FOUR.

As the door closed, Kerim turned to his servant. aDickon, I believe Talbot will be nearby. Find him and send him in, will you?a aVery good, my lord.a Dickon bowed and left the room.

As soon as the soft click of the latch reached Shamas ears, she relaxed and sat back in a more comfortable cross-legged position on the floor.

The Reeve looked at her for an instant and then began laughing softly, his shoulders shaking. aI was wondering how wead pull this off. Youall forgive me, but when Talbot proposed this, I thought he was insane.a aThievery requires a certain amount of boldness, and a touch of theatrics,a she answered, batting her lashes at him. aI have it on good authority that being a mistress has similar requirements.a He nodded. aNo doubt it does, but Iave seen warriors quake at the sight of my mother.a She started to reply, but a soft sound from the corridor caught her attention. A moment later there was a gentle tapping on the door. She stood without tangling her feet in the yards of material that formed her skirt, and strode across the room to open the door for Talbot.

The former sailor entered with his usual rolling gait, aiming a wide grin at the Reeve. aImpressive, isnat she?a Talbot nodded at Sham with the expression of a doting hen viewing her egg. aTold her that black was for when folks were dead. She raised her brows and looked down her nose and said black was erotic. When she came out looking like that I bought a nice black nightdress for the missus.a aI didnat expect her this soon.a aMmm, well now, it seems that sheall not be needing tutoring in court waysa"she was brought up here under the old king.a Kerim turned to her, and Sham nodded, quipping, a aFraid Iam not much credit to my upbringing.a The Reeve gave her a thoughtful glance, then turned his attention back to Talbot. aNo word tonight?a Talbot looked grim. aNay, sir, but itall come.a Looking at Sham, he explained, aOur killer likes to hunt every eight or nine days: atis the only real pattern the thing has. Yesterday was the eighth day and no one died, so tonightas it.a She frowned, trying to remember what little she knew about demons. aIs there any pattern to the numbers? Like three times it feeds on the eighth day and then twice on the ninth?a aI donat know,a answered Talbot, intrigued, aI hadnat thought it might be a fixed pattern rather than whimsy. Iall go through the deaths again and see.a aIs it important?a asked the Reeve.

aIt depends,a she said, helping herself to a roll that was sitting ignored on Kerimas plate. She found a comfortable chair and tugged it around until it faced the Reeve. Talbot took up a seat on the nearest couch.

aOn what?a The Reeve picked up his eating knife and began to carve the chicken.

aOn whether or not you believe in demons,a she replieda"though she didnat recall any pattern to demon killings. She waited smugly for his reaction. Intelligent, educated Cybellians did not believe in demons.

aIave seen a few,a said the presumably intelligent, educated Cybellian Reeve thoughtfully, abut never anywhere near the city.a Sham choked and then coughed when she inhaled a crumb.

Kerim ignored her outwardly, though she thought there might be a hint of amusement in the lines around his mouth as he continued, aThere is no way that these murders are the work of demons. The last victim died in his room in the middle of the day. He kept thirty-odd servants; if it had been a demon, the thing would have been spotted long before it found Abetas room.a aAbetas locked room,a added Talbot meaningfully, looking at Shamera.

aIn any case,a continued the Reeve, aI canat imagine one of the swamp demons dragging its carcass through the whole of Abetas mansion without someone noticing. Not only are they loud, but they stink like a week-old fish.a aAh,a said Sham, enlightened. aThese demons of yours, are they strong and devilishly hard to kill? Roughly human in shape?a The Reeve nodded, aSounds like all the ones Iave met.a aUriah,a she said firmly. aIave never met onea"not that Iam complaining. But Iall tell you this much, Iad rather face a hundred of the things than take on a demon. Uriah are monsters, abominations created by magic. Demons are magic.a aMagic,a barked the Reeve, at last giving her the reaction shead been waiting for. aEvery time you Southwoodsmen hear about something that is not easily explained, you sit around nodding sagely and say amagicaa"as if the whole pox-ridden world turns on it.a She laughed, aIt does, of course. Only self-blinded Easterners canat see it.a Kerim shook his head at her, and resumed his speech-making. aIave lived here for almost ten years and Iave never seen someone work magic. Sleight-of-hand, yesa"but nothing that canat be explained by fast hands and a faster mouth.a aThe wizard-born arenat stupid, messire,a said Talbot mildly. aYe werenat here for the blood that followed the conquest of the citya"the witch hunts we have now are nothing in comparison. Proper terrified of magic, yer armies were, ana they slaughtered any mage they could find. The wizards who survived would prefer ye kept on thinking magicas what the streetcorner busker uses to pull a coin from behind yer ear.a aAnd itas easier for me this way,a added Shamera, to stir up the Reeve again, whoad begun to let Talbotas calm voice soothe him. aIt gives a thief a decided advantage to be able to use magic where no one believes in it. Who am I to ruin the fun?a aDo ye remember how long the Castle stood against the Prophetas armies after Landsend itself had fallen?a asked Talbot, ignoring Sham.

