(^-^^ !" r>y>r>i n tr nni-n i-1-ip 1nw windnwsiH. Fvadinp 518 ' mark anthony Grace's grasping hands, Tira slipped through the window and onto the ledge beyond. The sound of Grace's shout echoed off stone walls. Below, the queen came to a halt, then turned her veiled face upward. Tira grinned and waved at her.

531.

The ladies-in-waiting stared up in round-mouthed shock. Queen Inara hesitated, then lifted her hand in a tentative wave. Grace finally got her hands around the elusive girl and hauled her back in through the window. Below, the queen and her entourage continued on their way, passing out of sight.

Beltan closed the shutters as they stepped away from the window. Grace hugged Tira to her chest.

"Don't ever do that again," she said, her cheeks flushed. "Do you understand me?"

Tira did not struggle. Instead she shut her eyes and leaned her scarred face against Grace's breast.

"Is something amiss, my lords, my ladies?"

They looked up to see Lord Siferd walking across the great hall. Behind him came a servingman bearing a tray of pewter goblets.

Melia drifted forward. "No, my lord. All is well."

The chamberlain beamed and bowed low. "Your rooms are nearly ready, fair lady. I beg your patience for just a short time more. Please, refresh yourself while you wait."

The chamberlain scurried from the hall again, and the servant approached. Each of them took a cup of pale wine from the tray. Travis sighed as he drank. He was thirsty, and the wine was crisp, cool, and just slightly sweet.

Beltan grunted as he set his cup back down. "It's not ale, but I could get used to it." He picked up two more goblets as the servingman stared with wide eyes.

Most of them sat as they waited for the chamberlain7*?

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explored side doors that opened on small antechambers. Travis sat on a bench, staring into his wine cup. Could he really do what he intended?

But there was no other way to be sure he would never accidentally hurt someone he cared about.

"What lies through that door, Travis?"

He glanced up. Melia approached the doorway next to the bench where he sat.

He shrugged. "I don't know. I haven't looked."

Melia tried the knob, and the door swung open. Her eyes glinted. "Well, I've always held that if the door's not locked then it isn't snooping."

Travis grinned at her. He couldn't argue with that. She opened the door and passed into the room beyond. Sighing, Travis bent back over his wine.

A gasp drifted through the open doorway, followed by a soft but clear voice.

"Oh, dear!"

A moment later came a soft thump followed by the clang of metal against stone.

Shock jerked Travis to his feet. He stared at the doorway, then dashed toward it. Beltan was already ahead of him. The two men came to a halt in a small room. Light from a high window illuminated scant objects: a chair, a table, and a marble bust on a pedestal that depicted a handsome man. However, none of those things held Travis's eyes. He gazed down, and the blood drained from his heart.

533.

A small figure in blue lay on the floor in a puddle of spilled wine. The goblet had rolled from her limp hand, and her eyes were shut in her ashen face.

"No!" Beltan's cry echoed off stone. He fell to his knees beside the small, still form as the others rushed into the room.

"What is it?" Falken said from the doorway.

Travis turned around--he felt as brittle as glass-- I'c. oTroc "T