Nogusta released Conalin’s hand and gripped Kebra’s arm. ‘No . . . choice,’ he whispered. ‘Take Starfire . .. back to the mountains.’
‘Ulmenetha!’ shouted Kebra.
‘I am here,’ she said. Conalin moved back and allowed the priestess to kneel beside the dying man.
‘You can heal him,’ said Kebra. ‘Lay your hands on him.’
‘I cannot heal him,’ she said. ‘Not now.’
Kebra looked down into Nogusta’s dead eyes. ‘Oh no,’ he said. ‘You can’t leave me like this! Nogusta!’ Tears fell to his cheeks. ‘Nogusta!’ Ulmenetha leaned over and closed the bright blue eyes. Kebra hugged the body to him, cradling the head. Ulmenetha moved back, and, as
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Conalin tried to reach Kebra she took hold of his arm and drew him away.
‘Leave them together for a little while,’ she said.
‘I just wanted to tell him what I saw. He found his wife. On a world with two moons.’
‘I know.’ Ulmenetha walked to where Starfire was standing. The horse was shivering, and in great pain. She stroked his neck, then went to work on his wounds, healing the blisters and the burns. The worst of the wounds was in his right eye, which was almost blinded. But this too she healed.
Antikas approached her. ‘He is a great horse,’ he said. ‘Nogusta was right.’
‘Let me heal your burns,’ she said, reaching up towards his blistered face. He shook his head.
‘I will carry the pain. It will remind me of what we lost here today.’
She smiled up at him. ‘That sounds dangerously like humility, Antikas Karios.’
He nodded. ‘Yes it does. How depressing. Do you think it will wear off?’
‘I hope not,’ she told him.
‘I will see that it does not,’ he said. Offering her a bow he turned and walked back to the queen.
The White Wolf stood silently gazing down at Kebra and Nogusta, his expression unreadable. Then he moved to the queen’s side. ‘Where would you like to go, highness?’ he asked, his voice weary.
‘Back to Usa,’ she said. ‘And I would like you and your men to help me restore order in the city, and bring peace to the land. Will you do this for me, Banelion?’
‘I will, highness.’
Stepping forward she summoned Antikas Karios. He
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bowed deeply. ‘Will you swear allegiance to me, and promise to defend the rights of my son?’
‘With my life,’ he told her.
‘Then you will take command of the Ventrian army.’
Lastly she called Conalin to her. ‘What is it I can do for you?’ she asked. ‘Name it and it is yours.’
‘Kebra and I are going to Drenan,’ he said. ‘We are going to find Nogusta’s horses and rebuild his house.’
‘I shall see you have gold for the journey,’ she said. Conalin bowed then walked to where Pharis was sitting with Sufia.
‘Will you come with me to Drenan?’ he asked them. Pharis took his hand.
‘Where you are I will be,’ she said. ‘Always.’
‘And me! And me!’ said Sufia.
Kebra walked out into the night, grief overwhelming him. Ulmenetha stepped out of the shadows and took his arm. ‘He knew he was to die,’ she said. ‘He saw it. But he saw something else, something incredible. He wanted me to tell you. He was descended from Emsharas, and that meant he was part Illohir. As was Ushuru, for they were cousins. He saw himself walking with her in a strange land, under a violet sky. The Krayakin were there, and Dryads and Fauns and many other Illohir. I think he saw it as some kind of paradise.’
Kebra said nothing, and gazed up at the bright stars. ‘I know the pain you are feeling,’ said Ulmenetha. ‘I too have lost loved ones. But the three of you saved us all. None of you will ever be forgotten.’
Kebra turned on her. ‘Do you think I care about fame? They were my family. I loved them. I feel their loss as if someone has cut them from me. I wish I had died with them.’
Ulmenetha was silent for a moment. Conalin came out
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of the temple, holding hands with Pharis and little Sufia. The child broke away and ran to Kebra, who was weeping once more. She reached up and took his hand.