The White Road - Lynn Flewelling [153]
Alec took a shuddering breath as he struggled with what he had to say next. "Since we left him? I've missed him, but--well, we couldn't have done all we did with him there, could we?"
"No, tali."
"And that's what we're meant to do. When I met you and you brought me into your world, that's where I wanted to be. I still do."
"I'm glad." The emotion behind the words spoke volumes.
"And once it's over and we're back in Rhiminee, I want to stay there. I want the Rhiminee Cat to hunt again, and visit your whores in the Street of Lights and play the nobles in Wheel Street and--"
"We will, tali," Seregil assured him, then laughed softly. "And I promise you, I'll never complain of boredom again!"
Alec managed a weak smile. "I doubt that."
They sat in silence for a little while with the sunlight streaming down through the branches all around them, listening to the sound of the birds and the breeze and the distant sigh of the ocean. Finally Alec stood up and said resolutely, "I'll tell Rieser when we get back to the ship."
Seregil gave him a sad smile. "I'm glad you came to it on your own, Alec. It had to be your decision."
Alec held up the bent feather. "Should we burn it?"
Seregil took it and tucked it behind Alec's left ear, then touched the dragon bite there. "No, let's save it. A gift from the Lightbearer. I think Illior must be pleased enough with you for now."
Alec's heart felt a little lighter, now that he'd voiced his decision. "I'm going to miss him," he said as they started back for the ship.
"I will, too. But who knows? Maybe he was meant to be with the Hazad all along."
Alec mustered a shaky smile. "Are you talking fate again?"
"If I am, we'll never know what else might have happened. And I know what this means for you; I don't think the Hazad are going to change their attitude toward uninvited guests in their valley. It's too bad, really, to come so close but not get to meet any of your mother's people."
"Why would I want to? I saw enough of them at Sarikali."
"You saw the ones who killed her. You don't know that they're all like that."
"They're Hazad. They wouldn't welcome a half-breed like me."
"It doesn't matter. You're Bokthersan now, and well loved there."
And I'll get a warmer welcome, next time, if I don't bring a threat with me, Alec thought. But right now that wasn't much comfort.
Aboard the ship again, Alec went straight to Rieser's cabin and found him awake.
"I have something to tell you," he said, standing just inside the door.
Rieser's eyes were dull with pain, but he lifted his head and beckoned him closer. "What is it?"
"I'll give you Sebrahn when we get back."
"Of course. But it's better that we aren't forced to take him from you, Alec Two Lives."
"But you would have, if I didn't give him up?"
Rieser closed his eyes. "What choice do I have? Can you get me some water, please?"
Alec filled the cup from a waterskin hanging on the wall and helped him drink. "I don't want to fight you, Rieser, but I'm not going to go with you."
"You could be with Sebrahn."
"Until someone sticks a knife in my back."
"I would present you to our khirnari. She's a wise woman, and would see your worth, as I have come to. You and your companions could have killed me at any time, or abandoned me after I was wounded. You still could, but I don't think you will. You have great atui, all of you."
Alec's eyes widened at the unexpected compliment. "Even Micum?"
Rieser actually managed a strained smile. "Even Micum. If there were more Tir like him ..."
"And me? I'm half Tir. I was raised among them. There are more like us, whether you want to believe that or not."
"But too many of the bad ones. Would you wish on any of my people what happened to you?"
"Of course not."
"Then believe me when I tell you that things are best left as they are. So far we have held our valley. If the Tir move north again, though? I think this time it will be war. Our valley is too precious to us."
Alec thought of the clan house at Bokthersa,