For the first time, a spasm of uncertainty twisted Xilsi’s usually confident features, as if the memory made her uncomfortable. Her gaze flashed nervously toward the haunt.

He was watching the byplay, as always, and he raised a hand. “You have my permission to gossip another time with my warden, Sar Worvua. For now, I require Lord Genia’s report.”

The young woman slipped off her stool and knelt, covering her face. “The fault is mine, Your Highness.”

He glanced at Elen, and she gave a quick shake of her head. He cleared his throat and flicked his fingers in that way he had, as if brushing away a nuisance of flies. “Gossip is like honey, hard to resist when it lies right out there in the open to be licked up by every tongue. But this is not the place or time. Sit. Sit.”

Worvua scrambled back up to a stool as her grandmother gave her a look that would have killed anyone else. “You are gracious, Your Highness.”

With another sigh, he rubbed his forehead. “So everyone feels obliged to tell me,” he muttered before lowering his hand. “Lord Genia, do you have the message the scout left?”

“It was verbal, Your Highness, according to your usual protocol.”

In the company of others, they retained a formal relationship, Elen noted, and she supposed the haunt was glad of it, since it gave him less chance to slip up with someone familiar with him.

“Of course. I am relieved to know my protocol is being followed faithfully.” Yet his eyes narrowed in a way that made Elen guess he was annoyed, not relieved. A physical message could have been read for more information about the prince’s mission.

Simo said, “The scout must have delivered the message and flown directly toward Orledder Halt, only to be shot down near the ruins of Olludia Halt.”

Lord Genia shook her head with a grim frown. “It’s so difficult to believe that to be true. A dead griffin!”

“All too true,” said the haunt. “Were I ever to find the criminal who murdered that beautiful creature, I would tear them limb from limb.”

He rose and took a turn around the room while the others waited in respectful silence. Luviara had her journal out, and she wrote with swift strokes. Her expression had a stony blankness that worried Elen. Why had the haunt said to tell only Ipis and Kem about the dead scout and griffin, not Luviara?

The haunt sat back down. “The scout, too, of course. Appalling treason to murder a loyal servant of the emperor. But that investigation will have to wait until my return to the palace. Lord Genia, tell me of the remains on the burning ground.”

“Remains? Ah, that’s a strange story, Your Highness. One of my patrols caught a man hurrying south alongside the road. He was not walking on the road, which is always suspicious.”