Rudiger placed the tools back on the shelf and went over to where Borisin’s saddle was hanging.

That was short, Borisin complained.

Sorry buddy. The Queen could be here any moment. She didn’t give much warning. Rudiger lifted the saddle off the wall and carried it over to Borisin.

It’s all right. This is my second cleaning today anyway, so I’m good.

“Done.” Izel was sitting on the small haystack by the doors. She held the paper in his direction.

“Give me a minute,” Rudiger said, placing the saddle over Borisin’s back.

“I probably shouldn’t be holding this when the Queen arrives,” Izel said.

“Yeah, and I only have two hands. Give me a moment.”

Once he’d finished saddling Borisin, he took the paper from Izel. It looked exactly like it had when he’d written it, apart from several smudges that weren’t there before. She’d been working on this for nearly half an hour and this was all she had to show for it? “You sure this will work?”

Izel rolled her eyes. “Rudiger, I’ve been doing this sort of thing my whole life. I know what I’m doing. Both Fra-Mecatl and Fra-Tepeu know the code.”

Rudiger started to fold the paper, but stopped. “What if it gets more smudged in transport?”

“They know the difference between a legitimate smudge and the code, and yes, it is possible to mess the letter up enough to make the whole thing unreadable, but that isn’t very likely to happen.”

Rudiger finished folding the letter and placed it in the inside folds of his tunic. “I still think we should wait for Acat and Kianto. I can do a supply run, and with the news of the Youth Guard’s return, I’m sure they’ll be about even though it’s earlier than expected.”

Izel shook her head. “Too risky. Zeltzin will be watching us both like hawks now. After what you discovered the other day...”

Rudiger retrieved Borisin’s bridle. “Surely if she thinks I know something, she’d have tried to kill me by now.”

“Not while you have the Queen’s favour. She’ll want evidence first, and catching you red-handed with the Resistance will give her that. You cannot afford to lose the Queen’s favour now.”

“Yet you want me to use that favour to my advantage.”

“It’s the only chance we have of getting that letter out without Zeltzin intercepting it.”

“But what if she gets angry at me for overstepping myself or something?”

Izel shrugged. “That’s a risk, yes. That’s politics. You wanted to be involved.”

Rudiger sighed. “No I didn’t. I keep telling you that.”

She stood up and came over to him. “Well, you’re involved now whether you like it or not.”

He finished bridling Borisin, and she took his arm and pulled him round to face her. “Look, you’ll be fine, okay?”

Rudiger nodded. “Yeah, sure. I just don’t feel right using her like this.”

“She’s using you.”

“I know. Still...” He took a deep breath, then took Borisin’s reins. “Right. Let’s do this, buddy.”

“That’s better.” Izel put her arms round his neck and pulled his head down to kiss him. “I better get going before she gets here.” She kissed him again and headed out the door.

Rudiger waited a moment, then led Borisin out of the stables just in time to see Queen Nin-Xoco and a half dozen Queen’s Guards coming in his direction. Ses-Zeltzin was not among them, thankfully.

The guards stayed back a discreet distance while the Queen continued towards him, almost at a run. She had already tied her hair up. When she reached him, she threw her arms around him. “Oh Rudiger, I’m so glad to see you. Things are such a shamble in the Council chambers. I couldn’t take it any more.” She let go of him and wiped tears from her eyes.

Rudiger wasn’t sure how to respond. “Surely things aren’t that bad, Holiness?”

“Oh they are,” she whimpered. “But at least I have you and Buluc to comfort me. You said we could go to the river today?”

“Yes, of course, Holiness.”

“I will ride Buluc there then.” She took the reins from him and mounted. Within moments of starting off, all signs of tears were gone from her face and she appeared stoic.

Rudiger walked to the side of Nin-Xoco and Borisin as they crossed the field. They said little, although Rudiger offered an occasional comment on her posture and handling of the reins. The Jaguar Falls rumbled ever louder as they neared the river. Nin-Xoco brought Borisin to a stop just as the misty spray from the falls began to drizzle over them.

“How close is it safe to take him?” the Queen asked.

“Buluc is a strong horse, Holiness, and not likely to get swept away. But I am more concerned for your safety, Holiness.”

“Zeltzin would say the same thing, but I would have you know, I’ve been to the edge many times. The current is not strong at the base of the falls. It’s even safe for swimming as long as you don’t get too close to the falls.” She looked away from him. “Or so I’m told. I, of course, have never engaged in such uncouth activities.”

“Of course not, Holiness.”

Rudiger hadn’t been this close to the base of the falls. The Jaguar’s current didn’t look extreme here, not like it was closer to Fra-Tepeu and Fra-Mecatl’s ranch. The falls themselves were majestic and beautiful. Their height was the most inspiring thing. It had to be well over a hundred feet to the top. The water poured down in a thick sheet, throwing up a cloud of spray at the bottom.

“Let’s go closer,” Nin-Xoco said. “Be warned, though. We may get a bit wet.”

