Mika threw back the down-filled comforter and discovered that all his clothes were gone. He was naked except for the golden amulet he and Master Thero had made and a fresh, clean sling on his arm. He looked around, but there was no sign of his clothes, no clothes chest or wardrobe, either. Crossing the room to the door she’d pointed out, he opened it a crack and peeked through into a small bathing chamber with a fancy wooden tub. A red velvet coat and breeches hung on a rack, with linen drawers and a shirt. It all looked just his size, though he would feel a little silly in velvet. It matched Queen Rhazat’s gown.

The bath felt wonderful. Remembering what Alec had said, he sipped a little of the bathwater from his cupped hand. It was wet, and when he was done scrubbing with the washcloth he was clean. Once again, he wondered if the dark place of thirst and weariness had been a bad dream. But if so, then where was he and how had he gotten here? Queen Rhazat hadn’t really answered his question. When he was dressed he went out the door she’d used and found himself in a workroom sort of like those of Master Thero and their other wizard friends, but this one was dark and cold. There was a stairway on the other side, and light showed up it. He went down two sets of poorly lit stairs through spooky, empty corridors full of shadows and was relieved to at last find the dining room where Lady Rhazat was waiting for him at a round table full of dishes of food. The mingled aromas made his mouth water and he hurried to join her. To his surprise, the different dishes were all favorites of his: spiced carrots, yellow cheese, brown bread with butter, hard-boiled eggs, watercress, and slices of cold ham and beef on a platter, just like his mother served on special feast days. Despite his hunger, however, he remembered his mother’s lessons and sat with his hands folded until bidden to start.

“What a polite boy.” She served him first, then sat back and nodded for him to begin.

“But you don’t have any food, my lady,” he said. There was only one place set at the table.

“I ate while you slept, Mika. Please, have as much as you like.”

Mika took her at her word and had two helpings from every dish and three of bread.

“Where are we, Your Majesty?” he asked when he could eat no more. “I got lost, and then I woke up here.”

“Not far from Menosi. Were you out walking all by yourself?”

“No, my lady. I was in the palace, and then I wasn’t, just like—” He stopped himself. Master Thero had taught him not to speak of Seregil, Alec, or Micum to strangers on account of their secret work.