The balls scattered across the table, clacking against each other and the table walls.

“Not bad, sis,” Malef said.

Gabriella smirked. “Always so understated.”

Rudiger stared at the positions of the balls and tried to work out what distinguished them from any other opening shot. He understood the basics of the game, but he hadn’t figured out the nuance.

“No, no,” Malef said. “Not on this occasion. You’ll need to do much better than that to make up for Rudiger’s lack of skill. No offence, Rudiger.”

“None taken.” Rudiger had been partnered with Gabby as a handicap since she was apparently so much better than the others. This was the first time he had seen her play though—not that he could recognise the skill difference anyway. Nedwin was also a beginner, but when he played, Rudiger could see no difference between his and Malef’s playing—not until Malef started winning, at any rate.

Malef took a shot and frowned.

Gabby walked behind him, patting his shoulder as she passed. “What was that about lack of skill?” She came up beside Rudiger. “Your turn.”

He nodded and stared at the table. Unfortunately, Malef and Pastrin had forbidden Gabriella from giving him any advice. He found a shot he was reasonably certain he could make, lined up his cue, took the shot…

And missed.

Pastrin and Ned chuckled.

Rudiger looked at Gabby. “Sorry.”

Gabby shrugged.

Pastrin moved in for his turn. “I think we might actually have a chance of beating her this time.”

Gabby grinned across the table at him. “You wish.”

“We have to beat you one day,” Pastrin said.

“Maybe,” she replied. “But not today.”

“Frankly,” Barnol Friaz said from where he was seated on one of the many benches along the walls of the room, “this ongoing competition you have shouldn’t—”

Gabby held up a finger in his direction. “Don’t even go there, Barnol.”

“I’m just saying that there are far more appropriate activities for a lady of refinement such as yourself. You should be with your sister and my daughter. They’re—”

“Fuck you, Barnol.”

“And such language! I—”

“You can either shut the fuck up, or get the fuck out.” Gabby turned her attention back to the table. “Take your shot, Pastrin.”

Barnol huffed, pulled out a chocolate from the box he had in his lap, and stuffed it in his face.

“Really, cousin,” Ned said. “Must you be like this every time?”

Pastrin took his shot while Malef walked around the table towards Barnol Friaz. “I’m afraid I have to agree with Gabby and Ned. It does get very tiring. Gabriella is senior here. If she wants you out, we’ll throw you out.”

Barnol just nodded as he chewed.

“What did everyone think of the funeral yesterday?” Pastrin said.

“It was a funeral,” Gabby said.

Barnol spoke up. “I thought it was quite a fine funeral. Very dignified. Only the brief odd moment when Quilla nearly walked into that priest fellow. No idea what she was thinking there.”

“She was distraught, cousin,” Ned said. “She just got confused for a moment.”

“Yes, but why him?”

“He happened to be in a straight line in front of her. She kept walking too far, nearly bumped into him, and realised what she’d done. Simple as that. As usual, you’re making a big deal out of nothing.”

“Oh, I wasn’t making a big deal, just a simple comment.”

“You’re always so free with those,” Gabby said.

Barnol huffed and stood up. “If I’m going to receive this treatment, then I will go. Annai and Tianna’s concert is starting soon anyway. I should get ready.” He tucked his box of chocolates under his arm and stormed over to the door. The servant there opened it for him and closed it behind him.

Gabby laughed.

“You shouldn’t antagonise him so, sis,” Malef said.

“Oh, don’t you start.”

“He has the Queen’s ear is all I’m saying.”

Gabby waved a hand dismissively. “Like I care what her Bitchiness thinks. Now, my turn, yes?”

The topic of conversation turned away from the funeral after that and back to the gentle competition between Gabby and her brothers. Rudiger was glad for that. He was reasonably certain none of them had noticed he and Zandrue—as well as the priest Quilla had approached—had taken off after that moment, but he didn’t want to risk being questioned too closely.

