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“Given that we have absolutely nothing to go on except feelings, this is not going to be easy,” Julie said. “There’s nothing to hook onto.” She looked over at Naria and Andrew who had joined them in the lounge. “Neither of you have sensed anything?”

“Nothing,” Andrew said. “I’m fairly sure that all the anxiety I’m feeling is triggered by the situation.”

“The future could hit me over the head with a hammer and I wouldn’t notice,” Naria said. “I have less precognitive ability than a particularly unobservant rock, according to Lady Rilletta when she was teaching me clairvoyance.”

“Ow!” Julie giggled. “That’s harsh!”

“Yeah,” Naria said. “Accurate though. I won’t be much help I’m afraid.” She gave Kyle a thoughtful look. “What about your little sister? She’s inherited quite the talent from Tarian-kedan.” She paused. “Come to think about it, what about him?”

“That’s a good point,” Kyle said. “Is Kari still in the kitchen?”

“They were when we left,” Andrew said. “Mia had come down and was helping Valeria.”

“Okay, let’s talk to Kari and then go and find Tarian – I think he’ll be with the rest of Mum’s court waiting for her to get back from the meeting.”

 

***

 

Karilya shook her head when they asked her if she’d had any more premonitions. “Not since the dream I told you all about.” She took another sip of the soup she was eating and frowned. “But something is bothering Daddy. Mummy’s noticed it too because I heard her ask him about it. He said something feels wrong but he doesn’t know what. She told him to try and figure out what.”

“That sounds like what the rest of us have been having,” Lydia said. “We’d best go find him.”

“I know where he is,” Karilya said. “He’s with the rest of mummy’s court in one of the other houses. Let me finish my soup and I’ll take you.”

Kyle chuckled and ruffled his sister’s hair. “Of course.”

 

***

 

Tarian was seated crosslegged on the floor of one of the bedrooms of the house Karilya led them to. He looked like he was meditating but he opened his eyes when Karilya leapt on him and hugged him.

“Kari? What?” he said as he hugged her back.

“They want to talk to you.” She turned and pointed at Lydia and the others. “They think you can help them.”

“I’ll try,” he said. “What’s wrong?”

“Kari says something has been bothering you but you don’t know what,” Lydia said.

“That’s true,” he said. “I was just trying to chase it down but I’m not having much luck.”

“It’s not just you,” Lydia said. “It’s literally making my skin itch.” She scratched at her arms again. “And Julie, Kyle and Dan are feeling it too. We’re about to try and chase it down. Would you help?”

“Of course.” He climbed to his feet. “I don’t think this vagueness is natural and we stand more chance of getting past the blockage as a group.”

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