Should I? Borisin asked.

A little closer should be fine.

Nin-Xoco took them almost to the edge. The rumble of the falls was much louder and the spray was like a light rainfall. Rudiger hoped the letter in his tunic wouldn’t be ruined.

“I used to love coming here as a girl,” the Queen said, staring out at the river and the falls. “It is very relaxing and helps me forget my tensions.”

“You did seem upset, Holiness,” Rudiger said. “You said things were bad.”

She glanced at him, then looked back over the river. “Yes, I did say that, didn’t I?”

“You’re feeling better now, though?”

She nodded. “Yes, I think so. I needed time to think. Still do. But it’s helping.”

“Would it be all right to move back a little now, Holiness? I’m getting a little wet, and I’m worried your guards might not like us being this close.” He was also getting worried about the letter.

The letter he still hadn’t managed to mention to her.

The Queen sighed. “If you wish. We’ll move downriver a little. Not too far though.”

Once they were away from the worst of the spray, Rudiger reached inside his tunic to check the letter. It still felt dry.

“You seem on edge, Rudiger,” the Queen said. “Is something wrong? I’m sorry if I’m not allowing much time for instruction at the moment.”

“No, that’s fine, Holiness. I understand.”

“Good, but you haven’t answered my question.”

“Apologies, Holiness. I was wondering if I could ask you a favour, but I was worried I might be overstepping myself.”

“That would depend on the favour.”

“I’ve been thinking about my sister a lot recently.”

“Have you changed your mind about inviting her here? I would be happy—”

“No, Holiness,” he said. “I don’t want to interrupt her studies. But I was wondering if you might get a letter to her for me.”

Nin-Xoco looked down at him askew. “A letter? What about the normal avenues?”

Rudiger looked towards the guards.

“Oh, don’t worry about them,” Nin-Xoco said. “They can’t hear us over the falls. It’s part of why I wanted to come here.”

Rudiger took a deep breath. “Honestly, Holiness, I worry it will be intercepted. There are people who don’t like me being here, Ses-Zeltzin in particular.”

“She might intercept it,” Nin-Xoco said, dismounting. “Zeltzin is loyal, but over-protective at times. It’s part of her job. But once she’d read the letter and found nothing wrong, she would send it on its way.” She looked up at him now. “She would find nothing wrong, right?”

“Of course, Holiness, but it is a private message that I’d prefer not just anyone read.”

“May I read it?”

“If you wish, Holiness.” He took the letter out of his tunic.

“You have it here?” Nin-Xoco looked back towards the falls. “Is that why you didn’t want to get wet? You could have said.”

“Sorry, Holiness.”

She took the letter and unfolded it. “Your handwriting is awful, and there are so many smudges.”

“I’m just learning to write in this language,” Rudiger said. “I’m not very good with the letters yet, so I make a lot of mistakes.”

“Oh, but it’s so sweet. Such affection for your sister. And some very complimentary things about me.” She looked up at him and smiled. “I’m glad you think so highly of me.”

He looked away and shifted his feet, trying to look embarrassed. He hoped he succeeded. He probably did, seeing as he really was embarrassed, if not for the reasons he was pretending. Gods, he hated this lying.

Nin-Xoco folded the letter again and sighed, her shoulders slumping forward, and she lowered her head. “I will send your letter for you. I have ways to get it out without anyone intercepting it.”

“Thank you. Forgive me, Holiness, but you seem upset. Is it something in the letter?”

She shook her head. “No. Well, yes, I suppose. You say such nice things about me.”

“They’re true.”

“I need to apologise to you, Rudiger, but I’ve been using you a little.”

“I’m not sure I understand.” This was surprising. He’d wanted her to think he’d been taken in by her advances, but he hadn’t expected her to admit her deceptions.

“Come sit with me.” She led Borisin to the river’s edge. There, she took off her sandals, sat on a nearby rock, and dangled her feet in the water.

Rudiger took off his own shoes and sat beside her. The water was cool and refreshing.

“A Ninifin Queen is supposed to be the ultimate warrior,” Nin-Xoco said. “Able to lead her people into battle and crush any opposition to her rule. The truth, however, is far different. I’ve never seen real combat, and while I know how to use a spear and bow, if I were ever in a real battle, I wouldn’t have the skill to survive. All that talk of riding Buluc into battle is just bluster. In reality, ruling Ninifin is about playing politics with a bunch of old women who want all the power to themselves. The priests and the nobles try to manipulate each other and they try to manipulate me. I try to manipulate them back, though in my case, it’s just to make them think I’m immature and not very bright, that I’m flighty and petty. Basically, they need to think I’m manipulable and they can control me, or my reign might meet a sudden end. My mother was poisoned when she got too independent.”

“Sorry to hear that,” Rudiger said.

“It was many years ago now, but it’s had a heavy impact on me.”

“I’m still not sure what it has to do with apologising to me,” Rudiger said.

She looked at him. “Surely you’ve heard Palace gossip about us?”

