“How dare he expose us!” The Queen’s nostrils flared.

            “Not to expose but to protect. The Gibbor said the babe was in mortal danger.” Mirella turned, looking at the old nurse. “There is no greater kind.” 

            “Great evil comes from afar,” Nan Maura rose, handing the babe back to his mother. “And coming soon, I can sense it.”

            “Oren didn’t reveal the identity of the child,” Mirella hesitated before adding her opinion. “I don’t think he knows. But Elymas was livid at the suggestion that an earth child even lives. He said he’d searched high and low and none had been found. Oren held firm. He said the Gibbor didn’t make mistakes and that an earth child had been born.” 

            “But he doesn’t know it’s my son?” Laveth’s eyes flared with hope. “Mirella, start at the beginning and tell me all.”

            Mirella nodded and began, blushing each time she used the Hunter’s name, stumbling over her part; her face a myriad of emotions as she described each participant’s reaction. “Majesty, I’ve never seen Elymas so angry. I thought he might burst apart, especially when the Hunter was taken to the best bedchamber to wash and rest,” she paused. “We were ordered out then, the lot of us, but for Elymas.”

            “Ranald needs his tonic,” replied Laveth. “He’s gone without for three days now and his bones are needled with pain.” Idly, she rubbed her pearls. “The Hunter has brought change and so must our plans.”

            “What are you about now?” asked Nan Maura, sharply. “Only a moment ago you said our plans were settled.”

            “Ruse is leaving, but he’s leaving tonight,” The Queen said the words with difficulty, but she said them. “To a different location, as well.”