From the east corner of the Governance Building, Jorvanultumn still had a view of the gardens. It was only a partial view, the central path obscured by the plants and statues. He could see the screen by the heating stone, but not Sinitïa and Gen. He also had no view of Itra. However, he could still hear them if they yelled.

Took you long enough, Mikranasta said.

Jorvanultumn almost responded verbally, but stopped himself. I had to help Sinitïa.

So I saw. By posing for her?

Yes. It was mostly to hold the dog, but I took the opportunity to observe others. He looked around. Where are you?

Near. Pretend to meditate so people don’t start to wonder what you’re doing just standing there.

Jorvanultumn sighed. It was always the meditation.

No one will question it.

He knelt and raised his face to the sky. Better? When he received a feeling of ascent, he continued, What did you want me to do?

Something similar to what you’ve done, although I wanted you to do more talking than just observing.

I did talk to people.

Yes, but not in the way I would have guided you to. But it doesn’t matter now. Did you learn anything?

Possibly. Can you monitor Itra from where you are? He’s posing for Sinitïa.

Yes, I know. A reckless action, if I might say so. At any rate, yes, I can monitor him. Why?

His behaviour changed suddenly, like there was mental control.

There was a pause before Mikranasta responded. A disturbing thought. Give me a moment.

Jorvanultumn waited. He wanted to look, to see if he could catch sight of Sinitïa, Gen, or Itra, but he needed to keep up the meditation act. He knew if something happened, he could get there in moments, but he worried nonetheless.

After a few moments, Mikranasta’s voice returned to his head. There has been mental tampering. It’s quite extensive. If you’d like, I can try to find out exactly what’s been done, but it will take awhile to unravel and determine its purpose and effect. That would likely also draw attention. Whoever put it there could easily check and see that someone else has been investigating. That could give us away.

Jorvanultumn thought for a moment. Itra’s behaviour changing so suddenly made little sense. Whoever was responsible would surely know that it would draw attention, so why do it in such a way? Unless…

Unless they want to be found, yes, Mikranasta said. Strange that. It could be a trap. They could be using him to mislead us by planting false information.

Yes, but you can get around that.

Mikranasta chuckled mentally. Can I? What if it’s Paydamat? I would hate to disappoint you if I can’t undo what she’s done.

Jorvanultumn smiled. I don’t believe it’s Paydamat, but even if it is, I think you can do it.

We shall see. This might have nothing to do with Meleng Drago, you know? Some mentalist could just be tormenting Itra out of some perverse sense of fun.

Then you’ll figure that out.

It heartens me that you have such confidence in my abilities. This will take some time. You should return to your human friends. Be prepared to protect them if I trigger some mental trap in Itra.

You think that’s likely?

If it was me—not that I would ever violate someone’s mind in such a way—but if it was me, it’s what I would do to stop others undoing what I’d done.

That was disturbing. Mentalists frightened him sometimes.

With good reason, Mikranasta said.

He took a deep breath and stood up.

Oh, Mikranasta said, I haven’t had a chance to say it yet, but my condolences about Chiansamorkin. I can only imagine what such a betrayal must be like. I never liked her much, but I did not suspect anything like this.

Jorvanultumn wished he could stare disbelievingly at her. You loved her.

I pretended to because you loved her. Anyway, off you go. I’ll let you know when I’m done.

When he got back to Sinitïa and Gen, Sinitïa was just finishing applying a base of shades of blue to the canvas.

“That was fast,” Gen said.

“Yeah, I haven’t even started yet,” Sinitïa said.

“Mikranasta had little to say.” Jorvanultumn motioned towards Itra. “How is he doing?”

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“Fine,” Gen said. “He’s been standing there, perfectly still. Eerily still, I’d say. Either he has a lot of practice posing for paintings, or… Well, I don’t know what else, really.”

“He has not moved at all?”

Gen shook his head. “Only when two other Isyar objected to his presence there. He opened his mouth and responded to them. I couldn’t hear what he said—probably wouldn’t have understood it anyway—but whatever he said, he convinced them to move on. They didn’t look happy, but they didn’t make a fuss. I couldn’t really see his eye movements, but he never turned his head.”

“His eyes moved a little,” Sinitïa said.

“He has had some sort of mental conditioning,” Jorvanultumn said. “Mikranasta is examining him from a distance. It might explain his odd behaviour, though that creates other questions.”

“What do you mean?” Sinitïa asked.

“I am not sure. Just continue painting and observe him carefully until I hear from Mikranasta.”

Sinitïa nodded and turned back to her paints.

