With her attempt to dull her pain with brandy a failure, Kionach decided now was as good a time as any to accept Aragorn’s invitation to go to Ithilian. With Sebastien close at her heels, she left the Coach and Horses and made her way to the Bakery. Just as she was about to open the front door, she hesitated. Her hands began to tremble.

“What is wrong?” Sebastien asked her.

“I don’t know.” She clamped her hands tight together to hide how shaky they were. “I feel….” She took several quick, deep breaths as the constant pain in her head suddenly intensified. She clutched her forehead. “It hurts. Bad.”

“Ah, it iz all of ze brandy catching up to you,” Sebastien said. He stepped in front of her and opened the door for her. “Seigneur Aragorn said….” He paused in the threshold and gave her an odd look.

“What?” she asked.

“Ma demoiselle….” With a grim look, Sebastien took out a handkerchief and handed it to her, then made a gesture for her to wipe her nose.

Kionach did, then stared wide-eyed at the bright red spot on the handkerchief. “Oh, no!” she said in a panicked whisper. “What’s happening?”

“Je ne sais pas,” Sebastien replied in a voice just as panicked.

“It’s him,” she said with sudden realization. “He’s doing something to me. Even far away he has a hold on me.”

“Him?”

“My mas….” She winced and clutched her head in her hands as her pain increased. “Lord Six. He knows. He knows I’ve betrayed him. And he’s punishing me for it.”

“Kionach?” Aragorn appeared at the door. “What’s wrong?”

“She iz bleeding,” Sebastien said, making a sweeping motion at his nose.

Aragorn lifted her chin, then frowned.

“Aragorn, please, help me,” Kionach pleaded. “It hurts. It hurts so bad.”

Aragorn put a guiding arm around her shoulders. “Come. Quimoe’s waiting.”