“How’s this, Rudiger?” Eztli asked.

Rudiger inspected the young boy’s work, walking around the mare and checking her hooves. “Looks good.”

“Does this mean I can leave early?” the boy asked.

Rudiger nodded. “Put her back in her stall and you can go.”

With a wide smile, the boy took the reins and led the mare to her stall, then dashed away.

Rudiger double-checked that the stall was closed securely. The mare stared at him with sleepy eyes. She was getting on in years and probably shouldn’t be pulling wagons any more. The same went for most of the other horses here. He should probably think about acquiring some new, younger horses to replace the older ones. The problem was, he’d need to secure funds for that. The budget he’d been given covered feed and care, and barely that.

When he’d first got here five weeks ago, he hadn’t expected to take over the stables entirely, just be there to take care of Borisin and probably help out in the rest of the stables. The old man who had previously been in charge had had different ideas.

“Yes, I heard about you,” the old man said after Rudiger introduced himself. “I hear you know horses.”

“Some,” Rudiger said.

“Excellent.” The old man indicated the young boy and girl standing to either side of him. “This is Eztli and Itotia. They’re your staff. They’ll show you the ropes. Best of luck to you, Rudiger.”

As the old man walked away, Rudiger called after him, “If I could just ask a couple questions...”

“Ask Eztli or Itotia. I’m retired now.” And then he was out the doors.

The old man had never even told Rudiger his name.

In the weeks that followed, Rudiger had come to understand why the old man had been in such a rush to leave. Ninifins weren’t really into horses. They used them to pull wagons and other heavy things, but otherwise mostly ignored them. That applied to the Palace stables as well—perhaps even more so. The priests and nobles travelled to and from the Palace by horse-pulled wagon, but most of the time, the other side of their journey was their villas just outside the City, meaning they didn’t use the Palace stables for their own horses. They just sent the horses back to their villas and summoned them later when they were needed. Only those travelling from other cities like Nin-Dzibil ever used the stables, and in the five weeks Rudiger had been here, that had happened once. The Palace’s horses were used only to pick up Palace supplies, which happened a couple times a weeks, but otherwise, the stables were ignored.

They were so ignored that it had taken Rudiger a few days to learn who he was supposed to report to and how to acquire supplies, which the stables had been rather low on at the time. Eztli and Itotia were good workers, but they hadn’t known the answers to most of his questions. They had just done what the old man had told them to do. The old man had handled all the administrative stuff.

Rudiger walked over to Borisin’s stall. The horse was facing away from the door.

“Still not talking to me?”

Hmph.

Ever since Rudiger had started having sex with Izel, Borisin had refused to talk to him beyond grumbles and one threat regarding the next time the mares were in heat. The refusal to talk even went as far as not complaining when Nin-Xoco had come to ride him earlier today.

“Come on, buddy, it’s been two days. You gotta talk to me eventually.”

Hmph.

Rudiger didn’t entirely blame him. People having sex in the servants’ quarters happened from time to time, and even though Rudiger didn’t watch, he could hear. It was difficult to sleep when that was going on. He didn’t understand how it didn’t bother others. So he understood how it could bother Borisin. Even knowing Borisin was there hearing and potentially watching bothered him a little, and he was a bit surprised he could even manage to have sex in those conditions.

But it had happened several times now.

He sighed and shook his head. “Okay then. I’m going to go find Fra-Atl. I need to talk to her about something. I’ll be back in a little while.”

He gave Borisin a brief moment to reply, and when the horse remained silent, he left the stables.

One advantage to having to figure everything out himself was it had given him an excuse to move about and talk to other people, to learn about not just his own job, but about the Palace in general. He wasn’t allowed inside the main Palace building, but he could otherwise move about reasonably freely.

“Kisin!” Rudiger called to one of the servants limping out a side door of the Palace as he passed by. “Need a hand?”

Kisin was carrying a stack of baskets that obscured his vision. “Rudiger, you’re a life saver.”

Rudiger took all but the bottom basket, each filled with blankets and furs. “Quite the load.”

“Fra-Ichtaca is back, and in my wing,” Kisin said. Free of the excess weight, he straightened up and proceeded forward, his limp less prominent.

