Sath sat, relishing the warmth of the kitchen, and just the fact of being indoors after nearly three full days in the elements. He didn’t have long to wait before a squeal sounded in the hall and bounding around a corner came Beth, running as fast as she could. She was followed closely by Samantha. The little one took no notice of Afton’s presence and continued her run, glancing back to see if her older sister was still following. Sam, however, had come up short when she spotted the stranger sitting at the table. It took her several moments before she recognized the haggard looking man before her.
“Uncle?” she asked as if trying to convince herself. Sath smiled.
“Samantha, you are growing into a truly lovely young woman,” he said, meaning it. She was tall, with a thin willowy frame. Her nose was maybe a bit too wide and her mouth a bit too large, but she had a full head of long, thick russet brown hair. It was her shining feature and framed the flawless white skin of her face perfectly. But what truly caught his attention were her bright, almost luminous, green eyes, which now sparkled with friendliness. Sath immediately worried that such beauty was not an asset in a conquered country and he feared that Samantha would grow to rue her looks before all was put right once more.
“Uncle!” Beth yelled finally spotting the old man sitting in the kitchen. She had stopped running immediately after discovering she was no longer being chased. She approached her Uncle confidently as Samantha moved forward and hugged Sath.
“You escaped,” Samantha stated in disbelief. “We heard that Solarii had fallen, that the King and all…that everyone close to the royal family had been killed.”
“Uncle,” Beth repeated and grabbed hold of Sath dirty sleeve. She tugged at it incessantly not willing to be ignored. Sath looked down at her and grinned.
“Well hello little Beth,” he said wanting to pick her up, but unable to trust his strength just yet. He had gone several days without food now and he was no longer young. He satisfied himself by sitting down again and pulling her into a loose embrace.
Beth endured the hug, then stepped back wrinkling her nose at his smell. “Would you like some sugared biscuits?” she asked.
“Beth!” Samantha said loudly.
“I would, I would,” Sath answered at the same moment, smiling.
“Me too, but we don’t have any,” Beth answered holding her hands up, showing him they were empty.
Sath sat silent, stunned for a long moment, then broke into a chuckle.
“It is a new trick of hers,” a voice said from the door, and Sath looked up to see Thomas standing there. Their eyes met, sharing their danger and worry.
“Sam, take Beth to bed and send Murl in here. We have a guest who is hungry.”
Samantha, though she wanted to stay more than anything at the moment, scooped up her sister and left the room without a word.
“I thought Sam was Elizabeth at first,” Sath said when she’d gone.
Thomas frowned, a look of pride and hurt mixed together on his face. “At times I become confused myself,” he answered and then his frown deepened. “You can not stay,” he added, and sat next to Sath. He reached out and took Sath’s left hand in his, to try to soften his words.
“I know,” Sath answered. “I’m only planning on a few days and then I will head for Koshka.”
“Koshka?”
Sath nodded. “It is close enough to the mountains for escape if need be, and far enough from the Scar Ridge that it is not likely to get much notice from the Zani. If you are to send any of our passing soldiers to find me, send them there.”
Thomas nodded then gave a forced smile. “I’m glad you came. Tell me everything,” Thomas said as Murl, the best cook in three counties entered, and greeted the former Weapons Master of Massi.
IV
Gwaynn was dressing in clothes given to him by the doctor when the High Tar of Noble Island entered the room.
“Ah, you are awake already. That is good. I am Amon. I would like to walk with you,” he said standing before Gwaynn, who studied him silently. The High Tar was old, but not ancient. He had long silvery hair, tied behind him in a single tail, as was the style of the Tars. He was not overly tall, but neither was he short. His skin was deeply tanned and had some wrinkles, but there was evidence of muscle beneath the skin, though he looked neither quick nor strong. His bright crystal blue eyes were the only feature even remarkable about him; otherwise he looked like any number of men past their prime and heading quickly toward old age.
Gwaynn said nothing, suddenly nervous, but the High Tar waited patiently for him to finish dressing.
“You are feeling better?” Amon asked as he led the way of out of the room. Gwaynn looked about curiously. He arrived at the infirmary unconscious and had not left the room since his arrival. He was surprised to find that the door to his room opened into a much larger one, containing a great number of beds, two of which were currently occupied by young men, both of whom stared at Gwaynn with curiosity. Amon paid them no mind and silently led Gwaynn across the room and out a set of double doors.
They stepped outside and into the beginning of a bright and beautiful day. Gwaynn blinked at the sunshine, not accustomed to its’ intensity after nearly a week indoors. Amon led him down a manicured path of small pebbles, and silently let the boy study his current surroundings. There were numerous buildings in the immediate area, most in the opposite direction from which they were heading. All of them were made of stone, and newly white washed. Most were smaller than the infirmary, but one was much grander. It was on the far side of the courtyard, and was several stories tall. Four mighty columns supported the portico, and carved into the eave, near the top were several statues of what Gwaynn took to be past Masters.
Amon, however, was leading him away from the courtyard. They headed down a steep incline toward the beach and the sea beyond. Now, without the chasing Zani, or the threatening storm, the Inland Sea was beautiful beyond words. The water was calm; a clear blue-green with small waves gently breaking on the white sands below. The sea seemed so tranquil that Gwaynn found it hard to believe that just a week ago, this same sea was trying desperately to kill him.
“You are feeling better?” Amon asked once more when they reached the sand. They walked toward the water and then turned south.
Gwaynn suddenly realized that the High Tar had already asked him this question once, and that he had not answered. He felt his face grow hot.
“Yes…yes I’m feeling much better. Thank you,” Gwaynn answered.
“I am glad,” Amon replied. They walked a good distance in silence, Gwaynn just waiting for the Tar to speak once more. Amon smiled after a bit. Pugg was correct. The boy was very reserved.
“You have been with us over a week now,” Amon began, and Gwaynn became suddenly alert. “But you are healing rapidly. It will soon be time for you to go.”