The mages' quarters, Paras Derval, Fionavar

[most_generous]

Kimberly Ford, Seer of Brennin, lay unconscious on the bed of the greatest mage in Fionavar. Arthur Pendragon had spoken long into the night with the mage, Loren Silvercloak, and his source Matt Sören, but by dawn both the mage and the dwarf were yawning. Arthur said, "Sleep. I'll watch over her

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[bannion_sight]

She had been weary beyond all measure, and for once her sleep had been without a seer's visions. Instead, Kim had dreamed of Ysanne's lake, and the peace to be found there.

This room is also quiet, but it is different, and eventually-- combined with a few hours' rest-- that is enough to overcome her exhaustion.

Slowly, Kim opens her eyes and sits up, looking around the room.

[bannion_sight]

I know, he's in Cardiff, she starts to say, but a pounding at the front door cuts through her words with the dull foreboding of a war-drum.

Loren rises to his feet from his pallet by the hearth and Kim and Arthur join him in the front room, as Matt Sören -- who had come awake instantly and so was the first to move -- opens the door to admit Brock, who is looking as bleak as ever they have seen him.

It turns out that as Brock had been returning from the Black Boar, he had found Zervan-- servant to the mages these twenty years and more-- lying stiff and unnaturally frozen in the snow outside the house.

Even as they are reeling from the shock, a second messenger arrives, bringing news of the Supreme Lord of Cathal's impending arrival from Seresh, and suddenly, there is no more time.