He walked back to the point of the rocks overlooking the sea and reached back. Using the sword for leverage, he hurled the amulet as far out into the water as he could. In the gloom they didn’t see it strike the waves.
He walked back to where his companions waited. “If the fates are kind, there’s a column of soldiers up in Haldon Head and we’ll have an escort back to Krondor.”
Battered and bruised, they limped up the path toward Haldon Head.
Dawn arrived with rose-and golden-tinged clouds in the eastern sky as Jazhara walked through the woods to Hilda’s hut. She reached the clearing and as she caught sight of the building, she felt a stab of concern.
The hut was deserted. She could tell even at that distance, for not only did no sign of a fire or light come from within, but the door hung open. And the plants and herbs hanging from the porch roof were missing.
Slowly she climbed the step to the porch and entered the hut. Inside, the single table and stool were all that remained. The chest and other personal belongings were gone.
On the table rested a single piece of parchment.
Jazhara picked it up.
Girl, it read,
My time is done. I was placed here to keep watch over evil until such time as someone came to rid this place of it. You are brave and resourceful young people. The future is yours. Serve the forces of good.
Hilda
“She’s gone,” Jazhara said to the person who had quietly mounted the porch after her.
William stepped into the hut. “Who was she?”
“A witch, they say,” replied Jazhara.
“You don’t believe that,” said William. Raised on Stardock, he knew as well as she the prejudices toward women who practiced magic in the Kingdom. “Who was she really?”
“A wise woman,” answered Jazhara, folding the note and putting it in her belt. “A servant of good. She’s gone now.”
“Did she say where?”
“No,” said the young magician. She glanced around, then looked at William. “Why did you follow me?”
“I wanted to talk before we were surrounded by others, on the long trip back to Krondor.”
Jazhara said, “We can talk while we return.”
William stepped aside as she moved through the door, then fell into step beside her on the path back to Haldon Head. After a few steps, Jazhara said, “Talk. I’m listening.”
William let out a deep breath. “This is awkward.”
“It doesn’t have to be.”
“I said some things - “
She stopped and touched his arm. “We both said some things. You were young . . . we both were young. But that. . . misunderstanding, that’s in the past.”
“Then we are all right with each other?”
Jazhara nodded. “We are all right.”
William started walking again. “Good. I’ve lost . . . someone I cared about, and . . . I didn’t want to lose another friend.”
Jazhara said, “You’ll never lose me, William.” She was silent for a while. “I’m sorry about your loss. I know Talia was special to you.”
William glanced at Jazhara. “She was. As are you.”
Jazhara smiled. “And as you are to me.”
“We’re going to be seeing a lot of each other in the years to come. I just didn’t want it to remain difficult.”
“Me neither.”
They continued on in silence the rest of the way, content to have begun healing the rift between them.
The return journey to Krondor went without incident. The relief column from Miller’s Rest was in Haldon Head waiting for them when they reached the summit. It escorted the four of them back to Krondor.
Without ceremony they rode through the city four days later and into the marshaling yard of the palace. Grooms and lackeys took charge of mounts and James, Jazhara, Solon, Kendaric, and William were directed straight to the Prince’s private reception quarters.
A horseman had been dispatched as they had approached the city, and the Prince had alerted the High Priest of the Temple of Ishap, who now waited with the Prince for the weary party.
James led the way, with Solon at his side, holding tightly the case containing the Tear. Kendaric, William, and Jazhara entered behind them.
James bowed. “Sire, with great pleasure I report we have achieved our goals. Brother Solon holds the Tear of the Gods.”
Solon looked at the High Priest, who stepped forward and opened the box the monk held. Within the box rested a large pale blue crystal, the size of a large man’s forearm. It seemed to glow with an inner light and as they beheld it, a faint tone, as if distant music filled the air, could be heard.
“Few not of our order have ever seen the Tear of the Gods, Highness,” said the High Priest. “All here are more than worthy of the honor.”
They stood transfixed for a while, then the High Priest closed the box. “We leave at dawn to transport the Tear to our mother temple in Rillanon,” said the High Priest. “Brother Solon will personally oversee the transport.”
“If you don’t mind,” said Prince Arutha, “I’ll just happen to have a full company of lancers riding along behind.”
Bowing slightly, the High Priest indicated that he had no objection.