At the doors, Sevir paused and looked back. Not far from RuIng’s house, a light streamed out of the open doorway where he had left the heavily breathing headmaster, now kneeling with his hands on the floor, like an animal on all four limbs.
“Wait a minute.” He called softly, nudged the door open with a sharp creak and slid in easily. Inside, whispered voices made him pause.
“Thank you for giving me another chance, Lady Reika.” The deep resonance of Master Xaun’s voice was hard to miss.
“Unnecessary pleasantries. Lead the way.” Another voice, a woman, perhaps, the said Lady Reika, commanded. Then he heard footsteps.
After a moment, when the footsteps were not coming any closer, Sevir cleared his throat. He slid into a corner of the room and asked, “I heard a second voice. Was it the headmaster’s wife?”
“How did you…” RuIng paused. Thought over slightly and answered. “He is living with an unstable soul bond. Do not agitate him, Sevir. He is doing his best.”