“I need to piss. Move.”

  Geller stared into her eyes a moment and then stepped out of her way.

  Ailith walked past, and Geller called after her. “Ye’ll no be comin’ back to this room. Th’ Commander’s arranged another room fer ya down on th’ third floor, next to Emlyn.”

  Ailith charged back, the blood suffusing her cheeks and the anger in her eyes so intense Geller moved into a defensive position. Ailith pointed over Geller’s shoulder at her door. “That’s my room, and no poxy noble Commander’s gonna be takin’ it from me!”

  “Maybe no poxy noble, but Commander Shirin’s already done it, girl.”

  “Fowk you! I’m no a Blade no more, and I don’t need to be stayin’ in this Blade-infested sewer no more, neither. I’ll find me own place to live.” She stabbed a finger into Geller’s face. “Fowk all a ya.”

  Normally, Geller would have been all over someone who spoke to her with such blatant disrespect, but after seeing Ailith’s room, she knew she’d be reacting the exact same way. And at least the chit still had some fight in her instead of mewling like a pitiful victim. After watching her storm down the stairs, she pulled Ailith’s door shut and shoved her chair in front of it. The Commander had ordered her to come find her if Ailith left her room, so she trotted down the stairs to begin her search.

  As it happened, Shirin was just coming out of the detention block after locking Khaldo in a cell and telling the guard to keep her on suicide watch until further notice. Ailith came storming out of the dormitories, headed for the infirmary. Did she intend to try to visit Jenx? When she passed the infirmary, the next stop was the tower, and Shirin knew she didn’t want her going in there.

  Geller caught up to her as she was jogging after Ailith. She’d also seen the direction Ailith was heading and knew the Commander would need help if the chit intended to throw herself out the upper windows. They both breathed easier when Ailith passed the door to the tower and turned down a breezeway leading to the stables at the rear of the Temple. Shirin spoke as they slowed their pace to a fast walk. “Go let Sábria know where she’s going, but watch out.”

  There was no need for her to elaborate. Geller had experienced Sábria in a foul temper. The only reason Shirin would put her on guard duty in front of Ailith’s door was if Sábria had put a great deal of pressure on her to take care of matters without any cockups. Not that Shirin made many mistakes, but making one now would not be a good idea. “Yes, Commander.” She veered off toward the Priestess’ office in the Citadel while Shirin continued after Ailith.

  The gate leading from the breezeway into the stables was standing open, and Shirin heard the stablemaster, Kemi Leernan’s distinctive Rutland plains accent as she growled at Ailith. “What are ya doin’ ya cowardly piece of shite? Get yer ass outta my barn, or I’ll—”

  “That’s enough, Kemi. Leave her.”

  “Th’ bitch is in wi’ me mare what just foaled yesterday, an’ th’ cob’s not latchin’ on like he should. She’ll cock up th’ cob fer sure.”

  “Do you have another stall for the mare and foal?” Shirin wasn’t in the mood for the irascible woman’s temper, and she made it obvious by the glare she turned on her.

  No fool, Kemi glanced into a second stall, grabbed a pitchfork, and heaved a big pile of straw inside. Without a word, she opened the gate with the mare and spoke gently to her. She’d left the halter on to help keep the big bay still while the foal suckled. She took hold of it now and led the mare into the new stall. The gangly colt trotted in after them.

  By the time Kemi returned, Sábria had entered the stables. The Priestess went straight into where Ailith once again lay on a pile of straw with her back to them. She’d intended to kneel next to her, but Ailith sprang up and took up an aggressive posture and yelled, “Can’t you people leave me th’ fowk alone?”

  Once again, Sábria held up a hand to keep Shirin back. She spoke softly, trying to calm the storm raging in Ailith’s eyes. “I remember you saying you used to break and train horses. Is this where you’d like to stay for a time? Maybe help clean the stalls?”

  “Shovelin’ shit’s about all I’m good fer, so yeah, I’m gonna shovel shit. And if they’re gonna throw shit in here, at least they won’t have far to go.”

