The sound of a cleared throat came from behind them and they turned, Dashe nearly pulling his sword.

A seon hung in the air there. Not one of the insane ones that floated madly about Elantris, but a sane one glowing with a full light.

“Ashe!” Matisse said happily.

“Lady Matisse.” Ashe bobbed in the air.

“I’m no lady!” she said. “You know that.”

“The title has always seemed appropriate to me, Lady Matisse,” he said. “Lord Dashe. Is Lady Karata nearby?”

“She’s in the library,” Dashe said, taking his hand off the sword.

Library? Matisse thought. What library?

“Ah,” Ashe said in his deep voice. “Perhaps I can deliver my message to you, then, as Lord Galladon appears to be busy.”

“If you wish,” Dashe said.

“There is a new shipment coming, my lord,” Ashe said quietly. “Lady Sarene wished that you be made aware of it quickly, as it is of an … important nature.”

“Food?” Matisse asked.

“No, my lady,” Ashe said. “Weapons.”

Dashe perked up. “Really?”

“Yes, Lord Dashe,” the seon said.

“Why would she send those?” Matisse asked, frowning.

“My mistress is worried,” Ashe said quietly. “It seems that tensions are growing on the outside. She said … well, she wants New Elantris to be prepared, just in case.”

“I’ll gather some men immediately,” Dashe said, “and go collect the weapons.”

Ashe bobbed, indicating that he thought this to be a good idea. As her father walked off, Matisse eyed the seon, a thought occurring to her. Maybe …

“Ashe, could I borrow you for a moment?” she asked.

“Of course, Lady Matisse,” the seon said. “What do you need?”

“Something simple, really,” Matisse said. “But it might just help.…”

*   *   *

Ashe finished his story, and Matisse smiled to herself, eyeing the sleeping form of the little girl Riika in her bedroll. The child seemed peaceful for the first time in weeks.

Bringing Ashe into the Roost had initially provoked quite a reaction from the children who weren’t asleep. Yet as he’d begun to talk, Matisse’s instincts had proven correct. The seon’s deep, sonorous voice had quieted the children. Ashe had a rhythm about his speech that was wonderfully soothing. Hearing a story from a seon had not only coaxed little Riika to sleep, but the rest of the stragglers as well.

Matisse stood, stretching her legs, then nodded toward the doors outside. Ashe hovered behind her, passing the sullen Idotris at the front doors again. He was tossing pebbles toward a slug that had somehow found its way into New Elantris.

“I’m sorry to take so much of your time, Ashe,” Matisse said quietly when they were far enough away not to wake the children.

“Nonsense, Lady Matisse,” Ashe said. “Lady Sarene can spare me for a bit. Besides, it is good to tell stories again. It has been some time since my mistress was a child.”