Heirs of Prophecy - Lisa Smedman [74]
"He's my twin brother, Tal," she said. "It's important that we're together-the gods themselves are working to bring that about. Somehow, we've got to try to stop this war. I don't know how-I just know that we must."
She reached up and brushed an unruly strand of dark hair away from Tal's eyes.
"You've got to believe me, Tal. This is important. For everyone. Especially for you."
Tal's face paled. "Let's get ready, then," he said brusquely. I'll fetch you a uniform, and ready a horse. In the morning, we'll ride."
*¦*¦
Disguised as a soldier of Master Ferrick's company, Larajin slipped out of Selgaunt without incident. Guards in the gatehouse that opened onto the High Bridge gave the riders only a bored glance as they rode from the city. Larajin, clad in a mail shirt and surcoat, her hair tucked under a wide-brimmed cap, was no more to them than another soldier.
The company rode north throughout the morning, making good progress. When the sun reached its zenith, they stopped to water the horses and eat a quick meal. As she dismounted, Larajin spotted a familiar flash of color in the distance. Goldheart had returned and had landed behind a clump of bushes not far from the road.
Taking her leave of the other soldiers-pretending she was going to relieve herself behind the bushes-Larajin sought the tressym out. She cast the spell that would allow them to communicate and quickly learned that Goldheart had indeed been able to follow Leifander. The route he'd taken, however, was a surprise. Instead of winging due north, as Larajin had expected, he'd followed the River Arkhen. He'd flown upriver for several miles, continuing to follow the river almost until dawn, then at last shifted back into elf form to enter the Reverie.
"You did well, Goldheart," Larajin said, stroking the tressym. Goldheart gave a rumbling purr of pride, closing her eyes in a catlike smile. "Now I want you to return to where you last saw Leifander, find him again if you can, and continue to follow him until he ends his journey- until he spends more than a single night in one place. Can you do that?"
Goldheart nodded, then nudged Larajin's hand again, demanding another pat on the back. Larajin obliged her, then heard the sound of footsteps coming around the bushes.
"Go," she whispered to the tressym. "Quickly."
Goldheart flew away just as Tal strode into sight. He glanced up at the departing tressym and said something unintelligible. After a moment, Larajin's spell wore off. She could guess what he'd asked.
"I'm heading in the wrong direction," she told him. "Leifander flew northwest. He seems to be following the River Arkhen. When the company sets out again, I'm going to slip away and head upriver. If Master Ferrick notices me going, will you speak to him-explain why one of his 'soldiers' is leaving?"
Tal stared at her a long moment before nodding. "I don't like you setting out on your own," he said, "but I can see your mind is made up. Just promise me you'll be careful. That river path is a dangerous one-especially these days."
Larajin caught his hand and gave it a squeeze. "Thanks, Tal. Promise me that you'll be careful, too."
He grunted and gave a soldier's offhand shrug.
Larajin peered around the bushes and said, "It looks as if the others are getting ready to mount up again. We'd better get back, or they'll think we're both trying to slip away."
Then, seeing the thoughtful gleam in Tal's eye, she quickly added, "You could, you know… come with me. It would be safer."
Tal shook his head. "I'm no coward. It's my duty to fight, and I'm not shirking it. Even if-"
Larajin pressed fingers to his lips, silencing him. "Don't say it, Tal," she pleaded. "You'll survive this war, gods willing."
"Gods willing," Tal echoed grimly.
* *** *
Larajin rode northwest, following a trail that was little more than a footpath bordered by thick forest on the right and a sheer drop to the river below on the left. Despite the slow pace it enforced, the path beside the river offered achingly beautiful