In Which Xeta's Inquiry Is Mirrored

February 7, 1178

Xeta had always been more of an academic than an athlete, but her girlhood dancing teachers had always praised her for being light of foot and a consistent record of sneaking successes had led her to believe them. But knowing Laveria's keen senses, she might as well have been traipsing around in a pair of iron boots. "How is he?"

Laveria glanced back at the young man and breathed a funny sort of breath, one she didn't breathe often. Xeta had only ever heard it once, when death came to court her precious baby boy and he was nearly too late in refusing it. February was cool enough, but that sniff shot her back to December. "Remiel took most of his essence. I gave him enough of my own to stabilize him, but it's old and stale and any more would do more harm than good. It's a waiting game for now."

Off to the side, Vera sobbed while Nora held back her hair and whispered all those usual assurances that were never assuring at all. Xeta doubted Vera could hear her in any case. She still couldn't remember anyone saying a word to her while Dalston lay fighting for life. "Poor boy."

"Mmm." Lucien tossed and Laveria peeked over, concerned. It was either a sign of life or he was wasting what little energy remained; Xeta couldn't tell and didn't care to guess. "He didn't get to any of the other children?"

Xeta shook her head. She'd woken each of them, something she never did at this hour. If Remiel had touched them, getting them back to sleep wouldn't have been such a struggle. "They're all fine."

"Good." Laveria sighed as Lucien stirred again. Xeta supposed it was safer to assume that was a cause for alarm. "Remiel's locked up in the dungeons with a couple of guards on him. Severin's in conference with Renolt and the captain; there'll be an interrogation before dawn, mark my words."

Vera choked again. Nora rubbed her on the shoulder and glanced up at Laveria. "If he knows if there's a way to help Lucien, is there any chance he'd tell us?"

She already knew the answer--Xeta could hear it in her voice--but she'd asked for Vera's sake. It was a small kindness, but it was something. Laveria answered in a similar vein. "Given what I know about this sort of illness, a better course of action would be to search his old chambers at Armion. He left the country in a hurry; there might still be a stash of Lucien's essence there."

"And his own essence would be preferable to anyone else's."

"If there even is anyone else."

Vera started to say something, but cut herself off another wail. Xeta looked at Nora, whose eyes flitted to the door; Laveria nodded. "Take her to your bed and give her some warm milk with honey. Severin can sleep on the couch if he can sleep at all."

Solemn, Nora paid Lucien one last look and ushered Vera to the door. Back by the bed, Laveria closed her eyes. "Xeta, I want you to go to Severin and tell him what I said about Remiel's old rooms. Don't worry about interrupting them--just make sure he knows. Then come back here to confirm, just for my peace of mind."

Xeta nodded, but remained until the door had swung shut behind the other two. She had a question that couldn't be worded in a way Vera could stand to hear. "Will it really work?"

Once again, answer mirrored inquiry. "I'm not in the miracle business. I only make a point to do everything I can."

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