She awoke, swimming through layers of memory. Small arms encircled her neck. David bent over to retrieve dropped sheets of music and Yashi rode at her side under a canopy of trees. Irenya jerked upright.
‘But Yashi’s dead.’
‘Yes, he is, heartling,’ rumbled Leachim’s voice. ‘Back under the bedclothes, please. Aeryl and I spent half the afternoon warming you back to life.’
A fire crackled in the grate and her bedroom had been well lit with extra lumen lamps. He handed her a cup of hot wine.
‘Leachim… Is Elaaron okay? I mean, where is he?’
‘Busy. A ruler’s duties are seldom finished. Four visitors arrived during the afternoon almost dead with cold and exhaustion. They were lucky to get through. All of them are now in their beds. Whatever has brought them all the way from Elphinvale in th
