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Adya would tell him. Not at the moment. Zelyert was angry even before I
returned from Dereka. Do you know why?
No, sir. He d been at the Palace, and he was short-tempered when he returned.
He didn t say why. He told Da-lyrt that he d have to take the petitions in the
Hall today. The way he said it no one wanted to ask why.
He was in Ludar yesterday. What sort of mood was he in when he came back?
I couldn t say, sir. He came back after I left for the day. Dalyrt was the
one who had to wait.
Dainyl was still light-headed, although he could feel some Talent-strength
returning. Could I persuade you to get me something to eat and drink?
Yes, sir. I can do that.
Her acquiescence was frightening, almost as though she couldn t wait to leave
the study.
Dainyl took a deep breath. He had to get his thoughts together. He supposed he
needed to tell Khelaryt. But what could he, what should he tell the Duarch?
And was it wise to appear Talent-tinged in green in the Palace?
Could he conceal some of the green? Turn it inside, and leave the purple
outside?
He concentrated, attempting not to change what he was, but only the outward
radiation of the mixed Talent he seemed to embody. By the time he finished, he
was even more lightheaded, and he lowered his head into his hands for several
moments, straightening up only when he sensed Adya returning.
You re looking much better, sir. Most of the green s faded. Not all, but
most. She carried a wooden tray, on which were a small loaf, a wedge of white
cheese, and a beaker.
I d think it should fade over time. Dainyl was beginning to have doubts
about that. Exactly what had been in the weapon Rhelyn had used? Or had the
ancients healing of him made him more susceptible to showing the green? It
couldn t just have been the result of his recent drawing on the black-green
Talent. He d had a tinge of green before.
Dainyl ate the entire loaf of bread and the cheese and drank the whole beaker
of cider. He did feel more clearheaded when he finished, and far better than
he ought to have, given what he d been through.
Adya stood waiting, as if fearful of leaving.
Dainyl didn t even know the protocol for seeing the Duarch. In the past, he
had only responded to requests and sent reports, but what had happened merited
more than a report, and it couldn t wait, especially if what he feared might
be happening.
Adya, is the Highest s coach here?
Yes, sir. I think so.
I ll need a ride to the Palace.
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Let me check, sir.
No sooner had Adya scurried off again than Chastyl appeared in the doorway.
Might I come in? Dainyl nodded.
The recorder s eyes dropped to the shimmersilk garments still on the floor,
then he looked at Dainyl, clearly comparing the marshal s plain blue and gray
shimmersilk uniform to the richer raiment of the late High Alector. Ah ...
who ... will you ... ?
I have no idea, Chastyl. I asked Adya to find the coach so that I could
report Zelyert s unfortunate death to the Duarch.
You ... intend to do that personally, sir? The recorder s tone suggested the
lack of wisdom in such a course.
How else? If the Duarch finds my self-defense unacceptable, what would be the
point of telling him indirectly? Indirection has never been my strength,
Chastyl.
Ah ... no, sir. I ve observed that.
What should I know, Chastyl? You had something to tell me, I d wager.
Chastyl s eyes dropped once more to the garments that had been Zelyert s, as
if the recorder could not believe what had happened. Ah ... yes, sir ... I
think, sir. You d mentioned that you d thought that the Highest had gone to
Ludar. He did, but he was furious when he returned, the kind of anger he
walled away, but so great not even his Talent could hide it.
Do you know why?
No, sir. When he left the Table, he said, Beware those who know everything
and understand nothing. That was all, except for one thing. Almost as an
afterthought, he added, The marshal knows nothing, yet understands almost
everything. That makes him all the more dangerous. After what s happened, I
thought it might make sense to you.
I ll have to think about that. I appreciate your letting me know. Dainyl had
the feeling he did in fact understand. That suggested even more that he needed
to talk to Khelaryt before anyone else did.
If that s all, sir, I d better be returning to the Table.
I won t keep you. Thank you. Dainyl managed a smile he hoped was pleasant as
Chastyl inclined his head and backed out of the study.
As though she had been waiting in the corridor, which she had been, Adya
stepped into the doorway. The coach is ready for you, sir.
I appreciate your finding that out for me. Dainyl stood and walked
deliberately to the inner stairs and up them.
A cold mist filled the air and continued to seep out of the low-lying clouds
as Dainyl left the Hall of Justice and walked down the wide stone steps to the
waiting coach.
To the Palace, sir?
The Duarch s entrance, please.
Yes, sir.
Dainyl climbed into the coach. Was he the imbecile Zelyert had suggested, or
merely foolhardy, as Chastyl had hinted? Neither, he tried to convince
himself. Fleeing or delaying would only make matters worse, not only for him,
but for Lystrana and Kytrana.
The coach ride was short, and in fact, Dainyl could have walked the distance,
but somehow walking up to the Palace did not seem to fit the occasion and
riding was quicker, if not by that much. He stepped out of the coach onto the
wide marble mounting block.
Would you like me to wait, sir? asked the driver.
I d appreciate that. With the mist thickening, Dainyl glanced from the
Palace to the north, where a wall of gray bore down on Elcien, the first of
many winter fogs, he suspected. Then he turned and strode through the archway
and past the pair of guards armed with lightcutter sidearms. As he had
suspected, Bharyt appeared almost immediately.
Marshal Dainyl... The functionary s forehead creased into a puzzled frown.
I do not recall...
I was not summoned, nor do I have an appointment, Bharyt. I m here to see the
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