At last they came out of the forest track into the open and rode across the bridge onto the meadow just outside the palace. On the far side of the bridge, Kieri waited with his Squires. Behind them a small crowd stood waving flowering branches and cheering.

She and Kieri rode in together, showered with petals. It was hard not to throw herself off her horse into his arms. From his expression, he felt the same way. They made it through dinner and up the stairs into the royal chambers. Kieri shut the door firmly in the Squires’ faces.

“I missed you,” Kieri said mildly.

“And I, you,” Arian said.

“I suppose I should ask you all the important questions,” Kieri said. “About Tsaia, about Mikeli…” He was undressing as he spoke. “But the only real question is … are you too tired?”

“No,” Arian said. “Not now. Not ever.”

Later, Arian gave him a report of her visit, starting with the most important. “They have at least one of the patterns. They hadn’t noticed; apparently they saw only irregularities in the stone, like our servants.”

“Where?”

“In the grange-hall for the Bells. I didn’t see any others, but I did not visit every room in the palace; there wasn’t time. I did warn King Mikeli.”

“The elves found more here after you left,” Kieri said. “As we suspected, under the elf-gifted carpets in the public rooms. They’re not all identical, however, and I don’t know what that difference means. Did you see the pattern on that box with the regalia?”

“No. It’s sealed in an outer box they can’t open. Only Duke Verrakai can, they said, and elven magery had no effect on it.”

That night, Arian slept at ease, waking at dawn to find Kieri looking down at her. “Are you all right?” he asked.

She stretched. “Very well, now I’m home. Did you enjoy living there? In Tsaia? In Vérella?”

“I didn’t live in the palace, though I visited … but yes, I enjoyed it. What was wrong with it?”

“Not enough trees,” Arian said. “And no gardens in the palace grounds. It’s stuffy inside.” She looked to the window, the curtains pulled aside to let in the early summer breeze. “I don’t know how they can stand it.”

“It did not bother me then,” Kieri said. “It might now. What about the people?”

“At first they seemed very strange, but soon I saw they were much like us but for being all human. I saw no part-elves at all. Those who look young are young … it’s almost frightening how young the king is. He’s trying very hard, but no one that age can know enough. At least the present dukes are older.”

“Don’t underestimate him,” Kieri said. “I knew him as a younger boy—and knew his father. How’s his brother?”

“Impulsive, hasty, full of energy, eager.”

“Envious of his brother?”