"Farmer."

She nodded. "And an Outsider." Another wise nod.

"I see."

"But Madam Tirise, my em-ploy-ei, she says all that talk is stupid. That mostly it's the Councillors who want something out of Mikhyel and he won't give it to them.

Then they blame Deymorin, don't you see? And Madame Tirise, she'd know. She's known Deymorin Rhomandi forever."

Yet a third nonstartling revelation.

"I don't think Deymorin is at all the way they say either.

Not from what Nikki said about him."

"And you believe Nikki."

"Absolutely."

"Well, Vina, you're right to believe Nikki about Deymorin."

Her eyes narrowed. "How would you know?"

"Because I know Deymorin, too."

"Know him?" A pucker appeared between her eyes, then disappeared. "Like * know Nikki?"

"Well..."

"And did he stand on the bed, too?"

"Frequently," Kiyrstin responded with a wink.

"Oh, how wonderful"' Beauvina held her hands to her mouth, and seemed to be thinking. Then she began to bounce excitedly. She waved to Kiyrstin, and patted the cot beside her.

After calming her down, Kiyrstin settled next to her.

Gingerly. At least until the rope suspension and straw mat- tress proved able to support both of them.

Beavina sent a suspicious glance toward the door, then dug carefully into her bodice. She pulled out a crumpled, many-times folded envelope and began resurrecting the contents.

A letter. From Nikki, undoubtedly. Kiyrstin wasn't cer- tain she was up to reading the contents.

Beauvina slid the tightly penned pages out, and smoothed them open on her lap, then paused, biting her lower lip.

"I'm not sure . . ." She flickered a look up at Kiyrstin.

"What if you're not telling me the truth?"

"Are there secrets in that letter, then?"

She pressed her lips together.

"Well, Vina. If I wasn't to be trusted, and I wanted to read it. I'd just take it from you right now, wouldn't I?"

Her eyes widened and she clutched the sheets to her bosom. Kiyrstin swallowed hard, and clenched her teeth on the brewing laughter.

"But I won't, Vina. I'm your friend, whether you believe me or not. I won't try to read that letter, I won't tell anyone about it or about what you've told me, until you want me to. But"

She paused; Beauvina slowly leaned forward, her soft mouth opening ever so slightly. Waiting.

"You see, Vina, I do know Deymorin. And Nikki, and even Mikhyel. And I believe you about your fellas. And as soon as Deymorin gets me out of here, I'll talk to him about your fellas and the bauble, and maybe we can get you out of here. Would you like that?"

Beauvina just looked at her for a moment, then: "You're trying to trick me."

Kiyrstin gave a shout of laughter. "You're absolutely right, child. But I won't try again. I promise. You can keep your letter. Nikki wrote it to you, and he meant all those pretty words for your eyes, not mine. But if I get out before you, I'll still see if I can't get you out as well."

Beavina smoothed the papers. "They're not all pretty words for me."

"No?"

Her eyes flickered up and she held out the letter. "I think, maybe he'd like me to share them with you."

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