aNine months,a said Kerim reluctantly.

Talbot nodded. aNine months on what little food they had stored here. Did ye ever find a water source other than the well that was dry long decades before the siege?a aNo.a Shamera noticed that the Reeve was beginning to sound huffy, as if he didnat like the direction that this conversation was taking. She had thought that Talbot was only trying to calm Kerim down, not change his mind.

In a spirit of general perversity she said, aThe weekly mopping of the secret passages asidea"a aEvery other week,a corrected Kerim.

She ignored him. aa"I would wager there are still ways out of the Castle that no one knows about. Master Talbot, if the Reeve is determined not to believe in magic itas a waste of time to try and prove otherwise.a aIf his ignorance is a threat to his life it needs to be altered,a countered Talbot with a touch of heat. aThis killer is attacking in the Castle, it might choose the Reeve next.a aWho could stop it if it did?a replied Shamera, becoming serious. aIf I donat know what to do with a demon, how could a magicless Cybelliana"whether he believed in demons or not?a aOthers have tried to educate me concerning magic,a said Kerim neutrally. aWhy donat you educate me about demons instead?a aVery well,a agreed Sham. Adopting her best amysterious sorceressa manner she said, aDemons are creatures of magic, called to this world by death and dying.a She grinned at the expression on the Reeveas face and switched to more matter-of-fact tones as she continued. aActually, they are summoned here by black magic.a aWhat makes you think that it is a demon weare hunting, not a man?a aBecause my frienda"the one Hirkin said I murdereda"was killed by a demon.a Sham looked at the Reeve carefully, trying to see what he was thinking, but his face was as neutral as his voice. aWhat makes you so certain?a She shrugged. aHe told me as much before he died.a Talbot stepped in to keep the Reeve from offering the offense disbelief would be. aI doubt ye ever met him, sir, ye came later to Landsend; but the old man who died was Maur, the last kingas advisor.a Kerim frowned thoughtfully. aThe Kingas Sorcerer was tortured before he disappeared from the Castle dungeons, but I didnat think he was as old as the man who died looked.a aWizards,a said Sham, striving to keep the bitterness out of her voice, aa"especially those as powerful as Maur, can live longer than mundane people. When he could no longer access his magic, he aged rapidly.a Kerim looked her in the eye. aI was not here when he was tortured, and I would not have countenanced such an action. Magic or no magic, if the records of his words in the Kingas council meetings are accurate, he was a man of rare insight.a Sham allowed herself to be mollified by his answer. aHe was attacked by a demon called Chen Laut. He drove it away, but was mortally wounded before it fled.a aHow did he drive it away?a asked Kerim with obvious patience for her Southwood-barbaric beliefs.

She smiled sweetly. aMagic.a aI thought Maur couldnat work magic,a said Talbot, frowning.

Sham shrugged, seeing no need to explain the difference between calling magic and working magic.

aSo what does a demon look like?a said Kerim. He ignored her attempt to bait him and finished the last of his food.

Sham smiled in anticipation of his reaction. aI donat know. I couldnat see it.a Kerim paused briefly, then shook his head with an air of long-suffering patience. aDemons are invisible. What else can you tell me about them?a She shrugged, enjoying herself. aEven in Southwood, most people believe in them the way that you believe in magiciansa"stories told to keep children in at night. You knowa"a she switched to a sing-song voice and recited, aThe evening comes, the sun is fled.

Shadows chase the fleeing light.

