"He is Keeper of Souls, Lord Varien," said Erianss respectfully. "Surely that is more than one soul should be asked to do."
"It is, Erianss, you speak truly, and I had considered it. I therefore would ask Shikrar to surrender his position as Keeper of Souls to his son Kédra, who has already shown a facility for the Kin-Summoning and a constant and deep respect for all life."
There was a silence, broken at last by Shikrar in the Language of Truth. "These are deep matters and will require much thought and much time. For the moment, if it is agreeable to the Council, I will remain as I am and guide the discussions as Eldest, which is not open to debate.'' There was some scattered laughter. ''In any case, both Lord Varien and the Lady Lanen must soon leave us to go east with the rest of the Gedrishakrim. Has the Council considered the Word of the Winds regarding Lanen Maransdatter?"
Somehow I had never thought of my fate being different from Varien's. Just for a moment my heart dropped to the pit of my stomach.
''The Winds have spoken, Shikrar, and we dare not ignore their words,'' said a voice in my mind, and I turned in surprise to Idai. "She is the beloved of our King, and for her sake the Winds have given him new life in the shape of the Gedrishakrim. How then should we speak against the Winds? It is my thought that she be honoured as Varien's beloved, and sent back to her people with him.''
I held my breath. After some few minutes of silence, Shikrar said, "Is there a voice to dissent?"
None spoke. Shikrar turned to me and bowed, that lovely sinuous wave of his long neck. "Be well, Lady Lanen, and go with the blessing of the Kantrishakrim," he said aloud in my own language.
"I thank you all, O people of my beloved,'' I said, finally breadiing again. ''Never has one of my race been so honoured, and never blessing was more precious.'' I turned to Idai, my eyes awash with unshed tears. ''And to you, lady, I say that more generous soul never lived.''
"Be thou then as generous in thy love to him who was Akhor, Lanen Maransdatter, for that thou dost love him for us both,'' she said privately to me, the formality of her words a seal and a benison. "And remember also that distance is no hindrance to truespeech. Shouldst thou need me, here am I.''
I bowed to her. "I hear thee, lady, and will remember.''
I stood on the dais as I had hundreds of times and gazed deep into the eyes of my people. I knew well that I would never stand before them all again.
"Be well, my Kindred," I said, working to keep deep sadness out of my truespeech. ''Prosper and be well, and strive ever to restore the Lost, as shall I. O my people, my Kindred— know that the love of him who was your King is with you ever. In the name of the Winds, my people, I bid you farewell.''
I bowed one last time and stepped carefully down from the dais. Unaided, I walked slowly down the aisle they made for me, gazing at each in turn as I passed—then through the long dark passage and, finally, out under the stars.
XX
LANEN THE WANDERER
That Lord Akhor lived, in whatever guise, banished the raw wound of grief I had borne since hearing of his death, and left me rejoicing. When my father told me of the Council's final decision, I was astounded, and found hope in my heart for my people at last. At dusk, when the Lady Rella came once more to the Boundary, I answered her summons swiftly, my heart light with wonder and a reckless delight.
"Kédra, old son," said Rella, "the ship's Master is not going to wait for her forever. He's leaving at dawn and that's flat. I did my best, even suggested that we all come back ashore to get more lansip, but they're all spooked and won't come near for fear of DRAGONS." The way she said the word made me laugh. "Aye, I know, but true enough they'll leave without her sure unless she's at the landing before dawn."
"I thank you, Lady Rella, and I have a boon to ask. The Lady Lanen has asked that she might speak with you—will you come?''
She looked up at me with a curious arrangement of her features. Her Attitude seemed to have something of distrust in it. "You'll return me here in time, will you? Whatever she wants is her own affair, but I mean to be on that ship when it leaves."
"You have my word, lady," I answered, bowing. "Will you walk, or shall I bear you upon the Winds?''
Her eyes widened. "Fly? You'll take me with you while you fly?" As best I could tell she was well pleased with the prospect. ''How? Shall I sit where I did before?''
"No, lady. I bore Lanen thus aloft, but only of desperate necessity, and my neck aches yet. If you will permit, I shall carry you." I felt a curious sensation as I took her carefully in my hands. Her weight was barely noticeable, though my balance changed of course. It was the feel of it, though, that took me by surprise.
How should so new, so unheard-of a thing, feel so customary and so right?
I was terrified by the idea, but how could I refuse such a chance? "Very well," I said as he gathered me into his front claws. Oddly enough, it felt safe. "Now what?"
"Take hold of my hands and hold tight," he said. I'd barely taken hold when he launched himself into the air. It was better and worse than when he had run so swiftly with both Lanen and me on his neck. Scared witless and enjoying every moment, I held on like grim death until he came to ground again. I felt like a child, every dream of flying come true. It had been too short a trip, I didn't want it to end.
We landed in front of a cave (he had to drop me a little way to the ground so he could land).
Firelight flickered from within, and when we entered I recognised it as the same one I had gone into before. Shikrar was there, a golden patch on his shoulder gleaming in the firelight, along with the other Dragon I remembered seeing on the battlefield.
"They are not here yet, lady, but they should not be long," I said to Rella.
"Who else are we expecting?" she asked. "I wouldn't think many more Dragons would fit in here."
I found my mouth closed with wonder, I could not answer her, for there at the cave mouth entered the Lady Lanen, and on her arm—Name of the Winds, I could see it in his eyes. I had heard the words of the Council, but I had not yet seen.
It was Akhor become human.
I was surprised to find Rella waiting for us. She seemed a bit confused, as well she might be.
"Who are you, lord?" she asked, looking at Varien. She spoke in her true voice, with little accent. She seemed to feel instinctively the awe that surrounded Varien, and he still wore the circlet that Shikrar had made.
"Rella, you are welcome here. I am called Varien," he said simply. "Come, stand by the fire and be warmed."
She approached cautiously, looking from me to him. "Kédra told me you wanted to see me," she said at last, forcing herself to look at me. "What do you want? I came to tell you that the ship leaves at dawn tomorrow no matter who is or isn't on it."
"I was afraid something like that would happen," I said. ''I was going to ask you to scare up some spare clothing for Varien from the ship's stores. It doesn't look as if we're going to have enough time for that."
I turned to Varien. I hated to say it, but it had to be said. "Dear heart, could you bear to leave so soon? I was hoping to persuade the ship's Master to stay on for a time while you got used to—things, but it doesn't sound like he's going to listen."