  “You’re good for so much more, Ailith, but I agree with you that right now, it’s best if maybe you’re left to yourself as much as possible until you calm down. You’ve lost weight since the attack happened. I saw what Khaldo was bringing you. I’ll either personally bring you your meals, or I’ll have someone I trust bring them to you. I give you my word, Ailith. No one will dare throw anything into this stall. You should know, every Blade who defiled your room will no longer be in my service as a Blade. Because joining the Temple is a lifelong commitment, they’ll be assigned to one of my other Temples around the Empire in a civilian capacity.”

  Sábria could tell her words had shocked Ailith enough to at least make her think. She watched her blink several times and then look at the ground before lying down again and turning to the wall. Letting herself out of the pen, she quietly closed the gate and pointed to Kemi’s office. “Now.”

  Shirin followed the other two in and shut the door.

  Kemi waited to hear how long she was to be saddled with the cowardly piece of shit.

  Sábria didn’t beat around the bush. “Kemi. You have one of the most abrasive personalities in the Temple. You will curb that abrasiveness when it comes to Ailith. You will protect her from any abuse of any kind from anyone, or you’ll be feeling my whip across your shoulders. Questions?”

  Not many people could cow the irascible stable master, but Sábria’s eyes and demeanor had done just that. Kemi pulled on her bangs. “Aye, Milady. I don’t say as I understand it, but I’ll put out word she’s under my protection. And ya told her ya want her to shovel shit? I’ve got plenty of that, and th’ other lasses what normally do that’ll be right pleased to have other chores to attend to.”

  Not bothering to acknowledge her words, Sábria turned and left the room.

  Shirin, who’d opened the door for the Priestess and shut it behind her when she’d gone, raised her brows. “Okay, now. Seriously, do you have any questions for me?”

  “Aye. What the fowk is th’ Arch Priestess doin’ protectin’ a coward what got a good Blade killed?”

  “Well, the Goddess has given the Arch Priestess many enhanced abilities, one of which is spotting a liar. Maybe, just maybe, she’s spotted one.” The thoughtful look on Kemi’s face as Shirin stepped from the room told her she’d given her something to think about. Pulling in a deep breath, Shirin went to round up the other seven Blades she’d identified as those responsible for trashing Ailith’s room. It was going to be a long evening.

  Twenty-Four

  The following day, the Temple was abuzz with the news that the seven Blades who’d followed Khaldo in trashing Ailith’s room had been stripped of their Blade status. The Arch Priestess hadn’t wasted any time in beating them and sending them, along with a Blade escort, to the far-flung reaches of the Empire, to the smallest, least prestigious subordinate Temples where they’d live out their lives in obscurity. A few had even been sent out under guard in the middle of the night, and the rest had ridden out after they’d spent the morning cleaning Ailith’s room.

  People were also aware that Khaldo remained under Sábria’s thumb, currently locked in a detention cell where she’d remain for an indeterminate period of time. Seated in the middle of the remaining shivs listening to them discussing Sábria’s harsh punishments, Nox wondered whether she’d made a terrible, terrible mistake. So far, everyone had believed her story, and she’d breathed a huge sigh of relief when she’d heard Jenx had no memory of the attack.

  For the hundredth time, Nox told herself there was no way anyone could prove she’d lied. For whatever reason, that troublemaker, Ailith, hadn’t breathed a word about what had actually taken place. She sneered at the peasant’s misplaced sense of Dreyuthan honor. She guessed the continued silence had come out of that rat-infested dirty little kingdom, as her mother had so often called it. If the situation had been reversed, Nox would have told people exactly what had happened, and she guessed most of the Blades would too.

  Dela, one of two shivs on gloaming shift, spread her hands. “I don’t get it. I mean, sure, they shouldn’t have trashed her room. But why would the Arch Priestess care so much about a cowardly deserter? Because sure, she didn’t desert the Temple, but she sure as coal is black deserted you and Jenx and Maeira, too.”

  Nox sighed, taking on the noble hero persona she’d adopted around the other shivs. “I’m sure she has her reasons.” Bitterness seeped into her voice without her realizing it. “At least the bitch is out of the dorms now, and we don’t have to see her ugly Dreyuthan face anymore since she’s taken up residence out with the horse shit and flies.”

