aWhen you issue an invitation to your bedroom, itas common practice to make sure the door is unlocked,a he returned without a pause. He looked beyond her and said, aItas also common to wait until your partneras here before you start getting the sheets hot.a She turned and noticed that the smoldering blankets had begun to flame. Fires were the second magic that an apprentice learned, since fire is the easiest element to call into being. The first magic was how to extinguish them. She jerked the covers to the floor beside her. Given Kerimas disbelief in magic, she assumed that he would think that she smothered the fire with the weight of the blankets.

To her continued astonishment, Sham liked the Reeve, Cybellian that he wasa"but she didnat know if she could trust him. Twelve years ago shead learned that fear was a brutal enemy, and she decided not to give him proof of magicas existence for a little while longer.

aSorry,a she quipped lightly, aIam not familiar with the etiquette required of a mistress. Next time Iall make sure that youare in the bed before I throw hot coals at it.a Kerim grunted in approval and swung the axe in a short arc that connected with the remaining hinge. The second half of the door dropped to the ground. By the simple expedient of grabbing both sides of the doorway and heaving, he pushed the awkward chair through the cleared opening and into her room.

aWhat happened?a he asked.

aYou remember the demon that Talbot and I keep talking about?a aThe hypothetical one thatas the reason youare here?a he said, rolling his chair slowly up to her.

She nodded. aThatas the one. It decided to check me out. It didnat seem to care for more company, and so it left as soon as it became obvious that you were coming in.a When he was close enough to see the blood in the shadows of the room, he said, aHow badly are you hurt?a aNot much, unless the cut on my shoulder is worse than it looks.a He reached up and pulled her hair aside so that he could get a good look at her shoulder. aIave seen worse, but itas deep enough to warrant stitching. Dickonas pretty good at it.a aDickon?a He laughed at the disbelief in her tone. aHe was a soldier before he was a valet, and he sews torn skin better than most of the healers.a He looked again at her shoulder and his brows lowered in thought. aIt looks like a knife wound.a Sham nodded her head. aA plaguing sharp knife at that.a Kerim laughed. aFrom your disgruntlement I assume that you were hoping for claws and fangs?a She smiled, closing her eyes to relieve the dizziness brought on by loss of blood. aGuess I was at that.a aCome with me and tell me what happened.a He wheeled back to the doorway and pulled his chair back over the door sill.

aHave you talked to your stablemaster about modifying that thing yet?a asked Shamera, following him into his room.

aHe and one of the carpenters are working on a new chair,a answered the Reeve. He gestured toward a seat. aSit before you fall down. Iall go get Dickon and you can tell me what happened after he has taken care of you.a She complied gratefully and lowered her head to her knees. Dickon must have been sleeping nearby, because the Reeve returned with him shortly. She didnat know how Kerim had explained the wounds, but Dickon was as contained as ever as he cleaned and mended the cut on her shoulder with small, even stitches. Determining the slice on her thigh was superficial, the servant bent down to get a closer look at the gash on her calf.

aMy Lord says the magician last night was skilled in alchemy,a said Dickon as he pulled the skin of her calf closed.

aThereas a white rock, mined north of the glass desert. If it is mixed with water, an open flame held near it will ignite the surface of the water,a said Sham, trying to ignore the tug of the needle. aI didnat get a clear view of the urns, but it seemed to be the kind of fire the white rock produces. I donat know what the purple smoke was.a Dickon paused briefly in his sewing to look at her in surprise, then a slight smile crossed his lips at her peace offering. aIave heard of the pigeons in the pot, but Iave never seen one large enough to house an osprey.a aThere must have been some magic at work,a offered Sham, tongue in cheek.

Dickon snorted in disbelief, tying off the thread tidily. He produced bandages from the kit head brought in and began wrapping her calf.

aIave yet to see any magic that cannot be duplicated with a little work,a said the valet as he wiped his hands fastidiously clean.

