“The nose was a little wider, and a little more hooked.”

  Sinit?a smudged the chalk and redrew the Tall Man’s nose. “Like that?”

  Zandrue nodded. “That’s about right.”

  “How about the mouth?” Sinit?a asked, hugging her legs close to her chest and resting the slate on her knees.

  “Thin lips.”

  “Colour?”

  “You don’t have any coloured chalk.”

  “I know, but it’ll still affect how dark I draw them.”

  “There wasn’t much colour to them at all. They were barely discernible from his skin.”

  Sinit?a started to draw, contorting her mouth and nose. After a moment, she stopped. “I’m not really sure what dis-whatever means.”

  Zandrue chuckled. “It means it was hard to tell them apart.”

  Sinit?a grinned and returned to drawing. “Okay, that’s what I thought. There. What do you think?” She held out the slate proudly.

  For a bunch of smudgy chalk lines, it was a surprisingly good picture of the Tall Man, at least as far as Zandrue could remember him. “It’s good. Thank you, Sinit?a.”

  “You’re welcome! I’ll make a couple of charcoal copies for you to show around.”

  Given the tall man’s height, drawings of him probably weren’t necessary. People would remember someone that tall. But it made Sinit?a feel useful to draw them.

  Sinit?a motioned to her handmaid. “Bring me some paper and my charcoal pens.”

  The handmaid curtsied, but there were was a noticeable disapproving scowl on her face. She hurried out of the room.

  “They don’t like me drawing in bed,” Sinit?a said. “I get the sheets all smudged up. But what else am I supposed to do? Melly says I have to stay in bed for at least another day to make sure I don’t still have con-cushion.”

  “Concussion.”

  “Right. I keep getting that wrong. Did you really not betray Felit?a to Annai?”

  “Um.” It took Zandrue a moment to adjust to the abrupt change of topic, especially to something that was so long ago. It was something she had intended to talk to Sinit?a about at the time, but then Sinit?a disappeared, having run off with Meleng and Jorvan, and so much else happened, Zandrue just forgot about it. “I really didn’t betray Felit?a.”

  Sinit?a hugged her knees up to her chest. “But you told Annai you could tell her Felit?a’s secrets.”

  “Nothing Felit?a wasn’t okay with me saying. Before I went to the Palace, Felit?a told me to use her as a scapegoat, to use everyone’s hatred of her as a way of getting closer to them. And trust me, I would never have told Annai any big secrets, just little ones. Besides, I didn’t even really need to. Annai grew to trust me without me having to say much about Felit?a. We actually became friends.”

  “Really?”

  Zandrue nodded. “She can be a really shallow person at times, but she’s basically good. We had fun together. And Tianna and I…” She paused and took a deep breath. It was still hard to talk about Tianna.

  “What about Tianna?”

  Zandrue gave Sinit?a a smile. “Do you know what happened to her?”

  Sinit?a shook her head. “I figured she probably died in the dragon attack like everybody else.”

  Zandrue lowered head and looked away. She took a moment to wipe a tear from her eye. “She died before that, but it was because of the dragon. She...uh… I’ll tell you about it in more detail another time, okay?”

  The handmaid came back into the room at that moment, carrying a small pile of papers and a case. Behind her was a boy in palace livery. The handmaid curtsied. “A messenger, your Highness.” She then continued to the bed, where she handed Sinit?a the items.

  Sinit?a motioned the boy forward. He stepped up and bowed. “Your Highness, her Highness, Princess Felit?a requests Lady Armida’s presence in the library.”

  Zandrue watched the boy for a moment.

  “I guess you should probably go,” Sinit?a said. “I’ll draw the copies and you can pick them up when you’re done with Felit?a.”

  Zandrue nodded, slowly, not taking her eyes off the boy. He was maybe twelve or thirteen years old, with light brown hair. She was fairly sure she’d seen him once or twice around the palace, but she had never interacted with him. However, there was something else familiar about him.

  The boy she’d seen in the cathedral the night she’d met the Tall Man.

  She couldn’t be sure he was the same boy, but if he wasn’t, the resemblance was remarkable. She wished she’d gotten his scent.

  “Zandrue?” Sinit?a said.