  Pirella, the other gloaming shift shiv, snorted, “My handler, Tarvin, says if she catches Ailith alone, she’ll sink the coward’s face into a hot, wet pile of that horseshit. She’s mean enough to do it, too, and I hope I get to watch.”

  Their assigned meal group of around seventy-five people had been waiting for the food to be set out on long tables on either side of the door into the dining hall. Going forward to fill their plates was an orderly process, with the diners at each table rising to get their food once the previous table’s occupants had gotten theirs. The shivs, naturally, were the last group to go to the tables.

  Emlyn stood and climbed over the bench she and Pirella were seated on. “Our turn.”

  Nox and Dela sat on the opposite side, and when Emlyn went forward to get her plate, Dela leaned across the table and whispered, “There’s a weird one. Thinks she’s better than everybody. Talks to nobody. And what’s with her getting to bunk with the Arch Priestess just because she’s stupid enough to throw herself off the tower? Bet she’s getting some good sex every night.”

  The others climbed over their benches, but Pirella stopped them from going forward by leaning in and whispering, “Yeah, she was in Calit’s room while Sábria was gone.” Her brows rose up and down as she grabbed her breasts, indicating Calit’s amply appointed features. “I wouldn’t mind getting some of that myself.”

  The three giggled their way to the food table and were surprised to see Emlyn filling two plates with food. They watched as she made her way to the narrow walkway leading to the stables. Nox glared after her and jumped slightly when Dela elbowed her. She turned her attention back to her friend and realized why she’d jabbed her in the ribs.

  Sábria had come and picked up a plate which she silently began loading with food. This was the first time most of them had seen her that day. The courtyard was strangely silent as people waited for her to get her food and, hopefully, leave. Normally, everyone loved having the Arch Priestess join them for a meal. She was friendly and engaging, and people vied for the chance to sit with her.

  Nox ground her teeth when Sábria bypassed the eating tables and followed Emlyn to the stables.

  Dela spoke quietly as they watched her go. “What’s up with that? She didn’t even acknowledge you, and you’re the one who saved Jenx’s life. Has she ever told you what a great job you did?”

  Nodding, Nox relaxed her jaw, forced a grin and ad-libbed a lie. “Of course, she did. After my interview, she told me how proud they all were of me and how surprised they were at my fighting skills. I told her it was mostly luck but that my mother had been teaching me sword fighting since I was seven turns old. She said she could tell.”

  Pirella clapped Nox on her back. “I wish I’d been the one to take all of them out. I’ll bet you’ll get Blade status before any of us. C’mon. I’m starved.” She led the others back to the table, where they continued to discuss Ailith and Emlyn and the people Sábria had kicked out of the Blades.

  The gate to Ailith’s chosen stall was standing open, and when Sábria approached, she found Emlyn sitting along one panel eating her lunch. Ailith was curled up on the other side of the small enclosure, lying on a pile of straw and facing the wall. There was a full plate sitting on the ground within reach. Sábria had wanted to chat a bit with Emlyn on her return, but with all that had happened, she hadn’t had a chance. She indicated a spot next to the Kibrunian. “Mind if I join you?”

  Emlyn shifted, ready to push to her feet. “Let me get you a chair, My Lady.”

  “Sit. I’m not so old that I don’t enjoy sitting on the ground.” Sábria sat and set her plate in her lap. “Ailith. Emlyn brought you a plate of food. Why don’t you join us?” There was no response, so Sábria sighed and then smiled over at Emlyn. “I’m sorry I couldn’t come for you last night.”

  “That’s not a problem, My Lady. I’d like to return to my room to sleep at night. I’m sorry I caused such a stir.”

  It did seem as though Emlyn had regained her composure, but Sábria wanted to get a feel for where she was in the healing process. “How are you dealing with Tomisa’s departure?”

  Emlyn wiped her fingers on a cloth she’d brought for that purpose. “I’ve thought quite a bit about what happened. I have to admit that I had been thinking of ending my life once Tomisa was out of the harbor, so that was on my mind when I heard the cannon, and something just snapped. I don’t even really remember getting to the top of the tower. I was just there, and the next thing I knew you and Prime Geller were taking me to your rooms.”