Sham nodded congenially. aIam sure thatas true.a Dickon shot her a suspicious look, and she smiled.

aWill that be all, my lord?a he asked Kerim.

aPlease see that the covering for Lady Shameraas bed is discreetly replaced and the burned covering destroyed.a aVery good, sir.a aDickon?a said Shamera. aThank you.a aVery good, my lady.a Dickon bowed himself out of the room and shut the door.

aHow did you explain the fact that your mistress needed stitches in the middle of the night?a asked Shamera, pushing her hair out of her eyes with a hand that shook slightly.

aI didnat. Are you steady enough to tell me what happened?a She shrugged and immediately regretted it as the stitches in her shoulder pulled. aItas more painful than damaging, Iam fine. I was snuffing the candles when something attacked me from behind.a aYouare still sure that it was a demon? One that used a knife?a He sounded as if he were willing her to answer rationally.

Shamera sighed with more exasperation than she really felt. It would have been unfair to expect him to accept her view without allowing him evidence that true magic existed.

aI told you,a she said, aI donat know enough. It looked like a man, but I didnat get a glimpse of his face.a aWhy are you discounting the possibility that the killer is human?a He sounded honestly curious.

She felt guilty for deliberately misleading him with the truth, but she had never let a little guilt alter her course. aBecause it picked me up and threw me across the room. Iave been in a lot of fights, some of them with men bigger than you are. This thing was much stronger, and faster. I couldnat see it.a aIt was dark,a he said patiently.

aSo it was,a she agreed with equal patience.

aYou said that it looked like a mana"a he paused significantly, aa"in the dark.a aIt did.a aBut it was a demon.a aYes.a Sham closed her eyes and yawned.

She could hear the squeak of the chairas wheels as the Reeve moved around, but she was suddenly too weary to see what he was doing. He had a substantial presence that relegated demons to the realm of stories, despite the throbbing in her shoulder. She smiled to herself and started to drift off to sleep when a flash of memory caused her to sit up and open her eyes.

aThe knife was in the room when I entered this evening.a Kerim had been balancing the broken pieces of door against the wall. At her speech, he paused and looked up. aWhat knife?a aThe one the demon used. It was lying on the mantel next to the silver and porcelain dog. I noticed the ornaments on the mantel were altered from this morning, but I didnat realize the dagger was new.a Kerim pushed his way back into her room. He came back shaking his head. aThereas no knife there now. What did it look like?a Shamera closed her eyes, trying to visualize it clearly. aIt was ornate, like the swords on display in the halla"not inconsistent with its use as an ornament. The hilt was wooden. There was a dark stone set in one end. Ruby . . . no, sapphire. A dark blue sapphire as big around as my thumb.a aWith etching on the blade?a aYou know the knife?a she asked, startled. aWho does it belong to?a aMy half-brother,a he answered with a tired sigh. aI donat think that your attacker was a demon.a Sham felt her eyebrow rise at his acceptance of his brotheras guilt. aIt wasnat Lord Ven,a she snapped before she thought.

Kerim turned to her. aOh?a aLooka"a she said finally, rubbing her hands briskly on her cheeks in an effort to wake up, aa"whatever it was that came into my room did it without opening the door. The hinges on the door creak and I would have heard it if someone opened them.a aThere is a asecreta passage into that room, similar to the passage in this one.a Sham shook her head, aI was next to the fireplace when it came in. All of the doors were closed.a aYou think that something used magic to enter your room.a She hadnat realized just how easy it was to make such a small word sound like something obscene. aYes, I do. There is no way that the thing that attacked me was your brother.a The Reeve closed his eyes briefly. aItas too late at night for this.a Shamera yawned and started to stretch before she remembered the skimpy silk shift that she was wearing and cursed her pale skin as it heated, though she hadnat seen any sign that Kerim had noticed her state of undress. aIam going to sleep. Do you need any help getting back to bed?a aI can manage,a he replied. aI think that we ought to keep tonightas attack quiet. I donat want to spread panic any faster than it is already propagating.a Shamera nodded and started back to her room, giving the disabled door a wry glance as she passed it. As much as she hated to admit it, she was glad to give up her privacy in return for the security of Kerimas presence. Crippled or not, the man was a warrior.

aGood night, Shamera,a said the Reeve behind her.

aWhatas left of it,a she replied, trudging on to her bed.

SHAMERA WOKE THE next morning to the sound of A gentle tapping on the door.

aA moment,a she called as she threw the covers back and sat up.

