The Sorcerer's Plague

The breeze freshened briefly, rustling the leaves of the trees above him.

"If Lici and I both survive, I'll give it back to her. I swear it."

He expected no response, of course, but it almost seemed that someone was watching him, listening to his oath and making note of it. Besh hurried home.

Sirj was waiting for him in front of their house, sitting on the tree stump and gazing up at the stars. A single candle burned in one of the windows, casting a faint yellow light, but Besh could barely see the man.

"Elica wanted me to tell you that someone came from the village with a sack of food earlier, while you were still in your room. We forgot to mention it while we were eating."

Besh nodded. "Thank you. That's good to know."

"I've put most of it in my travel sack, but I couldn't fit it all." "That's fine. I can carry my share."

Sirj nodded, and they both fell silent.

After several moments, the man nodded at the journal in Besh's hand. "What's that?"

Besh felt his face color and was glad to be standing in the shadows. "It's Sylpa's daybook," he said. "I thought it might be helpful as we search for Lici."

Sirj nodded.

"I took a bit of her money as well. The eldest suggested it." "I'm sure we'll be glad to have it."

Another silence. Besh wondered how he would endure the man day after day.

"You don't have to do this, you know," he said. "I was prepared to go alone. I still am."

"I'm not doing it because I have to."

"Then why?"

"I told you: You're my family. Besides, Elica won't rest a single night while you're gone. You think I want to stay here for that?"

Besh laughed in spite of himself.

Sirj stood and patted Besh's shoulder before starting toward the front door. "You'll see," he said. "It won't be so bad."

Besh said nothing, and long after Sirj had disappeared into the house, he remained where he was, grappling with the realization that he didn't want Sirj with him for one simple reason. He'd never be able to face his daughter or grandchildren if something happened to the man.

Chapter 17

REAPING MOON WANING

Jy

Etan hadn't said much since that first day when T'Noth, T'Kaar, and S'Doryn found him with the others. None of the children had. Even Jy

Vettala sat a short distance from them, also saying nothing, also looking to the east. She was three years younger than Jy

But it seemed that she drew some comfort from having Jy

Jy

Jy

I remember everything! she wanted to scream at them. I remember it all, and I just want to forget!

That was why she stayed with Etan. He didn't ask her anything. He didn't bear any scars from that night, at least none that she could see. He was just like her: sad and scared and desperate to think about anything other than their last day in Tivston.

If only they would let her.

"Here he comes again," Etan said softly, nodding toward the bottom of the hill.

S'Doryn was trudging up the slope, the morning sun at his back so that his shadow reached up the hill, darkening the golden grasses. She'd spotted him several moments before, and she merely nodded.

"He'll ask you more questions," Etan told her.

Jy

"They have to let us live with them, right?" he said. "Even if we can't tell them anything?"

"They don't have to, but they will."

She was mostly certain of this. S'Doryn and T'Noth were too nice to leave them out here alone after all they'd been through. But she wasn't totally sure, which was why she tried to answer the questions as well as she could. Her father and brothers had spoken of the Fal'Borna; of how fierce they were in battle, and of how wary they remained of outsiders. She saw how T'Kaar looked at her still, and she knew this last was true. She remembered U'Selle, the a'laq from Lowna, and she wondered if the woman would welcome the Y'Qatt back to the village if Jy