It was a miserable day in Cimmura when Elessia arrived. She was riding a Peloi horse and looked thoroughly wet and grumpy. Queen Ehlana greeted her in the throne room; coldly at first, but with a lot of enthusiasm when Elessia explained that Sephrenia had sent her.

"How is darling Sephrenia? How are she and Vanion coping now that they're married? Oh no, wait until Sparhawk and Danae get here!" Like a good girl Elessia waited until the other members of the royal family arrived and then she told them how Vanion and Sephrenia were very well and happy. She paused for dramatic effect and then told them her big piece of news.

"Sephrenia... is pregnant!" Gasps echoed round the room and the only person not surprised by this was Danae. She simply looked smug and winked at her father. Once all the news was out of the way, Ehlana asked the most pressing question.

"Why are you here?"

"It's a long story. May I suggest that we sit down somewhere for the sake of everyone's comfort?"

They adjourned to a sitting room in the private wing of the palace and Elessia started to tell of how she came to be visiting.

"I'm here to apply for the position of Danae's governess. Sephrenia felt that it would be helpful in dispelling prejudice if the future queen had some passing acquaintance of the secrets; and also you never know when it might be necessary. As to how I came to be here, that's what will take a long time in the telling.

I was born in a small village in Astel. The serfs around there were more bigoted than anywhere else in the world I think. We were always on our guard and our village elders decided that as a slip of the tongue could kill us all, almost all learning was forbidden. Especially the secrets. Many people disliked this rule and they felt it was unfair. A school was set up in secret and we learnt how to read and write and all the rest. The only part of this decree that everyone respected was the ban on the secrets.

Like so many others, I wanted to learn, but my hunger for knowledge far surpassed the rudiments that we were taught at school. I wanted to learn everything – and everything included the secrets of Styricum. I learnt in secret from stolen texts. When my family found out, they were furious. They had their reasons and so did the rest of the village. But basically I was disowned and thrown out of my village.

I wandered for a while looking for a teacher of a good reputation. None would teach me because I had been disowned. At last I found someone who would at least listen. This was Sephrenia. After hearing my story she took me in and taught me so much. The year I spent with her and Vanion were the happiest of my life.

She heard that you were looking for a governess and that you were very particular about it. She thought I would be perfect for the job."

There was a pause for a moment and then Ehlana spoke.

"You do seem perfect for the job." She looked inquisitively at her husband. "What do you think, darling?"

He nodded and replied "We could at least try her."