The White Road - Lynn Flewelling [39]
He wondered if his other two sisters, Shalar and Illina, would be there to greet him. They'd shunned him since his first exile, sending no words of comfort and staying away from Sarikali when he'd been there. According to Adzriel, there were others among his kin and clan who would not welcome him warmly, either.
Nudging his horse up beside Seregil's, Alec gave him a knowing look as he said quietly, "That's not a very cheerful expression, tali. Aren't you happy to be back?"
Seregil forced a smile, not wanting to spoil this first visit for Alec in any way.
Alec's heart beat faster as they approached the town. The houses here were very like those in Gedre, square and solid with domed colos on top, but built of timber and dressed stone, and decorated with intricate carvings.
The valley was breathtakingly grand, bathed in the golden light of the setting sun. The frozen lake was nowhere near as large as the Blackwater, but it was large all the same. There were little islands out there, too, and Alec could imagine camping out on one of them some summer night.
People waved and called greetings as they headed down the main street toward the clan house. Alec was thrilled to see so many green sen'gai in one place. Everyone wore the graceful traditional clothing here; men and women alike wore trousers and boots or slippers. The main difference in the tunics, which were split from hem to belt on either side, was that the women's were longer. They were made of soft wool, and dyed in every color for everyday use, with patterns of embroidery at the neck and cuffs.
The clan house stood on a hill overlooking both town and water. Beyond it, the forest closed in again, thick and dark. Protected by water and mountains, the rambling clan house sprawled across the high ground, windows glinting and smoke rising from scores of chimneys.
"Welcome home, Haba," Adzriel said, leaning in the saddle to clap Seregil on the shoulder. Alec was the only one who noticed the brief flash of pain in his lover's grey eyes before the forced smile appeared again. The closer they came to this place, the more tension Alec felt along the talimenios bond, though Seregil was keeping up a bold front, as usual; he'd said next to nothing about his feelings about coming back here. Even after all this time, Alec had to rely on the bond and intuition. Fortunately he could read Seregil like a scroll. He might not always know the cause, but he knew what Seregil was feeling, especially when he was unhappy or fearful. The latter was a rare occurrence, but that's what Alec was picking up now. He caught Seregil's eye again and gave him a reassuring smile. Seregil gave him a nod and a hint of a smile, then turned his face for home.
Word spread and people shouted and waved to their returning khirnari from rooftops and street corners. Adzriel led the way through the central square, where the ancient temple of Aura stood, its walls brilliant white against the darker buildings, its carved lintel painted silver and blue.
As they neared the outer gates of the clan house, it looked to Seregil as if the entire household had turned out to meet them. Adzriel's husband--tall, plain Saaban--was in the forefront, and another tall man was with him, the sight of whom made Seregil's heart beat so hard it hurt and his eyes sting. It was his uncle.
Adzriel waved to her husband, eyes bright and cheeks flushed.
"And mind you call him Saaban, and not by his formal name or 'sir,' as you did in Sarikali," he overheard Mydri reminding Alec. "He's kin."
"I don't imagine he liked me dragging you away from home again, sister," Seregil said to Adzriel, adding with a small grin, "Unless you two are already a settled old married couple."
"I still know how to cut a switch, Haba," she retorted without so much as a sidelong glance.
Micum burst out laughing. Seregil actually blushed, but suddenly his heart felt lighter.
Alec let out an ill-concealed snicker and whispered, "Sorry, I was just