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modest.”

Anne settled upon the nearest chair, inspecting the cushion before she did so. She shot Kara a look of impatience. To her right sat Caroline, who occupied herself by looking over an open drawer of dyed fabrics.

Am I boring you ladies?

Caroline looked up, and she gasped.

“Oh!”

For Kara was swiftly undressing. She had thrown her cloak down onto the stool, quite deliberately draping it over her satchel. Her shirt followed, and then she reached for her leggings.

“Oh,” Lady Caroline said again, covering her mouth. “Oh, gosh…”

Anne’s eyes met Kara’s coldly as she dropped her leggings onto her shirt. There was nothing left for her to remove. She held only her sword, still in its scabbard.

“Modesty is only a fool’s pride, Lady Anne,” she said lightly. “It is the first casualty when you hunt murderers in The Wilderness for weeks on end,” she added with relish. “I have bathed in lakes and rivers under the sun and stars while my friends kept an eye out for enemies. Now I will take my bath, and I will take my sword with me, for I don’t like leaving it out of reach. It’s a habit of mine.”

The tub was enormous, and Kara sank into the hot water gratefully. She rested her hands on the copper rim. Steam rose from the surface and condensation dripped from a fogged mirror that hung on the wall to her immediate right, above a slate shelf. Next to the tub sat a small stool. She could feel the heat rising from below, for Rupert, downstairs, would be piling wood into a stove that would keep the water warm.

I just hope he knows how much wood to put in, or else I will boil. Despite that, the water felt wonderful on her skin.

The older Thessalia was saying something beyond the screen, but Kara didn’t catch it. Her daughter made a remark, and then Anne replied with a sharp tone. As ever, Caroline giggled. Kara could imagine the dark-eyed pretty girl with her hand over her mouth again.

The conversation ended as one or both of the Thessalias opened drawers and lifted cloth from cupboards. Basking now in the warmth, Kara was content to let them get on with it. Her muscles needed a soak, and she had looked forward to a bath for some days now.

She peered at the slate shelf below the mirror. A dozen bottles with granules of varying colours were lined up, ready for use. Kara didn’t know whether to eat them or pour them into the water. She picked up one with a red colour and a cherry scent, and suddenly she had a vision of running out into the room after smearing it around her mouth and face, grinning insanely and holding her sword aloft, waving it at Anne.

How she would scream.

Suddenly and quite uncontrollably, she laughed. Then she ducked her head below the water to silence herself. But when she resurfaced she found Caroline standing over her.

“Is everything well?”

Kara pushed her wet hair back from her face.

“Quite well, thank you,” she said. “Although… could you tell me which of these you would… recommend?” Kara pointed to the shelf lined with the confusing lotions. Caroline smiled knowingly.

“Any and all,” she advised, smiling meekly. She pointed to the bottle Kara still clutched in her hand. “I like that one, the cherry scent.” She lowered her voice and leaned forward. “Although Lady Anne thinks it’s too strong. She thinks a lady should be subtle in her fashions.”

“Well, then,” Kara replied with sudden glee, her voice also low, “something about Lady Anne reminds me of the wrong end of a horse. I agree with you. Cherry it is.”

Caroline gaped in shock at Kara.

Then she covered her mouth-with both hands this time, as if just one wasn’t enough to still the laughter that threatened to overwhelm her. After a moment, she regained control.

“You… you mustn’t talk like that,” she gasped.

Kara didn’t reply. Instead, she poured the red lotion into the water and mixed the bath with her hand. A strong scent was carried upwards in the steam. Kara gave a sigh of contentment.

“That is a good choice, Lady Caroline,” she said, resting her head on a soft cushion-like sponge that had been provided for her comfort.

“Can I stay for a moment?” Caroline asked.

It would be useful to have a friend tonight. I have a feeling that Anne might try some mischief at the dance.

“Yes, I would be glad of the company,” Kara said genuinely. “Tell me of events that have been taking place here in Varrock. I have been in The Wilderness and away from civilization for so long that there is much I don’t know.”

“Where should I start?” Caroline said as she pulled up the stool.

“About these murders and disappearances,” Kara suggested. “That sounds interesting.” She sniffed at several new lotions as Caroline told her about the prophecy of the High Priest of Entrana, given a century earlier, and of the rumours that were spreading through the streets of the city. She told Kara about the secret society whose symbol was an owl, and how more and more of the symbols were appearing in the oddest places. Much of her information was gossip, Kara deduced, though she knew Caroline’s account of Ellamaria’s accusation was accurate, since she had been there to witness it herself.

Still, if there have been as many deaths as she indicates, it is a wonder the city isn’t tearing itself apart. And Morytania is believed responsible. We must be careful, my friends and I.

Gar’rth most of all.

She was brought from her reverie by a question.

“Did you really kill all those men?” Caroline asked, her voice almost a whisper. “All fourteen of them, on your own?”

“I did,” Kara replied. “It was dark in the barn, though. They couldn’t see.”

Caroline hesitated. Kara saw her confusion, and continued.

“I grew up with the dwarfs under Ice Mountain, after my family were butchered by Sulla and his Kinshra,” she explained. “You learn to see in the dark there. Your eyes grow used to it.”

Although since leaving the mines I find it harder to see so well. Perhaps I am losing that gift, after spending so much time on the surface.

“I wish I could do that,” Caroline said. “But why did you never kill Sulla? In all the songs you bested him in single combat after destroying his army, after you killed a hundred men in battle. Are the tales true?”

You are filled with questions, Lady Caroline, Kara realised. I would be foolish to think you simple. She laughed to hide her suspicion, yet it was not entirely forced, for Caroline was open to the point of naivety and Kara found it delightfully easy to talk to her.

“I am not sure I ever killed a hundred men,” she replied. “Doric said later that he counted thirty or so of my enemies, but I don’t remember.” She looked Caroline in the eyes. “And I am glad I don’t.”

Though that is a lie. I do remember those who begged for mercy before I killed them. I offered them the same mercy they offered their victims-like my family.

None at all.

“Is everything well in there?” Madame Thessalia called with a voice that was more impatient than concerned. Kara replied that it was, then turned back to Caroline.

“As for Sulla, I had spent my whole life-over ten years- dreaming of the day I would kill him. I tried to do so, and my anger very nearly killed me.” She saw the eagerness in the girl’s eyes, and continued. “Fortunately, my father’s Ring of Life whisked me to Falador, where I was found by Theodore and the knights and nursed back to health. Finally, after learning things I had never suspected about my father, I found a sense of home. When the war came, and I had Sulla at my mercy, I spared him to honour a promise to a very brave man-the kindest one I have ever known.”

“The knight Bhuler?” Caroline squeaked.

“Yes,” Kara said in surprise. “You have listened to the songs and tales, haven’t you?”

The girl nodded enthusiastically.

“After the war I went north to a monastery which had been burned by Sulla’s forces. It was near to my