“I want to know how this happened!”

Five men were kneeling in front of Prince Malef outside Borisin’s stall. The Prince was standing with his back to Zandrue, his fists clenched. A Kingsguard stood to either side of him and half a dozen more surrounded the kneeling men. Alhang Merrin was amongst the guards.

Zandrue and Annai still huddled against the back wall, Annai clutching Zandrue. The Princess had stopped crying some time back, but was still shaking. Zandrue continued to hold her. The two guards who had been in Annai’s attendance stood to the side of the stall.

“We...we don’t know, your Highness,” one of the kneeling men said.

The five men were the dogs’ handlers and trainers. Prince Malef had had them dragged here the moment after he arrived—in a couple cases, they were literally dragged.

“How can you not know? Someone let them out. Someone set them on the scent. Someone sent them to kill my sister! How can you not know?” The Prince screamed the final words and the handlers prostrated themselves fully to the floor, their faces in the dirt.

“Please, your Highness, we’ll...we’ll find out...we’ll…”

An older man in servant’s livery approached the Prince and bowed.

Prince Malef clenched and unclenched his fists a few times before responding. “Report.”

The old man straightened back up. “Eighteen dogs dead, your Highness. Twelve more need to be put down, and six with heavy injuries might or might not make it. Several others have minor injuries; they are expected to recover. The horse appears to have been responsible for most of the damage.”

“And the state of the horse?”

“Numerous bite wounds that will need to be monitored for infection, but otherwise in good condition. I’m told the horse is very hardy.”

“I want it put down.”

The old man bowed. “Yes, your Highness.”

“That horse saved our lives,” Zandrue said.

Prince Malef clenched his fists again and turned around. “You will—”

“That horse saved your sister’s life.” Zandrue let go of Annai, but couldn’t quite extract herself from the Princess’s grip to stand up.

One of Annai’s guards cleared his throat. “That...um...I mean, with all due respect, your Highness, that is actually true. It’s like the horse leapt forward specifically to protect her Highness.”

Malef scowled and looked down at his half-sister. “Annai?”

Annai looked up and nodded. “That horse risked his life for me. I don’t want him killed.”

Malef nodded. “Very well.” He turned back to the old man. “Spare the horse and make sure it receives the best of care.”

The old man bowed his head. “Your Highness.” He continued to stand there.

“Is there anything else?” Malef asked.

“I’ve been told to inform you that their Majesties will be here shortly.”

“Thank you. You may go.”

The old man bowed, then backed away.

Annai let go of Zandrue, and started to stand. Zandrue lent her arm to help her steady herself. “I want all the dogs involved in this attack put down.”

Malef spun back around. “There’s no need for that.”

“They tried to kill me.” Annai started to brush herself down, wiping away bits of straw and hay with her hands. She paused as she brushed her backside, her jaw dropping slightly and her nose and upper lip wrinkling.

“Annai, they’re dogs. They didn’t do it out of a personal grudge. There were just following instructions. They will be disciplined, of course, but—”

“No personal grudge? They tried to get me earlier, when we passed through the kennels, before they were let out.”

They were after me then, not you, Zandrue thought. And they were still after me when they attacked. Except that didn’t make sense. Once she’d left the kennels, they should have calmed down. They would have no reason to chase after her.

“Annai, please,” Malef said.

“They tried to kill me! Because of those dogs, I have just had to live through the most terrifying moment of my life.” Annai removed her hand from her backside and brought it up in front of Malef. “Because of those dogs, I have been sitting in horse shit for the past hour!” She shoved her dirtied hand forward, less than an inch from Malef’s face.

Malef recoiled, wrinkling his nose. “Now, Annai, be reasonable.”

“Reasonable? You didn’t hesitate to order the horse killed because it hurt your precious dogs!”

“Yes, and I revoked the order as soon as I learned the horse had acted valiantly.”

“Your Highnesses, please,” Zandrue said, trying to move between them.

“I want them dead!” Annai screeched.

“Your Highnesses, we should be looking for who let the dogs out. For who sent them after us.”

Annai’s face went pale. “Someone tried to kill me?”

Or me.

“That is what I’ve been trying to tell you, Annai. The dogs aren’t responsible. A person is.” Malef rounded on the handlers still lying prostrate on the floor. “Possibly one or more of these men here!”

The men scrunched back. “It wasn’t us, your Highness. Please, believe us.”

Malef opened his mouth to say something, but the Kingsguard stomped their feet and stood to attention. Malef snapped to attention as well, hands at his sides. A moment later, Captain DeSeloön came into the stall. The Queen followed him and the King behind her.

Annai stepped forward. “Oh, Mother, thank the gods. It’s been horrible.”

“So I’ve heard.” The Queen spread her arms to hug her daughter, but wrinkled her nose. She lowered her arms and stepped back. “What have you been doing?”

