“And so are you, Alberich of Karse, Herald of Valdemar.” The child’s voice suddenly deepened, and seemed to fill his ears, his mind, and his world shrank to the boy’s young face and the voice that resonated all through him. He couldn’t move. And he didn’t want to… “A man of such conscience and honor is a remarkable man indeed; so remarkable, that it would seem that his prayers reach a little farther than most.”

Alberich could not look away from those blue eyes, eyes which held an impossible golden flame in their depths. He wasn’t afraid, though. Far from it. He had never felt such peace before in his life.

“A man of conscience and honor—who has found a fitting place in his exile, among those who value that honor, and honor the conscience.” The boy nodded. “It is written that exiles do not last forever, for those who are true to their word, their family, and their home. But remember, always, that the Writ tells us that a man’s home is where his family is, Herald Alberich. And also, that friends are the family one can choose…”

The child backed away a few paces, as Alberich felt his pulse hammering in his throat, as if he had run a very long distance. He hardly knew what to think; he couldn’t have actually said anything if his life had depended on speaking.

The boy turned, and walked a few more steps away in the direction of the door, then looked back over his shoulder.

“And if you think what I am is remarkable, wait some few years. And you will see what my daughter can do. Or should I say, my daughter who will be my Son?” Then he laughed and ran off, a high, utterly childlike laugh that broke the spell that had held Alberich motionless.

He still couldn’t think; his thoughts moved as if they were flowing through thick honey. But—he needed to run after that boy—

“Alberich!” Geri called, and he turned—

The priest had broken up the class, and apparently had spotted Alberich in the back of the temple. “I was hoping you’d come to see what we’ve done! We took all of the Karsite children when the Queen’s people came to ask if we had room for any. You know, we just couldn’t turn them away, and they’ve been a delight to have here. What’s more, they are making remarkable progress!”

“Like—that boy?” he replied, feeling his heart still racing with an emotion that held both excitement and fear. No—not fear, but an emotion like fear. It took him a moment to recognize it as hope…

“Boy?” Geri looked puzzled. “What boy?”

“The boy I was—” he gestured, but there was no sign that there had ever been anyone there. “—talking—to—”