Izumi turned the jar in her hands slowly, looking for an out of place shine, like Kouichi had described to her, then sighed. I trust him, I just wish I could see for myself what he sees. She set it back on the side, and turned to Junpei, who was gawping around the room at the finery. "I hope he's okay. I hope they're all okay."

"Aye." Junpei looked around a few seconds more, and then returned to looking at Izumi, tugging at his collar nervously. "Those folk of the forest know how to land on their feet and live on their wits. I'm sure they both can keep Takuya safe, along with each other." He sat uncomfortably, the formality of his clothes reminding him of how different his and Izumi's positions were. "I still don't understand why it was so hard for them to go back."

Izumi pursed her lips. "They're very into order and status. Kouichi and Kouji no longer exist to their people, they're almost non-entities. Takuya is even worse. As a human he isn't really considered a person in their society's structure."

Junpei frowned. "So isn't his majesty taking a huge gamble in sending these kids instead of trained diplomats? The only thing in their favour is that they speak the elves language."

"It's not been widely advertised," said Izumi, "But most of the diplomats are tied up with the situation in Emeritile. Father had to call in an assistant for the first time I can remember, and there are certainly more messages going between him and the king this year. He must be hoping to resolve this before the passes close a few weeks after the equinox." She sat. "Maybe it would help everyone if we could at least prove that the fire wasn't started by a Emeritile plot, and that my family weren't involved."

"I'm sure they weren't," replied Junpei, near instantly. "No one who could raise such a kind daughter would be able to betray the crown."

Izumi giggled at Junpei's flattery. "So we need to prove that it was Joshua behind it. The coincidence was just too much to accept. I just wish Kouichi was here to look at him. He could tell us if Joshua's been near this 'artefact of power' that gave Goodwinson his magic."

Junpei stuck his feet on the table, earning a glare from Izumi. He let them drop back to the floor quickly. "So what kind of thing are we looking for? An enchanted dagger? A pendant?"

Izumi shook her head. "Between the three of them, they decided it was something only an inch or two thick, and about ten inches by five. Probably either a very flat box, or a thick book."

"So not something you'd have him carrying around." Junpei sighed and looked at the ceiling. "We could break into his rooms, but it would be much harder. I could get the keys to Goodwinson's room because its awaiting reassignment to some other mid-level member of the court, probably a replacement mage. Joshua's rooms are occupied, and are rooms for the second in line to the throne. Just borrowing the keys won't happen, they'd say it was too risky." He chewed his lip in thought. "That leaves two options. Either we get a locksmith with questionable morals, who'd probably turn us in as soon as he got the chance for money, or Joshua himself would have to let us in." He looked at Izumi. "Neither are going to happen, Milady, not without divine intervention."

Izumi smiled. "He might not let us both in, but maybe if I ingrate myself, he'd let me in."

Junpei choked back a laugh. "No offence Mi… Izumi, but you're not that popular with Kalinda, and both Joshua and Raoul dote on her. To get close to him, you must get close to her, as Joshua has never shown much interest in the ladies of the court, and you are too young to be considered in that way."

Izumi 'hmph'ed, then started to primp herself. "Obviously I'm going to have to become the best student Lady Tomoko has ever had, to get into the princess's inner circle of friends, and learn to keep my mouth shut at all times." She made a face. "It would be worth it if I could get into Joshua's room and look around. I know he's trying to frame Emeritile, and I know that the Emperor and his court would never stoop so low as to assassinate an heir. It would be against their code of honour."

"I hope so," said Junpei. "But then, it becomes a scary thought that someone would want to kill their own brother, just for the crown. I really can't see Joshua, meek and mild as he is, planning something like that."

Izumi grimaced. "I couldn't either, until Kouichi told me that what Joshua felt wasn't what he seemed to be feeling, and that he was angry over what had happened. That along with him drugging his brother the night of the fire adds up to too many coincidences. I think that maybe Joshua has been playing us as fools for years, ever since he was my age. He always was a sulky child, according to my family, then he just became happier, but withdrawn. Maybe he didn't change, and it's all an act." She shrugged. "And what I think is Goodwinson's journal is no use, he wrote in a language that I don't recognise. It's not Common, and it doesn't resemble the writing I saw Kouichi use. I'm trying to code break it, but it's taking time I don't really have, and seems not to be in our language when I do." She sighed. "I really think our only choice is to try to find what it was that gave Goodwinson his power."

"And how would we find that?" asked Junpei. "It's not like we can feel magic. I don't even understand how Takuya can."

Izumi shrugged. "I'll figure something out. We're blind to magic because we have none, so it must be that Joshua can't realise that he'll be reeking of it now."

Junpei looked worried. "So why don't we wait for Kouichi to come back? One look at Joshua and you'd have the answer as to if he now had the source of the magic."

