But when he took Lanen, when he disappeared with her, I went cold from head to foot, felt my heart contract to an old and unwelcome ice. I fought it for the moment. There was too much to do first.

I waited until the last demon was dead, until Vilkas dropped his shield against the demons and healed the gash in my cheek. I thanked him for his kindness to me and to Rella, carried her gently to the fire we had been tending through the night and roused her from her healing sleep.

"Rella," I called softly. "Rella lass, coom nah, waken oop," I said, slipping for an instant into the thick accent of my youth. " 'Tis broad daylight, Rella. Come, lass, waken to me."

She stirred and opened an eye. "I'm weary, Jamie," she said sleepily, "go 'way—oh Hells." And between one breath and another she was awake and very aware of her last memory. "Oh Goddess, am I—but—how?" She lifted her hand to her face, then stood shakily with my help. "It can't be. How can I move, how can I stand? I felt that thing cut me down like a spider off its web, I dropped and couldn't feel a thing. How—?"

"Vilkas," I said. "Never seen the like." I took her hand. "You're right, lass. You were done for. I saw the cut. The lad has a blind spot about demons, but by all the Hells, he's the stuff of legend when it comes to healing."

"Amazing," she said, stunned.

Well, I'd best get it said and over so we could get on with things.

I took her by die shoulders and made her look me in the eye. "I must tell you, my girl. When I saw what had happened, before Vilkas said he could help, I had already drawn my sword. I was going to send you on ahead."

That was mere's cant, in such circumstances, for the merciful blow you give a comrade who will otherwise die a slow and painful death.

Rella drew me to her and kissed me soundly. "Thank the Goddess, you're neither fool nor coward," she said, her eyes locked with mine. "It's a long death, that one. I wouldn't wish it on anyone." She touched my cheek. "I'd have been grateful."

She released me and looked around. "What's happened to Varien? In fact, what's happened to—Lanen—" Her face changed and she looked appalled. "Oh Jamie, no, she isn't—"

"No, she's not dead, at least not yet," I said. "Berys came, I saw him, and he summoned a big bastard of a demon to take her. He's got her, Rella." I gazed into her eyes, into love so late found and so precarious still. "Berys stole her from under my nose. And I must go after as long as I have strength to try to get her back. I'm leaving, now you're awake."

"Just make sure you can keep up with me, old man," she said, smiling, her voice light, as if this was just another stage in our journey. If I hadn't seen the bright track down her cheek gleam in the sunlight, I'd never have known she wept. "But Jamie—I know it goes against your every instinct, but you must wait. There is too much we do not know."

"I have waited long enough!" I cried. "She could be dying!"

"And where would you run to, to find her?" Rella demanded. "And what would you do if she is protected by demons? Think, Master Jameth," she said. "We cannot rush after her like green recruits. We must plan this campaign. If he wanted her dead, why bother to take her away?"

"How should I stand here a moment longer when she is in his power?" I cried, even though I knew in my heart that Rella was right.

"Because you know you will be of no use to her dead. Come. We need to think, find out who is with us and how best to use our strength. How fares that young Healer—" she said, glancing around the field. There was certainly plenty to see. "Bright Lady! Jamie, you idiot, you didn't tell me there was a dragon come to call!"

I followed her slowly as she hurried to talk to it. Truth be told, I was a bit afraid. This creature's presence, its friendship with Varien—well, there, I'd been inclined to believe him of late in any case.

Varien. There he knelt in the grass, still in shock. He loved her, aye, true enough, I thought, gazing at his back. But I had the prior claim by more than twenty years.

I shivered as I felt it again, a cold wave sweeping over me, but this time I welcomed it. My heart was swept clean for that instant as I made my vow, as I declared my only purpose. I had always known, I suppose, but the time was now come.

I would go and speak with the great Dragon. Perhaps it would help us find Lanen.

And if it would not, no matter. For my only purpose in life now was to find Berys the Bastard, Berys Child-killer, come day come dark, come pain or death or all the Hells, and make him give me back my shining daughter. On my soul I swore it.

The other Gedri came to me and to Varien then, a little tentative at first because of my presence, but it seemed I was not completely unexpected.

They had seen what had happened.

Two of the Gedri came first and tried to lift him from his knees but he would not move. I spoke to them. "Forgive me, littlings. You are young, even in the span of your people, are you not?"

The man bowed. The woman answered, "Yes, we are, but we're Healers. He needs help."

I lowered my head that I might be nearer to her level and spoke more gently. "Lady, he is beyond help at this moment. I have known him all his life. I pray you, leave us. When he comes more to himself we will seek you out. It will not be long. What are you called?"

"Her name's Aral, Shikrar, and he is Vilkas. They're only trying to help," said a familiar voice. I found a solemn joy in that dark moment when I realised who stood before me, bedraggled and bloodstained.

"I greet thee gladly, Lady Rella," I said, bowing. "I believe that they act for the best as they see it, but please, come away with me all and we will speak of it further."

They followed me to a good distance, where Varien would not hear my words. "It eases my heart to see a familiar face, Lady, although I did not expect to see yours," I said to Rella as we walked.

She smiled. "Ah, there I have the advantage of you, for I knew you were coming. Now, why did you stop these two from helping Varien?"

"His wounds are not of the body, Lady, as you know well. He needs time." I lowered my voice to the merest whisper. "You do not hear him as I do. He calls to her even as we stand here, speaking on her name over and over." Aral the Healer put her hands over her mouth. "I know his pain, for I lost my mate after so short a time together—"

"And I lost my child when she was barely ten years old," said Rella sharply. "Death comes untimely to all who live, Shikrar, not only to the Kantri."

I bowed. "True, Lady. I did not mean to imply that my pain was worse than another's. But Akhor waited a thousand years for the deep love of his heart to blossom, and it has been in flower so short a time. Please, in this let me serve my friend."

Rella stood with bowed head for a moment, then looking up she reached out suddenly to touch my faceplate. "Help him if you can, Shikrar. He needs you. But time is of the essence. If he takes too long to rouse, I will help him myself." She turned and strode rapidly away.

I had the time, as I walked back to rejoin Varien, finally to look at the creatures that looked so familiar but kept their distance. I knew Varien was with the Lesser Kindred, but I had not realised they would be so beautiful or so in awe of me as they seemed, or that they—

Soulgems. They had soulgems.

"Akhor!" I cried, reaching out in my surprise, without thinking, to my oldest companion.

I heard his mindvoice, indeed, but it was no answer. Soft, barely to be heard, the refrain of a distant, dying song.

"Lanen—Lanen—Lanen— "

I waited with the others on the Isle of Rest. I had heard no word from Shikrar, so I expected that it would be some days yet before the way could be ready for us to arrive in Kolmar.