Koreen pursed her lips as if this conversation was not going at all the way she wanted. “Very well,” she said. “Atana and Daina and I are going to get our own dwelling near the Aviary. You may come visit us whenever you wish.”

“What a kind offer,” Leela said through gritted teeth. “If I can find the time, I surely will.”

Koreen raised an eyebrow, then flicked her hair back over her shoulder in a way that Leela seemed to recall used to be attractive but now looked vain and silly. She turned and headed off toward Aila’s Bridge.

Leela returned to her polishing when suddenly, the symbols beneath her cloth changed, and a waterfall of a single word tumbled down the copper door.

Tonight, it read.

Leela nearly dropped the jar of polish.

“Mother Sun,” she whispered. “Is that you?”

Tonight. The word sparkled, the symbols growing larger, and Leela felt sure Mother Sun could hear her.

Then she heard a familiar voice.

“. . . more food, and prayer.” The High Priestess came around the bend of the temple, speaking with Acolyte Klymthe. “I will go myself early tomorrow. Make sure they know they need not be concerned. They will all be pregnant soon enough. Mother Sun wills it so.”

“Yes, High Priestess,” the acolyte said, bowing her head.

“Ah, Leela,” the High Priestess said. “Your penance is coming along nicely, I am told.”

Leela forced herself to sound meek. “I hope so, High Priestess. I am working very hard.”

“Carry on,” the High Priestess said, and she and Acolyte Klymthe disappeared into the temple, walking past the doors without a second glance, making Leela certain that the symbols were speaking only to her.

“Tonight,” she whispered to them, and the markings rippled and grew illegible once more, and Leela finished polishing with her heart in her throat.

She managed to get word to Elorin at supper that evening.

The novices ate in the Moon Gardens, on gossamer blankets with large bowls of food spread out among them. Leela was helping herself to rice seasoned with saffron and olives when Elorin appeared at her elbow.

“Good evening, Leela,” she said politely. “May I have the spoon when you are finished?”

“Certainly,” Leela replied, just as distant. Then she lowered her voice and said, “We must go to the Moon Gardens tonight at the hour of the dark.”

Elorin inclined her head without looking at her, and Leela handed her the spoon and left to sit on a blanket near the statue of Faesa.

I’m coming back, she thought.

Faesa’s eyes seemed to see right into Leela’s soul. She felt as if the moonstone heard her, and was glad, though the statue remained as cold and impassive as ever.