Chuckling, Renfrow interjected, "It runs in the family."

"Johannes was willful but never petty. Nor was he particularly selfish. His stubbornness wasn't about himself or his pleasures. It was always about what was best for the Empire. Sir, this child could become our Empress. In a moment, if God has a bad afternoon. Where will we be if she won't grow up?"

"She's bright. She'll learn."

"She hasn't given us any reason to hope."

"Algres Drear is a good man."

"Who would make a lot more headway if he'd paddle her when she wants to do something as stupid as crossing the Jagos during the winter."

"I'll talk to her. She took risks that make no sense. I suspect that she didn't understand the dangers, then got lucky. There's a baron of the Night on the prowl up there. Nothing as terrible has been seen since the early days of the Old Empire. Maybe she caught it napping. Maybe the cold slowed it down. It wasn't as nasty as it should have been. I'm no expert. I can't consult the people who are. They're all Sublime's lackeys. But I saw the monster's handiwork. We can only thank God that it took no interest in the child."

Helspeth wanted to be angry with Delta. She did not indulge. Renfrow was much more critical. Renfrow had always been a demi-god, the iron hammer that forged the Emperor's finished will. If Renfrow found her lacking, then she needed to do some serious self-examination.

Helspeth Ege's circumstances compelled her to live inside herself but she did not do much introspection.

Lady Delta's remarks touched home. Renfrow's criticism kicked the door of her soul wide open.

She did not believe she would become Empress so saw no need to prepare. Others obviously did not concur.

Eges seldom died of the complications of old age. And Lothar, of course, was not expected to survive the year again this year.

Ferris Renfrow asked to be summoned when the princess could see him. He did not hint that she might not be so inclined.

Helspeth was not so inclined. Who did Renfrow think he was, talking like that?

It took time to sink in.

Those nearest to her did not like her much. Her own behavior was the cause.

She did get it. Katrin would not have done.

It was not seemly that the Princess should entertain a man alone. There could be no hint of a possibility of a chance of a stain on her reputation. Not when she was on the marriage market. But she did not want the usual ladies there, eavesdropping for the Council Advisory, the Patriarch, her brother or sister, or anyone else.

She was sure her women were all spies.

She told Renfrow as much.

He nodded. "Of course. You're an object of considerable value." The Imperial spymaster accepted tea from one of the younger girls attending Helspeth this morning. She hoped these vacuous daughters and granddaughters would garble whatever they overheard. "You have no friends."

Helspeth crushed an angry retort. What others thought should not matter. But it did. Renfrow's conversation with Delta and Chevra hurt.

Renfrow revealed striking white teeth, smiling. He was enamored of the eastern custom of cleaning his teeth.

Helspeth halfheartedly cared for her own teeth, only because it was fashionable.

"You're right. I have no friends. I'm more alone than I imagined it was possible to be when I came here." Hurrying because most all of her happy memories included Plemenza.

"You're surrounded by people who could become your friends. If you'd let them. Most of these people do want the best for you."

She did not respond. She did not know what to say. Until, "My world ended when my father died. Before that, even though I never saw him much, I belonged. I had my place. Not much was demanded of me. Katrin and I spoiled Mushin. We played at being girl soldiers. Papa indulged us. Especially me."

"Because you were so much like him. It was a fantasy. Which he recognized for what it was. But he enjoyed letting you be the son that Lothar couldn't. A cruel jest on God's part."

Helspeth sipped her tea. "Must be a side-splitter. Look around. All the strong rulers have weak successors behind them."

"There are succession problems, here and there. But King Peter's son – as much as can be told from an infant – should be a worthy successor. And Anne of Menand will, likely, prove forceful after she becomes King of Arnhand."

Helspeth overlooked the sharpness. "I wish my father hadn't charged into al-Khazen like that."

"Excepting Grand Duke Omro and his cronies, most everyone would agree. We may never recover from the loss. But the Grail Empire doesn't run on 'what if?' and wishful thinking. Most of the time."

"If he was alive I wouldn't be here like this."

"Or you might be. With the same household. Your father was greatly concerned about what he started, letting you girls play at being boys. You in particular worried him. You kept throwing on armor and trying to get into fights. Al-Khazen would've been the last straw. You might've ended up in a nunnery."

"No."

"He considered it."

Helspeth was stunned. "But I thought… I thought that's what he wanted. I thought he'd be hugely proud."

"He would've been, in his secret heart. But he was the Emperor. He had to consider appearances. And your welfare. And you did get into a situation where you had to be rescued by Patriarchals."

Again Helspeth stifled a sharp rejoinder. He was right.

"All right. I did. The Captain-General himself saved me."

A small smile from Renfrow. "I saw him a few months ago."

She failed to mask her interest.

He said, "He's well."

"And?"

"And ready to become a serious burr under the Imperial saddle. Clearenzas could keep happening now that Sublime can afford to build up his forces."

"What would Papa do?"

"Probably summon the levies and march on Brothe. Stop it before it can get going."

"But that won't happen."

"No. Lothar is a minor. And the people on the Council didn't approve of Johannes's policies when he was alive."

"What about Katrin?"

"What will she do? I don't know. No one does. Including Katrin."

"How much trouble will she have being Empress? She isn't a man."

"Less than most people think. She'll have the Braunsknechts."

"And you?"

"Some. Yes." The hard Renfrow shone through briefly. Helspeth shuddered. That was the Ferris Renfrow who had caused nightmares amongst Hansel's enemies.

"What?"

"You aren't going to just vacation here."

"Uh…"

"Did you think you would? You're the Emperor's daughter. You're on this side of the mountains."

"I didn't…"

"I know. Those people up at Alten Weinberg and Hochwasser didn't think about that, either. But you'll be the Empire's proconsul in Firaldia. What with the mountain crossings being closed for half the year, now." And the only way around required an overland journey through the Eastern Empire or Arnhand.

Like it or not, Helspeth Ege had to be an adult. With responsibilities.

"You'll do fine," Renfrow told her. "You are your father's daughter. And you have Algres Drear. It's no accident he was assigned to you. Your father chose him. Trust him." Renfrow started to leave his seat, remembered he was in the presence of an Imperial princess.

"You have something else to do?"

"Always. I'm always behind and always running late."

"Maybe you need your own Algres Drear."

"I have a few. But you hit the mark. I could use more. Since your father died I'm a one-armed juggler with twelve balls in the air. It's necessary to let some things slide. I sometimes decide wrong."

RENFROW FADED OUT OF PLEMENZA AS THOUGH HE HAD been but a wisp of imagination. Helspeth consciously tried to stop feeling sorry for herself. She had to concentrate on improving the standing of the Empire in northern Firaldia.