It was late and once again, Pyre found falling asleep difficult. His mind was too full. He got out of bed and went to his desk. He whispered, “Loren, where are you?” Though he stretched out his mind and his heart he once again detected nothing. Nothing. Still nothing. He sat down at his desk and touched the twig. There was a knock at his door. It was so late, too late for visitors. He got up and asked, “Who is it?”

“Dr. Kran.”

Pyre swung the door open. The good doctor looked terrible. Pyre gripped Dr. Kran’s elbow and drew him inside. “Are you all right?”

“No. Someone has confiscated half my medical supplies. It looks like Loren did that, but he would never be so greedy. Have you heard the rumors about him?”

“Yes.” Pyre went to his desk and picked up the dirt clod and the twig. "Someone stole some potatoes from Cook Grayson. They filled the bag with clods and branches. Who ever did these things does not know Loren.”

Dr. Kran nodded. “I agree. I wonder what Appocca may know. Keeper, I wish Loren had not gotten himself involved in this mess! Why has he thrown his life and his future away for those vile beasts?” Dr. Kran waved his hand when he saw Pyre was about to speak. “Don’t say he did it out of compassion. It may well be compassion, but just compassion would not have pulled him away. It was his mother’s damned blood. He lived a very adventurous life until his mother dropped him on my doorstep. He was the son I never had, and will most likely never see again, alive.” The older man’s voice trailed off.

Not knowing what to say, Pyre just stood there. What should they do? In his heart he knew they must tell Appocca. Keeping this secret might only further compound the appearance of Loren’s guilt. Finally he said, “I think we must tell Appocca what we know.”

“Yes, I agree. Let us get it over with.” Wearily, Dr. Kran added, “I had such hope for him. I had such faith in the cures he would discover and the good he would do.”

Though Pyre did not say so, he still had hope. Something inside of him would not let go of Loren’s potential or his faith in the path he had chosen. He followed Dr. Kran into the stillness of the night. The moon was just beginning to rise. As soon as he saw the face of the moon his mind turned back to the two worst nights of his life. Beneath a full moon he had declared his lifelong love to Fand and she had refused him. Beneath a full moon he had found Fand body bloodied and broken after the Inner Sanctum had exploded. Tonight, tonight, what would this full moon witness?

When they reached Appocca’s residence, Dr. Kran knocked on the door. It took several minutes before the door swung open. A bleary eyed Appocca greeted them. He asked, “What has you two out so late this evening?”

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Dr. Kran said, “We need to speak to you Sir.”

Appocca opened the door and let them inside. The apartment had been stripped of the luxuries Jerue had furnished it with. All that remained was simple wooden furniture and a rag rug. Dr. Kran took the chair closest to the fireplace. Pyre sat down opposite him. Appocca did not sit down. His brow creased and the concern in his eyes mounted. A bit impatiently he said, “So, tell me why you are here.”

After Dr. Kran told him about the missing medicine and Pyre told him about the potatoes, Appocca shook his head. “It is as I feared. They can’t find him, so they are trying to frame him and draw him into their trap. According to the Treaty I signed with the West if anyone is aiding and abetting any high profile criminal in their jurisdiction with goods or supplies, I must hand that person or persons over.”

Dr. Kran asked, “What will happen to Loren if you do?”

“He will be executed.”

Alarmed Dr. Kran said, “But surely there must be another way.”

“No, the Treaty is binding. The wall was first built because people on our side believe that powers must be used for good and not evil. Jerue crossed that line, as did Renate in her youth. Unless I want to unleash all the powers of darkness on this side of the wall, I must keep to the letter of the Treaty. And I must trust the West to keep their word though I may be proved a fool for doing so. If Loren shows up I must hand him over. Either of you, if you do not do likewise will be killed. Don’t gamble with your lives. Loren chose this knowing full well what he was risking. As for you two, you have made a commitment to this City, to our land. Neither of you can protect Loren. Only the grace of the Keeper can keep him safe. Speak to no one of this.”

Pyre asked, “What about Cook Grayson? He knows about the food thefts.”

A slow sigh escaped Appocca. “I must speak with him. Both of you get to bed and be careful.”

There was the faintest feeling of release in Pyre’s mind. So Appocca had cloaked their conversation. Who might be listening?

Appocca said, “It is best to not ask so many questions They could lead you to more trouble than any lack of curiosity ever would. Go in peace.”

Outside the night was turning cold. The first snow might be early this year. Dr. Kran staggered a bit as they made their way down the dark street. Pyre did not leave him at the Infirmary door, he took him inside and made sure he made it to his quarters. With a heavy sigh, Dr. Kran sank onto his bed. He covered his face with his hands and started to weep.

Pyre had never seen the doctor like this. Finally in a choked voice Dr. Kran said, “I apologize for my lack of control.” He took in a deep breath and wiped his tears away with the sleeve of his robe. “I miss him. I fear for him. And,” and he paused, his eyes met Pyre’s eyes. “I also fear for you.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you Pyre. You have continuously accepted the life that has been forced upon you. You do what is hard, what needs to be done without question. If Loren asked you to join him, I fear you would. Don’t. Don’t get yourself entangled in the life beyond our borders. Promise me that.”

For a long moment Pyre just stared at Dr. Kran. Surely the doctor knew this was a promise he could not make. If he had learned anything since he left Tashe it was that he was part of a greater good and he must go wherever it lead him. He cleared his throat and said, “Dr. Kran I must go where my life takes me. I will say, I have no plans of joining Loren, I have my family to think of, my commitment to the Council.”

A vague light came to Dr. Kran’s eyes. “And there is Fand. You love her still. May that love keep you rooted where a promise to me would fail. Go on now. I can get myself to bed.”

The doctor's words sliced through Pyre. He bowed. Swiftly he walked out of the room. As he made his way down the long hall to the exit, Dr. Kran's words reverberated in his mind, in his heart, in his entire being. When he stepped into the night he entered a world aglow with silver moonlight, light the color of Fand's eyes.