'Walled. I know. Perhaps that's because he's been cloaking it all this time.'
The queen shook her head. 'I'd know. I can't believe he could hide this from me. Why is Byren attacking him?'
'If you can't look into Cobalt's heart, look into Byren's,' Piro urged.
Her mother crossed to Byren. Taking his hand in hers she asked something softly. Piro followed, curious. As Byren went to answer, he frowned and rubbed the bridge of his nose. The queen made a soft noise of pain in her throat. She swayed.
'What's wrong, mother?' Byren asked.
She shook her head and reached out to steady herself. Piro caught her hand, helping as Byren led her to a chair.
'Do you need a drink, mother? Is it one of your Turns?' Byren asked gently. 'Should I send for Seela?'
The queen shook her head. Byren squeezed her shoulder then rejoined the others.
'Well, mother?' Piro whispered.
The queen looked up, eyes swimming with dread. 'I have always sensed Lence's shadow beside Byren. It's missing. I fear Lence — '
'He's fine. Or he was when we left him at Dovecote,' Piro said. They were a good body length from the men and it seemed the right time to explain about the manticore attack, but just then Byren spoke up.
'Why don't you ask why I accuse you, Illien?'
'I imagine you have your reasons. When I am cleared of this ridiculous accusation, I will — '
Nun Springdawn arrived, with Monk Autumnwind on her heels. They crossed the great hall, their slippers making no sound on the flag stones, then dropped to one knee in front of her father.
'You sent for us, King Rolen,' they spoke in unison, one voice high and clear, the other deep and aged.
'Yes, Warder Autumnwind, Wardess Springdawn,' the king greeted them formally. 'Byren Kingson has made a serious accusation. I want you to test Illien of Cobalt for Affinity.'
The two warders exchanged startled looks.
The queen rose and rejoined the group. Piro followed, certain whatever her mother might feel for Cobalt, this would be outweighed by her feelings for Byren.
'As you wish, King Rolen,' the monk said. They both came to their feet and turned to Cobalt.
'Beware,' Piro spoke up.
All eyes turned to her.
'He may be hiding his Affinity. I've heard it can be hidden behind walls.' She kept her voice firm while inside she quailed, wary of revealing knowledge which might lead to her own exposure.
'It is good to know my many hours of tutoring have not been wasted,' Springdawn said proudly and Piro had the grace to blush. When she had been the nun's pupil Springdawn was more often frustrated than pleased with her diligence. 'But it takes years of training to develop a wall. He may have some natural shielding. Some minds are born with it.'
'I am ready,' Cobalt announced, stepping forwards. 'What would you have me do?'
Springdawn took a slight step backs indicating Autumnwind should speak.
'Normally one of us would lay our hands on a child's head and skim the surface of their mind,' the Affinity warder said. 'With children it is very simple, they have no defences.'
'And with adults?' King Rolen asked.
Springdawn leant closer to Autumnwind to whisper.
'Speak up. I would know everything,' King Rolen urged.
Springdawn bobbed her head in apology. 'I was suggesting my colleague is better suited to this task. Affinity affects men differently from women.'
Piro hadn't known that, though she supposed it made sense. She watched as Springdawn stepped back. Why did the nun look pleased?
'King Rolen, I am honour-bound to speak the truth,' Autumnwind warned.
'Of course, of course.' Her father waved him on. Piro realised if the Affinity warder had to condemn Cobalt, he would do it, even though it would not please the king. No wonder Springdawn looked satisfied.
'Proceed,' the king said.
'Very well. Will someone restrain the candidate?'
'You do not need to hold me.' Cobalt lifted his hands palm up. With his handsome features, he looked noble and wronged. 'I will not struggle.'
Autumnwind grimaced. 'You may collapse. It can be — '
'Then I'll sit.' Cobalt beckoned a servant who hurried over with a straight-backed chair.
After this was adjusted to Autumnwind's satisfaction Cobalt sat, hands resting on his thighs. 'I'm ready.'
Everyone else seemed more uncomfortable with the proceedings than he.
'Will it hurt?' Piro asked the question that seemed to be on everyone's mind.
'Only if he resists,' Autumnwind explained.
Cobalt blinked once and inhaled deeply, as though preparing for the worst. Despite herself, Piro felt a tug of admiration and sympathy.
She gave herself a mental shake. If this hurt Cobalt — and she was certain it would — it was his own fault for using Affinity to manipulate her family.
Springdawn stepped closer to Piro, hemming her in, so that the nun was on one side and the queen on the other.
'This natural shielding, Piro,' Springdawn's soft voice fell into the rhythm of lecture, 'you have it too.'
Piro went very still.
Unaware of her reaction, Springdawn raised her voice. 'I am here if you need support, warder.'
The monk sent her a sharp look that held an undercurrent of dislike.
Then Autumnwind, Halcyon Affinity warder, stepped around behind Cobalt, placed both hands on the larger man's temples and closed his eyes.
Piro desperately wanted to observe Autumnwind's technique. She longed to open her senses so that she could see with her Unseen sight but she didn't dare, not with the wardess at her side.
'Do not fear, Piro.' Springdawn took her hand and squeezed it. 'Affinity rarely turns nasty. Though I did read of one occasion when the warder died before they could disengage his senses from the candidate, who turned out to be a renegade Power-worker in disguise.'
Autumnwind's eyes flew open and the look he sent her this time was definitely unfriendly. Then he lowered his lids again and spoke the words to clear his mind and open his senses.
Piro looked away, controlling her instinct to observe. She felt Springdawn do the same thing, distancing herself from the procedure. Why would she do that? Was the Sylion nun leaving her colleague to sink or swim?
At least a dozen people were present, but no one fidgeted or spoke as the silence stretched. Piro heard servants going about their tasks. Voices echoed down the halls, distorted by distance, while, in the great hall, there was only the sound of the fire crackling in the hearth, which was big enough to burn a trunk as thick as a man was tall.
Despite her best intentions, Piro's gaze was drawn back to Autumnwind and Cobalt. The monk frowned and Cobalt grimaced, lips white as if in pain. Sweat beads collected on the monk's forehead. Cobalt groaned and ground his teeth.
Piro had to fight the instinct to reach for her Affinity. The effort made her sway.
Springdawn noticed. 'Are you unwell, Piro?'
'She's upset,' her mother said and gently led her away from the others over to the table where their wine sat forgotten. She pressed Piro into a chair and put her head forwards. The nun followed them.
'Breath deeply, Piro. It will pass,' her mother said.
'I know it is not a pretty sight, this Affinity seeking,' Springdawn said softly. 'The smell of blood affects me the same way.'
'I'm all right now,' Piro whispered. She lifted her head, feeling her cheeks grow warm as the colour returned. 'What… what happens if he can't get past Cobalt's natural shielding?'
'Then sorbt stones are the final proof. We strap a stone to the Candidate's naked skin and leave it there. At
