"In the stronghold?"

"No. That is no place for the mother of my father's child. She can stay here-under guard." She turned to Anissa. "But you will not keep the boy." She reached out her hands to the maid and took little Olin Alessandros while Vansen held the struggling Anissa. "He is something of my father, not of you."

"Do not murder me!"

"She must have a trial, no matter what, Highness," said Nynor. "Her father has been a close ally for years."

"A close ally who harbored agents of the autarch. Who allowed those same agents to send a witch here to murder my brother!" She wanted nothing more at that moment than to have done with Anissa once and for all, but she could not bring herself to do it. "Yes, you will have a trial, lady. Then you will be locked away so long that your name will be forgotten. You will die unremembered."

The child was crying now, too, moved by his mother's loud distress. As Vansen detailed new men to relieve those who had been guarding the Tower of Summer until he better understood their loyalties, Briony held the small body close to her breast.

As she reached the door and stepped out into the cold night air, Briony stumbled. The weight of what she had undertaken suddenly seemed too much-she felt she would never have the strength even to reach her chambers. But Ferras Vansen reached out and caught her arm to steady her, then they walked back to the residence side by side.

51.

A Shared Admiration "Zoria the Dove, of all G.o.ds and G.o.ddesses the kindest, agreed to marry her uncle if he would let the Orphan go, though all the earth and Heaven mourned to lose her."

-from "A Child's Book of the Orphan, and His Life and Death and Reward in Heaven"

IN HONOR OF THE ROYAL VISIT, Gem Street was ablaze with lanterns, so Funderling Town's famous ceiling and the faces of its public buildings could be seen in all their intricate, ornamented glory.

"It is quite astonishing," Briony said, staring up as Vansen led her horse along the narrow main road. "All this beauty. I knew it was here, but I scarcely noticed-my father brought me here several times, you know."

"Try to look down as well, Highness," said Nynor. "Your subjects desire your attention, too."

"Don't scold me, Count Steffens. I know they're waiting. That's why I'm here." But she made certain to wave and smile as they pa.s.sed the junction of Gem and Ore where the crowds were gathered close together and had been waiting for some time. "There, I see the guildhall," Briony said. "Most impressive, isn't it, Captain Vansen?"

He grunted, being too engaged at the moment in trying to clear a path for Briony to approach the building's wide front steps. The castle was at peace in the largest sense, but a few of Hendon Tolly's most desperate supporters still lurked in the unfrequented outer reaches of Funderling Town, and there were rumors that some Xixian soldiers and even a giant askorab askorab or two might be hiding in the outer tunnels as well. After a time so strange it was hard to guess when anything would be completely ordinary again. or two might be hiding in the outer tunnels as well. After a time so strange it was hard to guess when anything would be completely ordinary again.

Several Funderlings called out Vansen's name, which surprised him. When he turned, he recognized men who had fought with him in the Maze and saluted them in return, but he felt awkward doing it. He was moved that they should consider him one of their own, but he didn't like being at the center of things and he never would.

And what will I let myself in for as lord constable, then? I will never be able to look the true n.o.bles in the face . . . But, he reminded himself, many of the "true" n.o.bles had managed to avoid fighting for Southmarch entirely. Many of those same n.o.bles had also made it clear they would never come down into Funderling Town, even to hear what the princess regent had to say today. But, he reminded himself, many of the "true" n.o.bles had managed to avoid fighting for Southmarch entirely. Many of those same n.o.bles had also made it clear they would never come down into Funderling Town, even to hear what the princess regent had to say today. Which shows that birth alone does not make or mar any man completely Which shows that birth alone does not make or mar any man completely , he thought, catching an upward drift of his heart and clutching it firmly for once. , he thought, catching an upward drift of his heart and clutching it firmly for once. Look at me! The princess says she loves me-do I have cause to complain of anything? Look at me! The princess says she loves me-do I have cause to complain of anything?

It did not harm his mood that almost as many Funderlings seemed to be cheering for him as for Briony, though he carefully gave no sign of it. He helped her down from her horse in front of the guildhall and formed up her royal guards to accompany her inside.

"You are a well-liked man in these neighborhoods, Captain," said Briony, smiling.

"Any man who did not cut and run from trouble would be treated the same way." But he couldn't help being pleased she had noticed.

"Your Royal Highness," called out Malachite Copper, dressed in high finery, arms and neck glinting with gems and polished metal, "please forgive me for bearing bad tidings, but I must report that your captain is a terrible liar. There is no man more honored in our city, ordinary or Big."

"I know that, Master Copper," said Briony. "And it is a pleasure to see you again in less trying circ.u.mstances than on the day the ocean rushed in."

"The sentiment is mutual, Highness." He bowed and extended his arm. "Come, let me take you into the guildhall. You may leave your gloomy escort to join you when he is ready."

