"Do you wish to know of what has changed since your absence, Lord Ozorne?" Yasir asked tentatively, as though he was creeping past a volcano.

Ozorne the Stormwing ignored him for a moment, drawing a steel wing against the rock wall of his cave. It produced an ear-screeching wail that caused the two men before him to flinch.

"Yes, I think I should like to know." He replied finally. "No doubt my enemies enjoyed my demise?"

"There were celebrations, sir. Peace." The Stormwing gritted his teeth. He hoped he could control his anger enough to listen to this.

"King Jonathan and Queen Thayet remain the rulers of Tortall. There has been a short war with the Scanrans, but it is over. King Maggur was overthrown."

"What of Carthak? What of my country?" Ozorne asked impatiently.

"Emperor Kaddar has ruled successfully since your demise, sir. Carthak prospers, and there has been a Slave Reform. There are no longer slaves in Carthak."

Ozorne could not control his temper anymore. He grabbed a rock and threw it with all his might. It struck Cothus on his shoulder, and the man cried out in pain. He clutched his motionless limb to his side, moaning softly. The Stormwing sneered and glared at Yasir to go on.

"Here in the Copper Isles, a raka queen has returned to the throne. Much of the luarin have left."

"I have never cared for Copper Isle politics. But, to what blood do you each belong to?"

"I am half raka, sir, Cothus is full luarin."

"Continue."

"The Yamani Islands have been peaceful since the Immortals' war-"

"I don't care for all this peace!" Ozorne cried. "I want to know about people! You know who I mean!"

"Oh…yes, sir, I apologise…" Yasir stammered. Cothus saw the need to take charge of the conversation.

"The Salmalins have enjoyed a harmonious life since your demise, sir. They married five months after the war, and ten months ago they had a child."

"A child?" Ozorne blinked, a hundred ideas of ways to go about his revenge blossoming in his mind.

"A daughter. They named her…Sarra, I believe."

The Stormwing spat a word that sounded very like 'slut'.

"We have little else in the way of information to offer you at this time-"

"Why not?" The Stormwing snapped, his face intent. "I need to know everything about the Salmalins! Get someone on the case!"

"Right away, sir. We have plenty of field agents to choose from." Yasir offered rapidly.

"Now."

Quietly Daine and Silvereye stole into the stables. The wildmage hoped dispiritedly that a miracle had occurred and that either Numair was unperturbed by her flight or did not notice her absence.

"I'm a fool to hope." She muttered as she hung up the mare's tack.

You're in for it, Cloud called triumphantly from her stall. The stork-man came in here earlier. He wasn't too happy.

Daine glowered at the pony, and headed across the courtyard. Her hand was reaching for the door bell when the door swung open. Numair stood there, a controlled lividness on his face. He held a bawling Sarra in his arm, the baby squirming from her father's grip.

"Daine," the mage rasped, exasperated. "I can't abide all this running about. I've got a ten month old who acts like I'm a complete stranger, and a wife who rides a hundred leagues because of a dream."

"Look, I'm sorry. I had to. Give Sarra to me." The wildmage beckoned, and received the irate baby into her arms. She stroked the baby's head and rocked her gently. Sarra soon stopped crying, and stared innocently at her mother.

"She looks fair hungry, poor thing."

"But you weren't there to feed her." Numair pointed out, as Daine entered the house.

"I can tell you've forgiven me already."

"Yes, but I was very worried about you-" He was silenced as Daine kissed him gently on the lips.

"I can take care of myself, thank you very much." The wildmage carried her daughter up the stairs, Numair sticking to her like a shadow. Once she had tucked the calmed baby into her cot, the mage took her by the waist and clutched her close to him.

"I don't like being separated from you," He murmured.

"I know." Daine replied, trying to think of anything but the face of Ozorne that haunted her mind.