Charrin grimaced, keeping a wary eye on Wolfe. “Seer Kalynn, I—”
Kalynn interrupted. “Wolfe and I offered you sanctuary while you were recovering from the assault. I had also hoped to heal your heart as well, but it would seem that will take you more time.”
Charrin went stiff. “It would seem I have offended you. But—”
“You have,” Wolfe growled.
“You were rude to Warna,” Kalynn shot Wolfe a hard glance, keeping her voice low and firm. “Wolfe and I will not tolerate such a lack of courtesy in our home.”
“I ask your forgiveness,” Charrin said. “I was taken by surprise at Verice’s appearance.”
“We accept your apology,” Kalynn said.
Wolfe threw his hands up in the air.
“But even so,” Kalynn continued. “The time has come for you to take up your life.”
There was a long moment of silence. For an instant, Charrin felt stricken, bereft. But he straightened, his pride reasserting itself. Clearly, they did not understand his pain, his anguish. He inclined his head. “I’ve had many invitations from the Great Houses. The King of Valltera himself has asked for my services.”
“It’s time to emerge from your isolation, Charrin. A bard needs his audience,” Kalynn said. “Wolfe will open a portal to aid your journey, wherever you decide to go. By noon tomorrow, shall we say?”
“I thank you for your care, Lady Kalynn.” Charrin rose. “I’ll withdraw now, and consider my options.”
“On the morrow, then,” Kalynn watched as he left, his steps slow but certain. “But Charrin—”
He stopped at the stairs, about to start down.
“The possibilities swirl around you, Charrin,” Kalynn said. “‘Ware your choices.”
Charrin didn’t turn back, but headed for the stairs with a slow and steady pace. He’d go, certainly. To where others shared his pain and grief. And would aid him to revenge.
Kalynn settled backinto her chair with a sigh. There was a heaviness within her, a feeling building behind her eyes.
Wolfe eyed the stairs, waiting a bit before he spoke. “You handled that well,” he said softly. “Better than I would have, that’s certain sure.”
“Perhaps.” Kalynn shook her head, feeling the heaviness settling on her shoulders. “I’d hoped to help him release his hate. But it festers too deep for my skills.”
“He lost his love.” Wolfe came up behind her, putting his hands on her shoulders. “That’s not a hurt that heals easily.”
Kalynn sighed and leaned back into his warmth. “Beloved, aseeingis upon me.”
She felt him tense then, going serious and still. “What do you need?” he whispered.
“My sketching supplies,” she whispered back, and heard his movement as the heaviness grew behind her eyes. It washed over her, dragging her down. She felt Wolfe’s hand as he placed parchment and charcoal in her hands before moving the table closer.
Then the power claimed her, and she knew nothing but the dark visions of fire and horror that emerged from the depths of her mind. Her hands moved. She could feel the grit of the paper, and the fine dust on her fingers.
When she returned to herself, Wolfe was kneeling at her side with an anxious look and a cool cloth for her face.
He gave her a moment before he spoke. “What have you seen, flame of my heart?”
“The time is almost upon us. It will be soon,” her hand shook as she wiped her face.
“Here,” Wolfe took the cloth, and stoked her cheeks. “Rest first,”
“No,” Kalynn reached for him and he came into her arms even at that awkward angle. “The time has come and there is that which might be, and that which must be.”
“One never really knows all the consequences of one’s actions,” Wolfe sighed into her neck, his breath warm on her skin. “For good or ill.”
