"Naturally, my lord."

Could she find some appropriate jewel in the coffers of Triolle bequests? If she did, Litasse suspected Duchess Tadira's keen eyes would immediately recognise it. Perhaps she could find some outdated piece whose stones could be reset? In silver, by way of tacit declaration that the mines were still enriching Triolle.

The groom brought the mare towards them at a smart trot. How long could she escape for? Litasse wondered. She had done her duty planning every detail of the five days of festival. Surely the castellan could cope with whatever minor crises arose among the kitchen and household servants while she rode out for an hour? She would be back before the entertainments planned for the most favoured vassal lords and their ladies, who had been invited to spend this most auspicious day of festival with their duke. When the lords would laugh and applaud with Iruvain as the tumblers and mummers pranced to the minstrels' music. While their whey-faced ladies confided their fears, as if she could avert the warfare that threatened their sons and husbands.

One of them was bound to enquire about news from Sharlac. All she'd had was a brief letter of blessing from her mother. Her father hadn't written a word to her for three full seasons now, but she had thought he'd remember her birth festival. Iruvain hadn't noticed, with his thoughts full of Carluse horses.

"I'm sure Duchess Tadira would welcome a string of Aldabreshin pearls," Iruvain said suddenly.

He proposed giving pearls to the woman who'd helped encompass her brother Jaras's death? Litasse had no doubt that Duchess Tadira had known all about whatever trap Duke Garnot's bastard had sprung on Sharlac's forces at Losand. Pearls, when he'd merely given her topazes that morning.

Litasse looked around. There was no one to overhear them. Valesti stood stony-faced beneath the light pavilion erected fifty paces away. Grooms tended the other horses in the shade of the trees framing the gate at this end of the bridge crossing the rock-cut ditch. The tower-crowned wall of the castle rose up behind them, blocking any sight of Triolle Town.

"My lord, such a gift would be ruinously expensive. According to the Solstice accounts from our reeves, we're owed more in levies than they have managed to collect."

Iruvain looked sharply at her. "All the more reason why we should show Duke Garnot of Carluse and everyone else that we still have all the coin we might wish to spend."

"It will do nothing for Triolle's reputation if some Relshazri merchant presents his bill and we have to ask for time to pay." Litasse shook her head. "The price of pearls has risen beyond all reason with all these improbable tales of dragons and other calamities throwing trade with the Southern Seas into chaos."

"Not pearls, then." Iruvain coloured. "But a handsome gift all the same. See to it." His glare warned Litasse to say no more as the groom approached with the mare.

"Your Grace, I believe you're wanted." The boy was looking over their heads towards the gate.

Litasse turned to see newcomers talking to the grooms.

"It's Hamare." Iruvain smiled unpleasantly. "He can wait while I try her paces. You, boy, down."

The youth slid quickly from the saddle and Iruvain mounted. Swiftly adjusting the stirrups for his longer legs, he rode away before Hamare reached them.

"Your Grace."

As the spymaster bowed to her, Litasse heard the irritation in his voice.

"You." She looked sharply at the groom. "Be off."

Hamare watched the lad go before turning his attention to Iruvain. The duke was urging the mare to a canter across the grass. "This is the third time he's summoned me, only to keep me waiting on his whim like some lackey. Have I done something to offend him?"

Litasse felt suddenly cold despite the midsummer sun. "You don't think he suspects, do you?"

"No," Hamare said shortly.

Litasse searched his face for any hint that he was lying. All she saw was that he was hot and exasperated, in his black breeches and tightly buttoned doublet. "Do you want some wine and water?"

"No." He was still watching Iruvain. "Thank you."

The grooms by the gate whistled and clapped their approval as the duke schooled the horse through the elegant paces for which Carluse saddle horses were famous.

It struck Litasse for the first time that Iruvain hadn't come to her bedchamber even once since his return from his lengthy progress along the dukedom's eastern border. Did he suspect she was dallying with Hamare? He couldn't know, not for certain. Was he about to accuse her regardless?