Izumi shook her head. "I'm not some girl who'll just wait for her hero to come to save her, Junpei. I want to help. And besides, last time, Joshua made a special effort to hide from Kouichi so maybe he will again." She stood, resolute. "I'm going to join in this whirl of socialising, if it gives me a chance to get close enough to Joshua to find out if he's behind it all. Behind the attempt on Raoul's life, and capable of treason."

*****************************

Tomoki smoothed down his tunic nervously as he hurried down the corridors towards the king's private antechamber. He didn't think his last 'fight' with Katsuharu had been that important, if it could be called a fight when two of the elder pages held him down while Katsuharu hit him. Being disciplined by the king would mean that he was on possibly his last chance as a page of the realm, and it didn't seem right that he was to be disciplined when he was the victim. Tomoki touched his face where he knew a fading bruise was. He'd claimed he'd received it when they were doing staff training, but it had been when Katsuharu had lost his temper, and forgot to strike where he would leave no visible mark.

Finally he arrived at the door, gave his tunic a final smooth, then rapped on the door briskly.

"Enter."

If anything, King Elbert looked more worn than Tomoki remembered him being after the fire, when the king had visited his parents. The table the king was working at was covered in charts of what Tomoki recognised as his home fief of Snowshead, and the surrounding area.

"You sent for me, your majesty?"

Elbert nodded, and motioned at the chair absentmindedly. "Sit, sit." He then seemed to look at Tomoki, squinting slightly. "Page Himi, yes? I can see the resemblance to your father."

Tomoki nodded, confused as to why the king was being polite, when Tomoki was sure that he was about to be scolded for his behaviour. "Yes sir."

Elbert sighed. "I presume that your brother told you before he set out that he was going to help my son stop the raids on your father's lands?" He waited for Tomoki's nod before continuing. "Raoul had chosen him because he was a good knight firstly, but the factor that they were going into his lands also played a part." The king's gaze shifted away from Tomoki slightly, and became vacant. "A knight's service is not without risk, as you must be beginning to realise. You pages suffer through bumps, bruises and cuts in order to prepare yourselves for the hard life ahead. Your brother knew that he could be called upon to give his life if needed, just as did my son." He sighed. "That is why Joshua refused to go through the training, he believed himself worth more as a diplomat and peacemaker that did not use force of arms. Maybe he was afraid to risk his life."

Tomoki trembled slightly. "Sir… Are you telling me Yutaka is dead?" He bit his lip in an effort not to cry in front of his ruler.

Elbert sighed, and refocused his gaze on Tomoki. "He, like the majority of the party is missing. One of the squires fled in fear from the battle, and was found half dead on the hills by a cowherd. He reported greater numbers than were expected for the raiders. No other member of the party has been found. Not servants, squires, or knights. When he was well enough to travel, he led them to the battleground, but there was no sign of the fight, of blood, or of the dead. Two weeks is not enough time to erase such a grand battle from the earth."

Tomoki felt tears start to track down his cheeks and wiped at them angrily. "So it's like they all vanished? No dead of either side? No sign of my brother?"

"None." Elbert sighed and moved to hand Tomoki a handkerchief. "I will tell you the moment any of us get word. No doubt if they are alive a demand for ransom will come soon." His voice started to crack. "The heir to the kingdom will merit some attention… and I'll pay anything to ensure his safe return, along with that of his fellows." He nodded to Tomoki. "I will keep you informed, as well as your parents. I think that is the least I can do when it is on my service your family has suffered such a loss." He patted Tomoki's head in a friendly way. "I suggest that you tell your friends. You'll need their support, cut off as you are from your family. I do not believe that a knight should feel nothing, and neither should a page. Fears and worries for your brother are natural, and you should not be shunned for them."

Tomoki nodded, unable to speak. He doesn't need to know that my only friends are an apprentice smith, and his ambassadors to the elves.

"Then go. I've spoken with your teachers, you are excused the rest of the day, as I've no doubt you don't wish to be seen in this state. Go calm yourself in your room, and start fresh tomorrow."

Tomoki stood slowly, and started to leave before turning back. "If anyone could get them back, I'd like to go with them. Next to my brother, I'm the best guide you could pick."

The king smiled sadly. "I will consider it, little knight. It's early days yet to talk of a battle to rescue them. I have written a demand to Emeritile to know if they are behind this, but there will be no reply for a few weeks. Put out of your mind storming off to rescue your brother. You're more valuable to this kingdom as a page, then as someone who's training was lost in death because of impatience."

Tomoki bowed. "As you will it, your majesty." Baring it no longer, he ran back to his room where he curled up sobbing for half an hour, scared that Yutaka was dead, but hoping he was alive.