Her first stop was the alley where shed hidden a cloak and a change of clothes: a plainer dress that wouldnt catch the eye, and shoes that were anything but delicate. There was a dagger there too, just in case she needed it. Aurelle dressed quickly, making sure no one was coming, then set off again, still checking for anyone following. Past a certain point, paranoia was simply a sensible precaution.

Out through the city she went, into the entertainment district, heading in the direction of the looming House of Sighs. It was the sort of place where someone who came and went normally could do so without attracting unwanted questions, without the risks that would come from a neighborhood filled with thugs and cutpurses. Aurelle would hate to have to kill someone; it would draw far too much attention.

She walked along, feeling the changing shapes of the cobbles of the streets as she went, making her way to a side door of the House, one of those reserved for quiet entrances and exits. The House of Sighs was good at discretion. It made it such a perfect meeting place. She went in, heading for the usual room, a surprisingly simple one given the wealth of her … benefactor.

The arrangement of ribbons left on the door would have seemed like simple decoration to anyone else, but to Aurelle it was a sign carefully left, saying all was as it should be. The House of Sighs taught more than simply how to give oneself to those who paid, after all, at least for those with the talent for it.

Aurelle reached out and opened the door, stepping inside elegantly. Her employer was sitting on the bed, waiting for her, sharp eyes scanning her, lingering as they always lingered. Those hawk-like features lent a predatory edge to the movement.

Duke Viris stood, and Aurelle curtseyed elegantly. She knew he liked that.

There is wine, if you wish it, Duke Viris said, gesturing to a bottle and two glasses. He took one, rolling it between his fingers. Aurelle took the other, sniffing it carefully. As far as she knew, the duke had no reason to poison her, but that was the problemshe would only know afterward.

So, the duke said. Is all going as I require?

Aurelle nodded. The prince is suitably distracted from thoughts of a cure. Your men were able to search the library while I kept him… busy, although they made a clumsy job of it.

Im sure your own efforts were far less clumsy, he said. Did you have any problems with Greave?

Aurelle laughed at that thought. Hardly. Poor Prince Greave has been so starved of affection that he all but threw himself at me, even if he didnt know he was doing it.

Good, Duke Viris said. Is the prince suitably enamored of you?