that this was not the answer he had wanted. “Still, I’ve never tried to enter an Eandi’s dreams. I suppose it may be possible.”
Tavis nodded, but said nothing more.
It was the only time they even came close to speaking of Grinsa’s impending departure.
When at last the host came within sight of the royal city, just before dusk on the twelfth day of their journey, the gleaner’s impatience got the better of him.
“Your Majesty, may we have your permission to ride ahead? I’m … I’m quite eager to reach the castle.”
Kearney smiled and nodded. “Of course. I’ll ride with you.” He looked back at Gershon Trasker. “Swordmaster, I’d like you to remain with the men for the rest of their march. We three are going to ride on to the city.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
It was late in the waning, and though they pushed their mounts, the three riders still hadn’t reached the city walls when night fell. Grinsa raised a bright yellow flame to light their way, and some time before they came to the walls, they were joined by a large contingent of soldiers who had ridden forth at the sight of his fire. Recognizing their king, several of the men returned to the castle, shouting news of the king’s return. By the time Kearney, Tavis, and Grinsa rode through the south gate, bells were tolling throughout the city and thousands of people had lined the streets to cheer their sovereign. They regarded Tavis and Grinsa warily, but if they still thought the young noble a butcher, they kept it to themselves.
Grinsa, Tavis, and Kearney entered the castle, only to find that most of the soldiers who had remained behind when the king rode to war had gathered in the main courtyard to greet them. It promised to be a lengthy welcome.
“Your Majesty…”
Kearney grinned. “Go, gleaner. Tavis and I will find you later.”
He was off his horse almost before the king had finished speaking. “Thank you, Your Majesty,” he said with a quick bow.
A moment later he was running toward the chamber in which Cresenne had stayed before being moved to the prison tower. He could only assume that she had been returned to the same room after Kearney and the nobles left Audun’s Castle.
He needn’t have even wondered. She was waiting for him at the entrance to the corridor, Bryntelle in her arms, torchlight glittering in her pale eyes, starlight shimmering in her hair. He strode to her, wrapping her in his arms and kissing her long and deep.
“I can’t believe you’re really here,” she murmured, her breath warm on his cheek.
They kissed again, only to be interrupted by a loud squeal from Bryntelle.
“I think someone else would like a hug.”
Grinsa laughed. Had he ever been this happy? “Look at you!” he said to his daughter. “She’s so big!”
“She can sit up by herself now. And she’s making all kinds of sounds.”
The child was every bit as beautiful as Cresenne. Her mouth and nose were just like her mother’s. Her eyes were more like his in shape, and their color was a perfect blending of Grinsa’s and Cresenne’s.
“She’s exquisite.”
“Isn’t she?”
He glanced at Cresenne, kissed her again.
“Do you want to hold her?”
Grinsa nodded. Cresenne put Bryntelle in his arms, and, of course, the child immediately began to cry.
“She’s not used to you.”
“It’s all right,” he said, rocking Bryntelle gently. “She has plenty of time.”
He smiled down at the girl, gently stroking her cheek with a finger and whispering to her. Eventually her crying subsided and she grabbed hold of his finger with a tiny hand.
“I’ve spoken to the queen a few times recently,” Cresenne said at length.
“The queen? Really?” he said, his attention still fixed on Bryntelle.
“She’s been kind to me. She says that she can give us a bigger chamber, if Kearney will agree.”
He looked up. “That’s kind of her. But I have something else in mind, if you’re willing to leave the City of Kings.”
Cresenne regarded him skeptically. “Leave? I didn’t think Kearney would ever allow it.”
“He’ll let us go if we agree to leave Eibithar.”
“And you’d be willing to do that?”
He smiled. “I’ll go anywhere, as long as I’m with the two of you.”
Her face brightened. “All right. Where?”
“The Southlands.”
Grinsa hadn’t been certain how she would respond to this. He feared that she might be reluctant to go so far.
But there was wonder in her eyes as she said, “It’s perfect.”
They had surprisingly little to do in preparation for their journey. Cresenne had few belongings and all that Grinsa had brought with him from Curgh was already packed and ready. Cresenne still had a bit of gold, as did Grinsa, and Tavis had given the gleaner a good deal more, insisting that it was the least he could do to repay Grinsa for all he had done.
“I have an entire treasury at my disposal now,” Tavis had said, insisting that the gleaner accept his gift. “Let me do this for you.”
“I’ve been living off your gold for too long,” Grinsa told him.
“Fine then, after this I won’t give you any more.”
At last, Grinsa relented. “Very well. Thank you, Tavis. I’m in your debt.”
“Just keep your promise, and I’ll consider us even.”
Only two days after Grinsa’s arrival in the City of Kings, he and Cresenne were ready to leave. They had agreed that they would seek passage on a ship and brave the highlands of the Border Range only as a last resort. Grinsa couldn’t remember ever being this excited.
They had an audience with the king in the morning at which Kearney formally gave them permission to leave the castle and the realm.
“Go in peace,” the king said. “Both of you. I hope you find happiness in the Southlands.”
Grinsa bowed to him. “Thank you, Your Majesty. I’ve called Eibithar my home all my life. Leaving it could never be easy. But I’m comforted knowing that I leave it under the authority of such a noble and fair-minded man.”
“I’ll do everything in my power to make certain that your roles in our victory are never forgotten. Perhaps with time, my people will be ready to embrace a Weaver as both ally and neighbor.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” But Grinsa doubted that he would see such a change in his lifetime.
Grinsa, Cresenne, and Bryntelle left the king, made their way out of the castle, and walked toward the city marketplace, where they were to meet Tavis.
“I can’t believe he’s making you do this,” Cresenne said, smiling slightly.
Grinsa grinned and shrugged. “I did promise. And really, it’s the least I can do for him.”
“You’re fortunate that the Revel’s still here. Normally you’d have to go all the way to Eardley this time of year.”
They made their way to the gleaning tent, where they found Tavis standing by the entrance with Trin. The old gleaner hadn’t changed much since Grinsa last saw him: he was still fat and bald, with round, pink cheeks and a sly smile.
“It’s good to see you, cousin,” he said, taking Grinsa’s hand in both of his. “I’m glad to know that all my efforts to get you and this lovely woman together weren’t for naught. It seems I know something about love after all.”
Cresenne laughed, but Grinsa remained serious.
“Cresenne tells me that you saved her life, and kept Bryntelle from being taken away. She also says that you did all this at no small cost to yourself.”
