Trickster's Queen

by Tamora Pierce

  From the Jade Pavilion Aly heard Sarai's infectious laugh. The regents were visible, seated in open-backed armchairs, surrounded by their cronies. A third empty chair with an extra cushion on the seat, obviously meant for the king, stood between Imajane and Rubinyan.

  Taybur strode down the path that led from the Jade Pavilion with two guards at his back and a shrieking four-year-old in his arms. He nodded to Aly as he passed, then halted abruptly. Turning Dunevon to the side, he positioned his charge so he could vomit into a clump of bushes.

  Aly had helped to care for Elsren for over a year. The minute she heard the king gurgle she stepped down to the water and quickly soaked the extra handkerchiefs any lady's maid carried for emergencies. She peeled off a wet linen square and offered it to Taybur.

  “Soursop fruit?” she asked as he cleaned Dunevon's face. Another handkerchief went to cool the boy's forehead, a third the back of his neck. Gently Taybur smoothed damp black curls from the child's face.

  “They don't know,” he replied with soft savagery. “They weren't really watching him, since they knew the guards wouldn't let him off the pavilion and the walls on it are too high for him to climb. He could have eaten anything.” He glanced at the vomit. “Oh, splendid—soursop fruit and curry. Excuse me.” He strode down the path, the guards hurrying to catch up, the boy king sobbing quietly on his shoulder.

  Aly frowned. She didn't enjoy liking those she was supposed to bring down, like Dunevon and his large protector. They stood between the raka and their freedom. Something had to be done, but the thought of killing either of them made her grind her teeth.

  In soaking her handkerchiefs, she had spied a bench placed just by the water, one that gleamed with magical discouragements to insects and snakes. Though sheltered by a willow, the seat gave Aly a clear view of all three water pavilions. She settled there, hoping that no one chose this hidden place for a lovers' encounter, though it was clearly designed for that. The sounds of flutes, harps, and soft drums floated over the water through air like smooth balm.

  Watching darkness fall, she considered the night's activities. Her own people would be taking positions on either side of the fortresses. Ulasim's had been seeping into Kanodang for the last day, locked up as prisoners until they could guide the freed captives to horses, boats, or hiding places.

  “This is taking too long.” Kyprioth, dressed as a raka and tinkling with charms, appeared in front of Aly's nose.

  Aly shrugged. She had been watching Rubinyan and two of his nobles discuss horse racing. She had already seen that no one on the Jade Pavilion dared to speak of the newest rebellion. “An eclipse party does have to wait for the eclipse to happen. You're blocking my view.”

  “I didn't mean the eclipse,” snapped the god. “I can't distract my brother and sister forever, Aly.”

  She raised her brows. “We've done quite nicely for rebels who have only been back in town for a month. I would like to point out that this week will be quite eventful, thank you so much.” She cocked her head and looked at him. “We need the luarin, Kyprioth. Unless enough of them come to our side, we'll fail. You need strength to battle the others? You say you get that from victories. We haven't won that many yet. Though it sounds peculiar, we short-lived creatures need time.” She leaned back against the bench. “The country's coming to a boil. Once we convince those who are unconvinced that the regents are not good rulers but vicious ones, that this isn't just a matter of the raka bringing up old grievances, it will be war, and you'll have your victories.”

  Kyprioth tugged the emerald earring that glinted in the light from the pavilions. “Every day it takes to drive these people along, we are a day closer to my brother and sister's return. So it's vicious rulers you need? Maybe I can work at that.” He vanished.

  “If you use your power now, your brother and sister will know anyway,” Aly told the empty air.

  “There is power, and there is power, my dear,” she heard him whisper. “My power can be vast, in the right places.”

  Aly shook her head. They moved forward as fast as they could, the conspirators in Rajmuat and the ones on the outlying Isles. Since she couldn't control any of them, she could only wait and do her own work. She remained on her bench, her Sight locked on the nobles on the Jade Pavilion. Most of them spoke of social matters. Officers of the royal navy complained to Lord Matfrid of strangely choppy seas and difficult voyages. Ferdy tried to tell the Carthaki Zaimid that nobles did not raise horses themselves. Sarai shoved him with one hand and told him he was stuffy.

