The women stopped what they were doing and disappeared through a flap at the other end of the wagon. When they had gone, Eretria turned back to the Valeman, her head cocked to one side.
«Well, what shall I do with you now, Wil Ohmsford?»
He took a deep breath. «How did you find me, Eretria?»
She grinned. «Easily enough. Word of your great healing power spread the length and breadth of Grimpen Ward within ten minutes of the time it took you to cure that fat woman innkeeper. Did you think that such a noisy performance would go unnoticed? ‘How do you think it was that you were found by those cutthroats?»
«You knew of that, too, then?»
«Healer, you are a fool.» She said it kindly, her hand reaching up to touch his cheek. «Rovers are the first to know anything that happens in the places where they travel. If it were not so, they would not long survive — a lesson you apparently have yet to learn. Once word spread of your wondrous act of healing, it was obvious to anyone, with half a brain that there would be some who would soon decide that one with your talent must surely be a man of wealth. Greed and drink mix well, Healer. You are lucky to be alive.»
«I suppose so,” he acknowledged, chagrined. «I should have been a bit more careful.»
«A bit. Fortunately for you, I realized who you were and prevailed upon Cephelo to let me find you, once the cry went up from the inn. Otherwise, you might be food for the dogs.»
«A pleasant thought.» Wil grimaced. He glanced at her quickly. «Cephelo knows that I am here?»
«He knows.» She smiled and the mischievousness returned to her eyes. «Does that frighten you?»
«Let’s just say that it concerns me,” Wil admitted. «Why should he do anything for me after what happened back in the Tirfing?»
Eretria leaned close and put her slim, dark arms about his neck. «Because his daughter is persuasive, Healer, persuasive enough that at times she may influence even so difficult a man as Cephelo.» She shrugged. «Besides, he has had time to rethink what happened at the Tirfing. I have convinced him, I think, that it was none of your doing that in fact you saved the lives of the Family.»
Wil shook his head doubtfully. «I don’t trust him.»
«Nor should you,” she agreed. «But for tonight, at least, he should cause you no concern. He will wait until morning to have you answer to him. By then, at any rate, your pursuers will have worn themselves out chasing shadows and have gone back again to the taverns for fresh ale and a more tangible source of gain.»
She rose then, slipped away in a flash of blue silk, and returned a moment later with a damp cloth and a fresh basin of water which she placed on the floor next to the bed.
«We must clean you up, Healer. You reek of sweat and dirt, and your clothes are ruined.» She paused. «Take them off and I’ll wash you.»
Wil shook his head. «I will wash myself. Can you lend me some clothes?»
She nodded, but made no move to go. The Valeman flushed.
«I would like to do this by myself, if you don’t mind.»
The dazzling smile broke across her face. «Oh, but I do mind.»
He shook his head. «You really are incorrigible.»
«You are for me, Wil Ohmsford. I told you that before.»
The smile faded, replaced by a look so sensuous and compelling as to cause Wil to forget momentarily what it was that he was about. When she started to lean toward him, he forced himself to sit up quickly on the bed. Dizziness washed over him, but he kept himself upright.
«Will you bring me the clothes?»
For an instant her eyes went dark with anger. Then she rose, crossed to a cupboard, removed some clothing, and brought it to him.
«You may have these.» She tossed them in his lap.
She started past him, then dipped suddenly and kissed him quickly on the mouth. «Wash and dress yourself then.» She sniffed, slipping away.
She opened a door at the end of the wagon and disappeared into the night, closing the door behind her securely and latching it from without. Wil grinned in spite of himself. Whatever her intentions, she was not about to let him run off. Quickly he stripped away his old clothing, washed, and put on the clothes Eretria had supplied. They fit well, though they were the clothes of a Rover and he felt more than a little strange wearing them.
He had just finished dressing when the door opened again and Eretria appeared with Amberle. The Elven girl was dressed in Rover pants and tunic with a sash and headband to hold back her waist–length hair. Her face was freshly scrubbed and a bit startled. She glanced at Wil’s head and there was immediate concern in her green eyes.
«Are you all right?» she asked quickly.
«I have seen to his needs.» Eretria brushed her question aside smoothly She pointed to the bed opposite Wil’s. «You can sleep there. Be certain that you do not try to leave the wagon tonight.»
She gave Wil a knowing smile, then turned away and moved to the door. She was halfway through when she glanced back suddenly.
«Good–night, brother Wil. Good–night, sister Amberle. Sleep well.»
With a grin, she slipped through the door. The latch fastened behind her with a click.
The Valeman and the Elven girl slept that night within the Rover wagon. It was dawn when they awoke, the new light seeping through cracks in the shuttered windows to light the dusky gloom. Wil lay silent for a time, gathering his thoughts, waiting for the sleep to clear from his eyes. After a moment, he reached within his tunic for the small leather pouch containing the Elfstones, checked to be certain that they were still there, then replaced the pouch. It did not hurt to be careful, he thought. He was halfway out of the bed when Amberle ordered him back in again, scrambling up from the other bed to reach him. Carefully she examined the injury to his head and readjusted the bandage. When she had finished, Wil pushed himself up beside her and surprised her with a quick kiss on one cheek. She flushed slightly and smile, her child’s face beaming.
A short time later the door latch released and Eretria stepped through, carrying a tray of bread, honey, milk, and fruit. Brown limbs slipped from beneath a diaphanous white gown that swirled about the Rover girl like smoke. The dazzling smile flashed at the Valeman.
«Well rested, Wil Ohmsford?» She deposited the tray on his lap and winked. «Cephelo will speak with you now.»
She left without saying a word to, Amberle. Wil glanced at the Elven girl when Eretria had gone and shrugged helplessly. Amberle’s smile was forced.
Minutes later, Cephelo appeared. He entered without knocking, his tall, lean frame stooping slightly as it passed through the entry. Dressed in black and wrapped in the cloak of forest green, he appeared just as he had when they had first observed him on the banks of the Mermidon. The wide–brimmed hat was cocked jauntily on his head, and he removed it with a flourish as he entered, a broad grin splitting his swarthy face.
«Ah, the Elflings, the Healer and his sister. We meet again.» He bowed. «Still looking for your horse?»
Wil smiled. «Not this time.»
The Rover looked down the length of his hooked nose at them. «No? Have you lost your way then? Arborlon, as I remember, lies north.»
«We have been to Arborlon and left again,” the Valeman replied, setting aside the tray.
«Come to Grimpen Ward.»
«Both of us, it seems.‘’
«Indeed.» The tall man seated himself opposite the two. «In my case, business takes me many places that I might not otherwise care to go. But what of yourself, Healer? What brings you to Grimpen Ward? Surely not the prospect of applying your art to the denizens of so shabby a village as this one.»
Wil hesitated a moment before responding. He was going to have to be very careful what he told Cephelo. He knew the man well enough by now to appreciate the fact that if the Rover were to discover anything that he might turn to his own advantage, he would be quick to do so.
«We have business of our own,” he replied carelessly.
The Rover pursed his lips. «You do not seem to be doing very well in its pursuit, Healer. Your throat would be cut by now if not, for me.»
Wil waned to laugh aloud. The old fox! He was not about to admit that Eretria had anything to do with saving them.
