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."After the queentries Eddas' cheese, I'm certain that a highly rare, modern cheese that tastesidentical will be quite valuable to certain elves who possess interestingthings I'd like to trade for.""Oh, aye, and let us not forget pearls and ivory," Mungim agreed with anod."It was on the tip of my tongue, friend," Taliad replied, smiling."And how we might finish lunch!" Kiriin said, grinning."More cheese,please!"Page 283 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlThe assembled friends burst into laughter as Eddas filled theirbyallar-cups.Epilogue I - The Raven."So, I missed them, it seems," Arella said, glancing over the trees of mylands.I could tell Arella was attempting to conceal her annoyance as she sippedat her byallar.She leaned back in her chair on the parapet of my tower, thewarm spring breeze flitting a strand of her copper-red hair and ruffling hergold-trimmed red-velvet robe, her black leather waist-belt looking perfectabout her slim waist.She was the picture of human beauty - though, Isupposed, given that she was a sorceress and nearly two hundred years old,this was to be expected.On her shoulder, her familiar and my little friendSwift-wing sat, smoothing his feathers.He'd had nothing to add to theconversation so far, but his aloof demeanor, for him, meant he had somethingon his mind.It was rare Arella came to visit, these days.Usually, she simply sentSwift-wing alone to chat with me, exchange news, and so on.When I'd come tofinish the education of Parial's children, decades ago and before Joy and Ibecame mates, I'd been desperately lonely.Of course, I knew the reason why ithad to be that way, by then, and simply lived with it.Arella was constantlybusy, then, and rarely had more than an hour or so to spend with me each day -she was always busy doing something, it seemed.Meetings with the king or hisministers, replying to letters from various mages in the Southlands, meetingoccasionally with a mage who came to discuss sorcery or a physicker who cameto discuss a new unguent or philter.She was always busy.She was even morebusy a few years ago, after Joy and I became mates, when I was again atSteelgate to train Parial's grandchildren.In eight months there, she barelyhad eight words for me.Today, caring for the king's health was one of herprimary duties, of course, and Parial was now very old - she simply did nothave time to visit.It was, of course just part and parcel of her life, andher increasing importance to the kingdom.Still, once I'd begun to relate thestory of traveling back through time, Arella suddenly appeared.That event,and the sheer impossibility of it, apparently was enough to pique her interestas a mage, and draw her to visit again.I smiled pleasantly."They'll be back, Arella.Sasha and Marilith willreturn here tomorrow.They'll go home again to visit their little island onePage 284 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlday a week each week until their training is completed in a few years, butthey'll be here, you can meet them.Corvid, too, will be here from time totime.I'm working on a few items he'll need if he's to survive as a tool ofthe gods - not the least of which is a ring of flight, so a simple spill outof that ornithopter doesn't spell his doom.You'll be able to catch himbetween training sessions with Frarim as he learns how to fly thatornithopter, and likely accompanies Marilith and Sasha from the island in hisspare time.And Frarim you'll meet, I'm certain.My old master is not going tostay away too long, he and I have far too much history to share, and storiesto tell.I suppose the only person you really missed was Orissa - she's goneback home, today, Sasha and Marilith have taken her.""Yes, of course," Arella replied, and lifted another thin slice ofRhendish White from the tray beside her."Quite delicious, Raven."I smiled politely."I'm glad you like it.How are things with the king?""I know you lose track out here in the wilderness, Raven, but it'sseventeen-ninety.Parial's ninety-seven," Arella replied tartly."I'm givinghim the same herbs I gave his grandfather to keep his mind sharp, but hisheart is fading.I doubt he'll live too much longer.""I know how old he is, Arella, and I know the date," I replied quietly.Suddenly, Swift-wing lifted his head, his beady black eyes glaring atArella."Mistress, just stop it, the scars are gone."Arella blinked at her familiar, startled."What?""Just stop it!" Swift-wing repeated, his voice a raven's scream."Juststop it!" he screamed again, flying off Arella's shoulder to land on mine
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