“Oh, no, nothing so powerful, my—Alec, that is. If I was I wouldn’t have lived all those years with a collar around my neck.” Her hand stole to the high neck of her gown, which covered the worn-in scar of metal on flesh. “No, I can do a little trick here and there. Moving small things, mostly, but I can sometimes light the kindling when there’s no flint handy.”

“Did the man who enslaved you know?” asked Seregil.

“By the Light, no! During the Dark Times, before Kouros was rescued, the Plenimarans would kill any ’faie with so much as a hint of kitchen magic about them. Usually it was children, who didn’t know enough to be careful and got caught. Sometimes, though, a necromancer would come through and check households who paid him to ferret out any ’faie with the powers. I was lucky; he never came here. When one was found, though, we were all dragged off to the place of execution and made to watch.” She wiped her eyes on a corner of her apron, then took a skillet off a hook, threw in the bacon, and set it to fry on a grate over the hearth. Poking the strips straight with a fork, she shook her head and said softly, “It was horrible, what they did to them.”

“Weren’t any of them strong enough to fight back?” asked Alec.

“That sort didn’t end up as slaves.”

“I suppose not. I’m sorry.”

She looked back at him. “Nothing to be sorry for, my dear. That’s all behind us now, thanks to Princess Klia and those like her. Like you two, as well, with all your kindness. It truly is a new day for Kouros.”

“Are there many others with magic?” asked Seregil.

“I don’t know. It was the sort of thing you didn’t share with anyone. Knowing and not telling was as bad as having the magic yourself.”

“I suppose so.”

As soon as the bacon was crisp she heaped four plates with it, oatcakes laced with honey, and fresh bread spread thickly with butter. Alec entertained them with tales of Rhíminee while they all ate together.

When they were through, Seregil and Alec carried heavily laden trays up for Thero and Sedge.

“How are you feeling today, Captain?” Alec asked as Sedge eagerly set upon the hot food.

“Better than last night,” he replied. “Been talking with Lord Thero here. Reckon I owe you all an apology for how I acted.”

Micum came in just then, pulled over a chair, and sat down by the bed. “Not a bit, after what you’ve been through.”

“My family—can I go to them? My poor wife must be beside herself with worry.”