“Early cramps,” he said. “Like Mama used to get the day before her blood. I don’t know why I couldn’t be more like you, never getting cramps, and not like Mama.”

“And I don’t know why I couldn’t have long, thick, glossy, beautiful hair like yours and your mama’s instead of this rat’s nest of curls. Choose your poison, my boy.”

A flash of vivid clothing moved amid the trees on the path ahead. A moment later, Joef jogged into view. Seeing them, he halted, waiting bent over with hands on knees to catch his breath. When they reached him, he straightened, still flushed.

“Whew! I thought you’d be down last night. Do I have news for you!”

“Like what?” said Kem, with a heavy-handed attempt at being casual. “A visit from the prince-warden?”

“You saw from the lookout! No fair! I wanted to surprise you!”

Joef was a tall lad, stocky, strong, excitable, and mostly good-natured except for a tendency to gossip. Learned from his aunt, who had raised him. He’d also learned how to wheedle because his aunt could be convinced to slip the two boys extra sweet rolls or apple dumplings if they flattered her enough.

“Auntie, couldn’t Kem come with me? If we run, we can climb up and watch the dignitaries arrive through the lattice of the attic archives. No one will see us up there. I’ve never seen a prince!”

“Has anyone in this Halt ever seen a prince?” Elen asked.

“Have you?” asked Kem suspiciously.

“I have not, or not that I know. Maybe a prince in disguise, like in the tales.”

Kem snorted. “A noble bandit? A peddler spy? No, no, I’ve got it. An actor in one of the traveling troupes.”

Joef turned his big, soft gaze on Elen. “Please, Deputy Courier. You’re always so understanding.”

She waggled a scolding finger at him. “Auntie works better on me. Yes, go ahead.”

Joef grinned, unabashed.

“Don’t let anyone spot you,” she added. “The intendant won’t want people caught spying.”

“No one will see us!” Joef retorted indignantly.

“Thank you!” Kem cried.

They sped off with the lightness of youth.

10 A SWIRLING RIOT OF ACTIVITY

Elen walked after them at her usual steady stride. She caught glimpses of the boys as they raced past coppiced trees, charged across Handler’s Bridge where it arched over Sulwine Stream, and last as they scrambled via the shortcut along the lee of the Boulders.