“Indeed?” As far as he knew, Kordira knew nothing of Sedge being cleansed of a demon. If Zella was possessed, they were going to need Thero’s help to get much out of her. “So someone from Mirror Moon came to fetch you?”

“Yes, one of the young men who tends your horses. I attended to her, spent the night, and rode out to inform you and your friends this morning. I thought it would be better, hearing the news from me, since I’m better able to convey her condition.”

“I see.” Pain was not improving his manners. “What exactly did Zella say?”

“Most of it made little sense. She talked about a shadow, and a madness coming over the horses.”

“But she didn’t say why she alone was spared?”

“I asked her about that but she wasn’t lucid enough to understand the question.”

“Hopefully she’ll be of sounder mind today.”

“I wouldn’t count on it.”

“Who found her?”

“A young man in your employ, I believe. He was on his way to the city for something and noticed her lying under the bridge.

“The bridge? That’s on the far side of the estate.”

“Does that matter?”

“I thought Klia might stop in at the house on her way by, that’s all.”

Vhadä was the first to meet them at Mirror Moon as they came up the lane by the pool. Jumping up from his frog catching, he trotted along beside the cart. “Welcome back, Baron. Are you hurt, too?”

“I did get into a bit of a scrape,” Seregil replied. “Run ahead and let the housekeeper know we’ve returned.”

Vhadä nodded and ran ahead.

“I made a much more impressive entrance last time I was here,” Seregil managed grimly as they came to a halt in the courtyard.

Dorin and an Aurënfaie man who looked familiar helped him into the house and upstairs to the chamber where Lady Zella lay, the one Sedge had occupied. Kordira came up with them and helped them settle Seregil into an armchair by the bed, then sent them out.

Zella lay motionless under the coverlet, hair loose over the pillow, her plain face pinched and pale. There were several livid bruises on her face.

Seregil watched as Kordira felt the woman’s brow and pulse and smelled her breath. “How is she?”

“A bit better, I think. I left the same decoction that I made for Sedge here, to be given to her by your housekeeper. Mistress Khiria is very kind.” She stroked Zella’s cheek. “Wake up, my dear.”

Zella’s eyes fluttered open, and she looked up at the doctor with recognition and relief. “There you are! Oh, Doctor, I’ve had the vilest dreams.”

“It’s all right. You’re perfectly safe here.”

Zella looked around in confusion. “Where am I?”

“At Mirror Moon,” Seregil told her. “You don’t remember coming here?”