Prince Lievin summoned the company to the military wing of the palace for a private luncheon. Just as they all settled into seats around a large conference table, the door opened.

Leander strode into the room.

The old Pallian Stalwart looked grim and lines of exhaustion etched in dirt clung to his normally smiling face. His clothing was ragged and debris clung to his normally well-trimmed beard.

Kevlin moved to greet Leander, but Harafin spoke first. "How was your hunt?"

Leander growled and for a second his face reflected the raging fury he'd unleashed at Il'Aicharen when he'd learned that Tanathos was the man who had murdered his family over one hundred years ago.

Kevlin paused two steps away, hand already outstretched in greeting. Leander still looked like he wanted to break things, and Kevlin didn't want to be one of them.

Drystan and Gabral had been the last to see Leander a week ago. They had watched as he threw himself off the eastern flank of the mountain in pursuit of Tanathos. The low clouds that had ringed the mountain had swallowed first Tanathos and then Leander. No one had heard of either of them, despite wide-ranging scouting parties sent to search for them.

With visible effort, Leander shackled his anger. He noted Kevlin's hesitation and managed a smile as he took Kevlin's hand.

"What's for lunch?"

Leander ate ravenously while the rest of the company waited. After downing an entire tankard of cider, he sat back and sighed.

"Thank you for waiting. I haven't eaten much in a week."

Drystan piled more food onto Leander's plate. "Did you find him?"

"No, he escaped."

Gabral frowned and asked, "Then why are you here? I'd think you'd still be hunting him."

Leander speared a chunk of beef with his knife. Kevlin was tempted to protest. He'd already eaten half the platter. At this rate, there wouldn't be enough left for the rest of them. Jerrik liked arm wrestling over food, and Kevlin didn't stand a chance if it came to that.

Leander said, "I intended to hunt him as long as it took. I very nearly had him a couple times, but the animal outfoxed me every time."

He took another drink. "Then yesterday I lost him. His trail completely vanished."

"That's no easy feat," Harafin said, stroking his beard in thought.

Leander shrugged. "The last I sensed of him, he had been racing straight for Diodor."

"He's coming here?" Kevlin asked.

The thought of Tanathos stalking the streets of Diodor triggered a shiver of fear. He wanted to destroy Tanathos almost as much as Leander, but the Shadeleech possessed an overwhelmingly evil presence. Even if they caught him, he would surely cause much destruction before they brought him down.

Gabral frowned. "He can't be. He's a lot of things, but he's no fool. If he comes to Diodor, he'll be destroyed."

Harafin said, "I'll double-check the city's defenses, but you're correct, Colonel. Tanathos would not lightly venture close to the city."

"What if he felt he had good enough reason?" Drystan asked.

Jerrik shook his head. "Even if he thought he could get his hands on Tia Khoa again, no one knows who the new bearer is, and he'd never make it back to Il'Aicharen."

"No," Harafin said. "Hathor and the last of the Kestrels are guarding the Heart of the Mountain, and a full company of Sentinels are being dispatched to help with repairs. Tanathos' army is destroyed. He could never win through again."

Drystan said, "But there are still some enemy forces in Hallvarr, isn't that right, Your Highness?"

Prince Lievin nodded. "Commander Tekla is still hunting the one force that razed a town north of Diodor. That force has also vanished."

Harafin frowned. "In those last reports, Tekla refused your order to return to Diodor."

The prince nodded again. "He sent word that he will honor the last command of the king no matter how long it takes."

"Convenient," Harafin said softly with a frown. "I need to speak with that man."

Gabral tapped his fingers on the table. "Perhaps Tanathos is smarter than we give him credit for."

"How so?" Leander asked.

"Think about it. Tanathos disappears while moving toward Diodor." He raised one finger to make the point.

"A strike force of some unknown but undeniable strength also disappears." Another finger raised.

"And in one month, the emperor and most of the senior leadership and nobility of the Six Kingdoms will all be arriving here for the coronation and wedding of Prince Lievin."

He raised his index finger and then pointed the three raised fingers at Drystan. "You say Tanathos might venture close if there's good enough reason."

Drystan nodded. "What better reason than a chance to strike at the emperor and the gathered kings?"

"If he struck with stealth, he might overwhelm the token security forces they would bring to such an event," Leander said slowly with a scowl.

