"Elation!" Derian said, stroking lightly along her head and back feathers with his index finger. "Fierce Joy in Flight! I thought you'd gone forever!"
He had to swallow hard then to stop a sudden welling of emotion that was quite unmanly—there might even have been tears.
Elation purled and chuckled deep in her throat in response, and Derian felt certain that the sounds were more than meaningless expressions of contentment. As with Blind Seer, he had ample reason to think that Elation understood him far better than he did her.
"Well, I'm glad to see you, too," the young man said. "You look well fed, so I'll hazard you've been taking care of yourself as usual. Let me close the window."
He did so, noting that the drizzle was rapidly turning into steady rainfall.
"I hope that Firekeeper and Blind Seer have the sense to come in out of the rain," he said to the falcon, "but who can say with those two."
Elation flapped her wings slightly, perhaps to shake off the raindrops, but Derian couldn't help but feel that she was commenting on the incomprehensible motives of wolves.
"I was just packing," he said. "King Tedric departs tomorrow for home and Earl Kestrel is too mindful of opportunity not to leave with him. We'll go slowly, for Queen Elexa's health must be looked after. I think the king will be glad to have the earl's entourage added to his own. Counting myself—though I'm not certain Earl Kestrel would—we'll add four good fighters to the company, and Valet is priceless when matters of personal comfort are in question."
Derian kept talking, enjoying the peregrine's listening silence. "And then there is Firekeeper. She cannot be overlooked. Blind Seer will terrify the horses, and Firekeeper herself will run off into the night, causing comment and gossip. Still, though we travel through territory that is technically friendly, I will be happier knowing that she is there scouting for us. Race Forester has a human perspective and that means he trusts sometimes. I don't think Firekeeper ever trusts a stranger."
This time the falcon did reply, a thin, peeping noise that Derian was at a loss to interpret.
He continued packing in relative silence for a bit, but whereas before his thoughts had been his company, now he simply relaxed into happiness that the peregrine had returned. Perhaps because he hadn't wanted the loss to hurt, he hadn't let himself admit how much he had been worried about her.
City born and bred though Derian was, he had been given ample opportunity to see how the nobles valued a good hawk. That Elation was superlative went without saying. He had seen the covetous glances she had attracted back when the armies were gathered at the twin towns of Hope and Good Crossing.
For all his recent honors, Derian knew himself a commoner and knew there were those who wouldn't think him worthy of such a bird. That the bird had chosen him, not the other way around, would matter not at all. Most would not believe the truth if they were told it, and those few who did would probably not be among those who would covet another's possession.
But as real as the possibility that Elation had been interred in some alien mews, snapping at her keeper and tearing at jesses twined around her ankles, this had not been what Derian truly feared. It had seemed far more likely to him that as whimsically as the bird had taken a fancy to him, she could grow bored. After all, she had arrived with Firekeeper, transferred her attentions to him, and now, quite possibly, some third party or interest had lured her away.
And now Elation had returned and sat drowsing by his fire, leaving the occasional line of hawk chalk to be scrubbed from his coat and his floor. Derian could not have been more content.
A thumping on his door broke his tranquility.
"Come in," he called, and the door was flung open and Firekeeper and Blind Seer romped in.
Both were bedewed with raindrops and panting hard, but they seemed to have escaped the worst of the rain. Firekeeper, Derian noted, was barefoot.
"Where are your boots, Lady Blysse?" he asked sternly.
She turned to him, all wide-eyed innocence.
"They were tugged off by the mud. The forest floor is wet and full of wet places. I stepped in one before I know what it is and away go the boot."
"Boot?"
"I could not run in just one, could I? I left the other for the creatures to chew on."
"Those boots," Derian said with a sigh, "cost what a good farmer might earn in a year. You are absolutely incorrigible."
"What that?" Firekeeper asked, honestly perplexed.
"Never mind. It wasn't a compliment."
