Amber was in the stable saddling her horse when Simeon found her.

“I thought you’d at least stay the night.”

Simeon finally looked like a professor. He was wearing a long black tunic trimmed in gold, high boots, and an ornate gold and black belt. He had bathed and shaved, and somehow looked older than he had before.

“Nah. I don’t think Turrin likes me.”

“Turrin doesn’t like anyone.”

“Maybe so, but I’m the one who killed a man in the middle of the monk tower. I think the corpse on the floor wore out my welcome.”

Simeon smiled, but he looked tired.

“Thank you,” he said. “You saved Clarissi’s life.”

“Maybe.” Amber shrugged. “The beastling was after you, not her.” Almost as an afterthought, she added, “She seems like a sweet girl. Seems to care about you quite a bit.”

“Yeah. She is. She does. And that’s why I can’t take the headmasters’ deal.”

Amber stopped packing her saddlebags to look at Simeon.

“But the deal gives you everything. You give Turrin the tablets, he gives you your job back, and you and Clarissi can settle down.”

For the first time Amber noticed the familiar travel bag Simeon carried behind his back.

“You’re not giving him the tablets, are you?” she said.

“No.” He sighed. “I left Topor because the beastlings were after me. I didn’t want to endanger those around me. When we came back, I hoped the council could protect me, but… Now I know. The beastlings won’t stop coming. As long as the tablets are here, we’re all in danger. Clarissi is in danger.”

“You want me to take the tablets,” said Amber.

“Yes.”

“You want me to return them to the islanders.”

“Yes.”

“And you’re willing to pay me to undertake this dangerous journey.”

“Yes.” Simeon held the bag out to Amber. “Take it. The tablets are at the bottom, along with a bag of two hundred gold, and some artifacts—probably worth another hundred—I found in the mountains of Asher.”

Amber took the bag and looked inside. Simeon was telling the truth.

“So it’s slavery for you now, eh?” she asked, trying to keep her voice light.

“Yeah.” Simeon smiled wanly.

“At least you’ll be near Clarissi.”

Simeon’s smile faded.

“No. Never again. Slaves and students are never allowed to even see each other. And knowing Turrin, when he’s found out what I’ve done, he’ll stick me in the deepest, blackest hold he can find, and keep me there for the rest of my life — which probably won’t be that long.”

“The rest of your life?”

Simeon nodded. “It’s a life sentence. Not that unusual for serious, first-time offenders.”

“You should get going,” he said. “It’s only two hours to sundown. When Turrin comes asking for the tablets…”

Amber nodded.

“And you should get back to Clarissi while you can,” she said.