The camp was stirring as they returned, disturbed from their night’s rest.  Harl and Mama Darvin met them anxiously, and pulled Anna immediately into a mix of hugs and scoldings for not coming home for dinner.  Brief explanations were given, and a late tea was assembled in the sitting room.  Jon thought of the rotting man and was unsure he would ever have an appetite again.

            Doctor Blackfeather placed the battered black great sword back in the weapons case and took a seat across from Jon.  “Let me see your new ‘shield’ closer in the light.”

            Jon extended his hand, palm up.  “I don’t know how to put it down, sir. I keep trying.”

            The Professor sat nearby and leaned over Jon’s hand again, fascinated.  “This is the craftsmanship of the Ancients, certainly, and in perfect working order.  It is unlike anything we’ve found, though.”

            “It seems to have fused with you,” Doctor Blackfeather said.  “Try willing it out.”

            Jon tried, uneasily.  Nothing happened.  “I don’t know how to work it.”

            “It may only work when you really need it to.  With practice, you may learn to guide it with your thoughts,” Doctor Blackfeather said. 

            “But I can’t keep it!” Jon said.  “Not in my hand.  This is a priceless artifact, isn’t it?  You just said it was work of the Ancients, and unlike anything you’ve seen.”

            The Professor looked thoughtful.  “I can’t think of a worthier bearer for it.  If it chose you, then I cannot argue with its choice.”

            Doctor Blackfeather met Jon’s eyes.  “You will have to keep it a secret.  And it may attract unwanted attention.  This will be both a gift and a responsibility for you to bear.”

            “The rotting man knew I had it,” Jon said, worried.

            “Then we will protect you,” Doctor Blackfeather said gravely.  “Regardless, you will be safe from that particular danger in Shandor.  There are borders that it can’t cross.”

            “But sir, I want to be an archeologist.  I want to see places, and find things.”

            “I think you have a gift for that,” Doctor Blackfeather said.  “If you do not object, I would be honored to have you and your brother stay under my care and protection next summer.  You have a gift for languages, for mysteries, for seeing, that would be a great asset to us, here and wherever we dig next.”

            “Do you mean it, sir?”  Jon could feel a wide smile on his face.

            “He’s willing to face ancient evils, endure heat and dust and tomb thieves for a chance to dig up pot shards and old letters.”  Hellin smiled.  “He must be one of us.”

            Tam sighed.  “Well, you know I can’t let you do all that without me looking after you.  I promised Ma I would.  Though how I’m going to explain about the thing you got stuck in your hand, I don’t know.  I’ve been scared half to death all night.  Is this really what you want, Jon?”

            Jon nodded, looking from his brother to Djaren and Ellea.  “I like it here.  With you.”

            Kara, caught trying to pocket a crystal brandy decanter, snorted.  “Weird happy family.  Good for you.  I’m leaving.”

            Hellin took the decanter from her, patiently.  “I don’t like thinking of you out there with no one to look after you.”

            “You’re the people the walking dead are after,” Kara said.  “I’m safer by myself, thank you.”

            “But what he said,” Djaren objected.

            Kara shot him a warning look.  “I don’t need your band of freaks to call attention to me.  I have a life.”

            Doctor Blackfeather looked at Kara.  She looked back suspiciously.

            “I would like to buy a watch from you,” he said.

            Kara frowned.

            Hellin reached into a vase near her elbow and drew out a bag of coins.  “And the statuette in your sleeve please.  I’m rather fond of that one, and you’d never get a fair price for it in town.”

            Kara glanced from one of the Blackfeathers to the other, and emptied her pockets, grumbling.  The contents were rather amazing, and included the Professor’s pocket watch, Tam’s bag of coins, a silver-edged bookmark of Jon’s, a comb of Anna’s, and a bracelet Jon had seen a while ago on Ellea.

            “Keep the bracelet,” Ellea said.  “I dropped it for you, because you’d lost yours.”

            “Did not,” Kara grumbled, pocketing the bracelet again.

            Hellin handed Kara the bag of coins, and Kara glanced into it, surprised.  “What kind of trick is this?”

            “My bad habit of mothering,” Hellin said, handing Kara a clean handkerchief and a hairbrush from a nearby table.  “Do stay for dinner.”

            Kara gave Hellin a confused and dubious look.  Djaren grinned, trying not to laugh.

            “Shut up,” Kara told him.

            “You may keep the dagger too,” Doctor Blackfeather told her softly, on the way to dinner.  “You choose a dangerous path.  If you need help, my family owes you a debt.”

            Jon grabbed Kara’s hand and squeezed it.  “Thank you for helping us.”

            Kara shook him off.  “Don’t get that thing on me.”  Her look said something nicer than her words, and Jon smiled, answering that. 

©2007 Ruth Lampi