dead."

She shook her head. "He isn't. I would know if he had pa.s.sed from this plane."

"Ho, Disa," Nalor said. He handed her a piece of roast banta. "'Twill build your strength."

"Thanks."

Once she finished the chakla and banta, she rose. "Let me tend my sisters."

"What can ye do that I haven't?" Brader asked.

"Place their Jewels in their hands. 'Twas what helped me." She paused beside Reena and studied the

young woman. "She is much like Liara in appearance." Then she shook her head. "What has happened to

Liara's hair?"

Brader shrugged. "'Twas like that when I found her. If I had not seen the desert robe, I would have mistaken her for the Queen."

She turned to the one who had held the Black. "She is alive, but I don't know what to do for her since

her Jewel is gone."

Valmir looked up. "Perhaps 'twould be best if she never wakes."

"Why?" Her eyes widened. "If she lives, there must be a purpose. Ye will not harm her?"

"Nay, but how will she feel about the things she has done?"

Stilenta moaned the instant Disa put her Jewel in her hand. Nalor lifted the Blue Holder onto his lap.

"How fare ye?" he asked.

"Tired, but I live. My exhaustion is a small price to pay for what we have wrought." She looked at him. "Has your heart healed from its wounds?"

"'Tis whole and waiting."

"Then I would have thee as my Chosen, for thee bring me hope and strength."

"And I will hold thee in my heart for all my days."

Disa glanced at Brader's stony expression. She wished she were free, but she had a debt to discharge.

She thrust a torch into the fire. "I must search for Andalor."

"I'll come with ye," Brader said.

"So will we." Stilenta accepted Nalor's a.s.sistance to stand.

"Ye should eat and rest," Disa said. "Who will watch our sisters?"

"I won't leave Liara," Valmir said.

The torches illuminated their way toward the battle scene. Disa spotted a body at a distance from the others. She hurried over. "'Tis Andalor."

"Is he...?" Brader began.

"He lives, but barely." She knelt beside the minstrel. Though she held the Yellow and not the Red, mayhaps she could use the Jewel to infuse him with some of her strength. She caught the light of First Moon in the heart of the Yellow. With one hand, she clasped Andalor's arm. "As ye gave me a life after the fanged apes attacked, so I give one to ye. 'Tis not your time to die." She thought of him as she had first seen him. Beneath her touch, he stirred.

She felt hands on her shoulders and knew Brader was there. "Let my strength be yours," he said.

"My thanks." She felt warmth and comfort flow from him to her and into the Jewel. This is why a Holder takes a Chosen, she thought. She poured energy into Andalor until she swayed. Brader caught her and held her close.

"Enough. Do not drain yourself. Nalor and I will carry him to camp and there we will cleanse his wounds."

"He will live as I have returned his life." She smiled. "And thee and I will walk together as Holder and Chosen."

"I will bide with thee until my days end."

The rightness of the moment filled her. She had given Andalor his life and had been released from her debt.

CHAPTER 45.

From The Queen's Diary The Black steals my thoughts and devours my memories. Less and less I know who I am. More and more, I become the essence of those who have held before me. The Brotherhood conspires to rid Earda of the White Jewel, but one who has held the Black cannot touch the White. Now there are two daughters who must face the test. Alas, alas, poor Earda. I did not know.

Reena felt a cup touch her lips. The hands were as gentle as those of her nursemaid's. She raised her hands to her chest. Nay, she was no child. She must be at the manor house waiting for her summons to the palace. Yet that did not seem right either.

"Andalor, where are thee?"

"He is nearby and sorely wounded."

The woman's voice was unfamiliar. "Wounded. How can that be? He's on his way to Pala so I can name him as my Chosen." She shuddered as memories returned. "The Black was destroyed, yet I live. Are ye sure the Black is gone?"

"I watched it turn to ashes and blow away on the wind."

Reena laughed. "Then I am free to be myself." She opened her eyes. "Is it night?"

"'Tis morning."

"I cannot see."

"Mayhaps the effects of the Black's destruction linger."

Hands helped her to her feet and led her to a place where she felt heat radiating from a fire. "The minstrel is here."

Reena knelt and touched his face. "Why is he so hot?"

"'Tis a fever from his wounds. Fetch water and cloths."

"I cannot." Tears streamed down her face.

Fingers grasped her arm. "'Twill be fine. I have what she needs." The voice held the same caring as her childhood nurse's had."

"Why are ye so kind? 'Tis all, all my fault."

"Is there more tragon?" This woman's voice reminded her of sunshine. "If we clean the wound the way he did mine, we can rid his body of the poisons."

"Ye are Disa," Reena said. "Take care of him." She moved back.

"Stay," the first woman said. "Ye are my sister by birth. I am Liara."

"How can ye stand to have me near?"

"What ye became was a false image created by the Black. During the cleansing, I saw your true self.

And since ye are his Chosen, your presence will help him live."

"Do ye think so?"

Arms pulled her into an embrace. "I know it so, for I have felt my Chosen's touch bring healing to me,"

Disa said.

Reena settled beside Andalor. Let him live. Even if he hates me for what I became and what I did, let him live. Though he will leave me and I will be alone again, I don't want his death.

"My Queen."

Gila, Reena thought. "Don't call me that. I have no Jewel." She patted the girl's hand. "I'm glad ye survived."

"Phila lives as well, but her mind is empty of all thought. Oh, how I wish to rid myself of this Jewel!"

Reena gripped the girl's arm. "Don't say that. To be a Holder is an honor, especially now that the Black is gone. The land has been beneath its shadow too long. If I had a Jewel, I'd travel over all of Earda and right the wrongs that have been done. I'd search for the dens of the Brotherhood and cleanse them."

CHAPTER 46.

From The Lore of the Jewels When the Jewels work in harmony with the White, the land knows peace, for the Holders are chosen to serve the people, not themselves.

Liara slumped on the ground and wrapped her arms around her knees. The treatment of Andalor's wounds had exhausted her, for he had been touched by the Black. If she'd had the Red, 'twould have been less of a challenge. She stared at the a.s.sortment of injured Guards who had come seeking treatment for their wounds. All but one would recover quickly and be on their way to spread the news of the Black's defeat and the rule of the White.

And the Brotherhood-but that was a problem for another day.

She moved to the side of the Guard who'd been burned because he'd been a prisoner in one of the tents. His skin was blistered and some of the areas had festered. If we had the Red and some one to hold the gem-She sighed.

"Ye can't have all ye wish for," she muttered.

"I wish my Jewel was gone," the Violet Holder said.

The girl's whining voice grated. "Ye wish for the loss of what ye should be proud to bear," Liara said.

"'Tis time ye started doing your share."

"I help with the cooking."

"'Tis little enough. Sit with this Guard. Use your Jewel to bring him comfort."

"How can I do that?"

Liara shook her head. "Has no one shown ye how to use your Jewel?"

"That mage-the evil one-he tried. Every time he touched me, I fainted. He said I would never learn."

Stilenta crouched on the other side of the Guard. "I will show ye. Hold the Violet in one hand so the light of the sun fills the center. Place your other hand on his chest and visualize cooling breezes to soothe his pain."

Liara rose and wavered. Valmir caught her. Strength flowed from his touch.

"Rest now," he said. "There is little more ye can do."

"But Timir needs healing."

"He has Stilenta and Gila. Come drink kaf and rest."

"Chosen." The word slipped out but she knew she spoke true.

"Thee honor me and I will dwell in thy tent for all my days." He embraced her and carried her to the blankets. She fell asleep in his arms.

* * * Bright sunlight woke Liara. Valmir reached for her hand. "Thee are finally awake."

"How long did I sleep?"