"You're crazy. Deluded."

"In fact, he's never taken an interest in a woman before. I was beginning to suspect he might prefer one of his male sneaks, but now..." She paused dramatically. "Now, we have the lovely, intelligent Yelena to get Valek's cold heart pumping."

"You really should get out of your sewing room more. You need fresh air and a dose of reality," I said, knowing better than to believe a word Dilana said, but unable to control the silly little grin on my face.

Her sweet, melodious laughter followed me into the hallway. "You know I'm right," she called.

The only reason Valek was interested in me, I thought as I walked through the dim corridors, was because I was a puzzle for him to solve. Once he thought he had all the answers about the southern magician and Brazell, I'd be sent back to my room in the servants' wing. I couldn't let myself believe anything else. It was one thing for me to have a harmless infatuation that wouldn't have any influence on my plans. It wouldn't. Absolutely not. To think he felt the same toward me would be disastrous.

So I tried to convince myself that Dilana, although a sweetheart, was a victim of her own overactive imagination and was mistaken. I tried very hard. I tried all the way to the kitchen. I tried when I saw Rand lurching around his ovens, reminding myself that Valek was ruthless, murdering dozens of people. The King's blood still adorned Valek's knife. Valek was deadly, moody and exasperating. But for some reason, I couldn't get that silly grin to go away no matter how hard I tried.

Draping my cloak over a stool, I helped myself to a late dinner. Rand finished spinning his pigs and pulled up a stool beside me. My mouth watered at the smell of roasting pork.

"What's the occasion?" I asked. Pork roast was a rare meal, requiring an entire day to cook and served only at special times.

"Generals coming to visit this week. All my special dishes have been requested. I've also been ordered to prepare a feast for next week. A feast! We haven't had one of those since..." He shook his head, pursing his lips. "Actually, we've never had one with the Commander in charge." Rand sighed. "I won't have any time to experiment."

"Would you have time to look at these?" Pulling a handful of the mystery beans out of my pocket, I handed them to Rand. I had been waiting for the perfect opportunity to show them to him. "I found them in an old storeroom, and I thought maybe they were your coffee beans."

He immediately ducked his head and took a deep sniff of the beans. "No, unfortunately not. I don't know what these are. Coffee beans are smooth and have a rounder shape. These are oval. See? And b.u.mpy." Rand spread them out on the table and picked one up. He bit into it. Chewing, he cringed at the bitter taste. "I've never seen or tasted anything like this. Where did you find them?"

"Somewhere on the castle's lower level." Oh well, I thought, it had been worth a try. My disappointment pressed on my shoulders. I had hoped to solve this puzzle for Commander Ambrose, but it looked as though I had hit another dead end.

Rand must have sensed my frustration. "Important?" he inquired.

I nodded.

"Tell you what," he said. "Leave these here and after the feast I'll work on them for you."

"Work?"

"I'll try grinding, cooking and boiling the beans. Ingredients can change their flavor and texture when you add heat, and these might turn into something I recognize. All right?"

"I don't want to inconvenience you."

"Nonsense. I like a challenge. Besides, after the feast, it'll be back to my daily routine anyhow, and this will give me a project to look forward to." He funneled the beans into a jar, and placed it high on a shelf full of other strange edibles similarly encased in their own gla.s.s jars.

We discussed menu options for the feast until Rand needed to turn his pigs again. A quarter turn every hour, he said, reminding me that my time to meet Margg was fast approaching. A small pang of nervousness touched my stomach as I bade Rand good-night.

I stopped by the baths, intending to retrieve Nix's knife, but there were too many people there. Maybe being unarmed would be for the best, I told myself as I tried to calm the b.u.t.terflies in my stomach. Maybe they would search me. If they found a weapon, I might be in more trouble.

Margg wore her usual expression of distaste when I met her just past the south gate of the castle complex. We exchanged insults by way of greeting and continued the walk into Castletown in silence. I hoped Valek was close behind, but I knew better than to glance over my shoulder and make Margg wary.

Stars decorated the night sky, and the full face of the moon shone brightly, casting shadows. The road to town was grooved with ruts from wagon wheels and worn smooth by the pa.s.sage of many boots. I took a deep breath of the cool night air and felt a sense of renewal as the heavy scent of earth and dried leaves cleansed my lungs.

At the outskirts of town, I saw neat rows of four-story wooden buildings. I was struck by their symmetry. I had grown so accustomed to the wild, asymmetrical style of the castle, with its windows of every geometric shape, that the ordinary plainness of the town seemed bizarre. Even the placement of businesses among the residences had been planned in a logical manner.

The few townspeople that I spotted on the street walked with a purpose. n.o.body hung about, or talked, or looked as if they were out for a casual stroll. n.o.body, except the town's guards.