Let fear inspire your silent tread When demons walk the world of night.a aIave never heard it.a The Reeve bared his teeth at her. aSo tell me a story.a She returned his smile, such as it was. aDemons, like dragons, are creatures of magic rather than mere users of it. They are almost always evil, though there are tales of some that have offered aid or shelter. Demons never appear unsummoned, and are difficult to get rid of. The Wizardas Council has forbidden the use of sacrifice or human remains while working magic since just after the Wizard Wars about a thousand years ago. Apparently such things are necessary to get rid of demons as well as to summon them.a She had meant to stop there. She really had. If only he hadnat gotten that self-righteous, see-what-an-ignorant-savage-you-are expression on his face.

She leaned forward and lowered her voice dramatically. aThe wizards would find a likely young man and kidnap him. Demons have no form here on our world. They must be given one. The ceremony is long and brutal, culminating in the young manas death as the demon takes his body.a That was true enough, as far as she knew. She decided to add a few of the choicer rumors to go along with it. aSometimes though, the first victimas body was not usable, due to the brutal rites that summon the demon. You see, the death spells set to keep the demonas host body from procreating have a tendency to kill the person, or in this case, body they are set upon if the subject is too weak.a She grinned cheerfully and saw that even Talbot looked grim. aIf everything is successfully completed, the wizard had a demon enslaved to his will until the wizardas death.a aWhat happens after the wizard died?a asked Kerim, who had resumed an impartial expression soon after shead began her last speech. How entertaining to find someone who could resist her baiting.

aThe demon was destroyed by a contingency of the original bindinga"a she replied, aa"unless the demon was the one who killed the wizard, in which case the demon controls itself.a aAh,a said Kerim, anow, the stories.a aTybokka"a she said, nodding at Kerimas remark, aa"is probably the most famous of these. The name of his summoner is lost to time, but for four hundred years, more or less, he would join a Trader Clan as it crossed a certain mountain passa"a aAnd kill them all?a offered Kerim blandly.

Shamera shook her head, aNo, Tybokk was more creative than that. The travelers would arrive at their destination, every one of them, chanting a simple rhyme, day and night; until, one by one, they killed themselves.a aThe rhyme held the clue that destroyed the demon?a suggested Kerim.

Again she shook her head. aThat would make a good story, but no. As far as I have heard the rhyme was something like this: aWinds may blow, To and fro.

But weall neaer more A roaming go.

Tybokk, Tybokk, Tybokk-O!a He would probably still be destroying Traders if he hadnat killed the family clan of the man who was then the aeaMagi.a aThe who?a asked the Reeve.

aThe aeaMagi,a replied Talbot, sotto voice. aItas an old title given to the archmage. Heas the wizard who presides over the Wizardas Council, the appointed leader of all of the magiciansa"usually heas the most powerful, but not always.a Sham waited until they were through talking before she began again. aThe aeaMagi was born to the Trader Clans. When news came to him of the deaths of his family, the aeaMagi went hunting. For three years he traveled over the mountain pass that the demon frequented, accompanying various clans as none seemed to be favored over the other. When a stranger joined the party, not an uncommon occurrence, the aeaMagi would test him, to see if he were a demon.a aHow did he do that?a asked the Reeve.

Sham shrugged. aI donat know. Since the proscription on demon summoning, many of the magics associated with demons have been lost as well.a She cleared her throat and continued. aOne day, or so the story goes, the clan that the aeaMagi was traveling with came upon a skinny young lad, placing the last stone on a newly dug grave. There was a wagon overturned nearby with both of the horses that pulled it lying dead in their traces. The boy had a few scratches, but was otherwise unhurt by the wolves that killed his family while he watched from a perch in a tree.

aThe boy was accepted with no questions: children are treasured by the Trader Clans. He was a solemn child, but that might have been because of the death of his father. The aeaMagi, like most of the Traders, would sooner have suspected himself of being a demon than he would have suspected a child.

aOne night the aeaMagi sat brooding in front of a small fire while his fellow Traders danced and exchanged stories. Gradually the stories changed from acts of heroism to more fearful topics, as is the case with most such story-exchanges. Someone, of course, told the story of Tybokk.

aThe aeaMagi turned to leave and caught an unusual expression on the strange boyas face. The boy was smiling, but not as boys doa"his smile was predatory.

aA chill crawled up the aeaMagias spine as he realized how well the demon had been disguised by its summoner, and how close the mage had come to being defeated by the creature he hunted.

aA great battle followed, one that is yet spoken of with awe by the descendants of the Traders who witnessed it. In the end, the demonas body was destroyed. The demon was left without form, unable to do more than watch as the Clan traveled out of the mountains in safety.

aStill today, the pass is called the Demonas Pass or Tybokkas Reach, and some say that there is an unnatural mist that occasionally follows those that walk that path at night.a A small silence followed her story, then the Reeve said, aYou should have been a storyteller rather than a thief. You would make more money at it.a She smiled blandly. aYou obviously donat know how much I make thieving.a aSo you think we have another Tybokk?a asked the Reeve.

