Sparhawk crossed the gravel and stopped in the shade. Kurik rose and joined him. ‘She won’t be able to go on today,’ the squire said quietly, ‘perhaps not even tomorrow.’

Sparhawk nodded.

‘This is weakening her terribly, Sparhawk,’ Kurik continued gravely ‘Each time one of those twelve knights dies, she seems to wilt a little more. Wouldn’t it be better to send her back to Cimmura when we get to Jiroch?’

‘Perhaps so, but she wouldn’t go.’

‘You’re probably right,’ Kurik agreed glumly. ‘You do know that you and I could move faster if we didn’t have her and the little girl along, though, don’t you?’

‘Yes, but what would we do without her when we got to where we’re going?’

‘You’ve got a point there, I guess. Did you happen to recognize that ghost?’

Sparhawk nodded. ‘Sir Kerris,’ he said shortly.

‘I never got to know him very well,’ Kurik admitted. ‘He always seemed a little stiff and formal.’

‘He was a good man, though.’ ‘What did he say to you? I was too far away to hear him.’

‘He said that we’re on the right course and that we’ll find the answer we need at Dabour.’

‘Well, now,’ Kurik said. ‘That helps, doesn’t it? I was about half-afraid that we were chasing shadows.’

‘So was I,’ Sparhawk admitted.

Flute had laid aside her pipes and now sat beside Sephrenia. She reached out and took the stricken woman’s hand and held it. Her small face was grave, but betrayed no other emotion.

An idea came to Sparhawk. He went to where Sephrenia lay ‘Flute,’ he said quietly.

The little girl looked up at him.

‘Can you do something to help Sephrenia?’

Flute shook her head a bit sadly

‘It is forbidden.’ Sephrenia’s voice was hardly more than a whisper, and her eyes were still closed. ‘Only those of us who were present can bear this burden.’ She drew in a deep breath. ‘Go put some clothes on, Sparhawk,’ she said then. ‘Don’t walk around like that in front of the child.’

They remained in the shade beside the pool for the remainder of that day and all of the next. On the morning of the third day, Sephrenia rose and resolutely began to gather up her things. ‘Time is moving along, gentlemen,’ she said crisply, ‘and we still have a long way to go.’

Sparhawk looked closely at her. Her face was still haggard, and the deep circles beneath her eyes had not lessened. As she bent to pick up her veil, he saw several silvery strands in her glistening black hair. ‘Wouldn’t you be stronger if we stayed here another day?’ he asked her.

‘Not appreciably, Sparhawk,’ she replied in a weary voice. ‘My condition can’t be improved by resting. Let’s move on. It’s a long way to Jiroch.’