She commanded her guards Ranin and Mart to give her some space, gently. They needed her kindness too.

Then she glided along the path above the sea. As she passed the Cliff Farm that was part of the academy, she wondered if she could turn existing institutions and industrial centers in Monsea into schools.

There was so much to think about.

Bitterblue dashed quickly across the wooden footbridges that appeared now and then in her path, then skirted Flag Hill, not wanting to go anywhere near the remains of her own prison. She took the route above the beach where she and Lovisa had slept, then through the harbor. Working her way up staircases and along narrow streets, she eventually reached a fork where she couldn’t remember which way to go. People on this street were staring at her. She was small, good at hiding inside a hood, and she’d wanted to take this journey alone, or at least, as alone as she was ever allowed to be. Bitterblue wanted to prove to herself that she wasn’t afraid of Ledra, or afraid to be alone. But it was probably too much to expect Ledrans not to guess who she was, especially with two large, pale foreigners dogging her steps.

Excuse me, said a small voice.

Bitterblue jumped.

Little queen? said the voice.

Bitterblue whirled in astonished circles trying to find him, because she knew that voice. Fox? she said. Fox! Then she saw his nose peeking out from behind the slender trunk of a tree beside a building. Fox!

Yes, he said. Greetings. You should walk along normally and stop standing there gaping. People see you.

Oh, right, said Bitterblue, picking up the pace again, trying to look like she knew where she was going. Swept along by happiness and relief. But I’m confused. They told me you were dead!

I faked my own death.

Oh! she said, understanding. How clever of you! Do you happen to know which street I want? I’m going to a hotel called . . . She couldn’t remember what the hotel was called. Where is my brain?

I don’t know the location of Hotel Where Is My Brain, but the street on the left will take you into an amble.

No, my, oh—never mind, said Bitterblue. What’s an amble?

A shopping area.

Oh? Shopping sounds nice. I never go shopping.

It isn’t nice for humans. You’ll have to buy something.

What do you mean? There’s nothing I need.

If you enter the amble, they won’t let you out unless you buy something.

This sounded extraordinary to Bitterblue. I think I have a coin, she said, wrinkling her nose. Is there anything you need?