“Tell me how your city is faring,” Klia said to the mayor as they dined on the local spring lamb and blue-tail grouse stuffed with ewe’s-milk cheese and figs.

“Well enough, Your Highness,” he replied. “Governor Toneus was a fair man, and a good one.”

“How did he compare with the Plenimaran governor?” asked Thero.

“General Rugo left us mostly to our own devices, so long as we paid our taxes and no one made trouble.”

“His wife was the soul of charity,” Loena added. “She saw that the poor were fed, and organized a hospital in town when a bout of plague swept through. And she brought in a real physician, dear Doctor Kordira.”

“A Plenimaran?” asked Alec.

“Yes, and she’s a very good woman, regardless of where she came from. She saw our youngest through milk fever last spring.” She smiled at Mika. “You look about his age. Perhaps you can come to play.”

Mika’s mouth was full, but he nodded politely.

“Tell me, Your Highness, even though you fought the Plenimarans, didn’t you now and then meet a good one?” asked Hasen.

“There’s goodness to be found in all places,” Klia replied. “Many of their officers were men of great honor on the battlefield.”

“I noticed some former slaves at the waterfront,” said Alec. “Were there many here during the occupation?”

“Oh, yes,” the mayor replied, as if he’d been asked about the weather. “Shameful, the way some of them were treated, but most of the masters were kind.”

Alec’s gut tightened; he’d experienced such “kindness” for himself, and so had Seregil. As he was searching for a response that wouldn’t be utterly rude, Seregil set his cup aside and leaned forward in his chair.

“All kindness goes out the window when you put a metal collar around the neck of another person. Those poor broken souls with the scars of bondage still showing didn’t look as if they’d been overwhelmed with kindness.”

The mayor blinked in surprise. “I meant no offense, Baron. I was only saying that some treated their slaves better than others. Surely that counts for something?”

“No, it doesn’t.”

There was an uncomfortable pause, then Micum said, “The Plenimarans are particularly brutal with Aurënfaie, so Baron Seregil feels very strongly about the matter.”

“Ah, of course.”

“Forgive me,” Seregil said, all gracious apology now. “I didn’t mean to spoil anyone’s appetite. Lady Zella, I’m most curious about the oracle site. I understand Governor Toneus was in the process of restoring it, along with Menosi.”

“Only the façade was finished, I’m afraid. The precinct was so overgrown he had to employ a diviner to find it. The interior of it is actually a series of three caves. The tunnels leading to the inner ones had been blocked. The workmen had just gotten them all cleared a few days before Toneus died.” She sighed. “At least he lived long enough to see the wonders there. They’re very beautiful. After the deaths, the workmen wouldn’t stay there or at Menosi, so all work has stopped. Now that you are here, Princess Klia, I’m sure things will return to normal.”