All afternoon, he'd been conscious of Xevhan's covert glances. Although he looked haggard from lack of sleep, there was no mistaking the glitter of triumph in his eyes. Once again, he told himself that Xevhan's accusations couldn't harm him. The Spirit-Hunter was gone. So were the players. Kheridh knew what to say if questioned. He only hoped the poor boy would remember the story they had agreed upon; he'd been so dazed with grief that Malaq was forced to repeat it twice.

As yet another n.o.ble lord prostrated himself, the king slumped in his throne, a sullen expression on his face. Clearly, the effects of the qiij were wearing off. Malaq had urged him-as he did every year-to exercise restraint now that he had a fresh, strong body, but the habit was so ingrained it was probably impossible to break.

He envied Eliaxa; she merely maintained a connection to the queen's spirit throughout The Shedding to be sure nothing went wrong. But the king was so weak that Malaq had to cast out the Host's spirit himself and then ease the king's into the lifeless body. It was an exhausting ordeal; this year, he'd nearly lost the king.

The queen leaned forward, smiling at the n.o.bleman. She seemed perfectly at ease in her new body. If she lacked the willowy grace he had admired for the last year, the shimmering gown of gold she had chosen for today set off her darker skin perfectly.

Malaq shifted his weight and stifled a yawn; that he could even consider the queen's clothes with everything else on his mind proved that the tedium of a royal reception overcame all fears.

They resurfaced as soon as the kankh announced the end of the reception. As he followed the king and queen into the private chamber, Vazh appeared at his elbow.

"What's this meeting about?"

"I don't know."

"Are you in trouble?"

"Possibly."

Even if there had been time to say more, he must keep his distance; if anything went wrong, he didn't want Vazh implicated.

He sank onto the cushion with a grateful sigh; his legs ached from standing so long. He caught a faint whiff of honeysuckle as the Supplicant lowered herself onto the empty cushion to his right. Perhaps it was merely coincidence that she had chosen to attend today's meeting, but he doubted it. He hoped his polite smile covered his dismay.

A strand of black hair fell forward to tickle his shoulder as she whispered, "Rumors are flying. Has the Son of Zhe come to earth at last?"

"If so, it would be the greatest miracle of our age."

"Second only to my appearance at a council meeting."

She had the disturbing gift of divining the thoughts of others-and she loved demonstrating it. Even after so many years, he was always taken aback by the strange man-woman duality. There were times he could swear he saw not only the swell of b.r.e.a.s.t.s beneath her robe but the bulge of a p.e.n.i.s as well. Appearances, of course, could be deceiving. He had only to look at Xevhan's handsome face to be reminded of that.

"Let us begin," the queen said. Her voice was higher now, lacking the familiar breathiness. "We have only a short time before we must prepare for the formal banquet."

"And I'm worn out from that reception," the king muttered.

If his body was reborn after The Shedding, his personality remained unchanged.

"Some of you might be aware of the events that have transpired, but for those who are not, I'd like to ask the Zheron to speak."

Xevhan's recitation held no surprises, although Eliaxa was clearly disturbed when he mentioned the resemblance between "The Wild Man" and Kheridh and proclaimed them father and son. The queen's expression was utterly unreadable. When Xevhan concluded, she said, "Pajhit? Can you shed any light on these events?"

"Yes, Earth's Beloved."

Calmly, he countered all of Xevhan's points. Yes, Kheridh knew the man; he had once belonged to his tribe. No, he had not told the Zheron; he was shocked into speechlessness at his unexpected appearance, and after the other man's death, the Zheron had to hurry away for the dawn sacrifice. As to the resemblance, Kheridh said the man was a relative-but of course, everyone in those tiny villages was related.

"A relative," the queen said. "Not his father."

"No, Earth's Beloved."

"Did you note a resemblance?"

She might be guessing, but if her spies-or Xevhan's-had reported that he'd spoken with the Spirit-Hunter, it was better to admit it than be caught in a lie. "The coloring is altogether different," he replied evenly. "But there are similarities in the bone structure. Again, not uncommon when the bloodlines are such a tangle."

"And when did you speak with this man-what is his name?"

He froze, trying to remember what name the dreadful Olinio had used. "Urnek? Renek? Forgive me, Earth's Beloved. It's been a long day, and I simply cannot remember."

"Reinek," Xevhan said.

"Ah, yes. Thank you." So he'd taken time from ogling the singer to make inquiries. "I had my guards bring the man to me for questioning after Kheridh informed me what had happened at the Zheron's . . . entertainment. I did try to inform you of my intentions, Earth's Beloved, but you were resting."

"Oh, very good," the Supplicant murmured.

Distracted, Malaq paused to take a sip of wine. "I thought the man might have information that would prove useful on future raids. Unfortunately, he left his tribe several years ago, so I'm not sure how accurate it is."

"And afterward?" the queen asked.

Malaq shrugged. "I released him. He'd committed no crime. The death of the other man was clearly an accident. An investigation would reveal that the Zheron had instigated the fight, and I was loath to have a senior member of the priesthood implicated in such a sordid affair."

For some time he had been aware of Xevhan's restiveness. Now he shoved himself to his feet. "He is the boy's father. Before I could question him, Malaq spirited him out of the city."

"Releasing him is hardly the same as spiriting him out of the city."

Xevhan's smile chilled him. "Nor is it the same as providing him with this."

The safe conduct disk clattered onto the table.

"My men discovered it after they took him to the slave compound. Unlike you, I took the precaution of having the man detained. Would you care to explain how he got it?"