Despite his lack of skill at the billiards game, he and Gabby—just Gabby, really; he didn’t contribute much—still beat Malef and Pastrin handily. Pastrin was not much more skilled than Rudiger, and while Malef was very skilled at the game, he wasn’t skilled enough to match his sister. Pastrin was as much a handicap to him as Rudiger was to Gabby.

“Here’s a suggestion,” Ned said as they were setting up the next game. “Malef and Gabby against Pastrin and Rudiger. That’s a match I’d very much enjoy seeing.”

Pastrin elbowed him. “Hey! You’re supposed to be my support. Why don’t you play them?”

Ned held up his hands. “Oh no, I’m worse than Rudiger.” He laughed.

The doors opened and an older man in Palace livery hurried in. Rudiger had seen the man a few times. He was a courtier or senior servant or something.

The man bowed. “Apologies, your Highnesses. I’ve been sent to inform you that the Lady Lidda Plavin of Plavin-Tyl will be arriving soon. Their Majesties ask that you join them in the throne room.”

Lidda Plavin.

Rudiger’s heart dropped. That was a name he hadn’t heard in some time.

“Thank you,” Malef said. “Inform their Majesties we will be there shortly.”

The man bowed again and backed out of the room.

“Did you know she was coming?” Gabby asked.

Malef nodded. “She was one of the few provincial lords to respond that she was coming to the funeral. She didn’t make it in time though, it seems.”

“I’m surprised she even thought she could make it,” Gabby said. “I only got here in time because I was already on my way. I didn’t even know about Garet’s death for most of my journey. Oh well, better go get ready. And I was hoping for a relaxing day.”

“It’s just a standard greeting. It’ll be a little boring and then we can come back and finish our game.” Malef smiled.

Gabby smirked. “You’ve never met Lidda Plavin, have you?”

Malef shook his head.

“I have. Trust me, things won’t be as simple as you think.”

“I met her once when we were both children,” Ned said. “I think we were ten, so I can’t really comment on what she might be like now.”

They placed their cues on the table and headed for the doors.

“Join us, Rudiger,” Malef said. “It’s high time you saw a bit of court life.”

“Oh, don’t put him through that torture,” Gabby said.

Rudiger hesitated and stood back a moment. Lidda Plavin’s arrival here couldn’t be good, but surely she couldn’t know he and Zandrue were here. Would she recognise him? She had ordered his death last year, but had she ever actually seen him? He didn’t think so, but she was bound to learn who he was if she stuck around for any length of time.

“Hurry up, Rudiger!” Pastrin called back to him. “There’s not much time to change and get to the throne room.”

He needed to talk to Zandrue.

* * * * *

Zandrue stood beside Barnol Friaz and his wife and daughter. She looked calm and serene, but her eyes were moving about, taking everything in. She was dressed in a purple gown much like the one she’d worn yesterday at the funeral—as were Princess Annai and Tianna Friaz. Apparently, the three of them had been about to give a concert in honour of Garet.

“At least I don’t have to sing,” Zandrue had said about the concert being cancelled.

Rudiger had only gotten a few seconds to talk to her before they’d been dragged to opposite sides of the room, and that had been her only comment about Lidda Plavin’s arrival. He’d hoped for something a little more insightful, but he supposed he would have to wait to talk to her later.

“There’s nothing to be nervous about,” Ned whispered.

Rudiger glanced down at him. “What makes you think I’m nervous?” The two of them were standing in a line of lesser nobles. By the thrones, Princes Malef, Pastrin, and Thilin stood to one side of the King and Queen, with Princesses Gabriella and Annai on the other side.

“You’re fidgeting.”

Rudiger tried to stand straighter and stiller. “Nonsense.”

Ned snorted.

The doors at the far end of the room opened and a herald announced, “Her Ladyship, Lidda Plavin, ruler of the conjoined province of Plavin-Tyl, speaker of both House Plavin and House Tyl, and her mother, the Lady Debran Plavin.”

