Read Page 17

If it hadn't been for Skew, Tier would have had to wait another week before setting out for Redern, but the old horse's soft gaits were easy on Tier's ribs. He seemed to understand that Tier was hurt: not even Gura's anxious weaving in and out around his legs caused Skew to alter his smooth stride.

If he remembered to breathe shallowly, it didn't even hurt too much - but he didn't like to do that, because it only increased the number of Seraph's anxious glances. She had wanted to wait, but he needed to get home to Redern - needed to have all of his children together where he could protect them.Advertisement

There was another Shadowed who walked the land.

There were other explanations for all that had passed. He wasn't certain if even Seraph really believed it in the light of day - but the Healer knew. She hadn't said anything, but he could see in her eyes that she believed.

Tier glanced over at the brightly colored cart that Brewydd rode in. It was her voice, he thought, that had made Benroln insist on accompanying them back. Benroln had said that Phoran would do better without Traveler aid now that the Sept of Gerant was there.

Doubtless Benroln was right about that. The Sept of Gerant had said as much when he'd come to see Tier off in lieu of the Emperor. The political situation was unstable and Phoran clung to the throne primarily because there were so few of imperial blood around to fight him for the Empire. Phoran had wished him good travels in secret the night before they'd left.

"I like your Gerant," said Seraph. "He reminds me of Ciro, a little. Quiet and unassuming until his skill is called upon."

Tier smiled down at his wife who walked at his stirrup as if she were afraid he'd fall out of the saddle. "He liked you as well. Told me that I'd made a good exchange when I chose to follow you instead of the sword."

"He laughed when you told him you were a farmer," she said.

Tier glanced at her sharply, but her face was tilted down, watching the ground.

"Not this year," he said. "But with the money Phoran sent us back with we'll be able to survive this year and buy another horse to replace Frost for next planting season."

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"You don't think we'll be planting next season either," she said softly, her hand coming up to grip his calf.

He shook his head, then realized that she wasn't watching him. "No," he said.

She took a step closer to Skew, until her shoulder pressed against his leg. "I don't know what awaits us, but I don't think the Stalker is through with us yet."

Jes laughed, and Tier glanced up to see the Traveler Raven Hennea stalk away from his son. He'd thought at first that she was younger than Seraph until he'd gotten a good look at her eyes. When he'd asked Seraph, she'd told him she didn't know how old Hennea was either. Ravens seldom lived as long as Larks, but it could be very difficult to tell how old they were.

He'd worried until he'd seen how she watched Jes when she thought no one was watching. He knew what love looked like.

"Today," Tier told Seraph, "the sun is warm on my face. Let's save tomorrow's troubles for tomorrow." pqdm.com