TERAJ’S HOME was crowded. Everyone was there, and since there were not enough chairs, we all sat around the edges of the floor on rugs. In the centre of the living space, people danced on the polished wooden floor, and the musicians were boisterous and bright. We all were boisterous. Quelled and Chosen laughed together, shared wine and bread, and danced. Even the cripples were dancing as best they could, and several times Teraj danced with the young woman with no legs, carrying her in his arms. She clung to his neck, her face shining and full of happiness. She loved him, I think. We all did, men and women. He was equal with the Firelord, with his presence.

The Firelord did not dance, but he moved around the room, talking with people, smiling often, laughing sometimes. He looked much older, and I still was not used to his hair all white, but his eyes had back their old fire, and his skin was rich and dark again, and glowed. I sat against a wall and sipped my wine, and tried not to be sad. This was the farewell feast for my lord and me. We had been here sixteen days, and they had been the highest and best days of my life.

Teraj came over, sat by me, and handed me a small bowl of dried fruit. “You’ve hardly eaten all night, Elsha,” he said. “You’ll need strength for the journey to Kasimarra. It is a long, hard way, and our lord will need all your support. He has made a remarkable recovery, but the illness is still there. This time is only a reprieve.”

“We have eight days to get there,” I said, picking at the fruit. “We won’t need to hurry.” I looked across the floor and saw the young woman we had operated on. She was almost better already, walking a few steps every day, and eating small meals. Her husband sat with her, his arms about her, caressing her. He whispered something in her ear, and she gave him a shy, loving look, and smiled.

“They are going to stay here,” said Teraj, following my gaze. “Their friends who came with them are returning to the mine.”

“If this place is secret,” I asked, “how is it that the Quelled all know of it?”

“It is a secret kept only from the Chosen,” he replied. “Two or three Quelled in every mine know we exist. And if they leave at night to bring their injured here, and are away only a day or two, they are not missed. Not all the workers are counted, only the troublemakers.”

“Careful,” I said, smiling, “I was one of those.”

He laughed quietly. “I bet you were. The Firelord always did like someone with spark. And you have that, Elsha, and more.”