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They left the two horses in the small forest and tied them up so that if something went terribly wrong, they could break free and return home.

Eshfen wished he had been able to reach the mansion with these animals, for they seemed much stronger and healthier than the ones they had taken from Vallo's servants. But he feared that the men guarding the gates would notice the difference. A difference that would add to the fact that the three of them obviously did not work for the master of the house.

They also had to come up with a good enough excuse to convince the guards to let them in. It was a serious obstacle, and they had not been able to come up with effective plans to overcome it, despite the long period of preparation. This added to his anxiety, but he kept his doubts to himself as he spurred on the horses pulling the carriage.

Sidio rode straight ahead, clearing the way for them. Mali followed on the last horse, always silent and focused.

When they reached the city walls, they stumbled upon what unbelievers would have called a stroke of good fortune.

Two carriages were stationed near the gates: large and opulent, made of dark, polished wood, decorated with gold curtains and bronze ornaments. They reeked of nobility. Their wealthy owners had come down and were talking to a solemn-looking man dressed in black, who was trying to tone down the argument. He was probably afraid that those rich blowhards would start shouting.

"My lords, please. The best part of the party is yet to come! Allow us to show you how generous and infinitely hospitable Artisan Vallo can be."

Eshfen and his aides had almost completely stopped by now. Guards approached, but it was obvious that they had their ears glued to the conversation behind them.

Sidio took advantage of the distraction, not giving the first guard time to realize that the man he was talking to did not look at all like any of the servants who had left the mansion.

"Master Wendingell has prepared the best casks of the vintage for you. With a little more notice, he could have doubled or even tripled the amount. At an absolute bargain price, of course."

Though he could not see his face, Eshfen caught the lively note in Sidio's voice and imagined one of the broad, handsome smiles he was capable of.

In those moments, Eshfen was proud of him.

The guard seemed doubtful, probably because he did not recognize either Sidio or Eshfen, who had covered most of his face with his hood, or Mali. He was about to say something when the man in black addressed them in a calm, almost icy voice. "Let them pass, by all the gods. Our guests have waited long enough."

The two guards stepped aside, apologized to the man, and instructed the drivers of the two large carriages to clear the entrance.

The man went back to attending to the guests, pointing to the carriage and the wine. As Eshfen passed by, he heard the man's thanks, "And you tell your master that cupbearer Talber is grateful to him. He will surely recognize my name. Please assure him that Artisan Vallo will reward him for his diligence. He will no doubt be as generous as ever."

Sidio assured him that yes, of course he would report. He smiled again and bowed three times, as all islanders were accustomed to doing in formal circumstances.

And so they entered the estate of Ochorus Vallo. Had he not known exactly what to expect, Eshfen might have breathed a sigh of relief and allowed himself a satisfied smile.

Instead, he grazed the handle of the dagger and clenched his jaw. The real battle was about to begin.

Other orderlies led them through the streets surrounding the main building.

Eshfen tried to memorize the route, marked by houses, warehouses, even small shops that were still open and decorated with garlands, colorful curtains, lamps and candles in every corner. The place was full of life.

They crossed paths with dozens of couples dancing in the alleys paved with pale stone and children running around without a care in the world.

They came to a series of arches carved into the limestone that opened into a gallery and led to what must have been the entrance to the kitchens. The smell of roasted meat, spices, and herbs mingled with that of hot wine. Eshfen had heard that the people in these regions preferred to cook the wine a little, mix it with sumac and pieces of red fig, then sprinkle pepper on top.

He sneezed as this mingling of aromas assaulted his nostrils, attracting the attention of a pair of servants who looked at him first with astonishment, then with lascivious glances.

He hurried to unload the barrels with his aides and other servants. When they were finished, an elderly woman with large, dark eyes surrounded by deep wrinkles approached them as she rubbed her hands over a stained apron.

"And who are you? Where are my boys?" she asked, staring first at Sidio, then at Eshfen, and finally at Mali.

Eshfen was tense, but he did not show it. He carried only the dagger. The rest of the weapons were hidden in the cart.

"Master Wendingell had only me and my companions available tonight," Mali said. She stepped forward and looked around as if to inspect the kitchen, then spoke in a clear voice that exuded competence. "And so he had to choose who to entrust with the second batch."

The cook frowned. "The second batch?"

Mali sighed, as if the answer was obvious, and found it almost outrageous that such a question should be asked of her. "The rest of the wine, of course. We realized that the amount we had in reserve was not enough. So Master Wendingell enlisted the help of your men to move the other barrels, those stored in the secondary warehouse."

The woman nodded. "I suspected the old swindler was hiding more wine than he was willing to admit. Tell him I will go and complain to him personally about his lies. If old Muldren asks him for help, he'll play dumb. But if it's cupbearer Talber who calls him, then wine reserves and secondary warehouses will appear!" She raised her eyes to the sky and wrung her apron as if it were the neck of someone she wanted to strangle.

"I do appreciate that he sent you to deliver what you had on hand first, though. At least that was a good idea. Can we offer you something to eat, something to drink?"