  “What? Oh yes, sorry, just thinking.” She addressed the boy, “Tell Felit?a...I mean, her Highness, I’ll be along shortly.”

  The boy bowed again, and then the handmaid showed him out of the room.

  “Do you know him?” Zandrue asked Sinit?a.

  “He’s a messenger boy. He’s brought me a few messages before. I think his name is Luca or something.”

  “Lucas, your Highness,” the handmaid said with a curtsy.

  “Right, Lucas,” Sinit?a said. “Why?”

  Zandrue shrugged and stood up. “Nothing. Just curious. I better not keep Felit?a waiting. Is it just me, or is she starting to enjoy playing princess?”

  Sinit?a scowled. “You’re trying to change the topic because you don’t want to tell me.”

  Zandrue gulped. Sinit?a’s na?veté was not what it once was. Maybe it never had been. “Yeah, okay, maybe I am.”

  “So tell me then. You think there’s something different about the boy. What? I’m involved in this now just as much as you. I deserve to know.”

  “Okay, okay.”

  Sinit?a waved away the handmaid, who curtsied and left the room. “There. Go ahead.”

  Zandrue sighed. “I would have preferred not to make a scene. It’s good you sent your handmaid away, but she already knows we’re talking about the boy. It could spread.”

  “Oh.” Sinit?a frowned. “Sorry. I didn’t think of that. It’s just everyone always keeps things from me because they think I’m stupid, but I’m not, and I just want to be included.”

  “It’s okay. What’s done is done. Just be more careful.”

  Sinit?a nodded. “I will.”

  “I think I saw the boy in the cathedral that night I lost my memories. I can’t be sure it’s him because I didn’t get a good look at the boy in the cathedral. I never actually saw his face. But they definitely look similar.”

  “You think he’s a Darker?”

  “I think there’s a chance.”

  “But he’s just a boy.”

  Zandrue nodded sadly. “Yeah, they recruit young. Anyway, I’ve got an idea of how to find out for sure, but I need to talk to Felit?a first. Don’t let on that we suspect him.”

  “I won’t,” Sinit?a said. “I have to stay in bed, remember? So I probably won’t even see him unless he brings me another message, and if he does, I won’t say anything.”

  “Great, I’ll be back later to pick up those pictures, and don’t worry, I’ll keep you in the loop.”

  Sinit?a grinned. “Thank you!”

  The handmaid was waiting in the entry chamber when Zandrue left Sinit?a’s bedroom. She curtsied to Zandrue and moved towards Sinit?a’s room.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  “Actually,” Zandrue said, “do you mind a quick word?”

  The handmaid curtsied again. “My Lady?”

  “I’m sorry, I don’t know your name.”

  “Olla, my Lady.”

  “Olla, what can you tell me about the boy, Lucas?” Despite what Zandrue had told Sinit?a, Olla was already aware something was up, so might as well try to make use of her in some way, especially considering servants were often aware of a lot of things going on that their employers were ignorant of. Servants also liked to gossip.

  “He’s been a messenger boy here for many years. Most of his life as I understand it. His father is the valet of the old Lord Belone’s brother, Horaz.”

  “And his mother?”

  “His mother was a handmaid here, I believe, though she died many years ago, before my time here.”

  “I see. Thank you, Olla. I won’t keep you any longer. Her Highness may have need of you.” Zandrue turned away from the handmaid and headed for the door.

  “My Lady, if I may be so bold.”

  Zandrue smiled and turned back around. Sometimes, the best way to get information out of people was to make them think you didn’t want anything more from them.

  “I’m not sure why you’re interested in the boy,” Olla said, “but you should know, there are rumours about his father.”

  “What sort of rumours?”

  “Lucas’s father is...an intense man. He is good at his job, and the late Lord Belone’s brother is apparently very happy with his service, but…” Olla frowned. “You won’t tell anyone where you learned of this, will you?”

  Zandrue shook her head. “I’ll tell no one you’ve spoken with me, not even Princess Sinit?a.”

  Olla made a slight curtsy. “Thank you, my Lady. Word amongst the women servants is that the menservants are terrified of him. It is also said that people who cross him vanish soon after.”

  “Do servants go missing often?” Zandrue asked. “Other than after the recent troubles, I mean.”

