“Does this look like a prison?” Seregil asked with a smile. “No, but we’re acting on Governor Klia’s behalf, and as she’s in command of the Guard now, you’ll do well to cooperate with us. You can speak to her yourself tomorrow. She’s coming here, then we’re all going back to Menosi.”

There was no mistaking the terror on the man’s face.

Micum patted his shoulder. “Get into bed and get some sleep, my friend. Things will look better in the morning.”

Anxious as he was for information, Thero had to admit the others were right. Sedge was frightened, disoriented, and exhausted. There was no sense pressuring him.

“Very well, then. Rest, Captain, and I wish you pleasant dreams. Your affliction has been lifted.”

Seregil and Alec followed him out into the corridor and closed the door.

“It won’t help to push him too hard,” said Seregil.

“I know that!” Thero snapped.

“How are you doing? You don’t look well.”

“I’m fine, considering how the day turned out. That man may be the key to this entire business.”

“Tomorrow. Go get some sleep. You can use the room next to Micum’s.”

The very suggestion seemed to weight Thero’s eyelids. Giving the others a parting nod, he went to his room, crawled into bed, and fell into exhausted slumber.

Chapter 10: Dreams and Arrivals

IT was still dark when the sound of shouting brought Thero bolt upright in bed.

Hurrying to the door, he threw it open and started for Sedge’s room, but instead discovered Micum at Seregil and Alec’s door, knocking and jiggling the handle. The raised voice was Seregil’s, and he sounded desperate.

From inside they heard Seregil shout, “No, come back, please!” followed by a thud, then silence.

“Are you two all right?” Micum called, knocking harder.

After a moment they heard the lock turn and Alec opened the door with a blanket pulled around him, Thero’s golden amulet glinting among its folds. “It’s all right,” he whispered. “Seregil just had a bad dream.”

“Another one?” Micum said, concerned.

“It’s nothing!” Seregil growled.

Glancing past Alec, Thero saw Seregil standing naked at the window, arms crossed so tightly across his chest that his shoulder blades stood out under the skin.

“It was just a dream,” he said. Turning, he snatched a dressing gown from the end of the bed, struggled into it, and stalked over to join them. He was wearing his amulet, too, the wizard noted with relief. “Just a dream. Go back to bed.” He was trying to sound annoyed, but Thero could see that he was pale and sweating.

Thero exchanged a worried look with Alec; it was clear the younger man was equally unsettled. “There are dreams, and then there are dreams,” he said. “And you of all people should know that, Seregil. May I come in?”