1/Terreille

Meredith couldn't be more pleased with her success in the past week. The outcry against Dhemlan had fanned throughout the city like witchfire. The right speech here and a few carefully worded messages there, and suddenly everyone was seeing Dhemlan spies in the shadows. Any dissenters and malcontents were being branded as traitors and publicly tortured.

Hell, even if Ettia and her cousin didn't come back with solid proof of any Dhemlan spies, Meredith wouldn't care. In fact, she preferred that they died in that blasted territory. Then she could use it to rally even more support in Draega. It would be the most use she could get out of them. Certainly more than they'd been here in the Hall.

"I think we ought to send out a welcome party to meet Lady Ettia and her cousin when they are due back from their errand," she announced.

"To what end," Valinna asked distractedly as she leafed through an old Craft book.

"Just as some insurance. We don't want them to ruin the good work we've been doing here while they were away."

The Black Widow gave Meredith her undivided attention, setting the book aside.

"So you agree with me that it's most likely that they will return empty handed?"

"They won't be returning at all."

"I see." Valinna braced her hands on the table between them. "Last I checked, they were still alive and well in Dhemlan. If they've made it this far, it's very likely they will make it back to Hayll."

"Maybe so," Meredith said with a shrug. "Maybe not."

The witch considered the nuance behind the words.

"And if they did manage to discover some useful information about Dhemlan?"

"We never said that it needed to be delivered in person," Meredith replied with a sly look. "Perhaps they were able to send a letter before they were caught."

"Delivered to the court by this welcoming party you intend to have waiting for them."

"Naturally."

Valinna sat back again and gazed thoughtfully at her. The wheels in her head were already turning, aligning with the new direction Meredith was proposing. More than anyone else, she understood when a few martyrs would do more for their cause than anything else.

"For what you have in mind, you couldn't send anyone from the coven. Even if you made them believe that Ettia and Bethaeny had turned traitor, there would be a risk they wouldn't follow through. Not to mention it would stir up discord in the coven again."

"I was thinking I'd buy the services of a few Warlords. They may hate us still, but our gold marks spend just as well as copper marks begged from some low-rank shopkeeper."

"Better yet, if you devised a way to avoid paying them anything."

"I'm listening."

"What if our poor Sisters managed to escape Dhemlan with valuable information for the coven, but were waylaid on their return by rogue Warlords. All that we could recover were their haphazard notes, and a description of the men responsible. Provided by some helpful witness in the right place at the right time, of course."

Meredith was liking this plan. She nodded for Valinna to continue.

"Once the word gets out that we're hunting for the men responsible for their murders, our Sisters will be more than happy to rip them apart. No surprise, the Warlords would have marks stolen from their victims."

"Which we would expect to be returned to the coven's treasury."

"Exactly."

"I must say, that plan holds promise."

Rather than immediate assent, Valinna paused.

"If you're sure that disposing of them makes the most of their value to us, then I would agree."

Hell's fire. What was wrong now? Every time she felt confident that Valinna was behind her plans, the Black Widow always had to throw a counter-argument at her. Usually, it meant a small adjustment. But Meredith knew that wasn't going to be the case this time.

"And what, Valinna, would you consider making the most of their value? Keep in mind that it was mostly your idea to send them to Dhemlan with the hopes they'd get themselves killed in the first place."

"Very true. And if that were the case, I'd still be all for it."

"So what's the difference if they die in Dhemlan or die just outside Draega?"

"If by some miracle those two were successful in Dhemlan, why kill our only way into that Territory? If they think it's sure suicide, I guarantee that no one else in the coven is going to volunteer to go for the next mission. And there will be a next mission. We both know that."

"Who said anyone was going to volunteer? I don't recall Ettia or Bethaeny volunteering for it. They'll go because I tell them to."

"Not yet they won't. Your claims against Dhemlan spies have worked well for us lately, but Draega and the coven aren't solidly behind you yet."

Meredith glided over to one of the floor-length mirrors and studied herself in the glass, unconcerned. Her fingers flitted over the low-cut bodice and smoothed wrinkles out of the champagne colored silk. She lifted them to pat her hair, ignoring Valinna's annoyed look.

True, Draega wasn't quite as subdued as it had been three months ago, but she could very well deal with a few reluctant witches in the coven. Replacements could be found anywhere in the city. She might even elevate some of the lower-rank witches in Draega's slums. Just to put the coven in its place.

