She remembered Wynn once angrily facing her down, insisting that they give all their food to a village of starving peasants.

She remembered Chap running along a burning rail to throw himself at Leesil amid the fire aboard the elven ship.

She remembered Sgaile's body under a willow tree.

And Leesil's face at their wedding when he said, "I swear."

Magiere turned from the wind to join her companions-and her husband. As she ran her fingers through the back of Leesil's hair, she didn't know what the future held-only that she had to protect the orb and trust in those she loved.

The ship sailed out toward open sea.