ONE

 No one would deny that I have known hardship in mytime, brief though it has been for all that I have done in it.This, I think, I may say without boastfulness. If I answernow to the title of Comtesse de Montrève and my name is listed in the peerage of Terre d'Ange, still I have knownwhat it is to have all that I possess torn from me; once,when I was but four years of age and my birth-mother soldme into servitude to the Court of Night-Blooming Flowers,and twice, when my lord and mentor Anafiel Delaunay wasslain, and Melisande Shahrizai betrayed me into the hands of the Skaldi.

 I have crossed the wilds of Skaldia in the dead of winter,and faced the wrath of the Master of the Straits on the teem­ing waters. I have been the plaything of a barbarian warlord,and Ihave lost my dearest friend to an eternity of lonelyisolation. I have seen the horrors of war and the deaths ofmy companions. I have walked, alone and by night, into thevast darkness of an enemy encampment, knowing that I gavemyself up to torture and nigh-certain death.

 None of it was as difficult as telling Joscelin I was re­turning to the Service of Naamah.

 It was thesangoire cloak that decided me; Melisande'schallenge and the badge of my calling that marked me asananguissette, Kushiel's Chosen, as clearly as the mote ofscarlet emblazoned since birth in the iris of my left eye. Arose petal floating upon dark waters, some admirer oncecalled it.Sangoire is a deeper color, a red so dark it bordersupon black. I have seen spilled blood by starlight; it is afitting color for one such as I, destined to find pleasure inpain. Indeed, the wearing of it is proscribed for any who is not ananguissette. D'Angelines appreciate such poetic ni­ceties.

 I am Phèdre nóDelaunay de Montrève, and I am the onlyone. Kushiel's Dart strikes seldom, if to good effect.

 When Maestro Gonzago de Escabares brought the cloakfrom La Serenissima, and the tale by which he had gainedit, I made my choice. I knew that night. By night, my courseseemed clear and obvious. There is a traitor in the heart ofTerre d'Ange, one who stands close enough to the throne to touch it; that much, I knew. Melisande's sending the cloak made it plain: I had the means of discovering thetraitor's identity, should I choose to engage in the game.That it was true, I had no doubt. By the Night Court andby Delaunay, I have been exquisitely trained as courtesan and spy alike. Melisande knew this—and Melisande re­quired an audience, or at least a worthy opponent. It was clear, or so I thought.

 In the light of day, before Joscelin's earnest blue gaze, I knew the extent of the misery it would cause. And for that, I delayed, temporizing, sure in my reasoning but aching atheart. Maestro Gonzago stayed some days, enjoying the hos­pitality I was at such pains to provide. He suspected some­what of my torment, I do not doubt. I saw it reflected in hiskind, homely face. At length he left without pressing me, his apprentice Camilo in tow, bound for Aragonia.

 I was left alone with Joscelin and my decision.

 We had been happy in Montrève, he and I; especially he,raised in the mountains of Siovale. I know what it cost Jos­celin to bind his life to mine, in defiance of his Cassilinevow of obedience. Let the courtiers laugh, if they will, buthe took his vows seriously, and celibacy not the least ofthem. D'Angelines follow the precept of Blessed Elua, whowas born of the commingled blood of Yeshua ben Yosefand the tears of the Magdelene in the womb of Earth:Loveas thou wilt.Alone among the Companions, only Cassielabjured Elua's command; Cassiel, who accepted damnationto remain celibate and steadfast at Elua's side, the PerfectCompanion, reminding the One God of the sacred duty evenHe had forgotten.

 These, then, were the vows Joscelin had broken for me.Montrève had done much to heal the wounds that breakinghad dealt him. My return to the Service of Naamah, whohad gone freely to Elua's side, who had lain down withkings and peasants alike for his sake, would open thosewounds anew.

 I told him.

 And I watched the white lines of tension, so long absent,engrave themselves on the sides of his beautiful face. I laidout my reasoning, point by point, much as Delaunay wouldhave done. Joscelin knew the history of it nearly as well asI did myself. He had been assigned as my companion whenDelaunay still owned my marque; he knew the role I had played in my lord's service. He had been with me when Delaunay was slain, and Melisande betrayed us both—andhe had been there that fateful night at Troyes-le-Mont, whenMelisande Shahrizai had escaped the Queen's justice.

 "You are sure?" That was all he said, when I had finished.

 "Yes." I whispered the word, my hands clenching on therichsangoire folds of my cloak, which I held bundled inmy arms. "Joscelin ..."

 "I need to think." He turned away, his face shuttered likea stranger's. In anguish, I watched him go, knowing therewas nothing more I could say. Joscelin had known, fromthe beginning, what I was. But he had never reckoned onloving me, nor I him.

 There was a small altar to Elua in the garden, which Richeline Friote, my seneschal's wife, tended with great care. Flowers and herbs grew in abundance behind the manorhouse, where a statue of Eíua, no more than a meter tall,smiled benignly upon our bounty, petals strewn at his mar­ble feet. I knew the garden well, for I had spent many hoursseated upon a bench therein, considering my decision. It wasthere, too, that Joscelin chose to think, kneeling before Elua in the Cassiline style, head bowed and arms crossed.

 He stayed there a long time.

 By early evening, a light rain had begun to fall and stillJoscelin knelt, a silent figure in the grey twilight. The au­tumn flowers grew heavy with water and hung their brightheads, basil and rosemary released pungent fragrance on themoist air, and still he knelt. His wheat-gold braid hung mo­tionless down his back, runnels of rain coursing its length.Light dwindled, and still he knelt.

 "My lady Phèdre." Richeline's concerned voice gave mea start; I hadn't heard her approach, which, for me, wasnotable. "How long will he stay there, do you think?"

 I turned away from the window that looked out at thegarden loggia. "I don't know. You'd best serve dinner with­ out him. It could be a good while." Joscelin had once helda vigil, snow-bound, throughout an entire Skaldic night on some obscure point of Cassiline honor. This cut deeper. I glanced up at Richeline, her open, earnest face. "I told him I am planning to return to the City of Elua. To the Serviceof Naamah."

 Richeline took a deep breath, but her expression didn'tchange. "I wondered if you would." Her voice took on a compassionate tone. "He's not the sort to bear it easily, mylady."

 "I know." I sounded steadier than I felt. "I don't chose it lightly, Richeline."

 "No." She shook her head. "You wouldn't."

 Her support was more heartening than I reckoned. Ilooked back out the window at the dim, kneeling figure ofJoscelin, tears stinging my eyes. "Purnell will stay on asseneschal, of course, and you with him. Montrève needsyour hand, and the folk have come to trust you. I'd not haveit otherwise."

 "Yes, my lady." Her kind gaze was almost too much tobear, for I did not like myself overmuch at this moment.Richeline placed her fist to her heart in the ancient gesture of fealty. "We will hold Montrève for you, Purnell and I.You may be sure of it."

 "Thank you." I swallowed hard, repressing my sorrow."Will you summon the boys to dinner, Richeline? Theyshould be told, and I have need of their aid. If I am to do this thing before winter, we must begin at once."

 "Of course."

 "The boys" were my three chevaliers; Phèdre's Boys, theycalled themselves, Remy, Fortun and Ti-Philippe. Fighting sailors under the command of Royal Admiral QuintiliusRousse, they had attached themselves to my service afterour quest to Alba and the battle of Troyes-le-Mont. In truth,I think it amused the Queen to grant them to me.

 I told them over dinner, served in the manor hall withwhite linens on the table, and an abundance of candles. At first there was silence, then Remy let out an irrepressiblewhoop of joy, his green eyes sparkling.

 "To the City, my lady? You promise it?"

 "I promise," I told him. Ti-Phílippe, small and blond,grinned, while solid, dark Fortun looked thoughtfully at me."It will need two of you to ride ahead and make arrange­ments. I've need of a modest house, near enough to thePalace. I'll give you letters of intent to take to my factor inthe City."

 Remy and Ti-Philippe began to squabble over the adven­ture. Fortun continued to look at me with his dark gaze. "Doyou go a-hunting, my lady?" he asked softly.

 I toyed with a baked pear, covered in crumbling cheese,to hide my lack of appetite. "What do you know of it, For­tun?"

 His gaze never wavered. "I was at Troyes-le-Mont. Iknow someone conspired to free the Lady Melisande Shahrizai. And I know you are ananguissette trained by AnafielDelaunay, who, outside the boundaries of Montrève, somecall the Whoremaster of Spies."

 "Yes." I whispered it, and felt a thrill run through myveins, compelling and undeniable. I lifted my head, feelingthe weight of my hair caught in a velvet net, and downed ameasure of fine brandy from the orchards of L'Agnace. "Itis time for Kushiel's Dart to be cast anew, Fortun."

 "My lord Cassiiinç will not like it, my lady," Remy cau­tioned, having left off his quarrel with Ti-Philippe. "Sevenhours he has knelt in the garden. I think now I know why."

 "Joscelin Verreuil is my concern." I pushed my plateaway from me, abandoning any pretense of eating. "Now Ineed your aid, chevaliers. Who will ride to the City, andfind me a home?"

 In the end, it was decided that Remy and Ti-Philippe both would go in advance, securing our lodgings and serving no­tice of my return. How Ysandre would receive word of it,I was uncertain. I had not told her of Melisande's gift, normy concerns regarding her escape. I did not doubt that I hadthe Queen's support, but the scions of Elua and his Com­panions can be a capricious lot, and I judged it best to op­erate in secrecy for the moment. Let them suppose that itwas the pricking of Kushiel's Dart that had driven me back; the less they knew, the more I might learn.

 So Delaunay taught me, and it is sound advice. One mustgauge one's trust carefully.

 I trusted my three chevaliers a great deal, or I would neverhave let them know what we were about. Delaunay soughtto protect me—me, and Alcuin, who paid the ultimate pricefor it—by keeping us in ignorance. I would not make hismistake; for so I reckon it now, a mistake.

 But still, there was only one person I trusted with thewhole of my heart and soul, and he knelt without speaking in the rain-drenched garden of Montrève. I stayed awakelong that night, reading a Yeshuite treatise brought to meby Gonzago de Escabares. I had not given up my dream offinding a way to free Hyacinthe from his eternal indentureto the Master of the Straits. Hyacinthe, my oldest friend, the companion of my childhood, had accepted a fate meant for me: condemned to immortality on a lonely isle, unless Icould find a way to free him, to break thegeis that boundhim. I read until my eyes glazed and my mind wandered.At length, I dozed before the fire, stoked on the hour bytwo whispering servant-lads.

 The sense of a presence woke me, and I opened my eyes.

 Joscelin stood before me, dripping rainwater onto the car­peted flagstones. Even as I looked, he crossed his forearms and bowed.

 "In Cassiel's name," he said, his voice rusty from hours of disuse, "I protect and serve.”

 We knew each other too well, we two, to dissemble.

 "No more than that?"

 "No more," he said steadily, "and no less."

 I sat in my chair gazing up at his beautiful face, his blueeyes weary from his long vigil. "Can there be no middle ground between us, Joscelin?"

 "No." He shook his head gravely. "Phèdre ... Eluaknows, I love you. But I am sworn to Cassiel. I cannot betwo things, not even for you. I will honor my vow, to protectand serve you. To the death, if need be. You cannot ask formore. Yet you do."

 "I am Kushiel's chosen, and sworn to Naamah," I whis­pered. "I honor your vow. Can you not honor mine?"

 "Only in my own way." He whispered it too; I knew howmuch it cost him, and closed my eyes. "Phèdre, do not askfor more."

 "So be it," I said with closed eyes.

 When I opened them, he was gone.

 Two

 When last I entered the City of Elua, it was riding intriumph in the entourage of Ysandre de la Courcel, freshfrom victory over the Skaldi, with the Royal Army andDrustan mab Necthana and the Alban contingent at our side.This time, my return to the city of my birth was considerably less dramatic, although it meant a great deal to me.

 It is a powerful thing, homecoming. I had come to loveMontrève, with its green mountains, its rustic charm; butthe City was my home, and I wept to see its white wallsonce more. My heart, a year and more accustomed to thesedate pace of the countryside, stirred within my breast andbeat faster.

 We had been long days on the road, while the briskweather of autumn turned to the chill of impending winter.When I had travelled before, it had been with no more thanmy companions and I could carry on sturdy mounts. Now,we were accompanied by laden wagons of wool, product ofthe last shearing of the season, with an entire wagon for my goods, which included the volumes and scrolls of Yeshuiteresearch I had accumulated within a year.

 It was a goodly amount, for the followers of Yeshua werea prolific folk. Their history is ancient, reaching back longbefore the time when Yeshua ben Yosef, the true-gotten son of the One God, hung upon a Tiberian cross, his blood min­gling with the tears of the Magdelene to beget blessed Elua.I had not yet discovered in their writings a clue to unravelthegeis that bound Hyacinthe, but I was yet hopeful.

 Also in our train was a wagon for our gear, tents and foodstuffs, and pack-mules for my retainers' possessions.There was even a pair of saddle-horses we led unridden,fresh mounts for Remy and Ti-Philippe, who dashed backand forth between our slow party and the City.

 "You'll need a carriage," Fortun said pragmatically as wedrew near to the City. "It won't do for the Comtesse deMontrève to ride astride, my lady. But I reckon it can waituntil we've sold the wool."

 "It will have to." I had supposed, before Ysandre's Chan­cellor of the Exchequer had informed me that I was the inheritor of Delaunay's estate and never-claimed title, thatall D'Angeline nobles had coin in abundance; in truth, itwas not so. I drew a modest income from my holdings atMontrève, and I had funds from the recompense of Delau­nay's City house. It had been seized upon his death, whenI was judged in absentia to be his murderer. Now, my namewas clear, thanks to Ysandre's intervention. In the City of Elua, it is known that I loved my lord Delaunay well and had no part in his death; as he named me his heir, so did I inherit. Still, I had no wish to dwell in the place where hedied.

 So, his estate of Montrève I inherited, and I accepted rec­ompense for the sale of his home in the City; but the pro­ceeds from the former went toward the payment andequipage of my retainers, and the latter toward the purchaseof a home for us. Of the small amount that remained, Iconfess, a great deal went into my library.

 Those purchases, I did not regret. All knowledge is worth having, Delaunay used to say; and I had every intention of putting what I garnered to good use. But it left me with littlein the way of capital.

 I had a diamond, once, that would have financed the be­ginnings of a salon any courtesan might envy. Thinking on it, I touched my bare throat where it used to hang. I wouldrather have starved than profit from that gem.

 As we rode nigh to the southern gate, Fortun raised thebanner of Montrève; green, a crescent moon in argent upper right, and sable crag lower left. The City Guard hoisted theirspears in answer, a shout sounding from the white walls—Ti-Philippe, dicing with the Guard, had been awaiting ourarrival. I heard a ragged chant arise, all too familiar: the marching-song of Phèdre's Boys, born out of our desperatequest to Alba.

 Glancing at Joscelin, I saw his shoulders set with resig­nation.

 So we entered the City.

 In some parts, it was small, and in others, vaster and morelovely than I remembered, gracious and proud. Ti-Philippe scrambled down to meet us, and led us inward, along the winding course of the river toward the Palace. In the street,citizens paused and watched curiously, marking our passage.I could hear the rumors begin to spread. To the east, the hillof Mont Nuit sloped upward. The Night Court was there,with its Thirteen Houses, where I had received my earliesttraining; in Cereus House, First among the Thirteen. At itsfoot lay Night's Doorstep, my refuge, where Hyacinthe hadestablished himself as the Prince of Travellers.

 That was the past. The future lay before us. In sight ofthe Palace, at the juncture of a narrow street, Remy met us.After a hurried conference, Ti-Philippe took stewardship ofthe wool-wagons, leading them to the worsters' district.

 "My lady." Remy grinned, and swept me a bow from thesaddle, rising to point down the street. "Your quarters awaityou!"

 If anyone might question the wisdom of allowing my wildsailor-lads to seek out lodgings for us, their fears would be mislaid; they were jealous of my honor, Phèdre's Boys, andno one was allowed to mock it save they themselves. Hiddenaway in the shadow of the Palace, it was a charming house. It had a tiny courtyard near overgrown with shade vines, a stable and a deceptively generous layout, being narrow, butdeep. There was ample room for our party.

 "I contracted a kitchen-mistress," Remy said anxiously,"and a day-maid. There's a lad to help with the stables, andI reckon between the three ... four of us ..." he shot aglance at Joscelin, "... we can do what else needs doing. Will it suit, my lady?"

 I stood in the entry, where the winter light filtered cool and green through the hardy vines. "It will suit," I said,catching my breath in a laugh. "It will suit most admirably,chevalier!"

 Thus did I take up residence as the Comtesse de Montrèvein the City of Elua.

 My first invitation arrived before I'd scarce gotten settled;no surprise, for I'd written to Cecilie in advance that I wasreturning. We had maintained a steady correspondence dur­ing my time at Montrève, for in addition to being one ofmy oldest acquaintances—and one of the few I trustednearly as much as I did Joscelin—she was a delightful cor­respondent, her letters laden with bits of news and gossip that I relished to no end. I accepted her invitation at once.

 "Phèdre." Meeting me at her door, Cecilie Laveau-Perrinenfolded me unhesitatingly in a warm embrace that I re­turned without reserve. Her light-blue eyes, set in a face noless beautiful for encroaching age, glowed as she held meat arm's length. "You look well. Country living must suityou." Smiling, she gave Joscelin the kiss of greeting. "And Joscelin Verreuil! I am still jealous of Cassiel's claim upon you."

 Joscelin flushed to the roots of his hair and murmuredsomething in reply; he had been more gracious, the last time."With your permission," he said stiffly to me, "I'll see if Ican find the scholars' hall that Seth ben Yavin spoke of, andreturn for you in a few hours' time. I'm sure you and the Lady Cecilie have much to discuss."

 "As you wish." It was awkward, this formality betweenus; I could have bitten my tongue at the tone of my voice,though it was no cooler than his.

 Cecilie raised her eyebrows, but said nothing until wewere seated in her lesser parlour, the cozily appointed room where she received her intimate friends. A maidservantpoured wine and brought a tray of delicacies, withdrawingwith the immaculate discretion of one trained to serve anadept of Cereus House. "So did the strain of your star-crossed union prove too great, my dear?" she asked then,kindly.

 "Not in Montrève, no." I shook my head and took a sipof wine, then drew a deep breath. "I am returning to the Service of Naamah."

 "Ah." Cecilie rested her chin on her fingertips, regardingme. "And Messire Joscelin grieves. Well, I did not thinkNaamah had done with you, Phèdre," she said, surprisingme. "You were born to be one of the great ones, not towaste your youth on sheep-shearings and barn dances. How old are you? Twenty?"

 'Twenty-two." A touch of indignation in my tone made her smile.

 "You see? Scarce out of girlhood." She toyed with astrand of pearls, but her pale blue eyes were shrewd. "Al­though I'll allow that you've seen and done things no NightCourt adept could survive. Still, in ten years, you mightcome into your prime. Is it only that, my dear, or is it Anafiel Delaunay's game you seek to play?"

 I should have known she would suspect it. Cècilie had

 been the one to train us, Alcuin and me, in the arts of love;she had also been one of the few who knew what Delaunaywas about. For a brief moment, I considered confiding in her. I trusted her discretion. But it would worry her; and itcould endanger her, too. And unlike Joscelin and my chev­aliers, Cecilie was no warrior sworn to my protection,skilled in the arts of defense. It cast Delaunay's dilemma ina different light, and for the first time I sympathized with his desire to shield me in ignorance.

 "I'm sworn to Naamah, and not to House Courcel," I saidlightly. "Unlike my lord Delaunay. But you may be sure, I've not forgotten what I learned in his service. I will keepmy ears open and my wits about me. If I learn aught thatYsandre should know ..." I shrugged. "So much the better."

 Not entirely convinced, Cecilie leveled her gaze at me. "Be careful, Phèdre."

 As an adept of Cereus House, she had cause to know. Inthe Thirteen Houses of the Court of Night-Blooming Flow­ers, Naamah's Service was an item of faith. As Naamah hadlain down with strangers on blessed Elua's behalf, so didwe; but we were mortal, and where power intersects withpleasure, there is danger. Adepts of the Night Court dabbledwith great caution in political intrigue. As a peer of the realm, I risked all the more. No one living had done it.

 Placing a candied rose petal on my tongue, I let it meltin a wash of sweetness. "I will," I promised. "What newshave I missed?"

 "Ah, well!" Her eyes danced. "Despite the Cruarch's visitthis summer, it grows obvious that the Queen is not with child. Now that winter stares us in the teeth, speculationmounts as to whether or not she will take a lover; and if so,whom."

 "Does it indeed?" I murmured. "Do you think she will?"We were D'Angeline.Love as thou wilt. She would not havebeen the first, nor the last.

 "No," Cecilie said decisively, shaking her head beforesipping her wine. "Ysandre was raised as a pawn on theplaying field of marital alliance; she knows how to play thegame and commit to none. Any mind, I hear she is com­mitted to him. If House Courcel provides an heir, he or shewill be half Picti."

 It was true; I had reason to know it. Against all odds, themarriage of the Queen of Terre d'Ange and the Cruarch ofAlba was a love match—and the Strait that divided them was nigh as deep as the one between Joscelin and me.

 "Still," Cecilie continued, "it is open season on the po­sition of Queen's paramour, and contenders abound."

 "If Ysandre is not troubled, I'll not trouble myself." I tookup the wine-jug and refilled our glasses. "What of theSkaldi? Have the borders been quiet?"

 "As the grave." There was satisfaction in her tone. "Somerville was awarded a duchy, you know; sovereign inL'Agnace. No one disputes it. The Royal Army's been ap­proved to stand down, now. Camaelines hold the border."

 "D'Aiglemort's men?" I glanced up, surprised. Cecilienodded.

 "The Unforgiven, they call themselves," she said softly."They bear black shields."

 We were both silent a moment, remembering. Only a few of the Allies of Camlach had survived the battle of Troyes-le-Mont, where the Skaldi warlord Waldemar Selig hadunited his people, leading an invasion against Terre d'Ange.He had had reason to believe he would prevail, encouragedin his endeavors by Melisande Shahrizai, who played adeep-laid game. I know, for she sold me into slavery among the Skaldi when I learned her plan. I do not think she meantme to survive. I did, though. In the deepest winter of Skaldia, I survived to become Selig's mistress, and I learned hisplan, escaping in time to warn Ysandre. It was enough, bythe nearest of margins. Ysandre sent me to Alba, and Ibrought the Cruarch's army to my country's aid. In the end, only Melisande escaped unscathed.

 I could have done none of it without Joscelin.

 The Allies of Camlach had been vassals of the traitorousDuc Isidore d'Aiglemort, Melisande's ally, whose fatal conspiracy had opened the door for the Skaldic invasion and

 nearly brought ruin on the nation. Isidore d'Aiglemort isdead now, and he died a hero at the end.

 I was there, watching from the parapet, when he led the charge against Waldemar Selig's army. It was the Allies ofCamlach who had driven a wedge into the massed Skaldi,and d'Aiglemort himself who slew Selig. He didn't live totell of it; not many men of Camlach had survived thatcharge. Those who had lived had vowed themselves to driv­ ing the invading Skaldi far beyond D'Angeline borders.

 The Unforgiven. It was a disturbing name.

 "Did you hear?" Cecilie changed the subject, poring overthe tray of dainties. "Prince Benedicte has remarried."

 "No!"

 "Oh, yes." She looked amused. "Do you suppose the pas­sions of the flesh wither with age, my dear?"

 "But he must be ..."

 "Only sixty-aught," Cecilie said complacently. "Andtwelve years a widower. Ganelon was his elder, by a con­siderable amount. He took a Camaeline lass to wife, whosefamily was slain in the war. Tourande, Tourais, somethinglike that. They're expecting a child, come spring. I didn'ttell you?"

 "No," I said absently. "What does it betoken, for thethrone?"

 "Naught that I know of." She nibbled at a bit of marche-pain. "As Ganelon's brother, Benedicte is still formally nextin line, but he has two daughters to succeed him, althoughI understand Thérèse is imprisoned for her part in IsabelL'Envers' death."

 "And Barquiel L'Envers?"

 "The Duc L'Envers." Cecilie set her piece of marchepaindown unfinished. "If you're wary of anyone, be wary ofhim, Phèdre. Ysandre is thick with her uncle—and I do notsay it is wrong, for blood calls to blood. But HouseL'Envers was ever ambitious, and he was your lord's en­emy, you know. Ysandre may be Isabel's daughter, but shebears Rolande's blood."

 I knew; I knew it well. The Duc Barquiel L'Envers washigh atop the list of peers I mistrusted. As it happens, I alsoowed him my life.

 "Well," I said reflectively. "A proper hornet's nest, itseems.”

 "When were politics aught else?" Cecilie gave me a long,evaluating glance. "If you're going to do this, we'll need toset you up properly, Phèdre no Delaunay de Montrève. Inliving memory, no peer of the realm has chosen to followNaamah's service. You're going against fashion, my dear."

 "I know," I said. "But Naamah's arts are older than Terred'Ange itself, and her service is ancient among us. I washer Servant before I was a peer. There was honor in both, once, and neither precluded the other. I swore an oath, Ce­cilie. I made the dedication and released a dove in Naamah'sname. Do you say I should gainsay it?"

 "No," Cecilie sighed. "Nor will the Queen. Do you planto maintain a salon?"

 "No." I smiled. "I never did, in Delaunay's service.My ... patrons ... prefer to set their own terms, on theirown territory. I am ananguissette, after all."

 "Well, if anyone can restore the lustre to Naamah's ser­vice, it's you, child." She cocked her head. "You'll at leastneed the services of a proper attendant. Have you a seam­stress in mind? If you've not, I've word of a lass in Eglan­tine House who might do." I shook my head. "Have youregistered with the Guild yet? You'll need to do that, nowthat you've made your marque. Oh, Phèdre!" Cecilieclapped her hands together, eyes sparkling. "We've so muchto do!"

 THREE

 1 found the scholars' hall. The yeshiva."

 We had not spoken of it on the ride back from Cecilie's;Joscelin had not offered, and I pushed him on little these

 days. Pouring more tea, I raised my brows and waited.

 "I met the Rebbe." He cleared his throat and sipped athis tea. "He's...a rather formidable figure. He remindedme of the Prefect."

 "Did you speak to him of studying there?”

 "I mentioned it." Joscelin set his cup down. "He thought I was interested in converting," he said dryly. "Mayhap I should consider it."

 The Cassiline Brotherhood had a peculiar relationship to the followers of Yeshua; in many ways, they held the samebeliefs. I felt a creeping sense of alarm, which I hid. "Youdidn't tell him about Hyacinthe, then."

 "No." Rising, Joscelin wandered the study, running hishand over the newly built shelves and cubbyholes. "Ithought it best to wait. Phèdre, do you really think there'sa key?"

 "I don't know," I answered honestly. "But I have tolook."

 Somewhere, far to the west, on a lonely island, my Princeof Travellers spun out his days in apprenticeship to the Mas­ter of the Straits, condemned to serve out the terms of Rahab's curse. It was a sacrifice he had made for us all, a bitterbargain. If he had not, the Alban army would never havesucceeded in crossing the Straits, and the Skaldi would haveconquered Terre d'Ange. But, oh! It was a cruel price topay. For so long as the One God punished the disobedienceof his angel Rahab, the curse would endure; and as the Mas­ter of the Straits had said, the One God's memory was long.

 Elua disobeyed the commandment of the One God, buthe and his Companions were aided by our Mother Earth, in whose womb he was begotten. Silent these many long cen­turies, She did not seem inclined to intervene once more—and this affair was none of Hers. No, if there was an answer,a means of breaking an angel'sgeis, it lay in the ancient doctrines of the Yeshuites.

 It had been done, I knew; there were tales of heroes who had defied the will of the One God's emissaries, outwittingthem with guile and scholarship. But those were in the dayswhen angels walked the earth and the gods spoke directlyto their people. Now the gods kept their counsel, and only we lesser-born mortals, whose bloodlines bore faint traces of ichor, were left to the stewardship of the land.

 Still, I would try.

 "Well, I will speak to him, if he will hear me."

 "He'll be amused at the novelty." Joscelin's tone was dry again. "A D'Angeline courtesan speaking Yeshuite. He hada hard enough time hearing it from me."

 I have a gift for languages, but that wasn't what he meant.I closed my eyes against the pain; Joscelin's, mine, piercingat the core and welling outward in misery. Elua, but it wassweet! The pain of the flesh is naught to the pain of thesoul. I bit the inside of my lower lip, willing the tide of itto subside, horrified in some part of me that I could takepleasure in it. Melisande's face swam in memory behind myclosed lids, sublimely amused. True scion of Kushiel's line,she would have understood it as no other.

 "Remy found a carriage." Joscelin changed the subject."I sent him to Emile, from Hyacinthe's old crew. He still has the stable in Night's Doorstep."

 "How much did he spend?"

 He shrugged. "He got it for a song, he said, but it's in dreadful shape. They think they can repair it. Fortun's grandfather was a wheelwright."

 I ran my hands through my hair, disheveling the mass of sable curls. I didn't care for this penny-counting, necessarythough it was. My father had been a spendthrift, which washow I came to be bond-sold to Cereus House as a child; itmade me wary of debt. Still, I didn't have to like it. Joscelinwatched me out of the corner of his eye. "How long, do they think? I should send word to Ysandre."

 "Three days, mayhap. Less if they've naught else to do." He made an abrupt movement, gathering the tea tray. "It'slate. I will see you in the morning, my lady."

 There were barbs on the words, his formal address. I en­dured them in silence and watched him go, leaving me alonewith the remorseless pleasure of my pain.

 It took only two days to restore the carriage to a pre­sentable shape, sufficient to arrive at the Palace in a stylebefitting the Comtesse de Montrève. I sent word to Ysandre, and had a reply by royal courier that afternoon, granting anaudience on the morrow. He stood waiting while I read it,elegant in blue Courcel livery, and bowed graciously whenI told him to tell the Queen I would be honored to attend.There was a trace of curiosity in his eyes, but he didn't let it show in his manner.

 That there were stories about me, I knew full well. Thelesis de Mornay had included my tale in earliest drafts ofthe Ysandrine Cycle, the epic poem documenting Ysandre'stumultuous ascension to the throne in the midst of war.There were other stories, too, passed about by word ofmouth. Most of my patrons were discreet, but not all.

 So be it. There is no shame in being a Servant of Naamah,nor ananguissette. We are D'Angeline, and we revere such things. Other nations reckon us soft for it; the Skaldi foundotherwise. But too, it is as I have said—our blood has grown thick with mortality, and one such as I, marked by a celestialhand, was a rarity.

 It is not a thing, I may say, in which I take pride; I grew up in Cereus House, where the crimson mote in my eyemarked me not as Kushiel's chosen, but merely as oneflawed beyond the canons of the Night Court. It was Delaunay who changed that, and named me for what I was. Andin truth, I have no special gift beyond the transmutation ofpain, which has been as much curse as boon to me. If I amskilled at language and logic, it is because I was well taught;Alcuin, who was a student with me, was better. It is only aquirk of fate that left me alive to exercise them, while heand Delaunay perished. Not a day passes but that I remem­ber it. I would give up all that I have gained to change that past. Since I cannot, I do the best I can, and pray it doeshonor to their memories.

 It was strange to have the Queen's Guard bow at thePalace gates, to be met by liveried servants and enter thehalls with an entire entourage in tow. If Joscelin was grave, Phèdre's Boys were on their best behavior, trying hard tolook dignified. I didn't worry about Fortun, sober by nature, but Remy and Ti-Philippe had a talent for mischief.

 Ysandre received us in the Hall of Games, a vast, col­onnaded salon where the Palace nobles liked to gather forgaming and conversation. I spotted her with two of her ladies-in-waiting, pausing to observe an intense game ofrhythmomachy. Her own Cassiline guard, two Brothers clad in ashen-grey, stood a discreet distance away. Not young,either of them, but their straight backs defied age. Few ofthe Great Houses follow the old traditions any more, sendingtheir middle sons to serve Cassiel.

 "The Comtesse Phèdre no Delaunay de Montrève!" our escort announced loudly.

 Heads turned, a few murmurs sounded. Ysandre de laCourcel came toward me with a smile. "Phèdre," she said,grasping my hands and giving me the kiss of greeting. There was genuine pleasure lighting her violet eyes when she drewback. "Truly, I am happy to see you."

 "Your majesty." I curtsied. Ysandre looked much thesame; a little older, worn by the cares of the throne, but withthe same fair beauty. We were nearly of an age, she and I.

 "Joscelin Verreuil." She rested her fingertips on his armwhen he finished his sweeping bow. "I trust you have beenkeeping my near-cousin safe?"

 It was Ysandre's jest, to name me thusly. Of a surety,there were ties of neither blood nor marriage between us,but my lord Delaunay, who had taken me into his house­hold, had been dearly beloved of her father Rolande. Indeed,that love had gone deeper than many suspected, and Delau­nay had sworn in secret an oath to ward Ysandre's life ashis own.

 "I protect and serve, your majesty." Joscelin smiled,warmth in his words and not irony. Whatever lay betweenus, his loyalty to the Queen was undiminished.

 "Good." Ysandre looked with amusement at the bowedheads of Remy, Fortun and Ti-Philippe, who had all droppedto one knee before her. "Well met, chevaliers," she said

 kindly. "Does your service still suit, or does the sea beckon

 you back to my lord Admiral Rousse?"

 Remy grinned up at her. "We are well content, your maj­esty."

 "I am pleased to hear it." Ysandre looked back at me.

 "Come, Phèdre, tell me how you have been keeping. I amsure your men will find ample entertainment in the Hall ofGames, and I am eager to learn what has brought you backto the City of Elua."

 If it had been strange to enter the Palace as a peer,stranger still to stroll the Hall at Ysandre's side, her Cassiline guards trailing us. It had been different, after the war,when everything was still in a jumble, Albans and Dalriadaeverywhere, and my services in constant demand as trans­lator. This measured order was like the Palace of my youth,which I had attended only at the behest of noble patrons.

 "Matters proceed well, it seems," I observed to Ysandre.

 She smiled wryly. "Well enough. We are fewer than be­fore, I fear, but our alliance with Alba has given us newstrength. Drustan will be sorry to have missed you."

 "And I him." There had been a strong sympathy betweenus, the Cruarch of Alba and I.

 "Come spring, he'll be back." There was a faint trace oflonging in Ysandre's voice; I doubt it would have been ev­ident to anyone not trained to listen for such things. "So tellme, was Montrève too rustic for your liking?"

 "Not entirely," I answered honestly. "It is very pleasant.But there is a matter I am pursuing that I cannot followfrom the isolation of a country manor." Ysandre looked atme with interest, and I told her of my research into Yeshuitelore, my dream of finding a key to unlock Hyacinthe'sprison. I could not help but mark, as we walked, how alleyes in the Hall of Games followed the Queen, and a humof speculation followed in her wake. Nobles contrived toplace themselves in our path, moving aside with a bow or curtsy; I could see the offers plain in their faces, men' andwomen alike.

 Ysandre handled it with an absent grace. "Your Tsinganolad, yes. I wish you luck with it. They are a strange folk,the Yeshuites." She shook her head. "I do not pretend tounderstand them. We welcome them openly in Terred'Ange, and they accept our hospitality on sufferance."

 "There is no room in their theology for Blessed Elua, mylady. They cannot reconcile our existence, and it troublesthem."

 "Well." Ysandre's fair brows arched. "They have had some time to grow accustomed to the notion. Have youcome to a decision on the other matter?" she asked then, changing the subject. "You are still vowed to Naamah, un­less I am mistaken."

 "Yes." Unthinking, I twisted a ring I bore on the thirdfinger of my right hand; black pearls, given me as a patron-gift by the Duc de Morhban. I smiled. "If I bare mymarque," I said, "you will know my answer, my lady."

 Ysandre laughed. "Then I shall have to wait and see."She swept her hand about the Hall. "They will be wonder­ing, you know. They've naught better to do."

 "I have heard as much," I said reservedly.

 "Majesty." A man's voice spoke, deep and silken; fromthe comer of my eye, I caught a swirl of black and gold, intricately patterned, as a figure rose from a deep-backedchair. He bowed, then straightened, and I caught my breath.His blue-black hair hung in plaits like tiny chains, and eyes the hue of sapphire were set in a dangerously beautiful face, skin like ivory. He smiled, showing white teeth, and fanned an ornate deck of cards. "You promised me a game of batarde."

 I knew him; I had last seen him in the company of his cousin, whom he had betrayed.

 "I did, my lord Marmion, but I did not say when," Ysan­dre replied lightly.

 "I shall await the day." His deep blue gaze rested on myface. "My lady Phèdre no Delaunay de Montrève," he said, caressing my name. My knees turned to water. "For a shortlife, you have a long history with House Shahrizai."

 Along with his sister Persia, Marmion Shahrizai betrayedhis cousin Melisande, mayhap the most dangerous act anyof their House could undertake, giving her unto the custodyof Duc Quincel de Morhban, the sovereign Duc of their province of Kusheth. I watched them bring her into Ysan­dre's impromptu court at the fortress of Troyes-le-Mont, after the battle was won. I was there at the hearing, whereMelisande was accused of treason.

 I gave the testimony that condemned her.

 "My lord Shahrizai." With all the willpower I could sum­mon, I made my voice cool. "Your loyalty to the throne hasprospered you."

 He laughed, and bowed. "How not, when it has such alovely occupant?" he said for Ysandre's benefit. "Her maj­esty is wise beyond years, to recognize that the treachery ofone member of a House does not taint all born within it."With one last florid bow, he turned away.

 I let out a shaking breath.

 "I should have warned you." Ysandre gave me a com­passionate glance. "He's been a great help, actually; we un­covered several of Melisande's allies thanks to Marmion.I'd forgotten about your ... long history with his House."

 "Allies." I wrestled my thoughts into order. "But not Mel­isande?"

 "No." Ysandre shook her head. "She's gone well andtruly to earth, Phèdre, like a fox; and I suspect she's farbeyond the borders of Terre d'Ange. Wherever she is, her power here is broken. What allies she had, have been exe­cuted, and no one, I think, would be fool enough to trusther with a bounty on her head. I promise you, you've naughtto fear from Melisande Shahrizai."

 Once upon a time, I was young and naive enough to havethought a Queen's reassurance beyond question. Now, Imerely smiled and thanked Ysandre for her concern, holding my fear in check and gazing about the Hall of Games, won­dering where the traitors lay.

 Of their presence, I had no doubt.

 FOUR

 I he key to finding the traitor in the Queen's inner circlewas hidden in that night at Troyes-le-Mont. Of that much,I was certain. Melisande Shahrizai had vanished from awell-guarded chamber in a fortress on high alert, and some­one had helped her do it. If I could figure out how it wasdone, I would have the beginning of a trail to follow.

 It was Fortun, the steadiest of my chevaliers, who hitupon the notion of mapping out the route of Melisande's escape. "Do you know where she was held, my lady?" heasked thoughtfully. "The ground floor, or the second?"

 Joscelin gave me a long look.

 "It was the second floor," I said.

 Melisande had sent for me that night and, like a fool, Ihad gone, meeting with her in her royal prison-cell. What had passed between us was of no account, save that it left me shaken. Afterward, I retired to the high walls, wishingto be alone with my tangled emotions, awaiting her execu­tion at dawn. For all that she deserved it—there was nodoubt, in the end, that Melisande Shahrizai had conspiredwith the Skaldi warlord Waldemar Selig to overthrow thethrone of Terre d'Ange—I couldn't bear to watch. She had been my patron, once.

 It had never come. Instead, daybreak found two guardsdead outside her chamber, and a third at the postern gate.

 "So if the corridor was here ..." Kneeling beside the lowtable in my sitting room, Fortun plucked a long-stemmediris from a vase and laid it lengthways atop the table. "How far from the stairs?"

 I counted on my fingers, remembering. "Three doors. No,four. Her chamber was the first door past the corner."

 "Here, then." He broke the flower's stem, bending it atan angle, then setting an empty cordial glass at one end. "And the stairs, here.”

 "Yes."Leaning over the table, I studied it. "Nearenough."

 Across the room, Joscelin shoved himself to his feet."Phèdre."

 "Yes?" I glanced up from the table.

 "Leave them out of it." His expression was unreadable."If you insist on playing dangerous games, so be it. Don'tdrag these poor, besotted boys into your intrigues. I can'tprotect the lot of you."

 "Did I ask you to?" I felt my ire rise. "If it disturbs you so greatly, then leave. Throw yourself at the feet of the Prefect and beg forgiveness. Or go tell Ysandre I releaseyou from my service, and beg leave to attend her. She'sused to having Cassilines around."

 Joscelin gave a short laugh. "And let you go hurtling intoperil with three half-trained sailors to ward you? At leastallow me to keep from dishonoring the last vow I've kept,Phèdre."

 I opened my mouth to reply, but Fortun cleared his throat,intervening. "Quintilius Rousse does not pick half-trained soldiers for his flagship, brother."

 "It's not the same." Steel glinted from Joscelin's vambraces as he shifted in frustration. "You're trained to battle,not to protect and serve. It's not the same at all."

 "I am learning." Fortun's voice held steady.

 Their gazes locked, and I held my tongue. What would itprofit, to come between them? Joscelin had to choose freely,or not at all. After a moment, he threw up his hands with a sound of disgust.

 "I wish you me joy of them," he said harshly to me, andleft the room.

 I hadn't thought he would go. I stared after him.

 "He'll be back," Fortun said calmly. "He cares too muchto leave you, my lady."

 "I'm not sure," I whispered. "I didn't think he'd go atall."

 "Here." Without looking at me, Fortun bent back to thetable, his broad hands moving objects. "If this is the lowerlevel and the postern gate is here..." he placed a vase atone corner, "... and this the passage ..." he moved a lac­quered coffer, "... there would have been guards here andhere." He marked the spots with his finger. "Whoever ledMelisande to the postern gate had to pass these points. Sodid others, no doubt, but still..."

 I rubbed my aching temples, trying to concentrate, tryingnot to think about Joscelin. "They were questioned. Wewere all questioned, Fortun. If there were anything there,believe me, Ysandre would have seized on it."

 "What if they weren't the right questions?" he asked.

 "What do you mean?" I frowned at the table, remember­ing. As one of the last people to see Melisande alive, I'dbeen questioned at length. In the end, I was exonerated, ifonly because it was my testimony that had condemned her.Ysandre was looking for treachery, or evidence of treachery.No one questioned admitted to seeing anything of the kind.But whathad they seen? "You're right. There was a guardat the foot of the stair, too. And someone had to pass themall, to get to her chamber. Melisande couldn't have killedthose guards herself. One, mayhap. Surely not two." I began rearranging the pieces on the table. "If we had a list of whopassed them, that night, to compare to the other..."

 "We would have a shortlist of suspects." Fortun's eyesglowed. "My lady, this is somewhat that we can do for you.For you to question the Queen's Guard, it would seemamiss. Even my lord Joscelin is not on...easy terms, if Imay say it, with the rank and file. But three ex-sailors, for­mer soldiers of Admiral Rousse ... we could ask. Drinking,dicing; these are things we know, things that loosen men'stongues. He is trained to protect and serve, and not to battle.It is not the same thing, not at all."

 He looked smug enough with it that I laughed, then so­bered. "Truly, Fortun, thisis a dangerous business. If any­one suspected what you were about, you would be in grave danger."

 "My lady, if you think any of us sought security in yourservice, you are mistaken." His brows knitted in a darkscowl. "We are sailors, after all, and bound to adventure. Ifwe have deemed you a star worth setting a course by, donot belittle our decision."

 "Why did you do it?" I asked him. "Why me?"

 "I saw you on the battlefield of Bryn Gorrydum, carryingwater to the wounded and dying. And after, when you madeus chevaliers. I know the Admiral asked it of you. His swordwas nearly as long as you're tall." One corner of his mouthcrooked at the memory. "Queen's emissary. You looked like someone had hit you over the head. How could I choose otherwise?"

 I sighed and rumpled my hair. "All right, then. Learnwhat you may. But never..." I poked his chest for empha­sis, "...never let them suspect you are aught but simplechevaliers, eager to relive your moments of glory and poreover the mysteries of nobility."

 "Don't worry. I have a good-luck name, my lady." Fortunsmiled. "My mother swore it on my name-day."

 FIVE

 I oscelin did return, late that evening; I did not questionhim, and he did not offer an explanation. We greeted each other in the morning, courteous as two strangers. He per­formed his exercises in the secluded rear garden, flowinggracefully through the Cassiline forms, steel blades weaving,breath frosting in the crisp air. I watched him, and felt myheart ache within my breast.

 How strange, how compelling a pain; to cause injury to a loved one.

 One thing else I did, when driven to it: I ran away.

 Properly speaking, I rebelled. I used to do it at CereusHouse, and I did it at Delaunay's. Although I will say, if I may, that there was more in it than simple rebellion. It was a game, with my lord Delaunay; if I succeeded at it, there would be no repercussions.

 I was no child, now, to run to Night's Doorstep and thecomfort of Hyacinthe's antics. Still, it was a comfort to slipunnoticed from under the eyes of my well-meaning guards,go to the stable and convince the simple lad, Benoit, tosaddle a horse for me. I led the gelding cautiously intothe street, where Benoit considerately latched the gate be­hind me.

 Once astride, I was free.

 I rode away from the Palace, exhilaration singing in myveins, hard put to remember the last time I was well andtruly on my own. It is an oddity, how having retainers bindsone. Without their concerns to think of, I had only my own.I made my way to the river, and followed it to the market square, where criers hawked their wares.

 It was the doves that put it in my head, dozens upondozens of them, caged offerings huddled against the cold.Choosing the smallest out of pity, I paid for a gilt cage.

 "My lady has an eye," the vendor said obsequiously,transferring the bird. "This one, he is small, but he has awill to survive."

 "Elua hear you, and grant it is so." I smiled, leaning downfrom my mount to take the cage in hand. The geldingsnorted and tossed his head. "This one is for Naamah."

 The vendor performed an elaborate bow, smiling at me sidelong. My dove rattled his wings against the gilded barsand the gelding shied, shod hooves ringing on the cobble­stones; people cheered as I kept my seat. I was a dreadfulrider, once. That was before I fled Waldemar Selig's stead­ing on pony-back, through the direst winter. I have spent agood bit of time astride, since then. Strange, to look backand see how skill was acquired; at the time, I only thought to stay alive.

 With my head up despite the snapping cold, I rodethrough the streets to the Temple of Naamah. If peoplecalled out and saluted me along the way, it was not because I was the Comtesse de Montrève or Phèdre no Delaunay—they could not see, from the street, my tell-tale gaze—butonly because I was young, and beautiful, and I rode withoutcare, bearing a dove for Naamah.

 The Great Temple of Naamah in the City is a small struc­ture,-but lovely with gardens; even now, with winter'sbreath in the air, it held warmth and bloomed. I gave mymount over to a stable-lass who met me with lowered eyes, and walked alone to the temple, carrying the birdcage. Anacolyte met me at the door.

 "Be welcome," he said, bending in his scarlet surplice to give me the kiss of greeting. His lips were soft, and I knew,in a way, I was home. He looked at me out of eyes the colorof rain-washed lupine, eyes that studied my own. "Be wel­come,anguissette, and give honor to Naamah."

 I took his arm in one hand, carrying the gilded cagewithin my other, and entered the Temple of Naamah. Up thelong corridor we walked, to the vast statue that awaited us at the end: Naamah, her arms spread wide in greeting and em­brace. There, beneath the oculus, we awaited the priest.

 Priestess, it was; I knew her when she emerged, attended by acolytes. Long hair the color of apricots, and green eyestilted like a cat's; she had been an acolyte herself, when I was dedicated. The priest who had dedicated me had diedof the fever during the Bitterest Winter, as so many haddone. "Well met, sister," she said in a murmurous voice thatnonetheless carried to every corner of the temple, and kissedme in greeting. I gripped her elbow with my free hand,steadying myself; it had been a long time, and the presence of Naamah's Servants was a heady thing. "You wish to re-dedicate yourself?"

 "Yes," I whispered, holding aloft the gilded cage. "Canyou tell me if it is Naamah's wish that I do so?"

 "Ah." The priestess fingered the collar of her scarlet robeand turned to gaze up at Naamah's face, welcoming andbenign above us. "In the City alone, there are many hun­dreds of Naamah's Servants," she said softly. "Three hun­dred at least in the Thirteen Houses of the Night Court, and for every one who serves at that level, there are others whoaspire to lesser heights. In Namarre, they number in thethousands. No village throughout the land, I daresay, buthas one or two called to the Service of Naamah. You wouldbe surprised at how many ask that question. Is it the will ofNaamah that I serve her? To each one, I give the sameanswer: It is your will that matters. No less than any other,the Servants of Naamah keep the covenant of Blessed Elua.Love as thou wilt.Naamah's path is sacred to us, for shechose of her own will to win the freedom and sustenanceof Blessed Elua with the gifts of her body. It was her choice,and she does not compel her Servants to follow." With thatsaid, she turned back to give me a long, considering gaze. "To you, I answer differently."

 Her acolytes murmured, drawing near to listen. I set downthe birdcage and waited. The priestess smiled and reachedout to touch my face, tracing a line along the outer curve of my left eye.

 " 'Mighty Kushiel, of rod and weal/Late of the brazenportals/With blood-tipp'd dart a wound unhealed/Pricks theeyen of chosen mortals,' " she quoted, citing the very versewith which Delaunay had identified my nature. "I cannotchart your course,anguissette; your calling lies beyond Naa­mah's purview alone. You are Kushiel's chosen, and he willcast you where he will. Only Elua, whom even the Com­panions follow, knows the whole of it. But you are Naa­mah's Servant as well, and under her protection, and to thatI may speak. You ask, is it the will of Naamah that youserve her? I say: Yes." Wrapping her robe about her, thepriestess gazed into the distance. "Tens of thousands of Ser­vants of Naamah," she mused aloud, "all following a sacredcalling. And yet our stature diminishes across the land.Whores, catamites, trulls...I have heard these words, spo­ken with harsh tongues. Not by all, but enough. Too many."

 It was true, for I had heard it myself. Such words had not

 existed in our tongue when Elua and his Companions trod

 the earth, and peers and commoners alike delighted in Naa­mah's service. It was different, now, and the customs ofTerre d'Ange were tainted by those of other nations. I hadnot chosen an easy course.

 "How long has it been since an enthroned ruler sum­moned the Dowayne of Cereus House for counsel?" The priestess' sharp green eyes measured my thoughts. "Fourgenerations or more, I think. Too long. It is not my placeto restore the glory of the Court of Night-Blooming Flowers,but the glory of Naamah. .. yes. I know who you are,Phèdre no Delaunay." She smiled, unexpectedly. "Comtessede Montrève. Your story is known, and it is told, asangoirethread woven deep into the tapestry of war and betrayal thatnearly sundered our nation. Because of you, the Scions ofElua and his Companions have returned to the Houses ofthe Night Court, playing at fashion, grasping at secondhandglory with thoughtless ardor. But you are a peer of therealm, now. Is it Naamah's will that her presence breach thePalace walls to shine once more at the heart of Terred'Ange? To you I say, yes."

 I met her eyes and held them. "Politics."

 Her smile deepened. "Naamah does not care for politics,nor power. Glory, yes. What does your heart say, sister?"

 I shivered, and had to look away. "My heart is torn," Imurmured.

 She touched my face again, gently. "What does Kushielsay?"

 It burned this time, her touch, heating my blood so thatit rose in a warm blush. Priests and priestesses, they havethat damnable surety about them. I wanted to turn my face against her palm, taste the salt of her skin. "Kushiel's willaccords with Naamah's."

 "Then your question is answered." The priestess took herhand away, calm and undisturbed; I nearly fell yearningagainst her, but kept myself steady. "And I will pose mine again. Is it your wish to be rededicated unto the Service ofNaamah?"

 "Yes." I said it strongly this time, and stooped to openthe birdcage. I took the trembling dove in my hands andstraightened. "It is."

 The acolytes stumbled against one another in confusion, then one bearing a basin of water came forward to offer theaspergillum to the priestess. I stood, the dove's quick-beating heart racing against my palms, as she flicked a fewdrops of water over me. "By Naamah's sacred river, I bap­tize you into her service." So I had stood, scarce more thana child, while Delaunay and Alcuin waited proudly behindme. No one awaited me now. I opened my mouth obedientlyfor the portion of honey-cake, the sip of wine. Sweetnessand desire. Elua, but I ached with it! And chrism at the last, oil upon my brow, for grace. When I was a child, I'd nonotion of what it meant; now, I prayed I might find it inNaamah's Service.

 It was done, and the priestess and her acolytes steppedaside. I knelt before the altar, the statue of Naamah, holdingthe dove in closed hands before me. Opaque, those sculptedeyes; we find in her service what we bring to it. "My lady,be kind to your Servant," I whispered, and released thedove.

 I did not watch, this time, as it launched free of my handsand winged its way to the oculus. The priestess and heracolytes did, tracking it smiling. I did not need to watch toknow my dove found its way. With bowed head, I kneltuntil I felt the priestess' hands at my shoulders, bidding meto rise.

 "Welcome back," she said and kissed me; I felt the tip ofher tongue dart between my lips and had to keep myselffrom clutching her wrists as she released me. The priests ofNaamah are not quite like any other. Her long green eyesglinted in the slanting light of the temple, wise and knowing."Welcome back, Servant of Naamah."

 Thus it was done, and I stumbled twice leaving the tem­ple, leaning hard on the arm of the acolyte who had admittedme. A dam may hold for a hundred years, but once it de­velops a chink, the rushing tide comes after. Thus did I feel,having dammed the terrible force of my desires for a year

 and more. The dam had cracked when I opened Melisande'sparcel and found mysangoire cloak; the flood was not farbehind.I do not mean, if I may say it, that I loved Joscelin theless, nor desired him less for it. From the first, even when I despised him, I found him beautiful. And to those whothink a Cassiline, unschooled in the arts of love, no fit matchfor a trained courtesan, I may say they are wrong. When hesurrendered to it—and he did—Joscelin brought to our beda desire wholly untutored, but as pure and wonder-struck asElua's first wanderings on mortal soil. That is a treasure no one else has ever given me, nor ever could. What I taughthim, he learned as if he were the first to discover it, eager and natural as a new-minted creature.

 It was enough, for a time.

 No longer.

 So it was that I rode home, torn between exhilaration andguilt. Dusk was falling when I reached the house, and bythe stable-lad Benoit's downcast gaze, I knew he had beenchastised for permitting me to leave alone.

 "Benoit," I said, causing him to lift his head with a jerk."Iam mistress of this house."

 "Yes, my lady," he mumbled, taking my reins. I couldn'tblame him for it; if I hadn't felt the same, I'd not haveregarded my escapade as an escape.

 Nonetheless, I told him firmly, "You do no wrong inobeying my wishes. I will tell them as much."

 He mumbled something else, hurrying toward the stableand leading my horse at a trot. Chin upraised, I swept intothe house.

 They were all there, waiting. The day-maid sketched mea quick curtsy, and whisked past to make her escape. Remyand Ti-Philippe would not meet my eyes; Fortun gazed atme expressionlessly. In the background, my kitchen-mistressEugenie waited nervously.

 And Joscelin strode forward to grasp my shoulders."Phèdre!" My name burst from his lips, harsh with anxiety; he shook me a little. "Blessed Elua, where in the seven hellshave you been?"

 His fingers bit into my flesh and I closed my eyes. "Out."

 "Out?"The white lines of rage stood out on his face, soclose to mine. His hands clenched hard. "You idiot, one ofusshould have gone with you! Whatever it was, there isno reason for you to go unescorted, do you understand? Who­ever Melisande's allies are, they know damned well whoyou are!" He punctuated his words with hard shakes."Never, ever go out unattended, do you promise me? What on earth would possess you—?"

 Hard, his hands on my shoulders; my head rocked withthe force of his fury as he shook me. Ah, Elua, it was sweet!The violence of it was spark to tinder for me.

 Whatever was reflected on my face, Joscelin saw it; hishands fell away. "Blessed ..." he whispered in disgust, turn­ing away from me, his voice trailing off. When he spoke, itwas without looking at me. "Don't do it again."

 "Joscelin." I waited until he turned. "You knew what Iwas."

 "Yes." His voice was brief. "And you what I was. Wheredoes that leave us, Phèdre?"

 I had no answer, so gave none, and presently he wentaway. Remy released a long-held breath and fingered thedagger at his belt.

 "My lady, if he harms you, Cassiline or no ..."

 "Let him be." I cut him off. "He is in pain, and it is my doing. Let him be."

 "No." It was Fortun who spoke, slow and thoughtful. "It is Cassiel's doing, my lady. And even you can do naught about that."

 "Maybe." I pressed the heels of my hands against myeyes. "But I chose my course, and it is Joscelin who bearsthe price of it."

 "Stupid to speak of blame when the wills of the immortals are involved." Ti-Philippe, irrepressible as ever, fished a pairof dice from his purse and tossed them high, grinning. "Letthe Cassiline stew, my lady; I am told they thrive upon it.Fortun says we have questions to ask, and quarry to pursue!"

 "Yes." I dropped my hands and gazed at their open, eagerfaces, steeling my resolve. "We do. And I must plan mydebut."

 SIX

 In the end, my decision was made for me. There are pat­terns which emerge in one's life, circling and returninganew, an endless variation of a theme. So musicians say thegreatest sonatas are composed; whether or not it is true, I do not know, but of a surety, I have seen it emerge in thetapestry of my life.

 I received an invitation to the Midwinter Masque at thePalace.

 The first such event I attended was as a child not quite ten,at Cereus House. It was there that I saw for the first time Baudoin de Trevalion, Prince of the Blood. He is dead now, exe­cuted for treason, along with his mother Lyonette, who was sister to King Ganelon and called the Lioness of Azzalle. Iused to spy upon her for Delaunay; there was a Marquiseamong my patrons who answered to the Lioness of Azzalle. Itwasn't Delaunay who brought down House Trevalion,though. That was Melisande's doing, Melisande and Isidored'Aiglemort. None of us guessed, then, why Melisandewould do such a thing; Baudoin ate from the palm of herhand, or near to it. He gave her the very letters that con­demned him, correspondence between his mother and Foclaidha of Alba, plotting to seize the throne of Terre d'Ange.

 I know, now; everyone knows. Melisande knew Baudoinwould not have defied his mother openly for her sake, and she had a greater target in mind. Terre d'Ange and Skaldiacombined, an empire the likes of which no one has seensince the days of Tiberium's rule. D'Aiglemort was only a pawn, though he didn't know it until the end. I know, I'm the one who told him.

 Thus my first Midwinter Masque. And my last...my lasthad been the last assignation I ever took as Delaunay'sanguissette, and the only time Melisande Shahrizai ever con­tracted me as sole patron. I earned my marque, that LongestNight, with the patron-gift she made me. It is the only time, in a hundred assignations, I ever gave thesignale, the code word of surrender that requires a patron to cease. I gave ittwice that night, and the second time for no reason beyondthe fact that Melisande ordered me to speak it.

 Well and so, that is my history with the Midwinter Masque.When Ysandre's invitation arrived, I took it for a sign—which is how I came to stand frowning at my wardrobe.

 "I have nothing to wear." Irritated, I flung the doors ofthe wardrobe closed and sat with a flounce upon my bed.Gemma, the day-maid, set down her feather-duster and stretched her eyes at me; by her standards, I had gownsaplenty.

 "My lady," she said timidly. "What of the grey velvet? It is passing lovely, and I...I have a brother who is appren­ticed to a masquer, he could make somewhat to match; adiadem of stars, mayhap, or a mist-maiden ..."

 "No." I dismissed her suggestion, but kindly. "Thank you,Gemma. If I were going anywhere but the Palace, it would do nicely, and you are good to offer. No, I need somewhatelse. If I am to debut as a Servant of Naamah among mypeers, it must be somewhat no one has ever seen." Chin inhands, I mused. "Cecilie is right. I need a seamstress."Gemma ran for paper—she had been quick to discern myways—and I penned a swift note.

 As a former adept of Cereus House and one of the greatcourtesans of her time, Cecilie Laveau-Perrin's status wasundiminished within the Night Court for, within a day, I hadan appointment to meet with Favrielle no Eglantine, and ifI thought my own standing had aught to do with it, I wasdisabused of the notion within minutes of meeting my pro­spective seamstress.

 All of the Thirteen Houses claim different strengths; asall of the Thirteen hold to different versions of Naamah.

 Eglantine is the artists' House, and her adepts are skilled ina dozen disciplines: players, poets, artists, musicians, danc­ers and tumblers. And, it would appear, clothiers. Even so,all adepts must make their marques before dedicating themselves to their artistic pursuits, and I was puzzled as to how a young clothier had risen to renown while still under theaegis of her House.

 I was not puzzled for long.

 "Comtesse," Favrielle no Eglantine greeted me briefly, siz­ing me up in one wry glance. "You realize you've chosen theworst possible time to request my services? I have two dozenadepts clamoring for masque attire, and this is scant notice."

 Taken aback, I blinked. She was no older than I; younger,perhaps, by a year or two. Wide grey eyes and a mop ofred-gold curls, a charming sprinkle of freckles across the bridge of her nose—there is a limit, within the canons, of the number allowable for beauty. Favrielle's met it. Whatdid not was the scar that marred her upper lip, twisting itslightly.

 She saw me take notice. "Shall we get it out of the way?I am flawed goods, Comtesse," she said in a voice ladenwith irony. "Unfit for patrons, with a marque to meet none­theless. This compels me to take commissions, when myDowayne allows it. And inconvenient as it is, I cannot by­ pass this opportunity. So shall we do business?"

 "How did it happen?"

 Favrielle sighed. "I slipped in the bath," she recited tonelessly, "and split my lip." Glancing at a note, she raised hereyebrows. "The Palace masque, yes? Is that what youwant?"

 "Favrielle." I touched her arm. "I understand, a little. I grew up in Cereus House, flawed, unfit to serve."

 "And now you are Kushiel's chosen, the Comtesse deMontrève, bringer of the Alban army, heroine of the Battleof Troyes-le-Mont and the Queen's pet courtesan." Herscarred lip curled. "Yes, Phèdre no Delaunay, I know. And when you can transform me into the same, let me know. Until then, tell me what you want to wear."

 Stung, I lifted my chin and made my reply coolly. "Some­thing fitting for the first peer of the realm in a hundred yearsto debut as a Servant of Naamah at the Royal Masque."

 "Fine." Favrielle crossed her arms. "Strip.”

 Ithad been, I found, a surprisingly long time since I sub­jected myself to the critical gaze of a Night Court adept. Istood naked in the fitting-room of Eglantine House, sur­rounded by mirrors while Favrielle paced around me, grey eyes narrowed, measuring me here and there with an im­personal touch, draping bolts of various cloth over my shoulders to study the lie of it.

 "You could be taller," she said grudgingly; there was notmuch else for her to criticize. I may have been absent fromNaamah's Service for a year and more, but I had not letmyself go. "It makes for a better line. At least you're pro­ portioned well." Satisfied, she nodded curtly. "Put yourclothes on and I'll tell you what I think."

 Obediently, I dressed and waited in the draping room. A blushing apprentice brought mint tea, pouring gracefully.Favrielle emerged to join me, taking an unceremonious gulpof tea.

 "Costuming will be ornate this season," she said abruptly. "Heavy brocades, layers of skirts, lacework and trim, triple-slashed sleeves, masques an arm-span broad. Prosperity on the heels of war and all that. If I tried to outdo for you whatI've already begun for others, I'd have you in so many lay­ers you'd scarce be able to move. So." Her cup clattered onthe tray as she set it down and reached for a length of fabric."You want to stand out,anguissettel We go the other way.Simplicity."

 I fingered the fabric; a silk jersey spun so fine it flowedlike water through my fingers. "On what theme?"

 "You know Mara's Tale?" Favrielle raised her brows in­quiringly. I shook my head, and she made a sound of dis­gust. "Kushiel's chosen, and ignorant as a pig. Livia..."she turned to the apprentice, "... run to the library and fetchme Sarea'sHistory ofNamarre. The illustrated version."

 I opened and closed my mouth, deciding discretion was thewiser part of couture. Ignorant as a pig! I spoke five lan­guages with passing fluency, and had unravelled the riddle ofthe Master of the Straits. But it was true that Eglantine Housewas a repository of more lore and learning than the academiesof Siovale, and much of it unknown outside their bounds.

 "Here." Favrielle opened the leather-bound book andpointed to a glowing illustration; a slender, dark-hairedwoman clad in a crimson gown that flowed like flame. Herhair was upswept in an elaborate coif of ringlets, and a sheerblack veil hid her eyes. " 'In the fifth year of Elua, Naamahlay with a man condemned for murder,' " she read aloud," 'and his skin was fair and his eyes as black as coal. Andhe was hanged by the neck until dead, but Naamah hadtaken his seed unto herself, and she was with child. Unto Naamah was born a daughter in the sixth year of Elua in Terre d'Ange that was, and that daughter she named Mara.And Mara bore the curse of her faÃer's blood, and went with her eyes veiled. In atonement for the curse she bore, she went unto Kushiel, and in pity he granted her penance and made her his handmaiden.' " Over my faint sound ofprotest, Favrielle closed the book. "You see?"

 I did. "You think she was ananguissette."

 "It's a likely story." Favrielle shrugged. "We're not sup­posed to tell it," she admitted grudgingly. "Beggars, princesand shepherds are all right, but the Night Court doesn't likeit known that Naamah lay with a murderer. Still." Biting herknuckle, she regarded me. "Some know it. I thought youmight. You'd make a good Mara."

 It was true; more than true, it was brilliant. I eyed theclosed volume. "Is there any chance I might have a copymade of that?"

 "No." Favrielle's reply was curt. "You're interested in thebook?"

 ""The fruit of the future is rooted in the soil of history,'' I said in flawless Caerdicci, quoting the historian Calpur­nius; the look of surprise on Favrielle's face was deeplygratifying. "Never mind. I'll speak to the Dowayne. Tell meyour idea for my costume."

 Taking a deep breath, she did, sketching it out in swift,elegant lines on a piece of foolscap. It was gorgeous, and itwas perfect. I wished it had not been, for I did not like herovermuch, but once seen, I could not forget it.

 "We'll need to leave a seam open, there ..." she pointed,"... and stitch it closed once you're wearing it. If your maidis handy, she might do. It's the only way, with the back so low. But with your marque, it would be a crime not to." Favrielle tapped the stylus absently against her teeth andgave me a skeptical look. "I'd have expected to find you welted from stem to stern, from the stories I've heard, butyou've skin like cream."

 "I heal clean," I said briefly; it is the only blessing tobeing ananguissette. Kushiel's chosen would not last longwere it not so. "What would be the cost?"

 "Five hundred ducats." Her words were blunt.

 It is a tribute, I think, to my self-control that I did nomore than blink. It was an outrageous amount. It was also• an amount I did not possess. "I beg your pardon? I thoughtyou said five hundred ducats."

 "The fabric will have to be dyed to order. It's a rushed job." She shrugged. "You will recoup it in a night, if youwell and truly intend to enter Naamah's Service, Comtesse. And I have my marque to think of. What I do for the Houseis reckoned my upkeep. The Dowayne has granted me leave to take your commission. I cannot afford to charge less."

 "If the costume is a success, you will have patrons from the Great Houses of Terre d'Ange knocking at the gates ofEglantine House for your services," I observed. "And yourDowayne will not turn them away. Three hundred, nomore."

 "The design is sound," Favrielle said flatly. "Whether ornot it succeeds depends wholly on your fortitude, and Iwould sooner put my faith in my coffer. Four hundred."

 "If you find anotheranguissette whose fortitude you likebetter, I would be interested to hear it. Three hundred fifty."I didn't have that either, but I would find a way.

 "Done." The young seamstress gave a faint smile. Theydo not drive so hard a bargain as Bryony House, who knowwell the erotic power money holds, but they are no slouchesin Eglantine. None of the Thirteen Houses are. "I will sendfor the Chancellor to draw up the contract. Livia, bring mypigments. I must match the color of your marque, Comtesse."

 We were some time concluding our business. I hoped that Favrielle would warm to me once our bargain was struck, forI felt a reluctant sympathy for her and I misliked such ani­mosity in one my own age, but her manner was unchanged.

 It would be a stunning costume.

 I found Remy awaiting me in the outer sitting room. A bronze-haired boy clad in the green and white of EglantineHouse leaned on his knee, watching agape as Remy showedhim the trick of walking a copper coin across his knuckles.

 "My lady," my chevalier greeted me, making the coindisappear, and seemingly pulling it from the boy's hair."Here," he said to the lad. "You keep it, and practice."

 The boy giggled; darting forward, he planted a kiss onRemy's lips, then slithered away, skipping out of reach anddoing a handspring out of pure high spirits.

 Remy watched him wonderingly. "Truly, were you likethat as a child of the Night Court, my lady?"

 "No." I shook my head. "It would have been reckoned brazen, in Cereus House." Night-Blooming Cereus prides itself on offering beauty of a most ephemeral nature; I wastaught delicacy of conduct, there. "My lord Delaunay made me learn tumbling, though," I added, "and Hyacinthe taughtme some sleight of hand."

 "You can turn handsprings?" Remy asked it straight-faced, glancing at me out of the corner of his eye with thescarcest hint of amusement.

 "And pick locks." I daresay he didn't believe me; it mademe laugh. "Come. I need to visit my factor, to see if he'lladvance me a loan. I've just signed a contract I can't pay, chevalier, and I need to do somewhat about it."

 My factor in the City of Elua was a man named JacquesBrenin. I'd been referred to him by no less than the Chan­cellor of the Exchequer himself, and his reputation wasstainless. Unfortunately, the very stringency that made himan irreproachably honest agent rendered him reluctant tomake me the loan I requested.

 "My lady," he said, clearing his throat, "I can only ad­vance funds for goods vouched in kind. I cannot indulge inspeculation against your... probable income...as a Ser­vant of Naamah any more than I can next spring's shearing.Certainly there are factors willing to do so, but I tell you, Ido not advise it. If you wish to pledge a portion of theacreage of Montrève as surety, or the house in the City ..."

 "No," I said firmly. "I will not barter with my lord Delaunay's inheritance, nor the roof that houses my retainers.In conscience, I cannot do so."

 Jacques Brenin spread his handsin a gesture of helpless­ness. "If you are not willing to take these risks ..."

 "Messire Brenin." I cut him off. "I do offer goods inkind." Slow and deliberate, I rose from my chair and beganto unlace my bodice. He wet his lips with the tip of histongue and stared as I slid the sleeves from my shouldersand let my gown fall to my hips, turning as I did so.

 I had seen, in the mirrors at Eglantine House; I did notneed to see to know how my bare skin glowed in the dim lamplight of my factor's office. And rising from the dimples at the small of my back to the final at my nape was mymarque, the bold, intricate design etched in black, with crim­son accents. It had been inked by Master Robert Tielhard, the greatest marquist of his day.

 My factor swallowed audibly. Without haste, I drew mygown back up and laced my bodice. When I turned around, his face was pale. "You offer your services as surety if youshould default on your loan." He kept his voice even withcommendable effort.

 "I do." I smiled. "But I do not think I will default."

 "Neither do I," Jacques Brenin muttered, scribbling out areceipt. Licking his lips again, he handed it to me. 'Takethis to my treasurer, she will advance you the funds. Re­payment within sixty days at a rate of twelve percent. AndElua help your patrons."

 I laughed. "Thank you, Messire Brenin."

 "Don't thank me," he said dryly. "I find myself hopingyou default."

 SEVEN

 In the days that followed, there was little enough to do inpreparing for the Midwinter Masque. I went once to Eglan­tine House for Favrielle to check her measurements, but thedraping proper awaited the arrival of the fabric.

 A good time, then, to meet with the Rebbe.

 It was Joscelin who arranged the meeting; he had becomefriendly with this grand Yeshuite scholar—Nahum benIsaac, his name was—insofar as Joscelin became friendly with anyone in those days.

 The day was cold and sharp, and I was glad of the car­riage affording protection from the wind. We did not lingerin the courtyard, but hurried into the hall.

 Knowing some little bit about Yeshuite sensibilities,thanks first to our friends Taavi and Danele, who gave ussuccor on our flight from the Allies of Camlach, and latterlyto Seth ben Yavin, the young scholar who had tutored mein Montrève, I dressed modestly. It is not my way to flaunt myself as a Servant of Naamah—whatever certain prudish Cassilines may think—but I have my vanity. Nonetheless, Iput it aside to meet the Rebbe, donning a gown of brownworsted which I used to wear travelling, and a thick woolen shawl. Well-made, but the sort of stuff a rustic noblewomanmight don for commonwear. With a woolen cap on myhead, my hair coiled in a braid, and sturdy boots, surely, I thought, I was the very picture of drab modesty.

 That is what I thought at home, anyway. When we enteredthe hall of the yeshiva, where charcoal braziers battled thechill and the sound of children's voices murmuring filledthe air, it was another matter.

 In a sea of foreign faces, a D'Angeline stands out like abeacon, flashing that deadly beauty that cuts like a blade. Inthe City, among my own kind, I forgot; here, as voices fellsilent and Yeshuite children raised wondering eyes, I remembered. What must it be like, for them? I had offeredCecilie an apology on their behalf, but still. To see theblood-lineage of an errant branch of their own mythology stamped in the faces of the folk who surround them; it mustbe a strangeness. Yeshua ben Yosef walked the earth, anddied, and was risen. So they believe, with enduring stub­bornness; he is their .Mashiach, the Redeemer and theKing-to-Come. But Blessed Elua, whom they do not ac­knowledge, walked the earth as well, and he and his Com­panions peopled a nation. There is no D'Angeline peasant,no matter how mean his origins, but has a tale in his heritageof a celestially begotten ancestor; mayhap it is only thatAzza tumbled his thirty-generations-ago grandmother in a haystack, but there it is.

 So the children stared, and the young woman leadingthem. Joscelin cleared his throat. "We are here to see theRebbe," he told them, blushing—although they were notstaring at him. Only me. "I am sorry, we are early. Pleasecontinue."

 To my surprise, the young woman colored too. "Caleb,tell the Rebbe his friend Joscelin Verreuil is here," she saidto one of the boys in charmingly accented D'Angeline. "And...I am sorry," she said to me, "who shall I say iswith him?"

 "I am Phèdre nóDelaunay," I said, remembering to add,"the Comtesse de Montrève."

 "Oh!" Her color deepened, and she clapped a hand over her mouth. Removing it hastily, she pushed the boy gentlytoward the door. "Make haste, Caleb."

 He must have done so, for a tall man of middle years and a solemn face emerged in short order. "I am sorry, Com­tesse," he said, giving a brief bow. "We expected you atthree bells, but the Rebbe will see you now." He allowed a small smile for Joscelin. "Brother Verreuil. A pleasure, myapostate friend."

 "Barukh hatah Adonai, father." With an answering smile,Joscelin gave his Cassiline bow. "This way," he said to me,gesturing.

 How often had he been here since the first visit? It hadnot been long, and yet he was familiar with the passages, striding surely along at the rear as our escort guided us. There were small cubbyholes for study; I heard the mur­muring voices of older scholars reciting passages that were half-familiar to me.

 The Rebbe's quarters were larger, though poorly illumed.He kept us waiting a moment in the hallway, before ourguide ushered us into his study.

 Joscelin had spoken truly; Nahum ben Isaac cut a for­midable figure indeed. Despite the withering effects of age,one could see he had been doughty in his youth, and hisbroad shoulders still strained at the black cloth of his jacket.He must have been nearly eighty; his hair was almost whollywhite, shot with a few strands of black. He'd not lost a whitof it, either—his sidelocks almost hid the dangling ends ofhis prayer shawl and his square-cornered beard fell midway to his waist. Fierce eyes glowered at me from a face likecrumpled parchment.

 "Come in." His voice was as strongly accented as theyoung teacher's, but harsh with it. Joscelin bowed, mur­muring the blessing again, and took a seat on a low stool at his feet; to my surprise, the Rebbe patted his cheek. "You're a good lad, for an apostate." The pitiless gaze came back tome. "So you're the one."

 "Phèdre nóDelaunay de Montrève, father." I inclined myhead. I did not curtsy, though it cost me a good deal ofeffort. Comtesse or no, I am trained to be subservient to authority, and the Rebbe had it in abundance.

 "A Servant of Naamah." The words fair curdled on his tongue. "Call it what you will, I know what you are, girl,fancy titles and all. Why would one such as you want to study Habiru and the teachings of the Mashiach?"

 We call them Yeshuites; so they call themselves, now.Before, they were the Children of Yisra-el. But beforethat, even, they were a tribal folk on the outskirts of Khebbel-im-Akkad, and Yeshuite scholars still call their ancient lan­guage by that name. If the Rebbe thought I would blink inconfusion, he was mistaken. I am still one of the fewD'Angelinas who understands the divisions of the Cruithne,whom Caerdicci scholars name the Picti. Delaunay mademe learn such things, and I have not lost the trick of it. Itook a seat on a second stool, spreading my skirts carefullyabout me.

 "I have some knowledge of the teachings of Yeshua benYosef, father," I said, drawing a deep breath. "All the de­scendants of Blessed Elua and his Companions know thetale of the Mashiach, for it is, too, a part of our history. But it is the older teachings that interest me; the Tanakh, andmost especially such midrashim as have been recorded in writing or passed from ear to ear. And for that, I must study Habiru."

 The Rebbedid blink; I daresay he never expected to hear such words from the mouth of a Servant of Naamah. None­theless, he repeated his question relentlessly; although therewas a crafty gleam in his fierce old eyes now. "Why?"

 I answered with a question. "What do you know of theLost Book of Raziel, father?"

 "Bah!" Nahum ben Isaac made a dismissive gesture. "Youspeak of the book of all knowledge, that Adonai gave toEdom the First Man? Tales to entertain children, no more."

 "No." I shook my head, surety giving me strength. "Whatof the Master of the Straits, father? Is he a tale to frightenchildren?"

 He chewed thoughtfully on a corner of his beard. "Sailorssay he is not. Sailors lie. But a schism eight hundred yearslong across a piece of water I could shout across does notlie." Yes, it was definitely a crafty light. "You say it hassomewhat to do with the Sefer Raziel?"

 "Yes." I leaned forward. "And the angel Rahab, who be­got a child on a mortal woman. For this, the One God pun­ished him; but Rahab brought up pages—scattered pages,from the Lost Book of Raziel—from the deep, and gavethem to his son, and bound him to endure the length of his punishment as the Master of the Straits, unless someone could penetrate his mystery and take his place.”

 The Rebbe chewed fiercely; I don't think he was awareof what he was doing. Not with his beard, at least. "Youtell a good story," he said grudgingly. "But it is only that."

 "No." Joscelin intervened quietly. "Not a story, father; Iwas there too. I have seen the Face of the Waters, and beencarried on the crest of a wave that never breaks. And I knowthe Tsingano who penetrated the mystery. He was ..." Hehesitated, then finished the thought firmly. "He was a friendof mine."

 I was grateful to hear him say it. Joscelin caught my eyeand smiled ruefully; for a moment, it was as if nothing hadchanged between us.

 "He was a prince of his kind," I said sharply, "and giftedwith thedromonde, that looks backward as well as afore.He was my friend, and I beg you do not mock him to my ears, father."

 "Pay it no mind." The Rebbe waved his hand dismissivelyagain. "So." He fixed me with his gimlet stare. "Do I un­derstand, Naamah's Servant? You wish to study Habiru andlearn a secret to unlock the chain that binds this Tsinganofriend of yours. You seek a means to force the messengers of Adonai Himself to obey."

 "Yes." I said it simply.

 To my great surprise, the Rebbe began to chuckle."Well." Shaking his head, he picked strands of his beardfrom the corner of his mouth. "Well, well." Perhaps he didknow, after all, that he chewed his beard. "I am compelledby the word of Yeshua to give succor where I may," he saidmildly, "and it seems you make a case for it after all, Naa­ mah's Servant. You claim to have studied with Seth benYavin of L'Arène, and he writes to me that you are not abad pupil, despite the fact that you would make the Magdelene unrepentant blush. But he is a young man, and I donot trust the word of young men any more than I do sailors. Tell me, what does this mean?" From within the depths ofhis beard, he brought forth a pendant, worn close to the hearton a chain about his neck.

 I had only to glance at it once; the symbol, wrought insilver, was known to me. A broad, flat brush-stroke atoptwo legs, it looked like, with a tail squiggled on the left. "Itis the wordKhai, father, combined of the Habiru letters Khetand Yod."

 "And what does it mean?" He looked cunningly at me.

 "It means 'living.' " I made my voice firm. "It is the sym­bol of the resurrection of Yeshua, a pledge that the Mashiachrose from death and lives, and will return as the King-to-Come and establish his reign on earth."

 "So." Nahum ben Isaac tucked away the pendant beneathhis beard. "Seth did teach you something, it seems. And yetyou do not believe."

 I offered the only answer I had. "Father, I do not believeor disbelieve. I am D'Angeline."

 "Even a D'Angeline may be redeemed." The Rebbe ad­justed his prayer shawl. "There is no sin, of the blood norof the flesh, so great but that the Mashiach's death may notredeem it." He glanced at Joscelin as he said it, and Joscelindid not meet my eyes. "So be it, then. I will teach you,Naamah's Servant, insofar as I am able." I opened mymouth to thank him and he raised a finger, gesturing me to silence. "This I ask. For so long as you choose to live a lifeof indecency, you will come only when I summon you. Youwill heed our ways, and speak to no one. Our children shallnot lay eyes upon you. Do you agree to these terms?"

 I made to retort, stung, and thought better of it. Hyacinthe's face rose in my memory; alight with merriment, blackeyes shining, his teeth flashing in a white grin. Eight hun­dred years, condemned to a lonely isle. "Yes, father." Itbears saying that I can sound very meek when I choose todo so. "I will abide as you say."

 "Good." The Rebbe clapped his hands. "Then for the nextweek, you will study the Be'resheith, the first book of theTanakh. We will begin, as it is written, 'In the beginning.' And when I summon you, you may be sure, I will questionyou." His glare returned. "In Habiru! Do not speak to meof this language you call Yeshuite, is that clear?"

 "Yes," I murmured. "Thank you, father."

 "Barukh hatah Yeshua a'Mashiach, lo ha'lam," the Rebbeintoned, and waved his hand. "Now go away. And wearsomething decent, when you return."

 Outside, Joscelin looked sidelong at me and fidgeted withthe carriage-team's harness. It was quiet in the courtyard,no children in sight, Elua be thanked. I did not want to giveoffense on the heels of our agreement. "He is a very greatman, Phèdre," Joscelin said with restraint. "He does not mean to insult you."

 "And I am a living insult to all that he holds holy," I replied calmly. "I understand, Joscelin. I will do my bestnot to tax him with it. If he can help us find a way to free Hyacinthe, that is all that matters. Unless you fear I will intervene in your redemption."

 It was hurtful, my last words, and I knew it. He shudderedas if they pained him. "I am not seekingredemption," hesaid, his voice low and savage. "It is only that the Rebbe isthe first one to tell me that I need neither share Cassiel'sdamnation nor discard my vows as facilely as if they werenaught but some outmoded convention!"

 "Joscelin!" I took a step back, startled. "I never said that!"

 "No. I know. But you have thought it." He shudderedagain, turning away to needlessly check the harness buckles."Get in the carriage," he said, his voice muffled. "I'll driveyou home."

 It was a long ride home, and quiet and lonely in my car­riage.

 EIGHT

 It was on the following day that Thelesis de Mornay calledupon me, and I greeted her visit with unfeigned delight. TheQueen's Poet was an unprepossessing woman with featuresthat might almost have been homely, were it not for herluminous dark eyes and musical voice. When she spoke, oneheard only beauty.

 "Phèdre." Thelesis embraced me with a smile, eyesaglow. "I'm sorry I've not had a chance to see you sooner. Forgive me for coming unannounced."

 "Forgive you? I can't think of anyone I'd rather see," Isaid, squeezing her hand. It was true. Once, when I thoughtI was suffering the gravest sorrow of my life, Thelesis had drawn me out of it; it had been nothing more than childishjealousy, I know now, but I have always treasured her kind­ness and tact.

 And Delaunay treated her as an equal, and trusted her. When Joscelin and I escaped from Skaldia and made ourreturn to the City, only to find ourselves condemned in ab­sentia of Delaunay's murder, it was Thelesis who aided usin secrecy and won us an audience with Ysandre. I trustedher with my life, then, and I would again.

 "Here." She turned to her footman, dressed in the liveryof House Courcel, and nodded. He held out a large woodenbox. "I brought a gift."

 "You didn't have to do that," I protested. Thelesis smiled.

 "I did, though," she said. "Wait and see."

 We adjourned to the sitting room, and Gemma broughtglasses of cordial. Thelesis sipped hers and coughed once,delicately.

 "Your health still troubles you?" I asked sympathetically.She had caught the fever, that Bitterest Winter, that killedso many.

 "It will pass." She pressed her hand briefly to her chest."Go on and open it."

 The box sat on the low table before us. I pried the lidloose and peered inside, pulling out wads of cotton battingto find it concealed a small marble bust. Lifting it out, myhands trembled. I held the bust aloft and gazed at it.

 It was Anafiel Delaunay.

 The sculptor had caught him in the prime of his thirties,in all his austere beauty; the proud features, a faint wrynessto his beautiful mouth, irony and tenderness mingled in hiseyes and the thick cable of his braid coiling forward overone shoulder. Not the same, of course, in its marble starkness; Delaunay's eyes had been hazel, shot with topaz, hishair a rich auburn. But the face, ah, Elua! It was him.

 "Thank you," I murmured, my voice shaking; grief, un­expected, hit me like a blow to the stomach. "Thank you,oh, Thelesis, Blessed Elua, I miss him, I miss him so much!"She looked at me with concern, and I tried to shake myhead, waving it off. "Don't worry, it's not...I love this,truly, it's beautiful, and you are the kindest friend, it's onlythat I miss him, and I thought I was done with grieving, but seeing this ... and Alcuin, and Hyacinthe, and now Josce­lin..." I tried to laugh. It caught in my throat, thick withtears. "Now Joscelin wants to leave me to follow his ownpath, and thinks even of becoming a Yeshuite, oh, Elua, Ijust..."

 "Phèdre." Thelesis took the bust gently, setting it on thetable and waited quietly throughout the sudden onslaught ofsobs that wracked me. "It's all right. It's all right to mourn.I miss him too, and he was only my friend, not my lord and mentor." It didn't matter what she said; she might have said anything in that soothing voice of hers.

 "I'm so sorry." I had buried my face in my hands. I liftedit, blinking at her through tears. "Truly, this is the mostwonderful thing anyone has ever given me, and I repay youlike this." I said it politely, though I couldn't help sniffling.

 "I'm glad you like it. I commissioned it from a sculptor who knew him well, once." She touched the bust, strokingit with a rueful touch. "He had an effect on people, AnafielDelaunay did."

 I nodded, scrubbing at my tear-stained face. "He did that."

 "Yes." Thelesis regarded me with her quiet gaze."Phèdre." One word, naming me. It is a poet's gift, to goto the heart of things in a word. "Why?"

 With anyone else, I might have dissembled; I had doneit already with Cecilie, and indeed, with Ysandre de la Courcel herself. But Thelesis was a poet, and those dark eyessaw through to the bone. If not for illness, she would havegone to Alba in my stead. I owed her truth, at least.

 "Wait," I said, and went to fetch mysangoire cloak. Re­turning, I gave it to her, a bundle of velvet folds the color of blood at midnight. "Do you remember this?"

 "Your cloak." Her head bowed over it. "I remember."

 "It saved my life, in a way." I found I was pacing, andmade myself sit. "Ysandre's man-at-arms remembered ittoo, the day Delaunay was killed; ananguissette in asan­goire cloak and a member of the Cassiline Brotherhood, seeking an audience with the Princess. It proved our story.But I never saw it, after that day. I took it off in MelisandeShahrizai's quarters, where she poured me a glass of cor­dial." Remembering my own, I picked up my glass anddrank, grimacing. "I woke up in a canvas-covered wagon,halfway to the Skaldi border, wrapped in woolen blanketsand no cloak in sight." There had been considerable more between, but Thelesis had no need to know it. It involvedMelisande, and the razor-sharp blades they call flechettes,and a good deal of me screaming. Everything but mysignaleand Quintilius Rousse's message for Delaunay. I havedreams about it still, and Elua help me, some of them areexquisite. "I got it back this autumn."

 "How?" Thelesis asked carefully.

 "Gonzago de Escabares." I rested my chin on my handsand gazed at the bust of Delaunay. "A friend of his met awoman in La Serenissima; a beautiful woman. She gave hima parcel to carry for his friend, who was going to meet theComtesse de Montrève." I gestured at the cloak. "That wasthe whole of it."

 "Melisande." She breathed the word. "Phèdre, have youtold the Queen?"

 I shook my head. "No one, except Joscelin and my boys. They know. I asked Ysandre when she received me, if she'd

 heard of Melisande's doings. She has sent word to everymajor city from Aragonia to Caerdicca Unitas, and no onehas seen her. Benedicte de la Courcel is in La Serenissima,Ysandre is sure he'd clap her in chains if she showed herface. Nothing.”

 "Benedicte de la Courcel," Thelesis said tartly, "has aD'Angeline child-bride and is preparing to become a father again in his dotage. By all accounts, he'd not notice if Melisande kicked him in the shins."

 "Mayhap." I shrugged, "Be as that may, she's hidden her­self well. But one thing I know, and that is that someonehelped her walk out of Troyes-le-Mont alive. And whoeverit was, it was someone powerful enough that none of theguardsmen posted that night even questioned him. Or her. The guard at the postern gate was killed by a dagger to theheart. Whoever did it, got close enough to do it unchallen­ged." I spread my hands. "You weren't there, Thelesis. Iwas. I can count the number of people that would haveincluded on my fingers. And this cloak?" I plucked at it."That's Melisande's message, the opening gambit in hergame. Whoever it was, I have a chance of finding them out."

 The Queen's Poet looked sick. "You have to tell Ysandre.If not her, then at least...at least tell Caspar. He wouldhelp."

 "No." I said it softly. "He's one of the ones I count, The­lesis."

 "Caspar?"She looked incredulous; well she might. Gaspar Trevalion, the Comte de Forcay, was one of the fewpeople Delaunay had trusted unquestioningly. He'd evenstood surety for Gaspar when the net fell on House Treva­lion.

 "Caspar," I said relentlessly. "Thelesis, whoever it is, theyfoughton our side, don't you see? It had to be someone wetrusted, beyond thought. Those guards, they wouldn't havelet the Duc de Morhban through unchallenged, sovereign ofKusheth or no. Promise me you'll say nothing. Not to Gaspar, nor Ysandre ... not to anyone. Whoever it is, if theyknow what I'm about, it will silence them, sure as death."

 "So you think," she said wonderingly, "you truly thinkthat they will hand it to you, as a Servant of Naamah, in careless pillow talk."

 "No." I shook my head. "I am not as foolish as that, Ipromise you. But I think the threads are there, and if I amlucky—Naamah willing, and Kushiel—they may let a looseend dangle, that I might discern the pattern they are weav­ing. It is a long chance, I grant you. But it is a chance, andthe only one I have. Melisande plays fair, by her own rules.If the chance were not there..." I hoisted a fold of thecloak, ". .. she would not have sent the challenge."

 "I think you are mad." Only Thelesis de Mornay couldhave made the words gentle. "Madder than Delaunay, and Ithought he was mad for honoring that ridiculous vow to Rolande de la Courcel." Well she might, for Delaunay hadsuffered a great deal from the enmity of Rolande's wife,Isabel L'Envers; but my lord Delaunay kept his promises.Now all of them are dead, and it is the living who mustbear the cost. Thelesis dumped thesangoìre cloak back intomy lap, and sighed. "But I will honor your request just the same, because you are Delaunay's pupil, and you bear themark of Kushiel's Dart, and it is in no poet's interest tocross the will of the immortals. Still, I wish you would re­consider it. The Duc L'Envers, at the least, has no interestin seeing Ysandre dethroned."

 "Barquiel L'Envers," I said, "is high on my list of sus­pects."

 Thelesis de Mornay laughed ruefully. "Anafiel," she said,addressing the bust of Delaunay, "you should have beenmade King's Poet in my stead, and left this one to the mer­cies of Valerian House." If I had not gone to serve Delau­nay, it is true, Valerian would have bought my marque. It is their specialty, to provide adepts who find pleasure inpain. But they did not find me. Delaunay did. "Well, so,"Thelesis said, changing the subject. "What is this about Joscelin Verreuil joining the Followers of Yeshua?"

 I am not ashamed to admit that I poured the story out toher, and she listened unjudging, as only a truly good friendmay do. When I was done, she pressed my hand in sym­pathy.

 "He is in pain," she said gently, "and you have woundedhim deeply, meaning or not. His choice is his own, Phèdre, and you cannot make it for him. Allow him this space, then,to choose. When the One God sent his messengers to sum­mon Elua back, it was Cassiel handed him the dagger tomake his reply. But I have never heard Elua asked it ofhim."

 She was right, and I could not speak against it. I fiddled with my cloak instead, folding its luxurious mass. "Do youthink it's true?" I asked presently. "That Yeshua has the power to redeem sin?"

 "I don't know," Thelesis said thoughtfully. "The ways ofgods are strange, and Yeshuites do not reckon sin as we do,any more than Cassilines. I cannot say. The Hellenes claimthe descendents of the House of Minos have the ability tocleanse a man of a blood-curse; it is a gift of Zagreus, afterthey atoned for...well, you know the story." I did, for Ibore the ill-starred name of a Queen of that line. "But I have heard, too, that few mortals can bear the process at less thanthe cost of their wits."

 I shuddered; it was a frightening thought. "Well, Eluagrant that neither of us need find out. I will heed your ad­vice, and give Joscelin leave to choose. So a priest foretold for him, once, that he would ever stand at the crossroads, and choose and choose again. But I am fearful, that this Rebbe presents him with a third path."

 "All paths are present, always," Thelesis de Mornay said philosophically, "and we can but choose among them." Shestood. "Phèdre, thank you for your hospitality, and foryour..." she smiled, "... for your trust. I will honor it,with the promise you have asked. Promise me in turn thatyou will have a care, and divulge to Ysandre aught that youlearn." She raised her eyebrows. "I take it that you do notsuspect her, at least?"

 "No." I laughed. "Not Ysandre. Other than myself, andprobably Joscelin, Ysandre de la Courcel is the one personI am sure had no interest in seeing Melisande freed. And ifI'd not been there, I'd likely suspect myself as well. The­lesis, thank you." I rose to embrace her. "I'm sorry to havemade a fool of myself. Truly, I will cherish this gift beyond words.”

 "You are welcome." She returned my embrace. "Phèdre,please know that you have a standing invitation to call uponme at the Palace. For any reason."

 "I will," I promised, escorting her to the door.

 When she had gone, I returned to my sitting room, gazingat the bust of Delaunay. Ah, my lord, I wondered, whatwould you tell me if you could speak?

 Beautiful and silent, his marble face kept its oblique, se­cret smile.

 I was on my own.

 NINE

 The fabric for my costume had arrived, and a courier hadsent word from Favrielle nóEglantine that I was to comefor a fitting. One matter, however, pertaining to the Queen'sMasque remained unsettled.

 "I would like you to come," I said to Joscelin, "but if youwant to maintain your vigil, I will understand."

 We had made peace, after a fashion; he had brought mea silent offering of apology, a beautifully wrought plinth ofblack marble on which Delaunay's bust now stood. Where he had gotten the monies for such a thing, I did not know,nor did I ask. Later I learned that he had pawned a jeweled dagger for it, a gift of Ysandre.

 "I think it might be best if you took one of the lads,"Joscelin murmured. "I don't...It's been a long time sinceI held Elua's vigil on the Longest Night, Phèdre, and I thinkI am better suited for it than sharingjoie with nobles rightnow." He gave a faint smile, to remove any hurtfulness fromhis words. "Let Fortun escort you; he's more sense than the other two."

 "All right." I stooped to kiss his brow on my way out;he shivered under it.

 So it was that Fortun accompanied me to Eglantine House,where Favrielle eyed him with approval. "Asmodel," shesaid, measuring the breadth of his shoulders with the span of her arm. "One of the seven courtiers of hell, who served un­der Kushiel. We'll put him in a black velvet doublet and hose,and a great bronze key on a chain about his neck. A simple horned domino, I think; black satin. A fitting attendant for Mara. Noreis!" Raising her voice, she beckoned to a tailor.No adept, he hastened to obey. "Will you see to it? Somethingelegant, not this season's forsaken nonsense."

 "Of course." He bowed his head. Genius rules in Eglan­tine House. If Favrielle was unfit to serve Naamah, sheclearly reigned over the fitting-room.

 "Very well." With a sigh, Favrielle turned back to me."Let's see what we have."

 Once I had stripped and donned the half-sewn gown, Ihad to admit a grudging acknowledgment of her skill. Truly,it was splendid. The scarlet of the silk jersey-cloth matched the accents in my marque perfectly, and it flowed on myskin like a living thing. Standing on a stool while Favrielle grumbled about me, gathering and pinning, I gazed wide- eyed at my reflection in the mirror.

 "Favrielle, my sweet!" The door to the fitting-roomswung open to admit a tall adept in his mid-thirties, with merry eyes and a handsome, mobile face. "Where's mythree-layered cloak for the Troubador of Eisande? I'm com­missioned for Lord Orion's fête tonight, and the Dowaynepromisedhim a private performance!" Catching sight of me,he stopped and swept an elaborate bow. "Forgive me, gentle lady ..." His resonant voice trailed off, and the merry gazeturned sharp as it swept up the length of my marque. Hiseyes met mine in the mirror, looking for the scarlet mote."My lady, indeed. Phèdre nóDelaunay de Montrève, if Iam not mistaken."

 "Roussillon no Eglantine." I smiled. His satires were fa­mous in Night's Doorstep; I'd heard him declaim, once."Well met."

 "And me without an ounce of doggerel!" He made a dis­mayed face, then struck a pose. "Waldemar Selig was awarlord," he declared. "Waldemar Selig had a big sword.But his plan fell apart, thanks to Kushiel's Dart, and Waldemar Selig got Isidore'd."

 Across the room, Fortun gave a snort of repressed mirth.He had been there, on the battlefield, when Isidored'Aiglemort slew Waldemar Selig. It cost him his life, butI reckoned Terre d'Ange's greatest traitor won his redemp­tion in destroying her greatest enemy.

 Still, it was good to be able to laugh.

 "I'm not done," Roussillon said mildly, and cleared histhroat. "Mighty Selig turned his back, when he divulged hisattack, to the men of his barbarian horde. His loins, howthey burned! Too late, Selig learned, a skilledanguissette isnot safely ignored!"

 I laughed aloud, clapping my hands; Roussillon swept meanother bow, and Favrielle muttered in disgust. I winced asa carelessly wielded pin scratched me.

 "The trim needed stitching," she said crossly to the sati­rist. "I'll have it sent to your room on the hour. Now getout, and stop distracting me with your wretched verse!"

 He mimed fear convincingly, and I was hard put to keepfrom laughing again. "Thank you," he said then to Favrielle.Catching up her hands, he kissed them despite her bestefforts to swat away his grasp. "You are a very angel ofclothiers, precious one, and I shall light a candle to yourname." Releasing her, he smiled at me, this time withoutany artifice. "May I say that it is an honor to meet you, mylady. Naamah's Servants are in your debt."

 "Thank you." I returned his smile gravely. He laughed,gave one last swirling bow, and departed.

 "Blatheringjackass!" Favrielle muttered, picking up adropped pin and driving it hard through the silken fabric.The fine stuff gave easily, and she buried the pin nearly aninch deep in the flesh at the base of my spine. I barely had time to gasp.

 Pain, fiery and radiant, burst outward in concentric circles,pulsing and contracting. It washed over me in ripples, acuteat the core, sweet as it spread. A red haze occluded thevision in my left eye, blurring my reflected image. Somewhere, behind it, I sensed the bronze visage of Kushiel, rodand flail crossed on his chest, stern and approving.

 When it cleared, Favrielle knelt staring up at me in blankastonishment, holding the pin she had withdrawn. Sheblinked and closed her mouth. "That must be ... inconven­ient."

 For once, her voice held no censure, just a certain wrysympathy. I drew a long, shuddering breath. "Yes." I re­leased my pent breath. "Ananguissette is not exactly a con­venient thing to be." Through long discipline, I made mytone match hers. "It doesn't mean I like you any better."

 Against her will, Favrielle no Eglantine laughed.

 When I returned home, I found Joscelin agitated and theRebbe's solemn pupil awaiting me. He rose as I entered theroom. "It is suitable for the Rebbe to see you now, Comtesse," he said. "Will you come?"

 I sighed. "He really meanswhen he summons me, doesn'the? All right." I brushed the front of my gown; it was a finespun blue wool, less drab than what I'd worn before."Give me a moment to change into something the Rebbe would find suitable. Fortun, tell Benoit not to unhitch theteam."

 The Rebbe's pupil gave a slight smile. "Your attire is fine,Comtesse. You mustn't take everything he says to heart. Hemay disapprove of Servants of Naamah, but I believe he was having a jest."

 I made a face, which was probably not an appropriateresponse for a peer of the realm. "The Rebbe's humor leavessomewhat to be desired."

 "Perhaps." The Yeshuite ducked his head, hiding anothersmile. "But he is a very great man, and he has earned theright to his small jests, I think. Shall we go?"

 He had spoken truly; Nahum ben Isaac made no commenton my clothing, but merely sat me down at a desk andbrought forth a scroll from the cabinet in his study. Joscelinsat quiet on a stool. "Now," the Rebbe said decisively. "Wewill see." Unfurling the top of the scroll, he revealed theopening words of the Be'resheith. With a pointer, he indicated the first sentence. "You will read until I tell you to stop. And then you will tell it to me again, in your own tongue. And we will see."

 Following the pointer—it was a holy scroll, one used forservices, which may not be touched by human hands—Iread aloud in Habiru, smoothly at times, faltering at others. Each time I stumbled, the Rebbe corrected me; impatiently,I thought, but then he would gesture for me to continue.When at last he motioned for me to stop, I took a deepbreath, and recited the entire tale in D'Angeline, all the way through the covering of the earth with the great flood.

 The Rebbe leaned back and listened, chewing thought­fully on his beard. Periodically, he nodded with somethingresembling approval; periodically, he winced.

 When I was done, he looked grudgingly at me. "Youstudied a translation, I suppose."

 "No." I shook my head. "I've read it in translation before,father, in the past. But you told me to study it in Habiru, and I did."

 He gave me a suspicious glare. From the corner, Joscelinspoke up. "Phèdre is a gifted linguist, father. The Queen sent her to Alba because of it."

 "Hah. I have heard that story." The Rebbe plucked a fewstrands of beard from his bottom lip, and gave me his cun­ning look. "Well, then. You will read it again, child, line by line. First in Habiru, then in D'Angeline. And perhaps—perhaps—if you make it through without too many mis­takes, I will tell you a tale my own master told me, about the Sefer Raziel and the disobedience of Rahab."

 On this stool, Joscelin settled and prepared for a longwait. I sighed, and began again.

 Nahum ben Isaac was an exhausting teacher. If I thought young Seth had taught me well, I was disillusioned that day.A great many of the mistakes I made in pronunciation andtranslation, he had allowed me, slight as they were. No sur­prise, I suppose; for the first weeks, he could not even lookat me without blushing. But slight mistakes accumulate, andgrow to gross errors if unchecked. The Rebbe allowed meno mistakes, and halted me repeatedly during this last read­ing to correct some minor point until both of us were irri­table with it.

 "Blame!" he said crossly, correcting me a third time; itwas a mistake in translation I'd got lodged in my memory. "Not sin, blame! Blame! Only Yeshua was without sin!"Emphasizing the point, he rapped my knuckles smartly withthe pointer.

 With a faint scraping sound, Joscelin surged to his feet,daggers half-drawn before he realized what he was doing.When he did, he looked mortified. "Forgive me, father!I..."

 "Are still more Cassiline than anything else." Looking up at Joscelin, the Rebbe chuckled into his beard. "Well, apos­tate, we will see." Fingering hiskhai pendant, he nodded atme. "You did not embarrass the Tanakh. Master theseverses, and next time I will tell you of Rahab and the LostBook. Maybe there is somewhat in these children's tales youmay use."

 "Thank you," I said gratefully, standing. My muscles hadgrown cramped from sitting so long, and my mind felt taxed.Oddly enough, it was not a bad feeling. So it had been whenI was a child in Delaunay's household, and he used to pushAlcuin and me to cram our minds full of history and politics and language. I had fretted at it, then, though I learned. Now I knew the value of it. "I will come at your summons, father,whenever I am able."

 Joscelin, still red-faced, made his Cassiline bow. "Ya'er Adonai panav elekha, father, please accept my apology. I was half-drowsing, and did not think."

 "So like a child, you rest safely in the presence of Yeshua, hah!" The Rebbe gave his cunning smile, and poked a fingerat Joscelin. "There is something to think about." He made a wave of dismissal, "Now go."

 Outside, Joscelin moved like a man in a dream, hitching the team and making ready to drive. I longed to say a word to draw him back, but what that word might be, I did notknow.

 Arriving at home at dusk, all three of my chevaliers were clustered in the reception salon, with Gemma hovering overTi-Philippe and pressing a cool, moist cloth over his righteye.

 "Don't tell me," I sighed. It had been a long day.

 "It's not what you think, my lady." Ti-Philippe pushedGemma's hand away and grinned at me, revealing a bruisedand swollen visage. "We didn't get caught, or any suchthing. We were dicing in quarters with the Palace Guard, like you said."

 "One of 'em accused Ti-Philippe of cheating," Remy said helpfully, "and we quarrelled. Then he said somewhat aboutyou that we didn't take kindly. So we showed him the errorof his ways."

 I flung myself into a chair. "And how much trouble are you in?"

 Remy coughed. "Not much. The Captain of the Guardagreed we had the right of it and put the fellow under rep­rimand. We're allowed back, all right. But there's, um, asmall fine for causing a disturbance in their quarters."

 "How small?"

 "Twenty silver regals." He squirmed. "We promisedyou'd send it around."

 "Fortun?" I looked imploringly at him.

 "I'll take it tomorrow," he said calmly. "And you candock our retainers for it, if need be. But my lady, there'ssomewhat else you should know. The lads learned a fewthings that might explain how Melisande Shahrizai es­caped."

 TEN

 At Fortun's words, a sharp excitement seized me, and myweariness fell away. I'd as soon have heard their news rightthere and then, but for the habit of discretion. Delaunay'sservants had been hand-picked and trusted; though I likedthem, mine were not. "Gemma." I turned to the day-maid."Would you see if Eugenie has aught prepared for dinner?Tis early, but I'm fair famished. If you would be goodenough to serve whatever is ready, that will be all."

 Gemma pouted, but did as I bid. Happily, there was alamb stew with fennel ready to serve, and loaves of warmcrusty bread. I thanked the kitchen-mistress and dismissedher for the evening, over her grumbles; Eugenie did not trustthat a D'Angeline noblewoman could get along without atleast one trained servant. I would have laughed at that, an­other time. In the Skaldi wilderness, I boiled pottage withmelted snow and survived. I'd not have thought I couldeither, before I had to. Of course, I'd not been a peer of therealm, then, but highly prized courtesans are not exactlyknown for woodcraft. I learned to build a fire in a blizzardwith naught but a flint and damp tinder on that dreadfulflight with Joscelin. No adepts of the Night Court can claimas much, I daresay.

 At any rate, we were soon enough seated at the dining table, and Remy and Ti-Philippe told their story over bitesof rich stew and warm bread, washed down with plenty ofwine.

 "So," I asked directly, "you found the men who were onguard the night Melisande escaped?"

 Ti-Philippe, his mouth full of stew, shook his head vig­orously. "No, my lady," Remy answered for them both, pull­ing a rueful expression. "That, no one seems to know, exactly; we have a couple of names, but no one knowswhere they're posted, and we dare not ask too closely if youdon't want us to arouse suspicion. It may be that they're notattached to the Palace Guard. If they were among the men the Royal Commander sent to Camlach, they've been or­dered to stand down, and it will be a hard job finding them.But we found somewhat almost as good."

 "Go on," I said, intrigued.

 "House Shahrizai is at war with itself." Ti-Philippegrinned lopsidedly. "The two that betrayed Melisande? Marmion and Persia? Well, Persia's dead.”

 "What?"

 "Oh, yes." Remy took a long drink of wine, eyes spar­kling. "It was an accident, in Kusheth, my lady; a fire inher manor-house. Only a few of the Lady Persia's men-at-arms, they did not think it an accident. And neither did twoof her kin. So they have sponsored them, three men-at-arms,to the Palace Guard, where they could keep an eye on LordMarmion."

 "They think Marmion did it? Her own brother, and anally at that?" My mind began to tick over the possibilities.A dreadful thing, yes, but dreadful things have been knownto happen even in the Great Houses of Terre d'Ange.

 "This fellow," Ti-Philippe said, "Branion, his name was, he said it was the Lady Persia that the Duc de Morhbanapproached first. She was the one persuaded Lord Marmionto join her in giving over their cousin. This Branion, hethinks Lord Marmion only went along with it so he could set her free. Now Melisande holds him in high regard, allthe while he holds the Queen's trust. Only Persia must have known something, or guessed. And now the House is splitover it, but they don't dare accuse him without proof."

 "Marmion might have got past the guards at Melisande'schamber," I said thoughtfully. "They knew he was hercousin; they'd have let him in to speak with her on the eveof her death. They did me. Joscelin." I turned to him. "Ysan­dre questioned the Shahrizai. There was talk about that, at least; they were under a lot of suspicion. Didn't one visitMelisande that night? After... after I did?"

 He tore off a hunk of bread, frowning. "Yes. But it wasPersia, not Marmion. She needed to beg Melisande's for­giveness, she said." He shrugged. "I don't know if it's true.But she did leave, and well before daybreak. The guard atthe stairs backed her story, or Ysandre would never have letit go. He saw her coming and going." Joscelin paused, thenadded, "Ghislain de Somerville said he saw her leave theaudience hall in tears, after Ysandre was done questioningher. He said it was the only time he'd ever seen one ofHouse Shahrizai cry.”

 "But not Marmion." Deep in thought, I rapped my spoonagainst my empty stew bowl. "Well. Even if he did visitMelisande, the guard at the postern gate would have chal­lenged him. So if he was involved ..."

 "There still had to be someone else," Fortun said, finish­ing my thought. "Someone the guard would have trusted."

 "Yes." I set down my spoon. "Which gives us a newquestion: Who is in league with Lord Marmion Shahrizai,and why? And the answer to those questions ..." I smiled,"... lies in my purview."

 "Phèdre," Joscelin murmured, gazing into his wineglass."Have a care with the Shahrizai."

 "He's not Melisande." I did not need to add that MarmionShahrizai was as the pale moon beside the blazing sun nextto his cousin. Joscelin knew it. Poets wrote odes to Meli­sande Shahrizai, although I never heard one that did herjustice. They still sing them; they just change the names.Even inadequate verses were too beautiful to sacrifice topolitics.

 "No." He gave me a hard look. "But a viper is no lessdangerous for being small. And if Marmion Shahrizai ar­ranged the death of his own sister, he'll scruple at naught."

 "I'll be careful."

 "Ysandre favors him," Ti-Philippe announced. "So theguards say. He makes her laugh."

 Well he might; from time out of mind, House Shahrizai has produced deadly skillful courtiers. None of them haveever held the throne—nor even the sovereign duchy ofKusheth—but they have amassed tremendous amounts of wealth, and a network of influence rivaled by none. If Mar­mion was in league with Melisande, then he had sacrificedsome of his allies in gaining Ysandre's trust. If any survived,they must be nervous.

 "Well," I mused aloud. "If the Captain of the Guard al­lows it, maintain contact with these disgruntled Shahrizai retainers, and learn what you may. More than ever, it's im­portant that we find the men on guard that night at Troyes-le-Mont.”

 "Yes, my lady!" Grinning, Remy gave me a crisp salute."We didn't do too badly, though, did we?"

 "No," I said. "Not badly at all. Except for the fightingpart."

 "My lady!" Ti-Philippe protested. "He said we were lack­eys to a—"

 "Stop," I said mildly, cutting him off. The words died in his mouth. "Philippe, you have pledged your service to ananguissetteand a Servant of Naamah. If the jests you hearare no worse than the ones you have made yourself, then you will be quiet and swallow them."

 Muttering, he subsided into some semblance of acquies­cence.

 "What if they are worse?" Remy inquired.

 "They couldn't be," I answered him dryly.

 It may seem at times as if a riddle has been chased toground, all possibilities exhausted, all avenues of inquirycovered. So it seemed to me that night, but in the morning,a new thought struck me. Thelesis de Mornay, the Queen's Poet, had interviewed many of the survivors of Troyes-le-Mont, taking copious notes for her epic of the YsandrineCycle. Mayhap there was somewhat in her notes that might prove useful.

 I voiced my suggestion to Joscelin as he came in from his morning's exercises, and he nodded agreement. "It'sworth a try, at any rate." He smiled. "I missed her visit, theother day. I'd not mind seeing her."

 We arrived at the Palace at midday, and were swiftlygranted audience. Thelesis' rooms in the Palace were spa­cious and well-appointed, with an elegant mural of Eishethat her harp on the eastern wall and a lovely bronze statue of the Tiberian poet Catiline. For all of that, they were amess, strewn about with books stacked in teetering piles,carelessly heaped scrolls and half-scratched parchments. Truly, a working poet's quarters.

 "Phèdre, Joscelin!" The ink smudged on her cheek tooknothing away from her glowing welcome. "I'm pleased you've come. Joscelin Verreuil, let me look at you." Thelesis took his hands, regarding him with pleasure. "You looksplendid," she declared. He bent to kiss her cheek. Thelesisde Mornay was one of the few people for whom Joscelinfelt unalloyed affection.

 "So do you," he said fondly. "I hope you've been keeping well."

 "Well enough." Thelesis gestured to her blazing fireplace."Ysandre makes certain there's no chance of my taking achill," she said, amused. "It's hot enough for a steam bathin here, most of the time. I hope you don't mind. So tellme, what brings you here?"

 I told her, and watched her expression turn keen andthoughtful.

 "I took some notes, I remember that much. Ghislain deSomerville was dreadfully upset; his father had entrusted thewatch to his command that night."

 Joscelin and I exchanged a glance. He shook his headslightly.

 "You don't suspect—" Thelesis began, then stopped."Ghislain. You do."

 "I don't want to," I said. "We travelled under Ghislain'scommand from the banks of the Rhenus to the mountainsof Camlach. He could have laughed in my face, when Iproposed we offer Isidore d'Aiglemort a chance at redemp­tion, and he didn't. But still."

 "Not Ghislain," Joscelin said firmly. "I don't suspectGhislain."

 I shrugged. "What did he tell you?"

 Thelesis moved stacks of paper and books, unearthing a bulky folio tied with leather thongs. "I think this is the rightone," she said ruefully, glancing at a marking scratched hast­ily on an upper corner. "This may take a moment."

 We sat quiet, waiting while Thelesis de Mornay shuffledthrough sheaves of parchment.

 "If it were verse," she murmured, "I'd have it committedto memory, you know, but I chose in the end to give scantplay to Melisande's disappearance...let her be a footnotein the annals of history, after all, it is better than she deserves ... here it is." Holding her notes at arm's length, sheread aloud. " 'And the night passed fair quiet, with the so­lemnity appropriate to an eve whose dawn brings the exe­cution of a member of D'Angeline peerage. I made myrounds at one bell, and three, and five, and all was quiet.Then with the changing of the guard at dawn, all seven hells broke loose, when Phanuel Buonard made to relieve theguard at the postern gate and found him dead of a knife tothe heart. He ran shouting through the lower halls for myfather, and I caught him to ask what was the matter. By thetime he had told me, half the guard had mustered in thelower quarters, and I had to order many back to their sta­tions. By now, my father had emerged, and assumed com­mand unthinking. He wasted no time in ordering adetachment to the second floor, to Melisande Shahrizai'schamber where she was confined. There, he found herguards slain; one with a dagger to the ribs, and the otherwith his throat cut. The chamber itself was empty.' " Thelesis cleared her throat and looked up apologetically. "That'sall, I'm afraid. It's not much help."

 "Nothing we didn't know, at any rate," Joscelin observed.

 "That's not true." Pinching the bridge of my nose inthought, I glanced up to meet their surprised gazes. "Weknow that it didn't happen before five bells. We know thatGhislain commanded the watch that night, and not his fatherPercy. We know that the death of the gate-keep was dis­covered before the disappearance of Melisande, and weknow the name of the man who discovered it. And we knowthat the gate-keep and the guards at Melisande's door were not killed in exactly the same manner."

 "Phèdre, there are a dozen different killing strikes with adagger," Joscelin said reasonably.

 "Mayhap." I shrugged. "But it is worth noting, nonethe­less." I turned to Thelesis. "Thank you, indeed. Was thereanyone else you spoke to about that night?"

 "No." She shook her head, regretfully. "Would that I had, now. If you'll trust no one else, I still think you should speakto Ysandre."

 "I will," I said. "When I know somewhat more."

 ELEVEN

 1 had learned no more by the day of the Midwinter Masque.It would have to do, for now the time was come to devote my energies unto the Service of Naamah.

 Everything was in readiness. My costume and Fortun'sattire had been delivered by an Eglantine House courier.After making certain that no final adjustments were wanting, I began my preparations by luxuriating in a hot bath fragrantwith scented oil, with half a dozen candles set about to il­luminate the wreathing steam.

 "Phèdre."

 It was Joscelin's voice at the door; I started, splashingwater over the edge of the tub. "Come in."

 He let himself into the room, closing the door carefully behind him. I leaned my arms on the rim of the tub, lookingup curiously. "What is it?"

 "I just wanted to see you one last time," he said quietly, kneeling opposite me and taking my hands in his. A ruefulsmile hovered at the corner of his mouth. "Before the rest of the world did."

 "Oh, Joscelin." I squeezed his hands; mine were slippery with water and oil. His face by candlelight was heartbreakingly beautiful. "Can you forgive me, a little anyway?"

 "If you can me." He stroked my damp hair. "I love you, you know."

 I nodded. "I know. And I you."

 "Elua have mercy on us." He rose, and stood lookingdown at me. "You'll dazzle them. They won't reckon thetenth part of your worth, but you'll dazzle them, Phèdre."Tears Stung my eyes; I'd no reply. After a moment, he gave his faint smile. "I've got to leave now if I'm to be at theTemple of Elua before dark. Naamah hold you in her hands and keep you safe."

 Somewhere, I found my voice. "Thank you," I whispered.

 With an unwontedly awkward bow, he nodded in return,and left.

 I closed my eyes and let myself wallow in the bittersweetpain of it for a moment. At least hehad come to see me,and given me his blessing, after a fashion. Naamah's Servant and a Cassiline; Elua have mercy, indeed. But there was toomuch at stake to linger overlong in the intricacies of myrelationship with Joscelin. After a moment, I set it reluc­tantly aside and emerged from the bath to pat myself dry,calling for Gemma to assist me.

 In truth, I could have used a coterie of attendants to makeready for the Masque. Since I didn't have them, I made do.My hair, I twined carelessly atop my head; it would haveto wait until the last. First, came the gown.

 Finespun as a whispered prayer, the scarlet jersey slith­ered over my head and fell like water about me, fitted closeto the hips and then falling in immaculate folds to sweepthe floor. It had a high neckline, rising like a crimson flameto clasp around my throat, belying the daring nature of thelow back; and low it was, skimming the very base of mymarque.

 "Oh, my lady!" Gemma cried, wide-eyed, biting herknuckles.

 "Not bad, considering the cost." I surveyed myself in themirror. "Here." I pointed to the seam along my left side,which gaped open. "This is where you'll need to sew it. Areyou sure you're up to the task?"

 "Ye ... yes." Her voice trembled, and her fingers shookwith nervousness as Gemma endeavored to thread the needleFavrielle no Eglantine had provided. After a minute, Isighed.

 "Here, let me—no, wait. Gemma, fetch Remy, will you?"

 She brought him in a trice, and he entered grinning,caught sight of me, coughed and promptly tripped over hisfeet.

 "Remy." I eyed him impatiently. "If I remember right, all of Rousse's sailors are handy with a needle and thread, andyou in particular, yes?”

 "Elua!" He breathed it. "You reallydo notice everything!What do you need sewn, my lady?"

 I told him. His grin grew enormous.

 If things had gone otherwise in my life, I reflected, thiswould have been a very different evening. I could havemade a fortune working under Delaunay's patronage; by thetime I opened my own salon, I'd have been well settled. Iwould not have been the Comtesse de Montrève, with mostof my monies tied to the welfare of my estate and its in­habitants, begging funds, at the mercy of a surly youngclothier for my costume, with a war-seasoned sailor as mychief attendant.

 It is a good thing Blessed Elua saw fit to endow me with a sense of humor.

 As it happens, Remy did a neat job of it, and when hehad finished, the scarlet gown clung to my upper body likeit was painted there. That damnable Favrielle was a genius."Thank you," I said to Remy, dismissing him; he grinnedonce more, and left chuckling. "Gemma, bring my cosmet­ics."

 I do not use a great deal; I am young enough that it wouldbe vulgar. A hint of kohl to accentuate my eyes, whichwould be mostly hidden behind the veil, and carmine formy lips. When that was done, I set about styling my hair.One must learn such things, in Cereus House; happily, I hadnot lost the touch. It took some time, recreating the elaboratecoif I'd seen in Favrielle's illustration of Mara, but I waswell satisfied when I was done.

 The half-veil, I secured with hairpins topped with glitter­ing black jet, and when it was in place, a stranger's face gazed back at me from the mirror. My veiled gaze waslustrous and mysterious, for once not betrayed by the scarletmote in my left eye. The elaborate coif of my dark hairadded an archaic elegance, and my fair skin glowed againstthe black gauze of the veil. And the gown—I rose, and it swirled around my hips in a crimson glissade.

 "I think that will do," I said softly.

 "My lady." Gemma held up a tangle of scarlet ribbons."For your wrists."

 I had forgotten, that was the final touch to the costumeof Mara; silk ribbons bound about the wrists, hanging grace­fully and fluttering. Deft enough now that her nerves hadsettled, Gemma tied them in place with elegant knots. Icaught my breath, feeling them tighten around my wrists.That settled it, then. If there was any truth to old legends,Naamah's child Mara was truly ananguissette. I turned,ribbons trailing, surveying my reflection one last time. Fromthe rear, the entire expanse of my back was bare, ivory skin framed in scarlet silk and bisected by the dramatic blacklines and crimson accents of my marque.

 "That will do, indeed." It was Fortun's calm, deep voice.He stood leaning in the doorway, surprisingly elegant inblack velvet. The bronze key glinted dully on his chest, em­blem of Asmodel's calling, and the black domino made hisfeatures mysterious. It peaked in twin horns, piercing thedark locks that fell over his brow. "Are you ready, my lady?Ti-Philippe has the carriage waiting."

 I drew a deep breath. "I am ready."

 He bowed, and held out his arm. "Then let us depart."

 Perched in the driver's seat, Ti-Philippe wore an imp'smask shoved high on his forehead, the better to see. WhenI emerged on Fortun's arm, he gave a sharp whistle and stamped his feet, making the horses skittish.

 "Enough," I said, laughing. "You're to be on your bestbehavior tonight."

 "Much like yourself, my lady." With an irrepressible grin,he leapt down to throw open the carriage door. "Though it may mean somewhat different!"

 Fortun handed me into the carriage and followed after,and in short order we were on our way.

 Unaccountably, I found I was nervous. It had been a longtime—two years, exactly—since I had appeared in publicin the formal role of a Servant of Naamah. A great deal had happened since Melisande Shahrizai had paraded me beforethe peers of Kusheth on a velvet lead. Thinking on it, Ireached instinctively to touch my throat where her diamondhad lain. I had been a slave, an ambassador, and inheriteda noble title; what I was about now was a far cry from mydays as Delaunay'sanguissette, where I had naught to dobut that which my own nature dictated and to recount theobservations of my faculties to my lord Anafiel Delaunay.

 I had no master, no patron to whom to report, and I knewaltogether too well the stakes for which I played.

 "My lady." Fortun interrupted my thoughts. "There arebound to be inquiries. How do you wish me to handlethem?"

 He was right, of course; every D'Angeline past the ageof five knew what it meant to see a Servant of Naamah bare his or her marque publicly. "Tonight," I said, "is the LongestNight, and I am attending the Queen's Midwinter Masqueby her invitation as the Comtesse of Montrève. To conduct business, even Naamah's business, on this night would be unseemly, and you would do well to remind them of that—courteously, of course. As of tomorrow, however, if they wish to propose an assignation, they may send around a courier with a written offer."

 Fortun cleared his throat. "Would I be right in assuming that no promises are to be made, as you are highly selective in the assignations you choose, but no one is to be discour­aged, as your tastes are notoriously eclectic?"

 "Yes." I smiled. "You would at that."

 "Have you chosen already, my lady?" he asked curiously."Who will be the first?"

 "No." I brushed my fingers along the edge of the window-curtain. "My lord Delaunay cast out his bait, and fished ac­cordingly. I will do the same. I don't know, in truth, whowill bite."

 "What if it's Marmion Shahrizai?"

 "If it's Marmion," I said, "we will see." I ran the curtainthrough my fingers. Melisande had known me almost eightyears before she had contracted me, excepting for Prince Baudoin de Trevalion's pleasure. It nearly drove me mad. Idoubted her younger cousin could play her waiting gamewith the same devastating patience, but it would be inter­esting to see.

 We rode for a time in silence. "It should be Joscelin here with you," Fortun said presently, his voice low. "He's right,I'm not trained to serve as a bodyguard. And he's the onlyone of us permitted to wear arms in the Queen's presence."

 I leaned my head back against the cushion of the carriage-seat. "Joscelin is doing what he needs must do," I said, "as am I. Go where you are invited, listen and learn what youmay. Don't grieve me on that score, Fortun."

 "I'm sorry, my lady. Only..." He leaned forward, hisgaze intent behind the eyeholes of his mask as he looked atme. "Begging your pardon, but anyone who does not chooseto be at your side this night of all nights is a fool."

 I smiled. "Thank you, chevalier. That is exactly what Ineeded to hear."

 twelve

  We entered the ballroom as the bells were striking nine.

 "The Comtesse de Montrève!" shouted the crier, his voicehalf-lost in the din of music and conversation.

 Nonetheless, it caused a stir.

 It took some time, for eyes to see and rumors to spread.Favrielle had spoken truly, the costuming for the Midwinter Masque that year was ornate. Women, flounced and layeredin swathes of fabric turned slowly, moving like galleons beneath the weight of their attire; the men were scarce lessladen. Masked faces turned in my direction.

 I felt it, the brunt of a hundred stares, as a path openedacross the marble floor. In Cereus House, we were taughtto move like a swaying willow, limbs disposed to grace,heads high with pride. I drew on all the strength of my training to make that passage, gazing at the crowd frombehind my veil, feeling half-naked in my scarlet gown, ribbons trailing from my wrists. At my side, Fortun was amodel of austere decorum.

 And behind me, in the wake of the sight of my baredmarque, the murmurs rose.

 Truly, the Palace ballroom was a splendor that night. Itis a vast, open space, pierced by a double row of slender columns. Wrapping around three walls is Le Cavaillon'sgorgeous fresco of Elua and his Companions at banquet, andoverhead, the ceiling is painted a midnight blue with gilded stars. In the very center of the hall stood a tree cunninglywrought of bronze, and from its branches hung a dozenfruits on silken threads; apples, pears, dates, figs and per­simmons, plums and nectarines and others whose names Iknew not.

 At the far end, beneath the wall on which Elua, Cassieland Naamah disported themselves, stood a small mountaincrag and in it a grotto in which musicians struck a tableauas Hellene muses and played sweet tunes. Here and there stood false columns, hollow to the core, holding in nichesclear glass lamps that gave a mellow light. Elsewhere, fromthe ceiling, hung chandeliers of glass lamps floating in col­ ored waters, giving the illusion of fairy lights. Braziersburned sweet incense, and garlands of evergreen added itsclean, resinous odor.

 "Phèdre!" Ysandre de la Courcel, Queen of Terre d'Ange,cleaved a path through the revelers, her two grey-adornedCassiline guards incongruously in tow. As was fitting, shewas clad as the Snow Queen, in layers of frothing whitegauze aglitter with diamonds. She wore the swan mask ofHouse Courcel, an elaborate hood curving over her head, violet eyes behind the white-feathered mask. "I might not have known you with your veil, but with that marque, mydear! You did give warning. May I ask the nature of yourcostume?"

 "Mara," I said, lifting one arm so the scarlet ribbonstrailed from my wrist. "Naamah's daughter, gotten by amurderer, and Kushiel's handmaiden."

 "Very apt." Ysandre's eyes looked amused behind hermask. "Well, near-cousin, I have greeted you properly andgiven sanction to your purpose here; let it not be said thatI failed to give Naamah's Service its proper regard." Withthe effortlessness of one born and raised to command, sheturned to find a servant exactly where she expected him,offering a salver with small glasses of cordial."Joie," Ysan dre said, raising a glass in toast. "May the Longest Night pass swiftly and the light return."

 "Joie."I took a glass and raised it in turn, drinking. Theservant lingered as Ysandre moved on, proffering the trayto Forrun. He accepted a glass and drank, gasping at itsclear, fiery taste. "To the Longest Night, chevalier!" Ilaughed, feeling the blood in my veins tingle with excite­ ment. "Do you dance, Fortun? I never asked."

 "Try me and see." Taking both our glasses, he set themon a passing servant's tray and bowed, escorting me to thedancing floor.

 He did dance, and passably well; I am trained to followanyone's lead. We looked well together, with the scarlet fabric of my gown swirling against the sober black velvet of his doublet and hose. I saw heads turn as we passed,puzzled whispers at my half-veiled face giving way todawning recognition at the sight of my marque. I could feelit, almost, the intricate pattern etched the length of my spine,burning as if the ink were fresh-pierced into my skin by themarquist's tapper.

 As our dance ended, I espied a figure clad as the Eremiteof Seagrove making his way toward me, unrecognizable inflowing blue-green robes with a half-mask of the Eremite'sfeatures and a false beard of white curls that spilled downhis chest. "Phèdre nóDelaunay," he said, and his tone,though formal, was warm with affection. "Your costume leaves you at a disadvantage to conceal your identity."

 I smiled. "As your voice does you, my lord de Forcay."

 Gaspar Trevalion, the Comte de Forcay, chuckled andembraced me. "Elua, child, but it's good to see you well! How does your peerage sit with you?"

 "It would have sat better on Delaunay, my lord, but I domy best," I said honestly. Disowned by his father, AnafielDelaunay de Montrève never held the title to which he wasborn; it was ironic that it had passed to me. And while Icould not eliminate him from those I must suspect, I neverdoubted that Gaspar Trevalion's friendship with my lord De­launay was genuine—nor, indeed, his affection for me. "Tell me, how have you been keeping?"

 As we spoke, a tall woman costumed as an elegant shep­herdess—with flounces enough to terrify any flock, I dare­say—invited Fortun to squire her in a dance with a subtlebeckon of her gilded crook. He glanced inquiringly at me, and I nodded.

 "Your Cassiline is not with you," Gaspar observed.

 "He is maintaining Elua's vigil on the Longest Night."

 "A pity. Ghislain will be sorry to miss him. He has agreat respect for that young man." He smiled. "As do I,although I'll admit, I thought Delaunay was mad when hetold me he'd contracted one of the Cassiline Brotherhood toward a Servant of Naamah."

 "So did I," I said absently, scanning the costumed crowd."My lord de Somerville is here? No, wait, don't tell me." Ispotted a tall, broad-shouldered figure in an osprey mask, asmaller mate in similar garb at his side, speaking to someoneI didn't recognize at all. "There, beneath the fresco of Azza;that must be Bernadette with him."

 "Indeed." Gaspar Trevalion sounded surprised. "I didn'tknow you'd met her."

 "I haven't. I saw her at the trial." It was something of adelicate subject; Bernadette de Trevalion had been exiledfor treason, though she'd had no part in her mother's mach­inations. It was Ysandre who had restored her, mending thebreach through marriage to Ghislain de Somerville, the Royal Commander's capable son. Lent discretion by myveil, I stared, trying to place their companion by virtue ofshape, stance or demeanor, but he evaded recognition. Evenhis costume, an elaborately striped affair with puffedsleeves, parti-color hose and a long-nosed mask, defied placement. "Gaspar, who is that with them?”

 "Ah." He smiled. "That, my dear, is Severio Stregazza,eldest-born son of Marie-Celeste de la Courcel Stregazza, grandson of the Doge of La Serenissima. Would you like tomeet him?"

 "Yes." I took his arm, resting my fingertips on his sleeve."Very much, my lord."

 Gaspar Trevalion was as good as his word, escorting meover forthwith. After exchanging fond greetings with Ghis­lain and making the formal acquaintance of his wife—I didnot tell Bernadette that I had seen her sentenced to exile— I was introduced to the young Serenissiman lord.

 "Charmed, Comtesse." Severio Stregazza's surly tone, infaintly accented D'Angeline, said otherwise. He tugged at the stiff ruff of lace at his neck. At close range, he had asheen of sweat on his features, and he looked uncomfortablein his costume. Severio had been born and raised in LaSerenissima. No more than a year or two older than me atbest, he was clearly ill at ease in his surroundings and awk­ward at the evidence of his mixed blood at a D'Angelinefête. His hot, irritable gaze took my measure. "You're very beautiful," he said abruptly. "I suppose we're related some­how?"

 "No, Prince Severio," I said, shaking my head. "My lordAnafiel Delaunay de Montrève of Siovale adopted me for­mally into his household, and it is his title that I inherited.We are no kin, you and I."

 "That's a relief." He tugged harder at his collar, scowling."Damn nigh every noble I've met claims kinship to thethrone one way or another. I can't keep it all straight in myhead."

 "It is not easy, cousin," Bernadette commiserated kindly."I grow confused myself, trying to sort out the tangledthreads of Blessed Elua's descendants."

 Severio Stregazza gave her an ungracious glance. I could not blame him for his anger and discomfort, in truth; in this, of all gatherings, his coarse curls and the ruder cast of hisfeatures showed clearly the dilution of Elua's lineage,brought to La Serenissima in the person of Benedicte de laCourcel, great-uncle to Ysandre. "Your inheritance seemsclear enough,cousin."

 "Looks can be deceiving." Ghislain slid his arm protec­tively about her. Although he remained calm, one could tellhe was heated; a scent of apples hung in the air, hallmarkof House Somerville, scions of Anael's lineage. "My wifehas known betrayal and exile, Prince Severio, and the sov­ereignty of our duchy hangs on our offspring. I daresay youcannot claim the same."

 "Blood tells, though, here." Severio shrugged. "Scions ofElua and his Companions!" He made a mockery of the words. "It means nothing, in La Serenissima. You can't know what it's like."

 "Perhaps you will tell us, my lord," I offered.

 "And will you pretend interest, for a price?" Harsh-voiced, Severio caught my wrist and gripped it hard, leering."I have heard, Comtesse, whom you have sworn to serve!In La Serenissima, we keep our courtesans in their properplace, where they belong."

 His grip pained me, and in the roughness of his hands, Ifelt his anger and frustration commingled, his need to strikeout at all things D'Angeline and their attitude of implicit superiority toward all that was not. My blood beat quicker,responding to his anger, and I held his gaze steadily throughthe haze of my veil. "I serve Naamah, my lord, it is true. And for a price, I will pretend absolutely nothing."

 There was a little silence around us; Gaspar, Ghislain and Bernadette, I daresay, did not know what transpired. But I knew, and the young Stregazza. If I have one pride in mycalling, it is that I have never judged a patron wrongly—and I have never failed to recognize a patron upon meeting,Severio Stregazza was one of mine. After a moment, hereleased my wrist with a disgusted sound.

 "I need a glass of cordial," he said, dismissing himselfrudely.

 Gaspar Trevalion stared after him. "What a strange youngman," he observed. "Phèdre, what on earth is your interest in him?”

 I could not explain to him the compulsions of ananguissette,and of a surety, I dared not discuss my suspicionsconcerning Melisande Shahrizai and the deadly coils of in­trigue within the Stregazza family. Instead, I smiled. "I havea fancy," I said lightly, "to learn somewhat of La Serenis­sima. Surely he can tell me that much, at least."

 "If you say so," Gaspar said slowly, eyeing me doubt­fully.

 What I would have said to allay his suspicions, I do notknow; Gaspar Trevalion had been one of Delaunay's closestfriends, and he was no fool. But happily, at that moment, a woman's hand touched my bare shoulder, and I turned inanswer to see a drunken couple clad as Diana and Apollo, the twin moon-and-sun deities of the Hellenes.

 "Tell me, Servant of Naamah," the woman said laughing,her silver mask askew on her lovely face, "Who does yourcostume represent? We have a bet, my brother and I."

 I inclined my head to them, raising my arms so the scarletribbons trailed from my wrists. "Mara, my lady; Naamah'sdaughter, and Kushiel's handmaiden."

 "I told you!" he said to her in drunken triumph.

 The woman laughed again, brushing my veil with herfingertips. She was close enough that I could feel the heatof her body and smelljoie sweet on her breath. "Then Ishall have to pay the penalty for losing," she whispered."We already agreed upon the settlement. When you receive my proposal, remember there is a debt of honor at stake."

 "My lady," I said, struggling against dizziness. "I willremember it."

 They laughed and moved on. Gaspar Trevalion in his Er­emite's costume shook his mock-bearded head at me. "Delaunay would be proud," he said wryly. "I think."

 "Mayhap." Would that Mara's accoutrements included a fan, I thought; I could use a cool breeze. "My lord, theSerenissiman has the right of it, and there isjoie to be drunkthis night. Will you call upon me before you leave the City of Elua? It would please me greatly to offer you my hos­pitality ere you return home.”

 "I would be honored," Gaspar promised, bowing.

 By this time,joie and wine flowed freely and the fête hadreached the height of gaiety. I cannot begin to count thenumber of lords and ladies of the realm with whom Idanced, bantered and flirted, nor the number of inquiries,discreet and overt, I received. I heeded the advice I hadgiven Fortun, and made promises to none. It was a goodhour before my diligent chevalier found his way back to myside, looking somewhat disheveled for his absence.

 "My lady," he greeted me, a touch out of breath. "It seemsthe interest you incite rubs off on your companions!"

 I laughed, and smoothed his rumpled hair. "Whoseclutches did you escape, Fortun?"

 "A gentleman does not tell," he replied, grinning. "Letme say only that there are some few D'Angeline nobles whothink their suits may be heard clearer if I plead for them.They are laying bets on who will be your first patron, my lady."

 "Let them," I said with satisfaction. "For now, do you think you might secure us a place at the banquet table?"

 "Consider it done."

 No formal dinner is served on the Longest Night, but theQueen's table was heaped high at all times and a steadystream of servants came and went, bearing away the emptytrays and platters and bringing an endless array of foods.Plates and silver clinked and rattled, gleaming by candle­light, and guests ate and chattered incessantly, lifting wine­ glasses, dipping fingers in bowls of rosewater to rinse. Idined on pheasant glazed with honey and thyme, so tenderand sweet it near melted in my mouth; I daresay Fortunsampled five dishes to my every one. There was a contingentof Cruithne at the table, representatives of Drustan mab Necthana, and we had a lively time conversing once they dis­covered I was in their midst, for many of them wereawkward still with the D'Angeline tongue, and I had notforgotten my sometime role as translator.

 It was during one such conversation that the musiciansstruck up a lively Caerdicci tune, and I felt a presence atmy shoulder. Turning, I gazed up to see Severio Stregazza.

 "Comtesse." He bowed curtly and extended his hand."Will you dance?"

 "It would be my great pleasure." Taking his hand, I rosegracefully and followed to join him on the dancing floor.

 For all that I had boasted of my skill, the Serenissimanled awkwardly, and I was hard put to follow him in such a manner as to conceal it. Still, I managed—we are taught todo no less, in Cereus House. The long nose of his mask bumped against my bare shoulder, and his gaze burnedthrough the eyeholes.

 "I heard the King of the Dalriada went to war for one night in your arms," he said abruptly. "Is it true?"

 "Yes, my lord." Anticipating a swift turn, I followed. "Af­ter a fashion." It was no more and no less than the truth; Idid not deem it necessary to mention that Eamonn macConor had gone to such lengths out of jealousy of his sisteras much as desire for me. Eamonn is dead now, slain on the field of Troyes-le-Mont, and at any rate, he would rather have the latter believed than the former, I think.

 "Terre d'Ange is at peace." He steered us through acrowd, then out. "What cost, then, for a Prince of La Serenissima?"

 "My lord," I said mildly, raising my head to meet hisgaze. "I have set no price, save what Naamah's honor de­mands. When the Longest Night has passed, I will entertainoffers, and we shall see. But this much, I will say." I smiled,and felt his heat rise at it. "Naamah's interests were ever...eclectic. And you are the only Serenissiman prince in atten­dance upon my debut returning to her service."

 Severio's arms, holding me, tensed, though he did naught but nod. When the Caerdicci air was ended, he released mewith a stiff bow, and stalked away. I would hear from him.I had no doubt of it.

 The pause following the end of the tune stretched into silence, growing slowly apparent to the crowd. The musi­cians in their mountain grotto took up their instruments andslipped away. One by one, the revelers fell back from thedance floor. In the silence, the tocsin began to beat. Thehorologists had proclaimed the hour, and Night's Crier madehis way through the hall, sounding his brazen gong with asteady beat. I felt a touch at my arm as Fortun joined me,glancing swiftly at me. On the far side of the colonnade, I saw Ysandre de la Courcel, resplendent in her costume asthe Snow Queen, surrounded by a coterie of admirers, hergaze fixed on the false mountain.

 When the Night's Crier reached its base, he sounded thetocsin one last time.

 All at once, darkness fell. There must have been servantsat every candle, to snuff them with such utter thoroughness,and where the lamps hung suspended in chandeliers, they lowered rows of silver cones strung on ropes to extinguishthem in all swiftness. Only the lamps in the hollow columnscontinued to glow, and a single lamp above the mountaincrag.

 With a dreadful, grinding sound, the mountain itself splitopen to reveal a hollow core, a stair and a promontory; and on it, the Winter Queen, aged and hobbled, bearing herblackthorn staff. I have friends who are players, I know howsuch things are done. Even so, I gasped. Everyone bowed their heads, even Ysandre; I was hard put not to kneel, the habit deeply ingrained. From the far end of the hall, wherethe great doors were closed, came a measured pounding ofa spear-butt. Once, twice, thrice.

 "Let the doors be opened to admit the return of the light!"Ysandre cried imperiously, and the great doors were flungopen at her command.

 Through them drove a splendid chariot, hung with lamps and drawn by a matched pair of white horses. In it rode theSun Prince, gloriously garbed in cloth-of-gold, his mask thatof a beautiful youth, surrounded by gilded rays. A murmurof awe arose in the hall. Its team moving at an impeccablymatched pace, it drew nigh to the foot of the split-open crag.Standing in the chariot, the Sun Prince pointed his gilt spearat the Winter Queen.

 She seemed not to move, and yet her garment was riven,falling away to reveal the slender form of a maiden within. In a single, bold gesture, she drew off her aged mask andshowed herself to be in the flower of youth, shaking outgolden tresses that fell to her waist. And light returned tothe hall, tongues of flame snaking up long oil-soaked wicksstrung to countless lamps, igniting them all at once. Sud­denly, the hall was ablaze in light, seeming twice as brightfor the darkness that had preceded it.

 We cheered; we all cheered. One cannot help it, at sucha time. From the far corners of the hall, the musicians re­turned, playing with redoubled vigor. The Sun Prince leaptfrom his chariot, and the Winter Queen, now a SpringMaiden, descended from her mount to join him on the danc­ ing floor. In a trice, they were joined by a dozen couples,and at the corner of the floor, Ysandre's coterie began tobreak up, vying for the honor of procuring her next glass ofjoie.

 I exhaled a breath I'd not known I held, leaning on Fortun's arm. It was a greater spectacle than the one at CereusHouse, which is famed throughout the City, although I dare­say they lay no odds on the players in Night's Doorstep.These were professionals, performing at the Queen's behest,with scores of artisans to assist them.

 "Shall we dance, my lady?" Fortun inquired.

 "And it please you, Comtesse de Montrève," a man'ssilken voice insinuated, "I would beg that honor."

 Turning, I espied my latest suitor clad as Hesperus, theevening star. His doublet and hose were of a deep twilightblue, and over them he wore a surcoat of a deeper blue silk,the shade of encroaching night. For a rarity, the cut waselegant and simple, flattering his well-made form. His coatwas adorned with intricate brocade, and in it were set myriadbits of mirror, so that he glimmered with the subtle light ofthe evening sky, and a silver star mask obscured his features.I knew him by his voice, his grace and his black hair, thatfell in a river of fine-linked braids down his back.

 "My lord Shahrizai," I said, keeping my voice cool. "Letus do so.”

 With an immaculate bow, Marmion Shahrizai escorted meonto the dancing floor.

 If I had had a dozen or more partners that night, and I had, not a one approached his skill. One trains as hard tobe the perfect courtier as courtesan, I think, and the Shahrizaiare without peer. Marmion swept me over the floor,one hand holding mine, one placed with surety low on myback, and I needed no more think to follow his lead than I need think to breathe. Indeed, I heard murmurs of admira­tion as we passed, for it is in the D'Angeline nature to ad­mire beauty in all its forms. We were well-matched, heand I.

 In the scant inches that separated us, it was another mat­ter.

 "So tell me," he said, smiling pleasantly, "have you heardfrom my cousin?"

 I smiled back at him, my movements flowing effortlesslywith his. "It is strange you should ask, my lord; I was won­dering the same about you."

 Marmion Shahrizai bent his head tenderly beside mine."If I heard from Melisande," he murmured in my ear, "themessage would likely be delivered at knife-point. But I havebeen thinking, little Comtesse." He held me at arm's lengthas we executed a complex series of steps, then drew me inclose again as the music slowed. "Someone reached the pos­tern gate unchallenged at Troyes-le-Mont, yes? And whowas better trusted and less feared than the Queen's petanguissette." His expression never changed, smiling down at me. Only I would have caught the cruelty in it. "You havebeen in league with my cousin from the first, Comtesse; donot think I am blind to it. I assure you," he whispered, hisgrip tightening on my hand, "I am watching."

 It brought me hard against him, my loins pressed firmagainst his, my breasts brushing his chest, I craned my neckback to gaze at his implacable, smiling star-masked face. "Do you pretend loyalty to the Queen, my lord Shahrizai?"I asked him breathlessly, struggling to match his composure."I hear you set the fire that killed your sister, lest she revealthe complicity with which you betrayed her."

 Marmion's smile hardened and his hand splayed on myback, pressing me harder against him. I could feel his fin­gertips digging into my flesh, and beneath his breeches, hisphallus rising, rigid and pressing against me. His other handclenched hard on mine, grinding the small bones together."Do you?" he asked. "I hear a great many things about you,too, Comtesse. I trust not all are slanderous lies, as is this thing you have heard."

 Kushiel's Dart strikes where it will; my body betrayedme, yearning toward his. He danced with consummategrace, and no one but I knew that his hips moved with thesubtlety of a skilled tribadist, moving against me as his irongrip held me in place. I fought unsuccessfully against theflutter in my loins, the surging warmth. "Lord Shahrizai," Isaid, my voice taut, "I beg you release me."

 "Will you make a scene?" He smiled remorselessly; myleft hand was numb from his grip and I moved helplesslyagainst him, rippling with desire. "Or give yoursignale,perhaps,anguissette? I know all about you, and I am watch­ing. Understand that nothing will come between me and theQueen; not some tattooed barbarian princeling, not mycousin and, surely, not you!"

