Olameer looked at him closely. “They sound like link memories.”

“Probably,” Leiard agreed.

“But you are unsure,” Olameer stated. “Do you have other memories that you are not certain are yours?”

“Many,” he admitted.

“Forgive me, but what are link memories?” Tanara interrupted.

Olameer smiled. “Dreamweavers sometimes link minds in order to communicate concepts and memories to each other. It is quicker and easier to explain some things that way. We also occasionally use links as a part of our rituals and a way to get to know another person.” She looked at Leiard and her smile changed to a thoughtful frown. “We tend to accumulate memories that are not our own, but usually we can tell which are ours and which are not. If a memory is old, however, it is easier to forget that it was not ours. And in rare instances, where a Dreamweaver endures a traumatic event, his or her memories will mix with link memories.”

Leiard smiled. “I have not suffered such an event, Olameer.”

“None that you remember,” she replied softly.

He shrugged. “No.”

“Would you…would you like to perform a linking tonight? I could examine these link memories and try to find the identity behind them.”

Leiard nodded slowly. “Yes. It has been too long since I have performed the ritual.” He noticed Jayim staring at him and smiled. “And Jayim should join us. He has remained untrained since his teacher died six months ago.”

“Oh, don’t put yourselves out for me,” Jayim said hastily. “I’ll only…get in the way.”

Tanara stared at her son in surprise. “Jayim! You should take advantage of such a generous offer.”

Leiard looked at Olameer. Her expression was knowing.

“I can’t. I’m visiting a friend tonight,” Jayim told his mother.

Millo frowned at his son. “You did not mention this earlier. Are you planning to go alone? You know it’s dangerous.”

“I’ll be fine,” Jayim said. “It’s not far to Vin’s place.”

Tanara’s lips pressed together. “You can go in the morning.”

“But I promised,” Jayim protested. “He’s sick.”

Tanara’s eyebrows rose. “Again?”

“Yes. The breathing sickness. It gets worse in summer.”

“Then I had best go with you,” Leiard said. “I know many treatments for illnesses of the lungs.”

“I—”

“Thank you, Leiard,” Tanara said. “That is kind of you.”

Jayim glanced from his mother to Leiard, then his shoulders slumped. Tanara stood and started gathering the dirty dishes. Olameer yawned delicately, then rose to help.

“Just as well,” she murmured. “I am probably too tired to be of any use to you, Leiard. I never sleep well on ships.”

He nodded. “Thank you for the offer. Perhaps another time?”