Against a cloudless night, the stars glittered in a cold sky. The moon had not yet risen. She checked out the others. Kem and Ipis were seated, chatting with Luviara as they ate. Jirvy had finally fallen asleep, covered with a blanket. The haunt stood alone by the northern fire, facing north as if trying to see into the darkness. He held a bowl in one hand, but he wasn’t eating. Simo must have been on watch because she couldn’t see him.

Xilsi plopped down beside Elen with her own bowl and began to eat with the relish of a person who is fulsomely hungry. Her face was still bright from the lingering effects of the skirmish and crossing.

“I’ll say this for you, Deputy Courier … Can I just call you by your name? Elen, isn’t it?”

48 INTRUSIVE AND RUDE

“It is,” said Elen cautiously. In general, she tried to avoid the attention of people who had the authority to arbitrarily punish her on whatever grounds they wished.

Xilsi nodded enthusiastically. “Well, then, now we’re companions. You’ve got a cool head and an impressive store of knowledge and skill. You ever thought of asking to join the wardens?”

“As a menial, do you mean?”

Xilsi flashed her a look, then laughed. “Fair enough. You don’t strike me as the type to manage a menial’s life, not like Hemerlin. To be honest, I had a feeling you manipulated the prince into getting rid of the old man. Hemerlin knows his work, it’s true, but he acts as if he owns the prince. Been with him since the exalted highness was but a child.”

“So I have heard.”

“He couldn’t have kept up anyway, so it was just as well. I’m sorry about Jirvy, by the way.” Xilsi spoke so casually that Elen hadn’t a clue what she meant.

“Sorry he was injured?”

“Since he’ll live, I’m kind of glad he’s hurting. Sorry I complained to you, I mean. It’s not meant to be your business. I shouldn’t have brought others into it.”

Elen studied the other woman’s expression. “I pray you, Warden—”

“Xilsi.” It was a tone of command, of a woman of high status used to being obeyed.

“Xilsi. I pray you, let me know if I overstep, but it seems you two aren’t married. I would gently ask if you were lovers who’ve had a hostile parting—”

“Yes!” Xilsi lifted her chin with fierce flush of anger. “It was a shock. That motherfucker. Not his mother, I mean. She’s a mere fifth-rank administrator out of Novra Manor. His father is merely a captain in the army. So it stood to reason it would happen eventually.”

“What would happen eventually?”