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Wordlessly, Kara dumped the two xantha balls at the general’s feet. Then she grabbed Vysh by the arm and dragged her away.

“Why didn’t you back me up?” asked Vysh angrily. “I was defending you. We could have got that bitch thrown out ofshaa’baara.”

“I know, and believe me I want that as much as you. But think it through. If she gets kicked off, what then?”

“What do you mean?”

“She’s Baelon’s niece. If you get her disqualified, he’ll take it out on your family. I don’t know much about Vraxian politics but I know a vindictive bastard when I see one.”

“Oh.” Vysh was brought up short. “I hadn’t thought of that.”

“Your father may be a noble, but he’s not as far up the tree as the Vantrax clan. And if he gets bad-mouthed by them, he’ll never let you marry yourkalehshun.So we’re letting this one go, okay?”

“Okay. Yes. You’re right.” Vysh took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. “Thanks for looking out for me.”

“Hey, that’s what friends are for. Now let’s find some food before I die of starvation.”

It was another four hours before the challenge was complete. Zanthara arrived narrowly ahead of Gendril who limped in on a twisted ankle, in pain but triumphant.

That meant Chanya, Borth, Inyria and Rapunzel were out.

Ela sounded the siren to end the challenge. When the last four Potentials finally arrived back at the rendezvous point, the others gathered round to commiserate.

None of the bottom four had got as far as recalibrating their maps. They hadn’t thought of it. Chanya had actually managed to stumble on a sphere by chance but hadn’t been able to secure it. All of them accepted their elimination with good grace.

“Who came in first?” asked Borth.

“Layahn,” said Lyrith. “Though I hear Kara was the first to figure out how to complete the challenge.”

“It’s not who figures it out first, it’s who crosses the line first,” observed Hespia. Kara knew she was right.

There were two more rounds to go and she had to be more careful. She’d underestimated an opponent and it had nearly cost her everything. It wouldn’t happen again.

Thirty Three

That evening the Imperial Palace threw a ball for the contestants who’d succeeded in the first challenge. Daa’sten worked his magic again. This time he dressed Kara in green to represent the color of Earth’s forests.

He piled her hair into an elegant twist and laced it with sparkling green gems. Kara assumed they were emeralds but was too afraid to ask. Tendrils framed her face and fell softly to her bare shoulders.

As before, her back was left exposed but this time Daa’sten painted flowers and songbirds along her spine, over her shoulders and across her collarbones, a beautiful mural which shimmered as she walked. He explained he wanted to make her a ‘living canvas of Earth’.

He wound gold bracelets onto each forearm and put a slim choker round her neck.

“There,” he pronounced when he was satisfied. “What do you think?”

“Meh,” she said, teasing him. “It’s all right.”

“All right?” The dressmaker looked like he was about to explode. “All right?”

“I’m kidding. It’s wonderful.You’rewonderful.”

She climbed onto her chair and planted a kiss on his blue-scaled cheek. He was mollified.

“It’s not easy dressing an alien, you know,” he said. “You’re short. You have bumps in the wrong places. Your face is all smooth and squidgey.”

“Okay, okay. Don’t ruin it,” she laughed. “But honestly, you’re a miracle worker. If you ever wanted a career on Earth, you’d be one of the top designers in the world, no question.”

She went to find Vysh, who looked equally stunning. Daa’sten had stuck with pink but this time it was a bold cerise color that hugged every curve and was split to the thigh.