If shead been in any doubt of the events of the night, the soreness of her various wounds would have eliminated it. A moment of thought had her cloaking her wounds with illusion. Dickonas niece might very well be trustworthy, but if Kerim wanted to keep the attack quiet, the fewer people who knew about her bruises the better. She glanced in the little mirror to make certain that shead gotten all of the blood washed off last night. Only when she was satisfied that she looked no worse than usual did she bid the maid to enter.

When Jenli came in, she was not alone. Three husky footmen carried a trunk and two baskets into the room, keeping their eyes carefully averted as they set their burdens near the door and left. The last one was blushing furiously.

It wasnat her state of undress that had done that, for the boys had not so much as glanced at the bed. Sham frowned thoughtfully and glanced at the fireplace implements scattered around the rugs that, like the floor, were covered with bits of porcelain and splinters of wood. A tapestry had been rehung over the opening to the Reeveas chambers. While it provided privacy, it didnat hide the fact that there was no door there anymore.

This little investigation was really going to have an interesting effect on the Reeveas reputation, thought Sham with amusement.

aDelivery from your dressmaker, lady,a said Jenli, indicating the luggage. A smile fought to make itself seen, as the maid took in the damage done to the room with wide eyes.

aGood,a said Sham assessing the new arrivals thoughtfully. aI told Kerim I didnat have a wardrobe suitable for court and he generously provided the means to acquire one.a She didnat want Jenli questioning why her wardrobe consisted only of new items.

She chose a dark green velvet dress heavily encrusted with glass gems and pearls. It was an old dress from several decades past that she had glimpsed hanging in the dressmakeras storage area waiting to be stripped of the reusable finery.

The velvet had been worn threadbare where the sleeves and side of the dress had rubbed together; shead directed the fabric removed and the edges finished in gold braid. The dress left her sides bare from underarm to halfway down her hip, relying only on the weight of the fabric to keep from revealing more than was acceptable. The skirt was artfully sliced in a similar manner.

She ducked cautiously under the tapestry and into Kerimas chamber, more worried about how much the dress revealed as she bent down than she was about who would be there. She made it through without displaying anything untoward and smiled at Dickon who waited alone in the room with a covered warming plate containing her breakfast.

aGood morning, Lady Shamera,a said the servant, with no sign that he had sewn her shoulder for her the night before. aThe Reeve instructed me to tell you he will be meeting with various claimants on his time today, and regrets he will be unable to entertain you. He thought you might be interested in visiting with the courtiers, and he will join you for your evening meal.a aGood morning, Dickon. Thank you.a After Dickon left, Sham ate then ventured into the wandering halls alone. Her sense of direction served her in good stead, and she had no difficulty finding the public room on her own. These Eastern nobles were an idle lot if all they did from dawn to dusk was practice at court intrigue. With a mental shrug, Sham fixed a bright smile on her face and ventured into the room.

Lord Ven, Kerimas brother was the first to approach her, bowing low and kissing her fingers. aAh Lady, you put the stars to shame.a Shamera fixed a puzzled expression on her face and shook her head. aI didnat mean to. I like stars.a He paused briefly before straightening. aI meant only than your beauty is brighter than the stars.a aOh,a she said, then smiled in comprehension. aYou like my dress. Isnat it beautiful? And it only cost ten gold pieces. Kerim didnat mind. He likes my dresses.a Lord Ven was looking slightly distressed. Sham supposed it was the public mention of the cost of her dress.

aDid you eat something that disagrees with you?a asked Sham, thoroughly enjoying herself. aI find that wintergreen oil makes me feel better if I eat something that makes me sick.a Lord Ven was saved from further babble by the advent of a young man whose blond coloring proclaimed him a Southwood native. He was, Sham estimated, a good decade younger than she.

aAh, fair lady, do me the honor of walking with me. My Lord Halvok asked me to entertain you, since he has been forced to rob you of the Reeveas company this day.a Sham treated him to a bright smile. aOf course. Did I meet you yesterday?a The young man shook his head. aNo. I am Siven, Lord Halvokas fosterling, Lord Chanfordas youngest son.a Sham let the boy led her away, noticing that Lord Ven left the room unobtrusively behind her. She set her arm through Sivenas, chatting with him about inconsequential things.

He left her speaking with Lady Sky on the nature of fashion, but when the pregnant lady excused herself to retire to her rooms, a second fosterling attached himself to Sham. Lord Halvok and his cronies had apparently decided to keep her out of trouble when she wasnat under the eye of the Reeve. Only good could come of having a Southwood lady as the Reeveas mistress.

