The atmosphere among the peerage at Midsummer Court was less strained, Dorrin thought. She still caught sharp glances from some of the women and a few of the peerage, but Dukes Mahieran and Serrostin were back to being friendly, and Duke Marrakai had never been less. Daryan Serrostin attended Dorrin at court and also visited his family’s house. Gwenno Marrakai did the same. Beclan, who could not attend court or meet his family, had been allowed to come to Vérella “for his safety” but stayed in Verrakai House. He did not complain and set himself to study the estate rolls Dorrin had brought along and write up her notes from the meetings every evening.

“We have a situation,” High Marshal Seklis said to Dorrin on the second day. “The king and I must speak to you privily.”

Dorrin sighed. She suspected there would always be a situation where she was concerned. “At the king’s pleasure,” she said. She was not surprised when, at the conclusion of the morning session of Council, the king nodded to her and Seklis. She followed him away from the other peers and the table set out with food and drink.

“First—as you know already—Prince Camwyn has shown mage ability,” Seklis said when they and Marshal-Judicar Oktar were closeted in his office. Mikeli had waved Dorrin to a chair, but himself wandered the office restlessly. “He is not the only one.” Dorrin looked at the king, who was staring out a window. “I had … um … not told the king,” Seklis went on, “that I first heard of someone outside the royal family having magery near the Spring Evener. Marshal-Judicar Oktar and I considered it a matter of Girdish law and sent word to the Marshal-General, as you told him to do, quite correctly.”

“If I had known,” Mikeli said, still looking out the window, “I would have spoken with Seklis at once about Camwyn. It was … unfortunate.” His voice was quiet, but Dorrin realized it masked anger.

“I agree,” Marshal-Judicar Oktar said. “I was wrong to instruct Seklis to withhold that information. We wished to have the Marshal-General’s opinion to give the king the best advice, but still—”

“Well.” Mikeli turned back to them, meeting Dorrin’s gaze. “So it was done, and so I found when I told Seklis about Camwyn’s magery. Go on, Seklis.” He turned away again.

“The Marshal-General has convened a special conclave to consider the issue, to which I am bidden,” Seklis went on, looking at Dorrin. “She informs us that magery has appeared in Fintha, as well as in Tsaia. In children as young as five winters, though most are over twelve, and a few adults, all bred of families with no record of it.”

“Where?” Dorrin asked. “In cities or—”