Well, it wasn’t as if they were threatening in any way. And they certainly could be helpful. They wouldn’t need to eat or sleep, and at the very least, they could probably serve as night guards, which would free up a lot of people to work in the daytime. Of course, eventually they’d have to be freed of their imprisoning bodies, because Kordas had promised that, but until the mages figured out how to do that, they would be awfully helpful.

As she stared off after Isla, who seemed merely to be heading for a spot that was still near the Gate—after all, she had to get back to Valdemar to continue the charade of her “affair” with Hakkon—Koto spoke behind her, making her jump.

“Some things you just have to let go, and leave to chance,” he said.

“Yes, but—” she began.

“The people we are leaving behind are either those who are completely out of the Plan because we cannot trust them, or people who know what they are getting themselves into, because they have been repeatedly told,” Koto continued.

“Yes, but—”

“They are responsible for their own actions, too,” he pointed out.

“Yes, but—”

“Would you relieve everyone of consequences?”

She saw she was going to get nowhere, and just shook her head.

“Do what you can, do everything that you can, do it to the best of your ability, and leave the rest to fate. Or the gods. Or random luck. Your choice,” he advised. “By the time you get to be my age, you’ve learned to let a lot go.” He linked arms with her. “Let’s go back to the manor. There’s still a lot to do there, and it’s only two days to the Regatta.”

—

When Star entered his room, Kordas could tell that the Doll was agitated. How he could tell that, he was not sure; maybe he was becoming more sensitive to the Dolls—maybe that accident had shaken something loose in his mind. But it was very clear to him, at least, that Star badly wanted to talk about something, but was keeping the Valdemar badge on its hand covered.

“The Emperor has decreed a Blind Feast for tomorrow, at the midday meal,” said Star. “After which, the Emperor will issue decrees, then mount his chariot to watch as much of the rest of the Regatta as he cares to.”

“If he’s not there in person,” Kordas asked carefully, “who is? And what is a Blind Feast?”

At this point he had already guessed that the Emperor would be present at the Regatta until he got bored—and he had the idea that the Emperor got bored rather easily. Of course, he could be wrong. But he didn’t think he was.