‘Keshar, may I have a moment of your time?’
‘Of course you may Nathaniel.’
Keshar promptly snapped her book shut, then silently jumped down from her perch.
‘Have you concluded your discussions with Aleska?’ she asked.
‘Yes, indeed I have.’ he replied with a weak smile. ‘I intend to return to the vale this cycle.’
‘Oh, I see.’
Keshar was clearly feeling awkward. He knew that she would expect to be asked to return with him, yet he could already see, from the look in her violet eyes, that she had no desire to resume the life of a farmer. Kirika had allowed Keshar to aid him so that the young Freylarkin could expand her horizons. Now he threatened to bring about an abrupt end to the apprentice scrier’s development. This was the danger he had failed to convince Aleska of. The allure of ex
