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Again, he nodded consent. “Not to worry, though,” she consoled him with a smile, “you won’t be alone. You’ll have Josie to keep you company.” She whistled and the rich brown horse clopped reluctantly to the barn door and stopped. Dartan swore he could actually hear her dragging her hooves in disapproval. He laughed under his breath as Mother called again to Josie, who responded with little more than a twitch of her ears. Mother saw the laugh and gave him a raised eyebrow.
    “Are you kidding?” Dartan asked with another laugh. “That animal may be the only thing here more stubborn than you.” Mother opened her mouth to protest, but was interrupted by a whinny from Josie. “You’re right, she’ll be perfect,” Dartan managed to say with a straight face, and Mother’s mouth snapped shut. Josie gave one more annoyed whinny about being disturbed, then disappeared back into the barn. “Looks like she’s just as excited as I am.”
    “I wouldn’t worry too much about her,” Mother said with a dismissive wave. “I’m sure the wizard will be along shortly. I doubt he trusts you enough to leave you on your own.”
    “What?”
    “Don’t take it personally, child. Wizards are not trusting by their very nature. He must have some faith in you though, or he wouldn’t have come here at all.” Dartan felt slightly less offended, until she added, “Or he’s in a very desperate situation.”
    How bad does it have to get for an all-powerful wizard to consider it a desperate situation? “Exactly what does he want from me?” Dartan asked.
    “I really don’t know,” Mother answered absently as she secured and checked items on the wagon.
    “Then how do you know I’m not ready?” They had barely spoken of the wizard since he disappeared, but if he didn’t ask now, Dartan worried he might never get another chance. Mother stopped, hands frozen on a strap, then sighed.
    “You have no memory of your life without me, do you?” Mother asked.
    “No.”
    A small laugh escaped her lips and her eyes were fixed on some spot on the distant horizon. “I can barely remember mine from before you were part of it.”
    Dartan lowered his head. He was thinking about part of the conversation she had with Alain; a part he wasn’t supposed to hear. “I’m sorry,” he said, raising his head back up to face her.
    Her eyes focused back on his own, a small smile still on her lips. “Why, whatever for child?”
    “You were forced to give up so much.” It was hard to hold her eyes, but he managed it. “All for what? For someone you have no responsibility for?” Realization dawned in her eyes and she moved quickly to his side.
    “You weren’t meant to hear that, you know?” Dartan nodded. “That was a shot at the wizard, and you got caught in the crossfire … again.” She paused, squeezed Dartan’s arm hard, then cleared her throat. “Let me make myself clear. I may not have given birth to you, but I would have words with anyone who says you’re not my child.” Dartan smiled. ‘Have words with’ was about as strong a threat as she made, but it was also all she had ever needed.
    “Did I miss my family?” she continued. “Of course, but I never regretted raising you. At first, it was something I was proud to do for your mother, but I soon grew to love you even more than I did her.” She paused for a moment, gathering herself.
    “You are destined for greatness,” she stated. “Of that, I have no doubt, but you aren’t ready for it.” Dartan started to protest, but she put a finger over his lips. “Let me finish. It pains me more to say this than it does for you to hear it.” He nodded, as if he really had a choice.
    “I knew the wizard would be back for you, and I believed you would let me know when you were ready. I’ve watched and I’ve waited, but you’ve seemed to be content with where you are. You don’t feel out of place here at all, as a farmer. Whatever he has in store for you, you are not