Cascet of Souls

“Welcome home, Captain,” Micum said, hugging Beka.

Gri

Nyal gri

Kari let out an exaggerated sigh. “So, no grandchildren yet?”

“No,” Beka replied firmly.

“But where are our ma

“It’s good to see you all,” said Klia. “I hope you don’t mind me bringing your daughter and son back to you?”

Kari hugged her as if she’d been one of her own. “You’re most welcome. And you, too, Thero.”

“Are you home to stay?” asked Alec.

“Not just yet.” Nyal caught up Luthas and Gherin and spun them around until they squealed with laughter. “The rest of the army’s just down there on the highroad, coming down from Cirna on their way home. There’s going to be a victory parade in a few days. And then the commander here will be busy with her troops.”

“What brings you out here, Thero?” asked Seregil with a knowing grin.

“We have some news we wanted you all to hear from us,” said Klia, now beaming at Thero.

The wizard colored a little. “Princess Klia has asked me to marry her.”

“What did you say?” cried Illia, jumping around in excitement.

“Why, I said yes.”

Kari and Micum looked thunderstruck by this news, but Seregil burst out laughing, and Alec, too.

“Of course, the Oreska wizards are debating it, and the royal council,” Thero added, trying to regain his dignity. “No Oreska wizard has ever married, according to the archivists.”

“And no queen has ever married one, of course,” said Klia. “But we have the queen’s approval. In the end, I think that will be enough, though we’ll have to wait until after Elani marries.” She exchanged a meaningful look with Seregil. “It wouldn’t be-prudent, otherwise.”

“This calls for a feast!” Micum declared, ushering the princess and the others toward the house.

Illia hugged Beka again, eyes aglow with admiration. “I want to hear all your adventures!”

“And we want to hear yours,” said Beka, “What mischief have you all gotten up since I last saw you?”

For my friend Lucie

Acknowledgments

Thanks, as always, to my supportive husband, Doug, my sons, folks, and all my family, and a bevy of supportive friends and fans. And, of course, to my wonderful agent, Lucie

And a very special thank-you to my friend, the poet Je

The Hour of Blue Leaves

” in chapter 14. You should check out her other work. It’s amazing.