 The musicians ended their air with a flourish, hiding mygasp as Marmion Shahrizai released me, nigh on the vergeof climax. He gazed down at me superciliously from behindhis mask. "When you think to cross me, littleanguissette,"he said with amused contempt, "I pray you remember thisdance."

 "My lord," I said, drawing myself up with difficulty. "TheAeolian harp sounds at each passing breeze, but that doesnot mean the tune is masterfully played."

 A moment's pause, and then he gave a cynical laugh andbowed. "You put a good face on it,anguissette. I shouldexpect nothing less from one of Melisande's creatures, andyou are an exceptional one at that." He touched my facelightly in warning. "I have said it once; do not make me sayit twice. Whatever game you play, keep it far from me.”

 As I watched him take his leave, Fortun made his way tomy side once more. "My lady," he asked anxiously, "do youwish me to speak to him?"

 "No," I murmured, watching the candlelight diffuse in athousand shifting points from the Shahrizai's mirrored coat."Either he's a fool, to overplay his hand thus, or he's moresubtle than I credited, to make me think as much. And Irather doubt it is the latter. Let us keep our eye on LordMarmion Shahrizai, to see what else he may reveal. But fornow, I think we must seek our traitor elsewhere." I sighed, my body throbbing with desire unfulfilled. "Fortun, if youcare for me, stay at my side the remainder of this LongestNight, and see that I do naught I will regret come dawn."

 "I promise," he vowed stoutly.

 Somewhat to my dismay, he did.

 THIRTEEN

 Elua have mercy!" Gemma entered the sitting room stag­gering under the weight of the parcels and letters she bore."My lady, how many more ... oh!" A neatly ribboned mis­sive dangling a small, stoppered bottle slid from her grasp and struck the floor. The spicy scent of cloves filled the airas the wax seal cracked and oil leaked from the bottle.

 "Never mind," I said absently, setting aside a pile ofopened proposals to make room for the latest. "Put themhere, thank you."

 "You'll need a larger house, at this rate." Ti-Philippecarefully detached the leaking bottle from the letter andplaced it upright on the table, licking oil of cloves from hisfingers and making a face. "Too strong."

 "It's not supposed to taste good, exactly. It sweetens thebreath." I picked up the missive, glancing at the seal. The Baron d'Eresse, an Eisandine lord with interests in the spice trade. "Good for toothaches, too. If I were in the market forimports, I'd consider him." Since I wasn't, I put his letteron the likely-to-decline pile. "Here, help me sort throughthese latest."

 Happily, for there had been a great many proposals de­livered in the past days, all three of my chevaliers found theprospect amusing enough that none minded playing at sec­retary. For a time, there was no sound in the sitting roomsave the faint crack of seals breaking and the rustle of paper.

 "Ah!" Remy laughed aloud. "A brother and sister, mylady; who hold jointly the Marquisate de Fhirze. Shall I putthem on the decline pile?"

 "I should think—oh, wait." I caught sight of the seal,twinned masks of Diana and Apollo. "No, I liked her. I'll see it."

 "As you wish." He grinned, eyebrows raised.

 "My lady," Fortun said quietly, looking up from the mis­sive he scanned. It was unopened, a scroll of thick vellum tied with a gold cord and sealed with red wax. "I think youwill be interested in this."

 "Whose is it?" Accepting the scroll, I glanced at the seal;too crudely drawn for D'Angeline work, it depicted a Ser­enissiman carrack at harbor, a tower in the background. Theinsignia of the Stregazza family. "My lord Severio," Imused, cracking the seal and sliding off the cord. "I won­dered how long he would wait." I skimmed the contents of his letter.

 No one noticed when the scroll fell from my nervelessfingers.

 "Phèdre?" Joscelin, entering the room, checked at my ex­pression. I looked blankly at him. "Are you all right?"

 "Yes." I blinked, picked up the scroll and handed it tohim. "Look."

 He read it quickly—it was only a couple of lines—andlooked bewildered. "Does he jest?"

 "No." I shook my head. "I don't think so. He didn't seemmuch for humor."

 " 'No one outbids the Stregazza,' " Joscelin read aloud ina flat tone. " Twenty thousand in gold to be the first.''Ignoring the collective indrawn breath of my chevaliers anda faint squeak of astonishment from Gemma, he tossed thescroll on the table. "No poetry, no protestations of desireand no pretty sentiments in honor of Naamah," he observed. "But you can't argue with the price, if that's what matters."

 I looked coolly at Joscelin. "Severio Stregazza is three-quarters Caerdicci, and raised in La Serenissima. If he lacksthe grace and polish to compete with half the royalD'Angeline court, at least he has the wit to know it. I prom­ised him no pretense. He has taken me, I think, at my word."

 "He's a boor," Fortun murmured.

 "Yes," I said. "He is. And I am going to accept his offer."

 "What—" Gemma was still wide-eyed at the figure. "Mylady, what will you do with all that money?"

 I smiled. "You will see."

 As it happened, they learned sooner rather than later whatI intended with the sum. It took the better part of two daysto hammer out the terms of the assignation, with Remy serv­ing as my representative. He had a knack, it seemed, forsuch things. It was necessary to explain to Severio the guild-laws that bound the terms of our contract, and the penalties for breaching them. It is a serious business in Terre d'Ange;to violate the rights of one of Naamah's Servants is to vi­olate the precept of Blessed Elua, and is the gravest formof blasphemy. Elsewhere, I am told, courtesans are largelydependent on the whims of their patrons. It is not so amongD'Angelines.

 The nature and purpose of thesignale needed also beexplained to the Serenissiman Prince, for although I hearda group of young gallants had taken him to the Night Court, it was to Orchis House they went, for lovemaking and mer­riment. Valerian and Mandrake alone among the ThirteenHouses use thesignale, and at Mandrake, it is for the benefitof the patrons. In the arts of pain, protestation is a part of the game; it is therefore important that asignale be estab­lished. I should know, having gone to extreme lengths with­out speaking mine.

 Choosing the word itself was simple, for I have had thesame one since first I was an adept: Hyacinthe. He was thetruest friend I ever had, and my refuge and sanctuary fromchildhood onward. If I chose his name in part to annoyDelaunay all those years ago—and I did—I chose it now for Hyacinthe himself, who made the greatest sacrifice of all of us on that fateful journey.

 My plans kept me busy, and by the time Remy returnedwith the signed contract and a nervous clutch of PalaceGuardsmen surrounding two laden mules, I had an appoint­ment waiting.

 "Half on signing," Remy called, grinning. "As you asked,my lady."

 "Good." Standing in the doorway, I fastened the clasp ofmysangoire cloak. "Now bid them take it to EglantineHouse. I've a meeting with the Dowayne."

 His mouth fell open and he gaped at me; the Guardsmengrumbled. "You're not—"

 "It's my fee, and I'll do as I please with it," I said mildly,then raised my voice. "Joscelin! Will you do me the honorof beholding how I disperse this money that so offendsyou?"

 If I thought to find him apologetic, I was wrong; he came at my call with an amused expression, adjusting his vambraces. "Will it please you if I admit to curiosity?"

 "It would please me if you admitted to rather more," Isaid, "but I will settle for that. Come and see."

 The Dowayne of Eglantine House was one Moirethe Lereux, a stately woman in her middle forties, without the mad­cap streak that marks so many of that house; which, Isuspect, was a large part of how she came to be its Do­wayne. I have heard also that she played the harp so beau­tifully that warriors wept and criminals confessed at thesound of it, but I never had the pleasure of hearing her play. No adept of the Night Court is easily swayed by the sightof money and a Dowayne less than most, but even Moirethewas hard put not to look twice as the Palace Guardsmen deposited clinking sack upon sack on her desk. I could seethe Chancellor of the House itching to count it after Ithanked the Guardsmen and dismissed them. They left posthaste, shaking their heads at the madness of Naamah's Ser­vants.

 "Are we agreed, then?" It felt strange, sitting and facingthe Dowayne as a D'Angeline noblewoman fair swimmingin gold, with a Cassiline and a chevalier attendant behindme. "Four thousand for her marque, and four thousandagainst the House's loss of her art and labor in the time she would have made it."

 "And a balance of two thousand toward the purchase ofmaterials and a year's patronage at Eglantine House should she so desire; hers clear if she does not," Moirethe Lereuxagreed, glancing over our written agreement. "I am in ac­cord, Comtesse. Shall we sign?"

 We did, and it was witnessed and approved by the Chan­cellor after he had opened and peered into each of the sacks,weighing Severio's coinage with sensitive fingers.

 "Done," the Dowayne proclaimed. "Anselme." She beck­oned to an apprentice, who knelt quietlyabeyante. "Willyou bring Favrielle, please?"

 He fetched her as quickly as he could, I think; still, wehad a time to wait. Moirethe Lereux bided patiently, servingus chilled wine and sugared almonds, of which Remy ate agreat many. When Favrielle no Eglantine entered scowling,it was clearly at her own pace.

 "You," she said without pleasure, beholding me. "I've gothalf the petty lordlings in the City plaguing me on your account, Comtesse! I didn't ask you to telleveryone who made that gown."

 "I didn't," I protested.

 "Fortun told them," Remy volunteered helpfully. "Theydaren't ask you, my lady."

 Moirethe Lereux cleared her throat. "Favrielle, for your services in designing a costume for the Midwinter Masque, the Comtesse Phèdre nóDelaunay de Montrève has chosento bestow a patron-gift upon you. The balance of your marque as established prior to your ... accident...is paidin full, and the balance of funds from the loss of your serv­ices. To you is remanded the sum of two thousand ducats,which you may apply toward materials and a year's patron­age in Eglantine House if you so choose. You may retain such assistants as you have trained, and all profits in thattime would be your own. If you do not wish to remain here,"she added, "it is yours clear, but we would be pleased tohave you."

 Sharp-tongued as she was, Favrielle was at a loss forwords, staring at me. "Why would you do that?" she askedme finally, her voice sounding young and bewildered with­out its customary edge. "You don't evenlike me!"

 Cocking my head, I regarded the seamstress, her prettyface with its scattering of golden freckles marred only byher scarred lip now that astonishment had smoothed away her habitually cross expression. "You told me to let youknow when I could transform you as surely as Kushiel's Dart unmade my flaw," I said. "Well, I cannot make youinto ananguissette, and I do not think you would like it ifI did. But I can give you the means to transform yourselffrom an unfit adept indentured to years of service in Eglan­tine House to a woman of independent means and the fore­ most couturier in the City of Elua."

 Still staring, Favrielle gave a short laugh. "You're mad!"

 "Mayhap." I shrugged. "So too have been the proposals I have received, and your genius may well have doubledtheir insanity. That much, then, do I give back, and we are at quits, you and I."

 Biting her lower lip, she turned to the Dowayne. "That'sit, then? I'm free?"

 "Yes." Moirethe handed her a document. "By the tenetsof the Night Court, of course, you are forbidden to bear Eglantine's marque on your skin, as you have not, properly speaking, been engaged as a Servant of Naamah. But theamount of your marque is paid in full, and your contract isreturned to you."

 Favrielle accepted the contract absentmindedly, her gaze distant as she calculated. "I'll stay," she said abruptly to theDowayne. "Two thousand's not enough to do it properly,not with the costs of lodging and materials. In a year's time,I can earn enough to set up my own lines of credit withmerchants and hire my own assistants. But I'll not work freefor Eglantine House."

 "Of course." Moirethe Lereux spread her hands. "Any arrangements you make with adepts of the House will bestrictly on commission. Provided, shall we say, that you con­tinue to train such assistants as you choose and allow themto work on the House's behalf when precedence requires. We can negotiate such occasions as they arise."

 "Done." Favrielle nodded. Regarding me once more, sheknit her brows in a scowl. "I'll not work free for you either,Comtesse. You chose this, not I. There is no debt betweenus."

 "I agree," I said mildly.

 She narrowed her eyes gaugingly. "Do you have anymoney left?"

 Remy coughed, and I could hear a faint sound as Josce­lin's elbow dug into his side. "I will," I said, ignoring them."Once the assignation is completed, and I have repaid mydebt to my factor. Why?"

 Her scarred lip curled wryly. "I've set a high tidemarkwith you, Comtesse. The City will look to you, now, to set the mode. It will serve us both well if I continue to design your wardrobe. Anyway, whether I like you or no, you'reinteresting to dress."

 "Then," I said, rising, "I will call upon you again, Favrielle nóEglantine, when my coffers are full again."

 So it was that we took our leave, and Joscelin waited untilwe were in the courtyard before bursting into rueful laugh­ter. "Phèdre," he said, shaking his head. "Will you never bedone with surprising me?"

 "If you thought better of me," I retorted, "you would notbe so surprised."

 No longer laughing, he looked at me with sorrow in hissummer-blue eyes. "You don't make it easy," he said qui­etly. "It would be simpler, if it were only about money."

 "Yes." I sighed. "You'd have fled back to the CassilineBrotherhood long ago. But I'll not pretend to simple greed,Joscelin, just to ease your conscience. Stand at the cross­roads if you will, but if you'll not choose, I'll move onwithout you.""I know," he murmured, and we spoke no more of it.

 FOURTEEN

 Onthe day of my assignation with Severio Stregazza, asummons came from the Rebbe to meet with him for another session. In truth, I had been somewhat remiss in my studies,but he had promised to tell me tales of the Lost Book ofRaziel, and I did not want the opportunity lost. Gauging thehour to a nicety, I determined I had the time to spare.

 Unprepared as I was, there are times when distractionserves better than focus, and this proved one such; half-unthinking, I rattled through the verses of the Tanakh he'd assigned me without an error. Expecting to have my knuck­les struck, instead I was rewarded with one of the Yeshuites'apocryphal tales, such as are passed from mouth to mouth and not recorded in their books.

 "It is commonly said," the Rebbe told me, "that Sammaeland others among Adonai's servants were jealous that Hehad given such power to Edom the First Man; power evento master theMalakhim." (For so, I may add, did the Ye­shuites name angels in the Habiru tongue.) "And Sammael stole the Sefer Raziel, and cast it into the waters."

 "I have heard as much, Master," I replied politely.

 "I am not done." The Rebbe glowered at me. "There isanother tale, of Lilit, Edom's first wife, whom Adonaiwrought before the mother of all, leva. Out of dust He madethem both, equal to equal, and blew the breath of life intotheir flesh — and sorry enough He was, for Lilit disdained toserve beneath Edom and fled, taking with her the Sefer Ra­ziel. And when Adonai sent hisMalakhim to retrieve her,she laughed, and opened the book and read aloud a word,commanding them by the Sacred Name to return empty-handed."

 Intrigued, I rested my chin in my hand. The One God hadsent his servants to bid Elua to return, too. The first, whocame with a sword, Blessed Elua charmed with his sweet­ness; the second, who came with a plea, Elua answered withhis own red blood, piercing his flesh and bleeding onto the rich soil of Terre d'Ange. So are we bound to this earth, wewho are D'Angeline; even the followers of Cassiel, for itwas he who handed Elua the dagger. But for all of that, I never heard that Elua and His Companions knew a wordthat could compel the One God's servants. "And?" Iprompted.

 "And Mikael, the commander-in-chief of the Lord's Host,strove with her and wrested the Sefer Raziel from Lilit, buthe was bound by her command, and threw the book into theocean, returning empty-handed to the Throne of the Lord,"the Rebbe finished. "So it was that Adonai bid Rahab, Princeof the Deep, to retrieve the tome. If you say truly, perhapsit is that Rahab obeyed but in part, keeping back some fewpages." He shrugged. "These are stories that are told. I donot know."

 "What became of Lilit?"

 The Rebbe fingered hiskhai pendant. "She wed Ashmedai, the Prince of Demons, and spawned six thousand chil­dren of darkness, who haunt our dreams at night, or so it is said. Until Yeshua ben Yosef was born, and they dared to tempt him, and he changed them into the likeness of black dogs, chaining them beneath Mount Seir, where they fester and howl until the Mashiach shall return, and put an end totheir suffering."

 "A lot of good that does me," I murmured. "Well, then,what became of the Lost Book of Raziel after Rahab broughtit up from the deep?"

 "Would you run before you walk?" the Rebbe askedsternly, pointing at the Tanakh scroll. "Next time, you studythe Sh'moth. Perhaps then I will tell you more.”

 "Yes, Master." I sighed, and made ready to leave. "I will await your summons."

 Keeping to the letter of our agreement, I smiled pleasantlyat such folk as I saw upon departing the yeshiva, but made no effort to engage them in conversation. I was hard-put toignore Joscelin's exemption from this charge, as he ex­changed smiles and murmured greetings with half a dozenYeshuite folk. Indeed, the young woman I had seen teachingschoolchildren on our first visit caught him back as we left, whispering something urgent to him and blushing as shereached up to slip a chain about his neck.

 I would have asked him about it the moment the doorclosed behind us, were it not that a disturbance in the court­yard distracted me. Near to where our carriage awaited, ahandful of Yeshuites stood arguing in Habiru; young men,all of them, ganging up on the youngest of the lot. I daresayI'd not have paid it much heed, were it not for the fact that all save the youngest were clad in D'Angeline fashion, es­chewing their sober attire and sidelocks for such garb assoldiers might wear. Indeed, two of them bore swords attheir sides.

 " '... giveth snow like wool,' " one of them was saying,face thrust aggressively forward, " 'he scatters hoarfrost likeashes.' How do you take that to mean, Simeon, if it is not northerly? I tell you, we are not meant to sit idle, whenAdonai bids us build a kingdom for Yeshua's return! Do you doubt? 'He sendeth forth his word and melts them.' Itis the craven fear of old men and mewling women that keeps the Chosen of Terre d'Ange homeless as Tsingani!"

 I glanced at Joscelin, who stood frowning thoughtfully atthem. "What do they mean?" I asked him; one of the Ye­shuites looked over, hearing my voice.

 "You should join us, brother apostate!" he called to Jos­celin. "We could make good use of a blade such as yours."

 Joscelin shook his head politely, smiling, and opened thecarriage door to hand me inside. I caught the door and heldit ere he could close it. "Will you tell me?" I asked, andcaught sight, unexpectedly, of akhai pendant hanging onhis doublet, a small silver disc with the Khet-Yod symbolgraven in black. "And this?" I added, lifting it from hischest.

 "A gift," Joscelin said firmly, plucking it from my hand."It is not your concern."

 Pain, unexpected, lanced through my heart; his face was closed and shuttered to me. "Well, then," I gasped, catchingmy breath at it. "Will you tell me why they spoke ofblades?"

 For a moment, he only frowned at me, then answeredreluctantly. "There is a prophecy that the Kingdom ofYeshua will be established to the north; further even thanthe Skaldi territories, and eastward. It is said that Yeshuitesin other nations have left already to found a new homeland.Some of the younger ones wish to follow. They believe that they will need carve it out with steel."

 "Very well." Regaining such composure as I could, Istrove to keep my voice from trembling. "I did not knowthat. Thank you."

 He nodded, expressionless, and made to close the door.

 "Joscelin," I said, halting him once more, unable to help the spite that crept into my tone. "My lord Delaunay con­tracted you because his man Guy was slain by a creature of the Stregazza. Will you allow me to go to this prince of theStregazza attended by a, a half-trained sailor," I cited his words maliciously, "or do you propose to attend me your­self, O Perfect Companion?"

 His face might as well have been a mask as he bowed,thekhai medallion swinging forward to clink against his crossed vambraces. "In Cassiel's name," he said coldly, "Iprotect and serve."

 With that, he closed the carriage door firmly, leaving me alone to grit my teeth against the threat of tears. Against all odds, I heard Melisande's voice in my memory, melodic andamused.Oh you protect well enough, but I'd ask better ser­vice, were you sworn to attend me, Cassiline.Elua, Ithought, stifling a despairing laugh, I wish she were here!No one else could appreciate the perverse anguish of mysituation. I wondered if she had known, when she sent the cloak, the havoc it would wreak between Joscelin and me.Most like she had, when I considered it; Melisande had beenthe first to perceive his feelings, long before I thought itpossible. She had laughed out loud, the first time she'd seenhim attendant upon me; it was the only time one of Delaunay's ploys truly caught her by surprise. Even at the end,when I stepped forward to reveal myself alive and give thetestimony that condemned her, she had betrayed less.

 Well, done was done, and I could not go back. In manyways, it was Melisande who united Joscelin and me, sellingus together into slavery to the Skaldi. Now her game thrustus apart, the cloak a gambit I could not ignore. And thewinding trail by which it had reached me led inevitably backto La Serenissima, and the coiled machinations of the Stregazza. I had a chance, now, to tease out some thread fromthat tangled coil in the person of the young Prince Severio.If I stood any chance of regaining Joscelin, it was on thefar side of that mystery.

 I could only hope he would still be here when I foundmy way clear.

 I had come to such resolution as I could, and set thematter behind me. Cassiline guilt and Yeshuite prophecies would wait; I had a patron to attend. But the memory ofMelisande's amusement stayed with me as I bathed andmade ready, and whether I willed it or no, a slow eagernessheated my flesh as I considered this evening's entertainment.Elua, but it had been a long time! If Severio Stregazza lacked the skill to play me as I deserved, still, his bluntanger would suit my mood.

 "Are you ready?" Joscelin asked curtly when I emergedat length, clad in a gown of deep blue velvet that made myskin glow like cream, my dark hair bound low at the napeof my neck with a fillet of gold. Ti-Philippe, who had of­fered to drive the carriage, stood nervously by. None of my chevaliers liked it when Joscelin and I quarreled; but I had gone well beyond that, in my mind.

 "I am," I said softly, settling mysangoire cloak upon myshoulders.

 "Let's go, then."

 So much the same, and so different, walking with Joscelin through the Palace, en route to an assignation. I did not thinkI would ever become accustomed to the inclined heads, themurmured greeting, "Comtesse." The whispers, though, af­ter I passed; those were the same. And Joscelin, austere anddisapproving—that was the same. It was only the reasonthat was different. That, and the fact that instead of theashen-grey garb of his former brethren, he wore sober liveryof black and green, the Montrève crest wrought small overhis heart, and hung about his neck, akhai pendant on a silverchain.

 No one, though, would mistake him for aught but a Cassiline. It was not only the traditional arms he bore—twindaggers low on his waist, the longsword at his back andsteel vambraces buckled on his forearms—but the sternness of his mien, the odd combination of rigid dignity and fluidgrace that marked members of the Brotherhood. In Montrève, he'd all but lost the habit of stiffness. It had returned,here.

 Idiot, I thought, and felt guilty at it.

 As the grandson of the Doge, Severio had brought a ret­inue of Serenissiman servants, and I was ushered into hisquarters with respectful greetings and sidelong glances.Ýsandre had granted her cousin fine lodgings indeed, Ithought, gazing around. I did not wonder at it, for Severio was the first emissary from her Serenissiman kin to ac­knowledge her since her coronation; due to the intervention of war or the bad blood between her uncle the Duc L'Enversand her great-uncle Prince Benedicte's descendents, I couldnot say, although doubtless the latter played some part in it.

 "Contessa." A servant in Stregazza livery bowed low tome, speaking in softly accented Caerdicci. All the city-states of Caerdicca Unitas speak the Caerdicci tongue, but it variesfrom place to place, and in La Serenissima, the faint, fluidaccent of the ancient Phoenician seafarers who founded herendures. "Master Severio will receive you presently," he said, taking my cloak and folding it over his arm. "Does your man wish aught while he awaits?"

 They did not call him Prince, then; his own servants. Imarked that as worth remembering and glanced at Joscelin,who declined the offer courteously. Serenissiman or no, asa direct descendent of Benedicte de la Courcel, Severio wasa Prince of the Blood in Terre d'Ange. It seemed his status as the Doge's grandson, while noble enough, meant some­what less in La Serenissima.

 Strange to remember how little I knew, then, of Seren­issiman politics.

 Another servant, higher-ranking to judge by his chains ofoffice, entered the antechamber and bowed. "Master Severiowill see you now, Contessa."

 He did not meet my eyes, and I wondered what awaitedme. Well, I would know, soon enough. I commended myselfto Naamah's grace, and turned to bid Joscelin farewell. "Beat ease," I said softly. "I will return anon."

 Joscelin nodded briefly and bowed, vambraces flashing."I will abide, my lady." His jawline was taut and there wasmisery in his gaze. "Elua keep you."

 Taking a deep breath, I turned back to the servant, "Leadon," I said.

 FIFTEEN

 What I had expected of Severio Stregazza, I cannot say;in truth, I had too little knowledge of the Serenissiman tohazarda guess. If I had, though, I daresay it would havebeen wrong.

 He wore the guise of an ancient Tiberian magistrate.

 It should not have surprised me, when I reflected later,from the benefit ofgreater knowledge; the structure of gov­ernance in La Serenissima dates back to the glory days ofTiberíum, indeed, prior to the empire. It is the pride of LaSerenissima even now that she is the sole republic amongthe monarchic city-states of Caerdicca Unitas. If I hadknown then what I know now of her, it would not havestartled me in the least that this son of hers chose to remind a D'Angeline courtesan that La Serenissima was a civilizednation while we were living in thatched hovels and scratch­ing cheerfully in the dirt. Until Elua and his Companions set foot on D'Angeline soil and called it home, bringingichor in their veins and arts and sciences ransacked from Heaven, we were no different than the Skaldi.

 Well, I did not know, then, the envy that other civilized nations held toward Terre d'Ange, although I had learnedwell enough the covetousness of barbarian realms. But I amNight Court-raised and trained by Anafiel Delaunay, and Ido not need to be told to follow a patron's cue. When Ibeheld Severio Stregazza seated in an ivory chair, wearinga Tiberian toga and a laurel crown on his dark curls, I bowedmy head and knelt.

 "Come." His voice was resolute, hiding only a trace of uncertainty as he gestured with thefasces he held, a bundleof birch rods bound with a scarlet thread. I knew it, frommy readings, as a symbol of the authority of Tiberium. "Ap­proach the dais and kneel, supplicant."

 He had had a length of carpet laid before his chair, dyeda rich crimson. I crossed it obediently, feeling my heart beatfaster at laying my welfare in his hands. Truly, there is noth­ing like the exquisite submission of surrendering one's willto one's patron! I sank down once more to kneel before him,abeyante;a supplicant's pose indeed, that I had learned asa child in the Night Court. It had been a long time indeedsince I had knelt to a patron's whim, and the feeling of itwas like a homecoming.

 "What do you wish of me?" His voice was harsh, strivingto overmaster his uncertainty. I raised my head and met hiseyes.

 "My lord," I whispered, not needing to feign nervousness.I must needs guess at his innermost desire, and if I guesseda-wrong, I would fail in Naamah's Service. "My lord, youhave been grievously treated by my countrymen, and they fear they have incurred your displeasure. I am here to makeamends."

 My words and the tremor in my voice pleased himgreatly; like spark to tinder, I saw the eager light of crueltykindled in his gaze. "You are here, then, to please me?"Severio leaned back in his ivory chair and smiled unkindly,keeping his sandaled feet placed just so, as statues of Tiberian magistrates would have them; one back, one placedafore. "Well, then." He gestured with thefasces bundle. "Rise, then, and let me behold you."

 I stood before his avid gaze, trembling as he measured every inch of me. Pressure beat upon my ears, and I heard from afar the rustling sound of great bronze wings stirring.If Naamah had sent me, my lord Kushiel would have hisdue. A flush arose on my skin as Severio stared, heat risingin my veins.

 "Disrobe," he said curtly.

 It is a monstrous thing, to find pleasure in such treatment;tears stood in my eyes as I undid my laces and shed mygown, letting it slip from my shoulders and pool at my feet until I stood before him naked. By now he had taken my measure, and his lip curled with scorn as he realized I had,indeed, spoken truly—I pretended nothing.

 ""What do you wish, D'Angeline?" he asked, taunting.

 "To please you, my lord," I murmured.

 Severio Stregazza's eyes gleamed with the knowledge ofhis power. "Beg me for the privilege," he said, "and I may allow it."

 To my mingled shame and relief, I did, the words comingfaltering at first, and then spilling from me in a veritabletorrent, until my voice grew thick with desire at my ownabasement. I knelt unbidden to kiss his sandal-shod feet;there is a Bhodistani caress called "teasing the eel," a wrig­gling of the tongue between the toes ...

 "Enough!" Severio's hand closed on my hair, yanking myhead upward. "Let us see," he said, breathing heavily, "howrepentant your people are." With his free hand, he twitchedaside the folds of his Tiberian toga, revealing his engorged and swollen phallus.

 Kneeling between his knees, I performed thelanguise­mentupon him, putting the whole of my art into the process.I daresay the young Stregazza had the benefit of his deal,that day; it had been a long time since I had served Naamah, and with lips and tongue and throat, I took him in as thefields drink in rain after a long drought, playing him for allI was worth. Twenty thousand ducats? It was a bargain. Hisbody arched hard as he came to his climax, his hand clamped hard on my neck.

 "Ah!" Severio cried out harshly, thrusting me away, histangled grip pulling my hair loose from the fillet that boundit. I fell sprawling on the carpet as he caught up the bundleof birch rods. "Do you think I am so easily swayed tomercy?" he demanded.

 "No, my lord." Gasping for breath, I licked my lips, saltywith the taste of him. "I sought only to please ..."

 "If you wish to make amends for your folk," he saidgrimly, slapping thefasces against his palm, "I requiresomewhat more. Do you say so, still?"

 I stared at the bundle of birch-rods, supple and cruel, smacking against his palm, and my breath came short untilI had to close my eyes. "Yes, my lord. Please, my lord."

 "Turn, then, and place your hands behind your neck."

 I did it, shivering, my eyes still shut, gathering up myunbound hair. I heard him draw a long, shuddering breath at the sight of my naked back, my marque in its full gloryagainst my fair skin. I heard the sound of him rising, and the faint swish as he drew back the birch-rods. Even with my eyes closed, I could see the red haze spreading, andbehind it Kushiel's face, stern and bronze. The bundled switches cut through the air as he swung his arm, and a crimson burst of pain slashed across my skin. I could nothelp it; I cried aloud in pleasure.

 "Asherat!" A curse or invocation, the word exploded from Severio's lips and the birch-rods cut the air again, flailing myback. "You ... D'Angeline ..." Again, and again, his voice,breathless; the pain, sublime. Locked behind my neck, my hands clutched each other, white-knuckled. "You ..." again,"will... acknowledge...my...sovereignty ..." Ah, Elua,Naamah, Kushiel! I drew breath, shaking, and heard myselfplead for him to stop, meaning it and not meaning it. "You like this, don't you?" Severio taunted, flogging mercilessly."You want it to end? Ask me again ..." Again, and again,lashings of pain, bursting exquisitely over my consciousness. My vision reeled, swimming in a red fog of pain, threaded bymy pleading voice and the slashing sound of the birch-rods."Again!" His voice, harsh and panting. "Tell me again ...how you want...to please me ..."

 What I said, I do not remember, only that I felt his handson me then, shoving my knees apart as he thrust himself into me and I wept at the release of it, hanging my headuntil his fingers tangling in my long hair and drew my headback hard, so I was bent like a bow. "Show me," his voicegrated at my ear, and I did, in a long, shuddering climaxthat milked the length of him as he pounded into me, myhaunches thrust back hard against his loins.

 "Again." His voice was merciless, his hands relinquishingmy hair, grasping now at my breasts, squeezing and pinch­ing. He was tireless, I had taken too much from him withthelanguisement. "Again!"

 Despairing, I obliged.

 Thus was my first assignation since my rededication tothe Service of Naamah concluded, and when it was done, Ifelt calm and languid, my mood as soft as the warm, moist air of a summer evening after a thunderstorm has passed.So it has ever been, since I was a child at Cereus House,whipped for disobedience, a delicious languor suffusing myaching flesh.

 For his part, Severio Stregazza was lamb-meek, purgedof his youthful rage and full of wonder at what had tran­spired. Solicitous as a lover, he laid a silken robe across my shoulders, mindful of the fresh weals that marred my skin, and aided me to his couch, calling for wine.

 "It is true, then," he marveled, laying a hand upon my face and gazing at my eyes, the scarlet mote in the left."That you are an, ananguissette."

 "Yes, my lord." I laughed softly. "It is true. Are you sorryto find it so?"

 "No!" His eyes widened, and he took a seat at the op­posite end of the couch, laughing. "No, not hardly, my lady.Tell me, are there others?"

 "Not now." I shook my head. "There have been, in thepast. Master Robert Tielhard, who inked my marque, heardstories from his grandfather."

 "What happened to them?"

 I arranged the folds of my robe about me in a more pleas­ing fashion. "The last livinganguissette I know of was Iriel de Fiscarde of Azzalle, who went willingly into a marriage of servitude to the Kusheline Duc de Bonnel to avert warbetween their Houses. A matter of D'Angeline politics." Ismiled at the servant who brought wine, ignoring his look askance at the deserted ivory chair andfasces bundle as he poured for us. 'Tell me, my lord," I said to Severio, sippingmy wine as his servant departed. "Do you truly despise usso?"

 He sighed, running his hands through his hair and dis­lodging his laurel crown, which sat rather askew anyway. "Yes. No." Regarding the wreath, he tossed it on the floor. "Say rather that my hide, rough Serenissiman stuff as it is,has grown thin in this regard," he said wryly. "I have beentoo often reminded of my inadequacies in comparison tofull-blooded D'Angelines."

 "I thought my lord acquitted himself rather well in com­parison." I smiled, watching him flush with pleasure. Flat­tery is headier stuff than wine, to young men. "Who is itdares say otherwise?"

 "Not honest Serenissimans." He drank half his wine at agulp, wiping his lips. "And not anyone here, in truth; it'sall looks and glances. No, if it comes from anywhere, itcomes from the Little Court, in La Serenissima." He caughtmy inquiring gaze. "That's what they call it, you know; mygrandfather Benedicte's palazzo and the D'Angeline hold­ings in the district." Severio's mouth twisted. "It didn't usedto be as bad when my grandmother was alive."

 "Your grandfather remarried, did he not?" I asked.

 He nodded absently. "Elaine de Tourais, she is called; anoble-born D'Angeline refugee from the Camaeline hills.Husband, father, even her brother, all killed in the first waveof Selig's invasion. Her family had a quit-claim on House Courcel. Somewhat to do with her father taking arms atBenedicte's side in some ancient battle against the Skaldi."

 "The Battle of Three Princes," I murmured; I had causeto know it well. My lord Delaunay's beloved, the dauphin Rolande de la Courcel, had died in it.

 "That's the one." Severio drank off the rest of his wine. "She's all right, I suppose; it's not her fault. She even took the Veil of Asherat, to thank the Gracious Lady of the Seafor offering sanctuary where Elua and his Companionsfailed her." He gloated a little, saying it. "But whatever store of courage she had, I'm afraid she used in fleeing the Skaldi.I'm sorry for her losses, but all the same, she wed the old man, and now there's rumor in the Little Court that he'sprepared to throw over the rest of us for a true-born heir.An heir untainted by base-born Stregazza blood, that is." He looked bitterly into his empty glass. "Did you know we traceour line back to Marcellus Aurelius Strega?"

 "An honorable lineage, to be sure," I said automatically."Your ancestors would be proud. Severio, if your fatherstands to inherit the Doge's throne, what do the machina­ tions of the Little Court matter?"

 "The office of the Doge is an elected one," he said simply."For a lifetime, aye, but the succession is never sure. If my father is not elected and Prince Benedicte withdraws hispatronage from the Stregazza, well, I'm just another Serenissiman lordling scrabbling for position. I'll be little better

 off than Thérèse and Dominic's four children, with theirfather slain and their mother imprisoned. Benedicte coun­ tenanced that, you know. My own cousins, and no hope of a future among the lot.”

 It gave me a chill to hear it. I was responsible for that, Alcuin and I.

 "Surely you have some inkling of how the election willfall out?" I asked him.

 Severio shrugged. "My father is well loved among theclubs of our Sestieri, my lady, but it is no guarantee, andless for me. He must needs court the approval of PrinceBenedicte, and that has been a shaky thing since Dominicand Thérèse's treachery was exposed. Meanwhile, my uncleRicciardo plots against him, rousing the craft-guilds. It isimportant, therefore, that I win some regard for my family on this visit. D'Angeline trade-favor has prospered La Ser enissima." He refilled his wineglass, looking rueful. "I've not made a good job of it, thus far. And a good portion of the funds my father allotted me to win favor among thenobles, well..." Gazing at me, Severio cleared his throat and flushed. "My father was very generous, but I do not know that he will consider his monies well spent."

 When I took his meaning, I laughed out loud. "Youboughtme with your father's goodwill purse?"

 "Ah, well. Not the whole of it, no." He fidgeted with afold of his tunic. "A goodly portion," he admitted.

 "Severio." I leaned forward, my eyes dancing. "Do yourealize there's naught else you could have done with thatmoney that would impress D'Angeline nobles more? Theywere laying odds on who my first patron would be! In onegrand gesture, you have acquired a status no D'Angelinewill ever hold. It is not my place to advise you, but believeme, if you make it known, you will be admired and enviedby the Palace entire."

 His face lit up, making him look younger and handsomer."You truly think so?"

 "I know it." I did, too. The stakes were different, when Iwas Delaunay'sanguissette, a delightfully decadent secretto be shared among peers with certain vices. The Comtesse de Montrève was a hotly sought prize.

 "Why did you choose me?" A thought struck him, andhe frowned. "Was it only the money? I thought it would be.That's why I made the offer so high."

 "No." I gazed at his scowling face and smiled. "I liked your anger."

 "Did you really?" Reaching for me, he drew me onto hislap so that I straddled him and began to open my robe, handslaying claim to my flesh. "Do you like me still, now that Iam not so angry?" he asked curiously, tugging his toga half-off. The blunt head of his rising phallus probed between mynether lips as his hands, inside my robe, slid up my welted back.

 "Yes, my lord," I managed to gasp before he entered me,his nails digging into my skin.

 Young men.

 SIXTEEN

 Severio Stregazza took my advice, although I did not hearthe whole of it until I returned to court. As had been mywont in Delaunay's service, I took some few days' leisureto recover from the assignation, after being tended by an Eisandine chirurgeon.

 It had been my intention to contract the Yeshuite doctorwho had tended Alcuin and me in prior days, but Joscelinobjected adamantly. I gazed at his beautiful, implacableface, thekhai pendant gleaming silver on his chest, and gaveway, too tired to do battle with his conscience. Let no Ye­shuite be offended by my nature; I would be tended by one of our own. Eisandines are mayhap the most skilled healersin the world, and I had no objection on that score. Delaunayhad trusted the Yeshuite's discretion; they do not gossip

 about their clients. I resolved the matter by setting Fortunto contract the dourest Eisandine he could find.

 Joscelin had said naught when I returned to him in Sev­erio's quarters; I daresay only we two knew the unspoken shoals that loomed beneath the surface of our cordial greeting. He had bowed, I had inclined my head, and perforcekept from wincing as my heavy cloak brushed against myfreshly-lashed skin. I have had far worse than I endured atthe hands of the young Stregazza and walked away with a steady gait.

 What Joscelin felt, I did not ask, knowing it well enough.The pain of the flesh is naught to that of the heart.

 Severio had come forward as my first patron, and allowedthe amount of the fee he paid for our assignation to be whis­pered in the corridors. This I learned from my chevaliers,who had it from the Palace Guard—nothing escapes theGuard's ears—and from Cecilie Laveau-Perrin, who paid me a visit during my time of recuperation.

 "Twenty thousand ducats, they say," she related, eyeingme speculatively. "Is it true?"

 "True enough," I said, laying aside another stack of pro­posals. The offers had risen considerably with this batch;some were outlandish. One L'Agnacite lordling promisedme a vineyard. "Do they say what I've done with it?"

 "No." Cecilie eyed me shrewdly. "I heard, though. I'veears still in the Night Court. You paid Favrielle no Eglan­tine's marque. Did you know it's said she was pushed?"

 "In the bath, when she split her lip?" I raised my brows."No, but I guessed as much. I grew up in the Night Courttoo, remember. When she said she fell, she recited it like a Yeshuite catechism."

 "It was a fortnight before the eve of the new-made adepts'debut. They have leave to design their own costumes, atEglantine." Cecilie picked up one of the proposals andglanced absently at it. "There was some dissent over the advantage it gave her, I heard. Jealousy is a cruel mistress.Who's the Baroness de Chariot and what do you want with a team of matched blood-bays?"

 I took the parchment away from her. "Nothing. But HouseChariot breeds very fine horses. In Kusheth. And blood-bays ... oh, never mind, Cecilie, I'm not accepting it. Whatelse have you heard?"

 "Are you feeling quite well?" Cecilie looked mischievously at me. "I think you should pay a visit to the Palace."

 More than that, she would not say, leaving me to learn itfor myself. I bethought myself of visiting Thelesis de Mornay, but an opportunity came quicker than I reckoned whenYsandre sent an invitation to attend a concert held in honor of a tentative reconciliation between her uncle, the Duc L'Envers, and the Stregazza family. Echoing the theme ofliaison, an Eisandine composer—music and medicine areamong the gifts of Eisheth—and a Siovalese engineer hadcollaborated on a concerto involving a cunningly wroughtinstrument of Siovalese design that used a bellows-and-pedal system to force air through myriad pipes of differingpitches.

 It made for a strange and haunting sound that was notdispleasing, full of odd harmonics. Seated toward the rear of a half-dozen rows of chairs, I listened with half an ear,my attention on the principles at the front of the salon. Tibault, Comte de Toluard—Marquis, now, as reward for his role in defending against Selig's invasion—sat beaming; an avid Siovalese scholar himself, he was also the engineer's patron. Many of Shemhazai's line are interested in suchthings. I daresay if Delaunay had been here, he would have wished to examine the instrument too. Severio Stregazzawas seated between the Queen and Duc Barquiel L'Envers, and I noted how Ysandre leaned toward him and whispered from time to time. She was as anxious, I thought, to have this rift mended as Severio was to acquit himself well.

 Barquiel L'Envers managed to lounge in his stiff chair,stretching his long legs before him. One might take it for irreverence, or not; I never knew with him. He had been along while posted in Khebbel-im-Akkad, and claimed to prefer its cushioned comforts. For all that, I would nevermake the mistake of reckoning him soft.

 Beside L'Envers, I was surprised to see Percy de Somerville, the Royal Commander, his son Ghislain and daughter-in-law Bernadette beside him. The last I had known, he hadbeen reviewing the strengths of the border guard in Camlach—the remnants of d'Aiglemort's men who called themselves the Unforgiven. No one had a stronger motive fordedicating themselves to the protection of the Skaldi bor­ders, having once betrayed our nation; but then again, Ysandre was wary enough to keep them under watch.

 If Percy de Somerville had returned, perhaps then so hadthose men posted on guard the night Melisande escapedfrom Troyes-le-Mont, I thought hopefully. I would have todispatch my chevaliers for a scouting expedition to the bar­racks.

 Less cheering to my eyes was the sight of Marmion Shahrizai in the second row, near enough to the Queen to murmurin her ear, as I saw, twice, he did. There was a youngishwoman seated next to him whom I knew not at all; slight, with an upswept mane of bronze-gold curls. She treated Marmion coolly, I saw, but I saw too a faint, amused smileon her face as she watched him address the Queen. BarquielL'Envers turned once and said somewhat to her, grinning.I thought that she laughed.

 When the concert was done, we applauded politely. The musicians—it had taken three to operate the instrument—bowed, and then the composer and the engineer bowed, andthe engineer invited the audience to inspect the instrument.Tibault de Toluard, for all that he must have known it betterthan any noble there, was first on the dais, his face aglowwith pleasure.

 For my part, I mingled among my peers, making pleasantconversation as servants circulated with wine and chilledfruits. I kept my eye on Severio, and marked how he greetedthe assembled D'Angeline nobles with unfailing courtesy.

 "Phèdre!" Ghislain de Somerville hailed me cheerfully."What on earth did you do to that boy?" he asked, laughing."I swear, you've transformed him! Five days ago, he wasscarce fit for polite company; now, he's well-nigh a courtdarling. How did you do it?"

 "Naamah's Servants keep her secrets," I said, smiling."I'm pleased to hear it, though. How is your father? Helooks well."

 "Hale as ever." Ghislain threw an admiring glance towardhis father, a stalwart figure with golden hair turned mostlygrey. "He rode the length of Camlach himself, midwinter,to inspect the garrisons there. I hope I've half his staminaat his age."

 "You've his gift of command, my lord," I said. "No doubtyou've inherited his constitution as well."

 Ghislain flushed, smelling faintly of apples. "You're kindto say so, but I fear I'm a pale imitation of my father onthe battlefield."

 I do not think it was true, although I am no judge; fatherand son had headed the armies that formed the hammer andanvil between which we caught Selig's forces, enabling theAllies of Camlach to breach their might. Neither would havesucceeded alone. Of a surety, Percy's brilliant plan had heldthe Skaldi at bay long enough for the Alban army to ar­rive—but without Ghislain's leadership, I daresay we neverwould have reached Troyes-le-Mont. "Say what you will,my lord," I said diplomatically, "but it is the two strong branches of House Somerville that upheld Terre d'Ange inher direst hour."

 "Well." Ghislain looked gravely at me. "It was a nearthing. Do not think I forget, Phèdre, your part in it. I would have tied you to a tree, had I known what was in your mindthat night, but if you'd not broken Selig's lines to warn thefortress ..." He shook his head. "You saved a great manylives in that battle, and mayhap our victory in the bargain."

 "Mayhap," I said softly; I do not like to remember thatnight. If I never have to live through its like again, it willbe too soon. I felt the ghost of remembered pain, the delir­ium of agony as Waldemar Selig's dagger-blade sheared myskin from my flesh, and shuddered. Even I had my limits."Kushiel's blessing is a dubious gift, my lord. I spent it as I thought best."

 "And I am glad you are here to say it." Smiling, he pattedmy shoulder—setting off a fresh wave of rememberedpain—and left me.

 Blinking away the scarlet haze that threatened my vision,I accepted a glass of wine from a passing servant, sippingit to calm my nerves. I nearly missed seeing Severio comingto intercept me, his face lit with pleasure.

 "Comtesse de Montrève," he said with elaborate formal­ity, bowing; his dark eyes danced as he straightened. "Istand indebted to your wisdom!"

 The memory of Troyes-le-Mont faded; I collected myselfand returned his smile. "It worked, then?"

 "Every bit as you said it would." Severio laughed. "It isa different land, this Terre d'Ange! I am grateful to you forplaying guide in it, as well as...other things."

 "As for those, my lord magistrate," I said teasingly, "Iam equally grateful to you, and we owe thanks to Naamah,if anyone, for the diverse gifts she shares with lovers."

 "So you say, here." He took my hands. "In La Serenissima, we do not speak of such pleasures. Truly, I thoughtmy spirit malformed, for entertaining such desires. For thatalone, I am grateful—" Severio broke off his sentence mid-thought, gazing over my shoulder. "I wish he wouldn't look at me like that," he said, annoyed.

 I turned and looked to see Marmion Shahrizai staring at us, a sickly cast to his ivory skin. He gave an ironic smileand moved onward, but not before I caught the look in hiseyes. It was fear. "You mean Lord Shahrizai?" I asked,keeping my tone light.

 "Oh, he's always about the Queen. I played batarde with him the other day, in the Hall of Games," Severio said,frowning. "When I made an outrageous bluff, he said thestrangest thing ... what was it? 'If she's sent you to threaten me, tell her I'm not frightened.' When I asked him what he meant, he brushed it off. What on earth did he mean by it?"

 I swear, my heart skipped a beat, and when it resumed, it pounded at double time. "Oh, it was rumored that hiscousin Melisande was in La Serenissima, under the protec­tion of the Doge," I said casually, horribly aware of the riskI was taking. It wasn't rumored, not in the slightest. Theonly incident to even hint at such a thing was a parcel thathad made its way to my doorstep, in Montrève. "So it isnot so, then?”

 "If it is, I've never heard of her." Severio shrugged. "Itcould be. I don't know the name of every D'Angeline nobleto seek refuge in La Serenissima's arms."

 "You would know this one, my lord," I said conserva­tively. "She resembles Lord Marmion, insofar as the sunresembles a star. And if Prince Benedicte caught word ofher presence, he would surely have her extradited, for she stands condemned of treason in Terre d'Ange. It was Lord Marmion betrayed her unto the Queen's justice."

 "Ah." Severio nodded understanding; he had, it seemed,a fair grasp of internecine intrigue. "Well, I understand hisfear, then, but his suspicions are misplaced. If his cousin isin La Serenissima, it's naught to do with me. Nor, I think,my grandfather the Doge. He is too canny to risk displeasingthe D'Angeline Queen."

 "Doubtless you are right," I said automatically, watchingMarmion make his way to Ysandre's side. Heknew Melisande was in La Serenissima! And he lived in fear of herretribution. It had been no act, that night at the MidwinterMasque; he truly suspected me of being in league with her.Marmion was playing a guessing game, the same as I. Wherever she was, it had somewhat to do with the Stregazza. Not Severio; I'd no doubt his ignorance was genuine. I'd seen him reveal his innermost self, and he didn't dissem­ble well enough to play the innocent. But Marmion didn't know that.

 Who, then? Lost in thought, I bit my lip and wondered.

 "I must greet his grace the Duc de Somerville," Severio observed, pulling a face. "I am charged by my mother onbehalf of Prince Benedicte to thank him for the company ofD'Angeline guardsmen he sent to attend the Little Court. Itseems my maternal grandfather grows chary of protecting his pure-blooded heir." He gave me another bow. "Phèdre,may I call upon you before I must needs return home? Justto converse," he added with a self-conscious laugh. "I havecome in these few days to hold a great regard for your ad­vice. Truly, it would please me."

 "You would honor my household," I said, smiling at himand curtsying. "Now go forth and be politic, Prince Sev­erio."

 He laughed delightedly at that, kissing my hands beforetaking his leave.

 "You must be considerably pleased with yourself." Lean­ing against a column, Barquiel L'Envers pitched his voiceto reach my ears without bestirring himself.

 "Your grace," I murmured, curtsying and wondering howlong he had been there and how much he had heard. "It isa pleasure to see you once more. I think often on my debtto you." It had to be said, even if it took me back to thefield of Troyes-le-Mont. I could not forget that, either. HowI had swayed, on my knees, blood-soaked and awaiting death, gazing at the terrible love in Joscelin's eyes as hebroke away from Selig's men to perform theterminus that would end both our lives mercifully. How that look hadchanged as he saw the portcullis raising beyond me, andBarquiel L'Envers and his Akkadian horsemen racing out toattempt a wildly daring rescue.

 "Save it for your patrons," L'Envers said. "You've madequite an impression on the young Stregazza, I hear, Phèdre.He was even gracious enough to allow the possibility ofpeace between our Houses, for all that his kin murdered mysister. Gracious, indeed. How do you think your lord De launay would like this day's work?"

 "I don't know, my lord." I tried to read him, and failed.Barquiel L'Envers smiled at me, revealing even white teeth.His pale blond hair was cropped short as ever, defying fash­ion for D'Angeline noblemen, and his eyes were the samedark violet as Ysandre's.

 "Neither do I," he said pleasantly. "On the one hand, theStregazza disposed of his nemesis in the form of my sisterIsabel; on the other, they posed the greatest threat to hissworn charge, his darling Rolande's Ysandre. It must havegalled him dreadfully to turn to me to set the balancearight."

 "If it did, he never said so."

 "And now we are all in bed together, so to speak." Barquiel flashed another grin at me. "Some of us more so thanothers. Ah, poor Anafiel! I do wonder whathe would havethought."

 "So do I, my lord." In the face of his prodding, I drewon the dignity of my grief, thinking with sorrow of my lordDelaunay. "I wonder it every day."

 "Well, we'll never know, will we?" Shrugging, the Ducstraightened. "Come here, Phèdre no Delaunay; I've some­one you should meet."

 Obediently, I followed him through the salon to Ysandre's side, where a small knot of folk weregathered. Thebronze-haired young woman I had seen earlier turned,giving him the kiss of greeting as if it had been days, and not minutes, since she had seen him. Scarce taller than I, she was some five years older and very beautiful.

 "Cousin Barquiel," she said in a naturally sultry voice,linking her arm with his and looking at me with interest."Who have you brought me?"

 Barquiel L'Envers favored me with his white smile, gaz­ing down at me with those lovely violet eyes; like theQueen's, like the woman whose fingers wrapped familiarlyaround his arm. "Phèdre nóDelaunay de Montrève," he said,sounding amused. "Nicola L'Envers y Aragon."

 I made a curtsy without thinking, the response automaticupon hearing the names of two of the Great Houses of Terred'Ange and Aragonia jointly linked.

 "Impressive, isn't it?" Nicola had the same unreadablesmile as the Duc. "Too bad my husband is a minor lordling,and a drunkard at that. But one does what one can for one'sHouse, even if one is a minor offshoot." Releasing Bar­quiel's arm, she took a step toward me, standing a littlecloser than courtesy dictated. I felt the familiar dizziness of being in the presence of a patron, and her violet gaze heldawareness of it. "Still," she said softly, "I think I might haY6an interesting time here at court, should I choose to stay awhile." Patting my cheek, she moved away in Ysandre'sdirection.

 I watched as Marmion Shahrizai struggled to choose between entertaining the Queen, and engaging the interest ofthis new-found cousin Nicola, who treated him so coolly.No mistake about it, what I had seen during the concert. She was playing him, and playing him well. I turned to look atBarquiel L'Envers.

 "What can I say?" He smiled and shrugged, opening hisarms. "House L'Envers is an ambitious one, and I made abad marriage for Nicola some years ago. It gained me tiesto the House of Aragon, but she's not prospered by it. Herhusband is a fool. Who can blame her, if she wishes to try her luck at home now that Ysandre is Queen?"

 The first and greatest lesson we learn in Cereus House issilence. I looked at Barquiel L'Envers and did not answer,until his smile faltered.

 "Anafiel Delaunay didn't do you any favors when hetrained you to spy, littleanguissette," he said in a low voice,and no one would mistake him now for anything but a deadly opponent. "He died through dabbling in the affairsof state when he shouldn't. Don't you make the same mis­take."

 I made my voice mild. "My lord Delaunay was murderedby traitors plotting to overthrow the throne, your grace. Doyou threaten me with the same?"

 L'Envers laughed harshly, wagging his finger at me."Don't even think it, Phèdre. I have a great deal of for­bearance for you, for what you've done, but it only goes sofar. There are questions unanswered in my mind, and I hope,for your sake, you don't hold the answers." With that, hemade me a curt, dismissive bow and stalked away, danger­ous as a hunting leopard.

 Staring after him, I thought of the questions unansweredin my own mind.

 SEVENTEEN

 You're sure." Joscelin frowned at me.

 "I'd stake my life on it. He's terrified."

 "Well," he reflected. "If Lord Marmion Shahrizai con­spired to free Melisande, why should he fear her?"

 "He wouldn't." Chin in hand, Fortun sat staring at thetwo-story plan of Troyes-le-Mont spread and weighted onthe table; markings indicating Melisande's room, the posterngate, the guards' positions. "Because he didn't." He lookedup at me. "Does it make sense any other way?"

 "No." I shook my head.

 "Then why did he kill his sister?" Fortun contemplatedthe map again as if it held answers. "That guardsman Branion, I tell you, my lady, he was sure of it. Remy and Ti- Philippe made no mistake about it."

 Joscelin and I exchanged a glance.

 "There are two possibilities," I said, holding up a forefin­ger. "One, your guardsman is mistaken, Fortun. And sincethis is the simplest explanation, it is the likeliest. Buttwo ..." I held up a second finger, "... 'Twas the other way'round. Marmion killed Persia becauseshe helped Meli­sande escape."

 "So?" Fortun frowned, puzzling it through. "If she did,and he learned it, why kill her? He gained the Queen's trustby betraying Melisande's allies, for Elua's sake. Why let this coin slip through his fingers? To kill his sister? He'storn House Shahrizai apart, with the rumor of it! Unless ..." He glanced up at us. "Unless he had no proof, that's why."

 "No." Joscelin leaned forward, folding his arms over his knees. He looked at me like in the old days, when our sur­vival depended on our ability to think and act together asone. "That's only part. You're right, he's no proof of it, butthere's still somewhat more. Marmion or Persia, either one, the same premise holds true. The guard at the postern gatewould have given challenge. There's still the unknown ally,the trusted one. Whatever Marmion learned, if he threatenedPersia with it, she would have threatened back, with some­what he feared."

 "Melisande," said Fortun.

 "He's scared of Melisande now," I observed. "It can't be that. It's got to be someone whose reach is closer. SomeoneYsandre trusts implicitly, whose mere word would beenough to condemn him. If Persia threatened him withthat... well, mayhap."

 "If he knew who it was," Joscelin said simply, "he couldtell the Queen."

 "But if he didn't," Fortun observed, "he'd be left with thechoice of calling her bluff, or—"

 "Or killing her," I finished. "He doesn't know. If he did,he'd not suspectme. And he does, believe me. He warnedme at the Masque, and he turned grey seeing me talkingwith Severio. I don't think he's playacting. He's feared forhis life."

 "How does he know Melisande is in La Serenissima?"Joscelin asked reasonably. "We only do because ..." Heeyed me sidelong. "That damnable cloak."

 "Which means a patron," I murmured. "If I knew whichone, I promise, this would be much simpler. Well, if Mar­mion confronted Persia, who knows what she told him? Enough to know that Melisande is well protected, here and in La Serenissima. Enough to threaten him, so that he wasmoved to kill her. But not enough for proof."

 "Why would Marmion suspect his sister?" Fortun asked.

 I pressed my temples and stared at the plan of the fortressuntil it swam in my vision. There, marked with her initials,were Melisande's quarters on the second floor. So littlespace in Troyes-le-Mont, we all slept two and three to aroom, except for Melisande. Ysandre had allowed her thatmuch, on what was to be her final night on this earth: Aroom of her own. Thelesis de Mornay's voice echoed in my memory, repeating the words she had recorded when sheinterviewed Ghislain de Somerville about that night.Bynow, my father had emerged, and assumed command un­thinking. He wasted no time in ordering a detachment tothe second floor, to Melisande Shahrizai 's chamber whereshe was confined. There, he found her guards slain; onewith a dagger to the ribs, and the other with his throat cut.The chamber itself was empty.

 A piece of the puzzle fell into place, with a satisfying sense of tightness and surety I'd nearly forgotten.

 "She never left Melisande's room," I said, lifting myhead.

 "You think ... ?" Joscelin stared at me. "Melisande."

 "Yes," I said. "Remember Selig's steading? People seewhat they expect. You put a wolf-pelt over your head andmuttered a few words of Skaldi, and Selig's folk saw oneof the White Brethren. It would take less than that for theguardsmen of Troyes-le-Mont to see Melisande as Persia.The Shahrizai are all cast from the same die. They saw adaughter of House Shahrizai enter alone, and they saw herleave. They saw what they expected."

 "Well, but how would Marmion guess it?" Fortun asked.

 I shrugged. "Look to the wolf-pelt. Whatever his sisterwore into that chamber, she didn't have it afterward. Theyrode into Troyes-le-Mont cloaked and hooded. I'd be willingto hazard a guess that Persia Shahrizai somewhere mislaidthat garment, and her brother Marmion took note of it. He'snot stupid, no matter if he's a match for Melisande or not.He'd guess well enough to confront his sister with it." Istirred. "Elua! We need to talk to those guardsmen. Did thelads have any luck at the barracks?"

 Fortun pulled a glum face. "No one who served that nightwas with de Somerville in Camlach, my lady, but most of his men are quartered in outlying L'Agnace. Do you want us to pay a call?" His face brightened at the prospect.

 "I think so," I said decisively. "I need to hear from Phanuel Buonard, who found the slain guard at the postern, andanyone else on duty that night. Anyone! Unless I miss myguess, Melisande was at large from three bells onward, andPersia simply slipped back to her own quarters when thealarm sounded, before anyone thought to check Melisande's rooms. Whoever thought they saw Persia in that time, saw Melisande. Ghislain de Somerville made no report of it, butsomeonemust have seen!"

 "Who killed the guards at Melisande's door, then?" Joscelin asked softly. "Did she do it herself, then, with nevera sound to alert the guard at the stair?" He placed a fingeron the map of the fortress, raising his eyebrows. "Is she soskilled with a dagger, think you? Or was it the unknownally?"

 "I don't know," I murmured. "Melisande uses peoplewell; it is her gift. I have never known her to dirty her ownhands." I met his eyes. "What do you think?"

 Gazing at the plan, he bit his lip. "I think," he said slowly,"I think it was someone very skilled with a dagger, to dis­patch two of Percy de Somerville's hand-picked guardsmenwithout a sound. If I were you..." His voice shook; hecleared his throat and steadied it, holding my gaze. "If Iwere you, my lady, I would ask who among the CassilineBrethren attended Ysandre de la Courcel during the siege ofTroyes-le-Mont. Because ... because that is a possibility soimpossible we never even considered it. But there were Cas­silines there. And we are human."

 Fortun sucked in a hissing breath. "Cassilines! If I wereposted on guard by Admiral Rousse, in the old days ... mylady, I'd never think to question a Cassiline! I don't knowas I'd even mark one's passing."

 "They carried intelligence," I said, sick at remembering."The length and breadth of the nation, working on Ysandre's behalf. Lord Rinforte, the Prefect, pledged as much, because no one would ever suspect the Cassiline Brotherhood of pol­iticking." I saw the same sickness reflected in Joscelin'seyes. "Joscelìn, you were one of them. Is there any Cassi­line, for any reason, who would support Melisande?"

 "No." He sank his face into his hands. "I don't know. Thetraining, oh, Phèdre! It goes bone-deep. But stranger...stranger things have happened, I suppose."

 "I will try to find out," I said gently. "But will you writeto the Prefect, and ask him? All I need are the names. Wewill do the rest."

 Joscelin raised his stricken face. "I'll ask," he whispered."You said...do you remember? Even if..." He made hisvoice stronger. "Even if it is so, you said you didn't thinkthe same person killed the guard at the postern gate, do youremember?"

 "Yes." My heart ached for him. "It may be...it may be another blind alley, Joscelin," I said slowly, not pointing outthe fact that he himself had been first to disabuse me of thenotion. "But we need to know."

 "I will ask," he whispered.

 Fortun had resumed staring at the plan of Troyes-le-Mont,a formidable scowl on his face. "The question remains," hesaid. "Why?"

 None of us could answer.

 True to his word, Joscelin wrote to the Prefect of theCassiline Brotherhood, though I knew it cost him to go beg­ging for information not rightly his to the man who hadcondemned him as a vow-breaker. Whether for spite or otherconcerns, no answer was forthcoming.

 Remy and Ti-Philippe rode to Champs-de-Guerre, wherethe Royal Army was quartered, with funds enough for athree-day carouse. This they did to the fullest degree, re­turning to the City of Elua with aching heads, empty pocketsand no more knowledge than before. The guardsmen ofTroyes-le-Mont had as good as vanished.

 I checked with Thelesis de Mornay, who had no recordof the Cassiline Brothers attendant on Ysandre during the siege; indeed, she looked at me with mild surprise, havingnever considered the matter. At length, I found an oppor­tunity to query Ysandre herself, broaching it in a sidelongmanner.

 The Queen frowned, pale brows knitting. "Honestly, Idon't recall. There have always been Cassilines about, eversince I was a child; I don't think I ever saw my father with­out a pair of them hovering in the background. One comesto forget their presence. Lord Ignace d'Avicenne was Secretary of the. Presence, he might remember. Or you couldask the Royal Archivist. May I ask why?"

 Her tone changed, with that last question; Ysandre de laCourcel was nobody's fool, and most certainly not mine. Imurmured something inadequate about Joscelin having aninterest in the matter. Ysandre was sensitive enough to thetroubles in our relationship not to pursue it, but her gazerested thoughtfully on me. And beyond her, just out of ear­shot, I saw that same interest mirrored in another pair ofviolet eyes.

 Nicola L'Envers y Aragon, whose presence at court trou­bled me.

 Taking leave of the Queen, I went to bespeak Lord Ignaced'Avicenne, and found him old and feeble in his wits. Hehad been Ganelon's Secretary of the Presence; Ysandre hadallowed him to retire gracefully after the war. He remem­bered the names of every nursemaid he'd had as a child,and not a one of the Cassiline Brethren who'd attended theQueen.

 I went then to Micheline de Parnasse, who was the RoyalArchivist. She had ten years on Ignace d'Avicenne if she had a day, but her mind was as sharp as Cassiel's dagger.She peered at me and spoke a few sharp words to one ofher assistants, a lanky young Siovalese lordling who grinnedwhen she wasn't looking, and treated her with the utmostdeference.

 One might expect dust and disarray in the Royal Ar­chives, where the records of a thousand years of D'Angelineroyalty are housed, but the place was spotless, smelling of sweet beeswax and organized within an inch of its life. Micheline de Parnasse's assistant followed her orders un­erringly; and halted, stock-still, in astonishment.

 "It's not here, my lady," he said. "The pages are missing."

 Her brows beetled furiously, "What! You must be looking in the wrong place. Let me see." Moving with the aid of a cane, she came to scan the shelf. He passed her the hide­bound ledger he'd withdrawn, and she examined it carefully,tilting it to and fro in the lamplight. At length, she looked soberly at me. "He's right. Three pages have been excised." Balancing the ledger, she showed me the sharp edges buriedin the spine where the pages had been cut. "Five years of Cassiline Brethren attendant on House de la Courcel, re­corded there. Someone's taken them out."

 Oh, Joscelin! With an effort, I kept my voice level. "MyLady Archivist, who has access to these records?"

 "Directly?" Micheline de Parnasse frowned, absently stroking the ledger as one might comfort a wounded child."Myself, and my two assistants, who'd sooner murder ababe in the cradle than tamper with the archives! The Queen,of course. And the Secretaries of the Privy Seal."

 I had been out of the City too long. "Who holds thoseposts?"

 She gave me three names, and I startled at the third.

 "Solaine Belfours? I did not know she held the honor still." Hastily, I gathered my wits. "My Lady Archivist, itis needful that these records be complete."

 "Yes." Distraught, she held the ledger close to her. "Yes,I will write to the Prefect of the Cassiline Brotherhood, and ask him to supply the information. Rinforte will know, theykeep records of their own. 'Tis a grave thing, to desecratethe Royal Archives!" She scowled, and I'd not have likedto be held accountable for the crime. "Rinforte will know.Do you want me to send notice when it conies, young... Phèdre, was it?"

 "Yes, my lady," I murmured. "If you please."

 I wrote out my name and address for her Siovalese assis­tant, who held the bit of parchment on which I'd written like it was a precious thing, and grinned at me. "Don't worry," he said. "We'll find it."

 So I left them, the Royal Archivist muttering in a fury,and her smiling assistant.

 I had learned a great deal in the pursuit of knowledge thateluded me.

 EIGHTEEN

 Gaspar Trevalion heeded my invitation shortly thereafter,paying a visit.

 A confederate of Delaunay's from the beginning, he wasthe closest thing to an uncle I had ever known. I receivedhim warmly, and bid Gemma fetch out our finest wine to serve. After I had poured for him and we were seated, afterhe had suitably admired the bust of Delaunay that everwatched over my sitting room, I asked him the question that had been burning in my mind.

 Gaspar Trevalion, the Comte de Forcay, frowned into hiswine. "Ysandre kept Solaine Belfours on because I inter­ceded on her behalf, Phèdre."

 Sipping my wine, I nearly choked. "Why?"

 It is a vivid memory for me, kneeling forgotten in a cornerat Solaine's country estate, while the Marquise paced theroom with gleaming eyes, switching her riding crop, anddeciding to accept the offer of the Lioness of Azzalle tocommit high treason and put the imprimature of the PrivySeal on a forged letter to the Khalif of Khebbel-im-Akkad.

 "Because she begged me to." Gaspar met my eyes firmly."Yes, I know. She was Lyonette's creature, and nearly acted treasonously on her behalf. But it never happened, Phèdre.You know it and I know it. Solaine knew it wouldn't whenshe asked Baudoin's escort as surety. Lyonette de Trevalionwould never have risked her son thusly." He spread hishands. "Lyonette was her sponsor, and a powerful one. Whatcould she do? She dared not risk a flat rejection. So shesaid, and I believe her."

 I stared at Delaunay's marble face and wondered what hewould have thought.

 "Phèdre." Gaspar's voice was gentle. "She was less complicit than my own cousin in Lyonette's scheme. I convincedYsandre to reinstate Marc as Duc de Trevalion in all butname, with his grandson's inheritance clear. I would havebeen remiss if I'd let Solaine bear the punishment HouseTrevalion evaded. She wasfostered at Trevalion, do youunderstand?"

 "Yes." I did, though I didn't like it. The ties of noblefosterage were complex and binding, second only to mar­riage; and maybe not even that. The bonds of matrimonycould be dissolved easier than the bonds of childhood debtsand loyalties. "I understand."

 "Good." His expression cleared. "Now, why is it that youask?"

 This, at least, I could answer honestly without throwingsuspicion on the present. "She was one of my patrons, mylord. And Delaunay did not trust her, but bid me watch hercarefully. He stood ready to intercept that letter to theKhalif, you know, had it been sent."

 "I know. And I stood with him. But it wasn't." His toneput an end to the matter, and we turned our conversation to more pleasant topics. I put a good face on it, talking lightlyof affairs of the Palace. But I could not shake my deepunease, as I did not think it was conscience that had movedSolaine Belfours.

 I did not know if it was conscience that had moved Gaspar Trevalion.

 That night, I told Joscelin all that I had learned, and hisface grew tight and drawn, the white lines forming. Hepaced the room like a caged tiger, splendid in his woundedanger. I sat quiet and watched him. Whatever I thought of the letter of Cassiline vows, I respected their nature. Jos­celin, outcast and anathema, in violation of the vows of obe­dience and chastity, had never, in his darkest hours, violatedthe central precept of Cassiel: To protect and serve.

 When at last he sat down and buried his face in his handsin despair, I stroked his hair, the wheat-gold strands that fell loose and shining over his strong hands where they coveredhis face.

 "Don't," Joscelin muttered, shuddering hard. He lifted hisface, taut with rage and anguish. "Phèdre, don't. I can't bearit."

 Neither could I, so I did the only thing I could, and lefthim alone.

 I was drowning, and no hand would reach out to claspmine. I slept ill, and dreamt, plagued by nightmares, wakingwith a stifled cry, my mouth half-stopped with gasping fear.I do not know what my lord Delaunay did at such times,when he was cast adrift in a sea of intrigue, bits of infor­mation all around like flotsam and jetsam, but none he couldgrasp, none that would bear his weight, no vessel to assem­ble. I was Naamah's Servant and Kushiel's Chosen. I castmyself on their mercies, and accepted another assignation.

 It has never been my wont to service more than one pa­tron at a time, but I suppose I could not help thinking ofthe Twins, Eamonn and Grainne, when I accepted the pro­posal of the joint rulers of the Marquisate de Fhirze. Whatmight it have been like, had the Lords of the Dalriada sharedme? Would it have balanced them all the same? I did notknow; I had never even wondered, before then. And I wouldnever know, for Eamonn was dead, slain on the fields ofTroyes-le-Mont, and his sister had carried his head home toAlba, preserved in quicklime. Well, and they were barbari­ans, but all the same, noble in heart and deed.

 Apollonaire and Diànne; no idle jest, the Hellene masks of sun and moon, but a play on their names, a long historyin House Fhirze. They were not twins—Diànne was elderby a year—nor barbarians, but quintessentially D'Angeline.The de Fhirze estates lay in Namarre near the Kushelineborder, where the blood of their House had mingled freelywith that of Kushiel's scions, but they were creatures of thePalace and wintered in the City of Elua. It was a tall, narrowhouse with many stories, and multiple windows on everyone, so peering sun and moon alike could illuminate its in­terior.

 One story entire was given over to their pleasures, and in truth, it was as well stocked with toys as any seraglio of theNight Court. There was a flagellary with whips and cropsand tawses, pincers and feathered ticklers, trasses and tra­pezes and suspension harnesses, andaides d'amour sheathedin leather and carved from ivory.

 And all of these things Apollonaire and Diànne de Fhirzeused on me, trading off in a well-orchestrated game, so thatI must needs please the one while the other tormented menearly beyond bearing. It was she who commanded thegame, I quickly discerned, but she reckoned on him to carryit, for though he seemed quiet and bashful beside her, hisstoic strength and endurance and prodigious endowment were near as obdurate as rock.

 Well, I am what I am, and after many hours, Apollonairede Fhirze sank trembling and exhausted to the cushions strewn about the chamber, his handsome face slack and empty, small muscles jumping in his strong thighs.

 "No more, Diànne," he murmured, his once-awesomephallus damp and limp against his groin. "Enough."

 "Elua!" His sister jerked hard on the pincers clamped tomy nipples, joined with a leather thong; a fresh wave ofpain lanced through my body, doubled and suspended as itwas. "Doyou say it is enough?" she asked ominously, trail­ing a pinion-feather along the soft skin of my inner thigh, between my legs, parting my damp and swollen nether lipswith the tip of it.

 One would think, after hard usage, the nerve-endingswould grow dull to such finesse. Mayhap it is true withothers. It is not true with me. I whimpered and closed myeyes, breathing the words of my response. "As you wish ...my lady."

 "Pfaugh!" With a disgusted sound, Diànne de Fhirzetossed aside the feather and loosed the catch on the pulleythat held me suspended; I dropped with a soft thud onto the cushions. "You disappoint me, Apollonaire," she said, going matter-of-factly about unfastening the leather shackles thatbound my wrists and ankles, and the pincers as well.

 Recumbent on cushions, he smiled at her with sweet con­tentment. "Do I?"

 She ignored him, laughing and toying with my hair. "You,though...No one, man or woman, has ever outlasted mybrother. No wonder the Dalriada went to war for you!"

 Catching my breath a bit, I drew myself up to kneel and compose myself. "The story is somewhat exaggerated, my lady."

 "All the best stories are," she said idly, reclining and eye­ing me. "Tell me, Comtesse, what will you choose as a patron-gift? We have thrown open the coffers of Fhirze forthis assignation, but I would not slight the traditions of Naamah." Diànne gestured with one languid arm. "Anything you wish, in this house, is yours. Only you must name it.It is something indeed, to ride Apollonaire de Fhirze to ex­haustion."

 I gathered up my tumbled locks, raising my arms to liftmy bare breasts, tossing my hair back so it fell dark andserpentine down the length of my back, obscuring mymarque. "If you would honor Naamah in my name," I said,"make a gift to her Temple. For myself..." I smiled, "...I will bear the marks of your remembrance on my skin."

 "Is it true that you were a spy?" Apollonaire asked sud­denly. "Even in Naamah's Service?"

 "Yes." Sitting on my heels, I looked gravely at him. "Itis true."

 He leaned on one elbow, face alight with interest. "Whatwould you do, then, if you were spying on us?"

 "Well, my lord." The question amused me, coming froma patron I had chosen wholly without regard to the arts ofcovertcy; which is likely why I answered it honestly. "Iknow of no intrigue coming out of Fhirze, but you are well-placed at the Palace, and like to hear gossip, especially since there are the two of you, and no doubt you mull over each day's gleanings together. If there was somewhat I wished toknow, like as not I would sound you out."

 "Such as what?" Diànne looked as interested as herbrother. I had never reckoned, till now, the erotic potentialmy former—for all they knew—calling held for my patrons.I smiled and shrugged, turning my hands palm-up on mythighs.

 "Nicola L'Envers y Aragon," I said casually. "Her interestin Marmion Shahrizai is passing strange, is it not? He sethimself for the Queen, but she has turned his head."

 "Nicola!" Diànne and her brother exchanged glances, andshe laughed. "She hasn't a centime to her name, did youknow it? It all went to her husband, through Aragonian law, and what he's not drunk, he's squandered. Whatever she's about, the Duc L'Envers put her up to it, and no mistake.'Tis rumored that he's invested heavily in the tin tradeeveryone says will come out of Alba. It's in his interest tokeep the Queen and her Pictish King sweet, with no schem­ing Shahrizai between them."

 If I thought Barquiel L'Envers' schemes boiled down tomere commerce, I'd have slept easier at night. "Coin forher, and tin for him. Well, then, I would have learned some­what." I shrugged again, and smiled ruefully. "But it wouldtake my lord Anafiel Delaunay to make sense of it."

 "I could tell you somewhat." Apollonaire sat up cross-legged, heedless of his own magnificent nudity. "Though Iknelt demurely, I could not help but eye him. I had chosenwell, with these two. "The Comte ... the Duc, that is, Percyde Somerville, is not so happy as he seems with the Queen's trust in the Unforgiven. I overheard him quarrelling with Ghislain. He is not so inclined as his son and the Queen totrust in the loyalty of the Black Shields!"

 "My lord Delaunay would have found that interesting," I murmured. Itwas interesting. Would Ghislain plot with the former Allies of Camlach? Would Percy plot against them?Or was it naught but father-son rivalry? Ghislain had riddenwith Isidore d'Aiglemort, the consummate traitor and ulti­mate hero of Troyes-le-Mont. So had I. Percy had not. Itwas interesting. So was the Marquis de Fhirze, who beamedat me, proud of his revelation, his sizeable phallus beginningto stir to life.

 I felt my arms caught from behind in an unexpectedlystrong grip, elbows drawn together. Diànne's breasts pressedagainst my back, her voice laughing at my ear. "It seems,"she whispered, "my brother is not so tired as he thought.

 Your Delaunay's machinations are an inspiration to the sci­ons of Naamah!"

 So it seemed, for I continued to inspire them for a goodwhile longer.

 One does not reckon, at such times, the cost to one'slimbs and joints; there is a limit to the pliancy of the mortal form. I daresay I surpassed it that day, although I have keptmyself limber, ever since Delaunay first ordered Alcuin andme to study as tumblers. Still, it was a fine time, for brother and sister alike were wholly without shame in the arts of Naamah, and had honed their desires on the fine edge ofKushiel's cruelty. Some things I learned, and it accom­plished what I set out, purging my mind for a time of itsendless workings.

 For all of that, my bed was still lonely when I went tosleep at the end of the day, and I still woke shuddering from nightmares.

 NINETEEN

 Winter spun out its length in grey, dreary days, chill windand bluster, and only sometimes a snow that transformed the City into a vista of pristine whiteness, shining towers and icy minarets. I had become quite the fashion by thistime, and I accepted assignations as readily as my swift-healing flesh allowed, choosing sometimes at whim and sometimes out of covert interest, so that no pattern mightbe discerned in my choices. My patrons were noble-born,scions of Elua and his Companions, diverse in their desires, and not a one displeasing to me.

 Everything I had dreamed of having as a young adept in Delaunay's service, I had. Poets wrote odes in my honor,praising my beauty and charms; indeed, one slept threenights on my doorstep, nearly dying of cold and exposure,until Fortun dragged him bodily to his home. My patronssent me gifts unbidden, curiosities and trinkets of varyingvalue. Of money, I had no want; it flowed like a river. Ipaid my retainers and servants generously, and my debt tomy glumly unsurprised factor. I invested in a Serenissimanenterprise, on the strength of a vague foreboding. I gave, quietly, considerable sums to Naamah's Temple, and madecertain a portion of it went to sanctuaries in Namarre dev­astated in the war, where a captive priestess had once given her body to win me a few precious minutes of freedom inwhich to warn the fortress of Troyes-le-Mont.

 I paid visits to Favrielle no Eglantine, who had taken tofreedom like a fish to water and designed for me any number of spectacular gowns with the fierce, focused joy of a geniusat work. And when I was not doing any of these things, Imet with the Rebbe Nahum ben Isaac and bent my mind tothe difficult tasks he set me, droning Habiru verses for hourupon hour, while he chewed his beard and glowered at me.

 And I was, quietly, unhappy.

 No more pieces of the puzzle fell into place, no matterhow I juggled them in my mind. No matter how diligently my chevaliers drank and diced and delved, not a singleguardsman from Troyes-le-Mont was found. No word was forthcoming from the Prefect of the Cassiline Brotherhood;not in answer to Joscelin's query, and not in answer to the Royal Archivist's. I gave myself up to violent ecstasies atthe hands of patron upon patron, all the while waiting andwatching and listening in that tiny, Delaunay-trained cornerof my mind I held back, but none divulged the key to make sense of it all.

 Joscelin and I spoke less and less.

 Somewhere, Melisande was laughing.

 I thought a great deal of Hyacinthe in those days, andsometimes I missed him so terribly I ached with it. It hadbeen our youthful dream, he and I: The Queen of Courtesansand the Prince of Travellers. Well, I was living it, but ashared dream half-lived is a hollow thing. I used to tell him everything. I could not even count the hours we spent in the Cockerel, puzzling out the mystery of Anafiel Delaunay,putting the pieces together, trying to guess at the patternsthat emerged. He had always wanted to hear it all, myguesses and speculations; and the tales of my patrons, their wants and foibles, listening while his black Tsingano eyesdanced merrily, his white grin flashing at the good parts.

 Sometimes I felt as alone and islanded as he.

 I had my chevaliers, it is true, and their ever-burgeoning,swaggering pride; Remy and Ti-Philippe, at least. Fortunwas always steadier. I used to gaze at him, sometimes, andthe way his dark hair curled on his brow, and thought oftaking him as a lover. Thought, and chose not to, time andagain. I liked Fortun, very much, and trusted him not a little.

 But he did not make me laugh. And there was Joscelin.

 One day our paths crossed at the yeshiva, although heknew it not. The Rebbe had sent for me, and Ti-Philippehad driven me; I gave him leave to dally at a nearby wi­neshop while my lesson was concluded. It was a long ordealand draining; I saw in the Rebbe's eyes the mingled prideand despair, that a pupil of his should exceed so well, andhave so little faith. And, too, I was hearing tales by then spoken openly in D'Angeline circles of the schism amongthe Yeshuites. I had not forgotten what I saw in the court­ yard, the young men with swords at their hips, arguingfiercely in Habiru for harsh glory to be won in a far-offland.

 The Rebbe dismissed me that day, lowering his hoary oldhead with weariness. I went quietly, stooping to kiss hiswithered cheek and seeing myself out of the yeshiva to awaitTi-Philippe's return. I knew the way well, by then.

 Impossible to mistake a D'Angeline voice in that place,even in hushed tones.

 I have not forgotten my earliest training. I can move si­lently when I choose, and make myself as unobtrusive as ashadow. With noiseless steps, I followed the thread of Joscelin's voice, until I came nigh upon them, conversing in

 urgent tones in an empty study chamber. I had heard herspeak before; it needed only once, for my memory. A youngwoman's voice, speaking softly accented D'Angeline. Shetaught the children, and had given him akhai pendant.

 Hanna, her name was. It meant "grace." I knew, because I studied her mother tongue.

 "Don't you see, Joscelin," she pleaded in her charmingvoice, "this pain, thispain you suffer, you cling to it; it isthe pain of separation from Adonai, who is Lord of us all!You have only to make an offering of this pain, lay it uponthe altar of Yeshua, and He will take it away. Can you not see it?"

 Joscelin's voice was tense. "You speak of it as if it werea thing separate from me. It is not. I am Cassiel's, andvowed to his service. It is all that I am, this pain."

 "Do you think Adonai would demand less?" Her voicetook on passion, the shaking passion of a true believer."Your pain is your pride; do not think He does not see that!But He is compassionate, and loves you all the more for it. I tell you, the Mashiach lived and suffered, to redeem thepain of us all. Would you belittle His sacrifice? Even so,He loves you, and awaits you like a bridegroom. There is a place prepared for you at His table, I tell you! And it awaitsus, so close we might touch it, not even beyond the gatesof death, but here and now, if only we dare seize it! TheDiaspora has begun, Joscelin, and Yeshua's kingdom lies tothe north. Will you deny, even now, your place in it?"

 "Yes." His voice was harried, and I heard his vambracesrattle against his dagger-hilts. If he had bowed, it must havebeen with unwonted awkwardness. "No. I don't know,Hanna! I must think on it."

 Another rattling bow, and the quick rush of his longstrides departing, carrying him away. I sank back againstthe dim-lit wall, and he never saw me; all the turmoil he felt reflected in his face. I heard her sigh, and make readyto leave.

 I stepped into the hallway in front of her.

 Hanna's face changed when she saw me; guilt and defi­ance and passion all at once. A Yeshuite and a teacher, shewas, but a woman too, and one in love. I had heard as much,in her voice. I am versed in such things. "My lady Comtesse," she said defensively, drawing back a step and clutching her shawl at her throat. "We were but talking. JoscelinVerreuil is not your servant, when all is said and done."

 "No," I said softly, tilting my head to gaze at her. "Whenall is said and done, he is Cassiel's servant. And the godsare jealous of those they have marked their own. I ought toknow."

 "Gods!" The young Yeshuite teacher's eyes flashed, andher hand dropped from her throat, clenching into a fist."Whom Joscelin worships as a god is but the least of Ad­onai's servants. Will you condemn me for telling him so?" When I did not answer, but shrugged, turning away, sheraised her voice. "Comtesse!" Despair made her harsh. "TheRebbe has no knowledge that will save your friend. He playsyou for a fool, knowing that where you are tied out of hope, Joscelin will be bound out of loyalty. You may be a lostcause; but he is nearly one of us, now. It is said that if everCassiel the Apostate returns to the throne of the Almightyand bows his head to the Mashiach, Elua's Companions will follow. All rivers flow to the ocean in time, Comtesse. Ad­onai is the sea, and one mortal soul may turn the tide."

 Though her words struck like arrows betwixt my shoulderblades, I did not turn back, but walked steadily away fromher. She had told me nothing I did not know, where theRebbe was concerned; he had never pretended to have theanswer to Hyacinthe's riddle. All I required of him wasthe knowledge to pursue it myself, and that, he taught mefairly.

 As for Joscelin; well. Now I knew in full why the Ye­shuites courted him. It was his choice, still. Cassiel'sChoice, they call it, when a member of his Order choosesbanishment rather than abandon his once-sworn ward. Hehad made it for me, though I had not asked it of him. I hadwarned her. I could do no more. And perhaps, truly, it wouldbe different, when a god demanded the choice. I could notknow, but only grieve at the necessity of it.

 In the small courtyard, there was no sign of Joscelin, andthree sword-bearing young Yeshuite men set upon Ti-Philippe as he drew up in my carriage; laughing in Habiru,catching at the horses' bridles and snatching at the longreins, mocking Ti-Philippe as he perched in the driver's seat.Wrapping the reins about his wrist, my chevalier scowledand hurled a D'Angeline insult at them; one of the Yeshuitesdrew his sword and prodded Philippe's boot with the point of his blade.

 An anger I'd not known I was suppressing overcame me.

 "Gentlemen!" My voice rang out across the courtyardwith an icy contempt I didn't know I could muster. I stoodmotionless, wrapped in my cloak, as they turned guiltily."Let him be." Lest they were unsure, I added in flawlessHabiru, enunciating each word with chill precision. "Leavehim. Do you understand?"

 Swords were sheathed, the carriage abandoned. Theyoung men walked past me, sullen. The last turned, his facefull of loathing. "You would not speak to us so, in Adonai'scountry!"

 Mayhap he was right; I do not know. But this was Elua'scountry, and free by the grace of soldiers like Ti-Philippe, who had risked his life to beat back the Skaldi invasion. Ifnot for him and ten thousand like him, we would all beequally on our knees, baring our necks for Waldemar Selig's yolk and offering praise to All-Father Odhinn. I thoughtthese things, and did not say them. The Yeshuite glancedquickly from side to side, to be sure no one saw, and made a gesture, poking forked fingers at my face.

 "A pox on your witch-marked eyes!" he jeered, spittingat my feet.

 Men mock what they fear. I looked at him without an­swering, until his belligerence turned to unease and he shuf­fled, jerking away from me and hurrying to rejoin his companions, his walk turning to a swagger as they nearedthe yeshiva.

 Ti-Philippe came down from the driver's seat in a fury,swearing a blue streak as he yanked open the carriage doorand threatening vengeance.

 "Let it be," I said wearily, climbing inside. "Yeshua'sHouse is divided against itself; I will not add to their sor­rows. I owe a debt to his children." Remembering Taavi andDanele, the Yeshuite couple who had been so kind to Joscelin and me in our dire flight, I wondered if they werecaught up in this schism, and prayed not.

 I had money; I bought books, and read them, tracing withmy finger the lines of Habiru text. I slept ill at night andtossed in my sheets, waking fevered from dreams I could not remember. I read, and studied, and learned, and came no closer to answering the riddle.

 Hyacinthe.

 Elua, but I missed him!

 I suppose that my rootless sorrow made me reckless, al­though it may have been in part the slow-wearing frustrationthat arose from my stalled inquiries. Whatever the source,it was recklessness that led me to accept an assignation with Nicola L'Envers y Aragon.

 It was in the Hall of Games that she approached me,where I watched Fortun engaged in a game of rhythmo­machy with the Baronesse de Carvoile, whose mother hadbeen an adept of Bryony House. It is a game for which Ihave no especial gift, being the province of those whose strength of wit lies in dealing with numbers; I can play it,if I must, but I do not do it well. Fortun, who had neveronce laid hand to the board ere becoming my chevalier, showed considerable skill at it.

 Back and forth they went, placing their different-shapedcounters in varying progressions, according to varying math­ematical formulae, until I was well-nigh lost. "Ah!" mur­mured a watching connoisseur, as Estelle de Carvoile laiddown a sequence with surety. "A Fabrisian series!"

 I blinked, bewildered, seeing no correlation in the num­bers she played; Fortun merely frowned and countered withsomething called a Tertullian set. I can see patterns inevents, and behaviors—in mathematics, I follow slower.Still, I added my voice to those lauding Fortun's play.

 "A dull game," murmured a nearby voice, "for those whowould rather dally with somewhat other than numbers." Iturned to meet the violet gaze of Nicola L'Envers y Aragon,who gave me the lazy smile of a stalking leopardess. "Yourchevalier is skilled, Comtesse."

 "Yes," I said automatically. "He is." I eyed her sidelong."Where is your companion, Lord Shahrizai, my lady?"

 "Oh, Marmion." Nicola shrugged. "Sulking, no doubt. Itold him I'd not divorce on his account, and he is wrothwith me. It will do him good, in time. Meanwhile, I growbored." She laid the tips of her fingers on my arm andsmiled at me. "Do you know there is a term for your dal­liances, Phèdre? Hunting hyacinths, they call it, those peerswho have enjoyed your favors."

 "No." With an effort of will, I kept my voice steady. "I did not know there was a term for it." I did not need itexplained. Every patron knew mysignale.

 "Oh, yes." She smiled again, lazy and dangerous. "And no one has plucked one yet, I am told. Tell me, if I made you a proposal, would you accept it?"

 Something happened at the gaming table; a good-naturedcheer arose. Fortun had won. I stared at Nicola's violeteyes—so like her cousins', Duc and Queen—and weighedthe risks, making my decision in spite of them. "Yes," Isaid, calculating. What was it worth, to Barquiel L'Envers?"If it was fitting."

 The proposal came the next day by courier.

 TWENTY

 Along white cord sturdily-wrought of silken threads hung around my neck.

 "I knew a man in Aragon," Nicola mused aloud, drawingthe ends of the cord beneath my arms and crossing them atmy back, "who had travelled the spice routes to the utter­most east; the Empire of the Sun, they call it. They havearts of the bed-chamber as would interest even Naamah, hesaid." She wrapped the cord about my waist and movedbehind me, using it to secure my wrists together. "Of course,I'd not time to learn them all. But what I did was mostinteresting. Ah, yes, that's nice."

 Stepping back, she regarded her handiwork. I stood, doc­ile, half-bound and naked as she took up another length ofcord and set about securing it, from nape to waist andthrough my thighs, binding it to my wrists. I shifted myshoulders experimentally, feeling the friction of the cord be­tween my legs.

 "I'm not done," Nicola L'Envers y Argon said mildly,taking hold of the back of my neck. "On your knees, if youplease."

 I knelt, bowing my head automatically; the tension on thecord caused the silken length working its way between mynether lips to tighten, making me gasp. I raised my head,forced to kneel with back arched and breasts out-thrust.

 "Now," she said, satisfied, "you begin to understand."

 And then she set about finishing her work, binding my ankles tight together, and running the cord to knot it at mywrists. No matter how I moved, the cord grew taut betweenmy legs, slipping back and forth. Lest I mistake it forchance, she had cunningly tied a knot there, a small, hardprotuberance in the soft cord that taunted me, rubbingagainst Naamah's Pearl every time I shifted, causing me tobite my lip.

 It pleased her; it pleased her a great deal. I could not helpbut gaze at her, on my knees, my chin upraised by virtueof the cord's necessity. Nicola prowled around me, smiling,violet eyes alit with pleasure, a finely-made deerskin floggerin her hand. There were steel tips at the ends of it.

 "Do you like this?" she asked, almost tenderly. "Hmm?"

 "No."

 Her arm moved in a swinging, sidelong gesture, andstreaks of pain burst across my buttocks, my lower back,and my tied hands. I cried out and jerked against my bonds,causing the cord to saw into me, making my breathing rag­ged.

 "You lie, don't you?" Nicola brought the flogger acrossme in a backhanded blow, raking across my breasts; the painwas so vivid I saw stars, and Kushiel's red haze. "Don'tyou!" She struck me again. I tossed my head involuntarilyto avoid the blow, and the cord tautened against my efforts,tightening at the wrists, the knot between my thighs ridingup and down against the sensitive node of flesh there. Nicolalaughed, and trailed the flogger over my flesh; like an idiot,I struggled, bound tighter each time I writhed. The cords bitinto my flesh everywhere, and a throbbing tide of pleasurerose in me. "Fight it, then, and see if you may free yourself,"she taunted, striking me again. "Fight it!"

 Half-obedient, half-defiant, I did, until the cord drew so tight my hands were numb, and that knot, that little knot, rode up and down, up and down against Naamah's Pearl,slick with moisture against my swollen flesh, pleasuremounting higher the harder I struggled against it, until Isurrendered and cried out at the waves of pleasure that over­whelmed me.

 When I opened my eyes—for I had closed them invol­untarily—I saw the rich weave of Nicola's woolen carpet inches from me, and felt it scratch against my cheek. I'd notknown, till then, that I'd fallen on my side.

 "You may struggle all you like, but the result will never change," Nicola's voice said far above me, rich with amuse­ment. "What I learned, I learned well. What will you givefor your release, Phèdre nóDelaunay?"

 "Anything you want," I whispered, trying not to move.The least gesture set off fresh ripples of ecstasy, giving mefurther into her hand.

 Nicola crouched down, flogger in hand, her lovely,amused face close to mine. "What I want," she said, "is yoursignale.You have only given it once, I am told. To Meli­sande Shahrizai. Or was that only because you loved her?"

 Before the moment those words left her mouth, I swear,I was not thinking of it at all—politics, betrayal, the gameof covertcy, and Nicola L'Envers y Aragon's part in it all.These things I relegate to a small part of my mind, the only part I hold back from a patron, and think on afterward. Butwhen she spoke, a connection formed, and I did somethingI had never done before with a patron. I could not help it.I did not mean to laugh, but I did; soundlessly, barely shak­ing, lest the very act of it trigger further arousal. Nicola regarded me with startled displeasure.

 "Do you find it such a matter for laughter, Phèdre nóDelaunay?" she asked irritably, sitting back on her heels andgiving me a flick with the flogger. "Do Iamuse you so?"

 "No." I sobered, lying quiescent in my bonds and rollingmy eyes to look up at her beneath my lashes. "My lady,you tie a very skillful knot, and I am like to expire of in­voluntarily pleasuring myself if you do not release me fromthese bonds. If it please you to watch it, then you may doso. But I will not give you mysignale." Power is a relativething; she had been unwise, in letting me know what she desired to learn. "Tell me." I moved my legs and winced,as the knot shifted against me. "Was it Lord Marmion bidyou ask that, or the Duc?"

 With a disgusted sound, Nicola L'Envers y Aragon threw her flogger to the floor. "Itold him I was overmatched withyou!" she exclaimed, rising to her feet and pacing in an­noyance.

 Cautious to the utmost, I tucked my knees to my bellyand rolled to a kneeling position, legs doubled beneath me,buttocks resting on my calves. Moving stiff fingers, Iplucked at the knots that bound my ankles together. "TheDuc," I said, as if I were certain; I was, fairly.

 Nicola paused to cast a wry glance in my direction. "Youcould do me the courtesy, at least, of sounding surprised. And I thought you said I tied a skillful knot," she added, watchingme kick off the cords that had bound my ankles.

 "You do." I wriggled my hands and shrugged my shoul­ders, very carefully. "I can't get the rest on my own." Iprobably could, in time, but the pleasure it would provokewould cause a distraction I didn't wish to afford just now."Why is it worth my patron-fee to Barquiel L'Envers toknow if I once loved Melisande Shahrizai?"

 "Once?" Nicola raised her eyebrows.

 I knelt and regarded her. "My lady, she is indirectly responsible forthe death of Anafiel Delaunay, whom I loved,admired and adored. Beyond that, she betrayed me and soldme into slavery among the Skaldi, and committed treasonof the highest degree. Whatever I may have felt for her asmy patron, I assure you, it pales beside that."

 If we were in the Hall of Games, I would say that shehesitated, before laying the hand she had been dealt uponthe table. No matter; I had guessed rightly, when I guessedwho conned her into the game. "She spared your life, once,"Nicola said.

 "Does his grace wonder if I returned the favor in kind?"I asked, watching her face closely. I could hear Delaunay's voice, in my mind.What are the telltales of one who con­ceals information?Nicola exhibited several of them; eyelids flickering, her hands moving restlessly, busying herself picking up a flagon of cordial and pouring a drink. "I didnot. But if he suspects me ..."

 "He didn't do it," Nicola said brusquely, tossing off hercordial and setting the glass down hard. "And yes, he won­ders who did. Marmion Shahrizai was his first suspect. Youwere his second."

 I might have laughed, though I didn't. "And you have established Lord Marmion's innocence?"

 "I have established that Lord Marmion Shahrizai lives in covert terror of his cousin's retribution." Retrieving her flogger, she examined its braided thongs. "While you, who gave the very testimony that condemned her, do not seem partic­ularly concerned at the prospect. You know, I told Barquiel to let me play you a time or two, but no, he was impatient."

 "It wouldn't have mattered." The loops around my wristsreally were cunningly tied.

 "Probably not." Amusement returned to Nicola's voice."But I would have enjoyed it, all the same. And he's notlikely to fund another such excursion, now that I've botchedthis one."

 I gave up on the knots. "My lady, the fault is mine, andI will remand your patron-fee. My laughter was inappropri­ate and inexcusable, and I can only beg your forgiveness.”

 Nicola looked at me a long time without speaking, hergaze thoughtful. "Youdid suspect him, didn't you? CousinBarquiel."

 "Yes." I didn't add that I was not entirely convinced ofhis innocence. If there was anyone on my list clever enough to throw off suspicion by turning the tables, it was BarquielL'Envers.

 "Why not Marmion?"

 "I did, for a while. But..." I shook my head, forgettingthe ropes, and drew in my breath sharply at the resultingfriction. "You're right, though," I said when I recovered myself. "He's truly afraid." I shifted, trying in vain to easethe cord's tension. "Nicola, I swear to you, on Elua's name,I did not conspire to free Melisande Shahrizai."

 Her purple gaze continued to regard me. "Do you knowwho did?"

 "No." In one reckless phrase, I cast the dice. "Not yet."

 Why I risked trusting her with that much, I cannot say;it was born in part out of my abiding frustration and lone­liness, of that much I am sure. Then too, it is a matter ofpride to me that I have never yet misjudged a patron. What­ ever her motives, Nicola was that—she'd had me well inhand indeed, before mentioning Melisande's name. I watched her full lips curve in a smile.

 "I knew it would be interesting," she said softly, caressingthe flogger, "crossing wits with you, Phèdre nóDelaunay.It is worth the price of losing, to see how it is done." Nicolacircled me, letting the lashes trail over my skin, making meshudder. "This is what your patrons see, isn't it?" shemused. "This beautiful, abject flesh, trembling in supplica­tion. Forgetting all the while..." pausing, she raised my chin with her fingertips, "... that behind those great darkeyes, shining with tears, lies a subtle, calculating mind. It's so, isn't it?"

 "Yes," I whispered, trembling.

 "I like to see you cry." Cupping my cheek, Nicolabrushed her thumb along my eyelashes, then licked the glis­tening, salty wetness from her skin; Elua, I could have died!She truly was good. House L'Envers was Naamah's lineage,but there must be Kusheline blood in there somewhere. I'dalways wondered why their arms featured the bridge over the river of Hell. It was a good thing it was sufficientlydiffused in Ysandre; House Courcel was descended in astraight line from Blessed Elua. "But," Nicola said, jerkingmy attention back to her, "I will always wonder what elseyou are thinking when you do."

 In truth, I did not think a great deal after that; not then, and not for a time to come. I daresay Nicola got her fee'sworth after all. It is a considerably difficult thing, to thor­oughly please a patron when one is constrained to suffer unbearable pleasure at the slightest movement—and it isharder, too, to please women than men, who are simpler togratify. On this, Naamah's Servants agree; one is trained half again as long for it in the Night Court. Well, I havenever disgraced my training, with man or woman, and I didnot that day. But there were a few times when I had topause, writhing in my bonds, and Nicola's laughter rang inmy ears. She punished me with the flogger, then, which onlymade it worse.

 So it is, with patrons of mine. Naught pleases them sowell as the exercise of power; and by virtue of Kushiel's Dart, I am the perfect instrument for their desires.

 "Take it." Nicola laughed and pushed the purse backacross the table. "You earned it, in the end. I have no com­plaints of you, Phèdre; and it's Barquiel's money, after all."

 "I know." I smiled, but shook my head. "No, my lady. If I have made amends for my misstep, I am pleased. But I cannot in conscience take this fee."

 Toying with the purse-strings, she frowned. "You know I contracted you under false circumstances."

 "Well." I shrugged. "That may be, but I am Naamah'sServant still, and in her service, I erred. Naamah caresnaught for politics and espionage. I cannot accept this fee."

 "You really mean that?" She sounded surprised; I nodded.

 "Well, I would scarce say you failed her!" Nicola smiled,her eyes heavy-lidded. "Nonetheless, if I keep it, I will haveyour patron-fee still. Would you accept, if I offered?"

 I glanced involuntarily at the silken cords lying coiled andharmless on the carpet. "Yes," I said, my voice rough-edgedwith desire. "You do...you do tie a skillful knot."

 "Good." Nicola took back the purse, the matter settled. "Ramiro likes to be tied. My husband," she added, catchingmy puzzled glance. "But it's not nearly so pleasing a sight.You're a great deal more fun, and considerably more skilled.Besides, I never have the slightest interest in knowing whathe's thinking. And when you come to it, he's probably costme more than you."

 I had to ask. "My lady ... you didn't tie Lord Marmion,did you?"

 "No." She laughed. "I can play Valerian as well as Man­drake, if I have to. Anything, to get out of Aragonia for a time," A non-D'Angeline wouldn't have known what shemeant; I did. They are the houses of pain, in the NightCourt. Where Valerian receives, Mandrake gives. "I'd ratherthe latter, but..." She shrugged. "I am interested by variety.And the Shahrizai are... well, you know."

 I knew. "I wondered," I said aloud.

 "Yes, well." Nicola looked down, frowned, and met myeyes. "I'm quite sure he killed his sister," she said softly."Why do you suppose he would do that, if he were inno­cent?"

 I could have dissembled; I thought about it, an expressionof shock at the ready. In the end, I didn't. "She wasn't," Isaid bluntly. "I think she played a part in Melisande's es­cape, and Marmion knew it. His mistake was confrontingher. He didn't know who her ally was; I think she threatenedhim, and he killed her rather than call her bluff. Now he's well and truly isolated himself. He's right, to be frightened;I don't blame him for that. But he's an idiot to think it'sme. I don't hold that kind of sway."

 "Mmm." Nicola looked speculative. "I don't know aboutthat. Ysandre rallied her nation for invasion and civil war,on your bare word—if Marmion thinks she'd trust your con­demnation, he may not be wrong. Nonetheless ..." Shechuckled. "You and cousin Barquiel, all at cross-purposes,suspecting each other. It's Anafiel Delaunay all over again, with him! Just think, if they'd made peace earlier. All they ever wanted was the same thing; Ysandre de la Courcel onthe throne."

 "Mayhap," I said slowly. "But there was blood between them, bad blood. Edmée de Rocaille was a friend of Delau­nay's. And not even the Duc denies his sister Isabel was responsible for her death."

 It was an old story, that one; a portion of the puzzle Hy­acinthe and I had spent so many hours piecing together. Iwas not even born when Edmée de Rocaille died, who wasbetrothed to Prince Rolande. A hunting accident, it wassaid—but the girth of her saddle had been cut, and Edmée had a bitter rival in Isabel L'Envers, who bore no love forthe Prince's poet-consort, Anafiel Delaunay. Edmée de Ro­caille had been his friend since childhood. Although it cost him the favor of the court and nearly Rolande's regard, my lord Delaunay wrote a deadly satire about Isabel L'Envers,blackening her name. Since then, he and her brother Bar­quiel had been dire enemies. I was but a babe in arms whenRolande was slain in battle. As for Isabel, whom Rolandehad wed in the end, I remembered her death; I'd been achild, in Cereus House.

 It meant as little to Nicola as to me: She shrugged. "Andyour Delaunay's verses named Isabel a murderess on every­one's tongue," she concluded. "Well and so, it's naught todo with you, Phèdre, nor with me. What would you say, if I offered to help you? What would you have me do?"

 It was tempting; Elua, it was tempting! "Why?"

 "Because." Nicola frowned. "Because you're damnablygood at what you do, so good that I daresay no one elsewithin fifty leagues of the City even knows you're doing it. When this is over, Barquiel will ship me back to Aragonia, whether I will it or no, and my only hope of gaining stature lies in intrigue. That, and the fact that my cousin Ysandrede la Courcel retains her seat on the throne of Terre d'Ange.Is that reason enough?" She smiled, then, that heavy-liddedsmile. "Besides, it may afford another occasion for dalli­ance. And that would please me for its own sake. So tell me, what might I do?"

 I had been thinking, all the while she spoke. "Do youknow the Marquise Solaine Belfours?"

 'Tall and haughty? Secretary of the Privy Seal?" Nicolalaughed. "I know her. Why?"

 "I need occasion to question her, without her suspecting.If you were to hold a fête and invite us both ..."

 "I can do that." Nicola cocked her head at me and jingledthe purse with my erstwhile patron's fee. "With this. Will you tell me why?"

 "No." I shook my head.

 "Well, then." She glanced at the white cords, such simpleobjects, lying in limp and dormant coils on the rich-toned carpet. "If you will not trust me, Phèdre, I will not do it for free, I think. Such are the lessons of intrigue I am learning.If I do as you ask, will you give me leave to question youabout it? In a manner of my choosing?"

 I have bartered myself for aught other than money before;it was not the first time. I gave myself to the Duc de Mo­rhban in exchange for passage across his land. I would liketo say that I thought it over carefully, and weighed the gain; in truth, I followed her gaze and looked once more at those damnable ropes. "You may question me to your heart's de­sire, my lady," I murmured.

 "Oh, good," Nicola said cheerfully. "I was hoping you'dsay that."

 TWENTY-ONE

 Nicola's fête was considered a success all-round.

 My patron-fee was a considerable amount, though lessthan the twenty thousand Severio had paid. Still, it wasenough to throw an outstanding gathering. I learned, in thecourse of the evening, that Nicola was renowned in Aragonia for her hostessing skills. I'd not have guessed it, erethat.

 The fête took place in one of the salons in the diplomats'wing of the Palace, and it had an Aragonian flavor, with aleisurely meal featuring course after course of spicy deli­cacies, and a goodly amount of hearty red wine poured with a free hand by servants in Aragonian attire. Afterward came music and dancers, fiddles and timbales marking the beat,while women danced in flounced skirts; I daresay amongthe guests, only Joscelin and I recognized a strong Tsinganiinfluence.

 The highlight of the evening was a quartet of players Ni­cola had hired to stage a pantomime. Skilled performers to a man, they played out a D'Angeline version of the Ara­gonian bull-fight. It gave me a shiver, when the "bull"emerged; clad all in padded black, hose showing hiswell-shaped legs, but above the neck, a towering bull's headwith long, wicked horns curving high into the air. The pic­adors in their gilt-threaded jackets danced with the bull,prodding and whirling away, setting their barbed picks incleverly placed padding while the bull-dancer's steps grewslower and more deliberate, massive head lowering.

 And then came the matador, the death-bringer, carryingcape and sword, bowing and flourishing. I gasped along withall the others as the matador's blade flashed toward thebull's neck. The shining edge of the sword cut clean, shear­ing through the papier-mâché bull's head, which fell tum­bling to the floor. Out spilled an abundance of candies and trinkets, and the player's own human head poked grinningfrom the truncated bull-neck of his costume. Everyone ap­plauded, then, and skirmished good-naturedly for the spoils.Nicola smiled, and ordered casks of sweet, nutty Aragonianbrandy to be breached and poured all around, and welaughed and toasted her cunning entertainment, while theplayers bowed to considerable accolades.

 Amid the dancing and mingling that followed, I noddeda cue to Joscelin, who nodded in reply and waited as I made my way to greet Solaine Belfours.

 Her demeanor had changed not a wit since I had firstencountered her at Alcuin's debut; a little older, perhaps, but no less arrogant. Her golden brows arched, and shelooked down her nose at me as I greeted her.

 "Phèdre nóDelaunay... de Montrève, is it? You'vecome a long way from scrubbing my floors, little Com­tesse," she said coolly. I could not help but flush a little atthat; she had always known, the Marquise Belfours, how togall me. Among my old patrons, she was one I did not miss,and I was glad she had made me no proposals.

 "My lady," I said with all the sincerity I could muster,"we are both in service to her majesty Ysandre de la Courcel, and it does not become us, this ill will between us."

 Solaine Belfours gave a rather delicate snort of laughter."I would be more like to believe you, Comtesse, if you hadnot counseled her majesty to replace me."

 At that moment, Joscelin joined us, tripping over some­one's leg and staggering a little, sloshing the glass of brandyhe held, his face open and guileless. I swear, if I'd notknown better, I'd have believed him half-drunk. Some­where, my Cassiline had missed his calling as a player ofno little renown. Hyacinthe had guessed better than heknew, when he put a Mendacant's cloak on Joscelin Ver­reuil. "Forgive me, my lady!" he exclaimed, offering asweeping cross-armed bow and spilling brandy on her shoe."Oh, oh! Twice over, I beg your forgiveness!"

 Blessed Elua, but he was good! I would have kissed him,if he'd have let me; as it was, I bit my lip and made acourteous introduction.

 "Oh!" Joscelin said, widening his gorgeous summer-blueeyes at her and swaying on his feet. "You would know, then,my lady of the Privy Seal...my lady, I am writing a trea­tise on the history of the Cassiline Brotherhood and HouseCourcel, very interesting stuff, to be sure..." Swaying, heplaced one hand clumsily on her arm and peered at her."Pray, my lady, mayhap you would help me gather infor­mation?"

 Solaine Belfours shook him off, profound irritation refleeted in her mien. "Love of Elua, man, askthe Royal Ar­chivistif you've need of that hoary old history.' I've no timefor CassieJ's nonsense."

 "Pardon, my lady." Joscelin blundered backward a step,catching my eye for the merest second, a flicker of amuse­ment come and gone so fast I might have imagined it. Iwould have held on to that flickering instant if I could; caught it and held it tight to me. "A thousand pardons.'"

 Solaine stared after him as he went weaving into thecrowd, shaking her head. "I never thought," she said un­pleasantly, "that left to your own devices, your taste would run to dumb and pretty, Phèdre. Do yourself a favor, and root around in the archives, if you will, but stay out ofpolitics."

 Nicola was right; my patrons failed, time and again, to pay heed to what I saw, what I witnessed. And I had seen enough to know that the Marquise did not dissemble. Herirritation was unfeigned; howeversomuch I mistrusted her—and I did—there was naught she feared to have uncoveredin the Royal Archives or the history of the Cassiline Broth­erhood.

 Still, she had been a patron once, and I could not resistpushing. "As my lady bids," I murmured, curtsying; she did, after all, outrank me. "I did not mean to offend."

 "I swear, sometimes, you live to give offense." Solaine Belfours looked sourly at me. "But I will forgive your in­tervention with Ysandre, if you swear to leave well enoughalone. As you say, our interests lie in the same sphere. Allthe same, you ought to have a care, Phèdre." A curl ofcontempt shaped her lips. "If you think all of Lyonette de Trevalion's secrets died with her, you're twice the fool Ireckoned."

 It was an empty threat, made for the sake of taunting; I'dhave staked my reputation on it. I knew Solaine Belfours,and I knew it rubbed her on the raw that Delaunay had played her for a fool, and I the bait on his hook. Still, athreat is a threat, and I noted it well, bethinking myself of Gaspar Trevalion, who had stood surety for her.

 He had disavowed all knowledge and escaped all blame,when Lyonette de Trevalion's plan to put her son Baudoinon the throne was revealed; and indeed, it was my lord An­afiel Delaunay who stood surety for him, then. If Solainehad blackmailed Gaspar into aiding her, surely it was to dowith that. I put two pieces together and thought: Gasparknew. He knew of the plot, and said naught, even to Delau­nay. Once, then, Gaspar Trevalion would have been content to see his kinsman Baudoin crowned in Ysandre's stead. Hisloyalty did not run as deep as my lord Delaunay had be­lieved.

 Satisfied with my conclusions, I made her another curtsyand withdrew, finding Joscelin. He kept up his pretense well,unsteady on his feet with another glass of brandy. "Theywill be gossiping tomorrow about Phèdre's Cassiline," hemurmured. "And Solaine Belfours knows nothing."

 "Well, that in itself is something," I retorted. "And I havenever known you to care for gossip."

 Joscelin smiled wryly, swirling his brandy and loweringhis head as if to drink. I daresay no more than a sip of ithad passed his lips. "They talk about you, you know," hesaid into his glass. "They say you are somewhat taken withthe Lady Nicola L'Envers y Aragon, so much that you re­fused her payment. Your friend Apollonaire de Fhirze waspassing jealous." Raising his head, he gave a short laugh."And of me." His lips twisted bitterly. "He thinks I am the most fortunate man alive, it seems."

 "You would be," I said. "If you had his tastes."

 "Or his sister's."

 Why is there ever this perverse cruelty in humankind, thatmakes us hurt most those we love best? Mayhap there istime and world enough, in the blessed Terre d'Ange-that-lies-beyond, to play these games out to their conclusions,but for us, on mortal soil, there is so little time! And I, ofall people, was the least equipped to answer this riddle; I,who even now, in a hidden part of my soul, savored thedeep ache of the words Joscelin and I threw at each other, the pain of a lovers' quarrel magnified by the deliberate actof hurting each other. Who knows how long we would bebound to the wheel of life by these acts, doomed to liveagain and again in mortal flesh, until we freed ourselves topass through Elua's Gate? Yet even so, we do it, time andagain.

 "Come." Barquiel L'Envers' voice, light and mocking,slid between us like a blade. "Trouble among the Compan­ions' chosen twosome? Say it is not so!"

 With an effort, I erased my thoughts from my face tosmile pleasantly; Joscelin, forgetting himself, gave a smoothCassiline bow, hands settling watchfully over his dagger-hilts.

 "Your grace," I murmured to the Duc, curtsying.

 "If Ysandre doesn't stand on ceremony with you, I'llnot." He smiled, showing his teeth. "And of a surety, Nicolais not minded to! She'd not be the first beholden to me I'dlost to your charms, would she, Delaunay'sanguissette?"

 In truth, she would not. There had been Childricd'Essoms, before, and a minor lordling named RogierClavel. Delaunay had used me to get to them, and them to get to the Duc L'Envers. Neither of us had forgotten. "I donot think the Lady Nicola is lost, my lord," I said carefully. "Say rather she thinks we are about the same business, youand I."

 L'Envers rubbed at a scar on his chin, a souvenir of Khebbel-im-Akkad, if rumor spoke truth. "And you doubtit."

 I raised my eyebrows at him. "Don't you, my lord?"

 He laughed. "Ah, Phèdre! I begin to think Anafiel Delau­nay named a worthier heir than any of us suspected. Ithought Ysandre was mad, when she sent you to the wildsof Alba as her emissary. If I'd thought it was aught elsethan a fool's errand, I'd have done somewhat more to haltit. But you did it, didn't you? And yet." His thoughtful gazemeasured me. "Could you truly have watched her slain?"

 I didn't have to ask who he meant.

 Melisande.

 I didn't have to answer honestly, either, but I didn't trustmyself with a lie. I returned his gaze squarely. "No. No, my lord, if you must know; I could not have watched it. Whichis why I passed the night on the battlements of Troyes-le-Mont. If you do not believe it, question those men whostood guard that night, and learn it for yourself."

 Barquiel L'Envers gave me a wry expression and ran ahand through his short, fair hair. "I've tried, actually; or mymen have. They are singularly difficult to locate, the guards­men of Troyes-le-Mont."

 Joscelin started, and I glanced sharply at him. L'Enversdidn't miss it, looking from one to the other of us.

 "So you, too, have looked. Have you found them? Or,"he asked, pleasant and dangerous, "or have you hid them,hmm?"

 "Your grace." With an effortless motion, Joscelin steppedbetween us, and his hands rested lightly on his hilts. "I swearto you, on Cassiel's Dagger, that my lady Phèdre nóDelau­nay de Montrève had naught to do with the disappearanceof Melisande Shahrizai, nor any knowledge of the guards­men of Troyes-le-Mont." His voice was even, and deadly."If you would be her ally, then be so; if you would not, then do not impugn her."

 He had a couple of inches on the Duc, and the trainingof a Cassiline warrior-priest, begun at the age of ten. But Barquiel L'Envers was a battle-seasoned D'Angeline war-leader whose prowess had won the admiration of the Khalifof Khebbel-im-Akkad; and there are no fiercer warriors onearth than the Akkadians, ever since Ahzimandias, the Spearof Shamash, led his people out of the deserts of the Umaiyyat to reclaim the rights of the long-fallen House of Ur.

 "Don't swear on your daggers, Cassiline," he said calmly,"unless you mean to use them. And if you do, strike quickly,because I'll have your head if you don't. Well, we are at an impasse, it seems; perhaps allies, perhaps foes. Shall webargain, then, Phèdre nóDelaunay? I know one place noone has looked for the guardsmen of Troyes-le-Mont. Whatdo you offer?"

 I touched Joscelin's arm lightly, and he stepped reluctantly back. "What does his grace the Duc de Somerville say of his guardsmen?" I asked thoughtfully. "You arefriends, my lord. Have you not inquired?"

 Barquiel eyed me. "Yes, of course; do you take me foran idiot? He had given their command unto Ghislain, whogave them leave to expiate their failure by pursuing theSkaldi. That much is clear. Their return, howsoever..."

 "The Unforgiven." I bit my lower lip, unmindful ofL'Envers" amused glance. "Whom Percy de Somerville doesnot trust, and where no one has inquired."

 "Even so." He opened his hands. "What will you give mefor it in trade?"

 "Phèdre," Joscelin murmured.

 Sometimes, one must play at hazards. "A speculation, mylord; do with it what you will. Persia Shahrizai paid her cousin a visit that night, but it was Melisande who left inher stead. This is the knowledge with which Lord Marmionconfronted his sister. What she threatened him with in re­turn ..." I shrugged. "I cannot say, except that I think he killed her for it."

 His violet eyes narrowed. "Mayhap I will ask him."

 "And mayhap I will join the Unforgiven," I said dryly."Unless I think of a better way to question them."

 "Your usual methods seem fairly effective." He gave mean amused glance. "I am given to understand you've madea bargain with Nicola as well, in exchange for this night's entertainment. I might even claim it myself, Phèdre nóDelaunay, as 'twas my purse funded it in the first place, if you'd not convinced me to be wary of you."

 With that, he bowed and took his leave; I hastily closedmy mouth on my astonishment, in time to find my armcaught tight in Joscelin's grasp.

 "No," he said, his voice taut. "Not him. Phèdre, if you love me at all, promise me, not him!"

 I thought of Melisande sending the cloak and laugheddespairingly, my voice cracking on it. "And if he were theone? Oh, Joscelin!" I shook the tears from my eyes and caught the front of his doublet, a handful of velvet and thekhaipendant bunched in my fist. "What will you give mefor it in trade? If you love me at all, will you promise what I might ask?"

 "Don't. Phèdre, don't ask." With infinitesimal gentleness,Joscelin pried my hand loose; turned, and walked away.

 Watching him go, I whispered the words, knowing hewouldn't hear.

 "I promise."

 TWENTY-TWO

 After Nicola's fête, I prevailed on Remy to serve as mycarriage-driver and ventured out to pay another visit to theRoyal Archives. As it transpired, Micheline de Parnasse wasabed that day with an ague in the joints, and I spoke to herassistant instead, the Siovalese lordling.

 "Bernard." Having learnt his name, I smiled at him. "Tellme, truly; are no others than the Queen and the Secretariesof the Privy Seal allowed admittance to the archives?"

 Ducking his head, he blushed and mumbled. It took some doing, but eventually he confessed that at those times whenthe Royal Archivist's steely gaze was elsewhere, variouspeers of the realm had been known to badger her assistantsfor access. I made him give me names, and from what he could remember, it was a long list.

 Barquiel L'Envers was on it; so was Gaspar Trevalion,and Percy de Somerville. He remembered them well enough.None, however, had been near the ledger recording membersof the Cassiline Brotherhood attendant on House Courcel.Indeed, Bernard swore up and down that no one — no one! — had ever desecrated the archives on his watch.

 "What did they want to see?" I asked him. "Do you re­member?"

 He nodded, swallowing hard; the apple in his throatbobbed with it. "Some one of them at least asked after the folios on the trial of Lyonette and Baudoin de Trevalion.”

 Nothing for it then but that I must look through the folios,poring over transcribed records and supplementary materi­als. The letters were there—all there, insofar as I could tell. Letters written by Foclaidha of Alba to Lyonette de Trev­alion, the Lioness of Azzalle, plotting the invasion thatwould have put Baudoin on the throne.

 Baudoin, infatuated, had showed them to Melisande; evenworse, in extravagant, idiotic proof of his love, had given several of them to her. And Melisande used them to destroyhim, and any claim to the throne House Trevalion may haveheld.

 She gave him a farewell gift, though.

 Me.

 Well, and so; it was the past, and should have been overand done, if not for the endless intrusions of old quarrels,old betrayals, into the present. Whatever was there, if itcould incriminate one of those three, it was gone now, theallegedly watchful eye of Bernard of Siovale notwithstand­ing. Some one of them, he said; mayhap others. More thanone person had asked to see these folios. I had a good guessabout Gaspar's apprehensions; about the Duc L'Envers andthe Royal Commander, I could only wonder. And, of course,there were eight or nine others Bernard had named whom I hadn't even begun to suspect.

 "Thank you," I said to him, making ready to leave. One last thought struck me. "Bernard, my lady de Parnasse saidthe Queen visits the Archives, sometimes. Does she bring her Cassiline attendants, when she does?"

 "Of course!" His eyes widened. "Not that she'd come to harm, here, mind, but... she is the Queen. It is their swornduty to protect and serve the scions of Elua."

 "Have any ever come alone?" I asked.

 Bernard shrugged. "Oh, once or twice, mayhap, theQueen has sent one of her Cassilines on an errand. One mustmake allowances for royalty, my lady; even the Archivistherself would not turn away the Queen's Cassilines!"

 Alas, his description of the Cassiline Brothers he had seen in the archives was predictably vague; of middle years, dour,grey-clad. In short, it fit nearly every Cassiline I'd ever seen,save for Joscelin. "So you do not keep watch over them," Isaid, discouraged.

 "No." He blinked at me, puzzled. "Why would we watchover Cassiline Brethren? They're ... Cassiline! They, they ...you know. Protect and serve."

 "Yes," I sighed. "I know."

 Since there was no more to be learned in the Royal Ar­chives, I collected Remy from the wineshop where he wasawaiting me and returned home in a pensive mood.

 "You're back," Joscelin said flatly. "I was worried."

 "If you're so damnably worried," Remy said, eyeing Jos­celin, "you should have gone yourself, and left off your hang-dog sulking, Cassiline."

 Joscelin smiled tightly. "Should I not worry, then, thatPhèdre nóDelaunay entrusts her safety to dice-playing sail­ors without the sense to remain sober when warding her?"

 Remy swore once, and swore again, with a sailor's elo­quence, and threw a punch at him. Joscelin shifted his bal­ance, turning at the waist, and Remy's fist struck the wallof the entryway. Cursing and shaking his bruised knuckles,Remy drove his left elbow backward into Joscelin's ribs, forcing him back a step. Catching himself against the wall,Remy turned to face him, spitting out an epithet. "Sour-faced, vinegar-sucking cleric!" He threw another angryblow. With the ease of long training, Joscelin slid out of itsway, caught Remy's arm between crossed wrists, grating thesmall bones together, and with an effortless twist brought him to the floor, not disdaining to thrust a knee hard in hismidriff on the way down. I stared open-mouthed, scarce ableto credit the outbreak of violence within my own walls. When I gathered my wits, I shouted.

 "Joscelin!"

 He froze, and stepped back, raising his hands in surrender.Remy, swearing furiously, straggled to his feet, shaking his head like the dancer in the Aragonian bull-masque, ready to attack again.

 "Enough!" I was angry, truly angry. "Remy, I granted youthe title of chevalier at your Lord Admiral's request; if you wish to hold it, act the part. Joscelin ..." Glaring at him, Irapped the daggers at his belt, then flicked thekhaì pendanton his chest with my finger. "Live by one or the other, if you must, but don't break faith with both."

 He drew himself up at that, but I stood my ground.

 "This is my household," I said softly. "And I will not countenance violence within it, least of all from you. If youdo not like it, you may leave."

 Joscelin muttered something—I could not hear it—andstalked off. And even as I watched, Remy gathered himself to follow.

 "Don't." I made my voice flat and emotionless. "Have Iever given you an order? I order it now: Let him be, Remy."

 He stared at me and shook his head, his auburn queuemoving fiercely. "You're mad, my lady. I know you care for him, I do. But he'll break your heart, that one, grind itto bits against his cursed Cassiline pride."

 "Mayhap," I murmured. "And mayhap his pride willbreak first. It is between Cassiel and Naamah, who makeour mortal flesh their battleground. Either way, let be."

 Remy paused, then bowed stiffly to me. "My lady."

 I would have spoken to Joscelin afterward, and told himaloud what I had whispered unheard, in the matter of Barquiel L'Envers' interest, had somewhat else not arisen. Welearned of it in the morning, from the lips of a runner sentby Nicola L'Envers y Aragon, racing so quickly with thenews that he needs must double over on my doorstep,breathing hard.

 "Comtesse," he gasped, trying to straighten. "My ladybids me...my lady bids me tell you Marmion Shahrizai ischarged with murder!"

 I ordered water brought him, and by the time he had the story out, Fortun had quietly made ready the carriage. Itseemed that Barquiel L'Envers had wasted no time in pur­suing his investigation. Where House Shahrizai quarrelled among itself and feared to risk Ysandre's displeasure whileMarmion stood in her favor, the Duc L'Envers had no suchfears. Putting all his considerable resources to the task,he sent his men-at-arms on swift Akkadian horses toruthlessly question Shahrizai retainers and survivors of thefire, and gathered enough evidence to confront Marmion,within a scant fortnight of our conversation. When heplayed his trump card—my guess at Persia's role in Melisande's escape—Marmion turned pale as death, and Barquiel L'Envers ordered him taken into custody.

 All of this, I learned, and more. Outraged at L'Envers'inquiry, Paragon, Duc de Shahrizai, the patriarch of House Shahrizai himself, had left his estates for the first time infifteen years, riding toward the City of Elua the momenthe'd heard word of it, with a large retinue. And ifthat werenot trouble enough, Quincel de Morhban, the sovereign Ducof Kusheth, had gotten wind of the matter, and elected to lead a delegation of his own.

 It all converged at once, and Ysandre de la Courcel,Queen of Terre d'Ange, was furious.

 "What," she said succinctly, pacing the floor of her cham­bers and fetching up before Barquiel, "were youthinking?"Her eyes flashed violet with anger. "If this is a matter ofstate—and I have heard no evidence that it is so—youshould have informed me, uncle! And if it is not, then it is most certainlynot in your purview!"

 To his credit, Barquiel L'Envers never flinched; andYsandre's was scarce the only fury cast his way. In thecenter of the room, surrounded by the Palace Guard, stoodMarmion, glowering and shackled. Clustered to his rightwere the representatives of House Shahrizai, their Duc Faragon at the forefront. A black-and-gold brocade coat masked a barrel chest, but his face had that unmistakable beauty,like something carved of ancient ivory. His hair fell like rippled silver, caught below the nape in a gold clasp, and despite wrinkled lids, his eyes were the deep blue of sap­phires. A half-dozen Shahrizai faces, male and female, weresprinkled among the retainers massed behind him.

 No less menacing was Quincel de Morhban, a lean wolfof a man with a watchful look in his grey eyes. Despite themachinations of House Shahrizai, he retained sovereigntyover Kusheth, and was no one to be toyed with lightly—and Barquiel L'Envers had done just that, with his investi­gation. De Morhban's men stood at ease, as watchful as theirlord.

 In the face of all this, Barquiel L'Envers gave a lazy smile. "My apologies for the irregularity of my methods. But itis amatter of state, Ysandre, and your Lord Marmion Shahrizai is involved in it up to his eyeballs. He's been concealing knowl­edge of Melisande' s escape and whereabouts, which you ..."he bowed ironically to her, "... chose not to believe. Since Icannot prove that, I have proven instead that he was complicitin his sister's death, which matter neither his House nor hissovereign Duc thought worthy of pursuing."

 There were murmurs all around at that; a couple of theShahrizai surged forward. Duc Paragon raised one hand, andthey subsided. Quincel de Morhban narrowed his eyes. For my part, I stood unobtrusive as I could behind Nicola. How Ysandre had learned it, I do not know—never underestimate a ruler's network of informants within their own demesne—but when I arrived at Nicola's quarters in the Palace, there was already a curt order awaiting that I attend the hearing with her.

 "I've done nothing!" Marmion declared angrily, shifting so his chains rattled. "You've proof of nothing, for there's nothing to prove!"

 Barquiel L'Envers raised his eyebrows, and gave a coolnod to one of the Palace Guardsmen. Opening the door toYsandre's private hearing room, the guard ushered in the first in a long line of witnesses.

 There must have been over a dozen of them, all told; theguardsmen my chevaliers had questioned were among them.But too, there were maidservants and kitchen staff, stewards,hostlers, and most telling, a daring poacher's boy who'despied two figures fleeing the burning manor-house and rid­ing west on horses they'd concealed in the wood. It hadtaken him two days, but he'd tracked them to Lord Marmion's estate. If it had been aught but an internecine affair,he'd have sought an award for the information, but he fearedto come forward among quarreling Shahrizai, who were aslike to string him up for poaching as reward him. How Barquiel had found him, I'd no idea.

 Ysandre sat formally to hear the testimony, and her face turned unreadable as it wore on. Two Cassiline Brothersflanked her, upright and motionless, hands on daggers,nearly identical in their ash-grey mandilion coats andclubbed hair. They were fixtures, part of the trappings of royalty, as much as the gilded sconces and the elegant tap­estries. Small wonder, I thought, Bernard could not describethem individually; I was hard put to do it myself.

 I could consider such things, because it had grown evi­dent, long before the testimony ended, that Marmion Shahrizaiwas guilty. After the poacher's boy, his shouldersslumped, chains hanging slack from his wrists. I glanced atthe Duc de Shahrizai, and saw an implacable sentence writ in his gaze.

 When it was done, Ysandre spoke, her voice cool andmeasured. If ever she had cared for him, no one would knowit to hear her. "What do you say, my lord Marmion?"

 His answer, by contrast, was strained. "I didn't intend it."He gave her an agonized look. "I sent them, but only tosearch the manor! When yon steward summoned the guard,they panicked and fled, throwing down their torches." Mar­mion Shahrizai turned out his elegant hands, shackles clank­ ing. "I never intended a fire," he whispered.

 One by one, beginning with Duc Paragon, the membersof House Shahrizai turned their backs upon him. I pitiedMarmion his fear, a little.

 Ysandre's expression never changed. "And why, my lord, should we believe you, when you have done nothing but lie to us? It is far easier to credit that you set fire to your sister'smanor to silence her, lest she reveal your complicity in thematter of Melisande's escape. Of a surety, she is not alivenow to gainsay you."

 "No!" The word burst from Marmion's lips. Staringaround the room, he gave a wild laugh. "Who is it? One ofyou here? You, your grace?" He indicated BarquielL'Envers with a jerk of his chin. "You've done for me, sureas death! Or you, my lord." He laughed despairingly asQuincel de Morhban raised an eyebrow. "I trusted you! Ibetrayed my own cousin into your hands, for the promiseof the rewards my loyalty would bring. Did you and Persiause me as your stalking-horse? Was it naught but a plot within a plot all the while?"

 It could not have been de Morhban, I thought. He deliv­ered Melisande as a pledge of his loyalty, but he hadn'tfought on the battlefield. Ysandre never trusted him wholly,nor would the garrison of Troyes-le-Mont. The guard at thepostern gate would have challenged Quincel de Morhban,Duc or no.

 So I was thinking, when I realized Marmion's stare had picked me out of the gathering. "Or you," he said softly."How high you have risen, little Comtesse! To think, soshort a time ago, you were but a runaway bondservant con­victed of murdering her lord. Now, commoners bow in thestreets, nobles vie for your favors and you conspire openlywith a scion of the Stregazza. But I, I have not forgottenyou were Melisande's creature."

 "Enough." Ysandre did not raise her voice, but the toneof command silenced him like a hammer. "Then is it yourclaim, my lord Marmion, that your sister Persia conspired with an unknown ally to achieve Melisande Shahrizai's es­cape from Troyes-le-Mont?"

 "It is," he said grimly. "She told me as much, and that itwas worth my life to breathe word of it within ten leagues of the throne."

 "And you sought proof of this from her manor-house?"

 Marmion licked his lips. "A courier had come from the east. Unmarked livery, but there was... there was a stable-lad, who brought me information in exchange for silver. Hesaw the insignia of the Stregazza on the courier's bags. Ithought if I could learn somewhat..." He gave that laughthat was no laugh, tears standing in his eyes, and raised hisshackled arms. "I thought," he gasped, "I might not end likethis, Ysandre!"

 She looked at him without remorse, without pity. "Youshould have told us, Lord Marmion. We would have pro­tected you."

 "Would you?" he whispered. "From whom?"

 Having no answer, Ysandre gave him none. "Your grace,"she said crisply to Quincel de Morhban. "I am satisfied with Lord Marmion's confession in the matter of withholding ev­idence in an affair of state. As for the crime of arson leading to death, that is a matter for Kusheline justice, and I remandhim unto your jurisdiction."

 "Your majesty." Quincel de Morhban bowed, and turnedto Duc Paragon. "Your grase, these crimes fall within the demesnes of House Shahrizai. I am willing to give LordMarmion over unto your custody, do you wish it."

 Silver-grey hair rippled as the patriarch of House Shahrizaishook his head, never glancing at Marmion. "From thisday forth, he is no scion of my House," Paragon de Shahrizai said in a deep voice. "Pass sentence as you deem fit,cousin."

 "Very well." Quincel de Morhban took a breath, and ina formal tone, gave his judgement. "Marmion of Kusheth, for the crime of arson leading to death, you are herewithstripped of your title and estates. Your possessions shall besold, and the proceeds distributed among the survivors ofyour actions and the families of the deceased." Pausing, hecontinued in a different voice. "Whether or not you sentyour men to fire the manor, I cannot say. I don't suppose you can produce them to testify on your behalf?"

 A distant look in his eyes, Marmion shook his head. "Idismissed them from my service and told them I neverwanted to see them again."

 "Then I shall do the same." Quincel de Morhban pro­nounced his final sentence. "Exile."

 At a nod from Ysandre, her Captain of the Guard pro­duced a key and struck Marmion's shackles. No one spoke. He stood alone in the center of the room, rubbing his chafedwrists. The guards formed a double line leading to the door, giving him a cue to exit. After a moment, Marmion gave a soft, despairing laugh, and I thought I had never seen a manmore alone in the midst of a throng. He turned to Ysandre, and bowed. She inclined her head once, briefly, and Mar­mion turned, walking away. A pair of guards fell in behindhim. They would see him, I knew, to the gates of the City.

 Beyond that, he was on his own. I gazed at BarquielL'Envers, lounging against a column; at the keen hatred onthe Shahrizai faces scattered here and there. I did not thinkMarmion Shahrizai would live long.

 Ysandre turned her expressionless gaze on BarquielL'Envers. "I am still wroth with you," she said, although she abandoned the royal pronoun for the personal. "Andyou." The violet eyes turned my way. "I want to talk to you,Phèdre."

 TWENTY-THREE

 1 was some time cooling my heels, waiting on the Queen'sindulgence, imagining all the while the most dreadfulthings — foremost among them that Ysandre had taken Mar­mion Shahrizai' s accusations to heart. Indeed, Ysandre maywell have intended it, bidding me to wait in an antechamberwithout so much as a foot-servant for company. A nervous silence loosens tongues; I knew that much from Delaunay'steaching.

 When one of her Cassilines came to fetch me, it was notto one of her receiving rooms that he escorted me, but aroom in the Palace I'd never seen before; the Hall of Por­traits, it is called. The scions of House Courcel were prom­inently displayed. I walked past a long line of them, to findYsandre gazing at a small portrait hung in an out-of-the-way niche, near to the images of Prince Rolande and Prin­cess Isabel, her parents.

 "Pretty, wasn't she?" Ysandre asked by way of absentgreeting, ignoring my curtsy.

 "Yes, your majesty." Unsettled, I glanced at the portrait; a young woman with kind brown eyes and a gentle smile,rich brown hair coiled at the nape of her neck in a pearl-studded mesh caul. "Who was she?"

 "Edmée de Rocaille. She was to have married my father." Ysandre touched a brass plaque at the base of the frame thatgave Edmée's name. "Imagine," she mused, "how different matters would have fallen out, if she had. I would not havebeen born, and Anafiel Delaunay would have stood at myfather's left hand as his sanctioned Consort. You and Iwould not be standing here having this conversation,Phèdre."

 "Your father," I said, "would still have been killed in theBattle of Three Princes. And Skaldia would still have givenbirth to Waldemar Selig, uniting for the first time under aleader who thought."

 "Mayhap." Ysandre looked directly at me. "My motherwas responsible for her death, you know."

 "I know." I glanced involuntarily at the portrait of IsabelL'Envers de la Courcel, a fair, blonde beauty with herdaughter's violet eyes and a cunning mouth like her brotherBarquiel's. A cut girth-strap, a riding accident. Ysandre re­sembled her a great deal more than her father.

 "And now I have allowed Marmion Shahrizai to be sentto his death," Ysandre murmured, "Or at least, I'd not givea fig for his chances. Would you, near-cousin?" She glancedat me, and I shook my head slowly. She sighed. "If he dies, and I learn the cause of it, I'll have to mete out justice, andthere's another blood-feud in the making. It never ends. Andthe awful irony of it is, Marmionwas loyal, after a fashion.'Twas fear sealed his lips."

 "He did what he did," I said automatically. "Loyalty doesnot make right of it, nor fear."

 "I know that," Ysandre said impatiently. "Elua! Do youthink Iwanted to rule as I did? One has no choice, whenthe law is clear. But I think Marmion spoke the truth nonetheless. Phèdre. I am neither stupid nor blind. Did PersiaShahrizai aid in Melisande's escape?"

 I nodded, slowly.

 "Good." Her voice was hard. "Did she have an ally?"

 I nodded again.

 "Do you know who it was?"

 I shook my head. "No," I whispered.

 "Neither do I." Ysandre gave a short laugh and pressedthe heels of her hands against her eyes. "Marmion alwayssuspected you, but he wasn't there, when you and that half-mad Cassiline staggered out of the wilds of Skaldia onto my doorstep, while my grandfather lay dying, to give me worsenews than I could have dreamt in my darkest nightmares. Igambled everything on your bare word, Phèdre, and re­ warded you by sending you into even direr circumstances.I want, very badly, to trust you. And yet I am afraid."

 At that, I fell to my knees and protested my loyalty, tearsstanding in my eyes. I could not help it, then. What I said,I scarce remember; not everything, but it was a great dealmore than I'd intended. Ysandre listened, and gradually asemblance of calm came over her features.

 "You should have told me." It was what she had said toMarmion. I daresay she was right, on both counts. "Why did you tell my uncle instead? I did not think there wasmuch love lost between Barquiel L'Envers and the house­hold of Anafiel Delaunay."

 "It was scarce more than he knew," I murmured. "Nicola already suspected Marmion was responsible for killing his sister. He plays at some game with me; I wanted to see whathe would do. I didn't think it would be...this."

 "My uncle," Ysandre said reflectively, "had, to the bestof my knowledge, Dominic Stregazza assassinated on sus­picion of killing my mother. He is not a temperate man. Exactly how deep in it is my charming cousin Nicola?"

 "Not very." I shook my head, settling back to sit on myheels. "He uses her as Delaunay used Alcuin and me, onlyshe does it for amusement and money, and the experienceof the thing. I don't think Marmion guessed it.”

 "You trust her?"

 I shrugged. "I trust it is no more than that, with her."

 "And my uncle?" When I didn't answer, Ysandre gave me a hard look. "You suspect him, don't you?"

 "My lady." I spread my hands. "Barquiel L'Envers claimsto be protecting your interests, and I owe him my life. Butit is someone we all trusted." In the distance, but not out ofearshot, Ysandre's Cassilines stood on guard, features im­passive, at ease in the familiar stance, hands crossed above their dagger-hilts. I thought of saying more, and closed mymouth.

 "Why?"Ysandre asked aloud, frustration in her voice, staring at the portraits of her family line. Rolande, Isabel, Ganelon, Benedicte, Lyonette. House Courcel, in all its tu­multuous history, and off to one side, Edmée de Rocaille,who had been caught up in it and died because of it. So hadmy lord Anafiel Delaunay, keeping a promise. Ysandre wasright. It never ended. "Why would anyone who risked theirlife to save the realm risk everything to betray it?"

 I heard the Marquise Solaine Belfours' voice in my mem­ory.If you think all of Lyonette de Trevalion's secrets diedwith her, you're twice the fool I reckoned.

 A desecrated ledger in the Royal Archives; a folio perusedby unknown eyes. Condemning letters, written to Lyonette de la Courcel de Trevalion. Letters provided by MelisandeShahrizai. When had Melisande ever played the whole ofher hand? Never, I thought. Melisande had held somewhatback, and whatever it was, it sufficed for blackmail.

 The more I learned, the less I knew.

 At the far end of the Hall of Portraits, the door opened.

 "Your majesty!" The Captain of the Guard stood bowingin the open doorway. "Forgive my intrusion, but I thought you would wish to know. The outriders from Azzalle havearrived. The flagship of the Cruarch of Alba has beensighted crossing the Straits."

 "Drustan!" Ysandre breathed his name, and her entirecountenance lightened, violet eyes fair glowing. For a mo­ment, she looked not like a Queen, but only a youngD'Angeline woman in love. "Blessed Elua be thanked." All thoughts of intrigue temporarily forgotten, she looked downat me in puzzlement. "Phèdre, what on earth are you doingon your knees?"

 I wasn't sure myself. "Asking forgiveness?"

 "Name of Elua." Ysandre considered me. "All right,Phèdre. I need candour, not apologies. Fail in it again, and I'll consider my trust misplaced. Now get up, and help meplan to welcome the King. And while you're at it," sheadded, asperity returning to her voice, "you may tell meexactly what you were about with that young Stregazza lad."

 "Yes, my lady," I murmured, rising with the fluid motiondrilled into every prospective adept of the Night Court and casting a dubious glance at her Cassiline guards. "As youwish."

 I made a fair job of evading her questions, after that; itwas not so hard, with the news of Drustan's incipient arrival distracting her. Ysandre had not forgotten—she missed littleand forgot less—but she was more than willing to set itaside for the moment. For that, I could not blame her; her path to the throne had been a difficult one, and the crown lay heavy on her head. Lest anyone doubt that Ysandre dela Courcel cared for her Pictish lord, I may say, the Palacenever knew such a scouring as it received in the days thatfollowed.

 My skills as a translator were much in demand in those days, for naught would do but that diverse entertainmentswere to be staged in Drustan's honor, given in D'Angelineand Cruithne alike. It was sweet, after the long wintermonths of wrestling with Habiru, to turn my tongue to alanguage I knew well.

 Ysandre planned a procession to begin a full league out­side the City, and I rode out as part of her delegation tomake arrangements. Her Master of Ceremonies came him­self, fussing over plans for a series of pine bowers to archover the road. My part was easier, and I had NicolaL'Envers y Aragon to help me. Accompanied by a Guards­man bearing a great satchel of coins, Nicola passed out silver centimes to children and youths along the way with theinjunction that they gather flowers to throw in Drustan'spath, while I instructed them in shouting, "Long live the Cruarch of Alba!" in Cruithne. In troth, we had a great deal of fun doing it, and the day passed in laughter.

 Even so, I slept fitfully, plagued by nightmares, whichhad worsened since Marmion Shahrizai's exile. In an effortto take my mind from such matters, I took an assignationwith Diànne and Apollonaire de Fhirze, for between the two,nothing passed at Court nor in the City but that they heardof it. Most of their talk was of the coming arrival of Drustanmab Necthana; in those days, it was on everyone's tongue. But they heard other things, too.

 "There's a rumor Tabor Shahrizai has sworn blood-feud against Marmion for the death of Persia," Apollonaire saidlazily, winding a lock of my hair about his fingers. "OurMarmion hit the gates of the City and started running, they say. Some say south," he added, eyeing me, "toward Aragonia. Of course, some say he set out dead east, for Camlachand the Unforgiven. I heard there are Shahrizai hunting par­ties riding both routes. What do you say, sweet Phèdre? Didour fine Lord Marmion please cousin Nicola well enoughthat she would offer him asylum in Aragonia?"

 "I've no idea," I answered honestly.

 "Oh, I daresay Phèdre has other things on her mind,"Diànne said cheerfully, snapping a bullwhip for the sheer amusement of watching me twitch. "Arranging for theCruarch's processional and all. Not to mention the Yeshuite fracas. Your Cassiline's been seen with them, I hear tell."She examined the tip of the bullwhip. "A quarrel on theoutskirts of Night's Doorstep, and a Yeshuite lad of no morethan sixteen dead; the Baron de Brenois ran him through himself. He went to Kushiel's Temple to be purged of it, they say." She cracked the whip again, and I jumped halfout of my skin. "What are armed Yeshuites doing wanderingaround Night's Doorstep, anyway? Let 'em go north, if that's what their prophecy demands! Why cause troublehere?”

 That, I didn't answer, though I could have. They weretesting their blades and their courage, reminding themselvesof D'Angelina iniquities, summoning the resolve to splitaway from the greater Yeshuite community. Summoning theresolve—and forcing the reason.

 And these were the folk courting Joscelin.

 It worried me considerably; enough so that I dared broachthe subject with the Rebbe when he sent for me a day later.We read from theMelakhim, the Book of Kings, and he toldme the tale of the enchanted ring of the glorious King Shal­omon, that compelled the demon Ashmedai to build a tem­ple at his bidding. A word, a ring; tokens powerful enoughto compel. Somewhere was a key to free Hyacinthe, Ithought. For now, a tale only. When he was done, I spoke, couching my words respectfully hi Habiru.

 "I heard a boy was killed, Master."

 The Rebbe sighed heavily, exhaling through his copiousbeard. "Yeshua weeps."

 "I am sorry." I was, too.

 Rolling the scroll from which we'd read, Nahum benIsaac stowed it carefully in its cabinet. "You are a memberof the D'Angeline nobility, yes? Do they seek justice againstus?"

