Checkmate

Gambit

"Clanspeed, Cai Lio."

Kali hugged me close for a long while before pulling back. Her eyes were wet and her lips trembled a little as she smiled.

"We will miss you."

"I will miss you too." I said, smiling back as she stepped back, letting Nara take her place. Nara said nothing, just hugged me tightly before turning away, towards her mate, who gave me a slight smile as he took her into his arms. I understood. Nara, not long into her pregnancy, was uncharacteristically emotional these days.

"They'd better look after you in Vargas." Vane said, clasping me by the shoulders in a firm grip before he drew me to him for a brief hug. He stepped back, his hands still on my shoulders as he gazed at me. "My friend." I met his gaze, and this time it was my turn to reach forward and hug him. 

"May all be well with you and yours." I said quietly before I released him, genuine affection in my voice. Vane and I had grown up together, after Ri, he was the one I considered a good friend, and one of the few who knew my history.

"No official escort?" He asked, as we walked to the gate of their dwelling along with the others.

"Ri will see me to the border." I said by way of answer, "And I travel faster by myself."

"And your mate agreed to that." Kali arched an eyebrow at me. "The Clan Leader of Vargas thought it was a good idea for his mate, Cai of his Clan, to make the trip to Vargas alone across Clenlevin, now that every Clan from here to Caia knows who you are."

"Oh, I'm sure Lio has his ways of remaining unseen, sarsa." Vane saved me from replying, glancing at me with a smile. He was also one of those who knew what work I did, and so knew that tracking me would be a hard task.

"Still." Kali persisted. "I take a dim view of a Clan Leader who doesn't take their mate's security seriously. Look at Ri, she has Guard with her wherever she goes."

"Yes, and she'll tell you exactly what she thinks of that." Vane said drily. 

"Not to mention that she's famous for giving her Guard the slip." Nara spoke for the first time, her voice a little croaky but steady, as she and Maddox came to stand by my side. "I'm sure Lio will be fine." She looked at me, a soft smile on her face.  "Come back and see us."

"Don't worry, I will." I said, smiling back. "I need to meet your babe, after all."

"It's a pity you'll miss the entertainment." Kali glanced at Nara, a wicked grin on her face. "Nara pregnant is going to be like a stampede of elephants. Good luck, Mads." She glanced at Nara's mate, dodging Nara's friendly punch with a chuckle. 

"You will have plenty of stories to tell me when we next meet." I said, stopping at the gate and turning to look at them all. They stopped too, and there was a sudden lull in the banter, as they all looked at me, their expressions sobering. 

This was it, our farewell. Who knew when we would meet again. 

I put my right fist over my left chest and bowed my head slightly, smiling at each of them as I raised my head, not wanting to make it any harder than it had to be.

"Clanspeed, my friends." 

I didn't linger, I turned and headed down the path, away from the dwelling, not looking back, feeling the heaviness in my feet as I walked, but walking steadily and with purpose. Ri would be waiting for me.

She'd insisted on taking me to the border. That part of what I'd told my friends was true.

But they'd assumed the rest, as had everyone else.