Leontis felt only bitter, helpless shame. Every lie he had woven so carefully had been cut through with ease, and he had still clung to hope.
Even Ismerie, who had long set aside soft illusions, could not help but speak with a sharp edge at such old, dark wrongs.
Seeing the color drain and shift on his face, the weight in her chest lightened a little. She turned to go... he would be more careful now, she knew.
She had scarcely taken two steps when Captain Tolland came forward quickly, holding several sheets of sealed paper.
"High Seer... you must see this yourself. It calls for your command." His gravity told her all.
She straightened at once, took the papers, and read page after page. The deeper she read, the heavier her gaze grew... until she looked back at Leontis with somethin
