"Difficulties? Ah. I had noticed something strange in the palace air today." Master Fellows paused, but when it was apparent no further explanation was forthcoming, he smoothly changed the subject. "Well, let's just make sure there are no difficulties in future. The best way I know to do that is to ensure your presentation is so queenly none will dare reproach you. Your next scheduled public appearance is Prince Dorian's betrothal ball. You'll need to be able to dance and converse with flawless polish." His finger wagged a caution. "I warn you, these next days of preparation will be far more difficult and demanding than our previous sessions. There's much more for you to master, and I will be a harsh taskmaster. My lord Feyreisen., if you will, please." He tapped his temple.

Rain summoned Spirit and wove a light weave to gather the instructive images from Master Fellows's mind, and for the next several bells, Rain devoted himself to guiding Ellysetta through her newest exercises in the Graces, using Master Fellows's detailed mental instructions. But throughout the lesson, his mind kept returning to Bel's perturbing report about Sian and Torel.

Two experienced warriors sent north to investigate the mystery of Ellysetta's existence were missing. Even without Shadow Men and wandering souls and Adrial's illness, that was cause for concern. Fey warriors did not simply ... disappear. One too many troubling events had happened-and all of them circling far too close to Ellysetta for his liking.

When Ellysetta's lessons were concluded and Master Fellows had departed, Rain wasn't long behind him. He stopped at the warriors' barracks to check on Adrial-who was awake and claiming he was fit enough to return to his position in Ellysetta's quintet-then joined Marissya and Dax in their palace suite.

The shei'dalin confirmed Adrial's self-assessment. "I couldn't find anything wrong with him, Rain. Your shei’tani expunged his memories. They are completely gone, with no trace for me to follow”

"He wants to return to his duties.”

She hesitated, then said carefully, "He's a good man, Rain. And I found no hint of evil in him. Whatever afflicted him, I don't think it was Eld.”

"Would you want him in your quintet?”

"Let him stay here for a few days so I can watch him," Marissya said. "If he shows no signs of trouble, then let him rejoin her quintet. There are enough warriors on guard around her home to watch him closely. If you are uncomfortable with that, then yes, he can join mine. Ellysetta can have Soren. His skills are a close match to Adrial's.”

Dax frowned at his truemate. A mated Fey would face an army of Mages, demons, and Drogan Blood Lords with less fear than the thought of harm besetting his shei’tani.

"I will think on it," Rain replied. "What of Torel?”

Marissya's eyes filled with sorrow, and she shook her head. "I could find nothing. He and Sian are gone. I wove peace and sleep on Tiar, but he should not remain here. Torel and he were close, and he's taking his brother's death badly.”

"Send him home, then," Rain said. "With a quintet to ensure he finds his way. The last thing we need at the moment is a Fey warrior running around Celieria seeking blood vengeance." He turned to Dax. "How many Celierian supporters did we lose after last night?”

"Six of the thirty we were hoping to sway have told us outright they won't support us, and two of the lords we were counting on have now turned against us.”

Rain scowled. "They fear our magic, yet they would let the Dark God's own servants pour across their borders? Where is the sense in that?”

"Don't expect sense from them, Rain," Dax said. "It's been a thousand years since they saw the true face of evil. They've grown complacent, so accustomed to peace and freedom they think nothing can ever take it from them. So they see enemies where they should see strength and friendship, and they plot to make friends of our enemies in order to better control us.”

"Were you not the one who just a few days ago suggested we should allow the trade and use it to send spies into Eld?”

"I know. I know.” Dax heaved a frustrated sigh and scrubbed his hands through his hair. "And at the time, I thought I was right. But Marissya and I have just spent the last three days with Dorian's courtiers, and the better part of today interrogating the lords openly. There is a disturbing distrust and even outright animosity towards us. The dahl'reisen attacks in the north are partly to blame, but Marissya and I both think it's more than that.”

"Then you are beginning to believe the darkness I sense in Eld is real? That the Mages are indeed at work once more?”

"I'm beginning to think it's a strong possibility. Lord Teleos has arranged a private dinner for you and several of the nobles tonight at his city residence. And Lord Barrial sent word that he's available to meet with you.”

"Excellent." Rain was very interested in the Celierian Great Lord who wore a Fey Soul Quest crystal and housed twenty-five of the feared dahl'reisen on his lands. "Is there anything else?”

"Lord Morvel has withdrawn his betrothal offer.”

Rain gave a humorless bark of laughter. "Well, that at least is as much good news as bad. Ellysetta will be relieved, and in truth, so am I. There is no compassion in that human ice pick's soul. He will never be a friend of the Fey." He drew a deep breath. Much as he didn't like Morvel-or most Celierian nobles for that matter-he couldn't afford to lose what few potential allies he had. "I'll speak to Morvel tomorrow and try to smooth things over.