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those … those … murderers! I hate you!” Keanna buried her face in her hands and wept even harder.
    As lightning explodes across the sky, an image of a mud-covered, terrified girl running toward him on the road to Cartelbrook long ago before flashed across his mind’s eye. His heart sank in painful remorse as he realized that Keanna was that girl. Only now did he understand that he had abandoned her to the brutish Shadow Warriors because she was an Outdweller. He lowered his head and felt ashamed as he once again faced the pain of his former life as a Noble Knight.
    â€œKeanna … I … I …,” he struggled for words, but everything seemed wholly inadequate.
    For a moment nothing was said. Her weeping eventually diminished.
    â€œI tried to kill you,” she said quietly.
    â€œI don’t blame you. What stopped you?”
    She looked away. “I saw the emblem of the Prince on your tunic. I don’t know why, but I couldn’t once I saw it.”
    â€œI am a different man, Keanna. This same Prince has changed me. If I could right all of my wrongs, I would a thousand times over. I am so very sorry I ever hurt you.” Tears filled his eyes—he was cut to the core as he realized how that single act of abandonment had destroyed a family and the heart of the young woman before him.
    She looked at him and did not answer, but the fierce anger in her eyes seemed absent.
    â€œYour words of the Prince keep filling my mind, and I have not been able to make them go away,” she said.
    He turned and leaned against the rock beside her.
    â€œThat is why I couldn’t be around you any longer in Santiok,” she said. “Every time I heard you speak to the people about the Prince, I felt my grip on revenge loosen. I wanted you to pay for the pain you put me and my family through.” Keanna began to weep softly again.
    Gavinaugh lowered his head. “I have caused many people much pain, Keanna, and I deserve death more than any other. But I swear to you this day that my purpose is now to bring healing by the power of the Prince. He has granted me the undeserved forgiveness that I longedfor. I can hardly ask such a thing from you, even though it is my heart’s desire. My hope is that perhaps one day you will not hate me quite as much as I deserve.”
    Keanna was silent, and Gavinaugh expected nothing else. His heart had been stirred earlier by her presence in his life, and now he felt an overwhelming compassion and responsibility for her as never before.
    After a lengthy time of silence, Gavinaugh stood and offered his hand to Keanna.
    â€œSir Weston is also searching for you and I fear is very concerned. I can’t leave you here. Please come with me,” he said tenderly.
    She did not recoil as before, but took his hand and stood. They walked back to camp and rejoined Weston. Few words were exchanged as they tried to regain what was left of the night in sleep, but Gavinaugh could not rest. It was his turn to look upon the sleeping form of another. For the first time since Santiok, he thought she looked at peace. He remained watchful the rest of the night, not daring to falter in protecting his charge.

HEALING THE FAIR OF HEART
    Penwell lay far north of the Forest of Renault. Gavinaugh’s intent was to take the story of the Prince to many cities and villages along the way, establish havens, and make Knights of the Prince of all who were willing to follow. However, Gavinaugh could not deny that he was looking forward to an interlude at Cresthaven. During their journey, Keanna did not seem spiteful toward him any longer, but she was certainly distant.
    The reunion with Marie, Addy, and Keaton was a delight, and they implored Gavinaugh to stay a couple of days with them before traveling on to Penwell. He acquiesced, in no small part due to the pleading of Addy and Keaton. Gavinaugh’s heart was particularly warmed by the