Under Jorvanultumn’s control, the icy ground cracked and parted. Just a little. He needed to be careful not to destabilise the entire area. He traced a small wave with one arm and the cleft went deeper, down to the rock below. When he could feel the rock, he made a lifting motion with his other arm, breaking off a chunk of rock and raising it upwards. He widened the cleft just enough to let the rock through. As soon as the rock was in the open air, he resealed the ice and let the rock settle on the ground.

At his nod, Fevionawishtensen approached the rock and traced equations onto its surface. It will take a few minutes to heat up. She backed up.

As soon as she was out of the way, Jorvanultumn took control of the ice again. However, instead of splitting it, he stretched out sections of the surface to form a screen around three sides of the rock. With that done, Fevionawishtensen moved in again and traced more equations on the screen and the ground, reinforcing them so that they did not melt from the heat to come.

Jorvanultumn took a moment to observe the work while Fevionawishtensen came up beside him. She took his arm and smiled at him.

“It will be ready soon, Sinitïa,” he said.

Sinitïa clapped her hands. “I can feel some warmth already. Will I be able to do that someday?”

“Probably better,” Jorvanultumn said. A conjuror was much better suited to something like this, but this should work well enough. “There is still the wind to worry about. It will still be cold and if it is strong enough, it could counter the effects of the heating stone.”

“Can’t you control the wind?” Sinitïa asked.

“While I am here, yes.”

“Aren’t you staying?”

“I will check in on you frequently, but I need to do some other things as well.”

“What sort of things?”

“Investigations to find Meleng.” It was true, though he could not be more specific. They had run into Mikranasta on the way here, and she had told him she had some ideas to help find Meleng. He did not know what yet though.

Sinitïa turned to where her easel, canvas, and paints lay on the ground. “That makes sense. If the wind picks up, I’ll figure out something.” She removed her mittens and then began removing her scarves. “It’s a great place to paint.”

They were at the edge of the gardens in front of the Governance Building. It was a believable place that Sinitïa would want to paint, but more importantly, it saw a lot of traffic through it, giving Sinitïa the opportunity to observe the largest number of people. Jorvanultumn doubted this would achieve much, but at least it let Sinitïa feel like she was contributing to the search. And who knew? Maybe luck would be on their side, and she would notice something.

Sinitïa was just finishing setting up her easel and canvas when Jeanne ran up beside her. “Jeanne!” The dog sniffed at the brushes and paints. Sinitïa picked her up. “Nope, not yours.” She snuggled the dog against her chest.

Captain Gen strode up to her. “I came as quickly as I could.”

“I didn’t interrupt anything important, did I?” Sinitïa asked.

Gen shook his head. “Nothing is more important than finding Meleng, my dear. But no, you didn’t interrupt anything. The negotiating’s mostly done. All that’s left is the transfer of goods, and Miana can handle that without me.”

Sinitïa held Jeanne out to Gen. “I want her in front of the purple tree over there. The one with the white flower.” She motioned with her chin.

Gen took the dog. He grunted at the weight and the dog squirmed in his arms. “One of the szadene plants?”

“Yeah, that one.” Sinitïa pointed with her hand this time.

Gen got a better hold on the dog. “You do realise she’s not trained to stay in one spot like that, right? She’s not likely to stay put, especially not if she sees or smells something interesting.”

“Then you sit with her and I’ll paint you too.”

“I…” Gen looked over at the spot Sinitïa had indicated. It was not far from the entrance to the Governance Building. Then he looked back at the heating stone. “I’d much rather stay right here, if that’s all right. It’s much warmer. You wouldn’t want to sit over there, would you?”

Sinitïa frowned and slumped her shoulders. Then her eyes widened and she straightened up and looked to Jorvanultumn and Fevionawishtensen.

I need to return to the search, Fevionawishtensen signed. She hurriedly touched her forehead to his and fumbled to touch her wing tips to his as well.

Sinitïa frowned a little as Fevionawishtensen placed her hand on her chest. Gen returned the gesture and then so did Sinitïa. Sinitïa waved as Fevionawishtensen left, then turned to face Jorvanultumn.

