Shadows Return

have escaped and continued on, but they should have reached you by now.”
    Even in the muted light of the bedchamber, he could see the anger flashing in Klia’s blue eyes. “Do you think my sister may have had something to do with their disappearance?”
    “No!” he said hastily, for the benefit of any spying listeners. “Of course not. In fact, there is evidence that they were taken by Zengati slavers. The odd thing is, the rest of the Aurënfaie escort and the Skalans were killed and left, Captain Traneus among them.”
    Klia pushed her hair back over one shoulder and gave him a wry look. “Can’t say that I’ll shed any tears for that man. What does Korathan say to all this?”
    “He’s tasked me with the search.”
    “Good. I’ll set out for Rhíminee as soon as I can.”
    Thero hoped his disappointment wasn’t too clear on his face. “I will contact you again as soon as I’ve figured out what to do.”
    An awkward moment passed as she waited for him to disappear and he couldn’t help hesitating just a moment longer. “Stay well, Highness.” With that, he broke the spell and passed a hand across his forehead. He was sweating, and not because of the magic.
             
    Thero’s page, Wethis, met Prince Korathan as he was leaving his chambers to join his sister for breakfast.
    “Your Highness, Lord Vicegerent,” the young man said, bowing politely and holding out a folded parchment sealed with Thero’s mark. “Lord Thero sends a message.”
    Korathan dismissed the page and read the letter as he continued on down the long corridor between his rooms and his sister’s. Phoria had finished with her breakfast and gone out to the gardens outside her salon. He found her there, walking slowly along the eastern path, admiring the last of the autumn flowers. She was dressed for court; her hair was twisted into looping braids behind her head, and her blue velvet gown and cape were stiff with gold embroidery.
    She waved him over and linked arms with him. “Walk with me, Kor.”
    He covered her hand with his own and fell into step beside her. “I’ve had word from Thero.”
    “What did your wizard have to say? Can he help?”
    “Yes, but not in the way I’d hoped. He feels it would be best if he went to Aurënen to view the site of the massacre. He means to take Sir Micum Cavish of Watermead with him.”
    “Another Watcher, I believe?” She plucked a yellow aster and twirled it absently between her fingers.
    “Perhaps, but he’s a fine tracker, and he knows Seregil’s ways. If they managed to leave any kind of sign, Micum is the one to find it. Let Thero and Cavish attend to this for you.”
    “Very well,” she replied, frowning.
    Korathan was used to these sudden changes and took no offense. “They are the best suited to the task.”
    “I trust your judgment, Brother. And if Klia sails into Rhíminee Harbor at the head of an Aurënfaie fleet?”
    “If she did, Phoria, it would be to support you.”
    “So you say.” Her frown deepened as she crushed the blossom. “You always take her side.”
    He gave her arm a reassuring squeeze. “Only when you are unfairly suspicious of her.”
    “She was always Mother’s favorite.”
    “And yet you are the queen. She was the youngest, that’s all. Mother always cared for you.”
    Phoria tossed the ruined flower away. “Be that as it may, my patience is nearing its end. And, Kor?”
    “Yes?”
    Her hard gaze softened to concern. “You won’t let your heart blind you, will you?”
    “About Klia?”
    “No…
him.
”
    “That was a long time ago, Phoria. You know where my loyalty lies. And my heart.”
    She kissed his cheek. “My good brother. You know you’re the only one I can trust completely.”
    Korathan gave her an awkward, one-armed hug. “Always, dear sister. Always.”
    Taking his leave, he called for his horse and rode to the Orëska House. He’d been here so often lately that no one stood on ceremony anymore. One of the house stewards escorted him directly upstairs.
    The sunny workroom was deserted. The steward pulled out a chair for him, then went to a side door and knocked softly.
    Thero emerged, dressed in a stained robe and apron. He was flushed, and there was ash dusting his hair and shoulders and chalk dust on his knees.
    “I’ve interrupted you.”
    “Not at all, Highness.” Thero rubbed at a small burn on his cheek but only managed to smear more soot there. “I attempted a few other searching spells, but