A window above the mantel opened. Irimus leaned forward and hung an ornamental drape above the fire. Then he reached through with a flagpole and set it in a slot that had been carved there. The flag itself was bound up, yet to be revealed.

The king will not believe it when the trays are brought from the kitchen, said Margi.

Nor will he believe what he tastes, came the answer.

Luci shrugged. That thought had not come from her.

The sisters felt a thrill, a charge, another affirmation that their sister, Madi, was nearby, reading their thoughts and responding.

You're here? they asked together.

Yes. Tonight a great deal will happen. And I'll be watching.

A feast! thought Luci. I wish you could taste it.

I speak of much more than a feast, came Madi's quiet thoughts. I'm told great things will happen. But I don't yet know this chapter of the story. I've come to be a witness. Be careful, sisters.

There are many other Northchildren in this house tonight. They say that everything changes. Be gracious to everyone.

"Why?" Margi shouted. "Why must we be gracious? What's going to happen?"

When there was no answer, she scowled and counted the plates. Luci, narrowing her eyes, removed candles from the crate she carried and set them out in a line.

"It's too quiet in here," said Margi. "I miss Lesyl. She'd give us some music. It's a shame the king lost his true love."

He hasn't, came Madi's answer. Not yet. But if he's not careful, he will.

27.

THE ALE BOY'S FEAST t the second sounding of the bell, Cal-raven rose from the bed that Emeriene had made from the pelt of a bearcat. It was time for him to put on the ceremonial garments that Mousey had provided. The former slaver, eager to please, said she had found them among prizes in the shredders' cave and had kept anyone else from discovering them. She'd known she wanted to present him with this gift. As an apology, he thought.

He undressed and unfolded the white shirt, the green trousers, and the brown vawnskin cape, but as he laid them out across the pelt, he hesitated. These are a king's garments. But I am not ready.

The thought of Mousey's stolen kiss-a lifetime ago, in that slaver's wagon-turned his mind in a different direction. Cal-raven wanted understanding. He wanted to fall into the arms of someone who would accept what was left of him, and demand nothing more.

But Tabor Jan's example cautioned him. To open himself to the possibility of another loss, another wound, seemed foolish.

Every time I meet Emeriene, she meets a different man in a different world. She should learn what I've become. And so should I.

He felt a breeze brush his ankle, like someone teasing him with a feather, and he knelt down.

Air was rushing from a crack in one of the pillars.

Looking at the mural depicting Tammos Raak's escape over the Forbidding Wall, he noticed, for the first time, in this particular angle of light, that the stone on which it was carved was not centuries old like the rest.

He put his hand upon the picture and let the restless magic stir.

The mural melted away.

A keyhole.

As he fetched the keys, Cal-raven felt that familiar pulse of curiosity that had led him out from Abascar's walls.

A bird with a tail of red ribbons soared high above the dining hall, followed by two frantic chicks. She landed on a balcony rail, and as her two followers alighted beside her, her breast expanded, red feathers flaring out, and she performed a trilling melody that made Warney think of sunlit fountains in springtime.

He watched the bird, studying the exquisite textures of its vibrating feathers. He smiled to see that all the diners around him were staring with similar delight. Only Krawg, seated just two plates to Warney's left, seemed despondent. So he seized the clay goblet from the mat before him and raised it in a silent toast. Krawg, seeing the gesture, reluctantly did the same.

"The king made these cups, you know," said Warney. "Shaped them with his own hands. Just for this." He sipped the water. He could swear that the drink was improving his vision. And judging from the whispers of the guests, it affected them the same way. For that bird was far above them, and yet they praised her smallest details.

"Lookit us, Krawg," said Warney. "This is the king's table. And we're at it."

"The Midnight Swindler and the One-Eyed Bandit."

"The royal storyteller and the Seers' destroyer! You know who I wish could see us? Those blasted duty officers who used to thrash Gatherers with their riding whips."

"So where's the king, anyway?" asked Krawg, glancing anxiously about. "I'm hungry."

