See chapter 1 for disclaimers.

Chapter 6: A Mourner's Worth

The circuit was delayed for nearly 10 days while arrangements were made. A full report was sent to Haven, and the response was precisely what Mirnen had expected. There was nothing to be done. There were no diplomatic channels existing between the two countries, and eve had there been such, protesting the actions of a lone, possibly renegade, mage from Karse would accomplish nothing. Attempting to rescue Enlee and Isleis was likewise out of the question. They didn't even know if the story was true, and if it was, they had no idea where to look.

Jebel and Trentes buried their brother on the farm and spent the time while awaiting a reply in mourning. Their anger and frustration were palpable, so they were left alone. Their reaction to the message from Haven was predictable.

While both were furious, Jebel, at least, understood the broader situation and Haven's reasons. He knew there would be no point in trying to explain that to Trentes, though. Fortunately, his big brother had always been the most level-headed of the three. He would not be charging off to try to rescue their aunt and cousin, as Mijad might have.

There were, Mirnen admitted, unofficial, very unofficial, avenues of investigation, but they would take time, and there were no guarantees. A full report of what happened would be given to Alberich, who maintained a few contacts in Karse. Maybe he could learn something. It was a slim hope at best, but the brothers decided there was nothing else they could do.

When it finally came time to move on, Jebel promised Trentes and Cyla that he would share anything he learned about their family with them.

OOOOOOOOOO

:I can tell you're frustrated,: Arctus sent, :even when you're blocking me out, but there's nothing you can do right now.: They had been riding since sunup, on their way to the next town on the circuit, and Jebel had barely said a word. :If you need to talk-:

:Thank you. No. Just let me be alone with my thoughts for now.:

:Very well,: the regret and worry in Arctus' mental voice grated on Jebel's nerves. He knew his Companion meant well, but pity was the last thing he needed. He had never been so frustrated in his life. There was nothing he could do, and that knowledge ate at him. The loss of Mijad was bad enough, but knowing that aunt Isleis and Enlee were prisoners in Karse, beyond his reach, was near maddening. He refused to lose more family.

How to go about rescuing them, tho0ugh. That would take time to work out. He needed more information and Alberich was the best chance he had. There were several weeks left to the circuit before they headed back to the Collegium. He knew that, by now, Alberich would have heard the reports. Hopefully, he would act to learn more. He considered sending a missive of his own, but was unsure what to say. Mirnen had been rather reluctant to bring up the weapons' master's Karse connections, and had only done so in the hopes of keeping his intern from doing something foolish. Nevertheless, it was an opportunity. He determined to question Mirnen more closely when they stopped for the night.

He felt a little guilty about shutting out Arctus, and he hoped his Companion would understand. Jebel didn't distrust Arctus. Whatever secrets the Companions kept, they were good people, and he knew his friend had done everything he could to save Mijad.

Perhaps I should be clearer about that, he thought. Then, the thought faded as he went back to planning the conversation with Mirnen and what to say to Alberich. How best could he convince the weapons' master to help? Alberich was a hard man to know. He never showed any real interest in or concern for anything except training for combat. The fact that the man had been chosen to be a Herald said the most about his personality, but even that wasn't really all that helpful.

He set the matter aside and determined to talk it over with Mirnen that night. That left him little to do, however, save to brood over his inability to save his family.

OOOOOOOOOO

Mirnen considered his intern's question carefully. He had some idea of what the younger man was going through, though, he had no intention of dredging up his own past in an attempt to bond with the younger man. It would serve little purpose, and it was something he wanted left far behind him.

What mattered was that he knew he had to phrase his answer carefully. Jebel was overthinking things in an effort to not think about what he had lost. Making plans, contingency plans, thinking through all the possibilities gave him something to do that felt like progress. Mirnen understood the urge all too well. He also knew that it was completely unnecessary.

"You've put a lot of thought into this. I've known Alberich for years, and I can tell you that he'll be willing to help. Just be direct, making no attempt at flattery or manipulation. It's something he appreciates."

Jebel nodded. "I came to that conclusion early on," he admitted, "but I…" He had needed something to keep his mind busy more than anything else. Saying that, though, wasn't something he was prepared to admit.

"I think I get it," Mirnen nodded when his intern broke off. "Better to plan for every contingency, and keep your mind busy."

The younger man grimaced, uncomfortable at being so transparent.

"We'll be returning to Haven at the end of the month," Mirnen said. "I can send a message to Alberich asking him what he knows or can find out about temples in Karse, and where a couple of foreign women might wind up."

"Thank you," Jebel nodded. "I'm not sure we can trust anything Mijad said, but it's all we have to work with."

Mirnen nodded. It hadn't occurred to him until that moment that Mijad, or rather the mage controlling him, might have been lying to them. There seemed little point to it, but he allowed that that the news about the women might have been made up.

"We'll do everything we can," he assured Jebel. It was the only reassurance he could offer.

OOOOOOOOOO

Three more small farming towns remained on their circuit and they visited them each one in turn. Jebel did his best to focus on his duties, but it wasn't easy. He did what was asked of him, and learned what he needed to do for future circuits, but Mirnen could see how distracted and depressed he was. Gradually, things between him and Arctus returned to normal, much to Mirnen's and Arctus' relief.

His Companion's concerns had become a bit smothering, not that the young Herald could really blame him for his worry, so Jebel made an effort to come out of his shell, if only for his friend's sake. It seemed to help.

Arctus felt himself relax as his chosen gradually returned to his old self. While he would never admit it, his relief at the change was nearly overwhelming. No Companion liked being helpless to support their chosen Herald, and he had begun to fear that Jebel would never recover from his loss.

So, he happily helped Jebel memorize the names of the various towns and officials, as well as pertinent facts about each of them and their families. Fortunately, none of the towns they visited had any real surprises for them. There were the normal land disputes to deal with and a poorly worded merchant contract that needed to be reviewed and clarified. Jebel absorbed the often confusing, information about the relevant traditions and laws as best he could, Mirnen assuring him that it would come with time. As they left the last town, Jebel breathed a sigh of relief. It was time to head back, and hopefully, get some answers.