“Sorry,” I said. “I probably shouldn’t be here.”

She waved aside the matter. “I doubt Reverend Celane would mind. I just wanted to find you so I could congratulate you on that last catch.”

“It was a pretty spectacular throw.”

“I had some pent-up aggression, I suppose. I didn’t catch your name.”

From down the corridor rang a clear tinkling sound, and the murmuring of conversation in the parlour subsided. Time for dinner.

“It’s Elfreda,” I told Jesane as I rose.

“Pleasure to meet you,” she replied.

Delicate chandeliers lit the dining room in pale yellow. Four tables, each seating eight, were laid out with simple white plates and bowls. Sprays of blue flowers rested in slender vases, and condensation beaded the outside of gilded silver flasks. The smells of rosemary and garlic drifted from the kitchen, causing my mouth to water.

Millie caught my eye as I entered. I nodded to the furthest table, where many of the younger and less important Sisters had gathered. Nice and out of the way. But as I reached it and pulled out a chair, a slender hand closed on my shoulder.

“Elfreda, won’t you join me at my table?” said Celane. “Lariel was going to tell me about the theatre.”

“Oh,” I said. Behind Celane’s back, Millie looked horrified. “Of course, Reverend.”

Maybe she just wants to be nice, I thought, without any conviction. Millie had deployed her best winning smile, always a bad sign.

We took up the seats that Celane indicated. Verje sat on the other side of the table, Celane’s Oblate daughter was to Millie’s left. Jesane, who seemed equally surprised by her invitation to the host’s table, occupied the chair to my right.

I poured water into my glass and, at her nod, into Jesane’s.

The kitchen doors opened, and four Oblates appeared carrying trays of steaming bread, halved peaches filled with coloured sweetpaste, and soft riverweed braided into the shape of the Eater’s sigil. They carefully set the trays down on each table, bowed, and backed into the kitchen again.

“The star player of the red team,” said Millie, leaning forward to speak around me. “It’s Herald Jesane Olberos, right?”

“That’s me. And you are?”

“Lariel Sacor,” said Millie. “I’m here with El.”

“Ah, a civilian. How are you finding the party?”

“To be honest, a little intimidating. I’ve never attended anything like this before.”

I accepted a peach and some riverweed, and then passed the tray along to Millie.

“This is rather subdued by the usual standards.” Jesane smiled. She picked up her bread and bit off a piece. “I noticed that you were trying to cheer up Ilva. That was kind of you.”

“I think she might have had a bit much to drink.”

“Quite possibly. I hope she doesn’t cause a scene.” Jesane frowned, then shook her head. “So, Elfreda, where do you work?”

I swallowed a mouthful of the tangy, salty riverweed. “Department of Food Management. I’m a junior field research officer.” At Jesane’s blank look, I added, “I’m involved in finding and overseeing production of alternate sources of food.”