Kevlin hated to think they might be right. Tanathos had proven courageous and audacious in his tactics. He led a strike force across the breadth of the empire undetected. Then he very nearly accomplished the seemingly impossible task of destroying the keep at Il’Aicharen and penetrating to the heart of the mountain to murder the bearer of Tia Khoa.

Now the empire's mightiest weapon was tied to a man who could not wield its power.

"If he does, how do we stop him?" Kevlin asked.

Jerrik pointed a chicken leg at Gabral. "You're assuming Tanathos knows they're coming here."

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"I think it a safe assumption to make," Harafin said.

"Why?"

Haran scanned the group, holding each eye. "I will be blunt with this company. We know Tanathos conspired with traitors hidden among us to plan his assault."

"Bajaran, Rhea, Dhanjal." Gabral ticked off the names.

"And most likely others," Harafin said. "There are still questions unanswered. Foremost among them is what was the king's connection with Dhanjal?"

Prince Lievin said, "I haven't found the answer to that yet, Master Harafin. I knew nothing of Dhanjal before last week. I had been away for some time on diplomatic assignments for my father. I only returned to Diodor the day before the battle. My father had left word that I was to command here while he was in the field, but no details about what was going on. Everyone who knew went with him."

Harain said, "Until we know more, we must assume there are traitors hidden within Diodor. Most likely they are already here in the palace."

Gabral patted his perfectly styled hair. "If they're placed well enough, they could pose a serious security threat."

Prince Lievin said, "One man who might know more is my uncle, High Lord Damarist. He is our ambassador on the imperial ruling council."

Harain nodded. "I am familiar with him. He has been a sitting member on the council for only a few years."

"He'll be arriving with the emperor in a couple of weeks. We can question him then."

"Very well," Harafin said. "For now, I recommend you summon your high command so we can begin to lay plans for the security of the city."

Leander raised a forkful of meat. "I concur. Please pass the butter."

* * *

The security council met into the afternoon. Kevlin was grateful to finally leave the conference room and stretch his legs after hours of sometimes boring discussions. A servant found him shortly after the meeting with a note from Ceren.

Kevlin found her seated on a wrought-iron bench in a small garden. It was located on the north side of the palace, between two of the seven wings that extended like fingers from the main palace complex. She sat before a gurgling fountain carved to resemble a wolf taking down a deer, a common tribute to Serigala in her form as the Lady Jagen, goddess of the hunt and the moon.

Ceren had set aside her black dress and simple braid. She now wore a white gown with embroidered blue swans scattered across the bodice. Her hair was brushed out and hung in thick waves that cascaded over her shoulders and down her back.

Her red hair and bronze skin made a beautiful contrast with the dress. It amazed him that she could find so many different outfits that fit her so well a single day after arriving at the palace.

He thought back to when they had first met. She had seemed unreachable, a noblewoman, living a life completely foreign to him. Since then, he'd seen her fight, felt the sting of her sharp tongue, and learned to appreciate her quick mind.

Now he had been drawn into those same higher social circles. First his swordbrothers united him to their families through blood, and now Prince Lievin had proclaimed him a noble of Hallvarr. He'd need to ask Ceren about all that. He had no idea how to act noble.

Ceren waved him over excitedly and he joined her on the little bench.

"What did you find out?"

"Trembling Madness is a rare condition that affects mostly new Accepted sentinels who try to wield more magic than they can handle."

"That's more or less what Harafin told me."

"Did he also tell you it's normally fatal?"

"No. What do you mean, fatal?"

Ceren looked around as if to make sure they were alone, and leaned closer until her head was bare inches from his. She whispered, "It seems this craving for magic can drive people insane, or even kill them."

Kevlin clenched his hands tight. He could feel just a hint of shakiness in them. The craving for magic was there, a dull ache that he'd managed to ignore most of the day. Now, as he thought about it, it roused itself and his hands shook harder. He fought down the urge, and his hands stilled.

Ceren placed one small hand over his and drew his gaze again. "Kevlin, why would Harafin keep this from you?"

"I don't know. We didn't have much time to discuss it."

"That's probably it." She didn't look or sound convinced.

"What are you suggesting?"

Ceren shrugged. "I overheard Harafin say this choosing was unique. Ah'Shan's made it clear he wasn't chosen and he was the only other Sentinel present."

"I don't understand." Kevlin didn't like this turn of the conversation.

"The only idea that makes any possible sense is that somehow Harafin chose a Sentinel as bearer who wasn't at Il'Aicharen."

"I don't think--" Kevlin began.