He nodded.

“When you arrived here, I saw an opportunity to distract the priests and nobles if they thought I was smitten with you.”

“I see.”

“You don’t seem very surprised.”

“I kind of figured that’s what you were doing.”

Borisin snorted. Ahem. That was me, not you.

Nin-Xoco turned to look at Borisin. “I always find it funny when he makes that sound. It’s like he’s commenting on us.”

“Maybe he is,” Rudiger said.

Borisin snorted again and Nin-Xoco laughed. She shifted back around on the rock to face Rudiger again. “So you knew. Are my charms really so inadequate?”

“No, it’s not that. It’s just...well...I...”

She nudged him in the arm and chuckled. “I’m just kidding around. Thank you, Rudiger.”

“For what?”

She gestured around her. “For this. Sitting and talking. I don’t get to do it often. And right now, I needed it. I’ve just learnt that the priests have been keeping even more secrets from me than I thought, and I really have no idea what’s going on. Did you see the return of the Youth Guard?”

Rudiger nodded. “I did, Holiness.”

“Then you know a little of what I’m dealing with. I have to decide what to do about this Will-Breaker, and the fact the priests all want to use her for their own ends, and stay alive in the process.”

“Do you really think they’ll kill you?”

She smiled at him. “If they think I’m a threat to their power. They won’t do it openly, of course. It’ll be like my mother.” She leaned her head on his shoulder. “But let’s not talk of any more politics. Let’s just sit here for a couple of minutes before I have to go back to the Council.”

“As you wish, Holiness.”

“Call me Xoco.”

“Of course,” Rudiger stammered. “I’m honoured.”

She raised her head and looked into his eyes. “The other day, I told you I wished I had a brother like you. That wasn’t an act. You’ve been very good to me this past month. And patient.” She turned around on the rock, found her sandals in the long grasses, and put them on.

Rudiger closed his eyes for a moment and sighed. What would she think of him if she knew Zandrue wasn’t his sister? He wanted to tell her the truth, but he couldn’t now. He was in too deep.

“I need to return to the Council,” Xoco said. “In public, you should still address me as Holiness, as would my real brother if I had one and anyone else close to me. But if you need to refer to my name, use Xoco. Be wary though. There are some who won’t be happy about it.”

“Fra-Ichtaca?”

Xoco nodded and stood up. “And others. A month ago, I wouldn’t have worried what they thought of you. Now I do.” She looked back at him. “I’m sorry I’ve dragged you into my world.”

“That’s okay.” Rudiger smirked. “Nice to hear it the other way round.”

“What do you mean?”

“Oh, Izel keeps accusing me of injecting myself into these situations.”

Xoco smiled. “Ah. She is...an intense woman. I like her. You and she are lovers, yes?”

Rudiger felt his cheeks warming and stared at the rock. “You know about that?”

Xoco laughed. “I do hear what goes on in the Palace, you know.”

“Of course, sorry.”

“There’s nothing for you to be sorry about. She doesn’t like it here, does she?”

Rudiger shook his head.

“I suppose I should pretend to forget about her for a while, and then excuse her from the Palace. I was just trying to do something nice for her. It’s because of Zeltzin, isn’t it?”

Rudiger grimaced. He was going to have to do some more lying. Ses-Zeltzin was a good enough scapegoat to use, especially as there was probably an element of truth there. “At least a little. You know they’re sisters?”

She nodded and sat beside him again. “I didn’t at first. I was very surprised to find out. I didn’t know Zeltzin had any sisters.”

Rudiger looked her in the eyes for a moment, then looked away again. “Ever thought there might be other things about Ses-Zeltzin you don’t know?”

“Like what?”

“Maybe she has other secrets?”

“Everyone has secrets. Why should Zeltzin be any different?”

“Yes, but are you sure you can trust her?” How much could he tell her? Would she believe him?

“Of course! She’s served the throne most of her life. In the Youth Guard as a child. She served my mother in the Queen’s Guard, and she took over leadership shortly after I became queen. I know she can be over-zealous sometimes, and slow to trust others. You’re wise to be wary of her because she doesn’t trust you.” Xoco groaned. “She doesn’t trust any man I get close to. It’s the one area of contention between us. But she’s loyal to me. I know this. Trust me.”

Rudiger just nodded. He wasn’t going to convince her without more direct proof.

Don’t suppose you could talk to her, buddy, like you did with Izel? he asked Borisin.

What good would that do?

Don’t know. Maybe she’ll be more likely to believe me if she’s in awe of your ability to talk.

Why would that work?

Worked with Izel.

Yeah, because we needed to convince her that I was important. My ability to speak says nothing about Ses-Zeltzin’s loyalty.

I suppose you’re right.

Xoco stood up. “I really should get back to the Council before things get too out of hand. I might have to excommunicate Fra-Atl. I hope not. I like her. A lot.” She leaned over and kissed him on the forehead. “Trust me about Zeltzin, okay?”

“Yeah, I’m sure you’re right.”