Before the named people, however, two warriors in pinkish plate and mail armour with red capes and red shields marched into the room.

Red Knights.

Bloods.

Rudiger bit his lip and glanced at Zandrue. Her eyes were focused on the people who entered after the Red Knights.

Two women entered side by side. One was tall and thin with pale blonde hair and even paler skin. She moved with slow precision, seeming to almost float towards the Bear Throne, her feet completely obscured under the skirts of her gown. Beside her was an older woman. Not quite as tall as the younger woman, she had a similar bearing with a similar long face. Her longer, fuller blonde hair was adorned with flowers that must have been difficult to grow at this time of year.

Behind the Ladies Plavin came four more Red Knights.

At the halfway point across the throne room, the two lead Bloods stopped and turned to face each other. They each took a step back and then stood to attention as Lidda Plavin and her mother passed between them. The other four Bloods also stopped, turned, and took positions beside the first two.

The Queen rose from her throne and strode past the princes and princesses to the bottom of the steps in front of the throne. She was no longer in the purple of mourning, but had donned a deep blue and silver gown. On her head, she swore a tall, blue chaperon with a tail that reached almost to the floor. She waited at the base of the steps for the two Plavin women.

Rudiger took another glance at Zandrue, but her expression hadn’t changed. Her eyes remained locked on Lidda Plavin.

When the Ladies Plavin had almost reached the Queen, they stopped and curtsied low.

The Queen spread her arms and took a step forward. “Debran, how wonderful to see you again.”

Lidda Plavin’s mother rose and approached the Queen. “It is wonderful to see you again, too, Annai. It has been much too long, cousin.” They embraced.

The elder Plavin stepped aside and Lidda Plavin came forward. She and the Queen embraced.

“You have grown into quite a fine young woman, Lidda,” the Queen said.

“Thank you, your Majesty.”

“I was so saddened to hear of your father’s death. Harrol was a good man.”

“He was, your Majesty,” Lidda Plavin said. “I miss him a great deal.”

The Queen gave a sympathetic smile. “I have no doubt, my dear.” She turned and climbed back up the steps to her throne. “Though I have heard some very interesting things about what you’ve been doing in Plavin-Tyl since you took over.”

“I can never hope to replace my father, but I can hope to do him proud.”

The Queen sat down. “To be completely honest, my dear, I don’t think he would approve of your Red Knights, but he was always one to leave behind the honoured ways of the past—forward-thinking he would call it. That doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be proud of you, of course. If you keep Plavin-Tyl prosperous, I’m sure he might overlook whatever methods you might employ.”

Lidda Plavin curtsied again. “As you say, your Majesty, I…”

The Queen held up a hand to silence Lidda. “I do not mean to make you uncomfortable, my dear, but I do not wish to dishonour your departed father by misrepresenting him. I think you know as well as I do that he would never have created an organisation like your Red Knights.”

Lidda Plavin bowed her head. “Perhaps, your Majesty. I am not my father as I said, and I do have my own ways of doing things.”

Rudiger tried not to grin. He never expected he would ever approve of anything the Queen did, but he couldn’t deny liking how uncomfortable Lidda Plavin looked now.

“As well you should,” the Queen said. “I am not in any way saying what you are doing is wrong or bad. Indeed, I am eager to learn more of your Red Knights. Just because your father would not support such an organisation doesn’t mean I would not. Perhaps you will join the King and I or dinner this evening. You can tell me about them then.”

Now Rudiger wanted to frown.

Lidda smiled and curtsied once more. “I would be honoured, your Majesty.”

“You are invited as well, of course, Debran,” the Queen added.

“And I, too, would be honoured,” Debran Plavin replied.

The Queen smiled. “Excellent.” She looked over at the King. “My dear?”

The King nodded and leaned forward in the Bear Throne. “I welcome you to our humble home. May your stay be a pleasant one. I look forward to seeing you both at dinner.”

