Valorian by Mary H. Herbert

despite his hunger, Valorian instinctively avoided contact with strangers. Very few would bother to help a clansman, and many more would likely steal his horse.
    Shortly after noon on the sixth day after his accident, Valorian saw the reddish bluffs that marked the valley where his family made its winter camp. Relief, pleasure, and anticipation welled up within him, bolstering the last of his strength. He mounted Hunnul and urged the stallion forward in a trot along a hillside toward the bluffs.
    They had nearly reached the first bluff when a shout caught Valorian's attention. On a rise to the west, where an ancient trail led out of the foothills to the flatland below, a rider on a bay horse was whooping to draw Valorian's notice. The rider waved frantically and spurred his horse into a gallop down the broad slope.
    A grin spread over Valorian's weary face, for the rider was his younger brother Aiden, Adala's twin.
    "Valorian!" The shout echoed off the bluffs with all its joy and relief.
    The clansman rol ed his eyes skyward as the young rider thoughtlessly jerked his horse's bit to bring the animal to a stop in front of Hunnul. Aiden didn't have rapport with animals, not even horses. His strength, Valorian knew, lay in his enthusiasm, his charm, and his ability to immediately discern people's characters. He was smaller than Valorian, with a thick mane of dark brown hair, gray--blue eyes, and an unquenchable smile.
    Valorian dismounted to meet his brother and was nearly knocked off his feet by Aiden's fierce hug.
    "By all the gods, Brother!" Aiden cried joyfully. "We thought you were in the realm of the dead!"
    A strange spasm passed over Valorian's face and was gone, but not before Aiden's quick eyes noticed it. He held his older brother at arm's length, studying the man's pale skin, the huge bruise, and his filthy, travel-stained clothes.
    "You look horrible. What happened to you, Valorian?" Aiden asked, the worry strong in his voice.
    "We searched the hills for days. Some of the men are still out looking for you. Where were you?"
    Valorian smiled ruefully. He pulled his brother dose again, as if to draw on Aiden's vibrant energy. It felt good to hug another human being at that moment. "I . . . I don't know where I've been." He gripped Aiden's arm to silence the flood of questions. "I'll tel you everything I can when we reach camp so I won't have to repeat myself."

    Aiden jerked his head in agreement. "At least you're back." His voice suddenly choked in his throat, and he' turned away to mount his horse.
    Together the men rode side by side along the grassy hills toward the wide mouth of the valley.
    "Is Kierla all right?" Valorian asked after a moment of silence.
    "As well as can be expected. She's hardly eaten or slept for eight days," Aiden replied. "That's some woman you have, Valorian. She wouldn't let any of us give up on you. She sent all of us out in search parties and went out herself for several days. No one could even breathe the possibility of your death in her presence."
    Valorian felt his heart begin a slow pound. He could hardly wait to see his wife. He wanted to feel her warmth, to see her eyes sparkling at him, and to rely on her wisdom when he told her of his journey.
    Perhaps she could help him understand the accident that had befal en him and the strange dream that had taken root in his memory. He straightened a little more in his saddle, and Hunnul, feeling his master's cue, walked faster.
    They rode down to the shal ow stream that flowed out between the bluffs and turned onto a narrow, barely visible path that followed the creek into the valley.
    As Aiden rode in front to lead the way, Valorian became aware for the first time that his brother was wearing the split--leg robes, soft leather shoes, and vest of a Chadarian. He also had two baby goats tied in burlap bags behind his saddle, their heads peeking out of the rough fabric.
    "Aiden, what have you been doing?" Valorian demanded. "Stealing