VII

Yorinius could feel the heat in his own face as he stalked out of the guest chambers wing and back to the party. Pretty young women saw him and yelped quietly, making certain to step out of his path.

Where was that rogue from the Emblazoned Party? he wondered as he glanced about, looking for her.

Cypia was dead.

How could this be?

After her death, Yorinius had found Yoreno on the floor leaning over her body. As soon as the room was relatively empty, he had knelt next to her. The blood horrified him. Not because blood was something he couldn’t stomach, but because it was the blood of his dead friend.

Yoreno had closed her eyes.

Except for the clean wound in her neck, Cypia looked relatively peaceful. It was time to end this!

“Ah,” Lord Ferrait said, catching Yorinius through the crowd.

“No time,” he said sternly and continued walking.

“Where is she?” he muttered to himself.

There was Lord and Lady Brendara in conversation with the Dantera’s cousin Adelaid. Over there he saw Lady Fesbrie speaking sternly to one of her many troublesome nephews.

The ballroom floor was packed. He stayed clear, lest he accidentally bowl someone over. On the far end there were some Haven nobles wearing their yellow and grey house colors.

Out on the balconies a little plume of light shot up into the sky and exploded. A group of children yelled, laughing and enjoying the night. They were surrounding a young woman, a mage?

Was that Mai of the Emblazoned Party?

Stepping out onto the balcony, the air felt cool, but the braziers strategically placed gave off enough warmth to keep the area comfortable enough.

“Mai!” he said.

Perhaps he spoke a little too forcefully, because she jumped. When she saw him, her eyes widened.

“Yes?” she asked. “Is something wrong? It’s not Lev is it?”

“I need to speak to your rogue member,” he said without preamble. “I need a potion. Now.”

“Um—yes,” she said, glancing about. “Sorika and Dellwyn should be in the smaller drawing room on the north side of the ball room chamber.”

He turned, making his way there.

“Wait!” Mai called, running to catch up with him amidst the crestfallen requests by the children that she stay. Quickly she apologized to them and then followed. “Yorinius, is something wrong?”

“Nothing,” he said. “I just need a potion.”

“You’re not telling the truth,” she accused. “Do not treat me like a fool. Something is obviously wrong.”

Damnation, why couldn’t she just go back to playing at fireworks for the children on the balcony?

“Fine,” he said. “I won’t lie to you. Something is wrong. But I’m under orders not to tell you what it is.”

“Is Yoreno all right?”

“Yes.”

“Swear it!”

Stopping mid stride, he looked down into her green eyes. “I swear that Yoreno is well. Now will you please stop asking questions?”

She nodded. “I’m still going to follow you.”

Saying nothing, he stalked into the drawing room. There were some activities here and various conversations taking place, but there was certainly more of a romantic air in this area of the ball.

They found Dellwyn and Sorika sitting on a sofa and talking.

“You,” he said, pointing at the rogue.

Sorika, to her credit, didn’t jump or squeal to answer him as quickly as possible. She simply looked at him and with a subtle tilt of her head she said, “Yes?”

“Hello, Yorinius,” Dellwyn said with a smile.

He ignored the young knight. “I need one of your potions,” he said. “Like the one you gave Yoreno when he tracked and killed Herokelus on the Isle of Morr.”

“How do you know about that?” Dell asked.

“Word travels,” he said in way of a quick explanation. “Do you have one of these potions or not?”

“I did bring my potions,” she said.

“You did?” Dell asked in astonishment.

“My knives too.”

“That’s not allowed is it?”

“You have your sword, do you not?”

“Yes,” he nattered on, “but I was just knighted.”

Yorinius interrupted. “Where are they? I need a tacking potion.”

“What?” Dell asked. “But why?” He sat up. “Is Yoreno all right?’

Yorinius started losing his patience, growling in frustration as he clenched his fists. “Just give me the potion. It’s for Dantera. No more questions. Mai will tell you why.”

“Mai,” the newly knighted Dellwyn said, “what’s going on?”

Sorika glanced over to Mai. The mage girl nodded. “All right,” Sorika said and got up. “Follow me.”