aTake him to the stables and see that heas cared for,a he ordered shortly. Without waiting for a reply, he ran to the door shead just left.

She rubbed the sweating geldingas head soothingly to calm him. He was a sturdy enough animal, in good shapea"but of no particular breeding; not a horse a noble would ride.

His rider hadnat been wearing noblemanas clothes either, for all the confidence in his command. Rialla concluded that he must be the healer that Lord Jarroh had sent for; there would have just been enough time for a messenger to make it to the village and back.

The horse butted her impatiently with his head, and she began walking him toward the stable. Even though the man shead followed was long gone, she could ask about him in the stables; there was just something about the way the servant had been so casual in the midst of the confusion of Lord Karstenas collapse that made her curious about him.

The stables were dark and cool and smelled like horses and fresh strawa"none of the foul odors that would hint of slovenliness. Rialla felt herself relax in the familiar atmosphere.

The horse she was leading whinnied piercingly at the scent of the unfamiliar animals. A stable boy appeared from a nearby stall. He tossed Rialla a friendly smile and reached for the reins, saying, aThe healeras beastie, eh? Here now, Iall cool him out a bit and find an empty corner to stick him in.a Rialla handed the horse over to him and then asked, aDid you see the man that just came in here and took out a liver-chestnut mare?a A proper slave would never attempt conversation with anyone other than another slave, but the groom seemed cordial enough.

The boy glanced around, probably to see if anyone was watchinga"a stable boy was hired to work, not to chatter with slaves. Satisfied that everyone else was busy, he said, aThat was the Lord Winterseineas man, Tamas. Heas here a lot. If I were you, Iad try and avoid him if you can.a aWinterseine or Tamas?a Rialla asked.

aTamas. Winterseineas all right. Tamas, though, is awful quick with a whip or a fist.a The boy looked at her meaningfully. aHe likes it rough, makes him feel powerful. Stay out of his way unless you like it that way too.a Without further delay he led the horse down the aisle to begin cooling it off.

Thoughtfully, Rialla returned to the castle and sneaked back into the room where shead left Laetha"or at least she tried to sneak back in. Laeth met her at the door and said in furious tones that the whole room could hear, aWhere have you been, girl? It couldnat have taken you so long to carry out Lord Jarrohas orders.a Rialla took in the room at a glance. Her fragmented talent caught the suspicion that was in the air, directed at Laeth. She bowed her head humbly and said in clear tones that would carry, aMaster, this morning you told me to see if I could find the pin you were missing. When someone mentioned a groom, I remembered that you were wearing it yesterday afternoon when you went hunting, but I didnat see you wear it to dinner. I thought that maybe when you were in the stall with the servant girl . . .a She cowered nervously, as if realizing that she shouldnat have said anything about that.

Someone laughed and made an obscene comment; sleeping with servants was commonplace, but not to be talked about in public. Laeth backhanded her forcefully on her face, knocking her to the ground. It looked more impressive than it was. Laethas blow was no worse than many a strike theyad exchanged on the practice floor at Sianim. Like any good slave, Rialla cowered and whimpered; all slaves learn quickly that if it looks as if the blow hurt, it isnat as likely to be repeated.

To Riallaas astonishment, a large, gentle hand touched her shoulder and the healer helped her to her feet. aShe was near the stables and took my horse when I arrived. You shouldnat give orders unless you want them followed, my lord.a Rialla barely restrained a gasp at the healeras tones. No commoner talked to a noble in that tone of voicea"not if he wanted to live to face the morning.

Mercenary or not, Laethas upbringing as a Darranian noble caused his eyes to flash with outrage. The healer didnat give Laeth a chance to reply before turning to Lord Jarroh. aI have managed to counteract the poison in Lord Karstenas system. Heall be weak, but should be well enough in an hour or so. Iall leave my bill with the clerk as usual.a He swept out of the room with as much presence as any of the nobles.

Deliberately Laeth reacted to his frustrated anger as most of his peers would have under the circumstance. He knocked Rialla to the ground again, hitting her open-handed on her cheek with a blow that was more flash than substance.

aWait for me in my room,a he snarled.

