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The healers slipped into the room and Shadi gasped in surprise. They were silent, like all the other workers and servants, moving within the walls of the extraordinary palace, mingling with the shadows.

Shadi watched them: two elderly women she had never seen before and a man whose name she should have remembered. The women wore wide reddish robes with soft lines that left their hands and forearms uncovered. Both had very white hair and deep wrinkles framing gentle eyes.

The man's name was Lumeno. He was one of the respected and very expensive professionals who helped her family day and night. Shadi had often seen him in the fortress, mostly to mend the cuts Roben had received while learning to hold a sword or on one of his hunting trips. And of course he had also stitched up the Roben after saving Norain in Jabal Amira.

Norain. Shadi wondered where she was. She was glad she had not seen her in the Watchtower and hoped that when they arrived in Larsa she would have time to spend with her.

The healer approached her. He wore his long black hair in a braid that ran down the middle of his back, contrasting with his bright red robes. The strong features of his nose and jaw, his brown eyes brightened by the dim light of the fireplace, gracefully disguised his age. He was probably much older than her parents, yet moved quickly.

"My lady, I must ask you to leave."

"I could help."

"I'm sure you could. But let me tell you, even the best healers would end up doing a poor job if they insisted on ignoring the need for rest." The man tilted his head and smiled. "How much sleep have you lost?"

"More than I care to admit."

He smiled again, as if listening to a child much, much younger than her. Shadi found it strangely reassuring.

"Your Dagger is in good hands, I can assure you. We will check her wounds, change the sheets and make sure she continues to sleep." He touched his robes at chest height. "If you like, I can give you something to help you sleep."

Shadi shook her head and got up.

She took the long cloak from the chair and draped it over her shoulders as she nodded to the healer and his two colleagues.

Outside the room stood Laamar Lutif, the lieutenant who had accompanied Darjin to Euphora, and two unidentified soldiers. Were they manning the quarters to protect her, or to keep her from doing any more foolish things?

Laamar bowed to her and thumped his right fist on his chest, at heart level, in the typical Urookite greeting. "Young Lady Jan Hura, how is your Dagger?"

Shadi watched him.

He no longer wore the light armor of the warriors who were loyal to her family, but he still looked tall, imposing and proud, as if he were ready to draw a sword or throw himself into battle.

Yet there was genuine concern in his eyes.

"She needs to rest. The healers are doing their best, thank you for asking, lieutenant."

He bowed his head again. "If there is anything we can do, anything for you or your Dagger..."

Shadi looked at him sideways.

She was so tired and worried, so restless at the mere thought of being in the dwelling of a deity, that she could not even imagine being able to sleep. "Come with me. Let's take a walk."

Laamar hesitated.

"Darjin will be fine. As I said, the healers are doing their best. And your friends here," she said, looking at the other two soldiers, "will see that no one disturbs her rest."

"At your command, my lady."

Shadi walked down the corridor, tightening the laces of her wide cloak, which swelled a little as she walked, to hide the nightclothes she was still wearing.

She had to admit that the summer residence was a beauty that was difficult to describe. Even a simple corridor like the one she was walking through deserved the attention of writers and poets.

How to describe the translucent material it was made of? It looked like stone and crystal at the same time. It was crisscrossed with fine veins, some bright, some more opaque, and it reflected light, creating a barely perceptible glare. A giant sculpture rather than a palace.

"What an extraordinary place."

Lutif nodded.

"Have you ever been so close to the Masters, lieutenant?"

He answered her after a pause, which could mean many things. Perhaps he felt uncomfortable walking through the glass walls with her, or maybe he simply preferred being with Darjin. Did he have a soft spot for her? Most likely. There was an undeniable charm in the woman's silences, in the way she walked lightly through the shadows and in her attentive glances. "Never so close, no, my lady. But I had the blessing and pleasure of observing King Zayr's family with my own eyes on several occasions. I certainly never dreamed of setting foot in his summer residence."

"Then that makes two of us."

Lutif smiled through closed lips.

They reached the end of the corridor and found themselves on a kind of indoor terrace, widening to the left and right to suspended walkways.

When they reached the balustrade, Shadi's eyes widened in surprise: there was an orchard. Dozens and dozens of date palms stretched out within the confines of a large circular enclosure. She saw cobblestones, benches, fountains and many dark stone statues. Above, a circular skylight decorated with stained glass cast rays of yellow, orange and red light on the plants.

"Maybe we shouldn't be here," Lutif said in a low voice. Suddenly, a creeping fear seemed to strain his tone.

"Why would that be?"

"I think I know what this place is."

"Really? Explain yourself, lieutenant."

"I've heard stories. Those palm trees, that glass roof. This is the Consort's private garden."

Shadi put a hand to her mouth. How had she not recognized it? She had read the same stories.

