b ac k t o u s s o m uc h, t he n? " F el an a sk ed w is tf ul ly . " Wa s i t r ea ll y s o t er ri bl e

here?"

" Of c ou rs e n ot . B ut I d on 't l ik e l iv in g h er e. I h at e t he l yi ng a nd t he i nt ri gu e a nd t he p ol it ic s a nd

n ev er t el li ng p eop le t o t he ir f ac e w ha t yo u t hi nk o f t he m. I l oa th e n eve r be ing a ll ow ed t o d o a nyt hi nguseful."

" It m us t h av e b ee n w or se , t hou gh , l ivi ng a s a c om mon er , w or ki ng f or a l ivi ng . Y ou m us t h av e b ee n

col d and h un gr y and l on el y. Y ou m us t h av e b een i n d an ger o ft en ."

" It w as n' t t ha t b ad , F el an . I w as u su al ly w ar m a nd w el l- fe d a nd w it h c om pa ny t ha t c ar ed a bo ut m e,

n ot w ha t a dv an ta ge t he y m igh t g ai n f rom c ul ti va ti ng m e. An d w he n I w as i n d an ge r, I c oul d t ak e c ar e o f

myself."

H e g av e m e a l oo k h al f- en vi ou s a nd h al f- ad mi ri ng . " Fa th er u se d t o s ay p ro ud ly t ha t y ou w er e t he

best man of us all, when you'd ridden a horse neither of us dared go near or beaten us once again at

f en ci ng p ra ct ic e o r t ak en o ne o f J ov ia n' s b ea ti ng s w it hou t a w hi mpe r. I u se d t o c ry w he n h e h it m e. "



T he f oo tm en op en ed t he d oo r a nd F el an j um pe d o ut , a s l it he a nd a ct ive a s e ve r. I t ha d be en f oo li sh

o f o ur f at he r t o s pe ak i n t he b oy s' h ea ri ng , I t ho ug ht . F el an c ou ld h av e b ee n a n ot ab le a th le te —a

gymnast, perhaps—if he hadn't been discouraged with comparisons.

F el an c ond uc te d m e t o a r oo m ne ar t he pu bl ic r ec ep ti on r oom i n t he r oya l q ua rt er s a nd s ent a

me ss ag e t o t he ki ng t o l et hi m kno w I wa s he re . I wa s pr epa re d t o w ai t pa ti ent ly, but o nl y a f ew m inut es

passed before the door banged open. I leaped to my feet and started to curtsy, only to be swept into ah ug. " El dr ie . E ld ri e. E ld ri e, " m y f at he r w as s ayi ng , o ve r a nd o ve r. I w as h el d a t a rm 's l en gt h a nd

i ns pect ed . " Yo u l oo k s o w el l! F el an , g o and t el l y ou r m ot her t hat E ld ri e' s h er e. "

"Your Majesty," I began, tremulously. "Father?" He looked like himself, tall, virile, commanding. In

t he b ro wn h ai r ( sh ot w it h g ra y, n ow ), t he e ye s, t he s tr on g n os e a nd s qu ar e c hi n— I w as l oo ki ng i n a

m ir ro r t ha t s ho we d m e a n o ld er , m as cu li ne f or m of m ys el f. I h ad f or go tt en h ow m uc h w e w er e a li ke .

" E ld ri e, m y l it tl e p et , I 'm s o g la d y ou 'r e b ac k. "

" I' m s or ry abo ut J ov ian— th e g ri ef h is d eath m us t h av e cau sed y ou ."

" I wa sn' t a ve ry good fa the r," he s ai d r uef ul ly. " I l et hi s m othe r s poi l hi m a nd Fe la n. I l et you be

driven away."