"Obviously, I gave it to him." Malaq hoped he sounded bored, but his stomach was churning.

"And why would you do that?"

"To get him away from Kheridh."

"Because he's the boy's father!"

"Because he upset him!" He was on his feet now, too. "I will not have him distracted by the fate of a tribe mate when he should be focusing his attention on teaching us about his gift."

"Teaching you you, Pajhit. The rest of us have learned nothing."

"Perhaps you might have-if you weren't plying him with qiij."

Xevhan's head snapped back.

"You gave him qiij?" the queen asked sharply.

"He came to me. Demanding it. When I refused, he took it."

Malaq shot him a scornful look, but remained silent, allowing the others to picture Kheridh attempting to rip the vial of qiij off Xevhan's neck, remove the stopper, and swallow the drug before Xevhan could prevent him.

"Merciful G.o.ds," the Supplicant said. "The boy must be a brute. I hope you weren't too badly injured."

If I survive this meeting, I will place two cartloads of flowers on your altar.

"He's not permitted to take qiij," the king noted. "He should be punished."

"I am the one who should be punished," Malaq insisted, "for failing to make it clear to him."

"He knew," Xevhan said. "I told him."

"Before he overpowered you?" the Supplicant asked.

Besul rapped the table impatiently. "We are straying from the subject. Pajhit. Zheron. If you would sit, please. Now. As I see it, there are several issues to consider. One: the incident with the qiij. Troubling, yes, but with time so limited, we can surely afford to delve into the matter later. Two: the propriety-or impropriety-of the Pajhit giving this man a safe conduct. And the Khonsel for providing one. Again, troubling, but . . ."

The queen cut off Vazh's bellow of protest with a peremptory gesture.

". . . but only worth exploring as it relates to issue three: the relationship of this man to the boy Kheridh. The boy claims they are distantly related. The Zheron claims they are father and son. If true, the boy clearly cannot be the Son of Zhe."

"It is true," Xevhan a.s.serted.

"The man confessed?" Vazh asked.

"He will."

"A man will say anything under torture," the Supplicant noted. "In a day, we could make him swear to being Eliaxa's father. May his spirit dance forever through the green hills of Paradise," she added piously.

"Then let us consider issue four," said Xevhan. "The Pajhit's obvious affection for all these tree lovers. For years, he has protested against our raids. He has protected this boy since he arrived. He even got a son on one of their wh.o.r.es. Furthermore-"

The Supplicant's hand gripped his forearm. But Vazh was already on his feet, his shouts overriding Xevhan's voice. "Bury you! Slander the Pajhit further and I'll challenge you, priest or not."

"Enough! Sit down, Khonsel. Zheron, you will moderate your tone."

"And furthermore," Xevhan continued in a softer voice, "the man in question is not merely a performer. He is considered a hero among his people. The leader of the players recognized him. Are we to believe that the Pajhit-with his extensive knowledge of these people-did not?"

Malaq laughed. He kept on laughing until he had mastered the overwhelming desire to rip Olinio's flapping tongue from his head and batter Xevhan's triumphant face with his fist.

"Forgive me," he said, still breathless. "Of course, I know the legend of Darak Spirit-Hunter. But that's all it is. A legend. About as plausible as their belief that the man's brother turned into a tree. To believe that a man could march into the Abyss and free the spirit of a G.o.d makes about as much sense as . . ."

"Believing the Son of Zhe could come to earth?" the Supplicant asked.

Eliaxa gasped. "That is blasphemy."

"His hands are maimed," Xevhan pointed out. "Just as the Spirit-Hunter's are supposed to be."

"I've got scars on my back," Vazh said, "but that doesn't make me the Flayed One."

"Then we must probe the man's spirit," Xevhan said.

"And the boy's. Today. That's the only way to learn the truth."

The queen shook her head. "I'm not yet recovered from The Shedding. Neither are the Pajhit and the Motixa."

"Then at least hold them prisoner until you're stronger."

"All this talk is giving me a headache," the king whined. "Why don't we just execute them now?"

"Sky's Light, the boy might be the Son of Zhe!" Eliaxa exclaimed. "We cannot-"

"Well, execute the man then." The king grinned. "Or better still, sacrifice him to Zhe."

"But he is maimed," Eliaxa protested. "It would not be fitting."

"That's what makes it so perfect. Was not Zhe maimed as well? His feathers blackened and burned?" The king sat back on his throne, sickeningly proud of his reasoning.

"How wise you are, Sky's Light." Xevhan was practically purring with satisfaction. "What gift could please Zhe more than the living personification of his pain?"

"The Motixa is right." Malaq fought to keep his voice level. "Earth's Beloved, you cannot permit this sacrilege."

"It's not sacrilege," the king insisted. "Not if I say it isn't. I want him sacrificed. I am the king and I say we shall. Oh, let's do it, Jholianna. I know it would please Zhe. And it would please me, too."

Before she could answer, a guard tentatively asked permission to enter.

"What is it?"

"Forgive me, Earth's Beloved. Sky's Light." The guard ducked his head. "It's the Qepo. He says there's a problem with the adders."

The queen frowned. "Very well. Send him in."

The Qepo trotted forward and prostrated himself.

"Speak."

"Forgive me, Earth's-"

"Speak!"

"The adders. They are restless."

"That's all? We're dealing with important matters here."

"Yes, Earth's Beloved. Forgive me. But the last time they were so restless, Womb of Earth shook."

The queen's frown deepened. "You believe an earthquake is imminent?"

"I don't know, Earth's Beloved. I only know the adders are restless."

"More restless than they were before the last tremor?"