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elsewhere.”
    “But, Garit said only this evening that he
doesn’t want Kinath,” Calia objected. “Besides, if what you suspect
of Mallory’s intentions is true, then traveling to Kantia would be
dangerous for Garit. If he’s wise, he’ll flee from Mallory, instead
of running to confront him.”
    “I have never known an honest man to run from
danger,” Lady Elgida said. “One thing I do know; I’ll not allow all
three of my grandchildren to remain at risk. Therefore, we cannot
tell Garit what we’ve discussed here, because if he learns who
Fenella’s husband is, he will go rushing off to confront
Mallory and possibly get himself killed, just as you fear. Aside
from the fact that I don’t want Garit hurt, his death would not
rescue Belai and Kinen from Mallory’s schemes and might even put
them into greater danger.
    “So, we need our own plan. Help me to
undress, Calia, and then leave me. I want to be alone so I can
think serious thoughts. I must find a way to resolve this problem.
And, Calia?”
    “Yes, my lady?”
    “You are not to tell Garit who your father
was, or who your brother is. Nor will you mention the Power you so
skillfully conceal. We will keep those truths to ourselves. It’s
possible that a time will come when we will need them as
weapons.”
    “I understand.” With her deepest feelings
hidden as usual under the guise of quiet obedience, Calia bowed her
head.
     
    Having tucked Lady Elgida into bed with a
warm brick at her feet, Calia returned to the hall to make certain
the servants had finished clearing away the remains of the evening
meal. Of course they had; Lady Elgida’s people were reliable and
few of them ever shirked their duties. After seeing that the latch
on the mai
    n door was secured, Calia headed for the
large fireplace, intending to break the last of the logs apart, so
they wouldn’t shoot sparks that could start a fire. Glowing embers
would keep the hall sufficiently warm through the night for those
servants who slept there.
    “Is my grandmother settled?” Garit rose from
the bench that faced the fire.
    “Oh, I didn’t see you in the shadows, Lord
Garit.”
    “Plain ‘Garit’ will suffice,” he said with a
smile so faint and so quickly gone that it was barely noticeable.
“Tell me, how is my grandmother’s health? I was surprised to see
her retire so early.”
    “She is very well, though I think a bit tired
tonight after the excitement of seeing you again. She speaks of you
often. She loves you dearly.”
    “Yes, I know. She has never made a secret of
her affection. I should have come to see her sooner. Though it does
seem to me that you have taken much of the burden of managing
Saumar off her shoulders. I am grateful for that.”
    “I love her, too. I never knew my mother, but
Lady Elgida makes up for the lack.”
    “Does she?”
    His blue eyes looked deep into Calia’s own.
He raised one hand and she thought – nay, she feared – or was it
hope warming her heart? – that he was going to touch her cheek. She
wasn’t certain what to expect and his nearness confused her. Then
he caught her hand and raised it, bending his head. Calia’s knees
quaked at the touch of his warm lips on her fingers. Still holding
her hand, he looked directly at her again. They stared at one
another for a long time and Garit appeared startled, almost
bewildered. At last Calia gently, reluctantly removed her fingers
from his grasp.
    “Good night, Lord Garit. I mean, ‘plain
Garit.’“ She managed a smile as she offered his own words back to
him. “Sleep well.” She turned away and made herself walk toward the
steps that led to the solar, though she would have preferred to
remain there by the fire, holding his hand and gazing into his
eyes.
    “Good night, my lady,” he said, very
softly.
    Calia halted in mid step and stood perfectly
still, repeating that undeserved title to herself. Then she went
on, up the steps, making her way to her own tiny chamber.
     
    A short