could have simply informed methat he wished to be released from service. I wouldnt have kepthim against his will. Theres something far more amiss than Tyrdesthreat.Ifthere is, I swear we dont know it, Yuilan insisted. Lassenconfided in AddaMithre only because he needed his aid. But the rest of us he toldnothing more than what you have learned.Tokeep me from getting the information out of you, Rohyr shot back.How prudent of him. Or should I say sly?Thereisnt a deceitful bone in my brothers body! Yuilan hotlyobjected. Nay? Rohyr challenged. Then how do you account forhis decision to vanishwithoutso much as a by-your-leave? Wherefore the need for stealth andsecrecy? When neither Dael nor Yuilan could muster a reply, hesmiled mirthlessly. I lifted my imprint on him. Did he tell you?he bitterly asked.TheIdanas stared at him. He didnt mention it, Dael admitted. Itrusted him, Rohyr said under his breath.Daelheard the sorrow underlining the anger. Lassen is devoted to you,Dyhar,he softly insisted. He would never do you wrong.Ifind that difficult to believe at the moment.Beforeeither Dael or Yuilan could speak, Rohyr turned away and strode tohis zentyr. Vaulting onto his steed, he spared the Idanas one lastglare.Praythat I locate him soonest, he said. Before my temper soursbeyond hope and I can still bring myself to be merciful. About toturn his zentyr about, he paused and looked back at Dael. When didMithres letter arrive? he asked.Daelstarted. Just the other day. How did you? He caught himself.Rohyrcoolly nodded at him then led the way out of the Idana yard. Thefamily watched the company go, holding tight to each other. Nonenoticed the rider who glanced back at them, a thoughtful gleam in hisviolet eyes.Heurged his zentyr forward and caught up with Rohyr. Shall I set awatch on their correspondence? Keosqe asked.Rohyrnodded. Though I very much doubt that they will give away theirwhereabouts in their letters, he said with a scowl. I saw themissive Mithre sent to Dael. It was still fresh in his mind.Ah,then he was telling the truth that he had just received it. Yes.Whatdid it say?Thatthey had reached their destination and found a small comfortablehouse and that Dael was not to worry about them. That was all.Whencedid it come? Qimaras.What?Surely they wouldnt go there of all places. It was dated amonth back.Keosqepursed his lips. Postal delivery between Qimaras and easternVelarus takesonlydays, not weeks. They must have had a courier post from Qimaras forthem, he hazarded a guess.Ibelieve that is the case. Hes doing his utmost to cover histracks, Kes.Rohyrsvoice had lowered to a whisper as he finished speaking. Keosqeregarded his cousin sympathetically.Wemay still glean some clues from their letters and narrow down thepossible places he may be, he said. Itll take patience andsome extrapolation, but it can be done.True,Rohyr conceded. And in any case, Ill need to know where toconcentrate my efforts should I have to resort to a mind link.Keosqefrowned. Is that possible? You said you lifted your imprint onhim. Your link to him is gone.Itsnot entirely gone, Rohyr corrected. Fading, but still therenonetheless. Keosqe considered the information doubtfully. Virathacreated a mental bondbetweenits creator and recipient.