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thought. I wonder how it happened. Had she sold it herself? Or had it been taken from her? Suddenly, Vivenna felt awkward. Why should I have so much, when she has nothing? It was the worst kind of ostentation. She felt Denth approach before he actually pushed the door open. It looked ready to fall off its hinges. “Safe...
listen to your accent, and they find others to do their work. They say we’re not trustworthy. Or that we’re boring. Or that we steal.” “And do you?” Vivenna found herself asking. Thame looked at her, then glanced down at the building’s dirt ﬂoor. “Sometimes,” he said. “But not at first. I only do it now, when my boss a...
eyes. “Why were you so hard on him, anyway?” Denth shrugged. “You know what I like least about being a mercenary?” “I suspect that you’re going to tell me,” Vivenna said, folding her arms. “People are always trying to fool you,” he said, sitting down on the ﬂoor beside Tonk Fah. “They all think that because you’re hire...
“You killed two of his men.” “Men can be cheap in this city too, Princess.” “You say he was testing you,” Vivenna said. “But what would be the point of that? Provoking you to action just to let you go?” “To see how much of a threat I was,” Denth said, shrugging, eyes still closed. “Or, more likely, to see if I was wort...
was she doing? She didn’t know about subterfuge or warfare. Denth was really behind everything she was “doing” to help Idris. What she had suspected on that first day had proved true. Her preparation and study amounted to little. She didn’t know how to go about saving Siri. She didn’t know what to do about the Breath s...
a hand against her chest, as if to still her heartbeat. The Lifeless stood, watching her. “He does that sometimes,” Denth said, chuckling, though it sounded false to Vivenna. “Just walks up to people.” “Like he was curious about them,” Tonk Fah said. “They can’t be curious,” Denth said. “No emotion at all. Clod. Go bac...
back to the house.” Annotations for Chapter 22 Twenty-Three Annotations for Chapter 23 Lightsong found Blushweaver in the grassy portion of the courtyard behind her palace. She was enjoying the art of one of the city’s master gardeners. Lightsong strolled through the grass, his entourage hovering around him, holding up...
He stood quietly for a moment, enjoying the blossoms. “Because,” he said. “I intend to see that you don’t crush her. Or the rest of us.” “My dear Lightsong,” Blushweaver said, pursing bright red lips. “I assure you that I’m harmless.” He raised an eyebrow. “I doubt that.” “Now, now,” she said, “you should never point o...
walk in and violate our homes? I just don’t feel safe anymore.” “I’m certain the guards will be more diligent in the future,” Blushweaver said. Lightsong frowned, glancing toward Mercystar’s palace, where servants buzzed about like bees around a disturbed hive. “What was the intruder after, do you suppose?” he said, al...
their mountains and are determined to control the lowlands as well.” “But we’ll be joined by blood,” Mercystar said. “There will be a Hallandren God King with royal blood on our throne.” “Oh?” Blushweaver said. “And could that not also be interpreted as an Idrian king with Hallandren blood on the throne?” Mercystar wav...
play with.” “Hum, yes,” he said, studying Mercystar’s palace. “Tragic. Now, the break-in at Mercystar’s. It was just one person?” “Supposedly,” Blushweaver said. “It’s not important.” “Was anyone injured?” “A couple of servants,” Blushweaver said with a wave of the hand. “One was found dead, I believe. You should be pa...
expression on his face. “What?” Lightsong asked. “It is nothing, Your Grace,” Llarimar finally said. “This is just a very uncharacteristic of you.” “I know,” Lightsong said, feeling confident about the decision nonetheless. “I honestly can’t say what prompted it. Curiosity, I guess.” “Curiosity that outweighs your desi...
nodded. “Using modern Command words, if its actions were any judge,” one said. “It even had ichor-alcohol instead of blood. Took us the better part of the night to catch the thing!” “I see,” Lightsong said, standing. “But the intruder escaped?” “Yes, Your Grace,” one of them said. “What do you suppose he was after?” Th...
were hiding something. Why had the intruder released a diversion—particularly such an expensive one—if he were simply going to run away? The servants of the Returned were not formidable soldiers or warriors. So why had he given up so easily? All good questions. Good questions that he, of all people, shouldn’t have both...
