I returned from the intensity of my feelings with the same sensation I remember from falling unexpectedly out of a tree: out of breath, startled, and horribly aware that the murmur of other conversation had ceased and everyone was looking at me. I hastily sat down and looked at the dark water that lapped gently at the edge of the raft. “How old were you?” Tisala asked her voice guttural.

“Eight,” said Oreg when I didn’t answer. “At least I think that was the first time. It got much worse later.” His quiet voice was loud to my hot ears.

“I didn’t know it was so bad,” said my uncle beside me.

“Sorry,” I said in utter embarrassment. Then I realized I wasn’t the only one I’d left exposed. “I’m sorry, Tosten.” He didn’t like talking about his attempted suicide so many years ago.

“If she lets you go,” he replied obliquely, “she’s a fool.” I felt Tisala’s fingers touch my shoulder in a quick caress and she leaned closer to whisper, “Maybe you do need me as much as I need you.”

I took her callused, damaged hand in my free one, and my eyes met Kellen’s considering gaze as Axiel gave me respite by beginning another course of the wild ride through the tunnels.

THEDOCKS IN THE UNDERGROUND CAVERN ATCALLISlit at our arrival, but there was no one to greet us.

“Perhaps Alizon was unable to communicate how we were traveling,” murmured my uncle as he helped Axiel tie the boat off.

“My father would have guessed,” said Tisala worriedly, stepping out of the craft and onto the ancient stone dock. “Even if he didn’t intend to support you, sire, he would have left an honor guard to greet you here.”

Oreg stood flat-footed in the raft and I reached out to steady him as a wave bumped him off balance. He didn’t turn his attention to me, just stared into space.

“Do you feel it?” he asked me.

Of course, once he said something, I did. It was just the remnant, like smoke after a fire, but the scent of a Great Magic was in the air.

“Is it the Bane?” I asked, though I sensed the same flavor of magic I’d tasted in Jakoven’s Asylum. Apprehensive certainty suddenly sponsored a hundred terrible things that could have caused Haverness to need his men at his side.

Oreg nodded. “But what has he done with it?”

“My lord?” said Kellen to me.

“Jakoven’s used the Bane,” I said.

“I remember the flavor lingered centuries where Farson loosed it. Some places I can still feel it,” said Oreg dreamily as I helped him onto the dock. “There’s no telling how long ago the Bane’s magic was used.”

“Oreg,” I said sharply, and he refocused on my face.