"Better," he replied.

"The guard is everywhere, asking about you," she said. She hesitated, biting her lower lip. "Everyone thinks you killed Lord Ankhor." She took a deep breath and exhaled heavily. "As soon as you are well, I'll tell them the truth, that it was I who pushed him."

"No," said Sorak, pulling the damp cloth away and sitting up. "There is no point to that. I would have killed him, anyway. What you did was an accident. You were only trying to protect yourself, and help me. There is no reason you should bear the blame. I will leave town as soon as it grows dark. I have done what I came here to do."

"Take me with you," she said.

Sorak shook his head.

"Please."

"No, I cannot."

"I know who you are now," Cricket said, kneeling before him and taking his hands in hers. "I know what what you are. You are the Crown of Elves. You are the one thing I always wanted to believe in. The one thing I you are. You are the Crown of Elves. You are the one thing I always wanted to believe in. The one thing I can can believe in. Let me go with you. Please. I want to help." believe in. Let me go with you. Please. I want to help."

"I do not mean to sound ungrateful, but you would be more a hindrance than a help," said Sorak. "You would only slow me down and get in my way. And however sincerely you may try, you can never replace the one I have lost."

"I know that," Cricket said, gently. "She came to see me one night when the caravan stopped to camp. The night Edric's treachery was revealed.

We talked. She was very kind. Most women are not kind to girls like me."

"Ryana was kind to everyone," said Sorak dully. "When she died, a part of me died with her."

"I know I could never take her place," said Cricket, "but I would hate to think of you being alone."

"I want to be alone now," Sorak said. "After all, that is the true meaning of my name. Sorak, the nomad who walks alone."

"I will only follow you if you refuse to take me with you," Cricket said.

"That would be foolish. I could lose you easily. And while I am grateful for your offer, I do not want you with me. Do you want to end up like Ryana? I do not want anybody with me. Not now. Not anymore."

Cricket sighed with resignation. "Very well. I have brought some food, some supplies to take with you on your journey."

"Thank you." He had no money. The packs containing all the silver from Bodach had been dropped in the attack in the alley. By now, someone had discovered a windfall.

"Where will you go?"

He shook his head. "I do not know. I will go wherever the Path leads me."

"Well, wherever you go, you will need this," said Kieran, standing in the doorway. He tossed the broken blade across the room, onto the bed.

Sorak looked up. "For a big man, you move as softly as a cat."

Cricket s.n.a.t.c.hed up Galdra and held it out before her in both hands, facing Kieran. "You will not take him!" she said vehemently.

Kieran raised his eyebrows and held up his hands in mock surrender. "That's quite a protector you've got there," he said with a smile.

"It's all right, Cricket," Sorak said. "He did not come to arrest me." He glanced at Kieran. "Or did you?"

"No," said Kieran, entering the room and taking a chair. "I did not. So put the blade down, girl. You have nothing to fear from me, though by rights, I should turn you across my knee for that knock on the head."

"I'm sorry," Cricket said. "But I thought you were going to-"

"Yes, I know what you thought, and you were right," said Kieran. "However, that is moot. You solved that problem neatly when you pushed Ankhor off the roof."

"It wasn't her," said Sorak, recalling that Kieran was unconscious at the time. "It was me. I did it."

Kieran shook his head. "No, you didn't. I saw what you did to Edric. If you'd killed Ankhor, you would have done a great deal more than throw him off a roof. But do not concern yourself. No one knew Cricket was there except the two of us. Matullus saw you, not her. He thinks you knocked me senseless, and frankly, I'd prefer he think that rather than know I was felled by a dancing girl."

"You would let him take the blame, merely to protect your reputation?" Cricket said, outraged. "I won't allow it. I am going to tell the truth."

"You are going to keep your pretty little mouth shut and not complicate things," Kieran told her. "I was merely joking. I will take care of everything, but it will take some time." He looked at Sorak. "Lord Jhamri has ordered your arrest, and Matullus is eager to prove himself by bringing you in, dead or alive. I will tell him the truth of what has happened, and I feel confident I can convince him. He's a good soldier, but he's young and brash and overeager.

"Right now, tempers are running high. Jhamri feels the need to demonstrate his authority. Personally, I'd just as soon tell him the truth after you are out of town. Whether he believes me or not, he might be tempted to use you as a scapegoat. Ankhor was his partner, after all, and it would not be very good for business for Jhamri to reveal that his junior partner was involved with murder and betrayal. The whole thing will have to be handled rather delicately."

Sorak nodded.

"I once told you I owed you a debt," said Kieran. "It is a poor repayment, but for what it's worth..." He handed Sorak a small scroll. "That is a formal introduction from me to anyone who knows me or my reputation. It speaks of my regard for you, and requests that any a.s.sistance you request be rendered for my sake. There is also a crodlu tied up outside, at the hitching post, with two full waterskins and saddlebags holding provisions. After the sun goes down, if you make your way to the west gate, you will find it strangely unattended for at least an hour. No doubt, a miscommunication of orders."

"I am grateful," Sorak said. "But I have one request."

"Name it."

"Ryana," Sorak said. For a moment, he found it difficult to speak.

"I will personally see to whatever arrangements you may wish," said Kieran.

Sorak swallowed hard. "I would like to take her home."

"Of course," said Kieran. "When you leave tonight, ride west through the pa.s.s that will take you to the route to Tyr. Wait near the west entrance to the pa.s.s, and I'll bring her to you after sundown tomorrow."

"I am deeply in your debt," said Sorak.

"You owe me nothing," Kieran replied. "It is the least I can do, and I am glad to do it. My contract with the Jhamris is for a year of service. Exactly one year from today, I am going home to my estate outside Salt View." He removed a silver signet ring from his left hand. "This was my father's," he said, handing it to Sorak. "If you ever need me, send this to me there, and I will come."

Kieran stood and held out his hand. They clasped forearms, mercenary style.

"Until tomorrow," Kieran said. "Good fortune to you."

Sorak sat astride his crodlu, watching as two mounts approached through the pa.s.s. One bore a rider, Kieran. The other had a large, limp parcel wrapped in oilcloth strapped across its saddle. Sorak felt his throat constrict as the two crodlu approached. He rode down the slope to meet them.

They exchanged no words. They had both already said all there was to say. Kieran simply handed him the reins and nodded. Sorak nodded back. Kieran gave him the mercenary salute, right fist thumped to the left breast, over the heart, then he simply turned and rode away without a backward glance.

Sorak sat there for a moment, watching him go. Then he looked down at the still form wrapped in oilcloth and felt a tight pressure building in his chest. He took a deep, ragged breath as a tear rolled down his cheek.

"Come, my love," he murmured. "We're going home."

He turned and slowly rode west into the night, toward the Ringing Mountains.