city finances. Surely a book of stories would be more appropriate.” Siri raised an eyebrow. “And where might I find such a ‘more appropriate’ volume?” “We could have a reader bring the book from the city collection,” the priest said, stepping forward smoothly. “He’d be here shortly.” Siri hesitated. “No. I do not like ...
night once they were sure the deed was done or they were suspicious and trying to fool her into thinking they were gone. Her instinct said the former, though she made certain to whisper when she spoke to the God King, just in case. Siri? he wrote. What are you thinking about? “Your priests,” she whispered. “They frustr...
He looked up. “That was sarcasm again,” she said. “I don’t ‘try’ to be strange. It just happens.” He looked at her. How had she ever been frightened of this man? How had she misunderstood? The look in his eyes, it wasn’t arrogance or emotionlessness. It was the look of a man who was trying very hard to understand the w...
a child. I memorized them all, before she was taken away. It speaks of many children who do not do as they are told. They are often eaten by monsters. “Oh are they?” Siri said, smiling. Do not be afraid, he wrote. My mother taught me that the monsters are not real. But I remember the lessons the stories taught. Obedian...
the right bloodline. Bluefingers thinks that child might be a danger to us.” I do not understand why, he wrote. This is what everyone wants. There must be an heir. “Why?” Siri said. “You still look like you’re barely two decades old. Your aging is slowed by your BioChroma.” Without an heir, the kingdom is in danger. Sh...
met her stringent requirements for modesty. The tubelike dress was made after a foreign cut, from Tedradel, across the Inner Sea. It came down almost to her ankles, and though its snugness emphasized her bust, at least the garment covered her almost up to the neck, and had full-length sleeves. Rebelliously, she did fin...
lined the gardens, impassively watching the crowds pass. Most of the people ignored him. Denth was right. Lifeless weren’t plentiful, but they also weren’t uncommon. Several walked through the market carrying packages for their owners. None of these were as muscular or as tall as Clod—Lifeless came in as many shapes an...
standing on the other side of the carriage. She looked at Vivenna and nodded. Time to go. As people ran toward either gold or fire, Vivenna walked away. Nearby, Denth would be raiding one of the shops with a gang of thieves. The thieves got to keep the goods. Vivenna just wanted to make certain those goods disappeared....
to his back wouldn’t allow him to work, and I had five brothers and sisters. Do you know what it’s like to watch your brothers and sisters starve? Years before, my parents had already sold their Breath to get enough money to start the business. By selling mine, we got enough money to live for nearly a year!” “No price ...
try to understand others. They told her not to place herself above them. And yet, Austrism taught that what Jewels had done was an abomination. The two seemed contradictory. To believe that Jewels was wrong was to place herself above the woman. Yet to accept what Jewels said was to deny Austrism. Some might have laughe...
a time, looking out over the city. “Does Jewels really believe in the Iridescent Tones?” Vivenna finally asked. “As passionately as Tonk Fah likes to nap,” Denth said. He eyed her. “You didn’t challenge her, did you?” “Kind of.” Denth whistled. “And you’re still standing? I’ll have to thank her for her restraint.” “How...
a better swordsman than any simple bodyguard—I suspect better than almost anyone, if you can impress a crime boss with your skill so easily. You could have fame, students, and prizes if you decided to become a sport duelist. You claim to obey your employer, but you give the orders more often than take them—and besides,...
bloody skin. There was so much violence in red. His own color. He almost felt as if he were in the painting—felt its turmoil shaking him, disorienting him, pulling on him. The waves of men pointed toward one figure at the center. A woman, vaguely depicted by a couple of curved brushstrokes. And yet it was obvious. She ...
things just pass me by. The Manywar started because the royal family wasn’t careful. The painting continued to call to him. “What’s that sword?” Lightsong asked. “Sword?” “The black one,” Lightsong said. “In the woman’s hand.” “I...I don’t see a sword, Your Grace,” Llarimar said. “To tell you the truth, I don’t see a w...