“I’ll see you soon.” She hurried off towards the Palace, her guards falling in around her.

Rudiger sat on the rock for several more minutes, wondering how to deal with Ses-Zeltzin.

He needed to contact Felitïa.

* * * * *

There were more guards than usual in the upper courtyard. There weren’t as many as there had been for the arrival of the Youth Guard yesterday, but that had been ceremonial. Rudiger couldn’t be sure why there were more than usual now, but it was clear the whole Palace was on edge.

During the night, the servants’ quarters had been a hotbed of gossip. The Council had been in session with the Queen late into the night, with some of the nobles and priests who had been missing earlier showing up well past midnight. That meant people were coming and going from the servants’ quarters all night, too, which made it all the noisier and harder to sleep. After a month in the Palace, Rudiger still hadn’t figured out how people slept through the regular noisy conditions, never mind the conditions of last night.

Pure exhaustion, he supposed. It was what had allowed him a couple hours sleep in the end.

This morning, he had woken to talk that the Queen had excommunicated Fra-Atl. He hoped that wasn’t true, even though Xoco had said she might have to do it. Although he hadn’t seen Fra-Atl very often, he had seen her more often than most other priests or nobles, and had grown to like her. She seemed the only one interested in getting to know people who weren’t priests or nobles.

Two guards watched him as he went round the northeast corner towards the stables. He nodded to them; they scowled back. They didn’t try to stop him though, so he continued on to the stables.

There were Queen’s Guards at the stables. “There a problem?” he asked.

“You’re wanted inside,” one replied.

Inside, he found Fra-Ichtaca standing by Borisin’s stall. She was holding one hand in the other, squeezing one finger which had a few spots of blood on it, then pinching at the same finger, her face scrunched. Ses-Zeltzin stood nearby.

“You’re late,” the priest said, not looking at him, but continuing to work on her finger.

“Late, Reverence?”

“Yes, late.”

“Apologies, Reverence, but late for what?”

“Your job.”

Ses-Zeltzin smirked.

“Excuse me, Reverence,” he said, “but is everything all right?”

“The horse tried to bite me.” She pulled at her finger again, this time getting whatever she was looking for.

I snapped, but nowhere near close enough to bite her. You should have seen her jump. She grabbed the post and got splinters in her hand.

Fra-Ichtaca shook both her hands out, spraying a couple drops of blood about. “This horse should be ready at dawn every day in case the Queen calls for it.”

“Apologies, Reverence, but I always keep Buluc in a state that he can be called upon on short notice, and her Holiness always gives me at least some notice.”

She walked up to him and slapped him. “Do not talk back to me!”

Talk back? That’s what she called talking back? He probed the inside of his cheek with his tongue. The blow hadn’t been strong enough to cause anything more than a brief sting. “I apologise, Reverence.”

“These stables are a disgrace. I will give you one week to get them cleaned up and running efficiently. I expect you here every day at least an hour before dawn. You cannot rely on the Queen always giving you notice. You must have the horse ready on a moment’s notice. Finally, you are to remain at the stables every day until you receive word that the Queen has gone to bed. Understood?”

“Yes, Reverence.”

“When you are in her Holiness’s presence, you are not to touch her in any way, shape, or form. Do you understand?”

“Of course, Reverence, but I also need to be attentive in case she falls.”

“From this time forward, there will be a Queen’s Guard close enough to catch her in such a circumstance.” Fra-Ichtaca leered up at him. “You will also restrict all interactions to lessons only. There will be no gallivanting down to the river and dangling feet in the water. No snuggling close to one another, and most importantly, no kisses from her. Do you understand?”

Rudiger gulped. “I was following the Queen’s instructions. She asked me to sit beside—”

Fra-Ichtaca slapped him again. “You are too casual with her. If you were not, she would not do these things. So it will not happen again. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, Reverence.”

“Never again.”

He nodded. “Never again.”

“It had better not. Ses-Zeltzin.”

The Queen’s Guard approached him. “Place your hand on the post, please.”

Rudiger raised his hand partway, but hesitated. “Why?”

“Do as you are told!” Fra-Ichtaca snapped.

With a nod, he placed his hand on the post by Borisin’s stall, and Ses-Zeltzin slammed a knife right through his hand, pinning him there. He cried out as pain shot through him. “Shit! What the hell?”

Borisin squealed and kicked at the back of his stall. The entire stables shook.

Ses-Zeltzin kneed him in the stomach and he doubled back, inadvertently pulling at his hand and tearing a wider wound. “Do not use such language in the presence of a Voice!”

Rudiger grimaced and stood up straight.

“This is your punishment for yesterday,” Fra-Ichtaca said. “If you ever repeat the offence, next time will be worse. You will be watched constantly.” She glared into Borisin’s stall. “And keep this horse under control.”

Borisin kicked the wall again.

Enough, buddy, or you’ll bring the whole place down. I’ll be fine.

“Ses-Zeltzin, I am done here for now,” Fra-Ichtaca said and stormed out of the stables.