"She may certainly walk with you, Master Copper, but I will be right behind you," Vansen said firmly. "Her Highness goes nowhere without the captain of her guards along to keep her safe. She owes it to her subjects. Am I not right, Princess Briony?"

She smiled as she took Copper's arm. "Of course, Captain Vansen. You know best."

It was a baffling gathering, he thought-like something from the depths of the months just pa.s.sed, when so many different kinds of folk had been thrown together by the desperation of their situation. A good number of the Southmarch royal court was there, and, of course, the Funderlings were present in force-it was their guildhall, after all-with the four Highwardens in their usual positions of power. That was not the end of those who crowded the council chamber, either. The Skimmers were present in large numbers as well, most of the men wearing ceremonial hats and mantles of fish skin-thoroughly dried and almost odorless, Vansen was glad to note, since the chamber was not large. The Rooftoppers had also made an appearance, their entire delegation seated on top of a Funderling ore wagon specially prepared for them. Even the Qar were represented, although only by the eremite Aesi'uah and a few silent, robed figures; like the rest of her kin, Aesi'uah looked as though she could wait politely until the sun itself was consumed if necessary. Barrick had not come.

One of the Highwardens, a Funderling named Sard who looked to Vansen's eyes to be older than the ancient building itself, opened the proceedings with words of greeting and extravagant promises of Funderling fealty which somehow had a less than sincere ring to them. Vansen wondered if he was the only one who noticed.

"And now, in a gesture which we must take as a show of great respect," the wizened elder finished, "she has come to our humble habitation to speak to us. Give heed to your monarch, the daughter of Olin Eddon and Princess Regent-yes, yes, soon to be crowned as queen, I'm told-Princess Briony. All bow."

Briony stood up in the general murmur and rustle of the Funderlings showing their respect. Of all those present only the Qar did not bow or salute. Many of Briony's courtiers saw that and did not like it, Vansen could not help noticing. It is those who did not fight who have the least patience with our strange allies, It is those who did not fight who have the least patience with our strange allies, he thought. he thought.

"I accept this honor in the name of the throne, and of my father," Briony said loudly. "But I do not deserve it for myself. I hope one day it will be otherwise."

Some of the Funderlings murmured, confused.

"We have survived a terrible danger," she went on. "I believe that we were delivered from our doom by Heaven itself-but for a reason. Everything that we treasure was within a breath of annihilation-our kingdom, our city, our lives, perhaps even our souls. I cannot believe that such things happen without reason. And whether it was the G.o.ds my people worship, or the Earth Elders of the Funderlings ..." A stir pa.s.sed through the crowd as she listed the sacred names, "Egye-Var, Protector of the Skimmer-folk, or the Lord of the Peak," she nodded toward the Rooftoppers' wagon, "the matter stands thus-we were saved when it seemed certain all would die.

"We are here in part to thank those who fought for Southmarch, from the smallest to the tallest-I will speak of some of those contributions later-but perhaps even more importantly, we are here because I am determined that we should learn from what has happened.

"We may never know exactly what mysterious hand shaped the destiny of the people of this castle, the Qar, and the Xixians, and brought us all together in this place. What we can know is that only with the help of every single one of us were we spared a terrible doom. I cannot rule this kingdom in good faith without understanding Heaven's clear message to us.

"Funderlings!" Her voice suddenly rose. "My family, which once called you brothers, has in more recent years treated you poorly. We enjoyed the fruits of your work but gave you little say in your own governance. So, too, with the Skimmers. And you Rooftoppers-well, we cannot entirely be blamed for that, because you hid so well under our very noses that all but a few of us had forgotten you even existed." A shrill chorus of laughter arose from the delegation in the wagon bed, a little like the chirping of crickets.

Briony next turned toward Aesi'uah and the other hooded eremites. "And even the Qar deserved better of us." This caused a resentful murmur among the ordinary citizens. "It seems likely that we deserved better of them as well," Briony added, but without hurry or concern. "No one can answer that riddle yet. The hurts we have done to each other will not be unraveled in an afternoon.

"But now the time has come for us to rebuild Southmarch, from these beautiful streets and houses of Funderling Town, cracked by cannon's fire, to the deserted wilderness that the mainland city has become. We will need everyone's help. And thus, as we make right what has been harmed by war and treachery, we will need to work as one people. No longer will there be a royal council that has no Funderling members, or decisions about Southmarch that do not take into account all its residents. Do not mistake me!" And here Briony's voice rose a little as the crowd began to murmur. "Decisions will have to be made and not all will be popular. That is why the one who sits on the throne, whether it is I or perhaps one of my brothers someday, must have the weight of law behind them, just as before. But never again will that law be exercised without all Marchfolk being heard."