 "No." I shook my head. "It was a quarrel; the Baron de Brenois was provoked, and acted rashly. He is to blame,though there was no legal fault. The boy drew first. He isdoing penance for it," I added, meaning the Baron.

 "It is not enough for these children." The Rebbe lowered his head, resting chin on fist. "They are eager, and fearful. They seek to rouse their anger, that it might make them less fearful, and daring enough to break us in pieces. For two thousand years, the Children of Yisra-el have endured as a people." His deepset eyes measured the distance. "I fear forthe soul of my people, Naamah's Servant. There is bloodon our hands, ancient blood. Yeshua ben Yosef bid ussheathe our swords and turn our cheeks, awaiting his return. Now these children, these hasty children, would carve out aplace with steel to await him. It is not right.”

 "No," I murmured. "Master, you say the Baron's penanceis not enough. Do they blame us for the boy's death?"

 "Your D'Angeline pride, your arrogance, your lustfulways." Nahum ben Isaac looked gravely at me. "Yes, Naamah's Servant, they blame you. And yet you—" His laugh was sad. "To me, they will not listen, and you; you come,at my bidding, to sit at my feet and learn theTanakh anddream only of freeing your friend. What you do, the patronsyou serve...I know of it. We hear such things, even in theYeshuite quarters. It is an abomination to me. And yet."Reaching out, he laid his aged hand against my cheek. "Youare a good child, Phèdre nóDelaunay, and a good pupil. I have pride in you."

 No one had spoken to me so since Delaunay had died."Thank you, Master," I whispered, leaning against his hand."I do not wish to grieve you."

 The Rebbe withdrew his touch, tucking his hands into hissleeves and smiling sadly into his beard. So old, and somortal, he looked to me. "Ah, perhaps even Adonai saysthe same, when he considers his ill-begotten son Elua. I do not know, Naamah's Servant. But I fear in my heart, whenI think on the fate of my people. If your Queen will hear wisdom, counsel her to temperance. They are but children, who draw their blades."

 "I will." Rising, I curtsied to him. Still seated, he lookedup at me.

 "Your ... your Cassiline, the follower of the Apostate."He cleared his throat. "He comes no more, to sit at my feetand hear the teachings of Yeshua. When he comes, he listens now to the others, these children of steel." His eyes weredeep with sorrow. "It is true, what they tell him; it is proph­esied, that if Cassiel should return, Elua's Companions willfollow. But in my heart of hearts, I do not believe it wasmeant to happen at the point of a blade."

 "No." Swallowing hard, I made myself ask. "Rebbe ... was Joscelin involved in what happened the other night?"

 "No." He looked at me with pity. "Not this time. Butnext — who knows? If you love the lad, heed my words, andmarry him."

 I could have laughed at that, or wept. Instead, I thanked him, and left.

 TWENTY-FOUR

 It was a splendid day when Drustan mab Necthana rode

 into the City of Elua.

 Ysandre met him outside the gates, and I was part of the vast receiving party. All the banners of Terre d'Ange wereflying, uppermost the golden lily on a field of green, sur­rounded by seven gold stars, sign of Blessed Elua and his Companions. Below it, side by side, flew the silver swan of House Courcel and the black boar of the Cullach Gorrym,Drustan's line, Earth's eldest children in Alba.

 We saw them coming a long way off, and heard thecheers. An honor guard of D' Angeline soldiers flanked themon either side, riding helmetless and crowned with wreathsof violets and irises, parade-trained mounts prancing andarching their necks, violets braided into their manes. Therewere Alban war-chariots in the procession, covered inchased gold-work and shining in the bright sun, driven bymen and women both.

 And in the lead rode Drustan on his black horse.

 He wore the trappings of the Cruarch of Alba; the scarletcloak that spilled over his mount's hindquarters, the goldtorque at his throat and a simple circlet of gold pinning hisstraight black hair. Intricate spirals of blue woad decorated his features, entwined his bare brown arms. Drustan mabNecthana was unquestionably Cruithne, whom scholars callPicti and name barbarians. I could not help but hear murmurs among the gathered nobility.

 But along the way, the D' Angeline people threw a flurryof spring petals and shouted themselves raw in adoration,because Drustan mab Necthana had brought an army ofCruithne to our aid when the civilized folk of CaerdiccaUnitas wouldn't even muster a delegation to cross our bor­ders. And he married Queen Ysandre de la Courcel, wholoved him.

 We waited as the Alban procession made its way to thevery foot of the gates, and the crowd fell silent. Ysandrestood tall and slender in the colors of House Courcel, backedby her Palace Guard. Astride his black horse, Drustan satmotionless, and the Albans lowered their banners as Kingand Queen gazed at one another, their eyes speaking silentvolumes.

 Ysandre broke it first, opening her arms. "Welcome, my lord!" she cried, and her voice caught a little at it. A clarion blast of trumpets rose skyward and Drustan mab Necthanalaughed like a boy, swinging down from his mount and tak­ing Ysandre in his arms. We cheered as they kissed, cheeredand cheered again, and I prayed that the tears in my eyesand lump in my throat were due more to joy than envy.

 In the days that followed, there was feasting and cele­brating sufficient to delight even the most libertine of souls.No talk of Naamah's Service now; I was at Ysandre'sbidding, and busy enough for two. There were far more translators now than before, but Drustan had brought two hundred Cruithne in his entourage, and my skills were soreneeded.

 We had greeted each other, Drustan and I, and I wassurprised to find how deeply glad I was to see him. Oureyes met in that familiar understanding; his dark and quietin his tattooed face, like those of his sisters and his mother,who saw true things in their dreams. We both smiled a little, and then he took my hands and I gave him the kiss of greet­ing. There were murmurs at that, too, but Ysandre's calm mien silenced them. When he greeted Joscelin as a brother, I saw Joscelin smile for the first time in days.

 For all that, I had precious little time to speak to Drustanmab Necthana, and I fretted at it, longing, as I never thoughtI would, for the fearful days when he was a deposed heir unable to move his allies, and I the terrified emissary of anembattled Queen, wholly unsuited for my role. It is a timeI never thought I would wish to revisit—and yet, it seemed to me in retrospect, I had friendship and companions aboutme, instead of pageantry, court politics and dire intrigue.

 I'd had Hyacinthe ... and Joscelin. One I had lost, andthe other, I was losing.

 At night, I had nightmares still. I woke bathed in coldsweat and could not remember.

 At the Palace, I attended court functions and watched,while those I suspected—Barquiel L'Envers, Gaspar Trev­alion, Percy and Ghislain de Somerville—surrounded Drus­tan, speaking to him sometimes as a companion of war,sometimes as the Cruarch of Alba, feeling him out for trade, attempting to discern the hierarchy of power that supported his rule and forge alliances therein. Drustan handled it withdeceptive skill, masking a calm intellect behind his woadmarkings and less-than-fluent D'Angeline; and little passedbetween them that was not heard and noted by Ysandre.Still, they played the game, and all the while before theimpassive faces of the Queen's Cassiline attendants. Iwatched them all, and never a flicker of interest crossed thefeatures of the latter. It did not allay my fears.

 I tried to delve into the buried secrets of Lyonette deTrevalion, and got nowhere.

 It was Drustan himself who took notice of my condition,hearing me stumble over a simple translation for one of his trusted lieutenants, a high-ranking lord of the Cullach Gor­rym. We were at a state dinner, and he drew me aside.

 "Phèdre." His voice was concerned. "You look unwell. Ithink maybe Ysandre asks too much of you."

 He spoke D'Angeline, though my Cruithne was better.My eyes welled at the simple kindness and I bit my lipagainst tears. "No, my lord," I said when I was sure my voice was steady. "I am troubled by ill dreams, is all. I've not been sleeping well."

 Drustan frowned slightiy, brows creasing where a line ofblue dots bisected them. "Breidaia wanted to come, but Iasked her to stay. Would that I had let her. She is skilledin the speaking of dreams."

 "I remember," I murmured. She was his eldest sister, whohad dreamt of Hyacinthe on an island. Moiread had beenthe youngest, but she was gone now, slain in the fightingoutside of Bryn Gorrydum. We both remembered, silent,and then I gave myself a little shake. "It doesn't matter, my lord. I don't remember them anyway."

 "You have no D'Angelines gifted in the matter of dream­ing?"

 "No," I said automatically, then laughed. "There are, ac­tually. It's not a quarter where I would think to seek aid,but yes."

 "Your dreaming self seeks to tell you something yourwaking ears will not hear." Drustan's tone was serious."You should go to them."

 "I'll think on it," I said.

 I did think on it, and dismissed the idea; and woke again that night with my heart racing, cold sweat on my skin andmy mind a perfect blank.

 Dispatching Ti-Philippe to the Palace to send word toYsandre that I was ill, I went instead to Gentian House.

 Although I was raised in the Night Court, of the ThirteenHouses, Gentian was the one I knew the least. Mystics andvisionaries number among her adepts, and many of themjoin the priesthood of Elua when their marques are made.Indeed, the priest who taught me as a child was a formerGentian adept. What her patrons sought, I never knew untilthen.

 Fortun looked askance at me as we stood before the en­trance on Mont Nuit, bearing a subtle bronze relief with theinsignia of the House; a gentian flower circumscribed by afull moon. "You are certain of this, my lady?" he askeddoubtfully. I didn't blame him. 'Twas passing strange in­deed, for one of the foremost courtesans of the realm to goseeking solace at the Night Court.

 "Yes." A hint of coolness in the spring breeze made mewrap my arms around myself and shiver. It had gottenworse, since the day Marmion was exiled; I couldn't re­member the last time I'd slept through a night. "Drustan isright. I can't go on thusly."

 "As you wish." Fortun gave a bow, and knocked uponthe door.

 Inside, I met alone with the Dowayne, a tall man withgreying hair and leaf-green eyes. He had a trick of gazingat one out of the corner of his eyes, as if he saw more onthe periphery of his vision than straightward.

 "Comtesse Phèdre no Delaunay de Móntrève." He gavemy full name and title in a melodious voice, no trace ofsurprise in it. "Gentian House is honored by the presenceof Naamah's esteemed Servant. How may we please you?"

 I told him about the nightmares, while he gazed at a sun­beam slanting across the open air. "Can you help?" I askedwhen I had done.

 "Yes." He looked remotely at me, face upturned to theslanting light. "Any adept of Gentian House is trained toaid a patron in giving voice to night's visions. What mannerof adept would please you? I will have a selection arrayedfor your pleasure."

 I blinked, startled; I hadn't thought that far. "It mattersnot. Naamah's Servants have no preferences," I added with a faint smile.

 "Every patron has a preference." Wrenching his attentionfrom the sunbeam, the Dowayne looked me in the face with­out smiling. "Male or female, young or old, fair or dark."

 I shook my head. "My lord, I have known all these things,and none pleases me any better than the other. I am herefor my dreams. Choose whom you think best."

 "Very well." Rising, the Dowayne went to the door andmurmured something to an apprentice. The lad went run­ning, and presently returned with a young man in tow.

 All the adepts of the Night Court are beautiful, and Raph­ael Murain nóGentian was no exception. He was near tomy own age, with straight ash-brown hair that fell shiningalmost to his waist and long-lashed grey eyes. He smiled atme with a sweetness that put me in mind of Alcuin, and Ifelt the sting of tears. That was another thing; with this lack of sleep, I was altogether too near to crying in my wakinghours.

 "Does he please you?" the Dowayne asked, watching mecarefully with his sidelong gaze.

 "Yes," I murmured. Raphael Murain bowed, shining hairfalling forward over his shoulders, and took my hands, rais­ing them to his lips to kiss them. I felt his breath play over my knuckles, a warm exhalation of pleasure at my accep­tance.

 It is very effective, the training of the Night Court.

 The Dowayne told him of my nightmares and my wishto recover them and discern their meaning; Raphael listenedas grave as a physician, and turned to me when he wasfinished. "It is needful that you pass the night in GentianHouse, my lady," he said softly. "Such dreams will notcome when bidden, but as the course of their nature dictates. I must needs sleep beside you, and breathe the air of your dreams. Is this acceptable to you?"

 "You will inform my man-at-arms?" I asked the Do­wayne.

 He nodded. "He may reside in comfort in the retainers'quarters, or depart and return in the morning. The choice is yours."

 "Bid him return in the morning." I took a deep breath, and turned to Raphael Murain. "I place myself in yourhands."

 Raphael bowed again, solemn as a priest.

 So it was that I signed the Dowayne's contract and madearrangements for the payment of the fee, and afterward, Iwas escorted to the baths. One does not hasten pleasure, in the Night Court. I luxuriated in the hot waters and the at­tentions of a skilled apprentice, while a pair of House musicians played softly on harp and flute. When I was done, Iwas given a robe of heavy silk to don, and served a lightmeal with wine. There was some whispered discussion out­side the door, and then Raphael Murain came in to join me,and two apprentices appeared to dance for our pleasure, aboy and girl no older than fifteen, clad in veils of filmygauze.

 "It is a part of their training," he told me in his soft voice, a glimmer of amusement in his grey eyes. "But they arenervous, I think, at performing for Phèdre no Delaunay."

 "Are you?" I asked, a little reckless. He shook his headand smiled. It made me like him better, for some reason.

 It was strange indeed, to be a patron of the Night Court,and I struggled to relax. I, who could surrender my will inan instant to a patron's desires, was hard put to accept in­dulgence. Raphael watched me and cocked his head, hairfalling to one side, and beckoned to an apprentice to issuea request. In this place, his soft voice commanded. Taking my hand, he led me to his quarters, where silk hangingsswathed the walls in dim colors and lamplight flickered ona rich, velveted pallet. A boy sat cross-legged in the cornerplaying a lyre, and a young female adept kneltabeyantebeside the bed, warming a bowl of scented oil on a brazier.

 "My lady," Raphael whispered, undoing the sash of myrobe with skilled, gentle hands and sliding it from my shoul­ders, kissing me softly. The robe pooled around my feet,and for a moment, his eyes gleamed. I could hear the adept draw in her breath. He loosed my hair, gathering it up inboth hands, the rich, dark mass of it. "Naamah's blessing is upon her servants." Kissing me again—he had lips as softas a woman's—he urged me gently to the pallet. "It is not yours only to give, but to receive."

 I lay down, obedient, and felt the young adept's handsspread warmed oil over my skin, fragrant and pleasing. Ihad not known, until then, how much tension my body held; even the bath had not assuaged it. Bit by bit, it eased beneathher skillful massage, muscles easing one by one, until I layupon my belly, loose-limbed and languorous, watchingRaphael move gracefully about the room. He opened a cof­fer on his nightstand and withdrew a lump of resin, placingit in a small brazier, and the sweet scent of opium filled the room, a thin line of blue smoke redolent with visions. Themusic slowed, the lyricist's fingers wandering dreamily.

 Growing light-headed, I sprawled at ease beneath the adept'sslow-kneading hands; she bent low, when Raphael was notlooking, to place a kiss at the base of my spine where mymarque began, and I could feel her breath warm against myskin.

 When her hands bid me turn over, I made no protest. Ilay languid and waiting, watching Raphael Murain removehis clothing as the adept—I never learned her name—per­formed the arousement, hands slick with oil sliding over mybody; my breasts, nipples taut and upright, my hipbonesand the flat hollow of my belly, clever, oiled fingers ex­ploring the valley between my thighs, parting me as one would open the petals of a flower. All the while, he smiledat me, undressing slowly to reveal a body lithe and boyishlymuscled, the tip of his erect phallus brushing his belly.When he turned, I saw the marque of Gentian House limnedon his spine, complete even to its moon-and-flower finial.As young as I, and as experienced. He took a long time withthelanguisement, until I could not tell where my flesh endedand his mouth began.

 By the time he knelt over me, I was ready and more, andI cried out at the pleasure of it as he entered me, oil-slickened body sliding up the length of mine. There arethose who think ananguissette knows pleasure only throughpain, but it is not so. Though any one of my patrons wouldhave seized his pleasure or forced mine, thrusting hard,Raphael Murain was an adept of the Night Court. He braced himself on his arms above me, smiling and moving in slow,languorous strokes, lowering his head to kiss me. Elua, itwas sweet! His hair fell around my face in shining curtains,and I returned his kisses as only another of Naamah's Ser­vants might, an intricate dance of tongues, slow and unhur­ried. His hard, slender chest brushed my breasts. I could hear my breathing, and his, and that of the young adept,who knelt watching.

 One surrenders, as a patron; I never understood that be­fore. I surrendered that night, to Raphael and GentianHouse, the fragrance of scented oil and the sweet blue opiumsmoke, letting pleasure mount in slow-building waves, whilewe rocked on it as on the breast of the sea. It seemed tocome from a very great distance when it broke, moving ina great tidal surge, vaster and slower than any climax I had known. I closed my eyes, feeling it spiral outward from ourconjoined bodies to the vast reaches of time, wave afterwave breaking on the outermost shoals of my awareness,distant and ponderous.

 "May I?" Raphael Murain whispered when my eyesopened.

 I felt him still moving inside me, and whispered back,"Yes."

 It was his eyes that closed, then, long lashes curled like waves breaking; I gasped as he inhaled sharply, drawing inthe very breath of our commingled pleasure. His body wentrigid against me as he spent himself, a sweet, hot throbbingdeep inside of me.

 Afterward, we slept, and I dreamed.

 Not since Joscelin had foresworn me had I spent a night's slumber with any other living soul; I could have grieved, torealize how much I had missed it. After all his careful grace,Raphael slept with a child's abandon, fine silken hair spill­ing across my face, limbs slack with spent pleasure. Thelamps had burned low, the opium expired. The lyricist and the adept had discreetly withdrawn. Because I had givenmyself no choice, I welcomed Raphael's weight, his evenbreathing, and slept.

 Slept, and dreamed.

 I dreamed I was a child once more in Delaunay's house­hold. Alcuin was there, and our old study, in Delaunay'shome. We sat across a table from one another, he and I,poring over scrolls, pursuing the mystery of the Master ofthe Straits. I was near to grasping the key, when an adeptof Cereus House wearing a snow-fox's mask poked his headin the door, and I bid him crossly to leave me. "You're late," the snow-fox said, voice muffled." Thejoie has already been poured."

 With the shock of horror one feels only in dreams, I realized that I was not in Delaunay's home at all, but CereusHouse; not a child, but an adept, late for the MidwinterMasque. My costume was unfinished, and I had no mask.Despairing, I hurried to join the fête, thinking I might find Favrielle nóEglantine and beg her to loan me a mask.

 The Great Hall of Cereus House was filled with light andgaiety, and all the adepts of the Thirteen Houses in their finery, and I had come in time to see the Sun Prince re­vealed. I was laughing, then, thinking everything would be well, and wondering what foolishness had possessed me toimagine I should have been studying with Alcuin, when this,yes of course, this was my life, laughing and cheering asthe Winter Queen was unmasked as the beautiful Suriah, who had always been kind to me.

 That was when I realized the Sun Prince was WaldemarSelig.

 No one else noticed, as he took off his mask, smiling,half a head taller than anyone there; no one noticed, as he ran Suriah through with the Sun Prince's gilded spear andshe sank to the dais, mouth open and eyes blank, hands clutching around the haft as a dark stain spread across herbreast. Waldemar Selig stepped down, wolfskin cloakswinging from his shoulders, and the D'Angeline revelers smiled and bowed and moved out of the way, while themusicians struck up a merry reel.

 My scream caught in my throat, struggling for air; dancers swept past me, bright and glittering—and Delaunay, my lord Delaunay was among them. Almost, I got out his name; thenhe turned, and I saw he held Melisande Shahrizai in hisarms, smiling down at her. And Melisande looked past him,over his shoulder, across the crowded hall, to meet my eyes, and the shock of her beauty turned my knees to water. Andshe smiled at me.

 I knew. She knew. And I was too late.

 The voice that woke me, reciting the details of the dream,ragged with panic, was my own. I took a deep, gaspingbreath, half-choking on it, and knew myself to be awake inthe chambers of Gentian House. Like an echo in my memory, I could hear Raphael Murain's soft murmur winding through the dream, drawing the account of it from my un­willing lips. I sat upright in the bed, willing the pounding of my heart to slow and waiting for my vision to clear.

 When it did, I saw Raphael kneeling at the bedside, hisface quiet and composed. "Do you want me to tell it toyou?" he asked gently.

 "No." I passed my hands blindly over my face and shud­dered. "I remember."

 "It is often so, when the dream is caught in the making." Rising gracefully, he turned open the shuttered lamps, let­ting their soft glow brighten the room, and poured me a glass. "Watered wine. Drink it, it will do you good."

 I obeyed unthinking, gulping the cool liquid, whichsoothed my throat and nerves. Raphael sat back on his heelsand regarded me.

 "It is an easy dream to interpret," he said in his soft voice."You are putting off a hard choice, Phèdre nóDelaunay,and only ill can come of it. If you wish, we may explorethis dream together, and learn what is this choice you fear."

 "That won't be necessary." I laughed shortly, and feltmyself tremble a little. "I already know." It was not so mucheasier, after all, to face it waking. I did, and knew fear,smiling crookedly at Raphael Murain nóGentian. "You see,I have to go to La Serenissima."

 TWENTY-FIVE

 Though I did not think I would be able to sleep after thatnightmare, in time, I did; and that, too, was due to the giftof Raphael, who bid me stay when I would have gone, usinghis calm presence and soft voice to weave a spell to catchslumber. I slept without dreaming, and in it regained a mea­sure of the ease the night's pleasure had afforded. In the morning, I was glad I had stayed.

 Before I left, I knelt before him, placing two fingersagainst his lips. "Naamah's Servant, in her name, I bid youkeep her secrets. Do you understand?"

 Raphael nodded against my fingers. There were violet smudges of weariness beneath his eyes; this process took a toll on him. "It is a sacrosanct law of Gentian House. Youneed not fear. I have taken an oath." His expressionchanged, lightening a shade as he smiled at me. "Anyway,I would never betray your dreams. It must be difficult," he added gently, "to have feelings for a patron that conflict so deeply."

 I did not need to ask who he meant. "Yes," I said, atremor in my voice, more grateful than I could say. Therewas a tremendous relief in uttering the words, in the oneplace it would not draw suspicion upon me. "Yes. It is."And to that, Raphael Murain said nothing, but merely un­ derstood. "Thank you." I kissed him lightly, and went toleave a purse of coin, my patron's gift to him, on the night-stand. There is an item they use in the Night Court for the purpose—Naamah's Hands, we called it, a sculpture carved to resemble a stylized pair of cupping hands. Raphael's wasof pale, translucent jade. He had prospered in Naamah'sService, I was thinking as I set down the purse, and well heshould.

 "My lady!" His voice rang like an untuned lyre, and ] turned to see a stricken look on his face. "Please. I cannotaccept a patron-gift from you!"

 "Why?" I asked curiously. "You have opened my dreamto me like a book."

 Standing, Raphael Murain nóGentian shifted and ran ahand through his shining hair. "You paid the fee of theHouse," he said awkwardly. "For the rest, it was gift enoughto serve." Seeing me hesitate, he gave that sweet smile so reminiscent of Alcuin. "I will only give it in offering to Naamah. Better you should do it, and speak my name. Iwould have her hear it from your lips." "Then I will," I promised.

 In the courtyard of Gentian House, Fortun glanced at myface and asked me no questions, which was well. Freed ofthe oppressive weight of my nightmares, I felt my mindkeen and sharp again. Upon returning home, I went imme­diately to my study and drafted a note to Ysandre, begginga meeting with her and Drustan, sealing it with a blot of red wax and the impress of the official signet of Montrève. Idispatched Remy with it forthwith, giving him explicit in­structions. "If you cannot gain access directly to the Queen,try the Cruarch. Drustan's guard will make allowances fora veteran of Troyes-le-Mont. Only to her or him, mind! Noone else, not even one of her Cassilines."

 "I understand," Remy said solemnly, bowing; when he raised his head, his eyes gleamed. "Are we bound for trou­ble, my lady?"

 "We will be, if you don't do exactly as I say, and quietly,"I threatened him. He just laughed, bowed again and left. Idon't know why I worried about Raphael Murain's discre­tion, with retainers like Phèdre's Boys.

 For all my concerns, Remy carried out my instructionsfaithfully. I daresay Ysandre was intrigued; at any rate, shegranted my request almost immediately, making time in herschedule and sending a royal coach to escort me into thejoint presence of the regents of Terre d'Ange and Alba. A private audience in truth, neither servants nor guards nor Cassilines in attendance.

 "Well?" Ysandre asked, raising her eyebrows.

 Taking a deep breath, I began, telling her the whole story,beginning with Gonzago de Escabares bringing me thesan-goire cloak, and leaving out none of the details I had omittedin the Hall of Portraits. Melisande's challenge, and all myquest thereafter, all the suspicions I harbored, and the wind­ing path I'd taken in pursuing them.

 When I had done, both of them were troubled and thought­ful.

 "It would ease my mind," Ysandre said slowly, "if youhad some proof of your suspicions, Phèdre. If there werecause, I would not hesitate to pursue it...Trevalion, the de Somervilles, even my own uncle. I would summon the Pre­fect of the Cassiline Brotherhood before the throne if Ithought there was cause. But what you tell me is guesswork,and nothing more. I will not act on supposition, not evenyours."

 I had not expected her to; only to heed my warning."There is the cloak."

 "Yes," Ysandre said wryly. "There is. I should tell you,I have had a correspondence from my great-uncle, PrinceBenedicte de la Courcel. Did you know I dispatched couriersto him after Marmion's hearing?" She looked sharply at me,and I shook my head. "I did. And he has scoured La Ser-enissima, and found no trace of Melisande. Indeed, he in­vites me to make the Caerdicciprogressus regalis erewinter, that the city may receive me as Queen of Terred'Ange."

 "Why doesn't Benedicte come here to acknowledge

 you?" I asked.

 Ysandre rested chin on hand and gazed at me. "It is cus­tomary for the D'Angeline ruler to make aprogressus, torenew alliances with the Caerdicci city-states. My grandfa­ther did it as a boy; it's not been done for decades. Not ineither of our lifetimes. Mayhap if it had, they'd have been quicker to aid us against the Skaldi. Benedicte is right, Ican't afford to let those ties lapse. At any rate," she addedquieüy, "his new wife has just been delivered of a son, andhe's not minded to travel."

 "My lady," I said, "that may all be true, but from whatSeverio told me, La Serenissima is a knot of intrigue. EvenPrince Benedicte didn't know his own daughter and son-in-law were guilty of poisoning your mother."

 The Queen's eyebrows rose again. "And did Severio Stre­gazza tell you Melisande Shahrizai was in La Serenissima?"she asked with deceptive mildness. It made my blood run

 cold.

 "My lady," I whispered. "I would have told you if he had.No. He did not know her, and I believe he spoke the truth. Marmion plagued him, and he didn't know why. I promiseyou, if I had the least corroborating proof of any of this, I'dhave come to you.”

 Drustan kept his silence, watching us both.

 Ysandre sighed. "So. You suspect the Lord Commander,his son Ghislain, Gaspar Trevalion—whom even Delaunaytrusted—and my uncle the Duc, who saved your life. Alsothe Cassiline Brotherhood, whose service has been beyondreproach for centuries. You believe Melisande Shahrizai isin La Serenissima, despite the fact that you received thisinformation at third hand, obviously by her own devising,and no Serenissiman has laid eyes upon her."

 "Yes." I had to admit, it sounded insane to my own ears."My lady..." I said reluctantly. "I cannot ask you to be­lieve me. But Iknow Melisande. If she wanted me to thinkshe is in La Serenissima, it is because she is in La Seren­issima. I have come to a blind alley, here. It is there I needto go."

 It was Drustan who spoke at last, frowning. "I do not likeit either, Phèdre nóDelaunay. But it is in my thoughts thatthis is the voice of your dreams you feared to heed."

 I nodded.

 Ysandre looked dourly at me. "Last time, you brought mea heap of stinking hides, a Skaldi dagger and a Tsinganifortune-teller. This time, a velvet cloak and a dream. Whatnext? A kerchief and a worrisome feeling?" I bit my tongue and did not answer. "Very well. It is my profound hope thatyou're wrong this time, but I'm not fool enough to wager on it, nor to try and stop you. What do you want of us?"

 I told them my plan. Drustan looked amused, althoughYsandre did not. Nonetheless, she agreed to it.

 When I made my obeisance and would have left, shecalled me back in a different tone. "Phèdre." I turned andmet her violet eyes, dark with concern. "Anaflel Delaunay was my ally when I had no other around me who did notseek to use me. I called upon his oath, and he died of it.We are at peace, now, and I hold the throne unchallenged.The army is in my hand, and no province but that acknowl­edges my sovereignty. Drustan mab Necthana is my ac­ knowledged husband and brings with him the sovereignmight of Alba. Skaldia's reign is as divided as ever it wasbefore the ascendance of Waldemar Selig, Aragonia givesalliance, and no single Caerdicci city-state has the might tochallenge us. When I sent you to Alba, I was desperate;now, Terre d'Ange is in a position of great strength. Yes, Iwould rest easier if Melisande Shahrizai were dealt with, but whatever she is about, it cannot pose a threat so grave it is worth risking your life."

 I paused. "Mayhap. But whoever aided her stands close to the throne."

 "And if they did it for blackmail's sake, like as not theypray every day to Elua that I never find it out," Ysandresaid grimly. "I am telling you, it is not worth the risk. Thereis enough blood spilled at the doorstep of House Courcel. Idon't want yours added to it."

 Like as not she was right; but there was the dream, andthe bone-deep terror of it. Would that Hyacinthe or his mother had been there, or any Tsingani who could speakthedromonde, because I knew, in my heart of hearts, that Iwas not wrong. "I will be careful," I promised.

 "Good." Ysandre settled back, and added one last codicil."If you will not let me give you an honor guard, you willat least take your men-at-arms, and that stubborn Cassiline."

 I opened my mouth, and closed it, swallowing. "I...amnot sure if Joscelin will go."

 Drustan started at that, but Ysandre's look turned flinty. "He swore his sword unto my service when he renouncedCassiel's. He will go, or be forsworn. And I do not holdlightly with oath-breakers."

 "I will tell him," I murmured, wondering how he would take it.

 With that, I was dismissed.

 I did not tell Joscelin or my chevaliers immediately, but set about making the arrangements. I paid a visit first of allto my factor, to explain my desire to travel to La Serenissima to oversee firsthand my investments there. After some searching, he found for me an interest in a shipment of Al­ban lead, bound from Marsilikos to La Serenissima in afortnight's time, which suited my needs perfectly. One partof my plan I had withheld even from Ysandre.

 Thelesis de Momay, who had known what I was aboutfrom the beginning, did what Ysandre had requested, and Imet with her to review the list of Cassiline Brothers onactive duty at the Palace. "Etienne de Chardin, Brys nóRin­forte, Lisle Arnot, David no Rinforte, Jean de Laurenne ..."Scanning the list, I glanced up at Thelesis. "Why so manyadopted into Lord Rinforte's household?"

 "I asked." As the Queen's Poet, Thelesis could ask nearly anything without being questioned; it would be presumed research for some work of poesy. "Orphans taken in by theCassiline Brotherhood always take on the Prefect's name.Rinforte's been Prefect for a long time." She turned her headaway to cough, and looked back apologetically. "He's hada wasting sickness these past months, one of the Brotherstold me. That's likely why neither Joscelin nor Micheline de Parnasse received a reply."

 "Ah." I finished reading the list and set it down.

 "Nothing?" Thelesis' dark eyes were sympathetic.

 I shook my head. "No. Or if there is, I don't see it."

 "I'm sorry." She rose to embrace me, and her bones felt light and frail; it unnerved me, on the heels of the news ofthe Prefect's health. "Kushiel is not gentle with his chosen," Thelesis whispered. "Have a care, Phèdre, and come homesafe." She drew back and smiled gently at me. "Blessed Eluakeep you."

 "And you," I murmured, gripping her hands. "And you."

 On the night the first part of it was to be implemented, Itold my chevaliers of my plan. Would that Joscelin had beenthere, too, but I had played my game too closely; he hadgone out that afternoon and not yet returned. I had no choicebut to tell them, first dismissing my servants for the evening and swearing Phèdre's Boys to secrecy.

 Predictably, they were overjoyed—even steady Fortun'seyes gleamed with excitement. Not two minutes was it outof my mouth but they were already planning the excursion, dividing up responsibility among themselves. Amused, I letthem have at it.

 I chose Fortun to escort me to the natal festivities of theDuchese de Chalasse that night, and left the others with twocautions. "Whatever you hear said of me," I said, lookingespecially at Ti-Philippe, "donot bely the underlying truthof it, mind? And when Joscelin returns, do not tell him. Lethim know I would speak to him first thing, and leave it tome."

 They promised, albeit reluctantly on the latter point. Ithreatened to leave whomever broke his word in the City ofElua, and left satisfied that they would obey.

 Of that night, I will say little, save that it went as planned.Vivianne de Chalasse held great sway in L'Agnace; indeed,hers had been the sovereign duchy in the province untilYsandre had raised Percy de Somerville to the rank of Duc, and granted him ascendance. There was little ill-feeling overit—no one questioned that de Somerville had earned it, forcommanding the defense against the Skaldic invasion—butenough that the Queen and Cruarch were impelled to attendthe fête, smoothing any feathers that might remain ruffled.

 I do not have a player's skill, but I daresay I dissemblewell enough; and it was no hardship, to flirt and dance with Drustan mab Necthana. He played along with it with sur­prising grace, smiling and returning my banter in a mix of D'Angeline and Cruithne, and dancing with an elegance thatbelied his misshapen right foot. It was not difficult, findinga rhythm that accommodated his halting gate. He had livedwith it since birth; one easily forgot that Drustan was lame.I remembered Delaunay's words, so long ago, light andamused.And Ysandre de la Courcel, flower of the realm,shall teach a clubfoot barbarian prince to dance the gavotte.

 For her part, Ysandre did not overplay her role, but whenI heard her voice, cold as the Bitterest Winter, ask if I werefinished with her husband and would mind returning him tohis wife, the Queen of Terre d'Ange, I swear, I felt the chill on my skin, and my flush was genuine. If Drustan's suddengravity was feigned, no one would ever know it. All aroundus, D'Angeline nobles stepped back several paces as I mademyself answer with studied indolence, a favored youngcourtesan trading on her stature.

 "Phèdre nóDelaunay," Ysandre said coolly, omitting mytitle. "Your presence is no longer pleasing to us. We askthat you remove yourself from it."

 With that, she turned her back on me, and even thoughit was as we had planned, I could not but help feeling myheart sink within me. Insolence to patrons is one thing, whenit fans the embers of their desire, but the instinct for obe­dience is deep-rooted in me, and I was hard put not to throwmyself at her feet and beg forgiveness. Thankfully, Fortunhurried to my side to take my arm, tugging me away, and in a corridor of silence, we left the fête.

 Behind us, I could hear the eternal murmurs rising.

 TWENTY-SIX

 "Youwhat?" Joscelin's voice rose incredulously. "Phèdre,what were you thinking?"

 "Done is done." I looked steadily at him. "I would havetold you last night, but you weren't to be found. By now,the City will know that I am out of favor with the Queen. And on the morrow, we depart for La Serenissima. Afterwhat transpired last night, no one will think it strange. Andno one will think me Ysandre' s agent in this."

 "I can't believe Ysandre agreed to it," he muttered.

 I looked down at my plate and toyed with a quarteredpear. "It does not please her," I admitted, "but she agreed.Joscelin, I won't compel you. Will you go or not?"

 He rose without answering, and paced the dining hall togaze out a window that overlooked my tiny rear courtyard,where Eugenie had planted the beginnings of an herb garden. I sat watching him, his tall figure drenched in sunlight."And if I say no?" he asked, not turning around. "Whatthen?"

 "Then you say no." My voice sounded like it belongedto someone else, someone whose heart was not shatteringinto piercing splinters. Even as Joscelin turned around, onehand clenched around thekhai pendant at his breast, myvoice continued calmly. "You will stay, and play out your part in leading the Yeshuites to this prophesied homeland in the far north, if that is what your heart commands."

 "My heart!" He laughed harshly, a tearing sound; it mightalmost have been a sob. He wrenched at the pendant as ifto break its chain. "Would that Icould make of heart andsoul something other than a battleground!"

 I ached for him, and yearned to go to him; since I darednot, I closed my eyes instead. "If that is your choice, thentell the Rebbe that I did as I promised. The Queen will treatthem as lightly as she dares, but if they break the law, they will be punished under it." I had spoken to Ysandre of it,before we were done laying our plans. She had agreed, be­musedly, to take my words under advisement.

 Joscelin was staring at me when I opened my eyes. "Whatelse does Ysandre say?"

 It seemed he cared more for the Yeshuites than for me,and it turned my pain to anger, making me reply sharply."That you are sworn into her service, and she orders you toaccompany me to La Serenissima. And that she does nothold lightly with oath-breakers."

 It is perhaps the worst thing one could say to a formerCassiline. His head jerked back as if I had slapped him,nostrils flaring, white lines etching themselves on his face."Then it seems I must go," he said, biting off the words,"unless I am to break faith all at once with Cassiel, you andthe Queen."

 "Yeshua's forgiveness is absolute," I retorted. "If youseek it for one oath broken, why not three?"

 Joscelin's summer-blue eyes held a look very close tohatred. "My lady Phèdre nóDelaunay de Montrève," he saidwith cruel, deliberate courtesy. "I will see you to La Ser­enissima, and fulfill my liege's command. And after that, Iremand you to Naaman's custody and Kushiel's, since you are so ardent to serve them. Let them have the joy of you.”

 "Fine," I said grimly, rising from the table and tossingdown my linen napkin. "Speak to Remy about the travelarrangements. He will tell you all that is needful. You re­mind me, I have an obligation yet to fulfill."

 I was not even certain, after last night's enactment, thatNicola L'Envers y Aragon would receive me; I'd not in­tended on this visit, before my unfortunate conversationwith Joscelin. But Ti-Philippe returned posthaste from bear­ing my message: The lady was indeed most anxious to seeme. So it was that I went one last time to the Palace, andin part, I was not sorry. I did owe Nicola the assignation Ihad promised in barter, and it would not have been well-omened to leave with my Service to Naamah incomplete.

 I would have foregone it, though, if Joscelin had comewillingly.

 The Palace Guard admitted me without comment, cooland perfunctory. They had no orders to keep me out, thoughI daresay I'd have been turned away if I had asked to see Ysandre. But Nicola was the Queen's cousin, and they al­ lowed me passage on her explicit order.

 Mayhap it would have been wiser to seek solace in Kushiel's temple, but it was a relief, after all that had gonebefore, to surrender to a patron's whim. This time, Nicola'sbindings held true to a knot, and there was not the least Icould undo. Eyes bright with mingled curiosity and cruelty,she wielded the flogger unmercifully until it drew blood,moving me to violent pleasures, which I repaid with all theardor with which Joscelin had accused me, until she wassated.

 Afterward, she had chilled wine and fruits served, until Isaid it was time for me to go.

 "No," Nicola said thoughtfully. "I don't think so. Youhave called the day and time of repaying your debt to me,Phèdre, and I would claim a forfeit for it. I had your promisethat I might question you, but I've not done it yet, have I?" "No, my lady." I met her L'Envers eyes and hid a frissonof fear. She was, after all, Barquiel's ally, and I ran a riskin coming here.

 Nicola smiled lazily. She knew; patrons almost alwaysdo. "All the Palace says you have fallen out of favor with Ysandre," she said softly. "But I do not believe it. Think of us what you like, but House L'Envers does not break faith with her followers for less than a mortal offense, and mycousin the Queen is as much L'Envers as she is Courcel. What game do you play now, Phèdre nó Delaunay?"

 I did not answer, but said instead, "One rumor says Mar­mion Shahrizai rode straight for the Aragonian border, andhas not been seen since. Did you offer him sanctuary?"

 Her brows creased in a frown, then she laughed again,ruefully, and shook her head. "I should know better, afterthe first time. All right, then. Yes. I did." Nicola gave me along, level look. "Marmion had word of what Barquiel wasabout, and he came to me the eve before, and told me the truth about the fire. I believed him. I do not disagree with my cousin the Duc's motives, but his methods ..." She shrugged. "He threw Marmion's life away, at that hearing.I told him if the worst fell out, the House of Aragon wouldreceive him, if he made it there alive. I gave him Ramiro's name, and my word as surety. That, and no more."

 "Your husband would take him in?" It surprised me, a

 little.

 "Marmion likes to drink, and gamble. He's an excellent courtier. Why not?" Nicola gave another shrug. "Ramiroknows the merits of indulging my whims, and it does not cross de Morhban's edict. Aragonia is exile. Believe me, Iknow. Will you answer me now?"

 I shook my head, slowly.

 "Blessed Elua!" She spat out the words like a curse, risingto pace restlessly about the room. "You and Barquiel...Phèdre, you're on the same side, only you're both too mis­trustful to see it. Can't you see that with his resources and your wiles, you'd get a lot further working together?" Sheshot me a frustrated look. "Why would I lie? Any influenceI hold in Aragonia is wholly dependent on Ysandre's re­taining the throne of Terre d'Ange."

 "Not exactly," I murmured, glancing at her. "Your cousinthe Duc would do just as well, I think. And if he wishes meout of the way, he would be indebted to you for aiding himin the process. He's already disposed of Marmion, and Eluahelp me, I gave him the means to do it. Would I be wise,you think, to trust?" I shook my head. "Barquiel is moreenemy than ally, and Ysandre has withdrawn her favor. Our debt is settled, and in Naamah's eyes, I owe you naught. I am not fool enough to linger here, my lady."

 "So I heard. One of your chevaliers was reported buyingtravelling stores in the marketplace this very morning." Shesaid it matter-of-factly; I hadn't doubted that the eyes of theCity would be on my household, after last night. Nicola'sgaze lingered on my face, and it was decisive. "Phèdre, lis­ten to me," she said, her voice low and urgent, stooping infront of my chair to grasp my hands. "I don't know whatyou're about and when you come to it, I don't blame youfor not telling me. But what I do know for truth, I know allthe same. Cousin Barquiel is not a traitor." She drew a deepbreath, paling slightly, and continued. "The password of House L'Envers is 'burning river.' If you need aid—mine,Barquiel's, even Ysandre's—any scion of the House ishonor-bound to give it unquestioning."

 "Why are you telling me this?" My voice shook ask­ing it.

 "What does it matter?" Releasing my hands, Nicola stoodand smiled wryly. "Whatever I told you, you'd only come up with half a dozen reasons, each more sinister than thelast. As it happens, I've seen my House torn apart by sus­picion and enmity once, and I don't care to see it again. Your lord Delaunay and my cousin Isabel pulled Rolandede la Courcel in twain; I don't need to watch you and Bar­quiel do the same to Ysandre. But it doesn't matter whatyou believe. Just remember it."

 I wanted to believe her; I wanted to question her. In theend, I dared do neither. At the door of her quarters, she gaveme the kiss of farewell, and kept me for a moment, onehand on my arm, a peremptory touch that stirred my desires.

 "Cousin Barquiel would have my tongue for what I toldyou," Nicola said quietly. "But he'll answer to it all the same. Do me a favor, and don't put it to the test unlessyou're truly in need."

 "If you will do me the kindness of nursing your suspi­cions in silence," I murmured.

 Nicola laughed at that and kissed me again, this time asa patron rather than a peer. "If you hold to that bargain aswell as this one, I will promise it." Releasing me, she cockedher head as I regained my composure. "I like you, Phèdre," she said with regret. "For whatever reason you're going, I'msorry for it. I'll miss you."

 "So will I," I said, and meant it.

 I made the rest of my farewells that day, which were few;'tis an astonishing thing, how quickly one's friends diminishwith a Queen's disfavor. That it meant we had succeededmade it no less painful to find doors closed which had once opened eagerly to my name. Even Diànne and Apollonaire de Fhirze would not see me. It served to make me mindfulthat Nicola had meant what she said. Either she was foolishenough to risk Ysandre's displeasure—and I did not thinkshe was—or she was sure our roles were but a deception.It gave me no ease, when I thought of Barquiel L'Envers,and the fresh welts on my skin, painful beneath my gown,reminded me of how rash my actions had been. I would payfor it, riding tomorrow.

 Nonetheless, I locked the words in my memory: Burningriver. If I dared, I would have asked Ysandre to verify it,but there was no way I dared risk contacting her withoutgiving the lie to our falling-out, and I was dependent on thatperception to gain access to anyone who might be her en­emy. At any rate, I thought, there was no way I would en­ trust my fate to the password of House L'Envers; not even if I trusted Nicola wholly, which I did not.

 My last visit was as my first had been: Cecilie Laveau-Perrin, whose door opened with alacrity. Indeed, she em­braced me on the doorstep, heedless of whatever gossipsmight be watching. "Oh, Phèdre," she whispered in my ear."I'm so sorry!”

 Her unquestioning loyalty touched me to the core, and Istruggled to hold back tears; as luck would have it, shethought I grieved at my disgrace. It is the most dire thing of all, among Naamah's Servants, to incur the displeasureof a sovereign. I spent an hour or better in her home, en­during her kindness with all the squirming unease of a guiltyconscience, and at last fled, before I gave voice to the entiredeception, which lay the whole time on the very tip of mytongue.

 So it was done, and my farewells all said. When I re­turned home, all was in readiness for our departure. I spoke with Eugenie, and confirmed that she would maintain thehouse in my absence, giving her a purse of money and anote for my factor, should further funds be needful. I prom­ised to write her with an address, to forward any urgent communication, as soon as we were established in La Ser-enissima. To my surprise, she burst into tears in the middleof our discussion, clutching me to her bosom. I had notknown, until then, that she regarded me with such fondness;indeed, mothers have wept less, bidding farewell to theirchildren.

 At least, mine certainly did.

 Whether it be through exhaustion, pain, pleasure or fear,I laid my head on the pillow and slept that night like thedead, a deep and dreamless sleep, and woke alert and readyat dawn. After strong tea and a light breakfast, our partyassembled in the courtyard, Remy still yawning and knuck­ling his eyes. Five mounts, and three packhorses; enough, for my purposes. My chevaliers wore the livery of Montrève, black and green with my personal insignia at thebreast bearing the moon and crag of Montrève, to whichDelaunay's sheaf of grain and Kushiel's Dart had beenadded. Joscelin wore his own attire, dove-grey shirt and trousers with a long, sleeveless mandilion coat of the samedrab color over it. It was close, very close, to the ashen garb of the Cassiline Brotherhood, save that his hair was braided,and not clubbed at his nape. I looked at him, his vambracesglinting in the early morning sun, daggers at his belt, swordstrapped to his back, and made no comment. He looked backat me, equally expressionless."Let us go," I said.

 TWENTY-SEVEN

 As the white walls of the City of Elua fell behind us, I feltmy spirits begin to rise with the freedom that comes of ac­tion after long confinement. It was a glorious D' Angelinespring day, a blue vault of sky and the sun bright and youngoverhead, the earth surging eagerly into bloom. Our horseswere plump and glossy from winter's long stabling, restless with energy too long unspent. Remy sang aloud as he rode, until I had to regretfully bid him to silence; there were othertravellers on the road, headed toward the City, and my household was supposed to be in disgrace.

 Still, we were travelling light and making good time, andit was hard to suppress our excitement. After several hours,even Joscelin's expression grew less severe, although he took care to remain stoic when I glanced at him. No child of the City, he, but Siovalese born and bred; he thrived inthe open air. I daresay if there had been mountains, he mighteven have smiled.

 At least, until we reached the crossroads of Eisheth'sWay, where it curves to within a half-day's ride of the City of Elua.

 "Smell that?" Ti-Philippe stood in his stirrups, sniffingconspicuously. "Salt air," he declared, grinning at me; Iknew full well he couldn't smell the sea at this distance. "Asailor's nose never lies! Two days' ride to the south, andwe're in Marsilikos, my lady, with ten days' leisure in har­bor."

 "So we would be," I said, drawing up my mount andshifting my shoulders so that the fabric of my gown rubbedmy skin. Kushiel's chosen may heal swiftly, but 'tis betimesan itchy process. "If we were going straight to Marsilikos."

 They stared at me, all of them; I hadn't told them thispart. I'd not told anyone. It was Joscelin who sighed."Phèdre," he said in a tone of weary resignation. "What haveyou planned?"

 I rested my reins on my pommel. "If we move quickly,"I said, "we've time enough to reach the southernmost gar­rison of the Allies of Camlach and ask after the missingguardsmen."

 Joscelin looked at me without replying, a strange expres­sion on his face. "You want to query the Unforgiven."

 I nodded.

 "Bloody hell and damnation!" Ti-Philippe grumbled, fid­dling with a purse at his belt. "I bought a set of new dicefor this journey. Azzallese staghorn, guaranteed lucky. Youmean to tell me we're riding all the way to Camlach, justto turn around and race for Marsilikos?"

 "You can gamble from Marsilikos to La Serenissima," Itold him, "and if your stakes hold out longer, it will be luckyindeed. Unless you'd rather not go?"

 "No, my lady!" Eyes widening, he took up the reins andturned his horse's head to the north. "Whatever the sevenhells you're about, I'll not be left behind. Camlach it is."

 Fortun and Remy laughed. I glanced at Joscelin, who waslooking away, and identified at last his odd expression. I had seen it before; he was trying not to smile.

 Unaccountably, my heart lightened, and I laughed too."To Camlach!"

 The truth of Ysandre's parting words to me—her realwords, in our audience—was more than evident in this jour­ney. Terre d'Ange was at peace, and prosperous. Eisheth'sWay, built by Tiberian soldiers over a millennium ago, wassolid and well tended. More than once, we saw teams ofmasons and bricklayers at work, repairing winter's damage.There are no major cities in Camlach, but the road wendsthrough myriad villages, and in each one, we saw the signsof contentment and prosperity—open markets, with the first fruits of spring for sale, and the last of winter's dried stores;poultry, mutton and wild game; fabrics, threads and neces­sities. Once we saw a Tsinganikumpania, outfitted with atravelling smithy. There was a line of villagers waiting, withhorses to be shod, pots to be mended. I thought of Hyacintheand all that he had sacrificed, and swallowed hard.

 And flowers; there were flowers. "You see that, mylady?" Fortun asked, nodding toward a stand where a young woman buried her face in a nosegay, eyes closed with plea­sure. "When common folk have coin to spare for flowers, itbodes well for the land." He laughed. "Though they say in Caerdicca Unitas that D'Angelines will buy flowers before food."

 That first evening we reached the village of Aufoil, whichhad an inn large enough to lodge our party. If my purposes had been different, I would have been carrying letters ofinvitation to half a dozen noble holdings, and we wouldhave been welcomed and feasted in style, but 'twas better this way. No one would be looking for the Comtesse deMontrève on the road to Camlach, and if they were, they'd not look in common travellers' inns.

 For their part, the villagers made us welcome. The inn-keep rushed about to procure fresh bed-linens, ordering acask of their finest wine breached. We sought to repay their hospitality with courtesy as well as coin, and Phèdre's Boyssurely excelled at that, remaining in the common room totake part in revelry and drink into the small hours of thenight.

 It was not wasted time, either. In the morning, a bleary-eyed Fortun sketched for me a map to the closest garrisonof the Unforgiven, some few days' ride away. One moreday on Eisheth's Way, and then we needs must turn aside, on less travelled paths.

 "I wondered why you wanted camping gear," Remy mut­tered. "Thought you'd never sleep on aught but silk sheets,after campaigning with the Cruithne."

 I smiled. "Now you know better." In truth, I'd sooner have slept under a silk coverlet on a down-stuffed pallet,but the pursuit of knowledge makes all manner of hardshipworthwhile.

 And Ihad known worse. I could not help but remember, as we travelled deeper into the forests of Camlach, how Joscelin and I had staggered, half-frozen, wind-burned andexhausted, out of the Camaelme Mountains and into shelter in this land. How the men of the Marquis de Bois-le-Gardehad found our meager campsite, and that awful, terrifyingflight through the benighted woods. Travelling by day,golden sunlight slanting through the pines, it seemed harm­ less, but we had come near to death in this place.

 Different times, those; Isidore d'Aiglemort's treacherousAllies of Camlach held the province, and there was no tell­ing who was friend or foe. Now those same men guardedthe borders and the Duc d'Aiglemort was dead, slain on thebattlefield of Troyes-le-Mont, spending his life to thwart thevery enemy he'd invited onto D'Angeline soil. Kilberhaar,the Skaldi had called him; Silver Hair. I had watched it all,from the parapets of the fortress. Seventeen woundsd'Aiglemort had taken, battling his way across the field to challenge Waldemar Selig. They counted, when they laidhim out and gave him a hero's funeral.

 I had been there, at the end, when he died, carrying waterto the wounded and dying.I am afraid of your lord's re­venge, he said to me, lying in a welter of his own gore. Atfirst, I thought he meant Delaunay—and then I knew better.It was Kushiel he feared; Kushiel, who metes out punish­ment.

 For that, I could not blame him. I fear Kushiel myself,for all that I am his chosen. On the whole, Naamah's Serviceis a great deal more pleasant, but I do not think it is Naamahwhose hand placed me on the battlefield that day.

 So I mused and remembered as we travelled, and the timepassed swiftly.

 On the fourth day, we came upon the Stream that Fortunhad recorded on his map, and a broad, well-trodden trailthat led out of the woods and toward the foothills of theCamaelines. The first garrison lay to the south of the southernmost of the Great Passes. It was but early afternoon, andthe woods were cheerful with birdsong.

 "I don't like this," Joscelin said, frowning at the serenity of our surroundings. "Why isn't there a guard posted? IfFortun's directions are right, we're inside the perimeter ofthe garrison."

 "Mayhap they thought it wiser to guard against theSkaldi," Remy offered sardonically.

 "No," I said absently. "Joscelin's right; any Camaeline corps this close to the border would mount a guard on allsides. They're not likely to let themselves be flanked."

 "There's been a large party riding through here," Fortunobserved, pointing to the myriad hoofmarks churning thesoft loam. "Not long past; these are fresh since it rained thismorning. A scouting party, mayhap?"

 In the distance, we heard a sudden shout, and then thedistinctive metal-on-metal sound of swordplay.

 "Mayhap not," Joscelin said grimly, and wheeled hishorse. "Whatever trouble it is, we're best away from it." He nearly clapped heels to his mount's sides, before he saw memotionless in the saddle, head cocked to listen. "Phèdre, youbrought me to keep you safe!" he snapped, jostling hismount next to mine and grabbing at my reins. "At least dome the kindness of heeding my advice!"

 The chevaliers were milling, uncertain. I met Joscelin's eyes. "Listen."

 Biting back a retort, he did; and he heard it too. Rising above the clash of arms and shouted orders, a faint cry,ragged and defiant. "Ye-shu-a! Ye-shu-a!"

 Joscelin quivered like a bowstring, his face a study inanguish. With a sound that might have been a curse or a sob, he let go my reins and jerked his horse's head around and set heels to it, riding at a dead gallop toward the gar­rison.

 "What are you waiting for?" I asked my staring cheva­liers, turning my own mount after Joscelin. "Go!"

 I daresay we made for a strange sight, bursting from theforest trail to fan out across the narrow plain; a D'Angelinenoblewoman, three men-at-arms and trailing packhorseschasing someone who looked very much like a CassilineBrother riding hell-for-leather toward an entire garrison. Ifthe Unforgiven corps had not been occupied, they mighthave laughed—but occupied they were. Thirty or more en­circled a party of Yeshuites, who numbered in the dozens. There were two wagons at the center, and I could discernthe figures of women and children on them, while the mengrappled with the Unforgiven guardsmen, calling on Yeshuawith fierce, exultant cries.

 For all of that, they were outfought and losing.

 Until Joscelin slammed into the garrison's perimeter.

 Two of the Unforgiven he took down with main force,checking his mount into them. The soldiers went down, asdid Joscelin's horse; and then he was on his feet, vambracedarms crossed, daggers in his hands.

 I lashed my horse's rump with the ends of my reins, gasp­ing a quick prayer of thanks that Joscelin hadn't drawn his sword instead. Cassiline Brothers do not draw their swordsunless they mean to kill, and he was Cassiline enough forthat. He was only trying to protect the Yeshuites.

 Of course, that didn't matter to the Unforgiven, who knewonly that the garrison was under attack.

 "Blessed tears of the Magdelene!" I heard Remy'sshocked voice close to me, his horse drawing briefly on alevel with mine, before I urged it to even greater speed.

 I had forgotten that none of Phèdre's Boys, Rousse's wildsailor-lads, had ever seen Joscelin Verreuil fight. No one butI had seen the terrible splendor of his battle in the midst ofa Skaldic blizzard. At the battle of Bryn Gorrydum, he hadstayed at my side; when the campsite was ambushed, he fought almost single-handed to defeat an entire party of Maelcon's Tarbh Cró. At Troyes-le-Mont, he crossed thebattlefield at night to follow me, and challenge WaldemarSelig to the holmgang.

 We are alike, Joscelin and I,in that what we do, we dovery well.

 And with the aid of a few dozen Yeshuites, I might havegiven him odds, against any other company; but these werethe Unforgiven, scions of Camael, born to the blade, and sur­vivors of the deadliest suicide charge in D'Angeline history.Plain steel and leather armor they wore, and carried un­adorned black shields. By the time I reached the battle, seven or eight of the Unforgiven had him isolated, surrounding himwith careful swordwork and waiting for an opening, steelblades darting past his guard to score minor wounds. In truth,despite his skill, Cassiline training is not meant for the open battlefield; it is designed for efficiency in tight quarters. TheYeshuites and the remaining Unforgiven battled in knots, the skill of the latter slowly prevailing, and from one of the wag­ons rose a child's scream, endless and unremitting.

 Three Yeshuite dead already; it would be more, in a mo­ment. It would be Joscelin.

 "Stop!" I drew up my horse, shouting, pitching my voice to carry over the battle, even as I realized the idiocy of it. "Stop the fighting!"

 Enough to give them pause; Joscelin redoubled his ef­forts, and nearly broke free. Unfortunately, it was at thatmoment that the Captain of the Guard and another twodozen reinforcements, all mounted, reached the plain. He gave a series of sharp commands, and his men split in two,one group surrounding the Yeshuites and calling on them tothrow down their swords or die, the other moving to inter­cept me and my three chevaliers, who came ranging andpanting up behind me.

 They were gentle, and firm. I struggled with the youngcorporal who blocked my view, moving me forcibly back from the fighting, his battle-trained mount pressing hardagainst mine, his companions separating us, containing mychevaliers. "You don't understand!" I said wildly, trying tosee around him; Joscelin had not surrendered. "Love of Elua,stop it! He's a Cassiline, he's just trying to protect them...I swear, if you kill him, I'll have your head!"

 "M'lady," he muttered, flushing beneath his helmet,"We're trying to protect you, please getoff the field of bat­tle!"

 A bellow of pain, distinctly Camaeline in tone, and theCaptain's voice rose ringing. "For Camael's sake, justkillhim!"

 I could hardly see for the tears of fear and frustration thatblurred my eyes; after all we had been through, for him todie like this! Shoving at the corporal, I drew a great breathand loosed it. "Joscelin! No!"

 The corporal caught at my arm, wrenching me around in the saddle to stare into my face. His eyes widened, and hishand fell away. "Captain, hai! Company, hai! Black Shields,hold!" he shouted, his voice loud and frantic. "Hold, hold,if you love your honor, hold!"

 It made absolutely no sense to me, and even less whenhe dropped his reins and dismounted, going down on oneknee and bowing his head over his unadorned shield. Ilooked in bewilderment to the next-closest soldier, and sawhim swallow visibly, hurrying to dismount and kneel. Inseconds, every one of the Unforgiven near me had followedsuit. From this center of stillness, a hissed whisper spread,and stillness followed, battle abandoned. I sat atop my horseopen-mouthed, while the entire Unforgiven garrison knelt,until no one was standing but Joscelin, and the Yeshuites.

 One of whom raised his sword over the neck of a kneelingUnforgiven soldier.

 "No!" I flung out my arm, pointing at the man. Heglanced at me, then away, and made to swing the blade. Icould see the muscles quiver in the bowed neck of the kneel­ing Unforgiven; and yet, he never raised his head. From the corner of my eye, I saw Joscelin moving, turning, a terrible despair in his face, switching his right-hand dagger to graspits hilt. I knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that he wouldthrow it at the Yeshuite if he had to; and I was afraid, veryafraid, that he held the hilt of the other dagger in his left hand, and meant to bring it across his own throat. A fineidea, this side trip of mine. A film of red veiled my vision,and my blood beat in my ears, a sound like great bronzewings clapping about my head. Somehow, I spoke, and myvoice seemed distant and strange, edged with blood andthunder."Drop your swords!"

 He did; they did. All of the Yeshuites, weapons fallingwith a clatter. Joscelin halted, in the middle of executingtheterminus, that final move that no Cassiline Brother inliving history has performed. If it was that. In the wagon,the child continued screaming.

 None of the kneeling Unforgiven even looked up.

 "Fortun," I asked, bewildered, "what's happening here?"

 TWENTY-EIGHT

 You are Kushiel's hand."

 That was how the Captain—whose name was Tarrend'Eltoine—explained it to me in the garrison keep as hepoured me a generous measure of very good Namarrese redwine, of which I drank a long draught. "My lord Captain,"I said, shuddering and setting down the glass, "forgive me, but I do not understand."

 Tarren d'Eltoine sat opposite me and fixed me with anintent gaze. "My lady Phèdre nó Delaunay de Montrève, youbear the mark of Kushiel's Dart. You are his chosen. Andwe who name ourselves the Unforgiven, scions of Camael, in our pride and arrogance, conspired to open our bordersto the Skaldi, betraying the sacred trust of Elua and his Companions." He smiled grimly. "We have thrown awayour honor, in bright-bladed Camael's eyes. For this, there is no forgiveness; only the hope of redemption. It is you who brought us that hope. Do you now understand?"

 I gazed into the hearth-fire, burning merrily against theevening chill that fell during spring in Camlach. "Isidored'Aiglemort," I said presently.

 "Even so." Captain d'Eltoine nodded. "You gave him achance to die a hero, and he took it. He did. Those of uswho survived, we will not sway from the course you set,not until we die. What you have given us is a chance toendure Kushiel's punishment here on earth, and expiate oursins."

 I looked reluctantly at him. "My lord...I am grateful forthe lives you spared. But I didn't ask Isidore d'Aiglemortand the Allies of Camlach to fight for the sake of their souls.I asked because I was desperate, and I could think of noother way we stood to defeat the Skaldi."

 "That doesn't matter." He gazed at his wineglass and low­ered it untasted. "Kushiel's hand need not know its master's mind; it does his bidding all the same. We are the Unforgiven. We have a debt we must honor unto death, shouldyou command us. That is all you need know."

 "You could have notified me," I murmured. D'Eltoine blinked; my humor was lost on him. It was true, most Ca­maelines do think with their swords. Isidore d'Aiglemortwas an exception, but then, he was fostered among the Shah­rizai. "Never mind." My head was reeling. It is not everyday that one learns an entire militia has sworn unbeknownstto obey you. "My lord," I said, gathering my thoughts. "Why did your men attack the Yeshuites?"

 "We sought to question them." He shrugged apologeti­cally. "A party of that size, seeking to cross into Skaldia?There can be no good reason for it, my lady, save espionage.But when we sought to detain them for questioning, they drew steel. So my men say, and I have no reason to doubt them." He eyed me. "Though if you demand it, I will put them to questioning."

 "No." After what had passed in the City, it rang altogethertoo true. "They seek to cross Skaldia, and find refuge inlands further north, my lord. They mean us no harm."

 "You know this to be true?" Firelight washed his face, etching in shadow the severe Camaeline beauty of his fea­tures. Some of us live closer in the hand of those we servethan others; this Captain was one such. Whether he hadbroken faith or no, I could see the bright edge of Camael'ssword hovering over him.

 "Yes." I said it firmly. What he was asking for, I couldwell guess; the stern truth of Kushiel's chosen, a terrible justice. I did not think it wise to tell him I was as muchNaamah's Servant as Kushiel's, that the immortal hand thatpricked my left eye with a crimson mote had led me not to pass sentence on the errant scions of Elua and his Compan­ions, but to find luxuriant pleasure in enduring pain. But Ithought of the Rebbe, and the depth of grief in his eyes, and I did not doubt the truth of my response. "Yes, my lord, Iknow it to be true."

 "Madness." He shook his head, then looked squarely atme. "We will allow them passage. My lady, what else doyou ask of us?"

 Ah, Elua; such power, and so useless to me! If I couldhave put a name to an enemy who could be fought withcold steel, I would have. The ancient Hellenes claimed that the gods mocked their chosen victims. I never quite under­stood, until then, the double-edged curse of my gift. Meli­ sande, I thought, would have relished the irony of it.

 There remained, though, that which I had come for. "My lord," I said, leaning forward. "I am in search of the garrison of Troyes-le-Mont, those guardsmen who were on duty the night that Melisande Shahrizai escaped. I am given to un­derstand that some number of them requested service amongthe Unforgiven, pursuing the remnants of Selig's army.What can you tell me?"

 "Ghislain's lads." Tarren d'Eltoine surprised me with afierce, bleak grin. "You're hunting traitors. I knew youwould be about Kushiel's business, my lady. Yes, I've twounder my command, and there are some few others, Ithink—three or four—scattered among the garrisons of Camlach. Would you speak with those here at Southfort?"

 "Yes, my lord Captain. Please." After so long, I nearlyfelt dizzy with relief at tracking down at least two of themissing guardsmen. Barquiel L'Envers, I thought, I owe youfor this tip. Pray that I use it better than you used my in­formation regarding Marmion Shahrizai.

 "They're loyal lads, to the bone, and I'm willing to swearas much, but mayhap they'll point your trail for you. I'llarrange for it first thing in the morning." The Captain stoodand bowed. "Is there aught else?"

 "No," I said automatically, then, "Yes. Do you promiseme that no one of your men will seek vengeance againstJosceíin Verreuil for his actions?"

 "Do you jest?" His eyes gleamed; he did have a sense ofhumor after all. It was simply a uniquely Camaeline humor."If I am not mistaken, they are badgering him even now toshow how he managed to hold off half a dozen of the BlackShields."

 "Seven," I said, meeting his amused gaze. "It was seven,at least."

 Tarren d'Eltoine laughed. "He should have been born Ca­maeline."

 High praise, indeed. I mulled over in my mind whether or not to tell Josceíin.

 That night, I slept in the Captain's own quarters, listening to the wind out of Skaldia blow through the pines. It mademe shiver in my marrow, and wish I were not alone beneaththe fur-trimmed covers. I think, sometimes, I will nevershake the cold of that Bitterest Winter. Though the lash-marks of my final assignation had faded, my shoulder ached;the old wound, where Waldemar Selig's blade had begun tocarve my skin from my flesh. 'Twas but a memory, but evenso, I felt it. I heard the sounds of a nightbound garrison, the call and response of guards, the occasional staccato beat ofhooves, and saw light streaking against the darkness as a torch was handed off. I didn't guess what they were about, then. There was a watch set on the Yeshuite encampment, an uneasy truce.

 I had gone to speak with them, along with Josceíin, andexplained the nature of the misunderstanding. They wereholding funeral rites for the slain, and though I spoke intheir own tongue, most would not even look my way.

 At length, one of the men came to address me, a barelycontained rage in his face. I knew this man. He was the onewho would have slain the kneeling guard "Yes, we hearwhat you say, D'Angeline," he said, making a term of contempt of it, not deigning to address me in Habiru. "Do younot see that we sit in grief for the dead?"

 "You could havetold them!" I listened to the keening ofwomen and children, and a cold anger filled me. "Yousought to cross a hostile border into enemy land—an enemywho well-nigh conquered us not two years past! They hada right to question you. Is it Yeshua' s way to answer ques­tions with steel?"

 The man's eyes shone in the firelight, and he spat at myfeet. "When the Mashiach returns, he will come bearing asword, and He will separate out the goats from the sheep,D'Angeline! It is the faithful who lay His path. Are weprisoners here? Must we suffer for your pride, your wars?"

 Those Unforgiven maintaining a watch stirred uneasily,and Joscelin twitched at my side, torn. I held up a hand,stalling them. "No," I murmured. "Will you make your peo­ple suffer for yours?"

 The Yeshuite looked at me, uncertain. I thought with grief of the needless death I had witnessed, the lives thrown awayon the battlefield. What stakes are worth that cost? I did notknow then; I do not know now. What prize he sought, Icould not even fathom. A promise gleaned from a deadprophet's words. In the end, all I could do was sigh.

 "I have secured you safe passage through the mountains,"I told him. "Captain d'Eltoine's men will see you to thepass on the morrow, and your weapons will be returned to you. Beyond that, I can only pray that you are right, andYeshua keep you safe."

 Joscelin gave his Cassiline bow, putting a seal on mywords. Hiskhai pendant flashed in the firelight, but he madeno comment, and the Yeshuite offered him no thanks forthe intervention that had surely saved lives. I turned to make my way back to the garrison.

 "Tell me," I said to Joscelin as we reached the well-guarded entrance to the keep. I stopped and looked him fullin the face. "Was it theterminus!"

 He hesitated, and did not meet my eyes. "No. I wouldhave thrown, that's all. He was going to kill a man in coldblood."

 "You did as much, once." I said it softly."Yes." Joscelin did look at me, then, hard. "I haven'tforgotten."

 It had been my idea, my plan. I had not forgotten, eitherI will never forget, until I die. Who is to measure cause? Itmay be that Terre d'Ange stands as a sovereign nation andnot a Skaldic territory because Joscelin Verreuil throttled anunsuspecting thane. It was still murder. Are the stakes theYeshuites seek any lower? I cannot say; only that we gaugedthe need and the profit better. And what had been the costto Joscelin's soul? He bore the guilt of our deed, and hisown broken oaths. I could not see his left hand, on the fieldtoday. I would never know if he meant to bring the second dagger to his own throat.

 He'd done that once, too.

 Thus for the wisdom of Kushiel's chosen. I wish some­times that the gods would either choose better, or make theirwishes clearer. Small wonder, that my sleep was restless.Still, sleep I did, alone in my cold and borrowed bed, andawoke to find that the Unforgiven had planned a show of arms for my benefit.

  There were no women in the garrison of Southfort, onlyCamaeline lads eager to apprentice, for whom the taint ofthe Unforgiven held the glamour of the doomed, and a few grizzled ex-soldiers, who kept the lads in line. They madea considerable fuss over arranging for my toilet that morn­ing. It would not do for me to visit the baths, oh no, but a great bronze tub must be hauled into the Captain's rooms, and bucket after bucket of steaming water to fill it. Aguardsman, blushing, apologized for the lack of attendants; it disturbed his sensibilities that I must scrub myself anddress my own hair.

 I bore it with good humor, glad my restless night wasended. Cereus House may have trained me, but I am no night-blooming flower to wilt in broad daylight. Still, it im­pressed upon me that the Unforgiven took this matterseriously, and I dressed accordingly. I'd had most of mywardrobe shipped ahead, two trunks already boarded inMarsilikos, but I had kept back one of Favrielle's creations,a travelling gown in black velvet with a bodice and sleeves that hugged the form, and flowing skirts designed for riding astride.

 Over that, I wore mysangoire cloak.

 So it was that we rode out onto the practice-field at Southfort, and Captain Tarren D'Eltoine barked out commands while his corps of Unforgiven executed a smooth series of maneuvers. Worn armor was oiled and polished to a high gleam, black shields fresh painted. His pikemen advancedbefore the line of horse, knelt and held, then broke awaysmoothly as the cavalry simulated a charge, lances held low.Then they too split away, and the pikemen regrouped intheir place, swords drawn. Spaced far apart, they advanced;and the wheeling cavalry turned and charged through the gaps, baring naked steel.

 When it was done, Tarren d'Eltoine raised one hand, andto a man, the Unforgiven knelt in that same uncanny motion;swords sheathed, shields lowered to touch the earth andheads bowed. Elua forgive me, but it made me uncomfort­able. He beckoned, before giving the dismissal. Five infan­trymen stayed.

 I took their measure as they approached; L'Agnacites all, by the look of them. Broad, earnest faces, handsome in theirway, bearing the sweat of their toil and smelling of the earth.Joscelin and my chevaliers drew close as they came, espe­cially Fortun, who had studied most the maps of Troyes-le-Mont. He had brought one of our renderings with him, anddrew out the scroll from its cylindrical leather casing,spreading it over his horse's withers.

 "Five?" I asked Tarren d'Eltoine. "You said you hadtwo."

 He gave me his bleak smile. "We sent our fastest ridersout last night, to the garrisons of Camlach. There are pas­sageways through the mountains, known only to us. Threeother of Ghislain's men, you see before you. The last, atNorthfort, was too far to reach."

 I remembered hoofbeats, and the torches. "Ah."

 The men saluted and gave their names. Octave, Vernay,Svariel, Fitz, Giles ... Fortun had it all recorded, once. All from L'Agnace; I'd been right about that. They gave theirpositions, each one, the night of Melisande's escape, andFortun noted them carefully on his map.

 "Tell me," I said, leaning forward in the saddle, "all thatyou saw that night."

 They did, with earnest voices and open countenances,evincing not one of the telltales of evasion I might have noted; indeed, they fair spilled over one another, eager tosay what they had seen. I kept my expression serene andgnashed my teeth inwardly. Vernay, from the northernmostgarrison reached, gave willing testimony to what his friendand comrade Luthais of Northfort had seen, tendering hiscomrade's sincere regrets at his absence: The distance hadbeen too great. Vernay swayed on his feet saying it, eyes bloodshot with exhaustion. I did not like to guess how farhe had ridden, nor how fast—nor how many horses it hadtaken, and whether they lived. I had not asked the Captainfor this.

 And these were the folk they saw abroad that night in Troyes-le-Mont: the chirurgeon Lelahiah Valais; BarquielL'Envers; Gaspar Trevalion; Tibault de Toluard; Ghislainand Percy de Somerville. No more than I knew before, and two I had already discarded as suspects. I could have wept.Instead, I asked about Persia Shahrizai.

 "Yes, my lady," replied Svariel of L'Agnace, who'd stood guard on the stairway of the second floor. "One of her maj­esty's Cassilines escorted her to the prisoner's chamber andback."

 I closed my eyes. "Did you look closely as she left?"

 He shook his head, reluctantly. I heard it all the same.

 "When the Queen questioned you, did you tell her theLady Persia was accompanied by a Cassiline?" I asked,opening my eyes.

 He looked surprised. "I must have done, my lady. Don'tremember as anyone asked. Well, she'd have known it, anymind, right? They're hers, the Cassiline Brothers."

 "Yes." I gazed at him. "What did he look like?"

 Svariel of L'Agnace looked uncomfortable, dartingglances between Joscelin and me. "Well, like ... like a Cas­siline. I don't know. Grey togs, daggers and whatnot.They're all more or less the same, saving Lord Joscelin,aren't they?"

 "More or less." I regarded Joscelin. He looked sick. "A young man? Old?"

 "Middling." Svariel shrugged. "Tallish. Well, most of 'emare, aren't they? Not fair, and not grey. Dark hair, like; orbrown. Or reddish, mayhap." His face creased. "I'm sorry, my lady! I'd have paid closer heed, but Cassilines ... well.I'd as soon question one of Camael's priests. I should have, Iknow. S'why I'm here, and sworn to serve the Unforgiven. I don't forgive myself, I swear it."

 "It doesn't matter," I told him gently. "You did all thatduty required, and very well indeed, to remember that much. What of the others?" I glanced round at them all. "There must be ten or more of the guardsmen of Troyes-le-Montnot numbered among the Unforgiven."

 "There were." It was the Captain's voice, cool and inci­sive. "We had two dozen among us, when we chased theremnants of Selig's men past the Camaelines. Some choseto stay; those men you see here before you. The rest returned to their duties in the regular army."

 I thought about that. "To whom did they report?"

 Tarren d'Eltoine shrugged. "The Lord Commander, I sup­pose, or mayhap the Captain of the Palace Guard. I concernmyself with the men under my command, not those who'vechosen dismissal."

 "Not the Palace Guard," Remy said certainly, and Ti-Philippe nodded vigorously. "Believe me, my lady, we'vehaunted the barracks long enough! If Captain Niceaux knewaught of their fate, he'd have told us for the pleasure ofseeing our backsides.”

 I could not help but smile. "Well, then. Percy de Some­rville claims no knowledge of them; but then, it is BarquielL'Envers who told me as much, so I do not know if I canbelieve it. My lord Captain, messires soldiers, might they have reported to Ghislain de Somerville?"

 "Who knows?" Tarren d'Eltoine flicked dust from hissword-hilt. "I heard LordPercy..." his lip curled, "...would fain see his son succeed him as Royal Commander. That's why he gave Ghislain command of the garrison inTroyes-le-Mont. Then again, Ghislain has his hands fullholding the northern borders with Marc de Trevalion."

 "I'd as soon report to Ghislain as the old man," Fitz ofL'Agnace said stolidly. "He's the one gave us leave to jointhe Unforgiven. The old man would've had us digging ir­rigation ditches in his appleyards if he thought we needed punishing."

 "Kerney and Geoff went back because they were ready to dig ditches instead of graves," Octave reminded himwearily; he had ridden far in the last twelve hours too, Icould tell. He shook his head. "I don't know, my lady.We're L'Agnacites, we muster to the Comte ... excuse me, the Duc ... de Somerville's banner. If his lordship doesn't know, one of his subcommanders should."

 I gazed at him. "And if no one knows? Mayhap they wenthome, without reporting."

 "Mayhap." He said it reluctantly. "But they were owedpay in arrears. I don't think any of 'em would have foregonethat. After all, the army's been ordered to stand down."

 Fortun consulted his map of Troyes-le-Mont. "What ofPhanuel Buonard?" he asked.

 The L'Agnacites exchanged glances. "No," one of them said eventually. "I remember him. He's the one found poor Davet at the gate. He's Namarrese, he is. He didn't have theballs to become a Black Shield." Glancing at me, hecoughed. "Begging my lady's pardon."

 "Certainly," I murmured, wracking my brains for further questions. None availed themselves to me. I glanced at Fortun, who shook his head. So be it. "Thank you, my lordCaptain, messires soldiers. You have been most helpful."

 Tarren d'Eltoine gave the order for dismissal. As one, theL'Agnacites knelt, bowing their heads, then rose and de­parted at a fast jog toward the keep, even the most exhaustedamong them squaring his shoulders. "They serve well, thesefarmers' sons," d'Eltoine mused, watching after them. "Imust say, it is notable."

 "Anael's scions love the land," I said softly, "as Camael'slove the blade. So they say." I did not add that for thisreason, no Camaeline had been named Royal Commanderin six hundred years. Tarren d'Eltoine would have knownwhat the kings and queens of Terre d'Ange had held true for centuries: Battle for the sake of honor may be a finething for bards to sing of, but it is no way to preserve one'shomeland. I gazed toward the base of the mountains, pickingout the Yeshuite party in the distance, wending its way to­ward the southern pass, sunlight glinting off the steel platesof their Unforgiven escort. "My lord Captain." I turned backto him. "I am grateful and more for your aid. You havegiven more than I could ever have required. But now, I fear, we must depart. There is a ship sailing from Marsilikos thatwill not wait for us."

 He bowed to me from the saddle, then dismounted andwent down on one knee, bending his head briefly. "As youmust, my lady. I wish you good hunting." Rising, hemounted smoothly, guiding his horse with his knees. "Re­member," he said, raising his shield. Like his men's, it wasdead black, save a single diagonal stripe of gold to mark hisrank. "If you have need of the Unforgiven, we will answerto you. Commend us to your lord, Phèdre nó Delaunay deMontrève!"

 With that, the Captain of Southfort thundered after hismen. We sat, Joscelin, my chevaliers and I, gazing after him.

 "Well," I said thoughtfully. "Shall we go to Marsilikos?"

 TWENTY-NINE

 We pushed hard that day and talked little, making goodtime. Once or twice Fortun glanced at me, thinking to spec­ulate on what we had learned from the L'Agnacites, butwhatever he saw writ on my face kept him silent. Timeenough, on a long sea journey, to discuss it. He had themaps, and he would not forget.

 A great deal occupied my mind as we rode. It is a startlingthing, to find one has been made a legend unaware, even in a small way. It is a burdensome thing.A whore's unwanted get. So the ancient Dowayne of Cereus House named me,long ago; my earliest memory of identity. 'Twas bitter, in­deed, but simple, too. Delaunay changed all that, putting aname to Kushiel's Dart, making me somewhat other. Then,I reveled in it. Now...I thought of the Unforgiven soldier kneeling beneath the Yeshuite's sword with his bowed head,neck muscles quivering, willing to die for ananguissette'sdesperate plea.

 Now, I was not so sure. And there was Joscelin.

 The weather held fair and balmy, and we made camp ina pleasant site surrounded by great cedars. A spring burbled from a cleft in the mossy rocks, dark and cold, tasting faintlyloamy. Remy, who had begun his service with AdmiralQuintilius Rousse as apprentice to the ship's cook, made a passing good stew of salt beef and dried carrots, seasoningit with red wine and a generous handful of thyme. The Un­forgiven had made certain our stores were well stocked ere we departed.

 Afterward, as dusk fell, coming swift beneath the canopyof boughs, Joscelin volunteered quietly to take the firstwatch, and my chevaliers wrapped themselves in their bed­rolls and slept. For some time, I lay awake on my fine-combed woolen blankets, watching the stars emerge one byone in patches of black sky visible through the trees. Atlength, Igathered up my blankets and went to sit beside himnear the fire, which had burnt low.

 "Phèdre." He looked sidelong at me, poking a long branchinto the core of embers.

 "Joscelin." It was enough, for now, to say his name. I sat gazing at our campfire, watching a thin line of flame lick atthe underside of the branch. He fed it carefully, twig by twig, branch by branch, until it blazed merrily and sent sparks into the night air. So we had done in Skaldia, thetwo of us, with numb fingers and prayers on our half-frozenlips. 'Twas all so different, now. "Do you remember—"

 Joscelin cut me off with a mute glance, and I held my tongue until he spoke, fiddling with a bit of tinder. "Youknow, I didn't want to believe it," he mused, throwing the debris into the fire. "You think it's true. There is a Cassiline Brother involved."

 "I don't know." I wrapped my arms around my knees. "Ifound nothing to suspect in the list Thelesis gathered, but Ithink it is likely, yes, based on what we heard today." I stolea look at his brooding profile. "Even if there is, Joscelin ...too many strings have been pulled, by someone with influ­ence. A Cassiline could not have arranged for so manyguardsmen to go missing. It cannot be only that."

 "But it's part of it." He tipped his head back, gazing atthe stars; I saw his throat move as he swallowed. "Despiteit all, the training and the oaths, one of my own Brethren. Weare human, Phèdre. Elua knows, we are that. But tobreak that faith, that training?" Joscelin drew a shaky breathand let it out slowly. "I never even went home. I promisedmy father, at Troyes-le-Mont, do you remember? And Luc.We were going to go to Verreuil."

 "I remember." Sorrow rose, inexorable as the tide, andmingled with it, guilt. It was my fault. I had dragged himwith me to the City instead, compelled by the strength of his vow. The Perfect Companion. "We were going to go this spring, you and I."

 "Yes." He rubbed his eyes absently, his voice rough. "Almost fifteen years, it's been. My mother must be like to kill me."

 I remembered his father, a stern Siovalese lordling, withthe same austere beauty as his son, one arm bound in astump after that terrible battle. I remembered his elderbrother Luc, with those same summer-blue eyes, wide andmerry. What must his mother and sisters and youngerbrother be like? I could not even guess. "Joscelin." I waiteduntil he looked at me. "For Elua's sake, go home! Go seeyour mother, raise sheep in Siovale or lead the Yeshuitesacross Skaldia, I don't know. It doesn't matter. You wereten years old, when the Brotherhood claimed you. You don'towe them a debt of service to me! Even if you did, thatbond was dissolved, by the Prefect's own words, years ago.It is killing you," I added softly. "And I cannot bear to watchit. If I could change what I am, I would. But I cannot."

 "Neither can I," he whispered. "I swore my vows to Cas­siel, not the Prefect, and the one I've kept is the only one that matters in the end. Phèdre, if I could be as otherD'Angelines, I would. Mayhap it is killing me to stay, butleave you?" He shook his head. "They laid down their swords. You ordered it, and they did. Not the Unforgiven,I know what they hold true. Kushiel's hand. They have their redemption to think of. But the Yeshuites ... they despise you, and yet, they obeyed."

 I had forgotten it, until then; forgotten the ringing in my head, the bronze edge of power that shaded my desperate words. I ran my hands blindly over my face. "I know," Imurmured. "I remember."

 Until he took me into his arms, I did not realize my bodywas trembling. I laid my head on his chest, and the worstpart of a long-pent fear and tension went out of me with a shudder, grounding itself in his warmth. Joscelin tightenedhis arms and stared over my head into the fire. "It scares me too, Phèdre," he said. "It scares me, too."

 I fell asleep curled in his arms, and knew no more thatnight, wrapped for once in Joscelin's protection and thesound of his steady breathing. Would that it were alwaysso, though I think I knew better, even then, than to hope for as much.

 In the morning, Fortun shook us carefully awake and Joscelin disengaged himself from me, limbs stiffened by longinaction. I knelt in my blankets and dragged my fingersthrough my disheveled hair, watching him rise to commencehis morning exercises, movements growing increasinglyfluid as his muscles loosened and blood flowed, reinvigorating his limbs. His face was calm and expressionless.

 Whatever had passed between us, nothing had changed.

 We were four more days on the road, riding swiftly forMarsilikos, and I was heartened once we passed beyond thebounds of Camlach and into the province of Eisande. Eluaforgive me, but I had too many bad memories that lay closeto the Skaldic border, and the fealty of the Unforgiven had unnerved me. My chevaliers watched Joscelin and me as warily as they might the weather, but he was closed oncemore, cordial and distant. I daresay they held him in agreater degree of respect, having seen him do battle. Once we regained Eisheth's Way, we made our lodging in trav­ellers' quarters, and I had a room to myself and a greatempty bed.

 A funny thing, that; I have been a courtesan all my life,and yet, I never passed a night entire in another's company,not until I was a slave in Skaldia. My patrons are not thesort to desire their beds warmed after pleasure.

 Well, I have endured worse hardships than a cold bed, and I was not going to press the matter. Let Joscelin standat the crossroads as long as need be, for while he stood, hestood at my side, and when all was said and done, for allthe guilt I felt, I was grateful for it. One day, he mustchoose, and I was not so sure as I had been what path itwould be.

 Nor where mine would lead without him.

 So we rode onward, and this time, when Ti-Philippesniffed the air, 'twas no jest; we could smell it, all of us,the salt tang of the sea.

 We had reached Marsilikos.

 Of all the cities in Terre d'Ange, it is one of the oldest—arich port from time out of mind, since the Hellenes began to conquer the sea. Tiberium held it, too, but since thatmighty empire fell, it has belonged to us. It has a deep,protected harbor, and by tradition, the Royal Fleet anchors along the northern coast, warding off the threat of piracy. Ganelon de la Courcel ordered the fleet to the Straits afterLyonette de Trevalion's rebellion, fearing to trust to the loy­alty of Azzalle. Ysandre, who restored peace in the prov­ince, had returned the Royal Fleet to its proper berth. Smallwonder that my chevaliers were excited. For them, it was somewhat akin to returning home.

 Indeed, they knew the city well, and pointed out its mar­vels to me as we rode, skirting the bustling quai, where a fish-market to fair boggle the mind was held. There, theTheatre Grande, where players and musicians flocked everyseason of the year, and competitions were staged in Eish­eth's honor. There, the ancient Hellene agora, where oratorsand Mendacants still held forth, and people gathered to lis­ten. There, just off the shore, a tiny, barren island, sacredto Eisheth and dedicated to fishermen. And all the length ofthe harbor, galleys and cogs were at dock, cargos loadedand delivered, the sound of shouting and the groaningwheels of oxcarts and the crack of whips snapping fillingthe air.

 Above it all, on a high hill overlooking the harbor, stoodthe Dome of the Lady.

 Sovereignty of the province of Eisande has passed fromhand to hand with the whims of politics, but one thing has never changed: Marsilikos. It is ancient and wealthy, and itis ruled by the Lady of Marsilikos. If the heir to the citywas male, no mind; his wife or consort was styled by thepeople the Lady of Marsilikos, and acknowledged as such,sharing equally in his power. I daresay there have beenLords who have challenged this, but none, to my knowl­edge, have succeeded in breaking the tradition. Eisheth her­self was the first Lady of Marsilikos, and her precedentstands. So long as Terre d'Ange remains a sovereign nation,there will be a Lady in Marsilikos.

 In this instance, it happened that I knew her.

 The Duchese Roxanne de Mereliot was one of the fewpeers of the realm that Ysandre de la Courcel had trusted in those dark, precarious months before the war, when first shehad ascended the throne—and she had proved a faithful ally.

 If she was still, she would be expecting me.

 I sent Remy and Ti-Philippe in advance, racing unbur­dened up the hill to announce our arrival, while Fortun bar­gained with a pair of shrewd dock-urchins to aid us withthe packhorses. In truth, I was not certain what welcome wewould find; I had been too long with my own suspicions,and too short a time a member of the peerage to expect the best. It is something to inspire awe, the Dome of the Lady, towering walls of white marble rising far above the city,gold leaf gleaming atop the dome. Siovalese architects werehired to build it, and there is a story about a lost ship beingsaved by seeing it shine on the far horizon like a second sun, a hundred leagues at sea.

 At any rate, I was soon to be shamed by my own doubts.

 The golden Dome reared up against a blue sky as wemade our approach, flanked at its base by white minarets.It is a splendid structure, and highly defensible, walled for­tifications encircling the peak of the hill. The standard ofthe Lady of Marsilikos fluttered from the minarets and the crenellated tops of the gate-tower; two golden fish, head to tail, forming a circle on a sea-blue field. It is ancient, too, by our reckoning—Eisheth's sign.

 This day, the gates stood open, and a guardsman soundeda long trumpet blast to herald our arrival. They bowed aswe rode through, a double line of guards, clad in light shirtsof chain-mail over sea-blue livery.

 In the courtyard, smiling, stood Roxanne de Mereliot, ac­companied by her retinue of guardsmen and retainers, and another figure I knew well; red-haired, burly as a bear andhalf again as elegant, a broad, lopsided grin splitting hisscarred face.

 "My lord Admiral!" My exultant cry rang in the court­yard, and before I thought twice, I dismounted and ran tohim, flinging both arms about his neck.

 "Easy, child!" For all that he protested, Quintilius Rousse chuckled and enfolded me in a great embrace, crushing meagainst his brawny chest. "Sweet tits of Naamah, you're asight for sore eyes, Phèdre nó Delaunay!" Resting his hands on my shoulders, he grinned down at me, eyes a bright bluein his weather-beaten face. "The Lady thought you might be pleased to see me. Glad to note she wasn't wrong."

 "Your grace!" Appalled, I turned to Roxanne de Mereliot,dropping into a deep curtsy and holding it, my head low­ered.

 "Comtesse de Montrève, be welcome to Marsilikos," her voice said above me, rich with amusement. "And please, dorise."

 I did, reluctantly meeting her gaze. No longer young, the Lady of Marsilikos retained an abundant beauty, deepened with the passage of years. Her coal-black hair was streaked with white, her generous mouth smiled easily, and kindnessand wisdom lit her dark eyes. "Your grace," I said. "Prayforgive my rudeness."

 "Rudeness?" She gave her warm smile. " 'Twould havespoiled my surprise if you'd acted otherwise! I miss my ownchildren, who pursue their studies in Tiberium and Siovale.Spontaneity is the province of youth; indulge me my delightin it, young Phèdre."

 Over her shoulder, I saw Remy and Ti-Philippe, grinning like idiots, while behind me, Fortun and Joscelin exchanged hearty greetings with Quintilius Rousse. I could not help butsmile, too. "By all means, my lady," I said, and meant it.

 That night in the Dome of the Lady, Roxanne de Mereliot held a feast for us. It was a closed affair, for it would not do to have it gossiped about Eisande that the Lady of Mar­silikos had received me in state so soon on the heels of my disfavor at the Palace, but splendid nonetheless. I have a fondness for seafood, and Marsilikos is renowned for it. We ate course after course, all plucked fresh from the sea— mussels in their own salt juices, terrines of lobster, seabream in ginger, filets of sole and salmon, whitefish in flakypastry. I daresay nearly all of us ate until we were fair groan­ing; cuisine is reckoned one of the great arts in Terred'Ange, and we would too soon be at the mercy of Caerdicci cookery.

 Afterward, bowls of warmed water scented with orangeblossom were brought round, and we dipped our fingers and wiped them on linen towels, and then sweet almond pastries were served, and a dessert wine from Beauviste that lingeredon the tongue with a taste of melons and honey, and Roxanne de Mereliot bid her servants leave us until further no­tice.

 "Ysandre has written to tell me what you are about,Phèdre," she said without preamble. "From her courier's haste, I thought to see you in Marsilikos some days past."

 "My apologies, my lady," I replied. "I had other businessto attend to." 'Twas not for lack of trust that I did not sharewith her and Rousse what had passed among the Unforgiven. In truth, I had learned naught of use to anyone, andI was uncomfortable enough with their regard to remain si­lent. To their credit, not a one of Phèdre's Boys evenblinked.

 "No matter." She dismissed it with a wave of her hand."Would that we'd had more time, is all. But I have takenthe liberty of confirming your arrangements, and clearingtheir security through Admiral Rousse. TheDarielle sails onthe morrow, late afternoon; she'll be loading cargo all morn.Your shipment of lead has safely arrived, and your trunksas well. You've passage booked for five to La Serenissima."The Lady of Marsilikos frowned. "Would that there was ought else I could do, Phèdre."

 " 'Tis but a sea voyage, my lady." I shrugged. "A thou­sand others have done the same, and a thousand shall afterme."

 "I have been on one of your sea voyages," QuintiliusRousse rumbled, "and scarce lived to tell the tale, child. Iknow better. Whatever else Delaunay taught you, he madeyou an apt compass for trouble. I'm minded to send an es­cort with you. Three ships, no more."

 Joscelin, Remy, Ti-Philippe, Fortun—all looked at me,while I shook my head slowly. "No, my lord Admiral. Ithank you; but no. If I'm to harbor any illusion in La Serenissima that I'mnot Ysandre's creature, I can scarce arrive with an escort culled from the Royal Fleet."

 "La Serenissima," Rousse said mildly, "fields a navywhich is second to none, child; even to my own. They hold the entire length of the Caerdicci coast, aye, and Illyria too,with fingers stretching into Hellene waters, and eyes thatgaze beyond, toward Ephesium and Khebbel-im-Akkad.Peaceful now, aye, but La Serenissima hungers for power, and we have Prince Benedicte de la Courcel alone to thankthat her eyes do not turn west. Those who do not fear herare land-locked fools."

 I flushed at that. "My lord, it may be so. If it is, will youdefend me with three galleys?"

 "Nay," he growled. "But I can remind them that they donot control the waters yet, and any Serenissiman foolenough to harbor Melisande Shahrizai will answer to Terred'Ange, with blood if need be!"

 "Admiral." It was Fortun's voice, quiet and even. "Do,and you'll warn every enemy of the nation before we've even set foot on dry land. My lady Phèdre is right. If thereis aught to learn, and we stand any chance of learning it, we must rely on the arts of covertcy."

 "You've been at the lad," Quintìlius Rousse sighed, lev­eling his blue gaze at me. "Child, Anafiel Delaunay was myfriend, and I never had better. For his sake, let me affordyou such measure of protection as is in my ability to grant.For surely, if he knew the road on which he'd set you, he'dask no less."

 Roxanne de Mereliot did not speak, but her dark eyespleaded with me, those of a sovereign and a mother alike. I should have guessed she had a stake in it.

 "My lord." I spread my hands helplessly. "It is too much,and not enough. Fortun is right, your aid would but tie ourhands. And if my lord Delaunay were alive to say it, hewould surely agree." I summoned my resolve and held his fierce gaze unblinking. "Time passes, my lord Admiral, and I am no child to be ordered. Her majesty has agreed to my plan. Let it stand."

 "Bah!" It was Rousse who looked away first, beseechingJoscelin and my chevaliers for assistance. "Will none of you talk sense to the girl?" he demanded. In truth, I was not sure.But all of them, even little Ti-Philippe, shook their heads, oneby one. At last, Quintilius Rousse heaved another sigh, moremassive than the last. "So be it," he said heavily. "But ifyou've need of aid, Phèdre nó Delaunay, know this. Do youbut send word to the Lady of Marsilikos or myself, I willcome. I will come with ships, and I will come in force. I have seen the Face of the Waters, and I do not fear anything at seaborn of mortal flesh. Do you understand?"

 "Yes, my lord," I murmured, flinching away from theferocity of his stare. "I understand." It brought somewhatelse to mind, and I bit my lip. "My lord... my lord Ad­miral. Do you have any word of the Master of the Straits?"

 Joscelin stirred, alert at that. He knew what I meant: Hy­acinthe.

 "Nay," Rousse said softly, his expression turning com­passionate. "Tamed they are, child, and all manner of craftcross at will. But I swear to you, every three-month, storm or calm, I have sent a ship to dare the Three Sisters. Nonehas drawn within a league; the seas themselves rise againstus. I am sorry," he added with unwonted gentleness. "I likedthat Tsingano lad, I did. But whatever fate he's bought him­self, the Master of the Straits holds him to it."

 I nodded. "Thank you."

 It was meant to be my fate, Hyacinthe's. The Master ofthe Straits had posed us a riddle. I had guessed the riddlefirst, and I had guessed it right. He drew his power from theLost Book of Raziel. But Hyacinthe had challenged my an­swer. He had used thedromonde, the Tsingani gift of sight,and seen further into the past, answering the riddle to its fullest and naming the terms of Rahab's curse. His was theanswer the Master of the Straits had accepted. If not forthat, it would have been me, chained for eternity to that lonely isle. It should have been me.

 "I will keep trying," Quintilius Rousse said roughly, andreaching across the table, took my face in both massivehands, planting a kiss on my brow. "Elua keep you, Phèdre nó Delaunay, and heed my promise, if you'll not heed myadvice. We went to the ends of the earth together, you and I."

 "Yes, my lord," I whispered, grasping his hands and kiss­ing them. Alone among all the others, all I suspected, Itrusted Quintilius Rousse. 'Twas true, wehad gone to theends of the earth together, he and I; gone and returned.

 Roxanne de Mereliot shook her head fretfully. "I washoping you would see reason, Phèdre. But you will do whatyou will, I suppose. I will pray to Eisheth for your safereturn," she said, and added her voice to Rousse's. "And ifyou've need of aid, send word, and I will send it."

 "Iwill," I promised.

 THIRTY

 1 he next day, we said our farewells to the Lady of Marsilikos, and made our way to the quai to board theDarielle.She was a three-masted galley, one of the newest and finestmerchanters D'Angeline traders had afloat, and not even mychevaliers had a word to say against her.

 The last thing we did, before boarding, was conclude the sale of our mounts and packhorses to one of the many horse traders who provide for and profit from travellers in Marsilikos. We had not arranged for their portage, and I wasminded to start anew in La Serenissima, unencumberedupon my arrival. Still, it was a frightening thing, to commitourselves to the bowels of the ship, knowing we would ar­rive without home or transport. I prayed that my factor'sarrangements held good, and the sale of the shipment of leadwould go through without difficulty.

 Quintilius Rousse had accompanied us to the quai, andwhatever it was he said to the captain, hauling him asideand muttering ungently in his ear, I daresay it went a longway toward explaining the careful, courteous treatment I re­ceived throughout our journey.

 When he had done with the Captain, he turned to me, andhis blue eyes were canny in that unhandsome face. "Phèdre nóDelaunay," he mused. "Off to chase a will-o'-the-wisp. Well, you have my pledge, and I have your promise. Now hear me, for I've one last piece of advice for you to heed." He laid his calloused hands on my shoulders and grippedthem hard, staring down at my upturned face. "Your lord Delaunay might not have died had he toyed less lightly withMelisande Shahrizai. If you're right, lass, and you find herin La Serenissima, don't play at her game. Go straightaway to Prince Benedicte, and tell him. Royal-born he may be,but Benedicte's a soldier from olden days. He rode with Rolande de la Courcel and Percy de Somerville, and aye, Delaunay too, before you were born. He'll know what todo."

 "Yes, my lord," I promised him. "I will."

 "Good." One last squeeze of my shoulders and a roughembrace, his coarse red hair tickling my ears, and then Quin­tilius Rousse released me, turning to Joscelin. "You, lad!" he said gruffly, shaking him. "You're travelling with themost beautiful courtesan in three generations of Naamah's Servants! Try to look a little less as if it were a death sen­tence, will you? And keep her safe, for if that prune-mouthed Cassiel doesn't have your guts for bowstrings, I surely will, if she comes to harm."

 To his credit, Joscelin grinned. "I will remember, mylord!" he said, giving a sweeping Cassiline bow, his steel vambraces flashing in the sunlight.

 Rousse merely grunted, and turned away. He brooked nofoolishness, the Lord Admiral, and he knew whereof hespoke; one does not command the seas and face down theMaster of the Straits without learning to take the measureof a man. He gave a seaman's salute to Fortun, Remy andTi-Philippe, crisply returned by all three, then strode away,his rolling gait carrying him swiftly the length of the quai.

 A fair breeze sprang up past the noon hour, and all was in readiness. Sailors on board theDarielle shouted to andfro with those on the docks; knots were undone, ropes tossedon deck. My chevaliers were restless, eager-eyed, clinging to the railings. This had been their lives, once. The rowers set to, and the galley moved ponderously away from thedock, into the narrow harbor, where the breeze briskened.At a shout from the Captain, the mainsail dropped. The stiff­ened canvas filled slowly, bellying in the wind, and the shipglided toward the mouth of the harbor, prow nosing towardthe open seas.

 We were on our way.

 In truth, a lengthy and uneventful sea voyage makes fora poor tale; and, by Elua's grace, that is what we weregranted. Laden with cargo, our ship rode low in the water, but for all of that, the winds blew fair, and we made goodtime.

 For the first two days of the voyage, Joscelin Verreuil,my Perfect Companion, spent a great deal more time thanwas seemly hanging over the railings and disgorging the contents of his stomach. No born sailor, he.

 My chevaliers, for their part, were at home in an instant,and it did not take long for the crew of theDarielle toascertain that they had expert sailors aboard ship. They tookturns at manning the rigging, or the oars, when we rounded the Caerdicci point and the winds turned against us. I dare­say I could have bartered their aid against the price of ourpassage, if I'd been minded to, but it kept them out of trou­ble and the Captain's nature sweet, so I held my tongue.

 As for me, I had a cabin in the aft castle; a narrow berth,to be sure, but my own. The hempen strands of my ham­mock cradled me securely, and I slept soundly therein.

 The winds held steady and we surged ahead of them, afroth of white water where our prow cut the seas, keepingin sight of the coastline for the most part. The Captain,whose name was Louis Namot, was quick to summon me, pointing out such sights as might be seen from shipboard. Ihave learned, since, that there are sailors who think awoman's presence aboard ship to be a sign of ill luck. Eluabe thanked, D'Angelines are spared such idiotic supersti­tions.

 There is a certain peace to it, committing one's fate to theseas, even as there is in surrendering to a patron's will. Ithought often of Hyacinthe on that long journey, wonderingif he had come to gain mastery over the scudding waves, andhow such a thing might be accomplished. I wondered, too,how far his dreadful inheritance extended. Rahab's realm layeverywhere pn the deep, if Yeshuite teaching was to be be­lieved; but the Master of the Straits was born of a D'Angelinewoman, who loved a mortal Alban, and I never heard of hisdominion extending beyond the waters that bordered our twolands.

 With such things were my thoughts occupied during ourjourney, and I daresay it passed quickly enough. White-winged gulls circled our three masts as we travelled, alwayswithin a half-day's sail of land. I thought them pretty; 'twasRemy who told me that they followed the wake of offal leftby our galley, descending to pluck the waters clean of fishentrails and other such discarded matter.

 Day by day, we made our way northward up the lengthof the Caerdicci coast.

 We passed tiny islands; barren rocks thrusting into theocean, fit only for gulls and the poorest of fishermen. 'Twasanother matter, according to Louis Namot, on the far sideof the sea, the Illyrian coast, which was fair riddled with islands, rich and fertile and a veritable breeding ground forpirates. Indeed, his men kept a keen watch once we'drounded the point, sharpening their swords and manning thetrebuchet mounted atop the forecastle, but we passed un­molested. Illyrian pirates are notorious, but their country iscaught between the hammer of La Serenissima and the anvil of Ephesium; they have no quarrel with Terre d'Ange.

 On our twenty-third day at sea, the watcher in the crow'stop the midmast gave a shout, and we passed the islethat marks the outermost boundary waters of La Serenissima. Unlike the others, this was no barren grey hummock-a sheer cliff faced the sea, black basalt crags toweringangrily above the waves, which broke hard on the rocksbelow. I didn't know why, as we passed, the sailors all whis­ tled tunelessly, and had to ask the Captain.

 "La Dolorosa," he said, as though it explained everything-even he averted his eyes from the black isle. "It is a Seremssiman superstition, my lady. They say that whenBaal-Jupiter slew Asherat's son Eshmun, the Gracious Lady of the Sea wept and raged and stamped her foot, and thefloor of the sea rose up in answer, spewing forth La Dolo­ rosa to mark her grief."

 I am always interested in such things, and leaned uponthe guardrail as we sailed by, giving the black isle a wide berth. There was a fortress nestled amid the crags, and Icould make out the faint, spidery lines of a hempen bridgesuspended high in the air, swaying and sagging betwixt theisle and the mainland. "But why do they whistle?" I askedintrigued.

 "To mimic the grieving winds, and turn aside the wrathof Asherat-of-the-Sea, who is wroth still at the death of her son." Louis Namot shuddered and took my arm, drawingme further in deck. "My lady, if you ask me on dry land, Iwill say it is an old quarrel between the descendants of thePhoenicians and the conquering Tiberians cast in terms to explain a volcanic phenomenon, but we are at sea, and I donot want the Gracious Lady to think we mock her grief with staring. I pray you, turn away!"

 "Of course, my lord Captain," I said politely.His manner eased the moment I obeyed, and he wipedhis brow. "Forgive me, my lady," he said, apologizing. "Butthe currents around La Dolorosa are strong and uncertain,and no one is wise who mocks the superstitions of a place!most especially not a sailor."

 "No." I remembered Quintilius Rousse tossing a gold cointo the Lord of the Deep upon reaching safe harbor in Alba."I should say not."

 "I heard tell of a rich merchant," one of the sailors of­fered, "who laughed at the ship's crew for whistling, andno sooner had he done, than a great wind came up and theship heeled hard about, and he was thrown over the sideand dashed on the rocks of La Dolorosa."

 "No," said another. "I heard it too, only they never foundhis body."

 "And I heard," Louis Namot said grimly, "his corpsewashed ashore on the isle of Kjarko a hundred leaguessouth, on the Illyrian coast. And that, lads, is no Mendacant's tale. My uncle served aboard a trireme under Admiral Porcelle, and they chased down a band of Illyrian pirateswho were raiding D'Angeline ships along the point. Their captain was wearing the merchant's signet. He pled clem­ency and told how they found the body. My uncle had toreturn it to the merchant's widow."

 I turned back and gazed at the black isle, dwindling inour wake, the fortress towers silhouetted against the sky."Who would live in such a place?"

 "No one, by choice," the Captain said shortly. " 'Tis a prison."

 "The worst prison," a sailor added, and grinned. "IfI'm ever accused of aught in La Serenissima, I'm taking refugein the temple of Asherat, I am! I'll take the veil myself, like Achilles in the house of Lycomedes, and give all her priest­esses a nice surprise!"

 One of his fellows hushed him quickly, with a furtiveglance in my direction. I paid it no heed; I'd been threeweeks at sea, and had heard worse. Sailors must make dowith one another aboard ship—those who favor women arenotoriously eager upon making landfall.

 Still, it made me think on what I knew of La Serenissima.Women do not hold offices of power in most of the Caerdicci city-states, that much I knew. It is men who built them, and men who rule, by dint of toil and iron. Asherat-of-the-Sea holds sway, still, because she is the Gracious Lady ofthe Sea, and men who live by the grace of the sea are wiseenough to fear her wrath, but this was not Marsilikos, whereEisheth's living blood runs in the veins of the Lady whorules there.

 In La Serenissima, it would be different.

 Soon the lookout cried again, and presently we saw beforeus the long, low line of the spit that bars the great lagoonof La Serenissima; the Spear of Bellonus, they call it, an­other legacy of the Tiberians. It extends nearly all the wayacross the vast, wide mouth of the lagoon, some sevenleagues long, forming a natural barrier well guarded by theSerenissiman navy.

 As we drew near to the narrow strait that breaches thespit, there were a great many more ships to be seen, of allmakes and sizes, flying all manner of colors: cogs and gal­leys and triremes, and the low, flat-bottomed gondoli and gondolini with the curving prows and sterns that are ubiq­uitous in the city, propelled by skilled rowers at tremendousspeed. And, too, there were craft I had never seen before, small ships with masts canted forward, bearing odd trian­gular sails—of Umaiyyat make, the Captain told me. It didnot look as though they could carry much in the way ofcargo, but they moved swiftly and agilely across the waters, tacking back and forth before the wind while larger vesselsmust needs go to oars.

 A fleet of Serenissiman gondolini surrounded us at themouth of the straits, their insubstantial menace backed by manned watchtowers on either side and the presence of the navy within the lagoon. Namot's papers, his writ of passage, were all in order, and in short order, they waved us through.

 Thus we entered the lagoon.

 Joscelin had come to stand beside me in the prow of theDarielle,and I was glad of his presence as we gazed to­gether on our first sight of La Serenissima.

 Serenissimans claim she is the most beautiful city in the world, and I cannot wholly begrudge them; 'tis indeed asplendid sight to see, a city rising up from the very waters.I had read what I could find prior to our journey, and I knewit was an ever-ongoing work of tremendous labor that had built La Serenissima, not on dry land, but on islands andmarshes, dredged, drained and bridged, oft-flooded, alwaysreclaimed.

 If I sound unpatriotic in acknowledging the city's beauty, I may add that a great deal of the engineering and buildingthat had made her splendid had come in recent decades,under the patronage of Prince Benedicte de la Courcel, whobrought with him Siovalese architects and engineers when his fate was wed to the Stregazza family, exiling him from his homeland.

 The sun shone brightly on the waters as we crossed the lagoon and made for the Great Canal, the sailors cursinggood-naturedly as they took to the oars. Ahead of us, galleys and darting craft were everywhere on the vast waterway. Ti-Philippe, who had been once to the city during a brief ap­prenticeship aboard a merchanter, took it upon himself topoint out the sights.

 "The Arsenal," he said reverently, nodding behind us toa vast, walled shipyard hugging the lagoon. "It houses one of the finest navies in the world, and they can build a shipfaster than you can cut timber." As we curved along the vast quai, he simply pointed. "The Campo Grande. There lies thePalace of the Doge. At the end, the Temple of Asherat-of-the-Sea."

 The Great Square; it was that, indeed, a vast, marbledterrace simply opening onto the sea. In the center, where itverged the water, stood a tall column, and atop it a statueof the goddess, arms outspread, gazing benignly over thelagoon. Asherat-of-the-Sea, bearing a crown of stars, wavesand leaping dolphins worked into the plinth. To her leftstood the Palace of the Doge, a long, tiered building workedin white marble, with a level of striated pink, surprisinglyrich in the glowing light.

 It is the seat of all politics within La Serenissima, andnot merely the Doge's home; within those walls was housedthe Judiciary Hall, the Chamber of the Consiglio Maggiore, indeed, the Golden Book itself, in which were inscribed thenames of the Hundred Worthy Families deemed fit to holdoffice in La Serenissima.

 Beyond, at the far end of the square, sat the Temple ofAsherat, with its three pointed domes; an Ephesian influ­ence, that, for they ruled La Serenissima for a time andworshipped the goddess under another name. I could seelittle of the temple, as the square itself was crowded with a vast market, stalls occupying preordained spaces marked inwhite brick, and, in between, a throng of people. Serenissimans and other Caerdicci, most of them, but I saw unfa­miliar faces—proud Akkadians and hawk-faced Umaiyyati;Menekhetans, dark-eyed and calm; Ephesians; even an entourage from Jebe-Barkal, ebony and exotic.

 And here and there, fair, brawny Skaldi, which gave mea shiver.

 Then we were past it, and entering the mouth of the Great Canal itself, and Ti-Philippe pointed to the left where stoodthe Temple of Baal-Jupiter on the island's tip. It had clean,straight lines in the Tiberian style, and before it stood astatue of the god himself, one foot striding forward, thun­derbolt in hand.

 He had slain Asherat's son, according to myth.

 I knew what the Captain had meant; 'twas but a transla­tion of mortal history into divine terms, the faith of theconquering Tiberians mingling with the beliefs of those in­habitants they found here. Still, I thought on the black isleof La Dolorosa, and shuddered.

 Great houses rose along the canal after that, splendid and magisterial, with balconies and winding stairs leading down the quai; along its length were docked craft like the gondoli, only larger and more luxurious, canopied, painted in brightcolors and rich with gilt and carving. I did not need Ti-Philippe to tell me we were among the homes of the Hun­dred Worthy Families.

 I did not need Ti-Philippe to point out the Little Court, although he did.

 I daresay it was nearly as large as the Doge's Palace,although not quite. Three tiers tall, with long, colonnadedbalconies, rippling water-light reflected along the marble length of it. Fluttering pennants hung from the balconies,bearing the silver swan of House Courcel.

 Deserving of its name, I thought.

 And then we were beyond it, and sailed beneath the cun­ning, peaked bridge of Rive Alto that linked the largest is­lands of La Serenissima, tall enough to admit a galley topass, and on our right stood the vast, elegant structure of the Fondaca D'Angelica, the D'Angeline warehouse. Al­ready the Captain was shouting to men on the quai, and therowers heaving to all on one side, as our ship wallowed inthe deep green waters of the canal and sailors tossed ropesashore, bringing us to port at last.

 I had reached La Serenissima.

 THIRTY-ONE

 After so long at sea, 'twas strange setting foot on solidland, and I was hard put not to stagger, unnaturally con­vinced that the quai moved beneath me. Around us was thebustle of theDarielle's docking and laborers working tounload her cargo, and all at once I felt weary and salt-stiffened and in dire need of rest and a bath.

 Thanks be to Blessed Elua, my chevaliers were solicitousand capable, quick to swing into action. Joscelin was nohelp; having finally gained his sea legs, he was twice as queasy as I on solid ground. But my factor's man in LaSerenissima was present as arranged, and Remy and Ti- Philippe rounded him up in no time. Once he was donegloating over the quality of our shipment of lead, he greeted me unctuously.

 "Well met, well met, Contessa!" he said in fluid Caerdicci, punctuated with many bows. "All your requests have been seen to, and we have arranged for most elegant lodg­ings during your stay in the Serene Republic, most elegant indeed!”

 Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Fortun examin­ing the papers acknowledging receipt of the shipment "Thank you, messire," I said in the same tongue, gratefulthat matters were well in hand. "If I might be conducted tothem ... ?"

 "Of course!" He hurried to the edge of the quai, beck­oning to the steersman of one of the large, gilded craft returning presently. "It was the house of Enrico Praetano,"he explained to me, "who has defaulted on a loan to theBanco Grendati. They were most eager to arrange for a sea­sonal lease."

 "Ah." So long as I was not displacing an orphanage, Ithought, I did not care. In short order, my chevaliers hadmy trunks brought up from the hold of theDarielle andplaced in the craft; bissone, they are called, longer andbroader than the simple gondoli. The oarsmen grumbled at the number of trunks, and then they caught sight of me asJoscelin aided me carefully aboard.

 I was tired, unwashed and not at all at my best.

 "Asherat!" one of the crew muttered in awe, then grinned,standing up to execute a bow and kiss his fingers. "A starhas fallen to earth!" Moving with an alacrity that set thebissone to rocking, the others scurried to arrange the cush­ions beneath the canopy for greater comfort.

 Joscelin looked unamused; I couldn't have cared less. Isettled into the cushions with a sigh of relief. My chevaliersleapt aboard, the steersman pushed off, and we were on ourway, gliding over the green waters.

 So it was that I came to be ensconced in an elegant house along the Great Canal, rubbing shoulders with the HundredWorthy Families. My factor's representative in La Serenissima—whose name was Mafeo Bardoni—might be an unc­tuous fellow, but he was a skilled businessman, and I neverhad cause to fault his dealings. If I did not like him, it wasno fault of his own; he reminded me overmuch of VitaleBouvarre, who had been Alcuin's patron, his first and last. 'Twas Bouvarre who gave up the name of Dominic Stregazza as Isabel de la Courcel's killer. He is dead, now,though he tried first to kill Alcuin for his silence.

 Though it was but late afternoon when I gained my lodg­ings, I ordered first a bath, and then went straightways tobed, and slept for some twelve hours. My sleeping-chamberwas directly off the balcony, and 'twas a strange and won­drous thing to awake not knowing where I was, with the shifting light off the waters of the canal playing over thewalls of my chamber.

 A pity I had to wake to it alone, I thought.

 My maidservant was a shy young girl named Leonora,who trembled and spilled the tray when she brought me teaand pastries, and blushed every time I looked at her. Still,my garments were unpacked and neatly pressed, and shebuttoned my gown adeptly when I dressed. On my first dayin La Serenissima, I wore a gown of apricot silk, with a finegold brocade woven with seed pearls; another of Favrielle nóEglantine's creations, marked with the simple, elegant lines so deceptively hard to mimic.

 "Please tell Signore Joscelin and the others that I amawake," I said to her in Caerdicci, when I was properlyattired and had tucked my hair into a gold mesh caul, don­ning a pair of dangling pearl earrings. "Oh, and bring mepaper and ink, if you would be so kind."

 At this, Leonora's chin rose with a surprised jerk and she gazed at me wide-eyed. "Does my lady wish the services ofa secretary?" she asked tentatively.

 "No." I frowned. "My lady wishes to write a letter."

 "Oh!" Blushing once more, Leonora hurried out. I shook my head and waited. Presently she returned, breathless,clutching a sheaf of paper and holding the inkpot gingerly,as if it would bite her. I sat down at a little table near thebalcony and penned a note to Severio Stregazza, sealing itwith taper wax and the impress of the Montrève insignia.

 I thought of asking one of the house servants to deliverit, and thought better, descending to find Joscelin and mychevaliers assembled in the parlor.

 "Do you think you could find your way to deliver this toSeverio Stregazza?" I asked Ti-Philippe, who fair boundedout of his chair.

 "Aye, my lady!" he said promptly.

 I let him go; I let all of them go, Phèdre's Boys, in theend, to take the city's measure. I knew Fortun would overseethe sale of our shipment, and all of them had become adept at scouting the sort of information I needed. It left Joscelinand me alone in the house together.

 When they had gone, he gave me a long, level look."Now that we are here," he said, "exactly what is it that youpropose to do, Phèdre?"

 It was a fair question, and a good one. It was astonishingthat he'd waited so long to ask it, and a pity I had no answer.I met his eyes and shrugged. "Wait," I said. "And see."

 Joscelin sighed.

 In the matter of Severio Stregazza, I did not have long towait. A reply came even before my chevaliers had madetheir way back to the house, scrawled in Severio's impatienthand. I smiled to read it, remembering how terse his initial proposal to me had been; by contrast, this was a jumbled missive expressing his undying affection, his enormous joyat learning of my presence and, as an afterthought, a plead­ing invitation that I attend a celebration that night in honor of his friend Benito Dandi's natality.

 "Will you go?" Joscelin asked coolly.

 "No." I shook my head, and sent once more for writingmaterials while Severio's manservant waited. "I asked him to present me to his grandfather the Doge and to PrinceBenedicte. I'll wait on that answer before I plunge into Serenissiman society—'tis the Doge's Palace I need to access.Anyway, it does no harm to keep him anxious."

 To that, he made no reply.

 Ere nightfall, my chevaliers had returned, full of highspirits and useful information, which they related to me overdinner. Careful to take no chances, I had the household ser­ vants dismissed while we dined; knowing no better, they put it down to some D'Angeline oddity.

 "The chiefest rumor," Ti-Philippe announced eagerly, "isthat the Doge himself, Cesare Stregazza, has plans to stepdown come year's end." He looked at me to continue, andI nodded. " 'Tis well known he has the shaking-sickness,and rumor says the Oracle of Asherat has proclaimed he will die of it, if he does not cede the throne."

 "Rumor says too," Fortun murmured, "that there is pres­sure from the Consiglio Maggiore, who fear his illnessweakens their position in negotiation."

 "It has not been formally announced?" I inquired.

 "No." Ti-Philippe shook his head vigorously. "Butevery­onesays it, and we went over half the city, pretending tobe drunk, after Fortun found out how much profit you made on that lead shipment, my lady!" He grinned. "I always liked Drustan mab Necthana, but I like him better now that I knowhow cheap he's selling Alban goods for D'Angeline trade!"

 Fortun cleared his throat. "I arranged to put it on accountat the Banco Tribune," he said apologetically. "Messire Brenin said it was the best."

 "Fine," I said. "And what does La Serenissima say aboutthe Doge's imminent retirement?"

 Remy laughed, then sobered at my quizzical look. "Par­don, my lady, but it's a dogfight, or near enough. There aresix Sestieri to the city, and each one's the right to put for­ward a candidate, though it must be one whose family nameis inscribed in the Golden Book—and that's by popularelection. When the Doge is elected, 'tis the Consiglio Mag­giore who does the choosing among 'em. Right now, it's all rumor and chaos, with the districts fighting among them­selves and with each other over who they favor. I meanreally fighting," he added. "Mobs of young gallants instriped hose, beating each other over the head."

 "We saw a splendid fight," Ti-Philippe said cheerfully."On the bridge, with staves. I wanted to join it, but Fortunthreatened to throw me in the canal."

 "Thank you," I said to Fortun, who nodded gravely. ToTi-Philippe, I said, "La Serenissima lacks a proper sewage system, you know. They use the canals." I knew, I'd seenLeonora empty the chamber pot.

 "Well, that's why I didn't, isn't it?" he asked logically."Anyway, two of old Cesare's lads are in the mix, it seems.Marco's the elder of the Stregazza; your Severio's father,that's wed to Prince Benedicte's daughter. He's got theSestíeri Dogal's vote, all the clubs are behind him, and theylove him well, only he's fallen out with Prince Benedicte, they say, since the old boy remarried, so his people arenervous that the Consiglio's going to turn against him. Andthe other's Ricciardo, his younger brother, who's going forthe Sestieri Scholae, where all the craft-guilds are quartered, and getting them all up in arms over some tax."

 Severio had told me as much, I remembered; it hadn'tmeant anything to me at the time. Now, I struggled to en­compass it. "Six Sestíeri," I said. "Six districts. There are four other candidates, then?"

 "Not yet," Fortun told me. "We heard Orso Latrigan hasa lock on the Sestíeri d'Oro, and what he can't win, he'llbuy. But there are three others where candidates are stillvying." He shrugged and gave a quiet smile. "I like LorenzoPescaro for Sestieri Navis, myself. They say the ink's stillwet in the Golden Book where his family name was entered,but I've heard of him; he made a reputation chasing Illyrianpirates. He's a good commander."

 "I'll be sure to note that." Having heard more than Ihoped I'd ever need to know about Serenissiman electoralcandidates, I asked the one question that really mattered."And Melisande?"

 One by one, my chevaliers shook their heads.

 "My lady," Fortun said reluctantly, "we asked. We playedat being drunken D'Angeline sailors up and down the lengthof the Grand Canal, and too many byways to count, andsome of us—" he scowled at Ti-Philippe "—were not ex­actly playing. Remy sang that song, you know the one?'Eyes of twilight, hair of midnight.' " I knew it; it had beenwritten for Melisande, though they sing it now with a dif­ ferent name. "At any rate," Fortun continued, "he sang itover half the city, beseeching everyone in sight for news of his beloved, who abandoned him for his lack of station." Helooked gravely at me. "What we learned, you heard. But no one—no one, my lady—had word of a D'Angeline noble­woman answering to Melisande Shahrizai's description. AndI do not mean that they were reluctant to betray her to adrunken sailor, my lady. I mean that they have not heard ofher, ever. You taught me to recognize the signs of evasionand dissemblage. We talked to oarsmen, porters and noblesalike. Not a one knew of her, and not a one lied."

 A little silence fell over our table.

 "Phèdre," Joscelin said, his voice unexpectedly gentle."You think Melisande is in La Serenissima because shewantedyou to think it. It stands to reason, therefore, thatshe is not."

 Ysandre had said as much, and as rightly. I could notexplain to Joscelin any more than I could to the Queen myunreasoning certainty, because, ultimately, whether I likedto admit it or not, it was rooted in the belief that I knewMelisande Shahrizai's deepest nature better than anyone elsealive or dead, even Delaunay.

 As she knew mine.

 I took a deep breath. "Gonzago de Escabares' friend wascontacted after he paid a visit to the Doge's Palace. If theanswer is here, surely it lies within those walls, and if Mel­isande took shelter within them, it may well be that no oneoutside them knows of her existence. Think on it," I added, gazing round at them. "We know the Stregazza capable oftreachery, and, even now, they fight among themselves fora throne not even vacated. At least let me gain entrancewithin the Palace, before we conclude that this journey hasbeen for naught."

 "Well," Ti-Philippe said optimistically. "It's not fornaught if we profit by it."

 With that, no one of us could disagree. Money, after all,is a valuable thing to have.

 Indeed, I was to find that it was a great greaser of locked doors, before the sun set on the following day. In the morn­ing, Leonora shook me awake to murmur anxiously thatanother courier awaited, once again clad in Stregazza livery.

 I kept him waiting while I washed and dressed, and thenread his missive to learn that Severio had secured for me anaudience with the Doge that afternoon, which he was most impatient that I should attend, that he might speak with meafterward.

 As to Prince Benedicte, Severio wrote, he had written hismaternal grandfather with no response to date, but that wasto be expected, with the strain betwixt their houses.

 Ah well, I thought; I tied my own hands, when I insistedon the appearance of a falling-out with the Queen. If I'dwanted entree into the Little Court, Ysandre would havebeen happy to provide it. But it was the Stregazza withwhom I needed to deal, and no royal writ from House Courcel would obtain their trust. If I needed aught from Prince Benedicte, there were other names I could invoke—such asQuintilius Rousse, or even Anafiel Delaunay, if need be. Ihad made my promise to Rousse and I meant to keep it, butnot until I knew somewhat worth the telling. And surely notwhile it posed the risk of jeopardizing my semblance.

 I wrote out a reply for Severio's courier, promising toarrive on the appointed hour.

 To my surprise, Severio sent his own bissone, a splendid affair with a canopy of midnight-blue, the Stregazza armsworked in relief on the sides, depicting a carrack and thetower I now recognized from the Arsenal. In the prow stood a gilded wooden statue of Asherat, extending her arms inblessing over the waters of the canal.

 By their attire, I saw that the oarsmen were noble-born;parti-color hose striped in blue and saffron, affixed by points to overtunics of velvet slashed to show the white damask oftheir shirts. One wore a short mantle of green fastened witha gold brooch, and it was he who stood and gave a sweepingbow as I descended the stairs to the quai, calling out, "Contessa Phèdre nó Delaunay de Montrève, the Immortali wel­come you to La Serenissima!"

 "That's one of the noblemen's clubs," Ti-Philippe mur­mured behind me. "Your Severio's, I'll warrant.”

 I had chosen him and Joscelin both to accompany me thatday; the latter for his sober presence, and the former for hisquick wit and knowledge of the city. I nodded briefly, andmade the rest of my descent smiling.

 "Thank you, my lord," I greeted the Serenissiman, inclin­ing my head and giving him my hand to aid me onto the bissone. "You know my name, but I confess, I am at adisadvantage."

 "Benito Dandi." He grinned and swept another bow. "Youwould not come to my birthday party, my lady, but I con­fess, the mere sight of you is a gift nonetheless precious forits tardiness! I thought Severio was boasting, but it seemshe spoke the truth."

 "For once," one of his fellows added impishly, pretendingto stagger when I glanced at him. "Ah! It's true! She woundsme with her blood-pricked gaze!"

 I could not help it; I laughed. Serenissimans do not wor­ship Elua and his Companions, but they know our religionwell by virtue of a long-standing D'Angeline presence inthe city. Obviously, Severio's boasting had added to thelore. Another of the Immortali dropped his oar and fell to the bottom of the boat. "Bells and chimes!" he groaned,rolling and clapping his hands over his ears. "TheD'Angelines seek to invade us with beauty and destroy us from within; Baal-Jupiter, forgive me, I worship the soundof my enemy's voice!"

 It was enough of a spectacle to gather an audience, figuresappearing on the balconies of neighboring houses, gazing down with amusement.

 "My lady," Joscelin said in a flat tone. "You have an audience with the Doge."

 "Ah." Benito Dandi eyed him warily. "The chaperone.You'll have to leave those arms with the guards ere youenter the Palace, fair Sir Gloom. Well, never mind us, Contessa; we're an unruly lot, but the fastest rowers on the wa­ter, and only the Immortali are fit to carry you! Summonyour pretty squawking grey-crow aboard, and yon maidenfaced boy, and we'll be at Old Shaky's doorstep before youcan blink!"

 I raised my eyebrows at Joscelin and Ti-Philippe, waitingto see if they would balk at the insults, but both gave way—Joscelin with stiff dignity, and Ti-Philippe with a glint inhis eye that told me he would take full advantage of theirerroneous perceptions. Yon maiden-faced boy, I thought,would fill his pockets at the Immortali's expense once theirplay turned to dicing.

 We were off to see the Doge, whom the scions of theHundred Worthy Families, I had just learned, called OldShaky. It didn't augur well for the level of respect he com­manded.

 Along the way, folk in passing craft and on the bridgesand quais cried out greetings to the Immortali, who shouted in response. Admiration, aspiration, adversity; I heard it all,in the ringing shouts. There was no small curiosity aboutme, and I took care to keep my features serene, even when Benito Dandi shouted my name to a group of his fellowImmortali atop the Rive Alto bridge.

 Not until we passed the bustling center of the CampoGrande did my unsolicited escort sober, under the unamusedgaze of the Dogal Guard. Benito Dandi handed me ashore,and I brushed off my gown, a rich blue satin inset withvelvet panels; Serenissiman blue, the color is called. It hada fretted silver girdle with jet beads and a caul to match;somber, nearly. Except for the elegance of the fit.

 I looked away as the Guard confiscated Joscelin's arms.

 The Immortali trailed behind, laughing and jesting as apair of guardsmen escorted us along the serried colonnade, through alternating patterns of light and shadow, and thencethrough the old triumphal arch into the inner courtyard,where statues of ancient Tiberian statesmen and heroesstood in niches along the facade of the building and a marblewell stood in the center of the courtyard. We mounted thebroad stairway, flanked by tall statues of Asherat-of-the-Seaand Baal-Jupiter, and were met at the top by Severio Stregazza.

 "Phèdre!" His voice caught echoes in the courtyard. Smil­ing, he bowed and greeted me in my own tongue. "My lady Phèdre nó Delaunay de Montrève, welcome to La Serenissima."

 I curtsied, and answered in Caerdicci. "Well met, Prince Severio."

 The Immortali elbowed each other and made jests, whilethe guardsmen remained stoic; for his part, Severio glowedwith pleasure. I had not forgotten that his own attendantsacknowledged him as noble-born, not royal—but I wasD'Angeline, and by our reckoning, he was of the lineage ofHouse Courcel and a Prince of the Blood.

 In Terre d'Ange, the evidence of his Caerdicci heritagehad set him apart. 'Twas different, seeing Severio here,where his D'Angeline blood dealt him a measure of grace lacking in his comrades. He took my arm, leaning to mur­mur in my ear. "You've no idea how much I've longed to see you. Promise you'll speak with me afterward?"

 "Of course, my lord."

 "Good." He straightened, adding, "Father would like tomeet you, too. He's a mind to discuss trade or some suchthing. But I thought perhaps I could show you the city."

 "That would be lovely," I said politely, and Severio'sbrown eyes lit at my reply. I should not have, but I stole aglance at Joscelin, who stood impassive, strangely vulnerablewithout his daggers and sword, clad in mute grey. Even so,there was no mistaking him for aught but what he was: a pure-blooded D'Angeline from one of the oldest families. I sighed inwardly and smiled up at Severio Stregazza, resting my fin­gertips on his velvet-clad arm. "Shall I be presented to your grandfather the Doge, my lord?"

 "By all means," Severio said gallantly, sweeping his freehand before us.

 THIRTY-TWO

 1 was received in the Room of the Shield, where a greatfireplace roared even in the heat of summer, and on theopposite wall hung the arms of the reigning Doge's family,the familiar tower and carrack of the Stregazza.

 Beneath them stood the throne, a modest wooden affair,and in it sat the Doge.

 Rumor had not lied; Cesare Stregazza had the shaking-sickness. His flesh was frail-seeming and sunken, and hisentire body trembled with the palsy. The ancient dome ofhis skull looked vulnerable beneath the peaked crimson caphe wore, silk earflaps covering thinning wisps of white hair;terrible and strange to see. The hair of D'Angeline men doesnot diminish with age, as I have noted with other peoples.Mortality is more pronounced in other lands.

 "The Contessa Phèdre nó Delaunay de Montrève, grand­father," Severio announced.

 I curtsied and sank to kneel before the wooden throne, gazing with lowered eyes at the Doge's slippered feet. Ces­are Stregazza's hand descended to rest on my head, tremorous and gentle but for the weight of the signet it bore. "Ihave heard your name, child," he said in quavering Caerdicci. Startled, I glanced up to meet his eyes, dark and cannybehind hooded, wrinkled lids. For all that his head bobbed perceptibly, those eyes were steady. "Benedicte sent a harp­ist last winter, with the latest D'Angeline lay. The Battle ofthe Skaldi. You brought the Alban army."

 "Yes, your grace," I said simply.

 "That's good." The Doge withdrew his trembling touch, folding his hands in his scarlet-robed lap. The dogal sealflashed gold, a signet bearing the Crown of Asherat in relief. "We need young people of courage, even mere girls, to fightsomething more than each other," he added in his threadyvoice, looking past me to Severio, and I saw a flash of somewhat in those dark eyes. "The Serene Republic!"

 Contempt and frustration; I am trained to read voices.Severio flushed, but before he could reply, another mancame forward—of middle years, handsome in the Caerdiccifashion, with the same dark, hooded eyes as the Doge."Contessa," he said in smooth intervention. "Well met. I amMarco Stregazza, Severio's father." He took my hand anddrew me to my feet, bowing as I rose. "And this," he added,turning, "is Marie-Celeste de la Courcel Stregazza, mywife."

 "My lady," I said, curtsying to her.

 "Oh, don't!" Marie-Celeste said impetuously, graspingmy hands. "Phèdre, I'm so glad you're here! I've been fairdyingto hear the latest gossip and styles from the City, and I've scarce seen a D'Angeline face since I quarrelled with Father. Promise you'll tell me everything, do!"

 "Of course, my lady," I said, faintly bemused. Benedicte'selder daughter—who was, indeed, niece and daughter-in-law alike to the Doge—was attractive in her own right, plumply rounded, in the fullness of her years. I could seetraces of House Courcel's lineage in her dark-blue eyes, thegraceful curve of her brow.

 "I have tried to explain," she said confidentially, leaningtoward me, "about Naamah's Service, and what it means toa D'Angeline. But you understand, they are all provincial here."

 "Customs differ," I murmured. "La Serenissima is not theCity of Elua."

 Severio muttered something under his breath.

 "Come," Marco said expansively, opening his arms."Phèdre, I pray you, take a glass of wine with us! Severio,surely you and your madcap Immortali can entertain the Contessa's men for an hour or two. Father, if you've naughtelse to say ... ?"

 I glanced instinctively at the Doge. The motion of hishead could have been taken for a shake of denial; certainlyhis family chose to take it as such. But my lord Delaunayalways taught us to look twice. I saw it was but the palsy,and knelt before him.

 Deep in his hooded eyes, I saw a flash of approval.

 "Courage, and vision." The Doge laid his trembling handagainst my cheek, and I felt the hard press of his signet."You remember what I said. And come sing for me, girl! Benedicte doesn't send singers any more, since this idiot's quarrel. Do you sing?"

 "Yes, my lord," I said, confused.

 "Good." Cesare Stregazza leaned back, satisfied."D'Angelines always made the best poets and whores. And singers. I want to hear a D'Angeline voice sing again, beforeAsherat's bitches prophesy me into my grave."

 "Uncle!" Marie-Celeste hissed, mortified.

 "I'm old," he retorted querulously. "And you're fightingover the throne before I've even left it. I can ask for what I want. Can't I?"

 Look twice, I thought, remembering the gleam in thosesunken eyes. Whatever game he played, 'twas best I playedalong. I rose smoothly, inclining my head. "My lord, I wastrained in Cereus House, First of the Thirteen Houses of theCourt of Night-Blooming Flowers. It will be my honor tosing for you whenever you desire it."

 "That is well." The Doge waved one crabbed hand, goldsignet flashing. "You are dismissed."

 "Shall we go, then?" Marco Stregazza inquired impa­tiently.

 I glanced at Ti-Philippe and Joscelin, my silent retainers;the latter's face had a mutinous set. Severio looked impa­tient, but obedient to his father's wishes. "Yes, my lord," Isaid aloud to Marco. "I'm sure my men will welcome the reprieve."

 The private quarters of Marco and Marie-Celeste Stre­gazza were generous, with an elegant mosaic inlaid in thefloor depicting their purported ancestor, Marcellus AureliusStrega, seated on an ivory stool and bearing the bundle offasces, in much the pose his young descendant had onceadopted. The rooms intersected a loggia which overlookedthe mouth of the Grand Canal, a slice of the lagoon itselfwithin their view. We sipped our wine and strolled itslength, taking in the vista in the clear midday air.

 "Do you see that?" Marco Stregazza asked rhetorically,gesturing with his wine-cup at the hundred vessels working their way up and down the harbor. 'Trade! Lifeblood of theRepublic!"

 "It is most impressive, my lord," I replied honestly.

 "Yes," Marco said. "It is." He beckoned brusquely for aservant to refill my cup. "Severio tells me interesting thingsabout you," he said obliquely.

 I set down my brimming cup untouched and raised mybrows. "Such as?"

 "Such as the fact that he spent twenty thousand ducats ofmy money on you," Marco answered nonplussed, "andnever invested a penny wiser."

 The blood rose to my cheeks, but for Naamah's honor—and my own—I kept my voice level. "In D'Angeline soci­ety, what your son purchased was beyond price, my lord. Itmade his fame. Do you wish the money unspent?"

 "Were you listening?" Marco grinned, looking youngerand boyish. "Not a copper centime! Our customs differ in­deed. Here, we'd die of shame rather than let a courtesan hold title; but there, it bought him admirers and influence.In fact, one such reports that you have fallen out with the Queen, over a certain matter of the Cruarch of Alba. Andyet my own reports tell me you shipped Alban lead and made a nice profit in the bargain." Setting down his owncup, he steepled his fingers. "What I am thinking, Contessa,is that Terre d'Ange will grow fat acting as middleman be­tween Alba and the rest of the world. But such a thing need not be. Alba does not have a merchant fleet. La Serenissimadoes. If someone with, shall we say, entree, to the Cruarch himself were to arrange it, there is great profit to be madein trading directly."

 This was a repercussion of our staged falling-out I had never considered, though I had known well that overlandcouriers would bring news before my arrival, and mayhapgossip as well. I rephrased carefully, to make certain of it."You wish me to approach the Cruarch regarding trade withLa Serenissima?"

 Marco shrugged, picked up his winecup and sipped. "Iwish you to consider it, no more. I admit, Contessa, I amambitious. You have seen my father; he is a little mad, Ithink, and grows more so with each day that passes. PrinceBenedicte is enamored of his war-bride and his pure- blooded D'Angeline son, and withdraws his support fromour family, fearing we are tainted since Dominic and Thérèse's treason. It may pass, but well and so; I am Serenis-siman, and I will woo my city in the manner to which she is accustomed. Yes, I seek trade, but on honest terms. Youhave the Queen's enmity. Like Benedicte's infatuation, ittoo may pass, but you have a life to lead, and it need notdance at the whims of D'Angeline royals. Will you not con­sider my request?"

 "My lord," I said slowly, "I will consider it. But theremust be more in it for me than mere profit, to circumvent the interests of my own nation."

 "My son adores you," Marie-Celeste offered candidly,Serenissiman shrewdness in her half-Courcel face. "Phèdre,my dear, you may hold sway in your own nation, but in LaSerenissima, courtesans do not marry into the Hundred Wor­thy Families. For free trade with Alba... exceptions maybe made."

 I nearly had to bite my lip to keep from laughing, and made a show of swirling my wine to disguise it. I liked Severio wellenough, but to wed him—Elua preserve me! Still, I appreci­ated the Stregazzas' naked candour, their ambition and theoffer plain on the table. And I had an idea. "My lady," I said,inclining my head to her. "There is somewhat that interestsme. I seek an old acquaintance, Melisande Shahrizai byname. I heard it rumored you had knowledge of her."

 "Oh, dear!" Marie-Celeste Stregazza turned pale. "I knowthat name. Father—Prince Benedicte—was looking for hertoo, not two months' past. Some sort of traitor to the nation,is she not?"

 How our concerns encompass us! It seemed astonishingto me that all the world did not know of Melisande's treach­ery—and yet, small wonder. I have ever known that Melisande played a deep game. She was convicted in animpromptu court in the garrison of Troyes-le-Mont, andthose who witnessed it, I could count on my fingers. Ofthose who had proof... there was only me. I had seen theletter, in her writing, to Waldemar Selig of the Skaldi. Noother trail existed.

 Now, I would use that to my advantage, and pray the Stregazza knew no more of my history than Severio hadrelated.

 "So it is said, my lady," I replied cautiously; there is anart to phrasing matters just so, that listeners may hear whatthey will. "And, of course, it might be just the thing to retainmy place in the Queen's good graces—" I cleared my throat delicately, "—whatsoever might happen with Alban trade.But she is an old acquaintance, and would see me, I think."

 "No." Marco shook his head forcefully. "Benedicte gaveus a description, and there is no one fitting it in our knowl­edge. Believe me, young Contessa; trade is one matter, and court politics quite another. If I had any knowledge of aD'Angeline traitor within these walls," he said grimly, "I'dnot hesitate to buy my father-in-law's gratitude with it."

 I opened my mouth to reply, but a ruckus at the entrance to their quarters cut me short. Even as I turned to look, aSerenissiman with the hooded Stregazza eyes, a neat dagger-point beard and a soft cap perched on his curly hair made his way onto the loggia.

 "Marco," he said peremptorily. "Why am I hearing abouta ten-percent tax being added to the Saddlers' Guild on fes­tival days? We had an agreement!"

 Marco Stregazza's lids flickered. "Ricciardo," he saidbriefly. "We have a guest."

 "Charmed." Ricciardo Stregazza offered dismissively,giving me a perfunctory glance, which changed quickly toa startled double take. "Asherat! What pretty fish do youhave on your line this time, Marco?"

 "This," Marie-Celeste intervened, speaking in dignifiedD'Angeline, "is the Comtesse Phèdre nó Delaunay de Montrève. Phèdre, my husband's brother, Ricciardo Stregazza."

 "Contessa." Ricciardo took my hand and bowed. "Youare far too beautiful to be party to my sister-in-law's petty intrigues with the Little Court," he said cynically, straight­ening. "Pray do me the honor during your stay of accepting an invitation to dine, that my wife and I might show youthat not all Serenissiman hospitality comes with strings at­tached."

 "The honor would be mine, my lord," I replied politelyin Caerdicci.

 "Your wife!" Marie-Celeste gave an inelegant laugh. "Ajest to the end, Ricciardo."

 His expression grew cold. "Whatever poison you spew,leave Allegra out of it, sister. Marco." He turned back tohis brother. "The Scholae were promised there'd be no ad­ditional taxes after the Treaty of Ephesium was signed. Thisis an end run around our agreement."

 "If they don't want to pay the taxes," Marco said reason­ably, "they needn't come to market on festival days."

 "And lose a third of their trade?" Ricciardo tugged at his curling locks with one exasperated hand. "As well tell themto throw half their goods in the river! I gave them my word,Marco."

 "Take it up with the Consiglio Maggiore," Marco saidwearily. " 'Tis their legislation, and they passed it."

 "At whose behest?" Ricciardo asked dangerously.

 "Not mine." Marco shrugged, and spread his hands. "Ask,if you don't believe me, brother. You courted Sestieri Scho­lae, not I. If they're like to lynch you for making promisesyou can't keep, I cannot help it. The problem is yours."

 It is never a comfortable thing to find oneself in the midstof a family squabble, and all the less so when political in­trigue is involved. Murmuring something innocuous, I withdrew to gaze out over the lagoon, while Ricciardo Stregazzastruggled to get his temper in check.

 "We'll speak of this later," he said shortly, and then, tome; "My lady Phèdre, you swim in dangerous waters when you dally with the Stregazza, but I pray you, remember myinvitation kindly. My ladywife —" he cast a venomousglance at Marie-Celeste, "—would be pleased to speak with one such as yourself."

 With that, he made his exit, and Marco Stregazza sighed,passing his hands over his face. "Forgive the intrusion, Contessa," he apologized. "My brother...is rather intemperate.So it has been since our father declared him a disgrace tothe family. He courts the Scholae out of desperation, andmakes rash promises to these rough tradesmen, then needsmust fear their anger when he cannot deliver." He shook hishead ruefully. " 'Tis an ill match if ever there was one, but Ricciardo is determined to contest for our father's seat. Iwould do what I could to protect him, if I did not fear he'drepay me with treachery."

 Marie-Celeste fanned herself and sipped her wine, makinga face. "It's gone warm," she complained. "Marco, sendthem for a fresh-cooled jug." When he had left to summona servant, she leaned in confidentially. "Ricciardo has theD'Angeline sickness, I'm afraid. It didn't sit well with hisfather when the scandal broke."

 "The D'Angeline sickness?" I repeated, feeling foolishlyignorant.

 "You know." She raised her brows. "He likes boys."

 "Ah." One undercurrent of their bitter exchange suddenly came clear to me. I turned my empty wine-cup in my hands,looking across the busy lagoon. "You name this a sickness,in La Serenissima."

 "Yes, well, I told you, they are all provincial here." Low­ering her voice, she added, "I do not say this to Marco, forwhen all is said and done, he loves his brother, but if I wereto seek out someone with ties to a D'Angeline traitor, Iwould start at Ricciardo's doorstep. His ... proclivities ... have led him to stranger places, and he has no love for theLittle Court, whereas we still hope to make peace." Marie-Celeste patted my arm in a motherly fashion as Marco re­turned, exclaiming in a different tone. "Come inside and sit,my dear! I must know who made your gown. Are such plainlines the fashion this season?"

 Still pondering her comments, I thought of Favrielle nóEglantine and wondered what she would make of Marie-Celeste Stregazza's attire, which, from what I had seen, wasthe height of Serenissiman style—a long, sleeveless over­dress gaudily adorned with appliques and cut-outs, bound beneath the breasts with gold net and worn over a fine silk tunic with tight-fitting sleeves. The whole ensemble, dread­ful to my eyes, was topped with a gauze turban and finishedat the bottom with a pair of wooden-soled sandals—pattens,they are called—a full four inches in height.

 "Not exactly, my lady," I said diplomatically. "My seam­stress is very particular."

 "Well." Marie-Celeste de la Courcel Stregazza smiled,"You must tell me everything."

