His triumph was short-lived. The knowledge of what he must do was tormenting him. He had to find out where—and how—Danilo was taken. And there was only one way to do that: his matrix. He had never touched the jewel since the ill-fated experiment with kirian. It was still in the insulated bag around his neck. The memory of that twisting sickness when he looked into Lew’s matrix was still alive in him, and he was horribly afraid.
Surprisingly for these peaceful times, the gates of Edelweiss were shut and barred, and he wondered what alarm had sealed them. Fortunately most of Javanne’s servants knew his voice, and after a moment Javanne came running down from the house, a servant-woman puffing at her heels. “Regis! We had word that armed men had been seen in the hills! Where is Gabriel?”
He took her hands. “Gabriel is well, and on his way to Thendara. Yes, armed men were seen at Syrtis, but I think it was a private feud, not war, little sister.”
She said shakily, “I remember so well the day Father rode to war! I was a child then, and you not born. And then word came that he was dead, with so many men, and the shock killed Mother…”
Javanne’s two older sons came racing toward them, Rafael and Gabriel, nine years old and seven, dark-haired, well-grown boys. They stopped short at the sight of Regis and Rafael said, “I thought you were sick and going to Neskaya. What are you doing here, kinsman?”
Gabriel said, “Mother said there would be war. Is there going to be war, Regis?”
“No, as far as T know, there is no war here or anywhere, and you be thankful for it,” Regis said. “Go away now, I must talk with your mother.”
“May I ride Melisande down to the stables?” Gabriel begged, and Regis lifted the child into the saddle and went up to the house with Javanne.
“You have been ill; you are thinner,” Javanne said. “I had word from Grandfather you were on your way to Neskaya. Why are you here instead?”
He glanced at the darkening sky. “Later, sister, when the boys are abed and we can talk privately. I’ve been riding all the day; let me rest a little and think. I’ll tell you everything then.”
Left alone, he paced his room for a long time, trying to steel himself to what he knew he must do.
He touched the small bag around his neck, started to draw it out, then thrust it back, unopened. Not yet.
He found Javanne before the fire in her small sitting room; she had just finished nursing the smaller of the twins and was ready for dinner. “Take the baby to the nursery, Shani,” she told the nurse, and tell the women I’m not to be disturbed for any reason. My brother and I will dine privately.”
“Su serva, domna,” the woman said, took the baby and went away. Javanne came and served Regis herself. “Now tell me, brother. What happened?”
“Armed men have taken Danilo Syrtis from his home.”
She looked puzzled. “Why? And why should you disturb yourself about it?”
“He is my paxman; we have sworn the oath of bredin,” Regis said, “and it may well be private revenge. This is what I must find out.” He gave her such an edited version of the affair in the cadet corps as he thought fit for a woman’s ears. She looked sick and shocked. “I have heard of Dyan’s … preferences, who has not? At one time there was talk he should marry me. I was glad when he refused, although I, of course, was offered no choice in the matter. He seems to me a sinister man, even cruel, but I had not thought him criminal as well. He is Comyn, and oath-bound never to meddle with the integrity of a mind. You think he took Dani, to silence him?”
“I cannot accuse him without proof,” Regis said. “Javanne, you spent time in a tower. How much training have you?”
“I spent one season there,” she said. “I can use a matrix, but they said I had no great talent for it, and Grandfather said I must marry young.”