Ses-Zeltzin smiled up at him. “I’m curious which you’ll do. Will you spurn the Queen’s advances and provoke her anger, or disobey Fra-Ichtaca and take more of this. Either way, it’ll be entertaining.”

“Fuck you.”

“No, you’re already doing that to my sister.” She laughed and walked around him, stepping on his foot as she did so.

Izel was just coming in the door. Ses-Zeltzin stopped beside her sister. “Looks like your boy toy could use some help.” She laughed and continued out the door.

Rudiger ripped the knife back out. “Fuck!”

Izel rushed over to the storage shelves. “We need to stop the bleeding and sterilise the wound. Zeltzin would have made a point to use a dirty blade.”

“The jug on the top right has alcohol,” he told her. “Bandages beside it.”

She grabbed the indicated items as well as a brush, and came back over to him.

“These are supposed to be for the horses.” He tried to laugh despite the pain.

“Today they’re for you.” She handed the brush to him. “Bite down on the handle. Let me know if you start getting numb or feeling woozy, anything like that. I wouldn’t put it beyond her to have poisoned the blade.”

“Can I kill her?” Rudiger asked.

She looked up at him and smirked. “I think that’s the most violent I’ve ever heard you.”

“Yeah well, I’m pissed.”

“Before you engage in any killing, bite down. This is going to hurt.”

He put the brush handle in his mouth, bit down, then held out the wounded hand for her. She opened the jug and poured the alcohol into the wound. Again, pain tore through him, although it wasn’t quite as bad. Izel put the jug aside, tore off a strip from the bandage roll and wrapped it round his hand. She pulled it tight and tied it off.

“Keep an eye on that in case we have to cauterise it. I came to ask how things went with the Queen yesterday, but I think I can guess.”

“We had a nice heartfelt conversation by the river. They didn’t like that so much.”

“What about the letter?”

“Xoco promised to send it. With luck, Fra-Tepeu and Fra-Mecatl have it already.”

Izel smirked. “Xoco? That must have been a very heartfelt conversation. No wonder Zeltzin’s stabbing you.”

“I didn’t sleep with her. It was just a conversation. She said she thinks of me as a brother.”

Izel nodded and put a hand to her face, not quite succeeding at hiding her continuing smirk. She sat on the hay pile by the door. “How much have you heard about last night’s events?”

“Scattered rumours.”

“Fra-Atl has been excommunicated.”

Rudiger lowered his head and closed his eyes. “I heard that rumour. Hoped it wasn’t true.”

“Your friend is in prison.”

“That’s better than the execution rumour I heard last night.”

“The Council questioned the surviving Youth Guards into the early hours of the morning.”

“Think you can get them onto your side?”

“Don’t know,” Izel said, then smiled. “You didn’t say our side.”

Rudiger shrugged. “Maybe I’m learning.”

“Nice. Anyway, I can’t be sure what to expect from them, but we should certainly try. If we can’t, our little revolution might fail before it starts. The problem is, I don’t know where they are at the moment. Keep your eyes and ears open for that information.”

He nodded. The bandage on his hand had turned dark red and blood was seeping out the edges. “I think I need a new bandage.”

She took his hand. “It hasn’t stopped bleeding yet.” She tore off a fresh strip of bandage, handed it to him to hold, and untied the old bandage. She tossed it aside, took back the new one, and tied it, pulling it tighter this time. “Let’s hope the bleeding stops. You’re feeling otherwise okay?”

He nodded. “I don’t think she poisoned me.”

She went back to the supply shelves. “We’ll probably need to stitch the wound. You’ll have quite a scar there and there’s no telling what kind of internal damage she did. You might lose some mobility.”

He groaned. “Just as long as I can still kill her.”

She shook her head. “You might have to get in line for that.”

Someone’s coming, Borisin said. Smells familiar, but not a scent I know well.

“Someone’s coming,” Rudiger repeated to Izel.

They turned just in time to see a young woman with matching jaguar tattoos standing in the doorway, about to knock. She was dressed in the outfit of the Queen’s Guard. “Hi. Are you Rudiger?”

Rudiger nodded. “Yeah.”

“My name is Nin-Akna.”

She stepped into the room and two others followed her in. They wore the same outfit and carried spears, but were more girls than young women. One couldn’t have been more than thirteen or so.

“These are Fra-Chan and Ses-Iktan,” Nin-Akna said. “We’re the Youth Guard. Felitïa told us to find you. Can we talk?”

“We were just talking about you, so you might as well join in,” Rudiger said. “This is...” He hesitated, trying to remember the etiquette of introducing someone he no longer used the honorific for. He seemed to recall, when meeting Fra-Tepeu and Fra-Mecatl for the first time, Fra-Tepeu had introduced his sister with the honorific. “Ses-Izel.”

Izel came back over from the supply shelf. “It’s an honour to meet the Youth Guard.”

Nin-Akna glanced at Izel, then looked back at Rudiger. “Can she be trusted?”

