Page 192 of Sword & Shadow
Nothing. Because inevitably, those reasons would be taken from her, one life at a time.
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
32ND OF CHRONOS, 1574
“I’ve been thinking,” Rafferty said, his foot dangling off a branch as he reclined against the tree trunk.
“Of course, you have,” Deckard remarked, sitting at the base of the tree, whittling at the chunk of pine he’d found in the woods two weeks ago at the beginning of their trio’s journey. It was finally beginning to take shape now, becoming the small toy horse he envisioned. Hewitt stood at his side, watching the road keenly.
Surrounded by mountains, Vaura Reach showcased a hilly, forested terrain. They stood atop one such rise now, overlooking the land surrounding the Keep. Together, Deckard and Auden had discovered the Time Keep’s location early the previous day. Deckard had never experienced the low-lying sensation that could only be described asknowingthat the Calders used to find the Keeps until that moment. With minimal coaching, Auden had helped Deckard find the tug at his core, the pull guiding their steps.
Subsequently, they spent the remainder of the day scouting the area to ensure there were no ambushes lying in wait.
Today, Rafferty and Deckard had taken up the charge again. When they were assured of their safety, they shifted to the roleof lookout, watching for their troop on the highest hill they could find. The thick stands of trees mostly obscured the road below. Occasional riders drifted in and out of view, but none had yet matched that of their comrades.
“If the Time Relic gives Mages control over time,” Rafferty said, peering down at Deckard, “couldn’t we just go back and change it all?”
“Change what exactly?” Deckard asked, leaning against the trunk.
“The war,” Rafferty said. “That could be the Alliance’s whole plan. Get the Relic and turn back time, stopping the war altogether.”
Deckard shook his head. “I don’t think so.”
“Why, ’cause I suggested it? I’ll have you know that I knew Mages were real before the lot of you.”
He gave the man a flippant smile. “I’m not Thom. I don’t discount people’s ideas with offhanded dismissal.”
Rafferty snorted at the barb. “What’s your theory then?”
Eyes locked on the road, Deckard sighed. He’d become numb to Rafferty’s constant questions and chatter. No matter how inane or personal the queries got, Deckard had begun to answer them readily. “The Alliance wouldn’t want to turn back time. The Mages of Auld were corrupt; the Calders have said that themselves. The Alliance doesn’t support their former regime. They want to create a new world, one where Mages and Warriors bring balance to the world rather than lord their power over it.”
Rafferty gave a bored hum, but Hewitt nodded. “Now you’re thinking like a leader,” the ghost said proudly.
Deckard didn’t let the praise go to his head. “Besides,” he added, “I don’t think there’s a Mage alive powerful enough to go back nearly two centuries. The amount of energy and focus that would take....”
“Come to think of it,” Rafferty said thoughtfully, “none of them would be alive either. No one’s old enough to remember the start of the Centurial War. Why would they care to go back before their lives began?”
“Why indeed,” Deckard muttered, watching a small band appear on the road. Three . . . four . . . five riders appeared. He slumped back.
Sharing his disappointment, Rafferty grumbled on the branch above him. “We’ve been up here for the past three hours. Do you think we’ve chosen the wrong hill?”
“It’s the best vantage of the road we could find,” Deckard replied. “They just haven’t passed by yet.”
“They should be here by now,” Rafferty complained.
Hewitt grunted. “I should have beaten the impatience out of him.”
Unable to respond, Deckard only grinned dryly. He crossed his arms, settling back against the tree to continue his woodworking project. They’d left Auden at the camp to watch the horses and keep a body around in case the others slipped past Deckard and Rafferty’s notice, arriving at their destination unseen. It was the first time since Auden’s discovery of Hewitt’s ghost that the Mage had allowed Deckard out of his sight.
Deckard supposed he couldn’t blame the man. His connection to Night worried him as well. But he was so close...
Despite Auden’s caution, he’d continued teaching Deckard, attempting to focus his training on Time and Day magic. All the while, Deckard surreptitiously deepened his relationship with Night too. As a result, he felt stronger than ever, ready to take on the Time Keep and reveal Hewitt’s ghost to Evylin.
Though he couldn’t deny the selfishness of the act, Deckard intended it as a gift alone. He knew what it would mean for her to see Hewitt again. Even if she couldn’t touch him, even if shesaw him for just a moment, the ability to have that closure, to say a real goodbye—it would be priceless.
And if, in the end, Evylin still wanted to part ways, giving that gift to her would still be worth it.
Suddenly, Hewitt stepped forward just as Rafferty sat up. “I think I see them,” the weasel said, angling to get a better look.
