Page 76 of Homeward for a Spell

“A dragon’s tooth.”

Wren’s eyes widen. “Do I even want to know what you’re doing with such a rare magical item? You know things like this are rumored to make the user mad, as the dragon’s power pours into them.”

Araphi considers what to tell her about how she came by the tooth, but shakes her head. “Just take it, please. It’s from the Swallow, near where your family’s temple was. It feels right for you to have it. Perhaps you can use it on your adventures, and perhaps it will rescue you in all the ways you’ve helped us. I hope you find what you’re looking for.”

Wren holds her gaze for a long moment, and then nods. “Thank you, my friend. I hope you find what you’re looking for too.”

Araphi finds Sage standing in front of a frozen pond that marks the outer edge of Arkney.

“Hi,” Araphi says, sneaking up behind her to snake her arms around her. The ranger tenses for just a moment and then turns around.

The dimple in Sage’s cheek—Araphi’s downfall every time—pops. She plants a kiss on Araphi’s forehead and then leans in for a long, lingering one on the lips.

“Hi, yourself.” She nods toward the lute on Araphi’s back. “Are you writing music for tonight?”

“I am. I’ll play something new.”

“I’m sure they’re going to love it.”

“Alba and Pyla would be happy if I played ‘Cheese for Me, Please’ a hundred times.”

“Gods, no,” Sage says, laughing. “I’ve had enough of that song for a lifetime, I think.”

She takes Araphi’s hand. A comfortable silence falls between them as they stroll along the stone path that snakes outside the village. They stop beside an enormous pine tree, and Araphi turns to consider the twisting shape of Arkney. Sadness fills her all at once—as brutally overwhelming as the waters of the Swallow.

“Should we talk about what comes next?” Araphi says softly.

Because they really, truly should. They’ve been putting off the conversation about saying goodbye to each other for months, but if they don’t talk about it now, when will they?

“We should talk about it,” Sage agrees and exhales sharply.

“I’m not ready to go, you know,” Araphi confesses.

“Me neither. It feels like we just got here.”

“But we can’t stay either.”

“Exactly. I’m not sure where Remy and the others are, but I imagine they’re not going to return empty-handed. I bet they’re waiting for us at Briarwall, possibly mustering fighters to come hunt us down as we speak.”

Araphi sighs. “They might think we’re dead?”

“They might. But if there’s a chance the tooth is still around, Remy will want to take it. I know I would.” The words linger between them.

Araphi should tell Sage she gave Wren the tooth, but what if the ranger disagrees, or even worse, thinks her foolish for giving away their bargaining chip? So instead she says, “We can’t stay here, then. I won’t bring danger to this village.”

Sage nods. “Me neither. They’ve been too good to us. They deserve better. But I’m healed up now, and the snow is melting. We could survive in the forest on our own. I can take care of us. Or find another way out—perhaps to a neighboring kingdom where nobody we know will be able to get ahold of us.”

Araphi snorts. “I’m not sure that place exists.”

Sage takes her hand. “Please, Phi. You don’t have to go home to be the heir. We can go together. We’ll just…We’ll leave, and we’ll keep moving.”

It’s exactly what Araphi wants to hear. Exactly what she wants more than anything. Exactly the offer that Phi Runesong would take.

But she’s not Phi Runesong. At least not entirely. Part of her is still Araphi Clauneck, and she has responsibilities. If not to her family, then to the people they will hurt. People like Wren, or the children, or everyone else in Arkney. Araphi isn’t sure what the future holds, but her aunt Menorath will keep looking for a means to produce her own magic, sacrificing adventurer after adventurer, if that’s what it takes. Someone has to make it known what she’s up to and stop her. Araphi has to go back to her family and try to change things for the better from inside their tapestry of power. She can’t leave it to smother everyone in Arkney, she must try to unravel it, even if it’s only one thread at a time.

It’s not what she wants, but it’s what she must do.

“No,” Araphi says, closing her eyes as Sage’s face falls.