Geloe's sacrifice. Tiamak found his eyes filling with tears. They stung. Tiamak found his eyes filling with tears. They stung.

She Who Waits to Take All Back, he prayed desperately, he prayed desperately, do not let her drift by! do not let her drift by!

He covered his face with his hands. He did not want to think any more.

Josua ran faster. When Isgrimnur caught him at last, the prince had already stopped to make sure that the fires were being mastered. The original blaze had spread only a little way, catching perhaps a half-dozen other tents at most, and all but some in the first tent had escaped. Sangfugol was one of them. He stood, clothed only in a long shirt, and blearily watched the proceedings.

After a.s.suring himself that everything possible was being done, Isgrimnur followed Josua to Camaris and the other two survivors, the Sitha-woman and little Tiamak, who were resting nearby. They were all bloodied and singed, but Isgrimnur felt sure after looking them over quickly that they would all live.

"Ah, praise merciful Aedon that you escaped, Sir Camaris," said Josua, kneeling at the side of the old knight. "I feared rightly that it might be your tent when we first saw the blaze." He turned to Aditu, who seemed to have her wits about her, which could not quite be said of Camaris and the marsh man. "Who have we lost? I am told there are bodies inside the tent still."

Aditu looked up. "Geloe, I fear. She was badly wounded. Dying."

"G.o.d curse it!" Josua's voice cracked. "Cursed day!" He pulled a handful of gra.s.s and flung it down angrily. With an effort, he calmed himself. "Is she still in there? And who are the others?"

"They are none of them Geloe," she said. "The three inside the tent are those you call Norns. Geloe has gone to the forest."

"What!" Josua sat back, stunned. "What do you mean, gone to the forest? You said she was dead."

"Dying." Aditu spread her fingers. "She did not want us to see her last moments, I think. She was strange, Josua-stranger than you know. She went away."

"Gone?"

The Sitha nodded slowly. "Gone."

The prince made the sign of the Tree and bowed his head. When he looked up, there were tears running on his cheek; Isgrimnur did not think they were caused by the smoke. He, too, felt a shadow move over him as he thought of the loss of Geloe. With so many pressing tasks he could not dwell on it now, but the duke knew from long experience in battle that it would strike him hard later.

"We have been attacked in our very heart," the prince said bitterly. "How did they get past the sentries?"

"The one I fought was dripping wet," said Aditu. "They may have come down the river."

Josua swore. "We have been dangerously lax, and I am the worst miscreant. I had thought it strange we had escaped the Norns' attentions so long, but my precautions were inadequate. Were there more than those three?"

"I think there were no more," Aditu replied. "And they would have been more than enough, but that we were lucky. If Geloe and I had not guessed something was amiss, and if Tiamak had not somehow known and arrived when he did, this tale would have had a different ending. I think they meant to kill Camaris, or at least to take him."

"But why?" Josua looked at the old knight, then back to Aditu.

"I do not know. But let us carry him, and Tiamak, too, to some warm place, Prince Josua. Camaris has at least one wound, perhaps more, and Tiamak is burned, I think."

"Aedon's mercy, you are right," said Josua. "'Thoughtless, thoughtless. One moment." He turned and called some of his soldiers together, then sent them off with orders for the sentries to search the camp. "We cannot be sure there were not more Norns or other attackers," Josua said. "At the very least, we may find something to tell us how these came into our camp without being seen."

"None of the Gardenborn are easily seen by mortals-if they do not wish to be seen," said Aditu. "May we take Camaris and Tiamak away now?"

"Of course." Josua called two of the bucket carriers. "You men! Come and help us!" He turned to Isgrimnur. "Four should be enough to carry them, even though Camaris is large." He shook his head. "Aditu is right-we have made these brave ones wait too long."

The duke had been in such situations before, and knew that too much haste was as bad as too little. "I think we would be better to find something to carry them on," he said. "If one of those outer tents has been saved from the fire, we might use it to make a litter or two."

"Good." Josua stood. "Aditu, I did not ask if you had wounds that needed tending."

