"I understand now," Mericlou said. "But it doesn't make your leaving any easier. I miss you already, sister."

"Oh, Meri," Noroa said, pulling her sister into an embrace. "I've missed you every day in Rogart!"

***

That evening, after the family had seen Noroa and Garen off at the transcon station, Skori made an announcement.

"Seeing how the month of the ceremony may present a steady stream of clients, one of us may have to stay behind in order to keep up our work. There are several projects that will need completion by then, according to the schedules."

"I'll do it," Mericlou said, and was answered by strange looks from Sedriil and Alaema. Even Skori had raised an eyebrow.

"You're volunteering?" Sedriil asked. "As I recall, you were the most eager to see her again."

"I still am," Mericlou said. "Don't think this is easy for me, because it isn't. I do want to see her again, but I also have priorities as well. By that month, I'll have a lot to do."

"As you wish, then," Skori at last said with a shrug, before leading the way back home.

Sedriil lagged behind until he walked alongside Mericlou. He stopped, and held her back with one hand.

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"You can't fool me," he said once he was certain that Skori and Alaema were out of earshot. Mericlou saw that her brother had a shrewd look on his face. "You're staying behind to have some time with Aldrec."

"Maybe I am," Mericlou said, passing her brother an equally shrewd expression. "But there's something that I haven't told the rest of the family."

"And what might that be?"

"With the money we now have because of Aldrec, I'm able to afford a trip to Rogart and back anytime I want to."

"Sister, that sounds pretty selfish," Sedriil remarked with a slight frown. "Shouldn't the money be better spent on something else?"

"Oh, don't worry, my dear little brother," Mericlou said. "I have something special planned for all of us, long in advance of the ceremony!"

"If you say so," Sedriil replied, indifferent. "By the way, I looked up the history of those words you asked me about earlier today. You know, I really ought to start charging you for my detective work."

"Why? Was it hard to find?" Mericlou asked.

"Not really. As a matter of fact, it was one of the easier search jobs that I've had to do as of late."




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