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“Whichanywhere else,” Barkus said “They’ll never catch him”
“This is a bad business, brother,” Prince Malcius said to Vaelin, his face grave “The Order affords great protection to its brothers but this…” He shook his head “The King will have no choice but to issue a death warrant”
“Then let’s hope our brother finds his way quickly to safer lands,” Caenis said “He’s possibly the finest rider in the Order, and has great skill in the wild He won’t be easily caught by the Realht by the Realm Guard at all,” Vaelin said He went to the table where his sword rested and buckled it on quickly, tugging the straps tight before pulling his cloak over his shoulders He could feel Sherin’s eyes following him but found hiier to Aspect Arlyn infor hii after him?” Barkus see hiitive frorace to the Order And I doubt he’ll givehi for soht and he could tell she was close to tears I’ht of what he had to do pressed down too heavily
“What makes you think you could hunt him down anyway?” Barkus demanded “He’s a better rider than you by far, better in the wild too”
He doesn’t have a blood-song to guide hian his story, a flat tone flaring whenever Vaelin’s thoughts turned to the north “I’ll find him”
He turned and bowed to Prince Malcius “By your leave, Highness”
“You’re not going alone?” the Prince asked
“I’m afraid I must insist on it” He looked in turn at his brothers Barkus angry, Caenis confused, Dentos sorrowful, and wondered if they would ever forgive him “Take care of the men,” he said and walked from the chamber
Chapter 7
The Renfaelin city of Cardurin had been built on one of the foothills to the northernthe walls with Spit at a sedate walk Vaelin was struck by the co upwards in what seeular sandstone buildings topped by clay-tiled roofs rose on each side The toas an interconnected whole, each block joined to another by a ay, high arches curving elegantly between the walls It felt as if he were staring up at a forest of stone
He aved through the gate by a spearman who favoured hih esteeard which had remained undiminished despite the wars of unification when the Aspects had taken the King’s part People in the streets beyond the gate gave hi or recognition he dreaded when traversing the streets of Varinshold
He left Spit with a stableave him directions to the Sixth Order mission “It’s a bit of a cli hold of Spit’s reins and ive him a scratch on the nose
“Don’t!” Vaelin pulled the ot a te way this past teeks”
“Oh” The stable at Vaelin “Bet you’re the only one can handle him eh?”
“No, he bites me too”
The Sixth Order mission house was near the suerated the cliled the bell suspended next to the door The brother who opened it was broad and heavily bearded, staring at Vaelin with shrewd blue eyes beneath his bushy brows
“Brother Vaelin?” he asked