Warney's eye scanned the crescent of candlelit faces. In the center, before the fireplace blaze, two spaces sat empty. To their right, Tabor Jan sat rigid, his neck bound up in a brace, closed fists resting on his knees. He could not turn his head, so he turned his torso left and right, surveying the scene intently. His bearded face was purple, but at least Say-ressa had washed away the mask of old blood. He looked like himself again.

Krawg sat beside Tabor Jan, shifting uncomfortably on the stone floor. Then there was an empty place, and Warney at the end.

On the other side of the two empty spaces were Jes-hawk, arm still in a sling; Say-ressa, dabbing at her eyes with a napkin; and Jordam the beastman, dwarfing everyone in the crescent. He hunched, anxious beneath a heavy cloak that was far too small for him. Shanyn sat beyond Jordam, glancing at him worriedly and often staring at his massive hands.

Facing Krawg and Warney, Emeriene sat between her boys, holding their wrists as she hissed at them to stop glaring at the beastman. Beyond these three, Irimus Rain and Nella Bye sat beside another empty space.

With no warning the window above the fireplace slid open, and Scharr ben Fray appeared over the mantelpiece. Warney saw a sparkle, clear as flecks of glass, on the mage's cheeks.

"This," he declared, raising a glittering instrument, "is the gift that Frits gave to our King Cal-raven." It was a glass trumpet, like those heard at the glass mine, and when the mage put his lips to the mouthpiece, he sounded a note so perfect and piercing that everyone in the royal hall straightened in surprise.

Then the mage spoke.

"May we all show such honor to our king. Generations ago, a man of extravagant powers established Inius Throan. He meant it to be the new world's heart, a home for his persecuted children. But the children in their ambition turned against one another and their master. They scattered and fought until only four remained. Those four established the four houses. And they would torment their master until, fleeing from this refuge, he fell."

"This is going to be a long story," groaned Warney.

"I'm hungry," muttered Krawg.

"We know the rest," said Scharr ben Fray.

The old men breathed sighs of relief, lifted their goblets together, and drank. The water stunned their senses, burned its way down their throats, and set them to trembling.

"The four houses became blinded by their own faults and foolishness. But a few sought understanding. They paid heed to their dreams. And to the Keeper."

The hall was more silent than it had been when it was empty.

"One man in particular sought the Keeper from the time of his boyhood. Led by dreams and colors, he promised his people a safe place, where dissonance would be turned into harmony. A house without tyranny. Where all voices are heard. Where wisdom speaks louder than might. That dream has been costly. And you have all paid part of that price. That very heavy price."

The mage let those words hang in the air for a few moments, then continued.

"I have heard that after the fall of the house of King Cal-marcus, Tabor Jan made a promise to the Abascar survivors."

Tabor Jan was still trying to turn around to see the mage as he spoke.

"Tabor Jan told you to strive with all of your strength and that your king would match you step for step, loss for loss, labor for labor. He was right. Your king has done that, and more. So for the glory of his vision, I give you the new flag of this house."

He drew the gold tie that bound the flag. From the mast a sky-blue banner unfurled, bearing fourteen representations of the dream creature.

Fourteen Keepers? Warney wondered. Is the water playing tricks on my mind?

The creatures were arrayed in a great arc over a diamond-shaped patch of colors that Warney recognized. It was a small kite that Auralia herself had painted and flown, a kite that had hung on the gallery wall in the Blackstone Caves.

As the audience stared in silence-baffled, perhaps, by the design-Scharr ben Fray continued. "Lady Say-ressa, Abascar's healer, would you raise up your gifted hands and lead us in welcoming our king?"

Say-ressa stood, her long hair spilling down around her knees, and looked up to the back of the hall in expectation. A question marked her brow, and she glanced at Scharr ben Fray worriedly.

The hall was quiet.

"Find him," said the mage, lowering his voice.

Say-ressa shook her head. "The king asked me to stay beside Jordam."

