Alec’s eyes stung as he whispered a prayer for the man’s soul, hoping Astellus had led him safely to Bilairy’s gate. He shrugged out of his coat and pulled his shirt over his head to bundle the bones together. He found Seregil in the central chamber, peering at something on the ground.

“I found Sedge’s name scratched on a cell wall, and his bones,” Alec called as he set his bundle carefully on the ground. “These should go to his family.”

“Astellus carry him softly, poor fellow,” Seregil murmured as he joined him. Then, to Alec’s surprise, Seregil slipped a hand around the back of Alec’s neck and rested his forehead against Alec’s for a moment.

“I was never down here,” Alec whispered.

“No, but you could have been.”

They climbed the stairs and found Micum Cavish glaring down at them from his horse. “And just where in Bilairy’s name have you two been?” he demanded. “As if Klia doesn’t have enough to worry about!”

“Just tying up some loose ends,” Seregil told him as he mounted his horse.

“And getting filthy in the process. What did you find down there?”

Alec mounted one-handed and showed Micum the long bundle he carried. “We found Captain Sedge.”

Micum’s anger evaporated. “The poor fellow. After all he went through.”

“How is Thero?” Seregil asked as they set off.

“Alive. Klia and Kordira are with him.” He stroked his moustache. “By the Four, we came close to losing him.”

“We came close to losing all of us,” said Seregil and kicked his horse into a gallop.

Dorin met them in the great hall at Mirror Moon.

“How is Lord Thero?” asked Alec.

“Doctor Kordira is tending to him, my lord.”

Vhadä came clattering halfway down the stairs. “There you are! Lord Thero is awake. Come on!”

Alec hesitated, knowing he stank of sweat, dust, and sex, but Seregil grabbed his elbow and hurried him upstairs to Thero’s chamber.

Klia sat beside Thero on the large bed, holding his hand, and Mika stood on the other side of the bed, elbows on the mattress. Kordira was leaning over the wizard, helping him drink from a cup.

“He’s awake,” Mika whispered.

“So we heard,” Alec whispered back and went with Micum and Seregil to stand at the foot of the bed.

Kordira straightened up, and Alec saw Thero’s face. The wizard was propped up on pillows, looking pale and exhausted. “Alec?” he rasped, opening his eyes. Still pale green, they were cloudy white where the pupil should have been; Thero was blind.

Seregil went to the bed beside Mika and covered Thero’s hand with his own. “Thero, I’m so—”

“Don’t!”

“What happened?” Alec murmured to Micum.