The Hidden City

him.’
    ‘You’re putting yourself in danger, Sephrenia,’ Aphrael objected.
    ‘There’s nothing particularly new about that.’ Sephrenia smiled. ‘And when you consider what we’re trying to do, no place is really safe.’
    ‘Is that it, then?’ Engessa asked, standing up.
    ‘Probably, friend Engessa,’ Kring replied, ‘except for the hour or so we’ll all spend telling each other to be careful.’
    Engessa squared his shoulders, turned and faced his Queen directly. ‘What are your orders, Betuana-Queen,’ he asked her with military formality.
    She drew herself up with a regal stiffness. ‘It is our instruction that you return with us to Sama, Engessa-Atan. There you will resume command of our armies.’
    ‘It shall be as you say, Betuana-Queen.’
    ‘Directly upon our return, you will send runners to my husband, the king. Tell him that there is no longer a threat to Toea. The Shining Ones will deal with Scarpa.’
    He nodded stiffly.
    ‘Further, tell him that I have need of his forces in Sama. That is where we will prepare for the main battle, and he should be there to take command.’ She paused. ‘This is not because we are dissatisfied with your leadership, Engessa-Atan, but he is the king. You have served well. The royal house of Atan is grateful.’
    ‘It is my duty, Betuana-Queen,’ he replied, clashing his fist against his breastplate in salute. ‘No gratitude is necessary.’
    ‘Oh, dear,’ Aphrael murmured.
    ‘What’s wrong?’ Sephrenia asked her.
    ‘Nothing.’

Chapter 22
    ‘It was definitely Chacole and Torellia, Sarabian,’ Elysoun insisted several days later. ‘Chacole’s more or less running things. She’s er and shrewder. The strangers usually go directly to her. They talk privately for a while, and then she sends for Torellia. They weren’t really all that fond of each other before, but now theyve got their heads together all the time.’
    ‘Theyre probably getting orders from home,’ Sarabian mused. Jaluah of Cynesga is Chacole’s brother, and Torellia’s the daughter of King Rakya of Arjuna. Can you get any sense at all of what they might be up to?’
    She shook her head. ‘It’s too early.”
    ‘Early?’
    ‘Women’s politics again. We’re more devious than men. Chacole will want everything in place before she starts to form alliances. She’s got Torellia under control, but she’s not ready to start trying to expand yet.’
    ‘You’rere sure that Torellia’s the subordinate one?’
    She nodded. ‘Chacole’s servants are lording it over hers. That’s the first sign of dominance in the Women’s Palace. Ceirona’s servants are all insufferable because she’s the first wife and we’re all subordinate to her—except for Liatris, of course,’
    Sarabian smiled. ‘No one in his right mind is ont to Liatris. Has she killed anybody lately?’
    ‘Not since she butchered Cieronna’s footman last year.’
    ‘There’s a thought. Should we bring Liatris into this?’
    Elisoun shook her head. ‘Maybe later, but not at this stage. Atana Liatris is too direct. If I approached her with this, she’d simply kill Chacole and Torellia. Let’s wait until she approaches me before we involve Liatris.’
    ‘Are you sure Chacole will approach you?’
    ‘It’s almost certain. My servants have greater freedom of movement than hers—because of my social activities.’
    ‘That’s a delicate way to put it.’
    ‘You knew I was a Valesian when you married me, Sarabian, and you know about our customs. That’s why my servants have the run of the compound. It’s always been a tradition.’
    He sighed. ‘How many are there currently, Elysoun?’
    ‘None, actually.’ She smiled at him. ‘You don’t really understand, do you, Sarabian? The biggest part of the fun of those little adventures has always been the intrigue, and I’m getting plenty of that playing politics.’
    ‘Aren’t you feeling a little—deprived?’
    ‘I can endure it,’ she shrugged, ‘and if I get desperate, I always have you to fall back on, don’t I?’ and she gave him an arch little smile.
    ‘Wal, sir, Master Valash,’ Caalador drawled, leaning back in his chair in the cluttered loft, ‘ol’ Vymer here, he done tole me that yet a’ willin’ t’ pay good money fer information, an’ he sorta figgered oz how y’ might want t’ hear ’bout the stuff I seen in southwest Atan fer yet very own self.’
    ‘You two have known each other for quite some time then?’