Fran nodded again. "Yes. He's not good is he? He's been strange for a while now, and it doesn't seem to be getting any better. If anything it gets worse every day."
"We saw him just before he tore off into the night, Fran. The news has taken him badly. We need to do something to help him. And now with Roge gone -- "
"I know. I still can't believe that."
"You have to believe it. Anyway, I'm not convinced he's getting the help he needs from Witness Kovaar, and I think we're going to need him to be strong over the next few weeks and months."
"How do you mean?" Fran was looking puzzled.
Sandon paused before continuing, assessing whether he could take the risk. Fran was still looking at him expectantly. "I'm not an Atavist, Fran. I never have been. The Principal was close to it for a moment in there. I thought finally, perhaps, he had seen through those clouds in his head and recognized me. Once upon a time, I was very close to Principal Men Darnak. I used to work for him. I used to work very closely with him. I don't want to go into explanations now, but you have to believe that."
Fran was nodding slowly. "Yes, you sometimes acted pretty strangely for an Atavist, I guess. But -- "
Sandon lifted his hand to Fran's shoulder. "I can't explain all that now, but I think there's one way we can help the Principal, but it's going to need you to do something for me."
"What's that?"
"I think the Principal's other son, Tarlain is somewhere near the mines. Maybe Bortruz, maybe somewhere closer. I don't know for sure, but you have to find him and tell him what's happening to his father. You have to tell him about his brother too. You've been close enough to the Principal now for Tarlain to believe you. We are going to need Tarlain's help if we are going to make this right, and I think we have to. Kovaar's not going to help. Karin is beyond hope. It's up to us."
As much as he had gleaned from the past few weeks told Sandon that he was right.
"But how will I find him?"
"He's the Principal's son, Fran. People will remember. He has to get supplies; he has to become visible. He's not going to hide in a cave somewhere."
Fran nodded, trying to take in everything Sandon was telling him.
"Bortruz?"
"Yes, I think so. It's a good starting point. Just as a suggestion, there's a bar in the center of the town. You could ask around there. The people who own it, Milana and Benjo, they're good folk. If you need to, then trust them, though I wouldn't trust any of the Principate or Guild official there, despite what you may think. Oh, and one last thing. When you find him, tell him that Sandon Yl Aris sent you."
"But -- "
"That's my name, Fran, but I need you to keep that to yourself for now. Can I trust you to do that?"
Fran's eyes got a half vague, wide look about them for a moment. "I never expected anything like this."
"I don't think any of us expected anything like this, Fran. Can you do it?"
"Of course I can, Tchardo, um ... what do I call you?"
"Tchardo's fine for now. Nobody else needs to know at this stage. I guess you should wait for the storm to ease. Set off in the morning. It makes no sense to go out in this. You know how to get there from here, don't you?"
Fran stepped back for a moment, looking down at his feet. "Listen, Tchardo, I want to do it, really. But what am I going to say to the others? I can't just leave."
"Don't tell them anything. Let me look after that. It all depends. Do you want to truly serve your Principal?"
He looked up with a touch of slight offence on his face. "Of course I do."
"Then you'll do what I'm asking."
The boy still looked troubled, but he nodded slowly.
"All right," said Sandon. "We should go out and join the others. I really need some hot tea and I would think you could use some too."
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