Cyador’s Heirs

XXXVI

The remainder of sixday and sevenday both pass quickly, and almost before Lerial knows it, he is saddling the gelding well before dawn on eightday morning and strapping his kit bag behind the saddle. When he leads the gelding out of the stable, he sees his mother and sister, as well as Emerya and Amaira, standing by the side entrance to the main part of the palace. He mounts and rides over to them, where he reins up.

“Take care,” his mother offers.

“I will.” As I can.

“Good-bye,” says Ryalah.

“Good-bye … and don’t get too mad at Amaira.”

Ryalah makes a face back at him, to which Lerial grins.

Amaira looks at him and barely murmurs, “Good-bye.”

“Good-bye … but don’t let Ryalah play too much on the fairness business.”

His dark-haired and dark-eyed cousin smiles shyly, and then looks away.

“Trust yourself,” are the first words from his aunt, followed by, in a lower voice, “in all things.”

“That’s harder than it sounds.”

She nods and then smiles.

Lerial manages not to swallow as he turns the gelding toward the four rankers who are his escort to Lancer headquarters. The very fact that his mother and aunt are both there to see him off brings home the fact that his training mission with the majer is in fact the same as a patrol. He knows his father has said that … but when he had heard those words, they had just been words. Is that why he isn’t here? Because it would emphasize even more that there’s danger?

Lerial decides that is most likely, but he keeps a pleasant expression on his face as he rides up to Jhubyl, the junior squad leader, “I see you drew the early morning duty.”

“Figured someone from the Palace Lancers ought to see you off, ser.”

“Oh … I’ll be back. Just not for a while.”

Once they are through the gates, Jhubyl says, “I hear you’re going out into the hill country.”

“In that direction, with Majer Altyrn. He’s going to start training some of the hill types to be Lancers.”

“That’s what the watertalk is. Do you think that’s because the Heldyans are up to making more trouble?”

“Since when have either the Afritans or the Heldyans not made trouble?” Lerial counters genially, trying to avoid confirming or denying the rumor.

Jhubyl laughs. “You sound just like Undercaptain Woelyt, ser.”

Lerial just hopes that he can handle all aspects of being an undercaptain, especially since all too many eyes will be on how he acts and carries out his duties. Even if you are being used as a sort of replacement for Lephi. That doesn’t mean he can’t do the job better than his older brother could. Not at all.

As he rides along the southwest boulevard toward the Lancer headquarters compound, he cannot help but think about how much his life has changed over the past two seasons. Was it all because he listened to Emerya … and that provided the initial spark for change? Or would it have happened anyway?

He shakes his head. Change would have happened in any case, but without Emerya’s help, he wouldn’t have been nearly so well prepared … and he is anything but certain he is prepared for what will occur in the seasons ahead.