Page 291 of The Priory of the Orange Tree

“Ead told me that their present Prioress is not to be trusted. If they catch you, you must speakonlyto Chassar uq-Ispad. He cares for Ead. I am quite sure he will help you if he knows you mean to heal her.” Loth lifted a chain from around his neck. “Take this.”

Tané took the proffered object. A silver ring. A red jewel was mounted on it, enwheeled by diamonds.

“It belongs to Queen Sabran. If you give it to her, she will know you come from me.” Loth held out a sealed letter. “I ask that you also give her this. So she knows I am well.”

Tané nodded, tucked the ring into her case, and rolled the letter small enough to fit beside it.

“The honored Chief Grand Secretary will meet you in the morning to give you a letter for Queen Sabran from His Imperial Majesty. You will leave this city under cover of darkness,” Thim said. “If you can see this through, Lady Tané, we will all be in your debt.”

Tané looked out of the window. Another journey.

“I will see it done, honorable Thim,” she said. “You can be sure of it.”

64

East

In the morning, the honored Chief Grand Secretary handed Tané the letter she would take to Inys. There would be no embassy sent across the sea, no pomp or ceremony. One dragon and one woman would carry the news.

Her weapons were returned to her. In addition, she received a Seiikinese pistol and a finer sword, as well as a pair of Lacustrine bladed wheels.

She had enough food to last her for two weeks on dragonback. Nayimathun would hunt fish and birds.

When darkness fell over the City of the Thousand Flowers, Tané met Nayimathun in the courtyard. A saddle of black leather, edged with wood and gold lacquer, had been secured on her back, thoughsaddlewas far too unassuming a word for it—it was more of an open palanquin, enabling the rider to sleep during a long flight. Such was the secrecy of their assignment that no Lacustrine courtiers or officials were here to witness them leave. Only Thim and Loth had been permitted.

“Good evening, Tané,” Nayimathun said.

“Nayimathun.” Tané patted her neck. “Are you sure you feel strong enough for this journey?”

“I am certain. Besides,” the dragon said, and nudged Tané with her snout, “you seem to have a habit of stumbling into trouble without me.”

A smile warmed her lips. It felt good to smile.

Thim stayed where he was, but Loth approached her. Tané busied herself with securing the pouches that hung from the saddle.

“Tané,” he said, “please tell Queen Sabran that I am safe and well.” He paused. “And if you do wake Ead . . . tell her that I’ve missed her, and I will see her soon.”

Tané turned to him. There was tension in his face. He was trying, just as she was, not to look afraid.

“I will tell her,” she said. “Perhaps when I return, I can bring her with me.”

“I doubt Ead would ever consent to ride a dragon, even in the service of peace,” Loth said with a chuckle, “but I have been surprised many times this year.” His smile was tired, but true. “Goodbye, and good luck. And”—he hesitated—“goodbye to you, too, Nayimathun.”

“Farewell, man of Inys,” Nayimathun said.

The last light of dusk withdrew from the city. Tané climbed into the saddle and made sure her cloak was wrapped all the way around her body. Nayimathun took off. Tané watched the City of the Thousand Flowers fall away until the palace was a flicker in the sleeping white labyrinth. Cloaked in the darkness of the new moon, they left another capital behind.

They flew over the pearly lakes and the pine trees dressed in white, following the River Shim. The cold kept Tané awake, but made her eyes water.

Nayimathun stayed above the clouds during the day, and avoided settled areas at night. Sometimes they would spot a pillar of smoke in the distance, and they would know that fire-breathers had attacked that settlement. The further west they traveled, the more of these dark columns they saw.

On the second day, they reached the Sleepless Sea, where Nayimathun landed on a small island to rest. There would be nowhere to land when they flew over the Abyss, not unless they veered into the North. Dragons could go for a long time without sleep, but Tané knew the journey would be hard for Nayimathun. She had been underfed by the pirates.

They slept in a tidal cave. When Nayimathun woke, she immersed herself in the shallows while Tané filled her gourds with water from a stream.

“If you grow hungry, tell me. I will pass you something to eat,” she said to Nayimathun. “And if you need to swim in the Abyss, you must not fear for me. My clothes will dry in the sun.”

Nayimathun rolled over lazily. Suddenly she lashed her tail, spraying water, and Tané was drenched to the bone.

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