While they had been talking, Firekeeper had been shaking off the worst of the rain from her hair and combing the damp locks into some sort of order with her spread fingers. It didn't seem to bother her that her vest and breeches were wet and, as the leather had been treated to shed water, they probably weren't too uncomfortable.
Blind Seer, fortunately, had apparently shaken off earlier, probably all over the guards in the courtyard, who would have been too scared to protest.
Derian noted that neither woman nor wolf seemed surprised to see Elation there and surmised that the falcon had sought them out first.
"Derian," Firekeeper said, sitting herself in front of the fire with Blind Seer next to her—the room promptly became suffused with the odor of damp dog—"I have a problem. Elation tell me that I am wanted back home."
"Home?" For a moment Derian was puzzled; then he understood. "You mean with the wolves?"
Firekeeper seemed pleased by his quick comprehension.
"Yes, with the wolves and…" She stopped, and Derian had the definite impression she was leaving something out.
"The Ones," he prompted.
She nodded. "Yes, the Ones. They wish to see me."
"Can't it wait until spring? Travel across the mountains is going to be difficult this time of year. Elation could carry a message, perhaps. It's easier for her."
The peregrine preened as if accepting his praise.
Firekeeper shook her head. "No. I am wanted now and if I not go, they may be angry. You not want me to make wolves angry, do you?"
"I don't," Derian agreed. He'd gotten used to Blind Seer, mostly by thinking of the wolf as a unique individual. The idea of an entire pack of such wolves was rather terrifying.
"Then I must go and you must help me talking."
"With the wolves?" Derian started, less than happy with this thought.
True, he'd planned to make a trip west—perhaps in the comfortably distant spring—in order to place markers on the graves of those who had been of Prince Barden's party. However, a trip when autumn would be wheeling into winter…
Firekeeper reassured him. "No, Fox Hair, not to the wolves, to the humans. I need to tell Sapphire I no be in wedding at Eagle's Nest. I need to tell Earl Kestrel, since he call me his ward and daughter." She sniffed slightly at this presumption. "I need to tell the king because he have been kind to me.
"I not worried about the king," she continued, "for he make no claim to me, but I worried about the earl and the princess."
Derian nodded. "As always, Firekeeper, you have put your finger on those who would be most likely to be offended. Let's see. If we see the king first and he gives his permission, the others could hardly deny it, but then they might be offended—as if you were pulling rank…"
He mused for a few moments. "I think I have it. You should see Princess Sapphire first, since the earl's immediate objection will be that you might offend her. When you get her permission, then you should see the earl. That way you can use the king as a reserve if either of them balk."
"Do you think they balk?" Firekeeper asked, her brow furrowed with worry.
"I think they might, initially," Derian replied honestly. "But I'll let you explain in your own words and stand by as backup."
"Be easier," Firekeeper grumbled as if to some comment Derian had not heard, "to just go, but then someone would be sent to look for me."
"Probably your humble kennel keeper," Derian said, pointing his thumb at his own chest, "with Race Fo
rester as backup. Do us a favor and don't send us on such a chase. I know we couldn't find you if you didn't want to be found."
Firekeeper grinned agreement. "I make it easy on you then, Derian Fox Hair, even if it make it harder on me."
Although Crown Princess Sapphire and Crown Prince Shad had both been permitted out of bed, for now their freedom was restricted to the castle's main building—no stables, kennels, kitchens, storage buildings, or mews. Their guards didn't even want to let them outside the building, but Doc's insistence that fresh air and sunlight—pallid though the autumn sunlight was as it filtered through the mist from the bay—were needed for the pair's recovery to full health extended their parole to a few of the interior gardens.
However, by the time Firekeeper had told Derian her story and they had discussed their strategies, it was time to dress for dinner. After the dinner—really a formal banquet to honor the departing Hawk Haven nobles before sending them on their way—Sapphire found time to grant Firekeeper a private audience.
Shad was not with her, his time being even more in demand than hers since this was the kingdom where his father reigned. In any case, it was Shad's job to make himself visible to as many of the visitors as possible in order to quell rumors that he was ill or dying.