“Yes,” Lightsong said. “A red panther. It seemed to shine, reﬂective, like it was made of glass or something like that. It was waiting in the storm.” Llarimar eyed him. “Are you making things up, Your Grace?” “What? No! That’s really what I dreamed.” Llarimar sighed, but nodded to a lesser priest, who rushed up to take...
determined that the intruder was a thief after Mercystar’s art, and they have committed to—” “Scoot,” Lightsong said, turning. “Can this man ignore my demand?” “Only at great peril to his soul, Your Grace,” Llarimar said. The priest eyed them both angrily, then turned and sent a servant to do as Lightsong asked. Lights...
“All three of us. And...one other. The man who was killed.” “Terribly unfortunate, that,” Lightsong said, pointing at another section of the lawn. “Off you go. Walk until you can’t hear me anymore, then wait.” The three men trudged off. “And now you,” Lightsong said, hands on hips, regarding the last man— a shorter pri...
really dark either. Just kind of...bland. Rather un-Hallandren, now that I think on it.” “And he was armed?” Lightsong said. “With the sword that hit me,” the second guard said. “Big thing. Not a dueling blade, more like an Easterner sword. Straight and really long. Had it hidden under his cloak, and we would have seen...
your hand?” Lightsong asked. The man paused, unconsciously retracting his hand. “It got twisted. Nothing important.” “And you need a bandage for a twisted wrist?” Lightsong said, raising an eyebrow. “Show me.” The man hesitated. “Show me, or lose your soul, my son,” Lightsong said in what he hoped was a suitably divine...
the killing had occurred. However, that was the side of the building where the intruder had first entered. “You could see the doorway where the intruder disabled the two guards?” “Yes, Your Grace,” the man said. “Though I didn’t see them at first. I almost left the window to search for the source of the noise. However,...
obvious,” Lightsong said idly. “There were two intruders. The first is the large man with the sword—he knocked out the guards, attacked those servants, released the Lifeless, then disappeared. The second man—the one the young priest saw—came in after the first intruder. That second man is the murderer.” Llarimar frowne...
things? Honestly, this murder will completely destroy my hard-won reputation.” “My sympathies, Your Grace, that you have been inconvenienced by a semblance of motivation.” “Quite right,” Lightsong said, sighing. He handed over the box with its furious Lifeless rodent. “Here. You think my Awakeners can break its securit...
His eyes opened wide, and he increased his speed, ducking through the open doorway into another room. Siri called after him, moving as quickly as the dress would allow, but when she arrived, the room was empty. “Colors!” she swore, feeling her hair grow a deep red in annoyance. “You still think he isn’t avoiding me?” s...
if not to stare? Siri couldn’t help herself, and it wasn’t just because of the naked skin. These were men who had trained extensively—who had mastered their physical abilities to wondrous effect. As Siri watched, she saw that relatively little regard was given to the winners of each particular event. The contests weren...
as some of these Returned. The god, Lightsong, eyed her and nodded in deference. “My queen.” “Lightsong the Bold,” she said as one of her servants brought her chair. “I trust your day has been pleasant?” “So far this day I have discovered several disturbing and redefining elements of my soul which are slowly restructur...
said. “I need information.” “And I, my dear, was quite honest as well. I am useless, mostly. However, I’ll try my best to answer your questions—assuming, of course, you will provide answers to mine.” “And if I don’t know the answers to your questions?” “Then make something up,” he said. “I’ll never know the difference....
more broadly. “What?” Lightsong asked, then finished off the last of his drink. It was immediately replaced by another, this one blue. “Talking to you is like swimming in a river,” she said. “I keep getting pulled along with the current and I’m never sure when I’ll be able to take another breath.” “Watch out for the ro...
heard a storyteller in some time. Just let me know when.” It wasn’t a perfect plan. Her servants were listening and they might report to the priests. However, if the storyteller came to Lightsong’s palace, there was at least some chance of Siri hearing the truth. “Thank you,” she said, rising. “Ah, ah, ah! Not so fast,...
in the arena. Down below, the athletes continued their display. Lightsong looked down at her, smiling. They really are tall, she thought, craning a bit. A single foot of extra height made such a difference. Standing next to a man like Lightsong—and not really being that tall herself—she felt dwarfed. Maybe he’ll tell m...
