Rudiger placed the tools back on the shelf and went over to where Borisin’s saddle was hanging.

That was short, Borisin complained.

Sorry buddy. The Queen could be here any moment. She didn’t give much warning. Rudiger lifted the saddle off the wall and carried it over to Borisin.

It’s all right. This is my second cleaning today anyway, so I’m good.

“Done.” Izel was sitting on the small haystack by the doors. She held the paper in his direction.

“Give me a minute,” Rudiger said, placing the saddle over Borisin’s back.

“I probably shouldn’t be holding this when the Queen arrives,” Izel said.

“Yeah, and I only have two hands. Give me a moment.”

Once he’d finished saddling Borisin, he took the paper from Izel. It looked exactly like it had when he’d written it, apart from several smudges that weren’t there before. She’d been working on this for nearly half an hour and this was all she had to show for it? “You sure this will work?”

Izel rolled her eyes. “Rudiger, I’ve been doing this sort of thing my whole life. I know what I’m doing. Both Fra-Mecatl and Fra-Tepeu know the code.”

Rudiger started to fold the paper, but stopped. “What if it gets more smudged in transport?”

“They know the difference between a legitimate smudge and the code, and yes, it is possible to mess the letter up enough to make the whole thing unreadable, but that isn’t very likely to happen.”

Rudiger finished folding the letter and placed it in the inside folds of his tunic. “I still think we should wait for Acat and Kianto. I can do a supply run, and with the news of the Youth Guard’s return, I’m sure they’ll be about even though it’s earlier than expected.”

Izel shook her head. “Too risky. Zeltzin will be watching us both like hawks now. After what you discovered the other day...”

Rudiger retrieved Borisin’s bridle. “Surely if she thinks I know something, she’d have tried to kill me by now.”

“Not while you have the Queen’s favour. She’ll want evidence first, and catching you red-handed with the Resistance will give her that. You cannot afford to lose the Queen’s favour now.”

“Yet you want me to use that favour to my advantage.”

“It’s the only chance we have of getting that letter out without Zeltzin intercepting it.”

“But what if she gets angry at me for overstepping myself or something?”

Izel shrugged. “That’s a risk, yes. That’s politics. You wanted to be involved.”

Rudiger sighed. “No I didn’t. I keep telling you that.”

She stood up and came over to him. “Well, you’re involved now whether you like it or not.”

He finished bridling Borisin, and she took his arm and pulled him round to face her. “Look, you’ll be fine, okay?”

Rudiger nodded. “Yeah, sure. I just don’t feel right using her like this.”

“She’s using you.”

“I know. Still...” He took a deep breath, then took Borisin’s reins. “Right. Let’s do this, buddy.”

“That’s better.” Izel put her arms round his neck and pulled his head down to kiss him. “I better get going before she gets here.” She kissed him again and headed out the door.

Rudiger waited a moment, then led Borisin out of the stables just in time to see Queen Nin-Xoco and a half dozen Queen’s Guards coming in his direction. Ses-Zeltzin was not among them, thankfully.

The guards stayed back a discreet distance while the Queen continued towards him, almost at a run. She had already tied her hair up. When she reached him, she threw her arms around him. “Oh Rudiger, I’m so glad to see you. Things are such a shamble in the Council chambers. I couldn’t take it any more.” She let go of him and wiped tears from her eyes.

Rudiger wasn’t sure how to respond. “Surely things aren’t that bad, Holiness?”

“Oh they are,” she whimpered. “But at least I have you and Buluc to comfort me. You said we could go to the river today?”

“Yes, of course, Holiness.”

“I will ride Buluc there then.” She took the reins from him and mounted. Within moments of starting off, all signs of tears were gone from her face and she appeared stoic.

Rudiger walked to the side of Nin-Xoco and Borisin as they crossed the field. They said little, although Rudiger offered an occasional comment on her posture and handling of the reins. The Jaguar Falls rumbled ever louder as they neared the river. Nin-Xoco brought Borisin to a stop just as the misty spray from the falls began to drizzle over them.

“How close is it safe to take him?” the Queen asked.

“Buluc is a strong horse, Holiness, and not likely to get swept away. But I am more concerned for your safety, Holiness.”

“Zeltzin would say the same thing, but I would have you know, I’ve been to the edge many times. The current is not strong at the base of the falls. It’s even safe for swimming as long as you don’t get too close to the falls.” She looked away from him. “Or so I’m told. I, of course, have never engaged in such uncouth activities.”

“Of course not, Holiness.”

Rudiger hadn’t been this close to the base of the falls. The Jaguar’s current didn’t look extreme here, not like it was closer to Fra-Tepeu and Fra-Mecatl’s ranch. The falls themselves were majestic and beautiful. Their height was the most inspiring thing. It had to be well over a hundred feet to the top. The water poured down in a thick sheet, throwing up a cloud of spray at the bottom.

“Let’s go closer,” Nin-Xoco said. “Be warned, though. We may get a bit wet.”

Should I? Borisin asked.

A little closer should be fine.

