The main building had a lot of doors, close to a dozen on just this side. Most of those doors opened simultaneously at that moment and more Ninifin warriors emerged—all women dressed in the red jerkins and black skirts of the Queen’s Guard. About two dozen in all. Behind them came five priests, two each in the green of Ninussa and the yellow of Sestin, and one in the white of Frana. Fra-Atl joined them and the six priests spread out in a line with a gap in the centre, one priest of each of the three gods on each side. Next came a succession of young girls and boys dressed in white and carrying wreaths of multicoloured feathers.

Finally, two figures emerged from the central door and approached the gap in the line of priests. One was a young woman, a little paler than typical for a Ninifin, though still with a coppery sheen to her skin. She wore a green shawl and green skirts, and a feathered headdress similar to the ones worn by the priests but taller and with larger feathers. More feathers of various colours, but mostly green, adorned her long hair, which reached almost to her thighs. She also wore numerous necklaces, bracelets, and anklets. She only had one noticeable tattoo—a sun—on the side of her neck.

At the young woman’s side was a massive orange cat with black spots. Rudiger had never seen one before, but he could only assume it was one of the jaguars Ninifins were so fond of. Circling the cat’s neck was a thick red leather collar attached to a lead held by the Queen. The cat growled at the yellow-robed priest who ended up beside it—an older woman with an eye tattoo on her forehead. The Queen hissed something at the cat, which continued to growl, but more softly.

Two of the wreath-bearing children approached in front of the Queen and the jaguar and turned to face Rudiger, Borisin, and Ses-Izel. “Presenting her Holiness, Nin-Xoco, Twelfth Queen of Ninifin, Bearer of the Rod of Nin-Papan, Voice of Ninussa,” they chanted. Then they moved aside again.

“Kneel,” Ses-Izel whispered and knelt. Rudiger followed suit.

Queen Nin-Xoco stepped forward a couple steps, the jaguar following beside her. She held out the jaguar’s lead and Ses-Zeltzin came forward and took it from her hands. The guard led the cat off to the side, where it lay down on the stone ground.

That’s the source of the scent on Ses-Zeltzin, Borisin said. Izel says it’s what Ses-Zeltzin threatened to feed me to.

Better watch yourself, buddy, Rudiger replied.

I’m not worried. I could take that thing with my eyes closed.

Hate to break it to you, buddy, but I suspect that thing would rip you to shreds.

Guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

How ’bout we don’t? Just behave yourself, okay? And be careful.

“You may present yourselves,” the Queen said.

Ses-Izel produced her letter and held it out. “Holiness, I am Ses-Izel, a merchant who regularly passes the northern gate out of Ninifin to trade with the Arnorins. On my latest trip, I was contacted by the lord of the province of Nallin, who paid me to deliver a gift to you: this letter and this warhorse.”

One of the children came forward, took the letter from Ses-Izel, and delivered it to the Queen. She broke the seal and glanced at the letter. With a sigh, she then tossed it aside. Another of the children scurried forward to retrieve it. “He has written it in his tongue again. I tire of reading that uncivilised language.” The Queen approached Borisin. “This, however, is a better gift than he usually sends. You called it a warhorse. I confess I don’t know much about horses. Are they suitable for war? This one is bigger than any other horse I’ve seen. Zeltzin?”

“Foliths use them for war, Holiness,” Ses-Zeltzin replied. “They are inefficient in the forest, but on an open plain, they have some benefits. Their main use is that warriors can ride them into battle.”

“I would be interested in seeing that,” the Queen said. “Perhaps I will ride this one into battle myself one day.”

Not a chance, Borisin said. She’s not getting on my back.

Sorry, buddy, but if she wants to ride you, you’re going to let her. While we’re here, you’re going to treat her like she’s me.

Ugh, fine.

“I suppose we should compose a thank you letter,” the Queen continued. She turned around to face the line of priests. “Fra-Atl, see to it, will you? Make sure the letter is in Ninifin. Be polite if you must, but turn down any requests for a meeting or courtship.”

Fra-Atl bowed her head and replied, “As you wish, Holiness.”

The Queen turned back around and looked to Rudiger. “And you?”

Rudiger produced his own letter and held it out. He went through the same lines he had started with Ses-Zeltzin, getting through them all this time. As with Ses-Izel, one of the children came forward and delivered the letter to the Queen. She broke the seal and appeared to read the letter this time.

“It is good to read proper words. It is signed by Fra-Tepeu, but I detect Fra-Mecatl’s hand in some of the words. It has her style to it. I do miss Fra-Mecatl. She does not come to the city often enough anymore.” The Queen turned to face the priests again. “Didn’t I hear that she was preparing a foreign convert for the priesthood? What is happening with that? Ses-Xipil?”

