The White Road Read Online Free PDF

are still a giveaway to anyone who knows what to look for, though,” Seregil mused.
    “Cut his hair into long bangs,” Thero suggested. “It doesn’t all have to be magic. You’re the great master of disguise, as I recall.”
    Alec, who’d been cutting Sebrahn’s hair several times a day for months now, went to work at that, and in a moment Sebrahn had a ragged fringe of hair hanging into his eyes. “That will have to do. How long will it last?” Thero asked Alec, brushing Sebrahn’s hair back from his face to inspect the changes.
    “Hopefully until I spell him back to normal. But again,there’s no telling what effect Sebrahn’s unusual nature will have on the magic. It might all wear off tomorrow.”
    “What happens when his hair grows?” asked Micum.
    “The spell is on his body, not just the hair. It should be fine.”
    “What about your magic? Couldn’t that attract attention if we run across the wrong sort of people?” asked Seregil.
    “Not with transmogrification spells like these. His skin and hair really are that color for now.”
    Seregil clasped hands with him. “Thank you. This will make a tremendous difference. Really, you’re invaluable, as always.”
    Thero grinned. “Take care of yourselves. I hope you find what you’re seeking.”
    “I hope you do, as well.”
    Everyone went to see the wizards off except Alec and Sebrahn. Left behind in their continuing seclusion, they stood together at the window and watched the
Lark
set sail.
    “Leee-ving,” said Sebrahn.
    “And so will we. Soon.”
    Alec felt a bit stronger today. Since he was up already, he decided to attempt a walk around the room, keeping an ear out for Mydri’s heavy step on the stair just in case.
    He was dizzy and unsteady on his feet, and took a few falls in the process until Sebrahn came over to walk beside him. Then Alec kept a hand on the rhekaro’s shoulder to steady himself, and they walked slowly back and forth between the bed and the door. It felt good to move, even if occasionally the floor seemed to pitch like the deck of a ship under sail.
    He grinned down at Sebrahn. “I hope I don’t need one of your healings today.”
    Sebrahn immediately held up a pale forefinger. Alec gave it a gentle squeeze. “Thank you, but I was just joking.”
    Sebrahn cocked his head slightly to one side, and his eyebrows drew down just the slightest bit.
    Alec stared at him in surprise. On a normal person’s face, that look would have indicated confusion. “Joking. I didn’t mean that I did need … Oh, hell. Never mind.”
    Sebrahn stared up at him for a long moment, held out his finger again, and then brought it back to his chest. “Jok … king.”
    Alec laughed. “Well, sort of.”
    Sebrahn did it again. “Joking.” This time his face twitched as he tried to approximate Alec’s grin.
    “I’ve often found that a sense of humor is a sign of an intelligent mind.”
    Startled, Alec turned to find Seregil leaning in the now open doorway. “Sneaking up on me?”
    “I came to warn you that I can hear you staggering around up here. Lucky for you, Mydri got caught up in conversation down at the quay. You’re looking a little pale. Let’s get you back to bed.”
    “I can do it!” Alec protested, then turned too quickly and fell on his face before Seregil could catch him. Sebrahn sprang to his side and crouched there. When Seregil reached down to help Alec, Sebrahn hunkered lower and hissed at him.
    Seregil stepped back in surprise. “It’s only me. He’s the one who fell over.”
    Alec sat up and gathered a handful of Sebrahn’s hair, giving him a not-so-gentle shake. “No! Bad! Go to Seregil.”
    Sebrahn’s face was blank again as he rose and walked to Seregil’s side. The older man took the rhekaro’s face between his hands. “I wouldn’t hurt Alec. I never will. I love him. Love?” He looked to Alec, who only shrugged. Seregil gingerly gave Sebrahn a hug. “Love. You can trust me, little one.” He pointed