“She’s a traveller who lost her horse. I fear it might have been stolen or…turned. I believe they’ll be playing together? Miss Violetta is a [Cellist], quite accomplished for her age, Princess Seraphel.”

He looked a bit nervous as he poked at a tart of blackberries with a fork. Seraphel smiled.

“Well, I will be delighted to see how well they perform. Together, you said?”

She had raised her voice, and she saw Cara raise her head. The [Singer] bared her teeth. But it was Violetta who bowed and looked at her father, who had been given a place, before speaking in a trembling voice.

“It—it is a tremendous honor to perform before you, Your Highness! I—we will do our best. First, I will play a traditional song of our village…”

The cello resting in front of her, Violetta sat on a stool and played in the banquet hall. This time…Seraphel didn’t take her eyes off Cara. The [Singer] didn’t meet her gaze. She was setting something up.

A drum. She didn’t seem exactly adept with it as she tried to find the best place for it. But she was clearly waiting for Violetta to finish.

Quiet applause after the first, somber song ended. Violetta bowed and then glanced at Seraphel. She tried to remember the name of their song as she stuttered out loud.

“Next is—next is, um—”

Violetta’s face went white. It was Cara who stood up. She did not bow. Grishen’s eyes narrowed.

“My name is Cara O’Sullivan. I’m pleased to perform with her a new song from my home. It is not traditional to Noelictus, but I hope you will enjoy it, Your Highness.”

Across the banquet hall, Seraphel’s eyes slowly narrowed as Cara met her eyes once more.

——

The young woman focused on Seraphel, and the [Princess] smiled like a viper.

Well, this is hardly boring at all.

Seraphel inclined her head, her eyes glittering. She felt an actual smile on her face. The kind of smile she used to give Lyonette or her other sisters right before they sat on something unpleasant.

She didn’t know what this young woman’s problem was, but if she didn’t like this song, she would, very eloquently and royally, lay down a few verses of her own.

Not too harshly, of course; the young woman next to this Cara seemed ready to burst into tears, but a bit of humiliation wouldn’t go amiss. Otherwise—it had better be a very good song. So she nodded graciously, like her chin was the [Headman]’s axe about to descend.

“I should be delighted to hear it, Miss O’Sullivan. Pray, proceed.”

——

The [Princess] lifted a hand. And saw Culin and Sasi bouncing in their seats. The [Singer] nodded and sat down. Violetta looked at her. Cara nodded. And then Cara touched the drum. She murmured something.

“—er Illusion].”