The yellow-robed priest with the eye tattoo answered. “There have been some delays as I understand, Holiness. You know these foreigners. They are slow to learn.”

“I hope she succeeds. It would be the crowning achievement to a brilliant career, wouldn’t you say?”

“Agreed, Holiness,” Ses-Xipil said.

The Queen turned back to Rudiger. “It is quite something that Fra-Mecatl and her brother should have two foreigners with them. What is your relationship to the other one?”

Rudiger did his best to avoid grimacing. No one had given him any tips on what to say if he was asked about Zandrue. It hadn’t even occurred to him that it might happen. How should he reply? “We came to Ninifin together, Holiness. She is my...sister.” He hoped no one caught his hesitation.

“You may stand,” the Queen said. “I would like to look at you better.”

Rudiger stood up and the Queen came closer to him. “So very tall. You understand this animal?”

Rudiger looked at Borisin. “He is relatively new to me, Holiness, but I have much experience with horses.”

“A tender of horses seems a lowly profession for one with a physique such as yours. Although this is a warhorse. Have you ever ridden a horse into battle, Rudiger?”

He had been told to deny that he was in any way a warrior, though he had also been told circumstances might mean he would need to change any of the things he had been advised to say. Perhaps this was one of those occasions. If it made the Queen more well-disposed towards him... “I have on a couple occasions, Holiness.”

“That is good.” She stepped closer to him. “You have the bearing of a warrior. Perhaps you’ll train me to ride the beast.”

“If you desire it, Holiness.”

“I do desire it.”

“Then I would be happy to, Holiness.”

She ran her hand down his arm and looked up at him. “That makes me very glad.” Her lips twitched in a slight smile, and then she stepped back.

Was she coming on to him? No, he was probably imagining it.

Good grief, Borisin said, can’t we go anywhere without you flirting with every woman you meet?

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

I do not flirt with every woman I meet, and I’m certainly not flirting now!

The Queen moved back closer to the line of priests, then addressed him and Ses-Izel again. “These are fine gifts. I accept them. Have a place of stabling prepared for the horse. Oh! I shall have to name him.”

Name me? I have a name! Rudiger, tell her I have a name and I like it just fine.

And how do I do that without giving away that you can talk? Rudiger replied.

“Ses-Izel,” the Queen said, “did the Folith lord provide a name for the horse?”

“Yes, Holiness,” Ses-Izel said. “Borisin.”

The Queen frowned. “Borisin? Are you sure?”

“I believe so, Holiness,” Ses-Izel said. “It is probably in the letter if you wanted to check.”

The Queen shook her head. “No matter. It is a poor name. A Folith name. He needs a warrior’s name. Zeltzin, suggest a good name for this horse.”

“Buluc, Holiness.”

“Yes, perfect. Thank you, Zeltzin. I shall call him Buluc.”

I don’t like Buluc. My name’s Borisin. Tell her I don’t like Buluc.

Sorry, buddy. She’s the Queen. We can’t risk crossing her.

“Ses-Izel,” the Queen said. “You may stand.”

Ses-Izel did as instructed.

“Thank you for bringing Buluc to me. He is a fine gift. I am only sorry that you had to deal with that cretin of a Folith lord. He has been a thorn in my side of late.”

“It was no bother, Holiness. I am happy to serve. Besides, he paid well.”

“I should hope so. I would hate to think you did this service without some reward. Still, I feel I should provide you with some form of repayment.”

“Being in your presence is reward enough, Holiness.”

“Yes, an excellent suggestion! I grant your request.”

“My request, Holiness?” Ses-Izel said.

“Yes, you shall be my guest. You can tell me all about your experiences outside Ninifin. I would love to hear them.”

“I would be honoured to stay a short time, Holiness,” Ses-Izel said. “A few days, perhaps?”

“I would not disgrace you with such an offensively short stay,” the Queen replied. “You must stay a week or two at least. Oh! I have an idea. You must stay until New Year’s, watch the sacrifices with me. I am told they will be spectacular this year.”

“New Year’s,” Ses-Izel said, her voice wavering. “Holiness, I am honoured, but that’s...months away. I would...I would hate to be a burden to you.”

“Oh, nonsense. You will not be a burden. It’s not just for the horse. You have done many services for Ninifin. You are part of a very small, select group who are granted the right to leave and venture into the outside world. You brave the dangers of Arnor for the benefit of Ninifin. You deserve to be honoured for that. And think of the prestige it will bring your business. When the people see you standing with me at the sacrifices, they will be lining up to do business with you.”

