Beyond the doors, the street and the gates were empty. The Hill Folk had vanished as mysteriously as they had come. A shuddering sigh of relief, not my own, brought my attention home and heartward. I shut my eyes, smiling, and clung with all my strength to Vidanric as kisses rained on my hair, my eyes, and finally--lingeringly--on my lips. The duel was over, and we had won.