“I cannot sit with the dog, Sinitïa,” Jorvanultumn said. “I need to find Mikranasta.”

“Oh, it won’t take long. Please!”

Gen held the dog out to him. “Honestly, this makes the most sense. If you want this exercise to succeed, you need to draw attention to yourselves. Admittedly, Sinitïa just painting will draw attention, but if she’s painting you… Well, I dare say that will generate a lot of attention and a lot of people for her to observe.”

“It really won’t take long,” Sinitïa said.

Jorvanultumn groaned and reached for the dog. He had never handled an animal like this before, and she was half his size. Did he have the strength to hold her?

“Now, be careful,” Gen said. “Yes, like—no, no. Put one hand there.”

Jeanne squirmed and yelped as Jorvanultumn tried to handle her. On the ship, he had been content to ignore the dog. He sniffed. “She smells strange.”

“That’s just dog smell, Jorvanultumn. You’ll get used to it.” Gen helped him get his arms around the dog.

“Scratch her behind the ears,” Sinitïa said. “She likes that.”

Jorvanultumn tentatively did just that. The dog looked up at him and licked his chin. He grimaced and nearly dropped the animal.

“Careful!” Gen leapt forward, ready to catch the dog, but relaxed when Jorvanultumn kept hold of her.

“Now, go sit over there.” Sinitïa pointed.

Trying his best to hold onto the dog, who had started squirming again, Jorvanultumn walked over to the spot Sinitïa had indicated. When he got there, he turned to face her.

There was already an audience growing. Other Isyar in the gardens were watching the goings-on and several had turned their attention to him. Perhaps this could work out after all.

“Sit down,” Sinitïa called to him, “and put Jeanne in your lap. Don’t let her run away!”

He did as she asked, almost losing his hold on the dog again. Jeanne did not want to sit, so he just let her stand there while he held on to her. She kept looking about, and barked at a nearby Isyar, who turned and walked the other way.

“Get her to lie down!” Sinitïa called.

“She refuses!”

A few moments later, a grumbling Gen came over, coaxed the dog into lying in Jorvanultumn’s lap, and then returned to the warmth by the heating stone.

With things in place, Sinitïa began painting, and Jorvanultumn waited… And waited. At first, he frequently needed to coax Jeanne into staying put. He tried using the same tactics Gen had used: a gentle touch and soft words of praise. Apparently, dogs—or Jeanne, at any rate—reacted well to being told how good they were. After a while, the dog stopped trying to escape, and Jorvanultumn soon realised she had fallen asleep—just as he realised her weight was also numbing his legs.

Numerous passersby stopped to ask what was happening. Others noticeably made a point of avoiding the strange set-up, while a few passed by as if nothing unusual was happening at all. All the while, Jorvanultumn kept careful watch, but noticed nothing of note. From time to time, he also adjusted the wind.

After what seemed an eternity, but was probably closer to half an hour at most, Lammdir Griholbovroh approached Jorvanultumn. His staff smacked against the ice path. “What are you doing, Jorvanultumn, and what is that?” He pointed to the heating stone and screen.

“Princess Sinitïa Alessia Deanna Folith is painting. I am her subject.”

Griholbovroh squinted in Sinitïa’s direction. “Why? What does she think she is, a light wizard?”

“She enjoys it. Humans do not use magic for painting.”

“A pointless exercise. There is nothing to be gained from it.”

“There is art to be gained from it. The only other choice humans have is to be like us and not paint.”

Griholbovroh scowled. “Then they should be like us. Lost disciplines should not be mocked and disgraced so.” He lifted his staff and pointed it towards Jeanne. “What is that?”

“A dog, Lammdir. An animal from Arnor. She belongs to Captain Etiënne Gen.”

Jeanne opened her eyes, lifted her head, and growled.

Griholbovroh took several steps back. “Keep it under control.”

“Apologies, Lammdir.” Jorvanultumn stroked Jeanne’s head. “There there. Be a good girl and go back to sleep.”

The dog put her head back down as Griholbovroh harrumphed and stomped away.

