"The slum becomes its own little world," Tonk Fah said, walking up beside her.

"Everyone you pa.s.s in here is an Idrian," Denth said, waving for her to keep walking. "There's a reason your kind have a bad reputation in the rest of the city."

Vivenna felt a numb chill. No, she thought. No, it's not possible.

Unfortunately, she soon began to see some signs. Symbols of Austre placed-un.o.btrusive by intention-in the corners of windowsills or on doorsteps. People in grays and whites. Mementoes of the highlands in the form of shepherd's caps or wool cloaks. And yet, if this people were of Idris, then they'd been completely corrupted. Colors marred their costumes, not to mention the air of danger and unwelcomeness they exuded. And how could any Idrian even think of becoming a prost.i.tute?

"I... don't understand, Denth. We are a peaceful people. A people of mountain villages. We are open. Friendly."

"That kind doesn't last long in a slum," he said, walking beside her. "They change or they get beaten down."

Vivenna shivered, feeling a stab of anger at Hallandren. They did this to my people, she thought. I could have forgiven the Hallandren for making my people poor. But this? They've made thugs and thieves out of caring shepherds. They've turned our women into prost.i.tutes and our children to urchins.

She knew she shouldn't let herself grow angry. And yet, she had to grit her teeth and work very, very hard to keep her hair from bleeding to a smoldering red. The images sparked something within her. Something she consistently avoided thinking about.

Hallandren has ruined these people. Just like it ruined me by dominating my childhood, by forcing me to honor the opportunity to be taken and raped in the name of protecting my country.

I hate this city. Hate it so very much.

They were unseemly thoughts. She couldn't afford to hate Hallandren. She had been told that on many occasions. She had trouble lately remembering why.

She succeeded in keeping her hatred, and hair, contained. A few moments later, Thame joined them and led them the rest of the distance. She had been told they would be meeting in a large park, but Vivenna soon saw that the term 'park' had been used loosely. The plot of land was barren, strewn with garbage, and surrounded by buildings on all sides.

Her group stopped at the edge of the dead garden and waited as Thame went ahead. People had gathered in the area as Thame had promised. Most were of the same type that she had seen earlier. Men wearing dark, ominous colors and flippant expressions. Youthful street toughs. Women in the garb of prost.i.tutes. Some older people.

Vivenna forced out a smile, but it felt insincere, even to her. For their benefit, she changed her hair color to yellow. The color of happiness and excitement. The people muttered among themselves.

Thame soon returned and waived her forward.

"Wait," Vivenna said. "I wanted to talk to the common people before we meet with the leaders."

Thame shrugged. "If you want..."

Vivenna stepped forward. "People of Idris," she said. "I've come to offer you comfort and hope."

The people continued to talk among themselves. Very few seemed to pay any attention to her at all. Vivenna swallowed. "I know that you've had hard lives. But, I want to promise you that the king does care for you and support you. I will find a way to bring you home."

"Home?" one of the men said. "Back to the highlands?"

Vivenna nodded.

Several people snorted at that comment, and a few trailed away. Vivenna watched them go with concern. "Wait," she said. "Don't you want to hear me? I bring news from your king."

The people ignored her.

"Most of them just wanted confirmation that you were who you said, your highness," Thame said quietly.

Vivenna turned back toward the groups still talking quietly in the garden. "Your lives can get better," she promised. "I will see you cared for."

"Our lives are already better," one of the men said. "There is nothing for us in the highlands. I earn twice as much here as I did back there." Others nodded in agreement.

"Then why even come to see me?" she whispered.

"I told you, princess," Thame said. "They're patriots-they believe in being Idrian. City Idrians. We stick together, we do. You being here... it means something to them, don't worry. They may seem indifferent, but they'll do anything to get back at the Hallandrens."

Austre, Lord of Colors, she thought, growing even more deeply angered. These people aren't even Idrians any more. Thame called them 'patriots,' but all she saw was a group held together only because they were forced to.

She turned, giving up on her speech. These people were not interested in hope or comfort. They only wanted revenge. She could use that, perhaps, but it made her feel dirty to even think about it. Thame led her and the others down a pathway beaten into the field of weeds and trash. Near the back of the garden, they found a wide construction that was partially a service shack, partially a wooden pavilion. Inside, visible through the open doorways on the sides, she could see the leaders waiting.

