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The priest in question huffs up the rise, then holds out both hands in greeting, and I grab theood to see you well"

"Thank you for coers

Behind his back, hands clasped before her She has always appeared innocuous--a rosy-cheeked woer She looks fierce, with small black eyes that are sharper than ever, and a puckered scar that now traces the line of her cheekbone A fewarrow to save irl anyway

"Hello, Ximena," I say

She inclines her head "Your Majesty"

"I’m surprised to see you here"

"Father Nicandro made me an unusual offer," she says "And I could not refuse"

I raise an eyebrow at him

"And it was lucky she was available," the priest says, releasingbundles of undyed woolen cloth tied with twine "Your Royal Guard chose to go into hiding instead of defending the palace," he explains, tossing a bundle to each of us "They were too far outnumbered But it left their faht theeneral’s ainst thee if they were placed in a house of God" He tosses the last bundle to me I untie it and shake it out It’s a robe, butfor me

"I’ve been looking after them," Ximena says "I’m a nurse, after all"

"A nurse who could kill an intruder with her bare hands," Nicandro adds with a glint in his eye

"Yes"

Hector and I trade robes--his is

"So," I say to no one in particular "Do I lookpriestly?"

Nicandro’s expression is pained "You and your Invierno friendwell, I say ait until late evening The general locks down the city at night We’ll have to go at dusk, right before they close the gate"

I did not think it was possible to becorier at the men ould usurp my throne A citywide lockdown is a serious matter The effect on trade, on morale, is iue or siege

But that’s exactly what they’re worried about Siege And I aht to the monastery?" I ask

"It would draw attention if we did not," he says "But in the ive coins and bread to the poor along with an encouraging word from God"

"To the Guard," I say

He nods "They’ve been hiding in the underground village for months There are several people there ill be very, very glad to see you Conde Tristán is with them"

My joyous s, it means the announcement of his ascension to Quorum Lord was e loss to a passingonly one as a packhorse We take turns descending into the desert to trudge around in the sand, the he, so it will appear we have been on the road for days A few rare, early winter clouds roll in fro pink by the tiate

"Any word of the prince?" I whisper to Father Nicandro as alk

"General Luz-Manuel is desperate to find hihtest hint of loyalty to the de Riqueza line, he sends hisproperty As part of their investigation, they say, but they’ve been using it to pay for the war effort"

If I get a chance, I will kill him "The citizens of Brisadulce cannot be pleased with this turn of events"

"Many are not, and his actions have solidified your base of support But there are plenty who feel the general’s actions are justified He and the conde have labeled you a traitor and blaspheue And people are never lance around to make sure no one is within earshot "Rosario Is he?"

Nicandro givessmile "We cannot hide him forever But he is well for now"

We continue in solemn fors back and forth on a chain, curling , and we keep time as best we can Red takes up the rear She is dressed in a white acolyte’s robe and holds the reins of our caate looms above our heads as we approach The hter wood--the only reh it only a year past

Soldiers line the entrance, six on each side, standing at a diagonal so that traffic is funneled to a small, controllable point Archers and spearman peer down at us from the crenellations above

We are outnuands or half-frozen mercenaries exhausted from their trek These are well trained, well rested, battle-hardened soldiers, and if they do not let us pass, it will be iht nor the left I keep ly, as if I have every right to be here

"Halt!" one calls out "State your business"

Father Nicandro steps forward He approaches close enough for the incense to snake up toward the guard’s face The guard’s nose twitches "We are about God’s holy business," Nicandro says

A different guard steps forward "Good evening, Holy Elance at his couard blanches "I didn’t realize you’d left the city"