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Shivering Devon pulled herself into the corner of the fenced in yard. She clutched her hands and fought tears. Fire burned through the marks on her hands. Air was being pulled from her lungs.

"Go away." She whispered in panic "Leave me be"

Pale orange fire shone in her vision, covering her hands. It jumped away from her and flew toward the man called Roger, hitting him in the center of the back. He stumbled, seeming startled, spun around and surveyed the yard with bright angry eyes.

"Roger?" The Duke of Naxen asked "Are you alright?"

"I'm just fine. A little tired and all." Roger said smoothly as he turned back to the Duke.

Devon breathed a sigh of relief that he hadn't seen her.

Suddenly a group of pages on horses rode into the yard. One was Alanna. The dark haired boy, the one from the sweating sickness, Prince Jonathan, Nearly leapt from his mount's back and rushed toward Roger, calling his name.

The other pages dismounted and walked toward Roger, all except for Alanna. As soon as her feet touched the ground she met eyes with Devon.

Devon nodded toward Roger and then mouthed the word bad to her sister.

Alanna nodded in agreement.

Devon turned and glanced at the crowd around Roger. He glowed with the same orange fire.

The fire that had attacked the queen.

Devon blood ran cold.

She looked at Alanna and mouth 'get Gary'

Alanna blinked but nodded and laid two fingers flat her thigh so no one would notice she was signing.

Devon nodded. She would meet Alanna and Gary in two hours.

Devon realized that the training yard was a bad meeting spot. Biting her lip she thought about a safe place. With an annoyed sigh she mouthed 'Dancing Dove' to Alanna.

Alanna's reply was "I'll try'

Devon nodded and slipped out of the yard, silently thanking the Gods that she and her siblings had picked up vague lip reading skills from years of trying to find out what there father was mumbling about.

Devon decided that it would be a good idea to bring Hyacinth to the Dove as well. By the time she had fetched her, Alanna and Gary where at the Dove. George led the entire group to a private room.

After sitting at a long table with some drinks, Devon took a deep breath.

"I believe I explained about the invisible attack that I saw on Queen Lianne months ago?" At everyone's nods Devon continued "Earlier toady, at the palace, I saw the fire again. It attacked me, but I'm pretty sure that it was because some of the fire was left in my scars." She held up her hands

"You saw it?" Gary demanded "Did you send it away like last time?"

"No. I retuned it to its caster." Devon muttered

"Who is...?" Alanna asked

"Duke Roger." Devon said