Backin Larell's study Curly's goatee trembled as he spoke.  “There’s absolutely no doubt in my mind theice sprite is depressed 

Larell.  Thestench of it filled the room.  It’s awonder the poor plants didn’t just keel over instantly.”

Depressed. That word again. 

Thefirst time Larell heard it he had to ask Curly to explain it to him.  “It’s good to have someone on the insideCurly.  Thanks for doing the job at suchshort notice.”

Thegoat shook his head from side to side. “I owed you Larell.”

“Didhe exhibit any other signs we need to be aware of?”  Larell paced back and forth behind his desk.

“Well,I think he’s going to do something to himself.” Curly sat back on his haunches.

Larell’shead whipped round.  “Do something!  You don’t mean…?”

“Ido.”  The goat nodded sagely.

“Thisis just too much Curly.  It’s …”

Curlyand Larell spoke together.  “Unheard of.”

“Idon’t have enough bodies as it is, now I’m going to have to find somebody tosprite-sit as well.”  Larell took a deepbreath.  “So this is what it must belike, this constant anxiety.”

“Yes,they spend a great deal of time and money on therapy.”

Larelllooked Curly squarely in the eye.  “Yousay ‘they’ so easily.  Do you feelcompletely a part of us now?”

“Ido, and that is thanks largely to you.”

Shakinghis head, Larell dismissed Curly’s words. “I didn’t do much.”

Curlymade as though to speak but instead began munching at the corner of Larell’sdesk. To ease Curly’s discomfort Larell brought the topic back to thepresent.  “I don’t suppose you can giveme a time frame.  That would reallyhelp.”

Curlyshook his head from side to side while adopting a tragic expression.  “This was one my horns could just not hone inon.  I’m sorry to have to bring you morebad news.  Word is things are going pearshaped every time you turn round.”

“I’dsay that’s a fairly accurate description of the situation Curly.  Give my love to the family.”

Curly’srump swayed as he exited.  “Will doLarell.”

Larellturned his thoughts back to the new regime he’d implemented.  He had no choice now but to bring Gamden inon the training of the recruits. Gamden’s methods were a bit questionable but he knew how to get recruitsworking together like a crack unit in no time at all.  And that was exactly the situation he feltthey were facing.  No time at all.

 

***

Curly’sunscheduled arrival in Faetaera was perhaps an omen of what was to come.  When Larell reviewed things, in hindsight hecould see so many little things which had never quite added up.  There was the time that pixie manifestedright in the middle of his office.  Itstared at him blankly then slid to the floor in a heap.  He'd been so surprised it had taken him a fewmoments before he summoned Presley.

Thepixie lay very still.  This in itself wasan anomaly.  Pixies were neverstill.  This one was a horrible greyshade, his skin pruney and puckered.  Hewas also wearing rather strange apparel. What in the name of the Pattern Keepers was going on? 

Presleyhovered over the pixie trying to ascertain whether it was alive or not.  With a suddenness equal to its arrival itregained consciousness, turned back to a more conducive vibrant blue, beamed aglowing smile at Larell, said “She’s feeling much better now.” and de-materialised.

Presley,speechless for once, shrugged his confusion at Larell.

Toothers these things would seem so small and would go unnoticed unless they werelooking for peculiarities, unless they had an inbuilt distrust of anything moreout of the ordinary than usual. Why was he wired this way?  He wasn’t sure.  It certainly made for an interesting youthbut now in his middle years he was less enthralled by this quirk.

Aureliawas only too aware of it.  She told himit was the main reason she had appointed him as chief of security, a post neverbefore held within the kingdom.  That shefelt the need for the position was disturbing in itself.  Larell had been unable to decline her offer. Hadshe suspected something like the fissures could happen?  Perhaps that shimmer he saw surrounding herwas a glimmer of fear just at the edges where no-one else thought to look. 

Becauseyou always look at her through a glass darkly…  Or perhaps you just want to believe you seesomething in your queen which others cannot. Do you really think your love is that powerful?  You lack humility Larell Lac Taal.  You lack humility. 

Tobe near her.  To know her hands touchedthe information sheaves he delivered in person to the palace.  These things meant so much to him when hisday seemed endless.  If his personal effortsmade her sleep better at night, then it was all worthwhile. 

Allworthwhile.