  Each time Aly tired of reading one conversation, she turned her gaze to Topabaw. He was always easy to find. His array of magical amulets and the glare of his magical Gift burned in her Sight.

  Topabaw was restless. He fiddled with his charms, changed position, and rubbed the nape of his neck. For a while he paced around the edges of the pavilion, until Prince Rubinyan shot him a glare that made the spymaster halt.

  The next time Aly could read Topabaw's lips, he was assuring a couple of nervous men that the winter had simply made the raka crazy, and it would wear off. Another time he refused to discuss Duke Nomru's arrest with Count and Countess Tomang. More than anyone else, he kept glancing at the regents, his jaw muscles clenched. Topabaw was nervous. And he was nervous about his masters.

  Aly smiled.

  The moon had begun to rise when she heard steps on the path. She stiffened, then relaxed: the steps were Taybur's. The big man walked straight down to the water's edge without hesitation. He pushed aside trailing willow limbs and entered her enclosure.

  She looked up at him and raised an eyebrow as he sat beside her.

  “Fear not, gentle maiden. I have no intentions on your virtue.”

  “You're no fun,” Aly accused. If she'd thought for a moment he had such intentions, she would have made it plain she was uninterested. Once she would have worried more that he gave no sign that he thought her attractive, but these days she didn't care. She had changed from who she'd been in Tortall, but she refused to ask herself how.

  Taybur leaned back and thrust his long legs out, crossing his ankles as he folded his hands on his chest. “Any other night and you'd have to fight for this spot, you know,” he said blithely. “It's popular with lovers. But with the news from Imahyn, the servants not on duty are hiding, and the nobles want the regents to see their smiling, loyal faces.” He sighed. “People don't know how to appreciate a spring night anymore. By the way, according to my agents, there is no family named Homewood in service at Fief Tameran in Tortall.”

  Only years of training kept Aly from betraying shock. Instead she yawned, keeping her eyes on the Jade Pavilion. Beyond it, on the dark Lapis Pavilion, Baron Engan adjusted his spyglass as Dove and a few young scholars looked on.

  “If you're worried about Topabaw, don't,” Taybur said lazily. “Look, there's the first firefly. Make a wish. Topabaw is so used to people being afraid of him that he's gotten lazy. My people visited Tameran at a certain risk to themselves. I don't want to share their reports with a man who thinks torture gets honest answers. You can speak, can't you?”

  Aly looked down. Her mouth quivered with amusement.

  Spot emerged from its silent conversation with Trick, rolling along the back of Aly's neck to sit on the shoulder closest to Taybur. He offered his palm to the darking, who created four legs for itself and walked across his fingers.

  “In case you're thinking I'm lazy, I did give my mages a chance at this little fellow before I returned him to you. Their magic just bounced off.” He idly tossed Spot into the air.

  “Whee!” cried the darking. It spread out two wings to slow its descent onto Taybur's palm.

  “You are easily pleased,” Taybur informed it. He passed Spot back to Aly and glanced up through a break in the leaves. “The Goddess begins to draw her veil. If you'll excuse me?” He stood, then seemed to think of something else. His face was shadowed as he looked down at Aly. “Things can't be easy for a full luarin in service in a household w
ith so many raka. If you ever need a friend, come to me.” He strode out of the willow's shelter, then turned back again, almost giving Aly a fit of the giggles. He was very good and had the timing of an actor. “Have you seen how edgy Topabaw's been lately? Wouldn't you love to know why?”

  This time he continued on his way to the Jade Pavilion. Soon after his arrival the light globes winked out to allow the nobles a clear view of the darkening moon.

  The eclipse was predicted to last nearly until dawn. Once the moon's face was covered, however, many nobles, including the Balitang ladies, said their good nights. Dove followed her mother and sister reluctantly, glancing up at the hidden moon.

  Seeing them on the path, Aly trotted back to the Robing Pavilion, grateful that they would be home long before the alarm was raised at Kanodang. She had not liked the risk of being near the palace when the regents learned of the prison break.

