“Not after your nightmare,” Alec admitted. “And not after—Look what I found in the library downstairs.”

He turned the journal to the page with the drawing of the ghost and sat back while Seregil read the entry. When he was done he flipped through the pages for a few moments, stopping here and there, then closed it and looked up at Alec. “Do you think we’re going to die?”

“Do you? Wait, did you see her, too?”

“Yes, when I looked over your shoulder.”

“So if the ghost really means someone is going to die—”

Seregil tossed the book aside and swung his legs over the side of the bed. “I’m not going to get too worked up over it, Alec. I’ll talk to Dorin about it. If anyone knows the history of it, he will.”

“Wait, there’s something else.” Alec retrieved the journal from the rumpled counterpane and found the portrait of the Aurënfaie “prince.”

Seregil raised an eyebrow at that and read the passage carefully. “Well, we don’t have royal titles, of course, but he does have a regal bearing. Handsome fellow, but he can’t have had a happy history, if her dream truly holds any meaning.”

“It makes me want to sleep in the oracle’s cave.”

Seregil grinned as he stood and stretched, belly taut in the early-morning light. “Me, too. I’m sure it can be arranged.”

They washed and dressed for riding, then went to see if Sedge was awake. He wasn’t; nor was Thero, who’d taken Micum’s place sometime in the night. The wizard sat slumped in the chair beside the bed. Red lines still showed on his bare neck, shins, and wrists from his battle with whatever it was that had possessed the guard.

They could hear Micum snoring through the thick wood door and left him to his rest. Downstairs, however, the household was already stirring.

They found Dorin in the library.

“Looking for this?” Seregil asked, holding up the journal. “You’d asked after papers,” the steward replied. “I was looking for it to give to you.”

“Have you read it?” asked Alec.

Dorin hesitated, then nodded. “When I was a boy. I knew better, my lords. I shouldn’t have done it. But I was curious.”

“No need to apologize,” Alec said. “But did you know about the ghost?”

“She is just a lost soul, my lord. She doesn’t hurt anyone. If she did, my father would have told me. And I’ve lived my whole life here. She’s been seen many times. Some of the old stories even claim she helps the people who live here.”

“Thank you, Dorin,” said Seregil.

“Very good, my lord. If you will give me a moment, I’ll see that breakfast is served.”

“No need,” Seregil replied. “I’ve a mind to eat in the kitchen today.”