Read Online Shadows Return by Lynn Flewelling - Free Book Online Page B

wrong, talí?”
    “Nothing you haven’t heard before.”
    “Going back to Aurënen makes you think about it, eh?”
    “Yes. And you?”
    Seregil grimaced. “Oh yes. I’m absolved, but not forgiven. But there’s no shadow on you.”
    “Because they’re not really my people.”
    “Let them know you as I do, and they will be. My sisters love you, and the clan will embrace you. Not because of me, or in spite of me, but for who you are.”
    Alec sighed and took his hand. There were some things even Seregil couldn’t understand.
             
    The weather blew fair and foul by turns, but the captain took full advantage of the winds and the
Lark
pounded swiftly on. They passed the Eamalie Islands on the fourth day and glided into Gedre harbor just as the sun was touching the jagged mountaintops beyond.
    There was no jubilant welcome this time; Skalan vessels had become a common sight here since the pact was signed. Alec felt a certain degree of pride as he counted the ships riding at anchor and the line of newly built storehouses along the shore. The town climbing the gentle rise beyond still looked the same, with its domed, whitewashed houses and flowering trees. Firelight glimmered warmly through hundreds of windows, formed a sparkling crescent around the harbor. The iron firepots on the quays cast wavering shafts of light across the water to meet them. A thin new moon—called Aura’s Bow here—had already risen above the eastern horizon.
    “I wonder if Ulan í Sathil has been here since the change?”
    “I hope so,” Seregil replied with a crooked smile. There was no love lost between him and the khirnari of Virésse. The easternmost clan and their allies had vigorously opposed the opening of another trade port, having enjoyed a monopoly on trade during the time of the Edict of Separation. In Gedre, however, the smugglers had been more than happy to trade openly once more.
    The surprised harbormaster met them at the quay and quickly sent word up to the clan house. A mounted messenger soon returned, leading a string of horses for them and carrying the khirnari’s warm welcome.
    Seregil took the red-painted message wand from his coat and snapped it in half. A tiny flash of light sizzled out and whipped away toward Skala.
    He smiled at Traneus. “That’s one.”
             
    Korathan was walking along the castle battlements, enjoying the night air, when the tiny blue orb appeared before him, hovering like a hummingbird. He touched it and a tiny voice—Magyana’s—said, “They have arrived at Gedre.”
    Pleased, he strode off to tell his sister.
    He found Phoria at sword practice with Elani in the queen’s private garden. He paused at the gate, admiring the skill on display. Dressed in plain practice leathers, Phoria and Elani struck at each other with blunted swords, catching each other’s blades on spiked bucklers. The girl was very quick. Korathan supposed she had to be; her aunt was not a gentle or forgiving tutor.
    “Keep your point up!” Phoria snapped, catching Elani’s blade with her own and knocking it aside.
    The girl recovered quickly and ducked under Phoria’s guard, ending with the point of her sword under the queen’s chin. They stayed like that for an instant, grey eyes locked with grey—so alike that to Korathan it was almost like seeing his sister at two different ages at once.
    Phoria broke into a rare grin. “The advantage is yours, lady. Well done!”
    Elani colored happily and lowered her blade.
    Phoria turned to Korathan. “Did you see that? She could have cut my throat just then.”
    “Well done, Niece.”
    Elani bowed, graceful even in her leathers. “Thank you, Uncle.”
    “I’ve had the first message,” Korathan told Phoria. “They are safely in Gedre.”
    Phoria tossed her practice sword to a page, exchanging it for a goblet of wine. “Good. Then the first toss is made.”
    “She will come.”
    “We will see.”
    “And will you be glad to see Aunt