Magician's Touch (Deadly Touch book 3) Chapter 52: 52: Here For You

Read chapter 52 of Magician's Touch (Deadly Touch book 3) by Deb E Howell on NovelPedia.

A fortnight later, Llew and Jonas arrived at the entrance to Merrid and Ard’s farm around mid-afternoon. They paused at the gate. There stood the farmhouse, and the new accommodation building. Washing hung from the washing line, catching a breeze. The Ajnai tree leaves rustled. Two figures – Ivor and Garnoc – worked in the established vegetable garden, raking and weeding. Others, who Llew couldn’t see well enough to identify from the gate, swung heavy picks, breaking new ground for a future garden. And there, to her left and up a small hill, sat the well, the main source of water for the farm and draw for anyone needing its succor . Llew pictured herself kneeling on the ground and kissing the dirt beneath her feet, rejected the idea, and then dropped to her knees and did it anyway. She was home, truly home. “Wha—” Jonas started behind her, then chuckled. “Fair. If it weren’t for this damned knee, I might join you.” Llew imagined Ard’s voice chastising her for stealing his dust, or something. She resisted looking up, seeking him. He wouldn’t be there. And Merrid wasn’t there to invite her in for a real meal. Instead it was Blink and Rowan. “If you’re that hungry, the dust is better over there somewhere.” Llew groaned internally at Blink’s attempt at a joke. She didn’t bother to look up to see where Blink may have been gesturing. In that moment, she really didn’t care how she looked. She pressed her ear to the ground, wanting to wrap it in a hug, or have it wrap her in one. She was home. Every part of her filled with delight. And love. “How about you come inside?” Rowan spoke above her. “We have some leftovers from lunch and can put something much more nutritious together for you.” Ha ha. Fine, yes, she was being odd, and worthy of a joke or two. Still, Llew really didn’t care what the others thought of her actions. She stood, brushing dust from her hands and knees. Jonas came to stand by her, and slipped an arm around her. “I’ve never been so happy to be somewhere,” Llew said. “It’s good to be home.” Jonas squeezed his arm around her gently. “It’s good to see you.” Rowan smiled at them, taking extra time to look Jonas up and down. “I’m guessing you wouldn’t be here if it hadn’t worked?” “It worked,” Jonas confirmed, his eyes still holding the sparkle of satisfaction. “That’s good, though I imagine that means you’ll be hungry, then.” “Starvin’. I take it Turhmos left you alone in our absence?” “No sign of them,” Rowan said. “Good. ’Bout time they had a think before comin’ at us again. Hopefully that holds until I’ve had a chat with Kadesh.” Ivor and Garnoc paused their work to wave and Llew and Jonas waved back as they walked past. The door to the homestead was open, the swaying length of a dress visible just inside, a figure bent to sweeping. Elka turned to evict her gathered pile, and nearly lost her balance when she saw Jonas and Llew. “You’re back!” She stamped the broom down, gripping the handle to steady herself. “That we are.” Jonas released Llew and gently pushed her to continue up the steps ahead of him, while he navigated with the limited mobility of his prosthetic. Llew met Elka with a hug. In the darkness of the homestead, she saw Lyneth place her sewing on the table to come to the door to meet them. Elka moved aside to allow Lyneth to hug Llew, which she did while gushing with excitement. “We were just re-calculating your timetable this morning and assuring ourselves we could hold out hope another week, and here you are already to put us out of our misery! How far were you able to fly?” Beside them, Jonas washed his hands and splashed his face at the bowl, and whipped free a towel to dry his hands and face. “We nearly made it to Taither,” Llew said. “Borrowed a horse for the last stretch.” She took her turn at the wash bowl and they all entered the homestead where Lyneth and Elka put away the tools of their other tasks and set about bringing out bread, carrots, and salad greens, and cooking eggs. While they ate, the