When Mari woke up, Dainan was still sitting by her side, except he was reading silently. Mari blinked her eyes, but did not move. She watched him as his eyes darted about the pages. He had his brow furrowed in concentration. Mari kind of liked just watching him. It was quiet. It was peacefully quiet. What a difference that word made.

Dainan rubbed his head and set the book down. He turned his head and jumped slightly at seeing her already awake. Mari sat up and he asked, "Have you been awake long?"

Mari shook her head and stretched her arms. "Have you been able to figure out what the Seven want with the book?"

Dainan leaned his head back, digging his fingers into his hair. "No, I thought it would be obvious once I started looking, but the book is just about the history of our kingdom, nothing I wasn't already familiar with. I can't imagine what they found in here that got them so excited."

Mari lowered her head. The bright warm feeling from earlier had faded. The book wasn't helpful at all. She wasn't helpful. "I'm sorry. If I remembered more, I would tell you, but I don't. Rekema questioned the scholars twice about something, and mentioned she would go to them again if they did not find what they were looking for, but I don't remember any of the details. I just remember the scholars refused, and Rekema was so angry."

"The scholars?" Regan asked from across the room, sitting up. "You mean Aeary and Prentiss?"

"Are those their names?" Mari asked pulling on her skirt hem. "I had forgotten."

"I remember, that day when they brought out the prisoners. Several of us were left behind because we couldn't make it out of the dungeon without assistance. I was left behind because of my son, or possibly because the guards still had some loyalty and didn't want to put me at risk. Prentiss was left behind as well. He couldn't walk." Regan's face clouded. She did not seem to be looking at anything Mari could see. "He screamed and fussed the entire time because his wife, Aeary, had been brought out."

Mari closed her eyes, rubbing her pounding head. Sharp images flew in front of her sight.

"Mari, are you remembering?" A hand touched her shoulder. "I remember that day as well. It was the second time you came to see me. You came to me right after this happened. It was the day I told you I believed you."

"I remember..." She grunted, bending over further. Clutching her head and stomach, Mari choked. Every breath hurt. Each word hit her like a knife in the chest. Someone was screaming, but Mari was certain she was the only one who heard it. She forced her head up and opened her eyes. "I... Bidkar... We broke her leg. Her name is Aeary, you said?"

"Yes, once the prisoners were returned to the dungeon, what happened, well no one wanted to talk about it. Apparently, whatever had been done was extremely effective. Everyone was pretty quiet about it, but I did overhear the entire thing was all about the fact no one was willing to answer your questions." Regan knelt down by Mari and Dainan; her skirt pooled around her.

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Mari lurched forward. Her nose brushed against the cold stone; her hair spilled over her face. She cradled her head, digging her nails into her scalp. "I can't remember the questions. Why... Why can't I remember?"

The sound of bones breaking echoed in her head like a bell toll. She couldn't breathe. A word came to her, but what did it mean? "Mercy."

"What did you say?" Dainan leaned in. His hand was on her back.

Mari shook her head. "I don't know. I can only remember useless things."

"Don't hurt yourself trying to remember. That won't help any of us." His words drowned out the other noise. Mari seized the opportunity and took back her mind, shutting out the other fragmented memories vying for her attention.

She rubbed her head. "I'm sorry. It seems like the only memories I can see are painful and not at all helpful."

"We'll figure something out," Regan said.

Mari sat up, pushing her hair back. Dainan rubbed her shoulder. She sighed, leaning into him. Dainan muttered, "What if..."

Mari and Regan turned to him. He cleared his throat. "Why don't we go directly to the scholars and ask them?"

Mari groaned, "After our previous interactions, I don't think they will."

She reached up and let her fingers brush over the mostly healed cut Prentiss gave her. "I fear they wouldn't be as kind or willing to answer my questions as you have been."

"We just need to explain everything to them." Dainan's eyes softened, seeing her fingers trace the scar on her cheek. "It won't be just you. Regan and I will support you. With us, they'll be willing to help."

His voice dropped. "You don't have to worry about anything happening to you."

Mari stared at her hands. She didn't say anything.

"Dainan's right," Regan spoke up. "The scholars could be the key. We have to try."

Mari balled her fist into her skirt. "I know."

She pushed herself off of the ground. "I will bring the scholars with me tomorrow, but there is one more thing."

"What is it?" Dainan asked, rising as well.

Mari glanced at the door. "The guard who brings you necessities, who watches over you... I worry about him."

"What do mean worry about him?" Regan asked.

"Surely," Mari said, twisting her face. Mari still wasn't used to using her mind to develop ideas and reach conclusions, so when she did, she had trouble being certain. "He must suspect that something odd is happening. I had him move Regan and her son into this cell. He must notice I don't treat you, leave you in the same state as the Seven do to the other prisoners."

Dainan frowned. "You're right. Do you think we should bring him in as well?"

Mari let her gaze flicker to her feet. She rocked back and forth on them. "I think so. I mean no wrong to you, but he could be incredibly useful. The guard can help me from the outside. You can't. If you left the cell and someone saw you... it could get back to the Seven because it is odd. If I were seen with just a guard it would not be as strange. He could also help control anything that might get back to the Seven when they return."

"That is..." Dainan started, giving her a kind, soft smile. "That is very wise of you, Mari. I agree, you should bring the guard with you tomorrow."

Mari ducked her head. No one had called her wise before. No one had called her wonderful or smart. Could those things really be true? She, who could barely maintain a single independent thought, was smart?

She gave Dainan a nod. "It is decided. I will bring him."

Mari reached for the door. Dainan's voice followed her. "Until tomorrow then."

Mari smiled over her shoulder. "Until tomorrow."