Soldiers who had once played a major part in the takeover had been rea.s.signed as policemen for the towns throughout the Territory of Ixia. Enforcing curfew and the dress code, they dealt justice in accordance with the Code of Behavior by checking papers, arranging transfers and making arrests. Every visitor to each town was required to report to the main station to complete the proper paperwork before seeking lodging.

Our meeting had been carefully scheduled to give us time to return to the castle before our presence on the street would be viewed with suspicion. The pairs of soldiers stationed on the streets followed us with their gazes. I felt my skin p.r.i.c.kle under their scrutiny, and I had myself half convinced that they would swoop down on us at any moment.

In the middle of a street free from guards, Margg came to a stop at a house indistinguishable from its neighbors. She knocked twice on the door. After a pause, the door swung inward and a tall, red-haired woman in an innkeeper's uniform poked her head out. Glancing at Margg, she nodded in recognition. She had a sharp, sloping nose, which guided the movements of her head as she pointed her face at me. Her dark eyes rested upon me with an intensity that made me want to fidget. A bead of sweat trickled down my spine. Finally, she pulled her nose away to look down the street. Sniffing for a trap, I guessed. Apparently satisfied, she opened the door wider and let us in. Still no one spoke as we proceeded up three flights of steps.

The top floor of the house was ablaze with light, and I squinted in the harsh brightness. A profusion of candles ringed the room on multiple levels, heating the air with the smoky scent of apples. I glanced at the window. With the amount of light in the room, I was sure it would spill out into the street, but black curtains covered the gla.s.s and pooled on the floor.

Bookshelves, a desk and a scattering of comfortable armchairs led me to believe that the room was used as a study. The woman who had let us in sat behind the desk. Odd metal statues that resembled lanterns with rings around the top graced each side. Other strange and gleaming objects had been artfully arranged on shelves and tabletops. Some even hung from the ceiling. These spun in the air stirred by our pa.s.sage.

The sharp-nosed woman didn't offer us a seat, so Margg and I stood before her desk. Most of her ruby hair was confined in a bun, but small, curly wisps had sprung free.

"The food taster," she said with a satisfied curl to her lip. "I knew it was only a matter of time before I had you in my employ."

"Who are you?" My bluntness informed her that I wouldn't tolerate games.

"You can call me Captain Star."

I looked at her innkeeper's uniform.

"I'm not part of Ambrose's military. I have my own. Has Margg explained how I work?"

"Yes."

"Good. This will be a simple exchange. This isn't a social call; I don't want gossip or hearsay. And don't inquire about my business or about me. All you need to know is my name. Agreed?"

"Agreed." Since I wanted to gain her trust, I wasn't about to cause any trouble, at least not yet.

"Good. What do you got?" With her nose leading the way, she leaned forward in her chair.

"The Commander has changed his successor," I said.

Star's body stilled as she absorbed this tidbit. I glanced at Margg, who looked shocked and annoyed that I had such interesting news.

"How do you know?" Star asked.

"I overheard the Commander and Valek talking."

"Ah, yes. Valek." Star tilted her nose at me. "Why are you living in his apartment?"

"None of your business," I said with a firm tone.

"So why should I trust you?"

"Because Valek would kill me if he knew I was here. You know it as well as I do. How much is my information worth?"

Star opened a black velvet purse and pulled out one gold coin. She tossed the coin to me like a master would throw a bone to a dog. I s.n.a.t.c.hed it from the air, suppressing a wince. The cuts on my hands started to throb.

"Your fifteen percent." She sent one silver and one copper coin flying at Margg, who knew Star's ways, and caught them easily. "Anything else?" Star asked me.

"Not at this time."

"When you have something for me, tell Margg. She'll arrange another meeting."

Dismissed, I followed the silent Margg out of the house and down the street. Just as she guided me into a dark alley, Valek appeared out of the shadows. Before I could wonder why, he pulled me through a doorway and into a small room.

I was surprised and confused by his sudden arrival; I had thought he would wait a while before arresting Margg. She had followed me into the room, and stood with a sneering grin on her round face. It was the closest expression to pleasure that I had ever seen from her, and the opposite of what I had antic.i.p.ated when she was caught as the leak. I tilted my head at Valek, hoping to prompt an explanation.

"I was right, Valek. She sold the Commander out for a gold coin. Check her pocket," Margg urged.

"Actually, Yelena came to me before the meeting. She believed she was going to expose you," Valek said to Margg.

Her gloating grin disappeared. "Why didn't you tell me?" she demanded.

"No time."

"Margg's not the leak?" I asked, still confused.

"No. Margg works for me. We've been feeding Star some rather unique information and hoping to find out who her other clients are. Star's been pestering Margg to get you involved, and I thought it would be a good opportunity to test your loyalty."

A complete understanding of Valek's ill temper snapped into my mind. He had expected me to betray him and the Commander. How could he have believed that? I wondered. Didn't he know me at all? Anger, disappointment and relief warred in my heart. I was unable to propel any words past my throat.

