He did not let it rest. “One thing only, Xulai. One thing more important than anything else in the world. More important than I am, or Wold, or any of the rest of us. You must get to Tingawa! Somehow. However long it takes. You must get there. It is not just for the soul of my beloved. It is not just because of my promise to her father. It is not for any simple, easy reason. It is a matter far more important than that could ever be! You must take my word for it that it is far, far more important! Promise me! No matter what other thing intervenes or interjects itself, no matter how tempted you are to go aside from this journey, no matter what seems more important, more urgent! Even if your best friend is in danger, even if you have a husband or child who is threatened, even if you are aged and walk with a cane before you can complete the journey, you must get to Tingawa! Promise me!”
He held out his hands. She put her own into them and bowed over them, shaken to her heart at the vehemence of his words. “I promise you, Cousin. I promise you.”
After a moment’s silence, he said, “They know, in Tingawa, that the princess is dead. They know I am asking you, that is, the Xakixa, to make this promise. Both she and they required it of me when we were wed. Precious Wind was sworn to keep it. Now you are sworn to keep it.” He paused for a moment. “I must tell you something troubling . . .” He shifted uncomfortably.
She leaned forward and placed her hand over his. “Tell me whatever I need to know, Cousin.”
“Great Bear was sworn to serve Xu-i-lok. When he was sworn to service, we all thought, well, when . . . if the princess died, you would return to Tingawa immediately. If she did not die, you would stay here in her service while Great Bear and Precious Wind might return to Tingawa as they chose. We all knew Great Bear would choose to go home. He had already paid a part of the bride-price for the woman he had chosen. At the time, she was only a child, named Legami-am, but of a very good family. It was something of a coup for Bear to have betrothed her and there was plenty of time for little Legami-am to grow up before she and Bear would wed . . .”
“Ah,” she whispered. “But it has been a very long time.”
“It has been a very long time, longer than anyone could have foreseen. She is older now. They have sent messages to each other, they have seen each other’s pictures, they have been lauded, one to the other, by their families. Now Great Bear is afire to go home and start a family.”
“But we are going to Tingawa.”
“You are going by a long, slow way. Great Bear is not happy about that. Also, while in the service of Xu-i-lok he could not earn the prizes he had been earning at the battle games. He is a poorer man for having made this commitment, and I will not let him lose by his faithfulness. Half a year ago, Prince Orez sent three men to the abbey. They carried a very large reward I had given him for Bear and Precious Wind. It is more than enough to make up Bear’s bride-price. I will tell Precious Wind about it before you leave.”
“Why did you not send it now, with us, Cousin?”
“Better three hunters from Etershore, dressed shabbily, not worth the robbing, than a well-manned group of wagons from Woldsgard, Xulai. Such wagons are bait for snoopers and spies, some of them very clever. You will be looked over more than once on the way. The men from Etershore carried the treasure in gems, light in weight, easy to hide, and the abbey is accustomed to such. We know the funds are safe, waiting for them, for the men brought me the receipt on their way back, signed by the prior. I will give it to Precious Wind before you go. Neither she nor Bear will lose by their honorable commitment. Still, I wanted you to know the source of Bear’s discontent. He will get his treasure when he steps on the ship to Tingawa and not before. I believe him to be honorable, but we all know the danger of giving Bear any treasure so long as his . . . habit may come upon him.”
“I will be aware, Cousin. Does Precious Wind know this?”
“Yes. She knows part and will know all before she leaves. And she knows Bear well, and therefore understands the need. She calms him, but still he . . . frets.”
“How do they know in Tingawa that the princess is dead?”
“I sent birds to Wellsport and Etershore. Sometimes a small boat is blown across the sea by storm, and we send messages on the return voyage. Despite that, I am positive the Tingawans knew of it the moment it happened.” He turned slightly, staring out the window into the west, as though to find that far-off land. “If I learned anything about the Tingawan people from . . . from her, it was that these knowing senses of theirs are very real. Perhaps only some of them are so gifted. Xu-i-lok certainly was. I think Precious Wind is, also.”
He went to stand at the window, saying thoughtfully, “This business of being a soul carrier seems to be spoken of quite openly. The custom is generally known of in your land, and yet no one in Norland knows much about it. Not about it or about you . . .”
“Some in Norland know some things about Tingawa, Cousin,” Xulai blurted. “The duchess has a spy here.”
He turned to her, face drawn. “I know. Cook knows. The scullery maid. She’s not the first. She stays in the kitchen or
