“I thought you’d ask that.” Bal thrust berry bread in Awa’s mouth as they marched out of the door. Awa tumbled over Soot. He jumped up, put paws on her shoulders, and drooled in her face. Bal scratched his head. “That mangy old wolf whined and paced and drove me wild all day.”

“Maybe Soot loves me more than you.” Awa hugged him.

“He knows the way to Meera and to Council.”

Awa buried her head in Soot’s fur. “You know all the secret passageways.”

The sick rooms were in Lilot’s realm, not far from the kitchen. The medicine smell burned Awa’s eyes. Meera and Rokiat lay next to one another, wrapped in bandages by the window. A fountain gurgled outside, a soothing melody. Bal paced among the other patients. Awa resisted asking who else was wounded, who else had died. Tomorrow. Soot whined and licked Meera’s hand. Awa stroked her friend’s face. “We did it,” she whispered in Meera’s ear. “Come back to me.” She let Bal pull her out of the room.

“Council meets in the courtyard.” Bal hurried after Soot.

He led them through halls and corridors for half an hour. Awa was certain she’d never find her way back. Bal talked politics. So many power plays and cutthroat deals made Awa’s head spin. Dream Gates hadn’t put an end to intrigue. Whatever would she do on Council?

“If I’m to have a chair, why not you?” Awa poked Bal.

“Council has changed. I’m there. I can speak, but you and Kenu are heroes.”

Awa frowned. “What did Kenu do?”

“Besides take credit for the Dream Gates, nothing, as far as I can tell.” Bal grimaced.

“Kenu held the gates open for your music, for the haints. I remember that.” Awa sighed. “He learned from Father.”

“You’ll have to explain later.”

They came outside into a garden with several other doorways leading off into the dark. Potted plants were in bloom, showy fragrant things unfamiliar to Awa. Water sputtered from a fountain. Arms greeted them. Wrapped in bandages, he looked stiff and sore as he ushered Awa to the flying-jackal table.

“You’re the last of us,” he said gruffly and patted Soot’s head. Soot caught a scent and growled. He raced across the courtyard and down a murky corridor. “That wild dog knows the maze better than anybody.” Arms chuckled. “He saved my life twice. Ripped a man’s throat who was coming for me and Azizi.”

“Soot likes who he likes.” Awa looked around the table.

Boto and Grain stopped their conversation and offered a welcome. Iyalawo Tembe smiled. She sat on a stool eating mango. “Tembe’s drummers fought off void-addled acolytes and helped Lilot.” Bal used Ishba hand-talk. The chair beside Tembe was empty, a blue sea monster.

Awa choked. “Hezram still has a seat. You didn’t tell me.”