The Spirit Stone - Katharine Kerr [72]
In the morning a new alar rode into the trading grounds, and with them came Aderyn’s former apprentice, Valandario. Whilst the others in her group unpacked their travois and tended the horses, the young dweomerworker joined Aderyn and Nevyn in front of Aderyn’s tent. In those days Valandario was more gaunt than slender, mostly because her studies engrossed her so thoroughly that she often forgot to eat. Her pale blonde hair fell down her back to her waist in a messy tangle because she refused to spend the time to braid it in the usual manner of the Westfolk. Since she’d learned Deverrian quite recently, she spoke with an oddly careful diction.
‘Good morrow, Master Aderyn,’ she said, ‘and a good morrow to you, Master Nevyn. My heart is gladdened to see both of you.’
‘And mine to see you,’ Aderyn said. ‘I trust you had a safe journey?’
‘We did indeed.’
‘Good, good. So, I’m assuming you’ve got that mysterious gem of yours. When shall we have a look at it?’
‘To be honest, I have not yet received it. It should however arrive soon.’
‘Someone’s bringing it, then,’ Aderyn said.
‘That is so. You see, many nights ago I received a message from Javanateriel. He and his companions had travelled west a fair ways, so he felt they could not yet journey to the trading grounds until more time had passed.’
Aderyn nodded sagely.
‘Um, may I ask why not?’ Nevyn said.
‘Because of the plague that killed off the Horsekin invaders,’ Aderyn said. ‘Or to be more precise, the fear of it. It’s somewhat of a rule among us Westfolk, that anyone who rides too far west can’t return to the main camps until he’s sure that he’s not carrying it.’
‘Wait a moment. You must mean the plague that raged during the destruction of the elven cities in the mountains. That was a thousand years ago.’
‘Oh, I know, and it’s probably an unnecessary precaution. By all accounts the illness sprang from tainted food.’ But Aderyn sounded doubtful. ‘Still, you never know. Better safe than sorry.’
‘Truly spoken.’ Valandario took up her tale again. ‘So, on his way home, he met some distant herders. They in turn passed his message to me, that he had a marvellous gift he wished to give me. He wanted us to meet at the trading grounds.’
‘So,’ Aderyn said, ‘he told you he was bringing you a jewel of some sort.’
‘He did not, just that he was bringing a gift. But I dreamt about it, which is why I know the gift to be a gem.’
Nevyn felt like heaving a deep and weary sigh. It was just like the Westfolk to ask someone to travel a hundred miles out of their way on the strength of a dream alone. A fortnight, a month or two—those measures of Time had the same importance to them as an afternoon would to a human being.
‘He also told me,’ Valandario continued, ‘that he had found a gift for you, Master Aderyn. But I dreamt not about that one. Gems call to me, as you know, but naught else does. However, Jav should be here soon. Now I’d best go help my alar set up the tents.’
With a cheerful wave she trotted off, heading back to camp.
‘Soon, is it?’ Aderyn gave Nevyn a twisted sort of smile. ‘My apologies. Let’s hope the wretched thing truly is a gem.’
‘Oh, don’t be embarrassed. It’s good to see you, so I’m glad I made the trip, no matter what this mysterious gift turns out to be.’
Much to Morwen’s relief, none of the Westfolk mentioned her fight as she and Evan walked around the camp on the morrow morning. Since she had a reason to look for them, she noticed other squabbles that broke out quickly and died even faster. She made a point, however, of avoiding the woman she’d knocked unconscious. She also noticed that none of the other children teased Evan nor Danalaurel, either, when the two little ones set about playing with Evan’s ball.
Not long after the noon meal, Loddlaen sought her out. She was returning to Devaberiel’s tent to put Evan down for a nap when he walked up behind her,