Read Valdemar Anthology - [Tales of Valdemar 02] - Sun in Glory and Other Tales of Valdemar for Free Online

disarming smile. “I’m on my way to Sunhame for the Summer Solstice and if I could spend the night with you, I’d be most appreciative.”
    â€œOf course,” Dhadi said. “‘Come in, Reulan. The sun’s nearly set and I must light the Night Candle.” He looked slightly askance at Khar. “Does he follow you even to services?”
    â€œHe’s one of the god’s creatures,” Reulan responded. “If you don’t mind, he’ll come with me.”
    For a moment, Reulan thought Dhadi would refuse, but his fellow priest merely shook his head and gestured inside. ‘Stranger things have happened,” he murmured. “You and your cat are welcome, Reulan. The god’s blessing be on both of you.”
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    After assisting Dhadi in celebrating the rising sun and sharing a wholesome breakfast with his fellow priest, Reulan set out on the road again. He had not even reached the fields when he noticed several villagers following after. With the breeze at his back, he overheard snatches of conversation, not a bit of which was devoted to him. No, it was Khar they spoke about. Finally, curiosity triumphed and one of the men trotted up to Reulan’s side.
    â€œBegging your pardon, Sun’s-ray,” he said, dipping his head in an abbreviated bow. “Me and my friends, well, we’ve never seen such a cat as the one you’ve got. He’s near big as my dog.”
    Reulan shrugged uncomfortably. “You think he’s big? You should see the mice in Sweetwater!”
    The farmer simply stared, oblivious to Reulan’s attempted humor. “Maybe so, Sun’s-ray, but he’s one blessed big cat.” He dipped his head again. “Sunlord guard you on your journey.”
    â€œAnd bless you and your endeavors,” Reulan replied automatically, sketching the Holy Disk symbol to include them all.
    He turned away and set out on the road again, Khar trotting along at his side. Once he was out of hearing range, he glanced down at the cat. “You’ve grown again,” he accused, shifting his pack on his shoulders to a more comfortable position. “And don’t try to deny it.”
    :Perhaps, Khar replied. But maybe you’re only seeing better.:
    Reulan made a face. “Inscrutable as always, sir cat. I must admit you’re beginning to make me nervous.”
    If a cat could snort derisively, Khar did just that. :Spoken by a man who for days now has been conversing with a “dumb” animal.:
    A faint blush heated Reulan’s cheeks. “Maybe so, Khar, but something’s going on here that I don’t understand. Why did you ‘adopt’ me? And, for the love of the Lord of Light, how is it that you talk?”
    Khar flicked his tail in high good humor. :You’ve been initiated into mysteries, Priest Reulan. And aside from your initial shock, you’ve adapted very well. Who better to ask for fish?:
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    Three days into his journey, Reulan found the road becoming more crowded. No longer did he simply meet farmers going out to their fields, or the occasional horse-drawn cart filled with vegetables headed off to market somewhere. Now he shared the road with well-dressed folk who rode horseback, or those who walked in groups, all seemingly headed to Sunhame for the Summer Solstice. As the riders passed, bowing in their saddles to a Sun-priest, he had to endure their comments about the size and beauty of the cat at his side. A few even made offers of purchase, proposing sums that made Reulan’s head spin.
    As for Khar, despite his dissembling, he had continued to grow. The farmers outside Faroaks should see him now, Reulan thought. Though he had become somewhat accustomed (if that word fairly described his state of mind) to Khar’s company and to sharing conversations with what everyone else deemed a speechless animal, he felt he somehow skirted the edge of mystery.
    That evening, stopping in a