They stood silently watching the sun set for a time. When she finally turned toward him, there were tears in her eyes. Her left arm was in a sling and she limped a bit, but her wounds would heal. True to form, she commandingly blinked her tears away.
“I’m not very good at good-byes,” she said quietly. “So I thought I would do it now.”
Tristan gave her a short smile. “I know,” he replied. “I’m no better.”
Tyranny gave him a soft kiss on one cheek. “Goodbye, Jin’Sai, ” she said. “You will be missed.”
“And good-bye to you,” he answered. “I hope to see you again one day.” Then he gave her another little smile. “Take good care of my Black Ships,” he added.
Tyranny started to answer, but she was suddenly too overcome. After giving him another kiss, she simply walked away.
While the merriment continued in the Great Hall, Tristan noticed that the sun had nearly disappeared.
Soon, now, he thought.
CHAPTER LXXII
AS TRISTAN STOOD LOOKING AT THE GLEAMING AZUREpass, a shudder went through him. He was about to abandon everyone he held dear and ride into an uncertain future. Suddenly the price of fulfilling his destiny seemed high indeed.
Wigg, Shailiha, and the warriors who had been posted here stood with him. The night was clear, and dawn would come soon. The stout litter bearers had flown all night. Another litter had brought Shadow along. Because Tristan and Xanthus had entered the pass on horseback, the prince thought it best to do so again.
His good-byes to everyone back at the palace had been emotional. After the wedding celebration had quieted, a receiving line had been formed in his honor. Tristan had walked down the line, bidding each person farewell and sometimes giving them last-minute orders. When he finally turned to walk away, there hadn’t been a dry eye in the room.
Tristan looked up toward the mountain peaks lining either side of the pass. The Envoys had revealed some of the Tolenkas’ secrets to him, but he knew that many more remained to be learned. As always, the shining pass rose so high that it disappeared into the fog gathering around the mountaintops.
Knowing that it was time to go, he turned and looked at Wigg and Shailiha. He walked over to Wigg and embraced him.
“Thank you for everything that you have taught me,” he said. “When all is said and done, there are no words…”
Wigg brushed away a tear. “I know,” he said.
“Watch over my sister as you would me,” Tristan said, trying to give the wizard a smile. “That is my last order to you.”
“On my life,” Wigg promised, his voice cracking a bit. “Stay safe.”
Tristan turned to take Shailiha in his arms. Despite her best efforts to be brave, she was shaking, and tears filled her eyes. Scowling, she composed herself and grabbed either side of his worn leather vest like she was never going to let go.
“Must it be this way?” she asked.
“Yes,” he answered. “You know that as well as I. This is what I was born to do.”
“But what will I do without you?” she asked. She finally managed to give him a short smile. “After all, I’ve gotten pretty used to having my brother around.”
“You’ll do what I would do, if I was still here,” he answered. Tristan looked over at Wigg.
“Do you see that old man standing over there?” he asked. “Value his wisdom and guidance, and that of the other Conclave members. That is why I chose them. But also know that sometimes even the mystics can be wrong. When you make decisions, always follow your heart-even if some of your advisors disagree.”
“Will I see you again?” Shailiha asked.
Tristan smiled. “You’re forgetting something,” he answered. He reached down and lifted the gold medallion from her chest. “Any time you want to visit me, call forth the spell,” he said.
A look of hope crossed the princess’s face. “Our medallions can bridge the western world to ours?” she asked.
“Yes,” he answered. “I believe that is why Hoskiko provided us with the spell. She knew how difficult my leaving Eutracia would be.”
“I love you,” Shailiha said. Her voice was little more than a whisper.
“And I love you,” Tristan answered. “But now I must go.”
Tristan walked over to where Shadow stood waiting, then threw himself up into the saddle. Like he knew where they were about to go, the spirited black stallion danced about a bit before settling down. Wigg walked over to Shailiha and put one arm around her.
When Tristan looked down at them, his heart was in his throat. “I love you both,” he said softly. “Never forget that.”
Tristan wheeled Shadow around and headed for the pass. He stopped Shadow and raised his arms, calling on the Forestallment granted to him by the Envoys.
Wigg and Shailiha watched in awe as a white line formed on the face of the pass. Starting at the bottom, it soon climbed the surface of the pass to disappear into the clouds. Then the pass parted into halves, revealing a dark, seemingly limitless emptiness beyond. Without looking back, Tristan spurred Shadow into the abyss.
Then the pass closed, sealing theJin’Sai and its many secrets within.
CHAPTER LXXIII
AS ON HIS OTHER JOURNEYS THROUGH THE PASS, TRISTANcould feel Shadow moving beneath him, but he could hear nothing and see only azure. A dense fog surrounded him, its depths so all-encompassing that it appeared limitless.
Just then Shadow stepped from the fog. As the azure mist surrounding him disappeared, Tristan looked around. He was indeed in Crysenium. The room was the same one in which he had awakened during his first visit.
Relieved that he had arrived safely, he dismounted. Shadow danced nervously as the stallion took in his new surroundings. Tristan rubbed Shadow’s head and the horse calmed. After tying the reins to a nearby column, theJin’Sai looked around.
The crystalline, spherical chamber looked exactly as before. Dozens of azure columns rose from the shiny floor and reached high into the air. The transparent ceiling showed a beautiful blue sky overhead. Determined to find the Envoys, he started to take the short walk to the meeting room where he had learned so many revelations.
“Welcome back, Jin’Sai, ” a voice said. “I am glad that you have returned.”
Tristan spun around to see Xanthus in his human form. Xanthus still wore the familiar black leather duster with the dark robe beneath it. As he walked toward the prince he held his axe and shield in his hands.
“Xanthus,” Tristan breathed. “You’re alive…”
“So it would seem,” the Darkling answered. When Xanthus spoke, he spun his axe with one hand, its blade turning so quickly that it hummed through the air.
Tristan suddenly felt hisK’Shari rising without having been beckoned. He tried to stay calm by reminding himself that Xanthus was a friend. But he soon realized that it was no use. Deciding to trust his blood, Tristan eyed Xanthus warily.
“Where are the Envoys?” he asked.
“They await you in the meeting room,” Xanthus answered cryptically.
Tristan instinctively stepped backward to gain some breathing room. It did not go unnoticed by Xanthus.
