CHAPTER 34

Mir clicked his tongue amiably and urged his horses to take a faster pace. Ceraf had been driving all morning and they had switched after stopping for a hot noon meal so he could take a nap in the wagon. They were in no rush to get back to their plantation, but by Mir's calculations they could make it back before sundown if he could move their lazy pack-beasts to a pace faster than snail.

The trip back from Valdemar had been uneventful. They only stayed long enough at the trader's autumn faire so Ceraf could put his business acumen to work, and Mir had spent most every day with Juelian. Once she even introduced him to one of the companions, and he had been allowed to pat the large stallion, but then grew very nervous and couldn't do more than that.

He still remembered her weeping with shame as she sent them off, making them promise not to tell anyone she was a sentimental fool. Their parting wasn't as difficult this time as it had been previously though, knowing they were close enough that they could see each other again.

And her ominous warnings that she would be calling upon them soon.

"Sirs! Sirs!"

The sun was winking below the horizon and their fields were in view. Mir could see a small cloud of dust and one of their hired hands pounding up the road to meet them. Ceraf woke with a groan, stirring in the back of the wagon to see what was amiss.

Mir hurried along so they could meet their hired man, who breathlessly said, "Sirs, there is a missus waiting for you at the house."

Ceraf and Mir shared a puzzled look.

Their man continued. "She asked for you, Mir. She said you were her father."

"Miryam..."

"She has a little boy with her."

...his name is Martyn. Can you believe I'm a grandfather? Ceraf teases me and calls me Old Graybeard now. I don't think he will ever stop finding it amusing.

She was working as a lady's maid in a noble house, but when she came with child she was turned out. Miryam has been looking for me ever since, the boy's father would not help her. She helps keep house now, mending clothes, doing chores and cooking. Thank the gods we don't have to eat Ceraf's cooking now...or mine.

It is...odd, heart-sister. There is still a great distance between us, I have never known my daughter. She is still cold with me and I cannot fault her. She has been abandoned by everyone who should have helped her, but I am trying to do good by her now. Martyn though, is young enough that he enjoys playing with and teasing his 'granther'. He looks nothing like me, gods be praised!

Juelian felt her eyes moisten and hastily wiped them away. Mir finally had everything he had longed for, a family. Her heart swelled with joy that there was so much happiness in his life now, but it also ached. She wanted so much to be there. His letters contained pictures of a life of idyllic bliss, surrounded by his best friend and newly reunited family, living on honest means far away from prying eyes...

Part of her wanted to burn the letter, but instead she folded it carefully and tucked it away into the leather pouch she kept her opium. Almost without thinking, she filled a glass syringe and began to tie off her arm with a strip of cloth.

Alberich was going full speed in a sparring bout with the captain of the city guard, and in any situation like that he was fully focused on the task at hand. However, even in the heat of combat, he was also aware of his surroundings and noticed Juelian leaving the salle and going into Companion's Field.

She came and went as she pleased, and by now the students and anyone else he trained had grown used to her presence. She didn't often leave when he was in the middle of teaching or training, however, as she avoided the trainees when possible. No one liked being scrutinized, especially one as secretive as her.

He couldn't worry about that at the moment though. The captain of the guard was a battle-seasoned veteran like him, and though their styles were vastly different, he was operating on a self-enforced handicap today by using his sword in his off hand.

It was only after the sparring bout was done and he walked a lap around the salle grounds to cool, that he noticed she was in a secluded corner of the field with Kantor, and if what he felt through their bond was accurate, she was weeping.

:I realize I have not asked you this before...:

He felt Kantor's presence stir in his mind. :Yes, Chosen?:

:What do you think of her?:

He felt Kantor consider the question carefully, organizing his thoughts. They were very similar in this way, both great believers in thinking before one spoke.

:That if ever there was a demon bitch too stubborn even for hell, she must have been the one they spit up. And that you two are very much alike.:

Alberich snorted in derision. He could feel Kantor chuckling at his expense.

:She does remind me very much of you though, Chosen. Stubborn, willful, and proud. I do not mind her.:

:She confides in you often...:

He could already feel Kantor sensing his misgivings and stamping out his doubts. :And I will keep her confidences until they could ever bring harm to you. Which none so far have. She is lonely. I think it comforts her to speak to me. And to ask questions about you she would never approach you with herself.:

Alberich was a little surprised at that. :What is she curious about?:

This time he could feel the very distinctive tone of mischief in his companions' mind voice.

:That would be telling. Nothing embarrassing...well, not too embarrassing...:

Alberich scowled and gave his companion a mental swat.

"She's over there."

Alberich merely lifted an eyebrow. The tavern owner looked grateful to see him and looked as if he wanted to vent his spleen, but the closed granite look on Alberich's face had him rushing back inside.

Alberich walked inside to see the damage done. There were a few smashed clay mugs, some knife gouges on the wooden tables and Juelian passed out on the floor. Honestly, it seemed half-hearted coming from her.

He nudged her none too gently with the toe of his boot and she groaned. "Get up, you disgrace."

Her only response was to moan again and he grabbed the back of her shirt, hauling her to her feet. She swayed and clumsily swung at him. Sighing, he grasped hold of her arm and frogmarched her out of the tavern. Kantor was already waiting outside and he hauled her up onto his companion's back.

"Blasted demon horses...and their chiming hooves..." she grasped her head, obviously wracked with the mother of all hangovers. "...it's like knives stabbing into my head."

Kantor beat a tattoo on the cobblestones with his hind legs to taunt her and she growled in annoyance. Alberich had to keep a hand on his shoulder so she wouldn't slide off.

"Now, you've been in a funk for a week now. You might as well tell me what has you in such a foul mood."

Juelian's face closed up, that stubbornness again, but then she deflated with a sigh.

"Don't you have some nights you just want to get drunk and hit someone?"

Alberich knew it wasn't the heart of the matter, but it was more honest than she would have usually been. He merely nodded and squeezed her shoulder. To his great surprise her hand found his and squeezed back.