The command pulled the words from him. “It isn"t mine, and I"ve not used it, but I carry it because …” He couldn"t quite believe what he was saying, even as he said it. “Because it allows me to carry it, and wants me to carry it.” The compulsion released him and left him sweating.
“A truth spell,” Adept Hornsfels said. “Forgive me my using it. Truly spoken, I can tell, and something I suspect you didn"t even know. Am I wrong?”
Columba knew he wasn"t.
“Her Highness the Lady Magux Ravenna Cithara knew not about this knife, did she?”
He shook his head at the Adept, a question in his eyes.
“What is it? Who does it belong to? Yes, the very questions whose answers elude us. And if you"ll notice?” Hornsfels gestured at the sword, which lay inches from the knife.
The sword seemed to flicker,