The duke was riding towards them now, his expression clearly darkening.

Surely Iruvain wouldn't denounce her in the midst of the festival? Litasse felt sick. Could she pretend to faint and blame the heat? Though the fuss would only delay a confrontation. And if she swooned, every vassal lord's lady would spread the rumour that she was pregnant. That wouldn't help matters.

"Duke Garnot of Carluse is most generous to his friends, is he not?" As Iruvain rode up, he ignored her, all his attention on Hamare.

"He made Solstice gifts of saddle horses to every duke." The spymaster had to shade his eyes with his hand as he looked up. The sun was right behind the duke's head.

Iruvain made no move to dismount. "Even Duke Ferdain of Marlier?" He scowled.

"Even Marlier," Hamare confirmed.

"What's to do with Marlier?" Litasse looked from her husband to Hamare. She was used to Iruvain not telling her things, but she'd trusted Hamare to keep her informed.

"You don't think Duke Ferdain would seize Duke Garnot's whore?" Iruvain challenged the spymaster. "Their present truce be cursed, Marlier and Carluse have been at daggers drawn for generations."

"If the doxy fell into his lap, I imagine he'd see what he could shake out of her petticoats," Hamare answered Iruvain with some irritation. "I cannot believe he would send mercenaries to kidnap her." He spared Litasse a quick glance. "This is the latest rumour. I give it little credence."

"I find it wholly believable. Ferdain of Marlier has long been Secaris of Draximal's ally." Iruvain jabbed an emphatic finger at Hamare. "If Draximal is about to march openly into Parnilesse, Duke Secaris will want Duke Garnot of Carluse distracted, not massing his forces on their common border ready to come to his wife's brother's aid. If this whore has told Ferdain of Marlier where he might strike at some Carluse weakness, Duke Orlin will be left whistling for Duke Garnot's aid when Draximal marches south."

"Are Draximal and Parnilesse truly preparing for outright war?" Litasse asked doubtfully.

Hamare shook his head. "There's no indication of anything more serious afoot than For-Summer's customary skirmishing."

"No indication bar the warnings of every vassal lord with lands along the banks of the Anock," Iruvain retorted.

"Those lords must talk long and loud about such dangers if they don't want the militias they have mustered deserting to go back to their hayfields and harvests." Hamare wiped sweat from his forehead.

"I find their foreboding quite credible." Iruvain's lips tightened. "If Marlier attacks Carluse, and Parnilesse attacks Draximal, we will be surrounded by warfare. Before summer's done, we'll see starving wretches overrunning our borders followed by the bandits who prey on them." He shook his head, grim-faced. "We may have no choice but alliance with Carluse and Parnilesse. Our three dukedoms share common borders and that would leave Marlier, Draximal and Sharlac all isolated. None of them will be able to act alone." His expression lightened a little.

So much for Sharlac's alliance with Triolle, sealed with the bloodstains on her wedding sheets. Litasse bit her lip. So why should she feel guilty because Hamare's breath on her skin and the pulse of his blood inside her was the only consolation she found in a marriage even lonelier than her rank had led her to expect?

"What if Duke Garnot of Carluse isn't interested in attacking Draximal on Parnilesse's behalf?" Hamare demanded. "He may be sending Duke Ferdain Solstice gifts, but I still believe Duke Garnot has every intention of attacking Marlier in the autumn. That's why he has been recruiting mercenaries. He'll plunder the gold that Duke Ferdain has amassed from the increased trade down the Rel. Then Duke Garnot will secure the river trade for himself."

"Don't expect me to weep for Duke Ferdain's losses," Iruvain said coldly. "He's never been a friend to Triolle."

"Never, Your Grace, but consider the hardship for Triolle when those fleeing the fighting in Marlier seek sanctuary here." Hamare visibly curbed his frustration. "To return to the question at hand. Neither Duke Secaris of Draximal nor Duke Orlin of Parnilesse has been able to raise the mercenary forces they would need to invade the other. I really don't believe they are ready to go to war. Come to that, Duke Garnot of Carluse hasn't been able to hire all the men he might want." Hamare let his frustration slip. "That, Your Grace, is only one of several puzzles we should be unravelling as a matter of urgency, instead of listening to the fearful imaginings of your vassal lords."