some good, you can change things. I’ve seen others do it. People I respected. Even if there haven’t been many of those around the court lately.” “All right,” she said. “I will.” “You’re digging for something—I can sense it. And it has to do with the priests. Don’t make too many waves until you’re ready to strike. Sudde...
men who, like Thame, thrived because of the Idrian expatriates. A strange duality. These men had stature among an oppressed minority, and without the oppression, they would be powerless. Like Lemex, she thought, who served my father—even seemed to respect and love him—all the while stealing every bit of gold he could l...
tapping an empty cup, drawing the serving man back over. “People interest me. Particularly people who don’t act like they’re supposed to. People who surprise me.” “I hope you aren’t talking about Thame,” Vivenna asked, raising an eyebrow. Denth shook his head. “I’m talking about you, Princess. Wasn’t too long ago that—...
lead the Idrians in the city but exploit them at the same time. Lemex stole from my father but still worked for the interests of my country. And here I am, wearing an overpriced dress and sipping expensive juice while my sister is being abused by an awful dictator and while this wonderful, terrible city prepares to lau...
out.” She shook her head. “You may be right,” she said. “Next appointment. D’Denir garden, right?” Denth nodded. “Let’s go,” she said, walking down the street. The others trailed behind, picking up Parlin and Jewels on the way. Vivenna didn’t wait for Clod to force a way through the crowd. The less she depended on that...
literate, for a bunch of thugs, she thought. She didn’t have to go far before she spotted the men. They waited beside the agreed meeting place—a large D’Denir with a weathered axe. The group of people were having a picnic and chatting among themselves, a picture of harmless innocence. Vivenna slowed. “That’s them,” Den...
absence would cause confusion and frustration. That appointment wasn’t for a few hours, which meant she could enjoy some time relaxing on the lawn, away from the unnatural colors of the city. Denth seemed to sense her inclination, and he sat down, leaning back against the side of the statue’s bare pedestal. As Vivenna ...
to join this discussion as well. She snapped her jaw shut as the hefty mercenary arrived. “Flood,” Tonk Fah said. “Hum?” Denth asked. “Rhymes with blood,” Tonk Fah said. “Now you can be poetic. Flood of Blood. It is a nice visual image. Far better than tastebud.” “Ah, I see,” Denth said ﬂatly. “Tonk Fah?” “Yes?” “You’r...
would give the lot away to somebody who had none. And become a Drab herself. Annotations for Chapter 28 Twenty-Nine Annotations for Chapter 29 Tell me about the mountains, Susebron wrote. Siri smiled. “Mountains?” Please, he wrote, sitting in his chair beside the bed. Siri lay on one side; her bulky dress had been too ...
but it’s not you.” That is very strange to consider, he wrote. If your gods are not Returned, then what are they? “Not they,” Siri said. “Just one. We call him Austre. The Hallandren used to worship him too before...” She almost said before they became heretics. “Before Peacegiver arrived, and they decided to worship t...
little embarrassed or shy about the bold compliment. “Susebron!” she said. “You have the heart of a charmer.” Charmer? he wrote. I must only speak what I see. There is nothing so wonderful as you, even in my entire court. The mountains must be special indeed, to produce such beauty. “See, now you’ve gone too far,” she ...
you.” You have no proof of that. “Well, it’s suspicious, at least,” she said. “The last two God Kings died within months of producing an heir.” You’re too untrusting, Susebron wrote. I keep telling you. My priests are good people. She regarded him ﬂatly, catching his eyes. Except for removing my tongue, he admitted. “A...
paused, then took it. I am sorry, he wrote. I do not wish to appear petulant. “Is it because I keep challenging your priests?” No, he wrote. You have interesting theories, but I think they are just guesses. You do not know that the priests plan what you claim. That doesn’t bother me. “What is it, then?” He hesitated, t...
crowd. The silent D’Denir waited in rows behind her, soldiers of stone who would never march. Only they had seen the four men die. People chattered with hushed voices, waiting for the city guard to finish their inspection. Denth had brought Vivenna quickly, before the bodies could be cleared. He had done so at her requ...
