"What about the clan? They will need a healer while you are gone,” Athlone said.
"I will ask the healer of the Dangari to send one of his apprentices. He has a man ready to pass his rites.”
Athlone stood and rubbed his chin thoughtful y. "Al right. You are welcome to come with us,” He paused. "How did you know I was going?"
"You could not do otherwise.”
Athlone snorted. "And what of the clan I am leaving behind, O wise sage?"
"They will be fine,” Piers replied. "It is us I would worry about."
The chieftain laughed without humor and went to the entrance. "We wil leave in two days. . .
provided Gabria returns in time." He turned and strode out.
Piers watched him go. He missed his friend, Savaric, very much, yet through Gabria he had found some common ground with Athlone. Now the son was becoming as good a friend as the father. The old healer sighed to himself. He could hardly believe he had asked to go to Pra Desh. Even after eleven years he was not certain he was up to facing the old memories and emotions. At least Gabria and Athlone would be with him. He would not have to endure the ordeal alone. He forced down his rising apprehension and went to find a rider willing to take a message to Dangari Treld.
In the meantime, Athlone returned to the hal and the business of planning for the journey. He met with the elders and warriors and told them of his decision. A few were concerned about his leaving, but the majority understood the necessity of finding Branth and avenging the murder of Lord Savaric. Quite a few men volunteered to go with him. He chose Bregan and three other seasoned warriors as an escort and ordered the remainder to stay and obey Guthlac, who he named wer-tain.
As the meeting continued, Athlone and the elders discussed clan problems. They made plans for the approaching birthing season, when the herds would be having their young, and for the Khulinin's departure for the Tir Samod. Guthlac made several astute suggestions, and Athlone was relieved to see the elders and the warriors listened to the new wer-tain with respect. At least, the chieftain thought, I can feel secure about leaving the clan in Guthlac's capable hands.
By late afternoon, die entire clan knew that their lord was going on a long journey and that Gabria was missing again. Everyone was buzzing about Pra Desh, magic, Branth, and the absent girl. The priest, Thalar, stole from group to group, trying to convince the clanspeople that Gabria's evil was spreading and that she was going to destroy their chief. But the priest's lies were overshadowed by the tale of Gabria's meeting with the King Stallion. Those who had heard the tale the day before spread it all over camp, embellishing the story with every telling. People flocked to the meadows to stare in awe at Eurus, who contentedly grazed before his audience. The speculation grew that Gabria had left to see the Hunnuli herd again. Perhaps, the people said to one another, she would return with more of the horses.
The truth became clear late that afternoon in a way no one quite expected. The clanspeople had not known of Nara's pregnancy before Gabria was banished and had seen little of the mare since her return, so they had not noticed her bulging sides. Thus it was that the news of Gabria and Nara's return swept through the camp like a whirlwind.
Athlone was the first to know of their coming. He was talking to Piers about supplies for the journey when he suddenly stiffened. "Eurus?" he gasped. His eyes went wide, and his handsome face broke into a grin.
"Piers,” he cried in delight. "She's coming back. Eurus told me. Nara has had her foal!"
The two men ran through the camp just as an outrider came, from the edge of the treld, shouting the news. Clanspeople gathered in the fields to see Gabria, Nara, and the long legged foal come out of the hil s and cross the meadows. Never in the recent memory of the Khulinin had anyone seen a baby Hunnuli.
The foal stared wide-eyed at the crowds, his small ears perked and his whisk-tail twitching. He trotted forward to sniff noses with Eurus. The stallion nickered gently; the foal whinnied in reply. As the three Hunnuli gathered around Gabria and walked with her to the camp, the clan watched, caught up in the wonder of the moment.
Athlone met them on the training field. He swept Gabria into his arms and kissed her soundly.
"Don't ever leave me again without telling me where you're going."
Happily she hugged him. "Hel o to you, too."
"And you!" the chieftain said, turning to Eurus. "Why didn't you tell me where they were?" The stallion tossed his head.
You did not ask.
Gabria laughed. "You'll have to get used to having a Hunnuli around again, Athlone."
The chieftain chose to ignore her remark. He stood with Gabria as the three Hunnuli trotted off to the river and the crowd of excited clanspeople slowly dispersed.
"We're going to leave in a day's time,” Athlone said after a while. "Is the foal strong enough to travel?"
Gabria looked at him sharply. "We?"
"I am going with you. So is Piers."
"Piers, too? Blessed be Amara!" She grinned, the relief plain on her face. "Thank you, Athlone. I was afraid I'd have to go alone."
"You've been alone long enough,” Athlone replied.
"But what about the council this summer?"
"If Branth and the Fon do not cause too much trouble, we'll have enough time to return for gathering at the Tir Samod." He hesitated, then he drew Gabria close. "Wil you marry me before we go?"
She leaned into him, her eyes almost level with his. Her finger gently traced the strong line of his jaw. She had been dreading this question. "Not yet, Athlone. I love you so much. But
