Hear me, Waysel. How could he refuse? You know my voice. I can speak in your mind. But your mind does not speak to me. I cannot know your thoughts. Do not fear that I know your thoughts.

This is a shock to both of us, but I am still your Queen. If we survive this war, I will return to Amika and reclaim my throne. Do you hear me, Waysel? No sorcery can change who or what I am.

I am not my father.

For a moment, the sub-Commander seemed stunned. Nevertheless he was an honor guardsman, an officer. Panting, he rallied.

Through Oblique, he said:

—Majesty. Majesty. I was told, but I did not understand. I could not believe— You are deaf? Stone-deaf? And yet you have sorcery? Forgive me, Majesty. You have gone beyond me.

Queen Estie did not reply. Instead, she urged Magister Oblique to approach Waysel.

At once, Oblique hastened to the sub-Commander’s side.

She stood close to him, touched his tense arm gently, offered him her concerned smile and soft voice. At first, his responses were frightened. As she answered them, they became angry. Then, gradually, he began to resemble the man he had once been.

Estie heard nothing. The chamber was as empty of words as a waiting coffin. But she watched Waysel’s progress. When she saw that he had regained his composure, she told him to go back to his men.

Taking a grip on himself, the sub-Commander presented her with the full formality of an Amikan bow. Then he withdrew.

The Queen sighed. To Magister Oblique, she said, “You see what I fear. That was a small example. Others will be worse.”

Certainly, her husband’s would be. If she ever saw him again.

Oblique faced her sadly. When she returned to Estie’s side, she put her hand on Estie’s forearm without sitting.

—I understand, Queen. It is harsh. When Magister Avail was awakened, there was no one who could speak to him. But none of our people feared him. In that way, your plight is more cruel.

As Estie nodded, the sorceress wrote more.

—Forget my list, Queen. You have done enough. I will leave you now. Rest as well as you can. But I must insist on one more visitor. When I come again, I will bring the librarian. She needs to speak with you.

“Perhaps,” murmured Estie, keeping the depth of her reluctance to herself. “If I can.” She yearned to be alone.

To her surprise, Magister Oblique bent down and hugged her briefly. Then the sorceress left.

Queen Estie’s hands shook as she tried to eat a little fruit. Her encounter with Waysel had drawn blood. She did not feel ready to lose more.

She spent an hour drinking wine. When she had achieved a comfortable state of numbness, she asked, Magister Avail?