“You have to have it every day for ten days.”

“Oh, that’s ridiculous. I told you I’m immune.”

“Take it anyway. Please. I don’t think it will do my cause any good to have you arriving at Chay Zanlan’s doorstep ill and fainting.”

She took the tablet from his hand and gulped it down. “Don’t think you’ll do your cause any good to arrive with me telling tales of your threats of violence,” she said as soon as she had swallowed. “Don’t think I won’t tell him everything you said to me.”

He nodded soberly. “Oh, no. I know you aren’t my ally. But it won’t matter what you have to say once I’ve told him—” And he stopped, looked down at his hands, and then out the window, and clearly had no intention of adding another word.

They passed much of the morning in silence, though at least this day the view offered some distraction. They were approaching the low violet foothills that edged the valley with amethyst and provided a spiky, colorful, and ever-changing vista out the windows of the train. It was Kit’s favorite part of the journey out, though mostly because she knew what was ahead: a two-hour layover at one of the massive refueling stations that was actually the largest city in this part of Geldricht.

At Krekt Station, you could buy an elegant meal, a change of clothes, fine jewelry or almost any other amenity. You could also, for a small fee, use the public showers and clean yourself from head to toe. It was a ritual Kit never failed to observe on the journey. Wash away Inrhio, present herself fresh-scrubbed to Geldricht.

Of course, the fact that she couldn’t stand the grimy, clammy feel of going unwashed for more than a day had much to do with her appreciation of the public cleansing rooms.

As they pulled into the station, Kit arranged their luggage on their chairs to give the impression that all four seats were taken. Nolan watched her in surprise.

“You mean, we can just leave our things here? No one will steal them?”

Kit shook her head. “Very low crime rate in Geldricht. First, of course, the clan system ensures that almost everyone is taken care of, so no one needs to steal. Second, there are incredibly brutal punishments for theft, depending on the monetary value of the item being stolen. And third—” She laughed softly. “You can’t get on the train without a ticket. Our things will be safe enough.”

They climbed from the train and followed the crowd into the station. As always, Kit found it momentarily disconcerting to be on steady ground. Her body missed the constant, almost maternal swaying of the coach car. Her heels hit the pavement with an unexpected jar. The world seemed rocky and unforgiving.