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The King's House in Morvran is a better place for her than the Sanctuary, Kim knows. With Jaelle gone and Audiart once more in charge, there was no way she could remain there-- the triumph in the woman's eyes over Kevin's sacrifice is too much for her to bear.

Milliways had helped in that, at least; it had bought her a little time, time to find her balance again. Balance that had been and will be desperately needed, she's sure of that.

Especially now.

Arrangements have been made with Spoon and Wells-- there's an archway, a stone door, between here and where she will need to go. It'll do, she thinks, and it'll make everything much simpler to meet them there than to have to explain where two more strangers had crossed from, and how.

All of these things and more occupy her thoughts as she sorts through her things, selecting what to take with her and what to leave behind.

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"Whatever you think," Aileron points out - his words are careful, and thick with barely contained anger - "it is not likely that a svart alfar would know it. And more than that; we have seen that they are able to take people alive, if necessary. From our own lands."

You of all people should know, he almost snaps. But does not.

It's just as well he doesn't, although it doesn't entirely help. Kim knows perfectly well what Aileron is referring to.

"But they will not be expecting this," she counters, flatly. "So they won't know to look for me. Even if they were looking, they'd expect me to be with everyone else."

Which she won't be. She's determined on this, even knowing that he's right about the danger. But Kevin is dead, and all the roads are parting now, and only the Weaver knows if they will ever, ever come together again.

"It is a clever argument," says Aileron, coldly, "but that is not a guarantee of safety."

"Can anyone guarantee that? For any of us?"

Kim's tone is weary, now.

Aileron pauses.

"No," he says, a little more roughtly. "No one can. But that does not mean that one ought to tempt fate."

"Maybe not. But I have to go, Aileron. I've dreamed..."

She shrugs, and leaves it at that.

Aileron's face does not soften.

"I cannot condone it."

He pauses again, and adds, "But as I have said, neither can I stop you."

Which leaves little more to be said. He turns, making to leave.

Kim doesn't say anything. She stands, silent, watching, feeling the weight of the Baelrath on her hand and the twin shadows of her dream within her as a separate weight, bearing her down like a stone.

What is there to say? What could she possibly say?

Nothing that would change anything-- anything at all.

Aileron passes through the door.

As he does so, he says, clearly, "You will not die on this errand, Kim Ford. That is an order."

He doesn't look around as he says it, and then he is gone.

"I don't follow orders very well," she whispers into the silence of the empty room. "I told you that, too. But I'll try. I promise."

Kim sighs, then turns back to her packing. It doesn't take long, really. Afterwards, remembering what she'd agreed to, she leaves her room to talk to someone in particular. That doesn't take long, either.

At dawn, Kim Ford and Brock of Banir Tal ride out from Morvran, heading for the mountains.

Heading for Khath Meigol.

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