"Nothing I cannot care for myself, Prince Josua. When these two have been seen to, we should gather those that you trust and talk."

"I agree. There is much to talk about. We will meet at Isgrimnur's tent within the hour. Does that suit you, Isgrimnur?" The prince turned aside for a moment, then turned back. His face was haggard with grief. "I was thinking that we should find Geloe to come nurse them ... then I remembered."

Aditu made a gesture, fingers touching fingers before her. "This is not the last time we shall miss her, I think."

"It is Josua," the prince called from outside the tent. When he stepped inside, Gutrun still had the knife held before her. The d.u.c.h.ess looked fierce as an undenned badger, ready to protect herself and Vorzheva from whatever danger might show itself. She lowered the dagger as Josua entered, relieved but still full of worry.

"What is it? We heard the shouting. Is my husband with you?"

"He is safe, Gutrun." Josua walked to the bed, then leaned forward and pulled Vorzheva to him in a swift embrace. He kissed her brow as he released her. "But we have been attacked by the Storm King's minions. We have lost only one, but that is a great loss."

"Who?" Vorzheva caught his arm as he tried to straighten.

"Geloe."

She cried out in grief.

"Three Norns attacked Camaris," Josua explained. "Aditu, Geloe, and the Wrannaman Tiamak came to his aid. The Norns were killed, but Aditu says that Geloe took a fatal wound." He shook his head. "I think she was the wisest of us all. Now she is gone and we cannot replace her."

Vorzheva fell back. "But she was just here, Josua. She came with Aditu to see me. Now she is dead?" Tears filled her eyes.

Josua nodded sadly. "I came to see that you were safe. Now I must go meet with Isgrimnur and the others to decide what this means, what we will do." He stood, then bent and kissed his wife again. "Do not steep-and keep your knife, Gutrun-until I can send someone here to guard you."

"No one else was hurt? Gutrun said that she saw fires."

"Camaris' tent. He seems to have been the only one attacked." He began to move toward the door.

"But Josua," Vorzheva said, "are you sure? Our camp is so big."

The prince shook his head. "I am sure of nothing, but we have not heard of any other attacks. I will have someone here to guard you soon. Now I must hurry, Vorzheva."

"Let him go, Lady," Gutrun told her. "Lie back and try to sleep. Think of your child."

Vorzheva sighed. Josua squeezed her hand, then turned and hastened from the tent.

Isgrimnur looked up as the prince strode into the light of the campfire. The cl.u.s.ter of men waiting for the prince stepped back respectfully, letting him pa.s.s. "Josua ..." the duke began, but the prince did not let him finish.

"I have been foolish, Isgrimnur. It is not enough to have sentries running through the camp looking for signs of invading Norns. Aedon's Blood, it took me long enough to realize it-Sludig!" he shouted. "Is Sludig somewhere nearby?"

The Rimmersman stepped forward. "Here, Prince Josua."

"Send soldiers through the camp to see if everyone is accounted for, especially those of our party who might be at risk. Binabik and Strangyeard were with me until the fire started, but that does not mean they are safe still. It is late in the day for me to realize this might have been a diversion. And my niece, Miriamele-send someone to her tent immediately. And Simon, too, although he may be with Binabik." Josua frowned. "If they wanted Camaris, it seems likely it was about the sword. Simon carried it for a while, so perhaps there is some danger to him as well. d.a.m.n me for my slow wits."

Isgrimnur made a throat-clearing noise. "I already sent Freosel to look after Miriamele, Josua. I knew you would want to see Lady Vorzheva as soon as you could and I thought it should not wait."

"Thank you, Isgrimnur. I did go to her. She and Gutrun are fine." Josua scowled. "But I am shamed you have had to do my thinking."

Isgrimnur shook his head. "Let's just hope the princess is safe."

"Freosel has been sent after Miriamele," Josua told Sludig. "That is one less to hunt for. Go and see to the rest now. And post two guards at my tent, if you would. I will think better knowing that someone is watching over Vorzheva."

