Sebastian nodded and said, "I suspected something like that. I have come to care for her a lot. I thought I could trust you to treat her right and I'm glad to see I was correct in my judgment of your character. It is no longer safe for her to stay here. And as I see that not only do you desire her, but that you also care for her deeply I'm giving her to you."
He leaned forward and handed me some papers. I took them hesitantly still dazed by his statement. He was giving me Krista! I swallowed, hardly able to believe that this was happening.
"Now in a more serious note here is the compilation of all the information I have gathered." He held out a book to me. I took it and glanced at it, "Applied Math and Economics."
Sebastian and my grandfather shared a common trait for cryptic behavior. "You need to leave by sundown. Three horses will be at the inn where you contacted my operatives."
"My horse! I'm not leaving without him!" I said speaking up.
"Already taken care of he is at a corral on the south end of the city. You can pick him up on your way out of town. Krista and Rugar will meet you there at the inn. Now I'm sure you must have much to do to prepare for your departure so I will bid you farewell and may the Creator see you safely on your journey back to our homeland."
I took the dismissal for what it was and rose from my chair with Krista's papers and the book in my hand. I turned to go knowing that this was likely the last time I would see this man, who had just casually given me everything I could have ever wished for.
"Roric."
I looked back at Sebastian.
"Take good care of my girl."
"I will sir."
"May the Creator smile warmly down upon both of you and our nation."
Krista stood looking out the long glass window of her room. Silently she said goodbye to everything she had liked and found of comfort here in Santarus. Her entire world now consisted of the stuffed saddlebags at her feet.
Her world was once again in an upheaval of change. She hadn't really been surprised by Sebastian's giving of her to the tall warrior from the north. She had nothing to be ashamed of. She had kept her bargain with Sebastian to the letter. She knew in her heart that what he had done was what he had thought was best for her, but she couldn't help the anger that rose up in her for her old master at being so callously traded about like an expensive porcelain vase. Roric would treat her well, and be a kind master to her that she didn't doubt, but their relationship would be much different than hers had been with Sebastian.