"Well, then, I urge you. Find your father. Make sure he's taken care of. Forget what he's done, what he's said."
"Why should I, Sandon?"
"He was not himself. You have to believe that. By the Prophet, you must."
Tarlain gave a deep sigh. "All right. Get the Atavist woman to help you find him. Look after him. He's still my father, after all. In some ways, what is done, is done, but I owe that to him."
Sandon nodded, found himself halfway back to Alise before he realized that he'd just been commanded. There was no other word for it. He stopped in his tracks, and slowly turned to look at the youngest Men Darnak.
Tarlain stood watching him, waiting. After a moment, he spoke, almost as an afterthought. "And clean yourself up, man. Shave that ridiculous beard off and get some proper clothes. There's no reason for keeping up this stupid pretence any longer."
Sandon blinked. As he turned to rejoin Alise and go in search of the boy's father, he realized the young man was right.
Thirty-Four
Edvin hovered near the door, and Ky Menin finally beckoned him in. He kept Karin's man standing for a few moments more before speaking.
"So, what is it?" he said, finally.
"The Mistress has sent me with a message for Jarid Ka Vail."
"Has she now? Well the Ka Vail boy is no longer here. He's gone off with his men. Preparations. You can give whatever it is to me."
Edvin stood nervously, running his fingers back and forth along the length of a sealed message tube. "I don't think I should do that, Guildmaster," he said.
Ky Menin unfolded his hands and stood. He watched the man, assessing, and then nodded slowly. "Yes, of course, you're right, Edvin." He took three steps closer. "But you understand how delicately things are balanced at the moment, don't you? Perhaps it would be better if you let me know the contents. We don't have to break the seal. Surely you know what's in it."
Edvin looked around himself, as if seeking support where clearly none lay. "Perhaps, Guildmaster." He swallowed. "Perhaps if you just told me where Jarid Ka Vail is, then I can deliver the message and be on my way."
"I'm afraid," said Ky Menin, "that he's long gone. After his discussions with your mistress, they decided that it was a mistake to let Guildmaster Ka Vail wander around the countryside. In the current climate, it could work against us. He's gone to find the old man and deal with the problem."
Edvin nodded, but looked puzzled. "Why did he just not send someone?"
"Because he wanted to deal with the matter personally," said Ky Menin. "He seems to take a certain amount of pleasure from these things. Now tell me. What's in this message that's so important?" He took a step closer.
Edvin shook his head. "I cannot do that, Guildmaster."
"Look. Jarid is far away by now. Not only does he have to track down the old man, but he's also trying to assess the strength of the Kallathik and the miners. I have no idea where he might be. It would be better if you just gave the message to me, and I'll determine whether we need to find him or not."
Edvin's grip on the message tube tightened, and he pressed his lips firmly together. "I have to go," he said, backing away.
Karryl crossed the remaining distance separating them and stood, looming over the man. "Don't you think I know what's going on here, Edvin?" he said. "Last time they were together, the tension between that pair was undeniable. Even a blind man could have seen it. Karin has no loyalty to her husband. And you, well, you're closest to her, aren't you Edvin? You know what's going on. If you cannot give me that," he said, waving his hand at the tube clutched in Edvin's hands, "then you can do something else which will help Karin more. And you do want to help her, don't you?"
Edvin said nothing, chewing at his bottom lip, then gave a brief, hesitant nod.