Tabor Jan tried to stand, but Emeriene jumped to her feet. "Allow me. I know where to find him." She pointed a commanding finger at Cesyr and Channy, her unspoken instruction clear, then departed up the central stair and out through the back.

Out of breath, her weaker leg aching, Emeriene stepped into Cal-raven's chamber.

"We've got to construct a Bel Amican lift," she muttered. "I'm just not a climber anymore."

She looked around. Cal-raven's garments lay strewn on the floor, and his new kingly costume lay spread across the bearcat pelt. "Where are you?"

Scattered beside his pillow, she discovered small stone pieces and bent to pick one up. It was unfinished but had two slender legs, one wrapped in a cast.

I'm in his mind. Here. In his new house.

She lifted a silver platter. He had finished the bread and water she'd left for him. Catching her reflection there, she ran her fingers through her short, black hair and practiced a few expressions of surprise. "There you are!" she whispered. "Well, where have you been hiding?" Then she lifted his pillow to her face and breathed in deeply.

Behind her she heard a hinge creak. In one of the room's pillars, an open door echoed with distant noise.

Beyond that door she saw the stairway spiraling down. "Cal-raven?"

Absently hugging his pillow, she quietly took a step, letting her unbending leg down first, then following it with the other. Down one step, then another, into shadow and faint torchlight.

She came at last to a short corridor. It was dark, cold, and lined with barred cells-a small, secret dungeon. Almost all the cells were closed and dark, but one was open and glowing with torchlight.

Cal-raven stepped out, holding the light.

Emeriene screamed.

The king, naked, screamed even louder.

Then Emeriene laughed and turned away from him. After an awkward moment, she tossed the pillow over her shoulder, and he caught it.

When she glanced over her shoulder, the king looked disgruntled, covering himself with the pillow.

"You're late for dinner."

"Oh. I suppose I am."

"I'll ... I'll wait in the ... Shall I wait upstairs?" She was almost certain she could hear his thunderous heartbeat. "What are you doing down here? What is this?"

"I don't know. I just discovered it."

"Your feast is ready and waiting." She began to ascend the stairs, trying not to picture him behind her. But then, unable to restrain herself, she said, "I must say, Master of Inius Throan, it is good to ... good to see you again."

He laughed, but the laughter sounded strained. He seemed distracted.

Back in his bedroom, she peered out into the hall. "Your garments are ready."

"I can't wear those. We dine to honor the ale boy, not me."

A moment later she turned. Cal-raven wore a dull grey servant's cloak.

"I think you are a troublemaker." She dared to reach and straighten his collar. "As you were when I met you."

He met her gaze in surprise.

"I expect nothing from you. Nothing at all. And if you sent me back to Bel Amica, I would accept it and understand it. But when the feast is over, should you ever desire my company ... I will come."

Surprising her, he took her left hand at once and kissed it. Then he pressed her small, cold knuckles to his forehead. "You came after me, even after I disappointed you ... I've worn out this world, Emeriene. I have come to the end of a journey, but I feel no joy, no comfort, no glimmer of gladness, save that you are here. All surprises in this place thus far have laid burden upon burden on my heart-all except your appearance. And had you not come, in time I would have summoned you myself. I-"

"Shh. I know. If this were the last night of the world or the first of a new one ... for all of our losses and disappointments, for all we have endured, that would be enough for me." She reached up and put her right hand alongside his face.

"Master?"

Scharr ben Fray stood in the doorway. "What a relief to find you ... in such good hands."

As King Cal-raven descended the stairs, passing tier after tier crowded with quiet, hungry people, Say-ressa's voice broke in the midst of her welcome.

Everyone rose, so fiercely aware in their strange intoxication that they struggled to keep their balance.

To their astonishment their plain-dressed king walked around the lowest crescent of diners, asked for them to be seated, and then placed his hand on Jordam's shoulder.

"Tonight we welcome the first man of a new House Cent Regus. He has learned to oppose the Curse within him. We'd have perished if he had not warned us of danger at Barnashum. Some of us are here because he brought us out of Cent Regus prisons. Jordam is a friend of this house."