Nin-Xoco took them almost to the edge. The rumble of the falls was much louder and the spray was like a light rainfall. Rudiger hoped the letter in his tunic wouldn’t be ruined.

“I used to love coming here as a girl,” the Queen said, staring out at the river and the falls. “It is very relaxing and helps me forget my tensions.”

“You did seem upset, Holiness,” Rudiger said. “You said things were bad.”

She glanced at him, then looked back over the river. “Yes, I did say that, didn’t I?”

“You’re feeling better now, though?”

She nodded. “Yes, I think so. I needed time to think. Still do. But it’s helping.”

“Would it be all right to move back a little now, Holiness? I’m getting a little wet, and I’m worried your guards might not like us being this close.” He was also getting worried about the letter.

The letter he still hadn’t managed to mention to her.

The Queen sighed. “If you wish. We’ll move downriver a little. Not too far though.”

Once they were away from the worst of the spray, Rudiger reached inside his tunic to check the letter. It still felt dry.

“You seem on edge, Rudiger,” the Queen said. “Is something wrong? I’m sorry if I’m not allowing much time for instruction at the moment.”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

“No, that’s fine, Holiness. I understand.”

“Good, but you haven’t answered my question.”

“Apologies, Holiness. I was wondering if I could ask you a favour, but I was worried I might be overstepping myself.”

“That would depend on the favour.”

“I’ve been thinking about my sister a lot recently.”

“Have you changed your mind about inviting her here? I would be happy—”

“No, Holiness,” he said. “I don’t want to interrupt her studies. But I was wondering if you might get a letter to her for me.”

Nin-Xoco looked down at him askew. “A letter? What about the normal avenues?”

Rudiger looked towards the guards.

“Oh, don’t worry about them,” Nin-Xoco said. “They can’t hear us over the falls. It’s part of why I wanted to come here.”

Rudiger took a deep breath. “Honestly, Holiness, I worry it will be intercepted. There are people who don’t like me being here, Ses-Zeltzin in particular.”

“She might intercept it,” Nin-Xoco said, dismounting. “Zeltzin is loyal, but over-protective at times. It’s part of her job. But once she’d read the letter and found nothing wrong, she would send it on its way.” She looked up at him now. “She would find nothing wrong, right?”

“Of course, Holiness, but it is a private message that I’d prefer not just anyone read.”

“May I read it?”

“If you wish, Holiness.” He took the letter out of his tunic.

“You have it here?” Nin-Xoco looked back towards the falls. “Is that why you didn’t want to get wet? You could have said.”

“Sorry, Holiness.”

She took the letter and unfolded it. “Your handwriting is awful, and there are so many smudges.”

“I’m just learning to write in this language,” Rudiger said. “I’m not very good with the letters yet, so I make a lot of mistakes.”

“Oh, but it’s so sweet. Such affection for your sister. And some very complimentary things about me.” She looked up at him and smiled. “I’m glad you think so highly of me.”

He looked away and shifted his feet, trying to look embarrassed. He hoped he succeeded. He probably did, seeing as he really was embarrassed, if not for the reasons he was pretending. Gods, he hated this lying.

Nin-Xoco folded the letter again and sighed, her shoulders slumping forward, and she lowered her head. “I will send your letter for you. I have ways to get it out without anyone intercepting it.”

“Thank you. Forgive me, Holiness, but you seem upset. Is it something in the letter?”

She shook her head. “No. Well, yes, I suppose. You say such nice things about me.”

“They’re true.”

“I need to apologise to you, Rudiger, but I’ve been using you a little.”

“I’m not sure I understand.” This was surprising. He’d wanted her to think he’d been taken in by her advances, but he hadn’t expected her to admit her deceptions.

“Come sit with me.” She led Borisin to the river’s edge. There, she took off her sandals, sat on a nearby rock, and dangled her feet in the water.

Rudiger took off his own shoes and sat beside her. The water was cool and refreshing.

“A Ninifin Queen is supposed to be the ultimate warrior,” Nin-Xoco said. “Able to lead her people into battle and crush any opposition to her rule. The truth, however, is far different. I’ve never seen real combat, and while I know how to use a spear and bow, if I were ever in a real battle, I wouldn’t have the skill to survive. All that talk of riding Buluc into battle is just bluster. In reality, ruling Ninifin is about playing politics with a bunch of old women who want all the power to themselves. The priests and the nobles try to manipulate each other and they try to manipulate me. I try to manipulate them back, though in my case, it’s just to make them think I’m immature and not very bright, that I’m flighty and petty. Basically, they need to think I’m manipulable and they can control me, or my reign might meet a sudden end. My mother was poisoned when she got too independent.”

“Sorry to hear that,” Rudiger said.

“It was many years ago now, but it’s had a heavy impact on me.”

“I’m still not sure what it has to do with apologising to me,” Rudiger said.

She looked at him. “Surely you’ve heard Palace gossip about us?”

He nodded.

“When you arrived here, I saw an opportunity to distract the priests and nobles if they thought I was smitten with you.”

“I see.”

