“After the moon’s cycle is complete. Otherwise my touch may alert demons to his presence. It’s enough that I can look at him, and at you, until that day.” He did look, but at her more than at the child, eyes narrowed with the very slight look of satisfaction that meant he was well pleased, perhaps even gloating, if Anji ever gloated.

“Captain!”

He turned. “You are an uncle, Tuvi-lo.”

The chief walked up as Mai displayed the naked baby. “So I am! What a fine lad.”

“Whole with no blemishes,” said Anji.

“Atani-hosh, I pledge my loyal service,” said the chief. Then with a big grin he nodded at Mai. “To the mother, strength and honor.”

“I’m hungry. I think I’m always hungry!”

As if she had heard, Priya walked out from the cave. “Captain Anji! You must not touch Mai or your son until the turn of the moon.”

“I have not. But I have brought Mai foods that will strengthen her blood.”

Priya took the infant to wrap it, and Mai sat on the wall an arm’s length from Anji and ate the food he had brought, rich butter, voluptuous yoghurt, stingingly strong fermented mare’s milk, while he related the tale of the skirmish and the fate of the Red Hounds.

“We killed all of the riders, except for two we took as prisoners. However, they did not talk. As for the agents in place within the settlement, three for sure we killed.”

“Who were they?” She shuddered. “I hate to think of walking past such men every day and never knowing.”

“Posing as laborers. I am sure there are others. We remain vigilant. My brother the emperor will attempt to strike again. He sees me as a threat to his position, more so even than my cousins.”

“Although they are the ones who have challenged him over the throne.”

“At the moment, my brother is the one who stands in the way of their ambition. Although it’s hard to imagine that they can defeat the rightful heir, the one the priests have sealed as legitimate. Now, of course, this boy likewise, a new grandson of the former emperor. So I’m not sure what to do with you and the baby, Mai.”

“Build me a cottage in this valley. Then it would be hard for the Red Hounds to reach me, neh?”

He surveyed the whitecapped mountains and the spilling water, inhaling the scent of sweet flowers, of extravagant leaves, of moist air. The deep cleft might harbor an entire village, and no one ever know.

“But I don’t really want to live here forever,” she added hurriedly, brushing a hand over the links of gold that weighed on her chest. “You know how I love the market. And I miss Miravia, if I’m ever to be allowed to see her again.”