#Moontide quartet rene skin#

вЂWeвЂ™re supposed to fly south tomorrow вЂ“ RamitaвЂ™s son is waiting for us at the monastery.вЂ™ That required more explanations, as everything did. вЂWeвЂ™ve been waiting for you,вЂ™ Alaron said. Ramon let Alaron guide the Lost Legions magi to a vast palace, damaged but in reasonable state for all that: the abandoned Domus Costruo. There was so much to explain, on both sides. RamonвЂ™s mind froze at the need to ask a thousand things and not knowing where to start. вЂ™ Alaron winked, and indicated the satchel on his shoulder.ДЄlaronвЂ™s smile broadened, and suddenly the monks and their gnosis became explicable.

вЂAnd miss the chance to shock you?вЂ™ Alaron laughed. вЂBut not so overjoyed you contacted me immediately,вЂ™ Ramon said archly. But when Seth said you were with him, I was overjoyed.вЂ™

вЂIвЂ™d heard Seth was still alive and hoped that meant you were too,вЂ™ he told Ramon, вЂbut I didnвЂ™t know, and I feared trying to scry you might put you in danger. While Ramon hugged Ramita, Alaron greeted Seth warmly this was their first meeting too since their gnostic-contact a few days back.

вЂCongratulations, amici!вЂ™ Ramon looked at her wide-eyed then spread his arms. Judging from Seth KorionвЂ™s startled exclamation, this was news to him too. вЂThis is my wife, Ramita,вЂ™ he announced proudly. She had a gem-stone pasted to her forehead and long black hair in a tight ponytail, and wore one of the graceful saris heвЂ™d seen on some of the Lakh women in Khotri.ДЄlaron put a possessive arm about her вЂ“ she just about came up to his ribcage вЂ“ and beamed. Despite her size, she walked as if she were as solid as the stone beneath her feet. She too was Lakh, very dark about the face, with trim, pleasantly determined features. There was also that ineffable look on AlaronвЂ™s face of someone in love, so it was no great surprise when a diminutive woman approached deferentially. Is it really two years since we hunted the Scytale together? Two years! There was something balanced about Alaron, a grace that had never been there before. He had the look of someone whoвЂ™d seen deadly combat, and the measured assurance of someone whoвЂ™d prevailed. His face was different too: the puppy-fat had been winnowed away, along with his usual jumpiness and uncertainty. His reddish-brown hair was in a topknot like the monks, and heвЂ™d filled out with strongly sculpted muscle. Ramon barely recognised his best friend вЂ“ though he was still no more than average height, and leaner than most, everything else was different. вЂSol et Lune, itвЂ™s really you! What in Hel, amici? What in Hel-?вЂ™ Ramon peered, perplexed, as the newcomer dropped the hood.ДЄ second later he was pounding on AlaronвЂ™s back and hugging him until they were both breathless.

#Moontide quartet rene skin#

He too had a staff, but his skin was white. Then another figure stepped from the shadows, taller, but dressed in the same grey robes, nothing ornate. The only badge they displayed was of a stylised winged man. He checked: their wards were impressive, not showy but very strong. HeвЂ™d always considered himself skilled enough that no one except perhaps a Keeper could do that to him. And all were Lakh вЂ“ which was perplexing as well, especially as they all bore periapts and had managed to conceal their presence from him with Illusion. All carried staffs with ribbons knotted near one end, had long hair tied in top-knots, and clean-shaven faces.