“Yes.”

“Those wounds need attention, Thero,” said Alec. “Especially your fingers.”

“A cold bath and some salve should suffice. It’s Sedge we need to concern ourselves with now.”

He shook the guard gently by the shoulder, and the captain’s eyes fluttered open. He looked up, then grabbed Thero’s forearm in a painful grip. “Who are you?” he demanded in his own voice.

“You don’t remember me?”

“Never seen you before in my life.” He sat up and pushed Thero aside, then stared at the painted designs on his hands and naked body. “What’s going on here? Who in Sakor’s name are you people? And where in Bilairy’s name are my clothes?”

Seregil fetched the blanket and gave it to him. “My tattered friend here is the wizard who just cured your possession. You’ve been a gibbering madman for weeks.”

Sedge shook his head slowly. “Last thing I remember is hearing screams from the governor’s—” He looked around. “Where am I? What happened to Governor Toneus?”

“You remember nothing?” asked Seregil. “Think, man!”

“Give him time,” cautioned Thero. “Captain Sedge, we brought you here to Mirror Moon to heal you. You were possessed by some sort of spirit.”

“Is it safe to take him back to the house now?” asked Alec.

Thero nodded and together they got the dazed man into the cart. Leaving the cottage as it was, Thero gathered his tools and they headed back.

Dorin unlocked the door at Seregil’s knock and took in the sight of them with barely concealed alarm. Thero’s clothing was shredded, and he and Sedge still bore the painted marks on their faces and hands.

“You’re to say nothing of this to anyone,” Seregil ordered.

“Of course not, my lord. Where do you wish to put your—this man?”

“In the chamber next to mine, but neither you nor any of the household will go in there under any circumstances.”

A sudden wave of dizziness swept over Thero, and he grabbed the back of a nearby chair to steady himself. “I need something to eat. The magic took more out of me than I expected.”

“Come with me,” said Alec, taking his arm. “I’ll tend to your hand. And I’ll bring food up for everyone.”

“Don’t question him without me,” Thero warned.

“Wouldn’t think of it,” Seregil assured him.

Thero handed him the container with the chalk. “Guard this with your life.”

Leaving Thero to Alec’s care, Seregil and Micum led the confused, distrustful Sedge upstairs. He’d clearly never been in such a lavish home and was uneasy being there.

Seregil opened the door to a smaller guest chamber between Micum’s and the one he shared with Alec. It was less gaudily appointed, just a pleasant room with a window looking out over the countryside.

“I’d like a wash, if it’s all the same to you gentlemen,” Sedge told them, clutching his blanket around him.

Micum fetched water and a clean nightshirt from his room, then went off to take a clean robe to Thero. Seregil looked out the window while Sedge took a noisy basin bath.