“Actually, ah—something in the air is being unkind to me,” he says at the very same time, standing up. “I think I’ll retire early. I’d hate to miss the dinner, but I’d hate to spoil it too.”

He has no appetite for the meat on the table.

He leaves first. Waits in the hall (the hall, the whisper of metal). After Cassandra is finally excused, he finds her. Stands there when their eyes lock. Says, “Lady Cassandra. There’s something wrong. It’s the Briarwoods, isn’t it? You feel it too, right?”