From the way Mali moved her chin, Eshfen guessed she was about to refuse. But they needed an excuse to stay. He placed a hand on her shoulder. "The meat you are cooking gives off an extraordinary aroma. We'll just have a bite, then we'll unload the rest of the wine and leave the wagon to your men," he said, pointing to the large boar slowly turning on a spit not far away.

The cook's face lit up. "You will not regret it. I slaughtered the beast with my own hands."

Eshfen sensed Sidio and Mali's uncertainty as the cook made room at one of the many tables that dotted the kitchen. He did not like the idea of lingering either, but he got the impression that the woman had a nose for trouble. If she suspected that the three of them were hiding something, their mission would become even more difficult. For now, they had to play along.

Eshfen sat down and gave Mali and Sidio a quick nod to join him. Three other orderlies were already at the table, ready to eat quickly. All of them wore dark uniforms made of fabrics far more precious than those worn by Eshfen and his people. They also wore trimmings of gray silk woven into cords.

The cook, Muldren, stepped away only briefly. She dictated orders to the men and women who buzzed around the fires, kneading very white dough and cutting fruit. Then she returned to the table with a tray of thin strips of steaming meat. "Eat, eat!" she invited them. "And the rest of you, hurry up before the guests start complaining!"

The three attendants scarfed down their food, licked their fingers, and wiped their greasy faces and hands with black handkerchiefs. They left the table, bowed their thanks to Muldren, and went back to work.

Eshfen tasted the meat and it melted on his tongue. He could not hold back a groan of pleasure.

Muldren smiled, "What did I tell you?"

"Truly exquisite, my lady, almost touching," Sidio confirmed, his chin smeared with dripping grease and a childish smile.

Muldren gave the boy a big slap on the back, nearly making him choke.

"Artisan Vallo is a generous man. I am sure he will be pleased to know that you appreciate his hospitality. If he were not surrounded by his guests, he would probably come to thank you himself for bringing the wine so quickly. But a daughter's wedding is a rare occasion, right? If I were him, I’d keep my butt nailed to the chair until dawn," she chuckled.

A wedding, then. This certainly explained the large number of people in the mansion and the fireworks. He wondered if this information might change the odds.

"My lady, my colleagues and I need to get a quick message to cupbearer Talber. Where can we find him?" he asked to cut it short, and kicked Sidio in the shins when he heard him yelping like a puppy, whining because someone had stolen his bone. The young aide would have been able to consume the whole boar without a second thought if Eshfen had not pulled him off the table.

Muldren wiped her hands on her apron again. "I'll send for him right away. Silly me, surely you want to be paid! I was distracted, you know, by now old age is making fun of me."

"No, no, my lady. Don't apologize. This is just a small gift from my master to you. I was told to deliver it into the hands of the excellent Talber. And don't bother your workers. Just tell me where to find the cupbearer, and we'll be out of your way in no time."

The woman listened intently, her eyes wide open and her hands still slowly fiddling with the fabric.

"No problem, my friend, no problem." So Muldren led them through the kitchen, which they discovered consisted of three separate rooms connected by arches carved into the stone, and then toward a staircase. She explained that Talber was undoubtedly on the upper floor, at the end of the corridor where the staircase led. Surely he must have been there, in the main hall, among the guests.

Eshfen thanked Muldren with short bows, as did Sidio and Mali.

The cook smiled warmly in return. "Come back and visit us. There will always be hot food for you!"

Eshfen took the stairs, feeling a gnawing in the pit of his stomach. The woman's trust and kindness were misplaced, of course. He was about to deal a severe blow to the wealth of the employer of many workers like her. But he did it for the greater good and in the name of a justice that surpassed every law of Kenjir.

Perhaps Muldren could have understood if she had opened her heart and listened sincerely. Or maybe not. Maybe Rahmadu would not have found her worthy.

Eshfen pushed those thoughts away and finished climbing the stairs, taking two steps at a time.

It was time to dig up Vallo and spoil his celebration.

The interior of the mansion matched the splendor of the exterior. There were towering walls and finely carved limestone columns with bas-relief floral motifs, yellow marble floors, and large stained glass windows that reflected the light from candelabras. There were also fireplaces that created an almost dreamlike atmosphere.

The guests wore an extraordinary variety of garments and hairstyles. None of them seemed to know hunger or hardship. There were people from Lenna, of course, with their clothes woven of gaudy and rich fabrics. But there were also Larsani, Urookite, and Napuri. Certainly some Lugalens and Ensins.

Eshfen felt a deep disdain for the way such influential people, who were supposed to represent the law, mingled with smugglers and merchants like the Artisans of Lenna. He let that revulsion turn into determination.

"Go to the second floor. Check the way to the bedrooms and try to find out how well the master’s is guarded," he ordered Mali.

The helper nodded and moved on at a leisurely pace.

Eshfen and Sidio set off to find Vallo.

The ground floor was crowded with people, several hundred of them, and the festivities were spread over multiple ballrooms, terraces, indoor pools, and huge dining rooms.

They found Vallo sitting at a large dark wooden table next to a young couple. The girl was clearly his daughter. She had black eyes and a broad forehead, and was dressed in soft yellow fabrics lit by silver threads. The dress was loose and fell softly over her body, resembling a cloud.

