The king smiled. “That is true.” He stepped away from the urn and strolled toward the throne. “I did not know you were an appreciator of art.”

“I am merely an appreciator of beauty.”

Berro chuckled. “Then it is a great irony that you have turned my city upside down looking for an ugly old hag.” The king settled onto his throne. His expression became serious and his fingers drummed on the throne’s arm. “How much longer do you intend us to continue with this search?”

Ikaro frowned. He could not read the king’s mind—he was only able to read minds when Huan was present—but he did not need to. The king was not hiding his impatience. The usual reassurances would not placate Berro this time. He was not sure what would, except…

“I will ask the gods.”

The king’s eyes widened. The men and women exchanged glances, some skeptical.

“Now?”

“Unless this is an inconvenient time,” Ikaro added. “I could use the palace Temple.”

“No, no,” Berro said. “Speak to them, if that is what you feel is right.”

Ikaro nodded, then closed his eyes.

“Join me in prayer,” he murmured, putting both hands together to form a circle. As he spoke a familiar chant of praise he was grateful to hear many voices quietly echoing him. He drew courage from them. At the end of the chant he paused, then drew a deep breath.

“Chaia, Huan, Lore, Yranna, Saru. I ask that one of you speak to me so that I may receive instruction.”

He waited, heart racing. His skin prickled as an energy filled the air.

:High Priest Ikaro.

Gasps echoed through the chamber. Ikaro opened his eyes and glanced around. There was no sign of the owner of the voice, but he could see from the expressions of everyone in the room that they had heard it.

“Huan?” he asked.

:It is I.

He bowed his head.

“I have done as you bade, but I have not found the sorceress. Should I continue searching? Is there any other way I might locate her?”

:Let her think you have given up. Call off the searchers. Stop checking people at the port and main gate. Instead, have these exits watched by a priest in disguise. If she believes the search has ended, she may take the opportunity to leave the city. I will be watching for her.

Ikaro nodded. “If she can be found this way, I will find her,” he replied with determination.

The goddess’s presence faded. Ikaro looked up at the king, who wore a thoughtful expression.

“Is it only recently that the gods have spoken to you in this way?”

“Yes,” Ikaro admitted.