I s po ke t o h im a s I ne ve r w oul d ha ve d ar ed s pe ak t o t he k ing b ef or e, e nc ou ra ge d b y h is

a ff ec ti on at e r ec ep ti on . " It w as b et te r f or m e t o l ea ve . T he re w as n ot hi ng f or m e t o d o h er e. F or t ha t

ma tt er , t he re 's not hin g f or me t o do now . W oul dn 't i t h ave be en be tt er j us t t o l et m e go my wa y? "

" El dr ie , m y d ea r c hi ld , t he re a re s o m an y, m an y t hi ng s y ou c an d o. M ar it ie ne n ee ds y ou . T he

international tensions—the economic problems—I understand that you would rather be free of these

o bl ig at io ns . A s w ou ld I ! B ut o f a ll m y . ch il dr en y ou a re t he o ne I t ru st t he m os t. Y ou ha ve t he r oya l g if ts ,E ld ri e. F el an d oe sn 't , a nd J ov ia n d id n' t, b ut y ou a lw ay s d id . I n ee d y ou !"

"So you se t a Hunt er on me t o br ing me ba ck? " I a sked. I bore a grudge about tha t.

"Twenty Hunters. I needed you so much! The political situation—and Jovian dying—your place

w as h er e. I k ne w t ha t i f I c ou ld j us t e xp la in t o y ou , y ou 'd u nd er st an d. A ft er a il , y ou h av e t he r oy al g if ts ,

and they aren't lightly escaped."

"Evidently not," I said wryly.

" He re 's t he q ue en n ow ," t he k in g s ai d, t ur ni ng a s t he d oo r o pe ne d. Q ue en A ma li e c am e s ai li ng

t hr ou gh , h er everp resent f ri end J os s i n t he b ackg ro un d.

" El dr ie , m y c hi ld !" s he s ai d, c om in g f or wa rd a nd c at ch in g m e a s I s ta rt ed t o c ur ts y. S he k is se d m e

dr yly on t he che ek. "How good it i s t o ha ve you home !"

" Yo ur M aj es ty, " I m ur mu re d. " Ho w n ic e t o s ee yo u s o we ll a nd ha pp y. An d U nc le J os s. I t' s g oo d

t o s ee y ou a ga in, t oo, " I a dde d. I ha d a lmo st f or got te n how t he que en' s l ove r us ed t o pl ay wi th u s wh en

w e w er e chi ld ren. H e w as t he o nl y o ne w ho h ad t reat ed u s w it h h um or ou s and aff ecti on at e i mp ar ti al it y,

a nd we a ll f our us ed to c li mb on hi s l ap f or t he ma rve lous s tor ies he t ol d. I n f ac t, a l ot of t he f ai ry s tor ies I

l ove d s o we ll I ha d f ir st he ar d f rom Unc le J os s. I ha d onl y be gun t o ha te hi m whe n I unde rs tood t he

w ro ng h e ha d d on e m y f at he r, w he n I w as t we lv e o r t hi rt ee n— an d e ve n t he n, I ha dn 't l ik ed h at in g h im .

H e s mi le d a nd b ow ed .



" E ld ri e F it zr oi ," h e s ai d. " We all m is sed y ou ."

" I m us t g o, " t he k in g s ai d- " Th er e a re f or ty p eo pl e w ai ti ng t o s ee m e. E ld ri e, yo u' ll h av e d in ne r w it h

F el an a nd m e t on ig ht a nd w e c an g et t o k no w o ne a no th er a ga in ."

" O f c ou rs e. Y our M aj es ty ," I s ai d, s we ep ing a c ur ts y a s he h ea de d f or t he d oo r.

" El dr ie, m y d ear, y ou 'l l s pend s om e t im e w it h m e t om or ro w, w on 't y ou ?" t he q ueen s ai d w ar ml y.

" I' ll w an t t o h ea r a ll a bo ut y ou r a dv en tur es ." S he g av e m y s ki rt a nd b lou se a q ui zz ic al l oo k; t he y w er e

n ew a nd ( fo r a n i ti ne ra nt h er ba li st ) v er y f in e, b ut s ee n t hr ou gh t he q ue en 's e ye s, t he y w er e p la in a nd

q ua in t. " I' ll h av e a ll t he b es t d re ss ma ke rs i n. Y ou 'l l n ee d a w ho le w ar dr ob e, I 'm s ur e. "

I c ur ts ie d a ga in . " I' m a t Y ou r M aj es ty 's d is po sa l, " I s ai d. T hi s w as c er ta in ly t ru e, a nd i t d id n o h ar m

t o l et h er kn ow t ha t I kn ew i t. I c oul dn' t a ff or d t o a li ena te he r a ny f ur th er t ha n s he n o do ubt a lr ea dy ha d

been by having been forced to acknowledge me as her husband's daughter. But Uncle Joss winked at me

a s t he y l ef t.

