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sister. “He’s offering gold!”
    Anesse! Of course. Anesse and Kalida.
    Anesse shook her head. “I don’t care if he’s offering fifty qinde. Twice is enough.” Her eyes strayed toward Cadel for just an instant. “We found magic twice with the Paean . We’d be fools to chance a third time.”
    The younger woman opened her mouth, but Anesse stopped her with a raised finger. “No, Kalida. That’s my final word.”
    Cadel nodded his approval and faced the innkeeper. “I’m afraid we must refuse.”
    The man looked disappointed, but he managed a smile. “I figured as much.” He turned away and started toward the bar. “I’ll get your wage and you can be on your way,” he said over his shoulder.
    Cadel glanced at Jedrek, who gave a small nod. The time for singing was over. They had business.
    “Will you be joining us at the banquet tonight, Corbin?”
    It took him a moment. The alias he had chosen for the Revel.
    “I’m afraid not,” he said, meeting her gaze. It was a shame, really. He would have enjoyed passing a night or two in her arms. “Honok and I will be visiting with some old friends this evening.”
    She gave a small frown. “That’s too bad. I had hoped to spend some time with you, away from all this.” She gestured toward the stage, giving him the same knowing smile she had offered earlier as they finished singing.
    “I’d like that as well. Honok and I will be in the marketplace tomorrow, singing some Caerissan folk songs. Perhaps after we’ve finished?”
    Cadel knew what she’d say. He had overheard the two women discussing their plans a few days before. Still, he had no trouble acting disappointed when Anesse explained that they would be leaving for Sanbira the next morning.
    “So we’re not going to see you again at all?” Kalida said plaintively, looking from her sister to Jedrek.
    “It seems not,” Cadel answered. “At least not for some time.” He smiled at Anesse. “But perhaps Adriel will bring us together again.”
    “She will if she has an ear for music,” the dark-haired woman said, grinning.
    Truly a shame.
    They all turned at the sound of coins jingling. The innkeeper was approaching, digging into a small pouch as he walked.
    “I believe we agreed upon four qinde each,” he said as he stopped in front of them.
    Cadel gave a small laugh, but when he spoke his voice carried just a hint of steel. “And I’m certain it was eight.”
    The man looked up. He was quite heavy, with white, wispy hair and yellowed teeth. He walked with an exaggerated limp. This was not a man who was looking for a fight.
    He merely nodded. “Of course, I’d forgotten. Eight it is. And worth every qinde.”
    He handed them each their coins and then smiled, his breath smelling of ale and pipe smoke. “If you’re back for next year’s Revel, I hope you’ll sing for us again. At the same wage, naturally.”
    “If we’re back,” Cadel said, “we’d be delighted.”
    The four singers left the inn by way of a rear door that let out into a grassy area near the west wall of Thorald City. Immediately, Jedrek and Kalida moved off a short distance to say their goodbyes, leaving Cadel alone with Anesse.
    The woman stared after her sister for a moment before facing Cadel, a wry grin on her lips.
    “Well,” she said, “if there’s any truth to the old legends, we’ll probably see each other again at Kalida and Honok’s joining.”
    Cadel hesitated and Anesse began to laugh.
    “Don’t worry,” she told him with obvious amusement. “Kalida doesn’t believe in the legends any more than your friend seems to.” Her smile changed, deepened. “I do, however, and I should tell you that I still was tempted to seek out your chambers last night.”
    “I almost wish you had.”
    She arched an eyebrow. “Almost?”
    “I take the moon legends seriously, too. Even if you had come, I’m not certain what would have happened.”
    “Fair enough,” she said. “But what about now? I don’t