Frost (30 page)

Her heart faltered. “He won't remember me?"

A subtle smile flickered on his lips. “How could any man forget you?” He made a short bow. “But by the time he does remember I hope the weight of his obligations will be too strong a bond to let him pursue you.

“For you see, despite everything I've just said, I
have
permitted myself to love. I love Chondos. And Chondos needs Kregan more than you do."

At last, she understood.

The Elder of the Black Arrow walked her down to the courtyard. Ashur stood waiting, laden with provisions and a saddlebag full of gold coins. The unicorn trumpeted a greeting. “Well, I've gained something from all this,” she said stroking the proud beast from crest to withers, touching Demonfang where it rode on her hip.

Rhadamanthus pushed her hand from the dagger. “Listen to an old man's warning, I beg you. Ashur is yours as long as he'll stay with you. But that
thing's
work is done. Get rid of it at your first opportunity. It means trouble if you keep it."

She glanced at the arcane blade, then at the scar its edge had left on her palm. “I'll consider it, my friend."

An odd contentment settled on her as she swung up into the saddle. It was a fair morning made for riding. A light breeze stirred; the sun was not too hot.

The elder accompanied her to the city's western gate, but he wore a disconsolate silence.

“How is Hafid,” she asked abruptly. “I meant to see him before I left. I wanted to apologize."

“A little bruised,” he admitted, “but otherwise all right. The worst damage was to his pride."

The streets were nearly empty at this hour of the morning. They arrived at the gates, passing only a few merchants on their way to set up shop in the great square. Amid the clank of chains and gears the gates ponderously opened.

“Where will you go?"

She shrugged. “Korkyra maybe. It's said the forests there are thick as Esgaria's, and the Calendi Sea at its storm-tossed wildest. Of all the things in my homeland, I think I've missed the sea and forest most."

Rhadamanthus reached for her hand, pressed it to his lips, then held it a lingering moment. A tremor passed through him, and like a spark it communicated to her.

She leaned down, kissed his cheek. “You know,” she whispered, “it's just as well that we end it this way."