(by Mabry Slemmons and Jurij Gosso)

I was in the hall when Carena was stabbed. My first thought was to help Carena. But I was not able to avoid thinking Congra did it and my second thought was for Mabry. She said me that she was afraid of Congra and I had perceived her hate.

Where was Mabry? I was not able to find her, and nobody seemed to have seen her. I feared for her.Carena was helped by Myria and it was a great confusion in the hall, so I exited in the garden. I had to use my laran to find Mabry.

I surpassed some couple that was enjoying itself. A smile showed up in my face: I had many midsummer nights like that!

Finally I found out a little corner of the garden. As someone said me during the ball, clouds were gathering in the sky... Perhaps was Mabry in danger? Another smile showed up in my face: I did not know whether I had to save Mabry or Congra!

Anyway I took my matrix (yes, a Hastur owns a matrix too) and thought of Mabry. Nothing happened. I tried to concentrate more and I perceived nothing.

How could this happen? I feared she could be dead, or someone took away her matrix. It gave me a shiver and I tried a more complex power. I was not able to try more than that one: otherwise I had needed a monitor.

I concentrate on the small chain she used to wear the matrix. I managed to find it. It was in Castle Comyn.

I stopped when I arrived at Aldaran apartments. I was pretty sure the matrix was there. When I saw the gate opened I feared once again and entered the garden. Aldaran Storn had brought away that dog, Jasper, and the guard was... Zandru only knows where.

Mabry was definitely not sure that night, if she was there. And her copper chain was there.

At least, the main door was locked. But it did not make me more quiet...

How enter there? Finally I saw a half-open window at second floor. A ivy-clad wall was easy to climb for me and I took my sword before enter there. I murmured a prayer to Avarra and I entered the window.

When I recovered from the shock and I saw Mabry was well I took her in my arms and said: "Mabry! You are well!"

"Of course I'm well. I was bored by the ball, it's all. And I need my sleep! Please, put me down!"

I let her. I said myself I was a stupid, worried about nothing. Of course I was not perceiving her: she was sleeping and probably in the overworld. And to go into the overworld I had needed a monitor.

I was not able to tell her that Carena was stabbed. She had been worried and I really wanted her to be tranquil that night. She had to be worried perhaps tomorrow. So I blushed and I thought that the best defense had to be the attack.

"You went away before I was able to dance again with you as I promised!"

"I already danced with you!"

"Yes, but I promised you the _last_ dance, remember!?"

When I said this I thought 'what I'm saying? It had best to say Carena was stabbed!'.

But I bowed and I said:

"Will you dance with me that last time, damisela?"

"Your regents? I'd like you were able to say something to your regents, but they are on vacation tonight. I'm your self-appointed co-co-regent for tonight!"

I had to have a wry face because Mabry started laughing:

"I have a third regent!"

"I'm not joking! - I said - In fact you are almost alone in the house and that is not safe. No regents no guards."

I have a gift: turn the discourse in my favour. But it never worked with Mabry.

"So I'm not safe... - she said - Well. What's the danger?"

What I had to say? I told her about Carena.

"...So I looked for you. We cannot know who stabbed her. I'm not sure it was Congra. But if someone is around stabbing Comyn ladies, you are not safe. And I'll assure myself you are not in danger until your regents arrive... - and I thought 'and perhaps even after...' - Z'par servu, Mabry."

I bowed hoping Mabry would accept my protection for the rest of the night.

"I was being cautious, because I had a feeling that whoever it was meant no harm. If I had not had this feeling, you would be dead now. I would do the same to to anyone who caused me any danger, Compact or no. I'm not so stupid, that I will let myself be killed, because the Compact says, I can't use the Rockraven Gift to zap someone. Second, my sword is right under my bed. Do you remember when we were fighting the catmen? I did not get a scratch. I do not need you here, watching over me." I hoped Jorik would listen to reason. Looking at his face though, it didn't seem likely that I had him convinced.

My heart bled.

"Mabry. I know you are able to defend yourself. And I know you are not a child! - I was not able to avoid reading that thought - Only I think you can't defend yourself while sleeping or sleep while keeping watch. So I'm offering to keep watch until your regent arrives and to allow you to sleep. After all even best soldiers keep watch to each other and do need to sleep! But if I'm annoying you I'll let you alone."

I was not really convinced by her arguments, but she was free to choosefor her own good. I kissed her and I said:

"Good night, Mabry."

When I went away I turned to see her. She was so little in that great door and surrounded by a soft light... So frail but so proud. A true daughter of Aldaran.

I was tempted to cheat and to keep watch all the same... No. I was not able to do that. I whispered a little prayer to the Goddess and I went toward the Ball Room... After all I wanted to know what happened after I left!

When I was on my way I became sure that nothing evil would happened to Mabry. At least not that night.

Continues in Back to Comyn Castle

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