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"She can change every few days," Iorlas stressed, "but she can blind you any time. If she's not somewhere where she's trapped, she can still blind you and run."

"I told you to leave her alone," Amalirahc mumbled again, though he was so quiet that it seemed he wasn't directing his words at anyone in particular.

River patted him on the head, then turned her attention back to Iorlas. "But if Ioreth can get in and out all the time ... are we ... safe?"

"We will find a way to keep her out of the palace," Eregon said firmly, his eyes angry. "Don't worry about that for now, River. The question we do need an immediate answer to is this: what can we do about her if she does show up again?"

To be honest, Iorlas really had no idea. As far as she was concerned, there was no safe way of dealing with her sister - but then, it was also true that Ioreth really posed no greater threat than mere mischief, when it came down to it.

"I don't know," she said honestly. "If I did, I don't think she would still be doing the things that she does."

"Sunglasses?" River repeated curiously.

"Maybe she means some of those funny goggles that Luk wears sometimes," Amalirahc shrugged. He cracked his eyes open, and for the first time he was starting to see some blurred colour. White still clouded most of his vision, but at least it was a start. He felt encouraged - slightly.

"That would be useful," River agreed. "But it would be annoying to have to have it with you all the time if you don't know when she's going to show up."

She shook her head. "No, next time I see her, I'll just keep my eyes closed, and leave her alone."

"At any rate," the king spoke up again, "I believe we have learned all we can for the moment. Iorlas, we thank you for coming to speak to us, and for being honest with us. We know it can't have been easy for you, either to give up your sister like that, or - and perhaps especially - to let us know about yourself."

Iorlas bowed her head, acknowledging his words silently.

The king rose. "Children, we suggest you see Alassëa to restore your sight before continuing your explorations," he told them. "And for the next few days at least, please do not wander around without an adult. Lady Kirahn, will you be their guide?"

"I will, Your Majesty," the lady knight replied respectfully. "And if Your Majesty has need of my services personally, I will request that Lord Jaxon accompany them."

"As you will." The king nodded. "Go, bring the children to be taken care of."

As the king and queen left the room, Lady Kirahn rose to her feet. She put one hand on Miyuki's shoulder and said quietly, "Come."

River was already helping Amalirahc, and they were waiting for Lady Kirahn to lead them back upstairs.

It was a few minutes before they reached the room that Iorlas and Alassëa were sharing, and when they arrived, Iorlas knocked on the door before entering, just so that they wouldn't surprise Alassëa by entering unannounced.

"You're back," the blind woman smiled as Iorlas entered the room. Her eyes narrowed slightly. "You're not alone ..."

"It's us, Alassëa," River told her, leading Amalirahc over to her bed. "We ran into Ioreth ... Amalirahc and Miyuki need help."

Lady Kirahn led Miyuki to Alassëa's bed as well. "Here, sit," she said softly.

Alassëa blinked, and instantly her expression became anxious. "What happened?" she asked, shuffling over to Miyuki (since she was closer to her).

"She made a really bright light and blinded us," River answered for the others. "My eyes cleared up pretty quickly, but Miyuki and Amalirahc have more sensitive eyes, and they can't see yet."

River blinked and looked up at the woman who had brought them here. "Oh, Lady Kirahn, you couldn't see earlier either," she said anxiously. "How are your eyes now?"

The woman smiled faintly at River. "Better. I can see, though not as well as usual."

"I will heal all of you," Alassëa said quietly. "Even if you feel you don't need it, just to be safe."

She held out one hand towards Miyuki. "Put my hand over your eyes," she instructed Miyuki. She didn't want to grope around and end up poking the girl in the eyes - that would be adding insult to injury.

Alassëa relaxed as she began the healing process.

"What about you, Iorlas?" she asked. "Are your eyes damaged as well?"

"No," Iorlas replied quietly, heading over to the window and looking out of it. "No, it happened before I was called downstairs."

"Ah." Alassëa was curious. "What happened?"