Neporo gazed back at her, unblinking.
Tané watched her, feeling as if she were in a dream. She stayed until the lantern had burned out. In the darkness, she took the stair she had taken once before, up to the ripped-up mulberry tree that had died beneath the stars. Tané lay beside it and fell asleep.
In the morning, a white butterfly was cupped in her hand, and her side was damp with blood.
76
West
The Rose Eternal skirted the western coast of Yscalin. Since Fyredel had disappeared, its people had begun to rebuild the damage wrought in the Draconic Years. Prayer houses and sanctuaries rose from the wreckage. Lavender was planted in the fields that had been burned. And soon enough, red pear trees would sweeten the streets of Cárscaro again.
Mereswine leaped together from the waves, spraying water. Dusk had fallen, but Ead had never felt more awake. The salt wind danced through her hair, and she breathed it deep into her lungs.
Prioress. She who stood where the Mother once had. Guardian of the orange tree.
All her life she had been a handmaiden. She had never known what it was to rule. She had also spent enough time with Sabran to know that a crown was a heavy weight to bear—but the Priory of the Orange Tree did not possess a crown. She was not an empress or a queen, but one cloak among many.
She would find out where Fyredel had hidden, and she would slay him as she had his master. She would not rest until the only fire that ascended came through the orange tree, and the mages who ate of its fruit. And when the Long-Haired Star came once more, the balance would be restored.
Gian Harlowe came to join her at the stern, clay pipe in hand. He lit it with a taper, breathed in deeply, and puffed out a wreath of blue-tinged smoke. Ead watched it drift away.
“Queen Marosa will invite the foreign sovereigns to her court in the spring, I hear,” he said. “To open Yscalin again.”
Ead nodded. “Let us hope that this peace holds.”
“Aye.”
For a time, the only sound was the waves.
“Captain,” Ead said, and Harlowe grunted, “at the Inysh court, there are rumors about you, spoken deep in the shadows. Rumors that you courted Queen Rosarian.” She watched his brow darken. “They say you meant to take her to the Milk Lagoon.”
“The Milk Lagoon is a fable,” he said curtly. “A tale whispered to children and lovers without hope.”
“A wise young woman told me once that all legends grow from a seed of truth.”
“Is it you or the Queen of Inys who desires the truth?”
Ead waited, watching his face. Those eyes were in a distant past.
“She was never much like Rose.” His voice softened. “She was night-born, you know. They say that makes a child grave … but Rose came into the world at the lark’s calling.”
He drew on his pipe again.
“Some truths,” he said, “are safest buried. Some castles best kept in the sky. There’s promise in tales that are yet to be spoken. In the shadow realm, known only to the few.” He glanced at her. “You ought to know, Eadaz uq-Nāra. You whose secrets will one day be a song.”
With the faintest smile, Ead cast her gaze toward the stars.
“One day, perhaps,” she said. “But not today.”
The Persons of the Tale
Eastern names are listed by family name first. Western, Northern, and Southern names are listed by given name first.
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THE STORYTELLERS
Arteloth “Loth” Beck: Heir apparent to the wealthy northern province of the Leas in Inys and the estate of Goldenbirch. Elder child of Lord Clarent and Lady Annes Beck, brother of Margret Beck, and closest friend of Sabran IX of Inys.
Eadaz du Zāla uq-Nāra (also known as Ead Duryan): An initiate of the Priory of the Orange Tree, currently posing as an Ordinary Chamberer in the Upper Household of Sabran IX of Inys. She is a descendant of Siyāti uq-Nāra, who was the closest friend of Cleolind Onjenyu.
Niclays Roos: An anatomist and alchemist from the Free State of Mentendon and former friend of Edvart II. He was banished by Sabran IX of Inys to Orisima, the last Western trading post in Seiiki.
Tané: A Seiikinese orphan who was drafted into the Houses of Learning as a child to train for the High Sea Guard. Principal apprentice from the South House.
THE EAST
Chief Officer: The official responsible for security for the Mentish trading post of Orisima.
Dranghien VI: Unceasing Emperor of the Twelve Lakes, current head of the House of Lakseng. Like all his bloodline, he claims descent from the Carrier of Light, who the Lacustrine believe was the first human to befriend a dragon when it fell from the heavens.
Dumusa: Principal apprentice from the West House, of Miduchi descent. Her paternal grandfather was a Southern explorer, executed for defying the Great Edict.