Rialla scurried gratefully out, and holding a hand to her face, she headed to the bedroom while Laeth complained loudly about poorly trained slaves.

As she turned the first corner of the hallway, Rialla was stopped by a hand on her arm. Startled, she looked up to see the healer. Before she could draw away, he touched her untattooed cheek with his hand. Raising an eyebrow, he tilted her head so he could see the side of her face clearly in the torchlight.

aThere is no mark where he hit you.a His comment was in a mild tone, but firmly spoken. Clearly he would have answers before he left her alone.

Rialla looked around frantically and saw with relief that there was no one in the vicinity. She grabbed his sleeve and pulled him into the nearest room. From the glimpse she had while the door was open, it seemed to be an unused study in the midst of remodeling. There were no windows to allow light in, and it was as dark as a cave in the small room after she pulled the door closed. Rialla made a frustrated sound.

aHold on,a she said, falling out of character. aIall find a flint . . .a There was a crash as she fell over an object left in the middle of the floor and cracked her head on something hard.

aPerhaps I might be of some assistance.a A light flared as the healer spoke, a candle flickering in his hand. His voice was carefully void of humor, but there was something in his face that hinted at it, and Rialla glared balefully at him from her position on the floor before she remembered that she was supposed to be a slave.

It was the first time that shead had a chance to look closely at him, and she realized what had troubled her before: the healer was no more Darranian than she was. It wasnat just that he was taller and bigger boned, but his coloring was wrong. His hair was almost blond, though the short-trimmed beard was darker. His eyes were hazel, but they werenat as green as hers; his had flecks of light blue that seemed to come and go in the candlelight.

Ignoring her glare, the healer said, aNow, you will please explain to me how you got hit hard enough to knock you to the ground without even so much as a red mark on your face.a Rialla jumped lithely to her feet, with the grace of the dancer she was, and dusted herself off to gain some time to think. Finally she said, aLord Laeth needs to keep up appearances, but he doesnat want to damage me. The blow was a warning more than a punishment. He disciplines me in other ways.a It was the best that she could come up with on short notice, and it wasnat very good.

aThat was Lord Laeth,a the healeras voice took on an odd tone, avisiting from Sianim?a Wary of the interest in his voice, Rialla nodded.

The healer raised an eyebrow and reached out unexpectedly to touch her face, muttering a few words under his breath as he did so. He jerked his hand away, as if from something hot, and an intense expression that she couldnat interpret crossed his face.

aWho would have thought it?a he said obscurely, and smiled. aI thought that Sianim frowned on slavery.a Rialla felt as if shead missed half of the conversation, and groped for an answer. aMy master told them I was his servant and they pretended to believe him.a It was the explanation that she and Laeth had chosen, but it sounded threadbare to her ears.

He shook his head, but shrugged. aIt doesnat matter, I suppose, what your story is. My name is Tris. When you need me, anyone in Tallonwood can tell you where to find me.a With that odd statement he blew out the candle and left the room.

Rialla stared stupidly after him. Healers, she supposed, ought to be a bit eccentric, but this one seemed to push it to an extreme.

Cautiously Rialla opened the door and checked the hall. Seeing no one, she continued up the stairs to the suite of rooms that she shared with Laeth.

IT WAS LATE when Laeth returned to his rooms. He was pale and seemed shaken by the attempt on his brotheras life.

Without a word, Rialla helped him take off the formal, close-fitting dining jacket. She hung it up and silently offered him a cup of warmed brandy, then perched on a fragile table, ignoring the knickknacks that sat on either side of her, and waited for him to speak.

Just as he opened his mouth, the door shook with a series of impassioned knocks. Rialla slipped back off the table and stood near a wall looking discreet, like a good slavea"not that the woman who entered when Laeth opened the door had any interest in Rialla.

aLaeth, you must leave. They think that you were the one who attempted to kill Karsten. They say that youad have the most to gain from his death.a Marri was very much a Darranian lady. She reminded Rialla of a frantic butterfly: beautiful and useless.

