She had no memory of ever being truly alone in her life, even as difficult as that life had been. Her muddiest early memories were of arms holding her gently and faces smiling, their features forgotten, but a sense of care and concern knitted into her bones. She had lost these others somehow, although she had no clear memory of who they had been or how tiny El had become separated from them. By accident? By force? Had she been lost? Or cast away?

The snap of leather cords painfully stung her arm, out of nowhere. She swung around, ready to defend herself. While she’d been staring at Kem, Hemerlin had approached. He raised the fly whisk, making ready to strike a second time. The viper flared to life, as sharp as a prickling of needles. Everything slowed, the air, the flick of the cords, the contempt in the man’s glare like a cloud of ash boiling toward her. Elen shifted sideways so the second flick of the cords missed her.

“Deputy Courier, your attention!” Hemerlin was clearly angry at her refusal to be struck. But he didn’t try again. “We did not bring you to stand scatter-witted and dumbfounded among us. We depart at once. Hop! Hop! No time to daydream.”

“Chief Menial, I am ready to go whenever the party is assembled.”

“Don’t think I don’t understand what you did.”

“What I did?” she asked foolishly. Had he realized the truth?

“You spoke out of turn. You wish for a reward for your services beyond what is due to the likes of you, by pretending you are crucial to the success of the prince’s mission. You’ll no doubt cheat to obtain it. Don’t think I don’t see through you and your scheme.”

She had to school her expression to hide her relief. He just thought she was greedy and ambitious. “I serve the empire, Chief Menial. If you consult my service record at the Halt, you will find it exemplary. My current responsibility is to guide His Exalted Highness across the Cut.”

Hemerlin’s lips curled back angrily. “You are insolent and disrespectful. Your sort may get away with that kind of behavior among officials like the Orledder intendant, who have been exiled to the provinces, but you will not be able to get away with it under my supervision. Do I make myself understood to you?”

She opened her eyes wide to give herself an expression of innocence, as difficult as it was for her to manage the look. “Are you to be one of the party accompanying His Exalted Highness?”

He quivered, chin trembling. “You may believe me to be too old for a grueling journey, but I assure you, Deputy Courier, I will not be the one to fall behind.”

“I said nothing about your age or fitness, Chief Menial. I was only asking the question so I could know how many people to expect.”