Both Plavins curtsied again and said in unison, “Thank you, your Majesty.” Then they turned and moved slowly back across the room, the Red Knights falling back into formation as they reached them.

Ned nudged Rudiger’s arm. “That was short and painless. Told you there was nothing to be nervous about.”

Rudiger shrugged. “Those Red Knights. Have you heard of them?”

Ned sighed. “Unfortunately, yes.”

“And you still think there’s nothing to be nervous about?”

“I was referring to specifically here and now, but I take your point.” He shifted his feet. “If you’ll excuse me, Rudiger.” He went over to where Pastrin, Malef, and Gabriella were conferring with each other. Thilin stood near them, frowning.

Rudiger looked over to Zandrue, but she was already gone.

* * * * *

He found her in the salon in their apartments—Felitïa’s technically, but over the last couple weeks, Rudiger had grown to think of them as his and Zandrue’s. It wasn’t like Felitïa was there anyway.

Zandrue was lounging on the couch sipping at some wine. She looked up as he came in, but said nothing, just motioned to one of the handmaids to bring him some wine.

He took the cup and sat beside her. “I thought we were supposed to avoid drinking wine.”

“Avoid? Yes. Cut out entirely? No.” She smiled and leaned her head against his arm, jostling his wine a little.

He switched his cup to his other hand, then put his arm around her. “So...Lidda Plavin.”

She sighed. “Yeah, I’ve been trying to think what to do. Our enemies seem to have decided it’s time to start walking in the open. First Dyle yesterday. Now Lidda Plavin. On the plus side, I doubt she’ll just try to openly kill us.”

“What about not openly?”

Zandrue smirked. “That’s entirely possible. She might not know we’re here yet, of course, though she’ll certainly find out eventually. That is, if she even cares about our fate.”

“Why wouldn’t she? She wants us dead, remember?”

“Probably.” Zandrue put her cup of wine aside and snuggled up closer to him. “But there is a possibility we haven’t really considered. We were attacked by Bloods who had been ordered to kill us. But while Lidda Plavin’s name might have been on the order, we don’t actually know for sure she wrote those orders.”

“You think somebody else did? Forged her seal or something?”

Zandrue shrugged. “Wouldn’t even have to go that far. Some rulers will put their stamp on anything their court officials put in front of them. They can’t be bothered to read most of them. Not saying that happened here. It’s just a possibility.”

“We should still be prepared, though.”

Zandrue pulled away from him a little and turned her head to look up at him. “Obviously. Give me a little credit, Rudiger.”

“Sorry.”

She laughed and snuggled against his chest again. “We’ll keep doing what we’ve been doing. If we can get even a few members of the Royal Family to like us, we can hopefully use them to offset any attempts Lidda Plavin makes to vilify us. We can’t forget our other problems, either. There’s still Dyle to think about.”

“Any further ideas about what happened yesterday?”

She shrugged. “Magic maybe. It’s possible he’s a wizard and we never knew. Or there’s some other way out of the Cathedral we don’t know about. Or he just somehow blended in with the crowd. I wish I knew which. You’re doing well with the princes.”

“Malef and Pastrin anyway,” Rudiger said. “Thilin’s a hard one to get time with. Hang’s tried, but it never seems to work out.”

“Two out of three ain’t bad.” Zandrue grinned.

“It’s not like I get much time away from Malef and Pastrin anyway.”

“Too busy playing billiards?”

Rudiger sighed. “Seems to be all they do. I’m winning now though.”

Zandrue looked up at him with raised eyebrows.

“Okay, Gabby’s winning, but they put me on her team.”

“Oh, it’s Gabby now, is it?”

Rudiger blushed. “Gabriella.”

Zandrue laughed.

Rudiger decided to change the topic. “How’s Quilla doing?”

“Not well, I suspect, though I haven’t seen her today.”

“She wasn’t in the room for Lidda Plavin’s arrival.”

