The impact of Fand's body as it struck his, caused Pyre to gasp. Her arms went around his neck in a strangle hold. He asked, “Fand, what’s wrong? Has something happened?” She did not answer. Her body shook with hard sobs. Cautiously he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. Keeper she felt good, he had forgotten how good. He felt her tears splash against his neck. She pressed even closer to him. The curves of her body met every indention of his own. The smell of her, the feel of her was intoxicating, but Keeper, he must not get sidetracked by his desire. Something was wrong, very wrong. “Please Fand try to tell me what happened?”

Against his neck, she whispered, “I saw a man. I thought he was real. He was large and handsome and he smelled like a rotting cow.”

Not sure how to respond to this information he ran his hand down her disheveled braid. Leaves and bits of twigs were twisted in it. His nostrils caught the faint scent of carrion on Fand’s skin. He asked, “Did he say anything to you?”

“No, not a word. He smiled. I felt myself unravel under his gaze. He touched my dove pendant. It burned my skin when he released it.”

Pyre pulled back and studied the base of her throat. There was not a mark on it.

Fand continued, “He made me feel things I had never felt before and they were not good things.”

“What sort of things?”

She stuttered and said, “Like I wanted him to take me, even though I didn’t know what or who he was. He must practice the starless arts. I’m scared Pyre. First I see Sonpur in the night, and then that horrible dream where they took me. Am I loosing my mind?”

He pulled her close again. Deep down, he knew she was not loosing her mind. Something was up. The odor she described seemed familiar to him, but he couldn’t place why. “No, of course you aren’t. I have been in the Council City long enough to know there are many things beyond our mental grasp.”

She asked, “What should I do?”

“First, don’t go out alone, especially at night. I know how much you love the night, but until we know what this thing is, its best you be cautious.”

“Are you going to tell Jerue?”

“No, I will tell Appocca. Don’t speak a word of this to Jerue.”

She leaned back and looked up into his face. Her face was wet with tears. “You don’t trust Jerue either do you?”

He could not answer that. The risk of speaking such words out loud was too great.

“Oh, I see. Okay.” She lay her head on his shoulder. “Zog has a lover. She is more than twice his age. He spends a lot of time with her. I suppose it is better than being at the Tavern and drinking himself into oblivion.”

Pyre stroked her hair. His fingers caught on the bits of twigs and dead leaves in her braid. He began to pluck them out.

She said, “I saw them together. Zog is so pissed at me. I should have stayed home, I should have minded my own damn business. If I had none of this would have happened. None of it.” She began to softly cry again.

“It is okay. Zog will forgive you. He was probably mor embarrassed than angry.”

“You think?”

“Yes.” Finally Fand's body relaxed against his. Her tears stopped too. Soon he would have to let her go. He didn't want to. He didn't ever want to.

Against his neck Fand asked, "Why didn't you write to Zog?"

In a low voice Pyre said, "Appocca knew the letter was from you. He told me it was best not to answer."

Fand pulled away from him. Her eyes flashed with anger.

Quickly Pyre added, "He did tell me to encourage Zog when I saw him."

"So, that is why you are here?"

How could she forget? If Zog had been gone she would remember. Slowly he said, "Yes, in part but I am also here to take my final vows."

She asked, "It is that time already? I will be there to see you tomorrow of course."

This was not what he wanted to hear. He looked into her eyes. Tears came again. In a choked voice she said, "Zog should be with you tomorrow."

“I know.”

Fearfully she asked, “Do you like the Council City?”

“More than I thought I would.” He wanted to say something anything to just keep her there in his arms.

“I am glad. I would hate it if you too were unhappy. Could you walk me home? I am done in.”

“Of course.”

With her hand in the crook of his arm, he escorted her back to the house. At the door, she kissed his cheek and said, “Thank you.” She didn’t ask him in. Instead she said, “I will see you tomorrow. Good night friend.”

The word friend set off an unpleasant earth quake within him. She hugged him one last time and went inside. For a moment he stood dazed. He had thought he had made some progress in getting over he but he had not made a bit at all. The wet splotch her tears had made on his cloak was a cold reminder of the time he held her. He turned and went down the porch.

In the shadow of the barn stood Zog. He lifted his chin to Pyre and said, "Hello friend."

“Hello Zog.”

Zog stepped out of the shadows. "So, you take your formal vows tomorrow."

"Yes."

Zog walked to where Pyre stood and said, "Take my advice friend, and find yourself a woman of experience tonight. Once you have tasted female flesh you will change your mind about those vows. Nothing like a woman's body to make a man forget."

Pyre didn't respond.

"Oh, I see," Zog said. "You don't want just any female's flesh, you still want Fand's."

Angrily he said, "Don't talk about her like that."

Zog laughed and asked, "Who was that I just saw you clutching for all you were worth?"

Had he been watching them? For how long. "Fand was upset and I was comforting her."

"And yourself no doubt. You still feel her don't you?"

Though it was true Pyre would not admit it. Instead he said, "She’s worried about you."

"Oh, she worries too much."

"Does she?"

A weariness came over Zog. He stared at the house.

Pyre said, "Elder Councilman Appocca wanted me to tell you, that if you repent your destiny will come to you. You still have a place in the Keeper's service."

Zog's bitter laugh hurt Pyre's ears. He growled, "Lies, all lies. You will find that out in time. The Council can't be trusted. I make my own destiny. No Supreme Being or wretched Council charts my life."

Quietly Pyre said, "From what I've heard you are making a mess of your life."

Zog turned his venom on Pyre. "And is yours so fine? Tomorrow morning you will take a vow of celibacy, but we both know whose naked form will invade your dreams tonight."

Pyre refused to take the bait. "Fand is very upset. You should talk to her."

"She will get over it."

"She says she saw a strange man in the woods this evening."

“She shouldn’t be out alone.”

“No, she shouldn’t. She said he was tall and solid. He seemed human. He was with her one instant and gone the next he vanished without a trace."

"Really?" Zog stroked his chin. "Very strange things have been happening. I think I will have a word with Fand after all. Thank you my friend."