When Firekeeper, Blind Seer, and Derian were conducted into the crown princess's presence, the dark-haired beauty was in a mellow mood. Apparently, Derian thought, the much anticipated wedding night had been a success, nor had it hurt the proud, young woman's sense of well-being to be fawned over by the many who had much to gain by acquiring her favor.
Immediately upon their entry, Derian could tell that Firekeeper's bow—the same she offered to any but King Tedric—was not sufficiently deep and formal to please the princess. Apparently Sapphire's opinion of herself had changed over the last several days—or maybe, he thought, recalling how Sapphire had behaved during the trip from Eagle's Nest to Hope in the days before King Allister's Wal, maybe it was returning to where it had been before the shocks of being murderously assaulted, revolting against her mother's domination, and experiencing her first pitched battle had granted her greater perspective and humility.
And maybe, Derian added to himself, Sapphire doesn't like that she is not the heroine of that fracas in the Sphere Chamber. If anyone stood out from the crowd, it was Firekeeper. Sapphire has never cared to have her light dimmed by another's.
Firekeeper started speaking almost at once.
"Am glad to see you are strong again, Princess Sapphire," she said, and her tone was sincere.
Sapphire looked somewhat mollified.
"I have great favor to ask of you," Firekeeper continued. "Wish not to come to Hawk Haven and be at second wedding."
A gamut of emotions rippled across the princess's face: surprise, indignation, and, finally, something like scorn.
"I suppose," Sapphire said, her tone so expressionless as to constitute a gibe more pointed than open disapproval, "that you are afraid that there will be another attack."
"I no such afraid," Firekeeper replied without heat. "King Tedric too greatly value you to take such risk. Am sure will be careful guest-watching. Even if was assassin come," she added in admiring tones, "you should be match for all."
The little bitch is flattering her! Derian thought in astonishment. Though why that should surprise me I don't know. Isn't all thai jaw-licking, groveling, and backside-sniffing that I've seen dogs do a form of flattery? Wolves must do it too. I've let Firekeeper know that Sapphire has the potential to harm her and she's doing the equivalent of rolling over.
Sapphire also seemed startled. Almost certainly, knowing Firekeeper possessed a fighting spirit to match her own, she had expected gibe to be answered with gibe. Faced with no return shot, the princess was forced to ask:
"Why don't you want to take part in my second wedding?"
Firekeeper pulled a sad face. Again Derian was reminded, uncomfortably, of a dog.
"I have had message from home pack. I am wished there soonest, before winter closes the mountains to my feet. If I wait until after your next wedding, which is not to be until Boar Moon has nearly turned her face, then I should not be able to go as I am called."
Sapphire hadn't been raised by a domineering mother for nothing. She understood the compelling force of family summons. Nor did she wish to lessen herself in the eyes of the silently fascinated bodyguards who stood their posts—one near the door, one near the window—by asking just how Firekeeper had received this message from home.
Or maybe. Derian thought a touch grudgingly, she has somehow learned of Elation's return and put two and two together.
Mollified by Firekeeper's nearly begging her permission, Sapphire's haughty mien had softened.
"I accept that you are not afraid to attend this second wedding," she said, granting the concession graciously, "but I will be sorry not to have you present. Tales of your swift Fang will have preceded you and many will be disappointed not to see you at my side."
Though you won't mind having her out of the way, will you? Derian thought.
Derian had to swallow a grin. Firekeeper was handling this very well. It wouldn't do for him to queer her pitch.
"Then I have your permission, Crown Princess?" Firekeeper asked.
"And my wishes for a swift and safe journey," Sapphire replied. She added with the complete confidence of someone who knows she is offering a prize that cannot be claimed, "If you re-cross the mountains east before the wedding is concluded, please come to Eagle's Nest. There will be a place for you among my attendants."
Firekeeper bowed, more deeply this time, acknowledging Sapphire's kindness.
"When do you leave?" Sapphire asked, formal manner gone and only common curiosity remaining.
