“Not my field of expertise,” Colin said.

“Well, he was just for show, you know. Only he didn’t know it.”

Colin nodded. That fit with the picture forming in his head. So why hadn’t he been briefed about that before being sent to fetch the prince back?

“Well, he walked into a bit of danger this time,” Colin said.

“Yeah.”

“I wonder how? I mean, he must have been watched, if what you say is true.”

Nial thumped his glass on the table. “You’re prying me, aren’t you? In specting.”

Colin sighed. “It’s this, Nial,” he said. “I’m new to all of this. I think there’s something strange going on, and I’m not sure who to trust. Except you. I believe I can trust you.”

Nial stared at him for several long moments, then took his mug back up.

“What, then?”

“The Emperor asked about a man named Gulan, specifically. He wanted to know if his body was found.”

“Was it?”

“Yeah.”

Nial nodded. “Gulan was Attrebus’s right hand. He kept him out of trouble. Whenever the prince would try and go be a hero in the wrong place, Gulan would bring it to the attention of the Emperor, and something would happen to stop it.”

“Well, he didn’t this time, it seems. He didn’t report directly to the Emperor, did he?”

“No, he’d go through the prime minister’s office.”

Colin nodded. Now he was sure about what he was missing.

“Thanks, Nial,” he said.

“You look tired, boy,” Nial said. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine. I have some trouble sleeping, that’s all.”

“You used to sleep so sound thunder wouldn’t wake you,” Nial said.

“Things change,” Colin said. He studied the table for a moment, before looking back up at his friend. “Look, try to forget we had this conversation. Don’t ask any questions, just leave it be.”

“I might be able to help,” Nial said.

“You’ve helped me more than enough. Now, come on. Let’s talk about something else.”

“Yeah, like what?”

“Like what a slut your sister is, for instance.”

“If it weren’t true, I’d thwack you for that. Maybe I should thwack you anyway. Let’s have another round while I think it over.”

“That’s good for me,” Colin replied.

He finished the ale and watched Nial walk off to fetch two more. There wasn’t anything else to do tonight, and it felt good to talk to a friend. It had been a long time since he’d done that.

And it might well be the last.

EIGHT

Qijne glared down at the trays and the food they contained.

“Explain,” she snapped. “Start with the fish.”

“Annaïg calls it ‘catfish,’” Slyr said. “The taskers bring us quite a lot of them.”

“I’m aware of that,” Qijne said. “We’ve burned hundreds for the Oroy mansion workers. What I want to know is, why are you sending a complete fish to Lord Ghol? It’s far too coarse for his palate.”

Why question us? Annaïg wondered. Except for that first time, we’ve done nothing but succeed. Can’t you just trust us?

She could not, of course, say that out loud.

“That’s true, Chef,” she said instead. “He will be surprised by it, I believe.”

“Not pleasantly, I should imagine by looking at it.”

“Ah, yes, but when he touches or breathes on it, it will deliquesce. That will release a series of odors viandic; the fish will liquefy and mingle with the void and fire salts there around the fish, which will then release their essences. That will lead nicely into the second course, here, a cold broth of tadpole bones garnished with live frog eggs. Finally, the white froth of Terriswort will cause his palate to vividly recall each aroma and taste—but in reverse order.”

“Another of your metagastrologics?”

“Yes, Chef.”

“These are tricks, stunts,” Qijne complained. “You hazard boring him.”

“I think he will be pleased,” Slyr said. “But if you have any suggestions, I would be most happy to hear them, Chef.”

Qijne narrowed her eyes, clearly trying to decide if she should feel insulted. Annaïg had to stop herself from holding her breath.

The moment passed, ending when Qijne simply walked off.

“That’s it, then,” Slyr said. “Let’s send it up.”

The news from above was good that evening. She and Slyr hadn’t been back to the little room with its view of the night sky in days, but that night they celebrated there again. Slyr brought baubles as well as food this time—little coils of glass that glowed like small suns.

And after Slyr was asleep, Annaïg felt her amulet wake.

“Thank Dibella,” she murmured. She lifted a coil, rose and tiptoed out of the room into the cellar, and only then did she open the locket.

And there was Prince Attrebus, looking back at her. The light seemed to be firelight, for shadows flickered about him, but his face was bruised and battered. His eyes were full of concern, but now his features relaxed in relief.

“There you are,” he said. “I was worried about you.”

“And I about you, your highness. It’s been days. I’ve tried to contact you—”

He nodded. “I’ve been unable to respond,” he said. “I …” He trailed off. He seemed different—not the assertive, confident man she remembered from their earlier conversation.

“I understand, Prince Attrebus,” she said. “You’re a busy man.”

He nodded. “I want you to know,” he said, “that I am coming, as I promised. But it may be that …”

Again he didn’t finish. He seemed very vulnerable.

But then something seemed to strengthen him and his tone became firmer, more familiar.

“Have you discovered anything new?”

“Yes. I’ve found a place where I can see the sky—a way in and out. And I’m trying to re-create the tonic that Glim and I used to reach this place.”

“That’s good,” he said. “Perhaps I can find something like that on my way there. We should pass through Rimmen in a few days, and then Leyawiin.”

That sounded a little odd, as if he didn’t have his mages with him, but maybe he preferred to handle certain things himself.

“I’ve always wanted to see Rimmen,” she told him. “They say the Akaviri built a magnificent shrine there, the Tonenaka. They say it houses ten thousand statues. And the canals are said to be amazing.”

“Well, I’ve never been there either,” Attrebus said. “But I’ll tell you about it next time we speak.”

“That would be wonderful, Prince.”

“I shan’t be dawdling there, though,” he went on. “Time is of the essence. But I’m sure I’ll see something worth mentioning.” He paused. “I find titles cumbersome in conversation. I would prefer you did not use them.”

“What should I call you, your highness?”

“Attrebus will do, or ‘Treb.’ It will save time when we talk.”

“I’ll try,” she said. “It seems strange to be so familiar with you.”

“Try it, for my sake.”

There was that troubled look again.

“Are you—well, Attrebus? Is something wrong?”

“There have been some setbacks here,” he said. “I won’t bore you with the details.”

“It wouldn’t be boring,” she said.

“Well, then I’d rather not talk about it,” he modified.

She realized then that his eyes were glistening a bit.

“I must go now,” he said. “Keep yourself safe, above all. Will you do that?”

“I will,” she said.

He nodded, and then his image vanished behind Coo’s door.

She stood there for a moment, a bit breathless, then snuck back into the shaft-room. Slyr didn’t look as if she had stirred.

Annaïg sat with her back against the wall.

Something was wrong with the prince. That didn’t bode well, did it?

But at the moment there wasn’t much she could do but continue to stay alive, try to get in touch with Glim, rediscover the secret of flying …

Actually, that was quite a lot, wasn’t it? Her hands were full.

So she needed her rest. No use to worry about things that were, at the moment, beyond her.