T he y h ad g iv en m e a s ui te o f a pa rt me nt s w it hi n t he r oy al q ua rt er s, a lt ho ug h o f c ou rs e n ot t ho se

w he re T hi ld ie h ad l iv ed f or s uc h a s ho rt a nd c los el y s up er vi se d t im e b et we en c om in g o f a ge a nd

m ar ri ag e. T hese w er e f ar th er f ro m t he k in g' s s ui te. T hey ' had b een n ew ly d ecor at ed , t ho ug h, and

s om eo ne h ad g on e t o s om e e ff or t t o m ak e m e f ee l a t h om e t he re . T he s ix te en -y ea r- ol d E ld ri e w ou ld

h av e l ov ed t he m. T he y h ad b ee n do ne o ve r i n g ol ds a nd r us se ts , w it h a n e qu es tr ia n t he me i n t he p ai nt in gs

and k ni ck kn acks . W el l, i t w as b et ter t han t he p in k and w hi te and i ns ip id f lo wer p ai nt in gs w it h w hi ch t he

princess's apartment was decorated!

T h er e w er e a mp le a cc om mo da ti on s f or m y p ar ty , a s w el l a s t he c om pl et e s ta ff o f b ut le r,

h ou sek eeper , coo k, d r es s er , m ai d s, and f oo tm en t hat h ad b een p ro vi ded , H uar d, M enn efer , B en nem,a nd M al li e w ou ld r an k a s r et ai ne rs , r at he r t ha n s er va nt s, a nd w ou ld e at w it h m e o n o rd in ar y o cc as io ns .

Whe n we a te i n t he Gr and Sa lon wi th t he ki ng I w ould be s ea te d a t the roya l t abl e, t hough not wi thi n the

cen tr al area r es er ved f or t he F am il y, and t hey w ou ld b e acco mm od at ed amo ng t he p ro fess io nal f ol k—

accountants, physicians, secretaries, civitoer-vants, such raffle and Seattle. I hated it already.

R an k, p ri vi l eg e, cerem on y, p ro to co l, p ro cedu res , et iq uet te, w er e clo si ng o n m e l i ke a t r oo p o f

gloating enemies.

P resent ly m y f ou r l iegemen arr iv ed , escor ted b y a t rain o f s er vant s car ry in g o ur b ag gage, w ho m t he

butler led on to the quarters the housekeeper had chosen for each of them. This left Huard, Mennefer,B en ne m, a nd M al li e s ta ndi ng a lo ne i n f ron t o f m e i n t he r ec ep ti on r oom , w he re a l ar ge c ha ir o f c ar ve d

a nd p ol is he d o ak h ad b ee n p la ce d. H er e I w ou ld s it p om po us ly a nd r ec ei ve p et it io ne rs a nd v is it or s t o m y

l ev ees, at w hi ch a g oo d p ar t o f t he s ch em in g, p lo tt in g, and b ackb it in g t hat w ou ld s ur ro un d m y p er so n

w ou ld t ak e p la ce . I s at d ow n, a rr an gi ng m y s ki rt i nt o g ra ce fu l f ol ds a nd p la ci ng m y h an ds o n t he c ar ve n

a rm s o f t he c ha ir .

