238 An Agreement

"Good to see you too, Rhea," Brightblade replied, her expression calm as she looked at the Matriarch. "And yes, that's my apprentice you're trying to steal."

The Matriarch's surprised faded somewhat, though she still seemed more than a little puzzled. "When did you arrive in the Valley?"

Brightblade frowned briefly, then answered, "About a year ago."

"And you didn't think to visit an old friend? Even in her own Valley?" The Matriarch spoke softly, her expression troubled.

"Are we still friends?" Brightblade's tone held some sharpness as she asked the question, as if some old but unforgotten anger lurked just below the surface.

The Matriarch sighed. "I like to think so. What happened back then… I had no choice. I had to protect my Valley."

"Yet others answered the call," Brightblade said in a cold voice. "Others with their own Valleys to protect."