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dragged her sobbing son back with him…
    Delin shuddered as he always did at that memory, the one that returned to him time and again in dreams. It had been his first experience with his father’s ways but not his last, and to this day Delin couldn’t imagine himself standing up to the man. Even though they stood eye to eye physically and Delin’s talent was worlds stronger, the least thought of disobeying the man sent Delin into a trembling funk. Challenging the man simply wasn’t possible, not on any level whatsoever. Being out of his house and in a position where he couldn’t simply be ordered back was an incredible relief, but Delin still
needed
more…
    “Delin,” Kambil hissed, and Delin looked up to find that he’d fallen into the blackout time of his memories again. More time had passed than he’d expected, and the Five’s entourage was leaving the vicinity of Adriari Fant’s group and heading toward his own. He’d thought they would only have the peasants introduced to them, but apparently everyone was to be given the “honor.”
    “And here is the next to last group,” Hiblit Rahms said as the entourage approached, his speech and mannerisms distinct despite the costume and mask he wore. Hiblit had replaced Rigos as the one in charge of the noble challenging Blendings when Rigos had been arrested for the murder of Elfini Weil, and at first Delin had been delighted to have someone other than Rigos assigned to watch them. Delin’s group wasn’t meant to win the Fivefold Throne, Adriari’s group had been chosen for that, but Delin and his groupmates meant to forcibly change that decision. Rigos would have seen what they were up to and would have reported them immediately, but Rigos’s replacement wasn’t likely to be as observant or vindictive.
    And Hiblit
was
completely different, only not in a way that would prove beneficial to Delin and the others. There was something seriously wrong with the man, in that he moved as though his clothes were filled with pins that constantly stuck into him, and he never made eye contact with those he spoke to. He merely recited what he’d obviously been told to say, and had even refused a simple cup of tea because he “wasn’t allowed” to eat or drink anywhere but at home. That statement had been made without any visible emotions, but Kambil, who was their Spirit talent, said the man was twisted impossibly tight on the inside. Not only would Hiblit never take a bribe to ignore what Delin’s group would be doing, but he’d certainly even report the bribe attempt itself.
    “The people in this group are as follows,” Hiblit said as the Five’s entourage stopped in front of them, his tone distant and his gaze fixed on some invisible object in the distance. “Lord Bron Kallan, Fire magic, Lord Kambil Arstin, Spirit magic, Lord Delin Moord, Earth magic, Lady Selendi Vas, Air magic, and Lord Homin Weil, Water magic. The empire greatly appreciates their cooperation in this matter.”
    “Of course it does,” Damilla Sytoss said with one of her enigmatic smiles, clearly ignoring the emotionlessness of the recital Hiblit had made. “We all appreciate their cooperation. And how is your father, Lord Homin? Recovering from his ordeal, I trust?”
    “He—he’s gone to our country house to recuperate, Excellency,” Homin stuttered in answer, obviously startled to be personally addressed. Then the fat little man startled Delin by pulling himself together and rising to the occasion. “When I see him again, I’ll be sure to mention that you asked after him.”
    “Yes, please do,” Damilla told him with a wider smile, and then they were all moving on toward the last of the noble groups. Hiblit led the way, but Delin had the feeling that the man walked alone through a completely private world.
    “Wasn’t that impressive?” Selendi cooed, and Delin turned to see that she’d taken Homin’s arm. “The only one of us spoken to directly was Homin, and I was the