  “It is a normal thing, my Lady, that sometimes servants go missing. In most cases, I’m sure it’s just that they ran off. Danel Belone frequently had to replace his servants and it was probably because no one liked him. But the stories do say that many had run-ins with Godran first.”

  “That’s his name? Lucas’s father?”

  Olla nodded. “Yes, my Lady.”

  “Thank you, Olla. And don’t worry, he’ll never learn about you.” As long as the damn Tall Man didn’t rip it from her mind, but it was best not to tell Olla anything like that.

  “Now, if you will excuse me, my Lady, I should return to her Highness.”

  “Of course. Thank you again.” As Olla turned away, Zandrue added, “Oh, and I know Sinit?a can be a little...unusual, but honestly, I think she’s probably the best person here for you, or anyone, to work with. She’ll appreciate you far more than most others.”

  Olla curtsied. “If you say so, my Lady. Good day to you.” She curtsied once more and hurried off.

  Zandrue stood in the entry chamber for a short while afterwards. If Lucas was a Darker, it made sense that his father might be one too. Darkers did tend to bring their children into the “family business”. And if Lucas was a not-entirely willing Darker, he might be willing to pass on information in return for protection. Of course, his father might just be involved in normal illicit activities. Whatever the case, it was definitely something worth pursuing.

  She headed to the library.

  When she reached it, she shook her head before the servant could open the door. She needed a moment to prepare herself.

  She was grateful for what Felit?a had done for her. She really was. Indeed, she loved Felit?a more than ever for it. But Felit?a had taken full control of her body. She knew it had been necessary, but it was still terrifying. Being aware of everything, but unable to do anything. In some ways—no, in most ways—it was like when the Tall Man had immobilised her. He had been in full control of her. He had made her body move where he wanted it to go. It made being around Felit?a slightly uncomfortable.

  It was a shame because the experience had otherwise been so incredibly intimate. Not in a sexual way, but in a pure love kind of way. There had been moments there when their minds had overlapped, where they had thought each other’s thoughts. Zandrue had never experienced anything like it, and she doubted she ever would again because, despite the good aspects, it would take a lot before Zandrue would ever consider letting it.

  Taking a deep breath, she nodded to the servant, who opened the door.

  Felit?a sat at the table, eyes closed, holding the Pearl with both hands. Around her neck, the prayer beads glowed a pale purple.

  Agernon, who sat across from Felit?a, looked at Zandrue with narrowed eyes. He slowly raised his cane and pointed it in Zandrue’s direction.

  Zandrue held up her hands and proceeded to move as quietly as she could through the room.

  Corvinian was sitting in one of the plush chairs along the walls, and Nin-Akna stood beside him. Zandrue approached them both.

  Corvinian looked up at her with wide eyes. “They’re trying to make the Pearl work,” he whispered.

  Zandrue just nodded. Back at the table, Agernon was glaring in their direction.

  There was no sign of either Mikranasta or Hedromornasta, but given Agernon was here, whichever Isyar was maintaining the shield must be outside the other door.

  Corvinian was swinging his legs and occasionally bumped one of the chair’s legs, causing another glare from Agernon.

  Eventually, as the beads’ glow was fading, Felit?a opened her eyes and lowered the Pearl. She shook her head sadly. “Nothing. I honestly don’t know what else to do anymore.”

  Agernon snatched the Pearl from her. “That much is obvious.”

  “I am trying, you know,” Felit?a said.

  After a couple more grumbles, Agernon nodded. “I know. I’m sorry. I’m becoming more and more convinced there must be a passcode. Some phrase or image you think of that unlocks the Pearl’s powers. I’ll be damned if I know what it is though.”

  “Somewhere, there has to be a record of the Pearl,” Felit?a said. “Dyle and his Darkers figured out how to use it. They must have learned it from somewhere or someone.”

  “Yes, well, let’s just bring him in here and ask him, why don’t we? Oh right, he’s dead.” Agernon rose slowly, leaning heavily on his cane. “That’s enough for today, I suppose.”

  “But I was hoping Zandrue—”

  “She’s here.” Agernon pointed with his cane.

  Zandrue waved when Felit?a looked in her direction. “What were you hoping I could do?”

