“Can we have a moment?” Mother said. Vidal bowed at once and strode back toward camp. Only after he’d passed out of earshot did Mother murmur, “That’s everything.”

Zofi frowned in confusion.

“Everything I’ve learned over the years. Curses, tithes, all of it.”

Zofi’s eyes widened. “You’ve had this sitting around for anyone to find?”

Mother laughed. “Not at all. Take a look.”

She undid the leather ties and opened the first page, only to find a blank sheet of velum. “I don’t understand.”

“The book itself is another trick I picked up.” Mother turned it over and showed Zofi a thin strip of metal along the back, narrow as her fingertip. “It’s bound to my blood. I have to tithe a drop along its spine to reveal the words. But it will work for you, too, daughter.” She smiled. “I’d always meant to pass it down to you one day. That day just came sooner than I thought.”

Zofi hugged the book to her chest. “Thank you, Mother.”

For an instant, Mother just looked at her, like she was drinking Zofi in. Then, all business again, she finished filling Zofi’s waterskin for her. “Stop at the Hook and Barber for fresh horses. Tell them Deena will owe them, if they let you borrow one of the stallions.” She paused to pat the silver sand-stepper’s flank. “Though I doubt you’ll have any trouble trading him. More trouble getting him back once all this is done.”

Zofi flashed a half grin. “I’ll just have to channel you when I come back.”

“You’ll just have to be sure to come back,” Mother replied sternly. “From what you’ve told me this ‘true heir’ has done already…” She nodded toward the book. “It sounds to me like you’ll need every advantage in there. Vulgar Arts included.”

Zofi didn’t want to think about what it would mean if she failed. If she couldn’t stop the heir, couldn’t rescue Ren and Akeylah… she might be sacrificing herself for nothing.

Or it might be for the good of all the Reaches.

“I’ll come back.” She didn’t say it like a promise. Just a statement of fact. Over Mother’s shoulder, she spotted Vidal on his way back, and waved.

“Think he can keep up?” Mother smiled over her shoulder at Vidal.

“If he can’t, I’ll leave him behind,” Zofi replied, loud enough for Vidal to hear, though she flashed him a grin, too. “No offense.”

“None taken.” Vidal grinned back. “Besides, Zofi, I’m a Talon of Kolonya. If I can’t keep up, I don’t deserve my wings.”

21

Akeylah

All Akeylah could think about was the relief she’d felt when Andros smiled down at her, just two days ago now. The countercurse had worked. He was fine. Better than fine, up and about, acting like his old self.