“You and your wife will always be welcome at the House, and Mika can visit at home. Besides, I wouldn’t take him away so abruptly. He’ll need time to get used to the idea, just as you and your wife will. After Mourning Night and the winter festival is soon enough. In the meantime, you will all be my guests from time to time, and I will visit with Mika here, with your kind permission. I can teach him a few of the basics, and help him control his abilities.” Thero set his cup aside and stood up. “But I’m afraid I must have your answer now.”

“He could really kill someone?”

“Untrained wizard-born have no skill at controlling or channeling their powers. And if Mika is spontaneously manifesting that kind of ability at so young an age, then yes, he will be dangerous and is likely to be killed. You have my oath on it.”

Aman cast an unhappy glance in the direction of the bedchamber, where Mika was chattering away with his mother. Her weeping had turned to laughter. “Not until after the festival? Perhaps that will be enough time for her.”

Thero resisted a loud sigh of relief. “Thank you, Aman. I promise you, Mika will have a very good life with me. I must go now, but I’ll return soon, and ask Mika myself if he wants to be my apprentice. Will you explain it to him in the meantime?”

“I’ll do my best.”

Thero extended his hand and Aman took it. The bargain was struck.

“What took you so long in there?” Micum demanded as they set off down the street.

“Discussing a few last details with the father.”

“Do you think Mika will be all right now?”

“Yes.”

“What did you learn from your magic? I saw the way you reacted.”

Thero explained the brief vision and what he’d felt.

“So we know how to cure Illia!”

“We’ll see.”

Micum’s face fell. “What do you mean by that?”

“The child is wizard-born. That might have had some effect, as well as the conditions under which I released him. He was very confused at first. I more or less told him how to get home. We must keep that in mind with the next one.”

Thero and Micum returned to the inn to find Seregil asleep on the couch and Kari pacing the sitting room carpet. Elsbet was asleep beside Illia. The little girl had been tucked into bed in one of Seregil’s nightshirts.

“Did you find the boy?” Kari asked.

“He’s alive!” Micum said, going to her. “Thero saved him.”

She rested her head on his shoulder as his arms went around her. “Thank the Maker!”

“And Illia?”

“Still the same.”

Thero went to her and took her hand in his. “We will save her, Kari. Even if it costs me my own life, I swear to you, we’ll save Illia.”