Luck in the Shadows

him, taking one of Seregil's hands between his own.
    "He really is going to be all right, isn't he?" Alec asked, unable to decipher the old wizard's expression. "The same as he was before, I mean?"
    Nysander gave Seregil's hand a final pat and laid it gently on the sleeping man's chest. "I believe so. He is strong in ways even he is not completely aware of. But you should sleep now, too. I shall send for you when you are rested and we will talk of anything you like. Look for me in the room across the passage or upstairs if you need me."
    When he'd gone, Alec pulled a chair up beside Seregil's bed. It pleased him to see how quietly Seregil slept. His drawn face seemed less empty now, and a faint tinge of color had crept into his sunken cheeks.
    I'll just sit here for a few minutes. Alec thought, propping his feet on the edge of the bed.
    He was asleep almost at once.
    "Alec—" Alec sat up, glancing around in momentary alarm.
    He'd been dreaming of the Grampus and it took a moment to remember where he was.
    Someone had brought in a night lamp and by its soft light he saw Seregil regarding him through half-lidded eyes.
    "Rhнminee?" It was scarcely a whisper.
    "I told you I'd get you here," Alec said, trying to sound nonchalant and failing as he pulled the chair closer.
    Seregil's gaze wandered drowsily around the room and Alec saw a flicker of a smile playing about his pale lips. "My old room—" Alec thought his friend had drifted off to sleep again, but he stirred after a moment and rasped, "Tell me."
    He listened quietly, stirring only to look at Alec's scarred hand, and again at the mention of Valerius.
    "Him!" Seregil croaked. He groped for more words, then shook his head slightly. "Explain later. What do you think of Nysander?"
    "I like him. He's someone you trust right away, like Micum."
    "Always trust him, always," Seregil whispered, his eyelids fluttering shut again.
    When Alec was certain he was soundly asleep this time, he fell into his own bed, only to be awakened a second time by the sound of soft voices. Pushing the quilt back from his face, he saw Valerius and Nysander bending over Seregil across the room. Sunlight slanted across the carpet.
    "Good afternoon," Nysander greeted him. Gone were the embroidered vestments of the night before. His plain robe was frayed at the cuffs and devoid of ornamentation.
    "I should have been up before now." Alec sat up and yawned. "How's Seregil? He came around for a few minutes last night."
    "Well enough," Valerius replied as he finished with a fresh dressing. Drawing the blankets back over Seregil, he turned and surprised Alec with an almost friendly grin. "How are those scratches today?"
    "A little sore."
    Placing a hand under Alec's chin, Valerius tilted the boy's head this way and that. "Nothing serious. See you keep them clean. Nysander told me how you brought Seregil here. You must be as stubborn as he is."
    Still gripping Alec's chin, he extended his other hand palm down toward the floor. The boy shivered as a pleasant chill ran through him.
    "That should take care of anything ailing you."
    Waving a hand at Seregil, Valerius added gruffly, "I expect you to keep an eye on him for me. He's to stay in that bed until I say otherwise, understand?"
    The formidable glint had returned to the drysian's eye, and Alec gave a quick nod of compliance.
    "You must not bully the boy," Nysander chided as Valerius took his leave. "You know very well he is quite trustworthy, and a good Dalnan besides."
    "Aye, but it's not a good Dalnan that he'll be dealing with when Seregil begins to get his pepper back. Good luck to you, lad, and Maker's blessings."
    "And to you!" Alec called hastily after him.
    "You must be famished. I know I am," said Nysander. "Come, I have along a meal laid for us in my sitting room."
    Alec cast a worried glance toward Seregil.
    "Come, you must keep up your own strength if you are to be any help to him," said Nysander, taking
    him gently by the arm. "It is just across the corridor. We shall leave both doors open and come back with our wine as soon as we have eaten."
    Wethis was busy setting out the meal on a round table at the center of the room and nodded pleasantly to Alec as they entered.
    After the massive clutter of the upper rooms, Alec was surprised at the orderliness of Nysander's sitting room. The small chamber was furnished for simple comfort; beyond a round din— jng table, two large chairs faced one another in front of the blazing hearth.