Sometime later, Jorvanultumn found that he had lost almost all feeling in his legs and called out to Sinitïa that he needed to move.

Sinitïa took several seconds to reply. “Okay.” There was disappointment in her voice.

Jorvanultumn nudged Jeanne. The dog’s head shot up and she growled. “Please, I need to get up.” He nudged her again, trying to be as gentle as he could. She shot to her feet and leapt off him, running to Gen.

Jorvanultumn’s legs protested as he stood up, pins and needles shooting through them. But at least he was able to move again. He hobbled over to Sinitïa.

She raised her arms and positioned herself in front of her canvas, trying to block what was there. “Don’t look! It’s not finished yet!”

Jorvanultumn held up his hands. “Do not worry. I will not look.”

“It’s hard to paint in the cold, even with the heating stone. The paint doesn’t like it very much.” She frowned.

“Have you noticed anything?” Jorvanultumn asked.

She shrugged and grabbed a bag lying at her feet. She pulled out several sheets. “I made a bunch of sketches to help me remember the details of everything I saw.” She held them out to him. “I didn’t notice anything unusual though. None of the symbols, and I looked carefully for them. But a lot of people were far away and if the symbols were really small…”

“I understand,” Jorvanultumn said.

Sinitïa’s eyes widened. “Itra! Over here!”

Jorvanultumn turned. Itra stood near the edge of the gardens, looking in their direction. Sinitïa continued to call to him.

“Sinitïa,” Jorvanultumn said, “you should be careful. You were only just excused from this action. If you—”

“I don’t care.”

People were already starting to move away, many leaving the gardens entirely.

Itra had started towards Sinitïa. As he got closer, Sinitïa pointed to the wing dragging behind him. “What happened to his wings?”

“He broke them trying to fly when he was a child,” Jorvanultumn said. “Isyar without magic cannot fly. His wings never healed properly, especially that one. Over the years, the muscles have...I am not sure of the word.”

“Atrophied,” Gen said.

Sinitïa scrunched her nose. “What does that mean?”

“That he can’t use his wings,” Gen said.

Sinitïa frowned. “That’s so sad.”

Itra reached them. He eyed the heating stone and recoiled a bit from the warmth radiating from it.

Sinitïa held up her right hand, palm out. “Hi, Itra. I’m Sinitïa.”

Itra bowed his head to her.

“Jorvan, translate for me.”

Jorvanultumn looked around at the garden. There were several Isyar watching them, and he doubted they were approving.

“Jorvan!” Sinitïa snapped.

He turned to face her again. She was right. Perhaps it was time to break another tradition. He nodded to Sinitïa, who grinned and held up her hand again.

Jorvanultumn turned to Itra. “Itra, this is Princess Sinitïa Alessia Deanna Folith. She would like to greet you.”

Itra held up his left hand and touched his palm to hers. “Itra.”

“Why is his name so short?” Sinitïa asked.

“Because he has no family,” Jorvanultumn said. “He was communally raised.”

Gen edged up beside Jorvanultumn. “Couldn’t this get us in a lot of trouble?”

“I will handle it if anyone interferes,” Jorvanultumn replied.

Sinitïa lowered her hand. “That’s really sad. Tell him I think it’s really unfair the way you all treat him and ask him if he wants to be my friend.”

Jorvanultumn translated her words, and Itra’s eyes widened. He shook his head. “Tell her I’m honoured, but I cannot be her friend. I cannot be anyone’s friend. I’d be punished. I’m just a ptip. I do chores. That’s it.”

After Jorvanultumn told her, she looked about to burst into tears. She glared at him. “Your rules are stupid! They’re like rules for servants in the Palace. I never realised before how bad they are. Ask him if he wants to be in one of my paintings.”

“I...don’t understand,” Itra said after Jorvanultumn translated.

Jorvanultumn indicated the easel and jars of paint. “She makes art using brushes and coloured paints. All without magic. She would like to paint a picture of you.”

He shook his head again. “I can’t. Just like I can’t be her friend, it…” He stopped and stared forward, past Jorvanultumn and Sinitïa both. “On second thought, tell her I’d like that very much.”

