"Is that everything?" Sarene asked as Shuden scribbled down the final request.
"That will do for the first few days," Karata said.
Sarene narrowed her eyes. "Fine. But I have one rule you have to follow. You can't forbid anyone from coming to the courtyard. Rule as despots if you wish, but at least let the people suffer with full stomachs."
"You have my word." Karata said. "I will keep no one back."
Sarene nodded. motioning that the meeting was finished. Karata assigned a guide to lead them back to the gate-not Spirit, this time. He stayed behind, approaching the city's two tyrants as Sarene left the building.
"WAS that good enough. my lord?" Mareshe asked eagerly.
"Mareshe, that was perfect," Raoden replied, watching the retreating princess with satisfaction.
Mareshe smiled modestly. "Well, my lord. I do my best. I haven't much experience with acting. but I do think I played a properly decisive and intimidating leader."
Raoden caught Karata's eye. The gruff woman was trying very hard not to laugh. The pompous artisan had been perfect-neither decisive or intimidating. People outside Elantris saw the city as a lawless realm lorded over by harsh, thieving despots. Together Mareshe and Karata had portrayed exactly what the princess and her companions had expected to see.
"She suspected something, sule." Galladon noted. walking out of the shadows at the side of the room.
"Yes. but she doesn't know what," Raoden said. "Let her suspect that 'Aanden' and Karata are playing tricks on her; it will do no harm."
Galladon shook his head slightly, his bald head shining in the dim light. "What's the point? Why not bring her to the chapel; let her see what we really are?"
"I'd like to, Galladon," Raoden said. "But we can't afford to let out our secret. The people of Arelon tolerate Elantris because the Elantrians are so pitiful. If they discover we're establishing a civilized society, their fears will surface. A mass of moaning wretches is one thing, a legion of unkillable monstrosities is another."
Karata nodded, saying nothing. Galladon, the eternal skeptic, simply shook his head-as if unsure what to think.
'Well. she certainly is determined. Kolo?" he finally asked, referring to Sarene. "Determined indeed." Raoden agreed. Then, with amusement, he continued. "And I don't think she likes me very much."
"She thinks you're the lackey of a tyrant," Karata pointed out. "Is she supposed to like you?"
"True," Raoden said. "However, I think we should add a clause co our agreement that says I can attend all of her distributions. I want to keep an eye on our benevolent princess-she doesn't strike me as the type to do anything without several motives, and I wonder just what made her decide to do her Trial here in Elantris."
"That went well," Eondel said, watching their guide disappear back into Elantris.
"You got away easily," Shuden agreed. "The things they demanded can be obtained without much expenditure."
Sarene nodded slightly, rubbing her fingers along the cart's wooden side. "1 just hate to deal with people like that."
"Perhaps you judge them too harshly." Shuden said. "They seemed less like tyrants and more like people trying to make the best of a very difficult life."
Sarene shook her head. "You should hear some of the stories Ashe told me. Shuden. The Guards say that when new Elantrians are thrown into the city, the gangs descend on them like sharks. What few resources enter this city go to the gang leaders, and they keep the rest of the people in a state of near starvation."
Shuden raised an eyebrow, looking over at the Elantris City Guards, the source of Sarene's information. The group leaned lazily on their spears, watching with uninterested eyes as the noblemen began unloading the cart.
"All right," Sarene admitted, climbing into the cart and handing Shuden a box of vegetables. "Perhaps they aren't the most reliable source, but we have proof in front of us." She swept her arm toward the emaciated forms that clustered in side streets. "Look at their hollow eyes and apprehensive steps. These are a people who live in fear, Shuden. I've seen it before in Fjorden, Hrovell, and a half-dozen other places. I know what an oppressed people looks like."
'True." Shuden admitted, accepting the box from Sarene, — but the 'leaders' didn't look much better to me. Perhaps they aren't oppressive, just equally oppressed."
"Perhaps," Sarene said.
"My lady," Eondel protested as Sarene lifted another box and handed it to Shuden, "I wish you would step back and let us move those. It just isn't proper."
— I'll be fine, Eondel," Sarene said, handing him a box. "There's a reason I didn't bring any servants-I want us all to take part. That includes you. my lord," Sarene added, nodding to Ahan, who had found a shaded spot near the gate to rest.
Ahan sighed, rising and waddling out into the sunlight. The day had turned remarkably hot for one so early in the spring, and the sun was blazing overhead-though even its heat hadn't been able to dry out the omnipresent Elantris muck.
"I hope you appreciate my sacrifice, Sarene," the overweight Ahan exclaimed. "This slime is absolutely ruining my cloak."
"Serves you right." Sarene said, handing the count a box of boiled potatoes. "I told you to wear something inexpensive."
"I don't have anything inexpensive my dear," Ahan said. accepting the box with a sullen look.
"You mean to tell me you actually paid money for that robe you wore to Neoden's wedding?' Roial asked, approaching with a laugh. "I wasn't even aware that shade of orange existed, Ahan."
The count scowled, lugging his box to the front of the cart. Sarene didn't hand Roial a box, nor did he move to receive one. It had been big news in the court a few days before when someone had noticed the duke walking with a limp. Rumors claimed he had fallen one morning while climbing out of bed. Roial's spry attitude sometimes made it difficult to remember that he was, in fact, a very old man.
Sarene got into a rhythm. giving out boxes as hands appeared to take them-which is why she didn't notice at first that a new figure had joined the others. Nearing the final few boxes. she happened to look up at the man accepting the load. She nearly dropped the box in shock as she recognized his face.
— You!" she said with amazement.
The Elantrian known as Spirit smiled, taking the box out of her stunned fingers. "I was wondering how long it would take you to realize I was here." "How long…"
"Oh, about ten minutes now," he replied. "I arrived just after you began unloading."
Spirit took the box away, stacking it with the others. Sarene stood in muted stupefaction on the back of the eart-she must have mistaken his dark hands for Shuden's brown ones.
A throat cleared in front of her, and Sarene realized with a start that Eondel was waiting for a box. She rushed to comply.
"Why is he here?" she wondered as she dropped the box into Eondel's arms. "He claims that his master ordered him to watch the distribution. Apparently, Aanden trusts you about as much as you trust him."
Sarene delivered the last two boxes, then hopped down from the back of the cart. She hit the cobblestones at the wrong angle, however, and slipped in the muck. She tipped backward, waving her hands and yelping.
Fortunately, a pair of hands caught her and pulled her upright. "Be careful," Spirit warned. "Walking in Elantris takes a little getting used to."
Sarene pulled her arms out of his helpful grasp. "Thank you," she muttered in a very unprincesslike voice.
Spirit raised an eyebrow, then moved to stand next to the Arelish lords. Sarene sighed. rubbing her elbow where Spirit had caught her. Something about his touch seemed oddly tender. She shook her head to dispel such imaginings. More important things demanded her attention. The Elantrians were not approaching.