“He’s been in there a long time, Ward,” Tisala said. “Since it was first built. We left him there because it was the safest place for him—Alizon knew we’d have to wait for success, too. But it’s been too long. He’s not insane, but . . .” Her voice trailed off.

“Not exactly healthy, either,” I finished, inwardly shuddering at the thought of spending years in the Asylum. “How long has it been?” Kellen had disappeared sometime after my father beat me stupid; I couldn’t remember exactly when. But I knew it had been a long time.

“Over ten years,” she said.

What I thought must have shown on my face, because she continued, “It’s not as bad as what they did to you: Mostly they leave him alone. We’ve been looking for a safe way to get him out. Oreg said he’d try it, with your approval.”

There was a plea in her voice, and I realized she was worried that I would refuse. “If Oreg can get him out, we’ll do it. We can take him to Hurog if no one has a better plan. I think the dwarves will agree to transporting him to a safer place.”

I swung my legs to the floor, but was taken with a fit and couldn’t do anything more for a while. When I steadied enough to pay attention again, Tisala had pressed me back on the bed and was crooning to me.

“I’m fine,” I said. “Would you get Oreg and bring him here?”

She looked at me, but I couldn’t tell what she was thinking. After a moment she left.

I must have slept, because it seemed like I only blinked my eyes and Oreg was waiting. Tisala wasn’t with him.

When he saw he had my attention, he said, “Tisala has told you of the man they want me to get out of the Asylum.”

I nodded. “It needs to be done—if you can do it without risk to yourself.”

“It’s the risk to you I’m thinking of,” he replied frankly. “If a man disappears from the Asylum the same day you get out, the king will assume you had something to do with it.”

“I’m not exactly his favorite Shavigman anyway. It doesn’t matter now. In the end, if we get Kellen out, the chances of my surviving to a ripe old age increase tremendously.”

I waited a moment, then said reluctantly, “I hate to ask it of you, but I think it’s our only chance. Alizon’s rebellion needs a hero—and Kellen, as I remember him, might just be the man to pull it off.”