 THIRTY-THREE

 It was late afternoon when Severio returned to usher meout of the Doge's Palace, and the Square was awash ingolden sunlight. I left Marie-Celeste with sufficient adviceto ensure that her knowledge of current D'Angeline fashionwas competitive with the Little Court—not that I saw her inclined to take it—and Marco with a final promise that I would consider his proposal.

 The Immortali were waiting, and Ti-Philippe and Joscelinwith them. I would have preferred a chance to speak pri­vately with my retainers, but it was not to be, not yet.

 "My lady Phèdre," Severio said gallantly, extending his arm. "Shall we promenade about the Square? It is a mostpleasant afternoon for strolling."

 "Of course." Hiding my impatience, I smiled at him andtook his arm, ignoring Joscelin's look of silent disapproval. At least, I thought, his Cassiline arms had been restored tohim; that should please him. Ti-Philippe, by contrast, wasin good spirits, trading jests with the Immortali.

 I daresay I might have enjoyed it, if not for the pall Jos-celin cast. Like a pair of young noble-born lovers, Severioand I strolled about the Square, observing the goods for saleand the colorful throng of buyers and sellers. The Squareitself was inlaid with paving stones of white marble etched with guild-markings for the various Scholae, delineating theallotted market stalls for each guild.

 It was strange and exotic to me, seeing such vigorous commerce take place cheek-by-jowl beside the Doge's Pal­ace and the Temple of Asherat. In Terre d'Ange we aremore reserved, separating our royal seats and sacred places from the common milieu. But it was true, what Marco Stregazza had said; trade was the lifeblood of the Republic, andI supposed it was meet that its beating heart lay at the centerof La Serenissima.

 Hosiers, clothiers, glovers—a separate guild for each, andthat was merely a beginning. There were stalls for shoe­makers, coopers and carpenters, jewelers and soap-boilers,farmers and spice merchants, fishermen and butchers, bar­bers, smiths and saddlers. Commonfolk in rough fustian and shawled women bartered alongside silk- and velvet-clad no­bles. Here and there, we saw other strolling lovers, thoughI noted that the young women who appeared unwed coveredtheir hair in modest silk head-scarves and were attended bystern-looking dowagers.

 Well and so, I thought, I will have to be wary of how Iam perceived.

 It came to a crux faster than I guessed, when we paused before a merchant from Jebe-Barkal, who was displayingbirds of astonishingly bright plumage in wicker cages. I hadseen a few women carrying them, and guessed they were apopular novelty as a lover's token; for that, I would not havelingered, but that the Jebean merchant intrigued me. His skinwas a brown so dark it made the whites of his eyes vivid,and his teeth when he grinned. This he did readily, when I tried, laughing, to converse with him—his Caerdicci was sobroadly accented that I had trouble comprehending it, andmine is the formal scholar's tongue and not the soft Serenissiman argot he was used to. Still, we made ourselves understood, and I gathered that the birds had come from his homeland.

 How vast is the world, I was thinking, and how little ofit I have truly seen, when Severio's voice cut through myreverie, his hand closing urgently on my wrist.

 "Phèdre." His tone was low, and I glanced up to meet hishot gaze. "Phèdre, I will buy you a parrot, I'll buy you ahorse, an Umaiyyat camel caravan if that's what you want.A gilded bissone, a house on the Great Canal, a country villa! Name your price, and I will meet it; set your terms,and we will draft the contract. Only promise me I may see you again."

 For once, I could have used my overprotective Cassiline's attention; Joscelin's glower has a quelling effect on patrons' ardor. As luck would have it, he was engaged with dissuad­ing Ti-Philippe from poking his finger through the wickerbars of one of the cages. I was on my own.

 "My lord," I said gently, "you flatter me. But I do notthink it wise that I pursue Naamah's Service here. You your­self said to me, when first we met, 'In La Serenissima, wekeep our courtesans in their proper place, where they be­long.' "

 "I did, didn't I?" Dropping my wrist, Severio flushed adull red. "Gracious Lady of the Sea, I was a prig," he mut­tered. "But you see, don't you, what it's like to live here,to be caught in the middle of this neverending intrigue? Andhow out of my depth I felt in the City of Elua. Phèdre." Helooked earnestly at me now. "I have never known such plea­sure with a woman, but I swear to you, it's not only that.My very nature is changed because of you, and I have madepeace with a side of myself I did naught but revile. PleasureI can find elsewhere, if I must; there are always women whowill do anything for coin. Only you do it because it is your glory."

 "In Terre d'Ange, it is," I whispered; I hadn't expectedhim to make such a compelling argument. "My lord, in LaSerenissima, it would be my shame."

 "Was it Naamah's shame when she bedded the King ofPersis?" he asked cunningly. I had forgotten, too, that hewas one-quarter D'Angeline and knew the tales of that leg­acy. "Was it her shame when she lay down in the stews of Bhodistan that Elua might survive?"

 "No," I murmured. "But Severio, I am not Naamah, onlyher Servant. I need to think."

 "No? Think on this, then." Taking me in his arms, hedrew me against him; I could feel the heat of his body andhis rigid phallus straining against his velvet hose, pressedagainst my belly. My knees grew weak. "If you will nothave me for a patron," he said softly, his breath brushingmy hair, "accept me for a suitor. There are ways to accom­plish anything. With your guile, your beauty and your title,and my father's money and position, we could rule La Ser­ enissima together one day, you and I."

 I have never aspired to power beyond a role as the fore­most courtesan in the City of Elua; I do not think, if Joscelinand I had not been estranged, that I would have consideredSeverio Stregazza's offer for an instant. On D'Angeline soil,I could have handled it with grace. But 'tis a dangerousthing to be courted in a strange city, and I was isolated andlonely on this wild-goose chase even my closest companionsthought a folly. Yes, for a few scant seconds, I entertainedthe notion of conjoining my life to his.

 And spending a lifetime playing supplicant to his Tiberian magistrate.

 No, I thought; if Kushiel has marked me, surely it is for some greater purpose than this.

 "My lord," I said lightly, extricating myself from hisgrasp with a subtle, flirtatious twist that every adept of the Night Court practices to flawless perfection, "you will fairdazzleme with speed! As to Naamah's Service, I have givenmy answer. For the other..." I touched his cheek with myfingertips and smiled, "... if you would court me, why then, 'tis romance, and a different game altogether! You will notwin the hand of the Comtesse de Montrève by the samemeans that you gain the services of Phèdre nó Delaunay. I have heard that Serenissiman men are among the most ro­ mantic in the world. I would hope that means somewhatmore than grappling in the marketplace."

 Severio groaned aloud, accompanied by the sound ofbells. It took a full moment to realize that the two wereunrelated.

 I had not seen, until then, that the priestesses of Asherat were offering a daily libation of wine unto the waters of thelagoon beneath the vast statue of the goddess at the end ofthe Square. Now I saw them making their way back, six ofthem forming two neat lines, flanked at each corner by abeardless male figure carrying a barbed silver spear andringing a bell. Later I learned that these were eunuchs, who had voluntarily unmanned themselves to serve the goddess.

 The priestesses themselves wore robes of blue silk, over­laid with silver net. Unlike the rest of the women I'd seenin La Serenissma, they did not wear tall wooden pattens on their feet, but went unshod, bare ankles encircled by silver chains from which tiny bells jingled, bare feet treading the marble pavement. Also unlike other women, the priestesses wore their hair loose and flowing; but over their faces, they wore veils.

 And such veils! Gauze silk, I have seen aplenty; I have worn it in my guise as Mara, and I have worn it too in theService of Naamah, where the Pasha and the Hareem Girlis a common fantasy for male patrons. These veils were notgauze, but the finest silver mesh, glittering in the sun and strung with clear beads of glass that caught the light and flashed. It was, in all truth, a lovely conceit, and would itnot have been blasphemous, I've no doubt that it would havebeen taken up as a fashion in Terre d'Ange long ago.

 Such were the priestesses of Asherat-of-the-Sea, whomevery good Serenissiman worshipped. In Terre d'Ange, wedo not; yet she is an aspect of Mother Earth herself, inwhose womb Blessed Elua was begotten, and thus we honorher customs. Following Severio's unthinking lead, I touched my fingers to brow and heart, then bowed my head as thepriestesses' entourage passed. From the corner of my eye, Icould see that Joscelin and Ti-Philippe had followed suit;indeed, so had everyone within my vision, even the Jebeanmerchant.

 My field of vision did not include the Yeshuite. Unfor­tunately, one of the Immortali's did.

 "Heya!" His voice rose in a shout before the crowd had scarce closed behind Asherat's procession. "What are youstaring at? Turn your eyes away, damn you!"

 I glanced up to see several of the Immortali surroundingan innocuous-looking man in commoner's garb, a yellowcap atop his dark hair. "I meant no offense," he said, a touchof uneasy defiance in his voice. "I do not worship Asherat-of-the-Sea. By our commandments, it is unlawful for me to lower my gaze before false idols and prophets."

 Until then, I hadn't known him for a Yeshuite; then, Idid. I didn't know yet that Serenissiman law required allfollowers of Yeshua to identify themselves with yellowcaps, but I knew the accent—and I knew their sacred pre­cepts. The Rebbe had made sure of that; I could quote Moishe's Tablets verbatim.

 "And byour commandments," the Immortali said men­acingly, "you should have your eyes put out!" He drew hisbelt-knife and nodded to his companions. "Grab him!"

 The crowd scattered back, abandoning the Yeshuite; theImmortali charged. They got so far as to snatch the cap fromhis hair, and I heard, ringingly, the sound of two daggersclearing their sheathes in precise simultaneity.

 "My lady." Ti-Philippe appeared at my side and spoke inirritated D'Angeline. "It is Southfort all over again, and Ido not wish to die for that idiot's heroics, but if you ask meto, I will."

 "No." I sighed, looking across the Square to where Jos­celin stood before the Yeshuite, crossed daggers forming adeadly barrier of protection against the Immortali, brightsteel blazing in the sunlight. I had taken the measure ofSeverio's comrades, and I did not think they meant to do aught more than scare the Yeshuite. "My lord," I appealedto Severio "if you would woo me, pray bid your companionsnot spill the blood of my men in my presence."

 No coward, Severio Stregazza; he waded amid the Im­mortali, shoving down raised arms. "Enough, enough!You've given him a fright to remember, now let my lady'sguardsman be! What are you, noblemen or thugs?"

 It was over in seconds, the Immortali giving way good-naturedly, forgetting their quarrel; two of them clapped Jos­celin on the shoulder, which he bore with frigid tolerance.Ti-Philippe retrieved the Yeshuite's cap and brought it tome. I made my way over and spoke to the poor man. "Are you all right?" I asked in Caerdicci, handing him his cap.

 "Yes, thank you." He replied absently in the same tongue,settling the yellow cap atop his curls, his gaze fixed intentlyon Joscelin. He lacked the traditional sidelocks, I noted, andhis hands clenched into fists with the undissipated force ofhis anger. One of the schismatics, I thought; even so, hisinterest in Joscelin was peculiar. All the more so when hemurmured beneath his breath in Habiru, "And he shall carveout the way before you, and his blades shall shine like astar in his hands."

 Like a secret code, a shared tongue carries over a crowdedspace. I saw Joscelin turn, eyes wide and startled as the murmured Habiru reached his ear. The Yeshuite made abobbing bow in his manner, and stepped back, the millingthrong closing around him. I met Joscelin's wide-eyed gaze and wondered.

 "So the Immortali bear insults to the Gracious Lady ofthe Sea," spoke a taunting voice from somewhere behindme; I spun about to see us surrounded by another noble­men's club, its fellows clad in green-and-white striped hose,their leader wearing a blue chlamys over his tunic. He ges­tured, making the short cloak swirl. "You have grown fear­ful, since losing the support of the D'Angeline Prince. ThePerpetui of Sestieri Navis would not abide such a slap inthe face to the Dea Coelestis!"

 "Pietro Contini," Severio said through clenched jaws, "Iam in the mood to kick in someone's teeth today, and itmight as well be yours. If you don't want to pick them upfrom the Square, go tell Lorenzo Pescaro I said so!"

 "And miss such a glorious opportunity?" The leader of the Perpetui smiled and drew a short truncheon from hisbelt. "I think not."

 And with that, he swung hard at the head of Severio, who ducked with an oath and planted a punch in his midsection.The Perpetui leader grunted, and in short order, fists andbats were flying, and the crowd was scattering anew. I saw some of the strolling lovers watching, one of the youngwomen clapping her hands in glee at the entertainment. Ahorde of Perpetui descended on Severio, scion of their Ses­tieri's greatest enemy; he struggled against them, shieldinghis head. Pietro Contini had caught his breath and was roar­ing for blood. The Immortali flung themselves into the fray,and I heard Ti-Philippe's voice call out my name like apaean as my chevaliers waded into battle. "Phè-dre! Phèdre!"

 Bodies surged, and the dull thwack of wood and knuckleson flesh resounded. Benito Dandi had gotten hold of a Per­petui truncheon, and laid about him fiercely. Somewhere inthe fray, Fortun surfaced at Severio's side, broad shouldersheaving as he thrust attackers aside by main force, his ex­pression calm as Remy and one of the Immortali defended him from behind, clubbing down attackers with a sickening crunch. Young men fought, and blood flowed freely on themarble squares of the Campo Grande.

 I watched the whole fracas at the side of the Jebean birdmerchant, whose merriment was erased by concern for hisfeathered charges.He need not have worried. Cursing in amost un-Cassiline fashion, Joscelin stood guard before his stall, and fought without drawing his daggers. One spinningkick to the head of a would-be assailant sent one of thePerpetui staggering away, and an unceremonious chop witha vambraced forearm caused another to measure his lengthon the paving stones of the Great Square; after that, theystayed well away.

 "Nowthat" Ti-Philippe enthused later, lying with headtilted back in the Immortali's bissone, "was a good fight!"

 "Shut up and press," Joscelin muttered, shoving a waddedkerchief beneath my chevalier's spurting nose.

 There were bruises and lumps all around, and I was not even certain who had won. The Irnmortali could not havebeen in better spirits. "Your men look like girls, Contessa,"Benito Dandi said to me, "but they fight like tigers. Like ten tigers! No wonder Lord Marco has not tried to settlewith the Little Court by force."

 "Benito," Severio murmured futilely. "We should not talkpolitics."

 "My lord," I addressed him. "At Midwinterfest, you werefearful that your father would lose Prince Benedicte's sup­port, and with it his bid for the Doge's Seat, should election prove imminent. Well, and from what I hear, the first hasproved true, and the latter is likely. What has come to pass?"

 Severio sighed, but he answered candidly; I had guessedaright, he had no secrets from the Irnmortali. "Benedicte'sson by the Tourais woman was bora this spring," he saidbluntly. "And my grandfather named him heir to all his D'Angeline titles and holdings. My mother ..." he searchedfor words, "... took exception, and they have not spokensince. You see, my father was counting on the leverage that gave him, to influence the Consiglio Maggiore. Without thepromise of D'Angeline support..." He shrugged. "His elec­tion to the Sestieri Dogal is secure, but the Consiglio mightjust decide that a naval commander could do more for LaSerenissima."

 "Or a banker," one of the Irnmortali added, spitting overhis oar into the green waters.

 "Or a banker," Severio agreed glumly. "Or even mydamned Uncle Ricciardo, if he makes good on his threat,and rouses the Scholae to strike. I don't think anyone's reckoned how much damage that would do, if it includes thesalt-panners."

 For all that she is built on trade, La Serenissima is pri­marily a gateway; her greatest commodity is and has alwaysbeen salt. I knew that much from my reading.

 "Why not make peace with Prince Benedicte?" I asked."It seems to me your father has little to lose, and much togain."

 "My mother will not swallow the insult, that her ownfather should cut her off, and he is adamant in leaving hisD'Angeline properties to this, this ... puling infant, this Imriel de la Courcel, they named him." Severio made a wry face. "My half-uncle, as it were. Mother has not spoken to Grandfather since the day he announced it. And she has a right to her anger," he added reluctantly. "By Serenissiman law, my grandfather cannot name a woman his successor.Mother cannot inherit the Little Court."

 "What?"The question, happily for me, came from Ti-Philippe, struggling to a sitting position, kerchief clampedto his nose. If he'd not asked it, I would have, and just asincredulously. "What do you mean he can't appoint awoman his heir?"

 "It is Serenissiman law," Severio repeated patiently. "Hecould cede it to my father's custody in her name, but he isloathe to do it since Dominic's betrayal. Don't worry,though." He caught up my hand and toyed with my fingers,smiling. "Grandfather will come 'round in the end. SestieriAngelus has no viable candidate; he must endorse someone, or lose all influence in La Serenissima. If Father cannot per­suade Mother to swallow her pride and beg forgiveness, thenperhaps a D'Angeline love-match will do the trick."

 And if it does not, I thought, smiling back at Severio, mayhap a D'Angeline malcontent dropping Alban trade inMarco Stregazza's lap will do the same, Well, my younglord, you are not so canny as your parents, but you play well into their scheme. And this is all very interesting, but it does not answer me one thing.

 Where in the seven hells is Melisande Shahrizai?

 THIRTY-FOUR

  I thought myself skilled in court intrigue, but after a day—one day!—in La Serenissima, my mind fair reeled. I havealways thought that the notion of a Republic is a noble one,dating back to the glory days of Hellas, which allD'Angelines regard fondly as the last Golden Era before thecoming of Elua. Now, seeing it in action, I was not so sure.At any rate, I took to my bed at an unwontedly early hour.It has been my experience, faced with a bewildering per­plexity of information, that sleep is an excellent remedy for confusion. My recent excursion to Gentian House only con­firmed it.

 Whether it is true or not, I awoke feeling refreshed, and better able to face the tangles of La Serenissima. Over the breakfast table, we plotted our strategy.

 "Fortun," I said gravely. "Of you, I ask the hardest chore.I have dropped word into the ears of Marco and Marie-Celeste Stregazza, and I am minded to see if it spins outany thread that might lead to Melisande. It may be too late,indeed, but I would be pleased if you would keep an eyeon the Doge's Palace, and follow any Stregazzan retainerswhere they might go."

 "Of a surety, my lady," Fortun said quietly. I had chosen him because I knew I could rely on him, for obedience and discretion alike.

 "Philippe." I eyed Ti-Philippe thoughtfully. His noselooked rather like a burst strawberry, which didn't seem tobother him in the slightest. "The Immortali seem passingfond of you. Learn what you may of these clubs, and thecandidates they endorse. If any espouse enmity to PrinceBenedicte and the Little Court, it would be worth knowing.He is the only force in the city who would seek to oustMelisande on principle; for the rest, it is a matter of benefit.

 Anyone seeking to bring down the Little Court might wellbe her ally."

 "And what benefit might a hunted D'Angeline traitor of­fer?" Joscelin asked quietly.

 I knew he was merely trying to offer the voice of reason;nonetheless, I looked hard at him. "Joscelin, I saw Skaldiin the Great Square the day we arrived. Marco Stregazza is ready to sell his son into wedlock if it will secure him trade with Alba; what price would you set on Skaldia? If Melisande had an agreement with Waldemar Selig, like as notshe had other contacts in Skaldia as well. I would not besurprised to learn she could deliver a trade agreement with one or more of the southern tribes."

 "Mayhap," he said gently. "And mayhap you are hauntedby ghosts of the past."

 I could bear anything but compassion from him. It washard enough, believing I was not wraith-ridden, without Jos­celin's quiet censure. I turned to Remy. "You," I said, "Iwill send to the Little Court, to gain admittance if you may, with a request for audience with Prince Benedicte. He maynot entertain it, if gossip has reached him—it had obviously reached the Stregazza—but learn what you may of the LittleCourt nonetheless."

 "Aye, aye, my lady!" Remy grinned, and gave me a crispsalute.

 Would that I could have accepted it at face value, but Isaw the glances they exchanged when they thought I waslooking elsewhere; I knew full well that my chevaliers wereof the same opinion as Joscelin. They were merely less openin voicing it, and more willing to go through the motions of a hunt for the sport of the thing.

 "One more thing," I said, more sharply than I'd intended,playing my trump card. "This is a matter I did not wish topress with the Stregazza, lest I give our hand away. Findout for me who is the astrologer to the family of the Doge.Whoever he is, he is the conduit. Gonzago de Escabares' friend called upon this man; on the following day, he wasvisited by Melisande. All of you, inquire as you may. Whenwe find the astrologer, we find the trail."

 It did as I intended, giving them a tangible quarry. I wroteout the letter for Remy to carry—shocking Leonora yetagain with my perverse literary quirk—and dispersed mychevaliers to their various errands.

 "So." Joscelin looked at me. "You have the lay of theland, and a Serenissiman lordling begging for your hand. What shadows will you set me to chasing before you wedhim, Phèdre nó Delaunay?"

 "I'm not going to wed Severio Stregazza," I said irritably."I've no mind to wed anyone."

 "You let him court you." Joscelin got up from the tableand walked to the window overlooking the balcony. "Is itbecause he can give you what you desire?" he asked, hisvoice muffled.

 "No." I sat gazing at his back, broad-shouldered and graceful, bisected by the cabled length of his wheat-gold braid. Kushiel's gift is cruel; I have never, ever, found anyman so beautiful to me as Joscelin Verreuil, and no man has ever caused me such pain. One does not, I suppose,reign over hell without a well-developed sense of irony.There were no livinganguissettes with whom I could com­pare notes, but surely, I thought, Kushiel must be pleasedwith this arrangement. Nothing else could have ground my heart so fine. "Joscelin, it is because that is the game MarcoStregazza and his wife Marie-Celeste de la Courcel Stre­gazza have decreed, and I see no way out of it but to play along and stall, if I wish to learn anything."

 Back to me, he shuddered, but when he spoke, his voicewas hard. "And if there is nothing to learn?"

 "If there is not, then there is not," I said equitably. "Thereis another option where this talk of marriage is concerned,and you know it as well as I. If I were to declare you myconsort, by D'Angeline law, that is binding. So it was be­fore, and even the Queen acknowledged it. The Stregazza will abide by that without ill-will, they know the ways ofTerre d'Ange. It is you who have closed that door, not I.”

 "Ican't!"This time, the shudder that wracked him wasprofound. Clenching his fists, Joscelin turned to stare at me,wild-eyed. "To think of you, on your knees to the likes ofthat, that overgrownjuvenile, Phèdre, it sickens me! And don't tell me you weren't, because I know you, I know youwere. It was all the talk of the City, how for twenty thousandducats Phèdre nó Delaunay made a man of the grandson ofPrince Benedicte and the Doge of La Serenissima!"

 I do not anger easily, but somehow, Joscelin Verreuil hasever had the trick of it. I stared back at him coldly, andanswered colder. "A pity," I said contemptuously, "I couldnot do the same for you."

 It was enough and more to send him storming out of ourrented house, and I sat as coolly as if the broken shards ofmy heart were not grinding each other to bits and watched him go, knowing, of a surety, where he went. Ten centurieslater, the blood of Yeshua ben Yosef was claiming its due.And he shall carve out the way before you, and his bladesshall shine like a star in his hands.Joscelin had heard it,and so had I; what were the whims of a single Servant of Naamah against the will of an entire people?

 Whatever they believed of him, it was true, I thought;when Joscelin made ready to defend with his daggers bared and crossed, they really did shine like a star in his hands.

 "My lady," Leonora said tremulously; she had caught thetail end of our exchange. Though we had spoken inD'Angeline, the sense of it needed no translation. "There is,um, another message from my lord Severio Stregazza."

 She proffered his letter on a silver salver; I took it im­patiently and cracked the wax seal, scanning the contents.Severio, it seemed, thought I might be amused by touringthe Temple of Asherat; indeed, he had taken the liberty of arranging an audience with the Sovereign Priestess at anhour past noon.

 Well, as it happened, I did find the notion amusing; more­over, I found it intriguing. I have ever been curious aboutthe faith of other peoples, and this was a chance to experi­ence it firsthand; and, too, I was curious about this Oracle.

 At any rate, it was better than moping alone in my chambers. Beginning to know my ways, Leonora had brought apen and inkwell, and I dipped the pen recklessly, scrawlingì hasty reply—although, I must add, only an astute observerwould have known my mood and the speed with which Ianswered.

 When the appointed hour arrived, I descended the stairsfrom my balcony unaccompanied. Severio did not fail to note it, rising to his feet and rocking the craft; a simplegondola today, and not the gilded bissone. Only a few ofhis Immortali were in attendance. "No Cassiline chaperone?" he cried, spreading his arms. "My lady, your trust heartens me!"

 "Be worthy of it, my lord," I said, stepping into the ves­sel. "I have placed my honor in the keeping of the Immor­tali; I pray they will not fail me."

 "Not a chance," retorted Benito Dandi, manning the tillerwith a sharp eye as we surged into the water traffic of theGreat Canal. "In fact, we took a vote, to elect you to therank ofcompagne, my lady, for holding your ground in askirmish. Severio may be our prior, but it took two councillos, the secretary and the notary to pass this motion. Nowhe impugns you at his own expense."

 For all of that, Severio looked delighted, and for his sake,I accepted the honor with good will. Joscelin would be upsetthat I had gone out without a D'Angeline guard, but then,Joscelin was already upset. And I did not think I erred inmy estimation of Severio's character. Rude he might be, byour standards, but wise enough to know that what he desired of me could only be given freely. If I was not safe withSeverio and his Immortali, I was not safe anywhere in LaSerenissima.

 A light rain had fallen early that morning, and the Squareglistened like a vast mirror. Severio and I went alone intothe Temple of Asherat, while his comrades lounged outside,idly baiting the impassive eunuchs who stood guard at thedoors. I must confess, Asherat's Temple was a splendidplace.

 There is not much painting in La Serenissima, but theyare skilled at the art of mosaic. The vast antechamber of theTemple was filled with tiled images, exquisitely rendered. A veiled priestess, young and slender, wearing the white robes of an acolyte, assisted us in removing our shoes andwashing our hands in the ritual basin. Afterward, we wan­dered the antechamber and Severio pointed out to me the various images of Asherat. My favorite was an Ephesianimage that showed the goddess erect and gracious, holdingfronds of date palms in both hands, flanked by an ass anda bull. In La Serenissima, they worship her as Asherat-of-the-Sea and the Dea Coelestis, the Tiberian Queen ofHeaven, but she is an ancient goddess and has taken manyforms.

 "There she is grieving her son Eshmun." Severio pointedto a mosaic that depicted Asherat kneeling over a male fig­ure in a field of scarlet flowers. I did not like it so well asthe others, in part because the lines lacked the fluidity nec­essary to make the scene poignant, and in part because it reminded me of La Dolorosa, the black isle. "And there is the Peace of Asherat and Baal-Jupiter, which they madewhen the people implored them."

 "A terrible story." I shivered. "We passed La Dolorosa on our way here."

 "The place of no hope." There was an edge to his voice."That's what the shorefolk call it. Grandfather Benedictewanted my aunt Thérèse imprisoned there, when it wasfound she was complicit in the poisoning of Isabel de laCourcel."

 "Is she?" Awful as the crime was, I couldn't help but bedisturbed.

 "No." He shook his head. "The Stregazza rose up in armsat the prospect. That's probably when this whole quarrelbegan. She's banished to the Villa Conforti, which is anisland prison of sorts for disgraced nobility." He grinned."Actually, I'm told it's quite pleasant. Nonetheless, she's bound not to leave its shores while she lives.”

 I thought of Hyacinthe, and could not muster an answer­ing smile. Sensing my mood, Severio changed the subject.

 "There's a lovely Temple of Eshmun on the Isla Maestus," he said. "Where the anemone blooms crimson in thespring. We'll have to visit; it's good hunting, as well. Look,Phèdre, I brought honey-cakes. Would you like to make an offering?"

 His kindness touched me, and I was able to smile. Astrange business, this having a suitor! I was accustomed togrand gestures from my patrons, but these homely courtesies were something altogether different. "Yes," I said. "I would."

 The great statue of Asherat loomed beneath the high,pointed central dome, and it took only a glance for me tosee that she was old, very old. Unlike the benign counte­nance of the statue on the harbor, this goddess had a wide-eyed stare. Instead of stars, a crescent moon crowned herhead. She stood upright, leaping waves about her feet, heropen hands touching the waters.

 Brackets of candles lit the dome, and two priestessesflanked the stone altar before the goddess, attending to thesacrifice—for sacrifice it was. A commoner stood before thealtar, cap in hand, and on the slab in front of him, a boundlamb.

 I must have made an involuntary sound, for Severioshushed me. "We'll have to wait a moment," he murmured. "I should have warned you; I forgot, you don't have bloodofferings in Terre d'Ange, do you?"

 "No." I watched, horrified, as the elder priestess lifted thesacrificial knife; bright-edged and tiny, with a curving blade.The lovely, shimmering veil hid her face, but her motionswere serene. I had to look away as she brought down herarm. Even so, I heard the lamb bleat once, a strangled sound.

 And silence.

 I didn't know I was shaking until Severio put his handson my shoulders to still me. "Phèdre," he said gently. "I'msorry, I made a mistake. You needn't stay. Go back to the antechamber, and the acolyte will conduct you outside. I'llmeet you in just a moment, I promise. But I cannot cheatAsherat, having brought her offering."

 "No," I said stubbornly, watching him blink in surprise.I don't think he knew, before that, how much will I had. Isummoned a measure of composure. "I've come too, andone doesn't turn one's back on a goddess. I will go through with it."

 "As you wish," he said, bewildered.

 Eunuch attendants had removed the lamb's carcass—theTemple would dine on it that night, Severio told me later—but the altar still reeked of fresh blood as we approachedand I could see, drawing near, traces of ancient blood black­ened in the crevices. I held the honey-cake in my hands,gazing at the statue's face.

 Long ago, I knew, Asherat-of-the-Sea had another name,and a consort, too; El, who ruled the sun and skies as sheruled the earth and sea. So said the most ancient of Habirumyths, the ones the Rebbe pretended did not exist. But theyquarreled, and divided, and took on different names andfaces, as deities have done through the ages. El became the One God, Adonai of the Habiru; he begot a son namedYeshua.

 And Yeshua's blood and the tears of his mortal belovedmingled in the womb of the earth, the great Mother God­dess, who took their semidivine spark and nurtured to lifeBlessed Elua. If she wore in La Serenissima the face ofAsherat-of-the Sea, 'twas not for me to turn away.

 "Gracious Lady of the Sea," I whispered in D'Angeline,my mother tongue. "Pray accept this gift from your many-times-removed daughter, and grant me your blessing." Withtrembling hands, I broke the honey-cake in half and laid it on the bloody altar.

 High above me, the face of the statue was unchanged, but I saw in it now somewhat different, a terrible and impassive mercy. Severio made his offering, murmuring a Caerdicciprayer. The priestesses nodded grave acceptance, and weturned to go.

 "Wait." It was the elder priestess, putting out a hand tostop me. Through her veil, I saw her eyes, dark and curious,searching mine. "Some god has laid his hand upon you,child. Will you not seek the counsel of the Oracle?"

 I glanced at Severio, who gave a faint shrug. "It is notwise to turn away the gifts of the goddess," he said neutrally.

 So it was that we were conducted by silent eunuchs intothe left-hand chamber, beneath one of the two lesser domes.It was dark and smoky, and the walls were unadorned; in­deed, the chamber held naught but a stool and a table, onwhich lay a large, deadly-looking cleaver that filled me withapprehension. Like the altar, the table was stained a darkred, though I could not detect the stench of blood, even witheyes closed. The eunuchs set about lighting tapers, and leftus. The chamber brightened somewhat and presently an an­cient priestess shuffled out, carrying a simple woven basket of pomegranates.

 "Some god-touched child, they say, and time to summonold Bianca," she said querulously, setting down her basketand lifting one crabbed hand toward my face. "Well, andwhy not, I've given counsel to a thousand and a thousandbefore, from altar and balcony alike, and never missed aday, except the one I had the grippe, when His Grace soughtadvice. Young Vesperia, she handled it well enough, they say, and why not, I trained her. Well, don't dawdle, child,let me see you!"

 Belatedly, I realized that her eyes behind the light-shotsilver mesh of her veil were milky and blind, and bent my face to her searching hand. Crimson-stained fingertips softwith age drifted over my features, and old Bianca gruntedwith satisfaction.

 "D'Angeline, are you?" she asked. "No, don't tell me, I know it. Skin like a babe's arse, and the echo of a hundredfingers touched you before, men and women alike, kind and cruel, hard and soft. A rare beauty, yes? And marked, so plain even the blind can see it. Well and so; you don't be­long to Asherat, but she takes an interest in all Her children,whether they like it or no. You have a question for the Gracious Lady. Choose, and I will tell Her answer.”

 I hesitated, unsure of what to do. Severio was frowning,half in awe; he hadn't planned for this. I daresay it unnervedhim somewhat. I hoped so, because it surely unnerved me.

 "Youdo have a question?" the old woman asked impa­tiently.

 "Yes, my lady," I murmured. "I wish to know—"

 "Asherat! Don'ttell me, child. It taints the answer." OldBianca gestured at the basket of pomegranates, the sleeves of her blue silk robe hanging loose and voluminous on her bony arm. It was nearly a mockery, such gorgeous fabrics adorning so wizened a form. "Choose, and I will tell."

 With no better guidance, I gazed at the heaped basket andselected a large, ripe fruit, its outer rind a rich maroon hue.I placed it on the table before the ancient priestess. Gropingfor the stool with one hand, she took up the cleaver in theother, then grasped the fruit firmly.

 I am not ashamed to say that I gasped when Biancabrought down the cleaver with unexpected swiftness, the deadly blade splitting the pomegranate a mere hairsbreadthfrom her fingertips. And I was not alone, for I heard Severiowince involuntarily.

 The old woman merely grunted again, dividing the halvesand setting them upright. The deep red seeds shone in aradiating pattern against the rigid white inner pulp, as vividas the mote of Kushiel's Dart within my left eye. Scarletjuice oozed onto the table and stained her skin anew as she read the pattern of the seeds with her questing fingertips.

 "What you seek you will find," she said matter-of-factly,"in the last place you look."

 I waited for more. Bianca levered the cleaver cautiously this time, divided one of the pomegranate halves into quar­ters. Bending it to expose the glistening ruby seeds, shelifted the quarter to her mouth beneath her veil and deftlygnawed at the tart fruit.

 "That's all there is to tell," she said, chewing and turning her head to spit out the pips. "You can make an offering to the treasury before you leave, if you like. Silver's custom­ary.”

 Outside, with the bright Serenissiman sun reflecting onthe rain-washed Square, it seemed almost a dream. Severiorelated the tale tothe Immortali, who took it in stride.

 "That's an oracle for you," Benito Dandi said, shrugging."Common sense, tricked out in smoke and mirrors. I mean,ofcourse you're going to find what you're seeking in thelast place you look, aren't you? Because after that, you stoplooking. Heya," he said, distracted by the sight of a Seren­issiman approaching the temple. Clad in a noblewoman'sattire and swaying on tall wooden pattens, she nonethelesswore the Veil of Asherat, silvery mesh and gleaming beads obscuring her features. "Bet I know whatshe's looking for!"he exclaimed, and let out a whistle. "My lady, if it's maleheirs you're seeking, no need to become a supplicant. If the field doesn't bear, change plowmen, I say!"

 I smiled faintly at his ribaldry, pitying the poor woman.After what I had seen today, I was of no mind to mockAsherat's powers.

 Common sense, indeed; but I had not told the priestessmy question.

 THIRTY-FIVE

 To my surprise, all my chevaliers and Joscelin as well hadreturned by the dinner hour—and with the exception of the latter, who was quiet and indrawn, all gave a good account­ing of their day. Unfortunately, there was little to be gainedfrom it. Remy had been turned away at the entrance of theLittle Court; the guards had accepted my letter and sent him on his way, warning him pessimistically that the D'AngelinePrince held few audiences these days, and there was a long list of requests. He had haunted the perimeter for the betterpart of the day to no avail. Prince Benedicte's guards werestrict on duty, and housed within the Court itself, so he hadno access within.

 Fortun had spent a fruitless day trailing couriers in Stregazzan livery, although he described to me with great relishthe inner workings of the Arsenal, the great shipyard. There was an ongoing negotiation, it seemed, between Sestieri Dogal and Sestieri Navis. Well and fine, it might influence theelection, but it meant little to me.

 For his part, Ti-Philippe had been carousing with thoseof the Immortali who had not accompanied Severio and me.He had lost nearly a purseful of silver denari, but he had to show for it somewhat more valuable; to me, at any rate. Themother of one of the Immortali attended the Doge's wife—I'd not even known she yet lived, such was the role ofwomen in La Serenissima—and regularly sought the serv­ices of her lady's astrologer, although the man had beendisgraced and no longer served the Stregazza.

 "Good," I said to him. "Find out how I might make anappointment with the man." I gazed at Joscelin. "Do you have aught to report?"

 He gave an awkward shrug. "I found out the Yeshuitequarter. 'Tis much the same here as at home; they argue among themselves, and speak of a northern destination.Worse, though. Yeshuites here are confined to their own quarter, yet forbidden to own property. The men may haveno congress with Serenissiman women, and those hats, they must wear at all times to identify themselves."

 What he did there, I did not ask. I was sorry for the plightof the Yeshuites, but I could not afford to worry overwhether or not Joscelin Verreuil had become a part of theirgrand prophecy. I related instead my own day's adventure.

 Predictably, Joscelin was irate. "You should not havegone out without an escort! Bad enough it's soldiers andsailors, and not respectable women, like the Serenissimans have—to venture out on your own, without a single com­ panion! Phèdre, it's folly."

 "Well, and I would not have," I retorted coolly, "if you'dnot left in a temper. But I did, and no harm done."

 "It's stupid." Ti-Philippe scratched his healing nose. "Theprophecy, I mean. You always find what you're looking forin the last place you look, don't you? Why keep lookingafter you find it?"

 "I know," I said patiently. "The thing of it is, I neverasked the question aloud, which makes me believe the an­swer worth considering. If I might guess, I think the mean­ing is more subtle. I think we will find Melisande in the place we least expect her."

 "Selling fish at the market," Remy offered in jest.

 "Or wiping gruel from the Doge's chin," Ti-Philippeadded.

 "Changing the swaddling clothes of Prince Benedicte'sinfant son," suggested Fortun with a trace of a smile.

 I could not stop them, once they were off and running— driving mules along the salt-pans, blowing glass on Isla Vitrari, tanning hides, teaching archery. With each new pro­posed location, it grew more and more absurd, until I beggedthem, laughing, to desist.

 It was Joscelin, oddly enough, who took the prophecy most seriously; though not so odd, when I thought on it.After all, he had been a priest himself, and would be still,were it not for me. "What you seek, you will find," he mur­mured, glancing at me. "Blessed Elua grant it is so, since you're damnably single-minded about it. I never thoughtyou'd desist, no matter what I argued." Propped his chin inhis hands, he gazed at the lamp in the center of the table,its flickering light casting his face into shadow and making a mask of it. "Prophecy is a dangerous thing. But I'll say naught to dissuade you, for now."

 "Thank you," I said simply.

 We left it at that, for the evening. If nothing else, Jos­celin's words had lent the prospect of believability to our quest, and I was grateful for that, although I did not know how far I could count on his aid. We had declared a peace by default, and I was glad he had returned, but our harshwords earlier lay like a sword between us, and neither of uswilling to take it up or cast it aside.

 In the days that followed, I came to see a great deal ofLa Serenissima and became accepted into the society of Severio's peers. A season of truce-parties had begun, whereyoung gallants of all the Sestieri's clubs held extravagantfetes, and no quarreling was allowed on the host's estate.Strange affairs, to a D'Angeline mind, where the young mengathered to discuss politics and the women to discuss ro­mance and fashion, under the watchful eyes of a half-dozenchaperones. Married women had some freedom; maidens had little. More often than not, I was bored, except whenthere was dancing and entertainment. When the fête dwin­dled to a close, the revelers would straggle homeward intorchlit processions—and there the truce ended. Any gallantescorting his lady's party was reckoned safe from harm, but unaccompanied clubsmen set upon each other in the sort of gleeful skirmishes I'd witnessed in the Square.

 It goes without saying that a great deal of matchmakingwent on at these truce-parties.

 For his part, Severio displayed me like a jewel, and his pride in it was nearly enough to offset his impatient desire. The gallant sons of the Hundred Worthy Families, sporting the colors of a host of vividly-named clubs—Perpetui, Ortolani, Fraterni, Semprevivi, Floridi—flocked to me likebees to honey, and I was glad of the Immortali's zealous protectiveness, both for my person and my reputation. The young women of La Serenissima treated me with a certainjealous awe, and if I made no friends among them, at leastthey were wary of maligning me where the Doge's grandson might get wind of it. Most of them, I was shocked to learn, were illiterate. Only priestesses and a few rare noblewomenlearned to read and write.

 Although I must say, they did know how to cipher. Ashrewd mind for trade was reckoned an asset in a wife.Giulia Latrigan, whose uncle was one of the richest men inLa Serenissima and stood as the likely candidate for Sestierid'Oro, could add and deduct whole lists of figures in herhead in the blink of an eye. She was clever and funny, and among all the young women, kindly disposed toward me; Ithink we might have been friends, if not for the rivalry be­tween her family and the Stregazza. But there was talk ofan engagement between Giulia and a son of the Cornaldofamily, who held great sway among the Consiglio Maggiore,and Severio said bitterly in private that Tomaso Cornaldowould take six votes with him if the rumors regarding thesize of Giulia's dowry were true.

 Amid the whirl of activity, Ti-Philippe tracked down theDoge's astrologer.

 I went to see the man with Remy and Ti-Philippe, and Iwas glad I'd taken both, for I saw another side to La Serenissima, winding through the smaller canals in the poorer quarters of the city. Here, the work of building this city onthe sea was evident. Brackish water flowed sluggishly in thenarrow canals and ramshackle wooden houses crowded to­gether, built on ill-drained marshland that stank of rot andfish. When we paid the hired boatman and dismounted, Iquickly understood where pattens had originated, the teeter-ingly high wooden platforms women of style wore as foot-ware. It had begun on the muddy, unpaved streets of LaSerenissima.

 We were attracting enough curious glances already; I re­fused Remy and Ti-Philippe's laughing offer to carry me.As a result, I was mired to the ankle by the time we hadtrudged through a murky labyrinth of back alleys into amean little courtyard, strung with crisscrossing lines of dry­ing laundry. One closed door onto a windowless dwelling bore a rude painting of the circle of the Zodiac.

 "Quite a comedown for the Doge's astrologer," I re­marked, holding up my skirts and trying in vain to stampthe worst of the mud from my finely made heeled slippers,which were likely ruined.

 "He read the stars for His Grace's wife when she was ill,"Ti-Philippe said philosophically, "and prescribed a philtre ofsulfur to cure her. It's a wonder it didn't kill her. My friendCandido said Prince Benedicte sent his own Eisandine chirurgeon, who gave her a purge that likely saved her, though she's been sickly ever since. But his mother's superstitious; she thinks someone played foul with Magister Acco's po­tions, and is yet devout to his advice.”

 I gave up on the mud. "Lucky for us we're not seeking him out for his medical acumen."

 Remy chuckled and rang the bell outside the astrologer's door. Presently it opened a crack, and a sallow face peeredout. Weary eyes sized up our persons and our attire, and the astrologer's face took on a cunning look. "Adventurers fromthe Little Court, yes? Does the fair lady want her starscharted?" Magister Acco stepped back and opened his door wide. "Come in, come in!"

 We entered the dark and frowsy interior of the astrologer'sdwelling. He bustled around, lighting additional lamps. Igauged him to be some fifty years of age, lean, streaks of iron-grey in his black hair, atop which perched a fraying cap ofvelvet. The satin robes of his calling, decorated with celestial symbols, had been fine once, albeit unsubtle. Now they werestained with foodstuff and worn about the hems. Still, therewere books and scrolls strewn about his rooms. One, obvi­ously well-thumbed, was in Akkadian script, which I couldnot read. Obviously, he'd had some learning. I should haveguessed as much, since he had been a friend of Maestro Gonzago's.

 "Sit, my lady, I pray you." With some embarrassment, Magister Acco cleared the picked remains of a chicken leg from his worktable. Covering his shame, he asked in pass­ably good D'Angeline, "Shall we conduct the charting in your maiden tongue, my lady?"

 "Caerdicci is fine, my lord astrologer," I said politely,sitting opposite him, the table between us. Remy and Ti-Philippe took a stand on either side of me. "But I'm afraid—"

 "Ah, yes, of course." Magister Acco steepled his fingers, nodding wisely. "My lady, have no fear, your coin buys myutmost discretion. I ask only that if you find my advicesage—and you shall, you shall!—you drop a kind word inthe ear of Prince Benedicte. It is not meet that I should bewithout a royal patron, being trained to serve kings."

 I leaned forward and held his eyes. "My lord astrologer,if you have the knowledge I seek, believe me, Prince Benedicte will reward you. I seek not counsel, but informa­tion." The astrologer drew back, a veiled look coming overhis face. I smiled disarmingly, changing my tactic. "Forgiveme, I did not mean to alarm you. You are a friend of theAragonian historian Gonzago de Escabares, are you not?"

 Magister Acco relaxed. "Yes, Gonzago, of course. Did hesend you? I know he's ever had a fondness for Terre d'Angeand ..." he chuckled, "... its fair cuisine. Pray, send the oldrascal my greetings."

 "I shall," I said, and paused. "Magister, I know MaestroGonzago visited you last year, and after he left, an acquain­tance of his, Lucretius by name, came seeking him too late. You sent him on to Varro, whence the Maestro was bound, and gave him the name of a reputable inn in La Serenissima."

 "Yes." His dark eyes grew wary again. "I have somevague recollection of such a man. But I've no idea whatbecame of him, if that's what you're seeking."

 "No." I shook my head. "I'm looking for a D'Angelinenoblewoman who contacted him at that very same inn, thefollowing morning." I smiled, shrugged, spreading myhands. "She is an old acquaintance of mine, my lord, andgave him a gift for Maestro Gonzago to carry for me. Alas,she left no address, and I would thank her for it."

 "I don't know what you're talking about." The astrolo­ger's voice was tight, and even by the dim lamplight, I couldsee a sheen of sweat on his brow.

 "Surely you would remember the Lady Melisande Shahrizai," Remy offered, giving his sailor's rowdy grin. "A faceto make men weep for beauty, black hair like waves of the sea at night, eyes like twin-set sapphires and a nightingale'svoice? I saw her at fifty paces, and have never forgotten it!"

 Magister Acco gave a convulsive shudder. "No," he said hoarsely. "I've never seen such a person. If she found outGonzago's friend, she must have gotten it from a servant.I'm sorry, I don't know anything about it."

 Compulsive motions, perspiration, altered tone, repeti­tion—he wasn't merely lying, he was lying out of fear. Ispoke to him in my gentlest voice. "My lord astrologer, I did not jest with you. Prince Benedicte would pay dearlyfor this knowledge. And whatever you fear, I promise, hewill take you under his protection." Though I had no au­thority whatsoever to make that kind of pledge, I was rea­sonably certain Benedicte would agree; and if he wouldn't,I'd summon Quintilius Rousse if I had to.

 But 'twas to no avail.

 "I know nothing," said Magister Acco, desperation mak­ing him bold. "Do you hear? Nothing! Not even if you wereto offer me the post of Royal Astrologer to the D'AngelineQueen herself! Now get out and leave me be, and don'tcome back!" He trembled with mingled fear and anger. "Doyou people think I can't chart my own fate? Do you thinkI don't see the thread will cut my lifeline short if I cross it?Get out, I tell you!"

 "Magister Acco ..."

 "Out!"He screamed the word with corded throat, one shaking hand pointing at the door. There were veins throb­bing at his temples, and I feared we'd give him a seizure ifwe stayed. I beckoned to Remy and Ti-Philippe, and wewent quietly. The astrologer's door slammed behind us andI heard the sound of furniture being dragged within, some­thing heavy thudding against the door.

 We stood in the muck of the little courtyard and staredat one another.

 "Well," Remy said thoughtfully. "There's a man that'stangled with Melisande, all right. Only what do we do aboutit?"

 "We go to Prince Benedicte." The voice that spoke thosewords was so quiet and reasonable it didn't sound like Ti-Philippe. He met my eyes reluctantly, rubbing at his nose,which no longer resembled a fruit. "My lady, I'd follow youto the ends of the earth, whether you chased a will-o'-the-wisp or no, but if there's any merit to that man's fear, thisbusiness is too serious for us to handle alone. We've goodreason to believe the astrologer knows somewhat about Mel­isande, somewhat that put the fear of Kushiel into him. It'sa matter of state, and you gave the Admiral your word. LetPrince Benedicte handle it."

 "You're right," I said slowly, and sighed. "I'd rather we had proof, a great deal more of it. But he won't talk of his own accord, and I don't think we can afford to let him go.Remy, if you'll stay and keep a watch, we'll go straightaway to the Little Court, and pray that Rousse's name opens doorsthere as quickly as he thinks it will."

 "Aye, my lady." Remy saluted, taking up a post leaningagainst the wall outside the astrologer's door. "Elua grantyou luck."

 That was when we heard the second thud, and this onedidn't sound like furniture.

 It sounded very like a falling body.

 Ti-Philippe swore and put his shoulder to the door, shov­ing hard. Remy set to beside him, and between the two, theyforced open the door, which was blocked by a large trunk.I would have gone inside, but they made me wait while theywent first.

 "It's safe, my lady," Remy called back, his voice dis­gusted. "But so much for going to Prince Benedicte. Youmay not want to look."

 I went to see anyway, and found the astrologer's bodylying in a pitiful heap on the floor of his pitiful lodging. Hiseyes were open and staring, and there was a little foam abouthis mouth. At his side lay a shattered phial. Magister Acco was very much dead. Ti-Philippe stooped and sniffed at hisfoam-spattered lips, touched one finger to the glass shardsof the phial and sniffed that as well.

 "Laugh at my nose all you like," he said, wiping his fingeron his trousers, "but it smells just like the rat poison my Daused to set out, my lady."

 "He poisoned himself." I pressed my hand hard to mybreast, shaking. "Oh, poor man! And we drove him to it. Ishould have seen he was that terrified."

 "My lady." Remy took my arm and urged me turn away."I think mayhap he was a little bit mad," he said softly."That business he spoke at the end, about crossing threadscutting short his lifeline? I think whatever fear he had ofMelisande was jumbled in his mind with his expulsion fromthe Palace, and he drove himself mad with it rather thanface his own guilt. The man nearly killed the Doge's wife. Surely it haunted him."

 "Mayhap." My head ached. "But if he stood at the verge, Remy, I am the one who pushed him. I wonder if he knewwhat we meant to do."

 "How could he?" Ti-Philippe asked rhetorically. "Luckywe didn't, now. I'd hate to have dragged out the Prince'sGuard to visit a corpse. You can still tell Benedicte, and let him investigate it."

 "No." I rubbed my temples. "There's naught to learn here,with the astrologer dead. Whatever else is true, he did vio­lence by his own hand, and there's no one Benedicte could question that he hasn't asked before. It would only alert Melisande, if she's tied to him in any way. And if she's not, 'twould only embarrass us, and give away our game in thebargain. I'll go to Benedicte when I've proof, not specula­tion and bodies."

 We made a cursory search of Magister Acco's lodgings,turning up naught but the tools of his trade, texts and charts.A few Serenissimans began to gather outside the door, andRemy went out somber-faced to report the news and sendfor the undertaker, telling them only that the astrologer hadbid us leave in a temper, then suffered a seizure.

 No one seemed surprised, and a few nodded solemnly, asif they'd expected no less. Magister Acco, it seemed, had areputation for having an uncertain temper and occasional fitsof raving.

 He also had a reputation for unerring prognostication.

 I thought about that, during the silent trip back to ourrented house, the gondola emerging onto the Great Canal to glide softly over water tinted lavender by the setting sun,the boatman dipping his long oar in mesmerizing rhythm, singing absently to himself. I did not think the astrologerwas mad, any more than I thought a tincture of sulfur wouldkill in small doses. If the Doge's wife had died, if Benedicte's chirurgeon had not intervened, Magister Acco wouldlikely have been executed. Whether or not Melisande haddone it, I did not know; if she had been in the Doge's Pal­ace, and that close to his astrologer, someone else hadknown it, someone who had lied to Prince Benedicte — andit had never been her way to use her own hand. Mayhap it was different, now that she was more desperate.

 One thing I did know. Magister Acco had seen her, andif he was not merely raving, he had seen in the stars thathis death lay in crossing her. He had taken control of his fate in the only way he saw.

 And I had led him to it.

 THIRTY-SIX

 Upon our return home, I found an invitation awaiting me. I had nearly forgotten Ricciardo Stregazza's promise, buthe, it seemed, had not. I was invited to visit their country villa two days hence.

 I daresay I might have politely refused, were it not thatthe invitation itself captured my attention. It was not from Ricciardo, but his wife, Allegra. It had a warm, open sen­timent that surprised me, and in the note she spoke of her interest in hearing my perspective on Serenissiman society.

 "Will you answer, my lady?" Fortun asked quietly. Hismanner was gentle; he had heard the day's tidings fromRemy and Ti-Philippe.

 "Yes." I sighed. "I should. For all I know, I might learnsomewhat."

 "I'll escort you, if it please you." It was a kind offer. He was steadier man the other two, and we both knew it. I wouldn't have replied as I did if I hadn't been weary anddisheartened.

 "I want Joscelin." It was a child's response, petulant and sulky; I saw the hurt on his face the moment I spoke, and would have bitten back the words if I could have. "Fortun,I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that. It's only that it's iso­lated, we'll be on the mainland, among folk I dare not trust,and he's trained best for it."

 "Well, he's not here." Fortun flushed at his own blunt-ness, dropping to kneel beside my couch. "My lady," hemurmured. "I know you miss him. I know how you havequarreled, we all do. If I could drag him back to your sideby his heels, I swear I would do it."

 I set aside the invitation. "Where is he? Among the Yeshuites?" I saw the answer in his face and gave a shortlaugh. "You know what he's doing there, don't you?"

 "Yes." Fortun looked away. "My lady," he said, his voice scarcely a whisper. "Forgive me. But you heard the Unforgiven, as well as we. That night in Troyes-le-Mont, therewas a Cassiline Brother escorting Persia Shahrizai. I know you would never suspect him, in a thousand years, but hekeeps disappearing, and we talked about it, we three. It'snot right, with him sworn to protect and serve you. We drewlots, and I got the short straw. I've followed him, more thanonce."

 I passed my hands blindly over my face. "Joscelin Verreuil may be a poor excuse for a Cassiline, but he'd as soondance naked for the Khalif of Khebbel-im-Akkad as con­spire with Melisande Shahrizai. What's he doing?"

 "Um." Fortun cleared his throat. "He's training Yeshuite lads to Cassiline arms."

 "What?"My voice rose.

 "I told you, he's training them to fight like Cassilines."He glanced about to make certain no servants were near. "I asked about, in the taverns. I found one fellow willing totalk. Seems they've been trying to teach themselves, but it'sunlawful for a Yeshuite to bear arms in La Serenissima.They're allowed a single temple; he trains them in the cat­acombs below."

 "What are they going to do?" I asked wearily. "Storm theDoge's Palace?"

 "No." He shook his head. "Go north, in accordance withsome prophecy. There's rumor of a warlord, Hral, Vral,somewhat like that, has converted to the Yeshuite faith, andseeks to forge a single nation among the tribefolk of the northern wastes."

 "Well, I wish them the joy of it," I muttered. "Fortun,forget what I said. I would be very pleased indeed to have you attend me."

 "I'll send him to you when he comes," he said quietly,leaving me.

 What passed between them, I never knew, but it fell out that Joscelin accompanied me to the Villa Gaudio, whereRicciardo and Allegra Stregazza made their home. We trav­elled from the linked islands of the city proper by boat,forging some little ways up the Brenno River, along which several villas lay. In the true Tiberian style, these wereworking farms as well as gracious estates, and it surprisedme, from what little I knew of him, that Ricciardo Stregazza chose to live on one.

 Joscelin and I spoke little on the journey, except to dis­cuss the death of Magister Acco. Like Remy, he was minded to think that the astrologer had been unstable in his wits andhis death none of my fault. Nonetheless, I think it unnervedhim somewhat, that I had been so close to a man's death,and my Perfect Companion nowhere in sight.

 Well, and it should, I thought, remembering him comingin from the garden the day I had told him.I protect andserve,he had said.No more, and no less. No matter whatanyone said, his vow was between him and Cassiel—notme, and not even Ysandre. But in my opinion, he'd done considerably less than more.

 That, at least, I kept to myself. After all, no one wastellingme it was my destiny and salvation to lead a peopleto a nation of glory in a far-off land.

 Ricciardo Stregazza had lookouts posted, and we weremet at river's edge. He and his family met us in the gardens between the dock and the villa, a modest, gracious affair with marble columns to the fore.

 "Welcome, Comtesse," he said in D'Angeline, and gaveme the kiss of greeting; I returned it unthinking. His demeaner seemed easier, and he looked younger than I'dthought before. "This," he said, turning, "is my lady wife,Allegra Stregazza, and these..." he indicated a shy girl ofsome seven years, and a merry, curly-headed boy of five orso, "... are our offspring, Sabrina and Lucio. My dears, thisis Phèdre nó Delaunay, Comtesse de Montrève."

 We had greetings all around, and I introduced Joscelin,who gave his Cassiline bow. Allegra Stregazza embracedme warmly.

 "I'm so pleased you came," she said in Caerdicci, smiling,faint lines crinkling at the corners of her grey-green eyes. Iguessed her to be some ten years younger than her husband;twenty-seven or eight. After the city, her attire seemed el­egantly simple, and she wore her waving brown hairunadorned. "We don't get many visitors here, as it's notfashionable, although I daresay it will be one day. Andsince ... well. It's a pleasure."

 "You honor me," I replied politely, slightly bewildered.

 "Signore Verreuil," Allegra began to greet Joscelin, thengasped, gazing at his daggers and vambraces. "Oh! You'reaCassiline!"

 It sounded exotic, from her lips. Blinking, Joscelin gaveanother bow. "I had that honor once, my lady Stregazza,"he said. "I beg your pardon, for wearing arms into yourpresence." Straightening, he plucked his daggers free and dropped them neatly at her feet, beginning to unbuckle hisbaldric.

 "Oh, no, no! Pray, keep your arms!" Allegra clapped her hands together like a girl, and then bent to explain to thechildren how no matter what the circumstances, the King orQueen of Terre d'Ange was always attended by two mem­bers of the Cassiline Brotherhood. The boy stooped to pickup one of Joscelin's daggers; the girl dug her toe in the grassand peered at him through her hair.

 "Lucio, no, leave it for Signore Cassiline," Ricciardoscolded, catching one arm about the boy's middle and hoist­ing him, giggling, onto his shoulder. "Shall we go inside? Inearly think Cook's outdone herself with a fine repast.”

 It was a pleasant stroll through the gardens, which weremostly yew and cypress, with some few patches where roseswere cultivated. "Prince Benedicte had promised me theloan of his court gardener," Ricciardo said ruefully, "beforethe quarrel began. Still, he's a fair man, and I think wemight come to some arrangement, if my dear sister-in-lawhasn't poisoned his ear against me." When I protested that his gardens were lovely, he shook his head at me. "Thankyou, Comtesse, but I know better. Still, Allegra's done won­ders with the roses."

 "You grew those?" I asked. "They're lovely."

 She blushed. "My mother had some skill with plants. Iwish I had more time."

 As they moved on ahead of us, Joscelin and I exchangedglances behind their backs. For once, he looked as bewil­dered as I felt, and I was glad of it.

 Inside, the villa was both elegant and comfortable, airy,sunlit spaces offsetting the dark weight of the gilt-trimmed wooden furnishings. A few Akkadian rags and bowls ofblooming roses added a note of color. We had, indeed, avery fine luncheon. The children were allowed to dine withus and took on the guest-duties of serving Joscelin and mewith a charming, well-coached solemnity. It was all verymuch as one might find at the country estate of a noble- born D'Angeline family.

 Our hosts made light conversation, but 'twas never dull.I found Ricciardo surprisingly well-informed regarding po­etry, and we discussed in detail the latest verses of Thelesis de Mornay's Ysandrine Cycle. Allegra, in turn, was keenlyinterested in the role of education in D'Angeline society,and I realized in short order that Allegra Stregazza was oneof those rare Serenissiman noblewomen trained to read and write. The invitation had been written by her own hand. Allof them were fascinated to learn of the ten-year regimen oftraining the Cassiline Brethren underwent, which Joscelin obligingly described. When we had done, the children weredismissed unto the custody of their nursemaid, leaving uswith a hastily bobbed bow and curtsy and beaming approvalon the part of the parents.

 It was, on the whole, a delightful performance—and I did not think it was only that. There was genuine affection andrespect between Ricciardo and Allegra, and an abidingwarmth for their children. But he was the Doge's son, andI was not naive enough to believe that this pleasant visit wasnot about politics.

 So it proved, over a dessert cordial. Ricciardo toasted ourhealth, then spoke bluntly. "My lady Phèdre." He set downhis glass. "Please do not take it amiss when I say I knowwho and what you are. I didn't recognize the name whenwe met, but I remembered it later, from the Ysandrine Cy­cle. I say this not to embarrass you, because I think in yourown land you must be reckoned a heroine, and I admire that, as I do many things about Terre d'Ange, but becauseI know my brother. Whatever he may have promised you,no matter what the religious significance in your homeland, Marco Stregazza will not let his son marry a courtesan."

 I did not protest that I had no desire to do so, but saidinstead, "Severio thinks he will." To his credit, Joscelinmade no comment.

 "Severio." Ricciardo grimaced. "Severio has done nomore than dip a toe in the bottomless pool of intrigue thatis his birthright. He's not a bad lad, though he can be short-tempered and cruel. Less so, I hear, since meeting you, forwhich I owe you thanks. Nonetheless, he doesn't know the tenth part of his father's schemes."

 I raised my eyebrows. "He seems to know a tenth part of yours. And he actually has a good grasp of what a strike bythe salt-panners could do to La Serenissima."

 "Does he?" Ricciardo paused, startled. "Well, if he knows that much, I wish he could see that the Consiglio is breakingthe back of the workers and tradesfolk who support themwith these damnable taxes, all to build this glorious navy." He shook his head, adding bitterly, "But I suppose he be­lieves his mother and father, who tell him that his uncle isrousing the Scholae in a desperate bid for political gain.”

 "It's plain folly!" Allegra said indignantly. "Anyone withhalf a wit to study the annals can see that the ConsiglioMaggiore has never elected a Doge from Sestieri Scholae.If all Ricciardo wanted was gain, why he'd, he'd be betteroff courting Sestieri Angelus' vote!" She blushed at her ownwords, but her expression remained no less indignant.

 "Marie-Celeste said you have no love for the LittleCourt," I said neutrally to Ricciardo.

 "My sister-in-law doesn't know a damned thing about it!"His eyes flashed. "Yes, I sided with my family, out of re­spect for my father. I think Benedicte was wrong, blamingthe entire Stregazza line for the treachery of Dominic and Thérèse. And I think he was wrong to set the son of thissecond marriage above his firstborn children, especiallyknowing that Marie-Celeste may inherit naught of his hold­ings in La Serenissima. But if she hadn't been so suspicious,if she hadn't reacted like such a termagant..." He sighed,gathering his composure. "Comtesse, your Prince Benedicte languished twenty years in a loveless marriage, sold into the bonds of political matrimony by his brother Ganelon. WhenMaria Stregazza died, he mourned her as much as wasseemly. But now he is an old man with an adoring youngbride, a refugee from his beloved homeland, who has givenhim a son. I believe he declared this infant Imriel his heirout of sheer exuberance, with no thought for his actions.Given time and a tactful approach, he would doubtless re­ vise his words and divide his territories between children.If my father would only see reason, he would send a suitableemissary to Prince Benedicte and resolve this foolish quar­rel."

 "Such as yourself?" I inquired.

 Ricciardo shrugged. "I have friends, still, among the LittleCourt. I think Benedicte would listen to me. It is my father who will not." He looked at me. "I trast Marco and Marie-Celeste told you there was a scandal."

 "Yes." I glanced at Allegra, but she was watching her husband, compassion on her face.

 "Yes, well." Ricciardo's mouth twisted. "You may as wellknow it. My father gave me the task of entertaining the sonof a D'Angeline ambassador from the Little Court. I was caught out at performing my duty rather too well, and my father has held me in contempt ever since, no matter how hard I labor to win his admiration." He let his eyes closebriefly, and said, "Yes. I know what you're wondering. Theyouth was of age, and willing. I'm not that much a fool;but fool enough."

 "I'm sorry, my lord," I said politely, not knowing whatelse to say. Ricciardo's eyes snapped open, his gaze sharp and canny once more.

 "I tell you so that you know," he said, "what my familyis capable of, and how little they will bend on certain mat­ters. My brother dangles Severio before you as bait, but oncehe has whatever he's asked of you—and I know him, there's somewhat he wants—he'll snatch his son away and leaveyou gaping."

 "And he'll turn you to his own purposes if he may," Allegra murmured, "even if 'tis against your own loyalties.Meanwhile, the Doge will hear naught of reason, the silencedraws on between the Stregazza and House Courcel, and Prince Benedicte grows fearful for his son and wife andincreases the number of his guard at the Little Court."

 Her words struck me like a blow, triggering a memory.Imust greet his grace the Duc de Somerville,Severio hadsaid to me in the concert hall.Iam charged by my motheron behalf of Prince Benedicte to thank him for the companyof D'Angeline guardsmen he sent to attend the Little Court.It seems my maternal grandfather grows chary of protectinghis pure-blooded heir.

 For the first time in months, I felt the satisfaction of a piece of the puzzle falling into place.

 The missing guardsmen of Troyes-le-Mont.

 "My lord Ricciardo," I announced, coming out of my rev­erie. "Let US not toy with one another. Your brother hasasked me to approach the Cruarch of Alba regarding traderights, and if you know who I am, you know there is achance Drustan mab Necthana would hear me. For reasonsof your own—and mayhap concern for my welfare—youask that I do not. Very well, I will consider it, but there issomewhat I want. You say you have friends in the LittleCourt. I want access therein, without troubling Prince Be-nedicte."

 Ricciardo was staring at me; they all were, even Joscelin.But it was the Doge's son who spoke, wondering. "Youdon't have any intention of marrying my nephew, do you?"

 He was clever; I should have been more circumspect. Ishrugged, opening my hands. "I enjoy Severio's company.In Terre d'Ange, that is enough. Beyond that, my business is my own."

 "Not if it affects La Serenissima," he said flatly.

 I met his dark, hooded gaze squarely. "It doesn't."

 "My lord," Joscelin said unexpectedly, leaning forward atthe table. "We are looking for Melisande Shahrizai."

 I wouldn't have dared say it so baldly, but coming fromJoscelin—it took them by surprise. I saw Ricciardo blink, considering Joscelin, who bore it with stern Cassiline calm."Benedicte's traitor," he said thoughtfully. "Yes, he lookedfor her too, not two months ago. I daresay it's one of thereasons my father is wroth with him and will not extend his hand in peace, that Prince Benedicte would suspect the Pal­ace of harboring traitors. I'm sorry." He shook his head. "Iknow no more of it than that."

 He evinced none of the signs of lies and evasion I knewto look for and had seen in such abundance in MagisterAcco the astrologer; but then, he was a Stregazza, andtrained to guile. Still, I thought he had dealt fairly with me, and if his motives were no less ambitious than his brother's,I could not fault him for it.

 "Enough of this!" Allegra pushed her chair back from thetable and stood. "Ricciardo, we invited the Comtesse hereto show her hospitality, not to intrigue," she said, chiding him, then turning to me. "My lady Phèdre, would you dome the kindness of seeing the library? I would see that mychildren—bothmy children—are well versed in an education befitting their station. If you would recommend texts, Iwould be grateful."

 "Of course," I murmured.

 Their library was small, but not ill-furnished. I glancedover the tomes available and spoke well of severalD'Angeline volumes, recommending the addition of key Hellene philosophers and a handful of Tiberian historians.Allegra sat at the desk and made notations in a gracefulhand, then took a fresh sheet of parchment and wrote out abrief letter, folding and sealing it with a blot from a waxtaper and the familiar Stregazza signet.

 "Here." She handed it to me. "It is a letter of introduction to Madame Felicity d'Arbos, who was a good friend to mymother when she served as lady-in-waiting to the Princess-Consort Maria Stregazza de la Courcel in the Little Court.She will remember me kindly, I think, and be pleased tohear my greetings."

 "Thank you, my lady." I didn't know what else to say.

 "You are welcome." Allegra smiled ruefully. "My hus­band is a good man, Comtesse, and I think you would cometo see it in time. I did. If he is suspicious, he has been givenreason for it, too often to count. But he struggles very hardto do what is right, and is rewarded with scorn." She sighed."If the Doge were not ill, it might be different. Once, he would entertain the captains of the Scholae thrice a year,and hear their complaints. If he could talk to them, he wouldknow that Ricciardo labors honestly on their behalf, andthey regard him with respect. Tradefolk do not care for thepetty intrigues of nobility so much as the bread on theirtable. But his father..." She shook her head, and gave mea direct look. "Would it be different in Terre d'Ange, doyou think?"

 "Mayhap," I said gently. "Many things are. But not of anecessity, my lady. My own lord, Anafiel Delaunay, was shunned by his father for choosing to pledge his life to our Prince Rolande rather than marry and beget a family of hisown. It ended in tragedy, and the title I inherited, he never lived to bear. The laws of love are different, but the entanglements of family and betrayal are the same."

 Allegra nodded. "I see. Thank you." She rose from thedesk and went to gaze out the window overlooking the rear of the estate, rich with farmlands. "Ricciardo has done hisduty by his family. And we have been happy after our ownfashion. Let his brother and sister-in-law mock if they will.For me, it is enough."

 I thought of their merriment in the garden, Ricciardoswinging his son astride his shoulders. His affection, hercompassion. And I thought of my bitter quarrel with Joscelin, the hurtful words, yet unrecanted. We had beengranted imperfect happiness in love, Allegra Stregazza and I, but where I squandered mine, she nurtured hers, cuppingher hands about the embers and blowing to life a flamewarm enough to sustain them all.

 "You have a lovely family, my lady," I said softly. "Ienvy you."

 THIRTY-SEVEN

 I wasted no time calling upon Madame Felicity d'Arbos.

 For this excursion, I took with me my three chevaliers. Idoubted I'd come to harm within the Little Court, well-guarded as it was, and they were more adept than Joscelin at ferreting out the sort of knowledge I sought.

 Fortun had smacked his forehead when I put my theory to them, for not having thought of it himself. He draggedout the carefully crafted maps of Troyes-le-Mont and we marked afresh in memory the knowledge we had garneredbefore, including the positions and reports of the guards I'd interviewed among the Unforgiven.

 Thus armed, we went forth.

 The guards at the canal gate of the Little Court greetedme with deference, examining the seal of Allegra's letterand granting us admittance, summoning a servant lad to run to Madame d'Arbos' quarters and announce me.

 It was strange, after the bustling familiarity of Serenissiman society, to be in D'Angeline territory once more, sur­rounded by D'Angeline faces, hearing my native tongue spoken. There was a measured elegance to the pace, a hushin the presence of nobility. The very marble seemed whiter,the ceilings higher, the halls wider, and all the little gracenotes I had missed were present—musicians playing in thesalons we passed, unexpected niches holding vases ofblooming flowers, graceful frescoes on the walls and ceil­ings.

 All of these we passed en route to Madame d'Arbos'quarters, the lad having returned to report that she would bemost pleased to receive me. A young guardsman was dele­gated to escort us, tugging his blue-and-silver House Courcel livery straight and blushing every time he glanced my way. At the doors, I suggested that we need not troubleMadame with the presence of my chevaliers, if he wouldbe so kind as to entertain them, showing them, mayhap, to the guards' common room, where they might while awaythe time.

 To this, he acceded with another blush.

 I must say, although it accomplished no end in itself, myvisit with Madame Felicity d'Arbos proved delightful. Awidow of some fifty-odd years, she was one of theD'Angeline noblewomen sent with Prince Benedicte to at­tend his Serenissiman wife; Allegra's mother had been oneof the native Serenissimans so appointed, many years ago. It explained, I thought, a good deal about her education.Felicity's rooms were small, but well-appointed. She hadretired from her position when Maria Stregazza had died,but chose to remain at the Little Court, and Prince Benedictehad seen that she was given a generous pension. We satsipping tea while she told me of her life and her fond mem­ ories of the young Allegra and her family.

 "And the Princess-Consort?" I asked politely. "What wasshe like?"

 "The Serenissiman wife." Her grey eyes looked shrewdlyat me over the rim of her teacup. "That's what they call her,now. 'Twas not so bad, for a time. Oh, she dabbled in in­trigue, on behalf of her family, but Benedicte knew how tohandle it. No love lost between them, but we all got on well enough. After... well, he should never have married his daughters into the Stregazza. That family's too close-boundas it is. The King wanted it, to cement ties, but all it didwas breed suspicion, if you ask me. And resentment."

 "So I've heard," I murmured.

 " 'Tis true enough." She set her teacup down carefully."They hate us a little, you know. You won't have seen it,yet, with your youth and beauty. They'll be fresh-dazzled with it yet. But when it wears on, year after year, the dazzlement grates. Maria Stregazza came to hate her husband, while her beauty faded, and his did not. She came to hatethe sight of D'Angeline faces around her. It's a hard thing."

 "I can imagine," I said, thinking of the unspoken enmityof many of the young noblewomen I'd met. "But it must bedifferent, now, with..." I smiled. "Do they call her theD'Angeline wife?"

 "The Serenissimans do." Felicity d'Arbos smiled back atme. "It was good, at the beginning. She pleased them, takingthe Veil of Asherat. 'Twas well-considered. Now, well,there is a bit of a tempest, but it will pass soon, I hope. Doyou wish to see her?"

 "Is she receiving visitors?" I asked, surprised. "I've notyet received a response to my request for an audience with Prince Benedicte."

 "Oh, no." She laughed. "He's busy with affairs of state,and she with the young one. I'll put in a word for you, if I may, to see your request granted. It might do her good tosee a fresh young face, the poor thing. But she is like tostroll on the balcony over the Queen's Garden at this hour, with the babe. And I have leave to wander the garden, as I helped plant it many years ago."

 Since I wished to give my chevaliers as much time aspossible, we adjourned to the Queen's Garden and spent a pleasant time therein. It was wholly enclosed by walls, witha single gate to which Felicity d'Arbos had a key. A tinyfountain burbled at its center, and an abundance of roses bloomed, in profusion of color and scent. She pointed outvarious hybrids to me, and I'd no doubt of where Allegra's mother had acquired her skill.

 "Ah," Felicity murmured presently, and nodded. "There."

 Attended by two pages and a single guard, a figurestrolled the balcony above the garden, tall and slender, clad in an elegant gown of creamy white, overlaid with silverbrocade, complimenting the shining silver net of Asherat's Veil. In her arms, Benedicte's young wife held their infantson; I could make out chubby fists waving, and a riot ofdark curls. Madame d'Arbos and I both made deep curtsiesand held them until they had passed back inside.

 "Poor little lad," Felicity d'Arbos said sympathetically, straightening. " 'Twill be a mercy when he's of an age tofoster, and I pray Benedicte has the sense to send him tocourt in the City of Elua. Maria's kin won't like it, but truth,there's naught for him here in La Serenissima, D'Angeline-bred as he is."

 Having seen what I had of Serenissiman politics, I couldnot help but agree. Indeed, I remembered my momentary consideration of Severio's proposal with somewhat of ashudder. La Serenissima was a beautiful city, to be sure, butit was not home to one of Elua's line.

 We said a cordial farewell after our stroll, and I promisedto send her greetings on to Allegra Stregazza, and urge herto visit with her two young ones. I daresay I should havesent a page in search of my chevaliers, but it had been along time since I'd had the liberty to go anywhere unaccom­panied, and instead assured Madame d'Arbos that I would meet my attendants by the gate.

 So it was that I wandered the halls of the Little Court onmy own, guessing rightly that the guards' quarters would befound in the vicinity of the kitchens. Inside the commonroom, a dozen and more guardsmen laughed and jested,leaping to attention when the sentry on duty announced me.

 My three chevaliers were there, and I could tell by thegleam in Ti-Philippe's eyes that they had learned somewhat.

 They fell all over themselves offering me a seat, a cup ofwine, a bowl of barley stew, all of which I declined.

 "My lady," Fortun said soberly, bowing. "We have beenreliving times of old, which you will well remember. This is Geoffroy of L'Agnace, who served at Troyes-le-Mont.And Ignace, and Jean-Vincent, and Telfour, all veterans ofthe same. You missed Kerney and Meillot, I fear, who werecalled to duty, but I am told there are others here, as well. Meillot promised to send them if he might."

 Six or better of the missing guardsmen? I exclaimed inpartially unfeigned surprise, and did take a seat, then—andsince I'd no idea what had already been said, I kept mymouth closed on the topic of Melisande's escape. For thebetter part of an hour, they rehashed the fateful battle. Myrole in it—crossing the Skaldic encampment to alert the for­tress—was related with especial glee. I smiled as if flattered,and ignored the phantom pain that flared on my left shoul­der, where Waldemar Selig had begun stripping my skin from my flesh. All in all, that escapade was one I did notlike to remember.

 "Raimond!" The entry of another guardsman was hailed by his fellows, and he was introduced all around as anotherof the survivors of Troyes-le-Mont.

 "Well met, soldier!" Remy rose to clap him on the back,laughing. "Come, we're fighting the battle over, and trying to settle somewhat besides. Tell us, what did you see, the night of Melisande Shahrizai's flight?"

 "Ah, well." Glancing at me, the new arrival bobbed anervous bow. "Begging your pardon, my lady, to speak ofsuch unhappy things."

 "Pray, speak freely." I smiled, and took a gamble. "It isa matter of many outstanding wagers at home, in the betting-houses of Mont Nuit. We might all be the richer for yourperspective."

 Raimond the guard accepted a full mug of wine andquaffed half its contents before sitting. "Naught out of the ordinary, I'm afraid. I was on duty when young Lord Ghislain came 'round at five bells, outside the war room on thefirst floor. Afore him, I saw naught but Lord Barquiel, the Queen's uncle. Escorting the Lady Persia, he was, her whatturned in her cousin."

 Others murmured agreement.

 My heart beat faster within my breast and I felt dizzy andshort of breath. "Duc Barquiel L'Envers. You're sure?"

 "Sure, I'm sure." He drank off the second half of his wineand looked straight at me. "I served next to him, didn't I?Him with that scarf wrapped round his head, like the Ak­kadians do, and eyes like the Queen. Never saw aught else,until the alarm sounded."

 I glanced round at my chevaliers. Remy and Ti-Philippe were vibrant with triumph; Fortun wore a different look,somber and watchful. He shook his head a little when Icaught his eye. "Well," I said lightly, "you're like to make his grace the odds-on favorite, although it's no help to me.Whatever happened to the poor fellow who found the sentry at the gate? The one who sounded the alarm?" Snapping myfingers, I glanced at Fortun. "What was his name?"

 "Phanuel Buonard," he supplied. "From Namarre."

 Raimond shrugged; all the veterans of Troyes-le-Mont shrugged. It was one of the others who said thoughtfully,"Wasn't he the one as resigned his commission? Scarperedto marry a Serenissiman lass, I recall."

 Another laughed. "He resigned without permission. Cap­tain Circot was like to track him down, I think, only he wedinto an Isla Vitrari family, and those glassblowers protecttheir own. Likely he's still there, tending the oven-fires andwatching his bride grow a mustache."

 Amid the jesting that followed, Fortun asked Raimond, "What made you choose to take a commission in the LittleCourt?"

 "I'd a mind to see somewhat beyond the bounds of Terred'Ange," the guardsman answered promptly. "Anyway, itpays well, and the Old Man asked for volunteers."

 I heard it with half an ear, my mind reeling. Barquiel L'Envers with Persia Shahrizai! If it was true, and my sus­picions and Marmion's confession held good, 'twas not Persia at all, but Melisande—and the Duc L'Envers himself thetraitor. Ysandre's uncle. I kept my countenance serene as Irose, summoning my chevaliers, bidding farewell to all andconcealing the dull, terrified thudding of my heart.

 It was a short journey homeward alongthe Great Canal.Remy and Ti-Philippe were exuberant, and I had to cautionthem to silence in the boatman's presence as they laid plans to bring this knowledge to Prince Benedicte's attention. All of the missing guardsmen, it seemed, had spoken the same.

 Only Fortun was silent and withdrawn.

 When we had gained the security of our rented home andsecluded ourselves against servants' listening ears, Remyand Ti-Philippe recited to me in a litany the guardsmen's testimony. A full half-dozen, each cited by name—and all had seen the same thing. Duc Barquiel L'Envers, escorting Persia Shahrizai. Dizziness threatened again as I wondered how to convince Ysandre, and I had to grip the edge of thetable hard to steady myself. I closed my eyes briefly to makethe room stop spinning.

 When I opened them, Fortun's somber face caught myeye. "What is it?" I asked him.

 He glanced away, then back at me. "My lady," he saidquietly. "You taught me to watch, to listen, for certainthings. And there was one thing I could not help but notice."He cleared his throat. "They all told the exact same story."

 "They all saw the same damn thing, man!" Ti-Philippeexclaimed, thumping him on the shoulder. "What do you expect?"

 "Look." Fortun ignored him to lean over the map ofTroyes-le-Mont, still laid out on the table. "Here, here andhere ..." he pointed to positions marked on the ground andsecond floor, "... here and here, these are the stations ofthe guardsmen we spoke to among the Unforgiven. All ofthem saw a half-dozen folk that night—including PersiaShahrizai in the company of a Cassiline Brother. Look atthe routes, my lady. If they're telling the truth, it's impos­sible that these guardsmen of the Little Court wouldn't haveseen the same.”

 "Mayhap they lied," I suggested. "We cannot alwaysknow."

 Fortun frowned. "The Queen had everyone questioned,including the guard, at length. If two-thirds of the guardson duty saw naught but Barquiel L'Envers and Persia Shahrizai, why did they not come forward then? It would havebeen suspicious." He sighed and rumpled his hair. "Some­one is lying, yes. But I think it is these guardsmen, and notwell. They have been poorly coached. I asked them whythey took posts in La Serenissima. You heard Raimond; theyall gave the same answer. And," he added softly, "they wereall sent by the same man."

 My blood ran cold in my veins, and my lips felt stiff asI forced myself to speak. "What are you suggesting?"

 "My lady." Fortun folded his hands on the table, his face grave. "Ghislain de Somerville gave the guardsmen ofTroyes-le-Mont leave to join the Unforgiven, and those who returned reported to his father Percy. And Lord Percy madesure, very sure, that those men were sent even farther away than Camlach, all the way to La Serenissima. It is passingstrange, I think, that he should send Prince Benedicte rein­forcements consisting wholly of the missing guardsmen of Troyes-le-Mont. As it is passing strange all of them shouldvolunteer."

 The others had fallen silent. We were all silent. I wanted, very much, to dismiss Fortun's conjecture. These displacedguardsmen of the Little Court had given me the answer Ihad sought for so long, laying it into my hands. I did not like Barquiel L'Envers; had never, ever trusted him. Nor had my lord Delaunay, who had trained me.

 As I had trained Fortun, the best of my chevaliers, who had been there and listened with a critical ear, at my ownbehest. And if I had any faith in my own training, I could not afford to discount his analysis.

 "Phanuel Buonard," I said. "He is still here, if the guards­men spoke true. On the glassblowers' isle. We need to ques­tion him." And I did not need Fortun to say, rememberingall too well on my own, that it was not the veterans ofTroyes-le-Mont who had volunteered this information. Theyhad played dumb, to a man, regarding the fate of their owncomrade-in-arms. It was the long-term appointees to the Lit­tle Court who'd offered the knowledge.

 "I'll see what I might learn," Fortun said quietly.

 I slept ill that night and dreamed, for the first time sincemy visit to Gentian House. I dreamed of the first time I'dmet Percy de Somerville, when the Alban delegation hadvisited the court of Terre d'Ange. Delaunay had countedhim an ally, always, but he'd sent Alcuin to his bed to sealthe alliance. Not a true friend, I thought, or Delaunay would not have felt the need. And Alcuin had gone, with never aprotest, never letting it show how much he detested Naamah's Service. Percy de Somerville, with whom Delaunayhad fought at the Battle of Three Princes; he and dead PrinceRolande, and Benedicte de la Courcel. In my dream, I re­membered his upright bearing, his handsome, aging gentleman-farmer's features, white teeth smiling and the smell of apples in the air, heavy and cloying.

 I woke gagging, breathed in the night air of La Serenissima, dank and foetid with canal water, and went back tosleep.

 In the morning I found waiting a summons to sing for theDoge.

 THIRTY-EIGHT

 The Doge's private quarters were as hot and cloistered as the Room of the Shield in which he held his formal audi­ences. Braziers burned in every room, and the windowswere hung with dense velvet drapery that kept out sunlight and air.

 For all that, Cesare Stregazza huddled in his robes ofstate, a woolen wrap edged in gold fringe thrown over his shoulders. Servants in Stregazzan livery came and went,bringing sweets, mulled wine with spices, the small lap-harpI requested, charcoal for the braziers, fresh candles, a pitcherof water drawn cool from the well, and their faces gleamed with sweat in the stifling quarters. Indeed, they made littleeffort to hide their discomfort and banged objects aroundwith ill grace. A D'Angeline would have died of shame, toprovide such poor service to a sovereign.

 I did my best to conceal my embarrassment, and playedsweetly on the harp, singing a couple of familiar countrylays. It is not a great gift of mine, but my voice holds trueand no one leaves the Court of Night-Blooming Flowerswithout learning to sing and play with some measure ofskill. The Doge listened, his hands clasped together beneath his woolen wrap, and the hooded old eyes in that quiveringface watched his ill-mannered servants with a dark, ironicgleam.

 Me, he praised, and requested that I continue. I sang ahaunting Alban air that I had learned from Drustan mab Necthana's sisters, alternating weaving threads of soprano andcontralto as best I could. Truly, it called for a man's tenor in the mix, but I reckoned no one in La Serenissima would no­tice. Emboldened, I followed it with a humorous D'Angeline tune usually sung in rounds during a game ofkottabos, abouta wager between a courtesan and three suitors. The Dogelaughed aloud as I sang the different roles, and I marked howhis trembling diminished as he relaxed. Even the servants ceased their rude blundering about to listen, smiling at the sense of it though they did not know the words, and when they resumed their chores, it was with a greater measure ofcare.

 When I had done, I paused for a sip of water.

 Cesare Stregazza leaned back, watching my face. "Leaveus, please," he said to the servants. When they had gone,he turned back to me. "Sing me the song that lulled the Master of the Straits, little Contessa."

 I glanced up, briefly surprised. The Doge knew more ofme than I had known. I bowed my head in acquiescence,took up the harp once more, and sang. It is a hearth-songof the Skaldi, a song such as their women sing, and I learnedit among them, during that long, cold winter I spent as aslave in Gunter's steading. There are Skaldic war-songs theworld has heard, of battle and glory and blood and iron.This was a gentler, homelier tune, about the sorrow of thewomen waiting by the hearth-side and the death of a young warrior-husband, of mourning come too soon and children unborn while the snow falls unending and the wolf howlsoutside the door.

 I had not sung it since the day we first crossed the Straits,although I had written down the words for Thelesis de Mornay. I laid the harp aside when I finished.

 "Brava," Cesare Stregazza said softly. "Well done, mylady." He lifted his cup of mulled wine and sipped it, andhis hand scarce trembled at all. "Five songs, sung in threetongues; three lands you have travelled, and Caerdicca Unitas a fourth. Ysandre de la Courcel had scarce warmed herprecarious throne when she chose you to send to Alba, and Marco's spies would have it that she's cast you out for girl­ish spite?"

 "My lord Doge," I said deferentially. "Her majesty didnot... cast me out. 'Tis a small misunderstanding, nomore."

 His wrinkled lips curved in a wry smile. "Oh, aye, is it? My son is a canny man, but he's never sat a throne of state.You are the best kind of weapon there is, Phèdre nó Delaunay; the kind that appears but a charming adornment. No sitting monarch with a measure of sense would leave you lying about for some enemy's hand to pick up, no, and it ismy impression that Ysandre de la Courcel has a great deal of sense."

 I raised my eyebrows. "My lord does me too muchcredit."

 "Then give me some, Contessa," he snapped. "I've notheld this throne by being an idiot, and I'll not hold it muchlonger if I can't use the tools that come to hand." Almostas if in response, the wine-cup he yet held began to tremble fiercely, hot liquid spilling over the rim. I rose with alacrityto take it from him and set it gently on the marble-toppedside table. "You see, even my body betrays me, making badpuns at my dignity's expense," Cesare said dryly, claspinghis aged hands together once more. "But I shall at least have the opportunity to test the accuracy of my measurement of Ysandre de la Courcel. Today I learned that your Queen hasagreed to make theprogressus regalis come autumn. Andif my enemies have their way, she will be in La Serenissimain time to observe the election of a new Doge, that mutual pledges may be exchanged."

 There was a great deal of information in those words. Isat back down on the hassock where I had been playing, and took too long thinking how best to respond.

 "Ah, yes, indeed," he said, eyeing me. "What to say? Wemust gamble here, you and I. I have only one option open to me, and I have chosen it. I have chosen to believe thatYsandre de la Courcel has no part in this conspiracy againstme, and thus is my only likely ally." The Doge shruggedhis hunched shoulders. "And I have chosen to believe thatyou are the Queen's woman, and loyal. If I am wrong, inthe name of your Blessed Elua, walk out the door now and tell my enemies I am wise to them, little Contessa, and letus make an end to it."

 "And have you no spies yet loyal, to follow me and betray the conspirators if I did?" I inquired, provoking a wily smile."My lord, if you gave me too much credit before, you giveme too little now." I shook my head. "Why are you surethere is a conspiracy?"

 "Child, there is always a conspiracy," Cesare said irrita­bly, twisting the great gold signet ring on his right hand. "Do you see that?" I had seen it before, felt its impressagainst my cheek. The Crown of Asherat. I gazed at it again and nodded. "While he rules La Serenissima," he continued,"the Doge is called the Beloved of Asherat-of-the-Sea. This,this, all of this ..." he gestured at his scarlet cap, his robes,the trappings of the room, "... these are the symbols ofstate. But this ..." he held up his trembling hand, the gleam­ing band of gold, "... this is the symbol of that wedding.

 And none but the bridegroom knows what it means to wearit."

 I looked from the ring to his face, questioning.

 "Come now, little D'Angeline, with celestial blood in your veins and a god's mark on you," he chided me. "Doyou not know better? The sacred marriage is consummatedin death. The immortal bride does not set her mortal belovedfree to live a few more doddering years. And yet, that is exactly what Her priestess told me. Either I have lived mylife a lie, or someone has bribed the Oracle."

 This time, he misgauged my silence; I was not ponderingmy reply, but remembering. It was Delaunay's fault, who trained me too well. My life would be simpler had he not taught me such things, that I recalled immediately the darkroom in the Temple and old Bianca's querulous voice, thesmell of beeswax and pomegranates.Well, and why not, I'vegiven counsel to a thousand and a thousand before, andnever missed a day, except the one I had the grippe, whenHis Grace sought advice."My lord," I said soberly, meetinghis eyes. "I believe you are right."

 "Of course I am!" The Doge was snappish again, but Iknew well enough to ignore it. "I'm right about all of it,aren't I?"

 "Mayhap." I chose my words carefully. "I know her maj­esty well enough to know that Ysandre de la Courcel wouldhave no part in plotting against a sitting monarch, and youwill not err in trusting her word. Whether or not she willserve as your ally ..." I shrugged. "My lord, why not make peace with Prince Benedicte? You place my Queen in an awkward position, if you do not. He is her great-uncle, andstands yet next in line to the throne until she gets an heirof her own. Your son Ricciardo thinks he would listen to reason, did you but approach him."

 "Ricciardo." Cesare Stregazza scowled. "He thinks to sethimself at Benedicte's ear, and win his support for his ownbid. With Sestieri Scholae and Angelus alike supportinghim, he might even do it, the serpent. But he dare not ap­proach Benedicte without my blessing, lest I cut him off atthe knees—or Marco. He could do it, if he could make that wife of his hear reason. He might do it yet, and claim mythrone in the bargain. No." He shook his head. "There is noone I dare trust, little Contessa, to win Prince Benedicte'ssupport formy sake. I sent for him; he ignored my sum­mons. If I approach him myself, I lose all credibility. If Ithreaten him with violence, I declare against House Courceland risk severing ties with Terre d'Ange itself. With thesupport of Alba and Aragon, Terre d'Ange could close the west to Serenissiman trade. No. But your Queen, she canforge a peace. And with her support and Prince Benedicte's,I have leverage to declare the elections null and expose treachery in the very Temple of Asherat. Without it..." He shrugged. "I step down, or die."

 "And you think I can persuade the Queen to agree tothis," I said.

 "Yes." The Doge folded his hands in his lap and gave hiscanny smile. "I think you can. And I think you might. Be­cause it involves blasphemy, does it not? And Asherat-of-the-Sea, in her wisdom and mercy, has seen fit to make thisknown to you, a god's chosen. You gave your promise tosing for me, Phèdre nó Delaunay de Montrève. I have namedmy song. Will you sing it?"

 "I might," I said evenly. "What do you offer me, mylord?"

 His smile broadened. "What does every good singer re­quire? My silence. Whatever you pursue on your Queen'sbehalf, I leave you free to follow it. Until I know of a suretywho plots against me, I shall remain a doddering old fool,with occasional moments of clarity. Let my children and grandchildren see you a charming adornment; I will not re­veal you a weapon."

 I regarded him thoughtfully. "Someone in your Palacegave shelter to the Lady Melisande Shahrizai, my lord.Someone with access to your wife's astrologer, who, by theway, took his own life rather than reveal what he knew. If you had that knowledge, we might have a bargain."

 "If I had that knowledge, I'd use it." The Doge returnedmy regard with a hooded stare. "Rudely though he asked, I have given the Queen's representative Benedicte de la Courcel every support in uncovering D'Angeline traitors. It isnot my fault he failed. All I ask is your Queen's support inmy effort to do the same among my folk—within my walls,and not hers. Do I have your pledge?"

 "Yes, my lord." I could not see that he had left me anout. "I will report honestly to my Queen what I know, andrepresent your request fairly. No more can I do."

 "No more do I ask," he said equably. Nodding, CesareStregazza began to work at the clasp on a great collar ofpearls he wore, that overlay the neckline of his crimsonrobes. His trembling fingers failed him and he made to ring a bell to summon his servants, then paused, thinking betterof it. "Here, child, help me with this."

 I rose obediently and went to his side, undoing the claspeasily; it is a portion of the training one undergoes as aServant of Naamah, removing all items of clothing and jew­elry with grace. Strung on gold wire, the pearls slitheredover my hand in a broad, sinuous band, and I proffered themto the Doge.

 "No." He shook his head, fine wisps of hair flying belowhis crimson cap. "That is for you, little Contessa. A patron's gift, is it not? See, I know something of the customs of yourpeople. Say that your singing has pleased me, and I wouldhonor your Naamah. Mayhap she will look kindly on theBeloved of Asherat-of-the-Sea." He raised one shaking handto caress my face. "I might honor her differently, were I ayounger man. Then again, perhaps it is well. Asherat is a jealous goddess, and I think you a dangerous obsession forany mortal man."

 "My lord is too kind," I said a trifle wryly; I daresay thetruth of his words cut close. "Thank you."

 So it was that I came to walk out of the Doge's Palace wearing a royal ransom in pearls clasped about my neck,and heard for the first time in that place murmuring specu­ lation in my wake that did not die after a single comment.

 It made me uncomfortable in La Serenissima as it never didat home in Terre d'Ange.

 Which is why, instead of going directly back to my rentedlodgings, I did something instead that may or may not havebeen foolish, though it had no bearing on our quest. Fortunhad accompanied me that day, and I bid him order the boat­man to take us to the courtesan's quarter in La Serenissima.

 The man stared at Fortun and then at me, and questioned Fortun once, uncertain he had understood his D'Angeline-accented Caerdicci. Joscelin would never have let me do itin the first place, and Remy or Ti-Philippe would have madea bawdy jest of it. Fortun merely persisted, for which I wasgrateful.

 Shaking his head, the boatman took us a little way downthe Great Canal, then turned off into the lesser waterways.Gradually, the houses grew smaller and meaner, poorwooden constructions. If my sense of direction was anygood, we were not far from where Magister Acco hadlodged. Presently we glided beneath a rickety footbridge andcame to a quarter where the doors of the houses werepainted a bright red, and there were a good many moorings with gondoli and even a gilded bissone tied at dock.

 Women in cheaply dyed attire leaned languidly on thebalconies above us, calling lewdly to Fortun, promising himsuch pleasures as his highborn lady—which I presumed wasmyself—would never deliver. Several of them, noting hisD'Angeline features, offered to service him for free, and oneof their number, teetering on high pattens along the muddy walk bordering the canal, leered and flipped her skirts up athim, exposing herself. From within the narrow houses, weheard the sounds of shouting, laughter and drunken revelry. I thought of the ordered elegance and pride of the Thirteen Houses of the Night Court, and could have wept.

 "Enough, my lady?" Fortun asked me; he looked rather ill himself. The Doge had guessed well when he guessedthat the subornation of the Oracle of Asherat would perturb me. Little could he have known how much more blasphemous this spectacle would appear to D'Angeline eyes. I wondered that Prince Benedicte could have stood it as longas he did, and understood better why he secluded himselfin the Little Court.

 "Enough," I said firmly. Rolling his eyes, the boatmanstuck his long-handled oar into the waters of the canal andturned the gondola. Like the royal scions of Elua, I fled backto the sanctuary of the familiar.

 At our rented home, we found the grinning team of Ti-Philippe and Remy, who had spent the day scouting outnews of the errant Phanuel Buonard, the simple Namarrese soldier on whom, it seemed, an entire conspiracy devolved.Between my visit to the Doge and the courtesans' quarter,I wanted nothing more than to soak in a long bath, butcuriosity compelled me to hear out their news.

 "We found him," Ti-Philippe said with satisfaction."Took a whole day fishing on the lagoon and bribing otherfishermen to talk with cheap brandy, my lady, but we landedthe bastard, begging your pardon! He's wed into the Pidari, a family of glassblowers—"

 "Who," Remy interrupted him, "have a cousin with noknack for the trade, that they reckoned better off castingnets than breaking bottle-necks. And when we toldhim weserved a great lady who might be minded to commission anentire leaded-glass window for the Queen of Terre d'Angeherself if the Pidari were willing to show her their studios,why, he fell all over himself to make the introduction!"

 Their enthusiasm was contagious, and I could not butlaugh. "Well," I said, when I'd regained control of myself. "Her majesty is going to be very surprised to learn what she's committed to today. Can he take us tomorrow?"

 Remy shook his head. "He's got to get their consent. Very tight, these glassblowers; trade secrets and all. But he'll takeus first thing the day after."

 It was at that moment that Joscelin, a day and a halfabsent, chose to make his return. He stood blinking in the slanting late-afternoon sunlight of the salon, gazing aroundat the four of us, the maps still spread on the dining table."What is it?" he asked, frowning. "Have you learned some­thing?"

 "You might say that," I said.

 THIRTY-NINE

 It took some time to explain the last two days' events toJoscelin, though he was quick to grasp their meaning, gazingthoughtfully at Fortun's maps and the markings thereon.

 When I was done, our eyes met in that old, familiar si­lence.

 "Percy de Somerville," he said softly.

 "He sent them all to La Serenissima." I twined a lock ofmy hair, still damp from my bath — I'd made him wait thatlong to hear the news, at least — about my fingers. "Butwhy?"

 "L'Envers is clever enough to set him up," Joscelin saidreluctantly. "If anyone is."

 "By pinning suspicion on himself?" I shook my head."It's a long reach."

 "I know." Joscelin traced the path of a corridor on themap, not meeting my eyes. "And Ghislain? We put our livesin his hands. We putDrustan's life in his hands."

 "I know." I sighed. "I know, I know! And Ysandre putthe life of the entire realm in Percy de Somerville's hands,and he did not fail her. And yet...oh, Joscelin, I don'tknow. If I could make sense of it, it would be easier to believe. Something's missing. The pieces don't fit."

 "Yes. Still." He looked soberly at me. "We need to go toBenedicte with this, Phèdre. You've done enough. He needs to know. And Ysandre. Whichever it is, whysoever they didit...if she's planning on making theprogressus, s he'll beleaving the nation. And unless she's given reason not to, she'll leave Barquiel L'Envers as her regent and Percy deSomerville in command of the Royal Army. Either way ...”

 "I know." I propped my chin on folded hands. "Let me talk to this Phanuel Buonard. He's the last link. If we can shed more light on this ... This is big, Joscelin. I don't darego to Prince Benedicte unless I'm as sure as I can be. Notwith this kind of supposition."

 After a moment, he gave a reluctant nod. "Buonard, andthen straight to the Little Court. Whatever he tells us, evenif 'tis naught. Agreed?"

 "Agreed." The sound of splashing and laughter in the ca­nal outside caught my ear, and I glanced toward the window.Joscelin rose swiftly and went to the balcony, where hisappearance was greeted with jeering shouts from below.

 He returned, expressionless, holding back the curtains."Callers for you, my lady."

 Twisting my damp hair into a cable over one shoulder, I passed him to enter onto the balcony and gaze down. The Immortali's bissone rocked on the canal below as Severiostood unsteadily, fellow clubsmen leaning on their oars andshouting encouragement. Water rippled and their torchescast wavering reflections across it. In the prow, gilded Asherat's slender arms tilted to and fro with the rocking of the boat, as if the goddess reached to dip her hands in the GreatCanal.

 "Phèdre, Phèdre, Phèdre!" Severio cried drunkenly. "Youmade me a promise, and four days have ignored me! Now my heart is like to break! Say you will come tomorrow forthe War of the Flowers, or I swear, I will throw myself inthe canal this minute and end it all!"

 His voice echoed across the water, bouncing off the ele­gant houses. Inside windows all along the canal, I saw lamps being kindled. "My lord," I called, "you will wake the wholeSestieri. If I promise to attend, will you go home quietly?"

 "For a kiss, I will!" Severio made to take a step forwardand the bissone pitched wildly; I daresay he would havegone headlong into the water if a few of the Immortalihadn't caught onto the dagged hem of his doublet, dragginghim back and laughing uproariously. "Phèdre, a man's heartand loins could starve on the crumbs you throw me here,where you spread a feast in Terre d'Ange! Pray, one kiss,and I'll be gone till the morrow, I swear it!"

 The curtains stirred behind me and I turned to see Joscelinleaning in the shadows of the balcony door. "Do you wantme to get rid of them?"

 "No," I murmured. Severio and his comrades had begunto sing, loudly and off-key. On another balcony, someoneshouted for them to be quiet, and I heard the unmistakablesplash of a chamber pot being emptied in their direction,and threats and protests from the Immortali. Even in dimlight, I could see the disgust in Joscelin eyes. "He's the bestcover I have, Joscelin, and a Doge's grandson. Don't make trouble. All I need is one more day." Wordless, he went inside, and I turned back to the balcony.

 "Phèdre, Phèdre, come down!" Severio called, waving hisarms. This time, a chorus of shouts along the canal beggedhim to be silent.

 I leaned over the railing. "My lord, you have my word.Now go home, lest I take it back." With that, I stepped back inside, closing the balcony doors firmly and drawing thecurtains closed. The shouting lasted a few minutes longer,then dwindled into silence. I looked for Joscelin, but he wasgone.

 There was no reason for me to break my word on the morrow and naught to be done before we could meet withthe family of Phanuel Buonard on the glassblower's isle, soI took part in the War of the Flowers—and in truth, itproved one of the more charming Serenissiman customs Iwitnessed. 'Tis a mock battle betwixt the sons and daughtersof the Hundred Worthy Families, held in a small fortifiedpalace that perches on one of the lesser isles, across a broadwaterway from the Temple of Baal-Jupiter.

 It meant I was perforce confined to the fortress with the other young women, but for once an atmosphere of suchgaiety prevailed that not even I could find the company dull. We were ferried across the way to find that bushels of flow­ers—roses, geraniums, gladioli, love-in-a-mist, orchids andviolets—provisioned the fortress, as well as eggs blown hoilow and filled with scraps of bright confetti or colored flour.These, it seemed, were our armaments.

 At Baal-Jupiter's temple, the young men were given thepriests' blessing, and set forth in a vast armada of gondolito storm the fortress. Like the truce-parties, all enmity wasset aside; this was a courting ritual, one of the highlights ofthe summer. We leaned from the tower windows andwatched them come, oars flashing in the sunlight, swiftprows cutting the water.

 When they arrived, shouting with laughter and high spir­its, the gondoli swarmed the base of the tower like a shoalof dark fish and the young men in their doublets and stripedhose made a riot of color within them. We leaned from thewindows and pelted them with flowers, until the air wasfilled with a petal-storm. They returned our salvos in kind,tossing nosegays and sweets, sachets and trinkets, begging us to open the sea gate or lower a rope. Severio was there,catching my eye and pleading far more winsomely than hehad last night, but it was the daughter of a member of theConsiglio Maggiore who caught a pomander and weakenedfirst, throwing out a rope ladder such as had been provided us, tied with gay ribbons.

 At that, the game shifted, and the young men in theirgondoli vied for position, that they might make the daring leap to catch the rope ladder. Most fell instead, splashinginto the lagoon, to be hauled out by their fellows, and anywho gained the ladder became the target of the flour and confetti eggs. The Immortali had allowed Remy and Ti- Philippe to crew with them, and it was their efforts thatbrought Benito Dandi's gondola in reach of the ladder.Adept sailors, they grinned and held the ladder for him.Despite our best efforts—Giulia Latrigan threw an egg thatburst in a profusion of blue flour and coated half his head—Benito gained the tower and claimed a kiss from the first woman he caught, which I made certain was not me.

 Below, the sons of the Hundred Worthy Families-—andmy two chevaliers—cheered, and Benito signaled his victory from the window, before going below to open the seagate.

 Afterward, the servants and the chaperones joined us, andthere was a great feast with much wine served in the court­yard of the fortress. When the dancing began, I took care to keep an eye on Remy and Ti-Philippe, who met withmuch admiration from the Serenissiman maidens. I did notwholly trust either of them not to find it a fine lark to win with D'Angeline charm what every unwed Serenissimanwoman was supposed to retain; the Hundred Worthy Fam­ilies place an absurd value on virginity. Happily, the chap­erones had the same thought, and kept my chevaliers in line.

 "There will be matches aplenty made today," Severio ob­served, standing at my side. "Phèdre, if I apologize for mybehavior last night, do you think you might give an answerto my proposal?"

 I raised my eyebrows at him. "How can I answer, whenI've not heard your apology?"

 He grinned at me and went down on one knee. "My ladyPhèdre nó Delaunay de Montrève, 1 apologize for my ap­pallingly rude behavior. Come here," he added, rising andtaking my hand. "I want to show you something."

 We left the courtyard by a side gate, and Severio led methrough a small garden where a flowering hawthornbloomed on a rise. Atop the hill, we could see over thefortress wall and across the water, where the Temple ofBaal-Jupiter and its great statue stood. The sun was low,and its slanting rays picked out the thunderbolt in the strid­ ing god's hand, setting it ablaze with gold.

 "It's beautiful," I said, although it gave me a chill, know­ing what I did of the blasphemy at the heart of La Serenissima.

 "Not half as beautiful as you." Severio gripped my arms, a little too hard. The lowering sun was behind him, and hisface in shadow. "Phèdre, you're driving me mad, Will youmarry me or no?"

 I could have put him off longer, I think, if I'd not beenso distracted with the events of the last few days; I'd donea poor job of it and given him this opening. "Prince Severio," I said gently, seeking out his shadowed gaze. "Al­most, you convince me."

 "Almost," he murmured. "Almost." His hands flexed, fin­gers digging into my arms. "I am a soft fool for stopping at almost, and wooing with tenderness what is won by force!"His voice grated with harsh desire, and he pulled me hardagainst him, his mouth seeking mine.

 "My lord!" I jerked my head away, glaring at him. Kushiel's gift, Kushiel's curse; I could feel my body's willing­ness to submit. So could he. It had been a long time, and Iwas no Cassiline, made to endure celibacy. Severio had bro­ken my drought before; why not now? But I rememberedthe courtesan's quarter and thought, there is no honor in thisin La Serenissima. Naamah has turned her face away fromthis place, and Kushiel does not bid it, nor Elua compel.When I spoke again, my voice was firmer than I would have thought possible. "My lord, no."

 Severio Stregazza was one-quarter D'Angeline. It took a while, but it was enough. He dropped his hands and lookedcoldly at me. "As my lady wills. My men will see youhome."

 And with that, he left me in the garden, walking swiftlyback to the festivities in the courtyard, where any one of ascore of women would gladly accept the proposal of thegrandson of the Doge, little knowing what manner of violentpleasure awaited them in the marriage bed. I, who knew itall too well, was left alone and rueful, aching with a desire that had no place in the tight-bound strictures of Serenissiman nobility.

 If, if, if. If I had managed Severio better—and I shouldhave—matters would never have come to a head betweenus that night. If they hadn't, I'd never have done what I did later. I returned to the courtyard, where there was muchrejoicing among the daughters of the Hundred Worthy Fam­ilies to see that Severio Stregazza had parted with hisD'Angeline infatuation. It made me an open target for the Hundred Worthy sons, and I saw a gleam in the eyes of theImmortali, who knew what I was and had kept the secretfor Severio's sake. I drank two glasses of wine rather toofast, and did not trust myself. Finding Remy, I caught his arm. "Home," I murmured. "And don't leave my side until we get there."

 To his credit, he didn't.

 Twilight was falling over La Serenissima when wereached our lodgings, tinting the city in violet and blue. Myheart ached for the day's lost beauty and Severio's bitter­ness, for the pieces of my life that ever seemed to slipthrough my fingers. My soul shuddered at the dark day'swork that lay ahead. I thanked my chevaliers and bid themgood evening, retiring to my bedchamber, where I left thelamp burning and stood on the balcony, gazing into the night, until a light knock sounded at my door.

 It was Joscelin, a questioning look on his face. "Phèdre?Are you all right? Remy was worried about you."

 He must have been, I thought, to send Joscelin. "I'm fine.Come in." I closed the door behind him, shrugging and wrapping my arms about myself. "It's nothing. Nerves,mayhap. It was a long day."

 "Severio?" Joscelin raised his eyebrows.

 "It's done." I laughed wearily. "I know what you thoughtof him, but he wasn't so bad, truly. There's merit in him. And you know, Joscelin, sometimes it was rather pleasantto be courted for my own sake instead of for an assignation,to have someone want to spend his life with me because ofwhat I am, and not in spite of it. No matter," I added, "what his father might have decreed in the end."

 Joscelin stood silent, having only heard the first part of my words. "That's not fair," he said softly. "It's what I amas much as what you are. The problem has ever lain betweenthe two. Phèdre..." He took a step toward me, one hand touching my hair; I turned to him, lifting up my face.

 If, if, if. If Remy hadn't sent him ...

 Joscelin was human; not even Cassilines are made ofstone. His hand slid through my hair and I felt the shudderthat went through him as his fingers brushed the nape of myneck. "Phèdre, no," he murmured against my lips as I kissed him, but it was he who had lowered his head to mine. Cassiel's Servant, I should have let him go; but I was Naamah's,and wound my arms about his neck instead, kissing him. I think he would have pushed me away, if his hands hadn'tbetrayed him, coming hard around my waist. "Don't," hewhispered into my hair.

 I did.

 It was ungentle, for the first time—the only time—be­tween us. Wracked between despair and desire, Joscelin was rougher than was his wont. And I could not hide the pleasureit brought me, stifling my cries against the sculpted curveof his shoulder. It was over too soon, and too late to undo. There is a madness in love. I watched him go, gathering hisclothes, averting his gaze to hide the self-loathing in hiseyes. Naked by moonlight, he was beautiful, muscles gliding in a subtle shadow play beneath his pale skin, fair hair shim­mering. I had to close my eyes against it and hear the rustleof him dressing.

 When I opened them, I didn't mince words. "You're leav­ing."

 "Yes." Neither did he; we never had, the two of us.

 "Will you come back?"

 "I don't know," Joscelin said bluntly. "Phèdre, you don'tneed me. This isn't Skaldia. Any one of your chevaliers can serve you better here than I have, and has. They protect youwell enough. I was wrong about them. If you've not foundwhat you sought, still, you found enough. It will be in Benedicte's hands tomorrow, and better for it. You can gohome and be the toast of the City once more."

 "And your vow?" I made myself ask it.

 Joscelin shrugged. "I broke all my vows but one for you, my lady," he said softly. "Let us say it is you yourself whohave shattered this last."

 There is such a thing as a grief too immense for tears;this was almost one such. Almost. I watched him go dry-eyed, and heard the click of my bedchamber door behindhim, the louder thud of the front entrance door shutting, andthe sleepy murmur of a servant-lad as he roused to bar thedoor on his exit. Only then did his absence strike me like ablow, a terrible emptiness. So many times, like the tide, hehad withdrawn only to return. This time, I felt only absence,and a sucking despair. I wept enough tears to fill a void,and though I never thought I would, fell asleep at last in thewhiteness of pure exhaustion on my soaked and bitter pil­low.

 FORTY

  "Where's Joscelin?" It was Ti-Philippe, most blithe andcareless of the three, who asked; Fortun had taken one lookat my reddened eyes and remained wisely silent, and Remy, who had sent Joscelin to me, avoided my gaze.

 "Gone," I said shortly. "And not likely to return." I setdown the heel of jam-smeared bread I'd been toying with—Ihad no appetite—and turned to Fortun. "You have themap?"

 "Yes, my lady." He indicated the cylindrical leather caseat his side. "We are all ready," he added quietly, "and theboat is waiting. Whenever you're ready."

 "Let's go." I rose abruptly from the breakfast table, leav­ing them scrambling in my wake. My maid Leonora staredafter us, shaking her head, no doubt wondering at thestrangeness of D'Angeline ways. Well, if my behavior wasodd this day, she'd put it down to the falling-out with Severio. If she hadn't heard it already, she would soon enough.

 The fisherman-cousin of the Pidari family, whose namewas Fiorello, was awaiting us anxiously in a little skiff with a single set of oars and a jerry-rigged sail. He spread burlapsacking on the seat for me as I embarked, and set to at theoars nearly the instant we were all aboard. Any other day,I might have laughed at the way Phèdre's Boys fell overeach other at the speed of his departure. Any other day, Imight have rejoiced as we emerged from the canal andhoisted the modest sail to scud across the lagoon.

 Well and so, I thought, staring at the green wavelets. To­day I seek audience with a Prince of the Blood to lay forthmy suspicions of one of the foremost peers of the realm.Mayhap it is fitting that my mood match this day's deeds.

 Isla Vitrari is one of the largest to lie within the shelterof the vast lagoon, and 'tis a pleasant isle. Its harbor has adeep draw, for the merchanters dock here, carrying glass­ware for trade. Fiorello Pidari cast a line to a couple of lads ashore, jesting with them; clearly, he was known here. Theharbormaster gave him a nod and a wave as we disem­barked.

 We followed our guide along a well-trodden footpath,past studios belching smoke from the glass furnaces and jealously guarded by young apprentices. It was Prince Be-nedicte who suggested the glassworks be moved to the is­land some fifteen years past, Severio once told me. Before, they had been quartered within La Serenissima proper, and many fires had resulted. Small wonder, I thought, glancing within a doorway open to catch the breeze, seeing the redglow of a furnace within and a brawny Serenissiman crafts­man at his trade. He wore a leathern apron and his lips werewrapped round the end of a hollow rod, his cheeks puffed out like a bellows. What he wrought, I could not say.

 It was not until we drew near to the Studio Pidari thatour guide grew nervous.

 "No smoke," he muttered as we approached the lowbuilding. "Why isn't the furnace going? The furnace shouldbe going."

 We found out soon enough.

 Tall and bald as an egg was the man who emerged from the studio, and he wiped his hands absentmindedly on thefront of his jerkin, as if accustomed to wearing an apron."Fiorello," he said sorrowfully, extending his hands to our guide. "Ah, Fiorello!" And catching sight of the rest of us,his expression changed. "You! You people have doneenough," he said grimly, pointing back down the trail. "Begone from here! We want no more of your kind!”

 It was enough to stop me in my tracks and drive the griefclean out of my head. Fiorello stared uncomprehendingly and my chevaliers exchanged glances; I stepped forward.

 "Master Glassblower," I said gently. "I am Phèdre nó Delaunay de Montrève of Terre d'Ange. I had an appointmentto discuss a commission for my Queen. I am sorry if wehave come at an ill time."

 "Oh, that, aye," he said roughly. "Beg pardon, my lady,only we've had a death in the family. Ruffians, most like,or those damned Vicenti, thinking to prey on the weakestlink to get us to give up the formula for our greens! Likeas not it's my daughter's folly, to think her lad's mateswould take vengeance on him."

 Weakest link, daughter's folly, lad's mates. My heartsank. "Your son-in-law?" I asked aloud, knowing alreadythat it was true.

 "Attacked on his way home from the harbor tavern." Mas­ter Pidari's gaze turned suspicious. "Told her she was mad,wedding one such. What do you know of him?"

 "I knew him, signore." It was Ti-Philippe who steppedforward, blue eyes wide and earnest. "Though I was a mem­ber of her majesty's navy and he of her guard, we foughttogether on the same battlefield and drank a toast, afterward,to earth and sea. May we extend our condolences to hiswidow?"

 "Reckon so," he said grudgingly, and turned, shoutinginto the studio. "Serena!"

 Named for the city of her birth, there was no serenity toPhanuel Buonard's widow that day; she emerged white-faced and trembling, and I knew at once I was in the pres­ence of a grief that dwarfed my own. A grief, I thought withhorror, of which I was the likely author.

 "What do you want?" Serena's voice shook. "Are youguardsmen? What do you want?"

 "Guardsmen, no." Fortun spoke gently, bowing to her. "Sailors once, now in the service of my lady Phèdre nóDelaunay de Montrève. We came for trade, but stay togrieve, signora. Chevalier Philippe, he knew your husband,and spoke him well."

 Her lips moved soundlessly and her eyes searched all ourfaces, lingering longest on mine, taking in the mark of Kushiel's Dart with a kind of awe. "You," she said wonderingly. "Phanuel spoke of you. You brought the Picti, thePainted Folk, when he fought the Skaldi. Men carried yourbanner. They ... they made up songs about it. You."

 "Yes," I said softly. "These men. Signora, please accept our deepest sympathy."

 "Why would they do it?" Her dark, stricken eyes pleadedfor an answer. "His own brethren among the guard! Why?He was afraid, he would never tell me."

 Behind her, Master Pidari shook his bald head dolefullyand went inside. I watched him go, thinking. "Signora," Isaid to her. "If it was D'Angelines who did this, I will lookinto it myself, I promise you. But why do you think so?Your father does not."

 She gave a despairing laugh that was part gulping sob."My father! He thinks because Phanuel has a pretty face, he is girlish and weak. But he was a soldier, my lady. Ruffianscould not have defeated him so easily, nor the bully-boysof the Vicenti. It was soldiers killed him, with steel." Serena Buonard pointed to her heart. "Right here, a blade." Afierceness lit her eyes. "I will ask along the harbor, and see if someone was not bribed to let D'Angeline guardsmenashore!"

 I turned to Remy, who nodded before I even spoke."Remy. Take Fiorello, and go. If they demand payment tospeak, do it. I'll reimburse the cost."

 "Thank you, my lady, thank you!" Serena clutched myhands gratefully. I felt sick. "My father thinks I am mad, but I know I am not. Why? Why would they do this?"

 "Signora." I fought down my rising gorge. "Why did yourhusband accept a post in La Serenissima?"

 "He said his commander offered him money, muchmoney," she whispered, dropping my hands. "Money to go far away. But there was something he wanted to forget, andthe Little Court was not far enough for that. So he ran tome." She lifted her chin defiantly; she was pretty, beneathher grief, in a Serenissiman fashion. "He thought Isla Vitrariwas far enough," she added sadly. "But it was not."

 "No," I murmured. "Signora, your husband was the firstto discover a terrible deed, at the fortress of Troyes-le-Montwhere the last battle against the Skaldi was fought, and Ithink mayhap that memory is what he fled. Did he ever speak of it to you?"

 She nodded, looking into the distance. "Yes." Her voicewas a faint thread of sound. "He told me, once. Hethought...he thought the man was sleeping and jested withhim, as guards will do. And then he saw blood on his tunic,and his eyes open and unmoving." Serena Buonard shookher head. "No more than that. Only dawn breaking grey inthe east, and the scent of apples ripening on the morningbreeze."

 "Apples." I breathed the word, my heart cold in mybreast. Troyes-le-Mont stood on a plain near the foothills ofCamlach, scourged by the Skaldi for ten leagues in everydirection.

 There were no apples ripening in Troyes-le-Mont, that summer or ever.

 What happened after that blurs in my memory, betweenthe horror and guilt. I promised, extravagantly, to see justicebrought to the killers of Phanuel Buonard. Pale and shocked,Fortun and Ti-Philippe seconded me. I daresay none of us believed it, before. I fumbled for my purse, untying it frommy girdle and giving it whole into Serena's hands. It washeavy with gold solidi, and even through her grief, her eyeswidened at it. I made promises to return at a better timeregarding my Queen's commission.

 All of that done, we departed, discarding solemnity for haste the instant we were out of sight. In the harbor, Remy met us, grim-faced. Serena Buonard was right. D'Angelineguardsmen had landed last night, bribing the harbormaster's second assistant.

 "They should have hidden their tracks better," I said qui­etly. "Fiorello, take us back."

 He did, with all haste, looking rather ill himself. I had to beg coin of Fortun to pay him, having given all of mine toSerena. We paused at our rented house only long enoughto don suitable court attire and because, although I did notsay it, I was hoping against hope that Joscelin had returned.

 He hadn't.

 "My lady," Leonora said reverently, bringing me a mis­sive on a salver. "This came while you were gone."

 An apology from Severio, mayhap; I glanced at it dismissively, and saw the seal. It was the swan of House Courcel. I cracked the seal and opened the thick vellum, reading.

 Better and better; Madame d'Arbos had been as good as her word. It was an invitation to an audience with PrinceBenedicte and his wife, for that very afternoon. I murmured a prayer of thanks to Blessed Elua for making my way eas­ier.

 The hardest thing was what I asked my chevaliers, gath­ering them around. "Prince Benedicte has granted me an audience," I said, raising the letter. "Our work is half donefor us. And I would fain have you all at my side, for youhave earned it, and 'tis a dire thing we do. But..." I hes­itated "... if any one of you is willing to stay, I would begrateful for it. If...if Joscelin were to return, he should know of this."

 They glanced at each other, all three. I saw Fortun, steadyas ever, willing to assume the burden; Remy, ridden withguilt for having sent him to me, opened his mouth. But itwas Ti-Philippe who stepped forward first.

 "I'll stay, my lady," he said solidly, meeting my eyes."I'm no good for this business, after all. Better lying andgambling than telling hard truths, and better for drinkingand brawling than making a leg to royalty. I'll stay, and dun Sir Cassiline's hide for abandoning you if he comes back." "Thank you," I whispered, taking his face in both handsand planting a kiss on him. "Thank you, Philippe!"

 " 'Tis naught," he muttered, blushing. "When we go afterthe guardsmen what did for poor Phanuel, then I want in,my lady!"

 "And you shall have it," I promised. I smoothed my gownwith both hands, making certain it lay properly; the apricotsilk with gold brocade I had worn my first day in La Ser-enissima, accented now by the great collar of the Doge'spearls. "Shall we go?"

 "After you, my lady." Fortun swept a bow, grave andceremonial.

 I drew a deep breath, and we set out for the Little Court to denounce a peer of the realm.

 Few things I have done in my life—climbing the raftersin Waldemar Selig's steading to spy on his war plans, facingthe Master of the Straits, crossing the Skaldi camp bynight—have filled me with as much fear. I clung to SerenaBuonard's grief as we journeyed by gondola along the GreatCanal, to my faith in Fortun's analysis of the guardsmen'stestimony, to the memory of a dream, of Percy de Somerville's smiling face and the cloying smell of apples. If I am wrong, I thought, Blessed Elua forgive me, but if I do notspeak now, others may die.

 At the gates of the Little Court, I showed my letter, keep­ing my countenance serene. I had alerted men of the guard once; I would not do it twice. Let Benedicte handle it, once he knew. We were admitted forthwith, and ushered into anantechamber—and there we waited. Fortun fingered theleather casing that held our maps, if the proof of our inves­tigation should be desired. Remy gave me a quick, nervoussmile. I went over the words of my presentation in my head,over and over, and did my best to repress a desperate wishthat Joscelin were at my side.

 If, if, if.

 "Comtesse Phèdre nó Delaunay de Montrève," a stewardannounced, opening the doors onto the throne room.

 I rose, Remy and Fortun falling in behind me, and mademy entrance. It was an elegantly proportioned room, not tooostentatious, but with all the touches of D'Angeline nicety. There were joint thrones, side-by-side, one slightly smaller;it would have been appropriate, for a D'Angeline noblewedding into the cream of Serenissiman peerage. Prince Benedicte sat his, the larger throne, with the upright carriageof one who had been a soldier. Quintilius Rousse had told me as much. He had the Courcel mien, his face lined withage, but noble still, once-dark hair gone iron-grey. I hadseen his brother King Ganelon before he died; I'd have putBenedicte at younger than his sixty-odd years.

 "Phèdre nó Delaunay de Montrève," he said, greeting mein a rich voice. "Well met."

 His D'Angeline bride stood with her back to us, handingoff their infant son to a nursemaid; a charming touch, Ithought. She turned to take her seat on the lesser throne,and the silver netting of Asherat's Veil flashed, clear glass beads refracting the light.

 "Your Highnesses." I made a deep curtsy, and held it.Behind me, I heard my chevaliers bend their knees, I spokewithout rising, glancing up under my lashes. "Your high­ness, Prince Benedicte, I have dire news to report. There isa treason within the very heart of Terre d'Ange, that hasborn seeds even within your own guard."

 "Yes," Benedicte said gravely, looking down at me. "Iknow."

 I had opened my mouth to continue; I had not expectedhis reply and was left on an indrawn breath. With one grace­ful gesture, his bride drew back the Veil of Asherat, baringher face to smile at me.

 What you seek you will find in the last place you look...

 "Hello, Phèdre," said Melisande.

 FORTY-ONE

 1 stood as frozen and dumb as if the earth had droppedbeneath my feet.

 And I understood, too late.

 I had been played from the very beginning.

 On his throne, Prince Benedicte shifted, nodding towardthe back of the room. Only then did I hear the sound of the door being barred, the footsteps of guards and the slidingrasp of weapons drawn; only then did I hear the soft,shocked breathing of my chevaliers behind me.

 And on Melisande's beautiful face, a trace of pity.

 It broke my paralysis. I spun to face Remy and Fortun,one word bursting sharply from my lips:"Run!"

 If, if, if. If Joscelin had been with us, they might havedone it, might have broken free. There were only ten guards­men; L'Agnacites, members of the garrison of Troyes-le-Mont, their loyalty bought and paid for. He was a Cassiline, trained to fighting in close quarters, and seasoned in toomany battles. They might have done it.

 Or Joscelin might have died with them. I will never know.

 They fought well, my chevaliers. What would have hap­pened if they had gained the door, I cannot say. They might have escaped the Little Court alive. I like to think so. They had surprise on their side, and quick-thinking agility. But Ihad signed their death warrants when I brought them withme into the presence of Prince Benedicte's new bride, and I had seen it writ in her expression, his nod.

 I made myself watch it. I was responsible.

 My steady Fortun, who had learned my lessons all toowell. He went straight for the door, using the strength of hisbroad shoulders to push his way through, wounded thrice over before he got close. Remy wrested a sword from oneof the guards and held them off for a moment, cursing likethe sailor he was. Remy, who had first raised the standardof Phèdre's Boys, that dart-crossed circle of scarlet, on the road to Dobria.

 I watched him die, born down by sheer numbers. He hadsung marching-chants on the road, the ones I despaired ofquelling. He had sung along the canals of La Serenissimain my service. The treacherous steel of Prince Benedicte's guardsmen silenced him for good.

 They took Fortun from behind, a dagger low to the kid­neys. His outstretched hand left a long smear of blood onthe gilded woodwork of the throne room door. He still hadthe map of Troyes-le-Mont slung across his back in itscarrying case, a fool's scabbard. I saw his mouth form acircle of pain as he fell slowly to his knees; they had to stabhim again, to the heart. Then his face went peaceful, andthe light died in his eyes as he slumped to the marble floor.

 Fortun, who had chosen to serve me long before the oth­ers, for carrying water to the wounded and dying on the battlefield of Bryn Gorrydum, for the stunned look on myface when I took Quintilius Rousse's sword and dubbed himchevalier.

 He had a good-luck name, Fortun did.

 Now I knew the emptiness of perfect and utter despair.

 All sounds of fighting had ceased, replaced by the mun­dane clatter of the guards assessing their wounds and layingout the bodies for disposal, muttering of arrangements andcover stories. No joy in it; at least they did not relish theirwork. One straightened,gazing in my direction, nudging hisfellow and fumbling for a pair of manacles hanging at his belt. I turned back to my sovereign lords, the Prince of theBlood and his deadly bride, seated side by side like a pairof Menekhetan effigies on their thrones.

 I didn't bother with him; only her.

 "Why not just kill me?" I asked simply.

 Melisande shook her head slowly, a look of gentle sorrowon her immaculately lovely face. "I can't," she said, almostkindly. "It isn't just the waste, my dear, of something irre­placeable. The punishment for causing the death of Kushiel's chosen is a thousand years of torment." She paused, reflective. "So they say in Kusheth, for the other scions of Elua and his Companions. For one of Kushiel's line, ten thousand years."

 With a murmured apology, the guard with the manacles approached me. I put out my arms unasked, feeling cuffs ofcold steel lock about my wrists. "And for treason?"

 "Elua cared naught for mortal politics, nor did Kushiel."Melisande shook her head, the wealth of her blue-black haircaught modestly in a silver mesh caul. "We played a game,Phèdre," she said softly. "You lost."

 "You set me up," I whispered in answer. "From the very beginning."

 "Not really." She smiled. "You got too close. If you'dnot played so well..." she nodded to my fallen chevaliers,bodies neatly wrapped in cloaks, "... they might havelived."

 There were tears in my eyes; I blinked them away ab­sently, half-forgetting what they meant, and turned to PrinceBenedicte. The chain betwixt my manacled wrists hungslack against the brocaded apricot silk of my gown. "Mylord,why?"

 "Elua's bloodline was not meant to be sold for politicalgain," Benedicte said calmly. "Not to La Serenissima, as mybrother Oanelon condemned me. And not to Alba, as mygrandniece Ysandre has sold herself. No." He looked sternlyat me. "Terre d'Ange requires an heir of pure D'Angeline blood. I have done only what is necessary."

 I would have laughed, if I could have stopped weeping."With the woman who would have given us to the Skaldi?"I asked, gasping. "My lord, could you not have chosenwiser?"

 "With the woman," Prince Benedicte replied shortly,"who could give the Royal Army into my hand." He rosefrom his throne, averting his gaze from my slain chevaliers,and gave a crisp nod to Melisande. "It is done, as youwished. I leave her to you."

 He left the throne room through a rear entrance, two ofhis guard falling in behind him. I gazed at Melisande. "Yougave him Percy de Somerville. How?"

 "Ah, well." Her expression was unreadable. "Lord Percyhad the same sentiments, you see. He was willing to lendthe army's support to Baudoin de Trevalion's bid for the throne. Unfortunately, he was rash enough to say as muchin writing to Lyonette de Trevalion, the Lioness of Azzalle. It seems he was passing fond of her, Percy was."

 "And you have the letter." I nodded; it all made sense,now. Lyonette de Trevalion's secrets had not all died withher, nor been buried in the folio of her trial in the RoyalArchives; the folio in which so many peers of the realmshowed interest.

 "Yes," Melisande said thoughtfully. "I thought it mightbe useful."

 There wasn't much else to say. I gestured with my man­acled hands. "And what am I charged with?" I inquired."Officially?"

 "Officially?" Melisande raised her graceful brows. "Therewill be no official inquiry, I think. Your falling-out withSeverio Stregazza was duly noted; no one will question yourdisappearance from La Serenissima. But should it be nec­essary to comment, there is the small matter of your efforts to betray D'Angeline trade status with Alba. And you poi­soned the former astrologer to the Doge, Phèdre. One Magister Acco, I believe. There were witnesses, should anyone inquire. A pity your men resisted questioning. Doubtless the others will do the same when we find them. Even your Cassiline." Restoring her veil, she clapped her hands together, summoning the remaining guards. "We are done here. Takeher to La Dolorosa."

 And they did. Oh, they did.

 I went obediently, stumbling and numb. It is a long jour­ney. They placed a hood of rough-spun material over myhead and took me by ship the full length of the broad la­goon, making landfall at the far southern end. Once we were on dry land, they plucked the hood from my head; I did notcare either way, having welcomed the oblivion of darkness.

 Here the mainland had been left untended and wild. Therewere servants with horses waiting; Benedicte's guardshelped me to mount, avoiding my eyes. Someone else ledmy gelding as we wended along the coastline, a narrow andforested trail.

 Melisande, I thought, over and over again. Melisande.

 Prince Benedicte's bride.

 Through the trees, I glimpsed it: The black isle. It rearedup, craggy and defiant in the gloaming, separated from theshore by an expanse of churning water. Between La Dolorosa and the mainland, only the swaying bridge, a vast length of crude planks and rope, hung suspended in midair.

 There was a watchtower on the mainland, sparselymanned. My guards were halted and questioned; there wasa sign, a countersign. They gave it in assured tones, and Isaw from the uppermost window of the watchtower a cun­ningly wrought signal of torches and a mirror, flashing ap­proval to the island. From the hulking mass of the fortress, looming atop the seaside cliff, flashed an answering re­sponse, cutting through the falling dusk.

 We dismounted, and two of the guards took my arms,leading me onto the bridge. I went unprotesting.

 I daresay it would have terrified me, had I not been be­yond the reach of fear. With the full use of their arms myguards held me lightly, clinging to the hempen guidelineswith their outer hands. I walked between them, manacledand untouchable, while open air gaped between the swayingplanks and far, far below, the angry sea boiled and surged.Let it have me, I thought, what did I care? I had failed. Mylord Delaunay had seen fit to train us with a tumbler'sskills—I have used them, once or twice in my lifetime. Letis not be said that I shamed him in the end, at least. I walked steady and graceful on that dreadful bridge, going toward my doom as if it were my final patron.

 Some fifteen paces from the far end of the bridge, a pair of sentries carrying hand-axes barred the way to challengeus, blades poised over the ropes that anchored the bridge topilings. I understood, then, why La Dolorosa need be butlightly garrisoned. Two strokes of their axes, and the bridge would be severed, sending us plunging into the roiling wa­ters and the jagged rocks below. A sign, another counter­sign, different this time; my guards gave it in gasping voicesand the sentries stepped aside.

 It had grown dark as we crossed the bridge. One of thesentries fetched a torch from the guard hut beside the bridgeand led us up the steep, rocky path to the fortress. Wavesboomed and roared as they struck the rocks at the base ofthe isle, receding with a sound like a moan. I thought I feltthe very stone beneath my feet shiver.

 The walls of the fortress were thick blocks of granite,windowless save for the towers. Inside, the sound of theangry sea was muffled. I stood in an unadorned room, at­ tended by my guards while the warden was fetched, andstared blankly at the walls, wondering where the rock hadbeen quarried and how they'd gotten it onto the isle. It isstrange, what grief does to one's mind.

 The warden appeared with a pair of prison guards in tow,wiping his mouth; they'd fetched him from the dinner table.He was Serenissiman, in his late forties, with a grim face. He startled a little at seeing me, recovering quickly. "Thisis the one?"

 "It is," one of my guards affirmed. Lifting a cord fromabout his neck, he produced a key and unlocked the man­acles clamped about my wrists, careful not to meet my gaze.

 "Garment," the warden said briefly. The slighter of thetwo prison guards darted forward grinning, shoving a bundleof grey wool into my unprotesting arms. He was cock-eyed,rapid gaze sliding this way and that, and I wondered if he had all his wits. "Put it on," the warden said to me. "Ev­ erything else, you leave."

 I stood for a moment, puzzled. The warden waited im­placably.

 He meant now.

 Well, I thought, I am D'Angeline, and Naamah's Servant.They will do as they will to me in this place, but I will notcringe with shame for their satisfaction. I unclasped the Doge's great collar of pearls from about my neck, handingit coolly to the warden, then turned to the wall and beganundoing the buttons of my gown. I stepped out of my courtslippers and slid the gown from my shoulders. It slipped to the floor to pool around my ankles, folds of apricot silk stiffwith gold brocade, leaving me bare.

 "Elua!" one of Benedicte's guards muttered, swallowingaudibly.

 Ignoring him, I unfolded the grey woolen dress and drewit over my head, only then turning to face them. With great care, I removed the gold filigree earrings I wore and unfas­tened the net of gold mesh from my hair.

 "Here." I placed them in the warden's hand. "That iseverything."

 "Good." He nodded curtly to the prison guards. "Take herto her cell."

 FORTY-TWO

 My cell was a stony chamber only seven paces square.

 It held a pallet of straw ticking, a low wooden stool andtwo buckets; one containing water and one empty, servingas a chamber pot. The door, set in a shallow egress, wasbrass-bound oak. There was a narrow window high on theopposite wall, barred with iron.

 I thought it a kindness at first.

 The dungeon of La Dolorosa lies below the fortress, ascant dozen prison cells. We passed along a corridor, and Ifelt the vast weight of the fortress pressing on me fromabove, a tremendous sense of mass and confinement. Faintsounds were audible through some few of the oaken doors;scratching and weeping, and from one, a rhythmic, ceaselesswailing. I tried not to think about why. All the cells were aligned along the cliff side of the fortress and those narrowwindows, set an inch or two above ground level, looked outonto the grieving sea.

 Each one has a window; I know that, now. Air and light, I thought, catching a glimpse by lantern when the prisonguards brought me. Then they left, taking the lantern andlocking the heavy door, leaving me in unrelieved blackness.

 And I heard the sound.

 It was the one I'd heard outside, the crashing sea, thesucking moan as the waves withdrew, over and over again,relentless. And in the swirling winds, a remorseless wail ofsorrow. Outside, it was formidable.

 Inside, it was maddening. I knew, then, why there wereno windows in the fortress save those necessary for defense. La Dolorosa, the isle of sorrows, wrought by Asherat's grief for her slain son. I knew why the sailors whistled, passingit. I knew why the prisoners wept and wailed, hearing it endlessly, day in and out.

 Mortals are not meant to bear the mourning of deities.

 Sight-blinded and sea-deafened, I knelt on the flagstonefloor of my cell and groped my way toward the pallet. Thewoolen dress, too long, dragged behind me. Gaining thepallet, I curled into a ball, pressing my hands over my ears.

 There I lay until the grey light of dawn seeped throughthe narrow window to find me, shuddering and sleepless.

 So began the pattern of my time in La Dolorosa. By day,the sound was easier to bear. I could stand tiptoe on thewooden stool, clutching the bars and peering out the windowto see that 'twas the sea, only the sea and wind that crashedand moaned so dolefully. By night, it took on the awful toneof endless, immortal grief that seemed to vibrate the verystone, penetrating my bones, forcing me to cover my ears and whimper until morning came.

 Twice a day, a guard brought food, varying in quality andquantity alike. Sometimes it was nothing more than coldporridge or a mess of lentils; sometimes bread and hardsausage, and sometimes fish broth or a slab of mutton. Once,a plate of stewed greens. At first I did not eat, having re­solved to die before I went mad in that place. If I could do naught else, at least I could do that much, laying my deathat Melisande's feet.

 It gave me a certain grim satisfaction to contemplate as Igrew weaker. Kushiel had made a poor choice of me, buthis dart would have one last cast against this too-gifted scionof his line. Melisande might sit the throne of Terre d'Angeafter all, but she would live out her days in fear of theirend. No passage for her to the true Terre d'Ange-that-lies-beyond, land of Elua and his Companions, but ten thousandyears of torment, if Kusheline lore held true.So I thought, until the warden came to my cell.

 He brought with him the largest of the prison guards, ahulking Serenissiman who was simple-minded and obedi­ent — Tito, he was called. They came inside, closing the doorbehind them. Tito carried a steaming bowl and I could smellfish broth above the noisome odor of the too-seldom-emptied chamber pot.

 "Tito," the warden said flatly. "Hold her and clamp hernose."

 With a look that might have been sympathetic on hisbroad, homely face, the giant set down his bowl and knelt beside my pallet, from which I was too weak to rise. Thewarden dragged the stool over and sat down as Tito placedone massive hand on my chest and pinned me. With theother hand, he pinched my nostrils closed.

 It went as one might expect, although I daresay I fought it harder than they anticipated. In the end, it was my bodythat betrayed me, gasping for air when I willed only death.The warden forced a tin ladle between my teeth, pouring broth into my mouth. Choking on it, I swallowed some,inhaling a good deal as well. Tito eased me to a sittingposition as I coughed and gagged, a red haze swimmingbefore my eyes and the blood beating in my ears so hard itdrowned out the eternal wail of Asherat's sea, beating dire and hard, buffeting me like bronze-edged wings.

 Well and so, I thought, hopelessly. It seems I am to live.

 "My orders are to keep you alive." The warden's tonewas as grey and obdurate as the fortress walls. He was wellchosen for his job. "This will be done as many times as isneedful, for as many days. Will you eat?"

 "Yes," I said faintly.

 The warden handed the bowl and ladle to Tito and de­parted. Cradling the bowl in one arm, the giant shifted meas carefully as a child with a new doll so I might sit proppedagainstthe wall. I coughed, my lungs burning from the brothI'd inhaled. He waited patiently until I was done, then heldout the bowl in both hands.

 It was the only kindness anyone had done me. "Thankyou," I said gently, taking the bowl from him. In slow, painfill sips, I drank the remainder of the broth, giving back theempty bowl when I had finished.

 I was young, and Kushiel's chosen; I regained strengthquickly. As death receded from my grasp and the profoundshock of horror and betrayal lessened, my wits began to function once more and I came slowly to acknowledge mysituation.

 If Tito was the best of the guards, despite his fearsomeappearance, Malvio and Fabron were the worst. Malvio wasthe cock-eyed guard I had seen on my arrival, and he spokeseldom, but grinned all the while, his slippery gaze wan­dering all over me when it was his turn to bring food, wait­ing to ensure I ate. At first, he did nothing save look. Onhis third visit, he reached inside his breeches, fondling him­self and grinning. And on the next, he loosened the draw­string of his breeches, drawing out his erect phallus, darkand engorged with blood, and showing it to me. I looked away as he stroked himself to a climax, knowing he wasgrinning. When he was done, he tucked himself away, wait­ing calmly for me to eat and hand him my empty plate.

 And I did, fearing if the warden came again, it would beMalvio he brought.

 Fabron, by contrast, spoke volumes, moving close enoughso I could smell his breath as he told me in lewd detailexactly what and where and how he would do to me the many things that he thought about doing to me. While hewas not particularly inventive, he never tired of describing the acts in which he would engage me.

 "What would it be worth to you?" I asked him once,tilting my head back to gaze at him. "My freedom? For that,I would do all you ask, and more."

 At that, he blustered, then turned pale and fled, grabbingmy half-eaten supper tray.

 If I were a heroine in a romantic epic, no doubt, it wouldhave been different; I'd have lured him with flirtation andsubtle half-promises, duping him into aiding me in escaping.Alas, in reality, not even lowly prison guards are stupidenough to risk certain discovery for the promise of lascivious pleasure. In truth, there was nothing alluring about myplight. It was high summer and the heat was oppressive,rendering the stench of an unemptied chamber pot nigh un­bearable. The coarse woolen dress itched like fury and grewrank with sweat, dragging hem and trailing sleeves growingfrayed and filthy. I took it off when I dared, scrambling todon it when I heard a key turn in the lock.

 It stank, 1 stank and my cell stank. Nights brought utter blackness and reduced the world to the crash and moan ofAsherat's awful grief. Days brought tedium and misery that made madness seem almost welcome.

 Such was my existence.

 It was some weeks later when Tito entered my cell witharms laden. I watched curiously as he set down a brimmingbucket of fresh water and a bundle of cloth. Reaching into his pockets, he drew forth two hard-boiled eggs and an ap­ple, a rare feast. "Eat," he said, handing them to me, andthen, procuring somewhat from another pocket, "Wash."

 It was a worn ball of soap, smelling harshly of lye, andI daresay I have never accepted a patron-gift with as muchgrateful reverence as I did that lint-stippled ball. Tito avertedhis head and picked up my chamber bucket with one hand,holding it carefully away from him as he left my cell.

 Ignoring the food, I stripped off my loathsome dress and knelt on the floor before the bucket of water. The soap wasgritty and produced little lather. It stung as I scrubbed my­self assiduously. It felt wonderful. I washed even my hair when I had scrubbed every inch of skin, bending over thebucket to dunk my entire head. The water was none tooclean by then, but I didn't care; 'twas cleaner than I. WhenI had done, I investigated the cloth bundle and found it wasa clean dress, of the same crude-spun grey wool.

 Tito returned with the chamber bucket well scoured, andanother smaller bucket of fresh drinking water. I sat curled on my pallet and finished my apple, reveling in the luxuryof being clean for the first time in weeks.

 "Thank you," I said as he gathered up the discarded dress,the scrap of soap, the eggshells. "For all of this." To mysurprise, he gave me a look of grave misgiving, shaking hismassive head and departing.

 It wasn't long until I learned why.

 Wearing my clean dress, I was standing on the stool atthe window, working one hand through the iron bars to tosscrumbs from a heel of bread I'd saved to the gulls thatskirled around the isle. All it took was one to discover it forhalf a dozen to descend, squalling and fighting with raucouscries on the ground outside my window, fierce beaks stab­ bing. It was somewhat unnerving, viewed at eye level, butit relieved my tedium and their squabbling drowned out the sound of the sea.

 It also hid the sound of my door unlocking.

 "Phèdre, what on earth are you doing?"

 It was Melisande's voice, rich and amused, sounding for all the world as though she'd encountered me in the City orat court, and not imprisoned half-underground in a forsakendungeon by her own decree. My heart gave a jolt. Pulseracing, I turned slowly to face her.

 In the dim grey light of my cell, Melisande shone like ajewel. No veil concealed her features, her flawless ivoryskin, generous mouth and her eyes, her eyes that were thedeep blue of sapphires. Her hair hung loose as I rememberedit, rippling in blue-black waves. Her beauty was dizzying.

 "Feeding the gulls," I replied foolishly.

 Melisande smiled. "And will you make one your especialpet, and train him to carry messages, warning Ysandre andsaving the nation?"

 I stayed where I was, standing on my stool, back to thewindow. Whether it looked ridiculous or no, it gave me theadvantage of height and kept me as far from her as possible."You have won," I said in an even tone. "Do me the cour­tesy of not mocking me further, my lady. What do youwant?"

 "To see you," Melisande said calmly. "To offer you achoice. You have seen, I think, what your future holds;squalor, boredom and madness. And that is the least of it.While I remain in La Serenissima, you are protected,Phèdre. The warden is ordered to see you come to no harmand his guards do not molest you. When I am gone..." sheshrugged, "... it will be worse."

 I thought of Malvio's darting eyes and felt sick. "Whenyou are gone," I echoed, repressing my rising gorge. "Andwhen will that be? Autumn, mayhap, when Ysandre leavesthe royal army in the hands of Percy de Somerville andmakes theprogressus, riding into a Serenissiman trap?"Melisande didn't answer, and 1 laughed hollowly. "You were condemned as a traitor, my lady. Do you think theD'Angeline people will forget so easily?"