She shrugged. aIf Maur was right when he named it Chen Laut, then we do.a aChen Laut is the monster who eats children who donat do their chores,a explained Talbot. aMy mother used to threaten us with him.a aIf the Kingas Sorcerer was mistaken?a Kerim asked.

aThen perhaps we have a man who enjoys killing,a she replied. aHe works seven or eight days in a row with the eighth or ninth day off, or perhaps his wife visits her mother every eighth or ninth day. He travels freely among the upper classesa"a servant of some kind, or perhaps a noble himself. He can pick locks and skulk in shadows so skilfully, I didnat see him when I entered the old manas cottage.a There was a slight pause, then Kerim nodded his head. aAs long as you are willing to continue to look for a human culprit, I will listen to anything you have to say concerning demons.a aAgreed. Now may I ask you a question?a aCertainly,a said Kerim agreeably.

aJust who is Lord Ervan, and how did I become his widow?a IT WAS LATE in the evening when they finished ironing out their respective stories, and Sham was led, yawning, to the chamber that the Reeve had given her. As she shut the door behind the Reeveas manservant, she stretched wearily and looked around.

It was smaller than Kerimas chamber, but the lack of clutter made it seem much the same size. Unlike the Reeveas room, thick rugs adorned the floor to keep the chill stone separated from vulnerable bare toes. Sham took off her shoes and let her feet sink into the pile of a particularly thick rug.

Experimentally she peered into the surface of the nightstand near the bed; the reflection that stared back at her was less blurred than the one in the little polished bronze mirror she habitually carried. The candles that lit her chamber were of the highest quality, and left the room smelling faintly of roses. In the Reeveas chambers the lighting had been augmented by several large silver mirrors. Without the mirrors or the windows, the corners of this room were very dark.

She had never slept amid such extravagance even when shead lived here with her Fathera"she couldnat even remember when shead last slept in a bed. The widow of Lord Ervan would have taken it as no more than her due, but without someone to perform for she was only a peasant-thief in a place she didnat belong.

Like the one in Kerimas room, the fireplace stonework covered most of one wall with tapestries hung on either side. As she walked closer, she noticed a door tucked discreetly behind one of the elaborately woven wall hangings on the small part of the wall not occupied by the fireplace.

The sight of the discreet opening cheered her, reminding her why she was here. Dickon had taken her through several halls that twisted and turned, but thieving had gifted Sham with a very good sense of direction. She suspected that the door connected to a similar one in the inner wall of the Reeveas chambersa"fitting for the Reeveas mistress, of course.

Returning to the bed, Sham kicked off the slippers that matched her black dress. The fastenings were on the front, so she had refused the offer of a maid. She left the gown lying on the floor where it had fallen, knowing that only someone used to such costly apparel would be so careless. Snuffing out the candles, she climbed into bed and tucked her knife under the pillow, successfully resisting the urge to lie on the floor until she fell asleep.

BLOOD DRIP-DROPPED from the manas hand onto the smooth granite floor, making a dark viscous puddle. This one had been very satisfactory; his surprise, his terror was sweetening for the meal head so generously provided. The demon smiled as it contemplated its handiwork.

THE PLAIN-FACED maid who entered the room the next morning and began to light the candles never saw the knife Sham reflexively seized at the sound of the door opening.

aGood morning, Lady Shamera. My name is Jenli and my Uncle Dickon told me you would need a maid. If I am not satisfactory, you are to let him know and he will find someone else.a This speech was said to the bed tick as the girl folded it neatly back; it was also said in Southern that was so thickly accented as to be virtually indecipherable.

