Free [Shadowed Path 02] - Candle in the Storm by Morgan Howell Page B

of gold.”
    Yim laughed. “She had a  beard?   Are you sure Dar was a woman?”
    “I believe the beard was a tattoo.”
    “This sounds like a fine tale.”
    “Cara tells it best.” Honus smiled. “Her version is certainly the longest.”
    “She’s as generous with her words as you are frugal. So where did Dar get her tattoo? Was she a Sarf?”
    “No. As to the rest, you’ll have to ask Cara. All I remember is Dar founded Clan Urkzimdi, Cara’s clan.”
    “Cara never hinted that she led a clan.”
    “There’s more to Cara than she lets on,” said Honus. He fixed his gaze on Yim. “That could be said of others.”
    Honus’s look flustered Yim, and she wished that she possessed Cara’s insight on matters of the heart.   She certainly understood Honus better than I did  , she thought, recalling how Cara had first told her of Honus’s love. Yim had dismissed the idea. But Cara was right  . She hoped that Cara could tell her what to do about it.
    By late afternoon, Gatt found the remains of Yim and Honus’s campfire. It was exactly where he expected it to be, providing final proof that he had received a vision. Examining the ashes, he saw that his quarry had been there that morning. Gatt studied Yim’s footprints and concluded she walked laden with a pack.   That means she’s still masquerading as a Bearer  . Gatt smiled.   That pack will slow her down and also tire her  . He had no doubt his horse could catch up with the impostor before day’s end.
    Again, Gatt saw Karm’s hand in events, for he would reach his quarry at the perfect moment. Wearied from a day of traveling, Yim would be an easy target. Gatt knew that exhaustion dulled wariness.   If I’m subtle, she won’t anticipate my attack. And when she’s dead, there’ll be no need to fight Honus  . Gatt envisioned the Sarf freed from his sorcerous bounds and returned to righteousness. He exulted at the prospect.
    High hills hid the setting sun, so the road was shadowed while daylight lingered in the sky. Yim trod wearily down the road, refusing to halt before dusk. Exhausted, she was largely oblivious of her surroundings. Then Honus’s pace altered and alerted her that something had changed. Sensing tension in his movements, she asked, “What is it, Honus?”
    “Don’t you hear it?”
    Yim listened and detected the faint sound of hoofbeats mingling with the noise of the turbulent river. “Someone’s coming,” she said.
    “Someone in a hurry.”
    Honus and Yim stepped to the roadside to observe whoever raced down the highway. The road twisted with the river, and for a long while the only hint of the approaching rider was the staccato hoofbeats of his mount. When a blueclad and blue-faced horseman finally rounded the bend in the road he was quite close. “A Sarf!” said Yim. He was the second Sarf that she had ever seen, and despite knowing that he served Karm, she felt the same apprehension as when she first saw Honus.
    The Sarf reined his horse to a stop and dismounted before bowing to Yim. “Greetings, Karmamatus.”
    Yim returned his bow. “Greetings. I’m Yim.”
    “Honus, do you remember me?” asked the Sarf.
    “You were to be Daven’s Sarf when I was last at temple. How fares he?”
    “Fallen. I’m Gatt.”
    “What sends you to us, Gatt?” asked Yim. Gatt ambled toward Yim with an easy manner, smiling more broadly than seemed natural for a Sarf. “Karm sent me.”
    Yim was about to reply when both Gatt and Honus burst into action. Their bodies seemed to blur, and the air about them flashed as blades sped through it. There was a metallic clang, and for an instant, Yim saw two crossed swords. The edge of Gatt’s blade was aimed toward her neck. Honus’s sword blocked its path. Then the blades blurred again as the two men began fighting. Yim stood transfixed by shock until Honus shouted, “Flee, Yim!” Then he turned all his attention to his foe.
    Yim retreated a distance, but she didn’t run away. She was