"The private garden of King Zayr's wife. You may be right, lieutenant. Better to change course. I'm sure this palace has dozens of other wonderful sights to offer us."

It was then that they heard the call.

It came from below.

"Young lady? Shadi Jan Hura?"

Shadi turned to see three little girls with blonde hair and green eyes. They were wearing light, dark orange robes and were smiling. The one in the middle, the tallest of the three, raised both hands and made a short bow. "The Consort awaits you. Come!" she laughed, "Come and sit with her!"

Shadi held her breath. She turned to Lutif for support, but he seemed as surprised as she was.

"I suppose you can't refuse, my lady."

Shadi damn well agreed. "I guess not."

Lutif escorted her along one of the walkways and then down a spiral staircase to the orchard level. He walked with her along a path paved with red stones and flanked by low hedges, manicured to form walls of thick foliage.

The air was slightly warmer than in the private quarters, and the hum of insects mixed with a light breeze from above.

As they walked, Shadi tried to recall everything her mother had taught her, hoping for a moment like this—to meet the mighty of Kenjir. Beings who far surpassed her family's wealth and influence.

To Shadi, these teachings had always seemed completely useless. Now she regretted not paying more attention to them.

The three blonde girls ran towards her, still laughing and with red faces. They jostled each other a little, but it was still the tallest one who spoke.

"Welcome, Shadi Jan Hura." She approached her and embraced her. Then she surprised Shadi by kissing her on the cheek.

The other two girls did the same, and Shadi was breathless at the display of warmth.

"You are to wait here, sir," the child continued, turning to the lieutenant. "Sit under a palm tree and rest. Someone will bring you food and drink while you wait for your young lady to return."

Lutif nodded, but met Shadi's gaze.

Was he seeking her consent?

Could he really refuse and demand to accompany her?

Shadi relieved him of this embarrassment by stroking his arm. "I'll be back soon." She said it as if she were really sure.

Then the girls took her by the hand and dragged her through the palm trees.

The consort lay on her side, resting on one elbow as she stroked an object placed in front of her on the red linen cover. She wore thin purple cloth robes that hugged her generous figure: wide hips, a full bosom, tanned skin. The wide neckline across her chest and bare shoulders revealed the intricate web of tattoos on her skin. The fabric of her collar ran up to the top of her head, forming a hood that covered her forehead; from the hem of the headdress fell a net, dark enough to hide her face down to her chin.

The Consort raised her head.

"Come, my daughter, sit with me."

Shadi knelt down and rested her forehead on the grass, at an appropriate distance. "My Queen, Consort of our Immense God and King Zayr, Jewel in the hands of the Tutors, Gift of Kenjir," she recited in a trembling voice, "I am not worthy of your gaze or your benevolence."

The Consort's pleased laughter pinched her ears. "You said what you had to without stumbling over any of the words. Good. I think Tiona would be proud. Now get up, throw off that cloak and sit with me."

Shadi tried not to look clumsy as she obeyed and got to her feet. But she hesitated before touching the laces of her cloak.

"Ah. I guess you are not wearing the proper robes for a meeting with God's wife."

Had she not been so intimidated, Shadi might have wondered if the Consort was mocking her.

"Fear not, only I and my little servants will see your night robes. Besides, I'm sure Tiona has spent an obscene amount of money to make sure no one doubts your influence even in your sleep."

The girls, still surrounding her, helped her to remove her cloak.

Shadi sat down and stifled the avalanche of questions that flooded her mind. Did the Consort know her mother? Why did she not seem to like Tiona Jan Hura at all?

"That's better," the Consort nodded as she followed Shadi's movements.

A moment of silence.

"You didn't sleep well. Do you not like our guest rooms?"

Shadi blushed violently. "The accommodations you have so graciously provided for us are more than we ever dared to ask for. My parents and I are eternally grateful."

The Consort smoothed the object lying between them, and Shadi took a quick look at it. It resembled a dark metal necklace. It was crisscrossed with light veins.

"Then sleep eludes you for sadder and more disturbing reasons."

Shadi did not know how to answer what did not really seem like a question.

"I've heard about what happened to you. About the kidnapping. And the death of all those girls." With a snap of her fingers, the Consort made the little girls move away.

"It's outrageous that this has actually happened. I feel I owe you and your family an apology."

"An apology, my Queen? Never!"

The consort raised a finger and Shadi fell silent.

"My beloved, the Light of my eyes and Protector of the lands of Urook is the Lord of all Tutors. His Household lives for the sole purpose of ensuring that all of Kenjir enjoys the security it deserves. This attack on your convoy simply should not have happened. The Red Army failed. So accept my apology. You need say no more about it."

Shadi nodded.

