“And we’ll need you and your Circle for your traditional reason as well,” Elspeth said, smiling at Hyron. “Especially if we’re not to end up conscripting for the Guard.”

“Rousing patriotic fervor and spreading tales of what’s happened and what we can expect? Aye, Lady Elspeth, as always, the Circle is yours to command.”

“And keeping the spirits of our people high.”

“Ever in your service—”

Elspeth took a quick glance at Talia, as she lay back on her pillows, face pinched and drained. “If there’s no more business at hand?”

“None that can’t wait,” said Lord Gildas.

“Then I think we’d best dismiss, and let the Healers see to Talia.”

As the Councillors filed out, Skif slipped in, Healer Devan and Healer Rynee with him.

“Little sister, Dirk’s waiting downstairs—” Skif began. Talia’s face crumpled, and she began to cry. “Please—not now—I’m so tired. . . .”

“Listen to me—listen—” He caught one of her hands in his own and knelt beside her couch. “I know what’s happening to you, I understand! I’ve seen you trying not to wince away when he touches you. I’ve talked him into going home to tell his parents about you; I’m going with him. By the time we get back, you’ll be fine again, I know you will. Now gather your courage and give him a wonderful good-bye to keep him going, eh?”

She shuddered; he wiped her tears, and she relaxed. “Is that why you brought Rynee?”

He chuckled. “You’ve got it. She’ll give you a little mental painblock, as it were. Let her work while I fetch Dirk.”

She was able to do all Skif had asked and more, but when the two of them left, she crumbled again.

“Rynee, am I ever going to be able to—be whole again? I love him, I need him—but whenever he touches me, I see Ancar and Ancar’s guards—”

“Hush, now, hush,” Rynee soothed her as if Talia were twelve years her junior instead of four her senior.

“It was fine at first, but after the battle it started to build every time a man touched me, and it was worse than that when the man was him! Rynee, I can’t bear it, I can’t bear it!”

“Talia, dear friend, be easy. Yes, you’ll be fine, just like Skif said. It’s just a matter of Healing, inside instead of out. Now sleep.”

“Will she Heal?” Devan looked at Rynee somberly, as Talia dropped into Healing-trance.

“She will,” Rynee replied serenely. “And it’ll be mostly her own doing. You’ll see.”

“I pray you’re right.”

“I Know I am.”

Twelve

Twelve