The sun lingered just above the horizon. When it set it would be Easter, by the Christian calendar. Bel had explained that in some places in the world it had set already, and so they had been here, on the hill above the village, for several hours.
They sat in silence, for Bel was using all his concentration maintaining a spell that was “listening” for Caydren or Alitius. Oisin was reading over a set of spells he might use if he needed to fight. Which he probably would. Most of them were defensive, he didn’t want to kill Caydren if he could avoid it, but he’d created some fairly violent little couplets as well. He hoped they wouldn’t be needed.
“There,” said Bel suddenly. “Caydren, I think. Somewhere east of us. Far, but not too far. Are you ready?”
“I am.” He tucked the little spell boo
