behaved. Anyway, this year she was getting a pony from Father and me. I hope he remembers

to give it to her--I chose it myself." He frowned for a moment, wondering what kind of

Midwinter they would be having in Falburg palace. "The best part comes at midnight when we

put out all the lights and fires all over the palace as a sign that the old year has died.

The king snuffs out the last one--it's very dramatic as we all wait in darkness.

Then I get to light the first candle of the new year. The flame is passed from person to person,

put to every hearth in the palace, so we all share that one light and hope." He paused, finding his throat strangely constricted. He'd 152

been trying to cheer her up, but succeeded in making himself acutely homesick.

Tashi stroked the setter. "In the Blue Crescent Islands we have a special ritual for New Year's

day," she said, picking up his theme. "We release pigeons at dawn to take messages to all the noble houses around the islands. When I was still at home, before I was a princess, I used to love

it when our bird arrived. You couldn't start the feast and the music until it came and we all got

very hungry waiting. Kai's a long way from Rama so we were always the last to eat."

Ramil smiled. "And what was the message?"

"It's always a special poem, a mada. It must have four lines and four-eight syllables. We hold a

competition each winter and the best one is chosen for the New Year. It's usually in praise of the

Mother." Tashi's brief pleasure at the memory soured on the mention of the Goddess. "I don't 156

know what they'll do this time. It's the role of the Fourth Crown Princess to select the winner.

See, I got all the vital jobs." She combed her fingers through the setter's ears, picking out a burr and throwing it aside. "I don't suppose they're missing me; they'll just rewrite a few rituals and carry on. They'll probably start looking for a new candidate to take my place when they hear

how I've betrayed them."

Ramil didn't like this new tone in her voice. "You haven't betrayed them, Tashi. You've been

strong. You're resisting Fergox the only way you can."

"But I can't defend the Goddess anymore--I'm not

153

worthy. I wanted that woman to kill me yesterday, did you know that? I'm a joke--just a goat girl

made into a princess by a warlord. It doesn't matter what happens to me now. I couldn't go back

to being the Fourth Crown Princess even if I do get out of here, not now that I know what I am."

She stared down at the filth on the floor below the bruised rushes. "You'll stand a much better

chance if you escape alone. You should go soon--go without me."

"No." Ramil covered her hand with his and gripped it. "I'm leaving tonight if I can, but you are coming with me."

She shook her head. "Do not throw away your one chance. I'm not worth it.

The Mother has turned her face from me--I'll only bring you bad fortune."

"Don't say that: it's not true! Look, if you stay, Fergox will use you to overthrow your own

government. Surely you can't let that happen? You'll eventually be forced to become his fifth

157

wife. Do you really want that?"

"Of course I don't. But as I seem to be cursed, maybe I'll bring a curse upon him." She sighed.

"Ram, can't you see it doesn't matter anymore what I do, but you, you're still needed at home.

You go. If my people are still there, tell them the truth. Let them rejoice that Fergox took me

away before I could do any more damage to my country."

"No, I refuse that mission, Princess. See, you are still ordering me around like a ruler--it's in you, it's what you are meant to be, no matter what others are telling

154

you. I've given my word that I'll only escape with you by my side. So forget about yourself for a

moment: if you care anything about me, about the fate of my country and yours, you are coming

with me or I don't go."

"But, Ram--"

"You've got my little horse stil ?"

She nodded.

"I believe that in the Islands it is understood that when you accepted it, you took responsibility for my soul. I'm holding you to that, Tashi."

"You've been talking to my little penitent for a long while, Prince Ramil,"

158

called Fergox, throwing a bone to the dogs. "What are you discussing?"

"Midwinter customs, my lord," replied Ramil, letting go of her hand.

"And is it the custom in Gerfal for a prince to sit with the dogs?" Fergox filled his plate with more meat.

"No, sir," replied Ramil, rising from the floor. "It is our custom to have songs, stories, and dancing."

"Dancing!" Junis shoved back her chair with a scrape. "There's an idea for a cold winter's evening. Come, little Prince, teach me some Gerfalian dances."

Without waiting for an answer, she hooked Ramil by the elbow and marched him into the center

of the room, snapping her fingers at the minstrels. "Play!"

she barked, gripping Ramil in a bearlike hug.

Fergox chuckled and patted his knee. "Join me, Tashi. This will be most amusing. My sister has

taken a liking to the Prince, poor lad. He'll soon wish they were back

155

on the practice courts rather than on the dance floor-- she'll do him more damage here than

there." Tashi did not move to obey the summons. Fergox frowned. "Come here or do I have to

drag you?"

159

She got up and perched uneasily on his knee.

"See, nothing to be afraid of, is there?" Fergox murmured, putting his arm around her waist. "I'm just wishing you Midwinter cheer." He kissed her hand. "Now, you wish me Midwinter cheer

back."

"Midwinter cheer, sir."

"A cold greeting if ever I heard one. Never mind; next year, when we're seeing in the New Year

together on Rama, celebrating the dawn of an enlightened age of worship of the supreme God,

there'll be plenty of opportunity for warmth. You'll like that, won't you, Tashi? Of course you

would: every woman desires to be wife to the most powerful man in the world!" He didn't wait

for--or seem to require--an answer, so certain of his own irresistible attractions. "Off you go,

back to your cell." Fergox pushed her up and signalled to the guard to take her away. "I can't have you sitting here all night or my people will think you've been hard at your spells again.

My sister's already convinced you've bewitched me. Though it seems young Ramil has been the

one charming her." He roared with laughter as the red-faced Ramil clumped by with Junis in his

arms, attempting to teach her the steps of a dance. "Midwinter cheer, my little penitent!"

156

Chapter 9

Ramil let Junis believe she had drunk him under the table. "Another one, sweetheart?" the old woman crowed as he slid from his chair pretending to pass out. She poked her brother in the

ribs. "A good boy but can't hold his drink!"

Fergox saw that his sister had reached the rowdy stage of drunkenness. Any moment now she

would be picking fights with everyone, including him, or singing scurrilous songs that would

160

make the toughest soldier blush.

"Come along, Junis, I'll see you to your bed," he said, getting up unsteadily.

He only now realized how much wine he'd consumed. The boy had been very free with the jug.