They enjoyed power and wealth because she allowed it. Meredith could just as easily bestow that power and wealth on someone else. Someone who might be far more grateful to have it. While she'd prefer to have the descendants of aristo families in her closest circles, she'd scrape the scum from the bottom dregs if it meant they would obey.

"All I'm saying," Valinna continued carefully, "is that we should consider letting Ettia and her cousin complete a few successful missions into Dhemlan before they meet an untimely, well-timed end. When it will have the most effect."

"As I see it, this is an opportune time for it. A very easy way to dispose of some of the more troublesome Warlords in the city, and to stir up more support for the strike against Dhemlan."

"And that's all you'll get out of it."

"Tell me, oh wise Valinna, what more do you want to get out killing a few witches?"

The witch stood up slowly, and circled the table. She shook her head at Meredith, her piercing stare speaking louder than words how disappointed she was in her. How Meredith hated that stare. She was a Queen- the strongest Queen to live in Hayll since long before the Purge. And that look made her feel like a stupid beggar child.

"Why don't we reconvene this evening, and you tell me if you've thought of the answer to that. I'm not always going to be here to provide tactical guidance for you, Meredith. I suggest you start learning what I've been trying to teach you before it's too late."

With that, Valinna turned and left. Meredith was so stunned that she couldn't summon a reply. How dare the crone talk to her that way? Just because she was the oldest member of the coven, Valinna thought she could get away with such insolence. Did she think that she was above punishment? She wasn't.

Meredith stared at the door, crossing her arms. Fine. If Valinna wanted to resume this later, they would talk later. And she certainly had a few things to say to the Black Widow that had nothing to do with the fate of their two spies. Make no mistake that Valinna would have a clearer understanding who gave the orders in Draega once it was over.

2/Terreille

Kareal kept her back to the room, pretending to be dusting the heavy curtains that hung over the windows. In truth, she could hardly breathe. She hadn't wanted to take this assignment, but Fawne had been ill this morning. They couldn't chance losing an opportunity to spy on Meredith and Valinna these days. So Kareal had come instead.

Mother Night, it was a good thing she had. Their group was counting the days for Bethaeny and Lady Ettia to return from Dhemlan. After the developments of the past few weeks, they were sorely needed to rally support in the coven. Meredith was beginning to win witches back to her side with the story about Dhemlan spies.

To have them murdered before reaching Draega would be a fatal blow. Maeren and Danella were doing their best, but neither of them was strong enough to lead the group. Kareal felt as though they'd all been treading water until Bethaeny and Ettia came back. They needed to come back. And soon.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw that the chamber was empty, and let out a sigh. She'd shake out this last curtain and head off to meet the others.

"It'll be fine," she whispered to herself. "We'll find a way to fix this."

Sadly, their best hope right now was that Valinna would convince Meredith to hold off for a while. That would at least give them some time to come up with a plan. Kareal wasn't sure how much they could put together with only a few days. A week at the outside.

Fawne was better at the planning stuff than she was, so maybe she'd have some suggestions. If the coven witches would listen to her, anyway. Of the ones still active in the group, only Maeren heeded them at all. The others weren't so generous.

Oh sure, they were happy to use the housekeeping staff to spy and run errands. But none of them wanted to give them any real authority. Always the same reply- it was too dangerous for them to know anything of value in case Meredith singled them out. The coven witches didn't want to admit that they weren't as ready to see non-aristos as their equals as they claimed they were.

That's why they needed Bethaeny and Ettia back- especially Bethaeny. Kareal sensed that she really meant what she said about ruling Hayll together. Her cousin, though, was more like the rest of them. She didn't entirely trust her. Neither did Fawne. But this was Ettia's idea, and there wasn't much chance of doing anything without her.

It was time to go. Kareal picked up her bucket of supplies and scurried out of the room. Fawne and Maeren would be waiting for her in the storage room next to the kitchen. The walk down to that part of the Hall seemed to take forever, and she kept feeling that someone was watching her. No one was, of course. But she couldn't convince herself that it was just nerves.

Finally, she reached the storage room and slipped inside. Almost immediately, a taper of witchlight flared in the darkness.

"See, I knew you could do it," Fawne congratulated her with a light cough.

"Fawne, I don't know how you and the others do this all the time. I'm not cut out for that kind of spying."

"I know you'd rather stick to something a little less risky, but we really needed eyes and ears in that room today."