"You're talking about Vanam again."

Hamare ignored the warning note in Iruvain's voice. "There is trouble brewing among the exiles there."

"I ordered you to ignore such nonsense," Iruvain said ominously.

Hamare was standing with his hands laced behind his back. Litasse saw him clench his fists as he looked up at the duke.

"Orlin of Parnilesse is no longer so hot for war because he's not being goaded by pestilential night letters nailed to shrine doors. I've discovered that the scoundrel behind that was a man called Reniack, who fled to Vanam. The woman I have searching for Duke Garnot's whore tells me she's certain that's where the doxy went, too. Now there are persistent rumours that merchants of Lescari blood are urging exiles' sons to form an armed brigade."

"We hear this same prattle every handful of years and I've yet to see a single man set foot on Lescari soil. If exiles had any honour or courage they'd never have fled their homes and fealty in the first place." Contemptuous, Iruvain looked down at Hamare. "Don't waste my time. We must be fully prepared, because Draximal and Parnilesse will join battle as soon as they see an opening. We must be ready to do all we can to curb Marlier's aggression against Carluse. If you cannot, or will not, supply the intelligence I need, I'll find someone more willing and able to take your place."

Litasse stood aghast. Was he truly threatening to dismiss Hamare? She managed a hasty smile as Iruvain turned to her.

"You have a beautiful new horse, my love, and bear in mind, Duke Garnot could just have sent you a gelding, given how closely he guards his stock's bloodlines. I'm sure he's looking for an alliance with Triolle. Why else would he offer us the chance to put a Carluse mare to our own stallions?"

"You want to breed her?" Litasse looked at the dainty mare. "I thought she was to be my saddle horse."

"Until she comes into season." Iruvain nodded decisively. "Now, you should go and change your gown, my lady, before our guests arrive."

The mare pricked her ears, her head questing forward. Litasse stroked her soft nose.

So much for Duke Garnot of Carluse sending me a gift, she thought. You'll just take her away, my lord husband, to grow fat and ponderous dropping a foal a year to strengthen your bloodlines and those of whichever lords you favour. You'll just take her away, my lord husband, to grow fat and ponderous dropping a foal a year to strengthen your bloodlines and those of whichever lords you favour. Disillusion dulled her day as surely as clouds covering the sun. Disillusion dulled her day as surely as clouds covering the sun.

"I want to ride her now."

Iruvain shook his head. "I can't spare a groom to accompany you." He moved to lead the mare towards the stable-men waiting by the gate.

Litasse took hold of the reins. "I will ride by myself, then."

"That's hardly seemly, my lady." Iruvain stared at her, more surprised than angry.

"My man Karn is over there," Hamare said quickly. "He could accompany Her Grace."

Litasse held her ground. "Just for a short ride."

"Make sure you're fit to be seen before our guests arrive." Iruvain yielded the reins to Litasse with ill grace and strode away.

Hamare watched him go with hooded eyes.

"Can't you ride with me?" Litasse asked in an undertone.

She longed for the chance to indulge in a little spite about their Solstice guests, swapping wry observations on this vassal lord's loutish manners or that lady's unfortunate choice of gown.

He shook his head. "I need to think how best to prove to my noble lord that Draximal and Parnilesse really aren't about to go to war."

He waved and Litasse saw Karn detach himself from the men at the gate. The lean youth's long stride soon closed the distance between them. Litasse watched, but he didn't spare Valesti the briefest of glances. Were they still lovers?

"Find yourself a horse and accompany Her Grace on her ride," Hamare ordered.

"And then?" Karn looked keenly at him.

"Then you ride for Vanam. Though as far as anyone else is concerned, you are taking Solstice greetings from Her Grace to her lady mother in Sharlac." Hamare spared Litasse an apologetic smile.