“Are you sure?” Jorvanultumn said, glancing where Itra seemed to be staring. It was only the mountainside.

Itra continued to stare at the mountainside. “I am sure. Ask her where she wants me to be.”

Jorvanultumn nodded. “As you wish.” On the one hand, it was like Itra to try to socialise with humans. On the other, it really was something he could be punished for, just like he had started to say.

“Is everything okay?” Sinitïa asked.

“Sorry,” Jorvanultumn said. “Everything is fine. Itra would like to to be in your painting now. Where do you want him to go?”

Sinitïa beamed and clapped her hands. She looked about, her gaze circling over the gardens and back again. “Oh, oh! Over there. Standing in front of that statue.”

“Very well.” Jorvanultumn led Itra to the spot Sinitïa indicated, Itra walking just beside him, head held high, back straight. “Stand here. Do not move until Sinitïa tells you it is okay.”

Itra moved into position and looked straight out, again not meeting Jorvanultumn’s gaze. “As she wishes.”

Jorvanultumn nodded and started back to Sinitïa and Gen, but after a few steps, he stopped and looked back. “Itra, is everything all right?”

“Yes, thank you.” Itra still did not turn his head to look at Jorvanultumn, but just stared straight ahead.

Jorvanultumn nodded and returned to Sinitïa and Gen. Sinitïa was already getting her paints and brushes ready.

“He started walking different,” Sinitïa said.

“Yes, I know.” Jorvanultumn motioned Gen closer to him and Sinitïa. “Watch Itra carefully, both of you. There is something strange going on. I really must go to Mikranasta. She is probably already annoyed with me. If anything happens, call for me. I will not be very far away.”

Gen nodded. “Trust me, I’ll yell loud enough that you could hear me on the other side of the mountain.”

“I will return as soon as I can.” He hurried off.

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?”

“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.”

* * * * *

Davorultumn and Mikranasta were seared next to each other, conversing, in the gathering room when Jorvanultumn, Sinitïa, and Captain Gen arrived. They went silent immediately.

“Our apologies,” Jorvanultumn said in Isyarian. “We didn’t mean to interrupt.”

Mikranasta smiled. “Not at all. I asked you here. We were merely chatting while we waited. It might have been a touch intimate, but it’s nothing we can’t resume at another time.” She grinned at Davorultumn, then motioned them all to come fully into the room. “No Itra, I see.”

Jorvanultumn sat at the low table across from Mikranasta and Davorultumn. “He is coming soon.”

Sinitïa sat next to Jorvanultumn, and Gen on her other side. Jeanne bounded onto the table itself, though Sinitïa pulled the dog into her lap.

“I, uh…” Jorvanultumn looked at his diare, who was looking disapprovingly at the dog, and grimaced. “I told Itra you had a task for him, Diare.”

Davorultumn eyed Jorvanultumn. “I don’t have a task for him. You know that I wouldn’t.”

Jorvanultumn nodded. “I know, and I’m sorry, but I needed to say something.”

Mikranasta waved her hand dismissively. “It doesn’t matter. If it gets him here, that’s all that matters.” She smiled at Davorultumn. “I will speak to him. Your reputation won’t be ruined.”

Sinitïa held up her hand and waved. “Hi.” Under her breath, she added to Jorvanultumn, “You’re talking again without me being able to understand.”

“Sorry,” Jorvanultumn replied. “I was just telling my diare—”

Mikranasta held up a hand. “Don’t worry, Sinitïa Alessia Deanna Folith.” She was speaking Isyarian, but it was clear Sinitïa understood her. “We aren’t ignoring you.” Mikranasta’s gaze moved to Gen, and her eyes narrowed. “Captain Etiënne Gen.”

“My apologies, madam,” Gen said. “I was not aware you could translate in the manner of Lamdir Paydamat.”

Mikranasta gave the slightest of smiles. “Neither is she, and neither are most people. This knowledge does not spread beyond here. Not to Paydamat, not to your crew, not to anyone. Understood?”

Gen bowed his head. “As you wish, madam.”