“Probably wasn’t even told about it,” Zandrue said. “We’ll have to let her know. I’ll go see her first thing in the morning.”

“Maybe we should go see her now.”

Zandrue rolled over in his arms and looked up at him. She ran her fingers along his chest. “I have other plans for right now.”

This time, he just dropped his wine.

* * * * *

Quilla stared over the balcony, ignoring the cold. The snow on the ground reflected the moonlight, and provided loads of light to see with. She had watched one last sunset here for old time’s sake.

In remembrance of Garet.

But she was done now.

Attempts to dig out Dyle had failed. Even his appearance at the funeral had led to nothing. Just another disappearance.

She was fed up. Zandrue and Rudiger were hobnobbing with royalty, and she was stuck making no progress with the servants or anyone. And none of it was leading to any discoveries or solutions, and that wasn’t likely to change, so it was time to admit defeat and get out.

It was time to find Corvinian again.

She was leaving first thing in the morning. She hadn’t told Zandrue and Rudiger yet—still wasn’t sure if she was going to tell them.

No, she would. She owed them that much. They would understand.

Even if they didn’t, she was still going.

She needed to be near Corvinian, give him a chance to get to know her. To accept her. Gabriella had been right that she shouldn’t force him. He needed time to come to that decision on his own. But he could never make that decision if he was on the other side of the continent. So she would make certain she was near him.

And she was going to give Felitïa a piece of her mind.

It was a long journey to Quorge, so she needed to set out as soon as possible.

First thing in the morning.

For now, it was one last look at the life she was leaving behind—the life she’d never really had. It had been Garet’s life. While he was alive, she could have been part of it, but not anymore. However, there was a certain allure to imagining what might have been.

So she had enjoyed a sunset like they used to do together. She would lounge in the salon for a while, go to bed, and imagine his touch. Then tomorrow, it would be over.

Unfortunately, it was never quite that simple, was it?

It wouldn’t really be over. Part of tonight would be imagining walking away and never thinking about it again. But she knew she would think about it. She would think about it a lot, no matter how hard she tried not to. But that was okay. She’d learn to live with it in time. Especially once she had Corvinian in her life again.

There was someone—a servant probably—crossing the snow-covered garden below the balcony.

Her mind wandered back to Dyle’s appearance at the funeral yesterday. It had been doing that all day. Not surprising really. She was tired of these games he was playing. She would be glad to be gone from here and him—again.

But what if he followed? What if he was only here because of her? If...when she left, would he just show up in Quorge or any other place she ended up?

Surely not. He’d left her alone for nearly a decade. It had to be coincidence they were both here in the same place at the same time. Right?

The person crossing the garden had stopped and was waving. Waving at her?

She looked closer. Whoever it was was covered in robes and furs plus a hood. She couldn’t make out any details.

The individual beckoned at her, motioning for her to come to them.

Quilla backed away from the edge of the balcony, her heart pounding. Who the hell…?

Zandrue or Rudiger would just come to her apartments, or at the very least would make themselves known. It couldn’t be Rudiger, anyway. While size was difficult to tell at this distance, the figure was much too small to be Rudiger.

So who?

Dyle?

Gods, it could be.

She should find Zandrue.

But if Zandrue got involved, he might just disappear like he had yesterday.

Quilla approached the railing again. The figure was still there. Whoever it was beckoned again.

Going down on her own would be the height of stupidity. But maybe…

She raised her arm and beckoned to the figure. This might be the height of stupidity too, but at least she was in yelling distance of guards.

The figure regarded her, so she beckoned again. After a moment, the figure’s hooded head moved in a way that could have been a nod. The figure began walking towards the Palace.

Quilla rushed back inside and into the salon. “Marna!”

Where was the blasted girl?

“Marna!”

Marna came running into the room from the servants’ bedroom. She curtsied hastily. “My Lady?”

“Go find Zandrue and Rudiger. Ask them to come here in…” How long was an appropriate amount of time? “Ten minutes.”

