Thero took her hand. “His fear was so great, he’d probably have found a way no matter what. The thought of returning to Menosi was too much for him.”

Zella joined them and dismounted. “I trust all is ready, my lords? By the Light, Lord Thero!”

“I’m quite all right,” Thero assured her. “Would you mind watching Mika for me? Ah, and here’s a friend for you,” he added as Vhadä appeared shyly in the doorway. “Vhadä, would you show Mika the pond? We’re going to interview Captain Sedge.”

The boys grinned at each other and took off running for the pond, Vhadä already extolling its features.

“Then you were able to help him?” asked Zella. “Illior must have looked kindly on him.”

“Indeed, and me, as well,” he replied.

Alec and the others led Klia up to Sedge’s room.

They found him playing cards with Micum, laughing together as if they were old friends. Alec smiled; Micum often had that effect on people. The captain was dressed in unfamiliar clothing of Plenimaran cut, no doubt left by the previous inhabitants.

At the sight of Klia’s uniform and golden gorget he jumped to his feet and pressed his fist to his heart. “Highness, I am yours to command!”

“Thank you, Captain. I’m glad to find you looking so well.”

Sedge dropped his fist but remained standing at attention. “I have these kind men to thank for that, Highness. Lord Thero, I believe my memory’s improved, now that I’m not in fear for my life.”

Klia took a chair by the window and motioned for the others to sit. “At ease, Captain. Please, sit down.”

Sedge hesitated, then settled stiffly on the edge of the bed.

“Now, I need a full report of what happened that night, or at least what you’ve remembered,” Klia told him, getting down to business.

“I’ll do the best I can, Highness. Most of it’s a blur, still. Phania and I were talking to the guards outside Governor Toneus’s room, he and the lady having turned in for the night. There was no sign of any strangers about; in fact, we hadn’t seen so much as a servant for some time. It must have been around midnight when we heard the screams.” He was pale now, and his fists were clenched on his knees.

“Who was screaming?” asked Klia.

“It came from inside the room, Highness, so it could only have been the governor and his lady. I remember the lieutenant yelling for help. The door was locked and the governor had the only key, so I had to kick it down. It took some doing and the screaming stopped before I got it open but when I did—” He passed a shaking hand across his eyes. “I just got a glimpse of—of what was left of them when I heard Phania cry out behind me. I turned and saw her disappear into thin air, or rather into some kind of deeper darkness there in the corridor. She was just—gone. Then something came out of the darkness at me.” He shuddered and sat there, staring down at his hands.