She didn’t have anything cued to this yet. Hadn’t had time. She cocked her head, then shifted her feet in a dance step, silently clasping her hands together in time. Why not dance to weave illusions? In her mind, Orfeus held what she wanted to do, and when nothing happened she spread out her hands again and danced another step, trying to weave her plans in the air: spun light, like a cloak, going over both of them. It didn’t have to be perfect camouflage, but enough so they seemed green and white like the gardens, not ominous black.

A shimmer to the air. An itch in her foot. Orfeus dropped her hands, breathing hard. Faolan’s eyes flicked to her, and Orfeus said, “It’s up.”

She hoped she wasn’t lying.

Faolan moved in a low crouch, but moved fast. Orfeus tried to stick beside her, focusing just on that and on holding up her illusion. The air shifted as she passed by it, shimmering. She hoped that meant that the effect was maintained and moved with them. Honoured Earth, she wished she had spent yesterday playing with illusions instead of lying around with a hangover.

At the top of the hill Faol slowed and straightened, his tread measured and purposeful. He walked along the building and stopped at a door.

It sprung open before he could reach it, and a dog-sized robot appeared in the entrance, extending a barrel-shaped limb towards him. Its glowing blue eyes were fixed on Faol.

Either Orfeus’s magic had failed or she just hadn’t accounted for mechanical senses; either way, the mistake was hers and it could get Faolan killed. She flung herself in front of him.

She hit the dirt, sliding. No weapon had been fired. Orfeus peered up.

The robot extended its hand in greeting. “Welcome to Weingart’s manor!” it chirped. “Weingart will see you shortly.”

Orfeus slowly stood up, brushing at grass stains. The back of her neck flushed hot. Faol said nothing, either about her failed illusion or entirely unnecessary bravery. It wasn’t like he couldn’t weather a shot anyway.

Orfeus shrugged her shoulders, trying to shake it off, and bent to look at the robot. She hadn’t seen many like this before. She hadn’t seen many at all outside of museums and viewing-houses for old treasures and relics. The thing had a head smaller than a fist, and she had to remind herself that wasn’t where robots kept their brains anyway. “Are you sapient?” she said. “Can you understand me?” She signed the words as well, just in case.

The robot blinked its eyes at her, lights off and then on. “Welcome to Weingart’s manor! Weingart will see you shortly.”

Orfeus straightened. She tried again to set her clothes to rights and was at least able to adjust her cloak to her liking. She coughed.