“I thought the child was staying with you.”
She smiled faintly. “She sleeps here. Finally understands propriety, at least in a place like the Keep. But no, she’s bonded with M’Baddah, and he’s very fond of her. I’m… I’m glad for the child. She’ll be happy with him, and safe, I think.”
Silence, but a comfortable one. Eddis looked up to see Blorys watching her, his eyes warm. “You said you had a plan?”
He blinked. “Oh—oh, that. Yes. Panev is readying to journey on east, and he’s looking for an escort. I know,” he added with a small laugh as she shook her head. “No more guarding, I said, and I mean it. But this would be one way only, and for my own purposes. You know that the realm used to trade with the lands to the east.”
“Of course. Trading silks and other rare fabrics. It always sounded to me like the kind of fable that grows up when the truth has been lost.”
“Sounds it, but I spoke with Ferec yesterday. The old records from Macsen’s days show that silk and emeralds were traded here, and fine pottery. Maybe those people have fallen on hard times as well. If we went there, we’d know, wouldn’t we?”
Silence.
“Think of it. Not the wealth, we both have plenty of that. But new lands, new faces. Maybe a chance to begin trade for the Keep once again, now that the road’s fairly clear.”
He stood, gripped her shoulder gently. “I need to go see to the horses. Decide whether to sell Jerdren’s gelding or keep him as a pack animal.”
Silence.
“I won’t press you for an answer now, Eddis. Think about it, though. Please?”
She nodded.
“Don’t rush it. We have time.” He hesitated a brief moment, then turned and left.
Eddis gazed down at her hands. The room felt empty without him. Time. Jerdren thought he had all the time there was—until it was too late. She jumped to her feet, leaned out the doorway. Blor was already out of sight, then she saw him striding toward the smithy’s.
“Blorys! Blor!” Her voice echoed, and he turned around as she ran toward him. “I… you don’t need to wait. It’s all right.” The rest of the words wouldn’t come.
He took her hand in both his. “You’ll come with me? Friends? I won’t ask more.”
“No,” she said. “I know what I want.” Her face felt flushed. “Besides, you’re good at guarding my side.”
He smiled and leaned forward to kiss her. “Four horses, then,” he said. “Unless you think we can manage with one packhorse between us.”
She smiled back. “Four. Just make sure that you don’t get me one named Feather!”
She turned and ran back to her room, her heart suddenly much lighter. East might be an error, or guarding that grim priest once again might be. It might be a serious mistake getting anywhere near those caves again, however briefly. But they’d come through all right. The two of them. Wherever they finally chose to go.