Grace could see Travis's wince. Falken's low, mu- ^cal laugh rose on the evening air.

"By the gods," the bard said, "it's good to see all of you again."

Now Melia smiled, her amber eyes glowing. "Oh, 402 ' mark anthony She pressed her cheek against his chest. He blinked, then sighed and folded his arms around her. Finally, she pulled away and moved to Grace.

"My dear one, you're more beautiful than ever."

Grace didn't know what she could possibly say, so she hugged Melia tightly instead.

"All right, dear. You mustn't break me."

"Sorry," Grace murmured, releasing the small woman. Grace seemed to have only two modes for expressing affection: off and maximum power. "Of course, dear." Melia smoothed her kirtle, then she paused and moved toward Lirith and Tira. She knelt before the girl. "And who is this?"

"Her name is Tira," Grace said, but before slic could say anything more, the girl flung her arms around Melia's neck and pressed her lips against t';c coppery skin of the lady's cheek.

"Yes, dear, I love you, too," Melia murmured.

413.

Apparently satisfied by these words, Tira let go arid pressed her small body against Lirith's skirts on'e more.

Grace marveled at the girl's unusual display, but she could wonder aboutit later. "Melia, Falken," she said. "What are you doing here?" Melia gestured to them all. "Why, we've been waiting for you, of course."

"That's right," Falken said. "And it's about time you're all here. We have to go find Krondisar."

At dawn, two days after the full of the moon, the companions gathered beneath the Gray Tower of the Runespeakers to continue their journey east. Travis was amazed at how quickly they fell into their old traveling routines.

"I'll get the horses ready," Beltan said.

"Of course you will, dear," Melia said, her coppery skin glowing in the warm morning light.

Falken glanced at Melia with faded blue eyes. "So, are you sure you know how to find this place?"

"Don't you trust me?"

"Not entirely. Why?"

The amber-eyed lady folded her arms across the bodice of her blue kirtle. "I'm sure I'll manage."

Travis pushed his spectacles higher on his nose. "So, where is it that you want to go?"

Both the bard and the lady turned looks of displeasure on him. "Please don't interrupt us while we're having a discussion, Travis."

414.

He sighed as the two bent their heads together to Qr^OrtI^ ;_ 1,,,., ,,^;/,/^ //"i_tq,-q t*TQ rr