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“How much more can you make?” Tallu asked.

Nohe turned fluidly, her posture somehow changing as she bowed to Tallu, going from simply elegant to precise. If I had asked Empress Koque, I imagine that she would have told me how Nohe’s bow was perfect for the emperor, that my rank commanded a lesser obeisance.

“I am not sure. This solution was easy enough, but Lady Chaliko said there were others that were more difficult,” Nohe said.

“This is a creative use of the resources available. Continue your work, and provide the doctors any samples they need to prove their value.” Tallu gestured his dismissal and Nohe bowed once more, leaving the room.

Then it was just him and me and the massive amount of food she had left behind.

“Did she think I came back from the forest or from a years-long trek in the desert?” I asked.

“We were all very worried about you.” Tallu stood, taking one of the small plates and filling it with the delicacies on the table. Dryly, he said, “I was hardly sleeping.”

I narrowed my eyes at him, because although he might be joking, I could also see the truth in some of what he said. His eyes were tired, his skin far too pale for health.

Perhaps there was no need to let the doctor in on our secret, when it was obvious on Tallu’s face.

“Come here,” I said.

Tallu brought me the plate, and I sat on the bed, taking it from his hands. Gently, I coaxed him down onto the bed, so that he lay with his head in my lap. I put the plate beside me, and ran my fingers through his silky hair.

“Once we have finished, I will take you to the north. I will show you places where ice makes up the mountains and the ground and even the sky. You can see shades of color when you look hard enough. Pale pink and blues from the darkest midnight to the sky on a summer day.” Carefully, I eased his golden circlet off his head, setting it to the side.

I let my thumb trace circles on his temple, my fingers brushing through strands of hair. I told him of the snowy plains in the far north of the Northern Kingdom. And navigating a canoe between icebergs and chunks of ice in the ocean.

By the time I had begun to express my opinions on the various locations where we might watch sea serpents from a safe distance, Tallu’s breath had gone even. He had fallen asleep.

I picked up the plate he had made with trembling hands, forcing myself to eat everything on it, delicious flavors tasting like ash in my mouth.

I had to save him. There was no other option. And yet I choked on what I knew to be true: I wasn’t sure I could.

Three

The next morning, dawn arrived like it always did in the swamp, rays of light piercing through the foggy air. The trees cast long shadows that stained the ground.

And yet, despite the ominous appearance, I could feel the forest alive and humming. Trees and plants grew. Fungus and moss consumed dead plant matter. Birds moved from tree to tree, along with things even more dangerous and deadly.

Tallu’s servants woke us both carefully, pulling aside the flaps to let in light and air, creating an openness to the tent that gave it the appearance of space, even when it had little.

General Saxu arrived at the same time as our breakfast, which thankfully was less food than our dinner. Bowing to both of us, he said, “Prince Airón, I’ve spoken to Commander Lugotu, and he commends your courage and leadership in the field.”

“He exaggerates,” I said, picking up one of the small boiled eggs still in its shell.

Cracking it open, I found the yolk still creamy, and ate it from inside with a spoon. From a nearby branch, Terror, Dawn and Ratcatcher tilted their heads, croaking amongst each other. Huffing out an annoyed breath, I tossed two of the eggs through the open tent door. The birds immediately leapt after them, squawking and fighting loudly once they found them on the ground.

“Commander Lugotu is not known for his exaggeration,” General Saxu said.

“Then I appreciate his generosity,” I said. “Have you gotten any information from the man we brought back? We heard very little screaming last night. I wondered if your interrogators had taken the evening off.”

“That is what I hoped to speak to you about.” General Saxu turned to Tallu.

Tallu stood still, his servants fluttering around him like butterflies carrying silk and jewelry. Despite the poor options they had, they somehow still managed to make him look every inch the emperor.

In robes, wearing one of his crowns, Tallu looked as though he could walk back into the throne room in the Mountainside Palace and defeat any enemy using just his sharp tongue.

“The prisoner will not speak to me, nor Commander Rede. I am uncertain about allowing anyone else to question him, as my men might not have the patience for such a delicate task.” General Saxu watched as one of Tallu’s servants secured a golden earring that crawled up the curve of Tallu’s ear.

“And you believe that he will speak to His Imperial Majesty?” I asked, doubt making my tone dry. “Isn’t it more likely that he is going to attack Emperor Tallu? Try to kill him at the first opportunity?”