Laeth looked at Marri, and not even Rialla could read his face. He shook his head slowly. aThere are many people that stand to gain by Karstenas death, lady. He is threatening to unite Darran with a country full of abominations. The Eastern miners are worried that heas going to cede mining territory back to Reth; the slavers are worried because heas threatening their livelihood. Indeed, unless someone saw you come in here, there is no reason to believe that my motive for killing my brother is stronger than anyone elseas.a Marri shook her head at him with apparent exasperation, her dark eyes flashing with anger. aPlague it, Laeth. Donat give me that lordly sneer, it doesnat suit you. No one saw me come here.a Laeth bowed his head and said politely, aAccept my apologies, madam. Pray feel free to leave if my sneer offends you.a Marri closed her eyes and took a deep breath. There were white lines of anger along her aristocratic cheekbones. aWill you listen to me, you mule?a Rialla bit back a smile, and decided that she might like Marri after all.

aDo you think Iad risk coming here if I werenat certain you were in danger?a continued Marri sharply. aDonat be any stupider than you must. There is someone here who is deliberately setting you up to be Karstenas murderera"there is no reason suspicion of you would be that strong otherwise.a Her voice softened. aKarsten knows that someone is trying to kill him, and we have taken every precaution against his assassination. You are not needed here. He may think that you are here for his birthday, but I know you better. Nothing less than the attempt on his life last month would have induced you to return.a Laeth raised an eyebrow and sauntered back to his bed, where he sat down and began to tug off his boots. aEvery precaution? It didnat seem to help him much tonight, did it?a aNeither did you!a she replied hotly. Rialla noticed a hint of moisture in her eyes. aI canat stand worrying about both of you.a aTears, Marri?a asked Laeth in a biting voice.

aYes, plague take you.a Marri wiped her eyes quickly. aIam sorry for what happened before, but it wasnat solely my fault. You left me for a year without any word of how to reach you. My parents were in debt and losing the manor, and your brother proposed marriage to me. I have a younger brother and three younger sisters; do you think I should have let them be reduced to poverty when I could stop it? You hadnat even made a firm offer to me, let alone my parents. Should I have told them not to accept Karstenas offer because his brother had flirted with me?a Midway through her speech Laeth had lost his cold manner. Instead he clenched his fists and stared at the floor. When he spoke, it was in a voice very close to a whisper. aIt was more than flirtation, Marri.a Her anger left her abruptly, and there was only sadness in her face. aI know that, but how could I have explained it to my father? Iam not sure that I believed it all the time myself. When you left, you didnat tell me where you were going or what you were going to do.a aYou knew that Iad be back.a aDid I?a she questioned, and then sighed. aI suppose that I did, but you didnat say so.a She paced the room, ignoring Riallaas presence. After a while Marri said, aI really do care for him, you know. The chances that heall survive until the princess marries King Myr are not very good. He explained it to me, as if I were a child, and then patted me on the head and said that youad look after me.a She bowed her head and clenched her arms around her midriff. aGods,a she said bleakly.

It was too much for Laeth. Without his temper to protect him, he couldnat resist her misery. He left the bed and, with one boot on, strode to Marri and wrapped his arms around her. aNothing is going to happen to me, and Iall do my best to see that nothing happens to Karsten either. Youall have to be satisfied with that.a Laeth hugged her and rested his chin on the top of her head, staring blindly at a wall. Marri leaned against him a moment and then whispered, aIad better go, before my maid starts to worry. She wouldnat say anything, but itas better not to tempt fate.a Laeth allowed her to draw away and then said, aIam sorry, Marri. Iam sorry that I didnat talk to your father. Iam sorry that youare worried.a He slanted a faint grin at her and lightened his tone. aIam even sorry that Iam a stupid mule. Karsten is a good man, even if he is my brother.a He took Marrias arm in a formal hold and escorted her to the door. aThank you for your warning, lady. Iall keep it in mind. If you find out who started the rumor that Iam behind the assassination attempt, I would like to know his namea"but send a servant with a message.a He put a hand on the door to open it, and Rialla casually attempted to use the remnants of her talent to scan for someone lurking in the hall. She suspected that even if there were someone there, she wouldnat be able to tella"so she was astounded when she found something.

aLaeth, stop,a she hissed urgently, abandoning her post against the wall to sprint to the door and hold it shut. aThereas someone out there. Wait.a Taking a deep breath, she pressed her forehead against the smooth wood of the door. The person outside the room was in a consuming rage; only the force of his emotions allowed her contact at all. Sweating, she tried to find out more.

