Sitting on the edge of the bed, Thia held each box in one of her hands. The one Helix had given her was larger, but the design was nearly identical to hers. Placing the gold one next to her, she opened the silver one. Taking out the leather roll, she put the box down before taking a closer look at the tools.
The set looked like the one she’d found in her room in Cirrain. Helix said something about them being marked, though, she thought. Tugging at a thin bladed hook, she took a closer look. On the metal band that connected the instrument to the wood handle, she found it. Keroys’s symbol, a set of balanced scales. Resting on each was the letter ‘B.’ His initials. Not the surname I knew, but then he was an artisan before I was born. A small wave of sadness washed over her. I know you said back in Almair you were proud of me, Papa. That seems so long ago. I wish I knew if you still were.
“Thia?”
She took a deep breath, then looked up at Jinaari. “I’m good.” Replacing the tool, she rolled the case back up and secured it before placing it into the silver box. “Is it time?”
“The others are ready. We can get the horses saddled, leave as soon as Gnat’s tribe arrives.” His head tilted slightly. “How are you feeling?”
Rising, she put her box in the pouch on her belt. The other went into her pack. “Warm. Either the fever’s back, or we’ve gone far enough south for me to get rid of my coat.” She heard him walk closer. One hand gently touched her forehead.
“I’m thinking the former. Anything else feel off?”
Nodding, she said, “Yes, but it’s hard to explain.”
“Try.”
“It’s like part of me is numb. Not physically, but mentally. Emotionally. Almost as if there’s some sort of barrier there.”
“What about your guest?”
Thia shrugged. “I know she’s there, but it’s like she’s asleep. It’s been that way since we arrived. Why?” she asked him. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”
“Yes,” Jinaari said, “and I will tell you. Just not here. Tonight, when it’s just the four of us and we’ve set up camp for the night. I promise.”
“I can wait.” She threaded her arm through the strap of her pack and hefted it onto her back. “Are you blindfolding me again? Tying my hands to the saddle? I doubt the other one will stay quiet all the way to the grotto.”
“I will if I have to, but not right away. You do want to say goodbye to Gnat, right? If you’d rather sneak out like we did in Cirrain, I can arrange it.”
“That didn’t work too well, and you know it.” She laughed. “Pan and Elizabeth came anyway. No,” she said as she walked toward the door, “let’s meet his tribe. It’s going to make his status among them even more legendary than any story he tells will. Do you think we should give him some sort of honorary title? Elizabeth would back us on it, and he has done some good things. He kept you from becoming giant spider food, for example.”
“You’re not going to let me live that down, are you?” Jinaari grumbled at her.
“I’m simply making a point. We were told to bring him home, that there was a reason for it. It could’ve been that. I know I’m glad that the Shield is still alive. Shouldn’t all Avoch be aware of his deeds?”
“You’re starting to sound like Jynth,” he said as he walked next to her.
Thia snorted. “You don’t have to be mean.”
Caelynn and Adam stood in the room, packs on their backs. “Thia,” the bard asked, “it’s early yet. Are you sure you don’t need your coat?”
“I’m warm enough.”
“Her fever’s back,” Jinaari added.
Thia watched concern flood their faces. “I’m fine. Right now, I’m in control. It’s like the other one is sleeping or something. If Jinaari or either of you feel safer with me being blindfolded and tied to my saddle, I won’t fight against it. The last thing I want is to hurt any of you.” She glanced around. “Where’s Gnat?”
“Ashynn collected him earlier. He said there was something he had to do before the tribe arrived. I didn’t ask what. He seemed excitable this morning,” Adam said.
“When is he not?” Thia asked.
“If he’s downstairs already,” Jinaari said, “then let’s go. We’re on a tight schedule as it is.”
Thia glanced at his back as he headed for the door. He didn’t say anything about a schedule. Is that what he’ll tell me later?
She walked through the door. “We’re on a schedule?” she asked, her voice low, as she stood next to him.
“Yes. I’ll explain tonight. Trust me.”
“Always.” Following Adam, she headed down the stairs. They ended in a small foyer; the door was open. As they walked outside, she blinked against the bright sunlight.
