“And if I thought they’d be useful, Brice, I’d have used them. But you must trust my judgement in this.”

“Must I?”

“Yes, if you’ve not taken leave of your senses.”

And clearly, Brice did not care for that reply. “Lord Arkley, is it possible you’ve forgotten what happened the last time azafris found its way to the wrong mage?”

Venette shuddered. If Sallis had, she certainly had not. Even with the strongest banishing incants, the stench of charred flesh had sullied Elvado for near a week.

Shari touched a diffident hand to Sallis’s arm. “I know you guard your sources most jealously, but given the dangers here, perhaps—”

He shook her off. “No. I worked too long and too hard to cultivate this connection. I won’t put it at risk when I’ve been told all there is of use. Credit me with some acumen. I don’t burn bridges before I’m sure I’ll not need them again. There’s still some hope of more information to come.”

With another sigh, Brice accepted defeat. “Very well, Sallis. Pursue this matter as far as you can, would you, with all possible alacrity. If some ambitious, unprepared young mage is in possession of azafris in a copious quantity, we could be facing a crisis. The Council’s authority might well be at risk.”

“I appreciate that,” said Sallis, just as grim. “Never fear, I’ll do my best to uncover the whole truth as quickly and discreetly as I can.”

“And is that all the bad news you have for us today?” Brice said, heavily sardonic. “For I’m not certain my spirits can withstand another blow.”

“I’m done,” said Sallis. “But having said that, I must say again that with regards to the Jordane matter—”

Venette leaned forward a little, engaging Brice’s attention. “I’ll tell Morgan what’s happened, and that he’s to look into it. I’d already intended to visit the Danfey estate today and see how Greve goes on. Shall I carry him your best wishes, Brice?”

“Yes,” said Brice, after the briefest hesitation. “I would know the truth of his condition. Morgan puts a good face on it, I’d not expect anything less, but I suspect his father’s health is more precarious than he’s shared with us.”

So did she. And with Maris Garrick’s interest in Morgan now well and truly caught, the thought of him wantonly dabbling with azafris was enough to drive her into hysterics. She had to dissuade him, and quickly.

“Then I won’t dally,” she said, and stood. “How soon do you want Morgan to visit the College?”

“Today!” Sallis snapped. “It must be today. Nevin waits on tenterhooks for the matter to be resolved. This calumnious cloud over his daughter’s future must be dispersed with all haste.”