Chapter 20
The MeldCarthinal was worried. He had just seen Lalla. She had timidly stopped him in the corridor and asked him if he knew where The Cat was. She had not seen him for three days—longer than he had ever gone without trying to see her. Perhaps he had tired of her. If so, she had said, she would understand. These things happen, but she cared about him and just wanted to know if he was all right.
Carthinal had told her that he had not seen The Cat for a few days, either, but he had been busy with the apprentices and with helping Wolnarb, not to mention his own learning. She had left somewhat downcast.
After speaking to the girl, Carthinal decided to go to see his old friend in his rooms. He had walked along the corridor and knocked on the door. There was no answer. He knocked a