“Yes, my Lady.”

“As close to ten minutes as possible, but not any sooner.”

“What should I tell them you want them for?”

“Just say it’s really important. They’ll come.”

Marna curtsied again and ran from the apartments.

Quilla took a deep breath. Then she took several more. Her heart was racing, and she needed to be calm. She was a coward at heart, and this was probably the most dangerous thing she had ever done. Why had she done it?

She waited by the doors, ready to open them as soon as whoever it was arrived.

A knock finally came sometime later. It felt like it could have been ten minutes already. But it couldn’t have been that long, could it?

She opened the doors.

Dyle stood there. He’d removed the fur and robes he’d been wearing outside and was now in Palace livery. But it was clear it had been him outside. There was still melting snow on his boots. He smiled at her.

Quilla stepped to the side and he entered. She closed the doors again.

“I didn’t think you’d let me back in here,” he said. “But I’m glad you did. Hello Quilla.”

She walked around in front of him and slapped him as hard as she could.

He grimaced and placed a hand to his cheek, his fingers prodding lightly at his scar. “Do we have to go through this every time?”

She’d done that last time? Good.

Quilla strode over to the chaise longue and sat in it. He headed for one of the chairs.

Quilla shook her head. “No. You don’t get to sit.”

He stopped beside a chair and turned to face her.

“Now tell me what the hell this is about. No, first tell me what yesterday was about.”

“A combination of things,” he said. “Mostly, I wanted to see you.”

“So you dressed up as a fucking priest?”

He shrugged. “I did what I needed to do.”

“And why are you here now?”

“I wanted to re-extend my offer. You haven’t taken me up on it.”

“Did you really expect me to?” What offer?

He shook his head. “No, not really. Not right away.”

“Not ever.”

“In that case, I’ll be on my way. Sorry to bother you.” He shrugged and started to turn.

“No, wait!” It hadn’t been ten minutes yet, had it? Zandrue and Rudiger had to get here, corner him before he could get away.

He stopped and looked back at her.

“Where did you disappear to yesterday?”

He tilted his head and smirked. “Are you trying to stall me, Quilla?”

“I’m trying to find out what the hell you’re up to.”

“You’ve sent for your friends, haven’t you? That’s why your handmaid isn’t here right now.” He turned for the door.

Quilla jumped up. “You can’t just keep doing this!”

“Doing what?” He didn’t look back, just continued to the doors.

“Stalking me!”

He chuckled. “If I were stalking you, I wouldn’t be doing it in plain sight. You told me you’d think about it. I’ve just been waiting patiently for your response.”

“What the hell are you talking about? I wouldn’t…” She stopped.

Dyle stopped at the doors. He took hold of the handle, but didn’t open them. Instead, he looked back at her. “You don’t remember, do you?” He shook his head. “I should have realised. You were very drunk that night. But I don’t have time to repeat everything now.”

Quilla looked away from him, and silently cursed herself for giving it away. Though maybe this was the right thing to do. It was delaying him, after all.

He sighed and she looked back at him. “I made you an offer and told you I would be at the Bear Fountain every night at midnight if you chose to accept that offer. I will continue to be there. Come there—sober—and I will tell you everything you want to know.” He smiled and opened the doors, stepped through.

“Wait!” she called. “I’ll accept the offer! Just wait!” It didn’t matter what the offer was. If she could just delay him a little longer…

She ran to the doors, which he hadn’t even bothered to close behind him. She looked both ways down the hall.

Zandrue and Rudiger were coming up from the left.

There was no sign of Dyle.

“Sorry we were a bit long,” Zandrue said. “We were in the middle of something and—”

“Where did he go?” Quilla cried.

“Where’d who go?” Rudiger asked.

Zandrue, however, stiffened and began to look around.

“Dyle!” Quilla said. “He was here! He just now came out these doors! You must have seen him!”

