After this discomforting scene, Clay felt some doubts about going back to Earth with Marishal, but he knew he had little choice. The POU and the rest of the elves would need to know what had taken place. Surely Marishal would not take his pique over imaginary wrongs to such an extreme as to mislead Clay or abandon him between.
Perhaps by now Aron had even found a way to return to Earth. Exactly what had gone wrong, Clay had no idea, but he felt sure something had. He prayed Aron was safe and, if not already on Earth, would be there soon. Somehow, he trusted his inner awareness born of their bond would let him know if his partner were dead or truly lost. He could almost grasp a tenuous connection, as if over a vast distance, although close enough he had to believe Aron survived and would r