“I understand,” Rudiger said, following beside Kisin.

“Oh, you barely know the half of it.”

Rudiger had heard that the Voice of Frana expected all textiles and furs in her wing to be replaced with fresh, clean ones on her arrival—even if they had been replaced a few hours before.

“I don’t suppose you know if Fra-Atl is in the Palace?” Rudiger asked.

“I haven’t seen her,” Kisin said. “But Fra-Ichtaca is staying in my wing, so she won’t be.”

Rudiger chuckled. Fra-Atl and Fra-Ichtaca were well known for not getting along.

“What do you need Fra-Atl for? More money?”

“Pretty much,” Rudiger said. “The horses in the stable are getting too old to do the work expected of them. We need younger ones.”

“You could always ask Fra-Ichtaca,” Kisin said.

“Yeah, like she’d speak to me.”

Kisin laughed, but abruptly stopped. “They say if you speak the Dark Lady’s name, she appears.”

Up ahead, Fra-Ichtaca had come around the northeast corner of the Palace. An escort of four Queen’s Guards walked with her.

Rudiger and Kisin stepped to the side and bowed their heads. “Blessings upon her Reverence,” they intoned as she passed. One of the Queen’s Guards eyed them as she went by, but otherwise Fra-Ichtaca and the guards ignored the two servants. A short distance farther along, they turned to one of the side buildings. Fra-Ichtaca went inside, while the guards remained outside.

“Why does Fra-Ichtaca get Queen’s Guards?” Rudiger asked as he and Kisin continued on their way. “The other priests usually just have Palace Guards.”

Kisin shrugged. “She always gets Queen’s Guards. Probably because the Queen favours her, though there is talk that it’s actually Ses-Zeltzin who favours her, not the Queen at all.”

“Ah, politics,” Rudiger said.

Kisin laughed. “Probably. Best idea, my friend, is to ignore it. Don’t let it bother you.”

They reached the laundry building and headed inside, where they emptied the baskets into the pile of material waiting to be washed.

“Thanks again,” Kisin said. “I’ll keep an eye out for Fra-Atl, and let you know if I see her.”

“Thanks,” Rudiger said.

They returned outside and Kisin crossed over to the nearest Palace door and went inside. Rudiger continued round to the front, hoping to find someone else he could talk to.

A yellow-robed priest with an eye tattoo on her forehead rounded the northeast corner. Ses-Xipil. This was the first time he’d seen her since his arrival. Two Palace guards escorted her.

Rudiger stepped to the side and bowed his head. “Blessings upon her Reverence.”

She stopped and turned to look at him. “You. Horse tender.” Her escorts turned their attention towards him as well.

“Yes, Reverence?”

“Rudiger, isn’t it?”

“Yes, Reverence.”

She walked up to him and looked up at him. “Have you heard word of you sister? I am curious about her progress.”

Rudiger shook his head. “No, Reverence. I am sure she is very busy with her studies and has little time for correspondence.”

“Indeed. Fra-Mecatl is keeping her well out of sight, it seems.”

“Fra-Mecatl is a strict teacher, Reverence.”

Ses-Xipil lowered her head. “So they say. Thank you, Rudiger. I will let you go tend your horses now. Blessings upon you.”

“And upon you, Reverence.”

Ses-Xipil paid him no further attention and continued on her way. When she reached the building Fra-Ichtaca had gone into earlier, the Queen’s Guards there bowed to her, and she went inside. Her two guards remained outside with the Queen’s Guards.

A meeting between the two Voices? That sort of thing was probably normal, but in a building used by servants? Rudiger had never been in that particular one and wasn’t sure what it was for, but all the buildings along the north side of the Palace were for things like cooking, laundry, and storage. Not where he’d expect the Voices to congregate.

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He needed to move on. If he stood here staring, the guards would likely notice. Still, he wanted to know what was going on in that building. What would Zandrue do? Gods, he wished she were here.

Of course, the stables were in that direction. He had every reason to be going that way. He just needed to walk straight past them, maybe get a glance at something.

He steeled himself and set forward.

He was about halfway there when a Palace door close to the group of guards opened. The guards snapped to attention as Ses-Zeltzin walked out. Just who he’d hoped not to see.

Turning around would look suspicious, so he kept going.

