Page 88 of Homeward for a Spell

“I don’t think we’ll miss you,” she says.

“Decidedly not,” Araphi’s mother adds. “Keep playing, Phi. We’ve almost got him.”

Aunt Menorath wobbles to her feet, looking between Araphi and her mother.

The silver threads cocoon Clauneck, consuming him, even as he tears at them wildly. He lets out one horrible, furious growl, and then a loud popping sound fills the room, almost like a cork flying out of a bottle.

Araphi and her mother stop playing at the same time. A puff of purple smoke wafts upward in one corner of the room, but beyond that there is no sign of Clauneck, or any of the silver threads of the banishment spell.

Araphi hauls in a breath, suddenly exhausted. She lowers her lute. “Did we do it? I can’t hear him or feel him in my head any longer. Can you?”

Her mother collapses into the closest chair. “I think so. He should be shut away on the abyssal plane by now. And if ever he claws the door open, we’ll banish him again, now that we know we can. Well done, my brave girl.”

Menorath barks a laugh from where she’s standing by the window. “I can’t believe you two actually pulled that off!”

Araphi’s mother walks over to the bar in one corner of the room and grabs a bottle and three glasses. “A little thanks might be in order, Menorath.”

She pours three glasses of amber-colored spirits and hands one to Menorath and one to Araphi.

Menorath downs hers in one long gulp. “Thank you. I think…he’s really gone.”

“It’s a good thing.” Araphi’s drink burns down her throat.

“You think so? The family will likely tear itself apart over this,” Menorath replies bitterly.

Araphi’s mother rests a hand gently on Araphi’s shoulder. “So what do you plan on doing now?”

Araphi looks out the window, to the Briarwall gate. She desperately hopes Sage is all right on the other side. “I think I’ll stay with my party leader and see where the road takes us.” Then she finishes her drink and walks out the door.

“Araphi, wait,” her mother calls out. “Do you want your lute back?”

Araphi pauses, a smile hovering at her lips. “You keep that one. I’ve got a new one.”

Her mother’s smile is soft and full of pride. “Be sure to stop by the house for dinner next time you’re in town. We’d all love to see you, and I imagine your siblings would adore a concert.”

Araphi grins. “I’d love that too. See you soon.”

Then she steps outside to find her ranger.

33

Sage

In the stables of Briarwall, Sage runs her palm down Reaper’s powerful shoulder as the horse bumps his muzzle against her, sniffing. “I’m sorry to leave you here so long,” she murmurs. “Perhaps you’re as anxious to ride again as I am.”

His liquid brown eyes are unafraid as he nickers softly, then lips the collar of her shirt.

After everything that’s changed over the winter—after all of the ways Sage has changed—it’s comforting to still be recognized.

“I suppose you’ll be leaving in the morning?” Remy asks, coming to lean against the door of the empty stall beside Reaper’s.

“We will.” She eyes his pack, heavy on his back, and the knit cap pulled low over his tight curls in anticipation of a cold night’s travel. “I suppose you won’t be there to say goodbye?”

“Alas, the road waits for me. Like a lover, she gets anxious when I’m gone too long.” He grins. “Where are you off to tomorrow, then?”

Sage gently shoves Reaper’s muzzle away as he sniffs her, his whiskers tickling her ear. “I’m not sure, exactly, though we thought we’d make our way toward Bramble’s village, to see if we can do something to help them.”

Remy raises one brow. “You’re awfully generous in victory. It’s as though you’ve learned nothing from me at all.”