“That’s enough, Ipis,” said Xilsi sharply. “If she had Spore in her, it would have wriggled free by now.”

The sting of the blade ceased as it was pulled back and the sword sheathed. “What was he doing down here?” Ipis said in a frustrated tone.

“Some kind of spell,” said Simo. “He’s been acting strangely this entire journey. Do you think Prince Astaylin could have had him bewitched at Orledder Halt? Could there have been an illegal theurgist hidden amid the Duenn Manor entourage?”

“A theurgist?” Ipis said in a startled voice. “Manors aren’t allowed to have them. Theurgists all have to go to the Heart Temple.”

“That doesn’t mean some don’t skulk around, does it?” said Xilsi in a dry voice, as if she knew of a couple.

“But what could a theurgist do? They control elemental spirits, not people. Unless you’re saying elemental spirits can be used to control people.”

“I agree it seems unlikely,” said Xilsi, drier than ever, “but if they could, then you can be sure the emperor knows how it is done.”

“This reminds me of what happened to His Highness at the Spires, the way he fainted,” said Jirvy. He added, “I see no Spore, Captain. He’s clean.”

“Let’s get him into the tower. Warm him up. Ipis, run ahead. You and the interlocutor get a fire going. Heat water. Go! Jirvy and Xilsi, carry him between you. Gently!”

Still fighting the disturbed viper inside her, Elen shuddered convulsively, barely registering their movements, their footfalls, their departure, their absence.

He was gone.

He was gone.

She had never sought a person who would see the heart of her and love her for it. That wasn’t a dream meant for the likes of her. She was a worker, a guardian, a protector. A courier. Someone whose life served others, and that was enough. There was joy in her ordinary life, and incandescent sunrises and blazing flowers and laughter and good wine, sometimes, and cheese so salty it brought tears to your eyes, and a hearty song shared with others, and good boots to walk the path of life. She really cherished good boots.

But not this.

He was gone.

A sob broke, heaving her body. A flood tide of grief rushed through her, and she couldn’t hold it back. All her life funneled into this moment, huddled on the shore of the Pall that in its own way had saved her and Ao, and yet taken him from her. A cruel exchange.