They climbed for most of the day, stopping often to rest. Gaspi was surprised at just how much cooler it was up in the mountains. It was still fairly balmy, but it was the middle of summer, and at that moment in Helioport people would be sitting under shady awnings to escape the heat.
As the afternoon was drawing to a close, the party of travellers rounded the last switchback in the trail, and pressed on into the forested inner valleys of the mountain range, within which lay the small network of villages that had marked the boundaries of Gaspi’s world for most of his life. It wasn’t long before every knoll, ditch, and clump of trees was familiar; the landscape of his boyhood wanderings announced itself with every step. Mixed feelings aside, Gaspi couldn’t help feeling sentimental. He walked closely with Taurnil and Emea, pointing out hollows they’d hid in and trees they’d climbed. It was only when Gaspi caught a glimpse of Jonn’s strained face that he remembered that these trees hid other, less palatable memories, too.
The first they saw of Aemon’s Reach was smoke rising through the trees ahead, smoke that they knew was rising from numerous chimneys as families settled down to share an evening meal. Emea tugged on his arm in excitement, almost wriggling with pleasure. She stood on tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek, then grabbed his hand and dragged him into a run. They ran through the last few hundred yards of forest, emerging into the village green. Gaspi turned full circle to take it all in. The cottages seemed smaller than he remembered, but otherwise all was as it should be. There was Emea’s home next to Hahldorn’s, and there was the Moot Hall, standing tall in the shadows of an even taller Koshta tree. And there was the pond, the sight of all those winter Koshta battles. They stood hand in hand, drinking in the familiar sights of home, while they waited for the others to catch up.
Dusk was well underway by the time they all stood on the green. Emea and her Ma went straight to their house to find her Da and Maria. No-one was about, so the rest of the travellers knocked on the door to Hahldorn’s house, where they were greeted with a loud exclamation of pleasure, and quickly ushered in.
“There’s someone to see us, dear,” he called out, winking conspiratorially at Gaspi. Martha came bustling out of the kitchen, drying her hands on a large apron that covered her from neck to ankles. Seeing who it was, she rushed forward and embraced each of them in her ample bosom. She hugged Gaspi first, and then Taurnil, placing a hand on the outside of each of his arms.
“And here’s my bear,” she said appraisingly, eyeing him up and down. “It looks like you’re up to the job.”
Taurnil flushed and mumbled something incoherent, before shoving Lydia in Martha’s direction. “Lydia’s my girlfriend,” he said, his face still bright red. Lydia held out her hand, but Martha swept her up in an engulfing embrace. Lydia stood stiffly for a second and then relaxed, giving in to the warmth of Martha’s hospitality. Just then Emea and her family bustled in through the front door, completing the party.
Once Martha had made a proper fuss over Emea, she left her guests in Hahldorn’s hands, and disappeared to the kitchen to cook up a feast for them all. As the evening went on, she managed to pick up all the important parts of their story. She sat next to Emea as they ate, patting her hand often, glowing with happiness at the fulfilment of her vision all those months ago. She only let them go at the end of the night when Emea had promised to spend the next day with her and Hahldorn and tell them about her healing gift.
They slept in their own houses that night, Gaspi and Jonn lighting lanterns in their kitchen and bedroom; but it seemed clear to Gaspi that neither of them felt particularly attached to the old place. Both he and Jonn had found more of a home in Helioport than they’d had in Aemon’s Reach, and though it remained unspoken, Gaspi was sure that Jonn was thinking the same thing. They didn’t linger that night, and went to bed fairly early.
The next morning they gathered in Martha’s house for breakfast, and after wolfing down bacon and eggs, Taurnil was keen to go out exploring. Lydia said she wanted to stay with Emmy and Martha, so Gaspi and Taurnil would have the day to themselves.
“What are we going to do, then, Taurn?” Gaspi asked.
Taurnil scratched his head. “Go hunting, maybe?” he said. “I wish it was winter.”
“How come?” Gaspi asked.
“So we could play Koshta,” Taurnil answered, as if it was obvious. “The pond’s not frozen.”
Gaspi rapped Taurnil round the side of the head. “There’s something I can do about that!” he said sarcastically. Taurnil looked at him blankly. “I’m a Nature Mage, you idiot!” he said.
Taurnil’s face lit up, as realisation dawned. “Let’s go,” he said, and they sprang up out of their chairs, rushing out of the door without a backwards glance.
Emmy shared an exasperated glance with Lydia. “Boys!”
Table of Contents
Copyright
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37