The Reluctant Champion

Interlude: Galen

"What do you mean you sent her elsewhere? After all the miles I've travelled? After all I've risked? . . ." But his breath ran out and a wave of dizziness cut Galen off. He found himself slumped against Madoc's arm, trying to make his eyes stay focused on the oldest of the wizards. He still wasn't recovered from the blood loss of his ordeal.

The old man was as impassive as ever. If Galen's anger and frustration made any impression, it didn't show.

"Young man, you have played your part. Be content. How many others can say as much? This is not your story, after all. No, not your story at all."

Galen shook his head to clear it and only succeeded in making the room spin sickeningly around him. "Not my story? What do I care about stories? Where is Lidah? What did you do with her?"

"She is where she can do the most good, young one." The old man's eyes were sharp and pitiless. "Would you begrudge it her? Would you? The Fortress of Winds is a fine home for us, but rather out of the way of things. Her place is in the middle of them, rather."

"For the seven hells. Tell me at least that she is free—that she is safe."

"She is free. It was not so ill done, after all. You tied your fate to hers before the Judges, so when you found your escape she found hers also. Not so ill done. Is she safe? Safe? I cannot say so much of anyone."

"Cute." Galen tried to pull his scattered wits together. "So after all my efforts, you dumped her somewhere else. And you'll not tell me where."

"It is not your story. But you may yet find her again."

"So what am I to do?"

"That is your story, and your choosing. But you have a pledge yet to redeem."

The tree. The bandits. Galen felt his mouth twist wryly.

"It's so, I suppose. Small chance to track them after the blizzard."

"Not so hard, not so hard. These mountains offer few passes. To the east of the valley below our stair you'll find only one way out. They'll have taken that way."

Galen scowled at his hands. He was so tired. "And I suppose I've to thank you."

"We do little out of charity."

"Yet I do thank you."