Without a Front by Fletcher DeLancey Page A

can get away, then we need to get you away. You need to process this emotion and purge it from your system, because until you do, you’re not the leader Alsea needs. This is your first duty.”
    â€œMy first duty is to my emotions? Since when?”
    â€œSince they came between you and Alsea. That is what the Truth and the Path means. Not that you should never give your heart, but that you should learn when to give it priority. Sometimes thinking of yourself first is not selfish or ill-advised, but the best thing you can do.”
    â€œAnd why has no teacher shared this with me before?”
    â€œBecause they were all grainbirds.”
    Her laugh was scratchy. “Well, they did manage to teach me a few useful things. But you always were my best teacher.”
    â€œI was not,” he said, reaching out to place a large hand over her heart. “This is. You have only to listen to it.”
    She laid her hand over his, absorbing the full strength of his emotions. The anger was gone and the fear was greatly diminished, but his worry ran deep, side by side with his love for her. Not for the first time, she wondered why a man with such a great heart called her his only family.
    â€œSometimes your heart makes more sense than mine,” she said. “I don’t believe you’ve never given it. Someday, you’re going to tell me.”
    â€œIf I ever gave my heart, it was too long ago for me to remember.”
    â€œYou are full of dokshin.” She knew she would get no more out of him. “Just remember that this conversation is not over.”
    â€œOur conversations never are. It’s the best part of our friendship.”
    They smiled at each other, and Tal felt lighter than she had in a long time. She had indeed chosen a poor path, but her worst mistake was shutting Micah out. Ekatya was still gone, and her heart still ached, but with Micah at her side that burden seemed easier to bear.
    â€œSince my run is over, I suppose we should go.” She rose from the log. “Besides, I feel a sudden need to make Aldirk’s life miserable.”
    â€œYou’re taking my advice?”
    â€œI am.” As they walked toward the trail, she added, “I do try to accept advice when it’s wise and well-thought. But I must ask you to do one thing for me.”
    â€œAnything,” he said quickly, and she knew he meant it.
    Without warning, she dropped and spun with a leg out, sweeping his legs from beneath him. He landed heavily on his back with a startled whuf .
    â€œNext time,” she said as she stood over him, “find another way to make your point. That was too extreme.”
    He looked up at her, unrepentant. “But there won’t be a next time, will there? Besides, nothing else would have gotten your attention. You weren’t ready to listen, and I could no longer wait until you were.”
    As she narrowed her eyes, he held out a hand. Sighing, she grasped it and pulled him upright, smacking him in the abdomen for good measure. “You’re beyond redemption.”
    â€œWhich is exactly why I’m so good for you.”
    She let out a snort and resumed her path. “And to think you’re my spiritual advisor. The people of Alsea should be very concerned.”
    â€œNot the people. Just Aldirk.”
    Tal laughed as they emerged onto the trail. “So tell me, oh spiritual advisor, where shall we go for your vacation?”
    â€œMy vacation!”
    â€œI’m fully aware of your ulterior motives. You front like a child of six cycles. Where did you have in mind?”
    He smiled wistfully. “It’s been too long since I felt the sand under my feet.”
    â€œAh.” She nodded. “Then we go to the shore.”

CHAPTER 6 Waking up
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    This really was one of Micah’s better ideas, Tal decided.
    It had taken a nineday to get her schedule cleared—Aldirk nearly had heart failure—and another nineday to