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.Hawk called one stop, when they reached a ledge out of the wind.Teressa sankdown onto a stone, rousing when someone thrust a flagon at her and said, Drink. She swallowed some kind of spiced liquor and gasped.It burned like fire goingdown, but it woke her up.Nearby, Wren stamped her feet and swung her arms, her knapsack bobbing on her back.Tyron, who had been standing nearby watching, came forward. Feelbetter? I ll make it, she said. What happened to the rest of our people? Kial and Kira were trying to round up your old army, he said. Some of theRhismordith Blues stampeded off with someone wearing your old cloak.It wasGarian s idea.They led the Lirwanis away from us. Teressa winced, thinking of Garian s father and how he had died before shecould make her peace with him.I ve always disliked him, and I dreaded having todeal with him when this war ends, but I never wanted him to die. Let s move, Hawk said.Once again they started up the trail.The next stop, after an unmeasurable time,was in a cavern well concealed by drooping ivy.Tyron and Wren glanced down atthe crude pattern of stones laid on the floor. A Designation, Tyron exclaimed, looking pleased.Hawk nodded. If you two can help me transfer everyone, we can save at least aday s journey. He swept his arm around at the others. More than two multipletransfers in one day is more than I can manage. And as Tyron and Wren assented,he said, The pattern is the same as this one, and here s what the camp looks like& After a short conference, the three magicians started transferring people.Teressa s turn came too soon for her taste the weird nothingness of the transfermagic made her feel dizzy.When her vision cleared, she faced the curious stares of Hawk s gang.Standingon their periphery was Connor.Her heart hammered painfully when she saw him.He smiled at her, but before hecould speak, Wren bounded over to him, saying, Connor! I ve got to talk to you! Hawk appeared at Teressa s side. Welcome, he said, bowing with a mockingair.Teressa glanced about appraisingly.They appeared to be in some kind of stonehouse, very old, and probably from the dust and spiderwebs in the corners longabandoned. I hope your plans are better than your housekeeping, she said.He laughed, indicating a low stone bench near the roaring fire. Let s discussthose plans. His group moved to various jobs, from preparing food to polishing weapons.Tyron dropped onto a stool by the fire and started poring over a thin book, whileConnor and Wren sat nearby, talking softly. Teressa thought she heard Lirwani words from another room and wasmomentarily distracted.Facing Hawk, she said, First, I want to know what you regetting out of this.I know you didn t rescue me out of cousinly kindness. Hawk laughed. I snatched you to score off Andreus.It s a payback to Idres&and to my cousin Farle, who saved my life when I was small. Teressa saw Tyron shead lift suddenly, but he said nothing.Hawk smiled a little, then went on. Paybackalso to your prentice friend with the stripy hair, who thought fast in a hot moment. This time Tyron did speak. Wren? You didn t tell me that! Wren looked up, her face crimson. I guess I forgot, she said.Everyone laughed, which eased some of the tension.Teressa said to Hawk, Look.I don t know if I ll get my throne back, but if I do,what is it that you want? To be left alone. Teressa bit her lip.There were very few of her people living in Rhiscarlan landanymore.She said, What about traders who pass down the east road to HrothFalls? Free to come and go, Hawk said with a shrug. They don t bother us, we don tbother them. And three years from now? Five? Supposing your friends have decided a raidinto Meldrith might be fun? Then beat them back, Hawk said. If you re asking if I have designs on yourthrone, no.If you want a promise of eternal loyalty, I won t give you that, either. Hefinished with a challenging look.Time to practice compromise, then.Though he s not likely to be a friend, atleast I can work to keep him from becoming an enemy. From my studies of history, such promises usually aren t worth the paperthey re written on, Teressa said, and saw a glint of approval in Hawk s black eyes. Right now I want to end this war, as fast as I can.But how? You win by brute force or by cleverness, he said. Force, Teressa repeated, wincing. We can t win that way, not this year, not inten.How can Andreus make the Lirwanis fight that long? Can we suborn themsomehow? Or do they live for fighting? No, came a voice from the corner.A thin girl with reddish blond hair put downher stitchery and said in a strong Lirwani accent, Not all.It s just, there is nochoice.Each ten years the sector captain comes, to take the strongest boy or girlfrom every family.Desertion, or cowardice, or any other infraction, means the entire family is punished.So they obey, even if they do not like the orders.They must. She bent her head over her sewing again.Into the silence came Wren s quiet voice. I think I know a way. Everyone in earshot stopped.For a long moment no one spoke. What? Hawk exclaimed at last.Wren whispered briefly to Connor, who nodded slowly, then she turned toTyron. We use that book of Andreus s. She pointed to the Lirwani girl. We llask them to translate the spells written in Lirwani, and if we find the ones that bindthe land, we release these spells. Hawk whistled. You got that book? He stood up and held out his hand. Letme see it. No, Tyron said.No one spoke.Hawk took another step toward Tyron, and Teressa wonderedhow long she, Tyron, Connor, and Wren could last against all of Hawk s gang.But Hawk did not attack Tyron or give the order for him to be attacked. Why? he asked, his eyes narrowed.Tyron met that look squarely. Because you knew what book was meant. A short laugh escaped Hawk, then he turned around abruptly. Right, he said. Right.I know its power but I also know its cost.Keep it away from me, wouldyou? Tyron gave him a twisted smile. It s loaded with magic
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