The Taleweaver
Homecoming

A swirl ofwind and a sense of power everywhere. It was like when they hadjumped to Gaz, but much, much more powerful. He wanted to throw upand then the sensation was gone. They were -- elsewhere.

He stood ona shining platform. It looked like glass, a deep blue and green glassalmost alive with faint stars slowly blinking inside. Harbend lookedup. They sky was overcast so the lights did come from inside theplatform. Warmer than in Braka as well.

"Whereare we?"

"Yourhome. This is Nachi."

"Youjumped us to Khi?" Harbend croaked.

"I am,as I have said, the greatest Transport Khar living." There wasneither irony nor boast in his voice, just a tired quality as if he'dbeen forced to explain the obvious once too many.

Harbendshook his shock away. "Arthur, when he wakes?"

"I'llfetch a Mindwalker. He won't remember," Escha answered.

They jumpedagain, and this time Harbend recognized the magehealers' quartersseen through an open window. They were inside a room and an old manwas rising from his chair with a stunned look on his face. Arthur wasalready stretched out on a table, dagger still protruding from hisabdomen.

"Healhim! I shall pay," Harbend barked. He didn't have time withexplanations.

TheMagehealer complied.

They werestanding on a glassy platform. Arthur couldn't place the sense ofdisorientation he experienced. It was as if he'd slept, and eventhough he understood they must have jumped he had no memories of howit had happened, only fragments of a dark dream. He shook his headand turned to Escha.

"We aregoing back to Keen, I think," Harbend said. "I am sorry,but the taleweaver must publicly be known to be safe before Keensends soldiers to the Sea of Grass."

Arthurnodded absently. He needed to go there as well. With his reputationhe might force the Terran Federation to stop any escalation of theirmilitary intervention. Even if it meant being forced back to Earth.

Eschagrimaced. "Youare going back to Keen. My kind is not welcome there."

That was asclear a farewell as it could be to Arthur. "What will you donow?" he asked uncomfortably.

Both menlooked at each other for a long time, and Arthur could feel thatHarbend beside them didn't dare breaking the silence.

"AfterI have jumped you to Chach?"

"Youdon't have to jump us from here, but yes, after we part ways."Should have known he knew DeVhatic all the time, Arthur reflected.

"Iwill..." Escha hesitated, and then he grinned, face shining withgenuine happiness for the first time in months. "With the moneyI receive after Trai, blessed be his memory, I'll become my ownmaster, and you, Lord Garak, will pay the full fee for the transportto Chach."

"Iwould have it no other way," Harbend answered. "MasterEscha."

"I'llbecome Escha er Khanai, no longer slave, and with the money you payme I'll buy myself a slave to do my biddings and train."

Arthurlooked at him in dismay.

"LordWallman. This is not Earth, nor Terra, or what you call your strangeworlds of home. This is Khanati, and what's proper here is what I'lldo. I've seen for myself how those you'd call free are treated."

Arthurguessed what he meant. "But that was people from Ri Khidemanding those executions. I saw nothing of the sort in Keen,"he protested weakly.

"What'sproper in Keen is not the rule followed in Ri Khi, and it's not therule in Khanati. Maybe one day the rules will change in Khanati aswell, but until then I'll take my responsibility as a free man."

"Youstill haven't told me what you're going to do." Arthur said,unwilling to continue in the direction the conversation was taking.

"I'llteach. I'll teach those with the gift how to use it, but moreimportantly, I will teach them whento use it."

Arthurclasped Escha's hands. "I don't have to like all ways ofKhanati, but I respect you. Always know that! I expect you to takebetter care of your slaves than we did of our fellow traders thatnight."

"Always."

At leastHarbend had the decency to look uncomfortable, Arthur thought. All ofthem needed to learn something from their experiences, or else thecost would have been in vain.

"Whathappens now?" Arthur asked and shook some of the dizziness away.He gave Harbend a suspicious look. "What happened?" Arthurasked again.

"Wejumped," Harbend answered, but he averted his eyes in a wayArthur didn't like.

"Therewere soldiers from my home back there." Arthur frowned. Therewas something he didn't remember. "It was my responsibilityforcing them to stop."

"It wasLord Garak's to prevent you from dying while trying," Eschainterjected. "The decision was taken from you. You have noreason to put blame on yourself for something you couldn't change."

Arthurlooked at Escha, and the Khar responded with a cold stare.