 "People believe what they are told." Her expression re­mained serene. " 'Twas your word condemned me. Already,Ysandre has disavowed you, through your own cleverness.If you are found traitor as well for conspiring againstD' Angeline trade interests, few will doubt it when they aretold you lied."

 "1 didn't conspire against D'Angeline trade interests."

 "No?" Melisande raised her brows. "But Marco Stregazzawill swear you did."

 "Ah." 1 glanced out the window at the churning grey seabeyond the cliff's verge. "And did he suborn the corruptionof Asherat's Oracle as well? I have endured her grief formany days now. I would not like to face her wrath."

 "No." Her tone was complacent. "He wouldn't havedared; that was Marie-Celeste's idea. I am not fool enoughto mock Asherat-of-the-Sea. Her temple gave me sanctuary,and I am grateful for it. If her means suit my ends, so muchthe better, but I do not risk blasphemy. No D'Angelinewould, nor true Serenissiman. Marie-Celeste straddles twoworlds, and fears answering to the gods of neither," she added. "You do not sound surprised."

 "I have had some time to think, my lady," I said dryly, looking back at her. "What choice is this you offer?"

 "For now, your choice of prisons. This one..." Meli­sande gestured at the stone walls, the straw pallet and emptybucket, "... or mine." The words hung in the air betweenus, and she smiled slightly. "You would make a good traitor,Phèdre. But you would make an exquisite penitent on my behalf."

 I stood balanced on my stool, curiously light-headed."And what do you propose to do, my lady?" I asked, hearingmy own voice strange and unfamiliar, as blithe as hers hadbeen when she teased me about the gulls. "Break me to yourwill like a fractious colt?"

 Melisande smiled gently. "Yes."

 I swallowed and looked away.

 Too close and too small, this cell of mine, to contain theboth of us. The vast wide world was too small. It is a weak­ness, Kushiel's Dart. The scarlet mote that marked my eyewas but a manifestation of the true flaw within, the wound that penetrated to the marrow of my soul. What Melisande offered; Elua, the promise was sweet to me! To struggle nomore against my very nature but surrender to it wholeheart­edly, offering it up with both hands to the one person, the only person, who had always, always known the true es­sence of what I was.

 As I knew hers.

 Melisande wanted something of me.

 Heart and mind raced alike, as I stood trembling beforeher. My hand rose unthinking to seek out the bare hollowat my throat where her diamond had hung for so long, the leash she had set upon me to see how far I would run."Joscelin," I whispered. "You can't find him."

 Her eyelids flickered, ever so slightly.

 I laughed aloud, having nothing to lose. "And Ti-Philippe? Don't tell me! What makes you think I wouldknow where to find them, my lady? Joscelin Verreuil leftme, for committing the dire crime of seducing him. If Phi­lippe evaded your guardsmen ... how can I guess? Marco'smen would do better than I, if Benedicte can't find him."

 "He jumped into the canal, actually." Melisande's voicewas surprisingly even. "From the balcony. It seems Rousse'ssailor-lads swim like fish. Marco is of the mind that he'sdying of the ague, if he yet lives. The canals are known forpestilence. La Serenissima is well-cordoned, they'll notleave it by water or land, nor send word either. Even if theydid, they know too little to undo our plans. Still, too littleis too much. But we will speak more of this later." She cameclose, too close, smiling, and reached up to lay one handagainst my cheek. "Think on my offer."

 Her touch was cool, and yet it burned me like fire. Iclosed my eyes, shaking like a leaf in a storm. I could smellher scent, a faint musk overlaid with spices. 1 wanted to fall to my knees, wanted to turn my head, taking her fingers into my mouth.

 I didn't.

 "Think on it," Melisande repeated, withdrawing hertouch. "I'll be back."

 FORTY-THREE

 An offer.

 A dangerous offer.

 After Melisande had left, I sat huddled on my pallet, armswrapped around my knees, thinking. It had been different,before. There is a certain calmness in despair. Now even that luxury had been torn away from me.

 I had to think.

 Joscelin and Ti-Philippe, alive! They were in the Yeshuitequarter, I was sure of it. It was the one place neither Benedicte nor the Stregazza would think to look; it was thefirst place Joscelin would have gone. And if Ti-Philìppe hadescaped, if he was clever and able enough, it was where he would look. I gave thanks to Elua, now, that my chevaliers had been suspicious enough to follow Joscelin during hisdisappearances.

 They knew enough, the two of them, to lay chargesagainst Percy de Sotnerville—although they had no proof".It was what they didn't know that could kill them. PrinceBenedicte ... Benedicte and Melisande. Still, I thought, TiPhilippe was smart enough to run, when he saw Benedicte'sguards.

 Percy de Somerville's guards, whom we all thoughtPrince Benedicte took into his service all unwitting.

 He knew Remy, Fortun and Ileft for the Little Court, never to be seen again.

 But he would not know why, and a great many "acci­dents" could have befallen us between home and palace. Imulled the problem over and over in my mind, and cameinevitably to the same conclusion. The scope of it was sim­ply too vast, too hard to encompass. Neither Ti-Philippe norJoscelin would guess Benedicte's treason.

 What you seek you will find in the last place you look...

 I hadn't thought it; nor would they. The best I could hopefor was that my disappearance and the traitorous guardsmenwould make them wary, wary enough to avoid the LittleCourt and go straight to Ysandre.

 If they lived. If Ti-Philippe wasn't lying on a cot some­where sweating out his last ounce of life with some dreadfulcanal-bred pestilence. If Joscelin wasn't halfway to thenorthern steppes, chasing some arcane Yeshuite prophecy.

 And if they could reach the Queen, which Melisande, whobrooked few illusions, believed impossible.

 If, if, if.

 It is a dire thing, to hope against hope.

 I did not doubt the veracity of Melisande's claims. It isa truism; history is written by the victors. With the solid support of Duc Percy de Somerville and Prince Benedictede la Courcel behind her, her reputation would be restored,nearly spotless. There would be protest from a few, silencedswiftly. A few might rebel; not many, I thought. I had notforgotten the murmurs among the nobility when Drustanmab Necthana rode into the City of Elua.

 Many, too many, would be glad to be shed of a PictishPrince-Consort, whose bloodline would taint the heirs of House Courcel. None of that for Benedicte, still Ysandre'sheir. No, his Serenissiman-born children would inherit here.

 For Terre d'Ange, a true-born son, gotten on his D'Angelinewife.

 Melisande's son.

 And as for Ysandre de la Courcel, I thought, she would become a tragic footnote in D'Angeline history. Slain, nodoubt, during some Serenissiman intrigue gone deadly awry.What Melisande had planned, I did not know, but I couldguess well enough that no trace of it led back to her, nor toBenedicte.

 Who would stand against her, then, with Benedicte at her side?

 There was Quintilius Rousse—and him, I could not guess.Would he swallow it or no? He would never believe me atraitor, 1 thought, nor Melisande innocent. And yet, he knewBenedicte of old, and Percy de Somerville, too. What couldthe Royal Admiral do, if the army held the land? Littleenough, it might be; especially if the Serenissiman navy stood in support of Benedicte's claim. And if Marco Stre-gazza were elected Doge, I'd no doubt that would follow.Quintìlius Rousse was canny and a survivor. He might backBenedicte's claim, if he felt he had no other choice.

 There was Barquiel L'Envers.

 And he, I thought ruefully, was the key. The DucL'Envers, whom I had thought my enemy. He was the rea­son Benedicte dared not act without the support of the RoyalArmy. As Ysandre's maternal uncle, he stood the nearestchallenger to the throne, with ties by marriage to Aragonia, to Alba, to Khebbel-im-Akkad. All of whom might rally toL'Envers' cause if there was a whiff of suspicion concerningYsandre's death. Drustan would, I was sure of it; nor had Iforgotten the company of Aragonian spearmen which hadfought beside us against the Skaldi, and the deadly Akkadian cavalry.

 They would need to act quickly, Benedicte, Melisandeand de Somerville, to secure thethrone and dispose of Bar­quiel L'Envers.

 1 am a fool, I thought, to have believed so easily. All isnot lost until the game is played out in full, and it is not,not yet. It is a bitter hand Melisande has dealt me, but thereare some cards still unplayed.

 So I mused and thought, until the light began to fail inmy stifling chamber and one of the guards brought my eve­ ning meal. Constantin, he was called, silent and grey. Asthe prison guards went, I liked him well enough, for hetroubled me not.

 "Constantin," I said to him when I returned my empty tray. "Will you carry a message to the warden for me?"

 He shifted the tray in his arms and looked stolidly at me."I will carry it. I do not promise he will hear."

 "I understand," I said gravely. "Pray tell him I seek anaudience with him."

 "I will do that."

 No more did he say, and with that, I had to be content.Falling night leached the last of the light from my cell. I saton my pallet and watched the afterglow fade through mynarrow window, blue twilight turning to grey and thence to star-pricked black. As vision failed, the endless moan of Asherat's grief filled my senses. Awake, I listened, pickingout the sounds of my prison mates amid the cacophony. Ihad named them all, in the endless nights. The Wailer,whose ululating cries rose and fell without ceasing. TheScratcher, who made sounds like a small animal trying totunnel through solid rock. The Snarler, who had wits left tocurse his fate. The Banger...I did not like to think whatthe Banger did, producing dull muffled thuds that punctu­ated the howling night. There were others, mayhap seven oreight. It was hard to tell, even to my trained ear. I was notsure but that the Pleader and the Screamer were not the sameperson. I never heard them at the same time, but I was not certain if it were one prisoner alternating between beggingdespair and wild rage, or merely the orchestrations of mad­ness.

 When I am gone... it will be worse.

 It would get worse. It would get a great deal worse. I didnot yet cry out in the night, but only woke whimpering froma fitful sleep. When my dreams were full of naught butMalvio's slippery, grinning gaze, Fabron's lewd whisper inmy ear...ah, Elua!

 It would get much, much worse.

 If Joscelin and Ti-Philippe lived, if they stood a chance,it would be worth it.

 Because I did not think I could withstand Melisande forvery long.

 If.

 I fell asleep at last, exhausted by the torments of my mind.Morning came and wore on late; at length, a guard came with food. It was Tito, his gaze sympathetic in his broad,homely face. I asked him if the warden would see me today,and he shrugged, shaking his head. He did not know. Ithanked him anyway, and ate my morning meal. A slab ofcold porridge, but drizzled with honey. Tito watched hulkingto see if I liked it.

 "From you?" I asked.

 He nodded and beamed like a child. "The beekeepers' tribute came. I had a piece this big." With massive handsheld apart, he indicated the size of the honeycomb. "I savedsome for you."

 Despite it all, I smiled. "Thank you, Tito. It's very good."

 There is no rock on which the mortal soul may founderbut that contains some frail tendril of human kindness strug­gling to grow; this much I have found to be true. Is it aweakness in me that I sought ever to reward it? I cannotsay, only that I would do the same, though Tito's simple-minded fondness proved blessing and curse alike, in the end.So I think now; then, I merely watched him carefully swipe the last telltale traces of honey from the platter and suck hisfingers, at once grateful and sorrowing that this was what kindness had come to in my life.

 The warden did not come that day, nor the next. I pacedmy stifling cell, sweating and irritable. Each time I heard akey in the lock, my heart raced with fear that it would beMelisande, come for my reply. Fear and dread bound in anawful knot of complex desire that left my mouth dry andmy pulse pounding in my veins.

 On the third day, the warden came.

 I heard the key, this time, too soon to be a guard comewith the evening meal. Quickly, with trembling fingers, I bound my hair at my nape with the loose knot we calledlover's-haste in the Night Court, that will stay without pinsor a caul. Gathering myself into a semblance of dignity, I stood to receive my guest, smoothing the grey dress.

 When the warden entered, accompanied by Fabron, I in­clined my head, according him the greeting among equalswe use at court. He made no response, but only said in hiscolorless voice, "You asked to see me."

 "Yes, my lord warden." I took a breath; I had not ex­pected him to soften. "My lord, I wish to beg of you a boon.I wish to send a letter, no more." I paused, and he saidnaught. "I will not insult you by protesting my innocence,my lord," I continued. "I daresay you hear it often enough,and 'tis not your place to judge, but only to enforce. I ask only the chance to notify my Queen of my fate. As she ismy sovereign, she has the right to know; no less would we accord to any foreign national in Terre d'Ange. And youmay believe me," I added, "when I tell you that Ysandre dela Courcel would pay dearly for this knowledge." His ex­pression did not change. I took a step forward. "Aught you might ask, my lord," I said steadily. "I will set it in writing,and bind her by the sacred words of House L'Envers, her mother's line, that not even the Queen herself may refuse."

 And I could, too, for I now knew that Nicola L'Envers yAragon had not played me false, but given a weapon of greatpower into my hands. She was right, Barquiel L'Envers andI had been stupidly blinded by our suspicions, and the thronewould be lost because of it. Like squabbling children in abarn, we had ignored the open door through which the wolf might saunter.

 It doesn't matter what you believe. Just remember it.

 I did.

 The warden stirred. Over his left shoulder, Fabronmouthed something obscene at me, miming a wet-lippedkiss. I ignored him, concentrating on the warden.

 Who said, flatly, "No."

 I stared, uncomprehending, and waited for more while myheart sunk like a stone in my breast. When it was not forth­coming, I fought the ludicrous urge to laugh and said in­stead, "My lord, may 1 ask why?"

 His words were measured out like the slow drip of water falling in a cave. "This is La Dolorosa and I am its warden. No more and no less. Asherat has sent you, and I will wardyou until she claims you."

 "Asherat!" The word burst from my lips. "My lord, Ash­erat's very Oracle has been subverted in the conspiracy thatsent me here'. Ask, if you do not believe, ask in the great temple in the Square, and see if Her prophet's place wasnot usurped for a day! Ask the Doge himself, the Beloved of Asherat, how Her priestesses have dealt with him! I tellyou, thrones hang upon this letter, and the very sanctity ofyour beliefs!"

 I was raving; 1 knew I was raving. And worse, I could not seem to stop. As the torrent of my voice continued, Isaw the warden nod once to Fabron, who came forward to grip my arms, driving me backward. He maneuvered hisbody close to mine, licking his lips.

 It was not easy, but I regained control of myself andshook him off. Melisande's bond of protection held; he let go of me ostentatiously, raising both hands in the air.

 "Elua grant you may regret this, my lord," I said quietly to the warden.

 "You may pray so, if you wish." No more than that didhe say, but opened the door to my cell, beckoning Fabronahead of him and exiting after. The door closed and locked,leaving me alone once more.

 One hope, gone.

 It left only Joscelin and Ti-Philippe ... or Melisande.

 I did not much like my chances either way.

 FORTY-FOUR

 Melisande did not come without warning.

 I knew, the next time a guard brought a wash bucket andsoap, what it meant. I took no pleasure in it this time, onlya certain bitter amusement. It would not do for the Princess-Consort of Benedicte de la Courcel to find me unwashedand unkempt in a foul and reeking cell, of course. No, Melisande would order me bathed, like some battle-chieftain with a choice captive of war.

 I did it, though I was tempted to defiance. But havingalready been forcibly fed, I had no wish to repeat the ex­perience with a scrubbing, and something in the guard'sexpression—he was a new one, whose name I did notknow—suggested that it was likely. When I had done, Idonned the clean dress he'd brought and sat cross-legged onmy pallet to wait.

 I did not have overlong.

 This time, I did not flinch, nor retreat. I remained as Iwas, while Melisande's presence filled the cell like a candleflame or a song. I was proud of that small act of will. Ifshe had brought me low, well then, that was the territory Iwould claim for my own. Let her stoop, if she wished toreach me.

 So I thought; being Melisande, of course, she did not, but merely looked down at me, gauging to a nicety what I did,and why. A faint smile hovered at the coiner of her mouth. I had no tricks she did not know. What my lord Delaunayhad taught me, he taught her, too, long ago. And in turn,she taught him to use people.

 As he had used me.

 "Have you decided?" Melisande inquired.

 I tilted my head back against the stone walls of my cell."What would you do with me?"

 Another might have mistaken my meaning; Melisandedidn't. "There is a dungeon in the Little Court. You would be held there until. .. matters in La Serenissima were re­solved. Or mayhap longer. It depends on you." She glancedmildly around my cell. "It is a good deal more pleasant thanthis, being built for the enjoyment of Kusheline guests.Light, you will have, and comforts; decent clothing, food, a proper bath. Texts, if you wish; the library is good. Is it lesssecure for it, you wonder? No." She shook her head. "Not by much."

 "By some."

 "Yes," Melisande said thoughtfully. "Some."

 "There is the chance that I might play you false and winyour trust."

 "Yes." A glimmer of amusement lit her glorious eyes."There is that, too. Although I daresay if you thought it likely, you'd not say it aloud."

 Since it was true, I didn't bother to answer, asking in­stead, "Why risk it at all? All that you have striven for lieswithin your reach. Is it worth jeopardizing, no matter howslight the risk, merely to toy with me? I don't believe it, mylady, and I mistrust this offer of yours."

 "Do you?" Melisande walked to gaze through the barredwindow at the distant horizon, filtered daylight rendering her lovely features serene. "The game of thrones is a mortal one,my dear. Even if this gambit were to fail—and it will not— still, I have secured my endgame. My son, who is innocentin all things, stands third in line to the throne, the only scion of Courcel lineage untouched by treachery. No other mem­ber of House Shahrizai has achieved so much. But you ..."Turning, she smiled at me. "Kushiel has chosen you, Phèdre,and marked you as his own. To toy with you is to play agod's game."

 I shuddered. "You are mad," I said faintly.

 "No." Melisande shook her head again. "Only ambitious.I will ask again: Have you decided?"

 The crash and wail of the mourning sea filled the silencethat stretched between us. It would drive me mad, in time;it had already begun. I knew it, the day I raved at the warden's refusal. But at least that madness would claim onlyme, and I would remain true to myself to the end. Melisande's way ... that was another matter. If I gambled and lost, I betrayed a great deal more.

 Torn between terror and longing, I gave a despairinglaugh. "My lady, I am destroyed either way. Will you makeme choose?"

 "Destroyed?" She raised her eyebrows. "You do me aninjustice, I think."

 "No," I said. "There is Ti-Philippe. And Joscelin."

 "You really do love him," Melisande said curiously. Ilooked away, heard her laugh. "Cassiel's servant. A fittingtorment, for Kushiel's chosen, and Naamah's ... did hetruly flee your charms?"

 "Yes," I whispered.

 "Ah, but you can guess where he fled. Phèdre." Her voiceturned my head. There was pity and inexorable cruelty in her gaze. "Either way, he is gone. What does it merit, this blind and unthinking loyalty?" she asked gently. "To yourCassiline, who left you; to Ysandre de la Courcel, who usedyou at her need. It is all the same to Elua and his Compan­ions, who sits the throne of Terre d'Ange. Tell me, do youbelieve I would make so poor a sovereign?"

 "No," I murmured, surprising us both with the truth. "What you do, my lady, you make a habit of doing verywell. I do not doubt that once you had the throne, you wouldrule with strength and cunning. But I cannot countenancethe means."

 "Phèdre." My name, only; Melisande spoke it as if to place a finger on my soul, soft and commanding. "Comehere." She crossed to stand before me, extending her hand,and I took it unthinking, rising obediently with instincts bred into my very fiber, trained into me since I was four yearsold. With nothing but the force of her will and the deadly allure of her beauty, Melisande held me captive and trem­bling before her, cupping my face in both hands. "Why doyou struggle against your own desire? Blessed Elua himselfbid us, love as thou wilt.”

 If there had been somewhere to flee, I would have. If Icould have fought her, I would have. There wasn't, and Icouldn't. I couldn't even answer. Her scent made my headspin.

 I stood, stock-still and obedient, my heart beating tooquick, too rapid.

 So close, so beautiful.

 So dangerous.

 Melisande lowered her head and kissed me.

 The shock of it went through me like a spear; I think Igasped. A flaw, a weakness; Kushiel's Dart, piercing me tothe very marrow. And in the aftermath of shock came desire,a vast drowning wave of it that swept away my will like atwig in a flood, swept away everything in its course. Yearn­ing, ah, Elua! This had been coming between us for a longtime, and it was sweet, far sweeter even than I remembered. Anchored by Melisande's hands, I swayed, dissolving under lips and tongue, craving more and more. It turned my bonesto molten ñre, my flesh shaping itself to the form of herdesire. My breasts ached with longing, a rising tide surgingin my blood, my loins aching, body seeking to mold itself to hers. All that she asked, I gave. All that I was, all I was meant to be, I became under her kiss.

 It felt like coming home.

 Melisande knew; how could she not? Struggling tobreathe, I clung to her, hands clutching her shoulders. I did not even remember raising my arms. A faint, triumphantsmile curved her lips as she released me.

 I took a deep, shaking breath and stepped back... onestep, two, her smile turning quizzical... and jerked myhead backward with all my might, slamming it hard againstthe stone wall of my cell.

 It was a hot, splitting pain that told me I had erred, catch­ing not the flat wall,but the edge of the corner where thedoor recessed. It beat against the confines of my skull likeKushiel' s bronze wings, a throbbing agony that drove a hazeof red across my vision, beating and beating, driving out Melisande's allure.

 I laughed as I slid helplessly to the floor, seeing the shockdawn across her lovely face.

 "Phèdre!"

 It was only the second time I had heard it, her melodiousvoice unstrung with astonishment. Wet warmth made its way down the back of my neck, trickling forward to poolin the hollow of my throat, a scarlet rivulet. Truly, I hadcracked my skull.

 "What in the seven hells are you thinking?" Melisandemuttered urgently, eyes intent and fearful as she knelt bymy side, pressing a wadded kerchief to the back of my head.Dizzy and pain-battered, I righted myself to look at her. "I swear, Phèdre, you're ten thousand years of torment to meliving!"

 Melisande's face and my cell reeled in my sight,swamped by agony. She cared, she really did care about me,and I could not stop laughing at it, having found my own useless triumph in the dazed madness of pain. For all thatKushiel's red haze veiled my eyes, for all the ache in myhead, my thoughts were clear. The balance of power had shifted, rendering us, for once, equals. A frown of concen­tration creased that flawless brow as Melisande sought tostaunch the flow of blood.

 "Hold this," she said shortly, pressing my limp fingersabout the blood-soaked kerchief. I obeyed, watching her goto the door, knocking sharply for the guard. "Fetch a chirurgeon," she ordered him in crisp Caerdicci. "Or the nearestthing you have in this place."

 He must have gone quickly; I could hear his footstepsreceding down the hall. Melisande eyed me silently, drawinga dipperful of water from my drinking bucket and using itto rinse my blood from her hands, carefully and thoroughly. I sat with my back to the wall, pressing her kerchief against my head. Already my hair was matted with blood.

 "You'll have to move fast," I said presently, as if I werenot sitting bleeding on the floor of my cell. "BarquielL'Envers is no fool, and he has his suspicions. He'll retainthe throne as regent the instant he hears the news, and demand a full investigation before he cedes it."

 "Four couriers on fast horses will depart La Serenissimathe instant the bell tower in the Great Square tolls Ysandre'sdeath," Melisande said coolly. "With fresh horses waitingon relay all the way to the City of Elua. Percy de Somerville will take the City before Duc Barquiel hears the news."

 "And he named a conspirator, I suppose." I shifted on theflagstone, sending a wave of fresh agony pounding in myhead. "How is Ysandre to die?"

 "You know enough." A key in the door; Melisande stoodback to admit the warden and a guard. He looked expressionlessly at her and came over to examine me, drawing myhead forward and parting the blood-damp locks. I felt hisfingers probing my wound.

 "A gash to the scalp," he pronounced, rising and wipinghis hands on a towel. "It is not serious. Head wounds bleed.It is not so deep that it must be stitched. Already, it beginsto clot." The warden turned his flat stare on the guard. "Lether rest undisturbed for a day. Principessa." He inclined hishead briefly to Melisande. "Is there aught else?"

 "No." Her tone was unreadable. "Give me a few moremoments with the prisoner."

 He nodded again. "Knock when you are ready."

 Melisande gazed at the door as it closed behind them."The tradition holds that a member of his family has servedas warden of La Dolorosa since Asherat-of-the-Sea first grieved," she remarked. "They first guarded the body ofEshmun, after Baal-Jupiter slew him. So they say. And theysay he is incorruptible, having been appointed by the god­ dess." She looked at me. "But you already learned that."

 I shrugged. "Would you expect me not to try?"

 "Hardly." She glanced around the barren cell. " 'Tis a direreward for his ancestor's service. It seems to me a dubioushonor, to win a god's favor."

 "Yes, my lady," I said wryly. "I appreciate the irony. ButAsherat-of-the-Sea did not make this place a prison. 'Twasmortal cruelty did that, and mortal forgetfulness that warpedthe warden's purpose, over the long centuries.”

 "Mayhap. They are not like us, who cannot forget." Melisande made a simple, graceful gesture. I met her gaze with­out speaking. "Two years ago..." she nodded toward thewall, "... you would not have done that."

 What did she expect, she who had sold me into slaveryamong the Skaldi? I had fought hard for my survival, and won greater hardships for my pains. It was true, Ysandrehad used me at need, sending me into danger as great as that I'd left behind. But I had gone consenting, then. I hadfaced death, more than once. I walked into death's openarms on the battlefield of Troyes-le-Mont, and I went know­ing what I did. I had lost comrades and loved ones, and grieved. I was not what I had been, when Melisande firsthad me. These things I thought, sitting on the flagstones of my cell and gazing up at her impossibly beautiful face.

 "I was a child then, my lady," I said softly. "My price ishigher now."

 For once, I did not fear her; I was safe in Kushiel's dread­ful shadow, and the sick, throbbing ache in my head pro­tected me still. Melisande simply nodded, accepting my reply. "I will give you a day," she said. "On the morning after tomorrow, two of Benedicte's guards will come foryour answer. They will speak to you in person. If your an­ swer is yes, you will leave with them. If it is no..." She shrugged. "You stay. Forever. I will not ask again."

 "I understand."

 "Good." Melisande turned to knock at the door, thenturned back. "You were unwise to play this hand so quickly,Phèdre. I will be more careful in the future."

 "I play the hand you dealt me, my lady," I replied.

 "Do you?" She looked curiously at me. "I wonder, some­times."

 To that, I had no answer. Melisande gazed at me a mo­ment longer, then knocked on the heavy door for exit. Oncemore the key snicked in the lock, the hinges creaked open. I watched her go, taking every ounce of color and beautywith her.

 Only her scent remained.

 I opened my hand, revealing her wadded, blood-soaked kerchief, folds already beginning to stiffen until I smoothedit open. It was fine cambric, trimmed with lacework, withthe swan of House Courcel embroidered small in one corner.A suitable lover's token, as matters stood between us.

 One day.

 And then I had to choose.

 FORTY-FIVE

 1 thought a good deal about Hyacinthe that day.

 It was ironic, in a situation laden with bitter ironies. I had chosen this very fate when I had fathomed the riddle of theMaster of the Straits; not merely a lifetime, but an eternity, bound to a lonely isle. I would not have faced the madnessof Asherat's grief, of course, but I daresay centuries of te­dium would have served much the same.

 Hyacinthe had used thedromonde to read the past, and stolen my doom.

 And now I faced it once more.

 How had he stood it, I wondered. How did he fare now?The Master of the Straits had warned it would be a longapprenticeship. Ten years? Fifty? A century? I had sworn todo all I could to free him. Instead, I was imprisoned, andall my efforts had done was guide Joscelin to the Yeshuitesso I might lose him. Now, I peered out the narrow window at the maddening sea, and wondered if there was any way Hyacinthe might free me. I had wondered, idly, aboard the ship from Marsilikos, how far the domain of the Master of the Straits extended.

 Would that I'd come to some other conclusion. But hisreach had never gone more than a few leagues beyond theStraits, and I was far, very far, from there.

 And very, very alone.

 I bowed my aching head against the lip of the window.Melisande was right, I'd been a fool to reveal the lengthsto which I would go to defy her. All it hadgot me was asore head and the fleeting satisfaction of seeing her sur­prised. It was an idiot's ploy, and not one I'd care to use often. And yet...I had needed to know, for my own sake. Icould defy her, if I summoned the will for it.

 Although it took a split skull to break the spell of onekiss.

 And Melisande was capable of much, much more thanthat.

 I knew; I remembered. I remembered altogether too well.Ananguissette is a rare instrument; most of my patronslacked the art to sound all my strings. Pain and pleasure,yes, of course, but there are others, too. Cruelty, humiliation,dominance ... and compassion and kindness. It took all ofthese, to make truly exquisite music. That was the part sofew understood.

 Affection.

 It was my bane with Melisande, always the potential keyto my undoing. No matter how much I hated her—and I hated her a great deal in a great many ways—there was apart of me that did not, nor ever would. Waldemar Selighad been a formidable foe with the advantage of owning me outright, but no matter how many times he mastered me,nor how many ways, I never risked losing myself in him. Ihad not been at least a little bit in love with him.

 Still and all, now I knew; that sword cut two ways. Mel­isande cared enough for me to make her vulnerable, at leasta bit. Even so had Kushiel cared for the damned in hischarge, when he was still the Punisher of God; he lovedthem so well they received pain as balm and begged not toleave him. So too it made Kushiel vulnerable, for the OneGod was displeased with him and would have cast himdown. But he followed Blessed Elua, who said,love as thouwilt.I wondered if he feared, mighty Kushiel, (his scion ofhis who burned so brightly. Elua and his Companions didnot quarrel among themselves; not for them the jealousy ofother gods. No, but each claimed his or her province inTerre d'Ange, and held it solely. Each save Blessed Elua,who ruled without ruling, wandered and loved, and Cassiel,who stood at his side and cared only for Elua.

 The others—Kushiel, Azza, Shemhazai, Naamah, Eishethand Camael—were they jealous of their immortal thrones,in the Terre d'Ange-that-lies-beyond? It might be so. It was so, among other gods, other places. Standing at the heart ofAsherat's grief, I knew that much to be true. Mortals con­quer and slay; gods rise and fall. The games we play out onthe board of earth echo across the vault of heaven.

 Melisande knew it.

 I bore the mark of Kushiel's Dart.

 My thoughts chased each other around and round. I triedto pray; to Kushiel, to Naamah, who were my immortalpatrons; to Blessed Elua, who is lord of us all. But thepounding rage of Asherat's grief scattered my thoughts, driving away the solace of prayer.

 If I were not chosen for somewhat, I would be dead now,as surely as Remy and Fortun. But what? To thwart Meli­sande by choosing no, denying her the chance to break Ku­shiel's Dart? Or to face her, and dare win a greater stake?

 She would be cautious; she would be very, very cautious. My chances of defeating her plans were nearly nonexistent.

 Nearly.

 And the deeper game she played? I didn't know. By the• end of my day of grace, I was no wiser. I stared out thewindow, brooding, while the rays of the setting sun bloodied the waters. I wished that Hyacinthe were here with me now, to speak thedromonde for me. Not that he would; he neverwould, for me. Out of fear, at first. His mother foretold that I would rue the day I learned the answer I sought, the riddleof Delaunay. She was right, for 'twas the day he died. Af­terward, Hyacinthe said he could not see, for the path of mylife held too many crossroads. Truly, I stood at a dire onenow. still, I wished he were with me. My one true friend, I used to call him. Even Joscelin, bound by his vow, hadnot proved so true.

 Only love had bound Hyacinthe and me.

 And he would be lost, too, if I told Melisande no. However slim the hope that I might find a way to break hisgeis,it would die with me here in La Dolorosa. If I said yes ...texts, if you wish, Melisande had said. I could continue. And there was nothing,nothing she could do to Hyacinthe, whichgave me a certain grim satisfaction.

 But there was Ti-Philippe ... and Joscelin.

 My Cassiline, who left me. I hated him for that; hatedand despaired, for it may have been the one thing that wouldsave his life. But it had left me bereft, well and truly alone.I had been stronger with him at my side, my Perfect Com­panion. He lent me the courage and strength to cross the Skaldic wilderness in winter, and when Ysandre bid me goto Alba, he left the Cassiline Brotherhood itself to go at myside.

 And then he left me.

 The light on the water faded to mauve, and Tito camewith my evening meal, looking with worriment at my face,my bloodstained dress, and coaxing me to eat before thelight went altogether. I did, finally, if only to ease his dis­tress. If I chose no, if I stayed, his hulking kindness wouldbe the only spark in my life. I wondered, would it continue?If Melisande's ban was lifted and the warden freed his mento use me as their plaything, would Tito be among them?Simple and kind, yes, but a man, confined to this rock. Iimagined Malvio showing him what to do, grinning all thewhile, and shuddered.

 The worst of it...I did not like to think.

 I thanked Tito as he took my tray, closing the door behindhim. It was hard to make out shapes by now. I fumbled myway to my drinking bucket, rationing the water I consumed to save a little for washing my face. The hair at the back ofmy head was stiff with matted blood, but I didn't haveenough water to cleanse it. I dampened my fingers enoughto part it, touching the wound gingerly. It had clotted overcleanly, I thought, beginning to heal. More of Kushiel's questionable mercy, keeping me hale to endure fresh tor­ments.

 With the encroachment of night came a fitful wind andscudding clouds, obliterating the stars. Awake, I stood cling­ing to the bars of my window, facing unrelieved blacknessand feeling the warm breeze on my skin. Asherat's griefmoaned in the wind and surging sea. I separated the threadsof sound from my various cell mates, finding a new voiceamong them, or mayhap only a new phase of madness. Thiswas a deep cry on a rising tenor that reached a certain pitch and broke off in a throaty gurgle; the Howler, I named him.I listened for the others, counting, and did not hear theScreamer, although the Pleader's voice was among them, anendless litany of begging.

 Well, I thought, mayhap they were different all along, andthe Screamer has become the Howler. It could be that this Howler was a new prisoner, but I listened further and de­cided no, that the sounds were too far gone from human.An old cell mate with a new voice, then. A new phase ofmadness.

 I made my way back to my pallet by touch, wondering, what voice will I have when first I break? A Ranter, may­hap. I liked to think I would retain intelligible language, at least for a good while. Longer than most, likely. It wouldtake a long time, for Kushiel's chosen to forget entirely whatit meant to be human.They are not like us, who cannotforget.

 Mayhap I never would, until I died.

 I do not think I lack for courage, although admittedly, itis my own kind. I am no warrior, to face naked steel on the battlefield, but it is true, what I considered earlier; I have faced dire fates before. If I feared, if I prayed and pleadedit might be otherwise, still, I went. Into the Skaldic winter,into the teeth of the Straits, into the hands of Waldemar Selig. I was not a coward.

 But this fate I could not face.

 So be it, I thought, sitting alone in blackness, I cannot dothis thing. Blessed Elua have mercy on me, but I wouldrather be Melisande's creature than a broken thing in a cell.At least it gave me a chance, a fragile, deadly chance, but a chance all the same. Here, I had none.

 I had chosen.

 My decision made, I felt somehow calmer, and at last wasable to pray. I prayed for a long time, to Elua and his Com­panions, all of them, to protect and guide me, and above all, to give me strength not to betray my own companions. And if there was some chance, any chance, that Ti-Philippe andJoscelin lived, that they might yet act against Melisandeand Benedicte, let my lips remain sealed. She would be cau­tious, but she would press; it made her uneasy, to know theyhad evaded her. Well and good, then let me serve as livingdistraction, no matter what the cost, no matter what she might do. Let my pain atone for the deaths I had caused.

 Let me keep silent. Let me be the sacrifice.

 It was better than this.

 When I was done, I felt at peace for the first time sinceI had beheld Melisande, and despite the maddening wail of Asherat's grief, despite the cries and howls of the other pris­oners riding the night winds, I laid my head down on mypallet and slept soundly.

 It was the sound of shouting that awakened me.

 I came awake in an instant, heart pounding, gatheringmyself to crouch on my pallet. No wind or sea, this, norprisoner's madness; no. The sound echoed in my memory, recalling others like it. Men, shouting; reports and urgentorders. I'd heard it last in Southfort, among the Unforgiven, when Captain Tarren d'Eltoine sent riders north to seek outthe guardsmen of Troyes-le-Mont. It was the sound of agarrison, only a garrison roused. A torch flame streaked the darkness outside my narrow window, a voice called out inCaerdicci.

 And through the heavy door of my cell, I heard quickfootsteps in the corridor, the sound of keys jangling, doors opened and slammed.

 They were checking on the prisoners.

 La Dolorosa was under attack.

 I'd scarce had time to think it when my own door wasthrown open, and the sudden glare of lamplight made mewince. I shielded my eyes with one hand, making out thesilhouetted figure of the guard even as he went to close thedoor, satisfied that I was safely contained.

 "Fabron, please!" My voice outstripped my thoughts,pleading. He hesitated, and I rose from my pallet in onegraceful motion, using all the art of the Night Court. "Please,won't you tell me what's happening?" I begged him, turningout both hands. "I heard shouting, and it frightened me!"

 He hesitated, then jeered. "Yah, D'Angeline, too good tolook at me, until you're scared, huh? You think I'll protectyou, when I amnn't even allowed to touch you?"

 "Please." I didn't have to feign a tremor in my voice. "Ifyou'll only tell me, I'll... I'll let you, I swear it. I won'tsay a word."

 Fear and obedience were strongly ingrained in him; eventhen, he paused before taking two swift steps into my cell, closing the door and setting down the lantern. Lit from be­low, his face was eerily shadowed. "Let me see, then," Fa­bron said hoarsely. "Make it fast."

 Holding his gaze, I slid the overlarge woolen gown from my left shoulder. The neckline dipped low, laying bare onebreast. He made a guttural sound and stepped forward,reaching for me.

 It is not in my nature to be violent. I have killed one man,in self-defense, and I begged him not to force my hand.Harald the Beardless, he was called; a thane in Gunter'ssteading. He was kind to me, and gave me his cloak. Buthe rode out after me, for the honor of his steading, and would have slain Joscelin and dragged me back to Selig.

 One does what one must.

 What I did to Fabron, any child of seven or more in theNight Court knows to do, from listening to the adepts' gos­sip. To be sure, it would have carried a severe punishment, but we knew of it all the same. As his fingers brushed my skin, I brought one knee up hard and fast, squarely betwixthis legs. I daresay the years of dance and tumbling helped;it was a solid hit, and hard. It made a dreadful sound, Fabronmade a dreadful sound, high-pitched, doubling over and clamping his hands over his groin. I couldn't afford guilt orpity; I whirled, still without thinking, and snatched up the wooden stool, bringing it up in a sharp arc to connect withhis bent head.

 It caught him across the temple with a dull thud, and hefell over. Unmoving, he lay on the floor of my cell.Breathing hard, I dropped the stool and dragged my gownback up to cover myself, then stood listening.

 In the distance, a confused shouting continued. I went tothe door, pressing my ear to the heavy wood. In the corridor,nothing.

 Returning to Fabron's unconscious form, I fumbled be­neath him and found the ring of keys on his belt. There wasa bruise already visible on his temple, but his breathing wassteady. I took the keys and the lantern. It took me severaltries to find the right key for my cell; then I did, and thedoor opened onto the dark corridor.

 I emerged, carefully locking the door behind me, and Fabron inside.

 The corridor was silent and empty, the lantern castingwild shadows on the stone walls as it trembled in my un­steady hand.

 Twelve doors of brass-bound oak, all locked in a row.

 I couldn't leave them.

 Mine was third from the end. I went to the first, desper­ately trying key after key, until it opened...to find itempty. I tried the next, wasting precious seconds, only tofind the same result, an empty cell, eight paces by eight, noteven a pallet to relieve it. I moved past my own door—nosound yet, Fabron still unconscious—and tried the fourthdoor.

 Empty.

 Cursing softly under my breath, I fought with the janglingiron ring, seeking the key for the fifth door. At last I foundit; it fit, the door opened.

 I knew from the stench that this one was inhabited.

 What I saw in that cell, I do not like to remember. Aman's figure or somewhat like it, crouching at the wall be­neath his window, scrabbling at the stones with long, curvednails. He turned toward the light with a whimper, throwingup one forearm to shield his eyes, showing his teeth in agrimace. His hair was greying, snarled and matted with long years' neglect. I took a step back from the doorway, holdingthe lantern high to illuminate my face and show I was noguard.

 "You are free," I said softly in Caerdicci. "Although I donot know for how long. Someone attacks the fortress. Stayif you wish, or go if you will risk it. You are free to choose."

 He lowered his arm and peered at me, blinking. Hismouth worked, but no human sound emerged. "Wh...wh ... wh ... ?"

 "I don't know," I said. Whatever he sought to ask, I hadno answer. "All I can offer is a chance. Take it or not, and Blessed Elua keep you."

 Swallowing hard against the horror of it, I hurried to thenext cell and the next, fear and bile rising in my throat. Iset them all free that night, my prison mates, Asherat's cap­tive mourners. Nearly every cell was as bad as the first.Some I knew by sight. The Banger stood before his window,pounding his bruise-blackened forehead against the bars—that was the sound I'd heard for nights on end. The Pleader had been there the shortest time, next to me. He stood up­right, blinking wide-eyed at the light. A youngish man, notthirty years old; his hair had grown only to his shoulders. "Please?" he asked tentatively. "I swear, 'twas not my dag­ger, I swear it, my lord! Only let me go, and I'll prove it,I'll bring you the man who did it. Please, my lord? Please?"

 "You are free to choose," I murmured, sick, repeating mylitany. Six times I had said it already; eight times before Iwas done. All along the corridor, the brass-bound cell doorsstood open and ajar, dark, gaping mouths emitting the reekof ordure and foulness and the rhythmic surge of grievingsea, pierced with distant shouting. Somewhere, above, I could hear the sound of running steps.

 But the corridor stood empty, save for me; and quiet. All their' voices had fallen silent.

 I could not force them to go, could not force them tochoose, when I knew not what transpired. I had done all Icould. Bending at the waist, I set down my lantern at the head of the corridor, leaving it to illume the empty walls. Let them have that much, at least, I thought.

 It was safer for me to move in darkness, even if I knewnot where I went. It had been a long time, since I'd em­ployed the physical arts of covertcy in which Delaunay had trained me, but I had not forgotten. A body in shadow standsless chance of being seen. Watchers in light are blinded bylight; always, always, stay to the shadows.

 Wrapping Fabron's keys in a fold of my gown to stifletheir jangling, I made my way to the foot of the stairs that led away from the dungeon.

 FORTY-SIX

 For several long moments I crouched and listened at thehead of the stairs. There were voices somewhere on the farside of the door, faint with distance. I tried to remember thelayout of the fortress from my single glimpse of it. I would have failed miserably had Delaunay been quizzing me onit; numb with shock and wanting only to die, I'd paid scantattention. Still, I did not remember any guard set on the dooritself.

 I had to take a chance. I tried the handle, and found itlocked.

 Well and good, there must be a key on Fabron's ring. Iunfolded them from my gown and sorted through them bytouch in the dim light cast by the lantern in the corridorbehind me. There were three that were larger than the others,and one smaller. I tried one of the larger, then a second, and that one unlocked the door. Muffling the keys once more, Iworked the latch and opened the door a crack, peeringthrough the gap.

 There was not much to see, and little light in which tosee it. An empty wardroom, it seemed, with a bench alongthe section of wall visible through the cracked door and an unused charcoal brazier. I daresay the cells grew cold anddank in the winter; the room must serve as a place for guards to warm their hands between trips below. The voices I heardcame from well beyond the wardroom.

 Nothing else for it, I thought, and slipped cautiouslythrough the doorway, leaving the door an inch ajar behindme. Strange, to hear the endless roar of the sea muted atlast.

 Beyond the wardroom lay what would have been the greathall in any other fortress this size. Only a few torches lit it,and those guttered low. I gazed cautiously around the cornerof the arched entryway. A fireplace at one end, cold and bleak, and a long table; only a few chairs. There were hall­ways at either end. From the entrance at the far right camelamplight and the sound of voices.

 The other was dark, but it was from thence that I heardrunning footsteps. I drew back into the shadows as a hurried guard emerged, boot heels echoing across the hall. The faintlight gleamed on his steel helmet and corselet, and he carrieda short spear in one hand.

 Lack of knowledge is deadly. I left the wardroom andfollowed him, keeping to the shadows. Even if I had notknown how to move silently, my bare feet made no sound on the cool flagstones.

 The hallway branched, a broader corridor leading to theleft, a narrower one lying ahead. Light spilled out of a roomto the right on the narrow way, and that was where thevoices came from. Feeling dreadfully exposed, I crept nearenough to hear.

 "... no answer from the watchtower, warden sir!" theguard I'd followed was reporting, an urgent strain in his voice. "We gave the signal three times, sir, as ordered!"

 The warden's voice, flat and implacable. "And on the is­land?"

 A deep breath. "Nothing visible, sir. It's too dark to makeout the ground, even."

 There was a pause before the warden spoke again. "Continue combing the island. Double the number of torches;there aren't many places an intruder can hide. Gitto, leavefour men to hold the bridge on this end, and take four across and secure the watchtower. Signal when you hold it. Balbo,on post in the tower, and alert me the moment they do." Silence, and then his voice rose a notch. "What are youwaiting for? Go!"

 I hadn't waited for his order; by the time he gave it, Iwas retreating stealthily to the corner. Ducking around intothe wider corridor, I hitched up the trailing skirts of myfilthy dress and ran, fear lending wings to my bare heels.

 And I saw, ahead of me, the torch-cast shadow of a figureemerging from another side corridor.

 There was a small alcove holding a statue of Eshmun ona black marble plinth; a smiling youth crowned with a grainwreath. I had no other choice. Whispering a plea for for­giveness to the slain deity, I slipped into the alcove, hud­dling crouched in the shadow of his plinth.

 Jogging footsteps sounded in the hall, a rattle of sticks. Idared not look, keeping my head down lest my face catchthe light. Spears, I thought, or torches; somewhat from astoreroom. Intent on his errand, the guard passed me byunseeing, and I heard the even pace of his steps fade down the corridor.

 I could not go back that way. What lay ahead? Store­rooms and what else? Willing my pounding heart to steady,I concentrated my attention, straining my ears. Fool that Iam, I nearly forgot my own advice and ignored my othersenses. Fixed on listening for danger, I muttered a silentcurse against the distractingly sharp odor of fresh-cut onioncoming from somewhere beyond me.

 Onion. The kitchen. I had learned from Tito that theguards took turns at cooking duty, for better or worse. Thegarrison fed itself with foodstuffs provided as tribute by themainlanders; the prisoners ate their leftovers.

 If there was one place on the island that would be desertedthat night, it was the kitchen.

 Now I did listen, and found the corridor quiet. Offeringsilent thanks to Eshmun for his protection, I rose to my feetand slid out from behind his statue. Keeping to the shadows as best I could, I made my way swiftly down the hall, fol­lowing the scent of onions.

 The kitchen was not far, located to the left at the end ofthe corridor. It was vast and dark, lit only by the glowing embers of the oven, the door of which stood ajar. A small stack of kindling and cordwood lay on the floor beside it,abandoned. A mound of coarse-chopped onion sat on thecounter, and a string of sausages, not enough for garrisonand prisoners alike. A meal, I guessed, for the guards com­ing off the first night shift of serving sentry duty at thebridge.

 Only someone had crossed the bridge, or they would notbe searching the island.

 I don't think, then, I even dared to hope. Whatever it was,whoever, however—I had walked the bridge to La Dolorosa,swaying above the killing sea, while the sentries waited atthe end, hand-axes poised above the hempen ropes. I could not imagine anyone crossing it in stealth. Partway, mayhap; even half or better, but there was no way to cross the wholeof it unseen. So I did not dare hope or even plan, onlysought, like a trapped creature, any avenue of escape.

 By the dull glow of the embers, I explored the kitchen.It reeked of fresh onion and the stale odors of a thousandbygone meals. There were kettles and pots, a set of knives,and a stack of the trays used to bring food to the prisoners. Nothing more. Beyond a low archway lay the pantry. Hereno light penetrated, and I was forced to explore blindly.Rashers of salt-cured bacon hung from the ceiling, easy todetect by smell. There were sacks of grain stacked along thewalls, lentils and coarse-ground flour. I found baskets of aubergines, smooth-skinned and firm to the touch, and an­other of ripe gourds. They did not eat so poorly, the garrisonof La Dolorosa, although from the leftover fare I'd been served, I could not give much credit to their culinary skill.

 Well and good, I was surrounded by food. What of it? I was safe, and as trapped as before. Since there was nothingelse to do but backtrack and face the guards, I knotted Fabron's keys in a fold of my dress and began to make myway around the perimeter of the pantry, avoiding piles ofprovender, feeling along the cool stone walls with bothhands.

 It was out of a futile sense of obligation I did it, and noreal thought of finding aught to serve my need. Which iswhy, when my hands encountered rough wood instead of stone, I stood stock-still in disbelief.

 I swear I stood a full minute that way before I moved, feeling with cautious fingertips the arched shape of a win­dow covered with heavy wooden shutters, brass-bound and sealed with an iron bar and padlock. A service window, Ithought, to the outside. This was where goods were deliv­ered to the pantry.

 It was big enough to admit a sack of grain. I could fitthrough it.

 My fingers trembled as I undid the knotted fold of my dress and removed Fabron's keys, fumbling for the small one. It had to be! My lips moving in silent prayer, I fitted the key into the padlock. It took me three tries, my handshook so.

 But it fit.

 With a faint click, the padlock opened. I removed it care­fully and stooped to lay it on the floor. With agonizing slow­ness, I drew back the bar and then pressed my ear to thewooden shutters, listening.

 On the far side, I could hear the pounding sea, and naughtelse. No way to know but to try it. How much worse couldit be, if they caught me?

 A great deal. I knew that already. But that would happenanyway. Swallowing my fear, I drew open the shutters.

 Night air blew in and the wail of Asherat's grief filled

 my ears. In the darkness that lay beyond, I saw the brightsparks of torches moving here and there across the island,working in pairs. Too far away to see, I thought. A torchcasts a pool of light some fifteen feet in diameter, mayhap;no further. Beyond the circle of light, the bearer is sightless.

 The night skies were clouded, no moon or stars to betray me. Even if they were looking—and they were not, theywere seeking an intruder, not watching the fortress—theywould not see.

 All of this I knew to be true. Still, it was a terrifyingthing, to clamber out the window, rendering myself vulner­able, dropping, exposed, to the stony path below. For a mo­ment, I merely crouched at the foot of the fortress wall, breathing hard.

 I could not stay. Above me, the service window gapedopen, a breach waiting to be discovered. I gathered my wits,assessing my position. I was on the inland side of the for­tress, furthest from the cliffs. To my left lay the rear of the fortress; to my right, the front, and the steep, rocky path to the bridge.

 It was in that direction that the most torches were con­centrated, and periodic faint shouts were audible over thesea. I listened hard for the clash of arms, and heard naught.Well, I thought, if I cannot go that way, I must go around the other, and pray for an opening. Whatever has passed,they have not found the intruder. Someone had taken thewatchtower on the mainland, that much I knew; whether or not the warden's men had reclaimed it, I did not know. Ifthey had not... there was a chance.

 I had to gain the bridge. There was nothing else for it.

 When we were children, Delaunay would set up coursesfor Alcuin and me, mazes that we must negotiate blind­folded, until we could move silently and swiftly in the dark. I dreamed then of exploring the quarters of some wealthypatron while they slept, searching out Elua-knows-what dire secrets. I never used those skills, then, but I used them now,making my way around the base of the looming fortress.

 How long it took, I could not say. It seemed forever,although I daresay it was no longer than it took to heat water for the bath. Once a pair of guards passed close by me,forcing me to retreat noiselessly beyond the doubled circlesof torchlight they cast. The volcanic rock of the island hadsharp, jagged edges that bit painfully into the bare soles ofmy feet, but I bit my lip and kept silent, letting the painsharpen my focus.

 Sometimes it is an advantage to be ananguissette.

 The guards were nervous, I could hear it in their lowvoices. "... grandfather saw it, and never spoke anotherword," one of them was muttering. "If you ask me, nothinghuman could cross that sodding bridge without being seen."

 "Pascal saw it," the other said shortly. "It ran off beforeit finished him, and he was still alive when Gitto found him.He died trying to say what he saw. It didn't comeover the bridge, it crawledunder it."

 "Yar, like a giant sodding spider!" the first retorted. "Itell you, whatever we're looking for, it's not human. Noman could do that."

 As I crouched in the dark, scarce daring to breathe whilethey moved out of range, I tried to imagine it—crawlingbeneaththat deadly bridge, clinging to the underside, fingersand toes wedged between the knot-joined planks, movingone torturous plank at a time, suspended upside down inthe howling winds, above the raging cauldron of sea androcks ... who would even dream of attempting such a thing?

 I knew only one.

 Joscelin.

 Don't dare to hope, I told myself, watching the torchesrecede; don't even think it! It was too much, too impossible.How could he have even found out where I was? It mustbe something else, some political coup, enemies of MarcoStregazza launching an attack on one of his strongholds.Who knew what intrigues lay behind the other prisoners ofLa Dolorosa? It must be, and I dared not dream otherwise.

 And yet I could not help myself. Hope, faint and tremu­lous, stirred in my heart. It strengthened my resolve and lentme new courage as I picked a path around the benightedfortress to gain the cliffside. There, at ground level, werethe narrow, barred windows of the prison cells, peering out across the stony cliff toward the sea. A faint light emanated from them, but no sound. I knelt beside the first and lookedinside.

 It was empty. They were all empty, even mine, which Iknew by the guano on the ground outside the window whereI'd fed the seagulls. The light came from the corridor be­yond the open cell doors, where I'd left the lantern. I stoodup and moved away from the cell windows, into the deepershadow of the fortress wall.

 Asherat's wind was stronger here, moaning in my ears. The cliffside was deserted for now; there was nowhere tohide between the fortress and the cliff. I could feel the rocktremble under my bare feet from the impact of the waves. So Fabron was free, and they knew I had escaped.

 Where were the other prisoners?

 I stood still, straining my ears against the roaring wind.There, yes; toward the front, I could hear faint wind-whipped cries and the clash of arms. Slipping quickly pastthe low windows, I made my way forward.

 I'd not gotten far before the battle came to me.

 At whatever point the prisoners of La Dolorosa emerged,it is a safe bet that they caught the garrison in disarray. Noone who served in that place but was wraith-haunted in thefirst place; it must have shocked them, this outpouring of eight gaunt, wild-haired apparitions, roused to a furor of madness that knew no fear.

 It was a melee that spilled around the corner, full of con­fusion and panic. At least half the prisoners were armed,with short spears wrested from the first guards they'd en­countered. I daresay the full garrison of La Dolorosa wasno more than thirty or forty men at best, and only a handful had been left to ward the fortress proper.

 Others had been sent to comb the island, and it was theywho came at a run, torches streaming, illuminating the in­credible scene. Knots of violence surrounded the prisoners, who fought with bared teeth and stolen weapons when they had them; bare hands and demented fury when they did not,giving ground Slowly. For all their superior numbers and armor, 'twas no easy task for the guards, encumbered withtorches as they were; and darkness favored the prisonerswith their night-accustomed eyes.

 Still, it could not last. As more and more guards came,the prisoners retreated further. Tito's massive figure ap­peared, crashing into the melee. Eschewing his spear, hecarried a torch the size of a beam, swinging it in mightyarcs, trailing flames and roaring so loudly I could hear itabove the wind. I should run, I knew; retrace my stepsaround the fortress, dare the other side and see if the bridge was perchance unguarded.

 Indeed, one of the prisoners wielded a hand-axe, mayhapwrested from the sentries. It was the Pleader, whom I knewby his shoulder-length hair. He was not pleading now, butgrimacing, chopping wildly at the pair of guards who forcedhim back, step by step, toward the edge of the cliff.

 I couldn't run. I had freed them; I had led them to thisend. As with Remy and Fortun, I could not look away. I watched through my tears as the Pleader swung his axe,panting, unable to get beyond the reach of the guards'spears.

 And saw, by wavering torchlight, a hand reach over theedge of the cliff behind him.

 It was hard to make out the figure that followed, heavingitself up and rolling, dark-clad and hooded, coming up into a fighter's crouch. It didn't matter. I knew. Before the twinblades of steel flashed up before him, before he spun, taking out one guard with deadly grace, before the second graspedineffectually at him, succeeding only in tearing the hood loose to reveal wheat-blond hair shining in the flickering light; I knew.

 Something in my heart gave way; a wall of despair andloneliness built long ago, on a rainy night in Montrève, when he came in from the garden. And in its place camejoy and relief, and—ah, Elua!—love.

 Caught between laughter and tears, I stepped away fromthe shadow of the fortress, into the torchlight that washedthe stony ground. He dispatched the second guard, shov­ing the gaping Pleader toward the steep path to the bridge.In the melee between us, guards began to turn, realizing theyfaced a new menace from behind.

 As he made his sweeping Cassiline bow, I cried out hisname with all my strength, pitching my voice to carry as best I could above the wind and sea.

 "Joscelin!"

 Whether he heard me or not, I never knew; but he sawme as he straightened. Across the distance, two-score guardsand prisoners fighting between us, our eyes met.

 That was when I felt the point of a spear press into myspine.

 FORTY-SEVEN

 "Don't move, lady," a voice whispered in Caerdicci at myear.

 It was no voice I knew.

 I stood rooted and felt my arm taken, spinning meroughly; Malvio, who never spoke. He grinned at me, and his slippery gaze looked quite mad. With a shortened gripon his spear, he circled around me, placing himself betweenme and rescue. I moved cautiously, turning to face him. I could hear the sounds of battle still, but they seemed sud­denly very far away.

 My world had shrunk to the two of us.

 "Go," Malvio said, seldom-used voice sounding almostfriendly. He jabbed the spear toward me, and I retreated astep. He continued to grin. "Go."

 I took another step backward.

 There was nothing behind me but twenty yards of rockyground and the cliff's edge. I knew, it had been my viewfor endless days. And beyond the cliff—nothing. It was thefarthest point, overhanging the angry sea.

 "Go." Malvio jabbed the spear again, cheerfully. I stood Without moving and he did it again, hard enough to piercethe coarse wool of my dress and prick the flesh beneath."Go!"

 I took another step, sharp-edged rock beneath my barefeet. Over Malvio's shoulder, I could see the melee broad­ening, Joscelin penned behind a thicket of spears, dodging and twisting. It might have been different, if he'd had hissword; it would have lessened the difference in reach. Butno, he had crawled the underside of the hanging bridge. Theweight of his sword would have been too great.

 He had come to rescue me with nothing but his daggers.And he could do it, too, given time and aided by chaos.

 The prisoners were providing the chaos. I needed to buytime.

 "Whatever you want," I said steadily to Malvio, "I willdo."

 It gave him pause. Then he shook his head, grinning, andgave me another jab. I took another step. "No," he said."It's too late. You belong to Asherat now."

 Behind me the sea-surge was growing louder, and I couldfeel a change in the way the ground shuddered beneath mynaked soles. A deeper tremor, a hollow vibration. We wereon the overhang. How far to the edge? Twenty feet? Ten?The wind battered me, whipping my already-matted hairinto worse tangles, flattening my dress against my legs.

 It was getting darker, further away from the torchlit battle.I could scarce make out his face. "Malvio," I said. "Do notdo this thing. I swear to you, it is not the will of Asherat. Her followers have betrayed her, who put me here."

 "You were put here to die," he said agreeably, jabbing.

 "No." I took a quick step backward, then darted sideways,seeking to get around him. But he was quick, for a Caer-dicci, and he had a spear. He brought it sweeping about tobar my way, maneuvering behind it. A distant flicker oftorchlight slid across his grinning face, his off-kilter gaze.

 "Go," he said, jabbing.

 I went, as slowly as I dared. Beyond us, I saw that thenumbers of the guards had thinned, but they were organizednow, and an armored figure with a full-length shield pacedthe outskirts, shouting inaudible orders.

 The warden, I thought. He had formed the remainingguards in two lines, back to back; one held the prisoners atbay, and the other, Joscelin. Two men stood back from thefighting, holding torches aloft—one was hulking Tito. I sawthe warden flash his shield at the tower, and movement ina darkened window. An archer, armed with a crossbow.

 La Dolorosa would have been easier to defend withproper ramparts and arrow-slits,muertrieres such as Troyes-le-Mont had sported. But they would all have been mad asMalvio if they'd manned it thusly, listening to the windshour upon hour. It was bad enough for the sentries at thebridge. I took another step backward, watching the bowman.

 It was too dark to see and too far; I couldn't see whenhe began shooting, slow pauses between reloading. One ofthe prisoners staggered, grey hair swirling, and then twobroke away, and the line of guards holding them at baybegan to crumble as the prisoners retreated out of bowshot.

 "Go," Malvio repeated for what seemed like the hun­dredth time.

 I took a step and stopped. The wind tugged at me and thesea boomed and wailed, almost beneath my very feet, fromthe sound of it. I was almost on the edge. And this was theoverhang, a deep curve bitten out beneath it. I knew, I'dseen it aboard theDarielle on that fateful trip, while the sailors whistled past the black isle. I would find no ledgehere such as Joscelin had done, to crouch concealed beyondthe lip of the cliff.

 No rocks below, only sea. It was small consolation.

 I was not ready to die.

 Malvio jabbed the spear at me. In the darkness, I stoodunmoving. He jabbed again, and this time I caught the haftwith both hands, below where the lashings bound the spear­head, wrenching it hard, up and away from me. It took himby surprise; I daresay he hadn't expected it. Face-to-faceatop the high cliff, we struggled, two pairs of hands lockedtight on the spear.

 My grip on the smooth-worn wood was slipping. Grin­ning wildly, Malvio twisted the spear, using his superior height and strength to lever it out of my hands. He wouldhave it, in another few seconds. Knowing myself lost, I criedout desperately in the direction of the battle. "Joscelin! It's Benedicte, Benedicte and Melisande! Benedicte is the trai­tor!"

 We were too near the edge, too near the booming sea.Even I could hear my own words were lost, torn from my lips by the keening wind. Malvio rotated the spear furtherand jerked. I made one last, frantic grab, nails scraping theleather thongs; and then he had it, bringing the butt end up in a sweeping arc, slamming into my chin.

 My jaw closed with an audible click and a burst of pain filled my head. I wasn't aware I'd fallen until I felt the sharprocks beneath my palms. On hands and knees, I blinkedagainst the starburst of pain, trading it for Kushiel's redhaze. Bright, so bright! Streaks like flame blurred my vision,and through the dank locks of hair hanging over my eyes,I saw Malvio, still grinning, step forward, raising the spearpoint-downward, positioning himself over my fallen form.

 "No!"

 A deep Caerdicci voice, bellowing rage; not Joscelin, no.Another fiery streak etched the night and a thud sounded,wood on flesh. Malvio staggered away from me in a showerof red sparks. The spear fell, clattering harmlessly off myback and onto the stones.

 It was my guard Tito.

 I pushed myself to my feet in time to see my rescuer'ssecond blow as Tito swung the beam-sized torch at the re­treating Malvio. It struck him on the side of the head, withanother flurry of sparks and a crunching sound there was nomistaking. Malvio dropped like a stone, and did not move.Unlike Fabron, he would not rise again.

 Tito turned back toward me, a profound look of sorrowon his simple, homely face.

 'Tito," I whispered as he took one step toward me, staringpast him with horror at the descending pursuit. "Ah, no!"

 It was the prisoners, wild and maddened, who surged after him, who brought the battle to the cliff. I have never known,to this day, why they did it; whether they pursued him as ahated guard or whether they did it out of some dementedgratitude, thinking he threatened me, who had freed them.With spears and axe, they brought him to bay and he stoodhis ground like a colossus, roaring, carving a half-circle ofspace before him with great swings of his blazing torch.

 "Stop it!" I shouted frantically, trapped behind him. "Lethim be!"

 To no avail. And then the now-disorganized mob of theguard fell upon them from behind, the warden running be­side them, wading into the mix and shoving with his shield,cursing and giving orders no one heeded, and to the rear ofit all, Joscelin, half-forgotten, who had acquired a spearwhich he wielded like a quarterstaff, with eye-blurringspeed, forging an alley up the middle.

 Close, so close.

 I saw one prisoner fall, stabbed from behind. I saw an­other whirl away screaming, ragged garments aflame, rollingon the ground and beating at himself. I saw Joscelin, grim-faced, stun one guard with a blow to the helmet, reversing the spear and slicing the man's unprotected throat, never stopping, but moving still, plunging onward.

 It was all very much like a dream.

 And then I saw the warden, calm and implacable, drawone of the guards out of the melee, moving to the right ofmy giant defender, and pointing.

 At me.

 I saw the guard, faceless in the shadow of his helmet,draw back his short spear and cock his arm to throw, thepoint aimed straight and sure for my heart. And I knew I was trapped, with nowhere to go. Behind me, naught butthe crumbling edge of the cliff. Around me, naught but thesorrowing wind. Joscelin's face, turning, seeing too late, a cry of despair shaping his lips. Between us, Tito, massivein the torch-cast shadows, turning slow and ponderous as amountain.

 The guard, his arm cocked; the warden, speaking oneword.

 A spear aimed at my heart.

 He threw.

 Tis passing strange, how such moments are etched in­delibly in memory. Even now, if I close my eyes and listento the ocean pound the shore, I can see it unfold in agonizing slowness. Joscelin, moving too slow, too late, though guardsfell away from him like wind-blown chaff. The concentra­tion of the spear-thrower, weight shifting onto his forwardfoot as he threw, the graceful arc of his casting arm and hisopen hand as he made his release, fingers outspread. Thehard, flat line of the thrown spear, headed for my heart.

 And Tito, lunging to place himself in its path, swinginghis torch like a club.

 I cried out, strove to grasp him by one massive arm, drag­ging him out of the way; too late. Seeking to bat the spearfrom its flight, he missed. The spear struck him full-force,piercing the gap in his armor below the arm hole. A vastgap, on so large a man. It was the impact that staggered him, sent him crashing into me, bearing us both backwardto the verge of the cliff, the burning torch still clutched in his loosening hand.

 It was his dying weight that bore me over the edge.

 I fell.

 Through wind and howling darkness, I fell unendinglytoward the cauldron of the sea, and above me in the night, I saw the torch, plunging after me like a shooting star.

 Until I hit, and saw no more.

 FORTY-EIGHT

 It came as a shock that I was still alive.

 The blow of landing had driven all the air from my lungs.I could feel naught of my limbs, and knew neither up nordown; all was blackness, and only the sensation of air on my face told me I had surfaced.

 Alive.

 My chest heaved futilely as I struggled to draw breath,and waves churned all about me. One broke over my head,driving me downward. I felt water fill my mouth, and knewI should cease my efforts to breathe; yet I could not. A greatpressure, and somewhere, distantly, a sharp pain. Were myeyes open or closed? I could not tell.

 There had been air; air! I willed my legs to move, un­certain whether or not they obeyed, uncertain whether Idrove myself upward or deeper down. All was turmoil, andthe sea roared in my ears.

 I thought myself drowned, and then I felt it again; air,upon my face, laced with salt-stinging spray. And the stric­ture about my chest gave way, and I drew in a raw, gaspingbreath. As much as it burned, it was sweet. I flailed myarms, feeling the water's resistance, thinking, for a second, I would survive.

 And then the sea mocked my folly, surging over my head,the indrawn susurrus of breakers at the foot of La Dolorosadrawing me down, down. Every which way waves brokeand withdrew against the jagged rocks of the black isle,forming a maelstrom. 'Twas better to have thought myselfdead; alive, and knowing it, I fought desperately against thechurning waters. The immersed folds of my woolen prisondress twined my limbs like a shroud, heavy with water, dragging at me like a sea anchor.

 So do they bury the dead, in the deeps.

 A breath; one breath. My lungs ached to expel it, to suck in another. I clenched my teeth against the urge, feeling thepressure of the sea. Underwater. A simple desire, to breathe. One does it a thousand times an hour, never thinking. Thereis life, not death, in breathing.

 But it is death underwater.

 My chest began to jerk involuntarily with the effort of holding in air. I splayed out my hands, reaching, finding nothing, beating futilely, legs kicking. The roiling waterpulled mercilessly at me, tugging me this way and that, everdeeper. The raging sound of the sea was dreadful, here inthe pounding, elemental heart of Asherat's grief. At a dis­ tance, it could madden. Here, in the heart, it would kill.

 They knew, the ancient Hellenes, that to behold certainthings was death.

 This was one of them.

 I sank, deeper and deeper, wound in my swirling woolenshroud. And below the raging waves, below the howlinganger, I found the still, silent core of grief. Here, in theblackest depths, all was nothing. Only unbearable pressure, and the quiet certainty of death. I could bear no longer the aching in my lungs and released my last, precious breath, hearing it trail away from me in a series of bubbles, one last offense wrought by mortal flesh against the sacred depthsof Eshmun's cenotaph, marker for a slain deity, a belovedson.

 All the life remaining in my body could be measured ina span of failing heartbeats. I yearned for air as I hadyearned for naught else in my life; not Delaunay's approval,nor Hyacinthe's company, nor Ysandre's regard, nor Joscelin's love, no, not even Melisande's kiss. My body burnedfor it, chest heaving, muscles quivering. In a second, tenseconds, I would give in to it. I would open my mouth and inhale deeply; not air, but rushing water, filling my lungs. It would be the end, the final weight, never to rise again.

 Elua, I prayed in the final seconds remaining to me,Blessed Elua, forgive me, for I have failed you and all thoseyou love! Naamah, take pity on me, for I have served youwell and true. Ah, Kushiel, harshest of masters, have mercyon your chosen. All you have asked me, I have done; forgiveme that it was not enough.

 My prayers fell unanswered. Not even the cruel beating of Kushiel's bronze-winged presence sounded in my ears,but only the thready pulse of my failing heart, blood beatingin my ears, bidding a faint farewell. I was far away, too farfrom the land of my birth, for the gods of Terre d'Ange to hear, too far.

 I knew true terror then, open eyes bleeding salt tears into an ocean of grief. To die, alone and forsaken! It is the worstfate a D'Angeline can face. I had come to the scantest rawend of my courage, and like a child, reached for the onlysolace I could, releasing will and volition to place my fatein another's hands.

 Asherat, I prayed silently, mouth shaping the wordsagainst the pressing waters, Asherat-of-the-Sea, forgive me.For the death of your son Eshmun, I am sorry; I have heardyour grief and shared it. Only spare my life, and I swear toyou, I will do you honor; on the name of Blessed Elua, yourbastard-gotten son, I vow I will return to La Serenissimaand cleanse your temple of those who turn your worship totheir own ends.

 I, Phèdre nó Delaunay, swear it.

 I swear it.

 Was there an answer? I cannot say in certainty, not beingbred to the worship of Asherat-of-the-Sea. I was faint and delirious, stunned by the fall and bereft of air, but this muchI know to be true. As the last vestiges of control gave wayin my beleaguered body, my mouth opening and closing helplessly against an influx of seawater, seeping past my choking throat into my lungs, I heard something; a sound, a movement. A deep, steady thrumming filled the waters,the sound of a strong current, bent around the rocks of LaDolorosa.

 A current, a strong current.

 The currents around La Dolorosa are strong and uncer­tain ...

 So the Captain of theDarielle had said; so it was. Deep, deep beneath the surface of the waves, a powerful current flowed, and it clasped me like a pair of arms, drawing meaway from the isle.

 Away, and up.

 My head broke the surface of the water and I drew in oneragged, whooping gasp of air, expelled it choking, flailing my arms, not realizing in my frantic efforts that the sea inwhich I had surfaced was calm, calm and still, save for the smooth, steady pull of the current. 'Twas all I could do tobreathe, coughing up seawater and feeling it trickle, bitterand warm, down my chin. My lungs burned, my stomachburned, and somewhere in the vicinity of my ribs, a sharppain reestablished itself. I churned my legs, struggling tokeep myself afloat, and realized I truly was alive, alive andbreathing.

 A solid object bumped at my arm, making me start andthrash at the water, and my reaching fingers encounteredwood, sea-sodden and slimy to the touch, but solid and float­ing, a great beam-sized length of it, one end sticky withpitch.

 Tito's torch, caught in the same current.

 "Thank you," I whispered hoarsely, my throat raw with pain. I clung to the torch, wrapping both arms around it,desperate as any shipwrecked sailor clinging to a brokenspar. It dipped, but floated still, bearing my weight enoughto keep my head above water. "Thank you."

 Only then did I think to look about me, gazing over thewaters to see where I was. When I saw, I gasped.

 Asherat's current was no jest. Without rocks or shore toprovide resistance, it flowed like a silent river, swift andsure, charting an invisible course across the sea. La Dolorosalay well behind me, a black, jagged form marked by tinypinpricks of flame.

 One was moving lower than the others, scrambling downthe crags toward the base.

 Joscelin, I thought in agony as the current bore me away,sweeping me further out to sea. Oh, Joscelin!

 Though it was in vain, I cried out, shouting over the bob­bing waves until my ragged voice failed and the pain in myribs rendered it hard to draw breath. No one could haveheard at that distance, over the pounding surge at the baseof La Dolorosa. It didn't matter. When I could do no more,I laid my cheek on my arms, still wrapped about the torch, and wept with exhaustion, drifting on the relentless current.

 I lived through that night, and Blessed Elua grant I neverpass another like it. I daresay in any other season, I would have died of exposure, but it was late summer yet and thesea was mild. In the final hour before dawn, the temperatureof the air dropped and I shivered violently. My head ached,my jaw ached and sharp pains shot through my midsection;I cannot even begin to describe the pain in my arms, lockedabout the floating log of Tito's torch. With a truly heroiceffort, I managed to drag my sodden skirts to my waist and wind a length of woolen fabric about the torch, securing meto it.

 There were things moving in the deep. I heard them and sensed them—twice, something large brushed against my bare legs, making me shudder with fear and revulsion. Asherat-of-the-Sea, I prayed, you have spared me; let yourcreatures treat me gently!

 Whether 'twas Asherat's mercy or some other protection,no harm came to me from the denizens of the sea. Andalthough I thought that night would never end, in time itdid. I had not known, until the sky began to turn grey inthe east, which way the current bore me. In the utter black­ness of clouded night, I'd harbored some faint hope that it had bent to carry me alongshore, mayhap in sight of land. But the scrap of pale orange rising on the far horizon toldme otherwise; it had borne me out to sea.

 I remembered the captain's tale of the merchant who haddrowned off La Dolorosa and washed ashore on the Illyriancoast, and knew fresh fear. Cloud-hidden and ghostly, thesun crept slowly above the horizon. Mist hovered overthe sea, where the air was still cooler than the water. Butthe sun would rise, I thought, and warm the air, enough toburn off the mist, whether the clouds cleared or not.

 And it would grow hot.

 Clinging to my makeshift float, I licked my dry, salty lips.Beset with the terrors of drowning or being devoured bysome monster of the deep, wracked with the pain of my injuries, I'd not given thought to thirst.

 But once I had thought it...

 My tongue felt swollen, my throat and lungs raw with theseawater I'd breathed. I'd feared the blind horrors of night,but it was day that was more likely to kill me. One can goa long while without food; I knew, I'd done it. Not water. And I had none.

 I didn't pray, then, when the full, deadly irony of it struckme. I had been deceived, betrayed and imprisoned; I hadescaped death too many times, and left too many dead be­hind me. To think, over and over again, so this is how itends—it was too much.

 I laughed, I think, or made some noise that was meant tobe laughter. A harsh sound, like the calling of crows. I didn'tknow I was making it until I strained to catch another sound,faint and distant, that carried over the water, and found my­self wishing irritably for the ratcheting noise to cease. It did,when I realized it was me.

 And in the silence that followed, I heard another sound,faint but drawing nearer; a steady rush of water movingalong a wooden hull, the rustle and snap of sails catchingthe breeze.

 From my vantage point a scant foot above the waves, thenearest ship emerged from the mists like a great bird, skim­ming low over the sea. One, two, three... there were sixof them in all, canted sails bellied full of wind like whitewings, oars locked and untouched.

 Heaving myself as far as I could above the surface of thewater, struggling against the knotted fabric that tied me tothe log, I pried one rigid arm loose and waved it in the air,shouting. "Here! Here! Name of Elua, help me!"

 My voice scarce sounded human, and the effort of raisingit threatened to tear my swollen throat. Two of the shipspassed, disappearing swiftly in the lingering mists, and I bobbed futilely in the water. For a moment, I was sure theyhad not heard, had not seen, thought me as much an appa­rition as they seemed. Tears stung my eyes, and I thoughtstupidly, there is more of my body's moisture gone, well and good, I will die that much the faster if I weep.

 And then a voice shouted an order in no language I knew,and one of the ships heeled, spinning quicker than I wouldhave thought possible. The triangular Sail luffed looseagainst the mast, spilling wind, then, with coordinatingshouts, a rope snapped tight and the prow swung my way. Another order, crisp and commanding, and out came theoars.

 In the middle of the ocean, I clung to Tito's torch andtrod water, gazing up at the ship as it came alongside me.The rowers rested on their oars, faces peering over the side in amazement."Sa ështa?" one exclaimed, making a su­perstitious gesture."Në Vila!"

 Another man appeared behind them, leaning forward tolook down at me; and a fiercer figure, I have seldom seen.His long, black hair was caught back in a topknot, and long, drooping mustaches framed his white grin, which revealedone missing tooth on the upper left side.

 "Djo,"he said decisively."Ështa D'Angeline."

 And with that, he threw me a rope.

 FORTY-NINE

 In the space of a few heartbeats, my unexpected rescuershad me aboard the ship, hauling in the rope I grasped andunceremoniously heaving me on deck. Unsteady and nerve­less, I could do no more than kneel in a shuddering heap,dripping saltwater onto the planking.

 The crew muttered in their unfamiliar tongue, while theirtopknotted captain—so I guessed him to be—ignored me,shouting out another series of commands. They obeyed withalacrity, springing into action. Once more, the sail flappedloose from the long yard and the vessel lurched, spinning.My stomach clenched at the suddenness of it. The oarsmen set to with a good dozen strokes, then the ropes were tight­ened and the sail swelled taut. They put up their oars andlocked them.

 In the prow, a shirtless youth leaned over the water and waved a crimson pennant, gesturing to the other five shipsthat idled at close range, sails slack. One by one, with re­markable coordination, they followed our lead.

 And then we were off, following an eastward course overthe misty sea.

 With difficulty, I raised my head to assess my situation.

 There were some fifteen men aboard the ship, ranging inage from the flag-waving youth, whom I guessed to be no more than fourteen years old, to a hardy-looking greybeard.Most were as dark as the captain, although here and therea rufous hue prevailed.

 Each one, even the lad, wore a short sword at his hip,and there were round bucklers pegged neatly under the oar­locks, though it was far too small for a warship. In the openhold, I could see crates and chests neatly stowed, lasheddown with canvas. It could be a small, well-guarded cargoship, I thought. Still kneeling, I gazed at the top of the main­mast, bobbing gently against the brightening sky. Where a cargo vessel's colors would have flown, it was barren of aught but sail and line.

 All of which meant my rescuers were very likely pirates.

 His company safely underway, the Captain picked hisway across the deck back to me, squatting down before me while a half-dozen of his men crowded behind. Shivering,I drew myself up to the formalabeyante kneeling position of the Night Court.

 "Kur të vend?"he asked, frowning and thumbing thenarrow strip of beard that adorned his chin."Sa të atje?"

 "I'm sorry," I said humbly, "I don't understand. Yousaid ... you said D'Angeline, my lord; yes, I am D'Angeline.You do not speak it?"

 "D'Angeline." He turned his head and spit contemptu­ously over the side of the ship. Two sailors nearby muttered, crossing their fingers and knocking their brows, another cu­rious gesture. "D'Angeline,djo," he said, adding carelessly,"Caerdicc'."

 It took me a moment to realize his meaning, so rattledwere my thoughts. Even then, I had to fumble for words notin my mother tongue. "Caerdicci," I said, echoing him, hop­ ing I'd understood aright. "You speak Caerdicci?"

 "Yes, of course I speak it, I." He stood up, folded hisarms and shot me an imperious look. "You think I am anunlettered peasant, eh? I am noble-born in Epidauro, I!”

 I sat back on my heels, putting the pieces together."You're Illyrian."

 "Illyrian, yes." He grinned unexpectedly and bowed."From Epidauro."

 Of the nations of Europa, I knew little of Illyria save thatit had ever occupied a precarious position, torn between theconquests of Hellas and Tiberium, La Serenissima andEphesium, and vulnerable to invasion from the great north­eastern mainland. Like Terre d'Ange before the coming ofElua, it bent in the winds, surviving as best it could. All but the stronghold city of Epidauro; that held out a measure ofindependence.

 So much I knew, and no more. It seems odd, now.

 "Well met, my lord, and my thanks to you," I said cour­teously—if thickly—inclining my head. "Believe me, yourrescue this day will earn great gratitude from Queen Ysandrede la Courcel. I am the Comtesse Phèdre nó Delaunay deMontrève, of Terre d'Ange."

 "Yes, great... gratitude." He smiled and nodded, follow­ing my pronunciation carefully in his less-than-fluent Caerdicci. "I am Kazan Atrabiades, I. I am honor to have youas my..." Turning his head, he called out to one of thegreybeards, querying him in Illyrian. The man replied re­spectfully, providing the Caerdicci word for which the cap­tain searched. He had been trained as a scholar, I guessedupon hearing his formal accent. As it happened, I wasright, though I gave it little thought at the time, for myblood chilled to hear the word he pronounced. "... my hos­tage," Kazan Atrabiades finished with pleasure, turning backto me.

 At that point, I fainted.

 It was not, I daresay, so much the shock of his words asit was the cumulative effect of the trauma I'd undergone.Nonetheless, whatever the cause, 'twas a full faint such as I have seldom known; and then only with a few choicepatrons. The sky reeled in my sight, taut lines and whitesails spinning, and then I saw the wooden planking of the deck rushing up to meet me.

 When I opened my eyes, I was beneath a canvas awning,shielded from the still-rising sun. A neatly-stitched bag con­taining scraps for repairing sails rested beneath my head,forming a bolster against the wall of the forecastle, whereI'd been placed out of the way.

 "You are awake, good. Here."

 The voice spoke Caerdicci; the greybeard's voice, which had answered Atrabiades. A brawny hand, wrinkled andweather-tanned, thrust a waterskin under my nose.

 I took it gratefully, feeling water slosh under both handsas I raised the spout to my mouth and squeezed. Water,warm and stale, gushed into my mouth. It tasted better than the deepest well, the coldest spring. For a moment, I merelyheld it in my mouth, swishing it around, feeling moisturereturn to my salt-ravaged tissues. Then I swallowed cau­tiously, in small increments.

 "A little more," he said. "Not too much."

 I made myself obey, reluctantly; although it felt as thoughI could down gallons without being quenched, I knew full well it would sicken me. When I had done, he helped melower the waterskin. "Thank you," I said, struggling to sitand turning my head to get a better look at his face. "Youhave saved my life, I think. May I have your name, mylord?"

 "Glaukos, I am called." Laugh lines crinkled the brownskin about his grey eyes. "And no one has called me lordin all my days. Slave, aye, and brigand; lord, never. OnlyKazan Atrabiades commands here, and he holds no title, norever will. But you, I think, are noble-born, my lady, is itnot so?"

 "I am Comtesse de Montrève," I said, temporizingslightly. Toward the stern, Atrabiades conferred with thesailor manning the rudder-bar, studiously avoiding gazingin my direction. "The title is an inherited one, and the rightto bear it bequeathed me by Her Majesty Ysandre de laCourcel, Queen of Terre d'Ange. Glaukos, it is very urgent that I speak with Her Majesty. How does Lord Atrabiadestreat with hostages?”

 "Ah, now, don't fret." He settled himself comfortably on the deck. "He's never fished one out of the sea, nor had onehalf so beautiful, but he'll honor the conventions, Kazanwill. You have someone who'll stand you ransom?"

 "Yes, of course." It was on the tip of my tongue to saythat Ysandre would throw open the Royal Treasury for thenews I bore, but mercifully, the habit of discretion made me pause. "I will write him a letter of surety myself, for myfactor in La Serenissima."

 Glaukos chuckled. "Where they're like to have his headif he sets foot on land? Nay, my lady, don't think it. Kazan Atrabiades will not go to La Serenissima. Give him silverin hand, and he'll set you free as a bird."

 "It's very urgent," I repeated politely.

 "No doubt." Amiable, he passed the waterskin back tome. "Have another swallow. You've a voice on you like asplit reed. No wonder the men thought you were one of theVili"

 I drank a little more, feeling life return to my limbs witheach gulp. "What are theVili?"

 "Spirits," Glaukos said affably. "Spirits of the dead, thatappear in the form of beautiful maidens. If a man do lookat aVila, his heart sickens with love, and he will neither eatnor drink, until he dies. I nearly believed it myself, my lady Phèdre, and I have seen D'Angelines before. That spot ofred, in your eye; is it an injury? It's passing ... haunting."

 "No." I lowered the waterskin, wincing at the pain thattugged at my midsection. "Not exactly. Where do you comefrom, Glaukos? Not Illyria, I think."

 "Ah, now, that's a long story." He took up the skin and squirted water into his mouth. "I was slave-born in Tiberium; my mother was Hellene, a slave herself, and mistressto a powerful man. I was gently reared, I was, and boughtby a wealthy member of the Comitia to stand tutor to hischildren ... tell me, does it hurt when you breathe?"

 "Yes," I said absently, thinking. How long had I been inLa Dolorosa? Weeks, I knew; was it months? I'd not kepta count, throughout those first long days. 'Twas summer yet,but growing later. If Ysandre had not departed already tobegin theprogressus, she would have done so by the timea messenger could reach the City of Elua. No, I thought;Marsilikos is a better wager. Surely Roxanne de Mereliotwould pay whatever ransom Atrabiades might ask—andQuintilius Rousse would be there, too. 'Twould be welldone, if I could enlist the Admiral's aid. Whatever the natureof Melisande's plan, even Marco Stregazza would thinktwice about acting if the D'Angeline fleet stood off the coastof Caerdicca Unitas. "Glaukos, I need to speak with LordAtrabiades."

 "You've broken a rib, is what it is; maybe two." He feltat my rib cage with surprising gentleness. "Don't worry, Imean you no harm. My mother was a physician's daughter, before she was sold. They fell on hard times, you see; a badsettlement in a lawsuit. Never go against a Tiberian mag­istrate, I tell you, but never mind that. No doubt Kazan willhear you out once we're safe at harbor. There's a little mat­ter of pursuit, you see. 'You take care of the girl until wemake landfall, Glaukos,' he said to me. 'You speak hertongue, you know how to patch folks up.' So never fear, I'll keep my word."

 "Ouch!" I flinched away from his prodding fingers."Glaukos, thank you, but my ribs can wait; my ransom can­ not. Will you call Lord Atrabiades for me?"

 He sat back and regarded me calmly. "Well, now, he'llnot thank you for calling him lord, nor will he turn coursefor a D'Angeline noblewoman fished out of the sea, no mat­ter how fair her face. And if you ask, he'll only have torefuse and storm and shout a bit, show you the back of hishand to let his men know you're noVila to sicken his heart and make him weak. So no, I'll not summon him for you."

 "Never mind," I said, struggling to my feet. "I'll speakto him myself."

 Glaukos sucked in his breath and shook his head, watch­ing me go. I made my way toward the stern on unsteadyfeet, clutching at the rigging as the ship pitched. Sailors moved out of my way, looking askance. Catching sight ofme, Kazan Atrabiades stood with one foot braced on theraised edge of the hold, arm propped casually on his knee,watching my progress with narrowed eyes.

 Later, I realized what a sight I must have been, with thewind whipping my sea-tangled hair and the ragged greydress about me, baring vivid red-and-black glimpses of theintricate marque rising betwixt my shoulder blades to my nape; at the time, I gave little enough thought to my ap­pearance. Small wonder the superstitious among themquestioned my mortality. But Kazan, I could see, knew bet­ter.

 "What is it you want, you?" he asked as I approached him, raising his brows. "I ordered Glaukos to tend you; itis enough, yes?"

 "My lord." I made him a wobbly curtsy. "You wish toransom me, I understand. Do you but set sail posthaste for Marsilikos, and the Duchese Roxanne de Mereliot, who is Lady of Marsilikos, will pay in gold; a prince's ransom, I swear it."

 "No," he said lazily, looking away. "Go back to Glau­kos."

 "My lord Atrabiades," I implored, placing a hand on hisarm. "Please, it is very important that I carry word to myQueen, and I have no time to lose. I promise you, in BlessedElua's name, she will grant you clemency for claiming mehostage."

 "You listen, D'Angeline!" His hand clamped onto mywrist with startling speed, and his black eyes gleamed withanger. "I do not know, I, why you were in the middle ofthe sea, but I have saved your life, yes. Your country, youstand by and watch, when Serenissima takes Illyria for her vassal. We ask for aid, yes, but you, you make marriagesand treaties with Serenissima." Atrabiades spat again witheloquent contempt. "Now you mock me with fine language,you stand before me in rags and claim a noble title, you askme to make haste to help your country, yes? To make ajourney without provision, when there are Serenissimanwarships chasing?" He released my wrist so abruptly I staggered. "I will ask for ransom, I, inmy time, inmy way."Raising his voice, he roared at me. "Now go back to Glau-kos!"

 "Yes, my lord," I whispered, making my trembling re­treat.

 So much for that idea.

 "I told you as much," Glaukos said comfortably upon myreturn. "Do you stick your head in a lion's mouth, don't besurprised if he bites it off. Well, then, my lady, will youtake a deep breath, and permit me to listen to your chest? Ihave a concern about these ribs of yours."

 "You may as well," I muttered, ignoring the ogling staresof Illyrian sailors as Glaukos pressed his grizzled head tomy breast. He managed it deferentially; no mean feat, on aship full of pirates. It lent credence to his tale of servitude.

 "Your lungs sound clear," he said, pleased. "It is not a stabbing pain when you inhale?"

 "No. Glaukos, is it true that we refused aid to Illyria?" Iasked him, adding, "Terre d'Ange, I mean."

 "True enough. Lift your arms, I'm going to bind yourribs. 'Twill manage the pain a bit, and keep you from doingfurther harm while they heal. I've a lass I've trained will doit proper when we make landfall." Concentrating, he wound a length of clean, rough-spun cotton about my rib cage, overmy clammy dress. " 'Twas some forty years ago, if I re­member aright. The Ban of Illyria begged King Ganelon ofTerre d'Ange for an alliance, but the King gauged La Serenissima the greater power, and forged alliance with them,marrying off his brother to the family of the Doge. How'sthat?"

 I took an experimental breath. "Better, thank you. I neverheard anything of it. My lor... Kazan seems bitter."

 "Ah, well now, I doubt most D'Angelines even knew,save the King and his councilors. Illyrians, though; 'tis an­other matter. One never forgets those who refuse aid inone's time of need. D'Angelines may not be enemies, butyou're no friends, mind. And Kazan...ah, well, 'tis a longstory, that." He wound the extraneous bandage into a balland placed it in a satchel at his feet. "Surely you know Terred'Ange is the envy of a great many nations, my lady. Tosee so many gifts bestowed so profusely on a single people;it rouses covetousness and anger."

 "What we have, we have fought to keep," I said, remem­bering all too well Waldemar Selig's desire to make my landhis own. "Glaukos, how did you go from being a Tiberianslave to an Illyrian pirate?"

 "I was sold," he said simply, placing a pinch of herbs ina leathern cup. "When my master's children were grown,he'd no need of a tutor, and sold me to another wealthy citizen, who'd need of a trained clerk. He was travellingwith his household on a matter of trade, aboard a merchanter bound for La Serenissima, when we were attacked."

 "And Kazan Atrabiades took you prisoner?" I surmisedsourly.

 Glaukos laughed, pouring water into the cup and swirling it. "Not hardly, my lady. He gave me the choice of fightingfor my master and dying, or joining him a free man. Ah, now, I'd lived my whole life in slavery, hadn't I? I thoughtI'd spend the last years of it a free brigand. Kazan's always found a use for me, and I've never had cause to regret it. Here, drink this," he finished, handing the cup to me.

 "What is it?" I took it and sniffed, looking questioningly at him.

 " Tis but valerian, to aid the pain and let you sleep," hesaid gently. "Your body requires rest, to heal itself. Do you not see, there, how your hand shakes?" He spoke true; I noted with surprise how the leathern cup trembled in my grip, the tincture sloshing. "Indeed, you bear it better thana soldier, but you have suffered a trauma this night past,and the telling of it must wait. Drink, and I will ward you." He smiled at me, and his eyes were kind. "No harm willcome to you, I promise it."

 Foolhardy or no, I had little choice. I believed him, anddrank. Soon weariness overcame me, and I slept, and knewno more.

 FIFTY

 Mydreams were fitful and vivid, filled with disturbingimages; darkness streaked with flame, and the violent clashof metal on metal. Always, I was unable to move, boundand restrained, while Melisande's voice whispered likehoney in my ear, bidding me to give mysignale, and be­yond, somewhere, other voices pleaded in torment for me to do it, to give it and release them. Fortun, I heard, andRemy; once it was Joscelin, and his face swam in my gaze, blue eyes wide with agony.

 It is a dream, I thought, in my drugged, restless sleep. Adream, and no more, Blessed Elua forgive me!

 'Tis no wonder, then, that I woke not knowing where Iwas, nor whether I was awake or dreaming. The rocking motion of the ship was as lulling as sleep, and the strange­ness of Illyrian voices around me as incomprehensible as words spoken in a dream. The sun was lowering throughclouds behind us, and the sky to the west was shot with fire.

 And there, coiled atop the mizzenmast toward the stern of the ship, a moving shadow.

 I lay curled against the outer wall of the forecastle, staringup at it from beneath the canvas awning. A trick of thelight...no. It moved, sinuous and serpent-bodied, spread­ing veined wings against the darkling sky; a wedge-shaped head lifted, with glittering eyes the color of old blood. Itsmouth opened in a silent hiss, and a three-lined tongueemerged, flickering.

 I am not ashamed to admit that I let loose a shout of pureterror.

 It sent the entire ship into an uproar, sailors running hitherand thither, fearing that the Serenissiman navy was uponthem. Glaukos hurried to my side, pale with fright. "Mylady, my lady!" he cried in breathless Caerdicci. "What isit?”

 Only Kazan Atrabiades had not moved, bestriding the deck with feet planted wide, his dark eyes watching me across the length of the ship.

 I looked again at the mizzenmast, and saw only the bob­bing tip of the mast, the fluttering sail washed in the redlight of the setting sun, a loose rope dangling from the yard."Forgive me," I murmured to Glaukos, passing my handsover my face. "I awoke from a dream and thought I saw ...something."

 He turned to the nearest sailor and said something sooth­ing in Illyrian; the sailor relaxed, laughed, and passed it onto a comrade. I heard Glaukos' words passed from mouthto mouth, and presently one of the other ships drew in shout­ing distance alongside us, and the tale of the D'Angeline hostage's hysteria was bantered back and forth across thewaves.

 I noted that Kazan Atrabiades smiled grimly, and did notlaugh.

 "I made the dose too strong," Glaukos said apologetically."My apologies, my lady; I'm used to dosing full-grownmen, you see. Ah, well, you're awake now, and no harmdone. We'll be coming soon to harbor, after moonrise ...will you eat? 'Twill do you good, and we've food to spare; lamb and rice wrapped in grape leaves, if it's not gone off."

 "Yes," I said, watching Atrabiades. "Thank you, that'svery kind. And water, if I may."

 Glaukos brought the food and I ate while he fussed overme like a nursemaid. The setting sun dowsed its flames in the west, leaving ruddy streaks to fade across the horizon.As darkness fell, our pace slackened not a whit; these Illyrians navigated by stars where visible, by touch and feel— mayhap even smell—where not. In the prow of each swiftship crouched an agile sailor with a lantern, cunninglywrought, that provided a bright spark of light by which theyremained in communication.

 Later, I would learn, there was no pirate more fearedalong the Serenissiman coast than Kazan Atrabiades the Il­lyrian, for his seamanship, and the speed and maneuverability of his vessels, were legendary. He fought with ferocityand ruthlessness, and his men were trained to a precision aCamaeline drill team would have envied. He struck swiftlyand fled swifter, and no one had ever caught him; in partbecause he sailed like a demon and in part due to the island-riddled coastline of Illyria, that boasted a dozen or moresecret harbors. In eight years of pirating, he had lost onlythree ships.

 All of that and more I would discover to be true; then, Imerely wondered distantly at the skill of the Illyrians andhuddled drowsily against the forecastle, a worn blanket fromGlaukos' stores over my shoulders to ward off any chill. Myordeal and the remnants of the drug had left me weary and drained, my mind as empty as a sounding drum, containing only the hollow echoes of the fearful visions I'd seen. To­morrow, I told myself. Tomorrow, in the light of day, I willthink anew, and find some way out of this predicament.

 I was dozing when the footsteps woke me, a deliberatetread unlike Glaukos' soft-footed approach, and I openedmy eyes as Kazan Atrabiades hunkered down on his bootedheels beside me, back braced against the forecastle. Themoon had risen, and I could make him out by its faint light.It gentìed his fierce features, picking out a tear-shaped pearleardrop that dangled from his left lobe, casting a silver sheenon his topknotted black hair that was as coarse and thick as a mountain pony's.

 All about us, the ship was quiet; four or five men mannedthe lines and rudder-bar, speaking in murmurs, while the rest caught naps where they might. The breeze was light, and our progress slow but steady, wavelets lapping along the hull. I sat silently, waiting for Atrabiades to speak.

 Presently, he did.

 "You cried out, you," he said without looking at me, lowvoice blending in with the sounds of the night-bound Ship."When you awaked at sunset time. What did you see?"

 I hesitated, then told the truth. "A creature, my lord; orso I thought. Like unto a serpent, but winged, coiled in themizzen. It raised its head and hissed at me.”

 "Yes." Atrabiades exhaled sharply. "With a tongue,like..."He scowled, searching for the word in Caerdicci, failed to find it and thrust out three fingers, forked like atrident. "Like so?"

 "Yes!" I sat upright, wide-eyed and wide-awake. "That'sit, exactly!"

 He nodded, mouth twisting wryly in the frame of his mus­taches. "You do not need fear it, D'Angeline. This is what I come to tell you. Thekríavbhog, it waits only for me. Iam blood-cursed, I, Kazan Atrabiades. It will not harm you."

 I rubbed my hands over my eyes, as if to erase the sight."But my lord, I saw it."

 "Yes." Atrabiades turned to look at me then, eyes glintingby moonlight. He wore a pearl eardrop in his right lobe,too; this one black, with a faint, iridescent glimmer. "Youbear ... markings." He touched my blanket-shrouded shoul­ders, where my marque lay hidden. "I saw, today. I knowwhat it means, I." I regarded him mutely; he responded with a fierce grin. "You think I am a, a barbarian, eh, who knowsnothing of your fine ways? I was a warrior always, I, butmy brother, he was a scholar, he studied in Tiberium. Daroslav, he knew D'Angelines there, they told him, ah!" Hedrew in his breath and clicked his tongue. "Men and women,sworn to your goddess of whores, eh, marked for pleasure.He swore to have one for his own, one day. I know whatyou are, I. Thekríavbhog, it shows itself to make warning to your goddess, no more."

 "Naamah," I said automatically. "I am a Servant of Naa-mah, my lord, and believe me, she takes no interest in yourblood-curse."

 "Maybe." He shrugged. "Maybe not. I find you floatingin the sea like so, what am I to think, I? Do not tamper withthe fate of Kazan Atrabiades, thekríavbhog warns. YourNaamah of the bedroom pleasures, she will be sorrowful"

 I gave a hollow laugh, passing my hands through my salt-tangled hair. "My lord Atrabiades, I am Naamah's Servantand Kushiel's Chosen, which I think is betimes a curse toput your own to shame. I owe fealty to Asherat-of-the-Sea,who saved my life, and I am bound to cleanse her worshipin La Serenissima by my own oath. I bear an ill-luck name,and of those who have aided me, more lie dead or ruinedthan live. I would caution you and yourkríavbhog, what­soever it may be, to steer as clear of my fate as you warnme of yours. And you might do that, my lord, by sailing toMarsilikos at all haste and claiming your ransom."

 "Do not name me 'lord.' " He ignored the rest. "I amKazan Atrabiades, I. And I do not sail at your bidding."

 As I opened my mouth to retort, the sailor in the prowgave a soft cry, pointing over the horizon to where a light glimmered. In the clear night, I could make out a low land-mass. Atrabiades rose with leisurely haste, giving commands as the ship stirred to life.

 I stayed where I was. He paused before he left, staringdown at me. "I will claim your ransom, D'Angeline, do notfear. But know this. If he lived, I would give you to mybrother Daroslav, eh, my little brother the scholar, whonever got to keep his vow."

 Whether or not 'twas meant as a warning, I took it assuch, gazing up at his shadowed face. "What happened tohim?"

 "I killed him, I," Kazan Atrabiades replied curtly.

 And with that, he strode toward the stern of the ship, leaving me to ponder his words.

 If I had thought that our journey was done when we madelandfall, I was mistaken. By moon and starlight, aided bythe lamphouse at the outermost point, our six ghostly shipssailed into the harbor of a small town whose name I neverknew, on the isle of Gavrilos, which is famed for its oliveoil. There we dropped anchor, and a delegation of townsmencame out to meet the pirates on the wharf, bleary-eyed bytorchlight, but full of good spirits and jest.

 Some manner of trade, it seemed, was taking place. Tooalert for sleep, I stood watching on the deck while Kazan'ssailors ducked in and out of the hold, carrying out goodsfor the townsfolk's consideration. Salt and spices were metwith cries of excitement; silks and fine linens with shrugs,although, here and there, I saw men fingering the fabricswith guilty pleasure.

 To my surprise, Kazan was treated with respect and ad­miration. I did not know, then, the degree to which tradehad been suppressed on the Illyrian coast, nor the heavytariffs imposed on imports. His goods were stolen, true, butamong his countrymen, Kazan Atrabiades bought and tradedat a fair price. If he made a profit at it, so be it; 'twas at the expense of La Serenissima, and the Illyrians admired him for it.

 At the time, I could only gauge this by their demeanorand attitudes, grateful that Delaunay's training allowed me that much. All around me was the give and take of conver­sation, a hushed midnight banter, full of barter andexchange. I understood not a word of it, and it was mad­dening.

 No few of them cast glances my way, and I saw theirhands move surreptitiously in gestures to avert evil. I dare­say I looked unearthly enough, a bedraggled D'Angelineapparition in trailing grey, oddly corseted in bandages. Ka­zan Atrabiades took little heed, ignoring my presence, busywith matters of trade.

 I was relieved when the deal was concluded and Glaukosreappeared at my side, tutting with concern and ordering meoff my feet. He sat companionably with me while Kazan'smen loaded massive jars of oil into the hold, lashing themin place with ropes.

 " 'Tis sleeping you should be, my lady," he said to me. "We'll be off again at first light, and no more than threehours' journey to port."

 "Another trade venture?" I asked wearily. I was bone-tired, sick of the sea, and my skin itched fiercely from a finecoating of salt.

 "Ah, now, next stop's the last, and glad enough I'll be to see home. You'll feel better in a proper berth, you'll see."Glaukos peered at my face, turning my chin in his hand."Though you're healing up well enough, I reckon. Unlessthe moonlight plays tricks on me, that nasty bruise on yourjaw's well-nigh faded, my lady. You were ill-treated, wereyou?"

 "Yes." I answered absentmindedly. "As you say, 'tis along story. Glaukos, why did Kazan Atrabiades kill hisbrother?"

 He made a hushing sound, glancing quickly about, al­though there was no one to hear but the sailors, who spoke no Caerdicci. Kazan remained ashore, drinking toasts and laughing with the villagers. "We should not speak of thisaloud. Who told you that?"

 "He did," I said reasonably. "Who else? That thing I saw on the mast, 'twas no figment of my dreaming. He called itsomewhat, a, akríavbhog. He said it had to do with a blood-curse."

 "Aye." Glaukos sighed. "These Illyrians, they are super­stitious, and no mistake. What wasn't bred into them sincethe mountains were young, the Chowati brought when they invaded and mingled their blood and their ways with theIllyrians. Five hundred years later, they hearVili singing inevery breeze,maredonoi in the waves; every kitchen hearthmust have itsushkova, and every home itsdomuvic to becoaxed and bribed. In the fields, they hide eggs for thepölvu. In the forests, they turn their clothes backward sotheleskii won't find them. Kazan, he's better than most. Hefears only thekríavbhog and mocks the rest."

 "He is right to fear," I murmured, "if what I saw wasreal."

 "Who can say?" Raising his hands, Glaukos shrugged."His mother cursed him, by the blood he shed himself. Ka­zan believes if he ever returns to Epidauro, thekríavbhog will take him, for such were the words of her curse. Otherthan that, he thinks himself invulnerable. Because he be­lieves it, his men believe it too, and follow him unquestion­ing."

 "And you?" I searched his face in the faint light. "Do youbelieve it?"

 He smiled into his beard. "I am old, my lady, and trainedtoo well to the rationalism of Tiberium, city of my birth. Ibelieve what I see. Ah, now, I've gone and said too much. If you want to know more of it, ask Kazan yourself, anddon't blame me if he snarls. Though if you've any sense,you'll heed my advice and sleep."

 In the end, since there was nothing else for it, I did, wak­ing only when we headed out to sea once more, oars dippingin long, swift strokes until we were far enough out to hoistthe mainsail and catch a bellyful of wind.

 Dawn broke fair, pale violet sky giving way to orange,and the Illyrians sang as they sailed. With the relative safety of the coast on their side, holds full of goods and homewardbound, they were in high spirits. Glaukos had spoken true; 'twas still high morning when we came upon a small ar­chipelago of islands. Six or eight, I made out at a distance, though only a few of them looked inhabited.

 Our fleet made for one of the smaller islands, steep-cliffed, by the look of it, crowned with a pine-forested range of hills. I felt my breath catch in my throat as we navigatedthe sheer coast, uncomfortably reminded of La Dolorosa'scrags. There was no sign of human life, no harbor or bay,and I wondered what Atrabiades was about. From any ap­proach, I saw no means of access.

 So I thought, until we rounded a sharp outcropping andKazan Atrabiades shouted out a command. The sail cutloose, yard swinging abruptly as we heeled with thatstomach-lurching swiftness. Then I saw, before us, a narrowinlet hidden in the shadows of the overhanging cliffs. The Illyrians trimmed the sails close and went to oars, jestinggood-naturedly, and as the lead ship, we glided into the coolshade.

 Cliff walls, high and grey, rose on either side of us to form a towering corridor. The water lapped softly at thesides of the ship, nearly black in the absence of sunlight.The splashing of the oars echoed oddly. So we proceeded, for several long minutes, hearing the sounds of the otherships following.

 And then the cliffs fell away, and the vista opened ontoa perfect natural harbor, a sandy bay sheltered on all sides.

 The sun shone bright overhead in a clear blue sky, and thewater glittered aquamarine beneath it, dotted here and therewith fishing boats. Along the half-moon of the shore, I sawa charming village. A low terrace rose on the hill behind it,invisible from the sea, planted with grapevines; further tothe right, below the pine forests, I could make out white specks that were surely grazing sheep on the hillside.

 "The isle of Dobrek," Glaukos said, standing beside me."Home."

 "It's so..." I could hear the bewilderment in my voice,". ..pretty!"

 He chuckled. "Ah now, did I not tell you I had no re­grets?"

 FIFTY-ONE

 Across the bay, the wind picked up once more, a merrybreeze that sent our six ships scudding across the water likeseabirds. We were spotted ashore, and it seemed the village entire turned out to meet us.

 At some twenty yards out, the sailors launched into aflurry of action, taking down the sails and lashing them tothe yard with swift, coordinated gestures. Others took tooars, checking our incoming speed and maneuvering the vessels skillfully alongside the waiting docks. The heavilyladen craft wallowed a bit, but flat-bottomed as they were, they had a shallow draw and managed the docking withoutscraping the sandy bay.

 Throughout it all, Kazan Atrabiades stood in the prow ofthe lead ship, legs braced, arms upraised in a sign of victory.And the folk ashore cheered him mightily, men and womenalike.

 It was a hero's homecoming, and no mistaking it. Kazanleapt ashore once the first line was lashed to the pilings,greeted with hearty embraces by the men and doting smilesor squeals of admiration by the women. 'Twas a grand reunion all around, as the other sailors were welcomed home by family and friends; even Glaukos moved spryly to dis­embark, greeting a sturdy young woman less than half hisage with resounding kisses on both cheeks, making herblush prettily and clasp his hands.

 Amidst it all, I stood on the ship, forgotten.

 It did not last long. I saw the first glance, heard the firstvoice fall silent, a silence that spread like a ripple from adropped stone, rings of soft murmurs following in its wake."Ështa nëVila!" I heard more than once, knowing now whatit meant; now, it merely made me glance uneasily at themizzenmast, sail furled harmlessly. If thekríavbhog was there, it did not show itself.

 "Djo, djo,"Kazan Atrabiades said soothingly, holding upone hand for silence. Once they were listening, he pointedto me and spoke at length in Hlyrian.

 I could see from the way the tension left their expressionsthat he was explaining I was noVila, but a mortal hostage, reassuring them. Nonetheless, my inability to comprehend aword he spoke filled me with mingled fear and frustration.When I cast an imploring look in Glaukos' direction, hehurried to the dockside. "Ah, now, don't fear, my lady!" heexclaimed. "Kazan, he's telling them you're D'Angeline,that's all, and to be treated as an honored guest during yourstay here. Didn't I promise you he'd honor the conven­tions?"

 "You did," I said, taking little comfort in it. Kazan Atra­biades' words were all too fresh in my mind.If he lived, Iwould give you to my brother.I did not care overmuch to trust to the honor of a fratricide, no matter how much hispeople admired him. Better a hostage than a slave, but itcame down to much the same. In the end, I was what I hadbeen all too often for the duration of my short life: valuablegoods.

 Whatever Kazan said, they seemed to accept it, reluc­tantly setting aside their curiosity to go about their business, unloading the ships and implementing a complicated systemof distribution. Glaukos led me over to where Kazan was directing the operations.

 "My lord," I said, taking a deep breath, forgetting once more not to address him thusly, "if I might speak to you—"

 "Sa të djambo!"he snapped at me, and I did not need a translator to know I'd been told to keep quiet in the rudestpossible terms. I closed my mouth sharply, and Kazan Atrabiades turned to Glaukos, giving him instructions in a string of rapid Ulyrian. Glaukos replied in the same tongue, ex­plaining somewhat and pointing to my bandaged midsection.The exchange continued for some time, growing heated. Inthe end, Kazan shrugged and turned away, dismissing us.

 "You're to come with me, for now, my lady," Glaukosinformed me. His weathered face was flushed. "Come, my little Zilje will see to those wrappings and draw you a bath."His young wife—-for I learned later she was such—came forward with a half-curtsy, coloring to the roots of her red-blond hair.

 "Thank you," I said, with as much warmth as I couldmuster. "Glaukos, how do I say 'thank you' in Ulyrian?" Irepeated it when he told me, smiling at her."Falemir dít, Zilje."

 And with that, Glaukos lent me his arm, and with youngwife fluttering anxiously at his side, aided me in my slow,painful process across the hot sands toward his lodgings.

 All told, I was three days in the house of Glaukos, re­cuperating.

 Young and resilient though I was, my ordeal had taken a greater toll than I cared to reckon. Each day I rose, insistent,by mid-morning; by mid-afternoon, I was limp with ex­haustion and my ribs ached dully. Zilje scolded me in II-lyrian, regarding me with a certain proprietary awe, as if Iwere a willful and exotic pet her husband had brought backfrom his seafaring, while her younger sister Krísta, whodwelt with them, stared at me wide-eyed.

 There was a great deal of traffic by the women of Dobrekto the physician's house in those three days. I daresay thevillage had never seen so many toothaches at once. Glaukos,for his part, ignored it; I smiled and nodded, trapped by my own weakness. Zilje dispensed cloves to chew for the pain,and gossiped eagerly with the visitors.

 It nearly drove me mad, being unable to understand. Ihave always been good with languages, and thanks to Delaunay's insistence, I mastered the trick of learning themearly. I may have been a slave in Skaldia, but at least Ialways knew what was being said in my presence. Here, it was different. I speak D'Angeline, Caerdicci, Skaldic andCruithne with a considerable degree of fluency; I do passingwell at Habiru and Hellene, and can make myself under­stood among Tsingani.

 Illyrian, it seemed, was unrelated to any of these.

 Since I had naught else to do save heal, I set myself withgrim determination to mastering what I might of the Illyrian language. My task was complicated by the fact that Glaukoswas often absent or unavailable, and Zilje and I shared notongue in common. Still, I garnered some small stock ofphrases, and was able by the end of my stay to say "please" and "thank you," along with a few simple courtesies. From these, I was able to extract a glimmering of the syntax ofIllyrian. It was a beginning.

 As to Glaukos' whereabouts, I learned that he served asbookkeeper to Kazan Atrabiades as well as physician, andhad been busy cataloguing the inventory and distribution of their latest plunder, entrusting Zilje to see to the day-to-day needs of the villagers. There was genuine affection betweenthe ex-slave and his young wife. I confess, it had been myfirst thought that she had been given him as reward for goodservice, but in this I was mistaken. He regarded her fondly,and she him; and so she should, for he had a kinder heartthan many who served Kazan. Her sister Krísta treated himas an indulgent uncle, which seemed to suit all three.

 On the second day, a fine gift of fabric arrived from Ka­zan—a silk damask of deepest rose, woven with a trefoilpattern. I ran a fold of it through my fingers, bewildered,and gazed questioningly at Glaukos.

 "Ah now, my lady, you should be attired according toyour station, shouldn't you?" he said, avoiding my eyes. "Itold you he'd do right by you, after all. Old Noní is comingthis afternoon. Six fine needles, he promised her, if she'd stitch up something suitable."

 I tried to give the fabric to Zilje and her sister, to no avail.What Kazan Atrabiades willed would be done. Old Nonícame in turn, a hunchbacked crone with a grim look to her,who muttered and prodded and measured me with a string,returning a scant day later with a garment that startled mein its elegant simplicity, gathered below the breasts andhanging straight to the floor. The design came from an an­cient Illyrian poem about a tragic heroine; I wished I'd hada translation, to give to Favrielle nóEglantine. It would haveinterested her. At least it left considerable remnants of fab­ric, which I gave to Zilje and Krísta, much to their delight.

 What they made of it, I never learned, for by the end ofmy third day of convalescence, I was hale enough to haveregained my impatience—and for all of his reluctance, Glaukos could not deny that I'd made a remarkable recovery. He acceded to my demands and sent word to Kazan Atrabiades.

 So it was that the pirate captain ordered me sent to him, attired in stolen finery after the style of a long-dead epicheroine.

 Unlike the weathered pine buildings in the village, Ka­zan's house was built of stone; blocks of creamy marblequarried on a nearby isle and brought by water to Dobrek. It lay a short walk from the village proper on a rocky es­carpment on the bay, gazing out at the sea. A stand of cy­presses provided a charming screen, and there were colorful,late-blooming vines I could not name sending tendrils upthe marble walls. The house itself was low and meandering,and large enough to be a nobleman's estate. At any given time, it housed not only Kazan, but a small staff and threeor four of his men who had quarters of their own. Therewas a stable, too, with two horses in it; the only ones on the isle. For everything else, they used donkeys.

 Kazan was waiting for us on the terrace overlooking the sea when we arrived, flanked by two of his men. His black,topknotted mane was glossy with recent brushing and hewore loose trousers tucked into boots, and over his shirt, aclose-fitting vest decorated with Illyrian embroidery. The strip of beard on his chin was fresh-shaven, and even thepoints of his mustache had been waxed to sharp perfection.

 "Lady Phèdre," he announced, bowing, mangling myname only a little. "I welcome you to my house, I! You aremy honored guest on Dobrek, eh?"

 His men followed suit, staring at me and elbowing eachother. Since there was nothing else for it, I curtsied."Mirëdaj,Kazan Atrabiades.Falemir dít; I thank you for your hospitality."

 He started at my greeting him in Illyrian, gazing at me open-mouthed. It showed the gap of his missing molar and rather ruined the overall effect of his appearance. He musthave realized it, for he closed his mouth and said hastily,"You did not say you spoke Illyrian, you!"

 "I don't, my lor—Kazan." The habit was not easily bro­ken. "Only these few words, which I have learned in yourtongue, that my pleas may fall more gently on your ears."

 He frowned. "You are like a dog with a bone, eh, wor­rying at it always! We will speak of this ransom in time,when / say. Now you are my guest, and Glaukos, he say you must rest still. So you will go, and do this." Turning away from me, Kazan raised his voice. "Marjopí!"

 A vast figure moved out of the shadow of the house'ssmall arcade into the bright sun of the terrace; a woman,massive arms folded across her solid bosom. She was ofmiddle years or older, though her hair, bound atop her head,was a black untouched by grey. Hard black eyes in a doughyface regarded me without favor.

 "Marjopí, she has been with me since I was a sucking babe, I. She will take care of you, eh? Marjopí!Të lesh gezuan, eh?" he added, calling to her.

 Marjopí—for that was her name—unleashed a stream of Illyrian invective at him, to which he retorted in the same.His lieutenants grinned unabashedly, and Glaukos shifteduncomfortably at my side.

 "What is it?" I asked him.

 "She thinks you're bad luck," he muttered. "The Illyrians;I told you, they're superstitious. Ah, now, she wouldn't be the first to claim D'Angeline beauty unnatural, but the spotin your eye, now, well, it seems thekríavbhog is a red-eyedbeastie. It's something to do with that, I gather."

 "Mayhap she has the right of it," I answered dourly. Ofa surety, the creature I'd seen—or thought I'd seen—hadan incarnadine gaze, and I harbored no illusions but that I'dfeel the prick of Kushiel's Dart soon enough.

 Whatever the cause of the argument, Kazan's will pre­vailed, and Marjopí conceded defeat with a sniff, noddingat me and jerking her head sharply toward the interior ofthe house. Given little choice in the matter, I made mythanks to Glaukos and followed her.

 Inside, the house was cool, well shaded by its cypressscreen. The furnishings were quite fine, albeit mismatched; dark woods and ashen, inlay and scrollwork, Akkadian car­pets with Hellene vases. I followed Marjopí to my chamber,which was quite small and barren, holding only a smallclothing-press and a narrow bed over which a rich coverlet trimmed with marten had been arrayed. It had a window,which looked out toward the hills, and the shutters had beenopened to let the room air.

 There Marjopí left me, and there I sat, perched on thenarrow bed.

 It took no longer than it takes to core and eat an applefor me to grow bored. There are those who are able to en­dure enforced idleness with grace, spending their time inuseful contemplation. Joscelin, who could maintain his Cassiline vigils for hours on end, was one such; save for apatron's whim or at need in the arts of covertcy, I was not.In La Dolorosa, I endured it because I had no choice. Here,it was different

 I gazed out the window, where the honey-colored sunlightwarmed the distant pines, releasing their resinous fragranceinto the air. I gazed at my feet, clad in unlovely sandalsGlaukos had gotten from Dobrek's cobbler. I got up andopened the clothing-press, which was empty except for acloak of fine-combed, dark-blue wool, bordered with a whitepattern.

 Well and so, I thought, if Kazan Atrabiades did not wantme to leave, then he would have left a guard on me orordered the door locked. Since it stood open, it must be that I was free to wander. After all, if I had it in mind to escape, where would I go? Dobrek was an island, secluded and se­cure, I was imprisoned by water as surely as walls.

 The house stood quiet and empty in the morning hours;in these parts, people labored until the unbearable heat ofmidday drove them to rest, resuming in the early eveninghours. There was, alas, no library, though I hadn't reallyexpected to find one. Kazan Atrabiades was no WaldemarSelig to grasp with both hands generations of recorded thought as a tool to shape his destiny. No, it was Kazan'sslain brother who had been the scholar. Clearly, my piratelord wanted no reminders of that pursuit. I did find one roomthat surprised me into pausing outside the door when I hearda sound within. Inside was an old-fashioned vertical loom, at which sat Marjopí, her back to the door, weaving. Shewas humming as she wove, plying the shuttle with a speed and dexterity that belied her bulk.

 As I had no wish to catch her attention or disturb herpleasant mood, I slipped quietly past the door to continuemy exploration. Kazan's room I recognized without diffi­culty. It held an enormous bed with a carved, gilt-trimmedheadboard depicting a frieze of hunting dogs. Items of cloth­ing were strewn carelessly across the bed, and a pair of well-worn boots leaned against each other on the floor beside it.By contrast, his arms were hung neatly on a stand in thecorner. The short sword in its tooled-leather scabbard, I knew by sight; I did not recognize the corselet and helmwith its crisp scarlet plume, the full-length shield painted with a bird of prey clutching a leafy branch in its talons, black on red.

 These were not the arms of a common soldier, and by thecare he took with them, I guessed they were his own, andnot stolen plunder, like so much else in the house. Well, Ithought, he said he was noble-born; mayhap it was true. Iglanced around the rest of the room, seeking to learn whatI might about my erstwhile rescuer and captor.

 On a table by the bedside sat a pomander of silver filigree,unmistakably D'Angeline in workmanship. It was wrought to resemble a twining ball of grapevines, rounded bunches of grapes showing in rounded relief. It opened with a cun­ning twist, holding a lump of camphor, aromatic as the sun-warmed pines. So, I thought, Kazan Atrabiades has a likingfor beautiful and pleasant things. Well, that was good for me; and bad, though no worse than I expected. If he takes a care with them, so much the better.

 The only other item of note in the room was a ratherbattered cabinet of dark cypress wood, inlaid with ivory ina pattern of moons and crescents. The ivory was yellow with age, cracked in places, and the wood bore old scratches longsince worn dark with handling. I daresay it had been a finepiece, once, but it seemed an odd item for plunder. I opened the doors onto the lower shelves, which held only clothing.At the top were two small drawers.

 One held some parchments, written in Illyrian, and a gold signet ring. Tilting it toward the window and peering at theseal, I made out a device of three bees and a faint inscrip­tion. I replaced it carefully and opened the other drawer.

 What I had expected to find, I cannot say, but surely not a child's toy. Still, so it was; a wooden soldier and horse,neither much larger than my hand. The soldier's limbs werejointed, so he could sit astride or pace forward and back,and raise his sword and shield. Worn traces of red and blackpaint were visible on the wood.

 I was still holding it and frowning when I heard Kazan'sfootsteps.

 There was nowhere to go, and I could do naught but putthe best face on it I could as he came through the door. Careless, to let myself be caught thusly, I was thinking; Delaunay would have lectured me.

 Kazan Atrabiades took one look at me and grew still withanger. "Put that down."

 FIFTY-TWO

 1 here are things we all hold dear; privacies that brook notransgression. I did not need to be told that, for Kazan, thiswas one such. 'Twas in his face and in his voice, a coldrage more terrible than his shouting. I replaced the toy qui­etly, closing the drawer.

 "I am sorry," I said simply, meeting his eyes. "I meantno harm."

 He drew a deep breath and released it in harsh words."You should not be here, you! I told Marjopí to take care of you! You listen to her, eh, and heed!"

 One knows, with patrons, what path their violence willtake, and why. And I knew, once he shouted, that the truesource of his anger lay far from me. My actions had butkindled it.

 "She showed me a room, and left me. Forgive me, but Iam unaccustomed to idleness." I added humbly, "I wantedonly to know who you are, my lord."

 "I will tell you, I, what you need to know, and you will enter this room at my command, eh? You see too much." Gritting his teeth, he caught me by the arm and pulled meafter him, out of the room. "If you have a tedium, you speakto Marjopí, and she will give you woman's work to do, eh,to weave or spin, or make the embroidery!" He ushered meto the large inner salon, where Hellene-style couches mixedwith rigidly upright Caerdicci chairs. Marjopí had left offher weaving, and hovered in the hall behind us. Kazan stillhad my arm in his grip and stood close, glaring at me. Icould feel my pulse beating beneath the tight grasp of hisfingers and feel the heat of his body, mingled with a strange,acrid tang.

 Ah, Kushiel, I thought, have mercy on your chosen! Is itnot enough that I suffer this? Must I bear humiliation aswell? What showed on my face, I cannot say, but Kazansaw somewhat; his grip loosened, and his eyes reflected ameasure of puzzlement and awe.

 "I cannot do these things," I said aloud. "I was taughtother skills."

 "Whore's work," he said contemptuously, but convictionwas not in it.

 "Naamah's work, yes," I replied. "But the Queen employsme as a translator. It is the study of language and politicsin which I have been engaged, and not spinning and weav­ing. My lord, if you order me confined to women's quarters,then so be it; yet I thought you welcomed me as your guest,and not your prisoner."

 He tucked his chin into his chest and fingered his mus­taches, thinking. "We honor... hostages...in Illyria," hesaid slowly. "They are treated as their rank calls, eh, unlessthose who pay ransom break faith. You are not a prisoner, you. I come to say, you will eat with me tonight, and I will hear your words. But you must not go where it is not per­mitted, eh?"

 "Yes, my lord. Where, then, am I forbidden to go?"

 A look of disgust crossed his face. "Already, you see too much; go where you like, you. I will set you a guide." Withthat, he stalked from the room muttering; I heard Glaukos'name, and the word for "rest," which I had heard oftenenough to recognize. I waited under the dourly watchful eye of Marjopí until Kazan returned with a young man in tow."Lukin, he will show you what you wish," he said shortly,exiting again. Marjopí threw up her hands and returned toher weaving.

 Thus did I acquire an escort on Dobrek, a good-naturedyouth of no more than sixteen. He had black hair which hewore in a topknot in emulation of Kazan Atrabiades, and agrin that stretched ear to ear at his assignment; here was onewho had decided I was noVila bent on stealing his heart—or at least he reckoned it worth the risk. Although we sharedno common tongue, we had youth in common, and Lukinwas open and cheerful, eager to communicate where Zilje and her sister had turned shy or reticent. For everything wesaw, everything I touched, I made him tell me the word inIllyrian. To this day, there are plants I can name only in thattongue, and fish and birds, too.

 It was Lukin who showed me the stable, pointing withpride to Kazan's two horses. I watched his eyes shine withdelight as a battle-scarred old gelding nibbled from his palm,and was reminded with a pang of Hyacinthe. Not as I hadleft him, brave and lonely, but as he had been at Lukin'sage, merry and daring with a knack for horses.

 Beyond the stables, a group of men were gathered arounda stone furnace, bare-chested and sweating in the late-morning sun. I pointed inquiringly, and Lukin led me overto see. There was a great bustle, and Kazan was supervisingthe operation, ordering the fire fed and the bellows workedwhile two men in leather aprons tended the crucible. Theacrid odor I'd smelled earlier was molten metal.

 "What are they doing?" I asked Lukin. He went over tofish a silver coin out of a coffer, showing it to me, andpointing to a mold where silver ingots were cooling on theground. I stared in perplexity as he turned the coin, showing me both sides and offering a helpless explanation in Illyrian.Although the coin was worn and the workmanship crude, Icould make out a man's face in profile on one side, and on the other, the device I'd seen on Kazan's shield, a bird ofprey clutching a branch.

 At length I shrugged, and Lukin returned the coin.

 "You want to know why we melt good coin, eh?" It wasKazan Atrabiades himself, who'd come to glower at me.He'd laid his good clothes aside and was bare-chested asthe others. "The Serenissimans—" he turned his head and spat reflexively, "—they make a law against Illyrian cointhat shows the face of the Ban or his arms, old or new, living or dead. Only in Epidauro is it safe, and not thereany more, maybe. Any man who trades in Illyrian coin, he have his money taken, and Serenissiman officials, they donot pay. They put him in prison if he makes complaint. So people are scared, eh, and poor even though they have coin.We take in trade, we, and melt it.”

 I thought how simple a means it was to oppress a vassalnation. And I thought of Kazan's arms, hung with pride andcare in his room, and the device they bore. "You served inhis guard," I said. "The Ban of Illyria."

 His scowl deepened. "It is not your concern, you, what Idid," he said, and turned to Lukin, issuing an order in Illyrian. My escort nodded, and indicated to me that we should leave. By that time, I was glad enough to do so, formy ribs had begun to ache. The sun stood high overhead, and its heat coupled with the blast from the furnace mademy head swim. When I looked at Kazan Atrabiades, I saw strange, twining shadows about him. Only sunstroke, I toldmyself; but I remembered thekríavbhog, and was uneasy.

 In the house, Marjopí took one look at me and shook herhead in disgust, giving Lukin a bucket and a sharp com­mand. He grinned at her and trotted off good-naturedly, while she gave me an ungentle push toward the room I'dbeen given. I lay down on the bed, and a few moments later,Marjopí came in with a basin of cool water and a linentowel. She dipped the towel and wrung it, laying it on my brow, shook her head once more, and left me.

 I slept clean through until supper, waking when a servantlass I'd not seen before came creeping in to awaken me inthe twilight. She pointed to the door, saying only, "Kazan."It was enough. I rose and smoothed my crumpled dress,washing myself with the tepid water remaining in the basin,then went to meet him.

 The terrace had been prepared for dining, and I own itwas a pleasing sight. A table was set below the arbor, wherebunches of grapes hung, still green, but swelling. Standswith fretted lamps were set about, casting a gentle glow, and the sea murmured gently. Kazan stood as I emerged ontothe terrace, and his eyes drank in the sight of me.

 "Phèdre," he said, forgetting his earlier anger. "Sit." Itook a seat opposite him, and he sat too, smiling and pouringme wine from a clay pitcher. "What do you think, eh?" heasked, waving his hand around the terrace. "Does your landhave such beauty?”

 "Not like this." I drew a deep breath. "My lord Kazan,you said you meant to hear me out. May I speak?"

 "No." His quick scowl darkened his features. "First we will eat, you and I. Such talk is for after, yes? That is howwe do it incivilized countries."

 "I—" I paused. "Yes, of course. Forgive my rudeness."

 We dined on fish fresh-caught and poached in a winesauce, a dish of greens and fennel, and bread dipped in oil,and I confess, my appetite was sharper than I had reckoned.When we had done, Kazan gestured for the servant lass toclear the plates. He poured more wine—a pale wine, witha faint taste of resin from the pine casks in which they storeit—and regarded me.

 "Now," he said, "you may speak of these matters, you."

 I nodded. "Thank you, Kazan. What I said to you before,on the ship, is true. It is a matter of great urgency to mycountry that I am restored to it swiftly. This is my desire,and of no import to you; this I recognize. But it is also true that my friends and kinsmen will pay handsomely for myswift return, and you stand to earn the gratitude of the Queenof Terre d'Ange." I had no kin to speak of, but he need not know it.

 Kazan toyed with his wine-cup and looked shrewdly at me. "Why? I find you in rags in the middle of the sea, eh,and you ask me to believe this? Glaukos says it is true, thatyou are who you say; I know he is right, I, because he isnot wrong about such things. Who, yes, but why is another question, yes?"

 I had thought about it; I knew he would ask. I wouldhave, if I were him. "The Queen has enemies," I said simply."I know who they are, and where. If I do not warn her of their plans, she will be in danger."

 "Enemies, ah!" He rubbed his chin. "In Serenissima, eh?You tell Glaukos you have money there, you, but you donot say to go to the D'Angeline Prince there, no. When he says I will not go to Serenissima, you say Marsilikos, that is so much farther."

 "If you will go to La Serenissima," I said without atremor, "we will have done with it swiftest of all. I am myQueen's servant and Prince Benedicte does not know me topay a ransom, but I have money on account with a factorthere. I sold lead at a good profit. Name your price, and Iwill match it if I may."

 "Ah, no." He shook his head. "Glaukos, he spoke true. Iwill not go there, I, nor send any man loyal to me. Maybeyou set a trap, eh? Serenissima will pay a good price forthe head of Kazan Atrabiades, more than any ransom."

 "So." I spread my hands on the table. "Then Marsilikosis closest, where her grace Roxanne de Mereliot is my hearth-friend, and will honor my letter. I will swear to you,by any oath you wish, that no harm will come to you oryour men and there is only profit in it for you."

 Kazan regarded me, black eyes glinting in the lamplight. "This we say in Illyria: May thekríavbhog swallow my soulif I lie. You have seen it, you. Do you swear this?"

 I thought of the thing I had seen, coiled and hissing inthe mast. I thought of the shadows twining around KazanAtrabiades, and shuddered. "Yes," I said hoarsely. "I swear it. The ransom paid, and no harm to you or your men. Maythekríavbhog swallow my soul if I lie."

 "Good." He drained his wine-cup and refilled it. "Whydid you fall off a cliff, you?"

 I'd thought we were done; I closed my eyes wearily. "Itwas an accident, my lord. Kazan. It happened in a riot, whensome prisoners escaped."

 "I think there are many ... riots ... where you are, you,"he said wryly. "You say you are translator for the Queen,eh, but I think maybe there is another word, and that is spy."

 I opened my eyes and returned his regard. "Will you sendto Marsilikos or no?"

 "I will send, I." He scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Whatare you worth, eh? Only to make the journey, for the menI will send, the time and the crossing, it is costing me a hundred silver denari. More than that, eh?"

 Fury kindled in me, a slow-burning anger at Kazan, atthe injuries and indignities I'd endured, at the horrible tollmy fate had exacted. "Severio Stregazza, grandson of the Doge of La Serenissima, once paid twenty thousand goldducats for a single night with me," I said in bitter precision. "Yes, my lord pirate, I am worth more than a hundred denari."

 "Glaukos is right, it must be true who you say," Kazanretorted, grinning and showing the gap in his teeth. "Or youwould not be so angry, eh? So, good. I will ask for thirtythousand gold, I. You are rich, to have so much! I am notso greedy, and more is to tempt the gods, yes? If they pay,then I believe everything you say."

 "They will pay," I murmured. "You may believe it."

 "We will see, we," he said off-handedly. "You want meto send swiftly, yes? To me it is no matter, now or in thespring. It is you who asks for speed. What is it worth toyou, eh, that I send now?"

 I had no illusions about his query. "Does it matter?" Iasked, gazing at him in the lamplight. "All I have, you arecapable of taking, whether I offer it or no. You said if he lived, you would give me to your brother. What sop doesyour conscience require now, my lord, that you must force my acquiescence and put a good face on rape?"

 His face hardened. "Do not speak of my brother to me,"he said shortly, rising and walking some distance away to stare at the dark bay. "I would give your life, yes, and yourQueen's too, to have Daroslav alive again. That is what you are worth to me, you. No more." He turned around, expres­sionless. "I have treated you as a guest, eh. Other men, theywould not ask. I ask, I; I offer fair trade."

 I thought of the weeks and months I had spent in my vainpursuit, and all those who advised me against it. I thoughtof Fortun and Remy, who had died because of it, and Ti-Philippe, not knowing if he lived or died. I thought of Joscelin, whom I had judged so unfairly, fighting single-handed against the garrison of La Dolorosa to free me. Did he liveyet? I thought so; he had well-nigh prevailed, and that Cassiline was too stubborn to die. I had seen the torch movingon the crags at the isle's base, where only he would bereckless enough to clamber.

 I thought of Ysandre de la Courcel, who had once trustedme enough to stake her throne on my bare words, who hadasked me not to do this thing; of Quintilius Rousse, whohad begged me to accept an escort.

 And I thought of Melisande's triumphant smile.

 Whatever was necessary, I would do.

 "Fair trade," I said evenly. "So be it. Do you send yourswiftest ship on the morrow, I will come willing to your bed, my lord pirate."

 Across the terrace, Kazan Atrabiades inclined his head. "Then we have a bargain, yes? I will send Glaukos in the morning, with paper and ink, so you may write this letter."He paused, then added roughly, "I do not ask now, eh? Glaukos, he says you are injured still, and must have timeto rest and heal. I am not a barbarian, to ask this of awoman."

 'Twas something, at least.

 FIFTY-THREE

 Whether I doubted his honor or no, in this, Kazan Atra­biades kept his word. He rose early, and had made arrange­ments for the ship's crew by the time I'd broken my fast.

 The men were in high spirits over the adventure. Kazanchose a man by the name of Nikanor to oversee the mission;his longtime second-in-command. He was quick and rest­less, with a reputation for making good decisions in battle,and getting itchy feet on dry land. Well and so; I had nosay in the matter. Nikanor had eleven men on his crew. Ofthese, ten would go. For the last, Kazan ordered a substi­tution, an elderly fellow named Gorian. He mended nets,now, but in his youth, he had travelled, and learned to speak Hellene in those lands. In a pinch, he would do as translator.Marsilikos was a major port; there was always someone tobe found who spoke Hellene. I'd no doubt that the Lady ofMarsilikos did.

 I was glad Glaukos was not to go, though 'twas naughtto do with me; Kazan had too much use for him here. Hecame to the house as promised, bearing several sheets ofcrudely pressed paper, a fresh quill and a bottle of ink.

 Since there was no suitable desk, I knelt at a table, think­ing over my words and writing swiftly—in Caerdicci andnot D'Angeline, that Glaukos and Kazan might scan mywords for any hint of subterfuge. " 'To Roxanne, Duchesede Mereliot and Lady of Marsilikos,' " I wrote, " 'greetings from Phèdre nó Delaunay, Comtesse de Montrève. BlessedElua grant that this letter finds you in the best of health. Iwrite to you from the keeping of Kazan Atrabiades of Illyria,to whom I owe a debt of ransom. I am well and hale, andcommend him in all ways for tendering the courtesies duemy station. This letter he bears at my request, and inexchange for its swift delivery, I have promised clemencyfor him and all his men. I pray you treat them gently, for ifyou do not, I shall be forsworn and my immortal soul forfeit.Your Grace, by the friendship you bear for me and our mu­tual service undertaken on behalf of Her Majesty, QueenYsandre de la Courcel, I beg of you the boon of rendering payment of a ransom of thirty thousand gold ducats to Ka­zan Atrabiades: half to be paid unto the bearer of this letter,one Captain Nikanor, and half to be paid to Kazan Atrabi­ades after he has guaranteed my safe-conduct to a place ofexchange, to be divulged by Captain Nikanor. For surety of this loan, I pray you seek out my uncle Quintilius, whomyou know, and remind him of the aid he pledged to send me in La Serenissima ere I journeyed. I am grateful, forthere was no loan of assistance to be had in that city. Prayconvey to him my apologies that I needs must ask him togive it to the fullest extent, and please be assured that I will render remuneration in full. My undying thanks to you, mylady, and Elua's blessing upon you and your house.'"

 Once done, I signed my name and sprinkled sand to drythe ink. Kazan held the letter at arm's length and ponderedit, frowning, until Glaukos took it and read it aloud. Kazancould read Caerdicci, but he was long-sighted and myD'Angeline script was hard for him to make out.

 "This uncle of yours, he is rich, he?" he asked when Glau­kos had finished.

 "He has ships," I said. "Enough to stand surety for the loan. And he will verify the authenticity of the letter, foronly he and I know of his offer to send aid."

 "Good." He nodded his head briskly. "It is well thought, eh?" He said something to Nikanor in Illyrian, then grinned and clapped my shoulder. "Three weeks, no less! You willsee, you, how a true sailor flies!"

 The men laughed and made comments I could not un­derstand; for once, I could have cared less. No one hadrecognized my "uncle" as the Royal Admiral of Terred'Ange. I daresay any D'Angeline would have done so, for Quintilius is a Caerdicci name, and unusual among us. Butit is common in Caerdicca Unitas, and raised no browsamong the Illyrians.

 He will know, I thought, sealing the letter with wax andblowing on it. He will remember; he must! He had promisedme:If you've need of aid, Phèdre nó Delaunay, know this.Do you but send word to the Lady ofMarsilikos or myself,I will come. I will come with ships; and I will come in force.I only hoped he would understand from my words that 'twasLa Serenissima I meant him to assail, and not the Illyrians.Well and so; I had written as plainly as I dared, under thecircumstances. The wax having cooled, I slid the letter intoan oilskin pouch and gave it to Nikanor, who accepted it with great ceremony, tying it to his belt.

 It was not yet noon when the ship set sail. I went, becauseI could not bear not to see it, and because it was a grandoccasion in the village of Dobrek. An old priest hobbleddown to the harbor, offering prayers in Illyrian, libations ofwine and—to my squeamish dismay—a rooster. Bindhus, they prayed to, who is Lord of the Seas, and Yarovit, whois their Sacred Warrior; I had not known, until then, that theIllyrians had aught but nature-spirits and ghosts and curse-creatures in their pantheon, but they do.

 Kazan Atrabiades gave the call to hoist anchor from theshore and Nikanor echoed it aboard the ship, drawing hissword and raising it to flash in the bright sunlight. The sail­ors set to at the oars, and the ship moved slowly away fromthe harbor; once in the middle of the bay, they scrambledto raise sail. It luffed and flapped and bellied full, and thenthey had caught it, angling steadily toward the hiddenegress.

 And there, I thought, standing on the sun-warmed sandsand watching the vessel dwindle in the distance, goes thehope of an entire nation, in the hands of a pack of unletteredIllyrian pirates intent only on booty.

 Still and all, 'twas done, and I could do no more. For thefirst time in days—weeks, mayhap months—the terribleburden of urgency was lifted, leaving me weak with relief. Now, when no one threatened me, I found myself shaking. Tears blurred my vision and I fought to keep from blinking,staring out at Nikanor's receding sails.

 "Ah, now, don't fear, my lady," Glaukos said kindly, see­ing my distress. "They're good men to a lad, they'll be backbefore you know it, and 'twill all be resolved, you'll see."He patted my hand awkwardly, and I shook my head, word­less, tears streaming down my face. "Ah, now, now, don'tcry, child...do you want me to take you back to Kazan'shouse, eh?"

 "Yes, please," I whispered; I dared trust my voice nofurther.

 Elua be thanked, he did just that—for once started, mytears flowed unceasing. All that time in La Dolorosa, I hadnot wept. From the moment Benedicte had ordered thedeaths of Remy and Fortun, despair had turned my heart tostone. Not until I saw Joscelin had the stone cracked and Ibegun to feel. But hope had been snatched away too soon,and despair returned as my familiar companion.

 And now hope, frail hope, undid me again, and hard onits heels came the great, rushing wave of grief I'd walledout for so long. Glaukos got me somehow to Kazan's house; I could scarce see by then, putting one foot before the other. I heard his voice murmuring to Marjopí as I lay on my bed,curled in a ball and wracked with silent, shuddering sobs.

 It is enough, I think, to say that I lived it all over againthat day, the terrible, endless moment in Benedicte's hall,where I watched my chevaliers cut down out of hand, over­whelmed and brutally slain before my eyes. Remy, cursing, holding them all at bay for a few seconds, then going downlike a hunted stag. And Fortun, coming so close, his reach­ ing hand leaving a bloody trail on the door. All this andmore, every minute of every day I spent in the confines ofLa Dolorosa; the poor, awful madmen, and ah, Elua! Dumb,kind Tito, who brought me honey, and died protecting me, so nearly taking me with him.

 And the look, the dreadful look on Joscelin's face ...

 Truly, I have an ill-luck name.

 Grief heals, they say in Eisande; unshed tears fester likea canker in the soul. Whether or not it is true, I do not know.I wept until I could weep no more, and then slept as longand as hard as I had that first night in Glaukos' house.

 Thus began the long, slow days of waiting, wherein Ilearned sympathy for sailors' wives, who spend their daysscanning the horizon for sight of a sail, betokening the safereturn of their loved ones. Glaukos came each day to thehouse, and we sat in the cypress shade, eating salted melonwhile he taught me to speak Illyrian. It had taken him nearlythree years to learn it, but he'd had no formal structure ofteaching, only such skills as he could glean in conversationwith Kazan. I made him teach me as I had learned to studylanguage, establishing basic rules of grammar and workingoutward.

 Sometimes Lukin would join us, and others of Kazan'smen, the young ones, lounging in the cool shade and listen­ing, interjecting to teach me jests and use-words such asmade Glaukos blush. I daresay they picked up some fewwords of Caerdicci along the way...in truth, mostly they came to look at me. I came to know them that way; Epafrasthe romantic, who sighed and cast puppy-eyes; shy Oltukh,who swam like a fish and brought me offerings of shells strung on leather thongs; Stajeo and Tormos, who werebrothers and endlessly competitive; Volos, whom everyonesaid could talk to birds; and Ushak, whose ears stuck outlike jug handles.

 None of them would have dared lay a hand on me, forwhatever the status of hostages on Dobrek, of a surety, Iwas marked as Kazan's—and that, they respected. For hispart, Kazan Atrabiades tolerated it better than I would havereckoned, keeping a wry eye on his lads and setting one ofthe older, more sober men to chivy them back to work asneeded, performing the myriad tasks it seemed a life of pi­racy entailed. There were sails to be mended and riggingrestored. Pitch was rendered into tar, and each ship sealedanew.

 There were trade excursions, too, to outlying islands inthe archipelago. Kazan went on one such a few days afterNikanor's ship had sailed, and was gone overnight, returningin good spirits after unloading his booty at a profit. He hadleft me well enough alone before his journey, heeding his promise to put off his claim while I continued to heal. ButI saw upon his return that it had been much on his mind,and his gaze followed me hungrily.

 In the morning, he oversaw the distribution of the grainhe had bought in trade. All of it was done in barter on theisland, the villagers trading for wine and wool and the like.Afterward, I had my daily lesson with Glaukos, and then,when the worst heat of the day had passed, Kazan ap­proached me.

 "You come with me, you," he said. "There is a thing Iwould show to you. Do you know to ride a horse, eh? It issaid that noble-born are taught in your country, yes?"

 "Noble-born or no, I can ride," I said, rising.

 They'd gotten the horses ready, and young Epafras castadoring looks at me, holding the head of the quiet mare asI mounted. Kazan swung astride his old gelding with care­less ease, and I could see by the way it responded to histouch that he'd ridden it long and well; probably, I guessed,in battle. I'd noted before that it was scarred like a cavalrymount, glancing blows on the chest and flanks.

 "Come," was all he said.

 We rode to the foothills, where the pine forest began and a rutted logging trail cut into the deep green shade, pockedby donkeys' hooves and the deep traces of the logs theydragged to the village. The air was cooler and fragrant, andI breathed deeply of it as we made the ascent. The fartherwe went, the larger the trees. This was old forest, where the Illyrians say theLeskii abide. They are the green-eyed pro­tectors of the forest, covered in black fur, with clovenhooves; anyone who takes a tree without asking permission of theLeskii first may be doomed to wander the forest until he dies and his flesh nourishes the earth.

 I could nearly believe it myself, once the logging trailended and we turned onto a narrower route, a worn footpathmarked by blazes on the trees. It was steep going and werode single file; I found myself looking around at thecrowded trunks, half-expecting to find a pair of green eyes peering back. Kazan was impervious; Glaukos had spokentruly, he feared naught but his own especial demon.

 It took an hour's time, but we reached the summit of theisland without seeing aLeska. Here, the trees thinned, givingway to barren stone—and a spectacular view of the archi­pelago. I confess, I gasped in awe to see it, spreading awayfrom me in all directions. In the late-afternoon sun, the dis­tant sea shone like hammered gold, other islands lying darkand hazy on the horizon. Behind us I could see the harbor of Dobrek clearly, shaped like a crab's claw.

 A simple watchman's hut stood atop the summit, and agreat pyre of wood some distance from it in a circle of well-cleared ground. A pair of Kazan's men came out to meetus, saluting and grinning. He greeted them in Illyrian, which I more than half understood. I sat patting my mare's sweat-darkened neck and wondering why he had brought me whenKazan pointed to the west and said, "There."There was the vague outline of a low island—Halijar, itwas called—a bit to the left, and beyond, only the sea, anda broad, shining path laid on it by the sun. "My lord?" Iasked politely.

 "Is in that way Marsilikos lies, eh?" he said, glancingsidelong at me. "I am thinking you would want to see it,you. When Nikanor comes, we will see his sails, eh, and arunner will come to tell of it. So you see, and you will know, you, when he comes."

