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Willow crossed from the Centra toward the Healers’ lodge, Quinn hard on her heels, in full harangue mode.
“You can’t leave. There’s so much we haven’t learned yet about your recovery. And everything you can teach us about his techniques, his so-called magic.”
“Arwen was furious when I left without saying anything before, remember? So I’m telling you now. I cannot bear another minute of having my head poked and prodded. I want to go home. Don’t you understand that?” Willow shot back over her shoulder. Quinn had followed her from Arwen’s workroom and, unusual for Quinn, hadn’t been quiet for an instant.
She touched Willow’s arm to slow her down so the two of them could walk side by side. “I do. But a flaw in whatever closed off your Entrée... it defies logic.”
Willow shrugged. “When I started to regain my powers, I was so happy I didn’t consider the ‘how’ of it. But the more you force me to think about it, the more I don’t accept the idea of a blockage. I wonder if our Auric connection’s more like an extra layer, and it got ripped away. Think of it like a scar, or maybe like a navel, a tiny remnant of whatever gives us access, not big enough to use, but enough for Gauvain to build on, not tear down. Given his pride, he’d never admit to any assistance or shortcut if he could avoid it. If he says he found a flaw, he found a flaw. About here.” She tapped the left side of her head.
“Even if you leave, it won’t be until tomorrow, and it’ll take you all of ten minutes to get ready. Let’s grab a caff.”
Suppressing a sigh, Willow allowed herself to be turned from her destination and shunted into the dining hall. Quinn more or less shoved her into a seat, then went to the cafeteria line for mugs and a caff pot.
This was Quinn at her most bossy and infuriating. But she was right. Willow had the day free; the packing could wait until after supper.
“Hallan’s a solid two-day walk. Haven’t you had enough walking for a while?” Quinn asked as she sat at their table.
“Since I got home I haven’t had a moment’s peace, and now I need it.” Except for the night with Joss, but she wasn’t ready to share that, even with her best friend. “Too much has happened. I’ve been where no one has ventured in a lifetime or more. I miss friends I left behind in Orlan. I’ve barely seen Bryar, and now he’s gone, too. Mari’s safe and happy, and I crave time to myself.”
Quinn brooded over her caff mug. “Are you going to be all right, Wils?”
“Yes.”
“Spoken with your usual stubborn determination. That tells me you aren’t all right now.”
“Which is what I’ve been trying to tell you.” The caff was an enjoyable mid-morning treat. If this was to be a day of relaxation, she might as well make it complete. Willow rose and fetched seed pastries. Leo’s cooking was superb, but he hadn’t mastered these flaky delicacies.
Instead of protesting, Quinn bit into hers with gusto. “When you’re around, you give me permission to indulge.”
“You won’t stay as skinny as you are if you indulge too much.”
“Pot calling kettle.”
“But I’m a Weaver. I burn through a lot of food in the course of a day.”
“I’ll miss you.”
“Come see me. But not too soon. I need time to myself, not to mention cleaning and restocking. I want to visit Hallan, hold a clinic, ease myself into Healing again. Don’t argue with me, Quinn.”
“It wouldn’t be the same if I didn’t, would it?”
Willow fought back her grin until she had swallowed her mouthful of pastry. “No, but it might be a pleasant change.”
Quinn’s sandaled foot connected with Willow’s leg under the table. Willow giggled.
“On another topic,” Quinn said, “did you feel the disruption yesterday?”
She nodded, her mouth once again occupied with the succulent treat.
“Bryar’s found the cell. We expected a short spell like that while he repacked it. He’ll be heading to Ezra’s, Sustainer willing.”
“Good. I want this over. More than I can say.”
“You think it will be?”
“Do you know something?”
Quinn shook her head. “Not for sure. Just a sort of intimation. This is almost too easy.”
So much for leaving with a light heart and worry-free mind.
Quinn’s hand reached for her shoulder and gave a gentle shake; her reaction must have shown on her face. “Once it’s here, we can start figuring out how to neutralize it. Maybe, if Ezra’s weave shields Bryar from it, then a similar weave will shield it from everything. Sort of overlay it on the one we tried before.”
Willow stretched out her legs and leaned back, balancing her caff mug in her hands. “Sadly, I hardly care. I thought I’d be able to realign myself on the walk home, but it didn’t work that way. I’m so tired, Quinn.”
“It’s been pretty intense for you.” A rare concession from her friend. “I have commitments here for a while. Once the cell’s at Ezra’s, I’ll be expected there. We’re approaching equinox. By my estimate, it’ll be Solstice before I can get to Hallan.”
“I could well be traveling this summer.”
“Might be the best thing for you.”
~~
WILLOW TRACKED JOSS down as he crossed the green to the guest lodge an hour before the supper bell. He looked stunned, his eyes slightly unfocused and his reactions slower.
“Arwen?” she asked.
“Everyone swears it’s good for me,” he said by explanation, making her laugh.
“You’re ungrounded.”
“Tell me about it. That woman’s intense. Are you still leaving?”
“Tomorrow.”
An unspoken message passed between them. Joss took her hand, played with her fingers. “You’re sure?”
“More than.”
“I’ll... well, I wish you weren’t. But I understand.” His voice was subdued. With lovemaking so new to him, he treated it, and her, as rare and fragile. As perhaps it was.
“I’m going by the dining hall later,” she said. “Once the crowd dies down.”
He grinned. “Weavers’ rations?”
“And supper. Until then I’ve arranged to spend time with Mari.”
Suddenly the path outside the Centra swarmed with pre-teens released from their studies. “Later?” Willow said.
The grin grew wider. Joss never used to smile. “I hope so.”
He at least didn’t question her leaving. He fought his own demons and, without a physical home, he retreated into himself when he needed to. Her time in Borgonne had given her an appreciation for what he faced with everything familiar gone, making his way in a new land.
She wondered if he knew how much he gave her when she lay wrapped in his arms. Twice, only twice. But their times together had changed her world.