“You are...very...wise, Holiness.”

The Queen waved the compliment aside, but smiled. “I don’t like to brag, but people frequently tell me that’s one of my finest qualities. You accept then?”

“I am truly honoured, Holiness. I accept.” Ses-Izel bowed just low enough to come below Borisin’s neck. At that moment, she turned her head a little towards Rudiger and sneered at him.

Now what had he done?

“Wonderful!” the Queen said. “I can’t wait to spend time together. Fra-Atl, please oversee providing my guests with accommodation. Rudiger, I would like to visit my horse tomorrow. Please make sure that you and he are ready.”

“As you wish, Holiness,” Rudiger said. “I look forward to it.”

“As do I,” she said with a smile, and Rudiger groaned inwardly.

Nin-Xoco walked over to Ses-Zeltzin and took back the jaguar’s lead. She then proceeded through the gap in the line of priests, the jaguar at her side again. As they passed, the jaguar snapped at the priest with the eye tattoo—Ses-Xipil, high priest of Sestin, if Rudiger remembered correctly. The priest reeled back with a scowl.

“Really, Bahlam,” the Queen hissed, her voice becoming harder to hear as she got farther away. “What do you have against her? She has done...”

That priest smells strange, Borisin said. Must be why that jaguar thing doesn’t like her. It’s a familiar smell though. It’s similar to—oh, wait a moment. Izel says this is all your fault.

The people attending the Queen began to file out in the reverse order they had arrived in.

Rudiger looked over at Ses-Izel, who was glaring at him. My fault? What did I do?

Borisin snorted. Just a sec. She says that if you and Zandrue had never come here, none of this would be happening right now.

The last of the children disappeared through the doors, and the priests, except for Fra-Atl, headed for the doors as well.

Yeah, well, tell her we didn’t have a choice, and this is absolutely not our fault.

Borisin snorted. Fine, just a moment.

Fra-Atl came over to them.

She says it is your fault because you proceeded to get involved in local politics. Arnorins always think they have a right to interfere with what Ninifins do.

“Please come with me,” Fra-Atl said. “I will show you the stables first and then take you to your accommodations.”

“Thank you, Reverence,” Ses-Izel said.

What’s the big deal anyway? Rudiger asked. Why is being the Queen’s guest a problem? Won’t that help the resistance even more than me being here will?

Fra-Atl began to lead the way across the courtyard, but not towards the main building. Several guards fell into formation behind them.

Izel wants me to quote her precisely on this. You’re a fucking idiot. Sorry about the language. That was me, not her. She’s not apologizing for anything. Anyway, she says that if anyone sees her with the Queen and makes the association between her and her sideline business, everything she’s worked her entire life for will be ruined. So yes, you’re an idiot and this is all your fault.

Well, you tell her—

Look, can you two argue between yourselves? Borisin interrupted. I refuse to be part of this any longer. I’m telling her that, too.

Fra-Atl led them around and past some of the side buildings to a path that led along the north side of the main building and past several more side buildings.

Anyway, Borisin said after a few moments. I wanted to tell you about that priest’s smell.

Rudiger sighed. Another shifty smell that you can’t really explain? Seem to be a lot of those these days. How’s this one any different?

No, this one I can explain, but if you’re too grumpy to listen...

No, sorry buddy. Like you said, I’m just grumpy. Ses-Izel infuriates me sometimes. But I’ll listen. Go ahead.

Borisin snorted. Okay, basically, everyone has their own unique smell. I can recognise you by yours, for example.

Right, I understand that.

But your unique smell is in a range of smells I recognise as human. Every human smells a certain way. Same goes for horses or dogs or any other animal. I learned the jaguar smell for the first time today, for example.

Okay, I get that. What does this have to do with the priest’s smell?

I don’t think she’s human.

What?

Her scent’s not far from human, but there are distinct differences. In the past, I put it off as just weird, since I’d never encountered it before, but now...

Okay, just a minute. In the past? When in the past? You know this smell?

I’ve told you since the day you met her Zandrue smells strange. I can’t tell you what it means or what they are, but I can tell you Zandrue and that priest are the same kind of...thing...creature...animal, whatever.

Rudiger nearly stopped walking and ended up stumbling. But that doesn’t make any sense. She’s human. I mean, you just have to look at her. She doesn’t have wings or horns or anything. All her parts are human. Believe me, I’ve seen them.

Well, if she’s human, she and that priest are a different sort of human than any I’ve ever encountered before.

Rudiger followed Fra-Atl in silence.

Zandrue not human? Borisin had to be wrong somehow because if she wasn’t human, what the hell was she? And where was she?