The voices of the crowd, which had grown louder during this strange and unexpected speech, became so loud that for a moment Vansen thought he might have to pull Briony from the dais for her own safety-some of the Funderlings were actually shouting. After a moment though, he came to realize that most of the noise was being made by a group of younger Funderlings cheering for the princess regent. The older Funderlings, as well as many of the courtiers and Skimmers, mostly looked dumbfounded.

"I come here today," she went on, "to proclaim a new synedrion which will advise the ruler of the March Kingdoms. This Council of Southmarch will be made of all the peoples of Southmarch, big folk and small, drylanders and Skimmers. Together we will keep safe this ancient seat that is home to all of us-dear to all of us . . ."

The long afternoon was finally ending. As Vansen waited, his beloved listened to Steffens Nynor, who was trying to speak to her confidentially in a guildhall full of Funderlings and others.

"But, Highness," he said in an agitated whisper, "there is no precedent for this!"

"Royalty makes its own precedents," laughed Dawet dan-Faar. "Briony begins her rule like a true queen. It is to be commended."

Nynor scowled. "There is no precedent for you, either, Master Dan-Faar. It seems to me that the last time we saw you, you were ransoming our king."

"It's true," Dawet said. "I am a busy man."

Vansen stepped between the two of them, not that he thought Nynor would do anything dangerous, but he did not like to see the old man teased, either, and Dawet was a bit like a cat. "Please, Highness," he said to the princess, "you should be getting back to the residence."

She gave him a look. "Why is it everyone seems to think I must be looked after like a child?"

"Because like doting parents, we none of us have anything else so precious and dare not risk it." Dawet was pleased with himself. Vansen found himself wondering when this smooth, dangerous fellow would move on to cause trouble in some other kingdom. For him, it could not be soon enough.

Vansen was startled to find Aesi'uah standing beside him. She had appeared as if from nowhere, and her coven stood with her, faces hidden in their hoods; everyone else on the guildhall platform seemed happy to give them a wide berth. "Princess Briony," the eremite said, "I beg your pardon for interrupting. I bring a message from your brother."

"Really?" Briony's voice was cool. "Surely it is not so far to your camp that he couldn't come himself."

"Do you wish to hear the message?"

The princess flicked her hand. "I suppose."

"He wishes you to know that we are leaving tomorrow. The survivors of the People will go back to Qul-na-Qar. But he said he would like to speak to you one last time, if you will come to bid him farewell."

"Where?" Briony looked angry, but there was something else in her face that Vansen could not quite understand.

"Where the two of you said good-bye the last time he left." She brought her hands together on her breast. "The Coast Road at sunset. If you cannot come so far he will understand ..."

"I will be there." Briony turned from her as though the Qar woman had ceased to exist. "Come, Captain Vansen, round up your men. Nynor, you may tell the castle folk that we are going back now." She smiled, but it was the merest tightening of her lips. "We have given them all something to talk about today, haven't we?"

Nynor shook his head and sighed. "Oh, Highness, you certainly have. You are your father's daughter, true enough."

Rain had swept through in the morning but by the time Sister Utta was on her way back from the shrine, the skies had cleared to a blue just barely streaked with clouds. With the help of a few royal guards loaned to her by their handsome but reticent captain, she had set most of the worst damage to right, although the mosaics had been rattled to pieces by cannon fire and spread across the floor of the shrine. Separating and rea.s.sembling them would require months of careful work. Still, it was a grand feeling to be doing something useful, and especially to be doing something useful with Zoria's place of worship. After the events of the last months, Utta felt closer to her patroness than ever.

In fact, she thought as she made her way to Merolanna's apartments, why settle for just rebuilding the old shrine, which had always been small? Why not build a new one better able to serve the castle's populace? A bigger shrine could bring in more t.i.thes, which would allow her to help some of the folk made homeless or dest.i.tute by these long seasons of war.

Utta was so caught up with these new ideas that she did not immediately notice the boy sitting on the bench in Merolanna's antechamber like a young scholar banished from the cla.s.sroom to consider his sins.

"Oh!" She took a step back when she finally saw him. He was a young boy, perhaps nine or ten years old, with hair of so pale a yellow that in the dark room it seemed white. His clothes made her think for a moment that she was looking at one of the Funderlings; his face though, despite its solemnity, was that of a child. "h.e.l.lo," she said, recovering a little. "The blessings of the Three on you, and the good grace of Zoria."

He slid from the bench and stood up. "Blessings to you, Sister Utta. I need to leave now, but I wanted to say something to you before I went."

