Seregil nodded. “In that first play of his we saw, the narrator spoke of ‘eastern mountains’ and black ships. Alec noted it at the time, thinking they were talking about Mycena, which didn’t make any sense. I thought it was just poetic license at the time, but perhaps he was talking about his real homeland.”

“I wouldn’t have guessed them to be foreign, having spoken with them.”

“They were actors, after all, and apparently had plenty of time to learn new ways and accents as they went along. So, how long until you can help Illia?”

“I should be strong enough by tonight.”

“I don’t know about that,” Valerius objected.

“We don’t know how long the elixirs last,” Seregil told him. “It’s already been four days, and for one reason or another the stricken ones we know about don’t last much longer than that. For all we know, the unfixed souls can fade.”

“I’ll be fine,” Thero interjected. “As I said, the protection doesn’t take much strength.”

“Will you be strong enough to do what you did with Mika?”

“All I really did was talk to him, and calm him. I can do that, and Illia knows me. Besides, her body will be right there. She won’t have to find her way.”

Despite the reassurances, a chill went up Seregil’s back at the thought of opening that bottle. In his mind’s eye he could still see that fluttering gesture Atre had made.

Sometimes they just float away …

Valerius tended Seregil’s shoulder, packing it with a honey-and-herb poultice that relieved some of the pain, then found a clean tunic for him to replace his torn and bloody one.

Seregil went next to the Palace and was admitted to Korathan’s private quarters, where the prince was in the process of dressing for the day’s duties.

Korathan dismissed the valet and sat down with Seregil in the sitting room. “I received your message last night, and locked the city gates. I took you at your word, given the urgency of the messenger. The actors, however, had already fled, and apparently in a great hurry. The City Watch is searching for them, but they may have escaped before the gates were closed.”

“I see. Well, I doubt they had anything to do with the deaths.”

“I assume this all had something to do with the cabals?”

“Yes and no.” Seregil showed him their evidence and explained the night’s events—the revelation of the cause of the sleeping death, their pursuit of Atre and Brader, and the true manner of the mysterious deaths among the cabals and the general populace. He took out the chain with Elani’s ring and brooch, along with the loose emerald, and gave them to the prince. “You have my deepest apologies for unwittingly exposing Queen Elani to such danger. I’ll abide by whatever punishment you think best.”