Sham belatedly remembered her role as the Reeveas mistress and responded accordinglya"in accented Cybellian. aAs long as you keep your tongue still about my personal business and listen to what I say, a replacement will not be necessary.a aNo, Lady . . . I mean, yes, Lady.a Sham gave the maid an assessing glance. Jenli didnat resemble Lord Kerimas personal servant in the slightest. Where he was tall and spare, she was short and round. Every thought that crossed her mind crossed her face first. It would be a long time, if ever, before she matched the perfect-servant expression favored by Dickona"thank the tides.

Sham palmed her knife to keep it out of the maidas sight and got out of bed, wandering languidly to the trunk at the foot. When she casually dropped the soft lace nightdress on the floor, Jenli blushed and paid even closer attention to the bed tick.

Sham opened the trunk, newly purchased to hold Lady Shameraas necessities and inspected its contentsa"the few items of clothing the dressmaker could make ready immediately, her bundle of Purgatory garb, the flute shead taken the night the Old Man died, and several canvas bags full of sand to make the trunk weigh what it should. She supposed that she really should have stored the flute in her cave, but it was tied to Maur and she hadnat had the will to set it aside.

When Jenli stepped forward to help, Sham tossed a neatly folded dress across the room where it graced the floor like a dying butterfly. Jenli brought her hands to her cheeks and rushed to save the expensive material.

aOh, Lady, these should have been hung up and. . . here, let me take that.a The shy, soft-spoken maid snatched the cloth-of-gold overdress out of her hands with the swiftness of a pickpocket. When the maid turned her back to hang the garment the wardrobe, Sham took the dress she wanted out of the trunk, closing and locking the lid with a touch of magic.

The gown she chose was a blue so deep it was almost black, complementing her eyes perfectly, and trimmed in a light yellow the same color as her hair. The sleeves covered her arms and shoulders entirely. The back was high cut and the collar fastened tightly around her throat. Jenli stood behind her and fastened the myriad of buttons that ran up the back of the dress. When Sham turned around the maidas eyes widened a little.

aWhere is the underdress, Lady?a questioned the maid uncertainly.

aWhat underdress?a Jenli cleared her throat. aSome packages arrived from the dressmakers this morning, madam; shall I have them brought up?a Sham nodded absently, adjusting the gown for maximum effect. aThank you. Where is the Reeve this morning?a aI donat know, Lady, I am sorry. Would you like me to do your hair this morning?a aJust brush it out,a said Sham, then added in a fretful tone, aI need to find Kerim.a The maid led her over to the delicate bench that sat in front of a small bronze mirror. While she brushed the heavy blond mane, Shamera examined the dress with satisfaction.

It had been intended to be worn with an underdress. The silk stopped just below the peak of her breasts, offering a tantalizing view of their undersides as she moved. It managed to push her breasts in such a manner as to make her look far more endowed than she was. Material draped from the sides gracefully, exposing her navel before gathering together at her hips.

It wasnat as if the dress were indecent by Southwood standards. Away from the cool ocean air of Landsend, one of the traditional styles of dress was an embroidered bodice and skirt that left the midriff bare. It was the contrast of the modest style and color of the dress with the bare skin that made the dress shocking.

When the maid was finished with her hair, Shamera applied her own cosmetics, shading her eyelids with grey powder and staining her lips red. Face powder was something that shead never been able to abide for long periods of time, so she left it off. Finished with her toilet, Sham drifted gracefully to the inner door, ignoring the one leading to the hall.

aMy Lord?a she said softly, cracking the door open so the Reeve would hear her address.

aEnter.a She ducked daintily under the heavy material and advanced into the room. Kerim was talking with several noblemen. As Shamera sauntered across the soft carpeting, conversation ground to a halt.

aLady.a Shamera looked behind her to see the maid ducking through the door. In her hands were a pair of satin slippers that matched the blue dress.

aHow silly of me, to forget my slippers. Thank you.a She took the shoes and slipped them on.

aGood morning, Lady.a There was amusement in the Reeveas voice. aI will be only a few moments, then we can break our fast.a aThank you, Kerim . . . My Lord.a Shamera approached him and kissed him on the cheek before sinking to the floor beside him, and gazing up at his face. A slight flush rose on his cheekbone. She wasnat sure whether it was suppressed amusement, embarrassment, or something else. The silence echoed in the room for an uncomfortably long time before one of the men began speaking. When the others left the room at last, Shamera was thankful that none of them looked back to see Kerim dissolve into laughter.

aThat dress . . .a he gasped when he could.

