They stared at me in astonishment.

"How did you-" Janco started to say, but Ari punched him on the arm.

"She overheard us in the forest, you dope. How close were you?"

"Fifteen feet."

"d.a.m.n." Ari shook his head, which caused his tight blond curls to bounce. "We're more worried about Valek. We'll train you if he doesn't object. Agreed?"

"Agreed."

Ari and I shook hands. When I turned to Janco, he seemed deep in thought.

"A switchblade!" he declared, grabbing my hand.

"What?" I asked.

"A switchblade would be better than a knife," Janco said.

"And where would I carry this...switchblade?"

"Strapped to your thigh. You cut a hole in your pants pocket. Then if you're attacked, you pull it out, hit the switch, and a nine-inch blade leaps to your disposal." Janco demonstrated the motion to me and mock stabbed Ari, who clutched his stomach dramatically and fell over.

Perfect, I thought. Thrilled by the idea of learning to defend myself, I asked, "When do we start?"

Janco scratched his goatee. "Since Valek isn't back we could start with some basic self-defense moves, nothing objectionable about that."

"Moves she could have learned by watching the soldiers train," Ari said, agreeing with his partner.

They decided. "Right now," they said in unison.

17.

STANDING NEXT TO THE two oversize soldiers, I felt like a plum wedged between a couple of cantaloupes. Misgivings crept into my mind. The notion that I could defend myself against someone of Ari's build seemed ridiculous. If he wanted, he could pick me up and throw me over his shoulder, and there was nothing I could do about it.

"Okay. First, we'll start with some self-defense," Ari explained. "No weapons until the basic moves are instinctive. You're better off fighting hand to hand than wielding a weapon you don't know how to use. A skilled opponent would simply disarm you. Then your troubles would be doubled. Not only would you be under attack, but you'd have to counter your own weapon."

Ari leaned his practice sword next to Janco's, scanning the training yard. Most of the soldiers were gone, but small clumps of men still worked.

"What are your strengths?" Ari asked.

"Strengths?"

"What are you good at?"

Janco, sensing my confusion, prompted, "Are you a fast runner? That's a handy skill."

"Oh." I finally understood. "I'm flexible. I used to be an acrobat."

"Perfect. Coordination and agility are excellent skills. And..." Ari grabbed me around the waist. He threw me high into the air.

My limbs flailed a moment before instinct kicked in. Still in midair, I tucked my chin, arms and legs close to my body, executed a somersault to align myself, and landed on my feet, wobbling to regain my balance.

Outraged, I turned on Ari. Before I could demand an explanation, he said, "Another advantage of having acrobatic training is the ability to stay on your feet. That maneuver of yours could mean the difference between life and death. Right, Janco?"

Janco rubbed the vacant spot where the lower half of his right ear used to be. "It helps. You know who else would make a great fighter?"

Ari's shoulders sagged, as if he knew what Janco was going to say next and resigned himself to it.

Intrigued, I asked, "Who?"

"A dancer. With the proper training, the fire dancers at the festival could take on anyone. With a blazing staff spinning around, I wouldn't go against one with any weapon."

"Except a pail of water," Ari countered.

He and Janco then launched into an intense argument, debating the technical aspects of a fight against a fiery staff wielded by an enraged dancer. Although fascinated by the discussion, I had to interrupt them. My time was limited. The Commander's dinner would soon be served.

With only occasional sarcastic comments about fire dancers, Ari and Janco spent the remainder of my first lesson teaching me to block punches, then kicks, until my forearms were numb.

Ari halted the exercise when another soldier approached. His and Janco's relaxed postures tightened. They shifted to defensive stances, as Nix, the guard from Captain Parffet's unit, came closer. The skin on Nix's bald head was sunburned, and his thin fringe of black hair lay damply on his forehead. An overpowering stench of body odor preceded him, gagging me. His lean muscles reminded me of a slender coil of rope, dangerous when pulled tight.

"What the h.e.l.l do you think you're doing?" Nix demanded.

"That's-what the h.e.l.l do you think you're doing, sir?" Janco corrected him. "We outrank you. And, I think a salute would be a nice touch."

Nix sneered. "You'll lose your promotion when your boss finds out you're a.s.sociating with a criminal. Whose brainless idea was it to make her into a more effective killer? When another dead body shows up, you'll be accomplices."

Janco took a menacing step toward Nix, but Ari's meaty hand on his shoulder stopped him. With undertones of a threat laced into his voice, Ari said, "What we do with our free time is none of your business. Now, why don't you shuffle off to Parffet. I saw him heading toward the latrines. He'll need you to wipe his a.s.s soon. It's the one skill you're most suited for."

