Her breath caught in her throat at the weariness in his voice. But then to her surprise, he started to chuckle.
“Ah, but I know you, Seer.” He pulled back, and gripped her shoulders, looking at her with quiet mirth. “Is that ‘soon’ as a mountain understands time? Or an elf? Or as a fruit-fly would define it?”
Kalynn shook her head at his mirth. “I know not,” she admitted to his laughter. “But Wolfe, I haveseen. This must be.”
She tapped the parchment, and they both looked at the picture of a man, scarred and horribly burned.
Wolfe grew even more thoughtful. “This is what you’ve seen?”
“Yes,” Kalynn confirmed. Bile rose in her throat, but she knew the truth of her vision. “It must come to be. We must make it come to be. If what was lost is to be restored, this must happen. At our hands if need be.”
Wolfe sighed. “I do not doubt you, Seer.”
She reached out to cup his cheek.
“When?” Wolfe asked.
“I—” she answered without having to think. “There’s time.”
“How far?” he rose, studying the sketch.
“Far,” she answered, looking off at the horizon. “Perhaps too far for us to be there in time.”
“It would help if the visions were a bit more specific,” Wolfe said dryly.
“It will come when it needs to be,” Kalynn rose.
“The absence of magic means no portals,” Wolfe said. “We must gather supplies, get out the riding leathers. We’ll get Charrin on his way, and then start preparations. If it can be done, it will be, Kalynn.” He reached out his hand to help her rise. “What brought this to you now, I wonder?”
“I am not sure,” Kalynn whispered. “But Warna’s been touched by its wings.”
Chapter Fourteen
Verice always had to re-orient himself to the right time of day and weather when he returned from a visit to Wolfe’s. He blinked in the afternoon light, and tried to ignore Narthing’s raised eyebrow when he emerged from the bakery with Warna, her basket and the dogs in tow.
“Back to the castle, m’lord?” Narthing asked, as Brindle reared up, planted his forepaws on Narthing’s shoulders and licked his face.
“Yes.” Verice handed Warna’s basket off to a warrior. The dogs milled about their legs, tongues hanging out. “Warna will return with us.”
Narthing raised both eyebrows at that.
“By her own choice,” Verice said.
Warna flashed them both a smile as she mounted.
“As you wish, m’lord.” Narthing signaled, and the others mounted as well.
Verice settled into his saddle, gathering the reins, gesturing them to start. They’d pick up the rest of the company as they rode, retracing their steps back to the castle. He didn’t have to give it much thought; the path and routine was a familiar one. No, his thoughts were free to focus on the woman riding next to him.
What had he been thinking?
If the visit to Wolfe’s tower had been a military campaign it would have been a disaster. He’d known that Wolfe and Kalynn would open their arms to her; they offered shelter to any in need, but he should have anticipated Charrin’s rage. He’d been a fool to go there blindly, thinking that Charrin would treat any human well.
The horses were walking at a steady beat, their hooves ringing on the road. The dogs ran all around the horses, their tongues lolling out, their nails clicking on the stones. The rhythmic sounds made it easy to stare at his reins and think.
Warna was a distraction from his purpose. Verice shook his head. He’d allowed her brown eyes and lovely voice to come between him and his obligations. The fact that she was a genuinely nice human was also a factor. Still, there was no excuse.
Verice glanced over to see her looking around at the buildings lining the street. Hopefully Charrin’s remarks wouldn’t cause her to abandon her songs. He’d been too harsh a critic.
