This was the result, this shame. If Magister Rummage had not kept her on her feet, she might have dropped to her knees. Killing Tak Biondi, she had lost something essential. But it had not been taken from her: she had given it away. She did not know what to call it. It felt like a kind of purity.

Somehow, she had to make amends. For her own sake. And perhaps to vindicate the years of trust that Bifalt had given her.

It was fortunate that Rummage remained hidden behind his black scowl. She had no idea what was in his mind. She only knew that he was in a hurry because he refused to let her lag. She ignored the stairs they climbed, the passages they followed, the people they passed. Her need to confront herself required too much strength.

She was still trembling as the hunchback compelled her down the corridor that led into Magister Threnody’s workroom.

Through the doorless entryway, she saw sunlight. It shone on the pure white drifts that covered the balcony beyond the librarian’s windows. Reflected light cast dazzles like instances of lightning into her eyes. They seemed to promise that she was already lost. That she would not be able to answer her shame.

As she entered the chamber, everyone there turned to stare at her: Beatrix Threnody, Oblique, Avail, other Magisters, Fifth Daughter in one corner. Even Magister Bleak looked away from his private visions. Sword Eradimnie’s armor caught a quick flash of sunlight as she faced the Queen.

They must all have heard Estie’s call for help.

Several of them began talking at once, asking questions Estie could not hear. She ignored them to concentrate on the librarian. Magister Threnody had dismay written all over her face. Her mouth made shapes like cries.

Magister Rummage translated the librarian’s plea:

—Is it him? Tak Biondi? A man I trusted?

Queen Estie replied so that everyone would hear. It is. She did not want to say the words aloud. He held a poisoned blade to Third Father’s neck. He would have killed me. He carried a small talisman.

The hunchback held up the cross, golden and gemmed.

It is like the one that Magister Facile’s killer wore.

She shocked the room. Beatrix Threnody shrank into herself. At once, Oblique hurried to her side. From her place against the wall, Fifth Daughter clamped a hand over her mouth and ran out. Magister Bleak flinched. The Knight of Ardor thumped her chest, a soundless clash of iron on iron.

Then Magister Avail asked, Is he dead, Queen?

Estie did not want to answer. The truth shamed her. It infuriated her. But the deaf man’s naked chagrin compelled her.

He is. I burst his brain with a shout. Hoping to excuse herself, she added, He had already cut Third Father.