" Well , H uard ," I s ai d q ui et ly . " Yo u m ig ht h av e m en ti on ed t o m e t hat y ou i nt en ded t o b et ray m e. "

" On ly t o y ou r f am il y, E ld ri e F it zr oi . Y ou s aw h ow h ap py y ou r b ro th er w as t o s ee y ou . H e w as

m ov ed t o t ear s! "

I s no rt ed. " If y ou' re g oi ng t o l ive i n a pa la ce , yo u ha d be tt er l ea rn r ight now ne ve r t o t ake a ny

emo ti on at i ts f ace v al ue, n ev er t o b el ieve any th in g any on e t el ls y ou , and n ev er , n ev er t ur n y ou r b ack,



e sp ec ia ll y o n y ou r n ea re st a nd d ea re st . M y b ro th er i s h ap py t o s ee m e, a ll r ig ht . H e n ee ds e ve ry l it tl e b it

of p ol it ic al s upp or t f or hi s c la im t o t he t hr one he c an ge t. M y f at he r i s ov er joye d to ha ve me ba ck; he ha s

s om e u se f or me , t hough I do n' t k now wha t i t i s ye t. A nd t he qu ee n! M ade he r da y, i t d id, ha vi ng he r

h us band 's b as tard com e h om e and b ei ng f or ced t o g reet h er w it h ent hu si as m. "

H u ar d b ow ed h is h ea d. " I' m s or ry , E ld ri e

F it zr oi . I h ad a cc ep te d t he c ha rge t o f ind y ou a nd br in g yo u h om e. I t p re da te d my oa th t o yo u b y

t wo y ears . T hat o bl ig at io n i s d is ch ar ged n ow . M y o at h s tand s. "

" Wha t a bou t t he r es t of yo u? W er e y ou i n on t hi s? "

B en ne m l oo ke d t ro ub le d. " Hu ar d t ol d u s w ho y ou w er e, E ld ri e F it zr oi . H e e xp la in ed t ha t w e c ou ld

com e w it h y ou b ecau se y ou 'd b e g oi ng h om e s oo ner t han y ou t ho ug ht . M al li e t ho ug ht w e o ug ht t o t el l

you , but I w oul dn 't l et he r. I wa s a fr ai d yo u' d r un a wa y a ga in, a nd we ha d w age re d ou r wh ol e f ut ur e on

you."

" Hu ar d t ol d m e, " M en ne fe r s ai d. " I w ou ld n' t— I w ou ld n' t— I t ho ug ht h e b el on ge d t o y ou , s o h e

t ol d m e w ho y ou w er e a nd t ha t he w as j us t— j us t— th at be ca us e y ou w er e r oya l, y ou h ad a r igh t t o a sk

i t o f h im , b ut i t d id n' t m ean any th in g and y ou w ou ld n' t b e h ur t— "

" Da mn you a ll ," I whi sp er ed, s ic k t o t he de pt hs of m y he ar t. " Da mn y ou a ll , I t ru st ed yo u a nd I

t ook yo ur oa ths a nd I t ri ed t o c ar e f or y ou a s be st I c oul d. I t houg ht y ou w er e m y f ri ends ."

" We 'l l s er ve y ou l oy al ly , E ld ri e F it zr oi ," H ua rd s ai d. H e w as v er y p al e. " I d id w ha t I t ho ug ht w as

best. You're royal. You have responsibilities; they need you here. No one has ever hired twenty Hunters

t o f in d a s in gl e p er so n b ef or e. "

I l oo ke d i nt o h is f ac e, " Di d y ou r ea ll y t hi nk t ha t I w ou ld n' t b e h ur t? T ha t i t di dn 't m ea n a ny th in g t o

me whe n I c ame t o you? "

H ua rd r ea che d o ut a nd t oo k M enn ef er 's ha nd . " I kn ew t ha t y ou c ar ed f or m e," h e s ai d, f ac ing me

s qu ar el y. " I k ne w y ou 'd b e h ur t, a l it tl e. B ut I a ls o k ne w t ha t y ou d id n' t r ea ll y l ov e m e. Y ou r oy al f ol k

d on 't l ov e p eo pl e, n ot t he w ay w e c om mo ne rs l ov e e ac h o th er . I t hi nk , b ei ng t ru ly r oy al , y ou b el on g t o a ll

t he pe opl e a nd c an n eve r be long t o j us t on e. Y ou r f at he r c an t ak e a s m an y pr et ty f avo ri te s a s h e wa nt s,

a nd not b e bou nd a s a n or di na ry m an m us t be t o one w om an . Th at 's why wha t I s ai d t o M enne fe r a bout

