That would explain his queasiness. “When you grabbed my hand, I not only felt the magic, but I sensed what you did. Is it your power or mine that makes that…connection possible?”

“I don’t know. I’ve encountered a few other magicians, but nothing like that has happened to me before.”

“And I’ve only been around other healers. We can share power—like when I sent you a portion of my energy, but that connection has been…unique.” Except when I had been inside the Death Lily. Interesting.

Thinking about magicians reminded me of the night we had rescued Melina. “Why didn’t those two magicians who searched for us sense your power?”

“They aren’t of the forest. One is a water mage and, I think, the woman drew hers from the moon.”

The plague had decimated the ranks of magicians, as well. No wonder they traveled with seven others for protection.

“Were they powerful?” I asked.

“Hard to tell for sure.”

With every merc and bounty hunter searching for me, it seemed odd Tohon would send two valuable supporters. And where were they earlier when the Death Lily had me? I don’t remember sensing them among the mercs. Remembering what Melina had said about Grzebien, I made an unpleasant connection.

“Those two magicians aren’t from Tohon. Who else is chasing us?” I asked.

“How did you make that leap?”

I paused. Was he testing my logic or was he indeed surprised by the possibility of another faction? Probably testing me. I repeated Melina’s story. “Estrid of Ozero’s people could be hunting us, as well. She’s giving gold for information, and I’m sure she doesn’t want Tohon or Ryne to have a healer, either.” I suppressed a sigh. “It’s all a big game, isn’t it? A power struggle to see who can grab the most between the three of them.” Sadness filled me. If I wasn’t a pawn in this game, I’d be free to heal those who needed me.

“Ryne wanted to organize the survivors and help them rebuild their towns even before the plague died out. He knew if no one stepped up to enforce the laws that criminals would take full advantage, forming gangs, and marauders would wreak havoc,” Kerrick said. “If he hadn’t gotten sick, I think we’d still have Fifteen Realms.”

“But he did get sick and now he’ll need a large army and magicians to disband the mercenaries and all the other factions, and to stop both Tohon and Estrid. An impossible task.”

“Ryne will find a way.”

“You can’t know that for certain.”

“I can.” His gaze burned into mine. “I wouldn’t have spent two years searching for you if I didn’t have utter faith in him.”

The next logical question would be why Kerrick had this faith. But I squelched it. I didn’t want to know. Or was it because I was afraid to know?

I glanced away.

He said, “You’re right about Estrid. She sent her dogs to stop us from reaching Ryne. They’re moving to block the pass through the Nine Mountains as we speak.”

“I thought there are other routes across them.” All infested with dangerous marauders and ufa packs. Swell.

“Not in the winter.”

“Can we beat them there?” I asked.

“No. We’ve had too many delays.” He gave me a pointed stare.

“What’s next, then?”

“As you pointed out, the mercs believe we’re dead. If we lay low for a few weeks, then word of our demise should reach Estrid and she’ll recall her troops.”

My heart skipped a few beats. “Lay low as in hide?”

“Yes. It shouldn’t be a problem for you. You’re adept at running and hiding.” He turned and disappeared into the shadows.

Oh, joy. The nasty jab from Kerrick paled in comparison to the thought of spending even more time with him and his loyal companions.

I returned to the campfire. The others had fallen asleep. Squirming under my blanket, I stared at the clear night sky. Kerrick’s hideout would probably be inside a cave, which would obscure this fantastic view. Sleeping under so many stars felt magical. Although sleeping through an ice storm would be horrible. In that case, a cave would be welcome.

Tonight was the perfect night to see the various star patterns. I found the cluster my father had called the bull’s horns. Grinning, I remembered his story about the absentminded bull who had lost his horns. The stories had been his way of teaching us various life lessons, but at the time, I had believed poor Yegor still searched the earth for his horns. If only the bull had looked up, all would be well.

I hadn’t fully appreciated those late nights, sitting on the porch with my two brothers and my sister, Noelle, tucked in my lap, listening to my father’s stories. He’d been a romantic stargazer. Looking back, I realized it must have been terrible for him to work so deep underground in the mines. He’d taken the high-paying job so we could afford the apprenticeship fee for me.

What a brat I’d been then, complaining about having to wait a few months before I could start my lessons. Not even thanking my father for his hard work and sacrifice. And I didn’t even consider Noelle’s feelings. She’d been my almost constant companion since she was born, and I had left for the month-long trip to Galee without any thought to how she would react to me being gone. The distance between my home and Tara’s had been too great for visits, although I had planned one about halfway through my four-year apprenticeship with Tara.