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Mailon shrugged one shoulder. "He came for lessons in language, at least at first," he replied quietly, "and then suddenly that stopped. And Ahkshi ... has ..."

He trailed off, frowning slightly. "Ahkshi has said many things that I do not understand. I have many questions, and neither he nor Shiro will answer them. It has made my time here difficult. I feel as if something ... something big is being kept from me, something important."

His brow was furrowed, and it was clear that he was troubled.

"You must be very fortunate indeed to have met some dragons who would aid you," Mailon said quietly. "It is due to a dragon that I am here and in this condition."

He looked out the window again. "My only desire now is to recover and be on my way so that I may cease to be the burden that I am here. And perhaps I should make that sooner than later, I know that my being here is a strain on those who live here. Travel has never prevented me from healing before."

Earendil's brow furrowed. "Would you leave without having Ahkshi make sure you're all right first?" he asked.

Mailon shrugged one shoulder. "I can't say. I might. I feel odd that it is taking me so long to recover to his satisfaction. Once I feel well enough, I just might, even if he does not think I ought."

"Of course he will, that's what healers do," Mailon said dismissively. "They like to think their opinions are the most important. But I cannot go without his knowledge at least, as he has hidden all of my possessions."

He looked back at Lin and Earendil. "Now that is something that has never happened before, no matter where I have been."

"It has happened," Mailon shrugged. "Though rarely, of course. Usually I wake up in the woods somewhere. But never without my weapons. And though I am accustomed to not being trusted, I have never been so deliberately lied to, either."

He looked directly at Lin. "I don't suppose you would be willing to answer any questions."

"Ah, so there is a story behind all of this," Mailon murmured, arching one eyebrow. "I thought there must be. Only the General of Garnelia would treat someone poorly without reason."

Earendil glanced at Lin. It seemed they would have to be careful with their words, so that they would not give away more than they intended.

"Then my first question is this," Mailon nodded. "Have I been officially cleared of the man who was murdered the day I arrived, or must I still be hidden away for my life? Surely after a month, they know who did it."

Mailon nodded. "I would appreciate that. Thank you. But that does lead me to my next question. Is it true that it was for my sake, at least in part, that you left on your journey? For my safety?"

His eyes narrowed slightly as he waited for the answer. This was one that meant much more to him than the previous question.

"Which means that one among your party is a danger to me."

The White Elf sighed and held his face in his hands. "It has to be her," he muttered to himself. "Only she is off-limits. But why? Day and night she haunts me ... I know I've never seen her before, so how can she be so familiar to me?"

An uneasy expression crossed Earendil's face, and he looked at Lin. Since Mailon was not looking, Earendil took the opportunity to talk to Lin secretly using sign language.

This is torture, he signed to her grimly.

Mailon looked at Lin, and there was red rimming his eyes now, the only spot of colour on the man. "Please," he said, and the desperation in his tone was powerful. "Please, I beg of you. Give me peace of mind!"

If nothing else, that was what he wanted. Just peace of mind, so that he could rest.