you wa s tr ue . B ei ng w ha t you a re , you ha d a r ight t o a sk of me —of a ny ma n you de si re —w ha t yo u di d,

a nd I ha d t o r es po nd a s I d id. Bu t I c ou ldn 't go o n be ing y ou r l ov er . R em em be r wh at yo u s ai d a bout t hey ou ng f ar me r y es te rd ay ? H ow w ou ld i t h av e l oo ke d i f I 'd b ro ug ht y ou h om e a s m y m is tr es s? I k ne w w e

w er e c om in g h er e. B es id es , I l ov e M en ne fe r. I d id n' t w an t t o l ea ve w it ho ut h er , k no wi ng I w as

c om mi tt ed t o y ou r s er vi ce a nd w ou ld n' t b e c om in g b ac k. I t w as c ru el , m ay be , a l it tl e. B ut i t w as a s ma ll

c ru el ty t o s av e a m uc h g re at er o ne . T he o nl y a lt er na ti ve I h ad w as t o t el l y ou t he t ru th a nd b ri ng y ou h er e

by force."

I m et h is s te ady ga ze . Thi s t im e, he wa sn 't l yi ng t o me . S lowl y I nod de d, a nd l ea ne d ba ck i n t he

c ha ir , c los ing m y e ye s a ga in st t he p ai n. H ow ve ry w ro ng h e w as , w he n he p ut h im se lf t o on e s id e of a l in e

a nd my f at he r a nd I on a no th er ! The re wa s no s et of mor al r ul es f or or di na ry me n a nd wo me n a nd

a no the r f or t ho se of r oya l bi rt h! I ha d be en wr on g, wr on g, wr on g t o ha ve go ne t o hi m a s I ha d, a nd i f

o nl y I h ad kn ow n ho w h e t ho ug ht of m e, ho w m uc h b it te r h um il ia ti on c ou ld I h av e s pa re d u s b ot h!

" A ki ng' s da ug ht er h as no m or e r ig ht t o mi su se a ma n f or he r pl ea sur e t ha n a nyon e e ls e doe s," J



s ai d. " Be in g r oy al i s n ot a m at te r o f ha vi ng t he r ig ht t o i gn or e t he r ul es o f c ond uc t t ha t bi nd e ve ry on e e ls e;

i t' s h av in g m or e r es po ns ib il it y and l es s f reed om t han o rd in ar y p eo pl e. I t s eems I h av e w ro ng ed y ou

greatly, Huard."

The re wa s a s te p a nd a ha nd t ouc hed mi ne, l if te d i t t o s oft l ips . " Di d you t hi nk I wa s unwi lli ng? I t

w as t he g re at es t p ri vi le ge o f m y l if e, a nd I w as —I a m— pr of ou nd ly h on or ed t ha t y ou c ho se m e. I 'v e

brought you back here against your will, to carry burdens you fled from home and family and royal privilege to avoid. If there were any way I could make the burdens lighter for you, I would. I was Huard

t he H un ter; f ro m n ow o n, I am E ld ri e F it zr oi 's l iegeman. "

" Al l r ig ht , Hu ar d. I w il l h ol d y ou t o yo ur o at h! A ll of y ou ! W e' ll p la y o ut t hi s g am e o f po li ti cs a nd

d ec ei t a nd l ie s. Y ou 'l l l ie a nd c he at a nd s ch em e f or m e. G o m ak e y ou rs el f a t h om e i n y ou r n ew q ua rt er s,

now. The ne xt t ime I s ee you, 1*11 s mi le a nd s pe ak t o you poli te ly, a s I wi ll a ll t he othe r de ni ze ns of t hi s

g il de d r at t ra p, n o m at te r w ha t' s i n m y h ea rt ."

T he re w as a s ub du ed s hu ff le o f f ee t, a m uf fl ed s ob —M en ne fe r' s, I s up po se d— an d t he y w er e

gone.

F el an c am e i n a nd I r os e a nd c ur ts ie d, s ch oo li ng t he f ee li ng s o ut o f m y f ac e i n t he i ns ta nt t ha t m y

h ea d w as b ow ed .

