And upon wherever one was going.
Wynn’s thoughts began wandering again. How would Magiere, Leesil, and Chap fare on their journey to the Isle of Wrêdelyd and beyond? How was Osha doing? Had he been sad to have to leave her so quickly?
She pushed that thought away. Osha was a serious tangle out of her past, and, much as she shamefully missed him now, it was better not to face such confusions amid the task ahead.
Wynn sighed, staring blankly at the pile of scattered maps.
“Oh, dead deities!” she whispered, and then, “This isn’t going to work tonight. Come on, Shade, let’s go find Chane.”
Together they left the library through the north doorway. They passed the opposing archways of the kitchens and the common hall. Therein the great hearth at the common hall’s rear still burned with low flames now that the hall was empty. Even that inviting sight didn’t appeal to Wynn, with too many things on her mind that she didn’t want to face. As if guessing, Shade trotted out ahead, and Wynn followed around the corner as they headed off for the main doors to the courtyard.
Shade waited as Wynn pushed the left door open, and the dog slipped out ahead. But when Wynn followed, she found Shade had halted just outside. Wynn stopped instantly as well when she saw what Shade was staring at.
Two tall figures, a good distance apart in the courtyard, were facing each other. The closest of the two was Chane, his back to the doors.
But there in the gatehouse tunnel’s shadow stood a second tall figure, cloaked and hooded, with a strung bow over one shoulder with its handle forward. A quiver of black-feathered arrows protruded above his other shoulder next to the end of a long and narrow bundle strapped to his chest with twine.
Wynn would have known him anywhere.
Osha brushed back his hood.
Flames in the great iron braziers upon the gatehouse above him made his white-blond hair shimmer with flickers of fiery orange. Large amber eyes in his long, dark-toned face returned the same burning intensity as he fixed upon Chane.
Osha was here and hadn’t left with the others ... and so was Chane.
Osha shrugged his shoulder sharply. The bow slid off and dropped. He snatched its handle without even looking and raised it slightly, still eyeing Chane, though he hadn’t yet reached for an arrow.
Wynn fought to breathe, not knowing which of them she feared for the most.