Set in Stone (79 page)

After a long time, she pulled away. "How is it possible?"

"It's kind of a long story. Can you fetch my parents and Hamish? I'd like to tell everyone."

"Hamish is gone. He left with the Grandurians."

Connor sighed. He was not surprised, but wished he'd gotten to say good-bye. If he'd managed to return sooner, he probably would have joined them. He didn't dare show his face to anyone but Jean and his parents. Even so, he was taking a huge risk.

If Carbrey caught him . . . well, the next time he was executed, they'd probably do the job right.

Jean brought him some bread, dried beef and some tea which he devoured while she fetched his parents.

Hendry and Lilias buried him in an avalanche of hugs and kisses and questions. He explained what he could about what happened, and they in turn shared their own experiences.

Finally Lilias said, "Oh, Connor. It's so good to have you home."

Hendry said softly, "You mean it's good he came to say good-bye."

"What do you mean?" Jean asked, and the radiant joy that had been shining in her face faded.

"I can't stay," Connor said.

"Of course you can," Jean protested. She came and took his hands. "Just hide until the soldiers leave."

"Lady Isobel is still here."

"Where will you go?" Hendry asked.

Lilias said, "South. Go to Raineach, to my sister, Ailsa. You’ll be safe with her."

"Aunt Ailsa?" Connor had always wanted to meet his aunt, but she lived on the far side of the kingdom, completely outside of High Lord Dougal’s realm. He thought back to Carbrey’s map, where he'd seen Raineach.

"If I know you’re with my sister, I won’t worry as much." Lilias hugged him again. "Please be safe. Send us word."

"I promise."

Hendry said, "Don't leave yet. We'll fetch you some clothes and supplies."

After another round of hugs and kisses, his parents left and Jean threw herself into his arms and held him for a long time.

"Oh, Connor. How can I lose you and Hamish both in the same day?"

He brushed her hair back from her beautiful face, "I'll miss you, too."

Jean kissed him softly. She tasted of tears.

They held each other for another minute before she whispered, "Be safe."

They separated, and tears ran unashamedly down her cheeks. He hated to see her sorrow, but could think of no alternative.

"I will see you again."

With his new pack weighing down his shoulders, he slipped toward the wall gate. As he ghosted through the shattered town, a cheer rang out from the center of town.

He’d never felt so lonely.

He pulled from his tattered belt pouch the small quartzite stone Verena had gifted to him in the manor house. It felt like years ago instead of just a couple of days.

He studied the white stone and slid his fingers across its smooth surface, and suddenly he understood. That's what Verena was trying to tell him after he freed her. That's where her voice came from the night she led him from camp just prior to the fiery attack.

That's how Wolfram knew so much.

He should have known nothing could be simple with Verena. He should be angry by the betrayal, but all his rage had died in the flood. Instead, he focused on how the thought of her helped ease some of the lonely ache.

Despite the many reasons he shouldn't do it, he brought the small stone to his lips.

"Verena, if you're there. Know that I am well."

After slipping through the wall gate and crossing the Wick, he considered the little stone again for a long moment before throwing it far out into the loch. Then he turned south and started the long trek toward Raineach.

Chapter 100

High Lord Dougal ate lightly. The simple feast was impressive, given the circumstances. These folk cooked what they had with skill. They were very enthusiastic in their gratitude for the presence of his army, and he smiled with renewed optimism.

The recent conflict was a disaster in many ways, but these simple folk had the right attitude. Despite the dead and wounded among them, despite the devastation of their town and the horror they'd experienced, they chose to focus on gratitude for the many who still lived. The Ashlar and his wife were the bedrock upon which the heart of this town was built. Despite their own tragedy, they led their people with love and enthusiasm. He would celebrate these small victories with them.

Dougal sat on a raised platform assembled from rubble. Shona sat at his right hand with Carbrey to her right. To his left sat Lord Gavin and his family. Lady Isobel frowned at her food, and their lovely daughter, Moira ate quietly. If only her father followed her example.

Lord Gavin talked incessantly, trying to impress Dougal with his wit and knowledge of current events.

What an idiot.

It amazed Dougal that the town prospered with Gavin in control. Again, most of the credit was probably due the Ashlar and his wife. Dougal considered the man, who had not shown up for the feast yet. Perhaps he would lure him to Merkland. It seemed a waste of talent to leave him here.

As he thought of them, the Ashlar and his wife slipped through the crowd and joined their family at one of the tables in the center. Dougal watched them with growing interest. They no longer looked mournful. Earlier in the day, they'd worn their grief openly, without shame, and led their fellow townsfolk despite it.

Now, despite a valiant attempt to mask the change, they no longer grieved as they had.

They were hiding something, and doing an admirable job, but to Dougal they might as well have stood up and shouted the fact. What would they have to conceal from him?

Dougal ate for a moment, considering possibilities. He tapped his obsidian and his thoughts expanded tenfold. One possibility struck him with such force that he nearly choked on his food.

He turned to Lord Gavin, who had been speaking the entire time, and interrupted. "Gavin, tell me about the boy, Connor."

Gavin opened his mouth, but for the first time seemed at a loss.

Dougal spoke into the silence. "Who were his parents?"

"The Ashlar, of course. Hendry and Lilias."

Dougal glanced back at the Ashlar. He and his wife were sitting close as they ate. They sat straight, their faces clear. They no longer looked like parents grieving the loss of a child.

The truth blazed bright in his mind and Dougal smiled. If only he had skill with quartzite to quest into the darkness with his senses.

Connor had to be close.

Lord Gavin recovered from his surprised silence and began prattling on about Connor and his family. Dougal half listened, filtering the running monologue for useful information. He needed information, every scrap he could gather.

One scrap caught his attention.

"Who is this girl, Jean?"

Gavin pointed with his fork at a beautiful young woman sitting near the Ashlar and his wife. She too looked sad, and yet not overwhelmed by deep mourning as many villagers.

"Is something wrong, father?" Shona asked.

Dougal lowered the fork he'd held halfway to his mouth and smiled. "No, my dear. In fact, things are brightening as we speak."

"What do you mean?"

Dougal ate for a moment and explored myriad possibilities.

"My dear, I see an opportunity for you to redeem yourself from this fiasco. Are you up for a journey?"

"Of course. Where?"

Dougal took another bite and chewed slowly. "I’ll know soon." Still smiling, Dougal turned back to Lord Gavin, "Tell me more about the Ashlar."

As Gavin eagerly complied, Dougal considered what he knew of the boy, Connor.

The final piece.

Petralist
Stones

Three for the masses

Two for the many

Four for the privileged few

Igneous

Basalt
. Grants speed and agility.

Tapped by absorbing powder through the skin

Obrion name: Strider

Granadure name: Wingrunner

Granite
. Grants strength, and used in summoning

Tapped by absorbing powder through the skin

Obrion name: Boulder or Fast Roller

Granadure name: Rumbler

Obsidian
. Magnifies innate abilities

Tapped by absorbing powder through the skin

Obrion name: Blade

Granadure name: Allcarver

Sedimentary

Sandstone
. Grants Healing