David Weber - War Maid's choice

“Well, I don’t suppose he could have survived under Churnazh as long as he did if he weren’t a patient fellow,” Leeana said thoughtfully, and Bahzell chuckled.

“Aye, so he is. And it’s in my mind as Sharkah knows it, too. I’m thinking she’s minded to see just how patient he’s after being. And she’s naught but in her early fifties. She’s time to let him be wearing her down properly.”

Leeana looked up at him in amusement, then frowned.

“But if she does marry him, would she have to leave the Order?”

“As to that, the decision would be up to her,” Bahzell said much more soberly. “She’d not have to give up her sword oath, but it’s like enough the Hurgrum Chapter would be releasing her. And she’d not agree to wed if she’d any notion but to be meeting the duties as came with wedding a ruling prince. It’s not at all surprised I’d be if she’s already discussed it with Hurthang.”

Leeana nodded. Hurthang had become the commander of the Hurgrum Chapter following Vaijon’s death. It wasn’t a responsibility he’d wanted, for a lot of reasons, but as Bahzell had pointed out upon occasion, a follower of Tomanak was one who did what needed doing, and there’d never been any doubt who the Chapter itself would choose as Vaijon’s successor. And it was probably just as well there’d been no confusion about its leadership, since the Chapter-despite its losses at the Hangnysti-would soon be far larger than it had been. The Battle of the Hangnysti had done nothing but increase its renown, and its human membership was growing by leaps and bounds.

And the fact that Prince Yurokhas has joined the Hurgrum Chapter hasn’t hurt its recruiting here in the Kingdom one bit, she reflected.

“Vaijon would be proud of them, I think,” she said softly, and Bahzell smiled.

“Aye, that he would. A rare popinjay he was, when first we met, but a finer man I’ve never known.”

"Well, if that’s so, you had quite a bit to do with the way it turned out" a voice said suddenly from behind them, and they turned quickly, eyes widening.

" No need to look as if you’ve just seen a ghost,› Vaijon told them with an impish smile. He stood on the battlements, the East Tower’s steeply pitched roof just barely visible through him, and a soft blue glow clung to him, bright enough to be visible even in the sunlight.

“Lad-” Bahzell began, then stopped.

" What? You’ve finally encountered something that can shut you up and Brandark isn’t even here to see it?"

Vaijon laughed, and the bright, joyous sound went through them both like a cleansing wind.

“I’ve no doubt you’ll be dropping in on him to tell him all about it,” Bahzell said after a moment.

"There are some things a champion of Tomanak doesn’t do to another champion of Tomanak, and giving Brandark that kind of ammunition comes under that heading, I think," Vaijon told him. "Besides, that’s not why I’m here."

“No?” Leeana touched the silver sprig of amethyst-leaved perriwinkle she wore in her hair. She seemed preposterously calm to Bahzell, but Vaijon only smiled at her. “Why are you here, then?”

"To tell this big lummox you’re married to not to fret,› Vaijon said. He turned back to Bahzell, and his smile turned softer. ‹ It’s not your fault, you know. I always wanted to serve Tomanak, and you were simply kind enough to straighten me out."

His smile faded away completely, but his blue eyes were warm as they met Bahzell’s.

"Bahzell, there’s not a moment of my life-or my death-since that day in Belhadan that I’ve regretted. You gave me my life, the one I always wanted, and no man ever had a friend or a brother he loved more than I love you. I died doing what I was born to do, and I’m not entirely sure I’m done doing it yet. I’m still working on understanding the rules, and you may recall that I can be a little bit of a slow study. But tell Hurthang and the others how much they meant to me, and that the other lads and I will be waiting for them-and you, of course." He smiled again. " Not that I have any grim portents of impending doom for any of you."

“And-” Bahzell paused and cleared his throat. “And I’m sure it’s glad they’ll all be to hear it,” he told his friend just a bit huskily.

"Probably." Vaijon agreed. ‹ But in the meantime, I’m sure you’ll find plenty of things to keep you busy. In fact, I see one-Well, never mind. That would be telling."

“I can see as there are some things even dying doesn’t change,” Bahzell said much more dryly, and Vaijon laughed.

"Of course not, Bahzell! Where would be the fun in that?› His body began to thin, becoming increasingly translucent, and his smile turned impish once more. " But don’t worry! I’ll be keeping an eye on you. What else are friends for?"

He was almost invisible now, and Bahzell seemed to feel a hand resting on his shoulder. It squeezed for just a moment, then released him, and he heard Vaijon’s laughing voice one last time.

"After all, I’ll need to take lots of notes for the nights I spend helping Brandark work on new verses, won’t I?"