"Youare a taleweaver," Harbend started. "Your life belongs tothe world now."

Arthurlocked eyes with his friend. "No," Arthur said.

No,not any more. I didn't travel this road just to become the richestslave in the known universe again. Free, finally free as I havealways been. The shackles were my own doing. I've lived a coward'slife, but no more.

Tension ranaway from him like a dam breaking and years of frustration brokeforth. He wanted to lash out but then revelation followedrealization. The shackles weremine and mine alone. Freedom carries responsibility. What right do Ihave to punish others for my own cravenness? He sighed andstraightened his back.

"I'm ataleweaver, but my life belongs to me alone. You can't make me Weave,only I can." He put a finger to Harbend's chest. "I choosewhen to Weave and when not to. I choose to become what I am, not youand not the world. That choice is mine alone."

Harbendbowed his head in understanding -- and respect. "You are right.I apologize. Can we undo what we have done?"

"I haveas little right to force Khar Escha to jump us back to Belgera as youhave to force me to Weave. There will be no undoing. Are we goinghome now?"

Harbend andEscha exchanged glances of relief. They must have shared somethingArthur wasn't part of.

"If youwant to go home I'll jump you there by the jump towers. Well, notyour home, LordWallman," Escha said smiling.

Arthurgrinned in response. "That would be no mean feat, but no, I'mquite satisfied if you can bring us as close to Verd as possible."

"Thejump tower at Friedhafen will be fine," Harbend muttered.

"Do youmind if we stay for a meal in Ira? I've jumped far and would needsomething to strengthen me on the way."

"Not atall," Arthur said. He had no idea where Ira was. He had no ideawhere he was at themoment for that matter. A day or so over some maps when he was backin Verd seemed appropriate.

"Noproblem. It's not like it'll delay our journey much," Harbendsaid. There was still something in his voice making Arthur look athis friend.

"Whatis it?"

"Thecaravan. All the people. We deserted them in the middle of a battle."

Arthurthought for a while before he answered. "Uncomfortable as it isthey still have to fend for themselves."

"Butthey may not know. There are people in danger there right now."

Arthurfinally understood what had made Harbend getting second thoughts."Nakora makes a living from being in danger. You can't take thataway from her."

Anexpression of dismay spread over Harbend's face -- as if he'd beencaught stealing candy in a shop. It amused Arthur that Harbendbelieved no one had noticed the growing relationship between Nakoraand him.

"Gentlemen,if you are ready."

They bothbroke their conversation at Escha's words. He smiled at them, andthey were surrounded by the feeling of nothingness again. Four timesthis was repeated and then Escha jumped them down from the glassyplatform they had arrived on.

Arthur gazedat their surroundings. The sun shone from a clear morning sky, and itwas already hot. He could see a walled town some distance away, and awell-trodden path led there. There was no telling him where theywere, and he gave up on asking. A name would mean nothing to himwithout a map, and even with one it would only tell him the relativedistance from Verd. Once again he felt the need to learn more aboutthe world, and a growing suspicion a lifetime of learning wouldn'tsuffice grew in him.

"Gentlemen,from here we walk. They don't take kindly to strangers who jump intotown," Escha said.

Arthursmiled. "Seems to be the way everywhere."

The walk wasthe first opportunity for him to calm down since their hastydeparture from Belgera, and long before they had arrived at the citywalls he discarded the heavy winter clothes he'd wore for so long.Wherever this was it had to be far south from Braka. It was good tobe outdoors in the warmth. He'd almost forgotten what it was like,and with spirits rising he entered the town.

Theafternoon was cooler than their stay in Ira. Harbend had to pull hiscoat on again, but it wasn't cold enough to merit his buttoning itup. They'd arrived in northern Chach a short time earlier, and Eschawas probably already halfway back to Khanati by now. Harbend wishedthe mage a happy homecoming. A strange friend, but a true one in hisown way. A friend with secrets as well. He'd never have guessed themage knew De Vhatic. The language itself was anathema for anyone withthe gift.

Harbendsmiled. I seem to be good atgathering strange friends lately.

He wonderedif he was as strange and outlandish in their eyes as well. He laughedat the thought, and a mixture of relief and happiness filled him ashe walked to the harbor. He was still laughing when he arrived there,and more than one person he met on his way shot him the odd glance.Harbend hardly noticed, and accompanied by the sound of his feet heturned right at a pier and crossed the narrow beach until theoccasional wave reached his boots.