She widened her eyes at him in mock innocence. aWhatever do you mean? Is there something wrong?a He was still laughing too hard to make speech easy. aDid you see Coradas face when you came into the room? Heas a Kerlaner. They keep their women confined to their houses and veiled. I thought that his eyes were going to join his feet on the floor.a He relaxed into his chair, his shoulders still shaking and pointed a finger at her. aAnd you were no help at all, Mistress Adoration. Every time I looked away from Coradas sweating face, I had to look at you.a aSelf-controla"a Shamera smirked, aa"is good for you.a

FIVE.

aIt might be more circumspect to wait until the next evening session,a he explained as he led her rapidly through the corridors, abut then there will be so many people that you canat hear yourself think. Besides I wouldnat want to waste the effect of that dress.a Sham didnat have to look at him to know that he was smiling. aI hope youall remember how much you like it when you get the dressmakeras bill.a He laughed. aUsually thereas some form of entertainment at the courta"music for dancing, a minstrel, or something.a He paused, and his chair slowed briefly as he cast her a wicked glance. aI was told there was a magic act this afternoon.a aIall look forward to it,a replied Sham dryly, and Kerim laughed again.

As they neared the public area, the halls widened and became more expensively furbished. Kerim nodded at the footmen who opened a set of wide doors. When Sham and Kerim entered the room, people began to converge on him. Keeping a steady forward progress, he acknowledged each person who approached, introducing them to Sham. She nodded and smiled blindingly as her eye found the place where shead found her motheras dead body.

Shamera placed her hand on the Reeveas strong shoulder and gripped it tightly against the tide of memories, hoping he would ascribe it to stage fright. After a moment, the immediacy of her memories faded and the hall became merely a highly polished room full of brightly clad people.

As the Reeveas mistress, she represented an unknown force in politics of the court, one that threatened to upset the established influences. She was careful to act stupid, and concentrate on Kerima"which did much to add to the amusement that lingered in his eyes.

aKerim,a announced Lady Tirra, coming upon them from behind. aYou told me that you would see to it that the Lady Skyas lands and property would be released to her. She tells me that her husbandas brother still refuses her the right to the manor house at Fahill.a Kerim nodded. Much of the enjoyment left his face as he turned to look at his mother, though his expression was carefully pleasant. aI have been negotiating with him. It would have helped matters greatly if you hadnat sent a message to Johar yourself. He is so irate now it may take a full-scale siege to get him to relinquish the estate. Heas even trumped up a charge that Lady Sky murdered Fahill.a aRidiculous,a Lady Tirra responded immediately. aHe is merely being greedy, and you are too worried about upsetting his cronies to curtail him properly.a The Reeve leaned back against his chair. aI agree that Lady Sky had nothing to do with Fahillas death, Mothera"itas an obvious attempt to hold the lands. We are not going to get her all the land, but if you quit ahelpinga me I can come up with a reasonable compromise.a aWith her estates and yours joined, you would have the wealth to make your position unassailable,a suggested Lady Tirra aggressively, leading Sham to the conclusion that this was something shead proposed before.

The Reeve bridled visibly. aThe only one who can relieve me of my duties is the Prophet of Altis, Mother. He is not affected by the wealth and power of those who object to my rule. Moreover, I am not marrying Lady Sky. She was the wife of my dearest frienda"a aWho has been dead these eight months,a she pointed out briskly. aIt is time that I have grandchildren. I would not mind accepting Lady Skyas child as my first.a aThen marry her to my brother,a he snapped impatiently. aShe and he have been lovers for some time. If head offered for her, shead have married him three months ago.a Taking a deep breath, he dropped his voice so he wouldnat be overheard by anyone not concerned. aYou know Ven and Johar have always gotten on well. Ven asked me to seek a settlement based on his marriage to Sky.a The level of noise in the room had dropped as the conversation progressed. Sham had the impression that everyone in the room was intent on overhearing the exchange between the Reeve and his mothera"an impression that was confirmed as silence abruptly descended in the room when a young woman entered through a nearby door. From the reactions of the courtiers, she could only be the Lady Sky that the Reeve had been discussing with his mother.

Like Sham, the woman had typical Southwoodsman coloration, but where Shamera owed her attractiveness to dress and cosmetics, this woman was beautiful. She was tiny, fragile, and very pregnant.

