“Did you not listen to Neevor?” She did not follow me; rather she stood, her hands clasped on her breast over the englobed gryphon. “Did you not listen then?” Still there was anger in her voice, and she regarded me as one who is exasperated by stupidity.
“He called you kinsman – therefore you are more than you deem yourself. You are you – no tool for any one, Kerovan. And you are my dear Lord. If you strive to say me ‘no,’ then you shall discover I have no pride. I shall follow wherever you go, and in the face of all shall I claim you. Do you believe me?”
I did, and believing could see that now I could not deal otherwise than seem to agree.
“Yes,” I made simple answer.
“Good enough. And if in the future you try to walk away from me again, never shall you find that easy.” It was not a warning or a promise, but a statement of fact. Having seemingly settled that to her satisfaction, she looked once more to the cliff.
“Neevor spoke of a door and a key which I hold. Someday I shall put that to the test.”
“Someday?” Yes, I could remember Neevor’s words better now that I had my emotions under control.
“Yes. We – we are not ready – I think – I feel – “ Joisan nodded. “It is something we must do together, remember that, Kerovan – together!”
“Where to, then? Back to your people?” I felt rootless, lost in these dales. I would leave the choice to her, since all my ties were gone save one.
“That is best,” she answered briskly. “I have promised them what measure of safety can be found nowadays. When they have won to that, then we shall be free!”
Joisan flung wide her arms, as if the taste of that freedom was already hers. But could it be freedom if she held to that other tie? I would walk her road for now because I had no choice. But never would I let her be the loser because she looked at me and saw a Kerovan to whom she was oath-tied.
Joisan:
My poor lord, how bitter must have been his hurts in the past! I wish that I could run back down the years and rub out the memory of each, one by one. He has been named monster until he believes it – but if he could only look upon himself through my eyes –
We shall walk together, and I shall build a mirror that he may see himself as he is, and, so seeing, be free from all the sorrow the Dark Ones laid upon him. Yes, we shall return to my people – though they are not truly mine anymore – for I feel as one who has taken another road and can look back only a little way. We shall make sure that they reach Norsdale. For the rest –
So I thought in that hour, and wise was that thought. For sometimes wisdom comes not altogether through age and experience, but suddenly like an arrow flight. I nursed my key within my hand – that bride gift which had been first my bane and then my salvation. I put my other hand within my lord’s, so we went together, turning away for a space from the gate Neevor promised us, knowing within my heart that we would return and that it would open upon-But what mattered what lay beyond if we went together to see?