Tifari

Tifari shook his head in a gesture of incomprehension.

Kushiel's Avatar Carey, Jacqueline, 1964- 2003

There were scavenger birds, too; the sky would darken with them when Bizan and Tifari made a kill ... buzzards, and vultures with their vast wingspans and bare necks, and strangest of all, great storks that flew with their long legs trailing and landed to pick their way through the throng of bird-life with long, pointed beaks.

Kushiel's Avatar Carey, Jacqueline, 1964- 2003

Tifari said to my shocked expression, lowering his shield to wipe his brow with his forearm.

Kushiel's Avatar Carey, Jacqueline, 1964- 2003

“What happens if you fail,” Tifari asked, “or are captured in the attempt?”

Kushiel's Avatar Carey, Jacqueline, 1964- 2003

As members of the guard, Tifari and Bizan understood the politics of it better, but they still considered it madness.

Kushiel's Avatar Carey, Jacqueline, 1964- 2003

But Tifari and Bizan brought down game enough between them to fill our bellies two days out of three, and where we followed the river,

Kushiel's Avatar Carey, Jacqueline, 1964- 2003

It was beautiful, untrammeled country, devoid of human inhabitation; too far, Tifari said, from the cities, and too hard to build roads.

Kushiel's Avatar Carey, Jacqueline, 1964- 2003

Tifari grinned in unwonted high spirits when I embraced him.

Kushiel's Avatar Carey, Jacqueline, 1964- 2003

“Kaneka might welcome me,” Tifari said with quiet triumph, “if I became a diplomat.”

Kushiel's Avatar Carey, Jacqueline, 1964- 2003

THAT EVENING, we said our farewells to Tifari and Bizan.

Kushiel's Avatar Carey, Jacqueline, 1964- 2003