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round-faced Florenda hastened through the side archway from the formal dining hall to join the sorceress at the base of the staircase. “I thought that had to be you, riding in so late,” puffed the household head as she stopped and bowed.
    â€œIs everything all right? How is Lady Anna?”
    â€œShe be fine, lady. She ate well, down in the salon with Richina and young Kerisel and Jeagyn. She, Lady Anna, was…she was telling Lizyrel that she’d better be careful with that young fellow of hers, because he took after his father.”
    â€œThat sounds like her.” Secca took a slow breath, relaxing slightly. She’d felt tense for the entire day’s ride, and she’d been worrying the whole time about the extra day she’d taken on thejourney back to add another dek and a half to the road from Mencha to the Chean. Yet, if she didn’t squeeze it in, she’d never finish it, because it wasn’t something that she wanted to ride two days in order to put in a day’s work and then ride two back. Nor did Secca wish to spend a week or so camping on the road to finish it, especially when neither Anna nor Robero liked the idea of the players being out of touch that long for roadwork, even though Robero also complained about the length of time it had taken to build the road system.
    â€œShe was fussing about something, but didn’t say what. She’s been doing that for years, and she will be after I’m long gone. You know the way she does.”
    Secca did. “I’ll go on up and see how she is. Is everything else all right?”
    â€œNothing that Halde ’n me couldn’t handle.”
    The sorceress smiled. There was very little the two couldn’t handle between them. Still, she hurried up the wide stone stairs to the second level, her boots echoing on the stone steps and the stone floor of the upper corridor leading back to the main suite that was Anna’s.
    After a hurried knock, Secca bowed as she entered Anna’s quarters. “Lady…”
    Anna sat behind the small desk in the alcove in her quarters, appearing, as always, young and beautiful, blonde hair in perfect position, blue eyes firm and focused, and wearing her trademark green vest over a white silk tunic-shirt. “You seem to be no worse for the wear, or from the ride, Secca.” Anna smiled good-humoredly.
    â€œI did take an extra day on the way back to add to the road.”
    â€œYou shouldn’t have much left before it’s done.”
    â€œSix deks or so, I would judge.” Secca perched on the chest at the foot of the bed.
    â€œRobero sent me a message.” Anna’s smile turned sardonic. “About the unfortunate illness afflicting Kylar.”
    â€œHe did not become ill until I was gone several days from Issl. Robero informed me when I reached Elheld.”
    â€œHeavens…I’m not unhappy with you, Secca.” Annashook her head. “Robero still doesn’t have a grain of sense in that balding skull. Anyone could have read that scroll and figured out what he meant. What good would writing something like that do? Alyssa’s not around for a week, and he’s already in trouble. Robero has known for years, as well as we have, that Issl would have been a mess, worse than the revolt in Pamr, within seasons if Kylar had inherited the holding. But Robero still had to warn me, as if he didn’t need the protection we provide.” The Sorceress-Protector snorted.
    â€œYou used the pool to find that out?”
    â€œA little scrying won’t hurt me. I’m not trying to see Elizabetta.” The touch of a frown remained on the unlined forehead as she continued, “I’d like you to try to call up her image tomorrow…when you’re rested.”
    â€œI can do that.” Secca managed to keep her voice level. Anna had never asked Secca to use the glass to bring up an image of the older sorceress’s