Ah, thought Sham, that explained the afirst grandchilda remark. Ven hadnat struck her as the type of man who would find a pregnant woman attractive; his involvement with her hinted at depths she had not expected from her first meeting. Or, more probably, he was a fortune hunter after her estates.

Lady Sky kept a pleasant smile on her face as she made her way to where the Reeve sat. Ignoring Sham, the Lady kissed the Reeveas cheek and said, in unaccented Cybellian, aGood morning, Kerim. I take it you and Tirra were discussing Fahill again?a The Reeve smiled, but there was a subtle reserve in his expression. It was odd considering that Lady Sky was the only one beside Lady Tirra who shead heard address the Reeve by his first name. She wondered if there had been something between Kerim and his friendas widow.

aWe were discussing Fahill,a he replied, not untruthfully. aMy mother has taken it upon herself to berate your brother-by-marriage for his unnatural hatred of womankind.a Lady Tirraas lips tightened with anger. aI merely implied that if he had any respect for the woman who bore him, he would not turn an expectant mother out of her own house.a Lady Sky laughed and shook her head. aThank you for that, Lady, but my brother-in-law knows I can always depend upon your generosity for a place to stay. He is only claiming property, not harming me.a She turned back to the Reeve and said in a gently chiding voice, aBut, we are being impolite. Would you introduce me to your companion, Lord Kerim?a Kerim had enjoyed shocking the court and his mother, but Sham could hear the reluctance in his voice when he introduced her to Lady Sky. Sham nodded at the other woman and began toying with a seam in the tunic that Kerim wore.

aI heard of Lord Ervanas death, several years ago,a said Lady Sky, obviously trying to make Sham feel welcome. aI knew him only by name, but he was reputed to be a kind man. I had not heard that he was married.a Sham lowered her gaze modestly, but spoiled it by moving her hand off the material of Kerimas velvet tunic and onto the skin over his collarbone. She could almost hear Kerimas mother, who had been steadfastly ignoring her, tremble in outrage. Kerim took her hand firmly in his, bringing it to his lips before he set it safely on the back of his chair.

aIndeed, we married shortly before his death,a allowed Sham, absently. Then in a much more animated voice she continued, aKerim, this tunic doesnat hang right in the shoulders. Leave it with me tonight and Iall fit it for you.a He reached up and patted her hand, aAs you wish, my dear.a aYou are looking tired, Kerim.a Lady Skyas concern was obvious, and Sham felt herself warming to her. aIf you would like, I can introduce Lady Shamera to the members of your court and you can rest.a Kerim shook his head. aActually, I find that I feel better today than I have for some time. Otherwise, I would have waited to bring Shamera into this viper pita"she doesnat have the experience to protect herself. Ervan was a hermit, even he admitted it, and he kept her secluded with him.a Kerim turned to Lady Tirra, and changed the subject to less personal matters. aDickon informs me you have quite a spectacle planned for today.a aWould you stop repeating servantas gossip? It is unfitting.a Lady Tirraas rebuke was absent; obviously this was an old battle she had long since lost. aHowever, in this case it is correct. He comes with the strongest recommendations from no less than three of my ladies.a aI look forward to it. You will have to excuse us, ladies, while Lady Shamera and I continue through this mob.a Kerim set his chair in motion.

As they proceeded from one small group of people to another, Sham felt the eyes follow her: outraged female and intrigued male glances took in her dress, her company, and her probable position, before turning to the Reeve.

She noticed that Kerim was not beloved by most of the Eastern members of the court. Their manners hid their feelings, almost as well as Shamas bare-midriff dress hid her lack of beautya"but, there was little warmth in the voices that spewed forth the flowery phrases of welcome. Kerim, she thought, was paying for his attempts at uniting the country.

If the Easterners were unsupportive, the few Southwood nobles in the room made up for it. They stood together in a loose-knit cluster on one end of the hall. At Kerimas approach, they broke off talking, and one noble stepped forward with a low bow.

