“Deputy courier, you may rest on that bench, out of the way,” said the chief menial, a tall man with gray hair and a dour face.

“Perhaps I can help,” she said as she set her pack down by the bench. “I can chop up turnips as well as anyone. Or I can carry a tray to the hall, if you’d like. I see one of your servers is a bit overset. Perhaps it leaves you shorthanded, and for a prince’s exalted visit, at that!”

His deep frown quirked slightly. “I suppose you won’t be overwhelmed by the prince, since you’ve been traveling with him. Your uniform is cleaner than I expected.”

“I’ve been able to brush it every night, thanks to the luxurious Halts managed by Intendant Berel Karissar,” she said, sensing humor behind his forbidding expression. “They’re all quite well appointed and cater to the most refined sensibilities.”

He gave a snort of amusement. “They are, indeed. Intendant Berel will accept nothing less than the best for herself. She has visited here many times, to sell us horses at an inflated price. Very well. I like you. What’s your name?”

“Elen.”

“Very well, Elen. Wash your hands. Your face too. That basin over there, by the back door.”

She washed her hands and face, a good scrub with lavender-scented soap that she thoroughly enjoyed. The chief menial had gone over to supervise the table where the platters were being readied. She offered herself up for inspection.

He looked her up and down. “You’ll do. I’m surprised to see a deputy courier with the prince’s party, but I suppose you were chosen for your looks. They say the prince has an eye for what pleases him.”

“Do they?” she said, amused by the comment. She couldn’t help but think of the prince’s lovely concubines, whom he apparently couldn’t bear to travel without, even when he was in a desperate hurry. “But I did not come from the heartland with the wardens. I serve the intendant of Orledder Halt. I was only assigned to His Exalted Highness’s party when Prince Gevulin reached there.”

“Orledder Halt. But the road is blocked at Five Bridges.” He bent closer and, in an undertone, said, “How did you get here so fast? We thought the prince would be weeks on the road, once we heard he was coming.”

She pressed her hands together and gave him an innocent look. “I beg your pardon, Chief Menial. I am not at liberty to disclose any details of our journey. You will have to apply to your Vigil captain or to the prince himself.”

He nodded approvingly. “Saucy, too. I know your type. Good thing I’ll be in the hall to hear all about it. I feel sure it will prove an entertaining story.”

She laughed.