Men were crossing themselves all around her, touching their crucifixes or saint’s amulets. Her own hand had gone to her throat, for the owl medallion hidden there, and she grinned for an instant at the tinge of scorn she’d have felt for the others only a few years ago.

I’m finally a full-fledged Changeling, not caught betwixt and between, she thought. Poor Sandra! She got the world of her dreams and she’ll never really be at home here.

Aloud she went on: “You men! Get that head and body, wrap them in mats and blankets, and take them away. Wear gauntlets. Burn the body and everything that’s touched it, somewhere where you’re upwind of the smoke. Don’t touch it if you can help it. Wash afterwards. Wash thoroughly and discard your clothes and gloves. Have the floor here ripped up, cautiously. Scrub everything with lye and bleach, burn the wood. And get a priest to do an exorcism. Do it all now.”

The Walla Walla men hesitated, looking at their lord. He flushed and snapped, “She’s the Grand Constable, you fools, do what you’re told! Do it all, do it right! Sir Budic, take charge and see that the Grand Constable’s instructions are followed to the letter. Now! And get the rest of this carrion out of the palace.”

A little more gently: “You’ve all done well and bravely, and I will not forget who stood with me this night. Now show good vassalage once more, and keep your mouths shut about this until I give out what’s happened. We don’t want a panic.”

The men scattered about their tasks, though Tiphaine doubted any secrecy would last more than about fifteen minutes. When they had some small degree of privacy Felipe looked at her and ducked his head.

“I am in your debt, my lady. I and my House. But for you, I and my wife and our unborn child might have been caught by surprise by that . . . that thing and its minions. Even as it was—”

He looked around.

“I thought you were being overcautious when you recommended so many men waiting. Remind me not to doubt you again.”

Lioncel silently returned her sword, clean once more, dropped a cloth into the pile that the Count’s men were getting ready to burn, and then stripped off his gloves and added them as well.

She nodded, sheathed the weapon and went on to her host. “I don’t claim to be infallible, but I’ve had some experience with this. With those creatures in particular, and I’ve made it my business to investigate. And the High King told me more.”