“Charmed, charmed, I say!” said Alexis Nicholau III, ruler and et cetera of the Gruinmarkt (by willing concession of the Clan). “My dear, reports of your beauty do not do you justice at all! Such elegant deportment! A new face at court, I say, how charming. Remind me to introduce you to my sons later.” He swayed slightly on his raised platform, and Miriam spotted the empty glass in his hand. He was a slightly built man with a straggly red beard fringing his chin and hair going prematurely bald on top. He wore no crown, but a chain of office so intimidatingly golden that it looked as if his spine would buckle at any moment. She felt a stab of sympathy for him as she recognized the symptoms of a fellow sufferer.

“I’m delighted to meet you,” she told the discreetly drunken monarch with surprising sincerity. Then she felt an equally discreet tug as Kara–Brilliana steered her aside with minute curtsys and simpering expressions of delight at the royal presence.

Miriam took a mouthful from her glass, forced herself to swallow it, then took another. Perhaps the king had the right idea, she thought. Kara–Brilliana drifted to a halt not far from the dais. “Isn’t he cute?” Kara squealed quietly.

“Who?” Miriam asked distractedly.

“Egon, of course!”

“Egon—” Miriam fumbled for a diplomatic phrasing.

“Oh, that’s right. You weren’t raised here,” said Brilliana, practicality personified. Quietly, in Miriam’s ear, she continued, “See the two youngsters behind his majesty? The taller is Egon. He’s the first prince, the likely successor should the council of electors renew the dynasty whenever his majesty, long may he live, goes to join his ancestors. The short one with the squint is Creon, the second son. Both are unmarried, and Creon will probably stay that way. If not, pity the maiden.”

“Why pity her, if it’s not rude to ask?”

“He’s addled,” Brilliana said matter-of-factly. “Too stupid to—” she noticed Miriam’s empty glass and turned to fetch a replacement.

“Something a bit less sweet, please,” Miriam implored. The heat was getting to her. “How long must we stay here?” she asked.

“Oh, as long as you want!” Kara said happily. “The revelry continues from dusk till dawn.” Brilliana pressed a glass into Miriam’s hand. “Isn’t it wonderful?” Kara added.

“I think my lady looks a little tired,” Brilliana said diplomatically. “She’s spent three days on the road, Kara.”

Miriam wobbled. Her back was beginning to seize up again, her kidneys were aching, and in addition her toes felt pinched and she was becoming breathless. “M’ exhausted,” she whispered. “Need to get some sleep. ’F you take me home, you can come back to enjoy yourselves. Promise. Just don’t expect me to stay upright much longer.”