"You have no idea," she muttered with a grimace.

Fawne's face paled, and Maeren frowned.

"What is it, Kareal? What did you hear?"

"They are planning to murder Lady Bethaeny and Lady Ettia before they reach Draega."

"WHAT?"

"Actually, Meredith is planning to murder them- a plan about an ambush with hired Warlords to make it look like they were attacked. Then she's going to sell the Warlords out to the other members of the coven so she can get the money back that she paid them."

"Wait- back up and slow down. What if they come back with something useful about Dhemlan? We all know that it'll be just a story, but Meredith was expecting them to find something."

"Doesn't matter what they bring back. Now she just wants them dead."

"I don't understand," Maeren said, frowning. "I know that Valinna wanted them to die in Dhemlan, but Meredith was very clear that she wanted information about the Territory. Why would she change her mind now?"

"Because the information is less important than what she'll get out of killing them."

"And what is that?"

"I was trying to follow along, but then she and Valinna started arguing and it got a little confusing," Kareal admitted, embarrassed.

"Just tell us what you heard," Fawne encouraged.

"Something about timing and using their deaths to their advantage," she started slowly. "That they could be rid of some 'troublesome' Warlords and rally support for the cause against Dhemlan at the same time."

"Do you know what they might be thinking, Maeren?"

The other witch thought for some time. So long that Kareal almost convinced herself that even she was stumped. But eventually, she nodded.

"Yes, I think I know what Meredith is planning. If she convinces the rest of the coven and enough of the other witches in Draega that Dhemlan Queens paid those Warlords to assassinate Bethaeny and Ettia, they'll be seen as martyrs.

"And while the immediate focus will be on destroying the Warlords responsible, once that rage has been quenched, the witches will cry out for revenge against Dhemlan. Meredith will have more than enough support to win over some of the weaker districts. It will bring her that much closer to getting the war she wants."

"If that happens, we're finished," Fawne murmured.

"More than likely. I don't think we'd be able to stop it once that wheel is in motion. Especially without Bethaeny or Ettia to lead us."

"We may get a break," Kareal spoke up. "That wasn't all that I heard."

"Good, because we could use some help right now."

"The source of that help might surprise you."

"Oh? Who is it?"

"Valinna."

Even in the dim witchlight, she saw surprise etched in Fawne and Maeren's faces. Both witches took several minutes to recover.

"Did I hear you right- Valinna? She's the one who wanted them dead from the beginning."

"And she still does- just not right now."

"I guess that's some help."

"She hinted that it would be better to let them run a few spy missions in Dhemlan for a while, then kill them later. But that's as far as she got before she and Meredith got into a major tiff over it. And then Valinna just stormed out of the room."

"I see. Very interesting."

"They're supposed to meet about it again later today, but I don't know when."

Maeren nodded to Fawne.

"You and the others will need to keep a close eye on both of them this afternoon and send the word when they are alone again. We'll need to get someone in there to hear what else Valinna has planned."

"I'm sure it's going to be as bad or worse than what Meredith has planned," Fawne replied dismally. "But at least it sounds like we'd have some time to think of a way out of it. I don't think we'll have the same option with Meredith's plan."

"Agreed. So we're all set on what needs to be done?"

Kareal nodded, and so did Fawne. She had a bad feeling that the someone who would be in that room tonight would be her. Hopefully, it wouldn't be her last assignment. The way that discussion had ended did not bode well for how things would go later tonight. If she was lucky, they'd be so focused on tearing each other apart that neither of them would notice her.

Mother Night, I never thought things would get more dangerous at the Hall.

The three witches left the storage room, one at a time to avoid attention. It was time to get back to work.

3/Terreille

Ettia had about enough of Bethaeny's pouting. It was well past mid-morning, and she still hadn't come out of her room. Hadn't come out since last night's argument.

"Just like a child," Ettia muttered as she stood outside the door. "Well, I'm not putting up with it."

But as much as she wanted to scream and vent at her cousin, she knew that wasn't the way to get her out of the room. Bethaeny would just dig in harder. So she tapped lightly on the wood paneling.

"Bethaeny, it's me. Why don't you come out and we'll order something to eat?"

No answer. Ettia knocked a little louder this time.

"Starving yourself isn't going to get back at me, you know. Let's just move on."

When Bethaeny didn't answer again, her patience started to wear thin. There was no way she was going to wait for her cousin to come to her senses. It could take until Hell froze over for that to happen if it was left up to her. Ettia knocked one last time, hand on the knob.

