Page 41 (1/2)

It was a to see how quickly the children’s spirits returned as they raced around her, loud with laughter and play, though there were a feho sat apart fro horrors She spentin soft tones and trying to draw theh one little boy climbed into her lap and fell into an immediate sleep the moment she opened her arht fell and the others went to their beds, waking soe

“Lady Davoka begs your attendance in the courtyard, Highness”

Lyrna gently laid the boy in one of the many empty beds “Where is Orena?” she asked as they h the corridors

“She craves pardon, Highness The sight of the children always upsets her so I took her duty”

Gentle hearts are often well hidden, Lyrna thought

In the courtyard she found Davoka eure beside a stout, bare-backed pony flanked by two Eorhil warriors looking on with obvious suspicion “Lerhnah!” Davoka called to her “My other sister comes with the Mahlessa’s word”

Kiral displayed none of the confusion left by the Mahlessa’s healing beneath the Mountain, s shyly as Lyrna approached Her scar had healed well but stillunpleasant iven it to her “Servant of the Mountain,” Lyrna greeted her in Lonak

“Queen” Kiral surprised her with a warm embrace “And sister, also”

“What word from the Mahlessa?”

“She sends no word, Queen, save two gifts” She held up a s a dark viscous liquid “She believes you will have use of this, and has providedthe screale drop touched her flesh “How is it to be used?” she asked

“She said it is a key to unseen chains and you would know best how to use it”

Lyrna handed the vial to Murel with stern instructions to keep it safe and on no account open it “And the other gift?” she asked Kiral

“Only aze around the courtyard “I seek one who lost his song, so that he ht hear mine”

CHAPTER TWO

Vaelin

The conclave was held in the House of the Sixth Order, the only intact building re to the Faith in the vicinity of Varinshold The place had been abandoned in the aftermath of Frentis’s visit, the courtyard, halls and corridors shouting their silence at Vaelin as he toured them, awash in memory as his eyes lit on the landmarks of his childhood The corner of the yard where they used to play toss-board, the chipped cornice near the Aspect’s chamber where Barkus had made an over-enthusiastic sith his sword He spent a fewat the steep stairwell in the north tower, his eyes picking out the copious dark stains on the stone where an unfortunate brother or Volarian had met his end, but made no move to ascend to the room above Soreed to come thanks to Aspect Elera’s insistent note and purposely delayed his arrival, having no wish to be drawn into discussion or decision regarding the Faith’s es However, as the brothers on the door pered in fervent argument There were perhaps twenty people in attendance, all that remained of the senior servants of the Faith A quick survey revealed h the Seventh, represented by Caenis and a handful of his more mature subordinates, wore no formal robes Aspect Dendrish was accoforth in typically loud voice, the words “ from his lips as Vaelin entered

“Do I interrupt, Aspect?” Vaelin enquired “Please continue”

“Vaelin” Aspect Elera rose to greet hi a little as she approached Her touch was as warh he detected a faint tremble in it and found himself disconcerted by the paleness of her complexion

“Aspect,” he said “You are well?”