“Amazing,” Breven said, coming to stand beside Amara. She silently agreed with the young man.

A fresh wind blew across the company, tugging at the auburn curls around her face and cloak. Ironmond, the capital of House Friere, looked exactly like it sounded: a fortification of iron and stone. Part of her was expecting Lux Casta to be the same, a stronghold of sorts for the family of Light. Instead, with all of the white buildings and walls, the city itself seemed to be light. Except for one thing. Black banners flew across the ramparts and from the castle in the midst of the city.

“Black standards,” someone murmured. “What does that mean?”

Hari came forward. His grey brows creased as he looked down on the city. “Someone important has died.”

“Died?” another person said. “Who?”

“Most likely someone from House Luceras,” he replied.

“I heard Grand Lord Warin has been sick for a while,” a woman said behind them.

“If it is Grand Lord Warin, then that would be sad news indeed. I suspect we will find out once we reach the city.” Hari hefted his pack, his pot swinging from the corner, and started down the path that led toward Lux Casta.

Grand Lord Warin Luceras? Dead? That could work to her advantage. Many houses held the tradition of allowing their people to view their lord or lady before the body was put to rest or burned. She had been Opheliana’s age when her own grandmother, Lady Sunna, passed away, and she remembered how crowded Rook Castle became during her grandmother’s viewing. If House Luceras operated the same way, then Lord Warin’s death could give her a way into the palace—not to mention the chaos it would cause as House Luceras crowned a new leader.

It was almost as if the Dark Lady was smiling on her plans. Almost. Not that she wanted anything to do with the Dark Lady.

A hush seemed to lie across the city as the pilgrims arrived at the gates. Guards met them at the entryway, dressed in chainmail and white tabards. “Are you pilgrims on your way to the Temple of Splendor?” the closest guard asked.

Hari stepped forward, his pot rattling as he moved. “Yes, we are. Many of us have been traveling for weeks, or even months.”

The second guard stepped forward and held his spear at his side. “You are welcome to Lux Casta.”

“May I ask what the black standards are for?”

Amara leaned in to hear more clearly.

“Our lord passed away early yesterday morning.”

“Grand Lord Warin Luceras?”

“Yes. I’m afraid you came at a mournful time.”

Hari bowed his head, along with many of the others. “We are sorry to hear that. We will lift up prayers for House Luceras and Lux Casta.”

The two guards stepped back to let the pilgrims inside the gates. “You will find the temple near Palace Levellon. Follow this street through the city until you reach the middle.”

Amara readjusted the satchel across her body as she followed the other pilgrims into Lux Casta. There were hardly any people out on the streets, and the few they met were dressed in black and barely said a word to them.