The morning wind moved through the tall reeds bordering the eastern drainage ditch. That made a dry whispering sound across the quiet yard. Up on the high stone railing overlooking the outer court, Senior Elder Tor Ves appeared between two carved pillars. His hands were tucked into his fur-lined sleeves as he watched from a distance. He didn’t go down the stairs, nor did he send a herald to interrupt. Having failed to draw Seyun into the Red Reed Pavilion, the senior elder had chosen the cautious stance of an observer who could claim credit if the morning went smoothly and distance himself if it didn’t.
Down on the gravel, Elder Hesh stepped forward two paces from the porch line. The months since the winter auction had aged the old foundation teacher visibly. Tor Ves had placed him under quarters confinement for handing Seyun the old Balance test fragments in the spring sheds. Then, Hesh had spent forty days without his title, his tea pay, or the daily deference of junior clerks. The flesh under his cheekbones had thinned. The skin around his knuckles was spotted with the brown marks of age. But his hands no longer trembled as they had at the outer gate on the day of Seyun’s expulsion.
