Ceirwan nodded. ‘Dardelan thinks they will stage some sort of demonstration to make a point connected to the moon fair, but the meetin’ is to happen first, in Sawlney. Zarak said our high chieftain means to ride out from Sutrium afore dawn on darkmoon as if he is headed up here as planned. But in reality he will ride as far as Saithwold, then turn an’ ride back to Sawlney with a host of armsmen at his back. Reuvan told Zarak that Dardelan bade him ask Gevan to send down some of his own people to take part in the attack, an’ any of the coercer-knights that can be spared. They and a good many of the men an’ women now on road patrol will rendezvous at his father’s property.’

‘I just hope that Dardelan arrives here intact and in time for the opening of the moon fair,’ I said. ‘It would seem an ill omen if, after his insistence on holding the ceremonies that will turn Obernewtyn into a shire and Rushton into a chieftain, Dardelan did not appear to play his part. Did Reuvan mention Analivia at all?’

‘Zarak dinna say but he did have one bit of news from Reuvan that will make ye happy,’ Ceirwan said. ‘Dameon is on his way back from Oldhaven.’ My heart lifted, but Ceirwan’s expression remained serious as he went on. ‘But Elspeth, ye ought to ken that Dragon is nowt with him.’

My heart sank, and yet a part of me was not surprised. Somehow it had always seemed too easy and too neat a solution to the girl’s disappearance that Dameon would find her. I mastered my disappointment by reminding myself that tonight I would have the opportunity to ask Atthis where she was. And despite all this, my spirit lifted at the news that Dameon was on his way home.

But as I mounted the few wide steps leading up to the main Healing Hall a few minutes later, it struck me that Dameon would arrive in time for me to say a final farewell to him.

It was almost a relief to see Kella coming along the large chamber towards me. She had not yet noticed me as she walked slowly, hands clasped behind her back, head bowed in thought. Then she lifted her head and saw me. I was shocked to see how haggard she looked.

‘What has happened to the twins?’ I asked.

She blinked at me out of red-rimmed eyes and said with fretful irritation, ‘Nothing has happened. They are both dying and I cannot help them. Gevan is a strong coercer and Kader helped us and we used Sover’s techniques. We worked so hard and for so long, but we could not reach their minds. This is my fault for not coming up to Obernewtyn sooner.’