 It was an unexpected kindness, and it touched me; tears pricked my eyes and the bright vista swam blurrily. "Thankyou," I said, meaning it.

 "Yes. You are welcome, you." Kazan sat at his ease inthe saddle, reins loose, hands crossed on the pommel, andlooked steadily at me. "I am thinking too, that you are well now, eh? And we have a bargain."

 I took a deep breath, without so much as a twinge frommy ribs, and let it out slowly. "I am, my lord, and we do.Let it be kept."

 Kazan inclined his head. "Tonight, yes?" he said, thenadded, grinning, "Or earlier, if we ride fast, eh!"

 I laughed despite myself.

 FIFTY-FOUR

 For all his jesting, Kazan did not hasten our return, butheld his eagerness in check and rode at a measured pace.Dusk was falling by the time we reached the house andturned the horses over to the care of Lukin and Oltukh, andI saw that the terrace had been made ready for dining.

 Well and so, I thought, he wants this to be properly done."As it please you," I said to him, plucking at my skirts, "Iwould bathe, and change into somewhat smelling less Ofhorse, my lord. So it would be done in Terre d'Ange."

 "I guessed that, I," he said, amused. "D'Angelines, youare always bathing, eh? Go."

 I went, and found that in my room, the rose-damask gownhad been laid out fresh, pressed with hot irons. In the bath­ing room were clean linen towels, and a small flask ofscented oil. It amused me that Kazan had prepared so wellfor this, and made me like him a little better.

 'Twas nonetheless true that he had forced me into this bargain, and that I did not forgive. Still, I had made it, andso doing, given consent. And as I was Naamah's Servant,so was I bound by it. I thought on that, smoothing fragrantoil into my skin in the steam-wreathed room. Naamah her­ self had made bargains for less.

 Mayhap there were other ways she could have achievedthe same end, but such was her gift, and such she gave.Well, I thought, combing out my hair in my bedchamber; ifI am truly her Servant, it is much the same. Let it be done,then, and the bargain kept freely. My lady Naamah, pray you see that Kazan Atrabiades keeps his as well as I do. Iam in your hand, and must trust to your mercy.

 I asked Marjopí in faltering Illyrian if she had a mirror I might borrow, but she merely looked at me askance andmade a sign against evil, disgruntled by the night's pro­ceedings. I knew full well the Illyrians had no proscriptionsagainst mirrors, for Glaukos' wife Zilje had a bronze-handled one she used. No mirror, no cosmetics, nor adorn­ ments, nor hairpins; still, I made the best of it, donning along, shimmering necklace of shells given me by Oltukhand twining my hair into a lover's-haste knot at the nape ofmy neck.

 It would have to do.

 And it did well enough, I daresay, for when I walked ontothe terrace, Kazan did not rise, but merely sat and stared,open-mouthed. There is a feeling one comes to know, in theService of Naamah; when one entrusts oneself wholly toNaamah, her grace enfolds one like a cloak. So said CecilieLaveau-Penin, who taught me in the arts, and she shouldknow, who was the pride of Cereus House. I have found itto be true.

 "You," Kazan said hoarsely, rising to his feet and bowing."You are enough to make the gods jealous, you.”

 There is something else that comes of placing oneself in Naamah's hand, and that is desire. It would have happened with me anyway, but it comes sooner with Naamah's sur­render than when pressed to it by Kushiel's Dart. I gazed atKazan Atrabiades, and felt my blood quicken in my veins.

 He was not ill-made, Kazan, although I had been reluctantto concede it. In truth, his fierce good looks were muchsought after by the young women of Dobrek. And he wasvain, after a fashion; if the Illyrian style of pointed mus­taches and narrow beard were not to my taste, I had to admithe maintained his with care. He'd even paid a visit to the bathing room himself, and his black hair gleamed withbrushing.

 When all was said and done, he did cut a rather dashingfigure.

 It was a balmy and beautiful night, with bright starsemerging in the canopy of black overhead. The sea mur­mured and sighed as we dined on chicken roasted with rose­mary and stuffed with goat cheese, accompanied by a saladof lentils and parsley—and wine, a good deal of wine. Itwas a red wine, new and a little harsh on the tongue, but Idrank it recklessly and it made the lamps burn brighter. Ka­zan had two cups to my every one, and his gaze never leftme. When his speech grew thicker, it was with desire, and not wine.

 A cord may only be drawn so taut before it snaps; so withhim. The servant lass had not yet cleared the dinner thingswhen Kazan pushed back his chair and stood, extending hishand to me. "Come here, you," he said in his hoarse whis­per.

 Naamah's Servant, I went.

 His hands closed hard about my waist and his mouthcame down on mine; his tongue parted my lips, and hekissed me as a starving man eats. Urgency went through melike a bolt, and I wound my arms about his neck, his longhair sliding over my bare skin, kissing him back. He groanedaloud in my mouth, hands sliding lower to cup my buttocks,kneading my flesh and drawing me hard against him. Crock ery slid off the table and smashed as he leaned me backagainst the edge of it, bracing his thighs against mine. I putmy head back as his hands rose to fondle my breasts, nipplesrising taut in response beneath the fabric of my dress. He moved his mouth over my neck and throat as if to devourme whole, tearing away my necklace of shells with onesharp jerk.

 Never mind, I thought foolishly, Oltukh will make me another. I was ready for Kazan to take me then and there;Elua knows, more than ready. It was he who reined himselfin, raising his head and breathing hard.

 "It is not right, here," he said harshly. "Inside!"

 Inside, outside; it mattered naught to me. Grasping myhand hard enough to hurt, Kazan strode into the house, drag­ging me stumbling after him. I caught a brief glimpse of Marjopí's face as we passed, too astonished to be disap­proving. Moving like the wind, Kazan hauled me into his bedchamber and slammed the door shut behind him.

 "Here," he said, reaching for me.

 "Wait," I whispered; I had regained a measure of com­posure and guided him to the bed. The room was dimly litby a single clay lamp. He sat staring avidly at me as I stoodbefore him and loosed the ties that bound my dress, lettingit slide from my shoulders. Stepping neatly out of it, I kneltbefore him to remove his leather boots.

 Undressing is the first of the arts of the bedchamberproper that one learns and it is one of the hardest to executewith grace, being fraught with awkwardness in a way that lovemaking is not. I did not practice it often, as ananguis-sette; still, I knew what I was about. When I had done withhis boots, I rose to remove his shirt. There is a trick to it,sliding one's hands under the hem that they may glide overthe flesh as the shirt is raised. I could feel his chest rise andfall with his swift breathing.

 When I unlaced his breeches, fingertips skimming therigid phallus trapped beneath, he made an inarticulate sound. Still, he managed to stand. I drew his breeches down slowly,dragging my nails lightly over the skin of his hips and legsas I sank to my knees.

 And that is as far as I got with D'Angeline subtleties and Kazan Atrabiades, who was shuddering all over like a fly-stung horse. In a trice, he had me on the great bed with its gilded headboard, and his face hovered over mine, flushedwith triumph and desire as he forced my legs over his shoul­ders. With a great groan of relief, he sheathed himself in meto the hilt.

 It had been a long time; a very long time, as I reckonedsuch things.

 I daresay he took rather longer at it than I had expected.For all his impatience, Kazan knew the value of self-control,and he was no green lad to spend himself in one furiousspurt. Conquest was his trade, and he plied it with womenas well as enemies. Once inside me, he moved in long,steady thrusts, increasing his pace until it brought me to thebrink of pleasure and beyond, then slowing until I whim­pered with frustration and dug my nails into his back, plead­ing in D'Angeline. Only when I had been well and trulyplundered did he take his own pleasure, his expression turn­ing far-off and distant as the critical moment came.

 Afterward he slept, as deep and sound as a man who hasachieved his goal after long, hard labor. Since he had nottold me to go, I stayed beside him, and lay awake thinkinglong after the lamp had sputtered into darkness, remember­ing thekríavbhog and wondering. In time my eyes grew heavy, and I, too, slept.

 When I awoke, the sun was well above the horizon andKazan was gone.

 Marjopí gave me a breakfast of dates and honey withfresh bread to sop in it, giving me the evil eye and mutteringin Illyrian. I ate in the bright, sun-lit kitchen, with severalhouse cats twining around the legs of the table, and listenedto her until I could endure it no more.

 "I understand, a little," I said in Illyrian. "I do not meanharm to Kazan. When Nikanor comes, I will go."

 She gave me the same look she had when I'd asked fora mirror; as if I were one of her cats that had suddenlyopened its mouth and talked. "Oh, you are not bad in your­self, I know this," she said grudgingly. "But better you gonow than later, before you steal his heart." She pointed tomy left eye, marked by Kushiel's Dart. "It is bad luck, this says, and when blood-curse crosses blood-curse, someonewill die."

 Or somewhat similar; I was guessing, a little bit, but Iunderstood the sense of it. "He will not let me, until themoney comes. Marjopí, why is Kazan ..." I stumbled overthe word "... blood-cursed? Because he killed his brother?Why?"

 But she would not answer, and only turned away mutter­ing again, too low to make out.

 Thus was the pattern of my days and nights of waitingestablished. I have no words to describe my relationshipwith Kazan Atrabiades during that time for, in many ways,'twas stranger than any I have known. By day, it pleasedhim to think himself my host, and not my captor; sometimeshe played the role so well I daresay he forgot it himself, although I never did. By night, it was different, and some­times I did forget that I was in his bed because I was ahostage, and not a Servant of Naamah.

 And sometimes he was nearly like a friend, which wasstrangest of all.

 Those were times when he was light of heart, and wantedto spin out the night with talk and love-play. It came to bea running jest among his men, to number the reasons why Kazan Atrabiades was short of sleep. "Kazan had fleas inhis bed last night and could not sleep for itching," one wouldsay to the others with a straight face. "Do not trouble himtoday." And the next day, another; "An owl kept Kazan awake all night; beware his temper!" And Glaukos wouldcolor, knowing I understood.

 Other times, he was moody and withdrawn, and thosewere the times when the crawling shadows in the corners of his room made me uneasy. It was not until I awoke onenight to find him standing in a square of moonlight, holdingthe wooden soldier, that he spoke of it.

 "Kazan," I said gently, sitting up in bed. "What is it?"

 For a moment, he said nothing, then answered roughly."No matter, eh? I dreamed, I. It is nothing. Go to sleep,you."

 I watched him put the child's toy carefully back in thedrawer and close it; I'd not gone near it since the first time."There is truth in dreams, sometimes. It was a dream that sent me to La Serenissima. Do you speak of it, my lord,mayhap I can help—"

 "I dream of my brother when he was a boy." Kazan in­terrupted me, his voice grim. "He comes to me covered inblood, eh, and asks why I killed him!"

 I caught my breath, and waited; he glared at me acrossthe moonlit room. For the space of three heartbeats I waited, and finally asked it, quietly. "Why did you?"

 For a short eternity, he only glared, and then the angerwent out of him with a shuddering sigh and he sat on theedge of the bed, burying his face in his hands. I could barely make out the muffled words. "It was an accident."

 Naamah's arts are not only for love, although ignorantpeople think so. I drew the story out of him that night likea thorn, piecing it together. The Atrabiades line was an old one and noble in Illyria; his father had been a captain in theBan's Guard, with estates in Epidauro. A gently-bred wife, he had, and two sons; Kazan the warrior, his father's pride, and Daroslav the scholar, his mother's favorite. When hedied in a skirmish, Kazan resigned his commission in theEpidauran navy to follow in his father's footsteps and jointhe Guard.

 All of this was some ten years ago, and he but twenty-two or three years of age, a fierce, bright young warrior,rising quickly in rank until he had a unit of his own tocommand. It was the time of Cesare Stregazza's last greateffort as the Doge of La Serenissima to subdue Illyria en­ tirely and place a regent in Epidauro to rule it.

 And it was a time when Kazan's brother Daroslav washome on leave from his studies at the University of Tiberium, much against his mother's wishes.

 "He begged and begged, he," Kazan told me, staringopen-eyed at his memories. "He had been studying the greatbattles, eh, the great generals. Always, he wanted to be like me, you know? To carry a sword, and be a soldier, to fightfor Illyria like our father. Since he was a boy, he has thiswish, to be something from the tales he studies. And ourmother is so proud, she, to have a scholar-son; a great states­man, eh, this is what she sees for Daroslav, not to die onthe end of a spear, like his father, like his brother will, shethinks."

 I poured him water from the pitcher on the bedstand; hedrank it at a gulp and told me the rest: How the Ban's Guard had ridden down a Serenissiman contingent in the foothills,and learned of an assault to be launched on the armory inEpidauro in two days' time; how they had planned to con­ceal themselves within, ambushing their attackers. And howKazan had relented, and told Daroslav of their plan, that hemight observe it from a safe distance.

 It had not been enough for Daroslav Atrabiades, who haddrawn on the cunning of the great generals he had studied to conceive a brilliant rear-guard attack. Armed with hiselder brother's second-best sword, he rallied a handful ofyoung men disgruntled at having no post in the Ban'sGuard. When the trap was sprung, they fell on the Seren­issiman rear.

 By all accounts, Daroslav fought very well indeed, wrest­ing a Serenissiman helmet and a full-body shield with theStregazza arms from the first man he killed. Thus armored,he broke through the Serenissiman line and burst into the arsenal in the flush of first triumph, racing to take his placefighting at his vaunted brother's side.

 "He opened his arms, he," Kazan said. "He opened hisguard, and said my name, eh? And I saw only the helmetand the shield, I, the arms of Serenissima. I stabbed him inthe heart."

 I had thought... I don't know what I had thought. Something else—a quarrel, a woman, something. Kazan was hot-tempered; 'twas easy to cast him as the villain. Not thisawful, tragic dupe of fate. "I am sorry," I said at length."Truly, my lord, I am."

 He stirred; I nearly think he'd forgotten me, telling it. "Nomatter," he said, his voice hardening. "It is done, and I am blood-cursed, I, with my mother's bitter words to make itstick, eh? So she spoke them, when we carried him home,and I followed the bier, I, with Daroslav's blood on myhands. No more to have a home, no more to go to Epidauro, or thekríavbhog will swallow my soul. Always it waits andwatches, yes, but it will not have me yet!" And he staredfiercely into the darkness in the corners of the room, as ifdaring it to defy him.

 Well and so; that was the story of Kazan Atrabiades, whoslew the brother he loved. I got him to sleep in time, andthe ghost of Daroslav troubled him no more that night, norin the nights that followed.

 FIFTY-FIVE

 A light rain was falling the day that Nikanor's ship re­turned.

 I was sitting on a bench in the arcade with Glaukos, en­joying the coolness in the air and practicing my Illyrianwhen the runner came from the summit, panting and bare­foot. Someone ran to fetch him a dipperful of water andsomeone else ran to get Kazan.

 By the time the ship had entered the harbor, we had allassembled on the beach to greet it. Though I kept my fea­tures composed, my heart was beating like a drum. Therewasn't much of a breeze, and it seemed to take forever for the ship to cross the quiet bay. I dashed the rain from my eyes repeatedly and struggled to conceal my impatience.

 At twenty yards out, I realized something was amiss; Ni­kanor's crew was undermanned. Twelve had gone forth, butI counted no more than six on deck. Kazan saw it too. Inoted his thoughtful frown before he drew his sword andhailed the ship. The gathered crowd murmured. They could count, and they had sons and brothers and husbands aboard that vessel.

 Nikanor returned Kazan's hail with a shout, drawing hisown sword in salute as the oarsmen put up and the shipglided alongside the dock. Some few of Kazan's men ran out to meet it, leaping agilely aboard to aid in furling the sails while the rowers rested on their oars.

 "Wait here," Kazan told me, striding toward the dock.

 I waited in agony as he conferred with Nikanor, trying toread their conversation in their expressions and gestures. Ka­zan was frowning, but he was not in a rage; Nikanor ex­plaining. While they talked, men disappeared into the hold,reemerging with heavily laden coffers, which they bore ontothe beach under Kazan's scowl. Everyone crowded round,straining to see or hear, and I felt jostled and anxious.

 Presently Kazan and Nikanor disembarked, and Kazan ad­dressed the villagers, sparing a brief glance in my direction."The D'Angelines will meet our terms," he announced inIllyrian—I understood it passing well by now, though Ispoke it poorly, "but they have claimed six men as suretyfor our bargain, until it be finished. As surety for their good faith, they send this." And he ordered the locks struck onthe coffers.

 Gold coins gleamed in the dismal light, fresh-minted D'Angeline ducats, stamped with Ysandre's elegant profileon one side, and on the other, the lily and s'even stars ofBlessed Elua and his Companions. A full half my ransom—fifteen thousand in gold, all at once.

 A soft sigh arose from the villagers; I daresay none ofthem had seen so much gold in one place before. Kazangrinned wolfishly. He'd won them over with it, and he knewit. "And our lads home safe and as much again in gold whenthe Lady Phèdre is restored to her people!" he shouted, rous­ing a cheer. Some of those crowded nearest even pressedmy hand in thanks, as if I'd willingly chosen to providethem a fortune in ransom.

 After this, Kazan gave swift orders for the conveyance ofthe ransom into safe storage, and the arrival party began todisperse. I caught at Nikanor's arm as he made to pass me.

 "Please, my lord Captain," I said to him in halting Illyrian. "Does my lady of Marsilikos send word for me?"

 Nikanor's eyes flickered and he drew himself up wearily."She says ... yes, she sends word. No token, for fear wewould be captured. She says to tell you, your uncle receivedyour message, and he sends the aid of which you spoke.Also that she will keep your vow, do we play her fair, and Kazan's men will be restored to us." He made me a briefbow, and I saw that lines of exhaustion and bitterness wereetched into his features. "It is enough, I hope."

 "Yes," I said, releasing his arm. "Thank you, my lordCaptain. It is enough."

 It was; it had to be. It was all I had hoped... and yet. Itwas less.

 They conferred that night in private, Kazan and Nikanorand his men, and their taut ran late into the small hours. Akeg of wine was breached, and I lay awake in my narrowguest-bed for the first time since Kazan had taken me to thesummit of the isle, listening to their voices carried on thenight breezes as, toward the end, they got roaring drunk and sang Illyrian war-songs. I knew something of Kazan Atrabiades now, and knew that he meant to have his men back, hale and whole, come what might. I could not blame her, but 'twasa risky thing, this choice of Roxanne de Mereliot's, to keephis men hostage against my return. I'd sooner she had taken his bargain on faith.

 Still, without them, she had no surety; fifteen thousandducats was a mighty sum, and Kazan would be no fool ifhe took the half and slew me out of hand. It was wiselydone. So I told myself and prayed it was true, falling asleepto the distant sound of war-songs.

 On the morrow, Kazan was brusque and distant, keepingme out of the way while he closeted himself with his captains and discussed strategy. I found Lukin inspecting jave­lins in the armory and pestered him for information, gratefulthat my studies in Illyrian had progressed to a point where I might do so.

 "He's right angry, my lady," Lukin said, shrugging apol­ogetically. "Though likely he would have done the samething himself. Still, it put them at risk, to sail such a distancein a half-manned ship. But 'tis no fault of yours, and Kazanknows it, I think."

 "Where is the...trade...to take place?" I asked him.

 "Off the southern Caerdicci coast, there's a little isle, nearBaro; small traders put in to take on fresh water, sometimes,but there's naught of value that the Serenissimans wouldgarrison it, and Baro has no navy. The D'Angeline ship should be on its way already, slow as it is." He grinned atthe latter; Illyrians have no respect for anyone else's sea­manship.

 "We trade on land?"

 Lukin shook his head. "Nay, we'll anchor at sea, andcome alongside her. We're mobile at sea, my lady, more sothan any war-galley or merchanter. Kazan's not like to giveup that advantage. Nor will he give you over until his menare safe."

 In another corner of the armory, two men were tallying barrels of pitch and stripping rags. Kazan Atrabiades was taking every precaution, I thought. "He will, though, yes?Give me over?"

 "Of course!" Lukin jerked his head up, as though I'dstung his honor. "If your people do not break faith," headded grimly.

 "They will not," I said quietly, taking my leave.

 We were four days making preparations for this journey,and I was right, Kazan was indeed preparing for the worst.For three days in a row he drilled his men mercilessly, atclose fighting with short sword and buckler, and at javelinsand archery with straw-stuffed targets under the blazing sun,until they sweated buckets and cursed his name. I couldbelieve, then, that he had commanded a unit in the Ban'sGuard. I do not know much of soldiering, but I have seensome little bit of it, and from what I saw, his men werewell-trained; better than one would expect of lawless brig­ands.

 Me, he ignored during this time, and while I was gladenough of the reprieve, it made me uneasy. I knew his mindand his temper well enough by then; I misliked this brooding discourtesy.

 Still, the days passed, though they crawled in my eyes,and in time Kazan bade me to gather my things and make ready to sail on the morrow. I thought he had done with meby then, but I was wrong; he had me that last night, sum­moning me once more to lie in his great bed with the gildedheadboard. I went, praying to Naamah to have a care forher Servant, who kept the honor of her bargain so well. He was fierce with me that night—he had learned how well Iresponded to that, although I do not think he ever fully reck­oned why—but his face as he labored above me was closedand distant. What visions Kazan Atrabiades saw behind thatfixed gaze, I do not know; his brother, mayhap, or his cap­ tive men wearing his brother's face.

 What he asked, I gave; I cannot help it.

 And on the morrow, we sailed.

 Once again, we assembled on the beach, and the old priestgave the blessing. We sailed at dawn, and I stood shivering a little in the rose-damask gown, a woolen cloak over myshoulders. All six ships would set forth on this venture. Marjopí was there, and fell wailing on Kazan's neck; he bore itbetter than I would have reckoned, until she began to beratethe priest on his behalf. To me, she nodded a stoic farewell,and I daresay she was glad enough to see the last of me.

 Glaukos would sail on our ship, and he was there, cheer­ful and smiling; his young wife had come too, and her sister.They bade me shy farewells, thanking me once more for themeager gift of fabric I had given, awestricken by the lan­guage I had acquired. I met their parents, who were a shep­herd and wife, tongue-tied and staring, murmuring aboutViliand thinking I did not understand.

 At last it was done, and Volos, the boy who could talkto birds, handed me aboard Kazan's ship. I breathed deepof the scent of sun-warmed pine boards. Kazan gave the command to hoist anchor and it was done; the oars dippedand splashed in the morning light, and our prow turned,nosing outward.

 Green water sluiced along the sides of the vessel and abrisk breeze plucked at our furled sails; Kazan gave thecommand, and his men leapt to obey, scrambling along theyard to unlash the sails. One, three, six ships a-sail... wewere off, darting across the sunlit bay toward the narrow passage, and the charming village of Dobrek falling away behind us.

 It was a different thing, this journey, from my first sojournas Kazan Atrabiades' hostage. I had expected similar treat­ment, reckoning to stake out a place on deck and keep my­self out of the way, but he accorded me instead the smallcabin within the forecastle for my quarters. There he left me well enough alone, and I reckoned his anger at D'Angelinesin general and the Lady of Marsilikos in particular hadspilled over onto me. I understood much more of the Illyriantongue by this time and Kazan's men did small kindnessesfor me when his eye was not on them, but there was grimpurposefulness to this journey, as opposed to the light-hearted, victorious spirit of the former.

 For three days, we wended south down the Illyrian coastand the weather held fair. The long, shining summer was giving way at last to fall, but the seasons change late there and the days remained warm. I judged the time of year bythe length of days, and wondered where Ysandre was now,making herprogressus. Not far, I thought; she would likelyhave set forth by sail to Ditus, at the tip of Caerdicca Unitas,and would travel by land up the western coast beforecrossing inland to La Serenissima, seeing how the northerncity-States held against the Skaldic border. Quintilius Roussewould have ample time to intervene. If he were canny—andI knew him for no fool—he would send word to Ysandre.With the D'Angeline fleet prepared to move by sea againstLa Serenissima, surely the city-states of Caerdicca Unitaswould mobilize on land. Ysandre would arrive in La Ser­enissima with an army of allies at her back.

 Percy de Somerville was the only danger. I'd not beenable to think of a way to warn the Lord Admiral againsthim. Still, Rousse was unlikely to recruit the Royal Com­mander in this venture. No, I thought, he will send word tode Somerville, but only to alert him. Else, it would leaveTerre d'Ange undefended, with the fleet away. Well and so, Percy de Somerville is no fool either. He will bow with thewinds, and look to save his own hide. And if Ghislain iswith him... Ghislain's troops and estates lie in Azzalle, hehas Alba to contend with, and dares not risk the wrath ofDrustan mab Necthana. And Barquiel L'Envers rules yet as regent in Ysandre's name, and commands forces of his own.

 It would fall out well enough, I thought, and we had sur­prise on our side yet, for all that I'd lost weeks as Kazan'shostage. I would be safely returned to give word of deSomerville's treachery ere he could act on it; the web of those loyal to Ysandre would hold long enough for that.

 So did I muse, and pass the time aboard the ship, whilesun-gilded isles slid past us along the coastline. Glaukos called me aside one day, pointing to the distant east, wherea causeway from the mainland rolled out to meet a mighty walled city on the sea.

 "Epidauro," he murmured, as if fearful Kazan would hear. I saw many bright-sailed ships gathered in the harbor there,tiny flecks of color against the granite walls. We had giventhe city a wide berth. Even so, men muttered and made signsagainst evil, while Kazan stared straight ahead, his jawclenched with anger.

 It was on the following day that we turned west and intothe open sea.

 A steady breeze blew at our backs, and the ships leaptforward like winged creatures, plunging buoyantly over thedeep-blue waves. Seldom were the decks level for long, andI gave thanks to Blessed Elua that I had a strong stomachfor sailing. Joscelin would have been green-faced andwretched; it is the only time I was glad he was not with me,though the thought of him made me smile. It was a little frightening, but mostly exhilarating. Even Kazan's moodlightened somewhat, although he would not look at me.

 Two days we took making the crossing, and at dawn onthe third, he turned back to the grim business at hand, is­suing curt orders which were passed by flag-signals fromship to ship. Arms were brought forth from the hold,wrapped in oilcloth against the dampness; swords werehoned and bowstrings waxed and plucked, bucklers heftedto test their balance on the swaying decks, javelins sighted down their lengths, ropes snapped on grappling hooks to measure their strength.

 By noon we saw the island, a grey hummock rising outof the sea, a patch of green scrub showing faintly where the harbor lay, and the freshwater spring by which sailors knewit. Some leagues beyond it, the Caerdicci coast was a dim haze on the horizon.

 And there before it, at deep-sea anchor, rode a single gal­ley. Her sails were lowered against the wind, but there, atop the center mast, flew a familiar pennant—the silver swan ofHouse Courcel. Tears stung my eyes to look upon it, andmy heart soared within my breast.

 We dropped sail some distance away, Kazan signaling theother ships to fan out in an encircling crescent, bringing thelarger craft to bay. Six sailors on each vessel went to oars,using them cunningly to maintain position on the rockingwaves. Two scrambled atop the forecastle of each, trainingarrows on the D'Angeline galley. No sign came from thegalley, although I could see people aboard watching, andsunlight glinting off armor.

 When he was satisfied that his men were in position, Ka­zan stepped up to the prow and cupped his hands about hismouth, hailing the galley in Caerdicci.

 "No trade until my men are returned!" he shouted. "I willsee them safe first, eh? You put them in a skiff, you, andsend them out to us!"

 The figures aboard the galley moved, conferring, and thena single figure came forward to reply. His words carriedfaintly over the water, spoken in D'Angeline-accented Caerdicci. "Show us the Comtesse!"

 Glaukos took my arm, leading me the length of the ship to stand beside Kazan. Whatever they saw at that distance,it was enough to satisfy them, for presently a small skiffwas lowered into the water and eight men clambered downa rope ladder into it. Kazan pointed toward the other ships.For long, agonizing moments we waited as the skiff was rowed out to meet the Illyrian vessels, three ships takingaboard two men. With each careful exchange, the flag-bearersignaled victory to Kazan. At last it was done, and the tworowers rested their oars, looking back at the galley for or­ders.

 "Now send the gold, you," Kazan called to the galley,"and I will send the girl!"

 Another conference aboard the galley, and the spokes­man's reply. "We have given our surety, pirate! Send the Comtesse first and we will send the gold."

 It needed only one look at Kazan's face to know he wouldrefuse. I put my hand on his arm, pleading. "My lord,please! I've given you my word, I've sworn my very soulon it. Her Grace's men will not break faith with it, I promise you!"

 "Be silent!" Blood darkened his face as he glared at me."You do not know what you speak of, you! No one treatsfairly with pirates, eh? No trade without the gold." Cupping his hands once more, he shouted it to the galley. "No tradewithout the gold!"

 Gulls wheeled overhead, giving their raucous calls duringthe long pause. I waited it out with my heart in my throat until the spokesman answered. "If you will not send her,then bring her and take the gold yourself! It is our bestoffer."

 Kazan nodded grimly; he had expected no less. "They areready?" he asked his second officer, a man named Pekhlo.

 Pekhlo spoke to the flag-bearer, and a ripple of signalsran from ship to ship. "All are ready, Kazan.”

 "Then we will do this." Kazan raised his voice. "Go!"

 It happened quickly, so quickly it near bewildered me; Inever doubted, after this, their deadly skill as pirates. I dare­say dozens of merchanters have felt the same astonishment, being set on by Kazan Atrabiades. The oarsmen set the wa­ter churning to white foam, and the ship crossed the distancein a trice, swinging alongside the galley—on the far side, another ship followed suit, while the others drew in easy range of a bow. Grappling hooks soared through the air, thanking deep into the wood of the galley's rails; someoneleapt to grab the dangling ladder, and in less space than ittakes to tell it, a full dozen Illyrian pirates had swarmedonto the galley.

 Beneath the galley's shadow, I could see nothing, heardonly scuffling, curses and a brief clash of arms, then mut­tering stillness. I gazed at Kazan, who looked grimly backat me.

 "Very well, pirate," came the voice of the D'Angeline spokesman, sounding distinctly annoyed. "Send up theComtesse, and take your Elua-cursed gold! We've shownyou no reason to break faith, and your men are outnumberedhere."

 The rope ladder was dangling near at hand, the oarsmenholding the bobbing ship steady. Kazan drew his sword andpointed it at me. "Go," he said softly. "I will follow behindyou."

 I stared uncomprehending at the point of his sword. "Mylord?"

 "Go!" he roared.

 I went, with Kazan close on my heels, buckler dangling at his back.

 It was the D'Angeline spokesman who helped me overthe rails, and he gave me no greeting, stepping away quicklyas though he were reluctant to touch me. Kazan came lip behind me, his free hand closing hard on my elbow. I sawwhy, then.

 On the deck of the galley, a dozen Illyrians held two-score armed soldiers at an uneasy standoff, their slighternumbers backed by those watching on the other four ships,weapons trained on the galley.

 The only D'Angeline things in sight were the spokesman,the Courcel pennant and me.

 It was a Serenissiman galley.

 FIFTY-SIX

 1 whirled so fast I broke Kazan's grip, hissing at him, "You betrayed me!"

 His face was shuttered. "No. There was a blockade, at theCaerdicci point. Nikanor never got through it, eh? Theycaught him, and found the letter." For a fleeting moment,something altered in his expression. "I am sorry, yes. But they had my men, Phèdre. What was I to do, I?" And thenhis voice hardened again, and he wrenched me around,pushing me forward. "Here is what you want," he said curtly. "Take her."

 I stumbled, fetching up before a stocky Serenissiman ina Captain's helmet, a badge on his doublet worked with the familiar tower-and-carrack insignia of the Stregazza family.

 "This is the one?" he asked aloud, glancing at Kazan.Without waiting for a reply, he took my chin between finger and thumb, wrenching my face up toward him and scanningit. "A scarlet mote, by the Spear! And the markings?" Turn­ing me, he gathered up my hair in both hands, peering atthe nape of my neck where the finial of my marque was visible. "Sure enough. A damned waste of beauty." He re­leased me, nodding casually to two of his men. "Kill her."

 My blood turned to ice and I stood frozen to the spot.Several paces away, Kazan's mouth opened in shock. Hismen, who had not understood the Caerdicci, shifted rest­lessly and looked to him for guidance.

 "Captain!" It was the D'Angeline spokesman, soundingas startled as Kazan looked. "I have orders to bring her to Prince Benedicte!”

 "Yes," the Captain said mildly. "And I have orders frommy lord Marco Stregazza to make certain you do no suchthing. This woman is a spy and an escaped criminal, andif your doddering princeling has some idiotic fear ofD'Angeline curses for shedding her blood, be assured thatLord Marco does not. She dies here, guardsman, and letyour Prince take it up with Lord Marco. For the good of theSerene Republic, I have my orders."

 "Kazan," I breathed; I had begun shaking. He stared at me, still dumbstruck. "Will you let them do this thing?"

 He made no reply.

 "Ah, right," the Captain said thoughtfully. "Your gold,pirate." He drew his sword, pointing at a pair of cofferssitting on deck. "Take it and begone, then, with our thanks. Though if I were you ..." He glanced meaningfully toward the distant island, where two war-galleys were easing intoview around the curve of coast, single-masted biremes pro­pelled by a double bank of oars. "I would go with haste, for our bargain ends the instant you take it. The girl's life isworth more than yours to the Serene Republic ... but not by much."

 "Kazan!" I cried.

 His head bowed as he averted his face. "Rachlav, Zaiko...take the gold."

 I stood in disbelief as the Illyrians moved to obey him,two men each on a coffer, under the watchful eyes of the Serenissimans. The others warded them, forming a line oneither side of the galley as the coffers were handed downinto the Illyrian vessels.

 "Good enough." The Captain was pleased. "If you movefast enough, you may even escape, sea-wolf, though Asheratgrant you fail. You ..." he snapped his fingers at one of his men, "... and you. Do it now. It is to be done on the instant,Lord Marco says."

 They moved swiftly, doubtless hand-picked for disciplineand loyalty. I struggled briefly, to no avail, and was forcedto kneel on the deck. I heard a voice cry out a protest inIllyrian, quickly stifled; Lukin, I thought. And then a handtangled roughly in my hair, dragging my head back to baremy throat for the sword. It was all happening so fast, Iscarce had time to feel the terror of it until I saw a Serenissiman soldier move in front of me, drawing his sword backfor the swing.

 I understood then that I was going to die.

 It is fixed in my mind, that moment; sunlight glinting offthe edge of the blade, the Captain's impassive face behindmy executioner, even the feel of the sun-warmed planksbeneath my knees. And Kazan's wordless shout, buildingfull of rage and fury until it seemed it would crack the verysky.

 I never saw the blow that separated my would-be exe­cutioner's head from his shoulders, only his body crumplingat my knees, blood pooling about his truncated neck. Mygorge rose and I suppressed a wave of sickness, scramblingaway from the soldier who'd held me. By the time I gainedmy feet, chaos reigned on the deck of the galley—and inthe center of it all was Kazan Atrabiades, wielding his swordlike a man possessed.

 Outnumbered, the Illyrians fought to secure their retreat, aided by a volley of javelins and fire-arrows from the out­lying ships. Set aflame, the pitch-soaked rags wrapped aboutthe arrows set a dozen small fires on deck, adding to theconfusion. Kazan and the Serenissiman Captain alike were roaring orders, half-heeded by skirmishing soldiers and pi­rates. And then I saw no more as one of the latter grabbedme about the waist, hauling me over the railing and handingme down into the waiting arms of Glaukos, waiting anxious-eyed in the ship below.

 How long it lasted, I could not say—hours, it seemed,though I daresay not more than a span of heartbeats had passed before the rest followed, of those that might, and Kazan himself came over the railing. Our ship wallowedunder their staggering weight, archers atop the forecastlegrimly firing arrow after arrow at the galley to cover theirretreat.

 "Fly!" Kazan shouted at the oarsmen, flushed with fury."Fly!"

 And fly we did, oars churning at ragged speed while oth­ers dropped their arms where they stood, racing to hoist the sails. In the prow, the flag-bearer signaled frantically to theother ships, urging them to flight.

 There would be no pursuit from the galley; Kazan's pi­rates had done their job well. Even in bright daylight, Icould see the flames that licked at the mainsail. Small figuresraced around the deck, forming a bucket brigade to keep thevessel from going up entire.

 But there were the others, those hidden by the isle, andthey moved swiftly, looming out of the distance. The wind that had blown steady at our backs all the way from Illyriaworked against us now. Gone was the elegant, concertedflight of before; now, all six ships scattered wildly, workingagainst a strong headwind. Three men lay wounded on thedeck, groaning. I made a count; two had never returned.Glaukos worked steadily, satchel open beside him, endeav­oring to bind the worst of their wounds. I went to aid him,and he glanced briefly up at me.

 "I didn't know, my lady," he said. "I swear it."

 "I believe you." I did; there was naught else I could say,and no more time for speech. We worked quickly together,doing the best we could for them, and I thanked BlessedElua that I had learned somewhat of field medicine after the terrible battle of Troyes-le-Mont. And all the while, the Serenissiman war-galleys bore down upon us.

 They caught the sixth ship, the straggler, when we were scarcely three hundred yards away. I knew from the reso­nant, thumping sound that carried over the waves that thewar-galleys had ballistae mounted on their forecastles. Itwas an unlucky shot that did them in, a spring-loaded bolt that split the yard and brought down their sails. We couldnot help but watch as the smaller craft wallowed in the wa­ter, helpless and waiting. Serenissimans swarmed the vessel,for it had one of the coffers of gold. It went quickly, atleast.

 Lukin was on that ship, I thought, remembering hearinghis voice. The one that boarded the far side of the galley; it had been the slowest to make its escape. I would have wept,if I'd had any tears to spare.

 So began our flight, that even in memory seems endless.Like hares coursed by hounds, we fled the Serenissiman war-galleys across the great, roiling sea, day and night, tack­ing and doubling without surcease. Against the speed and agility of the Illyrian vessels was pitted the remorseless beat of the great war-galleys, that cared naught for the wind andhad manpower to spare. I learned, later, how many menMarco Stregazza contributed to that enterprise; it numberedwell into the hundreds. Betimes they drew near, and theballistae thumped; then, bolts split the air, sending up greatgeysers of water all around us. One such pierced our mizzen sail, and Kazan shouted commands, unfaltering, ordering the sail stripped and the storm-sail raised. How they managedit in those surging waves, I do not know, but they did.

 I did my best to give aid as I might, bringing food andwater to those in need. By the second day, all were hollow-eyed from exhaustion and lack of sleep—and still the gal­leys pursued us. It was on that day that another ship waslost, floundering as it cut too close to the wind. It came nighto overturning and took on water, too much water. Onceagain, we could do naught but watch from a distance as theyrighted themselves slowly and wallowed, sunk halfway to their railings, waiting for death as one of the biremes drewnigh.

 Four ships left, running for our lives.

 And when darkness fell, Kazan's second officer began toargue with him.

 "They'll follow us to our cursedgraves, Kazan! What willyou do, lead them straight into Dobrek harbor and let themhave us all? I'm telling you, it's the only way!"

 And Kazan, grim-faced. "No. We will lose them in the night."

 Pekhlo swore at him with a sailor's eloquence. "You saidthat last night, and here they are still, on our trail like ahunting pack! Will you condemn us all for your mother'sgrief, Kazan? I'm telling you, we're leading death on astring here, and Epidauro's got the only forces will haltthem! How many will die, if we let them run us agroundelsewhere?"

 "And will you ask the Ban to challenge the Doge's sonon our behalf?" Kazan reminded him. "He won't; he'd bea fool if he did. We're pirates, Pekhlo! Stregazza has theright of it!"

 "Not in this," his second officer said stubbornly. "He'dsee us given a fair trial, he would, and we've kept our bar­gain; it was the Stregazza who broke it. I'm willing to diefor you, Kazan, but not for your damned blood-curse, no!"

 "My lord." By the dim light of the storm-lanterns, I hadgroped my way to the forecastle, where they quarrelled. "Mylord, does the Ban of Illyria swear me his protection, hemay claim aid of the throne of Terre d'Ange. I promise youit is so."

 Kazan looked at me with haunted eyes. "Do you say so,my lady?" he asked in Illyrian. "Well, I have disregardedyou often enough, when you tried to tell me as much. Still,it seems the Serenissimans are willing to kill or die to haveyou, when I reckoned they had no greater enemy than I." He sighed. "So be it. If they are with us come dawn, wemake for Epidauro."

 The command went out, relayed by lantern from ship toship. I heard ragged cheering burst forth, faint across thewater. Pekhlo went eagerly to consult with the sailors man­ning the rudders. Left alone, Kazan Atrabiades closed hiseyes.

 "My lord," I said to him in his own tongue. "I owe you my life."

 "Yes." His eyes remained shut. "I did not think theywould kill you, Phèdre nó Delaunay. They told Nikanor thatthe D'Angeline Prince would pay your ransom, if we deliv­ered you. I thought it would be well enough. You said youwould have gone to him, only he did not know you."

 I swallowed hard, remembering. "It was not true, my lord.

 Prince Benedicte is a traitor, in league with Marco Stregazza. I knew this. I let you think otherwise. And I am deeply sorry for it. If I hadn't, the...the others might yetlive, those who died."

 "No." Kazan opened his eyes. "Serenissima laid a trap forus, thinking to have us both, although they wanted you themore. It would have happened anyway." He gave me aweary smile. "You told me it was an accident, that you fellinto the sea."

 "It was," I said.

 "Escaping prisoners, near the sea." He gazed up at thenight sky, scudding clouds veiling the stars. "I did not think,when you told me. I thought, then, a riot in the harbor,maybe, such as may sweep bystanders into its path. But Ithink you were one of the prisoners, yes? There is only oneSerenissiman prison I know on the sea, where the currentsrun strange and deadly. It is a place all sailors know, a placeto avoid." He glanced back at me. "No one has ever escapedfrom the black isle. Who are you, to do such a thing?"

 "I had help, my lord." There was no point in denying it. "A rescuer."

 Kazan stirred. "Then there is a force in Serenissima, loyalto you?"

 "No." I shook my head. "It was my companion, Joscelin."

 He looked at me without speaking for a moment. "Oneman?" he asked eventually. "One man assailed the black isleon your behalf?" I nodded. Kazan gave a short laugh. "Thenhe is mad, I think, or too much in love with you."

 "No." I rubbed my eyes, itching with tiredness. "I don'tknow. A little of both, maybe."

 "You look different when you speak of him."

 I made no reply. There was too much to say, and toolittle, and the thought of Joscelin was more than I couldbear. In the absence of words, beyond the sound of wavesand creaking rigging, came the distant sound of a drumbeat,steady and relentless.

 Somewhere behind us across the dark seas, the Serenis­siman war-galleys pursued, chasing our faint, flitting lights.

 Kazan gazed across the waters. "So it will be Epidauro,then," he said softly. "Just know ..." He switched to Caerdicci, the language we had always shared between us. "...I didn't think they would kill you, eh? Remember mekindly, you." He touched my hair, and gave me a faint smile. "Marjopf was right, yes? Bad luck, after all. But Iwill think of you, when I die. It would please Daroslav, thatI knew one such as you, before the end."

 For that, too, I had no words; I watched him go, con­sulting with his men, lending a word here or there, givingthem hope.

 A roiling dawn broke in the east, purple clouds shotthrough with ragged streaks of orange, beating the waves into bronze. The winds picked up, errant and fitful, gustsfrom the north driving us sideways and setting peaks ofwhite foam atop the wave crests. Our pursuers were behindus still, and if they began at last to flag, so too did ourprogress slow.

 A half a league behind us, no more, did they follow. Ifthe winds had favored us, we might have done it; Kazan'sships could have scattered in one of the many archipelagos,disappearing in minutes. It had ever been their plan forevading pursuit, and a successful one; but the pursuit had never been so well-planned, so dogged. In the past, Kazan Atrabiades had struck as an opportunist. This time, the op­ portunity had been Marco Stregazza's, and he had taken itto its fullest.

 We made for Epidauro.

 Kazanspoke briefly to his crew. "You know what weface, all of you, behind and before. Let my mother's curseclaim me then; 'tis long enough overdue. If the Ban may profit from it, 'tis worthwhile in the end. Pekhlo, tell Ni-kanor I bequeath command to him when I am dead. I askonly that he leave the house to Marjopí, and see that she isgiven a proper loom, an upright loom like the D'Angelines use." He raised his voice, shouting the order. "All sails out for Epidauro!"

 They did not cheer, then, but merely obeyed. I made myway to Glaukos' side, to see if I could be of assistance to him. He was working in the dark hold, where the injured had been secured, and his normally cheerful face was setand lined.

 "All the gods be thanked," he muttered, "that he's setaside his damned superstition long enough to save our hides.Did you talk him into it, my lady?"

 "A little." I caught his satchel as it threatened to overturnas the ship lurched sharply. "He thinks he's going to die,Glaukos."

 "I know." He steadied himself against the inner wall ofthe ship, then bent over to check a dressing, sniffing to seeif the wound had gone bad. The sailor, half-conscious, mur­mured in pain.

 "Do you believe it?"

 "Ah, now ..." Glaukos glanced at me. "I don't know, mylady. Do you ask me do I think thekríavbhog will take him,well, no, I think no such thing. Tis Illyrian superstition,that, and naught else; tales to frighten children. But when aman sets himself to die, I have seen it, how his spirit maygo out like a blown candle flame. Kazan, he's more life inhim than any ten men. But still...I don't know."

 At that, the ship heeled sharply again, rendering talk awasted effort. I helped him as best I could, and when I coulddo no more, I went back above deck. The morning's cloudshad thickened, and rainsqualls threatened here and there, moving across the surface of the sea as if of their own vo­lition. The Serenissiman galleys had drawn closer.

 And ahead of us lay Epidauro.

 FIFTY-SEVEN

 i he city of Epidauro has stood for a long time, as Illyriansreckon history; always it has been populated, although it wasthe Tiberians who build the first fortifications there. Oncean island, it is linked to the mainland by the causeway, anddefended on three sides by water and sturdy walls allaround.

 We bore down upon it like so many leaves driven hitherand thither before the wind, Kazan's sailors scrambling fran­tically with each new tack. And all the while behind us came the relentless drumbeat, the banked oars of the Serenissimanwar-galleys churning double lines of foam.

 There can be no doubt that our approach was spotted by the harbor ward-towers, for the response was swift. At such a distance that they resembled child's toys, we saw them;ships of the Illyrian navy, mustering in the harbor, theirsquare sails dyed scarlet with the black insignia of the Ban's bird of prey on them.

 Let them take us into custody, I thought; it mattersnaught, so long as we do not die at the hands of the Serenissimans. If this Ban of Illyria has half a wit to his name,he will hear me out and accept the promise of Ysandre'sfavor. I will plead clemency for Kazan and his men on be­half of Terre d'Ange; whatever they have done in the past,La Serenissima has no claim in this matter. Let the Serenissimans blockade the Caerdicci point as they will, there are other routes, though they may take longer. They cannotcover the whole of the Caerdicci coast. Surely, we may finda way to win through, and if I cannot reach Marsilikos, stillI may intercept Ysandre in herprogressus.

 So I told myself, and fed the guttering spark of hope thatremained to me, while the sullen sky muttered with thunderand the walls of Epidauro grew nearer.

 The men grew heartened at the sight of the massing Il­lyrian naval force, offering cries of thanks and praise invoices that cracked with weariness. One of the ships caughta rare good gust of wind, coursing ahead with its triangular sail at a stiff angle; Nikanor's ship, I thought, and Someonecheered as they surged into the forefront. Behind us, the war-galleys faltered, commanders questioning the wisdomof pursuing their quarry into the arms of the sole undefeatedseat of a vassal nation.

 And in the prow of the ship stood Kazan Atrabiades, his face ghost-white.

 My skin prickled all over with awful presentiment.

 I had managed to forget, until then, the full truth of the waking vision I had seen aboard this ship; attributed it tofear and shadows, cast by a half-dreaming mind tainted by remembered blood-guilt. What had happened to Kazan's brother was a dreadful thing, and reason enough for night­mares. They had ceased, since I'd drawn the story out of him. And as for what I had seen myself, I had been morethan half delirious, plucked from the sea after an ordeal thatwould have driven many a warrior to madness.

 But I knew better.

 Blessed Elua, I prayed, salt-spray stinging my eyes totears, spare him! Please, please, let us come safe to land.Naamah, have a care for your Servant, who has served youwell and faithfully! If he is a patron, let it be said he has not stinted the offering; men died that he might save mylife. My lord Kushiel, ah! You have set your hand upon meand cast me forth; if you would not see me perish now, thenoffer me your protection. And I prayed, too, to Asherat-of-the-Sea, to whom I owed a debt of honor; my lady, if youwould see it kept, bear this ship upon your bosom, and donot let it fail!

 Though the clouds gathered overhead and spat rain uponus, though lightning flickered in the sky's dark underbelly,I felt my prayers heard, a waiting presence enfolded aroundme.Thus it may be, a voice spoke in my heart.But he isnot ours.

 Rain beat down in sheets, and the sailors cursed, grap­pling with lines whipping slick and wind-torn. A flash oflightning brightened the skies, and I saw all three of theother ships leaping ahead of us now, gaining entrance tothe harbor, sails stark white against the leaden grey. And inthe dark eye-blinding aftermath, a hoarse cry.

 I did not see it until the lightning flashed again: Kazan,still standing, enwrapped in the coils of thekríavbhog. Fromankles to chest its serpentine tail entwined him; its sinuousneck rose above his head, veined wings outspread and beat­ing at the glowering air. Eyes glittered like rubies in itswedge-shaped head and the mouth opened in a hiss,triple-forked tongue flickering at his face. He fought hope­lessly against it, sword-arm still free, making no dent inthose preternatural scales.

 What the others saw that day, I do not know; it is not athing of which they will speak. I know what I saw. It isenough.

 The northerly gusts of wind that had plagued us all daystruck once more, slamming a rain-driven fist into the sideof the ship. The sailors shouted with helpless rage andfought the pitching waves, fought the wind, fought the lines.

 And Kazan Atrabiades fought thekríavbhog.

 It was too much, too vast and strong, growing larger witheach inch we struggled forward toward the harbor of Epidauro. I did not know, until I heard the rattle in my throat,that I was sobbing. Its head reared over him, blotting outthe rain, a hinged jaw lowering and extending.

 May thekríavbhogswallow my soul if I lie ...

 Half-blinded by tears and lashing rain, I struggled acrossthe pitching deck to the stern of the ship; an oar broken loose of its lock nearly knocked me overboard, before Imade it. I clung to the mizzenmast, sodden hair plastered across my cheek by the wind, scarce able to hear my ownvoice shouting above the din. "Turn back, name of Elua,turn back! Can't you see it's killing him!" In the suddenglare of lightning, I saw the steersman staring at me open-mouthed, eyes showing the whites all around, and I realizedI'd been shouting in D'Angeline. Groping for the Illyrianwords, I drew a deep breath and loosed it with all my might."Turn back!"

 A sharp, double-clap of thunder echoed my words. Withterror writ on his face, the steersman yanked hard on therudder-bar, and the ship heeled, her prow swinging to thesouth and her sail coming around with a vengeance. Mencried out, staggering, grabbing for support; two I saw werelost, thrown overboard at the sharp turn. I had time only tospare a fleeting prayer that they might yet swim to safeharbor, and then the northerly wind bore down upon us andour sails snapped taut and we were running, running before the wind.

 I sank to my knees at the base of the mizzenmast andwept.

 Would we have reached Epidauro that day if I had notspoken? I cannot say. I chose in the space of a heartbeat,and once the decision was made and the deed done, it could not be undone. And yet, if I had it to make again, I would choose the same, though the throne of Terre d'Ange hungin the balance. Too many have died, who aided me. In thatterrible, storm-ridden moment, I could not knowinglychoose to condemn Kazan Atrabiades to his death. I neverunderstood, until then, how Joscelin could have chosen toremain at my side in Skaldia, when he had a chance toescape and warn the nation of Selig's plan. I understand itbetter now.

 So it was that we fled before the storm, and that journeyis grim beyond telling. I did not think any mere force of nature could be more dire than the wrath of the Master ofthe Straits. I was wrong. That craft and crew survived is a testament to the skill of the Illyrian sailors; never again willI smile to hear one boast of his seamanship. Night and day,the wind howled at our backs, harrowing us ever southward. More than once, I thought our ship would surely crack intwo as it plunged into a trough; more than once, I thoughtwe would capsize when a towering wall of green waterbroke like thunder over the ship, setting the decks awash.Half our stores were spoiled by salt water, and one preciouscask of fresh water was cracked and leaking. Glaukos could do naught for the wounded but pray.

 As for Kazan, he was like a man caught in a wakingdream, open-eyed and insensible. It was all I could do tokeep him in the forecastle out of the way, while his sailors fought for our survival. He would look at me when I spoketo him with no sign of understanding.

 There was no question of pursuit by the Serenissimanwar-galleys. Even if they had had the will to follow, theycould not have; no oarsmen could have outlasted that gale. Sodden and bone-weary, I could do naught but wonder andpray, hoping that they had turned back rather than risk con­frontation with the whole of the Epidauran navy.

 Pekhlo, Kazan's second-in-command aboard the ship, wasone of the men I'd seen thrown overboard when we fled.With Kazan useless, it was Tormos who took command, andhe found steel in his soul on that fateful day, for as grim as it got, he never faltered. It was his decision to ride out the crest of the storm, although I daresay if he'd known howlong it would last or how far it would drive us, he might have tried to make landfall. But once we had turned, wenever had a chance; the winds chivvied us away from the coastline and into the raging seas. Three times he sought to make for land; three times, the storm blew us back.

 How long did it last? Six days, mayhap seven. I lostcount. Of our position on the face of the earth, I had nonotion. I am no navigator, to reckon my place by the stars;even if I were, there were no stars to be seen during thatterrible flight. Only waves and more waves, and the vast, wrath-filled skies, until at last the storm blew itself out andsubsided into meekness, leaving us dazed and exhausted, clinging to our half-crippled ship floating on the bosom ofa gentle sea.

 It was bright morning when it happened, the sun dazzling silver on the water. I made my way to Tormos' side withexaggerated caution, unused to the bobbing steadiness of ourcraft. He looked at me with red-rimmed eyes, weary beyondwords.

 "Tormos," I said. My voice cracked on his name; I hadlost it shouting above the pounding sea. I cleared my throat,addressing him in Illyrian. "Where are we, do you know?"

 He merely looked dully at me and shook his head.

 All around us, the sea sparkled in the sunlight. Dark blue,the water was, and deep. On deck, sailors moved slowly,straightening limbs cramped by long resistance to the storm.Glaukos' head and shoulders appeared in the opening of thehold as he hoisted our last cask of fresh water on deck. It seemed pitiably small. I felt light-headed, and could not re­member when last I'd eaten.

 "Look!"

 It was Oltukh who shouted, pointing; Oltukh, who hadmade me necklaces of shells. We all looked and saw wherehe pointed, a pod of dolphins breaching the surface of thewaves, sleek and grey, wearing their perpetual smiles. Onespouted very near the ship, blowing a plume of spray intothe air.

 Asherat-of-the-Sea, I thought, loved dolphins.

 "There." Glaukos' voice, for once quavering with age. Heleaned over the railings, staring past the merry dolphins."There, there! Don't you see it? Land!" His hand rose, trem­bling; I realized then that he had spoken in Hellene, revert­ing to the milk-tongue of his infancy, that his slave-motherhad taught him. "Land!" he cried, pointing. "Land!"

 Tormos frowned, shoving sailors out of his way. He had understood the urgency, if not the words. We all jostled for position then, gazing across the waters while our torn sailsflapped mildly in the calm breeze.

 There, on the horizon, lay a smudge of darkness.

 Land.

 We cheered, and we wept, and we set our sails for land.The rudder-bar had snapped and the rudder itself split intwo under the dreadful force we had endured; still, welimped over the surface of the water, and the island beforeus loomed larger and larger. No Dobrek, this isle; no, it wasvaster, its size deceptively diminished by distance. Thenearer we got, the larger it grew, and what had seemed hillsat its center became mountains, forest-shrouded and gildedin the bright sunlight.

 I saw Glaukos' face, the moment he recognized it. He drew a sharp breath, and awe came over his features. Hewas Tiberian by rearing and Illyrian by choice, but his bloodwas Hellene, and what he knew, he had learnt at hismother's knee.

 "It is Kriti," he said reverently. "We have come to Kriti.”

 I measured our course in my head and thought, it may beso. Pure south had we been driven, down the coast of Illyria,of mainland Hellas. Had we truly come so far, that we had reached the isle of the House of Minos? I remembered Delaunay's study, maps spread on the table, awash in late af­ternoon sunlight. In truth, mayhap we had.

 At Tormos' command, we followed the dolphins, and noone questioned it for superstition. Kazan came forth fromthe forecastle and watched with childlike interest, his facedisturbingly blank. I took his arm, and steered him to a placeof safety along the railing; he went unprotesting.

 We drew near enough to make out the shape of the isle,measuring some thirty-odd leagues from tip to tip. The sideswere sheer and rocky but, here and there, sandy beachesbeckoned. A flock of gulls skirled above us, giving out their harsh cries; young Volos, triumphantly alive, lifted his headand gave back their raucous cries. The gulls veered land­ward, heading for the smallest of bays, a crescent of whitesand cradled betwixt horns of stone. Half-laughing and half-weeping, Tormos ordered the ship to follow.

 Deep-blue water gave way to sapphire, and our breezedied entirely. Undeterred, Tormos ordered the Illyrians tooars, and they pulled to a ragged beat as he stamped out therhythm. Faltering yet game, ragged sails flapping emptily,we slid through the waters, until they grew shallower and turned to aquamarine.

 We had entered the horns of the harbor.

 Light-headed as I was, it took me a moment to realizethat the sound I heard was mightier than the oarsmen's beat,echoing across the water. There is no mistaking that beat, once one hears it. It is measured to the pace of the mortalheart and it is measured out in bronze, eldest tool of the earth that ever humankind shaped to serve its need. I didnot see, until we were well and truly betwixt them, the cavesthat riddled the horns of the harbor, layer upon stony layer,rising above us.

 Then I did, and knew it was from thence that the soundof beating gongs came, and my hair rose at the nape of myneck as we glided below the caves. This was no ordinaryport. We had crossed the threshold of a sacred place. So did we enter the harbor of the Temenos.

 FIFTY-EIGHT

 1 here were children on the beach; I had not expected that.

 They greeted our arrival with eager cries, swooping like gulls over the gritty white sands as our ship ran aground inshallow water. Bemused, Tormos cast a line ashore, and afull dozen eager hands grasped it, children setting theirbacks to it with a will, hauling our vessel nearer to shore.It was a lucky thing the Illyrian ships had such a shallowdraught, that we were able to disembark and splash our wayashore. Kazan came without assistance, and it seemed to me that there was an alertness in his face for the first time since Epidauro.

 The sound of bronze gongs had ceased, and left in itswake a profound silence.

 Salt-stained and aching and unsteady on my legs, I waitedwith the others, standing on the beach and gazing at stepscarved into the living rock, easing down toward the sea.

 'Twould be a party of guards would meet us, I thought; one expects such a thing, landing uninvited in a foreignharbor. Instead, there came a single man, unarmed, escortedby a retinue of seven youths and seven maidens. He was of middle years, dark and bearded, with a diadem of ribbonsbound around his curly hair, wearing rich robes encrusted two hand-spans deep with embroidery. One of the youthsheld a parasol above his head, and tasseled pearls hung fromits spokes, glimmering in the sun.

 "Welcome, strangers," he said in a sonorous voice, givingus greeting in Hellene. "I am Oeneus Asterius, Híerophant of the Temenos. You have passed by the wide harbors andthe company of men to enter here. Mother Dia grant youwelcome. Who is it among you that comes to be cleansed?"

 I daresay we gaped foolishly enough; of our number, onlyGlaukos and I understood his Hellene speech, and neitherof us knew what he meant by it.

 Thus it was doubly startling when Kazan stepped forward,clear-eyed and willful.

 "I am Kazan Atrabiades of Epidauro," he announced inIllyrian. "I come bearing blood-guilt for the death of mybrother."

 The Hierophant gazed at him with deepset eyes and nod­ded, then turned to one of the maidens. "Iole, fetch Mez-entius, who speaks the Illyrian tongue."

 I glanced at Glaukos, who opened and closed his mouthhelplessly, shocked speechless. "My lord Hierophant," I saidin Hellene, pushing my damp, salt-stiffened hair back frommy face and wracking my brain for the proper words. "Ispeak Illyrian, a little. So does this man, Glaukos of Tiber-ium," I added, nodding at him. "And my lord Atrabiadesspeaks Caerdicci, as well. We have had a dire journey, mylord, and it is a tale long in the telling. If you will offer us your hospitality, we can recompense you in gold."

 'Twas true, too, for ragged though we were, we had inour hold half the remaining ransom; seven thousand five hundred D'Angeline ducats in gold. The Hierophant looked at me with his unblinking gaze, the way a hawk will, or awolf, then turned to Kazan and addressed him in Caerdicci.His words came a bit more haltingly, but no less resonant."You understand, then, where you have come?"

 "Yes, son of Minos." Kazan bowed his head. "I under­stand, I."

 Glaukos was translating for the rest of the crew, recoveredenough to accomplish that much. I stared at Kazan, andsomething stirred in my memory; I heard again Thelesis deMornay's voice.The Hellenes claim the descendents of theHouse of Minos have the ability to cleanse a man of a blood-curse; it is a gift of Zagreus."Kazan," I said softly. "Are you certain?" For I remembered too what she had said afterward.I have heard, too, that few mortals can bear theprocess at less than the cost of their wits.

 "Yes, Phèdre." He spoke calmly, a thinking presence re­stored to his features. "I am certain, I."

 "Phaedra." The Hierophant drew out the word, tasting itin his mouth. "Ah. You bear..."

 "...an ill-luck name," I finished for him wearily. "Yes, my lord, I know the history of your house, and the originsof my namesake. Well and so, Kazan Atrabiades has come for atonement; the rest of us are parched and hungry andtired to the bone, and there are wounded aboard the ship. Will you offer us your hospitality or no?"

 A glimmer of amusement lit his dark eyes. "You are im­patient, little one, but you may find a deeper truth beneaththe tale you think you know. Come, and I will escort youto the Palace of the Temenos, where you may find rest andrefreshment. It is my thought that the Kore will want to meetwith you in addition to this supplicant, for the Children ofElua come seldom to this isle, and you bear a name of somesignificance. Perhaps there is more to you than meets theeye, although it is hard to say just now, bedraggled as youare."

 My blood scalded my cheeks, and I bit my tongue on atart reply. There was a hasty conference among the sailorsas to what to do regarding the ship, and the Hierophant dispatched the maiden lole with instructions to bring theIllyrian-speaking Mezentius and a handful of fisherfolk fromthe village to aid in removing the injured men and hauling our damaged vessel ashore. I left Tormos and Glaukos incharge, with assurances that they would be lodged in the initiates' quarters and well tended to. For all his regainedlucidity, Kazan showed no interest in the fate of his shipand crew.

 It was a short walk to the Palace. The Hierophant pro­ceeded at a stately pace, flanked by his initiates. Naked andnear-naked children scampered around us, making a gameof it; no one seemed to mind. Struggling against exhaustionand sea-wobbly legs, I made my way to the Hierophant'sside, working around the youth holding his parasol, whosmiled at me. Like the others, he wore a robe of unadornedwhite linen, so finespun it was nearly transparent.

 "My lord Hierophant," I began. "If it please you, my full name is Phèdre nó Delaunay, Comtesse de Montrève, and Iam on an errand of much urgency for her majesty Ysandrede la Courcel, Queen of Terre d'Ange. I fear that the storm which brought us here has set me much out of my way, and I must needs petition you for aid in addition to your hos­pitality; or if not you, my lord, then whomsoever you deemproper. Will you grant me audience, or offer me a letter ofintroduction to the appropriate party? I promise you, hermajesty will render your aid well worthwhile."

 In the soft shade of his parasol, he looked mildly at me."You have come to the Temenos, little one. You havepassed by the wide harbors and the company of men."

 "Yes, but..."

 "Phèdre." It was Kazan who had spoken. "We have comehere because it is needful, eh? What is to be given will beshown."

 Despairing, I gave up. The youth with the parasol glancedat me sidelong, still smiling.

 So we came to the Palace of the Temenos, low and splen­did by the sea, at the base of the inland mountains. It is oneof the oldest palaces on the island, and one of the smallest,for all its brightly-colored splendor. A village nestled at itsfoot, tiny whitewashed buildings gleaming in the sun; it was thence that our escort of children ran, laughing and shouting.

 The Palace itself was wholly unguarded, which seemedstrange to me, for I had not yet taken the measure of theplace. We passed beneath a broad gate with a crescent ofhorns mounted above it, and entered the Palace proper.'Twas a different world within; winding arcades of the squatcolumns the Kritians dearly love, their rounded, taperingfigures painted bright red and blue, with gilded capitals.

 In one such, the Hierophant halted, raising his hand andaddressing Kazan with great solemnity in Caerdicci. "Youunderstand, now, that you must be secluded before undergoing thethetalos, and take neither food nor drink?"Kazan nodded firmly. "It is understood, yes.""Well and good. Proclus will tend to you, until it is timefor your dedication." He waited until the initiate had ledKazan away, then turned to me. "For your part, little one,there are no such proscriptions. Euralyke will show you toa chamber, where you may rest, and refreshments will be brought to you. Perhaps a bath would be welcome, as well?"I heard a trace of amusement return to his voice, and itstung me. I thought of all I had endured to reach this placealive, and drew myself up despite the dizziness of hungerand exhaustion. "Yes, my lord," I replied coolly. "A bath would be welcome, indeed. And when I have done, if youwill not grant me audience, I will seek someone who will.""No offense is intended, young Phaedra. If it is politicalasylum you sought, you would have gone to Kommos har­ bor, and not the Temenos. But it is here you have come.Your companion has a need that compels, and you ..." The Hierophant smiled. "I shall speak to the Kore of you, and we shall see."

 With that, I had to be content for the moment; and intruth, I was sufficiently weary that I made no further protest.The maiden Euralyke, grave and smiling, showed me to apleasant chamber, with frescoes of birds adorning the walls.There was a bathing room adjacent, with a tub of paintedearthenware, and servants brought hot water in jugs to fillit. While I bathed, they laid out fresh clothing for me, adress of white linen and a blue mantle, plain but fine. I satafterward and combed out my hair, enjoying the feel ofclean fabric against my skin. Food came as promised, freshbread and sharp goat's cheese, and a lamb dish that tastedfaintly of cinnamon. I ate everything, feeling the world growmore solid around me, and washed it down with cool water and a good red wine.

 It was my intention to pursue the matter of an audience immediately after eating, but when I had done, a great waveof tiredness overcame me. However long it had been thatwe had fled the storm, we had none of us slept much fordays on end, save for brief naps snatched here and there, between buffets. I will close my eyes only for a moment, I told myself, stretching out on the bed; only for a moment,and then I will seek out this Kore, whomever she may be.

 I was still thinking it as I fell down the deep, dark wellof sleep.

 Lengthening shadows woke me, creeping across the fres­coed walls; I awoke disheveled and confused, uncertainwhere I was. I had slept the better part of the day. Remem­ bering, I rose and stretched my sleep-stiffened limbs,smoothing out my wrinkled garments. Scarce had I done when the door to my chamber opened to admit the Hiero-phant, accompanied by two initiates.

 "The Kore will see you."

 Trying not to yawn, I went with him down another set ofcorridors, bright colors mellowed by the slanting light thatcame in at the windows. The Hierophant's expression was unchanging, but the initiates stole glances at me out of thecorners of their eyes; I do not think they had ever seen aD'Angeline before.

 We entered a large chamber, painted all around with aprocessional of youths and maidens alike bearing libationalvessels—and at the far end stood a throne, in which awoman sat awaiting us. With a small shock, I came to fullalertness.

 It is no easy thing, to describe the Kore of the Temenos,nor my reaction to her. A woman, yes, with fair skin andhair the hue of bronze, though her eyes were as dark as the Hierophant's, heavy-lidded and lustrous. She wore a blue gown wrought with gold stars, and a great collar of ivoryplaques set in gold, and over it all, a saffron mantle. Al­though her skin was smooth and her breasts firm, I guessedher age at some forty years. A woman, and yet—a shudderran through me as I gazed upon her, and I felt such a jumbleof thoughts and emotions I could scarce name them all. Aweand fear—and desire, sudden and unbidden. I thought of the great statue of Asherat in her temple of La Serenissima, andthe blind priestess Bianca, reaching her crabbed hand totouch me. I thought of the Great Temple of Naamah andsaw her face before me, transcendent and generous.

 I thought of Melisande, too.

 And I thought of something I had not remembered inyears; my mother's face the last time I saw her, in the court­yard of Cereus House, the day she sold me into servitude.

 All of these and more flickered through my mind tooswiftly to number before the Kore spoke, her clear voicestilling the whirlwind inside me. "Phèdre nó Delaunay," she said, giving my name the proper D'Angeline inflection. "Bewelcome."

 I sank down to kneelabeyante, the marble floor cool be­neath my knees. "My lady."

 "Come, that will never do. Let me see you, Elua's child." Leaning forward, she lifted my chin with two fingers andgazed at my face. I saw her take in my scarlet-moted eye,and mayhap somewhat more, for her brows raised. "Oh,Oeneus! This one, you should have brought sooner. There is a bright shadow about you, child. Know you that a godhas set his hand upon you?"

 "Yes, my lady." I was content to look at her. "It is Kushiel's Dart that marks me; Kushiel, who was once the Punisher of the One God, the Yeshuite's Adonai. But I amdedicated also to the Service of Naamah, who is the Mistressof Pleasures. And as I am D'Angeline, I owe homage toBlessed Elua, who is the Protector of us all."

 "Thrice-marked, and more," she mused, releasing me, "for there is somewhat else besides."

 "Yes, my lady Kore." I settled back to sit on my heels,liking the mild discomfort of the hard marble. It had been a long time since I had been able to make obeisance toanyone with unadulterated pleasure; I led a strange life, for ananguissette. "I have made a promise to Asherat-of-the-Sea, as well."

 "So." She Smiled, faint lines crinkling at the corners ofher eyes. "And yet you have come to the Temenos asking only political aid, Oeneus tells me. How is this, then?"

 Drawing a deep breath, I spun out the story for her, tellingit in its entirety, from my reasons for going to La Serenissima to Kazan's struggle with thekríavbhog and our fearful, storm-lashed flight to Kriti. She listened without comment,while shadows darkened the corners of the throne room andwhite-clad initiates moved softly around lighting the wallsconces. Oeneus Asterius the Hierophant stood beside her, watching and listening too. It did not occur to me to lie orwithhold the truth, for I understood at last that this was aholy place I had come to and they were priest and priestess alike, although she outshone him as the sun does the moon.

 There was a little silence when I had finished, and theyexchanged glances. I saw then that they shared commonblood, for all that their coloring differed. Well, and they areHellene all, but there is mainland Achaian blood in theHouse of Minos, and has been since the time of my name­sake. I shuddered again, and made myself address her.

 "Will you aid me, daughter of Minos?"

 Her gaze returned to me, deep with compassion. "Mypower lies elsewhere, Phèdre nó Delaunay; such aid is notmine to give. Since the redemption of the great betrayal, theHouse of Minos has accepted such a gift from Zagreus asrenders the isle of Kriti in the world, but not wholly of it,as you understand politics. It is my thought that Mother Diahas guided you here for the healing of your companion, forhe is the one who is appointed to aid you in this matter, andhis country in need of the friendship of Terre d'Ange. If hesurvives thethetalos, this I think he will do. But..." sheraised one finger, seeing me open my mouth to protest, "...this much, I may do. We will give you aid, for the repairof his ship. We will tend to your wounded. And I will seeyou granted audience with the Archon of Phaistos, that lieson the plains beyond the Temenos. Kriti will not sail to waron your behalf, no, but I think perhaps he will grant you one ship to serve as courier."

 I bowed my head. It would be enough; it had to. "Youare kind, my lady Kore."

 "You may call me Pasiphae," she said, and smiled oncemore.

 FITY-NINE

 It seemed that my audience with the Archon of Phaistoswould not be granted until Kazan had undergone the cleans­ing ceremony of thethetalos. In truth, I was not sorry for it, for I was in two minds about what I should request ofhim.

 A great deal rode on Kazan's survival, and I could get no clear answers concerning the nature of this ritual. I had notknown, until then, how fond I had grown of him, and itfretted me deeply.

 "He was your captor," Pasiphae said curiously; althoughshe would not divulge the details of their mysteries to me,she had taken me much into her confidence, for she regardedmy presence in the Temenos as a mystery unto itself. "Hebetrayed you to your enemies. How is it, then, that you carefor him?"

 I frowned, not sure how to frame my reply. "My lady,what you say is true. But the blood-curse that made him a pirate was a tragedy not of his making, as are the politicsthat made him resent my country. He treated me fairly,within his own constraints, and did not mean to betray me.When it came to it, he risked his life to save mine." Ishrugged helplessly. "Yes, my lady, if you are asking it; I care for him. And I am D'Angeline, and bound to the pre­cept of Blessed Elua. I do not forgive him, for what he did.But to deny my own feeling.. .'twould be a violation of Elua's sacred trust."

 "Elua." She examined a painted kylix, shaking her head. An initiate moved quickly to lift the wine-jug, refilling hercup. We sat on the gracious terrace of the Palace, over­looking the sea. "Many gods have there been, for MotherDia has many sons; they wear as many guises as she wearsfaces. But never has there been one such as Elua, who gothimself a whole people and slipped the chains of rebirth.

 What shall Earth's eldest children make of her youngest,Phèdre? I cannot say whither you are bound."

 I made her no answer, for I had none, but looked insteadat the horns of consecration atop the Palace, rearing upward to gore the sky. The folk of the Cullach Gorrym, the BlackBoar, had claimed too to be Earth's eldest children. Whowas to say? Mayhap they were one and the same, when onecame to it. There are truths and truths. "My lady, I havealways been told I bore an ill-luck name, but Oeneus Asterius the Hierophant suggested to me that I did not knowthe truth of that tale, and you yourself bear an equally ill-starred name, for Pasiphae was mother to the Minotaur, doI not mistake my history. Is it not so?"

 "It is so, and it is not so." Pasiphae reflected, and an­swered me at length. "Always, there has been a conflict between earth and sky, old and new. Mother Dia endures,but her sons, ah! Ever do they seek to cut the cord thatbinds them to Her, and yet ever do they fear begetting theirown successors. It was Ariadne the Most Holy who betrayedher Mother's son, giving him unto the blade of Theseus theAchaian. And as my namesake Pasiphae prayed for themeans to redeem this tragedy and the loss of her child, Zagreus did answer, who is called lacchos by the Achaians, and bears the gifts of insight and madness. Himself, heclaimed Ariadne, whose fate you know—and 'twas your namesake, Phaedra, who took revenge on the supplanter,Theseus the Achaian, offering herself as sacrifice that the supplanter's son might be slain by his own father's curse, bringing the circle to close in Mother Dia's lap. Thus do we honor her memory, and thus did Zagreus grant us this gift,that we might be cleansed of the evil we had done. TheAchaians tell the tale otherwise, and their poets are the ones the world has heeded, but here at the heart of the world, wehold to the ancient truths." She tilted her head at me. "Doyou understand, now?"

 "No," I said softly. "A little better, mayhap. I don't un­derstand this business of jealous gods slaying one another

  and fearing their own offspring. It is not so, with Blessed Elua and his Companions."

 "No?" Pasiphae smiled gently. "And yet, from what youtell me, I think your Kushiel the Punisher has gotten a scionhe fears."

 I remembered Melisande's words, and shuddered.Kushielhas chosen you, Phèdre, and marked you as his own. To toywith you is to play a god's game."Mayhap," I murmured."But I am only mortal, my lady, and I am trying to save the throne of my Queen, to whom I have sworn loyalty, and Iwould like also to save the life of my friend, whose mendied in the effort of rescuing me. Let the gods claim whatthey will; my allegiance lies with those I have known andloved. And do you speak against it, I will say, Blessed Eluapreached the same."

 "That," said Pasiphae, "is what makes him so interesting."Rising, she walked to the edge of the terrace, where thefisherfolk below could see her and stretch out their hands,beseeching her blessing. She gave it freely, opening her arms to them, and the lowering sun limned her in light. Ihad gotten over the shock of our first meeting, but still herpresence filled me with awe. It is a different world, Kriti. The setting sun laid a burning path on the water, and I sawin the caverns that riddled the harbor walls a flicker of white robes, betokening the presence of initiates. It was they whohad sounded the gongs upon our arrival.

 So I had learned, although I may say too that those cav­erns are ancient, beyond even the remembering of the Houseof Minos. They have been used as dwelling places sincefirst man struck two flints together, crying out in awe at theblue spark that resulted. But it is a sacred business, this, andbest not spoken.

 The lower rim of the sun's disk sank below the horizonand Pasiphae lowered her arms, turning back to me. "YourElua does as he wills," she said gently. "But this is my place,and this is my gift. Tomorrow Kazan Atrabiades will un­dergo thethetalos, and if Mother Dia wills it, he will sur vive. I grant you leave to attend the ceremony, if you willit. Do you so choose?"

 I shivered in my skin, and knew her words for truth. "Yes,Pasiphae. I will attend."

 On the following day, I did not see her at all, nor Kazan,whom I had not seen since he had been secluded. I wentinstead to the harbor of the Temenos, and spoke with Tor-mos and Glaukos, who were overseeing the repairs to our damaged vessel. That, at least, was well done; the Kritians are great sailors, after all, and the island is rich in oak andcypress. I was happy to see that they were well-rested and of reasonably good cheer; and, too, they had seen to thesecurity of our coffer of gold. And I confess, I was glad too of the Illyrians' company and their simple jests, taking com­fort in what had become familiar to me.

 They believed to a man that Kazan would overcome thechallenge of thethetalos and return to them as he had been before, a fierce and cunning leader who would inflict greatdamage on their enemies and escape unscathed. Indeed, theyhad begun to spin their own mythos out of the events thathad befallen us, endlessly enumerating the ways in which Kazan would take his vengeance on the treacherous Serenissimans.

 I smiled and jested with them, and prayed that they hadthe right of it, for Kazan's sake and my own. For vengeance I cared naught, but somewhere in Caerdicca Unitas, Ysandre'sprogressus continued on its steady, unwitting coursetoward a deadly trap, while in Terre d'Ange, Percy deSomerville awaited word to seize the City of Elua. This longwaiting was a torment.

 When the sun began to set, I returned to the Palace, wherepreparations were beginning for the ritual. Make no mistakeof it; I had no place in these rituals, save as an onlooker,and that by the grace of the Kore, my lady Pasiphae. Still,they suffered my presence, and as my lips were not sealedby oath, I may relate what I saw of the ceremony—and whatI saw afterward, although that is another matter. It beganoutside the Palace, at the base of the mountain, with threetiers of initiates providing the music, chorus and dance.Torches lit the procession and the dancers wheeled in cir­cles, this way and that, their mingled voices providing theharmonies. They had put off their robes for this and woreonly kilts of white linen, cinched at the waist with rolled leather belts, and their dark skin gleamed in the torchlight,freshly oiled. At the center of it all stood Kazan Atrabiades,swaying on his feet, and his face was like a stranger's tome. Neither food nor drink had he taken since we had madelandfall; two full days. He looked gaunt and parched, andhis eyes burned in their sockets.

 This is his choice, I reminded myself, remembering thekríavbhog;if he has a chance to be free of it, 'tis not my place to gainsay it. Still, I feared for him.

 There came then a great clash of bronze cymbals, andtwo torches were lit, great pitch-soaked logs stood on end.I could not help but remember La Dolorosa and my fall fromthe cliffs, Tito's massive torch spinning through the dark night above me; but betwixt them stood the Kore, and her presence drove out aught else.

 The Maiden, it means, her title; and I daresay 'twas no more than that, for I had already gauged by the thickeningof her waist that she had born children. No matter, for shewas well and truly what she claimed by right of that title,the handmaiden of Mother Dia. She wore the ancient regalia for that rite, the flounced skirts sewn with ivory plaques,and the bodice that bared her breasts, nipples darkened withhenna. A gold diadem was set atop her head, and her hairhad been crimped with hot irons, falling in spiraling curls over her shoulders.

 Although there were men and women alike among the initiates, here the Kore was attended only by priestesses. OnKriti, as in too many other places, the rule of law is given unto the province of men, but at the heart of matters, it is women who hold authority. So it was that while the Hierarch saw to the daily governance of the Temenos and over­saw the initiates in the ways of the mysteries, it was theKore who sanctified them.

 Flutes skirled and fell silent, and the revolving dancerscame to a halt. The Kore spoke, then, and some trick of theacoustics of that place made her clear-spoken words reso­nate in every ear. "What do you seek, supplicant?"

 Wavering but upright, Kazan made his reply, his tonguethick with thirst and garbling the memorized Hellene speech."I seek to be cleansed of blood-guilt for the death of my brother."

 "What do you offer in sacrifice?" Her words were mea­sured out like pearls on a string.

 "I offer my name, and my memory." Swaying, Kazancaught himself, and continued in a firmer voice. "I offerwhatever you will take."

 A pause, and then she spoke again. "It is enough."

 Ah, Elua! I thought, as the Kore's priestesses broughtforth water and grain, scarce enough to moisten his mouthto swallow. 'Tis monstrous unfair, that a man should be sobeleaguered for a terrible accident. Kazan Atrabiades hadnotmeant to slay his brother. And yet I had seen for myselfhow the curse had come home to him, fair or no. It was hisright, to seek expiation, and not my place to protest themeans of it. And who was I, to judge such a thing? I hadsought atonement betimes myself, at the hands of Kushiel's priests; indeed, the Unforgiven of Camlach reckoned me theinstrument of the same.

 Still, it was something I understood, to purge one's mem­ories in pain. It was somewhat else altogether, to offer thememories themselves on the altar of atonement. Mayhap theprospect would not have unnerved me so, had I not spenttime in La Dolorosa, but I had seen madness at close handthere and come to reckon it a boon companion, and thethought of risking it voluntarily filled my heart with terror.

 The Kore made a sign, and the drums started, and flutesand cymbals, while the Hierophant stepped forth to pointthe way to a path up the mountain. Initiates bearing torchesmoved ahead in pairs, pausing at stations along the path to light the way for the procession that followed. So we madeour way up the mountain, a steep path and narrow, while the lights of the Palace dwindled below us.

 Kazan walked alone, with priestesses before and behindhim. More than once, he stumbled, but no aid was givenhim. Trailing at the rear, I straggled to see and yearned tohelp him, guessing without being told that it was forbidden.I was not sure he would make it, for the path was treach­ erous, but he did.

 Some distance from the summit, we reached our goal; a cavern, dark-mouthed and vast, larger than those that I hadseen lining the harbor walls. There was a little plateau beforeit, and it was there that the Kore halted. Torchlight castweird, twisting shadows on the threshold of the cavern, butit was deep, and the rear of it remained dark and impene­trable.

 With trembling fingers, Kazan divested himself of cloth­ing until he stood mother-naked before the Kore, and shepurified him with water and anointed his brow with oil. Heknelt, and she cut a lock of his hair with a sharp little knife, tying a red thread around it and setting it on a tray, offeringan invocation for his safety. Then she placed around his neck a single cowry shell on a leather thong, to dedicatehim to Mother Dia.

 It went on for some time, and I found myself blinkingwith weariness, half-hypnotized by the torchlight and thewhispering music that seemed to come from the very moun­ tain, for the initiates had scattered across the face of therocks. At length, the Kore offered a final libation of wine and took a step back from the cavern.

 "It is commenced," she said softly, her words pitched toecho in the cavern's mouth. "Go forth, Kazan Atrabiades,and seek to be free of it."

 From where I stood, I saw Kazan hesitate, then squarehis shoulders.

 He entered the cavern, and I saw him no more.

 SIXTY

 It is a long vigil the Kritians maintain during thethetalos.

 For a considerable time, I stood with the others, waiting and watching, but I was leg-weary from the climb, and my body ached still in every part from the pounding it had en­dured aboard our storm-tossed ship. At length I gave up,and sat down in the hollow of a boulder, still warm fromthe day's sun. One can find comfort anywhere, when one is tired enough. The Kritians stood unfaltering, the Kore andher priestess on one side of the cavern's mouth, the Hierophant on the other, and agile initiates perching on crags like goats on a mountainside.

 The music was muted to a thrumming murmur. Thetorches burned lower, sparking and crackling softly. Every now and then came the whispering sound of someone shift­ing—they were human, after all—but otherwise, nothingmoved save the stars overhead and no other sound washeard.

 Truly, I did my best to remain awake; it never occurredto me that I would fail. I was fraught with worry on Kazan'sbehalf and plagued as well by a thousand other concerns. I went over in my mind the speech I would make to the Ar chon of Phaistos, searching for the right words to presentmy plea. My rhetorical training was in Caerdicci, not Hel­lene, and I wanted to be as polished as I might when Ientered "the wide harbor and the company of men," as the Hierophant said. They are ancient in the craft of statesman­ship, Hellenes, and Kritians most ancient of all.

 I polished my speech in my mind until it shone, and fellasleep in the process.

 How long I slept, I cannot say. I awoke, once, and heardnothing but the thrumming music, the distant buzz of cica­das. It reminded me of being a child in Delaunay's house­hold, and waking in my bed to hear the murmur ofconversation coming from the faraway courtyard when heentertained into the small hours of the night. Taking comfort in the memory, I wrapped my mantle around me against thenight chill and slid back into sleep.

 It was the sound of my own blood beating that awokeme, a rustling sound, but near, not far; a soft, insistent tidethat beat in my ears.

 I knew that sound.

 I opened my eyes to see the mountainside awash in a redhaze, motionless Kritians, torches and all. With a sure senseof dread, I waited, but it was not Kushiel's voice that spoke.

 Instead there came a cry, a great, wordless cry of horror,emanating from the mouth of the cavern. A ripple ranthrough the Kritians, and somewhere above me, an initiatedrew in her breath sharply. Then the Kore raised one handin a gesture of forbidding, and they fell still. The crysounded again, ragged with terror; and again, and again.

 Blessed Elua, I thought, is there to be no end to it! Tearsstung my eyes, and I bit my lip to keep silent. I had heard cries like this before, in the endless nights of La Dolorosa,where the grieving sea-surge stripped away prisoners' sanitybit by bit. And I had seen, too, the results of that torment,the pitiable, half-human wretches I had released from con­finement.

 I could not live through it again.

 Moving silently, I wrapped my dark mantle more tightlyaround me, drawing a fold over my head to shadow my face.I had been sorry to be at the end of the procession as wemounted the trail, but now I welcomed the luck that had placed me on the very outskirts of those gathered, for itenabled me to slip back into the darkness and circle aroundthe watchers' perimeter.

 It was not so easy as it sounds, for I needs must move silently in complete darkness, over treacherous and unfa­miliar terrain. With grim determination, I timed my move­ments in accordance with Kazan's hoarse cries, working my way toward the mouth of the cavern. All the while, I wres­tled with my conscience over the fitness of my actions. Itrusted Pasiphae instinctively, and knew beyond a shadowof a doubt that there was power in this place, and she wasrightfully invested in that power in her role as the Kore. Buteven so, there had been power in La Dolorosa, the awfulpower of Asherat's immortal grief, and it was human errorthat made it a place of horror.

 The Kritians tell a different tale of my namesake's end;who is to say which is true?

 For what had Kushiel compelled me if not for this?

 I had no answers, save the one I had given Pasiphae ear­lier; I was D'Angeline, and could only follow the allegiance of my mortal heart. My actions had brought Kazan to thisplace. I could not bear to stand idly by and listen while it drove him mad.

 There was a narrow gap that led to the left-hand side ofthe cavern's mouth. The Hierophant stood before it, somefive paces forward. From the darkness outside the unevenring of torchlight, I sat on my heels and surveyed my course.If I could get there, I could pass behind him easily enough,but there were two initiates between us, and no safe way ofpassing them.

 Kushiel, I prayed silently, I have gone where you bid me,and never refused you. If it is truly your will that I do thisthing, lend me your aid.

 No answer but silence; and then Kazan cried out again,naked fear in his voice. A sudden breeze sprang up from the sea, and the nearest initiate's torch guttered out. Theother picked his way cautiously to his side, and they turnedtheir backs for a moment, huddling against the wind to ig­nite the extinguished torch.

 Well, I thought; that's clear enough.

 I slipped like a shadow past the initiates, behind the Hi­erophant's unmoving figure, and into the mouth of the cav­ern beyond the range of torchlight.

 It was black inside the cavern, lightless, impenetrableblack, and once inside, I realized it was deeper than I hadguessed. Kazan gave another fearful cry, the sound coming from beyond and a bit below, for the cavern floor slanted.

 I put out both hands before me and moved blindly towardthe sound. I could hear his breathing, now, hoarse and rag­ged, stirring echoes in the blackness.

 Was it too late, even now? It might as well be, I thought,despairing. How many others lay slain or destroyed in my wake? An ill-luck name, I had told myself, with all the self-deceiving guile of a child. It was not so. I had set myself willfully on this course from the day Melisande Shahrizai'sparcel arrived; I had taken her gambit, knowing it for afool's move. Wiser heads had sought to dissuade me, fromThelesis de Mornay and Ysandre de la Courcel to QuintiliusRousse; yes, and Joscelin 'too.

 And I would have none of it, heeding none of them, drag­ging Joscelin and my poor, dear chevaliers to their doom.Nicola, Nicola L'Envers y Aragon, had tried to show memy arrogant mistrust for the folly that it was, and I had beentoo proud to hear her, so pleased with my own cleverness,so certain that I was master of my game.

 So clever had I been on Dobrek, concealing the truth ofmy situation from Kazan, concealing its weaknesses; oh,clever indeed, Phèdre! So clever that it led him to give meall unwitting to my enemies. What was the cost of death for that rescue, that I might live? One ship? Both of them? Howmany men had died aboard the Serenissiman vessel? Andnow Kazan lay screaming out his wits in torment at the backof a cave, thanks to my cleverness.

 I fixed onto that thought and held it, forcing myself totake another step in his direction, and another, dimly awarein some part of my mind that there was somewhat unnatural in this flood of guilt that paralyzed me.

 But it was true, it was all true.

 And Kazan was the least of it. Oh, yes, I had gone reck­less and heedless into danger, and I had taken my best be­loved with me. Remy and Fortun, slain in cold blood, for the foolish sin of loyalty to one such as me. Ti-Philippe,who might be alive or dead, and Joscelin; ah, Elua, Joscelin! How many times over had I wronged him, how many cru­elties had I subjected him to, straining the loyalties of hislast remaining vow until either it broke or he did.

 Worst of all, I'd taken pleasure in it. I'd driven him tolash out in cruel words, and I had taken ananguissette'sterrible pleasure in the pain it provoked; the pain of awounded heart, deeper and more exquisite than any tormentof the flesh.

 And if I thought I'd known pain then, it was naught tothis.

 I saw my flaws and follies revealed in all their hideousvanity, and the awful cost in mortal lives and pain that hadresulted. I knew my soul laid bare and scourged on a rackbuilt of my own deeds. Names and faces, too many tocount, for it was not only in this venture, but nigh every­thing I'd done since I had no title to my name but that ofDelaunay'sanguissette. His man-at-arms Guy, foully mur­dered, a murder that might have been prevented had I notkept silent about Alcuin's plans. Alcuin, Alcuin and mylord Delaunay... I choked on the memory, rememberingthem in a welter of gore, and how I had concealed my slipof the tongue that revealed the depth of Melisande's knowl­edge; it might have saved them, had I not been too cow­ardly to speak, it might have given Delaunay the key toevade a deep-laid plot.

 It went on, unending, and I struggled against the tide ofit while Kazan's cries rang in my ears. I understood, now,why he screamed. In a sea of anguish, I made my way tothe back of the cavern, until I heard his raw breathing andfell to my knees, feeling blindly.

 He was there, lying on the cavern floor, his skin cool tothe touch, but alive. "Kazan," I whispered, shaking hisshoulder. "Kazan, it is not worth the price of madness. Ka zan, come with me!"

 He moved, one hand groping, feeling along my arm totake my hand and grip it hard, and then the pain Of remem­ bered guilt struck again and his grip bore down on mine,until I could feel the bones in my hand grinding, and I wasremembering, remembering ...

 ... how I had led Joscelin to murder the thane Trygve,strangling him to win our freedom, letting Joscelin take thatdarkness on his soul; how I had stabbed Harald the Beardless, killing him with my own hands, and others, so many others! I had done it, I had done it all. I whispered a hoarse,futile plea for forgiveness, remembering. All the dead of theDalriada, whom I beguiled into war; Eamonn mac Connor,his bright hair against the blood-soaked battlefield. Hyacinthe, ah, Elua, Hyacinthe! Not dead, but a worse fate; I weptin the darkness. Magister Acco, whom I drove to take his own life, and poor Tito of La Dolorosa, whose kindness I had cultivated to my own ends.

 It was my fault, all mine.

 I have known pain—Elua knows, I have known pain. Itis my gift and my art to endure it, and even I have knownpain beyond bearing, under Waldemar Selig's knife on thefields of Troyes-le-Mont.

 This was worse.

 After a time, I was no longer aware of specific inci­dences of blood-guilt, but only the vast, featureless agonyof it. It bore me up and carried me down all at once, and I felt the surge of it in my very bones. A scream gathered at the back of my throat and I locked my jaws on it, thinking, I will not scream, I will not scream, until I was not surewhether I thought it or said it, whether I screamed or not. I saw red in the blackness of the cavern, and Kushiel's facebefore me, stern and bronze, lips shaping words I could notunderstand; I thought, if only I could, all would be re­deemed, but I could not concentrate for the vastness of mysins. And then it came to me that if only I gave mysignale,all of this will end, and I heard Melisande's voice tellingme as 'much, rich as honey, coming from somewhere be­yond the pain ...

 ... and thought with my last gasp of consciousness,no!

 SIXTY-ONE

 There were voices speaking somewhere.

 It seemed I had to come back from a very long distanceto make sense of them, to derive words and sentences fromthe meaningless sounds assailing my ears. I could not un­derstand why it seemed so very difficult, but it did, for evenwhen I recognized the sounds as speech, I could not makeout what they said, although they seemed very close at hand. Ah, I thought, pleased at the discovery, it is because theyare speaking Hellene, and it seemed to me that I knew thattongue. I fumbled for it with difficulty, and thought perhapsif I opened my eyes, it would be easier to think. I tried todo so, but it was hard, for my lashes were glued shut withsticky matter.

 "... move her or tend her here?"

 Yes, I thought, I know that voice; that is the Hierophantof the Temenos. I am on the island of Kriti in the placecalled Temenos, and I have profaned their mystery.

 "Hush. She is waking."

 I knew that voice, too. It belonged to Pasiphae Asterius,daughter of the House of Minos, who is called the Kore.

 "Here." There was a sound of someone moving, the faintslosh of water, and then I felt my eyes gently bathed witha damp cloth. I opened them, and saw the Kore kneelingbeside me, frowning gravely, still clad in her ritual regalia."Can you speak, Phèdre?"

 I wasn't sure. I opened my mouth and tried it. "Yes, mylady."

 A war whoop sounded somewhere behind her; loudenough to split the cavern roof, I thought, and surely loudenough to split my skull. And then I was scooped up fromthe floor where I lay into a vertiginous, bone-rattling em­brace by a grinning Kazan Atrabiades.

 "Kazan! Put her down!”

 He did; if he did not know Hellene, he knew what the Kore meant. I wavered unsteadily on my feet, clinging tohis sleeve. He was still grinning, and his face was as joyousas a lad's. I moved my head slightly, tested my limbs to seeif they yet worked. It seemed they did. The Kore and theHierophant and a handful of initiates all stood within thesunlit cavern, staring at me with incomprehension in their dark Kritian eyes.

 "You are...well?" Pasiphae asked cautiously.

 I moved my tongue around in my mouth and swallowed.It seemed that worked, too. "I am...alive, my lady."

 The scions of Minos exchanged a glance, and the Hier­ophant spread his hands, relinquishing judgement. Pasiphaeshook her head, still frowning. "No one has ever undergonethethetalos undedicated and lived to tell of it. I cannot be­stow the rites of absolution upon you, Phèdre, but MotherDia has spared you, and where She shows mercy, we can but follow. If you are able to walk, we will return to the Palace and speak of this later."

 "I understand."

 I made the return journey unaided, although the proces­sion had to stop many times so I could rest. By light of day,the Kritians—even Pasiphae—looked worn from the ordeal of the ritual; among the initiates, flutes and drums dangled loosely from their hands. They looked at me often, uncer­tainty in their dark eyes. Only Kazan was exultant with en­ergy and high spirits. Whatever had transpired in the cavern,he had come out of it changed.

 In the Palace, I was shown to my former chamber andgiven fish broth and mulled wine to drink. One of the elderinitiates remained at my side, and Kazan hovered in theroom until she made to chase him away.

 "She wants you to leave, Kazan," I informed him; throughlayers of exhaustion, I was aware of being amused. "I'm supposed to rest. Go speak to Tormos and the others; they'rewaiting to hear news of you."

 "I am in your debt, now." He sat on the edge of my bed and looked serious, speaking in Illyrian. "I would not havesurvived it without you, Phèdre. When I would not leave,you held onto my hand and spoke to me, telling me you would not leave me, that you would stay and we wouldendure it together and live to greet the day."

 "I did?" I stared wearily at him; I had no recollection of having said such things.

 "You did." Unexpectedly, he grinned again, showing thegap in his teeth. "And I followed the thread of your voicelike Theseú in the labyrinth! Only ...," he sobered, "...only the Kore opened the door for me at the end, and youwere left in darkness. Why, I do not know."

 "I do," I said softly. "Kazan, I was trespassing there."

 "Maybe." He thought about it and shuddered. "Still, Iwould have died."

 "You didn't. And I didn't. Now go and talk to your men." I closed my eyes and leaned my head back on the pillows.Through the veils of approaching sleep, I could hear Kazanthreatening the initiate with vile consequences if any harmcame to me, and her indignant insistence that he leave. Nei­ther one understood a word the other was saying, whichwould have made me smile, if I could, but I was too far away, and presently I heard no more.

 All that day and through the night I slept, waking to the light of a new day. The world seemed bright in my eyes,new-washed and clean, all the colors more vivid than I re­membered them. Though I was as weak still as a day-old kitten, I felt peaceful and calm. Not long after I had brokenmy fast, a second initiate came—for I had been watchedand tended in shifts while I slept—bearing a summons tosee the Kore.

 New clothing had been laid out for me, rather finer thanbefore; a gown of saffron with a crimson mantle. I took mycare with dressing, settling the mantle about my shoulders,and went to answer Pasiphae's summons.

 She received me in the throne room, waving me to a stoolwhen I would have knelt. "Sit." Once I had done so, sheregarded me for a moment without speaking. "I do not knowwhat to make of you, Phèdre nó Delaunay. I have consultedthe records, and they do not speak of such a thing, that one should profane the mystery of thethetalos and emerge in­tact. No auguries speak; the house snakes take their milkand bask content; Mother Dia is not wroth, and Zagreus is silent. And yet I think you have not escaped unscathed."

 "No," I said. "I would not say so."

 "Tell me what transpired."

 I told her willingly enough, speaking from the small, still core at my center. When I had done, she nodded gravely. "Yes. That is the nature of it, to confront the worst of one's inner self unveiled. It grieves me that I cannot absolve you of these things, and yet..." She shook her head. "The godskeep their silence. It may not be. What you have seen, youcarry with you."

 "I know," I said softly. "I understand, my lady; truly, Ido."

 Pasiphae looked at me with compassion. "Understandthis, then. It is the darkest truth that is revealed in the cavernof thethetalos; the truths we seek to hide from ourselves.That does not mean it is the whole truth, Phèdre."

 "No." I considered my answer. "I know that, too. Mylady, I saw things in that cavern I would undo, if I could;acts of pride and selfishness I shudder to think on. Butothers ... who can say? Many have died for my choices;many have not. The Goddess looks out from the past and counts the dead, but she does not number our living."

 "Oh ..." Pasiphae's lips curved in a faint smile, "... shedoes, you may be sure of it. But that tally is never given to us to know. Still and all, it is clear to me that some god'shand is on you in this matter, and I will not intervene, nor gainsay what is done. When you are able to travel, I willgive you the aid I promised—a letter of conduct to the Archon of Phaistos, and conveyance to the city. It is only anhour's ride."

 "To the wide harbor and the company of men," I musedaloud. "Thank you, my lady Kore."

 "It is nothing." Her thoughtful gaze rested on me. "KazanAtrabiades has made a dedication-offering of gold, as is fitting, and Oeneus has seen to it that his ship has been ren­dered seaworthy. But you ... you have brought a mysteryfor me to ponder, and that is worth more than gold. I amgrateful for it, Phèdre nó Delaunay. It does not always cometo pass during the lifetime of those who serve as the Koreof the Temenos. I hope that you have found here what yousought."

 I shifted on my stool. "My lady, if it allows me to returnfrom whence I came and prevent my Queen from being slainout of hand, then yes, I have. Is it possible that we mightleave for Phaistos on the morrow?"

 It startled her, enough so that an ordinary mortal womanlooked out from her deep priestess' eyes."Tomorrow? Youwould ride so soon, after what you have endured?"

 "Time is a luxury I do not have." I rolled my shoulders;my body was stiff and sore, but it would serve. "For goodor for ill, I am Kushiel's Chosen, my lady."

 "A harsh god," she murmured, "and a strange one. Welland so, it shall be as you wish. I will speak to Oeneus, andhe shall make the arrangements. Demetrios Asterius is Archon of the city; he is of the Kindred, with a keen eye fortrade. You will like him, I think," she added, smiling. "He is high-spirited, but do not be fooled; he is shrewd for allhis play. I will commend you to him."

 "I am in your debt."

 "No." Pasiphae shook her head. "As you were sent, sodo I serve. These things we do, at the command of the gods.Phèdre, though I cannot grant you absolution, you may havemy blessing if you will it."

 "It would please me, my lady," I answered truthfully. SoI knelt to her after all, and she laid her hand upon my headand gave the invocation in her clear voice. I felt the powerof it echo in my bones, and knew I had brushed the veryheart of a mystery in this place.

 She was as good as her word, and in the morning, wewere granted transport. There were ten of us, all told, forthose men who were injured had recovered well enough un­der her care; six would sail the ship to Kommos harbor,under Tormos' command, to await Kazan's orders there.Glaukos would travel with them, to serve as translator. For the rest of us, Kazan and I and two others—Spiridon andGavril, their names were—we would travel by oxcart to thecity of Phaistos.

 No farmer's wagon, this, but a splendid conveyance, thesides worked with elaborate trim and a device of wheatsheaves and twining vines which symbolized the union ofMother Dia and Zagreus, her consort-son. Even the oxenwere noble beasts, with broad brows and gentle eyes, theirhorns tipped with gilded caps. They know a thing or two about breeding cattle, on Kritì. Our driver was slight and dark with a quick smile, though he spoke seldom.

 Thus did we take our leave.

 If the Temenos seemed a world unto itself, displacedfrom time, such was not true of the rest of the isle. We leftby a narrow road winding between the low mountains, butsoon gained the fertile plains of the Messara valley, whereall manner of crops grow bountifully. The road widened andwe met other travellers on foot and on horse- or donkey-back, and indeed, in farmer's wagons laden with produce,for it seemed it was market day in Phaistos. Our driverwhistled through his teeth and nodded greetings from timeto time; other travellers touched their brows in acknowl­edgement, and I knew without asking that they knew he served the Kore.

 Kazan took it all in with a boy's wide-eyed wonder, andI am not too proud to admit that I envied him that, a little.No shadow of pain overlaid his soul; absolution had grantedhim a fresh-washed slate. But I was ananguissette, and the memory of pain was a familiar companion to me, never wholly unwelcome. I was what I was. It was enough.

 And I had my own troubles to brood upon still.

 When we were well clear of the Temenos, I asked him,though I feared to broach the topic. "Kazan," I said softly,below the creak of the oxcart, speaking in Caerdicci thatnone of our companions would overhear. I did not wish to pressure him unduly. "What will you do, now that you arefree of the blood-curse? Will you return home, to Epidauro?"

 "Do?" He looked at me in surprise. "Did the Kore notspeak to you of this, Phèdre? If this Archon, he will grant you the aid of Kriti, eh, then it is good, and I will go, butshe does not think he will send warships, he. So we will seewhat he does, yes, and I will do what you ask, for I have adebt to you, eh?" His expression turned sober. "It is not only that I owe you my life, you, although I do. If I haddone as you asked, if I had sailed to Marsilikos and notDobrek, eh, none of this would have happened. And if I hadspoken true when Nikanor returned; then, too. I could have sent you to Epidauro, yes, though I could not go myself; theBan could have made a mighty alliance with your country.Such things did I see, I," he added quietly, "in the cavern."

 I could have laughed, or wept; for the deaths we sharedin common, his visions were as true as my own. "Then if the Archon does not aid us—"

 "We sail to Epidauro," Kazan finished for me, grinningonce more. "And I will see to Nikanor and the others, eh,and I will ask the Ban to aid you, I, for I once stood in hisfavor, and only my mother's curse put me from it. And if he will not, then where you wish to go, I will take youmyself, yes!

 Tears stung my eyes. "Thank you," I said, and repeated it. "Thank you."

 "No matter," he said, shrugging, and added in Illyrian,"We have a score to settle with the Serenissimans!"

 The latter part, Spiridon and Gavril overheard andcheered, chiming in with bloodthirsty vows of revenge. Soit continues, I thought ruefully; though I could not help but be glad of their support. Even after thethetalos, Kazan isready to shed fresh blood. Though he remembers, he hasbeen cleansed of it; he begins anew,

 Mayhap 'twas not such an ill thing, to carry the livingmemory of that pain.

 With such thoughts did I occupy my mind, and we camein short order to the outer walls of Phaistos. Here the outermarket thronged, small-holders trading amongst themselvesand those artisans and merchants from within the city who sold shoddy goods at cut-rate prices to the countryfolk. Wepicked our way between them, making slowly for the gatesof the city.

 Phaistos is situated on a gentle hill, with the Palace at the crest and the city sprawling around it and sloping down to Kommos harbor. It is a low wall that surrounds the city,although the Archon's guards were posted at the tall cere­monial gate. They wore light armor in the early autumn heat, helmets with red plumes, steel cuirasses over linen kilts thatleft bare their legs, with sandals and greaves. They carriedshort spears and ox-hide shields, although some half thesquadron had left their shields leaning against the wallswhile they talked and jested together.

 Our cart was given a cursory glance and waved into thecity; some few of the guards smiled and touched their browsto our driver, and some few of them nudged each other andstared after us, pointing. I heard the buzz of speculationfollow as we entered the city, but it was soon lost in thenoise of the Kritian marketplace.

 We had reached Phaistos, city of the wide harbor.

 SIXTY-TWO

 Phaistos was a worldly city indeed, bustling with activity and markedly different from the calm of the Temenos. It isnot so large as other harbor cities I had seen, Marsilikos andLa Serenissima, but it lies along the trade routes and onesees folk of many nations mingled among the Kritians.There was an Ephesian ship at harbor that day, and a handfulof Umaiyyati in the markets, as well as Hellenes from the mainland and a number of Caerdicci from one of the south­ern city-states. I kept my eyes and ears sharp for D'Angelinefaces or voices, but none were forthcoming.

 Most of the streets are narrow and meant only for foottraffic, although there are a few broad avenues to the mar­ketplace, the harbor and the Palace. We plodded slowlyalong one such, making for the hill of the Palace; here andthere, Kritians touched their brows. The oxen nodded theirheads as they trudged in harness, dipped their gilt-tipped horns as if in acknowledgment.

 I am city-born and bred, and it was good to be once morein a familiar atmosphere. I noted the strata of society allmingled in one place, commoners rubbing elbows with lordsand ladies. A rich array of odors pervaded the air; the salttang of the sea, perfumed oils, lamb kebobs sizzling on char­coal braziers, fresh-caught fish, sharp spices and human sweat, and occasionally a waft of distant incense.

 Spiridon and Gavril stared in bewilderment, and it cameto me that they had never seen a proper city before.

 "There would have been Illyrian traders here too," Kazansaid in a low voice. "Twenty years ago, eh. Now the Serenissimans have taken all our trade-rights, and there is aheavy fee for those who would trade directly with any butthey. And yet I am called a pirate, I! They would take Kritiif they dared, yes, and all of Hellas, but Kriti has neverfallen."

 It is true, although Tiberium tried during the golden years of her empire. When all of mainland Hellas fell under Tiberian rule, Kriti retained its sovereign status. Although the isle no longer rules the Hellene seas, when her shores werebreached, the Kritians retreated to the mountains and foughtwith ferocity and cunning, luring Tiberian troops to their doom. So the island was never conquered, and when theTiberian empire crumbled, the Kritians reclaimed theirshores.

 We came at length to the gates of the Palace, and herethe Archon's guards mounted a shrewder watch, Our driver conversed with the leader of the squadron, and I presented Pasiphae's letter. He examined the seal, sun glancing off thesteel of his bowed helmet, then gave a courteous nod.

 "You are welcome, by order of the Kore of the Temenos.

 Please dismount from the oxcart, and I will send word tothe Archon."

 Obeying, we waited, ushered within the gate. Our driver touched his own brow in farewell and set about turning theoxcart, making his slow way back through the city. I oc­cupied my time in studying the Palace of Phaistos, whichwas far grander than that of the Temenos. It climbed thelow hill in terraced layers, red-columned porticoes lookingout at the city sloping down to the sea. Presently, a Palaceattendant came to greet us, a distinguished Kritian of middleyears, with a chain of office about his neck and a whitetunic worked with embroidery at the edges. He bowed, ad­dressing us in Hellene.

 "Phèdre nó Delaunay of Terre d'Ange, Kazan Atrabiadesof Epidauro, I will conduct you and your men into the pres­ence of the Archon."

 I translated briefly to Kazan and the Illyrians, and wefollowed the attendant across the courtyard and mounted thewide staircase, passing beneath a great alabaster archway toenter.

 It is a lively place, the Palace of Phaistos. We passed fineKritian lords and ladies, travelling on foot and in servant-borne palanquins, bound to and from the city's market; theychattered amongst themselves, laughing and gesturing. Theydress for the heat in Phaistos, and I saw Spiridon and Gavrilstretch their eyes to see noblewomen in linen so fine itshowed the contours of the bodies beneath, nothing so mod­est as Illyrian attire. It made me smile.

 The attendant led us to the Upper East Wing of the Pal­ace, and paused outside a doorway. I could hear odd sounds coming from within, grunting and thudding. Kazan looked inquiringly at me and I shrugged. The attendant cleared histhroat and knocked three times, then opened the door.

 It led not into a room but onto a small, open-air courtyard with a sandy floor. There was a well at the rear of the yard,and it was set about on all sides with benches and date palmsin massive clay pots. Kritian nobles sat on the benches, at­tended by servants with parasols, eating and drinking andconversing while they watched a wrestling match. Some halfa dozen other wrestlers stood watching, laying odds andwagers.

 We stood discreetly to one side and waited. I gazed at theseated nobles, trying to guess which one was the Archonwhile the match played out. The contestants were both na­ked and oiled, hair bound in clubs. One had the advantageof height and reach, but the smaller man was quick, slippingout of his hold time and again. The spectatorsoohed andaahed , exclaiming over each near throw and escape. Kazanstared, frowning in perplexity; the other two Illyrians lookeduncomfortably at the scene. They will strip to swim, but notmuch else, and even that, not in the presence of women.

 In time, the wrestlers closed in a grapple, legs braced,hands locked on each other's upper arms. I watched theirfeet scuffle for purchase and advantage in the deep sand aseach sought to unbalance the other. The smaller man feintedleft, seeking to hook his opponent's ankle; but he was ready for it and threw a hip-check, using the leverage of his longarms to throw the other. Down went the smaller contestant, landing with a resonant thump. The audience sighed and thewinner stepped back and bowed deeply; when the loser bounded to his feet grinning, they all applauded, and I re­alized he was the Archon.

 He came over to us as he was, mother-naked with theSeal of Minos strung on a cord about his neck, skin gleam­ing with oil save for a few patches of sand.

 "I am Demetrios Asterius," he said cheerfully, "the Ar­chon of Phaistos. I hear that Pasiphae has sent you to me.Has anyone ever told you that your hair shines like starscaught in a net of the night sky?"

 I flushed, kneeling in the sun-warmed sand. "My lordArchon, pray accept my greeting. I am Phèdre nó Delaunay,Comtesse de Montrève, of Terre d'Ange."

 "Mother Dia, I think I could guessthat! You're enoughto send the Goddess of Love running for her mirror." Settinghis hands on his hips, the Archon surveyed Kazan, whobowed, eyes averted. "And you must be the Epidauran.Well, you two are an unlikely pair!"

 "I am Kazan Atrabiades, I," Kazan said stiffly in Caerdicci.

 The Archon raised his brows and switched languageswithout effort. "If that's so, you've a name for a pirate,Illyrian!"

 Kazan grinned wolfishly; I daresay he was pleased to findhis reputation had preceded him. "It may be, eh? But I haveundergone thethetalos, I."

 "So I am told." A shrewd look crossed Demetrios Aster-ius' face, and I remembered well what Pasiphae had said ofhim. Although he was slender and dark-complected, he hada look of her about the eyes; the deep-set eyes of the Houseof Minos, who call themselves the Kindred. "You have aletter, I believe?"

 Still kneeling, I handed it to him. His slim fingers closedhard about my wrist instead of taking the letter, and he drewme to my feet, laughing. "You need not kneel to me, Lady Phèdre, charming though it looks. Let us see what Pasiphae has written." Plucking the letter from my hand, he gave asharp whistle in the direction of the gathered wrestlers. Oneraised his head, smiling in answer, and came over to joinus. He was tall and well-made, with hair the color of dark­ened bronze and grey eyes that held a quiet amusement."This is Timanthes," the Archon said absently, throwing an arm over his companion's shoulders as he scanned Pasi­phae's letter. "He can beat me two falls out of three, too, although he never boasts of it. Here, Timanthes, see whatyou make of this."

 Timanthes read the letter silently, and their eyes met whenhe had finished. "You'll have to hear her out in a proper audience, Demetrios. This is too heavy to be decided here."

 "That's what I thought." The Archon clapped his handstogether, turning to address the gathered Kritians, who clus­tered on their benches, staring and whispering. "Thank you for coming," he called to them. "I hope you have been wellentertained!" They applauded again politely, and dispersedin short order, taking their retinues of servants with them,eyeing us sidelong as they went. In the background, theother wrestlers began sluicing each other down with bucketsof water drawn from the well. Demetrios Asterius touchedhis fingers to his lips, brows drawn in thought. "You havea ship in the harbor, yes?" he asked Kazan in Caerdicci. "Iam unclear what is your stake in this matter, pirate. The law of the Temenos protects you as a supplicant, but it does not extend to matters of state if you intend harm."

 Kazan looked down at him; he was a full head taller thanthe Archon. "What I came for, I have, son of Minos. NowI am here to see what you will do, eh, and what you will not, I will. Do you understand, you?"

 "I think so." The Archon nodded briskly. "Well and so,I will hear out this request of yours, Lady Phèdre, and your... consort, is he?"

 "No," I said softly. "My lord Kazan Atrabiades and I arebound together by... mutual debts, you might say. He isnot my consort."

 "No?" He raised his brows again and grinned. "That's well, then. Timanthes, does her hair not shine like starscaught in night's net?" They exchanged another glance and Timanthes shook his head, smiling. "Your sister would be wroth, to hear me say such things," the Archon concluded,sounding not at all put out. "But what am I to do, hmm,when the Kore herself sends one such as this to my door?Ah, well! My dear pirate," he said to Kazan, "I suggest youfind lodgings for your men in the city. I am told there area good many inns of quality, if you have coin to pay. Foryour part, we will honor the dues of a supplicant who has undergone thethetalos; here, you may stay. And you, mylady." He made me a bow, the Seal of Minos bangingagainst his bare chest as he straightened. "You, we will surely house. Timanthes, will you see it done?"

 "Yes, Demetrios." Timanthes smiled at me. "It will bedone."

 I do not think Kazan liked the arrangements—I do notthink he liked the Archon overmuch—but so it was done,and Timanthes escorted me to pleasant quarters in the WestWing of the Palace.

 "The Archon will see you within the hour," he saidgravely to me. "He will not keep one waiting overlongwhom the Kore has sent."

 "Thank you, Timanthes." I considered him. "You are veryfond of him, are you not?"

 One corner of his mouth rose in a smile. "Yes, my lady.I am."

 I had guessed that they were lovers; rightly, it seemed."You read the Kore's letter. Will he treat kindly with me,do you think?"

 Timanthes studied the beams of the ceiling. "He will hearyou out in fairness, my lady. As much would he do for anysupplicant, and the children of Minos heed one another'sadvice, most especially when it comes from the Temenos. Will he grant you aid?" He looked soberly at me. "I cannotsay. If I have read aright, you have incurred the enmity ofa mighty nation, and La Serenissima lies closer to Kriti thanTerre d'Ange. Consider your request wisely, my lady."

 "I will," I said. "Thank you."

 He left me, then. I made shift to freshen myself, washingmy hands and face in a basin of water set out for that pur­pose, and then sat and waited, thinking on what I would say.The fine speech I had polished once upon a time had goneclear out of my head in the cavern of the Temenos, shredded to bits and lost forever by what I had undergone there. Even so, I had composed it with a very different audience in mind;I did not know what to make of this Archon, who thoughtnothing of receiving petitioners on the wrestling floor,whose gaze hinted at an intellect his manner belied.

 In the end, I resolved to tell the truth. If there was onething I learned in the cavern of the Temenos, it was that my efforts to be clever had led only to a bad end. So it was thatwhen I was sent for at last and received by Demetrios Asterius in his throne room, I laid out my tale earnestly, speak­ing in Caerdicci for the benefit of Kazan, who stoodglowering beside me.

 The Archon listened thoughtfully, interrupting me only toask for a point of clarification here or there, and his ques­tions were sensible. In white robes of state trimmed withpurple-and-gold borders, he seemed more the ruler. A finelywrought gold diadem adorned his head, though I could seehis black, curling hair was still damp from bathing. Timanthes stood beside his throne, and by his fresh attire, Iguessed he was of noble birth, too.

 When I had done, the Archon nodded soberly. "Your di­lemma is clear, my lady Phèdre, and what you say, I believe. The Kore would not have commended you to me if you didnot speak the truth. What is the nature of your request?"

 I drew a deep breath. "My lord Archon, my needs aretwofold. I fear it is too late for me to intercept the Queenon herprogressus. My only hope of preventing her assas­sination is to go to La Serenissima itself, and pray that Ireach it before her. In this matter, I ask only that you lendme passage and an escort, that I might gain the city safely."

 "And in the other?"

 "A swift ship and a courier, my lord Archon, to bear aletter to the Lady of Marsilikos." I met his eyes. "Betrayallies at home and abroad in this, my lord. If I fail in pre­venting the death of my Queen, still I may prevent the sei­zure of the throne."

 Demetrios Asterius touched his fingertips together, glanc­ing at Kazan. "And what is it you say, pirate? You will dowhat I will not?"

 "I have said it," Kazan said shortly.

 "So you have, and in a very succinct manner." IgnoringKazan's muttered growl, the Archon returned his attentionto me, raising his brows. "Forgive me the crassness of thisquestion, my dear, but it is one I must needs ask. Many ofthe Kindred of Minos are gifted with insight, able to discernthe will of the gods; I am not one such, and must rely onwhat small skills I have in the way of ruling. So I ask: Whatmerit in this boon is there for Kriti?"

 I was ready for the question. "If I succeed even in part,my lord, you will earn the gratitude of Terre d'Ange, andmay name your own reward. Money, do you wish it, traderights with Terre d'Ange and Alba, or the skills ofD'Angeline engineers; mayhap even alliance through mar­riage, although that is not mine to promise."

 "And if you fail entirely?" he asked, not unkindly.

 I paused, and shook my head. "I can make no guarantee,my lord. Still, there is much to be gained, and little to ven­ture."

 "Fairly stated, my dear, though there is more to weighthan you may reckon." The Archon steepled his fingers once more, touching them to his lips and staring into the distance."Please believe me when I say I understand the urgency ofthis situation," he said abruptly, coming to some conclusion."But it is not a request I can grant or deny on a moment's whim. Allow me one day to consider it, and on the morrow I will have an answer for you. Is that acceptable to you?"

 I glanced at Kazan, who gave a shrug. We would need aday at least to properly outfit the ship for travel, for although it had been rendered seaworthy in the Temenos, we had notbeen able to replace necessary items such as water casksand other stores.

 "Yes, my lord Archon," I said, curtsying to him. "It isacceptable, and I am grateful for your kindness."

 "Good." He smiled, his mood lightening. "Then will you do me the honor of attending a dinner party this evening asmy guest? The Lady Althaia has made it known that shewill be most put out if our exotic visitors are not invited."The Archon gave an amused sidelong glance at Timanthes,who shook his head silently, then added to Kazan, "Youtoo, of course, my dear pirate. The ladies are intrigued by your ferocious scowl. It will make for an interesting eve­ning."

 Kazan's face was unreadable, his bow precise. "Thankyou, Lord Archon," he said, taking care with his words, "butI have business with my ship. With your permission, I willreturn on the morrow."

 "As you wish." Demetrios Asterius waved one hand, thencocked his head at me. "But you, I hope, will not disappointme. We see few enough D'Angelines; it would be a pity to miss your company."

 "My lord," I said, "It will be my honor."

 SIXTY-THREE

 After the audience, I was shown back to my guest-quarters and thence to the bathhouse, where I was drawn a sump­tuous bath that would not have been out of place in theNight Court. They have servants in the Palace of Phaistoswhose sole purpose is to attend the bathhouses, seeing to the temperature of the water, laying out fresh linens andsuch. While I luxuriated, a plain-faced young woman en­tered bearing a tray with a jar of sweet oil and knelt besidethe tub, murmuring that the Lady Althaia had sent her per­sonal attendant to minister to me, as she was skilled in the arts of massage.

 Although I have certainly lived without it, I have never turned away luxury. So it was that I rose dripping from my bath to lie upon one of the alabaster benches, spread with aclean linen sheet. The girl kept her eyes averted as I did,but when she went to spread the oil upon my back, I heard her indrawn gasp. I had forgotten Naamah's marque, vividblack and red against my fair skin.

 "Do not be alarmed," I said to her in Hellene. "It is onlythe marque of Naamah, whose servant I am. You would name her a goddess, I suppose."

 She shook her head, whispering something in a dialect Idid not recognize, and smoothed on the oil. Whether or not her concerns had been allayed, she set about her work with­out further delay, and in short order, a feeling of well-being suffused my limbs. I closed my eyes, head pillowed on my arms, and let her skilled hands work the deep knots of ten­sion from my muscles.

 In this drowsing and pleasant state, I paid scant heed tothe comings and goings in the bathhouse until I heard anunfamiliar voice say, "I am pleased, Lady Phaedra, that youseem to be enjoying the services of my slave Chloris."

 I opened my eyes to see a Kritian noblewoman standing before me, a faint, measuring smile curving her lips. By herelaborately-coifed bronze hair and grey eyes—and her fa­miliarity—I guessed her to be Timanthes' sister. It gave mea start, to hear her refer to my masseuse as her slave; none­theless, I answered politely. "You are the Lady Althaia, Ithink. I am in your debt, my lady."

 "Yes, indeed." She prowled around the bench, eyeing me."I should have gone to the wrestling, it seems, and not themarketplace; I have missed being first informed. Timanthesdidn't tell me you bore the mark of ahetaera."

 "Timanthes," I said, "did not know. I am here as a servantof her majesty Ysandre de la Courcel, Queen of Terred'Ange, and not Naamah, my lady. It is a D'Angeline mat­ter."

 "Is it?" Pausing in front of me, Lady Althaia looked down her nose and raised her gracefully arched brows. "DemetriosAsterius is steadfast in his regard for my brother, but he is known to have a fickle eye for women. We have an under­standing, yes, but I am not yet pledged to the son of Minos.What better way to bait a trap for the Archon of Phaistosthan with a D'Angeline noblewoman who practices thehetaerae trade?" Her mouth turned down sourly. "I knowsomething of your people, Lady Phaedra. You are knownfor the art of spell-casting in the bedchamber."

 I propped my chin on one fist. "It is not my intention,my lady, to seduce the Archon."

 "No?" She looked uncertain.

 "No," I said firmly. "It is a matter of state. No more, andno less."

 "And if he were to offer?" Althaia challenged me. "Kriti'said, for the pleasure of your company in the bedchamber.Would you refuse?"

 I considered it. The slave, Chloris, realized she was eaves­dropping, lowered her head and continued to rub oil intomy skin, smoothing away the myriad aches of my long or­deal. "You know the Archon, my lady Althaia," I said."Would he?"

 She looked away and murmured, "No." Her mouth quir­ked with a trace of the self-effacing humor I had seen inher brother. "Well, he might. But I wouldn't trust it, if hedoes. He's a shrewd trader, Demetrios is. He'd not offer anyadvantage he wouldn't give willingly otherwise. But he might try to make you think he did."

 Her voice held the reluctant ring of truth, and there werenone of the telltales of a lie in her demeanor. I smiled. "Thenyou have done me twice a kindness here, my lady. In turnI swear to you, my purpose here is naught but what I havesaid."

 "Well, then." Althaia's manner relaxed. "Why won't youbring your pirate to my dinner party, Lady Phaedra?" shesaid playfully. "I hear he cuts a most manly figure, and evendared rude words to the Archon himself. It would irritate Demetrios in a most useful manner if you brought him!"

 I could feel the tension in Chloris' hands. "Kazan Atrabiades is not mine to command, my lady," I said quietly. "He is a pirate, yes, but he has committed no crime againstHellas, and he is a free citizen of Illyria."

 "Oh, pah!" She made a dismissive gesture. "You couldhave convinced him, I am sure. You're so serious, for ahetaera!I hope you won't be so dull at my dinner party. Everyone is hoping for rare entertainment."

 "I shall do my best to amuse, my lady," I said wryly. Ido not think I had ever been accused of being dull companybefore, but I took a warning from it. Kritian society is an­cient in sophistication, even among Hellenes. If I wantedthe Archon to consider my request a valid one, I had bestappear in truth a D'Angeline noblewoman, and not a ragtagrefugee in desperate straits. The fact that I felt myself far more the latter than the former was of no account.

 "I shall count upon it," Althaia said carelessly, adding ina rather different tone, "Chloris! Leave off your mooningand be about your work. I'm sure the Lady Phaedra is accustomed to far better service in Terre d'Ange; do not dis­grace me!"

 The slave bowed her head and murmured an apology,hands kneading my shoulder blades. I waited until Althaiahad made her exit to speak to her. "It is not true in theslightest," I said in a gentle tone, leaning on my elbows andturning my head to look at her. "You're very skilled,Chloris; you could find employ in any D'Angeline house­hold."

 She flushed unbecomingly, ducking her chin toward herbreastbone and replying almost inaudibly. "I am not free toseek employment."

 "Freeborn or captive?" I asked sympathetically.

 Her chin came up and she met my eyes. "Freeborn."

 There was a world of sorrow and loss in that single word,and although I never learned more of her story, I grievedfor her. I have known servitude, and I have known slavery, too, and there is a difference betwixt the two.It is one thing to observe the courtesies of rank, Anafiel Delaunay said tome, the day he bought my marque and took me into his household,and quite another to treat humans as chattel. Iwas sold into servitude as a child; I never fully appreciatedthe difference until I was a slave in Gunter Arnlaugson'ssteading. "I am sorry," I said to Chloris, knowing the wordsto be inadequate.

 She lowered her head again, and her mouth twisted with bitter satisfaction. "You make her nervous,lypiphera," shemuttered. "Looking like a roe deer amid cattle as you do.It's good to see." After that, fearing she had said too much,my efforts to draw her out met in failure ,.. but her wordscame back to me when I returned to my quarters and found that the Archon had sent an array of attire for that evening'sentertainment, as well as attendants to see to my robing.Well and so, I thought; if it is D'Angeline beauty he wished,I shall oblige. I chose with care among the garments pre­sented, selecting a gown that seemed amid the height ofKritian fashion as I had observed it; sheer folds of white,draping low fore and aftMy marque showed clearly through it, and I rouged mynipples in the Kritian manner, but my hair I dressed in D'Angeline style, caught at the nape of my neck with a few tendrils allowed to escape. A kneeling servant presented atray with a dozen tiny jars of cosmetics and unguents, butI partook lightly of those, only a touch of carmine for my lips and a smudge of kohl to darken my lashes. Gazing inthe mirror, I saw my face clearly for the first time since La Serenissima. It seemed odd that I had not changed more tomyself; thus the cant of my cheekbones, and lips shaped forpleading or kissing, thus the sweep of lashes, thus the fa­miliar arch of brow and dark wide-set eyes with the crimson fleck vivid against the left iris. And yet there was a differ­ence, some difference, a shadow of gravity that had not beenthere before.

 What you have seen, you carry with you.

 Well, I thought; I am D'Angeline, I will learn to carry itwith grace. And shortly the Archon's servants came bowingto escort me to his side, and thence to the dinner party ofthe Lady Althaia.

 Demetrios Asterius looked long and hard at me when I was ushered into his presence, breaking off at last with a shake of his head. "The Kritian style suits you, my dearPhèdre," he said mildly. "Would you had come here undermore auspicious circumstances. Come, then, and let us enjoyourselves while we may."

 We were the last to arrive at Althaia's elegant quarters,where a dozen guests, lords and ladies both, reclined oncouches in the spacious salon. They rose and bowed or curt­sied when the Archon entered, and then Demetrios movedamong them exchanging informal greetings, punctuated withkisses and exclamations. I was introduced to each and soonheard my name fluttering about the room, pronounced bysome in D'Angeline fashion, some in Hellene. They werefamiliar with each other, dropping honorifics to use given names. Althaia greeted me as an old friend, kissing me on both cheeks, and then clapped her hands to order the winepoured.

 It was at once pleasant and strange to be thus entertained. The conversation was witty and lively; so lively I was hard-put to follow it at times, for my Hellene was slower thantheirs, and the Kritian accent a trifle strange to my ear. Theyspoke of light matters; love affairs, theatre, fashion. So it isat such gatherings, and more solemn conversation saved forlater. Even so, it was not in my heart to banter thusly,though I concealed it well enough.

 "Is it true, Phaedra," one lady asked me breathlessly, "thatin Terre d'Ange, everyone has four lovers, men and womenalike?"

 "No, my lady." I smiled at her wide-eyed interest. "Of asurety, there are those who do; as many and more. But thereare others whose pleasure is to cleave solely to one mate, and no other."

 "As ahetaera, you must surely fall into the former cat­egory, my dear," Althaia said sweetly, reclining on thecouch she shared with her brother; Timanthes bit his lip,hiding a smile. "How many lovers do you claim?"

 "None." I met her disbelieving gaze and shook my head." 'Tis not the same thing, to take a patron as a lover. For aServant of Naamah to bestow a lover's token and privilegesupon a patron is a great honor, and I have never done it."

 "Never?" Demetrios raised his eyebrows. "No husband, no consort, no lover... that is very nearly a crime, I think!"Two lords and one lady near him added laughing agreement.

 I inclined my head to him. "Ah, but my lord Archon, younever asked if I had a consort."

 "I asked—"

 "You asked if thepirate was her consort, Demetrios,"Timanthes called, flushed with wine and high spirits. "Notif she had one."

 "I... ah. Yes." He reflected. "I did. It seemed likelyenough, the way he stands at your side and glares at me. So." He sighed. "Not the pirate, then."

 "No, my lord." I pictured Joscelin' s face, outraged at thecomparison, and smiled to myself. "Not the pirate."

 "Well, it would be too much, I suppose, to imagine onesuch as you lacked for companionship." Demetrios Asterius gave another sigh. "Althaia, you promised us entertainment,did you not?"

 "Of course, Demetrios," she said smoothly, clapping herhands once more to summon dancers.

 There were six of them, young men and women, and veryskilled, executing a complex series of dances in the centerof the ring of couches, with tiny bells at their wrists andankles that marked out an intricate rhythm. I watched them with my mind elsewhere, thinking of Joscelin. I had no rightto make any claim on him, no right to name him my consort.Once, he had held that role, but he had abjured it. I remem­bered his long vigil in the rain-soaked garden, the day I told him I was returning to Naamah's Service. It was true, whatI had seen in thethetalos; I had wronged and injured himdeeply.

 And if I had not, he would have stood at my side in the Little Court when Melisande Shahrizai drew back her veil,and Prince Benedicte ordered the death of my companions.The tally of the living is never given to us to know.

 After the dancing, the wine went around again, and thendinner was served, course upon course of Kritian delicacies.There was a good deal of seafood, which is excellent there,especially the tender squid served in a sauce of its own inkyeffluence, although it is unnerving to behold. After the maindishes came a mixed platter of sweet melons and sharpcheeses, which some couch-mates served to each other withtheir own fingers, and then a delicate ice flavored with al­mond milk for dessert. I could not imagine how they cameby ice in that clime, but the Archon assured me that there is snow on the highest peaks of Kriti in winter, and theyfreeze great blocks of ice which they hoard throughout thesummer in deep, cool cisterns.

 When the dinner things were cleared, the slaves camearound with the wine once more, and I thanked the youngman who poured for me without thinking.

 "It is my pleasure,lypiphera" he murmured, not raisinghis eyes.

 It was the same form of address the masseuse Chloris hadused, and one that was strange to me; I sensed DemetriosAsterius' head come up sharply, and felt his measured gaze."They call you that, do they?"he asked me.

 "I don't know, my lord," I said honestly; the wine-pourerhad moved onward. "I heard it once before, only today.What does it mean?"

 He was silent for a moment, then answered thoughtfully."Pain-bearer."

 "Oh." Since I did not know what else to say, I gazed intomy wine-cup. It was very finely made, of a porcelain so thinit was nearly translucent, painted on the inside with a sceneof Kritian ships at sail. Demetrios Asterius reached out to touch a loose tendril of my hair, running it between fingerand thumb.

 "Like silk to the touch," he said ruefully. "My ladyPhèdre, like as not I will wed Althaia, who brings with hera vast dowry of lands stretching the coast of my demesnes,of whom I am fond, and whose brother I love well. If I wishto be named Minos' successor, and I do, it is the wisecourse. But I wish, I very much wish, that you had comehere under more auspicious circumstances. And I very muchwish that my dear cousin Pasíphae had seen fit to offer herguidance. There are deep things involved here, and my skillslie in dealing with the surface of matters."

 I think I knew, then, what his answer would be.

 "My lord Archon," I said softly. "If the Kore could haveanswered me, she would have. I did not come seeking whatI have found on Kriti, whether it was destined or no. I askonly for your aid, for ships and men. It is a question for aruler, and you must answer it thusly."

 "So I must." He sighed, then summoned a grin. "On themorrow. For tonight, you are still my guest, and there isentertainment to be had!"

 The center of the ring of couches being cleared and thewine-cups refilled, Althaia's slaves brought out the standingsilver crater for a game ofkottabos, balancing theplastinxcarefully atop the spire. My throat tightened a little; I hadnot played atkottabos since my lord Delaunay had died.Although it is a Hellene game, it is popular amongD'Angelines; I had played it for the first time the night Alcuin made his debut, when Delaunay won Cecilie's game and claimed an auction as his forfeit.

 Six thousand ducats, Alcuin's virgin-price had brought. No one could remember such a price paid for a Servant ofNaamah, not even I, raised in the Night Court. I envied himthat, then, I remembered; my own, when my time came,was lower. I wouldn't have done, had I known how he trulyfelt about it.

 Delaunay told me my asking-price would only rise withtime. He was right about that too, and I would willingly trade it all, to have them both alive once more.

 Such things are not given to us to choose, and so it wasthat I smiled and laughed and played atkottabos, surprisingthe Kritians by winning a round with a skillful toss of thelees in my wine-cup, for Delaunay taught us both to play with skill after Alcuin's auction. For my forfeit, I claimedthe right to share a couch with our hostess' handsomebrother, which was amusing to all and pleased Althaia, whothen shared Demetrios' couch, and Demetrios watched me with his shrewd, wry gaze while Timanthes made pleasantconversation, neither of them deceived by my motives.

 And thus did the evening pass, until it was time to leave.

 "You have a courtier's skills, my lady," Demetrios Asterius said to me, cupping his hands about my face as welingered outside Althaia's quarters, his servants and Timan­thes waiting patiently. I stood quiet under his touch. "It isas well, I suppose." He raised his dark eyes to Timanthes'. "Will you see her back to her apartment?"

 "Of course."

 "Good." Demetrios sighed. "Then, Phèdre, I bid you fare­well tonight as a man, since tomorrow I must be a ruler,"he said, and lowering his head, kissed me. His lips werewarm and soft and he kissed with the skill of long practice.A shiver of pleasure ran through me, and Demetrios droppedhis hands, almost pushing me away. "Go on, little painbearer," he said in a rough-edged voice. "You've given me an acheI'll remember, surely enough."

 "I'm sorry, my lord." My own voice came a little fast.

 "Don't be. I'll remember it with pleasure." Gathering himself, the Archon grinned. "Timanthes, escort our guestto her quarters, but do not think on dalliance. There arethings our friendship cannot endure, and this may be one of them."

 "If it can survive my sister, it can survive anything," Ti­manthes replied, unperturbed.

 SIXTY-FOUR

 In the morning, Demetrios Asterius received us once more,and true to his word, he was every inch the Archon, no traceanywhere in his demeanor of yesterday's wrestler or drink­ing companion.

 I was reunited with Kazan in the antechamber, and foundmyself passing glad to see him. We had been through a greatdeal together, he and I, enough so that he represented the comfort of the familiar. He had spent some of the ransommoney on clothing and a visit to the barber, and lookedrather more presentable, if no less fiercesome; his black hairgleamed in its long topknot, and his mustaches were waxedto points, the narrow strip of beard shaved with precision. "It is not for this petty king, eh," he said scornfully when Iremarked on his garb. "But I will sail this day, for yourpeople or mine, I, and for that I will not set forth in rags."

 We did not have long to wait before we were summoned,and the atmosphere in the throne room was somber.

 "Comtesse Phèdre nó Delaunay de Montrève of Terred'Ange." Demetrios acknowledged me in steady tones."You have laid a heavy request upon us. Two boons, you have asked; one, I will grant." He touched his fingertipstogether. "I pray you understand, if it were a matter of sym­pathy only, I would willingly grant both. But to escort youto La Serenissima..." He shook his head. "This I will notdo. Whether the Serenissimans are right or wrong in seekingyour death, to defy them thusly at their own gates is an openact of hostility. And if you fail in any part, Phèdre nó Delaunay, I will have earned Kriti—and indeed, all of Hellas—a powerful enemy. Nay, not one, but two, for if I understandmatters aright, if you fail, the D'Angeline throne falls to thisBenedicte de la Courcel, who stands in alliance with theStregazza. Is it not so?"

 "Yes, my lord Archon," I murmured. "It is so."

 "I am sorry." His dark eyes were compassionate. "Youasked a courier be sent to Marsilikos, and it shall be so.Anywhere else on the face of the earth you wish to go, Iwill send you. But I cannot risk exposing Kriti to the unitedwrath of La Serenissima and Terre d'Ange, no matter whatrewards the risk may pay if you succeed. To rule wisely,one must weigh all options. There is no gain here that is worth the price of failure. Can you understand this?"

 "Yes." I swallowed, and bowed my head. 'Twas no morethan I had expected, but disheartening nonetheless. "I un­derstand, my lord Archon."

 "Do you weigh your own options, Phèdre," he said gen­tly, "you may find it is much the same. If what you tell meis true, your chance of succeeding in La Serenissima is slim.Capture or death are likely, if not certain. You have doneall that you might and more, though the hand of fate hasbeen raised against you at every turn. Listen well, then, andheed my advice. A courier is no certain thing, my dear, and a message in a stranger's hand too easily ignored. Do notsend word to Marsilikos, but go, bear word yourself, and rouse those allies you trust, secure the throne against be­trayal abroad. Your Queen's life may be forfeit for it, yes,but you have the surety of the realm to gain—and your ownlife as well. What do you say?"

 He waited, watching, and I gave no answer. At my side,Kazan stirred restlessly. "He speaks wisely, he," he mut­tered. "I would say the same, did you ask."

 It was tempting—Elua, it was tempting! To sail not backinto danger and near-certain death, but to Marsilikos andsafety; home, to go home. To the calm wisdom of Roxannede Mereliot, who would take matters into her capable hands,to the reassuring might of Quintilius Rousse, yes, even togo to Barquiel L'Envers, that clever, cunning Duc I hadbeen so sure I could not trust...

 ... and condemn to death Ysandre de la Courcel, whohad once trusted me enough to risk the entire nation on mybare word; not only Ysandre, but mayhap all who travelledwith her in theprogressus, all who supported her in LaSerenissima...

 Joscelin.

 I pressed the heels of my hands into my eyes, thinking. Demetrios Asterius was right, there was danger in trusting to a message in a stranger's hand, almost reason to go. Al­most. I lowered my hands and opened my eyes. "My lordArchon, do you swear to me that your courier will do allthat is humanly possible to deliver my message to the Ladyof Marsilikos?"

 He paused, then nodded soberly. "That much I do swear,my lady. By Mother Dia and the House of Minos, I swear it."

 "And you ..." I turned to Kazan, "... you will get me toLa Serenissima, no matter what happens in Epidauro?"

 Kazan's eyes gleamed. "I have said it, I; may thekríavbhogswallow my soul if I lie! This is the debt I owe, andI will honor it, I." He gave a broad grin. "If you did the wise thing always, I would be dead, yes?"

 I turned back to face the Archon. "I thank you, my lord,for your offer, which was generous," I said softly. "And for your advice, which was well-conceived. But I believe I cansend a message that will not go unheeded."

 "So be it." There was a starkness to his features, and Iknew he did not look to see me alive again. "Deliver unto me your letter, and I will have the ship sail at once. May your gods protect you, Phèdre nó Delaunay. They've donea poor enough job of it thus far."

 I made no reply but knelt briefly to him, and we took ourleave, though not before I caught a sympathetic glance fromTimanthes, standing at his post beside the Archon's throne. Kazan departed for the harbor, where I was to meet him intwo hours' time.

 This time I spent writing my missives, and the first was the lengthiest; that was for Roxanne de Mereliot, the Ladyof Marsilikos. There was no need and no purpose in con­cealing my intent now, and I wrote frankly of the situation in La Serenissima, of Benedicte's betrayal, of Melisande'srole, of the plans of Marco Stregazza. I wrote too of the compliance of Percy de Somerville, and his role in Meli­sande's escape from Troyes-le-Mont, as well as the meansby which she had blackmailed him, the letter regarding theancient matter of Lyonette de Trevalion's betrayal. And I wrote such things as might verify my identity, bidding herif she were uncertain to ask of Quintilius Rousse who it wasthat counted grains of sand on the beach in Kusheth, lik­ening their numbers to the Skaldi. That I was certain hewould remember, for it had been the turning point that had persuaded him to pursue Ysandre's fool's errand to Alba,and it was known only to him and me.

 All of this and more I wrote, suggesting allies and coursesof action, debating the allegiance of Ghislain de Somerville,who may or may not have been complicit in his father'splans. I wrote too much, no doubt, for I had been alone with these thoughts for weeks on end, and putting them to paperwas almost like sharing them. At last I gauged the positionof the sun and saw how much time had passed, and setmyself to writing the second missive.

 This one was to Duc Barquiel L'Envers.

 To him, I wrote only this, my hand shaking somewhat asI set pen to paper. "Your Grace, pay heed to the words ofthe Duchese Roxanne de Mereliot, the Lady of Marsilikos.All that I have told her is true. By the burning river, I adjure you to hold the City of Elua against all claimants, includingDuc Percy de Somerville."

 It was done. I sanded my writing, tilting the page to re­move the excess and blowing on the ink. It was only onecity in a realm of seven provinces, but it was the City ofElua, the only place in Terre d'Ange that Blessed Elua made his own, and no one, man or woman or child, may be right­fully crowned sovereign of the realm anywhere but there. If this worked—oh, Elua, if it worked!—I owed a greater debtthan words could utter to Nicola L'Envers y Aragon, who had sought in good faith to convince me that her cousinBarquiel and I threatened to tear Ysandre in twain with ourmistrust of one another, who gave me the sacred passwordof her House as proof of her earnestness.It doesn 't matter what you. believe. Just remember it.

 And Delaunay's pupil to the end, I had recorded it inmemory, along with her wry smile and farewell kiss.Do mea favor, and don't put it to the test unless you 're truly inneed.

 I am in need now, Nicola, I thought, sealing this secondletter with a wax taper, I am well and truly in need now,and whatever bargain you ask of me, I will make. Ah, mylord Kushiel, if your blood truly runs in the veins of HouseL'Envers alongside Naamah's and Elua's, let him heed thisplea!

 It was Timanthes who came for the letters. I gave them into his keeping.

 "Demetrios is truly grieved that he could not grant yourrequest in full," he said quietly to me. "I hope that you knowthis."

 "I do." I met his calm gaze. "He's a good ruler, isn't he?"

 "He ..." Timanthes took a deep breath. "Yes. He is."

 It could have been like this, I thought, with my lord Delaunay and Rolande de la Courcel, who loved him. Delaunaywould have been like this man Timanthes, with pride ofplace at his side, a steadfast beacon no matter whence hislord's whims turned, knowing he would always return in the

 end. It would have been so, if Prince Rolande had wed hisfirst intended, Edmée de Rocaille, who loved them both and smiled upon their friendship. The Lady Althaia understandsas much, and asks no more, loving her brother and lordalike. Let Demetrios Asterius wed her, then, and have hisTimanthes as well; let no bitter rival come between them asIsabel L'Envers had done, setting in motion an irrevocablechain of betrayal and hatred.

 Those events made Anafiel Delaunay what and who hewas when I knew him, brilliant and ruthless and wise, andkind, too; Elua knows, I had reason to know it. And yet, Inever knew him happy, save those few precious weeks be­fore the end, when Alcuin won through his stern walls tooffer him a measure of love—and even that, I had be­grudged, with a child's jealousy.

 "Love him well, then, Timanthes," I said, tears stinging my eyes. "It is a rare enough thing to find, a good ruler anda dear friend. Love him well, and let him do the same inturn, for Blessed Elua asks no more of us."

 "I will," he said gravely, looking only a little startled. "Ido. Lady Phaedra, Demetrios bids me ask you, are theresome words you would have the courier commit to heart? Ido not thinkthe Serenissimans will dare blockade and searcha Kritian ship, but if they do, 'twere best your message wasengraved in memory, lest it be necessary to destroy yourletter."

 It was well-thought of him; I paused a moment to gathermyself. "Yes. Bid him memorize this: Benedicte is a traitor,he has taken Melisande to wife. They plan to kill the Queen.Percy de Somerville is in league with them. Tell Barquielthat by the burning river, I adjure him to hold the Cityagainst them all."

 He repeated it several times, until I was sure he had itletter-perfect; he was a quick study. When he had done, hetook my hands in his own. "The message will be delivered,Lady Phaedra. The Kindred of Minos do not swear lightly,and that ship will sail with the Kore's blessing on it; MotherDia herself will see it brought safe to harbor. Word hascome from the Temenos only this hour past." He SulliedSlightly at my expression. "There are things the Kore knowsuntold, and of those, we do not ask."

 "Pray you give her my thanks," I whispered.

 Timanthes nodded. "I shall." Still holding my hands, hehesitated, searching for words and gazing past me. "Thereare...other rumors, that have come from the Temenos," hesaid slowly. "Servants will talk, where priests and priest­esses hold their tongues, although surely this too is a thingthe Kore permits. But.. . this thing they name you,lypiphera; they speak it with awe and hope, they who serve."

