Kyra accepted Malikel’s offer to act as emissary between the Makvani and Forge. Sometimes the Head Councilman met with her outside the city. Other times, a contingent of Red Shields escorted her from the gate to the Palace. Her first job was to arrange a meeting to begin peace negotiations, and after a few proposals and counterproposals, the leaders agreed to meet on a patch of farmland bordering the forest.
Each group brought a contingent of five. Leyus, Havel, Zora, Adele, and Mela formed the Makvani contingent, while Malikel brought Tristam and three members of the Council. Kyra was there as well, the only person present who was not affiliated with either party. She arrived first and watched nervously as the two groups came to the meeting place, then held her breath as Malikel and Leyus shook hands. The Forge contingent set up a tent for shelter, and the Makvani provided deer hides to sit on. Kyra noticed Adele glancing over her shoulder toward the forest before stepping into the tent. When Kyra followed her gaze, she saw Flick watching from the trees. He winked at Kyra when he saw her looking, and the sight somehow made her more optimistic about the way things would go.
It was a long day, and there were several tense moments, but by the end of it, the two groups had the beginnings of a peace agreement. Malikel and Leyus shook hands one more time before they parted.
“I feel hopeful about this direction,” said Malikel. “If any concerns should arise before the next time we meet, have Kyra convey a message to the city. I trust she has been satisfactory thus far as an emissary?”
Leyus looked at Kyra and gave the slightest of nods. “Yes,” he said. “She has done well.” Their eyes met, and just for a moment, something passed between them, a hint of understanding between father and daughter. It wasn’t the stuff of talesinger ballads, but it gave Kyra hope. Perhaps someday she’d come to know him better, learn about his past and the mysterious woman he’d left on the other side of the Aerins. Someday.
Kyra initially took up residence again in her cave, but she eventually found a small cottage near the forest, far enough removed from other houses that they didn’t have to worry about fearful neighbors. Lettie and Idalee moved back in with her from Mercie’s house. Lettie took to the spot immediately, as it gave her a chance to stay near her new playmates. As spring came, Idalee started a small garden. Though the girl enjoyed tending it, Kyra guessed that Idalee might move back to Forge when she was older. She missed the bustle of the city, as did Kyra.
As was the case with their previous quarters, Flick was still a semipermanent fixture at the cottage. These days, however, Kyra wasn’t sure if he came by their house because she, Lettie, and Idalee were there or because it was convenient to the forest, and to Adele. The Makvani themselves didn’t build permanent houses, though they crafted large, sturdy tents that they set up where they wished.
One morning, when Idalee and Lettie had gone to buy seeds for the garden, someone knocked on Kyra’s door. Kyra thought it was one of the Makvani, and it was a few seconds before she recognized the human woman who greeted her. Darylene of Forge looked very different than she had when Kyra had seen her last. Her thick chestnut hair was bound back, and she wore an unassuming dress of undyed linen. But though she dressed to blend in, Willem’s former mistress was still stunningly beautiful.
“I’m sorry to visit unexpectedly,” Darylene said. “May I come in?”