“Why, what are…?” He didn’t finish the sentence, remembering how Brother Qown had dealt with the witch-smoke back in Mereina. This smoke was the normal variety, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t choke to death on it. He pulled back his hair.

Brother Qown hesitated. “Wait, the sword—” He looked toward Kihrin’s waist, where Urthaenriel rested.

“Should still work,” Kihrin said. “As long as I don’t try to dispel it or Urthaenriel thinks it’s a threat to me. You’re affecting the air, not my body or tenyé, right?”

“Right.” Qown touched Kihrin’s forehead with a finger and drew something. Qown then moved on to the next person. Immediately, the air tasted sweet and fresh. Kihrin couldn’t smell smoke anymore. He stood up and watched as the smoke parted around his head as if there were an invisible barrier there. Kihrin couldn’t see very far into the smoke beyond, but at least he could stand. And breathe.

“Horses first,” Janel ordered to the room at large. “They’ll end up on the ground fast.”

“Somebody put those hearth fires out.”

Kihrin almost volunteered before he remembered he carried Urthaenriel. No magic for him. As much as he’d have liked to help, he wouldn’t set her down.

He wasn’t sure Urthaenriel would let him set her down.

“What can I do to help?” Kihrin shouted.

“Check the back rooms,” a man answered. “Make sure there’s nobody sleeping or … whatever.”

Kihrin couldn’t see far enough to find the back rooms, but he had a rough idea. He stumbled his way over to them and started opening doors. “Anyone back here?”

The inn offered rooms for overnight guests.

The last of which was occupied.

Kihrin turned away. “Okay, people. Put your clothes on and hurry out here. Stay low—the fireplaces are blocked.” He left as soon as he heard the trio yell back their agreement.

When he returned, the smoke had thinned. Given Urthaenriel’s grousing, he had to assume someone had used magic to dissipate it. Janel came back from the stables with Arasgon, Talaras, and Hamarratus. No one seemed to think that strange.

“Attention, everyone!” Ninavis shouted. “Let’s settle down. It’ll be a while before any cold seeps its way down here. We’ll clean up the smoke. Maybe even see if we can heat these stones up for warmth.”

“Did Aeyan’arric do this on purpose?” someone asked.

“I don’t think so,” Janel answered. “All the accumulated snow and ice must have finally blocked up the chimneys. This doesn’t change a thing, so everyone relax.”