on this journey and should not blame me that I come back changed. I cannot pretend that none

of this matters to me or hide my feelings from you all. You should at least listen to what I have

learned as, believe me, I have suffered to gain this knowledge."

She paused, waiting for permission to carry on with her plea.

The First Crown Princess inclined her head. "Continue, sister."

Tashi knotted her fingers together in her lap. "I have learned that the Goddess wants us to risk

ourselves in her service. Her love is not just for the Islands but for the Easterners too. If we do

not help defend these people, 324

we will condemn them to Fergox's rule. I have seen it and it is founded on rottenness and

cruelty. If we do nothing, we also condemn ourselves. Fergox will turn his eye on us and destroy

our culture, just as he tried to destroy me."

Tashi stopped, her throat too tight to continue. She felt angry with the Princesses sitting there so

calmly when she was living through such a maelstrom inside.

In the silent cloisters, water tinkled from a fountain into a pool, the ripples rocking the lilies.

I'm like the fountain, merely rocking them in their complacency, Tashi thought bleakly, gripping

her knees to stop herself from clenching her fists.

Marisa spoke: "We know that our safety and that of Gerfal are connected, but we must be able

to trust them as an ally before committing our navy. That was the reason for the marriage, an

unbreakable bond between our two nations. Yet this did not take place and you sent word that

you were returning unmarried. Why should we trust them now?"

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Tashi held up open hands in despair. Her passion was not swaying them and she was running out

of reasons. "Because the King is a worthy man--

because his son risked his life to get me home--because, despite what I said a few months ago,

Ramil and I are pledged to each other." She raised her eyes to meet the First Crown Princess

defiantly. "Because I, Taoshira, the Fourth Crown Princess, trust them."

Marisa nodded, giving nothing away. "Then, sisters, let us vote. Shall we send our fleet to the aid of Gerfal?

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Cast your color to the floor: on my right for yes, on my left for no."

Tashi reached for her voting sticks but, of course, she had no throne and she had transferred her

rights to the Second Princess. Korbin saw the gesture.

"We have not said the ritual to return Taoshira her vote in matters of state; neither has the

question of her fitness to rule been satisfactorily resolved,"

Korbin announced. "There should at least be an inquiry into her conduct at Fergox's court. She

will have to abstain if we make the decision now."

"Do you still wish us to proceed, Taoshira?" Marisa asked.

Tashi looked down at the lily mosaic, seeing the lines rather than the whole picture. She

remembered the body of the priest sprawled in front of her in the temple and the shame of her

time in the hands of the priests of Holin. She had no idea how merciful or understanding her

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sisters would be when she told the detail of that story.

"I wish for no delay," she declared. "I trust my sisters to make the right decision." She looked meaningfully at Safilen, the only one so far not to have spoken.

A bell rang. The First Crown Princess closed her eyes and cast her vote to the right.

"I say we should send our navy."

The bell rang again and the Third Princess threw her stick to the left.

"I say we should defend our home waters, not leave ourselves exposed to the Pirate Fleet."

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The Second Crown Princess held two sticks in her hand. She kept her eyes open as she cast her

votes, looking unflinchingly at Tashi.

"I say that sound policy points to helping our allies; our sister's love for these people confirms it."

Orange and green sticks tumbled down to join the white of the First Princess.

"Then it is decided. The fleet will be despatched immediately," announced the First Princess.

Tashi sank down, the tension gone from her body. She had done it: she had fulfilled her promise

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to Ramil.

If Korbin was disappointed, she hid her dismay well. She rose. "It will be my task, as the one

responsible for the dispensing of justice, to undertake the inquiry into the recent conduct of

Taoshira. We must discover if she has broken any of her vows and investigate the validity of her

election."

"It is your right, sister," said the First Princess gravely.

Safilen frowned.

"Then Taoshira of Kai must be confined for a period of reflection and examination in the

Goddess's Enclosure while I complete the investigation,"

Korbin continued.

Tashi had been expecting something like this, but confinement to the Enclosure was an unheard

of step. Only maidens and single men dedicated to a lifelong silent worship of the Goddess were

allowed there. It was the most sacred place in the temple complex within the palace walls. To

send her there without being one of the devotees was to isolate her completely.

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"But why treat our sister with such harshness?" objected Safilen, anger flashing in her eyes.

"What has she done to be kept imprisoned? For that is what you are proposing, is it not?"

"I do not know what she has done. It is the purpose of the inquiry to find out. I am merely

thinking of the security of the Islands," the Third Princess said calmly.

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"I think my honored sister doubts my loyalty," Tashi said in a weary tone.

"She is wondering if Fergox has made me into his creature. I will submit to the inquiry. I ask

nothing for myself now that my mission to aid Gerfal is accomplished."

"Then lead our sister to the Enclosure and see she is suitably accommodated," Marisa instructed Korbin. "We will hear the results of your investigation at the New Moon."

The meeting broke up. Numbly, Tashi followed the dark robes of the Third Princess along the

corridors. She could hear the bustle of messengers running through the courtyards, the murmur

of people spreading the news about the decision to send the fleet and the disgrace of the

youngest princess. It was a bitter homecoming. Palace servants peered at her from behind

doors, speculating as to what taint she brought with her: loss of faith, deceit, treason? Tashi

knew in her heart of hearts that she no longer belonged here. She had grown too rebellious for

her role in the state administration. They might judge her guilty and cast her out, but even if she

regained her position, she would only break the system of government like an

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ill-fitting cog in a machine. Perhaps the Third Princess sensed this and knew the real danger.

Korbin stopped at the door leading into the Silent Courtyard.

"Please do not mistake me, Taoshira," the Princess said stiffly. "I am driven by no personal animosity towards you and think only of our nation."

"I understand." Tashi bowed.

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"I will attend on you tomorrow to begin our inquiry. Use the time to pray and reflect on your

errors if you have committed any."

"Many. All the time," Tashi admitted with a slight smile. "But then don't we all?"

She stepped through the gateway, not looking back.

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Chapter 17

In the slave market shed, Melletin spread a map of Tigral out on a table.