  Picking up a roll, Sábria brought it to her mouth and said, “And now? Do you still plan to kill yourself?”

  “No, My Lady. I can’t say I’m not still grieving. I think about what I’ve left behind and I feel like a fist is squeezing my heart into a painful little ball.” She picked up a carrot slice and absently bounced it in a pool of white savory sauce. “But I’m…well, I’m enjoying training with Killian. She’s…” she thought a moment, “…fun isn’t the right word, but she laughs a lot, and she makes me laugh.” She shrugged, “I like her.”

  Sábria turned and looked into Emlyn’s eyes. What she saw told her this shiv wasn’t simply saying these things so she could get alone and try to kill herself again. “I’m glad. I like her, too. And yes, if you feel you’re ready to sleep in your own room, then I’m ready for that, too.” She glanced at Ailith, “And what about you, Ailith? Your old room is clean, but we have another one for you right next door to Emlyn if you’d rather not return to the one they trashed. Are you ready to go back, too?” Sábria’s instincts told her there was zero chance she could persuade the shiv to sleep with her in her bed, but if Ailith would at least go to her room, Sábria could try to join her there.

  For the first time since Sábria had come to the stall, Ailith rolled over to face her. She bared her teeth and growled low in her throat. Angrily pushing to her feet, she looked at the food and then stepped over it.

  At least she didn’t kick it across the stall, thought Sábria after seeing the anger and hatred still pouring off the shiv.

  Ailith stalked out, grabbed a five-tonged fork, and headed outside to clean the turnouts.

  Kemi came out of her office and leaned against the gatepost. “She did good this mornin’. Up before dawn, worked better’n most th’ other pidges I got workin’ fer me. I had to force ‘er to stop fer lunch. I figured ya want her to eat, yeah?”

  “Yes. Thank you for looking after her. I’d like a report on my desk every sevenday on how she’s doing, although I hope we can break through that shell she’s built around herself before too long and get her back to training.”

  “Shell? I’d say more a rock-solid wall. She’s th’ surliest pidge I’ve ever worked with, and that’s sayin’ somethin’. Why would ya want somebody like her in th’ Blades, anyway? Nothin’ but trouble, that one.”

  Sábria thought back to the mischievous glint she’d seen in Ailith’s eyes during her first interview. Right then, she could honestly say she wanted more than anything to see the humorous, disrespectful shiv reappear. Rising, she spoke to Emlyn, who stood when she did. “Could I recruit you to bring her lunch on a regular basis?”

  “Of course. I could bring her morning meal as well—”

  “No, I know Killian likes to get her morning eggs in town after shift.”

  Emlyn’s small and, as yet, rare grin appeared. “Yes, she does. At a tavern called The Broken Tooth Inn. Two turns ago, if anyone had told me I’d be eating eggs and sausage at a dirty little tavern called The Broken Tooth, I’d have bet my sword that would never happen.”

  Sábria grinned back. “And now look at you.” When Kemi returned to her office, Sábria put a hand on Emlyn’s arm. “How are you settling in with the other shivs and Blades?”

  Emlyn tilted her head and scratched, an affectation Sábria had come to recognize as one that meant Emlyn thought she might be out of order. “Well, I don’t mean to sound superior because that’s not how I feel at all.”

  “But?”

  “But the other shivs, other than Ailith, are all very….”

  “Immature?”

  “Yes.”

  “That’s to be expected. Dela and Pirella are only sixteen, and they come from very small villages and don’t have much life experience. The others are all young, as well. Nox is seventeen and…” she didn’t want to say anything demeaning about her, so she moved on, “…and they’ll all remain shivs longer than you and—” Her throat unexpectedly closed up with grief at the thought that Ailith might never return to training.

  “Me and Ailith.” Emlyn unexpectedly laid a hand on Sábria’s shoulder. “We’ll get her back, My Lady. It may take a while, but we’ll get her back.”

  Regaining control of her emotions, Sábria squeezed the hand on her shoulder and nodded. “What I was going to say is the other shivs will probably remain in training for one to two turns, while I predict you’ll move to full Blade status in a half-turn or so. Anyway, would you mind returning my plate to the dining hall? I have a lot of work to finish before the day’s out.”