“Has it really only been a few days?” Asha asked. She stared into the fire, trying to count how many days had passed since Priya had died. She couldn’t tell. It felt like an eternity apart, a life lived by another woman in another land, another age. “Wren, I’m sorry I couldn’t bring Omar back to you. But I stand by my promise. I won’t leave you alone.”
Wren smiled down at Jagdish. “I’m a big girl. As soon as I can walk again, I’ll be just fine. I won’t hold you to that promise.”
“Why not?” Asha looked at her. “Don’t you still want to see the world?”
“Sure.”
“Do you want to learn new ways to heal people?”
“Of course.”
“Good.” Asha nodded at her. “I could use an apprentice. Or at least someone to carry my mongoose and to criticize my outlook on life. Interested?”
“Very,” Wren said with a smile. “Thank you.”
“And then there’s you.” Asha peered across the table at Gideon. “You’re not much good in a fight, are you? No weapons at all, and your skills are centuries out of date. You’re not even immortal anymore.”
“I guess not.” He grinned sheepishly. “But I can carry heavy things, and look intimidating when there are unpleasant people around.”
“Good enough.” Asha held out her hand. “You’re hired. You won’t get paid, you’ll sleep outside, and you’ll eat whatever we can find on the road.”
“On the road?” he asked, shaking her hand. “Where are we going?”
“Everywhere. There are still a lot of people out there who need help.” Asha leaned back in her seat and looked thoughtfully into the fire. “There’s no rush though. It’s a big world. There are still a few immortals and seireikens out there, too. And besides, I hear there’s a whole other temple in Nippon. But then, there’s no need to worry about that. We already know what happens when I find one of these temples, don’t we?”
They smiled, and called the waiter over to order lunch.
Asha looked at Gideon, and then at Wren.
They aren’t you, Priya, not nearly. But they’re good people, and we’re going to do good things together. And you know what?
Asha smiled.
That’s all that matters. That’s all I want.