“It was warmer earlier.” Then he rose, taking the bowl over to a stone column. There was a face carved into the polished stone, and she felt a murmur of Fountain magic as Gahalatine held the bowl beneath it. She almost gasped when the carving’s eyes suddenly lit like red coals and steaming water began to stream out of them, as if the face were weeping hot tears, filling the bowl. It reminded her of the magic in the caves at the Glass Beach, the ancient crumbling faces carved into the rock that summoned light and protected the borders.

As Gahalatine carried it back to her, careful not to slosh the hazy water, she asked, “Is that magic from the Deep Fathoms?”

Gahalatine shook his head. “No, this came from another world. Useful, is it not? They are called ‘leerings’ there . . . after the word of power that summons light. Le-ah-eer.”

As he said the word, the carving began to glow, flooding the tent with more light.

“You know words of power?” she asked him, impressed.

Gahalatine knelt in front of her again and shrugged. “A few. When you are around Wizrs, you pick up on them.” He set the bowl down on her lap. “Let me see your hands.”

She pulled off the battle gauntlets that were part of her armor and he set them on the floor. The black tunic beneath her armor went down to her wrists. He gazed at her hands and then helped them into the bowl, washing them with the rag and the warm water.

“Thank you for sending your surgeons to the castle,” she said, realizing that she hadn’t thought to say it earlier. “That was kind of you.”

She saw him smile in a self-conscious way. “Of course you would be worried. We will try to save as many as we can. I brought many surgeons with my ships for the purpose of healing your people after we’d defeated them.” He sighed. “I’ll admit that it was more challenging than I expected. A good fight. An honorable one.” He gave her a tender look and set the bowl on the ground.

“First, you must eat and rest,” he said. “In keeping with our traditions, I’d offer to bathe you completely, but I understand that your traditions and sensibilities are much different, and it would more likely embarrass you than do you honor.”

Her cheeks flushed crimson at his suggestion and he laughed softly. “I thought as much. You will rest in here. I will bring you some food later, and then we can discuss terms.”

She shook her head. “I am not going to rest while my people worry in anticipation. We will discuss terms now. We may well be at an impasse.”