The Way Into Darkness: Book Three of The Great Way (61 page)

Tejohn was less impressed with the Toal capitol than with Kelvijinian himself, and rightly so. Cazia told him that she’d asked the earth god to seek Tejohn out in the west and deliver a message. Tejohn confessed quietly that he’d seen a face rise out of the soil but had punched it and fled before it could talk. Cazia had to make a great effort not to burst out laughing in the temple.

Then it was time to return to Goldgrass Hill. After they’d lifted off, Tejohn asked the king if they might use the communication mirror.
 

Cazia was startled. She hadn’t even realized there was one. Tejohn went to the front of the cart and drew back a cloth, revealing a sheet of polished bronze.
 

“Commander Lowtower,” he said. Cazia came near to hear the conversation, and Tejohn did not ask her to move away.
 

It took some time, but a squarish face appeared in the mirror. He looked startled to see Tejohn. “My tyr! I did not expect… Where are you?”
 

“Far,” Tejohn answered. “How go things?”
 

The commander sighed. “Difficult. The people have declared that one of the captured Evening People should be steward in place of the council you created. This fellow…he knows nothing about governing and less about us. Anyway, he has appointed the council to be his advisors, and he simply does whatever we recommend. So, Bluepetal, Redegg, and I still rule, but by proxy. I think the Evening Person would rather live in a cell than the throne.”
 

“They’re a solitary people. Are the Twofin heirs safe?”
 

“Safe enough to have moved back into the holdfast.” Lowtower suddenly looked uncomfortable. “My tyr, there are grumblings here. I do not think it would be safe for you to return. Many still remember what you have done for us, but…”

“… But there are those anxious to put a knife into my back. I’m not surprised.”
 

“Even Nin has begun to denounce you.”
 

“Granny Nin speaks against me? Then the tide must have truly turned. Shall I keep Doctor Twofin away as well?”
 

“Oh, yes, absolutely,” Lowtower said quickly. “He has no friends here.”
 

“Very well, commander. Beware the alligaunts; they created and unleashed The Blessing on all Kal-Maddum. And do not hunker behind your walls.”

“What?”
 

“And remember: the Twofin people must venture beyond their walls if they are to survive. May we meet again in happier times.”
 

Lowtower looked completely flummoxed. “I… Yes, happier times.”
 

Tejohn threw the cloth over the surface, breaking the contact. “Your turn,” he said.
 

“Thank you.” For a moment, she drew a blank. Did she know the names of anyone in the Freewell holdfast? Then she remembered. “Doctor Twofin.”
 

His face appeared within moments. He must have been close by. “My dear, where are you? The Twofins refuse to tell us what happened to you, and your people are terrified.”
 

The old scholar looked better than he had on the morning he’d arrived at the Freewell holdfast, but he still looked like he’d aged fifteen years since the Festival. “I’m fine. I’m helping to fortify the east. When I’m done, I’ll come straight back home.”
Home
, she’d said. And that was right. The Freewell lands were her home. “I think I’ll be bringing some new students for you to tutor. The Evening People can do miracles, but they can’t make kinzchu stones. We’ll have to spread that skill ourselves.”
 

He actually smiled at her. “I think I would like that.”
 

“Are our people safe?”
 

“They are, but they would want me to tell you to return quickly.”
 

“I will. I promise I will.” She replaced the cloth.

Sometime later, they saw the first glimpses of the watch fires of Goldgrass Hill. Alisimbo came to them both. “Tyr Treygar, I have asked that your wife and child be present when we land. Tyr Freewell, I would consider it a personal favor if you would continue immediately to other forts and holdfasts.”
 

She nodded. “Of course, my king. It would be my pleasure.”
 

Tejohn’s voice was low. “Thank you, my king.”
 

The cart flew unerringly to the heart of Alisimbo’s compound. “I hate how windy these carts are.” Cazia cleared her throat. “Tejohn, I’ll be taking my leave of you soon, and I don’t know how long it will be until we see each other again. Are you staying in the east?”
 

“I plan to offer my spear to the people who have protected my family. But in a few years, when things are settled, would you welcome me and my family at the Freewell holdfast?”
 

“Gladly.” She sat beside him as the cart sank toward the courtyard inside Alisimbo’s courtyard. “We really did something, didn’t we? I wouldn’t have picked the two of us to do it, but we really did something.”
 

Whatever response he might have made, there was no time. He vaulted over the railing just as the cart’s wheels touched the grass. Cazia saw a bright streak racing across the yard toward them; it was Ivy. She leaped up onto the rail and then threw herself at Cazia, arms wide. “Big sister!”

“Little sister,” Cazia exclaimed as she caught her. The girl dangled from her neck, her feet kicking in the air. Kinz was just a few paces behind. Cazia extended her hand to help her into the cart.

Over Ivy’s shoulder, Cazia could see Tejohn striding toward a dark-haired woman with tiny children in her arms. He dropped his helm to the grass and unbuckled his cuirass as he went.

Author's note

In modern publishing, there is no force more powerful than word of mouth. If you liked this trilogy, please tell your friends. Write a blog post, post a review somewhere, tweet about it, even mention it during a face-to-face conversation, if people still have those.
 

And I don't just mean my books; tell the world about
all
the things you enjoy. Make yourself heard. Readers who share their enthusiasm are more powerful than any Hollywood marketing campaign.
 

Thank you.

This book would have been impossible without the support of my Kickstarter backers. Thank you all very much.
 

--E

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