On the other hand, the she-pup interested him even more than Ryzik did. He wished to see her again.

“Agreed,” he said, and moved aside.

“Miss Hegstrom,” Cordus said, “examine Mr. Ryzik, but do not go through his clothing.”

One of the émigré’s people came forward and checked the man over.

“He’s drained, exhausted, and dehydrated, and the barrier did some damage. I don’t see any mortal injury.”

Cordus nodded.

Ten minutes later, they had propped Ryzik up in a corner. He was semi-conscious, and the older female — Hegstrom — was spooning broth into his mouth. Cordus and Ghosteater stood back, waiting.

“Mr. Ryzik,” Cordus said.

The man mumbled something unintelligible. Hegstrom gripped him under the chin and forced his face up. He blinked blearily.

“Yeah,” Ryzik said, slurring.

“Where is Miss Ryder?”

“Carven strait. Dunno where it took her.”

“Where is the strait?”

“Pocket.”

“Mr. Williams, bring the strait to me.”

The barrier-worker pulled on a pair of gloves before taking the stone ball out of Ryzik’s pocket. He brought it over to Cordus, who examined it while Williams held it. Eventually, Cordus reached out and took it, not bothering to cover his skin. Everyone in the room felt the strait grasp at him, but with a concentrated expression, Cordus overpowered its pull.

He held the ball for a while, studying it.

Finally he said, “The corresponding strait is in an ancient stratum or isolate of the S-Em. It is functional.”

“Fresh water? Predators? Food supply?” Hegstrom asked.

Cordus shook his head. “That I cannot tell.”

“I’ll go,” Williams said. He smelled annoyed.

“Perhaps,” Cordus said.

Williams frowned. “It’s been four days. Good chance she’s dead already.”

“Nevertheless, this situation requires some thought and planning before anyone enters the strait. Elder beast, I suggest we return to my home. Mr. Ryzik can be cared for there, and we can consider how best to retrieve Miss Ryder.”

Ghosteater stood, assenting.

About six hours later, Ghosteater stood in a small room with Cordus and a handful of his people.

Ryzik was sleeping off his ordeal in the estate’s healing facility, across the hall. So long as he was here, the émigré would keep him drained by force. Ghosteater found the idea unpleasant, but he accepted it — the ways to detain a powerful worker were few.

Cordus had decided that Williams and two others would enter the fragment. The one named Zion was a tracker. She would find the she-pup. The other, Sanchez, was a healer. Williams, the barrier-worker, would protect the group. The team had been equipped with weapons and survival gear.

Ghosteater surveyed the rescue party.

He did not like company.