The anger she felt was directed at . . . the cat. The miserable, sharp-toed, speedy tabby whoad left with the tasty scrap of meat he was saving for a snack . . . Rialla could feel the flush of embarrassment that crept up her fair skin. It was one of the castle dogs. The hunting dogs were allowed full run of the keepa"one of Karstenas little eccentricities.

Animal thoughts had always been easier to pick up than human onesa"their thoughts were simpler and more tightly connected to their emotions. She could pick up their thoughts almost as easily as she could touch their emotions.

She was just about to turn and try to explain why shead stopped Marri from going out when she caught the last edge of a thought . . . a whisper of resentment at the leash that kept him from the cat. She tried again, without success, to touch the person on the other side of the door, but only the dog came in clear.

Her head was starting to ache with the effort of stretching the old scars that limited her empathy, but she ignored it. Unable to reach the person, she touched the animal a different way. Clearly audible on the other side of the door, the guard dog began barking.

Laeth narrowed his eyes at her, but waving Marri out of sight of the door, he called out in a loud voice, aGirl! Go see what is wrong with that plaguing dog, and shut it up!a He strode to the bed and sat down on it, beginning to struggle with the remaining close-fitting, knee-high boot.

aYes, Master,a Rialla replied demurely and yanked at the ties that held her hair up. She bit her lips to make them look kissed and opened the ties at the top of her tunic.

She cracked the door and slipped out, but not before she gave the man outside a clear view of Laeth tugging at his boot. She didnat recognize the man holding the dog, but that wasnat surprising. He wore the uniform of the guardsa"they kept mostly to the grounds and away from the keep; she only knew the indoor servants.

He took a good look at her and lost a few more inches of leather to the straining dog. She bit her bottom lip and leaned back against the door with all the sultriness a dance-trained slave was capable of displaying.

aWhatas wrong with him?a she asked in a husky voice.

The manas mouth opened, but nothing came out.

Laethas voice carried clearly through the door. aShut that beast up now!a Rialla gave a squeak of fright and ran to the dog, crooning, aShh, puppy, thatas a good boy.a That pulled the guardas attention from the shadows of her cleavage. aDonat. Heas a trained guard dog . . . Heall kill you.a He said the last in a small voice as the dog rolled over in ecstasy onto the slaveas lap while she rubbed his belly.

She turned her big emerald eyes at the guard and said inanely, aIave always had a way with dogs. Do you think that heall start barking again, if I quit petting him? My master has an awful temper: if he hears the dog bark again, heas liable to kill it.a She watched the guard closely and whispered, aAnd probably you as well.a Everyone knew that Laeth had spent the last two years training in Sianim. Rumor had it, truthfully enough, that Laethas temper was even more impressive than his outrageousness.

The big guard swallowed and grabbed the dogas collar. As he did so, Rialla touched his hand briefly for a minute and caught a stray thought: . . . couldnat use the coppers Iall get for this job if I were a corpse . . .

Head been paid to spy, but on whom? Rialla watched as the guard tugged the dog down the hall and around the corner. Once she could have read him as easily as she could close her eyes. She hit the floor in frustration and jumped to her feet.

Opening the door to Laethas chambers, Rialla said, aAll clear.a Marri slipped out and gave Rialla a penetrating look before leaving in the opposite direction the guard had taken. Rialla stepped into the room and closed the door gently behind her.

aAll right, Ria, just how did you know someone was there?a Laeth was lying on top of the colorful tick on the bed with his hands behind his head and his legs crossed.