THERE WAS A note waiting for Sham in her rooms when she returned to them before supper. It was sealed with wax to prevent any of the servants who happened to be able to read from peeking. She smiled with satisfaction as she read the information the Whisper gave her on the nobles of the Court. Tonight she would visit three or four dwellings and see what she could discover.

SEVEN.

Sham smothered a yawn, and glanced around at the group of men who surrounded her. Severalof Lord Halvokas fledglings mingled with the older crowd. Kerim was righta"the evening gatherings were more crowded than the daily press.

He had intended to come with her to her first night event, but had felt too ill. Without his formidable presence the men gathered around her like locusts on a wheat field, which she found both annoying and amusing. True to the character she portrayed, Sham flirted with them gently, but made it clear she was faithful to the Reeve.

She was beginning to think that attending court was less than useless. The Whisper had more detailed knowledge of the less public lives of the courtiers than the court gossip did. So far though, she had found out nothing about the demon.

This night the entertainment was a minstrel of indifferent skilla"at music. From the heated glances he exchanged with several of the ladies of the court, Sham assumed that his skills in other areas were more than adequate.

She yawned again and scratched her thigh discreetly. The wounds the demon had given her were at that stage in healing where they itched like wet wool. She gave serious consideration to retiring to her rooms early.

She opened her mouth to make her excuses to her current escort, when she saw Lady Sky sitting alone, with a pair of Eastern women tittering nearby. One of the things that Sham had discovered during her tours of court was that although the Southwood lords were tolerated by the Eastern lords, the Eastern women had no such tolerance for the Southwood ladiesa"who numbered two: Shamera and Sky.

They stayed away from Shamera, who was protected by Kerimas presence or Halvokas fledglings, but Sky was fair game as long as Lady Tirra wasnat in the room. That the Eastern men didnat share their ladiesa abhorrence for Lady Sky made things worse.

Shaking her head silently at herself, Sham began making her way through the throng to Lady Sky. The Shark swore her weakness for defenseless waifs was going to be the death of her.

Sky looked up, startled, as Shamera sat next to hera"or perhaps it was her purple and yellow dress; it was certainly startling enough. Halvokas appointed guardian took one of Skyas hands and kissed it lightly before moving smoothly into the background, ensuring that the pair of Eastern ladies would have to find other prey.

aSo tell me,a Shamera said, settling her skirts around her, ahow a Southwoods lady managed to snare an Eastern warrior.a Sky looked at her cautiously, but she must have taken heart from Shamas artless stare. aI met him at Fahillas pilgrimage gate.a Sham widened her eyes, aHow romantic! Ervan bought me from my father. I assure you it wasnat romantic at all. I made him work hard to make it up to mea"thatas how he died.a Ervan, an elderly, bitter man had died in his bed by all reports. Kerim had assured her that he was the only one at court whoad ever met him.

Sky couldnat help a sputter of laughter. aIam not certain my situation was any more romantic.a She rested her hands gently on her swollen belly. When she looked back at Sham her eyes were haunted. aMy father had held onto our manor by swearing fealty to an Easterner, but when the plague claimed him our overlord claimed the manor for his second son. My brother gathered us together and left for the court here at Landsend, where head heard the Reeve was receiving homeless nobles. Bandits overtook us just outside of Fahill. I was washing in the stream when I heard them. I was not armed, so I had to wait until they left before leaving my hiding place. The raiders killed everyone but me.a Shamera leaned forward and took Skyas hand. aI am sorry.a Sky shook her head, forcing the old pain away. aNo. It was a long time ago, and some good came of it. I continued toward Landsend, for lack of any better choice and came upon Fahill close to nightfall. Fahill himself answered my knock.a She smiled then, lost in the moment. aFahill was bigger than life. He was as red-headed as any trader child and larger than Kerim. When I had him, it seemed that nothing could go wrong.a Sham remembered the security the Reeve had given her the night shead been attacked by the demon and nodded. aAt least you have his child.a Encouraged by Shamas sympathy, Sky continued. aI lost our first child two months before Fahill died. This one is an unexpected miracle.a She looked up and quit talking as Lady Tirra came upon them.

