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‘I learn that you performed admirably on the hunt,’ she stated. ‘Most importantly, my champion speaks well of you, and his faintest praise is worth the applause of many.’

She saw no flush of pleasure at the words. The girl accepted the praise as Isendter himself would have, impassively.

‘Alain is not here, or doubtless he would have met you at our gates himself,’ Elass began. Just then, and as she saw Alain’s name spark life from the girl’s expression, a servant entered with a pair of scrolls for his mistress. She laid one down and scanned the contents of the other, apparently forgetting Tynisa’s presence. Another servant was suddenly at her elbow, placing bowls for kadith.

‘I understand that you are Maker Tynise of Collegium,’ the princess continued absently.

Tynisa merely nodded.

‘Alain will not have given you my personal name. The boy never was one for proper introductions. I am Salme Elass – although, of course, you should address me as “my Princess” or “my lady.”’ As she mummed reading the scroll she was watching the girl obliquely.

Of course, revealing one’s name was a privileged concession, but Elass was not sure whether the Lowlander knew that. She saw an understanding somewhere in Tynisa’s eyes, though, that names represented power to the Inapt, and so she would think she was being given some great gift.

Elass followed this indulgence with a smile, transforming her face from stone to flesh. ‘My son will need you, in the near future,’ she said.

Again Elass read that curious reaction: the eagerness of the young woman that became the eagerness of the Weaponsmaster to prove her skill. For a moment, Elass found herself disconcerted by the latter, sensing almost a personal danger here. She is so young, and of such an unusual kinden, that I had forgotten that she must have earned that badge. For a moment she wondered whether using this tool would be wise, but then she dismissed the doubts. So, she is a sharper blade than I had thought. No matter, though, as long as I hold the hilt.

‘We are at war,’ Salme Elass declared flatly.

‘War?’ Tynisa was startled into speech, and that same eagerness for combat waxed like a flame behind her eyes.

‘Ah, you have a tongue, then?’ Salme Elass permitted herself another smile. ‘You will not have heard of this, while in Prince Lowre’s care, for he always seeks to isolate himself, but this province is under attack, and even now Alain has flown off to scout the enemy. This coming spring we will be obliged to fight.’

‘Is it the Empire?’ Tynisa enquired, even though she must surely know how far they were from the Wasps. Unconsciously, her hand curled towards her rapier hilt, and Elass found herself delighted. How I shall use her against Lowre Cean!

‘Not the Wasps, but a considerable danger nonetheless. There is a brigand army assembling at our southern border, challenging our rightful authority. The winter has seen them coming to seek easy prey amongst my people, and for that they must be destroyed. Alain shall be in the vanguard of the assault, and I hope, Tynise, that you shall be alongside him.’

‘Of course.’ The words came without the need for further thought.

Salme Elass nodded, looking down at the scroll again. ‘There is one matter in particular that you can aid us with.’ She paused to ensure Tynisa was listening. ‘I have few swords that I can call upon here at Leose. My people are diminished since the war, and these brigands are many. Therefore I need to call upon my allies, but I fear they may not answer me. There is one, in particular, whose skills would hasten our victory and so save many lives. His mere presence would hearten those loyal to the Monarch, and strike fear into our enemies. He is old, however, and he suffers from a curious condition whereby he seeks to hide from what he was, by losing himself in mundane pursuits unworthy of him.’ She looked up again, and saw that the girl understood.

‘Lowre Cean,’ Tynisa offered, thoughtfully.

‘I will ride to visit him shortly,’ Elass explained, ‘but I am unsure of the welcome I will receive