"What am I looking for in Vanam?"

Litasse found Karn's hungry expression unsettling.

"I want to know what that shit-stirrer Reniack is doing." Savage frustration prompted Hamare's uncharacteristic coarseness. "If he's not sticking thorns in Orlin of Parnilesse's arse it's because he's found some riper mischief. The last rumour was that some Sharlac noblewoman whose husband's fallen foul of Duke Moncan was looking for him. See if you can pick up his scent trailing through the affairs of this Lord Rousharn. The wife is called Lady Derenna and she was definitely in Vanam for Spring Equinox. Then find out what lies behind these rumours of exiles making ready to fight."

"I take it I'm asking the usual sources?" Karn narrowed his pale eyes.

"They're cursed useless," Hamare growled. "Find out if that's because they know nothing or because they're choosing not to tell. If that's the case, find out who's buying their silence. Ask Lady Alaric."

"If she's in Vanam, there's definitely something afoot." Karn had no doubt.

"Perhaps, perhaps not, but she has her finger on the pulse of every rumour running from Toremal to Solura." The spymaster rubbed a hand over his bearded chin and looked at Litasse, embarrassment warring with the determination in his eyes. "This woman's information is always gold but she demands the highest price for it. His Grace is hardly about to give me a fat purse to spend on investigating something he considers nonsense."

Litasse hesitated, but only for a moment. "I can give you some jewels that won't be missed."

Iruvain seldom paid heed to her choices of rings and brooches. If he ever asks after a particular piece If he ever asks after a particular piece, she thought rebelliously, I'll tell him I sold it to pay for Duchess Tadira's precious gift. I'll tell him I sold it to pay for Duchess Tadira's precious gift.

"Offer Lady Alaric every consideration you think appropriate." Hamare gave Karn a meaningful look.

Did he mean for Karn to seduce the woman? Litasse felt a chill for the second time. Her lover was so very good at using people for his own ends. Was he just using her, too? Were his fervent whispers of devotion worth any more than his apparent loyalty to Iruvain, when he was going against Iruvain's express orders by sending Karn to Vanam?

"I'll give you those jewels on one condition."

Both men looked at her, astonished.

"Your Grace?" Hamare recovered first.

"Find out all you can about Duke Garnot of Carluse's plans to attack Duke Ferdain of Marlier. We'll send everything we learn to my father. He won't pass up an opportunity to threaten Carluse's northern border if all Duke Garnot's attention is focused to the south." Litasse spoke with more confidence than she felt. But surely this would be enough to draw her father out of his seclusion? He would have to answer a letter bringing such crucial news.

Hamare nodded thoughtfully. "If Carluse feels threatened by Sharlac, he won't expose his flank by attacking Draximal. If Parnilesse cannot be sure of support from Carluse, he won't march north."

Karn grinned. "On the other hand, Duke Secaris of Draximal won't march south as long as he fears Duke Garnot has mercenaries sitting idle who could be loosed against him."

"Then we will have peace this summer and Iruvain need make alliances with no one, least of all Duke Garnot of Carluse," Litasse said bitterly.

Who knew how the runes might roll after that? Sharlac forces harrying the border might get the chance to make Carluse pay a fitting penalty for her brother Lord Jaras's death. Duke Garnot deserved to lose more than one of his bastards.

Tears prickled her eyes and she turned to the mare's side to hide them, looping the reins around one hand. "I'm going to ride. Karn, find a mount and catch me up. I'm not waiting for you."

"Your Grace." Karn offered his cupped hands to help her mount.

"Thank you." She settled her skirts and belatedly found the stirrups too long.

"Let me." A trace of concern creasing his brow, Hamare adjusted the leathers while Karn ran for the gate.

The mare must have sensed Litasse's urgency to be gone for the horse sprang away at the first touch of her boots. The grooms by the gate raised a hearty cheer for their duchess as she galloped across the grass towards the illusion of freedom among the trees.

Chapter Twenty-One.