They waited there for some time, as the sun rose barely over the top of the southern mountains and then began to sink behind them again to the southwest. Sinitïa had painted much of Itra’s face and neck, as well as bits of the statue behind him.

“I haven’t found any Darker symbols on him,” Sinitïa said. “They could be really small though.”

“I do not believe he is Pundritta,” Jorvanultumn said. “Even if he is, he does not have a discipline, so which symbol would he wear? It is possible he is controlled by them though.”

“Can Mikranasta figure out who’s controlling him?” Sinitïa asked.

“I hope so.”

“And then we can find Meleng?”

“Possibly, but it might not be the Pundritta controlling him.”

“But who else would gain from controlling him?” Gen asked.

Jorvanultumn shrugged. “There could be several answers. It could be local mentalist trying to ensure he complies with what’s expected of him.”

Gen scoffed. “While I could see that happening, it doesn’t explain his current actions. He’s hardly being compliant posing for a human painting, is he?”

“True,” Jorvanultumn said. “Let us wait until—”

Jorvanultumn, I have finished. There was an urgency to Mikranasta’s telepathic “voice”. It’s important I examine Itra at closer range.

“Is everything all right?” Gen asked.

Jorvanultumn nodded and hurriedly shushed Gen.

Continue what you are doing until whatever time Sinitïa Alessia Deanna Folith would normally choose to stop. I presume that will be in about half an hour when the light is almost gone. Then come to see me at home. Bring Itra if you can, but if he refuses, don’t force him.

If he doesn’t come, how do you plan to examine him more closely? Jorvanultumn asked.

We’ll find a way. See you soon. The feel of her mental presence in his head vanished.

“I just heard from Mikranasta,” Jorvanultumn said. “We are to go see her when we’re finished here. Sinitïa, continue painting until there is no longer enough light.”

Sinitïa looked up briefly from her painting. “Okay.”

The next half hour crept by slowly. Jorvanultumn watched Itra the whole time. He really did stay incredibly still, even when other Isyar passed directly in front of him. One Isyar did address him directly, and Itra moved only his mouth to respond. It was difficult to hear what they said. However, Jorvanultumn was fairly certain Itra said something about following directions that had been given to him. It was enough to convince the other Isyar to leave, shaking her head in annoyance.

Eventually, Sinitïa indicated that it was getting too dark to keep painting.

“Very well,” Jorvanultumn said. “Pack up your things. I will get Itra.”

“He’s coming with us?” Gen said.

“If I can convince him to.” Jorvanultumn gave Gen a smile and headed over to Itra.

Itra did not even look at him when he got there.

“It’s all right, Itra. Sinitïa’s finished for today. It’s getting dark.”

“Very well.” Itra still did not look at Jorvanultumn. “Will she need me again tomorrow?”

“I don’t know,” Jorvanultumn said. “I’ll ask her. You’re done for now.”

“Very well.” Itra’s stance slackened and he slumped forward. He shook his head. “I must…” He looked at Jorvanultumn. “I have duties I must return to.”

Jorvanultumn held up his hand. “Actually, my diare, Davorultumn, has some tasks for you. He asked me to collect you.” It was a bold-faced lie, but Itra was expected to perform menial tasks for other Isyar. The hierarchy of who took precedence for such requests could be complicated, but Jorvanultumn hoped, since Itra had expressed some respect and even like for Davorultumn, that would influence Itra to come.

Itra looked confused. “He does? He has never asked me for anything before.”

“I know,” Jorvanultumn said, “and he said to apologise for having to do so now, but he...uh… Well, he indicated that he was hoping to save you from much more taxing tasks from another Isyar that may be coming to you soon.”

“He did? Did he say who?”

Jorvanultumn hurriedly shook his head. He really should have thought this through more carefully before starting the lie. He had originally hoped Itra would just come along without question, that Itra would remain like he had been throughout the painting. Jorvanultumn had not really thought about what to do if that was not the case.

“Very well. I must inform Istrayabiva that Davorultumn has requested my aid and he has priority in this case.” Itra sighed. “She will already be annoyed at my lateness.” He looked around. “I don’t know why I’m so late. I will blame someone else. She’ll believe me.” He started to walk away. “Tell Davorultumn I will meet him at his home soon.”

“I will,” Jorvanultumn called after him.

That was lucky. The other Isyar could have had priority. For that matter, Jorvanultumn was not even sure who the other Isyar Itra had named was. With a sigh, Jorvanultumn returned to the others.

“He’s not coming?” Gen said.

“He is behaving normally again,” Jorvanultumn said. “However, I convinced him to join us later. Come, we must get to my place to meet Mikranasta.”