Still, knowing if it was magic might have made the ascent easier on her nerves, even for a person like her, who didn’t rattle easily. It was impossible to shake a vision of them tumbling over and over as the carriage shattered around her broken body. Her hands gripped the driver’s rail. If Hemerlin noticed, he was kind enough not to mock her. More likely, the palace menial simply did not care about her distress.

With a jolt created by a sudden release of pressure, they reached the top of the ridge. Elen forcibly relaxed her hands. Up here, the path widened, running both north and south along the gentle back slope of the ridge. This long saddle of land dropped, to the south, into the valley where the hamlet lay, and to the north and east wound up into the rugged hills.

Behind them, the other two carriages rolled into view as they topped the ridge. Wisps like steam rose from the stallions and the beasts, reminding Elen of threads of Spore, but when she inhaled, she smelled nothing of rose oil, only a metallic scent that reminded her of a forge. Captain Simo strode at the rear of the procession, accompanied by two wardens, each holding a bow.

“North,” she said.

Hemerlin directed the panthers. “Where was the Spore?” he asked.

“There, among the bones.”

Dusk had flowered across the land. A fading patch of light illuminated the bone pile and, beyond it, the ruins of the abandoned village.

She added, “It will be dark soon. We should head down to the base of the promontory. There’s a hamlet there where we can shelter for the night.” Poor Urnesso. What would he make of her new “consequence” in the retinue of a prince? “Their ditch is properly watered and salted according to the imperial precepts.”

“The moon is full tonight. We can travel by its light. It is wardens’ work to move swiftly on the emperor’s business. We’ll continue on.” His tone did not encourage disagreement. Abruptly, he stiffened as he gazed at the promontory. “What manner of buildings are those? There, in the distance.”

Two raps signaled from inside the carriage. Hemerlin slowed the panthers to a stop. The other carriages halted behind. A menial leaped off the board at the back of the carriage and hurried forward to open the door. The prince stepped out. He pointed with his whip.

“Are those Spires?” he demanded.

Luviara got down from the second carriage, dabbing her forehead with a handkerchief. She looked as sweaty and tired as if she’d just finished a hard run. “Your Highness?”

“I asked, are those Spires?”

Luviara spotted Elen on the driver’s bench. “Deputy Courier, are those Spires?”

“Yes, Worthy Interlocutor. There is an intact Spires triangle on the promontory. As the poet said, ‘best admired from a distance.’”

Luviara repeated Elen’s words to the prince.

“Intact!” he exclaimed.