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gold. I try to look surprised and puzzled. I hope it’s convincing. She’s too excited to notice, anyway. “They were under my pillow! Where do you suppose they came from? Oh, it doesn’t matter, does it? Now I can get Feat!” The last part she whispers as a knock echoes from outside. Not on my door, but down the hallway.
    “Saesa,” Raefe calls. “You okay?”
    Saesa tucks the gold into her pocket.
    “Get dressed,” she says to me. “I want to go before breakfast.” She’s too distracted to realize I already am. I grin as she jogs to my door to answer her brother.
    “Over here,” she says. “I’m fine.” She goes out.
    “I thought I heard you—”
    “I was excited, that’s all. I thought of something.” I hear her door close, and I peek out into the hallway. Raefe has already gone downstairs. I follow and get my cloak from the cupboard. An insistent knock on the main door makes me jump.
    “Who in the seven stars…at this hour of the morning?” Maisie mutters as she brushes past me in her morning coat with Garsi toddling behind her, squealing happily. Maisie opens the door. I can’t see much. Chain mail leggings. The butt of a spear resting beside heavy boots. I slink back, tucking myself into the corner beside the cupboard where I’m sure not to be seen.
    “City guard,” a deep voice booms. Nessa rushes down the stairs. She sees me as she scoops up Garsi, and gives me a quick, reassuring smile. When she turns to the door, her smile brightens sweetly.
    “Why, Freland,” Nessa says with surprise, “won’t you come in out of the snow?”
    The boots hesitate. Stomp on the mat. Clomp inside.
    “Thank you, Lady Ganvent.”
    “Of course,” Nessa says graciously. “What can we do for you? Something warm to drink, perhaps?”
    “No m’lady. This isn’t a social visit. We’re sent to find a boy. Around twelve, thirteen. Black hair. Sunteri features. A few around the city said they might’ve seen him going around with your Saesa.”
    “Oh?” Nessa asks. Saesa comes out from her room and peers over the railing. She meets my gaze, her eyes wide with fear. Quickly, she changes her expression to that of mild interest as she turns her attention to the scene at the door.
    “He’s suspected of a crime,” Freland says gruffly. “Need to question him. Can’t say any more than that. Have you seen him? Do you have him here?”
    “Maisie, won’t you get my silk purse? It’s in the cupboard, there.” Nessa says. Maisie opens the cupboard door. She glances at me and I give her a pleading look. They can’t take me. Not now. I have something important to do. I wish I could remember what. Maisie presses her lips together. She gives a very slight nod toward the door beside me. The dining room. It leads to the kitchen. The kitchen has a back door. I look up at Saesa again. She’s careful to keep her eyes on the guard. She won’t give me away. Neither will Nessa, apparently.
    “Sorry, m’lady. I won’t take a coin for this one. My orders are from the captain himself.”
    “Freland!” Nessa admonishes. “I would never presume to bribe you. How could you even suggest it? Never mind about the purse, Maisie.” Maisie chuckles and closes the cupboard. She turns her back to me but stays in place. Blocks the guard’s view of the dining room door.
    “Is the boy here or isn’t he, Lady Ganvent? I would hate to have to call in a search.”
    “Need I remind you,” Nessa’s voice is low now. Firm. “That your captain ranks beneath my husband, whose house falls under sanctions that prevent such a search?
    “Under the circumstances, I’m afraid it’s warranted.” The boots turn. The door opens again. Freland calls to others. Saesa runs down the stairs. Outside, I hear more boots. Maisie waves her hand at me behind her back.
    “Run.”
    Yes, run. I can’t wait for Saesa. I duck through the dining room to the kitchen where Bette, the cook, is working hard at breakfast. She smiles at me as I