“He is both magelord and old human on his father’s side,” Forlin said. “I suppose the others could have awakened. After all, the new Duke Verrakai’s powers were.”

“And how is the border with Verrakai now?” Arian asked. She did not want to add to her own story … not that night, at least. “Is it quieter, do you have fewer raiders?”

“It’s been quieter since Midsummer,” Mards said. “Right after our king came, we had a rush of refugees—some injured soldiers, some scared peasants. Then we had a little trouble, some kind of magic users or wizards, but we took care of those—”

“Shot them?” Arian asked.

Cuvis grinned. “They didn’t think blackwood bows could reach that far.”

“Six, altogether,” Forlin said. “I’m guessing Verrakaien or half-bloods. All with Liart’s symbols, when we searched the bodies.” He stretched. “Not much since then, barring a little poaching right at the border. Nothing new in that. Sent ’em back with a lecture. What I hear is the new duke won’t have any Bloodlord nonsense and she’s making it stick.”

“Did you send word to her about the six you killed?”

“No,” Forlin said. “Why ask for trouble? If they’re her relatives—”

“She was told to send them all in for trial—they’re all under attainder.”

“What’s that?” Mards asked. Arian explained what Kieri had told her. The rangers looked shocked. “The entire family?”

“Yes. But this family has been trained to evil a long time, and they even killed their own children to transfer the spirits of elders—”

“Stop.” Forlin held up his hand. “That is not something to talk about in the dark.” His hand trembled. “Arian—if I did not know you for a truthful person—no, I cannot hear this. Not now.”

Arian nodded. “You are right. And I am tired, so let me check my mount and then sleep.”

Morning came with low gray clouds fat with snow.

“How far do you ride today?” Forlin asked, as they drank sib.

“I do not know,” Arian said. “I was going west. Who is on duty at the border?”

“Brek, Taris, and Vorlas have this section, but they are forbidden to cross—we all are. You Squires, though, go where the king wills. If you are on your way to Tsaia, to the court, you would pass Verrakai lands near enough.”

If she were on the way to Vérella, she would be on the road to Harway, and they must know that. Arian looked down. “I will think on it,” she said. “It is true that the duke needs to know some of her relatives have been killed. Did you keep anything that might identify them?”

“We are not looters!” Mards said.

“I didn’t mean that,” Arian said.

“No,” Forlin said, more calmly. “We did not think of needing to identify them, more than that they were Verrakai and attacking. We buried them with all their gear. I suppose, when the bones are clean and raised—though we had not planned to do that—some of their things might be found to name them. Others were there, though: Brek and Taris, but not Vorlas. Embres and Salzir, from the next border group south. I did not ask them.”