aLady Sky,a exclaimed Tirra, ignoring Shamera. aIave been looking for you; stand up, child.a Kerimas mother pulled Sky to her feet and into an open space on the floor. Clapping her hands loudly she caught the attention of the minstrel who stopped playing. She raised a graceful hand and gradually the attention of everyone present was drawn to her small figure.

aLords and Ladies, I beg your indulgence for a moment.a Her voice, low and rich as it was, carried clearly to the farthest corners of the room. At her side, Sky looked like a rabbit caught in a hunteras snare. aYou have all been aware of the problems weave had settling Fahillas estate. The dilemma has been a conflict between Southwood law and Cybellian custom. By Southwood law the lands should go to Lady Sky; by custom they should go to Lord Johar of Fahill. Most of his objection was that the lands, which were in Eastern hands, would be given to a Southwoodas lady. We responded by proposing a marriage between my son, Lord Ven, and Lady Sky. He has most graciously accepted.a Sham wondered if Lady Tirra was deliberately antagonizing the Southwood lords or if she was blind to the damage she was doing to the Reeveas attempts to bind Easterner and Southwoodsmen together.

aThe estates of Lord Fahill,a continued Lady Tirra triumphantly, aa"long held in contention, have been settled. The estates of Fahill, Oran, and Tiber will be given into the hands of the late Lord Fahillas brother and convey such title to hima"from this day forth Lord Johar will be Lord Fahill. The estates of Kerhill and Tourn, as well as the title of Lord Kerhill will be settled on my son, Lord Ven, upon his marriage to Lady Sky. I ask you all for your congratulations.a Lady Sky was frozen where she stood; all trace of color had left her face. She obviously had been told none of this. To have such an announcement made in front of the courta"for the first time Sham was thankful for her life in Purgatory. At least there were some choices she could make for herself.

Lady Tirra continued as the room quieted. aI am sorry that Lord Ven was not here to help receive the well-wishes of the Court. He had urgent business and left early this morning: I shall inform him of the good news as soon as he returns.a Sky stayed for a few minutes before leaving the room, leaning tiredly on Lady Tirra. As soon as the pair of them left, the court exploded into wild speculation and venomous whispers. Shamera drifted from group to group with her escort trailing politely behind.

aLady Shamera, a word with you,a said Lord Venas smooth tones from behind her.

Sham glanced around. The room was still quite full, and she was able to catch the eyes of several men with whom shead become sociable. Only after they began to approach her did she turn to Lord Ven. Head tried to corner her several times, mostly, she thought, to see if he could find a way to spoil Kerimas enjoyment of her. Poor Lady Sky. Sham wondered if head been told of his betrothala"surely there was some fun to be had here.

She looked back at the handsome noble and frowned, tapping her chin in a puzzled fashion before she exclaimed, aKerimas brother!a She paused again, before saying, aLord . . . Van? I thought you were gone.a There were a few smothered laughs from the group forming around them. Kerimas brother was not well liked among any but the most radical groups of the court. It was not lost on these men that the pushier Lord Ven became, the less impression he seemed to make on her.

His handsome face reddened slightly, but he said easily enough, aLord Ven, Kerimas legitimate half-brother. I just returned.a Shamera nodded wisely; his sly reminder of Kerimas bastard origins had removed her few remaining scruples about humiliating the Reeveas brother. aNow, I remember. What can I do for you? Does Kerim want me? He said he was going to rest this evening and I should amuse myself, but if he wants me now Iall be happy to leave.a There was another round of smothered amusement.

aNo, Lady,a answered Lord Ven, managing, with an effort, to keep his voice soft. aI havenat spoken with Kerim since I left this morning. I just wanted to speak with you in private.a aOh,a Sham said, in obvious disappointment. aI suppose that as long as you are certain that Kerim doesnat need me, I can talk to you. What did you want?a Before he got a chance to speak again there was a tentative touch on her shoulder. Sham turned to see Kerimas valet standing behind her.

aDickon!a she exclaimed, then she said to the gathering in general, aDickon is Kerimas servant.a Dickon cleared his throat, but otherwise maintained his usual equanimity as he nodded to the cheerful greetings.