  “I was down by the Lily Water. Many of the lords are preparing to leave,” she announced to her fellow servants. Immediately the men returned to their masters' side of the pavilion. Cards were put away, sewing packed up, boxes opened for a change to clothes better suited to riding or litters. Pembery sent a runner to alert the men-at-arms and the hostlers that it was time to go. When the ladies arrived, the maids helped them change clothes.

  They were part of a large group of nobles riding into the city. Ferdy and Jevair Ibadun urged their horses to either side of Sarai, glaring at one another behind her back. Zaimid joined the Balitangs at the last minute, riding a spirited mare whose grace made Sarai's eyes shine. Instead of jostling with the other two men, he rode with the duchess and Nuritin, talking about the evening and politics in Carthak. Dove rode just behind them, listening.

  Party by party, the nobles left the main group to finish the trip to their scattered homes. The Balitangs' companions, including Zaimid, turned away when they reached Joshain Street. They assured the ladies they were going straight to bed, but no one was fooled. There was plenty to interest lively young men in Dockmarket at that hour.

  Once Aly was brushing out Dove's hair in the girl's bedroom, Dove glared at her in the looking glass. “Now will you tell me what's got you on pins and needles?” she whispered. She didn't want to rouse Junai, who'd gone to sleep the moment she lay down on her pallet. “You hide it well, but you've been too alert all day. It's the same with Ulasim, Fesgao, and Ochobu these last two days. I asked Quedanga, but she says that the chiefs in different areas don't talk about special projects with anyone who isn't involved, just those who help them to pull things together.”

  Aly shook her head. “It's better for those of us who don't take active part to hear as things happen.”

  “So when anyone asks if we knew what was going on, we can say no, and it will read to a mage as the truth,” Dove said, making sure that she had understood it correctly.

  “If you're so clever, what do you need me for?” teased Aly, putting the brush aside.

  Dove sniffed. “Two clevers are better than one.” She turned on her stool to look at Aly. “But you know, don't you? Even though you aren't supposed to, you already know what's going on, because that's what you do. Ulasim told me once that he wouldn't be surprised if you'd found ways to listen to them when you aren't about. He thinks you probably know the shape of everything, the entire rebellion, throughout the Isles. I think so, too.”

  I could sometimes wish she were a bit less intelligent, thought Aly. No wonder most of her friends are adults.

  “As long as I do no harm with what I've picked up, I don't see why anyone should even care,” she assured her mistress. “Don't we each have enough on our plates, without adding more?”

  “Except that it's your job to collect more for your plate,” Dove pointed out, then yawned. She got to her feet and went to bed. “Good night, Aly.”

  Aly hesitated, watching Dove get comfortable. “I am sorry you missed the rest of the eclipse,” she whispered.

  “There will be a solar eclipse in August,” Dove murmured sleepily. “Half the court says it's a grand omen, the other half claims it's troubles on the rise.”

  Aly said, her voice breathless and panicky, “But, lady, with these raka up to mischief, the gods are obviously trying to warn us. We could be murdered in our beds!”

  “You will be if you aren't quiet,” grumbled Junai.

  Aly waited until both Dove and Junai fell asleep, then slipped out of the room.

  11

  A FEW CHANGES

  Aly found company in the kitchen. Ulasim, Fesgao, Quedanga, Chenaol, Ochobu, and Ysul all sat around the table in their nightclothes. Idly they played at dice, chess, or backgammon. Chenaol poured Aly a cup of arak and shoved a plate of fried dumplings at her. It was a mark of the cook's distraction, because everyone knew Aly hated arak. Aly set her basket of sewing on the table and watched the others' faces. She had wondered if Ulasim or Fesgao would choose to break their own rule and go on the Kanodang mission. The temptation must be overwhelming, after months of doing nothing but creating plans. She thought the better of them for staying out of it, but then, she had known they took their revolution seriously. If they made a mistake, it would not be any of the obvious ones.

