I would miss Mik. He and I had spoken long with Magister Rikard, and by sunset there were three hands—no, what were the words Mik taught me—five and ten—yes, fifteen pairs of Aiala and Gedri gone out to challenge the corrupted Healers. He had not objected when I asked him to accompany me, but he did seem confused when I asked that we leave immediately, ere the sun should set, and that we should go north as several others were planning to do. I had been forced to ask him to trust me.

That was when I realised that there was one aspect of clear-sight that I had brought forward with me, through my Awakening, and that it was right. I knew, deep down, that I must not speak of particulars to the individual soul. I had not told Lord Shikrar the full truth of what I had seen of his future, and I had not told Mik either. True, I was with him, and that might change things—I trusted that it would—but I must not speak of what I had seen.

The future is always in motion, like a flowing river or a branching path. The slightest thing can direct the flow or choose the branch a person takes. Speaking of specific events can—it is difficult to express this—can stop the river, freeze it like ice, into the one particular version that has been spoken of. Speaking the future can lead a soul down a particular path, even if that is not the best one for them to take, or the one they would have taken if nothing had been said.

The night was moving towards dawn before it came. I was lost in contemplation when I heard an incautious footstep, far too near.

Finally.

"Mik, you must waken," I said quietly. He did not stir. Too quiet, perhaps.

"Mik!" I shouted.

He was on his feet in a single movement, crying out, "What, what is it?" He looked around. There was nothing to see apart from me.

"What is it?" he asked. "What happened? Did you see something? Hear something?'

"Both," I said. " 'Ware, Mik. Something comes."

And so it did. An arrow flying towards Mik through the darkness, as I had seen in my vision. I batted it out of the air with my faceplate.

"Come," I hissed, and sped towards the source. It cursed when it saw me coming, which helped me find it. The creature tried to fire another arrow, but I moved quickly to the left, out of its path, and pulled my right wing close in. Then I was upon it.

My instincts told me to kill it, but that was not so easy as it once was. Instead I wrapped myself about it, holding it unmoving until Mik ran up, panting.

"What in all the Hells are you playing at, you idiot? Who the Hells are you, anyway, and why are you shooting arrows at— damn it! Gerthayn!" he cried.

"You know this man?" I asked.

"Of course I know him. He was in the year above me," said Mik, clearly confused. "He left at Midwinter Fest last year," he said, slowly. "Said he'd got himself a fine post." Suddenly Mik cursed. "Gerth, tell me you didn't take on with the House of Gundar."

"Gerth issn't here," hissed the creature.

"Damn it!" shouted Mik. He summoned his power to him, a clear blue glow, and sent it to cover his erstwhile friend. The creature writhed in my grip. Mik called his true name thrice, as Rikard had done, but the creature only laughed.

"I told you, he isn't here," the thing said. "His spirit ran away when I came to five here. I'm just as pleased."

Mik looked to me, pleading. "Salera, what can I do?" he asked softly.

"Call your friend once more," I suggested, but I held out little hope. The creature in my coils smelt purely of the Rakshasa, barely human at all, save for the shell it wore. Mik's summons was answered by a more determined writhing, but it changed not at all.

"I fear me your friend is truly fled," I said, as gently as I could. "He will not return."

Mik couldn't help his instincts. He sent his power to cover the Raksha, trying to let the Lady's healing drive the thing out. Certainly he made its life hard for the Raksha, but Mik swiftiy began to fail. He had not the vast resources that Vilkas possessed.

I sighed. "Forgive me, Mik," I said, "but I cannot allow you to throw yourself into death for one who has already departed."

And with that, I broke the Raksha's neck. It cried out and disappeared, leaving only the two of us in the company of the body of one who had been a friend to my companion.

Mik raged. He struck at me with his fists, he kicked me and shouted at me and cursed me. I let him do so. Had I been in his position, I would have been as hurt and angry at knowing that nothing else could be done for one I had cared for. When he finally stopped from sheer weariness, the sky was lighter than it had been.

"Forgive me, Mik," I said. "I share your sorrow that the Raksha have claimed your friend, but I could not allow you to destroy yourself to no purpose. Your friend died when the Raksha took over his body—I would guess that he fought it and perished in the attempt."

"Knowing Gerthayn, that's very likely," croaked Mik, his voice hoarse from yelling at me.

"Then honour his deed, and mourn him. And," I added dryly, "give thanks that you do not follow him."

He looked up at me, and in the growing light I could see clearly the deep pain that he bore. "Maybe it wouldn't have been so bad," he replied. "Damnation! It's all gone so wrong. So many dead, so many poor souls corrupted, just for being weak. Damn it. It's not fair. It's not fair!"

I could not help but hiss my sympathy. "Truly, we are not so different, your people and mine. I agree, it is not fair, but it is the truth." I reached out carefully and touched his jaw, making him look at me. "All that is left to us, Mik, is the way in which we decide to react to that truth."

He stared at me, pain and anger still raging.

"Throwing a life after a life is not the path of reason," I said gently. "Rejoice in the life that was, mourn its passing, honour the memory and live. Life is the greatest gift of the Winds, Mik. Do not dare to cast it away for no better reason than an excess of sorrow."

He swore again. "Damn it, Salera," he said, his voice unsteady now. "Gerth was a good man. He didn't deserve this."

"Berys has much to answer for," I agreed. "But I would have you take note: you did not summon your power instantly when you woke. If you had, you could have shielded yourself, and I would not have had to deflect the arrow. Next time such a thing threatens, do not hesitate to call upon your power. It will save your life."

"I'll remember," he said groggily.

"Do so, for I will not be here to remind you," I said. False dawn was swiftly giving way to true sunrise, and I heard the wings of the Aiala as they gathered upon the Winds. My own wings fluttered in sympathy, almost against my will. "I am called away east, Mik. I did not know it before, but I must go. The others who partner the Gedri will remain with them, but the rest of us must join the great battle. Not a mile away west of here you will find Er-liandr of the Aiala and Ferdik of the College of Mages. Go you safe and keep you safe," I said.

"Damn. I was looking forward to talking with you some more," said Mik, half a smile on his face.

"There will be long and long to talk, after all is done," I replied.

"Go well!" he shouted as I took to the air. "And kick the bastards twice for me!"

It was as good a benison as any. I met the rest of my Kindred, spiralling up on the Winds, and we struck out away west. We could not fly nearly as swiftly as the Kantri, but we would arrive when we were needed.

Of that I was certain.