Mikranasta glanced at Jeanne, who had rested her head on the edge of the low-table.

Sinitïa gently pulled the dog’s head off the table and back into her lap.

“We need to discuss Itra,” Mikranasta said. “Jorvanultumn brought him to my attention after observing him behaving oddly with you all. I detected mental manipulation and examined him more thoroughly. Unfortunately, the distance between us limited how much I could learn. However, I did find several triggers implanted in him. Most of them are manual triggers that must be magically or telepathically sent by whoever put them there. Essentially, they allow that person to send commands to Itra. A few of them are pre-programmed actions activated by specific words or actions.”

“Such as his behaviour when Sinitïa asked to paint him?” Gen said.

Mikranasta shrugged. “Possibly, but that was a rather specific situation. That was more likely a manually activated trigger.”

“But that would mean…” Jorvanultumn began.

Mikranasta nodded. “Yes, whoever did it had to be nearby.”

“Exactly how nearby?” Gen asked.

“It depends on the power of the mentalist,” Mikranasta said. “However, assuming a powerful one, they would just need to be able to see Itra, preferably you all as well, though that’s not strictly necessary. Not being able to see you could make his actions—or, more accurately, reactions—less natural. Distance could cause that as well.”

Gen glanced at Jorvanultumn. “That could explain quite a bit.”

“Do you have any idea who did it?” Jorvanultumn asked.

“I bet it was Paydamat,” Sinitïa said.

Jorvanultumn shook his head. “I am doubtful of that. I think—”

“I’m afraid Sinitïa Alessia Deanna Folith may be right,” Mikranasta said.

Sinitïa grinned. “See?”

“We cannot be certain yet,” Mikranasta said.

“But are there not others who could do this?” Jorvanultumn said.

Mikranasta nodded.

“Then why do you believe it might be Paydamat?”

“Because her position brings her into frequent contact with Itra. She would have ample opportunity to put such triggers in place.” Mikranasta held up her hand as Jorvanultumn was about to respond. “More importantly, she would have ample opportunity to notice any conditioning placed on him by someone else. It is difficult to believe someone of her power would not have noticed.”

Jorvanultumn sighed. What she said made logical sense, but something still seemed wrong.

“That would mean the Pundritta got two people into the Lamdritta,” Davorultumn said.

Mikranasta nodded. “Which would make them a very powerful group. It is distressing. Let’s hope they do not have anyone in the Lordritta.”

“Is it possible this conditioning was done recently?” Gen asked. “Recently enough that Paydamat would not have had a chance to notice?”

“Possibly,” Mikranasta said, “though unlikely. The conditioning is deep enough to imply a long-term process, but I can hopefully determine for certain once I can examine him more closely.”

“Perhaps it was put there by someone more powerful than Paydamat,” Jorvanultumn said. “Someone who could hide it even from her.”

Mikranasta looked up at the sky and muttered under her breath. Jorvanultumn could not hear her words, but he guessed that they were something along the lines of, “Nature, grant me patience.” It was something she sometimes did when she was getting annoyed at him, Hedromornasta, or Davorultumn.

After a moment, she looked down again and looked calmly at Jorvanultumn. “You are stretching things, Jorvanultumn. You’re smarter than that. There are only a handful of people in Isyaria who could do that and only one of them is here in Chithishtheny. So unless you think I did it…”

Jorvanultumn raised his hands and shook his head. “No. No, of course not.”

“Then we are left with only Paydamat. I don’t want to believe it any more than you do, Jorvanultumn, but at the moment, all signs point to her, and to her siare.” She sighed and looked to Davorultumn. “What do you think, my dear?”

Davorultumn chuckled. “I think this whole situation has shaken you a lot. You just basically admitted to being more powerful than Paydamat.”

Mikranasta gave a knowing smile. “Nonsense. Our relative power has never been tested.”

“And never will, yes, I know,” Davorultumn said. “However, to answer your actual question, I agree, we must at least consider Paydamat as a suspect. We shouldn’t jump to conclusions either.”

