Sharp pain flared through him, and Leontis' old wound broke open. He was bed‑bound, too weak even to rise.
Ismerie had come once, only to speak of rest, of healing, of care... words empty and formal, polite as to a stranger.
Yet even that brief sight of her was enough to still his heart a little. After that, she came no more.
Even Blue, who had always been at his side, was taken away with her. At last, he asked his aide.
"Where has she gone?" The man looked uneasy. "There had been rising in the Crane City branch. She has gone to restore order herself."
Leontis pressed a hand to his mouth, and a fit of coughing shook him. "Foolish."
"She bade us tell you nothing." He uncurled his hand... bright red blood lay on his palm.
He hid it at once, his voice steady as stone.
"How many w