Rudiger nodded. “We argue a lot, but I’d trust Izel with my life.” He made a point of using her name, knowing that the lack of honorific would strengthen his statement of trust.

Nin-Akna smiled at Izel. “Then I am an honoured to meet you, as well.”

Hey, I’m here as well.

“Oh yeah, and that’s Borisin over there. Although the Queen calls him Buluc and that’s the name you should use in her presence.”

Nin-Akna’s eyes widened and she grinned. “The talking horse! Meleng told me about him!” She rushed over to Borisin’s stall and leaned in. “He’s gorgeous. Why was the Queen riding him?”

I’ve been asking the same question for some time now.

“Long story,” Rudiger answered.

The other two Youth Guards hurried over to either side of Nin-Akna. “He’s so big,” the youngest said. “Why’s he not saying anything?”

I’m saying lots. I’m just choosing not to say them to you, kid.

“He only ever speaks to Rudiger,” Nin-Akna answered.

“Then how do we know he really speaks?” the other Youth Guard asked.

“You mention Meleng,” Rudiger interrupted. “How is he? Where is he? And how’s Felitïa? Apart from being in prison, I mean.”

Nin-Akna turned to face him again. “She’s...okay, I guess. We just came from visiting her. She wants to know what you’ve been up to.”

“And I think we’d like to know what you’ve been up to,” he replied. Izel nodded her agreement.

“Why don’t we start and then you can fill us in?” Nin-Akna suggested.

It took a couple of hours for them to tell their stories, which were interrupted on several occasions by someone with questions, in particular when Nin-Akna told of a locket Felitïa had found with an unusual picture in it.

“That’s Ses-Xipil all right,” Izel said when she looked at the open locket. “And that’s a Volg?”

“Definitely a Volg,” Rudiger replied. “I’ve seen a few before.”

“Not just any Volg,” Nin-Akna said. “That’s their prince.”

Izel exhaled a heavy breath and handed the locket back to Nin-Akna. “I knew the priesthood could be corrupt, but I never expected one of them to pose with a Volg.”

“Felitïa thinks Ses-Xipil might not be what she claims,” Nin-Akna said.

“She’s not,” Rudiger said.

Izel rolled her eyes. “You’re not referring to that belief of Borisin’s, are you?”

Rudiger was about to reply when Izel went on. “No, I’m not calling you a liar. I’m saying you’re mistaken. Just because she smells strange doesn’t make her not human. No, you know better than to argue with me. I don’t care how good your sense of smell is. I’m not denying that she smells weird. I’m saying—Oh for gods’ sake. Fine. Have it your way.”

Nin-Akna and the two other young warriors were staring at Izel. “Is she—” Nin-Akna started.

“I would have mentioned that when we got to our part of the story,” Rudiger said. “But yeah, Borisin talks to her, too. Blew my mind first time it happened. And yeah, Borisin doesn’t think Ses-Xipil is human.”

“Felitïa thinks she might be some sort of Volg shapeshifter or something,” Nin-Akna said.

Nah, doesn’t smell like a Volg, Borisin said. Although now I think of it, the smell’s not that different. Kind of how it has similarities to a human smell, it also has some similarities to a Volg smell.

But that means Zandrue... Rudiger replied.

The similarity’s there too. Didn’t even occur to me before. One spot where I let my vision override my smell. Sorry.

Nin-Akna waved her hand in front of Rudiger’s face. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, sorry, just listening to Borisin. He says there is a similarity in smell to Volgs.”

“You’re serious about this?” Izel said.

“It was hard for us to accept, too,” Nin-Akna said. “Perhaps we should finish our tale.”

Izel nodded. “Of course.”

They had to pause a short while after that when Izel remembered Rudiger’s hand and demanded to check it.

“The bleeding’s stopped,” she said. “We need to stitch the wound closed, but you don’t have any suitable materials here.”

“We have some,” Nin-Akna said. “Fra-Chan, collect some from the barracks.”

The youngest snapped to attention, grabbed her spear, and hurried off.

“It should only take her a few minutes,” Nin-Akna said.

“Do you mind if I ask how old she is?” Rudiger said. “How old you all are?”

“She’s twelve,” Nin-Akna said. “She’s the youngest of us.”

“Twelve? A twelve-year-old warrior?”

“I’m fifteen,” Ses-Iktan said.

“Twelve,” Rudiger breathed.

“They are a training organisation, Rudiger,” Izel said. “They’re not meant to see real action. It’s disgraceful they were even sent to that island, and horrifying they were forced into action. My condolences on your losses.”

“Thank you,” Nin-Akna said. “I’m nineteen if you must know. I’ll be twenty in a few months, which is when I’ll be inducted into the Queen’s Guard.” She frowned. “If I’m alive, that is.”

“Sorry for prodding,” Rudiger said. “And my condolences too.”

“Those of us alive owe our lives to Meleng,” Nin-Akna said. “Felitïa too, but mostly Meleng.”

