AS TRISTAN STOOD LOOKING AT THE GLEAMING AZUREpass, a shudder went through him. He was about to abandon everyone he held dear and ride into an uncertain future. Suddenly the price of fulfilling his destiny seemed high indeed.
Wigg, Shailiha, and the warriors who had been posted here stood with him. The night was clear, and dawn would come soon. The stout litter bearers had flown all night. Another litter had brought Shadow along. Because Tristan and Xanthus had entered the pass on horseback, the prince thought it best to do so again.
His good-byes to everyone back at the palace had been emotional. After the wedding celebration had quieted, a receiving line had been formed in his honor. Tristan had walked down the line, bidding each person farewell and sometimes giving them last-minute orders. When he finally turned to walk away, there hadn’t been a dry eye in the room.
Tristan looked up toward the mountain peaks lining either side of the pass. The Envoys had revealed some of the Tolenkas’ secrets to him, but he knew that many more remained to be learned. As always, the shining pass rose so high that it disappeared into the fog gathering around the mountaintops.
Knowing that it was time to go, he turned and looked at Wigg and Shailiha. He walked over to Wigg and embraced him.
“Thank you for everything that you have taught me,” he said. “When all is said and done, there are no words…”
Wigg brushed away a tear. “I know,” he said.
“Watch over my sister as you would me,” Tristan said, trying to give the wizard a smile. “That is my last order to you.”
“On my life,” Wigg promised, his voice cracking a bit. “Stay safe.”
Tristan turned to take Shailiha in his arms. Despite her best efforts to be brave, she was shaking, and tears filled her eyes. Scowling, she composed herself and grabbed either side of his worn leather vest like she was never going to let go.
“Must it be this way?” she asked.
“Yes,” he answered. “You know that as well as I. This is what I was born to do.”
“But what will I do without you?” she asked. She finally managed to give him a short smile. “After all, I’ve gotten pretty used to having my brother around.”
“You’ll do what I would do, if I was still here,” he answered. Tristan looked over at Wigg.
“Do you see that old man standing over there?” he asked. “Value his wisdom and guidance, and that of the other Conclave members. That is why I chose them. But also know that sometimes even the mystics can be wrong. When you make decisions, always follow your heart-even if some of your advisors disagree.”
“Will I see you again?” Shailiha asked.
Tristan smiled. “You’re forgetting something,” he answered. He reached down and lifted the gold medallion from her chest. “Any time you want to visit me, call forth the spell,” he said.
A look of hope crossed the princess’s face. “Our medallions can bridge the western world to ours?” she asked.
“Yes,” he answered. “I believe that is why Hoskiko provided us with the spell. She knew how difficult my leaving Eutracia would be.”
“I love you,” Shailiha said. Her voice was little more than a whisper.
“And I love you,” Tristan answered. “But now I must go.”
Tristan walked over to where Shadow stood waiting, then threw himself up into the saddle. Like he knew where they were about to go, the spirited black stallion danced about a bit before settling down. Wigg walked over to Shailiha and put one arm around her.
When Tristan looked down at them, his heart was in his throat. “I love you both,” he said softly. “Never forget that.”
Tristan wheeled Shadow around and headed for the pass. He stopped Shadow and raised his arms, calling on the Forestallment granted to him by the Envoys.
Wigg and Shailiha watched in awe as a white line formed on the face of the pass. Starting at the bottom, it soon climbed the surface of the pass to disappear into the clouds. Then the pass parted into halves, revealing a dark, seemingly limitless emptiness beyond. Without looking back, Tristan spurred Shadow into the abyss.
Then the pass closed, sealing theJin’Sai and its many secrets within.