Elder Vara: Healer and archivist at Vane Hall on Feather Island.
Ghonra: Heir to the Fleet of the Tiger Eye, adopted daughter of the Golden Empress, and captain of the White Crow. She styles herself “Princess of the Sundance Sea.”
The Golden Empress: Leader of the Fleet of the Tiger Eye—the most formidable pirate fleet in the East, comprising some 40,000 pirates—and captain of its largest treasure ship, the Pursuit. She drives the illegal trade in dragonflesh.
Governor of Cape Hisan: The official in charge of administrating the Seiikinese region of Cape Hisan. He is responsible for ensuring that the Lacustrine and Mentish settlers adhere to Seiikinese law.
Governor of Ginura: The official in charge of administrating the Seiikinese capital of Ginura. She is also the chief magistrate of Seiiki. Traditionally, this post is always held by a member of the House of Nadama.
Grand Empress Dowager: A member of the House of Lakseng through marriage. She was official regent for her grandson, the Unceasing Emperor of the Twelve Lakes, during his minority.
Ishari: An apprentice from the South House. Roommate to Tané.
Kanperu: An apprentice from the West House.
Laya Yidagé: Interpreter to the Golden Empress. She was taken prisoner by the Fleet of the Tiger Eye after attempting to follow her adventurous father to Seiiki.
Moyaka Eizaru: A physician from Ginura. Father of Purumé. Friend and former student of Niclays Roos.
Moyaka Purumé: An anatomist and botanist from Ginura. Daughter of Eizaru. Friend and former student of Niclays Roos.
Muste: Assistant to Niclays Roos in Orisima. Companion of Panaya.
Nadama Pitosu: Warlord of Seiiki and current head of the House of Nadama. He is descended from the First Warlord, who took up arms to avenge the fallen House of Noziken.
Onren: Principal apprentice from the East House.
Padar: Navigator on the Pursuit.
Panaya: A resident of Cape Hisan and interpreter to the settlers of Orisima. Companion to Muste.
Sea General: Commander of the High Sea Guard of Seiiki. Head of Clan Miduchi. Current rider of Tukupa the Silver.
Susa: A resident of Cape Hisan and childhood friend of Tané. A street urchin until she was adopted by an innkeeper.
Turosa: Principal apprentice from the North House, of Miduchi descent, famed for his skill with blades. Long-time rival of Tané.
Viceroy of Orisima: The Mentish official who oversees the trading post of Orisima.
DECEASED AND HISTORICAL PERSONS OF THE EAST
Little Shadow-girl: A mythical figure. A peasant who sacrificed her life to reunite the Spring Dragon with the pearl that had been stolen from her.
Neporo: Self-declared Queen of Komoridu. Very little is known about her.
Noziken Mokwo: A former Empress of Seiiki. Head of the House of Noziken during her reign.
Snow-Walking Maiden: A semilegendary figure. She nursed Kwiriki back to health when he was injured and in the guise of a bird. To thank her, Kwiriki carved her the Rainbow Throne and gave her power over Seiiki. She was the founding member of the House of Noziken and the first Empress of Seiiki.
THE SOUTH
Chassar uq-Ispad: A mage of the Priory of the Orange Tree and its chief link to the outside world. He poses as an ambassador to King Jantar and Queen Saiyma of the Ersyr to allow him access to foreign courts. He helped raise Eadaz uq-Nāra after the sudden death of her birthmother. Chassar has a gift for taming birds, often using Sarsun and Parspa to carry out his work.
Jantar I (the Splendid): King of the Ersyr and current head of the House of Taumargam. Spouse to Queen Saiyma and an ally of the Priory of the Orange Tree.
Jondu du Ishruka uq-Nāra: Childhood friend and mentor to Eadaz uq-Nāra. She was sent to Inys to find Ascalon. Like Eadaz, she is a descendant of Siyāti uq-Nāra.
Kagudo Onjenyu: High Ruler of the Domain of Lasia and current head of the House of Onjenyu. She is a descendant of Selinu the Oathkeeper through his son, the half-brother of Cleolind Onjenyu. Kagudo is an ally of the Priory of the Orange Tree and has been guarded by Red Damsels since the day she was born.
Mita Yedanya: Prioress of the Orange Tree. She was formerly the munguna, or heir presumptive.