Their horses were saddled and waiting for them off to one side. Gnat stood in the center of the courtyard, watching the road they’d come down the night before. “Give me your pack,” Caelynn whispered in her ear. “Adam and I said our goodbyes earlier. We’ll be at the horses when you’re done.”
Thia shrugged the bag off her shoulder, handing it to the bard. At the end of the road, a small procession marched toward them. The steady beat of the drummer set the pace. Colorful banners fluttered in the light breeze as Gnat’s tribe approached.
She stood next to Jinaari, behind Gnat. “Any idea what’s about to happen?” she whispered.
“No, and that bothers me.”
“Friend Thia and Friend Jinaari are safe. Tribe will not hurt Gnat’s friends,” Gnat said in a quiet voice. “Gnat is the one who left. Gnat is the one who will be in trouble.”
“That’s why we’re here, Gnat. To help them understand,” Jinaari’s voice was firm, “that you did what was necessary.”
The procession came closer. Behind the drummer, a cobalus with a red coat and staff stared at the three of them. He was followed by the rest. In the center of the formation was a female cobalus carrying something in her arms. Sano?
The drummer stopped and stepped aside. “Gnat came to Furry Man and not home. Why?” The leader demanded. “Gnat knows laws. Gnat left Sano alone. This was not good of Gnat.”
“Gnat is sorry,” he replied. “Gnat had to do something to help Pretty Lady. Special Man said Furry Man wouldn’t give Nyfe back unless Gnat did it. Gnat not want to leave Mate Sano, but Gnat not have choice. Gnat can’t protect Mate Sano and Baby Gnat without Nyfe.”
“Gnat still protect Pretty Lady?”
“No, Pretty Lady is safe now. Then Gnat met Nice Brother who is now Friend Jinaari,” he pointed to Jinaari, “and other Pretty Lady who is now Friend Thia. They brought Gnat home.”
“Let Sano through!” a female voice, full of command, shouted.
Thia looked to the group in front of her. Several of them moved aside, letting her pass. A small arm stretched out from the bundle she carried.
“Mate Gnat has finished the quest?” Sano asked as she stopped in front of him.
“Gnat has, mostly. Is Mate Sano okay? Gnat is sorry he was not here for Mate Sano when Baby Gnat tasted life.”
Sano held out the baby. “Sano hopes Mate Gnat will name Baby Gnat before Mate Gnat leaves to finish the quest.”
Thia watched Gnat take the infant and push back the hood. The small cobalus looked at him with wide, green eyes. He belched, closed them again, and went to sleep with a sigh. “Gnat thinks baby look like Mate Sano. Very pretty. Gnat would like to call him Riku, if Mate Sano likes it.”
“Sano likes the name.”
Gnat handed the baby back to her, saying, “Gnat wants to stay with Mate Sano and Son Riku, but Friend Thia is sick. Gnat promised Friend Jinaari to keep Friend Thia safe.”
Thia’s heart broke at the tears in Gnat’s voice. She glanced at Jinaari. “He should stay with them,” she whispered.
Jinaari nodded, then stepped forward. “Gnat, I need to talk to you.”
He turned around, standing next to Sano. “Has Gnat done something wrong?”
“No, you haven’t,” he said as he knelt. “You’ve shown me who you are, Gnat. You are honorable, brave, and loyal. I never worry about Thia when you’re on watch. But Sano and Riku need you more than she does now. You should stay with them.”
Gnat’s head swiveled to look up at her, then back at Jinaari. “But Gnat made promise to Friend Jinaari and Friend Thia.”
“I know you did. You’ve kept your promise. I’ll keep Thia safe now. As safe as you kept me when the giant spider tried to eat me.” He reached into his tunic and pulled off his paladin’s medallion. “Do you know what this is?”
“That’s the medal that says Friend Jinaari has lots of brothers. That Friend Jinaari is a warrior and can be trusted.”
“Good. Because you are a warrior as well, Gnat. You can be trusted. And,” he placed it over Gnat’s head, “you’re my brother as much as Adam or any other paladin.”
Tears streamed down Gnat’s face, and Thia realized she was crying, too. “Gnat now has Brother?”