 A shiver ran the length of my spine, as though a greatwing had brushed me unseen. "It is not always an ill thing, to know pain," I said, meeting his eyes as his gaze returned to my face. "To remember. I have been a slave, Timanthes. It is a pain I remember. And it is poorly done, to treat hu­mans as chattel."

 He looked at me for a long time without speaking, and then looked away. "Others have argued as much; but Kritiis ancient, and we are ancient in our ways. Still, wayschange, and there are new things born under the sun. Youare one such, you children of Elua. I will think on what youhave said, and speak of it to Demetrios."

 "Thank you." Pressing his hands, I gave him a kiss offarewell. "Tell the Archon I am grateful for his aid, andkeep you well." I stepped back, smiling. "Next time, I will come at a more auspicious time, I promise."

 At that he laughed, and shook his head, and we parted ona note of cheer. It was naught but bravado on my part, butso will warriors make jest on the battlefield, and having saida thing, be heartened by it. So it was that I half-believedmy own words and found my spirits rising as I left thePalace of Phaistos, escorted by a squadron of the Archon's guards through the city to Kommos Harbor. Though I washeaded once more into certain danger, the sun shone brightlyoverhead, the glances of the guards and the folk in thestreets were filled with covert admiration, and I left behindme at last a thing well-done.

 If the Kritian ship could not win through to Marsilikos,'twas out of my hands, whether I was aboard it or no. Andif it did—well, Roxanne de Mereliot would heed my words,that much I trusted. I had not told the Archon of my past, beyond those events in La Serenissima which pertained tothe situation, but the Lady of Marsilikos surely knew I ofall people would send no false warning. As for BarquielL'Envers, he would honor the password of his House or not;he did not love me so well that it would help to plead thecause in person. In truth, if the letters arrived safely, Ithought, I could do no more if I were there myself.

 The harbor was crowded and busy, for trade was urgentin these last fair weeks of autumn. My escort surroundedme, forcing a path along the wharf until we came to Kazan'sship. Sharp-eyed Oltukh spotted me first and gave a cry ofwelcome, and all of them echoed greetings, jostling for aplace at the rail to aid me aboard the ship; a warm welcome,from the superstitious pirates who had once shunned me asa fearful spirit. Glaukos, who had never been aught but kind, folded me in a great embrace.

 Kazan watched it all with a look of irony. "You havebecome a luck-piece, eh?" he said to me. "It is a thing Inever dreamed, to go home to Epidauro. If you are ready, we sail, we."

 The wind was blowing fresh and steady, the sea beyondthe harbor dancing with white-crested ripples; a brisk sea, but not treacherous, the kind of challenge Illyrian sailorsdearly love. I felt the wind tug at my hair and smiled.

 "I am ready, my lord pirate. Let's sail."

 SIXTY-FIVE

 It was, for once, an uneventful sea journey. Although thenights were cool, the winds and the weather held fair. Therepairs made to the ship in the Temenos served admirably, and it was wholly seaworthy. Kazan had made good use ofhis time in Phaistos and our stores were replenished; more­over, he had bartered for charts of the Hellene waters, en­abling him to plot a swift course homeward.

 We crossed first a vast expanse of open sea, the steepmountains of Kriti dwindling quickly to a speck behind us.

 From thence it was a mere day's sail to reach sight of theHellene mainland. Mindful of our terrifying, storm-bornflight southward, Kazan was careful to keep always within sight of the coast, which lay off our starboard bow.

 Although our progress was steady, it was a slow business,working our way up the coast. My euphoria at the sendingof the Kritian courier had faded, and my thoughts turnedonce more to La Serenissima, rendering me fretful and over­ly conscious of the passing of time. I spent fruitless hoursguessing at the course of Ysandre'sprogressus, and I dare­say strained even Glaukos' patience quizzing him on thelength of Caerdicci roadways. He knew them well enough,having been a merchant's clerk during his slave days, buthe could guess no better than I how swiftly aprogressusregaliswould travel, nor how long the D'Angeline monarch would linger in any given city.

 Of a surety, though, we were well into autumn, and Ysandre's entourage would turn for home before ,the season'send. I slept poorly at night and took to wandering the decks,wrapped in my woolen mantle, the Kore's gift. The sailorson watch seemed glad enough of my company, and taught me Illyrian songs and jests, showing me, too, such gamesas they played to pass the time. I learned to throw dice onKazan's ship and became a passing fair hand at it, for itrequires a certain deftness of wrist, not unlike some of Naamah's arts.

 As for those, Kazan Atrabiades never laid a hand uponme; and in truth, I am not sure what I would have done ifhe had. It was due in part to shipboard discipline, for Kazanwas one of those leaders who would do without whatsoeverhis men did—and too, there was little privacy on a ship ofthat size. Indeed, I was acutely reminded of this each timeit was necessary to relieve myself, which, I may add, is no easy chore on a ship lacking a privy. I had cause then to be grateful for Illyrian modesty.

 But in greater part, Kazan's forbearance was due to whathe had undergone in thethetalos, for he spoke candidly ofit to me on the first day aboard the ship.

 "What we had between us, you and I; know that I do notlook for that again, to have you in that way." He shook hishead, tear-shaped pearl eardrops glimmering in the dim lightof the cabin. I had learned since first we met that Illyriansailors believe they enhance vision; evenKazan was super­stitious enough to believe it. "It is a thing I saw, in thethetalos,I. A guest, I named you, for although I lost my birthright, I had pride, I, in what I made of Dobrek, yes."He laughed. 'To shun the title of lord, and to live as one,eh? And a pirate, too, as it pleased me. I made you a bar­gain, you, that was no bargain. I knew you could not say no. If I had not, maybe things would have been different,eh? If we had trusted to speak truth, we, the Serenissimans would not have tricked us. So." He shrugged. "Now, I donot ask, I."

 "Thank you, my lord Kazan." I smiled. "It is a lordly gesture, truly."

 "Maybe I will be that again, eh? Lord Atrabiades." Kazan glanced unerringly through the cabin walls toward the north,homeward, undisguised yearning on his face. "Whateverhappens, it is all worthwhile, to set foot in Epidauro." An­other thought crossed his mind and he looked back at mewith narrowed eyes. "Did you go with him, you?"

 "Who?" I was genuinely unsure whom he meant.

 "That..." He made to spit, then thought better of it."That Demetrios, that Archon, with his oils and curls andhis fancy-boy."

 I raised my brows. "It is no concern of yours, my lord, if I did."

 "Well." Kazan grinned, unabashed. "I said I would notask, eh; I did not say I would not think about it, I!"

 At that, I rolled my eyes and gave him no answer; he leftthe cabin laughing, well-pleased with himself. It is a thingI have noted, that men will compete with one another evenwhen there is no prize to be gained. Mayhap women are nobetter, on the whole, but we are more subtle about it, andquicker to reckon the stakes.

 And quicker to play men for fools.

 I could not but think of Melisande, then, and in some partof me, shake my head in admiration. She had played us allfor fools, men and women alike. The outrageous brillianceof her ploy fair dazzled the mind. To hide in plain sight, inthe very place she dared us seek her—Elua, what nerve!Even I, who knew what she was capable of, had neverdreamed such a thing.

 Tell me, do you believe I would make so poor a sover­eign?

 It is a dangerous thing, to admire one's enemy.

 I forced down my hand, that had risen to clutch at mybare throat where her diamond used to lie, and thought in­stead of the terrible, blood-shot darkness within the cavern of the Temenos. There I had faced the trail of death that lay behind me, those who lived no more due to the folly of mychoice. But the Kore had spoken true; it was the darkesttruth thethetalos revealed, and not the whole of it. Betimes I had chosen poorly, yes; but it was Melisande who led me to the crossroads of the worst of those choices, and theblood-guilt of it rested as squarely on her shoulders as onmine.

 No wonder the Unforgiven named themselves as they did.It was proud, doomed Isidore d'Aiglemort who led them tothat crossroads, yes, but who led him? Melisande.

 Ah, my lady, I thought, gazing beyond the cabin walls.You have made your choices, and it is I who count the costand bear the pain of them. But it is in good part yours, thisshadow I carry, and Blessed Elua willing, I will bring ithome to you, from whence it came. And then we will seehow you like it.

 So I looked northward too, with as much yearning and a good deal more fear than Kazan Atrabiades, and league by league, we crawled up the coast of Hellas and into Illyrianwaters, the sailors shouting and cheering when we passedthe lamphouse off the isle of Kérkira, that marks the begin­ning of Illyria proper for all seafaring sojourners. And Eluahelp me, I cheered with them, as if I were Illyrian myself.We had become comrades-in-arms, Kazan and his men andI, and we had faced common enemies together; the Serenissimans, thekríavbhog, the storm, and even the terror of thethetalos.

 On the third day after we entered Illyrian waters, wereached Epidauro.

 I had seen it twice before; 'twas very nearly a familiarsight by now, the generous harbor encompassed by solidgranite walls, fortified ward-towers looming at either side of the entrance. I do not know who first sighted the city, forthis time, no one gave cry, and in time, we all saw it. In theharbor, one could make out a dozen or more ships; membersof the Ban's armada with the red sails, fishing vessels andtraders. No Serenissiman war-galleys. The day was fine and bright, a lively nip in the wind that drove warm-bloodedtypes like Glaukos and myself to don our woolen outerwear,It ruffled the sea into wavelets, sunlight glinting from athousand peaks.

 And it chuffed loudly in the flapping canvas when Tormos, unbidden, gave the order as second-in-command toloose the sail. He remembered—we all remembered—fartoo well what had happened the last time we sought to enter Epidauro.

 Sailors held their posts, ropes slack, rudder-bar looselytended, and our vessel drifted harmlessly sideways while weall gazed at Kazan Atrabíades; he looked back at us, seeingthe fear writ in our faces.

 "Why do you idle?" he asked in Illyrian. "Have I not seta fair course? We sail to Epidauro."

 With that, he turned his back on us, crossing the length of the deck to stand in the prow, setting his face towardhome.

 Tormos gritted his teeth and gave the order. "As he says.To Epidauro!"

 Our sails snapped taut in the wind; the ship swungaround, nosing back to true. Young Volos threw back hishead with a defiant shout as we began to skim over thewaves, and a gull circling overhead gave it back, raucousand wild. I made my way to Kazan's side. He stood withlegs braced and arms folded, and if his face was calm andpurposeful, still I saw how shudders crawled over his skin.

 "If it comes for me," he said out of the side of his mouth,"don't stop. Push me over the side and keep going, if thekríavbhogcomes."

 The fortressed harbor walls were rushing nearer, loomingin my sight. I could make out men aboard the ships, pointingand shouting, the black bird of prey on the red sails of the Ban's vessels and sunlight glinting from the steel helms of those who manned them.

 "It won't," I said, willing it to be true.

 Kazan's lips moved soundlessly for a moment, his gazefixed unwaveringly on the shore. "I pray you are right." Hedrew in a breath as if in pain. "Ah!"

 We had entered the waters of the harbor.

 The ship erupted in a mad ecstasy, the sailors roaringcheers, laughing and stomping their feet on the woodendeck, shouting out to the Ban's fleet that swiftly surroundedus. "Kazan Atrabiades! It is Kazan Atrabiades of Epidauro!Kazan! Ka-zan! Ka-zan!"

 An answering shout arose and spread like wildfire, passedfrom mouth to mouth and ringing across the harbor, whilethe Ban's guardsmen beat their shields. "Hëia, Ka-zan! Hëia,hëia, Kazan! Hëia, Ka-zan!"

 In the prow, Kazan Atrabiades grinned fit to split his faceand raised his arms in acknowledgment.

 I watched it all, wide-eyed and gaping. I had forgotten,in ancient, civilized Kriti; forgotten that Illyria was a vassalnation of an oppressive ruler, forgotten that the dubiousfame that had brought Kazan's name even to the ears of theArchon of Phaistos—whence mine own, I may add, evokedonly the shade of an ancient tale—rendered him renowned in his homeland.

 The Illyrians welcomed him as a hero.

 An escort of the Ban's armada saw us into the harborproper, while cheers rang even from the tops of the fortress towers. Our sailors clung precariously to the rigging, hang­ing out over the sides of the ship to shout to other sailors,trading news and asking after their erstwhile companions; itwas Tormos who kept sufficient order to see us into port,scowling and bawling commands. Kazan merely grinnedand waved, beatifically, resplendently alive and home. AndI...I was well-nigh forgotten in the uproar.

 "Do not take it ill," Glaukos said, laying a comfortingarm about my shoulders. "Ah, now, he'll not forget you, nothim. He knows his debt, see if he doesn't. Only let himhave this moment, my lady, and you'll see I've the right of it."

 I shivered, unaccountably alone and fearful with mythoughts. "I hope so. A moment is all I have."

 By the time we reached the wharf, a small crowd had gathered; 'such lads as haunt every port hoping to catch theeye of their heroes had been sent hither and thither, carrying the news ofKazan Atrabiades' return throughout the city of Epidauro. I was glad enough when we disembarked to have Glaukos' sturdy presence at my side, protecting me from the jostling throng of humanity. As a Tiberian-born Hellene, hewas at least as much an outsider as I.

 Nearly all those gathered were men, and the news they passed swirled above my head in a cacophony of Illyrian,nigh overwhelming my comprehension; I grasped at phraseshere and there, and gathered that the other three ships hadcome safe to land when we fled the Serenissiman galleys,that the Serenissimans had hovered outside the harbor-waters, seeing the darkness that coalesced above Kazan'sship, and turned aside when the storm's mighty hand hurledus southward. From shore and ship, the Epidaurans hadwatched it all and reckoned us lost. The Ban had givenasylum to all of Kazan's men, claiming no proof of trans­gression; all who had survived—and Pekhlo, thrown fromour ship, was one—were here in Epidauro.

 And of a surety, they came to greet us, summoned from

 cheap lodgings to spill onto the wharf, ebullient and joyous. Not until a squadron of the Ban's Guard arrived was a sem­blance of order restored, their scarlet-crested helms partingthe crowd, clearing a space. Kazan yelled to his men, then,gathering them behind him as the squadron leader ap­proached.

 "Well, well," the leader said softly. "So Kazan Atrabiadeshas returned, eh?" Unexpectedly, he feinted a punch at Ka­zan's face; Kazan dodged it easily, grinning, and dragged him into an embrace.

 "Czibor, you son of a eunuch!" he exclaimed, thumpingthe other's back. "I taught you to draw a sword! What isthe Zim Sokali thinking, to grant a command to one suchas you?"

 "That you were long gone from Epidauro, like as not,"Czibor laughed, returning his embrace. "By Yarovit, it's good to see you! How does this come about?"

 "I have been to Kriti, and the House of Minos," Kazansaid soberly.

 "Ah." Czibor stepped back and eyed him. "It is true, then,what they say? There is power there to cleanse a man of ablood-curse?"

 Kazan spread his arms. "You see me here before you,Czibor. It is a dire thing, but a true one."

 The squadron leader nodded. "Then it is well done. TheZim Sokali will wish to hear of it. You pose him a problem,Kazan, indeed you do. Your name and your deeds areknown to the Serenissimans, and they will hear of your re­turn if this clamor is any indication." His gaze raked thegathered throng and he took in the sight of me, standing atGlaukos' side; his eyes widened. "Your men came bearingtales of a D'Angeline woman worth thirty thousand goldsolidi, Kazan," he said slowly. "And there have been Ser-enissiman traders asking questions in the city, and an am­bassador sent to the Zim Sokali, who denied all knowledge. I did not credit such stories, myself, but if such a thing maybe, I think I am seeing it now."

 "You are," said Kazan. "And I am thinking the Ban willwish to see her too."

 "I think you are right," Czibor said wryly.

 So we began to make our way to the fortress of the Banof Illyria, whom I learned was addressed by his people asthe Zim Sokali, the Falcon's Son. It is a strong city, Epidauro, wrought of stone and surrounded by thick walls. Es­corted by Czibor and his men, we had not progressed faralong the narrow, paved streets before a frantic clatter of hooves arose and a carriage plunged into the midst of thecrowd of men and youths that travelled with us, scatteringthem. Even as the Ban's guardsmen began to react, the car­riage door was flung open and an older woman stumbledout, her face drawn and tear-stained.

 "Kazan," she wept, opening her arms to him. "Kazan!"

 He took a step toward her, wonder dawning in his eyes."Mother?"

 A lump rose to my throat as I watched their reunion. Of the gifts of thethetalos, this, mayhap, was the most pre­cious: Forgiveness, given and taken freely on both sides. I knew well the pain Kazan had born, the bitter guilt at hisbrother's death by his own unwitting hand; I had lain besideit, seen it staring wakeful and dry-eyed in the small hoursof the night. Of his mother's pain, I could only begin toguess. Some little I learned in those moments, that she was a widow bereft of her beloved younger son, waking fromthe first madness of grief to realize her elder son was lostto her too, condemned by her own wrathful curse. When thetale of the Serenissiman war-galleys and Kazan's battle withthekríavbhog came to her ears, she thought him dead and wept anew, grieving thrice for the two sons born to her.

 Well, I thought, if I have done naught else, this at leastis done and done well.

 "Lady Njësa," Czibor said gently to Kazan's mother, re­moving his helmet and tucking it under his arm as a gestureof respect. "I beg of you, forgive me, but my orders are toconduct your son directly unto the Ban's presence."

 "Yes, of course." She smiled through her tears, graspinghis arms one last time as if to assure herself of his solidity.

 "So tall, my son! I had forgotten how tall. Marjopí has caredwell for you. Does she live, yet? Is she well? I would tellher, if I could, that I repent my harsh words."

 "You will tell her yourself, Mother, for she is well andhale in Dobrek, and I will send for her myself." Disengaginghimself, Kazan bent to kiss her cheek. "Only I must see theBan first," he added softly, "and there are debts I must honorbefore I set matters aright in our household."

 Czibor set his helm back on his head. "Come. The ZimSokali is waiting."

 SIXTY-SIX

 bokal Fortress sits at the heart of the city of Epidauro,steep-walled and massive, a structure built to be defendedin a city walled for defense. Once, I daresay, it may havebeen a gracious haven for the Illyrian folk, with gates stand­ing open and pennants fluttering from every peak. Now ithad an air of grim defiance, proud and resolute, its wallsstripped of adornment and gates bolted tight, cautiously opened at Czibor's password.

 One could see, from atop the lower terrace of the fortress,why Epidauro alone had not fallen to La Serenissima. An enormous gate flanked by towers defended the narrowcauseway from the mainland, and all the rest was borderedby water. Even the mighty Serenissiman navy would behard-pressed to find a weakness assaulting Epidauro fromthe sea, met all around with those faceless grey wallsmanned by the Ban's Guard with archers, trebuchets andballistae.

 "Ah," Kazan sighed, gazing over the city. "Home!"

 I did not say what was in my mind; that the charming village of Dobrek was more pleasant by far. I saw with astranger's eyes. To Illyrians bred and born, walled Epidaurohoused the soul of the land, the clenched fist raised in de­fiance at the oppressor. This I saw most of all reflected inKazan's hungry gaze, but I saw it too in the faces of theothers, his island-born companions who had never seen acity before Phaistos.

 Well and so, I would not expect them to ache with longing for the gilded fields of Terre d'Ange, ancient olivegroves and vineyards, and the lavender in bloom filling theair with fragrance. Even thinking on it made my heart con­tract painfully in my breast. If naught else, I knew what itwas to be an exile. We shared that much.

 Once inside the fortress, Kazan's men were taken into thegood-natured custody of the Ban's Guard, to be fed andhoused.

 OnlyKazan and I were conducted into the Ban's pres­ence, and I felt nervous and ill at ease, conscious of myunwashed state and my salt-stained attire. For his part, Ka­zan was in confident high spirits, secure in his welcome.

 The Ban received us not in state, but in his study, a gen­erous room strewn about with official papers and petitions.A small fire burned in the hearth, dispelling the autumnchill, and two elderly hounds dozed in front of it on athreadbare rug. Czibor stood at attention until the Banlooked at him.

 "Zim Sokali," he announced. "I bring you Kazan Atrabiades, once of Epidauro, and..." His voice trailed offhelplessly; he had not bothered to learn my name.

 "Phèdre nó Delaunay de Montrève of Terre d'Ange," the Ban said in a deep voice, his considering gaze resting uponme. He sat without moving in his chair by the fire. "Hername is known to me."

 He spoke Caerdicci. I knelt to him, bowing my head. "Mylord, I speak Illyrian, if it please you," I said humbly. "I amsorry if I have inconvenienced you."

 "Yes." He spoke thoughtfully, the Ban; he was a thicksetman of some fifty years, black hair and beard still untouchedby grey. His features were fleshy, and yet there was a sug­gestion of leanness about him, as if he were pared to thebone by a hunger that had naught to do with sustenance ofthe body. "Whether or not you have is yet to be known." He looked at Kazan men and gave a slow smile. "So. Pirate."

 Kazan bowed and flashed an answering grin. "Zim Sokali.I return to your service.”

 "So you do, pirate. So you do." At that the Ban laughed,and bade us both to sit. Presently servants came bearing potsof strong tea, which they served in small silver cups, and a platter of sweets, a confection made of almond paste. Whenthey had left, his lady wife came to give us greeting andsee if there was aught else he desired. She was ten years ormore younger than he, with fair hair, pale eyes and thebroad, slanting cheekbones that marked her as being of Chowati blood, those invaders who had long since been assim­ilated into Illyria. By that alone I guessed him to be a shrewdruler, who knew well how to unify his people.

 Vasilii Kolcei, the Ban was named; his wife was calledZabèla. She kept her eyes downcast until he dismissed herwith thanks, exhibiting a modesty proper to Illyrian women.And by this I guessed her a shrewd ruler's wife, for there was naught of the demure in the strong lines of her face.

 Over cups of strong tea, Kazan Atrabiades laid out thehistory of our acquaintance for his lord, offering an expla­nation of who I was and the trade he sought to make forme, of how his men came to be pursued by Serenissimanwar-galleys into Epidauro's harbor, and what had befallen us when we turned aside to flee thekríavbhog's wrath.

 "So," the Ban said heavily, looking at me. "And nowKazan Atrabiades is freed of the blood-curse, but not theblood-price the Serenissimans have laid on his head. Andyou, young D'Angeline, spurned by Kriti, come beggingEpidauro's aid."

 "For Kriti and Hellas, the gain was not worth the risk,Zim Sokali," I said, keeping my voice steady. "Can Illyria say the same?"

 He stirred, causing the hounds to lift their heads and settle back with sighs. "I was a boy when the Serenissimans begantaking our coast, piece by piece, and my father wrote to the King of Terre d'Ange to seek his aid in alliance. Shall I tellyou how he replied?"

 "No." I shook my head. "I have heard, my lord, and I am sorry for it, grievous sorry. But that was then, and this now.Will you spite the present to avenge the past?”

 "It is dangerous." Vasilii Kolcei sipped his tea and stared into the fire. "The Archon of Phaistos spoke truly. Epidaurohas stood against Serenissima; it cannot stand against Serenissima and Terre d'Ange both, if you fail. And where we are strong, the coast of Illyria lies weak and vulnerable, garrisoned by Serenissiman soldiers. What price will they pay for your failure, if we are named a treasonous vassal?"

 "We can fight,"Kazan said fiercely. "Zim Sokali, the is­lands are stronger than you know, stronger than the Serenissimans reckon. What have I done for eight years, if notthat?"

 "You have done that, yes, and preyed upon the Serenissimans like a hawk upon a rabbit warren," the Ban saidgrimly, "until half of Illyria and all of Epidauro, and everymerchant and galley-captain on the seas knows your name,Kazan Atrabiades. And now you come seeking... what?Asylum? A return to my service? It is no easy boon youask. Epidauro crawls with Serenissiman spies; I cannot shutout the traders without violating the terms of our indepen­dence. If you had come in stealth, it would be an easierthing. I can only be grateful that the furor you aroused cov­ered word of the lady Phèdre's arrival, for it seemed to me that the Doge's emissaries had more interest in her than inyou, Atrabiades."

 "Not the Doge," I said. "His son, Marco Stregazza."

 Vasilii Kolcei shrugged. "It is the same. They have heldelections, in Serenissima; the Consiglio Maggiore has voted.Marco Stregazza is elected Doge. He will be invested, in aweek's time, and his father will step down." He gave a thinsmile. "It is the will of Asherat, so they say. And yourQueen will arrive in Serenissima to observe the ceremonyand exchange vows of goodwill with the new Doge."

 The world reeled around me, and I grasped the arms ofmy chair with desperate fervor, willing myself to keep focus.Marco elected Doge! And Ysandre but a week away, riding all unwitting toward certain death. All my wondering, all my uncertainty; it came to this.

 I had a week's time, and no more.

 Kazan, seated opposite me, had blanched, although noton my behalf; he had come home to a hero's welcome, not reckoning the cost to Epidauro. "The Serenissimans ..." Hisvoice was hoarse. "Czibor tried to tell me. They will hearof my return, and they will ask you for my head, Zim Sokali."

 "Yes," the Ban said gravely. "They will."

 Kazan stood and paced the room, gazing at the treatiesand petitions scattered about every surface. The Banwatched him unmoving, and the hounds lifted their heads from their paws, following him with their eyes. "The Hierophant of the Temenos, he told me that the law of thethetalosis absolute, eh," Kazan said presently, smilingwryly. "What Mother Dia has forgiven, a man is held blame­less of. But I think the Serenissimans will not honor the law of thethetalos, with Kriti lying so far from their shores. Notif you are right," he added, shooting a glance at me, "and they profane their own temples."

 "They have subverted the will of Asherat-of-the-Sea," Isaid softly. "That much I know is true. I have sworn tocleanse her temple."

 "So." Kazan shrugged, flicking a parchment with oneforefinger. "Thus for the will of the gods, measured againstthe politics of man. Zim Sokali, I have tried to rule wellover what was given into my hands, but I am a warrior first,and I cannot reckon power gained and lost on paper, northe cost of men's lives. How soon will Serenissima comeseeking me, do you think?"

 One of the hounds clambered to its feet and pushed itsnose in the Ban's hand; he scratched its head automatically,his thoughts elsewhere. "Not so soon as they might, withthe ceremony of investiture nigh. If the D'Angeline lass speaks true ..." he nodded at me, "... Marco Stregazza willnot overextend his reach until he has secured his throne.Two weeks, perhaps more."

 "Then it is a simple matter, Zim Sokali." Kazan spreadhis hands. "I will sail to Serenissima with those of my menwho are willing, and with Phèdre nó Delaunay. I am a pirate,yes? Whatever happens, you have leave to tell the Doge Idefied your orders." He grinned at me, eyes gleaming. "Tell them she is aVila, and bewitched me. Maybe they willbelieve it."

 "Kazan..." I had seen his mother weep for joy at his return. My heart ached, at odds with the urgency of my need. "I don't know."

 The Ban was shaking his head. "No," he said somberly. "Not so simple, pirate." He glanced up as his wife, LadyZabèla, returned to the room, nodding briefly to her andcontinuing as she took her place standing beside his chair. "On your own, you will not gain the harbor. The Serenissimans will search your ship, as they will search every ship,and if they do not know you by sight—and maybe theydo—they will surely know the woman." He favored me witha humorless smile. "A young D'Angeline woman of sur­passing beauty, fair of skin with dark hair and eyes, and aspot of scarlet on the left, like unto a thorn-prick. I fear youare not easily disguised."

 "Surely there is a way!" Kazan said in frustration.

 "Kazan, no." My voice was shaking, but I continued. "Itis not worth your life, nor the life of your men, when somany have died already. If you would aid me, give meenough of the ransom you won to let me book passage with a merchanter, and take my chances with the harbor guard. I cannot render your mother childless again so soon."

 "And will the Serenissimans be more gentle when theycome for me?" he asked sharply, as quick to quarrel as ifon his own estate in Dobrek. "Will it be boldly done of meto place the whole of Epidauro in jeopardy?"

 "The Zim Sokali can invoke the law of thethetalos." I glared at him, forgetting myself equally. "If Marco Stregazza wishes to quarrel with it, let him take it up with Kriti;all of Hellas will take it ill if the Kore's rule is subverted!"

 "I owe you a debt—"

 "Twice you have saved my life; once at sea, and once from the Serenissimans. We are at quits, Kazan, and I donot know that I can carry another death on my conscience!”

 "It is not for you to say what debts I owe! I have seen,in thethetalos —"

 "Hide her." It was a woman's quiet voice that interruptedour argument, addressing the Ban. "In the tribute ship."

 Kazan and I left off our quarrel to stare foolishly at theLady Zabèla, for it was she who had spoken. The Ban tiltedhis head back to look consideringly at her, fingers workingin the ruff of the hound's neck; it leaned against his legs and laid its chin on his knee. "Hide her how?"

 She smiled down at him. "When my many-times removed grandmother fled the steppes, she did as many Chowati, andsewed false bottoms into her saddle-packs to hide gold. It is a fitting tribute for Marco Stregazza, I think."

 My heart quickened. "A tribute ship. You are sending atribute ship to La Serenissima, my lord?"

 "And young Atrabiades and his men may take their placeamong my tribute-bearers, with none the wiser," the Bansaid to his wife, finishing her thought; a broad smile spread across his face. "It is well-thought, my dear, and a fittinggift indeed."

 "Yes!" Kazan said eagerly. "And if anything goes ill, wecan claim to have taken the ship by force, that there is noblame on you, Zim Sokali!"

 "Kazan,no —"

 Vasilii Kolcei held up one hand for silence, lookingsternly at me. "It is not for you to choose, what Kazan Atra­biades does or does not do. As he is an Illyrian subject, he is under Serenissiman rule, and those laws he has broken,to the extent that neither I nor, of a surety, the children ofMinos can protect him from prosecution. It is an honorablecourse he proposes. That you do not wish his blood on your head is commendable, D'Angeline; but you wish to saveyour Queen. You have put it to two rulers, and now I putit to you. Is the gain not worth the risk?"

 I looked at Kazan and thought of his mother's face, oldand grief-worn, streaked with tears of joy. And I thought of Terre d'Ange, my beloved gilded fields churned into bloodystrife by civil war if Ysandre was slain and Benedicte de laCourcel took arms against Barquiel L'Envers to contest forthe throne. I thought of a nation weakened by internal strug­gles, and the Skaldi massing on our borders, needing only some second Selig to see and seize the opportunity.

 And Melisande Shahrizai's smile.

 "Yes." I bowed my head. "Yes, my lord. It is."

 In the arts of covertcy, it is death to second-guess oneself.An action, once done, cannot be undone; a word, once spo­ken, cannot be taken back. For this reason, Delaunay taughtAlcuin and me to think thoroughly at leisure and swiftly atneed, and having once chosen, never to seek to return to thecrossroads of that decision—for even if one chooseswrongly, the choice cannot be unmade. So it was with this.In truth, I needed Kazan's aid; without aid, I had no chanceof succeeding. If the pain it cost was too great, well, the reckoning would come; but first, I would see it done.

 Our arrival had been timely indeed, for the tribute shipwas set to sail on the morrow, bearing gifts in honor ofMarco Stregazza's investiture as Doge. Carpenters laboredthroughout the night to construct a false-bottomed trunk fitto hide me and hold the tribute; gold in plenty, as if LaSerenissima had need of it, marten skins and civet, and am­ber from the Chowat. There were air holes drilled cunninglyinto the richly carved cypress wood at the base of the trunkso I could breathe.

 Still, I did not relish the prospect.

 The Ban and his wife gave me lodging that night, treatingme kindly. Already they had begun a campaign of misin­formation, at her suggestion, giving the lie to the widespreadrumor of Kazan Atrabiades' return. Small traders lost at seacome home safe at last, ran the counterrumor; and oh, yes,a young Hellene slave girl aboard the ship with them if anyhad heard of it, her freedom purchased dearly on distant Kriti, not a D'Angeline, no, but passing fair.

 To be sure, too many people had seen it firsthand to be­lieve the lie, but enough had not. Enough to give themgrounds for denial if it came to it.People believe what theyare told,Melisande had said. It was unnervingly true.

 It was a long night and I slept poorly, although it seemedfoolish when in truth I would do naught but climb aboardanother infernal ship come daybreak. We would be fourdays at sea, and I had no intention of clambering into thattrunk until I saw the cursed rocks of La Dolorosa. But itwas the beginning of the end of this long game that hadbegun the day Melisande Shahrizai folded mysangoirecloak and wrapped it in a parcel. If I lost this round, there would be no other, no second cast, no last ploy. Whatever befell Terre d'Ange, Melisande would have won her game. Ysandre would be dead, and all who sought to aid her; in­cluding me, if Marco Stregazza had his way.

 And if he did not...I would behers.

 Iwasn't sure which was worse.

 More than anything, I missed Joscelín that night. I do notthink I ever fully reckoned, until then, how much he served to keep my demons at bay. For the worst of it was, despite everything, despite the manipulation and betrayal, impris­onment and abuse, near-drowning and living as a hostage,despite all the horrors of thethetalos and the terrible knowl­edge it had given me, ah, Elua, despite it all, I longed forher still. I could not help it, any more than I could erase the prick of Kushiel's Dart from my eye, and the more I strug­gled against it in the shuddering depths of my soul, the more I yearned in my heart for Joscelin's presence. As gloriously, splendidly, intractably single-minded as he was, loving himwas like grasping a knife, a clean white blaze of pain that kept me anchored to myself.

 Cassiel's dagger, with which Elua made reply to the mes­sengers of the One God; Cassiel's Servant, touchstone ofmy dart-riven heart. Pondering such mysteries, I fell at lastinto a fretful sleep and awoke at dawn to the beginning ofthe endgame.

 SIXTY-SEVEN

 Morning broke chill and misty; the tribute ship was fog-wraithed in the harbor. I stood shivering on the wharf as the great trunk was loaded, and supplies for our journey. Zabèlahad made me a gift of a heavy woolen cloak, dark-brown and hooded, and I set aside the Kore's blue mantle in itsfavor. It closed with a silver brooch, shaped like the falconof Epidauro.

 The self-same shape adorned the garb in which KazanAtrabiades and six of his men were attired, rendered boldin black against their new crimson surcoats, which theywore over light mail. I knew all six by name; they were theyoung ones, the daring ones, who had come to sit at Glau­kos' lessons and teach me Illyrian: Epafras, Volos, Oltukh, shy Ushak with the jug-ears, and the brothers Stajeo andTormos, still competing. Tormos would go, for he had se­cured rank as Kazan's second-in-command, and his brother would not let him go alone.

 Missing was Lukin, whose quick smile had reminded meof Hyacinthe; he was gone, slain by Serenissimans. I tried not to think on it. Others had come to see us off, gatheringin the misty dawn. One was Glaukos, who took me into hisembrace, eyes damp with tears.

 "Ah, now, my lady," he whispered. "I'd go with you if Idared, but this is a young man's task. I'd only slow youdown, I fear."

 "I'd order Kazan to put you ashore if you eventhoughtto try it, Glaukos." Remembering his many kindnesses, my own eyes feared, and I sniffled indecorously. "Go home toDobrek, and your pretty wife, and if you think of me, say a prayer to whatever god will hear you."

 He laid his hands on my shoulders. "You've shown mewonders, you have, such as even an old Tiberium slavemight believe, and you've made Kazan Atrabiades a nobleman despite himself. I'll not forget you soon, child."

 "Thank you." I hugged him swiftly, kissing his grizzledcheek. "Thank you for everything."

 And then it was time to board the ship under the com­mand of Pjètri Kolcei, the Ban's middle son, who wouldoversee the tribute mission. He was young, only a few yearsolder than me, with the air of a seasoned warrior. Afterseeing us all aboard, he made a formal farewell to his par­ents, who sat mounted alongside the wharf amid a cordon of the Ban's Guard. Crossing the gangplank, he gave the order to cast off.

 It was strange, after so long on Kazan's pirate ship, to be aboard a proper vessel with square sails, broad decks andbunks in the hold. I stood gripping the railing as the shipmoved slowly away from the shore and gazed back at the harbor. The Ban and his wife sat on their horses unmoving,watching us go as the early morning sun slanted through themist.

 "Your mother did not come?" I said to Kazan, findinghim beside me.

 "No." He shook his head. Droplets of moisture clung to his hair like gems. "I said good-bye at our house, I. My oldboyhood home, eh?" he said, answering me in Caerdicci outof habit. "She says to me, she; Kazan, come home soon, come home twice a hero."

 "Blessed Elua grant it may be so," I murmured.

 Once we had cleared the harbor, Pjètri Kolcei gave theorder to hoist sail and we were away, moving steadily andsurely across the surging blue sea. Some twenty sailorsmanned the ship, neat-handed and competent. The Ban's hand-picked embassy numbered twenty as well, under Pjè­tri's leadership; and seven of those were Kazan and his men. When we were underway, the Ban's middle son made his way across the deck to join us.

 Pjètri had his father's dark complexion, but the broad,slanting cheekbones and grey-blue eyes of his mother; hewore his hair in a topknot, and had long, pointed mustaches like Kazan. I wondered if it was in emulation, or if 'twas astyle set by the Ban's Guard. I never did learn which wastrue.

 "Phèdre nó Delaunay," he said, greeting me with a sweep­ing bow. "Kazan Atrabiades. You come late to join thismission. I was awake into the small hours of the night,briefed by mother and father alike."

 "I am grateful for your aid," I said formally. "On behalfof Terre d'Ange, I thank you."

 He smiled, and there was somewhat of his father's tightshrewdness in it, and somewhat of a warrior's grin. "I have my orders. If aught goes awry, my men are to throw downtheir weapons," he said to Kazan, "and yours to make shiftto hold them hostage, that we may claim you overcame us,by treachery and surprise. Such is the lot of a middle son,whose honor may be cast aside at need. But if all goes as planned..." His grin blossomed fully into a warrior's fe­rocity. "The Serenissimans will pay a heavy toll for the trib­ute they exact!"

 "And the middle son rises in the eyes of the Zim Sokali!"Kazan agreed with bloodthirsty good cheer. "Yarovit's graceupon your sword, Pjètri Kolcei. Did you train under GjergiHamza?" he added, eyeing the aforementioned weapon.

 I left them to compare notes on the merits of the Ban'sswordmasters, perambulating the deck and taking simplepleasure in the sun's rising warmth, the bright rays burningoff the mists as we gained the open seas. The Illyrian sailors startled to see me, hands moving in quick warding gestures;I had nearly forgotten how Kazan's men had received meat first. Now one of them trailed behind me, a self-appointedguard. It was Ushak, his prominent ears concealed beneatha conical steel helm. He turned scarlet whenever I glancedback at him, until I laughed aloud and paused to wait for him, giving him my arm which he took, blushing.

 "It is a fair day," I mused in Illyrian. "Is it not, Ushak?"

 "Y-yes." He was as red as a boiled lobster, and stam­mering with it. "Every day is f-fair, when it is graced withthe sight of you!" he said all in a rush.

 "Is it?" I halted, gazing at him. "Is that why you came,Ushak?"

 His throat worked convulsively. "It is...it is one reason,my lady," he said stiffly. "I think...we do not have suchthings on Dobrek, such things as you. To die in yourname... it, it w-would be an honor!"

 "To live would be a better one," I said gently. "I amD'Angeline and Naamah's Servant, yes, but beauty is not worth dying for."

 He shook his head, blushing and swallowing fiercely."Not... not that alone, my lady. You, you were kind to us,you learned our tongue, you laughed at our jests ... even,even mine." He swallowed again and added helplessly,"You were kind."

 I thought on it, searching the empty blue skies. "Is the world so cruel, then, that that is all that is required to movea man to risk his life? Kindness?"

 "Yes." Trembling and gulping, Ushak stood his ground,holding manfully to my arm. "Sometimes ... y-yes, mylady," he finished firmly.

 Ah, Elua! I bowed my head, overwhelmed by namelessemotion. I understood Kazan, and the debt he perceived; Iunderstood the Ban and his kin, weighing merit against risk.Even those of Kazan's men who had been my shipmates, Iunderstood better; we had forged a bond, we had, duringthat dreadful flight, and the terrors of the Temenos. But this ... this came straight from the heart.

 Love as thou wilt.

 They are fools, who reckon Elua a soft god, fit only forthe worship of starry-eyed lovers. Let the warriors clamorafter gods of blood and thunder; love is hard, harder thansteel and thrice as cruel. It is as inexorable as the tides, and life and death alike follow in its wake.

 I spent much time in contemplation during that journey,for there was naught else to be done and I wished to makemy peace as best I might with Blessed Elua and his Com­panions before entering La Serenissima. Our plan was a sim­ple one, insofar as it went. When we drew nigh unto theharbor, I would conceal myself within the trunk. If the har­bor guards' search penetrated my hiding place ... well andso, it would go no further. If it did not, the tribute shipwould continue up the Great Canal to make anchor at the residence of Janàri Rossatos, who was the Illyrian Ambas­sador to La Serenissima, and thence plot our next move.

 It was my hope that the presentation of tribute-gifts to thenewly elected Doge would take place before the ceremony of investiture, for it might afford an opportunity for Kazanand his men to get a message to Ysandre. We didn't know,though; not even Pjètri was certain of the protocol, and theexact date of the arrival of the D'Angelineprogressus regalis was unknown.

 I wished I knew what Melisande was planning.

 For of a surety, no matter whose hand bore the dagger orthe vial of poison, no matter whose mouth uttered the order, the mind that conceived it was hers ... although there wouldbe no trail easily traced to her doorstep. Of that, I wasequally sure. And Marco and Marie-Celeste Stregazza were canny, too; neither of them would risk showing their handsopenly when it came to the death of a sitting monarch.

 An accident, then? It would have to be very, very well orchestrated—and a sure thing. A greased step, an over­turned gondola; plausible, but uncertain. No, Melisande'splan would have to be foolproof. Which meant... what?

 It would be easy enough to do it in the Little Court. Poi­son, an assassin ... Ysandre's guards will be relaxed, notlooking for treachery in Prince Benedicte's court. It waspossible; but no, it would reek overmuch of suspicion. Gain­ing the throne was one thing; Melisande's ability tohold it—for surely she looked to long outlive Benedicte andestablish her son as heir—depended on the D'Angeline peo­ple's acceptance of her blamelessness. Ysandre de la Courcel would not die under that roof.

 Then, where?

 A public place, I thought. A public place, where the eyes of all La Serenissima can see that Prince Benedicte and hislovely wife, as well as the new Doge, played no hand in thedeath of the Queen of Terre d'Ange.

 Melisande would conceive of something that brilliant, Iwas sure. The only problem was, I still couldn't guesswhat.

 Thus far did I get in my speculation, and no further. Therewere too many unknown variables, not least of which wasthe fact that, for all I knew, Ysandre's entourage had arrivedand the deed was already done. When my thoughts beganto chase themselves in circles, I let be and spent time with Kazan's men, listening to them swap tales with the Ban's Guard and improving my skill at dice. It had begun to rain on the second day at sea; naught to slow our progress, buta cold, relentless drizzle that chilled one to the bone anddrove every hand not on duty below decks. Dank and close as it was, it was better than shivering in the open air.

 On the fourth day, the weather cleared and, by late after­noon, we passed La Dolorosa.

 I went to stand at the railing and watch as soon as I heard the sighting called; the Wailing Rock, they call it in Illyrian. Pjètri Kolcei ordered the ship's captain to steer a wide berth around it. None of the Illyrians would even look in the di­rection of the black isle. Whistling tunelessly as the sailors aboard theDarielle had done, they stared fixedly ahead oreastward, fingering amulets and making warding gestures inthe direction they dared not look.

 I looked; I had to.

 And there it stood, much the same, crags of black basaltrearing skyward, waves crashing at its foot. The fortresswhere I had been held captive was still nestled atop the isle,stony and silent. I could hear, now that I knew to listen for it, the mournful, maddening winds playing over the crags.

 Not until we had almost passed it did I see that the bridge,the hempen bridge that spanned the deadly drop betwixt mainland and isle, hung loose and dangling against La Do­lorosa's cliffs. It twisted in the wind, wooden planks beingslowly battered to splinters by the rock. On the mainland,the watchtower maintained a hollow vigil. La Dolorosa wasabandoned.

 Someone had cut the bridge.

 Joscelin, ïthought, my heart pounding madly in mybreast.

 "Phèdre." It was Kazan's voice. He touched my arm, breaking my reverie. "It is time."

 SIXTY- EIGHT

 In the hold of the Illyrian ship, lamplight played over thecontents of the Ban's tribute-gift, glinting on masses of goldand amber. Two of Pjètri's men glanced at their leader forpermission; he gave the nod to proceed. Working quickly,they emptied the trunk of its spoils, a heady pile of treasure.A layer of marten skins followed, soft, lustrous peltsmounded on the cabin floor.

 The false bottom of the trunk lay bare.

 Pjètri Kolcei knelt, drawing his dagger and working italongside the seam. It was a tight fit; the Ban's carpentershad wrought well. Wiggling the blade, he pried upward. The false bottom gave way, raising a hairsbreadth. He reached under it, wedging his fingernails into a narrowgroove and lifting with a grimace. It came, though, and he lifted the false bottom clean away from the tiny ridge that supported it.

 It was a small space left betwixt the true bottom and thefalse. It was a very small space.

 I gazed at it, drawing a deep breath. Solid and dark andheavy, the trunk was, carved of cypress wood and bound insilver. There were air holes, yes, bored into the centers ofthe elaborate floral pattern that adorned the base; holes sosmall no light pierced them. I had not reckoned, until then,how much I feared confinement in that space.

 "There is no time, Lady Phèdre," the Ban's middle sonsaid quietly. "The Spear of Bellonus has been sighted. Wemust make ready for arrival."

 I nodded once and took another deep breath — it seemedI could not get enough air into my lungs—and glancedaround at Kazan and his men, their faces all at once seemingvery familiar and dear. And then, lest my nerve fail me, I climbed into the trunk and forced myself into that terribly, terribly small space, knees drawn tight into my belly, chintucked, squeezed on all sides by the trunk's walls.

 "Now," Pjètri ordered. "Do it quickly!"

 Epafras and Oltukh set the false bottom back in place, and that was the last glimpse I had of light and life; theirworried faces, quickly obliterated by a solid width of wood.And then the false bottom was pressing down on me and Iwas in darkness. My shoulders and hips were crushedagainst it; I shifted, trying to move, but there was no space.It was tight and airless. I heard the soft sound of martenskins being piled atop the false bottom, and fought down a wave of panic. Not airless, no; it only seemed that way.Here, in utter blackness, I could see the air holes; there wasone close to my left eye, admitting a faint hint of lamplight.

 If light can penetrate, so can air, I told myself. It didn'thelp. I felt my chest heave, gulping involuntarily for breath, and forced myself to calm, thinking, you are breathing,Phèdre; not dying, not suffocating.

 A simple thing, this confinement, and yet horrifying. Idaresay I would have withstood it better when I was younger—before La Dolorosa, and before my near-drowning. As it was, it was all I could do to keep frompounding on the walls of the trunk and begging for release.Instead I shivered and gulped and prayed it went smoothlywith the harbor guard—smoothly, and oh, Elua, swiftly!

 The sounds that I heard with my ear pressed to the floorof the trunk were strange and stifled, coming through thewood itself. The lapping of water against the hull of theship, the muffled tread of feet and the deep scrape of oars.And from far away, very far, an occasional shout. On andon it went, until at last I felt the change when we nearedthe harbor; our progress slowing, the creak of topsails beinglowered, and then the back-stroke of oars, bringing us to ahalt.

 A measure of stillness, then, until the tread of footstepsincreased manyfold.

 I know, because Kazan told me, that the Serenissimanharbor guard searched the ship with the utmost of thor­oughness. The Illyrians were made to drop anchor, andevery man on board assembled on deck, relinquishing their swords and standing at attention while the captain of harbor directed the search. Kazan and his men stood among them,unblinking and unwavering, not knowing if they would berecognized as pirates. All of them had daggers concealedsomewhere on their persons; if the worst came, they woulddie fighting.

 Every hammock and every bunk was overturned, everycabin tossed, every soldier's kit opened and searched; astash of silver denari stamped with the likeness of the Banof Illyria was seized from the best of the dice players. Pjètri Kolcei lodged a furious protest, claiming that they had notsought to use the coin in trade. The captain of harbor ig­nored him, and gave orders to search the trunk which heldthe Ban of Illyria's tribute-gift.

 All of this I learned later; then, I only heard them enterthe cabin, holding myself still as the dead in my crampedhiding-space, scarce daring to breathe. It seemed the veryhammering of my heart would give me away. Pjètri Kolcei unlocked the lid of the trunk and lifted it; the squeak of the hinges penetrated the marrow of my bones. And while I lay tight-curled and terrified beneath the false bottom, the Ser­enissiman harbor guard emptied the trunk one item at a time,making a tally of the Ban's tribute.

 How long it lasted, I cannot say; an eternity, it seemedto me. When a Serenissiman guard reached into the trunkto remove the last of the marten-skins, his knuckles rappedthe wood directly above my ear. It felt as immediate as ablow and I could not imagine that he was insensible Of mypresence, so acutely aware was I of his.

 They will see, I thought; they will look inside the trunk, and they will look outside of it, and they will see there is a foot of space missing.

 This thought ran through my head, over and over, whilea methodical voice counted out the goods of the tribute-giftin Caerdicci and a quill scratched against parchment. It took on a rhythm of its own, beating in my mind; they-will-see, they-will-see, they-will-see. I fought to keep from saying italoud, fought to keep my limbs from shivering, fought to keep my breathing quiet and steady.

 I was still concentrating on it when I heard the captain ofharbor's muffled voice. "This gift is tallied to the last coinand pelt, Illyrian. If it's short in the Treasury's reckoning, it comes out of your hide."

 "It will arrive as you have counted it," Pjètri Kolcei saidcoldly, his Caerdicci precise and fluent. "If your Treasureris a thief, I will not be held accountable."

 The captain made some reply, lost to me in the thump ofmarten-skins being tossed carelessly back into the trunk.This time, I could have wept with joy at the sense of stifling weight returning. Piece by piece, the Ban's gift was re­placed. Someone slammed the lid of the trunk, and the crashof it fair split my skull. I didn't care; it was music to myears. Footsteps retreated, the cabin door closed. Within thetrunk, I let out a long-held breath and gave thanks to BlessedElua.

 If my terror was lessened by a measure, my discomfortonly increased. We had reckoned it wisest if I were to stayin concealment until the trunk could be safely unloaded and brought into the Ambassador's residence, and so I remained, cramped and stifling in darkness, while the Ban's ship madeits way across the harbor and proceeded up the Great Canal.

 I daresay they went as swiftly as they might, but unlike Kazan's vessels, the tribute ship was not built for speed inclose quarters and there was a good deal of sea traffic in theharbor and canals. I lay quiet, ignoring the twinges of painin my contorted limbs, counting my own breaths to time thejourney and imagining in memory the sights we passed: theArsenal; the Palace of the Doge alongside the CampoGrande, where the statue of Asherat-of-the-Sea looked out on the harbor; the Temple of Baal-Jupiter; and, oh, yes, theLittle Court, proudly flying the standard of House Courcel.Other houses of the Hundred Worthy Families lined theGreat Canal, and then the mighty Rive Alto bridge, andbeyond, the warehouses and banking institutions and resi­dences of foreign ambassadors....

 And we were there. I heard the oars jostle and splash asthe rowers maneuvered the ship into position, the thump of padded bolsters thrown over the side to cushion her againstthe dock, and the deep plunge of the anchor dropped intomurky green waters. The myriad sounds of sailors strikingthe sails and making fast the ship followed, and then, mer­cifully, the opening of the cabin door and Illyrian voices, soldiers moving swiftly under Pjèíri Kolcei's command.

 It took four of them to carry the trunk, heavy on its ownand heavier still with my weight added to the tribute-gift. Aterrifying feeling, to be thus trapped, lifted and swaying in midair. My panic returned, sweat trickling between myshoulder blades as the trunk rose, jolted awkwardly and be­gan to move. Every time it tilted, my stomach lurched infear; out of the hold, down the landing plank and, worst ofall, up a steep stairway and into the ambassador's residence.

 There, at last, they lowered the trunk with a bone-jarring thud. I heard voices, familiar and unfamiliar, exchangingformalities and hurried explanations, and then Kazan's voicecutting through it all. "Pjètri, the key. Get her outnow.'"

 Akey fidgeted in the lock and the lid was thrown open.For the third time that day the Ban's tribute-gift was un­loaded, gold coinage and chunks of raw amber dumped inan unceremonious pile as Kazan's men scooped it out bythe armload, hauling the pelts after. I coiled my body tighter,shivering as someone wedged a dagger-blade into the seam very near my unprotected head, prying up the false bottom. It was Kazan; I heard him curse as his fingernails scrabbledfutilely for purchase, seeking the tiny groove.

 "Here." Pjètri's voice, quick and impatient. "Move over. Moveover, I say! I know how to do it. No, there—pry upon the hilt."

 Of a sudden, the pressure atop me was gone and therewas light and air, fresh, clean air. I breathed in a great,gulping draught of it, filling my lungs, and drew myself upto kneel in the trunk. A wave of dizziness overcame me,and I had to brace my hands on the sides to remain upright.

 "Phèdre?" Kazan's face swam in my vision. "Are youwell?"

 I nodded, which made the dizziness worse. Beyond Ka­zan, I saw an older Illyrian nobleman, elegantly attired, hisbrows arched in astonished surmise. Pjètri moved betweenus, bowing and extending a letter to the man.

 "Ambassador Rossatos," he said politely. "My father willexplain in full."

 So he did, I trust; I never knew for a surety what the Banhad written. Janàri Rossatos called for an Illyrian manser­vant he trusted to bring us wine while he read the letterthrough twice, taking his time about it. We were in his par­lor, which was pleasantly appointed, although the furniturewas simple by Serenissiman standards. I sat on a couch andsipped my wine, feeling steadier and wondering at the strangeness of seeing reflected canal-light wavering oncemore on walls and ceiling. Pjètri sat too, and Kazan; fourof their men remained standing.

 When he had done, Rossatosgazed at me. He had a dip­lomat's face, smooth and canny despite the lines of age, andone could not read his thoughts in it. "The Contessa deMontrève, I presume," he said in flawless Caerdicci.

 I rose and made him a curtsy. "My lord Ambassador, Iam Phèdre nó Delaunay de Montrève. Please accept my thanks for your hospitality."

 His eyelids flickered. "I but do the will of the Zim Sokali,my lady. You are welcome here." He tapped the letter. "Iam commanded herein to give you such aid as I may, pro­viding it places our position here in no jeopardy. If I un­derstand aright, you seek to prevent the assassination of your Queen, yes? Ysandre de la Courcel of Terre d'Ange?"

 "Yes, my lord."

 "You have proof of this conspiracy?"

 I hesitated. "My lord ... yes. The woman Prince Benedicte has taken to wife is a condemned traitor, sentenced toexecution in Terre d'Ange. He knows this, has deliberately deceived the Queen in this matter. It is all the proof that isneedful."

 "Ah." Janàri Rossatos imparted great precision to a singlesyllable. "And are you prepared to make this accusation tothe Doge-elect, his own son-in-law?"

 "No." I shook my head. "Marco Stregazza is his ally."

 "Is he really?" Rossatos leaned back in his chair, lookingintrigued. "You know, a month ago, I'd have laughed tohear it, so long had Prince Benedicte and the Stregazza beenfeuding. Twas a strange and wondrous thing, how theirfeud was resolved nearly on the eve of the election. It iswidely agreed that Benedicte's endorsement—and the prom­ise of D'Angeline funds to support fresh dredging and con­struction—gave Marco the election."

 "It was planned thusly," I said.

 "Perhaps."

 "No. Of a surety." I sighed. "Let me guess, my lord Am­bassador. Prince Benedicte repented of his haste in naminghis newborn son Imriel heir to his D'Angeline properties, and has restored them to the inheritance of his daughterMarie-Celeste. Do I have the right of it?"

 The Ambassador's brows rose. "Near enough. What of it?The boy may inherit the Little Court; the daughter, no. Not in Serenissima."

 "The boy will inherit Terre d'Ange," I said softly. "Thatis their plan. But I cannot prove it to you, my lord, without getting myself killed."

 "She speaks the truth," Kazan rumbled impatiently. "Istood on a Serenissiman ship, I, while her captain ordered Phèdre nó Delaunay slain on the Stregazza's orders, eh,MarcoStregazza. I did not let that happen, I. So what isyour aid worth, diplomat?"

 Rossatos spread his hands helplessly and glanced at Pjètri, hisBan's son. "Little enough, I'm afraid. My word carrieslittle sway with the Doge at the best of times. Now Cesaresees no audiences—due to his health, it is claimed—and asfor the Doge-elect.. . Marco claims piety prevents him from receiving foreign embassies until he is rightfully invested asDoge."

 "What of Ysandre?" I asked. "Has the D'Angelinepro-gressus regalis arrived?"

 He shook his elegant head, silver-grey hair neatly bar-bered. "Tomorrow, it is said; a day before the investiture. Her emissaries arrived today, from Pavento."

 "Where are they housed?"

 "The Little Court," Rossatos said. "Where else? PrinceBenedicte has been making ready for weeks. It is," he addedthoughtfully, "a pity that his wife is said to be unwell, andperhaps unable to attend the festivities."

 I'd wondered whether or not Melisande would risk rec­ognition, veiled or no. "I suspect it is an illness of conve­nience, my lord, in much the same way that I suspect the Doge's ill health has no natural provenance." I wouldn't putit past Marie-Celeste Stregazza to have dosed poor old Cesare with something that gave him a flux. "Can you gain access to the Little Court?"

 "No." Rossatos' voice was curt; no diplomat likes to ad­mit to such failure. "Last week, yes; next week, perhaps.Today, tomorrow, the day after...no. You must under­stand, Contessa, that La Serenissima is in turmoil. A Dogestepping down before his time, a new Doge elected, the visit of the D'Angeline Queen...all of this, and the city in armsover the riots. Security in the Palace and the Court is astight as a drum, and it will remain so until Marco Stregazzahas the Dogal Seal on his finger. He is taking no risks; noris Prince Benedicte. It is not only an Illyrian embassy thatwould be turned away, for once. There is an Akkadian am­bassador I know, who sought invitation to the festivities inthe Little Court—even his suit was denied, and he ambas­sador to the Khalif, whose own son is wed to the Queen's cousin!"

 I blinked, thinking over his words. "Riots?"

 "Riots, yes." Janàri Rossatos gave a dismissive shrug."Do you know La Serenissima, Contessa? The Scholae, thecraft-guilds? Half of them are on strike, trade ships sit emptyin the harbor, and there is violence in the streets. Even themarket in the Campo Grande has been closed, since fivedays past. The salt-panners wrought havoc there, over­turning the stalls of all who dared sell goods. There was a brawl, and two young men whose names are writ in theGolden Book were killed. At night, the Chandlers' Scholasets fires, throwing lighted tapers into the homes of the Hun­dred Worthy Families."

 "Riots," I said again, touching my fingers to my lips inthought. "What does Ricciardo Stregazza say about this?"

 "Ricciardo?" Rossatos looked at me in surprise. "It is allhis fault, Marco says. His brother has roused the Scholae tostrike, in petty revenge for his defeat. Until his investiture,when Marco may hear out the grievances of the leaders of the Scholae, Ricciardo has been confined to house arrest."

 "Ricciardo wouldn't rouse the craft-guilds out of ven­geance," I said absently. "He had a true care for their con­cerns. How many of the Scholae are involved?"

 "Rumor says a dozen or more," Rossatos said. "Proven?"He shrugged. "At least seven are striking. As for the vio­lence, the Serenissiman Guard has caught members of thesalt-panners, the chandlers and the saddlers guilds engagedin acts of civil disturbance. And those young fools from thenobleman's clubs, willing to brawl at the flicker of an eye­lash, do but add fuel to the fire."

 "Phèdre," Kazan said curiously. "What are you thinking,you?"

 He and Pjètri had sat patiently throughout our exchange,listening and offering little or no comment. I glanced at him."If I were going to stage a public assassination," I saidslowly, "I would ensure there was a measure of confusion, that my agent might strike undetected therein. A riot would be the very thing. My lord Ambassador, where does theceremony of investiture take place?"

 "In the Great Temple of Asherat," Janàri Rossatos replied."With a progression across the Campo Grande, where thenewly invested Doge plights his troth to Asherat-of-the-Sea."

 I sat unmoving, hearing the surge pressing on my ear­drums, the deep, steady thrumming of the current around LaDolorosa that had born me aloft on the waters and savedmy life. I had a promise to keep, and I knew, in the marrow of my bones, where I must keep it. "It will be there," I said,hearing my own voice come hollow and echoing, as if froma great distance. "With Ysandre de la Courcel in attendanceand a thousand people pressing into the Square, too manyto keep at bay. It will be there."

 SIXTY-NINE

 It was a frustrating thing, to be so near and so far at once,so sure and so unable to prove it; and even if I could have,there was no merit in it. The Illyrian Ambassador had stated the truth. He had no means of gaining access to Ysandre, nor any of her people.

 Pjètri Kolcei quarreled bitterly with him that evening, forhe had it in mind to try his hand as the son of the Ban ofIllyria, writing to the Little Court to request an audiencewith Prince Benedicte, thereby enabling him to deliver amessage to Ysandre's entourage. Eventually Rossatos de­spaired of him, and the letter was sent; a reply came swiftly,arriving by morning. Prince Benedicte would be honored togrant his request... after the investiture of the Doge.

 I had no illusions about the source of these precautions. Marco Stregazza might well believe me dead, slain by the terrible storm that had driven our ship southward beforewatching Serenissiman eyes. Melisande would take no suchchances, and she would ensure that the Stregazza didn't ei­ther. No Illyrian suit would be entertained until Ysandre wasdead.

 I had reached La Serenissima, and the Ban of Illyria's aidhad reached its limits.

 I needed the impossible.

 I needed Joscelin.

 "You are mad," Janàri Rossatos said irritably. "You arevery beautiful, Contessa, and very easily recognized. If halfof what you surmise is true, you place my position in gravedanger, very grave indeed. No," he added, shaking his head."I cannot countenance it, cannot countenance it at all. Youmust stay here, until the investiture is complete. Do youwish a message sent, I will lend my aid, but if you were tobe discovered in the company of Illyrians...I cannot beresponsible for this."

 "I am sorry, my lord Ambassador," I said to him. "But I must go."

 "You must certainlynot!"

 It was unwise, I daresay, for Rossatos to take such aforceful tone in Kazan Atrabiades' presence. Lounging inthe doorway, Kazan grinned and fingered the 'hilt of his sword. "I almost think you gave an order, you," he saidcheerfully. "It is a good thing I am a pirate, eh, and do not heed such things, I."

 Rossatos flushed with helpless anger, casting a glance atPjètri Kolcei. "You're the Zim Sokalí's son, my lord—dosomething! We will all answer to Serenissima's wrath, ifthese lunatics are caught!"

 "Very well," Pjètri said casually, sauntering onto the bal­cony. Outside, he leaned over the balustrade and whistledsharply; an answering call came from below, and hereturned, his grey-blue eyes light and thoughtful. "Pardon,my lord Rossatos, but I do not believe my father intendedyour discretion to encompass governing our guests' actions,and I judge this aid worth giving. Your gondola is ready," he added to Kazan. "It has a three-sided awning, ought todo the trick. If not..." He shrugged, and they clasped wrists in a warrior's grip. "Yarovit's grace on your blade, pirate."

 "And yours," Kazan replied. "Phèdre? Are we going tothis, this temple of Yosua?"

 "Yeshua," I said. "Yes." I turned to the Ambassador. "Iam sorry, my lord. Please know that I will deny your roleif we are captured." He made no answer, and I crossed theroom, pausing to address the Ban's middle son. To him, I said softly, "Thank you, my lord."

 Pjètri Kolcei smiled wryly. "I'd go with you, if I dared.I'm glad we got you here safely, at any rate. Rossatos isright, this is the most I can do, and a risk at that, letting youand the pirate roam at will. Good luck to you, my lady."

 Leaving the Ambassador's residence was the worst of it.Despite the deep-shadowed hood of my Illyrian cloak andthe escort of Kazan and his men blocking me from view, Ifelt terribly exposed as I ventured into the chill light ofdawn. The gondola was a humble affair, weathered butsound, with faded paint and a much-patched awning. Keep­ing my head low, I stepped onto it with care and settledmyself on the burlap sacking laid beneath the awning, sur­rounded by tented walls. Kazan sat directly in front of me, hiding me further. Like his men, he had exchanged his mailand livery for rude pirate's garb.

 If anyone were to inquire, they were mercenary sailorsout of work due to the strikes; 'twas plausible enough, fora number of Illyrians had hired on to Serenissiman merchanters, valued for their skill at sea and unable to findemploy with trade strangled in Illyria. It would not hold upto close inspection, of course—Rossatos was right, I was hard to disguise—but there was no way around it.

 The Great Canal was crowded with ships despite the ear-liness of the hour; already patrols of the Serenissiman Guardroamed the streets. And beyond the arch of the Rive Alto,a tumult of activity was beginning on the waterways, gildedbissone belonging to Stregazzan supporters vying for posi­tion with ships of the Serenissiman navy.

 "They are coming this way, Phèdre," Kazan reported tome in whispered Illyrian, poking his head beneath the awn­ing. "I think that they are blockading the main canals, to secure them for your Queen's entrance. We may yet leavesafely, but returning is another matter. Are you sure you want to go?"

 I shivered, not at all sure; if there was a chance, anychance, of reaching Ysandre upon her entrance, I would be a fool to let it pass. Storming her ship, leaping onto it froma bridge, firing an arrow with a message tied around theshaft...

 "Do we stand any chance of reaching the Queen from here?" I asked him.

 Kazan hesitated, then shook his head. "With seven men?No. We would die."

 "Then we go," I replied grimly.

 Concealed within my awning, I saw little of our journey.Kazan's men maneuvered the battered gondola with swiftefficiency, although I confess our route meandered consid­erably through the labyrinth of canals and it took some do­ing to find the Yeshuite quarter. It lay in the impoverishedeastward sector of the city, where the buildings were all ofsimple wooden construction and the muddy streets unpaved.Unfortunate for the Yeshuites, though lucky for us; once wehad left the Great Canal and the larger waterways behind,we saw few guardsmen.

 It was good that we had left at dawn. By the time welocated the Yeshuite quarter, the sun was well above thehorizon.

 The Yeshuites had done what they might to make their dwelling place a more pleasant one. The houses were stur­dily constructed and planked walks had been laid over themire; the water of the narrow canals themselves was cleanerand lacked the reek of ordure one found elsewhere. Hereand there, pots of flowers decorated the wooden balconies.Few people were about in the early morning, but I heard thesound of a resonant voice raised in song coming from some­where within the quarter.

 "That will be the temple," I said toKazan. "Is it safe todisembark?"

 "Safe enough," he said dubiously. "Better if you stay, andI go."

 "Can you speak Habiru?" I asked him; he rolled his eyes."It has to be me, Kazan. If I'm right, if they've sheltered him this long, they wouldn't trust anyone else.”

 After a few minutes' quarrel, we settled on a compromise. I would go, taking Kazan and three others as my escort; theothers would remain with the gondola. We traversed the quarter quickly, the Illyrians watching out on all sides, butno Serenissimans were in sight, not here.

 The temple was a modest affair, low-built, of woodenconstruction with a solid stone foundation. I heard the voiceof the chantor grow louder as we approached, rising and falling in ritual song; the Sa'akharit, I thought, recallingsomewhat of the Rebbe's teaching. It was regrettable thatwe had arrived during the morning prayer, but there wasnothing for it. I had no time to lose.

 There was akhai symbol engraved on the wooden door.I pushed it open and entered, flanked by four Illyrian pirates.

 We came into an antechamber that opened onto the tem­ple proper, where scores of worshippers were seated. The chantor broke off his song and stared, and their Rebbe stoodopen-mouthed at his lectern. Everyone in the temple, menand women alike, wore bright yellow hats such as the Yeshuite man I'd seen in the Campo Grande so long ago hadworn. One by one, the seated worshippers turned around tolook.

 All of them looked terrified, and Joscelm was not amongtheir number.

 "Barukh hatah Yeshua a'Mashiach, father," I said politely in Habiru; it was hard to get my tongue around the harshsyllables after so long. "For... forgive me for disturbingyour prayers, but it is a matter of great urgency. I seek the D'Angeline, Joscelin Verreuil."

 The congregation looked to the Rebbe; his eyes shiftedand he licked his lips, two of the telltales of a man preparingto lie. "I do not know who you mean, child."

 "No? Then I shall say it thusly, father," I said, and echoedthe words the Yeshuite had spoken in the Campo Grande,after Joscelin had come to his rescue. "I seek the one whoseblades shine like a star in his hands."

 A voice—a young, male voice—uttered a sound some­where within the congregation, and I saw a woman put herhand hard on her son's shoulder, forcing him to sit when he would have stood. Kazan shifted, looking to me for direc­tion. The Rebbe stood silent. There was an aisle along the side of the temple. I walked slowly down it, drawing backthe hood of my cloak, until I stood before the raised dais.

 "Look well at me, father," I said softly, turning my faceup for his regard. "I am Phèdre nó Delaunay, and JoscelinVerreuil is my oath-sworn companion. With those wordsand this visage I show to you, I have put my life into yourhands."

 The Rebbe licked his lips again, and glanced past me toward the Illyrians. He was not old for the position, nomore than forty. Behind him, the flickering light of the Ur Tamid, the light that is never extinguished, cast shadowsover the sacred ark of scrolls. "I...hear your words, child. But this person you seek... is not here."

 "You can get word to him." I kept my voice steady. "Ibeseech you, by all you hold sacred, to do so. Tell him Ihave come. Tell him you have seen a D'Angeline woman,who bears in her left eye a fleck of crimson. The men I amwith are friends; I trust them with my life. Tell him I swearit, by Cassiel's Dagger. Until the sun stands high overhead,I will wait for him, at the Inn of Seven Strangers."

 No more could I say. Putting up my hood, I turned andmade my way back. In the shadowy antechamber, Kazangrinned, teeth gleaming white against the darkness save forthe gap where one was missing. "We wait?" he asked; hemay not have understood my words, but he read the Rebbe'sface well enough and he knew my plan.

 "We wait," I said.

 The Inn of Seven Strangers had the advantage of beinghighly disreputable, and an establishment given a wide berthby the Serenissiman Guard unless absolutely necessary. Itwas a tavern and flophouse recommended with considerableenthusiasm by one of Pjètri Kolcei's sailors, who had so­journed as a mercenary before joining the Ban's service.

 Even in the morning hours, it was thronging with out-of-work seafarers from a half-dozen nations; Caerdicci, Ephesians, Akkadians and Umaiyyati, even a few Skaldi, which always gave me an involuntary shiver. No other Illyrians,which I was glad to see. There is privacy in a tongue un­shared. Two men stayed with the gondola, and Kazan and Tormos forged a path to the rear of the common room, bull­ing their way by main force while the others took care tokeep me surrounded.

 I kept my head down and hooded; there were a few good-natured curses but, for the most part, the other patrons ofthe inn took no notice, supposing I was a harbor-front whorehired to be shared among Kazan and his men. For once, Iwas glad of such a mistake.

 Kazan secured a table in the farthest, darkest corner ofthe inn by shifting a sleeping drunkard, who took little no­tice. We disposed ourselves about the table, and Ushak wentto purchase a jug of wine, carefully counting over the Serenissiman coins Kazan gave to him to be sure of the cur­rency's value.

 "That's foul stuff!" Tormos proclaimed, drawing in hisbreath with a sharp hiss as he tasted it. "We make better onDobrek. I thought it would be all ichor, here in Serenissima."

 "That's because you're an idiot," his brother Stajeo saidpromptly. "My lady Phèdre...I will drink bad wine andplay dice all day, if you like, but why are we here? I thoughtwe came to kill Serenissimans and save your Queen! Whatcan this ... D'Angeline ..." he pronounced the word witha contempt that I was now spared, "... do that we cannot?"

 There were grumbled echoes of the query all around, andKazan raised his brows at me; although he had forborne asking, he was surely wondering.

 "I don't know," I answered honestly. "In truth ... mayhapnaught. If nothing else, he will make our count eight men rather than seven; nine, if Elua's mercy is with me, and mychevalier Philippe yet lives."

 "Nine will die a little slower than seven," Kazan said."Not much."

 "It may be." I took a breath. "From the age of ten, Joscelin Verreuil was raised a member of the Cassiline Broth­erhood, taught fighting skills to ward the scions of Elua and his Companions from harm. My lord Kazan, you and yourmen are doughty warriors, that much I have seen, but tothwart the assassination of a regent at close quarters ... thisis what Joscelin has trained all of his life to do. If there is a way it may be done, he will find it."

 The other Illyrians made disparaging remarks and jests—they had never faced a D'Angeline in battle, let alone aCassiline—but Kazan's face was thoughtful. "Your Queen,"he said. "Does she not already have such guards in her ser­vice?"

 "Yes," I admitted. "At least two, mayhap more, for theprogressus.But if aught happens, they will not look toPrince Benedicte's quarter for betrayal." I gave a hollowlaugh, remembering Joscelin's once-fierce loyalty to hisvow. "Indeed, they are Cassilines; they will protect HouseCourcel to the death."

 "And death it will be," Kazan mused. The wine-jug wentaround again, and his men tossed dice to see who wouldbear the cost of a refill; it fell to Epafras, who went with agrimace. Kazan ignored them and reached out to brush hisfingers down a lock of my hair. "You are not afraid of death,you, I think," he said softly in Caerdicci. "But I think, I,you are afraid of dying without seeing this, this Joscelin Verreuil once more."

 "What I have said is true," I said to him.

 He gave a crooked smile. "This much I believe, eh? Iwould like to meet the man, I, who assailed the black isle single-handed. I stood with you on the ship, yes, and I saw the tower empty, the bridge dangling. Others did not dareto look, but I did, I. And yet...your voice goes soft when you speak his name. I think that you love him, you."

 "Yes." I owed him the truth. "I do."

 Kazan nodded. "So we will see, eh? If he comes, it is tothe good. And if he does not?"

 I turned the earthenware wine cup in my hands. "If hedoes not, we go to Lord Ricciardo Stregazza, and beg hisaid. It will alert the Dogal Guard, and likely we will be hunted for it, but mayhap Ricciardo can rouse the other Scholae to counter Marco's attack."

 "Good," Kazan said briskly. "It is something, and Ser-enissimans will die. It is better to try than to surrender."

 To that, I made no answer; I could not but help thinking that most of the Serenissimans were merely following or­ders, knowing no more of Marco's machinations than ababe. It did not please me, to think on their deaths. In thecavern of thethetalos, I would be accountable.

 Time passed, and another wine-jug was drained; Stajeoand Ushak went to relieve Oltukh and Volos of their guardduty on the gondola. They came in reporting that the sun stood a few degrees shy of noon. Out came the dice, withgood-natured quarrels. I began to despair, when the Yeshuiteentered the tavern.

 He was alone, which marked him, and his eyes scannedthe crowd, seeking and discarding. I did not know him for a Yeshuite at first; he did not wear the yellow cap, and hissidelocks were cut. We took no chances. When his gaze fellupon our table, Kazan pulled me onto his lap with a heartylaugh, making pretend indeed that I was a rented doxie forhis pleasure.

 It would have fooled a casual observer; it did not fool theyoung man with the dark, intent eyes. He made his way tothe table and asked in Habiru, "Be you the Apostate's oath-sworn?"

 Volos sprang to his feet and drew his dagger, setting itspoint at the Yeshuite's throat

 "Let him be," I said in Illyrian, and then added in Caerdicci, that Kazan might understand, "I am Kushiel's Chosenand Servant of Naamah, and Joscelin Verreuil has swornCassiel's Oath to protect me. Do you doubt it?" I drew backmy hood, and the Yeshuite inhaled sharply.

 "No," he said simply and bowed, crossing his forearmsin the Cassiline manner. Beneath rough-spun garb, leathervambraces protected his arms. "Do you doubt who has sent me?”

 "No." My heart hammered within my breast; Kazan's hands rested lightly on my waist. "Is he here?"

 "Not here." The young Yeshuite shook his head. HisCaerdicci was faintly accented, and he ignored Volos' hov­ering blade as if it didn't exist. "I am Micah ben Ximon, and he has sent me to bring you where he is."

 I stood up; Kazan's hands fell away. "Then take us."

 SEVENTY

 A quarrel broke out as we left the Inn of Seven Strangers;I saw Tormos deliberately jostle the elbow of a tall Umaiyyatì holding a pot of ale, and suspected it was staged. Insults were traded, with accompanying gestures; a fewblows were exchanged. Kazan hurried me past unnoticed, following Micah ben Ximon, and Tormos caught up withus outside, grinning.

 The patrons of the inn might recall a handful of quarrel­some Illyrians leaving, but they would not remember aD'Angeline woman with them, nor a lone Yeshuite.

 Micah had a skiff, more disreputable than our hastily pur­chased gondola. He boarded it and leaned on the oars, wait­ing. Kazan decided that he and I would travel with theYeshuite, as well as Oltukh; the rest would follow in the gondola, under Tormos' command. It sat ill with Stajeo, to obey his brother's orders. I saw the Yeshuite go wide-eyed,watching while the Illyrians argued. He was younger than Ihad thought in the tavern, no more than seventeen or eigh­teen.

 "Go," I said, leaning forward. "They will settle it, andfollow."

 He glanced once at Kazan, who nodded; Oltukh settledhimself on the bench next to Micah and took an oar, andthe skiff moved speedily into the center of the canal as theyrowed in unison. Before long, the gondola followed, thesound of Illyrian voices raised in quarrel still audible.

 Kazan spared a grin.

 La Serenissima is built on islands; some large, somesmall, some reclaimed from the sea and linked by bridgesand waterways .. . and some not. It was to one of the latterthat Micah ben Ximon guided us, a small hummock of landwith a dense pine forest, interlocking roots at the water'sedge making landing difficult. It was obvious that some pre­liminary clearing had been done at the shoreline, but work had been abandoned.

 The boats were dragged ashore and concealed underclumps of browning autumn ferns, and we picked our wayacross the burned swathe of land, roots poking out of thecinders, tripping up my skirts. Although no path was visible,Micah strode boldly into the scrub pines on the verge of theforest as if he knew where he went. I followed doggedly, and Kazan made hand signals to his men, who fanned outto flank us. It was familiar enough terrain to them, Dobrek's hills being much the same, although they glanced warilyover their shoulders, looking forLeskii.

 This time, I was not looking for forest spirits. I was look­ing for Joscelin.

 The pine forest closed in on us, dark-green and forbid­ding. Here, no workmen's boots had trod. Micah led us un­faltering, pine mast giving way softly beneath his steps.Itching and hot with exertion, I pulled off the hood of my woolen cloak and let the breeze cool me. There was no oneto see. I looked at Kazan, who loosened his sword within its sheath, teeth bared in a battle-smile. By the time theforest gave way to an open glade, I was uneasy with mis­givings. I had given the Rebbe my name. If the Yeshuiteschose to betray me, 'twould be easy enough, and doubtless well rewarded.

 Micah halted, Kazan and I beside him. To the right andthe left of us, the other Illyrians emerged from the forest,several with short swords already drawn. In the center ofthe glade, some ten men stood ranged in a loose line, all ofthem armed and two with crossbows.

 My heart was beating like a drum.

 I took a step forward. Their leader took a step forward.

 He wore rough-spun garb like the rest and his tangledmane of hair was an odd, ashen hue, but steel flashed at his wrists and the hilt of a broadsword rose over his left shoul­ der and I would have known him anywhere.

 "Phèdre?"

 His voice, Joscelin's voice, cracked on my name and tearsblurred my eyes at the disbelief in it, the wondering hopeagainst hope. I took one step and then another and tried tosay his name, only my voice broke and caught in my throat,and then he was moving, running, until he was there andhis hands came hard around me, solid and living, and I waslifted clean off my feet, gazing down at his incredulous face.Laughing and weeping at once, I cupping his face in bothhands and kissed him all over it.

 "Oh, Joscelin, Joscelin!" My own voice, breathless withjoy. He let me slide through his grip and set me down,burying both hands in my hair and drawing me to him.

 "Never again, never, never, never, Phèdre, I swear it," hemurmured, muffled words punctuated with frantic kisses, "inthe name of Blessed Elua, I swear it, I will never leave youagain, take a thousand patrons if you want, take ten thou­sand, wed Severio Stregazza, I don't care, but I will neverleave you!"

 I raised my face and he kissed me, long and hard, untildesire and love, like a dagger in the heart, sent the worldreeling around me and I had to cling to the front of his jerkinwhen he released me, struggling to remain on my feet.

 We regarded one another.

 "You'realive," Joscelin whispered, astonishment in hissummer-blue eyes.

 "You're ... yourhair!" I said idiotically to him, reachingup to touch it, ragged dun streaked with ash-grey. "Whatdid you do to yourhair?"

 "It's walnut dye." It was another voice that spoke, a D'Angeline voice, thready but familiar. "It washes out, intime." I whirled in Joscelin's arms, seeking the speaker; Ti-Philippe grinned at me, thin, worn face beaming under asimilarly ragged crop of hair, dyed a flat, dark brown.

 "Philippe!" I flung both arms about his neck, kissing hischeek. He held me hard, and I saw tears in his eyes whenhe let me go.

 "We thought you were dead, my lady," he said softly."Joscelin saw you fall from the cliff."

 "No." I smiled through my tears. "Not quite, not yet." Iswallowed hard, adding, "Fortun and Remy ... Fortun andRemy are dead."

 "We guessed." Joscelin's voice was quiet. "Phèdre, whoare these people?"

 He had taken a step back, crossed hands hovering overthe hilts of his daggers. Wiping my eyes and gathering my­self, I saw that Kazan and his men had come up to surroundme, while the others, Joscelin's folk—Yeshuites, I saw,young men and one woman—had done the same on theirside. I realized then that we had been speaking D'Angeline, and none of them knew what had transpired.

 "Friends, all of them," I said firmly in Caerdicci, andrepeated it in Illyrian for the benefit of Kazan's men."Friends." I looked at Joscelin, my heart breaking at thesight of his beloved face. "Joscelin Verreuil, this is KazanAtrabiades. I owe him my life."

 They regarded each other; two men, much of a height,some ten years difference between them. What transpired in that silent exchange, I will never know. It was Kazan whobroke it, grinning broadly.

 "As I owe her mine, I," he said. "I have heard of you,D'Angeline! You have a reputation to live up to, you."

 Joscelin bowed, his crossed vambraces flashing in the au­tumn sun. He smiled as he straightened, a wry, familiarsmile, and my heart sang to see it. "Does Phèdre nó Delaunay owe you her life, my lord," he said, "then I owe you my reason for living. Let us be friends."

 Thus were we met, Illyrians and Yeshuites andD'Angeline alike, and the bond among us forged. From ourmeeting-place in the glade, we went to Joscelin's hiddenencampment, a rough establishment of tents and shantieswhere we sat to confer.

 To recount all that was told at that conference would takenigh as long as it took to live it, although we spoke swiftlyin turns, starting in the middle of the tale, voices tumblingover one another in a myriad of tongues. I told the barebones of what had befallen me since I had plunged from thecliffs of La Dolorosa, leaving most of the details of ourKritian sojourn for another day, and Joscelin and Ti-Philippe told their end of it.

 With many interruptions, I pieced the story together bitby bit. When Benedicte's guardsmen broke into our rented home on the canal, Ti-Philippe had recognized two of themas the veterans of Troyes-le-Mont we had met only daysearlier in the barracks of the Little Court. After Phanuel Buonard's murder, he didn't hesitate, plunging over the bal­cony into the canal below, making his way afterward, sod­den and reeking and already shivering with ague, to theYeshuite quarter, where he knew Joscelin had been trainingYeshuites to arms. 'Twas a lucky thing after all that theyhad been concerned enough to spy him out at it. Marco Stregazza had nearly been right about the pestilence; he'dbeen sick for two weeks, although he hadn't died of it.

 "And I was nearly as sick at heart," Joscelin said grimly,"to think on what had happened. We didn't dare get nearthe Little Court, or the Palace either—there were guards searching everywhere—but Elua be thanked, they neverthought to search the Yeshuite quarter."

 "How in the world did you find me?" I asked, bewildered.

 "We did," Micah offered in a quiet voice. "We scouredthe city, serving as eyes and ears. It took a long time, be­cause we dared not arouse suspicion. One or two of us fol­lowed the guardsmen who were looking for D'Angelines. Where they passed, people spoke of it, even to Yeshuites.It was a simple matter to invent a rumor that a D'Angelinenoblewoman had been abducted by two of her countrymen, that people might speak of what they had seen.”

 "But no one in the city saw anything," I said. "How couldthey?"

 Micah smiled. "One did, though. He was hunting geese on the far side of the lagoon and hid himself when he sawa boat land, with D'Angeline soldiers and a woman, hooded and stumbling, a collar of pearls about her neck."

 I had forgotten the Doge's gift. It had been enough to convince Joscelin and Ti-Philippe. With the aid of Micahand three others, they had crossed the lagoon hidden in thebottom of a fishing boat and picked up my trail on the main­land. Benedicte's men had been cautious enough, but theguards of La Dolorosa had been less discreet; the beekeeper who sold honey to the garrison had heard rumor of my ex­istence. With a pang, I remembered Tito licking his fingers,devouring the evidence of his kindness.

 As it transpired, Joscelin had not assailed La Dolorosawholly on his own; Ti-Philippe and the four Yeshuites—who had begged to go, wanting to test their blades and new-won skill—had aided him, securing the watchtower andtheir retreat. But all had gone for naught when I plummetedover the cliff, and after a fruitless search, they made theirway back to La Serenissima, adopting the ragged disguisesthey wore still and electing to wait for Ysandre's arrival.

 "I didn't know what else to do," Joscelin admitted wear­ily, scrubbing at his tangled hair. "Mayhap 'twas a mistaketo return, for it's well-nigh impossible to get out and worse since the riots began. But all I could think was that if wefailed, if we missed theprogressus and ended up chasing over half of Caerdicca Unitas ..." He shook his head. "Atleast weknew Ysandre was coming here. If it hadn't beenfor your message, we'd be on our way to the Little Courtby now. It's a risk, still, but we stand a chance. I don't knowhow many of the guard have turned, but de Somerville'smen don't dare act as openly with the Queen's entourage in residence. If I can hold them off long enough ... mayhapTi-Philippe can reach Ysandre with word of de Somerville'sbetrayal. I didn't dare, when it was only Prince Benedicte, but Ysandre will know from whence the message came."

 I stared at him, cold with shock. I had lived with it solong I had forgotten, beginning my story in the middle, atLa Dolorosa. "You don't know," I whispered. "Oh, Joscelin!Blessed Elua have mercy ..."

 "What?" he asked, frowning. "What is it?"

 A peal of wild laughter escaped from me; I pressed my hands against my face. "Melisande," I gasped. "That's whoPrince Benedicts wed. Melisande Shahrizai."

 "What?"Joscelin's voice was high and strained; next tohim, Ti-Philippe went white. The Illyrians and the Yeshuitesstared uncomprehending, lost to the politics of it.

 "Oh, yes," I said simply. "That's what I was met with at my audience at the Little Court. Benedicte de la Courcel's pious war-bride who fled her homeland to claim sanctuaryin the Temple of Asherat."

 "Does he know?" Joscelin asked in a sickened tone."Surely he would not..."

 "He knows." I looked at him with pity, remembering my own horror. "Joscelin, he gave the order for Remy and Fortun's deaths. He wants a true-born D'Angeline heir on the throne. Melisande could give him that.. . and put the RoyalCommander and his army in his hand. She's done both. Heknows."

 Ti-Philippe cursed steadily and methodically. Joscelinrose to his feet, pacing restlessly, unable to contain his fury at the betrayal. "We thought the guardsmen of Troyes-le-Mont took you," he said aloud. "We thought the summonswas a ruse, that there was a plot operating in the Little Courtthat Benedicte was insensible of. Elua! Phèdre, do you knowhow many times I thought of trying to gain access to him?If I hadn't chosen to wait for the Queen's arrival..." Hestopped, realization dawning across his face. "They're goingto kill her, aren't they?"

 "Yes," I said. Our eyes met in silence.

 "Do you know where, and when, and how?"

 "I think so." I swallowed. If I were wrong ... "Or at least where and when. It will be in the Temple of Asherat, at theceremony of investiture. These riots ..." I shook my head.

 "They're being staged. You met Ricciardo Stregazza, Joscelin; he's not behind them, I'd stake my life on it. It hasto be done out in the open, where the world can see thatneither Benedicte nor Melisande nor Marco Stregazza hada hand in it. That's the only place it could be done con­vincingly, and they've allies in the Temple. 'Twas a false prophecy bid the Doge to step down."

 "And gave Melisande Shahrizai sanctuary," Joscelin saidgrimly.

 "No," I said. "That was fairly done, as far as I know. Itis Marie-Celeste Stregazza who suborned the Temple. AndI have sworn a promise to Asherat-of-the-Sea to cleanse her worship of corruption. It will be there, Joscelin. Tomorrow."

 He sat down and set his head in his hands.

 "So we will go there, eh?" Kazan's voice broke the si­lence, cheerful and fierce. Lounging at his ease, propped onone elbow, he glanced around the seated company. "Sevenmen may die, or eight or nine, yes, but here we are almosttwenty, we. I saw this temple from the ship, I. Twenty menis enough, maybe, to take the door and hold it for a littlewhile."

 "No." Joscelin spoke without looking up. "Not the Yeshuites."

 "Joscelin." Micah protested, and one or two others. "Yourisked your safety to aid us, when we had naught to offer in return. It is not for you to say how we will repay it."

 "You've done enough, and more." Joscelin lifted his head to give him a level stare. "No, Micah. This is not like takingthe watchtower. The odds are bad, very bad, and there is noavenue of retreat. It is near-certain death."

 "A warrior's death, yes," Kazan added helpfully.

 Micah flushed. "Have you not trained us to be warriors?"he asked Joscelin bitterly. "Then treat us as equals and letus fight."

 "I trained you that you might fulfill your prophecy andlead your people north." Joscelin's tone was gentle. "Notdie in La Serenissima defending my Queen.”

 "You'll let the Illyrians fight!" another lad burst out inanger.

 I glanced at Kazan, wondering how he would take it;fortunately, he was amused, eyebrows raised at the notion of a D'Angeline determining where and when he was al­lowed to do battle. All the Illyrians, even Ushak, who had seemed so young and green to me when I thought of himrisking his life, looked like seasoned veterans next to theYeshuites. I listened while Joscelin overrode their objec­tions, hoping they would hear reason.

 In the midst of it all, the young woman spoke, knittingher brows.

 "Joscelin," she said, a soft trace of a Habiru accent in hervoice. "What if itwas like the watchtower?"

 SEVENTY-ONE

 It is impossible to say when the hands of the gods intervenein the affairs of mortals and to what purpose, but of a surety,there are times when they do. Although the Yeshuites haveno tradition of women fighting alongside the men such asone finds among the Albans and the Dalriada, the girl Saraecame of a family of notoriously strong-willed women.

 She had chosen to learn to defend herself, that she mighttravel at the side of her beloved, Micah ben Ximon, whenthey followed Yeshua's prophecy and journeyed northward.In so doing, she had broken ties with her equally strong-willed mother, who had arranged a different marriage forher.

 Sarae was not the first woman in her family to have thusdefied her parents' wishes.

 "My great-great-aunt Onit," she murmured, suddenly shy at speaking to so many attentive listeners, "ran away ratherthan marry a fat rag merchant, ran away and joined theTemple of Asherat-of-the-Sea. When she was very old, shecame home to die. We children were not allowed to see herlest we be corrupted, but we would sneak into her room, tohear tales of the worship of the terrible goddess Asherat."Glancing around, she cleared her throat. "There is a balcony above the temple where the Oracle stands to give prophecy twice a year to the city entire, facing the altar and the people gathered below. Onit told us how it is staged, with an echochamber to make her voice mighty and a bronze sheet that is rattled for the sound of thunder. We laughed, to think agoddess would need such tricks. There is a secret passage­way, too, so it may seem that the Oracle vanishes withoutdescending, while in truth it leads to a tunnel beneath thecanals."

 There was silence as we considered the implications, savefor the murmur of Kazan translating her words into Illyrianfor the benefit of his men.

 "Where does the tunnel emerge?" Joscelin asked with re­luctant interest.

 She pushed her hair back from her face, frowning inthought. "To a warehouse, where some things are stored inwinter; oil, dried goods and such. It was only to stay for alittle while. When the Temple was empty, the Oracle wouldcome back and descend the stairs. Only the priestesses andthe temple eunuchs know about it. It would be lightlyguarded, if at all."

 "Joscelin," I said.

 He looked at me. "No. Oh, no."

 "It could work."

 "In a temple," he said slowly, "full to bursting with Benedicte's and Marco Stregazza's supporters, with the like­lihood of rioters breaking in the doors."

 I shrugged. "There is an avenue of escape, and a greatmany folk present who arenot their supporters, includingCesare Stregazza, who is still technically the Doge."

 "You don't have any idea how they mean to kill Ysandre,do you?"

 "No." I shook my head, recalling Melisande's words withregret. I had asked.You know enough. "A rioter, like as not.They'll seek to lay it at Ricciardo's doorstep, and get rid ofhim for good. I'm sure witnesses will be found to testify as much. It doesn't matter, Joscelin. If we're there, we stand achance of preventing it. If we're not, she will die."

 "It is a good plan, D'Angeline," Kazan remarked. "Betterthan storming the door, eh? If we die ..." he grinned, "...many Serenissimans will die with us, yes."

 "He likes that idea, doesn't he?" Joscelin asked me, then turned resolutely to Sarae. "All right, then. Do you knowwhere to find this warehouse?"

 "Yes." Her voice was strained, her face pale and stubborn."I will show you...if you take us with you to fight at yourside."

 Joscelin swore and clutched at his tangled hair. "I saidno!"

 "It is not your choice, apostate," Micah said calmly. "Itis ours."

 Joscelin opened his mouth to protest again when Ti-Philippe interrupted him. "Joscelin, he's right; it's not ourchoice. Let them come if they will, and obey orders. They can ward the tunnel and safeguard our retreat. It's no morerisk than La Dolorosa, and," he added, eyeing Micah, "Isuspect you'd find them in the Square if you don't let themcome. At least this way they'll be out of sight, and lesslikely to be arrested for bearing arms unlawfully."

 In the end, there was nothing else for it. Once it wasagreed, Sarae went willingly enough with Ti-Philippe to ex­amine the warehouse's security. I misliked the risk, for 'twasnear enough to the Great Canal that there would be guardsabout, but I had to admit, with his gaunt features, rough-spun garb and a farmer's wide-brimmed hat atop his dyed,cropped hair, Ti-Philippe looked nothing like himself. Asfor Sarae, no one was looking for Yeshuites.

 Like as not, I thought, if aught happens, it will be thatthey are turned away and forced to make a detour; and even at that, Ysandre should have arrived by now, and the net ofsecurity will have drawn tight around the Little Court. Still,I would not rest easy until their return.

 Kazan and his men set to making windbreaks for thenight's shelter, since it seemed we had little choice but toremain on this nameless isle, at least until the small hoursof the night. The Yeshuites aided them warily, and Joscelin and I sat together with too much to say and not enough time to say it.

 "I'm so sorry," he said at length. "For everything."

 "No." I took his hand. "I am. I hurt you in my actions,and wronged you in my thoughts. I drove you to cruelty, I pushed you to breaking, and I took pleasure in it when youdid. Joscelin, the fault was mine."

 "I gave you reason," he said dryly. "Phèdre, I fell in lovewith you with both eyes wide open, and fighting against itevery step of the way. When you told me you were returningto Naamah's Service, I thought I had bent as far as I couldwithout breaking. When you began spending so much timewith Severio, I was sure of it. And when you disappeared, I realized that I hadn't even begun to fathom what I couldendure." Glancing down at the silverkhai pendant thatrested still on his chest, he took it in his free hand and gavea short, sharp jerk, snapping the thin chain. "The Yeshuites will have to wait a while longer for Cassiel the Apostate tobow his head before the Mashiach's throne," he said, hold­ing the bright object in his palm. "Elua's priest spoke truly; I choose the path of the Companion."

 I folded his fingers over the pendant and leaned over tokiss his hand. "Keep it. You've done what you could for them. You've given them the means to survive."

 "If I can keep them alive long enough." He brushed my hair with his fingertips, saying my name with wonder. "Ithought I had lost you, truly."

 "And I thought I was truly lost," I said. "More than once.But here we are."

 "Until tomorrow, at least." Joscelin gave his faint smile."Is there any chance I can convince you not to go?"

 I shook my head. "No. I began this, after all, and I'vefaced too many kinds of death and madness not to see itthrough."

 "I thought as much." He pondered our joined hands. "Isthere any chance we'll live to see the end, do you think?"

 "There's a chance," I said. "If we can turn the tide against Prince Benedicte, even for a little bit, Marco Stregazza mayturn with it rather than fall with his ally. If he sees dangerand a chance to save himself, he'll take it." I stirred, think­ing. "Joscelin, do you think one of your Yeshuites could get word to Ricciardo Stregazza? He's confined to house arrest,but if the Scholae still answer to him, those who aren't in Marco's pocket, they might serve to counter the rioters."

 "It might arouse suspicion, if he's guarded," he saidthoughtfully.

 "What about his wife?" I remembered Allegra Stregazza, seated at her desk in the charming library overlooking theirestates, writing out a letter of introduction for me. It hadgotten me into the Little Court, where I had walked in the Queen's Garden with Madame Felicity d'Arbos and admiredthe charming sight of Prince Benedicte's veiled wife andher babe on the balcony. "She has a name for being eccen­tric, a woman of letters in La Serenissima. Would it arousesuspicion if a young Yeshuite scholar delivered her ascroll?"

 "Probably not," Joscelin admitted, grinning involuntarily. "Your mind still turns out ideas like a Siovalese windmillchurns grain."

 "It works better when I'm with you," I said. "Do youhave pen and paper on this forsaken isle?"

 "We might." He rose. "Teppo's scholar enough to havebrought it...oh, wait, I have something that will serve forpaper, at any rate." Disappearing into one of the tents, hereemerged with a packet wrapped in oilskin. "After Ti-Philippe turned up with his tale, I went to Mafeo Bardoni,your factor's man here. I thought if there was any chanceyou'd left word with him, I should get to him before anyoneelse did. You'd gotten a letter from home," he said, handing it over. "Eugenie sent it in care of your factor's man, sinceyou'd never written with another address. I looked," headded as I began to open it. "But 'twas naught to do withyour disappearance.”

 It was, in fact, a letter from Micheline de Parnasse, theRoyal Archivist, who had at last heard a reply from thePrefect of the Cassiline Brotherhood; one Lord Calval, whohad inherited the post when Lord Rinforte passed away atthe end of a long illness. In accordance with her long-ago promise, she enclosed a list of those Cassiline Brothers whohad attended House de la Courcel, the information excised from the ledger in the Royal Archives. "You saw what this is?" I asked Joscelin. He nodded. "You learned as much from Thelesis de Mor-nay's inquiries," he said, shrugging and adding laconically,"I wrote too, you know. Lord Calval never bothered to an­swer me."

 "The Cassiline Brotherhood has not declared the RoyalArchivist anathema," I said absently. "You, they have. Jos­celin, this list isn't the same as the one Thelesis gathered.""No?" He crouched to peer over my shoulder. "What'sdifferent?"

 My lord Delaunay used to challenge Alcuin and me toexert our powers of observance and memory, quizzing us atunexpected intervals about the most seemingly innocuous ofthings. It is a habit that has stuck with me all my life. Idaresay I would not have scanned the entire list, had it notbeen for that. But I did, and I came across a name that mademy blood run cold with foreboding, my hand rising of itsown volition to cover it.

 Your Queen, does she not already have such guards inher service?

 "Thelesis' list only had the adoptive names of those takeninto Lord Rinforte's household, the names such as the Cas­siline Brothers themselves offered to her," I whispered."This comes direct from the Prefect's archives, and givestheir names in full. The ledger in the Royal Archives, theone that was desecrated, must have done the same. Oh, Jos­celin! I think I know how they're planning to kill Ysandre." He knew what I was reading. He looked sick. "Let mesee.”

 I moved my hand to reveal a name: David de Rocaille noRinforte.

 "De Rocaille," Joscelin said aloud, and swallowed. "Da­vid de Rocaille."

 "You're Siovalese, and a Cassiline," I said softly. "Jos­celin, Ysandre's mother Isabel was responsible for the deathof Edmée de Rocaille. I ought to know; it's what beganDelaunay's feud with her. Did Edmée de Rocaille have abrother who joined the Brethren?"

 "I don't know." He pressed the heels of his hands intohis eyes. "I never followed the genealogies of the GreatHouses of Siovale; I knew I was bound for Cassiel's service.And if he was among the Cassilines...I don't know. Hewould have left, by the time I began training. Ah, Elua!"He dropped his hands, looking at me with anguish. "Thatsoldier, among the Unforgiven...he said he saw it, didn't he? A Cassiline Brother, escorting the woman he thoughtwas Persia Shahrizai."

 "Svariel of L'Agnace said it," I murmured. "Fortun had it written in his notes."

 "Why would he do it?" Joscelin demanded, slightly wild-eyed. "Why now, after so long? Why take revenge on some­one for the crimes of her mother? Even if it's true, if he'sbeen attendant on Ysandre, he could have done it at anytime! Why now?"

 "I don't know." I made my voice gentle. "Melisandeblackmailed Percy de Somerville; mayhap he did the sameto de Rocaille, or she did. He hid his name a-purpose, tobe sure; the timing suits her needs, and the diversion his;the other Cassilines on guard will be distracted. Mayhap hewas waiting for the same thing as Prince Benedicte, a true-born D'Angeline heir—and one untainted by L'Enversblood—to inherit. Mayhap I'm wrong, after all. 'Tis only a guess."

 "No," he said dully. "All the pieces are there. It makestoo much sense, Phèdre. A riot for distraction, yes; but whatassassin could be sure to break through the Queen's guard,Cassilines included? This way, it is certain. And Benedicteand Melisande and Marco...as you said, all the worldwould see their hands were clean."

 Perversely, I found myself arguing against it, willing it for Joscelin's sake not to be. "Still, it would be suicide onhis part."

 He gave a short laugh, raking his hands through his hair."Yes," he said simply. "If David de Rocaille no Rinforte is considering killing the Queen of Terre d'Ange, he is pre­paring to die." I had no words left, and merely knelt, wrap­ping my arms around him. After a moment, Joscelinshuddered, hands rising to grip mine. "And if that is the case," he whispered, "I will oblige him. All right. Let mego, and I'll see if Teppo has pen and ink to spare."

 In a short time, he brought the young Yeshuite, a fine-featured lad whose hands bore calluses and inkstains alike. Teppo stammered out a greeting, laying before me a wealthof scholar's supplies; inkpot and quill, and some good piecesof foolscap. I penned a swift note to Allegra Stregazza. "Mylady, you aided me once in kindness with an introductionto your mother's friend. I tell you in turn that Marco Stre­gazza conspires with Benedicte de la Courcel against yourlord, his brother Ricciardo, rousing the Scholae to blackenhis name. Let him order those guildsmen who are loyal to keep the peace in the Campo Grande during the investitureceremony; for if he does not, he will be named a conspiratorin the death of a Queen. This I swear is true."

 I didn't sign it; Allegra Stregazza would know wellenough who I was, and if the letter was intercepted, she could yet deny it, for all the good it did her. And Teppo,who rolled the letter carefully between two scrolls, rever­ence in his inkstained fingers, he would go himself; he in­sisted on it.

 Another frail barque, I thought, watching him go, wend­ing his way through the underbrush; another ship of hope,bearing my words. I wondered if the letters I had sent tothe Lady of Marsilikos and the Duc L'Envers had arrived,and if they had acted upon them.

 There was little time for contemplation, for a commotionhad erupted in the encampment. Blades clashed and shoutsrang out, a mix of Illyrian, Caerdicci and Habiru.

 "Name of Elua," Joscelin muttered. "What now?"

 I should have guessed, if I'd thought on it. Kazan's men were putting Joscelin's Yeshuites to the test. We arrived atthe center of the camp to find Stajeo and Micah circling one another. Such will happen, when men who are strangers toone another hone their weapons together. The Illyrian had his buckler and short sword, his guard a trifle high and abroad smile on his face. Micah ben Ximon held two daggersin the Cassiline fashion, watchful and wary, his steps tracingthe forms Joscelin had drilled into him with no small mea­sure of competency.

 "Kazan," I sighed. "This is foolishness."

 He came over to stand beside Joscelin and me, shrugging carelessly. "So you say, you, but my men, they will not like it, to fight beside untrained boys with knives in their hands,no. If he is worthy, let him prove it, eh, and we will allfight better for it."

 "Joscelin." I turned to him in appeal.

 "Micah can handle himself," he said absently, watching."He's very good, for coming to it so late. See?"

 As we watched, Micah feinted with the left-hand dagger;with a cunning move, Stajeo made to bring the edge of hisbuckler down hard on his arm. The Yeshuite whirledswiftly, somehow moving beneath the blow to end with thetip of his right-hand dagger pointed at the Illyrian's belly.

 Kazan whistled through his teeth. The other Illyrianslaughed and applauded, and Stajeo stepped back with a sourlook on his face, putting up his sword in acknowledgementof surrender. Micah gave a quick Cassiline bow andsheathed his daggers.

 "They will fight," Kazan said, satisfied. He eyed Joscelin."You taught him that?"

 "Yes." Joscelin nodded his approval to Micah, whoflushed with pleasure.

 "Why without swords, eh? It is clever, this fighting, buton a battlefield..."Kazan drew his hand across his throat. "Pfft!"

 "Because Yeshuites are forbidden to bear weapons in LaSerenissima," Joscelin said in a hard tone. "As elsewhere.And a dagger, a pair of daggers, may be concealed, wherea sword may not. It is what I was taught, my lord Atrabiades, because I am trained first and foremost not to take life on the battlefield, but to defend in close quarters, where a sword may be hampered by innocent flesh."

 "But you carry a sword, you," Kazan said casually. "Doyou know how to use it, eh?"

 "Yes," Joscelin said.

 I held my tongue at the understatement. "Kazan," I said."Cassilines draw their swords only to kill. He does. Trust me in this matter."

 Kazan Atrabiades looked at me sidelong, and the wholeof our history was in that glance. When all was said anddone, it was a considerable one. He grinned and made mea sweeping bow. "As you wish. My men will fight besidehis, eh, and that is enough. But I am interested, I, to see what happens when this D'Angeline draws his sword!"

 He left us, laughing, to join the others in commiserating with Stajeo on his defeat. Joscelin watched him a moment,then turned to me with raised brows.

 "You do find interesting companions, Phèdre," was all hesaid.

 "Yes." I looked evenly at him. "A score of his men diedwho might not have, had they not fought the Serenissimanson my behalf. All who are with him, and Kazan himself,are willing to die at our sides. Do you have a quarrel withthat?"

 "No." Putting his hands on my shoulders, Joscelin drewme close. "Should I?"

 I rather liked this new side of him. It would be nice, Ithought wistfully, if we both lived to enjoy it.

 SEVENTY-TWO

 Ti-Philippe and Sarae returned in the early evening hours, excited and full of talk. It seemed the warehouse was un­guarded from the outside, and largely unwatched by Serenissiman guards to boot. If any of us had had doubts, that sealed it. Our plan was set. In the small hours before dawn,we would take the warehouse by stealth, and gain our accessto the Temple of Asherat-of-the-Sea.

 The young Yeshuite scholar Teppo returned too, albeitwith less information. Marco Stregazza's guards set to en­force his brother's house arrest had allowed him to deliverhis scrolls without much interest, but they had been takenby a maidservant; whether or not they had found their wayinto Allegra's hands—and what her reaction—he could notsay.

 Well and so, I had expected no more, and was glad thatall had returned alive.

 Pooling our stores of food in common, we put together atolerable meal of small game—rabbit, and a brace ofducks—dressed with autumn berries, wild greens and a dishof pulses. The Illyrians shared around several skins of wineand there was fresh water in plenty from a spring-fed creek on the isle. Afterward, the hours of the night watch weredivided among our company, with considerable arguing overwho would take the vital duties.

 Dark was falling as the Yeshuites huddled together, quarreling among themselves softly in Habiru. Kazan watchedidly, and I knew him well enough to guess that the Illyrianswould maintain a separate watch of their own.

 "I will take the first watch," Joscelin announced, looking to put an end to it. "And Philippe the last. Settle the middleamong yourselves. Will that suffice?"

 "But... Joscelin." One of the young men—Elazar, hisname was—looked flustered. "We thought... you areD'Angeline, after all, and you risked your life to rescueher...."

 Joscelin looked uncomprehendingly at him.

 "Your tent," Elazar said lamely. "We... well, you willsee."

 And see we did, how they had set a pair of lighted oillamps within his humble tent, strewing the bedroll and roughground with late-blooming wood roses, small and fragrant,painstakingly gathered from the dense undergrowth. I caught my breath and let it out in a gasping laugh. Ti-Philippegrinned with a trace of his old mischief, the Yeshuites shuf­fled in embarrassment and Oltukh, peering over their shoul­ders, called back a comment in Illyrian that roused laughter from several of Kazan's men.

 "Phèdre ..." Joscelin said, his voice trailing off and heglanced at me. "This need not..."

 "No?" I raised my brows at him. "We are D'Angeline,after all."

 After a second's pause, Joscelin laughed, a free and un­fettered sound I hadn't heard since Montrève. With one easy motion, he scooped me into his arms. "Micah," he said over his shoulder, ducking to step through the tent flap, "take thefirst watch. Philippe, wake me when it's time."

 And with that, he closed the flap behind us.

 Naamah's gift is manifold, and I have known it in manyforms; still, I think, none have I cherished so much as thatnight with Joscelin on an unnamed isle of La Serenissima.After so much had passed, we were nearly strangers to oneanother, and yet at once so achingly familiar. I had forgottenthe sheer, breathtaking beauty of him, gleaming likesculpted marble in the lamplight. Without artistry, withoutaught but love and simple desire, I relearned his flesh inchby inch. And Joscelin ... ah, Elua! Whatever had broken inhim, it loosed the passion he held in rigid check so much,too much, of the time; his hands and mouth moved on meuntil I pleaded for release and he took me with a tenderfury, autumn roses trapped beneath my body, sharp, cunningthorns pricking my naked skin. It was a goad to my pleasureand he knew it and did not care, a secret smile curving mylips as he lowered his head to kiss me.

 Afterward, we lay entangled together without speakingfor a long while.

 "I've missed you," I murmured at length against the hardcurve of his shoulder. "Awfully. For a long time, Joscelin."

 "So have I." He ran his fingers through my hair where it lay across his chest. "Is that pirate of yours going to chal­lenge me for this, do you think?"

 "No." I kissed his shoulder. "Not likely."

 "Good," he said drowsily. "I'd hate to kill him, since youseem rather fond of him."

 I thought of all I had not told him yet—thekríavbhog,the Kore and thethetalos, my bargain with Kazan and his brother's death—all of that, and more. And I laughed softly,because it did not matter; right now, none of it mattered. Ifthere was time, if we lived, Elua willing, I would tell it allto him, yes, and hear his stories too, all that he had leftunsaid, including whether or not he had indeed hacked off his hair with a dagger, which is rather what it looked like.

 And if there was not...we had had this night, and Naamah's gift.

 I have been her Servant a long time, I thought. This, Ihave earned.

 So thinking, I fell asleep, and for all the restless nights Ihad passed, for all the myriad worries that plagued my brain,with Joscelin's arms around me and his breathing steadybeneath my ear, I slept dreamless as a babe until Ti-Philippescratching discreetly at the tent awoke us.

 'Tis only my opinion, but I daresay I have seen my share and more of those chill, dank hours before dawn, when the resentful moon begins its descent and the stars grow distantand sullen. I scrambled into my clothing—a Kritian gown, an Illyrian cloak, no trace of my homeland to comfort me—while Joscelin, swift to don his attire, was already out andabout in the encampment.

 By the time I emerged, our company was mustered, andan ill-assembled lot we were. The Yeshuites looked painfully young, fingering their weapons and doing their best tosummon expressions of stern resolve.

 "My friends," I said to them. "We go forth this day intocertain danger. Pray, if any one of you here is not fullyresolved in your heart to do this thing, stand down now, forit is no quarrel of yours and there is no shame in quittingit. For the aid you have given us, I will ever be grateful." Iwaited in the crepuscular silence. No one moved. "So be it.Then let us be comrades-in-arms, few though we may be,and set ourselves against the forces of greed and ambitionthat seek to claim by stealth and treachery what is not right­fully theirs. Let us show the world that honor is not forgot­ten, and that the gods themselves—the gods of Illyria, of Terre d'Ange, of the Yeshuites, of La Serenissima itself—will lend their aid when men and women seek with utmostcourage to do that which is right."

 And with that, I told them my plan. The girl Sarae's eyeswidened and she ducked her head, fidgeting with the cross­bow she held; whether or not she thought it blasphemous, I could not say. The Yeshuites murmured. Ti-Philippe swore admiringly. Kazan Atrabiades laughed so hard he had dif­ficulty translating for his men. Some of the Illyrians grinned,when they heard it; some made superstitious gestures toavert evil.

 Joscelin looked at me for a long time without comment."Have you lost your mind?" he said at length. "No."

 "What else would you have us do? If we make it inside,we won't have the option of stealth." I watched the thoughts flicker behind his eyes. "Joscelin, we're outnumbered.Ysandre is outnumbered. Even if we succeed in gaining accessto the warehouse, to reaching the Temple—what if it's not enough to warn her? Melisande and Marco have too much to lose, and too many allies at hand. We need to turn someof them, or at least confuse them. I can't think of anotherway. Can you?"

 He closed his eyes. "No."

 "I have sworn a vow," I said softly, "and this is how I mean to keep it.”

 He opened his eyes and looked at me. "And if it goesawry?"

 I shrugged. "We run like hell, and pray they haven't sur­rounded the warehouse." I looked around at their watchingfaces. "Does anyone have a better plan?" No one did. "Allright," I said. "Shall we go?"

 In that, at least, no one was disagreed; we set out acrossthe rough terrain, scrabbling our way through near-darknessto the water's edge, where our vessels lay concealed. Twoskiffs in total, and our hard-won gondola. Dense ferns layrotting in the water; to this day, the smell of decaying fo­liage brings that morning back to me in all its nerve-strunganxiety. A thin mist hovered above the river. I took myplace beneath the awning of the gondola, as there was no room in the smaller skiffs. With soft splashing and a few muffled curses, we were launched.

 It was a tense journey, especially once we were off the sedge-choked river and into the canals proper, wending ourpath through the waterways of La Serenissima. Once a bissone full of drunken rowdies returning home from the mean tenements of the courtesan's quarter passed nearby to us,voices raised in a ragged, off-key tune, the lantern in theirprow casting wavering light over the dark waters. We hidourselves in the shadows alongside the canal, all of uscrouching low and scarce daring to breathe. Once they hadgone, the oarsmen set our vessels to gliding silently out oncemore.

 The street on which the warehouse was located was aquiet one; the residences were slightly more modest thanthose that lined the Great Canal, interspersed with some ofthe more elegant trade establishments, jewelers and drapersand the like. Beyond the two-storied roofs, I could see thepointed domes of the Temple of Asherat-of-the-Sea looming in the predawn sky to obscure the paling stars,

 "There," Sarae whispered, her voice carrying faintly overthe water. She pointed to a marble building, long and low, with a single entrance at street level. In the first skiff, Ti-Philippe was already making for it. We came noiselesslyalongside and disembarked. One oarsmen stayed in each ofthe smaller rowboats, and a pair of Illyrians in the gondola.

 "Get as near to the harbor as you dare, and turn the boatsloose," Joscelin murmured in Caerdicci. "Come backswiftly, but have a care for guards."

 I repeated it in Illyrian, and Kazan nodded curt agreement.If we had any hope of going undetected, it would hardly doto have three strange vessels moored in the vicinity. Theoarsmen pushed off and headed toward the harbor, quickand stealthy.

 It left fifteen of us huddled on the dark street, a motleyassortment bristling with arms, dreadfully suspicious andvulnerable to any passersby. I thought of the looming templedomes and shivered. One outcry was all it would take tobring the Serenissiman Guard down on us.

 The door to the warehouse was of solid oaken construc­tion, half again as tall as a man, with Asherat's crown ofstars etched in silver. Joscelin and Kazan both felt at it, drawing daggers to pry at the hinges and the massive lock.It was well and truly bolted, secured from within, the hingesset deep and tight. The Illyrians muttered under their breath.I wrapped my cloak around me and shifted from foot tofoot, tense and nervous. Kazan swore and struck the marble blocks of the building with the heel of his palm; one of theHabiru made a stifled sound in his throat.

 I couldn't stand it any longer. "Name of Elua! Joscelin, get out of the way," I hissed, wrenching loose the silverfalcon brooch that clasped my cloak. He stepped aside oblig­ingly and Kazan raised his eyebrows as I stuck the pin be­tween my teeth, bending the tip into a tiny hook. Crouching,I worked it into the lock, feeling my way for the tumblerthat would drop the bar on the far side and silently blessingHyacinthe for having taught me this dubious skill. 'Twasnot a difficult lock, but it was a heavy one and I held mybreath as I caught the tumbler, maneuvering it with delicacy lest it bend the slender silver pin.

 In the midst of my operation came the sound of peltingfootsteps, bare feet slapping softly on the wooden walkway;the oarsmen, returning. I didn't dare look up, but I heard agasping voice. "A squadron of guardsmen coming on foot!Halfway to the corner!"

 Illyrian steel scraped as Kazan's men reached for theirhilts, and I heard an anxious, murmured prayer in Habiru."Phèdre?" Joscelin's voice asked calmly.

 I closed my eyes and bore down on the pin, levering thetumbler to the left. The pin bent, bent... and held. With asolid chunking sound, the bar dropped. Clutching my cloakclosed with one hand, I set the other to the handle of thewarehouse door and tried it.

 It gave, opening onto a wedge of dark interior.

 "Go, go!"

 We piled inside in a mass, barefoot oarsmen with bootsin hand, no order of procedure to our company, and some­one closed the door behind us, softly and firmly. Inside, itwas wholly dark. There were high windows along the outer wall to admit daylight, but nothing penetrated in these smallhours before dawn. Whispering, shuffling bodies jostled me.Someone trod on the hem of my cloak, nearly jerking itfrom my shoulders. I took it off and wrapped it over onearm.

 It would have looked humorous, I imagine, if anyonecould have seen us in our tight, milling knot. No doubt itdid when a door at the rear of the main chamber was thrownopen and a sudden blaze of torchlight fell over us.

 "What... ?" It was one of the Temple eunuchs, blinkingand sleepy-eyed, a torch in one upraised hand and his cer­emonial spear held loosely in the other, silver barbed head pointing at the floor. And no more than that did he say, forSarae, acting on terrified reflex, brought up her crossbow and fired at him.

 The barb took him in the throat; he blinked once more,slow and surprised, while his spear fellwith a clatter. Still clutching his torch, he sank to his knees and slumped for­ward, facedown and motionless, the torch now guttering onthe floor beside his outstretched hand.

 It was Kazan and his men who raced forward instantly,swords drawn and bucklers raised, hurdling the fallen figureto enter the chambers beyond. They were pirates, after all,scourges of the sea, trained to a swarming attack. Sick atheart, I followed, while Joscelin and Ti-Philippe set grimlyabout retrieving the torch and directing the Yeshuites tosearch the rest of the building.

 There had been four attendants in all set to watch overthe warehouse; there were sleeping quarters, a privy cham­ber and a meager kitchen beyond the door from which the first had emerged. Two more were dead by the time I gotthere, slain half-naked in their beds, and Tormos had his sword raised for the killing stroke against the fourth.

 "No!" I cried. He paused. "Eisheth's mercy, we don'tneed them dead, Kazan!" I pleaded. "Let him live, and hemay show us the passage."

 Kazan hesitated, then said shortly, "Do as she says."

 They had been young, the attendants of the warehouse;the survivor was no exception. I guessed him no older thanJoscelin's Yeshuites, though 'twas harder to tell since hewas cut and beardless. He watched with wide, terrified eyesas the Illyrians cleaned their weapons and I drew near.

 "What is your name?" I asked softly.

 "Cer ... Cervianus." Shock and fear prompted his stut­tering answer.

 "Cervianus, aid us and you will live, I promise. There isa passage below the canals to the Temple of Asherat. I needyou to show us."

 His eyes darted this way and that and his throat movedas he swallowed audibly, but for all his terror, he was nocoward. "I know of no such passage."

 "Do you fear to betray the goddess?" I asked him, andhis eyes fixed on my face, pupils dilating. "Cervianus, Iswear to you, Asherat-of-the-Sea has already been betrayed,by one who stands high in her favor, and this night's doingsare the fruit of that betrayal. Although I serve another, I have come to avenge her."

 Some of Kazan's men grumbled; they had come to kill Serenissimans. I ignored them.

 No coward and no fool, Cervianus. He licked his lips,trembling. "And if I do not aid you? What then?"

 "You will die," I said. "And we will find it anyway."

 He closed his eyes briefly. "It's in the underchamber. Thedoor is hidden. Let me put on clothing, and I will showyou."

 The Illyrians stepped back, allowing him to rise. Trustingto Kazan to keep order, I returned to the warehouse space.Joscelin and the others were waiting; there had been no one else present, only rows of oil jars and stacks of dried goods,as Sarae had claimed. She was pale-faced and shaky, andMicah was attempting to soothe her. Joscelin met my eyes as I returned.

 "She killed a man in cold blood," he said. "It takes onehard."

 "I know," I said. "Where did you get crossbows, any­way?"

 "We took them from the guards at the watchtower at LaDolorosa." He glanced at her with pity. "I thought it wouldbe safer for her to carry one. We're doomed anyway if we'recaught, and she's not skilled with the daggers."

 I unfolded my cloak and shook it out, settling it over myshoulders and shoving the bent brooch-pin through thewoolen fabric and fastening it. "Her ill luck to be a goodshot," I said wryly. "Mayhap 'tis better they know suchthings, before they choose to battle their way to the north-lands. Prophecies never name the blood-price they exact."

 "No." Joscelin roused himself with a shake. "The others?"

 "Dead, but for one," I said. "He's agreed to show us thepassage. I promised him his life for it."

 "Let's go, then."

 Another torch and a few lamps had been found and kin­dled, and by their light, Cervianus led us to the rear of the warehouse. He had donned the deep-blue tunic of Asherat'sattendants, the emblem of her starry crown worked in silverthread on the breast, rich and glimmering amid the Illyrians who surrounded him, but his eyes looked like dark holes inthe mask of his face.

 "It is there," he said faintly, pointing at a mammoth clayvessel, shoulder-high to Kazan. "Beneath the jar."

 With a doubtful grunt, Kazan set his shoulder to the jarand shoved. It tilted beneath his force, being empty, and twoothers joined him in rolling it carefully to one side. Cervianus had spoken the truth. Beneath lay a trapdoor, set flushinto the stones of the floor. Joscelin grasped the iron ringand hauled up on it; with a faint screech of hinges, the dooropened to reveal a gaping square of darkness below, smell­ing of stale air and mildew. There were worn stone stepsleading downward, the first few visible by torchlight.

 "And this leads to the Oracle's balcony in the Templeproper, yes?" I asked Cervianus.

 "Yes." He turned his hollow gaze on me. "Beneath thecanal."

 "And the Oracle does not preside from thence over theceremony of investiture?"

 "N... no." Cervianus hesitated, and shook his head."Only twice a year, at theFatum Urbanus. I think. I do notknow, for certain. I am only a junior attendant, and a Dogehas never been invested in my lifetime. But..."

 "But they would have told you, were the tunnel to beopened for the Oracle's usage, would they not?" I askedgently. "That you might make ready to receive her, until shecould return unseen."

 "Yes." He stared at me with bitter hatred in his shadowedeyes. I did not blame him. "It is our duty, to keep the in­ventory and ward the passage. They would have told us."

 "So." Joscelin knelt beside the open trap door, holding alamp and peering into the darkness below. "Are there guardswithin the tunnel, or at the other end?"

 "There are no otherguards!" Cervianus spat out thewords in fury. "It was our duty, our sacred duty! No oneknows of this passage. A thousand and more years ago, themasons who built it were slain to keep it secret."

 "Charming," Joscelin murmured. Sarae made an invol­untary sound, choked at the realization of the extent to which her great-great-aunt Onit's death-bed tales had betrayed the trade-secrets of the order that had sheltered herfor most of her life. I sat on my heels, thinking.

 "Cervianus," I asked, "what is happening in the Templenow?"

 He gave a sullen shrug, then winced when Kazan Atrabiades prodded his ribs with a dagger. "The Priestess of the Crown and her six Elect hold a vigil, praying that Asherat-of-the-Sea will accept the people's choice as Her Belovedand a true bond may be forged. So I am told. At dawn thepreparations begin, and when the sun strikes the crown ofHer image which overlooks the harbor, the procession willbegin from the Doge's Palace to enter the Temple."

 "Then," I said, "we had best make ready."

 SEVENTY-THREE

 1 he steps leading down into the tunnel were narrow and treacherous, overgrown with a slick coating of mold. I couldwell believe this passage was used but twice a year. Wewent in single file, with Joscelin in the lead. I followed close on his heels and Ti-Philippe behind me; Kazan and his Illyrians followed.

 After the bloodshed in the warehouse, the Yeshuites wereless loathe to be left behind to secure our retreat. Those whohad fought on the mainland at La Dolorosa had done soagainst armed prison guards; 'twas another matter alto­gether, this slaying out of hand of innocent attendants, cer­emonial spears or no. We found a stack of grain sacks boundwith twine and cut the cord, using it to tie Cervianus se­curely, hand and foot, gagging him with a wad of bed-linen.

 It pained me, but there was nothing else for it. I hadpromised him his life, and we could not risk leaving him free to give an alarm. The gag cut sharply into the cornersof his mouth, and his sunken eyes continued to glare hatredat me. I spoke to him before we left.

 "For what it is worth," I said to him, "I spoke the truthto you, Cervianus. I am sorry for the deaths of your com­panions."

 His expression never changed. Kazan, passing, caught myarm. "Do not waste such pity on him, you," he advised ina grim tone. "If we had not taken them by surprise, eh, thecatamites would have killed us, yes. You heard him speakof the tunnel, eh? They do not hesitate to kill for their god­dess."

 It was true—and yet. I knew beyond doubt that if I laycoiled once more enduring the agonies of thethetalos, Iwould endure the blood-guilt of their deaths. So be it. I hadmade my choices, knowing full well I must live with the consequences. 'Twas only pain, after all; and who betterequipped to bear it than I? Surely, I thought, though it neverbe given us to know, the tally of the living must outweighthe dead.

 If we did not fail.

 Down and down and down went the stairs, growing evermore slippery. Once my heel skidded and I put out a handto catch myself, finding the walls green with slime, moistureseeping between the solid blocks of stone. We were beneatha city built on water. By the time we reached the floor ofthe tunnel, the air had grown increasingly dank. The flameof Joscelin's oil lamp guttered, and I felt my lungs working for sustenance. The passage is open at our end, I reminded myself; surely air must be moving in it. Joscelin held up his hand and waited patiently for the flame to steady, growingbrighter. Massed behind us, the Illyrians muttered superstitiously, falling silent at Kazan's harsh order.

 We proceeded.

 I do not know how far it was, that stone-sealed journeybeneath a city built on water. Not far, I suppose; a mere city block, as the architects would reckon it. Outside, I had seenthe domes of the Temple and shuddered at their nearness.Below ground, it seemed a world away. The dense, soddenstone absorbed the sound of our footfalls until we seemeda line of shuffling wraiths. I felt a weariness born of damp­ness and chill and stone, the never-ending dark eye of thetunnel opening on and on before us. It came almost as ashock when Joscelin stopped in front of me and gazed up­ward, lifting the lamp.

 Another set of stairs, equally steep and narrow, leadingupward to vanish in darkness.

 "This is it," Joscelin whispered. "Phèdre, the plan isyours. What do you will?"

 I gazed up the stairs, straining eyes and ears, but I could not penetrate the darkness and no sound filtered down to usin the tunnel. "Let me go first and see," I whispered back."If the priestesses of Asherat are the only danger, I'm best equipped to avoid it."

 His face tightened. "And if they're not, you're the worst.I'm coming with you."

 "Will you stay three paces behind and wait on the stairfor my signal?"

 Joscelin paused, then gave a curt nod.

 "Good." I turned to the others. "Wait here. We'll inves­tigate, and send word."

 Ti-Philippe let out a sigh of resignation; he knew betterthan to try talking me out of anything. Kazan frowned. "Ido not like it any better thanhe does, I," he said in a low voice, jerking his chin at Joscelin. "That you should walkfirst into danger, no. Better one of us."

 I smiled in the dim, lamplit tunnel. "You named merightly when you named me a spy, my lord, long ago on Dobrek. This is what I am trained to do. I would no moreallow you to go in my place than you would allow me tolead your men in battle."

 Someone at the rear—Volos, I thought—offered an Illyrian jest under his breath regarding the nature and extent ofmy training. I was glad of the dim light hiding my blush, and doubly glad that Joscelin spoke not a word of Illyrian.

 Kazan's mouth twitched in a reluctant smile. "Then be care­ful, you," he said aloud.

 I nodded, took a deep breath, and began to ascend thestair.

 It is harder to move silently in utter blackness, which iswhat I found myself in once the sharply rising walls cut offsight of the tunnel below. All sounds seem magnified, and one is prone to a vertiginous unsteadiness without vision'smarkers. As well that Delaunay made Alcuin and me trainat such things blindfolded. I let my fingertips trail along theslimy walls and climbed steadily, step by noiseless step. True to his word, Joscelin followed several paces behindme. He did a fair job of stealth—Cassilines are trained to move with grace and balance and discretion, all of whichstood him in good stead—but I could hear him clearlyenough; an occasional scrape or creak of leather, the faintsound of his breathing.

 Then again, I am trained to hear such things, too.

 As it happens, our stealth on the stair was unnecessary; 'twas sealed at the top with another door. I felt at the slick,mossy wood with both hands and pressed my ear to it, grim­acing with distaste. Faintly, very faintly, I could make outthe sound of voices beyond, a low, rhythmic chanting.

 In the Temple, I thought; not near enough to be imme­diately on the other side of the door. I tried the handle cau­tiously. It was locked, of course.

 "The eunuch may have a key." Joscelin spoke at my ear,so quietly his breath scarce stirred my hair.

 "And he may not," I murmured in reply, reaching for mybrooch. " 'Twill be quicker, this way." I found the lock bytouch, working the pin in blindly; it does not matter, forsuch a task. The faint scratching sound rattled loud in myears.

 "I am sorry," Joscelin said almost inaudibly, "we neverfound a way to free him."

 So he thought of Hyacinthe too.

 "Don't say never. We're not dead yet." The lock gaveand I held my breath at the thundering clatter, going stilland listening.

 "Did you get it?" Joscelin whispered; he hadn't heard athing. "Is it open?"

 I nodded, forgetting he couldn't see. "Stay back." I turned the handle, opening the door narrowly. Only a dim, ambientlight filtered through the crack and I could hear the chantingmore clearly now. Four or more voices; it was hard to dis­cern, in unison, but of a surety, it came from a distance,echoing from the dome of the Temple. I listened hard for anything nearer, and heard naught. Repinning my cloak, Idrew its hood up and slipped through the door, ducking lowto crouch with both hands splayed on the floor.

 Nothing before me, and only the door behind. I was hi alow-ceilinged hall that slanted upward toward a tall, narrow archway. It framed a balconied alcove, in which sat a three-legged stool. To the right and left of the alcove, clearlyvisible from behind, were openings onto dark chambers,slanted recesses which, like the hallway, would have beennearly undetectable from the front. Lying flat on my belly,I squirmed forward, positioning myself behind the stool togaze through its legs and the balustrade beyond into theTemple.

 Directly opposite me was the massive visage of Asherat-of-the-Sea, wide-eyed and staring, a crescent moon adorningher brow; old, this goddess was, ancient and mighty! Icaught my breath, staring back at her, feeling a cold sweatbreak out between my shoulder blades. I have come to keepmy promise, I reminded her silently; have a care for yourchildren's children, O Asherat!

 Below, the Temple was filled with candlelight and thesweet blue smoke of incense. I wormed my way forward to peer down at the sight. Seven women stood before the stonealtar and the mighty image of the goddess; seven womenclad in robes of flowing blue silk, with silver netting over­laying it and shimmering, crystal-strung veils. The one inthe center wore a tiara on her unbound hair, with sevendiamonds set in starry silver rays. The Priestess of theCrown, I thought, and her six Elect. One had hair as whiteas milkweed, upraised hands gnarled with age; old Bianca,who had told my fortune true. This would be her balconyfrom which I espied, then, for surely she was the rightfulOracle.

 I felt a little better, to think on it.

 And which had betrayed their goddess for gold or mortalpower? Vespasia, I knew; that was the name of Bianca'ssuccessor, who had given the Doge false foretelling. Wasshe one of the Elect? I had no way of guessing. The Priest­ess of the Crown? Mayhap. If not her, it had to be one ormore of the Elect. Such risk, such blasphemy, was not un­dertaken lightly, without surety of gain. Face-to-face, Imight have gauged it; hidden above, I could discern little.

 There were two sets of stairs curving down from balcony,leading to the floor below. Slithering like an eel, I checked both and found them empty; only pink-veined marble steps disappearing from my sight where they curved, framed by gilded railings. Well and good; thus far, at least, Cervianus had not lied. I backed my way carefully to gaze inside thehidden flanking rooms.

 Echo chambers, both of them; Sarae's great-great-auntOnit had spoken true, too. I had some little knowledge ofsuch things, by virtue of my friendship with Thelesis deMornay. Each had sounding boards, cunningly set, to con­ duct the Oracle's voice into the chamber, and thence intothe vaulted ceiling of the central dome, magnifying it vastly.A trick, I thought, to pitch one's voice just so; but it couldbe done in either direction, to the right or left. One held a flexible sheet of bronze, rigged to a mechanism with leverand cogs. This I guessed to be the thunder machine. TheHellenes had such devices of old.

 Save for the bronze sheet and some ceremonial items—incensors and the like—the chambers were empty. Satisfiedwith my inquiry, I withdrew discreetly and slipped throughthe door to rejoin Joscelin.

 " 'Twill suit, for our needs," I said in lowered tones. "Itis as Cervianus said; they maintain a vigil below. Let Ti-Philippe join us, and Kazan's Illyrians wait behind this door,on the stair. I'd sooner they were out of the way, and quiet."

 Joscelin nodded, barely visible in the faint, filtered light."It's a mad plan, Phèdre," he whispered. "You know that,don't you?”

 "Madder than singing Skaldi hearth-songs to the Masterof the Straits?" I whispered back.

 "No." He grinned in the darkness. "That was mine, wasn't it? Blame it on the Tsingano, then, for putting me in Mendacant's robes, and pray yours works half as well."

 "Believe me," I said fervently, "I do." Reaching blindlyfor him, I brushed his cheek with my fingertips, caught adouble handful of his shorn, tangled hair and kissed himhard. "Elua keep you, whatever happens."

 "And you," Joscelin whispered against my lips. "Andyou, my love."

 In all the time we had been together, in all that we hadendured, I couldn't remember him calling me that. I let himgo, breath catching in my throat. "Go on, then, and bringthem."

 He did, and in short order we were all positioned. With every sense and every nerve on edge, I thought the rustling and creaking and whispering would drive me to distraction,but in truth, they handled it with subtlety. Kazan and his men would wait on the stair, ready to spring into actionshould need be; Joscelin and Ti-Philippe lurked in the echo chambers, hidden from view to all but me, where I couldsummon them at a glance.

 For my part, I resumed the position I had taken before,lying on my stomach and gazing through the legs of thestool into the Temple below. 'Twas a waiting game, from this point hence.

 And wait I did, for yet another seeming eternity, half-lulled by the melodious chanting below. It matters naught,I thought. I have waited, and waited and waited and waited,throughout this long sojourn; waited for information in theCity of Elua, waited for events to turn in La Serenissima,waited on my ransom, waited on thethetalos, waited on theArchon's answer...for months on end, I had done naughtbut wait.

 I could wait this while longer.

 At last the Priestess of the Crown brought an end to theirlitany and she rose with her Elect, clapping her hands.

 Somewhere, outside, dawn was breaking. I lay hidden, watching as the Temple of Asherat-of-the-Sea scurried tolife. Candles were replenished, the incensors refilled, and agreat dais of wood brought before the altar in three parts,borne by harried eunuchs. Untouched by it all, the mightyimage of Asherat stared forth, hands reaching down to touchthe stone-wrought waves.

 In all the bustle, I took the measure of the echo chamber'spitch, humming softly in either direction until I was sure Ihad the angle of it. Ti-Philippe looked at me as if I weremad, though he held his tongue; Joscelin's eyes glinted withan answering wildness. Once he had committed to a thing,he held nothing back. Whether or not he learned it in hisbrief tenure with Anafiel Delaunay or no, we were alike, inthat.

 Somewhere, a ray of light struck Asherat's crown along­side the harbor.

 I saw sunlight flood into the Temple as the great entrancedoors opened in the antechamber; I heard the muted roar of the gathered crowd in the Campo Grande outside. I heard itrise as the procession drew near and the Dogal Guardformed a double line, protest breaking against the wall of shields and spears. I saw the Priestess of the Crown take up her place before the altar, flanked by her chosen, while ac­olytes and attendants made ready to receive the royal reti­nue.

 I saw them enter the Temple.

 Ah, Elua! They were all there, all of them. Cesare Stregazza, still the Doge, and a frail woman at his side who must be his wife; Marco and Marie-Celeste, with Severio proud beside them. Others I knew by sight, knowledge gar­nered, it seemed, so long ago: Orso Latrigan and LorenzoPescaro, once contenders for the Dogal Seat, defeated byMarco's bid, and others, too, members of the Hundred Wor­thy Families and the Consiglio Maggiore, noblemen fromthe Six Sestieri, attired in garish splendor, embittered or syc­ophantic according to their natures.

 And there were D'Angelines. Oh yes, there wereD'Angelines.

 It took me aback, to see Ysandre de la Courcel enter theTemple of Asherat; to see, after so long, all the glory andbeauty of Terre d'Ange, my homeland, personified in my Queen. She wore a gown of pale lavender with a cloak of green, Elua's color, laced with gold brocade, and even frommy poor view on the floor of the balcony, I could see theworkmanship was exquisite. A simple circlet of gold sat atop her pale blonde hair and a gold mesh caul bound it,and her profile was breathtakingly pure.

 I had forgotten, somehow, that Ysandre was no older thanme.

 Along with a handful of D'Angeline nobles and a file ofmen-at-arms, who took posts at the rear of the Temple, fourCassiline Brothers accompanied her to a place of honor tothe right of the Doge and the Doge-elect on the dais. Withtheir ashen-grey attire, hair bound in neat clubs at the napesof their necks, daggers at their waists and swords at their backs, they were nearly identical, all of an age, somewherebetwixt forty and fifty years, I guessed. Any one of the fourmight have been David de Rocaille... or none.

 And then Prince Benedicte's party entered.

 I hadn't been sure, until then, if Melisande would dare it.I should have known that she would. She came in on the arm of Benedicte de la Courcel, tall and hale in the blueand silver of his House, his erect carriage belying his age.Her gown of deep-blue velvet matched his doublet, and herhead was lowered modestly, the shining Veil of Asherathiding her features; but behind, ah! Her hair hung loose and unbound, falling in gleaming blue-black waves to the smallof her back.

 Melisande, I thought, laughing silently, tears in my eyes; oh, Melisande!

 When all was said and done, there was no one to matchher.

 My heart beat quickly in my breast and my breath camehard and fast, making my mouth dry. Desire beat in me likea pulse, remembering her hands, her mouth, her scent. ButI had been Naamah's Servant for a long time too, twice- dedicated, and I knew what it was to endure yearning asfierce as pain. A coterie of guardsmen surrounded them, clad in the livery of House Courcel. I marked their faces well, and saw many of the veterans of Troyes-le-Mont among them as they took their place amid the jostling throng ofnoble retinues at the back of the Temple. Benedicte and Melisande mounted the dais to the left of Marco and Marie-Celeste Stregazza, their strong allies and reunited in-laws.

 Last to enter was the double line of the Dogal Guard,securing the doors against an already-roaring crowd in the Campo Grande. I heard crisply shouted orders and injunc­tions as they did and guessed—rightly, as it happened—that at least one unit of the civic Serenissiman Guard was postedto ward the doors outside.

 Inside, it grew quiet, save for the rustle and murmur ofseveral hundred bodies gathered in one place and the hissof incense burning, the slight crackle of candle flame. Frommy hidden perch, I gazed down at the gathered tableau. Achair had been provided for Cesare Stregazza; I could see the peaked crimson cap atop his thinning white hair, theDogal Seal flashing gold on his trembling hands where theyrested on the arms of the chair.

 He had asked my aid in keeping it, the canny old manip­ulator. Of a surety, what he had intended was not what Ihad in mind; but it was the course that had offered itself tome, and I had no other choice.

 The ceremony of investiture was about to begin.

 SEVENTY-FOUR

 As most ceremonies do, this one began with an invocation.

 Raising both hands to the effigy of Asherat-of-the-Sea,the Priestess of the Crown uttered a prayer beseeching thegoddess to lend her blessing to this day's proceedings, whileher Elect came forward with offerings; gleaming ceremonialvessels, gilded baskets of fruits and grains, brown eggs in asilver bowl, a jewel-bedecked wine chalice, all of which were set upon the altar.

 I was glad there was to be no blood sacrifice.

 A difficult thing, to choose the perfect moment. I consid­ered seizing upon the Priestess of the Crown's invocation,which would have been apt; and yet. It lacked drama. Better it should come at the crux of the matter, when those assem­bled already watched with bated breath. I wished I couldsee their faces rather than the backs of their heads. Once theinvocation and the offerings were given, the Priestess of the Crown and the Elect turned toward the crowd, but 'twas nottheir expressions I wished to see.

 In the litany that followed, the Priestess of the Crowncited the ancient history of La Serenissima and the role ofthe Doge within it, enumerating his duties, which weregiven voice in a call-and-response style by the six Elect. It was a pleasant enough ceremony, if one were not watchingit from a hiding place, aquiver with tension. I strained myears to listen to the noise of the crowd in the Campo Grande,faintly audible at times. It had not reached a breaking point.

 No, I thought; nor will it, not until Marco Stregazza wearsthe Dogal Seal upon his finger. He'll take no risk of havinghis investiture disrupted. It must be a done thing, beforechaos is loosed. Even from above, I could read as muchfrom his posture, at once relaxed and eager. I wondered if Allegra Stregazza had gotten my message, and if her hus­band Ricciardo had responded by rallying the Scholae.

 It went on for a considerable time, this ceremony, untilmy attention nearly began to wander. I caught myself, wor­rying; if I were distracted, how much more so were Joscelin and Ti-Philippe, and Kazan and his Illyrians hidden behind the door, who were not trained to attend on tedium? Andthen the Priestess of the Crown addressed herself to theDoge-elect, and my focus sharpened.

 "Marco Plautius Stregazza," she intoned, giving him hisfull name. "You have heard here enumerated the sacredcharges given unto he who would give himself unto the handof Asherat-of-the-Sea and take up the throne of the Doge of La Serenissima. By the will of the people, the vote of the Consiglio Maggiore and the consent of the Temple of Asherat, you have been so appointed. Is it your will to make this vow?"

 "It is," Marco Stregazza said firmly, stepping forward.

 "Do you swear on pain of death to execute these chargesfaithfully?"

 "I do."

 She bound him, then, in a long and complicated oathwhich I failed to commit to memory and which Marco re­peated letter-perfect, and then summoned him to the altar toanoint his brow with chrism, which I watched in an agonyof indecision. Should it be now? It must be done before thesacrament was complete.

 "Your Grace," the Priestess of the Crown said to CesareStregazza, not quite inclining her head. "Before Asherat-of-the-Sea, the appointed hour has come. It is time for the Dogal Seal to pass to another." I watched his crimson-capped head bow in defeat, his crabbed hands rise from thearms of the chair as his trembling fingers rumbled at themassive gold seal.

 Now. Yes.

 The moment was now.

 Easing backward, I rose to my knees, the very breath shivering in my lungs, rehearsing the Caerdicci words, the pitch and intonation, in my mind. Asherat, I thought, glanc­ing at the image of the goddess, for this you saved me; lendme now your aid. Elua's child I am, Kushiel's Chosen andNaamah's Servant, but you plucked me from the depths ofthe sea and raised me upon your bosom that I might be heretoday. If it is your will, then use me now!

 In memory I heard once more the mourning, maddeningdirge of the winds of La Dolorosa, the sound I had endured through countless days, numberless black nights in my tinycell, the grieving of a goddess bereft. Loss, endless loss; Asherat's grief for her slain son Eshmun commingling withmy own. Joscelin's face by wavering flames, despairing; atorch, falling like a star. Kazan's brother, dying at the endof Kazan's sword. The cavern of the Temenos, the blood-guilt I wore like shackles. A curse undone and cast anew inbitter guise; a lost son, a lost lover.

 Bright and gleaming gold, the Dogal Seal slid over CesareStregazza's gnarled finger.

 Kneeling on the balcony, I pitched my voice toward the echo chamber.

 "O my Beloved, why do you forsake me?"

 They had wrought well, those masons who died to keepthe goddess' secrets; my own words startled me, vast and resonant, echoing from the vaulted dome itself into everycorner of the Temple. Somewhere, an earthenware vesseldropped and shattered.

 I think there was no one, in that instant, who did not raisetheir eyes to the apex of the dome, seeking the presence ofdivinity. And in that moment, two years' worth of carefulplanning, two years of hard-won allegiances bought andsold, began to unravel.

 "It is a sign!" Cesare Stregazza cried in his quaveringvoice, shoving the Dogal Seal back onto his finger and curl­ing his fist on the chair arm. "A sign!"

 "It is a trick!" Marie-Celeste Stregazza hissed, whirlingin her finery. I could only guess how her gaze scalded thePriestess of the Crown, the gathered Elect. "A trick, I say!Find it out and make an end to it!"

 I had guessed aright when I guessed her the cunning oneof the pair.

 The Priestess of the Crown, two of her Elect; heads turn­ing, seeking the balcony, slow-dawning comprehension on their features. Others followed their gazes. Reacting slowly,the Dogal Guardsmen began to move indeterminately, stillunable to see me.

 "What trick the truth, Serenissimans?"I called down tothem."Whom the goddess has chosen, She does not relin­quish living. You are here under false prophecy, Serenissi­mans. Marco Stregazza seeks to seize the Doge's throne tohis own ends, while Benedicte de la Courcel seeks the deathof his Queen."

 And with those words, pandemonium was unleashed.

 It was the Priestess of the Crown who reacted first,swiftly, casting out her arm to point at the balcony. "Anintruder dares blaspheme in the Temple of Asherat!" shecried. "Get her!"

 There was a pause, and then the Temple eunuchs movedto obey her, several on each side mounting the curvingstairs, ceremonial spears held tentatively before them.

 "Now, Joscelin," I murmured over my shoulder, rising fluidly to my feet. With a grim smile, he emerged from theecho chamber, Ti-Philippe on the other side a mere stepbehind him. Each of them took a post at the top of the twin stairs; narrow, winding stairs defensible from above by a single armed man. The attendants halted at the first curve,untrained to combat and fearful.

 Stepping into the balcony and laying my hands on therailing, I gazed down into the Temple. Let them see menow; it no longer mattered. In the milling crowd, the divi­sions nonetheless showed clearly. The captain of the DogalGuard and a full three quarters of his men looked to MarcoStregazza for guidance, while the others, bewildered, gazed from their commander to Cesare Stregazza to the other Ser-enissiman nobles who began to slowly size up the situation,one by one aligning themselves with the Doge, Cesare.

