"One, and Andalor's pack horse."

* * * By the end of the tenday, they reached the pa.s.s over Stone Mountain. Dark clouds filled the sky and made the sun appear as a pale circle. Brader chose to camp inside the pa.s.s where tumbled rocks shielded them from the worst of the wind. Disa rubbed her arms and stamped her feet. She huddled near the small fire. Brader strode to the end of the pa.s.s. When he returned, he took the mug of kaf she handed him.

"There's a problem," he said. "The trail down the mountain has been obliterated by rock slides."

Andalor smiled. "So we must retrace our steps."

"How bad?" Liara asked.

"Hard to tell. Most of the trees are gone so there'll be little wood for fires."

"And the caves?" Liara asked.

"Appear to be untouched."

Andalor opened a skin of tragon and added some to his mug before pa.s.sing it to Stilenta. "Have ye been this way before?"

Liara shook her head. "The details are from a map."

"Do ye have a copy?"

"In my head."

"And mine." Brader prodded the ponies until they lay on their sides and formed another barrier against the wind. "When morning comes, we will decide if we can make the trip down." He looked at Andalor. "I'm not sure your horse will survive."

"I won't abandon him. He's served me well."

Valmir looked up. "Mayhaps we should divide the supplies; in case one of the beasts is lost, we will still have food and firewood."

"And medicinals," Stilenta reached for that pack and began to distribute the packets.

Disa was dismayed to see how their store of dried foods had dwindled. The absence of game had forced them to use more than they had planned. "The chakla's mine."

Brader laughed.

Andalor rolled his eyes. "Someday, I'll write a song about the tavernmaid who scorned the offerings of the tavern for chakla, sweet chakla." "I can't wait to hear it." She wished this moment would last. For a short time, Andalor had become one with them. Then his expression changed and he again became the man who'd tried to force her to leave her friends and join the Queen. * * * Dark clouds again covered the sky. Disa stared down the steep rubble-strewn slope. There was room for but one pony to move through the narrow way that had once been a wide opening. She glanced upward and saw huge boulders on the slopes near the peak of Stone Mountain.

"What happened?" she asked.

"Rockslides," Liara said. "Caused by melting snow followed by freezing rain. Makes the rocks shift."

"Will we be safe?" Disa asked.

Brader cupped her shoulder with his hand. Amazing, she thought. She felt the warmth through the many layers of clothes she wore. 'Twas as warm as flesh to flesh.

"Ye must move with care. Liara will go first. If the caves are there and useable, she'll wave her kerchief. Then Valmir will follow. There is another pa.s.s but it's kils from here and close to where I think the dire wolves are laired."

Disa shuddered. She had no wish to face those beasts again. Liara led the pony through the opening and started down the rock-strewn slope. Disa tried to memorize her friend's route. Right around the ebon boulder. Then left to go between the pair of jagged rocks. After what seemed like forever, Liara waved a red kerchief.

"Valmir," Brader said.

The Desert Rider followed the path Liara had taken. Disa's heart pounded. She would be next. Did she have the courage to follow when she knew the destination was a cave?

When she received Brader's nod, she tugged on the pony's reins. A dislodged stone rolled ahead of her and gathered speed. She nearly froze but the pony tapped her back with his nose. Finally, she reached the ledge where Liara stood. Her panic must have shown. Liara smiled. "Well done. 'Tis a double cave. We'll camp in the right and the mounts will be in the left. Valmir has started a fire. Ye might want to start a kaf and ryn porridge."

Disa took two pans from her pony's pack and filled them with snow. She strode into the cave where a fire provided the only light. After placing the pans on the stones jutting over the flames, she returned to the ledge.

"Will we all fit?" she asked.

"We'll be cozy but we'll need the warmth." Liara pointed to the sky. "Those clouds promise snow or freezing rain."

Though Disa would prefer to spread her blanket on the ledge to sleep beneath the open sky, she knew

that would be a foolish move. As she stared at the slope, a chill mixture of rain and snow began. Disa clenched her hands. Would Brader and Andalor be all right? She shivered.

"Go in by the fire," Liara said.

