Dirk and Ahrodie pounded into the Palace grounds only six days after Kris' letter. He sent no apologies, but what he did say was grounds for every Herald within communication to be rushed back to Haven if they weren't on duty.

:I can't believe this is happening again.: Ahrodie commented grimly.  :I had a feeling the Talamir case wasn't solved.:

Dirk agreed, and prepared for Ahrodie to jump a small row of hedges. :Is there proof? How can we be sure it wasn't just an accident, or some kids playing a little too rough?:

:I have it from Rolan that the kids she was "playing" with were no friends of hers. They have been harassing her since she got here. Rolan got to the scene just in time to hear someone shout something about 'giving her regards to Talamir'.:

Dirk had never seen Ahrodie so worked up, but she did have good reason. This kind of thing had moved beyond mere harassment, and could now be classified as high treason.

They trotted into the stable and Dirk gave Ahrodie a hasty rubdown. She had been running hard, and deserved a good rest, but she understood that Dirk had to report for duty. He left her in the capable hands of a stableboy, and made his way quickly to Kyril's office.

Kyril was talking to a group of young Heraldic trainees, and he seemed to be interrogating them thoroughly. He looked up at Dirk, and dismissed the students.

"Reporting for duty, Kyril. What's been going on around here? I got a one-sentence letter from Kris saying 'There's been an assassination attempt at Talia.', and I got here as fast as I could."

"A group of Blues have been harassing Talia the entire time she's been here. She didn't tell anyone about it. My guess is that she didn't think she'd be believed. A week ago, they tried throwing her in the river. If Rolan hadn't heard her call…" Kyril trailed off.

"Bright Lady!" Dirk replied. "I never thought it would get to this."

"No one did. That Talia is quite adept at hiding her feelings. Anyway, she's fine, but sicker than I've ever seen a child her age. Pneumonia, the Healers, say, and it's supposed to get worse before it gets better." Kyril explained. "I've requested all off-duty Heralds back to the Palace. With so many of us here, I doubt anyone will try anything. I have a few of her closest friends guarding her from her room, and I just want everyone else to go about normal business, and keep their eyes open. I don't want it to look too much like we expect something to happen."

Dirk nodded, and took that as a dismissal. With everything under control, he thought he'd seek out Naril, and surprise her.

He ignored Ahrodie's exasperated sigh in his mind.

   *  *  *

Kris was "patrolling" the stable areas, but on Kyril's orders, making it look "natural", like he was just out for some exercise with Tantris when the weather was absolutely frigid.

"Honestly, who rides in weather like this?" Kris wondered.

:You do, obviously.: Tantris said. The cold was not dampening his good humor, at least.

"Thank you for that wonderful wisdom, granther. Now could we please go back to the stables where it's warm? I could pretend to be grooming my companion to a silver sheen, and spoiling you rotten."

Tantris heaved a big mental sigh. :Well, I suppose we could do that. If we must.:

"Lead the way, horse." Kris and Tantris cantered into the stable, and found their way to Tantris' open box stall, where his grooming supplies were hanging on the wall. They didn't stay in the stall, however, they went to the end of the long building to get warm at the fireplace, passing Ahrodie's stall on the way. She looked to be sleeping. "When did Dirk get back?"

:Early this morning. I suggest you talk to him.:

"Thanks for the oh-so-wise advice Companion of mine." Kris said sarcastically.

Tantris snorted, and let Kris spoil him just like he said he would.

*  *  *

Kris ran into Dirk on the way back to his room.

"Hello." Dirk said coolly.

"How was your trip?" Kris asked, just as uncomfortable.

"Fine."

"Good."

They stood there like that, both looking at anything but each other.

"Listen, Dirk…"

"Kris…"

They looked at each other finally, and laughed. "Dirk, I wanted to apologize,  I was out of line for making a scene."

"And I'm sorry for getting so angry. I know you're just looking out for me." Dirk said.

"So. Hinds and Hounds?"

"Um…well…actually, I'm on my way somewhere."

"Well, where are you going? I'll go with you."

"I'm going to see Naril." Dirk said, a little uncomfortably.

"What? Dirk, you can't! She's not who you think she is, she's a…"

"Don't finish that sentence! Just because you don't like her doesn't mean I'm going to stop seeing her!"

"Fine!"

"Good!" Dirk stormed away, leaving Kris to gape after him.

"What is his problem??" He said aloud to himself. No one, not even Tantris, answered back.