The Rimmersman nodded. He commandeered a large portion of the soldiers who were milling aimlessly around Isgrimnur's camp and went off to do as he had been bid.

"And now," Josua said to Isgrimnur, "we wait. And think."

Before the hour was too much older, Aditu reappeared; Father Strangyeard and Binabik were with her. They had gone with the Sitha to make sure Camaris and Tiamak were resting comfortably in the care of one of New Gadrinsett's healing-women-and also, apparently, to talk, for they were all three deep in conversation when they reached Isgrimnur's tent.

Aditu told Josua and the rest all the details of the night's events. She spoke calmly, but Isgrimnur could not help noticing that, although she chose her words with as much care as ever, the Sitha seemed profoundly troubled. She and Geloe had been friends, he knew: apparently the Sithi felt grief just as mortals did. He liked her better for it, then dismissed the thought as unworthy. Why should immortals not take hurt like humans? From what Isgrimnur knew, they had certainly suffered at least as much.

"So." Josua sat back and looked around the circle. "We have found no trace of anyone else being attacked. The question is, why did they single out Camaris?"

"There must be something to this Three Swords rhyme after all," said Isgrimnur. He didn't like such things: they made him feel as though the ground beneath his feet was unsolid, but that seemed to be the kind of world he found himself in. It was hard not to yearn for the clean edge that things had when he was younger. Even the worst of matters, like war, terrible as it was, had not been so shot through with strange sorceries and mysterious enemies. "They must have been after Camaris because of Thorn."

"Or perhaps it was Thorn alone they were seeking for," Binabik said soberly. "And Camaris was not of the most importance."

"I still do not understand how they were able almost to overcome him," Strangyeard said. "What is that poison you spoke of, Aditu?"

"Kei-vishaa. In truth, it is not just a poison: we Gardenborn use it in the Grove when it is time to dance the year's end. But it can also be wielded to bring a long, heavy sleep. It was brought from Venyha Do'sae; my people used it when they first came here, to remove dangerous animals-some of them huge creatures whose like have long pa.s.sed from Osten Ard-from the places where we wished to build our cities. When I smelled it, I knew that something was wrong. We Zida'ya have never used it for anything except the year-dancing ceremonies."

"How is it used there?" the archivist asked, fascinated.

Aditu only lowered her eyes. "I am sorry, good Strangyeard, but that is not for me to say. I perhaps should not have mentioned it at all. I am tired."

"We have no need to pry into your people's rituals," said Josua. "And we have more important things to speak of, in any case." He turned an irritated look on Strangyeard, who hung his head. "It is enough that we know how they were able to attack Camaris without his raising an alarm. We are lucky that Tiamak had the presence of mind to set the tent ablaze. From now on, we will be absolutely rigid in the arrangement of our camp. All who are in any way at risk will set their tents close together in the very center, so we all sleep within sight of each other. I blame myself for indulging Camaris' wish for solitude. I have taken my responsibilities too lightly."

Isgrimnur frowned. "We must all be more careful."

As the council turned to talk of what other precautions should be taken, Freosel appeared at the fireside. "Sorry, Highness, but the princess be not anywhere 'round her tent, nor did anyone see her since early."

Josua was clearly upset. "Not there? Aedon preserve us, was Vorzheva right? Did they come for the princess after all?" He stood up. "I cannot sit here while she may be in danger. We must search the entire camp."

"Sludig is doing that already," said Isgrimnur gently. "We will only confuse things."

The prince slumped down again. "You are right. But it will be hard to wait."

They had barely resumed the discussion when Sludig returned, his face grim. He handed Josua a piece of parchment. "This was in young Simon's tent."

The prince read it quickly, then flung it down on the ground in disgust. A moment later he stooped for it, then handed it to the troll, his face stiff and angry. "I am sorry, Binabik, I should not have done that. It seems to be for you." He stood. "Hotvig?"

"Yes, Prince Josua." The Thrithings-man also stood.

"Miriamele has gone. Take as many of your riders as you can quickly find. The chances are good that she has headed toward Erkynland, so do most of your searching west of the camp. But do not ignore the possibility. that she might go some other way to throw us off before she turns back to the west."