“Where are you going?” Ses-Zeltzin said as he got close to them, moving to block his way.

“To the stables,” Rudiger replied, slowing to a stop.

“Why aren’t you there already?”

“I was looking for Fra-Atl. The horses are getting very old and need to be replaced.”

“We just got a new horse. Buluc I think it’s called.”

“Buluc’s a warhorse, not a draught horse,” Rudiger said.

Ses-Zeltzin laughed and looked back at the other guards. “Like a horse is good for war.” The others laughed with her. She turned back to Rudiger. “Fra-Atl isn’t here right now.”

“I gathered that,” Rudiger said. “That’s why I’m heading back to the stables.”

“Then get going.” She nodded in the direction of the stables.

Rudiger gave a slight bow, walked around her and the guards, and continued towards the stables. They laughed as he went. He resisted the urge to look back. That might look suspicious. Either that or it would look like he was fearful of them, and he didn’t want Ses-Zeltzin thinking something like that.

After he was around the northwest corner, he paused. For all Rudiger knew, whatever was going on in that building was probably just simple Palace or religious business, or maybe just a friendly conversation in a quieter location. From Izel’s descriptions, the Palace was a busy and noisy place.

But Fra-Ichtaca was the person whose activities the Resistance was most interested in. Just the knowledge that she was having meetings with Ses-Xipil wouldn’t be new to them. Ses-Xipil was known to be one of Fra-Ichtaca’s supporters. If he could find out what they were discussing... If he could get close to the building, listen at a window or something...

Unfortunately, that entire row of buildings was against the edge of the cliff, so there was no sneaking up at the back. Not that he was built for sneaking, anyway.

He approached the corner of the Palace and peaked around. He could probably give a convincing excuse for going back that way again. As long as Ses-Zeltzin was gone. She’d question anything he did.

All the guards were gone.

Had the Voices’ meeting ended already? That was fast. Maybe they hadn’t had much to say.

Rudiger walked around the corner and headed for the building. He passed a couple of servants coming the other way. “See all those guards out here a few moments ago? Any idea what that was about?”

They shrugged and shook their heads.

Rudiger approached the side building the Voices had entered. It was made of stone like all the others. There was very little space between it and its neighbours, and as best Rudiger could tell, there were no windows. There was only the single door at the front. It might be one of the kitchens. The Palace had several and he knew they were along this stretch. It would have a hole in the roof if so, but he wasn’t about to climb up to check. That would draw attention.

Hell, he might be drawing attention now.

He looked down both directions of the path. The two servants he had passed were just turning around the northwest corner of the Palace. There was no one else in sight.

Anyone could walk around either corner at any moment and see what he was up to, but what the hell? Risks were necessary, he reminded himself, and pressed his ear against the door.

“...trust her. You shouldn’t either.”

So their meeting wasn’t over. Had the guards had been sent away so they didn’t draw attention?

“I told you, I have good reason to trust her, and you should trust me.”

The voices were muffled, but comprehensible. Unfortunately, Rudiger couldn’t tell whose was whose.

“Your mysterious organization. Yes, so you’ve said, but I require more. So no, she will not be let anywhere near the boy.”

“Very well, but I would like to see the boy myself.”

Boy?

“That can be arranged. In a day or two.”

“Tonight.”

“A day or two.”

Rudiger took another quick look around. The coast was still clear, so he pressed his ear back against the door again, but the next statement was loud enough that he didn’t really need to.

“Watch your tone with me!”

“I should have free access to him. I cannot prepare for the ceremony properly without it.”

“You will be given your access when I decide.”

“That decision shouldn’t be yours.”

“The Dusk Supreme put him in my care.”

“The Dusk Supreme. You don’t get to deny his authority one moment and then invoke it when it suits you.”

“Don’t provoke me, Ses-Xipil. I don’t care what standing your mysterious organisation has. Cross me and I won’t hesitate to expose you to the Queen and Council.”

“Neither will I.”

“Reverences, please. This is not the time to fight with each other.” A third person. And Rudiger recognised the voice.

Ses-Zeltzin.

Shit. She was involved in this too?

“You’re right,” Ses-Xipil said. “My apologies. I spoke above my station.”

