that she had met him; perhaps Mr. Madres will have some idea of what she should do.
“We’ll be there,” he yelled after her, then turned and ran all out away from her.
?
It took two days to coordinate the move back to Noble Island. They went by Traveler, appearing just outside the main hall. Tar Amon was waiting for them.
“Welcome back,” he said with a genuine smile for each.
Gwaynn glanced around, but no one else from Noble Island was present. Amon was with a tall, handsome older woman, with incredibly long silvery-blonde hair. She was looking at Gwaynn with a mixture of curiosity and concern.
“This is Zarina Aleecia,” Amon said. “She is the leader of the Travelers.”
“Well met, Prince Gwaynn Massi,” she said her voice smooth and deeper than he expected.
Gwaynn’s eyes went wide with surprise, but he bowed slightly at the waist. He was immediately concerned that she knew his true identity, but made no effort to deny it. He was also mildly amused that the Zarina bowed to him in return. “You’ve had an eventful year,” she added.
Gwaynn shrugged, thinking he would not have chosen those words to describe the nightmare of the past year.
“You have many enemies,” she said, “and the list is growing longer. But do not count the Travelers among them.”
“I thank you,” he finally spoke, wondering where all this was going.
“We would like to assign a Traveler to you personally, for your protection,” she explained, aware of his confusion. Gwaynn gaped at her for a moment, for this was a very rare offer. In all, there were only about a dozen or so Master Travelers. The number of acolytes was unknown to most outside the Isle of Light. To have a personal Traveler was very expensive, and as far as Gwaynn knew only the High King himself managed such a thing. Gwaynn’s father, as well as the rest of the royal families made do with Speakers, who could communicate at long distances, but not actually create the power needed to move through space. The Speakers would summon a Traveler, and then the family would pay.
Gwaynn frowned and forced himself not to look over at Nev.
“I am honored,” he said, but he was not at all sure he wanted or needed a Traveler tagging along. In fact, he was sure he did not. It would be too easy to be a spied upon, too easy for someone to track his movements if the Traveler was untrustworthy. “I will consider it,” he added.
Both Tar Amon and Zarina Aleecia frowned, but no more was said about it.
“If you have no objections,” Gwaynn said, now addressing Tar Amon. “I would like to pay my respects to Leek and his family, and if it would not be too much trouble to Master Kostek and his students. Is Vio still in the infirmary?”
“No, she’s up and about. Her arm is still in a sling and will be for another few weeks, but she insisted on running last week and has been everyday since,” Amon answered, the pride in his voice obvious to all. “Vio is here and a few others, but most of the students are still away, and will be for another two weeks before the beginning of the next training year.”
“Oh yes,” Gwaynn said, remembering that the students were given a lengthy break between training years.
“Vio is probably with Tar Kostek. You’re welcome to go and visit. I’m sure Leek’s family would be happy to have you move back in.”
Gwaynn wanted to say something, but the presence of the Zarina held him back, so instead he just nodded and took his leave. He walked quickly, his limp hardly noticeable now, and headed toward the Mele Quarter.
He saw Vio well before she was aware of him. She was sitting, watching Krys spar with Tar Kostek. Looking at her slim back, narrow shoulders and short black hair he finally came to peace with his decision to return to Massi. He could not hide any longer, could not fool himself into believing that staying on the islands would bring safety. To stay would only put those he’d grown to care about in mortal danger. Gwynn, Karl, Mille, had all met their end, plus there were the attacks on Vio and even Elise. He was a danger to them all.
Krys and Kostek were sparring with katas, and so were not aware of his approach, but when he came close enough Vio must have sensed something and turned around. She stared into his eyes for a long, startled moment, then smiled and spun around to face him. Her nose still had a slight bulge in it, but her bruises were gone. She wore a sling as Master Amon had said, and her wrist was heavily taped. Despite these injuries she jumped from the stool she had been sitting on and rushed to him. She lifted both arms and though the sling retarded her movement a good deal, managed to give him a hug, then kissed him on the cheek and stepped back to look at him.
“You’re taller,” she said, though they had only been separated about a month. It was true, however, that since his arrival on Noble Island he had grown a great deal. Where he once looked her directly in the eyes, now he gazed down at her.
“She’s right,” Tar Kostek said and grabbed Gwaynn’s arm by way of greeting. “You are taller.” Gwaynn shook his former teacher’s hand, and then turned to Krys, who made a slight bow, one that Gwaynn returned.
“How are you?” he asked, directing the question at Vio.
She smiled and shrugged. “Healing. Pugg believes I will be able to take this off in another couple weeks,” she added, indicating the sling.
“Great,” Gwaynn said, then turned to Tar Kostek. “May I borrow her for a while?” he asked. “Just until you’ve finished sparring.”
“But of course,” the elder man answered with a knowing smile. He glanced at Vio whose face was now tinted pink, but when he looked back at Gwaynn, he noticed no such flush. The boy was growing up quickly.
Gwaynn placed his hand on Vio’s good arm, just above her elbow and led her away from the two sparring warriors and out toward the beach where a life time ago, they had started their runs. Vio felt tiny electric shocks where his fingers met her skin. Her mind was racing, but not in any coherent fashion. She walked with him in silence, wondering just what was on his mind. She looked up at him, but his profile gave away nothing.
They landed on the path, which led up a rise and then down through the dunes of the beach and ultimately to the Inland Sea.
“I won’t be staying,” he said just as the sea came into view.
Vio felt her heart sink seemingly all the way to her toes. They moved down the sandy hill toward the beach below. “Where will you go?” She asked, dreading the answer she knew he would give.
He half smiled. “Massi. It’s time I went home. Being on the Islands hasn’t kept anyone from trying to kill me.”
“The Deutzani will hunt you there,” she said, and it was clear from the statement that she no longer considered herself a Deutzani.
Gwaynn nodded. “And I will hunt them.”
Vio sighed as they moved out onto the beach and down close to the water. They moved in and out on the very edge of the waves walking west, both watching the sea birds gliding and dipping around them. Without warning and as easily as sliding into an old pair of boots, Gwaynn’s hand slipped into hers. She was surprised and warmed, but for the first time with him she did not read more into the gesture than was there. He would go to Massi, and she would stay on Noble.
“Why did you come back?” she finally asked. He stopped walking and took her other hand in his.
“Jon, Nev’s brother will land in Hymnia in two days. I will meet him there, but before I went I wanted to say good-bye to my favorite Tarina.”
It took her a brief second to understand that he was talking about her, and as the realization dawned on her, he leaned forward and kissed her, softly at first but with a growing passion, fueled by need and denial.
The kiss lasted only a few seconds, far too short for either of them, but Gwaynn broke away, and with great discipline turned about and began to lead her back in the direction that they had come. Neither said anything, for both understood the necessities of their positions. Life had separated them and life would keep them apart. When they reached the bottom of the path, which led up through the dunes, they saw Krys waiting at the very top of the hill. Still holding hands, they did not hurry and Krys made no move to come down and meet them.
“Master Amon told us about the Temple Knights,” Krys said once the two had approached close enough for