“You don’t seem very surprised.”

“I kind of figured that’s what you were doing.”

Borisin snorted. Ahem. That was me, not you.

Nin-Xoco turned to look at Borisin. “I always find it funny when he makes that sound. It’s like he’s commenting on us.”

“Maybe he is,” Rudiger said.

Borisin snorted again and Nin-Xoco laughed. She shifted back around on the rock to face Rudiger again. “So you knew. Are my charms really so inadequate?”

“No, it’s not that. It’s just...well...I...”

She nudged him in the arm and chuckled. “I’m just kidding around. Thank you, Rudiger.”

“For what?”

She gestured around her. “For this. Sitting and talking. I don’t get to do it often. And right now, I needed it. I’ve just learnt that the priests have been keeping even more secrets from me than I thought, and I really have no idea what’s going on. Did you see the return of the Youth Guard?”

Rudiger nodded. “I did, Holiness.”

“Then you know a little of what I’m dealing with. I have to decide what to do about this Will-Breaker, and the fact the priests all want to use her for their own ends, and stay alive in the process.”

“Do you really think they’ll kill you?”

She smiled at him. “If they think I’m a threat to their power. They won’t do it openly, of course. It’ll be like my mother.” She leaned her head on his shoulder. “But let’s not talk of any more politics. Let’s just sit here for a couple of minutes before I have to go back to the Council.”

“As you wish, Holiness.”

“Call me Xoco.”

“Of course,” Rudiger stammered. “I’m honoured.”

She raised her head and looked into his eyes. “The other day, I told you I wished I had a brother like you. That wasn’t an act. You’ve been very good to me this past month. And patient.” She turned around on the rock, found her sandals in the long grasses, and put them on.

Rudiger closed his eyes for a moment and sighed. What would she think of him if she knew Zandrue wasn’t his sister? He wanted to tell her the truth, but he couldn’t now. He was in too deep.

“I need to return to the Council,” Xoco said. “In public, you should still address me as Holiness, as would my real brother if I had one and anyone else close to me. But if you need to refer to my name, use Xoco. Be wary though. There are some who won’t be happy about it.”

“Fra-Ichtaca?”

Xoco nodded and stood up. “And others. A month ago, I wouldn’t have worried what they thought of you. Now I do.” She looked back at him. “I’m sorry I’ve dragged you into my world.”

“That’s okay.” Rudiger smirked. “Nice to hear it the other way round.”

“What do you mean?”

“Oh, Izel keeps accusing me of injecting myself into these situations.”

Xoco smiled. “Ah. She is...an intense woman. I like her. You and she are lovers, yes?”

Rudiger felt his cheeks warming and stared at the rock. “You know about that?”

Xoco laughed. “I do hear what goes on in the Palace, you know.”

“Of course, sorry.”

“There’s nothing for you to be sorry about. She doesn’t like it here, does she?”

Rudiger shook his head.

“I suppose I should pretend to forget about her for a while, and then excuse her from the Palace. I was just trying to do something nice for her. It’s because of Zeltzin, isn’t it?”

Rudiger grimaced. He was going to have to do some more lying. Ses-Zeltzin was a good enough scapegoat to use, especially as there was probably an element of truth there. “At least a little. You know they’re sisters?”

She nodded and sat beside him again. “I didn’t at first. I was very surprised to find out. I didn’t know Zeltzin had any sisters.”

Rudiger looked her in the eyes for a moment, then looked away again. “Ever thought there might be other things about Ses-Zeltzin you don’t know?”

“Like what?”

“Maybe she has other secrets?”

“Everyone has secrets. Why should Zeltzin be any different?”

“Yes, but are you sure you can trust her?” How much could he tell her? Would she believe him?

“Of course! She’s served the throne most of her life. In the Youth Guard as a child. She served my mother in the Queen’s Guard, and she took over leadership shortly after I became queen. I know she can be over-zealous sometimes, and slow to trust others. You’re wise to be wary of her because she doesn’t trust you.” Xoco groaned. “She doesn’t trust any man I get close to. It’s the one area of contention between us. But she’s loyal to me. I know this. Trust me.”

Rudiger just nodded. He wasn’t going to convince her without more direct proof.

Don’t suppose you could talk to her, buddy, like you did with Izel? he asked Borisin.

What good would that do?

Don’t know. Maybe she’ll be more likely to believe me if she’s in awe of your ability to talk.

Why would that work?

Worked with Izel.

Yeah, because we needed to convince her that I was important. My ability to speak says nothing about Ses-Zeltzin’s loyalty.

I suppose you’re right.

Xoco stood up. “I really should get back to the Council before things get too out of hand. I might have to excommunicate Fra-Atl. I hope not. I like her. A lot.” She leaned over and kissed him on the forehead. “Trust me about Zeltzin, okay?”

“Yeah, I’m sure you’re right.”

“I’ll see you soon.” She hurried off towards the Palace, her guards falling in around her.

Rudiger sat on the rock for several more minutes, wondering how to deal with Ses-Zeltzin.

He needed to contact Felitïa.