The Ironhand's Daughter

EPILOGUE

THE SUMMER HAD just begun when Sigarni the Queen rode with her retainers to Ironhand's Falls.

Taliesen was waiting at the cave, as he had promised. The Queen dismounted and walked through to where he sat, a small fire taking the chill from the damp air within the cave.

'Well met, Taliesen.'

'And you, Battle Queen. Are you ready for the next battle?'

'Time will tell, Taliesen. What of you? Are you ready to tell me why you gave me your aid?'

'Not yet," he said, with a smile. 'But my land is also at war, and I cannot dally here long. I have a queen to meet; she is old, but iron-hard, and she has faced her enemies all her life, and now waits to meet the last of them - a demon sent through time to hunt her.'

'Sent by Jakuta Khan,' she said. 'I know; he told me just before he died.'

'I have no doubt you will kill it, my lady,' he said solemnly.

'I have much to do, Taliesen. You asked me to meet you here, and now I ask you to tell me why.'

'I thought you might wish to say goodbye to a friend.'

'Are we friends, sorcerer?'

'I hope so, but I was not speaking of myself. The dwarf Ballistar came to me, and asked a favour.

I said I would grant it and by your leave I shall.'

Sigarni sighed.'He wants to go back to Yur-vale?'

'That is what he requested.'

'But he will die there.'

'I think so. But, in his own words, he will die as a whole man. He will stand tall again before the end. It could even be that, with the new order there, the air will not be as poisonous or the food so deadly. I do not know. What I do know is that without your blessing, and a drop of your blood, he will be a dwarf on the other side also.'

'You are asking me to send a friend to his death.'

'No, my lady, I am asking you to give him a chance at a life he desperately desires.'

Sigarni sat down by the fire. 'I love that man,' she said, 'and I would do anything in my power to make him happy. If that is what he wants, then of course I shall grant it.'

'It is what he wants. Are you ready?'

'I am.'

Together the Queen and the sorcerer left the cave and began the long walk around the pool to the engravings on the cliff-face. Ballistar was waiting there, a large pack beside him. He stood as she approached.

'Will you forgive me for leaving you?' he asked, reaching up to take hold of her hand.

'There is nothing to forgive, Balli. You are my dearest friend.'

'There may be some magic beyond the Gate that will allow me to come back - and still be tall,' he said.

'Yes,' she said. Drawing her dagger, she made a small cut in the palm of her hand, then gripped his pudgy fingers. Reaching into the pouch that hung from her neck, she drew out a small bone, pressing this against the trickling wound. Passing it to Ballistar, she smiled. 'You may need a friend on the road,' she told him, 'and I think Ironhand would welcome a second tilt at the fat tavern woman.'

Holding tightly to the bone he looked up at her, tears spilling to his cheeks.

'I will always love you," he said.

'And I you. Go now, Balli. And know joy.'

The Gateway shimmered and the dwarf hoisted his pack and stepped through.