Ceren cut him off, her face worried. "Think about it, Kevlin. If he did, then he only needs you to stay alive until he can deliver Tia Khoa to the next bearer."

Kevlin frowned. He'd sworn to Harafin not to tell anyone the truth about being chosen as bearer, so he couldn't correct her. Besides, what if she's partially right? What if Harafin was planning to choose another bearer soon?

"Kevlin, I can't help you if you don't trust me," Ceren cupped his face in her hands, forcing him to meet her gaze.

She was too clever by half. It was too hard to lie when looking someone in the eye.

"I trust you, Ceren."

"Then tell me."

"I can't. I promised Harafin . . ."

Ceren leaned back, not trying to hide the hurt in her eyes. "Promised to obey him while he withholds information from you."

Kevlin stood and paced away, confused and frustrated. Could Harafin really be using him?

Of course Harafin was using him. That much was certain. What he struggled to believe was that Harafin would spend his life so cheaply. Harafin had made it clear he'd do whatever he felt necessary to protect the empire. He never hesitated, but would he plot Kevlin's death?

Kevlin turned back to Ceren. "I'll ask him about it."

"Be careful." She looked worried.

"I will."

Ceren stood. "I'll see what else I can find for you."

"Thanks. And tell Indira . . ." He trailed off. He couldn't voice the things he wanted to say to Indira. Not to Ceren.

"I'll tell her," Ceren said. Then she smiled. "Oh, I almost forgot. Indira asked me to give you a message."

"Really? Tell me."

Ceren's smile turned mischievous. "I'll have to show you."

She wrapped her arms around his neck. Startled, Kevlin tried to back away but Ceren said, "Don't interrupt."

Then she pulled his head down and kissed him tenderly on the lips."

It was a nice kiss, but Kevlin froze. Indira sent Ceren to kiss him? That was just weird.

But it meant Indira forgave him.

He wrapped his arms around Ceren and kissed her back. If she was going to take a message back to Indira, he'd make it a good one.

She was a good kisser, but he broke the kiss after only a few seconds. It just felt wrong on too many levels.

Ceren had kissed him once before, on the dark night when they had first discovered the enemy fortress, just before she left to seek help. But then while they had chased Tanathos through the heart of Hallvarr, she had done her best to keep Kevlin and Indira apart, to thwart their growing interest.

Now she kissed him like she wanted to kiss him, not like it was a message from another woman.

She held him, preventing him from withdrawing. In that moment, Indira's voice called out from behind them. "Ceren, are you in here . . . oh!"

Kevlin broke away and his heart sank. Indira stood across the clearing, one hand raised to her mouth, her dark eyes wide with surprise.

One question answered, but so many new questions to take its place.

So much for reconciling with Indira.

Before he could think how to make things right, Ceren moved across the garden to Indira. "You shouldn't get too close to him, Indira. The shakes are getting worse."

Indira took an involuntary step back, and fear flitted across her face. Kevlin opened his mouth to object, but what could he say? He had grabbed her, hurt her. How could he tell her it was safe to be around him?

Almost as if in response to his thoughts, the hunger for magic stirred in his heart and his body shook with a powerful tremor.

The ladies didn't seem to notice, but it left him cold with fear.

"Don't worry. I'm doing everything I can to help. I delivered your message."

Indira blushed. "But Ceren, I didn't mean for you to. . ."

"I know," Ceren cast a reproachful look at Kevlin. "Things kind of got out of hand."

"Wait a minute," Kevlin protested, taking a step toward them.

Ceren raised a hand to forestall him. "It's all right, Kevlin. I don't blame you. Just keep your distance. You're losing control."

As Ceren led Indira away, Kevlin wanted to chase them, to shout that he wasn't losing control, but that would only prove her point. He stared after them, totally confused.

What by all the gods was Ceren playing at? She’d set him up and he’d fallen right into the trap like a brainless idiot. She claimed to be trying to help, but she’d just neatly driven a wedge between him and Indira and made it look like his fault.

She really was cunning, but not in the good way he’d been thinking. By the Lady! He started to get a headache trying to sort out how to respond.

And to think she’d made him feel guilty for not telling her all of his secrets. Anger replaced confusion and he paced the garden, fists clenched.

Finally he blew out a breath and splashed water on his face to clear his head. He would find Indira and explain things after he talked with Harafin about his condition.

First, he went to look for his brothers. Maybe they could get into a fight. Hitting someone would feel really good.