Vambran's jaw clenched in anger and frustration. "And you and your ilk seem so determined to belittle others' ways of life, though not all who walk a different world than yours subvert your ideals so robustly," he said, raising his voice at the woman. She blinked and sat back ever so slightly. Vambran doubted she had been spoken to in such a manner in a very long time. "I was born and raised in a city of merchants, and it is the life I know. To expect me to abandon all that I was groomed for because you see your way of life as superior to mine is both short-sighted and arrogant.

"I would not presume to tell you that you should leave the woods behind forever and come dwell in the city. It is not your element. You, having most likely never been to Arrabar, would not be at ease there. You would not be able to find your way from street to street. The first cart vendor you came upon would most likely rob you blind and convince you it was a bargain. But these shortcomings do not make me a better person than you. I would not see myself as superior because I better understand the life I lead than you do. Why must you view me that way? Our paths may be different, but our values are not necessarily so separated. Though I may not care and nourish the forest as the Enclave does, that does not mean I cannot appreciate the work that you do, that I cannot value your ideals."

The woman sat and stared at Vambran for a long time. All around the great platform, no one said a thing; indeed, none of the other wood folk present were doing anything at all. They had all stopped their work at the mercenary's outburst. Vambran wondered if that was because of the passion in his words or because they were awestruck that he had the audacity to challenge the woman so.

At that moment, the pair's conversation was interrupted by a messenger arriving atop the platform. The woman turned away from the cage and moved to the new arrival. Together, they squatted down near the fire and began to converse in low voices.

Vambran turned and looked at the other five mercenaries. "I keep thinking that she looks familiar. But I've never been in the Nunwood before."

"Aye," Adyan drawled, "I was thinking the same thing. Can't quite place it, though. Do you suppose we've fought against her before?"

"I remember her face, too, but I don't think it was on the field of battle," Horial added. "But if we all three think we know her, then there's something to it."

Vambran started to nod, but before he got the words out, a disembodied voice began to speak to him. Vambran, are you alive? It was Emriana. Something's happened to Xaphira and Hetta, and Grozier has taken over the House. Please answer me, Vam. You can't be dead!

At his sister's startling revelation, Vambran rocked upright, stunned. He found it difficult to breathe. Shaking his head, he formulated an answer.

It's all right, Em. It's a lie. Uncle Kovrim and I are still alive. I'll come to you as soon as I can. Be safe.

He felt the connection break off at that point, and he wanted to shout at the top of his lungs in frustration. There was so much he needed to tell his sister.

"Emriana's in trouble," he said to the confused faces gathered around him. "Something's happened at home." He wanted to pound his fist against the stone wall of the shallow cave. "Grozier Talricci is in control, and Xaphira and Hetta-" and he stopped himself, feeling his throat constrict in sorrow and worry. "I have to get back to them," he said. "Em needs me." Then he closed his eyes in anguish. "But so do the men. I've got to get out of here!" he snarled, grabbing at the bars and shaking them.

A shadow fell across Vambran's eyes, and he looked up to find the woman standing over him, on the other side of the bars. Behind her, the camp had sprung to life, bustling with activity. He did not understand the portent of that, but he did not care. He had to get out. The lieutenant began to speak, to plead for his release so that he could save both his family and his followers, but he snapped his mouth shut again without uttering a word when he saw the look on the woman's face.

There was a very dangerous glint in her eyes.

She looked at Vambran and the others coldly as she said, "Soldiers have slain nearly every member of our order that they captured. They have bloodied the Emerald Enclave, asking for war. Now they will have it. And they will get more than they ever bargained for." She turned to go.

"Wait," Vambran said, willing her to reconsider. "My offer stands. Let us help you."

The woman turned back, rage clear on her face. "Rot in there," she said with a growl. "The Enclave does not negotiate."

"Vambran's alive!" Emriana practically shouted. "He answered me!" For the first time that day, she actually smiled. It felt good, knowing that at least part of what Grozier Talricci had told her was a lie. Her conversation with Vambran had given Emriana more relief than she could have imagined, and she began to feel some sense of hope again.

I told you not to believe Talricci's lies, Hetta said, warmth beaming from the presence inside Emriana. Your brother can take care of himself. I didn't raise foolish grandchildren, or children either, for that matter.

I know, Emriana thought back. And I thank you for that gift. But it seems sometimes like the entire city is against us.

Yes, Hetta said. Your news of the Grand Syndar is troubling, to say the least. Big things are afoot, that is certain. Now, we must hurry. We still have resources we can draw on, ourselves, but there is no time to waste.

First things first, Grandmother, Emriana responded. I'm not beyond Grozier's reach, yet, and I'll be damned if I'm going to let him fool me again.

Hearing her own words, Emriana felt as though she had aged several years in the course of a single night. She had a debt to pay, to Grozier Talricci and everyone working with him. Still, the girl was homeless at the moment, with nothing more than what she carried on her person. She needed to get to the Darowdryn estate, but she couldn't show up on their doorstep looking and smelling as she did. She had to find a place to clean herself up.

Emriana stepped back out of the alley where she had retreated in order to employ the pendant. She peered in both directions along the street, searching for any signs that Grozier had had her followed. She had no doubt that the man intended to remove her from his life once and for all, whether she had chosen to stay at the estate and obey his wishes or not.

No one walking the avenue seemed the least bit interested in the bedraggled girl, but she waited a moment longer, watching the doorways and rooftops. Memories of the previous evening were still fresh in her mind. She half hoped that she would run into Lak and the other man again.

They won't catch me off guard a second time, she vowed.

She didn't see anything untoward after a few careful minutes of watching, so she turned and headed away from the only home she'd ever known, cutting across the wide street and heading downtown, in the direction of the harbor. She knew the Darowdryn estate was several lanes to the north, but she wanted to find an inn first, a place where she could procure a bath.

Explain to me again how you managed to survive your own demise, Emriana requested of her grandmother as she walked. What is this ring?

I had it made shortly after your grandfather died, Hetta began. Though I was able to carry on the family enterprises ably after his passing, I wasn't so sure that any of my children were yet prepared to take over, should I also die. It wasn't that I was worried that, without my guidance, they would let things fall to ruin. But I did fear that none of them knew every nuance of the business-where to find things, which business partners were truly trustworthy, that sort of thing. I wasn't trying to stay around past my allotted time on this world, but I didn't want to leave unexpectedly without making sure someone knew how to pick up the pieces.