The Howling Delve - Jaleigh Johnson [127]
"Balram is dead. The Shadow Thieves' work in the Delve has been compromised, but Varan is alive, and they will not give him up easily," said Aazen. "If I return, I can report his death, and you will be free. Keep me for your Harper friends and there will be no safe place for you and the mad wizaid."
"The Harpers are more than capable of protecting their own," Meisha said, "and no bond of friendship holds me. I need nothing from you."
Aazen smirked. "And will the Harpers welcome a mad, dangerous wizard into their fold?" he asked. "You know there's only one place for him now, and if I don't go back, he'll never be able to get there. It's your choice."
Kail imagined Meisha's inner struggle. He fought his own feelings on the matter, but he wasn't surprised when Meisha finally nodded. "I accept," she said reluctantly, and added, "on the promise that if anything happens to Varan-if he is attacked, kidnapped, or suffers a mysterious 'accident' in his bed at night, the Harpers will come after you." A red glow suffused her skin, or perhaps it was just the reflection from the burning house. "And I will be leading the way."
Aazen nodded. "You, on the other hand," he said to Kali, "will be much harder to convince."
But Kail shook his head. "Go your own path," he said. "I won't hinder you, but choose any way but the Shadow Thieves. I spoke the truth. You'll never be able to trust them."
"I know," said Aazen. "And so they will never have a hold on me. I claim no love… or friendship," he said pointedly, "and so no one will ever control me-ever again!'
The conviction in his voice, the look in his eyes struck Kali with sadness. "True love doesn't control," he said.
"Of course it does," said Aazen. "Love and friendship are flawed emotions. They can be twisted, manipulated, as we've both experienced. Never again," he said. Then he added softly, "You've found better companions, Kali. Keep them."
When Aazen walked away, Kali did not cry out for him to return. For a second time, he watched the darkness swallow his friend, but this time Kail was not alone. Meisha and Dantane stood on either side of him, and later, Morgan, Talal, and Garavin joined them. They stood, silhouetted in the light of the fire, until the Gem Guard came.
CHAPTER 30
Keczulla, Amn 8 Marpenoth, the Year
of Lightning Storms (1374 DR)
The following days saw widespread rumors. Whispers said the fire that consumed the estate had killed Motel's heir and an undisclosed number of assassins. A surprising public statement from the Bladesmile family pattly fueled the rumors, reporting that all Morel assets were now in the care of Rays Bladesmile, per Kail Morel's request. The furor arising from the announcement, combined with Kail's disappearance from the city, led to rampant speculation about the fate of the Morel line. Many believed it to be extinct at last.
Kail was content to let the speculation drift where it may. Garavin rode beside him as they left the city behind. "Has there been any word since that night?" he asked. "No," Kail replied. "But I'll find her." "And ye're sure she's alive?"
Kali gripped the gem from Garavin's axe in his gloved palm. "I'm sure."
They rode in silence for a while. Kail glanced down at the dwarf. "I like your new ornament," he said, pointing to a gray streak running through the center of Garavin's beard. "Distinguishes you-channeling a god, and all that. Lucky for me, it hasn't made you insufferably self-righteous."
Garavin laughed. "If ye mean because I haven't argued against Meisha's plan, ye're wrong. I think Dugmaren would approve, even if Dumathoin does not."
"Oh? Why so?"
"Because as much as Shanatai needs protecting, there's anothet school of thought says it needs to be explored, its magic understood. Otherwise it gets misused, as the Howlings misused it-as the Amnians suffered from what they didn't understand."
"Some would argue-myself included-that a mad wizard is the last person to take on such a task. Truth, old friend- should he really be allowed back in the Delve?"