Elkar shrugged. ‘It might be different if all of the Hedra captains and inner cadre Herder priests had not been taken to the mainland. Those remaining had little power even when the Faction ruled, and remember most were originally taken by the Herders when they were children and forced into the order. They adapted because death or slavery was the only other choice, but if you saw them now, contentedly working alongside the Norselanders, you would wonder how the Faction ever came to have power. There was so little joy or gain in it even for those who reached its heights. The more I think on this, the more curious I become about what your teknoguilders will discover once they read those tomes the first Herders brought to our lands.’

‘What of the mine shadows?’

Elkar’s expression changed. ‘Some have already died and more than half of the rest are in the Healing Centre. But they are free, and they are being cared for and have such pleasures and comforts as we can offer them, as the heroes and victims they are. Some of the other shadows serve the healers as best they can, and ironically they work alongside the Herders who were healers under Faction rule. Many of the Herder healers have willingly remained at the Centre, though most were pardoned by our council because they had always done what they could to help those who were the victims of their masters. They all but worship Sover, who says he is a healer these days far more than he ever was a coercer. I carried a missive from him to the mistress of the Healing Centre in Sutrium, asking her to send trained healers and especially those with knowledge of physical healing and of herb lore, that they might teach Norselanders their skills. In exchange he offered to teach them new ways in which empathy can be used in healing. He sent another missive for the Empath guildmaster asking that empaths be sent to Herder Isle to train with the healers. I have yet to deliver it, however, for Guildmaster Dameon travels in the west coast.’

It was a blow to hear that Dameon was still in the west, but I hid my disappointment and said, ‘If you leave it with me, I will see that he gets it when he returns to Obernewtyn. But tell me more of this new use of empathy in healing.’