It was a decidedly chilling possibility and not one that could be dismissed out of hand. If she was right about Isoeld searching for the blue Elfstones, then she had to consider that her stepmother might be trying to trick her into revealing their location. If she thought Phryne knew where the Elfstones were, why not arrange for the girl to escape and lead her to them? After all, if you were a fugitive, wouldn’t you try to reach the one thing that could protect you best or with which you could bargain for your life?

Isoeld was clever. She would not hesitate to use Phryne to get whatever she wanted, particularly if what she wanted was as valuable as the seeking-Stones.

Phryne took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. This business of the note was becoming increasingly complicated.

She was still mulling the matter over when the door to the storeroom opened and the little serving girl entered bearing her dinner tray. Was it really dinnertime again? How long had it been since she had last eaten? She couldn’t be sure. It seemed it wasn’t that long ago, but there was no way to know when day and night looked the same and time was a mystery. She watched as the serving girl set down the tray, straightened, and then—as if in defiance of the very explicit order given her—beckoned to Phryne. Phryne stared in surprise, hesitating. The serving girl beckoned again. Curious now, Phryne climbed to her feet and walked over.

When she got to within six or seven feet, the serving girl pulled back the hood of her cloak to reveal her face.

“Surprise,” said Xac Wen.

“Xac!” she exclaimed rather too loudly, then quickly put a hand over her mouth. “What are you doing?”

“Getting you out of here. What does it look like? Hurry, Phryne, we haven’t much time. The guard is sleeping, but the drug I put in his ale will wear off soon enough.”

She nodded quickly. “So it was you who sent me—”

He ignored her, his attention focused on the storeroom door. “No talking until we’re somewhere safe. Come on, hurry!”

They went out the storeroom door quickly, Phryne moving as fast as her battered body would let her. The Home Guard on watch was snoring loudly, slouched in one corner of the hall, his cup of ale spilled on the floor beside him.

Xac Wen reached back and closed the storeroom door. “No reason to announce that you’re not here anymore,” he whispered, his voice barely audible.