close to her, looking back over his shoulder and then down the corridor
behind her to be sure they were alone.
"We were going to send you an escort," the woman said, "but no one could
think of how to approach you without seeming like we were assassins. I
thought an unarmed woman coming to you alone might suffice."
"You were right," he said, and then a moment later, "That's likely na7ve
of me, isn't it?"
"A hit."
"Please. Take me to him."
Twilight had soaked the sky in indigo. In the east, stars were peeking
over the mountain tops, and the towers rose up into the air as if they
led up to the clouds themselves. Maati and the woman walked quickly; she
didn't speak, and he didn't press her to. His mind was busy enough
already. They walked side by side along darkening paths. Kiyan smiled
and nodded to those who took notice of them. Maati wondered how many
people would be reporting that he had left the council with a woman. He
looked back often for pursuers. No one seemed to be tracking them, but
even at the edge of the palaces, there were enough people to prevent him
from being sure.
They reached a teahouse, its windows blazing with light and its air rich
with the scent of lemon candles to keep off the insects. The woman
strode up the wide steps and into the warmth and light. The keep seemed
to expect her, because they were led without a word into a back room
where red wine was waiting along with a plate of rich cheese, black
bread, and the first of the summer grapes. Kiyan sat at the table and
gestured to the bench across from her. Maati sat as she plucked two of
the small bright green grapes, bit into them and made a face.
"Too early?" he asked.
"Another week and they'll be decent. Here, pass me the cheese and bread."
Kiyan chewed these and Maati poured himself a howl of wine. It was
good-rich and deep and clean. He lifted the bottle but she shook her head.
"He'll be joining us, then?"
"No. We're just waiting a moment to be sure we're not leading anyone to
him."
"Very professional," he said.
"Actually I'm new to all this. But I take advice well."
She had a good smile. Maati felt sure that this was the woman Otah had
told him about that day in the gardens when Otah had left in chains. The
woman he loved and whom he'd asked Maati to help protect. He tried to
see Liat in her-the shape of her eyes, the curve of her cheek. There was
nothing. Or perhaps there was something the two women shared that was
simply beyond his ability to see.
As if feeling the weight of his attention, Kiyan took a querying pose.
Maati shook his head.
"Reflecting on ages past," he said. "That's all."
She seemed about to ask something when a soft knock came at the door and
the keep appeared, carrying a bundle of cloth. Kiyan stood, accepted the
bundle, and took a pose that expressed her gratitude only slightly
hampered by her burden. The keep left without speaking, and Kiyan pulled