That, Lady Bushian seemed to understand. She gripped her son’s dagger tightly.
Oriyu spoke up: “She was alone when we found her. Hasege…attacked her, in spite of my opposition. She cut him in self-defense.”
“I see.” Lady Bushian’s eyes were like her son’s, their depths easy to underestimate. “What did you say her name was, again?”
“Hasege called her Lina.”
“Lina,” echoed Lady Bushian. “A simple name. But I cannot decide if she is a simple girl. Time will tell, I suppose. Oriyu, free her.”
As the sentinel cut the ropes at my wrists, Zairena’s lips puckered as if she’d tasted something sour.
“Lady Bushian,” she said in a low voice, “are you certain it’s wise to allow her to stay? I fear there must be something amiss with her.”
She stared at the bowl on my head, making it clear exactly what was amiss. “What if she harbors dark spirits or brings ill luck to the castle?” She twirled her umbrella. “I didn’t want to say it earlier, but Hasege warned me that she…she might be a demon.”
Megari snorted, reminding us of her presence. “Hasege would call his own mother a demon if it suited him. There are no demons in Kiata.”
“That’s where you’re wrong,” Zairena warned the girl. “All the demons are sealed up in the Holy Mountains, and though they can’t leave, they call out to the weak, compelling them to commit their evil deeds. I worry that this girl could be possessed.”
“That’s nonsense.”
“Respect your elders, Megari,” Lady Bushian said, shooting her daughter a warning look. She turned to Zairena, reassuring her. “I trust my son more than my nephew. Takkan mentioned meeting a cook in Tianyi Village. What he did not mention was that she couldn’t speak.”
“Cannot speak?” Zairena touched the mole on her powdered cheek. Her tone oozed with pity. “I see. It would be like Takkan to feel sorry for such a girl. He has your compassion and generosity.”
“Yes, I thought he’d inherited my honesty as well,” Lady Bushian replied dryly. “But it seems he’s been taking lessons from his sister.”
“He’s a very poor student, Mother,” quipped Megari. “You have nothing to fear.”
“Don’t I?” Lady Bushian’s lips thinned. “We’ll see if—whenhe returns.”
The wordwhencame out strained, and in spite of my resolve to remain indifferent, I felt a twinge of concern. My own mission was too urgent for me to concern myself with Takkan’s troubles, but now that I knew it was he, not Hasege, who’d been the kind sentinel from Sparrow Inn, I certainly didn’t wish him dead.
Lady Bushian composed herself and turned to me. “Winter is upon us, and you will stay until it passes. In the kitchen, I’ve decided. Oriyu will show you to the servants’ quarters. Now go.”
I wouldn’t budge. Not until she returned my satchel.
“The bag, Lady Bushian,” said Oriyu. “I believe she wishes it returned.”
“What’s inside?” Zairena asked.
“Nothing,” replied Lady Bushian, drawing her eyebrows together. “Absolutely nothing.”
Thank the gods, that enchanter hadn’t lied about the bag’s powers. I practically snatched the satchel from Lady Bushian’s outstretched arms. Clasping it in both hands, I fought the urge to make sure the nettles were still inside.
“Poor child,” said Zairena, shaking her head as I held the satchel tight. “It must be of sentimental value—all she has left in the world.”
I relaxed my grip. I needed to appear less attached. The last thing I wanted to do was attract suspicion to my satchel.
Zairena patted my shoulder, drawing so close I could smell the incense suffused into her robes. “You aren’t alone, Lina. I know how you must feel.”
Before I could push her away, she withdrew and addressed Lady Bushian: “Allow me to walk Lina to the kitchen and acquaint her with the staff.” She draped her cloak over my shoulders. “She looks like she could use a hearty meal, and it is the least I can do.”
“Are you certain?”
“It would be no trouble at all.”
“You’ve grown into such a charitable young lady,” said Lady Bushian in praise. “Megari would do well to learn fromyou.”