When Fra-Chan returned, she set about tending to his hand, first recleaning the wound and then stitching it. “Don’t worry,” the young girl said as she started, “I’m trained in first aid.”

Once Rudiger’s hand was stitched and bandaged again, they resumed their tales.

“We’re hoping the disruption of your return will destabilise things here enough for the Resistance to act,” Izel said once she and Rudiger had finished their side of the story. “Can we count on the Youth Guard’s assistance?”

The three Youth Guards conferred with each other for a minute before Nin-Akna said, “We’ve done some things to deliberately stir things up. It’s clear someone arranged specifically for us to die. We want that person or persons brought to justice. However, we have all vowed to protect the Queen at all costs, with our lives as necessary, and we will honour that vow. If you can promise us that no harm will come to her, then you have our support.”

“The Queen is a symptom of the problem, and not the problem itself,” Izel said. “The priests hold the real power, and that’s where we seek change. We seek to remove people like Fra-Ichtaca and Ses-Xipil. If Ses-Xipil really isn’t human, she has no right to be there in the first place. We mean no harm to the Queen. Besides, killing her would not win us any public support. People hate the priests and the rest of the government, but somehow still love her.”

“The Queen is a good and reasonable person from what I’ve seen of her,” Nin-Akna said.

“Then I’d suggest you’ve not seen much,” Izel said, “or you’ve not been paying attention. She’s petty, self-absorbed, and vindictive. Once we remove the corrupt priests controlling her, we may find ourselves with just as bad a situation with her, but at least—”

“Or a better one,” Nin-Akna said.

Izel sighed. “Look, are you with us or not?”

Nin-Akna scowled, but nodded. “We’re with you.”

“What about the warriors who returned with you? No offence, but the three of you will not be enough military support.”

“We had lots of time on the trip back to know where they stand,” Nin-Akna said. “They will follow us.”

“Good. And what if the Queen gives you a direct order to turn against us? What will you do?”

Nin-Akna grimaced. “We hope she will see that we are doing the right thing. She’s already questioning the loyalty of the priests, and—”

“And excommunicating one of the few good ones,” Izel said. “But that’s not answering my question. If she doesn’t agree that you’re doing the right thing, what will you do?”

Nin-Akna jumped to her feet. “I’ve already told you, we will not harm the Queen.”

Izel stood as well and faced the Youth Guard, who stood only a little taller than her. “And I’ve already told you we won’t harm her either. But will you disobey an order?”

Nin-Akna took several seconds before replying. “Only if absolutely necessary, but yes, I’m willing to disobey a direct order if it results in a cleansing of the evil that has corrupted her court.”

Izel smiled. “That’s all I wanted to know.”

Nin-Akna scowled. “When’s all this supposed to start?”

“Don’t know exactly,” Izel said. “Soon. We await a sign from the Resistance.”

“What will that be?”

“Can’t say for sure, either, but Fra-Tepeu will make sure it’s a noticeable one. Anyway, we’ve spent too long chatting in here for now. Someone’s bound to notice if you spend too long with us and they might start questioning. If anyone asks about this visit, we’ll put it down to the three of you being fascinated with the Queen’s new horse. You happened to see Rudiger was injured, so you offered to help tend his wounds. If anyone asks about the source of his injury, say he told you he had an accident while stripping leather for new tack and accidentally stabbed himself in the hand. Give no indication you know Fra-Ichtaca or Zeltzin were involved. Contact us if you learn anything. We’ll do the same with you, but we should keep further interaction between us to a minimum.”

Nin-Akna gave a slow nod, still frowning. “Agreed. I’ll let Felitïa know what we discussed.” She turned to the other two. “Let’s go.”

“You were a bit hard on them at the end, weren’t you?” Rudiger said after they’d gone.

“We need to make sure their loyalties don’t waver,” Izel said, sitting beside him on the floor.

“They’re just kids.”

“Exactly. We need to make sure their loyalties don’t waver.”

“I think we can trust them.”

“Look, Rudiger, they are a part of the system we’re trying to overthrow. They’ve been indoctrinated into it. Yes, they’re starting to wake up to the realities of the world—having someone order your deaths can do that—but they still have to throw aside old biases and prejudices.”

“I understand that, but I just think—”

“Please, can we not argue for a change? Just trust that I know what I’m doing, okay?”

Rudiger nodded. “Yeah, okay, I trust you.” After a moment, he added, “And we don’t argue that much anymore, do we? Not the last few days at any rate.”

“No, I suppose we don’t.” She smiled and climbed on top of him. “Too preoccupied with other things to argue, aren’t we?”

Borisin squealed. Not again!

* * * * *

The grey walls were smooth and featureless—and seemingly endless. Felitïa pushed herself back and forth across the boundary separating the two Rooms, comparing the walls on both sides. They were identical—which made sense. The walls weren’t literally walls, the Rooms not literally rooms. They were her mind choosing to visualise them in this manner. Years ago, when she had first formed the Room as a way to try to better understand her telepathy, she had consciously chosen to visualise it as a room. Since then, her unconscious mind had done the rest.

