The woman said, Ill come back after Ive seen whats happening at Dejagore. She moved to the Prahbrindrah, rested a hand on his shoulder. Dont take it on yourself. They wrote their own destinies. Youre a prince. A prince must be stern. Be stern now. Dont let chaos claim Taglios. Ill leave you a small garrison. Their reputation should be enough to enforce your will.

She strode out.

The Radisha and her brother stared at one another. What have we done? he asked.

Too late to cry about it. Lets do what we can with it.

Wheres Smoke?

I dont know. I havent seen him for days.

Was he right? Is she really the Daughter of Night?

I dont know. I just dont know. But were on the tigers back now. We cant let go.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Chapter Thirty-Seven

I moved out before dawn. I took every man I could round up-except those who had helped despatch the priests. Those I left as a garrison, with orders to remain in the city a week, then to move to the remote Vehdna-Bota ford across the Main. I did not want them talking to the other men, who did not yet know about the massacre.

There were six thousand men in the force. They were scarcely more than an armed rabble. They were enthusiastic, though. They wanted to relieve Dejagore.

I tried to teach them on the march.

Narayan did not like the move. He brooded. He came to me late the third day of the march. We were twenty miles from Ghoja. Mistress?

Youve finally decided to talk about it?

He pretended not to be surprised. He tried to accept everything about me. On the surface. Did he regret his snap decision that I was his Strangler messiah? I am sure he wanted more control. He did not want his Daughter of Night to be independent of his own ambitions and wishful thinking.

Yes, Mistress. Tomorrow is Etsataya, first day of the Festival. Were only a few miles from the Holy Grove. It is important that you present yourself to the jamadars.

I guided him out of the human stream. I havent been trying to duck it. Ive been preoccupied. You said the first day. I thought this was a one-day holy festival.

Its three days, Mistress. The middle day is the actual high holy day.

I cant afford a three-day delay, Narayan.

I know, Mistress. Funny how the honorifics showed up so much more often when he wanted something. But we do have men capable of keeping the mob moving. All they have to do is follow the road. With your horses we can overtake them quickly.

I masked my feelings. This was something I had to do but not something I wanted to do. Narayans cult had not been much use yet.