Kordas exhaled strongly and admitted, “He’s right, though. We all need to know when it’s safe to . . . be expressive, without . . . waking the beast.”

“We three are honored that you would place us in a position of privilege, Lord, by counting us in your number. What sort of signal would you prefer, my Lord?” Star asked.

“Something nonverbal. Something subtle.” He thought about it for a moment. “Have you any good ideas?”

“I know,” Beltran spoke up. “Star, are you permitted to wear anything a human tells you to wear?”

Star nodded.

“All right, then. Wait one moment and I’ll be back.” Beltran went into his room and came back a moment later. In his hand was a small enameled pin of the crest of Valdemar. “You’re—cloth,” he said, awkwardly. “Can I pin this on you? And not hurt you?”

“Yes, Herald Beltran,” Star told him.

“All right. I’m going to pin it on the back of your right hand. When it’s safe to speak—when we’re in private, that is—leave it uncovered by your left. When it’s not, cover it up.”

“But what if this one needs both hands for a task?” Star asked logically.

“When you’re doing a task we’ll just assume it’s not safe,” Beltran replied, and looked to Kordas for confirmation.

“Sound plan to me,” said Kordas, and Star held out its right hand for Beltran to pin the crest on. Rose and Clover followed suit, and immediately displayed the badges.

“You have many questions, my Lord,” said Star.

Kordas sat on one of the uncomfortable copper chairs, cooling down. “How long have the hostages been wearing those robes instead of the old uniforms?”

“Five years, my Lord. The parents objected to the uniforms, as it ‘made them all equal, and they could not tell who was superior to whom.’ That was when the change was made.” Star paused. “The Emperor was angered at first by the objection, then suddenly became pleased. We do not know why.”

I can guess.

“Are the oldest hostages only schooled in the Three Games?” he asked next.

“Yes, my Lord. It is thought by that time this is all they need learn.”

“Are the Dolls permitted to protect hostages from other hostages?” That had been what had saved him—Hakkon’s presence. Not even a Prince wanted to chance the ire of someone who looked like Hakkon.

He was expecting a negative. But the answer surprised him. “Yes, in a sense, my Lord,” Star said. “If the aggression is merely verbal, we may do nothing. But if the aggression becomes physical, we are ordered to restrain both parties until a human teacher may be summoned. The human teacher determines the suitable punishment and administers it.”

For a moment he was absolutely astonished that such a reasonable thing was possible. But then he got suspicious.