In fact, she’d never found or heard of it in the lands controlled by Duenn Manor, not in the five years she and Ao had lived there. Only in the Nameless Land. In which case, how had it come here?

“The locals claimed it kept Spore away, but I don’t know if that’s true,” she added. Vials of the precious oil had been a common reward to thanes for their service and loyalty. Retainers weren’t given oil; they were more likely to be gifted a portion of meat or a still usable wool tunic or a pair of old boots the retainer could call their own. Atoners had nothing of their own.

“I never heard of any oil that keeps away Spore,” said Xilsi, still with furrowed brow, as if she’d seen a chink of light where she expected only darkness. “Maybe the theurgist knows, since she seems to know everything.”

“Is Luviara allowed to wash up in the imperial baths?” Ipis asked.

“She will be kept close to the prince in case anyone besides Lord Genia has to talk to him, so she won’t wash up until after he’s had his bath and his dinner and private meeting.”

“She’ll enjoy the show, at least,” Elen said with a chuckle, remembering Luviara’s wink during the prince’s first bath.

“What show?” asked Ipis.

Xilsi’s eyes narrowed. “You two, Ipis, Kem. Get rinsed. Out.”

They hastily rinsed off and hustled out. Xilsi sat on a wooden bench and gave her nails a thorough scrubbing with a brush. Elen sat next to her, doing the same. It was a rare treat to have such an abundance of warm water and coarse, clean brushes. Sitting beside Xilsi felt pleasingly comfortable, the way she felt with the local women at the community bathhouse in Orledder.

“Listen,” said Xilsi in a low voice, gaze flicking around the empty chamber as if checking for secret hidey-holes or shadow wardens. “I don’t know what you and the prince are up to, and I hope it is just about his rivalry with Astaylin. But in case it isn’t, you must understand that whatever did or didn’t happen with Intendant Berel’s good-looking sister, you are too lowborn to be taken into the palace.”

Elen laughed merrily.

“What’s so funny?” demanded Xilsi.

“Believe me, Xilsi, I have no desire to be taken into the palace. His Exalted Highness hasn’t touched me, nor have I touched him, although I admit to you personally, since you and I are friends and comrades … we are, right?”

Xilsi smiled, looking so genuinely pleased that Elen wondered how few people the warden had to call friends. Not surprising, perhaps. She didn’t make it easy for people. Or maybe she didn’t know how to make it easy for herself. “Sure. Go on.”