'Edeard! the man laughed joyfully, and flung his arms wide. 'You backward village boy. By the Lady, look at you!

Edeard grinned and foolishly stepped into the embrace, only to have the man's powerful arms almost crush him in welcome. He'd been slightly apprehensive at how they'd greet him, but Olcus immediately dispelled all his apprehension. The rest of the families were hurrying forward now, calling out salutations. He was hugged, kissed, had his hand shaken and his back slapped.

'My boy! Barkus exclaimed.

Everyone cleared away, and Edeard put his arms around the old man. For once he was glad of the skill he'd acquired in the city at shielding his thought. Barkus had aged, disturbingly so. His white whiskers were thinner than before, the thickset body appeared almost frail. He walked with the aid of a stick, necessitated by a pronounced shaking in his knees. But his waistcoat was still a colourful extravaganza of scarlet and topaz, with thin silver piping.

'Good to see you, sir, Edeard said.

'We have heard so much about you, Barkus said. 'I couldn't believe it at first. Rumours of the Waterwalker travelled far and wide among the provinces, but we never connected them to you. And now look at you. His hands plucked at Edeard's jacket. 'Wearing a corporal's epaulettes, no less. Congratulations.

'Thank you, sir. And yourself, how fares the caravan?

'Pha! Barkus raised his stick in disgust. 'Look at this wretched thing. A stupid fall in the snow last winter, and my leg snaps like glass. Our doctor has forbidden me from riding, 1 must sit

passively on the wagon's seat while my sons lead us through the mountains. The Lady tests me sorely with so much indignity.

'You look well.

'Ha. Liar! But I forgive you. Now then, there is someone with us who is eager to meet you. The old man grinned mischievously as he turned towards his splendid covered wagon, calling eagerly with longtalk. Edeard took the moment to turn and beckon Kristabel forwards. She walked timidly through the caravan families, unused to being completely ignored — but of course none of them knew who she was. Edeard had been waiting for this moment for a long time, for some reason he couldn't quite fathom it was important to him that Barkus and Kristabel approved of each other. He held her hand and turned back to Barkus, not really seeing the blue and white clad figure stepping out of the wagon. His smile was proud as he opened his mouth to begin the introductions.

'Edeard! Salrana cried, and sprinted past Barkus to fling her arms around him, and land an effusive kiss on his mouth. 'Oh, my darling, it's been so long.

'Look who we found in Ufford, Barkus said happily. 'She's the one who's been busy telling us of all you've achieved.

'Take me to bed right now, Salrana whispered in his ear with a hot breath. 'I don't want to wait another minute.

Every muscle in Edeard's body had frozen in shock. And misery. Shame was inflicting a fair share of the terrible immobility as well.

Salrana swayed back, puzzlement registering on her vibrant face and seeping into her mind. 'Edeard?

'Uh, he groaned. His gaze went automatically to Kristabel, who was also standing rigidly, her composure chilling down to a emotionless stare. He had never realized before how similar they both were; tall, slim, bright, lovely… But then he hadn't thought about Salrana for a long time now; his mind had conveniently pushed her aside. It was all too complicated. Something he'd have to deal with later, when the time was right.

Everyone around thorn turned amazingly silent as they watched the reunion. They watched Salrana look at Kristabel. And no mental shield was strong enough to cover up the dawning realization in her mind. Her shoulders straightened. For a moment the two girls simply stared at each other. Salrana put her hand out. 'I'm Salrana; Edeard and I grew up together.

'Kristabel. The hand was shaken gracefully. 'He neglected to mention that.

As one the caravan families turned to Edeard; except for Barkus, who sighed softly and raised his eyes to the clear blue sky above.

Edeard's farsight revealed a small city tunnel five yards below the pen. He really could make the ground open up and swallow him, as if he was some frightened drakken burrowing away from peril. It was hugely tempting. Except that such cowardice would lose Kristabel for ever.

He dipped his head in penance to his love. 'I'm sorry. I should have told you that Novice Salrana and I survived Ashwell together. Salrana, I should have sent word that I am about to become engaged. I apologize, my behaviour is inexcusable.

Kristabel's lips pouted as she gave him a curious look, but she-said nothing. Her thoughts were none too steady.

'I see, Salrana said, sounding as though she'd expected it all along. 'Congratulations to you both.

'Come along my dear, Barkus said, putting his free arm around Salrana's shoulders. 'I'll see you later, Edeard. That's if you can spare us an ounce of your valuable time.

'Yes sir, Edeard mumbled meekly.

The rest of the families abruptly discovered something else that they had to be getting on with. Olcus gave Edeard a scolding glance as he turned away, propelling his children ahead of him. The eldest O'lrany lad produced a mischievous thumbs up before he mother shoved him along.

'I'd like to go home now, Kristabel said with fragile dignity.

'Of course.

They walked out of the pens together, receiving curious looks from the assessors who were still arriving. Edeard didn't dare say anything to her. He couldn't believe he'd allowed such a mess to happen. Putting off dealing with Salrana was probably the single most stupid thing he'd ever done, aside from not telling Kristabel about her, of course.

When they passed the end of a stable block he suddenly grabbed Kristabel's hand and pulled her off the track. She was too surprised to complain. Edeard conjured up his concealment around the pair of them as he stopped in the shadow of the stable's rear wall. A seclusion haze simply wasn't good enough for this. He wanted absolute privacy.

Kristabel frowned as her farsight probed the psychic baffle. 'You're not supposed to know how to use that— Then she drew a sharp breath as Edeard dropped to one knee.

'Mistress Kristabel, I love you more than I know how to say, and I cannot imagine a life without you. Would you please consent to marrying me? I know this isn't the correct way, but I don't care, I just want you. I will fight the Skylords themselves if that's what it takes to prove my love.

'Edeard?

'I know I always mess up, but I don't mean to, really I don't—

'Yes.

'I just didn't know what to do about Salrana, so I kept on ignoring the problem—

'I said yes.

'I don't know what I was… What?

Kristabel knelt down beside him, grasping his hands in her, and smiling. 'I said yes, I'll marry you.

Edeard's concealment faltered as he stared at her beautiful face. 'Oh Lady. You did, didn't you?

She inclined her head slightly, proffering herself for a kiss. He touched his lips to hers, and nothing else mattered any more. After the kiss, they just grinned at each other. Edeard slowly realized a couple of giggling stable hands were peering round the corner, goggling at them. Longtalk calls were pouring out to their friends, as they gifted everyone the sight of the Waterwalker and the future Mistress of Haxpen kneeling in the mud whilst snogging.

'Er yes, Edeard said, hurriedly rising to his feet. He held out a hand to Kristabel. She stood and gave the dark dripping stain down the front of her skirt a peevish look. Now Edeard was concentrating on his surroundings, there was quite a pungent smell of manure. A horrified examination of the ground revealed it wasn't just mud they were standing in. A mortified groan started up at the back of his throat.