documents Keosqe placed on the table before him. Theywere closeted in his sitting room. Rohyr had given strict orders toJosel not to permit anyone to disturb them unless it was to reportthat the country itself was in peril.Itwas almost three months since Lassen left Tal Ereq. Keosqes peoplehad secretly monitored the Idanas correspondence, interceptingfour letters from Mithre and one from Lassen. After all, far be itfrom any letter carrier to challenge an agent from Internal Affairswhen asked to turn over his postal bag.Theagents never permitted the carriers to see what it was they sought.They did not open the pertinent documents in anyone elses presencenor did they keep them. Keosqes instructions had been to copy thecontents of the letters verbatim then seal them once more, replacethem in the bags and send the carriers on their way. Only one letterdid they keep and this was at Rohyrs express order.Heread that letter now, face devoid of expression as he took in thefamiliar handwriting. Like his father, Lassen had been careful toavoid including any specific references to his location. Basically,it was a recounting of a day at a local festival with a few mentionsof certain activities and shows he had enjoyed.Rohyrsmouth tightened. He could picture his lemans face as he watchedthe acrobats and listened to the minstrels. Lassen loved the earthymusic and lively entertainment of the common folk as much as headmired the sublime compositions and witty plays that were the upperclass general preference.Ithad been his wont to mingle anonymously with the crowds wheneveritinerant bands of entertainers came to Rikara. On one memorableoccasion, he persuaded Rohyr to accompany him, both of them and theirguards dressed so simply it was only toward the end of the eveningthat a player recognized them and excitedly announced to one and allthat the Ardan was in their midst. Rohyr found himself singing awell-known folk ballad with the troupe, delighting the swiftlyswelling audience no end.Rohyrswept the memory aside. Now was not the time to indulge in maudlinreminiscences. He looked at Keosqe expectantly.Keosqeindicated the copies of Mithres letters. They are, as youexpected, most diligent in avoiding any specifics about places orfolk. But there are references that pointtotheir general location. He tapped one of the copies. Hementioned selling his wares to a trader who was going to dispose ofthem up north. That indicates that they are in the south at the veryleast. And as its unlikely that they would remain in proximity toTal Ereq or come as close to Rikara as the midlands, I would ventureto guess that they travelled west of Velarus. This seems to bear thatout. Keosqe held up another copy. Mithre reported that theweather has been unusually cool and that this adversely affected thelocals summer crops. That tallies with recent reports of a dearthof produce coming from the southwest.Hegestured toward the letter Rohyr still held. Most revealing of allis Lassens account of the festival. He described a competitionamongst the local sweets-makers, in particular the bakers of fruitcream pasties. That is a rarity as pasty fillings are generallysavory. To my knowledge, there is only one place in Ylandre wheresuch sweet pasties are