Annai lowered her gaze to the ground. “Hiding in the stall. It was...necessary.” She tried to wipe her hand on the wall of the stall. When that didn’t work, she removed her glove and tossed it in the hay.

The Queen’s gaze swept across the stall and stopped at Zandrue. “What is she doing here? DeSeloön, take her into custody. Her friends, too. They’re probably responsible for this.”

“No!”

The Queen’s gaze turned back to Annai. Her eyes narrowed.

“That is, please don’t do that, Mother. She...she saved my life. She’s not responsible.”

The Queen’s eyes narrowed further. “Saved your life? I heard the horse was responsible for that.”

“Yes, but she released the horse from his stall. If she hadn’t done that, I might be dead now. Plus, she fought off the dogs that made it past the horse. She put herself between me and them. She was willing to die to protect me.”

The Queen looked at Zandrue and scowled. “Very well. But I want a full investigation, DeSeloön. I want to know who was responsible for this.”

DeSeloön bowed his head. “Yes, your Majesty.”

The Queen strode over to Zandrue. She was like an older version of her namesake daughter, though not quite as buxom. She stared up at Zandrue, but with her head raised higher than it needed to be, so that she angled her eyes down at Zandrue. Meant to make her seem taller and more intimidating. Zandrue had seen the Queen and others use that look before. She’d used it herself on occasion. It didn’t intimidate her, though Zandrue supposed she should probably act intimidated by it. She swallowed.

“You saved my daughter’s life, did you?”

“I just did what I could, your Majesty.”

“Yes, no doubt to save your own skin more than my daughter’s.” The Queen breathed heavily. “Still, you have my gratitude.” She turned away from Zandrue. “At least Sinitïa wasn’t here. She…” She looked over to Annai. “Where is Sinitïa?”

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Annai stared at the floor. “She...um…”

“Is she with Thilin?”

Annai swallowed. “Yes, Mother. She’s with Thilin.”

The Queen nodded. “Very well. Make sure she stays inside the Palace. Tell Thilin he is not to take her around the grounds until the culprit of this incident is caught. The same goes for you. You are not to leave the Palace for any reason until this is over.”

“Yes, Mother.”

“DeSeloön, I want at least two Kingsguard with both Annai and Sinitïa at all times. That means four when they are together.”

DeSeloön bowed his head. “Your Majesty.”

“Now then, Annai, back to the Palace immediately.”

“Yes, Mother.”

“And clean yourself up!”

“Yes, Mother.” Her head still lowered, Annai ran out of the stall.

DeSeloön motioned to the Kingsguard, and two followed after the Princess.

“Right. Malef…” The Queen’s gaze fell back on Zandrue. “And you! Begone!”

Zandrue curtsied. “Your Majesty.” She ran to catch up with Annai.

She caught up to the Princess as she was about to leave the stables. “Your Highness!”

Annai looked back at her. “Why are you following me?”

“Do you still want my help to…?” Zandrue glanced at the Kingsguard behind them. “To do that thing I was helping you with?”

Annai gave a non-committal grunt, but made no indication Zandrue should leave.

The rain had calmed to a light drizzle, and the thunder and lightning had stopped. Annai turned right and headed around the kennels. Zandrue didn’t blame her and was actually rather relieved herself.

As they reached the path that would lead them directly back to the north courtyard, Zandrue spotted a familiar, tall figure ahead. Rudiger caught notice of her too, and rushed forward, waving.

“Zandrue!”

Zandrue resisted the urge to run to him as well, unsure how Annai might react.

Rudiger spread his arms to hug her as he reached her, but she held up her hand, and he stopped. “I heard what happened.”

Annai cleared her throat. “Excuse me?”

“My apologies, your Highness.” Rudiger bowed low. “I didn’t recognise you.”

Annai’s eyes narrowed.

“I mean, I just...that is, my concern for Zandrue overrode my common sense.”

“I’ve seen you with Felitïa’s friends, but I don’t believe we’ve been formally introduced.” Annai held out her bare hand.

“Yes, your Highness.” Rudiger bent forward and took her hand. “Rudiger Fonivan.” As he brought his lips to the back of her hand, his nose curled.

Zandrue smirked.

He gave the hand a very quick kiss. “May I say you look splendid right now, your Highness?”

Annai snatched her hand back. “No, you may not because I most certainly am not! Empty platitudes will not win you any regard, Mister Fonivan.”

Rudiger bowed his head. “My apologies, your Highness.”

Annai sniffed. “Apology accepted. I need to speak to you, Mister Fonivan. About important things. With your friend here.”

“Of course, your Highness.”

“But first, I need to...freshen up. Present yourself at my apartment doors in two hours.”

“As you wish, your Highness.”

“Be appropriately attired, not that commoner trash you’re wearing.”

“Yes, of course, your Highness.”

