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d。 She shuddered to think what discovery of that overstepping of her place would mean。 As well put on a brocaded robe and shave her head。
All of this could be put aright once Tanchico fell； with everyone fed； everyone put in their proper place。 And she could abandon dresses and things she had no experience or taste for； return to her ship。 Tarabon； at least； and perhaps Arad Doman as well； were ready to crumble at a touch； like charred silk。 Why was the High Lady Suroth holding back？ Why？
Jaichim Carridin lounged in his chair； cloak spread over the carved arms； studying the Taraboner noblemen who occupied the private room's other chairs。 They sat stiffly in their gold…embroidered coats； mouths tight below masks fancifully worked to resemble hawks' faces； and lions' and leopards'。 He had more to worry him than they； but he managed a calm demeanor。 It was two months since he had received word of a cousin found skinned alive in his own bedchamber； three since his youngest sister； Dealda； being carried off from her bridal feast by a Myrddraal。 The family steward wrote disbelievingly； frantic with all the tragedy befalling House Carridin。 Two months。 He hoped Dealda had died quickly。 It was said women did not cling to sanity long in Myrddraal hands。 Two whole months。 Anyone else but Jaichim Carridin would have been sweating blood。
Each man held a golden goblet of wine； but there were no servants present。 Selindrin had served them before removing herself with an assurance that they would not be disturbed。 There was； in fact； no one else on this； the highest floor of the Garden of Silver Breezes。 Two men who had e with the nobles … members of the King's Life Guard； unless Carridin missed his guess … stood at the foot of the stairs to guarantee continued privacy。
Carridin sipped his wine。 None of the Taraboners had touched theirs。 〃So；〃 he said lightly； 〃King Andric wishes the Children of the Light to aid in restoring order in the city。 We do not often let ourselves bee involved in the internal affairs of nations。〃 Not openly。 〃Certainly I cannot remember such a request。 I do not know what the Lord Captain mander will say。〃 Pedron Niall would say to do what was needed and make sure the Taraboners knew that they owed a debt to the Children； make sure they paid it in full。
〃There is no time for you to request instructions from Amador；〃 a man in a black…spotted leopard mask said urgently。 None had offered names； but Carridin did not need them。
〃What we ask is necessary；〃 another snapped； his thick mustache below a hawk mask giving him the look of a peculiar owl。 〃You must understand that we would not make this request unless it were necessary in the extreme。 We must have unity； not more division； yes？ There are many divisive elements； even within Tanchico。 They must be suppressed if there is to be even the hope of imposing peace on the countryside。〃
〃The death of the Panarch has made matters most difficult；〃 the first fellow added。
Carridin raised an eyebrow questioningly。 〃Have you discovered yet who killed her？〃
His own supposition was that Andric himself had had the deed done； in the belief that the Panarch favored one of the rebel claimants to the throne。 The King may have been right； but he had discovered after calling what he could of the Assembly of Lords … a good many were with one or another of the rebel groups out in the country … that they were remarkably stubborn about ratifying his choice。 Even had the Lady Amathera not been currently sharing Andric's bed； election of King and Panarch was the only real power the Assembly had； and they did not seem to want to give it up。 The difficulties over the Lady Amathera were not supposed to be known。 Even the Assembly realized that that news might set off riots。
〃One of the Dragonsworn madmen assuredly；〃 the owl…looking man said； giving his mustache a fierce tug。 〃No true Taraboner would harm the Panarch； yes？〃 He almost sounded as if he believed it。
〃Of course；〃 Carridin said smoothly。 He took another sip of wine。 〃If I am to secure the Panarch's Palace for the ascension of the Lady Amathera； I must hear from the King himself。 Otherwise； it might appear the Children of the Light were reaching for power in Tarabon； when all we seek is； as you say； an end to division； and peace under the Light。〃
An older； square…jawed leopard； white streaking his dark yellow hair； spoke up in cold tones。 〃I have heard that Pedron Niall seeks unity against the Dragonsworn。 Unity under himself； is it not？〃
〃The Lord Captain mander seeks no dominion；〃 Carridin replied just as icily。 〃The Children serve the Light； as do all men of good will。〃
〃There can be no question；〃 the first leopard put in； 〃of Tarabon being subject in any way to Amador。 No question！〃 Angry agreement rumbled from nearly every chair。
〃Of course not；〃 Carridin said as though the thought had never crossed his mind。 〃If you wish my aid； I will give it … under the conditions I have stated。 If you do not； there is always work for the Children。 Service to the Light never ends； for the Shadow waits everywhere。〃
〃You will have sureties signed and sealed by the King；〃 a graying； lion…masked man said； the first words he had spoken。 He was； of course； Andric himself； though Carridin was not supposed to know。 The King could not meet with an Inquisitor of the Hand of the Light without causing talk any more than he could visit a wineshop； even the Garden of Silver Breezes。
Carridin nodded。 〃When they are in my hand； I will secure the Panarch's Palace； and the Children will suppress any。。。 divisive elements。。。 who attempt to interfere with the investiture。 Under the Light； I swear it。〃 Tension drained out of the Taraboners visibly； they upended their goblets as if trying to replace it with wine； even Andric。
So far as the people of Tarabon were concerned； the Children would have the blame for the inevitable killings； not the King； or the army of Tarabon。 Once Amathera was invested with the Crown and Staff of the Tree； a few more of the Assembly might well join the rebels； but if the rest admitted they had not elected her the news would set Tanchico afire。 As for any tales that came from those who fled … why； rebels would spread any sort of treasonous lie。 And the King and Panarch of Tarabon would both dangle on strings Carridin could hand to Pedron Niall to do with as he pleased。
Not such a grand prize as it would have been when the King of Tarabon controlled more than a few hundred square miles around Tanchico； yet it might be grand again。 With the aid of the Children … a legion or two would be needed at least； not just the five hundred men Carridin had … the Dragonsworn might yet be crushed； the various rebels defeated； even the war with Arad Doman successfully prosecuted。 If either country still realized it was fighting the other。 Arad Doman was in worse condition than Tarabon； so Carridin heard。
In truth； he hardly cared if Tarabon fell under the Children's sway； or Tanchico； or any of it。 There were motions to go through； things to do that he had always done； but it was difficult to think of anything except when his own throat would be cut。 Perhaps he would long to have his throat cut。 Two whole months since the last report。
He did not stay to drink with the Taraboners； but made his goodbyes； as shortly as he could。 If they took offense； they needed him too much to show it。 Selindrin saw him e down； and a stableboy was trotting his horse up to the front door when he reached the street。 Tossing the boy a copper； he spurred the black gelding to a quick canter。 The ragged folk in the twisty streets got out of his way； which was to the good； he was not sure he would notice if he trampled one of them。 Not that it would be any loss。 The city was full of beggars； he could hardly breathe without the stench of old； sour sweat and dirt。 Tamrin ought to sweep them up and sweep them out； let the rebels in the country contend with them。
It was the country that held his mind； but not the rebels。 They could be dealt with easily enough； after word began to spread that this one or that was a Dar