Grace smiled. “You’re in the village of Hadassa, on the southern edges of Al‑Amъn, on the continent of Moringarth.” She touched his cheek. “You’re on Eldh, Travis.”
“Nim,” he croaked. That was why he had come to Eldh–to save Nim. Fear renewed his strength in a way the water had not. He swung his feet over the edge of the bed to stand.
And immediately sat back down.
“Careful, Travis,” Grace said, hands on his shoulders, steadying him. “You’re still very weak.”
“Vani is standing up,” he said, feeling more than a little ashamed of himself. The room spun in a lazy circle around him. “And before everything went black, I found her lying on the ground.”
Farr looked at Vani. “After I dismissed the sand spirits, she was able to help me carry you back here. I believe the T’golhave training that can help them resist mind‑altering effects, such as those of a sand tempest.”
“I was deep in meditation when you came upon me, Travis, forging a wall around my mind so that I could shut out the voices of the spirits. I believed our only chance of survival was for me to retain my own will.” She cast a look at Farr. “It was fortunate I was wrong.”
“Being caught on the edge of a sand tempest is dangerous for anyone,” Farr said. “But it’s especially perilous for a sorcerer. The spirits were focused, not on Vani, but on you and your blood, Travis.”
Travis clenched his right hand. “So you know about that.”
Grace sat on the cot next to him and covered his hand with her own. “I told him everything.”
“Then I’d say it’s his turn.”
“I will tell you anything you wish to know,” Farr said.
Travis nodded, but he doubted that was possible. Even Farr couldn’t know everything. Like where Nim was, and how they were going to get her back.
A silence settled over the hut, and only then did Travis realize that the wind was no longer hissing outside.
“The storm has passed,” Farr said, pulling back the cloth covering the door to let a shaft of hot light into the hut.
Grace took a step toward him. “Does the village look all right?”
“You need not fear for these people. They have weathered far more sand tempests than I have. They know how to set the proper wards, and to keep their doors and windows shut. Besides, I believe the worst of the storm passed to the west of the village.”
“And was that your doing?” Grace said.
Farr did not answer. He moved away from the door, and a man stepped through. Travis laughed in surprise and delight.
Master Larad glared at him, a sour expression on his scarred face. “Does something amuse you, Master Wilder?”
“Yes, very much,” he said, far more glad that he might have guessed at the unexpected sight of the Runelord. Maybe it was just that it was good to know that the wizards in this hut now outnumbered the sorcerers two to one.
No, they don’t, Travis. You’re a sorcerer as well as a wizard. Besides, Master Larad has never exactly been on your side.
However, even when it appeared otherwise, the sardonic Runelord had always been on the side of good, and that was more than enough for Travis. This time, when he stood up, he managed to stay standing, and he moved to Larad, gripping his hand. He was grinning, and even Larad–never one for sentiment–could not conceal the hint of a smile.
“Why didn’t you tell me Larad had come with you?” Travis said, glancing at Grace.
“I thought it would be a fun surprise.”
Larad gave her a sharp look. No doubt the Runelord was not used to being considered in any way fun. “The storm has ceased. And Master Wilder has been successfully retrieved. It is time we talked.”
Travis felt stronger in both body and spirit as they gathered around a table, drank maddok, ate dried figs, and spoke of their respective journeys to this place. Travis couldn’t help but think this was probably one of the oddest parties this–or any village–had ever seen: a witch, an assassin, a dervish, and two wizards.
They listened first as Grace described her and Larad’s journey south. Over the last month they had traveled to the southern tip of Falengarth, then had sailed across the Summer Sea, to Al‑Amъn, and with three T’golas guards had taken camels into the desert, to this village.
When she was done, Travis shivered. “It’s on Earth, too–the rift in the sky. Scientists are calling it Variance X. They know it lies just outside the solar system, but they have no idea what it is or why it’s growing.”
“It’s the end of everything,” Grace said. “That’s what Sfithrisir said. The end of all possibility.”
“It’s only just now visible to the naked eye on Earth,” Travis said. “It sounds like it’s bigger here.”
Grace nodded. “Just like the moon is bigger than on Earth, and the stars brighter. I think the heavens are closer here on Eldh. The rift must be closer, too.” She reached across the table, touching his hand. “Only the Last Rune can stop it. That’s what the dragon said.”
Travis didn’t understand that part. “You mean the rune Eldh?”
She shook her head. “That was the last rune spoken at the end of the world. Sfithrisir said that only the last rune spoken at the end of everything can heal the rift.”
“And did he maybe happen to mention what it was?”
“The dragon said you’d know what the Last Rune was. That’s why I came here to find you.” She squeezed his hand, her expression troubled. “Only you have no idea what the Last Rune is, do you?”
He sighed, then shook his head.
“It does not matter,” Larad said. “Dragons can only speak the truth. You willfind the Last Rune.” However, the Runelord’s eyes were not as certain as his words.
Farr turned his dark gaze on Travis. “If you didn’t come here to look for the Last Rune, then why have you come to Eldh?”
“To find my daughter, Nim,” Vani said before Travis could reply.
Travis took a sip of maddok, gathering his thoughts, then did his best to recount everything that had happened during their last hours on Earth. When he spoke of Deirdre and their conversation at the Charterhouse, Farr got up and paced, as if excited or agitated. Finally, Travis described how the gate crackled open and hands reached through, snatching Nim. He and Vani had managed to follow, but not Beltan. His throat grew tight, and he could no longer speak. Vani was gazing at her hands.
Oh, Travis. . . .
Grace’s voice spoke in his mind. He felt her love, and her sorrow, enfold him like an embrace.
“It’s all right,” he said aloud. “We’re going to get Nim back. That’s why we came here.”
And I will return to Beltan, he added silently.
He felt Grace’s resolve flowing into him. Yes, you will.
Farr stopped his pacing. “Do you know why the Scirathi captured your daughter?” he said to Vani.
“I was not certain before. All I knew was that powerful lines of fate gather around her. But now we suspect it is her blood they want. They seek to use it as a key. Nor do we believe it was a coincidence that the sorcerers have pursued her even as Morindu the Dark has been found.”
“I imagine you’re right,” Farr said. “The Scirathi are remarkably single‑minded. At any given time, they will pursue only one goal, so that all their powers are focused on it. Right now that goal is Morindu. Somehow your daughter must be a part of their plans.”