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be more important than this duty to our people — to our history?”
    â€œWe have a duty to one who depends on us,” Saheli shot back fiercely. “And you really must not try to keep us from it.”
    By this time, Tharfen had approached them and was listening in. “Old Mum,” she piped up.
    â€œAh,” said Vallaine.
    â€œReally old.”
    Vallaine looked at Xemion. “And she needs both of you?” he asked.
    Xemion and Saheli looked at each other uncertainly. “Please return to your brother and give us some privacy,” Xemion snapped at Tharfen. She sneered at him but obligingly made her way back to Torgee, who still stood at the edge of the promontory watching the Mammuth bob up and down in the waves.
    â€œPerhaps just you could come, Xemion. This will be a historic day. Anyone there will be forever honoured. This will be the rebirth of the Phaer Republic, Phaer swordsmanship.”
    Xemion finally said what he had been avoiding saying. “We are both bound by a vow to return.”
    Vallaine sighed. “How long will you be bound by your vow?”
    Xemion looked at Saheli sadly. “It is indefinite,” he said quietly.
    â€œI see,” said Vallaine, regret in his voice. “So there is no chance then that you can join us?”
    â€œI’m sorry,” Xemion replied. “I cannot.”
    Saheli saw the disappointment in Xemion’s eyes. “But what can we do, if … if somehow we can be free to join you later?” she asked.
    Vallaine turned and peered at her sharply. “Well, there is a way to go overground if you leave today, but I cannot tell you.”
    â€œWhat do you mean you can’t tell us?”
    â€œIf it should become known to the kwislings that there’s an overland route to this part of the Phaer Isle, they will come even faster.”
    â€œBut we are not kwislings.”
    â€œI know you aren’t but …” He nodded toward Torgee and Tharfen.
    â€œWe won’t tell them,” Xemion said adamantly.
    Vallaine took a deep breath and eyed the two of them intently before he reached his decision. “I’m going to take a chance and tell you then, but I’m afraid I will have to ask you to swear a traditional Phaer oath.”
    Down below, the bird-headed man jumped out of the rowboat and pulled it in to shore. Vallaine’s whisper grew even quieter. “Do you swear not to tell anyone else what I am about to tell you?”
    They both said yes.
    In a quiet but steady voice Vallaine described to Xemion and Saheli the overland route they would have to take to reach the city of Ulde. It didn’t seem such a grand secret when they heard it because most of it was to travel along the old coastal road and go around the outside of the city to the eastern gate.
    â€œNow remember … you’ve sworn to tell no one.”
    â€œWe won’t forget,” Xemion said solemnly.
    â€œWe must shake on it then.” Saheli’s heart pounded with sudden fear as Vallaine once again stuck out his red hand. Xemion gripped it for the second time that day, but there was no extended shaking this time. After a few moments Vallaine stopped and offered his hand to Saheli.
    â€œAgreed?” he asked.
    â€œAgreed,” Saheli said, but instead of extending her own hand to shake his she pushed it firmly into a pocket of her cloak and bowed,
    â€œCome now, Saheli. Surely you know an oath can only be bound by the shaking of hands.” Saheli shook her head sternly. Vallaine kept his red hand out, a look of determination and annoyance on his face. “Now you told me you would swear a traditional Phaerland oath and the traditional Phaerland oath always ends with the shaking of hands. I’m going to have to insist that you shake my hand,” he said sternly. “Otherwise, I have told you my secret and I and my fellows are left vulnerable with no good reason to trust in your