Sham regained his attention by tapping Dickonas arm. aIs Kerim awake yet?a Dickon, looking uncomfortable with all the attention, said, aYes, Lady. Lady Tirraa"a aHis mother,a interrupted Sham, as if she were announcing a new discovery to a group of the uninitiated.

aYes, Lady,a said Dickon patiently. aHis mother has discovered a new healer who has a reputation of working miracles. He is with him now.a Sham considered that briefly. It was obvious that Dickon had come to her to save the Reeve from a charlatan. Naturally the servant thought she would carea"she was, after all, his mistress. Although shead dropped her false mannerisms in front of Dickon since the night of the demon attack, he didnat know everythinga"or perhaps he did. The strength of the anger she felt frightened her.

When Sham spoke, she carefully displayed nothing more than the possessiveness of a mistress whose position was threatened. aHis motheras healer? How long has this man been with Kerim?a Dickon shuffled his feet and said, aSince dinner.a Sham smiled blindingly. aGentlemen, I pray that you will excuse me. Lord Van . . . er, Ven, we shall have to have our talk at another time. Dickona"a aa"Lord Kerimas servant,a supplied Halvokas fosterling, Siven, with amusement.

Shamera nodded and continued with dramatic flare, aa"has come to get me. Lord Kerim has need of me, and I must go.a With a quick curtsey, she followed Dickon out the door. As soon as they were alone in the maze of hallways, she dropped her facade and broke into a less than decorous trot.

aHow bad is he?a she asked grimly.

aBad enough. I didnat know what was happening until I brought in some of his lordshipas clothing from the mending rooms. It seems that one of her ladyshipas cronies discovered this miracle worker who has the reputation of making the lame walk. Lady Tirra has found several such; most of them are harmless, but this one . . .a aIam a miracle worker too,a said Sham direly. aWatch me make the healer disappear. Is her Ladyship there?a aKerimas mother?a asked Dickon in an innocent tone.

Sham snickered, despite the urgency that kept her pace only nominally under an outright sprint. aLiked that one did you? Yes, the Reeveas mother.a He shook his head. aAnd be in the same room with a partially clad man? Never.a aHow did someone like Lady Tirra conceive an illegitimate son?a questioned Shamera with a touch of wonder.

Dickon shook his head. aThings happen in life that are so strange not even the most daring bard would relate them for fear of being ridiculed.a Sham glanced at the servantas face.

aDickon!a she exclaimed in surprise, ayou can smile!a IN TRUE LADY Shamera fashion, she threw Kerimas door open so hard it almost hit the wall. She rushed to the wooden table where Kerim lay face down. He was oblivious to her entrance, as his face was buried in his armsa"but the dirty little man standing beside him certainly was not.

His mouth dropped open unattractively, revealing several blackened teeth. He began a protest of her entrance, but he widened it into a smile as he took in the sensual being that was the Reeveas mistress.

aKerim!a she exclaimed, touching of the Reeveas bare shoulders gently. aDickon said that you couldnat be bothered, but I knew that you wouldnat mind if I told you that Lady Sky had the most interesting little hat. . .a Kerim turned his face toward her and Sham was enraged at his stoic expression, though she was careful not to show it.

She looked at the ahealera and frowned. aYou need to leave now. I have to talk to Kerim, and I donat like strangers listening to my private conversations.a The man drew himself up in outrage that outweighed his lust. aDo you know who you are talking to?a aNo,a she replied, putting her hands on her hips. aI donat care, just as long as you leave now.a aHer Ladyship . . .a began the man.

aDickon,a called Sham, knowing that he was waiting anxiously in the hall to assess the damage done.

The door opened and the bland-faced servant entered, showing no sign of his recent dash through the Castle.

aTake him away,a Sham ordered airily. aYou may come back and dispose of his belongings later.a aYes, Lady,a agreed the servant with remarkable composure as he seized the protesting man in a grip that spoke of the soldier he had been. aI shall return directly.a When he left, Sham hurried over to shut the door behind him.

aDirty, filthy, little leper,a she muttered in an evil voice, though she was intimidated enough by her surroundings not to use stronger language.

Turning back to the hard wooden table where the Reeve was still lying, she saw that he had turned his face into his arms. Careful not to touch him, she inspected his back carefully for damage. aWhy did you let him do this?a Kerim started to shrug then grunted. aIt canat do any harm, and it makes Mother happy.a Sham muttered something suitable about the stupidity of males, Cybellian males in particular, under her breath. Beneath the beautiful brown skin, his muscles, heavy from years of battle, were twitching and knotted. Dark mottled bruises told her that Tirraas healer had used the small wooden clubs that were set carefully on a nearby table, but there were no blisters from the iron rod that was being heated over a large candle.