There were three of them, each with his own compliment of bodyguards. The leaders wore rich, vibrant T'Telir colors. Slum lords. Vivenna felt her stomach twist. All three of the men had at least the First Heightening. One of them had obtained the Third.

Jewels and Clod took up places outside the building, guarding Vivenna's escape route. Vivenna walked in and sat in the chair arranged for her. Denth and Tonk Fah took up protective places behind her.

Vivenna regarded the slum lords. All three of them were variations on the same theme. The one on the left looked the most comfortable in his rich clothing. The one on the right looked more scraggly. The one in the center seemed the indulgent type. He was sloppy-but in a purposeful way, perhaps because it was a nice accent to his handsome, youthful face.

The room was still.

"I'm not sure what to say to you," Vivenna finally said. "I came to find something that doesn't exist. I was hoping that the people still cared about their heritage."

The sloppy one in the middle leaned forward. This would probably be Rira, Thame's employer. "You're our princess," he said. "Daughter of our king. We care about that."

"Kind of," said the one in the neat outfit.

"Really, princess," Rira said. "We're honored to meet with you. And curious at your intentions in our city. You've been making quite a stir."

Vivenna regarded them with a flat expression. Finally, she sighed. "You all know that war is coming."

Rira nodded. The more scraggly man on the right, however, shook his head. "I'm not convinced there will be war. Not yet."

"It is coming," Vivenna said sharply. "I promise you that. My intentions in this city, therefore, are to make certain that the war goes as well for Idris as possible."

"And what would that entail?" the scraggly man asked. "A Royal on the throne of Hallandren?"

Was that what she wanted? "I just want our people to survive."

"A weak middle ground," said the man on the left. "Wars are fought to be won, your highness. The Hallandrens have Lifeless. Beat them, and they'll just make more. I think that an Idris military presence in the city would be an absolute necessity if you wanted to bring our homeland freedom."

Vivenna frowned.

"You think to overthrow the city?" asked the man on the right. "If you do, what do we get out of it?"

"Wait," said the man on the left. "Overthrow the city? Are we sure we want to get involved un that sort of thing again? What of Vahr's failure? We all lost a lot of money in that venture."

"Vahr was from Pahn Kahl," the men on the right said. "Not one of us at all. I'm willing to take another risk if there are real Royals involved this time."

"I didn't say anything about overthrowing the kingdom," Vivenna said. "I just want to bring the people some hope," Vivenna said. Or, at least, I did...

"Hope?" asked the man on the left. "Who cares about hope? I want promises. Will t.i.tles be handed out? Who gets the trade contracts if Idris wins?"

"You have a sister," Rira said. "A third one, unmarried. Is her hand bargainable? Royal blood could gain my support for your war."

Vivenna's stomach twisted. "Gentlemen," she said in her diplomat's voice, "this is not about seeking personal gain. This is about patriotism."

"Of course, of course," Rira said. "But patriots should earn rewards. Right?"

All three looked at her expectantly.

Vivenna stood up. "I will be going, now."

Denth, looking surprised, laid a hand on her shoulder. "Are you sure?" he asked. "It took quite a bit of effort to set up this meeting."

"I have been willing to work with thugs and thieves, Denth," she said quietly. "But seeing them and knowing they're my own people is too hard."

"You judge us quickly, princess," Rira said from behind, chuckling. "Don't tell me that you didn't expect this?"

"Expecting something is different from seeing it first hand, Rira. I expected you three. I didn't expect to see what had happened to our people."

"And the Five Visions?" Rira asked. "You sweep in here, judge us beneath you, then sweep away? That's not very Idrian of you."

She turned back toward the men. The one on the right had already stood and was gathering his bodyguards to go, grumbling about the 'waste of time.'

"What do you know of being Idrian?" she snapped. "Where is your obedience of Austre?"

Rira reached beneath his shirt, pulling out a small white disc, inscribed with his parents names. An Austrin charm of obedience. "My father carried me down here from the highlands, princess. He died working the Edgli fields. I've pulled myself up by the pain of my sc.r.a.ped, bleeding hands. I worked very hard to make things better for your people. When Vahr spoke of revolution, I gave him coin to feed his supporters."

"You buy Breath," she said. "And you make prost.i.tutes of housewives."

"I live," he said. "And I make sure that everyone else has enough food. Will you do better for them?"

