Ireland
At length, Fiona makes it through all of Randle's guests and approaches Sir Gracian, holding out a hand, which seems to be shaking slightly. As they begin to dance, Sir Gracian can feel heat radiating off of the Duchess. He catches a momentary look in her eyes and it is as if he is staring into the very depths of Hell. A chill runs down his spine and he gets a premonition that almost every single person in this hall is going to be dead within the year.
The moment passes, the heat and shaking disappear, and Fiona's eyes seem to unfocus once more, her 'armor' restored. In an emotionless voice, she whispers, "thank you for coming, Sir Gracian. And for your letter. I am sorry I acted poorly." After a couple more turns, she goes on, "I need you to promise to do something for me, on your Honor. You have to save my library. Move it from the castle in Hereford before the new Count arrives in a week, hide it at your estate. Guard it with your life." As the dance ends, she curtsies to Sir Gracian and palms a beautiful and ornate key to him as she releases his hand and heads to her final dance of the evening with Sir Dalan.
Approaching Sir Dalan, she holds out her hand. She remains emotionless and unfocused as they begin to dance. However, once away from the others, she whispers, "I am sorry, I could not prevent Ellowyn's capture. Galeria is using Diabolic forces that are difficult for me to counter." Spin, spin, turn, spin. She goes on, "she kidnapped Ellowyn to get you to come back without soldiers so that she could attack you on the road from Whitechurch to Penkridge. You must leave the City of Legions with the caravan to Whitechurch in the morning and as soon as you are out-of-sight of the City, head to the Kingdom Inapercu. King Bellis can help you recover Lady Ellowyn, just give him this," she manages to slip a bracelet off of her wrist and slip it to Sir Dalan. The dance ends, and the Duchess retires for the evening with her new husband.
Looking at the bracelet, Sir Dalan notices that it is not silver or platinum, as he first expected but mithril. The gems on it are a strange and beautiful mix of shapes and colors that almost mesmerize him. He gets the impression that he is holding a King's ransom in his hand.