Nix was outnumbered, but he couldn't resist a parting shot. "She has a history of killing her benefactor. I'd watch my necks if I were you."

Ari's and Janco's eyes stayed on Nix's back until he left the yard. Then they turned to me.

"That's a good start," Ari said, ending the lesson. "See you tomorrow at dawn."

"What about Nix?" I asked.

"No problem. We can take care of him." Ari shrugged it off, confident in his ability to deal with Nix. I envied Ari's self-a.s.surance and physical power. I didn't think I could handle Nix, and I wondered if there was another reason, besides killing Reyad, that made Nix hate me.

"I taste the Commander's breakfast at dawn," I said.

"Then right after."

"What for?" I asked.

"The soldiers run laps around the compound to keep in shape," Janco answered.

"Join them," Ari said. "Do at least five circuits. More if you're able. We'll increase the amount until you've caught up to us."

"How many laps do you run?"

"Fifty."

I gulped. As I returned to the castle, I thought of the work and time I would need to devote to training. Learning self-defense would require the same commitment I had applied to my acrobatics. I couldn't go halfway. It had seemed like a good idea at the time. I had been giddy with fairy-tale visions of easily fighting off Brazell's guards. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized this wasn't something to do on a whim.

I wondered if I would be better off spending my time learning about poisons and magic. In the end, all the physical training in the world wouldn't save me from Irys's magical powers.

My feet dragged on the ground, and my body felt as if it were pulling a wagon full of stones. Why couldn't I just go for it? Why was I constantly considering each option, searching both sides of an argument for gaps in the logic? Like somersaulting on the trampoline, plenty of ups and downs but no forward motion. I longed for the days when a wrong decision wouldn't cost me my life.

By the time I reached the Commander's office, I had concluded that I had other enemies besides the magician, and being able to defend myself might save my life someday. Knowledge, whatever the form, could be as effective as a weapon.

Soon after I arrived, one of the tutors bustled into the office, dragging a young girl with him. At age twelve every child was a.s.signed a profession based on their capabilities, and then they were sent to the appropriate tutor for four years to learn.

The tutor's red uniform had black diamonds st.i.tched on the collar, making it the direct opposite of an adviser's black uniform. The girl wore the simple red jumper of a student. Her brown eyes were shiny with unshed tears. Her facial expressions alternated between terror and defiance as she battled to compose herself. I guessed she was about fifteen years old.

"What's the problem, Beevan?" the Commander asked, annoyance tainting his voice.

"This disobedient child is a constant disruption to my cla.s.s."

"In what way?"

"Mia is a know-it-all. She refuses to solve mathematical problems in the traditional manner and has the gall to correct me in front of the entire cla.s.s."

"Why are you here?"

"I want her disciplined. Whipped, preferably, and rea.s.signed as a servant."

Beevan's request caused silent tears to spill down Mia's cheeks, although she maintained her composure, which was impressive for someone so young.

The Commander steepled his fingers, considering. I cringed for the girl, having her tutor bother the Commander for this dispute would not help her. Beevan must have gone over the training coordinator.

"I'll handle it," the Commander finally said. "You're dismissed."

Beevan wavered for a moment, opening and closing his mouth several times. His pinched expression revealed that this was not the response he had expected. Nodding stiffly, he left the office.

The Commander pushed his chair away from the desk and gestured to Mia to come around. Now eye level with her, he asked, "What's your side of the story?"

With a thin quavering voice, she answered, "I'm good with numbers, Sir." She hesitated as if expecting to be corrected for making a bold statement, but, when none came, she continued, "I was bored solving mathematical problems Tutor Beevan's way, so I invented new and faster ways. He's not good with numbers, Sir." Again she stopped, flinching as though she was antic.i.p.ating a blow. "I made the mistake of pointing out his errors. I'm sorry, Sir. Please don't whip me, Sir. I'll never do it again, Sir. I'll follow Tutor Beevan's every command." Tears flowed down her bright pink cheeks.

"No, you won't," the Commander replied.

Terror gripped the girl's face.

"Relax, child. Yelena?"

Startled, I spilled some of his tea. I had been holding his tray. "Yes, Sir."

"Fetch Adviser Watts."

"Yes, Sir." I put the tray on the desk and hurried through the door. I had met Watts once. He was the Commander's accountant, who had given me the money I had earned playing fugitive. He was working at his desk, but immediately followed me back to the office.

"Watts, do you still need an a.s.sistant?" the Commander asked.

"Yes, Sir," Watts replied.

