“Well, then,” Dorrin said when he finished, “you’ve made friends here, and in the next few years, your choice may settle. Let me know at once; I will need to speak to the family or families.”

A knock came at the door; Dorrin said “Enter,” and Kieri came into the room. Dorrin and Beclan rose and bowed; Kieri waved them to seats and took one himself.

“I have a request that may seem unfriendly but is not meant that way,” he said. “I know that you and Duke Mahieran were to ride together with Arian to Tsaia, but with all that has happened—”

“It would be better if we left separately,” Dorrin finished. “Do not think I will misunderstand, sir king.” In front of Beclan, she could not be other than formal. “We have stayed longer than planned already, and we do not wish our king annoyed. Arian has told me of a direct way to Verrakai Steading. We might reach one of the rangers’ shelters if we left now.”

“Not until tomorrow, at least,” Kieri said. “Arian wants to speak with you first, and there is something you must see in my office. But if I have your agreement to leave tomorrow or the next day, I may persuade Duke Mahieran to wait a few more days for Arian in case she should be able to travel that soon.” His expression shifted for a moment, and Dorrin realized what “able” meant. He went on. “All the preparation for this visit to Tsaia was undone by the poisoning.”

“Of course,” Dorrin said. She turned to Beclan. “I leave you to supervise the packing, Beclan. It would be best if you sought no last meeting with Rothlin unless Duke Mahieran suggests one.”

Beclan nodded. “Yes, my lord. We have said … what we could say, anyway.”

Dorrin followed Kieri to his office and looked in when he opened the door. “That was a beautiful carpet,” she said. “It looks quite different this way…” Kieri did not answer, and she walked on into the room, aware of his attention behind her. Something she should see? The floor was the most obvious, but though different, it was all clearly a stone floor, squares of green and gray. She looked around and caught her breath at the pattern of colored stone in its center.

Once having looked, she could not look away from it. Colored bands formed a pattern of curving and intertwining lines, forcing her gaze to move along them. She shut her eyes with an effort; against the darkness, little bright lines now writhed as if attempting the same pattern.

“What is that?” she asked. “That pattern … I can’t watch it.” She turned away. When she opened her eyes again, she was facing the end of the room and Kieri’s desk. She felt the pattern behind her still pulling at her.