There was a slight wariness in his manner that did not detract from the warmth of his greeting. aMy Lord, we were discussing the merits of burning the fields in the spring versus burning them in the autumn. As it has turned into mere speech-making without meritorious debate, we welcome the distraction.a Kerim smiled, and Sham saw an answering affection in his face. aIt sounds as if you were losing the debate, Halvok.a Several of the Southwoodsmen had drifted away, but at Kerimas remark the others relaxed and exchanged lazy insults with the man Kerim had addressed as Halvok.

aAllow me to introduce my companion, Lady Shamera, widow of Lord Ervan,a said Kerim. aLady Shamera, these are the Lords Halvok, Levrin, Shanlinger, and Chanford.a Sham smiled vaguely at them all. All of the names sounded familiar, and Chanford she recognized, though he was much older now. He had been with the defenders of the Castle in the final days of the invasiona"she doubted that he would remember the Captain of the Guardas sorcerous daughter, or associate Lady Shamera with her if he did.

Lord Halvok was the obvious leader, from his placement in Kerimas introduction as well as the deference the other lords gave him. He was younger than Chanford, but a good decade older than Kerim. Being short for a Southwoodsman, he was about the same height as most of the Cybellians. His fair hair was more silver than gold, and the clipped beard he wore was completely white. As he took her hand and bowed over it, she caught a speculative look in his eye, as if he were assessing a new hunting hound.

Kerim spoke with them on several small concerns before moving on with Sham drifting beside him. They hadnat gone far when someone began ringing chimes, drawing the crowdas attention to a portion of the hall where a platform had been built. On top of the platform, where he was easily viewed from the floor, stood a man clad in a black robe and hood, his face veiled.

He raised both hands in a dramatic gesture, and from either end of the stage, blue smoke began to emerge from silver urns on the floor. A second gesture, and flames shot forth accompanied by an approving murmur from the crowd. His bid for attention done, the magician waited patiently for the audience to assemble. Kerim found a place near the front, giving Sham a clear view of the proceedings.

aAh, bold lords and gentle ladies, welcome.a The magicianas voice was dark and mysterious; Sham saw several ladies shudder eagerly. aI thank you for the opportunity toa"a aTabby? Tab-by!a interrupted a womanas shrill voice from the nearest doorway.

Sham, like most of the audience looked over to see one of the serving women staring incredulously at the magician, who stared back with equal astonishment. The flaming urns began to sputter and die down.

aTabby, what are you doing? Does Master Royce know what you are up to?a The woman put her hands on her hips and shook her head at him as he jumped off the stage and scurried toward her making frantic shushing gestures. As he ran, his hood fell back to reveal the round and freckled face of a young man.

aHush, Bess,a he said in a stage whisper, darting a nervous glance at the crowd. aMaster Royce is . . .a He looked again at the rapt audience and leaned closer to the woman and whispered something.

aWhat did you say?a The magician cleared his throat and whispered again.

She laughed, and turned to the crowd. aHe says Master Royce had a few too many last night. Youall have to make do with his apprentice.a The audience roared with appreciation, as they realized this had been part of the act. The magician shuffled back to the stage, looking embarrassed, and frowned at the silver urn. The one nearest him gave an apologetic burp of flame.

aIam really not as bad as all that,a explained the apprentice earnestly. aI even brought Master Royceas familiar along to help me if I forget the spells.a He motioned to a table set discreetly behind him, covered by a black cloth. One of the various bumps under the cloth seemed to move toward the front of the table, rising briefly to a greater height before settling down again.

The crowd laughed, which seemed to cheer the magician. Sham watched in appreciative silence as the sleight-of-hand master used a faade of incompetence to distract his audience.

He pulled a small rabbit from underneath a noblemanas tunic and examined it sorrowfully. aThis was supposed to be a gold coin. Let me try one more time.a He put the rabbit back under the clothing of the discomfited noble, whose comrades were beginning to tease him, but it wasnat a gold coin this time either. The crowd roared, and the Cybellian nobleman flushed, though he was laughing too. The magician mutely held up a wispy bit of muslin, easily recognizable as a ladyas undergarment.

The nobleman snatched it back and bellowed in the tones of a field commander, aNow how did that get there?a He opened his leather purse, stuffed the lacy thing in, and produced a coin saying, aHereas your gold coin, lad.a The magician took it and shook his head, aSo thatas how Master Royce does it.a While the audience cheered, the magician stepped back to the stage and drew away the cloth that covered the table. The audience grew quiet as he began to work wonders with the props head brought with him. Without using a spark of genuine magic, he had his jaded crowd gasping in awe and wondera"most of them anyway.