Jewels said. “There was no blackness to Arsteel’s wounds.” “Then Vasher used a trick!” Denth said. “Ambush. Accomplices. Something. Vasher is no duelist.” Vivenna let herself get pulled along, thinking of those bodies. Denth and the others had spoken of the deaths this Vasher was causing. She’d wanted to see them. Well...
take long for the entire mess to ﬂip off the wheel and squish to the ground. “Hum,” he said, regarding it. “Have you taken leave of your senses?” Blushweaver asked. She wore one of her customary dresses—which meant nothing on the sides, very little at the top, and only slightly more through the front and back. She had ...
Blushweaver. “And, by Kalad’s Phantoms, I’ll worry about whatever I please.” She paused, then smiled and took a slice. “Just when I thought I had you figured out...” “You didn’t have me figured out,” he said lightly. “And neither did I. That’s the point. Shall we go?” She nodded, joining him as they began to cross the ...
twenty years, and the average age was probably closer to ten, six years difference was very significant. “Lightsong, Blushweaver,” Hopefinder said, stiff and formal. “Welcome.” “Thank you, dear,” Blushweaver said, smiling at him. Hopefinder nodded, then gestured toward the tables. The three small tables were separate, ...
his Breath. He acted so much like an adult. Lightsong hadn’t interacted much with children, but some of his attendants—when training—were youths. Hopefinder was not like those. All accounts said that Hopefinder, like other young Returned, had matured very quickly during his first year of life, coming to think and speak...
must point out that your obvious attempts to seduce me will gain you nothing.” Blushweaver glanced away, looking embarrassed. Lightsong shook himself out of his contemplations. “My dear Hopefinder,” he said. “She was not trying to seduce you. You must understand; Blushweaver’s aura of allure is simply a part of who she...
just another game. Yet the woman who stared Hopefinder in the eyes was not playing. She sincerely believed that Hallandren was in danger, and she wanted to make certain that the armies were unified and prepared. She cared. And that left him worried. What had he gotten himself into? What if there really was a war? As he...
Returned is quite disconcerting to me, particularly in its proximity to our own palaces.” Blushweaver raised an eyebrow. “Would I lie to you?” Lightsong asked. “Only every time you claim you don’t want to sleep with me. Lies, brazen lies.” “Innuendo again, my dear?” “Of course not,” she said. “That was quite blatant. R...
This slum felt different from the others. Darker, somehow. Something more than just the run-down shops and unrepaired streets. Small groups of men stood on street corners, watching her with suspicious eyes. Every once in a while, Vivenna would catch a glimpse of a building with women in very revealing clothing—even for...
“I don’t understand, Denth. We are a peaceful people. A people of mountain villages. We are open. Friendly.” “That kind doesn’t last long in a slum,” he said, walking beside her. “They change or they get beaten down.” Vivenna shivered, feeling a stab of anger at Hallandren. I could have forgiven the Hallandren for maki...
the groups still talking quietly in the garden. “Your lives can get better,” she promised. “I will see you cared for.” “Our lives are already better,” one of the men said. “There is nothing for us in the highlands. I earn twice as much here as I did back there.” Others nodded in agreement. “Then why even come to see me...
“Really, Princess,” Rira said. “We’re honored to meet with you. And curious at your intentions in our city. You’ve been making quite a stir.” Vivenna regarded them with a serious expression. finally, she sighed. “You all know that war is coming.” Rira nodded. Ashu, however, shook his head. “I’m not convinced there will...
know of being Idrian?” she snapped. “Where is your obedience of Austre?” Rira reached beneath his shirt, pulling out a small white disk, inscribed with his parents’ names. An Austrin charm of obedience. “My father carried me down here from the highlands, Princess. He died working the Edgli fields. I’ve pulled myself up...
held his hands up and dropped his sword. “I can’t take five on my own, Princess,” he whispered. “Not Lifeless. We’ll have to let them arrest us.” Vivenna slowly held her hands up as well. The Lifeless pulled out their weapons. “Uh...” Tonk Fah said. “We surrender?” The creatures charged. “Run!” he shouted, reaching dow...
