“He sleeps now, but is confused.”

“What did you expect, pulling them out of the dungeon so early?” said Vale harshly as he and Gabrielle stood on a balcony watching Roland mingle with his guests at the party below.

Gabrielle had the decency to blush at the revelation that he knew of her indiscretion, but met his forceful gaze without flinching. She didn’t yet trust herself to speak.

“I know you think that it was the only way to save the castle, but I wish you had spoken to me first,” he sighed, turning to watch the dancing.

“So why doesn’t he remember?” she asked quietly, watching the twirling couples.

The orchestra below finished their haunting waltz and the two politely applauded. Vale then turned to his apprentice, fire in his eyes.

“Because you gave them keys!” he scolded. “And not like the pale imitation you carry. The keys! They had no right to them until their sentences were served. Now one remembers only the castle, the other the dungeon. Which one, do you suppose, is the greater danger?”