Harried by images of Tak Biondi’s death, Magister Avail’s distress, and Klamath’s desperation, Queen Estie floundered until the Repository’s scribes delivered their first copy of Lamit Karsolsky’s System. Crayn had tried and failed to ease her. Holding the tome in her hands steadied her. It felt like hope.

When Magister Marrow’s killer had mentioned it, its possibilities had distracted her. Now she knew that her first impression was accurate. The benefits of speaking with gestures and signs instead of finger-taps were obvious. Thanks to its many illustrations, A Complete System was easier to learn, and it could be seen from across the room. With it, Estie would not need an interpreter always at her side.

Frustrated by his difficulties with Magister Rummage’s code, the Commander was as avid as his Queen. Together, they pored over the book for hours, studying its methods and teaching each other. It seemed to keep her sane.

But when Joyly arrived the next morning, practically dragging Magister Oblique with her, Karsolsky’s work was forgotten. The eagerness of the Farsighted made it clear that she had come with news. She had brought Oblique to translate for her.

The suddenness of their coming startled Estie. For a moment, she froze, unable to express her hunger for news.

Without waiting for an invitation, Oblique took her familiar place sitting beside Estie. The Farsighted would have preferred to stand. She might have preferred to dance. She had to force herself to accept a chair.

Queen Estie shook herself. When she had recovered a measure of feigned calm, she managed to say, “You have something to tell me.”

She meant, Tell me now.

Joyly glanced at Magister Oblique. Oblique rested her hand on Estie’s forearm, then nodded.

Excitement flushed the short, plump woman’s face. Burbling silently, she spoke through Oblique’s touch.

—I wanted to be the first to tell you, Queen. We have seen King Bifalt.

For an instant, Estie seemed to lose her place in the world. Her husband was still alive. In spite of everything— The chamber tilted. By some sorcery of its own, it became King Smegin’s ceremonial hall in Amika’s Desire. She sat beside her father on a dais as Commander Forguile brought Prince Bifalt forward. King Abbator’s inheriting son approached like a man who had shed every fear. The heat in his eyes promised that he had come to change her whole life.

But then Oblique’s grip tightened on Estie’s forearm, and the sitting room settled. Almost choking, Estie pleaded, “Go on.”

Overflowing, Joyly complied.

—Magister Avail asked him to find high ground so that we could see him. But that was yesterday, when the skies began to clear. Apparently, he was not able to respond until an hour ago. We saw him clearly, Queen, lit by sunrise. Now he is with General Klamath. With Prince Jaspid and Elgart. And the el-Algreb.