Elantris

would all be gone by noon tomorrow-if it wasn't gone already.

'Who, my lady?' Ashe asked. He had watched the food distribution from the top of the wall, near where Iadon had been standing. He had wanted to accompany her, of course, but she had forbidden it. The Seon was her main source of information about Elantris and its leaders, and she didn't want to make an obvious connection between the two of them.

'The guide,' Sarene explained as she turned and strolled through the broad tapestry-lined entryway of the king's palace. Iadon liked tapestries far too much for her taste.

'The man called Spirit?'

Sarene nodded. 'He pretended to be following the others' orders. but he was no servant. Aanden kept shooting glances at him during our negotiations, as if looking for reassurance. Do you think perhaps we got the names of the leaders wrong?'

'It's possible, my lady,' Ashe admitted. 'However, the Elantrians I spoke with seemed very certain. Karata. Aanden. and Shaor were the names I heard at least a dozen times. No one mentioned a man named Spirit.'

'Have you spoken with these people recently?' Sarene asked.

'Actually, I have been focusing my efforts on the Guards.' Ashe said, bobbing to the side as a courier rushed past him. People had a tendency to ignore Seons with a level of indifference that would have been offensive to any human attendant. Ashe took it all without complaint, not even breaking his dialogue.

'The Elantrians were hesitant to give anything more than names, my lady-the Guards, however. were very free with their opinions. They have little to do all

day besides watch the city. I put their observations together with the names I gathered, and produced what I told you.'

Sarene paused for a moment, leaning against a marble pillar. 'He's hiding something.'

'Oh dear,' Ashe mumbled. 'My lady, don't you think you might be overextending yourself? You've decided to confront the gyorn, liberate the court women from masculine oppression, save Arelon's economy, and feed Elantris. Perhaps you shouId just let this man's subterfuge go unexpIored.'

'You're right,' Sarene said, 'I am too busy to deal with Spirit. That's why you are going to find out what he's up to.'

Ashe sighed.

'Go back to the city,' Sarene said. 'You shouldn't have to go very far inside-a lot of Elantrians loiter near the gate. Ask them about Spirit and see if you can discover anything about the treaty between Karata and Aanden.'

'Yes, my lady.'

'I wonder if maybe we misjudged Elantris,' Sarene said.

'I don't know, my lady,' Ashe said. 'It is a very barbarous place. I witnessed several atrocious acts myself, and saw the aftermath of many others. Everyone in that city bears wounds of some sort-and from the sounds of their moans, I would guess that many of the injuries are severe. Fighting must be common.'

Sarene nodded absently. However, she couldn't help thinking of Spirit. and how strikingly unbarbaric he had been. He'd put the lords at ease, conversing with them affably. as if he weren't damned and they the ones who had locked him away. She had found herself almost liking him by the end of the afternoon. though she worried that he was toying with her.

So she had remained indifferent, even cold, toward Spirit-reminding herself that many a murderer and tyrant could appear very friendly if he wanted to. Her heart, however, told her that this man was genuine. He was hiding things, as all men did, but he honestly wanted to help Elantris. For some reason, he seemed particularly concerned with Sarene's opinion of him.

And, walking out of the entryway toward her own rooms. Sarene had to try very hard before she convinced herself that she didn't care what he thought of her.

CHAPTER 24

Hrathen was hot within his bloodred armor, exposed as he was to the bright sunlight. He was consoled by how imposing he must look, standing atop the wall with his armor shining in the light. Of course, no one was looking at him-they were all watching the tall Teoish princess distribute her food.

Her decision to enter Elantris had shocked the town, and the king's subsequent bestowal of permission had done so again. The walls of Elantris had filled early. nobles and merchants packing themselves along the open, wall-top walkway. They had come with faces like men watching a Svordish shark fight, leaning over the wall to get the best view of what many projected would be a thrilling disaster. It was commonly thought that the savages of Elantris would rip the princess apart within the first few minutes of her entrance. then proceed to devour her.

Hrathen watched with resignation as Elantris's monsters came placidly, refusing to ingest even a single guard-let alone the princess. His demons refused to perform, and he could see the disappointment in the crowd's faces. The princess's move had been masterful, castrating Hrathen's devils with a sweep of the brutal scythe known as truth. Now that Sarene's personal aristocrats had proven their courage by entering Elantris, pride would force the others to do so as well. Hatred of Elantris would evaporate, for people couldn't fear that which they pitied.

As soon as it became obvious that no princesses would be devoured this day. the people lost interest, returning down the wall's long flight of steps in a steady. dissatisfied trickle. Hrathen joined them. climbing down the steps. then turning toward the center of Kae and the Derethi chapel. As he walked, however, a carriage pulled up alongside him. Hrathen recognized the Aon on its side: Aon Rii.

The carriage pulled to a stop and the door opened. Hrathen paused for just a moment, then climbed in, seating himself opposite Duke Telrii.

The duke was obviously not pleased. 'I warned you about that woman. The people will never hate Elantris now-and, if they don't hate Elantris, they won't hate Shu-Korath either.'

Hrathen waved his hand. 'The girl's efforts are irrelevant.'

'I don't see how that is the case.'

'How long can she keep this up?' Hrathen asked. 'A few weeks. a month at the most? Right now, her excursions are a novelty, but that will wear off soon. I doubt many of the nobility will be willing to accompany her in the future, even if she does try and keep these feedings going.'

'The damage is done,' Telrii said insistently.

'Hardly,' Hrathen said. 'Lord Telrii, it has barely been a few weeks since I arrived in Arelon. Yes, the woman has dealt us a setback, but it will prove a minor inconvenience. You know, as I know, that the nobility are a fickle group. How long do you think it will rake for them to forget their visits into Elantris?'

Telrii didn't look convinced.

'Besides,' Hrathen said, trying another tactic, 'my work with Elantris was only a small part of our plan. The instability of Iadon's throne-the embarrassment he will sustain at the next taxing period-is what we should be focusing on.'

'The king recently found some new contracts in Teod,' Telrii said.

'They won't be enough to recoup his losses,' Hrathen said dismissively. 'His finances are crippled. The nobility will never stand for a king who insists that they maintain their level of wealth, but who doesn't apply the same standard to himself.

'Soon, we can begin spreading rumors as to the king's reduced circumstances. Most of the high-ranking nobility are merchants themselves-they have means of discovering how their competitors are doing. They'll find out just how much Iadon is hurting, and they'll begin to complain.'

'Complaints won't put me on the throne,' Telrii said.

'You'd be surprised,' Hrathen said. 'Besides, at that same time we'll begin implying that if you were to take the throne, you would bring Arelon a lucrative trade treaty with the East. I can provide you with the proper documents. There will be money enough for all-and that is something that Iadon hasn't been able to provide. Your people know that this country is on the verge of financial ruin. Fjorden can bring you out of it.'

Telrii nodded slowly.

Yes, Telrii, Hrathen thought with an inward sigh, that's something you can understand, isn't it? If we can't