“Apology accepted. I will arrange for you to see the boy in a day or two. I’ll be in touch.”

That was probably the signal to get out of here. Rudiger straightened up and walked away from the building. A couple Palace guards came around the northeast corner at that moment, so he’d chosen the right time. He headed for the stables.

The boy they’d been talking about had to be Corvinian. So these last few months were finally starting to pay off.

Where was Fra-Ichtaca keeping him? Probably not the Palace. Her villa maybe? Or somewhere in the City? Maybe one of the temples? Still a lot to figure out, but it was a step in the right direction.

“Hey buddy,” he said when he arrived at the stables. “You’ll never guess what I just learned.”

Borisin peered out of his stall, but didn’t otherwise respond.

Rudiger gave him a moment, then said. “Oh well, if you don’t want to know, that’s okay. But it’s big. Maybe big enough to make all this worth it.”

Careful. Company’s coming.

Rudiger clamped his mouth shut as the stable doors opened. At least you’re talking to me.

Ses-Zeltzin entered. “You were out of your stables again, horse tender.”

Damn. She must have seen him walking away.

“I wasn’t aware I was confined here,” Rudiger replied.

“What were you up to this time?”

“Making further enquiries. Since Fra-Atl might not be back for a while, I wanted to find someone else who could authorise the purchase.” Was he getting good at this lying? Maybe. He hoped so.

Ses-Zeltzin smirked and approached Borisin’s stall. The horse backed away from her. “I’ll be surprised if you convince anyone else to give you the money, but you’re welcome to try. It could be amusing. Why does he back away from me?”

“He doesn’t like people very much. Stallions can be like that.”

“Yet he lets the Queen ride him.”

“I’m good at what I do. He knows I’m in charge and he does what I say.”

“Then make him come closer to me. I want to take a closer look.”

Rudiger shrugged and went over to the stall. Ses-Zeltzin moved aside as he opened the gate. “Buluc, approach.”

Borisin stepped forward. Can I bite her?

No.

Ses-Zeltzin looked Borisin in the eye, then moved slowly alongside him. She ran her hand along his neck and then back. “Such a strange texture.”

“Be careful if you move behind him. Horses can kick suddenly if they’re spooked.”

Can I do it if she goes behind me?

No.

You’re no fun.

Ses-Zeltzin stopped just before Borisin’s hind legs and turned to face Rudiger. “I don’t like how much time the Queen spends with you.”

“I have no say over the Queen’s actions,” Rudiger said.

“No, you don’t, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.” She ran her other hand along Borisin’s side and approached him. “I hear my sister spends a lot of time here. Are you aware Izel is my sister?”

“She did mention that, yes.”

“Really? Surprising. We don’t get along very well. Did she mention that, too?”

“No, not really,” he lied. “Izel doesn’t talk about you much.” That part was true.

She looked up at him with an odd smile. “Izel, is it? You’re that close?”

Rudiger grimaced. “Oh well, we’re...friends.” Warmth passed through his cheeks.

“Are you fucking my little sister?”

“What? No, we—”

“You are, aren’t you? That explains why she’s at the stables so often.” She laughed and slapped Rudiger’s arm. “She always had terrible taste in men, but I suppose I’m happy for her.”

“Uh, thanks,” Rudiger said.

Her smile changed to a scowl. “But I still don’t trust you.”

“Ah,” Rudiger said.

“I’ll be watching you, horse tender. Step out of line and the Queen will learn of your treason.”

“Treason?”

Ses-Zeltzin smirked. “It doesn’t matter what you’re up to. I’ll make it sound bad enough that she’ll order your death. Got it?”

Rudiger nodded. “Yeah, I got it.”

She grinned and slapped his arm again. “In the meantime, have fun with my sister. You might not get much more opportunity.” She laughed and left the stables.

Okay, I changed my mind. I don’t want to bite her anymore. I just want to kill her.

That would get us killed even faster, Rudiger said.

Might be worth it.

She’s a Darker.

Even more worth it.

No. There’s a chance she knows where Corvinian is. If she doesn’t, I know who does.

What would Izel think of her sister being a Darker? What would Fra-Mecatl think of Fra-Ichtaca being a Darker? He needed to get a message to the Resistance.