“Well, then,” she said, and nodded. “I suppose I’ll need to change my plans.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

“Not at all. You’re only doing your job, aren’t you?”

That’s when she saw it. The mask slipped. All she spotted was a tiny glimpse, but it was enough. This was no ordinary rat-man, and he knew exactly what sort of surprise party was planned. I only wish I did, but then it wouldn’t be a surprise, would it?

Farilane found the scrivener in the palace courtyard laden with bags—his and hers—and not seeming up to the task. Thin and gangly, Kile was no one’s picture of a rugged male. Compared to the Teshlors, he was a malnourished willow sapling growing amidst a forest of stately elms, but he was all she had.

“Is someone bringing the horses?” he asked her. The morning sun was bright on his face as he stood in the dapple of late-flowering tremble trees. Most of the white petals had fallen and covered the ground like patches of snow.

“We’re not going to take horses,” she told him.

“No horses? A wagon then? Or chariot?”

“No,” she shook her head. “We are going to walk.”

“Walk?” He spoke the word as if he didn’t understand the language it derived from.

“Yes. Walk. It involves the moving of your legs in a to-and-fro manner. It’s not hard. I’ll teach you.”

Letting him frown, she searched the traffic near the palace steps, where the pediment cast a shadow on the marble. She spotted Colin Wells on duty and sighed. She liked Colin. The Teshlor was a wonderful singer, lively on a trip, and his company would have made the journey a joy. Now he would likely suffer on her account. This was his watch, and for the first time, Farilane didn’t want to be seen leaving the palace. “Did anyone notice you bring these bags out?”

“No,” Kile replied, “I don’t think so.” Already she could see confusion whetting the edges of his expression.

He senses something is amiss, but isn’t sure what, or whether it warrants alarm or not. Perhaps he thinks it’s a game I am playing on him because he’s new. He’ll pretend and go along, for now.

“You’re still up for this, aren’t you?” she asked.

“Absolutely.” The word was definitive, but his tone less so.

“Good. Follow me, then.” She led him away from the front steps around to the garden side of the palace.