“Once their economy values currency instead of land, the peasantry will be able to profit and save off their own labor instead of tithing their incomes for protection—”

“You are conquering Taranoke,” Apparitor said.

“What?” Baru snapped.

“This is how Itinerant conquered your home. You know that. You play the game with him every day. He opened the markets. He made it possible for everyone to sell everything they had in exchange for our scrip. The pageant of the rebellion is over. Now you execute the final bondage of Aurdwynn, when you force them to export their livelihoods to Falcrest.”

Baru stepped on his toes. While he was squirming she said:

“Why, Prince Svirakir, it sounds as if you prefer the old economy! One tax to protect their land, another tax to feed their lords, and a tax on every third baby: it must be planted shallow in the winter earth.”

“No,” he snapped, and kicked her in the shin till she got off his foot. “I just think I’d prefer it if someone from Aurdwynn made these decisions.”

“Someone like Heingyl Ri?”

“Why, the very same!”

Baru threw up her hands. “Oh, yes, the Stag Duke’s daughter. What a fresh, republican start! What a clean break from the corrupt aristocracy!”

“Are you jealous?”

“Of what? She married that prat Latheman and got the Governorship because she was the only one left standing—a real triumph of intrigue, Svir, a very cunning player—”

“You killed all her enemies, didn’t you? You cleaned out her father, who was so proud of her he would’ve kept her in a display case. You killed the old Governor. She set you up to kill Duchess Nayauru, her dear cousin, so she wouldn’t have to do it herself. You even drove Bel Latheman into her arms!”

“I did not.”

“How was he to escape your manipulation if he didn’t get married?”

Baru bit her hand in frustration. “The ships. What’s all this about the ships? Why do you want us to flee?”

His jaw worked on the flesh inside his lips. “The frigates anchored offshore are Scylpetaire and Sulane.”

“What?” Baru hissed, and shoved him into the corner. “But Sulane is Ormsment’s flagship.”

“Yes, it is.”

“I absolutely ruined her last year!”

“You did, didn’t you?”

“Why would Hesychast summon her here?”

“Hesychast didn’t invite them,” Apparitor muttered. “Ormsment’s not supposed to know this keep exists. Somehow she found us.”

“We’re compromised?” Baru clutched at his neckerchief and it came undone. That damn grief-knot. Now she’d stolen his silk and didn’t know what to do with it: she began dusting off his shoulders. “What are the others going to do?”

“That’s the really hilarious bit,” he said, bleakly. “Hesychast’s people think the navy’s here for Farrier. Farrier thinks they’re here for Hesychast.”

Baru goggled at him for a moment. “They don’t know?”