Jean Rabe - Red Magic

"What will you do now?" Brenna asked as they moved deeper into Aglarond, toward the capital city.

The centaur shrugged and ran a callused hand across the top of his head. "I'm not sure. Rest for a few days, certainly, then report to the Harper council about what went on. After that, I don't know."

Brenna glanced hopefully up at Galvin. "And you?"

The druid stared ahead, watching a doe drink deeply from the river. The animal tilted its head in their direction, then bounded away. "Go home," he said simply.

"You could make a home for yourself back in Glarondar where I live," she said, smiling up at him.

Galvin returned her smile, then shook his head.

The trio broke through the line of willows and birches and emerged into a plain of wild wheat-the same plain Brenna had had so much difficulty traversing not so many days ago.

"You've proved you can handle the wilderness," the druid said, glancing at Brenna. "You could come home with me instead." He gestured north, toward the forest.

"The water and food are free, Brenna. No one takes advantage of you." Galvin looked wistfully toward the forest.

The enchantress followed his gaze, then stared toward the west, toward Glarondar, the tallest buildings of which she could just make out in the distance.

"I–I can't," she stammered.

"I know."

The druid realized that each of them had grown to accept the other's lifestyle and respect it. But living in that lifestyle would be too drastic a change.

"Wynter will take you home," he said simply.

"I'll miss you," she said softly, her eyes moist.

Galvin pulled her gently to him, wrapping his arms about her. "I won't be so far away. I'll come when you need the Harpers' help again." He kissed her and she returned his embrace, then rested her chin on his shoulder and gazed toward the First Escarpment, tears running down her cheeks. They were too far away to see the cliffs, but for a moment, she imagined she saw the faint image of Szass Tam hanging above the cliffs, his angry eyes hot, glowing pinpoints of light. She blinked and the image vanished.

In the distance, she spied a rain cloud, heralding another storm over Thay.