The merchant gently patted Tedi’sshoulder. “Is that true, son? I don’t mean the part about youstealing it. I mean about the only thing she left you. It seems tome from our earlier conversation, that she left you something sheloved a whole lot more than that necklace. It also seems that bothyou and your father have forgotten that. Taking care of his pain isyour job now and yours, his. Talk to him before you run away,lad.”

Tedi gazed at the merchant’s glisteningeyes and nodded. “I will, Master Khatama, I will.” Tedi turned andran back to the clearing getting there just moments before hisfather and Master Clava arrived. His father was walking unsteadilyand mostly supported by Arik’s father. Master Clava also had a longduffel bag slung over his shoulder by a strap. The bag was stuffedsolid and he rolled it off his shoulder and onto theground.

“Tedi,” Master Clava ordered,“there is a pot and some coffee in there. Get some water from thestream and make a pot of it. Arik, forage through those provisionsand round up something to eat for the four of us.”

Arik’s father eased Master Markel to asitting position with his back against a tree. Konic sat next tohim and talked quietly. Arik could not quite hear what was beingsaid, but Tedi’s father stiffened and his eyes opened wide and hestarted nodding his head. The only word Arik thought he heard wasEmpress and it made no sense to him. Tedi finished with the coffeeand took two cups over to the men. Konic sat his on the ground andheld the other to Alan’s lips.

“What were they talkingabout?” Arik whispered to Tedi when he returned from delivering thecoffee.

“I don’t know,” Tedi softlyreplied. “They stopped talking as soon as I approached them.” Aftera few moments Tedi continued. “You know, Arik, I’ve been a fool forthree years. It took an old merchant to show me what was in frontof my face the whole time.