Harbendgazed across the water. Almost back now. Only a short fare on a shipacross the Narrow Sea. It should only take a day or two, and usuallythe trip was safe, but with the raiders present you were never safeanywhere on the seas.

Harbendsighed and walked away from the shore. There wasn't any choosing leftnow. Tomorrow they'd cross the waters and travel a few days untilthey reached the magical roads making Keen so powerful.

Maybe Arthurwas right about his project for the Sea of Grass after all. Roadsbuilt power, not armies. Harbend hadn't looked at it that way, butArthur was adamant. He refused to believe in troops being anythingbut a tool for destruction. Harbend wasn't prepared to go as far.Troops were needed to protect what you built, but he did believeArthur to be right in that the use of soldiers were destructive.

It had beena long journey, and very different from the sedate, sluggish marchfrom Braka they'd expected. Now Harbend only longed to be back inVerd. He'd have liked to avoid any kind of travel for a very, verylong time, but that was unlikely to happen. Anyway, dreams were forfree and Harbend intended to enjoy this one for as long as possible.

Dusk hadfallen when he entered the tavern, and he ordered only a light mealin anticipation for the dinner they would have later that evening.Thoughts of coming home swirled in his mind, and thoughts of debts aswell. He owed Arthur more than just wealth, and Arthur had made itclear he needed to replace something, but what he hadn't said yet.

Harbendchose a table as far away from the fireplace as possible.

I'mstill used to the cold. Why shouldn't I be. Yesterday we were walkingthe streets of Belgera.

He sighed.Had it only been a day? What would happen to the caravan caught inBelgera?

He ate insilence, wondering. Neritan had been all but forthcoming withinformation when she told him he needed to leave Belgera togetherwith Arthur.

Harbendgrinned at the memory of how they'd convinced Arthur to show up in atimely fashion. Captain Laiden must have spent most of his impressiveresources of bad will to make Arthur obey so fast. There definitelywas more to the captain than he showed, desertion with his entirecommand from the Inquisition being the least, and when they were backin Verd Harbend would make sure to replace out what it was, one way oranother. If there was time, of course. Harbend still had something ofa promise to Arthur to keep, even if he hadn't told him yet.

There wouldbe time to worry about the caravan later, but now there was nothinghe could do, and when he reached Verd he'd have to rely on couriersfor information. Well, he could probably send one here with enoughmoney to use the jump towers later. Now he could only sleep for awhile. It was, after all, not that much different from the worries hehad when he sent a ship with cargo to distant Khi.

Harbendfinished his meal and left the tavern for their room. He wanted totake a nap before Arthur arrived. The day had been longer than heexpected. Time distortion from jumping east to west, Escha hadexplained earlier.

Harbendclimbed the stairs and went directly for his bed. Not bothering withhis clothes he lay down and slept until the door opened and Arthurentered.

"Sleepingalready?" he said before he closed the door.

"Notreally. I was waiting for you," Harbend answered as he sat upand faced Arthur.

Arthurlooked back. "Something happened?"

"A lothas happened, but that is not the reason. We need to talk about whatis going to happen." Harbend combed the sleep out of his hairwith his fingers.

"Whatdo you mean?"

"We area few eightdays from Verd. I cannot hide you there."

"Idon't plan to hide in Verd," Arthur answered with a thin smile.The prospect of passivity apparently still ired him.

"Areyou going back home?" Harbend asked in an attempt to lead theconversation in a direction where he could get an opportunity to payhis debt.

"I'vegiven that possibility a thought, yes."

"And?"

Arthurdidn't answer, and Harbend found himself hanging on the next word tocome.

Arthurgrinned mischievously. "There are still tales to be told andeven more to be heard."

Harbendstared at Arthur. "So, you are going to live here as ataleweaver?"

"Yes. Ibelieve that's at least one reason I'm here. If possible I hope tostay here."

"You doknow that you need to exchange tales with others first?" Nowwhen it was out in the open it was easier for Harbend to proceed withhis questions.

"No,but I suspected as much. Well, I'm used to long journeys. One more orless won't make much of a difference. I'll start when I'm ready Iguess." Arthur smiled, but it was a tired smile.

"I see.I shall think about how I can help you."

Harbend madehis decision then. He'd wait with telling Arthur about it untillater, but the decision was made, and in a way that was a relief.There would be another journey, but this time he'd be the onefollowing Arthur's steps. No money made the next time they took tothe roads, but Arthur had saved his family and received a dagger inhis stomach in return.