" I' m g la d you w er e ki nd t o U nc le J os s, " Fe la n s ai d. " He wa s r ea ll y hu rt b y t he wa y yo u be ha ve d t o

h im b ef or e y ou l ef t. Y ou w er e a f av or it e w it h h im t oo , yo u k no w. "

" I w as h ig hl y i nd ig nant t hat h e w as t he q ueen 's l ov er ," I adm it ted r uefu ll y. " Si ll y o f m e. I f i t h ad n' t

been for him, I wouldn't have existed."

" I d on 't k no w a bo ut t ha t, " F el an s ai d. " Ti ke k in g h ad a r ov in g e ye l on g b ef or e U nc le J os s s ho we dup . Y ou r m ot he r w as a rou nd f or n ea rl y a y ea r b ef or e y ou w er e c onc ei ve d, a nd Un cl e J os s c ame a f ew

we ek s a ft er y our m ot he r. The re i s s om e do ubt a s t o w he the r I ha ve a ny r igh t t o i nhe ri t t he t hr one a t a ll . I

do n' t t hi nk e ve n m y mo the r kn ows f or s ur e wh os e s on I a m. I t' s n o he lp, of c our se , t ha t I h ave no ne of

the royal gifts."

" Faug h, r oy al g if ts ," I m ut tered. " I d on 't b el ieve t hat t here are any s uch t hi ng s. "

" Ea sy f or y ou t o s ay . H ow m an y o rd in ar y g ir ls o f s ix te en w ou ld g o o ut i nt o t he w or ld a lo ne a nd

come home trailing an entourage of their own liegemen?"

" That w as no doing of m ine . It w as tha t da mn H unt er you put on my tr ai l."

" How m any p eo pl e of a ny s ex o r a ge c oul d ge t a Hu nt er t o of fe r t he m a n oa th? T he y d on' t br ea k

t he ir o at hs , H un te rs d on 't . H e c ou ld b e a v er y v al ua bl e a ll y. Y ou 'r e g oi ng t o n ee d e ve ry f ri en d y ou c an

ge t. D o y ou t hi nk t hi s i s goi ng t o be e as y? Be ca us e o f you r bi rt h a nd be ca us e y ou' ve be en gon e f or

s ix te en y ea rs , w ho k no ws w he re , d oi ng w ho k no ws w ha t, y ou 'l l n ev er b e r eg ar de d b y s om e p eo pl e w it h

t he r es pect y ou r eff or ts w il l d es er ve, esp eciall y aft er y ou 'r e m ar ri ed t o a com mo ner. "

I ch ok ed. " M ar r ied ?"

" Wh y, y es , of c ou rs e. I ne ed y ou t o b e m ar ri ed , a s s oo n a s p os si bl e. "

"Why?"



" I wa sn 't s up po se d t o be ki ng , y ou kn ow . Bu t J ov ia n wa s s o w il d a nd r ec kl es s a nd s o o bv io us ly

u ns ui ta bl e t ha t m ay be i t w as n' t a b ad t hi ng —w el l, a ny wa y, h er e I a m, h ei r, a nd I n ee d a ll t he h el p a nd

s up po rt I c an g et ."

" Fath er ack no wl ed ged y ou . I can 't t hi nk w hy any on e w ou ld t ake excep ti on t o y ou , esp ecial ly o nce

y ou 'r e m ar ri ed a nd h av e a n h ei r o f y ou r o wn ."

H e c ol or ed . " We ll , t ha t' s t he p ro bl em . I c an o nl y l ov e m en ," h e s ai d w it h s om e d if fi cu lt y. " Yo u h av e

t o g iv e m e an h ei r, E ld ri e. "

I s ta re d a t h im. " Oh , Fe la n, " I s ai d a t l as t, " ho w c an y ou be ki ng, t he n? "

" So me on e h as t o b e. A nd i t d id n' t m at te r w he n I w as o nl y t he y ou ng er p ri nc e— it w as b et te r, e ve n,

t ha n i f I h ad w an te d t o m ar ry a nd r ai se a f am il y o f c ous in s t o t he r ig ht fu l h ei rs . B ut n ow , p eo pl e do n' t l ik e

knowi ng t ha t t he dynas ti c l ine wi ll e nd whe n I di e. The re ha s t o be a n he ir and the peopl e wi ll a cc ept a

s on o f y ou rs . O th er wi se t he re m ay b e d is af fe ct io n w he n t he t im e c om es f or m e t o i nh er it . B es id es , F at he r i nt en ds t o us e yo ur m ar ri ag e t o bi nd a v er y i mp or ta nt m an t o h is s er vi ce . W el l, I 'l l l et h im t el l y ou a bo ut

that."

