The light changed as darker clouds rolled up from the south. The first touch of raindrops spattered, and the group halted so the wardens could don cloaks. Elen had her own style of rain gear: tiered capes, each successively longer, that kept both her and her pack dry on long marches and could be strung up to create a shelter.

She took advantage of the break to go off the path and behind some bushes to pee. From here, concealed, she overheard Ipis speaking in a low voice.

“Do you think the intendant is a spy for Prince Astaylin? And sent the deputy courier to spy on us?”

“The whole crock of pickles looks suspicious.” The other speaker was Xilsi. “How could warden messages not get through to an intendant? How could anyone lose a griffin scout? It seems convenient we had to take on a guide just there. But what does the boy say? What’s his name?”

“Kem. I like him. He seems level-headed, and learns fast, but I can’t figure him out. The Duenn Manor lord claimed him, but he doesn’t act Manor-born. He told me he has nothing to say about the deputy courier. Seemed angry when he said it.”

“It’s a bit of an insult to ask a Manor-born youth about someone so lowborn. Still, there was something going on at Orledder I couldn’t figure out. If we’d had more time, I’d have asked around.”

“Enough gossip.” That was Simo, footfalls crackling on autumn twigs as he walked up. “We’re leaving.”

They hurried back to the path.

Simo didn’t move. He said, “Did you hear all that, Deputy Courier?”

She emerged warily. “As it happens, I did.”

“Care to defend yourself from their accusations?”

The viper stirred defensively. She met the captain’s gaze squarely, although it was unwise to do so. “Captain, say what you will about me. I’m nothing to you. Nor do I aspire to be more. But the intendant is a good man, who does not involve himself in the palace and whatever goes on there. He doesn’t deserve to be spoken of with such suspicion. He is merely doing his best to serve the emperor.”

“He has a champion in you, I see.”

She pressed a hand to her heart. “He has treated me with respect, and granted me far more than I deserve.”

“Ah.” Simo gave her a longer look, as if making up his mind about whether she was sincere, then whistled to alert the others. “Let’s go on.”