Rialla leaned against the door and said, aWould you believe that I heard them?a aAfter the dog started barking, yes. But I doubt you could hear them walking from the opposite side of that door,a replied Laeth shortly.

aHmm,a said Rialla in a frivolous tone, tapping her chin in thought. aHow about . . .a aThe truth,a said Laeth firmly.

aYou wonat like it, and probably wonat believe it either,a commented Rialla, wandering back over to the little table shead sat on before and fiddling with a hideous purple glass vase.

aRia.a He sounded impatient.

She put the vase back. aDonat say I didnat warn you. I am an empath. Sort of anyway.a aA what?a asked Laeth incredulously.

aAn empath. You know, aI know what you feel . . . I know your thoughts.a a Her voice took on a sonorous and slightly sinister tone, but she easily dropped it again as she continued, aLike the mindspeakers in the traveling fairs.a He sat up and said with obvious disbelief, aYou can read peopleas minds?a aWell, I used to be able to, but not much anymore.a She picked up a crude figurine and continued, aAnimals are easier. I can pick up emotions pretty clearly if theyare strong ones, and occasionally the thoughts that go with them. Marri thinks that youare as handsome as ever.a She nodded at his start of surprise.

aYou read Marri?a This time there was a strong thread of anger in his tone.

aNothing that anyone couldnat have seen in her face if they were looking.a Her voice was noncommittal and she set the figurine next to the vase. She wanted to back away from his anger; somehow it was harder to resist her conditioning while wearing the garb of a slave.

aPlague it, Rialla, thatas worse than eavesdropping. You violated her privacy!a He stood up, and she could see his outrage tightening the muscles of his arms. She could feel her heartbeat pick up as he closed in on her.

She could either fight back or cower. The latter was smarter, but if she cowered she might as well be the slave whose guise she wore.

aYou Darranians and your overdeveloped sense of propriety,a she said with a quiet bitterness that stopped him short. aI know all about the rules by which you live your lives. Take the aristocratic, immaculate Lord Jarroh, your brotheras best friend and staunchest ally. He frequented the little bar where I danced. He never spilled a drop of the single glass of white wine he drank. One must never be excessive when imbibing alcohol. He always tipped the waitera"just the proper amount. Then he went upstairs and beat the little slave girl he kept there. Sometimes he used a whip, sometimes he used his fist. Crippled as I am, I still felt her pain every time, including the last timea"when he killed her.a She smiled at him humorlessly. aHis slave had seen twelve summers when she died.a She could see that the anger had left him, but now that she had started she couldnat stop. aThe slave trainer responsible for my capture took twenty-three other people from my clan at the same time. Twenty of them he tortured and killed. I felt each of their deaths too. Thanks to that I canat simply turn my abilities off and on as I used to: I hear what I hear.a She raised her brows and continued with bitter mockery, aI am sorry if that offends your Darranian sense of decorum.a Laethas face was curiously blank. He reached out and touched her cheek with one hand. It wasnat until then that she realized that she was crying or that shead backed away from him despite her determination not to do so. The door was solid against her back.

aSorry,a he said in a soft voice. aI didnat mean to frighten you.a He went back to the bed and lay on it, closing his eyes. In the same soft voice he said, aWhat was a guard doing patrolling the corridor when he should be out on the walls?a She closed her eyes too, and pressed harder against the door. Her voice when she spoke was quietly controlled. aSometimes if I have physical contact with a person, I can pick up a few scattered thoughts. I think someone bribed him to come here, but I couldnat tell who he was supposed to be watching. It could be you, or Marri, or any of the fifteen other people in this wing of the keep.

aIf it was Marri he was watching,a she continued after a momentas pause, ahe probably followed her from her rooms. Head know that she came ina"but not that she came out before you had time to do anything. If he was sent to watch you, he may or may not have been here to see Marri come. If he was watching someone else, we donat have any worries.a aYou said that you couldnat tell who he was looking for. Could you tell who paid him?a Laethas voice was still excessively gentle, so she knew that her face wasnat as blank as she wanted it to be, and she redoubled her efforts.

aNo,a she answered. The metal of the doorknob was cold against her hand. aI could tell it was someone that the guard was not afraid of, and that this wasnat the first time head asked the guard to do this kind of work. The guard wasnat worried about leaving his post, so it was someone with enough authority to stop any punishments. It wasnat your brother, because he wouldnat have had to bribe the guard at all. Youad know who would best fit such a description.a aLord Jarroh?a he suggested, doubtfully.

