Rick stared uncomprehendingly at the paper. He felt Tylara's hand on his arm.
"What is it?" Gwen asked.
"Bad news," Rick said. As he said it he felt waves of relief wash over him. He was ashamed of that. Yet- "Bad news," he said again. "Lord Caradoc is dead."
"Dead?"
"Yes," Tylara answered. "Your husband, my lady. He died in our service, and whatever honors the Wanax has not granted I will give from my purse. Husband, come, and leave the Lady Rector to her grief." She turned and marched from the room.
Gwen looked from Rick to Les. The pilot opened his arms, an almost imperceptible gesture, and she moved toward him.
Rick carefully closed the door as he left the room. We're saved again, he thought. For a while, at least. A good man has died, but that accident has saved more than Caradoc alive ever could. We have Les, and with his help the Shcilriuksis won't destroy everything. Knowledge will survive.
When he reached the quadrangle, they'd put out the fire in the coke oven.