Harbendsighed slowly, and when he noticed Arthur giving him a suspiciouslook he turned the sigh into a deep yawn. It was easier than he wouldhave thought and a while later he fell asleep.

They boardedthe ship early in the morning. To Arthur, who hadn't stood upon theplanks of a wooden ship previously in his life, it was a novelexperience. This was more the kind of adventure he preferred, buthe'd been warned that the waters were unsafe around here, and it waswith mixed feelings he went to inspect his cabin.

It turnedout to be smaller than he'd expected, smaller even than the crampedquarters he got used to while still with the caravan. Two bunks and anarrow table bolted to the far wall took up most of the space. Belowthe bunks there was hardly space enough to stash away a travelersluggage, not that they had much of it.

Theirdeparture from Belgera had been far too hurried. Their flight fromBelgera, Arthur corrected himself. This far very little of histravels had turned out to be uneventful in the truest sense of theword, and by now he fervently longed to be bored for a few days.

They setsail, and to his pleasant surprise Arthur didn't feel anything of theseasickness he'd heard stories about. Arthur snickered. He probablyhad told viewers about it during one of his shows. He'd told so muchof what he didn't know of from own experience during the years onEarth.

Arthur spentmost of the morning watching the harbor grow smaller behind them,getting used to the movement of the ship under his feet. There was asound of sailing, a creaking and heaving he'd only been told about,but he had never before been on board a wooden sailing ship. Theshrill shrieks of seagulls were familiar to him though.

They were ontheir way home. Strange that he would consider Verd as home, but itwas the only place where he'd spent some time since his arrival here.Arthur shrugged the thought away. There would be more time to decidewhat was a home or not later, but until then he was satisfied withlooking forward to feeling the stone of the magical capital under hisfeet once again. Maybe he wouldn't be extracted, but he held littlehopes.

Harbendde Garak?

Harbendwheeled, but there was no one there.

Harbendde Garak? The voice, no, not voice, but thought came tohis mind as if placed there. Ah, Neritan. She was sending him amessage.

"Whatdo you want?" he said to the wall in his cabin.

Thecaravan is safe. It was an enemy of Arthur's who attacked. It's beentaken care of. I'll accompany the caravan back to Erkateren. Youshould greet your woman there.

Thepresence was reassuring, but Harbend still had questions. Neritanmust have known it, bridging the gap between Belgera and the NarrowSea, and she continued. Outworldersoldiers took care of outworlder problems. Arthur's no longer huntedby his own. Tell him as much. Be careful when you arrive at home. TheCouncil of Twelve knows much more than I can tell you.

Harbendchose not to make any more questions. He didn't know how the goldenmage could have found him here, and he didn't dare to aggravate herby asking. Knowing the caravan was safe, that Nakora was safe had tobe enough.

Harbendsmiled as the presence vanished. Now only returning home remained,and at least this last leg of his journey he could spend withoutworries.

There wasone last surprise as Harbend learned that they were heading directlyfor Hasselden rather than straight across the Narrow Sea. A battlehad been waged along the northern coast of the Narrow Sea, a battlethe western raiders lost, and shipwrecks made the harbors unsafe.Apart from the change of destination the voyage was uneventful, withthe possible exception of Arthur's relief when he learned about howthings had turned out in Belgera. Half a year together and Harbendhad never known Arthur believed himself a hunted man.

Less than aneightday later Harbend recognized the coastline they were hugging. Hebalanced his way to the starboard side. Only a few days on a ship,but he was already becoming used to the constant movement under hisfeet as the wood heaved and sank rhythmically with the waves.

He longedfor some luxuries, like a hot bath. Now that was something to lookforward to. A wonderful bath with scented oils, and massageafterwards. To be able to sleep in a wide bed of his own at the timehe chose, feeling as relaxed as only a good massage could make himfeel.

Harbendstared longingly at the coast. The first sign of Hasselden would bepillars of smoke from the shipyard where they repaired ships that gotcaught when their crews dared going sea hunting despite the risk theraiders posed. Well, some never came back, but most did as they neverventured far from the town. A few new ships were built as well, butnot as many as when he'd first come there.

The smokepillars would have different colors dependent on if the craftsmenwere boiling wood or oil.