"Tonight, if I can speak with King Tedric and Earl Kestrel before, next night if not. It is better for Blind Seer if we go by darkness."
There was nothing groveling in the wolf-woman's manner now. She stood slim and proud, her hand lightly resting on Blind Seer's back. She spoke of a journey many days' travel to the west, into mountains already feeling the first fingers of winter, as if she were going around to the corner milliner's to buy ribbons for her hat.
Sapphire studied her, a trace of her guarded attitude returning.
"Good luck then. If your feet carry you into Hawk Haven again, you have my permission to call upon me."
And, Derian thought sardonically, you rather hope she doesn't take you up on that little invitation. Right, Princess?
Firekeeper accepted this dismissal. Derian made his own parting bow suitable for the occasion and Sapphire's perception of his rank. King Tedric could afford to chat informally with carters' sons, secure in his place. Sapphire—at least as of yet—was not confident enough.
As Derian had predicted, neither Earl Kestrel nor King Tedric presented Firekeeper with any obstacle to her departure. True, the earl asked many questions, including some rather pointed ones regarding the likelihood of his adopted daughter's return.
"I cannot know," Firekeeper replied honestly, "until I know what I am wished for. But I have found friends I care about in these east-lands and if nothing prevents me, I will come back."
King Tedric offered Firekeeper a much more sincere invitation than Sapphire's to call on him upon her return.
"For I believe that you will come back, dear child. If we are still alive, either myself or Elexa would welcome you quite warmly."
Firekeeper smiled at him and dipped into her deep bow rather more quickly than might have been expected. Derian, rising from his own bow, saw the tears that brightened her dark brown eyes.
In the end, though Earl Kestrel—through Valet—tried to press soft boots, warm clothes, food supplies, and even the use of Patience the grey gelding on Firekeeper, the only things that the wolf-woman would take with her were a good whetstone for her Fang, a canteen that could be strapped to her belt, and a small container of salve that Doc assured her would hasten healing of any of the cuts and br
aises she was certain to receive.
She already had her flint and steel and clearly considered herself well—even overly—equipped for her journey.
Derian walked Firekeeper to the castle gate and a few steps beyond, out of earshot of the guards.
"Please take the boots, Firekeeper," he said, holding out a pair and some thick socks. "I've seen the rocks at the lower reaches of the Barren Lands. During the war some of Bright Bay's scouts told tales about how sharp the rocks become higher up—sharp enough to cut thick leather."
Stubbornly, Firekeeper shook her head. "Boots rub my feet raw. Why not let rocks do what boots do?"
Derian gave up.
"Be careful, then," he said.
"Always."
Then, to Derian's astonishment, Firekeeper stood up on her toes and kissed him lightly on the cheek. It was a completely sexless act—like a kiss from a sister—but it touched his soul. As far as he could remember, the only person he had ever known her to kiss was Blind Seer.
The wolf, in turn, gave Derian the deep bow that he had heretofore reserved for King Tedric.
"Thank you, Fox Hair," Firekeeper said softly. "Without you to nursemaid me, I could never have become human. If I live, I promise to visit you again. If I die, Elation—or one of her kin—will be sworn to bring you my Fang as word."
Before Derian could find a reply the wolf-woman had turned and begun running. It should have been impossible on such a well-traveled road, even on a misty night, but before Derian could dash away the tears that suddenly welled hot in his eyes, Firekeeper and Blind Seer had vanished.
Chapter VIII
King Allister didn't know whether he was relieved or disturbed when the last of his high-ranking guests departed Revelation Point Castle.
He sincerely liked Uncle Tedric and Aunt Elexa, but he had never stopped worrying about their safety from the moment that fast-traveling post-riders had brought him the word that the king and queen had crossed the border into Bright Bay. Queen Elexa's fragile constitution was a matter of record, but that would not have helped Bright Bay if her health had failed while she was within the boundaries of a kingdom that so recently had been not simply a political rival, but a bitter enemy.
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