He glanced at me s lyly to se e what eff ect his ne ws had upon me, but in the yea rs sinc e I ha d seen

h im l as t I h ad l ea rn ed h ow n ot t o l et a ll m y f ee li ng s s how o n m y f ac e. D is ap po in te d, h e s au nt er ed o ut ,

l ea vi ng m e m or e c onf ou nd ed t ha n I h ad c ar ed t o l et h im s ee —t hi s w as m y w or se n ig ht ma re c om e t ru e!

I s at i n t ha t c ar ve n c ha ir wi th t he ne w r us se t br oc ade uph ol st er y f or a l ong t ime a nd g ri eve d. I

mo ur ne d f or m y f re ed om a nd my yout h a nd my pr of es si on—I ha d not b ee n a gr ea t he al er , no, bu t I h ad

been a good healer, the best £ knew how to be. I had saved lives, more than I lost, and I had eased

s uf fe ri ng . T he re w er e m an y a nd m an y pe op le i n t he w or ld w ho w er e be tt er f or h av ing h ad m y he lp , babies I had birthed, oldsters at the end of their lives whose going had been easier because of me.

P er ha ps I w as n' t a t ru e p ri nc es s, b ut h ow m an y p ri nc es se s c ou ld s ay t ha t?

An d I h ad h ad m y l ov er s— th e b as hf ul , e ag er y ou th s a nd t he m er ry s co un dr el s a nd t he a wk wa rd

o ne s a ma ze d b y p as si on s t he y h ar dl y u nd er st oo d. I h ad l ov ed w he re m y h ea rt h ad l ed m e, a nd

s om et im es I h ad m ad e m is ta ke s. B ut t he y h ad b ee n m y o wn m is ta ke s. H ow m an y p ri nc es se s c ou ld s ay

that?

I h ad wa nde re d wh er eve r m y f at e gu ide d m e, a nd l iv ed by m y wi ts , w el l or po or ly . I ha d s ee n

m oun ta in s a nd de se rt a nd t he gr ea t oc ea n i n a ll i ts m oo ds . I h ad l az ed be ne at h t he oa ks of gr ea t f or es tsa nd d ri ft ed l ik e a l os t d in gh y a cr os s s ea s o f g ra ss . H ow m an y p ri nc es se s c ou ld b oa st o f a s m uc h?

A nd n ow I m us t t ur n f ro m a ll o f t ha t t o s tr ug gl e i n s ec re t, s mi li ng w ar fa re a mo ng t he g re at a nd

powerful for those elusive intangibles of influence and prestige and national interest. This was not the life I

w ou ld h av e c ho se n f or m ys el f. B ut w ho c ho os es t he ir l ive s? W e c an o nl y d o o ur b es t w it h t he p os it io ns

we 'r e bo rn t o a nd t he gi ft s we 'r e gi ve n. Pe rha ps I mi ght , i f I wa s ve ry c ar ef ul , e sc ape wi th a t l ea st s ome

small essential core of myself uncorrupted.

An d v er y f ew p ri nc es se s c ou ld s ay t ha t.



A bo ut t h e A ut h or

Outdoorswoman Claudia J. Edwards enjoys riding, shooting, fishing, and raising half-Arabian

h or se s w it h h er h us ba nd o n t he ir r an ch i n A ri zo na . S he i s a f or me r P ea ce C or ps v ol un te er a nd i s n ow a

f ou rt h- gr ad e t ea ch er . E ld ri e t he H ea le r i s t he f ir st b oo k o f h er B as ta rd P ri nc es s s er ie s.

claudia j. edwards - bastard princess 01 - eldrie the healer

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