behind the magician and in front of Diliani, so someone could watch over her.

    During the fifth day of travel without Gilin, six days after leaving the camp, something happened that would alter the mission completely. The day was hot and muggy, typical of late spring. Fatigued and distraught, Talli rode astride Faralan in the hazy midday sun. As the warm afternoon wore on, she tried to concentrate on flight, but her eyes began to blur and her head to swim.

    Feeling the grip of her feet about the bird’s neck slacken, she couldn’t seem to do anything to stop it. Tilting toward one side, she all at once was loose, tumbling earthward turn after turn, and the ground was approaching rapidly.

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