Galloran raised his voice again. “Nedwin left weeks ago to prepare the way for us at Trensicourt. Nia did likewise for Jason and his party. The day wanes. The hour for farewells is almost past. Let us make ready to depart. Know that with every remaining moment of my life, with every opportunity I can seize and every resource I can borrow, I will devote myself to bringing down the emperor!”

This earned a final rousing cheer from the assemblage. Rachel found herself clapping and yelling along with the others. At the same time, she felt a little distant. Soon this moment would be a memory, as would the protective walls of Mianamon. Before long she would be separated from her two best friends in Lyrian, perhaps never to see them again. No more cheering. No more rest. No more jokes. Just a parade of unpredictable difficulties and dangers.

Corinne took her hand. Rachel looked up at her. Are you in my mind?

We’ll see each other again.

Do you really think so?

At times like this, it’s the only thing we can let ourselves believe.

A cynical part of Rachel wondered how much Corinne could possibly understand about times like this.

When I stood outside that tree in the swamp, Corinne conveyed gently, all I clung to for years was a hope that my father would return for me. Long after I might have stopped believing, he finally came. And here I am.

Rachel hugged her. Be safe. Watch out for Jason.

I’ll protect him with my life.

Rachel looked up, startled by how earnestly Corinne had conveyed the sentiment.

I’ll do my best to stay alive too, Corinne assured her.

“Bye, Corinne.”

“Safe travels.”

Everyone was checking gear and shouldering packs. They were really leaving! Rachel hurried over to Jasher and hugged him. “Be safe.”

“You too.”

She turned to the half giant, Aram, who would remain small and unremarkable until sundown swelled him into a tall, heavily muscled warrior. “Take care of yourself.”

“Don’t fret about me,” Aram said. “I’ll do my best to watch out for the others.”

Drake was walking away, following a treeperson draped in heavy vines. Rachel jogged to him and placed a hand on his elbow. The seedman stopped, turning somewhat, not fully facing her. The profile view of his face emphasized his flat features. “I suppose there was no escaping you.”

“What? You wanted to just wander off without a word?”

“It can be easier that way.”

“Don’t be silly. You come back. You survive. I want to see you after this. I want you to show me your private valley in the mountains.”

“It wouldn’t be private anymore.” A small grin bent his lips as he rubbed the back of his neck, the place where his amar had failed to grow correctly after his last rebirth. “But I suppose I could live with that. Stay close to Galloran. He’ll keep you from harm.”

Rachel threw her arms around him. They had not been parted since Drake had guided her away from the torivor for weeks in the wilderness. “Take care.”

“I’ll try. Have a safe journey, Rachel.”

“I’ll miss you.”

He gave a stiff nod and strode away. She thought he might be near the brink of showing emotion. Her heart squeezed painfully at the thought of parting from him and so many of her other friends. She tried to draw strength from his example.

Rachel caught up to Jason, who already had a pack on his back and a bucket of orantium in one hand. He set down the bucket and hugged her. He felt solid. Consecutive months of good eating and intense physical training had paid off.

“Are you trying to speak with your mind?” he said after a moment. “I can’t do that.”

She pulled away from the embrace and looked into his eyes. “Don’t give up.”

“There goes my plan.”

“I’m serious. Even if things look bad, find a way. You’re good at that. The oracle saw a way that we could win. Find it.”

“You too,” Jason urged. “Within reason. Don’t try some huge Edomic command and blow yourself to pieces.”

“There goes my plan.”

“You stole my line.” Jason glanced at the others departing.

“I know we have to hurry,” Rachel said. “But this is it. We’re taking different paths.” She took a breath and put conviction into her words. “We’ll see each other again.”

Tark came up to them. “This is wrong, Lord Jason, letting them part us.”

Jason turned to the stocky musician. “Sorry, Tark. The oracle is calling the shots on this one.”

“I remain your pledged man,” Tark avowed, touching a fist to his chest. “What are your orders?”

“Do your best to help Galloran win his war.”

“I swear it.”

“And keep an eye on Rachel. See if you can get her to stop telling me she’s going to see me again. I think she’s jinxing us.”

Rachel punched Jason’s arm.

Tark eyed Rachel uncertainly. She saw a hint of disapproval in his gaze, along with a little wariness.

Jason smiled. “That’s assault. Tark, take her out.”

The musician grinned, but not with his eyes. “You better handle this one.”

Chuckling, Jason picked up the bucket of explosives.

Rachel felt the moment slipping away. There was so much she wanted to say. What if something happened to him? What if she never told him how much she appreciated his coming back to Lyrian for her? How much she cared about him? There were too many feelings to translate into words. “See you later,” she managed.

“Not if I see you first,” Jason said, starting toward the main doors of the temple.

She watched him walking away. Were those the last words he would say to her? She stalked after him. “You can’t leave with a joke.”

He glanced back. “Why not?”

“What if I die?”

“Then at least I cheered you up before the end.”

“That wasn’t a cheerful joke. It was a teasing joke. And not even a very good one.”

“Fine. Why did the baby cross the road?”

“No jokes,” Rachel complained, striding along beside him.

“I guess it’s more fitting that we should end with an argument.”

“I just mean there are certain times when jokes aren’t appropriate.”

“Which makes them more needed and funny.”

She grabbed his arm and tugged him to a halt. “You have your way of coping, and I have mine. You’re amazing. You’re inspiring. You’re so brave. I’ll miss you and I appreciate you. Everything about you.”