“I may not want to tell you,” she said. “But you may ask.”
“Some of the men have heard the Overseer talking to his generals over the last two days. Others have overheard the scouts. They say there’s nothing left of Windwir but for those metal men and that boy.”
“That seems to be true enough,” Jin Li Tam said. “Though I hope it will be proven false.”
He’s not come to it yet, she thought. There’s more he wants to ask, but he’s not sure he can trust me. She took a risk and used the subverbal finger language of the Delta Houses.
You can trust me, she signed.
He blinked. You know our signing?
She nodded. “I do.” Even as her mouth formed the words, her hands kept moving. Ask what you will, Lieutenant.
His hands fumbled with the hat and he pulled it back onto his head. “It wouldn’t be proper for me to question.” But his hands now moved too. They tell us that the Overseer had advance knowledge of Windwir’s doom from spies in the city; that we rode out to her aid by way of kin-clave. His hands went limp and she understood. This young man was on the edge of the blade now.
“You’re right,” she said. “It would not be proper. He is the Overseer. You are his lieutenant. I am his consort.” The Overseer did have advance knowledge, she signed back.‹ Ck.
“I’m sorry to have bothered you, Lady.” And his hands again: The men have heard him boasting. They say he claims he brought down the Androfrancine city.
“Please let the Overseer know that I will join him for dinner shortly.” Jin Li Tam hesitated. Confirming his fears could lead him down a dangerous path. It was easier to be uncertain than it was to pretend a noble cause or to bury his uniform and flee. The Overseer’s boasting is true, she finally signed. She watched the color leave his face.
The lieutenant swayed and he dropped his hands. “He must have had good reason,” he whispered.
Jin Li Tam stepped closer, now revealing her height as she put her hand on the young man’s shoulder. “Once you see the Desolation of Windwir,” she said in a low voice, “you’ll know there could be no good reason for what the Overseer has done.”
The lieutenant swallowed. “Thank you, Lady.”
She nodded once, then turned away and waited for him to leave. Once he was gone, she closed the flap to her tent, hid the magick pouch in a different location, and laid out her clothing for the night’s event.
As she brushed her hair, she wondered if her father were right about Lord Rudolfo. It was clear now that she must leave sooner rather than later. Sethbert rode a slippery slope on a blind stallion, and no good could come of it. She wondered what her father would say, and she thought perhaps he would tell her to go to Rudolfo. A strategic alliance with the Ninefold Forest Houses-at least until she could return safely to the Emerald Coasts-could keep her about her father’s business a while longer.
Sethbert no longer stood when she entered a room. In the early days he had, of course, and certainly during formal occasions he followed the proper courtesies. But he was alone now with his metal man and he was chuckling as it hopped on one foot and juggled plates for him.
“Lord Overseer,” she said in the doorway, curtsying.
He looked her over, licking his lips. “Lady Jin Li Tam. You look lovely as always.”
As she walked into the room and took her seat, he waved off the metal man. “Wait in the kitchen,” he told it.
It nodded and shambled off, clicking and hissing.
“The newer ones are much better,” he said. “I think I’ll replace him.”
Jin smiled and nodded politely.
“And how are you this evening? Have you kept busy?” Sethbert seemed jovial now.
“I have, Lord. I checked on the boy and made sure he was well cared for.” When Sethbert frowned, she continued. “I’m sure he’ll be talking in no time.”
The momentary storm passed from his face. “Good, good. I will want to hear his story.”
Jin placed her hands in her lap. “Should I be aware of anything this evening, Lord?”
Sethbert smiled. “You’ve not met Rudolfo before.”
She shook her head. “I’ve not.”
“He’s a fop. A dandy of sorts.” Sethbert leaned in. “He has no children. He has no wife nor consort. I think he’s-” He waved his fingers in a feminine way. “But he’s a great pretender. If he asks you to dance-and I suspect he will-dance with him no matter how distasteful it may be.”
“If my lord wishes.”
“I do wish it.” He leaned in. “It goes without saying that the time is not right for him to know of my role in Windwir’s fall. He’ll know soon enough, but when he does it will be too late for him.”
Jin Li Tam nodded. It was sound strategy. The attack on Windwir had knocked a crutch out from under the Entrolusian economy-Sethbert might be mad, but not so mad as to be foolish. For whatever reason he’d destroyed this city, he intended to supplement the Delta’s losses by annexation, and the Ninefold Forest Houses were ripe fruit, albeit high on the tree and a bit out of the way. A small kingdom of forest towns surrounded by vast resources. The army, she realized, had never been for Windwir. “I understand.”
There was a commotion outside. The tent flaps fluttered and her young lieutenant stood in the doorway. Their eyes met briefly before he looked away.
“Lord Rudolfo rides for the camp. He’s bringing his Gypsy Scouts. They are unmagicked.”
Sethbert smiled. “Thank you, Lieutenant. Make sure he is announced appropriately.”
Jin Li Tam straightened her skirt, pulled at her top and wondered how this last meal as Sethbert’s consort would go.
Chapter 5
Rudolfo
Sethbert did not meet him at the edge of his army; instead, Rudolfo rode in escort to the massive round tent. He snapped and waved and flashed hand-signs to his Gypsy Scouts, who slipped off to take up positions around the pavilion.
Sethbert rose when he entered, a tired smile pulling at his long mustache and pockmarked jowls. His lady rose, too, tall and slim, draped in green riding silks. Her red hair shone like the sunrise. Her blue eyes flashed an amused challenge and she smiled.
“Lord Rudolfo of the Ninefold Forest Houses,” the aide at the door announced. “General of the Wandering Army.”
He entered, handing his long sword to the aide. “I come in peace to break bread,” he said.
“We receive you in peace and offer the wine of gladness to be so well met,” Sethbert replied.
Rudolfo nodded and approached the table.
Sethbert clapped him on the back. “Rudolfo, it is good to see you. How long has it been?”
Not long enough, he thought. “Too long,” he said. “How are the cities?”
Sethbert shrugged. “The same. We’ve had a bit of trouble with smugglers but it seems to have sorted itself out.”
Rudolfo turned to the lady. She stood a few inches taller than him.
“Yes. My consort, the Lady Jin Li Tam of House Li Tam.” Sethbert stressed the word “consort” and Rudolfo watched her eyes narrow slightly when he said it.
“Lady Tam,” Rudolfo said. He took her offered hand and kissed it, his eyes not leaving hers.
She smiled. “Lord Rudolfo.”
They all sat and Sethbert clapped three times. Rudolfo heard a clunk and a whir from behind a hanging tapestry. A metal man walked out, carrying a tray with glasses and a carafe of wine. This one was older than Isaak, his edges more boxlike and his coloring more copper.
“Fascinating, isn’t he?” Sethbert said while the metal man poured wine. He clapped again. “Servitor, I wish the chilled peach wine tonight.” Koniber
The machine gave a high-pitched whistle. “Deepest apologies, Lord Sethbert, but we have no chilled peach wine.”