Zandrue held up a hand. “Shh! Concentrate. It must be some sort of invisibility—like Felitïa does—but it’s just our minds being tricked. Clear you heads, concentrate, and look carefully.”

Quilla looked around. Clear her head? How the hell was she supposed to do that at a time like this? But she tried to calm herself and look around. Everything looked completely normal.

She found herself looking back to Zandrue more often than the hall.

“We’re probably too late,” Zandrue said eventually. “Shit!” She kicked the wall.

“I tried to stall him,” Quilla said, “but he guessed you were on the way.” What a screw-up! What an idiot she’d been! She felt like kicking the wall, too.

“How did you know to send for us?” Zandrue asked.

Quilla sniffed, fought back tears, and took a deep breath. She indicated the doors. “Let’s talk inside. I’ve learned something new you should hear, and I think I have an idea.”

* * * * *

“No. No fucking way. It’s too dangerous.”

Quilla stopped pacing and looked back at Zandrue. “There’s no other choice, Zandrue. I’ve made up my mind and you can’t stop me.”

Zandrue jumped to her feet, flinching briefly. “You have no idea what he’ll do when you get there.”

Quilla resumed pacing. “No, I don’t, it’s true. But if he wanted to kidnap or kill me or something, he’s had plenty of chances.”

“You actually think he’ll tell you anything?”

Quilla took a moment before responding. Was she sure? Not really. She had no idea what game Dyle was playing—and there was no doubt he was playing some sort of game. But she did believe he wouldn’t harm her. Maybe that was stupid, too.

She stopped by the fireplace. She should have a portrait of Garet put up here. She turned and looked back at the others. Zandrue was looking at her with tight eyes and rubbing at her chin with bruised fingers. Rudiger was fidgeting on the couch, but also looking at Quilla.

“Yes, I do. I don’t think he’ll tell me everything. He might just tell me lies, but he’ll tell me something, and something is better than nothing. We’ve been here for weeks and he’s been running circles around us. Maybe I can find out something useful.”

“Why don’t we all go?” Rudiger said. “Zandrue and I can stay out of sight, but nearby. We’ll listen in. If things go wrong, we can rush in to help.”

Quilla shook her head.

“Why not?”

Zandrue closed her eyes and lowered her head, shoulders slumping forward. “She’s right, Rudiger.”

“Dyle will suspect I’ve brought you with me,” Quilla said. “Even if you don’t go. The first thing he’ll do is look for you. If he finds you, he’ll leave. And that will probably be the last chance we have.”

Zandrue approached the fireplace and put her hands on Quilla’s shoulders, looked her in the eyes. “Are you sure about this?”

Quilla nodded. “If it were you, wouldn’t you do it?”

Zandrue broke eye contact. “Yes, I would, but I can use a sword or bow. I know how to fight and defend myself. You don’t.”

Quilla shivered. If Dyle attacked her or anybody working with him did… But like she’d told Zandrue, he could have done that already. There was no point dragging her out to the Bear Fountain when he could just kill her in her sleep. “You’re right. But I want to do this anyway. So yes, I’m sure.” She hoped Zandrue didn’t take her shaking for being uncertain.

Zandrue nodded. “All right, but come see me as soon as you’re done. It doesn’t matter how late.”

Quilla suspected she would have done that anyway. “I will.”

Zandrue pulled her in close and hugged her. “Be careful.”

“I will.”

Zandrue let go of her. She walked towards the wine pitcher sitting on the table against the wall. “We’ve got a couple hours before you need to go, so in the meantime, Rudiger and I are going to give you some pointers, just in case.”

Quilla nodded. “All right.”

Zandrue picked up the pitcher and poured three cups. “And one cup of wine. You’re very tense at the moment, and you’ll need to be calm and relaxed for this. Just one though.”

“Don’t worry,” Quilla said. “I have no intention of getting drunk again.”

Zandrue smiled and held out a cup to her. “Then let’s get started.”