trying to soothe her； she barged past two more sentries who came to assist their mate； she would have gone through the officer who came hurrying up the ramp； flanked by three additional guards on either side。 She paused momentarily； seething at this additional obstacle。 The officer had either encountered Elders in a tearing fit or he instantly recognized an elemental force。 He barked an order； and the barricade suddenly became an escort which fell in behind the officer and Lars； who had managed to keep at Killashandra's heels as the enraged crystal singer stormed forward to the Residence seeking the initiator of this additional affront。
Here Lars took the lead； adroitly indicating the way。 She heard an exchange of urgent shouts。 She had a confused vision of more guards snapping to attention； and another pair hastily opening the elaborately carved wooden doors … which despite her involvement in anger； she recognized as magnificent panels of polly wood。 Then she was in the formal reception antechamber of the Residence； and she remembered thinking that the tip of this iceberg was the business end。 She continued her angry progress right to the shallow tier of steps that led down to the main level。 With an alert and wary expression； Olav was half way across the floor to greet her。 Behind him Elder Torkes was seated on a high wooden chair； members of his staff standing about the room； conversing with several islanders。
Automatically； Killashandra gave the assembled one quick glance before she proceeded toward Torkes。 〃Did I spend weeks on a deserted island to be stopped and questioned by an armed minion？ To have a weapon thrust in my face as if I were an enemy？ I〃 … and Killashandra nearly bruised her breast bone as she thumped herself with rigid fingers … 〃I am the one who has been assaulted and abducted。 I am the one who has been at jeopardy and you … 〃 Now she pointed an accusing finger at Torkes； who was regarding her in a state of shock。 〃You have been safe！ Safe！〃
Afterwards Lars told her that she had been magnificent； her eyes visibly emitting sparks； her manner so imposing that he had been breathless with astonishment。 What operatic role had she been using？
〃I wasn't；〃 she'd replied with a rueful smile； for the effect of her dramatic entrance had more than satisfied her rage。 〃I've never been so angry in my life。 A weapon？ Pointed at me？〃
Torkes heaved himself out of his chair； his expression that of a man confronting an unknown and dangerous entity and uncertain which course to take。 〃My dear Crystal Singer … 〃
〃I am not your dear anything。〃
〃Your experiences have unnerved you； Guildmember Ree。 No aggression was intended against you； merely … 〃
〃 … Your wretched； suffocating need for protocol and an irrelevant show of aggression。 I warn you〃 … and she waggled her finger at him again … 〃I warn you； you may expect the most severe retribution〃 … she caught herself； in her rage； she had been on the point of revealing too much to Elder Torkes … 〃from my Guild； reparation for the callous and undignified way in which I have been treated。〃
Torkes regarded her finger as if it were some sort of deadly weapon in itself。 Before he could assemble a suitable reply Olav was at Killashandra's elbow； offering a glass of amber liquid。 〃Guildmember； drink this。。。〃 His baritone voice； so soothing and conciliatory； penetrated her ranting。 She knocked back the drink； and was rendered momentarily speechless。 The shock of the potent beverage effectively restored her to discretion。 〃You are understandably overwrought； and have been needlessly upset； but you are safe here； now； I do assure you。 Elder Torkes has already initiated the most thorough investigation of this terrible outrage and personally supervised your security here on Angel Island。〃
Olav's tactful reassurances gave her the time to regain use of her throat and vocal cords。 Her throat was on fire； her stomach throbbing； and her eyes watered。 Which seemed a good cue to develop。 She allowed her tears to flow and reached weakly for Olav's hand to support her。 Instantly she felt Lars take her right arm； and the two men led her to the other elaborate chair in the chamber； seating her as if she were suddenly fragile。
〃I am overset。 Anyone would be； enduring what I have；〃 Killashandra said； using her sobbing to purge the last dregs of anger； for she estimated that she'd worked that pitch long enough。 〃All alone； on that wretched island； not knowing where I was； if I'd ever be rescued。 And then the hurricane。。。〃
A second glass was proffered。 When she glared at Olav； he winked。 Nevertheless； she sipped cautiously。 Polly wine。
〃Please accept my apologies； Elder Torkes； but that ridiculous weapon was the last straw。〃 Her voice died away but she managed to sound reasonably sincere。 Then she smiled weakly at the nonplussed Elder； and fluttered her eyelashes at his attendants。 They seemed afflicted by some sort of paralysis。 It afforded Killashandra considerable satisfaction that she had managed to confound an entire Optherian crew。 They had stood in great need of such a lesson。 She relaxed into the cushioned back of the chair。
〃There isn't an islander in this Archipelago who would do you any injury； Guildmember；〃 Olav continued； now offering her a finely stitched handkerchief。 〃Especially after the news of your devoted nursing of the Bar Island injured。 When I consider how unselfishly you volunteered to assist； and you only an hour away from being rescued； why； we are all in your debt。〃
Shielding her face from Torkes with the handkerchief； Killashandra looked up at Olav。 She blotted the last of the tears she could manage to squeeze out。 She had received his message。 She gave a sniff； then exhaled in a huge sigh。
〃What else could I do？ Their need was far greater than mine for I had suffered no real physical injury。 It was excellent therapy；〃 and she managed that on a rush of breath； 〃for me to tend those less fortunate than I。 And I do feel safe with you； Harbor Master； and with Captain Dahl！〃 She touched each man on the arm； favoring them with a tremulous smile。 Lars managed to give her shoulder an admonitory pinch which； she felt； indicated that she had milked this scene for all it was worth。 〃I hope you didn't encounter that ferocious storm on your way here； Elder Torkes？〃
〃Not at all； Guildmember。 In fact；〃 Torkes cleared his throat nervously； 〃we didn't set out until sure that the hurricane had dwindled。 I ought to have listened to Mirbethan's representations； Captain〃 … he turned to the senior officer behind him … 〃for she offered to acpany us； Guildmember； on the slim chance that we would discover you here。〃
〃How very kind of her。〃
〃She would have been an ideal panion to settle your nerves； Guildmember。〃
〃Yes； she was most considerate but； though I appreciate her willingness； I now insist on someone。。。〃 she waved a negligent hand in Lars's direction； 〃who is capable of managing himself in difficulties。 I have seen Captain Dahl in action； fighting to bring his ship close enough to take me off that island； and in dealing with high seas； and injured people。〃 And that should be the end of that notion。 Had it been Mirbethan's？ Or Ampris's？ From whichever source； she'd not spend credit on it。
〃If I may suggest it； Guildmember； would you be feeling recovered enough to dine now？〃 Olav asked； deftly changing the subject。 〃Or should Captain Dahl escort you to the quarters prepared for you here in the residence？〃
〃Why； yes；〃 Killashandra said； extending her hand to Lars and smiling graciously at Olav； 〃I think that perhaps hunger is at the root of my deplorable temper。 I'm not usually so easily upset； citizens。〃 Now that the scene had been played； she was ravenous and hoped that Olav's hospitality would be to the standard she expected。 It was； and she was seated on Olav's right at the beautifully appointed banquet table。 Torkes was opposite her； Teradia appearing at his right hand。 Evidently she had merely had to change her gown。 Killashandra did wonder how she had arrived so promptly。 Other charmingly dressed ladies partnered the officers of Torkes's retinue and from some discreet corner delicate music wafted to the diners' ears。
The food was s