“I was contracted to King Kelver as part of an alliance,” I told her in my most sincere voice as soon as I had reminded her who I was. “I’ve never met the King, and since he has a living wife, I may not meet him for many years. I did not seek the betrothal, or the alliance, though I must say it was one way to escape from Stoneflight Demesne ...”
“I remember your mother,” she said, making a little face. “We stayed at Stoneflight once. I remember Mendost, as well. He tried to get me into his bed, though I was only a child, and Dorto objected to his behavior.”
Lunette was chilly, but not hostile, and under the circumstances I considered her behavior generous.
“Mendost is impossible,” I murmured. “He will end by getting himself killed, but only after he has sacrificed every other inhabitant of Stoneflight Demesne. If you speak to your brother, Dorto, tell him from me to trust no settlement or negotiation which Mendost brings.”
“Why would you tell me this?” she murmured, under cover of the dishes being cleared. “You are his sister ...”
“I have as much reason to hate Mendost as you do,” I answered. “But I have no reason to dislike Pouws, or any person from that Demesne. I offer you my friendship, Lunette. Take it if you will. If you will not, at least know that I am no part of Mendost’s Game.” Then, I could not forebear adding, “And watch out for Dedrina-Lucir. She will draw you in and use you if she can.”
“I heard you say Basilisk,” she murmured behind her napkin. “Was that true?”
“Watch her, and make up your own mind.” We rose then, I to go off to the courtyard visitors room. Dedrina-Lucir went who knows where, but very pale she went and burning with rage. The table mistress had rebuked her for discourtesy, and for one of that proud nature, it must have felt like the blow of a sword.
“Well?” asked Bets, eyes shining, wanting to hear every detail. I told them what had happened.
“She’ll bite.” Tess Tinder-my-hand nodded, her white hair waving. “She’ll bite. She’s too angry to do anything else. By Mother Didir, she will.”
“I fear for Jinian,” whispered Sarah. “Have we gone too far?”
“Dangerous,” Margaret Foxmitten agreed, “but necessary. We must bring her out into the open.” She bent above some needlework she was doing, hair shining in the lamplight. I wondered why Margaret stayed without a man. In some lights, in some times she was so beautiful.
My thoughts were interrupted by Murzy. “You’re right, Margaret. She’ll bite. But the teeth will be sharp. Which means we must be ready. Now, what shall it be? Herbary? Field magic? Summoning? Casting?”
“It cannot be Talent. It must not be wize-art,” said Cat. “Jinian may be questioned about it.”
It was true. If something happened to Dedrina, I might be asked. I might be asked by a Demon. We had at least one Demon Gamesmistress who could Read what I had for breakfast yesterday after I had forgotten what it was myself. If there were sufficient reason, the ban against use of Talents in Xammer would be set aside.
“Stones,” said Cat, suddenly.
The rest were silent, thinking. I had no idea what Cat meant. I had learned no stone magic. They looked as puzzled as I did.
“Footseer,” Cat said impatiently. “Old Road.”
“Old Road here?” asked Sarah, her face full of wonder. “In Xammer?”
“Just outside,” I said. Gamesmistress Joumerie had pointed it out during some lesson or other. A lengthy chunk of Old Road ran just east of Xammer, parallel to the Great North Road. “But what of it? What use is it?”
“Basilisks can’t see in the dark, no more than you or I,” said Cat. “On the Old Road, Footseer can.”
They started plotting, and arguing, and plotting more. At last I had to leave them, for the hours for visiting were done.
“Mind, now,” said Murzy. “You don’t ride or walk or go anywhere alone until this is planned out.”
“Yes, Murzy. No, Murzy,” I agreed. “I won’t.” Remembering my former encounter with a Basilisk, I wasn’t at all eager to meet another.
10
The next evening, Margaret Foxmitten came to visit, and we strolled about the courtyard quite openly, she giving me instructions in a quiet voice between louder bits.
“Say you are going riding tomorrow after dark,” she instructed.
“Tomorrow night, Margaret, I am going riding after dark. It is very lovely in the fields in the moonlight.”
“It will rain tomorrow,” she said loudly. “Don’t go out. It will be black as char.” Then, in a softer voice, “Tell me you’re sure it will clear later on.”
“Oh, it will clear later on, “ I said carelessly, then murmured, “What in the name of the Hundred Devils is going on, Margaret?”
“Ride out at dusk, barefoot,” she said. “Be sure you find the Old Road and dismount before it gets completely dark. Lead your horse. You’ll see two red lights, lanterns, north and south. Position yourself about midway between. You’ll know when to run. Let go of the horse, we’ll get him later, and run toward the northern light like a bunwit—a long-legged bunwit. Be sure you stay on the Old Road. It makes two or three sharp little swerves right there, so be sure you stay on it. When you pass the red lantern, Murzy will be there with a wagon. She’ll have some shoes for you, and one of us will bring the horse up.”
“But, but, but,” I sputtered. “What’s going to happen? What am I doing it for? Why do I—”
“Just do it,” said Margaret. Then, loudly, “Well, if you won’t listen, you won’t listen, Jinian. Mark my words, if you go out
