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Merletta hesitated, looking over at Sage, who gave an encouraging nod. Clearly her friend trusted Emil, but then, Sage had always been very trusting.
“I did,” she said carefully.
Emil showed some emotion at last, his features marred by a slight frown. “That is…troubling.”
“Well, it wasn’t land sickness, that much is certain,” said Merletta firmly. “Do you have any idea what else could cause something like that?”
A frown was still etched across Emil’s face. “I’ve been researching that question for some time,” he said slowly. “I have access to records you do not. And there are creatures whose venom can addle the mind. Have you been stung by anything recently?”
“I don’t think so,” Merletta said, surprised. She frowned in thought, and her voice became excited. “But Ibsen did grab my arm! It was after I spoke with the Skulssted head guard. Ibsen was furious with me for asking questions, maybe enough to try to get rid of me once and for all.”
“I heard about that,” said Emil dryly. “You weren’t very discreet, were you? It wasn’t exactly surprising that Instructor Ibsen reacted as he did. However, I doubt very much that he swims around carrying rare venom on him just in case a trainee enrages him.”
“I wouldn’t put it past him,” muttered Merletta, but without much conviction. It would be so convenient if she could prove that Ibsen was behind the attacks on her. She knew him to be her enemy in terms of passing the program. It would be reassuring to discover that he was her only enemy, rather than there being another one who was targeting her life rather than her studies.
Merletta frowned up into Emil’s calm face, framed by the long fair hair that floated gently with the current. “What’s your part in this?” she asked bluntly. “Why are you helping me? Why have you been researching what could cause hallucinations?”
Emil’s expression didn’t change. “Just because not everyone is as flagrant as you are, doesn’t mean you’re the only one capable of questioning what you’re told,” he said.
“So you think the story about the guards doesn’t add up?” Merletta pressed eagerly. She was sitting up very straight now. “You never said anything!”
Emil’s gaze flicked to Sage, a crease once again appearing between his brows. “Why would I say something to you? Did it occur to you that I was kinder not to share my suspicions?”
“You think I want to endanger my friends?” Merletta protested, stung. “I tried to keep it to myself until I had proof, but Sage is sharper than you give her credit for!”
“You do realize I’m floating right here, don’t you?” Sage interjected, a bite in her voice. Merletta threw her an apologetic grimace.
“Of course we realize,” said Emil calmly. “I’m not saying anything I don’t wish you to hear, Sage. You already know my thoughts on the advisability of you setting yourself up as sole guard and confidant to Merletta, after all.”
Sage flushed slightly, and Merletta found herself raising an eyebrow as she looked between them yet again. Clearly she’d missed some serious developments while she was unconscious.
“So who are you helping by keeping watch over me here?” she asked wryly. “Me, or Sage?”
“Both, I hope,” said Emil. He frowned at her. “You’re smart enough to know how dangerous your secrets are, Merletta. I hope you know what you’re about, bringing Sage into them.”
Merletta squirmed guiltily as his words hit a sore spot. She’d never been quite at ease about endangering Sage, but she didn’t see that she had much choice. “What do you know of my secrets?” she asked evasively, over the top of Sage’s irritated splutter.
“I have my guesses,” said Emil placidly. “But I’m sure there’s a great deal I don’t know. I would be very interested to discover where you actually were over your break, for instance.”
“Well, I’d tell you if I knew for certain I could trust you,” Merletta said frankly.
“Merletta!” Sage admonished, but Emil shook his head.
“I don’t take offense. She’s right to be careful.” He frowned, but he didn’t look annoyed. Just thoughtful. “Did you find out anything useful?” he asked, changing tack abruptly. “When you interrogated the head guard before the memorial?”
Merletta shot him a startled look, but he seemed to be asking a genuine question rather than criticizing her.
“Not much,” she acknowledged. “I think it’s possible he believes the guards really died of land sickness. It seems like he handed them off to Center medics when they were ill.”
Emil looked more thoughtful still, and Merletta went cold as a sudden realization hit her.
“The same medics who brought me here after I was ill, probably,” she said hollowly.
“Possibly,” Emil agreed, still deep in thought. “But if someone was trying to recreate what happened to the guards, they made a strategic error.”
“They did?” Sage asked faintly.
“Of course,” nodded Merletta. “Because I’m alive. And now all they’ve achieved is to give me more information on what happened to the guards.”
