A cold, curt refusal. He wanted to argue, wanted to call that injustice and bully Councillor Danfey into changing his mind. But one look at the ranked mage’s hard eyes and he knew he might as well spit into the wind.

“How long must she stay prisoner? How long must she be bound? I’ve little experience with it, only what most mages know, but I’ve heard a bound mage left bound for too long is often… damaged.” His belly heaved at the thought. A good thing he’d not taken a mouthful of cake. “If that should happen to Barl, I think she’d rather be dead.”

Behind his set expression, something shifted in Councillor Danfey’s face, some kind of revulsion or hint of real pain. “Don’t distress yourself, Mage Lindin. I’ll not let that happen.”

Shivering inside, Remmie dragged one sleeve across his wet face. “You said she’s kept confined on your family estate, sir? Is that usual?”

“No,” said the councillor, and almost laughed. “Far from it. But it was that or see her penned in a judiciary.”

“Sir…” He stood, aware of unsteady legs and a heart pounding too hard for his abruptly fragile chest. “Thank you. My sister and I owe you a great debt. I’d also apologise. You’ve been put to great trouble. I’m sure there are matters far weightier that the Council must address. I hope you’ll believe me when I say Barl wouldn’t have meant for this to happen. She’s not wicked. She’s not dangerous. In speaking up for her, you haven’t made a mistake.”

The councillor grimaced. “So you say, Mage Lindin. But the Council will want more than a brother’s assurance. Your sister must prove her contrition to its satisfaction, and I should tell you that so far she is rather lagging behind.”

Remmie swallowed despair. Lagging behind? Barl had thrown herself into a great, gaping hole. If she stood before him right now he’d be hard pressed not to slap her.

“Sir, you say I can’t see her and I must accept that, I know. But will you take her a message?”

“Yes,” said Councillor Danfey. “That I can do.”

“A written note? That’s permissible?”

“This once,” the councillor said. “But after today, Mage Lindin, you’d best accustom yourself to silence.”

Another tremor ran through him. “For how long? Do you know?”

“That’s a question for the Council to decide.”

“And when will it be decided?”

Councillor Danfey raised an eyebrow. “It’s your contention I should discuss privy Council matters with you?”

Remmie felt a rush of heat, and dropped his gaze. “No, sir.”

“Write your note, Mage Lindin. I’ve no more time to spare.”