cowering to the dirty street. The creature leaped over her. She looked up in shock as the creature slammed its weapon into one of the others as they arrived. Vivenna blinked her eyes clear, and only then did she recognize the newcomer. Not Denth. Not Tonk Fah. A creature with skin as grey as that of the men attacking h...
twitch. He shook his head, as if trying to clear his vision. An awful lot of clear liquid was pouring from his torso. He placed one hand against the wall, then slumped to his knees. Vivenna hesitated, then reached out a hand toward him. Her hand fell on his arm. The skin was cold. A shadow moved on the other side of th...
terrible liability. But what to do? Nobody else knew of his predicament. There was only one person who could help him. That person, unfortunately, wasn’t up to the task. She had ignored her lessons, and had come to her fate wholly unprepared. So what? a part of her mind whispered. Siri stared at the ceiling. She found ...
If it didn’t, then she hadn’t really given that much away. Now she just had to decide just what “vital information” she had, and why exactly Bluefingers should care about it. ~ “My dear queen!” Lightsong said, actually going so far as to embrace Siri as she stepped into his box at the arena. Siri smiled as Lightsong wa...
then?” Siri asked. “Apparently,” he said. “I don’t know for sure. Something in my dreams suggests that I may have insulted a very large panther. That sounds rather brave, don’t you think?” “You don’t know how you died?” He shook his head. “We forget,” he said. “We awake without memories. I don’t even know what work I d...
ground, its grains blown slightly in the wind. “Her Majesty wishes one of the deep stories, from long before. A story before time began?” “I wish to know the origins of the Hallandren God Kings.” “Then we begin in the distant haze,” the storyteller said, bringing up another hand, letting powdery black sand drop from it...
Hoid began to drop a powdery brown dirt from his other hand as he reached into another pocket. “Now, you may wonder why I must travel back so far. Should I not speak of the Manywar, of the shattering of kingdoms, of the five Scholars, of Kalad the Usurper and his phantom army, which some say still hides in these jungle...
god.” The storyteller didn’t break stride at the interruption. “Breath,” he said. “The years leading up to the Manywar, those were the days of the five Scholars and the discovery of new Commands. To some, this was a time of great enlightenment and learning. Others call them the darkest days of men, for it was then we l...
true nature of Kalad’s Phantoms, they were frightening and terrible—so much so that even though the details have been lost in time, the phantoms themselves live on in our lore. And our curses.” “Do they really still exist out there?” Siri asked, shivering slightly, glancing toward the unseen jungles. “Like the stories ...
“Five, Your Majesty,” the man said. “Including His Immortal Majesty, Lord Susebron, but not including Peacegiver.” “Five kings,” she said. “In three hundred years?” “Yes, Your Majesty,” Hoid said, bringing out a handful of golden dust, letting it fall before him. “The dynasty of Hallandren was founded at the conclusion...
Hoid nodded, smoothly dropping the rest of his grass and dirt, moving into a different discussion by bringing forth a handful of white powder. “Indeed, Your Majesty. Like all Returned, the God Kings do not age. Agelessness is a gift for all who reach the fifth Heightening.” “But why have there been five God Kings?” she...
who didn’t know the God King. It fell ﬂat for Siri. Susebron would never do such a thing. Not now. Yet...Would things change if she bore him a son? Would Susebron grow tired of her that easily? “Maybe we should be hoping for old Susebron to pass, my queen,” Lightsong said idly, picking at the grapes. “You were forced i...
“Lie back down,” she hissed, barely audible. “Colorscursed thing. Howl of the sun. Go inactive. Howl of the sun.” Vivenna watched as Clod lay down and then stopped moving. They might obey commands, she thought. But they aren’t very smart. It tried to walk out, obeying Jewels’s apparent Command to “go away.” And what wa...
prepare. Become their queen. Get ready to marry their God King. Everyone said he was unholy and a heretic. Yet I was supposed to have sex with him! “I hate this entire city, with its colors and its gods! I hate the fact that it stole away my life, then demanded that I leave behind all that I love! I hate the busy stree...
right. No wound can ever be perfectly fixed on a Lifeless, though he will heal some. You just sew them up and pump them full of fresh ichoralcohol. If you fix them enough times, the body will stop working right and you’ll have to spend another Breath to keep them going. By then, it’s usually just best to buy another bo...
