Dorrin took the stick, worn smoother at one end by long handling by many. “I am willing,” she said.

“Do not be surprised,” Berris said, “if something happens. I will ask questions.” Dorrin nodded. “Dorrin Verrakai,” he began. “Do you serve Falk and the High Lord?”

“Yes,” Dorrin said.

“Do you intend your magery to serve good?”

“Yes,” Dorrin said.

“Have you ever, in any way, consented to Liart’s evil?”

Dorrin hesitated; the wood in her hands grew warm, warmer than her grip should make it. “As a child,” she said. “In pain and fear, when I could no longer resist, I did a few times as I was commanded.”

“Have you ever used magery for your own profit, in any way whatsoever?”

“No.”

“By the power of Gird and the High Lord, I ask if truth be proved,” Berris said.

In her hands, the wood glowed as bright as any magic weapon; she could see the bones of her hands through illuminated flesh. Then it faded.

“Well,” Berris said. “I believe we may trust whatever comes, Sir Valthan. And now let us all pray.”

They knelt in silence for a time, Dorrin with them. When Berris rose, Dorrin and Valthan did also.

“What proofs would you have?” Berris asked. “We cannot produce a Verrakai lord—other than Dorrin, here—to test her powers on.”

“She has said she wants to shield us from attack—if there is any way to show that—”

“I cannot both shield you and attack you,” Dorrin said. “But I can shield myself and you, or myself and the Marshal, while the other one attacks physically. Will that serve?”

“If that’s the best you can do—” Valthan began.

“Gird’s arm!” Berris said. “I suggest three things. Make light. Hold one of us—or both of us—still so we cannot move. Then as you suggest, protect yourself and one of us against attack. That would convince me, if I were going with you.”

“You’d be welcome to come,” Dorrin said.

“Nay, I spent time enough away this winter. Let’s get to it. Can you make light?”

In answer, Dorrin set her hands alight and—as she had learned—expanded that light, making it brighter until the men squinted against it.

“Well and good,” Berris said briskly. “Now—Sir Valthan, do you and I draw blades, and starting at the main door, walk toward her, and see if she can stop us, and how far her power extends.”

Dorrin, on the platform, let them get to the door and turn, then sent her power out—and they both stopped midway of their first step. Valthan’s eyes widened; Berris scowled. She relaxed the power slightly; they struggled forward, like men walking in deep water. When she increased it again, once more they stopped short; when she released it, they both staggered before walking toward her at their usual pace.

“That must be what happened to the prince,” Valthan said, frowning. “Horrible feeling; I strained every muscle to move and could not.”

“What interests me,” Berris said, “is that I have seen and felt no taint of evil in it at all.” He looked at Valthan. “Do you want to go on with the third test?”