Looking down at the workers, she saw that they were now tying huge bundles of seaweed on their backs. Some were wading into the water and swimming away. She caught snatches of thought that told her they were leaving early and that some suspected this was because her presence frightened their leader.

She sighed in frustration. How was she ever going to win over the Elai, when just her presence on the beach had an adverse effect on these people?

Huan did say this would be a challenge, she reminded herself.

Smiling wryly, she gathered magic and lifted herself into the sky.

29

As the dark folds of sleep slipped away, Emerahl became aware of voices.

“Jade. Wake up.”

“That’s probably not her real name.”

“I don’t know her real name. Do you?”

“No, she wouldn’t tell me.”

“You asked?”

“Didn’t you?”

“No. It’s not polite.”

“I used to know a girl named Jade.”

“It’s a nice name. Not like Brand. Who’d call their daughter Brand? I hate my name.”

Who are these women? Emerahl felt her mind rise toward full consciousness and memory return. They’re just my room companions. She frowned. They’re awake before me? That’s unusual…

“Who’d call their daughter Tide? Or Moonlight?” Tide asked.

Brand giggled. “My little brother used to have a pet moohook called Moonlight.”

Tide chuckled. “Moonlight. Diamond. Innocence. Names best suited to whores or pets. Only an idiot would curse their child with them. Jade isn’t too bad, I suppose. Look, she’s awake at last.”

Emerahl found herself looking at the two attractive young women. She yawned and sat up.

“What are you two doing up this early?”

Brand smiled ruefully. “Rozea’s called a meeting. You’d better get dressed. Quickly, too.”

Emerahl swung her legs out from under the blankets and stretched. The other two girls were wearing older tunics rather than their best. Emerahl chose the worn, plain tunic Leaf had given her to wear outside of working hours or during lessons and quickly changed into it.

As she dressed she saw and heard other girls passing in the corridor. Brand and Tide waited quietly but she could sense excitement and expectation from their minds.

“What’s this meeting all about, then?” she asked as she quickly combed her hair.

“Don’t know,” Brand replied.

“Probably something to do with the war.”

“Hurry up and we’ll find out sooner,” Brand urged.

Emerahl smiled and moved to join them at the doorway. They stepped out into the corridor, Brand in the lead. Emerahl took note of the turns they made, and after climbing the third staircase guessed that their meeting place was on the top floor of the brothel.