Gail Martin - The summoner

"They brought Ric back with a bad belly wound. I tried to save him," she said, her voice thick with self-condemnation. "I ignored everything I'd ever learned about healing, about going too deep, hanging on too hard. When he died, I nearly went with him." She looked up at Kiara, tears bright in her eyes. "And I don't remember a thing after that until I woke up in the citadel of the Sisterhood in Principality," she said.

"Afterwards, Cam told me it was like I was dead and alive at the same time. Said I couldn't hear, couldn't speak, couldn't see. He was desperate," she said, looking down again. "The only place he could think to go was the Sisterhood, and he begged them to take me in." She shrugged. "He said they sent him away and told him they would find him if they succeeded."

Kiara knew the rest of the story. With nowhere else to go, Cam rode for Isencroft, where Donelan welcomed him. A year later, the Sisters summoned Cam back to Principality City. Carina was healed, but Cam said that she was changed, distant. Kiara suspected that was the reason her cousin had managed to elude any potential suitors-at least, until Jonmarc Vahanian.

"It's been a long time," Kiara said quietly. "Things are different now. You're not alone. You know we won't let anything happen to you… especially Jonmarc." She paused. "Don't tell me you haven't noticed the way he looks at you."

Carina blushed and turned away. "You know," she said, "in the slavers' camp, when they brought Jonmarc to me and he was so close to death, it was like having it all happen again. If it hadn't been for Tris, I would have lost him. I felt him slipping away. Tris anchored him. I was scared that if Tris went too deep to hang onto Jonmarc I'd lose them both."

"But you didn't."

"But I could have," Carina replied softly. "It's just so much safer not to care."

Kiara got up and walked over to stare out the window for a few moments in silence. The sky was gray and the trees bare. Deep snowfalls would come soon. They were silent for a while, each lost in thought.

"I can't believe I've come this far, only to fail at my Journey," Kiara said quietly.

"What are you talking about?"

"The Oracle sent me to the Library at Westmarch to find out how to save Isencroft. Everyone else has gotten what they came for. You found out that Cam reached father with the Sisterhood's elixir, and you've found more information to help father recover."

She sipped her tea. "Tris seems to have found what he needed, even if he will need to study with the Sisters for the rest of the winter. Mikhail found out more about the beasts, Carroway has his tales and songs and legends, even Berry has gotten the stories she wanted. Jonmarc's had a proper salle to train everyone and some time off the road. But I'm no closer to saving Isencroft than I was when I left," she said, looking out the window at the barren landscape.

They heard the door latch click as Taru closed the door behind her. "Tell me, Kiara Sharsequin, what you have learned on the road from Isencroft?" the Sister asked, and Kiara was chagrined that the mage had overheard her lament.

"I saw the bloodshed in Margolan and the dispossessed farmers," Kiara said quietly, remembering. "I've seen just what kind of king Jared Drayke is. I've met vayash moru and fought magicked monsters and discovered that the Library exists."

"And your companions? What have you gained from them?"

Kiara thought longer this time. "I've certainly had a good brush-up on my sword skills from Jonmarc!" she said with a rueful smile. "Mikhail has promised to ask King Harrol for advisors." She paused. "He's also offered to introduce me to King Staden, and help me make a case for Principality's assistance."

"And what of Martris Drayke?" Taru pressed.

Kiara looked at her cup as she thought about that answer. "Tris promised me that if he takes the throne, Margolan will pose no threat to Isencroft," she said softly. "And that he will send whatever help he can."

Taru nodded once more. "You did not completely answer my question. What have you learned about Martris Drayke himself?"

Kiara blushed and looked away. "He is an honorable man, a brave man, a man of his word. He would make a good king."

Taru fixed Kiara with the considered stare of a teacher. "Would you have believed those things possible of Jared Drayke's brother, had you not traveled beside him?"

"No. I don't think so."

Taru looked at her appraisingly. "And what of your other reason for making the Journey? Your private reason?"

Kiara exchanged glances with Carina, embarrassed. "You mean to avoid the arranged marriage?"

"Yes."

"I know for certain just what a demon Jared Drayke is, and what forces are aligning against him," Kiara said quietly. "I have Tris's promise that nothing will be required of Isencroft by force."

"What did you think to find here, Kiara of Isencroft?" Taru said, gently reproving. "Were you expecting a talisman or a magic book?" Kiara blushed scarlet and said nothing. "You gain pledges of alliance and protection for Isencroft from Dhasson and Margolan, and likely Principality. You are at the center of the effort to bring down Jared Drayke and defeat Arontala-which must succeed to save your father. And you have won a chance for freedom-both for Isencroft and for yourself."

Taru's expression softened. "I am not unfamiliar with the language of kings. There is something more you might consider. Such an arrangement may be referred to as between Kiara and Jared, but the formalities would have matched the daughter of Donelan to the heir to the throne of Margolan. Once Jared Drayke is deposed, that heir becomes Martris Drayke," she said, amusement in her eyes at Kiara's surprise. "You are now free to follow your heart."

"We're really just good friends," Kiara stammered, embarrassed at Taru's insight.

"The Oracle told you that from Margolan comes source and solution, did she not?"

"I just never thought that it would be the people and experiences of the Journey that would matter more than what I found at the end," Kiara said.

"You are not at the end, although your time in the Library is drawing to a close," Taru replied. "The Sisterhood is agreed that there is some role the Lady would have you play in the defeat of Arontala. Signs suggest that the effort will be more difficult-or perhaps fail entirely-if your part goes unplayed."

"Sweet Chenne," Kiara whispered. "I thought about going on to Margolan with Tris and the others-Carina's resolved that she must. I wasn't sure whether I could leave Isencroft that long."

"Isencroft cannot afford to have you leave this thing undone," Taru replied.

"I heard Mikhail and Jonmarc talking with Tris," Carina told Kiara. "They want to get on the road before the snows fall. Mikhail says there are Margolan troops within a few candlemarks,

in small groups. Assassins." Kiara shuddered. "We're getting boxed in. I'm surprised we haven't left before this."

"There is one more thing Tris must finish, before you can leave," said Taru. "He is ready to enter the crypt of King Argus. Argus's sword, Mageslayer, must be won in combat."

"Taru has asked me to be on hand, when he goes," added Carina.

"To put him back together again if he fails?" "If he fails, he won't come back, Kiara. That's the price," said Carina. "No one who has sought the sword has ever returned. Taru wants me there because we don't know what kind of shape he'll be in if he succeeds."

Kiara could think of no reply, and so she looked back out the window. Carina's words echoed in her mind, even after the healer and the sorceress had said goodnight and left her to her thoughts.

ALTHOUGH TRIS SAID nothing to his companions about the quest for Mageslayer, he suspected that Carina had told the tale. On the day he was to go into the crypt, his friends lingered with him at lunch, as if unsure of what to say. Berry kissed him on the cheek for luck. Carroway looked sober, clapping Tris on the shoulder and wishing him the favor of the lady. Carina reassured him that she and Royster would be waiting, then took leave to gather up her medicines.