There!He could see the smoke now. Home!They were close enough to see it. Harbend stood on his toes as ifthat extra height would make him come closer to Hasselden. If only itcould, but he'd have to accept over half a day of waiting before hisimpatience could finally be curbed. Something about the smoke caughthis interest. At first Harbend thought the wharfs must be especiallybusy, but as they slowly came closer his curiosity was replaced bydespair.

Smoke waseverywhere, smoke and soot. He fervently wished they'd taken a coachinstead. Hasselden was a ghost, still burning in places and theentire harbor a maze of shipwrecks that would take a long time toclear up. It would be cleared up, eventually. Keen was too practicalto abandon their southern port to a disaster, but Harbend knew,without doubt, the wounds would take years to heal, and for thosestill living who had lost most they would never heal.

Arthur cameup behind him. "The captain says we can't make landfall here. Hewants to go further north." Harbend hardly noticed the handArthur placed on his shoulder.

"Iknow," Harbend said. He rubbed a hand over his eyes as if thatwould banish the sight. "I can see the wrecks in the harbor.What happened here?"

"Idon't know. I'm sorry. You said you used to live here," Therewas silent respect in the voice, and fingers gripped harder inunvoiced support.

"I did.I wonder what has happened to my people," Harbend whispered, nolonger able to keep emotions away. Tears crept to his eyes, and hehad to wipe them again.

"Family?"

"No,employees. You remember I sent money with a courier when we were inVerd?"

Harbendcould see Arthur searching his mind but replaceing nothing. "Notreally."

"Theday you asked about the farwriter," Harbend explained, knowinghe was rambling. Talking was better than watching.

"Ah,yes, the telegraph."

"I havea storefront here. It is not close enough to the harbor for us to seefrom here, so I would fail to know if it is still there. I hope so,and I hope both my men are safe."

Harbendlooked across the water again, but there was nothing he could do. Itwould have to wait. Gods! He'd made the voyage here without beingseasick, but now the sight of his first home in Keen forced bile tohis throat, and he heaved and heaved. This, at least, was not of hisdoing, he thought when his stomach was empty.

They madelandfall later that day, but they never traveled to Hasselden.Instead they spent two days trekking inland to avoid meeting anyraiders. Harbend didn't speak much during those days. The awfulhomecoming had a profound effect on him but what occupied most of histhoughts were the implied threats in the message Neritan had sent.The Council of Twelve could only mean politics, and he had no wish tobecome involved in such matters. It was bad for business and it wassure to draw unwelcome attention to him. To Arthur as well. By nowthe rumors of the outworlder taleweaver had to have reached thecapital.

When theyreached the highway and caught a coach for Verd it was too late forsharing his misgivings with Arthur. With Hasselden in ruins Keen wassure to have spies everywhere and the only places Harbend trusted tohave no unwelcome ears was his office and the Tree.

Arriving inVerd one late evening Harbend and Arthur made their way to the smalloffice where Harbend had met his relatives an eternity earlier. Hewas back again. Back in a place he never thought he would call home,but in a sense it was. This was the home he had made instead of theone he left.

Less than ayear, a shorter journey than some he'd undertaken earlier, and in away a more straightforward one. And still, how was it possible itfelt like the longest of them all? So much had happened, so much painand grief to fulfill a need he'd barely seen when he embarked uponthe project. Now he had in a way finished it, even if the caravan hadjust started its long trek back.

So good tostay here, for a few eightdays at least, but if Neritan was rightVerd would be a dangerous place, and besides, he'd made Arthur apromise. He owed Arthur that much. At least that much.

Harbendsighed and turned. "Well, Arthur, now I have been home."

Arthur gavehim a look full of sympathy, but didn't answer.

"Arthur,you decide this time."

"Do Ihave to?" Arthur asked, no longer able to avoid speaking.

"Yes, Iam afraid so. This journey is yours from the beginning."

"Then Isay we ride for the Roadhouse, turn north to Ri Khi and gathersupplies there. Might even hire an escort there as well," Arthursaid and gave Harbend an amused glance.

Harbend felthis cheeks heat. Thank youArthur, thank you for making me remember that priceless gift insteadof my misgivings. Harbend coughed to hide hisembarrassment. "As you say," he responded after a while.

"You'rethe one who said I need to replace a taleweaver to learn from,"Arthur said. "I won't do so by sitting in Verd, and Ri Khi is asgood a start as any. Tomorrow then?" he continued.

"Tomorrow,"Harbend agreed.