a particularly nasty human. Under Shayan's
influence, of course, but not supernatural himself."

"So would I. God willing, that's how it'll work out."

* * * * *

It was still a couple of hours before dark when they got to the
retreat's main guard post. Cortin was surprised when a lieutenant
emerged to check their identification and authorization, until he told
her that Crown Prince Edward and Princess Ursula were in residence, and
went on, "Colonel Bradford and Inquisitor-Major Illyanov are in Their
Highness' party, and asked whoever met you to extend their regards.
They would like to see you when you get a chance; they're billeted in
the Manor, but we were told you and your team need privacy, so you're
assigned a field-type shelter we use when there're too many security
people here for normal quarters. I hope that'll be satisfactory."

"A shelter is fine, thanks," Cortin said. Better, in fact, than the
Manor--for her, at least. Being loaned a corner of a royal retreat was
an honor, but she was certain she'd be horribly uncomfortable in the
actual presence of royalty. Seeing Illyanov and Bradford again would
be nice, though--especially Ivan, and especially if the surgery worked,
though she was reluctant to admit an Inquisitor had that kind of
attraction for her. "I do need a couple of things, if they're
possible?"

"My pleasure, Team-Leader. What can we do for you?"

"Take care of these spare horses, and see about picking up and
identifying some bodies." Cortin gave him a brief explanation, and a
description of the location.

"I know where you mean," the Lieutenant said. "I'll be happy to see to
both. Is there anything else?"

"No, except where this shelter is." She paused, realizing she was
forgetting something. "Lieutenant Bain plans to conduct an
interrogation of our prisoner, probably within the next couple of days.
We certainly don't want to disturb Their Highnesses, though; is there
someplace remote we can use?"

"The shelter is about a kilometer from the Manor, Captain; standard
procedures will be fine." The Lieutenant turned back to the guardhouse
and called inside; seconds later, a sergeant emerged. "Sergeant
Halvorsen will guide you, then take the spare horses to the main
stable. If you don't mind him using one of them?"

"Of course not. Glad to meet you, Sergeant."

"My pleasure, ma'am." Halvorsen saluted; when she returned it, he
mounted one of the