Vivenna frowned. "I..."

She trailed off as she heard the screams.

That confused her. Her life sense jolted her, warning of large groups of people approaching. She spun as the slum lords cursed, standing. Outside, through the garden, she saw something terrible. Purple and yellow uniforms on hulking men with grey faces.

Lifeless soldiers. The city watch.

Peasants scattered, screaming as the Lifeless tromped into the garden, led by a number of uniformed and living city guards. Denth cursed, shoving Vivenna to the side. "Run!" he said, whipping his sword free.

"But-"

Tonk Fah grabbed her arm, towing her out of the building as Denth charged the guards. The slum lords and their people were in chaos as they fled, though the city guard were quickly moving to cut off exits.

Tonk Fah cursed, pulling Vivenna into a small alleyway at the back of the garden.

"What's going on?" she asked, heart thumping.

"Raid," Tonk Fah said. "Shouldn't be too dangerous, unless..."

Blades sounded, metal clashing against metal, and the screams grew more desperate. Vivenna glanced backward. The men from the slum lords' groups, feeling trapped, had engaged the Lifeless. Vivenna felt a sense of horror, watching the terrible, grey faced men wade amongst the swords and daggers, ignoring wounds. The creatures pulled out their weapons and began to attack. Men yelled, falling, b.l.o.o.d.y.

Denth moved to defend the mouth of Vivenna's alleyway. She didn't know where Jewels had gone.

"Aw, Colors," Tonk Fah said, shoving her in front of him. "Fools decided to resist. Now we're in trouble."

"But how did they find us!"

"Don't know," he said. "Don't care. They might be after you. They might just be after those slum lords. I hope we never find out. Keep moving!"

Vivenna obeyed, rushing down the dark alleyway, trying to keep from tripping on her long dress. It proved very impractical to run in, and Tonk Fah kept shooing her forward, looking back anxiously. She heard grunts and echoing yells as Denth fought something at the mouth of the alleyway.

Vivenna and Tonk Fah burst out of the alleyway. There, standing in the street waiting, was a group of five Lifeless. Vivenna lurched to a halt. Tonk Fah cursed.

The Lifeless looked as if they were stone, their expressions eerily grim in the waning light. Tonk Fah glanced backward, obviously decided that Denth wasn't going to be arriving anytime soon, then resignedly held his hands up and dropped his sword. "I can't take five on my own, princess," he whispered. "Not Lifeless. We'll have to let them arrest us."

Vivenna slowly held her hands up as well.

The Lifeless pulled out their weapons.

"Uh..." Tonk Fah said. "We surrender?"

The creatures charged.

"Run!" he shouted, expertly kicking his sword back up into his hand.

Vivenna stumbled to the side as several of the lifeless charged Tonk Fah. She scrambled away as quickly as she could. Tonk Fah tried to follow, but had to stop to defend himself. She slowed, glancing back in time to see him ram his dueling blade through the neck of a Lifeless.

The creature gushed something that was not blood. Three others got around Tonk Fah, though he did manage to whip his blade to the side, taking one in the back of the leg. It fell to the cobbles.

Two ran toward her.

Vivenna watched them come, mind numb. Should she stay? Try to help...

Help how? something screamed within her. That something was visceral and primal. Run!

And she did. She dashed away, overwhelmed with terror, taking the first corner she saw, ducking into an alleyway. She raced for the other side, but in her haste she tripped on her skirt.

She hit the cobblestones roughly, crying out. She heard footsteps behind her, and she yelled for help, ignoring her bruised elbow as she quickly pulled her skirt off, leaving only her dressing leggings. She scrambled to her feet, screaming again.

Something darkened the other end of the alleyway. A hulking figure with grey skin. Vivenna stopped, then spun. The other two entered the alleyway behind her. She backed against the wall, feeling suddenly cold. Shocked.

Austre, G.o.d of Colors, she thought, trembling. Please...

The Lifeless advanced on her, weapons out. She looked down. A bit of rope, frayed but still useful, sat in the refuse beside her discarded green skirt.

Like everything else, the rope called to her. As if it felt like it should still live. She couldn't sense the Lifeless bearing down on her, but ironically she felt as if she could sense the rope. Could imagine it, twisting around legs, tying the creatures up.

Those Breaths you hold, Denth had said. They're a tool. Almost priceless. Certainly powerful...