"'Tis not the cold." She wrapped her arms across her chest. Mayhaps this day would see her return the

life to Andalor. Stilenta arrived. "'Tis a bit slick. Andalor's horse has balked. Brader will bring him." Disa stared toward the peak. A bolt of lightning struck the rocks above the pa.s.s and sent a boulder toward the figures on the slope. Then Andalor's horse rolled past, followed by one of the ponies. "Brader," Disa cried. Liara grasped her arm. "They will be fine. Brader has experience with rock slides." The thunderous noise of the falling debris stilled. Disa saw Brader supporting Andalor. The two men reached the ledge. "Something's not right," Brader said. "This isn't the kind of storm that draws lightning." Andalor sank to his knees. "I owe ye a life." Brader shook his head. "Of what use would a life be to an armsman? We do not hold to that code.

Keep your life and give it elsewhere." Disa turned and yelled. A bolt of lightning struck the mountain. This time, a great wave of rocks and snow rolled down the slope. She shoved Brader into the cave. He grabbed Andalor's arm. The noise obliterated their voices. When Disa turned, she saw the cave opening was blocked. She pushed against the barrier with her hands, but the ma.s.s was solid. "We will die," she cried. "I can't breathe." Tears streamed down her face. Brader put his arms around her. "Ye will be all right. We will get out in the morning."

"I know it's foolish to fear closed s.p.a.ces but when I was a child, Fancher used to lock me in a chest as a punishment." Brader stroked her cheek. "'Tis all right to have fears. I nearly drowned and I still fear water that's deeper than my chest."

"For me, 'tis being alone," Stilenta said.

"Crowds for me," Valmir said. "And sea storms."

"For me, 'tis the mages." Andalor opened his lute case. "Since they took my brother, I have chills when I

see one. I fear they will know..." Stilenta raised the Blue and focused it on the ma.s.s of snow, rock and ice. Slowly, a hole appeared and cold air touched Disa's face. She looked at her friend. "My thanks." Liara stood at the entrance to the second cave. "Come, there is ryn porridge with fruit and kaf. We must eat and then sleep. Tomorrow will be soon enough to dig ourselves out." Though Disa wished for chakla, she accepted a mug of kaf. As she sipped, she wondered how long it would be before they could replenish their supplies. How much had been lost on the horse and pony? After eating, she curled into her blankets and fell into a light sleep.

* * * "Reena, 'tis Andalor. I travel with the Blue..." "Nay," Disa screamed. "Ye will not betray us." She hit his hand. A dark object fell on the cave floor and she crushed it with her foot. Andalor screamed and collapsed.

CHAPTER 23.

From the Queen's Diary I do not know how she has evaded the mages and the Guards. Someone has betrayed me. Gregor, he who wants to be my Chosen, has sworn neither my sister nor our Chosen would escape. But they have. Until she is dead, my power is blunted for I cannot draw on my Chosen's strength to aid my use of the Black. Gregor tries to say I have no Chosen, but the bonds are there. I know they are.

A burst of pain slashed Reena's head. She screamed and pressed her hands against her ears. Miniature streaks of lightning flashed before her eyes. She fell to her knees.

"Andalor, what have thee done?"

For how long she rocked, she didn't know, but gradually the pain eased. Tears ran down her cheeks. She staggered to the body on the floor near the door. The man in the mage's robes bore Andalor's face.

"Chosen!"

A moment later, she knew the man was not Andalor, but one who looked enough like him to be a brother.

Gregor strode into the room. "Your spy has failed. The con-crystal has shattered and destroyed one of my most talented mages."

"What has happened to Andalor?" She averted her gaze from the dead mage.

"With luck, he fared the same as his brother."

She straightened. "What do ye mean?"

"I have lost a valuable tool because ye selected the wrong man as your Chosen. I should have been the one. With my power added to yours, we would have been invincible. Once the minstrel is dead, I will claim my place at your side."

She sucked in a breath. "He has not died. The bonds are strong."

"But for how long?" He grasped her shoulders. "Ye must repudiate your vows."

"I cannot." The mage smiled and the smile brought a chill that slid along her spine. He released his hold.

"Do not touch me again." She swallowed. Even if Andalor was dead, she would never name this man as

Chosen. "My Queen, 'twould be best if ye and I were a pair. The Black was created by the mages for this purpose. I do not understand how the minstrel has survived thrice."