The child was odd, although she could not say exactly why, but there was something so compelling about him that she did not back away again even when he came to her and took her hand. "Please, look after Merolanna. She is important to me and she will be sad when she finds I've gone. She doesn't have much longer-I fear she will be called onward before spring comes again-so I think the task will not be too much for you." As she stared at him in amazement and more than a little disquiet, the boy squeezed her hand. His eyes were as blue as a clear spring sky. "I must go to the stable now." He continued without explaining. "You have many years still, Sister, so you need not worry that your kindness to Merolanna will cheat you of your ambitions. I can tell you that you will bring many, many hearts to my mother's service in the days ahead."

With these words still ringing in her head, the child let go of Utta's hand and walked out of the dowager d.u.c.h.ess' apartments.

"Oh, what a morning!" Merolanna said when Utta came to her bedside. "My son came to me! Here in my room! I wish you could have seen him!"

Utta could think of nothing she trusted herself to say, except, "That must have been a blessing."

"A blessing, yes, that is just the word. He came to me and told me so many wonderful things that he will show me one day! I can scarcely wait."

Utta looked at the old woman's smile for a long moment, then turned away to dab discreetly at her eyes. "All things come in the G.o.ds' time."

"You sound as if you don't think he'll be back soon," the d.u.c.h.ess said, "but he had better not dawdle. After all, it is my coach and driver he's taken!" Merolanna arranged her cushions and sat back, then reached out for Utta's hand. "But until then, dear friend, sit with me for an hour, if you would be so kind. What is the weather like today? Is it truly summer at last?"

Utta let herself be pulled down into the chair, her thoughts skittering like mice. "Summer? Oh, yes, I . . . I think so, d.u.c.h.ess. It is not overly warm today, but the sky is bright and big ..."

"She is guilty of murder. More importantly, she is guilty of conniving at the death of a ruling prince. You cannot let her live, Princess."

Rose was fussing with a loose ribbon on her stomacher and it was beginning to annoy Briony severely. She waved the young woman away. "Master Dan-Faar, this is my stepmother we are talking about-my father's widow. It is nothing so simple as you make it sound."

"It is just just as simple as that. If there is discontent with your rule, Anissa will become the center of all resistance-she's the baby's mother, after all. "Put King Olin's son on the throne!" they will say. "We need a king!" as simple as that. If there is discontent with your rule, Anissa will become the center of all resistance-she's the baby's mother, after all. "Put King Olin's son on the throne!" they will say. "We need a king!"

"As opposed to a queen?" Briony asked. "You do not know the history of my folk as well as you think you do, Dawet. ..."

"Yes, we all have heard of Queen Lily, pride of the Eddons, yes, yes." He laughed in that infuriating way he had, as if everyone else's thoughts had already occurred to him, been considered, then dismissed. "But that was long ago and n.o.body dared speak against Anglin's blood. Times have changed, Highness. The world has turned topsy-turvy, especially here in Southmarch, and n.o.body will ever again feel quite so certain about what is important and what is not."

Briony shook her head. "Not all you say is wrong, Master Dan-Faar, but I am not you, this is not Tuan or any other Xandian satrapy, and we do not kill our relatives."

"Any prince would execute a relative who has already tried to kill him. We are not so uncivilized in the south as you think us, Princess."

She felt herself caught out. "I meant no offense, Dawet."

He made a little bow. "I know, Highness. But the facts remain."

"Enough. Tell me of something else. What of the Xixians? Did the last of them take ship this afternoon?"

"They did-the new Autarch Prusus and the minister and the remainder of the Leopard guards. They sailed in a Helmingsea coastal trader, so they will have a slow journey home." He grinned. "It was quite satisfying to watch, actually-what remains of the great Xixian army forced to hire ships and slink away. Perhaps someday my own country will joy in such a sight."

"Perhaps. And Prince Eneas?"

"He and his men are set to begin their own journey home tomorrow. As you know, his father is ill and he is needed at home."

"Poisoned by the b.i.t.c.h Ananka, I have no doubt. I hope Eneas can put things right there. Meanwhile, we will miss him. I I will miss him." She sighed. "I am glad you are here, Master Dan-Faar. In a time when so much else is in doubt, you have been a good adviser and a good friend. I am grateful." will miss him." She sighed. "I am glad you are here, Master Dan-Faar. In a time when so much else is in doubt, you have been a good adviser and a good friend. I am grateful."

"I am happy to take your gold, Princess," he said, still smiling. "I a.s.sure you, my helpfulness is mostly mercenary."

She laughed. "Oh, yes, you are a famous villain, are you not? I had forgotten." Her brightened mood was short-lived. "I will never forget that . . . that you brought Shaso home. I know you were enemies in life, Dawet."

He shrugged. "In the end, I could not forget that he and I shared something important-a love and admiration for the same young woman."

"Ah." Briony nodded wisely. "Shaso's daughter-the one who died. Of course."

Dawet seemed surprised but did his best not to show it. "Ah. Yes, her. Of course."