The young man, on the other hand, wore white robes with rich embroidery in relief.

Both bride and groom looked happy but tired.

Vallo sipped wine and listened to the words of a guest, an elderly man who raised his cup to the revelers with a look of fatherly pride.

An important night, Eshfen said to himself. Perfect for learning about Rahmadu's justice. There was no way to force Ochorus Vallo to do anything while he was surrounded by guests. So Eshfen resigned himself to waiting.

"He drinks too much. Sooner or later he will have to apologize and leave the table," he whispered to Sidio from their concealed spot behind a column.

"What if he doesn't? What if he sits there until dawn?"

Eshfen let out a low grunt. "Then we'll have to think of something." Every idea that flashed through his mind in those moments was more dangerous than the last. All of them ended in needless bloodshed.

Mali returned a short time later. "There are about ten guards on the second floor. Almost all of them are patrolling the wing opposite where Vallo's private apartments are. I don't know why. He had two more guarding the main entrance doors," she reported in a low voice. She ran a hand over her perspiring forehead.

"Had?" asked Sidio.

"They will no longer be a problem."

"Did you kill them?" the wide-eyed young man asked again. "Do you realize what you have done?"

Eshfen silenced him by placing a hand on his shoulder.

He looked Mali hard in the eyes. "I trust the bodies have been expertly hidden. Now we have to hope that Vallo will move before someone discovers that something is wrong upstairs."

Mali lowered her eyes, her skin reddening at the rebuke.

"If you dare to take such an initiative again without consulting me, I will break your neck with my own hands, girl."

She nodded and took an instinctive step back.

"And now pray to our Lord that the old man moves away from his table. Or all our efforts will have been in vain."

They waited. An endless procession of servants brought more wine and food, changed plates and glasses. All the workers struggled to accommodate the increasingly drunk and disruptive guests.

At one point, an altercation broke out between two women. Eshfen did not quite understand what they were arguing about, but he saw two men stand up and look at each other as if they were going to turn the party into a bare-knuckle fight show.

Vallo stood up to act as peacemaker. He talked to the two men, complimented the women on their beauty, and managed to calm things down. "This is a special night for me and my family," he said. "I am the father of a young woman who makes every one of my days brighter."

He turned to his daughter. "Vanelia, my little one. I thank the gods for giving my life meaning when you were born."

The young woman wiped away tears.

"Omar, you are my son as of today. I ask the Masters to bless you and the new family you are creating," Vallo continued, turning to his son-in-law.

The young man stood, raised his goblet, and toasted his host. So did all the other guests, even those who nearly came to blows.

Finally, Vallo whispered a few words to his daughter. He promised the guests that he would only be absent for a few moments. Then, he left, smiling.

"Be outside the private quarters," Eshfen whispered to Mali. "Sidio and I will get Vallo."

Up close, Vallo appeared small and frail. But the expensive clothes gave him a distinguished air that exuded power.

Eshfen followed the man several paces down the corridors of the mansion. He was pleasantly surprised that the Artisan was not followed by any armed guards or servants. Which could have meant that he was obscenely confident and convinced that no one could ever harm him within these walls. Or, more simply, that any guards patrolling this floor were as drunk as the guests.

Eshfen dismissed the second possibility. It could also be that Vallo had underestimated the value of what he kept in his bedroom. Perhaps he was the kind of man who tried never to get his hands dirty and used armed guards more to show off his wealth than out of any real necessity. Either way, the result was the same.

Now he was alone.

Vallo turned down one last corridor and entered a room closing a heavy wooden door behind him.

Eshfen told Sidio to wait and be ready. He whispered to him, "When he comes out, I will be on him. You watch the corridor." Then he left the auxiliary, tiptoed to the door, waited, and listened intently until he heard water running.

As the door opened, Eshfen leapt forward and planted his left elbow on Vallo's throat. The man's eyes widened and he tried in vain to struggle free. He could not cry out, nearly choked by Eshfen, who immediately slammed him against the wall.

Eshfen quickly followed up with a knee to the side and a stomp on his right foot.

Vallo groaned as Eshfen covered his mouth shut and then pointed the dagger at his eye. Very close. "If you scream, your men will be here in no time. We won't be able to take them all down. They will kill us. But before that happens, you will be dead."

Vallo's eyes closed and slowly opened. There was anger on his face, mixed with a fear that made him shake violently.

"If you scream, I will slit your throat. If you scream, you will not live long enough to see your daughter live happily with the man she loves and become a mother. If you want to be called a grandfather by a bunch of brats, you will do exactly as I say."

Vallo nodded slowly.

Eshfen smiled at him.

"Now you will take me to your bedroom. No, not that way. I know what kind of man you are. Your kind always has a trick to sneak in and out of their rooms inconspicuously. Am I right?"

The man nodded again. The fear in his eyes was mixed with a kind of contempt.

When Eshfen removed his hand from his mouth, Vallo hissed, "You don't know what you're doing, worm. I hope it's worth it. Because I will make you pay. Whoever sent you will regret the day he was born."