is ‘hold things.’ Speak it with a clear voice, willing your Breath to act. If you do it right, the rope will grab whatever is closest. ‘Protect me’ is another good one, though it can be interpreted in fairly strange ways if you don’t imagine exactly what you want.” “Imagine?” Vivenna asked. He nodded. “You have to form...
the building. ~ A short time later,they were home. Parlin rushed out, expressing his fears for their safety. He went to Jewels first, though she brushed him off. As Vivenna entered the building, he moved up to her. “Vivenna? What happened?” She just shook her head. “There was fighting,” he said, following her up the st...
angry voice, “are causing a lot of trouble.” She opened her mouth to scream, but the drapes snapped forward, mufﬂing her neck and mouth. They squeezed tightly, choking her. They wrapped around her entire body, pinning her arms to her sides. No! she thought. I survive the attack and the Lifeless, and then fall in my own...
it had been during previous meetings. That wasn’t what worried him. The problem was the priest spearheading the movement for war. Nanrovah, high priest of Stillmark the Noble. Normally, Lightsong wouldn’t have bothered paying attention. Yet Nanrovah had always been the most outspoken against war. What had made him chan...
ten thousand Lifeless is enough to make even me consider my drunk-monkey theory.” “The one who chooses names and titles of the Returned?” “Exactly,” Lightsong said. “I’ve actually considered expanding the theory. I am now proposing to believe that God—or the universe, or time, or whatever you think controls all of this...
know anything about a tunnel complex beneath the Court of Gods?” Blushweaver turned back toward him, shrugging. “Sure. Some of the palaces have tunnels beneath them, places for storage and the like.” “Have you ever been down in any of them?” “Please. Why would I go crawling about in storage tunnels? I only know about t...
ridiculous and unfounded.” Siri grimaced. That, at least, was obviously true. Her sisters were not the types to come and work as “Idrian agents.” She smiled, imagining her soft-spoken monk of a sister—or even Vivenna in her prim outfits and stony attitude—coming to T’Telir in secret. Part of her had a little trouble be...
of a group of lesser attendants, the ones whose job it was to follow her into the massive tub and scrub her clean. Siri relaxed and leaned back, sighing as the women went to work. Another group—standing fully clothed in the deep water—pulled her hair straight then cut most of it free, something she’d ordered them to do...
who work the dye fields. That will all be lost. We don’t believe in their gods. Why would we be treated as well as people of their own faith?” “I still don’t see why it has to happen,” Siri said carefully. He waved a nervous hand. “Of course it doesn’t have to, but tradition is tradition. The Hallandren are very lax in...
of worrying about an heir. I’ve been talking to the God King.” Bluefingers froze, looking directly at her. “What?” “I’ve been talking to him,” Siri admitted. “He’s not as heartless as you might think. I don’t think this has to end with him dying or your people losing their places in the palace.” Bluefingers studied her...
white. He appeared to be studying her, eyes reﬂecting starlight. He dropped her back to the wooden ﬂoor. She groaned through the gag as he lit a lantern, then pushed the balcony doors closed. He reached to his belt and removed a large hunting dagger. Vivenna felt a stab of fear, but he simply walked over and cut the bo...
the slums,” he said. “You may scream if you wish, but nobody will think anything of it. Except me. I’ll be annoyed.” He glanced back at her. “I warn you. I’m not known for my ability to keep my temper.” Vivenna shivered, still feeling hints of nausea. This man held even more Breath than she did. Yet, when he’d kidnappe...
sessions that related directly to her situation. If a person kidnaps you, the tutor had taught, your best time to escape is near the beginning, when you are still strong. They will starve you and beat you so that soon you will be too weak to ﬂee. Do not expect to be rescued, though friends will undoubtedly be working t...
chin. She licked her lips, working her sore jaw. Now what? she thought. Her apprehension was rising. Now she really needed to get free. If Vasher returned and saw that she’d managed to work her gag off, he’d never leave her with such an opportunity again. He might punish her for disobeying him. “Ropes,” she said. “Unti...

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