Savil is definitely feeling exposed and aware that it's probably not a good idea for any of them to still be sitting out here in the open, but it would be a lot harder logistically speaking to get everyone with serious injuries in range if they move to somewhere shielded. It can wait a couple more minutes. Hopefully. 

:All right, that's everyone: she tells Blai. 

He grips his still-lit holy symbol and channels.

It was pretty hard for bystanders to see exactly what happened before, with the Healers crowded around Arven; this time it's a lot more obvious that someone just Healed over a dozen people, at once, without touching them.

(There are a lot of bystanders at this point. The Guard is trying to keep the crowds back, but now that the danger is apparently over, people are curious.) 

Channeling does not help very much with backlash, which means that Vanyel had better pull himself together and cope with the headache. He's not incapacitated, or even that badly drained, it's really just his Fetching-Gift that was pushed too hard. He's not going to be able to use it at all for the next several days, probably, but once he gets some willowbark and can think more clearly, it shouldn't interfere too much with mage-work. 

Also they really shouldn't be out here in public. It's - not clear what could or should have been done differently at any point - but it's seeping into his awareness now that their plan of keeping Blai's unusual magic from coming to anyone's attention is, well. Pretty thoroughly ruined. 

:We should get inside: he tells Blai, tiredly. 

:All right.: He'll follow Vanyel.

Savil is feeling a lot better after a few minutes of catching her breath. :I'll stay and drag that thing out of the water. - Van, if we co-cast the pastwatching spell before nightfall, we can probably follow it back most of a week. It had a strong magical signature, there'll be lots of residue.: 

:Right. All right.: Vanyel is not thinking nearly that far ahead. :Just. Need to get Blai somewhere less visible: he adds, privately just to Savil. :- Leareth's spies might already have heard about this, it'll be all over the city soon -: 

:Van.: Savil answers him privately as well, her mindvoice tight. :This - you know Leareth is the only explanation that makes sense.: 

Trudge trudge trudge through the snow. :I'm not sure it makes sense for Leareth either. It's - not his style.: 

:Maybe you don't really know the man.: 

Pause.

:Makes a lot more sense if it was only the first step. Destabilize our alliance with Karse and throw Haven into chaos right before he drops an army on us. And - if that's what it was, he's not going to like that our visitor messed things up for him.: 

Yfandes catches up. :Van, don't be an idiot. Both of you get on.: 

Vanyel is distracted, still trying to pin down what part of Savil's analysis feels off – though it's not like he can argue with the conclusion that it's highly unfortunate if Leareth is about to find out about Blai's intervention. 

He blinks dully at Yfandes. :But - your hock -: 

:Made sure I was within thirty feet. Obviously. Get on.: This times she includes Blai in her Mindspeech as well. 

It's not much less conspicuous for a man in clearly foreign armor to be seen riding pillion with a Herald, but at least it'll be faster to reach somewhere shielded and private. Vanyel can help Blai up, if he wants help. 

Vanyel looks a little like if Blai takes a hand up he'll pull Vanyel down into the snow instead but between the two of them they can get Blai on the Companion.

Then they can be back at the Palace in only a couple of minutes! Vanyel doesn't lead them back to the guest wing; he heads straight for the Heralds' meeting wing. 

:It's more shielded here: he explains. :And I think we owe you a little more of an explanation.: He hasn't actually heard word, but almost certainly the Senior Circle will be meeting about this, right? 

Indeed, Dara is also converging on the meeting-wing; they catch up with her as she's swinging herself down from Rolan's back. 

"Van! Are you all right?" 

:You should Mindspeak, Blai doesn't speak Valdemaran. I'm fine. Wasn't injured and I'd be fine even if I had been.: He manages a brief smile in Blai's direction. :And a lot of people are fine who'd be dead otherwise. Select Blai, this is Herald Dara, the Monarch's Own - the King's second-in-command, more or less.: 

Dara looks about twenty, but she also looks calm, like this isn't anywhere close to the first emergency she's dealt with. :Select Blai. A pleasure, and - thank you.: 

:You're welcome, I'm glad I could help.:

Vanyel looks seriously at her. :I think we owe Blai more of an explanation. Of - what we're worried about. He put himself at risk to help us, and not just from whatever that creature was.: 

...Dara nods. :Whoever sent it will have been watching to see if it worked.: 

Vanyel hesitates. 

:...It's not certain that anyone sent it. It could have just come out of the Pelagirs.: 

:And evaded the Web? And gone straight for the Queen and her heir?: 

Shrug. :It's resistant to magic, and moving water would blur it anyway. ...It would admittedly be an awfully big coincidence, who it went after.: