“Don’t upset yourself, Mother dear. I sent the guards away because I don’t want them clanking and tramping about outside your door when you need rest. This White Ghost, ’tis all in your imagination. Sleep will cure all that. Things will look better in the light of day.”

Silth seemed to regain some of her regal composure. She chided Lantur skeptically. “Sleep? How can I sleep? You haven’t the slightest idea how I suffer. I order you to stay here for the rest of the night to keep me company through the dark hours. What’s this you’ve brought, eh?”

Lantur held the tray out to her mother, taking care that she presented it so the Queen’s cup was nearer to the royal paw. “’Tis a harmless drink, made from warm damson wine and special herbs. It will help you to sleep.”

Silth sniffed the goblet without touching it. “I don’t care what it is, I’m not drinking any!”

Lantur moved the tray closer to her mother. “Now don’t be silly, Mother. See, I’ve filled a goblet for myself. I’m going to drink, aye, and enjoy it.”

She picked up the plain pewter goblet. It was halfway to her lips when the Queen rasped out, “Stop! Put that goblet back on the tray. I command you!”

With a look of long-suffering hopelessness, Lantur did as she was bidden. Silth smiled craftily at her. “You placed the two goblets on the tray so that my personal one was closest to me, as if you wanted me to drink from it.”

Lantur smiled innocently back. “But of course, Majesty. ’Tis your own cup. None but the High Queen would dare to drink from it.”

Silth pushed the royal goblet across to Lantur. “Here’s a better idea. You drink from my goblet and I’ll drink from yours. What do you think of that?”

Lantur shrugged and picked up the golden vessel. “A wonderful idea, Majesty. I’ve never taken wine from a Queen’s cup. Mayhaps I’ll get used to it!”

Silth snatched the golden goblet before Lantur could taste it. “No you won’t, that’s mine. Now, let me see you drain the other one. Drink!”

Lantur’s face blanched with fright. Her paw trembled as she picked up the pewter goblet. Silth cackled evilly. “Drink it all, you wicked young schemer, or I’ll have my guards feed you to the Teeth of the Deeps. Drink!”

Lantur was forced to swallow, her throat quivering fitfully, wine dribbling from the corners of her lips, her eyes wide with horror. Silth sipped at her own goblet, fully recovered from her former cringing self as she lectured her treacherous daughter.