Page 221 of The Priory of the Orange Tree

Ead stared at her. Then she laughed for the first time in weeks, a laugh that stemmed from deep in her belly.

“Damn you, intransigent fool.” She almost choked on her laughter. “I have crossed the South and the West to get back to you, Sabran Berethnet, and you reward me thus?”

Sabran looked at her a moment longer, her face clearing, and suddenly began to weep. “Ead,” she said, her voice splintering, and Ead crushed her close, wrapping her arms around as much of her as she could. Sabran curled like a kitten against her.

There was nothing of her. Ead pulled the coverlet from the bed and enfolded her in it. Explanations could come later. So could vengeance. For now, all she wanted was for her to be safe and warm.

“She killed Truyde utt Zeedeur.” Sabran was shivering so badly, she could hardly speak. “She imprisoned my Knights of the Body. Igrain. I tried— I tried—”

“Hush.” Ead pressed a kiss to her brow. “I am here. Loth is here. Everything will be well.”

51

East

It was just past dawn, and in the courtyard of Vane Hall, Elder Vara was oiling his iron leg. Tané approached him. The cold had turned her knuckles pink.

“Good morning, Elder Vara.” She set down a tray. “I thought you might wish to break your fast.”

“Tané.” His smile was weary. “How kind of you. My old bones would be grateful for the warmth.”

She sat beside him. “Does it often need oiling?” she asked.

“Once a day in damp conditions, or rust begins to set in.” Elder Vara patted the limb. “Since the metalsmith who made it for me is now dead, I would sooner not chance losing it.”

Tané had grown used to reading his expressions. Since the attack, fear had taken up permanent residence in the halls of Feather Island, but the worry etched on his face was fresh.

“Is something amiss?”

Elder Vara glanced at her. “The learnèd Doctor Moyaka wrote to me upon her arrival in Seiiki,” he said. “The High Sea Guard suspects the Fleet of the Tiger Eye is holding a dragon hostage. It seems they intend to keep it alive . . . to guarantee them safe passage through any waters they desire. A sinister new tactic, to hold our gods as leverage.”

Tané made herself pour the tea. Hatred closed her throat.

“There is a rumor that the Golden Empress seeks the fabled mulberry tree,” Elder Vara continued. “On the lost isle of Komoridu.”

“Do you know anything else about the dragon?” Tané pressed. “Do you know its name?”

“Tané, it grieves me to tell you, but—” Elder Vara sighed. “It is the great Nayimathun.”

Tané swallowed, throat aching. “She is still alive?”

“If these rumors are true.” Elder Vara gently took charge of the kettle. “Dragons do not do well out of water, Tané, as you know. Even if sheisalive, the great Nayimathun is not long for this world.”

Tané had mourned her dragon. Now there was a possibility, however small, that she lived.

This news changed everything

“We must hope that the High Sea Guard can find a way to free her. I am quite sure they will.” Elder Vara passed her a cup. “Please, allow me to change the subject. Did you come out here to ask me something?”

With difficulty, Tané pushed Nayimathun to the back of her mind, but her world was spinning.

“I was wondering,” she made herself say, “if I might request your permission to look in the repository. I would like to read about the celestial jewels.”

Elder Vara frowned. “That is secret knowledge indeed. I thought only the elders knew of it.”

“The great Nayimathun told me.”

“Ah.” He considered. “Well, if you desire it, of course. There is scant record of the celestial jewels—which were sometimes called thetide jewelsorwishing jewels—but you may examine what little there is.” He motioned to the north. “You will need documents from the reign of the long-honored Empress Mokwo, which are stored at Windward Hall. I will send you with a letter to grant you access.”

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