Rushton let talk dwindle, then he rose and told of the search he had initiated for Dragon, ending with the news that he had asked Dameon to bid Dell scry for her.

‘The fact that Dell and Maryon have seen Dragon in the Red Land along with Guildmistress Gordie of the Farseekers means that both of them will have to be aboard the ships when they depart,’ he said. There was a little buzz of surprise at this casual announcement that I would travel to the Red Land, but to my relief, no one lifted a hand to ask why I should go. No doubt they felt that if futuretellers had seen it that was reason enough. Despite the fact that this assumption served me well, I could not help but chafe at the reaction, which implied that I had no say in the matter.

And do you? asked a dry inner voice.

‘Who will be master of Obernewtyn in your absence, Rushton, if you and the Farseeker guildmistress are to go on this expedition?’ demanded Roland. Beside him sat Kader, who had replaced the healer Kella after she chose to remain in Sutrium to run the Healing Centre there.

‘The Empath guildmaster will serve as chieftain of Obernewtyn Shire, as it will be styled after the moon fair. Linnet, Gevan and you, Roland, will act as Dameon’s councillors and the coercer-knights will serve as his armsmen. Of course Ceirwan will serve as guildmaster of the Farseekers in the absence of Elspeth Gordie.’

When Rushton called for a break so that food and drink could be brought in rather than all of us trooping off to the kitchens for nightmeal, I leaned over to ask Ceirwan,‘Did you know Rushton meant to go ahead with the moon fair?’

Ceirwan sat forward. ‘Dardelan is determined to formalise Obernewtyn’s status as a settlement afore Rushton leaves, an’ he wants it done during th’ moon fair so that as many people as possible will witness it and carry the word to the rest of the Land.’ He broke off to accept a mug of mead and a slice of bread and cheese from a tray carried by one of Javo’s helpers. Then he went on. ‘Dardelan reckons those who have nowt yet dared reveal their Misfit powers will gain courage from knowing there is a whole province where Misfits have their own chieftain an’ live in peace.’

‘I thought the idea was to ensure that there were Misfits in all provinces of the Land,’ I said. ‘Will this not make us a target for hatred?’

‘No more so than Zarak’s da in Saithwold, or Kella, who is now mistress of the Healing Centre at Sutrium,’ Ceirwan said. ‘Then there is Oldhaven in the west. From what Garth told me, I think the high chieftains want enough Misfits in positions of power for those with a prejudice against us to think twice.’