Alone for the first time in more days than she wished to count, Queen Estie sighed. One thing at a time, she told herself. She could not answer her own questions. Uncovering the tray of food, she took a few swallows of a delicious ruby wine. Next she selected an unexpected bunch of ripe grapes. With fruit to ease her hunger, she passed into the bathing room to soak her sore muscles and heart in hot water, and to think.

Fortunately, Commander Crayn was accustomed to caring for her. She had forgotten her pack of spare apparel. He had not. It waited for her in her bedroom. She was dressed in her last clean garment, a simple gown she had kept aside for her meeting with the librarian, and was eating a slow meal, when a knock on her door announced Magister Oblique’s return.

Softly, Estie summoned Crayn. In silence, she indicated her door. His slight frown was a sign of concentration, nothing more, as he unlocked the door and admitted the Magister.

Oblique entered with an air of uncertainty. “Have I come too soon, Queen?” However, the Commander’s ready bow reassured her. Without waiting for a reply, she crossed the rugs to Estie.

In her bath, the Queen had resolved to be as polite as she had ever been in Belleger’s Fist or Amika’s Desire. Her father’s example would do no good here. Masking her anxiety, she rose from her chair and repeated her formal bow.

“Not at all, Magister. Your timing is perfect. You must have many other duties. It is good of you to postpone them.”

Magister Oblique offered another of her shy smiles. Instead of attempting a second Amikan bow, she replied, “You must not thank me, Queen. I should thank you. You are the most important of my duties, and the most desired.

“You have the look of a woman who has prepared herself. I hope that I can satisfy you. Your accomplishments are well known, and your reign in Amika has been admirable. It will please me if I can ease your mind.

“Shall we sit, Queen?”

Involuntarily, Estie stiffened. Flattery vexed her. She did not trust it. Still, she found it difficult to be suspicious of Oblique. If the sorceress was less sincere than she seemed, she had perfected the art of dissembling.

The Queen reseated herself, then offered Magister Oblique a chair.

While the sorceress moved an armchair closer to Estie’s, Crayn stood beside the door to the connecting rooms. He had a gift for being unobtrusive. Magister Oblique gave him a brief glance, a small smile, before she turned her attention on Estie.

Queen Estie gathered herself. “You are a remarkable woman, Magister,” she observed. “How have you heard of my doings? Amika is a small realm, and distant.”