She touched the Jewel. "What do ye mean?" "Ye cannot believe the fanged apes and the dire wolves acted on their own. But he will not escape this time, for he and his companions are trapped in a cave with no way out." She raised the Jewel. He does not know about the Blue Holder and that will remain my secret. "He lives and continues to do so. Ye will not attempt to harm him again. He is mine. The Black is mine. The rule is mine." She glared. "Now, tell me how ye knew where to send the beasts." He toed the body of the dead mage. "How else? This one was mind-locked to the com-crystal. All the minstrel said and heard, this one reported to me. So, ye see I know all ye do. The location of the crystal was ever in his mind. Now, tell me what news the minstrel gave ye before the crystal shattered." She shook her head. "The message was garbled by the destruction of the crystal." She forced her eyes away from the dark gaze that compelled her to answer. "When I decipher the meaning, I will tell ye." "See that ye do." She whirled. "I am Queen. Ye do not command me. Set plans in motion for us to leave Pala."

He smiled. "Just ye and me. I would gladly do that." "Along with the Holders, the mages of greatest power and ten decans of Guards." "And our destination?" "Ye will learn that when I am ready to tell ye." He bowed and left the room. Reena's body shook. Alone, she thought. Always and forever. She raised the Jewel and smiled. As long as she held the Black, she was not alone. Laughter spilled from her lips. And over Pala, lightning erupted.

CHAPTER 24.

From The Songs of Earda Yellow pale and Yellow bright Sun by day and moons by night Bring to Earda warmth and light.

Andalor groaned. The excruciating ache in his head had faded to a dull ache. Reena. Had she been blasted the way he had? He eased into a sitting position and gazed at the disapproving faces around him. He met Disa's glare. "Disa, what have ye done?"

"Kept ye from more acts of betrayal," she said.

He sucked in a breath. "Ye are the one who has betrayed the Queen. Reena is the rightful ruler, for she holds the Black. If ye would but join her, life on Earda would change."

"Aye," Disa said. "More deaths, droughts and disease. More famine and floods. Do ye not recall the deserted farms we saw? Did ye not listen to the fears and problems of the people in the market?"

"Ye do not know her. She has great caring for the land and the people. She is much like Liara in nature."

Stilenta shook her head. "Mayhaps she was all ye imagined, but when a Holder takes a Jewel, she is bonded to it with ties tighter than those with her Chosen. The Black absorbs all that is good and changes it to evil."

He snorted. "I do not believe a Jewel could change her. I heard her speak of the things she would do."

"But has she done any of them?"

A frown wrinkled his brow. What had Reena done since she'd become Queen? She hadn't changed life for the people. The mages were still in Pala. "Give her time."

"Aye," Stilenta said. "Time for the Brotherhood to make her theirs. It's been three Holders since one of the black robes has been the Queen's Chosen. Your life is in danger."

Could what she said be true? Twice his life had been threatened, but he had survived. Did the mages seek his life? No matter, he would live. Reena would dismiss the Brotherhood when they'd outlived their use. He had to believe in her. He was her Chosen.

"What should we do with him?" Brader asked.

"Among the Desert Riders, what he has done would mean death," Valmir said.

"Then ye must take my life," Disa said.

Liara held up her hands. "'Tis not death but life for him. Though I don't know why, he must come with us. We will have need of him before the battle is done."

Andalor turned his back to them and sought sleep. Did Liara mean to keep him in their midst? Didn't she fear for her life? He clamped his lips together.

Her life wasn't in danger from him. He could kill in open battle but not by stealth or treachery. His thoughts circled his dilemma. Liara was so much like Reena when he'd met her. Would that he had remained in Pala. Then he wouldn't have to make a choice between the woman he loved and the one who held his admiration.

His dreams filled with memories of the short days when he'd been Reena's companion. Then they changed and he saw the differences he'd seen in her since she'd become Queen. The new Reena filled him with dread, but he was her Chosen and bound to her until death.

Sunlight streamed through the hole Stilenta had burned in the rubble that sealed the cave. Andalor groaned. His head ached.

"Here." Liara handed him a mug.

He sipped, then drained the bitter liquid. Before long the pain disappeared.