Jinaari smiled. “Yes, Gnat. As your brother, you know I’ll keep Thia safe, right? Because your job is to keep Sano safe, raise Riku to be an honorable warrior like you are. If you ever need me, take your family and the medallion into Tavisholm. Show it to the paladins there. They’ll keep you safe and get word to us. We’ll come as soon as we can.” He rose and stepped back.
“We all will, Gnat,” Thia promised him.
“Gnat ask favor of Friend Thia?”
“Of course. What can I do for you?”
Gnat pointed to Riku. “Friend Thia is special. Keroys said so. Would Friend Thia bless Son Riku? So that Mate Sano and Gnat know Friend Thia will take care of Son Riku if anything happens to Mate Sano and Gnat?”
“I would be honored, Gnat.” Thia knelt in front of Sano. Reaching out, she touched the sleeping baby’s forehead. “May your life know peace, your heart love, and your ears laughter, little Riku. May you never know hunger, hatred, or fear. Within the love of family may you grow into the best you can be.”
“We need to go,” Jinaari whispered.
Thia looked at Gnat. “I’ll miss you, Gnat. Same as I miss Pan. But you both have a place in my heart. I know you’ll take care of Sano and Riku like you did me.”
Gnat reached out and hugged her. “Gnat promises Friend Thia Gnat will remember!”
Standing up, she stepped back. Gnat wiped away the tears with the back of his hand, then put an arm around Sano. Together, they walked toward the tribe. The drummer began to beat again, leading them away.
Wiping away her tears, Thia took a deep breath. Gnat and Sano turned around once, waving at her. She waved back. Once they hit the trees, she turned and headed toward her horse.
“Daughter?” Ashynn said as she came alongside her.
“Yes?”
“Would you please give this to my mother when you see her?” She held out a sealed letter. “Helix promised he’d send it, but I would like it to come from you. I don’t expect her to forgive me, but I wanted her to know I am sorry.”
“Of course,” Thia replied, taking the parchment. Tucking it into one of her saddle bags, she mounted her horse. Caelynn and Adam were ready, but Jinaari stood near Helix. The mage handed him a bag. Turning around, he slung it over his head and walked their way.
“Adam, you lead. You know where we’re going,” he said as he got settled into his saddle. “Caelynn, you’ve got the rear. I’ll make sure Thia stays safe.”
The warlock urged his horse forward, and she followed. They rode around the back side of the compound. The forest ahead was thick with trees. Adam led them toward a barely discernable path. “How are things with you?” she asked Jinaari.
“They’re as good as they can be for now,” he said.
“That’s not much of an answer. Is something wrong?”
“Why are you asking?”
She looked at him. “I don’t know much about your Order, Jinaari. But I know you wouldn’t give up your medallion without reason.”
“He earned it. He’s as much family now as Pan is. But I knew he wouldn’t accept that from me unless I gave him something to prove it.” He paused. “Most paladins are only given one. The ceremony’s done without spectators; only brothers and the commander are allowed to attend. On rare occasions, Garret himself shows up. Mother couldn’t stand not being there, even tried to force her way in. Drakkus denied her entry into the chapterhouse. So, she had a second medallion created for me, and made a show of giving it to me at court. The one I gave him is that one. It has my name on it. No paladin will deny them care if he shows it to them.” Reaching into a small pouch that hung from his saddle horn, he pulled out another one and put it on. “This one is the one Garret presented me with.”
“He was there, when you took your vows?”
Jinaari looked at her, smiling. “Much like Keroys was there to accept yours. Our Gods saw something in us long before we saw it ourselves.”
“What’s in the bag?”
Jinaari’s face darkened, and she saw the muscles in his jaw move. “I’ll explain tonight, when we stop.”
She ducked, avoiding a low hanging branch. “Why not now? It’s not like we’re being chased.”
“I have my reasons,” he replied. “I’m not trying to put you off. I will tell you. But I don’t want to repeat myself. I’d rather make sure we’re all settled, and I have everyone’s attention.”
She laughed nervously. “You make it sound like it’s a matter of life or death.”
“It is.”
Her head snapped toward him. “What? Whose?”
His dark eyes held hers. “Yours.”