window and pushed open the shutters. Then he scanned
the hills. The sound of hammering was still coming from Nanncumal's forge.
'Poor grandfather,' he said softly. 'First his wife, then his daughter. He
has suffered much.'
'You have forgiven him?' asked Vorna.
'Aye, I have. It was hard for him to have a disgraced daughter back in his house. In some ways I think he blamed me. But he was never harsh to me. He was even kindly in his own way. When I saw him weep at my mother's death all the anger just flowed away from me.' Turning back towards her he gave a rueful smile. 'Difficult to hate a man who loved someone that you loved.'
'That is a good lesson to learn,' she said.
'I'm not awfully good at learning lessons,' he admitted. 'I can write my name and the word for horse.' Returning to the fire he sat back, resting his blond head on the back of the chair. 'I have always liked this room,' he said. 'It is so calm here. I feel at peace.'
'I know what you mean,' Vorna told him. 'It is a good house. Many happy memories are stored in these walls.'
He sat up. 'I spent three nights in your old cave. Threw the hunters off the scent. How long did you live there?'
'Twenty-five years.'
'I was going out of my mind by the fourth morning. How could you dwell in such a desolate place?'
'I was a different person then. Younger, more bitter.'
'That's where you saved Connavar's life,' he said. 'I thought of that often as I hid there.'
'Had I not done so you would never have been born,' she pointed out. 'And I would not have wed Banouin's father. Hence no Banouin. And what would the world have been without you two?'
'Duller,' he said. His smile faded. 'Tell me about Connavar
and the bear.'
'What is it you wish to know? Everyone knows the story.'
'Aye, they do. But is it all true, Vorna? Did he really stand against the beast to save his crippled friend? Or was there another reason?'
'No other reason. He tried to carry Riamfada away from danger, but the bear was coming fast. So he put his friend down and turned to face it, armed with just a dagger. He was two years younger than you are now.' Vorna sighed. 'Do not look so disappointed, Bane. Would you want your father to be a coward?'
'Probably. I don't know, Vorna. Everywhere I go men talk of
his legend. His battle against the Sea Wolves, the ride of the Iron Wolves
to smash the Stone Panthers at Cogden Field, the siege of Barrow Hill. The
great Connavar! The hero! How could such a hero desert my mother? How could
he let his son grow without even a gesture of parental affection?'
Vorna took a deep breath. 'Perhaps you should ask him.'
'Maybe I will one day.'
She saw a touch of sadness cross his face. You are so young, she thought. Little more than a boy. But then another fear touched her. 'What are you planning to do?' she asked him.
'Do? Why, I shall run the hunters ragged until they catch me.' He gave a bright smile, but she held to his gaze.
'Speak to me with truth,' she said softly. 'What are you planning?'
'I have no plans, Vorna.' He sighed. 'Do you think my mother really liked me?'
'What do you mean? Of course she liked you. She loved you. Why would you ask a thing like that?'
'Sometimes she would look at me strangely, then she'd cry and tell me to get out of her sight. Once she even told me I was the cause of all her suffering.'
'Aye, she could be thoughtless sometimes,' said Vorna. 'You were not the cause, Bane. Neither was Connavar. We are all victims of our own natures. Arian was not perfect. But she loved you. I know this to be true, and you know I would not lie to you.'
'I know, Vorna. I saw the old hunter, Parax, yesterday. The king sent him to find me.'
'If anyone could find you it is Parax,' she said.
'Yes indeed,' he said. 'He's a canny old man. Very wise. Predicted my future. Anyway, I should be going. I want to thank you for everything you've done for me.'
The fear in Vorna grew. Reaching out with her Talent she touched his mind. Grief,