Rialla opened her eyes and shook her head. aNo. All the servants are terrified of him and Iam sure that the guards would be too. Besides, thatas not his style. He would never hire someone to spy; itas not something that a proper noble would do.a aThe only other person besides Lord Jarroh, my brother and myself with the authority to halt a punishment would be my uncle, Lord Winterseine. But heas not here yet.a aHow about the overseer?a asked Rialla.

Laeth shook his head. aDramas orders wouldnat be questioned. Head never have to bribe a guard to patrol the corridors of the keep rather than the walls. Not to mention that the guard would be terrified of him.a Rialla nodded and then said, aLord Winterseineas servant Tamas was here this evening.a Laeth nodded. aI saw him and asked around. He came with Uncleas luggage as he always does. Were you chasing after him this evening? I wondered where you were. He probably left to tell Uncle about the poisoning attempt.a aCouldnat he have arranged for a guard to watch someone for your uncle?a suggested Rialla.

aHe could have,a replied Laeth, abut I just canat see my uncle doing something as improper as spying; heas worse than Karsten when it comes to decorous behavior.a aIt is possible that the guard was sent to protect someone rather than spy on them,a Rialla commented. aI donat suppose talking about it all night will help us. I think I will sleep in the slavesa quarters; sometimes they have information no one else has.a Before he had a chance to protest, Rialla slipped through the door and into the darkened hallway.

THE SLAVESa QUARTERS were in the basement, next to the wine cellar. Rialla supposed that they had originally been put there so as not to use space in the valuable ground floor, while allowing the slaves to attend their owners quickly. Whatever the reason, the result was that the quarters were more comfortable than the rest of the castle. Underground there were no chilly drafts in the winter, and in the summer when the rest of the castle was baking, the quarters were cool enough to need the single blanket that lay neatly at the foot of all the bunks.

In Darran, slaves were used for pleasure rather than work, so most were female. The few male slaves primarily worked in pleasure houses where a wealthy Darranian would be preserved from the social stigmatism of homosexuality. Women in Darran did not own slaves. With little need to separate male and female, the slave quarters at Westhold consisted of a single, large room.

Rialla didnat really expect to find out anything in the quarters, but she wasnat ready to relax and sleep either. It might have been a touch from her talent or just instinct, but something caused her to hesitate before she entered.

a. . . sleep here. You will stay here until I come for you in the morning. Do you understand?a The manas voice was gentle and quiet. There was nothing in it to account for the sudden cramping of Riallaas stomach or the shaking of her hands.

She turned frantically to the locked door of the wine cellar. Traders teach their children how to pick locks and pockets as soon as the tots are tall enough to reach a doorknob. The wine cellar lock had never been intended to keep out anyone but the servants, and it gave her little trouble.

Rialla closed the door of the cellar quietly behind her. She huddled against the wood in the darkness and heard the manas hard-soled boots click across the stone floor. He paused briefly before the wine cellar door, as if head heard it open. But he continued up the stairs without investigating further.

Rialla folded her arms around her knees and listened to the pounding of her heart in her ears. What was her former owner doing in Lord Karstenas hold? As Laeth had put it, Karsten would be as likely to invite a swineherd as a slave trainer to his celebration.

Shead spent seven years as his slave, but most of that time was spent in the little bar in Kentar, the capital city of Darran. The rest had been in a small estate in the south. Uneasily, she remembered little hints that he might have been more than a simple slave trainer: the servants who called him alord,a and the ambience of age and respectability at the estate where she was trained.

If he was highly connected, it would be possible for him to take part in polite society, as long as his occupation as a slave trainer could be kept quiet. Laeth, she knew, had never had any interest in the slave trade. It was feasible that Laeth knew her former owner, but didnat know he was a slave trainer.

Rialla knew that she ought to go back to Laethas room and warn him that the slave trainer was in the castle, but . . . in the dark, beer-scented room she was safe. She curled into a tighter ball in the corner of the room and rested her cheek against the side of a wooden barrel, letting the rough wood dig into her tattooed skin.

