The Silence of Medair

The Keridahl ignored her words, satisfying himself over Avahn’s condition before rising. He gestured for two of the arms-men he had brought with him to attend to the youth. Then he turned his attention fully on to Medair, studying her almost as if he hadn’t seen her before. She noted that he was as perfectly groomed as if he had just stepped away from the mirror, his muted finery pristine, his hair unruffled by the ride. Truly a far cry from the mud and ash-grimed man she had first seen. Keridahl Avec.

"What of those who dwell here?" he asked, turning his attention to the fire without immediately delving into the how and why.

She shrugged. "I haven’t seen anyone, but I suspect that a search among the buildings out back might prove fruitful. Someone’s certainly banging on something around there."

Another pair of guards were dispatched and then Cor-Ibis turned to the fire. Speaking softly beneath his breath, he watched impassively as the flames flickered and died away. Medair suspected that he was annoyed, whether with her or over the fact that his demesne had been invaded she was not certain. The remains of the roof caved in, as if the fire had been the only thing holding it up, and Medair winced at the cloud of ash and tiny cinders which billowed out.

"Tell me what happened here, Kel ar Corleaux."

They walked around to the back of the house as Medair, carefully choosing her words, told him of the well-played trap. It was difficult to decide exactly what line to take.

"Avahn drank first," she said. "It only took, oh, not very long for it to effect him." She paused, because the two guards sent to investigate the thumping had opened the doors of what looked to be a root cellar and several distressed and angry women tumbled into the light. "Melani or her mother must have signalled from an upstairs window, because the rest arrived at just the right moment, moving in ready to fight if we hadn’t helpfully drugged ourselves into unconsciousness." She considered his fine-boned profile. He was following her story without any change of expression, watching the women.

"It seemed that their plan, at the outset, was to take us alive, but I barricaded us out of their reach and their solution was to set the building on fire." She paused again. "I suppose I shouldn’t have told them that Avahn had sent a wend-whisper, or they’d still be here, trying to get us out of the barricade. With time a pressing factor, they chose to cut their losses."

Working on the theory that it was safest to say as little as possible, Medair stopped speaking, and listened in silence as Kerin las Lorednor skilfully extracted the tales of the angry women. The Decians had descended on them at midday, as they sat down for a meal. One woman held her arm to her chest, having made an attempt to fight against their attackers. Her name was Melani.

Cor-Ibis spoke briefly to the elderly woman who seemed to be their leader. Arrangements would be made for temporary shelter until the farmhouse was rebuilt. He did not speak again until they were on the outskirts of Finrathlar.

"Tell me, Kel ar Corleaux," he said. "Was it Avahn or yourself who was the target of this raid?"

Medair lifted one shoulder. "Both, I should think."

"You have a trace fixed upon you."

"I know."

His face was a mask, neither cold nor forthcoming. "The trace could not have been set after you obtained that charm."

"No, it was before," she agreed. "It’s been very inconvenient. I was hoping it had worn off, by now."

Cor-Ibis gazed at her. "I owe you life-debt, Kel ar Corleaux. And the rahlstones weigh the scales further. To continue to question where you choose not to answer is difficult, but I cannot ignore this attack. Vorclase is not fool enough to have failed to ascertain that the rahlstones have been sent on with Jedda. To make such an elaborate attempt in the heart of my Dahlein speaks of a strong motivation beyond the stones." He turned his head slightly to consider the cluster of guards to whom he had entrusted his heir. "Avahn has not such intrinsic value."

"Does a trace dissipate when the subject dies?" Medair asked.

Pale grey eyes were briefly veiled. "No," he replied. "Since the link is to the shell rather than what dwells within." He raised one long hand in a languid gesture. "In a fire, with the complete destruction of the traced…object, then yes, it would be possible."

"But not guaranteed," Medair verified, pleased. She gave Cor-Ibis an apologetic glance. "I do think they came for me, for reasons other than the rahlstones. I didn’t expect them to follow into Palladium, and certainly don’t suppose they will continue this chase, especially if they leave Finrathlar before learning that Avahn and I still live."

"Your escape surprises me," he remarked.