Found

By the evening Katnir and Reiny had already made it to the Eastern Tract. With their current pace they would make it to Gath by noon the next day if they stopped for the night. Katnir decided in favor since the horse was already showing signs of exhaustion from the entire day of march. Reiny travelled as a raven, mostly sitting on Katnir’s shoulder and occasionally taking off to scout the route ahead.

Unexpectedly, he saw a female figure in the evening haze. It was walking towards them.

“You told me the route was clear.”

“It was when I last looked.”

“I can sense some faint aura from her. She may be from Einhart’s group.”

“Oh, I don’t think so. Look.”

Katnir realized it was Satine and spurred the horse to go faster. As he got closer, he noticed she was barely standing upright from exhaustion. He jumped off the horse and grabbed her shoulders.

“What happened?”

“Just shut up, it’s been the longest day of my life” – she said before passing away in his arms.

***

The cave was dark and humid, but its location was perfect for a camp. While secluded, it provided a great view of the Eastern Tract, allowing them to spot any incoming Brotherhood forces. Reiny stood guard at the entrance.

Satine woke up shortly before the second watch. The soup was already simmering over the fire.

“Where am I?”

“In a cave, around ten leagues north-east of Gath” – Katnir replied. – “Hungry?”

“I’m starving…” – she groaned, still half-asleep.

He handed her a bowl of soup. She burned herself trying to eat it too soon. She waited for a few minutes before trying again. Katnir didn’t try to initiate a conversation. Even though he was anxious to know what circumstances led to her wandering alone and on foot, he respected that she needed to fill her stomach first.

“What’s that meat?” – she asked.

“We had some straps of dried dragon meat left, so we chucked them in.”

Satine’s eyes became the size of thalers.

“You eat dragon meat?” – she asked, astonished.

“Hey, beggars can’t be choosers” – he shrugged.

“That’s not what I… ahh, never mind.”

“So what happened? What were you running from?”

“The Brotherhood took over the monastery.”

A cold shiver ran down Katnir’s spine. He felt a sense of guilt over endangering them.

“Is it because you helped me?”

“It’s… complicated. But I’ve got something for you.”

She tossed him the seal. He couldn’t believe his eyes.

“Where did you find it?

There came a brief pause, as if Katnir had disturbed an unpleasant memory.

“I’ve got it from Einhart. He asked me to give it to you.”

Katnir’s joy from recovering the seal was briefly eclipsed by a sudden burst of curiosity, as he heard something so implausible.

“How did that happen?”

“Well… a lot has happened since we last met.”

***

“You found her dead?” – Katnir asked, aghast.

Satine nodded.

“Then it really wasn’t her in the tunnels.”

“If not her, then who?”

“I don’t know. But whoever that was, knew about the seal. Only me, Reiny, and some of Einhart’s men could have known. And it would make no sense for it to have been one of them, if Einhart wanted me to have the seal.”

“What if they didn’t know what he wanted to do with it?”

“That would make some sense, but still… The woman I saw gave away absolutely no sign she could use magic. It’s an incredible feat to hide one’s aura.”

“It happened to me.”

“With you? How?”

With some hesitation, Satine revealed to Katnir how she had learned she was sensitive to magic. It was a difficult conversation, but Satine found it strangely relieving to vent to Katnir. Ironically, it was a spellcaster, a kind of person she had used to loathe, who was now the best equipped to listen to her problems and understand them. He listened with attention and respect. Satine was expecting to provoke some ridicule from him or perhaps awe, but he was unmoved.

“So many years and you’ve never even suspected it?” – he asked calmly.

“I’ve been wearing a catharite necklace my entire life. That’s how I didn’t know.”

“Yeah, that would do that…”

“How can you be so casual about it? My entire life has been turned upside down.”

“Magical awakenings happen in all kinds of circumstances. Your case would be scarcely unheard of.”

“So what do I do with it? Do I have to become a sorceress?”

“It’s your choice. I’ve met people who are sensitive to magic, but live an ordinary life. Such people live even here, in Rainhoven. I’ve also met people who had awakened already adults and they went on to become quite talented adepts of the arcane.”

“I don’t think I’d feel comfortable going back to ordinary life.”

“Then what would you feel comfortable doing?”

Satine wanted to reply “not existing”, but the thought of actually saying that out loud made her embarrassed. She was feeling miserable, but she saw no reason to bitter the conversation with such a grim remark.

“I’m not sure, actually. I’ve just lost my home and still don’t know where to even start looking for a new one.”

“If you don’t mind… you’re welcome to stay with me and Reiny until you figure that out.”

The offer caught Satine off guard, and she didn’t know what to say. On one hand, she felt undeserving of Katnir’s hospitality after their time in the forest, and even frightened at the thought of being alone with two spellcasters. On the other hand, there was a sense of consolation in the company of another user of magic, even though it hadn’t been a day since she learned she was one herself.

Is that what all wizards feel? This sense of fraternity?

“I accept your offer.”