"Cousin, really, act your age." After a pause, she sighed. "If you're not coming out, then I'm coming in."

As she pushed open the door, Ettia expected her cousin to be squared off to argue again. Bethaeny just didn't understand what was at stake here, and how easily she could be manipulated. It'd be Ettia's job to make her understand. Why won't she just listen to me, she griped as she stared at the empty room.

Empty.

Ettia blinked in shock, and looked a second time. The room was still empty. Bethaeny was nowhere to be seen, and all of her things were missing. Back in Hayll, her cousin's suite always looked like a ransacked hideout, clothes strewn all over. But this room was spotless. Not one thing out of place.

"That thankless bitch," Ettia snarled. "She ran off last night after I went to sleep. Probably back to that damn community she saw yesterday."

Incensed, she stormed out of the room and slammed the door behind her.

"Of all the stupid, idiotic things for her to do. Now I'm going to have to find this place for myself and drag her out of there."

Which was precisely what Bethaeny had known she would do. Her cousin was more clever than Ettia had expected. If she'd had any idea that Bethaeny would play this particular hand, she would have shielded the room last night. That would have spared both of them this ridiculous excursion today.

Too late for thoughts like that, though. Ettia needed to be leaving now if she hoped to find her cousin. She started packing a few things for the day when a loud knock on the door startled her. Heart in her throat, Ettia just stared at it for a moment. What if Bethaeny's new Warlord friends had come to find her instead?

"Begging your pardon, Ladies, but the innkeeper was asking if you would be paying for another night in the room," said a voice on the other side of the door.

Hell's fire, she'd forgotten that they would need to settle accounts today. And Bethaeny had run off with most of their funds again. If Ettia paid for the room tonight, she wouldn't have anything left. And it might take longer than that to find her cousin. She couldn't take that risk.

Before the woman could knock again, Ettia opened the door and tried to force a smile.

"Thank you, but I think my cousin and I will be moving on today. I'll just be a few more minutes to clear out all our things and we'll be on our way."

"Very good, Lady. May the Darkness embrace you both on your journey."

"Yeah, um…thanks."

The witch bobbed slightly and turned away. Ettia breathed a sigh and went back to the suite. In minutes, she vanished the rest of their belongings and checked over the rooms one last time. It was definitely time to go.

Meanwhile, Ettia wondered what in the hell the witch meant about the Darkness embracing her. In Draega, you heard something like that and immediately expected death or worse. But here it seemed to mean something else. As common as any other greeting.

Not her problem right now. Right now, she had to focus on finding Bethaeny. Ettia wished she'd read the address on that card her cousin had mentioned. Without it, this hunt was going to take forever. And with every second more that Bethaeny stayed with those people, the more hooks they'd sink into her.

Ettia looked up and down the busy street and wondered where to begin. Her cousin said she'd been approached by a Warlord when she went to a public garden. Maybe it would work again. Ettia would wander around looking lost for a while, then choose some random park and wait. It was worth a try, anyway.

So she started walking. And started thinking. Out in the city with the Dhemlan, she felt horribly exposed and conspicuous. Hell's fire, she'd survived Draega- survived Meredith. A place like this should be easy. Ettia was furious with herself that it wasn't.

The day wore on, and she kept walking. Street after street full of people. Ettia had never seen so many people in her life. Draega was about the same size city, but even if Meredith dragged everyone out into its streets for a day, Ettia doubted it would equal the crowds of Amdarh.

After a while, she forgot what she set out to do, and started wandering. When one of the shops caught her eye, Ettia went inside to check it out. Floor to ceiling, the shelves were lined with goods finer than anything Draega had to offer. She ran fingers over linens and lace, while her eyes flitted over flawless china and glassware.

Another shop sold books. Ettia walked into a third and found paintings and other artwork. Street after street it went, and she could only shuffle on in a daze.

By late afternoon, Ettia was tired. And hungry. She hadn't eaten all day. Just down the street was a dining house. Maybe she ought to stop and get something there before moving on with her search for Bethaeny. Ettia held her head up and walked into the dining house.

It was full, even for this hour. Ettia scanned the room, immediately taking note of the clientele. Witches, Warlords- even a Prince or two, from what she saw. The second she ordered, they'd all know she was from Hayll. What would they do when they found out?

"Excuse me, Lady, but are you interested in a table?"

