Кейт Новак - Finder's Bane

“I think the darkness inside of me is something I have to deal with myself,” Jas said.

“Very well,” Jedidiah said, “but perhaps I shall check in on you sometime to see if you need a song to lighten your heart.”

“I think I could tolerate that level of godly interference,” Jas replied. “Maybe.”

“Then I guess it’s time I escorted you all back to the Realms,” Jedidiah said.

Joel shook his head. “I need to return to Sigil,” he said. “But I don’t want you following this time. It’s way too risky.”

Jedidiah looked surprised and more than a little concerned. “Does—does this mean you’re leaving me?” he asked.

“Only for a while,” Joel assured him. “I thought I’d help Holly hide the Hand of Bane. Then I have another duty.”

“Oh?”

“I owe the end of a story to a bariaur. When I’ve finished my tale, I hope Dits will tell it to others … other priests and other gods. Maybe even the Athar.”

“You’ll have to tell it to me when you return,” Jedidiah replied.

Joel grinned broadly. “You’ll be able to hear it firsthand when I tell it in Sigil,” he said. “I’ve restored your ability to sense what happens around your priests … around me.”

“I know,” Jedidiah said.

“But you still want to hear me tell the tale,” Joel realized aloud. “You want to hear me say your name and tell people that I’m your priest.”

“Yes,” Jedidiah said with a sheepish grin.

“That’s my purpose … to strengthen you, as you strengthen me,” Joel said. “A priest’s purpose is not about being a slave to power as Walinda thought. It’s a covenant about growing and renewing one another, god and follower both.”

Jedidiah sighed and smiled. “Yes,” he agreed. “I understand now,” Joel said, “I can accept that I’m your priest, without reservations, now and forever.”

“And I accept the gift of your following with great joy,” Jedidiah said. “Forever.”

The Rebel Bard held out his hand.

On the corpse of a dead deity the god Finder clasped hands with his faithful priest.

Kate Novak and Jeff Grubb are co-authors of the best-selling Finder’s Stone Trilogy. Their most recent collaboration—like this one, a Harpers adventure—was Masquerades . Jeff is the author of Lord Toede and co-author, with Ed Greenwood, of Cormyr: A Novel . He is also an accomplished professional game designer. Kate has also published short stories and gamebooks with TSR.