“Agreed,” Mikranasta said. “We will know more once I can examine—”

There was a knock at the door.

“Ah. That is probably him,” Mikranasta said. “Jorvanultumn, if you don’t mind.”

Jorvanultumn stood up and went to the door, pausing a moment before opening it. It was horrible what had been done to Itra, and they were about to put him through more of it—even if it was to find out who had done it and to undo it. Itra did not deserve it. Taking a deep breath, he opened the door.

Itra bowed his head. “Forgive any intrusion I have made. I have come, as requested by Davorultumn.”

Jorvanultumn stood aside. “Please, come in.”

Davorultumn had already stood and the others were getting up when Itra walked in.

“Davorultumn, you have a task for me?” Itra said.

Davorultumn nodded. “Yes, I need you to do something. I need you to...uh...to submit to an examination by Mikranasta.”

Itra took a step back. “I’m sorry, I’m not sure I understand.”

“It will be harmless,” Davorultumn said. “You have nothing to worry about.”

Mikranasta strode around the low-table, and Itra spun around and...stopped? One foot was partially off the floor as if he were about to step forward. His head was turned a little to look back behind him. There was a slight hint of a tremor in his jaw and his eyes darted about in fear, but otherwise, he was perfectly still.

Mikranasta reached Itra. “I’m very sorry, Itra. We set off one of his triggers by mentioning examining him.”

Jorvanultumn looked away for a moment. He had been through something like this before: that moment in Ninifin when the priests of Sestin had frozen him in place, then had taken control of his body and forced him to move where they wanted. But in Ninifin, it had taken several mentalists working together to control him. It had been terrifying. Mikranasta had done this to Itra on her own. Jorvanultumn could only guess at the terror Itra had to be feeling right now.

“This shouldn’t take long,” Mikranasta said. “A few minutes at most.”

Jorvanultumn circled around Mikranasta and Itra, and rejoined Sinitïa and Gen.

Sinitïa was hugging Jeanne to her chest. “What’s she doing?”

Mikranasta had placed her hands on each side of Itra’s face and was looking him directly in the eyes.

Gen put a hand on Sinitïa’s shoulder. “What she has to.”

“He looks so scared.” Sinitïa buried her face in the dog’s fur.

Jorvanultumn placed a hand on Sinitïa’s other shoulder. “It will be over soon.”

It might have only taken a couple minutes, but it felt like forever. The whole time, Itra’s eyes darted about, trying to avoid Mikranasta’s gaze. Finally, Mikranasta let go and backed up. Itra stumbled over and fell to the floor.

Sinitïa shoved Jeanne at Gen, then rushed to Itra. “Are you all right?” She helped him to his feet.

“I am now.” Itra took Sinitïa’s hands. “I am so very sorry, Sinitïa Alessia Deanna Folith. You have been so kind to me, and I…” He let go of her hands and turned away from her, his gaze going back to Mikranasta. There was still fear in his eyes. “I’m so sorry.”

Sinitïa also turned to Mikranasta. “What’s he talking about? Tell me what’s going on.”

Mikranasta nodded sadly. “You must understand Itra was not in control of his actions, and it is not his fault.”

“What’s not his fault? Stop treating me like an idiot and get to the point already.”

Mikranasta nodded again. “Of course. I’m sorry. Itra was involved in Meleng’s abduction. He was controlled.”

“Why?” Sinitïa asked.

“He carried Meleng after Meleng’s abductor immobilised him. Itra’s lack of magic and inability to fly means he’s spent his life building up muscles most of the rest of us pay little attention to, except the Hgirh. Most of us also pay little attention to what Itra is doing as long as he stays away from us, so he can do things in plain sight without being noticed.”

“Who did this to him?” Gen asked.

“That memory is still blocked,” Mikranasta said. “It’s a very sophisticated block and I will need more time to break though it.”

Sinitïa reached for Itra, who was hugging himself and trembling. He looked up at her touch, tears in his eyes. “Please forgive me.”

“I’m not angry at you,” Sinitïa said. “Only the people that did this to you and Meleng. Just tell me where he is. Where’s my Melly?”

“I will show you.”