"What?" Isgrimnur looked up in surprise. "What do you mean, gone?"

Binabik looked up from the parchment. "This was written by Simon. It is seeming that he has gone with her, but he also says he will try to bring her back." The troll's smile was thin and obviously forced. "There is some question in my head about who is leading who. I am doubting Simon will convince her for coming back very soon."

Josua gestured impatiently. "Go, Hotvig. G.o.d only knows how long they have been gone. As a matter of fact, since you and your riders are the fastest hors.e.m.e.n we have here, go west; leave the other part of the search to the rest of us." He turned to Sludig. "We will ride around the camp, making our circle wider each time. I will saddle Vinyafod. Meet me there." He turned to the duke. "Are you coming?"

"Of course." Silently, Isgrimnur cursed himself. I should have known something was coming, he thought. She has been so quiet, so sad, so distant since we came here. Josua hasn't seen the change as I have. But even if she thinks we should have marched on Erkynland, why would she go on her own? Fool of a headstrong child. And Simon. I thought better of that boy. I should have known something was coming, he thought. She has been so quiet, so sad, so distant since we came here. Josua hasn't seen the change as I have. But even if she thinks we should have marched on Erkynland, why would she go on her own? Fool of a headstrong child. And Simon. I thought better of that boy.

Already unhappy at the thought of a night in the saddle and what it would do to his sore back, Isgrimnur grunted and rose to his feet.

"Why won't she wake up!?" Jeremias demanded. "Can't you do something?"

"Hush, boy, I'm doing what I can." d.u.c.h.ess Gutrun bent and felt Leleth's face again. "She is cool, not feverish."

"Then what's wrong with her?" Jeremias seemed almost frantic. "I tried to wake her for a long time, but she just lay there."

"Let me give another cover for her," Vorzheva said. She had made room in the bed for the girl to lie beside her, but Gutrun had disallowed it, frightened that Leleth had some sickness which Vorzheva might catch. Instead, Jeremias had carefully set the girl's limp form on a blanket upon the ground.

"You just lie still and I'll worry about the child," the d.u.c.h.ess told her. "This is altogether too much noise and fretting."

Prince Josua stepped through the door, unhappiness etched on his face. "Is there not enough gone wrong? The guard said someone was sick. Vorzheva? Are you well?"

"It is not me, Josua. The little girl Leleth, she cannot be wakened."

Duke Isgrimnur stumped in. "A d.a.m.ned long ride and no sign of Miriamele," he growled. "We can only hope that Hotvig and his Thrithings-men have better luck than we did."

"Miriamele?" Vorzheva asked. "Has something happened to her, also?"

"She has ridden off with young Simon," Josua said grimly.

"This is a cursed night," Vorzheva groaned. "Why does this all happen?"

"To be fair, I don't think it was the lad's idea." Isgrimnur bent and put his arm about his wife's shoulders, then kissed her neck. "He left a letter which said he would try to bring her back." The duke's eyes narrowed. "Why is the girl here? Was she hurt in the fire?"

"I brought her," Jeremias said miserably. "d.u.c.h.ess Gutrun asked me to look after her tonight."

"I didn't want her underfoot with Vorzheva so sick." Gutrun could not entirely hide her own discomfort. "And it was just for a while, when Geloe was going to meet with you men."

"I was with her all evening," Jeremias explained. "After she was asleep, I fell asleep, too. I didn't mean to. I was just tired."

Josua turned and looked at the young man kindly. "You did nothing wrong to fall asleep. Go on."

"I woke up when everyone was shouting about the fire. I thought Leleth would be frightened, so I went over to let her know I was still there. She was sitting up with her eyes open, but I don't think she heard a word I said. Then she fell back and her eyes closed, like she was sleeping. But I couldn't wake her up! I tried for a long time. Then I brought her here to see if d.u.c.h.ess Gutrun could help." As Jeremias finished, he was on the verge of tears.

"You did nothing wrong, Jeremias," the prince repeated. "Now, I need you to do something for me."