Page 159 of The Ranger

She leaned toward Vale. “I do believe our cover is blown.”

He squeezed her hand. “I agree.”

“Duncan,” Major snapped. “Why haven’t you left?”

Duncan, who stood between two Muiraran guards, made a squawking sound and slunk away.

“Sir,” Major said, now ready to take on Zerbe again.

King Jaireth held up his hand to silence him. “Kwaku, when will they be ready?”

“I am afraid I do not know, Your Majesty.” He stepped closer to the king. “He has stood before death. We should not hurry him. And she has barely opened her mind to what is happening. Look at dem. It is deir hearts guiding dem. And when deir hearts are done, it is only a matter of time before she sings her final Call.”

“Fair point. Take care of them, and once they are joined, bring them to safety.”

Kwaku gave him a single nod.

“Safety?” Major said and pointed at the couple. “Thatsir, is not safe.”

Jaireth took a deep breath.

Uh oh.Makama gripped Vale’s hand and took a few steps back. Major, in his ignorance, was only trying to protect his daughter. He had no idea Jaireth was trying to do the same with both.

Jaireth didn’t say a word. But he did bare his teeth and emit a low growl.

“Your Majesty,” Zerbe said. “Might I suggest you speak with the Maiden’s sire another time? He is, after all as concerned as you are.”

Jaireth popped his neck. “Of course.” He gave faced Markhel and Maida again, an obvious dismissal. “See they are well looked after. Do not separate them. I will not lose my ranger.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Kwaku said. He and Zara bowed then watched Jaireth leave, a host of guards surrounding him. Zerbe took several steps in Markhel and Maida’s direction and smiled. “Bond well, my son.” With that, he followed his king and the host disappear around the barn.

Makama heard Geran’s distinct song come from the same direction. The ground shook, and several implements hanging up in the tack room clattered to the floor. The rattling continued for a good fifteen seconds before everything went still.

No one moved. Except Kwaku of course, who hovered near the bonding couple, eyes closed. He was probably trying to gauge what sort of shape Markhel was in.

“Major...” Honoria said. “What was all that?”

He pulled her into his arms. “Reality. But that was theirs. Ours is seeing Maida married before people begin to talk. The sooner the better as far as I’m concerned.” He looked at Kwaku, gave him a single nod, then took his wife by the hand and marched toward his house.

32

John Bolger rode into town with his brother Mick at his side. “I hope that doctor knew what he was doing,” he griped as he dismounted.

Mick did the same. He held an icepack to his left eye. “If’n that big moose hadn’t punched me last night, I wouldn’t hafta waste yer time with the doctor.”

“Are you sure you didn’t deserve it?” John asked. He went to their campfire, grabbed an empty tin cup off a rock, and poured himself some coffee. He took a sip, made a face, and spit it out. “Carmine! When are you gonna learn to make some decent coffee?”

Carmine stood off to one side, shaving. “Hold the mirror higher, why don’t ya?”

Randall sneered at him but did it anyway.

John shook his head then peered at the contents of his cup.

“Hey, when’s that fella supposed to get here?” Leonard asked as he pulled on his boots. “I thought we were gonna get paid.”

“He’ll be here.” John shivered. He almost wished he didn’t show up. Unfortunately, no sooner had he thought it, he caught sight of the Englishman as he rode toward them. “See, what’d I tell ya? Now nobody make him angry.”

His brothers and cousins eyed the man that hired them the week before. “He don’t look so tough,” Randall scoffed.