 Ysandre stood tall and erect, her face pale as her CassilineBrothers formed a square around her, vambraces and dag­gers crossed to defend. The D'Angeline nobles fell in be­hind, men-at-arms fanning out to protect them.

 The old, blind priestess Bianca raised two tremblinghands to the effigy of Asherat, her lips moving in prayer;with a shudder, she turned her sightless face to the Priestess of the Crown and began backing away from her, and threeothers of the Elect followed.

 And the D'Angeline guardsmen of the Little Court shiftedas if on cue into a tight knot around Prince Benedicte andhis lady wife.

 Melisande.

 She had turned and stood motionless, veiled featureslifted toward the balcony, and I knew behind the crystallineshimmer that her eyes were fixed upon my face. I stareddown at her, shuddering, my fingers clenched on the marblebalustrade.

 "Phèdre?" It was Ysandre's voice, at once sharp and per­plexed. "What in Elua's blessed name are you doing here,and what are you talking about? I thought you had gone to Ephesium!"

 "Your majesty," I said softly, not shifting my gaze. Even without the echo chamber, my voice carried at this height."You allowed me to go in search of the traitoress MelisandeShahrizai. And I have found her," I said, lifting one armand pointing directly at Melisande, standing proudly at Benedicte's side. "There."

 Although I cannot be sure, I am nearly certain I saw Mel­isande's head bow fractionally toward me in a duelist's nod;Iam certain that I saw her left hand move in a covertgesture, taken up by Marie-Celeste Stregazza and relayed tothe Priestess of the Crown, who nodded in the direction ofthe antechamber. Easy to see, from above, for one trainedto it; still, there was naught I could do. My lips shaped awarning shout, but already a nameless hand had slipped thebar of the great doors to the Temple of Asherat. "Rioters!" cried a high male alto from the antechamber, and acolytesand attendants began to fall back into the Temple proper asan onslaught of crudely armed workers and tradesmenpoured through the wide-flung entrance doors.

 That was when the fighting began.

 I daresay 'twas not so great an influx as the conspiratorsexpected. Now that the doors were opened, I heard the clashand roar of quarrel continuing in the Campo Grande andknew with a great surge of hope that Ricciardo had ralliedthe Scholae. Still, there was a determined core who pene­trated the Temple, and 'twas enough to set violence erupt­ing. Enemy or ally; who could say? I watched it all unfold from above, concentrating on Ysandre's Cassilines even astwo sets of attackers stormed the balcony stairs below me.

 The first, rioters with clubs and homemade weapons, Joscelin and Ti-Philippe turned back easily. The second was the Dogal Guard, and not so easy to disperse.

 "Pirate!" Joscelin cried over his shoulder, dodging in nar­row quarters and catching a sword-thrust on his crossed dag­gers. "Now!"

 With a whoop of exultation, Kazan Atrabiades led his Illyrians forth from concealment and they pushed their waypast Joscelin and Ti-Philippe, bucklers and short swordscarving a path down the curving stairs. Blood was flowing,spattering marble and stone. I heard pushing and shouting,the groans of the wounded. One of the Illyrians went down. Cursing, Kazan waded through the fray, shoving one of theSerenissimans and forcing him over the railing of the stair.

 And in the center of the Temple, a wedge of armed trades­men drove steadily toward my Queen's retinue, DogalGuardsmen loyal to Marco Stregazza falling back carefullybefore their onslaught. I marked the skill with which theyfought and the well-worn swords they bore, and guessed thatthese were not bribed rioters, but mercenaries with orders to attack Ysandre's party.

 The attempt was coming.

 No one was watching, though it was happening in plainsight. Marco Stregazza was shouting, trying to make himselfheard over the clamor, but my accusation had had its effect; support was beginning to ebb away from him and growing steadily around Cesare. "The Doge!" a voice bellowed, oth­ers taking up the cry. "Rally to the Doge!"

 Four Cassiline Brothers, a pair fore and aft, moving with uncanny fluid grace, a space around each where steel wovedeadly patterns around them.

 I watched them fixedly and Joscelin joined me on thebalcony, following my gaze while Kazan's men held thestairs. We both heard it the moment Marco cut his losses,gathering his breath and shouting loud enough to quell thefighting for an instant.

 "Serenissimans, we are betrayed! I have been deceived!Benedicte de la Courcel has betrayed me!"

 In the pause, the members of the Dogal Guard ceasedfighting among themselves and exchanged uncertain stares,their sundered loyalties reunited by Marco's defection. Itdidn't take long. With grim resolution, the Serenissimans turned as one against the entourage of the Little Court andthe surge of violence began anew.

 To his credit, Benedicte de la Courcel was no coward. Hehad been a hero, once, and a valiant warrior—eldest heroof the Battle of Three Princes, where his nephew Rolandehad lost his life. I do not think he reckoned to fight againin his twilight years, but he did, wresting his ceremonial sword from its jeweled scabbard and wielding it coura­geously in defense of his people ... and his wife.

 Forgotten, the Illyrians lowered weapons on the stairs,catching their breath. Those rioters, the true sons of theScholae with work-stained hands and bewildered faces, be­gan to retreat or flee, sensing their cause abandoned.

 Not so with the mercenaries, who continued to fight. I donot think they were skilled or numerous enough to havetaken Ysandre's guard. They didn't have to be. It wasn't thepoint. They were enough to press the D'Angelines, engagingthem—even the Cassilines, who had not yet drawn to kill. They wouldn't, in a Serenissiman temple, not without theQueen's order, unless her life was truly threatened. It was enough to maintain a cordon of safety around her.

 Ysandre's face was taut with fear and anger; mostly an­ger. Across the Temple, I stared at her, at her Cassilines.One by one I stared at them all, my gaze returning againand again to one in particular, in the forward left position,as I remembered an afternoon in the Hall of Portraits, wherethere hung the image of Isabel L'Envers de la Courcel, my lord Delaunay's enemy, the mother Ysandre so resembled.

 And there hung too a portrait of Edmée de Rocaille, Ro­lande's betrothed, the woman he would have wed if Isabelhad not arranged an accident.

 My mother was responsible for her death, you know.

 I knew; oh, how I knew! That death had shaped my lifein ways I could scarce encompass, forging Anafiel Delaunay, a Prince's beloved, into the man his enemies wouldname the Whoremaster of Spies; turning me, ananguissetteraised to serve pleasure in the Court of Night-Blooming Flowers, into one of his most subtle weapons.

 One death; so many repercussions.

 I stared at Edmée de Rocaille's brother.

 If I had not been watching him so hard, I might not haveseen it, the beginning of that fateful turn in the clear spacethat surrounded him, graceful and flowing, tossing his right-hand dagger in the air and catching it by the blade to makeready for the throw.

 "Joscelin!" I grabbed his arm with one hand, pointingwith the other. "There!"

 Joscelin had spoken truly; a Cassiline Brother planning toassassinate his sovereign would indeed be prepared to die.

 David de Rocaille was performing theterminus.

 SEVENTY-FIVE

 David de Rocaille!"Given from the balcony, Joscelin'sshout echoed from the vaulted dome as he hurtled into mo­tion, wrenching out of my grip and whipping past Kazan'sstartled Illyrians on the stair. At the far end of the Temple, the grey-clad figure faltered ... and continued onward withtheterminus, setting the blade of the left-hand dagger at hisown throat while his right arm cocked for the throw.

 Directly at Ysandre de la Courcel, the Queen of Terred'Ange.

 She hadn't even seen the danger, gazing instead at thebalcony with the frown of an embattled monarch, wonderingwhat new threat the outcry betokened.

 At the sharp curve in the staircase, Joscelin leapt onto the railing, catching himself to balance above the fray, flippingthe dagger in his right hand to hold it blade-first. David deRocaille did pause then, and I think for an instant their eyesmet across the crowded space. With a death's-head smile,the brother of Edmée de Rocaille looked at the Queen andmade to cast his dagger.

 And with a prayer that was half-curse, Joscelin threw first.

 I do not think it is stretching the truth to say that Cassielhimself guided Joscelin's hand that day, for it was an im­possible throw under impossible conditions. I cannot thinkhow else he made it. End over end, the blade flashed overthe heads of skirmishing guardsmen.

 Ready to die or no, David de Rocaille reacted on instinct,blocking the strike with one vambraced arm. Joscelin's dag­ger clattered against it and fell harmlessly to the floor. Slow to react, those nearest turned, uncertain what had happened.Closing his eyes briefly, David de Rocaille bowed andsheathed his daggers, reaching over his shoulder to draw hissword.

 With a wordless cry, Joscelin launched himself from therailing, scattering members of the Dogal Guard as he landed.

 I daresay he would have been slain then and there had hestood still for it, but he took them by surprise and, by thetime they responded, he was already halfway through themelee. I stood rigid with fear as he forced his way throughthem.

 In the uncertainty, David de Rocaille attacked—but hehad waited a heartbeat too long to seize his advantage.Shock and disbelief writ on their faces, Ysandre's other Cassilines closed ranks around her and faced their comrade.

 One died quickly, too slow to raise his guard, thinkingsomehow, still, that it was all a terrible mistake until David de Rocaille opened his chest with an angled, two-handedblow. The second fought better and might have lived longer if he had drawn his sword instead of trusting to his daggers;he went down when de Rocaille dropped to one knee and leveled a sweeping blow at his legs, finishing him as he fellwith a quick cut to the neck.

 By that time, Joscelin had arrived, and his sword sangfree of its sheath as he drew it. "David de Rocaille," he saidsoftly. "Turn and face me."

 The remaining Cassiline backed slowly away, coveringYsandre's retreat. In the stillness, David de Rocaille turnedto meet Joscelin Verreuil.

 Outside the practice fields of the sanctuary, where theyare raised and trained under the eye of the Prefect, no oneliving has ever seen two Cassiline-trained warriors do battle.It is a spectacle capable of bringing an entire riot to a stand­still—and that, in fact, is exactly what it did. D'Angelines,Serenissimans, mercenaries...all of them, quarrels laid by as they watched in awe, stepping back to give the combat­ants room.

 I gripped the balcony railing so hard my fingers ached, and watched it happen.

 It is to this day one of the deadliest and most beautiful things I have ever witnessed. Their blades flickered andclashed in patterns too complex for the eye to follow, whilethey moved through form after form, those movementsdrilled into them from boyhood onward. On his side, Jos­celin had the vigor of youth; but D'Angelines are not quickto age. De Rocaille was a man in his prime, his strength notyet faded, fighting with nothing to lose.

 "Anathema!" he hissed as their blades locked. "You be­trayed the Brotherhood for one of Naamah's pets!"

 "I honor my vow to Cassiel," Joscelin said grimly. "Howwill you answer for yours, oath-breaker?"

 David de Rocaille answered him with a clever twist, slip­ping his blade loose and stepping back to aim a great blow at Joscelin's head; Joscelin ducked and spun, de Rocaille'sblade passing harmlessly above his half-shorn hair, strikingon the rise at his opponent's midsection. The other parriedably and they fought onward, whirling and dodging. It was an odd-looking match, David de Rocaille the model of aus­terity and competence in his grey Cassiline garb and Joscelinin rough-spun attire, his tangled locks still streaked withwalnut dye.

 In that disparity, however, lay the other difference between them. For all that de Rocaille had twenty years onhim, the bitter wisdom of experience was Joscelin's. Davidde Rocaille had spent his life waiting attendance on the re­gents of Terre d'Ange.

 He had never drawn his sword to kill.

 Joscelin had.

 I'd been with him when he fought Waldemar Selig'sthanes, alone and unaided in a raging Skaldic blizzard, oneof his greatest battles still, and one unheralded by poets. Ihad been there when he fought the Tarbh Cró in Alba, de­fending with blood and slaughter myself and the family ofDrustan mab Necthana, who hailed him as brother for it.And I had been there on La Dolorosa, when he assailed it with bared daggers alone, fighting to win my freedom.

 He knew what it was to fight for love's sake.

 Slowly, ever so slowly, the tide began to turn againstDavid de Rocaille. He who had nothing to lose had nothing to gain, either, save death. Still the bright blades flashed,wielded in dueling two-handed Cassiline grips, subtle anglesand interplay half-lost on the watchers; still they maneu­vered around each other in a series of intricate steps and turns too numerous to count. But David de Rocaille had begun to despair, and it showed in his face.

 It was hard, Elua knows, harder than many things I have done, to turn away from that fight and gaze out over theTemple. Several hundred people with less invested in thatbattle could not do it.

 I knew who could.

 With their strength united under Cesare Stregazza's com­mand, the Serenissiman contingent had surrounded Benedicte's retinue. Most of those had surrendered by now, vastly outnumbered, and I saw a gathered knot around Prince Benedicte himself, fallen and bleeding from many wounds, his chest rising and falling slowly as he labored forbreath. I saw the mercenaries who had attacked Ysandre'sparty slinking backward along the Temple walls, making forthe exit. I heard the shouts and curses of the SerenissimanGuard outside the doors, now trying in earnest to keep outthe pressing citizenry and tradesfolk. I heard a rising mur­mur from the Temple and had to look back.

 On the floor, David de Rocaille mounted a furious de­fense, regaining ground, transforming his despair into wildenergy, going on the attack; he was smiling, now, withclenched teeth, the way a man will smile facing his death.Step by step, he forced Joscelin backward....

 This, I saw, and all of La Serenissima watching it. It hurtto look away again, but I did.

 And I saw Melisande Shahrizai in her blue gown andshimmering veil, calmly walking toward the antechamber,and no one at all watching her do it.

 Whatever happened, she would walk away free.

 On the floor, Joscelin retreated warily, alert and aware,the glinting line of his blade deflecting de Rocaille's blowsout and away, away from his body. He moved with care,placing his feet with precision, his body coiled and waitingas David de Rocaille spent his last, furious strength. Hewould live; he had to live. He had love at stake. I watchedhim with my heart in my throat. Surely, surely, that was victory writ in his gaze, biding and watchful.

 I closed my eyes and chose.

 "There is a thing I must do," I murmured unsteadily to Ti-Philippe, who had joined me in the balcony when Jos­celin went after de Rocaille. "For Fortun, for Remy...forall of us. Will you come with me?"

 He nodded once, grim as death, my merry chevalier. "Mylady, I have sworn it."

 "Then come."

 Trailing him in my wake, I hurried down the staircase,past Stajeo and Tormos, who had fought side by side at last,past Oltukh, who asked in a startled voice where I went,and plunged into the crowd, threading my way through thethrong. There is an art to it, as inmany things; 'tis one ofthe first things we are taught, in the Night Court, wendingour way amid patrons at the grand fetes. I took an indirect route, following the openings between tight-pressed bodies,ignoring exclamations as I passed. Once, I stumbled oversomething, and glancing down, saw 'twas Joscelin's fallendagger, kicked and forgotten by the spectators. Under coverof the sound of clashing steel, I stooped quickly andsnatched it up, hurrying onward.

 I had lost Ti-Philippe somewhere in the crowd, though I could hear him, by the fervid curses and explanations as the Serenissimans sought to detain him. If Melisande had takena less leisurely pace, the Dogal Guard might have takennotice, and stopped her...or she might have reached theantechamber before me. She did not.

 I got there first.

 Alone save for a cluster of bewildered acolytes, I put myback to the Temple doors and set myself in Melisande'spath, raising Joscelin's dagger between us, low and pointedupward as I had seen him do. Outside the door stood theSerenissiman Guard, keeping back the crowds of the CampoGrande. They would let her through, I thought; like as not,they had orders to do so.

 Melisande stopped and regarded me through her veil.

 "My lady Melisande," I said, trying to keep my voicelevel. It seemed impossible that I had spoken with a god­dess' echoing tones only minutes ago. "You will not leave this place."

 "Phèdre." There was a world of meaning in that one sim­ple word, my name, the entire battle in all its complex knotsof enmity and love, hatred and desire, that lay between us,invested with the faint amusement that only Melisande couldgive it, cutting to the marrow of my soul and dismissingaught else as incidental. "Will you do violence by your own hand to stop me?"

 I shut my eyes, not wanting to see how her beauty shonelike a torch behind the veil, and then opened them again,not trusting her out of my sight. I could hear, beyond thecrowd, a shift in the deadly music of swordplay. Now it wasthe offensive strokes that rang measured and true, a steady,patient stalking, counterbalanced with desperate, clashingparries. "If I must."

 "Then do it," she said simply, and took a step forward.

 I was already trembling before she did; I have killed one person only in my life, in my own defense, and he was notMelisande. She reached out one hand, caressing the naked steel of Joscelin's dagger, fingers sliding up to cover minewhere I clutched the hilt.

 "Will you?" she asked again, glorious eyes grave behindthe veil as she twisted the dagger in my grip, turning mystrength against me, my knees weakening at the touch ofher hand. My breath came in white flashes and I felt myheart beating overhard and cursed my own ill-starred birththat shaped me to give in to the will of Kushiel's mostsplendid scion. "Will you truly?"

 Somewhere, on the Temple floor, Joscelin was pressing his attack. I knew it, knew the sound of his blade-strokes,quickening toward victory. But it was very far away and myworld had dwindled to the scant inches that separated mefrom Melisande Shahrizaí. His dagger rose between us, herhand guiding mine, the dagger no longer pointed at Meli­sande. My limbs did not answer to my wishes, surrenderingto hers with a languor against which I struggled in vain.Gently, inexorably, the dagger rose, gripped hard in ourlinked hands, until its point rested beneath my chin, prickingthe tender skin.

 "Yes," I breathed, somewhere, distantly, appalled at myown response. Her scent surrounded me, rousing my desire,the warmth of her body devastatingly near. I raised my eyes to hers, feeling the dagger's prick, promise of the final con­summation between us. I thought of Anafiel Delaunay, lyingin his own gore; of Alcuin, raised as a brother to me. Ithought of Fortun and Remy, Phèdre's Boys, slain for theirloyalty. And though their shades cried out for vengeance, Icould not strike. Not her, not Melisande. In the end, I waswhat I was, Kushiel's Chosen. Strength was not my weapon;only surrender. Was Melisande's freedom worth Kushiel's torment to her? I tightened my grip on the dagger beneathher hand, raising my other hand to cover hers, forcing the sharp tip hard beneath my chin, willing to complete theterminusbegun so long ago on the fields of Troyes-le-Mont."Will you?"

 It only took a moment's hesitation.

 Melisande hesitated.

 "Immortali!"The name of the nobleman's club rang like a battle cry, and I knew the voice that uttered it; SeverioStregazza, bursting through the gathered ranks of Serenissimans to enter the antechamber with a grinning Ti-Philippe and several of his fellows in tow, swords drawn. "Drop thedagger," Severio said grimly, "and step away from her, Principessa! You have dealt enough poison to my family to lasta lifetime; sully it no further."

 At the same moment, a wild-eyed Ricciardo Stregazzaconvinced the Serenissiman Guard to admit him through theTemple doors, backed by an army of tradesmen....

 ... and somewhere, at the rear of the Temple, a great cryarose as Joscelin Verreuil's sword entered David de Rocaille's flesh, making an end to a battle I have always re­gretted missing.

 With a gesture of infinite grace, Melisande loosed her gripon the dagger and took a single step backward.

 It left me, terribly obviously, holding a dagger beneathmy own chin. I cast it down hastily. Mercenaries and rioters fled, an assassin thwarted, allies rallying, Benedicte defeated and Marco turned. I drew a long, shuddering breath. "Thankyou," I said to Severio. "I am in your debt, my lord."

 "Credit your fast-talking chevalier," he said shortly, and then nodded to Ricciardo. "Hello, Uncle. Aren't you sup­posed to be under house arrest?"

 Ricciardo was breathing hard; I learned later that he'dfought a pitched battle to win past the guards at his estate."The riot in the Campo Grande is contained," he said, ig­noring the question. "And the instigators in custody. Sev­erio, I'm sorry, but they willswear to your father's part init."

 After a pause, Severio nodded curtly. "You tried to warn me. Thank you." He turned to his fellow Immortali. "Escortmy maternal grandfather'swife to his side," he said withloathing. "Let her offer comfort in his agony, since she hasbrought him to this impasse."

 Melisande said naught to him. I remembered well his bit­terness at Benedicte de la Courcel's regard for his half-breedchildren and grandchildren; 'twas that cruel regard thatMelisande had turned, drop by drop, into the poison of trea­son. She would find no sympathy here. Without a secondglance, she went of her own accord.

 Ti-Philippe bent to retrieve Joscelin's dagger, thrusting it in his belt. "My lady," he said to me. "I think it is time wesaw our Queen."

 Whatever else was true of him, Cesare Stregazza had the stuff of command in him. By the time we made our way tothe center of the Temple, he had established the semblanceof order. Marco and Marie-Celeste knelt at his feet, pleading clemency for their part in the conspiracy, claiming they hadbeen deceived by Benedicte and his treacherous wife.

 His withered eyelids flickered; he did not give an inch."Is it true?" he demanded of Melisande, who stood tall andstraight beside the bleeding form of her royal husband.

 "Not in the least, your Grace," she replied calmly. "Yourdaughter-in-law herself bribed the Priestess of the Crown toensure the false prophecy and see to it that the rioters were admitted to the Temple. Two votes in the Consiglio Maggiore, I believe was the price. I would not stoop to blas­phemy."

 Marie-Celeste Stregazza drew a hissing breath and madesome sharp reply; I did not stay to hear it, for I had wonthrough at last to Ysandre's retinue. And there ...

 "Joscelin!" I flung my arms around him, assuring myself that he was alive and whole; and so he was, save for a fewminor wounds about the arms. He laughed at my onslaught,holding me off only long enough to kiss me.

 "You make a dramatic entrance, near-cousin," the Queenof Terre d'Ange said wryly.

 "Oh, Phèdre, get up." There was a familiar impatience inYsandre's voice; only a trace. "I'm sorry I doubted you. Youwere right, and more, and we will speak of it at length later.Come, you have earned the right to bear witness to thisencounter."

 I would rather not have gone, but one does not refuse anorder from one's sovereign. The throng of Serenissiman no­bles and guardsmen parted as Ysandre de la Courcel madeher way to her kinsman's side, and even the Doge fell silent. My struggle lay with Melisande, always Melisande; I had nearly forgotten that Benedicte de la Courcel was Ysandre's great-uncle, her nearest living kin on her royal father's side.

 She took his betrayal hard.

 "Why?" Ysandre asked, disregarding Melisande to kneelbeside him. "Why have you done this thing, Uncle?"

 Benedicte's eyes rolled in his head; his lined featuresworked, a bloody froth appearing at the corners of hismouth. They had laid him on a cloak of cloth-of-gold, andhe was not long for this world. His roving eye fell onSeverio Stregazza, standing close at hand, and contemptsuffused his face. "Barbarian ... blood ... tainting Elua'sline," he spat. "Bad enough here ... there ... blue-paintedbarbarian Pícti in your bed ..."

 It was enough; Ysandre straightened even as he seizedconvulsively, her face hardening. "Tend to him," she saidsharply to the Eisandine chirurgeon who travelled with her. "If he lives, he will face our justice." Her gaze fell on Mel­isande, who had drawn back her veil at last. For a longmoment, neither spoke. "Your life," Ysandre said at length,expressionless, "is already forfeit. As for your son ..." Shepaused. "As for your son, I will adopt him into my house­hold, and raise him as a member of my own."

 "Mayhap," Melisande said calmly.

 I laughed; I couldn't help it, a short, choked laugh. AndMelisande Shahrizai turned her glorious, unveiled gaze onme, raising her graceful eyebrows. "My lady," I said to her,filled with sorrow and impotent rage at the lives lost, theprices paid, echoing the words she had spoken to me in thethrone room of the Little Court. "We played a game. Youlost."

 In the silence of the watching Temple, Melisande smiled coolly at me. With Ysandre confronting her, with all of LaSerenissima watching, with Marco betraying her and Benedicte dying, Melisande Shahrizai made her reply with icy precision.

 "I'm not finished."

 That was when the bells began to ring.

 SEVENTY-SIX

 1 hings moved very swiftly.

 I knew, of course; I had to know. 'Twas one of the fewthings Melisande had divulged to me in my dreadful cell onLa Dolorosa.Four couriers on fast horses will depart La Serenissima the instant the bell tower in the Great Squaretolls Ysandre's death . . .

 To his credit, the Doge responded with shrewd celerity, ordering the bells silenced at once and dispatching the civilguard to the mainland to halt the couriers' flight. Thoughwe learned it later I daresay all of us knew it was alreadytoo late. In truth, he could have done no more. Melisandelaid her plans with skill. It had been too late when the firstbell pealed.

 Four couriers, with fresh horses on relay all the way to the City of Elua, bearing the spark of war. Ysandre heardmy news unflinching; at that point, she was inured to shock.

 "So Percy de Somerville will take the City," was all shesaid.

 "Mayhap." I said, glancing at Melisande. "And mayhap not, my lady." I thought of my own countermove, my Kritian missive, yet to play out, and kept silence for now.

 "My dear Queen," Cesare Stregazza offered. "I am griev­ous sorry at what has befallen here. What may be done topunish those responsible .. ." his quavering voice hardened,".... will be done, though my own son pay the price forit."

 "I ask only those born to Terre d'Ange for my justice,"Ysandre said grimly. "And the woman Melisande Shahrizaiin particular."

 "It shall be done," the Doge promised.

 Melisande's cool defiance had altered not a whit. "Andwill you violate the sanctuary of Asherat-of-the-Sea, yourgrace?" she asked him, lifting her chin and regarding him. "For such has been granted to me."

 Someone swore; later, I learned it was Lord AmauryTrente, who served as Ysandre's Commander of the Guardon theprogressus, "Elua's Balls! Surely you jest, lady!"

 "No." It took courage for the Elect priestess who spoketo do so. Although she was pale and quivering, she held her ground; not one of those who had stood with the Priestessof the Crown, but one who had recoiled in horror at herblasphemy. "The lady speaks the truth. We granted her sanc­tuary upon her arrival in La Serenissima. She claims it now,in Asherat's holy presence. I do swear it upon my vows; her claim is valid."

 Cesare Stregazza, still, by the grace of Asherat, the Doge,supported her claim, though it pained him to do it. He hadlittle choice, after what had transpired. Profanation of theTemple had brought down Marco and Marie-Celeste; theDoge could not indulge in it.

 Ysandre heard him out stone-faced.

 "While you linger here, you live," she said to Melisande."Do you set foot outside Asherat's grounds, your life isforfeit. Your holdings, your possessions, your son—all for­feit. Do you understand?"

 "Perfectly." Melisande inclined her head with a faint, se­cret smile.

 It gave me the chills.

 By now the situation was well in hand. The Dogal Guard had escorted its D'Angeline prisoners away, and physicianshad arrived, tending to the wounded. Ricciardo Stregazzaand his tradesmen provided invaluable support that day, qui etly and efficiently seeing to much that needed doing; andI was glad to see Severio working at his side. Their esteemrose that day in the eyes of La Serenissima, and rightfullyso.

 The body of David de Rocaille lay facedown, blood seep­ing onto the marble floor.

 I learned, later, how it had finished. He had known him­self beaten, at the end, and stepped into the killing thrusthimself. Better if he had lived to be questioned; I daresay he knew it. Joscelin had asked him how he would answer for his oath. He had answered with his life.

 Once Ysandre's Eisandine chirurgeon had done all shecould for Prince Benedicte, who was removed on a litterinto the Doge's custody, I had a quiet word with her, send­ing her to the balcony where Kazan and his men lurkedunobtrusively, forgotten for the moment. It was Volos whohad fallen, a deep gash on his brow splitting it near to the bone. Ti-Philippe had already made a hurried trip through the runnel, ordering the Yeshuites to disperse.

 He had less luck with the Illyrians.

 I approached Cesare Stregazza, curtsying deeply beforehim. He was in his glory, restored to a fullness of command he had not enjoyed for many months; his wrinkled, hoodedlids flickered to see me, and he looked amused. "So, littlespy! You have kept your pledge to me after all. Where isthe gift I gave you for it?"

 The collar of pearls, I remembered. It had saved my life,in a way, serving to identify me to Joscelin's Yeshuite seek­ers. "For that, you must ask the warden of La Dolorosa,your grace. If you would, I crave another boon."

 His brow creased with curiosity. "Indeed? Well, it seemsI must grant it. What is it you ask?"

 I took a deep breath, not entirely unmindful of the effectit had upon him. Joscelin stood behind me, one hand upon my shoulder. "Clemency, your grace, for those allies whoaided me in securing your throne. Your son Marco soughttheir deaths. Violence has been done. I would see them par­doned of all wrongdoing.”

 "Is that all?" The Doge smiled cunningly. "Then it shall be done."

 "You do so swear upon the altar of Asherat?" I asked.

 Cesare Stregazza waved his hand, the Dogal Seal glintinggold as he summoned witnesses. "I do so swear, Contessa,in the presence of Asherat-of-the-Sea, that I absolve ofwrongdoing in the eyes of La Serenissima all who aidedyou in thwarting this treachery. Does this satisfy?"

 "Yes, your grace." I nodded to Ti-Philippe on the bal­cony, and in short order Kazan appeared, sauntering downthe stairs and crossing the Temple floor, grinning fit to splithis face. "This is Kazan Atrabiades of Epidauro, your grace,who stands for his men. They will be grateful for your par­don."

 The Doge's wrinkled lips pursed with wry displeasure."The sea-wolf who has harried our ships these many years,"he said sourly. "I know the name. You choose your allies strangely, Contessa. I thought you meant yon bladesmasterhere, who gave us such a show."

 "Nevertheless," I said. "It required many allies to saveyour throne, your grace."

 He grunted, liking this no better than he had liked up­holding Melisande's claim; mayhap less. But for the samereasons, he had to do it. "I have sworn it."

 Kazan made him a sweeping bow, still grinning. "Ohmighty Doge, I am grateful, I! My poor mother, she givesyou thanks for your mercy, yes, to see her son come home alive."

 "Do not strain the limits of that mercy, pirate," Cesare Stregazza said, eyeing him sardonically. "It erases only thepast, and not the future."

 "Of course, mighty Doge." Kazan's high spirits knew no bounds, standing free and pardoned in the Temple of Ash­erat where he'd been given the opportunity to shed Serenissiman blood. "But who knows what the future will bring,eh?"

 With Joscelin's aid, I got him out of there before the Doge changed his mind, and made him an introduction to Ysandrede la Courcel, who blinked in startlement at his fearsomeappearance. "We are grateful for your aid, Lord Atrabiades,"she said formally. "I see by it that Phèdre nó Delaunay hasa great deal more to tell me of her adventures."

 "It is a long story, yes," Kazan said with considerableunderstatement. "Majesty, to your ears alone in this place,I tell you that I have acted, I, with the blessing of the ZimSokali, the Ban of Illyria. You will remember this, I hope, that my poor vassal nation offered aid to powerful Terred'Ange in its hour of need, eh?"

 "Yes." My Queen looked steadily at him, seeing past his fierce, mustached visage, his topknot and his dangling pi­rate's eardrops. It was the same clarity of regard that hadseen past Drustan mab Necthana's blue-whorled tattoos and clubfoot to envision a King worthy of sharing her throne one day—and worthy of loving. Bearing the weight of aclose kin's betrayal, a near-assassination and a realm threat­ened by siege, Ysandre de la Courcel stood unfaltering and inclined her head to him with dignity and gratitude. "I willremember it, Kazan Atrabiades."

 There was a reason, after all, I had risked my life forhers.

 Kazan made her a bow before departing, deep and sin­cere.

 The Illyrians withdrew through the tunnels, quick and ef­ficient, two of them carrying Volos between them. The chirurgeon had assured me that he would live, although thegash looked dreadful and he became nauseated whenmoved. I did not envy them that trip, though I was glad thatthey would ensure the Yeshuites had well and truly left, andthat they would free the poor eunuch Cervianus. I madeKazan promise he would be freed unharmed, since he could do us no damage now.

 We said our farewells then and there; I would seek himout at the Illyrian Ambassador's residence if I could, but Ifeared we would be departing La Serenissima in swiftness,and my duties to Ysandre would keep me well occupieduntil then. It had all changed so quickly, now that I wasback among D'Angelines, despite our politically precariousposition.

 'Tis a hard thing, to sever ties forged in powerful circum­stance. I thanked each of the men in turn—romantic Epafras, sea-loving Oltukh, the ever-quarreling Stajeo andTormos, Ushak with his jug-ears and poor Volos, who mus­tered a sickly grin—and gave them all the kiss of parting.

 And then Kazan looked wryly at me, running a lock ofmy hair between his fingers. "Stars caught in the night sky,eh, isn't that what that smooth-tongued son of Minos said?It has been a journey, since I plucked you from the waters, Phèdre nó Delaunay. I will not forget you soon, you."

 "Nor I you, my lord Atrabiades," I said softly. "Not soon,nor ever."

 "So it ends." He dropped his hand and glanced towardthe tunnel. "Best I go. If I do not see you again, may yourgods keep you safe. They and that tall D'Angeline, eh?" Heflashed his irrepressible grin. "Now that I have seen him usehis sword, yes, I think maybe it is not impossible!" At thatI laughed, and Kazan bent his head to kiss me farewell.Straightening, he took his leave, disappearing into the tunnel without looking back. For a moment, I heard Illyrian voicesechoing in the dark passageway, and then they moved on­ward, fading.

 I turned back to the Temple and my own people.

 Marco and Marie-Celeste Stregazza had been escorted outby members of the Dogal Guard whose loyalty had neverfaltered, under the watchful eye of Lorenzo Pescaro, whobore them no love. They were to be confined in their quar­ters until such time as the Judiciary Tribunal could meet.

 As for the Priestess of the Crown and her two alliesamong the Elect—Asherat's servants would take care oftheir own, meting out their own justice. I glanced at hertowering effigy and shuddered. I did not think Asherat-of-the-Sea dealt mercifully with those who betrayed her.

 But Melisande Shahrizai was under her protection. A bit­ter irony, that.

 In one quarter of the Temple, Ysandre de la Courcel heldan impromptu war council with her Commander of theGuard and the rest of her retinue. Joscelin was there, al­though Ti-Philippe was nowhere to be seen; I learned laterthat he had slipped back to the nameless isle to confirm thatthe Yeshuites had gotten safely away.

 The plan under discussion was the taking of the LittleCourt and our swift return to Terre d'Ange, for that, Ilearned was Ysandre's intention: to send her own Royal Couriers hard on the heels of Melisande's emissaries, to se­cure the Little Court and custody of Benedicte and Meli­sande's infant son, and thence to proceed in all haste toTerre d'Ange and the City of Elua, lending proof to hercouriers' proclamation that she yet lived and dealing withPercy de Somerville's insurrection.

 Word had returned, by now, that Melisande's couriers hadgotten away clean. With relays already in place, they mightgain as much as a day's lead on pursuers.

 "It won't be easy if de Somerville's encamped the RoyalArmy within the walls of the City." Lord Trente's expres­sion was grim. "He only needs a few hours to take it bytreachery. And once it's done, his men might stand by himeven with your return, your majesty, if it's a choice betweenthat or hanging."

 "And if we offer clemency to all who were duped?" Ysandre inquired thoughtfully.

 Lord Trente shrugged. "Mayhap. De Somerville willclaim 'tis a trick. And without an army at hand, we'll behard-pressed to get close enough to give the lie to it. They'llbe wary; they'll have Barquiel L'Envers' blood on theirhands."

 I cleared my throat. "My lady...it may prove otherwise.Elua grant it arrived, I sent a message to your uncle theDuc, bidding him hold the City against all claimants, in­cluding Percy de Somerville. If he will heed the passwordof House L'Envers, he may do it."

 Ysandre stared at me. "You did what?"

 I repeated my words, adding, "It would have been delivered first to the Lady of Marsilikos, by way of a courier-ship from the Archon of Phaistos, my lady."

 "Phaistos," Ysandre said blankly. "Phaistos is a city, is itnot, on the isle of Kriti?"

 "Yes, my lady." I felt a fool, though there was no reasonfor it. "Do you think he will honor the L'Envers' pass­word?"

 Ysandre's lips moved soundlessly. "The password," shesaid at last. "Where did you—no, never mind. Yes. Hemight. He should. It will make him harder to kill, at anyrate." She stood a,little straighter, as if the burden on her shoulders had lessened. "Amaury, how many men will it require to secure the Little Court?"

 "A hundred more than we have here," Lord Trente replied promptly.

 "Good. We shall ask the Doge. And then," the Queensaid, "we shall proceed."

 With the situation under control, Cesare Stregazza will­ingly lent the aid of several squadrons of the Dogal Guard,and it was with these that Ysandre's forces swept the LittleCourt, securing it from bottom to top. I was there, alongwith Ysandre's ladies-in-waiting and other noncombatants, because in the end, there was no place in La Serenissimaanyone reckoned safer. And we had Joscelin to ward us.

 It was a small garrison that held the palace; many had accompanied their lord and lady to the ceremony of inves­titure, and were already under guard. Although I saw noneof it, some of Benedicte's D'Angelines fought and wereslain. It was a clean death, I suppose, which is why theychose it. Others surrendered, placing themselves at Ysandre's mercy rather than submit to the Doge's. These were held in secure quarters in the Little Court, which included a dungeon cell outfitted as a luxurious pleasure-chamberwith tapestried walls, plush pillows strewn on thick rugs anda well-stocked flagellary.

 I went to see it; I had to, although I could not say why.Joscelin went with me and looked at me without speakingas I stood in the hallway and shivered, watching as a half adozen guardsmen were herded inside.

 "This was meant for me," I said eventually.

 "Melisande." He said it quietly; I nodded. "But she sentyou to La Dolorosa instead."

 "Yes." I gazed at the torchlight gleaming on rich fabrics; soft, pleasurable textures. "In order that this would seem paradise by comparison. And it would have." I touched my bare throat where her diamond had once hung and shiveredagain. "I'd made up my mind to take her offer, Joscelin.The very night you came. This is what you spared me."

 Wisely, he said nothing more, but only took my arm anddrew me away.

 Once the palace of the Little Court was safely held, a pairof Royal Couriers was dispatched to be carried by swiftgondolini to the mainland, where another, smaller portionof the Queen's retinue was encamped and the horses pas­tured.

 Still, the search of Benedicte's palace continued, super­vised by Amaury Trente. Even after the Dogal Guardsmenwere dismissed with thanks, the search continued until at last Lord Trente reported to Ysandre, now ensconced inPrince Benedicte's throne room.

 I had returned from my sojourn to view Melisande' s dun­geon and waited attendance on the Queen, along with Jos­celin and a handful of other D'Angeline nobles. I saw thetaut futility etched in Lord Trente' s face as he made his report, shaking his head.

 "I am sorry, your majesty," he said. "But the babe is not here."

 SEVENTY-SEVEN

 Sometime in the middle of the night, word arrived fromthe Dogal Palace that Prince Benedicte de la Courcel had died of his injuries.

 Ysandre heard out the news with no more than a nod, andwhat she thought of it, I never knew. It was a mark of her character that she bore out these dreadful betrayals without succumbing to the desire for vengeance. Over furious pro­test, she had made arrangements for the body of David deRocaille to be returned home by ship and buried on hisfamily estate.

 "He sought my life in exchange for his sister's death," she said implacably. "Let it end here." And insofar as Iknow, it did, save for those events already in motion.

 Ysandre's search for Benedicte and Melisande's son wasanother such mark of character, although there are thosewho claimed—and always will be—that she sought thechild's life. It was not so. At a little over two years wed,Ysandre and Drustan had not yet conceived. With Prince Benedicte dead and his daughters by his Serenissiman wife disgraced, the lines of succession were clear. BarquielL'Envers, however much she trusted him, whatever his am­bition, had not a drop of Courcel blood in his veins; and House Courcel held the throne of Terre d'Ange.

 Until the Queen conceived, the infant Imriel de la Courcelwas her heir.

 I do not think Ysandre intended him to inherit—she wasyoung, and had every hope of yet bearing children of herown—but she had spoken truly in the Temple of Asherat-of-the-Sea. Rather than allow another blood-feud to fester,she would take the child into her household and see himraised with honor and respect, thwarting whatever hopesMelisande Shahrizai harbored of her son eventually cleavingHouse Courcel in twain.

 It might even have worked.

 The babe's nursemaid gave her testimony in stammeringD'Angeline, over and over. All she knew was that she'dbeen given orders to see him made ready to be taken to the ceremony of investiture, fed and rested ere dawn and swad­dled in cloth-of-silver. One of the Princess' attendants, a man she knew by sight, but not name, had come for thebabe, and she'd given him into his custody. Neither man norchild were seen again.

 We had a clear description of the infant from numeroussources: a babe of some six months' age, with fair skin, a dense crop of black hair and eyes the hue of blue twilight.By all accounts, Imriel de la Courcel was a beautiful babe—unmistakably, his mother's son.

 And just as unmistakably, he was missing.

 The following day bore strange, familiar echoes of the aftermath of the battle of Troyes-le-Mont as the denizens of the Little Court were brought before Ysandre for hard ques­tioning. A few were detained, but most appeared genuinelyignorant of Melisande's identity and Benedicte's betrayal.None of them had knowledge of the missing heir. Last time,I had faced questioning too; this time, I stood beside Ysandre's throne, watching and listening for the telltales of a lie. In the matter of the child, I saw none. Melisande's contin­gency plan was cloaked in secrecy.

 Ti-Philippe returned quietly in the small hours of themorning, reporting with weary relief that all the Yeshuites had gotten out safely; I was glad to hear it, and Joscelin allthe more so. One day, a party of Serenissiman Yeshuiteswould indeed depart for the far northern lands, where thesun never sets in summertime but shines day and night uponthe snowy vistas, and they would be led by a young mannamed Micah ben Ximon, who fought with crossed daggersthat shone like a star in his hands—but that is a story for another day, and not mine to tell.

 I was just glad it was not Joscelin's.

 A long night, and a long day to follow it. I made a report in full to Ysandre at one point, detailing all I could remem­ber from my arrival in La Serenissima to my return and myappearance in the balcony. It took the better part of twohours, and Ysandre's Secretary of the Presence, the LadyDenise Grosmaine, wrote furiously the entire time, quillscratching against the parchment. I'm not sure which of uswas more tired when I had finished. Ysandre merely looked at me with her brows raised.

 "Blessed Elua and his Companions surely watch overyou, Phèdre," she remarked. "For I cannot think how elseyou are alive to tell me this."

 "Nor can I, my lady," I said wearily. "Nor can I."

 She took my hand, her gaze turning sober. "And over me,Phèdre nó Delaunay, to have given me such a servant as no mortal deserves. Anafiel Delaunay swore an oath to my fa­ther out of love. I did not ask you to keep it in his name. Nonetheless, know that I am grateful for it, beyond the tell­ing of words. His memory lives in your deeds. I will notforget either."

 I nodded, unable to speak for the tears that choked me. Ysandre smiled gently, squeezed my hand and released it, and I gave silent thanks to Blessed Elua that he had sired aline that had begotten this scion, worthy of serving.

 If not for the incipient war unfolding at home, we wouldhave lingered longer in La Serenissima. There were a goodmany affairs to be set in order, not the least of which wasthe inheritance of the Little Court. With Benedicte's daugh­ters both accused of treason and his infant son missing, thelines of succession pointed clearly to Severio. I spoke on his behalf, for I reckoned I owed him as much—he hadsaved my life, after all—but in the end, Ysandre elected toappoint a member of her own entourage, the Vicomte deCherevin, to serve as steward of the estate until the matter was settled.

 'Twas a dangerous post, and he accepted it with equanim­ity, knowing full well the risks entailed. De Cherevin wasa man who had served under Ganelon de la Courcel as Am­bassador to Tiberium, and he was unwaveringly loyal andwise to the ways of Caerdicci politics.

 Even so, it took two full days to take care of the businessof securing the Little Court and gain the Doge's approvalof the arrangements. On the second day, Ricciardo and Allegra Stregazza came to call upon the Queen of Terred'Ange.

 Ysandre received them unhesitatingly, based on their ownactions and my advice as well, if I may say so. Ricciardo'sprestige and that of the entire Sestieri Scholae had risensince the melee at the Temple; he was accorded a popularhero, for defying his brother to put down the riots. Ysandre dealt graciously with them, and it did my heart good to seeAllegra Stregazza's face alight at being thanked for herrole—for it was she who had received my message hiddenin the Yeshuite scroll and persuaded Ricciardo to action.

 "Comtesse de Montrève." They paused upon leaving theaudience, and Ricciardo stooped to kiss me in gratitude."You have preserved my life, and more," he said fervently."If there is aught I can do for you, name it."

 "There is, actually," I said, glancing at Allegra. "My lord,in Terre d'Ange, the Servants of Naamah are protected bysecular guild-laws. I have noted in La Serenissima how thecourtesans' quarter is despised, one of the meanest sectionsof the city. If you would honor me for what I have done,mayhap the courtesans of La Serenissima might be brought within the fold of the Sestieri Scholae. If it is their will topursue this occupation, let them be trained and educated,and accorded guild-laws for their own protection and ben­efit."

 Ricciardo responded with open-mouthed surprise, but I saw a glimmer of daring and comprehension in Allegra'seyes. She had studied the ways and manners of Terred'Ange, envying our freedom in matters of love; if therewas any woman in La Serenissima who would be willing to undertake the elevation of the courtesan class, it was AllegraStregazza.

 'Teach them to read and write, the gentle arts of poesyand conversation?" she asked, smiling a little. "Those skillsreckoned unfit for noblewomen?"

 "Yes, my lady." I smiled back at her, inclining my head."Precisely."

 Ricciardo closed his mouth and swallowed, looking at hisgracious and capable wife. "Comtesse," he then said to me."In your honor, I shall so endeavor."

 "I am glad to hear it."

 And indeed, in this matter, Ricciardo Stregazza kept hisword, creating a legacy that lived on after his death. Although no courtesan of La Serenissima would ever rival the Servants of Naamah—even in its decline, the Court of Night-Blooming Flowers remained unparalleled—they be­came in time a byword for wit and elegant pleasure inCaerdicca Unitas. Or at least the women did, I should say,for no self-respecting Caerdicci man would prostitute him­self.

 Once it became evident that the search for Imriel de laCourcel was fruitless, Ysandre sent to the Temple of Asheratto arrange for a meeting with Melisande Shahrizai. To mydismay, it was her will that I attend. Her reasoning was thatI knew Melisande's mind better than anyone else; my re­calcitrance had much to do with that same fact.

 Nonetheless, I went.

 Some of my possessions had been recovered from thequarters of Marie-Celeste Stregazza; not what I had lost atLa Dolorosa—those things I never saw again, including thegreat collar of pearls given me by the Doge—but the itemsseized from my rented house on the canal. It included aportion of my wardrobe, some of which had been altered to fit Marie-Celeste, ever greedy for the latest of D'Angeline fashion, and some of which had not, for lack of matching fabric. There was considerably less of me to cover.

 Mysangoire cloak was among the items retrieved, too.That I did not wear, but folded carefully at the bottom ofmy trunk. I could no more bring myself to discard it thancould Marie-Celeste Stregazza. Anyway, it had been a gift from Delaunay.

 Also included was the signet ring of Montrève, which Ireclaimed with no little relief, not so much for its own sake as for the memory of my lord Delaunay, who never wore it as was his right. It was fortunate that I never wore it either,the ring being too massive for my finger, or it too would

 have been lost at La Dolorosa. The ring, Marie-CeJeste had

 kept out of practicality and not greed, using it to set my seal to a handful of forged letters such as the one, I had learned, which convinced Ysandre that I had gone to Ephesium inpursuit of the rumor of Melisande's presence. Ti-Philippehad a jeweler in the Little Court repair the chain on whichJoscelin'skhai pendant had hung, and had the signet ofMontrève strung on it that I might wear it about my neck. I wept when he showed me what he'd done.

 Thus was I garbed in my own attire, one of those splendidgowns made for me by Favrielle no Eglantine, and bore theinsignia of my title against my skin when I faced MelisandeShahrizai. It helped, a little, to remind me that I was indeedthe Comtesse de Montrève.

 Not that it mastered much, where Melisande was con­cerned. But it helped.

 The mood within the Temple was sombre and well itmight be, for we had heard the rumors filtering through theLittle Court. The Priestess of the Crown and the two Electwho had aided her in blasphemy were dead, executed inaccordance with Temple ritual. Asherat's vengeance wasswift and sure, and their blood had darkened her altar. Pass­ing her effigy, I averted my eyes. By their laws it was just,but I did not like to think on it.

 We were escorted into a salon within the rear of the Tem­ple; a pleasant room set about with couches, with a small fountain lending the sound of falling water. Flanked by priestesses and attendants, adorned in blue robes and the shimmering veil, Melisande received us like a Queen in herown right.

 Ysandre de la Courcel took a seat opposite her without being asked. The rest of us—which included myself, Joscelin, Lord Trente, Lady Grosmaine, two guardsmen andYsandre's surviving Cassiline—remained standing.

 "Your majesty." Melisande made a graceful gesture of acknowledgment, her tone pleasant and unconcerned. "Towhat do I owe this honor?"

 "I want the child," Ysandre said calmly. "What have youdone with him?"

 "Ah." Behind the veil, Melisande smiled, and I knew herface was alight with intelligence. "My son. He is safe, yourmajesty. I thank you for your concern."

 "I am not playing a game, Lady Shahrizai." The Queen'svoice hardened. "I am not playingyour game. I am actingin the interests of the realm; no more, and no less. Where is the child?"

 "The realm," Melisande said wryly. "Indeed. Is it in theinterests of the realm that a single monarch hold the throne?Blessed Elua did not think so; 'twas his Companions whoparceled the realm in jealous pieces. You seek to hold aprize given you by accident of birth, Ysandre de la Courcel.I seek to claim it by right of the wits with which I was born. Even the Doges of La Serenissima can point to the mandateof popular election to justify their power. Do not tell me you do not play my game."

 Ysandre paled; I do not think she had truly crossed wits with Melisande before. Nonetheless, she retained her com­posure. "I have neither the time nor the will to engage insophistry. If it was your wish to reform the D'Angeline sys­tem of governance, you have gone about it in a passingstrange manner. The penalty for what you have done, you know full well. I am offering to spare your son the taint ofit and see him raised to the honor that is his due."

 "My wish? No. I merely observe that what we seek is not so different. Now you seek to claim my son for your house­hold." Melisande leaned back against the couch, relaxed. "And what do you offer for him, your majesty? My free­dom? The restoration of my titles and estates?"

 The Lady Grosmaine's quill scratched on parchment asshe recorded their exchange. Amaury Trente made a noise deep in his throat. "No," Ysandre said finally. "Neither."

 Melisande's brows rose beneath her veil. "No?" sheasked, mocking. "You offer... nothing? Then does it sur­prise you that I offer nothing in response?"

 "Do you care so little for your own flesh and blood?"Ysandre asked harshly. "You are bound here until you leaveor die, Melisande Shahrizai, and it is already decreed thatthose things are one and the same. I will make no bargainswith condemned traitors; and yet you are a mother, are younot? To your son, I offer stature, honor in the eyes of therealm, his rightful role at court. Will you damn him to alifetime as a pawn? Will you hide behind Asherat's altarand watch while he is made a playing piece for lesser handsseeking to seize the same prize you sought?" Her mouthcurled in contempt."Love as thou wilt. The precept ofBlessed Elua is lost on one such as you."

 "Do not presume to teach me to love!"

 There was an echo of power in those words, sending ajolt the length of my spine. I took a sharp breath, glad ofJoscelin's hand resting on the small of my back, steadying me. I was aware, horribly aware, of the way Melisande's veiled eyes flashed with passion.

 "Do you truly think I would allow you to raise my onlychild and turn him against me, Queen of Terre d'Ange?"she asked softly, rising from her couch with deadly grace."No. Oh, no. There has been no animosity between us. Ihave always understood, if you have not, that we played agame. Do you take my son, we become enemies."

 Ysandre drew back, but did not quail, answering steadily."You have sought to tear the realm asunder, MelisandeShahrizai. I have always considered you an enemy."

 "Have you?" Melisande gave her a cutting smile. "Fortwo years, I have held your life in my hand. If it was onlythat I wanted ..." turning her head, she reached out to touchthe breast of Ysandre's surviving Cassiline Brother with el­egant fingers, "... I could have taken it at any time. But Isought the prize, your throne. And for that, I needed to choose a time when I could control the events that fol­lowed." Her smile froze in place. "Believe me, your maj­esty," she said, "you do not want me to regard you as myenemy."

 The Cassiline, whose name was Brys no Rinforte,breathed hard, hands twitching above his daggers, sweat beading his brow as he struggled to remain impassive. LikeJoscelin, he had witnessed one of his Brethren betrayhisoath in the most incredible fashion, and he knew full wellMelisande was the reason, if not the cause.

 "Let him be."Joscelin's sword rang free of its sheath andhe pointed it full at her, eyes grim and implacable. "I havefaced damnation from more angles than you can number,Kushiel's scion. One more is of no account. Leave be."

 "Cassiline." Melisande regarded him coolly, fingertipsstill resting on the Brother's heaving chest. "Have you faced the loss of your beloved Phèdre's affection? For surely youwill earn it, if you take my life."

 He looked at me; they all looked at me, even the priest­esses and attendants, and I could not think for the clamorin my head, the sound of my blood beating in my ears. I pressed my fingers to my temples and shouted, "Sit down!"

 No one sat, but Melisande took a step back and lowered her hand, gesturing for me to speak. Brys no Rinforte ex­haled; the Secretary's pen scratched. Ysandre watched with­out speaking. I looked at Melisande.

 "My lady," I whispered. "You know what we seek. Isthere any price not named that you will accept?"

 I had not planned it, this offer; if I had thought on it, Iwould have faltered. And yet it was a bargain that had lainon the table between us since those dreadful days and nightswhen I languished in the prisons of the black isle.

 They treated her as royalty, here in the Temple of Asherat—and how not, for she was, noble-born, with a court­ier's deadly skill and a mother bereft of her son besides. I had spent many a dark night on La Dolorosa; I knew theextent of Asherat-of-the-Sea's grief. I knew what it meant to those who served the goddess. They would shelter her,for so long as she desired. And they would accommodate her, if she wanted me. Not a small price, no; but mayhap worth it, if it bought peace.

 It would bring an end, at last, to the chain of blood-guilt I had seen my life's course forging in the cavern of thethetalos.

 There was that.

 Slowly, regretfully, Melisande Shahrizai shook her head,setting the blue-black curtain of her hair rippling down herback. "No," she said softly. "Not for this. Not for my son."

 I heard Joscelin release a long-pent breath and I straight­ened, turning to face my Queen. "You have asked." Mycomposed voice sounded like a stranger's to me. "You havebeen answered, your majesty. Will you hear my counsel?"

 "I would," Ysandre said.

 "Go home, your majesty," I said simply. "There is a gamebeing played out whether you will it or no, and naught tobe won here. Percy de Somerville moves against yourthrone, even now awaiting word that flies to him on wingedhooves. Go home, and defend it."

 Ysandre heard me out expressionlessly, and nodded once,rising. "My offer stands," she said to Melisande. "For now.Remember that I have made it." And without waiting for aresponse, she swept out of the salon, members of her retinue falling in behind her. Melisande remained standing, watch­ing her go, thoughtful behind her gleaming veil.

 I gazed at her one last time before I turned to follow myQueen, and what she was thinking, I could not say. Even indefeat, Melisande was unhumbled. Wrenching my gazeaway, I followed the departing retinue, and Joscelin's handrested on my elbow, guiding me when my feet stumbled,anchoring me, his love the dagger by which I fixed the com­ pass of my heart.

 In the Temple proper, Lord Amaury Trente railed against the newly annointed Priestess of the Crown, she who hadspoken in defense of Melisande's claim of sanctuary andstood now in the place of her predecessor. "Her life is forfeitby D'Angeline law!" he shouted, venting futile anger. "Howcan you defend such a one, whose honeyed tongue has shedmore blood than a warrior's blade?"

 Although she was young enough to tremble, she was oldenough to stand her ground, raising her chin. "Only thosewho transgress against the Goddess may we punish, and thatwe have done in accordance with Her laws. Asherat's regardfavors the cobra as well as the lion, my lord. By what au­thority do you claim otherwise?"

 Caught up in my own turmoil, I turned away without awaiting his answer, nearly fetching up against another priestess. This one I knew, old Bianca with her milk-whiteeyes. Joscelin, hard on my heels, plowed into me from be­hind as I halted.

 "Ah," the ancient woman said, satisfaction in her tone asshe raised her hand to feel at my features. "Elua's child,who did his Mother's bidding and cleansed Her household.Truly, you bear Their fingerprints on your soul, child!" Shechuckled to herself, "The gods themselves cannot keep Theirhands off you. And your faithful shadow, bound to you inlight and darkness. Shall I tell your fortune, since you havestood in the place of the Oracle and wrought ours?"

 Shivering under her touch, I welcomed the solidity ofJoscelin's presence behind me. "Keep your pomegranates,old mother! Let the gods choose some other vessel for achange, and look to their own. I have done my share."

 "Neither the fruits of the soil nor the flesh are needed totell your fate," Bianca said complacently, withered fingertipsresting on my skin. "Serve true, and remember what othershave named you; ten years' respite shall be yours if youdo." Her hand fell away and she blinked like a child, sight­less and bewildered. "Thus I am vouchsafed to say, and nomore."

 "Thank you," I whispered; what else was I to say? Stoop­ing—for age had wizened her so that her head reached no higher than my chin—I embraced her, feeling her bones as frail as a grasshopper. "Blessed Elua keep thee, old mother.It is time for me to go home."

 So it was that our audience ended and I left the Templeof Asherat-of-the-Sea for the last time, following my Queenout of the shadow of its domes into the waiting sunlight. Ihad kept my vow, made in the watery depths. It was fin­ished, and I felt no victory, only loss and confusion. Mem­bers of the Queen's party were tired and frustrated, balkedby the Temple's protection of Melisande and fearful of whatlay before us.

 And yet, with undaunted strength, Ysandre de la Courcelraised her head, gazing unerringly in the direction of home.

 "You spoke truly," she said. "We ride for Terre d'Ange."

 SEVENTY-EIGHT

 It took yet another day to make ready our departure.

 There was no time for me to seek out Kazan at the IllyrianAmbassador's; I had guessed aright, on that score. I did seeSeverio Stregazza, who was present at the Little Court to consult with the Vicomte de Cherevin. Although Ysandrehad deferred judgement on the matter, it was tacitly assumed that the claim would eventually be settled in Severio's favor.

 It was an awkward meeting, though I was glad he re­quested it.

 "I cannot exactly thank you for bringing destruction to my family, Phèdre nó Delaunay."

 "I know," I murmured. "I would that it had been other­wise, Severio. But—"

 He cut me off with a gesture. "I know. What my fatherdid was treason. What my mother did was blasphemy. Bythe grace of Asherat or Elua or Baal-Jupiter, or whosoeverwatches over me, I am enough unlike them to hate them forit. And yet they are my parents, and I was raised to honor them." He sighed. "You did what was right and necessary.I only wish it had not been."

 "What will happen to them?"

 "Imprisonment is likely." Severio shrugged. "Perhaps ex­ile. It depends on the Judiciary Tribunal's findings, on themood of the people and the Consiglio Maggiore, my grand­father's wrath, and too," he added quietly, "it depends onTerre d'Ange."

 I knew what he was thinking, although neither of us saidit. Marco and Marie-Celeste were not accused of plotting tokill the Doge, merely to supplant him. Their part in the conspiracy to assassinate the Queen of Terre d'Ange was agraver charge. But if matters went ill at home...if Ysandrelost the throne, no D'Angeline voice would call for Serenissiman justice. It would be Percy de Somerville who ruled,in the name of the rightful heir, Prince Benedicte's son. Andif he called for anything, it would likely be the freedom ofthe infant heir's wrongfully accused mother. 'Twas no won­der Melisande was prepared to wait.

 "Terre d'Ange stands under the rule of Ysandre de laCourcel," was all I said.

 "Truly, I hope so. I am weary of intrigue tearing my loy­alties asunder." Severio took my hand, face somber. He hadgrown a great deal from the rough-tongued young noblemanI'd met at the Palace. "Phèdre, I do not know if events to come will make enemies or allies of us. If Ysandre falls ...I must stand with La Serenissima, and the city will follow where profit lies. Whosoever rules Terre d'Ange, trade mustcontinue. But know that I will always think fondly of you,and I am sorry for what passed between us before."

 "I owe you my life," I said to him. "For that, among otherthings, I will always be grateful, Prince Severio."

 At that he smiled, a little bit. "You taught me to be proudof my D'Angeline heritage, Phèdre nó Delaunay, and to gaze at those parts of myself I despised without fear. Itwould not, I think, have been so ill a marriage." Bowing,Severio released my hand. "Luck to you, my lady," he said softly. "And warn your Queen not to look to the Doge over-long for support. Once she's left Serenissiman soil, Grand­father will wait to see how matters play out."

 I'd never doubted it; but then, Severio was a slow learnerin the family business of intrigue. I prayed he remained thus,for he was a better person for it. "Thank you, my lord, andBlessed Elua keep you in his regard."

 This was my final farewell in the city of La Serenissima,for we departed the next day at dawn, escorted on theDoge's mighty ships to the D'Angeline encampment on themainland. My heart swelled to see the bright silken tentswith all their pennants fluttering, glossy-hided horses at pas­ture, hundreds of D'Angeline faces waiting expectantly!

 So many ... and yet so few, when one reckoned the odds. The entourage of theprogressus regalis numbered a mereseven hundred, of which nearly two hundred were household attendants, cooks, grooms, seamstresses, hairdressers,poets, musicians and the like. Two dozen noble peers, men and women alike, accompanied the Queen; the number setdown in ritual centuries ago. Some had brought their fam­ilies and men-at-arms. It made me nervous to see childrenin the entourage—for there were several—knowing the dan­ger we were leaving behind, and the danger that lay ahead.

 Theprogressus has never been intended as a show ofD'Angeline force in Caerdicca Unitas; it is an act of respect and mutual trust. No monarch has undertaken it when thecity-states were at war—which is one reason it had not been done in so long—and no monarch has undertaken it withoutbeing secure in the knowledge of D'Angeline loyalties beingunited behind them, promising dire retribution on any nationthat dared threaten theprogressus. Although there werevalid political reasons behind it, most especially the need to rebuild the Caerdicci alliances whose absence was evincedduring Selig's invasion, I do not think Ysandre would havedone it if it had not been for the steady urgings of Benedictede la Courcel.

 The Queen's Guard—the Queen's Guard numbered only five hundred men. And one hundred of these would remain in La Serenissima to secure the Vicomte de Cherevin's ste­wardship of the Little Court.

 If there was a good face one could put on it, it meant thatwe would be able to move swiftly, retracing a course acrossthe Caerdicci peninsula strung with alliances solidified mere days and weeks before. Elua willing, they would provide uswith aid in the matter of supplies and fresh horses.

 Ysandre held a brief meeting with her Captain of theGuard and his four remaining lieutenants, her Bursar andthe Master of Horse. Whatever transpired, it did not fare well—a tent affords poor insulation for voices raised inheated argument. I know that Ysandre left the meeting inconsiderable temper, a flush of color on her high cheek­bones, and Amaury Trente stormed angrily about the tents, calling for the encampment to be struck.

 It was done in record speed, supply wagons loaded, trainordered and formed. One of the Master of Horse's assistants found mounts for Joscelin, Ti-Philippe and me; there wereriderless horses aplenty, since the guardsmen remaining inLa Serenissima would have little use for them. There werecarriages for some few members of the party, but most rodeastride, as Ysandre preferred to do on the road.

 We were assigned a position in the ranks of peers behindthe Queen, surrounded by a cordon of her Guard. No onehad bothered to tell us the plan of action; the chain of com­mand had slipped by us, having never included us in thefirst place. Ti-Philippe tolerated this for all of a half-hour'smarch before he began querying the guards and learned thatwe were headed to inland Pavento, two days away. TheQueen's emissaries had already ridden ahead to alert the Principe of the city.

 It was Ysandre's intention to leave the nonessential mem­bers of the entourage quartered safely in Pavento, and ac­quire stores to proceed with all speed to Terre d'Ange byway of Milazza. Lord Trente's quarrel was not with this, it seemed. According to the rumors Ti-Philippe garnered, theQueen was refusing to consider his adamant advice that sheraise a Caerdicci army to accompany us into Terre d'Ange.

 In truth, I didn't know what to think; I was glad enough,for a change, to have no decisions on my head. We travelledbriskly along the well-built Tiberian road, wrapped in cloaksagainst the autumn chill. Despite everything, I could nothelp but feel a certain joy. I was young and alive, and I hadJoscelin and Ti-Philippe at my side. As much as we had lost—and I grieved anew every time I thought of Remyand Fortun—none of us had thought to set out on this home­ward journey. Whatever lay at the end, every step of it wasa blessing.

 For Ysandre de la Courcel, it was another matter.

 "It will be a risk just crossingthe border," Jocelin mur­mured to me that night, as we lay together in the smallsoldiers' tent allotted to us; there was a sufficiency of those, too. "With four hundred men? It wouldn't take much for deSomerville to lay a trap.”

 "De Somerville doesn't know she's alive," I remindedhim. "Though I wouldn't put it past Melisande to havethought of it anyway."

 "No." He propped himself up on one elbow, regarding me in the faint light our campfires cast through the oiledsilk of the tent. "Would you truly have gone with her, if shehad asked it?"

 I heard the change in his voice; we hadn't talked about itsince that fruitless meeting in the Temple of Asherat. Therehad been little privacy and less time. I laid my hand on his warm chest, feeling his strong heart beat beneath it. "I don'tknow," I said truthfully. "Joscelin, it would have made anend to it and laid the foundation for peace. For that... may­hap, yes."

 There was more to it, for it had to with what happenedon Kriti; I had seen the darkness of my own soul, and Icould never close my eyes to it. And I am ananguissette,when all is said and done. For these things, I lacked words.One cannot speak of mysteries. Still, Joscelin had been apriest in his own right—and he knew me.

 He was silent for a moment, winding a lock of my hairabout his fingers. "The Yeshuites promise it," he said atlength. "Complete absolution. I thought about it. In the end..." He smiled wryly. "In the end, I chose as I willalways choose. It frightens me to think that one day she willask, and you do not know what you'll choose."

 "When you threatened her, Melisande named a price youwould not pay," I said. "I set one that she will not. Shewould play the game of thrones with Kushiel himself; shewas willing to risk sacrificing all her plans to do it. Not her son. The child is a double-edged weapon, Joscelin. It isknowledge, and worth having."

 "Phèdre nó Delaunay," he whispered, drawing me closer,"does your mind never cease?"

 "Sometimes," I admitted. "If you—"

 I didn't need to tell him that, either, for although it too is a mystery in its own right, it is Naamah's mystery andits knowledge is vouchsafed to all lovers if they will butaccept it. In the old days, we would have quarrelled bitterlyover what had happened in the Temple. Now, Joscelinheeded Naamah's wisdom rather than Cassiel's logic, andsilenced me with a kiss, setting about doing those things which caused my mind to cease working altogether.

 On the second day, we reached Pavento and were metoutside the city walls by an honor guard sent by the Prin­cipe, Gregorio Livinius. While an encampment was set upin the fertile fields surrounding the city, Ysandre and a hand-picked company of nobles—which included me—were escorted inside.

 It is a pleasant city, Pavento, although I saw little enoughof it. We rode straightaway to the palace of the Principe, wrought of grey stone quarried from the mountains to thenorth, but softened by brightly-woven tapestries; they arefamous, in Pavento, for their dyes.

 Gregorio Livinius was a robust, energetic man in his mid-forties. He had been eager to secure ties with Ysandre, hop­ing to better his city's fortunes through increased trade withTerre d'Ange. It had fallen off in the years of Skaldic raid­ing threatening the overland routes, but since the defeat ofWaldemar Selig, the Skaldi had withdrawn their aggres­sions.

 It was to our fortune that Principe Gregorio remained ea­ger to support this fresh alliance, although he bargained hardfor the price of his aid. Most of what he demanded, Ysandregave unhesitatingly. In exchange, he would provide stores for our journey and open the city to her entourage, givingsafe haven to nigh onto two hundred folk—"Anyone whocannot hold a sword," Ysandre said grimly.

 There were exceptions, of course; as the Secretary of the Presence, the Lady Denise Grosmaine was bound to accom­pany the Queen, and some few of the grooms, attendantsand cooks were reckoned vital, as was the chirurgeon.

 And there was me, although I was not reckoned vital.

 In the end, it was sheer pleading that swayed her; twoothers among her ladies-in-waiting accompanied her, too,for she could scarce refuse their pleas having heeded mine.

 Ysandre would fain have left us all. Fewer to endanger;fewer to protect.

 "My lady," I begged, kneeling before her. "I have beendeceived, imprisoned, bludgeoned, near-drowned, abducted,storm-lost, driven nigh out of my wits and held at knife­point. If you grant me nothing else,let me go home!"

 "Phèdre," Ysandre sighed. "The more I try to set you outof harm's way, the deeper in it I find you. All right. Likeas not, you'd only turn up with an army of brigands at yourback if I tried to leave you. You may come." She cast anacerbic eye at the high-spirited Baronesse Marie de Flairs, already moving to add her plea to mine, and the Lady Vivienne Neldor a step behind her. "Elua, enough! My lord Cassiline, will you take responsibility for their safety?"

 At her side, Brys nóRinforte looked queasy; but it wasJoscelin the Queen had meant. He took a step forward, bow­ing deeply with crossed vambraces. I had washed most ofthe dye from his hair at the Little Court, and trimmed theends so that he looked somewhat presentable. "Your maj­esty," he said calmly. "I will."

 So it was decided, and Joscelin Verreuil placed in com­mand of those men-at-arms attendant on the Queen's ladies.If I feared they would balk at it, I was wrong, for his battlein the Temple with David de Rocaille was already spokenof in hushed murmurs. Ti-Philippe bore it with amusement when he learned of Joscelin's appointment. The days of an­ imosity were long gone between them, replaced by bondsof mutual respect.

 Ysandre asked no military aid of Principe Gregorio, andif Lord Trente bridled at it, he held his tongue; Pavento wassmall, and had few troops to spare. His hopes were pinnedon Milazza, and the argument remained open between them.

 The other piece of good news to come from our sojournthere was that Melisande's couriers had not stopped tospread word of Ysandre's supposed assassination. 'Twould have slowed their course, but it would have made ours moredifficult in turn, taking the time to lay the rumors to restand convince potential allies that our position remained tenable. As it was, Ysandre needed to offer no explanation savethat rumor of a minor rebellion at home had reached herears, necessitating a speedy return.

 That was the good news.

 The bad news was that Principe Gregorio had received notice that a pair of D'Angeline riders had been found slainon the road slightly west of Pavento, apparently the victimsof robbers. Although they had been stripped of their be­longings and apparel, we knew them by description—RoyalCouriers, the both of them.

 Plans within plans and traps within traps; Melisande hadanticipated well. No one bore word ahead of us save her hand-picked couriers.

 And their lead had lengthened to a good five days.

 SEVENTY-NINE

 We left Pavento in haste, unburdened of wagons and car­riages, pushing our mounts as fast as we dared go. In con­sultation with the Master of Horse, Lord Trente haddetermined that we were better off conserving our own an­imals than seeking fresh mounts for four hundred and someriders.

 There was no longer any hope of averting treachery.Whatever would happen, would happen; Melisande's cour­iers would deliver word to Percy de Somerville well aheadof our return. If the Kritian ship had arrived safely, Roxannede Mereliot had a full report of de Somerville's betrayal—what she could do about it, I could not say, save pass onmy warning to Barquiel L'Envers and other known allies ofthe Queen, and mayhap begin preparing for war. Quintilius Rousse would lend his aid, but there was little enough theNavy could do on land.

 It was no simple matter, for de Somerville held the RoyalArmy at his command, and was the sovereign Duc ofL'Agnace as well. Without proof—and a considerable forceat their disposal—they could not arrest him out of hand.And if Ghislain was with him, it meant Azzalle was in re­bellion. With Azzalle threatening Namarre's borders, Barquiel would have no support from his own province; indeed,with the news of Ysandre's death, he would find little aid forthcoming from any quarter. The City of Elua would beislanded in the heart of de Somerville's forces.

 Of course, if the Kritian ship had not arrived, he wouldbe dead.

 The reality of the threat awaiting us upon our return hadcome home with the death of the two Royal Couriers. Atbest, we faced a nation on the brink of civil war. We madegood speed across the Caerdicci peninsula during that wildjourney, and a mood of grim determination united our com­pany.

 Many years later, I learned that there are stories still toldof the ride of Ysandre de la Courcel's company along theold northern route in Caerdicca Unitas. It was in truth a sightto behold. The Queen's Guard wore gleaming armor withsilver inlay, and surcoats of deep-blue with the swan insig­nia of House Courcel; a dozen and more pennants flutteredin the breeze above us, marking the noble Houses that rodewith Ysandre, and the gold lily of Elua on a field of greenabove them all. 'Twas where we passed without pause that rumor grew, telling of a fell company with a dire light shin­ing on their faces, riding fey and terrible without need for sustenance or sleep, and the beautiful Queen who led them ever onward, onward.

 I daresay I laughed when I heard these tales; the commonfolk do not tell them where we made camp for the night,the Bursar bartering with shrewd farmers for use of theirfields and streams while four hundred weary and saddle-soreD'Angeline soldiers waited impatiently for orders to dis­mount, cursing the packhorses milling about and foulingtheir lead-lines. And yet there is a truth to it, after all.

 It took us a week's time to reach Milazza, and our sup­plies from Pavento held out long enough. Amaury Trentemisliked our bypassing cities along the route, forsaking thepossibility of raising a Caerdicci army; that much was clear.He had great hopes of Milazza, which lies closest to the inland D'Angeline border of all the great city-states.

 Ysandre remained adamant.

 "No," she said succinctly. "Whatever else I do, I willnotbring a foreign army onto D'Angeline soil, Amaury."

 He disheveled his hair, frustrated. By midday tomorrow, we would reach Milazza, and he had counted on convincingthe Queen ere now. "Majesty, with a thousand additionalmen, you can march safely into Eisande—and the Duke of Milazza can spare them, easily. In Blessed Elua's name, willyou not hear reason?"

 "Reason this, my lord Trente," Ysandre said in an im­placable voice. "Percy de Somerville cannot hope to swaythe whole of the Royal Army and the people of Terred'Ange against me unless he makes them believe me a trai­tor. A Caerdicci army would give him that proof."

 "He doesn't even know you're alive!" Amaury shouted, clutching his hair.

 "But he will," Ysandre said softly. "He will hear the re­ports and he will know, though he may deny it and nameme an imposter. Shall I be so naive, to assume de Somervillehas not planned for the contingency of failure?"

 Amaury Trente sighed and dropped his hand to rest on the map spread on the camp-table beside the central firewhere Ysandre held her war council. "All right," he said. "All right. Then let us at least make haste to Liguria, andtravel by ship to Marsilikos, where we will find safe harborand allies aplenty."

 "My lord Trente." Ti-Philippe cleared his throat apolo­getically at his glare. "Forgive me, but I have been a sailorall my life, and I tell you this; it is perilous late in the season to make that crossing. You will be hard-pressed to find suf­ficient ships willing to make the journey."

 I shuddered inwardly at the thought of yet another dan­gerous sea voyage, and held my tongue. Amaury pounded his fist, making the map jump.

 "Is there no other way?" he demanded. "Surely, there mustbe some means of crossing onto D'Angeline soil that is bothfeasible and acceptable, Ysandre!"

 The Queen's face was set and stubborn in the firelight,and I knew that she would hear no arguments that did notinvolve riding straight for the City of Elua to set mattersaright. Edging around her advisors, I gazed at the map be­neath Amaury's clenched fist.

 Remember what others have named you...

 "My lady," I said. "There is a way, if you will hear it."

 Ysandre gave me a sharp look and inclined her head. "I am listening, Phèdre."

 "If we travel north from Milazza and cross the borderhere, in the foothills," I said, tracing a path with one finger,"we enter Camlach, under the warding of the Unforgiven.See, here lies the garrison of Southfort."

 "Camlach!" Amaury Trente said in disgust. "The BlackShields have betrayed the Queen once already, Comtesse. What makes you think they will be less swift than de Somerville's forces to do it again?"

 "I will stand surety for it with my life, my lord," I saidsteadily. "Whatever politics de Somerville has played with them, the Unforgiven have sworn an oath unto the death toredeem the sin of that betrayal. And because they havesworn to the way of expiation ..." I cleared my throat, "... they have sworn to obey my lord Kushiel and his chosen."

 Beside me, Joscelin stirred, remembering. Ysandre lookedhard at me.

 "You would offer your sovereign Queen and rightful rulerof Terre d'Ange the protection of soldiers sworn to obey ananguissette?"she inquired dryly. I felt color rise to mycheeks.

 "My lady—" I began in a faint voice.

 "Well and good." Ysandre cut me off, gazing into thedistance, and I understood then that she had not spoken in mockery of me—and I saw, too, that 'twas no mere stub­bornness that held her to this course. It is said, at times, theScions of Elua could hear his call; I do believe Ysandre heard it then, calling her home to his City. "It is my prideand folly that has brought us to this pass. If I had heededyour fears long ago, I would not have gone trusting to LaSerenissima. Let us choose the way of expiation, and placeourselves in Kushiel's hand. The Unforgiven shall form ourpoint guard, and escort us to the City of Elua."

 "The Unforgiven have sworn on Camael's sword to ward the borders of Camlach for all time!" Amaury Trente sighedagain. "And you granted them that right, Ysandre. If theyprove loyal, do you think they will be lightly forsworn?"

 "Sometimes," Joscelin murmured, "one must break oneoath to uphold a higher."

 "Yes." Ysandre turned her gaze back to me. "What doyou say, Phèdre nó Delaunay? It is you who shall commandthem, and not I. Kushiel's chosen has the right to ask what the Queen of Terre d'Ange does not. Will the Unforgivenobey?"

 I saw in my mind Tarren d'Eltoine's face washed by fire­light, calm and implacable. Kushiel's hand need not know its master's bidding, he had said to me; but I had enduredthe mysteries of the Temenos since then. I knew what I did,when I asked men to break their oaths and march toward death. Kushiel's hand, they had called me; but in Phaistos,a slave-girl had named melypiphera, the pain-bearer. "Yes,my lady," I said softly. "They will obey."

 Thus it was decided that we would ask only hospitalityof the Duke of Milazza, and a replenishment of our stores. There, we were received with much fanfare, and our entkeparty ushered into the gates of the city, a gilded canopyborne over the head of Ysandre de la Courcel as we paradedthrough the streets to enter the mighty keep of the Castello.It is a vast, walled fortress encompassing an entire park,with tall, sturdy towers at every corner.

 The Duke of Milazza was a slow, shrewd man, and Icould see he wondered at Ysandre's haste and her story.Iwill say that she faced him down magnificently, cool gaze and raised chin giving not an inch before his suspicion; and I thought, too, that she had chosen wisely in refusing to ask him for troops. It was his Duchess, who was a noblewomanof an ancient Tiberian line, who intervened, calling upon thelaws of hospitality to uphold Ysandre's request.

 So we were feasted in the Castello, and the Duke opened his stores and promised guides to show us the quickest waythrough the foothills of the Camaelines. I think Amaury Trente repented his eagerness to rely on Caerdicci forcesthat day, though he never admitted as much. Still, 'twasthere for all to see, how swiftly the proffered hand of an ally may be withdrawn when one's fortune turns.

 In the morning, we departed for Camlach.

 Of that journey, I will say little. I have crossed the Ca­maelines before, at their highest peak in the depths of win­ter. It was a dreadful journey, and one on which I thoughtI might die or simply give up several times daily. If thiswas considerably less harsh, it was by no means pleasant. Idug mysangoire cloak out of my bags and wore it atop thewoolen Illyrian cloak, shivering under both. I daresay weall would have flagged on that journey, were it not for Ysandre de la Courcel, who endured the same hardships and ig­nored them all, gazing westward with the fixed intensity of a sailor following the Navigator's Star. Like the others, Ihuddled atop my mount and followed after her, blowing onmy near-frozen fingers. I'd have laid down with Selig him­ self for a pair of Skaldi mittens on that journey.

 Joscelin, of course, was bright-eyed and alert, breathingin the mountain air and looking about him. He was bornand bred to the mountains of Siovale, which are at least asrugged as these foothills. I hated him a little for that, and took comfort in knowing that Ti-Philippe did too.

 Our Milazzan guides—hill-folk themselves, fur-clad andsilent—melted away as we drew near the border, pointingout the last pass with quick bows. Ysandre's Bursar tossedthem some silver coins, which they caught adeptly beforedisappearing.

 We filed through the pass in a long line, our tired horsesstumbling.

 Terre d'Ange, I thought. I was home. No matter what elsehappened, we had at least come this far. Others felt thesame, for I heard more than one voice offer a breathedprayer of thanks.

 It was only minutes before a lone sentry spotted us.Amaury Trente rode after him, shouting, but too late; the sentry mounted at lightning speed and set off on his freshhorse. Lord Trente was soon left wallowing in his wake anddrew up. I leaned on my pommel, glad of a moment's rest,and looked up to find Ysandre gazing at me.

 "It is your plan, Phèdre," she said. "What would you haveus do?"

 "Follow him," I replied wearily. "And let me ride at thefore, my lady. I have promised to stand surety for this plan."

 Ysandre paused, and nodded; Amaury Trente's advanceguard parted to make a passage. I rode to take my place atthe front of the party, with Joscelin at my side, my Cassilineshadow, pausing only to give a few words of instruction toTi-Philippe and the other men-at-arms who warded Ysandre's ladies.

 So we rode onward.

 It was late afternoon when the scouting party found us,and the sun slanted low and orange through the pines. They had chosen their spot with care; a narrow bottleneck in thestony path, leaving our party strung out in a straggling linebehind us. Twenty of them, crossbows at the ready, in well-worn armor with black shields hanging at their sides. I knew how skilled their formations were. A dozen men would suf­fice to hold us here for the better part of an hour, while theothers raced to report; doubtless the garrison had alreadybeen turned out and was on its way.

 "Who are you, who have entered unbidden ontoD'Angeline soil?" one of the foremost asked, his voice muf­fled by the visor of his helm. "Name yourselves!"

 I nudged my horse forward, fearfully aware of the barbedquarrel of his crossbow pointed directly at my heart."Mylord guardsman, I am Phèdre nó Delaunay de Montrève," Isaid aloud. "I ask safe passage among the Unforgiven forher majesty Ysandre de la Courcel, the Queen of Terre d'Ange.”

 There was no echo of Kushiel's bronze-edged thunder tomy words, no hint of scarlet haze to my vision; only myvoice, thin and tired in the cold air. Nonetheless, the leader checked, putting up his crossbow. A murmur arose, beforeand behind. He lifted his visor and rode forward, setting hishorse sideways to me as he leaned in the saddle, peering at me. Beside me, Joscelin tensed, his hands edging for hisdaggers. Low sunlight glanced off his vambraces, and one of the Unforgiven exclaimed.

 "My lady!" The leader of the scouting party's eyes wid­ened; he had seen my dart-stricken gaze. Before I couldspeak he had dismounted, kneeling in the snow-dusted pinemast. "Kushiel's chosen," he murmured. "We are yours tocommand."

 Once again, I sat bewildered as, one by one, the Unfor­given dismounted and bowed their heads, kneeling to me,and this second time was no less strange than the first. Iturned in the saddle to meet the steady, violet gaze of myQueen, who had chosen to risk her very throne at my word. I turned back to face the Unforgiven.

 "Take us to Southfort," I said. "I have a favor to askCaptain d'Eltoine."

 EIGHTY

 Tarren d'Eltoine received us with hospitality and no littleawe.

 "Majesty," he said bluntly, going to one knee and bowinghis head to Ysandre. "Forgive my surprise, but we did notlook to see you alive. I received word two days past thatyou were slain in La Serenissima, and your uncle the DucL'Envers had seized the throne and sealed the City."

 Tears of relief stung my eyes. "It's true?" I asked, heed­less of protocol. "Barquiel L'Envers holds the City ofElua?"

 D'Eltoine opened his mouth to reply, then glanced atYsandre, who gave a brief nod. "Rise, Captain, and tell uswhat you know," she bid him.

 This he did, in the crowded council room of the Southfortgarrison, while members of the Queen's party and the Unforgiven alike pressed close to hear the news. "Majesty, Idon't vouch for the truth of it, but this is what I was told.Six days ago, Prince Benedicte's couriers brought the newsthat there had been rioting in La Serenissima, and you had been foully murdered as part of a conspiracy headed by thenewly elected Doge's brother, with the aid of a Cassilinetraitor. They carried orders to his grace the Duc de Somerville to secure the City's safety, for Prince Benedicte would be following in all haste. Lord Percy immediately began tomove his troops from Champs-de-Guerre, and, begging yourpardon, majesty, your uncle Barquiel used his authority asRegent to stage a coup and seal the City against him."

 "And now?" Ysandre asked grimly.

 The Unforgiven Captain shrugged, spreading his hands."L'Envers had a fair number of his own men in the City,and it seems the Palace and City Guards are loyal to him.Enough to hold, for a time. The Royal Army is encampedat the very walls of the City; Lord Percy is reluctant to use siege engines against the jewel of Terre d'Ange. It is hishope that the City will surrender and give over your unclewhen Prince Benedicte arrives."

 "Prince Benedicte isn't coming, my lord," I said softly."You guessed rightly when you guessed I went hunting trai­tors. I found them."

 He was silent for a moment, and when he spoke, his voicewas heavy. "Prince Benedicte?"

 "Yes." I felt pity for him; he would take it hard, havingserved already under one traitor. "He was one. I sought themissing guardsmen of Troyes-le-Mont, do you remember? Ifound them in La Serenissima, in the LittleCourt of Benedicte de la Courcel."

 Tarren d'Eltoine was not a slow-witted man. He lookedat me with a flat gaze. "Who sent his couriers to Lord Percy,the Royal Commander, and not the Queen's chosen regent.”

 "Yes, my lord," I said. "I am sorry."

 "You are certain?"

 "We are certain," Ysandre interposed in her cool voice,though there was compassion in her expression. "It wasPercy de Somerville who enabled Melisande Shahrizai's es­cape." And she told him, then, the whole of the story, be­ginning with de Somerville's complicity in the schemes of Lyonette de Trevalion, all the way through Melisande's blackmail, her deception in La Serenissima, Prince Bene-dicte's betrayal, the plots of the Stregazza, David de Rocaille's attempted revenge for his sister's long-ago death, and the missing heir, Imriel de la Courcel.

 D'Eltoine's mien grew stony with gathering anger, re­flected in the faces of all the Unforgiven. "Majesty," he saidwhen she had finished. "My couriers are at your disposal.They will carry this story the length of Camlach, and toEisheth, to Namarre, to Siovale, that you might begin raisingan army to move against Lord Percy—"

 "No." Ysandre shook her head. "While I am Queen, I willnot instigate civil war in Terre d'Ange. I ride to the City ofElua, Captain, to claim my throne."

 He stared at her; behind me, I could hear Amaury Trenteheave a sigh. "What would you have me do, majesty?" d'Eltoine asked, bewildered.

 I stepped forward. "My lord Captain," I said formally."You told me once that the Unforgiven had sworn to obeyKushiel's chosen. This thing I ask, in Kushiel's name: That your company lead her majesty the Queen to me City ofElua."

 "Leave the borders?" Tarren d'Eltoine blanched. "Comtesse, we have sworn an oath to Camael as well, to ward the passes against the Skaldi for as long as we shall live. Do you ask us to abandon this trust?"

 "You have other recruits to man the garrisons, and theSkaldi have retreated far from our borders," I said to him."The threat to the realm lies now at its heart, my lord, andthe path to your redemption lies in facing betrayal, not the Skaldi.”

 He looked away from me, murmuring, "What you ask ishard,anguissette."

 "Yes." Though I ached for his pain, I did not waver. "Iknow."

 For a long moment, he said nothing, then gave at last abrusque nod. "Majesty," he said to Ysandre. "Grant me aday, to assemble the Unforgiven. We will escort you to theCity of Elua."

 So it was decided, and riders set out within the hour,racing north to carry word to the garrisons' relay stations. Iknew well how swiftly the Black Shields could muster. Forour part, we took our ease as best we could in the confinesof Southfort and beyond, establishing a campsite for thebulk of Amaury Trente's guard.

 With a decision made and a plan to implement—even a foolhardy one—our spirits were strengthened. It was, after all, somewhat of a homecoming; and we were D'Angeline. Kegs of wine were brought forth and heated in vast kettles above the hearth, mulled with spices, to be shared amongguardsmen and soldiers alike, and those few of us who wereneither. One of the grey-haired ex-soldiers who served as asteward to the garrison brought out a lap-harp in fairly goodtune, and Marie de Flairs and Vivienne Neldor took turnsat singing and playing. Ysandre's ladies-in-waiting had en­dured the journey without complaint, and I had come toadmire them both. I daresay their efforts did a good deal to raise the spirits of the Camaeline soldiery, still reeling from our news. We who had been on the road had had longer tobecome accustomed to it.

 Ysandre was closeted with Captain d'Eltoine, Lord Trente and their various subcommanders, plotting a detailed courseof action. I did not regret being excluded from these strat­egies, being content to leave it to the heads of state for once.

 asthe evening wore on, the dice emerged, as is wont tohappen when wine and soldiers are gathered in the same place. I watched Ti-Philippe relieve one of the Unforgivenof a month's pay, chuckling as he threw the winning roll.He looked almost as he had in earlier days, when Remy andFortun were alive, and it heartened me to see it. I said as much to Joscelin, who agreed.

 "I never reckoned him much more than a brash fool, be­fore," he said soberly. "I thought he entered your servicefor a lark. But I was wrong, he's steadier than I everguessed. He was the one kept the Yeshuites together whenwe attacked La Dolorosa, and he deserves most of the creditfor getting us back alive, at that; I was half out of my wits,thinking my attempt to rescue you might have caused yourdeath. It nearly did, too."

 I thought of Melisande's luxurious dungeon beneath theLittle Court and shivered. "Saved me from a fate worse thandeath, more like. Elua knows what would have happened ifyou hadn't come that night. I don't, and I'm glad of it."

 Ti-Philippe scooped up his winnings, stuffing coins into the bulging purse at his belt. A silver regal tumbled free,rolling across the floor. It glinted in the torchlight like thosecoins the Bursar had thrown to our Milazzan guides. I bent to retrieve it. 'Twas a new-minted coin, one of the first of Ysandre's regency, depicting her seated in profile with thelily of Elua on the reverse. It was a good likeness;D'Angeline artisans are skilled at such things. I gazed at it,remembering Kazan and his men casting coins bearing the proscribed image and arms of the Ban of Illyria into silveringots. After having met him, I do not think I would haverecognized Vasilii Kolcei from his face on those coins.

 But I would recognize Ysandre de la Courcel from thisone. I remembered the Master of Ceremonies preparing forDrastan mab Necthana's entrance into the City, and how Ihad ridden in a merry party with Nicola L'Envers y Aragon,who handed coins to children along the way and bid themto hail the Cruarch with flowers, while I taught them a greet­ing in Cruithne.

 "My lady Phèdre." Ti-Philippe gave me an amused bowand held out his hand. "My winnings, if you please."

 "Philippe!" Startled out of my reverie, I glanced at him."May I keep this for a while?”

 He tossed his dice in one hand, grinning. "Will you playme for it, my lady?"

 I raised my eyebrows and smiled. "If you wish."

 I daresay it was luck as much as anything else that won me the roll, although Kazan's men had taught me well. Ti-Philippe surrendered the coin graciously and the soldierslaughed as I tucked it in my kirtle.

 Joscelín looked quizzically at me. "Phèdre nó Delaunay,what are you about now?" he asked, stroking my hair.

 "Oh, nothing." I leaned against him, enjoying the warmthand solidity of him. "I have an idea, that's all."

 "It seems I've heard those words before," he said wryly.

 In the morning, I sought an audience with Ysandre andher now-joint Captains of War. Amaury Trente clutched hishair and stared at me in disbelief. Ysandre made no re­sponse, but looked inquiringly at Tarren d'Eltoine. Andd'Eltoine, in turn, paced back and forth in the council cham­ber, scowling.

 "You know this is insane?" he demanded, fetching upbefore me.

 "It's merely a thought, my lord," I said, subdued. "It was my understanding that one of the chief difficulties lay inestablishing the Queen's identity before de Somerville can brand her an imposter."

 "It is." The Unforgiven Captain closed his eyes. "It'sjust..."

 "Will it work?" Ysandre asked.

 He opened his eyes. "It might."

 "Open the treasuries." Her voice brooked no argument."Turn out the guards' purses. As many coins as you havewith my likeness, I shall repay at double their worth. Cap­tain, any means of succeeding without bloodshed, I will at­tempt, including this."

 "As you wish, majesty."

 It was a considerable haul, all told, for the garrisons ofCamlach were not poor, and the soldiery had little on whichto spend their pay during the cold months. I felt a little sickwatching the preparations, for this was wholly mine ownidea. If it failed, I could not blame it on the promptings of any god. Then again, if it failed, likely enough we were doomed anyway. A mere six hundred, riding against thewhole of the Royal Army, who numbered into thethousands—and no one knew yet whether or not Ghislain de Somerville was involved, or how. The Unforgiven had no news out of Azzalle.

 For all his protests, Lord Amaury Trente implementedYsandre's orders with dogged efficiency, and I could seewhy she had chosen him as Captain of the Guard for herprogressus. Ysandre was never one to seek unquestioning obedience, merely loyalty. He had that, and to his credit,not one of his guardsmen faltered in following, though I am sure many of them thought it folly.

 I worried more about Brys no Rinforte, her Cassilineguard, who followed her like a haggard grey shadow. Davidde Rocaille's actions had shocked him to the core, and I didnot think he had recovered from it; those who are too rigid in their beliefs will break rather than bend with fortune'sblows. I know it worried Joscelin too, but there was naught he could say that the man was willing to hear.

 By contrast, the Unforgiven grew steadily firmer in theirresolve as more and more of them poured into Southfort throughout the day, ultimately accepting the dire news and the hard task I had set them with fierce Camaeline deter­mination. Although I understand little enough the desire toseek glory in battle, I understood the hunger for redemptionwhich drove them. My lord Kushiel is a harsh master, buthis worship has ever served a purpose.

 Tarren d'Eltoine had his day, and when the sun rose onthe following day, the full company of Black Shields hadassembled at Southfort. It was in itself a heroic effort,though they have their own means of communicating andtravelling at speed through the foothills of the Camaelines,a system laid down by Isidore d'Aiglemort when he formedthe Allies of Camlach.

 It was a cold, crisp morning when we departed fromSouthfort, still and windless, the sky a brilliant blue overhead, our breath emerging in gusts of frost. Ysandre de laCourcel gave a short speech ere we departed, seated astrideher favorite grey palfrey, her purple cloak flowing over itshaunches and the morning sun gilding her fair hair.

 "It is our purpose to ride hence to the City of Elua andreclaim the throne to which we were born!" she said in herclear, carrying voice. "Not for power nor wealth do I seekto do this thing, but for love. Blessed Elua bid us,Love asthou wiltTerre d'Ange, my first and greatest love, is threat­ ened by those who would tear her asunder to possess her.As I am a Scion of Elua's lineage and the rightfully crowned Queen of Terre d'Ange, I will not permit this to come topass. Let no man or woman among you set forth this day by aught save his or her free will! Let no one among youride with me save for love of Blessed Elua, and this glorious nation he begot!"

 We cheered her then until our throats were ragged, andthe Unforgiven pikemen hefted the points of their weapons heavenward. Ysandre's face was flushed and brilliant, and Ithink that all there assembled that day saw what I had seen outside Milazza; that the bright shadow of Elua lay upon her like a mantle.

 Thus did we depart.

 EIGHTY-ONE

 It was four days' ride to the City of Elua, and rumor raced before us like a brushfire.

 We had known it would happen; indeed, we encouragedit. Even in the small villages of Camlach, they had heardthat the Queen was dead and Percy de Somerville and Barquiel L'Envers strove formastery of the City. D'Angelínes are not known to sit idle on news of such moment. I amhappy to say that word that Ysandre de la Courcel yet lived was received with overwhelming joy.

 I had seen it when I rode to Southfort in the spring; Terred'Ange had prospered under Ysandre's rule, and her mar­riage to Drustan mab Necthana had brought further wealthand trade to the nation. If the nobles bridled at the unprec­edented alliance with a foreign power and the mingling ofElua's lineage with barbarian blood—for Prince Benedicteand Percy de Somerville had not been alone in that senti­ment—the commonfolk knew that their beautiful Queen hadwed for love. They remembered too that her barbarian kingwas a hero of the realm, and they had known only peaceand prosperity under this union.

 Here and there, we handed out silver coins along the way, and those who received them marked well the resemblance.There would be no doubt, in Camlach, that the woman styl­ing herself Ysandre de la Courcel was not an imposter.

 In L'Agnace, it grew more difficult.

 There was no way to prevent the spread of rumor, unlesswe marched day and night, and both Tarren d'Eltoine andAmaury Trente had reckoned that mere folly. Thus had we chosen to exploit it, letting word race ahead from village tovillage whenever we paused for an evening's rest. If thecitizens of Terre d'Ange awaited us with hope and joy inCamlach, some few leagues into L'Agnace, we encountered rebounding denial.

 Word of Ysandre's survival had reached Percy de Some­rville's ears, and he had responded in the only manner hecould, naming her an imposter.

 It hurt her, to see simple farmers and humble folk turnedout to jeer, children clutching clods of frozen earth to hurlat her retinue. The Unforgiven formed the vanguard, pike-men marching four abreast, cavalry following behind, their black-painted shields grim and foreboding. They glanced neither to the right nor the left at the jeers, nor did Ysandre, riding between Tarren d'Eltoine and the Captain of Northfort's garrison, with her Cassiline guard a half-pace behind.It fell to those of us who followed after to give the lie tode Somerville's claim, heralding Ysandre as the true-bornQueen of Terre d'Ange and naming the Duc de Somerville'sactions as lies and treason.

 I daresay it was the coins that turned the tide, although Amaury Trente would never admit to it. At first it was the children who shouted and scrambled after them, quarrelingin the fallow fields over gleaming bits of silver; the adultswould not be bought so easily, reckoning D'Angeline prideat a higher price. But when one or two of the children stoodand stared, pointing at Ysandre, they began to take notice.

 And we began to acquire a following.

 Some of it, doubtless, was due to the mere fact that we were literally throwing money away; not all of it, I think.They looked, and they believed, grasping the truth that here lay a drama unfolding worthy of the poets' songs. And theywere D'Angeline. By twos and threes, a trickle swelling to a flood, they came to join their Queen.

 How many came, I cannot say. There were farmers andcartwrights and weavers, chandlers, beekeepers and cheese-makers; no town or village but contributed a few. Somewere old enough to have lined visages, though hale enough to march; some few were young, not yet out of childhood.Those we sent back, when we could, though more replacedthem down the road. I saw the tears that stood in Ysandre'seyes as she set her face determinedly toward the City ofElua.

 So did they. And their numbers continued to grow.

 It was at the crossroads of Eisheth's Way that a unit ofde Somerville's cavalry intercepted us; five hundred sol­diers, mounted and armed. I learned later that they had been stationed in Eisande along the road from Milazza, poised tothwart any incursion—and indeed, it was Melisande's cun­ning that had suggested the precaution, although it was deSomerville's orders that called them back at the rumor ofthe Queen's return and set them in our path. I do not thinkhe had reckoned on the whole of the Unforgiven accom­panying us.

 I know he did not count on the hundreds of unarmedcommonfolk.

 It was a standoff. The soldiers of the Royal Army werestrung in a broad arc across the road and the borderingfields. Our company halted, and Tarren d'Eltoine gave asingle command; the Unforgiven responded like a well-oiledmachine, pikemen spreading out in a double line to face deSomerville's soldiers, the cavalry bunched behind, poised like an arrow to pierce the Royal Army's lines. We weresecure behind them, bolstered on both sides and behind by the Queen's Guard under Lord Trente's command.

 Ysandre's herald, who had been chosen no less for hisbravery than his ringing voice, made his way to the forefrontof the party, bearing a standard from which flew both theLily and Stars of Elua and his Companions, and the SilverSwan of House Courcel.

 "Make way!" he cried, his voice echoing across the shornfields. "Make way for Ysandre de la Courcel, the Queen ofTerre d'Ange!"

 There was a pause, and I knew the commander of deSomerville's cavalry was assessing the situation. He could not identify the Queen at that distance, but he could count our numbers and he was no fool. In a moment, he nudgedhis tall mount forward, wheeling it in the road. "Imposter!"he shouted. "Vile impersonator! We will meet you and yourBlack Shield traitors at the gates of the City!"

 With that he raised one hand and uttered a command, andthe outspread wings of the Royal Army cavalry collapsed, folding in upon themselves as they whirled in an orderedretreat, showing us the flying haunches and tails of their mounts. Some of our D'Angeline followers ran after them,yelling, but soon gave up the chase.

 "Well," Tarren d'Eltoine remarked thoughtfully. "We know they will be awaiting us."

 In a few short hours, he was proved right.

 I had not been there in the field, when Drustan mab Necthana, Ghislain de Somerville and Isidore d'Aiglemort as­sailed the vast might of the Skaldic army with a fewthousand men. I had seen it happen, from atop the rampartsof Troyes-le-Mont; still, that was not the same thing. Thisday, though, I knew how they must have felt. The whitewalls of the City of Elua gleamed in the distance, and between us and the City lay the whole of the Royal Army.Although the standing army was only four thousand strong,we numbered a mere six hundred, and the odds were much the same.

 Percy de Somerville would not make Waldemar Selig's mistake; he kept a portion of his troops in reserve, relent­lessly guarding the egresses from the City. If BarquielL'Envers had the means to mount a counterattack, he would not be given the opportunity.

 The bulk of his forces were awaiting us, and they werein such a formation that let us know de Somerville had takenour measure from his cavalry's report, and prepared to meetus. Even as we drew nigh, a row of archers kneeling in theforefront with L'Agnacite longbows loosed a volley.

 "Up shields!" Captain d'Eltoine shouted; and up theyrose, a wall of black-painted steel warding the skies. It isan old Tiberian tactic and a good one, effective with infan­try; it was not designed for use with cavalry. A rain ofarrows fell hissing, and I heard the skittering of metal onmetal as they glancing off shields, and cries of pain wherethey found flesh, the awful sound of the wounded horses.Someone nearby was moaning. Peering out from behind Joscelin's arms—for he had leaned over to grab me hard, pull­ing me half out of the saddle to ward me with bothvambraces—I saw a boy of no more than twelve to the sideof our column, green with pain as he put an uncompre­hending hand to the shaft protruding from his chest. He'drun on ahead, to get a better view.

 "Ah, no," I murmured. "Elua, no!"

 Ysandre saw it too; her throat moved as she swallowed.It was almost in a whisper that she gave the command to Tarren d'Eltoine: "Advance."

 And we did.

 It must have been a fearsome sight, that wall of BlackShields moving forward undaunted. Not all of them did, forsome of Percy de Somerville's L'Agnacite archers hadfound their targets. It took me like a spear to the belly, toguide my mount around the body of a slain Camaeline cavalryman, lying in the road with glazed eyes still open, his hand clutching his shield's grip. I, who did not even knowhis name, had sent him here to die.

 Still we marched, and a second volley of arrows fell fromthe sky, and a third. A dozen men took grievous woundsdespite their shields, until we drew close enough that Percyde Somerville ordered his archers to retreat through theranks and sent his own pikemen, a thousand strong, tosquare off against our approaching forces while he moved two-thirds of his cavalry round to flank and enfold us. Thecountryfolk who had marched so boldly at our side huddledclose behind the Queen's Guard, uncertain and fearful.

 Somewhere, on the distant white walls of the City of Elua,there was shouting and the sound of horns, but it was faintand far away, and our tiny company was islanded amidst deSomerville's soldiers, a bristling forest of pikes facing us.In the stillness, Ysandre de la Courcel gave a silent prayer,only her lips moving.

 "Herald," she said faintly, then. "Give the proclamation."

 The inner ranks of the Unforgiven shifted, allowing him a space in the vanguard from which to deliver his messageto the Royal Army. He drew a breath that must have strainedhis lungs to bursting, shouting, "Make way for Ysandre dela Courcel, the Queen of Terre d'Ange!"

 With a roar, the pikemen of Percy de Somerville's armyattacked, surging forward in a vast wave; surged forward,and broke, against the implacable wall of Black Shields, theUnforgiven of Camlach. All around and behind us it waschaos, de Somerville's cavalry forced into milling confusionby the presence of unarmed citizens fouling their course.

 "Ys-and-dre! Ys-and-dre!"

 The pikemen of the Unforgiven drove a wedge into de Somerville's infantry and the cavalry pushed from behind,widening it, and the Queen of Terre d'Ange rode into thegap. Amaury Trente, shouting orders, paused to glance around wild-eyed. "Queen's Guard!" he cried. "Now!"

 They had fewer coins left than I would have wished; but enough. Each man among them had hoarded a cache. Theyspent them now, pressing close behind Ysandre and theranks of the Unforgiven, jostling the knot of nobles theyenclosed—including me—and hurling their remainingstores with slings of homespun cloth. Showers of silvercoins burst into the air, scattering over the assembled forces of the Royal Army, who checked themselves out of sheersurprise at this unprecedented rain from heaven.

 I had hoped for nothing more.

 In the startlement that followed, Ysandre de la Courcel'sparty pushed forward, surrounded by the riders of the Un­forgiven ... and the ragged chant of the villagers began to make itself heard.

 "Ys-and-dre! Ys-and-dre!"

 At the outer edges of our company, the skirmishingslowed to a halt. The hurled coins, the cries of the commonfolk and the black shields of the Unforgiven had openedan aisle into the heart of the Royal Army.

 "I cannot do it!" It was Brys no Rinforte who spoke, theCassiline, his voice strung tight and frantic. His hands trem­bled on the reins and his mount shifted nervously beneathhim. "Your majesty, I have failed you once; I will fail youagain! Do not ask me to do this thing!"

 "Stand down, Cassiline," Ysandre said gently. "I do notask it."

 I heard Joscelin's indrawn breath; he caught my eye,deadly sober. I nodded. We had learned to speak without words, he and I, a long time ago. I knew what he intended."Your majesty—" he began.

 "No." Ysandre held up one hand. "No, Joscelin," she said,quietly. "It is mine to do alone."

 He checked himself, pausing. The Unforgiven held then-position, faces grim with resolve. A murmur like a swelling current passed through the vast forces of the Royal Army, drawing near to the ears of Percy de Somerville, Brys nóRinforte dismounted on shaking legs and pressed his face against his horse's neck. Joscelin bowed from the saddle,vambraced arms crossed before him. Like the others, Iwatched.

 And Ysandre de la Courcel rode forth alone between theranks of the Unforgiven.

 The Queen of Terre d'Ange.

 It was a broad aisle the Unforgiven had opened for asingle rider, and Ysandre traversed it slowly, an eternity of suspense in every step her palfrey took. Her chin was up­raised, her violet eyes wide and seemingly fearless. I heard Amaury Trente somewhere near me, muttering prayers andlove-words like a curse. The dying and the wounded moanedwith pain, and the soldiers of the Royal Army stood curi­ously still, staring past the Black Shields.

 When Ysandre was two-thirds of the way down the cor­don, Tarren d'Eltoine gave the command, a single, clippedword. "March!"

 With the immaculate precision for which they trained, theUnforgiven put up their pikes and sheathed their swords,marching into the throng of the Royal Army, toward theCity of Elua.

 I, who was there, have no words to describe the sight;how the ranks of soldiers parted, falling away before the advance of the Queen of Terre d'Ange and her tiny van­guard. How knots of protest surged and fell silent, how awe dawned and settled on their faces, and stillness spread acrossthe battlefield. Some glanced down at silver coins held insword-calloused hands. Some merely stared, and some knelt.It is a grave and mighty thing, to see an army part like theocean in a Yeshuite tale.

 Ysandre never faltered.

 The path that they opened led straight to Lord Percy, Ducde Somerville, the Royal Commander. We followed behind, a half-organized handful trailing in her wake, dazed commonfolk wandering between the mounted members of theQueen's Guard. Behind us, hundreds upon hundreds of deSomerville's soldiers came in close.

 And ahead of us, always, was the tiny cordon of BlackShields, and in the aisle between them, the lone figure ofthe Queen, uncrowned, her fair hair falling in ripples down her back, her cloak in sculpted folds over her palfrey's crapper as she closed the distance between her and Percy deSomerville at a slow, even pace.

 I will take credit for the coins; 'twas my idea, and it madea difference, that I will maintain. But it accounted only forthe first blink of surprise, that opened the door. My skinprickled the whole of that terrible, fearful distance, awaitingthe touch of steel.

 That it did not come—that is due wholly to the courage of Ysandre de la Courcel.

 He was waiting, Lord Percy, with the most loyal of hissoldiers about him, unmounted, standing with legs solidlyplanted like some ancient, mighty tree. His gold-inlaid ar­mor gleamed, though he held his helmet in the crook of hisarm. I daresay he had known it, the moment his army turned.He was a good commander; the best, for many years, nearas long as I had lived.

 Ysandre halted before him. "Do you know who I am, mylord?" she asked softly.

 "Yes." His expression never changed as he raised hisvoice in answer. A scent of apples hung in the chill autumnair, faint and sweet as a sun-warmed orchard. "You areYsandre de la Courcel, the Queen of Terre d'Ange."

 A sound like a vast sob of pain swept the field; soldierswho had not done so sheathed their weapons, shields fallingwith a clatter, knowing beyond doubt what they had done.Alone among the thousands who knelt in shame, Percy de Somerville remained standing, his gaze locked with his Queen's.

 "Percy de Somerville," she said. "I place you under arrestfor high treason."

 EIGHTY-TWO

 it was atop the walls of the City that the cheering began.They had witnessed it all from the high white walls, the defenders of the City of Elua under the command of Barquiel L'Envers; indeed, it is his description that Thelesis deMornay used in her epic when she set these events to verse.It was easy to pick out his figure, a surcoat of L'Envers'purple over his armor, raising his sword in salute. The win­try sun flashed on its length, and Ysandre's herald hoisted her standard in reply.

 I saw joy and relief on the faces of many near me as theygave back the shouts of the defenders, but my own heartwas too heavy for rejoicing. I saw the stricken grief in the faces of the soldiers of the Royal Army, struggling to un­derstand what they had done. I saw Brys nóRinforte, trem­bling with shame. I saw the stern resolve in the faces of theUnforgiven, who would never be done atoning for their owncrime, and I saw Ysandre's chirurgeon and her assistantmoving among the ranks, beginning the business of attend­ing to the wounded and dying. I saw the glazed eyes of theCamaeline cavalryman I'd ridden around, and the hand ofthe village boy clutching in disbelief at the arrow shaftemerging from his flesh. I saw the shadow that haunted Ti-Philippe's smile, and remembered how my heart had been like a stone after Remy and Fortun were slain.

 These things should not be.

 And this sorrow, too, I saw in the face of Ysandre de laCourcel, who gazed at a man she had trusted since birth,her Royal Commander, a hero of the realm, sovereign Ducof L'Agnace, kin to her and a Prince of the Blood on hergrandmother's side.

 I think he felt it, too; what would have transpired nextbetween them, I cannot say, for shouting of a different tenorarose from the walls. I looked up to see them pointing to­ward the north, and a ripple of sound coming from the out­lying verge of the Royal Army, resolving sighting intowords.

 Ghislain was coming.

 "Let him pass," Ysandre said.

 He came armed for battle, bearing the colors and standardof House Trevalion, deep-blue with three ships and the Nav­igator's Star, and some three hundred men rode with. him.The Royal Army parted ranks to allow his company throughas he rode unerringly toward us. Ysandre watched himcalmly, ordering the Unforgiven to stand aside.

 They had ridden hard, their horses lathered and near-spent. Ghislain de Somerville drew rein before Ysandre andhis company halted behind him, motionless to a man as he removed his helmet and pressed a clenched fist to his breast.

 "My Queen," he said, a catch in his voice; his face was strained with emotion.

 Ysandre inclined her head. "My lord de Somerville."

 "Name me not thusly, majesty." Ghislain turned his headto his father, mingled hatred and love suffusing his features."Is it true?"

 Percy de Somerville did not look away, although there was a dreadful anguish in his eyes. Whatever else he was,he was no coward. "Yes."

 Ghislain flinched as if at a blow, then extended his closed fist and opened it. A length of green cloth fell to the troddenground, and I glimpsed the embroidered branches of an ap­ple tree, the insignia of the de Somerville line. "In the name of Elua and Anael," he said harshly, "I renounce my House.Ghislain de Somerville is no more."

 I felt tears stand in my eyes, and the blood beat hard inmy head, a rush of bronze-winged sound, a tinge of crimson washing over my blurred vision. Percy de Somerville bowedhis head in grief, his broad shoulders hunched, and I knewsomething had broken in him.

 My lord Kushiel is cruel and just.

 "It is heard and acknowledged," Ysandre said quietly, andthere was compassion in her gaze. "My lords and ladies ofTerre d'Ange, let us go home."

 Barquiel L'Envers met us at the gates of the City, where something of a sombre mood had begun to settle after theinitial rejoicing; there would be no triumph to celebrate thisvictory, only a low murmur as they exchanged the kiss ofgreeting. I do not know what words they spoke. When theyparted, L'Envers glanced at me, a trace of the old, familiarirony glinting in his eye.

 "Delaunay'sanguissette" he acknowledged me. "Yousend a timely message."

 "I am glad you heeded it, my lord," I said politely.

 "Your wording was rather persuasive." He raised hisbrows. "Ysandre, will you reclaim your throne? I find thestewardship of it an onerous task."

 Thus did the Queen of Terre d'Ange return to the Cityof Elua. The streets were thronged with people, and manyof them wept openly as she passed. They had believed herdead these many days, for de Somerville had kept the rumorof her return from reaching the beleaguered City. It is aprofound testament to the will and leadership of Barquiel L'Envers that he managed to maintain order in the City andhold the loyalty of the Palace and City Guards throughoutthe siege. My Kritian message had arrived scant days beforeMelisande's couriers, but it had come accompanied by acontingent of Eisandine troops sent by Roxanne de Mereliot,who urged him in strongest terms to act swiftly to securethe City. This he had done, sending to Namarre for a com­pany of his own Akkadian-trained men and setting a watchon Champs-de-Guerre. When the Royal Army began to mo­bilize, L'Envers' spies fled to the City at breakneck pace and the gates were closed and sealed.

 All these things I learned over time; then, there was sim­ply too much to be done for the stories to unfold. Percy deSomerville was taken into custody, along with his chief lieu­tenants and subcommanders, for of a surety, some few ofthem must have known. Ysandre appointed BarquielL'Envers to serve as Royal Commanderpro tem, and su­pervise the military trials of the officers; being a peer of therealm, de Somerville would be tried before the assembledParliament, like the family of House Trevalion long ago.

 It was Marc de Trevalion, I learned, who had suspectedLord Percy's complicity when word of the Queen's deathand the siege mounted against the City had reached Azzalle,and it was he who told his son-in-law Ghislain as much. He had known what Melisande had known, though he'd had noproof of it; that Percy de Somerville had vowed to supportLyonette de Trevalion's bid to place Prince Baudoin on thethrone. Would that he had spoken of it sooner, for it wouldhave saved a great deal of grief. I suppose at the time hethought it was ancient history and would have caused onlypain, with his daughter wed to de Somerville's son. Hewould have been right, too, if not for Melisande.

 Whether or not it ever occurred to Marc de Trevalion tosuspect de Somerville in her escape, I cannot say. He wasnot there, at Troyes-le-Mont. He says it did not, and Ghislain believes him. After all, he would have had no reason to suspect Melisande even knew of de Somerville's com­plicity—save the fact that she is Melisande. It would havebeen enough for me...but then, I know her too well. Ysandre accepted his word; I do not know if she believed it.Enough to let it rest, I daresay.

 Ysandre held an audience for those L'Agnacite villagerswho had followed our company, learning their names,thanking each in person; to each one, she gave a gift, a goldducat stamped with her image, sewn in a velvet purse with the Courcel insignia. There are cynics who claim she did itout of political expedience, for there was bound to be unrestin L'Agnace with the arrest of its much-loved Duc de Some­rville, but I, who had seen the tears in her eyes when they came to join us, knew otherwise.

 There was a private ceremony commending the serviceof the Unforgiven. Ysandre would have done more, for they were deserving—and too, it would aid in restoring the goodname of the former Allies of Camlach—but they refused itto a man. I was there, when she gave them her thanks andblessing, and offered prayers for the dead. Ten had died,one in twenty. It had not been an entirely bloodless victory.

 "Was it well done, Kushiel's chosen?" Tarren d'Eltoineasked me.

 "It was well done, my lord," I replied.

 And I thought on old Bianca's foretelling in the Templeof Asherat-of-the-Sea, and prayed her words held true. I haddone as she bid, remembering what they had named meamong the Unforgiven. Ten years' peace, she had promised;one, I thought, for every man I sent to his death outside theCity of Elua.

 Messengers rode out day and night, royal couriers pro­claiming the news throughout the realm, laying to rest falserumors and potential uprisings. Ghislain no Trevalion—for so he was called, now, formally adopted into his father-in-law's household—rode to Azzalle, vowing to see a shipacross the Straits to carry a letter and full report to Drustanmab Necthana at Bryn Gorrydum. 'Twould be no mean feat,for the winter crossing was dangerous, but no one knew if the rumor had reached Alba's shores and Ysandre fearedDrustan might believe her dead. It was a hardship on her to be parted from him at this time.

 I felt it keenly, for I had never been more glad to haveJoscelin at my side. It had been a bittersweet pain, returningto my charming little house. My kitchen-mistress Eugenieembraced me like a mother and wept over our return; forjoy at our safety, and again for sorrow at the loss of Remyand Fortun. We felt their absence deeply there, all of us. Imissed hearing Remy's voice lifted in song from unexpectedquarters of the house, missed seeing Fortun in the sittingroom, dark, steady eyes glancing up from the map ofTroyes-le-Mont on which he'd worked so hard. They had been my solace and my comrades, my chevaliers, duringthose days.

 It was hardest of all on Ti-Philippe, who had lost hisdearest friends. I offered to release him from my service, after paying him many months' wages in arrears, but herefused.

 "Who could I possibly serve after you, my lady?" heasked with a ghost of a smile. "I've enough stories to tell,I won't need spend coin in the wineshops for years to come.Anyway,they wouldn't like it if I did. Phèdre's Boys areloyal, after all."

 So I sent him to Montrève to see how my lamentablyneglected estate was faring; of course, it was thriving in myabsence, under the able care of my seneschal and his wife.But they feted him and made much of him, begging him fornews, and it did him a great deal of good to play at beinglord of the manor for a time.

 There were other, more joyous reunions, of course; Thelesis de Mornay, whom I accounted a dear friend, and myold mentor, Cecilie Laveau-Perrin, whom I loved equallywell. It took Cecilie all of a heartbeat's time to assess thechange in Joscelin's and my relationship and grasp ourhands in hers, glowing with heartfelt approval.

 "Oh my dears, youhave set aside your differences! Noth­ing could make me happier."

 Joscelin raised his eyebrows, smiling at her with genuinefondness. "Are you a sorceress, my lady Cecilie, to see asmuch?"

 "No, beautiful man." Cecilie patted his cheek affection­ately. "I am a Servant of Naamah, who rewards those who serve her true with vision to see what others would hold concealed in their hearts. Remember it well, if ever you aretempted to leave Phèdre again."

 "It will not be soon," Joscelin said softly. "That much, Imay promise."

 We went too to see the Rebbe, Nahum ben Isaac. Thenumber of Yeshuites in the City of Elua had grown thinner;several hundred had departed during the summer months,seeking their destiny in a far northern land. There had been some trouble in the City; not much, for Ysandre had heededmy plea and ordered the young Yeshuite hotbloods to bedealt with gently so long as they were not in clear violation of the law. We were not Serenissimans. No, they had gonevoluntarily, and it left the Yeshuite community older and sadder. What the Rebbe feared had come to pass; the Chil­dren of Yisra-el were divided.

 "I am sorry, Master," I said to the Rebbe, sitting on astool at his feet.

 "So am I, young Phèdre nóDelaunay," he said sadly. "Soam I. Adonai alone knows which of us is right, and betimesI pray it is not I." He looked unsmiling at Joscelin. "It issaid that in La Serenissima, you put weapons in their hands,apostate, and taught them to fight."

 "True words, Father." Joscelin met his gaze, unflinching.

 "And yet you have forsaken the path of Yeshua."

 Joscelin shook his head. "I do not disdain the teachings ofYeshua, Father. What I have learned, I value greatly. But î amD'Angeline, and Cassiel's chosen. Though it lead to perdition and beyond, I must follow my heart, and not the Mashiach."Reaching into a purse at his belt, he withdrew thekhai pen­dant and held it forth. "Take it, if you will, and return it to shewho gave it me. I am not worthy of bearing it."

 "Hanna is gone, apostate." The Rebbe's tone was re­morseless. "She has gone north, with the others. She wouldhave given her heart to you, would you have accepted it,but you chose your own course instead."

 "I didn't know," Joscelin whispered, paling slightly. Forall that I loved him, he could be a bit of an idiot about somethings. The Rebbe sighed, jerking his bearded chin at thependant in Joscelin's hand.

 "Keep it, then, and remember, how we do injury unwit­ting to those around us," he said sternly. "You Children ofElua are too quick to forget how the love you invoke maycut like a blade; even you, apostate. Still," he added, smilingfaintly, deepset wrinkles about his eyes, "it gladdens myheart to see the both of you alive."

 It made Joscelin thoughtful, and I was not sorry for it; Iremembered the pain we had dealt each other in those days. How much of it was my doing, I knew full well; I had notforgotten aught that I had undergone in thethetalos. But Ihad spoken with the Kore, too, and I knew we each of usbear our own careless guilts, too seldom acknowledged.

 I saw also Quintilius Rousse in the days after Ysandre'sreturn, for he had been in Marsilikos when my letter arrived,making ready to winter his fleet; instead, he had brought them up the Aviline River to lie some few leagues south of the City, prepared to assail de Somerville's troops by waterif necessary, while Roxanne de Mereliot raised an army in Eisande and Siovale. The Royal Admiral was blessedly un­changed, haranguing me mercilessly for the risks I'd taken,and hugging me in a bone-cracking embrace.

 "La Serenissima will pay," he said ominously. "See if they don't!"

 "My lord Admiral," I wheezed, still trying to catch mybreath. "Despite what has happened, La Serenissima contin­ues under the rule of Cesare Stregazza, who has pledged hisalliance to Ysandre de la Courcel. It is a delicate situation, and I suspect the Queen might take it amiss if you were toexact vengeance against her orders."

 Rousse scowled at me under his brows. "I'd have razedtheir mother-sodding Arsenal if they'd harmed you, child,make no mistake. Besides, La Serenissima is no friend tous while they hold Melisande Shahrizai in health and com­fort—there's that, eh!"

 "Yes," I said softly. "There is that."

 For it was true, and would remain so; Melisande Shahrizai—Melisande Shahrizai de la Courcel—remained aliveand well in the custody of the Temple of Asherat-of-the-Sea. Letters were carried back and forth from the City ofElua and La Serenissima that winter. The wily old Dogeprofessed his great joy at learning that Ysandre had retainedsovereignty of the realm, but he pled impotence in light ofher repeated requests for Melisande's extradition.

 I know, because Ysandre spoke candidly of these matters with me, and I received letters also from Severio Stregazza,and betimes his aunt, Allegra. Always, the news was thesame: Melisande remained at the Temple, attended like aqueen and seemingly content to continue thusly.

 Of her son Imriel, there was no trace.

 "How should I proceed, Phèdre?" Ysandre asked me oncein a rare moment of frustration. "You tried to warn meagainst her, and I failed to give credence to your fears. You, who know her best—tell me now what I may expect fromMelisande Shahrizai!"

 "My lady, I cannot say," I said helplessly, spreading myhands. "Melisande's plans failed, save this last avenue ofretreat. If she is content to remain in the Temple—for I thinkit could hold her no more than Troyes-le-Mont; indeed, agood deal less—it is because whatever further plans shemight spin have not yet come to fruition. It is beyond myguessing to know what those might be,"

 Ysandre gave me a wry look. "The boy stands in line formy throne. You cannot guess?"

 "To guesswhat is simple," I said, meeting her eyes. "Theproblem lies in discerninghow. I swear to you, my lady, I will maintain every vigilance and report to you aught that Ilearn. But I make no promise."

 "It would be nice," Ysandre said mildly, "if you foundthe child."

 One day I would remember those words with a deep and bitter irony; then, I merely bowed my head, acknowledgingmy Queen's wishes. I did not offer to return to the Serviceof Naamah to pursue the search. I had made no decision onthat score, and any mind, I didn't think Melisande wouldinvolve any current or likely patrons of mine where her son's safety was concerned. I had seen the passion thatflashed in her eyes when Ysandre had challenged her carefor the babe. No, Melisande would not risk the boy, noteven for the sake of our deep-laid game; and if Naamahdesired her Servant's return, let her summon me herself.

 Thus did the winter pass, and the realm slowly healed fromthe second shock of betrayal in as many years. Parliamentwas convened out of season, and a trial held for Percy deSomerville. I had to testify, as did Ti-Philippe, who had heardthe words of Phanuel Buonard's widow; the conclusion wasforegone, as one of de Somerville's lieutenants had alreadymade a full confession in the military hearings presided over by Barquiel L'Envers. I have heard some dubious comments about the Due L'Envers' method of questioning, but no com­plaints were filed, and the majority of the army command wasexonerated. I held my tongue; Barquiel L'Envers had earnedmy forbearance. Like his chief lieutenant, Percy de Some­rville was convicted of high treason and sentenced to death,given his choice of means. A good soldier to the end, the one­time Royal Commander fell on his sword.

 The City did not grieve for him as it had for Baudoin deTrevalion, another hero of the realm who had died the sameway. That plot had died stillborn, aborted by Melisande'sschemes; this one had hatched in full, and the memory ofthe Royal Army surrounding the City of Elua was too fresh.Still, I do not think anyone rejoiced, either. For my part, I was merely glad it was over.

 Early spring I spent immersing myself in my resumedstudies in Habiru lore, patiently retracing the steps I hadbegun a year earlier. I had not forgotten my Prince of Trav­ellers, or given up hope of finding a key to his freedom. I bought some Illyrian books as well, mindful that I did notlose that skill, and practiced by composing a letter to KazanAtrabiades. Quintilius Rousse would be sailing to Epidauro when the weather cleared, carrying an emissary to discusstrade negotiations. Ysandre had not forgotten her promise, either; and Rousse would be sailing on to Kriti afterward,bearing a very generous gift for the Archon of Phaistos. Iwrote letters to Demetrios Asterius also, and his cousin Pasiphae, Kore of the Temenos, whom I thought of often.

 When the last of spring's gales had blown themselves out,the shipping routes were open. Rousse's fleet departed fromMarsilikos ... and once more, riders from Azzalle vied tobe the first at the Palace with the news that the flagship ofthe Cruarch of Alba had been sighted on the Strait, Ysandre's face brightened at the news, and when she declared itwas time at last for a celebration, I agreed wholeheartedly.

 "We have had the winter to remember and sorrow, mylady," I said. "It is spring, and a time for joy. I can think of nobetter reason for celebration than my lord Drustan's return."

 "Which we shall do, in abundance, but there is one reasonyet lacking, near-cousin." Ysandre looked at me with quiz­zical amusement; I fear I bewildered her at times, thoughshe loved me well enough. We were very different people,Ysandre and I. "Phèdre nó Delaunay de Montrève, it hasnot escaped my awareness that I owe my life and my throneto you, you and your companions. I have been awaiting afitting time to make formal acknowledgment of your deeds.Did you truly think I would let it pass without a fête?"

 "Actually," I said, "I did."

 EIGHTY-THREE

 "But what is she planning todo?" Joscelin demanded.

 "I don't know!" I retorted, irritated. "She won't say. Makea speech and toast us in front of the assembled peers of therealm, I imagine. Don't laugh." I pointed at Ti-Philippe,returned this spring from Montrève. "You're included inthis, chevalier."

 "Oh, I wouldn't miss it." He raised his eyebrows andgrinned. "I want to see the faces of those of your patronsin attendance when they learn the whole of what you'vedone. I don't think many of them truly reckoned they werebedding a genuine tales-of-the-poets heroine."

 To his credit, Joscelin merely responded by shying agrape at Philippe's head; Ti-Philippe dodged it, laughing. Agreat deal had changed between them since La Serenissima. I thought on Ti-Philippe's words, which held a certain truth.'Tis a strange thing, to be lauded by one's peers, when anumber of them have known one naked and pleading. Inever set out to be aught but a courtesan. It is an odd quirk of fate that made me otherwise.

 "Delaunay'sanguissette," Joscelin said aloud, histhoughts following the same course as my own. "He wouldbe proud beyond words, Phèdre; I knew him long enoughto know that. Let Ysandre honor you. You've earned it."

 "We all have, and you will go too, my lord Cassiline,without fussing." I cocked my head, considering him. "Atrip to the barber wouldn't be amiss, either."

 Since La Serenissima, Joscelin's hair had grown out in rag­ged wheat-gold profusion; I do not think he'd had it trimmedsince my efforts, but merely bound it back in a braid, wispsescaping down the cabled length of it. I swear he was as care­less of his beauty as a rich drunkard with his purse. In the end,I ordered him into Ti-Philippe's custody to be properly shorn, and commissioned new attire for all three of us.

 Favrielle nóEglantine had prospered in my absence; im­possible to believe, but her year's tenancy at EglantineHouse had already passed, and she had opened a salon ofher own in the clothiers' district. It was small, but thriving,occupying the ground floor of a building there. Three assis­tants she had already—draper, a cutter and a second seam­ stress—and looked to add more in short order.

 "Comtesse," she greeted me, curling her scarred lip; Ifound myself, oddly, reassured by her unchanged demeanor."You come at a poor time, as usual. I have a number ofcommissions on short order, a good many of which seem tobe foryour gala. I suppose you think I shall make time for you, merely because I am beholden to you?"

 "No," I said cheerfully. "You'll make time because itis mygala and you are a shrewd businesswoman, and because I willtell you in detail what they are wearing in the court of the Archon of Phaistos on Kriti. Also, if you wish, about a gownthat was made for me based on an ancient poem in Illyria."

 Favrielle paused, narrowing her green eyes at me. "Tellme."

 I did, while she made sketches and notations, pacing theroom, muttering to herself and hauling out swatches of fab­ric. When I had done, she called crossly for more foolscapand sat for a time sketching furiously and dabbling pigment,showing me the results at length—a gown of sheerest green,pleated and gathered under the breasts in the Kritian style,nigh-transparent over a close-fitting sheath of deep bronze silk. On paper, the effect was of an ancient Hellene statueveiled in thin drapery.

 "Very nice," I said, and smiled to see her scowl. "Can you make it in time for the fête?"

 She could and did, of course; it was too splendid not to,and Favrielle nóEglantine had the pride of her genius. Inaddition, she had powers of persuasion beyond my ken,suf­ficient to coax Joscelin out of his usual drab Cassiline-inspired greys. It took me aback to see him in a doublet offorest green and breeches to match, sober and elegant. As was his wont, Ti-Philippe wore more festive garb, echoingthe same colors, with a close-fitting vest striped green andbronze over dark breeches and a full-sleeved white shirt, andwe all of us looked quite fine.

 The fête was held in the vast Palace ballroom, with animmense dining table echoing the banquet depicted on thegorgeous murals of Elua and his Companions at banquet;truly, Ysandre spared no expense. Sprays of blossomingbranches laced the slender colonnades—peach, cherry andapple—and the tiny glass lamps were filled with clear waterthat night, shimmering with white light. A fountain playedin the grotto, lending its liquid music to the musicians'tunes, while finches in gilt-filigree cages sang sweetly aboveit all. I thought that we had arrived late, although it was the hour appointed by the Queen's invitation, for it seemed theflower of D'Angeline nobility had already assembled. It wasnot until the chamberlain announced us that I understood.

 "The Comtesse Phèdre nó Delaunay de Montrève, Mes-sire Joscelin Verreuil, the chevalier Philippe Dumont," hecalled in ringing tones.

 Save for the birdsong and fountain, silence fell over the vast space as the music ceased; and then a soft ripple ofapplause, D'Angeline heads inclined in bows. I had not fullygrasped, until then, that we were the guests of honor andthe fête awaited on our entrance. Ysandre received us per­sonally, extending both hands in greeting, Drustan mab Necthana at her side.

 I had seen him, of course, when he entered the City inprocession, but there had been time only for a briefexchange of pleasantries. It gladdened my heart to see himagain; his quiet smile, dark eyes calm and steady in his blue-whorled face.

 "It is good," he said softly in Cruithne, a tongue weshared, "that we gather to celebrate your courage, Phèdre nóDelaunay."

 I thought of Ysandre's ride between the black shields ofthe Unforgiven, her upraised profile defying the troops ofPercy de Somerville, and shook my head. "If I have seenaught of courage, my lord Cruarch, I have seen it in your lady wife, who is my liege and sovereign."

 Drustan's dark eyes crinkled with amusement. "Do notsay it, or she will be vexed with you; it is her wish to giveyou your due." He turned to Joscelin, clasping his forearms. "My brother," he said simply. "If you were less skilled withblades, my heart would have died within me that day."

 "And the heart of Terre d'Ange with it," Joscelin mur­mured, returning his grip hard. "I am passing glad to behere today, my lord Cruarch."

 With that, Drustan turned to Ti-Philippe; I did not hear what he said, for I was caught up in a whirl of greetings, hands proffered, cheeks pressed close to give the kiss of greeting. There were people there I had not seen for nearly a year—indeed, faces I had last seen gloating over thefalling-out I had staged with Ysandre and Drustan. Such ispolitics. While the fate of the realm hangs in the balance,these things continue. It seemed much longer than a yeargone by. I saw the faces of those who knew—Lord AmauryTrente, Lady Vivienne, others who had been present on ourterrible race across Caerdicca Unitas—and saw the sameknowledge reflected in their eyes, how near a thing it hadbeen. They had been there, in the Temple of Asherat-of-the-Sea, where Benedicte de la Courcel nearly gained the throne of Terre d'Ange.

 For the rest, it was merely a poet's tale.

 A ten-day siege laid to the City; how quickly and easilypeople forget! Ysandre's ride had done that, had renderedthe whole of Melisande's vast and intricate scheme no morethan a misunderstanding, one man's treasonous folly, a foot­note in the annals of history. Now, seeing the ease and mer­riment of the D'Angeline nobles, I understood the trueimport of her actions.

 Not all had forgotten, for Barquiel L'Envers was there.Our eyes met in the crowded ballroom and he inclined hisfair-cropped head, according me my due. We had gaugedeach other wrongly, he and I, and both of us knew it. If ourmethods were unorthodox, still, our ends had been the same.

 Nicola L'Envers y Aragon had tried to tell me as much, andI would not hear her; I had learned that much in thethetalos,the cost of my pride and the ghost of Delaunay's ancient enmity. Small wonder, thinking on it, that I half-thought Ihad conjured her image between us. But I was wrong, forNicola was there, amused at my blinking startlement acrossthe crowd; I could not help that my blood beat faster in myveins at it.

 I'd no time, though, to speak with Nicola or any numberof other guests before the bell rang to summon us to thetable. Ysandre and Drustan presided at either end. As her nearest kin and a ranking Duc, Barquiel L'Envers sat at the Queen's right hand and I was across from him at her left in the place of honor; it would have made me nervous, savethat Joscelin was seated beside me and Ti-Philippe acrossfrom him, alit with unabashed merriment. It was an exceed­ingly fine repast and the liveried servants circulated with flawless efficiency, pouring wine like water. Course uponcourse was served; lark and pheasant in delicate pastries,smoked eel, a rack of lamb stuffed with currants and a crum­bling white cheese, roasted bream, quivering jellies flavoredwith nutmeg and bay leaves...I cannot remember what all we ate nor all we discussed, save that the conversation spar­kled and the plates and goblets gleamed, and there is a glow on that night that endures in memory.

 When the last course had been served and the last dinnerplatter cleared, Ysandre de la Courcel clapped her hands.Servants came round again to fill our glasses of cordial andset out dishes filled with candied orange and lemon peel,arranged to resemble bunches of flowers with sugared violets at their centers. Partway down the table, Thelesisde Mornay rose and bowed, commanding our attention asshe announced the entrance of Gilles Lamiz, her giftedapprentice-poet. We dipped our hands in the finger bowlsof rosewater before applauding politely.

 I had seen the young man before in Thelesis' quarters; heassisted her in many things, and had taken notation for herwhen I related the long tale of my adventures. 'Twas forher work on the Ysandrine Cycle, I had assumed, only par­tially correct. Thelesis' dark, lovely eyes glowed with plea­sure as her surprise was revealed—Gilles Lamiz wasworking on his own, more modest offering, too.

 'Twas a poem based upon my exploits, and those of mycompanions.

 It was not a bad effort and he recited it well, in a cleartenor voice that owed its richness to his mentor's training. I rested my chin in my palm and listened, amazed to hearmy own deeds recounted thusly, if not wholly as I remem­bered them. Young Gilles had listened well and captured thegrieving madness of La Dolorosa, but he omitted the stenchand tedium. My retort to Melisande Shahrizai's offer re­ sounded with dignity, and not the skull-splitting reality ofthe desperate defiance I recalled. I thought the magnificentdaring of Joscelin's attack on the black isle was well ren­dered, and Ti-Philippe's heroic marshaling of their scarce-trained Yeshuite allies to hold the tower, but both of themlaughed afterward, saying there was a considerable measure of panic and terror that went unmentioned.

 So it went, and I must own, it sounded a good deal moreimpressive when set into verse. The sea-flight, thekríavbhogand the storms were all fearful, which was no more than thetruth. Kazan Atrabiades came off as rather dashing, which made me smile; it would have pleased him, I think. In Gil­les' version, Demetrios Asterius, the Archon of Phaistos, rendered his aid out of adoration for my beauty. I reckonedthat did poor justice to his shrewd trader's wiles, but theD'Angeline nobles around the table glanced at me from the corners of their eyes and nodded sagely, more than willingto believe it true.

 One tale missing was that of thethetalos, for that I hadnot told, even to Thelesis de Mornay. It is a mystery, andof such things one cannot speak to the uninitiated; it sufficedto say that there was a ritual, and Kazan Atrabiades of Epidauro was cleansed of blood-guilt.

 Gilles Lamiz' poem ended in the Temple of Asherat, withmy proclamation from the Oracle's balcony and Joscelin'sheart-stopping duel with the Cassiline traitor David de Ro-caille. I daresay the latter read well enough without embel­lishment, and even Joscelin did not argue with it. Althoughall the realm knows his name because of it, it is not a deedin which he takes pride. No longer do two Cassiline Broth­ers attend the ruler of Terre d'Ange at all times. Ysandre broke with seven centuries' tradition after La Serenissimaand Brys nóRinforte's defection on the battlefield, dismiss­ing them from her service.

 It is an irony that the Cassiline Brotherhood swelled in popularity after Gilles Lamiz' poem became famous, peersdemanding Cassiline guards, families who had abandoned the tradition for generations sending their middle sons tofoster with the Brethren. Joscelin only smiles wryly whenpeople speak to him of it, and changes the subject.

 There was applause when Gilles Lamiz finished; a great, resounding deal of it, and much of it aimed my way. I felt myself flush hotly. The young poet bowed repeatedly, and Thelesis de Mornay beamed with pride. Ysandre raised herhand for silence, swiftly obeyed.

 "As you have heard their deeds," she said clearly, "so dowe gather to honor them."

 Rising to stand as Queen, flanked on one side by Drustanmab Necthana and the other by Barquiel L'Envers, shecalled first Philippe, my chevalier Ti-Philippe, presenting to him the Medal of Valor, a heavy gold medallion embossed with Camael's sword and the lily of Elua, strung on a thick,green ribbon. Tears sprang to my eyes as I watched the lastof Phèdre's Boys kneel before Ysandre, unwontedly sober,fingering the dense medal as she bid him rise.

 Afterward, she summoned Joscelin, and whether he wel­comed it or no, my heart ached with pride to see his grave beauty as he gave his Cassiline bow, so much a part of himno one dared question it, and knelt to the Queen. To himtoo she gave the Medal of Valor, receiving it from the handof Barquiel L'Envers, who served still as Royal Com­mander; and somewhat else beside. "It is an ancient traditionfor a ruling Queen to appoint a Champion to do battle inher name," Ysandre declared, lifting a finely wrought wreathof vines from a pillow proffered by a waiting servant. "Ihave not done so, Joscelin Verreuil, but I give thanks toBlessed Elua for choosing you to fulfill that role when it was needful. I could not have chosen better."

 With that, she placed the wreath on his fair, bowed head.

 It would have been enough, for me, to see those I lovedthus honored; it was not enough for Ysandre de la Courcel,who summoned me to stand before her. This I did, and when I would have curtsied and sunk to kneel, she shook her headand caught my wrist, keeping me upright.

 "Comtesse Phèdre nó Delaunay de Montrève." Ysandre gave my name and title with a gleam in her eye; I daresayshe'd had as much wine as the rest of us. "Like your patrons,who prize you above gold, I shall take pleasure in challeng­ing your uniquely indomitable will. For those deeds whichwe heard lauded this night in verse, for your unfathomablecourage, and for the memory of your lord Anafiel Delaunay,who taught us all what it truly means to keep an oath swornin love, I present you with the Companion's Star."

 I stared uncomprehending as Drustan mab Necthana,smiling, held forth an object—a brooch, a many-rayed goldstar, set in the center with a single faceted diamond, Elua's sigil etched on the face of it in delicate lines, the work of amaster jeweler. Ysandre took the brooch from him and fas­tened it onto my gown with deft fingers.

 "This grants you the right," she said softly, "to address mein public or private as an equal, and bend your knee to noScion of Elua throughout the realm; indeed, to fail to do so isto belittle the honor I bestow upon you this night. Do youshow this to the least of my guards, they will admit you unto an audience without question. And I swear to you, whateveryou may say, I will hear it." Taking a step back, Ysandre sur­veyed her handiwork. "It carries also," she added," aboon.Aught that you might request of me that is in my power and right to grant, I will do. Do you wish it, ask now."

 "There is nothing, my la—" Catching her warning glance,I swallowed. "Ysandre.”

 "Well, then." The Queen of Terre d'Ange smiled. "Acceptit with my thanks, near-cousin, and save the boon for theday you require it. Until then, let us drink your health, andgive thanks to Blessed Elua we are all alive to do so."

 That, at least, I could do and did, returning to my seatand waiting until the glasses were refilled, the toast givenand drunk, before tossing back a measure of cordial, feelingthe fiery burn of it scald my insides to match my flushedskin. And with that, mercifully, Ysandre's tribute was done,and she was content to order the musicians to strike up a dancing tune and declare the fête open to celebration.

 It was with a full heart that I watched Ysandre and Drustan begin the first dance, shortly joined by many other couples. Their duties done, they had eyes only for eachother, locking glances and smiling deeply; two realms, tworulers, united in love and a shared dream. It is my thoughtthat this is the deeper meaning of the Precept of BlessedElua; in love, howsoever it is manifest, we are greater than the sum of our parts.

 Little enough time I had to think on it, for BarquielL'Envers claimed a dance of me, and I joined him with goodwill, glad of a chance to lay our quarrels to rest before theeyes of the realm. I looked for Joscelin afterward, but hewas partnering Thelesis de Mornay; Gilles Lamiz ap­proached me, an unexpected nervous stammer threading hispoet's voice. In the dance, he held me so lightly one mighthave thought I was made of porcelain. It made me smile, to think I would break so easily, after all I had endured. I dranka toast to his poem when we had done, for the mischievous pleasure of seeing him redden and stammer all the harder.The cordial tasted heady, and it seemed to me that the lamps burned brighter for it.

 There is a wild and piercing sweetness in celebrating lifeafter a long sorrow; all of us felt it that night. Spring is ever a time of renewal, and it seemed fit, after so long, to redis­cover pure, unalloyed happiness.

 "Phèdre nó Delaunay." I turned at the voice, recognizingit; Nicola L'Envers y Aragon regarded me with amusement.

 "It is no easy task to gain your ear this evening," she said,giving me the kiss of greeting.

 "Nicola." I took her hand, having too much to say, andno words to say it. "You were right, in what you tried totell me. I owe you a greater debt than I can repay."

 "Mmm." She shrugged and gave her lazy smile, settingmy heart to speed its pace, remembering our dalliances."You could try, of course. I have heard that you've notreturned to the Service of Naamah, but there's naught to prevent you from taking a lover." Her violet gaze driftedover my shoulder, and she inclined her head in greeting. "Well met, my lord Cassiline."

 "My lady Nicola."

 I fair jumped at the sound of Joscelin's voice, craning myhead around to see his expression. Nicola laughed, reachingout to stroke my burning cheek.

 "Think on it," she said lightly, moving away.

 I opened my mouth to speak, and Joscelin cut me off."Phèdre, if you're going to think of taking lovers—"

 "I'mnot—"

 "—I think it would be a good idea if you declared meyour official consort, first."

 "Joscelin, I'm not..." I stopped, staring at him. He worea crooked smile and his green-leaved wreath sat askew onhis head, making him look rather like a young, drunken god."Do you mean it?"

 "I told you in La Serenissima, I don't care if you take athousand patrons—"

 "Notthat," I interrupted him. "About declaring you my consort."

 "Oh,that" Joscelin laughed. "Phèdre nó Delaunay, weare mismatched in more ways than I can count, and like asnot, we'll find ways to hurt each other neither of us haveeven dreamt yet. The only thing I can imagine worsethanspending my life with you is being without you—I've done it, and I never want to experience the like again. If you canfind your way back to my side through besotted pirates,murderous Serenissimans and deadly storms, I'm not goingto waste time worrying about a few ambitious patrons. Be­sides ..." he grinned, "... I reckon I ought to claim the rolebefore you find a way to get that damned Tsingano off hisforsaken island, and—"

 He didn't get any further, for at that moment I threw both arms around his neck and kissed him hard enough to makeboth our heads reel.

 Somewhere in the Temple of Asherat, Melisande Shahrizaiwas likely spinning a new and deadly plot; somewhere, Elua only knew where, a babe was being raised, with her blood inhis veins and a claim to the throne of Terre d'Ange. Some­where in Illyria, in La Serenissima, in Terre d'Ange, in Alba, the kindred of those slain by events I had set in motion con­tinued to mourn their dead, and somewhere in the Strait, thePrince of Travellers pursued his lonely destiny. None of thesethings did I forget, for somewhere in a cavern in the Temenos, the knowledge was ever awaiting me. But there is a limitto how much pain we mortals can bear, even I, and in that mo­ment, my world was bounded by joy, encompassed in Joscelin's beautiful face that I held between my hands, hissummer-blue eyes smiling down at me.

 "Did I mention," I whispered to him, "that I love you?"

 "Yes," he whispered back, kissing me. "But it bears re­peating."

 Hand in hand, we threaded our way through the revelersto find Ysandre de la Courcel, seated once more at the long table next to Drustan, while one of her courtiers related anamusing tale. She glanced up at our approach, and the court­ier broke off his story, mindful of the preeminence the Com­panion's Star granted me.

 "Yes?" Ysandre asked mildly.

 "Your maj—" I broke off the words and cleared mythroat. "Ysandre. Before Blessed Elua and all here assem­bled, I wish to present Joscelin Verreuil as my consort."

 Drustan mab Necthana laughed, and the Queen of Terred'Ange raised her eyebrows.

 "It's about time."

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