“What does that mean?” Elen asked, struck by a sense that they had moved into a more perilous discussion. “Is this some palace cipher, to speak in riddles? Or are you talking about—dare I say—the rivalry that goes on among princes? Are influential people saying His Exalted Highness is the most promising of the princes, even including the crown prince? If the emperor could only see it that way?”

“Sometimes I wonder who you really are, Deputy Courier. There’s a mystery about you I’ve not yet answered to my satisfaction.”

“I am as you see me.” Elen extended her arms to either side, belatedly realizing she was copying the gesture the prince—and then the haunt—had made when bathing. She hastily lowered her arms, although not without a smile for the remembered view.

“Are you, indeed?” murmured Luviara. “Yet I wonder what I do not see. Still, you got the prince here. I’m not sure anyone thought you could actually do it.”

“My thanks. I’ll accept the praise in the spirit with which it is intended.”

The door into the tower opened. Simo emerged. He glanced at the sky, gauging the weather, then said, “Deputy Courier, come with me.”

The door into the stable slammed open, and Kem stumbled out, rubbing his eyes.

“Oh, there you are,” Kem said with relief, seeing Elen.

“Novice, see to the horses,” said Simo. When Kem hesitated, Simo’s tone snapped. “Was there something you didn’t understand?”

Kem straightened in an instant.

“Yes, Captain!” He hurried back into the stable, casting a single glance over his shoulder as if to make sure Elen was still there.

“Is there anything I can do to help us along, Captain?” asked Luviara.

“I’ll let you know. Deputy Courier? At once.”

Elen hustled up the ramp. Once inside, Simo led her up the stairs. They passed a map room where Xilsi and Ipis were methodically going through documents. Simo did not halt until they reached the floor below the beacon. The entire floor was a single circular chamber with large viewing slots built into the walls. Each slot was aligned with one of four standing desks, where sentries could note down their sightings. Curved benches lined the wall. Otherwise, the chamber was empty except for a single wooden chair placed in the center of the room.

“There.” Simo pointed to the chair. “Sit.”

She sat.

He left. His footsteps receded down the stairs.

The open shutters allowed a cold wind to whip through. Elen tightened her coat around her. From the chair, she had a view north over the road, right up to where the causeway ended in a blunt line.

Footsteps thumped on the stairs. A man walked into the room.

She gasped, heart racing. Could it be? Somehow?

He slammed shut the door with a pronounced thunk. She shut her mouth, seeing the whip he held.