Dark Haven

"Maybe the other minstrels will hear something. Whoever's behind this may overplay his hand. You've got to help keep an eye on Kiara—and an ear open to the palace gossip. I can't do it—I don't dare. People will talk."

"What I said about your reputation with your patronesses, that was a joke."

"The reputation is real even though I didn't earn it. I can't stay close enough to make sure she hears the court gossip. But you can. Paiva's too young. Bandele doesn't have the nose for politics you do. There's no one else I trust to be that close to her. Alle only hears the noble's talk. You hear what's said below stairs, what people in the crowd say when they think no one important is listening."

Macaria smiled. She gave his hand a reassuring squeeze, and he returned the pressure. "I will," she said. "But stay as close as you can— all right?"

Carroway made a deep courtly bow. "I live to serve, m'lady."

Kiara and Alle looked up when Macaria came back into the room. "How's your bard?" Kiara asked.

Macaria looked away. "My bard? He's just worried about you. That's all."

Kiara gave a tired smile but did not argue. She could hear Cerise moving about her room, putting her satchels and medicines away.

Alle sat down in a chair beside Kiara. "I know you don't want to worry Cerise. How are you—really?"

Kiara pulled herself into a sitting position. "In Isencroft, I understood the rules. When I went on my journey, I was sure of my ability to fight—and I had a war steed as well as Jae. On the road last year, heading to Westmarch and then on the way back to confront Jared, I knew I could hold my own, even in a battle. Now— everything's different. We still don't know who's trying to kill me—or whether it's more than one person for different reasons. Tris is at war, and we don't know anything about how that's going. I've never felt this helpless in my life—and I hate it. I couldn't protect Mikhail or Make, and I failed today to keep the baby safe. I've let Tris down—I've let everyone down."

"Now, you sound like Viata," Cerise said, joining them. "Your mother was merciless with herself when she made a mistake, but she never recognized her successes. You've gotten used to relying on yourself since Viata died. That's made you strong. But it takes courage to admit when you need help. We won't think less of you." She paused. "What of your regent magic, Kiara? Is it of any help?"

"We found out last year how dangerous it could be for me to scry," Kiara said. "It worked too well. Arontala nearly killed me. I can shield against magic, although a sorcerer of power can break through. I learned that the hard way," she said ruefully. "Father said his magic let him sense the weather—helpful for battle, not much use for me at the moment. If anything, perhaps the regent magic makes our child even more likely to be a mage. But I'm not counting on it for protection."

"We need a plan," Alle said. "We've got to figure out a way to keep you safe without making you a prisoner—and still have the court see enough of you that the gossips don't spread too many rumors."

Macaria flinched. "Speaking of rumors... Carroway says he needs to keep his distance from Kiara because of his 'reputation.' I've always heard comments, but I figured it was his looks—there's no denying the boy's handsome. I can't figure it out—in the years I've been at court, I've never known him to take a lover, but he's got a reputation for bedding his patronesses. I'm afraid for Carroway. Someone's been peeling away Kiara's supporters. What happens if they go after him?"

Macaria looked at Alle. "You and your aunt Eadoin know everything that goes on at court. What's behind the rumors? He won't tell me. I've asked."

Alle fingered her bracelet. "I can understand why he doesn't want to talk about it. I'm not sure—"

Kiara looked from Macaria to Alle. "Macaria's right. Whoever's behind this seems to know all about court secrets. Carroway's vulnerable, and if we're the only ones who don't know, we can't do anything to help. He's a dear friend, Alle. Tris owes him his life. "He's doing everything he can to protect us. We need to know."

Alle nodded. "I heard Aunt Eadoin talk about it once, about how Carroway's family died in the plague. He was only thirteen when it happened. Bricen and Serae took him in, gave him a home at Shekerishet. Even then, he was quite a rising star among the minstrels, and his looks didn't hurt.

"From what Aunt Eadoin said, the trouble started about five years ago, when Carroway was sixteen. Lady Nadine took a liking to him. She asked him to play at her manor any time he was free from court. At first, it was all right. Then she started asking him to stay longer and longer. Finally, she propositioned him, even though she was twice his age. She wouldn't take 'no' for an answer. He felt trapped, but without a family, he was afraid."

Anger tightened Alle's voice. "That went on for a year. No one knew. Then Aunt Eadoin found out. She was just about to go to the king when Carroway took matters into his own hands. He tried to poison himself. He left a note, saying that he didn't know how to escape and never wanted the affair in the first place. Tris found him; Esme healed him. Bricen was so angry that he summoned Lady Nadine and banished her from court forever. Still, the damage was done. You know how the court loves a good story."

Macaria looked away. "That explains a lot."

Kiara squeezed Alle's hand. "I know all about that kind of gossip. Mother fought it all her life, and I saw the toll it took on her. Carroway's right to be cautious. And since he has to keep his distance, that makes you," she said with a nod toward Macaria, "all the more important. There aren't many people we can trust completely. You and the bards are the best source for what's going on at court, what people are saying."

Kiara shook her head. "I wish we knew who father's spy was. He—or she—would be another ally"

Macaria looked up. "We think we know who all the other spies are—except for Isencroft's. Whoever your father sent is keeping a very low profile."

"It worries me what's being reported back to father," Kiara said. "Malae's death. The murders Mikhail was blamed for. Everything else that's happened. Father has enough on his hands trying to break the divisionist rebellion. News like that doesn't help."

"Maybe that's part of the plan," Alle mused. "Maybe whoever's behind the attacks wants the news to cause problems with Isencroft. We've been assuming they're in league with Curane. Maybe they really support the Isencroft rebels."

"Or maybe there's more than one group," Macaria said. "Right now, we just don't know. We've got to be careful."

Kiara fastened the agate charm around her neck. "For starters, Fm never taking off the amulet again. I don't know whether it would have helped today—but it couldn't have hurt."

"And just having guards outside wasn't enough. We're going to need to have one or two people with you at all times—inside the room." Macaria added.

Kiara grimaced. "Fm afraid you're right. We've got a battle of our own—only we don't even know where the lines are drawn. Every time we leave these rooms, we need to have a defense, and we need to be armed. We need to know where the doors are and where the guards will be. I don't understand Margolan, but I do understand war. This is war."