"I had hoped to send this rat back to the dungeon where she belongs," Margg complained to Valek. "Now she'll still be scurrying around. Still a threat." Annoyed, she poked my arm with a meaty finger.

I moved. In a heartbeat I twisted her arm behind her back. She yelped as I raised her hand up high, forcing her to bend forward.

"I am not a rat," I said through clenched teeth. "I've proved my loyalty. You will get off my back. No more nasty messages in the dust. No more prying into my things. Or the next time, I'll break your arm." I shoved her hard as I released my grip.

She stumbled and landed on the ground in a heap. Pink-faced, she lurched to her feet. As she opened her mouth to protest, Valek stopped her with a glance.

"Well said, Yelena. Margg, you're dismissed," Valek said.

Margg's mouth snapped closed as she spun on her heel and left the room.

"She's not friendly," I said.

"No. That is precisely why I like her." He studied the door for a moment, then said, "Yelena, I'm going to show you something you're not going to like, but I think it's important that you know."

"Oh yeah? Like I enjoyed your test of faith?" Sarcasm rendered my voice sharp.

"I warned you that I tested the food taster from time to time."

Before I could reply, he stopped me. "Be quiet and stay close behind me." We went back out into the alley. Keeping in the shadows, we walked back to Star's house, where Valek guided me into a dark entrance within sight of Star's door.

"The person who has been leaking information to Star is due to arrive soon," Valek whispered close to my ear. His lips lightly rubbed my cheek. Shivers rippled down my spine at his touch, distracting me from what he had said.

The impact of Valek's words didn't hit me until I saw a lone figure with an uneven gait walking down the street.

22.

I RECOGNIZED THAT STRIDE. My heart melted as I watched Rand limp to Star's house, knocking twice.

She admitted Rand into her home without a moment's hesitation. The faint thump of the closing door echoed hollowly in my chest.

"Another test?" I asked Valek with desperate urgency. "Is he working for you?" But I knew the answer deep in my soul, even before I saw the sad shake of his head. I felt empty, as if every emotion had been wrenched out of me. It was just too much. After Reyad's ghost, Nix's attack and Valek's test, I was mentally unable to handle another blow. I just stared at Valek with no thoughts, no feelings and no desires.

Valek motioned for me to follow him. I complied. We circled around to the back of Star's house. Entering the building to the left, we padded up three stories. The interior was dark and empty except for the top floor. One of Valek's men sat cross-legged with his back resting against the wall shared with Star's study. He wrote in a notebook, using a single candle as illumination.

Rand's voice could be heard clearly. Using hand signals, Valek communicated with the man. He gave the notebook to Valek and disappeared down the steps. Valek sat in the man's spot, and then tapped the floor next to him.

I crouched beside him, facing the wall. I had no desire to hear Rand's deceit, but I didn't have the willpower to leave. Valek pointed to an array of small holes in the wood. I peered through. All I could see was the back of a piece of furniture. I guessed that the holes were for listening purposes only. Squatting on the floor, I rested my forehead against the wall and closed my eyes as I eavesdropped on Rand's conversation.

"Generals are coming to town this week. That's nothing new, but the Commander ordered a feast, so something's up. Something significant. But I haven't been able to figure out what," Rand said.

"Let me know as soon as possible," Star replied. Then she paused. "Maybe Yelena knows what's going on."

My heart lurched when I heard my name. Run away, run away, run away, my mind screamed, but I only pressed my forehead harder on the wall.

"I doubt it. She was surprised when I mentioned the feast, so I didn't ask her. She might know more later this week. I'll try again."

"Don't bother. I'll ask her myself." The sleek tone of Star's voice implied that she had concealed this revelation until the time when exposing it would cause maximum damage.

"Yelena?" Rand sputtered. "Working for you? Impossible. That's not her style."

"Are you suggesting she's working for Valek?" Alarm tightened her voice.

Equally upset, I glanced at Valek. He shook his head, waving his hand in a "don't worry" gesture.

"No. She wouldn't." Rand had recovered. "I'm just surprised, but I shouldn't be. She could use the money, and who am I to think any less of her for it?"

"Well, you shouldn't be thinking of her at all. As I see it, she's disposable. The only concern I'll have when she dies is, who's going to replace her and how quickly can I bribe him?"

"Star, once again you've shown me in the most repulsive way that the sooner I pay off my debt to you the better. How much credit do I get for tonight's information?"

"Two silvers. I'll mark it in my book, but it won't make much difference."

"What do you mean?"

"Haven't you figured it out by now? You'll never pay off your debt. As soon as you get close, you always gamble yourself right down another hole. You're too weak, Rand. Too swayed by your own emotions. Easily addicted, and lacking in willpower."

"Oh, that's right. You claim to be a magician. Have you read my mind, Captain? *Captain Star'-what a laugh! If you really had magic, Valek would have taken care of you long ago. I know you're not as smart as you claim." The heavy uneven tread of footsteps resounded through the wall as Rand started to walk away.