Abruptly she remembered the sorcerer and her elation died. Smoke was escaping from the hole she had blasted in the side of the house. Villagers were hauling buckets of water from a well to the building. She felt her stomach knot with fear as she searched for the sorcerer. If he was still there she would have to retreat until Dyara arrived.

Moving over the village, she looked for him in vain. Then she saw a dark figure riding northward on a reyer. She searched for his thoughts and found none. She sighed with relief.

He must have assumed I’d died. And Juran and Dyara must be wondering what happened. She smiled. They’re not going to believe me.

:Juran.

:Auraya? You’re alive. What…? Where are you?

:Over Caram.

:I don’t understand…

:Neither do I. The gods couldn’t make me stronger, so instead they have given me a new Gift. I can see the sorcerer. He is leaving. Should I follow him? Or meet Dyara?

:Don’t put yourself in danger. Meet Dyara. You must both return.

:We can’t let the sorcerer get away! Dyara protested.

:We must. You are stronger than Auraya, but we don’t know if you are strong enough, and until Auraya has completed her training we should not set her against such dangerous sorcerers—even with assistance. Meet Auraya and return to Jarime.

Auraya surveyed the buildings below. Smoke was no longer curling from the house. As she watched, Borean emerged, and from his gestures she guessed he was telling the villagers the water was no longer needed.

:Where are you, Dyara?

:On the road, not far away now.

:I’ll come south and meet you.

Breaking the link, Auraya willed herself into motion once again.

13

The first thing Leiard noticed when Danjin Spear opened the door to Auraya’s rooms was how pale the adviser was. The man’s fear of heights wasn’t as well suppressed as usual, but added to it was amazement and wonder.

“Dreamweaver Leiard,” Danjin said, a little breathlessly. “Mairae said I should send you to the roof. The stairs will lead you there.”

“Thank you, Danjin Spear.”

Cool air gusted out of the room. Leiard paused and glanced over Danjin’s shoulder to see a pair of workmen standing before a window empty of glass.

So that’s the source of his heightened fear. He’s all too aware that nothing lies between him and the drop outside. But why is the glass missing? Has someone fallen through it? He could sense nothing from the adviser or the men to suggest that.

His view of the room was obscured as Danjin closed the door firmly. Leiard shook his head and began climbing the stairs. The mystery would probably be solved when he spoke to Auraya.