“I would like to visit you, holy one,” said Mai, the words so sincerely meant that it seemed she was oblivious to the undercurrents swirling through the pavilion.

“Best we discuss this at another time,” said Captain Anji, looking cursed grim.

The Silvers wore sour expressions, their trim little noses out of joint as if someone had suggested one of their hidden women dance naked at the festival.

With a burst of feeling as strong as being up to his neck in an outgoing tide, Keshad knew where he belonged: on the side of those who thought young women ought not to be locked up in their father’s brother’s house, or bound into years of unwanted servitude to the temple. Yet those who owned the chains would keep binding what they found useful, or desirable.

“I have something to say!” He leaped up the steps.

The captain set a hand to his sword’s hilt, and the marshal gripped his baton. Eliar cocked a fist, ready and eager to take a swipe. The Hieros’s attendant stepped in front of the old woman, his body her shield.

But Kesh plunged on. “You said yourself you meet here today to exchange information. About the goings-on in Olo’osson and the city, I am sure. Yet you also sent a group of scouts into the north weeks ago to see what they can discover about the Star of Life.”

“We have,” agreed the captain, removing his hand from his sword. “And not heard word back. Where are you going with this?”

“No doubt the reeves will be searching for the demon who killed the Qin soldiers, who may also be a Guardian, whatever a Guardian is, since obviously the tales are mistaken.”

“I admit the incident took us by surprise,” said Marshal Joss, “although we’re not agreed on what it all means.”

“If the Guardians have become demons, best we be prepared,” said Anji.

“That envoy wore no shadow,” said the Hieros. “Of that, I am determined.”

Joss nodded toward her. “As it says in the tale, ‘He wore no darkness, not even a shadow to follow him.’ Meanwhile, we’re keeping our eyes open. I’ve sent reeves out to see if they can track the demon.” He nodded at Mai, whose face lost a little of its luster to anxiety. “We’ll try to warn those people who may be in danger, including your uncle.”

“So,” continued Kesh. “All this you have encompassed. But what about these ones Captain Anji calls the Red Hounds? What about men in red caps and their accomplices who stalked the Qin through the streets of Olossi? Who Captain Anji believes came from the Sirniakan Empire in search of him? The ones who murdered Tam?”

He had their attention.

“We have no good sources of information in the empire. I am sure, Your Holiness, that your hierodules and kalos comb what bits of gossip and hearsay they can from those outlander drovers who visit the temple. I am sure everyone in Olossi interviews every merchant who returns from the south.”