"Mia, you have one day to prove yourself. If you don't dazzle Adviser Watts with your mathematical skills, then you'll have to return to Beevan's cla.s.s. If you do, then you can have the job. Agreed?"

"Yes, Sir. Thank you, Sir." Mia's pretty face was radiant as she trailed behind Watts.

I marveled at the Commander. Being compa.s.sionate, hearing Mia's side of the story, and giving her a chance, were the exact opposite of how I imagined the encounter would play out. Why would a man with such power take the time to go that extra step? He risked upsetting Beevan and the coordinator. Why would he bother to encourage a student?

His stack of reports reclaimed the Commander's attention, so I slipped out the door, heading toward the library to continue my research.

After a while, the sun began to set. I picked out a promising botany book to take with me as I was reluctant to have a lantern light betray my presence in the library.

The candlelight cast a dismal glow in the corridors. I watched my shadow glide along the walls as I headed for Valek's suite, wondering if I should move back to my old room in the servants' wing. Now that Brazell was gone, there was no logical reason for me to remain with Valek. But the thought of living in that small room, where I wouldn't have anyone to argue with or to discuss poisoning methods with, left a hollow feeling inside me. That same empty pang I'd been having on and off these last four days.

Only the cold darkness greeted me when I entered Valek's suite. My disappointment surprised me, and I realized I had been missing him. I shook my head at the foreign concept. Me? Miss Valek? No. I couldn't allow myself to think that way.

Instead, I focused on my survival. If I wanted to discover an antidote to b.u.t.terfly's Dust, paging through books on counteracting poisons while sitting in Valek's living room wouldn't be the smartest idea. Of course, the decision might not be mine to make. Once Valek found out Brazell had gone, he'd probably order me to move back anyway.

After I had lit the lanterns in Valek's suite, I relaxed on the couch with the botany book. Biology had never been a favorite subject of mine, and I soon found my mind wandering. My weak efforts to remain focused were lost to my daydreams.

A m.u.f.fled slam brought my attention back to the present. It sounded like a book hitting the floor. I glanced down, but my volume remained in my lap, opened to a particularly boring pa.s.sage about fruit trees. I scanned the living room to see if one of Valek's untidy piles of books had fallen over. Sighing at his mess, I couldn't tell if something had toppled or not.

A frightening thought crept into my mind. Maybe the noise had come from upstairs. Maybe it hadn't been a book but a person. Someone sneaking in to wait until I fell asleep to kill me. Unable to sit still, I grabbed a lantern and dashed into my room.

My backpack rested on the bureau. Rand hadn't asked for his knife yet, so I hadn't returned it. Pulling the blade from the pack, Ari's words about misusing a weapon flew through my mind. It was probably foolish to take the knife, but I felt more confident with it in my hand. Armed, I returned to the living room and considered my next move. Sleep would be impossible tonight until I investigated the upstairs rooms.

Blackness from above pressed down on my meager light as I ascended the staircase. Curving to the right, the stairs ended in a sitting room. Piles of boxes, books and furniture were scattered throughout the room in a haphazard fashion, casting odd-shaped shadows on the walls. I maneuvered with caution around the heaps. My blood slammed in my heart as I shone my lantern into dark corners, searching for an ambush.

A flash of light caused a yip to escape my lips. I spun, only to discover it was my own lantern reflecting in the tall thin windows that striped the far wall.

Three rooms were located to the right of the sitting chamber. A quick heart-pumping check of the box-filled rooms revealed they were empty of ambushers and identical to the three off the downstairs living area.

To the left of the upstairs sitting area was a long hallway. Doorways lined the right side of the corridor opposite a smooth stone wall. The hall ended in a set of locked double wooden doors. Carved into the ebony wood was an elaborate hunting scene. By the thin coating of white powder on the floor beneath the doors, I guessed this was the entrance to Valek's bedroom. The powder would show footprints, alerting Valek to an intruder. I breathed easier seeing the powder undisturbed.

As I systematically checked the remaining rooms along the corridor, the growing realization that Valek was a true pack rat struck me. I had always imagined a.s.sa.s.sins as creatures of the dark, traveling light and never staying in one place for too long. Valek's suite resembled the house of an old married couple who had filled their rooms with all the things they had collected over the years.

Distracted by these thoughts, I opened the last doorway. It took me some time to properly register what I saw. Compared to the others, the room was barren. One long table lined the back wall, centered under a large, teardrop-shaped window. Gray rocks streaked with white-the same stones I had been tripping over in Valek's living room and office for the past month and a half-were arranged by size on the floor.