Pool of Radiance_ Ruins of Myth Drannor - Carrie Bebris [60]
“Thank you for asking,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “I would like nothing more. But I know that a blind man would slow you down, and time is too precious, your mission too vital.” He rose from the floor, leaning on his staff, and made his way over to his cot. “No, leave here tomorrow morn without me. When the cult is defeated and the Mythal restored, then shall I meet Anorrweyn Evensong.”
* * * * *
Long after the others retired, Kestrel remained by the fire, staring into the flames. Caalenfaire’s words yet echoed in her mind, and she’d hardly had time to think about the whole strange interview since it took place.
Be of two minds but one heart. The diviner had looked straight inside her and seen the frustration building there. She missed the freedom of working alone, of deciding for herself the best course of action. She was tired of making nice with her companions, tired of compromising. Especially with Corran.
The others were tolerable. Durwyn didn’t have the confidence to voice his opinion very often. Jarial, conscious of his status as the newcomer, didn’t throw his weight around much either. Ghleanna usually had good ideas, and Corran respected the sorceress enough to listen to them. If only he’d show her, Kestrel, the same courtesy.
She raised her arms above her head and stretched. At times, the others’ company seemed almost physically confining. When this quest was over-if she lived to see its end-she’d be on her own once more. She’d make her own choices again, do things her way. When she built up her fortune, when she finally had that easy life she craved, she’d be the one telling other people what to do.
Rustling near the cots interrupted her musing. Light footsteps followed, bringing Ghleanna into view. “May I join you?”
Kestrel didn’t object. “Can’t sleep?”
“Nay. My mind swirls with too many thoughts.” The mage sat down cross-legged beside her.
She studied the half-elf. Ghleanna was a beautiful woman, combining the best features of her mixed heritage. The firelight glinted off the gold specks in her eyes and the highlights in her unbound golden hair. Kestrel could see the appeal the sorceress would hold for Athan, or any man for that matter. She wondered again if Ghleanna was romantically involved with the famed warrior. “Does Athan occupy some of those thoughts?” she asked boldly.
Ghleanna did not answer immediately, instead pushing a lock of hair behind one delicate, pointed ear. “Aye,” she finally admitted, bringing her knees up and hugging them to her chest. “Athan is very dear to me. News of his death would wound me deeply, but this not knowing… I think sometimes it is worse.”
Though Ghleanna had confirmed her suspicions, Kestrel floundered for a response. Since Quinn’s death she’d made a priority of keeping others at a distance. She’d never had the need-or felt the urge-to offer words of support to anyone on any occasion. A minute lapsed, then two, until a reply no longer seemed necessary.
“The man who raised you-” Ghleanna began tentatively, breaking her gaze away from the fire to regard Kestrel. “Was he a good man?”
“He was.” She grinned, more to herself than Ghleanna. “Not an honest man, mind you, but a good man.”
“Does he yet live?”
Her grin faded. “Quinn died in a tavern brawl when I was twelve. Slipped an ace up his sleeve once too often.” She glanced toward the cots, where the others all seemed to have dozed off at last. “I can only imagine what Lord D’Arcey would think about that.”
Ghleanna flashed her a conspiratorial smile. “He shan’t hear of it from me.”
“Thanks.” They lapsed into silence again. Kestrel felt as if she ought to return the other woman’s show of interest. “What about your folks?” She prepared to sit through the tale of some aristocratic elven or human house-perhaps both.
“I never knew my parents, either,” the half-elf said softly. “My mother died birthing me, and my father-well, he’d gone back to his human wife and son before I was born.” Ghleanna returned her gaze to the fire, apparently finding it easier to avoid eye contact