She despised the cowardice that had been beaten into her, but that didnat keep her from shaking with bone-deep tremors. If her father could see her, he would be ashamed. Shead worked so hard to shed the habits of a slave, and all it took to bring them back was Laethas anger or her old masteras voice.

She swore silently and dug her nails into her palms, reminding herself that he would be unlikely to visit the quarters again this night. With a shuddering sigh, she came to her feet, wiping the tears from her face with the sides of her hands. Like most of the Traders she had good night vision, but in the underground cellar the darkness was absolute. It took her a moment to find the latch on the door.

Taking a deep breath, she exited the wine cellar, locked it, and walked with outward calm to the slave quarters. If one of the slaves noticed that shead been crying, they wouldnat comment upon ita"such was a slaveas lot. Quietly she let herself into the large room.

A few scattered torches lit the large room, allowing Rialla to see that only twenty of the bunks were occupied. That meant the rest of the slaves were either working, or sleeping in their owneras rooms. There was no one awake, so Rialla strode quietly to a pair of unoccupied bunks away from the door.

She climbed to the top bunk and stretched out on it: only a new slave would take the vulnerable bottom bunk. Among slaves, status was very important. Occasionally fights broke out in the quarters when one slave tried to establish dominance. The top bunk offered some protection against unwanted aggression.

Rialla had started to close her eyes when she heard a slight noise from the bottom bunk next to her. She leaned over the edge of her bed and looked at the girl lying there.

As a Trader, and later as a horse trainer in Sianim, shead seen every color that a person could come ina"from her own pale ivory to the deep bronze of the Ynstrah peoplea"but this slaveas skin was closer to black. Fine dark hair that might be brown or red in daylight cloaked her shoulders in waves of curls. Her face was buried in the thin mattress and her body shook as she cried.

Rialla reached a hand to the girl, but caught herself in time. She was doing the best that she could to end slavery in Darran, but she couldnat do anything for this other slave now.

RIALLA DREAMED THAT night of a foreign land inhabited by people who looked like the strange slave girl. They spoke a language that she had never heard before, but understood in a way that her empathic abilities had once allowed her. It was a nightmarish dream with feverlike images that randomly appeared and disappeared without warning.

She awoke in a cold sweat with a screaming pain in her chest. Leaping quickly off the bunk, she took a step toward the strange girlas bed, but it was too late.

From somewhere the other slave had found an eating knife that shead used to stab herself in the chest. Rialla gasped harshly with the pain of the slaveas wound, feeling as if something had torn through the barrier that had blocked her abilities for more than a decade. The dull knifeas work had been made even more painful because the girl didnat know where to stab herself. Still, her amateurish attempt worked after a fashion. Even as Rialla watched, the girl took a last breath and smiled.

Rialla looked at the body of the girl that she now knew almost as intimately as she knew herself. The young slave had been an empath strong enough to project her fears past Riallaas mental scars and into her dreams.

Rialla knew the slaveas name and that she was fifteen summers old. She knew that somewhere in a foreign land the girlas family thought that she was serving the godsa"a position of highest honor. They had let her go with sadness, but she had gone gladly as the servant of Altis had requested.

Rialla could feel the echoes of the girlas horror and disgust when she found out what her duties were going to be. She could tell without looking that the girlas back would be covered with fresh whip marks and that the inside of her thighs were bruised badly enough that it would show even on her dark skin.

Rialla tightened her jaw and carefully stepped around the blood that was pooling on the floor. A slave avoided attracting unpleasant attention. By the time the body was discovered, there would be no slave left in the quarters and none would admit sleeping there last nighta"but only the knowledge that the slave trainer would probably be sleeping allowed Rialla to start up the stairs that led to the main part of the keep.

She entered Laethas sleeping chamber quietly, without waking him. She sat on the hard-sprung sofa near the bed and stared into the darkness, waiting for the dawn.

THREE.

aI thought that you were going to sleep in the slavesa quarters last night.a Laeth spoke softly, but Rialla jumped anyway.