  “So now will you tell us what goes forward?” Chenaol demanded wearily. “Now that all the chicks are in their coops? Aly's little pack of wolves never so much as showed up for supper.”

  “No,” Ulasim and Fesgao said at the same time.

  After a moment Ulasim said, “You will know when it is done. It is not yet done.”

  “If I die of curiosity before it is done, I will wait in the Peaceful Realms and ensure that you do not find them peaceful,” Chenaol warned. She looked at Aly. “All's well at the palace?”

  Aly smiled. “They got word of the rising on Imahyn. They pretended it meant nothing. And Topabaw does not look at all well. Nor does Prince Rubinyan appear to regard him with any pleasure at all.”

  “I hear from a thousand sources that Topabaw plans to overturn the regents, or the regents plan to dismiss Topabaw,” said Quedanga with a yawn. “They speak of it even at the palace, where such things are usually left in silence.”

  That was the extent of their conversation for some time. The watch was calling the fourth hour of the night when Ysul raised a hand for quiet. Everyone went still. Ysul had the best hearing in the household, but Aly already knew what he'd noticed. A moment later the others heard it, the tiniest ghost of an explosion down by the harbor. They ran through the servants' gate into the street, looking. A dull orange glow showed in the sky to the southeast. Aly knew as if she had seen it that her agents had set the kegs of blazebalm on fire in both fortresses. So much blazebalm, tightly packed in wax-coated kegs, would explode when it burned.

  “Don't look at me,” Fesgao said, holding up his hands when everyone turned to stare at him. “This isn't my doing.”

  Alarms sounded all around the harbor. Aly crossed her fingers and prayed that her people were safely away from the damage they had done. Servants from nearby houses emerged in their bedclothes, curious about the uproar. Word finally reached them via the other servants and householders who lived between there and the harbor that the Greater and Lesser Fortresses were on fire, as well as the soldiers' barracks behind the Greater Fortress.

  Aly finally complained of cold feet and went back inside. Her people would be careful to make their way home, using the web of tunnels to enter the grounds unseen. Just in case, she went to her workroom. There they were, everyone who had undertaken the night's diversion, using oil to clean off the soot that turned their faces to shadows. They were laughing and joking with relief. Only when Aly held a finger to her lips did they remember that most of the household was abed.

  “Don't tell me you worried about us,” one of the men said with a bold grin.

  “It was the easiest thing.” Guchol used a bit of cotton to remove a last streak on a friend's face. “We didn't lose a single recruit, and you can see we all came back in one piece.”

&
nbsp; “The silly clunches store all their blazebalm in one armory,” Kioka said with a sniff.

  Rasaj was combing out his long hair. “Both fortresses, they did it that way. We hardly needed to do anything more.”

  “But you did,” suggested Aly.

  “We stuck wedges under the barracks doors and the sally ports,” Lokak told Aly with grim pleasure. “We disabled the drawbridges and the portcullises.”

  “It will take them all day to get out,” said Jimarn quietly. “By then they'll have sampled their food and drink. They may not have enough alive in the Lesser Fortress to open the gates at all.”

  “They're not idiots,” protested Olkey. “Once they realize all the places we hit, they'll have to check the food before they try it.”

  “You said nobody would be stupid enough to keep all their blazebalm in one spot,” one of the women pointed out.

  Aly caught the whiff of sewer that clung to her pack even after they'd discarded the clothes they'd worn. “Baths,” she ordered. “Get that smell off you.” She went around the room and kissed each pack member's forehead. “You've done beautifully,” she told them with approval and pride. “Let us pray all our adventures fare as well.” She caught an especially strong whiff from Jimarn. “Bathed and dressed by dawn. And need I tell you—”

  “No word to anyone, not anyone,” they chorused, having heard it from her often enough.

  Aly grinned at them and returned to the kitchens to take up her mending again. She'd expected to feel sleepy once she was sure her pack was safe, but her nerves still hummed. Her thoughts passed over the Windward District, across the harbor, up along the tenements of Downwind and the pretenses of dwelling places in the Honeypot. Over the ridge and there it would be, gray stone Kanodang, with its thick walls and strong towers. What was happening there?