The woman before her glowed like a bronze statue. Proud and graceful, she spoke as if she could read her mind and heart. After all, she had married a deity. Only a woman deeply aware of her own worth deserved of such a privilege.

"So you are alive by a miracle."

"Thanks to the courage of a friend, my Queen."

"I have heard. I'd like to meet the Dagger. She seems to be recovering well.

"Yes. Darjin is strong. An extraordinary woman."

"Darjin. It's a beautiful name." The Consort continued to stroke the dark collar. She sighed. "This place is empty. Too empty. During the last Trials, when I met our Lord Zayr, it was bustling with life, crowded with families and young hopeful men and women. Thirty-three years have passed, but I remember those moments as if they were yesterday."

Shadi could not even imagine accumulating memories for all that time.

"Instead, there are only a few of you left. All females, it seems."

All females, yes. Shadi wondered if the Lugalens' sons had also been targeted, or if the rebels had chosen to focus on the girls.

"What can I do to make your stay more comfortable, my daughter?"

"Your kindness is already more than one could ask for in a lifetime, my Queen."

The Consort laughed. A sound that would wake even a dead man and give him pure joy.

"Tiona has taught you well. You say little and only when spoken to. I was like that myself. But I did speak even less, if possible. All this scared me to death. The Trials, getting to know the Masters and their families. The possibility of marrying one of them and leaving a whole life behind. Terrified. I was really terrified."

Shadi could hardly believe it. The woman's mere presence exuded an air of charm and charisma that anyone could have felt.

"You're scared too. I can feel it. And I am sincerely sorry. I wish circumstances were different. That along with these fears we could enjoy the company of joyful men and women in the flower of their youth".

"Your company is a gift, a blessing beyond all celebration, my Queen."

The Consort shook her head.

"Don't flatter me," she said in a benevolent voice. "Not after what has happened to you." She took a deep breath and then exhaled a question. "Be honest with me, my child. If you could, what would you do? Where would you be? Who would you be spending your time with? Mind you, if you lie, I will know." She stroked the collar with the tip of a finger.

Shadi felt a shiver run down her spine. She cleared her throat and searched for words.

"I am a solitary girl, my queen. I love literature, history and books. Perhaps now I would be buried among the tomes in my..." she hesitated.

In the seventh tower.

In a library that no longer existed.

"In the fortress of Jabal Amira. Or riding with Darjin. If my parents allow it, I would like Roben, my brother, to teach me how to use a sword."

The Consort nodded slowly. "You were honest." She sat with her legs crossed, the collar resting on one thigh.

"Would you run away if you could? Right now? Would you go back to your stronghold?"

"My Queen, I couldn't—"

"Don't spit out answers without thinking," the Consort silenced her, her voice reduced to a hiss.

"If I gave you gold, horses, an armed escort and a pass to go home now, would you do it? If I ordered your parents to rebuild your library and never to interfere in your private affairs again. If I provided you with the most experienced scholars and deadly weapons. Would you agree to return home? Or would you refuse my benevolence?"

Shadi trembled, as if someone had pushed her into the icy waters of the river she had visited so often, without warning.

The Consort knew of her library.

But how?

"I would be tempted. I would be flattered. My heart would overflow with gratitude. But my family..." she coughed, a knot tightening in her throat and a shimmering veil covering her eyes.

"They expect great things of me. My father loves me dearly. My brother thinks I am better than I am. Even my mother, in ways I often find hard to understand, wants the best for me. They take good care of me. I have never been hungry or cold thanks to them. So no, I would not accept. Because I don't want to disappoint them."

The Consort listened in silence. With one hand she moved the veil that covered her face until it revealed her fiery red mouth. A beautiful mouth, voluptuous in shape.

She touched it with the other hand.

A kiss.

Then she brought those fingers to Shadi's face and touched her lips.

She felt the warmth of those fingers, the scent of that skin.

Hot tears moistened her cheeks as she listened.

"A moving dedication. I hope your family appreciates it. May they give you the trust, respect and love you deserve," she whispered, stroking Shadi's chin with her thumb.

"If you have found a reason to live in your loyalty to your family members, I appreciate that. As I am sure my King Zayr is proud." The Consort's hand moved away and the veil covered her face again.

"But if one day you decide that the life you have chosen is not enough, if you want to seek something new and pursue purposes that no one has imposed on you, do not give in to shame. Your life is yours alone. Your vows are yours alone. Your victories, your failures, see that they are the result of thoughtful choices, my daughter."

The Consort rose, as light as a dancer, as beautiful as a painting that had come to life.

She held out her hand, and Shadi took it as she rose to her feet.

"My blessing is upon you, Shadi Jan Hura. My prayers will watch over your footsteps. Through fire and water, day and night, I will implore the gods to be merciful to you. Go, my daughter. Today, sleep will no longer elude you. This is my promise to you."