Tomarys slept nearby on a woven mat, lying on his back as his chest rose and fell evenly. He was covered in just a thin linen sheet, but at least the night was warm. He’d told her this was an improvement compared to his last sleeping quarters.

Given her bodyguard’s reactions, Chloe had decided it would be best if she worked at night. Tomarys had fetched a mortar and pestle on their return, and one of the flower pods was still in the pouch, hidden under the pallet.

The other was in the bowl-shaped mortar on her lap. Keeping her movements quiet, Chloe used the pestle to grind the bulb, working over the broken bits of plant again and again. She recalled the instruction she’d received at the Temple of Aeris in Phalesia and knew that the finer the particles became, the more surface area would be exposed to allow the pain-relieving agents to be extracted.

She worked the pestle tirelessly, her muscles becoming sore as she turned the flower pod into an unrecognizable cluster of fine hay-like particles. Finally deciding she was finished, she set the bowl beside her bed pallet. Before retiring, she checked the pouch with the last flower to remind herself it was safely hidden.

Then Chloe lay on the pallet, staring up at the ceiling.

She closed her eyes and went to sleep.

Chloe woke suddenly, certain that she’d been sleeping only for a few hours, her senses groggy and sleep in her eyes. Something had hold of her ankle.

The room was dark and the night still and quiet. Tomarys crouched over her; he had his hand on her foot and had been shaking her.

Sitting up, she saw that there was another man present, a slim Ilean in a plain white tunic, standing with his back at an angle to her, eyes averted. Wondering at his posture, Chloe realized he wasn’t supposed to be in the women’s quarters. To bring him here, his need must have been urgent.

‘What is it?’ Chloe whispered.

‘I am Carin, one of the stewards. The king of kings is in terrible pain,’ he said. ‘The magi cannot help him. He has asked for you.’

Chloe rummaged in her chest and quickly threw a garment over her sleeping shift as the robed man spoke.

‘Of course,’ she said. She picked up the bowl full of crushed soma flower and moved until she was facing the steward. ‘Take me to him.’

Tomarys followed as the steward led her out of the women’s quarters to a part of the palace she’d never been to before. Passing through the silent courtyards and carpeted corridors they stopped at an ornate archway. Two palace soldiers stood guard outside.

‘Enter,’ the steward said to Chloe. He indicated Tomarys. ‘He can wait here.’

Her heart pounding as she held the bowl in her hands, Chloe walked through the doorway.