'I should like to see your father Starblade, if I may,' he said without preamble. 'If you will excuse me.' And with that, he ran lightly down the stairs and tapped upon the doorpost of Starblade's ekele as if he were expected.
Perhaps he was, for Kethra beckoned him inside, leaving Darkwind outside. She did not beckon him in, although she clearly saw him standing there.
He felt like a fool, and only felt like less of one because there was no one there to witness his exclusion from what was obviously a private conference.
He gritted his teeth, and went off to find something marginally useful to do, before he did something decidedly the opposite.
'Ho, Darkwind!' The unfamiliar voice hailing him could only be Firesong's. Darkwind stopped, put a pleasant expression on his face with an effort of will, and turned to face the young Adept.
Firesong had changed his costume, from the winter whites he had ridden in wearing, to something more appropriate to the warmth of the Vale. A half-robe and trousers of fine silk-and if Darkwind had not seen it, he would not have believed that it was possible to create a costume that was more flamboyant than that of his arrival.
Firebird gold, white, and flame-blue were the colors, and they matched the blue of his eyes, the silver of his hair, and the gold of his skin to perfection. Someone-hertasi, probably-had taken great pains with his hair. Darkwind felt positively plain beside him.
'Darkwind,' Firesong said, cheerfully, as he strode up beside him.
'I have had speech of Starblade and Kethra, of the Elders, and also of the Shin'a'in shaman Tre'valen. What they have told me has confirmed the impression your message gave to me. We can do nothing about the Heartstone for a brace of days; I must study it at close hand.' Well, at least he has that much sense.
'I trust I don't need to warn you to be careful about it,' Darkwind said.
Firesong nodded, for once, seeming entirely serious. 'There is no doubt in my mind that the Stone is treacherous,' he stated. 'It has behaved in a way that no such Stone in the history of either of our Clans has ever done before. I shall take no chances with it.' That much gave Darkwind a feeling of relief. However arrogant this young man was, he was at least no fool.
'There is something else, however,' Firesong continued. 'Something I think you have probably anticipated. There are only two among the humans of the Vale who are of a power and an ability to aid me in dealing with this Stone. Yourself, and the Outland Wingsister. But you are not yet tested and confirmed as Adepts.' Darkwind grimaced, and began walking back toward his ekele, the direction in which he had been going when Firesong hailed him. 'That is true. Although we have Adepts among us, there were none who felt strong enough to do so.'
'I have seen that, and I think it was wise of them to work within their strength,' Firesong replied, keeping pace with him easily. 'But that must end now. I shall complete your training, and Els-peth's, and confirm you, for I shall need you at full ability to aid me.' He stared ahead, down the trail, as Darkwind glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. 'I shall be accomplishing something with your father as well, but it is nothing you need to concern yourself over.' No, of course not. He's only my father. Why should I worry about what you are going to do with him?
But Darkwind kept his thoughts and his comments to himself, simply nodding shortly. 'When do you want to see us, then? And do you want to work with us singly, or together?'
'oh, together,' Firesong replied, carelessly, as if it did not matter to him. 'Since I shall need you to work as partners, that is best, I think.
And, tomorrow. But not too early.' He yawned, and smiled slyly. 'I am weary. And the hertasi have pledged me a massage. It was a cold and fatiguing journey; I believe I shall go and rest from it.' And with that, he turned abruptly off on a sidepath, one that would take him back to his own ekele.
And Starblade's.
Of course he already has hertasi, Darkwind thought with irritation. they flock to beauty and power, and he has both in astonishing measure. He probably had a half dozen begging to serve him within moments of his arrival.
If he walked by the swamp village, they would follow him in hordes, for all that they consider that they are independent. Nera would probably lead them.
He turned his steps toward Elspeth's dwelling to give her the news of their new tutor.
And how was she reacting to this arrogant youngster, he wondered.
This powerful, breathtaking youngster...And he was surprised by the stab of jealousy he felt at the memory of the open admiration he had caught in her eyes.
*Chapter seventeen - Mornelithe Falconsbane
Nyara woke to the thunder of great wings above her tower, and the sound of something heavy landing on her roof. She slipped out of bed, hastily snatching up the cloak she had made from the skin of a winterkilled bear.
Before she had a chance to panic, or even to shake herself out of the confusion of interrupted sleep, Need spoke in her mind. 'It's the gryphons.
Tell them hello for me,' Need said casually, as she stood, blinking, and trying to shake her dreams off.
'The gryphons? She wrapped the cloak around her narrow shoulders and slipped up the steep stone stairs to the rooftop. the gryphons? But-why have they come here?'
'Brrright Grrreectingsss little one!' Treyvan called, as she poked her head cautiously over the edge of the stair opening. 'How goesss the lessssoning?' He looked as cheerful-and as friendly-as she had ever seen him. his wings shining in the sunlight, his head and crest up. As if she had never betrayed his little ones, his trust. As if she had never fled his lair with a stolen sword. As if nothing had ever happened between them but friendship.
She tried not to show her surprise, and ventured the rest of the way onto the rooftop. 'Well, I think,' she said shyly, bobbing a greeting to Hydona, who had landed behind her mate. 'Or at least Need says that I do well. She