Taking one of the set of clubs in her hands, she traced the misfortune rune shead used to avenge Maur. She wished she were powerful enough to add an extra year to her curse, and had to argue with herself before she added the mark that limited the amount of damage that the spell could cause.

aWhat are you doing?a asked the Reeve, his voice only slightly hoarser than normal.

Shamera looked up to see that he had turned his head to watch her. She also noticed he was being very careful not to move anything else. She was tempted to alter the limits of the spell again.

aItas just a little spell,a she said in her best mistress style. aAbout that hata"a He smiled, tiredly, but it was a smile. aAbout that spell.a aI thought that you had your doubts about magic.a aI do, but I have made it a policy never to dismiss any possibility completelya"one of the reasons you are here now. About that spell,a he repeated firmly, his smile becoming a little less strained.

aJust something to occupy that little worm . . .a Sham paused as an intriguing possibility occurred to her. aI wonder if the Shark knows about him. Iall have to ask.a Kerim started to laugh, and then stopped abruptly and gritted his teeth.

Dickon entered the room quietly. Judging by the air of satisfaction that he wore as well as a slight redness on the knuckles of his right hand, Shamera assumed that head gotten a little of his own version of vengeance.

He cleared his throat quietly so that Kerim would know that he was there before he said, aThe healer has chosen to wait in the kitchens until we retrieve his items. If you wish to rest a while on the table before we try to move you, Lord, the man didnat seem to be in a great hurry.a aNo,a Kerim said, levering himself up with his hands until he was sitting.

Dickon brought a light robe. It wasnat warm enough to wear outside, but in a room with a fire burning merrily and tapestries to keep out the draft, it was more than adequate. The Reeveas face appeared more grey than brown against the dark blue satin of his robe and the lines around his mouth were more pronounced than usual.

Shamera worked hard at being solitary; shead learned at an early age that people died, and if you let yourself care for them it only hurt worse. Shead become adept at hiding herself behind the roles that she played, whether she was mistress or streetwise thief. There were only two people Sham considered friends, and one of them had been killed by a demon. In less than a week, the Reeve of Southwood had joined that select group, and Sham was very much afraid he had become something more.

aIf everythingas taken care of here, I think that Iall run around and do a little snooping while people are still gossiping at court,a she said, suddenly anxious to leave the room.

The Reeve settled into his chair and nodded, as if conversation were beyond him. Sham worked the lever that opened the asecreta panel and stepped through. She started to close the aperture behind her when she noticed Dickon packing the healeras belongings.

aDickon,a she said. aBe careful how long you hold those wooden clubsa"and make doubly sure that the healer gets them back.a Dickon eyed the clubs, flexing his right hand slightly, as if he were envisioning returning the clubs in a less than gentle fashion. aYou may be certain I will.a THOUGH THE PASSAGE was kept dimly lit by candles during the day, most of them had burned out. Sham called a magelight to follow her as she was highly unlikely to meet anyone here. The steady blue-white light glistened cheerfully off the polished floor as she walked. There was a brief passage that ran back along the Reeveas room and ended in a stone wall. She didnat bother to travel that way but took a step to where the main passage branched to the right. Straight ahead was a narrow tunnel that ran the length of her rooms; she decided to go there first.

Since the only people living in this area were she, Dickon, and the Reeve, shead only been this way once, though shead learned the passages elsewhere in the Castle thoroughly.

Next to the hinged panel that opened into her bedroom was a set of brackets that held a board against the wall. In all the passages Sham had found such brackets marking spy holes into most of the rooms of the Castle. The boards were originally placed in front of the hole so light from the tunnel wouldnat alert the person being spied upon. As the passageways were no longer secret, most of the peep holes in personal rooms had been permanently sealed.

Experimentally, Sham shifted the board, and it slid easily into her hand. Frowning, because she should have thought of it before, she set the wood back into the brackets and used a fastening rune to hold the board against the hole. If she stayed longer than a few weeks she would have to remember to renew the spell. Satisfied, she returned to the wider passage and continued her explorations.