Annai nodded. “Good. I’ll see you then. Come along, Zandrue.”

Zandrue glance at Rudiger, then looked back at Annai. “You want me to come with you? Not meet you in two hours with Rudiger?”

“You can clean up in my apartments. If you’re going to be seen with me, you need to look the part. I’ll have my handmaids do you up and take measurements so you can be attired appropriately.”

“I am honoured, your Highness.”

“Now, let’s go!”

Zandrue shot Rudiger a smile and blew him a kiss before hurrying along with Annai. Rudiger gave her a bemused smile back.

“He’s your lover?” Annai asked as they walked through the rain.

“Yes, your Highness.”

“Hmm. He’s not my type, but he suits you well. I wish you two well.”

“Thank you, your Highness.”

“I don’t know why you’re so intent on being my friend, Zandrue. I don’t know why you saved my life. Maybe Mother is right and you were just saving your own skin, but even if you were, it doesn’t change the fact you saved my life too, and I owe you something for that. So if you truly want to be part of my world, I’m going to let you. But that doesn’t mean I won’t be watching you.”

“I would truly like to be your friend, your Highness.”

Annai sighed. “So would I, Zandrue. Don’t make me regret this.”

* * * * *

There was a hint of moon shining between a small break in the clouds. It gave just enough light to cause a slight glitter from the many small icicles hanging from the Great Bear Fountain, from the legs and paws of the Great Bear itself and, most amusingly, from the chin of Nature. Dyle wasn’t sure why he found that funny, but he did.

It was ridiculous the things that were amusing in the dark of night with no one else around. Boredom crept in too easily, and every minor distraction became a big event. Maybe that was why he was amused by a simple icicle.

That said, distractions were welcome at the moment. After the day’s events, Dyle could do with humour or good news. Hopefully, things were under control now, but unfortunately, he had to rely on Barnol Friaz to ensure that, and he was never sure just how much he could trust that man’s competence.

The crackle of feet treading on ice broke the silence of the night. Could it be? Had she come? Dyle turned around to see who was approaching, and frowned.

“Expecting someone else?”

He sighed. “No, but hoping.” This was the worst possible time for this. If Quilla came now…

Moustache Man tutted. “A ridiculous hope.”

Dyle shrugged. He slipped his hand into his pocket and felt for the pearl there. Right where it should be, along with the crystal. “Maybe so, but it’s been useful practice.”

Moustache Man strode past him, stroking his long moustache. “No, it has not. There are better ways to practice. But that’s neither here nor there. I’m here to talk about the attack during the day.”

Dyle had been expecting this talk, though he would have preferred a better time. He was surprised it had taken this long for Moustache Man to bring it up, though.

“It was a stupid act, and far too soon!”

“I agree,” Dyle said. “But it wasn’t me.”

The man spun round, his lips quivering, his stupid moustache waving about from the motion. “Then who?”

So the man who knew almost everything didn’t on this occasion. Dyle would have loved to savour this moment, but his answer would make that impossible. “I have no idea.”

Moustache Man scowled.

“However, I can say it wasn’t one of my people—or if it was, they’ll be severely punished.”

“They’d better, or I’ll be forced to—”

“Look, I know how to deal with my people, all right? I’ve already talked with Friaz. He’s putting together a plan to find the real culprit and make sure nobody uncovers our presence here. He’s also—”

“And if you don’t find the real culprit?”

Gods, Dyle wanted nothing more than to kill this asshole. “As I was about to say, he’s also putting measures together to provide a scapegoat in that circumstance. In that case, we might even be able to tie it into Princess Sinitïa’s disappearance. Really send people off on the wrong path.”

Moustache Man ran his hand over one of the nymph statues at the edge of the pool and broke off one of the icicles. He dropped it on the ground. “That sounds reasonable. In fact, it might be better to not worry about the real culprit and just use your scapegoat. It would be good to keep people off Sinitïa’s trail. It’s unlikely they’ll find her, but any distraction can only make it even less likely.”

“And if the real culprit makes another attempt?”

The man stroked his moustache again. “That is an issue, true. Perhaps you could make it look as though the real culprit is also tied the Princess Sinitïa’s disappearance.”

“Why not just let the blame for that fall on Meleng? The Queen will go for it easily.”

Moustache Man shook his head. “Better to ensure no one finds the trail for the missing princess.”

“You know where she is, don’t you?”

“She’s on a ship headed to Isyaria with Mister Drago and Jorvanultumn.”

“Then we’re basically free to start acting.” Why the hell hadn’t the damn man told Dyle this already? How did he even know? If Dyle could figure out this man’s secrets…

“Not quite yet. But soon.”

Of course. There was always some utterly obscure reason or another. “When?” There was probably no reason asking the question, but Dyle was having a harder and harder time keeping his patience with this man.

The man stroked his moustache again, and smiled. “That depends on Lady Plavin.”