“I think you are acting like a fool.”

That was Imprid’s answer when I asked her what she thought. So much for the comforting words of a female friend that I had been hoping for. After telling her everything that had happened in the last two days starting with Jade’s appearance at the office, I described our conversation and her death. My madness, the torturing, the numbness and then the visit by the solicitor.

We were in my bedchamber, sitting in the chairs by the fire, which was providing some welcome warmth. Far more than Imprid was providing. She sighed, gathered her thoughts for a moment, then finally looked at me. “Dirk, I know you are grieving. For the first time in your life you truly loved someone and then she turned out to be deceiving you. That must be very awful. But you cannot, you must not, let it rule your life right now. Have you even had Lord Tarin told that you know where the headquarters of the Kathaldi is?”

I had to admit that I had not. “I think you’re the first person I’ve told. It hasn’t seemed important until now.”

“Really? Not important?” She said loudly. She clenched her fists with the effort to lower her voice. “Dirk, it is clearly the most important thing from the last two days. We are trying to save the world. Against that your love, Jade’s betrayal, even her death, are as nothing. How many people have already died? How many more will if the Kathaldi are not destroyed?” She shook her head. “You may have just become the most successful spymaster ever with this discovery. It provides us all with the chance to live without another Great Cataclysm. Yet you have told no one.”

She was right. Mean, but right. At least she didn’t slap me to snap me out of it. Her words had hurt enough. “You’re right. I’ve been a fool.”

“Of course I am right. You should not act so surprised.”

That brought a small smile to my lips. “Why not? You’ve never done it before.”

“Quite funny. Does that mean you are feeling better? Back to your old self?”

I shook my head. “Not yet, but I think I am on my way.” I sighed. “It has been a rough few days, without a doubt.”

“A rough few months, more like. But, I believe you will recover.” She stood. “However, you need to spend more time with your friends. Where is Delik Slin?”

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“At the offices in the palace compound, taking care of everything so I could wallow in my misery.”

“Well, you had best get back there yourself. Throw yourself into your work. That should take your mind off of things a little bit.”

“I don’t want to be there. Jade was murdered there. It’s still too fresh. We spent most of our time together there.”

“I have an idea about that.” She said with a small, mysterious grin.

“What?”

“I cannot tell you yet. It will be a surprise. I have to get back now, but I am glad you sent for me, interruption though it was.”

“What did I interrupt?”

“You do not need to do my job as well as your own. But be well, Dirk.” She walked to the door and left, leaving it open.

Oddly, I did feel better after Imprid’s visit, but I had no idea what to do next. As usual, I decided to eat. The food wasn’t as good as what I’d have gotten from Sednik’s wife at the office, but I ate it anyway. After I was done, I just sat there, thinking about what I should do. I didn’t feel like working. I really didn’t want to visit my family to tell them what had happened, although I would need to do that soon. I didn’t want them buying me wedding presents or planning some sort of engagement party now that Jade was dead.

I eventually just sat there, wondering what Imprid’s plan was that would make things easier for me to return to the office. Everything I came up seemed ridiculous. Was she going to get Rithers to give me a different set of rooms? That was the only reasonable thing I could think of.

I was glad for a distraction when Venzik finally showed up and took a seat across from me, where Morlin had sat earlier. He looked like he had something unpleasant to tell me.

"Sir, you have a visitor."

"You say that like you think I won't be happy to see them."

"That's not for me to say, my lord." He paused again.

"Who is it? You make it seem awful."

"It is your father, sir."

For a few moments I was too stunned to say anything. Hadn't I gone through enough family drama last book? "Well, you were right, this is awful." Was I ready for this? “I don't want to see him. Just tell him I’m indisposed and to come back another time.”

Venzik rose from the table. “I will so inform him, sir.”

I raised my hand to stop him. I realized that if he left it could be another ten years or more before he returned. "No. I'll see him. I have a whole thing prepared that I've been dreaming of saying to him since I was a kid. I guess today's the day I finally get to do it. Please show him to my bed chamber. I think a little privacy is in order."

I hurried to my room and then picked out where I wanted to be when my so-called father was shown in. I decided on standing by the fireplace with my hands clasped together behind my back and a stern look on my face.

There was a knock and I stood up a little straighter, refreshed my stern look and called out. "Enter!"

The door opened and there he was. He looked better than my mother had at the end. And I guess now, after the cremation, too.