GROVES UPON GROVES of fruit and nut trees lined the northern road leading out of the city. The winds howled over the covered bridge that crossed the fracture border, seeping through to angrily whip the traveler’s cloaks around their legs. As they emerged, Tiwaz gasped and clung tightly to Doom’s arm, favoring her leg. “I…must…stop.” The pain in her voice was evident. Doom glanced at Gareth.

“We’ve crossed the border. If he wasn’t tracking you already, you’re safe.” Tiwaz let Doom ease her to a boulder to rest her leg.

Doom studied Tiwaz, his hand on her shoulder and a question in his eyes. She managed a weak smile. “I’ll…be fine,” she said between gasping breaths. “Don’t…worry…about me. Sorry…I couldn’t…go farther without…needing rest.”

Gareth blinked at the display of sheer determination. “Good gods, is she always that stubborn?” He outright laughed when both nodded. “Keth’s tail, I’m going to miss having you two around here. So’re the kids. They took a real liking to you, Doom.”

Doom shrugged. “Can’t be helped, unfortunately. It is too much of a risk to stay. We won’t put your family in danger.”

“I know,” Gareth sighed. “Still, doesn’t mean I have to like the necessity of it.” Shrugging, he held out his hands. “But, I’ll come find you once I know that bastard is well and truly gone and no threat to you. If you don’t mind an old bard hanging about.”

Tiwaz looked at him, confused. “How would you find us? We don’t even know where we’re going.”

The bard winked with roguish playfulness. “I am a bard. I get around, much to the chagrin of many a pretty lass and her father.” The pair managed smiles despite their worries. He added with more reassurance, “I’ll manage. Besides, I love to wander and I’ve not been north for years. It’ll be fun.” His smile faded and he added soberly, “I really will miss you both.” He held out a hand to Doom, the gromek taking it carefully to avoid crushing it. “Take care of your gladiator, Doom. She’s an important person.” Doom only nodded in agreement with the sentiment regarding his friend.

Gareth turned towards Tiwaz, his expression unreadable. “Could I talk to you alone for a moment, Tiwaz?” Tiwaz glanced at Doom, who smiled encouragingly and turned to walk a few paces further up the road. Close enough to keep his friend in sight, but far enough to give them privacy.

She regarded Gareth without the hostility she displayed during their first meetings. His gratitude for that was apparent. “I wanted to give you this.” He took out a necklace, carefully draping it around her neck.

Looking at the pendant, she frowned a little. “This has magic. It has a familiar quality, but I don’t recognize it.”

“Northern-cast magic. The thong should be long enough that it would fit when you are in your panther form, so you need not take it off. I’ve one for Doom that you can give him.” He held out the item, placing it in her hand.

She sniffed at the second one, frowning as she contemplated it. “It is strange. What does it do?”

“It negates searching spells,” he replied. “In case someone gets it in their head to tell Alimar about you and Doom. If he ever actually crosses the border to try to cast a spell to seek you out, he will see nothing.”

She frowned faintly. “It would not have worked in Crossroads because it was made in this fracture?”

“Exactly. I had them made before you regained consciousness because I knew you both intended to head north. I had hoped there was more time before…Well. I wanted to give them to you after you recovered and things between us were mended.” She nodded, eyes on the pendant in her hand. He took her hand in both of his. “Tiwaz, I hope you find what you’re looking for. You have a great future ahead of you.”

“However long my future may be,” she said with maddening practicality, “I hope so, too.” Cheeks turning faintly pink with uncharacteristic shyness, she whispered, “Thank you for your tolerance of my temper. Freedom is not as easy as some believe.” He only smiled and nodded, patting her hand in understanding and acceptance. “If we do not meet again—”

“Have faith, Tiwaz. We will.” He helped her to her feet, then embraced her briefly. She returned the gesture, though stiffly. “Take care of Doom. And yourself. I’d hate to find out you were eaten by a rabid squirrel.” She chuckled at the mental image that provoked. He touched her jaw with the tips of his fingers very lightly. “And do keep smiling. You may not believe you are beautiful, but you are. More so when you aren’t glowering.”

“I will always try to take care of Doom. I have always done my best to keep him safe. I knew how then. I have to work at learning how to do so now.” She looked towards her waiting friend. “I will try better about taking care of myself. I do not want to upset him again like I had.” She turned a deeper red when he leaned close to kiss her cheek before turning back to cross the bridge back into Crossroads.

She watched him for several moments before hobbling to rejoin Doom. She accepted his supporting arm and they headed deeper into the more rugged terrain of the Northern Territories.