In that sense, the grey walls were her own creation. Her mind was viewing whatever the reality was—something imposed on her from without, she was certain—as walls. Perhaps it was time to view the reality. Remove the visualisations. Just “see” what was there.

Could she even do that?

She’d never know if she didn’t try.

She dismissed the second Room and let the original Room stand for a moment, then folded it away. She took a couple breaths, then opened her mind’s eye and let herself see what was there.

It was the Room.

She sighed.

The mistake was obvious in hindsight. Just thinking of a “mind’s eye” and “seeing” created a visualisation, and the Room returned. It was part instinct, part habit from years of doing it that way. She had to stop thinking of it as “seeing”.

Easier said than done.

She folded the Room away again and focused on just her mind and her thoughts, trying not to think of them in any kind of concrete terms.

There was only darkness.

But that was a visual term again.

There was a click and a slight creak in the musty cell.

Felitïa opened her real eyes.

Her jailer was opening the cell door slowly. Trying to sneak in? “Didn’t mean to disturb you. Meditating, were you?” She was a burly woman, her muscular arms covered in tattoos of animal skulls. Felitïa wondered if one of them was a goat skull, and even if one was, if the woman had it just because it was another animal in the collection, or if it was to indicate her allegiance to the Darkness Worshippers. She had a couple daggers and a small axe strapped to her belt.

“I understand the traditional thing in Ninifin is to meditate in the wilderness,” Felitïa said, “but I figured I’d make do. It saves having to break out and walk all the way out of the City to the wilderness.” She smiled—mostly at herself. That was a very Zandrue-like comment.

The jailer smirked, but apprehension and uncertainty emanated from her. Also determination. She wasn’t carrying any food or water, which was the only reason she had opened the cell since Felitïa had arrived. She pushed the door the rest of the way open. Then she reached for a dagger, but didn’t draw it.

There was very little space between the two of them. The cell was cramped, with only a single hard slab of stone to sleep or sit on. It would take only a second for the jailer to draw the dagger and lunge at Felitïa.

“Is there something I can help you with?” Felitïa asked.

“Yeah, don’t struggle,” the jailer replied. “I knew it was unlikely I’d sneak up on you, but figured I’d give it a try. I’d have waited till you were asleep, but my instructions were to get this done as soon as possible. No one will hear you scream—apart from the other prisoners, who can’t help you—no other guards, and no way you’re getting past me. So you might as well just let it happen. I promise I’ll make it as quick and painless as possible.”

Felitïa nodded. “I expected something like this, and I’m ready for it. No struggling, I promise.”

The jailer drew the dagger. “Nice to have a cooperative subject. No hard feelings, you understand. Just business.”

Felitïa half-closed her eyes and tilted her head slightly. “Understood. Time to sleep.” She released the spell, and the jailer dropped the dagger. Felitïa jumped up and caught the woman as she fell.

Gods, she was heavy. Felitïa struggled to lower her gently to the ground. If she’d hit her head in the fall, she might have woken back up. Felitïa glanced at the jailer’s belt, then at the door. The key was still in the lock, the other keys to the jail dangling underneath it.

Felitïa hurried out of the cell, pulled the door shut, and locked it.

This was a much quicker escape than she had wanted, although not an unexpected one. She had hoped to give Nin-Akna a bit more time to contact Rudiger and make other preparations, but they had both known there was a good chance someone would try to kill her.

In the front, room, she took a quick look about for her things. In a chest, she found her bag and white cloak, rolled up. The bag was empty, but she hadn’t had much in it beyond basic provisions anyway. She had left most of her things, including Lon and Nesh, with Nin-Akna before they had even reached the City. With a shrug, she slung the bag over her shoulders and stuffed the cloak in it.

She’d need to figure out what to do about food and other basics, since she now had no money to buy some more. But that was something that could wait.

The next trick was getting through the City without drawing attention. Her pale burnt skin would stand out, and wearing a cloak or robe with the hood up would draw just as much attention as Ninifins didn’t usually wear that type of clothing.

There were a few other things in the chest as well, presumably belongings of the other prisoners, including a brimmed hat. She felt a bit guilty at the idea of stealing it, but it might prove useful, so she pulled it out and stuck it on her head. It was a poor fit, so she shrugged and put it back.

She considered releasing the other prisoners as well, but she didn’t want to draw attention to a jail-break at this time. This way, she had at least until the jailer woke up and hopefully for however long it was until someone else came and found her trapped in the cell. Besides, some of the other prisoners might be there for legitimate reasons, and she didn’t have time to figure out who were political prisoners and who were actual criminals.

She headed to the door and opened it a crack. It was starting to rain outside.

She didn’t need to make herself completely invisible. That would take too much strength in a populous city. She just needed to make people less inclined to notice her, make her seem part of the crowd. She should have enough strength for that. She hoped.

Felitïa took a deep breath and opened the door.