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Egremont smiled gently, knowingly. “The gift she has given us all has only just begun."
Bron rested back, looking at his master sage with pleading eyes. She'd been weak for so long. She'd lost so much blood. She'd been near death, and so had he. His heart had been ripped asunder, watching her this way. “What she did,” he murmured, “what she gave for our freedom from tyranny, it was so selfless."
"The spirit of summer is truly within her. Together you will create the new order."
Bron scrutinized the old man. “You knew all along that she held the key, that she would bring the birth of the new order?"
"I hoped. It was important for you that the answers were not all obvious. You had to seek them, find them. You had
to make them."
"And Veldor?"
"He was part of the chain. If he had not been there ... she would not have been able to fulfill the acts of love and faith. You all played your part."
Bron shook his head. Regret for Veldor, Cale, and the other men rested heavily within him. “I couldn't bring myself to kill him, when I had the chance. Now I know why."
Felicita stood behind Bron, rested a comforting hand on his shoulder. “Things could have gone a different way, don't blame yourself, Bron. Veldor chose his path."
Bron considered the words. “The new order is truly upon us,” he said thoughtfully, “a time of security and happiness for Edren?"
Egremont nodded. “Edren has been surrounded by dark shadows for long enough.” He smiled. “Trust in Maerose's strength to overcome this. She will make a fine elder, Bron."
His heart lifted and he nodded, clinging to those hopeful words.
* * * *
A draught of air passed over her, and Maerose felt her hair tease against her cheek. She lifted a heavy hand, pushing the hair away, and stretched her stiff limbs. Blinking, it was Bron that she saw first. She smiled and as she did the look of concern in his eyes melted into relief.
"How do you feel?” He stroked the back of his hand across her forehead and she knew that he'd done that many times while she slept.
"Weary."
"You are healing from a dangerous wound, my love. It will take time."
"Where am I?"
"You are at The Settle, at Western Tor."
As she looked at him, she felt grateful just to see him again. He had become everything to her. “I could not bear to lose you,” she whispered, her heart tightening in her chest.
"Nor I you.” His voice was ragged with emotion. He lifted her fingers to his mouth and kissed them, his eyes closing. He took a deep breath and then smiled. “Look, have you seen who else is here?"
Moving her head, she saw her sister Russet and her father sitting on the other side of the bed. Russet rose to her feet and leaned over to kiss her forehead. “You were so brave, Maerose."
"You were that, our lass.” Her father's eyes welled with tears.
Russet's eyes rounded. “We heard it, in Riversbend. The sky lit up in the middle of the night and we thought the world was coming to an end."
Maerose chuckled. “I warrant we all thought that, for a moment there."
"Let her rest, Russet,” her father interjected. “There will be time for talk soon enough."
Maerose looked back to Bron. Beyond him a woman in elder robes stood in the doorway. The woman lifted her fingers and nodded, smiling. Maerose recognized her as the one who had nursed her, together with Bron.
"How does The Strangeling fare now?” she whispered.
Bron smiled. “If you feel strong enough, I will show you in the visior pool."