Ettia jumped, focusing her attention on the witch who'd spoken. A White-Jeweled woman whose natural expression tended to smile.

"Yeah, I think I am."

"Excellent- right this way, then."

They threaded through the tables to an open deuce halfway through the room. Ettia sat at the table as the witch walked away. She picked up the menu. Far more choices than anything she'd seen in Draega. Hell's fire, foods she'd never even heard of. Should she try one of those, or go with something familiar?

"Any thoughts what you'd like tonight, Lady?"

"To be honest, no. There are some things here I've never tried, and I wonder if I'd like any of them."

"If I may make a recommendation," a male voice said to her right.

"You would be the person to know best, wouldn't you," the serving witch said with a laugh. "Aren't you in here almost every night? I think you've tried everything on the menu."

Ettia risked a glance to the table next to her. A Prince with Sapphire Jewels sat on the far side. He looked at her and shrugged.

"It's true. My sister's a lousy cook, so I spare myself the stomachache and eat here."

She would not be lured in, no matter how much she wanted to believe that he was telling an innocent story. Ettia narrowed her eyes speculatively at him and said nothing.

"Why don't I give you another minute to look things over," the serving witch said.

Ettia just stared at the Prince. He sighed and shook his head.

"Lady Bethaeny was right about you, Lady Ettia," he said at last. "You're not going to be easily convinced."

"I might have guessed," she replied. "You're one of the men she met in the park yesterday, aren't you?"

"Lord Willem, at your service."

"Thanks, but no thanks, Prince."

"Not even if my help could reunite you with your cousin?"

"And then your little 'community' would have both of us."

"I make a rule never to argue with Ladies from Hayll, so I won't entertain you with an answer to that."

"Why not?"

"Why won't I answer you, or why don't I argue?"

"Either."

The Prince shifted his chair around the table slightly, the movement drawing him closer to her. Ettia held herself still against the instinct to back away. But she could see that he knew she wanted to. The bastard.

"I gave up arguing with you all decades ago- it always ends in a stalemate and damaged feelings."

"Is that all?"

"Enough of a reason for me. But I know what you want me to say. I won't."

"I wouldn't expect any of you to admit it."

"That's because none of us are liars, Lady."

"In my experience, everyone is a liar when it suits them."

"May I offer you some advice, Lady Ettia," Lord Willem said quietly.

"I probably won't take it, but go ahead anyway."

"Go back to Hayll."

"What?"

"Whatever they did to you there is beyond what we're going to fix. You'd be better off in your own territory where reality meets your expectations. Dhemlan is going to be too alien for you to accept."

Ettia was outraged. How dare he tell her what she should do? The arrogance of the Prince for thinking he knew what she could or couldn't do. Never mind that she fully intended to get out of this territory as soon as possible. But she wasn't going to turn away just because a man told her to. And certainly not before she found her cousin. She stood up and walked right up to him. The man didn't stand, merely inclining his head to look up at her.

"I'm not going anywhere, Prince. You may want me out of your precious territory, but I'm not leaving."

"I didn't say that, Lady. I'm simply telling you that Dhemlan is not ever going to be an easy place for you to live, and you might be better off in Hayll."

Thoroughly disgruntled by the calm in his tone, Ettia did something that surprised her. She plunked down in the seat opposite him at his table and folded her arms. As he stared at her, bemused, she shrugged.

"I'll decide that after you've shown me this community I've heard so much about. And talked with my cousin. In the meantime, maybe you can make good on your offer to suggest something to eat here."

Lord Willem raised an eyebrow at her and shook his head. He nodded at the serving witch, who was finishing with an order at another table. The woman hurried over to them.

"Now this is a surprise- sharing a table for once?"

"I'm not sure I had a choice in the matter. It seems the Lady made it part of the bargain if I was to suggest the meal."

"I'll try to keep that from getting around or you'll never get peace again," she teased with a wink. "So what'll it be?"

"The Lady and I will have the roasted duck and two glasses of whatever white wine the house is serving tonight."

"I'll put that in with the cook and bring you the wine shortly."

With her gone, Lord Willem turned back to Ettia. He gave her a shrug and folded his hands on the snowy tablecloth. Around them, the dinner crowd chattered on without paying any attention to them. At last, he spoke.

"So, Lady Ettia, we've got a whole dinner ahead of us. Any ideas for conversation topics that won't ruin our appetites or end up in another argument?"