The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms

Sciminas face tightened, and for a moment I thought she would spit at me. Instead she turned away and resumed circling Nahadoth, though slower now. Which member of the alliance did you approach?

Minister Gemd, of Menchey.

Gemd? Scimina frowned at this. How did you persuade him? He was more eager for the chance than all the others.

I took a deep breath. I brought Nahadoth with me. His persuasive powers are formidable, as Im sure you know.

Scimina barked a laughbut her gaze was thoughtful as she glanced at me, then at him. Nahadoth gazed into the middle distance, as he had since kneeling. He might have been contemplating matters beyond human reckoning, or the dyes in Tvrils pants.

Interesting, Scimina said. Since Im certain Grandfather would not have commanded the Enefadeh to do this for you, that means our Nightlord decided to help you on his own. How on earth did you manage that?

I shrugged, though abruptly I felt anything but relaxed. Stupid, stupid. I should have realized the danger in this line of questioning. He seemed to find it amusing. There were several deaths. I tried to look uneasy and found that it was not difficult. I had not intended those, but they were effective.

I see. Scimina stopped, folding her arms and tapping her fingers. I did not like the look in her eyes, even though it was directed at Nahadoth. And what else did you do?

I frowned. Else?

We keep a tight leash on the Enefadeh, Cousin, and Nahadoths is tightest of all. When he leaves the palace, Viraine knows of it. And Viraine tells me he left twice, on two separate nights.

Demons. Why in the Fathers name hadnt the Enefadeh told me? Damned secret keepingI went to Darr, to see my grandmother.

For what purpose?

To understand why my mother sold me to the Enefadeh

I jerked my thoughts off that path and folded my arms. Because I missed her. Not that you would understand something like that.

She turned to gaze at me, a slow, lazy smile playing about her lips, and I suddenly realized I had made a mistake. But what? Had my insult bothered her that much? No, it was something else.

You did not risk your sanity traveling with the Nightlord just to exchange pleasantries with some old hag, Scimina said. Tell me why you really went there.

To confirm the war petition and the alliance against Darr.

And? Thats all?

I thought fast, but not fast enough. Or perhaps it was my unnerved expression that alerted her, because she tsked at me. Youre keeping secrets, Cousin. And I mean to have them. Viraine!

Viraine sighed and faced Nahadoth. An odd look, almost pensive, passed over his face. This would not have been my choice, he said softly.

Nahadoths eyes flicked to him and lingered for a moment; there was a hint of surprise in his expression. You must do as your lord requires. Not Dekarta. Itempas.

This is not his doing, Viraine said, scowling. Then he seemed to recall himself, throwing Scimina one last glare and shaking his head. Fine, then.

He reached into a pocket of his cloak and went to crouch beside Nahadoth, setting on his thigh a small square of paper on which had been drawn a spidery, liquid gods sigil. SomehowI refused to think deeply about howI knew a line was missing from it. Then Viraine took out a brush with a capped tip.

I felt queasy. I stepped forward, lifting a bloodied hand to protestand then stopped as my eyes met Nahadoths. His face was impassive, the glance lazy and disinterested, but my mouth went dry anyhow. He knew what was coming better than I did. He knew I could stop it. But the only way I could do that was to risk revealing the secret of Enefas soul.

Yet the alternative

Scimina, observing this exchange, laughedand then, to my revulsion, she came over to take me by the shoulder. I commend you on your taste, Cousin. He is magnificent, isnt he? I have often wondered if there was some way but, of course, there isnt.

She watched as Viraine set the square of paper on the floor beside Nahadoth, in one of the few spots unmarred by Siehs blood. Viraine then uncapped the brush, hunched over the square, and very carefully drew a single line.

Light blazed down from the ceiling, as if someone had opened a colossal window at high noon. There was no opening in the ceiling, though; this was the power of the gods, who could defy the physical laws of the human realm and create something out of nothing. After the relative dimness of Skys soft pale walls, this was too bright. I raised a hand in front of my watering eyes, hearing murmurs of discomfort from our remaining audience.

Nahadoth knelt at the lights center, his shadow stark amid the chains and blood. I had never seen his shadow before. At first the light seemed to do him no harmbut that was when I realized what had changed. I hadnt seen his shadow before. The living nimbus that surrounded him ordinarily did not allow it, constantly twisting and lashing and overlapping itself. It was not his nature to contrast his surroundings; he blended in. But now the nimbus had become just long black hair, draping over his back. Just a voluminous cloak cascading over his shoulders. His whole body was still.