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 I don t think I belong here anymore, Preia. Maybe I don t belong anywhere, now that Paranor is
gone.
She laughed softly.  I know that feeling. Only Jerle never has those doubts because he won t let
himself. He belongs where he wants to belong; he makes himself fit in. I can t do that.
They were silent a moment. Tay tried not to look at her.
 You will be going west in a few days when the king gives you leave to search for the Stone, she said
finally.  Maybe you will feel better when you do that.
He smiled.  Jerle told you.
 Jerle tells me everything. I am his life companion, even if he doesn t acknowledge it.
 He is a fool not to.
She nodded absently.  I will be coming with you when you go.
Now he looked directly at her.  No.
She smiled, enjoying his discomfort.  You can t tell me that, Tay. No one can. I don t allow it.
 Preia...
 It is too dangerous, it is too hard a journey, it is too something or other. She sighed, but the sound
did not chide.  I have heard it all before, Tay  although not from anyone who cares about me like you
do. She met his gaze.  But I will be going with you.
He shook his head in admiration and smiled in spite of himself.
 Of course. And Jerle won t object, will he?
Her smile was dazzling, her face bright with undisguised pleasure.  No. He doesn t know yet, you
understand, but when he does he will shrug like he always does and tell me I am welcome. She paused.
 He accepts me for who I am better than you do. He treats me as an equal. Do you understand?
Tay shifted on the bench, wondering if he did.  I think he is very lucky to have you, he said. He
cleared his throat.  Tell me a little more about what you found at Paranor, anything you think might be of
interest, anything you think I might want to know.
She tucked her legs beneath her on the bench, as if to ward off the unpleasantness of the words she
must speak, and did so.
When Preia left him, he remained sitting for a time trying to picture the faces of the Druids he would
never see again. Strangely enough, his memory of some was already beginning to fade. It worked like
that, he supposed, even with those that mattered most.
It was approaching evening, and he rose and walked along the edge of the Carolan and watched the
sunset, the sky coloring gold and silver as the light faded toward darkness. He waited until torches began
to brighten the city behind him, then turned and walked back toward his parents home. He felt alienated,
disconnected. Paranor s destruction and the death of the Druids had cut him loose from his moorings,
leaving him adrift. All that remained for him was to fulfill Bremen s admonition to seek out the Black
Elfstone, and he was determined to do that. Then he would start his life over again. He wondered if he
could do that. He wondered where he would begin.
He was approaching his destination when a king s messenger stepped out of the shadows and advised
him that he was to come at once. The urgency of the summons was apparent, so Tay did not argue. He
turned from the pathway and followed the messenger back toward the Carolan and the palace that
housed the king and his considerable family. Courtann Ballindarroch was the fifth of his line, and the size
of the royal family had grown larger with each new coronation. Now the palace housed not only the king
and queen, but five children and their spouses, more than a dozen grandchildren, and numerous aunts,
uncles, and cousins. Among them was Jerle Shannara, although he spent most of his time at the Home
Guard quarters, where he felt decidedly more comfortable.
The palace came in sight, a blaze of light against the darker backdrop of the Gardens of Life. But as
they neared the front entry, the messenger took him left down a pathway that led to the summerhouse at
one end of the compound. Tay glanced across the broad, dark sweep of the grounds, searching for the
Home Guard that kept watch. He could sense them, could count their numbers if he chose by using his
magic, but could see nothing. Inside the palace, framed against the lighted windows, shadows came and
went like faceless wraiths. The messenger showed no interest, directing him past the main house to where
Ballindarroch had chosen to receive him. Tay wondered at the abruptness of the summons. Had
something new occurred? Had there been another tragedy? He forced himself not to speculate, but to
wait for his answer.
The messenger took him directly to the front door of the summerhouse and told him to go inside. He
entered alone, passed through the foyer to the living area beyond, and found Jerle Shannara waiting.
His friend shrugged and held up his hands helplessly.  I have no more idea than you. I was summoned,
and here I am.
 You told the king what we know?
 I told him you needed an immediate audience with the High Council, that you had urgent news.
Nothing more.
They stared at each other, speculating on the matter. Then the front door opened, and Courtann
Ballindarroch appeared. Tay wondered where he had come from  if he had walked down from the [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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