“Yes. Apparently he won’t remember anything that has happened since he walked into the Spires.”

“That will be awkward.”

“I suppose so.” She let him help her to her feet, let him guide her back across the terrace, under the tower, each step on the road a pinch of pain. But it didn’t hurt nearly as much as the pain of losing the haunt and knowing there had been no other way.

Inside the stables, by the light of a lamp, Jirvy was settling the horses. He looked up. “Oh, good. I was just about to come out and look for her. I know they’re angry, but it wasn’t right to leave her out there alone. Kem, have you seen any sign of the garrison, or the garrison’s horses, for that matter?”

“I haven’t.”

“I’m headed back out to scout, then. Can you stay with the horses?”

“Yes, that would suit me,” said Kem. “My thanks.”

By the door, Jirvy looked back. He brushed fingers over his face as if tracing the tracks of the tears he saw on Elen’s. Then he shrugged and went out, shutting the door.

It was cozy in the stables. The horses were content to be inside, watered and fed, with other horses nearby. Safety in numbers. A fire burned in a brick hearth at one end, beside a stall fitted out with bunk beds, a table, and a bench. Kem led her to the lower bunk. She sank down, too exhausted to stand, she who was never too tired to care for those who needed help.

She folded forward over her legs and laid her head on her arms. She couldn’t find the energy to move. Kem hustled about, whistling under his breath. Eventually, he went out, then returned a little later. The smell of hot soup brought her head up. Even stricken as she was, she never rejected food.

“From the kitchen,” he said, holding a tray with two covered bowls and a platter of sliced, steamed turnips. “Xilsi is cooking. She’s a funny one. So high and mighty, like she’s used to parading around the palace in the company of the exalted palace-born, but then she goes and cooks for the rest of us, like any ordinary person might do.”

“Feeding people is a great blessing, not ordinary at all,” Elen said reflexively.

“If you say, ‘I know what it’s like to wake up hungry and go to bed hungry,’ I’m not giving you this bowl.” He set the tray down on the table. “Do you need help getting over here?”