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the cluster of imperial servitors.
    “Well, Mistress Bridget, you bring us grave news indeed,” sighed Lord Daren. For a change, he just sounded tired and worried instead of critical. “You will forgive me if I hope this is some deception on the part of the lokai’s queen.”
    Bridget’s smile was tight, and completely without humor. “Sir, if you find out I’ve been taken in, I will be the first to cheer.”
    “Hmph.” There was an “I’ll believe it when I see it” look to Daren as he wrapped his heavy robe more tightly around himself. “I must go rouse my fellows.”
    Sakra stepped forward, not quite getting in Daren’s way, but making sure he was seen. “Lord Daren, I beg you to let me know how I may assist.”
    “I will, but I’m sure the empress will want you free to consult with her come the morning.”
    Which meant he would make sure Sakra was kept as far from the work as possible. Bridget felt her mouth purse in disapproval as the lord sorcerer strode out with his servants in tow. Daren did not like Sakra. He did not like the fact that Sakra was a foreigner, and he did not like Sakra’s influence with the empress. He never said so out loud, but he made it plain with a hundred small slights. Bridget was well aware of this, because he played the same sorts of games with her.
    Bridget looked to Sakra with a sigh. She set aside Daren’s behavior. Now was not the time to take umbrage.
    “I suppose I should have known there would be consequences from what happened,” she said instead.
    Sakra shook his head. “You are not the only one.”
    “If you please, mistress.”
    Bridget started slightly. She was getting into the bad habit of forgetting that Prathad was in the room. She met her maid’s gaze.
    Prathad hesitated. “Is it … was it … is this because of my former mistress?”
    Once, Prathad had been lady-in-waiting to the Dowager Empress Medeoan, and she had been the last to remain loyal when Medeoan finally went mad. Not even Ananda could bring herself to give the woman a new position after the disaster that brought Medeoan down. Bridget, however, knew about bad luck, and what it was to be unwanted. So, when she was told her new status allowed her two lady’s maids, she’d asked for Prathad to be assigned to her.
    “If this is what it appears to be, Prathad, there will be plenty of blame to go around.” Bridget sighed again. “Let’s go back to the room, shall we? It’s going to be a long night.” She looked at Sakra as she said it, letting him know he was welcome. The truth of the matter was she didn’t want to be alone just yet, although she was not sure she was ready to speak about what else the Vixen had said. Better to let it lie, perhaps. At least until she had a better understanding of the riddle.
    Sakra walked beside her through the shadowy corridors. They both knew better than to talk of important things in Vyshtavos’s halls. There was no knowing who was listening, even at such an uncivilized hour. Vyshtavos functioned on rumor and intrigue. In that it was very like a small town. It had not taken Bridget long to learn to guard her tongue.
    When Bridget had declared her intention to settle in Isavalta, she had been made a lady-in-waiting to the empress. She was not, however, a lady of the chamber, so she had her own rooms on the imperial level, rather than having to live in the imperial apartments.
    She actually had more than that, and that was something she would have to deal with sooner or later.
    So much to get used to , she thought ruefully. And now this new thing from the Vixen, whatever it means. If we don’t all get burnt to cinders, I will have to try to puzzle it out .
    Perhaps I should have stayed on Sand Island after all .
    They reached Bridget’s door. Prathad stepped forward smoothly to open it before Bridget could even get her hand out. Having Prathad at her side proved a mixed blessing some days. She knew a great deal about the customs and the country, and