The World Weavers by Kelley Grant

shoulder.
    â€œYour father was a good man,” she said. “I enjoyed training him when he was a boy. Now, you have slight farspeaking , which we will open more. That will not be pleasant. Once your farspeaking is opened, we will need to connect you to Kadar and to temple master Sari at the Obsidian Temple. You will need to stay close to Master Tull or myself so we can speak through you at any time.”
    â€œMaster Tull needs an assistant,” the other woman piped up. “Her last one asked to be reassigned.”
    â€œExcellent thought, Casia,” Ursa said, eyeing him. “Casia is my apprentice and assistant. You will be Tull’s runner. Casia, why don’t you get him settled in your dorm while I talk to the Chosen about their journey.”
    Abram followed Casia into the bright sunlight, his mind whirling.
    â€œShe’s intimidating, right?” Casia said cheerfully. “The strongest mind healer we will see in our lifetime. And Master Tull is the strongest warrior mage.”
    â€œWhat about you?” Abram asked, turning his full attention to her. He could feel her intelligence and good humor and smiled flirtatiously.
    â€œI can sense weather, make little changes. I’m honored that I caught Ursa’s eye,” Casia said, blushing a little under his gaze.
    â€œWorking with weather is dangerous,” Abram said. “You must be quite courageous.”
    â€œStop using that charm of yours,” Casia protested, stopping by a doorway and turning to him. “It’s too attractive. I already have a companion.”
    â€œA shame. Do you have a sister?” he asked, his tone hopeful.
    She shook her head.
    â€œA brother?”
    Her eyes widened and she laughed and smacked him on the shoulder. “Yes, and he’d love you. But he’s in Frubia with our father. You are an absolute flirt.”
    Abram smiled. “I love ­people,” he said. “All sorts.”
    â€œYou would, with your talent,” she said, holding the door flap open for him. “Let’s hope you feel that way after being assigned to Master Tull. She went through four assistants this spring alone.”

 
    CHAPTER 7
    K adar gave a quick glance at Amber, who was curled in the box he’d rigged on the front of his humpback. He’d tried to leave her at the city for her own safety, but she’d howled and clawed the girl restraining her. He’d be grateful for the extra distance she gave his farspeech , but worried about keeping her safe. Kadar was more concerned about Asfar, tied in the string behind the humpback. They’d been traveling two days in the heat and he worried she would become overtired. Only one of the other warriors traveling with them towed a horse—­and he did not seem concerned for her wellbeing.
    â€œShe is a desert horse,” Onyeka said from beside him. She was almost indistinguishable from Kadar and the other nomads with her shemagh covering her hair, neck and lower face. “She has been bred for this, and for war. She cannot travel as long without water as the humpbacks, but she can go far and this heat is no danger to her. She will endure far worse, willingly. Our best warriors and our fast strike teams use mares like her in battle.”
    Kadar nodded his thanks, but she was already distracted by another warrior and left him to ride alone. He smiled as he watched her joking with the other warrior, jostling him with her humpback. She’d organized this party, arranged weapons delivery, and led the warriors out into the desert in half a day. He admired her practicality and determination.
    â€œYou are looking at my daughter,” Turo said gruffly from Kadar’s other side, startling Kadar. “You are not Tigu.”
    Kadar looked over at him, irritated. The same kind of prejudices, the same kind of separation of clans and castes, here in the desert as in Illian. He’d left that behind months ago. Kadar