  Felit?a shrugged. “You’ve actually used the Pearl before. I know it wasn’t intentional, and it was probably Dyle who did the activating, but I was hoping your presence might...I don’t know. Make a difference somehow or inspire me. Something like that.”

  Zandrue strode over to her. “Well, if you’re looking for good news…” She slid into the chair beside Felit?a. “I think I might have a lead on some Darker activity in the palace.”

  “Really? That was fast.”

  Zandrue gave an exaggerated shrug. “What can I say? I’m back! Also, Sinit?a is drawing pictures of the Tall Man based on my description. Assuming my memories can be trusted, she’s produced a pretty good likeness of Mister Tall’s face.”

  “Why do you call him the Tall Man?” Corvinian asked.

  Zandrue chuckled. “Because he’s very tall and I’m super creative when it comes to making up fake names.”

  “I saw a tall man a couple weeks ago.”

  “I’m sure you did,” Zandrue said. “There are a lot of tall people.”

  Corvinian stopped swinging his legs and looked at her with wide eyes. “Yeah, but this guy was really tall, taller than Rudiger even. He was eight or nine feet tall at least.”

  “Oh really. And what did he look like?”

  “He was bald and kind of pale, I think.”

  Zandrue stopped laughing. “Come again?”

  “He was bald and pale.”

  She turned to look at him more directly. “Why didn’t you tell anyone?”

  “I did!” He pointed at Nin-Akna. “I told Akna!”

  Nin-Akna looked a little taken aback. “You did?”

  “Yeah, it was the same day we saw that Isyar family.”

  “Oh right,” Nin-Akna said. “I remember now.”

  “And you said nothing?” Zandrue said.

  “I never actually saw the guy, and like you said, there are lots of tall people. All you Foliths are ridiculously tall. Why would I think there was anything weird about it?”

  “That’s fair,” Zandrue said. “Where was this?”

  Corvinian shrugged. “I don’t remember. Outside somewhere.”

  “We were out in the streets,” Nin-Akna said. “Not far from the palace. I’m pretty sure I can remember where if you want me to show you.”

  Zandrue shook her head. “No, the location doesn’t mean much other than he’s willing to walk around outside. It means other people will have seen him though. This was a couple weeks ago, you say?”

  “Yeah. It wasn’t the only weird thing. We saw a group of Isyar. Two of them were children.”

  “You saw Isyar children in Quorge?” Felit?a said.

  “Yeah, I mentioned it to Anita, and she said there had not been any reports of Isyar in town other than Jorvan’s bunch. I thought it was a bit weird at the time, but then we got the news from Arnor City, and it seemed a lot less important. I kind of forgot about it.”

  Zandrue looked to Felit?a. “What do you think?”

  Felit?a shrugged. “It would be better to ask Jorvan—or hell, Mikranasta—but from what I know of Isyar society, it seems unlikely any Isyar would be travelling the rest of the world with children. I would also expect people to have seen them. There would be word on the street. Do you think there’s any connection with the Tall Man?”

  “Maybe, though it could be coincidence. The children are certainly odd, though. I need to talk to Jorvan anyway, so I’ll bring it up with him.”

  “Now I think of it,” Nin-Akna said. “Meleng also mentioned seeing a really tall man a couple weeks ago. It was after he fell in the harbour. He was countering the rumours that the creature he fought was a giant. He tried to point out someone he said was taller, but I didn’t see the person then either. But that could have been any tall person as well.”

  “Did he say if this person was bald?” Zandrue asked.

  Nin-Akna shrugged. “I don’t think so, but I don’t remember for sure. It didn’t seem important.”

  “That’s all right,” Zandrue said. “I’ll talk to Meleng, too. First though, Corvinian, I want you to come with me.”

  “Where?”

  “To Sinit?a. I want you to look at her drawing and confirm if it was the same person you saw.”

  “Okay.”

  If either Corvinian or Meleng really had seen the Tall Man wandering around outside, there was every chance other people would have seen him too, including more recently. It might be possible to track down his current location. Of course, there was always the possibility the Tall Man was manipulating people’s minds to mislead them, but surely, no matter how powerful he was, he couldn’t manipulate all the hundreds of people who might see him. Someone would have information.

  Once they found him…

  Well, Zandrue had no idea what they would do.

  But one thing at a time.