“I did see him naked at the baths at Orledder Residency. Just between you and me, he has a very attractive body, no doubt from all that dancing and running up and down peaks.”

“Elen!”

“Yes, it’s disrespectful, but I have eyes, and I’m not dead. Anyway, the theurgist saw him, too, and she has eyes, and she’s not dead either. So let’s never mention it again.”

“Huh. I’ve never seen him naked and I don’t want to.”

“Why not?”

“For me, it would be a threat.”

“How so? Because your grandmother was an imperial consort?”

“Yes. I’m not a menial or a concubine, available for passing sexual interludes. For me to see a prince naked means there is the possibility of a marriage or, if the prince is a sausage, then a pregnancy. That’s the last thing I want. But regardless, don’t talk about his looks and especially never talk about him being naked. People will consider it disrespectful. And I’m not interested in gossip about him. The prince is not a very pleasant man, you know.”

“Ah,” said Elen as blandly as possible, biting down on a smile.

“I admit, he’s been more pleasant on this journey than I’ve ever experienced. Maybe being released from the hothouse of the palace has loosened him up. Or maybe when he fainted he hit his head and it affected his mind. But don’t think he won’t throw all of us into the Pall if he needs to, to get his way. I admire his skill and discipline and intelligence, and he’s as fair an official as any I’ve served under, but he’s an ambitious prince, which is a dangerous thing. You heard Lord Genia. There’s more going on even than I know.”

“Is Lord Genia part of his inner circle?”

“Apparently, she is. Hemerlin would know more. But I sure don’t like not knowing what’s going on.”

The curtain into the chamber rippled. From behind its concealing drape, Jirvy said drily, “Best hurry, His Exalted Highness won’t want us to dawdle.”

“Fuck off,” said Xilsi. Then, in a low voice to Elen, “I hope he didn’t hear us.”

Elen whispered, “You think he’ll rat on us?”